the life of tamerlane the great with his wars against the great duke of moso, the king of china, bajazet the great turk, the sultan of egypt, the king of persia, and some others ... : wherein are rare examples of heathenish piety, prudence, magnanimity, mercy, liberality, humility, justice, temperance, and valour. clarke, samuel, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing c ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life of tamerlane the great with his wars against the great duke of moso, the king of china, bajazet the great turk, the sultan of egypt, the king of persia, and some others ... : wherein are rare examples of heathenish piety, prudence, magnanimity, mercy, liberality, humility, justice, temperance, and valour. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed by t.r. and e.m. for tho. underhill ..., london : . attributed to samuel clarke. cf. bm. reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. marginal notes. eng timur, - . a r (wing c ). civilwar no the life of tamerlane the great, with his wars against the great duke of moso, the king of china, bajazet the great turk, the sultan of egyp clarke, samuel b the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the life of tamerlane the great , with his wars against the great duke of moso , the king of china , bajazet the great turk , the sultan of egypt , the king of persia , and some others , carried on with a continued series of success from the first to the last . wherein are rare examples of heathenish piety , prudence , magnanimity , mercy , liberality , humility , justice , temperance , and valour . when the gentiles which have not the law , do by nature the things contained in the law : these having not the law are a law unto themselves , which shew the work of the law written in their hearts , rom. . , . london printed by t. r. and e. m. for tho : under hill , at the signe of the bible in pauls church-yard , neer the little north-door , . the life of tamerlane the great , who flourished anno christi . tamerlane was born at samercand , the chief city of the zagatajan tartars ; his father was called zain-cham , or , as others will ▪ og , prince of the zagatajans , of the country sachithay ( sometimes part of the famous kingdome of parthia ) third in descent from zingis the great , and successful captain of the tartars , which og being a prince of a peaceable nature ( accounting it no less honour quietly to keep the countries left him by his father , then with much trouble and no less hazard to seek how to enlarge the same ) long lived in most happy peace with his subjects , no less happy therein then himself ; not so much seeking after the hoording up of gold and silver ( things of that nation not regarded nor valued ) as contenting himself with the encrease and profit of his sheep and herds of cattel , then , and yet also the principal revenues of the tartar kings and princes ; which happily gave occasion to some ignorant , of the manner and customs of those northern nations and countries , to account them all for shepherds and herdsmen , and so also to have reported of this mighty prince , as if he had been a shepherds son , or herdsman himself ; vainly measuring his nobility by the homely course of life of his people and subjects , and not by the honour of his house , and heroical vertues , hardly to be parallelled by any prince of that or the former ages . his peaceable father now well stricken in yeers , and weary of the world , delivered up his kingdome to this his son ( not yet past fifteen yeers old ) joyning unto him two of his most faithful councellors , odmar and ally , to assist him in the government of his state , whom tamerlane dearly loved whilest they lived , and much honoured the remembrance of them being dead . the first proof of his fortune and valour , was against the great duke of mosco , or emperor of russia , for spoiling of a city which had put it self under his protection , and for entring his country , and proclaiming war against him : whom he in a great battel overthrew , having slain twenty seven thousand of the muscovites footmen , and between fifteen and sixteen thousand horsemen , with the loss of scarce eight thousand horsemen , and four thousand footmen of his own . after which battel tamerlane beholding so many thousands of men lying dead upon the ground , was so far from rejoycing thereat , that turning himself to one of his familiar friends , he lamented the condition of such as command over great armies , commending his fathers quiet course of life , accounting him happy in seeking for rest , and such most unhappy , which by the destruction of their own kind , sought to procure their own glory , protesting himself even from his heart to be grieved to see such sad tokens of his victory . alhacen in his arabick history of tamerlane makes this narrative of the battel . the muscovite ( saith he ) had a great army , which he had gathered together out of sundry nations : and tamberlane intending not to put up such wrongs and indignities , assembled all his forces , and those of his allies . the muscovites forces were such as had been well trained up in the wars ; for having lately concluded a peace with the king of poland , he had from thence ten thousand very good horsmen : there were also with him many hungarian gentlemen , under the conduct of one uladislaus , who brought with him more then eight thousand horse ; so that he had in his army above eighty thousand horse , and one hundred thousand foot . tamerlane had in his army about one hundred and twenty thousand horse , and one hundred and fifty thousand foot , but not so good soldiers as the muscovites ; for his subjects had been long trained up in peace under his peaceable father ; and though they had sometimes been exercised , yet they wanted the practical part of war . tamerlanes order in his march was this , he caused all his army to be divided into squadrons , each consisting of six thousand horse save his own , which consisted of ten thousand ; so that he made eighteen squadrons besides his own . the avanguard was conducted by odmar , who led eight squadrons which were flanked by fourty thousand footmen , divided on the right and left sides , who shot an infinite number of arrows . the battel was conducted by tamerlane , who with his own led ten squadrons , and fifty thousand footmen , the best and choicest soldiers of his whole army . the prince of thanais , his kinsman , led the arereward with six squadrons of horse , and fourty thousand foot ; his forlorne hope consisted of some three thousand horse , adventurers . the muscovites fought by double ranks with lances , and they seemed to be a greater number then tamerlanes , making a great noise : but tamerlanes skill and multitude at length overcame the force and valour of the muscovites , the victory bending to the parthians side which they pursued hotly . in this battel tamerlane was hurt on the side of the left eye , and had two horses slain under him : and indeed that day odmar was the safeguard of the prince , but he lost ally , who was slain with an arrow . the battel being ended , tamerlane returned thanks to god publikely for his victory , and the next day reviewing his army , he found that he had lost between seven and eight thousand horsemen , and between three and four thousand footmen . the muscovites lost about twenty seven thousand foot , and fifteen or sixteen thousand horse . the prince slacked no time after so great a victory , but marching on , came into the borders of the muscovites , whom he enforced to this agreement . that they should become his tributaries , paying yeerly one hundred thousand duckets : that he should defray al the charges of the wars , amounting to three hundred thousand duckets : that he should withdraw his army , and send back all the prisoners ; and that for the performance hereof , he should give pledges , which should be changed every yeer : all which being agreed to , he returned with great content and glory to his father . shortly after , the great cham of tartary ( his fathers brother ) being grown old , and out of hope of having any more children ; moved with the fame of his nephew after this victory , sent him diverse presents ; and with all , offering him his only daughter in marriage , sent him word that he would proclaime him heir apparent to his empire , as in right he was being his brothers son , and the daughters not using to succeed in those empires : which so great an offer tamerlane gladly accepted , and so the marriage was afterwards with great triumph at the old emperors court solemnized , and consummated , and our tamerlane according to promise , and his right was proclaimed heir apparent of that great empire . thus was tamerlane indeed made great being ever after this marriage by the old emperor his uncle , and now his father in law , so long as he lived , notably supported , and after his death succeeded him in that so vast , and mighty an empire . before his marriage he would needs be crowned , to the intent that none should think that the crown came to him by the right of his wife but by his own ; and during his abode in the city of quavicai , where the old emperor was , he was entertained with all kinde of triumphs , wherein he alwayes carried away the bell , whether in shooting in the bowe , in changing of horses in the middest of their courses , in tiltings , and in all other exercises which required agility or strength ; and so after two moneths returned with his wife to samarcand , in which city he delighted exceedingly to remaine , because the situation thereof was fair , and being watered with a great river , was a place of great traffick , whereby it was made richer then any in that country : and whensoever he received intelligence from the emperor his uncle , he still imparted the same to odmar , whom he used as his right hand in all his great affaires : there was also in his court a christian whom he loved much , and every on greatly respected , called axalla a genovois by birth , brought up from his youth about his person , for he countenanced all that worshiped one onely god that was the creator of all things . and about this time the old emperor sent to him to stir him up to war against the great king of china , who stiled himself , lord of the world , and son of the sun , who had exceede his bounds , and incroached upon the tartarian empire : this was no small enterprise , and before he would begin the same , he sent ambassadors to the king of china to demand restitution of his lands , and the passages of a river called tachii , which were within the tartarian border , and on this side that stupendious wall builded on purpose by the kings of china for the defence of their country against the incursions of the tartars : and whilst he attended for the return of his ambassadors , expecting a negative , he caused his forces to be assembled together from all parts , appointing their rendevouz to be in the horda of baschir : the old emperor also assembled for his aid two hundred thousand fighting men , wherein were all the brave men of his court who were accustomed to the wars : for this emperor had greatly encreased his limits , and conquered a great country , so as all these men were well trained up in the wars , and had been accustomed to travel and paines ; these were to joyn with tamerlanes army in the deserts of ergimul at a certain day . in the mean time the ambassadors which were sent , return and informe the prince that this proud king of china wondred how any durst denounce war against him , making this lofty answer : that tamerlane should content himself with that which he had left him , which also he might have taken from him , &c. this answer being heard , our prince marched directly to his army , gave orders for conveiance of victuals from all parts , sent to hasten forwards his confederates , imparted the answer to the old emperor , caused the insolence of the king of china to be published , that all the world might know the justness of his cause ; yet before his departure he went to take leave of his own father , who endued with a singular and fatherly affection , kissed him a thousand times , made solmne prayers for his prosperity , drew of his imperial ring , and gave it him , telling him that he should never see him againe , for that he was hasting to his last rest , and calling odmar , bad him farewell , requiring his faithfulness to his son . the prince having performed this duty , returned to samercand , where the empress his wife remained , whom he took along with him in this journy , as the maner of that country is , and so presently departed , committing the charge and care of his kingdome in his absence to one samay , a man well practised in affaires , who also had had the charge of our prince in his youth . these things being dispatched , he marched forwards in the midest of his army , which consisted of fifty thousand horse , and a hundred thousand footmen , relying principally on the forces of the great cham his uncle : yet he left order that the rest of his forces should be ready to advance upon the first command , as soon as he should be joyned with his uncles army . in his march he was stayed by the way in regard of some distemper of his body contracted by reason of his change of the aire yet the forces which catiles , captain of the army of the great cham conducted , went daily forwards . now the newes of his distemprature was bruted abroad in all places , yet did he not neglect to send to the great cham , and often to advertise him of the state of his health , to the end that the same should not cause any alteration which might arise in that great empire whereunto he was lately advanced : for he was very suspicious of a great lord , named calix who was disconted therewith , and had not yet acknowledged him as all others his subjects had : and indeed it was not without cause that he suspected him , for calix being informed that the forces of the great cham were advanced beyond the mountaines , having passed the river of meau , and were encamped at bouprou , and that tamerlane was sick , he thought it a fit time for his enterprize , and thereupon assembling the greatest part of his most faithful followers , he told them that now was the time for them to shake off the yoke of the parthians , who otherwise would enslave them ; and seeing that now their prince was so badly minded as to translate the empire to tamerlane of his own minde without calling them to councel which had interest in the election , that this was the onely means to assure their liberty , which otherwise was like to be lost : he caused also a rumor to be spread , that tamerlane was very sick , the emperor old and crazy , and that his forces were far separated from him ; yet like cunning traytors , they dispatched away a messenger to the great cham , to assure him that they bended not their forces against him , but were his faithful and obedient subjects ; and they onely armed them selves because they would not be governed by the parthians , their ancient enemies . as soon as our prince was advertised of the pretences of calix , he marched one daies journy forward , to the end that he might approach unto calibes , who , what face soever he set on the matter , yet hearkened what would become of calix , that he might likewise make some commotion . this calibes was by tamerlane made commander of his avanguard , which consisted of parthians ▪ yet had joyned with him the prince of thanais , without whom he could not do any thing . tamerlane also gave special commandment , that the passages ( which were not many ) should be diligently guarded , to the end that the king of china should not be advertised of these tumults : and so giving to odmar the leading of his avanguard , he hasted forwards ; and surely it was high time for him so to do , or else all had been revolted ; for calix having assembled a hundred thousand fighting men , presented himself before the great city of cambalu , chief of the province of cathai , the inhabitants whereof came out to meet him , receiving him with all the joy that might be . tamerlane in his march went to caindu , and from thence to calatia , where he expected to meet with the forces of his native country of sachetai , yet did he not neglect to send forward his army towards cambalu , which caused the inhabitants , to their great terror , to think that all his forces were already on their neck . calix perceiving that the citizens begun already to repent his entertainment , thought it not safe to remaine amongst them , and therefore withdrawing himself , he sent for his forces from all parts , resolving to meet tamerlane in the field , and to put all upon the event and hazard of a battel . he drew out of cambalu fifty thousand men , whereof twenty thousand were citizens , the other thirty thousand were the garison-souldiers placed there by the old emperor , calix having corrupted their leaders , and so procured them to joyn with him in this revolt . in short , having assembled all his forces , his army consisted of fourscore thousand horse , and one hundred thousand footmen , which he gathered from all parts . in the mean time tamerlane's army marching forward , his scouts which were two thousand horse , had news of the army of calix , which came forward directly towards them , of which they speedily advertised the emperor , who thereupon presently sent two thousand horse more , to the end that they should keep the passages of a certain river called brore , by which river victuals were conveyed to his army : as also to win time , the prince well knowing that the motions of a civil war are furious at the beginning , and that therefore its best to resist slowly , alwayes drawing them out at length , if it be possible , for when means , money and victuals fail , the people use to be sensible of their faults , and to return home . the old emperor sent to him to adventure all upon a battel , delivering up into his hands the safety of his life and estate , that thereby he might end his daies in peace : by this means forces came to tamerlane on all hands , whose army daily encreased , whereas on the contrary the enemies army was then in its chiefest force , and began to feel the want of victuals . calix was about fourty yeers old , a captaine renouned with the great cham , and one of the chiefest in dignity and place about him , so that many of the tartars had alwayes respected him as a person most worthy of the empire , if the glory of tamerlane and his reputation had not so far exceeded . the armies began to be in view one of another about eight a clock in the morning , and many skirmishes began betwixt them before they came to the maine battel . the place wherein they met at that time , was a great plain , with like advantage on either part . odmar led the avanguard , wherein were fourty thousand horse , and eighty thousand foot , which he divided into three squadrons ; the first whereof he sent before him to begin the battel . tamerlane marched in the same order , but his squadrons were much stronger . the footmen of both made the right and left wings . tamerlane had drawn out six thousand parthian horsemen , and two thousand tartarian for his areareguard , which he committed to his faithful servant axalla ; a man of a great judgement , quick of conceit , and in great esteem amongst the souldiers , although he being a christian , worshipped god in an other manner then they ; and he had many other christians with him , whom he had drawn from the georgians , and the euxine sea , who fought with great agility . calix on the other side , who was a well spoken man , was exhorting , and encouraging his souldiers to fight for his fortune , and the liberty of their nation ; he divided his army into three maine battels , himself remaining in the middest encompassed with his footmen , and so the battels joyned , where , after a terrible fight , calix fell into axalla's hands , being taken fighting valiantly , which axalla caused to be presently ▪ proclaimed thorow the army , to the overthrow of the courage of all the adversaries ▪ who hereupon immediately fled . calix was kept till the next day , and then by a councel of war was adjudged to death ; whereupon tamberlane caused his head to be stricken off , the which he sent as a present to the inhabitants of cambalu : the like he caused to be done to all the chief leaders , not out of a cruel disposition , but enforced thereto by necessity , knowing very well that the way to cut off the foot of civil war , is to punish the heads of the same , which as hydra's grow up too fast . after this tamerlane with his army marched into the kingdome of cathay , a country rich in grass , and all kind of pastures , abounding with great quantity of beasts , and people , which knew not what war meant ; and the prince gave command that they should not be used as enemies , but as his good subjects , and whereas diverse cities had adheared to calix , they came now and humbled themselves before him , craving pardon , which he gave them , enjoyning them only to provide victuals for his army , which also they willingly did . this example of lenity was of no small importance for the appeasing of others , which had put all their hope in extremity , resolving to sell their lives deer , and especially the inhabitants of cambulu had taken this resolution , but being informed of the emperors clemency , they changed their purpose : yet as the army daily approached neerer , their fears encreased , but tamerlane was daily informed by his friends in the city , that the inhabitants resolved to obey the conqueror ; and therefore leaving his army at gonsa , he only sent thirty thousand to the city , which was the ordinary garison , and within two hours after entred the city himself , where he was received with great magnificence : yet would he not pronounce their pardon , but referred all to the old emperor , and to the ordinary course of justice : for which end he sent one of his favourites to the old emperor to certifie him of his victory , of the death of calix , and that the chief of his faction remained prisoners with him ; as also to know what justice he would appoint to be inflicted upon those citizens which were the authors of the revolt of this city , and so after eight dayes he departed , and not many daies after he had intelligence that the great cham , his uncle , had caused justice to be done on the chief movers of sedition in cambalu , so that the people complained of the old emperors cruelty , but commended the mercy of tamerlane . when he came back to his army , he was received of all his souldiers with loud acclamations , calling him , most great emperor , and most victorious . amongst his captaines he discoursed of the beauty and greatness of the city of cambalu , and afterwards asked odmars advise whether it were not best for him to visite the old emperor ; and so with his emperess to spend the winter with him at quinsay ? odmar remembring the honour which he had received there , easily perceived his inclination to that journy , yet by all means disswaded him from it ; to which tamerlane answered , that he had alwayes found his fidelity and love to him , which he was sorry that he could not recompence to the full ; but ( saith he ) whereas i had thought to give my self some ease : i perceive that instead of the delicacies , and pleasures of quinsay , i must make the deserts of cipribit my resting place after my travelles in this new victory : yet a rumor being spread that the prince intended to visite the emperor , every man began to desire to return into his own country , hoping to enjoy the sweetness of his native soile : which tamerlane being informed of , calling his army to a rendevouz , he thus spake unto them , we have ( my faithful souldiers ) begun an enterprise against the king of china , who hath of late repulsed even beyond the mountaines the tartarian name , but were hindred to our great grief by the foolish rashness of calix , and were driven to turn the bridle to punish him , wherein you have all assisted me . it grieves me that i cannot as well boast of the fresh spoiles of a stranger , as i may ( by the means of your weapons ) of those of our unfaithful subjects , and as in times past of the fierce muscovites , against whom with your assistance i made trial of my first armes : but for this last victory being against our own subjects , i cannot speak of it without shedding tears , desiring to bury such victories in oblivion , together with all the glory and honour gotten thereby . neither do i recount these things to you , but to shew that i forget not your faithfulness , and the great travel you have endured for my sake : we must not therefore be weary , but must turn our weapons against those which imagine us to be full of troubles , whereas we are indeed victorious : our companions , and all our amunition is advanced neer to our enemy already ; we must in that place ( my souldiers , and friendly followers ) pass over the rest of winter ; our companions look for us ; our enemies are secure , and look not for us at this season of the yeer , and know that our army that is already there , is not sufficient for offence , but only for defence . you shall receive double pay , the better to furnish you against the injury of cold ; and as we shall be apparelled with double garments , so i hope we shall be clothed with double glory . having thus spoken , his souldiers all cryed , one god in heaven , and one emperor on earth , shewing their willingness to obey his commands . the prince after this remained there eight dayes longer , sending back zamai with twenty five thousand horse , and fifty thousand foot to sachethay , for the safety of his estate in those parts : and so after solemne and publike prayers , the army began to march forwards : he forgat not likewise to dispatch away a messenger to the great cham to acquaint him with all his purposes , which he approved very well of : by the same messenger he also beseeched him in the spring to send him fifty thousand men to recruit his army , and some moneys for the payment of his souldiers , which also he granted ; sending also good store of warlike munition , and plenty of victuals , knowing how much the success of the war would advance the tartarian greatnesse and profit . the army being upon their march , in thirty eight dayes came to cipribit , yet met with many inconveniences by the way . there they had news of calibes , who was glad to hear how businesses had passed , and came to visit the prince , who entertained him very courteously , acquainting him with his purpose , and understood by him how all things passed in the kingdome of china . the next day the prince came to pazanfou , where calibes forces were , who had often fought with , and tried the valour of the chinois , but found it much inferior to their own : there the prince took a general muster of all his army , caused them to be paid , took notice of their countenance , whilest they all cryed out , god save the victorious and invincible emperor , according to their custome . the prince of thanais , who commanded the army with calibes had diligently viewed the wall , and the wayes by which he might forcibly enter into china , and had sent many spies by certaine wayes thorow the mountaines into that country , by whom he was advertised of all their proceedings : he had also gained by his curtesie a lord of those mountaines , called the lord of vauchefu , who commanded over a great country , who being desirous of a new master , and to submit to tamerlane , had told the prince of thanais , that he was able to do the emperor good service , and to help him much in his wars against the chinois : this the prince of thanais discovered to tamerlane , who was very desirous to speak with this lord ; whereupon a day was appointed , and tamerlane without moving of his army , went to the tents of the prince of thanais where this foresaid lord meet him ; and the emperor having heaped upon him many gifts of fair horses , and rich furs , and other rare things ; this lord spake thus unto him , know , my lord , that it is but lost labour for you to think that with your armies you shall be able to force this wall made by the chinois to hinder the incursions of your subjects : the defendants have too much advantage therein ; i doubt not of your souldiers valour and courage , i know you have conquered many nations with them , and that whatsoever you command them they will effect it or die in the enterprize : i know that you have great and wise captaines with you , and that you of all persons in the world , are most worthy to command them : but all this will be but in vain against the wall of the chinois , where i assare you are fifty thousand men to keep it ; neither can you stay there so short a time , but there will come fifty thousand more to assist them , led by one xianxi who hath already received such a commandment : the king of china will himself follow , who will give you battel with two hundred thousand horsemen , and as many foot ; and though happily your fortune , and valour may carry away the victory , yet i believe it will cost you dear : but to shew you how much the reputation and courtesies of your servants have prevailed with me , i will direct you in a way whereby fifty thousand of your men may go into china , whom i my self will conduct , and they shall come upon those which guard the wall in a manner before they be discovered . in the mean time you shall lead your army to a place which i will direct you to , where you may win easily a mountaine which will give you great advantage against the chinois . for i assure my self , that when they shall perceive your men to be passed ; they will lose their courage , so that you may easily win the passage to assist your army , which shall be led by me amongst them ; and to assure you of my fidelity , i will deliver into your hands my wife , my only son , and two little daughters . i have also one brother who , i assure my self will follow me to do you service . the emperor having heard this , much rejoyced at it , hoping that his affaires would succeed happily , and kept this very secret , not revealing it to the prince of thanais himself , none being present at the discourse , but the lord and his interpreter , and so heaping new favours upon him , he was conducted back by the prince of thanais with all the honour that might be . so the emperor returned to his quarters , and the next day imparted the whole matter unto odmar ; and then calling calibes , he asked what he had learnt concerning china during his abode there : to which calibes made this answer , know , my lord , that i am your slave to obey you ; but seeing you command me to give an account of all that i know concerning the kingdome of china , for that i have remained these six moneths upon the borders : i can assure you that the king of china who now reigneth , is of great reputation , and hath encreased the limits of his kingdome , more then any of his predecessors : his strength consisteth in this wall opposed against us , which he hath made to prevent the inrodes of our nation : i believe there are above fifty thousand to defend it , and that of his best trained souldiers , and i know no good means to force this wall without much hazard and great loss of your men . to this tamerlane answered , i hope that the great god , whose honour i will defend against those idolaters , will find out meanes to effect it ; and so dismising calibes , he appointed his army to remove to a certain place , where he meant to chuse out fifty thousand men , whom he would deliver to the prince of thanais , and axalla ; which accordingly he did , and directed them to follow this chinois lord , who was now againe come to him , and to do as they should be directed by him : in the mean time himself with all the rest of his army approached the wall directly over against qauguifois . the army led by the prince of thanais having marched ten leagues by the conduct of the chinois lord , entered without resistance , and after a short repast , they marched directly towards those that guarded the wall , who suspected no such matter , but only had an eye to those which came to force the wall . but it fell out far otherwise , for just as tamerlane with his army came to the wall , they saw axalla with twenty thousand ▪ who was followed by the prince of thanais with thirty thousand choice souldiers , who without any words fell upon the chinois ; and odmar , who gave the first assault upon the wall , easily in that distraction brake thorow , and so the chinois were cut off between the two armies : and axalla before the prince of thanais came up to him , had routed them ; great riches were gotten that day , and the king of china's cozen was taken prisoner , much gold was found as well on their armes , as on their horses furniture , they shewed no great valour . the news of this overthrow being carried to the king of china , who was now at quantifou , it brought great astonishment to him , for that he judged it impossible to have been effected , so that every one was filled with tears , fears , and lamentations for their friends . yet the king gathers forces from all parts , calling also the priests , and such as had the charge of his unholy holies to come unto him , commanding them to offer sacrifices to their gods , whereof the sun is the principal , requiring the same to be observed thorow all the cities ▪ and then that every one that was able to bear armes , should mount on horsback , and speedily repaire to the king at paguinfou , whither he suspected that tamerlane would march , for that it was one of the cities neerest to the borders . in the mean time tamerlane beat down the wall , the better to assure his return , as also the fortresses upon all the passages , all which upon his victory were easily surrendred to him . he shewed himself very courteous to the people upon the mountaines , and gave to the lord that had conducted his army , a country which bordered upon his , wherein were seven or eight good towns , who came and delivered up the keyes to him : he gave him also the government of the frontier-province of xianxi , shewing himself to be a prince of his word , and reserved the rewarding of his brother till he had farther opportunity . whilest he was thus imployed , news was brought him that the king of china had assembled his forces , and was marching forward , himself being there in person ; as also that he had strengthened the garisons in all his cities which of themselves were well fortified . upon this intelligence tamerlane called a councel of war , and having heard the opinions of all his captaines , heresolved to take in some famous city , that thereby his army might be better provided for , and then to give the king of china battel in the field . for the effecting of the first , he resolved to assault paguinfou , which was a great city strongly fortified , and well replenished with people ; and for this end he sent odmar with fourty thousand horse to summon it , and to prevent the farther victualling of it , and the driving away of the cattel out of the champion-country about it , which might nourish his army ▪ he also caused the lord axalla ( whom now he had made lieutenant general of all his foot ) to follow odmar with all his foot , which were neer a hundred and fifty thousand men well trained , and expert in war , himself marching immediately after with all his horsemen , artillery , ensignes , and other munitions belonging to the war , directly to paguinfou . odmar made such haste that he arrived unexpected by the citizens , who rather looked for their king , then for an enemy : and having taken much cattel , wherewith that country abounded , he pitched his tents on the farther side of the city : there he continued two or three dayes , giving the city many alarms , till the infantry led by that brave christian genuois shewed themselves , in the plaine of paguinfou : then was the city summoned , but they returned answer , that they were resolved to live and die in the service of their prince . by the way you must understand , that about fourty yeers before , the father of this present king of china had conquered this city and country from the tartars , and had so planted the same with new colonies , that but few of the tartarians remained : but onely in the flat country , and some small walled towns , who all came with their keyes , and willingly submitted to tamerlane , whereby he had great plenty of victuals in his army , which made him hope for good success , there being nothing that doth sooner overthrow great armies , then the want thereof . thus was paguinfou besieged round , the footmen lying within a slight-shoot of the walls , the citizens and souldiers using their best indeavours for their defence , and tamerlane doing the like for their offence . axalla having viewed a great suburb , which was in length almost half a league , supposed that the citizens kept no watch there , & therfore acquainting the emperor with his purpose , in the first watch of the night , his men being all ready with sealing ladders , he assaulted the same in sundry places , and after a great fight entred and cut in pieces at least eight thousand men which were within the same : yet on one side where they expected to be assaulted , he lost many of his men . the tkaing of this suburb did greatly astonish the citizens , who observing the valour of the tartarians began to suspect their own safety : by this suburb there ran a river , which being now under the command of axalla , he stopt all provision from going to the city . in the mean time the king of china's army approached , which was very great ; whereupon the emperor determined to go in person , and meet him with the greatest part of his horsemen , but to leave most of his foot to continue the siege , being very desirous to take the city ; for the accelerating whereof , he caused his engines for battery to approach , as rams , and such like ; so that the city was assaulted on two sides very couragiously , and in the end , thorow the valour of axalla , who gave an assault with twenty thousand of his best souldiers , he won the wall , and at the command of the emperor lodged there , who desired rather to have the city by treaty then storme , the city being great and rich , and the enemy but thirty leagues from thence , and therefore he feared lest his army should be found in disorder , and knowing also that rich souldiers never fight well . besides , he intended to draw out of that wealthy city such things as he stood in need of , and to make it his magazine for the time to come . yet though the wall was won , the enemies wanted not heart to defend themselves valiantly , hearing that their king was coming for their reliefe : but it so happened that an engine shooting a bullet , slew the governour ; whereupon the citizens were so discouraged , that they resolved to yield , saving their lives , and the souldiers to march away with horse and armes . the conditions were admitted , and there came out of the city eighteen thousand souldiers , almost all the inhabitants remaining behind : this siege had lasted two moneths , and the city had in it at first thirty thousand souldiers . axalla had the honour of winning this city , and therefore was made governour of it , and all the country belonging to it ; but he beseeched the emperor to bestow it upon some other person , reserving for himself the hope of his master , in whose fortune he would take part : this gave great content to tamerlane , who much desired the service of axalla ; and upon this refusal the charge was conferred upon the prince of thanais , with the title of vice-roy : then did tamerlane give notice of his affaires to the old emperor , and having paid his souldiers , and settled all things in the best manner he could , he marched forward ; and taking a general muster of his whole army , horse and foot , he found them to be diminished ten thousand men only . and so with his army he spent one whole day in prayer , calling upon the immortal , invisible , and invincible , and incomprehensible god , and then went directly to meet the enemy , who was at sintehu with all his own & the forces of his allies , and as soon as he received news that tamerlane's army was advanced over the river of chulifu , the king of china marched directly to them with great magnificence : there was nothing to be seen in his army , but gold and precious stones : he himself usually rode in a chariot whereof every part shone with gold , pearles , rubies , and diamonds . he was of the age of about three and thirty , and had been brought up in pleasures , not under the bloody ensigne of mars : so that he was very insolent in threatenings , bravadoes , and defying to the battel : he often accused tamerlane for surprizing him before he was ready , not giving him warning , &c. the rumour of his riches sired the spirits of the tartarians , that they longed to be at the battel : and so both sides hasted forwards , and in the way there was a city called tunichevoy , surrendred to tamerlane , which afforded him much refreshing for his army : and thus the two armies drawing neer together , tamerlane made choice of a place in his judgement most advantageous for the battel ; and having set down to odmar the order which he would have to be observed , he longed to see his enemy ; then did he send before him five or six thousand horse as scouts under calibes , and himself went with them , and having viewed the great confused army of his enemies , which came continually forward , he commanded calibes to retire himself so soon as they drew neer to him , and bring ( saith he ) this great cloud to me , which i hope soon to disperse : and so retiring to his army , he encouraged them , assuring them of the victory . he placed all his footmen , which were about a hundred and twenty thousand , along a mountaine , planting great store of artillery for their guard ; many of his foot-souldiers were armed after the christian manner , who were all commanded by axalla : his horsemen were in battalia in a great plaine , who upon any disadvantage could retire to the assistance of the footmen : the horsemen were eighty thousand ; calibes with the scythians were in the avantguard , being thirty thousand horse , who were to receive odmar when he should retreat from the enemy , as he was commanded ; thirty thousand more were appointed for odmar , and tamerlane himself remained in the areare at one of the wings of his footmen : his purpose was to let that sixty five thousand horse under two such gallant captaines , to break the force of the enemy , hoping after them to have a good market , causing his foot to march forward , and reserving with himself twenty thousand of his best horse , who of themselves were able to make a new battel if any mischance should befall the former : for he understood that it was the custome of the kings of china to enclose themselves in the middest of their chariots with their footmen , and not to hazard their persons , but upon extremity . the chinois failed not to march directly unto calibes the whole army following and setting upon him : calibes with his six thousand scythian horse , after their usual manner , in retreating gave many charges , giving and receiving hurt . the king of china marched with much gallantry with his army , which seemed to be twice so big as that of tamerlane's : he had very many armed chariots , wherein he put his principal trust ; they had much gold and silver , as well in the trappings of their horses , as one their armour , which glistered exceedingly against the sun , to the admiration of the tartars . tamerlane , who with a troop of horse beheld the chinois marching after calibes , commended greatly the drawing forth of their men to compell calibes to fight , endeavouring to discover and note with his eye the place where-abouts the kings person was , having by him the chinois lord to instruct him , who knew well the manner of their fight . they had no avantguard , but were all in a gross commanded by the king inclosed with his chariots , which being shewed to tamerlane by this lord , he turned to those captaines that were neer him , and said , yet must we disperse this guilded cloud , and the king of china and my self must make a partition thereof . thus having sufficiently viewed the enemy , and observed their maner of marching , he thought it not convenient to suffer them to take breath , nor to rally , being something disordered in their march , whereupon he sent to calibes , to will him to begin the fight ; and when those that were with him should be weary , to retreat to him : but as soon as his scythians heard this word fight , they required the first charge with a young lord that commanded over them called 〈◊〉 , making it to appear to the chinois , to what end their former flight was charging very furiously upon the formost of the enemies , which occasioned the first beginning of the battel : and indeed there could not be seen a more gallant onset , wherein the scythians desired to manifest the valour of their nation , and to procure honour to their prince . this sight endured a long hour before they had overthrown calibes : tamerlane beheld all patiently , saying , that the great multitude ( how disorderly soever they were ) would at length carry it away from the order and valour of his souldiers ; yet could there not be discerned any alteration of his countenance , adversity and prosperity being both alike so indifferent to him . calibes being wounded retired himself neer to the emperor , having with him two thousand horse that were rallied again , many more flocking to him : the emperor viewed his wound , causing him to be conducted behind his footmen , and care to be taken for the dressing of his wound , and of such others as were wounded with him . calibes with his thirty thousand scythians was not able to charge thorow the chinois , but when they retreated , odmar with his parthian horsemen advanced forward , and used them more roughly , for he ran clean thorow them , and returned by the right wing of the army , where he fought most valiantly and having beaten them even within the kings chariots , he thought he should not do wisely to attempt the breaking of such forces . the king of china coming forwards , and the horsemen that had been broken by odmar , joyning themselves to him , odmar sent to tamerlane , desiring him that the footmen and artillery might advance forward sending him word that he might assure himself of the victory . hereupon tamerlane commanded axalla to advance with fifty thousand foot , and part of the artillery requiring him to set upon the chariots , and to make an entrance . the artillery marching in the first place did greatly astonish the enemy ; for the governours of the horses belonging to the kings chariots could not rule them : it made also a great spoile . axalla perceiving the disorder , hasted forwards till they came to handblows . the king of china had yet about his person a hundred and fifty thousand men : yet axalla full of courage , fought so valiantly , that they never beheld any man to do more bravely . during this fight , odmar againe charged the horsemen that were retired to the kings aid , and put them to flight . then did tamerlane himself march forward with the rest of the footmen for the aid of axalla , and brake thorow , even to the person of the king of china , who as yet was enclosed within a second rank of chariots with about thirty or fourty thousand men , and after he had fought two or three hours , the horse assisting the foot , and they principally whom the prince had kept as a reserve , the king at length remained wounded in the power of tamerlane , the battel being won , and the enemies camp forced . the fight endured eight hours , and the night coming on , saved the lives of many of the chinois . there were slaine two kings , allies to the king of china . inestimable riches were gotten in golden vessels , preecious stones , and as fair , and rich chariots as could possibly be seen . the emperor would not see the captive king , till the next day : but being mounted on hoseback he rode about the field to stay the slaughter , and to rally his men , that the accustomed watch might be kept , whereof he gave the charge unto axalla , commanding him also to keep the king of china in the middest of his souldiers , who was dressed of the wound which he had received in his right arme . it was a strange sight to see the diversity of the enemies weapons , and the variety of their streamers and ensignes , which seemed afar off as beautiful as the diversity of colours plentiful . the king of china's army was very great , consisting of a hundred and fifty thousand horse , and two hundred thousand footmen : but the greatest part of them were rude and barbarous people , far inferiour to tamerlane's in valour , who suffered themselves to be slaine one upon another , not marking their advantages , and having little skill in warlike affaires . tamerlane continued on horseback , till about two a clock in the morning , when as they brought him a tart , and his water , for he never dranke wine , and then lying down upon a carpet , he passed the rest of the night untill morning . after this so great a victory , there was never the least boasting , or vauntiug heard to proceed out of his mouth . the next day after the burial of the dead he publikly gave thanks to god for his victory . then caused the wounded to be cured , and amongst others calibes , who more through the distemperature of the aire , then from the danger of the wound , found himself very ill , yet would he not omit his duty in commanding the van , which was very grateful to tamerlane , for that he being a scythian , was greatly beloved of his nation . these things being dispatched , he sent unto axalla to bring forth his prisoner the king of china ; and when he approached , the emperor issued out of his tent , and went to receive him . this king came with a very proud and haughty countenance , and approaching neer to the emperor , he by his interpreter , asked of axalla which was he ? and being shewed him , he spake in an haughty language after this manner : the gods whom i worship , being provoked against my nation and people , have conspired against my good fortune , and made me this day thy prisoner : but for as much as it is reported over all the world , that tamerlane maketh war for the honour of his nation , thou shouldest be content with this glory , that the lord of the world , and childe of the sun is in thy power to receive such laws as thou pleasest to prescribe unto him . this he spake in a brave manner , without any other humbling of himself : the emperor on the other side saluting him very courteously , led him into his tent . this king of china was a great prince , having two hundred famous cities within his kingdome ; which also is a fruitful and plentiful country , wherein are mines of gold and silver , much musk and rhubarb : it abounds in fish and fowl , and hath much silk and porclane , with cotton and linnen , &c. then did tamerlane assemble his captaines to consult about the disposal of the king ; and how the victory should be best improved . at the same time he received news by odmar , that the kings brother , who escaped out of the battel , was at quantou , which he had strongly sortified , and that great store of forces began to adjoyn themselves to him : hereupon he commanded two thousand parthian horse to convey the king to paguinfou , and from thence to burda , where he was to be kept carefully . then did he resolve upon the besieging of quantou , and if it were possible to shut up the kings brother therein , it being one of the principal seats that belonged to the king of china . it was fourty leagues from the place where the battel was fought . thither therefore he sent a good party of his army under odmar , who pitched his tents about the city : but the kings brother was gone . the emperor in the mean time summoned , and took in many lesser cities , which yielded wholly to his mercy , making great lamentation for their captive king , yet the gentleness of the conqueror made them to take all their losses with patience , and the rather because they heard that he used their king courteously . the kings brother also sent ambassadors to tamerlane , craving leave to see the king , and to know of his health , which the emperor willingly assented to . now the kings brother hearing of the estate of the besieged in quantou , he resolved either to relieve it , or to fight a battel , for which end he advanced strait unto porchio , making a bridge of boats to pass over the river : but odmar being informed when about fifty thousand of his men were come over , suddenly set upon them , being out of order , and not informed of their enemies approach ; also to prevent the coming over of the rest to their assistance , he sent a fir-boat down the stream against their bridge of boats , which brake it in sunder , and where it was resisted , set all on fire ; and so in a great battel overthrew them ; the king of cauchin-china , who was amongst them , fighting valiantly , was slaine . the kings brother who was on the other side of the river ( not yet come over ) saw his men slaine and drowned , and could not relieve them . this second overthrow was of no smal importance , though it was but the third part of the kings brothers army . for the citizens of quantou hearing of it , and despairing of relief , sent out some proposals for their surrender . axalla which received them , presently dispatched away a faithful messenger to the emperor to know his pleasure therein : this was more welcome news to him then the overthrow of his enemies , wherefore he referred all to the sufficiency , and fidelity of axalla : so that upon treaty the city was surrendred to axalla , who caused the garison to come out , and received the inhabitants into the emperors protection , and all that would might continue in it unarmed : afterwards he entered into it , and was received with great signes of joy by the inhabitants , who resolved to entertaine the emperor with all the solemnity that might be . axalla put thirty thousand men into it for a garrison , injoyning the citizens to pay the emperors army four hundred and fifty thousand crowns : presently after he received a command from the emperor to stay in the city himself , and to send all the rest of his foot men unto him , which he commanded the rather , because he understood that ambassadors were coming to him from the kings brother to treat of peace , and he presumed the sight of all his army together ready to march , would strike such a terror into them , as would cause them the readilier to assent to good termes . the ambassadors sent by the kings brother were of their chiefest men , whom tamerlane entertained with all humanity , causing his greatness to appear to them , as also the activity of his horsemen whereby they might discerne that it would tend to the destruction of their country if they agreed not with him : then did the ambassadors deliver their message , which consisted of two branches : one was for the delivery of their king , the other for the preservation of their country : the emperor answered , that they should deliver their message in writing , and he would give a speedy answer : their propositions were to leave paguinfou , and all the country beyond it , with all the fortresses of the mountaines in tamerlanes possession : that they would pay all the charges of his army from that day forward : and that they would give two millions of gold for the ransome of their king : to this the emperor answered , that he would keep that which he had conquered within the country , being his own as taken by his arms . that he would have the river by which his army was now encamped , and so along to the sea , to be his frontiers : that the king of china should pay him yeerly two hundred thousand crowns , which should be delivered at paguinfou for acknowledgement of his submission to his empire : that he should pay five hundred thousand crowns in ready money for the charge of his army : that the king of china should be delivered , and that all the other chinois prisoners should pay ransomes to particular men that took them , except those which carried the names of kings , who should pay ten thousand crowns for their liberty and peace : and that no chinois should be kept for a slave , nor sold for such hereafter , being under the emperors obedience : that traffick , and entercourse of merchants should be free between both the nations : that the king of china should deliver his brother , and two other called kings , with twelve principal men of the country for hostages to secure the peace : these conditions , after they had consulted together , were accepted of , hoping that time would restore again their ancient liberty , and in the mean time they must bear the yoke of the conqueror . then did tamerlane lend two thousand horse to fetch the king of china , that being at liberty he might solemnly swear to the peace ; which accordingly he did , delivered the hostages , and so went into his kingdome to performe the other articles , where he was almost worshipped as a god , and received with all the joy that might be . thus tamerlane having settled his affairs , and provided for the assurance of his new conquest , left odmar to govern the same , leaving with him thirty thousand horse , and fifty thousand foot to furnish all the fortresses and strong places , giving him in charge to make his chief residence at quantifou , to fortifie well the passages and to build a new fort at dermio , the better to strengthen his borders : he left him all necessaries , and commended the lord of the mountaines , who had been so serviceable to him ; his brother he took with him , giving him large preferment in zachethay : he also carried along with him many of the new conquered people , to plant them in his own country , sending other colonies in their stead , which he did , because he found them a light people , and such as affected novelties . tamerlane sent to acquaint the old emperor with all these things , having two of the greatest and fairest cities in all china in his possession , and an hundred leagues of land , extending his borders to a river , by which he might go to the enemy , but they could not come to him without passing over the same : he desired also above all things , that all the idols which were within his conquest should be beaten down , and commanded the worshipping of one god . then did his army , wherein was much sickness , begin to march , and tamerlane hearing of more forces that were coming towards him out of tartary , he sent to stop them , commanding them to march to cambalu , whither himself also was going , hearing that the old emperor intended to meet him , and to entertain him with great magnificence in the city . odmar being thus severed from tamerlane's side , all his favour was turned to axalla , of whose prudence , valour , and fidelity he had such large experience in these wars , so as the report of his valour did flye thorow all the empire ▪ calibes led the avantguard , and axalla was in the battel neer to the emperor , who bestowed upon him two hundred thousand crowns yeerly to maintaine his ordinary expences . and thus after certaine daies journey , news was brought of the old emperors arrival at cambalu : wherefore tamerlane leaving his army to winter in a faire and fertile country , and dismissing many of his souldiers , he hasted thitherwards , and when he was arrived within four leagues of cambalu , all the princes of the emperors court came to receive him there , together with all the chiefest citizens to congratulate his admirable success : the prince having received every one according to his wonted courtesie , yet retaining convenient majesty , he was beheld by all with great contentment : he had with him the emperess his wife , who had not left him in all this journey : and the next day the old emperor honoured him so much as to come to meet him with all the magnificence that might be . tamerlane presented him with all the richest chariots , and fairest horses that he had won : and the old emperor being very desirous to see his daughter , her chariot was uncovered , and he caused her to enter into his own : but the prince remained on horseback , whom the eyes of all the people could not be satisfied with admiring . tamerlane also presented calibes to the emperor , making a recital of all his faithfulness ; whereupon the emperor gave him an hundred thousand crowns for the encrease of his pension : he also presented axalla to the emperor , who being informed of his valour , gave unto him a hundred thousand tartarirs of gold in a principality , that he might declare how much he esteemed his fidelity . during tamerlanes abode at cambalu this winter , complaints came to him that bajazet the great turk had attempted to joyn the empire of greece to his own , resolving also upon the siege of constantinople , whereupon the emperor of greece sent to him to crave his aid . axalla who was of kin to this emperor paleologus , being desirous to maintaine the christian religion in greece , stirred him up much unto this war : whereupon he sent ambassadors to bajazet , to warn him in his name not to molest the greek emperor , who was his confederate : but bajazet answered them very proudly , asking them what their master had to do therewith , and that he should content himself with injoyning laws to his own subjects , and not to meddle with him who was none of them . this answer being returned , by axalla's meanes , was very ill taken , so that tamerlane resolved to hinder this enterprise of the ottomans : for which end he obtained of the emperor his uncle , an hundred thousand footmen , and eighty thousand horsemen , hoping to have as many from his own country of sachetay , besides the lords who would accompany him to win glory , from whom he made account of fifty thousand men more that they would bring along with them . thus he departed from cambalu , taking his leave of the old emperor his father in law , and of the princess his wife ( then left behind him for the comfort of her aged father ) and departed towards samercand , the place of his birth and seat of his empire , leaving the forces granted him by the emperor to come after him to ozara , where he had appointed the general rendezous of his army . this his departure was very grievous to the old emperor , but more grievous of the princes part towards his wife , who had never left him since they were first married : but nothing could withhold this brave prince where honor was to be purchased , or where he might be profitable to his oppressed friends ; for he would often say , that he was born to this end , and that all his other imployments were but by the by , god having appointed , and called him to punish the pride of tyrants . he was accompanied with calibes , and made the prince of thanais colonel of all his footmen , which place axalla had left , whom now he made lieutenant general of all his army , with command to lead his avantguard , and calibes the arereward . forces came to him from all parts : and the chinois lord being licensed by odmar , marched towards him with twenty thousand men of his subjects newly conquered , being desirous to shew his forwardness to the emperor , as also to learn the manners , and fashions of strange countries . when tamerlane came neer samercand , zamay went to meet him , and neer a million of people blessing and and praising him with all manner of songs : there he remained about a moneth : in which space axalla had rendevozed his army at ozara , from which also he advertised tamerlane of the proceedings of bajazet . then did tamerlane send for him to samarcand to confer with him about seting forward of his army . for although he was still accompanied with renowned princes and famous captaines ; yet were they no body in comparison of axalla , whose sound judgement and counsel had won him such credit with his lord and master , as by his advise he did al things , and without him nothing , which his so great authority and favor with his prince , wanted not the envy of the court ; but that his great vertues , and rare-found courtesie ( in so great fortune ) together with so many great services as he had done , supported him against the malice of the same . he upon this command from tamerlane , leaving the charge of the army at ozara with the prince of thanais , came to samercand , and there discoursed with him at large concerning the estate and order of his army : and so shortly after they all departed to ozara , where a new consultation was held by which way he should conduct his army : as whether it was better to lead them by the coast of the muscovite directly towards capha , or on the other side of the caspian sea , by the skirts of persia ; and after much discourse , and sundry opinions with their reasons delivered , it was resolved ( although the way were the longer ) to pass by the muscovite , so to come to the georgians , and to trepizond , and from thence to enter into the ottomans kingdom . this being resolved on , they marched forward till at length they came to maranis , where they stayed three dayes , looking for the china forces , whereof they received news : there also tamerlane mustered , and paid his army : he had also news of fifteen thousand horsemen sent him by the muscovite , with a sum of money , with leave for him to pass thorow so much of his territories as should be necessary , being glad that he set upon others , rather then on himself ; and that such great preparations should fall upon them , whose greatness was as dreadful and dangerous to him as any other . tamerlane caused a great quantity of victuals , and most part of the furniture of his army to be sent along the caspian sea , which was a great ease and commodity to his men , which marching by land , was of necessity to pass some twenty leagues thorow places destitute both of victuals and water : himself all the way coasting along the sea shore , passed his time in hunting and hawking , to make the journey less tedious , his army not coming neer him by ten leagues , which was so great that it extended it self full twenty leagues . coming to the river edel he stayed at zarazich , whilest his army passed the river at mechet , and two other bridges that he had caused to be made of boats for that purpose . now that circassians , and georgians hearing of the approach of tamerlane with his huge army , by their ambassadors offered him all the help and assistance they could in his journy , as he passed that way . these georgians were , and yet were christians , a great and warlike people , of long time tributaries to the greek emperors ; and afterwards sometime tributaries , and sometimes confederates to the persians : but alwayes enemies to the turk , and therefore glad they were of tamerlanes coming against them : of these warlike people axalla drew great numbers to the service of his prince , who not a little esteemed of them , being all tall men , very beautiful , of great strength and courage , and withall , most expert souldiers , as having many times resisted the power of the ottoman kings , by reason of the advantage of their country , which was rough , mountainous , and hard to come to . these people every where kindly entertained tamerlane , and plentifully relieved his army with all necessaries . in passing thorow which , and other countries , he took such order with his souldiers , that none of the people by whom they passed were any whit injured by them , insomuch that if a souldier had taken but an apple or any other trifle , he died for it . and one of his souldiers having taken a little milk from a country-woman , and she thereof complaining , he caused him presently to be hanged , and his stomack to be ript , where the milk that he had lately drunk being found , he payed the woman for it , who had otherwise without mercy dyed for her false accusation : which his great severity was indeed the preservation of his army , being so great as that it was thought impossible to provide it with victuals , whereof yet there was not want , nor of any other thing necessary for the relief of man : his camp being still as a most populous and well-governed city , stored with all manner of things , whereunto both artificers and merchants resorted from far countries with their commodities as to some famous mart : and the country-people from every place without fear brought in their country-commodities , for which they received present money , and so departed in peace . so marching on , he at length came to bachichich , where he stood to refresh his army eight dayes , and there againe took a general muster of them , finding , as some write , four hundred thousand horse and six hundred thousand foot ; but others that were present with him say , three hundred thousand horse , and five hundred thousand footmen of all nations : there also he generally payed them , and as his manner was , made an oration to them , informing them of such orders as he would have observed , with much other military discipline , whereof he was very curious with his captaines . in the mean time bajazet would not believe that tamerlane durst once look towards him , yea so exceeding barbarous was he , that he would not so much as suffer any man to speak of him , or his army to him , by reason of his pride . he also strictly forbade all the bordering people to make any vows or prayers for tamerlanes prosperity : but he was soon after awakened out of this lethargy as we shall presently hear . indeed tamerlane could hardly be perswaded that bajazet having subdued the greatest part of grecia , and much distressed the greek emperor , and having so great means to recover whatsoever he should lose in asia , would be so adventurous as to come over the streits out of europe to try the fortune of a battel with him : but rather warily to protract the time , to weary him with wants , that in a strange country drew such a world of people after him : wherein yet he found himself much deceived , for when he had passed the georgian country , and was come to buisabuich ; axalla ( whom he had not seen in eight dayes before , because he commanded the avantguard of the army ) came to him with such news as he knew would be most grateful to him : which was , that bajazet had raised his besiegers at constantinople to come and defend his new conquests in asia , and that he was certainly resolved to come to a pitched battel with him , not so much trusting to the multitude of his men , as to the experience and valour of his souldiers , being long trained up in the wars . at which unexpected news tamerlane greatly rejoyced , yet without insolency and vaunting , but rather with the countenance of such an one as judged the event of battels to be alwayes doubtfull ; saying some times , that a small number well conducted , did carry away the victory from the confused multitude . three daies after he stayed at buisabuick , causing his souldiers continually to march forward , which at two places passed over the river euphrates , which , he did the rather to maintaine his army upon the spoile of the enemies country , chusing rather there to attend his coming then amongst his friends and allies . all the cities that yielded to him in the way as he marched , he favourably received ; the other that refused to submit themselves to his obedience , he used with all extremity , especially the great and strong city of sebastia , where certaine of the forerunners of his army , were by the turks that kept garrison in it , cut off and slaine , and to despite him the more , the city gates were set open in contempt of him : whereupon being justly offended , he sent out certaine tartarian horsemen , charging them upon paine of his displeasure so to behave themselves against their enemies that at his coming up to them he might finde either the city taken , or at least the gates shut up against him : and he had his men at so great command , that no danger was unto them more dreadful then his displeasure , neither did he punish any thing so severely as cowardize . now the turkes in sebastia seeing these tartarian horsemen marching towards the city , making little account of them , because their number was not great , issued out to meet them , where they were so furiously charged by these few horsemen , that they were glad to retire , and for hast to shut the gates against some of their own men , lest the enemie should have entered pell mell with them , which turkes were there slaine at the gates of the city . shortly after came tamerlane with all the rest of his army , and sat down before the city , where he lay still seven dayes not making any shew of violence at all . the defendants because the city was of great strength , thought that his purpose was by a long siege to distresse the same : but about the eight day , the towers , and walls being undermined in sundry places , suddenly fell down , leaving large breaches for the enemy to enter ; wherewith the turks being dismayed surrendred the city to tamerlane in hope so to have saved their lives , but he caused them all to be buried quick , and the city utterly to he razed : and then calling the governour , whose life he had spared for that end , he bade him go and tell his master what had happened to his strong city of sebastia , and what himself had seen there ; of which tragical action , when the governour had made report to bajazet , he demanded of him whither of the two armies he thought bigger or stronger ; for he had now assembled a mighty army of three hundred thousand horse , and two hundred thousand footmen : whereunto the governour having first craved pardon , answered : that it could not be in reason , but that tamerlane had the greater army , for that he commanded over far greater countries : wherewith proud bajazet being offended , replyed in great choller . out of doubt the sight of the tartarian hath so affrighted this coward , that he thinks every enemy to be two . as bajazet marched forward he heard a country-shepherd merrily pleasing himself with his homely pipe as he sat on the side of a mountaine feeding his small flock whereupon he stood still , and listened to him to the admiration of many , and at last brake forth into these words , o happy shepherd , which hadest no sebastia to lose ! bewraying therein his own discontentment , and yet withall shewing that worldly bliss consisteth not so much in possessing of much , subject unto danger , as in enjoying content in a little devoid of fears . the rest of the cities as tamerlane marched forwards , warned by the destruction of sebastia , yielded to him , the citizens whereof he used courteously , especially the christians , whom he set at liberty for the greek emperors sake , whom he sought therein to gratifie . but tamerlane had not gone far in the turkes dominions before he was certainly informed that bajazet was coming against him with a mighty army , and was now within thirty leagues of him , which caused him from thence forward to march with his army more close together . axalla leading the van , sent forth chianson prince of ciarchan with four thousand parthian horsemen , to get knowledge of the turkish army , and where bajazet lay , as also what manner of country it was beyond sennas , and if he could learn any thing thereof , to make relation of it to him . this prince of ciarchan was tamerlanes neer kinsman , a man of great reputation , and next to axalla , in whose absence he had the command of the avantguard , who also sent before him an other parthian captaine with five hundred horsemen : who having advanced about ten leagues , and surprized sennas , was certainly informed there of the state of bajazets army , which was now at tataia , and so marching forward ; which tamerlane being informed of , commanded him not to retire from that place till he saw the arrival of the enemy , and thereof to give him advertisement every hour , resolving himself to pass on no farther , being encamped in a faire large plaine , which was very advantagious for him , his army being bigger then bajazet's which made him make choise of those large plaines . his army also being compounded of sundry nations , he considered that he was not to fight against the chinois , a soft effeminate people , as of late ; but against the turkes , a most warlike nation and well acquainted with all manner of sights and warlick stratagems , and therefore he judged it necessary to proceed warily against them . upon this consideration he presently sent for axalla , with him to view the said place , and to have his opinion whether it would be advantagious for him to stay there or no ? axalla not misliking his choice of the place , yet withall advised him to keep sennas as long as possibly he could : and accordingly he sent word to them at sennas , that when they could keep the place no longer , they should set fire of it , and so retreat , and this he did that the enemy should have no desire to encamp there , but to march forwards to those places where tamerlane desired to fight , the rather because he was stronger in horse then bajazet . accordingly the prince of ciarchan sent out a hundred horse toward the turkes , then divided the rest of his forces into two parts , commanding the former that as soon as they perceived the enemy to pursue the hundred horse , whom he had commanded to fly disorderly before them , that they should receive them into their squadrons , and so retire altogether : he in the mean time with the other part stood close in a valley neer unto a wood-side , wholly unseen ; where having suffered two thousand of the enemies horse ( the vant-curriers of the turks army ) to pass by him , he following them in the taile , charged them home , the other also which before retired , now turned again upon them ; so that the turkes seeing themselves thus beset , and hardly layed to both before and behind , as men discouraged , fled : but in their flight were most of them slaine , the rest of them taken prisoners . this was the first encounter between the turkes and the parthians . all the prisoners taken were by the prince sent as a present to tamerlane , and amongst the rest the bassa of natolia , who led those troops ; of whom tamerlane earnestly demanded what caused his master bajazet so little to esteem him as to shew so great contempt of his army : which ( saith he ) he shall finde strong enough to abate his pride ? to this the bassa answered : that his lord was the sun upon earth , which could not endure any corival : and that he rather was astonished to see how he from so far a country had undertaken so dangerous a journy to hinder the fortune of his lord , in whose favour the heavens ( as he said ) did bend themselves to further his greatness , and unto whom all the world subjected it self ; and that he committed great folly in going about to resist the same . unto this proud speech tamerlane replied , that he was sent from heaven to punish his insolency , and to teach him that the proud are hated of god , whose promise is to pull down the mighty , and to advance the lowly . as for thy self ( said he ) thou hast already felt ( though i pitty thy mishap ) what the valour of my parthian horse is against thy turkish : and i have already caused thy master to raise his siege before constantinople , and to look to his affaires here in asia . he also asked him whether his master did come resolved to give him battel ? assure your self ( said he ) that there is nothing that he more desireth , and would to god that i might acknowledge your greatness in giving me leave to assist my lord in that battel . good leave have thou ( said tamerlane ) go thy wayes , and tell thy lord that thou hast seen me , and that in the battel he shall finde me on horseback , there where he shall see a green ensigne displayed . the bassa thanked him , and swore that next unto his lord , he vowed unto him his service . and so returning he related unto bajazet how he had seen tamerlane , and reported to him truly all that he had willed him to say , not forgetting above all to praise his courtesie and bounty : who besides that he had frankly set him at liberty , had also given him a very faire horse , well furnished , although he well knew that he was to serve against himself : to this bajazet answered no more but that he would shortly make trial of him , and that he doubted not but before he had done with him , he should make him acknowledge his folly . the next day the two armies drew neer together , and encamped within a league the one of the other , where all the night long you might have heard such noise of horses which filled the heavens with their neighings , and the aire with sounds ; and every man thought the night long that they might come to the trial of their valours , and the gaining of their desires . the scythians ( a people no less greedy , then needy ) talked of nothing but the spoile ; the proud parthians of attaining honour ; the poor christians of their deliverance from an insulting adversary ; all to be gained by the next dayes victory ; every man during the night-time speaking according to his humour . all which tamerlane ( walking privately up and down in the camp ) heard , and much rejoyced to see the hope which his souldiers had already conceived of the victory : and so after the second watch , returning into his pavilion , and there casting himself upon a carpet , he purposed to sleep a while : but his cares not suffering him so to do , he then ( as his manner was ) called for a book , wherein was contained the lives of his fathers and ancestors and of other valiant worthies , which he used ordinarily to read in , as then also he did : not vainly to deceive the time , but to make use of it , by imitating that which by them was worthily done , and declining such dangers as they by their rashness , or over-sight fell into . after having slumbered a little , he commanded axalla to be sent for to him , who presently came , accompanied with diverse other great lords and captaines of the army , with whom after he had consulted a while about the order of the battel , himself presently mounted on horseback , and sent each of them to their charge to see their orders put in execution : at which very instant he received intelligence that the enemy was marching forwards , and come to chuse his ground for the battel , whose order of marching tamerlane was very desirous to see , that so he might marshal his own army accordingly . for ( said he ) i do not so much trust to the lions skin wherein i wrap mine arme , but that withall i will make use of the foxes , therein to wrap mine head , which my grandfather neglected to his overthrow in a battel against the persians : for being in a place of advantage , he went out of it to seek his enemy that was lodged strongly , contrary to the advice of all his captaines , which proved his ruine . then did he cause three thousand horsemen to advance forward with charge to begin the skirmish , himself following after to lodge every part of his forces in such places as he had foreseen to be fittest for his advantage : and seeing the turkish janizaries marching in a square battel in the middest of the army , and upon the two fronts two great squadrons of horsemen , which seemed to be about thirty thousand , and another which advanced before , and covered the battalion of the janizaries , he thought ▪ this their order to be very good and hard to be broken , and therefore turning himself to axalla , he said , i had thought this day to have fought on foot , but i see that it behoves me now to fight on horseback to encourage my souldiers to open that great battalion of the enemies . and my will is that my men come forwards to me so soon as may be ; for i will advance forward with a hundred thousand footmen , fifty thousand upon each of my two wings , and in the midest of them fourty thousand of my best horsemen : and my pleasure is that after i have tryed the force of these men that they come unto my avantguard , of whom i will dispose , and fifty thousand horsemen more in three bodies , whom thou shalt command , which i will assist with eighty thousand horse , wherein shall be mine own person , having a hundred thousand footmen behind me , who shall march in two squadrons : and for my arereward i appoint fourty thousand horse , and fifty thousand footmen , who shall not march but to my aid : and i will make choice of ten thousand of my best horse , whom i will send into every place where i shall think needful within my army , for to impart my commands . over the first fourty thousand horse the prince of ciarchan commanded , over the formost footmen was the lord synopes , a genovois , kinsman to axalla , and his lieutenant over the footmen , a captaine of great estimation : the prince axalla's charge consisted of five squadrons of horsemen : bajazet's army also being faire and great , came bravely still on forwards towards their enemies , who stirred not a whit from the place which they had chosen for the battel , except certaine lighthorsemen . scythians , parthians , and muscovites , who sent out as loose men , hotly skirmished between the two armies . tamerlane was informed by a spie that bajazet was on foot in the midest of thirty thousand janizaries , his principal men of war , and greatest strength , wherein he meant that day to fight , and in whom he had reposed his greatest hope . his battel of horse was very faire , amounting to the number of one hundred and fourty thousand , all old souldiers : the sultan of egypt having also sent to his aide thirty thousand mamelukes , all excellent good horsemen , with thirty thousand footmen ; so that his army marching all in a front , in the form of an half moon , seemed almost as great as tamerlane's : these turkes with infinite number of horrible cries still advanced forwards , tamerlanes souldiers all the while standing still with very great silence . never was there a more furious charge then the turkes gave upon the prince of ciarchan , who was commanded not to fight till the enemy came unto him : neither could there have been chosen a fairer plaine , and where the skilful choice of place gave less advantage either to the one or to other , only tamerlane had a river of the left side of the army , serving him to some small advantage . now this young prince of ciarchan with his fourty thousand horse , was in the first encounter almost wholly overthrown ; yet having fought right valiantly , and entred even into the middest of the janizaries ( where the person of bajazet was ) putting them into disorder , was himself there slaine . about which time axalla set upon them with his squadrons , but not with the like danger : for having overthrown one of the enemies wings , and cut it all to pieces , and his footmen coming to joyn with him as was appointed , he faced the battalion of the janizaries , who right valiantly behaved themselves for the safety of their prince . this furious fight continued an hour , and yet you could not have seen any scattered , but the one still resolutely fighting against the other . you might there have seen the horsemen like mountaines rushing together , and infinite numbers of men dying , crying , lamenting , and threatening all at the same instant . tamerlane had patience all this while to see the event of this so mortal a fight : but perceiving his men at last to begin to give ground , he sent ten thousand of his horse to joyn with the ten thousand appointed for the rereward commanding them to assist him when they saw that he had need , and so himself gave a furious charge , and made them to give him room , causing the footmen also to charge , over whom the prince of thanais commanded , who gave a gallant charge upon the battalion of janizaries , wherein was yet the person of bajazet , who before had sustained a great burden . now bajazet had in his army a great number of mercinary tartars called destenses , with many thousands of other souldiers taken up in the countries of the poor exiled mahometan princes , in whose just quarrel , and the greek emperors , tamerlane had chiefly undertaken that war . these tartarians and other souldiers , seeing , some their friends , and other some their natural and loving princes in tamerlanes army , stricken with the terror of disloyalty , and abhorring the cruelty of the proud tyrant , in the heat of the battel ; revolted from bajazet to their own princes , which much weakened bajazet's forces : who never the less with his own men of war , especially the janizaries , and the help of the christian souldiers brought to his aide from servia , and other places of europe , with great courage maintained the fight : but the multitude rather then true valour prevailed ; for as much as might be done by valiant and couragious men , was by the janizaries , the mameluks , and the rest performed , both for the preservation of their prince , and for gaining the victory : but in the end the horsemen with whom tamerlane himself was , giving a fresh charge , and his avantguard being rallied , and joyning with him , he with much ado obtained the victory . bajazet himself being wounded , when he saw all desperate , mounted on horseback , thinking to have escaped : but falling into axalla's hands , he yielded himself to him , supposing him to have been tamerlane , neither did axalla for a while know him , but took him for some great commander in the turkes army . musa sirnamed zelabi , or the noble , one of bajazet's sons , with divers others of his great captains , were there taken also ; and amongst the rest georg despot of servia , who notwithstanding his misfortune had that day by his valour gained the reputation of a great and valiant captain ; inso much as tamerlane in the very heat of the battel marvelled to see him and his servians , and the other christians that he had brought to the aide of bajazet , to fight so valiantly ; whereupon turning to some of his captaines that were neer him , he said , see how valiantly these religious fight , supposing them by their strange attire to have been some of the turkes superstitious votaries . but the despot being now taken , and afterwards brought to tamerlane , he was by him courteously entertained ; but withall reproved for that he had assisted bajazet against him , who was come in favour to the christian emperor , and the other poor oppressed princes such as the despot himself was : who thereupon boldly answered , that indeed it was not according to his profession , but according to the prosterity of bajazet , unto whom it seemed that all the world should bend , and that he did it for his own safety : whereupon tamerlane excused him , and without any more ado gave him liberty at his own pleasure to depart . bajazet himself being afterwards brought to tamerlane as a prisoner , was by him courteously entertained , who never shewed any token of submission at all , but according to his proud nature , without respect of his present state , answered him presumptuously to what ever he demanded of him : wherewith tamerlane being somewhat moved , told him that it was in his power to take his life from him ; whereto he answered no more , but do it , for that loss will be my greatest happiness : then tamerlane demanded of him , what made him so proud as to enterprize to bring so noble a prince as the greek emperor into his subjection ? he answered , even the same cause which moved thee to invade me , namely the desire of glory and sovereignty . but wherefore then ( said tamerlane ) doest thou use such cruelty towards them that thou overcomest without respect of age or sex ? that did i ( said he ) to strike the greater terror into mine enemies . then did tamerlane aske him if he had ever given thanks to god for making him so great an emperor ? no , ( said he ) i never so much as thought upon any such thing . then said tamerlane , it s no wonder that so ungrateful a man should be made a spectacle of misery . for you ( saith he ) being blind of an eye , and i lame of a leg , was there any worth in us , that god should set us over two such great empires to command so many men far more worthy then our selves ? but , said tamerlane , what wouldest thou have done with me if it had been my lot to have faln into thy hands , as thou art now in mine ? i would ( said bajazet ) have enclosed thee in a cage of iron , and so have carried thee up and down in triumph thorow my kingdome . even so ( said tamerlane ) shalt thou be served : and so causing him to be taken out of his presence , turning to his followers , he said , behold , a proud and cruel man , who deserves to be chastised accordingly , and to be made an example to all the proud and cruel of the world of the just wrath of god against them . i acknowledge that god this day hath delivered into my hands a great enemy , to whom therefore we must return thanks , which he caused publikly to be performed the same day ; for the battel was ended about four a clock , and there were diverse hours yet of day-light . the next day he caused the dead to be buried , where amongst the rest was found the body of the prince of ciarchan dead in the middest of the janizaries , where he lay enclosed with their dead bodies , shewing that he dyed not unrevenged , whose untimely death tamerlane much lamented , causing his dead body to be enbalmed , and with two thousand horse , and diverse turkish prisoners chained together , to be conveyed to samercand untill his coming thither . all other dead bodies were with all honour that might be , buried at sennas . this great bloody battel was fought in the yeer of our lord , . not far from mount stella ( where formerly the great king mithridates was by pompey the great in a great battel overthrown . ) it continued from seven a clock in the morning till four in the afternoone ; victory as it were all the while hovering with doubtful wings over both armies , as uncertain where to light , until at length the fortune of tamerlane prevailed : whose wisdome , next unto god , gave him that days victory ; for that the politick tiring of the strong forces of bajazet , was the safeguard of his own : whereas if he had gone unto the battel in one front , assuredly the multitude finding such strong opposition , had put it self into confusion , whereas this successive manner of aiding his men made them all unto him profitable . the number of the slaine is variously reported . the turkes themselves say , that bajazet lost there his noble son mustapha , with two hundred thousand of his men , and tamerlane not many fewer : others say , that the turkes lost about sixty thousand , and tamerlane not past twenty thousand . but likely it is that the carnage was very great in so long a fight between two such armies as probably never before met a in field together . by this dayes event is plainly seen the uncertainty of worldly things , and what small assurance even the greatest have in them . behold , bajazet the terror of the world , and ( as he thought ) superior to fortune , in an instant by the event of one battel thrown into the bottom of misery and despaire , and that at such time as he thought least of it , even in the middest of his greatest strength . it was three dayes before he could be pacified , but as a desperate man still seeking after death , and calling for it . neither did tamerlane after he had once spoken with him , at all afterwards use him courteously , but as of a proud and insolent man , made small account of him . and to manifest that he knew how to curb the haughty , made him to be shackled in fetters and chaines of gold , and so to be shut up in an iron cage , made like a grate , that he might be seen on every side , and so carried him up and down as he passed thorow asia , to be made a scorn and derision to his own people , over whom he had before tyrannized . and to his further disgrace , upon festival dayes he used him for a footstool to tread upon when he mounted on horseback , and at other times scornfully fed him like a dog with fragments that fell from his table . a rare example of the uncertainty of worldly honours and greatness , that he unto whose ambitious minde asia and europe , two great parts of the world , were too little , should now be carried up and down , cooped up in a little iron cage , like a dangerous wild beast : how might he have taken up that speech of hecuba in seneca ? quicunque regno fidit , & magna potens dominatur in aula , me videat . — non unquam tulit documenta fors majora quàm fragili loco starent superbi . tamerlane used this severity , not so much out of hatred to the man , as to manifest the just judgement of god against the arrogant folly of the proud . and when on a time he was requested by one of his nobles to remit some part of this rigour to so great a man , he answered , i do not use this rigor against him as a king , but rather to punish him as a proud ambitious tyrant , polluted with the blood of his own brother and many other innocents . this so great an overthrow brought such a fear upon all the countries possessed by bajazet in asia , that axalla being sent before tamerlane with fourty thousand horse , and a hundred thousand foot , without carriages to prosecute the victory , came without resistance to prusa , whither all the remainder of bajazet's army was retired with bassa mustapha : all places as he marched along still yielding to him : yea the great bassa with the rest hearing of his coming , and not thinking themselves in safety in asia , fled over the streit of hellespont to callipolis , and so to hadrianople . axalla coming to prusa , had the city without resistance yielded to him , which by his army was plundred and there with other of bajazet's wives and concubines , he took prisoner the faire despina , bajazet's best beloved wife , to the doubling of his grief . emmanuel paleologus now hearing of tamerlanes coming to prusa ▪ sent honourable ambassadors thither before to axalla , by whō they were entertained till the coming of tamerlane , who received them with all the honor that might be , shewing them all his magnificence , and the order of his camp to their great admiration : for it resembled a most populous and well governed city by reason of the order that was therein , which brought it plenty of victuals , and of all manner of merchandise as well for delight as necessity . by these ambassadors the greek emperor yielded his empire , together with his person unto tamerlane as his most faithful subject and vassal : which ( as he said ) he was bound to do , for that he was by him delivered from the most cruel tyrant of the world ; as also for the long journy he had undertaken for his sake , and the discommodities he had endured with the hazard of his person and loss of his subjects , which could not be otherwise compensated , but with the offer of his own and his subjects lives to him , which for ever he therefore dedicated to his service , with all the fidelity & loyalty that so great a benefit might deserve : besides , that his so many virtues , and rare endowments which made him famous thorow the world , did oblige him the more hereunto , and that therefore he would attend him in his chief city , to deliver it into his hands as his own , together with all the empire of greece . now these ambassadors expected no less then to fall into the bondage of tamerlane , judging that which they offered to be so great and delicate a morsel , as that it would not be refused , especially of such a victorious prince as was tamerlane ; and that the acceptance thereof in knindness and friendship was the best bargaine they could make therein . but they received an answer from this worthy prince far beyond their expectation : for he with a mild countenance beholding them , answered thus , that he was not come from so far a country , nor undertook such paines for the enlargement of his dominions , big enough already ( too base a thing for him to put himself into so great danger , and hazard for ) but rather to win honour , and to make his name famous to future posterities : and that he would make it appear to the world that he came to assist their master as his friend & ally at his request : and that his upright intentions therein were the greatest cause that god from above had favoured him , and made him instrumental to bruile the head of the greatest and fiercest enemy of mankind that was under heaven ; and therefore to get him an immortal name , his purpose was to make free so great and flourishing a city as was constantinople , governed by so noble and ancient an house as the emperors . that he had alwayes joyned faith to his courage , which should never suffer him to make so great a breach into his reputation , as that it should be reported of him , that in the colour of a friend he should come to invade the dominions of his ally . that he desired no more , but that the service he had done for the greek emperor might remaine for ever engraven in the memory of his posterity , to the end they might for ever wish well to him and his successors by the remembring the good he had done for them : that he wished that long might the noble emperor live , happily to govern his estate , and that before his return , he would so well consider for the establishing of the same , as that he should not lightly fall into the same jeopardy . easie it is to judge what joy the ambassadors did conceive upon hearing this so gracious an answer from the mouth of tamerlane who rather then he would break his faith , refused an empire offered him , together with one of the stateliest , and magnificentest cities in the world . after the testification of their joy and thankfulness these ambassadors were by the command of tamerlane royally feasted by axalla , having all the honour done to them that might be . and one of them being sent back to carry this unexpected news to the emperor , filled both him and all the city of constantinople with exceeding joy and gladness , which both he , & all his subjects testified by making of bonefires , and other signes of joy and pleasure . and the emperor the more to shew his gratitude by the advise of his councellors , passed over the streit into asia , to see tamerlane in prusa , and in person himself to give him thanks ; who hearing of his coming , & being glad thereof , presently sent prince axalla to meet him , and to certifie him of the joy he conceived to have the good hap to see him , as also to conduct him to prusa , where those two great princes with the greatest magnificence that might be , met , and so spent one whole day in conversing together : and the greek emperor the next day taking his leave , was by tamerlane with mach honour conducted out of the city . now had tamerlane himself conceived a great desire to see the famous city of constantinople , from which he was not now far , yet would he not go thither as a conqueror , but as a private person : which by the meanes of axalla was accomplished , and he thereinto by the greek emperor privately received , and with all familiarity possible entertained : the emperor shewing unto him all the rare and excellent things that were contained therein ; and the other greek princes devising all the meanes they could to do him pleasure , and them that were with him , who were all in a manner clothed after the greek fashion . the greek emperor was curious to shew him all the beautiful gardens along the sea-cost , and so privately conducting him about , spent five or six dayes with all the mirth that mighty be : tamerlane by the way , often saying , that he had never seen a fairer city ; and that of all others , considering the scituation of it , it was right worthy to command all the world . he wondred at the costly buildings of the temples , the faire engraven pillars , the high pyramides , and the excellent gardens ; afterwards saying often that it nothing repented him to have undertaken so long and dangerous a journy , if it had been only to preserve so notable a city from fire and sword . in the greek emperor he greatly commended his mild nature & courtesie , who knowing that above all things he took pleasure in fair serviceable horses ▪ gave unto him thirty of the fairest , strongest , and reddiest that were possibly to be gotten , all most richly furnished : he sent likewise great presents to all the princes , and great commanders of the army , and bountifully caused to be delivered to them all things which he thought necessary for the army : so after these great kindnesses , and a strict bond of friendship made , and by solemne oath confirmed by these two great princes , tamerlane with great contentment took leave of the emperor , and returned to his army at prusa , wherewith now at pleasure he spoiled and wasted all the dominions of bajazet in asia , no man daring to make head against him . the winter now drawing on , tamerlane dispersed his army into diverse provinces of the lesser asia , expecting daily when some of bajazet's sons , or great friends should make suite to him for his deliverance ; but none came , most fearing the fierce nature of bajazet , who if he had been delivered , was like enough to have taken severe revenge upon all that forsook him in the battel , and therefore they never interceded for him . whereupon tamerlane one day passing by him , said , i marvel that none of thy sons , nor friends either come to see thee , or to intreat for thee ; it must needs be that thou hast evil deserved of them , as thou hast of others . but what thinkest thou , if i should set thee at liberty , would they receive thee againe as their lord and sovereigne , or not ? to whom bajazet stoutly answered , were i at liberty thou shouldest quickly see that i neither want courage nor means to revenge all my wrongs , and to make the disobedient to know their duties better . this proud answer made tamerlane keep a stricter hand over him . in this great war the sultan of egypt ( as we said before ) had aided bajazet , which tamerlane took in so evil part that he resolved revenge : for as to his friends he was most kinde and courteous , so to his enemies most terrible and dreadful . yet before his departure he restored to the poor mahometan princes that had fled to him for refuge , all their ancient inheritance , with something more out of his bounty ; as also ▪ he did diverse cities and countryes of natolia to the greek emperor for the yeerly tribute of four hundred thousand ducats of gold , and eight hundred thousand franks of silver . and so having enriched his army with the spoiles of the ottoman empire , he turned his forces against the egyptian sultan , and so passing thorow caramania , he entred into syria , then part of the sultans kingdom ; where neer unto aleppo ( before yielded to him ) there was fought betwixt them a great and mortal battel , the sultan having in his army a hundred thousand foot , and seventy four thousand horse ; whereof there were thirty thousand mameluks , accounted the best horsemen in the world . in which battel axalla with the avantguard of tamerlane's army was hardly distressed , and axalla himself taken , but presently rescued by tamerlane , who had he not by his coming on with fresh forces speedily restored the battel , that day was like enough to have put a period to his fortunes : but victory after a long and cruel fight ( wherein were eighty thousand of both sides slaine ) inclining to tamerlane , the sultan fled , tamerlane pursuing him for the space of three leagues . after this victory tamerlane dividing his army , sent axalla with fourty thousand horse , and fifty thousand foot to pursue the sultan along the sea-coast of arabia ; who making divers alts with four thousand horse to have stopped axalla , who having the smallest forces , followed him the neerest , whilest tamerlane with sixty thousand horse , and two hundred thousand foot marched along the sea-coast , having all the cities as he went surrendred to him : only the strong city of damasco refused to receive him , whereinto the sultan had put the prince zamudzen with a strong garrison , who did what might be to defend the same , but all in vaine : for tamerlane having by battery overthrown a great part of the wall , took the city by storme , onely the castle yet remained which was accounted impregnable : but yet at the taking of the city such a multitude pressed into it , as was not possible for them long to subsist ; therefore in a short time being pinched with hunger , and many already dead , the rest upon promise of their lives offered to yield ; but tamerlane would not receive them to mercy to make them sensible what it was to hold out against him : so that most of them dying of famine , the rest yielded at pleasure , & were most of them put to the sword for their obstinancy ; which severity of his caused all the cities within the space of thirty leagues to bring their keyes to him in token of their submission , whom he no way molested , otherwise then in contributing to the charge of his army . from thence he turned directly towards ierusalem , at which time they of the city had turned out the sultans garison , as had almost all they of iudea , submiting themselves unto tamerlane : at chorazin was a garison of six thousand , who at first pretended to defend the place : but when they perceived that tamerlane was resolved to have it , they submitted , and found mercy . there tamerlane left a garison of his own to repress the mameluks , who with frequent incursions troubled his army . himself with some of his horsemen rode to ierusalem to visit the sepulchre so much reverenced of all nations : by the inhabitants he was joyfully received , and having sought out all the antiquities of that ancient city , he would be conducted to all the places where christ had preached , and coming to the sepulchre , he gave there many rich gifts , to the great content of all , only the jews much blamed him for so doing , but he reguarded them not , calling them the accursed of god : there had he news that the sultan having gathered together all his forces , was fortifying his cities in egypt , especially alexandria , and the grand caier ; whereupon tamerlane commanded his army to march towards egypt to damietta , which strong city he thought not good to leave behinde him , though by some he was perswaded so to do , for that it was thought impregnable both by reason of the strong castle , and great garison placed therein by the sultan : but he whose fortune nothing could hinder , would needs go thither : and having commanded axalla to attempt it , followed himself after with the rest of his army . now axalla having summoned the city , declared to the inhabitants ( who were most of them christians ) the mildness , and courtesie of tamerlane , as also who himself , and of what religione he was ; causing many of his greek captains to speak to them , and to tell them what misery they endured under the moors and mameluks , which so far prevailed with them that they resolved to adventure their lives to put the mameluks out of the city ; and the night after taking armes , made themselves masters of one quarter of the city , opening one of the gates to axalla , whereby he entering , put all the mameluks to the sword , or took them prisoners , and so became master of that strong city : whereof tamerlane hearing , hoped by so prosperous a beginning to finde an happy end of his wars in egypt . for he knew that the haven of damietta might furnish him with victuals out of all parts of greece , as the emperor emmanuel had promised him , and wherein he nothing failed him . then did tamerlane enter the city , leaving therein a garison of two thousand of the emperor of greece his souldiers , with a governor , of whom he took an oath for their obedience . and having staid a while at damietta , he caused his avantguard to march towards alexandria , and having passed over the river , he suddenly turned directly towards grand caire , to the great astonishment of the sultan , who provided for the defence of alexandria as neerest to the enemy : but understanding this news , used such diligence that he entred into caire with fourty thousand horse , and sixty thousand foot , even as tamerlanes army approached to it . by this unexpected coming of that sultan , the great city that before was ready to have revolted , was again confirmed in his obedience to the great prejudice of tamerlanes affaires : for to remaine long before it was impossible thorow want of victuals for so great an army in an enemies country . yet this discouraged not tamerlane from approaching to it , and with all his army to encamp neer unto the same , having caused a great trench to be made for the security of his horsemen , and therein to lodge his army more safely : during which time he caused diverse attempts to be made , as well to try the enemies confidence , as to see how the people of the city , especially the slaves ( which in that populous city are in great numbers ) were affected towards him , who indeed were glad to see the state of his army , and the proud mameluks still put to the worst , but farther stirred not . during this siege , he thought good one day to draw forth his armie before the citie , to try whether the enemie had any minde to come to a battel ; as also to view his own forces , and so indeed to seek occasion to fight , hoping that if the sultan should come forth with his army , some revolt might happen at the same time in the citie , as well by the slaves , unto whom by secret spies , he had promised liberty , as by the citizens themselves , who were much discontented with the insolency of the mamelukes , and to whom tamerlane by the same spies had made it known that he came not to hurt them , but to deliver them from the tyranny of his , and their enemies : but standing thus in battel array , none stirred out of the citie , neither was there any tumult raised within , according as he expected : for the sultan being plentifully provided with all things in that rich citie , resolved to weary out tamerlane by lying still , and not to put all to the hazard of a battel . tamerlane perceiving his design , yet resolved not to depart till he was victorious ; whereupon he thought fit also to attempt him in his greatest strength , and in the heart of his greatest citie , though it could not be done without great hazard , such confidence had he in the valour , and multitude of his army . now his purpose was first to take one of the cities ( for caire is divided into three ) and therein encamping himself by little and little to advance forwards as he could finde opportunity . upon this resolution he commanded a strong assault to be given , and having conducted his footmen to the place chosen by him for the onset ( for the citie was not walled , but onely fortified with ditches and trenches ) he commanded the prince of thanais with fiftie thousand men to begin the assault even in the face of the enemy , which he most valiantly performed , which occasioned a great and terrible fight axalla in the mean time deeming ( as the truth was ) that the sultan had drawn the greatest part of his forces to that place , fetched a compasse about , and in another part of the city , with small resistance passed the trenches , where he presently left thirty thousand men to fill up the ditches , thereby to make way for the horsemens entrance , himself with the rest , advancing forwards against twenty thousand sent by the sultan to oppose his farther passage , the prince of thanais being at the same time almost beaten back by the mamelukes : but the ditches being presently levelled , ten thousand horsemen entred , who charged upon the backs of the mameluks , where the sultan himself was ; they were likewise seconded by ten thousand more sent in in by tamerlane , himself following after with all his power : hereupon the sultan retreated into a second strength which he had made in the next citie . this fight endured full seven houres , wherein were slain of the sultans men , above sixteen thousand , and of tamerlane's between seven and eight thousand . tamerlane being well contented that he had dislodged his enemy , and gained one of the cities , caused a retreat to be sounded , hoping the next day to win all the rest , as indeed he did . for the next morning the prince of thanais storming the trenches in one part , as axalla did in an other ; the sultan after a great fight finding himself hardly pressed by the obstinate enemy , and unable longer to hold out , retreated , abandoning the citie , and encamping himself along the river nilus , resolving to retire to the citie of alexandria his second strength , and onely refuge , which tamerlane suspecting , followed after him with his horsemen , ( who onely were in order ) and some few foot hardly drawn from the citie , which their fellows were in plundering , tamerlane promising them both to regard , and reward their good service . against these the sultan upon a narrow cawse way , had opposed twelve or fifteen thousand men to favour his passage , who being of his best souldiers , maintained their ground stoutly , the place being much for their advantage ; yet at length their enemies still encreasing , and pressing hard upon them , they were forced to cast themselves into the great river , and made a most honourable retreat ▪ every man having his weapon in one hand , and swimming with the other hand to the farther banke . the sultan flying with about eighteen thousand horse ( the rest being either drowned , or dispersed ) is said to have comforted his flying men , by telling them , they were not men , but gods that had vanquished them . divers of the mameluks that were taken prisoners , being brought before tamerlane were by him courteously used , and asked if they would be content to serve him , seeing their master was fled and gone ? this they all utterly refused , whom notwithstanding for their fidelity , tamerlane set at liberty to go again to their master , being no lesse desirous to be admired by his enemies for his goodnesse and bounty , then to be feared for his force and valour . the wonderful wealth of this so great , and famous a citie , became a prey to his souldiers , who for the space of twentie four houres had the spoil thereof : at the end whereof every man was straitly charged by open proclamation to retire to his quarters . tamerlane would not suffer any of the citizens to be taken prisoners , and such as were , he released , and so leaving ten thousand good souldiers , with many others that followed his camp , for the guard of the citie , and taking with him all such persons , as he thought might hurt him , he caused his armie to passe over the river , and to follow the sultan to alexandria , that so his victory might be compleated . axalla hasting before with the avantguard to hinder the sultan from gathering up his forces together : the rest of the army was conducted by the prince of thanais . tamerlane himself with an infinite number of boats , and many souldiers to attend him , went by water , greatly delighting to behold that fair river of nilus , sometimes running with a swift course ; other sometimes very calme , and scarce moved . the citizens of alexandria hearing of his coming , and fearing the issue , besought the sultan to compassionate their condition , and to withdraw himself into lybia ; whither tamerlane could not follow him by reason of the barrenesse of the countrie : resolving for their parts to submit to fortune , and to do as the time required ; yet promising in heart to remain his , and to make the same to appear to him , so soon as occasion should be offered . hereupon the sultan , seeing all things desperate , determined to retire , yet hoping that time might bring a change , for that tamerlane's numerous armie could not long remain there : and so departing out of alexandria with tears standing in his eyes , he often said , that god was angry with him and his people , so that he must of necessity suffer the fatall overthrow of his estate : yet for his own part he had done as much as in him lay , according to the dutie of his place , and to satisfie the expectation that the world had of him , for the upholding of the same , yet he hoped to return again , and to deliver his people from that bondage , which for the present they were necessitated to submit to . tamerlane coming to alexandria ( before yielded to axalla ) staid there a great while , sending axalla to pursue the sultan ; being much grieved that he could not get him into his hands , and therefore he still feared that some innovation would be raised by him after his departure , which made him to deal the more hardly with them he suspected to favour him . now the bruit of these victories having with axalla passed into lybia , brought such a fear , not onely upon the countries adjoyning to these conquests , but also upon all affrica , supposing ( that tamerlane followed with his armie ) that twentie two of the moorish kings sent their ambassadors to offer their subjection and obedience : of the neerest of which kings tamerlane took hostages , but for such as were more remote , he contented himself with their faith given , and with other testimonies of their good wills . axalla having long followed the sultan , who like a man forsaken of fortune , still fled before him , seeing all his labour lost , returned to alexandria . and tamerlane after his long travell and pains taken , was now more desirous then ever to return into his own country ; the rather being moved thereunto by the earnest request of his wife , much longing for his return : he had news also of the sicknesse of the old emperour of tartarie , his father in law ; and besides age it self began to bring unto him a desire of rest . with his did the desires of the souldiers also well agree , who were now weary of running so many and divers adventures . his onely stay was , that he expected the coming of calibes , an old and faithful servant of his , whom for his good desert he made choice of to govern all these his new conquests in egypt and syria : a great honour indeed it was , but not too great for him that had so well deserved . and indeed tamerlane was alwaies so mindfull of the good deserts of his faithfull servants , that he needed not by others to be put in remembrance of them , were they never so farre off , as now was calibes , who at this time was with a third part of the armie making way for him along the river euphrates , for the conquest of mesopotamia and persia , whose coming was longed for with great devotion by the whole armie , which was now very desirous to return ; but this expectation of theirs was not long delayed , for calibes being sent for , came speedily to alexandria , where the whole armie was by tamerlane's command now rendevouzed . upon the coming of calibes , tamerlane made the prince of zamalzan ( a man of great reputation ) governour of that place , as lieutenant general under calibes , whom tamerlane ( as was said before ) had made his vice-roy over all egypt and syria , together with the countries newly conquered in lybia and barbary : he gave him also six thousand horse , and ten thousand foot to assist him therein : and so leaving alexandria , he took calibes along with him to the great city of caire , there taking the best order he could for the securing of his new conquests : he left with him fourty thousand horse , and fiftie thousand foot : and having sufficiently instructed him , how he would have those kingdomes governed , dismissed him , not like a servant , but a companion , being very sorry to leave him destitute of his presence : so setting forwards with his army , conducted by the prince of thanais , tamerlane with a few of his train , turned again aside to ierusalem , where he daily visited the sepulchre of christ ( whom he called the god of the christians ) viewing the ruines of solomon's temple , which he much admired , and at ierusalem the seat of david's kingdome , and of that great salomon , grieving that he could not see them in their former beauty : and to shew his devotion and favour to this citie , he commanded it to be free from all garrisons and subsidies , and so giving great gifts to the monasteries , he departed from thence to damasco ; which great citie , for that it was infected with the opinions of iezides ( accounted an arch-heretick amongst the mussulmen ▪ ) as also evill-affected to his proceedings , he caused it to be rased , and the bones of iezides the false prophet to be digged up and burnt , and his sepulcher which before by his disciples was much honoured ) to be filled with dung ; and so marching on , and blasting the world before him , being victorious which way so ever he turned , he at last passed over the river eupbrates , where he conquered mesopotamia , with the great citie of babylon , and all the kingdome of persia , and so at last laden with the spoils of the world , and eternized for ever in his fame , he returned to samercand , the famous place of his birth , and glorious seat of his empire . now had bajazet ( a little before one of the greatest princes on earth , and now the scorn of fortune , and by-word to the world ) ▪ with great impatiency lien two yeers in most miserable thraldome , for the most part shut up in an iron cage , like a dangerous wild beast : and having no better means to end his loathed life , violently dashed out his braines against the bars of the iron grate wherein he was enclosed , and so dyed about the yeer of our lord . his dead body at the request of his son mahomet , was by tamerlane sent to asprapolis , from which it was conveyed to prusa , and there lieth buried in a chappel , built for the purpose without the city eastward : where also are interred the bodies of his best beloved wife despina , and of his eldest son erthogrul , and in another little chappel hard by , lieth buried his brother iacup , whom he had murthered in the beginning of his reigne . this bajazet had some vertues , which were much obscured by his cholerick and waiward nature , which made him to exceed in cruelty and pride : he was also very covetous ; which qualities made him indeed much feared , but little beloved of his souldiers and men of war , by whom therefore in his greatest need he was forsaken . he used commonly to say , that his treasures were his childrens meat , and not his souldiers pay ; which by way of reproach was by a common souldier cast in his teeth , when he raged to see himself by them forsaken in that great battel against tamerlane , telling him as he fled , that he ran not away , but went to seek his pay , wherewith to provide his children bread . tamerlane , as we said before , having conquered persia , used his victory so mildly , that as long as he lived the people of that country were alwayes much affected to him ; which served him greatly , as well for the keeping of syria , as the sultan of egypts empire : in his own country he was received with all triumphs , and expressions of joy that might be ; the chiefest prisoners marching before him , and wheresoever he passed , the people assembled themselves by thousands , praising and singing his victories . the emperor having spent a moneth or two in feasts and triumphs according to his accustomed devotion , he vowed a church and hospital unto god , the most magnificent that might be devised : and to beautifie his city of samercand , he searched out all sorts of handicrafts-men , intending to make it as large again as it was , and one of the stateliest cities in the world : he peopled it also with so many several nations as he had brought along with him , unto whom he gave liberty to build houses , distributing money unto them to do the same , giving them also all kind of priviledges , and immunities for their encouragement therein : he caused also the streets to be plotted out , and in one corner of it he built his church and hospital . his next care was to preserve the good will and love of his famous souldiers , whose names he caused to be registred in a general muster-role , which he kept by him , and daily conferred honours and rewards upon them ( they not thinking of it ) in recompence of their former good services : thinking that day lost wherein he did not some good . then did he declare the death of the old emperor to his councel ( of which he had received private intelligence ) and forgat no ceremony due unto his honor , publikely expressing the grief he had conceived for his death , then did he with his ordinary court consisting of fourty thousand horse , and sixty thousand foot , set forwards towards quinsay , where his emperess was . and when he came to cambalu , he had intelligence of a battel fought by odmar against the king of china's captaine general , and how he had pursued his victory , having taken three or four great and rich cities , and that the chinois did again desire peace hereupon he sent them these articles ; that the king of china should pay all the areares of his tribute ; that he should come in person to do his homage , acknowledging himself a vassal of his empire ; that he should deliever up to him all his cities saving three such as the emperor should nominate : that he should pay all the charges of the war , because he had broken the peace ; which performed , things should be restored to the same state they were in before the war . and to gratifie odmar , he sent to him with all magnificence one of his sisters to be his wife . when he first entred into cambalu , he was received with all the expressions of joy that might be , whereupon he restored to them their priviledges which he had taken from them for their rebellion with calix . the emperess being informed of his being there ( leaving prince axalla to govern at quinsay ) came to him : so that he remained there neer two moneths , giving order for all his affaires , the rather because it was neer to mount althay , where the scythian emperors use to be buried : and so causing the body of the old emperor to be brought thither , himself conducted it with all pomp , honouring not only the body , but all that he had loved in the world ; and though it was not the custome for women to assist at funerals , yet he took his emperess along with him , who went neer unto the corpse , till they came to the place where it was interred amongst his predecessor . after these ceremonies finished , he returned to cambalu , where he spent the winter in tilts , turnaments , hunting , and such like recreations : the rather because this place was neer to china , whereby he had the fitter opportunity to hear how affaires passed there , purposing to go thither in person the next winter , if odmar that summer did not make an end of the wars : and if the king of china did not submit himself to his obedience . the mark he shot at now being only to keep that which by his valour he had won , desiring to spend the rest of his life in reaping the fruites of his hard travels , and former labours . now prince axalla governed at quinsay , as well to the great contentment of the souldiery , as of the inhabitants , who out of their abundant love to the emperor , requested prince axalla to write importunately to him , that his son might be brought up amongst them , which at axalla's request he consented to , making him in the absence of his son , the governor of quinsay , from cambalu even to the sea , which country contained in it about three hundred cities , besides an infinite number of villages : all which was formerly under the government of the old emperor : he delivered also into his charge the government of his son . shortly after the king of china came to his court , according to the covenants offered to him , where he once again swore obedience to the emperor , who shewed him his greatness , the more to make him stand in awe : for he knew that this barbarian would keep no promise longer then it should stand with his own interest . this king of china was astonished to behold so many souldiers , and the country so well replenished with people : and above all , that they used so little curiosity and riches in their apparel , especially wondring that the emperor himself was appareled in mean cloth of one colour , without curiosity . shortly after tamerlane went to quinsay , and by the way was met by prince axalla , and all the chief lords and citizens , who entertained him with all the magnificence that might be . this city of quinsay was the fairest , and one of the richest in the world , and of the most wonderful scituation , being divided by many channels of water , upon which are framed wonderful and stately buildings , having also an infinite number of bridges : it abounds with all kinde of spices , and merchandizes in great quantity . the citizens presented the emperor with many rare things , judged to be worth two millions in gold , with great variety of strange and excellent things . then did the emperor call for his son that was there educated , who was now seven yeers old . he forbade that thence forward they should suffer him to wear any thing on his head , and hung a bough about his neck , saying , that they which from their birth were called to sovereignty , should be used both to cold , and heat , and should be exercised to armes betimes , and not be brought up idly , and delicatly : reprehending those which brought him up for using him so tenderly , asking them if they meant to make a woman of of his son ? they replying that he was tender . if he be not born ( said he ) to be strong and valiant , he will not be worthy to succeed me , for he must not be an effeminate prince that must preserve the parthian empire . about this time his emperess was brought to bed of another son at samarcand , for joy whereof he made feasts , with tiltings and pastimes fifteen dayes together . then did he visit all the sea-townsineer to quinsay , hunting all manner of games : yet saying often , that the recreations which he used , were only helps to ease him in the paines of his publick affaires which god had called him to . and when prince axalla told him that that city was a fit place for his abode . o my friend ( said he ) it is not so : for its a maxime , that the lord of this great city must not come to it above once in ten yeers , and when he is here , he must temper his actions , as if he were upon a stage , with gravity and a good grace before the people , who are apt to receive good or evil impressions according as their prince deporteth himself . having setled his affaires in that part of his empire , he returned to samercand , where three times a week he administred justice publickly unto the meanest of his subjects as well as to the greatest , which made him much beloved of all over whom he did command . on other dayes he gave secret audience , and disposed of the affaires of his estate which were concluded daily in his presence . in his counsel he used such severity that none durst deal untruly , or passionately in his presence . yet shewed he such courteousness in his conversation that he was both beloved and feared of his people . he never changed his servants except they committed some great faults against him . all the servants of the late emperor his uncle , he never changed one of them , but increased their pensions , making them sencible of his liberality in that change : the like bounty he used to strangers , thereby to oblige them to him . he drew great store of money yeerly from the muscovite by way of tribute , which yet he distributed in the same country to maintaine his authority there , winning those to him , who otherwise might have hurt him . he had great care of his revenues , wherein he was so expedite that in one hours space he could see his estate from three moneths to three moneths , together with his ordinary and extraordinary expences , they were presented to him so well digested . but after all his publick affaires so well mannaged , and his private businesses so well ordered , sickness arrested , and death conquered this great conqueror , leaving his empire to sautochio his eldest son now ninteen yeers old , who was proclaimed emperor within two hours after his fathers death . tamerlane from his childhood was well instructed in the arabian learning , wherein he was very studious , insomuch as when they thought him to be in the bathes , wherein they are very curious in that country , being their chiefest delight , he was retired to the contemplation and study of heavenly things . he had within his eyes such a divine beauty , and radiancy full of majesty , that one could hardly endure the sight of them without closing of his eys , so that some that talked with him , and beheld him were stricken dumb for the present , which caused him with a comely modesty to abstain from looking upon them that talked with him . all the rest of his visage was courteous , and well proportioned : he had but little haire on his chin : he wore his haire long and curled , contrary to the custome of his country men , who used to shave their heads : he went almost alwayes bareheaded , saying , that his mother came of the race of sampson , who therefore advised him to honour long haire . his haire was of a dusky colour inclining somewhat to a violet , the most beautiful that any eye could behold . his stature was of a middle sort , somewhat narrow in his shoulders : he had a faire and strong leg : his bodily strength and agility was such as none did surpass , and often on festival dayes , he made trial of them with the strongest ; yet did he it with such a grace , mixt with humanity , that he whom he overcame held himself therein most happy , though it was a great disgrace amongst the tartarians to be thrown to the ground in wrestling . in the time of his warrs against the turks , a souldier of his found buried in the ground a great pot of gold , which he brought to tamerlane , who asked him if it had his fathers stamp upon it ; but when he saw that it had the stamp of the romans , he would not own , nor meddle with it . finis . the errata . page . line . read engines for ensines , p. . l. . r. famous , p. . l. . r. to him the lord , &c. p. . l. ult. r. that for the , p. . l. . r. tartarines , p. . l. . r. the for that , l. . r. are for were , l. . r. no for not , p. . l. . r. siege for besiegers , p. . l. . r. stayed for stood . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- his parentage . his fathers peaceable disposition . he resignes his kingdome to his son . tamerlanes war against the muscovites . his victory . his merciful disposition . his battel with the muscovites his victory . he is wounded in the battel . ally slaine . tamerlanes piety . the articles ▪ of peace . his marriage to the great chams daughter . his prudence . his agility and strength . his piety . his justice . his preparations against the king of china the king of china's pride . his piety towards his father . his sickness . his policy . the rebellion of calix . the rebels subtilty . tamerlanes prudence . his march against calix . calix leaves cambalu . the number of calix army tamerlanes prudence . the battel between tamerlane and calix . calix beaten and taken prisoner . calix condemned and executed . tamerlanes march into cathai . cambalu yielded to him . his departure from cambalu . his policy . odmars good councel . tamerlanes speech to his army . his piety . his march towards china . a chinois lord comes to tamerlane . his speech to tamerlane . calibes speech to tamerlane . tamerlanes confidence of success . forces sent into china . the wall forced . his first victory in china . the king of china's fear . the king of china's superstition . the wall beaten down . tame lanes courtesie . hisgratitude . his po●●● . he besieges paguinfou . formerly taken from the tartars . a suburb taken by storme . the wall won . tamerlanes prudence . the city surrendred . axalla's modesty . tamerlane's piety . the riches of the chinois . tamerlane prepares for the battel . the battel begins . the scythians charge the chinois . tamerlanes constancy . calibes wounded 〈◊〉 . the parthians charge thorow the foot charge . axalla's valor tamerlane chargeth . the king of china beaten . tamerlane's temperance . his humility and modesty . his piety . the king of china brought before him . the king of china's proud speech . tamerlane's courtesie . the riches of china . quantou besieged . odmars 〈◊〉 . the king of china's brother overthrown . quantou surrendred . tamerlanes policy . the ambassadors proposals . tamerlane's proposals . peace conclud ed. the king of china delivered . odmar made governor . tamerlanes gratitude . his prudence . his possessions in china . his return into tartary . his liberality . his entertainment at cambalu . his presents to the old emperor . he is stirred up against bajazet . he sends ambassadors to him . bajazets proud answer . tamerlane's preparations against him . tamerlane's speech . his entertainment at samercand . envy attends vertue . his march towards bajazet . his auxiliaries . his prudence . the georgians assist him . his strict discipline . his huge army . bajazets pride . bajazet advanced towards him . tamerlanes moderation . he passeth the river euphrates . turkish pride . turks beaten . sebastia taker . bajazet's arrogance . note . tamerlanes favour to the christians . bajazet's approach . sennas surprized by tamerlane . his policy . an ambush . two thousand turks overthrown . the bassa natolia taken . his speech to tamerlane . tamerlanes reply . his release . he commends tamerlane . preparations for the battel . tamerlanes prudent practice . his prudent speech . his directions for the battel . the battel begins . bajazet's great army . the prince of ciarchan slain . a furious battel . tamerlane himself chargeth . many revelt to tamerlane . the turkes overthrown . bajazet wounded . bajazet taken . the valour of the christians . the despot of servia's speech tamerlane releaseth him . bajazets proud behaviour . leoncla . in edit anual . turk . note . lex talionis . tamerlanes piety . the dead buried . tamerlanes policy . the number of the slain . the uncertainty of worldly greatness . bajazet kept in a cage . pride goeth before destruction . tamerlane prosecutes his victory . the turkes flye . prusa taken . the greek emperor sends ambassadors . the greek empire yielded to tamerlane . it s refused by him . tamerlanes fidelity ▪ the ambassadors dismissed . the greek emperor comes to him . tamerlane goes to constantinople . he highly commended it . he sends his army to their winter-quarters . bajazet's pride . tamerlanes justice . he marches towards egypt . his battel with the sultan . the sultan beaten , flyeth . damasco taken by storme . tamerlane goes to jerusalem . his piety . he marcheth into egypt . damiettataken . tamerlane marcheth to caire . caire besieged . tamerlanes policie . cair stormed . axalla enters . caire taken . the sultan flyeth . tamerlane pursueth . a brave retreat of the mameluks . fidelity rewarded . caire plundered . tamerlane goes to alexandria . the sultan flyes . axalla pursues him . many kings submit to tamerlane . tamerlane desires to return home . he secures his new conquests . calibes made governour . tamerlane goes to jerulem . bajazet's character . tamerlane's devotion . he enlargeth samercand . his love to his souldiers . he goeth towards quinsay . odmars victory in china . tamerlane gives him his sister in marriage . the old emperor buried . his son brought up at quinsay . the king of china comes to him . tameilane's plaine apparel . quinsai described . it was one hundred miles in compasse . his directions about the breeding of his son . his second son born . recreations rightly used ▪ his prudence , his return to samarcand . his justice . his love to his servants . his bounty . his frugality . his death . his character . note . a mirrour or looking-glasse both for saints and sinners held forth in about two thousand examples wherein is presented as gods wonderful mercies to the one, so his severe judgments against the other collected out of the most classique authors both ancient and modern with some late examples observed by my self : whereunto are added the wonders of nature and the rare ... / by sa. clark ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a mirrour or looking-glasse both for saints and sinners held forth in about two thousand examples wherein is presented as gods wonderful mercies to the one, so his severe judgments against the other collected out of the most classique authors both ancient and modern with some late examples observed by my self : whereunto are added the wonders of nature and the rare ... / by sa. clark ... clarke, samuel, - . the second edition much enlarged. [ ], , [ ] p. printed for tho. newberry and are to be sold at his shop ..., london : . reproduction of original in the university of illinois (urbana-champaign campus). library. pages - and - filmed from the union theological seminary library, new york. table of contents: p. [ ]-[ ] includes index: p. 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texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng exempla. geography. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a mirrour or looking-glasse both for saints , and sinners , held forth in about two thousand examples : wherein is presented , as gods wonderful mercies to the one ; so his severe judgments against the other . collected out of the most classique authors both ancient , and modern , with some late examples observed by my self . whereunto are added , the wonders of god in nature ; and the rare , stupendious , and costly works made by the art , and industry of man. as the most famous cities , structures , statues , cabinets of rarities , &c. which have been , or are in the world . by sa. clark , pastor in bennet fink , london . the second edition much enlarged . sancti sunt honorandi propter imitationem . august . london , printed for tho. newberry , and are to be sold at his shop at the three golden lions in corn-hill by the royal-exchange . . to his dearly beloved friends , and neighbours , members of the church of christ that meet in bennet fink , london . dearly beloved friends , i have much desired , and longed for an opportunity to expresse , and make known my gratefull heart unto you , for those many favours , and expressions of love which i have received from you : for whereas by reason of the iniquities of the times , and the cruelty of the common enemy , i was banished from my home , and that station wherein the lord had seated mee with much comfort , it pleased god to direct your hearts to make choyse of mee for your minister ; and since that time ( being now eleven years ) i have never found your affections cooled , but rather more , and more inflamed and increased towards mee : no small mercy in these giddy , and unstable times ! and as a reall demonstration thereof , you have been very solicitous to provide for my comfortable subsistence amongst you , wherein i may use the apostles expression , cor. . . that to your power , yea i bear record , beyond your power , you have been willing : but that which especially hath ministred most comfort unto mee , is your professed subjection to the gospel of christ , evidenced remarkably in this particular , which i desire to speak of to gods glory , your credit , and that your zeal may provoke others . i never had occasion to move you in any just and honest businesse , whether of publique or private concernment , wherein i have not found your readinesse , and forwardnesse to concur with , and answer my expectation : my hearts desire , and earnest prayer to god for you is , that you may yet abound more and more in every good word , and work , that so fighting the good fight of faith , you may finish your course with joy : for which end i beseech you in the bowels of jesus christ , that you mark them which would cause divisions , and offences among you , contrary to the doctrine which yee have learned , and avoid them : for many false prophets are gone out into the world in sheeps clothing , which yet inwardly are ravening wolves , begu●ling unstable soules , who like little children are carried about with every wind of doctrine . ye therefore , beloved , seeing ye know these things before , beware lest ye also , being led away with the errour of the wicked , fall from your own stedfastnesse , pet. . . and the god of all grace , who hath called us into his eternal glory by jesus christ , after that yee have suffered a while , make you perfect , strengthen , and settle you : which shall ever be the hearty prayer , and earnest endeavour of him who is devoted to the service of your faith , sa. clark. the epistle to the reader . christian reader , this book which i now present unto thee is the fruit of my spare houres , it having been my recreation for these many years to read the best histories which i could meet with : and for the help of my memory , i have collected the eminentest , and most remarkable examples which did occur , and reduced them under several heads distinguished into ▪ severall chapters : which i have found very useful , profitable , and pleasing unto me , and presuming that they may be so to others also ; i have now this second time published them to the world , that so they which neither have money to buy , nor leisure to read many volumes , may find in this little epitome the choisest , and chiefest things that are contained in them : i have also sometimes set down more pleasant stories , which may have their use , and prevent tediousnesse to the reader , though in such great variety of history , i suppose there is no great danger of nauseousnesse . but besides what i have collected out of the authours themselves , i have met with many examples in several treatises , and sermons which have been lately published ; but what i have borrowed from them i hope i shall repay with interest by this insuing collection . i have also inserted some memorable examples from my own observation , which were never before in print : i presume that it will be superfluous for me to tell thee , what great benefit thou mayst reap by acquainting thy self with these examples : dost thou live in places of danger , and times of persecution ? here thou mayest see how powerful , and merciful the lord is in supporting , or delivering his people in such times . doest thou see the enemies of gods church to thrive , and pro●per in their malice , and cruelty ? here thou mayest see what the end of them is like to be , if they speedily repent not . would'st thou see the amiablenesse , and desireablenesse of vertues , and graces ? here thou mayst see it held forth unto thee in excellent mirrours , or looking-glasses . wouldest thou behold the uglinesse , and danger of great , and horrid sins ? behold here examples of the severity of gods judgments against them . would'st thou find out , and propose some choyce patterns , and presidents for thine imitation ? here thou shalt find store , and variety of them . these , with divers other uses , and benefits may be made of these examples , which i freely impart to thee , with prayer for gods blessing upon thee , and them , and desiring the like courtesie at thy hands , i rest , thine in the lord , sa. clark. from my study in thridneedle-street this . of april . . a table of the chapters contained in this book . miracles of gods mercies to his children . pag. examples fit for gods ministers to imitate . pag. of christian courage , and resolution . pag. of gods judgments upon persecutors . pag. of the wicked lives , and woful deaths of many popes , and popelings . pag. of inhumane cruelties . pag. of temperance , abstinence , and sobriety . pag. of drunkennesse . pag. of prodigality , and excesse . pag. of gods judgments upon adulterers , and unclean persons . pag. of chastity , and modesty . pag. of charity . pag. of liberality , bounty , and munificence . pag. of covetousnesse , and avarice . pag. of sacriledge . pag. of pride , arrogance , ambition , and vain-glory. pag. of humility , and self-denial . pag. of anger , wrath , malice , hatred , and revenge . pag. of patience , moderation , and meeknesse . pag. of gods judgments upon apostates , and backsliders . pag. of gods judgments upon atheists . pag. of blasphemy , and gods judgments upon blasphemers , pag. of profane scoffers . pag. of perjury , and false swearing . pag. gods judgments upon common swearers . pag. gods judgments upon cursers . pag. gods judgments upon hereticks , and schismaticks , pag. gods judgements upon false-witnesses , and lyers . pag. childrens obedience , and love to their parents . pag. gods judgments upon rebellious , and unnatural children . pag. parents love to , and care over their children . pag. of fond parents , and the mischiefs thereof . pag. of brethrens love , each to other . pag. of fortitude , valour , and magnanimity . pag. gods judgments upon sabbath-breakers . pag. gods judgments upon murtherers , and blood-shedders , pag. of marriage , and conjugal love. pag. of treachery , and perfidiousnesse . pag. of fidelity . pag. of deceit , craft , guile , and hypocrisie . pag. of friendship . pag. of grosse ignorance , and folly. contempt of the world , of riches , honours , &c. honour shewed to gods word , and ministers . contemners of the ministry , word , and sacraments . gods judgments upon dicers , and card-players . of justice ; the duty of judges , and magistrates . of injustice , and bribery , of restitution . law , and law-givers . tyrants , and tyranny . vanity of all earthly things , of gratitude , and thanksgiving . ingratitude , and unkindnesse . of flattery , and parasites . of deaf , and dumb persons . of constancy . of inconstancy , and unstablenesse . of hard students . enemies to learning . of callings , trades . christ preferred before all earthly enjoyments . compassion , sympathy . workings of conscience : guilty conscience . love to ones countrey , and countreymen . of death . detraction , slandering , backbiting . discord , gontention , and the evils of it . strange accidents . strange providences . of terrible famines . gods judgments upon witches , conjurers , inchanters , and astrologers . apparitions , satanical delusions . of dissimulation . of envy . fame , name , renown . incontinence , impudence , rapes . gods judgments on the jewes for crucifying christ , images , idols . of superstition . long life , life sweet . ▪ mirth , facetious speeches , pithy sentences , poverty , poor . peace , peace-makers . persecution , persecutors . honesty , piety , holinesse , godlinesse . predictions , prophecies . the power , and prevalency of prayer ▪ prudence , wisdom , policy . strange prodigies . remuneration , retaliation , requital . gods love to his children ; and their love to him . reproof , reprehension . repentance , and reformation the way to pacific gods wrath . scripture proved to be the word of god ; not to be profaned . servants ; slaves . sin the fore-runner of judgment . stratagems . education of children : school-masters . memory . art of memory . qualities of sundry people . wondrous works of god in nature . the rare works of god in the creatures . rare , stupendious , and costly works made by man. old rome , and the rarities thereof described . other great cities , and the turks seraglio described . hyspaan in persia described . the temple of diana , and other admirable places described . pequin in china , and other stately cities described . an alphabetical table of the common places , and examples contained in this book , wherein p. stands for page , and c. for example . a abstinence , p. . e. , &c. accidents strange , p. , &c. see providence : adultery , p. . e. , &c. see whoredom . almes out of ill-gotten goods rejected , p. e. , &c. see charity . aloes how made , p. . e. . ambergreece what it is , p. e. . ambition . see pride . angels comfort the martyrs in their torments , p. e. . p. . e. . anger , p. , &c. how cured , p. e. , &c. p. . e. . apollo's tample destroyed by lightning , p. . e. . apostasie dangerous , p. . e. p. e. p. e. , , . apostates . p. e. , &c. apostasie repented of , p. . e. . apparitions , p. , &c. arrogance . see pride . art admired , p. . e. . asses with hornes , p. . e. . astrologers deceived , p. . e. . astrologers . p. , &c. atheisme , p. . e. , . p. . e. . p. . e. . p. , &c. avarice . see covetousnesse . b. babylon with its rarities described . p. , &c. backbiting , p. , &c. see slandering . backsliders . see apostates . balm tree where it growes , p. . e. . batts strange , p. . e. . beasts strange , p. . e. , , &c. p. . e. , . p. . e. . bezar's stone where found , p. . e. a feast for the translation of the bible , p. . e. birds strange , p. . e. . p. . e. blasphemy , p. . e. , . p. . e. . p. . p. e. . p. . e. . p. . e. . p . e. . p. e. . p. . e. . p. . e. . p. . e. , p. . e. , . p. . e. , , . p. , &c. blood shedders . see murtherers . bounty . see liberality . bribery , p. . e. . p. , &c. hated , p. e. . p. . e. , . p. . e. . p. . e. , &c. brethrens love each to other , p. . e. , &c. brothers unnatural , p. . e. . p. . e. , &c. p. . e. . p. . e. . p. . e. . c. cairo in egypt described , p. . callings . see trades . camels described , p. e. . cantharides what , p. . e. . card-players punished , p. , &c. casan in parthia described , p. . caves strange , p. . e. , . p. . e. . p. e. . charity , p. . e. , &c. chastity , p. . e. , &c. a child nursed by an old woman , p. . e. . by a man , p. . e. . children not to marry without parents consent , p. e. . childrens love , and obedience to parents , p. e. , &c. childrens education . see schoolmasters . childrens martyrdome , p. . e. . p. . e. . many children at a birth , p. . e. children unnatural , p. . e. . p. , &c. p. e. . p. . e. . p. e. , &c. a child crying in the womb , p. e. christ our mediatour , p. e. , &c. christ why not deified at rome , p. e. christ preferred before all earthly things , p. . e. . p. . e. , &c. p. . e. , . p. , &c. christian courage , p. . e. . p. . e. . christians highly honoured , p. e. churches not to be profaned . p. e. , . cinamon - trees , p. e. cloves how they grow , p. e. . colossus of rhodes described , p. . comfort at death , p. e. p. e. p. e. p. e. , p. e. . compassion , p. , &c. conjurers plagued by god , p. e. , , , . p. , &c. conscience with the workings of it , p. , &c. conscience guilty , p. e. p. e. p. e. . p. e. , &c. a good conscience is to be preferred before all , p. e. . conscience terrified after falls , p. e. p. e. p. e. . constancy of the godly , p. . e. . p. e. , , . p. e. , . p. e. p. . e. . constancy , p. , &c. constantinople with its rarities described , p. . contention dangerous , p. e. , &c. p. , &c. countrey dearly loved , p. e. p. e. p. e. p. e. , . p. e. p. , &c. conversion miraculous , p. e. , , . coquo - nuts the profitablest fruit in the world , p. e. . cotton wooll how it growes , p. e. . covetousnesse plagued by god , p. e. p. e. . covetousnesse , p. , &c. courage of christians , p. e. , , , , &c. p. . e. p. e. , , &c. p. e. , , . p. e. , . cowardize , p. e. p. e. , . couzenage , p. e. , &c. craft . see deceipt . crocodiles described , p. e. . cruelty , p. e. , &c. cruelty unnatural , p. e. , . p. e. . p. e. p. e. . cursers plagued by god , p. e. , &c. d. date - trees how they grow , p. e. . death not to be brived , p. e. . death , p. e. p. , &c. death terrible , p. e. . death of the righteous the fore ●unner of judgment , . see comfort at death . deceipt , p. e. . p. , &c. p. e. . detraction . see slandering . despair , p. e. p. e. p. e. p. e. , . p. e. , , &c. p. e. p. e. , . p. . contracts with the devil , p. e. p. e. . devils craft , and falshood , p. e. . see satanical delusions . diamonds , p. e. . dice - players plagued by god , p. , &c. discord . see contention . dissimulation , p. e. p. , &c. dotterrels foolish creatures , p. e. . dromedaries , p. e. . drunkennesse , p. e. , &c. punished , p. e. prevented , p. e. . duels , p. e. . strange examples of dumb , and deaf persons , p. e. . p. , &c. p. e. . e. earth turning wood into stone , p. e. . earthquakes terrible , p. e. . envy , p. . &c. epitaphs , p. e. . excesse , p. e. , &c. extasie of joy kills one , p. e. . f. false-witnesses plagued by god , p. e. p. e. , . p. e. p. e. p. , &c. fame , p. . &c. p. e. famines terrible , p. &c. miraculous provision in times of famine , p. e. , &c. p e , p. e. . fathers unnatural , p. e. p. e. . see parents . fearfulnesse , p. e. , . p. e. . fidelity , p. , &c. fishes strange , p. e. p. e. , . flatterers , p. e. . p. , &c. punished , p. e. , , , . florence with its rarities described , p. . folly , p. e. p. e. p. e. p. e. , &c. fooles wise , p. e. , &c. forgiving of wrongs , p. e. fortitude , p. , &c. fountain of oyl , p. e. . of pitch , p. e. fountains of strange natures , p. e. , , , &c. p. e. , &c. p. e. , &c. p. e. , &c. g. ginger how it growes , p. e. . glasses malleable , p. . gluttony , p. e. , &c. godlinesse . see piety . gods love to his children , and their love to him , p. , &c. gratitude , p. . of scholars to their masters , p. e. , &c. guile . see deceit . gum-lac how made . p. e. . gunnes how and by whom first invented , p. gyant , p. e. . h. hatred . see anger . herbs strange , p. e. p. e. . hereticks converted , p. e. p. e. . hereticks plagued by god , p. e. p. e. , &c. p. e. p. , &c. hereticks false , and subtile , p. e. . p. e. p. e. . malicious , p. e. . a hill walking up , and down , p. e. . high hills , p. e. , . hill admirable , p. . holinesse , honesty . see piety . honours contemned , p. e. . honour sought by wickednesse , p. e. , &c. humility , p. e. p. e. , &c. husbands unnatural , p. e. . hypocrisie , p. , &c. hyspaan with its rarities described , p. . i. idlenesse not endured , p. e. , &c. idols , images , p. , &c. see superstition . jealousie , p. e. . jerusalem , and the temple described , p. . jewes plagued for their wickednesse , p. , &c. illiterate persons , p. . impudence , p. . see whoredom . incest , p. e. . p. e. , . p. e. , , , . inchanters , p. , &c. see conjurers . inconstancy of earthly things , p. e. . see vanity . inconstancy , p. , &c. incontinence , p. . see whoredom . indico how made . p. e. . ingratitude , p. e. p. , &c. injustice , p. , &c. p. e. . condemned , p. e. . inquisitors cruelty , p. e. , . intemperance punished , p. e. , . judgment dreadful to sinners , p. e. . judges , justice , p. &c. p. e. . p. . e. the neglect of justice severely punished , p. e. , &c. k. kine strange , p. e. . kings good , and bad . see in the chap. of judges . kissing how is began with the romans , page e. . l. lakes strange , p. e. . huge , p. . law , law-givers , p. , &c. law , lawyers , p. e. , , , . p. e. . learning prized , p. e. , &c. enemies to it , page . liberality , p. e. , &c. liberty preferred before life , p. e. , , &c. p. e. , &c. p. e. p. e. , , p. e. . p. e. . life , long life , life sweet , p. , &c. love to god , p. e. , . love of god to his children , and theirs to him . p. , &c. love of married persons , p. , &c. p. e. . luxury punished , p. e. . see prodigality . lyers . see false-witnesses . m. magistrates , p. , &c. wicked , p. e. . magnanimity . see fortitude . malice , p. e. p. , &c. manna how procreated , p. e. . marriage , p. , &c. martial discipline , p. p. e. . mastick how it growes , p. e. . meeknesse . see patience . memory very good , p. e. p. , &c. meermaids , p e. p. e. . meermen , p. e. p. e. . mercy . see compassion . millan described , p. . ministers zealous , and couragious , p. e. , . p. e. . p. e. , &c. ministers painful , p. e. , , &c. die preaching , p. e. , , , , . it was augustin's wish , p. e. . their work is difficult , p. e. . ministers highly prized , p. e. p. , &c. old adam is too hard for them , p. e. . what to do when their ministry is refused , p. , . hated for their works sake , p. e. p. , &c. despised , p. e. p. e. , . mirth , p. , &c. mistakes dangerous , p. e. , moderation see patience . modesty , p. e. . see chastity . monuments for the dead , p. e. , &c. money contemned , p. e. p. e. , , . see riches . money loved is the root of all evil , p. e . p. e. , &c. mosco described , p. . mothers encourage their children to suffer , p. e. mothers unnatural , p. e. p. e. p. e. , . mummies of egypt described , p. munificence . see liberality . murtherers plagued by god , p. , &c. murthers strangely discovered , p. e. , &c. musk how made , p. e. . n. name . see fame . name of god to be reverenced , p. e. ▪ naples with its rarities described , p. . nutmegs , and mace how they grow , p. e. . o. obelisks described , p. . ostracisme what it was , p. e. . ostriges described , p. e. . p. padua described p. . painting admirable , p. . palm - trees how profitable , p. e. . paper of sedges , p. e. . parasites . see flatterers . parents instructing their children , p. e. . love to , and care of their children , p. , &c. p. e. . parents fond , and the mischiefs of it , p. e. , &c. parents unnatural , p. e. , &c. patience , p. e. , &c. patience in sufferings , p. e. p. e. . peace , peace-makers , p. , &c. pearles how gotten , p. e. . pequin in china described , p. . perfidiousnesse , p. e. . see treachery : pepper how it growes , p. e. . perjury plagued by god , p. e. , &c. hateful to man , p. e. . p. e. . persecutors plagued by god , p. . e ▪ . p. . e. , &c. persecution , p. , &c. piety , p. , &c. plague , pestilence , p. e. . plague by mi●e , p. e. . poor , poverty , p. . popes wickednesse , p. e. , &c. prayer powerful ▪ and prevalent , p. . e. , , . p. . e. p. e. p. e. , p. , &c. prayer frequent , p. e. , &c. predictions , p. e. p. e. p. , &c. pride punished , p. e. p. e. p. e. , , . p. e. . pride , p. e. , &c. p. e. p. e. . p. e. , &c. pride in hair punished , p. e. printing how , and by whom first invented , p. prodigality , p. e. , &c. prodigies , p. , &c. profaners of holy things plagued , p. e. , ▪ p. e. p. e. . prophecies false , p. e. , . of sybill , p. e. . see predictions . providences of mercy , p. e. , &c. providences strange , p. , &c. see accidents . prudence , policy , p. , &c. pyramids of egypt described , p. . q. quakert wickednesse , p. e. p. e. . qualities of sundry people , p. , &c. quinsay described with its rarities , p. . r. ravishings , p. e. p. e. , . p. , &c. see whoredomes . renown , p. , &c. repentance , reformation , p. , &c. not to be bought too dear , p e . repentance counterfeit , p. e. . p. e. ▪ reproof , reprehension , p. . not endured , p. e. . p. e. , , . requital , p. e. p. e. p. e. p. e. p. e. restitution , p. , &c. retaliation , p. e. p. e. p. e. p. e. p. , &c. revenge devillish , p. e. , . p. , &c. riches contemned , p. e. , &c. see money . rivers strange , p. e. , . p. e. , &c. p. e. , &c. p. e. , &c. p. e. . p. e. p. e. , . rocks strange , p. e. rome with its rarities described , p , . s. sabbath - breakers plagued by god , p. e. , . p. , &c. sacrament - profaners , p. e. , . p. e. p. , &c. sacriledge , p. e. , , , . p. e. , &c. satanical illusions , p. e. . see apparitions . schismaticks plagued by god , p. e. , &c. school-masters , p. , &c. scriptures learned by heart , p. e. . see word of god , p. e. . scriptures contemned , p. e. , &c. p. e. . see atheists , and blasphemers . scriptures proved to be the word of god. not to be profaned , p. , &c. scoffers at gods ministers plagued , p. e. p. e. . scoffers , p. e. p. e. p. e. . p. e. , . p. e. , &c. p. e. , &c. p. , &c. p. e. p. e. . p. e. , . p. e. . seducers punished , p. e. self-murther , p. e. , &c. p. sensitive plant , p. e. . seraglio of the great turk described , p. . serpents strange , p. e. . servants , slaves , p. , &c. they may not slander their masters , p. e , &c. sheep strange , p. e. . p. e. . sin the greatest evil , p. e. p. e. . how mortified , p. e. sin the fore-runner of judgment , p. e. , &c. p. e. , &c. p. , &c. slandering , p. e. . p. e. , &c. p. , &c. sobriety . see abstinence . sodomy , p. e. p. e. p. e. p. e. , , . speeches wi●ty , p. e. , , , . p. e. . p. e. . p. e. p. , &c. springs strange , p. e. p. e. , . see fountains . spunges how gotten , p. e. . stones strange , p. e. . p. e. , , &c. p. e. p. e. , . stone-henge , p. . storks love to their young , p. e. stratagems , p. e. p. e. p. , &c. strength extraordinary , p. e. , . p. e. students hard , p. , &c. subtilty of the churches enemies , p. e. p. e. p. e superstition , p. e. p. , &c. p. e. . p. e . swearers plagued , p. e. , p. e. , p. e. , &c. p. e. , &c. sympathy . see compassion . t. taddi , an excellent wine out of trees , p. e. temple of diana described , p. temperance . see abstinence . tentations to uncleannesse resisted , p. e. . tentations prevailing , yet overcome at last , p. e. , , , , . p. . e. . p. e. . thanksgiving , p. , &c. see gratitude . thieves converted , p. e. p. e. . time pre●ious , p. e. . timerousnesse . see cowardize . tomb of porsenna described , p. . see monuments for the dead . torpedo a strange fish , p. e. . trades , p. , &c. treachery , treason , p. e. . punished , p. e. ▪ p. e. p. e. , , . p. , &c. p. e. . trees strange , p. e. . p. e. , &c. p. e. ▪ . p. e. . trial of sincerity , p. e. . truth preferred before life , p. e. . tyrants , tyranny , p. , &c. hatefull , p. e. p. e. . punished , p. e. , &c. p. e. , &c. p. e. p. e. , &c. p. e. . v. vain-glory . see pride . valour , p. , &c. see magnanimity . vanity of all earthly things , p. , &c. p. . e. , &c. venice with its rarities and riches described , p. . victories of the saints over their enemies , p. . e. . unity , the benefit of it , p. . e. , . unstablenesse . see inconstancy . unkindnesse , unthankfulnesse . see ingratitude . utrech how situated , p. . w. vvaies strange , and admirable , p. e. . p. . waters strange , p. e. , . waters turned into stone , p. e. . waters from a tree , p. e. . whales , and their enemies , p. e. . whoredom plagued , p. e. , . p. e. . wicked fly when none pursues , p. . e. . wisdom . see prudence . witches ▪ p. . see conjurers . wives must keep home , p. e. . wives love to their husbands , p e. , , &c. p. e. , &c. wives unnatural , p. e. p. e. . witty speeches , p. e. p. e. p. e. . see speeches . women wise , p. , e. . cruel , p. e. . women valiant , p. e. p. e. , &c. p. e. . p. e. . word of god reverenced , and prized , p. , &c. studied , p. e. , &c. p. e. . contemned ; and its contemners plagued , p. , &c. see scriptures . wondrous works of god in nature , p. , &c. world contemned , p. , &c. wrath. see anger . z. zeal for the truth , p. . e. . p. . e. , . zeal against sin , p. . e. . zeal blind , and bloody , p. . e. . examples of miracles of gods mercies to his children . chap. i. the people of god , who live in such times wherein publike dangers and persecutions are approaching , being conscious to their own infirmities , and weaknesse , are many times much perplexed , and distracted with the feares , and apprehensions of the ensuing perills , and through weaknesse of faith much question whether they be able to undergo such conflicts , and endure such temptations as the people of god formerly have done ? or whether the power of god doth so eminently appeare in these latter times for the deliverance of his church , and children , as in the time of the old testament , and in the first primitive times of the gospel it did ? but certainly the name of god is wonderful still : his arme is not shortened that it cannot save , nor his eare heavy that it cannot heare : so that we may assure our selves , that either he will preserve us from , or support us under , or deliver us out of any temptation , that may or shall befall us : for god never puts his servants to suffer , but he furnisheth them with spirituall sufficiency to go through with the same . and like as a prudent commander makes not choice of white-livered souldiers for hot service & high attempts ; but of those of greatest experience , and most approved valour : so god singles out his valiantest souldiers for strongest encounters , his best scholars for the largest lessons , his choicest armour for the highest proof , the most courageous christians for the sorest afflictions . and that the truth hereof may the more clearly appear , view seriously th●se ensuing examples , both of the ancient and moderne times , which as they were first recorded for the publike benefit : so are they now collected out of severall authours of good credit for our present instruction , and consolation . marcus a●relius the emperour , who raised the fourth persecution against the christians , could by no perswasions be appeased , till in his warres against the germanes his army was ready to perish for want of water , whereupon one of his legions ( being all christians ) prayed unto christ , who immediately sent abundance of raine , which refreshed the roman army , and dashed their enemies with thunder and fire : in remembrance whereof that legion was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the lightning legion : after which victory ( so miraculously obtained ) he stayed the persecution . euseb. ignatius bishop of antioch , being apprehended , and brought to execution , had his spirit so fortified against fears , that he cried out , let the fire , the crosse , the beasts , the breaking of bones , convulsion of members , and bruising of the whole body , yea , and the torments of the devill seize upon me ; provided that i may partake of jesus christ , i passe them not . also when he was cast unto the wilde beasts , he allured them to devour him , saying , that if he were ground with their teeth , he should be found fine flour in the house of his father . euseb. john bishop of bergomum , a godly and reverend man , having freely reproved a king of the lombards for his wickednesse : the king desirous of revenge , commanded him to be sent home upon a fierce horse , which used to cast his riders , and teare them to pieces : but the godly bishop being mounted upon him , he laid aside his fiercenesse , and carried him home safely to his own house . platin. theodosius , a godly emperour , fighting against the tyrant eugenius , his army was in great danger of being overthrown ; but theodosius having recourse unto god by prayer , the lord sent a mighty tempest of winde , which blew so vehemently in his enemies faces , that it drove back their darts upon themselves , whereby they were overcome . ruffin . constantius the emperour , an arian , being incensed against a●banasius a godly bishop , sent a captaine with five thousand armed men to slay him ; but the lord delivered him miraculously : for when they had invironed the church wherein he was , he passed safely through the middest of them ; and though many arians that knew him , were present to discover him , yet was he not discerned . theod. see his life in my first part . the city of nisibis being straitly besieged by sapores king of persia , there was in the city an holy man of god , jacobus by name unto whom the citizens resorted , beseeching him that he would shew himselfe upon the walls , and pray to god for help against their enemies , which so soone as he had done , the lord sent a cloud of gnats and flies among the persians , whereby the siege was raised , and the city saved . simps . eccles. hist. sanctius a godly christian under one of the first persecutions , though he was vexed with all sorts of torments , yet could he not be compelled to confesse his name , countrey , or kindred , but to every question , still answered , i am a christian ; whereupon the tormenters applied plates of brasse red-hot to all the tenderest parts of his body , which was extreame sore with former scourgings , whereby his body was so pitifully drawne together , that he retained not the shape of a man ; after which they cast him into prison , and after a few dayes ( his body being all over so sore that he could scarce endure the least touch ) they bring him forth to new torments , presuming thereby either to force him to blaspheme , or to die under them ; on the contrary , his body was so suppled , and refreshed by his torments , that he recovered his former shape , and use of his members , their intended punishment ( by the grace of christ ) proving a safe medicine unto him . act. & mon. in tyre a city of phenicia , certain christians being cast to most savage beasts , were not at all hurt by them , though the beasts were kept hungry on purpose , and raged so vehemently , that they which brought them to the stage , though they stood ( as they presumed ) out of their reach , yet were caught and devoured by them . act. & mon. quirinus bishop of scescanus having an hand-mill tied about his neck , was throwne headlong from a bridge into the river , where a long time he miraculously floated above the water , and called to the lookers on that they should not be dismayed at his sufferings ; and so at last with much ado he was drowned . act. & mon. the childe of a christian , being but seven years old , was asked by a heathen tyrant how many gods there were ? whereunto he answered , that whatsoever men affirme to be god , must needs be one , which with one is one and the same : and inasmuch as this one is christ , of necessity christ must be the true god. the tyrant being amazed at this answer , asked him , where , and of whom he had learned this lesson ? of my mother ( quoth the childe ) with whose milke i sucked in this doctrine . whereupon the mother was called , and she gladly appeared ; the tyrant commanded the childe to be horsed up , and scourged : the joyful mother standing by with dry cheeks , whilest all the beholders wept : yea , she rebuked her babe for craving a cup of water to quench his thirst , charging him to thirst after the cup which the infants of bethlehem once dranke of , and to remember little isaac , who willingly offered his throat to the sacrificing knife . whilest she thus counselled him , the bloody tyrant puld off the skinne from the crowne of his head : the mother cried , suffer , my childe , for anon thou shalt passe to him who will adorn thy naked head with a crown of glory . whereby the childe was so encouraged , that he received the stripes with a smiling countenance : after which the tyrant cast him into prison , and shortly after commanded him to be beheaded ; at which time the mother taking up her childe into her armes , kissed him , and being required , she delivered him to the executioner , saying , farewell , my sweet childe : and whil'st his head was cutting off , she sang , all land and praise with heart and voice , o lord , we give to thee , to whom the death of all thy saints we know full dear to be . the head being off , the mother wrapped it in her garments , laid it to her breast , and so departed . act. & mon. babilas a godly christian for the cause of christ was tormented with most exquisite tortures , and so cruelly excruciated from morning till noone , that he hardly escaped with life . after which some of his friends asking him , how he could abide such sharp torments ? he said , that at the beginning he felt some paine , but afterwards there stood by him a young man , who as he was sweating with paine , wiped it off , and oft-times refreshed him with cold water , wherewith he was so delighted , that when he was let down from the engine , it grieved him more then his torments . act. & mon. pope martin the fifth raised three great armies , intending therewith to destroy all the bohemians , which clave to the doctrine of john husse , and jerome of prague ; but when they came to the encounter five several times , each time the said armies ran away out of the field , leaving their tents and surniture behinde them , being strucken and daunted with a causelesse fear , before any blow was given , or received ; whereby the godly bohemians were much encouraged , & enriched : afterwards under their captain zisca they fought eleven battels against the popes side , & ever went away victors . act. & mon. see zisca's life in my second part. ladislaus king of hungary getting by fraud the two sonnes of huniades into his hands , most cruelly and unjustly caused the eldest of them to be beheaded , who after he had received three blowes from the hangman , his hands being tied behinde him , rose up upon his feet , and looking 〈◊〉 heaven , called upon the lord , protesting his inno●●●cy , and so laying down his head again , at the fourth blow was dispatched . act. & mon. examples of miraculous provision in times of famine . neere unto aldborough in suffolk , at what time ( viz. in the yeere . ) by reason of unseasonable weather , the corne throughout all england was choaked , and blasted in the eare , there grew up pease miraculously amongst the rocks without any earth at all about them , about the end of september , which much brought down the price of corne . camb. brit. p. . in the yeere . when there was a great famine in ireland , the mercy of god so disposed , that upon the twenty seventh of june there came to land a mighty multitude of sea-fishes called thurlheds , such as in many ages before had not been seen there : they came into the haven of dublin : anthony lord lucy being justice of ireland , and by the citizens of dublin were many of them killed . camb. brit. irel. p. . leyden in the low countries being straitly besieged by the spaniard , anno . and blocked up with thirty six forts , the famine grew so great that there died above seven thousand in the city ; whereupon the prince of orange by breaking of ditches , and drawing up of sluces , did what he could to drown the countrey ; but yet the water was too shallow to carry boats , till god sent a strong southwest winde which drave the sea into the rivers , and land , that great boats passed and victualled the ●own ; whereupon the spaniards raised their siege : but behold the remarkable work of god! who two dayes after sent as strong a north-west winde that beat back the sea again whence it came . belg. com. wealth . p. . rochell being besieged with a mighty army from the beginning of december . to the moneth of june following : a dearth began to seize upon the godly protestants which were within the same ; but the lord seasonably sent a number of fishes called surdones into the haven , whereby the poor inhabitants were relieved during the continuance of the siege , which being once broken up , the fishes departed , and were found no more in that coast . fren. hist. as it was always one of mr. latimers wishes , that he might be so happy as to shed his hearts blood for the truth : and so it fell out at the time of his burning , that when the violence of the fire had opened his body , such abundance of blood gushed so violently out from his heart , to the great astonishment of the beholders , as if all the blood in his body had been gathered to that one place . act. & mon. a christian matron of excellent parts , and piety , languishing long under the pressure of hideous temptations , wofully at length yeelded to despaire , and attempted the destruction of her selfe : after often , and curious seeking occasion for that bloody fact , at last getting upon a rock that hung over into the sea , putting off her apparell , she threw her self head long from the same : but receiving no hurt by the fall , she was there miraculously preserved for the space of two houres , labouring all that while industriously to drown her self : after which time ( being with much difficulty drawn forth , and recovered ) she did yet conflict with that extreamest desperate horrour almost an whole yeer after : but at length by gods providence listening o● a time ( though very unwillingly at the first ) to her husband reading that text , esa. . . by little and little abundance of spiritual comfort flowed into her heart , in which condition she continued many yeeres after , even untill her death , which was . mr. bolton . a virtuous gentlewoman in this land , doubting very often of her salvation , made her case known unto a godly minister , who often counselled her to take heed of inquiries farther then gods word , and to trust assuredly that she might ground her salvation upon evidences out of that , without farther revelations ; yet still did that temptation grow upon her , insomuch that having a ▪ venice-glasse in her hand , the minister sitting by her , she brake forth into very lamentable words , saying , you have often told me that i must seek no further then gods word , but i have been long without comfort , and can endure no longer : therefore if i must be saved let this glasse be kept from breaking , and therewithal she threw it against the walls : and though the lord might have dealt otherwise , yet he was content to satisfie her longing soul with a miracle : the glasse rebounds againe , and comes safe unto the ground : which the minister taking up , said , oh repent of this sinne , and blesse god for his mercy , never distrust him more of his promise . bolton . yates . see this more fully in my first part of lives . in the life of master fox . mistris katharine brettergh upon her death-bed , was assaulted with most grievous temptations , which made her cry out that a roaring wildernesse of wo was within her ; that her sinnes had made her a prey to satan , and wished that she had never been borne , or that she had been made any other creature rather then a woman , crying , wo , wo , wo , &c. a weake , a wofull , a wretched , a forsaken woman ! but at length , by gods wonderful mercy , she recovered such comfort , that in the ravishments of spirit , she cried out , o lord jesus , doest thou pray for me ? o blessed and sweet saviour , how wonderful ! how wonderful ! how wonderful are thy mercies ! o thy love is unspeakable , that hast dealt so graciously with me ! o lord my god , blessed be thy name for evermore , which hast shewed me the path of life : thou diddest , o lord , hide thy face from me for a little season , but with everlasting mercy thou hast compassion upon me : and now blessed lord , thy comfortable presence is come , yea , thou art come to thine handmaid with fulnesse of joyes , and abundance of consolation : o the joyes ! the joyes ! the joyes that i feel in my soul ! o they be wonderful ! they be wonderful ! they be wonderful ! o lord , i feele thy mercy , and i am assured of thy love ; and so certaine am i thereof , as thou art the god of truth , even so sure do i know my self to be thine , and this my soul knoweth right well , and this my soul knoweth right well : o blessed be the lord , o blessed be the lord , that hath thus comforted me ! o the joy , the joy , the delightsome joy that i feele ! o praise the lord for his mercies , and for this joy which my soul feeleth full well : praise his name for evermore . see her life and death in my second part. mr. peacock a biessed servant of god , being in horrour of conscience , recounting some smaller sinnes , burst out into these words : and for these now ( saith he ) i feele an hell in my conscience ; and afterwards groaning most pitiously , he cried out , o me pitious wretch ! oh mine heart is miserable ! oh , oh , miserable , and wofull ! the burthen of my sinne lieth so heavie upon me , i doubt it will break my heart : oh how wofull and miserable is my state , that thus must converse with hell-hounds ! being asked whether he would pray ? he answered , i cannot : then they said , let us pray for you : take not ( replied he ) the name of god in vain by praying for a reprobate ; but after a while this tempest of temptation being over : truly ( said he ) my heart and soul hath been farre led , and deeply troubled with temptations , and many inconsiderate speeches have flowed from me in the same , for which i humbly and heartily aske mercy of god : i now finde that the sea is not more full of water , nor the sunne of light , then the lord of mercy , yea his mercies are ten thousand times more ; what great cause have i to magnifie the goodnesse of god , that hath humbled , nay rather exalted such a wretched miscreant , and of so base a condition , to an estate so glorious and stately ? the lord hath honoured me with his goodnesse : i am sure he hath provided a glorious kingdom for me : the joy that i feele in my heart is incredible . bolton . mr. robert glover was so worne and consumed by the space of five yeares , that neither almost any brooking of meate , quietnesse of sleepe , pleasure of life , yea , and almost no kinde of sense was left in him ; upon the apprehension of some backsliding : he was so perplexed , that if he had been almost in the pit of hell , he could have despaired no more of his salvation ; in which condition although he neither had , nor could have any joy of his meat , yet he did eate against his appetite , to deferre the time of his damnation so long as he might : thinking that he must needs be thrown into hell , so soon as the breath should depart out of his body : yet the lord , who graciously preserved him all that while , not onely at last did rid him out of all discomfort , but also framed him thereby to such mortification of life , as the like hath seldome been seen ; in such sort as he being like one already placed in heaven , and dead in this world , both in word and meditation , led a life altogether celestial , abhorring in his minde all profane doings . act. & mon. mr. john holland a faithfull minister of gods word , the day before his death calling for a bible , continued his meditation , and exposition upon the . to the rom. for the space of two hours ; but on a sudden he said , o stay your reading , what brightnesse is this i see ? have you light up any candles ? a stander by said , no , it is the sun-shine ( for it was about five a clock in a clear summers evening : ) sun-shine ? saith he , nay , it is my saviours-shine : now farewell world : welcome heaven : the day-star from on high hath visited my heart : o speak it when i am gone , and preach it at my funeral : god dealeth familiarly with man , i feele his mercy , i see his majesty , whether in the body or out of the body i cannot tell , god he knoweth : but i see things that are unutterable . and being thus ravished in his spirit , he roamed towards heaven , with a chearful look , and soft sweet voice ; but what he said was not understood : with the sunne in the morning following , raising himself , as jacob did upon his staffe , he shut up his blessed life with these blessed words : o what an happy change shall i make from night to day , from darknesse to light , from death to life , from sorrow to solace , from a factious world , to an heavenly being ? oh my dear brethren , sisters and friends ! it pitieth me to leave you behinde : yet remember my death when i am gone , and what i now feele , i hope you shall feele ere you die , that god doth , and will deale familiarly with men ; and now thou fiery chariot , that cam'st down to fetch up elijah , carry me to my happy hold : and all you blessed angels that attended the soul of lazarus to bring it to heaven , bear me , oh bear me into the bosome of my best beloved . amen , amen ; come , lord jesus , come quickly : and so he fell asleep . leigh . luther , who had the devill , the popes , the emperour , and almost all the christian world against him ; both by open force , and secret fraud , seeking his destruction ; yet the lord miraculously preserved him for the space of about thirty years , in despite of them all : and at last he died in peace in his bed ; at which time he made this heavenly prayer ; my heavenly father , eternall , and mercifull god , thou hast manifested unto me thy deare son , our lord iesus christ : i have taught him , i have known him , i love him as my life , my health , and my redemption ; whom the wicked have injured , persecuted , maligned , and afflicted : draw my soule unto thee ; for though i must lay down this frail body , yet i certainly know that i shall live with thee eternally , and that i cannot be taken out of thy hands . i commend my spirit into thy hands , thou hast redeem'd it , o lord god of truth ; god so loved the world , that he gave his only begotten son , that all that believe in him should have life everlasting ; which he repeated thrice ; and so as one falling asleep without any bodily pain that could be discerned , he departed this life , . see his life in my first part . mr. bolton upon his death-bed speaking to his children , told them , that he verily believed that none of them durst thinke to meet him at the great tribunall in an unregenerate state : and to some of his parishioners , desiring him , that as he had by his doctrine discovered unto them the exceeding comforts that were in christ ; so he would now tell them what he felt in his soul : he answered , to give you satisfaction , though i want breath to speake , i am by the wonderfull mercies of christ as full of comfort as my heart can hold , and feels nothing in my soule but christ , with whom i heartily desire to be . see his life in my first part . zuinglius being slaine by his popish enemies , they cut his body into foure peeces , and then burnt it in the fire : but three dayes after , some of his friends coming to the place , found his heart in the ashes whole , and untouched with the fire . the like also was observed of bishop cramner , see his life in my first part . henry henry voes , and john esch when they came to be burnt for the truth of the gospell , joyfully embraced the stake , continuing singing of psalms ; and when the fire was kindled at their feet , one of them said , me thinks you do strew roses under my feet . see my general martyrology . george scherter being for religion condemned first to be beheaded , and then burnt ; he told the people that he would give them a signe that he died a true christian ; and when his head was cut off , his body falling upon the belly , lay still whilest one might leasurely eate an egge , and then turned it selfe softly upon the back , and crossed the right leg , and right arme over the left , whereby many of the spectatours were induced to believe the gospel . act. & mon. two godly virgins in flanders being condemned to be burnt , and had the sentence accordingly executed : yet could not the executioners by any means consume their bodies with fire , but still they remained white , and unhurt . act. & mon. domicillus being condemned to be burnt for religion , when he was at the stake , and the fire kindled , the winde so drove away the flame , that he continued by the space of an houre untouched by it , exhorting and instructing the people that stood by : whereupon they brought more wood , and vessels of oile , yet neither could he therewith be burnt ; which the executioner seeing , struck at his head with a staffe : to whom the holy martyr said , i am condemned to be burned , and do you beat me with staves ? with that the hangman thrust him through the belly , and guts with his pike , and so slew him . act. & mon. bergerius at lyons in france , being accused and apprehended for religion , was cast into a loathsome dungeon , wherein was a thief , who had laine there by the space of seven or eight moneths , who by reason of his paine and torment blasphemed god , and cursed his parents that begat him , being almost eaten up with lice , and fed with such bread as dogs and horses refused to eate : but through the preaching and prayers of bergerius , he was brought to repentance : of which he wrote a sweet letter to some of his friends , wherein he declared that the next day after he had embraced the gospel , his lice which before did so abound , were all gone , not one remaining : and that god so stirred up the hearts of good people to pity , and provide for him , that he was fed with white bread , and wholesome food . act. & mon. fanius , who was burnt for religion in the city of ferrara in italy ; all the time of his burning , a most fragrant , and odoriferous smell came to all that were present , and so pleased their senses , that they were much refreshed thereby . act. & mon. one laremouth , alias williamson , chaplaine to the lady anne of cleave , a scotchman , being imprisoned for the true religion , he heard a voice , saying to him , arise , and go thy wayes ; whereto when he gave no great heed at first : the second time it was so said : upon this as he fell to prayer , it was said to him the third time likewise , which was about halfe an hour after : whereupon he rising up , immediately part of the prison-wall fell down : and as the officers came in at the outward gate of the prison , he leaping over the ditch escaped : and in the way meeting a begger , changed his coat with him , and coming to the sea-shoare , he found a vessell ready to go over , into which he entered , and escaped . act. & mon. in the massacre of paris , one merline a godly minister flying , and hiding himself in an hay mow , was nourished for a fortnight together by an hen , which constantly came , and layed an egge by him every day during all that time . act. & mon. since the beginning of these civill wars , . honest men in cornewall were condemned to be hanged , by sir richard greenvile for not assisting him against the parliament ; and when they came to be executed , the sixt man brake a new halter , wherewith he should have been hanged , and after that another , and after that two others twisted together , which miracle of gods mercy did so astonish the adversaries , that they let him and all the rest depart in safety . at that time when p. rupert plunderd the town of bolton in lancashire ; amongst others that were cruelly slaine by his party , there was one william isherwood , and his wife both slain ; & felice their daughter being then eleven weeks old , lay pitifully crying at the breast of her dead mother : but and it pleased god that an old woman , the wife of one ralph holme of the same towne , aged above seventy yeares , who had not given suck above twentie yeares before , seeing and hearing the childe , compassioned , & took it up , and having neither food for her self , nor for the infant in that commō calamity , to still the child laid it to her breast : and behold the goodness of god , who provides for the young ravens that cry ! the childe sucking , milke came into her breasts , wherewith she nourished it to the admiration , and astonishment of all beholders . this is attested by three godly ministers , and divers others of good credit who were eye-witnesses of the same . st. augustine being to visit , and instruct the people of a certaine place , and having a guide to direct th●● way , and conduct him thither , did notwithstanding , by gods especiall providence , mistake the common and usuall road , and ignorantly fell into a by-path , whereby he escaped the bloody hands of some donatists ( who knowing of his journey ) way-laid him , to have taken away his life . possidonius in vit . ejus . see his life in my first part . the same father , preaching to the congregation , and forgetting the argument which at first he proposed , fell upon a confutation of the errours of the manichees , which he never intended , and by that meanes converted one firmus his auditor , who afterwards came , and fell downe at st. augustines feet ; weeping , and confessing that he had lived a manichee many yeares , and now by gods mercy , and this sermon was converted to the true catholick belief . eodem . a godly man passing through his last sicknesse , whereof he died with extraordinary calmnesse of conscience , and absolute freedome from temptations : some of his christian friends observing , and admiring the singularity of his soules quiet , at that time especially , questioned with him about it : he answered , that he had sted fastly fixed his heart upon that sweetest promise , esa. . . thou wilt keep him in perfect peace , whose minde is stayed on thee : because h● trusteth in thee . and his god had graciously made it fully good unto his soul. bolton . thomas whittel a blessed martyr in queen maries dayes , was by the wicked suggestions of some popish incarnate devills , drawn to subscribe to their hellish doctrine : but considering in cold blood , what he had done , was horribly vexed , and felt a hell in his conscience and satan ready to devoure him : which terrible desertion and trouble of minde , made him quickly returne with more constancy and fortitude , and afterwards by gods great mercy , he proved a most invincible and immoveable martyr . act. and mon. james bainhā being at the stake , in the middest of the flaming fire , his legs , and his arms being half consumed , spake these words ; o ye papists ; behold , ye look for miracles : and here now you may see one , for in this fire i feele no more paine then if i were in a bed of down : but it is to me as a bed of roses . act. and mon. iohn lambert as he was burning in smithfield , when his legges were quite consumed with the fire , lifted up his hands , his fingers ends flaming like torches , and his heart abounding with comfort , cried out , none but christ , none but christ. act. and mon. a young man in wittenberg being kept short by his father , was tempted by the devill to yeeld himselfe body and soule to him upon condition to have his wish satisfied with money ; which he assented unto , and confirmed it by an obligation written with his owne blood ; whereupon suddenly decaying in his health , he was brought to luther to be examined about the cause , unto whom at length he uttered the whole matter ; which when luther had heard , he brought him into the congregation , where , together with the church , he prayed so fervently for him , that the devill at last was forced to bring the bond , and throw it in at the window , bidding the young man to take it again unto him . act. and mon. about the yeare . in the town of weissenstein in germany , a jew , for theft that he had committed , was condemned in this cruell manner to be executed . he was hanged by the feet with his head downwards betwixt two dogs , which constantly snatcht , and bit at him : the strangenesse of the torment moved jacobus andreas ( a grave , and learned divine ) to go to behold it : coming thither , he found the poor wretch as he hung , repeating verses out of the hebrew psalms , wherein he cryed out to god for mercy : andreas hereupon took occasion to counsell him to trust in jesus christ the true saviour of mankinde : the jew embracing the the christian faith , requested but this one thing , that he might be taken downe , and be baptized , though presently after he were hanged again ( but by the neck , as christian malefactors suffered ) which was accordingly granted to him : mel. adam . in vit . ja. andr. p. . one who had accused the apostle saint iames the brother of iohn , when he saw that he was condemned , and led to execution , was so pricked in conscience , that of his own accord he confessed himselfe to be a christian , and so they were both led forth together to be executed : as they were in the way , he desired saint iames to forgive him that which he had done , who after that he had paused a little upon the mater , turned to him , and said ; peace be unto thee , brother , and kissed him , and so both were beheaded together . euseb. potamiaena a young and beautifull virgin , being condemned to death for that she was a christian , and delivered to a captaine called basilides , who stayed the insolence of the people , which followed her to the place of execution ; she thereupon prayed for his conversion , and was heard of god , so that he became a christian , and suffered martyrdome also , act : and mon. william hunter being at the stake ready to be burnt for christs cause , lifting up his hands , and eyes to heaven , cryed , sonne of god shine upon me : and immediately the sunne out of a dark cloud shone so full in his face , that he was constrained to looke another way , whereat the standers by much mused , because it was so dark a little before . act. and mon. robert smith a godly martyr being at the stake ready to be burned , exhorted the people to thinke well of his cause , not doubting but that his body dying in that quarrell , should rise againe to life : and told them that god would shew them some token thereof ; and accordingly when he was halfe burnt , all black with fire , and clustered together on a lump like a black coale , all men thinking him dead , suddenly rose upright , lifting up the stumps of his armes , and clapping the same together , declaring a rejoycing heart , and so bending downe again , he slept in the lord. act. and mon. mr. robert glover a godly martyr , a little before his death had lost the sense of gods favour , and the comforts of his spirit , whereby he was in much heavinesse , and made great moane ; but when he came within the sight of the stake whereat he was to suffer , suddenly he was so mightily replenished with gods holy comfort , and heavenly joyes , that he cryed out , clapping his hands , he is come , he is come , and so dyed most cheerfully . act. and mon. three godly men being condemned to be burned , when they were at the stake , & the chaine about them , one of them slipped out , and went apart from the rest , whereupon there was great fear lest he would have recanted : but the reason was , because he felt not the comforts of christ in his soul , which made him pray earnestly , and vehemently to the lord , who at last sent him comfort ; whereupon he arose with great joy , saying , now i thank god i am strong ; and passe not what man can do unto me and so returning to his fellowes , they all suffered joyfully : act. and mon. the cardinall of loraine , a principall pillar of the house of guise , and a crafty , and cruell persecutor of gods people , coming from rome with a purpose to stirre up the kings of france , and polonia , utterly to root out the christian assemblies , the lord wrought so wonderfully for his peoples safety , that by the way he fell mad at avignion , and died in the flower of his youth ; at the instant of whose death there happened such an horrible tempest in the aire , that all stood amazed at it . act. and mon. archbishop cramner by the wilely subtilties and large promises of the papists being drawn to subscribe to a recantation , afterwards by gods great mercies recovered againe , and when he was at the stake to be burned , as soone as the fire was kindled , he stretched out his hand wherewith he had subscribed , and held it so stedfast and unmoveable ( saving that once he wiped his face with it ) that all men saw his hand burned before his body was touched : he also abid burning with such constancy and stedfastnesse , that alwayes standing in one place , his body moved no more then the stake to which he was bound . act. and mon. he giveth power to the faint , and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength . they that waite upon the lord , shall renew their strength , they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run and not be weary , they shall walke and not faint , esa. . . . chap. ii. examples sit for gods ministers to imitate . gods faithfull ministers , as they are set up by god in a speciall manner to oppose and beat down the kingdome of sinne , and satan : so usually they are singled out by the devill and his instruments , as the principall buts against which the invenomed arrowes of their malicious hearts are most directed : and therefore not onely serpentine wisdome , and dove-like innocency is necessary for them above others : but also courage and magnanimitie , not to feare the faces of men : sanctity and holinesse , without which all their naturall , and acquired parts are but as a pearle in the head of a filthy toade , a pearle in the head , and the body all poyson : and lastly , diligence and indefatigablenesse in that work which god imployes them about , who puts no difference between nequam and nequaquam , an idle , and an evill servant : which things that they may be better stirred up to endeavour after , let them diligently observe these following examples . mr. calvin being much weakened by his incessant paines in the work of the ministery , towards his end , was advised by his friends to take care of his health ; to whom he replyed , would you have the lord when he omes finde me idle ? see his life in my first part . st. ambrose used to commend to ministers the reading and study of the scriptures above all other books , and it was his owne practice , not onely in his younger dayes ; but in his old age daily to expound , and write commentaries upon it , which he continued also in his last sicknesse , being imployed in commenting at that time upon the th psalme , with the which when ( he had finished all but the two last verses ) he finished his life : paulinus in vita st. ambros. bishop iewell , riding to preach at lacock in wiltshire , a gentleman that met him , perceiving his feeblenesse , advised him for his healths sake to turne home againe : to whom he answered , oportet episcopum concionantem mori : a bishop should die preaching ; and so indeed he did ; for presently after the sermon , by reason of his sicknesse , he was forced to bed , from which he never came off till he was translated to glory . see his life in my first parr . doctor reynolds , when the doctors of oxsor came to visit him in his last sicknesse , which he had contracted meerly by his exceeding paines in his study ( whereby he brought his withered body to be a very sceleton ) they earnestly perswaded him that he would not perdere substantiam propter accidentia : lose his life for learning : he with a smile answered out of the poet. nec , propter vitam , vivendi perdere causas . baudisius a dutch divine , being by his friends advised to favour himselfe : i will , said he , do my duty whilst i can , yea though i hasten my death by preaching . dr. burges of sutton cofield immediately after he came forth of the pulpit ; fell sick , & shortly after died . mr. william perkins borne at marston nigh coventry in warwick-shire was a painfull , and powerfull preacher in cambridge ; whose sermons were not so plaine , but the piously learned did admire them ; nor so learned , but the plaine did understand them : he would pronounce the word damne with such an emphasis as left a dolefull echo in his auditors ear esa good while after : he had a rare felicity in speedy reading of books , and as it were , but turning them over would give an exact account of all considerables therein : besides his frequent preaching , he wrote many bookes : and though lame of his right hand , yet this ehud with a left-handed pen did stab the romish cause , and as one saith , dextera quantum vis fuerat tibi manca , docendi pollebas mirà dexteritate tamen : though nature thee of thy right hand bereft , right well thou writest with thy hand that 's left : holy state in vita ejus : st. augustines wish was , that christ when he came might finde him aut precantem , aut praedicantem , either praying , or preaching . melancthon was wont to say , that none underwent such paines as preachers , rulers , and women in travell : and luther said , that a master of a family hath something to do , a magistrate more , and a minister most of all . when chrysostome was like to be silenced , all the people cried our , satius est ut sol non luceat , quam ut non doceat chrysostomus ; we had better want the shining of the sunne , then the preaching of chrysostome . holy melancthon being himselfe newly converted , thought it impossible for his hearers to withstand the evidence of the gospel : but after he had been a preacher a while , he complained , that old adam was too hard for young melancthon . mr. bolton having much weakned his body by his indefatigable paines in his private devotions , and publick preaching , was advised by his physitians , for his healths-sake , to break off the strong intentions of his studies : but he rejected their counsell , accounting it greater riches to enjoy christ by those servent intentions of his minde , then to remit them for the safeguard of his health bishop ridley offering to preach before the lady mary ( afterwards queene ) she refused to heare him : and being brought by sir thomas wharton , her steward , into the dining roome , was desired to drink , which when he had done , he paused a while , looking very sad : and being asked the reason , he said ; surely i have done amisse in drinking in that place where the word of god being offered , was rejected , whereas , i should have departed presently and shaken off the dust from my shooes for a testimony against this house . bugenhagius a dutch divine was so joyfull , when he , together with luther , and some other learned men , had finished the translation of the bible out of the originals into dutch , that ever after he invited his friends ( on that day wherein they ended their work ) to a feast , which he called , the feast of the translation of the bible . see his life in my first part . doctor cramner being sent by king henry the eighth to rome about his divorce , in his voyage to and fro , he learned all the new testament by heart . baronius , the compiler of those voluminous annals of the church , yet for thirty yeares together preached three or foure times a week to the people : spond : in vita baro : pag. . part . . when a certaine frenchman came to visit melancthon , he found him in his stove dandling his childe in the swadling clouts with the one hand , and in the other hand holding his book , and reading it : a good minister and a good father may well agree together : pantal : de illust : germ : in vita melan : a certain man causelesly disaffected to his minister , complained that he in his last sermon had personally inveig●ed against him , accusing him thereof to a grave religious gentleman in the parish : truly ( said the gentleman ) i had thought in his sermon he had meant me : it so touched my heart : which saying abated the edge of the others anger : holy state : pa : . at the disputation of ratisbone , where melancthon was pressed with a shrewd argument by ecchius : i will answer thee , said he , to morrow : nay , said ecchius , do it now , or it s nothing worth : yea , said melancthon , i seek the truth and not my own credit , and therefore it will be as good if i answer thee to morrow by gods assistance : melch : adain vit : germ : theol : p. . latimer presented king henry the eighth for a new years gift , with a new testament wrapped up in a napkin with this posie about it : fornicatores & adulteros judicabit dominus , whoremongers , and adulterers god will judge ; which was the sin that the king rers notoriously guilty of . frederick bishop of uarich sitting at dinner with the emperour ludovicus pius : the emperour bade him execute his office without respect of persons : the bishop humbly thanked him ; and having a fish before him , asked him , whether he should begin with the head , or taile ? the emperour replied ; with the head ) which is the chiefest member , it 's well ( said the bishop ) , then break you off your incestuous match with judith . and accordingly the emperour did it for a time : but the pope a while after for some thousands of crowns gave him a dispensation , and made up the match again whereupon this herodias for his free speech caused the bishop to be slaine in his own church rand : in polychron . preach the word , be instant in season , out of season : reprove , rebuk , exhort with all long-suffering , and doctrine , tim. . . blessed is that servant , whom when his lord comes , he shall finde so doing , matth. . . fructus honos oneris , fructus honoris onus . chap. iii. ezamples of christian courage , and resolution . the naturalists write of the eagle , that she trieth her young ones by turning their eies upon the sun when it shineth brightly : so god doth his children , who if they can outface the sun of persecution , they are sincere indeed : not but that he knowes them sufficiently without such a triall , but hereby he makes them known both to themselves and others : for grace is hid in nature here , as sweet water in rose-leaves ; the fire of affliction must be put under to distil it out : and as trees fix their roots the faster , the more they are shaken , so comforts abound as sufferings abound ; yet lest any should think that he can stand by his own strength , the apostle paul tells him that all our sufficiency is of god , cor. . . who useth to proportion the burthen to the back , and the stroke to the strength of him that beareth it , and if at any time the furnace be made hotter then ordinary , yet then will he make his power to appeare in our weaknesse ; so steeling our hearts , and raising our resolutions , that no danger , though never so great , shal be able to appale it : as will appeare evidently in these examples following . constantius , the father of constantine the great , to try the faith , and beliefe in god of his courtiers , put it to their free choice , either to sacrifice to the idol-gods , and so to stay with him , or else if they refused , to leave their honours , and offices , and so to depart : but those that would leave all , and depart rather then to renounce , and forsake their faith in god , he kept with him still , and highly prized them , casting off all the rest , who , he supposed , would prove disloyall unto him , seeing they had abandoned their beliefe in god. eusebius . luther being cited by an herauld of armes to appeare before the councel at wormes ; many of his friends perswaded him not to adventure himselfe to such a present danger : to whom he answered , that he was resolved , and certainly determined to enter into wormes in the name of our lord jesus christ , although he knew that there were so many devill to resist him , as there were tiles to cover the houses in wormes . sl●id . com. the dutches dowager of ferrar , who was a great patronesse of the protestants in france had one malicorne a knight of the order sent by the duke guise to seize upon her towne , and castle , who began to threaten the lady with cannon shot to batter her castle , but she couragiously sent him word ; that if he proceeded to such boldnesse to do it , she would first stand in the breach her selfe , to try if he durst be so bold to kill the daughter of a king ( for so she was : ) whereupon like a snaile , he pulled in his hornes , and departed . french hist. st. ierome relates an history of a young man , under one of the first persecutions , of most invincible courage ▪ and constancy , against whom the adversaries had very little hope of prevailing by tortures and torments , and therefore they took another course with him : they brought him into a most fragrant garden , flowing with all pleasure and delight ; there they laid him upon a bed of downe , softly enwrapped in a net of silke amongst the lillies , and the roses , the delicious murmur of the streames , and the sweet whistling of the leaves , and then all departed : presently in comes a beautifull strumpet , and useth all the abominable tricks of her impure art , and whorish villanies to draw him to her desire , whereupon the young man fearing that he should now beconquered by folly , who was conqueror over fury , bites off a peece of his tongue with his own teeth , and spits it into the face of the whore , and so prevented the hurt of sin by the smart of his wound . domosthenes the famous oratour of athens soliciting lais ( a beautiful strumpet ) for a nights lodging with her ; she demanded of him a thousand drachmas for it : but he being affrighted at the name of so great a sum thus replyed : i purpose not to buy repentance so deare : non poenitentiam tanti emam plut. saint jerome himselfe shewed his owne resolution , by this speech ; if my father stood weeping on his knees before me , and my mother hanging on my neck behinde , and all my brethren , sisters , children , and kinsfolk houling on every side to retaine me in a sinfull life ; i would fling my mother to the ground , despise all my kindred , run over my father , and tread him under my feet , that i might run to christ , when he calleth me . see his life in my first part . saint chrysostome also shewes the like heroicall spirit in these words : when ( saith he ) i was driven from the city , none of these things troubled me , but i said within my selfe ; if the queen will , let her banish me : the earth is the lords , and the fulnesse thereof : if she will , let her saw me asunder ; isaiah suffered the same : if she will let her cast me into the sea ; i will , remember jonah : if she will , let her cast me into a burning fiery furnace , or amongst wilde beasts ; the three children , and daniel were so dealt with : if she will let her stone me , or cut off mine head , i have then saint stephen and the baptist my blessed companions : if she will , let her take away all my substance : naked came i out of my mothers wombe , and naked shall i returne thither agiaine kilian a dutch schoolmaster being in prison for the cause of christ , was asked if he loved not his wife , and children ? yea ( said he ) my wife , and my children are so deare unto me , that if the world were all gold , and were mine to dispose of , i would give it to live with them , yea though it were in prison ; yet my soule and christ are dearer to me then all . act. and mon. george carpenter a martyr , said , my wife , and my children are so deare unto me , that they cannot be bought from me forall the riches , and possessions of the greatest duke , yet for the love of my lord god i will willingly forsake them all . act. and mon. benevolus being offered preferment by justina the emperesse an arian , if he would be an instrument of some vile service : what ( saith he ) , do you promise me an higher place for a reward of iniquity ? nay , take this away that i have already with all my heart , so that i may keep a good conscience : and thereupon threw at her feet his girdle , the ensigne of his honour . act. and mon. polycarpus being accused for that he was a christian , and brought before the proconsul , was perswaded to sweare by the fortune of caesar , and to defie christ : to whom he answered ; fourscore and six yeares have i been his servant , yet in all this time hath he not so much as once hurt me : how then may i speak evill of my king , and lord , who hath thus preserved me ? king edward the sixth being sollicited by some of his best friends to permit the lady mary his sister to have the masse in her house , answered , that he would rather spend his life , and all that he had , then to grant that that he knew certainly to be against gods truth : and in his message to the devonshire rebels who stood for popery : assure your selves , said he , most surely , that we of no earthly thing under heaven make such account as of this one , to have our lawes obeyed , and this cause of god which we have taken in hand , to be throughly maintained , from the which we wil never remove one haires breadth , or give place to any creature living , much lesse to any subject , wherein we will spend our owne royall person , our crowne , treasure , realme , and all our estate ; whereof we assure you upon our high honour . act. and mon. bernard used to say : lord iesus , i love thee , plus quàm mea , meos , me , more then all my goods , all my friends , all my relations , yea more then my selfe . mr. welch , a suffolk minister , weeping as he sate at table , was asked the reason of it ? he answered that it was because he could love christ no more . mr. walls none but christ. luthers resolution was such , that he affirmed , mallem ruere cum christo , quàm regnare cum caesare : i had rather i were ruined with christ , then that i should reigne as a king without him . saint basil relates a story of . martyrs who being cast out naked all night in the winter , and were to be burned the next day , they comforted themselves on this wise , sharp is the winter , but sweet is paradise : painfull is the frost , but joyfull the fruition that followeth it ; waite but a while and the patriarchs bosome shall cherish us : after one night we shall lay hold upon eternall life : let our feet feel the fire for a season , that we may for ever walk arme in arme with the angels : let our hands fall off , that they may for ever be lifted up to praise the almighty , &c. a godly christian being tormented by infidels with divers paines , and ignominious taunts , they demanded of him by way of scorne : tell us what miracles thy christ hath done ? to whom he answered , even this that you see , that i am not moved with all the cruelties , and contumelies that you cast upon me . it is said of luther , unus homo solus totius orbis impetum sustinuit : that he alone opposed all the world . when eudoxia the emperesse sent a threatning message to saint chrysostome ? go tell her ( saith he ) from me , nil nisi peccatum timeo : that i feare nothing but sin . theodosius the great , having in egypt abolished their heathenish sacrifices and worship upon paine of confiscation and death : the people fearing that the omission of their accustomed superstitions , would make the river nilus ( which they honoured as a god ) keep in his streames , and not water their land as formerly , began to mutiny : whereupon the president wrote to the emperour , beseeching him for once to gratifie the people by conniving at their superstition : to whom he heroically answered : that it was better to continue faithfull , and constant to god , then to preferre the overflowing of nilus , and the fertility of the earth before piety and godlinesse : and that he had rather nilus should never overflow , then that they should raise it by sacrifices and inchantments . soz. saint basil being sent to by the emperor to subscribe to the arian heresie , the messenger at first gave him good language , and promised him great preferment if he would turne arian ; to whom he answered : alas sir , these speeches are fit to catch little children withall that look after such things : but we that are nourished and taught by the holy scriptures , are readier to suffer a thousand deaths , then to suffer one syllable , or tittle of the scripture to be altered : the messenger offended with his boldnesse , told him that he was mad : to whom he replied , opto me in aeternum sic delirare : i wish i were for ever thus mad . theodor. melancthon being much disquieted in spirit by reason of the great opposition which the german reformation met with , luther thus encourageth him : seeing the businesse is not mans , but almighty gods , laying aside all care , you should cast the whole weight of it upon him : why do you vex your self ? if god hath bestowed his sonne upon us , why are we afraid ? what tremble we at ? why are we distracted and sadded ? is satan stronger then he ? why fear we the world which christ hath conquered ? if we defend an evil cause , why do we not change our purpose ? if the cause be holy and just , why do we not trust gods promises ? certainly there is nothing besides our lives that satan can snatch from us , and though we die , yet christ lives , and reignes for ever to defend his own cause , &c. sleid com. l. . chrysostome speaking to the people of antioch , like himself , a man of an invincible spirit against the tyrants of his times , saith thus : in this should a gracious man differ from a gracelesse man , that he should bear his crosses couragiously , and as it were , with the wings of faith outsoare the height of all humane miseries : he should be like a rock , being incorporated into iesus christ , inexpugnable , and unshaken with the most furious incursions of the waves , and stormes of worldly troubles , pressures , and persecutions . ad pop . antioch . he that writes the life of anselme , saith thus of him , that he feared nothing in the world more then sinne , and that if on the one hand he should see corporally the horrour of sin , and on the other the paines of hell , and must necessarily be plunged into the one , he would chuse hell , rather then sinne ; and that he would rather have hell , being innocent , and free from sinne , then polluted with the filth thereof , possesse the kingdome of heaven . mr. woodman , martyr , speaks thus of himself : when i have been in prison wearing bolts and shackles , sometimes lying upon the bare ground , sometimes sitting in the stocks , sometimes bound with cords that all my body hath been swolne , like to be overcome with paine : sometimes faine to lie without in the woods , and fields , wandring to and fro : sometimes brought before the justices , sheriffes , lords , doctors and bishops ; sometimes called dog , devil , heretick , whoremonger , traitor , theefe , deceiver , &c. yea , and they that did eat of my bread , and should have been most my friends by nature have betrayed me ; yet for all this i praise my lord god , that hath separated me from my mothers wombe : all this that hath happened to me , hath been easie , light , and most delectable , and joyful of any treasure that ever i possessed . act. and mon. there were five monks that were studying to finde out the best means to mortifie sinne : one said that it was to meditate on death : the second to meditate on judgement : the third to meditate on the joyes of heaven : the fourth to meditate on the torments of hell : the fifth to meditate on the love , and sufferings of christ , which indeed is the strongest motive of all . hormisdas a noble man of persia , famous for piety , was deposed from all his honours , and offices , because he would not forsake christ , and his truth : yet at last was by the king restored to them again , yet withall was required to renounce his profession of christianity ; to which he bravely answered , si propter ista me denegaturum christum putas , ista denuo accipe . if you think that i will deny christ to keep my offices , take them all again . julian the apostate ( that subtil enemy of the church of christ ) when his army was to be paid , caused an altar to be set by him and a table with incense on it , requiring every souldier as he came to receive his pay , to cast some incense into the fire upon the altar ; which many of the christians ( understanding it to be interpretive , and implicit idolatry ) refused to do , rather choosing to lose their wages : whilest others not knowing the depth of this mystery of iniquity , and suspecting no hurt , did it , and so defiled their consciences ; which afterwards filled them with such extreame grief , and horror , that they offered to expiate their sin with their blood . theod. i say unto you , my friends , be not afraid of them that kill the body , and after that have no more that they can do : but i will forewarne you , whom you shall feare : fear him which after he hath killed , hath power to cast into hell : yea i say unto you , fear him , luke . , . chap iv. examples of gods judgements upon persecutors . there hath ever been from the beginnin●●n inveterate antipathy between satan and his instruments , and the children of god : whence it is that wicked men being more for number , and stronger in power then christs flock ; have watched all opportunities to be pushing and goaring of them , yea solacing , and pleasing themselves in the others sufferings : so that if christ , the great shepherd of his sheepe , should not cut short , or break off the hornes of the wicked , there would be no living by them : yet the lord may , and many times doth lengthen the chaine , and enlarge the power of such to do much mischief , though not to the ruine , and subversion of the church , yet to the cutting off many of the members , but still with this promise , that when he hath accomplished all his work upon mount sion , and jerusalem , he will then visit the proud heart of those his enemies , ( and like a loving and tender father ) when he hath sufficiently corrected his children , he will burne the rod in the fire : so that all shall say , verily , there is a god that judgeth in the earth . the truth where of will manifestly appear in these examples following . manasses king of judah being reproved by that aged and reverend prophet esay : he caused him near to the fountain of silce to be sawen in sunder with a woodden saw in the eightieth yeere of his age , for which cruel fact , amongst other of his sins , see his punishments , chron. . . &c. antiochus epiphanes a grievous blasphemer of god , and a cruel persecutor of the jews , proudly protesting that he would make jerusalem a common burying place , and the streets thereof to runne with their blood , being smitten by god as he went thitherward , began to relent , seeming very penitent , and vowed that if he recovered , he would do many , and great things for the people of god , and that he would become a jew , and go through all the known world to declare the power of god : but the lord knowing his hypocrisie , still continued his disease , which was a remedilesse paine of the bowels , intolerable torments of the inward parts , his body breeding abundance of wormes which issued out of the same , so that he rotted above ground , and by reason of the intolerablestinke thereof , no man could endure to come neere him , yea himself could not abide the same , and so he ended his wretched life in much misery . josephus . herod the great who caused the babes of bethlehem to be slaine , hoping thereby to destroy christ , shortly after was plagued by god with an incurable disease , having a slow and slack fire continually tormenting his inward parts : a vehement , and greedy desire to eat , and yet nothing sufficed him : a grievous flux in the fundament , a droptick humour issuing from his feet , a rotting of his inward bowels , an issue from his bladder , his privy members rotted ingendring abundance of wormes which issued from the same , a short , and stinking breath , and great paine in breathing : and in all his members so violent a crampe , that nature was not able to bear it ; and so growing mad with paine he died miserably . euseb. herod antipas who beheaded john baptist , not long after falling into disgrace with the romane emperour , with his incestuous herodias the suggester of that murther , they were banished , and fell into such misery , and penury , that they ended their wretched lives with much shame and misery , euseb. caiaphas the high priest who gathered the councel , and suborned false witnesses against the lord christ , was shortly after put out of his office , and one jonathan substituted in his room , whereupon he killed himself . euseb. pontius pilate , who condemned our lord christ , shortly after falling into disgrace with the romane emperour , was by him banished , and fell into such misery that he hanged himself . euseb. herod agrippa , having slaine james the brother of john with the sword , and imprisoned peter , intending to have slaine him also , presently after in the middest of all his pompe was smitten by the angel of god , and was devoured of worms . act. . . nero , that monster of men , who raised the first bloody persecution , ( to pick a quarrel with the christians ) set the city of rome on fire , and then charged it upon them : under which pretence he exposed them to the fury of the people , who cruelly tormented them , as if they had been common burners , and destroyer of cities , and the deadly enemies of mankinde . yea nero himself caused them to be apprehended , clad in wilde beasts skins , and torne in pieces with dogges : others were crucified : some he made bonefires of to light him in his night-sports : in briefe , such horrible cruelty he used towards them , as caused many of their enemies to pity them : but god found out this wretched persecutor at last : for being adjudged by the senate an enemy to mankinde , he was condemned to be whipt to death , for the prevention whereof he cut his own throat . niceph. tacit. anal. l. . domitian the authour of the second persecution against the christians , was so puffed up with pride that he would needs be adored as a god : but against him rose up his own houshold-servants , who ( by the consent of his wife ) slew him with daggers in his privy chamber : his body was buried without honour : his memory cursed to posterity ; and his armes , and ensignes were thrown down , and defaced . sueto . eutrop. trajan , though in the government of the common-wealth he was a good , and prudent prince , yet by the suggestion of satan raised the third persecution against the church : for which cause the vengeance of god , and his heavy hand fell upon him ; for first he fell into a palsie , then lost the use of his senses , afterwards fell into a dropsie , & died in great anguish . dion . hadrian who raised the fourth persecution , and caused ten thousand christians to be crucified in armenia at one time , and afterwards stirred up a hot persecution against them in all places : was striken by god with an issue of blood , which so weakened , and disquieted him , that he would faine have made away himself : then fell he into a consumption of the lungs which he continually spat out : and after with an insatiable dropsie : so that finding himselfe in such horrible torment , he desired poison to hasten his death , or a knife to cut his throat : but these being kept back from him , he was forced to indure the torment , and so died in much misery . spart . marcus antonius verus , who continued the fourth persecution , exercising exceeding great cruelties against the christians every where , especially at lyons , and vienna in daulphine : for the same god struck him with a grievous apoplexy , of which , after he had lien speechlesse , and in misery three dayes , he died . euseb. spart . commodus the emperour , under whom also was continued the fourth persecution against the christians , was given over to such abominable wickednesse , that he kept three hundred concubines , and as many boyes for detestable uses : and for his cruelty was poysoned by his friend marcia , whereupon falling into an extreame vomiting he was slaine by narcissus . euseb. severus the authour of the fifth persecution after he began to persecute the christians , never prospered ; but fell into divers calamities : and at last had such an extreame paine through his whole body : that languishing therewith , he would faine have poisoned himself : but being prevented , he died in much misery . also vitellius saturnius ( one of the instruments of his cruelty ) fell blinde . another called claudius herminianus governour of cappadocia , who out of hatred against his wife that was a christian , had extreamly afflicted many of gods children , was stricken by god with the pestilence : had vermine bred in his bowels , which devoured him a live after a most horrible manner , which extorted from him a confession that those plagues justly befell him for his cruelty against the christians . tert. ad scap. maximinus the emperour , who raised the sixth persecution against the christians , especially against the pastors of the church , was himselfe , to gether with his sonne , slaine by his own souldiers . euseb. decius who raised the seventh persecution & laboured by all means to destroy the church of christ , using all the cruelty , and torments that mans wit could vise : for this god raised up the scythians against him , whereby his army was overthrown , and himself and son cruelly slaine : or , as others say , he leaped his horse into a whirl-pit , after which his body could never be found . oros. euseb. pomponius . immediately after the death of this tyrant , god sent a grievous plague , and pestilence upon the bloody gentiles in every province , which lasting ten years together , made ▪ such havock as is horrible to hear , and almost incredible to believe : and it was observed that where the emperours edicts had been put in execution with most severity , there it raged most , so that many places became utterly desolate . see more in my general martyrologie . p. . euseb. gallus the emperour who continued the seventh persecution , was himself with his son slaine by one of own his captaines . act & mon. valerian in the beginning of his reigne was milde towards the christians ; but afterwards proved a terrible persecutor of them through all his ▪ dominions , which was the eight persecution ; but it was not long before he was overthrown in the persian warres , taken prisoner , being seventy yeares old , and made so vile a slave , that sapores the king of persia used his back as a block whereby to mount upon his horse : and at last caused him to be flayed alive , and powdered with salt . euseb. likewise claudius a president one of the ministers of his cruelty , was possessed by the devil , and so tormented , that biting off his tongue in small bits , he died miserably . aurelian the authour of the ninth persecution , being about to give out an edict for renuing the persecution against the christians , had at the same time a thunderbolt which fell at his feet , which so terrified him that for a time he forbore : but afterwards returning to his bloody disposition , god stirred up his own servants to cut his throat . niceph. eutrop. dioclesian the authour of the tenth persecution went more subtilly to work ! for first , he used all politick ways to make the christians in his army renounce their faith ; thén by proclamation commanded their churches to be beaten down ; their bibles to be burnt ; and torne in pieces : that all christians which bore any office should be deposed : that bondmen who would forsake their profession should be made free : but when after all his subtilty , and cruelty he saw that the number of christians still encreased , being satiated with blood he gave up the empire : after which he was tormented with divers and strange diseases : had his house burnt down by lightning and was himself so frighted with thunder that he fell mad , and klled himself . ruffinus . maximinian his fellow-emperour vvas also exceeding cruel , and outragious against the christians . for vvhen tvventy thousand of them vvere met together in a temple at nicomedia upon a solemne festival day to serve god , he caused it to be invironed by a band of souldiers , set on fire , and burned vvith all that vvere in it . another city in phrygia of christians after a long siege he caused to be burnt to cinders with all the inhabitants therein : but god shortly after struck him with a grievous disease : vermine bred abundantly in his body , with such an horrible stinke , that being not able to endure it , he hanged himself . euseb. niceph. maximinus that next succeeded in the easterne empire , was a cruell and bloody persecutor of the saints : for which god struck him with an un●outh disease : in his privy members there grew a sudden putrefaction , and in the bottome of the same a botchy corrupt bile , with a fistula consuming , and eating up his intrals , out of which came swarming an innumerable company of lice , with such a pestiferous stinke that no man could abide him : and being a fat man , all his fat so putrified , and stanke so horribly , that some of his physicians not being able to endure it were commanded to be slaine , others were cruelly put to death because they could not cure him : but at last being told that this was gods just vengeance upon him for destroying the christians : he seemed to repent , and commanded the persecution to cease ; and thereupon it pleased god to free him from his disease : but about six moneths after he sent forth a new proclamation for the utter rooting out of the name of christians : whereupon his disease returned again , and assaulted him in great extremity , so that his body being all rotten , full of corruption , and wormes he died miserably . chrysostome saith that the apples of his eyes fell out before his death . galerius a chief instrument of persecution under dioclesian , fell into a grievous disease , a fore rising in the nether part of his belly ▪ which consumed his privy members , from whence issued abundance of wormes bred by the putrefaction : this could neither be cured by chirurgeons , nor phisicians : whereupon he acknowledged that it befell him justly for his monstrous cruelty to the christians ; howbeit he died miserably , or as some write , slew himself . lanquet . chron. licinius the emperour who had set forth three cruel edicts for persecuting of the christians , was shortly after overcome by constantine , and slaine by the souldiers . simps . the romane emperours betwixt christs , and constantines time being about three hundred and thirty yeares , were all of them contemners of christ , enemies to his word , and many of them persecutors of his saints , amongst which emperours few , or none of them escaped gods revenging hand , so that there is numbred fourty three of them that came to untimely ends . act. & mon. constantine the emperour , a monothelite , being a cruel persecutor of godly christians , was slaine by one of his own servants , as he was washing himself in a bath . hist. magd. arnolphus the emperour raging exceedingly against the christians , the wife of one guido , upon another grudge , gave him a cup of poison , by meanes whereof such rottenness possessed his members , that lice , and wormes issuing out continually , he died a miserable death . p. melan. chron. l. . agapetus a young man of the age of fifteen years for the profession of christ was first scourged with whips , then hung up by the feet , and scalding water poured upon him : then cast to the wilde beasts , which , ( being more merciful then men ) refused to touch him , whereupon he was taken , and beheaded : but antiochus who passed sentence upon him , suddenly fell down from his judicial seat , crying out , that all his bowels burned within him , and so he gave up the ghost . act. & mon. genserick an arian king of the vandals , shewed a great deal of cruelty against the oxthodox : but the lord met with him ; for he died , being possessed with an evil spirit . p. melanc . chron. l. . hunericus son to a king of the vandals , being an arian , was a mercilesse persecutor of the godly christians , banishing five thousand of them at one time , amongst which some of them being unable to travel , he caused cords to be tied to their legges , and to drag them through rough places , whereby many of them perished : but shortly after he was tormented with venomous biles all over his body , and in the end was consumed with vermine . hist. mag● ▪ claudius who was president under valerian , and his instrument to torment , and condemne many godly christians was shortly after possessed with the devil , and so tormented , that biting off his own tongue in small peeces , he ended his life in much misery . act. & mon. anastasius the emperour , a patron of the eutychian heresie , became a bloody persecutor of godly christians , and by gods just judgement was slain with a thunderbolt . plat. autharis king of the longobards , who forbade children to be baptized , or instructed in the christian faith , ere he had reigned six years , died of poison at pavia . paulus diac. l. . c. . arcadius the emperour having by the perswasion of his wife eudoxia an heretick , banished chrysostome : the very next night there arose such a terrible earth-quake , that the emperour and all the people being affrighted therewith , was faign to send post after post to fetch him home againe . mandat . of calumniation . l. . c. . mamuca a saracen being a cruel persecutor of the church of god , like unto pharaoh , met with the like destruction from god : for as he returned from the slaughter of many christians , the lord caused the sea to swallow him up with the greatest part of his army in an hundred ships , so that few , or none escaped . paul. diaconus l. . c. . theodoricus an arian king of the goths , persecuted the true christians with all hostilitie , amongst whom he slew two noble senators , symmachus and boëtius , but shortly after , the lord struck him with madnesse : and sitting at the table , had the head of a great fish set before him , which he imagining to be the head of symmachus , whom he had slaine , was so overcome with feare , that anon after he died . evag. at vassie in france , fifteen hundred people being assembled in a church upon a sabbath-day , hearing the word of god preached ; the duke of guise suddenly compassed the church with armed souldiers , himselfe standing in the doore with a drawn sword , and sent in his souldiers , who cruelly killed all without distinction of age , or sex : but himselfe was shortly after slaine at the siege of orleance . act. and mon. minerius governour of province , who was sent by the king of france with an army against the waldenses , used much cruelty against them , burning some , killing others , driving others into woods , and mountaines , whereby they perished of famine , depopulating whole townes : but the lord smote him with a tertible disease , so that he felt like a fire burning him from the navel upwards , and his lower parts rotted , and were consumed with vermine , which was attended with a grievous stinke , and profusion of blood in the place of his urine , and in those extreame torments he ended his wretched life . simps . the emperour phocas , a most vicious and bloody persecutor , being the first that ordained that the bishop of rome should be called the universall bishop , and the church of rome the head of other churches , was betrayed by his own son in law , and delivered up into the hands of his enemy heracleus , who commanded his head , feet , and privie members to be cut off , and his body to be burned . plat. earle simon of montfort , a cruell persecutor of the albingenses , by the instigation of the pope , as he besieged some of them in tholous , had his head parted from his body by a fire stone , which a woman let out of an engine . simps . king lewis of france besieging avignion a city of the albingenses , and vowing never to depart till he had taken it , was shortly after punished with a grievous pestilence , which daily wasted great numbers of his men : so that the king going aside to an abbey not far distant to avoide the same , there , died out of his wits . act. and mon. king charles the ninth of france a bloody persecutor of the protestants , who had caused the effusion of the blood of thirty thousand of them in the massacre of paris : by gods just judgement fell sick , and with great effusion of blood out of many parts of his body , died miserably . act. and mon. truchetus an expert captain , imployed by the duke of savoy against the protestants in his dominions , who were a naked , and unarmed people , was first sore wounded with stones , and afterwards slaine with his owne sword by a poor shepherd , who was keeping of cattell in the field . act. and mon. henry the second , king of france , a cruel persecutor of protestants , caused annas burgeus , a noble counsellour of paris to be condemned , and in a great passion said , that he would stand by , and see him burned : but before the time came , the king being at tilt , put a speare into one of his noble mens hands , and compelled him against his will to run against him , at which time the speare breaking , a small splinter of it entred in at the kings eye , and pierced into his braine , whereof he died . act. and mon. king henry the third of france in the selfe-same chamber wherein the massacre of paris was concluded , whereof himselfe ( being at that time duke of anjou ) was one of the chiefe , was stabbed by a iacobine monke , who thrust a knife violently into his small ribs , whereof he shortly after died . act. and mon. ladislaus king of bohemia , and hungary , who most unjustly had caused ladislaus , huniades his son , to be beheaded , and together with many other popish princes had conspired to root out the true christians in bohemia , which should have been put in execution at the time of his marriage : immediately before , in the middest of his great preparations fell sick , and within houres died of a pestilent sore in his groine . act. and mon. philip the second , king of spaine , who was a great enemie to the light of the gospel that then shined especially in the netherlands and a bloody persecutor of the professors thereof : after that he had lost many of his provinces , had an imposthume on his right leg , and foure other upon his breast , which being broken , cast forth abundance of stinking matter , with great store of lice , so that the physicians could hardly cleanse them ; and he was thereby so weak , that his servants were faine to lift him to , and fro in a sheet , and so he died in much misery . hist. of nether . agodly minister being persecuted in hungary by a popish bishop , who caused hares , geese , and hens to be tied round about his body , and dogs to be set at him , whereby he was cruelly torne in peeces : within few dayes after , the ungodly bishop fell sick , and ran mad , and so ravingly died . act. and mon. philip de lune a godly gentlewoman of paris , being caught at an assembly of the protestants , was arraigned and condemned , some of her popish neighbours bearing witnesse against her , whereof two falling out incontinently , the one stabbed the other with a knife . act. and mon. peter arandeau burned for the protestant religion in france , one mornay who was his principall accuser , presently after died suddenly : and the lieutenant which condemned him , was presently after condemned , fined , deposed from his office , and branded with perpetuall infamy for bribery , and other vices . act. and mon. the lord of revest , chife president of the parliament of aixe in france , put many godly persons to death , but shortly after being put out of his office , was stricken with such an horrible disease , that he ran mad , and none of his friends durst come neare him , whereby he perished miserably . after him sueceeded bartholomew cassaneus , a pestilent persecutor also , whom the lord struck also with a fearfull , and sudden death . act. and mon. the duke of joyeuse , one of the popish leaguers in france against the protestants , being overthrown by them in a battell , wherein he lost three thousand men , three cannons , and two culverins , was heard in a desperate manner to vomit forth these blasphemous words : farewell my great cannons : ha! i renounce god , i run this day an high fortune , and therewith plunged himselfe horse and man into the river tac , and died miserably . act. and mon. don iohn of austria being imployed by the king of spaine to subdue the netherlands , and root out the protestants there , came with an army against them , and a banner with a crosse , and this motto upon it : by this signe i overcame the turks , and by the same i will overcome the hereticks : but in his first onset , he was so entertained , that after the losse of many of his souldiers , full of blasphemy , and cursings , he was forced to retire , and shortly after he died of the plague . hist. of the netherl . wolfgangus schuch , a godly , and learned minister in germany , was condemned by two popish judges , and burnt for his religion ; shortly after , one of the judges fell suddenly downe , and died : the other hearing some guns discharged , was so astonished with sudden feare , that he also fell downe , and died . act. and mon. johannes de roma , a monke , and bloody persecutor of the godly waldenses : his manner was to fill bootes with boyling grease , and put them upon their legs , tying of them backwards over a forme , their legs hanging down over a soft fire , and afterwards cruelly put them to death : and robbed them of their goods : but shortly after his owne servant robbed him of all those ill gotten goods : and he fell into a most horrible disease unknown to any physician , the paines , and torments whereof did so incessantly vex him , that no meanes could give him one minutes ease , neither could any indure to come neere him by reason of his stinke , which even himselfe could not endure , his body being full of sores , and ulcers , and swarming with vermine , so that he rotted away , and his flesh fell off by peece-meale from his bones : in which torments he would often crie out , oh! who will deliver me ? who will kill me , and deliver me out of these intolerable paines ? yea often indeavouring to destroy himselfe , but had not power to do it , and so languishing in anguish and fearfull despaire , he ended his accursed life . act. and mon. john martin another enemie to the waldenses used to vaunt every where that he would slit the nose of one of their prime ministers : shortly after himselfe was assaulted by a wolfe which bit off his nose , whereupon he ran mad , and died . act. and mon. sir thomas moore , and fisher bishop of rochester , who had put to death john frith . and some others for religion , were themselves shortly after condemned for treason and beheaded . act. and mon. philips , who betrayed mr. tindall to the emperours secretary , shortly after fell into a grievous sicknesse , and was consumed with lice . act. and mon. pavier , town-clerke of the citie of london , a cruell enemie to the true professors of the gospel , swore a great oath , that if he thought the king would set forth the scriptures in english , rather then he would so long live , he would cut own his throat ; but he brake promise ( saith the author ) for instead thereof he hanged himselfe shortly after . act. and mon. foxford , chancellor to stokesley bishop of london , a bloody persecutor , and common butcher of gods saints , died suddenly sitting in his chaire , his belly breaking , and his guts falling out before him . act. and mon. rockwood who was a great stirrer up of persecution against the godly in calice : suddenly fell sick , staring , raging , and crying out , i am utterly damned : and being willed to ask god mercy , he prayed , and cried out , ' all too late , for i have ma●liciously sought the death of many godly persons , ●and that against mine own conscience , and therefore ●al too late ; all too late : & so he continued unto his end : the under marshall also , who at the same time was another persecutor there , suddenly fell down in the councell-chamber , and never spake word more : act. and mon. adam damlip , a godly preacher in calice was falsely accused of treason , and executed , and when he would have purged himselfe , one sir ralph ellerker would not suffer him ; but commanded him to be had away , saying , that he would not depart till he saw the traitors heart out : shortly after , in a skirmish against the french , he was slaine , and after they had stripped him , they cut off his privie members , and pulled out his heart , which they did not to any of the rest of the slaine . act. and mon. doctor story , a bloody persecutor in queen 〈◊〉 dayes , when queen elizabeth came to the crown , could not forbeare to curse her daily in his grace at board , & was worthily hanged for his treason therein . anno . camb. eliz. valence the emperour , that mirrour of impietie , going against the gothes , was defeated in the very first battel , for which he upbraided trajan his general at a feast with cowardise , and sloth , as the cause of his overthrow : but noble trajan not enduring that indignity , told him in plaine termes , that he had lost the day by warring against god ( in persecuting the christians ) whereby he had lost the victory , and sent it to his enemies : for it is god ( saith he ) that overcometh , and giveth the victory to those that obey him : but such are your adversaries , and therefore having god to fight against you , how can you overcome ? niceph. eccl. hist. apian scoffing at religion , and especially at circumcision , had an ulcer at the same time , and in the same place . josephus . antonius heliogabulus the emperour , a most prod●gious monster , built a temple to the sun , and commanded christians to worship in the same ; but shortly after he was murthered by his own guard , and his body shamefully drawn through the citie of rome , and thrown into the river tybur . euseb. anno divers noble men in germany being at supper together , and threatning horrible things against the professors of the gospel , amongst the rest count felix of wartenburg , a great warrier , who had been in command under maximilian the emperour , said , that he hoped before he died to ride up to the spurs in blood of the lutherans : but being smitten by ▪ god that very night , he fell a bleeding in that violent manner , that his owne blood choaked him , and so he ended his life . flac. illyr . francis the first of france , was so filled with rage against the truth of god , and the reformation in luthers time , that in solemne a assembly he protested , that if he knew any part of his body infected with that contagion , he would presently tear it from him , that it might spread no further . sleid. com. l. . ballasius governour of egypt under constantius the emperour , a great persecutor of holy athanasius , as he was riding , his horse turning back his neck , bit him by the the thigh , and therewithall plucking him off his back , so bruised him , that within three dayes he died . athanasius . iohn twiford a furious papist , who used to set up the stakes for those that were burned in smithfield , died , rotting above ground , so that none could endure to come neare unto him by reason of stinke . act. and mon. david beaton , a bloody archbishop , and cardinall of scotland , who , amongst others , had condemned and burned one george wiseheart , was shortly after assaulted by some that brake into his castle , who murthered him in his bed ; crying out , alasse , alasse , slay me not , i am priest : after which he lay seven moneths unburied , and at last like a carrion ) he was buried in a dunghill . act. and mon. william gardiner an english merchant , being present in lisborne at the marriage of the prince of portugall to the king of spaines daughter , and seeing the abominable idolatry then used in the presence the king , and of all states there assembled , he stepped to the cardinal who was celebrating of mass , and plucked the cake out of his hand , and trampled it under his feet , and overthrew the chalice : for which , by most exquisite torments , in an horrible manner they put him to death by degrees , and then burned him ; a sparke of whose fire , was driven a great way into one of the kings ships lying in the haven , and consumed it , and within halfe a year after the new married prince died , and the year after the king himselfe also died . act. and mon. arundel , archbishop of canterbury , having silenced many faithful ministers , by gods just judgement had his tongue swelled so bigge in his mouth , that he could neither eate , drink , not speak for many dayes , and so died of hunger , after he had starved many poor christian soules , and burned their bodies to ashes . act. & mon. cardinal woolsey after much opposition against the light of the gospel which sprang up in his time , and much cruelty used towards the professours of it , falling into disgrace with king henry the eighth , was sent for up out of yorkeshire , and in his journey , suspecting the issue , took such a strong purge , that his rotten body being not able to bear it , died thereof at lecester-abby ; his dead body was as black as pitch and so heavy that six men could scarcely bear it , and stanke so intolerably , that they were forced to hasten his burial in the night , at whose burial there was such an hideous tempest , that all the torches were put out and withall such a stinke , that they were glad to throw him into his tombe , and there leave him . act. & mon. stephen gardiner bishop of winchester , a bloody persecutor in queen maries time ; upon the day that master ridley , and latimer were burned at oxford , would not sit downe to dinner till one of his servants , about four a clock in the afternoone , coming post , brought him word that they were executed ; whereupon he hastened to dinner , and being very merry , having eaten a few bits , a sudden stroke of gods hand fell upon him , so that he was carried immediately to his bed , where he continued for fifteen dayes in intolerable anguish , and torments , rotting above ground , all which time he could avoide nothing that he received , either by urin or otherwise ; his tongue also hung out of his mouth swolne , and black , and so he died miserably . act. & mon. cyrillus , who in the time of constantine had broken in peeces many images of the gentiles , being afterwards taken by them , was slaine , his belly ript , his liver drawn out , which with barbarous inhumanity they chawed with their teeth : but shortly after the teeth of these miscreants fell out of their jaw-bones , their tongues rotted within their mouthes , and their eyes were blinde . theod. henry arch-bishop of mentz , a godly , and vertuous man , being accused of heresie to the pope , he sent two cardinals , who most unjustly deposed him from his place , whereupon he said unto them : if i should from this your unjust sentence appeale unto the pope , it is like i should finde no redresse from him , wherefore i appeal to the lord jesus christ , the just and righteous judge , and cite you to answer me before his judgement-seat for this injury ; to which they scoffingly answered , go you first , and we will follow after : shortly after the archbishop died , which the cardinals hearing of , said jestingly one to another : behold , he is gone before , and we must follow according to our promise : and indeed shortly after they both died upon on day : the one sitting upon a jakes voided out all his intrals : the other gnawing off his own fingers , all deformed with devouring himself , died miserably . act. & mon. judge morgan who gave the sentence of condemnation against the lady jane dudly , a most religious , and vertuous lady , shortly after fell mad , and in his raving cried out continually to have the lady jane taken away from him , and so ended his life . act. & mon. morgan bishop of saint davids , who condemned the blesse martyr master farrar , and unjustly usurped his bishoprick , not long after was stricken by god after a most strange sort , his meat would not go down , but pick up again sometimes at his mouth , sometimes blown out of his nose , most horrible to behold , and so he continued till he died : master leyson also , who was sheriffe at master farrars burning , having fetched away his cattel , and put them into his own grounds , divers of them would never eat meat , but lay bellowing , and roaring and so died . act. & mon. doctor duning chancellour of norwich , a bloody persecutor in queen maries dayes , was suddenly taken sitting in his chaire , and died . act. & mon. berry , commissary of norfolke , another bloody persecutor , as he was walking with one of his concubines , fell down suddenly with an heavy groan , and never stirred after . a persecuting suffragan of dover , having been with cardinal poole for his blessing , coming out of the cardinals chamber , fell down the staires , and brake his neck act. & mon. bishop thornton a cruel persecutor also , as he was looking upon his men at bowles upon the sabbath-day , fell suddenly into a palsey , and being carried to his bed , and willed to remember the lord , yea so i do ( said he ) and my lord cardinal too , and so he died . act. & mon. doctor jeffery chancellour of salisbury , a wretched persecutor , having appointed to call before him ninety honest persons to examine them by inquisition , the day before , being looking upon his buildings , fell down suddenly dead . act & mon. see more of these in my two martyrologies . it is a righteous thing with god to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you : and to them which are troubled , rest , thes. . , . dicetur reprobis , ite ; venite , probis . chap. v. examples of the wicked lives , and woful deaths of many of the popes , and popelings . that rome is babylon , and the pope antichrist , are things now so evident and notorious , that few question it : but that so many thousands which live under the romish jurisdiction should abide in so grosse ignorance , as to continue courting that old , and withered strumpet , may justly seeme a marvell , were it not that the common people are kept in such miserable ignorance , being deprived of the soul-enlightning word of god , and enjoyned to pin their faith on the priests sleeve : and the more knowing sort of them are by gods just judgement given over to strong delusions to believe a lie , as the apostle paul long since foretold , thes. . . which prophecie as it is in many other things fulfilled , so especially in these prodigious blasphemies which are not onely published , but believed , and entertained with great applause among them : many instances might be given , but take one onely in stead of all , wherein they affirme that christ imprinted his five wounds upon francis of assise the freir , as if he also were to suffer for the world , and redeem mankinde : whereupon tursellin the jesuite made these verses : exue franciscum tunicâ , laceróque cucullo , qui franciscus erat , jam modo christus erit . francisci exuviis , siqualicet , indue christum , jam franciscus erit , qui modo christus erat . strip francis from his coat , and cowle , all nak't , and you shall see he that even now st. francis was , to christ will turned be . again put francis coat , and cowle on christ , and ( marke the lier ) he that even now christ jesus was , will francis be the frier . but that you may the better see what manner of persons the popes themselves have been , what their lives , and what their deaths , reade these examples following . pope joane , whose proper name was gilberta , a dutch woman , cloathing her self in mans apparel , and attaining to learning , procured to be chosen pope under the name of john the eighth : who afterwards playing the whore , fell in travel in the time of a solemne procession , and died thereof : since which time the cardinals shun that place in all their processions . simps . pope stephen the sixth so envied the name of his predecessor formosus , that he abrogated , and dissolved all his decrees , caused his body to be taken up , cutting off two fingers of his right hand , which he commanded to be cast into the river tybur , and then buried him in a private sepulchre . simps . pope john the eleventh kept for his paramour a famous strumpet called marozia , by whom afterwards he was smothered with a pillow , that so her son might attaine to the popedome . simps . pope john the thirteenth was a whoremaster , an adulterer , incestuous , a gamester , and extortioner : of some of his cardinals he put out their eyes , from some he cut out their tongues , some their fingers , some their noses , and privy members : he ordained deacons in a stable , committed incest with two of his sisters : at dice he called to the devil for help , and dranke an health to him : for money made boyes bishops : lay with his fathers concubine , ravished maides , and wives : lay with his own mother , made his palace a stews , at length being found in the act of adultery was slaine by the womans husband . simps . pope silvester the second was a great conjurer , and by the help of the devil obtained the popedome : he enquiring of the devil how long he should live ? was answered , till he should say masse in jerusalem : in the lent after as he was saying masse in the chappell of saint crosse , he suddenly fell sick and remembering that that chappel was called jerusalem , he perceived how he was cousened by the devil : he commanded his cardinals that after his death they should cut his body in peeces , and so bury him , having before bequeathed his soul to the devil : it is commonly reported , that by the ratling of his bones in his tombe is portended the death of the pope . simps . pope benedict the ninth attained to the popedome by magick , and practised inchantments , and conjuration in woods after an horrible manner : and by magical art used to allure women to his lust : and being in fear of the emperour whom he had much abused , sold his popedome for fifteen hundred pound weight of gold : and going into a forrest to practise his sorceries the more privately , the devil strangled him to death . simps . pope gregory the sixth , scholar to silvester , and as great a conjurer as his master , after many horrible mischiefs committed , was banished rome , and ended his life most miserably in germany . balleus . pope hildebrand attaining to his papacy by unlawful means , set the whole christian world into a combustion . as he rose out of his seat to excommunicate the emperour henry the fourth , his seat ( being newly made of great timber ) rent , and shivered in peeces : afterwards he hired one to knock the emperour on the head as he was at prayers : enquiring of the hoast for an answer against the emperour , because it would not speak , he threw it into the fire , and burnt it : and after many such outragious villainies , he was deposed and banished : after which he wandred as a vagabond , without comfort , without help , without hope , in a pitiful estate , yet pitied of no man , travelling under the unsupportable burthen of a restlesse conscience , and at last died for grief , simps . pope clement the sixth raised many horrible wars against the emperour lewis of bavaria : and was the death of twenty thousand frenchmen by the king of england : at last he poisoned the emperour : but shortly after himself was , by gods just judgement , stifled to death . pope adrian the fourth , a most proud person , who was angry with the emperour frederick barbarussa for holding his stirrup on the left side ; as he was walking with his cardinals abroad , a flie got into his throat , and choaked him . simps . pope alexander the third , a proud , and turbulent person , having taken the emperours son prisoner , the father was faine to submit himself to the pope , who putting his foot upon the emperours neck , spake these words : thou shalt walk upon the adder , and the basiliske , and shalt tread down the lion , and dragon : the emperour said , not to thee , but to peter : to whom the pope answered : both to me and to peter . simps . pope boniface the eighth was a most proud , and turbulent man , who took upon him to give , and take away kingdomes at his pleasure : he excommunicated philip king of france , and his posterity to the fourth generation , for making a decree that no money should be carried out of his countrey to rome : but the king sent the steward of his house , and a noble man of rome , whom the pope had driven out of his inheritance , to publish his appeal to the next general councel , who seizing upon the pope , spoyled his treasures , and set him upon a wanton colt with his face towards the taile , and so made him a ridiculous spectacle to all the people : whereupon he fell into so cruel a frenzie that he eat his own hands , and died miserably : of whom it was said , that he entered like a fox , reigned like a lion , and died like a dog . simps . pope urbane the sixth was a most cruel , and bloody man ; he caused one of his cardinals which had displeased him to be slaine : five others of them to be sowed up in sacks , and cast into the sea ; three more of them in the presence of all the people to be knockt on the head , and their bodies to be dried in an oven , and carried in chests about with him , with their red hats set upon the same : but shortly after , as he was with much greedinesse gathering money , he fell from his mule , and so bruised himself , that he languished thereof for twenty seven dayes , dying by degrees , and so suffering the paines which he caused his cardinals to endure . simps . pope sixtus the fourth , most unjustly vexed all italy with warres , and dissentions . one of his own writers saith , that amongst all the bawds of these latter dayes that built brothell-houses , this pope surmounted them all : who at rome erected stews of double abomination , one of women , the other of , &c. and allowed the whole family of the cardinall of st. lucy in the three hot moneths of summer free leave to use sodomitry : he caused every whore to pay him a certain rate , which yearly amounted to the summe of fourty thousand duckets . of whom these epitaphs were made : sixte , jaces tandem , nostri discordia sceli , s●visti in superos , nunc acheronta move . sixte , jaces tandèm , deflent tua busta cinaedi , scort●que , lenones , ●lea , vina , venus . another . gaude prisce nero , vincit te crimine sixtus , hîc scelus omne simul clauditur , & vitium . act. & mon. pope innocentius the fourth , a bloody , and turbulent man , after many wicked and abominable prankes , as he was in naples , a voice was heard in his court : surge miser , & veni ad judicium : arise oh wretch , and come to judgement , and the day following he was found dead in his bed , all black and blew as though he had been beaten with bats , simps . pope john the . told his friends that he knew by the position of the starres that he should live a long time in this world : but very shortly after he was smothered to death , by the sudden fall of a chamber , which he had newly built for his solace , and pleasure . simps . pope paul the second being an ignorant , and illiterate person himselfe , accounted all that were learned , hereticks , and thereupon exercised much cruelty against many learned and famous men . plat. pope alexander the sixth , was endued with most filthy conditions , void of sincerity , truth , faith , and religion : was full of unquenchable covetousnesse , unreasonable ambition , more then barbarous cruelty , and a burning desire of advancing his bastards , whereof he had many : he set benefices , and promotions to sale : he poisoned john michael , cardinal of venice , at rome for his gold and treasures . in adulteries he was most filthy , and abominable : in tyrannie most mercilesse : in magick most cunning , and therefore execrable : he poisoned his own father : he committed incest with his own sister lucretia : he poisoned zemes , brother to bajazet the great turk , being hired thereto by two hundred duckets , after he had sworne friendship to him : he procured aide of the turk against the king of france : he caused the tongue , and hands of anthony mancivel , ( a learned and prudent man ) to be cut off , for making an oration in reproof of his wickednesse : he never attempted any thing , but he first consulted with the devil : he was accustomed to poison any whom he disliked ; but at last through the mistake of his butler , had the poisoned wine ( which he had prepared for some of his cardinals ) put into his own hand , which he drinking off , with horrible cries and groans , died immediately . simps . guich : bembus . pope anastasius the second , who was a deadly enemy to all that were good , as he was doing his secret businesse , his bowels gushed out , and so he died miserably . plat. pope benedict the eleventh , when the ambassadors of the councel of constance came to him , laying his hand on his breast , cried out , hîc est arca noae . to which they tartly , but truly replied : in noahs arke there were few men , but many beasts , act. & mon. pope leo the tenth , admiring the huge masses of money , which by his indulgences he had raked together , said unto cardinal bembus most atheistically : vide quantum haec fabula de christo nobis profuit : see what a deal of wealth we have gotten by this fable of christ : and when he lay upon his death-bed , the same cardinal rehearsing a text of scripture to comfort him , he replied : apage has nugas de christo : away with these bawbles concerning christ. act. & mon. pope adrian the sixth , before he was pope , taxed sharply many errors , and abuses in the court of rome , but having attained the popedome , when he was pressed to reforme them , being in place , and having power to do it , answered , when i was a childe , i thought like a childe , and spake like a childe ; but now i am a man , i have put away childish things . act. & mon. pope julius the second , having raised a great army against the french , as he was going out of rome with it , he took his keys , and threw them into the river tibur , saying , that for as much as the keys of saint peter would not serve him to his purpose , he would be take himselfe to the sword of saint paul : of which pope it is observed , that partly by warre , partly by cursings , he was the cause of the death of two hundred thousand christians , in the space of seven yeares . act. & mon. pope nicolas the first prohibited marriage to the clergy , saying , that it was more honest to have to do with many women privately , then openly to take one wife : insomuch that a priest of plac●ntia , being accused to have a wife , and children , was deprived of his benefice , but proving the same woman to be wife to another man , and but his concubine , he was restored againe . iohn the twenty fourth , was accused before the councel of constance , for heresie , simony , murther , poisonings , cousenings , adulteries , and sodomy , which being proved against him , he was deposed , and imprisoned , whereupon , through vexation , and griefe , he ended his wretched life . a certain cardinal in rome much blamed a painter for colouring the visages of peter , & paul too red , to whom he tartly replied ; that he painted them so , as blushing at the lives of those who stiled themselves their successors . pope honorius the second , sent one iohn cremensis his legate into england to disswade the clergy from marriage , who having called a convocation , the legate made a very accurate speech in the praise of a single life , and how fit it was that ministers should live sequestred from the cares of the world : but the night following , he himselfe was taken in the very act of adultery . mat. paris . pope iulius called for his pork flesh ( which was forbidden him by his physicians ) and said that he would have it al despito de dio , in dispite of god : and having appointed a cold peacock to be reserved for him , when he missed it the next meale , he grew into a great rage , and being requested not to be so angry for such a trifle , he answered , that if god was so angry for an apple , why might not he be as angry for his peacock ? act. & mon. doctor cranmer with the earle of wiltshire , and some others , being sent by king henry the eighth to the pope , about his divorce from queen katherin , when the day of hearing was come , and the pope sitting in his pontificalibus , put forth his foot to be kissed of the ambassadors , an unmannerly spaniell of the earles ran and caught his great toe in his teeth , so that the ambassadors disdaining to kisse where the dog had taken an assay , let the pope draw back his foot , and so they lost the espicial favour offered unto them . speed. chron. . . pope paul the third when his sonne farnesis had committed an unspeakable violence on the body of cosmus chaerius bishop of fanum , and then poisoned him , held himselfe sufficiently excused that he could say , haec vitia me non commonstratore didicit : he never learned this of me . pope pius quintus spake thus of himselfe : cùm essem religiosus , sperabam bene de salute animae meae : cardinalis factus , extimui : pontifex creatus , penè despero : when i was first in orders without any other ecclesiastical dignity , i had some good hope of my salvation ▪ when i became a cardinal , i had lesse : since i was made a pope , least of all . corn. è lapi . before the pope is set in his chair , and puts on his tripple crown , a piece of towe , or wadd of straw is set on fire before him , and one is appointed to say : sic transit gloria munda : the glory of the world is but a blaze . also one day in the yeare , the popes almoner rides before him , casting abroad to the poor some pieces of brasse , and lead , profanely abusing that scripture , saying , silver and gold have i none , but such as i have , i give unto you . pope adrian the sixth having built a faire colledge at lovain , caused this inscription to be written upon the gates thereof in letters of gold : trajectum plantavit , lovanium rigavit , caesar dedit incrementum : utrecht planted me , ( there he was born ) lovaine watered me , ( there he was bred up in learning ) and caefar gave the encrease , ( for the emperour had preferred him : ) one to meet with his folly and forgetfulnesse , wrote underneath , hic deus nihil fecit : here god did nothing . the popes have a book called taxa camerae apostolicae , wherein men may know the rate of any sinne : upon what termes a man may keep a whore , be a sodomite , murther his father , &c. when the emperour henry the seventh , ( having pacified germany ) went into italy to reforme the many and great abuses there : a certain monk ( to gratifie the pope ) mixed poison with the bread of the eucharist , and gave it him , whereof he died . simps . ec. hist. king john of england having broken with the pope , was afterwards no good friend to him , and his clergy , especially to their loose , and licentious lives ; whereupon as the king in his progresse rested himself for two dayes at swinstead-abby , not far from lincolne , a monk of that house went to his abbat , and told him that he had a purpose to poison the king , saying , it 's better that one man should die , then that all the people should perish : the abbat wept for joy , and absolved the monk from all his sinnes : then did this varlot mixe the poison of a filthy toade with a cup of excellent wine , and brought it to the king , saying , my liege , here is such a cup of wine as you never drank a better in all your life : i trust this wassail shall make all england glad : and therewithal began a good draught to him , and the king pledging him , shortly after died . anno christi . when the powder-plot was in agitation , catesby , one of the plotters , repaired to garnet a popish priest with this case of conscience , whether it was lawful in some cases to destroy the innocent with the wicked ? this good father so soon as he perceived the conspirators to be in good earnest , peremptorily resolved , that without all doubt it was , when the good coming by it might make compensation for the losse of their lives . pope john the twenty third calling a councel at rome against the godly christians in bohemia : when the councel was set , the masse of the holy ghost sung , and the pope placed in his chair , there came flying in amongst them an ugly owle with an ill-fauoured hooting , and set her self upon a crosse beam just over against the pope , casting her staring eyes upon him : whereupon the whole company began to marvel , and whispering each to other , said , behold , the spirit is come in the likenesse of an owle : the pope himself blushed at the matter , and began to sweat , fret , and fume , and so being in great distraction dissolved the councel for the present ; yet afterwards calling another sessions , when they were met , in came the owle as before , still looking steadfastly upon the pope ; whereupon he was more ashamed , saying , that he could no longer abide the sight of her , and commanded her to be driven away with bats , and shoutings , but by no means could she be removed , till with the blowes of the sticks thrown at her , at length she fell down dead amongst them . then shall that wicked one be revealed , whom the lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth , and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his coming , thes. . . non male sunt monachis grata indita nomina patrum cùm numerent natos hic , & ubique suos . chap. vi. examples of most inhumane cruelties . the corrupt nature of man since the fall of adam containeth in it the seed , and spawn of all manner of impieties , so that if the lord do but let loose the reines of his restraining spirit , and leave man to himself , there is not the most abhorred villainy that was ever perpetrated by any damned reprobate , but he is prone to fall into the same , yea to rush on into sinne as the horse into the battel : whence it is that solomon long since told us , that the tender mercies of the wicked are cruelty : as will most manifestly appear by these ensuing examples . bellisarius , a worthy , and famous captaine under the emperour justinian : having by gods assistance with great successe fought many battels against the persians , goths , and vandals , in his old age , by the malice , and cruelty of the emperesse ( who was a favourer of eutyches the heretick ) had his eyes put out , and fell into such want that he was forced to begge by the high-wayes : date obolum bellisario ▪ for gods sake , give an halfe peny to bellisarius . see justinians life in my second part. william prince of nassaw , a pious , and prudent prince , was most cruelly and traiterously murthered in his lodging at the end of dinner by baltazar gerrard , a papist , being hired thereunto by the prince of parmas counsel : he was shot from the left side to the right , through the stomack , and the vital parts : saying onely : o my god , take pity on my soul , i am sore wounded , take pitty upon my soul , and of this poor people : and so he died . hist. of the netherl . in a town of italy called montallo , many godly christians being secretly met together to hear the word of god , were most inhumanely butchered by the appointment of pope pius the fourth , being one after another drawn out of the house , and their throats cut with a knife : yet not one of all that number for fear of death would forsake the true faith of christ act. & mon. in deventer one henry achtrevelt a papist , cruelly murthered master schorickmans a godly minister in that towne after his sermon , thrusting him into the ●eck with a two-edged knife cleane through the throat , whereof he immediately died : the murtherer professed that he did it in zeal to the catholique religion , which the said minister used to preach against . hist of the netherl . abundance of french inhabiting in the island of sicily , being hated by the natives , upon a signe given by the ringing of a bell , were all in one hour murthered ; yea it ●as performed with such cruelty , that they ript up their own countrey-women , that were with childe by the french , to the end that no french blood should remaine amongst them . simps . hence grew the proverb ▪ sicu●● vesperae . the duke de alva was of that cruel , and bloody disposition ▪ that he counted it no paine for men to die , except they died in extreme paine : witnesse anthony 〈◊〉 whom he caused to be tyed to a stake with a chaine 〈◊〉 ●russels , compassing him about with a great fire , but not touching him , turning him round about like a poor beast , who was forced to live in that great torment , and extremity , roasting before the fire so long , untill the halb●rdiers themselves , having compassion on him , thrust him through with their halberds contrary to the minde both of the duke , and the popish priests : ●rimst : hist : netherl , p. ● . also when the city of harlem surrendred themselves to him upon conditions to have their lives , he suffered some of the souldiers , and burgers to be starved to death , saying , that though he promised to give them their lives , yet he did not promise to finde them meat . eodem . a vice-admirall to the arch ▪ duke , having taken . or . fishing ships of holland , and zealand , nailed all the mariners , and fishermen under hatches and then making holes in the keel of the ships , drowned them all like mice in a trap . hist. of the netherl . in the warres against the albingenses , the popish army having taken the great , and populous citie of beziers , put to the sword above sixty thousand persons , amongst whom were many of their own catholicks : arnoldus the popes legate being present who commanded the captaines , & souldiers , saying , caedite eos omnes : novit enim deus , qui sunt ejus : kill them all , ( catholicks , or hereticks ) for the lord knoweth who are his . act. and mon. simon earle of montfort , having surprised a castle of the albingenses , most inhumanely caused the eyes of above an hundred ▪ of them to be put out , and their noses to be cut off : and left onely one man with one eye to conduct them all to another place . act. and mon. the duke de alva being sent with a great army by the king of spaine into the netherlands , to root out the prosessors of the gospel there , exercised most unparallel'd cruelty against all sorts of persons both of the nobilitie , and commons , permitting his souldiers to ravish honest matrons , and virgins , yea oftentimes compelling their husbands to stand by , and behold the same . this duke on a time boasted at his owne table , that he had been diligent to root out heresie : for that , besides those which were slaine in war , and secret massacres , he had put into the hand of the hangman eighteen thousand in the space of six yeares . hist. of the netherl . st. jerome reports that when he was a very youth , ( while julian , as it seems , was emperour ) he saw in gaul the atticots ( a brittish nation ) feed on mans flesh , who when they found in the forrests herds of swine , flocks of neat , and other cattell , were wont to cut off the buttocks of the herd-men , and keepers ▪ the duggs also , and paps of women , accounting the same the onely dainties in the world . camb. brit. p. . aelfrich to make way for her own son etheldred to the crown of england : when edward her son , in law then king , came to visit her in corf-castle from his disport or hunting , set some villaines , and hacksters to murder him , and like a most wicked , and cruell step-dame fed her eyes with beholding his blood , camb. brit. p. . machanides a tyrant of lacedaemon , made an image 〈…〉 engine rather , like unto his wife apega , apparelled in such like attire also ; his manner was to call unto him rich men , demanding great sums of money of them , which if by faire meanes he could not obtaine , he would take them by the hand , and tell them that perhaps his wife ( which sate in a roome by ) could perswade them more effectually , unto whom he would lead them : when they approached , the image would rise up , open her armes , and imbrace them : which armes , and her breasts also were full of sharpe ●ron nailes , wherewith she griped the poore wretch till she had killed him , and then the tyrant seised on his goods . philip king of spaine out of an unnaturall , and bloody zeale , suffered his eldest son charles to be murthered by the cruell inquisition , because he favoured the protestants religion : which when the pope heard of , he abused that scripture : he spared not his own son , but delivered him up for us . act. and mon. mahomet the great , a most cruell , and mercilesse tyrant , is said in his life-time to have been the cause of the death of eight hundred thousand men . turk . hist. fernesius as he was going out of italy towards germany , made this feral , and bloody boast , that he would make his horse swim in the blood of the german lutherans . a frier augustine of antwerp openly in the pulpit whilst he was preaching to the people , wished that luther was there , that he might bite out his throat with his teeth ; and said , that so doing , he would nothing doubt to resort to the altar with the same bloody teeth , and receive the body of christ. eras. epist. tarquinius superbius , entering the senate-house in rome in royall ornaments , laid claime to the kingdome , but was opposed by his father-in-law servius ; whereupon he wounded him , and forced him to depart : which tullia , tarquins wife hearing of , came to the senate-house , and saluted her husband king , causing him to send some after her father servius who killed him , leaving his body in so narrow a street , that when tullia returned that way , the charioter stayed , lest he should drive over the the corps : but she threw the seat of the chariot at his head , and forced him to drive over her fathers body : since which time that street hath been called the wicked street : dio● . solyman the great turk , having obtained a victory against the germans , finding amongst the captives a bavarian souldier of an exceeding high stature , delivered him to a little dwarfe to be slaine , whose head was scarce so high as the others knees : that goodly tall man was mangled about the legs a long time by the ap●sh dwarf , with his little scimeter ; till falling down with many feeble blowes he was at length slaine , the prince beholding it with great sport : turk . hist. p. ● . the spaniards when they had taken heidelberg in the palatinate , took an ancient minister , a man of god , called monsieur mileus , and having abused his daughter before his face , they tied a small cord about his head , which with their truncheons they twisted about till they had squeezed out his braines . looking-glasse of the holy war. in the reign of saint edward , king of england , two earles that were brethren , harrould , and tosto fell out in the kings court at windsor , from words , falling to blowes , and tosto having the worst , secretly hied him to the marches of wales to his brother harroulds house , which was then in preparing to entertaine the king , where he slew all his brothers servants , and cutting them peece meale into gobbets , salted some of their limbs , and cast the rest into vessels of meath , and wine , sending his brother word that he had furnished him with poudered meats against the kings coming thither : but this barbarous act caused his name to be so odious amongst his northumbrians ( where he was earle ) that at last it was repayed with his own death . speeds chron. pag. . a rich merchant in paris jesting at the franciscan fiers , was by their meanes apprehended , accused , and condemned to be hanged : but he ( thinking to save his life ) made a publick , and solemne recantation ; which when the friers were informed of , they commended him , saying , that if he so continued , he should undoubtedly be saved ; and withall called upon the officers to haste him to the gallows , to hang him whilest he was in so good a minde , which was accordingly done . act. & mon. in the persecution of the saints of god in calabria , anno . fourscore godly persons being all thrust up in one house together , like sheep for the slaughter : the executioner comes in , and taking forth one , blindefolds him with a mufler about his eyes and so leades him forth to a large place , where co●…ding him to kneele down , he cuts his threat , and so leaving him halfe dead , and taking his butchers knife , and mufler all goare blood , comes back to the r●●t , and so leading them forth one after another , he dispatched them all : all the elder went to the slaughter more cheerfully , the younger more timerously : i tremble and quake ( saith a romane catholick , out of whose letter to his lord this is transcribed ) even to remember how the executioner held his bloody knife between his teeth , with the bloody mufler in his hand , and his armes all goare blood up to the elbowes going to the fold , and taking every one of them one after another by the hand , and so dispatching them all , no otherwise then a butcher doth his calves , or sheep . in the spanish inquisition , if any protestant be secretly conveyed into it , they bring him not unto a legal trial , but make him away secretly : for as hoffeus the jesuite was wont to brag , they hold it a good peece of piety instantly to condemne him to the fire , ut anima ejus in curru igneo ad inferos trahatur : that his soul might forthwith be carried to hell in a fiery chariot . the poore spaniards , are kept in such aw by the lords inquisitors , that one of those inquisitors desiring to eat some peares that grew in a poor mans orchard not farre from him , sent for the man to come , and speak with him . this message put the poore man into such a fright , that he fell sick , and kept his bed : but being informed that his peares were the cause of his sending for , he caused his tree to be cut down , and withall the peares on it to be sent to the inquisitor : and being afterwards by him demanded the reason of that unhusbandly action , he protested that he would not keep that thing about him , which should give an occasion to a●…f their lordships to send for him any more . the numantines being assaulted by the romanes , made solemne vowes amongst themselves , no day to break their fast but with the flesh of a romane , nor to drink before they had tasted the blood of an enemy guevara . ep. in the massacre of paris , which was the most abhorred prodigious villainy that ever the sunne saw ( till the late irish rebellion ) there were murthered in divers places of france threescore thousand protestants , so that the streets ran with blood , and rivers were died red with the same : besides , there were three hundred faithful servants of christ burnt to ashes in that kingdom within lesse then five yeares space : and in their late civil warres , about twelve hundred thousand natural french are said to be slaine . act. & mon. a man , or rather a monster in italy , having on a sudden surprized one , whom he hated deadly , presently overthrew him , and setting his dagger to his breast , told him that he would stab him to the heart , except he would renounce , abjure and blaspheme god , which when the wretched man had done ( too sinfully greedy of a miserable life ) he notwithstanding immediately dispatched him , as soone as those prodigious blaspemies were out of his mouth : and with a bloody triumph insulting over him , he said : oh this is right noble , and heroical revenge , which doth not onely deprive the body of temporal life , but bring also the immortal soul to endlesse flames everlastingly bolton . caligula , an emperour of rome , so excelled in cruelty , that he wished that all the people of rome had but one neck that so he might at one blow cut them all off . act. & mon. saint jerome in an epistle to cromatius writes , that the number of martyrs in his time was so great , that there was no day in the yeere , unto which the number of five thousand martyrs could not be ascribed : except onely the first of january . theodora a beautiful virgin refusing to sacrifice to the idols , was condemned to the stews , and many wanton young men pressed to the door to defiled her ; but one didymus a christian , in a souldiers habit , first entered in , counselled her to change apparel with him , and so to steal away , and he in her apparel remained in the place : who afterwards being found a man , was accused to the judges , unto whom he uttered the whole truth , withal professing himself to be a christian , whereupon he was condemned , and led to execution , which theodora hearing of ( thinking to excuse him ) presented her selfe , desiring that he might be freed , and she executed , but the cruell judge neither considering the virtuousnesse of the persons , nor the equity of the cause , caused them both to be tormented to death . act. & mon. laurence a deacon of the church , refusing to yield to a tyrant in delivering up to him the churches treasure , was commanded first to be scourged , then buffeted , pinched with fiery tongues , girded with burning plates , and lastly to be cast upon a grate of iron red hot , upon which when he had been long pressed down with fireforks , in the mighty spirit of god he spake thus to the tyrant : this side is now roasted enough , turne up o tyrant great , assay whether roasted , or raw , thou think'st the better meat . act. & mon. many christians being assembled together in a church , maximianus a tyrant , commanded it to be surrounded with armed men , and set on fire : but first proclaimed , that whosoever would have life should come forth , and worship to the idols ; whereupon one stepping up into a widow , answered in the name of all the rest , we are all christians , and will do service to none but the true god : upon which speech the fire was kindled , & there were burnt of men , women , and children any thousands . act. & mon. in thebaide so many christians were slaine , that the swords of their persecutors grew blunt , and they were so tired , that they were faine to sit down , and rest them , whilst others took their places , and yet the martyrs were no whit discouraged ; but unto the last gaspe , sang psalmes of praise unto god. act. & mon. thomas tomkins being imprisoned by bonner for the profession of the truth , the said bonner calling for him into his chamber , before divers popish doctors , first cruelly beat him for his constancy , afterwards took a wax taper , and holding him by the fingers , held his hand directly over the flame , till the veines shrunk and the sinews burst , and the water out of them spurt into doctor harpsfields face as he stood by : whereupon he , moved with pity , desired the bishop to stay , saying , he had tryed him enough . thomas tomkins afterwards affirmed to some of his friends , that during this cruell burning his spirit was so wrapt , that he felt no paine . act. & mon. mr. samuel a preacher , being convented before bonner , was by him committed to prison , and there chained up to a post , in such sort , that standing on tiptoes , he bore up all the weight of his body thereby , besides he allowed him but three morsels of bread , and three spoonfuls of water a day , whereby he was miserably tormented with hunger , and thirst , be sides his other paine , that he would have drunk his own water , but that his body was so miserably dried up , that he could not make one drop . when he was going to be burned , he told a friend , that after he had been in this misery three dayes , he fell a sleep , and one clad all in white , seemed to stand before him , telling him that after that day he should never hunger , or thirst , which accordingly came to passe . act. and mon. three godly women in the isle of garnesey were condemned to be burned , and though one of them was great with childe , yet had she no favour ; as they were in the fire , the belly of the woman breaking with the vehemency of the flame , the infant ( being , a fair manchilde ) fell into the fire , which being taken out , & carried to the bayliffe , he commanded it to be carried back , and thrown into the fire , whereby it was both borne and died a martyr . act. & mon. master denly being condemned to be burned by bonner , as he was in the middest of the flames , sang a psalme , whereupon doctor story a bloody persecutor , commanded one of the tormentors to hurle a fagot at him , which hitting him on the face , made it run down with blood , which made him leave singing , and clap his hands on his face : truly ( quoth doctor story , to him that hurled the fagot ) thou hast marred a good old song . act. and mon. edmund tyrell with some other persecuting papists searching the house of father munt , and finding him in bed with his wife , bad them rise , for that they must go to prison : the old woman being very sick , desired that her daughter might first fetch her some drink , which accordingly she did : tyrell meeting her by the way , took the candle out of her hand , and held it crosse-wise under the back of her hand continuing it so long till her sinews crackt asunder : still saying , why whore wilt thou not cry ? afterwards the said maid told a friend , that at first she felt some paine , but afterwards little or none at all . act. and mon. iohn rabeck a godly man in france , being required to pronounce jesus maria , and to joyne them together in one prayer , answered , that if his tongue should but offer to utter those words at their bidding , himselfe would bite it asunder with his teeth ; whereupon the mercilesse papists cut out his tongue . act. and mon. in the massacre of paris a godly woman being great with childe , and having the midwise with her , some of the bloody murthere●s came knocking at the door , requiring it to be opened in the kings name , whereupon the great bellied woman , as ill as she was , adventured to goe down , and open it : these tyrants presently stabbed her husband in his bed : the midwife seeing them bent to murther the woman also , earnestly intreated them to stay ▪ at least , so long till the infant ( which would be the twentieth childe that god had given her ) was borne ; but they took this poor woman and thrust her with a dagger into the fundament to the very hilts : she finding her selfe mortally wounded , and yet desirous to bring forth her fruit , fled into a corne-loft , whither they pursued her , giving her another stab into the belly , and then cast ●er out of a window into the street , in which fall the child came forth of her body gaping & yawning , a most woful & ●ueful sight . act. & mon. at the same time also one of the bloody papists having snatched up a little child in his arms , the poor babe began to play with his beard , and to smile upon him , but this barbarous wretch was so far from compassion , that he wounded it with his dagger , and so cast it all gore blood into the river . act and mon , in the massacre at ●l●ise in france whilest the protestants were cruelly handled , and murthered , in that disorder , even many of the romane catholiques drank with them of the same cup ; whereupon both parties made their complaints to the duke of guise in hope of redresse ; whose answer was , that the kingdom was but too full of people , and therefore his purpose was to cut off as many as he could , that so all kinde of victuals might be better cheap . act , and mon. at the massacre of paris , a gentleman obtained letters from the king , to murther the protestants at angiers also : who coming to the house of a reverend , and learned minister , one master john mason ; and meeting his wife at the entrance , he saluted her , and kis't her : enquiring where her husband was ? she said in his garden ; and directed him to him , whom also he very lovingly embraced , asking him if he knew wherefore he was come to him ? the king ( saith he ) hath commanded me to kill you presently , wherewithal he presented a pistol to his breast : the minister said , that he knew not wherein he had offended the king : but seeing he would have his life , he desired him to give him leave to commend his soule into the hands of god : and having made a short prayer , he willingly presented his body to the murtherer , who shot him so that he presently died . act. and mon. anno christi ▪ the switzers having vanquished their enemies the thuricenses in battell , banquetted in the place where they won the victory , using the dead bodies of their adversaries instead of stooles , & tables . cruelty complained of , gen. . . exod. . . deut. . . psal. . . & . . prov. . . jer. . . & . . lam. . . heb. . . ps. . . & . . ezek. . . the evils of it , prov. . . & . . scriptural examples . adonibezek , jud. . . cain , gen. . . simeon and levi , gen. . . pharaoh , exod. . , . saul , sam. . , . athaliah , chron. . . menahem , king. . . jehoram , chron. . . abimelech , jud . . philistines , jud. . . david , sam. . . chron. . . hazael , king. . . manasseh , king. . . amaziah , chron. . . nebuchadnezzar , chron. . . ezek. . . jer. . . haman , esther . . , . medes , is. . . edom , amos . . ammon , amos . . moab , amos . . paul , act. . . & . . it 's recorded of julius caesar that in his warres he slew eleven hundred ninty and two thousand men , and at last was himself slaine by his seeming friends in the senate-house . plin. gains caligula the fourth emperour of rome was of a most bloody , and cruel disposition ; he caused tiberius , who was made coheire with him , to be murthered . he caused syllanus his wives father to murther himself : he caused divers of the senators to be privily murthered , and then gave it out that they had murthered themselves : many other noble men he stigmatized & then condemned them to the mettal-mines , or to mending the high-wayes , or to the wilde beasts : some he sawed a sunder in the middest . he forced parents to be present at the torments of their children : and whereas one excused himself by reason of sicknesse , he sent his horse-litter for him : another asking whether he might not wink ? for that he caused him to be slaine . another whom he forced to be present at the torments of his children , he presently took him home with him to a feast , and forced him to be merry . when he wanted condemned persons to feed his beasts , he would cause some of the innocent spectators to have their tongues cut out , that they might not complaine , and so to be throwne to the beasts . when he distasted any of the senatours , he would suborne some to come into the courts , and to declare them publick enemies to the state , and presently to murther them , yet was he not satisfied till he saw them torne peece-meale , and their bowels dragged along the streets . he used to say that he commended nothing more in his nature then his impudence . he would not have men presently to be killed , but used to say to his executioners , ita percute , ut mori se sentiat : so strike , that he may feel himself to die . being angry with the people for coming slowly to his sports , he wished , vtinam populus romanus unam cervicem haberet ! would al the people of rome had but one neck ! he used to complaine of his times that they were not made famous by some great publick calamity : and therefore he used to wish for the destruction of his armies , famines , pestilence , burning , or some extraordinary gapings of the earth ; & grieved for that he should be soon forgotten , because of the prosperity of all things . having entertained the two consuls at a great feast , suddenly he fell into a great laughter , & when they asked him mildly what he laughed at , he answered : to think that with one nod , i can presently cause you both to be murthered . when he used to kiss the necks of his wives , and concubines , he said : this fair neck assoon as i command , shall be cut off . sueto . vitellius the romane emperour was exceeding cruel , putting many to death contrary to all law , & equity , seeking forgeries , and false accusations against them . one of his friends coming to visit him , & finding himself not well called for some water to drink , the emperour with his own hands cast poison into it , & poisoned him . he commanded some young men to be slaine , only because they came to int●eate him to pardon their father whom he had condemned to die . imperial hist. cursed be their anger , for it was fierce , and their wrath , for it was cruel , gen . . the darke places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelly , psal. . . chap. vii . examples of temperance , abstinence , and sobriety . abstinence orders a man in the use of meates , that it be neither unseasonable for the time , nor unreasonable for the measure : nature is content with a little : grace with lesse . men should rather be like ants , and bees ( those wisest of creatures ) and abound rather in pectore , ubi est animus , quàm in ventre , ubi est stercus , in breast then in belly : not , like the locusts , which have but one gut ; and the spider which is little else then belly : let us not therefore pamper the body , nor cater for the flesh : preserve it we must : make provision for it we may not , rom. . . and . last . debtors we are to see to it , not to live to ●● : we may not live to eat , but eat to live : whereunto these following examples may invite us . it 's a vertue commanded and commended by god in these sriptures : gen. . . prov. . , , . cor. . ● . gal. ● . . tim. . . tit. . . & . . pet. . . scripturall examples : david , sam. . . rechabites , ier. . . iohn baptist , mat. . . & . . timothy , . tim. . . other examples : see the story of mr. rogers in my english martyrology : and of mr. wiseheart in my scottish martyrology . the ancient gaules were very abstemious , and sparing in their diet , and used to fine any one that outgrew his girdle . heyl. geog. philo observeth that the ancient jewes used after their sacrifices to make their feasts in the temple , that the place and action might minde them of sobriety : so in moses time , exod . . the egyptians used to carry about a deaths head in their feasts to restraine their inordinate appetites . socrates is said by sobrietie to have had alwayes a strong body , and to have lived ever in health , and that by the good order of his diet he escaped the plague at athens , never avoiding the citie , nor the company of the infected , whereas the greatest part of the citie was consumed by it . it is reported of galen , the great physician , that he lived . yeares , and that after he was . years old he was never grieved with any sicknesse , except the grudge of a seaver fot one day : his rules were , first , never to eat , and drink his fill ; secondly , never to eat any raw thing ; thirdly , to have always some sweet savour about him . sipontinus de vita ejus . alexander the great when the queen of caria , to shew her great love to him , sent him daily variety of dishes , and dainties , and at last sent her cookes , and bakers to him , he returned them back again , saying , that he had no need of their service , for his mr. leonidas had provided him better cookes , by teaching him to dine , and sup frugally , and sparingly : also when he had any rare , and dainty fruits , and fishes sent him from the sea : he used to distribute them among his friends , reserving very little , or none for his own use : pez . mel. hist. p. . the turk's bassaes when they feast any great ambassador , use to intertaine him with nothing but rice , and mutton , and that but sparingly , and plainly dressed : and for their drink it is but fair water out of the river . turk . hist. socrates was all his life long so temperate in his diet , that when all the rest of the athenians were much troubled with sundry diseases , he alone enjoyed his health . aelian . lib. . the lacedemonians had their ephori , who were magistrates that took care that there was no intemperate persons in the citie , and if any grew fat through idlenesse , and intemperancy , they were publickly beaten : they also looked after every one's apparel , to see that none used strange , or effeminate fashions : and if any knew any other art of cookery then to dresse meat , they were expelled the city . aelian . lib. . alcamen being blamed by one for living so frugally , when he was so rich , answered , that it becometh him that enjoyes a great estate to live according to reason , not according to lust . plutar. gorgias leontinus , a famous philosopher , lived in health till he was an hundred and eight yeares old , and being asked how he attained to sucb an age ? answered , by never addicting my selfe to any voluptuous living . theat . vitae . hum . the ancient romanes banished epicures out of their city as causers of much wickednesse amongst the youth : so also did the messenians . aelian . lib. . origen was very frequent in fasting , went bare-legged , had only one coat to keep him from the cold , neither did he eat flesh or drink any wine . ful. lib. . c. . socrates having invited sundry friends to supper , one told him , his provision was too small for his company : to whom he answered , if they be good , here is enough : if they be bad , here is too much . theat . vitae . hum . epicurus himselfe that held mans happinesse to consist in pleasures , yet was of a very temperate , and sparing diet , saying , that he found far more pleasure in it , then in abundance . theat . vitae hum . anacharsis the philosopher used to say that the first cup was to quench thirst , the second to make one merry , the third for pleasure : but the fourth was to madnesse . romulus made a law , that if any women dranke till they were drunken they should die for it : and himselfe being at a feast , where there was plenty of wine , drank very sparingly ; and being asked the reason , he answered : i drinke as much as i please , not as much as i can . sabel . lib. . lycurgus the lacedemonian lawgiver , made a law that no man should sup or dine in private : that thereby none should be more superfluous in their diet then others . theat . vitae . hum . alexander the great would often open his chests , and look on his garments , to see if his mother had not provided him either delicate , or superfluous apparel . q. curt. when alexander the great sent some talents of silver to xenocrates , he entertained the ambassadors that brought it with a very sparing supper ; and when they asked him the next day to whom they should deliver the money ? he answered : do you not perceive by your ▪ last nights supper that xenocrates hath no need of such gifts ? platina . augustus caesar used to weare no other apparel but such as his wife , his sister , or daughter made him , and used to say , that rich , and gay clothing was either the ensigne of pride , or the nurse of luxurie ▪ suetonius alphonsus king of arragon used to weare no better apparel then the ordinarie sort of his subjects did , and being advised by one to put on kingly apparel : he answered , i had rather excell my subjects in my behaviour , and authority , then in a diadem , and purple garments . aeneas sylv. scipio when he was yeares old had not encreased his estate by making the least purchase , and when one shewed him a curiously wrought buckler : he said , it becomes the citizens of rome to place their confidence in their right hand , not in their left . aelian lib. . julian the emperour banished all the eunuches , and cooks our of his court , and being asked the reason of it , answered , there is no need of them when we may live more sparingly . eus. lib. apoth . cn ▪ martius a young noble man of ●ome having by his valour won the strong ●●y of c●r●●lus from the volsci , post : cominius the romane co●●ull proffered to him for a reward an hundred acres of land , his choice amongst the c●●tives , divers horses bravely traped an hundred oxen and as much silver as he could stand under : amongst all these large proffers he onely chose the horse that he served on , and to beg the life of one of the captives , rejecting all other rewards . val. max. marcus curius was famons amongst the romanes for his f●ugality , and valour : when ambassadours came to him from the samnites , they found him sitting in a countrey-house upon a stoole by the fire , and supping upon short commons out of a woden platter : he contemning their riches and thy wondring at his poverty : and when they brought him a great sum of gold , ●ntreating him to accept favourably of it ; he smilingly answered , you are very superfluous , i will not say , foolish ambassadors : tell the samnites that i had rather rule over rich men , then be rich my self , and carrie back that precious , but ill provided gift , and remember that i can neither be overcome in battell , nor corrupted with bribes . val. max. the same man when he had driven king pyrrhus out of italy , and thereupon the senate had allotted him a great deal of land , refused it , neither would he have any of the spoiles which were so great as enriched both the army , and whole city of rome : ibid. his saying was , that he was very rich without money , and had company enough without a great family , because he accounted himselfe rich , not because he possessed much , but because he desired little . idem . alexander m. travelling through some deserts in persia , himselfe , and his army were in great straits for want of water : and one of the souldiers having two sons ready to die with thirst , sought up and down , and at last found a little water , with which he filled a leather bottell , and so was running with it to his sons ; but by the way , meeting alexander he filled out the water in a dish , and proffered it to him : alexander asked him whither he was carrying it ? the man told him , to his sons that were ready to die with thirst : but said he , pray you , sir , do you drink it , for if my sons die , i can get more ; but if you die we shall not have such another king : alexandor hearing this , gave him the water again , and bad him carrie it to his sons . at another time being in the like strait in the deserts of arabia , some of his souldiers seeking about , found some muddy water ; wherewith one of them filling his helmet , ran with it to alexander : who took it , and thanked him for his diligence , but poured the water upon the ground , though he was exceeding thirsty , saying , if i alone should drink it would make my souldiers languish , and accordingly they seeing his abstinence , encouraged themselves by his example , and marched forward . q. cur. wo unto you that are full now , for you shall hunger , luk. . . chap. viii . examples of drunkennesse . the sinne of drunkennesse is a bewitching sinne , hos. . . it steales away the heart from god , and all goodnesse : it is an old sinne , it began presently after the flood : it is a malignant sinne : it drownes the braine , wastes the time , consumes the estate , and fills the body with as many diseases as hath an horse ; it is an epidemical sinne that hath almost drowned the whole world with another deluge : in these moderne times it began in germany , whence grew that proverbe , germani possunt cunctos tolerare labores : o utinam possint tam bene ferre sitim ! the germans can all labours undergo , would they as well could bear their thirst also ! but since it hath infected all europe : it is grown into fashion to quaffe soul-sick healths till they make themselves like swine , and worse then beasts : whence one gives us this excellent rule : unasalus sanis , nullam potare salutem : non est in pota verasalute salus , the odiousnesse , and danger of this sinne may farther appear to us by these following scriptures and examples . dangerous , prov. . , & ● . & . . deut. . . prov. . . hos. . . nah. . . cor. . . threatened , esa. . , . amos . . prov. . ● . esa. . , . joel . . cor. . . forbidden , cor. . . luke . . ephes. . . hab. . . mat. . . luke . . rom. . . staggering is a signe of a drunkard , job . . psal. . . esa. . . and trembling of the body , jer. . . and vomiting , jer. . . it 's a shameful sin , thes. . . a work of the flesh , gal. . . esa. . . scriptural examples . lot , gen. . . &c. noah , gen. . . amalekites , sam. . . amnon , sam. . . benhadad , king. . . elah , king . . david made uriah drunk , sam. . . belshazer , dan. . . nabal , sam. . . other examples . whilest the gaules besieged the romane capitol , they sent out a great party to sack the countrey thereabouts , who being loaden with spoile were returning towards rome , and at night being full of wine they laid them down to sleep , not fearing any enemy , at which time camillus with his men came upon them , all his souldies giving a mighty shout , yet could the gaules hardly be awakened , they were so deadly drunk , so that they were easily all of them slain either upon the place , or by the horsmen in the pursuit . plut. the tuscans besieging sutrium [ a city that was confederate with rome ] camillus marched privately with his army against them , and coming upon them , found the tuscans secure , eating , and drinking themselves drunken ; by which meanes he ●lew most of them without resistance , and thereby freed the city from danger . plut. many dutchmen in joppa drinking themselves drunk upon saint martins day ( their arch-saint ) the turks came in suddenly upon them , and cut every ones throat to the number of twenty thousand : and indeed they were quickly stabbed with the sword , who were cup-shot before . ful. holy war. edgar king of england perceiving that his people had learned of the danes ( many of which were in this land at that time ) to drink excessively , whereupon ensued much drunkennesse , together with many other vices : he ordained certain wooden cups with pins , or nailes ●et in them to be commonly used : making also a law , that whosoever drank past that marke at one draught should forfeit a summe of money , one part to the informer , and the other to the judge , or chief officer . sp. chron. aeschines commending philip king of macedon for a jovial man that would drink freely : demost henes answered , that this was a good quality in a spunge , but not in a king. plut. in vit . demost. alexander the great having taken persepolis , wherein was a stately palace of the kings of persia , in a drunken fit by the perswasion of lais the harlot , burned it down to the ground . diod. a turk having in one of their great feasts drunk wine too freely ( which is a thing forbidden by their law ) being apprehended , and carried before the grand visier , and there found guilty , was adjudged to have boiling lead poured into his mouth , and eares , which was accordingly executed . turk hist. p. . phocas a drunken , bloody , and adulterous tyrant , was worthily slaughtered by heraclius , who cut off his hands and feet , and then his privy parts by peece-meale . zonaras . not long since a cavalier in salisbury in the middest of his health drinking and carrowsing in a tavern , drank a health to the devil , saying ▪ that if the devil would not come , and pledge him , he would not believe that there was either god or devil : whereupon his companions strucken with horror , hastened out of the room , and presently after hearing a hideous noise , and smelling a stinking savour , the vintner ran up into the chamber : and coming in he missed his guest , and found the window broken , the iron barre in it bowed , and all bloody , but the man was never heard of afterwards . at kesgrave neere ipswitch , three serving men having been drinking hard , when they were about to go away , the hostesse by her importunity would needs perswade them to drink the three ou ts first , viz. wit out of the head , money out of the purse , and ale out of the barrel ; but as she came to them with the pot in her hand , god suddenly struck her sick and speechlesse , her tongue also swelling in her head , so that in great extreamity she died three dayes after . beards theat . two servants of a bruer in ipswitch drank themselves drunk for the rump of a turkey , and afterwards as they were strugling for it , they fell backwards into a cauldron of scalding liquor , whereof one died presently , and the other lingering died with greater paine . a man coming home drunk , would needs go to swim in the mill-pond : but his wife , and servants knowing that he could not swim , disswaded him , and once by intreaty got him out : but afterwards going in again , he was drowned . at the plough in barnwel neere cambridge , a lusty young man with two of his neighbours , and one woman in their company agreed to drink up a barrel of strong beere , which accordingly they did : but within twenty four hours three of them died , and the fourth hardly escaped after great sicknesse . a butcher in has●ingfield having heard his minister enveigh against drunkennesse , in his cups at the ale-house fell a jesting , and scoffing at the ministers sermon : but as he was drinking , gods hand fell upon him , for the drink stopping in his throat , choaked him that he died presently . at bung●y in norfolk three drunkards coming out of the alehouse in the night , swore that they thought it was not darker in hell : but as they went home , one of them fell over a bridge , and was drowned : a second fell from his horse : the third sleeping on the ground by the rivers side , was frozen to death . a bailiffe of hedly upon a lords day being drunken at melford , gat upon his horse to ride through the streets , saying that his horse would carry him to the devil , and presently his horse cast him , and brake his neck . some drinking in an alehouse at harwich in the night over against the majors house [ master russel ] he sent to them to depart , which they refused : whereupon he went himselfe , and took one of them by the hand as if he would lead him to prison ; who drawing his knife ran from him , and three dayes after was found drowned in the sea with his knife in his hand . at tenby in pembrookshire a drunkard in his drink fell from an high , and steep rock , whereby he was dashed in peeces . a glasier in chancery-lane , sometimes a professor , but afterwards one that turned a drunkard , was often admonished of it by his wife , and christian friends ; which he neglecting , shortly after in a drunken fit fell a vomiting , with which breaking a veine , he lay two dayes in extream paine of body , and torment of minde , till in the end recovering a little comfort , he died . a young man in northamptonshire being drunk at welling borough , as he went home would needs ride his horse in a bravery over the ploughed lands , whereby falling from his horse he brake his neck . a notorious drunkard of ailesham in norfolk was drowned in a shallow brook of water . a drunken knight that used often to carry out pailes of drink to make people drunken : on a time as he was drinking with some company , there came in a woman , and gave him a ring with this posie , drink , and die , saying to him , this is for you : he took , and wore it , and a week after died in one of his drunken fits . at a taverne in breadstreet certaine gentlemen drinking healths to the lords on whom they had dependance , one of them with an oath drinks off a pottle of sack to his lord : after which he could neither rise up , nor speak , but falling into a sleep , died within two hours after . at a place neer mauldon five or six appointed a drinking match , laying in beer for the purpose , drunk healths in a strange manner , whereof all of them died within a few weeks after . a young gentleman being drunk , as he rode homewards was throwne by his horse , and had his braines dashed out by the pomel of his sword . anno christi . there was one thomas wilson , a notorious blasphemer and drunkard , upon a small occasion being angry with his wife , not daring to proffer violence to her , drew his knife , and stabbed himself . the same year one john bone of elie , a gentlemans coachman , being exceedingly given to swearing , and drunkennesse , drinking himself drunk on a sabbath at sermon-time , fell from his coach-box , and was killed by his horses . anno christi . one richard bourne of elie , who used to travel on the sabbath-days , seldome or never coming to church ; as he went to the market at saint ives , being drunk , gods judgement overtook him : for going up the river in his boat , he fell over into the water , and was drowned . anno christi . one thomas alred of godmanchester , being a common drunkard , was intreated by a neighbour to unpitch a load of hay : and being at that time drunk , the pitchfork slipt out of his hand , which he stooping to take up again , fell from the cart with his head downwards , and the fork standing with the tines upward , he fell directly upon them , which striking to his heart , killed him immediately . anno christi . john vitner of godmanchester , a known drunkard and scoffer at religion , fell from the top of a pear-tree , and brake his neck : all these are attested by sundry godly ministers . anno christi ●● . in bohemia five drunkards were quaffing and blaspheming the name of god : and the picture of the devil being painted upon the wall , they drank healths to him , who the night after paid them their wages : for they were all found dead with their necks broken , and quashed to peeces , as if a wheele had gone over them , the blood running out of their mouths nostrils , and eares in a lamentable manner . fincelius . a vintner that accustomed himself to swearing , and drunkennesse ; as he was upon a lords day , standing at his doore with a pot in his hand to invite guests , there came suddenly such a violent whirlwinde , as carried him up into the aire , after which he was never more seen . alexander the great invited many of his captains to a feast , proposing a crown in reward to him that should drink most : by which meanes being provoked to drunkennesse , fourty two of them died shortly after . plut. armitus , and cinanippus , two syracusians , being drunk , committed incest with their two daughters . plut. the like did lot , gen. . , &c. cleomenes king of lacedaemonia drinking himselfe drunken , fell distracted , never recovering his wits againe . anacreon the poët , a notable drunkard , was choaked with a huske of a grape . bonosus the emperour was so notorious a drunkard , that he was said to be borne bibere , non vivere ; to drink , and not to live : but he died a shameful death , being hanged with this epitaph : that a tunne , not a man was hanged there . zeno the emperour was such a drunkard , that he would often lie as one dead for many hours , so that he grew odious to all , and to his own wife , who once finding him in that case , caused him to be laid in a tomb , with a great stone on the top of it , whereby he was miserably pined to death . platina . wo unto them that rise up early in the morning , that they may follow strong drink , that continue untill night , till wine inflame them . esa. . . chap. ix . examples of prodigality , gluttony , and excesse . they have their souls ( saith one ) meerly for salt to keep their bodies from putrifying , whose whole life is to eat , and drink , and sport , and sleep , as if they came into the world as rats , and mice , onely to devour victuals , and run squeeking up and down ; whereas nature in framing of man teacheth him temperance , by giving him a little mouth , with a narrow throat , and a lesser belly then other creatures have ; yet such is the prodigious unnaturalness amongst most , that ( as the french proverb hath it ) they digge their graves with their teeth , whilest their kitchin is their shrine , their cook their priest , their table their altar , and their belly their god . hence also it is said , that meat kills as many as the musket . plures pereunt crapulà quàm capulo ; lancibus , quàm lanceis ; the board kills more then the sword . and as it 's thus noxious to the body , so also to the estate ; whilest the spend thrift entombes his ancestours in his own bowels , turning his rents into ruffes , and his lands into laces . and lastly , to his soul also ; for gluttony is the gallery of incontinency : nutritiva facultas est ossi●ina generativae . the odiousnesse of this sinne will farther appear in these examples following . m. livius having prodigally wasted a great estate , jested at his own folly , saying , that he had left nothing for his heire , praeter coelum , & caenum , more then aire and mire . vitellius the romane emperour was addicted to such unmeasurable gluttony , that the whole employment of his captaines was to provide him cates : he had two thousand dishes of fish , and seven thousand of fowle at one supper ; and yet commended his own temperance in a set oration before the senate , and people of rome . in a few moneths wherein he reigned , he wasted seven millions , which was thirty one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds sterling in luxury . heliogabulus the romane emperour , did so excell in all luxury , that near the sea , he would eat no fish ; in the midland , no flesh : whole meals were made of the tongues of singing birds , and peacocks , or of the braines of costly creatures . he used to say , that that meat was not savoury , whose sauce was not costly . he gathered in rome ten thousand weight of spiders , that thereby he might glory of the greatnesse of that city . his apparel was most rich , and yet never twice worne ; his shoes embellished with pearls and diamonds ; his seats strewed with musk and amber ; his bed covered with gold and silver , and beset with pearls , and his way strawed with pouder thereof : caius caligula the romane emperour was so prodigal , that he spent an hundred millions within the space of three yeares : and so brutish , that he defloured three of his sisters , and one of their daughters : and so cruel , that he wished all the people of rome had but one neck , that he might cut it off at one blow . dio. cleopatra queen of egypt so excelled in prodigality , that being at a banquet with m. antony , she dissolved a pearl worth fifty thousand pounds , in vineger , and drank it at a draught ; and one dish in the second course was valued at two hundred and fifty pieces of gold . urs. maximinus the romane emperour was eight foot high , his body great , and joynts proportionable ; and according to his limbs , so was his diet ; for he daily devoured fourty pounds of flesh , and drank thereto six gallons of wine . when he besieged aquileia in italy , the citizens wives cut off the hair of their heads , to make bowe-strings for resistance of this tyrant . after alexander m. had overcome darius , and gotten possession of all his dominions , and riches , he began to degenerate into the asian luxury : his chastity , and moderation were turned into pride and lust . he esteemed his countrey-manners , and the discipline of the former macedonian kings , too light and mean for him . he imitated the pride of the persian kings : he made him a crown , and robes like unto darius : he grew so proud , and insolent that he suffered his macedonians to fall down and worship him like a god : yea he commanded his servants , and slaves to do so . he clothed his captaines and horse-men after the persian manner , which though they disliked , yet they durst not refuse . he gat him three hundred sixty five concubines , of the beautifullest virgins that could be found in asia , after the manner of the persian kings : of these he had one that lay with him every night : he had his troop of eunuchs . he spent dayes , and nights in profuse feasting , and revelling . he gat many musicians , jesters , singing women , &c. all which was very offensive to his old captains , and souldiers . q. cur. the glutton and the drunkard shall come to poverty : and drowsinesse shall cloath a man with rags , prov. . . si quis ad infernos properat descendere manes , huc iter accelarant balnea , vina , venus . chap. x. examples of gods judgements upon adulterers , and unclean persons . forbidden by god , exod. . . deut. , . mar. . . luke . . mar. . , &c. luk. . . rom. . . complained of , iob . . esa. . . ier. . . & . . hos. . . iam. . . prov. . . ezek. . . jer. . . mat. . , . gal. . . pet. . . rom. . . ier. . . prov. . threatened , psal. . , &c. mal. . . cor. . . heb. . . ier. . . hos. . , &c. hos. . , . iam. . . rev. . . punished , lev. . . prov. . . ioh. . , . scripturall examples : iudah , gen. . , &c. potiphars wife , gen. . . david , . sam. . . the benjamites , iud. . . amon , . sam. . , &c. mary magdalen , iohn . . the corinthian , cor. . . absalon , sam. . . reuben , gen. . . lot , gen. . . herod , mat. . . other examples : ninus king of assyria fell in love with semiramis wife of menon , one of his officers , and when he could not perswade menon to deliver his wife to him , he threatened to pull out his eyes , whereupon menon hanged himselfe , and ninus married his wife . diod. sic. julius caesar was a great adulterer , defiling many of the chief senators wives , for which , amongst other things , he was murther'd in the senate-house . sueto . augustus the emperour was an adulterer , and being at a feast , he took a noble woman from the table , her husband being by , and had her into a chamber , and after brought her back , her eyes very red , and her hair all disordered : ibidem . the like adulterer was tiberius , and most of the romane emperours . c. caligula was a most impudent , and impure adulterer : he took many wives from their husbands , and when he had satiated his lust with them , hated them as much as formerly he had pretended love to them . theat . vitae hum . he committed incest with his own sisters and then banished them . messalina the wife of cladius the emperour : was one of the most impudent adulteresses that ever was in the world . she had a chamber in her palace , wherein her selfe with many of the noble women of rome did commonly prostitute themselves : she sent for appius sylvanus a noble young man , and solicited him to lie with her , and because he refused , she accused him to the emperour her husband , as potiphars wife did joseph , and caused him to be put to death : she also would needs be married to caius silus , & made a great feast at her wedding & gave him much of the emperours treasure . she caused divers of the noble women of rome in her palace to commit adulterie , their husbands standing by , and looking on , rewarding them greatly for the same ; but if any refused to do it , she hated them exceedingly , and by all meanes sought their destruction . she eagerly doted upon a common dancer , and when she could not prevail with him to lie with her , she caused her husband to command him to obey her in whatsoever she should require of him , and thereby had her desire with him : the like she did with many others . she went often to the common stewes to satiate her lust with all comers : striving with the famousest strumpets in all rome to exceed them in their divellish art , & to vie with them in their filthy lusts . for which at the complaint of the nobles she was put to death . lang. chron. nero having made a great feast in a publick theater , after supper commanded all his guests to go into some house hard by , into which he had gathered abundance of wives , virgins , maid-servants , and harlots , and there to defile whom they pleased , commanding that none should be denied , so that the servant committed wickednesse with his mistris , his master being by , and base fellowes with noble virgins , their fathers being by , &c. xiphilinus . romulus ordained a law amongst the romanes , that a man might put away his wife if she was proved to have committed adultery or consented to the poisoning of her children : but if he put her away for any other cause , she was to have halfe his goods , and the other halfe went to the goddesse ceres . plut. artaxerxes mnemon king of persia , fell in love with his own daughter , a beautiful virgin , called atossa , which his own mother parysatis perceiving , perswaded him to marry her , and so to make her his wife : and though the persian lawes had formerly forbidden such incestuous marriages yet taking counsel with his wicked mother , and his own lust , he married her , after which time he never prospered in any thing that he took in hand . diod. sic. nero the emperour , when he rode abroad with his mother agrippina in his horse-litter , used ordinarily to commit incest with her . suet. cleopatra being very young , was with her brother ptolomaeus king of egypt besieged in alexandria by iulius caesar : after a while she caused one apollidorus to binde her up in cloaths like a bed , and so carried her into caesars tent , where being laid down at caesars feet , the man opens his fardel , and a venus comes forth , whose beauty caesar being taken with , used her body at his pleasure , not long before she had been defiled by pompey : but these were her childish whoredomes : afterwards mark anthony being in asia raising tributes , and ready to underake the parthian warre , sends for cleopatra to plead her cause before him for assisting cassius , his enemy , with money : she attires her self after the curiousest , and costliest manner that could be , and upon the river cydnus enters into her galley all guilt with gold , the oares covered with silver , that kept their stroakes by the sound of musicians : the sailes were of purple silke : her self lay under a heaven of gold beset with all sorts of precious stones : many ganimeds stood about her to fanne winde to coole her ; her ladies like nymphs sat up , and down the ship , burning incense , and sweet persumes : being come to the place where anthony was , he , to keep the roman gravity , sat in the tribunal with the officers and people about him , and sends for her thither : but she goes straight to her inne , and all the people left anthony to gaze upon her : so that being left alone , he returnes to his quarters , and sends to invite her to supper : she refuses , and excuseth herself : anthony could no longer forbear , but goes to her , sups with her , eates and drinks in love : her beauty , wit , and smooth tongue soon bewitched him : she could readily speak hebrew , greek , arabick , aethiopick , and persian language in their own idiome : anthony being thus taken , forgets his warres his wives , and all relations : goes with her into egypt , and spends his time in adulteries : till vengeance seized on them both , which was executed by octa. caesar. lipsius . faustina the wife of m. anthoninus the philosopher was insatiable in her lusts : she used to prostitute herself in the stews , in the baths , in the theaters : she used to frequent the places where naked men strove for masteries , and there noting those that were greatest of flesh , would send for them to commit filthinesse with her : she prefered to the empire commodus one of her adulterers , and the sonne of a sword-player , which ruined the empire . lipsius . in france there was one fredegundis , a famous whore , who for her beauty was entertained by chilperic king of france , whom she caused to banish his queen andovera , and his other wife called galsuinda she caused to be murthered , that she might enjoy the king alone ; yet neither was she faithful to him , but prostituted her body to landric , master of the kings horse . on a time the king being to go a hunting , went to bid his wife farewell , who was combing her haire : the king went softly behinde her , and with his wand in sport struck her behinde : she thinking it had been her landric , said : what doest thou do , my landric ? it 's the part of a good knight to charge a lady before , and not behinde : the king by this means finding her falshood , went his wayes on hunting , and she finding her self discovered , sent for landric : told him what was happened , and therefore perswaded him to kill the king for his , and her safety : which he undertook , and effected that night as the king came late from hunting . french hist. semiramis sought out men to satisfie her brutish lust , whom shortly after she used to slay . and at last she grew to that abominable impudence , that she drew her own sonne to lie with her ; and to cover her filthinesse , enacted a law : that propinquity of blood should not hinder marriage . orosius . cambyses king of persia falling in love with his own sister , sent for his judges , and asked them if there were any law that suffered a man to marry with his own sister ? to whom they answered , that they found no such law : but they found another law that the kings of persia might do whatsoever they pleased : whereupon he married her , and afterwards he married another of his sisters also . herod . xerxes falling in love with artaynta his daughter in law , often commited incest with her , which his wife amestris taking notice of , and supposing that artaynta's mother was the baude betwixt them , she sent for her , and put her to grievous torments , cutting off her breasts , & casting them to the dogs : she cut off also her nose , eares , lips , and tongue , and so dismissed her : but shortly after xerxes going with his innumerable army against the grecians , was plagued by god for his incest , and his wives cruelty , with the utter overthrow of his forces , and himself hardly escaped with life . herod . solon made a law amongst the athenians , that it might be lawful for any man to kill an adulterer , taking him in the fact . nerva the romane emperour made a law , that no man should marry his neece , or brothers daughter . suet. agrippina was of so impudent , and lustful a disposition , that having formerly traded her self in manifold incests with caligula her brother , and claudius her uncle , she at last offered her body to the lustful imbraces of her son nero , who scarcely twenty yeares before was bred therein . nero's life . the egyptians used to punish adultery in a man by giving him a thousand jerks with a reed , and in a woman by cutting off her nose : and he that violated a free woman had his privy members cut off . by the law of julia amongst the romanes , adulterers were without difference to be put to death . before moses time it was a custome to burne adulterers in the fire as appears in the case of thamar , gen. . . what mischiefs the levites wife that played the adulteresse , brought upon all israel , may be read , judges , , and . chapters . what misery david brought upon himself and family by committing adultery with bathsheba , may be seen in sam. . . and . chapters . paris by his adultery with helena , stirred up warres between the grecians and trojans , which lasted ten yeares , and ended in the ruines of that famous city and kingdome of troy : in the death of paris and helen : of king priamus and all his posterity . sextus tarquinius , sonne to superbus the last king of the romanes , by ravishing lucretia the wife of collatinus , was the author of manifold mischiefs : for lucretia slew her self in the presence of her husband and kinsfolk : the romanes expelled their king and his family , and would never be reconciled to them again ; the adulterer was slaine by the sabines ; and his father also , fighting to recover his kingdom , was slaine by the romanes . valentinian the third , emperour of rome , by dishonouring the wife of petronius maximus , a senator of rome , lost his life , and was thereby the author of the final destruction of the romane empire . for petronius being informed of the wrong which the emperour had done him by defiling his wife , was purposed to revenge it with his own hands : but knowing that he could not do it whilest actius the general of his army lived , ( a man famous for his valiant exploits against the burgundians and gothes ) he accused him falsely to the emperour of treason , and thereby procured his death : then did he stirre up some of actius friends to revenge his death upon the emperour : which they also performed upon him as he was sitting in judgement : then did maximus not only seize upon the empire , but upon eudoxia the emperesse , forcing her to be his wife ; which indignity she not enduring , sent privately into africa to genserick king of the vandals , to come and deliver her and the city of rome from the tyranny of maximus , which occasion he laying hold of , came into italy , with a huge army , whereupon the citizens of rome were so affrighted , that they fled into the mountains , and maximus flying with them , was murthered by the way , and hewen in pieces by some of the senators : and genserick entring rome , found it empty of inhabitants , but not of infinite riches , all which he exposed as a prey to his army , and carried away into africk , together with a great number of the people , and amongst them was eudoxia the emperesse , and her two daughters , eudocia and placidia : after which the romane empire could never recover it self , but grew weaker and weaker till it came to utter ruine . childerick king of france , was so ▪ odious for his adulteries , that his nobility conspired against him , and drave him out of his kingdom . two of the daughters of philip the fair , king of france , being found guilty of adultery , were condemned to perpetual imprisonment , and they which had committed adultery with them , were first slaine , and then hanged . a certain seneschal of normandy suspected the vicious behaviour of his wife with his steward , watched them so narrowly , that at last he found them in bed together , whereupon he slew them both : first , the adulterer , and then his wife , though she was sister to lewis the eleventh , the then king. fulgos. l. . c. . a nobleman in burgundy having in warre taken a gentleman captive : his wife being a beautiful lady came to redeeme her husband : the nobleman promised to free him if she would let him lie with her , which by the perswasion of her husband she consented to : but the adulterous nobleman the next day cut off his prisoners head , and so delivered his body to his wife ; which horrible fact being complained of by her to the duke of burgundy , he caused this nobleman to marry her : but before night he cut off his head , and gave her all his possessions . anno christi . a certain advocate in constance extreamly lusted after the wife of the kings procurator , which procuratour finding the advocate , and his wife sporting together in a bath , and afterwards in an old womans house hard by , he gat him a sharp curry-comb , and leaving three men at the doore to see that none should come in , he so curried the advocate that he tore out his eyes , and so rent his whole body that he died within three dayes : the like he would have done to his wife , but that she was with childe . in germany a gentleman of note solicited a citizens wife to uncleannesse , which her husband being informed of watched them so narrowly , that finding them in bed together , he first slew the adulterer , and then his own wife . luther's col. mary of arragon , wife to the emperour otho the third , was so unchast , and lascivious a woman , that she could never satisfie her lust , carrying about her a young lecher in womans clothes , with whom she daily committed filthinesse : but this fellow being at last suspected was in the presence of many untired , and found to be a man , for which he was burnt to death : yet did the emperesse continue in her filthy course , falling in love with the count of mutina , a gallant young gentleman , and because she could not draw him to her lure , she accused him to the emperour for attempting to ravish her ; whereupon the emperour caused his head to be cut off : but by the meanes of his wife this wickednesse was discovered to the emperour : who enquiring more narrowly into the bufinesse , found out his wives wickednesse , and for the same caused her to be burnt at a stake . rodoaldus the eighth king of lombardy being taken in adultery , was by the husband of the adulteresse immediately slaine . p. melan. chron. a noble man in thuringia being taken in adultery , the husband of the adulteresse took him , bound him hand and foot , and cast him into prison , and to quench his lust he kept him fasting ; and the more to augment his paine , he daily set dishes of hot meat before him , that the sight and smell might the more provoke his appetite : in this torture the lecher continued till he gnawed off the flesh from his own shoulders , and so the eleventh day after his imprisonment ended his wretched life . luther . sergus a king of scotland was so addicted to harlots , that he neglected his own wife , and drave her to such poverty that she was faine to serve another noble-woman for her living : whereupon ( watching her opportunity ) she slew her husband in his bed , and her self after it . lang. chron. kenulphus king of the west-saxons , as he usually frequented the company of a whore that he kept at merton , was slaine by clito the kinsman of the late king called sigebert . in the county of fermanah in ireland is a famous meere called logh-erne , stretching out fourty miles : concerning which it's a common speech amongst the inhabitants , that this lake was formerly firme ground , passing well husbanded with tillage , and replenished with inhabitants : but suddenly for their abominable buggery committed with beasts , it was overflowed with waters , and turned into a lake . camb. brit. irel. p. . attalus who was one of philip king of macedonia's courtiers & favourites , sodomitically defiled one pausanias , a noble young man , and not content therewith , at a drunken feast he exposed him to be defiled by his guests also . this indignity did so exasperate pausanias , that he complained to king philip of the wrong ; who entertained him with scoffs , and scornes in stead of punishing the offender : pausanias seeing this , was so enraged against the king , that on a day when he made a great feast for the coronation of his son alexander king of epyrus , and for the marriage of his daughter cleopatra , pausanius watching his opportunity , slew him , thereby turning their melody into mourning , and their joy into sorrow . diod. sic. nero the emperour kept many catamites , and amongst the rest he caused the genitals of a boy called sporus to be cut off , and endeavoured to transforme him into a woman , and causing him to be dressed like a woman , he was solemnly married to him , whereupon one said merrily : that it had been well for the world , if his father domitian had had such a wife . pez . mel. hist. anno christi . henry the first being king of england , his two sonnes william , and richard , with many noble men , knights , & others coming out of normandy towards england , were shipwracked by the way , and drowned , all or most of them being polluted with the filthy sinne of sodomy , too rife in those dayes , henry huntington . let not thine heart decline to the wayes of an whorish woman , go not a stray in her paths . for she hath cast down many wounded : yea many strong men have been slaine by her . her house is the way to hell , going down to the chambers of death , prov. . , , . chap. xi . examples of chastity , and modesty . the way to heaven is up the hill all the way , and the uncleane adulterer with his rotten lungs , and wasted loines cannot climbe up it . virgins which are not defiled with women , are they which follow the lambe in white whithersoever he goes . the frequency of the sinne of uncleannesse amongst christians , brings dishonour to god , scandal to their profession , and a wound to their own souls , and many of the heathen will rise up in judgement in the last day against such : as these following examples will more fully declare . chastity . commended , mat. . . thes. . . pet. . . cor. . . tim. . . commanded , tit. . . pet. . , &c. scriptural examples , isaac , gen. . . joseph , gen. . , . boaz , ruth . . . job , chap. . . tamar , sam. . . other examples : pericles the athenian being made admiral of the athenian fleet , together with sophocles , who was joyned in the commission with him , as they were going towards the haven , they met a beautiful young boy , whom sophocles earnestly beholding , highly commended his beauty , to whom pericles answered : sophocles , a governour must not onely have his hands , but also his eyes chaste , and clean . plut. agesilaus king of sparta was a great lover of chastity , and as he was a great conquerer of others , so also he conquerred his own lusts : in his journey he would never lodge in private houses where he might have the company of women but ever lodged either in the temples , or in the open fields , making all men the witnesses of his modesty , and chastity . plut. alexander m. being in the heat of youth shewed an admirable example of chastity , when having taken the mother , wives , and daughters of darius , which were women of admirable beauty , yet he neither by word or deed proffered them the least indignity , thinking it a greater honour to overcome himself , then his adversaries : and when he looked upon other captive ladies that excelled in stature , and beauty , he merrily said . persides oculorum dolores esse : that the persian women were a disease of the eyes : and yet he looked on them but on so many statues : and understanding that two of his captaines under parmenio had ravished two of the persian wives , he wrote to him to enquire after the matter , and if he found it true , that he should cut of their heads , as of beasts borne for the hurt of mankinde : he also wrote him word that he himself was so farre from contemplating the beauty of darius's wife , that he would not so much as suffer her to be commended in his presence : and that he was so careful of their chastity that they lived in his camp , shut up in their tent , as if they had been in a temple . plut. appius claudius , one of the decemviri of rome , seeking to ravish a virgin that was daughter to virginius ; her father to preserve her chastity , slew her , and complaining to the souldiers , whereupon that forme of government was abolished . eutropius . pub. scipio africanus warring in spain took new carthage by storme , at which time a beautiful and noble virgin fled to him for succour to preserve her chastity : he being but twenty four years old , and so in the heat of youth , hearing of it , would not suffer her to come into his sight for fear of a temptation , but caused her to be restored in safety to her father . aure victor . amongst the lacedaemonians when any maid was to be married , she was laid in the dark ; and the groom , being neither drunk nor finelier apparrelled then ordinary , after his moderate supper , secretly went to the place where she lay , and having untied her girdle , and stayed a while with her , stole away to the place where he used to lie amongst other young men , and thus he continued , and onely sometimes met with his wife in private , till he had a childe by her , after which they boldly met together in the day-time : this was a means to preserve chastity , and modesty amongst them plut. cassander sending some to murther olympias the mother of alexander m. she met them with an unappaled countenance , and without once changing colour , received the sword into her bosome , and finding death to approach , she sat down , and covering her feet with her haire , and her garments , she took care that nothing unseemly should appear about her body after death . diod. sic. aurelian an heathen emperour was so careful to preserve the chastity of women , that one of his souldiers being found guilty of lying with his hostesse , he commanded that the heads of two young trees should be bowed down ▪ and the souldiers legs tied thereto , which being suddenly let go , tore him into two peeces . emme the mother to king edward the confessour , being charged for incontinency with aldwin bishop of winchester , to clear her self from that imputation , being hoodwinked , went barefoot over nine-coulters red hot in winchester church withoutany harme ( an usual kinde of trial in those dayes then called ordalium ) making her chastity by so great a miracle famous to posterity . cam. brit. p. . in the time when the barbarous and bloody danes raged here in england , they coming to coldingham , a nunnery on the hither part of scotland : ebba the prioresse , with the rest of the nunnes cut off their own noses , and lips , choosing rather to preserve their virginity from the danes , then their beauty , and favour : and yet for all that the danes burnt their monastery , and them with all in it . cam. brit. scot. p. . our henry the sixth was so chaste a prince , that when certain ladies presented themselves before him in a maske with their haire loose , and their breasts uncovered ( he being then at mans estate , and unmaried ) immediately rose up and departed the presence , saying , fie , fie , forsooth , you are much too blame . sp. chron. for this is the will of god , even your sanctification , that ye should abstain from fornication : that every one of you should know how to possesse his vessel in sanctification , and honour . thes. . , . chap. xii . examples of charity . as husbandmen cast some of their corne back into a fruitful soile , whereby in due time they receive it back again with increase : so should we do with worldly blessings , sowe them in the bowels , and on the backs of poor members of christ , and in the day of harvest we shall finde great increase : such laying out , is a laying up our treasure in heaven . hereby we make to our selves friends of the mammon of unrighteousnesse ; and though for the present it seem like bread cast upon the waters ; yet solomon assures us , that after many dayes we shall finde it again , eccses . . . for we make god our debtour , who is a sure paymaster , prov. . . charity justifieth our faith , as faith doth our persons , james . , &c. but yet we must look to our affections and ends in giving , we must not draw forth our sheaves onely , but our souls also , esay . . but on the contrary , miserly muck-wormes are like the muckhill , that never doth good till it be carried out : like the earthen box , that hath one chink to receive , but never a one to let out ; and so doth no good till it be broken . or like the fat hog , that yields no profit till he comes to the knife . but that we may be the more quickened to that lovely grace of charity , observe these texts and examples following . directed , mat. . , &c. cor. . , &c. rom. . . cor. . . commanded , luk. . . & . . mica . . . zach. . . tim. . . luk. . . john . . luke . . lev. . . nehem. . . rom. . . heb. , . commended , luk. . . cor. . , &c. psal. . . mat. . . psal. . . phil. . . tim. . . it must be with compassion , job . . isa. . . col. . . heartily , cor. . . considerately , psal. . . & . . willingly , tim. . . chearfully , rom , . cor. . . liberally , cor. . . psal. . . prov. . . & . . eccles. . , , . luk. . . seasonably , prov. . , . impartially , prov. . , . rom. . . not grudgingly , deut. . . pet. . . prov. . . scriptural examples : christians , act. . . & . . women , luk. . . the poor widow , mar. . . dorcas , act. . . paul , act. . . cornelius , act. . . job , chap. . , . barnabas , act. . , . zacheus , luk. . . phebe , rom. . . hebrews , chap. . . philemon , verse , . the virtuous woman , prov. . . obadia , king. . . onesiphorus , tim. . . saint augustine was of so charirable a disposition , that wanting of his own wherewith to do it , he caused the ornaments of the church to be sold , and imployed the money for the redeeming of captives , and maintaining the poore . possid . in vit . aug. chap. . francis russel , second earle of bedford of that sirname , was so bountiful to the poore , that queen elizabeth would merrily complaine of him , that he made all the beggars : and sure it 's more honourable for noblemen to make beggars by their liberality , then by their oppression . holy state. p. . holy mr. bradford in a hard time solde his chaines , rings , and jewels to relieve those that were in want . act. & mon. george wisehart a scottish martyr , forbore one meal in three one day in four , that he might have wherewithal to relieve the poor . he lay also hard upon straw , with new course canvas sheets , which when ever he changed , he gave away to the poor . see his life in my general martyrology . giles of bruxels martyr , gave to the poore all that he had , that necessity could spare , and lived by his trade , which was of a cutler : some he refreshed with meat , some with clothing , some with shooes , other with housholdstuffe . a poor woman being delivered , and wanting a bed to lie on , he brought her his own bed , contenting himselfe to lie on the straw . dr. taylour martyr , used at least once in a fourtnight to call upon sir henry doile and others of the rich clothiers in his parish , to go with him to the almes house , and there to see how the poore lived , what they lacked , in meat , drink , apparel , bedding , or other necessaries , ministering to them himself according to his power , and causing his rich neighbours to do the like . see his life in my first part. cimon , a chiefe magistate amongst the athenians , went alwayes attended with many young men that were his friends : to whom as he met with any poor men , he commanded either to give them money , or else to change garments with them : whence gorgias leontinus used to say , that cimon so possessed his riches , as one that knew how to use them : for , saith he , the true use of riches is , so to imploy them , as may be for the owners honour . plut. he used also to entertain the poore at his table , to cloath poor aged persons , and by throwing down the enclosures of his lands , he gave them leave freely to take of the fruits thereof . plut. nerva the romane emperour , though a heathen , was very charitable : to many who were unjustly dispossessed by domitian , he restored their goods , and possessions : he caused the sonnes of poor men to be educated at his charges : to poor citizens whom he knew to be in want , he gave possessions which he purchased with his own money . dion . king henry the second of england , sirnamed beauclerk , was very charitable , and merciful to the poor and anno christi . in a great dearth in his countreys of anjou , and maine , he fed every day with sufficient sustenance ten thousand persons from the beginning of april till the time that new corne was inned : and whatsoever was laid up in his granaries , and storehouses , he imployed the same for the reliefe of religious , and poore people . petrus blesensis . king edward the sixth was as truly charitable in granting bridewel for the punishment of sturdy rogues , as in giving saint thomas hospital for the relief of the poore . mr. fox never denied to give to any one that asked for jesus sake : and being asked whether he knew a poore man that had received succour of him , answered , i remember him well ; i tell you i forget lords and ladies to remember such . see his life in my first part. mr. hooper bishop of worcester used every day at dinner , to have a certaine number of the poore of the city by course , where they were served by four at a messe , with whole , and wholesome meat , before himselfe would go to dinner . see his life in my first part. amedeus duke of savoy , being asked by certain ambassadours , whether he had any hunting dogs to shew them , told them , they should see them the next day : and getting together many poor people , he set them with him at his own table on the morrow ; and said to the ambassadours , these be the dogs that i keep daily , and with which i use to hunt after heaven . queen anne bullen ever used to carry a little purse about her for the poore : thinking no day well spent , wherein some had not fared the better at her hand . she kept her maides , and such as were about her , so imployed in working , and sowing garments for the poore , that neither was there seen any idlenesse amongst them , nor any leasure to follow foolish pastimes . paulinus bishop of nola , having consumed all his estate in redeeming of poor christian captives ; at the length having nothing left , pa●●ed himself for a certaine christian widows sonn●… the barbarians ( moved with his goodnesse , and charity ) returned him home , and many captives with him freely . paul. diac. the young lord harrington gave the tenth of his allowance ( which was one thousand pounds per annum , during his minority ) to the poor , and other good uses ; besides what he gave in the way as he walked , which was often , and much . see his life in my second part. mr , whateley , the late painful and powerful preacher of gods word at banbury , for the space of many years together , set apart the tenth part of his revenues , both ecclesiastical and temporal , which he used to give to the poor . see his life in my first part. it it storied of stephen king of hungary , and of oswald king of england , that their right hands , though dead , yet never putrified , because they were often ex-excised in relieving the wants of the poor , beda , hist. ang. a certain good bishop of millaine journeying with his servant , was met by some poor people , who begged something of him . he commanded his man to give them all that little money that he had , which was three crowns ; the servant gave onely two , reserving the other for their own expences at night : soone after , certaine nobles meeting the bishop , and knowing him to be a good man , and bountiful to the poor , commanded two hundred crowns to be delivered to the bishops servant for his masters use ; the man having the money , ran with great joy , and told his master : ah , said the bishop , what wrong hast thou done both me and thy self ? si enim tres dedisses , trecentos accepisses ; if thou hadst given those three crowns , as i appointed thee ; thou hadst received three hundred , ●●lanc . apud job . manlium in loc . com . p. . our general norris never thought that he had that thing that he did not give . the emperour tiberius the second being a valiant , godly , and liberal prince , the more bountiful that he was to the poor , the more his riches encreased ; so that he had such quantities of gold , silver , and precious things , as none of his predecessors attained the like . plat. titus vespasianus , though an heathen , yet was eminent , for justice , liberality , and the love of all ; he was a great enemy to promoters , petty-foggers , and extorters of penal laws , which canker-worms of common-wealths and caterpillars of courts of justice he caused to be whipped and banished out of rome . merciful he was to the poor , and so ready to do them good , that one day being spent by him without any notable action , in sorrow he said , perdidimus diem , i have quite lost a day . whilest king edward the third besieged callis , when victuals in the town began to fail , the citizens put forth all unuseful persons , as old men , women , and children : and the merciful king turned not them back again , as he might have done , the sooner to consume the enemies store ; but suffered them to passe through his army , gave them victuals to eate , and to every one of them two pence apeece in money . dan. chron. p. , when thou doest thine almes , do not sound a trumpet before thee , as the hypocrites do in the synagogues , and streets , that they may have glory of men . verily i say unto you , they have their reward . but when thou doest almes , let not thy left band know what thy right hand doth ; that thine almes may b● in s●●ret , and thy father which seeth in secret , himself shall reward thee openly , matth. . , , , est modus in dando , quis , quid , cui , quomodo , quando . chap. xiii . examples of liberality , bounty , munificence . commanded , deut. . . commended , cor. . . cor. . . prov. . . isa. . . cor. . . scriptural examples . king of sodom , gen. . . rebecca , gen. . , . jacob , gen. . . israelites , exod. . . david , sam. . . sam. . . . solomon , king. . . barzillai , sam. . . . queen of sheba , king. . . princes of ephraim , chron. . ● . cyrus , ezr. . . and . , &c. chief fathers : ezr. . . artaxerxes , ezr. . , . nehemiah , neh. . . and . . job , ch. . , . and . , . zacheus , luke . , . other examples : themistocles being banished athens , was forced to flie to his mortal enemy artaxerxes king of persia , who yet received him favourably , knowing his great worth ; and within a few dayes after his coming , bestowed two hundred talents upon him , saying , i formerly promised two hundred talents to any one that would bring me themistocles either alive or dead , and now because thou hast brought him to me thy selfe , it is but equal that thou shouldest receive the promised reward . plut. artaxerxes mnemon king of persia going his progresse , the people used to present him with several gifts in the way , and amongst the rest a country man having nothing else to present him with , ran to the river , and taking up his hands full of water , presented him with that : artaxerxes was so taken herewith , that he gave the fellow a golden platter , and a thousand pieces of gold besides . plut. alexander m. was of such a bountiful disposition , that it was a greater trouble to him not to be asked then to give . he wrote to phocion that he would make use of his friendship no more , is he refused his gifts : serapion a young man that used to play at ball with him , received nothing , because he asked nothing ; whereupon the next time he threw the ball to all but alexander : the king marvelling at it asked him , why he threw not the ball to him ? forsooth , saith serapion , because you asked it not : alexander laughing at the jest , sent him a liberal gift . his mother olympias often reproved him , because he gave away such great riches amongst his friends : q. curtius . when alexander m was a boy , he took both his handfulls of perfumes , and cast them into the fire when he was offering sacrifice , whereupon leonidas his schoolmaster said to him , o alexander when thou hast conquered those countreys where these odours grow , then thou mayest be so liberal ; but in the mean time be more sparing : afterwards when he had conquered arabia foelix , he sent to leonidas an hundred talents of myrrhe , and five hundred of frankincense , bidding him hereafter to be more liberall in his service to the gods . q. cur. alexander m. having overcome darius , he marched to persepolis , and when he came neer to it , there met him a miserable company of neere four thousand captive greeks , wofully mangled by the persians , some having their legs cut off , some their hands , some their eares , and all branded with some letters : they seemed rather carcases then men , so that this wofull object drew teares from all his army , and from alexander himself ; but to comfort them in their misery , he gave to each of them three thousand pence , or three hundred crownes , ten change of garments , with corn , cattel , and land to build , and plant upon . q. cur. alexander m. going to conquer a kingdome in india , taxilis king thereof came and met him , saying , o alexander , what need we fight , if thou comest not to take away our food , and water , for which it's only fit for wise men to fight ? if thou comest for riches , if i have more then thou , i will give thee part of mine ; if thou hast more then i , i will not refuse to receive part of thine . alexander being much taken with this speech , said to him , go to , i will contend with thee in bounty , and so they mutually gave and received many gifts ; at last alexander gave him a thousand talents , which grieved his friends , and pleased the barbarians very much . plut. one craving a small courtesie of alexander the great , he gave him an whole city , and when the poor man said that it was too much for him to receive , yea ( said alexander ) but not for me to give : so god gives liberally like himself . he that sowes sparingly , shall reap sparingly , and he that sowes bountifully shall reap bountifully , cor. . . chap. xiv . examples of covetousnesse , and avarice . forbidden by god , exod. . . rom. . . luke . . ephes. . . col. . . heb. . . tim. . . complained of by god , mic. . . tim. . . pet. . . jer. . . & . . & . . ezek. . . rom. . . eccles. . , . prayed against , psal. . . it 's the root of all evil , tim. . . threatened , hab. . . cor. . . ephes. . . col. . , . pet. . . isa. . . jer. . . amos . , &c. psal. . . cor. . . covetous persons are deceivers , amos . . prov. . . murtherers , prov. . . can never be satisfied , eccles. . . prov. . . eccles. . . prov. . . & . . trouble their own house , prov. . . and themselves , eccles. . . are very fooles , eccles. . , . & . . psalme . . desire their own hurt , eccles. . , . prov. . . it comes from the heart . mark. . . scriptural examples , achan , jos. . , &c. gehazi , king. . , &c. ahab , king. . ▪ &c. ananias , and saphira , act. . , &c. balaam , numb . . . pet. . . demas , tim. . . demetrius , act. . , . felix , act. . . samuels sonne● , sam. . . judas , joh. . . mat. . . laban , gen. . . the master of the maide , act. . . the jewes , jer. . . & . . the young man , mat. . . the pharisees , luke . . nabal , sam. . . the rich man , luke . , &c. see some examples of the danger of covetousnesse in my first part of the marrow of eccles. history . julius caesar was of such a covetous disposition , that making warre in spaine he picked quarrels with divers rich cities that he might plunder them : he brake also into the temples of the gods , and robbed them of their rich gifts which had been bestowed upon them . in his first consulship he robbed the capitol of three thousand pound weight of gold . in his own , and pompey's name he took six thousand talents from ptolemy king of egypt . theat . vitae hum . tiberius caesar was so overcome by covetousnesse , that when cn. lentulus , a worthy senatour , had in his will declared him to be his heire ; he sent , and killed him , that so he might have present possession of his goods . also when vonorais king of parthia , being expelled out of his kingdome , fled to him for refuge , he seeing that he had brought a mighty masse of treasure with him , killed him , that so he might enjoy his riches . theat . vitae hum . c. caligula the emperour having by profusenesse , and prodigality wasted the treasure of the empire , fell afterwards to sordid covetousnesse , and rapine : whereupon he forced many rich men to make tbeir wills , and therein to declare him to be their heir , and presently after used to poison them , scoffing at them , and saying , that when men had once made their wills , it was fit they should die : having by a tribute raised a mighty masse of money stripping himself naked , he rolled himself upon it , seeking thereby to satisfie his thirst after gold . he sold also the servants , and houshold-stuffe , jewels , and ornaments of his sisters , taking the price of them to himself . theat . vitae hum . nero that monster of men , when by his profusenesse , and luxury , he had wasted the imperial treasures , fell to such covetousnesse that he imposed new tributes on his subjects : injuriously seized upon many rich mens estates , and often put the owners to death : robbed many temples , and took away the gold , and silver images . theat . vitae hum . sergius galba , to satisfie his covetousnesse , imposed great fines upon divers cities in spaine , and france : took away from the image of jupiter a crown of gold that weighed fifteen pound weight : and having a plentiful supper set before him , he sighed at the consideration of the cost . theat . vitae hum . vespasian , though he be reckoned amongst the good emperours : yet he was extreame covetous : being blamed by his friends for sending such oppressive officers into the romane provinces : he answered , that he used them but as spunges to squeese them when they were full . he imposed a taxe upon every family according to the quantity of urine that was made in it , which his son titus being offended at , and blaming him for it , as dishonourable to so great an emperour : he answered him little for the present , but a while after when his publicans had brought in the tribute , he called his son titus , and bad him smell what ill savour that gold had : titus smelling , told him that he found no ill savour in it : his father laughing told him that it was urine , and withal added , dulcis odor lucri , ex re ●ualibet : the smell of gaine is sweet out of any thing : yea from the principle of covetousnesse he would publickly do such businesse , as a private man would be ashamed of . didius julianus the emperour was so extreamly covetous , that he made himself hateful to the people , and being forsaken of all men , was at last slaine in his palace . guido bitur . constans tertius the emperour going to rome , spoiled all places both holy , and prophane , carrying away more of the riches , & ornaments of the city , then all the barbarous nations that had formerly plundered it : he also grievously oppressed his subjects , especially the inhabitants of sicily , whereby many parents were forced to sell their own children , which made him so hateful to all , that his own souldiers rose up against him , and slew him . fulgosus , lib. . c. . cardinal angelot was so basely covetous , that by a private way he used to go into the stable , and steale the oats from his horses : so that on a time the master of his horse going into the stable in the dark , and finding him there , taking him for a thief , beat him soundly : he was also so hard towards his servants , that his chamberlaine watching his opportunity , slew him . pontanus , lib. de prin. a certain young man in lacedaemon having bought an house and land at a very under rate : the magistrates hearing of it , sent for him , and fined him , for that he being a yound man had shewed so much covetousnesse , seeking to inrich himself by the losse of another . aelian . lib. . semiramis caused to be ingraven upon her sepulchre : what king soever shall want money , let him open this sepulchre , and he shall finde as much as he needs : darius long after finding this inscription , brake open the sepulchre , but instead of money , he only found this inscription within : except thou wert a wicked man , and basely covetous , thou wouldest never have broken open the sepulchres of the dead . stobaeus . anno christi . reginherus bishop of misnia being at goslaria , after dinner went into his chamber where he had hid his treasures ( being an extream covetous man ) and shut himself in as if he would take a little sleep , but his servants thinking him long , first knocked at the doore , and afterwards brake it open , and found him dead with his neck broken , and his body of an ugly colour , lying in a miserable manner upon his money . lamb. scaffnaburgensis . caratacus , a prince of the britaine 's being taken prisoner , and carried to rome , when he had throughly viewed the stately magnificence of that city : what mean you ( saith he ) when you have these and such like buildings of your own , to covet our small cottages ? camb. brit. p. . the spaniards in the conquest of peru , told atabalipa the king thereof , that they were sent from an emperour ( unto whom the pope had given all that land ) to convert them to the christian faith : whereunto atabalipa answered , that he would gladly be friends with the emperour , because he was so great a monarch , but in no case with the pope , because he gave to another that which was none of his own . pur. pilgrims . vol. . p. . thira a dane , wife to godwin earle of kent , used to make merchandise of englands beateous virgins , by selling them at a deare rate into denmark , seeking thereby to satisfie her own covetousnesse , and the danes lusts : which practice she continued till a just reward of gods wrath fell upon her , by a thunderbolt from heaven whereby she was slaine . speed. nigh unto the city of lunenberg in germany there flowed plentifully a salt spring , till such time as the rich men ingrossing all the profit to themselves , would not suffer the poor to make any profit thereof : whereupon ( god being offended at their covetousnesse ) dried up the spring , so that it ran not for a time ; yet afterwards upon the re-admission of the poor to be sharers in it , it ran again as before . mori●ons travels . ch . . part . . pag. . in the yeere . there hapening a great famine in leyden , a poor women went to her own sister that was very rich to borrow a loaf of bread ▪ to keep her and her children from starving : her sister denied that she had any in the house : she insisted that she had , whereupon her rich sister fell a swearing , and cursing , praying god that if she had any it might be turned into stone , which god miraculously effected to the confusion of this mercilesse and perjured woman : one of these loaves turned into stone is kept in an iron grate in saint pancratius church in the same city of leyden . belg. com. wealth . p . a begging philosopher asking a groat of a certaine king : the king told him that it was too little for him to give ; then give me a talent ( quoth the other , ) nay ( said the king , ) that 's too much for a beggar to receive . but god in giving spiritual mercies regards not what is fit for us to ask , or expect , but what stands with his greatnesse , and goodnesse to bestow . anno christi . at rye in sussex there was a strange example of gods judgement upon a covetous gentleman , who living neere the sea had a marsh wherein upon poles fishermen used to drie their nets , for which he received of them yearly a sufficient sum of money : but at length being not content with it , he caused his servants to pluck up the poles , not suffering the fishermen to come upon his ground any longer , except they would compound at a larger rate : but it came to passe the same night , that the sea breaking in , overwhelmed all his marsh , which so continueth till this day , saith my author . hollin . anno christi . there was a certain bishop called hanno , that dwelt between mentz , and cullen , who , in the time of a great famine , having store of corne , and graine , refused to help the poor who cried unto him for reliefe , desiring , and wishing rather that his corne might be eaten up with mice and rats : whereupon god in justice sent an army of rats and mice to assault him : to avoide which he built a place in the middest of the river of rhine ( which to this day is called rats tower ) wherein to secure himself : but all was in vaine ; for the rats and mice swam through the river to him in great abundance , by whom he was devoured . act. & mon. q. cecilius , a senatour of rome , though he lost much in the civil warre , yet when he died , he left four thousand one hundred and sixteen bondmen : three thousand six hundred yoke of oxen : two hundred fifty seven thousand head of other cattel , and almost nine millions of treasure , and yet was so basely covetous , that by his will he commanded onely eleven sesterties to be bestowed on his funeral . plin. l. . c. . take heed and beware of covetousnesse : for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth , luke . . chap. xv. examples of gods judgements for sacriledge . condemned , and threatened , mal. . , . rom. . . hag. . and . . pro. . . and . , . such as sinned thus ignorantly were to bring their trespasse-offerring , levit. . , . such as eat holy things through simplicity , levit. . . or would change them , levit. . , . ezek. . . scripturall examples : achan , joshua . , &c. asa , chron. . j●h●●sh took of the hollowed things , and sent them to hazael : his servants slew him , king. . shishak took the treasures out of the house of the lord : himself with all his posterity was ruined , . king. . with jerem. . and hag. . . belshazzar carousing in the holy vessels , &c. dan. . ananias and sapphira . act. . when xerxes came with his huge army into greece , he sent a part of it to delphos , to setch away the treasure from the temple there , but by the way they were encountred with thunder , lightning , and such tempests of winde and raine , that very many of them were slaine with it ; two great pieces also of parnassus being torne up by the tempest , were tumbled down with a great noise upon the rest , which crushed them to pieces , so that few of them which went about that sacrilegious action , escaped with there lives . pez . mel. hist. the phocians in greece having robbed the temple of apollo at delphos , the other grecians raised an army to revenge that sacriledge , and in a great battell the phocians were overthrown , many of them slain , & philomilus their general forced to cast himself down from a high rocks , whereby he brake his neck . yet afterwards chusing one onomarchus for their general , they renewed the wars again , and in a great battel which they fought against philip , king of macedonia , they were again beaten , and had six thousand slaine , and three thousand taken prisoners , all which , as sacrilegious persons king philip caused to be thrust through with darts . diod. sic. this sacred warre , as they called it , continued nineteen years , which at last was ended by king philip , and the judgement of the whole businesse was referred to the court of the amphyctions , which was a general court made up of all the provinces in greece : this court adjudged the walls of all the phocians cities to be thrown down : that they should pay yearly out of the fruits of their fields sixty talents : that they should never after have any thing to do , either in apollo's temple , or be members of the court of the amphictyons , that they should neither use horses , nor armor , till they had payed back all the money that they had stollen from delphos : and that they should be branded with infamy as most wicked persons , which had any hand in that sacrilegious theft . justin. diodorus . sic. sets down divers other judgments which befell them for their sacriledge , all their generals one after another perished by untimely deaths , their souldiers were sooner or later all of them devoured by the sword , yea the princes wives that had taken gold chaines out of the temple , had several judgments befell them . antiochus m. being overcome by the romanes , and driven out of asia minor , went to babylon , and there intending to rob the temple of bell , or belus , which was full of riches , he was slaine in a tumult by the common people . sirabo . qu. caepio , a romane consul , besieging the city of tholouse in france , at length took it by storme , and the souldiers finding the temples very rich , took out all the gold and silver out of them : but of all those that committed this sacriledge , there was not one that escaped , but came to a miserable end . cor. tacitus . the phocians who were the keepers of apollo's temple at delphos , being straightned for want of mony in a time of warer , despoiled the temple of the riches which had been bestowed upon it . all men hated , and cried out of this sacriledge ▪ but none went about to revenge it , save philip king of macedon , who at this time was weak and scarce taken notice of in the world : when they came to the battel , the phocians were easily overthrown , and philip carried away a glorious victory whereby he laid the foundations of that greatnesse , which himselfe and his sonne alexander afterwards attained . lipsius . this is somewhat larger before . william the conquerer took away land both from god and men , to dedicate the same to wild beasts , and dogs game ; for in the space of thirty miles in compasse he threw down thirty six mother-churches , and drave all the people thereto belonging quire away , which place is now called the new forrest in hantshire : but gods just judgement not long after followed this sacrilegious act of the king ; for richard his second sonne , as he was hunting in this forrest , was blasted with a pestilent aire whereof he died : william rufus , another of his sonnes , as he was hunting in it , was by chance shot through , and slaine with an arrow by walter tirrel : likewise henry his grand-childe by robert his eldest sonne , whil'st he hotly pursued his game in this chase , was hanged amongst the boughs , and so died . camb. brit. p. . see in my general martirolygie , p. , . gods judgement on antiochus epiphanes for his sacriledge amongst his other sinnes . myconius a godly divine , being sent over into england , by the germane princes in king henry the eights dayes , when he saw him seize upon , and sell the abbey-lands , abhorring such sacriledge he returned home , and would have no hand in making peace with so wicked a prince . calvin , when he saw the senate of geneva imploying part of the revenues belonging formerly to the monasteries to civil uses , told them in his sermon , that he could not endure such sacriledge , which he knew god in the end would punish most severely : what then will become of our late purchasers of the church-revenues , which were given to a sacred , not to a superstitious use , as the former ? and what will become of those that yet think the church not bare enough , till they have stripped her of all her revenues ? lodwick count of oeting , sending for andreas an eminent divine , to assist him in reforming his churches , when andreas went to take leave of his own prince , christopher of wittenberg , he charged him , and gave it him in writing that if count lodwick set upon the reformation , that under pretence of religion he might rob the church & by seizing upon the revenues of the monasteries , turn them to his own use , that he should presently leave him as a sacrilegious person , and come back again . thou that abhorrest idols , committest thou sacriledge ? rom. . . will a man rob god ? yet ye have robbed me . but ye say , wherein have we robbed thee ? in tithes , and in offerings . ye are accursed with a curse , &c. mal. . , . chap. xvi . examples of pride , and arrogance , ambition , and vain-glory many men when they grow great in the world , are so puft up with pride , that they scarce know themselves ; which is , as if the silly ant the higher that she gets upon her hill , the bigger she should conceit her selfe to be : it is the devils last stratagem , if he cannot beat us down to sinne , he will labour to blow us up with pride ; and yet there is nothing that the lord doth more hate , for he beholds the proud afar off , as if he were not fit to be touched with a paire of tongs : besides , men by pride do but hasten their own ruine , — tolluntur in altum ut lapsu graviore ruant — solomon assuring us , that pride goeth before destruction , and an high minde before a fall : as these examples following will further manifest . forbidden by god , gal. . . phil. . . dan. . . mark . . tim. . . joh. . . the evils of it , job . . . psal. . , . and . . and . . prov. . . and . . and . . and . . and . . and . . threatened by god , levit. . . isa. . . and . &c. and . , . and . . and . , . jer. . . and . . ezek. . . zeph. . . and . . zach. . . and . . and . . mourned for , chron. . . ier. . . prayed against , psal. . . and . . complained of , jer. . . ezek. . . ezek. . , . dan. . . hos. . . obad. . scriptural examples : eve , gen. . . hezekiah , esa. . . baruch , ier. . . christs deciples , mark. . . the lapsed angels , iud. . babylon , ier. . , . senacharib . esa. . , &c. abimeleck , absalom , adoniah , athaliah , for their ambition were slaine . belshazzer , dan. . . &c. babilon , esa. . . nimrod , gen. . . balaam , numb . . , &c. nabal , sam. . . oreb , &c. psal. . . the two captaines , . kings . , . edom , ier , . , . obad. . hagar , gen. . haman , est. . , &c. herod , acts . . israel , esa . , &c. rabshakeh , kings . , &c. rehoboam , kings . . tyrus , ezek. . , &c. korah , numb . . . nebuchadnezzer , dan. . . and . . the pharisee , luke . . &c. zebedees sonnes , mat. . . other examples , sethos king of egypt , growing mighty , grew so proud withal that he made his tributary kings to draw his chariot by turnes : till ( on a time ) he espied one of the kings to look earnestly on the wheel , and demanding the reason thereof , was answered by him , that with much comfort he beheld the lowest spokes turn uppermost by course : whereupon ( apprehending the moral ) he left off that proud and barbarous custome . isac . chron. p. . maximus dying the last day of his consulship , caninius petitioned caesar for that part of the day that remained , that he might be consull , which made tully jeer him , saying , o vigilant consull , who never sawest sleep all the time of thy office . pharaoh ophra called also apryes , used to boast that he cared not either for god or man , that should seek to take away his kingdome , but not long after he was taken by amasis his own officer , and strangled . herod . caesar borgia , emulating and imitating iulius caesar , used to say , aut caesar , aut nullus : but not long after he was slaine in the kingdome of navarre . alexander the great , was so puffed up with his victories , that he would needs be accounted the sonne of iupiter hammon , and be worshiped for a god , which calisthenes the philosopher , a special friend of his , speaking against , he could never endure him afterwards , and at last caused him to be slaine . val. max. menecrates the physician , because he had cured some dangerous , and desperate diseases , assumed to himselfe the name of iupiter , the chiefest of the gods . aelian , lib. . empedocles the philosopher , having cured one of a dangerous disease , and seeing that the people almost deified him for the same : that he might seem immortal , and translated into the number of the gods , leaped into the burning mountaine of aetna . fulgos. lib. . c. . cyrus the first king of the persians suffered himself to be worshipped with divine honours . alex. ab alex. l. . antiochus king of syria would needs be called god , and have divine worship given unto him . ibidem . caligula the emperour commanded that he should be worshipped as a god : caused a temple to be erected for him : built his house in the capitol , that so he might dwell with iupiter : but being angry that iupiter was preferred before him , he afterwards erected a temple in his palace , and would have had the statue of iupiter olympius in his forme translated thither . but the ship that should have fetched it , was broken in pieces with a thunder-bolt : he used to sit in the midst of the images of the gods , and caused the most costly fowles ; and birds to be sacrificed to him : he had also certaine instruments made , whereby he imitated the thunder , and lightening : and when it thundred indeed , he used to cast stones towards heaven , saying , either thou shalt kill me , or i will kill thee : he caused the heads of most of the idols in rome to be broken off , and his own to be set in their roomes : sometimes he would sit with a golden beard , and a thunder-bolt in his hand , like iupiter : other sometimes with a trident , like neptune : he invited the moon like a woman to come , and lie with him , and boasted that he had got her virginity , for which victory he caused himselfe to be crowned . he also threatened to banish iupiter out of the city , for that by raine he had hindred his pastime . fulgos. l. . c. . domitian the emperour boasted that he had given the empire both to his father , and brother , and that they did but restore his own to him again . he commanded that in all writings he should be stiled a god , and that all the images that were made for him should be made of gold , or silver at the least , which must also be placed in the capitol amongst the gods . ravisius . heliog ab alus the emperour would needs be accounted a god , sometimes he would be drawn in his chariot with lions , sometimes with tygres , and then he would be called bacchus . being angry with the senatours , he drove them all out of the city , and called them his gowned servants . fulg. l. . c. , commodus the emperour commanded divine worship to be given him calling himselfe the golden hercules , and caused his statues to be made in the habit of hercules : he cut off also the head of the colossus , causing his own head to be set upon it , and a club to be put into his hand , and a brazen lion at his feet that so he might be like to hercules . theat . vi . hum . dioclesian also caused himself to be called god . idem . sapor king of persia , writing to constantine the great , stiled himself , brother to the sun , and moon , and partner with the starres . anitus was the first amongst the athenians , that by heaping up riches , ambitiously bribed the people to choose him a magistrate . alex. ab alex. l. . c. . abimeleck made way for his government by murthering the seventy sonnes of gideon . iud. . tryphon to make way for his coming to the kingdome , murthered his master , the young antiochus , as he was walking with him , mac. . for this herod murthered the babes of bethlehem . archelaus king of macedon had a concubine called cratevas who out of an ambitious desire after the kingdome slew archelaus , but within three or four dayes after her selfe was slaine aelian : l. . phraates sonne to orodes king of parthia , to make way for his own coming to the crown , slew his father , and all his brethren . theat . vitae hum . tarquinius superbus , inflamed with an ambitious desire of rule , suborned some souldiers to murther his father in law servius tullius , a brave , and valiant king of the romans , and afterwards assumed the government and kingdome , into his own hands . plinius . ambition caused romulus to murther his own brother remus . this set caesar , and pompey together by the ears : non vult caesárve priorem , pompeiúsve parem ! lucan . tiberius caesar , fearing to be deprived of the empire , caused many to be put to death , especially such as excelled in estate , and vertues . dion . but examples of this kinde are innumerable . alexander when he was returning out of india , caused huge armour , both for horses , and men to be made , and left there that so after-ages might think that in every thing he excelled all others . fulg. l. . alexander m. having in his army not above fifty thousand , and darius having a million of men , alexanders captaines advised him to set upon darius by night , that so his men might not be discouraged with the sight of the number of their adversaries : to whom he proudly answered , i scorne to steal a victory : for i mean to conquer by valour , not by subtilty : for a victory gotten by stealth , is dishonourable . q. cur. curius dentatus the romane consul , overthrew the samnites in a great battel , and pursuing them to the sea , took many prisoners , whereupon at his return to rome , he publickly boasted that he had taken so much land as would turne to a waste , wildernesse , if he had not taken so many men to plant it , and that he had taken so many men , as that they would perish of famine , if he had not taken so much land to maintaine them . aur. victor . pompey the great , when he heard that iu. caesar was coming with his army towards rome , boasted in the senate , that if he did but stamp with his foot , he could fill italy with armies ; yet presently after when he heard that caesar had passed the river rubicon , he fled from italy into epyrus . pez mel. hist. agrippina , nero's mother consulting with the southsayers concerning her sonnes fortune , they told her that he should reigne , but that he should murther his mother : whereupon she in the fury of her pride said aloud : and let him kill me so that prove true . nero's life . nero's wife was excessively proud : her mules had bridles , and furnitures of gold , were shod with silver , and sometimes with gold : she kept five hundred female-asses alwayes about her court , in whose milk she often bathed her body ; for the care of her skin was such , that she rather wished death , then the decay thereof . suet. pliny . solon the athenian law-giver said concerning one of his prime citizens , called pisistratus , that if he could but pluck out of his head the worme of ambition , and heale him of his greedy desire to rule , there could not be a man of more vertue then he . plut. themistocles out of an ambitious humour , when he was chosen admiral by the athenians , would dispatch no businesse , till the day whereon he was to depart , that men might take notice of his dispatching so many businesses , and talking with so many persons in so little a time . plut. daemaratus the lacedemonian , being at the king of persia's court , and in favour with him , the king bid him ask what he would of him : daemaratus desired him to give him leave to go up and down the city of sardis with his royal hat on his head , as the kings of persia used . but mithropaustes the kings cozen taking him by the hand , said , if the king should grant thy request , the hat on thy head would cover but a little wit. plut. camillus the romane general , having after ten years siege , taken the strong and rich city of veia , grew very proud upon his successe , and was more puffed up by reason of the praises of the people , so that he rode through rome in a triumphant chariot , drawn by four white horses , which was judged a solemnity only meet for the father , and chief of the gods . plut. some germane ambassadours coming to alexander m. to make peace with him , he seeing them to be men of such great bodies , asked them , what it was that the germanes stood in most fear of ? supposing that they would have said of him : but they answered , that the onely thing that they feared was , lest the heavens should fall upon their heads . diod. sic. darius king of persia hearing that alexander m. was come over into asia with an army to make a conquest of it , wrote to his lieutenants , wherein he stiled himself king of kings , and kinseman to the gods , calling alexander his slave , and commanding them to take that grecian boy , and whip him with rods , and to put a purple garment upon him , and send him in chaines to him , and then to drown all his ships , and mariners , and to transport all his souldiers beyond the red-sea . diod. sic. q. curtius . alexander m. going out of egypt to the temple of jupiter hammon , at his coming thither the priest , being suborned thereunto , saluted him as the son of jupiter , which so puffed him up with pride , that he commanded himself to be worshipped with divine honours , and to be called jupiters son . q. cur. darius king of persia being overcome in a second battel by alexander m. sent ambassadours to him , wherin he gave him thanks for his courtesie to his mother , wives , and children : proffered him the greatest part of his dominions if he would marry his daughter , and one thousand talents for the ransome of the other captives . parmenio told alexander , that if he were alexander he would accept of those termes : and i , said alexander , if i were parmenio , would rather have the money then glory : but now , said he , i am secure from poverty , and must remember that i am a king , and not a merchant : and so he returned this proud answer : tell , faith he , darius , that it 's superfluous to returne thanks to his enemy , and wherein i have dealt mildly , and liberally with his family , it proceeds from my good nature , and not to curry favour with him : i would do what he desires if he would be my inferiour , but not if he would be my equal : for as the world cannot have two suns , neither can it containe two emperors ; therfore let him either yield up himself to me to day , or expect the fortune of warre to morrow . q. cur. plut. see the example of s. tullius in parricide . john cappadox bishop of constantinople ▪ and john sirnamed jeninator , out of their ambition obtained that they should be stiled vniversal bishops , which gregory the great earnestly opposed , theat . vitae hum . julius caesar earnestly affecting the office of high priest , wherein he had quintus catulus , a worthy man for his competitour , said unto his mother when they were going to the choice : o mother , this day you shall have your son either high priest or an exile . plut. pompey the great being sent with a great navy against the pirats , and hearing that metellus praetor of crete had begun the warre against them : he with his navy assisted them against metullus , so ambitious he was , that he would endure no competitour in conquering those pirates . fulgos. lib. . phidias that made a curious shield for minerva , was so ambitiously desirous of glory thereby , that he so wrought in his own name , that it could not be defaced without spoiling the shield . val. max. themistocles was so ambitious of honour , as that he could not sleep in the night : and being asked the reason of it , he answered : because the trophies of miltiades run so in my head , that they will not suffer me to rest . and being asked in the theater whose voice pleased him best ? he answered : of them that most sing my praise . plut. cicero . alexander the great when he was young hearing his master democritus affirming that there were many worlds , cried out , heu me miserum , quod ne uno quidem adhuc potitus sum : wo is me , that have not yet gotten the dominion of one of them . val. max. xerxes having made a bridge of boats over the helespont for the transportation of his huge army out of asia into europe , there arose a great tempest which brake his bridge in sunder , wherewith he was so enraged , that he caused his men to give the sea three hundred stripes , and to throw fetters into it to binde it to its good behaviour : his officers performing his command , cried , o unruly water , thy lord hath appointed thee this punishment , for that thou hast wronged him that deserved it not from thee , but whether thou wilt or no he is resolved to passe over thee . herod . themistocles was exceeding ambitious of popular applause , and for that end he gat all the names of the citizens of athens by heart , that when he met them he might salute them by name : and after his great victories against the persians he went to the oympick games , where all the people gave over beholding the sports that they might look upon him , which so pleased his ambitious humour that he said to his friends , that now he reaped the fruit of all the dangers , and labours that he had gone throw for the safety of greece . also after the great overthrow given to the persians by sea , he , with one of his friends walking by the sea-side , and seeing many dead bodies cast up , he shewed his friend the bracelets , and chaines of gold which they had upon them , saying to him : ea tibi accipe , tu enim non es themistocles : take thou those things , for thou art not themistocles . plut. pericles the athenian a little before his death in an oration which he made to the people , tolde them that he was second to none in knowing , and speaking those things which were necessary to be known , and spoken ; and that he so loved his countrey , that he would never suffer himself to be corrupted with money , to speak or do any thing to the prejudice of it . plut. king henry the second of england , annochristi . in his life-time caused his son [ young henry ] to be crowned king , and on his coronation-day for honours sake placed the first dish upon the table himself : whereupon the arch-bishop of york said pleasantly unto him : be merry ( my best sonne ) for there is not another prince in the whole world which hath such an officer to serve him at the table this day : to whom the young king scornefully answered : why do ye wonder ? my father doth not think that he doth more then what becomes him . for he being a king onely by the mothers side , serveth me who had a king to my father , and a queen to my mother . pol. virgil. the great cham of tartary had wont when he had dined to cause his trumpeters to sound their trumpets before his palace-gates , thereby to give notice to all the kings in the world that now the great cham had dined they might take leave to go to dinner . a poor spanish cobler lying on his death-bed , his eldest sonne came to him for his last blessing : upon whom he laid a special charge , that he should alwayes remember to retain the majesty worthy his family . a spanish cavalier for some faults by him committed was whipped thorow the principal streets of paris : and keeping a sober pace , he was advised by some that pitied him to go faster that he might scape the better : but he halse in choler replied , that he would not alter one step of his pace for all the whipping in paris . a poore woman in spaine attended by three of her brats went a begging from doore to doore : some french merchants travelling that way , out of pitty , proffered to take the bigger of her boyes into their service : but she ( poore and proud ) scorned , as she said , that any of her lineage should endure an apprentiship ; for , for ought that she knew , or they either , her son ( as simple as he stood there ) might live to be king of spaine the spaniard begs in this method : first , he looks about to see whether the coast be clear , before he will utter one suppliant word : then he approaches in a more submisse strain : yet if any one chance to cast an eye that way , he retreats to familiarity : pressing the justnesse of his demands till he obtaines the almes : if it be but a penny or so , he casts it contemptibly into the donors face : but soon after peaceably searches for the money , and when it 's found , prayes for the benefactor . sigismund king of hungary having raised a mighty great army against the turks , when he heard that his enemies approached , in great pride said to his souldiers , what need we fear the turks , who need not fear the falling of the heavens , who with our speares , and halberds are able to hold them up if they should fall ? but thus relying upon the arme of flesh : his great army was presently routed , and himself hardly escaped in a little boat over the river danubius , leaving most of his army to the slaughter , and captivity of the turks . turk . hist. eunomius the heretick proudly boasting that he knew god , and his divinity : basil to convince him of his ignorance , and folly , gravelled him in twenty one questions about the body of a pismire . epist. . ad eunom . philip king of macedonia proudly boasting of his great victory over the grecians at cheronea : archidamus , son to agesilaus , took him wisely down with this cooler : you cannot ( saith he ) see your shadow one jot longer , after this great victory then it was before . look . of the h. war. henry the sixth , the emperour of germany , being tired out by his warres with the pope , at last submitted to be crowned by him : the pope also upon some advantageous conditions to himself assented thereunto : and sitting in his chaire pontifical , he held the crowne of gold between his feet : the emperour kneeling and bowing down his head , received it thereon : but presently the pope with his foot struck it off again to the ground , declaring that he had power to depose him again in case that he offended him . act. & mon. in the beginning of queen maries reigne , doctor pendleton , and master sanders meeting together began to speak of the persecution that was like to ensue , about which master sanders shewed much weaknesse , and many feares ; to whom pendleton said , what man ? there is much more cause for me to fear then for you , forasmuch as i have a bigge , and fat body , yet will i see the utmost drop of this grease of mine molten away , and the last gobbet of this flesh of mine consumed to ashes before i will for sake jesus christ , and his truth which i have professed : yet not long after upon trial , poor , feeble , faint hearted sanders ( by the power and goodnesse of god ) boldly , and stoutly by his ministery confirmed his flock , and sealed the truth with his blood : whereas this proud pendleton played the apostate , and turned papist . act. & mon. a fearful example of gods judgement upon pride in haire . a most loathsome , and horrible disease , bred by luxury , and excesse , seized especially upon women , and by reason of a viscous , venemous humour , glues together the haire of the head , with a prodigious , ugly implication , and intanglement : sometimes taking the forme of a great snake , sometimes of many little serpents , full of nastinesse , vermine , and noysome smell : and that which is most to be admired , and never eye saw before , pricked with a needle , they yield bloody-drops : and at the first spreading of this dreadful disease in poland , all that cut off this horrible , & snaky haire , lost their eyes , or the humour falling down upon other parts of the body tortured them extreamly : it began not many yeeres ago in poland , and afterwards entered into many parts of germany : and me thinks ( saith mine author ) our monstrous fashionists , both males and females : the one for nourishing their horrid bushes of vanity : the other for their most unnatural , and cursed cutting of their haire , should every houre fear and tremble , lest they should bring it upon their own heads , and amongst us in this nation . bolton . examples of such as have sought honour by wickedness . cleopes king of egipt began to build a huge pyramis , but wanting money before he had finished it , and having a beautiful daughter , he prostituted her amongst his workmen , thereby to get money to perfect his great work which he left as a perpetual monument of his wickednesse , and folly . herod . l. . rhodophe , a famous strumpet in egypt , having gotten a vast some of money by her whoredomes ; to get her self a great name , built a pyramis , though lesse then the other , yet of farre more curious workmanship . plut. erostratus a young man , to make himself famous , and to perpetuate his name , set diana's temple at ephesus on fire , which for the stately fabrick was one of the wonders of the world . val. max. lib. . c. . pausanius asking one by what means he might suddenly become famous ? the other answered , if he would kill some famous man : whereupon he presently slew king philip. ibidem . caligula seeing that he could not attaine a great name by his vertue , used often to wish that some notorious judgement might fall out in his time , that thereby his name might be remembered . fulg. lib. . cap. . the wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after god : god is not in all his thoughts , ps. . . chap. xvii . examples of humility . commanded , col. . . pet. . , . jer. . . jam. . . mich. . . king. . . commended , chron. . & . , , . & . . & . mich . . act. . . prov. . . ps. . . lam. . . promises made to it , prov. . . & . luke . , . chron. . . mat. . . & . . job . . . psal. . . & . . & , . & . . & . isa. . . jam. . . lev. . . isa. . . & . . & . . prov. . . contrary complained of , jer. . . dan. . . chr. . . & . . scriptural examples , abram , gen. . . & . . jacob , gen. . . & . . josephs brethren , gen. . . moses , exod. . . & . . & . . numb . . . gideon , jud. . . & . , . reubenites , jos. . , . ruth , ch . . . hannah , sam. . . david , sam. ● . , . & . , . & . . & sam . . & . , . abigail , sam. . . mephibosheth , sam. . . & . . solomon , king. . . ahab , king. . . the captain , king. . . naaman , king. . . hezekiah , king. . . chron. . . josia , king. . . jehosaphat , chron. . . & . . manasseh , chron. . . job , ch . . . & . . isaiah , ch . . . jeremiah , ch . . . & . . esekiel , ch . . . nebuchadnezzar , dan. . . daniel , ch . . , . john baptist , mat. . , . mar. . . christ , isa. . . mat. . . & . . & . . & . . centurion , mat. . luke . . woman , mat. . , . marke . . apostles , mat. . . vir. mary , luke . . elizabeth , luke . , . peter , luk. . . act. . . publican . luk. . paul , act. . . & . . & . . rom. . . cor. . , . cor. . . & . . eph. . . phil. . . thes. . . thes. . . tim. . . other examples : the grecians being ready to joyn battel with xerxes his navy , the lacedemonians would needs appoint an admiral for the grecian navy , which of right belonged to the athenians , yet the athenians preferring the safety of greece before their own right , willingly condescended to it . intelligebant enim interituram esse graeciam , si de dominat● intempestive contenderent , &c. herod . the grecians being ready to joyne battel with the persians , there arose a contention between the athenians , and areadians about the precedency of place : the athenians said to them : though we might justly challenge the precedency in regard of our actions both ancient , and moderne , yet considering the present state of affaires , we will not now contend about it : but will humbly submit to the judgement of the lacedemonians , let them place us where they please : onely this we are resolved of , that where ever they place us , we will endeavour to honour the place by our valiant actions . pez . mel. hist. mardonius the persian general being beaten by the grecians , and his army routed , himself with most of the persian nobility fled into the city of thebes : whereupon one lampus perswaded pausanias the king of lacedemon to ●lay mardonius with the other persian nobles , telling him that it would much redound to his hounour : but pausanias being no whit puffed up with the victory , answered him humbly , that such cruelty was fi●ter for the barbarians then the grecians , and therefore , ●aith he , i am onely content with the honour of speaking , and doing such things as may be pleasing to my spartanes . pez . mel hist. see the example of aristides in constancy , and in moderation . in the wars which the grecians made with darius , when the genera●ship of the athenians was conferred upon aristides , he in humility transferred it to miltiades , saying to the other captains , it is not dishonourable , but honest , and safe to obey , and submit to the command of wise men . plut. before the battel of marathon the tagaeatae strove with the athenians about the chiefest place in the army : whereupon aristides said to them : locus neque dat , neque ad●mit virtutem , &c. the place doth neither give , uor take away valour : therefore whatever place ye assigne unto us , we will endeavour to adorne , and defend the same , that so we may do nothing unworth our former victories : for we came hither not to contend with our friends , but to fight with our enemies ; nor to boast of the actions of our progenitors , but to prove our selves valiant men ; for this present battel shall shew how much greece oweth to every city , captaine , and private souldiers . pez . mel. hist. brasidas the lacedemonian general having given the athenians a great overthrow , yet shortly after died of a wound that he received in that battel : after whose death his mother hearing every one highly extolling his valour , said : my son truly was a good , & a valiant man , yet he hath left behinde him many of his fellow citizens , that farre excell him in vertue , and valour : the ephori hearing of this her speech , caused her to be publickly honoured , and praised , for that she preferred the publick honour of her countrey , before the private praise , and glory of her son . pez . mel. hist. after the death of romulus , the romanes chose numa pompilius , a sabine of the city cures for their king , and sent ambassadours to him to acquaint him with their choice , and to desire his present repaire to their city : the ambassadours thought that few words would have prevailed with him to accept of it : but he being a prudent , and humble man , answered them , that change , and alteration of a mans life . was exceeding dangerous , but for him that lacked nothing , neither had cause to complaine of his present state , it was great folly to leave his present known condition , and to enter into a new , and unknown , so that it was long before they could prevail with him to accept of the kingdom . plut. certaine fishermen of the isle of co , casting their net into the sea , some strangers that were passing by , would needs buy their draught at an adventure , and when they drew up their net , there came up in it a three-footed stoole of massie gold : hereupon the strangers , and fishermen fell at strife about it , and their citizens taking part on both sides , warre had like to have ensued betwixt them : but the oracle at delphos being consulted with , commanded them to give the stoole to the wisest man that then was : upon this they sent it to thales at miletum : but thales sent the stoole to bias , judging him a wiser man then himself : he again sent it to another as a wiser man then himself : and the third to a fourth ; so that being thus posted from man to man , at last it came back to thales again , who sent it to thebes , and dedicated it to the temple of apollo . plut. solon was earnestly solicited by the athenians to take upon him the sovereignty of the city , and countrey : his friends also much pressed him to it , telling him that he was no better then a beast , if for fear of the name of a tyrant , he should refuse the kingdome , which is the most just and honourable estate if it be undertaken by an honest man : notwithstanding all which importunity , he absolutely refused it . plut. epaminondas the thebane general , that had gotten so many , and great victories , and thereby had advanced the honour of his countrey above all other countreys in greece , yet withal was so humble , that he refused the governments that were proffered to him : and saith one , honores ità gessit , ut ornamentum non accipere , sed dare ipse dignitati videretur . plin. philopoemen the victorious general of the megalopolitans , was a great contemner of riches , and fine apparel , and very humble . on a time he sent word to a citizen of megara , that he would come and sup with him : the citizen told his wife , and so went into the market to make some provision : in the mean time the good wife hearing that she should have so great a man come to her house , bustled about to get all things ready : when presently came in philopoemen , cloathed in a mean habit , whom the good wife looking upon and supposing him to be a servant sent before , she bade him to help her to get supper : philopoemen presently obeyed , put off his coat , took an axe , and fell to cleaving of wood : presently came in the citizen , and seeing him about such a businesse , said , what meane you , o philopoemen , by this ? philopoemen answered , quid aliud nisi deformitatis poenas luo ? i am well enough served , for coming in such mean apparel . polybius . agesilaus king of sparta was of such an humble disposition , that though he excelled in honour , power , and in the kingdome , whereby he had gained the love of all men , yet he was never observed to boast of his merits , or to endure that others should praise him . plut ▪ when the thasian people , for some great favours received from him , had built temples to the honour of agesilaus king of sparta , & offered sacrifices to him as to a god : they sent ambassadours to him to certifie him thereof : but he said unto them , can your countrimen make gods of men ? to whom they answered , that they could . well then , said agesilaus , let them first make themselves gods , and then i will believe that they can make me one . xenophon . claudius the romane emperour , was so humble , that he would not suffer any to give him divine worship as his predecessour had done : when he chose any to publick offices , he would not suffer them to returne him thanks in the senate , as had been used : but said , you owe me no thanks , as if ambitiously you had sought these places , but i owe them to you for helping me to governe the common-wealth : which if you performe well , i will give you greater thanks . when titus had taken jerusalem , he had many crowns sent him from syria , egypt , and all the neighbouring countreys , all giving him the name of conquerour , but he refused them all , saying : i have not done this for my self : but have only lent my hands to god , who hath thus declared his wrath against the jewes . suidas . it was a custome amongst the romanes , that when they had gotten any notable victory the general used to send letters decked with laurel to the consuls at rome , and to desire them decernere supplicationes : whereby it seems that they thought that they stood in need of prayers , rather then of praises . the humility of scipio affricanus was such , that after all his great victories against the carthaginians , and triumphs over hannibal , he was content to serve as a lieutenant in the warres of asia under lucius scipio his younger brother . plut. william the conqueror gave a mannor , and certain yard-lands in buckingam-shire to one upon this condition , that the possessour , or occupier thereof ( marke ye proud and dainty ones ) should finde litter for the kings bed whensoever he came that way . camb. brit. the emperour frederick , after his victory over the gunzians in hungary , said thus to his souldiers : we have done a great work , my souldiers : but there remains a greater behinde , viz. to use it humbly , to bridle our avarice , and desire of revenge . look . of the h. war. before destruction the heart of a man is haughty ; & before honour is humility , prov. . . be ye cloathed with humility : for god resisteth the proud , and giveth grace to the humble , pet. . . chap. xviii . examples of anger , wrath , malice , hatred , revenge . anger is sometimes lawfull , yea a duty , when a man is angry at his own sinnes , or others , or at whatsoever hindreth the glory of god : this is commanded , eph. . . cor. . . examples of it : moses , exod. . . and . . and . . lev. . . numb . . . elijah , kings . . nehemiah , nehem. . . jeremiah , jer. . . david , sam. . . christ , mat. . . mark . . peter , act. . . jacob , gen. . . but most commonly it's sinfull , and therefore forbidden by god , eccles. . . mat. . . eph. . . col. . . tit. . . the evils of it , prov. . . and . . and . . and . . . and . , . and . . jam. . . it 's condemned , and threatened , gen. . . psal. . . eccles. . . eph. . . col. . . rom. . . jam. . . . examples of it out of scripture : simeon , and levi , gen. . . ahashuerus , esther . . ahab , king. . . ahaziah , king. . . asa , chron. . . absalon , sam. . . balaam , num. . . balak , num. . eliab , sam. . . haman , est. . , &c. jehoram , king. . . cain , gen. . &c. naaman , king. . . potiphar , gen . . pharaoh , exod. . . saul , sam. . . & . uzziah , chron. . . nebuchadnezzar , dan. . . & . , . the elder brother , luk. . . examples of godly men that have thus sinned , jacob , gen. . . david , sam. . , . sam. . . elijah , king. . . job , chap. . , &c. jeremiah , jer. . , &c. sarai . gen. . . rachel , gen. . . moses , num. . . jonah , chap. . . iames , and iohn , luk. . . paul , and barnabas , act. . ● . examples out of other authors : athenodorus , the philosopher when he went to take his leave of augustus caesar , left him this rule : o caesar , saith he , remember that when thou art angry , thou neither speakest , nor doest ought till thou hast repeated over destinctly the greek alphabet . eras. lib. . apophth . cotys king of thrace , having many curious vessels , but very brittle , presented to him , he gave the man that brought them a great reward , and presently brake all the vessels in pieces , and being asked the reason of it he answered : because knowing that i am soon angry , i may prevent being angry with those that might hereafter break them . eras. lib. . adag . alexander magnus , being of a cholerick disposition obscured three of his greatest victories , with the death of three of his friends , causing lysimachus to be cast to a lion , clitus to be slaine with a speare , and calisthenes to be put to death . theat . vitae hum . king perses being overcome by paulus aemilius , grew into such a passion , that he slew two of his nobles which came to comfort him ; which so provoked the rest that they all forsooke him . theat . vitae hum . l. sylla , who in his anger had spilt the blood of many , at last in his fury , raging , and crying out against one that had broken promise with him , thereby brake a veine within him , vomiting out his blood , soul , and anger together . val. max. lib. . amilcar the carthaginian did so extreamly hate the romanes , that having four sons , he used to say that he bred up those foure lions whelps for the destruction of the romane empire . probus in vita . semiramis as she was dressing her head , newes being brought that babylon rebelled against her : she was so incensed , that in that habit , her haire halfe tied up , and half hanging loose , she hastened to reduce it , and never dressed up her head till she had subdued that great city . polyb. tomyris queen of scythia , having overcome , and taken cyrus king of persia , caused his head to be cut off , and thrown into a bowle of blood , bidding him to drink his fill , for that he had so much thirsted after blood , and had slaine her sonne in the warres : val. max. lysander the lacedemonian was noted to be of such an implacable disposition , tbat nothing could appease his malice , but the death of the person with whom he was angry : whereupon it grew to a proverb , that greece could not bear two lysanders . pez : mel. hist. alexander m in a drunken feast that he made after his conquest of persia , began to boast of his great victories , and atchievments to the distaste of his own captaines , insomuch as one of them called clitus , speaking to another , said , he boasts of those victories which were purchased with other mens blood : alexander suspecting that he spake against him , asked what he said ? and when all were silent , clitus spake of the great victories which philip his father had gotten in greece , preferring them before these : which so incensed alexander , that he bade him be gone out of his presence : and when clitus hastened not , but multiplied words , the king rose up in a great fury , and snatching a lance out of his squires hand , therewith he thrust clitus thorow , and killed him : this clitus had formerly saved the kings life in the battel against darius : he was an old souldier of king philips , and had performed many excellent exploits . besides , his mother had nursed alexander , and he was brought up with him as his foster-brother : so that alexander when the heat of his anger was over , was so enraged against himselfe for this murther , that he was about with the same lance to have murthered himself , if he had not been violently restrained by his servants . q. cur. caius caligula was of a most malicious disposition , for which end he kept two books , which he called his sword and dagger , wherein he wrote the names of all such as he had appointed to death . he had such a chest of all sorts of the most exquisite poisons , that when afterwards it was thrown into the sea by his successor claudius , it poisoned a great multitude of fishes . sueto . amilcar the carthaginian , at what time he did sacrifice , being ready to take his journey into spaine , called his young son hannibal , being then but nine years old , and caused him to lay his hand upon the altar , and to sweare that being come to mans estate , he should pursue the romanes with immortal hatred , and work them all the mischief that possibly he could . sir. w. raw. king edward the first of england going against bruce king of scotland , caused his eldest sonne , and all his nobles to swear , that if he died in his journey , they should carry his corps about scotland with them , and not suffer it to be interred till they had vanquished the scots , and subdued the whole kingdom . sed ira mortalium debet esse mortalis , saith lactantius . darius being offended with the athenians for assisting his enemies , he called for a bowe , wherewith he shot up an arrow towards heaven , saying , o jupiter , grant that i may be revenged upon the athenians : he appointed also one of his servants every night when he was at supper to say to him : here , memento atheniensium : master , remember the athenians . pez . mel. hist. camillus a noble romane , after many great services done for the common-wealth , was , at the instigation of a wicked detractor , condemned by the common people to pay a greater summe of money then he was able : but he , scorning such an open shame , resolved to go into voluntary exile ; and so taking leave of his wife , children , and friends , he went out of the city-gate , but then turning again , and lifting up his hands towards the capitol , he said , o ye gods , if it be of spite , and malice that the common people thus drive me away , then let them have quickly cause to repent , and stand in need of me . put. thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart , leviticus . . cursed be their anger , for it was fierce : and their wrath , for it was cruel , gen. . . chap. xix . examples of patience , moderation , and meeknesse . some of the heathens have attained to a great eminencie in this vertue of patience : but christians are to adde it to the number of their graces , pet. . . and indeed it is that that gives a great lustre to all the rest : humility is the root whence it springs , and the fruit of it is both amiable , and profitable : it puts , and keeps a man in possession of his soul , luk. . . it makes all burthens light , and is much improved by exercise , rom. . . moses his meeknesse , and jobs patience are exemplary , and so held forth in the scripture : and these which follow also may be useful to quicken us to an earnest pursuit after this so excellent a vertue . commanded , luke . . col. . . rom . . thes. . . jam. . , . &c. tim. . . heb. . . & . . pet. . . pet. . . mat. . . commanded , eccles. . . cor. . . & . . tim. . . tim. . . thes. . tit. . . heb. . . jam. . rev. . , , & . . & . . psal. . . & . . & . . & . . & . . & . isa. . . mat. . . pet. . . scriptural examples : paul , cor. . . moses , num. . . joseph . gen. . . & . , . gideon , jud. . . hannah , sam. . . saul , sam. . . & . , . david , sam. . . sam. . . mephibosheth , sam. . . prophets , jam. . , . apostles , act. . . thessalonians , thes. . . & . . hebrews , ch . . 〈◊〉 ▪ john , rev. . . other examples : a young man striking lycurgus on the face with a staffe , whereby he dashed out one of his teeth , the people apprehended him , and delivered him to lycurgus to punish him as he pleased . lycurgus took him home with him to his house , spake never a soule word to him , only commanded him to waite upon him : the young man , now sensible of his fault willingly obeyed him , and observing his strict life , and his constancy in enduring labour , he began first to reverence , and then to love him with this heart , so that of a fierce , rash , and ill conditioned youth , he became a grave , and wise man. plut. the two navies of xerxes , and the grecians being neere together , the grecians would have made a dishonourable retreat , at which time themistocles being in counsel with eurybiades , because themistoles perswaded their stay , eurybiades held up his staffe as though he would have stricken him : strike me if thou wilt , said themistocles , so thou wilt but heare me : euryb . wondring at his patience , suffered him to say what he would , whereby at last he was brought to reason . plut. so we should say to god , strike us if thou wilt but hear our prayers . pericles an athenian oratour , by the study of philosophy attained to such an honest behaviour and patient spirit , that he was never troubled with any thing that crossed him . on a time there was a naughty fellow that did nothing all the day long but raile upon him in the market-place , though he was a publick magistrate , before all the people , yet did he take no notice of it , but all the while dispatched sundry businesses of importance till night came ; and then with a sober pace went home to his house , though this lewd varlet followed him with open defamation all the way : and when he came home , it being dark , he called his man , and caused his man with a toreh to light this fellow home . plut. acertaine lacedemonian speaking many things freely against artaxerxes m. the king bade one of his captaines tell him , thou mayest truly speak what thou wilt against the king , neverthelesse he will speake and do what he pleases . plut. agesilaus king of sparta returning into his own countrey after great victories in asia , and greece , would not take any revenge upon his adversaries , but brought it to passe that they were chosen magistrates , and captaines , and when they should have been questioned , and punished for their avaricious , and unjust using of their power , he assisted them , and freed them from danger , by which meek dealing he made of adversaries , his fast friends . xenoph . philip king of macedon besieging the city of methon , as he was walking about , one from the walls shot an arrow at him , whereby he put out his right eye , which yet he took so patiently , that when the citizens a few dayes after sent out to treat with him about the surrender , he gave them honourable termes , and after the surrender took no revenge upon them for his eye . justin. alexander in his younger dayes , was of a very milde , and patient spirit insomuch as being told that some of his friends used in secret to detract from him , he bore it patiently saying : regium est malè audire cùm benefeceris : it 's a kingly thing to hear ill , when one doth well . plut. phocion the athenian being condemned by the people to die , when all others mourned , and wept , he onely with a meek spirit , and undaunted countenance went to the prison , and being asked by a friend , what he would have to his sonne phocion ? tell him , said he , that i command him never to think upon this injury which the athenians do me : and when the executioner wanted poison to give him , which could not be bought under twelve drachma's , phocion called one of his friends , and bad him give him the money , for , said he , a man cannot die at athens , except he pay for his own bane . plut. vespasian the emperour was of so meeke a disposition , that he would never take notice of or remember injuries . suet. titus vespasianus would not receive any accusation against those that spake evil of him , saying , ego cùm nihill faciam dignum propter quod contumeliâ afficiar , mendacia nihil curo : as long as i do nothing that deserves reproach , i care not for lies . suet. aristides having been banished athens by the envie , and malice of themistocles , three years after when xerxes came against greece , he was called home by the athenians again : and forgetting all the former wrongs that he had received from themistocles , he cordially joyned with him in promoting the publick good , and advancing themistocles his honour thereby : using this moderate speech to him : if we be wise , let us lay aside our former youthly , and vaine contentions , and let us now strive who shall do most for the publick good of our countrey , thou by thy valour , and i by my counsel , and undergoing the office of a servant to thee . plut. beza with some other of his colleagues disputing with some jesuits about the eucharist : the jesuits brake forth into passion , calling them vulpes , serpentes , simias , foxes , serpents apes : to whom beza replied , nos non magis credimus , quam transubstantiationem : we believe all that , as much as we do transubstantiation . see his life in my first part. dr. cranmers gentlenesse in pardoning wrongs was so great , that it grew into a proverb , do my lord of canterbury a shrewd turn , and then you shall be sure to have him your friend whilest he liveth . see his life in my first part. the pythagoreans , if at any time through anger they brake forth into evil speaking , yet before the sun-setting by giving their hands each to other , they renewed their friendship again . theodosius the emperour upon a fault committed by the inhabitants of thessalonica , commanded severe punishment to be inflicted upon them , which was so unadvisedly executed , that as well the innocent , as the nocent were involved therein : the emperour afterward coming to millan , would have entered into the church to have communicated with other christians ; but ambrose the bishop thereof ( though otherwise a man of admiral mildnesse ) resisted and excommunicated him : in which estate he continued for eight moneths , and then upon his submission was absolved , and received again into the congregation : and that he might prevent the like offence afterwards , he enacted a law , that thirty dayes should passe betwixt the sentence of death , and the execution of it : and to suppresse his choler ( whereunto he was very subject ) his usual manner was to repeat the greek alphalet , before he uttered any speech savouring of that humour . see ambrose his life in my first part. socrates an heathen , when one gave him a box of the eare , onely said , what an ill thing is it that men cannot foresee when they should put on an helmet before they go abroad ? and at another time being kicked by one : if an asse should kick me ( said he ) should i spurne him again ? and when another had wronged him , he said , i would have smitten thee but that i am angry . nicolas of johnvile being condemned by the papists to die for the cause of god , as he was carried in a cart to execution , his own father coming with astaffe , would have beaten him , but the officers not suffering it , were about to strike the old man : the son calling to them desired them to let his father alone , saying , he had power over him to do in that kinde what he pleased : but christ was dearer to him then the dearest friend on earth . act. & mon. aristippus an heathen , went of his own accord to aeschines his enemy , saying , shall we not be reconciled till we become a table-talke to all the countrey ? and when aeschines answered that he would most gladly be at peace with him : remember then , said aristippus that although i be the elder , and better man , yet i sought first unto thee : thou are indeed a far better man then 〈…〉 ( said aeschines ) for i began the quarrel , but thou the reconcilement . julius caesar being extreamely defamed by clavus the oratour , and catullus the poet : yet afterwads when truth setled shamefastnesse on their forehead● , and repentance in their consciences , caesar was satisfied with it , and seeing calvus desire his friendship , but durst not intreat it , he in an expresse letter offered it unto him ; and for catullus , he invited him to supper the same day that he published his poeme against him . suet. augustus caesar was also of the same disposition : for when as timagines an historian , wrote against him , together with his wife , daughters , and all his family : he onely sent to him , advising him to use his tongue , and pen with more moderation , especially towards him , and his friends : for augustus had bred him up : but he still persevering , and the emperour being enforced to take notice of it , by way of punishment , he onely sent to him to retire himself out of the city of rome into the countrey . seneca . king henry the sixth was of that meek disposition , that being wounded in the side by a ruffian , whilest he was a prisoner in the tower : when afterwards he was restored to his kingly estate , he freely forgave him the fact : and another like ruffian striking him on the face , he punished with this onely reprehension : forsooth , you are to blame to strike me your anointed king : oaths he used none , but in weighty matters his affirmation was , forsooth , and forsooth . sp. chron. p. ● austin , when the donatists upbraided him unworthily with the impietie , and impurity of his former life : look ( said he ) how much they blame my fault , so much i commend , and praise my phisician . see his life in my first part. a fellow objecting to beza his youthly poems : this man ( said he ) vexeth himself , because christ hath vouchsafed to me his grace . see his life in my first part. be ye not stothful , but followers of them who through faith , and patience inherit the promises , heb. . . vince animos ir ámque tuam , qui caeter a vincis . chap. xv. examples of gods judgements upon apostates , and backsliders . true grace is not like a slight staine , but a durable die , and graine-colour which can never be washed out : the gates of hell cannot prevaile against the faith of gods elect : so that though they may lose the lustre of their graces , yet not the graces themselves , but a see will still remaine in them : the reason then why some glorious professors do fall like starres from heaven , is , because they were never fixed in the true orbe : they had a name only that they lived , but were dead , rev. . . they had an evil heart of unbelief in them , and therefore they depart away from the living god , heb. . . they began in hypocrisie , and so end in apostasie : but that the danger , & misery of such persons may more manifestly appear unto us , lay to heart these texts , & examples following . foretold , thes. . . exod. . . tim. . . mat. . . complained of , jer. . . prov. . . esa. . . ▪ jer. . . and . . and . . tim. . . threatened , ps. . . heb. . , . mat. . . pet. . . prov. . . it 's sometimes partial , as peters , mat. . , . aarons , and the israelites , exod. . , &c. rehoboams , and judah , chron. . , . manasses , chron. . , , &c. sometimes total , heb. . . and . . and . . as judas , acts . . demas , tim. . . diotrephes , joh. . hymeneus , and alexander , tim. . . hymeneus , and philetus , tim. . . alexander , tim. . . other examples , ieroboam the sonne of n●bat fell from the service of god , and his true worship , and erected two golden calves in dan , and bethel , and when the prophet prophesied against his idolatry , he stretched forth his hand against him , which was immediately dried up : but not taking warning hereby , shortly after the lord struck his sonne abijah with siknesse , whereof he died , kings . then was he assaulted by abijam king of judah , and though jeroboams army was twice so big , yet was he overthrown , and lost five hundred thousand of his men , besides some of his cities , and not long after , himselfe was stricken by god , that he died . jehoram king of iudah , though he had been religiously educated by his father iehosaphat , and had seen his zeal in purging out idolatry , and maintaining the pure service of god , yet marrying athalia , the daughter of ahab , he turned an idolater , and caused the men of judah to run a whoring after strange gods : whereupon the arabians , and philistines rose up against him , wasted his countrey , robbed him of his treasures , took away his wives , and murthered all his children save jehoahaz his youngest sonne : after which the lord smote him with an incurable disease in his bowels , so that after he had lived two yeers in grievous torments , his guts fell out of his belly , and he died , chron. . joas king of judah , who had been preserved , and religiously educated by that godly high priest jehojadah , after his death this joas apostatized from the service of god , and fell to idolatry : for which god raised up the syrians against him , who came with a small army against a mighty host , yet did they prevaile against joas , slew his princes , and carried away a great spoile to damascus , and shortly after the lord struck joas with grievous diseases , and his own servants conspiring against him , slew him , the people not affording him a burial amongst the kings , chron. . amaziah king of judah , began his reigne well , pretending much zeal for the service of god , but after a while , having overcome the edomites , he brought home their gods , worshipped , and burned incense to them : and being reproved by a prophet , he threatened him with death , if he ceased not : for which the lord delivered him up into the hand of the king of israel , who overthrew his army , took him prisoner , carried him back to hierusalem , and for the greater reproach before his face , brake down part of the city-walls , ransacked the temple , and kings palace , carried away all the treasure out of both , took his children for hostages to samaria , and after all this his subjects wrought treason against him , which made him fly to lachish , yet thither did they pursue him , and put him to death , chron. . judas iscariot , who for covetousnesse fell from christ , and betrayed him to the jewes , could afterwards finde no rest , nor quiet in his guilty conscience , so that being plunged into the bottomlesse pit of despaire , he hanged himself , burst in twaine , and all his bowels fell out , acts . . lucian , who had made a profession of religion in the time of trajan , afterwards fell from it , and became a railer against it , yea against god himselfe , whereupon he was sirnamed the atheist , but the lord inflicted a just judgement upon him , for he was torne in pieces , and devoured of dogs . suidas . porphyrie , after he had received the knowledge of the truth , being reproved for his faults by some christians , for very spite , and anger , apostatized from his profession , set himselfe against the christians , published books full of horrible blasphemies against the profession of christianity : but perceiving himselfe to be confuted , and loathed for his wickednesse , in horrible despaire and torments of soul , he died . suid. ammonius , who was master to origen , was from his childhood brought up in the christian religion , but afterwards was so affected with the study of philosophy , that he apostatized from christianity , and fell to heathenisme , ravis . origen , who had been all his life-time ambitious of martyrdom , fainted under the seventh persecution , his heart being overcome by feare , when he was put to his choice , either to offer incense to idols , or to have his body defiled by an ugly blackamoore , whereupon he chose the former : but thereby he lost the peace of his conscience , which he could not recover of a long time after . see his life in my first part of the marrow of ecclesiastical history . under the eighth persecution , a certain christian denying his faith , went up into the capitol at rome to abjure christ , and his profession , which he had no sooner done , but was immediately stricken speechlesse . cypri . de lapsu . a christian woman denying her profession was presently possessed by an evil spirit , whereby she fell a tormenting her selfe , and bit out her tongue , with her own teeth . cyp. an ancient woman who had revolted from the truth , and denied her profession , yet thrust her selfe into the assembly of the faithful , and received the sacrament of the lords supper with them : but it proved her bane , for immediately trembling , and stamping , she fell down , and died . cyp. a man also that had renounced his faith , did notwithstanding present himselfe to the sacrament of the lords supper , but when he had received the bread into his hand , thinking to put it into his mouth , it was turned into ashes . cyp. tamerus a professor of the reformed religion , being seduced by his brother , denied his faith , and turned papist : but shortly after he fell into despaire , and hung himselfe . theat . hist. anno christi , . one henry smith , a lawyer of the middle temple , who made a zealous profession of the truth , afterwards by the seducement of one of his friends , turned papist , for which being stricken with terrors of conscience , he hanged himselfe in his own chamber . act. & mon. theoderick , an arrian king of the goths , exceedingly affected a certaine deacon , though orthodox : but this deacon thinking to ingraciate himselfe more with the king , and to attaine to great advancement thereby , turned arrian , which when theoderick understood , he changed his love into hatred , and caused his head to be struck off , saying : if he kept not his faith to god , what duty in conscience can a man expect from him , euseb. l. . julian the emperour , who was brought up in the christian religion , afterwards turned pagan , and became a malicious persecutor of christianity : but after a short reigne , in a battel that he fought against the persians , he was wounded with a dart , which was never known from whence it came : and feeling his strength to faile by reason of his wound , he took of his own blood in his hands , holding it up , and with extream pride cryed out , o thou galilaean , thou hast overcome me : calling christ galilaean in scorn , and so he died simps . nicomachus under one of the first persecutions , being put to extream torments for the profession of christ , shrunk from his profession , and cried out , that he was no christian ; whereupon he was freed from his torments : but assoon as he had sacrificed to the idols , he was presently taken with a wicked spirit , and thrown down violently to the ground , where biting off his tongue with his teeth , he presently died . act. & mon. bolsechus , of whom beza writeth , religionem ephemeram habere existimabatur . his religion changed like the moon . see the life of beza in my first part. baldwin was a notable turncoat , that changed his religion three or four times at least for advantage , and at last died of envy that another was preferred before him to be chaplain to the duke of anjou , when he went to take possession of the kingdome of poland . petrus caroli , an odious apostate , and tronbler of the church . see the life of calvin in my first part. the like were staphylus , spicerus , brisonettus , and of late bertius , tilenus , spalatensis , and many renegado english who in queen elizabeths time turned papists for advantage . bishop bonner , who in king henry the eighths dayes was a great favourer of the gospel , for which he was advanced to a bishoprick by the lord cromwel , yet afterwards proved an apostate , and grievous persecutor of the church . see my english martyrologie . latomus of lovaine , sometimes a professor of the gospel , but afterwards an apostate , went to bruxels , where he made an oration before the emperour charles the fifth against luther , and his followers , but so foolishly and ridiculously , that he was laughed to scorn by most of the courtiers : after which , returning to lovaine againe , in his publick lecture , he fell into an open frenzie , and madnesse , uttering such words of desparation , and blasphemous impiety , that by other divines present he was carried away raving , and shut up in a close chamber , from which time to his last breath , he continually cried out that he was damned , and rejected of god , and that there was no hope of salvation for him , because that wittingly , and against his knowledge ▪ he had withstood the manifest truth of the word of god. senarclaeus in epist. ante hist , de morte diazi . arnold bomelius , a student in the university of lovaine , a man much commended for an excellent wit , and ripenesse of learning , and for favouring the cause of the gospel , but afterwards apostatizing to poperie , he began to be much troubled in minde , and from thence fell into despaire , against which he wrestled a great while , but at length being wholly overcome by it , as he was drawn to walk into the fields with some scholars , his familiar friends , he feigned wearinesse , and so sat down by a springs side , and his friends being gone a little before he drew out a dagger , and stabbed himself into the breast , his friends seeing him shrinking down , and the water discoloured with his blood , ran to him , took him up , searched his wound , and carried him to the next house , but whilest they were busie about him , he espied a knife by one of their sides , whereupon he plucked it forth , and suddenly stobbed himself to the heart , whereby he died miserably . act. & mon. stephen gardiner bishop of winchester cried out on his death-bed that he had denied his master with peter , but not repented with peter , and so stinking above ground ended his wretched life . see my english martyrolgy . master west , chaplaine to bishop ridley , and a preacher , and professour of the truth in king edward the sixths dayes , afterwards in queen maries time he turned papist , forsook his master , and said masse though it were against his conscience : for which he fell into such torment of conscience that he pined away , and so died . act. & mon. of hardings apostacie : see in my second part in the life of the lady jane gray : as also divers other examples in my martyrologies . theoderick an arian king of the vandals did exceedingly affect , and love a certaine orthodox deacon : but the deacon thinking farther to ingratiate himself , and to get greater preferment , apostatized from the truth , and turned arian : which when the emperour understood he turned his love into hatred , and commanded his head to be struck off , saying , that if he proved false , and unfaithful to his god , how could he expect any good or faithful service from him ? adam neucerus , sometimes a professour of the truth , and pastour of a church in heidleberg , afterwards plaid the apostate upon some discontent , and turned turk : but not long after he died miserably in constantinople . mel. adam . in vit . gerl. see the history of francis spira . a treasurer of julians , to please his lord and master , apostatized from the faith , and coming into a church where he saw the holy vessels , scoffingly said , behold , with what vessels they minister to the son of mary ? but shortly after he vomited all the blood in his body out at his mouth , whereby he died miserablis . theod. l. . during the heptarchy of the saxons in england , there were in northumberland two kings , ostrich , and eaufride , who before their coming to the crown had been instructed , and trained up in the christian religion by paulinus , a worthy and godly bishop : but after they came to their kingly dignities they renounced christ , and returned to the service of their filthy idols : whereupon as they forsook christ , he forsook them , and within one yeares space , both of them were slaine by cedwalla , king of the britanes . beda . cardinal poole whilest he was in italy was informed of the truth , and was a savourer of it ( as you may see in peter martyrs life in my first part ) but afterwards he became a cruel persecutor of it here in england in queen maries dayes : but it pleased god that about two dayes after the queens death , he died in horrible fear , and terrour . peter castellan bishop of maston , who sometimes had been a forward professour of the truth : but afterwards turning to popery , in a sermon at orleance he enveighed bitterly against the profession , and professors of the true religion : whereupon it pleased god to strike him with a strange and terrible disease unknown to physicians ; for one halfe of his body burned like fire , and the other halfe was as cold as ice , and in this torment with horrible cries , and groans he ended his wretched life . a gray frier called picard , who sometimes made a profession of the truth , afterwards fell away , and preached against it , adding infinite blasphemies against the truth : but presently after , god struck him speechlesse , and so being carried to his bed half dead , he presently after died without the least signe of repentance . lambespine , a counsellor in the parliament of grenoble , had formerly been a professour of the reformed religion , but falling from the truth , he became a persecutour of the godly in valence of daulphine , and amongst others of two godly ministers which suffered martyrdome : but shortly after he fell passionately in love with a young maide , whom shamefully he followed up , and down whithersoever she went , and seeing his love and labour despised , he pined away with grief , and being regardlesse of himself , multitudes of lice bred , and fed upon him , yea , they issued out abundantly from every part of his body : so that feeling gods heavy vengeance upon him he began to despaire of mercy , and resolved to pine himself , which purpose the lice seemed to further , for they clustered so many in his throat as almost choaked him and when some of his friends ( pittying his condition ) set open his mouth with a gag to poure in broth , the lice went down with it , and choaked him : so that as he had gagged the godly ministers at their death , himself died with a gag in his mouth . king henry the fourth of france , who had all his life-time before been a protestant : shortly after he came to the crown of france , when he had almost subdued all his enemies which opposed him there●n , suddenly turned papist . not long after as he was taking his leave of his nobles to begin his progresse , one john castile ( suborded by the jesuites ) intended to have stabbed him into the body with a knife , but the king at the same instant , stooping to take up one of his lords , who was on his knees before him , the blow fell upon his right upper jaw , cutting out one of his teeth , and somewhat wounding his tongue : it is reported that in his progresse a protestant minister in private conference said unto him : you have denied god with your tongue , and have received a wound in the same , take heed of denying him with your heart , lest you receive a wound in that also : which indeed proved a prophecie ; for riding abroad in his coach to refresh himself , one ravilliac watched his opportunity , and stabbed him , first into the left pap , and with a second blow struck him between the fifth and sixth rib ▪ cutting asunder the veine leading to the heart , the knife entering into the vena cava , of which wound he died . french h●st . read also the history of francis spira lately printed , and observe gods severe judgements upon him for his apostasie . in the year ▪ the king of hungary forsaking the christian saith became an apostata : and when he had called fraudulently to a parliament the great potentates of his land , meramomelius , a puissant saracene came upon them with twenty thousand souldiers , carrying away with him the king with all the christians there assembled : but as they were journeying the weather that was clear and faire , became cloudy : and suddenly a tempest of haile killed many of the infidels , whereby the christians escaped to their own homes , and the apostate king alone was carried away by the saracenes . camb. brit. irel. p. ● . a smith in king edward the sixths dayes called richard denson was a forward professor of religion , and by his christian instructions the happy instrument of the conversion of a young man to the faith : afterwards in the reigne of queen mary this young man was cast into prison for his religion , who remembring his old friend the smith to whom he alwayes carried a reverend respect for the good that he had received by him , sent to know whether he was not imprisoned also , and finding that he was not , desired to speak with him , and when he came asked his advice whether he thought it comfortable for him to remaine in prison , and whether he would encourage him to burne at a stake for his religion ? to whom the smith answered that his cause was good , and he might with comfort suffer for it : but for my 〈◊〉 ( saith he ) i cannot burne : but he that could 〈◊〉 burne for religion , by gods just judgement was burned for his apostasie : for shortly after his shop , and house being set on fire , whilest over-e●gerly be sought to save his goods , himself was burned . under the fourth persecution there were some christians who for fear of torments , and death , denied their faith , and sacrificed to idols , yet did not th●● bloody persecutors spare them ; and it was observed that being full of guilt , they went to their death 〈◊〉 dejected , and ill-favoured countenan●es ; so ●h●● the very gentiles took notice of it , and reproached them as degenerous persons , and worthy to suffer 〈…〉 doers . see my gen. martyr . p. . in the late persecution in bohemia , a godly ma●…ing tired out with imprisonment , promised to 〈◊〉 catholick , and thereupon was released : but pre●…ly after god chastized him for this fault , holding 〈◊〉 conscience in captivity , so that he could have 〈◊〉 hope of mercy for a whole year together , &c. 〈◊〉 p. . one philbert hamlin in france having converted ● priest to the profession of the truth , was together with the priest apprehended , and cast into prison at burdeaux : but after a while the priest being terrified with the prison , and fear of death , renounced christ , and was set at liberty ; whereupon philbert said to him : o unhappy , and more then miserable man ! is it possible that to save your life for a few dayes you should so deny the truth ? know therefore that though you have avoided the corporal sire , yet your life shall not be prolonged ; for you shall die before me , and you shall not have the honour to die for the cause of god , but you shall be an example to all apostates : and accordingly as he went out of the prison two gentlemen that had a former quarrel to him , met him and slew him . eodem . p. . if any man draw back , my soul shall have no pleasure in him , heb. . . chap. xxi . examples of gods judgements upon atheists . complained of , ps. . . rom. . . that there are such , see job . . . eph. . . ps . . and . , . such are they that are spoken of , job . , . ps. . . and . , , . and . . and . . and . , . and ● . . job . , , . and . . and . . ezek. . . tit. . . scriptural examples . pharaoh , exod. . . the fool , psal. . . the rich glutton , luk. . . other examples . some are atheists out of sensuality , as epicurus , lucretius , &c. or out of stomack , as diagoras , who having written a poem , and prepared it for the publick , one stole it from him , whereupon he brought him before the senate of athens , where the man forswore it , and was dismissed , and afterwards published the poem in his own name : diagoras seeing this , turned atheist , because this fellow was not smitten with some visible vengeance from heaven , that had so forsworn himself . porphyrie was at first a christian , but having received some injury from the christians , he became an atheist , and wrote a book against the scriptures . aristotle reading the history of the creation , in genesis , said : egregiè dicis , domine moses , sed quomodo probas ? you speak of strange matters , sir moses , but how do you prove them ? lucian impudently derided not only all the heathen gods , but with the same blasphemous mouth railed upon christ as a crucified cousener , and upon christians as mad men , because they were so forward to suffer martyrdom , and scoffingly said : that jupiter at certain times looked down through some certain cranies in heaven , at which times if men were praying , they might be heard , otherwise not , he was at last torn in pieces by dogs . suidas . caligula the romane emperour fancied himselfe a god , and would needs finde out a way to imitate ioves thunder : he commanded himselfe to be worshipped , and set up his images every where : he dedicated the temple at hierusalem to his own worship : but when the true god gave forth his voice of majesty from heaven , he that before was so high , was now as low , and of a poor spirit , covering his eyes with his cap , running under a bed , or creeping into a bench-hole for safety : yet did gods judgement finde out this atheist ; for he reigned but three yeares and three moneths , and was slaine by a tribune . suet. in calig . herod agrippa , when he suffered himselfe to be honoured as a god , was smitten by an angel , because he gave not god the glory , and was eaten up of wormes . acts . . daphida the sophister , going to apollo's oracle at delphos , enquired whether he should finde his horse or no , whereas he had no horse : but did it out of an atheistical humour to deride the oracle . he was answered , that he should finde his horse , but being thrown from him , he should breake his neck : with this answer he made himselfe very merry , and so went homewards ; but by the way he met with king attalus , whom he had sormerly much abused , who caused his servants to carry daphida upon a great rock , which was called the horse , and from thence to throw him down , whereby he was broken in pieces . val. max. l. . commodus the emperour was a very atheist , and a great contemner of the romane gods , for which he became hatefull both to god and man , and was slaine by his servants as he lay upon his bed , his body was cast out into the streets , where he was made the object of every ones scorne , and at last was thrown into the river tyber . fulgen. l. . c. . heliog abalus forced a vest all virgin to marry him , made warre against all the gods , and contemned all religious serving of them , for which he was slaine by his own horsemen , his body being dragged up , and down the streets , and at last thrown into tyber . ibid. it is said of constantinus copronymus , that he was neither iew , christian nor pagan , but an arrant atheist . tullus hostilius , the third king of the romanes , that despised his predecessor num●'s sacrifices , saying , that religion did but effeminate mens mindes , and make them unfit for noble enterprises , yet he feigned to himselfe , and worshipped two new gods , pavorem & pallorem , feare and palenesse , which he carried about in his own bosome , and could not be rid of . lactautious : he was slaine with a thunder-bolt , and his wife , children , and all his family were burnt with lightning . it was an atheistical speech of statius the poet , primus in or be deos fecit timor , that fear first made gods in the world , and that all opinions of a deity were frivolous , being devised by wise men to keep the people in awe , and order . theodorus held that there was no difference between good , and evill : between justice , and injustice , but what the law of man made : he wrote a book also to prove that there was no deity , whereupon he was sirnamed the atheist . suidas . epicurus denied that there was either god or providence , and held that all things came to passe by fate , or chance . volate . pope leo the tenth , was so impudent , as to make the promises and threats contained in the word of god , things to be laughed at , mocking the simplicity of those that believed them , and when cardinal bembus quoted upon occasion a place out of the gospel ; the pope answered , quantum nobis profuit fabula haec de christo ? o what profit hath this fable of christ brought unto us ? this pope having by his pardons , and indulgences scraped together vast summes of money to maintain his courtizans , and whores , and to enrich his bastards , as he was one day at meat , news was brought him of the overthrow of the french in lumbardy , which he much rejoyced at , and doubled his good chear , but before he rose from the table gods hand struck him with a grievous sicknesse , whereof he died within three dayes . pope julius the third another atheist a despiser of god and his word : on a time missing a cold peacock which he had commanded to be kept for him , raged , and blasphemed god exceedingly ; whereupon a cardinal that was present intreated him not to be so angry for such a triste : what ? ( saith he ) if god was so angry for eating of an apple , as to thoust adam and eve out of paradise ; should not i , which am his v●car , be angry for a peacock which is of farre more worth then an apple ? francis ribelius was so profane that he made a mock at all religion , counting it a thing to be laughed at : but the lord struck him with madnesse , so that he died mocking at all those that talked of god , or made any mention of gods mercy to him . periers , who was the author of that detestable book called symbolum mundi , wherein he mocks at god , and all religion , was by god stricken with horrible despaire , so that though he was strictly guarded by his friends , yet watching his opportunity , he killed himselfe . anno christi , . the bishop of angiers in france , prosecuted a rich citizen in the palace of paris , for saying publickly , that he believed that there was neither god nor devil heaven nor hell : and it came to passe that whil'st the bishops lawyer was opening these things against him , the house where they were , began to tremble very much , so that a stone from the roofe fell down amongst them , but without hurt to any , yet were they so affrighted , that all departed for that time : the next day when that cause came to be heard againe , the house began againe to shake , and tremble , insomuch as a summer came forth of its mortise-hole , falling downwards two foot , and there staid , which did so afright the people , that they ran away , losing and leaving behind them many of their garments : god hereby warning them to take heed of such fearful sinnes as these are . eng. de monstrelit . a certain blasphemous wretch carousing in an inne , began to vent his atheisme , swearing that he did not believe that man had any soul which survived his body , and that heaven and hell were but meer fables , and inventions of priests to get gaine by , & that for his own part he would sell his soul to any that would buy it : then did one of his companions buy it of him for a cup of wine , and presently the devil in mans shape bought it of that man againe on the same price , and so in the presence of them all , laid hold on this soul-seller , and carried him away through the aire , so that he was never more heard of , disci . de temp. pherecides ( a tragical poet , and philosopher ) boasted amongst his scholars of his riches , and glory , and yet ( saith he ) i sacrifice not to the gods , nor passe not for any such vanity as religion : but presently after the lord struck him with a strange disease , out of his body issued a slimy , and filthy sweat , of which was engendred such a number of lice , and wormes , that they ate out his bowels , whereby he died miserably . aelian . lib. . there lived in hanmbourg a wicked wretch that despised the ministery of the word , and gods ministers , accounting the sacred scriptures a vaine thing not worthy of credit , yea , so farre did his wickednesse prevaile that he endeavoured to diffuse the poison of his atheisme into others : but not long after the lord found him out in his wickednesse , striking him with such terrours of conscience , that he fell into extream despaire , crying out that his sinnes were past forgivenesse , because he had denied the truth , and seduced others , whereas before he thought that there was no sinne , and whereas before he thought that there was no god , now he thought that god was so just that he would not forgive him , whereupon ( watching his opportunity ) he threw himselfe from the roof of an house into a well , and not finding water enough to drown him , he thrust his head into the bottome of it , till he had stifled himself . theat . hist. anno christi , . there was one herman biswick , who affirmed the world to be eternal , contrary to what foolish moses had written , and that there were neither angels , nor devils , hell , nor future life , but that the soules of men perished with their bodies , and that christ jesus was a seducer of the people , and that the faith of christians , and the sacred scriptures were meer vanity : for which himselfe , with his books were burnt in holland . theat . hist. there was in our own nation , one marlin , sometimes a student in the university of cambridge , but afterwards a maker of stage-playes , and a notorious atheist , denying god , and his sonne christ , and not only in word blasphemed the holy trinity , but also wrote books against it , affirming our saviour to be a deceiver , and moses to be a conjurer , and a seducer of the people , and the sacred scriptures to be vaine and idle stories , and all religion but a politick device : but god suffered not such profanenesse to go long unpunished ; for this man upon a quarrel intending to have stabbed another , the other party perceiving it , to avoid the stroke , caught hold on his wrist , and forced him to stab his own dagger into his own head , which wound could not be cured by surgery , so that he lay cursing , swearing , and blaspheming , and together with an oath breathed forth his accursed soul : gods justice notably appearing , in that his own hand that had written those blasphemies , was an instrument to wound his head that had devised them . beards theat . a gentleman in bark-shire , was an open contemner of god , and all religion , a profest atheist , and a scorner of gods holy word , and sacraments , and being intreated to be a witnesse at the baptizing of a childe , he would needs have him named beelzebub : he was a notorious whoremaster , and so addicted to swearing , that he could scarce speak without an oath : but at last gods hand found him out : for being a hunting , he was stricken by god suddenly , so that falling backwards on his horse , he was taken down stark dead , with his tongue hanging out of his mouth , after a fearful manner . beards theat . and i perswade my selfe that in these wicked times wherein atheisme doth so much abound , many like examples of gods judgements might be observed if they were but taken notice of , and recorded for gods glory , and caution to others . the fool hath ( aid in his heart , there is no god : they are corrupt , they have done abominable works , there is none that doth good , psal. . . chap. xxii . examples of blasphemy , blasphemers , and gods judgements on them . it 's a great sinne , mat. . . lev. . . psal. . . tit. . . rev. . , , . & . , . lev. . . rom. . . act. . . tim. . . pet. . , . act. . . & . . mat. . luk. . . john . . tim. . . rev. . . luk . . to blaspheme men , forbidden , tit. . . pet. . . jam. . . cor. . . who they be that blaspheme . see bernards thesaurus . it ought to be carefully avoided , col. . . sam. . . psal. . , . tim. . . scriptural examples : satan , gen. . , . the egyptians , lev. . . sennacherib , and rabshakeh , king. . . esa. . . edomites , ezek. . . israelites , ezek. . . esa. . . & . . nebuchadnezzar , dan. . . anti. epiphanes , dan . . some jews , mal. . . & . , . act. . . scribes , and pharisees , mat. . , . & . . john . . & . . & . . luke . . paul , tim. . . hymeneus , and alexander , tim. . . the whore of rome , rev. . . the beast , rev. . , . unrepentant under plagues , rev. . . . . falsly charged on naboth , king. . , . and on christ , mat. . . & . . mark. . . john . . mark. . . luke . . and on stephen , acts . , . other examples . justinian made a law that blasphemers should be severely punished by judges , and magistrates . cod. l. . tit . . king lewis of france caused a noble man to have his lips slit with an hot iron for blaspheming the name of god. fr. chron. sennacherib for his blasphemies had an angel sent that in one night slew one hundred eighty five thousand of his men : and himself was shortly after slain by his own sons , king. . in julian the apostates time , one julian governour of the east , to please the emperour overthrew the christian churches , and pissed against the communion table , and struck euzojus on the eare for reproving him for it : but shortly after the lord sent upon him a grievous disease , his intrails rotting within him , so that he voided his excrements at his mouth , dying in much misery . another of his officers called felix seeing the holy vessels which belonged to the church , said in scorne : see what precious vessels maries sonne is here served withal : but shortly after he was taken with a vomitting of blood , night , and day out of his blasphemous mouth till he died . theod. libanius the sophist about the same time at antioch demanded of a godly , and learned schoolmaster , what the carpenters son did , and how he imploied himself ? he is ( quoth the other ) making a coffin for such a blasphemer as thou art , to carry thee to the grave : libanius jested at this answer , but within a few dayes he died suddenly , and was so buried . theat . hist. michael a blasphemous rabbin , as he was banquetting with his companions , fell to blaspheming christ , and his mother mary , boasting that he had gotten the victory over the christians god : but as he went down the stairs out of the roome , he fell down and brake his neck . fincelius . one dennis benefield , a girle of twelve years of age going to school amongst other girles , they fell to reasoning of god what he was : one said he was a good old father : but this dennis said blasphemously that he was an old doting fool : the next day as she went between london and hackney she was suddenly stricken dead : one side of her being all black , and was buried at hackney . act. & mon. olympius an arian bishop being at a bath in carthage , reproached , and blasphemed the sacred trinity ; whereupon he was suddenly smitten with three flashes of lightning which burned him to death . pau. diaconus . agoland a king of the moores having long promised to be baptized , came at length very gallantly attended to the court of charemaine king of france to performe his promise : where seeing many lazers and poor people expecting the kings almes , he asked . what they were ? answer being made , that they were the messengers , and servants of god : he speedily posted away , protesting desperately , that he would not serve that god who could keep his servants no better . simon churnay a master of paris , anno christi . having most subtilly and acutely disputed about the trinity , some of his familiar friends perswaded him to put it in writing , that so the memorial of such excellent things might not be lost ; whereupon he proudly brake forth into this blasphemous speech : o jesule , jesule : o little jesus , little jesus , how much have i confirmed & advanced thy law in this question ! but if i list to deal crosly , i know how with stronger reasons , and arguments to weaken and disprove the same . which was no sooner spoken but he was stricken dumb , & not only so , but he became an ideot , and ridiculously foolish , and was made a common hissing , and mocking stock to all that saw him . mat. paris . frederick the second , emperour of germany used to say that there were three notable impostors which seduced the world more then any other , viz. moses , christ , and mahomet . lipsius . alphonsus the tenth king of spaine used to say , that if he had been with god at the first making of the world , it had been framed farre better , and more regularly , lipsius . about the year . there were some godly christians here in england convented before the bishop , where they were charged for that in the night-time they used to read in a great book of heresie ( meaning the bible ) certain chapters of the evangelists in english cantaining in them divers erroneous , and damnable opinions and conclusions of heresie . see my english martyrology . p. . mr hauks being convented before bishop bonner for refusing to have his childe baptized , the bishop asked him the reason of it ? he answered , because he durst not admit of their use of oile , spittle , cream , salt , &c. whereupon one darbishire , the bishops kinsman , said to him in a blasphemous manner : you are too curious , you will have nothing but your little pretty gods book . eodem . p. . master denley , martyr , as he was burning at uxbridge , in the middest of the flames sung a psalme ; whereupon doctor story commanded one to hurle a faggot at him , which hitting him on the face made it to bleed , so that master denley gave over singing ; then said story : truly thou hast marred a good old song . eodem . p. . julian at constantinople offered sacrifice to the goddesse fortune , whereupon maris bishop of chalcedon rebuked him sharply , calling him an impious person , an apostate , an atheist , &c. the emperour on the contrary called the bishop blinde fool , blasphemously adding . thy god of galilee will not restore thy sight to thee again : maris replied , i thank my god for making me blinde , that i might not behold so ungracious a face as thine is . see my general martyrology . p. . in the late persecution in bohemia a popish captain going into one of the churches , took a cup from the communion table , being full of wine , and drank to his horse , who having pledged him , he blasphemously said : now my horse is one of the communicants in both kindes . eodem . p. . at the same time when divers godly nobles , and citizens were carrying to prison in prague , the papists insultingly cried after them : why do you not now sing , the lord reigneth ? eodem p. . when any of the protestants desired to be convinced by scripture : they answered with scoffs , and jeers , saying , that the scripture was impersect , obscure , ambiguous , and the fountaine of heresie , the sanctuary of hereticks , which lay-men had nothing to do with : they called the bible , witlia , which in the bohemian language signifies vomit , &c. eodem . p. . a godly man called nicolas , being apprehended in the lowcountreys for religion , as he was going to dinner , craved a blessing , whereupon a popish captaine that was present , swearing grievously , said : let us see thou lewd heretick , if thy god can deliver thee out of my hand . eodem . p. . at angiers in france the papists burnt many bibles , and meeting with one faire gilt one , they hung it on an halbard , carried it in procession , saying : behold , truth is hanged , the truth of the huguenotes , the truth of all the devils : behold , the mighty god : behold , the everlasting god will speak : and when they came to the bridge they threw it into the river , crying louder , behold , the truth of all the devills is drowned . eodem . p. . about the same time at volougnes the mercilesse papists took a godly minister , slew him , stripped his body naked , dragged it up and down , and at last brought it to the chamber where he used to preach to his people , saying , now pray to thy god , and preach if thou canst . eodem . p. . at the same time one monsieur monluc having defeated a party of the protestants , took many prisoners , most of which he hanged , especially the ministers : and amongst the prisoners finding a captaine called la-moth , he gave him divers stabbes with his dagger , and then thrust him thorow with his rapier , saying , villaine , thou shalt die in despite of god : yet he proved a liar , for the man afterwards was miraculously cured of his wounds . eodem . p. . at orleance as they murthered the protestants , they cried out : where is now your god ? what is become of all your prayers , and psalmes now ? let your god that you called upon , save you if he can . others sang in scorne , judge , and revenge my cause , o lord : others , have mercy on us , lord , &c. eodem . p. . see many more in my general martyr . in my english martyr ▪ and in my books of lives . of whom is hymeneus , and alexander , whom i have delivered unto satan , that they may learn not to blaspheme tim . . chap. xxiii . examples of profane scoffers . the apostle peter , pet. . . foretold that in the last dayes should come scoffers walking after their own lusts : and therefore it is no marvel if we , who live in the end , and dregs of these last dayes , finde this prophecie fulfilled . ishmael was a scoffer in abrahams family , and the church hath alwayes been pestered with some of his brood : and therefore we may lesse wonder , if we meet with such amongst those which live out of the pale of gods church : some instances whereof these following examples will exhibite unto us . foretold , pet. . . jude . they are wicked persons , prov. . , . & . . & . . & . . & . . & . . isa. . . psal. . . prov. . . & . . & . . psal. . . & . . prov. . . act. . . heb. . . scriptural examples : the caldeans , hab. . . men of judah , chron. . . sanballat , &c. neh. . . jobs friends , iob . . davids enemies , psal. . . christs enemies , mat. . . mark. . . luk. . . little children , king. . . men of judah , chron. . . souldiers , mat . , . luk. . . & . , . athenians , act. . . some others , job . . psalm . . . ier. . . & . . ishmael , gen. . . king lewis the eleventh of france alwayes wore a leaden god in his hat , and when he had caused any one whom he either feared , or hated , to be killed , he would take it off from his head , and kisse it , beseeching it , that it would pardon him this one evil act more , and it should be the last that he would commit : mockeries fit to be used towards a leaden , but not towards the ever-living god. hist. of holy war. martiques governour of britany in france , in the warre against the protestants , perswaded them to yield to the king , for that their strong god had now forsaken them , and scoffingly said , that it was time for them to sing : help us now o lord , for it is time : but shortly after he found that their strong god was living , able to help the weak , & to confound the proud , himself being presentiy after slaine in the siege . act. & mon. a gentleman in france lying upon his death-bed , the priest bringing him the sacrament of the altar , and telling him that it was the body of christ , he refused to eat it , because it was friday . another also in the like case , seeing the hoast brought to him by a lubberly priest , scoffingly said , that christ came to him ( as once ) riding upon an asse . the queen-mother of scotland having received aid from france , forced the protestants for a while to retire towards the high-lands , whereupon she scoffingly said : where is now john knox his god ? my god is now stronger then his , yea even in fife : but her brags lasted not long : for within a few dayes six hundred protestants beat above four thousand french and scots , &c. see master knox his life in my first part. the same queen-mother , when some english , & scots attempted to take leith by storme , and many of them were slaine by reason that the scaling ladders proved too short , beholding it from edenborough . castle where she was , burst out into a great laughter , saying : now will i go to masse , and praise god for that which mine eyes have seen . and when the french had stripped the slaine , and laid the naked bodies along the walls , the queen looking on them , said scoffingly , yonder are the fairest tapestries that ever mine eyes beheld : i would that the whole fields which are betwixt leith , and this place were all strewed with the same stuffe . but this joy lasted not long : for presently after a fire kindled in leith , which burnt up their store-houses , and provision for the army : and the queen-mother fell sick and died . eodem . when christians complained to julian the apostate of the abuse , and wrongs which his officers did to them : he used scoffingly to answer : it 's your part when you are injured to take it patiently ; for so your god commandeth you : see my general martyrology . p. . in the late persecution in bohemia , some godly martyrs in prague , as they were at supper ( being to suffer the next day ) comforted themselves , saying , that this was their last supper upon earth , & that to morrow they should feast with christ in heaven ; whereupon a great papist flouted them , saying , hath christ cooks for you in heaven ? eodem . p. . now therefore be no more mockers , lest your bands be made strong , isa. . . chap. xxiv . examples of gods judgements against perjury , swearing , cursing , and perjury are such god-provoking and heaven-outfacing sinnes , that the lord doth not only reserve wrath for these his enemies in the world to come , but many times also even in this world he takes some of the eminentest of these sinners , and ( as it were ) hangs them up in gibbets , to be monuments of his heavy wrath , and indignation , for the terrour of others , that they may hear and fear , and do no more so wickedly : as these ensuing examples may sufficiently evince . it 's a great sinne , tim. . . . lev. . . jer. . , hos. . . forbidden , lev. . . mat. . . threatened , jer. . , and . . mal. . . zach. . , hos. . . scriptural examples , princes , and people , jer. , , . zedekiah , ezek. . , . saul , sam. . , . agesilaus being sent with a great army from sparta into asia minor against tissaphernes the king of persiu's leiutenant there : tissaphernes , desired to know the reason of his coming , agesilaus answered , that it was to let the grecian cities free : tissaphernes intreated him to make a truce with him till he had sent to the king of persia to know his pleasure therein : agesilaus consented , and so a truce was made , with solemne oaths on both sides ; but tissaphernes dealt deceitfully , and sent to the king for a great army . which being come to him , he sent an herauld to agesilaus to command him presently to depart out of asia . agesilaus being nothing daunted with the newes , returned this answer , that he gave him no small thanks for that by his perjury he had made the gods angry with the persians , and favourable to the grecians ; and accordingly it so fell out , for coming to a battel , he gave the persians a great overthrow . xenophon . lysander king of sparta , though otherwise a gallant man , yet made no conscience of his oaths , using to say , that boyes used to be deceived with false dice , and men with oaths . plut. eumenes being made general of an army against antigonus by the young king of macedonia , alexander m. his sonne , and his protectour , they wrote to the two colonells of the argyraspides , to adjoyne themselves to him : ( these were alexanders old souldiers , whom when he took them with him into india , he made them silver shields , and called them argyraspides : ) these colonells obeying the command went with him into asia , and after some lesser conflicts , the two armies met at last in media , where these silvershields ( of whom none were under sixty , and most of them were seventy years old , ) took in such scorne that their sonnes and boyes should fight against them , that they charged them with such fury , that after the slaughter of many they made antigonus his infantry wholly to run away ; but in the mean time antigonus his cavalry , had routed the cavalry of eumenes , and seizing upon their carriges , had driven them away , the silver shields hearing of it , sent presently to antigonus , desiring him to restore them their carriages againe : who answered , that if they would deliver up eumenes bound into his hands , he would not only restore their carriages , but greatly preferre them also : hereupon most treacherously they ran upon eumenes , took away his sword , and bound his hands behinde him , so that he could scarce get leave to speake before they carried him away , but at last having obtained leave , he thus spake : o my souldiers , ye see the habit , and ornaments of your general , not imposed upon him by his enemies , but you your selves of a conquerer have made him a captive : you that within one yeares space , have bound your selves foure times to me by oath , do now to redeem your carriages betray me to mine enemies , therefore i desire you rather to kill me your selves , for antigonus desires not to have me living but dead , and if you will but herein gratifie me , i freely absolve you , from all the oaths wherewith you have bound your selves to me , or if you will not shew me so much favour , then loose one of my bands , and give me a sword that i may kill my selfe , or if you dare not trust me with a sword , cast me to the elephants to be destroyed by them . but when he saw that they would gratifie him in none of these , he grew into a passion , and said , ye cursed villaines , i pray the gods , who are the revengers of perjury , to send you such ends as ye have brought your generals unto , for i am not the first whom you have thus betrayed , &c. and so being delivered to antigonus , he was shortly after murthered by him : but withal he so hated these perjured silver shields , that he burned one of their colonells , and slew the other , the rest of them he sent into remote countreys , and put them upon such desperate services , that by degrees they were all cut off , and never any one of them , returned into his own countrey againe . plut. king henry the first of england in the twenty seventh year of his reigne , caused the bishops , abbats , and nobles to sweare allegiance to his daughter maud , and that she should succeed in his kingdome : they which swore , were first william arch-bishop of canterbury , and the rest of the bishops , and abbats , then david king of scotland , uncle to maud , now married to the emperesse of germany , then stephen earle of mortaigne , and bulloigne nephew to the king , &c. but so soon as king henry was dead in normandy , stephen hasted into england , and by the help especially of the bishops , was made king , and the emperesse put by : but behold the revenging hand of god following their perjury : stephen though otherwise a gallant prince , yet found his crowne , to be but a glorious misery , mars , and vulcan never suffering him to be at quiet ; and as he would not suffer the right heire to inherit , so god would not suffer him to have an heire to inherit ; for his sonne was put by the crowne , which was conferred upon henry sonne to the emperesse , the rightfull heire . also william arch-bishop of canterbury never prospered after his perjury , but died within that yeare . roger bishop of salisbury fell into displeasure with king stephen , who took him prisoner , seized upon his castles , and treasures , and so used him that he died for very griefe . alexander bishop of lincolne was also taken by the king , and led in a rope to the castle of newark upon trent , the king swearing that the bishop should neither eat nor drink till his castle was surrendered ; so that there he gat all the bishops treasure : and as for hugh bigot he also escaped not long unpunished , saith fabian . rodulph duke of sweveh , provoked by the pope , rebelled against his sovereigne , the emperour henry the fourth , but in a battel which he fought against him , he lost his right arme , whereof he shortly after died : acknowledging gods justice for his disloyalty , punishing him in that arme , which before was lift up to sweare the oath of allegiance to his master . act. & mon. narcissus , a godly bishop of ierusalem , was falsly accused by three men of many foule matters , who sealed up with oathes , and imprecations their false testimonies : but shortly after one of them with his whole family , and substance was burnt with fire : another of them was stricken with a grievous disease , such as in his imprecation he had wished to himselfe : the third terrified with the sight of gods judgements upon the former , became very panitent , and poured out the griefe of his heart in such aboundance of teares , that thereby he became blinde . euseb. the arians hired a woman to accuse eustatius a godly bishop of committing whoredome with her , thereby procuring his banishment : but shortly after the lord struck her with a grievous disease , whereupon she confessed her perjury ( the childe being begotten by eustatius a smith , and not eustatius the bishop ) and so presently after she died , euseb. the emperour albert , having made a truce with the great turke , and solemnly sworne to the same : pope eugenius the fourth sent him a dispensation from his oath , and excited him to renew the warre against them : but in the first battel he was discomfited , and slaine , to the great shame of christianity : the infidels justly accusing them of perjury , and covenant ▪ breaking sealed by the name of christ , whom they professe to be their saviour . turk . hist. almerick king of ierusalem having entred into league with the caliph of egypt , and confirmed the same by an oath , afterwards warred upon him contrary to his promise : whereupon god raised him up many enemies , who miserably wasted the kingdome of ierusalem , himselfe was beaten out of egypt , and all hopes of succour failing him , being wearied with whole volleys of miseries , he ended his life of a bloody flux . hist. holy warres . the egyptians reputed perjury so capital a crime , that whosoever was convinced thereof was punished with death . pausanias noteth this to be one chiefe cause , why philip king of macedon with all his posterity were so quickly destroyed , because he made no account of keeping his oathes , but sware and unswere as might stand best with his interest . gregory of tours makes mention of a wicked varlet in france , among the people called averni , that forswearing himselfe in an unjust-cause , had his tongue presently so tied , that he could not speake but roare , till by his inward prayer , and repentance , the lord restored him the use of that unruly member . theodor beza recordeth what befell a perjured person , who forswore himselfe to the prejudice of his neighbour : he had no sooner made an end of his oath , but being suddenly stricken with an apoplexie , he never spake word more till he died . cleomenes king of lacedemonia making truce with the argives for seven dayes , oppressed them in the third night unawares , thinking thereby to avoid perjury : but the argive women , their husbands being slaine , took up armes , like so many amazones , and repelled cleomenes : who afterwards was banished into egypt , where desperately he slew himselfe . plut. uladislaus king of hungary having contracted a league with amurath the great turke , and bound himselfe to it by an oath : the pope sent a legat to absolve him from his oath , and provoke him to warre : which he undertaking with a very great army , the victory stood doubtfull a great while together : but amurath seeing a crucifix in the christians ensigne , pluckt the writing ( wherein the late league was contained ) out of his bosome ; and with his eyes , and hands cast up to heaven , said , o thou crucified christ , behold , this is the league thy christians in thy name made with me , which they have causelesly violated : if thou be a god , as they say thou art , and as we dream , revenge the wrong now done unto thy name , and me , and shew thy power upon thy perjured people , who in their deeds deny thee their god : immediately afterward , the king in the middest of his enemies was slaine , and the christians fled , very few ever returning to their own homes , but perished miserably . turk hist. when harold king of england was ready to joyne in battel with william the conquerer , and his normans : gyth , a younger brother of his , advised him that in case he had made promise unto william of the kingdome , he should for his own person withdraw himselfe out of the battel ; for surely all his forces could not secure him against god , and his own conscience , who no doubt would require punishment for breach offaith , and promise , withall assuring him that if he would commit the fortune of that battel into his hands , he would not faile to performe the part of a good brother , and valiant captaine : but the king contemning this wholesome counsel , would needs joyne battel himselfe , wherein he lost his army , kingdome , and his own life . camb , brit. p. , . henry falmer being accused by his own brother of heresie , as they call it , suffered martyrdome for the same : but shortly after his said brother , who had borne false witnesse against him , was pressed for a pioner in the voyage to bulloine , where within three dayes , as he was exonerating nature , a gun took him , and tore him all to peeces . act. and mon. sigismund the emperour having granted letters of safe conduct unto iohn hus , and ierome of prague , under the faith and protection of himself , and the empire , yet suffered them to be unjustly burnt at the councel of constance : after which time the said emperour never prospered in any thing that he took in hand , he died without issue male , and his daughters son [ ladislaus ] died also childlesse , whereby his name was quite extinguished in one age : and his emperesse became a dishonour also to the royal place which she held , and so gods judgements justly followed him for his perjury . luther . elfred a nobleman in the dayes of king ethelstane of england , conspiring against his sovereigne intended at winchester to have pulled out his eyes : but his treason being discovered , he was sent to rome to purge himself by oath , where before the altar of saint peter , and in the presence of pope iohn the tenth , he abjuring the thing , suddenly fell down to the earth , and being carried by his servants into the english schoole , within three dayes after , he there died . sp. chron p. . goodwin earle of kent , anno . being charged by king edward with the death of his brother alfred , excused himself with many words , and at last eating a morsel of bread , wished that it might choake him , if he were guilty thereof : but before he stirred one foot from the place , he was according to his own imprecation forthwith choaked . in the reigne of queen elizabeth , one annis averies in the city of london , widow , forswore her selfe for a little mony , which she should have paid for six pounds of towe at a shop in woodstreet , and by gods just judgement , she immediately fell down speechless , casting her excrements upwards , which should have been voided downwards , and so presently died . act. & mon. a certain inne-keeper in the town of rutlinguen , receiving a budget of money from a passenger , to keep for him , forswore the same before the judge , giving himself to the devil if he swore falsly , and was ( by two that testified against him which indeed were two fiends of hell ) presently in the presence of the judge , hoisted up into the aire , where he vanished away with them , and was never found after . one hearing perjury condemned by a godly preacher , and how it never escaped unpunished , said in a bravery , i have often for sworne my self , and yet my right hand is no shorter then my left ; which words he had scarce uttered , when such an inflammation arose in that hand , that he was forced to go to the chirurgion , and cut it off , lest it should have infected his whole body , whereby it became shorter then the other . a rich young maide in saxony promised marriage to a proper young man , but poore : he fore-seeing that wealth and inconstancy might alter her minde , freely disclosed his thoughts to her : whereupon she made a thousand imprecations to the contrary , wishing that if she ever married another , the devil might take her away on the wedding day : yet afterwards the fickle wench was betrothed , and married to another : at dinner two men on horseback came to the house , and were entertained at the feast : and after dinner one of them leading the bride a dance , he took her by the hand , and led her a turne or two , and then in the presence of all her friends , he caught her , crying out for help , and went out at the gate where he hoisted her up into the aire , and vanished away with his companion and horses , so that she was never seen more . sword against swearers . philip king of macedonia was a great contemner of all oaths , and held the religious observation of them as a vaine thing , for which cause the vengeance of god followed him , and all his posterity : for himself being scarce fourty six years old was slaine , and his whole family was quickly extinguished : arideus one of his sons was slaine by olympias his wife : another son that he had by cleopatra , was by his mother tormented to death in a brazen vessel compassed about with fire : the rest of his sons perished in the like manner , and his son alexander after his great conquests , in the prime of his dayes , and in the middest of his victories died miserably , as some think , of poison . pausanius . a certain maid in london that had stolen many things from her mistris , being examined , forswore them , wishing that she might rot if ever she touched them , or knew of them : but being yet carried to prison , she began so to rot , and stink , that they were forced to thrust her out of prison into a common hospitall . iohn cooper a godly man in queen maries dayes was falsely , and maliciously accused of treason , for speaking some words against the queen , and accordingly executed : but one grimwood ( who had sworn falsely against him ) being shortly after about his labour in the harvest , and in good health , suddenly his bowels fell out of his body , and so he died most miserably . act. & mon. chap. xxv . examples of gods iudgements upon common swearers . bishop ridly in a sermon at pauls crosse related a story of a young gentleman of cornwall in the dayes of king edward the sixth , who riding in the company of other gentlemen began to swear , and swagger , and being reproved for it he swore the more , and raged worse : to whom one master haines , a minister , with gentle words said , that he should one day give an account thereof : whereat the gentleman being in a fume , bade him take no thought for him , but to prepare for his own winding-sheet : well , said the other , amend , for death gives no warning : gods wounds ( said he ) care not thou for me , still raging worse and worse , till coming to a bridge ( which passed over an arme of the sea ) the young gallant so spurred , and switched his horse , that he leaped over with him into the water , who as he was going cried : horse , and man , and all to the devil . act. & mon. a serving-man in lincolnshire for every trifle used to swear by gods precious blood , and would not be warned by his friends , till at length falling into a grievous sicknesse , he was again much perswaded by his friends to repent , which counsel he still rejected , and hearing the bell to toll , in the very paines of death he start up , swearing , gods wounds the bell tolles for me , but he shall not have me yet : whereupon the blood issued out in a most fearful manner from all the joynts of his body , from mouth , nose , wrists , knees , heeles , and toes , and other parts of his body , and so he died . mr. perkins . michael a jewish rabbin , as he was swearing , and blaspheming the name of iesus , fell down , and brake his neck . socrat. eccl. hist. three souldiers passing through a wood in the countrey of samurtia , there arose a tempest of thunder and lightning , and one of them to shew his contempt of god and his judgements , burst forth into swearing , and blasphemy , but the tempest tearing up an huge tree , it fell upon him , and crushed him to peeces . one who for twelve or sixteen years together used to sweare by gods armes : in the end his own arme being hurt with a knife , could not be healed by any means , but wrankled , and festered from day to day , and at last so rotted , that it fell away peece-meale , and himself through anguish , and paine thereof died . phil. stubs . i my selfe ( saith a godly divine , that wrote lately ) knew two most notorious swearers , that brake their necks , the one with a fall down a paire of staires , the other from his horse . another relates of a swearing courtier at mansfield , who in the middest of his blasphemous oaths was taken up , and carried away by the devil . at a village called benevides in spaine , two young men being together in the field , there suddenly arose a terrible tempest , and withal so violent a whirlewinde , that it amazed the beholders : the two young men seeing the fury of it coming towards them , ran as fast as possibly they might , but yet it overtook them , and they fearing to be hoisted up into the aire by it , fell down flat upon the earth , where the whirlewinde whisked round about them for a pretty while , and then passed forwards : the one of them arose in such an agony that he was scarce able to stand : the other lying still and not stirring , some other that stood under an hedge a far off , went to see how he did , and found him stark dead , with his bones so crushed , that the joynts of his armes , and legges turned every way , as though his body had been made of mosse : his tongue also was pulled out by the roots , and could never be found , which was the more remarkable , because he was noted to have been an outragious swearer , and blasphemer of gods holy name . anth. de torquem . at tubing in germany a desperate boy used to invent such new oaths as were not common : but the lord sent a canker or some worse disease that did eat out his tongue , the instrument wherewith he blasphemed . g●●m . hist. a certain man who in his life-time was given exceedingly to the fearful sinne of swearing : had his heart on his death-bed so exceedingly filled with enraged greedinesse after it , that he desperately desired the standers by to help him with oaths , and to sweare for him : though himself in the mean time swore as fast , and furiously as he could , mr. bolton . destructorium vi●iorum tells of an harlot who had three sonnes , and told her husband that only one of them was his , whereupon at his death he bequeathed his estate to him that should be found to be his true son ▪ upon this the sons contend , & the judges to decide it , commanded the fathers dead body to be set up against a tree , and that he of the three that could shoot nearest to his heart should be his heire : the two bastards shot , the third refused , and was offended with the other for doing it : by which natural love they concluded him to be the natural son , and gave him the inheritance : surely they are bastards , and no sonnes that wound god at heart , and teare him in peeces by oaths , &c. charilaus a pagan being asked why the images of the gods in sparta were armed ? to the end , saith he , that men may fear to blaspheme the gods , knowing that are armed to take vengeance upon their enemies . chrysostome whilest he was at antioch spent most of his sermons against swearing that if not the fear of god , yet his importunity might make them a weary of that sin . philip king of france ordained that whosoever by swearing blasphemed god , though in a tavern , yet he should be straightway drowned . maximilian the emperour decreed that every vain swearer should pay thirteen shillings and four pence , which who so refused to pay , and repented not of his wickednesse , should lose his head . henry the first , king of england appointed the payment of fourty shillings , twenty shillings , ten shillings , and three shillings four pence , according to the degree of the swearer , to be given to the poore . christi● ● . about the end of june there was a souldier at ware going with some others to wash himself in the river : but finding the water shallow , he asked if there was no deeper a place for him to swim in : some told him that there was not farre off a deep pit but that it was very dangerous , and therefore advised him to take heed how he went into it : to whom he answered : god damn me , if it be as deep as hell i will go into it : which accordingly he did , but immediately sunk to the bottome , never rising again , but was there drowned . to swear by their faith was the romanes greatest oath , which they kept inviolably . plut. king charles the ninth of france entertained into his favour one albertus tu●●us an hucks●ers sonne , to whom in five years space ( besides other honoures ) he gave six hundred thousand crownes , though all the good the king gat by him , was to learn to swear by the name of god. camerar . med . hist. c. . but above all things , my brethren , swear not , neither by heaven , neither by the earth , neither by any other oath : but let your yea be yea , and your nay● , nay , lest ye fall into condemnation . jam. . . chap. xxvi . examples of gods judgements upon cursers . in france a man of good parts , and well instructed in religion , yet in his passion cursing , and bidding the devil take one of his children , the childe was immediately possessed with an evil spirit : from which , though by the fervent and continual prayers of the church , he was at length released , yet ere he had fully recovered his health , he died . beza . anno ● . at forchenum in the bishoprick of bamburg , a priest preaching about the sacrament , used these , and such like blasphemous speeches : o paul , paul , if thy doctrine touching the receiving of the sacrament in both kindes be true , and if it be a wicked thing to receive it otherwise , then let the devil take me : and if the popes doctrine concerning this point be false , then am i the devils bondslave , neither do i fear to pawn my soul upon it : presently the devil came indeed in the shape of a tall man , black , and terrible , with a fearful noise , and roaring winde , took away the old priest , that he was never after heard of . fincelius . in helvetia , anno . a certaine man that earned his living by making cleane foule linnen , in his drunkennesse used horrible cursings , wishing that the devil might break his neck if he ever went to his old occupation again , yet the next day when he was sober , he went into the field again about it : where the devil attended him in the likenesse of a big swarthy man , asking him , if he remembred his wish , and withal struck him over the shoulders , so that his feet , and hands presently dried , yet the lord gave not the devil power to do him so much hurt as he wisht to himself . fincelius . henry earle of schwartburg used commonly to wish that he might be drowned in a privy . if such , and such things were not so , and according to his wish , so it befell him at saint peters monastery in erfor●s anno . luther on cor. . reports of one in germany of a most wicked life , who at almost every word he spake , the devil was at one end . now it happened on a time as he was passing over a bridge , he fell down , and as he was falling , cried out , hoist up with an hundred devils : which was no sooner spoken , but the devil whom he called on so oft , was at his elbow to strangle , and carry him away with him . another story he relates of a popish priest , once a professour of the truth , but now an apostate , who thundered out many bitter curses against luther at a place called ruthnerwald , and amongst other passages , wished , if luthers doctrine were true , that a thunderbolt might strike him to death . now three dayes after there arose a mighty tempest with thunder , and lightning , whereat the cursing priest being affrighted , having a guilty conscience within him , ran hastily to the church : and there fell to his prayers before the altar , but gods vengeance pursued him , and by a flash of lightning he was struck dead : and though they recovered life in him again , yet as they carried him home , in the church-yard another flash of lightning , burnt him from the head to the foot as black as a shoe , whereby he immediately died . anno christi . there lived in a city of savoy , a man who was a monstrous swearer , and curser , and though he was often admonished , and blamed for it , yet would by no meanes mend his manners : at length a great plague happening in the city , he withdrew himself with his wife , and a kinswoman into a garden which he had : where being again admonished to give over his wickednesse , he hardened his heart more , swearing , blaspheming god , and giving himself to the devil , and immediately the devil snatched him up suddenly , his wife and kinswoman looking on , and carried him quite away . the magistrates advertised hereof , went to the place , and examined the two women , who justified the truth of it . at oundle in northampton-shire there was one william hacket , who used in his earnest talke thus to curse himself : if it be not true , let god send a visible confusion upon me : which wish of his came to passe : for falling into abominable errours , he called himselfe christ , and judge of the world , for which he was hanged in the thirty third year of queen elizabeth in cheapside . at oster in the dutchy of magala●ole , a wicked woman used in her cursings to give her selfe body and soul to the devil , and being reproved for it , she still contined the same , till ( being at a wedding-feast ) the devil came in person , and carried her up into the aire with most horrible out-cries , and roarings , and in that sort carried her round about the towne , that the inhabitants were ready to die with fear : and by and by tore her in foure peeces , leaving her foure quarters in four several high-wayes , and then brought her bowels to the marriage-feast , and threw them upon the table before the major of the town , saying , behold , these dishes of meat belong to thee , whom the like destruction waiteth for , if thou doest not amend thy wicked life . at wittenberg , before martin luther and others ; a woman whose daughter was possessed with a spirit , confessed that , being angry she bid the devil take her , and that she had no sooner spoken the word , but she was possessed after a strange sort . in a towne in misnia , sep. . anno . a cholerick father seeing his sonne slack about his businesse , wished that he might never stirre from that place : which he had no sooner spoken , but his son stuck fast indeed , nor could by any meanes possible be removed , no not so much as to fit , or bend his body , till by the prayers of the faithful , his paines were mitigated , though not remitted : three yeares he continued so standing with a post at his back for his ease , and four years sitting , at the end whereof he died , nothing weakned in his understanding but professing the faith , and not doubting of his salvation through jesus christ : when at any time he was asked how he did ? his answer usualy was , that he was fastened of god , and that it was not in man to release him . at noeburg in germany a woman in her anger cursed her sonne , wishing that she might never see him return alive : and the same day the young man bathing himselfe in water , was drowned , so that ( as she wished ) it befel her . this is the curse which goeth forth over the face of the whole world , i will bring it forth , saith the lord , and it shall enter into the house of the thiefe , and into the house of him that sweareth falsly by my name , and it shall remaine in the middest of his house , and shall consume it with the timber thereof , and with the stones thereof , zach. . , . chap. xxvii . examples of gods judgements upon hereticks , and schismaticks . it is just with god , that they which will not have truth their king , and willingly obey it , should have falsehood their tyrant , to whom their judgements should be captivated , and enslaved : hence i● is , that as errors in practice are like a fretting leprosie , of a contagious , and spreading nature , so errors in judgements are very diffusive also : a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump , cor. . . and hereticks false doctrines f●et like a gangrene , tim. . . for no opinion is so monstrous , but if it have a mother , it will get a nurse : wofull experience in these times , wherein the golden reines of government are wanting , doth clearly evince the truth hereof . but yet the lord doth seldome suffer the authors , and chiefe fomentors of heresies , and schismes even in this world to go unpunished , as will fully appear in these ensuing examples . an heretick is one that erres in a necessary doctrine of faith , and being sufficiently admonished , wilfully persists therein , tit. . . called foxes , cant. . . dogs , phil. . . men of corrupt mindes , tim. . . reprobate concerning the faith , tim. . . teachers for lucre sake , tit. . . seducing spirits , tim. . . men of seared consciences , tim. . . deceitfull workers , phil. . . cor. . . teachers of perverse things , act. . . enemies to the crosse of christ , phil. . . heresie is called leaven , luk. . . wood , hay , stubble , cor. . . windy doctrine , eph. . . damnable doctrine , pet. . . mystery of iniquity , thes. . . contrary to sound doctrine , tim. . . doctrine of devils , tim. . . doctrine of men , col. . . dissenting from wholesome doctrine , tim. . . perverse disputings , tim. . . a word that eats like a gangrene , tim. . . erring from the truth , tim. . . strange doctrine , heb. . . root of bitternesse , heb. . . which should not be taught , tit. . . doctrine of balaam , and nicholaitans , rev. . , . a work of the flesh , gal. . scriptural examples , ahab , and zedekiah , jer. . . shemaiah , jer. . , , . hananiah , jer. . , . zedekiah , kings . , , . shemaiah , nehem . . . scribes and pharisees , mat. . . & . , ▪ sadduces , mat. . . & . . herod , mark . . hymeneus , and alexander , tim. . . philetus , tim. . . phygellus and hermogenes , tim. . . balaam , revel . . . barjesus , acts . , . herodians , mark . . & . . noadiah , nehem. . . jezabel , rev. . . the arian heresie having overspread the city of antiochia , whereupon arose a great schisme , and contention amongst the inhabitants , the lord sent a terrible earth-quake , which overthrew a great part of the city , and with the earth-quake fire also brake forth of the ground , which consumed all the residue : by both which , multitudes of persons perished . evag. arrius himselfe the father of that heresie , as he was easing nature in a secret place , his bowels gushed our , and so he died miserably . theod. saint augustine being to dispute with pascentius the ari●● , pascen●ius requested that what passed betwixt them might not be set down in writing , and afterwards made his b●●gs , that he had w●●sted augustine in the di●p●●e , which report was believed of all that des●●ed ●t aug. 〈◊〉 . ep. ● . sim●n magus , after that he was so sharply reproved by ●eter w●nt t● rome , and taught many abominable heresies , affirming himself to be the true god : that the w●rl● was created by angels , that christ was neither come , no● did suffer● he denied the resurrection of the body , brought in the promiscuous use of women : used the company of one h●l●na , an harlot , whom he affirmed to be the holy ghost and that he begat angels of her : he attempted to shew his power to the people by flying in the aire , but falling down , he brake his thigh , and died miserably . jacks . ch●o● p. . manas , or manicheus , the heretick , denied the old testament , called himselfe the holy spirit , and professed that he had power to work miracles : whereupon he was sent for by the king of persia , to cure his sonne who lay sick of a dangerous disease : but his impostures sai●ing , and the childe dying under his hand , the king caused him to be slaine , and his skin taken off , and to be stuffed full of chaffe , and set up before the g●t● of the city . simps . nestorius the ●eretick who spake against the union of the divine and humane nature of christ , making , as it were ▪ two christs , had his blasphemous tongue ●orted in his mouth ▪ and consumed with wormes , and at length the earth opened her mouth , and swallowed him up . evag. niceph. the emperour valence , who was an arian heretick , was overtaken by the goths in a village , which they set on fire , where in he was burnt to death , leaving no successor , and his name became a curse , and execration to all ages . sozom. under the reign of adrian the emperour there was one called benchochab , who professed himselfe to be the messias , that descended from heaven in the likenesse of a starre to redeem the jews , whereby he drew a multitude of disciples after him : but shortly after himselfe and all his followers were slaine , which occasioned the jews to call him bencozba , the sonne of a lie . eus. gerinthus the heretick , being in a bath at ephesus , the apostle john seeing him , said to those that were with him , let us depart , lest the house wherein the lords enemy is , should fall upon our heads : and accordingly when he was gone , it fell upon cerinthus , and his associats , and killed them . eus. montanus who denied the divinity of christ , and called himselfe the comforter , or holy spirit , that was to come into the world : and his two wives , priscilla and maxilla , he named his prophetesses : but shortly after god gave him over to despaire , that he hanged himselfe . magdebur . niceph. heraclius the emperour infected with the heresie of the monothelites , having raised a great army against his enemies , fifty two thousand of them died in one night , whereupon he presently fell sick , and died . simps . constance the emperour a monothelite , was slaine by one of his own servants , as he was washing of himselfe in a bath . simps . constantius the emperour , a great favourer , and supporter of the arian heresie , died suddenly of an apoplexie . socr. cyril hath of his own knowledge recorded a wonderful judgement of god upon an heretick in his time . there was ( saith he ) presently after the death of saint hierom , a bold and blasphemous heretick , called sabinianus , who denied the distinction of persons in the trinity , affirming the father , sonne , and holy ghost , to be but one indistinct person , and to gaine credit to his heresie , he wrote a book to confirme his opinions , which he published in the name of saint hierome ; whereupon silvanus bishop of nazareth sharply reproved him for depraving so worthy a man now dead , and to detect his falsehood , agreed with sabinianus , that if hierome did not the next day by some miracle declare his falsehood , he would willingly die : but if he did , the other should die : this being agreed upon , the day following they went to the temple at hierusalem , multitudes of people following them to see the issue , and the day was now past , and no miracle appeared , so that silvanus was required to yield his neck to the headsman , which he willingly , and confidently did : but when he was ready to receive the blow , something appeared like saint hierome , and staid the blow , and then vanishing , presently the head of sabinianus fell off , and his carcase tumbled upon the ground . grimoald king of lombardy , an arian heretick , being let blood for some distempers , eleven dayes after as he was drawing a bowe , the veine opening a new , he bled to death . nestorius the heretick being made bishop of constance by theodosius , bespake him thus in a sermon : o caesar , purge me the land of hereticks , ( meaning the orthodox christians , ) and i shall give thee heaven : help thou me to root out them , and i shall help thee to overcome thine enemies : for which cause he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fling-fire : in french boutefeux . hist. trip. about ●he yeere . there lived at cubbington in warwick-shire , a gentleman called master griswould , of a competent estate , and a zealous prosessor of religion , familiarly acquainted with most of the godly ministers and christians thereabouts , and well esteemed of by them : till one canne ( lately of amsterdam ) falling into his acquaintance began to seduce him from his former opinions , and practice , causing him to scruple , first , joyning with our congregations in prayers , and the sacrament : secondly , to question whether he might lawfully hear a conformable minister , though able , and godly ? from thence he fell to separation : and after a while , he first questioned , and after concluded , that there was no true church in the world , to which he might adjoyne himselfe , and therefore kept himselfe to duties with his own family , and rejected all others , yet staid he not long here , but after a while , excluding his servants , he kept himselfe in his chamber with his children only : then he conceited that all civil society with others defiled him : and thereupon locking his chamber-door continually , he caused his servants to reach in at the window food for himselfe , and children : he cut out all the contents of the chapters , through the whole bible : expected enthusiasmes , and revelations , often in the day lying along on the floore , and causing his children to do the like with their heads in a ring : and when his ancient friends , ministers , and others hearing of it , came to speake with him ( amongst whom my selfe was one ) knocking at his chamber-door , importuning , intreating , and threatening to break open the doore , yet could they by no meanes prevaile either to have a word from him , or the door opened : at length one of his children sickened , and died , yet he concealing it , privately carried it into the next roome , and locked it up , till the corpse putrefying almost choaked him : whereupon he caused his servant to bring him some mosse , ( still concealing the occasion ) wherewith he stopped the cranies in his wall to keep out the stench : but his course of life being much talked of abroad , a neighbour justice of peace , pittying his condition , sent some with command to break open his chamber-doore , which being done , they found him , and his children ( like nebuchadnezzar ) much deformed with their haire , and nailes grown very long , their clothes almost rotten upon their backes for the want of shift , and all their healths very much impaired with that course of life : yet neither would he , nor any of his children ( being so tutored by him ) speak to any one , though never so much pressed thereunto . but it pleased god at length that his children being taken from him , and sent to some friends , recovered both their tongues , and health . himself upon the breaking open of this door presently took his bed , refusing to speak to , or converse with any : and though by godly ministers and others which came to him , he was laboured with to take notice of the dangerous temptation under which he lay , intreated , counselled , threatened , and prayed with , and for him , yet still turning his face to the wall , he would neither heare nor answer them one word ; in which obstinate condition he remained till his death , which was not long after . david george , alins haàs van burcht , borne in delft in the low-countreys : a man altogether unlearned , being a painter of glasses : yet subtile of understanding , and eloquent withal , after he began to disperse his erroneous tenets , was sought after by the magistrates of that place , whereupon he fled with his family to basil in suitzerland , where in private he taught , and advanced his damnable heresies , confirming his absent disciples by letters , and books which he caused to be printed in the castle of beningen . he died in the said town of basil , anno . for griefe that one of his followers was revolted : before his death , whereas his disciples thought him to be god , seeing him draw towards death , he resolutely said unto them , be not amased , i go to begin to shew my power : christ my predecessour to shew his power rose again the third day : but i to shew my greater glory will rise again at the end of three years : afterwards the magistrate being throughly informed of his life , and doctrine , caused his processe to be drawn , and by a sentence , his body was taken out of the ground , and justice done as if he had been alive , his goods confiscated , and his books burnt . belg. com. wealth . p. . . at boston in new england the seventeenth of octob. . the wife of master william dier ( which woman held many monstrous , and heretical opinions ) was brought to bed of a monster , which had no head , the face stood low upon the breast , the eares like an apes , grew upon the shoulders , the eyes stood far out , and so did the mouth : the nose was hooking upward : the breast , and back full of short prickles like a thornback : the navel , belly , and distinction of the sexe were where the hips should have been , and those back-parts were on the same side with the face , the armes , hands , thighes , and leggs were as other childrens : but instead of toes it had on each foot three clawes , with tallons like a fowle : upon the back above the belly , it had two great holes like mouths , and in each of them stood out two peeces of flesh : it had no forehead , but in the place above the eyes it had four hornes , two of above an inch long , hard , and sharpe , and the othee two somewhat lesse : it was of the female sexe ; both the father and mother of it were great familists : the midwife ( one hawkins wife of st. ives ) was notorious for familiarity with the devil ▪ and a prime familist : most of the women who were present at this womans travel , were suddenly taken with such a violent vomiting , and purging , without eating , or drinking any thing , that they were forced to go home : others had their children so taken with convulsions ( which they neither had before , nor after ) that they were sent for home , so that none were left at the time of the birth of it , but the midwife , and two other , one of which was fallen asleep : and at such time as the child died ( which was about two houres before the birth of it ) the bed wherein the mother lay , shook so violently , as that all that were in the roome perceived it : the afterbirth had prickles on the inside like those on the childes breast . see mr. wells short story , &c , p. . also about the same time , and in the same place one mistris hutchinson , who held about thirty monstrous , and heretical opinions , whereof you have a catalogue set down by the same author , pag. . &c. growing big with childe , and towards the time of her labour , at last brought forth thirty monstrous births , or thereabouts at once : some of them bigger , and some lesser : some of one shape , and some of another : few of any perfect shape , none of all of them of humane shape : this mistris hutchinson was first banished by the magistrates of new-england into read-island for her heresies : but not staying long there , she removed with all her family , her daughter , and her children into the dutch plantation to a place called helgate : where the indians set upon them , and slew her with all her family , her daughter , and her daughters husband , with all their children , save onely one that escaped : which is the more remarkable , because it was never heard that the indians either before , or since did commit the like outrage upon any others . a popish ▪ priest , parson of crondal neere canterbury , at the coming in of cardinal poole , was absolved by him , & got a copy of the popes bull of pardon brought into england by the said poole ; which the sabbath following he read to his people , and withal told them , that having been with the cardinal on the thursday before , he had made him as clean from his sinnes , as he was at the font-stone , or the night wherein he was borne : whilest he was relating this in the pulpit , he fell down stark dead , and never stirred more . act. and mon. john duns , called scotus , borne in emildon in northumberland , who being brought up in merton colledge in oxford , was wonderful well learned in logick , and in that crabbed ; and intricate devinity of those dayes : yet as one still doubtful and unresolved , he did overcast the truth of religion with mists of obscurity : but he died miserably , being taken with an apoplexie , and over-hastily buried , he after a time revived , and making means in vaine by a lamentable noise to call for help , after he had a long time knocked his head against the grave-stone , dashed out his braines , and so yielded up his vital breath : whereupon were made these verses . quaecunque humani fuerant , jurisque sacrati , in dubium veniunt cuncta vocante scoto . quid ? quod & in dubium illius sit vita vocata , morte illum simili ludificaute stropha . quum non ante virum vitâ jugulârit ademptâ , quàm vivus tumulo conditus ille foret . all learning taught in humane books , and couch'd in holy writ , duns scotus dark , and doubtful made by subtilty of wit. no marvel that to doubtful tearmes of life himself was brought , whil'st with like wile , and subtile trick , death on his body wrought . when as her stroke to kill outright she would not him vouchsafe , until that man ( a pitious case ) was buried quick in grave . camb. brit. p. . mahomet , by birth an arabian , was one of the monstrousest hereticks that ever lived . he came of a base stock , and being fatherlesse , one abdemonoples bought him for his slave , and loved him for his parts , so that he made him ruler of his house ; about which time one serg●us a monk ( flying for his heresie into arabia ) instructed him in the heresie of nestorius . a while after his master died , and mah●met married his widow , after whose death he grew famous for his wealth , and skill in magick . wherefore by the advice of sergius he called himself the great prophet of god , and his fame encreasing , he devised a law , and wrote it , which he called the alcoran , wherein he borrowed something from almost all the heresies which were before his time . with the sabellians he denied the trinity . with the manichees he affirmed that there were but two persons in the deity . with eunomius he denied the equality of the father with the son. with macedonius he said that the holy ghost was a creature : and held the community of women with the nicolaitans : he borrowed of the jews circumcision , and of the gentiles much superstition : and somewhat he took from the christian verity , besides many devilish phansies invented of his own braine : but when he had lived in wickednesse about fourty years , god cut him off by the falling sicknesse , which of a long time having been troubled with , he told his seduced disciples that at those times the angel gabriel appeared to him , whose brightnesse he could not behold . a certain jesuite in lancashire as he was walking by the way ▪ lost his glove : and one that came after him finding it , followed him apace , with intention to restore it : but he fearing the worst , being inwardly pursued with a guilty conscience , ran away , and hastily leaping over an hedge , fell into a marle pit , which was on the other side , and in which he was drowned . wards ser. anno christi . there was one edmund coppinger , and henry arthington , two gentlemen who associated themselves with william hacket , sometimes a very lewd person , but now converted in outward shew , by whose hypocritical behaviour the aforesaid gentlemen were deluded to think that hacket was anointed to be judge of the world : wherefore coming one day to his lodging in london , hacket told them that he had been anointed by the holy ghost : then coppinger asked , what his pleasure was to command them ? go ( saith he ) and proclaime in the city , that jesus christ is come with his fan in his hand to judge the earth : and if they will not believe you , let them come , and kill me if they can . coppinger answered , that it should be done : and so immediately he and arthington●an ●an into the streets ▪ and proclaimed their message● and when by reason of the confluence of people they could go no further , they gat up into two empty carts in cheapside , crying , repent , repent , for jesus christ is come to judge the world . and so pulling a paper out of their bosoms , they read out of it many things , touching the calling and office of hacket , as how he represented christ , by partaking of his glorified body , &c. they also called themselves his prophets , one of justice , the other of mercy . the city being amazed at this thing , took hacket , carried him before a justice , who after examination committed him , and at the sessions being found guilty of sedition , and speaking traiterous words against the queen he was condemned , and hanged on a gibbet in cheap-side , uttering horrible blasphemies against the majesty of god : coppinger died the next day in bridewel , and arthington was kept in prison upon the hope of repentance . some donatists which cast the holy elements of the lords supper to dogs , were themselves devoured by dogs . simpson . arminius , who craftily revived the heresie of pelagius , and sowed the seeds of his errors in leiden , and many other places in holland , to the great disturbance of the peace of gods church , fell sick , being grievously tormented with a cough , gout , ague , and incessant paine in his belly : with a great binding , and stopping under the heart , which caused him to draw his breath with much difficulty : he slept also very unquietly , and could not digest his meat , his radical moisture dried up : and he had a vehement paine in his bowels , with an obstruction in his optick sinews , which made him blinde of his left eye , and his right shoulder was much swolne , whereby he lost the use of his right arme ; and thus languishing in much misery , he ended his dayes , october . . hist. of the netherl . olympius an arian bishop , as he was bathing himselfe at carthage , and bl●spheming the blessed trinity , was suddenly smit from heaven , with three fiery darts , and so burned to death . hist. of the netherl . pau. diaco . in the year . there was one adam duff , an irish man , burnt at dublin , for denying the incarnation of jesus christ , and saying that there could not be three persons , and but one god : and for affirming the virgin mary to be an harlot : for denying the resurrection of the dead , and avouching that the sacred scriptures were but fables . camb. brit. irel. p. . policarp at a certaine time meeting marcion the heretick , marcion said unto him , doest thou not know me ? yea , said policarp , i know thee for the first-begotten of satan . see his life in my first part. donatus the father of the donatists , about the year . taking offence at the choice of caecilianus to the bishoprick of carthage , made a schisme in the church , and fell from one error to another , till at last some of his disciples which were called circumcellions grew to that height of madnesse , that running up and down , when they met with any passengers by the way , they would force them to kill them ; others of them by leaping from rocks , and high places would break their own necks , or burne themselves in the fire , that so they might die martyrs . august . a certaine anabaptist in the field of sancto galli , by the instigation of the devil , having his sword under his cloake , called his brother ( nothing aware of his bloody intent ) before his father , mother , sisters , and the whole family , commanding him to kneele down before them , and suddenly whips out his sword , and cuts off his head , throwing it at the feet of his parents ▪ whereat they were so affrighted , that they died mad , the murtherer himselfe defended the fact , saying , voluntas d●i impleta est : the will of the lord is fulfilled . gastius . john matthias , one of the prophets of the anabaptists in germany , being vexed with a disgracefull scoffe , which was given him by a blacksmith , procured him to be condemned to death by some of his own rabble , and himselfe would needs be the executioner , wounding him first with an halberd , and that wound not proving mortal , he after shot him through with a pistoll : then shedding some crocodile-teares , he pardoned him for his rash ▪ speech , saying , that god was reconciled to him , and that he had a revelation from heaven , that the man should not die of his wounds ; yet he proved a false prophet , the man dying within a few dayes after . hist. of the anabap. john of leiden , a taylor , whom the anabaptists in germany chose for their king , presently after his coronation , made a great feast , inviting at least foure thousand men and women to it , and between the first , and second course , he accuseth a man of high treason , and cuts off his head with his own hands , and returnes merry to supper , and after supper with the same bloody hands , he administers the lords supper . not long after ( though there was a great famine in the city of munster , where they were , yet ) he , and his courtiers abated nothing of their full dishes : but one of his fifteen wives ( for so many he had ) somewhat more consciencious then the rest , said , that she thought god was not well pleased with their feasting , and rioting , when the other people pined with hunger , and so were famished to death in the streets : this mock-king , being told of this speech of hers , brought her into the market-place with other of his wives , and making her kneel down , cut off her head , commanding his other wives to sing , and give praise for it to their heavenly father . hist. anabap. within the space of two years , wherein this sect of the anabaptists by their fanaticall opinions , and practices disturbed the peace of germany , and much hindred the reformation of religion begun by luther and others , it pleased god by eminent , & visible judgments to punish the prime actors & fomentors of the same : for thomas muncer was put to the rack by george duke of saxony , where he roared most fearfully , and in the end had his head cut off , and put upon an high pole in the fields . three hundred anabaptists that fell upon a monastery in friesland , and rifled it , were most of them , either killed by the ruines of the monastery , or put to death by the hangman . john of leiden , and their consul bernard knipperdoling , were tied to a stake , and together with their great prophet had their flesh torne off with hot pinchers , and in the end being slaine , had their bodies put into iron cages , and hanged on the steeple of saint lambert . sleid. com. lib. . there was in the yeare . one quarterman , who had sometimes lived in oxford , and been a zealous professor of religion , and one that had suffered under the tyranny of the bishops . at the beginning of the difference between the king , and parliament , he was chosen marshal of the city of london , and continued some yeares in that imployment : afterwards he turned a violent sectarie , and being discarded by the city , he went to the army , where he found countenance and imployment : but withall he sucked in errors so fast ▪ that in southwark , before a godly minister , he said , that there was no more holinesse in the scriptures , then in a dogs taile : which afterwards he againe affirmed before the said minister , and many of his congregation ; whereupon the minister went forth , fearing ( as he professed ) lest the house should fall upon his head , wherein such a blasphemous wretch was : and within few dayes after , it pleased god to strike the said quarterman with a violent disease , viz. upon february the eleventh , where of he presently died , and was buried , february the sixteenth . . in the same year there were in york-shire , certaine seduced sectaries , who pretended that they had a revelation to sacrifice unto god certaine creatures , and amongst the rest their aged mother , whom accordingly they slew , perswading her that she should rise againe the third day , for which they were apprehended , and afterwards hanged at york . anno christi . . there lived in southwark one gunne a sectarian preacher , who lived in adultery with another mans wife for about the space of nine yeares , and afterwards solicited , and lay with one greens widow ; whereupon it pleased god to strike him with such horror of conscience , that he ran mad , and continued raving , and raging in a fearfull manner , till at the length , having an opportunity he murthered himselfe : and the woman with whom he lay , being examined about it , acknowledged the fact , saying , that she did it , to cure her brother of his burnings . bolton , one that by separation made the first schisme here in england , first through the stirring of his conscience , made a publick recantation of his errors at pauls crosse , and yet afterward was so dogged with a desperate remorse , that he rested not , till that by hanging himselfe he had ended his miserable life . robins . justif. see more of these in mr. baylies disswasive . page , &c. anno christi . there was at newbery some she anabaptists , that took upon them to have revelations , and therein to see , and know such glorious things , as could not be imagined : and one of them had such strange gestures , and fits , as the like was seldome seen . this woman gave forth , that she had a revelation that such a night she should be taken up into heaven , against which time many of them assembled together , took their solemne leaves of her with tears , and the time being come , out they go to see her ascension . the night was a moonshiny night , and as they expected when an angel should come to fetch her up in a chariot , a cloud comes and covers the face of the moone , whereupon they all cry out , behold he comes in the clouds : but presently the cloud vanisheth : whereupon their hopes being frustrate ; they still expect his coming : and after a while comes a flock of wilde geese a good way off , whereupon again they cry out , he comes , he comes : but when the wilde geese were gone , at length they were faine to returne to their homes as wise as they came , having made themselves a ridiculous spectacle unto many . in may last in kendal in westmoreland , there was one iohn gilpin , who was very desirous to associate himself with the quakers at their meetings , & speaking with one of them about it , he much encouraged him to hold on his purpose , and accordingly he went to them when one ch. atkinson was speaker , whose drift was to deny all ministerial teaching , and ordinances , together with all notional knowledge gained by the use of such means , and to become as if they hade never learned any thing , & now to be taught of god within themselves : by waiting upon an inward light , which ( as he said ) lies low hidden under the earth , viz. the old man which is of the earth earthy . gilpin was immediately so taken with this new doctrine : that he resolved to close with them : was afraid to read any good books , to heare any preaching minister , or to call to remembrance any thing which he had formerly learned concerning god , christ , his own estate , or any other subject contained in the scriptures ; for they told him that all such knowledge was but notional , carnal , and hanging upon the tree of knowledge : adding , cursed is every one that hangs on this tree . one of them told him that christ was as man , had his failings distrusted god , &c. at his next meeting the speaker urged him to take up the crosse daily , saying . carry the crosse all day , and it will keep thee at night : he urged him to hearken to a voice within him : spake much of a light within them , which gilpin not yet finding , was much troubled , desiring that he might fall into quaking , thinking that thereby he should attaine to the immediate discoveries of god to him . and accordingly shortly after as he was walking in his chamber , he began to quake so extreamly that he could not stand , but fell upon his bed , where he houled , and cried in a terrible , and hideous manner , ( as others of them used to do ) yet was he not affraid but looked upon it as the pangs of the new-birth . after halfe an houre by degrees he ceased from houling , and rejoyced that now he could witnesse against the ministers of england , as false prophets , and priests of baa● . all the night after he was much troubled with dreames about his sinnes : and when he awaked , as he thought thereon , he perceived something lighting on his neck , and giving him a great stroak , which caused much paine , and so a second , third , and fourth , each losse then other , descending till it came to the middle of his back , and then he discerned something to enter into his body , which satan suggested to be the spirit of god like a dove : and he thought he heard a voice within him saying , it is day : adding twice : as sure as it's light , so surely shall christ give thee light . two or three dayes after he still waited for more light , and walking into his garden , he lay down with his face to the earth , at which time his right hand began extreamly to shake : and he was in a great rapture of joy , apprehending it to be a figure of his spiritual marriage , and union with christ : then did the power within raise him , and set him on his feet , and afterwards laid him on his back , brought his sinnes into his remembrance : causing his hand at every sinne to strike the ground ; and he heard a voice saying , now is such a sinne mortified : then was he perswaded that all his sinnes were mortified at once : then rose he up , and it was said to him : ask what thou wilt of the father in my name , and he will give it thee : then said gilpin , what shall i ask ? it was answered , ask wisdome in the first place : then he desired that such things might be given him , as made for gods glory and the good of others : it was answered , that his request was granted , and that he should be endowed with the gift of prophecie , and singing praises to god. presently after he went to another of their meetings where atkinson was again the speaker , with which he was more affected then formerly ; for that ( as he conceited ) he could inwardly witnesse to what he spake . atkinson having done , one iohn audland spake , in the time of whose speaking gilpin was by the devil within him drawn out of his chaire , and thrown upon the ground where he lay all night ; all which time his body and members were all in motion , being turned from his back on his belly , and so back again several times , making crosses with his legs , and his hands moving on the ground as if he had been writing : and he heard ( as he thought ) a voice saying , that that writing with his hand on the ground signified the writing of the law in his heart : then were his hands moved to his head , and he heard the voice saying , christ in god , and god in christ , and christ in thee . which words he was compelled to sing forth in a strange manner , and with such a voice as was not his own , he sung also divers phrases of scripture which were given in to him : then the devil raised him up , and bade him be humble , then brought him on his knees again , and he heard the voice saying , stoop low , low : and when his face was almost at the ground , it said to him , take up thy crosse , and follow me . then rising he was led out of the house by the devil at a back doore to the river , and back again , and then into the town , where he was drawn down the street , to a doore that he knew not : whereupon two of them that followed him , said , whither will you go ? this is the fidlers house . gilpin answered : be it whose house it will , christ leads me hither , and hither i must go : then was his hand forced to knock at the doore , and a voice bade him say , behold , christ stands at the door , and knocks . the fidler opening the doore , he went in , and taking down a base-viol , he was forced to play on it , and to dance whereupon he questioned what power led him to such actions ? and the voice presently answered him , this is not because i love musick , for i hate it , but to signifie to thee what joy there is in heaven at thy conversion : as also , what spiritual melody thou shalt have hereafter . then was he led out of the house , and carried thorow the town , being forced , as he went , to proclaime , i am the way , the truth , and the life : then went he to his own house , and there by the devil was thrown down , and forced to make circles with his hands , the voice telling him , that he was now putting off the old man. his hand also was forced to take up a●stone which lay on the floore , which he thought to be like a mans heart , and the voice told him , that christ had taken that stone out of his heart , and given him an heart of flesh : then holding it forth to the spectatours , he was forced to say , except you see signes , and wonders , you will not believe ; and throwing the stone amongst them , he said , lo , here is my heart of stone . then was he cast upon his back on the ground , and the voice said , thou shalt have two angels to keep thee : and immediately two swallows came down the chimney , and sat on a shelfe neere him ; whereupon he cried , my angels , my angels , and withal he held out his hand to them , expecting they should have come to him ; but they flew up the chimney again , though the doore , and windows were open . then was he carried upon his hands , and knees out of the doores into the street , and when his wife would have stopped him , he said , he must not be stopped , he must forsake wife , children , and all to follow christ. thus went he up the street , thinking that he bore a crosse upon his neck , till some pulled him out of the mire , and dirt , and by force carried him into his house , whereupon pointing at one of them , he said , christ points at thee , thou art a wicked woman , and hast hindred the work of the lord. then the voice asked him , where is thy crosse ? upon which he thought he saw a visible crosse hanging in a thread , which with his hand he put behinde his neck : thus he continued till the evening , when many of the quakers coming to him , said , be lowly minded , and hearken to the voice within thee , and so they left him , his strength being almost quite spent with his restlessenesse . his wife and family going to bed , he remained alone , when he began to question , whether these strange actions were divine , or diabolical ? whereupon he trembled , and his hand was forced to take up a knife , which lay by , and to point it to his throat , and the voice said to him , open a hole there , and i will give thee eternal life : but he threw away the knife , and his wife coming to him , at her perswasion he went to bed , and all the night after he assured himself that he was possessed by the devil , and in the morning he roared and cried out , now the devil is gone out of me , at which instant he , and his family heard it thunder , though no others heard it . shortly after the devil came to him again , and told him , that it was satan that had possessed , and seduced him hitherto , but now christ was come , and had cast out satan , and told him also that what he had done the day before was in obedience unto satan , and that as he had served satan the day before in his cloathes , so now this day he must undo all that he had done in his shirt in obedience to christ : whereupon he rose out of his bed , went into the street in his shirt , but some stopped him : whereupon the devil within him told him , that he must be carried into the house by four women , or else that he should for ever stand there like a pillar of salt , as lots wise did . then foure women carried him into his bed ; whereupon he told them , that the day before he had been doing the devils work , but now he must do christs work , &c. then he fell to acting in his shirt upon the bed , as he had done the day before upon the floor , playing topsey turvey from one bed to another : the devil bidding him not to fear , for ( saith he ) i will give thee strength : then it told him , that the day before the devil bade him bear his crosse , but now christ bade him lay it aside , for christ takes no pleasure in crosses , nor will be worshipped as yesterday he had done : it said farther : yesterday the devil made thee lie all day on the ground , but now i have provided a bed for thee : for my yoak is easie : he promised also to give him bread of life to eat , and water of life to drink , and that out of his belly should flow rivers of living water : then were his teeth moved as if he was eating , and he thought that he felt in his belly a flowing up , and down of waters : he was told also that yesterday the devils angels waited on him , but now christs angels should guard him ; hereupon he saw two butterflies in the window , and his hand was forced to take one of them , and to put it into his mouth , which he swallowed down : then he was moved to take the other , and put it to his throat , and he was told that it should enter in there , for ( saith the voice ) nothing is impossible to him that beleeveth : then he was forced to make circles on the bed , whereupon he began to supect that he was acted by satan , and thereupon in great fear cried out , lord , what wilt thou have me do ? but the devil answered , it 's too late to cry unto god , for sentence is already passed against thee : hereupon he lay down in despaire ; but presently the devil told him the third time , that it was a while devil that had deluded him this second time ; but that now christ was come indeed , and would cast him out : and accordingly he thought the devil was ejected : but then all his members fell on working as if the pangs of death had been upon him : the voice teling him , that they were the pangs of the new-birth , and that now christ was new-borne in him : thus he continued a whole day , and the devil told him that now he should work wonders , and cast out devils in christs name . then came in two of the quakers , to whom he said , i have two devils cast out of me , but now christ is in me of a truth : then said the devil to him , i was crowned with a crown of thornes , but i will crown thee with a crown of glory , and bade him set his fist upon his head , which ( saith he ) to the standers by shall appear as a glorious crown : when he did this , he asked them , what they saw ? they answered nothing : whereupon the devil told him , that they saw the crown on his head , but were so stricken with admiratien that they could not expresse what they saw : then the devil bade him tell one of the quakers , that he had a devil in him , but he should east it out : and that he should quake , and tremble , which accordingly he did : then the devil bade him to speak to him to fall flat on the ground , which he did , and presently rose againe ; whereupon gilpin asked him , whether now the devil was gone out of him ? to which he answered not , but the devil told him that he was now ejected , &c. a while after he began again to question whether in all this he were not deluded by satan , which made him fall into a great fear , and then the devil told him that all this while he had been serving him , and blaspheming god : and that now it was too late to repent : hereupon he fell into despaire for a time , thinking that every thing which he either heard or saw was the devil that came to fetch him away : sometimes he thought that he should be taken away in a flame of fire ; other sometimes that the earth would open , and swallow him : yet at last it pleased god ( as it seemes ) to give him repentance and peace in his conscience ; whereupon he published a narrative , of these things to discover the danger of these ways , and to be for caution to others to take heed how they go out of gods wayes , and forsake his ordinances , least falling into the error of the wicked , they decline from their former stedfastnesse , and lest not receiving the love of the truth , that they might be saved , god give them over to strong delusions to believe a lie . this is attested under the hand of the major of kendal , the minister , schoolmaster , and some others . as we may not tell a lie , so neither may we conceal the truth , especially when the publishing of it may tend to the advancement of gods glory . there was not many years since in the parish of kirkham in lancashire , one mistris houghton a papist , who used to say , i pray god rather then i shall be around-head , or bear a round-head , i may bring forth a childe without an head : her mother also being a papist , used to mock and scoffe at the round-heads , and in derision of master prin , cut off her cats eares , and called him prin : but behold the just retribution of god! for not long after the said mistris houghton being brought to bed , was delivered of a child without an head , ugly and deformed . this was attested by master edward fleetwood minister , the midwife , and others that saw the childe taken out of its grave . a man that is an heretick reject after the first , & second admonition : knowing that he that is such , is subverted , and sinneth , being condemned of himself , tit. . . . chap. xxviii . examples of gods judgements upon false witnesses , and liars . forbidden , exod . . deut. . . mat. . . mark. . . luk . . rom. . . lying , lev. . , &c. & . . col. . jam. . . tim. . . how to be punished , deut. . , &c. rev. . . & . . ps. . . prov. . , . & . . odious , prov. . . & . . & . . & . . & ● . . ps. . & . & . . & . . prov. . whence it proceeds , mat. . . scriptural examples : against david , ps. . . & . . & . . against christ , mat. . . mark. . , . against steven , act. . . ananias , and sapphira , act. . &c. som. rev. . . false prophets , jer. . , , . & . , . ezek. . . diviners , zach. . . the devil , joh. . . iewes , isa. . . & . . . jer. . , . & . . lying kings , dan. . ● . princes , hos. . . forbidden , lev. . . eph. . . col. . . it 's a great sinne , lev. . . job . . prov. . & . . & . . ps. . . & . . & . & . . pro. . . & . . psal. . , . esa. . . & . , . & . . & . & . . jer. . . & . . & . , . dan. . . hos. . . & . . & . . amos . . mich. . . tim. . . threatened , ps. . . prov. , . jer. . . & . . nahum . . . hos. . , &c. ps. . . scriptural examples , satan , gen. . king. . . chron. . . joh. . . sarah , gen. . . abraham , gen. . . & . . isaac , gen. . . jacob , gen. . , . rachel , gen. . patriarchs , gen. . , . potiphars wife , gen. . . gibeonites , jos. . , . sampson , judges . , , &c. a woman , sam. the harlot , king . , . false witnesses , king. . . the old prophet , king. . . gehazi , king. . . hazael , king. . , . peter , mat. . , . midwives , exod. . , . rahab , jos. . , &c. michael , sam. . . david , sam. . , . & . , . hushai , sam. . . . ananias , and saphira , act. . , . demetrius . act. . , . tertullus , act. . . ahab , and jezabel , that suborned false witnesses against naboth , had this message sent them from god , by elijah , thus saith the lord , in the place where dogs licked the blood of naboth , shall they lick thy blood also : and as for jezabel , dogs shall eat her by the wall of jezreel , and i will cut off from ahab him that pisseth against the wall , &c. kings . , . kings . amaziah the priest of bethel , who falsly accused the prophet amos to the king , as having conspired against him , met with this message from the lord , thy wife shall be an harlot in the city , thy sonnes and thy daughters shall fall by the sword , and thy land shall be divided by line , thou shalt die in a polluted land , amos . . haman , who fasly accused the jewes to ahasuerus , see what judgement befell him , and his house , esth. . . and . . the envious courtiers who falsly accused daniel to king darius , for breaking his decrees , were themselves thrown to , and devoured by the lions , dan. . , antiphilus a painter , the envier of the art , and excellent workmanship of apelles , that most famous painter , falsly accused him to king ptolemy , to have caused the defection of pelusium from him , whereby he had almost oppressed apelles : but the king by examination found out his falshood , and the cause of it : whereupon he gave apelles one hundred talents , by way of recompence , and rewarded antiphilus that falsly accused him with perpetual servitude . theat . hist. how god punished ananias , and saphyra , for their lying , see acts . . . maximus the emperour one of the cruel persecutors of the christians , amongst other of his wicked practices , caused lying , and blasphemous books to be published of a conference between pilate , and christ , causing them to be taught in schooles , that children might no sooner speak then learn them : he suborned also certaine lewd women , to say that they had been christians , and to avouch that much filthinesse , and uncleannes was daily committed by them , &c. but these liars , and false accusers ▪ were one after another plagued by god with notable judgements , and maximus himselfe was consumed with wormes , as afore . euseb. niceph. l. . c. . a wicked wretch under commodus the emperour , accused apollonius a godly christian to the judges for certaine grievous crimes , which when he could not prove , he was adjudged to have his legges broken , according to an ancient law of the romanes . niceph. certaine arians suborned a filthy strumpet to come with a childe in her armes , into a councel of two thousand five hundred bishops , & there to accuse eustathius a godly , and orthodox bishop of antioch , of adultery , and to sweare that he had got that childe of her body , whereupon he was deposed , and banished from his bishoprick : but shortly after gods heavy judgement falling upon the woman , in her sicknesse she confessed that she was suborned by the arians to accuse this holy man , and that it was one eustathius a tradesman , that had gotten that childe . niceph. l. . c. . see the like practice against athanatius in his life , in my first part of the marrow of ecclesiastical history . in the reigne of king canutus , at a parliament held at london , the king asked the lords , and nobles , whether in the agreement made betwixt king edmund , and him , there was any mention made of the children , or brethren of edmund to have any part of the land divided to them ? the lords flatteringly answered , that there was none : yea , they confirmed their false words with an oath , thinking thereby to have procured great favour with the king : but he on the contrary ever after mistrusted and disdained them , especially such as had sworne fealty to king edmund : yea , some of them he exiled , many he beheaded , and divers of them by gods just judgement died suddenly . speed. in the reigne of king henry the eighth , one richard long bore false witnesse against a minister in calice , falsly accusing him for eating meat in lent : but shortly after gods wrath did lie so heavy upon his conscience , that he desperately drowned himselfe . aze . mon. about the same time gregory bradway accused one brook falsly for stealth ; but shortly after through terrors of conscience , he sought to cut his own throat , but being prevented he fell mad . in queen maries dayes one william feming accused an honest man called john cooper , because he would not fell him two bullocks , as if he had spoken traiterous words against the queen , and suborned two false witnesses to depose it : cooper was hanged , and quartered , and all his goods taken from his wife , and nine children : but shortly after one of these false witnesses being well , and at harvest-work , was stricken by god , so that his bowels fell out , and he died , miserably see my english martyrology . the egyptians had no punishment for lying , and therefore no measure in lying . one thespis , a poet in athens made a play wherewith the citizens were much delighted , and grave solon himselfe went to see it : but when the play was ended , wherein thespis himselfe acted a part , solon called him to him , and asked him if he were not ashamed to lie so openly in the face of all the city ? thespis answered , that it made no matter so long as it was but in sport : but solon beating the ground with his staffe , said , if we commend or allow lying in sport , we shall shortly finde it used in good earnest , in all our bargaines , and dealings . plut. artaxerxes m. having found one of his souldiers in a lie , caused his tongue to be thrust through with three needles . plut. putting away lying , speake every man the truth with his neighbour , for we are members one of an other . eph. . . chap. xxix . examples of childrens obedience , and love to their parents . commanded , eph. . . and why ? v. . col . . prov. . . & . . exod. . . deut. . . mat. . . & . . mark. . . & . . luk. . . commended . mal. . . scriptural examples , shem , and japhet , gen. . . isaac , gen. . , &c. jacob , gen. . , . ioseph , gen. . . ruth , chap. . , . solomon , king. . . other examples . pomponius atticus , making the funeral oration at his mothers death , protested that having lived with her sixty and seven years he was never reconciled to her ▪ because ( said he ) there never happened betwixt us the least jarre which needed reconciliation . in vita attici . cyrus king of persia , having overcome croesus king of lydia in battel , croesus fled into the city of sardis : but cyrus following , took the city by storme : and a souldier running after croesus with his sword , croesus his sonne that had been dumb all his life-time before , with the violence of natural affection , seeing his father in such danger , suddenly cryed out : o man , kill not croesus : and so continued to speak all his life after . pez mel. hist. miltiades a famous captaine of the athenians , died in prison for debt : his sonne cimon to redeeme his fathers body for burial , voluntarily went into the prison , and submitted to be cast into chaines there , till the debt was paid . iustin. cleobis , and biton , two brethren in greece , loved their mother dearly , insomuch as she being to go to juno's temple in her coach drawn by two oxen : the oxen being out of the way , they willingly harnessed themselves , and drew her thither , she much rejoycing that she had borne two such sonnes . plut. olympias the mother of alexander m. was very severe , and morose in her carriage towards him , and once antipater , alexanders deputy in europe , wrote large letters of complaint against her , to whom he returned this answer : knowest thou not that one little teare of my mothers , will blot out a thousand of thy letters of complaint . plut. king demetrius being overcome by seleucus ; and taken prisoner , his sonne antigonus hearing of it , mourned exceedingly , and wrote lamentably to seleucus , in the behalfe of his father , proffering to deliver up into his hands all the countreys which he yet held , and to become a pledge himselfe for his father , so that he might be delivered out of captivity . diod. sic. the carriage of master herbert palmer towards his parents , was very dutifull , and obsequious : not only during his minority , but even afterwards : which was very evident in that honour , and respect which he continued to expresse to his aged mother , to the day of her death : being also a special help to her in the wayes of holinesse . see his life at the end of my general martyrology . honour thy father , and thy mother , that thy dayes may be long upon the land , which the lord thy god giveth thee , exod. . . chap. xxx . examples of gods judgements upon unnatural , and rebellious children . such were to be punished with death , exod. . . levit. . . mat. . . mark . . prov. . . deut. . . &c. such are cursed , deut. . . it 's a damnable sinne , tim. . . rom. . . tim. . . prov. . . scriptural examples : simeon , and levi , gen. . . elies sons , sam. . . c ham for mocking the nakednesse of his father noah , was cursed by him . gen. . . absalom for rebelling against his father david , was hanged by his head , and thrust through by joab , sam. . adramelech , and sharaser that slew their father sennacherib to enjoy his kingdome , were banished into armenia , and esarhaddon succeeded his father , king. . ult . crannius the son of clotharius king of france , conspired treacherously , and raised warre against his father , but being vanquished , as ( together with his wife , and children ) he was flying , thinking to escape by sea , being overtaken ; by the command of his father they were all shut up in a little house , and so burned . greg. of tour. lib. . anno christi . there was in juchi neere cambray an unnatural son that in a fury threw his mother out of his doores thrice in one day , telling her that he had rather see his house on fire , and burned to coles then that she should remaine in it one day longer : and accordingly the very same day his house was fired , and wholly burned down with all that was in it , none knowing how or by what meanes the fire came . enguer . de monst . v. . the emperor henry the fifth , being provoked thereto by the pope , rose up in rebellion , and made cruel war against his father henry the fourth , not ceasing till he had despoiled him of his empire : but the lord presently after plagued him for it , making him and his army a prey to his enemies the saxons : stirring up the pope to be as grievous a scourge to him also as he had been to his father . p. melanct. chron. l. . manlius relateth a story of an old man , crooked with age , very poore , and almost pined with hunger , who having a rich and wealthy sonne , went to him only for some food for his belly & clothes for his back : but this proud young man thinking that it would be a dishonour to him to be borne of such parents , drave him away , denying not only to give him sustenance , but disclaiming him from being his father , giving him bitter , and reproachful speeches , which made the poore old man to go away with an heavy heart , and teares flowing from his eyes : which the lord beholding , struck his unnatural son with madnesse of which he could never be cured till his death . the same author relates another story of another man that kept his father in his old age , but used him very currishly , as if he had been his slave , thinking every thing too good for him : and on a time coming in , found a good dish set on the table for his father , which he took away , and set courser meat in the roome : but a while after sending his servant to fetch out that dish for himself , he found the meat turned into snakes , and the sauce into serpents ; one of which leaping up caught this unnatural sonne by his lip , from which it could never be pulled to his dying day , so that he could never feed himselfe but he must feed the serpent also . at millane there was a wicked , and dissolute young man ; who when he was admonished by his mother of some fault which he had committed , made a wry mouth , and pointed at her with his finger , in scorne and derision : whereupon his mother being angry , wished that he might make such a mouth upon the gallowes , which not long after came to passe ; for being apprehended for felony , and condemned to be hanged : being upon the ladder , he was observed to writhe his mouth in grief , as he had formerly done to his mother in derision . theat . hist. henry the second , king of england , son to jeffery plantaginet , and maud the emperesse , after he had reigned twenty yeares , made his young son henry ( who had married margaret , the french kings daughter , ) king in his life-time ; but like an unnatural son , he sought to dispossesse his father of the whole ; and by the instigation of the king of france , and some others , he took armes , and fought often with his father , who still put him to the worst : so that this rebellious son at last was fain to stoop , and ask forgivenesse of his father , which he gently granted , and forgave his offence : howbeit the lord plagued him for his disobedience , striking him with sicknesse in the flower of his youth , whereof he died six years before his father . speed. anno christi , . diogenes romanus , emperour of the greekes , having led an army against the turkes as far as the river euphrates , where he was like to have prevailed ; but by the treason of his son in law andronicus , his army was routed , and himself taken prisoner . yet the turkes used him honourably , and after a while , sent him home : but in the mean season they of constantinople had chosen michael ducas for their emperour , who hearing of diogenes his returne , sent andronicus to meet him , who unnaturally plucked out his fathers eyes , and applying no medecines thereto , wormes bred in the holes ; which eating into his braines , killed him . zonaras . adolf , son of arnold , duke of guelders , repining at his fathers long life ; one night as he was going to bed , came upon him suddenly , and took him prisoner ; and bare-legged as he was , made him go on foot in a cold season five germane leagues , and then shut him up a close prisoner for six months in a dark dungeon : but the lord suffered not such disobedience , and cruelty to go long unpunished : for shortly after the son was apprehended , and long inprisoned , and after his release , was slaine in a sight against the french. history of the netherlands . one garret , a frenchman , and a protestant by profession , but given to all manner of vices , was by his father cast off for his wickednesse : yet found entertainment in a gentlemans house of good note , in whose family he became sworn brother to a young gentleman that was a protestant . but afterwards coming to his estate he turned papist ; of whose constancy , because the papists could hardly be assured , he promised his confessor to prove himself an undoubted catholick , by setting a sure seal to his profession : whereupon he plotted the death of his dearest protestant friends , and thus effected it : he invited his father , monsieur seamats , his sworn brother , and six other genlemen of his acquaintance to dinner : and all dinner time intertained them with protestations of his great obligements to them ; but the bloody catastrophe was this , dinner being ended , sixteen armed men came up into the roome , and laid hold on all the guests ; and this wicked parricide laid hold on his father , & willing the rest to hold his hands till he had dispatched him , he stabbed the old gentleman ( crying to the lord for mercy ) foure times to the heart ; the young gentleman his sworne brother he dragged to a window , and there caused him to sing , ( which he could dovery sweetly , though then no doubt he did it with a very heavy heart , ) and towards the end of the ditty , he stabbed him first into the throat , and then to the heart ; and so with his poiniard stabbed all the rest , but three , who were dispatched by those armed ruffians at their first entrance : and so they flung all the dead bodies out at a window into a ditch . oubig . hist. france . the base son of scipio africanus , the conquerour of hannibal and africk , so ill imitated his father , that for his viciousnesse he received many disgracefull repulses from the people of rome , the fragrant smell of his fathers memory making him to stinke the more in their nostriles ; yea , they forced him to pluck off from his finger a signet-ring wherin the face of his father was engraven , as counting him unworthy to wear his picture , whose vertue he would not imitate . val. maxi. tarpeia the daughter of sp. tarpeius betrayed her father , and the tower whereof he was governour to tatius king of the sabines , who besiedged it , for all that the sabine souldiers wore upon their left armes , ( meaning their golden bracelets : ) but when she demanded her reward , tatius badehis souldiers to do as he did , and so , together with their bracelets , throwing their shields ( which they wore on their left armes ) upon her , they crushed her to death . romulus ordained no punishment for parrioide , because he thought it impossible , that any one should so much degenerate from nature as to commit that sin ; but he called all other murthers parricides , to shew the heinousnesse of them , and for six hundred years after his time , such a sin as parricide was never heard of in rome . plut. darius the son of artaxerxes mnemon king of persia , affecting the kingdome , conspired to take away the life of his father ; but his treason being discovered , he , together with his wives and children , were altogether put to death , that so none might remain of so wicked a breed . diod. sic. servius tullius the th . king of the romanes , married his daughter to tarquinius : she was a woman of an exceeding ambitious spirit , and would not suffer her husband to be at quiet , till she had procured him to murther her father ; and as soon as ever she heard that the fact was committed , she hasted in her chariot to salute her husband king , and by the way encountring with the dead body of her murthered father , she caused her chariot to be driven over it . ovid. pezel . mel. hist. nero sending some to murther his own mother agrippina , when they came into her chamber , she seeing one to unsheath his sword , and believing what they came for , and by whose directions ; she laid open her bare belly to him , bidding him strike that , as having deserved it , for bringing forth such a monster as nero. nero hearing that she was dead , came presently to the place , caused her body to be stripped ; and crowner-like , beheld it all over , praising this part , dispraising that , as if he had been to censure a statue ; and at last caused her wombe to be opened , that he might behold the place of his conception . neros life . not long after about the neck of one of nero's statues was hung a leather sack , to upbraid his parricide , the punishment whereof , by the ancient laws of rome , was to be trussed in such a sack , with a cock , a dog , and a viper , and so all to be thrown , quick into tyber . nero's life . the eye that mocketh at his father , and despiseth to obey his mother , the ravens of the valley shall pick it out , and the young eagles shall eat it , prov. . . every one that curseth his father , or his mother , shall be surely put to death : he hath cursed his father , or his mother , his blood shall be upon him , lev. . . chap. xxxi . examples of parents love to , and care over their children . they are to bring their children to god , luk. . . . mark. . . to instruct them , ephes. . . prov. . . exod. . . deut. . . & . , & . . & . . & . . gen. . . to lay up for them , cor. . . prov. . . to correct them , prov. . . & . . & . , . heb. . . tim. . . not to provoke them to anger , col. . . eph. . . not to give them evil examples , ier. . . & . . ezek. . . ier. . . mothers must instruct them , proverb . . , &c. tim. . . numa pompilius reformed the law amongst the romanes , which gave liberty to parents to sell their children , exempting children that were married , provided that they married with their parents consent . plut : see callings , trades . agesilaus king of sparta , a prudent man , and brave souldier , did exceedingly love his children : and on a time a friend coming to his house , found him riding upon an hobby-horse amongst them ; whereupon agesilaus fearing lest he should speak of it to his disgrace , intreated him not to censure him for it , nor to speak of it to any , till himselfe had some children . plut. augustus caesar found out the inclinations , and dispositions of his two daughters , by observing their company at a publick shew , where much people were present , at which time his daughter livia associated herselfe , and discoursed with grave , and prudent senators : but his daughter iulia adjoyned herselfe to loose youngsters , and riotous persons , sueto . noscitur ex socio qui non cognoscitur ex se. scillurus who had eighty sonnes , when he lay on his death-bed , called them all before him , presented them with a bundle of speares , or sheafe of arrows , and bade each of them trie whether he could break that bundle , which they assayed to do , but were not able : then he pulled out one javlin out of the bundle , and bade them break that , which they did , easily : intimating thereby that unity , and compacted strength , is the bond which preserves families , and kingdomes , which bond if it be once broken , all runnes quickly to ruine . micypsa when he was on his death-bed , called all his sonnes and caused them to write this sentence in golden letters , concordiâ parvae res crescunt , discordiâ magnae dilabuntur : by concord small things are increased , but by discord the greatest are overthrown . fathers provoke not your children to wrath : but bring them up in the nurture , and admonition of the lord. eph. . . richard woodmans father , in the reigne of queen mary betrayed him into the hands of his bloody persecutors , whereby he lost his life . see my english martyrology . p. . philip king of spaine , out of an unnatural and bloody zeale , suffered his eldest sonne charles to be murthered by the fathers inquisitors , because he favoured the protestant religion : which when the pope heard of , he abusively applied that text of scripture to him : he spared not his own sonne , but delivered him up for us all . act. & mon. alfrith mother of king edward , hearing that her sonne was coming to visit her , suborned one of her servants to murther him , who accordingly , as the king was drinking with her , struck him into the body with a two-edged dagger , whereof he died , and this she did to make way for another of her sonnes to come to the crowne . see my english martyrology . p. . master iulins palmer in the reigne of our queen mary went to evesham in glocestershire to his own mother , hoping to obtaine a legacy left him by his father and when he came , kneeling down to crave her blessing , she said , thou shalt have christs curse and mine wherever thou goest , for ( saith she ) thou doest not believe as thy father and i , nor as thy fore-fathers , but art an heretick , and therefore get thee out of my house , and out of my sight , and never take me for thy mother any more : faggots i have to burn thee , but no money for thee , &c. eodem . p. . even the sea-monsters draw out the breast , they give suck to their young ones : the daughter of my people is become cruel like ostriches in the wildernesse , lam. . . chap. xxxii . examples of fond parents , and the miseries that they have brought upon themselves thereby . forbidden , deut. . , . prov. . . & . . & . . scriptural examples , eli , sam. . , . david to adonijah , kings . . to absalom , sam. . . how severely god punished eli for his indulgence to his wicked sonnes . see it in sam. . , &c. & . , &c. david also who cockered absalom , and adonijah above all the rest of his children , was most afflicted by them : one breaking out into open rebellion wherein he died : the other usurping the crowne before his fathers death , which cost him his life also , sam. . king. . , &c. a certaine woman in flanders , contrary to the will of her husband , used to feed her two sonnes with money to maintaine their riot : yea , to furnish them she would rob her husband : but presently after her husbands death , god plagued her , for this her foolish indulgence : for from rioting these youngsters fell to robbing , for the which one of them was executed by the sword , and the other by the halter , the mother looking on as a witnesse of their destructions . ludo. vives . a young man in our owne nation , as he was going to the gallows , desired to speak with his mother in her eare ; but when she came instead of whispering , he bit of her eare with his teeth , exclaiming upon her as the cause of his death , because she did not chastise him in his youth for his faults ; but by her fondnesse so imboldened him in his vices as brought him to this wofull end . seleucus marrying stratonica the daughter of demetrius , shortly after antiochus the sonne of seleucus fell in love with his stepmother , and not daring to discover it , for feare of the displeasure of his father , he pined a way from day to day : at last one of his physicians found out the cause of his disease , and acquainted his father therewith , who out of indulgence to his sonne , calling his nobles , and people together , said , i have decreed to make antiochus my sonne king of all my superior provinces , and to give him stratonica for his wife , and queen ; and if she scruple the unlawfulnesse of the marriage , i desire you that are my friends , to perswade her that all things are honest and just , that a king shall decree for the publick profit . plut. andronicus one of the greek emperours , doted with such extream impotency of partial affection upon his nephew , young andronicus , that in comparison of him , he disregarded not only the rest of his nephews , but his own children also : being unwilling to spare him out of sight either day or night : but when this young man was stept further into yeares , besides a world of miseries , and molestations created to his grand-father in the mean time , at last he pressed without resistance upon his palace , with purpose to surprise his person , though the old emperout intreated him with much affectionate eloquence , that he would reverence those hands which had oftentimes so willingly embraced him , and those lips which had so oft lovingly kissed him : and that he would spare to spill that blood , from which himselfe had taken the fountaine of life : yet for all this , he caused the old emperour to be polled , shaven , and made a monk , and not only so , but also the very anvile of much dunghill-scorne , and vilest indignities , untill the workmanship of death had finished the sorrowful businesse of a wretched lfie turk hist. austine , upon a terrible , and dreadfull accident , called his people together to a sermon , wherein he relates this dolefull story : our noble citizen ( saith he ) cyrillus , a man mighty amongst us , both in work , and word , and much beloved ; had , as you know , one onely sonne , and because but one , he loved him immeasurably , and above god : and so being drunke with immoderate doting , he neglected to correct him , and gave him liberty to do whatsoever he list : now this very day ( saith he ) this same fellow thus long suffered in this dissolute , and riotous courses , hath in his drunken humour wickedly offered violence to his mother great with childe , would have violated his sister , hath killed his father , and wounded two of his sisters to death . adfrat . in eremo . ser. . chasten thy sonne betimes , and let not thy soul spare for his crying , prov. . . chap. xxxiii . examples of brethrens love each to other . they ought to love one another , prov. . . pet. . . rom. . . heb. . . it 's an excellent thing , psal . . scriptural examples : jobs children , job . . lazarus , martha , and mary . john . , &c. joseph , gen. . , &c. & . . joab , and abishai , sam. . , . judah , gen. . . in the beginning of the reigne of darius king of persia , one of his nobles called intaphernes conspired against him , which being discovered to darius , he caused him , and all his kindred to be cast into prison : but intaphernes wife exceedingly weeping , and houling , darius gave her leave to choose any one of the prisoners whose life she would have spared : whereupon amongst them all she chose her brother , and darius asking her why she ●…se her brother rather then her husband , or son ? she answered : because if god please i may have another husband , and children ; but my parents being dead , i cannot have another brother . this so pleased darius , that he granted her the life ; not only of her brother , but of her son too herod . darius king of persia being dead , left two sons , ariamenes , or as some call him artabazanes , and xerxes : these both claimed the kingdome , but brotherly love so prevailed with them , that they were contented to stand to the judgement of the persian nobles ; yet in the interim , xerxes being in persia , performed all the offices of a king ; and ariaments coming out of media , xerxes sent great presents to him , commanding the messengers to tell him : thy brother xerxes presents thee with these gifts , and if by the consent and suffrage of the nobles he be declared king , he promises thee the chiefest place next unto himself : to which ariamenes returned this answer : truly i willingly accept of these gifts , yet claim the sovereignty to belong to me , but will reserve the next place of dignity for my brother xerxes . the persian nobles referred the determination of this controversie to their uncle artabanus , who having heard both sides , determined for xerxes , because ariamenes was borne to darius whil'st he was a private person , xerxes , after he was a king : the mother of ariamenes was the daughter of gobrias a private woman , the mother of xerxes was atossa a queen ; ariamenes hearing this judgement without any distemper of spirit , rose up , worshipped his brother ; and taking him by the hand , placed him in the kingly throne , and ever after was very obsequious to him . plut. herod . and he fell upon his brother benjamins neck , and wept , and benjamin wept upon his neck , gen. . . brethren unnatural . breaches amongst brethren are great , pro. . . not to be trusted , jer. . . mat. . . it 's a cursed thing to divide brethren , pro. . . scriptural examples : cain , gen. . joh. . . esau , gen. . . josephs brethren , gen. . , &c. abimelech . judg. . . absalom , sam. . . onan , gen. . . simeon and levi , brethren in evil , gen. . . bassianus , and geta , the two sons of severus were left by him to succeed in the romane empire , who being at deadly feud betwixt themselves . bassianns watching his opportunity when all were at dinner , came with some other cut-throats into his brother g●ta's chamber , and before he could provide for his own defence , slew him in his mothers armes . imp. ●●ist . in the reign of queen mary , richard woodmans brother , joyning with his father , betrayed him into the hands of his bloody persecutors , whereby he suffered martyrdome : see my english martyrology ▪ . cambyses king of persia seeing his brother smerdis draw a stronger bowe then any of the re●● of his souldiers could do , was in enslamed with envy against him , that he caused him to be sl●●ne . not long after cambyses caused a young lion , and a young ma●●iffe to fight together before him ; but the lion being too hard for the dog , another whelp of the same litter brake his chaine , and came in upon the lion , and so being two , they were too hard for the lion , whereupon cambyses laughed : but his wife ( who was also his sister , ) fell a weeping , and cambyses asking her the cause ? she answered , because seeing the whelp to help his brother , i thinke of smerdis whom thou hast slain , and yet he hath none to revenge his death : this ●o provoked cambyses , that he slew her also . pez . mel. hist. it hath been the constant practice of the great turk ever since the beginning of that empire till of late , that so soon as he came to the crown , he sent , and strangled all his brethren ▪ turk . hist. my brethren have dealt deceitfully , as a brook , and as the stream of brookes they passe away , job . . chap. xxxiv . examples of fortitude , valour and magnanimity . whil'st a people walk in obedience to god , he hath promised , that they shall chase their enemies , who shall fall before them on the sword : and that five of them shal chase an hundred , and an hundred of them shal put ten thousand to flight , lev. . , . whence it appeares , that the spirit of courage and valour is from the lord ; who by small , and weak meanes doth many times effect great , and wonderfull things , that the glory of all may be his . we have had much experience hereof , in these unhappy , bloody , civil warres : wherein our great victories , and successes , have been obtained , and carried on most happily , when the enemy hath been most elated , and our selves most weak , and almost in despaire : neither is this any new thing , but according to gods dealings in former times , as these following scriptures , & examples will more clearly evince . exhorted to , joshua . , . & . . phil. . . peter . . scripturall examples . abraham , gen. . . jacob , gen. . . jephthah , judg. . . gideon , judg. . . david , sam. . , . sam. . . davids worthies , sam. . , &c. and . , . jehoiadah , sam. . . cherethites , and pelethites , king. . , . the sons of ulam , chron . . barak . sampson , &c. heb. . . saul , sam. . , . joab , sam. . . abishai , sam. . . jeroboam , king. . . jonathan , king. . . abner , sam. . . & . . the sons of perez , neh. . . jehu , kings . others , sam. . . chron. . chron. . , . & . , . in and for religion : azariah , and the priests , chron. . . shadrach , &c. dan. . , , . daniel , chap. . . joseph , matth. . . peter , and john , acts . . steven , acts . , . and . . paul , acts . . and . . and . . and . . elijah , king. . , , . micaiah , kings . , . jehoiadah , king. . . elisha , kings . . other examples : darius sent a very great army of horse and foot in gallies against the athenians , charging his commanders to destroy the city , and bring all the people captives to him ; accordingly they ●ailed into attica , where landing , they made grievous spoile of all before them , thinking that athens would have submitted so soon as they came near them : but the athenians choosing miltiades for their generall , sent him forth with ten thousand citizens , and one thousand auxiliaries ; who marching to marathon , about two leagues from athens , encountered with the great army of the persians , charging them so furiously , that they prevented the throwing of their darts , and enforced them to run away like sheep to their navy , and after a great carnage , they burnt and took many of their ships also : at this time themistocles being a very young man , shewed much valour , and dexterity in the battel . justin. also in this battel cynaegirus an athenian , shewed such incomparable valour , that pursuing the persians to then ships ; when some of them were putting off from the shore , he caught hold of one of the ships with his right hand , holding it till his hand was cut off , then did he lay hold on it with his left hand , till that also was cut off , and then he caught hold of it with his teeth . iustin. xerxes sending his ambassadours to lacedaemon , and athens , requiring them to send him earth and water in token of their homage ; they out of greatnesse of spirit , scorning the message , took his ambassadours , and threw some of them into a jakes , others into a pit of water ; bidding them to take earth and water from thence , if they pleased to carry to their lord. pezel . mel. hist. the lacedemonians in their publick feasts had alwayes three dances . the first of old men , who sang : we have been young , and strong , and valiant heretofore , till crooked age did hold us back , and bid us do no more . the second of young men , who sang : we yet are young , bold , strong , and ready to maintaine that quarrel still against all men , that do on earth remain . the third of children , who sang : and we do hope as well to passe you all at last , and that the world shall witnesse be ere many yeares be past . in their warres they assaulted their enemies very fiercely , and never gave over till the flight of their enemies had assured them of the victory , and then they quickly , and quietly retreated into their camp judging it unworthy their manhood , and an ignoble action , to kill , and hew in pieces men once scattered , and out of order : this much surthered their victories , their enemies being upon their flight , secured from further danger . plut. when alexander m. had put calisthenes to death , he suspected lysimachus , another of his brave captaines , because he had been a familiar friend to calisthenes , and thereupon caused him to be cast naked to a most fierce lion ; but when the lion came roaring upon him , lysimachus wrapped his shirt about his arme , and thrusting his hand into the lions mouth , and taking fast hold of his tongue , he slew the lion , which alexander being informed of , having his valour in admiration , he not only forgave him , but esteemed him more highly then ever before . q. cur. alexander m. being very swift of foot when he was young , some of his followers asked him if he would not runne in the olympick games ? yea truly , said he , of kings will contend with me therein . justin. when he heard of any great city that his father had taken , he used to be very sorrowfull , and to say to his companions , my father will take away all occasions from me of atchieving any great matters . a gallant horse called bucephalus being proffered to king philip , and prized at eight thousand seven hundred crownes , he refused to give it , because he would let none get upon his back : alexander being by , and seeing their error , in setting him so that their shadow frighted him , he would needs lay the price of the horse with his father , that he would back him : and accordingly turning him on the other side where the horse might not see his shadow , he mounted on his back , and rode him up and down : his father wondering at his magnanimity , when he alighted , kissed him , and said : o my sonne , thou must seek out some other kingdomes , for macedonia is too little for thee . diod. sic. q. cur. porus an indian king , fighting valiantly against alexander , received many wounds , and at last falling into his enemies hands , they led him to alexander , who hearing of his coming ▪ went forth with some of his friends to meet him : and asked him what he would have him to do for him ? porus answered , only that thou use me like a king : alexander being taken with his magnanimity , said , this i will do for mine one sake , but what shall i do for thee , for thy sake ? porus answered , that all was contained in his former demand of kingly usage : this so pleased alexander , that he restored him to his kingdome , and gave him another bigger then his own . q cur. demetrius the son of antigonus fighting against ptolomaeus king of egypt , was overthrowne in the battel , and losing his carriages , he lost all his furniture , and apparel with them : but ptolomaeus sent him back these , together with his friends that were taken prisoners , saying , that he fought with him only for glory , and empire : demetrius was so affected herewith , that he prayed to the gods to give him an opportunity that he might not be long in ptolomaeus his debt , but might requite him with the like courtesie : which shortly after fell out , for in another battel demetrius overcame ptolomy , and rejoyced not so much for what he had gotten , as that hereby he could retaliate ptolomies kindnesse , which accordingly he did by a free release of all his captives . plut. julius caesar was of a most magnanimous resolution , insomuch as being forewarned of the conspiracy that was made against him in the senate , he answered , morise quàm timere malle , that he had rather die then admit of feare . plut. subrius flavius , a tribune of the praetorian souldiers , having ( with others ) conspired the death of nero ; the conspiracy being discovered , nero asked him , why contrary to his oath , and duty , he had made one against him ? he stoutly answered : because i hated thee : and yet there was not one in thine army more loyal then my selfe , all the while thou deservedst love ; but after thou hadst murthered thy mother , and wife , and hadst turned charioteer , stage-player , and boutefeux , i could no longer endure thee . suet. sulpicius , afer , a centurian , and another of the conspirators , to the like question , returned this blunt answer , because , saith he , there was no other way to help thee , but to rid thee out of the world . suet. mardonius being left with a great army in greece , after xerxes his returne into asia ; he sent ambassadors to the athenians , perswading them to make peace with him making many golden promises to them , if they would do it : the lacedaemonians hearing of it , sent their ambassadors also to them , to disswade them from it , shewing how dishonourable it would be to them , and dangerous to all greece : and the better to prevaile , they sent them word that whereas their houses had been burnt , and their harvest spoiled by the persians , they would provide for their wives , and children , so long as the warre lasted . to the persian ambassadors , the athenians answered , that they scorned so long as the sunne kept his course to make any friendship with the persians , whom they hoped by the assistance of the gods to drive out of their countrey . to the lacedaemonians they answered , that knowing the valour of the athenians , they marvelled why they should suspect their complying with the persians , assuring them , that the greatest promises in the world could not make them unfaithful to their countrey , nor to agree with the persians whil'st there was any one of them alive , and for their proffer to provide for their wives , and children , they gave them hearty thanks for the same , but withall told them , that they hoped they should be able to provide for them themselves , and therefore would not be burthensome unto others . herod . king porsenna making warre against the romanes , the consul publicola , ●allied out against him , betwixt whom began an hot skirmish neer tyber ; and the enemies exceeding in number , publicola fighting valiantly , was wounded so dangerously , that he was carried away by his souldiers , which so discouraged his army , that they fled towards the city , the enemies pursuing them to the wooden bridge , whereby rome was in danger to be taken : but horatius cocles , with two other young noblemen , made head upon the bridge against them . till the bridge was broken down behinde them : then cocles , armed as he was , and hurt in the hip with a pike , leaped into tyber , and swam to the other side of the river : publicola admiring his valour , gave him an annual pension for his life , and so much land as he could compasse about in a day with a plough . plut. whil'st porsenna besieged rome , a citizen called mutius , devising how he might kill him , disguised himselfe , and went into his army , and speaking the tuscan language perfectly , was admitted into the kings presence , but not knowing him , he drew his sword , and slew one that was neer him , mistaking him for the king : hereupon he was apprehended , and porsenna calling for a pan of coales , caused his right hand to be held over it , till the flesh fried , and the sinewes shrunk , yet did mutius all the while look upon the king with an undaunted countenance ; which porsenna wondering at , caused the fire to be removed , and his sword to be restored to him , which he taking with his left hand , was thence called scaevola . plut. aristomenes king of the messenians , was a very gallant , and valiant man , who in a battel against the corinthians , slew one hundred men with his own hands : the like he did in divers other battels ; whereupon he used to offer to jupiter a sacrifice called hecatomphonia , or centicidium . pausan. see the example of xenophon , in ingratitude , epaminondas with his thebans , having given the spartans a great overthrow at leustra , went presently to lacedaemon , and made an attempt upon the city it selfe , at which time a valiant young man of lacedaemon called isadas , neither defended with armour , nor apparrel , but being stark naked , and his body anointed with oile , and his sword in his hand , did wonders both in the judgement of his citizens , and of his very enemies , of whom he slew all that he met , and yet never received any wound himselfe : and after the fight was ended , the ephori crowned him as a reward of his valour , and then fined him a thousand drachma's for exposing himselfe to such danger without his armour . plut. epaminondas in another battel that he fought against the lacedaemonians , and arcadians , was sorely wounded with a dart , and being carried into his tent , after the battel was ended , the chyrurgeons coming to him , told him that when the dart was drawn forth of his body he must needs die ; whereupon he called his squire to him , and asked him if he had not lost his shield ? he told him , no , and withal shewed it to him : then he asked if his army had gotten the victory ? they told him . iea. then , said he , it 's now time for me to leave my life , and so bade them pull out the dart ; whereupon his friends cried out grievously , and one of them said to him , o epaminondas , thou diest without children : to whom he answered , nay truly , for ● shall leave two daughters behinde me , viz. my two great victories , one a● leuctra and this at mantinea , and so the dart being pulled out , he gave up the ghost . plut. after the battel of cheronaea wherein philip k. of macedon overcame the athenians ; after the victorie looking upon the dead bodies of his adversaries ▪ he much commended them for their valour , for that all their wounds were in their fore-parts , and for that they died in those very stations which were assigned by their captaines : also when with his friends ( in token of joy for the victory ) he celebrated a drunken feast , and danced amongst the captives , deriding them in their calamity , damades one of those athenian captives , freely said to him , o king , now that fortune hath put upon thee the person of agamem●on , art thou not ashamed to act the part of drunken thersites ? philip wondering at his courage , set both damades and all the rest of the athenian captives at liberty , and sent them home without ransom , and buried the dead bodies of the slaine , and afterwards made peace with the athenians . diod. sic. the two scipio's , brethren : pub. and cn. cornelius ▪ were famous for their warres in spaine , and against the carthaginians , so that they were called , duo fulmina belli , the two thunderbolts of warre . polyb. claudius marcellus fought one and fifty battels , and was for his valour called gladius romani populi , the sword of the romanes : as fabius m. was called clypeus , their buckler , for his policy . plut. cato being but fourteen years old , used to go with his master sarpedon , to sylla's house , to salute him : not farre off , was the executioners house , whither sylla sent whom he pleased to be tormented , and slaine : cato seeing this said to his master , why doth no man kill this tyrant sylla ? sarpedon answered , because they more fear him , then hate him : cato replied , why then will you not give me a sword , that i may kill him , and free my countrey from such a savage beast ? afterwards pompey being returned out of the east with great glory after his victories , sought to oblige cato to him , thinking to strengthen himself thereby , and for this end desired to marry with cato's sister , which the maid much desired , but cato liked not the motion , returning this answer : that he would not be ensnared with women : if pompey did that which was just , and profit able for the common wealth , he should easily have him for his friend , otherwise no bribes , or contracts should procure it . suetonius . jotopata a city in galilee , being besieged by the emperour vespasian , and the walls thereof sore shaken by the force of a great battering ramme ; one eleazer a jew in the city , took up an huge stone , and threw it with such violence upon the ramme , that he brake off the head thereof : and then leaping down into the midst of his enemies , took up the same , and brought it into the city in despite of them all . joseph . hist. george castriot ( alias scanderbeg ) prince of epirus , was inspired with such a spirit of valour by god , in defending his countrey against the barbarous turks , that in fighting against them , for very eagernesse of spirit , his blood would usually burst out of his lips : and with such violence he struck , that many of them he clave in sunder , from the head to the middle , and usually cut off an armed arme at a blow : and with his own hands he slew above ●wo thousand of them at several times . hist. of turk . the earth opening about rome , the wizards resolving that it would not close againe , till the best thing the city had were cast into it : m. curtius expounding that to be a martial man , leaped himselfe into it , armed at all points : whereupon the place was afterwards called , lacus curt●i . livie . a romane captaine being hindred in his march by the augurs trifling stay to divine what the successe of their journey should be , by a bird that sat by the way-side : he took abowe , and killed the bird , saying : how should this silly bird read us our fortune , when she could not foretell her own ? and so undauntedly marching on , he prospered never the worse for it . newes heing brought to the grecians , of the huge army that xerxes had brought over into greece , whose archers were so many ( as it was reported ) that the flight of the persians arrowes would be so thick , as that they would darken the light of the sunne : dieneces a spartan answered : it 's good newes , for then we shall fight in the shade . before the great battel of cannae , fought between the carthaginians and romanes , hannibal sent his brother mago to view the number , and countenance of the enemy ; and at his returne asked him , what work they were like to have with the romans ? work enough , answered mago , for they are an horrible company : as horrible a company as they be ( said hannibal ) i will warrant thee there is not one mago amongst them , and therewith all fell a laughing , which his souldiers took for a certain signe of victory , which accordingly fell out ▪ sir walt. rawley . honry the fifth king of england , before the battel at agincourt , hearing of the great , and warlike preparations of the french , was somewhat perplexed : but on●● captain gam standing by , said , that if there were ●s●● many , there were enow to be killed , enow to be taken prisoners , and enow to runne away : which resolute speec●● much cheared up the king. eng. hist. at the siege of belgrave in hungary by the turks ▪ a certaine turke getting upon the walls advanced his ensigne upon them , whereby the city was in great danger of being lost : but a bohemian souldier running to him , caught him fast about the middle , and calling to the governour of the city ( who was not farre from him ) asked if he might be saved , if he should cast himselfe down from the wall with that dog ? ( so so he called the turke : ) to whom the governour answered . yea , without doubt : whereupon e●tsoones he tumbled himselfe with the turke in his armes from off the wall , and so died with him , and by his death saved the lives of all in the city . turk . hist. the romanes being ready to joyne battel with the albanes , that they might avoid bloodshed , agreed that the victory should be determined by three against three : now there were in each campe three brethren born at one birth , of equal years , who were to be the champions : the three horatii for the romanes , and the three curiatii for the albanes : who after a doubtfull conflict , two of the horatii being slaine , the third ( pretending feare ) ran away , and thereby drew his adversaries asunder , who ( by reason of their wounds ) could not runne with equal speed : which being perceived by him , he turned back , and slew them one by one in single fi●ht before they could joyne together , whereby the day fell to the romanes . sir walt. raw. hist , the tacchi , ( a people in asia ) rather then they would be captivated to the greeks , threw themselves down headlong from the rocks ; the very women throwing down their own children first , and then casting themselves upon them . cato , when the last battel was fought betwixt julius caesar , and the senators of rome , who stood for the liberty of their countrey : caesar having wonne the day , cato cast himselfe into the sea at utica , choosing ●ather to drown himselfe , then to survive his countreys liberty . lucan . darius the persian monarch invading scythia , sent unto the king thereof to yield himselfe as his subject ; whereunto the scythians returned him this hieroglyphical answer : sending him back by his ambassadors ▪ a bird , a frog , a mouse , and five arrows : which was diversly interpreted by darius his captaines : but gobrias , one of his princes , truly interpreted them thus : o ye persians , get ye wings like birds , or dive under the water like frogs , or creep into holes of the earth like mice , or ye shall not escape our arrowes . socrates knowing that there was but one god : in his apology for his life , said , that if they would grant him his life upon condition to keep that truth to himselfe , and not to teach it unto others , he would not accept of his life upon such a condition . breda in the low-countreys being by treachery delivered to the prince of parma , anno . was againe recovered by the prince of orange , anno . by an hardy , and dangerous enterprise , which captain charles of haraugiere made with seventy two resolute souldiers , who being hidden in a boat full of turfes , entering at noon day , in a thousand dangers of their lives , if they had been discovered , they lay still all the day , and the night following , coming suddenly forth of the boat , they cut in pieces the corps dugard , giving entrance to the prince , and earle of hohenlo , with their troops which lay not farre off ; whereupon the garrison fled , and the towne was yielded by composition . belg. com. wealth . p. . in an assault made by the turks , upon the suburbs of alba regalis in hungary , many of the turks having scaled the italian fort , a tall hungarian woman , whose courage farre exceeded the weaknesse of her sexe , thrust in amongst the souldiers , and with a great sithe in her hand , at one blowe , struck off two of the turks heads , which so encouraged others , that the turks were repelled thereby . turk . hist. p. . at numantia in spaine foure thousand souldiers withstood fourty thousand romanes for fourteene yeares together , in which time having often valiently repulsed them , and forced them unto two dishonourable compositions ; at last when they could well hold out no longer , they gathered all their armour , money , and goods together , and laid them on a heap , which being fiered , they voluntarily buried themselves in the flames also : leaving unto scipio nothing but the bare name of numantia to adorne his triumph with . the city of saguntum having been besieged by hannibal for the space of nine moneths , in which time the famine , was so great , that the inhabitants were inforced to eat mans flesh ; at the last when they could hold out no longer , rather then they would fall into the hands of their enemies , they made a fire , in which themselves , and their city were consumed to ashes . aug. de civ . l. . c. . philip king of macedon besieging abidus , when the people saw that they could not escape : they first cast their goods into the sea , and then killed their wives , and children , and themselves , leaving an empty city for him . livi. martius the romane general going against the sarini ( which were gaules at the foot of the alpes ) rather then they would lose their liberty , they killed their wives , and children , and then cast themselves into the fire , and some of them which were surprized , starved themselves . oros. l. . the isle of goze neare unto malta , being taken by the turks , a certain sicilian that had lived long there , and had married a wife , by whom he had two faire daughters , being then in state to be married , seeing this last calamity approaching , rather then he would see his wife , and daughters to be brought into shamefull servitude , having called them to him , he first ●lew with his sword , his two daughters , and then their mother : this done , with an harquebuse , and a crosse bowe bent , ( as clean bereft of senses ) he made towards his enemies , of whom he slew two at the first encounter , and afterwards fighting a while with his sword , being invironed with a multitude of turks , brought himselfe to the end of his most unhappy life . pur. pil. v. . p. . caesar entering into a boat in tempestuous weather , the waterman was afraid to put forth from the shoar : to whom he said , perge contra tempestatem forti animo , caesarem fers , & fortunam caesaris : beare up couragiously against the stormes , thou carriest caesar , and caesars fortune . godfrey of bulloigne with his followers , in lesse then foure yeares conquered all the goodliest provinces of asia , and drove out the turks : in that cruel conflict in solomons temple ( as himselfe reports in a letter ) his men by the great slaughter of the enemies stood in blood above the ankles : in a terrible battel at ascalon , he slew an hundred thousand of the infidels . turk . history . huniades that bulwarke of europe , like a violent tempest , and impetuous torrent did so batter and beat down the enemies of christ , that his name became dreadfull amongst the turks , who used the same to fear their crying children withall : he fought five times upon one day with them , and five times foiled , and put them to slight : he killed that valiant viceroy of asia , mefites bassa , with his sonne , and twenty thousand turks moe : at that famous battel of vascape with fifteen thousand souldiers , he overthrew abedin bassa with fourescore thousand fighting men . car. lib. . in the reigne of king john of england , a controversie arising betwixt him , and the king of france , about a seigniory , and certain castles : the king of france offered a champion to fight for his right ; whereupon king john. chose john cursy earle of ulster : but when the french champion heard of his exceeding great feeding , and mighty strength , he refused the combate : then the king of france desired to see a stroak given by the hand of iohn cursy , and he set a strong and doughty good morion , or head-piece full of maile upon a great block ; and taking his skeine or sword , he smote the morion through , from the crest downward , and his sword stuck so fast in the wood , that no other man but himselfe could pull it out , yet he himselfe did it with much facility . camb. brit. ire . p. . ul●zales , and caracoza , great captaines amongst the turks , landing their men in the island of curzola : anthonius contarenus , the governour of the chiefe towne , ●led out in the night with the townsmen also into the rocks for safety , so that there was not left in the towne above twenty men , and eighty women : who with weapons in their hands came to the walls , desiring rather to die , then to fall into the hands of the turks : and as the turks approached to the walls , the women with stones , fire , and such weapons , beat them off with greater courage then could have been expected , in their weake sexe : which whil'st they were doing , it pleased god that a great storme arose suddenly , which so outragiously tossed the gallies , that the turks were glad to give over the assault , and to hie away to a place of more safety . turk . hist. p. . scanderbeg was such a mirrour of manhood , and so terrible to the turks , that nine years after his death , as they passed through lyssa , where his body lay buried , they digged up his bones with great devotion ; reckoning it some part of their happinesse , if they might but see , or touch the same : and such as could get any part thereof , were it never so little , caused the same to be set , some in silver , some in gold , to hang about their necks , thinking that it would animate their spirits , with extraordinary vigour . paulus jovius illust. virorum . a brave , and valiant captaine , who had long with incredible courage withstood dionysius the elder in defence of a city : at length falling into his hands , the tyrant told him that the day before he had caused his sonne , and all his kinsfolke to be drowned : to whom the brave captaine stoutly outstaring him , answered nothing , but that they were more happy then himselfe by the space of one day : afterwards he caused him to be stripped , and by his executioner to be dragged through the city most ignominiously , cruelly whipping him , and contumeliously scoffing at him ; but he , as no whit dismayed , ever shewed a constant , and resolute heart : and with a chearfull , and bold countenance went on still , boldly recounting the honourable , and glorious cause of his death , which was that he would never consent to yield his country into the hands of a cruel tyrant . bolton . pompey in the time of a great dearth at rome was transporting corne thither : but finding the sea rough , and dangerous , some would have disswaded him from adventuring himselfe in such weather , to whom he gallantly answered : it 's necessary that corne should be carried to rome , but not that i should live . antigonus hearing some of his souldiers reckoning how many their enemies were , to prevent their feares , steps in suddenly amongst them , saying , and how many do you reckon me for ? valour of women . zenobia the wife of odenate king of the palmyrenians , accustomed her selfe to all those many imployments which her husband used both in peace , and warre : she loved her husband exceedingly , but having once conceived by him , she would lie with him no more till after her delivery : she was very expert in the orientall histories , which she wrote , and left them for the use of posterity : she was very beautiful , and black sparkling eyes , and her teeth to white , that they seemed rather to be pearles then teeth : her husband being treacherously murthered , she took upon her the government , and having been formerly accustomed to the warres , she fought often with the romanes , subdued egypt . and drave out thence probus the romane president : at last she rather by compact yielded to , then by conquest was overcome by aurelian the emperour , whose sonne married her daughter , and many of her stock flourished in rome long after . lipsius . valour of women . semiranus was of so manlike a disposition , that she waged warre with great felicity : she had in her army three millions of foot , and fifty thousand horse , and about a thousand chariots . as she was dressing her self , hearing of the defection of babylon : in the same posture , with one part of her haire bound up , and the other loose , she presently went against it , and never dressed up her head till she had brought it into subjection . pez . mel. hist. tomyris queen of the masigetes was a woman of an heroical disposition : when cyrus king of persia came with an huge army against her , the ( pretending fear ) retired into certaine mountaines , into the stacts whereof , when cyrus followed her , she set upon him , and after a bloody ●ight , slew two hundred thousand of his men , and himselfe also , after which she caused his head to be cut off , and threw it into a bowle of blood , saying , satia te sanguine , qu●m sitivisti , cujusque semper insatiabilis fuisti : glut they selfe with blood , which thou hast alwayes thirsted after , and with which thou could'st never be satisfied . justin. cowardize , timerousnesse , fearfulnesse . in a great battel that was fought between philip king of macedon , and the athenians at cheronaea , wherein the liberty of greece lay at the stake : demosthenes the athenian orator , before there was any just cause for it , most cowardly ranne away , forgetting the inscription upon his shield , in golden letters , which was , quod foelix , faustúmque sit ; whereupon one meeting him , in scorne said to him , he that runnes away , may fight afterwards . diod. sic. and it was told the house of david saying , syria is confederate with ephraim : and his heart was moved , and the heart of his people , as the trees of the wood are moved with the winde . isa. . . thy servant slew both the lion , and the beare , and this uncircumcised philistine shall be as one of them , sam. . . five of you shall chase an hundred , and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight , and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword , levit. . ● . chap. xxxv . examples of gods judgements upon sabbath-breakers . the command of the sabbath hath a special memento , or remember prefixed unto it : that by timely thinking of it , we might lay aside our worldly businesse , and get our hearts into an holy array , and readinesse for entertainment of god into them . it is the market-day of the soul , wherein the lord useth to meet his people to dispense his blessings , and graces in , and by his ordinances , to those which humbly , and reverently attend upon him therein . the carefull sanctification of it keeps up the power of godlinesse in our hearts , and lives . and if worldly labour is unlawfull upon that day , much more are carnal delights , and pastimes : melius arare , quàm saltare in sabbato : it is better to plow then to dance on the sabbath , was st. austines judgement : and when men neglect to punish the profanation of it , the lord usually takes the sword into his own hand , and by visible judgements plagues the profaners of it : as will further appeare by these examples following . sabbath instituted , gen. . . called holy , exod. . . & . . nehem. . . isa. . . the lords day , rev. . . the first day of the week . this name is given to rhe seventh day , exod. . . & . . lev. . . deut. . . to the tenth day , in the seventh moneth , lev. . . . & . , . num. . . to some dayes annexed to the solemne festivals , as to the first , and eighth day , lev. . . to the seventh year , lev. . . to the fiftieth year , lev. . . to the week , luk. . . & . . the word week is in the greek sabbath . it was kept , . by ceasing from servile labour , exod. . . & . . luk. . . jer. . . and from doing evil , isa. . . . by preparing to keep it holy , exod. . . mark. . , . with delight , isa. . , . . by worshipping god , ezek. . . in the sanctuary , lev. . . numb . . . . by praying , ezra . . isa. . . acts . . . by singing psalmes , chron. . . psal. . & . . . by reading the scriptures , acts . . & . . deut. . , &c. . by preaching , acts . . & . , . mark . . luk. . , . & . : & . . mal. . . neh. . . . . by conference , acts . . & . , . . administring the sacraments , john . . . searching the scriptures after hearing , act. . . . by holy meditation , deut. . . exod. . . & . , . it 's commanded , lev. . . exod. . , . jer. . . deut. . . it 's not to be polluted , exod. . , . profaned , ezek. . . & . . with servile work , lev. . , . & . , . numb . . . & . . husbandry , exod. . . neh. . . buying , selling , or thinking of it , amos . . carrying burthens , jer. . , . neh. . . journeys about worldly , or unnecessary businesses , exod. . . doing our own pleasure , isa. . . january the thirteenth , . being the sabbath , about foure a clock in the afternoone , the scaftold in the bear-garden being overloaden with people , suddenly fell down , whereby eight persons were slaine outright , and many others sorely hurt , and bruised to the shortening of their lives . symps. eccl. hist. not long since in bedfordshire , a match at football being appointed on the sabbath in the afternoone : whil'st two were in the belfree tolling of a bell to call the company together , there was suddenly heard a clap of thunder , and a flash of lightning was seene by some that sat in the church-porch , coming through a dark lane , and flashing in their faces , which much terrified them , and passing through the porch into the belfree , it tripped up his heeles that was toiling the bell , and struck him starke dead ; and the other that was with him was so sorely blasted therewith , that shortly after , he died also . dr. twist on the sab. at a place called tidworth on the sabbath day many being met together to play at football in the church-yard , one had his leg brok●n , which presently gangrenizing he forthwith died thereof . eodem . at alcester in warwickshire upon the coming forth of the declaration for sports , a lusty young woman went on the sabbath day to a greene , not farre off , where she said , she would dance as long as she could stand : but while she was dancing , god struck her with a violent disease , whereof within two or three dayes after she died . also in the same place not long after , a young man presently after the evening sermon was ended , brought a paire of cudgels into the street , neare to the ministers house , calling upon divers to play with him ; but they all refusing , at the length came one , who took them up , saying , though i never played in my life , yet i will play one bout now : but shortly after , as he was jesting with a young maide , he took up a birding-peece , which was charged , saying , have at thee , and the peece going off , shot her in the face , whereof she immediately died for which act he forfeited all his goods , and underwent the trial of the law. at wootton in the same county , a miller going forth on the ●abbath-day to a wake , when he came home at night , found his house , mill , and all that he had burnt down to the ground . at woolston in the same county many loose persons kept a whitson-ale , and had a moris-dancing on the sabbath day , in a smiths barne , to the great griefe of the godly minister , who laboured all that he could to restraine it : but it pleased god that shortly after a fire kindled in that smiths shop , which burnt it down , together with his house , and barne , and raging furiously , going sometimes with , sometimes against the winde it burnt downe many other houses , most of which were prime actors in that profanation of the lords day . i my felfe knew these foure last examples . anno . on a lords day , in the time of a great frost , fourteen young men , while they were playing at football on the ice , on the river trent , neare to gainsborough , meeting all together in a scussle , the ice suddenly brake , and they were all drowned . in the edge of essex , near brinkley , two fellows working in a chalk-pit , the one was boasting to his fellow how he had angred his mistresse with staying so late at their sports the last sunday night . but he said , he would anger her worse next sunday . he had no sooner said this , but suddenly the earth fell down upon him , and flew him outright , with the fall whereof his fellows limb was broken , who had been also partner with him in his jollity on the lords day . in the county of devon , one edward amerideth a gentleman , having been pained in his feet , and being somewhat recovered , one said unto him , he was glad to see him so nimble : ameredith replied , that he doubted not but to dance about the may-pole the next lords day : but before he moved out of that place , he was smitten with such a feeblenesse of heart , and dizzinesse in his head , that desiring help to carry him to an house , he died before the lords day came . at walton upon thames in surrey , in a great frost , . three young men on the lords day , after they had been at the church in the forenoone , where the minister pressing the words of his text out of cor. . . that we must all appear before the judgement-seat of christ , &c. they the while whispering as they sate : in the afternoone they went together over the thames upon the ice , unto an house of disorder , and gaming , where they spent the rest of the lords day , and part of the night also , in revelling , one of them in a taverne merrily discoursing the next day of his sabbaths acts , and voyage over the ice ; but on tuseday next after , these three returning homewards , and attempting to passe againe over the ice , they all sunk down to the bottome as stones , whereof one only of them was miraculously preserved , but the other two were drowned : these foure last are attested by good hands . anno christi . the towne of feverton in devonshire was often admonished by her godly pastor , that god would bring some heavy judgement upon the inhabitants of that place , for their horrible profanation of the lords day , occasioned chiefly by their market on the munday : and accordingly not long after the said ministers death , on the third of april , in the year aforesaid , god sent a terrible fire , which in lesse then halfe an houre consumed the whole towne , except the church , the conrt-house almes-houses , and a few poor peoples dwellings ; and above . persons were consumed in the flames : also anno christi . it was again wholly burnt down , except a few poor houses , they being not warned by the former judgement , but continuing in the same sin . beards theat . if ye will not hearken unto me , to hallow the sabbath-day , and not to bear a burden , even entering in at the gates of jerusalem on the sabbath-day , then will i kindle a fire in the gates thereof , and it shall devour the palaces of jerusalem , and it shall not be quenched , jer. . . chap. xxxvi . examples of gods judgments upon murtherers and blood-shedders . the positive judiciall law of god is , that whosoever sheddeth mans bloud , by man shall his bloud be shed , gen. . . and the reason is there rendred , because such destroy gods image wherein man is made : and the cry of blood ( if not punished by man ) is so great , gen. . . that the lord comes down from heaven to call the murtherer to account , and by some visible , and remarkable judgements , or other , to stigmatize this sin , as these following examples will more fully manifest . murtherers ought to be punished with death , gen. . . exod. . . prov. . . rev. . . no recompence is to be taken for it , num. . , &c. for it defiles the land , hos. . , . it 's diligently to be sought out , deut. . , &c. god punisheth it here , psal. . . it excludes from heaven , gal. . . rev. . . scripturall examples . cain , gen. . . pharaoh . exodus . simeon and levt , gen. . . &c. abimelech , judg. . . agag , sam. . . joab , sam. . . david , sam. . , &c. absalom , sam. . , manasseh , king . . amons servants , kings . . ahab and jezabel , kings . , &c. baanah and rechab , sam. . . saul , sam. . . sam. . . athaliah , chron. . . baasha , kin. . . zimri , kin. . . joash , chron . . shal●um , kings . . manahem , kings . , . herod , acts . . cain for murthering his brother abel was cursed by god gen. . abimelech who slew his . brethren , was slain by a woman at thebez , jud. . baanah and rechab who slew their l. ishbosheth , were slain by the command of david , sam. . joab who slew abner , and amasa treacherously , was slain by the command of solomon , kin. . cyrus k. of persia , who for . years together made cruell war in many places ; at last fighting against the scythians , was overcome , of his men slain and himself salling into the hands of q. tomyris , she cut off his head , threw it into a bowl of blood , saying , thou hast all thy time thirsted after blood , now drink thy fill , and satiate thy self therewith . orosius . cambyses , his son , a bloody and cruell man , who shot a noblemans son thorow the heart , because the father had reproved him for drunkennesse : he caused his own brother to be privily murthered , lest he should usurp the kingdom ; slew his own sister for reproving him for that deed : at last as he was riding , his sword fell out of the scabbard , and himself falling upon it , was slain thereby . herodo . xerxes who with his huge army passed over into greece , being overthrown by sea and land , fled shamefully into asia in a fisherboat , and shortly after was slain by artabanus , the captain of his guard in his own palace . diod. sic. the . tyrants in athens were cruell bloodsuckers , till the people rising up against them , slew them all . just. phocas , who to get the empire , put to death all the sons of mauricius the emperor before his face , and then slew him also : and after many villainies by him committed , was pursued by his son in law priscus , and being taken , had his hands and feet cut off , and afterwards with all his posterity was put to a cruell death . nicephorus . anno christi . popiel k. of poland , to obtain the kingdom , poysoned his two uncles , and gave himself over to all manner of wickednesse : he used upon every occasion to say , if this be not true , would rats might devour me : on a time as he was going to a great feast , an army of rats out of the putrefied body of his uncles set upon him , which all his guard with their weapons were not able to drive away : then did they make great cole-fires about him , yet through the middest of the fire did the rats assault him : then did they put him with his wife and children into a boat , and rowed them in the middest of a great lake , yet thither did the rats swim to him : and lastly , he gat up to the top of an high tower , yet still the rats pursued him , and they eat him up to the very bones , together with his wife and children : munst. cos. bassianus the emperour who slew his own brother in his mothers armes , and tooke to wife his own mother in law , was shortly after , himselfe murthered by the procurement of macrinus , to prevent his owne death . justinian the emperour , a cruel , and bloody man who was the cause of many murthers , was first banished from his empire , and afterwards slaine by one of his own servants . euseb. clovis king of france , an horrible murtherer , who amongst other cruel facts , caused one of his peers to be murthered by his own sonne , that he might seize upon his riches ; but whil'st he was stooping down to draw forth bags full of gold out of a chest , the same person caused his braines to be beaten out . french history . selimus a cruel and bloody emperour of the turks , intending to turne all his powers against the christians , was suddenly attached by the hand of god , being struck in the reines of the back with a cancer , which ( contemning all cure ) did by little , and little so eate , and corrupt his body , that he became loathsome , both to himselfe , and others , and so rotting above ground , died miserably . turk . hist. agathocles a bloody tyrant of syracuse , after many most horrible murthers committed by him , lived to see most of his family slaine , and himselfe devested of his kingdome : after which he was taken with a grievous sicknesse , wherein his whole body rotted , which spread it selfe through all his veines , and sinews , wherewith in short time he ended his accursed life . robert erle of fife in scotland being advanced by his brother king robert the third to be the first duke of albany , afterwards , ( ungratefull person that he was ) pricked on with the spirit of ambition , famished to death , david his said brothers son , who was heir to the crown : but the punishment due for this fact , which himself by the long sufferance of god felt not : his son mordac the second duke of albany suffered most grievously , being condemned for treason and beheaded , when he had seen his two sons the day before executed in the same manner . camb. brit. scot. p. . king richard the third of england , who caused his two nephews most unnaturally to be murthered in the tower , and shed much other innocent blood , by gods just judgement had his onely son taken away by death , and himself was slain in bosworth-field : his carrion carcasse being found naked among the slain , filthily polluted with blood , and dirt , was cast upon an horse behinde a pursuivant at armes , his head , and armes hanging down on the one side of the horse , and his legs on the other , like a calfe : and so was interred at leicester , with as base a funerall as he formerly bestowed upon his nephews in the tower. eng. hist. iames tyrell , iohn dighton , and miles forrest , who were procured by this king richard to murther the two young princes , entering into their chamber about midnight , so bewrapped them among the clothes keeping down the feather-bed , and pillows hard unto their mouths , that within a while they were smothered : but these murtherers escaped not long the vengeance of god : for miles forrest by peecemeale rotted away : dighton lived at calis , so disdained and hated , that he was pointed at of all men , and there died in much misery : and sir iames tyrell was beheaded on tower-hill for treason . act. & mon. senercleus relateth the just hand of god upon that villainous parricide alphonsus diazius a popish spaniard , who after he had ( like another cain ) murthered his own naturall brother iohn diazius , meerly because he had renounced popery , and became a professor of the reformed religion , and was not onely not punished , but highly commended of the romanists for his heroical atchievement ( as they called it ) being haunted , and hunted by the furies of his own conscience , desperately hanged himself at trent about the neck of his own mule. some bloody villains basely murthered theodorick , b. of trever : but gods just judgments overtook all the murtherers : for conrade the chief author died suddenly . a souldier that helped to throw him down the rock , was chok'd as he was at supper , and two other servants that assisted , desperately slew themselves . marti . the cardinall of winchester ( commonly called the rich cardinall ) who procured the death of the good duke of glocester in the reign of king henry the sixth was shortly after struck with an incurable disease : who understanding by his physicians , that he could not live ; murmuring , and repining thereat , he cried out , fie ! will not death be hired ? will money do nothing ? must i die that have so great riches ? if the whole realme would save my life , i am able either by policy to get it , or by riches to buy it ; but yet all would not prevail , but that he died of the same disease . sp. chr. see the example of scedasus's daughters in rapes . olympias the mother of alex m. being a woman of a proud and revengefull disposition , having gotten eurydice queen of macedonia into her hands , sent her a sword , an halter , and a cup of poison , giving her leave to choose with which of them she would kill her self : eurydice seeing them , prayed to the gods , that she that sent her those presents , might her self partake of the like , and so hanged her self : but shortly after the divine ●ustice met with olympias , who by the appointment of cassander , one of her sons captains , was murthered . diod. sic. justin this cassander murthered also the two wives of alex. and their sons , and thereby seized upon the kingdome of macedonia : but shortly after god plagued him with a filthy disease in his body , whereby wormes were bred that devoured him , his eldest son philip died of a consumption : antipater his second son slew his own mother thessalonica , and was himself slain by his father in law lysimachus : and alexander the youngest son was treacherously slain by demetrius , and so the whole family of cassander was rooted out . plut. examples of selfe murther . calanus an indian philosopher followed alexander m. when he returned out of india , who having lived seventy three years without any disease , was at last taken with a dysenterie , and fearing that his former felicity should be overclouded with a lingring disease , he asked leave of alexander that he might burn himself : the king laboured to disswade him from his unnaturall purpose , but when he could not prevail by arguments , he gave his consent , whereupon calanus caused a pile of wood to be made , and riding to it , he made his prayers to his countrey gods , and so with a cheerfull countenance he ascended the pile , and causing the fire to be put to it , he sate with a fixt and unmovable body , till he was burned to ashes . q. cur. alex. m. besieging one of the indian cities , the inhabitants seeing that they could hold out no longer , shut up themselves , their wives and children in their houses , and set fire on them : alexanders men breaking in , laboured to quench the fire , and the others laboured as much to encrease it , so that it was a strange thing to see the fight that was betwixt , one to destroy themselves , the other to save their enemies . quin. cur. demosthenes the athenian orator for standing for the liberty of greece , was hated by antipater the governour of macedonia , who sent some to kill him under captain archia ; whereupon demosthenes took sanctuary in neptunes temple : but archia sent to him to come out of the temple , so that demosthenes perceiving that they were resolved to have his life , he took some poison which he had ready for the purpose , and so presently died . plut. perdiccas besieging the city of isaurum in pisidia , when the citizens saw that they could no longer hold out against him , they shut up their parents , wives , and children with all their substance in their houses , and so burnt them , and then threw themselves down from the walls , and brake their own necks . diod. sic. ptolomy king of egypt hearing that nicocles king of cyprus did closely hold correspondence with antigonus , he sent some to slay him : these coming into cyprus , beset his palace , and demanded him to be delivered up to punishment : nicocles would at fi●st have excused the matter , but when he saw that it would not serve turn , he slew himself : then did axiothea his wife slay her daughters that were virgins , that they might not come into the enemies power : she also perswaded the wives of nicocles brethren with her to murther themselves ; their husbands seeing this , set fire upon the palace , burning themselves and all together . diod. sic. hannibal in his old age , flying to prusias king of bythinia , was demanded by the romane ambassadors to be delivered to them ; but rather than he would come into their hands , he drank poison , which he alwayes kept for that purpose , and so died . aur. victor . augustus caesar besieging m. antony , and cleopatra in alexandria , after a long siege , antony hearing a false rumor , that cleopatra was slain , suddenly slew himself , and cleopatra scorning to be carried in triumph by caesar , set a couple of asps to her breasts , whereby she presently died . plut. zimri k. of israel desperately burned himself in his own palace , king. . . achitophel hanged himself , sam. . . judas hanged himself , act. . . saul and his armor-bearer , sam. . , . fell upon their own swords . tomyris queen of the massagetes having in a battell overthrown , and slain cyrus king of persia , cut off his head , and threw it into a bowl of blood , saying , thou hast all thy time thirsted after blood , now drink thy fill , and satiate thy self therewith . when he maketh inquisition for blood , he remembreth them ; he for gets not the cry of the humble , psal. . . the admiràble discoveries of sundry murthers . parthenius treasurer to theodobert king of france , traiterously slew a friend of his called ausanius , together with his wife papianilla , no man knowing , or suspecting it : but not long after in his sleep , he suddenly roared out , crying for help , or else he perished ; and being asked what ailed him ? between sleep and wake he answered , that his friend ausanius , and his wife whom he had slain , summoned him to judgement before god : for which being apprehended , he was stoned to death . greg. of toures . mr. arden of feversham in kent , had a fair , but dishonest wife , who being in love with one mosby , with him conspired her husbands death , hiring a ruffian called black will to strangle him with a towel : which , though for the present was not known , yet the woman being pursued with a guilty conscience , and by some blood that appeared in the house , the murther was discovered : the woman was burned at canterbury : mr. ardens man who had a hand in the murther , was hanged in chains at feversham : mosby was hanged in smithfield : black wil , though he fled , yet being overtaken , was burnt at flushing in zealand . a souldier of king pyrrhus being slaine , a dog which he had could by no meanes be entised from the dead body : but the king coming by , he fawned upon him , as it were craving help at his hand ; whereupon the king caused all his army to march by in order , and when the mu●cherers came , the dog flew fiercely upon them , and then fawned upon the king : the souldiers being hereupon examined , confessed the fact , and were hanged for their labour . ●lut . in the reigne of edmund king of the east - saxons , a noble dane called lothebrocus being driven upon his coast , the king entertained him , and finding his dexterity in hunting , and hawking , loved him exceedingly , for which the kings faulconer bore a great malice to him , and watching his opportunity , murthered him , and threw him into a brook . but his dog continued by his masters corps in the wood , sometimes coming to the court , and fawning on the king , and so running towards the wood againe : the king missing his friend , of whom he could hear no tidings , began to suspect the matter , and therefore following the dog , found the corps , and by some words , the faulconer was suspected , and upon examination found guilty ; whereupon being put alone into a boat , he was committed to the mercy of the sea , that carried him to denmark , there to be punished for his fault . two french merchants travelling through a wood together , one rose up against the other , and slew him for his money , and so buried him , and went on his journey . but the murthered mans dog filled the wood with his howlings , still staying by his masters grave : the inhabitants by this meanes found out the dog , and the murther , and the faire being ended , they watched the coming back of the merchants , till the murtherer coming by , the dog fell upon him with all his might , whereupon the people apprehended him , who upon examination , confessed the fact , and was justly executed . blond . a germane called ibycus , travelling , fell amongst theeves , who being about to murther him , behold , a flight of crowes , to whom ibycus said , o crowes , i take you for witnesses , and revengers of my death . about three dayes after , as these theeves were drinking in an inne , a company of crowes came , and lighted on the house , whereupon they laughed , saying , see , yonder are they which must revenge his death , whom we murthered ; which the tapster over-hearing , informed the magistrate , and he upon strict examination , extorted a confession , for which they were deservedly hanged . luther . plutarch relates a story of one bessus , who having murthered his father , was so pursued with a guilty conscience , that he thought the swallowes in their chattering language , said one to another , bessus hath killed his father , whereupon not being able to conceale his guilt , he confessed the fact , and received condigne punishment . a merchant of luca travelling from london to roan in france , was in the way murthered by a french man , his servant , and thrown amongst the vines : as the fact was doing , comes by a blinde man led by a dog , and hearing one groane , asked who it was ? the murtherer answered , that it was a sick man easing himselfe : this villaine with his masters money , and bills of exchange , sets up a shop at roan . in the mean time the merchant was expected at luca , and when he came not , a messenger was dispatched to seek him , who after much enquiry , heard at an inne , that six moneths before a lucquois merchant lodged there , and was going towards paris . but the messenger hearing nothing of him there , began to suspect that he was murthered , and made his complaint to the parliament of roan , who ( being directed by gods providence ) enquired if any about that time had set up a new shop , and finding this man caused him to be arested , who upon examination denied the fact , till the dead corps was heard of , and the blinde man also came to light , who being sent for , amongst many others knew the voice of this murtherer , who at last confessed the fact , and was executed for the same . pasquier . anno christi . . at paris a young woman , as she was going to midnight-masse , was brained with an hammer , and her rings , and jewels taken from her : the hammer was stolne from a smith hard by , which being known , the smith was suspected , and so strictly examined by torture , that he was lamed , and died in misery : but about twenty yeares after the murtherer ▪ arreigned , and condemned for another offence , confessed this murther , to the clearing of the smiths innocency , and gods righteous judgement upon him . pasquier . neare lutterworth in leicestershire , a miller murthered one in his mill , and buried the corps in the ground , and not long after went into another countrey , and there dwelt about twenty yeares , at the end whereof , he returned to his former habitation , to visit some friends , about which time it pleased god , that a miller who succeeded him , digging in that place , found the bones of a man , whereupon it was suspected that he had been murthered , and the inhabitants remembred that about twenty yeares before , a neighbour was missed , whom they supposed to have died in a strange countrey , and so bethinking themselves , who was miller at that time , behold , god had brought him amongst them , who being apprehended , and examined , confessed the fact , and was justly executed for the same . in denmark a traveller was murthered by the way , near the city of itzehow : but the murtherer could not be found out , whereupon the magistrates of the city , caused one of the hands to be cut off , and hanged up in the town-gaol . and about ten yeares after , the murtherer accidentally comes into that roome , whereupon the drie hand drops blood upon the table , which the gaoler taking notice of , carries the man before the magistrates , who being examined , confessed the fact , and was justly executed . ranzorius in a letter to d. chytraeus . a murtherer at tubing betrayed himselfe by his deep sighes , which was not for griefe of his fact , but for his small booty , and being but asked the question , he confessed the crime , and was hanged for it . lonicer . in spaine a murther was committed in a tumult , and when all denied the fact , the judge caused all their bosomes to be opened , and he whose heart trembled most , upon examination , confessed the fact , and was executed . at isenac , a young man to get money , slew his host , and threw his body into a cellar , but by gods just judgement was so besotted that he could not stirre a foot till he was apprehended , so that he was condemned to death . luther , and melancthon being in the town at that time , spake with him , and brought him to repentance before his death , chap. xxxvii . examples about marriage , and conjugal love. man , and wife , are as the two branches in the prophet ezekiels hand , inclosed in one barke , and so closing together , that they make but one piece : and therefore marriage is rather a fellowship of the dearest amity , then disordered love : and though before marriage we may endeavour to fit our choice to our minde , yet after , we must fit our minde to our choice : yea though all other contentions betwixt man , and wife are unlawful , yet may they contend each , who should love other most : and the more to quicken us hereunto , observe these scriptures , and examples following . women married , gen. . . & . . & . . deut. . . called a meet help , gen. . . given into mans bosome , gen. . . mich. . . appointed of god for man , gen. . , . the desire of his eyes , ezek. . . his companion , mal. . . the glory of man , cor. . . the weaker vessel . pet. . . they must honour their husbands , est. . . obey them , eph. . , . col. . . pet. . . tit. . . live chastly , pet. . . be of meek and quiet spirits , ver . . do their husbands good , and not evil , prov. . . be industrious , vers . , &c. see the evil of contention , prov. . . a good wife is gods gift , prov. . . & . . a crowne to her husband , prov. . . a help , pro. . . scriptural examples , sarah , pet. . , rebecca , the good wife , prov. . cont. exod. . . husbands must love their wives , and how , eph. . , &c. col. . . instruct them , cor. . . dwell with them according to knowledge , pet. . . commend them when they do well , prov. . . yield them due benevolence , cor . . scriptural examples , elkanah , sam. . . abraham , gen. . . joseph , mat. . . other examples : some trojans that escaped in the sacking of troy , took such ships as they found in the haven , and putting to sea , were driven by the windes to a part of tuscany , near that place where rome now stands , and the men being gone on hunting , the women having been very sea-sick , the noblest of them called roma , perswaded the other women to set their ships on fire , that so they might go to sea no more : the men at their returne , finding their ships burnt , were exceeding angry with their wives , whereupon to pacifie them , they went and kissed them on their mouthes , whence that custome was taken up , which continues till this day of saluting by a kisse . plut. the romanes at the first building of their city , wanting wives , made a great feast , and when as the sabine virgins came to see their pastimes , they seized upon them , every man catching one for his wife : this was the cause of great , and long warres between the sabines and the romanes : but at last when the two armies were ready to joyn battel , these women ran betwixt them ; some of one side , others of the other , with lamentations , and cries stepping between their weapons , and seeking out their fathers , and husbands , with their babes in their armes , and their haire dishevelled , they called sometimes upon the romanes , other sometimes upon the sabines , with the movingest expressions they could devise , which so melted the enraged hearts of both armies that they gave back a little : then hersilia that was married to romulus , and some other of the chiefest women said to the sabines : what offence have we done to you , that we should deserve such an heap of evils ? we were indeed violently , and against law ravished by those who are now our husbands , but you left us so long with them , that now we are tied to them by the strongest bonds of nature that can be . you came not to our rescue when we were virgins untouched ; but now you come to take the wives from their husbands , and the mothers from their little ones , so that the help which you now think to give us , doth but grieve us more then your former neglect of us : these , and such like speeches brought the two armies to a parley , during which the women brought their husbands to their parents , and brethren : provided them meat , and drink , dressed their wounds , and carrying them home to their houses , shewed them that they were mistresses there with their husbands , highly loved , and honoured by them : so that in the end a peace was concluded , and amongst other articles of agreement these were some : that the sabine women should remaine with their husbands : that they should be exempted from all service , and work ▪ save spinning of wooll : that they should have the upperhand of their husbands : that the men should speak no foule , nor dishonest words , nor discover their nakednesse before them , &c. plut. a woman of another countrey being in talk with gorgona the wife of leonidas king of sparta , said to her , there be no wives in the world that so much love , and commend their husbands as you lacedemonian wives do : the queen straight replied , neither be there any women but we that bring forth men . plut. numa enacted a law amongst the romanes , that when any man died , his wife should remaine a widow for the space of ten moneths . augustus caesar died in the kisses of his wife livia , of whom he took this farewell , livia , nostri conjugii memor , vive , & vale . she was alwayes exceeding dear to him ; and being asked how she kept his love so long , she answered . quòd diligenter , & prudenter agens , summum adhibuisset studium , ut omnia faceret ex animo augusti : nec curiose perquisivisset quidquam eorum quae augustus faceret . plut. portia the daughter of cato was married to m. brutus , who having conspired with some others the death of iulius caesar , was something melancholy , and troubled in minde about the thing : his wife portia observing it , and being grieved that her husband should conceale any thing from her , she took a rasour , and wounded her thigh , and losing much blood fell into a feaver : her husband coming home , and hearing of the sicknesse of his wife , was much grieved , and went to visit her : she taking the opportunity they being alone , said thus unto him : my deare husband , sit down , and let us talke seriously together : when i married you , i came to your house as a wife , not as a friend , or harlot : and gave up my self unto you not onely at bed , and board , but as a companion of all your joy , and sorrows : i am cato's daughter , and i desire that you will take notice of ▪ what stock i come . what therefore shall i complaine of you ? truly i cannot do it in other things : onely one thing troubles me , that you make me not a partaker of your secrets , as doubting of my fidelity , and taciturnity , you cannot dissemble with me : i discerne that your minde is full of trouble , and there is some great secret that you are about : why do you conceale it from me ? if you cannot expect help , yet expect comfort from me : and i will assure you of my silence : do not consider what others of my sex are but remember againe that i am cato's daughter , and brutus's wife : either nature from my father , or custome from my husband hath made me valiant , and constant so as not to fear any danger . what need more words ? i have made trial of myself by this wound , the smart , and paine whereof i can easily beare : yea , assure your self , that i can die with brutus , and for my husband . wherefore if thou art about any honest thing that beseemes us both , do not conceale it from me . brutus wondring at her courage kissed her , and with his hand lift up to heaven he said , o ye celestial gods , i pray you make me an husband fit for such a wife : and so discloseth the whole matter to her . afterwards when she heard of his death after the battel in the philippic fields , she resolved to die , and being for a while hindred by those about her , she at last snatched some burning coles out of the fire , and putting them into her mouth , and throat , suffocated herself , lipsius . see the example of zenobia in fortitude . licurgus the lacedemonian lawgiver , enacted , that all they should be infamous that would not marry : so that on a time dercillides a noble captaine coming into a place , there was a young man that refused to rise up , and do him reverence ; for , said he , thou hast not gotten a son that may do the like to me in time to come . plut. solon the athenian lawgiver ordeined that no joyntures , nor dowries should be given , or made to maides at marriage , commanding that wives should bring to their husbands no more then three gownes , and some other movables of small value : utterly forbidding that they should buy their husbands , or make merchandize of marriages as of other trades : he willed that men , and women should marry together for issue , pleasure , and love , but not for money . plut. two men being suiters to the daughter of themistocles , he preferred the honester before the richer , saying , that he had rather have to his sonne in law a man that wanted goods , then goods that wanted a man ▪ plut. a virgin of lacaena being poore , was demanded , what dower she had to bring to an husband , and to marry her with ? she answered : that which was left me as an inheritance from mine ancestors , viz. vertue , and modesty . hist. of women . p. . it was a custome among the grecians for the bride to be carried through the streets in a chariot , the axeltree whereof at her coming home was taken off , and burned before the gates of her house , to signifie that she must ever after be an houswife , and keepe within as a faithful , and industrious overseer of their domestick affaires , and businesse . hist. of women . p. . prince edward of england whilest he was warring in palestine against the turks , was stabbed by an ass●ssine with a poisoned knife , but by the diligence of his chirurgions , and the unparallel'd love of his wife , who sucked the poison out of his wounds without doing any hurt to her selfe , he quickly recovered : so sovereigne a medicine is a womans tongue anointed with the vertue of loving affections . holy warre . the emperour conrade besieging the city of winsperge in germany : and the women perceiving that the town could not hold out long , petitioned the emperour that they might depart onely with so much as each of them could carry upon her back , which the emperour condescended unto , expecting that they would have loaden themselves with silver , gold , &c. but they came all forth with every one her husband on her back , whereby the men were all saved , and their wives gat immortal credit to themselves . rubenius celer would needs have it ingraven on his tombe , that he had lived with his wife ennea fourty three years , and eight moneths , and yet they never fell out . the lord of harlem in the low-countries having by his exactions , and cruelty made himself odious to all his people , was together with his wife besieged in his castle by them , and so prest for want of victuals that he was compelled to enter into treaty : his wife ( a true mirrour of piety , and love towards her husband ) amongst other articles , capitulated that she might have so much of her most precious movables as she could carry out at one time , the which being granted , she ( with the help of her chamber maid ) carried her husband lockt in a chest out of the castle : leaving all her rings , and jewels behinde her . belg. com. wealth . p. . in a great battel fought betwixt selimus the great turk , and the persians , wherein the turks had the better , amongst the heaps of the slaine persians , were found the dead bodies of many women , who being armed , and following their husbands , died with them in the battel . turk . hist. p. . antonia flaxilla , when her husband priscus was banished by nero , whereas she might have enjoyed all the abundance , and plenty in rome , left all the pleasures , and delights of the city to accompany her desolate lord in his penurious , and uncomfortable banishment . hist. of women . a reverend man seeing a very cholerick couple that were married together , live very lovingly , and peaceably , asked them how they could so sweetly confort together : to whom the man answered , when my wives fit is upon her , i yield to her , as abraham did to sarah : and when my fit is upon me , she yields to me , and so we never strive together , but asunder . in the bohemian persecution we read of the major of litomeritia , who apprehended twenty four godly citizens , of whom his own sonne in law was one , and after he had almost pined them in prison , he adjudged them to be drowned in the river albis , whereupon his daughter wringing her hands , and falling at her fathers feet besought him to spare her husband : but he , harder then a rock , bade her hold her peace , saying , what ? can you not have a worthier husband then this ? to which she answered , you shall never more espouse me to any , and so beating her breast , & tearing her haire she followed her husband to the river , and when he was cast into the middest of the river bound , she leaped in , and caught him about the middle , but being unable to draw him forth , they were both drowned together , and the next day were found embracing one another . see my gen. martyr . p. . a young and beautiful maide was matched to a man stricken in years : whom after she found to have a very fulsome , and diseased body , yet ( out of conscience being by gods providence become his wife ) she most worthily digested with incredible patience , and contentment , the languishing , and loath somenesse of an husband continually visited with variety of most irkesome , and infectious diseases : and though friends , and physicians advised her by no means to come neere him for feare of danger , and infection : yet she , passing by with a loving disdaine , and contempt these unkinde disswasions , plied him still night and day with extraordinary tendernesse , and care , and services of all sorts above her strength , and ability : she was to him friends , physician , husband , nurse : yea , she was father , mother , brother , sister , daughter , every thing , any thing to do him good any manner of way : she was full of merciful and melting affections towards him : for falling into want , by reason of extraordinary expence , and excessive charges about him , she sold her chaines , rings , and richest attire : she emptied her cupboard of plate , her chabinet of chiefest and choisest jewels to do him good : and when he was dead , and friends came about her , rather to congratulate her happy riddance , then to bewaile her widowhood , she did not onely abhorre , and deprecate all speeches tending that way , but protested if it were possible , she would willingly redeeme her husbands life with the losse of her five dearest children : and though as yet the flower , and prime of her beautifullest , and best time was not expired , yet she strongly resolved against a second match , because ( said she ) i shall not finde a second valdaura , for so her husband was called . vives , lib. . de christiana foemina . pag. . an unnatural husband . in the time of the fourth persecution there was in egypt a woman married to an husband that was given much to the sinne of uncleannesse , which when by no meanes she could reforme in him , she sued out a bill of divorce , whereupon this wretched man went and accused her to the governour that she was a christian , and so caused her to be put to death . a wife murthering her husband . semiramis the wife of ninus being very witty , and beautiful woman , whom her husband loved exceedingly , as she was one day in discourse with him , told him that she was exceeding desirous of a thing : yet because of the greatnesse of it , she durst not discover it , nor could hope to prevaile : ninus not fearing her subtilty , báde her tell him what it was : she answered , that he should deliver to her the government of his empire for five dayes : which when she had obtained , she caused her husband to be slaine , and so usurped the government of the empire into her own hands . diod. sic. many waters cannot quench love , neither can the floods drown it . cant. . . chap. xxxviii . examples of treachery , and perfidiousness . complained of , isa. . . & . . jer. . . lam. . . mal. . . scriptural examples : men of sechem , judg. . . jacobs sons , gen. . . gibeonites , jos. . . joab , sam. . . & . . rechab , and baanah , sam. . . absalom , sam. . . men of judah , jer. . , &c. & . . mal. . , &c. see more in murther . judas , mat. . . the lacedemonians having intelligence that their king pausanias treacherously held correspondence with their enemy xerxes , they sent for him home , and when he came back perceiving that his treason was discovered , he took sanctuary in the temple of pallas , and the lacedemonians fearing to violate the priviledge of the place , durst not fetch him out to punishment , whereupon pausanias his mother took a brick , and said it in the door of the temple , and the other lacedemonians seeing it , they all brought bricks , and made up the doore , whereby pausanias perished of famine . herod . when the sabines came against rome , and besieged the castle , where tarpeius was governour , his daughter tarpeia contracted with them to betray the castle into their hands , upon condition that they would give her all the golden bracelets which they wore upon their left armes : to this the sabines agreed : and she in the night-time opened a posterne , and let them in : and afterwards when she challenged her reward : tacius the sabine general bade all his souldiers do as he did : and withall he threw his bracelet at her , and his buckler also which he wore on his left arme : and all the souldiers doing the like , she was pressed down with the weight of them ; and died immediately and so received the just reward of her treachery . antigonus was not singular when he said , that he loved them that did betray , but hated them that had betrayed . nor augustus cesar , who told rymitalces the thracian , that he loved the treason , but hated the traytor . plut. camillus with the romane army besieged the strong city of the falerians in italy , but it was so well fortified , and furnished , that the inhabitants made little account of the siege . at this time the whole city had but one common scholmaster , who used to lead out his schoolars into the fields to play , and watching his opportunity , he at last led them to the romane guards , delivering them all up into their hands , and himself going to camillus said : sir , i am schoolmaster to all these children , yet do i preferre the favour of the romanes before my honour , and office , and therefore have i delivered up these children to you , by whom you may make the falerians yield upon your own tearms . camillus answered , that indeed in the warres there were many wrongs done , yet a noble general should rather seek victory by valour then by wicked , or treacherous means : and therefore abhorring this vallainy , he presently commanded his sergeants to teare off this schoolmasters clothes , and to binde his hands behinde him , and to give the boyes whips , and rods to whip back the traitor into the city that had so basely betrayed them . in the meane time the falerians hearing how their children were betrayed , ran up to their city-walls like distracted persons , but there they spied the boyes whipping the schoolmaster starke naked towards the city , which so wrought upon them , that they presently sent forth , and made peace with the romanes . plut. aristomenes king of the messenians being driven out of his own country by the lacedemonians , was forced to flie to the arcadians for succour : and being a gallant man , had purposed with a select band to have invaded sparta whilest their army was plundering his country ; but the king of arcadia being privy to his designe , discovered it to the lacedemonians , and so prevented it : for which treachery his own subjects stoned him , and cast him unburied out of their confines , setting up a pillar by him with this inscription : difficile est hominem perjurum fallere divos . diod. sic. ochus king of persia raising a great army , went against the city of sidon in phenicia , where one tennes was king , who hearing of ochus his purpose , hired mentor of rhodes with some other grecian auxiliaries for his aide ; but when ochus drew neere with his huge army , he sought to provide for his safety rather then his honour , sending one privately to ochus , proffering to betray the city to him : ochus being glad to heare this , promised whatsoever he required ; whereupon tennes accordingly betrayed the city into his hands : but before ochus came , the sidonians to make their men to fight more desperately , had burnt all their ships in the haven , that so all hopes of escaping might be taken away : so that the city being thus betrayed , the citizens seeing their desperate condition , shut up themselves with their wives and children in their houses , and so firing them , burnt themselves and all that they had , by which meanes there perished above fourty thousand persons . but ochus now standing in no further need of tennes , caused him to be murthered . a just reward for his treachery . pez ▪ mel. hist. philip king of macedon going to besiege a city , one of his captaines told him that it was so strongly fortified both by nature , and art that it was altogether inexpugnable : to whom he said : but is it impossible for gold 〈◊〉 g●t over the walls ? for i have often seen that other 〈◊〉 which by no other meanes i could conquer , yet by my gold i have corrupted some to betray them to me . justin. the same philip having married the sister of arysbas , king of the molossians , and thereby being chosen tutour to the young king : most per●idiously seized upon his kingdome , and 〈…〉 arysbas , who died in 〈…〉 . he also treacherously getting the king o●… power flew him , and annexed his kingdome 〈…〉 and divers free cities having chosen philip for 〈◊〉 captaine , he perfidiously seized upon 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉 vassales . also the two kings of 〈◊〉 ●alling 〈◊〉 between themselves , those king philip●o ●o be the umpire betwixt them ; whereupon privacely he raised an army , and went into thrace , pretending to come as a iudge ; but finding them unprovided to resist him , he dispoiled them both of their kingdomes . justin. before the first great battel that darius king of persia fought with alexander m. he sent the greatest part of his money , and rich furniture to damascus to be kept in safety there : but alexander sending parmenio against it , the governour betrayed the city , and all those infinite riches into his hands : which treason he escaped not long with , for one of his own consorts slew him , and cutting off his head , carried it to darius . q. cur. bessus having basely betrayed , and murthered darius , alexander pursued him into bactria , and when he drew neere him , spitamenes one of bessus's chiefe friends , laid hands on him , bound him , stript him naked , and so putting a chaine about his neck , led him to alexander : to whom alexander said : what brutish madnesse seized upon thee , that thou durst lay hands on thy king , and murther him , when he had deserved so well of thee ? bessus would have made an apology , but alexander delivered him to darius his brother to do with him as he pleased , who leading him to the place where he had murthered darius , cut him in peeces there . q. cur. darius having for a long time besieged babylon in vaine , one of his captaines named zopyrus , cut off his own eares and nose , and with his fresh bleeding wounds fled to the babylonians , pretending that he came to them for succour , and accused darius for his cruelty , saying , that he had so mangled him for counselling him to give over the siege : whereupon the babylonians , knowing his prowesse , trusted him with the greatest part of their forces : which when zopyrus had obtained , after some small colourable overthrowes given to the persians in ●allies , spying his opportunity , he betrayed the city , and delivered it up into darius his hand , who had laine in siege before it twenty moneths . a wicked varlot betrayed the isle of rhodes to the great turke , upon condition to have his daughter to wife with a great dowry : but when the turke had gotten the isle , he told him , that he must not have a christian to his son in law ; but he must first be a musselman both within and without , and therefore he caused his baptized skin ( as he called it ) to be flayed off , and appointed him to be put into a bed strewed with salt that he might get a new skin , promising that then he should be his sonne in law : but the wicked wretch ended his life with shame , and torment : princes love treason , but hate the traytor . turk . hist. banister servant to the duke of buckingham in the reigne of richard the third , upon the promise of a thousand pound basely betrayed his lord , and master , from whom he had formerly received great favours ; but after his base treachery , he never had the reward promised ; and besides ▪ had these judgements befell him : his eldest sonne fell madde , and so died in a swine-sti● : his second sonne became deformed in his limbs , and fell lame : his third son was drowned in a small puddle of water : his eldest daughter was suddenly struck with a foule leprosie : and himself in his old age was arraigned , found guilty of murther , and escaped hanging very narrowly . speed. chron. p. . john curcy earle of ulster in ireland , was betrayed by his own servants , for a peece of money given them in hand , and for a greater reward to be given afterwards , promised unto them by his mortal enemy hugh lacy : & accordingly the said earl hugh lacy rewarded all the aforesaid traitors with gold and silver as he had promised : but presently after hanged them all up : and took away their goods . camb. brit. irel. p. . nicholas keretschen governour of gyula in transilvania , betraied the same unto the turks for a great sum of money ; but when he expected the reward , he was by the command of selymus the great turke thrust into an hogshead stuck full of nailes with the points inward , with this inscription upon it : here receive the reward of thy treason : if thou beest not faithful to thy master , neither wilt thou be to me : and so he was rolled up , and down till he died . turk . hist. p. . a noble senator in rome being proscribed by the triumviri , they promised a great reward to them that would discover him to them ; whereupon the senators own servant betrayed him . the triumviri , according to their promises , first rewarded him for his service to the state , because he delivered up into their hands one that was judged guilty of treason , & then to reward him for his treachery to his master , whom he should have preserved , they threw him down headlong from the capitol , whereby he brake his neck . don frederick sonne to the duke of alva , going with his army to naerden in holland , was admitted into the town , and himselfe and souldiers feasted by the bourgers , after which he commanded them with the rest of the inhabitants to go into a certaine chappel where they should be made acquainted with such lawes as they were to be regulated by : but when they were thus assembled , he sent his souldiers , commanding them to murther them without sparing any one : the men were massacred : the women first ravished , and then murthered : the children , and infants had their throats cut . see my gen. martyr . p. . many of the chiefest of the brittish nobility were trained in almsebury to treat with the chiefest of the saxons about a peace , but being betrayed by them , they were basely murthered , whence those great stones were erected called stoneheng . see my english martyrology . p. . the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously ; yea , the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously , isa. . . chap. xxxix . examples of fidelity . commended , mat. . . & . . prov. . . psal. . . & . . & . . prov. . . & . . & . . luk. . . commanded , cor. . . tim. . . jerem. . . highly prized , psal. . . prov. . . & . . & . . luke . , &c. & . . scriptural examples : abrahams servant , gen. . david to jonathan . sam. . . with sam. . . jacob to laban , gen. . , &c. jonathan to david , sam. . , &c. jehoiadah to joash , king. . , &c. mordecai , ester . . . a woman , sam . , &c. rahab with the spies , ios. . , &c. the workmen about the temple , kings . . moses , num. . . nehemiah . chap. . . daniel , chap. . . onesimus , col. . . timothy , cor. . . tichicus , eph. . . col. . . epaphras , col. . . sylvanus , pet. . . josiah's workmen , king. . . gains , iohn . joseph , gen. . . other examples : the romanes so highly esteemed of faith in all their publick affaires , that in their city , they had a temple dedicated to it , and for more reverence-sake offered sacrifice to the image of faith. attilius regulus , general of the romane army against the carthaginians , being overcome was taken prisoner , after which being sent to rome upon his parole with conditions of peace which he judged dishonourable , he first disswaded his citizens from accepting of them , and then to keep his oath returned to the carthaginians , though he was sure to die a painful death . tul. de offic . pontius centurio , a captaine of caesars being taken by pompey's father in law , had his life offered him with an honourable place in pompey's army if he would leave caesar , and serve pompey : but he stoutly answered scipio , that though he thanked him greatly for his kinde offer , yet that he would not accept of life upon such unequal conditions , choosing rather to die then to falsifie his faith to caesar. themistocles being banished athens by his ungrateful citizens , was forced to flie to his mortal enemy artaxerxes for refuge , with whom he found great favour , and having continued a while with him , artaxerxes went to warre against the athenians , and would needs have themistocles to go along with him : themistocles was content upon condition that the king would sweare to him that without him he would not go into greece : this artaxerxes assents to ; whereupon themistocles making a great feast , and inviting his friends to it , the feast being ended , he drank a draught of bulls blood , and so poisoned himself , by this means shewing his faithfulnesse to his city , which had been so ungrateful to him : for he prevented the kings going against it by reason of his oath , and rather chose death then that himself would act any thing against it . diodorus . king porsenna making peace with the romanes , amongst other conditions this was one , that the romans should deliver to him ten young noble mens sons , and ten of their daughters for hostages , which was accordingly done , and publicola's daughter called valeria , was one of them ; within few days after these ten virgins went to the river tyber to wash themselves : where , being freed from their guard , they had a great desire to escape over the river , though it was very deepe , and ranne with a swift streame , and so to get home ; and caelia venturing first upon her horses back , encouraged the others , and so they gat all safe over , and went , and presented themselves to publicola ; but he was so farre from countenancing them in their escape , that he immediately sent them back to porsenna : when they came back , porsenna asked which of them it was that had first adventured to swim the river ? and being shewed caelia , he sent for one of his best horses , and richest furniture , and bestowed it upon her . plut. darius junior accounted nothing more sacred then faithfully to keep , and performe all his leagues , covenants ▪ and promises , xenophon . ptolemy king of egypt besieging tyrus , sent to andronicus the governour to surrender it to him : andronicus returned answer , that he would by no meanes be brought to violate his faith given to antigonus for whom he kept the city , withal adding divers reproachful speeches against ptolemy : but shortly after his souldiers mu●ining , bound him , and delivered him up to ptolemy , who instead of punishing him ; gave him great gifts for his fidelity , and made him one of his chief friends . diod sic. fabius maximus having contracted with hanibal for the redemption of the romane captives , sent to rome for the money ; but the senate refused to give it : whereupon fabius sold all his own land , that so he might performe his covenant with his enemies . aurel. victor . mine eyes shall be upon the faithful in the land , &c. psal. . . chap. xl. examples of deceit , craft , guile , hypocrisie . deceit in words usual with the wicked . job . . psal. . . & . . & . . & . . & . . prov. . , , . & . . & . . & . , . jer. . . & . . & . , . & . . & . . hos. . . mat. . . rom. . . & . . psal. . . dan. . . prov. . . & . . ps. . . jer. . . & . . not so with the godly , job . . . & . . ps. . . & . . isa. . . thes. . . cor. . . deceit in deeds , hos. . amos . . zeph. . . prov. . . lev. . . lam. . . god abhorres it , psal. . . & . . & . . jer. . . mich. . . mal. . . complained of , ps. . . & . . job . . . ps. . . jer. . . hos. . . mich. . . eph. . . john . tim. . . prayed against , psal. . . & . . scriptural examples : satan , gen. . , . rev. . . & . . & . . rebekah gen. . . jacob , ver . . laban , gen. . . rachel , gen. . , . jacobs sons , gen. . . potiphars wife , gen. . . pharaoh , exod. . . balak , numb . . , , . moabitish maides , num. . , . & . . thamar , gen. . , . gibeonites , jos. . , , . saul , sam. . , , . joab , sam. . . david , sam. . , , , &c. ionadab , sam. . . absalom , sam. . . & . , . zibah , sam. . , . the harlot , king. . , . jeroboam , king. . , &c. iehu , king. . . iesabel , king. . , &c. sanballat , and others , neh. . . davids enemies , psal. . . & . . & . . & . . darius's princes , dan. . , &c. doeg , psal. . , . herod , mat. . . herodians , mat. . . mar. . . priests , scribes , mat. . . spies sent by them , luk. . . ananias , and sapphira , act. . , . elimas , acts . . false christs , and false prophets , mat. . . rom. . . tim. . . iewes , ier. . . diviners , ier. . . false teachers , ier. . . & . . tit. . . iohn . pet. . . rev. . . col. . , . eph. . . & . . mat. . . thes. . . acts . . rev. . , . & . . hypocrisie . threatened , iob. . . & . . & . . & . . & . . the evil of it . prov. . . forbidden , mat. . , &c. reproved , kings . . mat. . . and . . and . , &c. they are double-minded , king. . . iam. . . hide iniquity in their bosome , bosome ▪ iob. . . deceitful , ps. . . have hearts not right , psal. . , . mention god , but not in truth , isa. . . turne not with the whole heart , ier. . . cry , but not with the heart , hos. . . like a deceitful bowe , hos. . . a heart divided , hos. . . barren trees , mat. . . whited sepulchres , and walls , mat , . . act. . . a iew only outwardly , rom. . . false brethren , cor. . . gal. . . enemies to christs crosse , phil. . . have onely a forme of godlinesse , tim. . . seeme religious , iam. . . scriptural examples : absalom , sam. . , &c. herod , mat. . . & . . scribes , and pharisees , mat. . . mark. . . luk. . . judas , mat. . . joh. . , , . & . . ananias , and sapphira , act. . . simon magus , act. . , , . other examples : the gaules having besieged the romane capitol seven moneths , both sides grew weary , and upon treaty the romanes were to give the gaules a thousand pound weight of gold , and so they were to depart , which agreement was sworne to on both sides ; but when they came to weigh the gold , the gaules would hold the scales , and used much falshood therein : brennus also their king took off his sword , and girdle , and put it into the scales , and being asked by sulpitius what he meant by it ? he answered , what can it meane but misery to the vanquished ? iust at this time came camillus to rome with an army that he had gathered amongst the confederates , and being informed of all that happened , he marched in good order to the place where the gold was weighing , which he took out of the scales , and divided it amongst his souldiers , and then falling upon the gaules , he forced them to depart without their money . plut. a little before the massacre of paris , the admiral coligni going to paris was honourably entertained by the king , who called him father , promised to be ruled by his counsel , often protested that he loved him , &c. yet shortly after he caused him to be basely murthered , and insulted over him unworthily after his death . see the life of gasper coligni in my english martyr . chap. xli . examples of friendship . a true friend is as a mans own soul , deut. . . loves at all times , prov. . . sticks closer then a brother , prov. . . gives hearty counsel , prov. . . exhorted to , prov. . . their wounds are faithful , prov. . . the rich have many friends , prov. . . and ● . , . scriptural examples : hushai , sam. . , . jonathan , sam. . . and . . others , sam. . . hiram , king. . . peter , mat. . . jobs friends , ch . . . ittai , sam. . . ruth , ch . . , . pauls friends , acts . . iohns friends , john . feigned friends , dan. . . psal. . , . & . . & . . joab , sam. . , & . , . hushai , sam. . , . such , jer. . . mich. . . judas ▪ ioh. . . mat. . . pilate , and herod , luke . . churches friends , lam. . . poor mans friends , prov. . . such as love for advantage , prov. . . & . , . carnal friends : hiram to judah , gen. . , . sampsons friends , jud. . , amons , sam. . . hamans , ester . . zedekiahs , ier. . . ahuzzah , gen. . . such are not to be trusted , mich. . . other examples : cambyses , king of persia making warre against the egyptians , overthrew them in a great battel , and took the regal city memphis , and therein the king psammenitus , and all his family , and nobles , after which he kept him prisoner in the suburbs , and then caused the daughters of the nobles , and amongst them psammenitus daughter clad in base apparel to fetch water in tankards from the river : which when their parents saw , they all brake forth into grievous weeping , only psammenitus with his eyes fixed upon the ground shewed no signe of sorrow . then did cambyses cause the noble-mens sonnes , and amongst them psammenitus his sonne to be led to execution tied together by the necks with ropes , and bridles put into their mouths : hereupon their fathers again brake forth into lamentations , only psammenitus stood quiet as before : but presently after seeing an old man his intimate friend begging in the streets , he brake forth into grievous lamentations , which cambyses observing , sent to him to know what was the reason that he when he saw his daughter so abused , and his son led to death mourned not : but now when he saw this poor man that was no kin to him begging he made such heavy mone ? to whom psammenitus answered , my domestick evils were greater then that i could expresse my sorrow for them : but the calamity of my friend deserves my teares ; for that now in his old age from an high estate he is brought to such extreame poverty . herod . darius having escaped a great danger in his returne out of scythia by the faithful counsel and assistance of histiaeus the milesian , he sent for him to his court , and made him one of his privy councel , saying : omnium possessionum pretiosissimam esse , amicum fide , & prudenti● praestantem : that of all possessions the most precious , is a friend excelling in fidelity , and prudence . pez . mel. hist. cyrus junior was of that friendly disposition that of those many gifts that were presented to him by his subjects , he reserved none to himself , but distributed them amongst his friends according to their several qualities ; and when he had choice apparel sent him , he used to say , that his own body could not weare it , but he thought himself richly adorned in seeing his friends adorned with it : when he had excellent wine , he would send his friends most of it , saying , that he beleeved that they could not get better : when he had costly cates at his table , he would send them a great part with this message : tell them that cyrus sends you these things , because himself liked them exceeding well . xenophon . agesilaus king of sparta seeing divers of his friends , and kindred in poverty , and want ; he divided halfe his patrimony amongst them , esteeming his inheritance to be left him , rather thereby to purchase friends then to make himself an object of envy to his enemies . xenophon . damon , and pythias , two pithagorean phylosophers so intirely loved each other , that dionysius the tyrant having condemned one of them to death , the other offered to die for him : wherewith the tyrant was so affected , that he pardoned the condemned party , and desired to be admitted a third person in their amity . cicero de . offi. in queen elizabeths reigne in a fight between the earle of kildare and the earl of tir-o●en , two of the earl of kildares foster brethren were slain , whose death he took so heavily , that himself shortly after died for grief : for there is no love in the world comparable by many degrees to that of foster-brethren in ireland . camb. brit. i●el . p. . darius having opened a pomegranate that was full of seeds , his brother artabanus asked him of what things he would chiefly desire so great a number ? darius answered , that he would desire so many magabysuses as there were graines in that fruit ; for , ●aith he , kings can have no treasure of so great worth as faithful friends . herod . under the seventh persecution theodora , a godly virgin , for her religion was condemned to the stews , where her chastity was to be a prey to all commers : which sentence being executed , many wanton young men were ready to presse into the house ▪ but one of the brethren called didymus putting on a souldiers habit would have the first turne , and to going in per●waded her to change garments with him , and so she in the souldiers habit escaped : and didymus being found a man , was carried before the president , to whom he confessed the whole matter , and so was condemned . theodora hearing of it , thinking to excuse him , came , and presented herself as the guilty party , desiring that she might die , and the other be excused ; but the mercilesse iudge caused them both to be put to death . see my gen. martyr . p. . thine own friend , and thy fathers friend forsake not . prov. . . chap. xlii . examples of grosse ignorance , and folly. there were never any former ages which enjoyed the like meanes of knowledge , as we which live at this day do : for besides the sacred scriptures in a known tongue , how many volumes of heavenly truths , dropping from the mounthes , and pens , both of ancient and moderne divines , hath that most excellent , and exquisite art of printing conveyed to us ? how many burning and shining lights do daily waste , and consume themselves to propagate saving knowledge unto others ? & therefore to love darkness , or to live in darknesse under so great light , will much aggravate our condemnation : whence it is that we have great cause to bewaile with teares of blood , not only that woful ignorance which is still to be found in those kingdomes , wherein the more then egyptian darknesse of popery hath overspread their horizons , but which also is too rife & frequent amongst our selves : both which may in part be discerned by these ensuing examples . ignorance is a sin , lev. . , , , . & . , . num. . , &c. it 's the cause of much sinne , eph. . . pet. . . isa. . . wilful ignorance aggravates sin , pet. . . simple ignorance extenuates sin , deut. . . tim. . . luk. ▪ . num. . . act. . . & . . david chargeth himself with it , psal. . . and agur , prov. . , . the apostles were accounted such . act . . how fooles are discovered , prov. . , . & . . & . , . & . . & . . & . . & . , . and . . and . , . and . . eccles. . . and . . and . . and . , . prov. . . scriptural examples : the rich man , luk. . . nabal , sam , . . some , psal. . . tim. . . the prophet , ezek. . . hos. . . galatians , chap. . , . the bishop of dunkelden in scotland thanked god that he never knew what the old and new testament was , affirming that he cared to know no more then his portuis , and pontifical . act. and mon. at an assembly of the states in germany one albertus a bishop , lighting by chance upon a bible , as he was reading therein , one of the states asked him what book it was ? i know not , said the bishop , but this i finde that whatsoever i read in it , is utterly against our religion . doctor bennet chancellor of london objected it as an hainous crime against one richard butler , that divers times he did erroneously , and damnably read in a great book of heresie ( meaning the bible ) certaine chapt●rs of the evangelists in english , containing in them divers erroneous , and damnable opinions , and conclusions of heresie . act. & mon. the jesuites at dole in france , set up an edict publickly , wherein they forbad all talke of god , either in good sort , or in bad . francis ximenius cardinal of toledo in his preface before the bible set forth at complutum , saith , that he set the vulgar latine between the hebrew , and the greeke , as christ was set betwixt two theeves . jeroboam made priests of the vilest of the people : and indeed the vilest of the people , if they were but men , were too good to make priests for jeroboams gods , which were but calves . tecelius the popes agent in germany perswaded the ignorant , and common people , that assoone as their tenne shillings ( which was the price of an indulgence ) ting'd in the basin , any friend they would name , should be immediately delivered out of purgatory , etiamsi , per impossibile , matrem dei vitiâsset . co● o-neale , earle of ulster in ireland cur●ed all his posterity in case they either learned to speake english , or sowed wheat , or built houses : often saying , that by these meanes they would make themselves slaves to the english. camb. brit. irel. p. . the wilde irish account it no shame to commit robberies , which they practise every where with exceeding cruelty ; and when they go to robbe , they power out their prayers to god that they may meet with a booty , and when they meet with it , they account it as gods gift : neither will they be perswaded that god would present unto them the opportunity of rapine , violence ▪ and murder , if it were a sinne : nay , a sinne it were ( as they think ) if they should not lay hold upon the opportunity . camb. brit. irel ▪ p. . when one of these wilde irish lieth ready to die , certaine women hired on purpose to lament , standing in crosse wa●es , and holding their hands all abroade call unto him with certaine out-cries , reckoning up the commodities that he enjoyes of worldly goods , wives , beauty fame kinsfolk , friends , and horses : demanding of him why he will depart ? whither ? and to whom , & c ? camb. brit. irel. p. . stephen gardiner speaking to one marbeck , what the devil ( said he ) made thee meddle with the scriptures ? act. & mon. in china the inhabitants use to whip their gods , if they help them not , when they pray unto them . an old man above sixty yeares of age , who lived and died in a parish , where besides the word read , there was constant preaching almost all his time , both upon ordinary and extraordinary occasions , and himself a constant hearer , and one that seemed forward in the love of the word : on his death-bed a minister demanding of him what he thought of god ? answered , that he was a good old man : and what of christ ? that he was a towardly young youth : and what of his soul ? that it was a great bone in his body : and what should become of his soul after death ? that if he did well , he should be put into a pleasant green meddow , &c. pemb. william courtney arch-bishop of canterbury cited certaine of his tenants , for an hainous , and horrible trespasse , ( as he stiled it ) which was , for that they brought straw to litter his horses , not on carts , as they ought , but in bags : for which hainous offence , after they had confessed their fault , and submitted themselves to him , he enjoyned them this penance : that going leasurely before the procession barefoot , and barelegged , each of them should carry upon his shoulder a bag stuffed with straw , the straw hanging out : whereupon were made these verses . this bag full of straw i bear on my back , because my lords horse his litter did lack : if you be not the better to my lords graces horse , ye are like to go barefoot before the crosse. when the inhabitants of ilium , anciently called troy , sent ambassadours to tiberius to condole the death of his father augustus a long time after he was dead : the emperour considering the unseasonableness of it , requited them accordingly , saying , and i also am sorry for your heaviness , having lost so valiant a knight as hector : who was slaine above a thousand yeares before . herodotus tells of the psilli , a foolish people , who being displeased with the south-winde for d●ying up their waters , would needs take up armes against it : but whilest they marched upon the sands to seek their enemy , it blew so strongly , that raising a drift of sand , it overwhelmed them , whereby in stead of a victory they met with their graves , as a just reward of their folly . cardinal woolsey falling into disgrace with king henry the eighth , said , had i been as wise , and careful to serve the god of heaven , as i have been to serve my great master on earth , he would never thus have left me in my gray haires . themistocles being banished athens , fled to artaxerxes king of persia for refuge , who was wonderfully overjoyed that he had by this means gotten so gallant a man , praying to his gods , that his enemies might be alwayes so infatuated as to banish their worthiest men . herod . caius caligula the romane emperour had one of his horses which he loved best , and called him swift : he invited him to supper , and gave him his provender in a golden manger , and drank wine to him in golden bowles : he used to sweare by his health and fortune : he promised him to make him consul , as before he had made him his priest. he built him a marble stable , an ivory manger : cloathed him with purple : put a chaine of pearles about his neck : besides he built him an house , furnished it with housholdstuffe , and servants , that so they whom his horse invited , might have the better entertainment . pez . mel. hist. he pretended an expedition into britaine , made great warlick preparations , led his army to the sea-side , and then commanded them to gather cockleshells , with which he returned in triumph to rome , as if they had been the spoiles of his conquered enemies . sueto . the turks foolishly hold , that man so soone as he comes out of his mothers womb , hath his destiny written in his forehead by god : and therein all the good , & evil that shall befall him , and in particular what death he shall die : and hereupon they are desperate in the wars , & fear not infection of the plague , so that if one dies of the plague , another presently weares his cloaths . turk . hist. p. . sir roger williams hearing a spaniard foolishly bragging of his country-sallats , gave him this quick answer : you have indeed good sauce in spaine , but we in england have dainty beeves , veale , and muttons to eat with that sauce : and as god made beasts to live on the grasse of the earth , so he made man to live upon them . examples of wise fooles . a poot begger in paris stayed so long in a cooks shop , who was dishing up of meat , till his stomach was satisfied with the only smell thereof : the cholerick covetous cook demanded of him to pay for his breakfast : the poore man denied it , and the controversie was referred to be decided by the next man that went by , which chanced to be the most notorious ideot in the whole city : he upon the relation of the whole matter determined that the poore mans money should be put betwixt two empty dishes , and the cook should be recompenced with the gingling of the mans money , as he was satisfied only with the smell of the cooks meat . holy state. p. . a courtier having begg'd a rich-landed fool , used to carry him about to waite upon him : he coming with his master to a gentlemans house where the picture of a foole was wrought in a rich suit of arras , cut the picture out with a penknife ; and being chidden for so doing : you have more cause ( said he ) to thank me : for if my master had seen the picture of the fool , he would have begged your hangings of the king , as he did my land . eodem . the standers by comforting of a natural that lay on his death-bed , telling him that foure proper fellows should carry his body to the church : yea , ( quoth he ) but i had rather by half go thither my self : and then prayed to god at his last gaspe not to require more of him then he gave him . eodem . having the understanding darkened , being alienated from the life of god , throw the ignorance that is in them , because of the blindnesse of their heart , eph. . . the times of this ignorance god winked at , but now commandeth all men every where to repent , act. . . chap. xliii . examples of contempt of the world , of riches , honours , &c. we must not love the world , john. . . for it passeth away , ver . . love of the world is a character of the wicked , joh. . . we must so love it as not to abuse it , cor. . . all the glory of the world is but a fancy , act. . . scriptural examples : abram , gen. . , &c gideon , jud. . . christ , mat. . . luk. . . iohn . . paul , phil. . . peter , marke . , &c. ●uk . . , &c. after the battel of marathon , wherein the grecians had overthrown the persians , they found their enemies tents full of gold , silver , rich apparel , and other treasures ; yet aristides , to whom a great share of them did belong , would not touch any of them , nor take to himselfe the worth of one farthing . plut. aristides , who by his prudence , policy , and valour had exceedingly enriched the athenians , did so contemne riches , that when others abounded , he only remained poore : and when a kinsman of his call●d callias , who had exceedingly enriched himself by the persian treasure , was accused to the people for neglecting to relieve him in his wants : aristides himself undertook his defence , telling them that callias had often offered him much , but he had alwayes refused it : for there are many , saith he ▪ that abuse their riches , but few can bear poverty well . plut ▪ when he died he was bur●ed at the publick charges of the city , not leaving so much as would pay for his own funeral plato thought that amongst all those famous , and worthy men that athens had bread , none deserved so much honour as aristides : for that whereas others had filled athens with stately buildings , money , and other trifles : only aristides in managing the affairs of the common-wealth , had proposed nothing to himself but the advancement of virtue . pez . mel. hist. cimon the sonne of aristides , after his fathers death , governing the common-wealth of athens , would by no means take any bribes , but did and spake all things gratis : and when a certaine persian exile with a great masse of treasures fled to athens , meeting there with some affronts , went to the house of cimon , and there set down before him two great goblets full of gold , and silver ; cimon seeing it , laughed ▪ and said unto him , whether wouldst thou have me thy friend gratis , or thy patron hired by a great summe of money ? therefore , said he , take these things away , and m●ke use of me as thy friend , and imploy thy money otherwise as thou pleasest . plut. this cimon when he had gotten a compe●ent estate , caused the hedges of his fields to be thrown down , that so every one might freely make use of the fruits thereof : he kept a frugal table , yet enough for many , and so entertained all comers . plut. epimenides , a very wise and good man , having taken great paines in reforming athens , when he was to returne home , the people offered him great summes of money ; but he refused all , only desiring them to give him a branch of olive , with which he returned into his own countrey . see his example in reformation . plut. epaminondas that was one of the gallantest men that ever greece bred , who freed his countrey of thebes from the lacedemonian slavery ; and obtained many great , and admirable victories ; yet was he such a contemner of riches , that when he died he left not enough to discharge the charge of his funeral . just. the lacedemonians having freed themselves from those tyrants that had lorded it over them , they sold their houses , and goods , by which they raised one hundred and twenty talents , & then bethinking themselves , where to choose a worthy general , they at last pitched upon philopoemen , the most accomplished man in all greece , and thereupon resolved to send ambassadours to make a tender to him of this masse of money ; but every one , ( knowing how far he was from being caught with such baits ) refused that office : at last they chose one timolaus of his ancient acquaintance , who wen to him at megalopolis , where being entertained and feasted by philopoemen , observing his gravity , frugality , and temperance , was so discouraged , that ( not daring to deliver his message ) he returned without effecting any thing ; the like did a second : but a third being sent to him , took the boldnesse to tell him how much the lacedemonians esteemed and honoured his virtues , whereby he prevailed with philopoemen to go to lacedemon , who there ( in a publick assembly of the people ) exhorted shem that they would not go about to buy friends by their gifts who were ready to serve them without them , perswading them rather to imploy that money in bribing their turbulent oratours that disturbed the peace of the city : with so high a minde did he despise their money . plut. agesilaus king of sparta used to say that he had rather make his souldiers rich , then to be rich himself . xenoph. lysander king of sparta having overcome the athenians in a great battel , did wonderfully enrich his countrey with the spoiles , yet himself remained poor , not enriching himself one penny thereby . and when dionysius the sicilian tyrant sent him costly garments for his daughters , he returned them back again , saying ▪ that he feared lest his daughters should be disgraced by them . plut. xenoph. the king of persia sending to epaminondas , that famous thebane captaine , three thousand pieces of gold to make him his friend , he sharply rebuked the ambassadour that brought it , for travelling so long a journey to corrupt epaminondas : and bad him take it back , and tell his king , that if he deserved the favour of the thebanes , epaminondas would be his friend without a bribe ; but if he deserved otherwise , he would be his enemy . plut. the same epaminondas hearing that his squire had taken a great summe of money for the redemption of a captive , called him to him , and said , give me my shield from thee , and go and buy thee a shop , and turn hucster ; for now that thou art grown rich , i am sure thou wilt not adventure thy self into dangers . plut. agesilaus king of sparta was a great contemner of riches , and could not endure covetousnesse : so that never any of his souldiers , or officers had cause to complaine that he wronged them in their wages , or otherwise , but every one praised him for his bounty . plut. agesilaus king of sparta was such a contemner of riches , that he would never suffer himself to be corrupted by them to do any thing that was prejudicial to his countrey : and whereas the kings of persia in his time made it all their care to heape up gold , silver , and all precious things , he on the contrary valued not any of them : he suited his expences to his incomes , and to get money would never do any unjust thing . plut. pyrrhus king of epyrus in the first battel that he fought in italy against the romanes , overcame them , and took one thousand eight hundred prisoners ; whereupon the romanes sent ambassadours to him , proffering a great summe of money for their ransome ; but he rej●cting their money set them free gratis , and taking a great love to one of the ambassadours called fabricius , and understanding that he was very poore , he proffered him a fourth part of his kingdom if he would serve him : but fabricius scorned the proffer ▪ wherewith pyrrhus was so taken , that he presently sent ▪ and made peace with the romanes . eutrop. marcus ●ttilius regulus , the romane consul was so po●re , that wh●l'st he fought in affrica against the carthaginians , his wife and children were maintained upon the publick charges . polyb. curius dentatus the romane consul , having gorten a great victory over the samnites , they sent ambassadours to him with a great summe of gold , who found him parching pease for his dinner ; and when they proffered him the gold , he said to them , i had rather have these pease in my earthen pots , and rule over those that have gold , then to receive your gold of you : and when he was afterwards charged with stealing something that should have been brought into the publick treasury , he brought forth a wooden platter that he used to sacrifice in , and swore that of all the spoils he had reserved only that to himselfe . aur. victor . vergerius the popes legate was sent by his master to luther ( when he first began to preach against the corrruptions of the church of rome ) to proffer him a cardinals hat , if he would relinquish his opinions : to whom he answered , contemptus est à me romanus & favor & furor : i neither care for the favour , nor fury of rome . at another time there was a designe to give him a great summe of money ; but one ( wiser then the rest ) cried out , hem ! germana illa bestia ▪ non curat aurum : that beast of germany cares not for money . see his life in my first part. luther tells us that when the pope sent some cardinals to him to tempt him with promises of great wealth , and honour : turning my self ( saith he ) to god : valde protestatus sum , me nolle sic satiari ab eo : i said flatly that god should not put me off with these low things . see his life in my first part. love of money the root of all evil . after the battel of marathon , a persian to obtain favour , shewed one callias an athenian , a mighty masse of treasure that was hidden by the persians in a pit : but callias most unjustly , and cruelly murthered him that shewed it him , lest he should speak of it to others . pez . mel. hist. lycurgus the lacedemonian lawgiver considering the manifold mischiefs which come by the love of money , and covetousnesse , banished the use of money out of the common-wealth , forbidding all coine of gold and silver , imploying iron in stead thereof , whereof a great quantity was but worth a little , so that to lay up ten pound in iron would have filled an whole cellar : hereby he prevented all theft , and robberies : hereby also he prevented all superfluous , and unprofitable sciences ; for who would make such things as would undo them , by reason of the basenesse of the money which they should receive for them ? hereby also they could buy no forreigne commodities , because their iron money would go no where else . this kept out of his common-wealth rhetoricians which teach the cunning art of lying , and panders which keep brothel-houses : and goldsmiths , and jewellers which sell toyes for women . hereby delicatenesse wanting fewel by little , and little vanished . housholdstuffe was excellently made ; for artificers laying aside superfluous works , wholly imployed themselves in making necessary things . plut. they that will be rich fall into tentation , and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtful lusts , which drown men in destruction and perdition , tim. . . chap. xliv . examples of honour shewed to gods word , and ministers . the duty of people towards their pastors is , to subject themselves to them , cor. . . to love them , thes. . . gal. . . to pray for them , thes. . . thes. . . heb. . . to pray for the destruction of their enemies , deut. . . to grieve when they are sick , phil. . . to honour , and reverence them , mat. . cor. . . cor. . . phil. . . thes. . . tim. . . gal . not to despise them , cor. . . tim. . . to obey them , cor. . . thes. . . heb. . . ioh. . . to be bountiful to them , deut. . . & . & . . & . , . & . . mat. . . luk. . . & . . rom. . . cor. . , , . cor. . , &c. gal. . . phil. . . & . , . thes. . . & . . tim. . , . tim. . heb. . . to stand by , and for them in times of danger , tim . , . other examples : when ehud told king eglon that he had a message to him from god ; to shew his reverence , he rose up out of his seat , jud. . . constantine the great used to shew so much reverence and attention to the word of god preached , that many times he would stand up all the sermon while : and when some of his courtiers told him that it tended to his disparagement , he answered , that it was in the service of the great god , who is no respector of persons . eus. alexander severus the emperour did so reverence the high priest , that whatsoever sentence he had passed in judgement , he suffered the same to be revoked by the priest , if he saw cause for it . lipsius . when at the councel of nice many bishops brought complaints , and petitions each against other to constantine the great , he would not so much as read them , but burned them all before their faces , saying : it 's fit that i should be judged by you , and not you by me . euseb. bread and cheese with the gospel is good cheere , said greenham . act. & mon. ingo king of the venudes at a great feast to shew his love to the saints of god : set his pagan nobles in the hall , and certain poor christians with him in the parlour . a certaine emperour of germany coming by chance into a church upon the sabbath-day , found there a most mis-shapen priest , penè portentum naturae , insomuch as the emperour much scorned and contemned him : but when he heard him read those words in the service : for it is he that hath made us , and not we our selves , the emperour checked his own proud thoughts , and made enquiry into the quality , and conditions of the man , and finding upon examination , that he was a very learned and devout man , he made him archbishop of collen , which place he discharged with much commendations . w●l . of malmsb. queen elizabeth when she came first to the crown , as she rode through the city of london , a childe from a pageant , let down in a silken lace , an english bible to her : she kissed her hands , took it , kissed it , laid it to her breast , then held it up , thanking the city especially for that gift ( though they had given her some rich presents before ) promising to be a diligent reader of it . see her life in my second part. constantine the great made a decree that all ministers , and such whose vocation was to serve in the church , should be free , and exempted from all publick duties , taxes , and burthens whatsoever , that being so priviledged , they might the better attend upon divine administrations : yea , so careful was he to nourish , and cherish learning , and learned men , that he enacted a law , which ranne thus , medicos , grammaticos , & alios professores literarum , & legum doctores , &c. we will , and decree , that physicians , grammarians , and other professors of the liberal arts , shall be free , together with their lands and possessions , from all civil charges , and offices , &c. as also that their stipends , and salaries shall be well and truly paid them , whereby they may the more freely attend upon their offices , &c. how will this rise up in judgement against those which think they can never lay burthens enough upon ministers , universities , & c ? see his life in my second part. our king edward the sixth was a diligent attender upon sermons , heard them with great reverence , and penned them with his owne hand , which he diligently studied afterwards . see his life in my second part. the great love , reverence , and respect that master john bruen , of bruen stapleford , shewed to godly ministers . see his life in my second part. mercurius trismegistus was in such respect amongst the egyptians , that in reverence of him it was nos lawful to pronounce his name commonly , and rashly : how much more precious should the name of god be amongst christians ? the greatest delight of queen elizabeth , was often to reade the sacred scriptures , and to hear sermons , which she alwayes attended unto with great reverence . see her life in my second part. the young lord harrington was wondrons attentive in hearing the word of god , preached or read , and carried himselfe exceeding reverently therein , knowing that he was in the presence of that god , who is no respector of persons , and that he heard not the words of a man , but of god. see his life in my second part. robert king of sicily was so wonderfully affected with the scriptures , that speaking to fran. petrarcha , he thus said of them : juro tibi , petrarcha , multò chari●res mihi esse literas quam regnum ; & si alterutro mihi carendum sit , aequanimiù● me diademate , quàm literis careturum . corn. è lapide . theodosius the emperour wrote out the whole new testament with his own hand , accounting it a great jewel , and reading part of it every day . doctor cranmer in his journey to rome , learned all the new testament by heart . the like did doctor ridley , in the walks of pembrook-hall . see his life in my first part. we beseech you , brethren , to know them which labour amongst you , and are over you in the lord , and admonish you : and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake , . thes. . , . chap. xlv . examples of gods judgements upon contemners of his ministers , word , and sacraments . the lord testified against israel , and against judah by all the prophets , and by all the seers , saying , turne ye from your evil wayes , and keep my commandments , and my statutes , according to all the law that i commanded your fathers , and which i sent to you by my servants the prophets : notwithstanding they would not hear , but hardoned their necks like unto the necks of their fathers , &c. therefore the lord was very angry with israel , and removed them out of his sight , &c. . king. . , , . and the lord god of their fathers , sent unto them by his messengers , rising up early , and sending , because he had compassion on his people , and on his dwelling place : but they mocked the messengers of god , and despise his word , and misused his prophets , till the wrath of the lord arose against his people , till there was no remedy : therefore he brought upon them the king of the caldees , who slew their young men with the sword , and had no compassion , &c. chron. . , , . for this sinne was hierusalem destroyed by titus , mat. . , &c. heb. . , . pontius pilate writing unto tiberius nero a true report of the ministery , and miracles , of the resurrection , and ascension of iesus christ , adding that by good men he was accounted a god ; the emperour was so moved therewith , that he made a motion in the senate at rome , that he might be enrolled in the number of their gods ; but the senate refused it upon this reason , because he was consecrated for a god , before the senate had decreed , and approved of the same : but what miseries befell the senate , and people of rome for rejecting him , the stories of those times shew . bede in his ecclesiastical history of england , reports that anno christi . after that the britanes had been long afflicted by the picts , and scots , the lord at last gave them rest from all their enemies , and sent them such plenty of corne , and fruits of the earth , as the like was never known before : but instead of returning thanks for those mercies ; they fell to all manner of riot , and excesse , which , was accompanied with many other foul enormities , especially with a hatred of the truth , and contempt of the word of god : for which cause the lord sent amongst them such a contagious plague , that the living were scarce able to bury the dead : and when by this judgement they were not reclaimed , the lord brought upon them the fierce , and cruel nations of the saxons , and angli out of germany , who though at first they came to help them , yet after a while they turned against them , and after much blood-shed , drave them out of their countrey into the mountaines of wales , where they remaine unto this day . see this more fully in my english martyrologie . gildes , a godly , and learned man , was at another time raised up by god to exhort the britanes to repentance , and amendment of life : but they laughed him to scorn , and took him for a false prophet : for which cause the lord plagued them , delivering them into the hands of their enemies on every side . in the reigne of king edward the third , god raised up john wickliffs to preach repentance to the english , & to exhort them to turn from their idolatry , and supersticion : but his ministery was contemned , and his body , and books were burned after his death : for which a heavy judgement befell them : they slew their lawfull king , and set up three usurpers on a row , by which most of the nobles of the land were slaine , and one halfe of the commons , so that cities , and townes were decayed , and much of the land turned to a wildernesse . nicholas hemingius relates a story of a lewd fellow in denmark , anno christi , . which usually made a mock at religion , and the professors of it , and on a time coming into a church where a godly minister was preaching , by his countenance , and gestures shewed a great contempt against the word : but as he passed out of the church , a tile fell upon his head , and slew him in the place . anno christi , . one christopher turk , a councellour of estate in germany , mocked a godly noble-man that was taken prisoner , saying , see what hecomes of these gallants , that use to sing when any one wrongs us , god is our succour , and defence : but assoon as the words were out of his mouth , god struck him with a grievous disease , and being carried to his bed , he died in despaire . beards theat . a profane priest in misnia that used to mock at the sacrament of baptisme : and when a woman-childe came to be baptized , would wish them that brought it to throw it into the river : as he was looking over the bridge of elbe , at the boats that passed by , by gods just judgement he fell over the bridge , and was drowned . beard . two schismatical donatists at thipasa in mauritania commanded the sacrament of the lords supper to be thrown to the dogs : but immediatly the dogs growing mad fell upon them , and rent them to pieces . optat. melevit l. ● . theopompus a philosopher being about to insert some of moses writing into his profane works , was immediately stricken with madnesse . joseph . theodectes a poet , that mingled his tragedies with some of the holy scriptures , was stricken blinde . joseph . a husbandman at ●tzsith in germany being a great despiser of the word of god , on a time railing most bitterly against a godly minister , presently going into the fields to look to his sheep , was found dead , his body being burnt as black as a coal . luther in col. phil. melancthon relates a story of a tragedie , that was to be acted of the death , and passion of christ : but he that acted christs part on the crosse , was wounded to death , by one that should have thrust his sword into a bladder of blood : and he with his fall , killed one that acted a womans part lamenting under the crosse : his brother that was first slaine , seeing this , slew the murtherer ; for which himselfe by the order of justice was hanged . february . anno christs ▪ . a play was acting at witny in oxfordshire , at the white-heart-inne , in a great long chamber , supported by two strong , and substantial beames , the place having been formerly a maulting roome , the matter of the play was scurrilous , and blasphemous , containing some bitter taunts against all godly persons under the name of puritans , and at religion it selfe under the name of observing fasting dayes : but as they were acting of it , it pleased god , that the roome wherein the people was , fell , whereby five were slaine outright , and above sixty were hurt , and sorely bruised . one woman had her leg broken , which being cut off , she died within three or four dayes : besides , there were about twelve broken armes , and legs , and others put out of joynt : this is written at large by mr. john row a godly minister , and preacher in that place . apian scoffing at religion , and especially at circumcision had an ulcer rose at the same time in the same place . joseph . a man in queen elizabeths reigne ( for compiling a book , wherein he had fastened some treasonable dishonours upon the queen ) was condemned to die : and before his death acknowledged , that though he had not done any thing against the queen which deserved death , yet he deserved to die , for that he had seduced many of her subjects from hearing the word of life : and though he saw the evil of it , and reformed himselfe , yet he could never prevaile to reclaime others whom he had seduced ; and therefore ( said he ) the blood of their soules is justly required at my hands . he that despiseth , despiseth not man , but god , who hath also given unto us his holy spirit , thes. . . chap. xlvi . gods judgements upon dicers , and card-players . by the elibertine , and constantinopolitan councils under justinian dice-players were punished with excommunication : and the same emperour made a law : that no man should use dice-play either in private , or publick , no nor approve the same by his presence under paine of punishment . cod. l. . tit. . lewis the eighth , king of france made a law that no cardes , or dice should be made , or sold by any , thereby to take away all occasion of gaming : and surely in these dayes of light under the gospel all merchants , and tradesmen should forbear the sale of them , lest ministring fuel to the fire of other mens lusts they make themselves guilty of their sinnes . in a town of campania a jew playing at dice with a christian , lost a great summe of money to him , upon which occasion he belched out most bitter curses against jesus christ , and his mother the blessed virgin : whereupon the lord struck him dead immediately in the place : and his fellow-gamester the christian was also stricken with madnesse whereof he died shortly after . blas . l. . c. . anno christi . neere to belissi●a in helvetia three men were playing at dice on the lords day ; and one of them called ulrick schraeterus having lost much money , at last expecting a good cast , brake out into this cursed speech : if fortune deceive me now , i will thrust my dagger into the very body of god , as far as i can : and the cast miscarrying , he drew his dagger , and threw it against heaven with all his might , when behold the dagger vanished , and five drops of blood fell upon the table in the midst of them , and immediately the devil came in , annd carried away the blasphemous wretch with such a noise that the whole city was amazed at it : the other , halfe distracted with fear , strove with all their strength to wipe out the drops of blood : but the more they wiped it , the more clearly it appeared . the rumour hereof flying through the city , multitudes flocked to the place , where they found the gamesters washing the board , whom by the decree of the senate they bound with chaines , and carried towards the prison : but as they went by the way , one of them was stricken suddenly dead , with such a number of lice , and wormes creeping out of him , as was wonderful , and loathsome to behold : the third to avert the indignation that seemed to hang over their heads , was by the citizens immediately put to death . the table was preserved for a monument to shew the accursednesse of dicing with the inconveniences , and mischiefes attending the same . fincel . mandat . . anno christi . there lived in alsatia one adam steckman , who got his living by dressing vines : this man having received his wages , lost it all at dice ; whereupon he grew so distempered in minde , wanting wherewithall to maintaine his family , that in his wives absence he cut his three childrens throats , and would have hanged himselfe : but that his wife coming in , and seeing this pittifull tragedie gave a great out-cry , and fell down dead : whereupon the neighbours coming in apprehended the man , who by the law was adjudged to a cruel death . fincel . l. . isabel wife to ferdinand king of spaine , was a very vertuous , and magnanimous princesse : a great enemy to playing at cards and dice : which that nation was much addicted to : yea , she caused such severe lawes to be made against them , that in her time none durst use them ; no , not in corners . lipsius . let him that stole steale no more , but rather let him labour with his hand , the thing that is good , that he may have to give to him that lacketh , eph. . . the lot is cast into the lap : but the whole disposition thereof is of the lord , prov. ● . . chap. xlvii . examples of justice : the duty of judges , and magistrates . to do justly is the duty of every christian , mich. . . but especially of magistrates , and such as are in authority : and then people may sit under their own vines and fig-trees in safety , when iustice runs down like a river , and righteousness as a mighty stream in the streets . but alas ! in such woful times as these , wherein the sword rages , and is drunk with blood , we may complaine with the prophet , isa. . . that judgement is turned backwards , and justice stands afar off : truth is falne in the street , and equity cannot enter : for it is with us , as with that man who came to the general of an army for justice , to whom he answered ; what dost thou talke to me of justice ? i cannot heare the voice of justice for the noise of guns , and drums . oh therefore pray for the peace of jerusalem , and give god no rest till he make , and till he establish it a praise in the earth : and that we may be the more enamoured with the beauty of justice consider these examples following , and these scriptures requiring it . judges ought to be submitted to , deut. . , &c. & . , &c. ezra . . . the duty of judges , deut. . , &c. & . , &c. & . . & . . chron. . , ▪ exod. . , . lev. . . jer. . , , . jos. . . prov. . , . their qualifications , exod. . . deut. . . ezra . . psal. . . judge justly , isa. . . & . . & . . jer. . . & . . & . . ezek. . . & . . hos. . . amos . , . zach. . . & . . distributive justice is commanded by god , lev. . . deut. . . & . . psal. . . & . , . & . . & . . & . . & . . isa. . , . & . jer. . . & . . dan. . . act. . . heb. . . it 's a great blessing , psal. . , , . & . , , , , . kings , and magistrates ought to observe it , sam. . . & . . psal. . . & . , . prov. . . & . . & . . & . , . isa. . . & . . jer. . , &c. esek . . . scriptural examples : moses , exod. . othniel , judg. . , . tola , jud. . , . jephtah , jud. . . samuel , sam. . david , psal. . . solomon , king. . , . psal. . , . when one told old bishop latimer that the cutler had cousened him in making him pay two pence for a knife , not ( in those dayes ) worth a peny : no , ( quoth latimer ) he cousened not me , but his own conscience . saint augustine tells us of a seller who out of ignorance asked for a book farre lesse then it was worth , and the man ( meaning himself ) of his own accord gave him the full value thereof . lib. . de trinit . c. . the lord morris fitz-thomas , justice of ireland was a most righteous justicer , in that he stuck not to hang up those of his own blood for theft , rapine , and other misdemeanours , even assoone as strangers . camb. brit. irel. p. . in the yeere . sir thomas rockesby was made justice of ireland , who was very careful to pay for the victuals he took , saying , i will eate and drink out of treene vessels , and yet pay both gold , and silver for my food , and apparel , yea , and for my pensioners also . camb. brit. irel. p. ● . elfred a king of the west-saxons here in england , designed the day , and night equally divided into three parts , to three special uses , and observed them by the burning of a taper set in his chappel ; eight houres he spent in meditation , reading , and prayers ; eight houres in provision for himself , his repose , and health ; and the other eight about the affaires of his kingdome : he was in continual warres with the danes , and yet so exact in the administration of justice , that a virgin might travel alone through all his dominions without any violence offered her : and bracelets of gold were hanged in the high wayes , and no man was so hardy as to take them away . speed. chron. p. . charles duke of calabria , who died in the yeere . was a prince so careful to have justice executed to all his subjects , that ( perceiving how difficult it was for the poore to have accesse to him ) he caused a bell to be hung at his palace-gate , so that he that rung it , was sure presently to be brought to his presence , or to have some officers sent out to hear his cause . trajane the emperour in creating of a tribune used to put a sword into his hand , as an ensigne of command , saying , receive this sword , which if that i command , and rule in reason , as a prince should do , draw it out , and use it for me : but if i do otherwise , use it against me . spart . in vita hadriani . lewis king of france having upon intreaty spared a man that deserved death , and not long after reading that text , psal. . . blessed are they that keep judgement , and he that doth righteousnesse at all times : this [ doing righteousnesse at all times ] so wrought upon him , that presently he reversed what he had granted , saying , he that hath power to punish sinne , and doth it not , becometh a patron of it , and is as guilty before god , as if himself had committed it . annals of france . aristides the athenian , had the rating of the cities of greece ( in a common taxe ) referred unto him , wherein he dealt so equally , and impartially , that he obtained the name of just , yet died he so poore that he left not wherewithal to bury him . diodo . as furius camillus besieged the falisci ( a people in italy , ) a perfidious schoole-master , who taught the children of all the principal citizens , under pretence of recreating them , took them into the field , and trained them on till they came into the romane camp , and there yielded them all up unto the enemy , expecting a great reward for his paines : but camillus deresting such treason , bound the traitor , and put him into the hands of his scholars , wishing them to whip him back into the town , which forthwith yielded themselves to him in reverence to his justice . sir w. raw. aristides amongst the athenians carried himself so exactly in all matters of judgement , that he obtained the sirname of iust. plut. king tarquin being banished rome for his rape of lucretia , brustus , and collatinus , husband to lucretia , were chosen consuls , and in the time of their consulship , ▪ tarquins agents had corrupted two of the ancientest fam●lies in rome , the aquillians who were nephews to collatine , and the vitellians who were allied to brutus , and two of his own sons were drawn into this treason by them : the conspiracy being at last discovered , the consuls met in the publick place , and sent for the conspirators , and there before all the people discovered the treason : the people being much amazed , hung down their heads ; only some few , thinking to gratifie brutus , moved that they might be banished : but brutus calling his sons by name , asked them , what they could answer for themselves ? and when , being confounded they held their peace , he said to the sergeants , they are in your hands ; do justice . then did the sergeants teare off their cloathes , bound their hands , and whipt them with rods , which sad spectacle moved the people to pitty , so that they turned away their faces , but their father never looked off , nor changed his severe countenance , till at last they were laid flat on the ground , and had their heads struck off : then did brutus depart , and left the execution of the rest to his fellow-consull : but collatine shewed more favour to his kindred , being solicited thereto by his and their wives . valerius , a noble man of rome , seeing this partiality , exclaimed against him for it , saying , that brutus spared not his own sons , but collatine to please a few women was about to let manifest traytors to their countrey , escape : and the people called for brutus again , who being returned to his seate , spake thus , for mine own children , i judged them , and saw the law executed upon them ; for these other , i leave them freely to the judgement of the people : whereupon they all cried out , execution , execution ; and accordingly their heads were presently struck off . plut. see the example of isadas in valour . alexander m. returning out of india into media , great complaints were made to him of the covetousnesse , and injustice of cleander , and sitales , whom he had made governours over that countrey ; whereupon he commanded them to be slaine for the terror of others ; the like he did in divers other countreys upon the like complaints made against them . q. cur. domitian the romane emperour though otherwise a wicked man , yet was severe in punishing bribery in his judges , and officers . sueto . alexander the great , though full of military affairs , yet would many times sit in judgement to heare criminal causes ; and while the accuser was pleading , he used to stop one of his eares to keep it pure , and unprejudiced , therewith to heare the accuseds defence , and play for himself . plut. augustus caesar took such delight in hearing causes , and administring justice , that oft-times the night could scarce take him off : yea , in his sicknesse he would cause the parties to come to his bed-side , that he might heare them . sueto . nero in the beginning of his reigne , was so tender-hearted , that when he was to signe a warrant for the execution of a condemned person , he wished that he could neither write nor read , that so he might be exempted from such actions . david king of scotland , anno christi . used himself in person to heare the causes of the poore , and if he understood that any were oppressed by wrongful judgement , he recompenced the party wronged according to his losse , and hindrance out of the estate of the judge that had pronounced false judgement . john mayor in his chronicle . themistocles being praetor of athens , simonides the poet much importuned him for an unjust thing , to whom he answered , neque tu bonus poeta esses , si praeter leges carminis caneres , neque ego c●vilis praetor essem , si praeterquam quod leges permittunt , tibi gratificarer : as thou , simonides , shouldest be no good poet , if thou shouldst swarve from the rules of poetry , so neither can i be a good magistrate , if to gratifie thee , i should swarve from the rule of the lawes . herod . themistocles telling the athenians that he had found out a way to make athens the greatest of all the cities in greece : but it was a secret not fit to be imparted to all the people ; they thereupon commanded him privately to communicate it to aristides , of whose honesty , and justice they all relied : this themistocles did , telling him that if they would presently burne the grecian navy , they by their shipping might command all greece : aristides coming forth to the people told them , that nothing was more profitable , but withal nothing was more unjust then the project of themistocles : whereupon the people commanded him to forbeare the execution of it pez mel. hist darius junior was so strict , and a severe justicer , that men might travel safely through all his dominions with out any danger . xenophon . pyrrhus king of epyrus war ring in italy against the romanes , fabricius was sent with an army against him , and the tents of each army being p●…ed n●ere together , the physician of pyrrhus came to fabricius , and proffered to poison his king if he would give him a good reward : but fabricius instead of rewarding him , bound him and sent him to pyrrhus , telling him of his treason . pyrrhus admiring him for his justice , said ; ille est fabricius , qui difficiliùs ab honestate , quàm sol à cursu suo averti potest : it's easier to turne the sun out of his course then fabricius from his honesty . eutropius . marcus attilius regulus a romane consull , fighting in affrica against the carthaginians , was at last by subtility taken prisoner . yet was sent to rome for the exchange of prisoners , upon his oath that in case he prevailed not , he should return , and yield up himself prisoner to them again : when he came to rome , he made a speech in the senate-house to disswade them from accepting of the conditions : and so without respecting his wife and children , he returned to carthage , where he was grievously tormented in a little-ease knocked full of nailes , that he could neither leane , sit , nor lie till he died . cicero . when the corps of thomas howard , second duke of norfolk , was carried to be interred in the abbey of thetford , anno . no person could demand of him one groat for debt , or restitution for any injury done by him . weav . fun. mon. p. . it was said of the famous lawyer , andreas taraquillus that , singulis annis singulos libros , & liberos reipublicae dedit : thuanus , obit . doct. vir . anno . . in the dayes of queen mary , judge morgan ▪ chief justice of the common pleas , refusing to admit any witnesse to speak , or any other matter to be heard in favour of the adversary , her majesty being party , the queen declared that her pleasure was , that whatsoever could be brought in favour of the subject , should be admitted , and heard : qui pro veritate est , pro rege est : holinsh. in q. mary . p. . a certaine lawyer in france was so much delighted in law-sport , that when lewis the king offered to ease him of a number of suits , he earnestly besought his highnesse to leave him some twenty or thirty behinde , wherewith he might merrily passe away the time : we have too many such that love to fish in troubled waters . bassanus king of the sicambrians , was so severe in the execution of his laws , that he executed his own sonne for adultery , and being reviled by his wife for it , he put her away , sending her back to her father , who was king of the orcades . isac . chron. p. . henry the fourth king of england , when his eldest sonne , the prince of wales , was by the lord chief justice committed to prison for affronting him on the bench , gave thanks to god for that he had a judge so impartial in executing justice , and a sonne so obedient , as to submit to such a punishment . speed. a judge in germany aggravating the fault of a murtherer that was before him , told him that he deserved no favour , for that he had killed six men : no , my lerd , ( said an advocate that stood by ) he killed but one , and you are guilty of the blood of the other five , because you let him escape upon the murther of the first . the egyptian kings usually , and solemnly presented this oath to their judges , not to swarve from their consciences , no though they should receive a command from themselves to the contrary . it 's a principle in moral policy , that an ill executor of the laws is worse in a state , then a great breaker of them . pericles , a famous oratour of greece , who for the excellency of his speech , and mightinesse of his eloquence was said to thunder , and lighten at the barre : from the principles of nature , ever before he pleaded a cause intreated his gods that not a word should fall from him besides his cause . an old woman complaining to the emperour adrian of some wrong that was done her , her he told her that he was not at leasure to heare her suit : to whom she plainly replied : that then he ought not to be at leasure to be emperour , which came so to the quick that he was ever after more facile to suitours . fulg● . lewis the first , king of france used three dayes in the week publickly to hear the complaints , and grievances of his people , and to right their wrongs . a macedonian gentleman called pausanias , ran at king philip and slew him , because he had refused to do him justice , when he complained against a peer of the realme . some of the kindred of tatius king of the romans robbed , and murthered certain ambassadours that were going to rome , for which their ●●●●olk demanded justice of tatius : but he conn●ving at the wrong , because of his relation to them , the kindred of the slaine watched their opportunity , and slew him as he was sacrificing to his gods . plut. lewis , called saint lewis of france , having given a pardon to a malefactor ▪ upon second thoughts revoked it again , saying , that he would give no pardon , where the law did not pardon : for that it was a work of mercy , and charity to punish an offendor : and not to punish crimes was as much as to commit them . a certaine husbandman coming to robert grosthead , bishop of lincolne , challenged kindred of him , and thereupon desired him to preferre him to such an office ; cousen ( quoth the bishop ) if your cart be broken i will mend it : if your pl●ugh be old , i will give you a new one , or seed to sowe your land : but an husbandman i found you , and an husbandman i will leave you . domitius the emperour used to say : that he had rather seem cruel in punishing , then to be dissolute in sparing . it was said of chilperick king of france that he was titularis , non tutelaris rex : defuit reipublicae , non praefuit . cambyses king of persia dying without issue his nobles agreed that his horse that should first neigh at the place where they appointed to meet the next morning , he should be their king : whereupon ocbares gentleman of the horse to darius , led his horse over-night to that place , and let him there cover a mare ▪ and the next morning when they were all met , darius his horse knowing the place , and missing the mare , neighed , and so darius was presently saluted for king. herod . l. . st. bernards counsel to eugenius was , that he should so rule the people , as that they might prosper , and grow rich under him , and not he be wealthy by the people . it was observed of varus governour of syria , that he came poore into the countrey , and found it rich : but departed thence rich , and left the countrey poore . ptolomaeus lagi , though a great king , yet never had but little of his own : and his usual saying was : that it was fit for a king rather to make others rich , then to be rich himselfe . plut. tiberius caesar being solicited by the governours of his provinces to lay greater taxes , and subsidies upon his people , answered , that a good shepherd ought to sheare his sheep , not flay them . st. lewis king of france on his death-bed advised his sonne never to lay any taxe upon his subjects , but when necessity urged him , and when there was just cause for it : otherwise ( saith he ) you will not be reputed for a king , but a tyrant . the emperour theodosius was wont to say : that he accounted it a greater honour to be a member of the church , then the head of the empire . amongst the lacedemonians men were chosen into the senate , and office of magistracy , not for their riches , friends , beauty , strength , &c. but for their honesty , and vertue . plut. examples of marshall discipline . a french souldier in scotland , in the beginning of queen elizabeths reigne , who first mounted the bulwark of a fort that was besieged , whereupon ensued the gaining of the fort : the french general mounsier de thermes , first knighted him for his valour , and then hanged him within an hour after , because he had done it without command . holman in his book of ambass . manlius torquatus the roman general , beheaded his own sonne , for fighting with an enemy without leave , although he overcame him . isac . chron. p. . defend the poor and fatherlesse : do justice to the afflicted and needy , deliver the poor and needy , rid them out of the hand of the wicked , psa. . , . chap. xlviii . examples of injustice : bribery . the evil of it , psal. . . prov. . . & . . & . . zeph. . . luk. . . pet. . . cor. . . rom. . . it 's spoken of , psal. . . mat. . . isa. . . rev. . . forbidden , deut. . , . lam. . , . amos . . & . . exod. . , . deut. . . & . . threatened , prov. . . & . . deut. . . isa. . . & . , &c. hosea . . amos . . & . . mich. . . it 's a great sinne , amos . . prov. . . eccles . . . it 's the property of the wicked , psal. . . prov. . . & . . it 's threatened , job . . the godly are free from it , isa. . . so was samuel , sam. . . prov. . . forbidden , exod. . . deut. . . prov. . . & . . scriptural examples of injustice in rulers , samuels sonnes , sam. . . princes of judah , isa. . . ezek. . . mich. . . & . . zeph. . . judges in israel , amos . . hos. . . pilate , matth. . . mark . . luk. . . john . . felix , act. . , &c. ananias , acts . , . gallio , acts 〈…〉 . pharisees , matth. . . the steward , luk. . ▪ 〈…〉 the judge , luk. . . other examples , cambyses king of persia , having found corruption by reason of bribery in one of his judges called sysam●●● , commanded him to be put to death , his skin to be pulled off & to be spread upon the judgment-seat and then making his son judge in his room , caused him to sit thereon , withall telling him , that the same corruption would deserve the same punishment . themistocles in athens caused arthemius , and all his children , an● posterity to be noted with a brand of perpetual infamy , because he brought gold from the king of persia , to corrupt the grecians , and to divide them amongst themselves . plut. harpalus that was made treasurer by alexander m. at babylon whil'st he went to conquer india , thinking that alexander would perish in those warres , fell to all manner of loosenesse , and impurity , ravishing noble virgins , and defiling matrous ; but when he heard of alexanders returne , fearing to be called to account for his vi●●ainy , he stole five thousand talents of silver , and so fled to athens , labouring by his money to corrupt the citiz●ns to secure him against alexander , and especially he sough to corrupt their oratours , which had most power with the people : but demosthenes exhorted the people to expell him out of their city , and not to bring an unnecessary warre upon themselves , in defence of ●o unjust a cause : yet afterwards being with harpalus he spred amongst his treasures , one of the kings cups of gold , and began highly to commend it for the beauty , and curious workmanship ; and harpalus perceiving his cove●ous minde thereby , bade him take the cup in his hand , and guesse what it might weigh : demosthenes answered that he could not guesse : but , saith harpalus , this cup will bring you twenty talents ; and accordingly at night he carried him the cup with twenty talents in it : hereupon the next morning when the people were met together to debate the cause of harpalus , demosthenes came to the pulpit all muffled about his throat , and mouth , and when he was called upon by the people to speak his minde , he told them that he was troubled with a squinancy , and could not speak ; wherewith some merry fellowes made sport , saying , that demosthenes had that night gotten a silvernancy , and not a squinancy : diod. sic. q. cur. some roman judges having acquitted clodius , a great malefactor , as they were going home wel atended with officers , were met by catulus , who knowing what they had done , said unto them : you do well to be so guarded for your safety , lest the money be taken away from you , which you took so lately for bribes . plut. in vita cicer. p. . there was a law amongst the romans , that if a judge took a bribe to pervert justice , he should die for it . and if any bore false witnesse , he should be thrown down from the tarpeian rock . by the julian law de ambitu amongst the ancient romanes it was enacted , that if any attained to honour or offices by bribes , he should be punished with a great mulct , and also for ever be made infamous . severus the romane emperour so hated bribery , and iudges which used it , that he would vomit when he saw them , and was ready with his two fingers to put out their eyes . tacitus used to say , that never any man came to an office , or high place by bribery , or ●inister meanes , but he exercised his authority wickedly , and unjustly . great presents being sent to epaminondas , though he was poor , yet he refused to receive them , saying , if the thing you desire be good , i will do it without any bribe , even because it is good : if it be not honest , i will not do it for all the goods in the world . lanq. chron. p. . augustines judgement was , that not only gold , silver , and presents are bribes : but the guilt of bribery may also be justly imputed to any exorbitant affection which swayes a man aside from an impartial execution of justice : as love , fear , hatred , anger , pusillanimity , desire of applause , &c. cambyses king of persia intending to make warre against the king of aethiopia , under pretence of sending ambassadours , imployed some to spie out his countrey , and strength , to whom the king of aethiopia said : go tell your master , that he is an unjust man , otherwise he would not affect another mans kingdome , but be content with his own , not seeking to bring other men into slavery that never wronged him . pez . mel. hist. he that by unjust gaine encreaseth his substance , shall gather it for him that will pity the poor , prov. . . chap. xlix . examples of restitution . commanded in what cases , exod. . , , , , , . lev. . , , , , , , . deut. . . job , . prov. . . ezek . . & . , . without it repentance is not accepted , num. . , . scriptural examples : josephs brethren , gen. . . & . . micha , iugdes . . david , sam. . . benhadad , king. . . jehoram , king. . iewish nobles , neh. . . cyrus , ezra . . , . darius , ezra . . judas , mat. . . samuel proffered it , sam. . . zacheus , luk. . . king of israel , king. . . examples of restitution . when selymus the great turke lay upon his death-bed , being moved by pyrrhus his great bashaw to bestow that abundance of wealth which he had taken wrongfully from the persian merchants , upon some notable hospitall for relief of the poore : he commanded it rather to be restored to the right owners : which was forthwith effected . turk . hist. p. . king henry the third of england , who was a great oppressor of his subjects in their liberties , and estates , having upon a time sent a load of freese to the friars minors to clothe them , they returned back the same with this message : that he ought not to give almes of that that he had rent from the poor , neither would they accept of that abominable gift . dan. chron. pliny an heathen tells us , that the poore are not to be fed like the whelps of wilde beasts , with blood and murther , rapine and spoile : but that which is most acceptable to the receivers ; they should know , that that which is given unto them is not taken from any body else . in cant. ser. . bernard saith , that god receives not any almes at the hands of an oppressor , or usurer . in ca. ezek. . hierome saith , that no man should turne bread gotten by oppression , and usury , into a work of mercy . augustine saith , that when god shall judge those that live now by fraud , and give almes of the spoiles of the oppressed , he will say unto them : you tell me what you have given , but you tell me not what you have taken away : you recount whom you have fed : but remember not whom you have undone : they rejoyce whom you have clothed : but they lament whom you have spoiled , tom. . hom. . augustine in another place saith : non remittitur peccatum , nisi restituatur ablatum : sinne is not forgiven till the thing taken away be restored . quest. is restitution so absolutely necessary ? answ. yea , quoad affectum , though not quoad effectum : if we are not able : if there be a willing minde it is accepted , &c. cor. . . god accepts of that quod quisquam verè voluit , tametsi adimplere non valuit : which a man faithfully would do , though he cannot . chap. l. law , law-givers . moses was the law-giver to the israelites , num. . . deut. . . amongst the lacedemonians law-suites were not heard of ; because amongst them there was neither covetousnesse , nor poverty , but equality with abundance , and a quiet life with sobriety . plut. lycurgus was the law-giver to the lacedemonians and to gaine more credit to his lawes , he went to delphos to the oracle of apollo to consult therewith about the successe of his enterprize . plut. he would have none of his lawes written , but commanded parents by the virtuous education of their children , and youth to implant them in their hearts , and lives . plut. when by experience he saw his lawes well approved of , and the common-wealth to flourish under them , he had a great desire to make them immortal , for which end he assembled all the people together , and told them that he thought his civil policy was already sufficiently established to make them happy : yet one thing of the greatest importance was still behinde , which he could not reveale till he had first consulted with the oracle of apollo , and in the meane time he desired them to observe his laws inviolably , without altering any thing untill his returne : this they all promised him faithfully , yet for the greater security , he took an oath of the kings , senators ▪ and all the people to make good their promise to him , and so went to delphos , where he sacrificed to apollo , and asked him if his lawes were sufficient to make a people happy : the oracle answered that they were , and that his citizens observing them should be the most renowned in all the world . this answer lycurgus wrote , and sent to sparta , and then taking his leave of his sonne , and friends , he pined himself tò death , commanding his friends to burne his body , and to throw his ashes into the sea , lest any part of him being carried into sparta , his citizens should say that he was returned again , and so think themselves absolved from their oath . according to his expectation whilest lacedemon observed his lawes it flourished in wonderful prosperity , and honour for five hundred yeeres together , till king agis his time , in whose reigne gold , and silver began to be in request , and so pride , covetousnesse , and curiosity crept in , which by degrees wrought their ruine . plut. numa pompilius the first law-giver amongst the romanes , gave out that he conversed in the woods with the goodesse egeria , that so he might procure the greater esteeme to himself , and to the lawes which he enacted . plut. solon the law-giver to the athenians collecting , and writing down many excellent lawes , anacharsis , a very wise man , laughed at him , saying , thinkest thou by written lawes to bridle the covetousnesse , and injustice of men ? knowest thou not that lawes are like cobwebs that catch little flies , but the rich , and mighty will break through them at their pleasure . plut. draco that first gave lawes to the athenians , punished idlenesse , and almost all offences with death : whence his lawes were said to be written in blood . but when solon reformed them , he made them more milde , and moderate . plut. chap. li. tyrants , tyranny . they shall not live out half their dayes , ps. . . forbidden , lev. . , , . scriptural examples : adonibezeck , jud. . abimelech , jud. . athaliah , king. . jezebel , king. . manahem , king. . saul , sam. . ahaz , king. . manasseh , chron. . nebuchadnezzar , jer. . herod , mat. . pharaoh , exod. . ishmael , ier. . pilate , luk. . . see in reproofe the examples of cambyses . darius going to warre against the scythians , would take along with him the three sons of deobaces one of his noble men that was very old : whereupon deobaces requested him to leave one of his sonnes at home to be a solace to his old age : yea , said darius , i will leave them all three , and so he caused them to be all slaine , and thrown into their fathers presence . pez . mel hist. the lacedemonians having in divers battels by sea , and land overthrown the athenians , they at last set thirty tyrants over them , which exercised extreme cruelty towards them . the honest citizens whom they either feared , or hated , or that excelled in wealth , they either banished , or slew them , and teized upon their estates . whereupon one of them ( somewhat better then the rest ) called theramenes spake against this cruelty , which caused another called critias to accuse him of treason , and so to condemne him to death . theramenes hearing it , fled to the altar , saying , i flie to this altar , not that i think it will save my life , but that i may shew that these tyrants are not onely cruel towards men , but prophane , and wicked towards the gods : critias commanded armed men to fetch him away to his death : and as they led him through the city , he cried out against the tyrants cruelty , whereupon one of their captaines said to him : flebis si non silebis : thou shalt weep if thou wile not hold thy peace , to whom he answered , annon fleba , si tacebo ? shall i not weep if i do hold my peace ? when they put the cup of poison into his hand , he drank it off , and throwing away the bottome he said , i drink this to faire critias . after his death they raged more extremely , filling all places with rapines , and slaughter ; and not suffering the friends of the murthered to interre their dead bodies . having amongst others slaine one phidon , they at their feast sent for his daughters to come , and dance naked upon the floore that was defiled with their fathers blood , but the maides abominating such immanity , threw themselves down from an high place , and brake their necks . and to fill up the measure of the athenians miseries , whereas many thousands of them were ●led , or banished into all the neighbouring countreys of greece , their proud insulting adversaries , the lacedemonians forbade all persons to entertaine any of these miserable exiles , but to returne them to the tyrants again , and that upon the paine of forfeitting three thousand crowns . diod. sic. lysander king of sparta , when the argives came to lacedemon to dispute about the borders of their country , pleading that they had ajuster cause then the lacedemonians , he drew his sword and said , they that can hold this best , can best dispute about their coasts . xenoph. alexander the tyrant of thessaly was of such a cruel nature that he buried many of his subjects alive , others he sowed up in the skins of boares , and beares , and worried them with his dogs , others he thrust through with darts , and that not for any offences that they had done , but meerely to make himself sport : and when he had gathered the inhabitants of two confederate cities about him , as if he had something to impart to them , he caused his guard to fall upon them , and murther them all without distinction of sex , age , or condition : he slew his own uncle polyphron , and then consecrated the speare wherewith he did it to the gods : but not long a●ter himself was slaine by the conspiracy of his own wife . plut. euphron the lacedemonian having made himself a tyrant in the city of cicyon , was shortly after murthered by the senators as he sat in counsel with them , who defended themselves by this apology : quòd qui manifesti sceleris proditionis , & tyrannidis rei sunt , non sententiâ âliqua dammandi videantur , sed ab omnibus hominibus jam antè dammati sunt , & quòd nulla graecorum lex ostendi possit , quae proditionibus , aut tyrannis securitatem praestet . that those which are guilty of treason , and tyranny , need not to be proceeded against in a legal way , for that they are before-hand condemned in all mens judgements , neither was there any law amongst the grecians that gave security to traitours , and tyrants . plut ochus king of persia succeeding his father artaxe●xes mnemon , presently after his getting the kingdome , filled , and defiled all his palace with blood , murthered all the princes and royal seed , without any respect of age , or sex : and yet through gods patience , he lived ninety three years , and reigned fourty three years . diod. sic. but in the end growing odious , and burthensome to all by reason of his bloodshed , and cruelty , one of his eunuches called bagoas poisoned him , and threw his dead body to be devoured of cats , aelian . lib. . alexander m. after his great victories grew proud , and tyrannical , and upon bare suspition he cruelly tortured philotas , one of his brave captaines , the sonne of parmenio , who had a chief hand in all his victories , and after grievous torments , caused him to be slaine , and not content therewith , thinking that his father might seek to revenge the wrong , he caused him to be murthered also . qu. cur. see alexander m. also in anger . alexander m. as he was rowing upon a lake in his galley neer babylon , a sudden tempest arising , blew off his hat , and crown fastened upon it into the lake , whereupon one of his mariners leaping into the lake , swam , and fetched it to him , and to keep it the drier he put it upon his own head , alexander rewarded him with a talent , for saving his crown , but withall caused his head to be cut off , for presuming to put his crown upon it . plut. dionysius the sicillian tyrant , was so suspicious of every one , that he durst not suffer a barber to trim him , but caused his daughters to do it , neither when they were grown to womans estate , durst he suffer them to use any sizers , or rasour about him , but caused them to burn his haire , with burning walnut-shells : he had two wives , and when he lodged with either of them , he carefully searched all the chamber before he went to bed . he durst not come amongst them when he was to speak to the people , but spake out of an high tower to them . when he was going to play at tennis , he gave his cloke , and sword to a boy that waited on him , whereupon one said to him : sir , you have now put your life into his hands , at which the boy smiled : whereupon dionysius caused them both to be slaine , the man for teaching the boy how to kill him , and the boy for laughing at it . there was one damocles , a great slatterer of his , who told him what an happy man he was that did so abound in riches , majesty , power , &c. affirming that there was never any man more happy then himselfe : well , said dionysius , wilt thou , o damocles , try how happy a man i am , seeing thou doest so admire my condition ? yea , said damocles , with all my heart : hereupon dionysius caused him to be cloathed in kingly apparel , to be set upon a golden seat , in a room richly hung , and curiously adorned with pictures , then a table to be furnished with all sorts of dainty dishes , with a company of beautifull boyes to waite upon him . he had also precious ointments , crownes , musick , and what not ? so that domacles thought himselfe a woundro●s happy man : but presently dionysius caused a sharp glittering sword , tied in an horse-haire to be hung just over his head , the terrour whereof so afflicted damocles , lest it should fall on his head , that he durst not stirre , nor enjoy any of those felicities , whereupon he sent to the tyrant , desiring him to give him leave to go away , for he desired that happinesse no longer . citero . antiochus epiphanes , warring against egypt , ptolomy the king of egypt sent to the senate at rome to make them his guardians , and to desire their help against antiochus : hereupon the senate sent popilius to antiochus requiring him to forbear medling with egypt , or if he was already entred , presently to depart out of it . antiochus offered to kisse popilius , in token of his love to him , but popilius answered , let all private friendship cease , till thou hast answered my publick commands . antiochus told him that he would consult with his friends , and shortly return an answer . popilius having a stick in his hand , drew with it a circle about him , and his friends , requiring them to returne an answer , and either to chuse warre or peace before they went out of that circle . this so daunted the king , that he told him he would obey the command of the senate . justin. vitellius a tyrant of rome , being overcome by vespasian , the souldiers took him , bound his hands behinde him , & putting a rope about his neck , and tearing off his cloaths , they led him through the streets of rome , loading him with an infinite number of indignities , and disgraces , pulling his haire , and setting a dagger under his chin , that his face might be seen of all ; some cast filth and dirt in his face , others reviled him ; and so at last they slew him , and threw him into tyber . imp. hist. sylla that great tyrant , that stiled himself , the happy , died miserably of the lowsies : for when ( saith one ) was it ever seen that the heavy hand of god did not finally infelicitate a tyrant ? poppaea sabina was first wife to rufus crispinus a worthy knight of rome , by whom she had a sonne : afterwards nero taking her to himselfe , caused her little sonne to be drowned , for that amongst his pretty sports , he would play for dukedomes , and empires . suet. laodice the wife of ariarathis king of cappadocia , her husband being dead seized upon the government , raged cruelly against all sorts , both of the nobility , and commons , whom she caused to be murthered , yea , against her own bowels , poisoning ●ix of her own sonnes , that so she might keep the kingdome more securely : only one little one escaped her fury , whom the people at last advanced to the crowne , and slew her . lipsius . thou shalt not rule over him with rigour , but shalt fear thy god , levit. . . chap. lii . vanity of all earthly things . spoken of , eccles. . , . isa. . , . & . . eccles. . . & . . & . . & . . psal. . . & . . scriptural examples : adonibezek under whose table seventy kings , with their thumbs , and great toes cut off , gathered their meat , was shortly after served in the same sort , and died a captive , jud. . , . iosua's captains put their feet upon the necks of five kings , and slew them . ios. . . king eglon slaine in his parlour . iudg. . . si●era s●aine by jael , judg. . . zeba , and zalmunna , judg. . . abimelech , iudg. . . goliah , sam. . . saul , sam. . . ishbosheth , sam. . . absolon , sam. . . benhadad , king. . . sennacherib , king. . . nebuchadnezzar , dan. . , &c. belshazzer ; dan. . , &c. herod , act. . . other examples : croesus a rich and mighty king of lydia , being overcome by cyrus the persian was by him condemned to be burnt : and when he was laid upon the pile of wood , he cried out , o solon , solon , solon : which being told to cyrus , he sent for him to know what he meant by it : croesus answered , that having once entertained wise solon into his house : he told him that no man ought to be accounted happy so long as he lived : which , said he , i never understood till now . cyrus laying this to heart , and considering the mutability of all earthly things , did not only give him his life , but made him his friend , and chief counsellour in all his affaires . herod . not long after cyrus being to make warre against the massages , croesus disswaded him from it , saying , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mea sunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , if thou wert immortal thy selfe , and haddest an army of immortal souldiers thou needest not my counsel , but seeing thou art mortal thy self , and the like are thy souldiers , consider that all humane affaires are like a wheele : that spoke that is up to day may be down to morrow , and think not that thou wilt alwayes be fortunate : but cyrus not taking his advice went against them , where himself with twenty thousand of his souldiers were slaine . justi . see in friendship the example of psammenitus king of egypt . xerxes which a little before had led an army of above a million of men into greece , wherewith he thought himself able to conquer the whole world , within a little space saw his navy destroyed on the sea , and multitudes of his souldiers by an handful of the grecians slaine upon the land , and himselfe in great fear accompanied with some few servants fled back to get into asia again ; but when he came to the hellespont , he found his great bridge , over which he should have passed , broken with a tempest : so that he was forced to enter into a poore fisher boat , in which with much danger h●…gat into asia : for being encountred with a great storme , in great fear he asked the pilot if there were any hope of safety ? no sir , said he , except the boate be eased of some of the passengers : whereupon xerxes cried out , o ye persians , now i shall see whether you have any care of the safety of your king or no ? for in you it lies to save , or to destroy my life : which when they heard , some of them leaped over-board , & drowned themselves to preserve their king : but like a tyrant , when he came to land , he gave the pilot a crowne of gold for saving his life , but because he had drowned some of his servants , he caused his head to be ●ut off . herod . after the battel of plataea , wherein the grecians had given a mighty overthrow to the army of xerxes : pausanias king of sparta being the grecian general was exceedingly elated with the glory of that victory , and afterwards at a feast in a scorneful manner he bade simonides a wise man , to give him some wholesome counsell ; simonides answered : take heed of forgetting that thou wert but a mortal man , which though he laughed at for the present , yet shortly after he remembred it , when being immured in pallas's temple , he was pined to death . plut. see it in treachery . solon told croesus that considering how the life of man is subject to infinite changes , wisdome therefore forbids us to trust , or glory in worldly riches honours , or any outward things , or to account any man happy before his death . and therefore , said he , i account tellus a happier man then thy self in the middest of all thy affluence ; for he being a citizen of athens was a very honest man , and left his children in good esteeme : and himself died honourably in the field , fighting in the defence of his countrey . plut. artaxeroees mnemon in that great battel which he fought against his brother cyrus , being wounded in the breast by cyrus , retired out of the battel , and at night the weather being hot , he was extreme thirsty , and could get nothing to drink ; whereupon his eunuches ran up , and down to seeke him some water , and at last they met with a poore fellow that had gotten some stinking puddle water in a fi●thy vessel , this they took and carried to the king , who drank it all off , and when one of them asked him whether that filthy water did not offend him ? he swore that he never drank such a sweet draught either of wine or water in his life before ; and therefore he prayed the gods that if he could not reward the poore man that brought it , yet that they would make him both blessed , and rich for his labour . plut. philip king of macedon in the midst of all his glory , when he had conquered divers kingdomes , and was chosen by all greece captaine general against the persians ; upon a festival day at the marriage of his daughter , and the coronation of his sonne alexander was suddenly stabbed by pausanias , to whom he had formerly denied justice . diod. sic. see more of it in sodomy . alexander m. having overcome darius , went to babylon where he had the city , and castle delivered up to him , and there in infinite treasures : from thence he went to susa , which being also surrendred to him , he found there fifty thousand talents in bullion , and such abundance of riches as the persian kings had for a long time heaped up together , leaving it from father to son , all which in one houre came into his hands that never cared for it . from thence he went to persepolis which had in it a farre greater masse of treasure , it being the richest city then under the sunne : there he found one hundred and twenty thousand talents of money , and as much other treasures as twenty thousand mules , and ten thousand camels could carry away , much whereof had been reserved there from cyrus his time ; alexander setting himselfe down in the kings throne it was so high that his feet could not reach the ground , whereupon one brough a little table ; and set under his feet : and one of darius his eunuches standing by , sighed and weeped grievously , which alexander taking notice of , asked him what was the cause of it ? to whom the eunuch answered , i weep to see that table that was so highly prized by my master darius , to be now made thy footstoole . q. cur. this darius flying out of the battel , who a little before was lord of so many kingdomes , and people , of so much treasure , and riches , and was adored as a god by his subjects , was now taken by some of his own servants , put into a base waggon covered with hides of beasts , and so carried hither , and thither as they pleased , and to fill up the measure of his wretchednesse , they bound him in golden setters , and drave all his attendants from him : and when they heard that alexander pursued , and was now come neere to them , these villaines , bessus , artabazus , and others took darius , wounded him in many places , and wounded the beasts that drew him , and so fled themselves into bactria : in the mean time the beasts that drew darius being weary , hot , and wounded , turned out of the way into a certaine valley , whither one of alexanders men called polystratus coming to seek for water , as he was drinking out of his helmet , he spied the waggon and mangled beasts , and going , & looking into it , he spied a man halfe dead with many wounds : darius lifting up his eyes , and seeing him , said , this comfort i have in my present fortune , that i shall breath out my last words to one that can understand them : therefore , saith he , i pray thee tell alexander that though i never deserved any favour at his hands , yet i shall die his debtour : giving him many thanks for his kindnesse to my mother , wife , and children . tell him that as he hath shewed favour to them , so on the contrary my servants , and kinsmen that received their lives , and livelihood from me , have basely betrayed , and murthered me . tell him that i pray that he may conquer all the world , and desire him to revenge this wickednesse both for his own , and for the sake of all kings , it being of evil example that such treachery should go unpunished : and so fainting he desired a little water , which when he had drunk , he said to polystratus : whosoever thou art that hast shewed me this kindnesse in my extreme misery , the gods requite thee for so great a benefit , and the gods requite alexander also for all his humanity , and clemency : and so he gave up the ghost . quin. cur. perseus king of macedon , a brave warriour , and one who was a terrour to the romane empire , yet at last being overcome , and taken by aemilius , was led in triumph with his children into rome , where after some four yeeres imprisonment , he died , and his eldest sonne was in that want , that he was forced to learne the occupation of a smith to get his living . ursp. basiliseus emperour of constantinople , being overcome by zeno , ( who was formerly deposed for his riotou●nesse ) was together with his wife and children banished into cappadocia , and a strict command given that none should relieve them ; whereupon they miserably perished for want of food , each in others armes . suid. cyrus king of persia caused this motto to be engraven upon his tombe : o man , whosoever thou art that shalt come hither , know that i am great cyrus , that first erected the persian monarchy : therefore envy me not this little earth , that now covers my body . this tombe was afterwards defaced by some of alexander m. his followers , which when alexander saw , he was much troubled at it , considering the vicissitude , and incertainty of all earthly things . qu. cur. alexander m. after all his great conquests returning to babylon , had ambassadours that came to him almost from all countreys , some to congratulate his victories , others to tender their homage , all bringing great and rich presents : but whil'st in the midst of his glory he was feasting of them , he caught a surfeit with inordinate drinking , which turned to a mortal feavour ; and a little before his death being asked by his friends , to whom he would leave his kingdome ? he answered , to the most worthy man ; and he being asked , when they should do divine honours to him ? he answered , when they themselves were happy , which were his last words , and so he died , having lived not thirty three years , nor reigned thirteen , and assoon as he was dead , his great captaines sought to enrich themselves by his spoiles , and whil'st they were contonding to share the world amongst them , his dead body lay many dayes in that hot countrey unburied , stinking above ground , a notable embleme of the vanity of all earthly greatnesse . plut. qu. cur. besides this his vast empire was divided amongst his great captaines , to ptolomaeus lagi was allotted egypt , and affrica : to lao●●don , syria , and phoenicia : to philotas , cilicia : to python , media : to eumenes , paphlagonia and cappadocia : to antigonus , pamphilia , lycia , and phrygia the great : to cassander , caria : to menander , lydia : to leonatus , phrygia the lesse : to lysimachus , thracia , with the neighbouring countreys . to antipater , macedonia , and the neighbouring nations . but these men not contented with their shares , fell presently to warres amongst themselves : perdiccas warring upon egypt was slaine by his own souldiers . antipater died . eumenes was betrayed by his own souldiers , and slaine by antigonus . python was treacherously slaine by antigonus . olympias the mother of alexander , was slaine by cassander . cleopatra sister to alexander , was slaine by the treachery of antigonus . antigonus himselfe was slaine in battel by cassander , and lysimachus . rhoxane the beloved wife of alexander , together with her sonne alexander & barsine another of his wives , which was the daughter of darius , were all slaine by cassander . presently after the whole family of cassander was rooted out . ptolomaeus died in egypt . lysimachus was slaine by seleucus . and seleucus himselfe presently after by ptolomaeus . so that all the family of alexander within a few years after his death , was wholly extirpated : and all his friends and great captaines by their mutuall contentions came most of them to untimely ends . diod. si● . justin. pempey the great , who had been three times consul of rome , and had three times triumphed after his famous victories , and was exalted to that height of honour , that the world could afford no greater , yet being overcome by caesar in the pharsalian plaines , he was forced to fly into egypt in a little fisher-boat , where he had deserved well of the king ptolomy , and therefore expected all kinde entertainment : but the king on the contrary , hearing of his coming , sent out some to meet him at the sea-side , who treacherously cut off his head , and so he whom the world a little before could not containe , now wanted a grave for his burial , so that caesar pursuing him , when three dayes after he found him lying on the sand , could not forbear weeping . plut. the same caesar also after all his great victories , being adored like a god , and loaded with all the honours that possibly could be invented , was slaine in the senate-house , with twenty three wounds . plut. nero who a little before wallowed in all manner of excesse of riot , being condemned by the senate , was suddenly forsaken by all his friends , and was faine to flie barefooted , and muffled upon a sorry jade , with only foure persons , the small remaines of many thousands : these were phaon his freed-man : epaphroditus master of requests : sporus his male-concubine , and neophitus . when he came to a place of safety ( as he thought ) he was faine like a beast to creep on all foure , through under woods , and briars to hide himselfe , in such extream want of all things , that for quenching his thirst , he was driven to lade water with his hand , out of a dirty plash , saying , this is nero's beverege . but those men who were sent after him for his execution , were outstripped by swifter means , which warned him of the nearnesse , and inevitablenesse of his approaching danger : for the senate had proclaimed him the publick enemy , and to die more majorum , or after the ancient manner , which was this : to have his body stript starke naked , his hands fast bo●nd behinde him , his head stockt under a fork , and so in open view to be whipt to death with rods . nero hereupon after many timerous delayes , and abject lamentations , puts a poinard to his throat , which epaphroditus did help to drive home , lest he should fall alive into his enemies hands . suet ▪ plinie . thus was nero's voice , and fiddling marred , and his last words were : o what an artist i die ! dio. sultan saladine emperour of the turks , lying upon his death-bed , anno christi . commanded that no solemnity should be used at his burial , but only his shirt in manner of an ensigne , fastened upon the point of a speare to be carried before his dead body , a simple priest going before and crying aloud to the people in this sort : saladine conquerour of the east , of all the greatnesse , and riches that he had in this life , carried nothing away with him but his shirt . hoveden . and poore eumenes of a potters son , by fickle fortunes help a kingdome wonne : but she for him such diet did provide , that he of hunger shortly after died . mahomet the great , the first emperour of the turks , after the winning of constantinople fell in love with a most beautiful greekish lady , called irene , upon whose rare perfections he so much doated , that he gave himself wholly over to her love : but when he heard that his captaines , and officers murmured at it : he appointed them all to attend him in his great hall , and commanding irene to dresse , and adorne her self in all her gorgeous appare● , he brought her in his hand into the midst of them , who seeing her incomparable perfections acknowledged their errour , saying , that their emperour had just cause to passe his time in sol●cing himself with such a peerelesse paragon : but he on a sudden caught her by the haire with one of his hands , and with the other drawing his fauchion , at one blow struck off her head , thereby shewing them that he was not such a slave to his affections , but that he preferred his honour before them . turk . hist. gillimer king of the vandals in affrica having lived in all manner of affluence , and prosperity for many years together , was at the last in agreat battel overcome by that famous captaine billisarius , and having lost the greatest part of his army , with a few of his servants was forced to flie into a high , and inaccessible mountaine for refuge , where being besieged by one of billisarius his captaines he was brought to such straits , that he sent to a special friend requesting him to send him a spunge , an harp , and a loafe of bread : a spunge to dry up his teares : an harp to solace him in his sorrows , and a loafe of bread to satisfie his hunger . pez . mel. hist. the caliph of babylon ( being taken together with his city by haalon the tartarian , ) was by him shut up in the midst of his infinite treasure , which he , and his predecessors had with much care and paines scraped togeher , who bade him take , and eate what he pleased of gold and silver , or precious stones : for ( said he ) it 's fit that so gaineful a guest should be fed with the best , and therefore make no spare of any thing . the miserable caitiffe being so kept for certaine dayes , died of hunger in the middest of those things whereof he thought that he should never have had enough , and whereby he thought to have secured himself against any dearth , or danger . turk . hist. the heathenish romanes had for a difference in their nobility a little ornament in the forme of a moone , to shew that all worldly honours were mutable , and they wore it upon their shooes , to shew that they trod it under their feete as base and bootlesse . no sooner had the soul of that victorious prince william the conquerour left his body , but that his dead corps was abandoned by all his nobles , and followers : and by his meaner servants , he was dispoiled of armour , vessels , apparel , and all princely furniture , and his naked body left upon the floore , his funeral wholly neglected , till one harluins , a poore countrey knight , undertook the carriage of his corps to caen in normandy to saint stevens church , which this dead king had formerly founded : at his entrance into caen , the covent of monks came forth to meet him , but at the same instant , there happened a great fire , so that , as his corps before , so now his hearse was of all men forsaken , every one running to quench the fire ; which done , his body being at last carried to the church , and the funeral sermon ended , and the stone coffin set into the earth in the chancel , as the body was ready to be laid therein , one ascelinus fitz-arthur , stood up and forb●de the burial , alleadging that that very place was the floore of his fathers house , which this dead duke violently took from him to build this church upon : therefore ( saith he ) i challenge this ground , and in the name of god forbid that the body of this dispoiler be covered in my earth : so that they were enforced to compound with him for one hundred pounds : but when the body came to be laid in the tombe , it proved too little for it , so that being pressed , the belly , not bowelled , brake and with an intolerable stench so annoyed the by-standers , that all their gums , and spices ●uming in their censers could not relieve them , whereupon all with great amazement hasting away , left the monks only to shuffle up the burial , which they did in haste , and so gat them to their cells . speeds chron. william rufus king of england , as he was hunting in the new forrest was by the glance of an arrow against a tree , shot in the breast : he hastily taking hold of so much of the arrow as stuck out of his body , brake it off , and with one only groane fell down , and died : whereupon most of his followers hasted away , and those few which remained , laid his body basely into a colliers cart , which being drawn with one silly lean beast , in a very foul and filthy way , the cart brake , where lay the spectacle of wordly glory , both pitifully goared , and filthily bemired , till being conveyed to winchester , he was buried under a plain marble-stone . sp. chron. page . pithias pined away for lack of bread , who formerly was able to entertain , and feast xerxes and his whole army . bajazet the great turke being overcome and taken prisoner by tamerlane , was carried about in an iron cage , and fed with scraps from tamerlanes table . sir edward de sancto mauro , commonly seimor being advanced by king edward the sixth was most powerfull , honourable , and loaden with titles , being duke of summerset , earle of hartford , vicount beauchamp , baron seimor , uncle to the king , governour of the king , protector of his realmes , dominions , and subjects : leiutenant of all his forces , by land , and sea : lord high treasurer , and marshal of england : captaine of the isles of garnsey , and jarsey , &c. yet this great man was suddenly overwhelmed , and for a small crime , and that upon a nice point subtilly devised , and packed by his enemies , was bereaved both of his dignities , and life also . camb. brit. p. . henry holland duke of exeter , and earle of huntington , who married the sister of king edward the fourth , was driven to such want , that philip comines saith , that he saw him runne on foot bare-legged after the duke of burgundies traine , begging his bread for gods sake , concealing himselfe , but afterwards being known what he was , burgundy gave him a small pension to maintaine his estate . the duke of buckingham , who had been a chief instrument of advancing richard the third to the crown , and the chiefest man of power in the kingdome , falling into the displeasure of the king , and forced to hide himselfe at a servants house of his , called humphrey banister , was betrayed by him , and apprehended , disguised like a poor countrey-man , and digging in a grove near to banisters house , and being carried to salisbury where the king was , without arraignment , or judgement , there lost his head . speed. chron. page . queen elizabeth in the life of her sister mary being kept prisoner at woodstock , chanced to see a maid milking of kine in the parke , and singing merrily over her paile : which struck this pensive prisoner into a deep meditation , preferring the maides fortunes farre above her own , heartily wishing that her selfe were a milk-maide . sp. chron. p. . vanity of vanities , saith the preacher , vanity of vanities , all is vanitie , eccles. . . chap. liii . examples of gratitude : tanksgiving . what we are to give thanks to god for . for deliverances , sam. . . chron. . . ps. . , . & . . & . , , . & . , . & . . & . . for willingnesse to do good . chron. . , . for wisdome . dan. . . for gods grace to others , rom. . . & . . cor. . . phil. . , . eph. . . for deliverance from sinne . rom. . . cor. . . for the free passage of the gospel . thes. . . for being made able ministers . tim. . . for christ. luk. . . for health . luk. . . for food . acts . . for gods ministers deliverances , cor. . . for blessing upon the ministery . cor. . . for gods grace on others . cor. . . for fitting us for heaven . col. . . for all things . eph. . . thes. . . as all good comes from him . jam. . . so all praise is due to him . thanks also is due to men for kindnesse received by remembring it , publishing it , and remunerating it . scriptural examples of thankfulnesse to god. the priests , ezra . . moses , exod . hannah , sam. . , &c. david , sam. . psal. . . & . . mary , luke . . zachary , luke . . the sheepherds , luke . . simeon , luke . . the leper , luke . . paul , acts . . cor. . : cor. . . of thankfulnesse to man , ahashuerus to mordicai , est. . . david to abigail , by marrying her for her good advice , sam. . king of sodom , by proffering abraham all the goods taken , gen. . naaman to elisha , by proffering a reward for his clensing ; kin. . . one siphorus by ministering unto paul , tim. . , . gaoler to paul ▪ and barnabas , acts . . and lydia , acts . . pharaoh by advancing joseph , gen. . , &c. and paul by praying for him , tim. . , . other examples : darius hystaspis , whilst he was a captaine under cambyses seeing one siloson to have a very curious vesture , desired to buy it of him : but siloson told him that he was resolved not to sell , but yet he would freely give it him : afterwards darius being king , siloson came to salute him , and danius remembring his former kindenesse , entertained him curteously , and told him that in consideration of that garment , he would give him so much gold , and silver , that he should never repent his kindenesse to darius , &c. herod . aristides dying very poor , the athenians to testifie their gratitude to him that had deserved so well of them , gave dowries to his daughters , and disposed of them in marriage , they also allowed an annuel stipend to his sonne . justin. darius junior accounted nothing more pleasing to him , then to reward those that had deserved well of him , and to overcome his enemies by reason , and he used often to say , that he desired to live only so long , till he had rewarded his friends , and overcome his enemies with kindnesse . xenoph. agesilaus king of sparta , was alwayes very gratefull for any courtesies that he received , and used to say , that it was not only an unjust thing not to be gratefull , but if he did not return greater kindenesse then he received . plut. the bernates in switzerland , caused the day , and year wherein the reformation of religion began amongst them , to be engraven in golden letters upon a pillar of stone , for a perpetual remembrance of gods mercy to them , in all future ages . the only daughter of peter martyr , through the riot , and prodigality of her debauched husband , being brought to extream poverty , the senate at zurick , out of a grateful remembrance of her fathers worth , supported her with a bountiful maintenance so long as she lived . thuanus . tully calls gratitude , maximam , imo matrem omnium virtutum reliquarum : the greatest , yea the mother of all other vertues . one the town-house of geneva , upon a marble-table is written in letters of gold , thus post tenebras lux. quum anno . profligata romana antichristi tyrannide , abrogatisque ejus superstitionibus , sacrosancta christi religio , hic in suam puritatem , ecclesia in meliorem ordinem singulari dei beneficio reposita , & simul pulsis , fugatisque hostibus urbs ipsa in suam libertatem non sine insigni miraculo restituta fuerit . senatus populusque genevensis monumentum hoc perpetuae memoriae causa fieri , atque hoc loco erigi curavit : quo suam erga deum gratitudinem ad posteros testatam fecerit . before master calvin opened their eyes by his ministery their motto was post tenebras spero lucem : since they altered it to post tenebras lux. chilon the wise philosopher , used to say , that men ought to forget the good turnes they do to others , but alwayes to remember such as they receive from others . laertius . clodovaeus king of france gave so much land to remigius bishop of remes ( who converted him to the christian faith ) as he could compasse in a day whilest the king slept . hincmarus . q. fulvius to shew his gratefull minde to his master ennius , bestowed a whole city upon him . volat. antoninus the emperour did so dearly love his master fronto , that to shew his gratitude , he obtained of the senate leave to erect his statue . idem . gratian the emperour to shew his gratitude to his master ausonius , made him consull , and bestowed many other liberal gifts upon him . pyrrhus king of epirus when he fought against c. fabricius the roman general , his physician sent to fabricius , telling him that if he pleased he would poison his master , but fabricius abhorring such villainy , sent pyrrhus word of it , whereupon he apprehended , and crucified his physician , and withall to testifie his gratitude to fabricius , he dismissed all the romane prisoners without any ransom : withal acknowledging that he could not make sufficient compensation for such a favour . plut. the athenians remembring how much aristides had done for their safety in the time of the persian warre , to testifie their gratitude , gave dowries to his daughters out of the publick treasury : and to his son lysimachus they gave one hundred pounds of silver , and so many acres of land , allowing him besides fourty drachmes a day for his expences . fulgos. p. scipio rewarded masinissa for his faithfull assistance against the carthaginians , not only by restoring to him his fathers kingdome , but gave him also a good part of the kingdom of siphax . pontanus . ephestion , one of alexanders great captaines , to testisie his grateful minde to his dead master , built him a monument which cost him twelve thousand talents , and commanded him to be worshipped as a god . justin. in every thing give thanks , for this is the will of god in christ jesus concerning you , thes. . . chap. liv. examples of ingratitude , unthankfulnesse , unkindenesse . it 's a great sinne , tim. . . prov. . . plagued by god , prov. . . scriptural examples : pharaohs butler , gen. . . laban to jacob , gen . . pharaoh to joseph , exod. . . act. . . israelites to moses , exod. . . corah and his companions , num. . . nabal to david , sam. . , . hanun , sam. . . joash to jehoiadah , chron. . . men of keilah , sam. . . saul to david , sam. . , . & . . & . , . & . , . david to uriah , sam. . . the nine lepers , luk. . . the jews , act. . . hezekiah , chron. . . other examples : miltiades a brave captain of the athenians , who had prosperously carried on their wars for a great while together , at length miscarrying in one enterprize , he was accused to the people , and himselfe lying sick of a dangerous wound in his thigh , some friends pleaded for him , minding the athenians of the great services which he had done them , yet like ungrateful wretches they fined him fifty talents , which cymon his son payed for him to get him out of prison : shortly after which he died . herodot . pythius , a mighty rich man royally entertained , and feasted xerxes , and all his huge army consisting of above a million of men , and proffered him an huge summe of gold besides towards the charges of the war , after which xerxes having pressed his five sons for the war , pythius went to him , intreating him to release his eldest sonne to be a comfort , and support to his old age : but xerxes being angry at his request , most ungratefully caused his son to be cut in two peeces , and laid in the way for his army to march over . herod . themistocles that had deserved so well of the athenians by all those great victories that they had obtained under his conduct , was at last through the envie of his citizens , in a most ungrateful manner banished the city , and forced to flie to his mortal enemy artaxerxes king of persia , with whom yet he found more favour then with his own citizens . diodor. plut. themistocles used to say , that the athenians dealt with him when they were in danger , as men deale with a great oake , when a tempest comes they runne under it for shelter , but when the tempest is over , they most ungratefully crop , and lop off the houghs of it . justin. aristides the just , that had done as much for the athenians as any man both in peace , and war , yet upon envy was banished by his ungrateful citizens . plut. see more of it in envy . miltiades after his great victories requested of the athenians that they would give him a laurel crowne as a reward for all his services ; whereupon an ungrateful person stood up , and said , o miltiades , when thou fightest alone , and overcomest the barbarians alone , then alone request a reward . justin. cimon , a brave general of the athenians , who by his valour , and policy had exceedingly advanced that common-wealth , was at last by his ingrateful citizens driven into banishment . plut. see the example of camillus in revenge . an army of ten thousand greeks going with cyrus into persia against artaxerxes m. after the death of cyrus , who was slaine in the battel , in despite of artaxerxes , and all his huge army , returned under the command of xenophon , through all those vast kingdomes , and countreys , in each of which they met with great armies to oppose them , besides the interposition of many great rivers , and difficulties of the wayes , and at last having passed through a thousand dangers , arrived in safety in their own countrey , where the athenians instead of rewarding the virtue , and valour of xenophon , most ungratefully banished him , under a pretence that he went to fight against the king of persia. plut. pausanias , a gallant general of the lacedemonians after all the service that he had done for his countrey , was upon trivial occasions , accused by the common people , and banished . plut. see the example of alexander m. in anger . pub. scipio affricanus after all the great things which he had done for his countrey was accused by the tribunes of the people , for concealing some money which belonged to the common treasury , whereupon he brought forth his book of accounts , and shewed it before all the people , saying , on this very day i overcame carthage ; let us go to the capitol , and give the gods thanks , and so he went into voluntary exile , and when he was ready to die , he desired his wife that his dead body might not be carried to rome , saying , tu ingrata patria , ne mortui quidem ossa habebis : thou ungrateful countrey , shalt not have so much as my dead bones . plut. lepidus , antonius , and augustus having divided the romane empire amongst themselves , agreed to proscribe their enemies , amongst which number cicero was accounted one by antony , because he had freely written against his exorbitant courses : augustus stood oft three dayes before he consented to his proscription , having received great favours from him , yet at last yielded : cicero hearing of it , fled to cajetta , and there taking ship intended to escape , but was often driven back with the windes , so that at last he said , moriar in patria saepè serva●a ; i will die in my countrey which i have often saved : yet when his servants heard that the murtherers approached they perforce put him into a liter , and carried him away : but when the murtherers had overtaken him , he with an undaunted countenance put his head out of the liter to receive the fatal stroake : and so had his head cut off by popilius lenas , whom a little before he had saved from the gallowes for murther . plut. when tamerlane the great had overcome , and taken prisoner bajazet the great turk , he asked him , whether he had ever given god thanks for making him so great an emperour ? bajazet ingenuously confessed that he had never so much as thought upon such a thing : to whom tamerlane replied : that is was no wonder so ungrateful a man should be made a spectacle of misery : for ( saith he ) you being blinde of one eye , and i lame of one leg , what worth was there in us , that god should set us over two such great empires , to command so many men far more worthy then our selves ? see his life in my second part. lycurgus would make no law against ingratitude , because he thought that no man would fall so far below reason as not thankfully to acknowledge a benefit . the persians accounted this sin of ingratitude so hainous , that such as were found guilty of it were not suffered to live . plato used to call aristotle a mule , which being not satified with his mothers milke useth to kick her with his heeles , closely taxing him of ingratitude , for that when he had received almost all his learning from him , yet he set up a school , wherein he used to speak much against him . aelian . antonius caracalla being made emperour caused many innocent men to be put to death , and amongst the rest cilon , who had brought him up , and from whom he had received so many favours that formerly he used to call him father . dion . alexander m. most ungrateful in a feast slew clitus whose mother had been his nurce , and who a little before in a great battel had saved alexanders life . sab. the carthaginians who in the first punick warres had been notably holpen by xantippus the lacedemonian , and by whose assistance they had taken king attalus prisoner , when they had done with him , pretending to carry him home into his countrey , they most ungratefully drowned him by the way . val. max. octavius augustus when he understood that a senatour whom he dearly loved was much in debt , of his own accord he payed it all , which the senatour hearing of , wrote only to him , at mihi nihil , but thou hast given me nothing : because all the money which he payed for him , went to others . suet. the syracusians being freed from the tyranny of dionysius by the extraordinary diligence ▪ charges , and perill of dion , shortly after most ungratefully banished him out of their city , and a while after calling him home againe , they falsely accused him of treason and executed him . fulgos. in the last dayes perilous times shall come : for men shall be , — unthankful , unholy , &c. tim. . , . chap. lv. examples of fattery , parasites . it 's proper to the wicked , psal. . . & . . & . . & . , . to the whore , prov. . . & . , . such are to be shunned , prov. . . & . . are hateful , prov. . . hence , job . , . the mischief of it , prov. . . job . . . scriptural examples : the young men , king. . ● . the princes of judah , cron. . . a king , dan. . . others , dan. ● . , . false apostles , thes. . . false prophets , ezek. . . & . , &c. & . . the people , herod , act. . . alexander m. used to carry his head on one side inclining to the left shoulder , wherein his cou●t-parasites to ●…tiate themselves with him , imitated him . justin. alexander also having in his fury slaine clitus his faithful servant that had saved his life , he was afterwards so grieved for it , that he would have slaine himself , but being restrained from that , ●he would neither eate , nor drink for three dayes ; whereupon his friends brought anaxarchus the philosopher to comfort him , who in a flattering manner told him : that the ancients used to place the image of justice by jupiter , to shew that whatsoever jupiter did must needs be just : and therefore said he , whatsoever so great a king as thou art doest , it ougbt to be esteemed just , first by thee , and then by all others . q. cur. the athenians did so basely flatter king demetrius the sonne of antigonus , that they made this decree publickly : that whatsoever king demetrius commanded , it should be accounted holy amongst the gods , and just amongst men . plut. severus the emperour caused one tyrinus a notable flatterer to be tied to a stake in the market-place , and there to be killed with smoake : an herauld in the meane time standing by , and crying , smoak he sold , and with smoak he is punished . the courtiers of meroe ( a kingdome in india ) to flatter and ingratiate themselves with their king , limped , and halted as their king did . canutus king of england , and denmark being told by a flatterer that all things in his realme were at his command , and will : appointed his chaire to be set upon the sands when the sea began to flowe , and in the presence of his courtiers he said unto it : thou art part of my dominion , and the ground on which i sit is mine , neither was there ever any that durst disobey my command , that went away with impunity : wherefore i charge thee that thou come not upon my land , neither that thou wet the clothes or body of me thy lord. yet the sea , according to its usual course , flowing more , and more wet his feet : whereupon the king rising up said : let all the inhabitants of the world know that vaine , and frivolous is the power of kings : and that none is worthy the name of king , but he to whose command the heaven , earth , and sea , by the bond of an everlasting law are subject , and obedient . and never after that time would he suffer his crown to come upon his head ▪ hen. of hunt. see the example of damocles in tyrants . the athenians fined demagoras ten talents for that he had by way of flattery called alexander a god . ravisius . nicesias a flatterer about alexander , when he saw him wounded , cried out in the words of homer : o what precious blood flowes from the bodies of the gods . when iulius caesar was going against the senate , and pompey , one of his souldiers , said flatteringly : jussa sequi tam velle mihi . quàm posse necesse est : nec civis meus est , in quem tua classica , caesar , audiero . — — lucan . publius afranius a notable flatterer at rome , hearing that caligula the emperour was sick , went to him , and professed that he would willingly die , so that the emperour might recover ; the emperour told him that he did not beleeve him , whereupon he confirmed it with an oath : and the emperour shortly after recovering , caused him to be slaine that he might not be forsworne . xiphilinus . teridates king of armenia , when he was overcome by corbulo , and brought prisoner to rome to nero● , falling down on his knees , he said : i am nephew to the great lord arsacus , brother to the two great kings vologeses , and pacorus , and yet thy servant , and i come to worship thee no otherwise then i worship my god the sun : truly i will be such an one as thou shalt please to make me , for thou art my fate , and fortune : which flattery so pleased nero that he restored him to his kingdome , and gave him besides an hundred thousand peeces of gold . x●pil . ant. caracalla the romane emperour gave all those vaste summes of money that he raised by taxes , and exactions upon his subjects , amongst his parasites , and flatterers . idem . timagoras the athenians being sent upon an embassie to darius king of persia in a flattering manner , worshipped him after the persian manner : for which he lost his head at his returne home . ravis . clitosophus , king philip of macedons parasite , feigned himself lame because philip had broke his leg , and used to writhe his eyes , and his mouth after the same manner as his master used to do . idem . a lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it : and a flattering tongue worketh ruine , prov. . . chap. lvi . strange examples of deafe , and dumb persons . we have ( saith camerarius ) in noremberg a young man , and a young maid , both born of one father , and mother , and of a good house , who though they be deafe , and dumb , yet have they a singular quick conceit : they can both of them reade very well , write , cipher , and cast an account : they are quick , and cunning at cards , dice , and all games : the maid is excellent at sempstry , tapestry , embrodery , &c. and by the motion of a mans lips , they know his meaning . platerus mentions one deafe , and dumb born , yet could expresse his minde in a table-book , and could understand what others wrote therein . he hearing o●colampadius preaching by the motions of his lips , and gesture understood many things . one gennet lowes a scottish woman dwelling in edenburg , being deafe , and dumb by nature , could understand any one in her house , meerly by the moving of their lips : so that by their motions alone without a voice , she could exactly know their meaning . master crisp , brother to sir nicholas crisp , his dexterity in knowing the meaning of men by the motions of their lips is very well known to merchants upon the exchange , and is yet fresh in every ones memory . at the time when sir alexander carey was beheaded at tower-hill , this master crisp ( having been deafe long before ) pressed to stand neer to the scaffold , whereupon master hurst , an officer in the train-bands that kept the guard spake to him to forbear , who not hearing him , continued to labour to get a convenient place , till master hurst being told by some who he was , suffered him to place himself right against the front of the scaffold , and when sir alexander turned himself to speak to the people , master ▪ crisp fixed his eyes upon his lips , during all the time of his speech , which he so perfectly understood , and carried away , that relating it to his friends , they much wondred at the way of his perception . there was a nobleman in spaine , the younger brother of the constable of castile , born so deafe that he could not hear a gun shot off by his eare , and consequently dumb : yet the lovlinesse of his face , and exceeding vivacity of his eyes , the comlinesse of his person , and the whole composure of his body , were pregnant signes of a well tempered minde : physicians and chyrurgions had long imployed their skill to help him , but all in vaine : at last a certain priest undertook to teach him to understand others when they spake , and to speak himselfe that others might understand him : this attempt was at first laughed at : but after some yeares with great paines he taught this young lord to speak as distinctly as any man , and to understand so perfectly what others said , that he could understandingly converse all day with them . prince charles when he was wooing the infanta of spaine , saw him , and oft made trial of him , not only with english words , but making some welchmen in his traine to speak words of their language , all which he perfectly repeated , only for want of his hearing , his tone was rather vehement , and shrill , then pleasing . this many were witnesses of . pausanias reports that one balthus a dumb man , wandring in a desert , met with a lion , and was struck with such exceeding fear , and trepidation that thereupon the strings of his tongue were loosed , and he spake ever after . chap. lvii . examples of constancy . commanded , chron. . . ●it . . . gal. . . tim. . . heb. . . jam. . . cor. . . cor. . . pet. . . tim. . . rev. . . commended , prov. . . heb. . . rom. . . exhorted to , cor. . . eph. . , . ● tim. . heb. . . & . . mat. . . & . . phil. . . rev. . . scriptural examples , joshua , ch . . ruth , ch . . . levites , chron. . . josiah , chron. . . jewes , ezra . . david , psal. . . john baptist , mat. . . luke . . paul , acts . , . tim. . . antipas , rev. . . angel rev. . . disciples , luke . . hebrews , chap. . , . dionysius , &c. acts . . jewes and proselytes , acts . . other examples : aristides is an admirable example of constancy , of whom phlutarch writes that amidst all the changes which befell the athenians in his time , he remained alwayes the same ; for honours never puffed him up with pride , nor adversity never made him impatient : for when aeschylus the poet in the publick amphytheater made verses in his commendation , and thereupon the eyes of all the people were fixed upon him , he was nothing affected , or puffed up with it : neither at other times was he afflicted at the reproaches , and indignities of his enemies : he used to say , that it was the part of a good citizen , only to rejoyce in his good speeches , and actions . plut. nero being weary of his wife octavia the daughter of claudius , by whom he had the empire , charged her with adultery , and pythias one of her women , was miserably tormented upon the rack , to extort a confession against her imperial lady , but she left this memorable example of loyal constancy : nero's instrument of cruelty , sitting in commission at the rack , demanded of her some immodest ▪ questions about her lady octavia : but she being raised above fear , or paine by honest courage , did spit into his face , saying , that octavia was honester in her womans parts , then his mouth . suet. phocion the athenian was semper idem ▪ alwayes the same , neither favour , nor fear altering him : the oracle declaring that there was one man that was an enemy to the concord of the city : when the enraged people enquired after him , he said , pray you be quiet , i am the man whom ye seek , for there are none of your doings that please me : athens was at this time in her dotage . afterwards being chosen captaine of the athenians against the macedonians : he seeing that his cowardly souldiers were only valiant in their tongues , wisely forbore fighting , and made a peace : afterwards being upbraided , as if he had done it through cowardice , he answered : you are happy that you had a captaine that knew you well enough , otherwise you had all perished before this . at another time , when demosthenes that rode the people by his flattery , told phocion , that the athenians would kill him , when they began to be mad . but , said phocion , they will kill thee , when they begin to be wise . lipsius . saint ambrose bishop of millaine being besieged in his church by the emperour valentinian junior , at the instigation of justina his mother , an arian , the emperour commanded him to come forth of the church , intending ▪ to deliver it to the arians : but ambrose told him that he would never come out of it willingly , neither would betray his sheepfold to the wolvs , nor his church to such as were blasphemers of god ; therefore ( saith he ) if thou wilt kill me , come in , and thrust me through , either with thy sword , or speare , which death will be very grateful unto me . theod. valerianus bishop of h●benza in africa being commanded by genserick an arian king of the vandals , to deliver up to him the books of the sacred scripture , and other vessels belonging to the church , he rather chose , being eighty years old , to be stripped naked , and driven out of the city where he lay amongst the dunghills till he perished . sige. chron. hormisdas a nobleman of persia professing christianity in the time of a great persecution , was called before the king varanes , who sharply chid him , threatening him with death , if he persisted therein : to whom hormisdas , constantly answered : that which you command me ( o king ) is wicked , and therefore i may not abjure the god of the whole world , to procure your majesties favour : for a crime committed against his majesty , is farre greater then disobedience to you . niceph. constance the third could neither prevaile by promises , nor threats , with martin bishop of rome to confirme the heresie of the monothelites , he choosing banishment rather then thus to sinne against god. fulgos. publius rutilius shewed his excellent constancy , when being requested by a friend to do for him a thing which was unjust , he refused to do it , whereupon his friend said , what am i the better for thy friendship , if thou wilt not do for me so small a courtesie , when it is desired of thee ? to whom he answered : and what am i the better for such a friend , as requests of me such unjust things . val. l. . c. . pomponius a knight of rome fighting in the army of lucullus against mithridates was wounded , and taken prisoner , and being brought before mithridates , he said to him , if i take care for the cure of thy wounds , wilt thou be my friend ? to whom pomponius answered , not except thou beest a friend to the people of rome . fulgos. marc. brutus warring in lusitania , when he had conquered almost the whole countrey , only the city of cyania stood out against him , he sent ambassadours to them , proffering them a great summe of gold to deliver up their city to him : to whom they answered with admirable constancy : our father 's left us swords wherewith to defend our liberty , not gold , nor rich gifts wherewith to redeem our selves from our enemies . eras. apoth . c. mevius a captaine of augustus caesars , having often fought valiantly against mark anthony , was at last circumvented , taken prisoner , and carried before anthony , who asked him , what he would have him to determine about him ? to whom mevius most constantly answered : command my throat to be cut , seeing i am resolved neither for the hope of life , nor for the fear of death to forsake caesar , nor to serve thee . val. max. see more in the chapter of valour and magnanimity . chap. lviii . examples of inconstancy , unstableness . spoken of , jam. . . pet. . . & . . reuben is said to be so , gen. . . the athenians who a little before had given divine honours to king demetrius , and in a most base manner flattered him , during his great victories : when they heard of his overthrow by ptolemy king of egypt , and that he was coming to them for succour , they sent some to meet him , to charge him that he should not , come neere their coasts , for that they had made a decree that no king should come into athens . plut. justin. caius caligula the romane emperour was of such an inconstant nature , that none knew how to carry themselves towards him . sometimes he delighted in multitude of society : other sometimes in solitarinesse . sometimes he used to be angry when any thing was begged of him , other times because nothing . many wicked men he suffered to go unpunished , when in the meane time he was extreme cruel to the good , and innocent . to his enemies he would be merciful , and to his friends inexorable , &c. sueto . ratholdus captaine of the frisons being converted to the knowledge of the truth by the ministery of wolfranius bistop of seanes , was contented to be baptized by him : but when he had one foot in the font ; he asked the bishop , where his ancestors were ? whether in heaven or hell ? the bishop answered , that no doubt they were in hell , for that none of them had the knowledge of christ : hereupon wolfranius pulled his foot out of the font , saying , i also will then go to hell where my predecessors are , choosing rather to be in that place where are most , then where are fewest . fulgos. tertullian who had been famous both for his life , and learning , and had written many things excellently in defence of the truth : at the last being disgraced by some of the romane clergy , took such offence at it , that he forsook the truth , and imbraced the heresie of montanus , and wrote against the truth . see his life in my first part. see the example of pendleton in my english martyrology . and of doctor perne . pausanias king of the lacedemonians , fought many succesful battels in asia against xerxes : yet at last through inconstancy , degenerated into the asian luxury , and proffered to deliver up the government of sparta into xerxes his hands , if he would give him his daughter in marriage . val. max. m. otho the emperour in his younger dayes was given to all manner of loosenesse , and licentiousnesse : but when he was made governour of lusitania , he ruled it with admirable justice , which made all men to wonder at him : but afterwards being chosen emperour , he returned to his former debauchery , yet before his death , reformed it again . fulgos. seneca that wrote so excellently in the commendation of moral virtues , yet himself allowed his scholar nero to commit incest with his own mother agrippina : and when he wrote against tyranny , himselfe was schoolmaster to a tyrant : and when he reproved others for frequenting the emperours court , himself was scarce ever out of it : and when he reproached flatterers , himself practised it in a shameful manner towards the queens , and freedmen : whilst he inveighed against riches , and rich men , he heaped together infinite riches by usury , and unjust dealings : and whilst he condemned luxury in others , himself had five hundred costly chaires made of cedar , their feet of ivory , and all other things answerable . xiphil . in vita neromis . chap. lix . examples of such as have been hard students . socrates used to stand many times plodding upon points of philosophy in the same posture of body for divers houres together , being all that while unsensible of any thing that was done about him . chrysippus was sometimes so transported at his study , that he had perished with hunger if his maide had not thrust meat into his mouth . alphonsus king of spaine , and naples was wont to bewaile the case of kings , for that hearing with other mens eares they could seldome heare the truth , and therefore he held himselfe happy in his muti magistri , his books , especially his bible , which he read over fourteen times with lyra's , and other mens notes upon the text. archimedes , a famous mathematician of syracuse in the isle of sicily , when the city was besieged by the romanes , by his rare engins annoyed the romanes more then all the men in the city : yet at last ( through treachery ) the romanes entred : and archimedes being drawing mathematical figures in his study , heard not the noise ; yea , his study was broken open by a rude souldier , yet he heeded it not ; so that the souldier thinking that he slighted him , ran him through with his sword . this archimedes was he that said : if you would give him a place whereon to fix it , he could make an engin that would remove the whole earth . theodosius the emperour wrote out the whole new testament with his own hand , accounted it a great jewell , and read part of it every day . henry the first , king of england , was bread up in learning , and such a prizer of it , that he often said , that he esteemed an unlearned king but as a crowned asse . speed. themistocles from his child-hood much affected learning , and was so studious , that when his fellows were at play , he would never be idle ; but was alwayes either making , or conning orations either to defend , or accuse some of his companions , which his master observing used to say : that he was borne either to do some great good , or some extreme mischief to the common-wealth . plut. alexander the great was by his father philip placed under aristotle to be brought up in learning , who carefully instructed him in most of the liberal sciences , in the study whereof alexander took such delight , that he used to say , that he had rather have knowledge then to excell in power : he so prized homers iliads , that during all his wars he alwayes carried it in his pocket , and laid it under his pillow anights : he loved his master aristotle as if he had been his father , and used to say , that as we have our being from our parents , so we have our well being from our school-masters . just. q. curtius . solon a very wise man , and great scholar amongst the athenians used to say , i grow old learning still . plut. vespasian the romane emperour was a great friend to learning , and learned men , giving them large pensions out of his exchequer besides other favours , and notable rewards . ●mp . hist. nicostratus the athenian painrer , standing with admiration whilst he beheld the picture of helena drawn by zeuxis , one asked him the cause of his wondring ? to whom he answered : friend , if you had mine eyes , you would not have asked me this question , but rather have admired it as i do . plin. endymion was so affected with the study of astronomy , that he spent whole nights upon rocks , and mountaines in contemplating the motions of the stars ; whence the poets feigned that the moon was in love with , &c. atlas the lybian was so delighted with observing the motions of the heavens that leaving the society of men he went and lived upon the highest mountaine of affrica : whence that mountaine was called by his name , and for his singular knowledge in astronomy the poets feigned that he bore up the heavens with his shoulders . the indian gymnosophists used to stand upon the hot sands from the rising to the setting of the sunne , sometimes upon one leg , sometimes upon the other , that thereby they might inure their mindes to contemplation , and their bodies to hardship . plin. pythagoras lived in a cave for a whole year together , that being sequestred from the society of men , he might the better meditate upon the abstruser parts of philosophy . democritus abderites having travelled through many nations to get learning , when he returned into greece , burned out his own eyes , that the eyes of his minde might be the more intent upon meditation of what he had learned . sabel . thales milesius spent so much time in contemplating the good government of a common-wealth , that he was accounted one of the seven wise men of the world . laert. phocion the athenian was alwayes very studious how in few words he might comprize whatsoever he had to speake to the people , not omitting any thing of moment . plut. scipio africanus never went to the senate , but getting up before day , he first went to the temple of jupiter where he spent some houres in meditation , that thereby he might the better finde out such things as conduced to the good of the common-wealth : whence his usual saying was , nunquan mnùs solus quàm cùm solus : that he was never lesse alone , then when alone . demosthenes knowing that his action and voice were not very fit for an oratour , digged him a cellar into which he often retired to frame his gestures , and compose his voice aright : yea , sometimes he would spend two , or three moneths together in that place , shaving halfe his head , that so for shame , he might not be taken off from his serious studies : whereupon pytheas , told him , that his enthymeme smelled of the candle . plut. aristotle used to sleep with a bullet in his hand over a brazen pan , that when it fell out of his hand he might be awakened by the noise . laert. pythagoras used with a thrid to tie the haire of his head to a beame over him , that so when he did but nod by reason of sleep , he might be awakened thereby . m. cato used to say , that there were three things which he abhorred , . to commit secrets to a woman . . to go by water where he might go by land . . to spend one day idly . plut. see more in my first part of lives . chap. lx. examples of such as have been enemies to learning . lewis the th king of france desired that his son might be no scholar , lest learning should make him so proud that rejecting the advice of his counsellours , he should adhere to his own private opinion , adding that he desired that he should learn onely these five words of latin : qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare . he that cannot dissemble , knows not how to play the king. domitian that wicked emperour was such an enemy to learning , that he banished all philosophers out of rome , and italy . he crucified metius pompustanus , because he had made a map of the world , and read over livies history . suet. see the example of pope paul the second . p. . chap. lxi . callings , trades . men must abide in them , cor. . . commanded , tim. . . rom. . . prov. . . eph. . ● . it makes rich , prov. . , . & . . & . . & . . skill therein is from god , exod. . , &c. scriptural examples : the good houswife , prov. . . other examples , solon the athenian lawgiver , enacted that the sonne should not relieve his father when he was old , except he had brought him up to some occupation : and this he did , that so all might have some honest trade , whereby to do good to the common-wealth , and to maintaine themselvs and theirs : and that the councel of the areopagites , should enquire how every man lived , and to punish such as they found idle . plut. the egyptians enjoyned all men to be of some vocation , and amasis , one of their kings , made a law , that every man once a year , should give an account how he lived . amongst the turks every man must be of some trade , the grand signeur himselfe not excepted . mahomet the great that conquered greece , used carving , and to make wooden spoones : and this present sultan ( saith sands in his voyage to hierusalem , p. . ) maketh notches for bowes . the egyptians made a law , that he that could not shew by what meanes he maintained himselfe should be put to death . plut. laert. in vita periandri . the castle of edenburgh in scotland , built by cruthenus , king of the picts , was called the castle of maidens , because the daughters of the pictish kings were kept there to their needles till they were married . bucan . idlenesse , falsly charged upon the jewes in egypt , exod. . , . the mischiefs of idlenesse , prov. . . eccles. . prov. . . & . . & . , . & . . reproved , mat. . . tim. . . prov. . , & . . rom. . . it was the sinne of sodom , ezek. . . it cast david upon tentation , sam. . . and eve , ( as it is conceived ) gen. . . the evil servant , mat. . . the cretians , tit. . . sluggard sent to the ant , proverbs . . the danger of slothfulnesse , prov. . . & . & , . & . . & . , &c. & . . & . . eccles. . . the lacedemonians would suffer none of their subjects to spend their time in sports , or idlenesse , and when their magistrates were told of some that used to walk abroad in the afternoones , they sent to them , requiring that leaving their idlenesse , they should betake themselves to honest labours , and imployments : for ( say they ) it becomes the lacedemonians to procure health to their bodies by labour , and exercise , not to corrupt them by sloth , and idlenesse . aelian . they also brought up their children in labour from their infancy , whereby it grew into a proverb , that only the lacedemonian women brought forthmen . alex. the cretians brought up their sonnes from their childhood in daily , and difficult labours , lest when they grew old they should think that it was not unseemly to waste themselves in idlenesse . idem . the gymnosophists to reclame their schollars from idlenesse , enacted a law , that young men should neither eat , nor drink any day before they had given account to the elder what work they had done that morning . idem . amasis made a law that the egyptian youth should no day eat any food till they had runne one hundred and eighty furlongs : judging them unfit either to eat , or drink , till by honest labour they had deserved it . diod. sic - the aethiopians anciently accustomed their youth daily to fling great stones , or darts , that thereby they might understand , that man was born to labour , not to idlenesse . alex. ab alex. numa pompilius to prevent idlenesse amongst the romanes , divided the fields amongst them , appointing some officers often to walk about them : himselfe also sometimes did it to observe every mans diligence , and husbandry , and those whom he found idle , he sharply reproved , or banished them . plut. cyrus king of persia would never go to dinner , or supper , till he had made himselfe sweat by some labour . stobaeus anrelianus the emperour never suffered day to passe over his head , wherein he did not exercise himselfe in some hard labour , or military imployment . alex. ab alex. the city of casan in parthia is much to be commended for its civil government , for an idle person is not suffered to live amongst them : the childe that is but six years old is set to labour : no ill rule disorder , or riot is suffered there : they have a law amongst them , whereby every person is compelled to give in his name to the magistrates , withall declaring by what course he liveth : and if any tell untruly , he is either soundly beaten on the feet , or imployed in publick slavery . p. pil. v. . in china the whole countrey is well husbanded , and though the people generally are great spenders , yet they first get it by their hard labour . idle persons are much abhorred in this countrey , and such as will not labour , must not eat amongst them : for there are none that will give almes to the poore . if any be blinde , they are put to grinde in horse mills : if lame , impotent , bedrid , &c. the next of their kin is forced to maintaine them : if they be not able , the king hath hospitals in every city , wherein they are sufficiently provided for . p. pil. v. . chap. lxii . examples of such as have preferred christ , before all earthly enjoyments . under the eight persecution there was one marinus , a nobleman , and valiant captaine in caesaria who stood for an honourable office that of right fell to him ; but his competitor to prevent him , accused him to the judge for being a christian : the judge examining him of his faith , and finding it true , gave him three houres time to deliberate with himselfe whether he would lose his office , and life , or renounce christ , and his profession : marinus being much perplexed what to resolve on , a godly bishop took him by the hand , led him into the church , laid before him a sword , and a new-testament , bidding him freely take his choice which of them he would have , whereupon marinus ranne to the new testament , and chose that , and so being encouraged by the bishop , he went boldly to the judge , by whose sentence he was beheaded . dioclesian that bloody persecutor , first laboured to seduce the christian souldiers in his camp , commanding them either to sacrifice to his gods , or to lay down their places , offices , and armes : to whom they resolutely answered , that they were not only ready to lay down their honours , and weapons , but even their lives , if he required it , rather then to sinne against god , and deny christ. a noble virgin in portugal called eulalia , under the tenth persecution , seeing the cruelty used against christians for the cause of christ , went to the judge , and thus bespake him : what a shame is it for you , thus wickedly to seek to kill mens souls , and to break their bodies in pieces , seeking thereby to withdraw them from christ ? would you know what i am ? i am a christian , ana an enemy to your devillish sacrifices , i spurne your idols under my feet , &c. hereupon the judge being enraged , said unto her : o fond , and sturdy girle , i would faine have thee before thou diest revoke thy wickednesse : remember the honourable house of which thou art come , and thy friends teares : wilt thou cast away thy selfe in the flower of thy youth ? wilt thou bereave thy selfe of honourable marriage ? doth the glittering pomp of the bride-bed nothing prevaile with thee ? &c. behold , if these things will not move thee , i have here variety of engins prepared to put thee to a cruel death , &c. but our noble eulalia having her heart ravished with the love of christ , to whom she desired to be married , rejected both his flatteries , and threats , and chose death , rather then to forsake christ. see my general martyrology . p. . in the late bohemian persecution a noble lady of the city of latium , leaving all her riches , house , and friends , crept under the walls through the common sewer ( the gates being guarded ) that she might enjoy christ in his ordinances elsewhere . in the affrican persecution under the arians there was a noble man called saturus , eminent for piety , and holinesse , whom the tyrant king laboured to withdraw from christ , and his truth , to the arian heresie , telling him , that if he consented not presently , he should forfeit his house , his lands , his goods , his honours , that his children and servants should be sold , that his wife should be given to one of his basest slaves , &c. but when threats prevailed not , he was cast into prison , and when his lady heard her doom , she went to him with her garments rent , and her hair disheveled , her children at her heeles , and a sucking infant in her armes , and falling down at her husbands feet , she took him about the knees , saying , have compassion ( o my sweetest ) of me thy poor wife , and of these thy children , look upon them ; let them not be made slaves ; let not me be yoaked in so base a marriage : consider that which thou art required to do , thou doest it not willingly , but art constrained thereto , and therefore it will not be laid to thy charge , &c. but this valiant souldier of christ answered her in the words of job : thou speakest like a foolish woman ; thou actest the devils part : if thou truly lovedst thy husband , thou wouldest never seek to draw him to sin that may separate him from christ , and expose him to the second death : know assuredly , that i am resolved ( as my saviour christ commands me ) to forsake wife , children , house , lands , &c. that so i may enjoy him which is best of all . one copin a merchant in france was apprehended , and carried before the bishop of ast for his bold asserting of the truth , to whom the b. said , that he must either recant his opinions , or be punished : but copin answered , that he would maintain them with his life : for , saith he , i have goods , a wife , and children , and yet have i lost those affections which i formerly bore to them , neither are they dear to me , so i may gain christ. see more examples of this kind before in this book , p. , , . anno christi . in that bloody persecution in the valtoline , a noble gentleman having for a while hid himself , was at last found out by his popish adversaries , whom he requested to spare him for his childrens sake : but they told him that this was no time for pity , except he would renounce his religion , and embrace popery ; whereupon he said , god forbid , that to save this temporal life , i should deny my lord jesus christ , who with his precious blood upon the crosse redeemed me at so dear a rate , &c. i say , god forbid ; and so they murthered him . see my gen. martyrologie , p. . anno christi . one laurence guest being in prison for the truth in salisbury , the bishop ( because he had good friends ) laboured by all means to draw him to recant : but not prevailing he condemned him ; yet when he was at the stake , he sent his wife , and seven children to him , hoping by that meanes to work upon him : but through gods grace , religion overcame nature , and when his wife intreated him with tears to favour himself , he answered , be not a block in my way , for i am in a good course , and running towards the mark of my salvation : and so he patiently suffered martyrdome : in q maries daies one steven knight , martyr , when he came to the stake kneeled down , and prayed thus , o lord jesus christ , for the love of whom i willingly leave this life , and rather desire the bitter death of thy crosse , with the losse of all earthly goods , then to obey men in breaking thy holy commandments : thou seest , o lord , that whereas i might live in worldly wealth , if i would worship a false god : i rather choose the torments of my body , and losse of my life , counting all things but dung and drosse that i might win thee , for whose sake death is dearer unto me then thousands of gold and silver , &c. see my eng. martyrologie . p. . thomas watts , martyr , when he was at the stake , called his wife and six children to him , saying ; dear wife , and my good children , i must now leave you , and therefore henceforth know i you no more , as the lord gave you unto me , so i give you back again to the lord , &c. and so kissing them , he bade them farewell , and went joyfully to the stake . idem . p. . nicholas sheterden , martyr , when he was ready to be burned , said ; lord , thou knowest that if i would but seem to please men in things contrary to thy word , i might enjoy the commodities of life as others do , as wife , children , goods and friends : but seeing the world will not suffer me to enjoy them except i sin against thy holy lawes , lo , i willingly leave all the pleasures of this life , for the hopes sake of eternal life , &c. idem . p. . richard woodman , martyr , when he was brought to his answer , the bishop told him , that if he would be reformed he might enjoy his wife and children , &c. to whom he answered , i love my wife , and children in the lord , and if i had ten thousand pounds in gold , i had rather forgo it all then them ; but yet i have them as if i had them not , and will not for their sakes for sake christ. idem . p. . a poor woman in cornwall being admonished by the bishop to remember her husband and children : she answered , i have them , and i have them not ; whilest i was at liberty i enjoyed them , but now seeing i must either forsake christ , or them , i am resolved to stick to christ alone my heavenly spouse , and to renounce the other . idem . p. . see more in my two parts of lives . i count all things but losse , for the excellency of the knowledge of christ jesus my lord , for whom i have suffered the losse of all things , and do count them but dung that i may win christ , and be found in him , &c. phil. . , . examples concerning christ our mediatour . themistocles being banished athens , was forced to fly to his deadly enemy admetus , king of the molossians , and when he came thither , he took the kings son , being a child , in his armes , and so prostrated himself before the k. and found favour : for it was a sacred law amongst the molossians , that whosoever thus came before the king should have pardon whatsoever his offence was : so whosoever goes to god the father with christ in his armes , shall be sure to speed in his request . claudius ▪ tib. caesar hearing of the miracles , and resurrection of jesus christ , moved the senate at rome that he might be numbred amongst the gods : but the senate refused , because he was by some esteemed for a god before the senate had decreed him one . tert. one in tamerlanes army having found a great pot of gold , digged it up , and brought it to tamerlane , who asked whether the gold had his fathers stamp upon it ? but when he saw it had the roman stamp , he would not own it : so god will own none but such as have the stamp of christ , and his image upon them . chap. lxiii . examples of compassion : sympathy . commanded , pet. . . zach. . . such as want it , love not god. joh. . . and are wicked , chron. . . scriptural examples , our saviour christ , matt. . . & . . & . . mark . . & . . a lord , matth. . . pharaohs daughter , exod. . . the father of the prodigal , luke . . darius his wife being a captive with alexander , miscarried by reason of a fall , and so died , which when alexander heard of , he brake forth into weeping , and suffered one of her eunuches to carry darius word of her death : darius hearing that alexander wept at the newes of her death , conceited that he had been too familiar with her : but when the eunuch by grievous asseverations protested that he had never seen her but once , and then never offered the least indignity to her : darius lifting up his hands to heaven prayed the gods that if the persian empire were at an end that none might sit in cyrus his throne but so just , and merciful a conquerour . q. cur. when alexander m. found darius murthered by his own servants ; though he was his enemy ▪ yet he could not refrain from weeping , and putting off his own coate he covered the body of darius with it , and so clothing of him with kingly ornaments , he sent him to his mother sisigambis to be interred amongst his ancestors in a royall manner . q. cur. nero the emperour in the first five years of his reign was of a very compassionate disposition , insomuch as being requested to set his hand to a writ for the execution of a malefactor , he said , quàm vellem me nescire literas : would i had never learned to write . s●ne . camillus with the roman army after ten years siege took the city of veia in italy by storme , and when camillus from the top of the castle saw the infinite riches which the souldiers took by plundering the city , he wept for very pitty to see the miseries which were brought upon the inhabitants . plut. the thebans having given the lacedemonians a very great overthrow in the battel of leuctra , they presently sent an ambassador to athens to acquaint them with it , and to desire them to enter into confederacy with them against the lacedemonians their old enemies , telling them that now was the time when they might be fully revenged of them for all the wrongs which they had received from them : but the athenian senate was so far from rejoycing at the misery of the lacedemonians , that they did not so much as give lodging the ambassadour , or treat at all with him about a league . plut. vespasian the emperour was of such a merciful disposition , that he never rejoyced at the death of any , though his enemies ; yea , he used to sigh ▪ and weep when he justly condemned any for their faults . suet. be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love : rejoyce with them that do rejoyce , and weep with them that weep , rom. . , . chap. lxiiii. examples of the workings of conscience . a good conscience : act. . . & . . rom. . . cor. . . tim. . . & . , . tim. . . heb. . . . pet. . . heb. . . pet. . . . bad conscience , joh. . . tim. . . tit. . . prov. . . weak conscience , cor. . . & ▪ . conscience rom. . . & . . cor. . . cor. . . & . . heb. . , & . . defin. it 's a part of our understanding determining of all our particular actions either with , or against them , excusing , or accusing . when the conscience accuseth , the tongue confesses , the eyes weep , the hands wring , the heart akes , and the voyce cryes , no part can be at ease ; as juvenal : cur hos evasisse putes , quos diri conscientia facti , mens habet attonitos , & surdo verbere caedit ? &c. how deem'st thou them acquit whom guilty mind of fact so foul doth fright , and scourge unseen doth beat with unheard blow , their hangman , restlesse conscience biting so ? scriptural examples of guilty consciences , adam when he ran from god , gen. . . cain for murthering abel , gen. . . josephs brethren , gen. . . &c. belshazzar dan. . herod for beheading john , luke . . judas for betraying christ , matth. . . &c. the unworthy guest , matth . . the pharises joh. . . a wounded spirit who can bear prov. . . examples of a good conscience : abimelech , gen. . , . hezekiah , isa. . . david , psal. . , . & . . paul , act. . . & . . heb. . . nero after the murther of his mother agrippina was so continually haunted with the furies of his conscience , that he alwayes thought her ghost haunted him , which no incantation , nor sacrifices could appease till his own descended , so that when he was to leave this life for a worse , he cryed out , that his mother , wife , and father , willed him to die nero's life . livius drusus being to build him a house in the palace at rome : the chief workman told him that he would so contrive it that none should overlook him , nor see what was done in his house : to whom drusus answered : quin tu potiùs si quid in te artis est , it à compone domu● mea● , ut quicquid ●gam ab omnibus inspici possit ? rather ( saith he ) if thou hast any art shew it in so contriving my house that whatsoever i do may be beheld by all . lipsius . nicephorus phocas the greek emperour having a guilty , and hellish conscience , and fearing heavens justice for his sins , caused his palace at constantinople to be made impregnable , and then began to cast off his fears : but when he thought all safe ▪ ● voyce was heard , none know from whom , or whence , taxing his foolish confidence , and telling him that though he raised his walls as high as heaven , yet as long as wickednesse dwelt within , there was no safety to be expected . in the reign of q. mary there was one ralph allerton who coming into the church of bently in essex , finding the people idle , or ill imployed , read a chapter to them , and prayed with them , for which being brought before bonner , he by his subtile perswasions , and flatteries so prevailed with him that he drew him to a recantation , after which this allerton was brought into such bondage , and terrours of conscience , and was so cast down that if the lord had not looked mercifully upon him he had been utterly undone ; but , through gods goodnesse , upon his unseigned repentance he at last recovered comfort , and gave his life for the cause of christ. see my eng. manyrologie . p. . about the same time there was one mr. whittle , an essex minister , who being also called before bonner , by the subtile practices of the b. and the advice of some carnal friends set his hand to a recantation ; but presently after he fell into grievous terrours of conscience whereof himself thus writes : after ( saith he ) i had done this thing , i had little joy of any thing , my conscience telling me that i had done very ill by so slight a means to shake off the sweet crosse of christ. yea , his terrours of conscience were so great that he could not sleep ; whereupon he procured the writing , and to are out his name : after which he thus writes , being condemned to die my conscience , and mind , i praise god , is quiet in christ , and i by his grace , am very willing , and content to give over this body to death for the testimony of christs truth , and pure religion against antichrist , &c. idem . p. , . before this in the reign of king henry the th . mr. thomas bilney for fear of death was drawn to an abjuration , after which he fell into such terrours of conscience that he was near the point of utter despaire , so that his friends were fain to watch with him night , and day , endeavouring to comfort him , but all in vain : in this woful condition he continued for the space of a whole year , and was in such anguish that neither eating , drinking , sleeping , nor any thing else did him good : yea , he thought that all the word of god was against him , and sounded his condemnation : but at last , resolving through gods grace , to lay down his life for ▪ the truth , he began to feel some comfort , &c. see his life in my first part. when gensericus k. of the arian vandals in africa raised a persecution against the orthodox , he had such a hellish , and guilty conscience that if any minister in his sermon did but mention pharaoh , nebuchadnezzar , herod , &c. he presently applyed it to himself , and thereupon banished him . see my gen. martyro . p. . sr. con mac genis one of the late irish rebels after he had murthered one mr. trug a minister , was so haunted with the furies of his own conscience , that he thought his ghost followed him day , and night , so that he commanded his souldiers to slay no more of the protestants . idim . p. . the spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity : but a wounded spirit who can bear ? prov. . . chap. lxv . examples of love to ones countrey , and countrey-men . scriptural examples : david , sam. . . mordecai , esth. . . esther , c. . . nehemiah , c. . . &c. the jewes , psal. . , , . paul , rom. . , . camillus the roman general having after ten years siege taken the rich city of veia , one came to him , and told him , that he was a happy man , whereupon lifting up his hands towards heaven , he said ; o mighty jupiter , and ye o gods , which see , and judge mens works good and bad , you know right well that we have not begun this war , but justly to be revenged on a city that wronged us : but if to countervail this great prosperity , and victory , some bitter adversity be predestinated for us , i then beseech you to spare the city of rome , and this our army , and let it wholly fall upon my person alone . plut. whilest codrus was k. of athens , the peloponesians , upon an old grudge came with a great army against the athenians , and sending to the oracle to know the event of the war ; they were answered , that they should have good successe if they did not kill the king of athens : whereupon they charged all their souldiers to be sure not to hurt codrus the king when they came to the battell : codrus understanding all this , changed his apparel with a common souldier , and with a snapsack on his back he went to the peloponesian army , and there picking a quarrel with one of the souldiers , wounded him , whereupon the souldier slew him , and after his death , being found to be codrus , the peloponesians returned back , expecting no good successe : and thus codrus out of love to his country , voluntarily dyed to deliver it from danger . pez . mel. hist. agesilaus king of sparta did so love and esteem his countrey , that for the profit of it he neither spared his pains , nor shunned dangers , nor favoured his old age ; and though by his prudent and upright dealing he had gotten all the power into his own hands , yet he studied nothing more then to maintain the lawes , and to shew himself subservient to them , and amongst those which raised up dissensions in the common-wealth he carried himself as a father to his children chiding those that erred , and honouring those that did well . plut. sylla having overcome marius in battel , commanded all the citizens of praeneste to be slain , excepting onely one that was his intimate friend : but he hearing the bloody sentence against the rest , stepped forth , and said , that he scorned to live by his favour who was the destroyer of his country , and so went amongst the rest who were to be slain . fulgos . sertorius the more he prospered and prevailed in his wars in spain , the more importunate he was with metellus , and pompey , the captains of his enemies , that laying down armes they would give him leave to return into italy again , professing that he had rather live a private life with the sweet enjoyment of his countrey , then to obtain the government of many cities . sabi . l. . nescio quâ natale solum dulcedine cunctos ducit , et immemores non sinit esse sui . chap lxvi . examples concerning death . ali must die , heb. . . psal. . . it 's called a bed to rest in , isa. . . a being with christ , phil. . . a changing , cor. . . a cutting down , job . . a cutting off , job . . a depriving of years , isa. . . a dissolution , phil. . . a destruction of the body , cor. . . a day of darknesse , eccles. . . a departing , luk. . . a going forth of the breath , psal. . . an entrance into the way of all the world , joshu . . . an end of all flesh , gen. . . an end of mans daies , sam. . . a falling asleep , act. . . a finishing our course , tim. . . a fleeting away , job . . a gathering to the people , gen. . . a going to the grave , job . . the way of all the earth , king. . . to our fathers , gen. . . to the dead , sam. . . to the place of silence , psal. . . into the pit , job . . home , psal. . . to the long home , eccles. . . into the land of darknesse , job . . a hiding in the grave , job . a house for the living , job . . a lying still , job . . a land of oblivion , psal. . . a rest from labour , rev. . . a returning to the dust , gen. . . job . . a sleep , job . . . thess. . . king. . . job . . a translation , heb. . . a vanishing , job . . a giving up the ghost , gen. . . vita citò avolat , nec potest retineri : mors quotidie ingruit , nec potest resisti . death happy to the godly , psal. . . & . . eccles. . . rev. . . cor. . , . death cursed to the wicked , psal. . , , , . job . . phil. . . qualis vita , finis ità . vita vitrea . fumus , et umbra sumus . mors ubique nos expectat . solon enacted a law amongst the athenians , that none should speak evil of the dead . plut. xerxes getting upon an hill near to abydus , and beholding the sea covered over with his ships , and all the plains filled with his army which consisted of above a million of men , thought himself a very happy man , yet withal fell a weeping , and being asked the reason of it by artabanus his uncle , he answered ; considering with my self how short the life of man is , i cannot but pity this great multitude of gallant men of whom within an hundred years there shall not one be left alive . herod . lycurgus made a law in lacedaemon , that they should bury their dead round about their temples , that the young men having the graves alwaies in their eyes , should mind their own mortality . plut. agesilaus king of sparta used to say , that they which live virtuously are not yet blessed persons , but that they had attained true felicity who dyed virtuously . xenophon . when agesilaus was ready to dye , he charged his friends that they should neither make any picture nor statue of him ; for , saith he , if i have done any thing that is good , that will be my monument ; but if i have done otherwise , all the statues that you can make will not keep my good name alive . idem . democritus the philosopher as he was travelling abroad in the world came to the court of darius king of persia , whom he found overwhelmed with grief for the death of one of his most beautifull wives , to whom democritus promised that he would restore her to life again if he would provide him things necessary for such a businesse : darius much rejoycing at this promise , bade him ask for whatsoever he would have . democritus told him , that amongst other ingredients he must have the names of three men that had never met with any sorrow in the whole course of their lives ; the king told him that that was impossible to be done : then said democritus , what a fool art thou which desirest to be freed from that fortune which is common to all men ? pez . mel. hist. alex. m. being twice wounded in the siege of an indian city , feeling the pain of his wounds , said , i am called the son of jupiter , but i perceive that i am subject to wounds , and death as well as other men . q cur. epaminondas finding his sentinel asleep , slew him , saying , i left him but as i found him . plut. a certain christian king in hungary , being on a time very sad ; his brother ( a jolly courtier ) would needs know on him what ailed him : o brother ( said he ) i have been a great sinner against god , and i know not how to die , nor to appear before god in judgment . these are ( said his brother ) melancholy thoughts ; and withal made a jest at them . the king replyed nothing for the present : but the custom of the country was , that if the executioner came and sounded a trumpet before any mans door , he was presently to be led to execution . the king in the dead time of the night sends the headsman to sound his trumpet before his brothers door : who hearing it , and seeing the messenger of death , springs in pale , and trembling into his brothers presence , beseeching him to tell him wherein he had offended ? o brother ( replyed the king ) you have never offended me : and is the sight of my executioner so dreadful , and shall not i that have greatly and grievously offended , fear to be brought before the judgement-seat of christ ? in the isle of man the women whensoever they go abroad gird themselves about with their winding sheets wherein they purpose to be buried , to mind them of their mortality . camb. brit. of man. p. . at one end of the library of dublin was a globe , and at the other end a skelleton , to shew , that though a man was lord of all the world , yet he must die . c. marius in his th . consulship , being about years old , yet finding his death approaching , cryed out , and complained of his hard fortune , for cutting off the third of his life before his counsells and desires were accomplished . sab. pope anastasius as he was easing nature in a sakes , voided his bowels , and dyed miserably . gra●i . the aegyptians in their funeral orations never commended any man for his riches , or nobility , because they were but the goods of fortune ; but for his justice , and piety , whereby they thought to stirre up the living to the imitation of his virtues . fulgos. the grecians had a law , that no man should bestow more workmanship upon a monument then might be finished by ten men in . daies . artemesia q. of halicarnassus when her husband mausolus died , bestowed so much cost , and curiosity upon his tomb , as that it was counted one of the seven wonders of the world , suidas . by an ancient law amongst the romans it was enacted that no man should bestow more labour about a sepulchre , then might be finshed in three or five dayes at the most , and that none should have a bigger pillar erected for him then would contain his just praises , and the titles of his honour . cicero . st. augustines wish was that , when the lord came to take him out of this world , he might find him aut precantem , aut praedicantem ; either praying , or preaching . the death of the righteous is the forerunner of judgment . methusalem died in that very year in which the flood came : augustine was taken away by death immediately before hippo [ the place of his dwelling ] was sacked by the vandals : paraeus before the taking of heidelberg by the spaniards : the death of ambrose was the forerunner of the ruine of italy : and luther died a little before the wars brake forth in germany , which himself foretold at his death : and holy mr. whately a little before the plundering , and burning of banbury in the beginning of our late civil wars . the righteous perisheth , and no man layeth it to heart , and merciful men are taken away , none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come , isai. . . chap. lxvii . examples of detraction , slandering , backbiting . it 's a great sin , cor. . . rom. . . prov. . . complained of , psal. . . & . . jer. . . & . . how prevented , prov. . . such are not of the number of gods children , psal. . . ought to be punished , psal. . . scriptural examples : jeremy slandered by the wicked jews , jer. . . the jews , ezra . , &c. nehemiah , chap. . . & . , &c. ziba , sam. . . the spies , num. . . some slandered the apostles , rom. . solon enacted a law amongst the athenians , that none should speak evil of the dead , nor of the living , especially in the temples in the time of divine service ; nor in the councel chamber of the city ; nor in the publick theaters , and that upon pain of three drachmes to the party injured , and two to the common treasury . plut. alexander m. when he heard any about him traducing his enemy , would stop one of his eares , that he might preserve it from prejudice in hearing the other party . dion of syracuse when he was admonished to take heed of two of his familiar friends , as though they intended to slay him , answered , that he had rather die then to suspect his friends , or to put them in fear of a violent death as if they were his enemies . val. max. amongst the romans there was a law , that if any servant being set free slandered his former master , he might bring him into bondage again , and take from him all the favours he had bestowed upon him . alex. ab alex. there was also another law , that if any servant detracted from his master , his master might banish him out of the confines of rome . idem . vespasian and titus were such enemies to detractors , and slanderers , that if any were found guilty thereof , they caused them to be whipt about the city , that others thereby might be deterred from the like practices . domitian the emperour , though otherwise a most vile man , yet could not endure slanderers , but banished them out of the city , saying , that they which do not punish slanderers , encourage them . platina . antoninus pius made a law , that if any backbiter could not prove what he reported of another , he should be put to death . alex. nerva made a law , that if any servants slandered their masters , they should be put to death , as ingrateful persons . idem . st. augustine to shew his hatred to detractors , caused this distich to be written on his table , quisquis amat dictis absentem rodere amicum , hanc mensam vetitam noverit esse sibi . he that doth love an absent friend to jeer , may hence depart , no room is for him here . frederick emperour of germany having some letters brought to him which were written by gasper schli●kius of newburg , and directed to sundry hungarians : some flatterers about the emperour perswaded him to break them open , suggesting that there might be treason contained in them . to whom the emperour nobly answered ; i judge gasper an honest man , and my friend ; if i be deceived i had rather that the evil should appear by his own carriage , then that it should be searched out by my overmuch diligence , being provoked thereto by your suspitions , or slanders . aen . sylvius . nero that monster of men , when he had set rome on fire which burned nine daies , to transfer the odium from himself , he by his slanders thought to lay the fault upon the christians , as if they had done it out of malice , whereupon he raised the first general persecution against them . see my gen. martyrology . p. . under the second persecution the christians had many malicious slanders raised against them , as that they lived in incest : that in their night-meetings , putting out the candles , they mixed together in a filthy manner : that they killed their children , and fed upon mans flesh : that they were seditious , and rebellious , and refused to swear by the fortune of caesar , &c. which much incensed the emperours against them . idem . p. . under the third persecution the heathens imputed to the christians all those miseries , and mischiefs which befell them ; yea , they invented against them all manner of con●umelies , and false crimes that they might have the more pretence to persecute them . idem . p. . under the fourth persecution heathen servants were examined against their christian masters , and being threatned with most exquisite torments , were enforced to confesse against their masters , that at their meetings they kept the feasts of thyestes , and committed the incests of oedipus , and such like abominations not fit to be named . idem . p. . under the fifth persecution the christians were slanderously reported to be seditious , and rebellious against the emperours , to be guilty of sacriledge , murthering their infants , incestuous pollutions , eating raw flesh , worshipping the head of an asse , &c. idem . p. . under the eighth persecution the christians were falsely charged with all the calamities of war , famine , and pestilence which befell the world , because they refused to worship idols , and the emperour . idem . p. . under the tenth persecution there was a conjurer in athens which made an image of jupiter that uttered these words , jupiter commands the christians to be banished out of this city , because they are enemies to him . also certain harlots were suborned to say that formerly they had been christians , and so were privy to the wicked and lascivious acts which they committed amongst themselves at their sabbath-meetings , &c. idem . p. . the queen of persia being sick , the wicked jewes and magicians accused two godly virgins , for that by charmes , and inchantments they had procured the queens sicknesse , whereupon they were sawen in sunder by the wastes , and their quarters hung upon stakes that the queen might go betwixt them , thinking thereby to be freed from her disease . idem . p. . the popish friers to make the godly waldenses odious , raised up many foul slanders against them , as that they were sorcerers , buggerers , &c. that when they assembled together in the night-time , their pastors commanded the lights to be put out , saying : qui potest capere , capiat ; whereupon they committed abominable incests , the son with his mother , the brother with his sister , the father with his daughter , &c. as also that they held many false and damnable opinions . idem . p. . see more in my gen. martyrologie , and two parts of lives . chap. lxviii . examples of discord , contention , and the evils of i● . it 's a great evil , prov. . , . worst in wives , prov. . . & . . condemned , ephes. . . col. . . prov. . . tit. . . rom. . . it comes from pride , prov. . . scriptural examples ; kings , gen. . . abimelech , and sechem , judg. . pharisees , and sadduces , act. . . servants , gen. . . hebrews , exo. . . judah , and israel , sam. . . aaron , and moses , num. . . israel , and benjamin , judg. . . disciples , luk. . . paul , and barnabas , act. . . corinthians , cor. . , . & . , . & . . & . . abrahams , and lots heardsmen , gen. . . israelites , isa. . . epiphanius tells a sad story of two bishops , milesius , and peter bishop of alexandria , both professours , and fellow-sufferers for the christian faith : these two men being condemned , and sent to work in the mettal-mines , for a small difference fell into so great a schisme ; that they drew a partitian-wall between each other in the mine , and would not hold communion each with other in the service of christ , for which they both were sufferers : which dissension of theirs caused such a rent in the church , that it did more hurt then an open persecution from the enemy . how much better did bishop ridley , and hooper , who though in king edward the sixth his daies they had been at great variance about the ceremonies ; yet when in queen maries reign they were imprisoned for the same cause , they forgat all former quarrels , loved , and wrote each to other as brethren . see dr. ridley's life , in my first part. in constantine's time the differences of the bishops were so many , and so great , that they brought in whole bundles of petitions one against another to the emperour , which he , out of a wonderfull desire after peace , would not so much as read , but burnt them all before their faces . aristides , and themistocles being sent joynt ambassadours to the same city , fell out by the way . aristides was stout enough , and crosse enough : yet when he came neer the city gates whither they were sent , he condescended so far as to bespeak themistocles in this manner ; sir , you and i are not now at leisure thus to squabble : let us dispatch our countrey affaires : it will be time enough to renew our quarrel when our work is at an end . plut. empedocles was of such a contentious disposition , that every day he would quarrel with some body or other , and prosecute his contentions with much violence . ravis . hyperbolus was a man so addicted to strife , and contention , that it grew into a proverb , ultra hyperbolum . frowardnesse is in the heart of a naughty person , he deviseth mischief continually , he soweth discord , prov. . . chap. lxix . examples of strange accidents . mathias huniades ( the thundering sonne of a lightning father ) being cast into prison by uladislaus king of hungary , and bohemia , was sent into bohemia to his execution , but uladislaus immediately after , dying upon the eating of a poisoned apple : the hungarians , partly affected with the merit of his father , and hopes of the sons valour , and partly by means of the solicitations of his friends , chose huniades for their king ; and to give him notice thereof , they sent letters by ambassadours to p●gibrachius king of bohemia , with whom matthias was prisoner : which he receiving at supper , presently raised matthias from the lower end of the table where he sate , and set him above himself , wishing him not to be dismayed , for he had glad tydings for him , which he would impart after supper , and so he did , saluting him king of hungary , and gave him katherine his daughter to wife : look glass . of the hol war. a young man , the son of sinan the jew [ a famous sea-captain under the turk ] having been taken prisoner by the christians , was at length delivered , and sent home to his father : the old man over-joyed at the sudden , and unexpected return of his son , in imbracing of him fainted , and presently dyed in an extasie of joy . turk . hist. p. . dudilius relates a sad story of one bochna , a woman who had but two sons , and whilest she was walking with one towards a river , she heard the other cry out , whereupon returning hastily to him , she found a knife sticking in him which soon ended his life . then did she return to her other child , thinking yet to solace her self with her now onely son : but he also in her absence was fallen into the river , and drowned , whereby she was deprived of them both in one hour . charles the second , king of spain , having wasted his spirits with voluptuousnesse and luxury , in his old age fell into a lethargy : and therefore to comfort his benummed joynts , he was by the advice of his physicians sowed up in a sheet steeped in aqua vitae ; the chirurgion having made an end of sowing the sheet , wanted a knife to cut off the thread , whereupon he took up a wax taper that stood by to burn it off : but the flame running by the thread , caught hold of the sheet in an instant , which ( according to the nature of aqua vitae ) burned so violently , that the old king ended his daies in the flame . eschilus the athenian , who fought stoutly in the battel of marathon , was afterwards warned by the oracle to take off a blow from above upon such a day : whereupon he removed out of the city when that day came , and went without his hat into the fields , thinking to make all sure : but an eagle taking his bald head for a stone , let a tortoise fall upon it , which dashed out his brains . plin. the wife of nausimenes the athenian , finding her son and daughter committing incest together , was so affected with the sight of that hainous crime , that she could find no words for the present to utter her indignation , and ever after remained dumb . one palevizine , an italian gentleman , and kinsman to the learned scaliger , had in one night all his hair changed from black to gray . scal. de sub . p. . the like befell a gentleman not many yeares since who was by our former parliament condemned to death , and should the next day have been executed . vergerius , the popes nuncio , intending to write a book against the lutheran apostates , ( for so he stiled them ) whilest he was searching into their tenents with a purpose to confute them , was himself converted : so that leaving his bishoprick , he lived and dyed a powerful preacher in germany : see his life in my first part. it is a rare happinesse of the family of st. laurence barons of hoath in ireland , that the heires thereof for years together alwaies have been of age before the death of their fathers : holy war. at the siege of perugia in italy , when the city was as good as wonne , onely a chain which was laid at●wart the gate , wanted cutting in sunder for a fuller entrance of the army ; upon a meer mistake of a souldier , crying , give back , meaning to get a fuller blow at the chain , all behind taking it for a word of command , ran quite away . at the battel of munda in spain between caesar , and pompey , where the whole world lay at the stak● , when caesar's souldiers began to shrink apace , and nothing but meer shame kept them from running away , by a meer mistake of king boguds sudden wheeling about to have surprised caesars camp : pompey's souldiers utterly lost the day . chap. lxx . examples of strange providences . vvhilest brennus with his gaules besieged the roman capitol , some of them in the night-time had with much difficulty climbed up a steep rock upon which it stood , and now were ready to scale the walls , and to set upon the sleeping watch , for neither man nor dog heard them : but it fell out that there were some holy geese kept in juno's temple , which hearing the gaules began to run upon and down , and to cry for fear , by which noise the watch was awakened , and by this providence the foolish geese betrayed the gaules , and preserved the capitol . plut. agathocles had for his father a potter , himself was brought up in the mire and clay : in his youth he learned nothing but impudence , whoredoms , and uncleannesse : but then turning souldier , he was afterwards made a captain , and marrying his predecessors wife whom he had first defiled , he gat great riches by her , so that at last he began to attempt the kingdom of syracuse , but was repelled : then he joyned with the sicilians , and brings an army to besiege syracuse , but prevails nothing : then he called the cathaginians to his assistance , yet could not prevail ; at last he gat the kingdom by craft , and subtilty : turned tyrant , murthered the princes , and people : then passing with his army into africk he makes war with the carthaginians , that had holpen him to the kingdom : and strangely prevails in many battels , yet at last was beaten , forsaken by his army , children , and friends , so that almost alone he returned into sicilie : keeps his kingdom . yet at last his nephew usurpes the crown , drives away his wife , and children from him , and slew agathocles . lipsius . leontius the athenian philosopher had a daughter called athenais , who was very beautiful and witty : and therefore the old man on his death-bed divided his estate amongst his sons , leaving her onely a small legacy : hereupon she went to law with her brothers hoping to recover more of them , but being overthrown in the suit , she went to constantinople ; there she insinuated her self into the acquaintance of pulcheria the emperours sister , who enquiring whether she was a virgin , brought her into the court , caused her to be instructed in the principles of christianity , and baptized , giving her the name of eudocia : and took such a liking to her , that she prevailed with her brother theodosius to take her to wife : long she continued in that happy condition ; but at length fell into suspicion upon this occasion : one presented the emperour theodosius with an apple of an extraordinary greatnesse , which for the rarity of it he sent to his wife eudocia : she presently gave it to paulinus , a facetious , and learned man : he knowing nothing whence it came , again presented it to the emperour ; the emperour marking it well , knew that it was the same which he had sent to his wife : hereupon he goes to her , and asks her for the apple he sent her , she rashly affirms , that she had eaten it : he asks again more earnestly , and she affirms the same with an oath : then the emperour being very angry produceth the apple ; and suspecting that paulinus was too familiar with his wife , he causeth him to be slain ; and divorceth his wife : she hereupon went to hierusalem where she led the remainder of her life holily , and chastly . lipsius . polycrates king of samia had never any adversity befell him in all his life : but all things happened to him according to his desire : heaven , earth , and sea seemed to favour him : wherefore having a ring that he much prized he threw it into the sea : but shortly after a fish being brought to his table , he found his ring in the belly of it : but his end was not such , for fighting with oroetes , a lieutenant of darius , he was overthrown , taken prisoner , and hanged upon an high crosse , whereby he dyed a miserable , and shamefull death . lipsius . valerianus the roman emperour after . yeares glorious reign , fighting with sapores king of persia , he was overthrown , and taken prisoner : sapores used to lead him about with him in chains , and when he was to get on horseback , caused him to lie down on his hands and knees , and so made a footstool of him to mount his horse by . diod. sic. bajazet , the first emperour of the turks , having reigned victoriously ten years together , in the great battel which he fought against tamerlane , was taken prisoner , put into an iron cage , and led about with tamerlane three years in that manner , being fed with scraps from the conquerours table , at last hearing that he should be so led into tartary ▪ he beat out his brains against the cage . see tamerlan's life in my second part. charles caraffa being made cardinal by pope paul the fourth , and his brother john , duke of palian , and earl of montore , lived in great honour , and wealth all that popes daies : but when by the help of these men especially , pius the th , was made pope , he took the two brethren , with others of their kindred , and imprisoned them in the castle of st. angelo , where they endured three years miserable captivity : at last by the command of the pope , the cardinal charles was strangled , and his brother john's head cut off ; and their bodies were thrown out into the open streets of rome to be a gazing stock to the people . lipsius . dion with a great courage but a small army , went into sicily to free syracuse from the grievous tyranny of dionysius ; and providence so ordered it , that when he came thither ▪ dionysius was gone into italy about other affaires : timocrites being left his substitute in syracuse , presently dispatches away a messenger to dionysius to assure him of dion's coming , and therefore to request him , ( all other businesses being set aside ) to hasten his return : the messenger in his journey met with a friend who had been offering sacrifice , and gave him a piece of the flesh , which he put into his budget where the letters to dionysius were , and not long after being weary , laid him down on the grasse to sleep ; presently came a wolfe ▪ and smelling the meat , snatched up the budget , and ran away with it : the man awakens , and mis●ing his budget , durst not go to dionysius , but turns another way : by this meanes dion had opportunity to get syracuse , and dionysius lost his kingdom . lipsius . in that great battel in the philippic fields between m. brutus , and cassius on the one party , and octavian caesar , and m. anthony on the other party : brutus had routed and put to flight octavian in the right wing ; and anthony had caused cassius to retire in the left wing : yet cassius onely retreared to an hill not far off , where he could easily have rallied his men again ; but by reason of the dust not knowing of brutus his victory , he sent l. titinnius , his intimate friend , to see what was become of brutus : titinnius meets with brutus his souldiers triumphing for their victory , they enquire after cassius , he tells them where he was ; whereupon they accompany titinnius to cassius to acquaint him with the good newes : cassius seeing them coming , and suspecting them to be enemies , and brutus to be overthrown , causes his freeman to cut his throat ; titinnius finding him dead through his default , he cuts his own throat also : brutus hearing of these sad accidents ( with cassius ) loses his courage , and victory . justin . hanibal after the victory at cannae domineered in italy at his pleasure , nothing remained but the taking of rome to compleat his work : about that time he enters into confederacy with philip king of macedon ; upon condition that the carthaginians should enjoy italy , and should help philip to subdue greece : for the confirming of this treaty philip sends xenophanes his ambassadour to hanibal : but he comes upon the coast of italy neer tarentum , and falls in amongst the roman navy , where being examined what he was , and whither he went ? he cunningly feignes that he was sent from king philip to the roman senate to enter into a league with them against hanibal : the romans rejoyce exceedingly at this good newes , expecting help in their low condition from so potent a king , and so land xenophanes , who presently travels to hanibal , and dispatches his businesse , and so returns : but again meets with the roman navy , which was commanded by q. fulvius : he again examines xenophanes ; who tells him that he had been with the senate at rome , and had concluded a league betwixt philip and them , against hanibal : fulvius believes him , and was about to dismisse him , but spying some in his train in african habits , he examines what they were , and growing suspitious , finds out the truth , casts them into bonds , sends them to rome : by which meanes the city was saved . lipsius . ludit in humanis divina potentia rebus . see strange accidents ; and the vanity of all earthly things . when philip king of macedonia heard so much good newes together ; viz. that parmenio his general had obtained a notable victory over his enemies : that alexander his son was born : and that his chariots had wonne the prize at the olympick games , all in one day , he called upon fortune to spice his joyes with some bitternesse , lest he should surfeit of them , and forget himself . diagoras having seen his three sons crowned with garlands of olive for their victories in the olympick games , one came running to him with this gratulation , morere diagoras , non enim in coelum ascensurus●es : as if he could have enjoyed no greater happinesse on earth , then what had already befallen him . chap. lxxi . examples of terrible famines . it 's one of gods terrible rods wherewith he scourges a sinful people , psal. . . isai. . . & . . jer. . . &c. & . . & . . & . . & . . & . , . & . . & . . ezek. . . . & . , . prayer , and repentance the means to remove it , king . . chron. . . god can preserve his in famine , job . ▪ . psal. . . & . . the miseries of it described , lam. . . &c. and . , , . it 's at gods command , king . . psal. . . jer. . . & . . famine of the word , amos . . scriptural examples , in abrahams time , gen. . . & . . in egypt , gen. . . in canaan , gen. . . & . . in israel , ruth . . in davids dayes , sam. . . in samaria , king . . in jerusalem , king . . jer. . . & . . & . . the athenians besieging sestus , brought the inhabitants to such extremity for want of food , that having eaten up all other things , they were fain to boile their bed-cords , and live upon them . herod . whilest king demetrius besieged athens , the citizens sustained a grievous famine , insomuch as a man and his son sitting in a house , there fell a dead mouse from the top of the house , and they fell together by the ears about it , whilest they strove which should have it : and epicurus the philosopher was forc'd to preserve his own , and the lives of his family , by giving them a few beans every day . diod. sic. about the year . there fell out so great a famine amongst the turks in hungary , that the tartar women that followed the camp , were fain to roast their own children , and eat them . turk hist. p. . in the reign of maximinus the roman emperour , there was such a cruel famine that multitudes died through hunger in the cities ; but more in the villages : divers brought out their best treasure , and gave it for any kind of sustinance , though never so little : others by selling their possessions for food , fell into extreme misery . some did eat grasse , others fell upon unwholesome herbs , whereby they hurt , or poisoned their bodies : many were driven to leave the cities , and to beg up , and down the countries : some through faintnesse fell down in the streets , and holding up their hands cryed miserably for some scraps , or fragments of bread , being ready to give up the ghost , and able to say no more then hung●● , hungry . in the siege of harlem under the d. de alva , their provisions being spent , they were forced to make bread of linseed , and turneps , and lived upon the flesh of horses , dogs , cats , &c. see in my general martyrologie divers remarkable stories which fell out in the time of a terrible famine in the siege of sancerre in france . pap. . &c. in the late massacre in ireland one mary barlow with her six children were all stripped stark naked , and turned out of doors , and being forced to shelter themselves in a cave , they had nothing to eat for three weeks space , but two old calves-skins which they beat with stones , and so eat them hair and all , her children crying out to her , rather to go out , and be killed by the irish , then to famish there . vvhilest the saxons here were heathens , god plagued them with such a cruel famine , that in sussex , many were so tormented with it , that sometimes by fourty together they would get upon the rocks by the sea-side , and throwing themselves from thence , drown themselves in the sea. pegu , one of the richest , and fruitfullest countries in the world ( whence probably solomon fetched his gold ) for it yields three harvests in the year : yet by reason of vvars , anno christi . the city of pegu formerly replenished with millions of inhabitants was so wasted by a terrible famine that there were scarce . persons , men , women , and children left therein , and those feeding on mans flesh , the parents requiring of their children that life which not long before they gave them , and now laid them , not in their bosomes , but in their bowels : the children became living sepulchres of their scarce dead parents : the stronger preyed upon the weaker : and if the famine had left on them nothing but skin and bones for those hungry raveners , they ripped up their bellies and devoured their inward parts , and breaking the skull , sucked out their brains raw . yea , the weaker sex was by the strength of famine armed with no lesse cruel despite against whomsoever they could meet in the streets of the city with their knives which they carried about them as harbingers to their teeth in these inhumane ▪ humane banquets . pur. pilgrimag . p. . about the year . the wars in transylvania had brought such a famine , that roots , herbs , and leaves of trees were their usual food : horses , dogs , cats , rats , &c. were rarities to the poor , and dainties beyond their reach : yea , a mother brought back into her womb ( by unnatural means satisfying nature ) her six children , and two men a●e their own mothers ; others cut down malefactors from the gallowes , and did eat them . idem . p. . the spaniards in their first plantation of dariena in the west-indes , though they met with gold enough , yet were afflicted with such a famine that one sold an old lean mangie dog to his fellowes for many pieces of gold : these flayed the dog , and cast his mangie skin , and bones of his head amongst the bushes : the next day another finds these full of magots , and stinking : but hunger had neither eies nor sent : he brought it home , sod , and ate it , and found many customers that gave him a piece of gold for a dish of that mangie broth . another found two frogs , and sod them , which a sick man bought for two fine shirts curiously wrought with gold : others found a dead man , ●o●ten and stinking , which putrifyed carcase they did rost , and eat : so that of . men , scarce . ( shadowes of men ) remained . idem . p. . see more in my two martyrologies . they that be slain with the sword are better then they that be slain with hungar : for these pine away stricken through , for want of the fruits of the field . lam. . . chap. lxxii . examples of gods judgments upon witches , conjurers , inchanters , and astrologers . it 's heathenish sin , deut. , , . ezek. . . . king . . nah. . . chron. . . king. . . forbidden , deut. . . jer. . . & . . & . . ezek . . lev. . . mich. . . gal . . isai. . . & ▪ . wicked seek to them , sam. . . ▪ king . . isai. . . & . , . ezek. . . &c. num. . , &c. acts . . sam. . . dan. . . & . . & . . god oft befools them , isai. . . mich. . . zach. . . they should be slaine , exod. . . levit. . . god punisheth such as seek to them , chron. . . regard not them that have familiar spirits , neither seek after wizards to be defiled by them , levit. . . a man , or a woman that hath a familiar spirit , or that is a wizard shall surely be put to death : they shall stone them with stones : their blood shall be upon them . levit. . . thou shalt not suffer a witch to live , exod. . . there shall not be found amongst you any one that useth divination , or an observer of times , or an inchanter , or a witch , or a charmer , or a consulter with familiar spirits , or a wizards , or a necromancer ▪ for all that do these things are an abomination to the lord , deut. . , , . when they shall say unto you , seek to them that have familar spirits , and unto wizards that peep , and mutter : should not a people seek unto their god ? isai. . . vitellius emperour of rome banished all astrologers out of italy , enacting that if any remained he should presently be put to death . suet. domitian the emperour also banished all astrologers under a severe penalty , eus. yet in his old age beving full of fears , he sent for an astrologer , and asked him about his death ; the astrologer told him that it was near at hand , then he asked him , what he thought of himself ? he told him that his destiny was , that shortly he should be torn in pieces with dogs . domitian to prove him a lyar , commanded him presently to be slaine , and his body to be burnt , but while it was in burning there fell out a great tempest that quenched the fire , and so his body half unburnt was devoured by dogs . su●t constantine forbad all to ask counsel at witches , o● to use the help of charmers , or sorcerers upon pain of death . saul when he sought to the witch at endor , instead of finding comfort , was told of his utter ruine , and destruction . sam. . . natholicus the th . king of the scots , who had usurped the crown , sent a trusty friend to a famous witch to know what successe he should have in his kingdom ? and how long he should live ? the witch answered , that he should shortly be murthered , not by an enemy , but by his friend . the messenger instantly inquired by what friend ? by thy self said the witch . the messenger at first abhorred the thought of any such villainy : but afterwards considering that it was not safe to reveal the witches answer , and yet that it could not be concealed , he resolved rather to kill the king to the content of many , then to hazard the losse of his own head : thereupon at his return , being in secret with the king , to declare to him the witches answer , he suddenly slew him . buc●an . cleomedes a great conjurer in rome having practised the death of many little children , the parents of them at last sought revenge on him , who to shun their fury shut himself up close in a coffer : but when they had broken it open the divel had carried away the conjurer . plut. piso being accused by tyberius for bewitching germanicus to death , instead of defending himself , cut his own throat . taci . there was in denmark one otto a great magician , and a great pirat who used to passe the seas without the help of a ship , or any other vessel , and by his divellish art to raise stormes , and drown his enemies ; but at last being overmatched by one that was more expert in that art then himself ; he was by him drowned in the seas . olaus mag. there was a conjurer in saltzburg , who attempted to gather together all the serpents there abouts into a ditch , and to feed them there : but as he was practising of it , the old serpent the divel drew him into the ditch amongst them , where he perished miserably . the governour of mascon , a great magician , as he was at dinner with some company , was snatched away by the divel , hoisted up into the air , and carried three times about the town to the great astonishment of the inhabitants to whom he cried for help , but all in vain . hugo de cluni . anno christi . in the reign of charles the th . king of france , sr. giles of britane , high-constable of france , was a wicked magician , having murthered above . infants , and women great with child , with whose blood he wrote books full of horrible conjurations , which being proved against him , he was adjudged to be hanged , and burned to death , which was accordingly executed . picus mirandula writes that in his time a great conjurer promised a certain prince that he would present to him the siege of troy , with hector , and achilles fighting together as when they were alive ; but as he was about his conjurations the divel carried him away that he was never heard of after . the lord of orue in lorraine when noble-men , or gentle-men came to visit him , used ( as they thought ) to serve them very honourbly with all sorts of daintie dishes , and viands , but when they departed they found their stomachs empty , having eaten nothing . on a time a lords servant going from thence having forgotten some thing behind him , went back , and suddenly entering the hall found a munkie beating the lord of the house that had feasted them : others reported that he hath been seen through the chink of a door lying on his belly along upon a table , and a munkie scourging him very strongly , to whom he would say , let me al ne ▪ wilt thou alwayes thus torment me ? at last he fell into so great misery , and beggery that he was fain to get into an hospital in paris , where he ended his wrethed life . anno christi . there was in nu●●mburg a popish priest that studied the black art , who coveting riches , the divel shewed him through a cristal , treasures hidden in a part of the city : thither therefore did the priest go with another companion , and having digged an hollow pit , he perceived in the bottom a coffer with a great black dog lying by it , which whilest he beheld , the earth fell upon him , and crushed him to death . wierus . cornelius agrippa was a great necromancer , and was alwayes accompanied with a familiar spirit in the shape of a black dog : but when his end approached , he took off the inchanted choller from the dogs neck , saying , get thee hence thou cursed beast , which hast utterly destroyed me : after which the dog was never seen : and he died a miserable death . p. jovius . zoroastres king of bactria , a great astrologer and magician was burned to death by the divel . theat . anno christi . one simon pembrook of st. georges parish in london was suspected to be a conjurer , and used to erect figures , for which he was called in question ; but whilest he was before the judge he fell down and died , having some conjuring books found about him . julian the apostate sending to delphos to enquire of the divel the successe of his parthian war : whilest his ambassadors were there , fire came down from heaven , and destroyed apollos temple , and beat his image all to pieces , like to the lightest , and smallest powder or dust . mr. tindal being present in a roome where a conjurer was , hindred him that he could not play his pranks . a saints presence may hinder satans elbow-roome from doing his tricks : see tindals life in my first part : and the like of athanasius in his life in the same book . chap. lxxiii . examples of apparitions , and satanical delusions . anno christi . in a synod held by the popish clergy at paris in france , there was one appointed to make a sermon , who as he was walking abroad , and meditating upon what subject to preach , the devil appeared to him , asking him what he needed to be so solicitous about that matter : say ( saith he ) in thy sermon , the princes of hell salute you , o ye princes of the church , and gladly give you thanks , for that through your default , and negligence it comes to passe , that so many soules come down to hell . adding , that he was enforced by god to declare the same : yea , and he gave this priest a certain token , whereby the synod might evidently see that he did not lie . on a time as luther was walking in his garden , the devil appeared to him in the likenesse of a black boar : but luther sleighting , and not regarding him , he vanished away . see his life in my first part. luther telleth us , that when he was lodged in the castle of wartzhurg in a chamber far from any company , he was many times molested by noises made by the devil in his chamber , and on his staires : but i ( saith he ) encountred him with that sentence , omnia subjecisti pedibus ejus , thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet : and so i laid me down , and slept in safety . collo . mens . another of the german divines in luther's time as he was sitting at his book in his study , the devil appeared , looking over his shoulder , which the minister perceiving , took a piece of paper , and wrote in it , the son of god came to dissolve the works of the devil : and so holding up that paper to the devil , he vanished . senerclaus tells of a plain countrey man at friburg in germany , to whom , as he lay on his death-bed , the devil appeared in the shape of a tall , and grimme man , claiming his soul , saying , thou hast been a notorious sinner , and i am now come to set down all thy sins , and thereupon drew out paper and ink , and sitting down at a table that stood by , began to write . the sick man said ; my soul is christs , and all my sins were nailed to his crosse ; but if thou desirest to set down my sins , write thus : all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags . the devil set that down , and bade him say on . he did ; but thou , lord , hast promised for thine own names sake to blot out all our iniquities : and to make our scarlet sins white as snow . the devill would not write these words , but was earnest with the man to go on in his former confession . then said the sick man with great cheerfulnesse ; the son of god appeared to destroy the works of the devil : whereupon the devil vanished , and shortly after the sick man dyed . mr. white of dorchester being a member of the assembly of divines was appointed minister of lambeth ; but for the present could get no convenient house to dwell in , but one that was possessed by the devil : this he took ; and not long after his maid sitting up late , the devil appeared to her , whereupon in a great fright she ran up to tell her master ; he bid her get to bed , saying ; she was well served for sitting up so late : presently after the devil appeared to mr. white himself standing at his beds feet : to whom mr. white said ; if thou hast nothing else to do ▪ thou mayest stand there still ; and i will betake my self to my rest : and accordingly composing himself to sleep , the devill vanished . not long since at stetin a university in pomerania there was a young student , that upon some discontent gave himself to the devil , and made a bond upon the contract , which , that it might not come to the knowledge of any , he laid up in one of his books : but it pleased god some time after , that another student wanting that book upon some occasion knew not where to get it : at last he remembred that such an one had it , whereupon he went to him , and borrowed it of him , the young man having forgotten that he had put this bond into it . the other when he came home , began to turn over the book , and there met with the bond , and reading of it was much affrighted , and not knowing what to do , he went to dr. cramerus a professor of divinity in that university , to ask his advice , who wished him to keep the bond : the other replied that he durst not ; then said the dr. bring it to me , and i will keep it . some few nights after as the dr. was in his study , the devill came rapping at his study door , saying , cramer , cramer , give me by bond , for it belongs to me , and thou hast nothing to do with it . to whom the dr. answered ; satan , satan , thou shalt not have the bond , thou hast nothing to do with it , i have put it where thou canst not fetch it ; for it is in my bible at the third chapter of genesis ; where these words are , the seed of the woman shall break the serpents head : upon this the devil ( taking his chamber-window with him ) went his way . crescentius the popes legate at the councill of trent , as he was upon a time writing letters till mid-night to the pope ; being about to rise to refresh himself , there came in a great black dog , with flaming eyes , and eares hanging almost to the ground , which came to the table where he sate , and then vanished : the cardinal affrighted called in his servants , caused them to look about the chamber for the dog , and when they could not find him , he immediately fell sick , and in his sicknesse was alwaies calling upon those about him to drive away the dog that clumbe upon his bed , and so continued till he dyed . sleid. comment . anno christi . about the moneth of october , came some quakers out of the north into wales about v●rexham , endeavouring to winne some professours to their party : their principal design was to disgrace the ministry , and all publick ordinances . they held universal redemption , free-will , and falling from grace : they published that all men have the pure seed of god in them : boasting that themselves were perfect , and without sin : that they knew at the first sight sincere christians from hypocrites . at their meetings after long silence , sometimes one , sometimes more fell into a great and dreadfull shaking , and trembling in their whole bodies , and all their joynts with such risings , and swellings in their bellies , and bowels , sending forth such shreekings , yellings , howlings , and roarings , as not onely affrighted the spectators , but caused the dogs to bark , the swine to cry , and the cattell to run about , to the astonishment of all that heard them . by these artifices one vvilliam spencer was drawn by them to leave the church , and to follow them , whereupon at several times he fell into the same quaking fits : and lying with one of them three severall nights ; the last night being much troubled , and not able to sleep , upon a sudden he heard something buzzing , and humming about the quakers head like an humble bee , which did sore affright him , whereupon he sought to rise : but the quaker perswaded him to lie still : and immediately there arose a great wind , and storm , which shook the house wherein they lay : which adding much to his former fear , he again attempted to arise : but the quaker still pressed him to lie still , perswading him to expect the power to come ( which they often promise to their proselytes , ) and thereupon he again heard the former humming noise which more and more terrified him , so that he strove vehemently to rise , but the quaker laid his head upon spencer's shoulder , and did blow hard like the hissing of a goose several times towards his face , or mouth , which made him leap out of his bed in a great astonishment , crying for a light , and guide to conduct him to a neighbours house : and upon this occasion left them altogether , testifying the truth hereof to the quaker's face before many witnesses , the quaker not denying it . attested under several hands . see the like in the chapter of heresies . chap. lxxiv . examples of dissimulation . it 's forbidden , rom. . . psal. . . jam. . . pet. . . complained of , josh. . . jer. . . prov. . psal. . . scriptural examples , jacob , gen. . . jacobs sons , gen. . . joseph , gen. . ▪ . david , sam. . . ammon , sam. . . absalon , sam. . , , . hushai , sam. . . & . . joab , sam. . , . jeroboams wife , king. . , . jehu , king. . , . & . . sanballat , neh. . . shemaiah , and others , neh● . . , . esther , ch . . . with . davids enemies , psal. . . jeremiah , ch . . . ismael , jer. . . herod , matth. . . judas , luk. . . joh. . , . false apostles , cor. . , . peter , barnabas , and other jews , gal. . , . the beast , rev. . . other examples . tiberius caesar when the empire was first proffered to him , seemed very shie in accepting of it , whereupon one noting his dissimulation said to him : other men are slow to perform what they promise ; thou dost slowly promise what thou performest . nothing his delay in what he most desired . eras. apoth . caligula in the beginning of his empire seemed to be very mild , and merciful : but theodore gadaroeus his master said that he was lutum sanguine mac●ratum , noting his cruel disposition , as afterwards it came to passe . nero in the first five years of his reign pretended to all manner of virtue : so that the people said that he excelled their former good emperours : but afterwards laying aside his dissimulation , he proved a pest and plague to the whole world what devillish dissimulation charles the th . king of france used to draw the admiral , and the protestant nobility into his snare : see in my gen. martyrologie p. . &c. richard duke of gloucester was so cunning a dissembler that he would accompany most familiarly , and jest pleasantly with such as he hated in his heart : he made his conscience in all things serve his will , though his will could not be obtained without the effusion of guiltlesse blood : when he had murthered king edward the th . his nephew , and his brother in the tower , and had cut off the heads of some of the lords that stood in his way , he suborned one dr. shaw in a sermon at pauls crosse to blazon his honourable birth , and parentage , to relate his virtues , to commend his valour , to weaken the fame , and honour of the deceased king edward by reason of his lasciviousnesse with shores wife , to basterdize all his children as being born in adultery , &c. and applying his speech to the worthinesse , and goodnesse of richard , he took it for granted that the people could not choose but receive him for their undoubted sovereign , and king , and so he strove to have prepared the multitude to have shouted when richard came in , and to have cryed , king richard , king richard : but he failed of his purpose , for every man was silent , and more surprised with wonder then with applause , to see how wickedly these businesses were carried on . the next day the duke of buckingham went to guildhall in london , and there to the citizens endeavoured by like arguments to make richard the protector the right , and undoubted heire , and inheriter of the crown , and though the people took no content in this speech , nor by their voyces assented to that which was delivered , yet he procured the lord major , and aldermen the next day to go with him , and many other lords to bainard's castle to the protector , where they offered him to receive him for their lawfull king , intreating him to accept of the burden : but oft-times he refused to grant their request : yet at last ( seeming to be overcome by their importunity ) he assented : and thus by their perswasions he gained his own hearts desire . mart. chron. chap. lxxv . examples of envy . envy dangerous , job . . prov. . . & . . matth. . . mar. . . act. . . & . . & . . rom. . . phil. . . . tim. . . tit. . . jam. . . eccl. . . jam. . , . forbidden , prov . . & . . esay . . and . . pet . . rom. . . cor. . . gal. . . cor. . . gal. . . psal. . . prov. . , . threatned , ezek. . . scriptural examples : achitophel envied hushai , sam. . . the israelites , moses , psal. . . the philistims , isaac , gen. . . rachel her sister , gen. . . jacob's sons , joseph , gen. . . josuah for moses , num. . . the elder son , the prodigal , luk. . . the priests , jesus , matth. . . cain , abel , gen. . . the jewes , paul , act. . . & . . the princes , daniel , chap. . , &c. saul , david , sam. . , . the apostles , luk. . . sathan , our first parents , gen. . , &c. dathan , and abiram , moses . other examples : themistocles did so envy aristides for that favour which he found in athens , that when he had no other exceptions against him , he suggested to the people , that aristides by his just and upright dealing engrossed all matters of judicature into his own hands , and thereby affected the sole power , and overthrow of all their other tribunals , for which he caused him to be banished . plut. their banishment was called ostracisme , and the manner was thus ; every citizen was to write his name in a shell whom he would have banished , and if did not concur in their judgments , there could be no ostracisme : now when aristides was to be banished , a certain illiterate citizen met him in the street , and because he could not write himself , desired him to set down aristides his name in his shell : aristides wondring at it , asked him whether he had ever suffered any wrong from aristides , or whether he knew him if he saw him ? no , said the other , i know him not , neither did he ever wrong me , but yet i envy him because her hath gotten the sirname of just. aristides wondring at it , took the mans shell , wrote down his own name , and so delivered it , never discovering himself to him . plut. after the great battel of platea betwixt the persians , and grecians , which was obtained by the valour , and wisdome of themistocles , and aristides , all the grecian captains , having sworn upon the altar , that according to their consciences they would give their voices to him that best deserved it , every one gave himself the first place for worthinesse , and the second to themistocles , though it was full sore against their wills , every one much envying his glory . plut. alexander m. having given to taxilis , an indian king a thousand talents , meleager one of his friends told him , that he was glad that he had found something in india which was worth a thousand talents : to whom alexander answered , invidos homines nihil aliud quàm ipsorum esse tormenta : that envious persons were a great torment to themselves . q. cur. cambyses king of persia slew his brother smerdis out of envy , because he could draw a stronger bowe then himself , or any of his followers . horod . phidias that curious workman that made minerva's shield with so much art , was out of envy falsly accused by meno , another workman , and being condemned was forced to drink poison . plut. cato major was so envied for his wisdom , and virtue , that fourty six times he was publickly accused and forced to plead his cause before the people , yet alwaies came off cleer . sab. mutius a citizen of rome was noted to be of such an envious , and malevolent a disposition , that publius one day observing him to be very sad , said , either some great evill is happened to mutius , or some great good to another . suet. caligula out of envy caused esius proculus to be slain , because he was a beautiful young man. ravis . adrian the emperour did so envy the glory of trajan his predecessour , that he gave away armenia . assyria , and mesopotamia to the parthians , which trajan had conquered ; and brake down a bridge over the river danubius which trajan had built with great cost , and labour . volat. invidia virtutis comes . a sound heart is the life of the flesh : but envy the rottennesse of the bones , prov. . . chap. lxxvi . examples of fame , name , renown . it 's desireable , prov. . . phil. . . zeph. . , . prov. . . deut. . . sam. . . king. . . gen. . . chron. . . it 's gotten by faith , and obedience , rom. . . & . . heb. . . by sufferings for christ , phil. . . heb. . . scriptural examples : some before the flood , gen. . . solomon , king. . . & . , . david , chron. . . mordecai , esth. . . some , chr. . . uzziah , chron. . . other examples . alexander magnus when he came to achilles's tomb fell a weeping to consider , that he had homer to sing his praises , and to perpetuate them , whereas he had no such poet to set forth his commendations . fulgos. lysander the lacedemonian seeking after fame , had alwaies about him chaerilus the poet , that he might celebrate in verse all his victories , and virtues . idem . l. sylla , when a certain poet had made some verses in his commendation , thinking that his fame would be rather obscured , then continued by so mean a poet , gave him a great reward that he should write no more of him . idem . pompey the great when theophanes of mitylene had written his great victories and praises , by way of recompence bestowed a city upon him . val. max. augustus caesar when he made his will , affixed to it four books wherein all his great actions were recorded , requiring that they should be engraven in brazen pillars at his sepulchre . dion . aelius adrianus wrote the history of his own actions with great diligence , and lest coming out in his own name the truth should be questioned , he published them in the name of one of his freed-men . fulgos. alphonsus of aragon , king of sicily , seeking glory , and fame , did not onely build many stately edifices ; but kept about him panormitan , an excellent poet , and bartholomew faccius , a skilful historian to record his actions . idem . the cities built by alexander , seleucus , the caesars , &c. and called after their own names , shew how ambitious they were of renown . the same alexander commanded that no man should draw his picture but apelles , the most exquisite painter in the world ; and that his statue should not be made in brasse , by any one but lysippus , the most excellent workman in that kind : and he bargained with chaerilus the poet , that for every good verse which he made in his praise , he should have a piece of gold , and for every bad one , a box on the ear . eras. when alexander m. had overthrown the walls of thebes , phryne , an harlot , proffered at her own charges to build them up again , upon condition that there might be ingraven upon them ; alexander overthrew them , but phryne restored them . idem . thucydides accused pericles to the people of athens , for bestowing such great summes of money upon excellent workmen for making pictures , and statues : whereupon pericles asked the people what they thought that those things had cost ? they answered , very much . well ( saith pericles ) i then will be at the whole charge of them , provided that my name may be set upon them all . upon this the people changed their minds , and commanded that they should be paid for out of the common treasury . idem . belisa●ius after he had often overcome the goths in italy , and had taken prisoner their king vitiges , as also gilimer , king of the vandals in africk , and had setled africk , and sicily in peace , and often triumphed over the persians : he caused a golden crosse of an hundred pounds weight beset with precious stones to be made , and therein to be engraven all his victories , which he dedicated to st. peters church in rome , presuming that out of respect to the holinesse of the place , it would continue there as a lasting monument of his praises . fulgos . cornelius gallus being sent by octavius caesar to govern egypt ; began to grow very proud of his great honour : commanding his statues to be erected in all the chiefest places of egypt , and his actions to be engraven upon the pyramids . dion . a good name is better then precious oyntment , eccles. . . chap. lxxvii . examples of incontinence , impudence , and rapes . condemned , tim. . . the punishment of it , deut. . &c. hos. . , , . ephes. . . tim. . . heb. . . rev. . . & . cor. . . lev. . . heb. . . the evil of it , prov. . , &c. hos. . . king. . . cor. . , &c. gal. . . prov. . . luk. . . whores described . prov. . . forbidden , lev. . act. . , . cor. . . ephes. . . col. . . thess. . . cor. . , . heb. . . complained of , hos. . . jude . rom. . . jer. . . prov. . . ezek. . . & . . jer. . . & . . remedies of it , cor. . . matth. . . job . . scriptural examples : rahab , josu . . . sampson , judg. . . & . . two women , king. . . ammon , sam. . . benjamites , judg. . . elie's sonnes , sam. . . an israelite , num. . . sechem , gen. . . judah , gen. . . jesabel , king. . . the strumpet , prov . . the women , jer. . , . potiphar's wife , gen. . . absalon , sam. . . ammon , sam. . . examples of impudence . other examples . ninias the son of ninus and semiramis , kept himself alwaies shut up in his palace , and wholly spent his time amongst whores , and catamites . diod. sic. the like course did sardanapalus take , thinking that all his felicity consisted in luxury , and uncleannesse . at last arbaces , and belochus two of his princes conspired against him , and besieged him in ninive , and when he saw that he could hold out no longer , he caused a great pile of wood to be made in his palace , in which he shut up all his concubines , and catamites together with all his gold , silver , and treasures , and so setting it on fire , he cast himself into it , whereby they all perished together . diod. sic. candaules king of lydia having a very beautiful woman to his wife , would needs make one of his nobles called gyges a witnesse thereof : and placing him behind the hangings in his chamber , he caused his wife to strip her self naked , and to walk up and down the chamber , that so gyges might the better see her compleat beauty : but when the queen came afterwards to hear of i● , she caused gyges to kill the king her husband , and then married him , saying ; that she was onely fit for him that had so seen her nakednesse . herod . megahysus general to darius in europe , sent ambassadours to amyntas king of macedon , requiring him to send darius earth , and water , in token of subjection : amyntas fearing the persian power assented to it , and made the ambassadours a great supper ; these persians being merry with wine , required amyntas to bring forth his wives , and daughters for their further entertainment ; amyntas consented , brought them forth , and placed them over against the ambassadours , who being almost drunken , they began to kisse the matrones , and virgins , and immodestly to handle their breasts : alexander the son of amyntas taking this in scorn , desired his father to withdraw himself , whilest he chastised the petulancy of the persians : and then calling forth the women , as if it were for them to dresse themselves more curiously , he caused divers youths to be dressed in their apparel , who carrying daggers under their clothes ; when the drunken ambassadours began to handle them immodestly , with their daggers they slew them all . pez . mel. hist. claudius tib. caesar was so impudent , that he caused naked maids , and women to bring in , and attend upon him at supper . pez . mel. hist. examples of rapes . solon made a law amongst the athenians , that if any one ravished a free woman he should pay an hundred drachmes , and the pander that procured it should pay drachmes : as also that it should be lawful for any man to sell his daughter , or sister , if she committed whoredome before marriage . plut. two young men of sparta being sent to the oracle of apollo at delphos , in their journey lodged at the house of one scedasus in leuctra , a good man , and given much to hospitality : this scedasus had two daughters , beautifull virgins , upon whom these young men cast wanton eyes , and as they came back again , they turned into the same house , at which time scedasus was from home , and the maids gave them kind entertainment , but they seeing their opportunity ravished them , and when they saw them make grievous moan for the wrong which they had suffered , they murthered them , and threw them into a pit , and so departed . not long after scedasus came home , and missing his daughters , looked up , and down for them ; at last a little dog that he had came whining to him , and ran out of doors inviting him to follow , which at last he did , and the dog brought him to the pit into which they were thrown , whence he drew them out , and hearing by his neighbours that those two men had been again at his house , he concluded that they were the murtherers , and therefore went to lacedaemon , to complain to the magistrates of that barbarous cruelty , where he made his moan first to the ephori , and being neglected by them , then to the kings , and they also neglecting it , he complained to the people , and finding no redresse , he with hands lift up to heaven complained to the gods , and then stabbed himself : but god left not this wickednesse long unpunished , for shortly after in a great battel which the lacedaemonians fought in leuctra against the thebans , they were overthrown , and abundance of them were slain . xenoph. when alexander m. took the city of thebes by storm , one of his captains ravished timoclea , a lady of admirable beauty , after which he asked her where she had hid her gold , and jewels ? she told him , she would shew him the place , and so taking him into her orchard , she shewed him a deep pit , which whilest he stooped to look into , she pushed him into it , and then overwhelmed him with stones : for this she was accused , and brought before alexander , who asked her who she was ? she with an undaunted courage answered : i am the sister of theagines , who lost his life , fighting valiantly against thee for the liberty of greece at cheronaea : alexander wondring at her beauty , and boldnesse , set her , and all her children at liberty . diod. sic. alexander m. having conquered persia , and taken persepolis the regal city , made a great feast to his captains , at which many curtizans were also present , and amongst the rest , thais , that famous athenian strumpet , who having bewitched alexander with her beauty , perswaded him to burn down the queens palace , which was so stately a thing , that the like was not in the world . parmenio much disswaded him from it , telling him what a dishonor it would be to him , by such a shamefull act to destroy that which he had gotten by his virtue , and valour , and how distastfull it would be to all the asiaticks , who would thereby judge that he came not to conquer , and to possesse , but to lay waste asia : but alexander was so intoxicated with this harlot , that to gratifie her , he refused that good counsell , and caused it to be burnt down . q. cur. aurelius a roman painter , was so impudent , that all his delight was to draw the pictures of whores , and harlots , in immodest postures . plin. aristogiton an athenian orator was so impudent in his whoredomes , that the athenians called him dog. volat. octavianus caesar banished his daughter julia into a certain island , for that in an immodest manner she frequented feasts in the night time . dion . she caught him , and kissed him , and with an impudent face said unto him : come , let us take our fill of love untill the morning , let us solace our selves with loves , prov. . , . chap. lxxviii . examples of gods judgments on the jewes for crucifying christ , and their other wickednesse . the jewes were banished rome , act. . they persecuted paul , cor. . . act. . . & . . & , . & . . they were desperately hardened , cor. . , . thess. . . reject the gospel of christ , act. . . the jewes which crucified the lord of life , and wished that his blood might be upon them , and their children , presently after , through the just judgment of god , had blood to drink in full measure : for besides their afflictions in divers countries , being tossed up , and down by the deputies of the romans ; there were slain in caesarea in one day . at alexandria another day : at zabulon , and joppa , besides the burning of the townes . at damascus had their throats cut . in the siege of hierusalem they were so famished , that oxens dung was accounted good meat : others fed upon old leather , and some women boiled their own children , and did eat them . many thinking to save their lives by flying to the romans were slit in pieces to search for gold , and jewels in their guts : two thousand dyed thus miserably in one night : were taken prisoners at the taking of the city by titus : eleven hundred thousand were slain . as for the prisoners some of them were carried to rome in triumph . others were slain in sundry places at the conquerers will : some were torn in pieces , and devoured by wild beasts : others were compelled to march in troops against their fellowes , and to kill one another to make the spectators sport . the reliques of these wretched people were dispersed into all nations under heaven , having no magistrates of their own to protect them , but were , and still are altogether at the will , and discretion of the lords of those countries where they sojourn : so that no nation in the world is so vile , and contemptible as the jewes . in the time of julian the apostate he gave leave to the jewes to re-build the temple at jerusalem ; but so soon as they had laid the foundations thereof , all was overthrown by an earthquake , many thousands of them being overwhelmed with the mines ; and those which were left , were slain , and scattered by a tempest , and thunder . the jewes at imnester near antioch celebrating their accustomed playes , and feasts , in the middest of their jollity according to their custome , they reviled christ , and in contempt to him , gat a christian's child , and hung him upon a crosse , and after many mocks , and taunts whipt him to death . so also they served a boy called simeon , anno christi . and another in fretulium five years after . at another time they took a carpenters sonne in hungary , in contempt of christ , whom they called the son of a carpenter , and cutting all his veines sucked out all his blood with quills : and being apprehended and tortured , they confessed that they had done the like at thirna four years before , and that they could not be without christian blood , for that therewith they anointed their priests : but at all these times their wickednesse being discovered , they suffered just punishment , by hanging , burning , or some other cruel death . anno christi . one eleazar a jew bought the holy host of a popish priest , and most despightfully thrust it through with his knife , for which he was burned ; and the like have others of them done at several times . fincel . anno christi . a jew stole the picture of christ out of a church , and chrust it in contempt many times thorow with his sword , out of which when blood miraculously issued , the caitiffe would have burned it : but being taken in the manner by some christians , they stoned him to death . gasp. aedio . l. . c. . the jewes whilest they were suffered to live here in england , used every year to steal some christian's child , and on good-priday to crucifie him in despite of christ , and the christian religion . thus they served a child at lincoln , anno christi . under the reign of king henry the third : and another at norwich , having first circumcised him , and kept him a whole year : for which being apprehended thirty two of them were put to death at lincoln , and twenty at norwich : others of them being besieged at york when they could hold out no longer , cut their own throats , whereby fifteen hundred of them perished at that time . at northhampton many of them were burnt for attempting to set the city on fire with wildfire : and at last for their many wicked practices , they were utterly banished the kingdome of england by king edward the first , anno christi . for which the commons gave the king a fifteenth . judea hath now onely some few parcels of rich ground found in it , that men may guesse the goodnesse of the cloth by the finenesse of the shreads , wherein the word of god is fulfilled , psal. . . he turneth a fruitful land into barrennesse , for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein . in the reign of adrianus the emperour , he sent severus his general against the jewes , who by reason of their multitudes would not try it out in a set battel , but proceeding more warily , and taking his opportunitie , he by degrees took fifty of their fortified castles , rased nine hundred , and fourscore of their best townes , and slew five hundred , and eighty thousand of their men : besides innumerable multitudes which perished by famine , sicknesse , and fire : so that almost all judaea was left destitute : and adrian by an edict prohibited the jewes from coming neer to hierusalem , or once from any high place to look towards the same , or the region adjoyning . dion . salmanticensis saith , that there was a decree made at rome , that no jew should ever enter cyprus ( the place where their rebellion began ) and that adrian destroyed twice as many jewes as moses brought out of egypt : he rased hierusalem , and not far from it built another city ( the now hierusalem ) and called it after his own name aelia . and over the gate of this city he placed the statues of swine , which were faithful porters to prohibit the superstitious iewes from entrance . this was about the year . st. hierom tells us , that in his time on that day wherein hierusalem was taken by the romans , you may see decrepit women , and old ragged men , and many wretched people ( but pitied of none ) with blubbered cheeks , black armes , dishevelled hair , howling , and lamenting for the ruines of their sanctuary , in their bodies , and habits bearing , and wearing ●he sad characters of divine vengeance , of whom the souldiers also exact their fee , for liberty of further weeping : so that they which formerly sold the blood of christ , are now fain to buy their own teares . in the reign of trajan ( adrian's predecessour ) the jewes rebelled in egypt , and cyrene , where they slew many greeks , and romans , did eat their flesh , girt themselves with their guts , imbrewed themselves with their blood , and clothed themselves with their skins : many they sawed in sunder from the crown downwards , many they cast to the beasts , &c. hereupon trajan sent against them martius turbo , who destroved many thousands of them : and fearing lest the jewes in mesopotamia should break out into the like outrages , he commanded lucius quietus to destroy them utterly , who so diligently executed his will ▪ that the emperour to recompence his service made him president of judea . dion . in creet there arose amongst them a false prophet that affirmed himself to be moses that led the israelites through the red-sea , telling them that he was come to lead them through the sea into the holy land : thus for a whole year he went from city to city amongst them , perswading them to leave their riches to any that would take them , and to follow him ; and at a day appointed he went before them to a promontorie of the sea , and there bidsthem leap in , which many doing perished in the waves , and more would have done but that some christian merchants , and mariners saved some , and stayed the madnesse of others : but when the iews sought to revenge themselves on this counterfeit moses , he could no where be found , and thereupon they concluded him to be the devil in humane shape that thus sought their destruction . socrates . adrian banished of them into spain , whence they were again banished by ferdinand , and isabel , anno christi . at which time there went out of spain families : from thence they passed into tuscany , and the popes dominions , but were again banished thence by paul the fourth and pius the fifth . but it would be endlesse to shew what miseries they have endured ever since they committed that great sin . chap. lxxix . images , idols . forbidden , exod . . & . . & . . deut. . . lev. . . num. . . deut. . ezek. . . lev. . . act. . . destroyed , king. . . & . , . & . . & . . & . . chron. . , & . . & . . & . , . isa. . ier. . . & . . ezek. . . chron. . . & . . king . . isa. . . & . . hos. . . they called them gods , gen. . . king. . . & . . act. . . exod. . . worshipped them , ier. . . trusted in them , ier. . . isa. . . psal. . . hab. . . consulted with them , ezek. . . swore by them , ier. . . & . . zeph. . . king. . . & . . they are teachers of lies , hab. . . ier. . . and profit nothing , isa. . . much question there is about the beginning of idolatry : these three causes seem not improbable : when a father mourned grievously for his son taken away by immature death , he made his image , which in processe of time was worshipped as a god ; and served with ceremonies , and sacrifices . the people made the images of great tyrants , and honoured them , that so they might by this flattery live the more peaceably under them . the ambitious skill of the workman , that through the beauty of the work the multitude being allured , took him for a god , that a little before was honoured but as a man. lactantius saith , that when noah cast off his son cham for his wickednesse . he went into canaan , and his posterity being ignorant of god , because their founder or prince received not of his father rules for gods worship , quickly sell to idolatry : the egyptians being not covered with houses by reason of the temperate ayr , observing the motions of the stars , whilest they often viewed them more curiously fell to worship them : after which they invented monstrous shapes of beasts , and worshipped them : others scattered into other regious , admiring the heavens , sun , moon , earth , sea , without images , or temples worshipped them . and sacrificed to them , till afterwards they erected temples , and images to their most puissant kings , and ordained to them sacrifices , and incense , &c. chap. lxxx . exmples of superstition . to do that in gods worship which he commands not is superstition , ier. . . to do that which is right in our own eyes , deut. . . judg. . . numb . . . observers of times , deut. . , . lev. . . gal. . . false worship , deut. . . & . . exod. . , . mens traditions , matth. . , . col. . . mar. . , . will-worship , col. . , , . scriptural examples : they which take up any thing on their own heads , and put religion therein ; as , the israelites not eating the sinew ▪ gen. . . gideon in making an ephod , judg. . . philistines not treading on the threshold , sam. . . rachel stealing her fathers idols , gen. , . balaam in trying the lord in several places , num. . , , , . naaman in taking two mules load of earth , &c. king. , . micha his house of gods , judg. . . the danites , judg. . . worshippers in high places , king. . , . & . . & . . king. . . chron. . . scribes , and pharisees , matth. . , . mar. . , . joh. . . galatians , ch. . , . colossians , ch. . , , , . all the heathen in their idolatry , act. . . other examples . the aegyptians of all other nations were most foolish , and vain in their superstitions ; for they did not onely worship the dead , as isis , serapis , and anubis , but even the basest of living creatures , as doggs , catts , crocodiles , haukes , ichnumons , wolves , &c. to these they gave food ; consecrated fields , and tributes to them , the images of these they carried in their ensigns , and if any man killed any of these , they were punished with death for it . lipsius . also in the time of a great famine they spared these creatures , and chose rather to feed upon mans flesh : yea they fed these creatures with mans flesh to preserve their lives . diod. sic. the carthaginians were so superstitious that they used to sacrifice men , and boyes to saturn , in the armes of whose brazen image they used to lay them , and then to tumble them alive into a pit of fire ; and this they did upon certain daies each year : but especially they multiplyed these sacrifices in the time of any publick calamity ; so that having suffered a great losse by agathocles , they resolved to offer young noble-mens sons to appease the angry deity ; yea , and there were so many youths that voluntarily offered themselves hereunto . plut. when s●e●igrade in egy●us was besieged by the great turk , a traitor within ( knowing how superstitiously the garrison souldiers abhorred tasting any thing that they deemed unclean ) threw a dead dog into the onely well that supplyed the city with water : upon the discovery whereof the souldiers chose rather to die then to drink of it , whereupon the city was delivered up to the turk : see scanderbeg's life in my second part. the idol moloch , or saturn , amongst the idolatrous jewes was represented by a man-like brazen body , and with the head of a calf . the children offered to moloch were inclosed within the body of this idol which was compassed about with a great fire , and as the idol heated , the sacrificers filled the ayr with the noise of instruments , that the pitifull cryes of the sacrificed children might not be heard . the women mourning for thammus , ezek. . . were such as mourned in their sacrifices to isis , the wife of osiris , after the idolatrous manner of the egyptians . chap. lxxxi . life , long life , life sweet . the age of the ante-diluvian patriarchs . adam lived years . seth lived years . enos lived yeares . cainan lived yeares . mahalaleel lived years . jared lived yeares . enoch lived before his translation years . methuselah lived yeares . lamech lived years . after the flood . noah lived yeares . shem lived years . arphaxad lived years . salah lived years . eber lived years . peleg lived years . reu lived years . serug lived years . nahor lived years . terah lived years . abraham lived years . isaac lived years . long life is promised as a blessing in these scriptures , exod. . . psal. . . prov. . . isa. . . ephes. . . anno christi . in the reign of lewis the grosse king of france there dyed johannes de temporibus , who had been armour-bearer to charles the great , and was when he died yeares old . naucle . there came a man of bengala to the portugals in the east-indies , who was years old : and the old men of the countrey testified that they had heard their ancestors speak of his great age : he was not book-learned , yet was a speaking chronicle of those forepassed times : his teeth had sometimes fa●ne out , yet others came up in their rooms . for this his miraculous age the sultan of cambaia had allowed him a stipend to live on ; the like also did the governour of portugal ; having now dispossessed the aforenamed sultan . p. pilgrimage . p. . antigonus observing one of his souldiers to be a very valiant man , and ready to adventure upon any desperate service , yet withall observing that he looked very pale , and lean , would needs know of him what he ailed , and finding that he had on him a secret , and dangerous disease , he caused all possible means to be used for his recovery : which when it was effected , the king observed him to be lesse forward in service then formerly , and demanding the reason of it , he ingenuously confessed ; that he now felt the sweetnesse of life , and therefore was loath to lose it . chap. lxxxii . mirth , facetious speeches , pithy sentences . themistocles used in mirth to say , that of all other people , the grecians were the most powerful , and that of the grecians , the athenians ruled over most : and that he ruled the athenians , and that his wife ruled him , and his young son ruled his wife . herod . on a time one requested lycurgus to set up a popular government in lacedaemon , where the meanest might have as much authority as the greatest : begin , saith he , first to do it in thine own house . plut. an other asked him why he appointed such mean things , and of so little value to be offered to the gods ? because , saith he , we should never be aweary of serving them . plut. one of his citizens asking him how they might defend themselves against their enemies ? if , saith he , ye be poor , and no man covets more then another . another asking him if it were not meet to enclose their city with walls ? can , saith he , that city be without walls , that is environed with men , though it be not compassed with stones ? plut. demaratus the lacedemonian being asked by a busie fellow , who was the honestest man in lacedaemon ? even he , saith he , that is least like unto thy self . plut. an orator of athens saying to plistonax that the lacedemonians were ignorant , and illiterate : thou saiest true , quoth he , for we of all the grecians have learned none of your ill conditions . plut. one of them beiug requested to go hear the nightingale counterfeited naturally : i have , said he , heard the nightingale her self . plut. a boy beiug promised an hardy cock of the game , ▪ that would die in the place : na● , said he , give me not those which will die , but with fighting will kill others . plut. paedaritus a worthy man in lacedemom being left out in the election of the . senators went home merrily , saying , it d●th me good to see that there are ●ound three hundred men in the city better then my self . plut. some that had studied musick , and other arts , used to mock themistocles when he was young for his ignorance , to whom he gave this answer : indeed i cannot tune a● i●l , harpe ; or lute , but if you put a weak , little , and obscure city into ▪ my hands , i know how to make it noble , strong , and great . when in his youth his actions were light , and unconstant , he used to say , that a ragged colt oft proves a good horse , especially if ▪ he be will broken , and ridden plut. themistocles sayling too , and fro amongst the confederates of the athenians , to gather a tribute , when he came to the andr a●s , and found them backward to pay ; he told them that he brought two mighty gods along with him , viz. love , and force , : to which they answered , that they also had two great goddesses to withstand him : viz. poverty , and impossibility . plut ▪ themistocles being banished greece was forced to fly for refuge ro the king of persia , with whom he found great favour , and was advanced to a great estate , whereupon he said to his children : my sons , we should have been undone , if we had not been undone . periss●mus , nisi periissemus . plut. brennus with his gaules besieging the city of clusium in italy , the romans sent ambassadours to him to ask him what wrong the clusians had done unto him that he was come to war against shem ? brennus smiling , answered : herein the clusians do us wrong , in that being few , and occupying much land they will not give it us that need it more then they : the like do you romans to all your neighbours , if they will not impart their goods to you . plut. menecrates the physitian , because he had restored many mad men to their wits , was sirnamed jupiter , which he was so proud of that writing to agesilaus king of sparta , he began his letrer thus : menecrates jupiter , regi agesilao salutem : to which agesilaus wrote back , agesilaus rex , menecrati sanam mentem . plut. one praysing a certain orator highly in the presence of agesilaus king of sparta , for that he could admirably set forth small matters with specious words ; he answered , but i do not think it worthy their labour who put a great shoe upon a little foot . xenoph. another asking him by what means a man might attain to a good name , and fame ? he answered , si loqua●ur quae sunt optima , & faciat quae sunt honestissima : if he alwaies speaks those things which are best , and doth those things which are most honest . idem . a captain of the paeonians having slain an enemy , cut off his head , and brought it to alexander m. saying , o king , with us this gift uses to be rewarded with a cup of gold. yea , saith alexander , with an empty cup , but i will drink to thee this full cup of wine . diod. sic. augustus caesar his motto was , festina lentè , and he used to say , sat celeriter fit , quicquid fit satis benè ; a thing well done is twice done . plut. as also , that to get some small profit with great danger , is like those that fish with a golden hook , who hazard more then the fish is worth . plut. a certain roman knight coming to adrian the emperour to request a favour of him , received a denial : the knight was old , and had a very gray beard , but a few daies after , having coloured his beard black , like a young man , he came to the emperour again about the same businesse : the emperour perceiving the fraud , said to him ; i would be very glad to gratifie you in your desire , but a few daies past , i denied it to your father : and therefore it would not be just to grant that to the son , which i refused to the father . imp. hist. apollonius being asked ( as to entrap him ) what he thought of nero's singing ? fearlesly , answered the bloody tigellinus , nero's favourite ; i think ( said he ) far better then you ; for you repute him worthy to sing , but i to hold his peace . and so truly it was , for his voice was but weak , and hollow , and therefore to help it , he used to lie on his back with a leaden plate on his breast , and to fast certain daies in every moneth with nothing but oyl . plinie . at the battel of newport , the prince of orange having the spanish army before him , and the sea behind him , spake thus to his souldiers ; if you will live , you must either eat up these spaniards , or drink up this sea. when luther first appeared against the pope , albertus crantzius ( a bishop that approved of his project , but thought it impossible to be brought to passe ) wrote thus unto him ; frater , frater , abi in cellam , & dic miserere mei deus ; frier , frier , go into thy cloister , and follow thy beads : this businesse is too hard for thee to undertake . when amongst many articles exhibited to our king henry the th . by the irish against the earl of kildare , the last was ; finally , all ireland cannot rule this earl : then ( quoth the king ) this earl shall rule all ireland , and so made him deputy thereof . camb. remaines . p. . king john of england being perswaded by one of his courtiers to untomb the bones of one , who whilest he lived had been his great enemy . o no , ( quoth the king ) would to god that all mine enemies were as honourably buried . a little before the spanish invasion in eighty eight , the spanish ambassadour after a large recital of his masters demands to queen elizabeth ▪ summed up the effect of it in this tetrastich , te veto ne pergas bello defendere ▪ belgas ; quae dracus eripuit nunc restituantur oportet : quas pater evertit , jubeo te condere cellas : religio papae fac restituatur ad unguem . i. e. these to you are our commands , send no help to th'netherlands : of the treasure took by drake , restitution you must make : and those abbies build anew which your fathers overthrew : if for any peace you hope , in all points restore the pope . the queen smiling at these demands , returned this sudden answer , ad graecas , bone rex , fient mandata calendas . worthy king , know this your will , at latter lammas wee 'l fulfill . see her life in my second part. john duke of bedford being entombed in the chief church of roan , afterwards a foolish courtier perswaded charles the eighth , king of france , to deface his monument , to whom the king answered ; god defend that i should wrong him dead , whom whilest he was living all the force of france could not resist . queen elizabeth coming into a free-school , had an oration made to her by one of the boyes , whom afterwards she jestingly asked , how often his master had whipped him ? to whom he readily , and wittily answered with the words of aeneas to queen dido ; infandum regina jubes renovare dolorem . at another time having an oration made to her by a poor boy , she , understanding his quality , said merrily to him : pauper ubique jacet . but the boy as confidently , and wittily answered ; in thalamis regina tuis hac nocte jacerem ; si verum hoc esset , pauper ubique jacet . chap. lxxxiii . poverty , poor . not to be oppressed , exod. . . deut. . . prov. . , . & . , . & . . & . . eccles. . . isa. . , . & . . & . & . . & . . jer. . . ezek. . . amos . . & . . job . , &c. psal. . , &c. & . . to be relieved , exod. . . lev. . . & . . & . , , &c. deut. . , &c. & . . job . . prov. . . & . . & . . & . . dan. . . mar. . . matth. . . rom. . . gal. . . luk. . . cor. . . what brings poverty , prov. . . & . . & . . & . . & . . & . . & . , . alexander the great , having taken the kingdome of sidon , gave it to hephaestion to dispose of it to whom he pleased : hephaestion to shew his gratitude proffered it to his host with whom he quartered ; but he , not being of the kingly family , refused it , saying ; it is not our countrey fashion that any one should be king , but such as are of the king's line : and such an one , saith he , lives hard by , a good and a wise man , but very poor , and one that lives by his hard labour : then hephaestion , taking kingly apparrel with him , went to this poor man , and saluted him king , bidding him wash off his dirt , and put off his rags , and put on that kingly apparel : the poor mans name was abdolonimus , who thought he had been in a dream , but being by the standers by washed , and adorned , hephaestion led him into the palace , saying , when thou sittest on thy throne , and hast power over the lives of all thy subjects , forget not thy former condition . alexander hearing of it , sent for him , and asked him with what patience he being of such a noble extraction , could bear his former poverty ? to whom abdolonimus answered ; i pray god that i may bear the kingdome with the same mind ; for , said he , these hands provided for my necessity , and as i had nothing , so i wanted nothing . just. cur. diod. sic. chap. lxxxiv . peace , peace makers . god is the god of peace , heb. . . christ the prince of peace , isa. . . gods word the glad tydings of peace , rom. . isa. . . gods children are peace-makers , matth. . . the angels singers of peace , luk . . good men are counsellors of peace , prov. . . gods kingdome the kingdome of peace , rom. . . church-officers , officers of peace , isa. . . hierusalem the city of peace , psal. . , . it 's to be sought after , heb. . . rom. . . cor. . . phil. . . psal. . . jer. . . mar. . . ephes. . . thess. . . we must pray for peace , psal. . . no peace to the wicked , isa. . . scriptural examples : abraham for peace sake yielded to lot , gen. . . abimelech covenants with isaac , gen. . , &c. joseph commands it to his brethren , gen. . . melchisedeck , and salomon were kings of peace ; jacob , and his sons , gen. . . the primitive christians , act. . . david , psal. . . numa pompilius instituted the priests called feciales , whose office was to preserve peace between the romans , and their neighbouring nations , and if any quarrels did arise , they were to pacifie them by reason , and not suffer them to come to violence , till all hope of peace was past : and if the feciales did not consent to wars , neither king nor people could undertake them . plut. chap. lxxxv . persecution , persecute , persecutor . complained of , job . . psal. . . & . . & . . & . , , . & . . lam. . . christ is persecuted in his members , act. . , . & . , . phil. . . rev. . . prayed against , psal. . . & . . & . , . & . . flight in persecution , matth. . . & . . act. . . it 's to be patiently born , matth. . , &c. joh. . . rom. . . & . . cor. . . rom. . . cor. . . persecutors cursed , and threatned , psal. . . deut. . . jer. . . neh. . . psal. . . jer. . . & . . their acts , and nature : they are said to grieve , and shoot at , gen. . . to hunt the soul , sam. . . to pursue , sam. . . to beset round , psal. . . to waste , and devour , psal. . . to consult against , psal . . mad , and sworn against , psal. . . to plow on the back , psal. . . to hate , and cast out , isa. . to tread down , jer. . . to rebuke with reproach , jer. . . & . . to destroy , jer. . . to chase , lam . . to cut off life , lam. . . to hunt mens steps , lam. . . pricking briers , ezek. . . to tear , amos . . foxes , wolves , luk. . . joh. . . act. . . to breathe threatenings , act. . . beasts , cor. . . exceeding mad , act. . . to waste , gal. . . abuse shamefully , thess. . to trouble the church , thess. . . antichrists , joh. . . to war with , rev. . drunk with blood , rev. . . prudentius saith , that their names that are written in red letters of blood in the churches kalender , are written in golden letters in christs register in the book of life . constantine the great used often to kisse the hollow of old paphnutius his eye which he had lost for the cause of christ in the precedent times of persecution . valentinian a godly emperor was so highly offended with his brother valence for persecuting the orthodox christians , that he denyed to afford him help against the goths , when they invaded his dominions , saying ; that it was an impious thing to strengthen the hands of a man who had spent his daies in warring against god and his church . theod. when there was a consultation held at rome , whether carthage should be demolished , yea or no ? scipio perswaded the senators to let it stand , lest the people of rome should want an occasion , or object whereon to exercise their valour : so god could soon destroy all the persecuting enemies of his church : but he rather suffers them to live , that they may be for the exercise of his peoples wisdom , faith , zeal , constancy , courage , patience , and the whole panoplie of grace in them . see more in my two martyrologies . chap. lxxxvi . honesty , piety , holinesse , godlinesse . exhorted to , tim. . . pet. . , , . & . . numa pompilius made a law amongst the romans , that men should not serve the gods , as they passed by , or were in haste , or did any other businesse : but that they should worship and pray to them when they had time , and leysure , and all other businesses set apart . he himself did so firmly put his confidence in them , that on a time being told that his enemies were in armes coming against him : he answered , at ego rem divinam facio : but i am sacrificing to the gods . plut. the romans having taken the rich city of veia , decreed out of the spoiles to make , and send a cup of massie gold to apollo at delphos ; but when little gold was found in rome , the souldiers having embezelled it , the roman wives voluntarily out of their devotion brought in all their jewels , with which they made a cup that weighed eight talents , in recompence whereof the senate ordained that women should be openly praised in funeral orations , which was never used before . plut. when brennus with his gaules had overthrown the romane army , and drew neer to the city , most of the people fled out of it , and amongst the rest , the vestal nunnes with their holy fire , and as they were going on foot , lucius albinus , one of the common people flying also together with his wife , children , and best of his goods whom he carried in a cart , who seeing the vestals wearied with carrying their sacred reliques , caused his wife , and children to alight , and threw his goods out of the cart , which he gave to the vestals , choosing rather to hazard the losse of all that was dear to him , then that those holy things should miscarry . plut. agesilaus king of sparta , a brave captain , and commander , was wonderful religious , and addicted to the services of the gods , and so carefull of his oathes , that his very enemies having once his oath for any thing thought themselves more secure thereby , then if they had been tyed together by any bonds of friendship : he reverenced the temples of the gods even amongst his enemies , and would never suffer them to be punished that fled to them for refuge . plut. pub. scipio africanus was of so devout a disposition , that he would never undertake any businesse , but first he would go to the capitol , and there sit before jupiter with great devotion , as it were to know his mind about it , aur. victor . agesilaus king of sparta in all his warres would never suffer the temples of the gods ( though amongst his enemies ) to be injured ; but alwaies restrained his souldiers from plundering , or profaning of them , saying ; quòd existimaret divina auxilia , non minûs in hostili , quàm amico solo , imploranda esse : that he esteemed that divine help was as necessary , and as much to be sought abroad amongst his enemies , as at home amongst his friends . xenophon . antiochus king of syria besieging hierusalem , there fell out the jewes feast of tabernacles , whereupon they sent out ambassadours to him , intreating him to grant them a truce of seven daies , whilest they attended upon the service of god : the king did not onely grant their request , but sent them also bullocks with gilded hornes , and a great quantity of incense , and sweet perfumes which he caused at the city gates to be delivered to the priests : with which act of piety the jewes were so overcome , that they made peace with him , and yielded up their city to him . lipsius . pausanias king of sparta , and at that time captain general of all the grecians , in that notable fight against the persians at platea , when the persian army pressed upon him , and provoked him to fight , he would not suffer a blow to be given till he had consulted with the gods : his enemies interpreting his delay to proceed from cowardise , pressed more upon him , and slew some of his men , yet neither then would he suffer them to stirre till he had an auspicious answer : after which he obtained a glorious victory over his enemies . lipsius . portius cato was of such an honest , and blamelesse life , that though he was often accused by his adversaries , and forced to plead his cause fifty times , yet he alwaies came off with credit , and that not by favour , friends , or bribes , but against all these : and being again accused in his old age , he desired that tiberius sempronius gracchus , who was his adversary , might be made his judge : which being done , he so cleared himself before him , that gracchus acquitted him . lipsius . godlinesse with contentment is great gain , tim. . . chap. lxxxvii . prediction , prophecies . the same day that alexander the great was born in macedonia , diana's temple at ephesus in asia was burned down , at which time divers magicians being present , they ran up , and down tearing their hair , and crying out that that day was born the great plague , and pest of asia . diod. sic. the same day that philip king of macedon had the city of potidaea surrendred to him , three messengers one after another brought him word first of a great victory that parmenio his general had obtained over the illyrians : secondly , of a victory , or prize that his horse had gotten at the olympick games : thirdly , of the birth of his son alexander : whereupon his southsayers told him that his son which was born at that tiwe wherein he had gotten three such victories , should prove unconquerable . justin . domitius aenobarbus when his son nero was born , his friends coming to congratulate him for the birth of his son , said unto them , there can be nothing born to me , and agrippina , but that which is detestable , and that which is born for the publick hurt . pez . mel. hist. nero sending to the oracle at delphos to know his final fortune , received this ambiguous answer , beware of the year ; which he understood to be meant of his own ages date , but it proved galba's who dethroned him . superstition is worthily fed with illusion , and irreligion as worthily punished with credulity . suet. learned gerard tells us of a certain woman called thoda in suevia in germany , who anno christi . prophesied that that year the world should end , which ( as she said ) was revealed to her by an angel . anno christi . there was an anabaptist that ran up , and down the streets in the city of st. gallus in helvetia , crying with horrid gestures , that the day of the lord was come ; that it was present . and anno christi . upon the like prophecie another so strongly prevailed with some , that he perswaded them the last year of the world was come : whereupon they grew prodigal of their goods , and substance , fearing that they should scarcely spend them in so short a time as the world was to continue . an unknown woman came to tarquinius superbus in rome , and proffered him the nine books of the sybils prophecies at a very great rate , which he refused to give her : she burned three of them , and offered him the other six at the same rate , but he refused again ; whereupon she burnt other three , and asked him the same rate for the three remaining : which he then bought , and layed them up in the capitol , where they continued as oracles , till both temple , and books were burnt . dionys. chap. lxxxviii . examples of the power , and prevalency of prayer . is any sick amongst you ? let him call for the elders of the church , and let them pray over him , and the prayer of faith shall save the sick , and the lord shall raise him up , and if he have committed sins , they shall be forgiven him . the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much . elias was a man subject to the like passions as we are , and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain , and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years , and six moneths : and he prayed again , and the heaven gave rain , and the earth brought forth her fruit , jam. ▪ , &c. fervent prayers are effectual , psal. . , , , . matth. . . mar. . . jam. . , . & . . psal. . . & . , . god is a prayer-hearing god , psal. . . delighting in it , cant. . . it 's as incense to him , psal. . . promising to give if we ask , luk. . . rom. . . which promise is sealed with the blood of christ , and back'd with an oath , mich. . . joh. . . commanding to ask in full ●ssurance , heb. . . jam. . . encouraging by parables , luk. . , , , &c. & . , &c. sighs , and groanes are prayers , exod. . , . psal . . & . . & . . & . . rom. . . isa. . . christ perfumes our prayers with his merits , rev. . , . it obtains temporal blessings , king. . , &c. zach. . . god will be sought to , ezek. . . we shall not seek him in vain , esay . . it must be tendered in the hand of a mediatour , matth. . . joh . , . we must see that we belong to god , if we will prevail , psal. . . & . . before we ask god heares , isa. . . dan. . . scriptural examples of the efficacy of prayer . abraham praying for ishmael , gen. . . for sodom , ch. . , &c. for abimelech , ch. . . jacob , gen. . , &c. hose . . . moses , exod. . . & . . & . , &c. numb . . , &c. exod. . . numb . . . & . . samuel , sam. . . josuah , ch. . . elijah , king. . . elisha , king. . . solomon , king. . . & . , &c. asa , chron. . . hezekiah , isa. . , &c. jehosaphat , chron. . , &c. amos , ch. . , &c. the syrophoenician woman , matth. . , &c. importunate widow , luk. . , &c. isaiah , ch. . , , . the persons of saints are like secret pledges of common quiet , and their mediations are a shield to the earth against the wrath of heaven . gregory nazianzen reports of his sister gorgonia , that her knees seemed to cleave to the earth by reason of her often prayiag . and gregory of his aunt trucilla , that her elbow was as hard as an horn , by often leaning upon a desk when she prayed . and eusebius of james justus , that his knees were as hard as a camels knees , bereaved of sense by often praying . one reports of joachim the father of the virgin mary , that he used to say , cibus , & potus mihi est oratio : prayer is my meat , and drink . a gentlewoman being in her parlour exercised in meditation , and prayer , cryed out ; o that i might ever enjoy this sweet communion with god. the queen-mother of scotland in her warres against the first reformers , confessed openly , that she feared more the fasting , and prayers of that man of god john knox , and his disciples , then an army of twenty thousand men . looking-glasse of the holy war. leelin prince of wales being perswaded by some about him to make war against our king henry the third , replyed thus : i am much more afraid of his almes , and prayers , then i am of his armies . dr. powel . frederick the elector of saxony intending to make war against the archbishop of magdeburg , sent a spie into his countrey to see what preparations the archbishop made for his own defence . by whom being informed that the archbishop wholly applyed himself to fasting , and prayer , and reforming his church ; let him fight ( said the duke ) that hath a mind to it ; for i am not so●m●d as to fight against him that trusts to have god for his deliver●r . buchol . numa pompilius being told that his enemies were coming upon him as he was offering sacrifice , thought it sufficient for his safety that he could answer ; at ego rem divinam facio ! but i am about the service of my god. buchol . tertullian's manner was constantly in private to pray three times a day , at the third , sixth , and ninth houres . see his life in my first part of the marrow of eccles. history . petrus chrysologus alwaies before he penned any thing , would with great ardency , and humility , set himself by prayer to seek unto god for direction therein . eodem . p. . mr. laurence saunders used to be very frequent and fervent in prayer , and when he was assaulted by any temptations , he still found much support , and comfort by prayer , whereby he gained such experience , that he became a great comforter of others with the same consolations which himself had found from god. eodem , p. . mr. hugh latimer used constantly in his prayers to beg , that god of his mercy would restore his gospel to england once again , once again , which he often inculcated in his prayers , and that with such ardency as though he had seen god before him , and spoken to him face to face . eodem , p. . mr ▪ robert bol●on used constantly to pray six times a day , twice with his family , twice with his wife , and twice in secret : besides , he kept many daies of private humiliation ; as alwaies before the sacrament , and upon occasion of the miseries of the church both at home , and abroad , which he performed with much ardency of spirit . eodem , p. . mr. william whatel●y's constant practice was , besides family-prayer twice a day , to pray also with his wife , and alone both morning and evening : he also set apart daies of private humiliation for his family upon special occasions , and oft for their preparation to the lords supper , at which time he would exceed himself in pouring out his soul to god with many teares : he was much also in daies of private fasting , and humbling himself alone before god , &c. eodem , p. . st. augustine was very powerful in prayer , so that thereby he sometimes cast out devils , and restored ●●ck men to their health again . eodem , p. . fulgentius was very powerfull in prayer : and before his death the barbarous moores invading the territories of ruspa , filling all places with rapines , murthers , &c. yet so long as fulgentius lived , the city of ruspa remained in safety ; and when all the rest of the province was under miserable captivity , that city alone enjoyed an happy peace . eodem . p. . vitus theodorus writing of luther , saith thus of him : no day passeth wherein luther spends not three houres at least in prayer : once it fell out ( saith he ) that i heard him : good god! what a spirit , what a confidence was in his very expressions ? with such a reverence he sued as one begging of god ; and yet with such hope , and assurance , as if he spake to a loving father or friend : see many examples of his prevalency in prayer in his life in my first part. p. , &c. anno christi . there brake out a great plague in zurick , whereof mr. bullinger fell so sick , that all men despaired of his life : but the church by their frequent , and servent prayers prevailed with god for the restoring of him to health again . eodem . p. . see an admirable example of the power of prayer in the life of mr. perkins in my first part , p. . and divers other examples in my two martyrologies . chap. lxxxix . prudence , wisdom , policy . it 's spoken of as wordly , isa. . . matth. . ▪ cor. . . as spiritual , sam. . . in opinion , prov. . . & . . & . . isa. . . & . . properties of the prudent : he covereth shame , prov. . . concealeth knowledge to utter it seasonably , prov. . . dealeth with knowledge , prov. . . understands his way , prov. . . regards reproof ▪ prov. . . encreaseth knowledge by his lips , prov. . . foresees the evil , and hides himself , prov. . . scriptural examples of men : abraham , gen. ● . . & . , . jacob , gen. . . & . , . joseph , gen. . . & . , . jethro , exod. . . jotham , judg. . . gileadites , judg. . , . david , sam. . . & . , . & . . solomon , king. . . , &c. rehoboam's old counsellors , king. . . jehoiadah , king. . . chron. . . hezekiah , isa. . . chron. . ▪ nehemiah , ch. . . mordecai , esth. . . ser. paulus , act. . . st. paul ▪ act. . . & . . & . , . wise women : rahab , jos. . . abigail , sam. . , . the tekohite , sam. . . the abelite , sam. . . bathsheba , king. . . prov. . esther , ch. . . agesilaus having overthrown the persians in a great battel , caused all the captives which were bravely clad to be stripped naked , and their garments to be sold on the one side , and the naked persons on the other , that so his souldiers might see the soft , and ●ffeminate bodies of their adversaries , and gather courage thereby , and when his souldiers bought up all the rich garments , but sl●ighted the persons as uselesse , he said unto them ; but these are they against whom ye fight , and the other for which ye fight . xenoph. lysander king of sparta a gallant general , and very politick used to say , that where the lions skin would not suffice , it was meet to put the foxes skin upon it . xenoph. antipater who was counted the wisest king that then lived , had a daughter called phila , who was so wise a maid , that her father would oft consult with her about his weightiest affaires , and when she was afterwards married , first to craterus , and then to demetrius , she was admired for her wisdom ; if the souldiers at any time mutined in the camp , she by her wisdome could quiet them . poor maids she disposed of in marriage upon her own costs : many that were in danger upon false accusations , she by her prudence set them free , &c. and yet when demetrius her husband was beaten out of the kingdome of macedon , and deserted by his souldiers , she could not bear the disgrace , but poisoned her self . justin. plut. pulcheria the sister of theodosius junior , observing her brothers rashnesse in signing warrants and orders without ever reading of them , used this policy to amend it . she frames a warrant in the emperour's name , whereby he makes his wife eudocia handmaid to his sister pulcheria ; and brings it to him , which he presently sets his hand to : and thereupon she perswades eudocia to come , and remain with her for a certain time : at last the emperour sends for his wife ; pulcheria resuses to let her go , challenging her to be her servant by the emperour 's own order : which he reading , repented of his rashnesse , and was made more wary . hist. imp. a stout souldier under alexaender m. finding it a very difficult thing to get admission into the king's presence whereby he might make himself known to him , put feathers into his nose , and eares , and danced about the court in an antick fashion , till the strangenesse of the shew brought the king himself to be a spectator : then this mimmick throwing off his disguise ; sir , ( said he ) i thus at first arrive at your majesties notice in the fashion of a fool : but can do you service in the place of a wise man , if you please to imploy me . holy state. a certain duke of bavaria each morning before he went to his diet , used to call his servant to bring him water in a bason in the bottom whereof was stamped in gold the picture of cato major , that so he might cause the impression of his image to be fixed in his mind , the imitation of whose virtues he had prudently proposed for his practice . chap. xc . examples of strange prodigies . fore-runners of judgement , matth. . . scriptural examples . moses rod turned into a serpent , exod. . . and the other wonders which moses did in egypt . before the last destruction of hierusalem ( which calamity befell the jewes for crucifying the lord of life , and contemning his gospel ) a comet in the likenesse of a fiery sword hung over the city for a year together . also at the feast of the pass●over a great light appeared about the altar at midnight , which continued half an hour . also a cow that was led to be sacrificed at the altar brought forth a lamb. and the inward gate of the temple , which was made of massie brasse , and used to have twenty men to shut it , being fastened with locks , and barrs of iron , at the fifth hour of the night opened of its own accord . also a little before sun-set were seen in the air iron chariots , and an army in battel-array as it were begirting the city . at the feast of pentecost the priest going into the temple felt the place to move , and tremble , and a voyce was heard , saying ; let us go hence to pella . also one jesus the son of ananaus , eighty years before the warr began , went up , and down continually crying ; a voice from the east , a voyce against hierusalem , and the temple : a voyce against new married persons : a voice against all this people . and when the city was besieged by the romans , going upon the walls about the city , he cryed , woe , woe to the city , temple , and people , and at last he said , woe also unto me : which words were no sooner utt●ced , but a stone shot out of an engine , slew him . joseph . hist. before the peloponesian , or civill warres amongst he graecians , one of their islands called delus , famous for the temple of apollo , was wonderfully ruined by an earthquake , which foreshewed those wonderful alterations , which presently after befell greece : as pliny observed , that there was never any earthquake in rome , but it was the forerunner of some great event . pez . mel. hist. also about the same time there was a comet , which continued fifty seven daies together . there was also a great eclipse of the sun , that the stars appeared at noon day . idem . praecedunt poenas nuntia signa graves . the same year that nero was adopted by claudius , there appeared three suns , as if the heavens , privy to impendent effects , had by their mystical character revealed what a prodigie was in breeding . nero's life . before the terrible wars between the britans , and romans in nero's time , the seas between britain , and france , at the full tide did overflow of a bloody colour , and at low water the prints of mens bodies were seen upon the bare sand at the mouth of the thames : tacitus . irene the emperesse ruling in constantinople after the murther of her son constantine the sun was darkned for seventeen daies together . isac . cron. p. . anno . it rained blood seven daies together through all britain , and the milk , cheese , and butter turned into blood . isac . chron. p. . scotl. in the time of a great pestilence in germany , serpents bred in the dead bodies of men and women , so that they could hardly be buried . isac . chron. p. . in flanders anno . was seen a fiery dragon flying in the air casting out flames from his mouth ; and shortly after followed the disease called ignis sacer. isac . chron. p. . a little before the coming in of the normans to this kingdome about the feast of easter , there was seen for a week together a blazing star of an hideous , and fearful form , which turned mens minds to fore-feeling of some dismall events . camb. brit. p. . in the year . there was a great battel fought between the english , and scots , wherein many of the scots were slain : the sun the same day appeared as red as blood so long as the battel continued . camb. brit. irel. p. . in the year . there was a battel or fight of dogs in burgundy at genelon castle , wherein every one killed another , being in number three thousand , no dog escaping alive but one onely . camb. brit. irel. p. . in the year . the th . of october , when the moon was eleven daies old , there was seen two moones at dublin : the one according to the course of nature in the west : the other in the east casting but a mean and slender light . camb. brit. irel. p. . in the year . in the time of the holy warres there appeared in judea a comet for fifty daies decreasing : also three suns ; two on each hand of the true , but smaller both in quantity , and light : a great white circle environing them , and in it a rainbowe of four colours , the bowe towards the sun , and reaching to the other two suns , and shortly after the stars of heaven seemed to rain . p. pilg. vol. . p. . in the year . there was a great , and terrible earthquake in constantinople , and the countries thereabouts , by the violence whereof a great part of the walls of that city , with many stately buildings both publick , and private were quite overthrown , and thirteen thousand people overwhelmed , and slain therewith : the terrour whereof was so great , that bajazet himself the great turk and the people generally forsook their houses , and lay abroad in the fields : it endured for a moneth together with very little intermission : after which ensued a great plague , whereby the city was for the most part unpeopled . turk . hist. p. . the strong city of strigonium in hungary being besieged by the turks about the year . during the siege there appeared a dreadful fiery impression in the air in fashion much like a rainbowe , of a fiery red colour , which beginning over cockera , and arising higher over strigonium , at length vanished away over the fort of st. thomas . turk . hist. p. . about the same time also the city of constantinople , and the countreys thereabouts were so plagued with clouds of grashoppers , that they shadowed the very sun-beames , they left not a green herb , or leaf in all the countrey , yea they entred into their very bed-chambers where they annoyed them m●●● , being almost as big as dormice with red wings . turk . hist. p. . in the year . there appeared over prague in bohemiah about the middest of october a crown in the air giving a very great light , and about it armies of men fighting , as if it were who should have it . turk . hist. p. . also not long after three suns were seen in the firmament over vienna . p. . in the year . over the same town the heavens grew so red , and fearfully dark on a sudden , that the inhabitants feared that either the last day was come , or else that there would follow some horrible effusion of blood . p. . in the year . there appeared in the night over constantinople a comet in the form of a crooked sword , it was of a vast bignesse : at the first appearing it was somewhat whitish , but the more it rose , the redder it was , and like unto blood . p. . in the year . on munday the th . of june at constantinople there began a most terrible tempest with so violent , and continual thunder , and lightening , that all the city shewed as if it had been on fire : at the end whereof fell a storm of hail that brake tiles , and glasses , so that stones were taken up of an hundred , and fifty drammes , and the next morning some of them being weighed , they were of about seven , and eight ounces apiece ; wherewith many were sore wounded : and the third of july after there fell out another tempest of thunder , and lightning which burned a woman , and child , and slew much cattel in the field . p. , . anno christi . in the reign of william the conquerour a well of blood sprang out of the ground for fifteen daies together at finchamsted in barkshire . isac . chron. p. . anno christi . in the isle of wight it rained blood : the shower continuing for the space of two houres together , to the great wonder , and astonishment of the beholders . speed's isle ef wight . anno christi . the fourth day of august , at mottingham in kent , eight miles from london , suddenly the ground began to sink , and three great elmes that grew thereon were carried so deep into the bowels of the earth , that no part of them could any more be seen , the hole that was left was in compasse eighty yards about , and a line of fifty fathoms plummed into it could find no bottom . speed in kent . j. stow. strange , and wonderfull apparitions at portendown bridge within the province of ulster in ireland ; as it was given in anno . upon oath by sundry persons examined about the same . the irish inhabitants thereabout were so affrighted with cryes , and noises made there by some spirits , or visions for revenge , that they were enforced to remove their habitations , not daring to return thither again . also the blood of some of those innocents that were knocked on the head there , remained long upon the bridge , and could not be washed out . also there often appeared visions , or apparitions sometimes of men , sometimes of women breast-high above the water , which did most extreamly , and fearfully scriech , and cry out for vengeance against the irish that had murthered their bodies there . also about the th . of decemb. . the bloody rebels having at one time drowned protestants , men , women , and children in the river by the bridge , about nine daies after a spirit in the shape of a man appeared in that place bolt upright breast-high above the water , with his hands lifted up , standing in that posture till the latter end of lent next following , and was seen so by very many . also a mother of some of those children that were drowned there going one evening to the bridge with some other women , whose husbands had likewise been drowned , upon a sudden there appeared unto them a vision of a woman waste-high in the water naked , with elevated , and closed hands , her hair hanging down very white , her eyes seeming to twinkle , and her skin as white as snow , often repeating the word , revenge , revenge , revenge . also thirty women , and young children , and seven men were flung by those barbarous rebels into the river of belterbet : and when some of them swam for their lives towards the bank , they were knocked on the head with poles by those mercilesse tygers : after which their bodies appeared not in the river till about six weeks after : at which time one mulmore o rely ( who had commanded their murthering ) coming to the place , all the bodies came floating up to the bridge . sir con mac gennis with his souldiers murthered one mr. truge minister of the neury : but shortly after falling sick upon his death-bed he was terribly affrighted , seeming alwaies to see the same mr. truge in his presence . also robert maxwell arch-deacon of down testified upon oath , that the rebels themselves assured him that most of those which were thrown from that bridge were daily , and nightly seen to walk upon the river , sometimes singing of psalmes : sometimes brandishing of swords : sometimes scrieching in a most hideous , and fearful manner . p. . examples of sundry prodigies seen in england since the beginning of our late wars . presently after the scotish army came into enggland to assist the parliament it rained blood , which covered the church and church-yard of beucastle in cumberland . the day before edg-hill battel three suns were seen in the north. a little before marquesse hambleton came with his army into england , two armies were seen in yorkshire in the air , discharging , and shooting one against the other , and after a long fight the army which rose out of the north vanished . january the th . . in the night-time was a terrible storme , and armies , and armed troops ( in every town for . miles compasse about molton in yorkshire ) were heard to ride and march thorow the towns : the cattel , and beasts in these places were so frighted , that most of them brake out of their pastures ; some by leaping brake their necks , and some their legs ; some ran away four miles , and some more , who when they were found , were extreamly heated : one oxe that lay in a stack-yard lame , and could not rise without help in this fright brake forth , and was found a mile off , and was fain to be brought home on a sled . in march following three glorious suns were seen at once in cumberland , to the astonishment of many thousands which beheld them . in april the same year about five a clock in the afternoon in the countries of cumberland , and westmoreland , was a general earth-quake , wherewith the people were so affrighted that many of them forsook their houses , and some houses were so shaken that the chimnies fell down . in january anno christi . there was seen a great fiery meteor in the air near bristow on the south-side of the city for divers nights together , in form long with fiery streames shooting out east , and west : which was the week before the beheading of the late king : eye-witnesse . also the day before he was beheaded , a great whale ran himself on shore three miles from dover , where he died ; he was foot long : a thing rarely seen in this island . november the th . anno christi . being st. andrews day , a little before , or about sun-rising the skie opened in a fearful manner in the southwest over standish , a town five miles from gloucester , and there appeared a terrible fearful fiery shaking sword , with the hilt upwards towards the heavens , the point downwards towards the earth ; the hilt seemed to be blue , the sword was of a great length , shaking hither and thither , and comming lower towards the earth : there was a long flame of fire towards the point , sparkling , and flaming in a fearful manner to the great astonishment of the spectators who were many . at last the heaven closing , the sword vanished , and the fire fell to the earth , and ran upon the ground : this i had from an eye-witnesse . in june anno christi . a black cloud was seen over the town of pool , which a while after was dissolved into a showr of blood , that fell warm upon mens hands ; some green leaves with those drops of blood upon them were sent up to london . a little before the civil broiles between the houses of york , and lancaster wherewith england for a long time was rent in pieces , the river ouse in bedfordshire stood still , and by reason that the waters gave back on both sides , men might passe on foot in the very chanel for three miles together , not without the astonishment of all that saw it , who took it as a presage of the divisions ensuing . camb. brit. p. . not long before the contention between galba , otho , and vitellius about the roman empire , there appeared three suns , as it were pointing out that tripatite contention for the imperial diadem . april the th . anno christi . there appeared here in england , four suns besides the natural sun , and presently afrer fell out the great contention between our king henry the third , and his barons , and the year after england was wasted with fire snd sword , from wales to salisbury : there ensued also a great drought , and pestilence . stow. anno christi . three suns appeared the very day before the three earles , viz. edward earl of march , with the earl of pembrook , and the earl of wiltshire fought that great battel in wales at mortimer's crosse , where the earl of march put the other two to flight , and slew many of their men . idem . anno christi . a little before the warres brake forth between king henry the third , and his barons , there appeared in april in hereford , and vvorcestershire five suns at once , and a certain great circle of a crystal colour of about two foot in breadth , as it were compassing all england . matth. paris . chap. xci . remuneration , retaliation , requital . commanded sometime by god , gen . . exod. . , &c. lev. . , &c. matth. . . psal. . . jer. . . rev. . . thus god threatens to the enemies of his church , jer. . . & . , . & . . rev. . . jer. . . ezek. . , . & . . hab. . . joel . , , . thess. . . to those that sin in his church : pit for pit , psal. . , . idolatry for idolatry , jer. . . spoil for spoil , isa. . . prov . . treachery for treachery , isa. . . harlots hire for harlots hire , mich. . . not to hear shall not be heard , prov. . . zach. . . altars for sin with altars to sin , hos. . . they that judge shall be judged , matth. . . scriptural examples ; pharaoh drowned others , and was drowned himself , exod. . . with . . . abimelech , and the sechemites , judg. . , , . adonibezek , judg. . . levites concubine , judg. . , . ahab , and jesabel , king. . . with . , . & . . & . . king. . , , . kings which were traytors , and slew others , were slain themselves , king. . , , , , . agag , sam. . . joab , king. . . daniel's enemies , dan. . , , , . other examples . orodes king of parthia who had overcome and slain crassus the roman consul ; in his old age fell desperately sick for grief at the losse of his son pacones , slain by venticius : yet his younger son phraates had not patience to expect his death , but gave him poison to accelerate it : but behold gods providence , the poison proving a strong purge , wrought out not onely it self , but the disease too ; so that orodes recovered beyond expectation : which phraates seeing , strangled him , and to settle him the surer in his kingdome obtained by parricide , he entred into league with the romans , sending back the ensigns of crassus , and other presents : the romans to requite him , sent him great gifts , and amongst the rest a beautiful italian strumpet , by whom he had a son , which being grown up , by the advice , and help of his mother , poisoned his father to get his crown . tulit quae meruit , et quae docuit . lipsius . mithridates king of pontus to get the crown slew his mother , brother , and her three sons , and as many daughters : but in his old age his own son phanacus slow him for the same cause . lipsius . ptolemaeus one of alexander's successours , expelling antigonus seizeth upon macedonia ; makes peace with antiochus : enters into league and affinity with pyrrhus : now all things were sure but onelyfor his sister arsinoe , and her sons , who had been married to lysimachus king of macedonia : therefore intending to entrap her ; he sent ambassadours to her pretending love , promising to marry her , to make her partner with him in the kingdom , and her sons his heires ; protesting that he took up armes for no other end : proffering to swear upon the holy altars when , and where she pleased , that all this was in good faith . the poor lady deceived hereby , sent some of her friends to take his oath , before whom he went into the most ancient temple , and there touching the gods , and the altar , swears . that he sincerely purposed to marry her , to make her his queen , and her children his heires : otherwise he prayes for vengeance upon himself , &c. upon this arsinoe comes to him , is married , and crowned queen of macedonia : then she delivers up to him cassandrea , a most strong city , where her children , and all her treasures were ; he having now his desire , sends men that slew her children in their mothers lap , and drave her into exile : but god suffered not this wickednesse to go long unrevenged ; for presently after the gaules brake into macedonia , overthrew ptolemie , cut off his head , and carried it upon a lance about with them . lipsius . chap. xcii . love of god to his children , and their love to him . the spouses to christ , cant. . , . & . . & . , . jer. . . cant. , , . & . , &c. christ's to his spouse , cant. . . god's to his people is eternal , jer. . . rom. . , . it 's great , hos. . . & . . ephes. . . & . . joh. . . & . . so should our love to him be : as cor. . . deut. . . & . . & . ▪ , . & . , , . jos. . . & . . psal. . . matth. . . mar. . . luk. . every thing shall turn to the good of such , rom. . . great things are prepared for them , cor. . . and promised , jam. . . & . . they shall be joyful , psal. . . blessed , psal. . . & . . have peace , psal. . . be preserved , psal. . . scriptural examples : david , psal. . . solomon , king. . . solomon was beloved of god , sam. . . and israel , king. . . ▪ chron. . . psal. ● . . hos. . . and the world of the elect , joh. . . and paul , gal. . . the church , rev. . . jacob , rom. . . other examples . artabazus ( in xenophon ) when cyrus had given him a cup of gold , and to chrysantas a kisse in token of his special favour , complained , that the cup which alexander had given him was not so good gold as the kisse which he gave to chrysantas : so the secret kisses which god gives to his children , are better then all the riches , and honours which he gives to the wicked . vespasian the emperour commanded that a liberal reward should be given to a woman that came , and professed that she was in love with him : whereupon his steward asked him under what item he should put that gift in his book of accounts ? vespasiano adamato , saith the emperour : item ▪ to her that loved vespasian . so when god gives much , or forgives much to any , you may write this item , because he loved much . galeacius caracciolus being tempted by a jesuite with a great summe of gold to return from geneva into iealy , made this answer ; let their gold perish with them who prefer all the gold in the world before the love of god , or one daies society with jesus christ , and his holy spirit . see his life in my second part. chap. xciii . reproof , reprehension . the wise love it , prov. . . & . . & . . & . , . & . . & . . and . . it 's the ministers duty , tim. . . gods word is profitable for it , tim. . . scorners will not endure it , prov. . . & . . isa. . . such are neer to destruction , prov. . . & . . are brutish , prov. . . & . , . david desired it , psal. . . herod could not endure it , luk. . . nor the wicked , prov. . , . & . . reproof not endured . cambyses king of persia being reproved by prexaspes , one of his nobles that was familiar with him , for his drunkennesse , was so impatient of reproof , that he caused the son of prexaspes to be set before him , saying , if i can shoot just into thy sons heart , neither thou nor the persians have any cause to charge me with drunkennesse : and so shooting he slew him , and then caused his body to be opened , where the arrow was found in the middest of his heart , whereupon he much rejoyced , saying to prexaspes , whether doest thou now believe that i am sober , or drunk , & c ? pez . mel. hist. the same cambyses having caused twelve of his nobles to be put to death , croesus , who was left as a counsellor to him by his father cyrus , reproved him for it , admonishing him not so to give way to his passion , lest he provoked his subjects to rise up against him : cambyses instead of making a good use of it , took a bowe , and would have slain croesus for it , but he escaping from him , cambyses commanded his servants to slay him : yet they thinking that he would afterwards repent it ; hid croesus , and slew him not ; and when cambyses not long after wanted croesus for his faithful counsel , and bemoaned his rash putting of him to death : his servants expecting a great reward , brought him forth . cambyses was glad that croesus was alive , but yet he put his servants to death for sparing him contrary to his command . pez . mel. hist. philip king of macedon having great contentions in his family , was thus reproved by demarathus the corinthian for it : philip asking him what concord there was amongst the grecians ? sir , said he , it is not fit for you to enquire after the affaires of greece , who cannot settle , and maintain peace in your own family . diod. sic. alexander m. writing to philotas , one of his brave captains , sent him word how that the oracle of jupiter hamon had acknowledged him to be his son : philotas wrote back , that he was glad that he was received into the number of the gods : but withal that he could not but be sensible how miserable they were that should live under one that thought himself more then a man : which reproof alexander never forgat till he had taken away his life . q. cur. chap. xciv . repentance , and reformation the way to pacifie gods wrath . repentance exhorted to , ezek. . . & . . matth. . . & . . mar. . . act. . & . . & . . rev. . , . & . , . repentance attributed to god , gen. . . exod. . . judg. . . sam. . . sam. . . psal. . jer. . . amos . , . jon. . . & . . joel . hos. . . repentance turns away god's wrath , king. . , &c. jer. . , . ezek. . . joel . . jona . . . rev . , , . exod. . . sam. . , . jer. . , . jona . . , . chron. . , &c. we have gods promise for it ▪ lev. . , &c. chron. . . & . . in the example of josiah ; and hezekiah , chron. . . and manasses , chr. . , . the romans punished a young man that was seen looking out at a window with a crown of roses upon his head in the time of a publick calamity . at a time in athens strange prodigies were seen , and the prognosticators told the people , that they perceived by their sacrifices that the city was defiled with some abominable and filthy thing : hereupon they sent to crete for epimenides , an holy , and devout man , and one who was esteemed a prophet . he being come , taught them to make their sacrifices with lesse cost , whereby they were more frequent . he taught them to pray daily to the gods , to mourn moderately for the dead , &c. and so brought them by degrces to much holinesse , and devotion , to much justice , and unity amongst themselves ; by which means for a time they enjoyed great tranquillity . plut. alexanders macedonians being sensible of his displeasure , laid by theit armes , put on mourning apparel , came running in troops to his tent , where for almost three daies together they remained with loud cryes , and abundance of teares , testifying their remorse for offending him , and beseeching his pardon , which at last they obtained . how much more should we repent of , and mourn for offending god , and implore his pardon , & c ? chap. xcv . scriptures the word of god : not to be profaned . all scripture is divinely inspired , tim. . . and holy men spake as they were acted ▪ and carried thereunto by the holy ghost , pet. . . god spake by the mouth of his holy prophets , luke . . we speak ( saith paul ) not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth , but which the holy ghost teacheth , cor. . . and that both for matter , as v. . and words . these are the very sentences , yea notions , that were writien of old in the mind of god , and are now clothed with his own very terms , and expressions : though by some of his servants he hath uttered himself more loftily , by some in a lower language , according to the several abilities of the speakers , and capacity of the hearers . arguments à posteriori to prove the divinity of the scriptures are : the venerable antiquity , matchlesse majesty , lively efficacy , beautiful harmony , incorrigible purity , invincible perennity , and continuance of them , mauger the injury , and iniquity of times , and tyrants who have sought to suppressc them : besides the confirmation by miracles , confession of martyrs , destruction of oppugners , fulfilling of prophecies , consent of churches , yea , assent of adversaries : as first , of hereticks , who in oppugning of scriptures do yet alledge scripture to their own utter destruction , pet. . . secondly , of jewes gods library-keepers , as st augustine cals them , who studiously read , and curiously kept the books of the old testament , by a singular providence of god , for our benefit , and behoof . . many heathens have sealed to the truth of the scripture by their testimonies , and confirmed them to be divine . porphyry testifieth that moses hath written the history of the law truly . numenius the pythagorist recites moses's history almost word for word , testifying that he was a great divine : but we have better testimonies , both outward and inward . that without us is : first , the scripture testifying of it self , and we know its testimony is true , because it 's the word of that god that can as soon die as lie : hence moses so often saith ; i am the lord : and the prophets , thus saith the lord : the evangelists , jesus said : the apostles , i have received of the lord that which i delivered unto you . the truth is , the best proof of the scripture is to be fetched out of it self , whence also it 's called light , psal. . . because it discovers it self : and the testimony of the lord , because it beares witnesse to it self : and this it doth not authoritativè onely , by an inartificial argument , but ratiocinativè , by sound reasons , whether we look to the pen-men of the scripture , the subject matter of the scripture , or the admirable effects thereof . the pen-men ( besides their divine vocation , mission , and inspiration ) were plain men , poor men , shepherds , neat-herds , fishers , publicans , &c. neither eloquent orators , nor cunning headed politicians to art out an imposture , nor witty enough to deceive , act. . . adde hereunto their impartial faithfulnesse in relating the naked truth , though to the discredit ( as it might seem ) of themselves , and their best friends . moses repeats the sin and doom of his grandfather levi : of his brother a●ron , and sister miriam , nay , of himself how he sinned , and was sentenced at the waters of strife . david shames himself in his preface to the . psalm . isaiah tells the world of the wickednesse of ahaz , and weaknesse of hezekiah , his natural princes . ezekiel makes honorable mention of daniel his coetaneous , and peter of paul , though he took him up publickly for halting at antioch . i was a blasphemer , an oppressour , a persecutor , saith that blessed apostle , whereby we see that it 's free from partiality , and flattery . secondly , for the matter of the scripture , it 's proved to be the word of god ; by the majesty of it , which ( besides the stately plainnesse of the stile ) far surpasseth the creatures capacity , the fathom of flesh , and reach of reason . there is no jot , or tittle of it that savours of earthlinesse : every word of gods mouth is pure , precious , and profitable , not a syllable superfluous . the very majesty of the sentence is such as cannot be conceived , and yet it 's alwaies more powerful in matter then in words . it sets forth such an admirable concurrence of gods mercy , and justice in mans redemption , by the man christ jesus , as no creature could possibly contrive : or if they could , yet certainly would not . not good men , or angels , for they would never have put upon the world such a notorious imposture : not evil men or devils , for it crosseth , and controlleth their contrary courses , and condemnes them to the pit of hell . it utterly overturns the devils kingdome , who therefore sharply eggeth , and edgeth all his instruments against it : yea , and tempteth better men sometimes to doubt of it : whereas if it were forged , and false , he would ( like a liar as he is ) foment , and fight for it , promote , and propagate it , as he doth turcisme , and paganisme , and other falshoods abroad in the world though never so absurd , and impious . lastly , look upon its admirable effects , and irresistible power to effect the thing whereunto it 's appointed , as to break the stubborn , to binde up the broken-hearted , &c. not onely to inform as other writings , but to reform , yea , transform the soul from glory to glory , till it be wholly conformed to that heavenly pattern : adde hereunto , that it 's effectual for the conversion of a sinner from the errour of his way : not from errour of his mind onely , but of his manners also : for the mind may be thorowly convinced , and yet the man not truly converted ; yea , and when the spirit feeles it self dead , and decayed ( as by a relapse into some foul sin ) this good word revives it , as the breath of god did those dry bones in ezekiel . humane writings may shew some faults to be avoided , but give no power to amend them : but , now are ye clean by the word that i have spoken , saith christ : sanctifié them by thy truth , thy word is truth . philosophie may civilize , not sanctifie : hide some sins , not heal them : cover , not cure them . so then , the efficacy , and virtue of the scripture to produce the love of god , and our enemies , to purifie the heart , to pacifie the conscience , to rectifie the whole both constitution , and conversation of a man , to take him off from the delights of the world , and the flesh , to make him glory in afflictions , sing in the flames , triumph over death : all these , and more do necessarily conclude the divine authority of the scriptures . what words of philosophers could ever make of a leopard a lamb : of a viper a child ; of a leacher a chaste man ; of a nabal a nadib ; of a covetous carle , a liberal person ? besides this real , there is also a vocal testimony from god to the divinity of the scriptures , which yet is heard by none but gods houshold , and is confined to the communion of saints , whose consciences he secretly perswadeth of this truth , and sweetly seales it up to them : promised , isa. . . they shall know in that day that i am he that doth speak , &c. joh. . . if any man will do his will , he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of god , &c. joh. . . he that believeth hath the witnesse in himself . cor. . . the spiritual man discerneth all things : for he hath the mind of christ : and an unction within that teacheth him all things , joh. . , . so that he no sooner heareth , but believes , and is sealed with that holy spirit of promise , ephes. . . whose inward testimony of the truth , and authority of the scriptures , is ever met by a motion of the sanctified soul , inspired by the same spirit , more steadfastly resting it self on that testimony , then if he should hear from heaven , as st. augustine did , tolle , lege , take , and read this book of god : or than if some angel should bring him a bible , and say ; this is the very word of god : for he might suspect these as delusions of the devil but the testimony of the spirit we know to be true ; job . . . because he is both a spirit of truth , and a searcher of the deep things of god , cor. . . onely it must be remembred , that this inward witnesse must not be brought for confirmation of this doctrine to others , nor for confutation of adversaries : but that every one for himself might hereby be certified , and satisfied in his conscience , that the sacred scriptures are the word of god. the churches testimony without this is but of little value , and validity : it being meerly informativum et directivum , non certificativum , et terminativum fidei : and whereas st. augustine saith , i should not have believed the gospel but that the authority of the church moved me thereto : he speaks there of himself as unconverted to the faith , and so not acquainted with the spirits testimony . now no marvel though such be moved by the consent , and authority of the church ; which is to them an introduction whereby they are better prepared to believe the scriptures , yea , inclined at first to think them to be the word of god , and so made willing to read , and hear them . see this , and more in that elaborate piece of my worthy friend , called trapp's treasury . theopompus the historian whilest he attempted to insert part of the holy scriptures into his profane writings , by gods judgment upon him ran mad . diod. l. . theodates a tragoedian , having intermingled some scripture-matters with his tragoedies , suddenly lost his sight : which was afterwards restored to him upon his prayers when he once came to a sight of his sin . aristaeus . one john ap-howel in queen maries daies standing by william maudon as he was reading on a primer at greenwich , mocked him after every word with contrary gaudes and flouting speeches unreverently ; whereupon maudon said to him , john , take heed what thou doest , thou mockest not me but god in his word , though i be simple that read it . yet went he on in his mocking , till maudon reading , lord have mercy upon us : christ have mercy upon us : the other with a start , said suddenly , lord have mercy upon me : with that maudon turning to him , said ; what aileth thee , john ? to which he answered , nothing , but that he was afraid : whereof , said maudon ? nothing now , said the other : yet presently after he confessed , that at the reading of those words , lord have mercy upon me , the hair of his head stood upright with a great fear that came upon him . on the next day he ran mad , and was bound in his bed , and lay continually day , and night crying out of the devil of hell , &c. see my eng. mariyrolog●e . steven la●cton archbishop of canterbury was the first that divided the scripture into chapters , as now we have them . anno christi . chap. xcvi . servants , slaves . the scythians having made an eruption into asia lorded it there for divers years : in the mean time their wives thinking that they had been all slain , married their servants that were left to keep their cattel . but at last these scythians being beaten out of asia by the medes ; returned home , but then their servants rose in armes against them , and after divers fights the victory remained doubtfull : at last one told them , that fighting against slaves they should not use swords , but whips , as more proper instruments to subdue their servile nature : which advice being well liked , against the next encounter they provided them whips , with the claping of which their servants were so terrified , that they ran away ; and their masters remained conquerours . pez . mel. hist. the tyrians having maintained long warres against the persians , were much weakned thereby ; which occasion their slaves , being many in number , laying hold of the opportunity to rise up against their masters , and put them all to the sword , together with all their children , and then seized upon their houses , and married their wives : onely one of them being more merciful then the rest , spared his old master [ straton ] and his son , and hid them . then these slaves having thus gotten possession of all , consulted to choose a king , and agreed , that he that could first see the sun rising should be king : whereupon this forementioned slave consulted with his old master about the businesse ; who bade him , when others looked into the east , that he should look into the vvest : and accordingly when they were all assembled into the fields , and every mans eyes were fixed upon the east , he onely looked vvestwards , for which his companions scoffed at him : but presently he espied the sun-beams shining upon the high towers , and chimneys in the city , and so challenged the kingdome : his companions would needs know who taught him this wit , and at last he told them ; whereupon fetching out old straton they not onely gave him his life , but made him their king. justin. chap. xcvii . sin the fore-runner of judgments . it brought the flood upon the old world , gen. . , &c. hell from heaven upon sodom , gen. . gods plagues upon pharaoh , exod. . , &c. judgments upon israel , exod. . . josu . . . so often in the book of judges ; and king. . , &c. chron. . . lam. . . & . . it brought destruction upon hierusalem : see jewes . before the first destruction of rome by brennus , and his gaules the very heathen writers observe that the people were carelesse of the service of the gods , and grown loose , and dissolute in matters of religion . plut. a religious man in an expostulatory strain complained to god of phocas , that parricide , who paved his way to the throne by the murther of mauricius his master , and predecessor , saying ; lord , wherefore hast thou made this man emperour ? to whom the lord answered , enimvero quia non inveni p●jor●m : verily because i have not found a worse . thus god punisheth a wicked people with a wicked , and tyrannical prince . cedrenus . in the reign of our king henry the sixth , when our brave english army was called home out of france by reason of our civill discords at home : the french scoffingly asked an english captain , when they would return into france again ? to whom the captain modestly , and discrectly answered ; when your sins are greater then ours . sp. chr. bede observed of the ancient britans , that immediately before their destruction by the saxons , they were come to that height of wickednesse , as to cast odium in religionis professores , tanquam in adversarios : to hate the professors of religion as their greatest adversaries . gildas also reporteth of them , that at that time fornication , adultery , and incest , with all other sins incident to mans nature were rife amongst them : and especially the hatred of truth , and the maintainers of it ; the love also of lies with the forgers thereof : the admitting of evill for good , the respective regard of lewdnesse instead of goodnesse ; desire of darknesse in lieu of the sun-light , and accepting of satan for an angel of light : kings were anointed not by god ; but such as were known to be more cruel then the rest , and soon after murthered by their own anointers : how abominable their sinnes were , and what just judgments god followed them withal , read more in cambdens britan. pag. , . out of gildas . also before the norman conquest ( as gervasius of canterbury writeth ) the priests were idle , drousie , and unlearned , the people given to riot , and loose life ; discipline lay dead , the common-wealth sick of an infinite sort of vices : but above all pride , whose waiting-maid is destruction , was come to a mighty head : yea they fell to fast to all lewdnesse , that to be ignorant of sinful crimes , was held a great crime . camb. brit. p. . upon the persecution of the church under the emperour valerian , cyprian writes thus : we must confesse that this great calamity which hath wasted for the most part all our churches , and still doth daily consume us , ariseth chiefly from our own wickednesse whilest we walk not in the way of the lord , nor observe his precepts as we ought , whilest we are full of lucre , pride , emulation , dissension , void of simplicity , and faithful dealing , renouncing the world in word , but not in deed , every man pleasing himself , and displeasing others , and therefore are we thus worthily scourged : for , non venissent fratribus haec mala , si in unum fuisset fraternitas animata : these evils had not befallen the brethren , if they had been joyned together in brotherly unanimity . see more in my gen. martyrologie . p. . aurelian the emperour at first suffered the christians to enjoy their religion in peace , but when they had lived a while in peace , and prosperity they began to grow idle , and delicate , striving , and contending amongst themselves upon every trifling occasion , with railing words bespattering one another in a most despightful manner : bishops against bishops , and people against people moving hatred continually : yea cursed hypocrisie , and dissimulation encreased more and more , by reason whereof god sent upon them the ninth persecution , &c. see more in my gen. martyr . p. . salvian bishop of masilia complaineth that before the persecuting vandalls came into africa , the church of god was much degenerated , in those countries from its ancient purity , and that the power of godlinesse was much decayed , insomuch as they which lived exactly according to the rule of gods word were hissed at as they went in the streets as if they had been monsters . eodem . pag. . before the late persecution in bohemia through the long , and peaceable enjoyment of the gospel men by little , and little began to be licentious in their lives , and carnal security so encreased , that many began to presage that some horrible tempest would ere long overwhelm them . eodem . p. . before the massacre of paris such a general stupidity seized upon the protestants , that their minds were very wavering , and few there were that shewed themselves zealously bent to religion ; but all both great , and small were intent upon worldly matters , building to themselves goodly castles in the ayr . eodem . p. . chap. xcviii . stratagems . scriptural examples : jacob , gen. . . josua , chap. . . gibeonites , josu . . , &c. gideon , judg. . , &c. israel , judg. . . after the death of cambyses there being none of the royal seed left , and the chief persian nobles , or magi being all so potent , that none would give place to others , they at last agreed , that meeting all together in such a place the next morning , he whose horse first neighed , should be acknowledged king : one of these was darius , whose master of his horse hearing what was determined , over night took darius his horse to the place , and caused him to cover a mare ; the next morning when they came all to the place , darius his horse remembring the mare presently fell a neighing , whereupon all the rest of the nobles alighted , and saluted him for their king. herod . darius besieging the impregnable city of babylon which had revolted from him , after many waies and means assayed knew not how to prevail ; at last one of his chief colonels called zopyrus , caused himself to be beaten black , and blew , his nose , and lips , and eares to be cut off , and acquainting darius with his purpose , he went to babylon , into which being admitted , he shewed the people his dismembred , and torn body , complains of the cruelty of darius , and proffereth his best assistance to them against him : the citizens knowing the worth of the man , and not suspecting his fraud , made him their captain , and in some skirmishes he beat the persians : at last having drawn forth all the strength of the city , he betrayed them to darius , and so delivered up babylon into his hands . after which darius used to say , that he had rather have one zopyrus then twenty cities of babylon . pez . mel. hist. when the grecian navy understood that the army of xerxes was entred into peloponesus , every one being solicitous for his own home , they resolved to divide themselves , and to provide for the safety of their own countrey : this themistocles mainly opposed , as foreseeing that the division of the grecian navie would be their ruine , and therefore when he could no otherwise prevail , he sent a trusty person about him privately to xerxes to inform him , that the grecian navy was intended to fly away , and that therefore he should presently with his navie set upon them , if he desired a glorious victory . xerxes being glad of this intelligence , thinking that themistocles had done it out of respect to him , he presently caused his navie to environ the grecians on every side , so that they were forced to fight whether they would or no , and so after a terrible battel they gave the persians a great overthrow , destroying two hundred of their ships , besides those which they took in the battel . herod . xerxes seeing his great losses both by sea , and land , was resolved to leave his army with mardonius , and himself with some small party to return into asia : the grecian generals understanding this , resolved to go with their navie to abydos to break down the bridge which xerxes had made , and left there over the sea for his return at his pleasure , thinking by this meanes either to destroy his whole army thus shut up in greece , or to force him to good tearms of agreement : themistocles thinking that it was fitter to make a golden bridge to a flying enemy , then to take away all hopes of escaping from them which might make them fight more desperately , gave contrary counsel ; and when he saw that he could not prevail , he sent privately to xerxes , acquainting him with the grecians purpose of breaking down his bridge , and therefore advised him to hasten his return before they had put their counsel into action . xerxes being affrighted with this message , left his captains to bring after him those forces which he intended to take back into asia , and himself with a few attendants posted back to the bridge for his own safety . herod . after the final overthrow of the persian army , the athenians began to build their city anew , which had been burned by the persians , and to compasse it about with strong walls , which the lacedaemonians hearing of , and suspecting the athenian power , they sent ambassadours to them to disswade them from the work , telling them how dangerous it might be if the persians should again come into greece , &c. themistocles perceiving that they did it out of envy , told them that the athenians would themselves send ambassadours of their own to satisfie the lacedemonians about that matter : and so dismissing them , he exhorted the athenians to hasten their work all that possibly they could ; and after a while himself goes as their ambassadour to sparta , but by the way pretends sicknesse , and other impediments to hinder : yet at length he comes to sparta , but then tells them that he could do nothing effectually till his colleagues were come to him : in the mean time the lacedemenians hearing that the walls went forward apace , sent new ambassadours to know the truth of the businesse : themistocles therefore dispeeds away his man to athens , writing to the magistrates , that when the ambassadours came they should cast them into prison , and keep them as pledges that the lacedemonians should act nothing against them : and at last he makes an oration to the lacedemonians , and tells them , that now athens wa● fortified , whereby they were able to repel war both by their armes , and walls : and so having out-witted the lacedemonians by this stratagem , he returned home with great applause . justin . cimon , general of the athenians triumphed over the persians twice in one day : for first he fought a great battel with them by sea upon the confines of asia , wherein he gave them a great overthrow ; and then taking the persian ships , he put all his valiantest souldiers into them , and dressed them in the persians apparel , and so sailing to the place where their land-army lay , they took them for persians returning in triumph from the slaughter of the athenians : cimon therefore by this stratagem landing his men , brake suddenly into the camp of the persians , whom they quickly overthrew with a great slaughter , and took twenty thousand prisoners , together with an infinite masse of treasure , the tenth part whereof the athenians dedicated to their gods . diod. sic. wheu the grecians had taken the city of bizantium , the grecian captains referred to cimon the dividing of the spoyl : whereupon he set all the captives of one side , and all the plunder of the city on the other ; and then bade the other grecians choose which they would have : they chose the plunder , leaving the naked persons to the athenians , and withal , laughed cimon to scorn for his foolish division . but shortly after the friends , and kinsfolk of the captives came , and brought great sums of money to redeem the captives , whereby the athenians gat more then all the other grecians ; with which cimon defrayed the whole charges of the navy for four moneths . plut. another stratagem of cimons was this , whereas other generals had been burthensome to the friends and confederates of the athenians by forcing them to serve in the wars ; cimon on the contrary , suffered them to commute their personal service for a summe of money , and they that had shipping if they would deliver him their ships , he would excuse them from going in them themselves , and so suffered them to follow their trades , and husbandry : in the mean time he hired his athenians to serve in all the wars both by sea , and land , and so made them expert , and excellent souldiers , whilest their confederates spent their time in ease , or contrary affaires , and so put the opportunity into the athenians hands of being lords over all their neighbours . plut. in the wars between the lacedemonians , and the athenians , when archidamus the lacedemonian general entred with his army into the confines of attiea , and laid all waste before him ; pericles the athenian general suspecting that he would spare his houses , and lands , sent to athens , and bestowed them all upon the common-wealth ▪ that so he might free himself from the envy , and suspition of his citizens . the like stratagem did fabius max. the roman use , who when as hanibal had spared his lands , he presently sent his son to rome to sell them , and employed the money for the redeeming of captives from hanibal . pez . mel. hist. lycurgus commanded his spartans that they should never make war often with one enemy , lest in processe of time they should grow more expert , and valiant then themselves . plut. a little before the grecian navie joyned battel with the persians , themistocles as he went along the sea , and passed by those places where the enemies navy must needs come , caused to be engraven in great letters upon the rocks , and stones an exhortation to the ionians to desert the persians , and to take part with the grecians , who were their ancestours , and founders , and such as fought for their liberty , hoping by this stratagem either to bring the ionians to take part with him , or at least to make the persians jealous , and distrustfull of them , and so render them the lesse useful . see the example of straton in servants . sertorius the roman general in his passage into spain was fain to pay tribute to certain barbarous people that inhabited the pyrenaean mountains over which he was to passe . at this some of his souldiers muttered , saying , that it was an act very dishonourable for the romans : but he told them that he onely bought time , a commodity which such as aspire to haughty enterprises must take up at any rate . chap. xcix . education of children , schoolmasters . lycurgus the lacedemonian law-giver commanded all his citizens to eat their meat in publick at a common-hall , whither all young children went daily as to a school to learn gravity , and temperance , where they heard no vain , or unseemly speeches , but grave , and wise discourses about the government of a common-wealth ; there they learned to sport upon words , and to give , and take jests without offence . plut. one asking agesilaus king of sparta , what should be especially taught unto children ? he answered , that which they are most like to make use of when they come to be men . xenoph. philip king of macedon seeing the hopefulnesse of his son alexander , chose aristotle to be his master , who carefully instructed him in most of the liberal sciences , in the study whereof he took such delight , that he used to say ; i had rather have knowledge then to excell in power . just. he so prized homer's iliads , that in all his wars he carried it in his pocket , and laid it under his pillow anights . how much more should we prize , and carry about us the sacred scriptures ? he loved his master aristotle as if he had been his father , and used to say ; that as we have our being from our parents , so we have our well-being from our school masters . quint. curtius . seneca the master of nero , offering to quit his fortunes to save his life ; nero refused to accept thereof , and acknowledging his immortal debt for the benefit of his instructions , he said ; he had cause to blush , that he who for the reason of his learned merits was of all men dearest to ●im , was not by his meanes in so long a time become the richest also . nero's life . the brachmans in india so soon as their children were capable of instruction used to place them forth to good school-masters , that by them they might be instructed in learning , and good manners , and might be taught subjection to their superiours , and be trained up by good examples . alex. ab alex. the persians so soon as their children could begin to speak used to place them forth to schoolmasters to be taught virtue , temperance , frugality , and obedience , and would not meddle with them for seven years after , left by their indulgence they should do them hurt . xenoph. amongst the lacedemonians there was a custome that boyes , and youths should never sup but in the company of their masters , from whom they might learn examples of frugality , and abstinence . alex. the inhabitants of mitylene when they were lords of the seas about them , if any of their associates revolted from them , they inflicted this punishment : by forbiddiug them to teach their children letters , or the knowledge of the liberal arts : judging it the greatest punishment that could be to passe their lives in ignorance without learning . aelian . julian the apostate when he perceived that the christians by reason of their learning easily confuted , and overthrew the idolatries of the gentiles , he enacted a law , that no christian should train up his sonnes in humane learning : thereby judging , that if he could bring them to ignorance , he could quickly bring them to idolatry . train up a child in the way he should go , and when he is old he will not depart from it , prov. . . the rod , and reproof give wisdome , but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame , prov : . . chap. c. examples about the memory . beza being above fourscore yeares of age could perfectly say by heart any greek chapter in paul's epistles , or any thing else that he had learned before , but forgat whatsoever was newly told him : thuan. obit . doctorum vir . p. . his memory was like an inne retaining old guests , but having no room to entertain new . s. augustine tells us of his friend simplicius , who being asked , could tell all virgils verses backwards , and forwards , and yet he protested , that he knew not that he could do it till they tried him . aug. tom. . de anima , et ejus orig. cap. . staupitius , who was tutor to luther , and a godly man , in a vain ostentation of his memory , repeated christs genealogie , matth. . by heart in his sermon , but being out about the captivity of babylon : i see ( saith he ) god resisteth the proud , and so betook himself to his book for help . mel. adam . in vit . stau . p. . the memory of our bishop juel was raised by art to the highest pitch of humane possibility : for he could readily repeat any thing that he penned after once reading it ; and therefore usually at the ringing of the bell he began to commit his sermons to heart ; and kept what he learned so firmly , that he used to say ; that if he were to make a speech premeditated before a thousand auditors shouting or fighting all the while , yet could he say whatsoever he had provided to speak . many barbarous , and hard names out of a calender , and fourty strange words , welch , irish , &c. after once or twice reading at the most , and short meditation he could repeat both forwards , and backwards without hesitation . sir francis bacon reading to him onely the last clauses of ten lines in erasmus his paraphrase in a confused , and dismembred manner ; he after a small pause rehearsed all those broken parcels of sentences the right way , and the contrary without stumbling . see his life in my first part of the marrow of eccles. hist. anthony wallaeus by the help of the art of memory in six weeks space learned by heart the whole epitome of pagnine with such excellent successe , that thereby he was enabled well to interpret any place of the holy scriptures , and to give a fit reason of it . idem . p. . themistocles had such an excellent memory , that he knew all the citizens of athens , and when he met them could salute them by name . plut. chap. ci. the qualities of sundry people . it 's said of the italians , that they are in their lusts unnatural ; in their malice unappeasable ; in their actions deceitful . they will blaspheme sooner then swear : and murther a man rather then slander , him . of their women it 's said ; that they are magpies at the door ; saints in the church ; goats in the garden ; devils in the house ; angels in the streets ; and syrenes in the windowes . the noble-men of naples of all men under heaven live the most idle , and carelesse lives ; having ( like the tyrant polycrates ) nothing to trouble them , but that they are troubled with nothing . as the french in their language want one proper word to expresse stand ; so naturally they mislike a setled , and fixed posture , and delight in motion . it 's said of them , that primus impetus est major quàm virorum , secundus minor quàm foeminarum : that they come on like powder : but end in smoke . that they have these three properties ; they neither read as they write ; nor sing as they prick ; nor speak as they think . the germans are compared to an heavy bell , which is long in raising ; but being once up , it makes a great sound . the low-countreys had wont to be called the best stable of woodden horses , because of their potency in shipping : though now the english have out-shot them in their own bowe . england was wont to be accounted the popes pack-horse ; for indeed she seldome rested in the stable when any work was to be done . the italians are said to be wise before-hand : the germans in the action : and the french after it is done . mr. asch●m thanks god that he was but nine daies in italy , where in one city [ venice ] he saw more liberty co sin , then in london he ever heard of in nine years . preface to his school . the neaepolitane gentry are observed to stand so much upon the puntilio's of their honour , that they prefer robbery before industry , and will rather suffer their daughter to make merchandise of her chastity , then marry the richest merchant . sr. w. segar in his honors . the earth in italy yields five harvests in a year : . in june that of silks . . in july of divers fruits . . in august that of corn , which afterwards they sowe with millio , rice , turkey wheat , or the like grain , and within two moneths have another crop. . in september that of their wines . . in october that of oyl . englands priviledges . the first christian king that ever was in the world was lucius king of the britans that built peter's church in cornhill london : the first christian emperour that was in the world was constantine the great born in england of helena an english woman . the first king that shook off subjection to antichrist , was our king henry the eighth : and the first christian king that ever wrote that the pope was antichrist was our king james . chap. cii . examples of the wonders of gods works in nature . in cornwal near unto a place called pen sans , is that famous stone called main-amber : which is a great rock advanced upon some other of meaner size , with so equal a counterpoize , that a man may stir it with the push of his finger but to remove it quite out of his place a great number of men are not able . camb. brit. p. . the like is in the countrey of stratherne in scotland . in the year . in the countie of essex an army of mice so overran the marshes in dengey hundred , near unto south-minster , that they shore the grasse to the very roots , and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great murrain fell upon the cattel which grased thereon : speeds essex . in the year . when by reason of unseasonable weather there was a great dearth in the land , there sprang up upon the rocks without tillage , or sowing in the countie of essex betwixt orford , and adlebrough such a crop of pease that in august there was gathered above an hundred quarters , and in blossoming there remained as many more , where never grasse grew , nor earth was ever seen , but hard solid rock for three yards deep under their roots . speed in suffolk . in the countie of devon not far from lidford the river lid , at a bridge is gathered into a strait , and pent in between rocks , whereon it runneth down amaine , and the ground daily waxing more and more deep : his water is not seen : onely a roaring noise is heard to the great wonder of those that pass by . camb. brit. p. . in warwickshire at neuenham regis , three fountains walme out of the ground strained through a veine of allum ; the water whereof carrying the colour , and taste of milk cureth the stone , provoketh urine abundantly : green wounds it quickly closeth up , and healeth : being drunk with salt it looseth , and with sugar it bindeth the belly . camh. brit. p. . in summersetshire near unto glastenbury in wiral-p●rk there is an hawthorne tree which upon christmas-day sprouteth forth as well as in may. camb. brit. p. . also in the same shire near unto cainsham are found in stone-quarries , stones resembling serpents , winding round in manner of a wreath , the head bearing up in the circumference , and the end of the taile taking up the centre within : but most of them are headlesse . camb. brit. p. . in herefordshire a little beneath richards castle nature , who no where disporteth her self more in shewing wonders then in waters , hath brought forth a pretty well which is alwaies full of little fish bones , although they be from time to time quite drawn out of it , whence it 's called commonly bone-well . camb. brit. p. . in gloucestershire upon the hills near alderly are found certain stones resembling cockles , periwinckles , and oisters , which seem to be the garmsome works of nature , or such shells turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . in yorkshire about whitby are found certain stones fashioned like serpents foulded , and wrapped round as in a wreath , so that a man would verily think that they had been sometimes serpents turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . also in the same county at huntly nabb , there lie scattering here , and there amongst the rocks , stones of divers bignesse , so artificially by nature shaped round in manner of a globe , that one would take them to be big bullets made by the turners hand for shot to be discharged out of great ordnance ; in which if you break them , are found stony serpents enwrapped round like a wreath : but most of them are headlesse . camb. brit. p. . in the county of cornwal near unto st. neots , there are a number of good great rocks heaped up together , and under them one stone of lesser size , fashioned naturally in the form of a cheese lying in presse , whereupon it 's named wring-cheese . camb. brit. p. . in yorkshire upon the sea-shore by sken-grave , when the winds are laid , and that upon still weather the sea is most calme ; and the water lies level and plain , without any noise : there is heard here many times on a sudden a great way off as it were an horrible , and a fearful groaning , which affrights the fishermen at those times from launching forth into the sea. camb. brit. p. . in richmondshire amongst the ragged rocks are found stones like unto periwinckles , cockles , and other shell fish . camb. brit. p. . in the county of hereford a hill which they call marcley-hill in the year . ( as though it had wakened on a sudden out of a deep sleep ) roused it self up , and for the space of three dayes together moving and shewing it self ( as mighty , and huge an heape as it was ) with roaring noise in a fearful sort , and overturning all things that stood in the way , advanced it self foreward to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders . camb. brit. p. . in glamorganshire in a rock , or cliffe by the sea-side , there appeareth a very little chink , unto which if you lay your ear you shall hear a noise as if it were of smiths at work , one while the blowing of bellows , another while the striking of the sledge , and hammer , sometimes the sound of the grindstone , and iron tooles rubbing against it , the hissing sparks also of steel gads within holes as they are beaten , and the puffing noise of the fire burning in the surnace . camb. brit. p. . this is called merlins cave . in the bishoprick of durham in derlington - field , there are three pits of a wonderful depth , tearmed by the vulgar hell-kettles , in which the water by an antiperistasis , or reverberation of the cold air striking thereupon , waxeth hot ; which pits have passage under ground into the river teese , as archbishop cuthbert tonstal observed , by finding that goose in the river which he had marked , and let down into these pits . camb. brit. p. . in yorkshire near unto knarsburrow castle is a well in which the waters spring not up out of the veines of the earth , but distill , and trickle down dropping from the rocks hanging over it , whence it 's called dropping-well : into which what wood soever is put , will in a short space be turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . in caermardenshire near unto careg castle there is a fountain that twice in four , and twenty houres ebbeth , and twice floweth , resembling the unstable motions of the main sea. camb. brit. p. . in westmerland hard by shape there is a well , or fountain , which after the manner of euripus ebbeth , and floweth many times in a day . camb. brit. p. . in ireland is a fountain whose water killeth all those beasts that drink thereof , but hurteth not the people , though they usually drink of it . ortelius . near unto bristow is st. vincent's rock full of diamants , in bright , and transparent colour matching , if not exceeding the indian diamants , onely they are softer ; but nature her self having framed them pointed with four , or six-cornered smooth sides , they are worthily had in great admiration : also over against it on the west-side of the river , there is another rock full of diamants , which by the wonderful skill , and workmanship of nature are inclosed as young ones within the bowels of hollow , and reddish flints . camb. brit. p. . at aspley gowik in bedfordshire near woburn there is a kind of earth that turns wood into stone : for proof whereof there was a woodden ladder in the monastery of woburn , that having lien a good while covered over in that earth , was digged forth again all stone . camb. brit. p. . near unto lutterworth in leicestershire there is a spring of water so cold , that in a short time it turneth strawes , and sticks into stone . camb. brit. pag. . in darbyshire in the peak-forrest not far from buxtons is a well which in a wonderful manner doth ordinarily ebbe , and flowe four times in the space of one hour , or thereabouts , keeping his just tides . camb. brit. p. . also in the same county at the spring-head of wie there rise , and walme up nine fountaines of hot waters , commonly called buxton-wells , very sovereign for the stomach , sinews , and whole body . camb. brit. p. . in scotland on the bank of ratra neer unto stang's castle there is a cave wherein the water distilling naturally by drops from the head of the vault , is presently turned into pyramidal stones , and were not the said hole , or cave otherwhiles rid , and cleansed , the whole space as far as up to the vault , would in a short time be filled therewith . camb. brit. scotl. p. . in scotland in the countrey of murray there is a river called naes , the water whereof is almost alwaies warm , and at no time so cold that it freezeth , yea , in the most cold time of winter , broken ice falling into it is dissolved with the heat thereof . descrip . of scotl. also in galloway the loch called loch-merton is of such a strange nature , that the one half of it doth never freeze in the coldest winter . descrip. of scotl. in kile there is a rock about twelve foot high , and as much in breadth called the deaf craig : for though a man cry never so loud , or shoot off a gun on the one side , yet his fellow on the other side cannot hear the noise . desc. of scot. in lenox is a great loch , or meere called loch-lowmond , in length twenty four miles , and eight in breadth , wherein are three strange things : first , excellent good fish without any finnes . secondly , a floating island whereon many kine feed . and thirdly , tempestuous waves raging without winds , yea , in the greatest calmes . desc. of scot. in argyle is a stone found in divers parts , which being laid under straw , or stubble doth set it on fire by the great heat that it collecteth there . descr. of scot. in lincolnshire there is a fowl called a dotterel , so named of its doltish foolishnesse , it 's a bird of an apish kind , ready to imitate what it sees done , they are caught by candle-light by the fowlers gestures : for if he put forth an arm , they stretch forth a wing : sets he forward a legg , or holdeth up his head , they likewise do theirs : in brief , what ever the fowler doth , the same also doth this foolish bird untill it be caught within the net . camb. brit. p. . there is an island called bas bordering upon lothaien in scotland , unto which there resort such a multitude of sea-fowles , especially of soland geese which bring with them such abundance of fish , that as it 's reported , an hundred garison souldiers lying there for defence of the place , fed upon no other meat then the fresh fish that was thus brought to them ; and the said fowles bring also such abundance of sticks , and twiggs for to make their nests of , that thereby the inhabitants are abundantly provided of fewel for their fire also : and such a mighty gain is made of their feathers , and oyl that no man would scarcely believe it , but he that had seen it . camb. brit. scot. p. , . most certain it is , that cowes in ireland will not give down their milk , unlesse their own calf be set by their side alive , or else the skin of the dead calf must be stuffed with straw , and set by them . camb. brit. irel. p. . in one of the scottish islands there is a rare kind of fowl , unknown to other countreys , called colca , little lesse then a goose ; they come thither every year in the spring , hatch , and nourish their young ones : about which time they cast all their feathers , and become stark naked of all their bodies , and then they get themselves to the sea , and are no more seen till the next spring : their feathers have no quill as other feathers have , but are all like unto a down wherein is no hardnesse . desc : of scot. in the island of orknay the ewes are of such fecundity that they bring forth constantly two , and often three lambs a piece : there be neither ravenous nor venomous beasts there , nor will live there , although they be transported thither . descrip. of scot. in the north seas of scotland are great loggs of timber found , in which are marvellously ingendred a sort of geese called claik-geese , and they do hang by the beak till they be of perfection : oftentimes found , and kept in admiration for their rare manner of generation . desc. of scot. they are very fat , and delicious to be eaten . the storks are so careful of their parents , that when they grow old , and unable to help themselves , the young ones feed them ; and when their wings fail them in passing the sea , the young ones take them on their backs , and carry them over . but this is remarkable ; the town of delph in the low-countries is so seated for the feeding , and bringing up of these birds , that it 's hard to see an house wherein they breed not : in which town upon the third of may anno christi . a great fire happening when the young storks were grown pretty big ; the old ones perceiving the fire to approach their nests , attempted to carry away their young ones , but could not they were so weighty , which they perceiving , never ceased with their wings spread to cover them , till they perished in the flames . belg. com. wealth . p. . in the year . some women of edam in the low-countries going in barks to their cattel in purmerm●●r , did often see at the ebbing of the water a sea-woman playing up , and down , whereat at first they were afraid , but after encouraging one another , made with their boats towards her , and the water now not deep enough for her to dive in , they took her by force , drew her into the boat , and carried her to edam , where in time she grew familiar , and fed of ordinary meats ; and being sent to harleus lived some fifteen years , but never spake , seeking often to get again into the water . belg. com. wealth . p. . the lady marguerit of holland countesse of hausberg was miraculously delivered of children at one birth , whereof eras. rot. lod. vives . and many other famous authors make mention : also albertus crantzius , and others write . that about thirty seven yeares after the like happened to the lady marguerit daughter to the earl of holsteine , which were all baptized . also martin cromer in his chronicles of poland writes , that in cracovia anno . the wife of the earl buboslas was delivered of thirty six children all living . belg. com. vvealth . p. . it 's most strange , yet true , that the arms of the duke of rohan in france , which are fusils , or lozenges are to be seen in the wood , or stones through all his countrey , so that break a stone in the middle , or lop a bough off a tree , and you shall behold the grain thereof ( by some secret cause in nature ) diamonded or streaken in the fashion of a lozenge . and in vvarwickshire the armes of the shugburies , which are stars , are found in the stones in their own manour of shugbury , so that break the stone where you will , and there is the exact fashion of a star in the end of it : this i have oft seen , and have many of the stones . groenland ( in the hyperborean sea ) was discovered anno . it hath in it the monastery of st. thomas , situate on the north-east part thereof at the foot of a mountain where there is a river so hot , that it serves for to boyl their meat , and other such purposes as fire doth with us . isac . chron. p. . the river hypanis in scythia every day brings forth little bladders , out of which come certain flies , which are thus bred in the morning , fledge at noon , and dead at night : fit emblemes of the vanity and short life of man. clitumnus is a river in italy which makes all the oxen that drink of it white . fulk . meteor . lib. . the river melas in boeotia makes all the sheep that drink of it black . plin. the fountain of jupiter hammon is cold in the day-time , and hot at midnight . the fountain of the sun hath its water extream cold , and sweet at noon , and boiling hot , and bitter at midnight . plin. lib. . c. . august . there is a river in palestine called the sabbaticall river , which runs with a violent and swift stream all the week ; but every sabbath it remaines dry . joseph . de bel . jud. l. . c. . in idumaea is a fountain called the fountain of job , which for one quarter of the year is troubled , and muddy ; the next quarter bloody ; the third green , and the fourth clear . isiod . the river astaces in the isle of pontus uses sometimes to overflow the fields , after which whatsoever sheep , or milch cattel feed thereon , give black milk . plin. l. . c. . furius camillus being censor in rome , the lake albanus being environed with mountains on every side , in the time of autumne when other lakes , and rivers were almost dry , the waters of this lake after a wondrous manner began to swell , and rise upwards till at last they were equal with the tops of the mountains , and after a while they brake thorow one of those mountains overflowing , and bearing all down before them till they emptied themselves into the sea. plut. about the year . in the reign of trajan , who raised the third persecution , on the . of october there fell out one of the most terrible earthquakes that ever was : first there arose furious , and violent winds , which tare up trees by the roots , made birds fall to the earth , uncovered houses , and overthrew many ; then followed thunder , and lightning , which made the night like noon-day ; then fearfull thunderbolts , which brake down stately buildings , and slew many men . the sea was wonderfully troubled , after which came such a violent heat , that men not able to endure it , stript themselves , and hid themselves under ground , the skie was so dark , and dust so great , that one could not see another , so that shocking together many fell down dead : many cities were ruinated , much people perished ; many mountains , and hills sunk , and became plaines : many rivers were dryed up , fountains and springs brake out where never was any before . almost all the houses in antioch were demolished . dion . the river d ee in meri●●●●●hshire in wales , though it run through pimble-meer , yet it remaineth intire , and mingles not its streams with the waters of the lake . camb. brit. and a river in spain burieth it self in the earth , and runneth under ground fifteen miles together : whereupon the spaniards brag that they have a bridge whereon ten thousand cattell feed daily . a poor woman in holland being great with child , and near to the time of her delivery ; for the space of fifteen daies before the same , the child in her womb was heard almost continually to cry , and lament : the which many worthy persons , for the greater approbation of the truth , went daily to hear , and have testified the same . neth . hist. divers women brought a young woman in ireland almost naked to the house of mr. creighton minister of virgikea in the county of cavan , to whom an irish rebel came upon the way ( these women being present ) requiring her to give him her money , swearing that else he would presently kill her , and withall drew his sword : the young woman answered , you cannot kill me except god give you leave , and his will be done : hereupon the rogue thrust three times at her naked body with his drawn sword , and yet could not pierce her skin , upon which miracle , being much confounded , he went away , and left her . attested upon oath . pliny tells us of a fountain called dodon , which alwaies decreaseth from midnight till noon , and encreaseth from noon till midnight . he also tells us of certain fountains in an island neer italy which alwaies increase and decrease according to the ebbing , and flowing of the sea. aristotle writeth of a well in sicilie , whose water is so sharp , that the inhabitants use it instead of vineger . in bohemia neer to the city of bilen is a well of such excellent , water , that the inhabitants use to drink of it in a morning instead of burnt wine . dr. fulk . in paphlagonia is a well which hath the taste of wine , and it makes men drunk which drink of it ; whence du bartas , salonian fountain , and thou andrian spring , out of what cellars do you daily bring the oyl , and wine that you abound with so ? o earth , do these within thine entralls grow ? &c. aelian mentioneth a fountain in boeotia near to thebes , which makes horses run mad if they drink of it . pliuy mentioneth a water in sclavonia which is extream cold , and yet if a man throw his cloath cloke upon it , it is presently set on fire . other waters there are which discolour the fleeces of the sheep which drink of them : whence du bartas , cerona , xanth , and cephisus do make the thirsty flocks that of their waters take , blak , red , and white : and neer the crimson deep th' arabian fountain maketh crimson sheep . and again , what should i of th' illyrian fountain tell ? what shall i say of the dodonean vvell ? vvhereof the first sets any clothes on fire ; th' other doth quench ( who but will this admire ? ) a burning torch : and when the same is quenched , lights it again , if it again be drenched . anno christi . at oreford in suffolk a fish was taken by the fishermen at sea , in shape resembling a wild man , and by them was presented to sir bartholomew de glanvil , keeper of oreford castle . in all his limbs , and members he resembled a man , had hair in ●ll the usual parts of his body , onely his head was bald . the knight caused meat to be set before him , which he greedily devoured , and did eat fish raw , or sod : that which was raw he pressed with his hand till he had squeezed out all the moisture : he uttered not any speech , though to try him , they hung him up by the heeles , and grievously tormented him . he would get him to his couch at the setting of the sun , and rise again at the sun-rising . one day they brought him to the haven , and let him go into the sea , but to prevent his escape they set three rowes of very strong nets before him to catch him again at their pleasure : but he , streightwaies diving to the bottom , crept under all their nets , and shewed himself again to them , and so often diving he still came up , and looked upon them that stood on the shoare as it were mocking of them . at length after he had sported himself a great while in the water , and there was no hope of his return , he came back to them of his own accord , and remained with them two moneths after . but finally , when he was negligently looked to , he went to the sea , and was never after seen , or heard of . fabians chron. chap. ciii . examples of the rare works of god in the creatures . in the province of dara in libia there is a certain river which sometimes so overfloweth , that it 's like a sea ; but in the summer it is so shallow that any one may passe over it on foot : if it overfloweth about the beginning of april , it bringeth great plenty to the whole region , if not , there followes great scarcity of . corn. pur. pil. v. . p. . of date-trees , some are males , and other females : the male brings forth flowers onely ; the female , fruit : but the flowers of the female will not open , unlesse the boughes , and flowers of the male be joyned unto them : and if they be not thus coupled the dates will prove stark naught , and have great stones in them . eodem l●co . near unto the grand cairo in egypt is a garden environed with a strong wall , in the garden is a large fountain , and in middest of it groweth the onely balme-tree bearing true balme , that is in the world : it hath a short stock , or body , and beareth leaves like unto vine-leaves , but not altogether so long , p. pil. v. . p. . the famous river of nilus in egypt useth once in the year to overflow her banks whereby the whole countrey is watered , it usually beginneth to overflow upon the th of june , and increaseth daily , sometimes two , sometimes three fingers , and sometimes half a cubit high on a day : the encrease of it is known by a pillar in a cistern whereinto the water is conveyed by a sluce , which pillar is divided into eighteen parts , each a cubit : if the water reach only to the fifteenth cubit , they expect a fruitful year , if it stay between the twelfth , and fifteenth cubit , the increase of that year will be but mean ; if it reach not to the twelfth , it 's a sign of scarcity : if it rise to the eighteenth , the scarcity will be greater in regard of too much moisture : this river continueth daies increasing , and daies decreasing . eodem loco . there are three sorts of camels : the first sort are grosse , and tall of stature , they will usually carry a thousand pounds weight : when they are to be loaden , being beaten upon their knees , and neck with a wand , they will kneel down , and when they feel their load sufficient , they will rise up again : the second fort of them have two bunches on their back , and are fit either for burthens , or to ride on : the third sort are of a slender , and low stature called dromidaries , unfit for burthens , but they excell in swiftnesse , so that in the space of one day they will travel an hundred miles , and will so continue for eight or ten daies together with very little provender : and they will abstain from drink eight , ten , and sometimes fifteen daies together without any inconvenience . p. pil. v. . p. . in the grand cairo in egypt the plague useth to be very violent till the river nilus begins to overflow his banks , at which time it doth instantly cease : insomuch as when five hundred dyed at cairo the day before , not one doth die the day following . p. pil. v. . p. . in the marishes of egypt grow the sedgy reeds , formerly called papyri , of which they made paper , and of which ours ( made of rags ) assumeth that name : they divide it into thin flakes , whereinto it naturally parteth : then laying them on a table , and moistening them with the glutinous water of nilus , they presse them together , dry them in the sun , whereby they are fitted for use . p. pil. v. . p. . there is a certain island called lounda in the kingdom of congo , wherein is no fresh water ( being a very sandy ground ) but if you digg but the depth of two or three hand-breadthes , you shall find sweet water , the best in all those countries : and ( which is most strange ) when the ocean ebbeth this water growes brackish , but when it flowes to the top , it is most sweet . p. pil. v. . p. . not far from casbine , the regal city in persia is a fountain of a strange , and wonderfull nature , out of which there continually springeth , and issueth a marvellous quantity of black oyl , which serveth in all parts of persia to burn in their houses , and is usually carried all over the countrey upon kine , and asses , whereof you may often meet three or four hundred in company . p. pil. v. . p. . about three daies journey from old babylon is a town called ait , and near unto that is a valley of pitch very marvellous to behold , wherein are many springs , throwing out abundantly a kind of black substance ▪ like unto tar , and pitch , which serveth all the countrey thereabouts to make staunch their barques with , and boats : every one of which springs makes a noise like to a smith's forge in puffing , and blowing out the matter , which never ceaseth day , nor night , and the noise is heard a mile off : the moores call it hell-mouth . p. pil. v. . p. . the tree whereon the coquo-nuts grow in the indies of all trees in the forrest may have the preheminence : for meerly with it , without the least help of any other a ship may be built , and furnished to sea : the heart of the tree will make good planks , and timber , and masts : a gum that growes thereon will serve to calk it : the rind of the same tree will make cordage , and sailes ; and the large nut being full of kernel , and pleasant liquor will serve for meat , and drink to those that sail in the ship ; and the store of these nuts for merchandise . p. pil. v. . p. . in the great mogul's countrey , from agra to lahor ( which are the two chief cities in this empire ) is about four hundred english miles : the countrey in all that distance being even without mountains , or hills ; and the high-way planted on both sides with trees like unto a delicate walk . p. pil. v. . . in the same countrey in a city called nagracut , there is a chappel most richly set forth , both seeled , and paved with plates of pure gold ; wherein is kept an idol which they call ma●ta , visited yearly by many thousands of the indians , who out of devotion cut off part of their tongues to make a sacrifice for it : in the same province also there is another famous pilgrimage to a place called iallamakae , where out of cold springs , and hard rocks there are daily to be seen incessant eruptions of fire : before which the idolatrous people fall down , and worship . p. pil. v. . p. . in the same countrey also they have a pleasant clear liquor which they call taddy , issuing from a spongie tree that growes straight , and tall , without boughes to the top , and there spreads out into branches , somewhat like to an english colewort , where they make incisions , under which they hang earthen pots to preserve the influence : that which distills forth in the night is as pleasing to the taste as any white wine , if drunk betimes in the morning ; and of a piercing , and medicinable quality , excellent against the stone . but in the heat of the day the sun alters it , so that it becomes headdy , ill-relished , and unwholesome . p. pil. v. . p. . for cotton wooll , they plant seeds , which grow up into shrubs like unto our rose-bushes : it blowes first into a yellow blossom , which falling off , there remains a cod about the bignesse of a mans thumb , in which the substance is moist , and yellow , but as it ripens it swells bigger till it break the cod , and in short time becomes as white as snow , and then they gather it . p. pil. v. . p. . musk is taken from a little reddish beast , beaten with many blowes on one place that the blood may all come thither : then is the skin so swolne , and full of blood bound straight , that the blood may not issue forth , and being put into one , or more bladders , is dryed on the beasts back till the bladder fall off of it self : and so that blood after a moneth becomes excellent musk. p. pil. v. . p. . one peter a christian cafar at sofala , his wife dying in travel of a daughter , nourished the child with the milk of his own breasts a whole year , at end whereof the child dyed of the worms , and then the milk dryed up in his breasts : he told me ( saith the relator ) that pity of the motherlesse crying infant ( which his poverty could not otherwise relieve ) caused him to seek to still it by laying it to his breast , and then gave it something to drink , which having continued two or three daies his breast began to yield milk. p. pil. v. . pag. . in the seas near unto sofala are many womenfishes : which from the belly to the neck are very like a woman : the female nourisheth her young with her breasts which are like a womans . from the belly downward , it hath a thick , and long tail with finnes like a dolphin : the skin white on the belly , and the back rougher then a dolphins : it hath armes ending from the elbowes in finnes , and hath no hands : the face is plain , round , deformed , bigger then a mans , without humane semblance , wide-mouthed , thick hanging lips as an hound , four teeth hanging out almost a span long , like the tusk of a boar : and their nostrils like a calves . p. pil. v. . p. . the torped● is a strange kind of fish , which a man holding in his hand , if it stir not , it produceth no effect : but if it move it self never so little , i● so torments the body of him which holds it , that his arteries , joynts , sinews , and all his members feele exceeding paine , with a certain numness , and as soon as it is let goe out of the hand , all that paine and numness is gone also . p. pil. v. . p. . the cynamon-tree is a small tree , and low , having leaves like to our bay-tree : in the moneth of march or april , when the sap goeth up to the top of the tree , they cut the bark of the tree round about in length from knot to knot , or from joynt to joynt , above and below , and then easily with their hands they take it away , laying it in the sun to drie , and yet for all this the tree dies not , but against the next yeer it will have a new barke , and that which is gathered every yeer is the best cynamon : that which grows longer is great , and not so good , p. pil. v. . p. in india is a treee called arbore de rays , or the tree of roots , it groweth first up like other trees , and spreadeth the branches , out of which there come strings , which seem afarre off to be cords of hemp , which growing longer , till they reach the ground , there take root again : so that in the end one tree will cover a great piece of ground , one root crossing within another like a maze , each of these young trees will in time grow so big , that it cannot be discerned which is the principall trunk o● body of the tree . there is also a tree called arbor● irist● , or the sorrow full tree , so called , because it never beareth blossoms but in the night-time , and so it doth , and continueth all the yeer long : so soon as the sun sets , there is not one blossom seen upon the tree , but presently within half an hour after , there are as many blossoms as the tree can beare , pleasant to behold , and smelling very sweet , and as soon as the day comes , and the sun is rising , they all presently fall off , and not one to be seen on the tree , which seems as though it were dead , till evening comes againe , and then it begins to blossome as it did before , it 's as big as a plum-tree : it groweth up quickly , and if you break but a branch of the tree , and set it in the earth , it presently takes root , and growes , and within a few dayes after it beareth blossoms , which are like orange-tree-blossoms , the flower white , and in the bottom somewhat yellow , and reddish . p. pil. v. . p. . there is also an herb in india called by the portugals herba sentida , or feeling herb , which if a man touch , or throw sand , or any other thing upon it , presently it becoms as though it were withered , closing the leaves together , and it comes not to it self again as long as the man standeth by it , but presently after he is gone , it openeth the leaves again , which become stiffe , and fair , as though they were newly grown : and touching it again , it shuts , and becomes withered as before , so that it 's a pleasure to behold the strange nature of it . p. pil. v. . p ▪ . pepper is planted at the root of some other tree , and runs up it like ivie : the leaves are like the orange leaves , but somewhat smaller , green , and sharp at ends : the pepper groweth in bunches like grapes , but lesse , and thinner ; they are alwaies green till they begin to dry , and ripen , which is in december , and january , at which time it turns black , and is gathered . p. pil. v. . p. . the best ginger growes in malabar ; it groweth like thin , and young netherland reeds , two or three spans high , the root whereof is the ginger , which is gathered in december , and january . p. pil. v. . p. . the clove-trees are like bay-trees , the blossoms at the first white , then green , and at last red , and hard , which are the cloves ; these cloves grow very thick together , and in great numbers . in the place where these trees grow , there is neither grasse , nor green herbs , but is wholly dry , for that those trees draw all the moisture unto them . p. pil. v. . p. . the nutmeg-tree is like a pear-tree , but that it 's lesse , and with round leaves : the fruit is like great round peaches , the inward part whereof is the nutmeg ; this hath about it an hard shell like wood , and the shell is covered over with nutmeg-flower , which is the mace , and over it is the fruit , which without is like the fruit of a peach . p. pil. v. . p. . gumme-lac comes most from pegu : where are certain very great pismires with wings which fly up the trees like plum-trees , out of which trees comes a certain gumme which the pismires suck up , and then they make the lac round about the branches of the trees , as bees make wax , and when it is full , the owners come , and breaking off the branches , lay them to dry , and being dry , the branches shrink out , and the lac remaines . p. pil. v. . p. . ambergreece is usually cast upon the sea-shore , which as some suppose is the dung of the whale , or as others , the sperme , or seed of the whale consolidated by lying in the sea. p. pil. v. . p. . in the kingdome of fez there is a mountain called beniguazeval , in the top whereof there is a cave that perpetually casteth out fire . p. pil. v. . pag. . the herb addad is bitter , and the root of it so venomous that one drop of the juice will kill a man within the spa●e of one hour . p. pil. v. . p. . of palm-trees which they keep with watering , and cutting every year , they make velvets , satins , ta●at●es , damasks ▪ sarcenets , and such like , all which are spun out of the leaves cleansed , and drawn into long threads . p. pil. v. . p. . crocodiles are often spans long : contrary to all other creatures they open the upper jaw : they lay many eggs in a hole in the sand which the sun hatcheth . p. pil. in sofala there is a creature called inhazaras as big as a hog , and somewhat like with thinne and black hair having five fingers like a mans on his hinder ●eet ▪ and four on his forefeet ▪ which live upon ants , by thrusting their tongues ▪ ( which are two spans and an half long ) into an ant-hill , whereon the ants running , they pull them into their mouthes ▪ p. pil. in the kingdom of tunis near to the city of el-hamma is a hot river which by divers channels is carried through the city , in which the water is so hot , that few can endure to go into it , yet the people drink of it , having set the water to cool a whole day together . p. pil. v. . p. . there is in africa a certain monster called po●g● in all proportion like a man , onely bigger : it hath a mans face , hollow eyes , long hair upon the browes : his face , and eares without hair ; his body is full of hair of dunnish colour , &c. differs not from a man but in his leggs which have no calves : he goes alwaies upon his leggs , and carries his hands clasped in the nape of his neck when he walks upon the ground ; they sleep in trees and live of fruit , and nuts . p. pil. v ▪ . p. . in abassia are kine with hornes like unto harts hornes : others there be th●● have but one horn in the middest of their foreheads of about a span , and an half long , turning upward . p. pil. v. . p. . in sofala are many river-horses as big as two of our horses , with thick , and short hinder legs , having five clawes on each forefoot , and four on the hinder , the mouth wide , and full of teeth , four of which are above two spans long apiece , the two lower straight up , the two upper turned like a beares tush : they live in the water , but ●eed on the land on grasse : they have ●eates where with they nourish their young ; their hides are thicker then an oxes ; they are all of an ash colour gray with white strakes on their faces ; or white stars ▪ p. pil. v. . p. . in africa is a river called margania , and by it a salt spring which turns all the wood that is thrown into it into hard stone . p. pil. v. . p. . in america there are certain very small birds called viemalim , with small , and long bills , they live of the dew , and of the juice of flowers and roses like bees : their feathers are of very curious colours ; they die , or sleep every year in october sitting on a bough in a warm place , and in april following they awake again when the flowers be sprung . i have one of these birds . the most , and best pearles are brought from the ille of z●ilan they fish for them , beginning in march , and continuing fifty daies : the manner is this : at the end of a rope they make fast a great stone which they throw into the sea , and then a man that hath his ears , and nose well stopt ▪ and anointed with oyl , with a basket about his neck goes down by the rope to the bottom of the sea , and as fast as he can , fills his basket with oisters , and when it 's full shaketh the rope , and then his fellowes in the boat hale him up with his basket , which being emptied , he goes down again ; and at the end of the fishing they open their oisters in many of which they find pearles , which are of four sorts , and valued according to their beauty , and bignesse . idem . p. . in congo is a strange creature as big as a ram , with wings like a dragon , a long taile , and great chaps , and divers rowes of teeth : they feed upon raw flesh . eodem . p. . in africa is a beast called a dabuk in bignesse , and shape resembling a wolf , saving that his leggs , and feet are like a mans : he useth to rake dead men out of their graves , and eat them . eodem . p. . in the mouth of the river of goa was taken a fish of the bignesse of a cur-dog , with a s●out like a hog , small eyes , no eares but two holes instead thereof : it had four feet like an elephant , the tail flat , but at the end round , and somewhat sharp : it snorted like a hog , the body , head , tail , and legs were covered with broad scales as hard as iron , so that no weapon could pierce them ; when he was beaten he would rolle himself round like an urchi● , and could by no strength be opened till he opened of his own accord . eodem . p. . frankincense growes in arabia , and is the gumme that issueth out of trees . eodem . p. . in mozambique manna is procreated of the dew of heaven falling on a certain tree on which it hardens like sugar , sticking to the wood like rozin , whence it 's gathered , and put into jarrs , and is used much for purging in india . eodem . p. . mastick-trees grow onely in the island of sio : the trees are low shrubs with little crooked boughes and leavesl : in the end of august they begin their mastick-harvest , men cutting the bark of the tree with iron instruments , out of which the gumme distills incessantly for almost three moneths together . eodem . p. . in the arabian deserts there are great store of ostridges , that keep in flocks , and often affright passengers that are strangers with their fearfull shreeches , appearing afar off like a troop of horsemen : their bodies are too heavy to be supported with their wings , which uselesse for flight , yet serve them to run more speedily , so that a swift horse can scarce overtake them : what they find they swallow down , sometimes stones , and iron : when they have laid their eggs ( which are as big as a culverin bullet ) they forget where they left them , and so return no more : hence that expression , lam. . . the daughter of my people is become cruel like the ostriches in the wildernesse . whereupon also she is made the embleam of folly ; job . , &c. she leaveth her ●ggs in the earth , and warmeth them in the dust , and forgets that the foot may crush them , &c. spunges are gathered from the sides of rocks fifteen fathom under water about the bottom of the streights of gibralter , the people that get them being trained up in diving from their childhood , so that they can endure to stay very long under water , as if it were their habitable element . in manica is a tree called the resurrection-tree , which for the greatest part of the year is without leaf , or greennesse : but if one cut off a bough , and put it into the water in the space of ten houres it springs , and flourisheth with green leaves ; but draw it out of the water , as soon as it is dry it remaineth as it was before . pur. pil. v. . p. . in aleppo though the plague be many times very hot all the spring-time , yet so soon as the sun enters into leo , which is the twelfth , or thirteenth day of july , the plague immediately ceaseth though it be never so violent , and all that are then sick amend , and such as are well need fear no infection . eodem . p. . upon the coasts of brasile are found m●er-men , which are like unto men , of a good stature , but their eyes are very hollow . the cuttle fish hath a hood alwayes full of black water like ink , which when they are pursued by other fishes , they cast it forth , whereby they so muddy , and darken the water , that thereby they escape . there are a sort of fishes , whose wonderfull making magnifieth the creator , who for their safty hath given them fins which serve instead of wings : of such a delicate skin interlaced with small bones as may cause admiration : they are like to pilchards , onely a little rounder , and bigger . they flie best with a side-wind , but longer then their wings are wet . they cannot flye , so that their longest flight is about a quarter of a mile . the dolphins and bonitoes doe continually hunt after them to devoure them , whereupon for safety they take the aire , but then there is a fowle called an alcatrace , much like a hern which hovers in the aire to seise upon them . incidit in scyllam qui vul● vitare charibdin . out of the frying pan into the fire . in brasile is a little bird , which they call the risen or awaken bird , because it sleeps six moneths , and wakes the other six . it hath a cap on its head of no one colour , but on what ●ide so ever you look sheweth red , green , black , or other colours , all very fine and shining , the breast also sheweth great variety of colours , especially yellow more fine then gold : the body is grey , and it hath a very long bill , and yet the tongue is twice so long as the bill : it flies very swiftly , and makes a noise like a bee ; it alwaies feeds flying . there is often a strange fight in the sea between the whale and his enemies , viz. the swordfish , and the thresher . the swordfish is not great but strongly made , and between his neck , and shoulders he hath a bone , like a sword of about five inches broad , and above three foot long full of prickles on either side . the thresher is a bigger fish whose tail is broad , and thick and very weighty . the fight is in this manner ; the swordfish placeth himself under the belly of the whale , and the thresher above with his tail thresheth upon the head of the whale till he forceth him to give way , which the swordfish perceiving , wounds him in the belly with the sword , and so forceth him to rise up again . in this manner they torment him , that the fight is sometimes heard above three leagues off , the whales roaring being heard much further , his onely remedy in this case is to get to the shore , which he laboureth to do so soon as he sees his enemies : for then there can fight but one with him , and for either of them hand to hand he is too good . pur. pil. v. . p. . in the island of tercera are some fountains the water whereof is so hot , that it will boyl an egg . in the same island is another fountain that will turn wood into stone ; and a tree that groweth by , that part of the root that growes within water is petrified ; the other that is out is wood as of other trees . in the kingdome of mexico are kine with bunches on their backs about the bignesse of our bulls , but little horns , and more hair on their foreparts then behind , which is like wooll . on the back-bone they have a mane like horses , and long hair from their knees downward , with much long hair on their throats . they are meat , drink , shoes , houses , fire , vessels , and their masters whole substance . other creatures there be as big as horse● , which the spaniards for their fine wooll call sheep . one of their hornes usually weighes fifty pounds . purch . pil. v. . p. . in one of the azore islands is an hill called pico , which is above fifteen miles high : the top is many times seen clearly , but about the middle of it hang the clouds ; upon the top many times issue forth flames of fire as out of aetna . idem . p. . in virginia is a beast called possowne , the female whereof will let forth her young ones out of her belly , and take them again into her belly at her pleasure . idem . p. . teneriff one of the canary islands hath in it a very high hill in the form of a sugar-loaf , and is continually covered with snow ; so that going up it the cold is unsufferable , it 's seen above fourty leagues off at sea. there is also in the same island a tree as big as an oke of middle size , the bark white like horn-beam ; six , or seven yards high with ragged boughes , the leaf like the bay-leaf . it beareth neither fruit nor flower ; it stands on the side of an hill , in the day ▪ it 's withered , and drops all night ( a cloud hanging thereon ) so that it yields water sufficient for the whole island , wherein are eight thousand soules , and about an hundred thousand cammels , mules , goats , &c. the water falls from it into a pond made of brick , paved with stone ; from which it 's conveyed into several ponds thorow the whole island . they also water therewith their corn-ground , for they have no other water in the island ▪ except rain-water . the pond holds twenty thousand tunne of water , and is filled in one night . many of english that have been there have attested the truth hereof . idem . p. ● . in so●oter● are sheep whose tailes weigh twenty eight pound apiece , which therefore are usually cut off from the ewes , lest they should hinder their breeding . there are also batts whose bodies are almost as big as conies , headed like a fox with a hairy fur , in other things like batts : one of them being killed by some english , his wings extended were an ●ll in length : their cry is shrill , and loud . aloes growes in the same countrey which is nothing but semper viv●m , it is so full of a rosin-like juice that the leaves are ready to br●●k with it : which leaves they cut in small pieces ▪ and cast them into a clean pit made in the ground , and paved : there it lies to ferment in the heat of the sun , whereby the juice floweth forth , which they put in skins , and hang them up in the wind to dry , whereby it hardens . p. pil. v. . p. . indico groweth in the moguls countrey , having a small leaf like that of sena : the branches are of a wooddy substance like broome : it growes not above a yard high , the stalk about the bignesse of a mans thumb : the seed is included in a small round cod of an inch long . this once sowed lasteth three years ▪ that of the first year makes a weighty reddish indico that sinks in water being not yet come to its perfection : that of the second year is rich , very light , and of a perfect violet colour swimming on the water : that of the third year is weighty , blackish , and the worst of the three . this herb when it 's cut is put into a cistern , and pressed down with stones , then covered over with water , where it remains till the substance of the herb is gone into the water : then it 's drawn forth into another cistern , and laboured with staves till it be like batter , then they let it seeth , and so scum off the water two or three times till nothing but a thick substance remains , which taking forth they spread on a cloath , dry it in the sun , then make it into balls , dry it on the sand , which causes the sandy foot : that is best which is of pure a grain , violet-colour , is glo●●ie , dry , and light . idem . p. . in the same countrey are asses with hornes whereof they make divers sorts of drinking cups , of excellent virtue : some esteeming them the right unicorns horns . idem . p. . sir james lancaster in his east-indy voyage , in the isle of sombrer● found on the sea-sands a young twig growing up to a tree , and offering to pluck up the same , it shrank down into the ground , and when it was by strength pulled up , a great worm was the root of it , and as the tree groweth in greatnesse , the worm diminisheth : this tree plucked up , the leaves , and pill stripped off , by that time it 's dry is turned into a hard stone ; so that this worm was twice transformed into different natures after a wondrous manner : of these he brought home many . p. pil. v. . p. . there is in the countrey of mexico a kind of sheep , which all things considered is a beast of the greatest profit , and least charge that is : for from them they draw meat , and clothing : they use them also to carry all their burthens , having need neither of shoes nor saddles , nor yet of oates , so that they serve their masters for nought , feeding onely on grasse which they find in the fields ; there are two kinds of these creatures , the one bearing wooll , the other are bare , which are the better for burthen ; they are bigger then great sheep , and lesse then calves ; they have long necks like a cammel . they are of divers colours , some white , some black , and others grey , or spotted ; their flesh is good meat , but that of their lambs is best : of their wooll the indians make cloth , some courser , other finer like half silk ; they also make carpets , and coverings , and other exquisite works of it which last long , and have a very good glosse ; they die it into sundry colours : upon these the spaniards carry their barres of silver ; one of these sheep carrying about an hundred , and fifty pound weight . in the stomach , or belly of this beast is found the bezar's stone ; sometimes one alone , sometimes two , three , or four : they are different in form , greatnesse , and colour ; some like filberds , others like walnuts : some as big as pigeons eggs , some as big as hens eggs : in form some are round , some oval , and of other formes . for their colour , some are black , some white , some grey , dark green , and some as if they had been gilded : they are all made of divers filmes , and skins one upon another . p. pil. v. . p. . in italy growes an herb called basilico , which hath this innate property , that if it be laid under a stone in some moist place , in two daies space it produceth a scorpion . raimunds mer. ital. there are also the cantherides which by day are green flies ; but in the night shine in the aire like flying glow-wormes with fire in their tailes , idem . there is also the tarantula ( a kind of serpent ) the venome whereof hath such an operation , that whosoever is stung with it falleth a dancing , and capering , and nothing can allay it but musick . idem . chap. civ . examples of rare , stupendious , and costly works made by the art of man. a description of hierusalem , and the temple , as they were when they were destroyed by the romans . hierusalem was compassed with a treble wall on every side , save onely on that part where it was inclosed with inaccessible vallies ; for on that side it needed onely one wall : it was built upon two hills , the one opposite to the other , separated by a valley which was wondrously replenished with houses . one of these hills whereon stood the upper part of the city was far higher , and s●eeper then the other , whereupon king david compassing it about with a wall called it the city of david . the other hill called acra was the place whereon the lower part of the city stood : and opposite to this acra was another hill lower then it , which at first was divided from it by a large valley ; but when the asmonaeans reigned , they filled up this valley , and cut down the top of acra that it might not hide the temple : within one of the vallies was siloam , a fountain sending forth abundance of cleer & sweet water : the outmost wall , by reason of the valley about it , & rock whereon it stood was impregnable the rather because besides the situation it was built very strongly by david , solomon , and other kings . a fourth wall was begun by agrippa : in humane reason had this wall been finished , the city could never have been taken : for he began to build it with stones . cubits long , and . cubits broad , so that it could neither be easily undermined , nor battered with engines : but he built this wall but onely . cubits high , and then fearing lest claudius caesar should think that he had a purpose to rebell , he gave it over : yet afterwards the jews raised this wall cubits high : made a battlement . cubits high , and the tower . cubits , in all . cubits high : besides upon the wall were three towers . cubits broad , and twenty cubits high , built four square very strongly ; within these towers were rooms for men to dwell in , and cisterns to receive rain-water . the third wall had ninety of these towers , and between every tower were two hundred cubits space : the second wall had fourteen towers ; and the old wall had threescore , and the compasse of the whole city was . furlongs . between the north , and west-part of the city upon the outmost wall stood the tower psephina , which was raised seventy cubits high ; so that in a clear day a man might from thence discover arabia , and the utmost confines of the jewes even to the sea. just opposite to this was the tower hippicos built by herod upon the old wall , which for bignesse , beauty , and strength surpassed all others in the world : it had four corners , each of which was . cubits broad , as many long , and . cubits high , and in no place hollow : on the top was a well to receive rain-water twenty cubits deep . on the top of all were houses . cubits high divided into many roomes : above them were battlements two cubits high , and turrets three cubits high , so that in all it was eighty five cubits high . he built also a second tower in breadth , and length fourty cubits , and as many high in figure of a square pillar , all solid , and not hollow within : and above this , a porch ten cubits high adorned with turrets , and pinacles : over the middest of this porch he built another tower distinguished into goodly roomes , and sumptuous baths ; and on the top it was beautified with turrets , and pinacles , so that the whole height was almost fourscore , and ten cubits : lastly , he built a third tower , which he called after his queens name , mariamne twenty cubits high , and twenty broad , all of solid stone , and not hollow , having more stately and magnificent lodgings in it then either of the former : it was in all fifty five cubits high . these towers though they were very high , yet by reason of their situation they seemed far higher : for the old wall whereon they were built stood upon rock that was . cubits high , whereby their height was much encreased : they were not built also of ordinary stone , but all of white marble , whereof each stone was . cubits long , and ten cubits broad , and five cubits thick ; and so curiously joyned together that every tower seemed but one stone ; within the city was the kings palace surpassing all that can be spoken of it , and for greatnesse , and curious workmanship may be compared with any other in the world : it was environed with a wall . cubits high , adorned with goodly towers round about : beautified with houses for an hundred of the nobility : the variety of the marble wherewith it was built was admirable , all sorts being therein used , though never so rare to be found . in every room also were many vessels of gold , and silver , and many porches round about adorned with most curious pillars : there were in it very many pleasant walks adorned with all sorts of trees , and gardens beset with fountains that spouted up water on high , and cisterns beautified with many brazen statues from which ran out water continually . the temple was built upon a rocky mountain ; the plain on the top whereof was at first scarce big enough for the temple , and court , the hill being very steep : but the people every day bringing earth thither , at last made it plain , and large enough , and enclosed the hill with a treble wall , which was a work passing all expectation ; to the effecting whereof many ages were spent , and all the holy treasure offered to god from all parts of the world : the foundations of the temple were laid three hundred cubits deep , and in many places more . the stones of it were . cubit : the porches were double , and every one was supported by many stately pillars , twenty five cubits high all of one piece of white marble ; the tops of them were of cedar so exactly wrought as astonished the beholders : these porches were . cubits broad , and the compasse of all was six furlongs . the courts were curiously wrought , and paved with all sorts of stones . the way to the inward temple was all inclosed with stones wrought like la●tice-work , which were three cubits high of curious workmanship : to this second there was an ascent by fourteen staires ; and aloft it was four square , and enclosed with a wall by it self , whose outside being fourty cubits high was all covered with staires to ascend up to it , and within it was twenty five cubits high : at the top of the fourteen staires within the wall was a level compassed with a wall of three hundred cubits , which had eight gates in it ; and between the gates were porches opposite each to other reaching from the wall to the treasury , supported with great , and stately pillars . all the gates were covered with plates of gold , and silver , onely one was covered with corinthian brasse , which for beauty far excelled the other , dazling the eyes of the beholders : in every gate were two doores , each of them thirty cubits high , and fifteen broad ; and on each side they had seats . cubits long , and . cubits high , each one supported with two pillars twelve cubits thick : onely the gate which was ▪ covered with corinthian brasse was fifty cubits high , the gates were fourty cubits , and it was more richly adorned then the rest . the holy of holies was situated in the middest of all , and had twelve staires to go up to it . the forepart of it was an hundred cubits high , and as many broad : backward it was fourty cubits ; on each side it had as it were two shoulders rising up in height twenty cubits : the first gate was seventy cubits high , and . wide , and had no doores to shew that heaven was alwaies open , &c. all the foreparts were gilded , and all within was covered with fine gold . the inward part was divided into two rooms , whereof the first onely might be seen , which was in height fourscore , and ten cubits , in length fourty , and in breadth twenty : round about the wall was a golden vine , whereon hung many grapes in clusters all of gold , every cluster being about six foot long : it had golden gates fifty five cubits high , and sixteen cubits broad . it had curious hangings of the same length , admirably wrought with purple , violet , and scarlet silk , all the fabrick was so exquisitely , and richly wrought , that none could possibly imagine any workmanship that it wanted : for it was all covered with a massie plate of pure gold which dazled the eyes of the beholders : the top was all set with rods of gold , sharp like pikes at the ends , lest birds should sit thereon , and defile it . the stones wherewith it was built were fourty five cubits large , five in length , six broad , and as many long . josephus l. . c. . chap. cv . a description of old rome , and the chief raririties thereof . rome when it was first built was but ● miles in compass : it was situated upon dainty hills , in a most healthfull aire : had a brave river running by it , with the more case to convey the in-land commodities for her necessity , and delight ; it had the sea at a convenient distance , not too neer , whereby she might be annoyed with forreign navies , nor so remote but that she might be supplyed with outlandish commodities . the river tiber at rome is four hundred foot broad , and so deep that it will carry ships of the greatest burden . it s about sixteen miles distant from the sea. it was almost round in compasse . the suburbs in processe of time grew so great , that aurelian the emperour built new walls , which were amost fifteen miles in compasse : and again , the suburbs in a little time grew so great that one of them was fifteen miles long , and raught even to the sea , and in augustus his time there was numbred in rome above three hundred , and twenty thousand poor people that received relief from the publick : besides , the number of bondmen was very great : few rich men but they had an hundred , and some four hundred a peece : seneca saith in his time that the inhabitants were so many that the spacious and innumerable houses were scarce able to contain them : that a great part of them were forreigners that came from all parts of the world to live there : so that the number of inhabitants was reckoned to be at least four millions . these people were sustained with provisions brought out of all nations ; so that rome seemed to be the common mart of the whole world . heliogabalns to shew the greatnesse of the city caused all the spiders to be gathered and put together , which being weighed amounted to ten thousand pounds weight : and a great plague breaking out at rome for many dayes together there died ten thousand persons . the houses were generally built very high , that so they might be the more capcious , insomuch as augustus was feign to make a decree that their buildings should not exceed seventy foot in height , conceiving that they marred the delicacy of the air by their over-much shadow : but this extended onely to private mens houses , for the great men were not limited . but besides , the great height of the houses , they were beautified by the matter whereof they were built , by the architecture , and by the symmetry of them , wherein art , and elegancy strove for priority . and for that end what exquisite workmen soever greece , or asia brought forth , they were either sent for , or came of their own accord to beautifie this imperial city , especially in augustus's time , who made his boasts , marmoream se relinquere , quam lateritiam accepisset : that he should leave rome built of marble , which he found built of bricks . nero also when he had burned a great part of it , at his own charges built it up again , beautifying it with excellently composed streets , large wayes , and curious porches to all the houses , which three things were a great ornament to the city : whereupon cassiodorus saith , our forefathers tells us of the seven wonders of the world : the temple of diana at epesus : the costly tomb of king mausolus : the brazen statue of the sunin the isle of rhodes called the colossus . the image of jupiter olympicus made by phidias : the house of cyrus king of the medes , and persians built by memnon : the walls of babylon built by semiramus : and the pyramides of egypt : but now ( saith he ) the city of rome is the greatest miracle of them all . there were in it four hundred twenty four temples erected to their idol-gods . there were two capitols in rome ; the old built by numa , the new , begun by tarquinius priscus , and superbus , finished by horutius pulvillus consul , upon the saturnian , or tarpeian , or capitoline hill . it was eight acres , or eight hundred feet in compasse , almost four square . it was ascended unto by one hundred steps on the south part which looked towards the market-place , and palace . it would hold eight thousand men . it was covered with brasse-tiles all gilt with gold . there were three chappels in it ; to one of which ( viz. jupiter's ) augustus gave sixteen thousand pound weight of gold , and jewels worth almost as much more , twelve thousand talents were spent in gilding of it . the gates were cover'd with thick plates of gold . next after the capitol , the pantheon is worthily noted . it was built by agrippa son in law to augustus in the year of the city . the architecture of it was admirable , the beauty , and proportion of all the parts most exquisite : the breadth of it was one hundred and fourty four feet , and the height as much : it was wholly covered over with very great tiles of brasse richly gilt . in the reign of trajan it was burnt by lightning , and re-built by hadrian . the temple of peace was built by vespasian , three hundred foot long , and two hundred broad : it was the most beautiful of all the temples in the city , and enriched with gifts of inestimable value : it was adorned with statues , and pictures of most exquisite workmanship : yea and all the rarities were collected into this temple for the sight whereof men formerly used to travel through the whole world . and here also he placed those vessels which formerly belonged to the temple of hierusalem , and were brought from thence by titus at the sacking of it . it was burnt down in the time of commodus either with fire from heaven , or arising out of the earth after a little earthquake . there were an infinite number of baths both publick , and private in rome . some of which baths were all paved with plates of silver , and set with rowes of pillars for ornament . antoninus's bath had sixteen hundred slates of polished marble in it . the appian cawsey was built by appius claudius censor . it reached from rome to capua , the bounds of the empire that way , at that time ; which was afterwards lengthened to brundisium by julius , and augustus caesar , in all three hundred and fifty miles long , and so broad , that two coaches might easily passe by one another , being about foot broad . it was made of hard flinty stones , hewen and laid so close together , ( yet without any morter or claspes of iron ) that it seemed all of one stone ; the stones were three , four , and five feet square : nine hundred yeares after it was made the stones were not one whit disjoynted , or broken : ever and anon on the sides were stones whereon persons might sit , or lay their burdens , or get on horseback , and at every miles and , high stones ( or pillars ) were raised , whereon were engraven the number of the miles . likewise there were many monuments on both sides with witty inscriptions , or pretty inventions on them , yielding both matter of mirth , and seriousnesse to the travellers . there were fourteen ( saith pliny ) twenty ( saith p. victor ) aquaeducts in rome ; the chiefest of which was the claudian , began by caligula , and finished by claudius ; so big as a man might ride on horseback in it ; brought fourty miles to the city in a level , through the mountains , and over the valleys ; as high as the highest hill in the city : seven millions and a half were spent in making it . there were besides in the city one thousand three hundred fifty two lakes or great receptacles of water for common use . the cloacae or common sewer , were made by tarquinius priscus ; they were so wide , that a cart loaden with hay might passe along them , viz. sixteen foot wide , and as many high . there were seven chief armes from the seven hills ( besides several smaller from other parts ) which ran into the main channel . notwithstanding all the weight of building upon them , and several earthquakes , they remained firm almost eight hundred years . and at one time when they were out of repair ▪ there were a thousand talents spent in repairing of them . there were an infinite number of statues , or images in every part of the city , costly for their matter , and curious for their workmanship : some authours say that there were neer as many of them , as there were living people in the city ; some of them were of polished marble ; infinite of brasse , some of ivory , some of silver , and some of gold . domitian the emperour commanded that no statues should be made for him in the capitol , but such as were all of silver , or all gold , solid , and not hollow , each of them weighing at least an hundred pound weight . commodas the emperour had a statue made for him of gold that weighed a thousand pound weight : together with a bull , and a cow of the same metal as if he had been the founder of the city . he had also in the market-place a pillar erected , and his statue made upon it of a thousand five hundred pounds weight of silver . their statues of brasse were most of them gilt , and so were many of their statues of silver . some of them were of a colossaean bignesse ; others mounted on horseback , and in●several postures , and habits : for the preserving of all which from hurt , there was one who was called comes , or an earle , whose office it was continually to walk up , and down in the night attended with many souldiers , that none might wrong them , and besides it was death for any man to do it . lipsius de mag. rom. imperii . trajan built a bridge over the river ister , or danon , of twenty arches , each one hundred and fifty feet high , sixty thick , and one hundred and seventy distant one from another , in all four thousand seven hundred and seventy feet , which was almost a mile long . the river was very deep and swift , and the bottom not firm ground , neither could the stream be diverted any other way : all which much augmented the difficulty of the work . ancus martius the fourth king of rome built a woodden bridge over tybur , yet without nailes , or pins , so that in time of warr it was taken down ; afterwards aemilius built it of stone : and lastly , antoninus pius built it of marble . chap. cvi. examples of other great cities , and the great turks seraglio described . ninive described . ninive was first founded by assur the son of sem , gen. . . enlarged by ninus the third babylonish king , the compasse of it was furlongs , or fifty one italian miles , the walls were one hundred foot high , and so broad , that there chariots might passe abreast upon them ; upon the walls were fiftéen hundred towers , each of them two hundred foot high : it 's called a great city , jo●a . . . babylon described . babylon was founded by nimrod , gen. . . but enlarged by semiramis , who for the carrying on●of that work , drew together thirty hundred thousand workmen ; who in one year finished the walls which contained in circuit four hundred and eighty furlongs , or sixty italian miles : they were two hundred soot high , and fifty foot thick : the river euphrates ran through the middest of it : over which she built a strong , and stately bridge , binding each stone to other , with clips of iron fastened with molten lead . these walls were one of the seven wonders of the world. semiramis her obelisk described . semiramis queen of babylon caused an huge obelisk , square , and of the fashion of a pyramid , to be cut out of the armenian mountaines one hundred and fifty foot long , and foot thick , which with much difficulty was brought to the river euphrates , and from thence to babylon , where she erected it , to be matter of admiration to future ages . diod. the rarities in old babylon described . within the huge , and stately city of babylon was built a tower reckoned amongst the worlds wonders ; it had an hundred brazen gates , and two hundred and fifty towers . semiramis also built in the same city a stately temple to jupiter belus four square , each side containing two furlongs with brazen gates : in the middest was a solid tower of the height , and thicknesse of a furlong : upon this another , and so one higher then another , eight in number : in the highest tower was a chappel , and therein a fair bed covered , and a table of gold , in the top of this chappel she placed three golden statues : one of jupiter fourty foot long weighing a thousand talents ( each talent containing sixty three pounds , and almost ten ounces ) : another of ops weighing as much sitting in a golden throne , at her feet two lions , and hard by huge serpents of silver each of thirty talents . the third image was of juno standing , in weight eight hundred talents : to all which was a common table of gold fourty foot long , and twelve broad , weighing fifty talents . there were also two standing cups of talents , and two vessels for perfume of the like weight : besides three other vessels of gold weighing twelve hundred talents : all which the persian kings after their conquest of it took away . herod . nebuchadnezzar's babylon with its rarities described . nebuchadnezzar , after he came to it having conquered all the neighbouring nations onriched this temple of belus with their spoyles , and added a new city to the old without the same , which he compassed about with three walls , and made in them stately gates : and neer his fathers palace he built another more stately , wherein he raised stone works like unto mountains , which he planted with all manner of trees ; he made also pensile gardens ( one of the worlds wonders ) born up on arches four square , each square containing four hundred foot , filled above with earth wherein grew all sorts of trees , and plants : the arches were built one upon another in convenient height , still increasing as they ascended : the highest which bare the walls were fifty cubits high : he made also aquaeducts for the watering of this garden . he erected also an image of gold in the plain of dura six hundred cubits high , and six broad : these stately buildings made him so to boast ; is not this great babel that i have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power , and for the honour of my majestie ? herod . quinsay described . quinsay was formerly the regal city of china , situated about the heart of the countrey , and not far from the sea side ; it was an hundred miles in compasse , had in it twelve thousand bridges , sixteen hundred thousand housholds , and together with the countrey adjoyning yielded to the king sixteen millions , and eight hundred thousand ducats of gold yearly , besides six millions , and four hundred thousand ducats for the customes of salt . purch . pilgrimage . p. . constantinople described . constantinople was built by constantine the great ; it stands on a cape of land neer the entrance of the bosphorus : it 's in form triangular : on the east side washed with the sea ; on the north with the haven : and the west side joynes to the contine●● it 's walled with brick , and stone intermixed orderly , having twenty four gates , and posternes : it 's about thirteen miles in circumference . the world hardly affords a more delicate object if beheld from the sea , or adjoyning mountains . the lofty , and beautiful cypresse-trees are so intermixed with the buildings , that it seems to present a city in a wood to the pleased beholders . it 's built on seven hills , whose aspiring heads are crowned with magnificent mosques , or churches , all of white marble , round in form , and coupled above ; being finished on the top with gilded spires that reflect the sun-beams with a marvellous splendor : some having two , some four , and some six adjoyning turrets , exceeding high , and slender : tarrast aloft on the outside , like the main top of a ship , in several places equally distant , whence their priests with elated voices ( for they use no bells ) call the people together to their mahometan service . the temple of sancta sophia described . the temple of sancta sophia standing upon one of these hills , exceeds not onely all the rest , but all the most stately fabricks in the world : the principal part thereof riseth in an ovall , surrounded with pillars admirable for their matter , proportion , and workmanship : over those are others , through which ample galleries , curiously , paved , and arched above have their prospect into the temple : the roof is compact , and adorned with mosaike painting ; which is composed of little square pieces of marble , gilded , and coloured according to the place they are to assume in the figure , or ground , which set together , as if imbossed , present an unexpressible statelinesse , and are of marvellons durance . the sides , and floor of the whole church are laid with excellent marble : it 's vaulted underneath , containing large cisternes which are replenished with water from an aquaeduct ; within on the left hand is a pillar covered with copper which ever sweats : the doores are curiously cut through , and plated . it was from east to west two hundred and sixty feet long , and in height one hundred , and fourscore : and hath contained at once sixe and thirty thousand turks . the turks seraglio described . in the extreamest northeast angle of constantinople standeth the great turks seraglio or palace compassed with a lofty wall three miles in compasse , comprehending goodly groves of cypresse-trees , intermixed with plaines , delicate gardens , artificial fountains , variety of fruit-trees , and what not rare ? luxury being the steward , and the treasury inexhaustible . the proud palace of the tyrant opens to the south , having a lofty gate-house , engraven with arabick characters , set forth with gold , and azure , all of white marble : this gate leadeth into a stately court three hundred yards long , and about one hundred and fifty wide ; at the farther end whereof is another gate hung with shields , and cymiters ; this leads into a second court full of tall cypresse-trees , being not much lesse then the former . it 's cloistered round about covered with lead , handsomely paved , and supported with columnes of marble which have chapiters , and bases of copper . on the left hand is the divano kept where the bassa's of the court do administer justice : beyond this court on the right hand is a street of kitchins , and on the left stalles large enough for five hundred horses . out of the second court is an entrance into the third surrounded with the royal buildings , large , curious , and costly . without on the north side stands the sultan's cabinet in form of a sumptuous summer-house , where he often solaceth himself with variety of objects , and from whence taking barge he passeth to the delightful places of the adjoyning asia . in this seraglio also are many stately roomes appropriated to the seasons of the year , which are called rooms of fair prospect , into which the sultan goeth sometimes alone , but more usually with his concubines for his recreation . within a fine little court adorned with very many delicate fountaines is the chamber wherein he gives audience to ambassadours , &c. one part whereof is spread with very sumptuous carpets of gold , and crimson velvet embroydered with very costly pearles , upon which the grand signeur sitteth : the walls of the room are covered with fine white stones having divers sorts of leaves , and artificial flowers curiously wrought upon them , which make a glorious shew . a little room adjoynes to it , the whole inside whereof is covered with silver plate , hatched with gold , the floor being spread with rich persian carpets of silk , and gold. there are belonging to the sultan's lodgings very fair gardens of all sorts of flowers , and fruits that can be found in those parts ; with many very pleasant walks , enclosed with high cypresse trees on both sides , and fountains in such abundance , that almost in every walk there are some of them . besides the former roomes ( which are very many ) for the sultan's own use , there are also the womens lodgings , wherein the queen , the sultanaes , and all the king's women do dwell , and they have in them bed-chambers , dining roomes , withdrawing roomes , and all other kind of roomes necessary for women . in another place there are divers roomes , and lodgings for all the principal , and inferiour officers so well furnished , that nothing is wanting that is fit , and necessary . amongst which are two large buildings , one his wardrobe , the other his treasury with very thick walls , iron windowes , and iron doores . in the seraglio are roomes for prayer , bagnoes , schooles , butteries , kitchins , stillatories , swimming places , places to run horses in , wrestling places , butts to shoot at , and all the commodities that may adorn a prince's court. there is also an hospital for such as fall sick in the seraglio , in which there are all things necessary for diseased persons : and another large place wherein is kept timber , carts , &c. to have them neer hand for the use , and service of the seraglio . over the stables there is a row of roomes wherein is kept all the furniture for the horses which is of an extraordinary value ; for the bridles , petorals , and cruppers are set so thick with jewels of divers sorts , that they cause admiration in the beholders , and exceed imagination . the grand signior's bed-chamber hath the walls covered with stones of the finest china metal , spotted with flowers of divers colours , which make a very dainty shew : the antiportaes were of cloth of gold of bursia , and their borders of crimson velvet embroidered with gold , and pearles : the posts of his bedstead were of silver , hollow , and instead of knobs on the tops , there were lions of crystal ; the canopie over it was of cloth of gold , and so were the bolsters , and matteresses : the floor was covered with very costly porsian carpets of silk , and gold ; and the pallats to sit on , and cushions were of very rich cloth of gold. in the hall adjoyning is a very great lanthorn round , and the barres of silver , and gilt set very thick with rubies , emeralds , and turkesses ; the panes were of very fine crystal , which made a very resplendant shew . there was also a bason , and ewre to wash in of massie gold , set with rubies , and turkesses . in constantinople is a piazza , in which is raised upon four dice of fine metal a very fair pyramid of mingled stone all of one piece , fifty cubits high carved with heroical letters resembling the agulia of rome , in whose top were the enclosed ashes of julius caesar ; in the same piazza also is a great pillar of brasse made with marvellous art in form of three serpents wreathed together with their mouthes upward . chap. cvii . hyspaan described . the city of hyspaan in persia was formerly called hecatompolis by reason of its hundred gates ; it 's compassed with a strong wall , and is in circuit as much as a man may well ride on horseback in a day : it 's a very strong city , and is excellently watered with deep channels of running springs conveyed into it from the coronian mountaines which are as a wall inaccessible about it . on the north side is a very strong castle which is compassed about with a wall of a thousand , and seven hundred yards in compasse . on the west side of the city are two seraglio's , one for the king , the other for his women : palaces of great state , and magnificence , the walls whereof glister with polished marble , and pargeting of divers colours , and all the palaces are paved with curious checkered work , and covered with curious carpets wrought with silk , and gold ; the windowes are made of marble , porphery , and alabaster ; the posts and doores of massie ivory , checkered with glistering black ebonie so curiously wrought in winding knots , as may easilier stay then satisfie the wondering eye of the spectator . near the palace is a stately garden , spacious , and large , beautifully adorned with a thousand sundry kinds of fruit-trees , plants , and flowers of all sorts to delight the beholders . there are in it a thousand fountains , and a thousand brooks , and as the father of them all a pretty river which with a mild stream , and delightful murmur divides the garden from the kings palace . casan described . casan is the chiefest city in parthia ; it is seated in a goodly plain , having no mountaines within a daies joutney of it : it wanteth neither fountaines , springs , nor curiously pleasant gardens : it aboundeth with all necessaries for the life of man ; it 's greatly frequented with all sorts of merchandize , especially out of india . the citizens are very industrious , and curious in all manner of sciences , especially in weaving girdles , and shashes ; in making velvets , satins , damasks , excellent persian carpets of a wonderful finenesse : here you may buy all manner of drugs , and spices ; as also turkesses , diamonds , rubies , and pearles ; as also all sorts of silk raw , and wrought : for there is more silk brought into casan in one year , then there comes broad cloth into london . this city is much to be commended for civil government : for an idle person is not suffered to live amongst them ; the child that is but six years old is set to labour : no ill rule , disorder , or riot is suffered there . they have a law amongst them whereby every person is compelled to give his name to the magistrate , withal declaring by what course he liveth : and if any tell untruly , he is either well beaten on the feet , or imployed in publick slavery . the grand cairo described . the grand cairo in egypt is accounted one of the greatest cities in the world . it is situated upon a most beautiful plain near unto a certain mountain called mucatun , about two miles from the river nilus : it 's invironed with stately walls , and fortified with iron gates . in it are built most stately , and admirable palaces , and colledges , and most sumptuous temples . there are also many bath-stoves very artificially built : it aboundeth with all sorts of merchandise out of all parts of the world . there is in it a famous burse [ exchange ] called canen halili , wherein the persian merchants dwell ; it 's built very stately in the manner of a king's palace of three stories high : beneath it are many roomes whither merchants resort for the exchange of their costly wares ; as all sorts of spices , precious stones , cloth of india , &c. there is also a stately hospital , the yearly revenues whereof amount to two hundred thousand pieces of gold called saraffi . the suburbs are very large , wherein also are many stately buildings , especially a colledge being of a wonderful height , and great strength : besides many other palaces , colledges , and temples . here they have great store of poultry : for in certain ovens built upon sundry lofts they put abundance of egs ; which ovens being kept in a moderate heat will in seven daies hatch all those eggs into chickens . p. pil. the egyptian pyramids described . in egypt are divers stupendious structures called pyramids , the greatest whereof is situated on the top of a rocky hill which riseth above the plain about an hundred feet , with a gentle , and easie ascent , the height of the situation adding beauty to the work , and the solidity of the rock giving the superstructure a permanent , and stable support : each side of this pyramid is six hundred ninety three feet according to the english standard ; so that the whole basis contains four hundred eighty thousand two hundred , and fourty nine square feet , or eleven english acres of ground . the height is the same with the breadth , viz. six hundred ninety three feet . the ascent to the top is contrived in this manner : from all the sides without , the ascent is by degrees ; the lowermost step or degree is about four foot in height , and three in breadth which runing about the pyramid in a level , makes on every side of it a long but narrow walk ; the second row is like the first , retiring inward from the first three feet , and so runs about the pyramid . in the same manner is the third row placed above the second , and so in order the rest like so many staires rising one above another to the top , which containes about nine foot square . the degrees by which men ascend are not all of an equal depth , for some are about four foot , others scarcely three , and the higher they ascend the more they diminish both in breadth , and thicknesse : so that a right line extended from any part of the basis to the top , will equally touch the outward angle of every degree . these are all made of massie , and polished stones , hewen out of the arabian mountaines which bound the upper part of egypt , being so vast , that the breadth and depth of every step is one single , and intire stone , so that in most of them is contained thirty feet of stone : the number of these steps is two hundred and seven . on the north side ascending thirty eight feet upon an artificial bank of earth there is a square , and narrow passage leading into the inside of this pyramid containing in length ninety two feet , and an half : the structure of it hath been the labour of an exquisite hand , as appears by the smoothnesse and evennesse of the work , and by the close knitting of the joynts : it is now an habitation for great ugly batts of about a foot long : at the end of this entrance you must climb up a massy stone , eight or nine foot in height , where you enter into a gallery , the pavement consisting of smooth , & polished white marble ; the breadth is about five foot , and the height the like : the length of this gallery is an hundred , and ten feet : at the end whereof begins a second gallery , a very stately piece of work , and not inferiour either in respect of the curiosity of art , or richnesse of materials , to the most sumptuous or magnificent buildings : it 's divided from the former by a wall ; at the end whereof is a well about three feet in the diameter , the sides whereof are lined with white marble , it 's eighty six cubits in depth , hewen through the rock on which the pyramid stands : beyond the well about fifteen foot is a square passage , the stones whereof are exceeding massie , and exquisitely joyned , which containes one hundred and ten feet , at the end whereof is an arched vault , or little chamber , the length about twenty feet , the breadth seventeen , the height about fifteen . the length of this second gallery before mentioned is feet , of white , and polished marble both roof , walls , and bottom ; the joynts are so well knit that they are scarce discernable : the height of this gallery is twenty six feet , the breadth six feet , bounded on both sides with two banks , like benches of polished marble ; at the end of this gallery you enter into a square hole which brings you into a little room lined with rich , and speckled thebaick marble , out of which through another passage being all of thebaick marble most exquisitely cut , you land at the north end of a very sumptuous , and well proportioned room wherein art seems to contend with nature , the curious work being not inferiour to the rich materials : it stands in the heart , or center of the pyramid , equidistant from all the sides , and in the middest between the basis , and the top : the floor , sides , and roofe are all made of vast , and exquisite tables of thebaick marble : from the top to the bottom are but six ranges of stone , all of an equal height . the stones which cover this room are of a strange , and stupendious length , like so many huge beams lying flat , and traversing the room , and bearing up that infinite weight , and masse of the pyramid above . of these there are nine which cover the roof ; the length of this room is thirty four english feet : the breadth somewhat above seventeen feet , the height nineteen feet and a half . in the middest of this glorious room stands the tomb of ch●ops of one piece of marble , hollow within , and sounding like a bell , but empty : for ( saith diadorus ) although the egyptian kings intended these for their sepulchres , yet it happened that they were not buried therein : for the people being exasperated against them by reason of the toilsomnesse of these works , and for their cruelty , and oppression , threatned to tear in pieces their dead bodies , and with ignominy to throw them out of their sepulchres , wherefore they commanded their friends when they were dead to bury them in some obscure place . the tomb is cut smooth , and plain , without any sculpture , and ingraving : the outsides contain in length seven foot , three inches , and a half . in depth it 's three foot , and almost four inches , and the same in breadth : the hollow part within is something more then six foot long , the depth is somewhat above two feet : whereby it appears that mens bodies are now as big as they were years ago : for it 's almost so long since this tomb was made . this pyramid was years in making , and yet there were three hundred threescore , and six thousand men continually working about it , who onely in radishes , garlicks , and onions are said to have consumed eighteen hundred talents . collected out of mr : greaves , a curious observer of it . the egyptian mummi's described . not far from this pyramid in egypt are the mummi's which were the graves of the ancient egyptians into which are descents not unlike to the narrow mouths of wells , some neer ten fathoms deep leading into long vaults hewen out of the rock with pillars of the same . between every arch lie the corpses rank'd one by another of all sizes , which are innumerable , shrowded in a number of folds of linnen , and swathed with bands of the same , the breasts of divers being stained with hierogliphical characters : the linnen being pulled off , the bodies appear solid , uncorrupt , and perfect in all their dimensions ; whereof the musculous parts are of a brown colour , hard as stone-pitch , and hath in physick the like operation , onely more sovereign . to keep these from putrefactions , they drew the brains out at the nostrils with an iron instrument , replenishing the head with preservative spices : then cutting up the belly with an aethiopian stone , they took forth the bowels , cleansed the inside with wine , and so stuffing it with a composition of myrrhe , cassia , and other odours they closed it up again : the like the poorer sort effected with bitumen fetched from the lake of asphaltites in jury , whereby they have been preserved till this day , having lyen there for about three thousand years . the lake of maeris described . maeris , one of the egyptian kings , undertook , and finished that most admirable lake , which for greatnesse , and colour is like a sea : it 's about six hundred furlongs from the city of memphis , the circumference of it contains cd . cd . cd . dc : furlongs ; the depth of it is fifty fathom , or three hundred feet ; many myriads of men were imployed for many years about it . the benefit of it to the egyptians , and the wisdom of the king cannot be sufficiently commended : for seeing the rising of nilus is not alwaies alike , and the countrey is more fruitful by the moderatenesse thereof : he digged this lake to receive the superfluity of the water , that neither by the greatnesse of the inundation it should cause marshes , or by the scarcity of water the earth should not yield her strength , he therefore cut a ditch from the river to this lake of furlongs , and three hundred feet in breadth , by which sometimes receiving in , and sometimes diverting the river he gave a sufficient quantity of water to the husbandmen . after the kings name it 's called the lake of maeris . in the middest of it he built a sepulchre , and two pyramids each of them of an hundred fathoms high , placing upon them two marble statues sitting on a throne , one for himself , the other for his wife , seeking hereby to get an immortal memory . the revenues of the fish of this lake he gave to his wife for to buy her unguents , and other ornaments : the fishing being worth to her a talent a day : for it was mightily replenished with fish of twenty two sorts ; so that very many were continually imployed in salting of them . diod. sic. herod . porsennah's tomb described . porsenna king of hetruria , not far from the city of clusium built for himself a monument of square stone , each side of it was three hundred foot broad , and fifty foot high ; within which square basis there was an inextricable labyrinth , into which whosoever adventured without a clue could find no passage out . upon this square he erected five pyramids , four in the corners , and one in the middest ; in the bottom they were seventy five foot broad , and each of them one hundred and fifty foot high , on the top was one brasse circle , and covering for them all , from which there hung bells fastned with chains , which being moved with the wind , gave a sound afar off : upon this brazen circle stood other four pyramids , each of them one hundred foot high ; and upon them ( being covered with another plain ) were again erected five other pyramids , the height whereof my author was ashamed to name : so foolishly did he waste the wealth of his kingdome , that in the end the commendation of the artificer should be the greatest . pliny out of varro ; and greaves out of him . the great mogol's palace described . in the city of agra the great mogol hath a palace wherein are two large towers , at least ten foot square , which are covered with plates of the purest gold . pur. pil. v. . p. . the rhodian colossus described . in the isle of rhodes stood one of the worlds seven wonders , which was a huge colossus made of brasse in the form of a man standing with his two leggs striding over an haven under which ships with their masts and sailes might passe , it was threescore , and ten cubits high with all the parts proportionable , and all gilt over . when muani the fifth caliph of babylon overcame constance the emperour in a sea-fight , and had taken the isle of rhodes , this image being formerly thrown down by an earthquake , was sold by him to a jew , who loaded nine hundred camels with the brasse of it . theoph. pez . mel. hist. admirable works done by the art of man. protogenes the rhodian an exquisite painter bestowed seven yeares in drawing a most curious picture , which when apelles beheld , he stood amazed at the excellency of the workmanship , so that for a while he could not speak , but afterwards he said , this is an admirable work , and of huge labour , yet he wants an orator to extol his workmanship to the skies . when king demetrius besieged the city of rhodes , he took the suburbs , and in them this picture , whereupon the citizens sent to him , requesting him not to deface it ; to whom he answered , that he would sooner burn the picture of his father , then hurt a piece of such admirable workmanship . diod. sic. plut. anno christi . amongst other rare presents sent from the sophy of persia to the king of spain , were six drinking glasses so exquisitely tempered , that they could not be broken . turk . hist. pag. . about six miles from salisbury upon the plaines is to be seen a huge , and monstrous piece of work , such as cicero calleth insanam substructionem . for within the circuit of a ditch there are erected in the manner of a crown , in three ranks , or courses one within another , certain mighty , and unwrought stones , whereof some are twenty eight foot high , and seven broad ; upon the heads of which others like overthwart pieces do bear , and rest crosse-wise with tenents , and mortesses , so as the whole frame seemeth to hang , whereof it 's commonly called stone-henge . camb. brit. in westmer land hard by shape there be huge stones in form of pyramids , some of them nine foot high , and fourteen foot thick , ranged directly as it were in a row for a mile in length with equal distance almost between them . camb. brit. p. . chap. cviii . the temple of diana described . the temple of diana at ephesus was one of the worlds wonders : two hundred , and twenty years were spent in the building of it : it was built upon a marish to prevent hurt by earthquakes , which were very common in those parts : the first foundation was laid upon coles , the second upon wooll : it was four hundred and twenty five foot long , two hundred broad : there were in it one hundred and twenty seven pillars , sixty foot in height , and thirty six of them curiously wrought , the works of so many kings . the doores of the temple were of cypresse , which after four hundred years were as fresh as if they had been new made : the roof was of cedar : the image which superstition supposed to have come down from jupiter was made by one canesia : some say of ebonie ; others of the vine which had many holes made , and filled with spikenard the moisture whereof closed up the rifts . it was enriched , and adorned with gifts beyond value . herod . the hill amara in aethiopia described . in ethiopia under prete janny , commonly called prester , or presbyter john , is an hill called amara , situated in the navill of the ethiopian body under the equinoctial line , adorned with all variety of fruits , wholsome air , pleasant aspect , and prospect : yea heaven , and earth , nature and industry have all been corrivals to present their riches to it . it stands in a great plain , having no other hill near it by thirty leagues , the form of it is round : the rock is cut so smooth without any unequal swelling , that to him that stands beneath , it 's like an high wall : the top is overhanged with rocks , jutting forth for the space of a mile : it 's above twenty leagues in the circuit , compassed with a wall on the top well wrought , that so neither man , nor beast in chase may fall down . the top is a level , onely towards the south is a rising hill beautifying this plain , whence issueth a pleasant spring which passeth thorow all that plain , and paying its tribute to every garden that will exact it , and making a lake at length , whence issueth a river that from thence runneth into nilus . the way up to it is cut out of the rock not with staires , but by an easie ascent , so that one may ride up with ease , at the foot whereof is a fair gate with a corps du guard : half way up is a fair , and spacious hall cut out of the rock with three large windowes to it , and at the top is another gate with the like guard : the air above is wholsome , and delectable , so that they live long there without sicknesse : there are upon it thirty four palaces standing by themselves , spacious , sumptuous , and beautifull , where the princes of the royall blood have their abode with their families . there are two temples also , the most beautifull in all ethiopia : there are many flourishing , and fruitfull gardens , curiously made , and plentifully furnished with european fruits , as pears , pippins , &c. and of their own , as oranges , citrons , lemons . &c. it 's also adorned with cedars , palm-trees , &c. as also with variety of herbs , and flowers to delight the sight , taste , and sent : there are also cubaio trees , pleasant in taste beyond all comparison , and great store of balm-trees . there is plenty of all sorts of grain , and corn , and such charms of birds as delight the ear with their melodious warbling notes , and pleasing the eye with their variety of colours , and other creatures that adorn this paradise . the aforenamed churches have their pillars , and roofes of stone , richly , and cunningly wrought , the matter , and workmanship contending for magnificence : that of jasper , alabaster , marble , porphyrie ; this of printing , gilding , and much curiosity : to these are adjoyning two stately monasteries ; in one whereof are two rare pieces whereon wonder may justly fasten both her eyes . the treasury , and the library of the emperour , neither of which is thought to be matchable in the world ; neither that of constantinople wherein were one hundred and twenty thousand books ; nor that of alexandria , wherein were seven hundred thousand books : for the number in this library is numberlesse , their price inestimable . there are three great halls , each above two hundred paces large , with books of all sciences written in fine parchment with much curiosity of golden letters , and other works , and cost in writing , binding , and covers : there are all the greek fathers : the writers of syria , egypt , africa , and the latine fathers , with others innumerable in greek , hebrew , arabick , abyssine , egyptian , syrian , and chaldee . there are poets , philosophers , physicians , rabbins , talmudists , cabalists , hieroglyphicks , &c. the treasury leaves them of all other princes behind it . it 's a sea that every year receiveth new rivers , which never run out : every emperour yearly laying up part of his revenue there . the jewels here kept are incomparable , topazes , amethists , saphires , diamonds , &c. he hath one jewel that was found in the river niger , ( that brings forth more gemmes then any other in the world ) which is one piece diversified with a thousand variety of stones . it 's about two span● , and an half square : there are in it one hundred and sixty diamonds , one as large as the palm of ones hand : it hath in it above three hundred emeralds ; rubies the greatest in the world : above fifty saphires , turqueses , balazes , amethists , spin●ls , topazes , jacinths , chrysolites , &c. nature here playing the jeweller , and representing a mapp of the worlds gemmes in this one jewel without , and infinitely beyond all art of man. bernardo de vecheti , a jeweller , being sent thither by francis de medicis duke of florence to see it , accounted it beyond all estimation , and value . the emperour also hath made him tables with thousands of stones set in them . in this hill are kept the princes of the blood royal as in a prison , and never return thence except they be chosen emperours . anno christi . there were six of them : these meet altogether when they please to recreate themselves by hauking , hunting , &c. and they have grave persons to instruct them in learning , and virtue . purchas pilgrimage . p. , &c. the admirable high-waies in peru described . in peru in the west-indies are two admirable high-waies made by the ingas , or emperours : the one is by the andes or forrests from pasto unto chile , being nine hundred leagues long , the cawsey five , and twenty foot broad ; and every four leagues hath a stately house where was provision of victuals , and apparel , and every half league , men that stood ready to carry messages , and orders from hand to hand . the other way was thorow the plaines along the coast of twenty five foot broad , and on each side a wall of a mans height from piura to chile where both the waies met . this latter way was between trees that yielded a very pleasant shadow in those hot countreys , and both of them began at the imperial city of cuzco . p. pil. v. . p. , . there belonged also to the incas a garden of silver and gold wherein were many sorts of herbs , flowers , plants , trees , beasts , great and small , snakes , snailes , lizards , butterflies , small and and great birds each set in their places all of gold : they had also maiz , quinua , pulse , fruit-trees with fruit on them all of gold , and silver resembling the natural . in the incas house they had heaps of wood all counterfeit of gold , and silver . all the vessels ( which were infinite ) for the temple-service , pots , pans , tubs , hogsheads were of gold , and silver , yea the spades , and pickaxes for the garden were of the same . at the taking of this city by the spaniards the image of the sun fell to one captain's share , who lost it one night at dice , whereupon they said , that he had played away the sun before it was up . p. pil. v. . p. , &c. cusco the imperial city of the incas in america , when the spaniards first took it , had in it a temple of the sun , all the walls whereof were covered with plates of gold from the top to the bottom . at the east end was the image of the sun of one plate of gold as thick again as the other : the face was round with raies of gold like flames of fire , all of one piece : it was so big , that it filled all from one wall to the other . on both sides were the bodies of their deceased kings , embalmed , set in seates of gold placed on planks of gold : all the doores about the temple were lined with plates of gold ; without the temple on the top of the walls ran a champhered work of gold above a yard broad round about the temple : beyond the temple ran a cloister of four squares , round about the top whereof was such a crown of champhered gold above a yard broad : in the corners of the cloister were chappels ; one whereof was dedicated to the moon , all which with the gates thereof were covered with plates of silver : the image was placed , as that of the suns , with the face of a woman , all of one plank of silver . the next chappel was dedicated to venus , and the starres , lined also with silver , and the porch of silver . the third was dedicated to the thunder , and lightning : the fourth to the rainbowe ; which two last were all lined , and garnished with gold . hard by was an house for the priests all lined with gold from the top to the bottom . there were twelve doores to the cloister , and as many tabernacles or shrines which were all plated over with gold in form of porches , and the floores covered with gold . the images were all set with turkesses , and emeralds . in the house also were five fountains of water wherein they washed the sacrifices : out of them the water ran in pipes of gold ; and many of their pillars were of gold hollow , and some of them of silver . chap. cix . pequin the now regal city of china described . pequin is in compasse thirty leagues , environed with two walls upon which are innumerable towers , and bulwarks . it hath three hundred and sixty gates , each having over it a castellet with two towers , and a draw-bridge . there are in it three thousand eight hundred temples wherein are continually sacrificed birds , and wild beasts , and amongst these four very admirable for their curiosity , and costlinesse . the streets are long , and large ; the houses fair , encompassed with iron , and latten grates : at each street end is a triumphall arch , shut up at nights , in the chief whereof are watch-bells . there are one hundred and twenty large channels of water , and over them eighteen hundred rich , and fair bridges : there are in this city one hundred and twenty shambles , one hundred and twenty market-places ; besides in every street five or six shops wherein they sell flesh , poultry , and bacon . there are without the city sixteen hundred garden-houses belonging to persons of principal note : and twenty four thousand sepulchres of mandarines [ justices of peace ] with their little gilded chappels , encompassed with grates of iron , and latten with rich arches at their entries . the gardens , groves , tanks , and fountains have their walls lined within with fine porceland which makes a gallant shew . there are also store of other houses with great walls in which are gardens , and groves with game for hunting which belong to several companies . a description of mosco the imperial city of russia . mosco the regal city of russia is almost round , and bigger then london , invironed with three strong walls circling the one within the other , and with many streets lying between : the inmost wall , and the buildings within it , fenced , and watered with the river of moscua that runneth close by it , is all accounted the emperours castle . the number of houses , being formerly reckoned , was fourty one thousand five hundred . the streets instead of paving are planked with fir-trees plained , and laid even , and close the one to the other . the houses are of wood without any lime or stone built very close , and warm with firre-trees , which are fastened together with notches at each corner . betwixt this timber they thrust in mosse to keep out the ayr , so that they are very warm ; the greatest danger is their aptnesse for firing whereby much hurt is many times done in that city . p. pil. a description of venice , with her rarities . this wonder of cities is seated in the bosome or betwixt the armes of the adriatic sea : it is built upon sundry islands , and is ( as it were ) chained together by many bridges . the occasion which made these watry isles a mansion for men , was , when that northern deluge of goths , vandals , huns , and longobards did overflow all italy , the people of all sorts fled to these lakes to avoid the land torrent that was like to swallow them up ; and finding the air to be gentle , and fit for habitation , and propagation , they pitched their tents upon these isles , and associated them by conjoyning bridges . there are seventy two isles that support venice . and the nearest part of the continent is five miles distant : there are banks , and ditches cast up to preserve her from the impetuousnesse of the waves of the sea , extending in length above six miles . she is above eight miles in circuit , and hath of all sorts about a thousand bridges . besides there be above twenty thousand gondolaes , or boats which ply up , and down perpetually , in each of which are two rowers at least , so that upon occasion she can suddenly make an army of above fifty thousand gondoliers . her fabriques publick , and private are extraordinary specious , and sumptuous , and her streets so neat , and evenly paved , that in the depth of winter a man may walk up , and down in a pair of sattin pantables , and crimson silk stockings , and not be dirtied . there are above two hundred palaces fit to receive any prince with his ordinary retinue : her situation is so rare , every street almost having an arme of the sea running thorow it ; and her structures so magnificent , and neat , that she ravisheth therewith all strangers that come to visit her . she hath in her one hundred and fifty churches , and monasteries : but especially three things worthy of sight , viz. st. mark 's church , and steeple ; the treasury , and the arsenal . s. mark 's church is built throughout with rare mosaique work , and yet the furniture of the church surpasseth the fabrique in richnesse ; her walls are inlaid in many places with precious stones of divers colours , and in such a manner that they seem rather to be the work of nature then of art. it 's built in the form of a crosse , whose corners are highly vaulted , and covered with bright lead , as all the rest of the church is . the whole bulk is supported with most curious arches joyned together by marvellous art. the inside from the middle to the highest part thereof glistereth with gold , and the concavity of the vaults is enriched with divers curious , and antick pictures . that which is from the gilding down to the pavement is excellently joyned together with goodly tables of marble , by whose pleasant veins in form of raies the eyes of the beholders are rather fed then satisfied . the seats below are of an extraordinary red stone like to porphyrie , the pavement is all of marble engraven with divers figures wholly different , and of various colours : there are sundry columnes and tables of parian , spartan , and numidian work that environ the seats on both sides the quire. the entrance into the church on both sides is in a manner of the same trimming ; while gilded arches are sustained without by more then three hundred exquisite pillars , the space between those pillars being filled with choyce tables of marble . on the height of this entrance are four great brazen horses all gilded over , in a posture as if running , and neighing . all this beares up the highest top of the church divided into six steeples , every of which is like a pyramid , and hath on the sharpest point thereof a white marble statue of a naked man standing upright . divers other representations delightful to the eye , and wrought with exceeding skill do beautifie the spaces between the steeples , and all that which is vaulted underneath is covered with gold . in sum , there is no place in the whole church , either within , or without , but it 's either adorned with marble , gold , or precious stones ; so that the two columnes of alabaster , and the chalcedony stones which are in the middest of the pavement are accounted the least curiosities . the arsenal of venice is one of the greatest magazines of armes in all the world : it 's three miles in compasse , wherein there are above three hundred artificers perpetually at work ▪ who make , and repair all things that belong thereto . this arsenal hath armes to furnish two hundred thousand men , and hath constantly belonging to it two hundred gallies in dock ▪ or abroad in course , besides galliasses , and galleons , with all provisions necessary for them . the treasury of st. mark is cryed up through the world : they say there is enough in it to pay six kings ransomes . there are jewels of all sorts , and sizes , diamonds , rubies , saphires , emerauds , cups of agate of an huge bignesse . the great diamond which henry the third gave when he was made a gentleman of venice : there you may see an armour all of massie gold , beset all over with great pearles , turkies , rubies , and all manner of precious stones in such a quantity , and bignesse , that they alone would make a rich treasury . there are also twelve corslets of gold beset with precious stones . there is an huge gold chain that reacheth from pillar to pillar : divers chests of gold , and amongst others one great iron chest with this inscription , when this chest shall open the whole earth shall tremble . there are two large unicorn's horns . a great bottel made of a chalcedonian stone transparent , and clear , which will hold above a quart . there is a garnet of a vast size formed into the shape of a kettle which will hold neer a gallon . there are many crosses , and crucifixes of massie gold beset with jewels of all sorts : there are the crownes of cyprus , and candie , as also that of the dukes of venice all inlaid with choice rich diamonds , great rubies , emerauds , saphires , and other stones that would beget astonishment in the beholders . in that of the dukes there is one great rubie worth an hundred thousand crownes . there are cups of sundry formes cut out of rich stones , with dishes of sundry kinds . there are divers presses full of plate , huge , and massie , with statues of silver , and large chalices of gold , and variety of other rich things , the worth whereof no eye is able to judge . there are moreover twelve crownes of massie gold which were taken at the sacking of constantinople when the french , and venetians divided the spoyles . pacheeo the spanish ambassadour coming to see this treasury , fell a groping whether it had any bottom and being asked why ? answered ; in this amongst other things my great master's treasure differs from yours , in that his hath no bottom as i find yours to have . alluding to the mines in mexico , and potosi . in one of its islands called murano crystall glasses are made , where you may see a whole street or t●e one side having above twenty furnaces perpetually at work both day , and night . if one of these furnaces be removed to any other island , or but to the other side of the street , though they use the same men , materials , and fuel , yet can they not make glasse in the same perfections for beauty , and lustre as in this place . howels survey . padua described . padua is a city within the venetian territories , and was erected into an academie anno christi . she is famous every where for a seminary of the best physicians , and hath a garden of great variety of simples . it was formerly girt with a trebble wall : but a double contents her now , which hath very deep ditches round about : for the river brent with vast charges , and labour was brought to this city which hath much advantaged her both for strength , and navigation : it 's situated in a most pleasant , and plentiful plain , enjoying a sweet temperate clime , with a singular good soile by reason of the neighbourhood of the eugonian mountains on the west side of it . her circumference is neer upon seven miles ; her temples , and dwelling houses both publick , and private are more magnificent then elsewhere . she hath six stately gates : five large market-places ; within the walls twenty two great churches , twenty three monasteries , twenty nine nunneries . she hath the most renowned hall for publick justice of any city in italy , covered all over with lead , and yet propped by no pillars . the council-court hath gates , and columnes of marble ; she hath twenty eight bridges arched over the brent which runs thorow her . she hath very spacious piazza's : she hath six hospitals , three for the poor , and three for pilgrims . she hath a place called monte de pieta , set up on purpose to root out the jewes usury , who used to demand twenty per cent : for brocage : she hath other two hospitals for orphans , and poor children . there are thirty eight thousand crowns deposited in the hands of several persons of quality to whom the poorer sort may repair with their pawnes , and if it be under thirty shillings they pay no use for their money , if it be above they pay five per cent : for relieving the poor . the city of millan described . the city of millan in italy lies within a stately wall of ten miles compasse . it 's situated in a great plain , and hath about it green hills , delightfull medowes , navigable rivers , enjoyes an wholsome ayr , and the fertile countrey about it furnisheth it with all store of necessary provision . the city it self is thronged with artisans of all sorts . there be many stately churches in it , and before that of st. lorenzo there stand sixteen marble pillars being a remnant of the temple of hercules . but of all the churches the cathedral is most costly . 't is all of white marble , and about it are five hundred statues of the same : there is a late building added to it which is very glorious , especially for the huge pillars of granito , an excellent sort of marble : private mens houses also in millan are not inferiour to those of other cities in italy . the streets are of a more then common breadth , and there are very many gardens within the walls . the greatest hospital in italy is that in millan , which is a square of columnes , and porches six hundred roods about , seeming fitter to be a court for some king , then an hospital for the poor . the castle in millan is accounted by all engineers the fairest , and strongest citadel in europe . raimund's mer. ital. the city of naples described . naples the metropolis of that kingdome stands upon the shore of the mediterranean sea : it 's reckoned the third city in italy , and so great are the delights that nature hath allotted to this place , that it 's still frequented by persons of great quality . the streets of it are generally well paved of free stone , large , and even : the houses are very uniform , built flat on the top to walk on ; a notable convenience in those hot countreys . another like accommodation which this city hath against the heat , is the mole , which is an artificial street casting it self into the sea , whither all the gentry at the evenings resort to take the fresco. amongst the palaces that of the vice-kings is the fairest : it hath three castles ; and the churches generally are very curious , and costly filled with marble statues . this city is exceeding populous , and consequently vicious : he that desires to live a chaste life must not set up there : for as their gardens are well filled with oranges , so their houses want not lemmons ; there are usually thirty thousand courtesans registred that pay taxes for their pleasure . near unto naples is virgil's tomb upon an high rock : and the crypta neapolitana in the rocky mountain pausylippus , cut thorow , very high , spacious , and well paved , so that for the space of a mile two coaches may go on front under the earth : in the middest is a madonna with a lamp perpetually burning . not far off is the hill of brimstone on which neither grasse nor any herb growes ; but 't is all white with ashes , and ever casts out of several holes a contin●●l smoke , with flames making the very earth to boyl . the ground is hollow underneath , and makes an hideous noise if struck upon with an hammer . on the other side naples is the mountain of vesuvius , brother to aetna , upon the top whereof is a terrifying spectacle , viz. a vorago , or hole about three miles in compasse , and half as much in depth , and in the middest is a new hill that still vomits thick smoke which the fire within hath raised within these few years , and it still daily encreaseth . pliny the naturalist being too inquisitive after the cause of this fire , changed life for death upon this mountain . idem . the city of florence described . florence is the capitol city of tuscany situated at the bottom of very high hills , and environed on all sides with the same except on the west side , before which lies a plain countrey . this city is divided into two by the river arno , over which are built four bridges of stone ; upon one of the two chief is the goldsmiths street : upon the other , which is a very stately structure , stand the four quarters of the year in marble : opposite unto which stands a vast columne with a statue of justice in porphyrie at the top : hard by is the palace of strossie admirable for the immensity of its fabrick ; on the left hand whereof is the merchants vault supported with many fair pillars , and before it a brazen boar jetting forth water : before that is the great place in the middest whereof is the great duke cosmus on horseback in brasse , neer unto which is a fountain the like to which italy affords not . round about the laver is the family of neptune in brasse , with his colosse of marble in the middest , born up by four horses . in this same piazza is a porch arched and adorned with some statues , amongst which that of judith in brasse , with the rape of the sabines , three persons in several postures cut all out of one stone . just against it is the palazzo vechio , at the entrance whereof stand two celossi , the one of david , the other of hercules trampling on cacus , excellent pieces . within is a court set about with pillars of corinthian work . above is a very spacious hall with divers statues . neer to it is the richest of treasures , the great duke's gallery , in the uppermost part whereof are contained as many wonders as things : some to be admired for the preciousnesse , and art ; others for their rarity , and antiquity : on each side of the gallery stand above fourscore statues : one an idoll brought from the temple of apollo in delphos : another of scipio africanus holding up his gown under his arme : then two curious triumphant pillars : over the statues hang rare pictures , the most famous scholars on the one side , and souldiers on the other . at the right hand of this gallery are severall stanza's full of curiosities , wherewith the spectators are astonished both in regard of the richnesse , and rarity thereof . in the first room is an altar totally compacted of jewels , and precious stones : the value inestimable . in the next is a table with flowers , and birds in their natural colours of precious stones , with a cabinet worth two hundred thousand crownes covered with agates , emerauds , amethists , &c. within it is the history of christ's passion , with the twelve apostles all in amber . in the third is a cabinet with calcedonie pillars , filled with ancient medals of gold . round about this room are an infinite number of natural , and artificial curiosities : as the emperour's head cut on a turquoise bigger then a walnut , with thousands more . next is the armory , wherein are the habits , and divers sorts of armes of several ages , and people . there is likewise a loadstone that bears up fourscore pounds weight of iron . in the last cabinet is the curious turned works of ivory ; a pillar of oriental alabaster , &c. in another room are twelve great cupboards of silver plate of all sorts , and another of all pure massie gold. a saddle all embroydered with pearles , and diamonds ; besides many other things of great worth . from hence is a private passage to the duke's court on the other side of the river : the front of which edifice is very majestique , towards the basis of dorick work , in the middest of ionick , and the uppermost story of corinthian . in the court is a grotto with statues , and a fountain over it ; and a loadstone of a most prodigious greatnesse . the gardens belonging to it for their largenesse have the face of a forrest , for their variety of a paradise . here are cypresse groves , their walks with statues : here a sea of fountaines ; there swans , ostriches , and other delighting creatures . the cathedral church is of a vast bulk , and exquisite workmanship , made of red , white , and black marble . the cupola is so high , that the brasse globe at the top will hold sixteen persons : no lesse excellent is the steeple composed of the same stone , and materials with the church , but with more art , and ornaments . the chappel of st. laurence seems more then terrestrial : it 's wholly overlaid with fine polished stones , neither is there any colour upon earth but it 's there in stones naturally . near to this is a famous library filled with great variety of manuscripts . in brief , the houses of florence are generally built high , the streets are paved with great stones even , and large , and adorned with many excellent fountains , and other publick ornaments . the chiefest cities of italy are thus usually distinguished : rome the un-holy ; venice the rich ; naples the gentle ; florence the fair ; genoa the proud ; millan the great ; bolonia the fat ; padua the learned ; and verona the ancient . idem . the first invention of printing . laurence jans , a rich citizen of harlem in the low-countreys , walking forth one day into the neighbouring woods for recreation , began to cut in pieces of wood the letters of his name , printing them on the back of his hand ; which pleasing him well , he cut three or four lines which he beat with ink , and printed them upon paper , wherewith he much joyed , and determined to find out another kind of ink more fastening , and holding , and so with his kinsman thomas peterse , found out another way to print whole sheets , but of one side onely , which are yet to be seen in the said town : afterwards he changed his letters of wood into lead , and after that into tinne , and so by degrees this famous art of printing grew to perfection . belg. com. wealth . p. . the first invention of guns . a german frier of the order of st. francis called bertholdus swart , being very studious of chymistry , as he was one evening ( for the finding out of some experiment ) very busie in tempering brimstone , sulphureous powder of dryed earth , and certain other ingredients in a mortar which he covered with a stone : when it grew dark he took 〈…〉 tinder-box to light him a candle , a spark whereof by chance flying into the mortar , caught hold of the brimstone , and salt-peter , and firing with 〈◊〉 sudden flash blew up the stone . the cunning chymist guessing which of his ingredients it was which wrought this effect , never left till he found out the certainty , and then taking an iron pipe he crammed it full of the said ingredient together with some stones , and so putting fire to it he saw that with great fury , and noise it discharged it self : soon after which he communicated this his invention to the venetians , who , having been often vanquished by the genowaies , did by the help of these bombards , or guns , give them a notable discomfiture , anno christi . bucholtz . at middleburg in zealand , in the steeple of the abby-church there is a bell of eighteen thousand weight to strike the houres on , and twenty four small ones which serve for the chymes . belg. com. wealth . 〈…〉 . a description of the situation of utrecht in the low-countries . utrecht in the low-countreys is so situated , that one may go to what town he please of fifty that lie round about it in one day . and in a summers day , if one go early from utrecht he may dine at any one of twenty six townes , where he pleaseth , and return to his own house to supper . eodem . p. . finis . erratas . page . line read mundi . p. . l. . read thereupon . p. . l. . r. belgrade . p. . lin . ult . r. manly . p. . l. . r. flebo . p. . lin . . r. gamesome . p. . l. ult . read fifty , for fifteen . p. . l. . r. seates for slates . other smaller faults the intelligent reader will easily amend . a true and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america to wit, of virginia, new-england, bermudus, barbados : with the temperature of the air, the nature of the soil, the rivers, mountains, beasts, fowls, birds, fishes, trees, plants, fruits, &c. : as also, of the natives of virginia, and new-england, their religion, customs, fishing, hunting, &c. / collected by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a true and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america to wit, of virginia, new-england, bermudus, barbados : with the temperature of the air, the nature of the soil, the rivers, mountains, beasts, fowls, birds, fishes, trees, plants, fruits, &c. : as also, of the natives of virginia, and new-england, their religion, customs, fishing, hunting, &c. / collected by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [i.e. ], [ ], p. printed for robert clavel, thomas passenger, william cadman, william whitwood, thomas sawbridge, and william birch, london : . reproduction of original in william l. clements library. "examples of the wonderful works of god in the creatures": p. at end. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng america -- description and travel. virginia -- description and travel. bermuda islands -- description and travel. new england -- description and travel. barbados -- description and travel. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a true , and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america . to wit , of virginia . new-england . bermvdvs . barbados . with the temperature of the air : the nature of the soil : the rivers , mountains , beasts , fowls , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. as also , of the natives of virginia , and new-england , their religion , customs , fishing , huntings , &c. collected by samuel clarke , sometimes pastor in saint bennet-fink , london . london , printed for robert clavel , thomas passenger , william cadman , william whitwood , thomas sawbridge , and william birch . . the description of virginia , and the plantation of the english . the temperature of the air ; the nature of the soile , the rivers , mountains , beasts , fowls , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. as also of the natives , their religion , customs , fishings , huntings , treachery , &c. anno christi , . sr. walter rawleigh obtained of queen elizabeth of glorious memory , a patent for discovering , and peopling of unknown countries , not actually possessed by any christian prince , dated march . and in the th . year of her reign : in prosecution whereof april th . he set forth two barks under the command of mr. philip amadas , and mr. arther barlow , which arrived on that part of america , which that virgin queen named virginia : and thereof in her majesties name there took possession july . and having taken a view of , and liking the country ; and having had conference , and some trading with the savages , observing about fourteen sorts of sweet smelling timber trees , and many other commodities ; bringing with them two of the savages , they returned home in september following . anno christi , . sr. richard greenvile was sent by sr. walter rawleigh with a fleet of seven sail , which landed in the isle of st. john de porto rico. may . and there fortified themselves , and built a pinace . the spaniards promised to furnish them with victuals , but did not : whereupon , they took two spanish frigots . in hispaniola they had friendly greetings , and some trade with the spaniards ; from whence they came to an anchor at wokocon , whereby the unskilfullness of the master , their admiral strook on ground and sunk : july . they returned for england , and by the way they took a spanish ship of three hundred tun , richly laden . in virginia they left a colony under the goverment of mr. ralph lane and others , besides an hundred men . the governour wrote from his new fort in virginia , that if they had kine , and horses in a reasonable proportion , no country in christendom was to be compared to it . they discovered from roanoack to the chesipians above one hundred and thirty miles , and to chawanock north-west , as far . in the beginning of june . the natives conspired against the english , for which , the chiefest of them lost his head : and sr. francis drake coming thither after he had sacked diverse of the spanish towns , took the colony with 〈◊〉 his victorious fleet , and brought them into england . the same year sr. walter rawleigh 〈◊〉 sent a ship of an hundred tun with provisions for the colony , which arrived at hatorask presently after they were come away wherefore having sought them in vain , she returned with her provisions 〈◊〉 england : about a fortnight after her departure , sr. kichard greenvile , general of virginia , with three ships arrived there , and neither hearing of the ship , nor the colony which he had left there the year before ; after long search in vain , he left fifteen men to keep possession of the country in the isle of roanoack , furnished for two years , and so returned , by the way spoiling some towns of the azores , and taking diverse spaniards . anno christi , . sr. walter rawleigh ( notwithstanding former discouragements ) sent another colony of one hundred and fifty persons under the government of mr. john white , with twelve assistants , to which he gave a charter , and incorporated them by the name of governors and assistance of the city of rawleigh in virginia . these arrived july . at hatorask , where they went ashore to seek the fifteen men left there the year before , intending to plant at chesopiok : but they were informed by a native called manteo , that the savages had secretly slain some of them , and the other were fled they knew not whither . this manteo was afterwards baptized , and by sr. walter rawleigh was made lieutenant of roanock . here also mrs. dare the governours daughter was delivered of a daughter , that was baptized by the name of virginia . aug. the . they departed and returned into england . the commodities that are in virginia . oak of an excellent grain ; straight , tall , and long , elme , beech , birch , very tall and great , of whose bark the natives make their canows ; nut-hasil , hasil , alder , cherry-tree , maple , eive , spruce , aspe , fir in great abundance and many other fruits , trees which the english knew not . from the firrs issues much turpentine , and tar , and pitch . eagles , hearn , shaws , cranes , large ducks and mallard , geese , swans , wigeon , sharks , crows , ravens , kites , sea-mews , pidgeons , turtle-doves , turkies , and many other fowles and birds unknown ; hawks of diverse kinds . deer red and follow , bears , wolves , beavers , otters , hares , conies , martens , sables , hogs , porcupins , polecats , cats wild and great , dogs , whereof some like foxes , elks , and some lyons , squirrils of three sorts , some flying squirils , hares , &c. whales , porpoises , seales , cod very large , haddocks , herring , plaise , thornback , rack-fish , lobsters , crabs , mussels , wilks , cony-fish , lump-fish , whitings , salmonds in great plenty . tobacco , vines , strawberries , rasberries , goosberries , hartleberries , corants , roses , pease , angellica , ground-nuts . the wood that is most common is oak , and walnut , many of their oak are so tall and strait , that they will bear thirty inches square of good timber for twenty yards long : there are two or three several kinds of them : there are , also two or three kinds of walnuts , there are cyprus trees , some of which are neer three fathom about the root , very strait and fifty , sixty , yea eighty foot without a branch . there are also some mulberry trees , and chesnut trees , whose fruit equalizeth the best in france , or italy ; they have plums of three sorts , cherries , vines , gassafras trees . virginia lies in the latitude of . degrees and . minutes , north. anno christ , . king james ( of happy memory ) granted a pattent to sundry persons to plant along the coast of virginia , where they pleased between . degrees and . of northerly latitude , in the main land , and the islands thereunto adjoyning within a hundred miles of the coast thereof . in pursuance whereof , there were some ships sent the same year to begin a plantation in the more southerly part of virginia . virginia is a country in america that lies between the degrees of . and . of north latitude . on the east it s bounded with the grear ocean . on the south with florida . on the north with nova francia . but for the west the limits are unknown . the plantation which was begun in the year . was under the degree of . . and . where the tempreture of the air , after they were well seasoned , agreed well with the constitutions of the english. they sound the summer as hot as in spain : the winter as cold as in france or england : the heat of summer is in june , july , and august , but commonly a cool briefs asswages the vehemency of the heat : the chiefest winter is in half - december , january , february , and half march. the winds are variable , which yet purifie the air , as doth the thunder and lightning , which sometimes is very terrible . sometimes there are great droughts , and othersometimes great raines , yet the european fruits planted there prospered well . there is but one entrance by sea into the country , and that is at the mouth of a very goodly bay , which is about eighteen or twenty miles wide . the cape of the south side is called cape henry : the land there is white sand , and along the shore are great plenty of pines , and firrs the north cape is called cape-charles : the isles before it are called smiths isles . the country is full of large and pleasant navigable rivers . in it are mountains , hills , plains , valleys , rivers , and brooks ; this bay lieth north and south , in which the water flowes near two hundred miles , and hath a channel for one hundred and forty miles , of depth between seven and fifteen fathom : the breadth makes ten or fourteen miles . northward from the bay the land is mountanous , from which fall some brooks , which after make five navigable rivers : the entrance of these rivers into the bay being within twenty or fifteen miles one of another . the mountains are of divers natures , some of stone for millstones , some of marble , &c. and many pieces of chrystal are brought down from them by the raines . the soil generally is lusty and rich , being generally of a black sandy mould : in some places a fat slimy clay : in other places gravel . the countrey generally hath such pleasant plain hills , and fertile valleys , one prettily crossing another , and watered so conveniently with sweet brooks , and chrystal streams as if artists had devised them . by the rivers are many marshes , some of , , . yea acres , some more , some less . on the west side of the bay , and neerest to its mouth , is the river called powhatan , according to the name of a principal countrey that lies upon it : the mouth of it is near three miles in breadth : it s navigable one hundred and fifty miles as the channel goes : in the farthest place which the english discovered , are falls , rocks , and shoales which hinder any farther navigation . in a peninsula on the north side of this river , the english first planted , in a place which they called james town . as our men passed up one of their rivers , there came to them some called sasquesahanocks with skins , bows , arrows , targets , beads , swords , and tobacco-pipes for presents . they were great and well proportioned men , so to the english they seemed like giants ; with much ado they were restrained from adoring their discoverers . their language well seeming their proportion , sounding from them as it were a great voice in a vault : their attire was the skins of bears , and wolves . one had a wolves-head hanging in a chain for a jewel : his tobacco-pipe was three quarters of a yard long , prettily carved with a bird , a bear , a dear , being at the great end sufficient to beat out a mans brains : their bows , arrows , and clubs are suitable to their proportions . one of the biggest of them had the calf of his legg measured , which was three quarters of a yard about , and all the rest of his limbs answerable thereto . his arrows were five quarters long , headed with flints , formed like a heart , an inch broad , and an inch and an half long , which he wore in a wolves skin at his back : in one hand a bow , and in the other a club. the natives of virgina have generally black hair , but few of them have beards . the men have half their heads shaven , the hair of the other half long : the women are their barbers , who with two shells grate away the hair of what fashion they please . the womens hair is cut in many fashions according to their eyes , but ever some part of it is long . they are very strong , of able bodies and nimble : they can lie in the woods under a tree by the fire in the coldest weather , and amongst the grass and weeds in summer : they are inconstant , crafty , timerous , quick of apprehension , and very ingenious . they are very covetous of copper , beads , and such trash . they are soon angry , and so malicious , that they seldom forget an injury . they seldom steal one from another , lest their connivers should reveal it . their women are careful to avoid suspition of dishonesty without the leave of their husbands . each house-keeper knows his own lands , and gardens , and most live of their own labour . they are sometimes covered with the skins of wild beasts , which in winter are dressed with the hair inward , but in summer without . the better sort use large mantles of dear-skins , some embroidered with white beads , some with copper , and others are painted . but the common sort have scarce wherewith to cover their nakedness , but with grass or leaves . some have mantles made of turkey feathers , so handsomly wrought , and woven with thred , that nothing could be discerned but feathers . these were exceeding neat and warm . the women are covered about their middles with a skin , and much ashamed to be seen bare . they adorn themselves with copper and painting ; they have , their leggs , hands , breasts , and faces cunningly wrought with divers works , as beasts , serpents , &c. artificially wrought in their flesh with spots . in each ear commonly they have three holes , whereat they hang chains , bracelets , or copper . some of their men wear in those holes a small green , and yellow coloured snake , near half a yard long , which crawling and wrapping her self about his neck , oftentimes familiarly kisses his lips : others wear a dead rat tied by the tail . some on their heads wear the wing of a bird , or some large feathers with the tail of a rattle-snake . many have the skin of a hawk , or some strange fowl , stuffed with the wings stretched abroad . others a piece of copper ; and some the hand of an enemy dried . their heads and shoulders are painted red , with a certain powder mixed with oyl , which they hold in summer to preserve them from heat , and in winter from cold . he is most gallant that is most monstrous to behold . their habitations are mostly by the rivers , or not far from some fresh spring . their houses are built like our arbours , of small sprigs bowed and tied together , and so close covered with mats , or the bark of trees , that notwithstanding wind , rain , or weather , they are as warm as stoves , but smoky , though they leave a hole on the top right over the fire . their lodging is by the fire side on little hurdles made of reeds , and covered with a mat. on these round about the house they lie , heads and points , one by another , covered with mats or skins , and some stark naked : of these they are from six to twenty in an house . their houses are in the mid'd of their fields or gardens , which are plots of ground : from twenty to one hundred , or two hundred of these houses stand something near together . men , women , and children have their several names according to the phansie of their parents . their women are easily delivered of child , yet they love their children very dearly ; and to make them hardy , in the coldest mornings they wash them in the rivers , and by painting and ointments they so tan their skins , that after a year or two no weather will hurt them . the men spend their time in fishing , hunting , wars , and such manly exercises , scorning to be seen about any womanly exercise , which makes the women very painful , and the men oft very idle ; the women and children do all the work ; they make mats , baskets , pots , morters ; they pound their corn , make their bread , prepare their victuals , plant and gather their corn , bear all kinds of burdens , &c. their fire they kindle by chafing a dry pointed stick in a hole of little square piece of wood , which taking fire , will kindle moss , leaves , and such dry things . in march and april is their fishing time , wherein they live on fish , turkies , and squerrils . in may and june they plant their fields , and then they live most upon acrons , walnuts and fish : some upon crabs , oisters , land tortoises , strawberries , mulberries , &c. in june , july , and august , they feed upon the roots of tocknough , berries , fish , and green wheat ; and their bodies alter with their diet , as those of deer , and wild beasts do : and accordingly they are fat or lean , strong or weak . they use much their bows and arrows in fishing , hunting , and the wars . they bring their bows to the form of ours , by scraping them with a shell : their arrows are made of strait young sprigs , which they head with bone , two or three inches long : with these they shoot at squirils . other arrows they have made of reeds , pieced with wood , and headed with christals or flint , &c. for knives they have the splinters of a reed , wherewith they cut the feathers of their arrows into form : with these knives they will joynt a deer , or any other beast , shape their shooes , buskings , mantles , &c. to make the notch of their arrows , they have the tooth of a bever set in a stick , with which they grate it by degrees . their arrow heads they quickly make with a little bone , which they ever wear at their bracer , of a splint of stone or glass , in form of a heart which they glew to their arrows ; their glew they make of the sinews of deer , and the tops of deer horns which will not dissolve in cold water . in their wars they use round targets made of the bark of trees , and swords of wood , or the horn of a deer put through a piece of wood , in the form of a pickax . their fishing is much in boats , which they make of one tree , by burning , and scraping with stones and shels till they have made it in the form of a trough . some of them are a ell deep , and fourty and fifty foot long , and will bear from ten to fourty men , according to their bigness : for oars they use paddles and sticks , with which they will row faster than our barges . the women use to spin the bark of trees , deer sinews , or a kind of grass called pemmenaud , of which they make a very good thred , which serves for many uses about their houses , apparel , fishing-nets , lines for angles : their hooks are either a bone grated in the form of a hooked pin , or of the splinter of a bone tied to the cleft of a little stick , and with the end of the line they tie on the bait . they also use long arrows tied to a line , with which they shoot at fishes in the river , or darts which they throw at them . they take extream pains in their huntings and fishings , whereunto they are enured from their child-hood : and by their continual rangings about , they know all the places and advantages most frequented with deer , beasts , fishes , fowls , rooks , bemes . at their huntings they leave their habitations , and in several companies go to the most desert places with their families towards the mountains , or heads of rivers where there is plenty of game . it 's a marvel how they can pass these deserts of three or four dayes journey over , without missing their way . the women bear their hunting houses after them with corn , acrons , mortars , and bagg and baggage which they use . when they come to the place of exercise , every man endeavours to shew his best dexterity ; for hereby they get their wives . they will shoot level about fourty yards , near the mark , and one hundred and twenty is their best at random . when they have found the deer , they environ them with fires , and betwixt the fires they place themselves ; and some take their stand in the mid'st . the deer being frighted with the fires , and their voices they chase them so long within that circle , that oftimes they kill six , eight , ten , or fifteen at a hunting . sometimes also when they find them in a point of land , they force them into a river , where with their boats they kill them . when they have shot a dear by land , they follow him like blood-hounds , by the blood and stain , and oftimes so take him . hares , partridges , turkies , or eggs , fat or lean , young or old , they devour all they can come by . when they intend wars , the werowances corks , consult with their priests and connivers , and ancient alleys , and friend : they have captains over every nation , which are lusty young men . they rarely make wars for lands or goods , but for women and children , before the battel they paint and disguise themselves in the fiercest manner they can devise : either army hath his general , they take their stands a musquet shot one from another : rank themselves fifteen a breast , and so place themselves , that the rear can shoot as well as the front. then from either part a messenger is sent with these conditions , that whosoever is vanquished , upon their submission within two dayes after , shall live ; but their wives and children shall be prize for the conquerors ; upon the return of the messengers , they approach in their order . on each flank is a serjeant , and in the reer a lieutenant , all duly keeping their places ; yet leaping and singing as they go . upon the first flight of their arrows they give an horrible shout ; and when their arrows are spent , they joyn together , charging and retiring , each rank seconding the former : as they get advantage , they catch their enemy by the hair of his head , and then down he goes , and with his wooden sword he beats out his brains , &c. their musick is a thick cane on which they pipe as on a recorder . for their wars they have a great deep platter of wood , which they cover with a skin , upon which they beat as upon a drum ; of these they have base , tenor , countertenor , mean , and trebble . if any great person come to the habitation of a werowanee , they spread a mat for him to sit upon , setting themselves just opposite to him ; then all the company with a tunable voice of shouting , bid him welcome . then some of the chiefest make an oration to him , which they do with such vehemency that they sweat till they drop again . such victuals as they have they spend freely upon him ; and where his lodging is prepared , they set a woman finely painted with red to be his bedfellow . their trading with the english is for copper , beads , &c. for which they give skins , fowl , fish , flesh , mais , &c. they have a religion amongst them : all things that were able to hurt them beyond their prevention , they adore with divine worship : as fire , water , thunder , lightning ; the great guns of the english , muskets , horses , &c. but their chief god is the devil whom they call oke , and serve him more for fear than love . in their temples they have his image in an ilfavoured shape , and adorned with chains , copper , and beads , and covered with a skin . by him is commonly the sepulchres of their kings : their bodies are first bowelled , then dried upon hurdles ; about their neck , and most of their joynts they hang bracelets , chains of copper , pearl , and then they wrap them up in white skins , and roule them in mats for their winding-sheets , laying them orderly in their tombs , which are arches made of mats : the rest of their wealth they set at their feet in baskets . for their ordinary burials they dig a deep hole in the earth , and the corps being wrapped in skins , and mats , with their jewels , they lay them upon sticks in the ground ; and then covet them with earth . the burial being ended , the women having their faces painted with black , sit twenty four hours in their houses mourning and lamenting by turns , with such yellings and howlings as may express their great sorrow . in the woods they have some great houses filled with the images of their kings and devils , and tombs of their predecessors , which they count so holy , that none but their priests , and kings dare come into them . they have a chief priest , differenced from the inferiour by the ornaments of his head , which are twelve , sixteen , or more snake-skins stuffed with moss , the skins of weesels and other vermin ; all which they tye by the tails , so as the tails meet on the top of their head like a tassel , about which a crown of feathers ; the skins hang down about him , and almost cover his face . the priests faces are painted as ugly as they can devise , and they carry rattles in their hands . their devotion is most in songs , which the chief priests begins , and the rest follow . their solemn meetings are upon great distress of want , fear of enemies , times of triumph , and of gathering their fruits ; at which time all both men , women and children meet together . the people are very barbarous , yet have they government amongst them , and their governours are well obeyed by their subjects . the form of their government is monarchical . one of their chief rulers is called powhatan from the place of his habitation : some part of the countrey came to him by inheritance , the rest by conquest . in several parts of his dominion he hath houses built like arbors , some thirty or fourty yards long ; and in each house provision for his entertainment according to the times . about the kings person is ordinarily attending a guard of fourty or fifty of his tallest men : every night upon the four quarters of his house stand four sentinels , and every half hour , one from the corps dugard doth hollow , unto which each of the sentinels doth answer ; if any fail , he is extreamly beaten . one house he hath wherein he keepeth his treasure of skins , copper , pearl , and beads , which he stores up against his burial ; none comes to this house but the priest. at the four corners stand as sentinels four images of a dragon , a bear , a leopard , and giant-like man , all ilfavouredly made according to their best workmanship . their king hath as many women as he will , whereof , when he lies on his bed , one sitteth at his head , and another at his feet : but when he sits , one sits on his right hand , another on his left. when he is weary of any of them he bestows them upon those that deserves best at his hands . when he dines or sups , one of his women , before and after meat , brings him water in a wooden platter to wash his hands . another waits with a bunch of feathers to wipe upon instead of a towel , and the feathers were dried again . his kingdom descends not to his sons , but first to his brethren , and after their decease to his sisters , and to the heirs of his eldest sister . they have no letters whereby to write or read ; the only law whereby he rules is custome ; or else his will is his law which must be obeyed . his inferiour kings whom they call werowances , are tied to rule by customes , yet have they power of life and death : they all know their several lands , and habitations , and limit , to fish , fowl , and hunt in : but they hold all of their great king , to whom they pay tribute of skins , beads , copper , pearl , deer , turkies , wild beasts , and corn ; with great fear and adoration they all obey him . at his feet they present whatsoever he commands ; at his frown their greatest spirit will tremble : offenders he causeth to be broyled to death ; or their brains to be beaten out ; their ordinary correction is to beat them with cudgels , for which yet they will never cry nor complain . anno christi . the l. de la ware upon his return from virginia , gave this account of it . that the number of men which he left there was above two hundred , the most in health , and provided of ten moneths victuals in the store house , besides other quantities of corn , and shew much friendship . for the securing of the colony he built three fronts : two of them being seated near point comfort , had adjoyning to them a large circuit of ground , open , and fit for corn. the third fort was at the falls , upon an island environed with corn ground . the country is wonderful fertile and rich : the english cattel were much encreased , and did thrive excellent well . the kine in a hard winter when the ground was covered with snow , lived ( with one anothers help ) upon the grass which they found , and prospered well ; the swine encreased much . that year captain argoll went with his ship up pembroke river , where he met with the king of pastancy , and procured of him and his subjects eleven hundred bushes of corn , besides three hundred for his own company , with which he returned to james's town , and delivered it into the store . then did he return and discover pembroke river to the head of it , which was about sixty five leagues within land , and navigable for any ship : then marching into the country , he found great store of beasts as big as kine , of which , they killed two , and found them to be good and wholesom meat , and yet easie to be killed being but heavy , and slow creatures . he found also a mine and a strange kind of earth , which the indian used for physick , and it cures the pain of the belly : he found also a water issuing out of the earth which tasted like allom water ; it was good and wholsom : he found an earth like a gum , white and clear ; and another red , like terra sigillata : an other white , and so light , that being cast into water , it swims . their dear have usually three or four fawns at a time , none under two : and our english goates in virginia oft times bring forth three ; and mostly two young ones , so fruitful is the country : they have beavers , otters , foxes , racoons , ( as good meat as a lamb ) hares , wild catts with rich furrs ; musk-rats , &c. wild pidgeons in winter numberless , the flocks of them will be three or four hours together flying over , so thick that they obscure the very light ; turkies far bigger than ours that will run as fast as a gray-hound , buzzards , snites , partridges , owles , swans , geese , brants , droeis , shell-drakes , teal , widgeon , curlews , puits , black-birds , hedg-sparrows , oxeies , wood-peckers , and in winter flocks of parakitoes . their rivers are plentifully stored with fish : as sturgeon , porpass , base , carp , shad , herring , eele , cat-fish , pearch , trout , flat-fish , sheeps-head , drummers , jarsishes , craifishes , crabs , oisters , &c. at one hale they have caught as much sturgeon , base , and other great fish as hath loaded a frigot . they have without art , grapes , mulberries , maricocks like a lemmon , whose blossome may admit comparison with our most pleasant and beautiful flowers , and the fruit is exceeding delightful to the tast . many goodly groves of chincomen-trees , that have husks like a chesnut , and are good meat either raw or boiled . chesnuts great store , and walnuts plenty of three sorts ; filberts , crabs smaller but sowrer than ours . anno christi , . mr. alex. whitaker , who was minister to the colony , writing to a friend in london , gives this account of the natives . they acknowledg ( saith he ) that there is a great good god , but know him not , having the eyes of their understandings yet blinded ; wherefore they serve the devil for fear , after a most base manner , sacrificing somtime their own children to him : his image they paint upon one side of a toad-stool , much like to a deformed monster : their priests are no other , but such as our english witches are . they live naked in body , as if the shame of their sin deserved no covering : they esteem it a virtue to lie , deceive , and steal , as their master the devil teacheth them . the natives are not so simple as some have conceited : for they are of body strong , lusty , and very nimble ; they are a very understanding generation , quick of apprehension , sudden in their dispatches , subtile in their dealings , exquisite in their inventions , and industrious in their labour . the world hath no better marks-men with their bows , and arrows than they be : they will kill birds flying , fishes swimming , and beasts running : they shoot with marvellous strength , for they shot one of our english , being unarmed , quite through the body , and nailed both his armes to his body with one arrow . their service to their god is answerable to their lives , being performed with great fear and attention , and many strange dumb shews are used in it , stretching forth their limbs , and straining their bodies exceedingly . they stand in great awe of their priests which are a generation of vipers , even of satans own brood . the manner of their life is much like that of the popish hermites : for they live alone in the woods , in houses sequestred from the common course of men ; neither is any man suffered to come into their house for to speak with them but when the priest calls them . he takes no care for his victuals , for all necessaries of bread , water , &c. are brought to a place near to his house , and are there left which he fetches at his pleasure . if they would have rain , or have lost any thing , they have recourse to him , who conjures for them , and many times he prevaileth . if they be sick , he is their physitian : if they be wounded , he sucks them . at his command they make war and peace neither do they any thing of moment without him . they have an evil government amongst them , a rude kind of common-wealth , and rough government , wherein they both honour , and obey their kings , parents , and governours : they observe the limits of their own possessions . murther is rarely heard off : adultery , and other gross offences are severely punished . the whole continent of virginia situated within the degrees of . and . is a place beautified by god with all the ornaments of nature , and enriched with his earthly treasures . that part of it which the english chiefly possess , begins at the bay of chesapheac , and stretching it self in northerly latitude to the degrees of . . and is interlined with seven most goodly rivers , the least wherof is equal to our thames : and all these rivers are so nearly joyned , as that there is not very much distance of ground between either of them , and those several pieces of land betwixt them are every where watered with many veins , and creeks , which sundry wayes do cross the land , and make it almost navigable from one river to another , the commodity whereof is very great to the planters , in respect of the speedy and easie transportation of goods from one river to another . the river powhatan ebbs and flowes one hundred and forty miles into the main ; at the mouth whereof are the two forts of henry and charles . forty two miles upward is the first and mother town of the english seated , called james town : and seventy miles beyond that upward , is the town of henerico built . ten mile beyond this is a place called the falls , because the river hath there a great descent , falling down between many mineral rocks which be there . twelve miles beyond these falls is a chrystal rock with which the indians use to head most of their arrows . the higher ground in virginia is much like to the mould of france , being clay and sand mixed together at the top , but digging any depth , its red clay full of glistering spangles . as for iron , steel , antimony , and terra sigillata , they are very frequent . the air of the country , especially about henerico , and upwards , is very temperate , and agrees well with our english bodies . the extremity of summer is not hot as in spain , nor the cold in winter so sharp as ours in england . the spring and harvest are the two longest seasons , and very pleasant . the summer and winter are both but short . the winter for the most part is dry and fair ; but the summer ofttimes watered with great and sudden showers of rain , whereby the cold of winter is warmed , and the heat of summer is cooled . amongst the beasts in virginia , there are two kinds most strange . one of them is the female possowne , which hath a bag under her belly , out of which she will let forth her young ones , and take them in again at her pleasure . the other is the flying squerril , which , by the help of certain broad flaps of skin , growing on each side of her fore-legs , will fly from one tree to another at twenty or thirty paces distance , and more if she have the benefit of a little puff of wind. the english kine , goats , hoggs , &c. prosper very well . they have hawkes of several sorts , and amongst them auspreis , fishing hawkes , and cormorants . in the winter they have great store of cranes , herons , pidgeons , patridges , and black-birds . the rivers and creeks are over-spread with swans , geese , brants , divers , and those other named before . the woods have many kinds of rare and delightful birds . the rivers abound with fish , both small and great , as pike , carp , eele , perches of six several sorts , &c. the sea-fish come into their rivers in march , and continue till the end of september . frst come in great skuls of herrings : then big shads , and rock-fish follow them . then trouts , base , flounders , and other dainty fishes come in before the other be gone . then come in multitudes of great sturgeons , and divers others . some five miles about henerico by land , but by water fourteen miles . sr. tho. dale , anno christi . began to build a city , called the new bermoodas , situated very commodiously , whereunto he laid out , and annexed to be belonging to that corporation for ever : many miles of wood-lands , and champion , which he divided into several hundreds . as the upper and the nether hundreds roch-dale hundreds , wests-sherley hundred , and diggs his hundred . anno christi . pacahuntas , the beloved daughter of the great king powhatan , having been carefully instructed in the christian religion , by the care of sr. tho. dale , and having made some good progress therein , renounced publickly her countrey idolatry , and openly confessed her christian faith , and desiring it , was baptized by the name of rebecca , and was afterwards married to one mr. rolph an english gentleman of good repute , her father and friends giving their approbation to it , and her vncle gave her to him in the church . anno christi . sr. tho. dale returning into england , there came over with him mr. rolfe , with rebecca , his convert and consort , and tomocomo , one of powhatans counsellors ; mr. rolfs wife rebecca , though she carried her self very civilly and lovingly to her husband , yet did she behave her self as the daughter of a king , and was accordingly respected by divers persons of honour here in england , in their hopeful zeal by her means to advance christianity in these countries . as she was with her husband returning into virginia , at gravesend she fell sick , and came to her end and grave , having given great demonstration of her christian faith and hope . the english in virginia anno christi . were divided into several burroughs , each man having his share of land duly set out for him , to hold and enjoy to him and his heirs for ever . the publick lands also for the company were set out by themselves ; the governours share by it self ; the colledges by it self , and for each particular burrough ; the ministers gleab also was set out and bounded , their being . l. per annum allowed to each minister for each town . they are all governed according to the laudable form of justice used in england . the governour is so restrained by a counsel joyned with him , that he cannot wrong any man , who may not have any speedy remedy . in the years . and . there were . or ten ships sent to virginia , wherein were . persons ; most of them being for publick uses , as to plant the governours land , . persons ; tenants for the companies land . tenants for the colledge land , . tenants for the ministers gleab-lands . young maids to make wives for so many of the planters . boyes for apprentices . servants for the publick , . some were imployed to bring up thirty of the infidels children in true religion and civility . the commodities which the planters were directed to apply themselves to , were iron ; for the making whereof , men were sent over to set up iron work ; proof having been made of the excellency of that iron . cordage : for which ( beside hemp ) order was given for the planting of silk-grass ( naturally growing in those parts ) in great abundance , which makes the best cordage , and linnen in the world. of this every housholder was bound to set . plants ; and the governour himself set five thousand . pot-ashes , and soap-ashes ; pitch and tar. for the making whereof , divers polanders were sent over . timber of all sorts , with masts , planks , and boords for provision of shipping , &c. there being not so good timber for all uses in any countrey whatsoever ; and for the help in these works , provision was sent of men and materials for the setting up of sundry saw-mills . silk : for which the countrey is exceeding proper , having an innumerable of the best mulberry-trees , and some silk-worms naturally found upon them , producing excellent silk , and to further this work , many seeds of the best silk-worms were sent over . vines ; whereof the countrey naturally yields great store , and of sundry sorts ▪ which by good culture might be brought to excellent perfection : for effecting whereof divers skilful vegneroons were sent , with store also from hence of vine plants of the best sort . salt : which work were ordered to be set up in great plenty , not only to serve the colony , but to promote the great fishings upon those coasts . divers persons of publick spirits gave much to the furtherance of this plantation . two unknown persons gave plate and other necessaries for the furnishing of two communion tables . mis. mary robinson gave . l. towards the building of a church in virginia . an unknown person sent the treasurer . l. in gold for the bringing up of some of the infidels children in the knowledge of god , and true religion , and in fit trades whereby they might live honestly in the world. mr. nicholas ferrar by will gave . l. to the colledge in virginia , to be paid when there should be ten of the infidels children placed in it . and in the mean time . l. per annum to be distributed unto three discreet and godly men in the colony , which should bring up three of the infidels children in the christian religion , and in some good course to live by . an other unknown person gave . l. to advance the plantation . anno christi . the right honourable henry e. of southampton was made treasurer ; from which time to the year . there were . ships sent to virginia : and there were divers persons set for the making of beads , wherewith to trade with the natives , and for making of glass of all sorts : and . young maids were sent to make wives for the planters . also a magazine of all necessaries was sent for the colony , to the value of . l. besides goods , sent by private persons great store . twenty five persons were sent to build boats , pinnaces , and ships for the use of the colony in the fishing trade , and for further discovery . the plants of cotten wool trees prosper well , and so did indigo seeds , oranges , lemons , sugar canes , cassary , pines , plantanes , potatoes , and sundry other indian fruits . some of the english east-india company gave seventy pound , eight shillings sixpence , towards the building of a free schoole in virginia , to be called the east-india school . another unknown person added to it the sum of thirty pound . and another sent in gold twenty five pound . another unknown person gave thirty pound ; for which there was to be allowed fourty shillings a year for ever , for a sermon preached before the virginia company . another gave a rich bible , and a great church bible , and other books to be sent to virginia , and an exact map of america . the books were valued at ten pound . mr. tho. bargrave , a minister in virginia , when he died , left for the use of the colledge his library worth one hundred marks . 〈◊〉 anno christi . the treacherous natives , notwithstanding all the courtesies and kind usage by the english to them , most perfidiously , and treacherously murthered above three hundred of them , and would have done the like to all the rest , but that god ( through his infinite goodness and mercy ) moved the heart of one of them , who was converted to christianity , to discover the same a few hours before it was put in execution , the like massacres have been since . a description of the bermudas , or sommers islands : the first discovery , and plantation of it by the english . the temperature of the aier ; the nature of the soil , trees , plants , fruits , hearbs , fishes , fowls , and other commodities thereof . these islands were first discovered by one bermudas , from whence they received that name ; and afterwards from sr. george sommers an english-man , they were called sommers islands . they lie in the western ocean , and in that part of the world commonly called america , and vulgarly the west-indies . their latitude , or elevation is . degrees , . minutes , which is almost the same with the madaeraes . they are environed round about with rocks , which north-ward , and westward , and southward extend far , by reason whereof they are very strong , there being only three places whereby ships can come into them , which places also are well fortified . but within there is room to entertain a great fleet : in most places the rocks appear at a low water , and are not much covered at an high water , for it ebbs and flows there not above five foot. the shoar for the most part is a rock , so hardned by the sun , wind , and sea , that it s not apt to be worn by the waves , whose violence also is broken by the rocks before they come at the shoar . the mould is of diverse colours , neither clay nor sand but betwixt both : the red which resembleth clay is worst : the white resembing sand , and blackish is good : the brown betwixt them both is best . under the mould two or three foot deep , is a kind of white substance which they call rock : the trees usually fasten their roots in it , and draw their nourishment from it ; neither indeed is it rock or stone , nor so hard , though for the most part harder than chalk ; not so white , but like a pumice , and spongy , easily receiving and retaining much water ; and in some places clay is found under it : the hardest kind of it ( which is commonly under the red ground ) is not so spongy , nor retains much water , but lies in the ground like quarries , as it were thick slates , one upon another . most of their fresh water ( whereof they have good store ) comes out of the sea , drayning through the sand , or thorow the aforesaid substance which they call the rock , and leaving its saltness behind it , in the passage becometh fresh . somtimes they dig wells of fresh water within four or five paces of the sea-side : and usually they ebb and flow as the sea doth . the air is most commonly clear , very temperate , moist , with a moderate heat , very healthful , and apt for the generation , and nourishing of all things : so that there is scarce any thing that is transported from england thither , but it yields a far greater encrease : and if it be any living thing , it becomes fatter and better liking then in england : by which means the countrey was so replenished with hens and turkeys , within the space of three or four years not being looked after , many of them forsook the houses , and became wild and so encreased abundantly . the like encrease there was of hogs and other cattle according to their kinds . there seems to be a continual spring , which is the cause that some few things come not to that maturity and perfection as were requisite . and though the trees do shed their leaves , yet are they always full of green . their corn is the same which is used in most parts of the west-indies : to wit , maiz which , to such as are used to it , is more hearty and nourishing than our english wheat , and yields a far greater encrease , as sometimes a pound of one or two graines : of this corn , and divers other things without either plowing or diging the ground , they have two harvests every year : for they set about march which they gather in july : and again in august which is ripe in december . and little slips of fig-trees , and vines do usually bear fruit within a year after they are planted , sometimes in half a year : the like fertility they have in other things . there is scarce at any time to be perceived either frost or snow , nor any extream heat , for there is alwayes some wind stirring which clears and cools the air : their summers and winters observe the same times with ours , but their longest dayes and nights are shorter than ours in england by almost two hours and an half : as also their shortest dayes and nights are as much longer then ours : for their longest dayes are about fourteen hours , and their shortest ten . when its noon with us , its morning with them , and when it s about five a clock in the evening with us , its noon with them ; so that while the sun declines with us it rises with them , as also it doth in virginia , its apt to thunder and lighten all the year long , and oft times more terrible than in england , yet never any are hurt by it . there is no venemous creature in this country : the yellow spider which is there making her webb as it were of silk , and bringing forth her young of eggs , like little drops of quick-silver , neither is it perceived to be venemous , yet there is a plant that climbs trees like our ivy , the leafe like that of a vine , that is somewhat venomous , but of no great force . there is great store and variety of fish , and so good as these parts of the world afford not the like , which being mostly unknown to the english , they gave them such names as best liked them : as rock-fish , groops , porgie-fish , hog-fish , angle-fish , cavallies , yellow-tailes , spanish-makerels , mullets , bream , cony-fish , morrayes , sting-rays , flying-fish , &c. the like they did by the fowl , as cohoos , sandbirds , hearns , duck , teal , pemblicoes , castle-boobies , hawks , &c. at the first plantation of this country by the english it was all over grown with woods , and plants of several kinds ; and to such as were unknown to them they gave such names as best pleased themselves : such as were known retained their old names ; as cedars , palmitoes , black-wood , white-wood , yellow-wood , mulberry-trees , stopper , trees , lawrel , olive-trees , mangrowes , pepper-trees , yellow-berry-weed , red-weed , &c. these and many others they found of natures planting : but since they have inhabited it , there have been brought , as well from the indies as from other parts of the world , sundry other plants , as vines of several kinds , sugar-canes , fig-trees , apple-trees , oranges , lemons , pomgranates , plantanes , pines , parsnips , raddishes , artichocks , pottatoes , cassavie , indico , &c. in so much that it s now become like a spacious garden , or orchyard of many pleasant , and profitable things . there are many tortoises , which they call turtles : they are in the shape of their bodies like crab-fishes , and have four fins , they are as big as three or four men can carry , the upper part of them in covered with a great shell , weighing about half a hundred weight , the flesh that cleaves to the inside of it being roasted against the fire , is almost like the marrow of beef , excellent good ; but the shell of it self harder than horn : she hath also a shell on her belly , but not so hard as the other , for when it s boiled it becomes soft like the gristles of beef , and is good meat : these live in the sea , spending the spring , and summer time about these islands , but where they spend the rest of the year is not known ; they are like to fowl in respect of the smallness and shape of their heads , and necks , which are wrinkled like a turkey , but white , and not so sharp bil'd ; they breed their young of eggs which they lay , in their flesh they resemble beasts , for it eats like veal , but more hard and sollid : they alwayes feed upon grass growing at the bottom of the water , neither can they abide any longer under the water then they hold their breath , which the old ones will do long , but the young ones being chased to and fro cannot continue two minutes without coming up to breath . shortly after their coming to those islands the male and female couple , which they call cooting , this they continue about three dayes together , during which time they will scarce separate though a boat come to them , nor hardly when , they are smitten . not long after , the she turtle comes up by night upon some sandy bay , and further up than the water uses to flow , where she digs a hole with her fin upon the sand about two foot deep , and coming up several nights there layes her eggs , about half a bushel ( which are about the bigness of a hens egge , but as round as a ball ) and each time covers them with sand very curiously , so that a man can hardly find the place : these eggs in time are hatched by the heat of the sun , and so creep out of the earth , the dam coming no more at them . they are no bigger than a mans hand at first , which some fish will devour : they grow slowly and seem to live long ; they will sleep on the top of the water , and used to sleep on the land till the countrey was inhabited . they will live also out of the water about three weeks , and that without meat , but then they mourn , and pine away . being turned upon their backs when they are on the land , they cannot without help , or some disadvantage recover themselves ; by which means , when they come a shore to lay their eggs , they are easily taken ; as also they are when they are cooting . otherwise they are taken mostly by night , by making a great light in a boat to which they will resort , so that a man standing ready , with a staff in his hand wherein is a sharp iron , four square with a line fastned to it , this iron he strikes into the upper shell of the turtle where it sticks fast , and after she hath tired her self a while with swimming about , she is easily taken : the head being cut off they will live twenty four hours , so that if you cut the flesh with a knife , or touch it , it will tremble , and shrink away ; there is no meat that will keep longer , either fresh or salt . there is a fruit called a prickled pear , growing in such places as are scarce fit for any thing else , namely , upon rocks and cliffs , and commonly by the sea-side , as if the salt water did something help to the generating and nourishing of them : the tree grows certain years before it bears fruit , and then it continues bearing very many years , having almost all the year long fruit upon it . though it be called a tree it hath scarce any body or branches , but consisteth in a manner wholly of leaves and fruit soft and brittle ; many of these pears grow upon and about a leaf without any stalk at all , and having some prickles about the top ; being opened the juyce is of a crimson colour , and they are full of seeds within . there are gray and white hearns , gray and green plovers , wild ducks and mallards , coots , redshanks , sea-widgeons , gray-bitterns , cormorants ; many smal birds like sparrows and robbins , wood-peckers , crows , falcons , jerfalcons , hobbies , &c. the cohow , is so called from his voice , a night bird , being all day hid in the rocks . the egge-bird which comes constantly in the beginning of may , when they begin to lay eggs almost as big as hens , and continue laying till midsummer , and are very tame , their young are excellent meat , their eggs are white , and the cohows , speckled like a turkeys egg , as big as hens . the tropick bird hath his name from the place where he is most seen . the pemblico is seldom seen by day , and by her crying foretells tempests . for plants . the poison weed , in shape like our ivy , with the touch of it causeth redness , and itching , but after a while pass away of themselves , without farther hurt . the red weed is a tall plant , whose stalk is covered with red rind . the root steeped , or a little of the juice drank alone , is a strong vomit , and effectual against distempers of the stomach . there is a kind of woodbind near the sea , that runs up about trees likk a vine : the fruit is somewhat like a bean , but flatter , which eaten , purges strongly , yet without harm : there is another small tree that causeth costiveness . there is also a plant like a bramble , that bears a long yellow fruit with a hard snell , and within is a hard berry which purges gently . red pepper is a fruit like our barberries , which bruised with the teeth sets all the mouth on a heat , for the time violent , but swallowed whole have the same operation with pepper . the sea-feather is a plant growing on the rock in the bottom of the sea , in form of a vine-leaf , but far larger , with veines of a palish red , interlaced , and weaved each into the other . there are also store of indian pompeons , the water melon , and the musk-mellon , the most delicate pineapple , papawes , &c. ambergriece is many times found upon the shoar . the most troublesome things in these islands are the winds , especially in the spring and autumn . the hurricanes have sometimes done much hurt : muskito's are very troublesome : there is a certain bugg which creeping into chests , by their illsented dung defile all , besides their eating . there are pismires or ants in the summer times so troublesome that they are forced to dry their figgs upon high frames , anointing their feet with tar which stops their passage . worms in the earth are destructive to their corn , and tobacco , causing them much labour every morning to destroy them , which else would derstoy all . there have bee● large lizards which are now destroyed by cats . spiders are large by of beautiful colours , as if adorned with silver , gold , and pearl . their webs in summer woven from tree to tree are perfect raw silk , both in substance and colour , and so strong , that birds bigger than blackbirds are snared in their nets . of these bermudus islands there are many , some say five hundred , if we call all them islands that lye by themselves compassed with the sea , of which some are larger and others less , they lye all in the figure of a crescent , within the circuit of six or seven leagues at most ; the greatest of them is about sixteen miles in length from the east north-east , to the west south-west , standing in thirty two degrees and twenty minutes . about these islands are seen many whales , attended with the sword-fish and the thresher . the sword-fish with his sharp and needle-like fin pricking him into the belly when he would dive and sink into the sea , and when he starts up from his wounds , the thresher with his club fins beats him down again . here is also a kind of web-footed fowl , of the bigness of our green plovers , which all summer are not seen , but in the darkest nights of november and december ( for in the night only they feed ) would come abroad , making a strange hollow and harsh howling ; their colour is inclining to russet , with white bellies , and the long feathers of their wings are russet and white , they breed in those of the islands that are farthest in the sea , and there in the ground they have their burrows , like conies . of these , the english at their first coming , with a lighted bough have taken three hundred in an hour . afterwards they found out this devise to take them , by standing on the rocks or sand by the sea-side , they would hollow , laugh , and make the strangest noise that possibly they could , with which noise these birds would come flocking to the place , and settle upon the very armes and head of him that so cryed , still creeping nearer and answering that noise themselves , by which means our men would weigh them in their hands , and those that weighed heaviest and were best they took , the other they let go , and thus they have taken twenty dozen of the best of them in two hours space ; they are fat and plump like a partridge , and very well relished . in january they gat great store of their eggs which are as big and as well relished as our hen eggs ; these they call sea-owles , because of their hooting , they have crooked bills and will bite shrewdly . not long after the english had planted in this island , which was about the year . it pleased god to send a great plague upon them by reason of a few rats that came in a meal ship , which though at first few in number , yet within the space of two years they multiplyed so exceedingly , that they did not only fill those places where they first landed , but swimming from place to place they spread themselves all over the country , insomuch , as there was no island though severed by the sea from all others , and many miles distant from the place where they first began , but was pestred with them ; they had their nests almost in every tree , and in all places had their burrows in the ground , like conies to harbour in : they spared not the fruits of either plants or trees , nay , nor the plants themselves , but eat all up . when the planters had set their corn , they would come by troops the night following , or as soon as it spict , dig it up again and eat it . if by diligent watching any of it escaped till it came to easing , it would very hardly scape them : yea , it was a difficult matter when they had it in their houses to save it from them , for they became noysom even to the persons of men. they used all diligence for the destroying of them , nourishing many catts , wild and tame ; they used ratsbane , and many set the woods on fire , so that the fire ran half a mile or more before it was extinguished . every man in the country was enjoyned to set twelve traps , and some voluntarily set neer an hundred , which they visited twice or thrice in a night . yea , they trained up their dogs to hunt them , wherein they grew so expert , that a good dog in two or three hours space would kill ●●rty or fifty rats . other means they also used , yet nothing would prevail , finding them still to encrease upon them . this was a cause of great distress to the planters ; for by this means they were kept destitute of bread for a year or two , so as when they had it afterwards again , they were so weaned from it , that they would easily forget or neglect to eat it with their meat . by this means they were so destitute of food that many died , and the rest became very feeble and weak , whereof some being so , would not , and others could not stir abroad to seek relief , but dyed in their houses . and such as did go abroad were subject through weakness to be suddenly surprized with a disease called the feages , wherein they had neither pain , nor sensible sickness , but as it were the highest degree of weakness , depriving them of power and ability to execute any bodily exercise , as working , walking , &c. being thus taken , if any body was present that could minister to them any relief , they would strait wayes recover , otherwise they died there . about this time there came to these islands a company of ravens which continued with them all the time of this mortality and then departed from them . never any being seen there before or since : but it pleased god at length , that the extremity of their distress began to abate , partly by supplies sent them out of england , and partly by some rest and ease that they got thereby . yet the rats continued for some time after , notwithstanding all the devises and industry that they used to destroy them . but suddenly it pleased god , ( by what means was not known ) so to take them away , that the wild catts and dogs that lived upon them were famished , and many of them leaving the woods came down to the houses , and to such places where they used to garbish their fish , and so became tame . here are many wild palm-trees growing , in fashion , leaves and branches resembling the true palme : the tree is high and strait , sappy , and spungious , having no branches but in the uppermost part of it , and in the top grow leaves about the head of it : ( the most inmost part whereof they call the palmeto , and it is the heart and pith of the tree , so white and thin as that it will pill off pleats , as smooth and delicate as white sattin , into twenty folds in which a man may write , as in paper ) where they spread and fall downwards about the tree like an over-blown rose : the leaves are as broad as an italian vmbrello , under one of which a man may well shelter his whole body from rain , for being stiff and smooth , the rain easily slides off . the palmito , or soft top roasted , tastes like a fried melon , and being sod , it eates like a cabbage , but is far less offensive to the stomach . from under the broken rocks they take forth cray-fishes oft times greater than any of our english lobsters . they have also aboundance of crabs , oisters , and wilks ; at one draught they have taken small and great about a thousand fishes , as pilchards , breams , mullets , rock-fish , &c. every cave and creek being furnished with aboundance of them , which lie there sucking in the water which falls from the high hills mingled with the juyce of the palms and cedars , and such other sweet woods , whereby they become both fat and wholsome . there are sparrows fat and plenty ; robbins of diverse colours green and yellow , &c. many of the turtles before mentioned , be of a mighty bigness , insomuch as one of them will suffice seventy , or eighty men at a meal , especially , if she be a she turtle , which will have five hundred eggs in her , being as many as fifty or sixty men can eat at a meal , they are very good and wholesome meat . there are mulberry trees , olive trees , cedars of colour red , and very sweet , which bear a kind of berry that is very pleasant to eat . the top of the palmito tree is in season , and good all the year , if you take but an hatchet and cut it , or an augur and bore it , it yields a very pleasant liquor , much like to our sweet wines : it bears likewise a berry in the bigness of a prune , and in taste much like it . anno christi . sr. thomas gates , and sr. george sommers , as they were going to virginia suffered shipwrack at these islands , where they continued till may , . in which time they built there a ship and a pinace of cedar , in which they departed to virginia , leaving only two men behind them : and shortly after some of them came back to the sommer islands , where sr. george sommers dying , his men ( contrary to his last charge given unto them ) went for england , leaving behind them three men who stayed voluntarily , who shortly after found in sommerset island a very great treasure of ambergreece valued at nine or ten thousand pounds sterling . the discovery of these islands being made known in england to the virginia company by these men that returned , they sold it to one hundred and twenty persons of the same company , who obtained a charter from his majesty : and in april . sent thither a ship called the plough , with about eighty men and women in it , who arrived there in safety in july , where they found the three men that had voluntarily stayed there before as you heard . these men had planted corn , great store of wheat , beans , tobacco , and melons , with many other good things for the use of man : besides they had wrought upon timber , in squaring and sawing cedar trees &c. they were no sooner come within a league of the land but a company of fish met them , and never left them till they came to an anchor within the haven , of which with hooks and lines they took more than their whole company was able to eat . two dayes after they went out with their net and boat , and if they would have loaded two boates they might have done it , which also they might have daily , there was such plenty of them . the day after they went to the bird islands , where with their hands they took up as many birds as they pleased , they were so tame . they took up three for every boy and girl , and four for every man. then sent they out some for wild hogs , who brought home some , that did eat as well as our english mutton . anno christi , . mr. r. moor was sent over thither governour for three years , who spent the greatest part of his time in fortifying the country , and training the people to martial exercises . he built nine or ten forts , and planted ordnances upon them . to him succeeded captain tucker , anno christi . who spent his three years in husbanding the country , planting , and nourishing all such things as were fit either for trade , or for the sustentation , and use of the inhabitants . he also added to the fortifications , and made some inclosures . the the country also was then divided , wherein every adventurer had his share allotted to him , whereupon the planters built them substantial houses , cleared their ground , and planted all things necessary , so that in a short time the country began to approach near unto that happiness wherein it now floweth . nevv-england described , and the plantation thereof by the english of the beasts , fowles , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. of the natives , of their religion , customs , fishings , huntings , &c. the place whereon the english have setled their colonies is judged either to be an island surrounded on the north with the great river canada , and on the south with hudsons river , or a peninsula , these two rivers over lapping one another , having their rise from two great lakes which are not far distant each from other . massechusets bay lyeth under the degree of . and . bearing south-west from the lands-end of old england ; at the bottom of which bay are scituated most of the english plantations . the bay is both safe , spacious , and deep ; free from such cockling seas as run upon the coasts of ireland , and in the channels of england : without stiff running currents , rocks , shelves , bars , or quicksands . when you have sailed two or three leagues towards the bottom , you may see the two capes bidding you welcome . these capes thrust themselves out into the sea in form of a crescent , or half moon , the surrounding shoar being high , and shewing many white cliffs , with diverse intermixtures of low-sand , out of which , diverse rivers empty themselves into the sea , with many openings , wherein is good harbouring for ships of any burthen : the harbours are new-plimouth , cape anu , salem , and marvil-head , all which afford good ground for anchorage , being land-lockt from wind , and seas . the chief and usual harbour is the still bay of massechusets , which is also aboard the plantations : it s a safe and pleasant harbour within , having but one secure entrance , and that no broader than for three ships to enter abreast , but within there is anchorage for five hundred ships . this harbour is made by many islands , whose high clifts shoulder out the boisterous seas , yet may easily deceive the unskilful pilot , presenting many fair openings , and broad sownds , whose waters are too shallow for ships , though navigable for boats , and small pinnases . the entrance into the great haven is called nant●scot , which is two leagues from boston . from hence they may sail to the river of wessaguscus , naponset , charles river , and mistick river , on all which are seated many towns . here also they may have fresh supplies of wood and water from the adjacent islands , with good timber to repair their weather-beaten ships : as also masts , or yards , there being store of such trees as are useful for the purpose . the places which are inhabited by the english , are the best ground , and sweetest climate in all those parts , bearing the name of new england , the air agreeing well with our english bodies , being high land and a sharp air , and though they border upon the sea-coast , yet are they seldom obscured with mists , or unwholesome foggs , or cold weather from the sea , which lies east , and south from the land. and in the extremity of winter , the north-east , and south-winds comming from the sea , produce warm weather , and bringing in the seas , loosen the frozen bayes , carrying away the ice with their tides : melting the snow , and thawing the ground : only the north-west winds coming over the land , cause extream cold weather , accompanied with deep snows , and bitter frosts , so that in two or three dayes the rivers will bear man or horse . but these winds seldom blow above three dayes together , after which the weather is more tollerable . and though the cold be sometimes great , yet is there good store of wood for housing and fires , which makes the winter less tedious : and this very cold weather lasts but eight or ten weeks , beginning with december , and ending about the tenth of february . neither doth the piercing colds of winter produce so many ill effects , as the raw winters here with us in england . but these hard winters are commonly the forerunners of a pleasant spring , and fertile summer , being judged also to make much for the health of our english bodies . the summers are hotter than here with us , because of their more southerly latitude , yet are they tollerable , being oft cooled with fresh winds . the summers are commonly hot and dry , there being seldom any rain , yet are the harvests good , the indian corn requiring more heat than wet to ripen it : and for the english corn , the nightly dews refresh it , till it grows up to shade its roots with its own substance from the parching sun. the times of most rain are in april , and about michaelmas . the early spring and long summers make the autumns and winters to be but short . in the springs when the grass begins to put forth , it grows apace , so that , whereas it was black by reason of winters blasts , in a fortnights space there will be grass a foot high . new england being nearer the aequinoctial than old england ; the days and nights be more equally divided . in summer the dayes be two hours shorter , and in winter two hours longer than with us . virginia having no winter to speak of , but extream hot summers , hath dried up much english blood ; and by the pestiferous diseases , hath swept away many lusty persons , changing their complexions , not into swarthiness , but into paleness ; which comes not from any want of food , the soil being fertile , and pleasant , and they having plenty of corn , and cattel , but rather from the climate , which indeed is found to be too hot for our english constitutions , which new england is not . in new england men and women keep their natural complexions , in so much as seamen wonder when they arive in those parts , to see their countrey men look so fresh and ruddy ; neither are they much troubled with inflammations , or such diseases as are increased by too much heat . the two chief messengers of death , are feavours , and callentures ; but they are easily cured if taken in time , and as easily prevented , if men take care of their bodies . as for our common diseases they be strangers in new england . few ever have the small pox , measels , green-sickness , headach , stone , consumption , &c. yea many that have carried coughs and consumptions thither , have been perfectly cured of them . there are as sweet , lusty children born there , as in any other nation , and more double births than with us here : the women likewise recover more speedily , and gather strength after child-birth sooner than in old england . the soil for the general is a warm kind of earth , there being little cold spewing land , no moorish fens , nor quagmires : the lowest grounds be the marshes , which are ovrflown by the spring-tides : they are rich ground , and yield plenty of hay , which feeds their cattel as well as the best upland hay with us : and yet they have plenty of upland hay also , which grows commonly between the marshes and the woods : and in many places where the trees grow thin , they get good hay also . and near the plantations there are many meddows never overflowed , and free from all wood , where they have as much grass as can be turned over with a sithe , and as high as a mans middle , and some higher , so that a good workman will mow three loads in a day . indeed this grass is courser than with us , yet is it not sower , but the cattel eat , and thrive very well with it : and are generally larger , and give more milk than with us , and bring forth young as well , and are freer from diseases than the cattel here . there is so much hay ground in the country , that none need fear want , though their cattel should encrease to thousands , there being some thousands of acres that were yet never medled with ; and the more their grass is mowed , the thicker it grows ; and where cattel use to graze , in the woods , the ground is much improved , growing more grassy , and less full of weeds ; and there is such plenty of grass in the woods , that the beasts need not fodder till december ; at which time men begin to house their milch beasts and calves . in the upland grounds the soil varies , in some places clay , in others gravel , and some are of a red sand , all which are covered with a black mould , usually a foot or little less deep . the english manure their ground with fish , whereof they have such plenty , that they know not how otherwise to dispose of them , yet the indians being too lazy to catch fish , plant corn eight or ten years in one place , without any such help , where they have yet a good crop. such is the rankness of the ground , that it must be planted the first year with indian corn , before it will be fit for english seed . the ground in some places is of a soft mould , in others so tough and hard , that five yoke of oxen can scarce plow it , but after the first breaking up , it is so easie , that one yoak of oxen and an horse may plow it . our english corn prospers well , especially rye , oats , and barly . the ground affords very good kitchin gardens , for turnips , parsnips , carrots , radishes , pumpions , muskmellons , squashes , cucumbers , onions , and all other english roots and hearbs prospers as well there as with us , and usually are larger and fairer . there are store of herbs both for meat and medicine , not only in gardens , but in woods , as sweet marjoram , purslane , sorrel , penniroyal , saxifrage , bayes , &c. also strawberries in abundance , very large , some being two inches about . there be also goosberries , bilberries , rasberries , treackleberries , hurtleberries , currants , which being dried in the sun , are not much inferiour to those we have from zant. there is also hemp and flax , some that grows naturally , and some that is planted by the english , and rape-seed . there is iron , stone , and plenty of other stones both rough and smooth , plenty of slate to cover houses , and clay whereof they make tiles and bricks , and probably other minerals . the country is excellently watered , and there are store of springs which yield sweet water that is fatter than ours , and of a more jetty colour and they that drink it , are as healthy , and lusty as those that drink beer . none hitherto have been constrained to digg deep for this water , or to fetch it far , or to fetch it from several places ; the same water serving for washing , brewing , and all other uses . there be also several spacious ponds in many places , out of which run many pleasant and sweet streams both winter and summer , at which the cattel quench their thirst , and upon which may be built water-mills for necessary uses . there is also great store of wood , not only for fewel , but for the building of ships , houses , and mills . the timber grows strait and tall , some trees being twenty , and others thirty foot high before they spread forth their branches . they are not very thick , yet many of them are are sufficient to make mill-posts ; some being three foot and a half in the diameter . neither do they grow so close , but that in many places a man man may ride a hunting amongst them . there is no underwood but in swamps , and wet low grounds , in which are osiers , hazels , and such like . of these swamps , some are ten , some twenty , some thirty miles . for the indians use to burn the under-wood in other places in november , when the grass and leaves are withered and dry , which otherwise would marr their beloved sport of hunting : but where the indians died of the plague , not many years ago , there is much underwood between wessaguscus , and plimouth , because it hath not thus been burned . the several sorts of timber are thus expressed . trees both on hills and plains in plenty be , the long-liv ' oake , and mournful cypress tree , sky-towring pines , and chesnuts coated rough , the lasting cedar , with the walnut tough ; the rosin-dropping fir for masts in use , the boatmen seek for oars , light , neat grown spruse ; the brittle ash , the ever trembling aspes , the broad spread elme , whose concave harbours wasps ; the watry spungy alder good for nought , small elder by th' indian fletchers sought , the knotty maple , pallid birch , haw thorns , the horn-bound tree that to be cloven scorns ; which from the tender vine oft takes his spouse , who twines imbracing arms abut his boughs ; within this indian orchard fruitr be some , the ruddy cherry and the jetty plumb , snake murthering hasel with sweet saxafrage , whose spouts in beer allayes hot feavers rage , the diars shumack , with more trees there be , that are both good for use , and and rare to see . the chief and common timber for ordinary use is oake , and walnut . of oakes there be three kinds , red , white , and black , whereof one kind is fittest for clap-board , others for sawn-board , others for shipping , and others for houses . they yield also much mast for hoggs , especially every third year , the acron being bigger than our english : the walnut-trees are tougher than ours , and last time out of mind : the hut is smaller than ours , but not inferiour in sweetness and goodness , having no bitter pill . in some places there is a tree that bears a nut as bigg as a small pear . the cedars are not very big , not being above eighteen inches in diameter , neither is it very high , and its fitter for ornament than substance , being of colour white and red like yew , & smells like juniper , they use it commonly for sieling of houses , for making of chests , boxes , and staves . the fir , and pine-trees grow in many places , shooting up exceeding high , especially the pine : they afford good masts , boards , rozin , and turpentine , they grow in some places for ten miles together , close by the rivers sides , where by ships they may easily be transported to any desired ports . their ash is blittle , and therefore good for little , so that the walnut is used for it . the horn-bound tree is exceeding tough , which makes it very difficult to be cleft , yet it s very good for bowls and dishes , not being subject to crack : it grows with broad-spread arms , the vines winding their curling branches about them , which afford great store of grapes , very bigg , both grapes and clusters , sweet and good . they are of two sorts , red and white : there is also a smaller grape growing in the islands , which is sooner ripe , and more delicious ; doubtless as good wine might be made of them as at burdeaux in france , it lying under the same degree : the cherry trees yield great store of cherries , which grow on clusters like grapes ; they are smaller than ours and not so good , if not very ripe : the plumbs are somewhat better , being black and yellow , as big as damasens , and indifferently well tasted . the white thorn yields hawes as big as our cherries , which are pleasant to the tast , better than their cherries . the beasts be as followeth . the kingly lion , and the strong-arm'd bear , the large-limb'd moosis , with the tripping ●ear ; quil-darting porcupines , and rackcames be , castled in the hollow of an aged tree : the skipping squirrel , cony , purblind hare , immured in the self same castle are , lest red-eyed ferrets , wildly foxes should them undermine , if rampir'd but with mould , the grim-fac't ounce , and ravenous howling woolf , whose meager pauch , sucks like a swallowing gulph , black-grittering otters , and rich coated bever , the civet-sented muscat smelling ever . lions there be some , but seen very rarely . bears are common , which be most fierce in strawberry time , when they have young ones ; they will go upright iike a man , climb trees , and swim to the islands : at which time if an indian see him , he will swim after him , and overtaking him , they go to water-cuffs for bloody noses , and scratched sides ; at last the man prevails , gets on his back , and so rides him on those watry plains , till the bear can bear him no longer . in the winter they retire to cliffs of rocks , and thick swamps to shelter them from the cold , where they live by sleeping and sucking their paws , and with that will be as fat as they are in sommer : yet the woolves will devour them : a kennel of them setting upon a single bear , will tear him in pieces . they are good meat , and seldom prey upon the english cattel , or offer to assault any man , except they be vexed with a shot . the moose is somewhat like our red deer as big as an ox , slow of foot , headed like a buck , some being two yards wide in the head ; his flesh is as good as beef , his hide is good for clothing ; they bring forth three young ones at a time ; fourty miles to the north-east of massechusets bay , there be great store of them ; they are oft devoured by the woolves . the fallow dear are much bigger than ours , of a brighter colour , more inclining to red , with spotted bellies ; they keep near to the sea , that that they may swim to the islands when they are chased by the woolves they have commonly three young ones at a time , which they hide a mile from each other , giving them suck by turns , and this they do , that if the woolf should find one , they may save the other ; their horns grow strait , over-hanging their heads , so that they cannot feed on things that grow low , till they have mused their heads . the porcupine is small , not much unlike to an hedghog , only somewhat bigger : he stands upon his guard against man or beast , darting his quills into their leggs or hides , if they approach too near him . the rackoon is a deep furred beast , not much unlike a badger , having a tail like a fox , and is as good meat as a lamb. in the day time they sleep in hollow trees , in the light nights they feed on clams by the sea side , where they are taken with doggs . the squirrels be of three sorts , the great gray squirrel , almost as big as our conies . another almost like our english squirrels ; the third is a flying squirrel , which is not very big , with a great deal of loose skin , which she spreads square when she flies , which with the help of the wind , wafts her batlike body from place to place . the conies are much like ours in england . the hares are some of them white , and a yard long ; both these creatures harbour themselves from the foxes in hollow trees , having a hole at the entrance no bigger than they can creep into . the hurtful creatures are squncks , ferrets , foxes , whereof some be black , and their furrs of great esteem . the ounce , or wild cat is as big as a mungrel . it s by nature fierce and dangerous , fearing neither dogg nor man : he kills deer , which he effects thus : knowing the deers tracts , he lies lurking in long weeds , and the deer passing by , he suddenly leaps upon his back , from thence he gets to his neck , and scratches out his throat . he kills geese also ; for being much of the same colour , he places himself close by the water , holding up his bob tail , which is like a gooses neck , which the geese approaching nigh to visit , with a sudden jerk he apprehends his desired prey . the english kill many of them , and account them good meat . their skins have a deep fur , spotted white and black on the belly . the woolves differ something from those in other countries ; they never yet set upon any man or woman , neither do they hurt horses or cows ; but swine , goats , and red calves ( which they take for deer ) are oft killed by them . in autumn and the spring they most frequent our english plantations , following the deer which at those times come down to those parts : they are made like a mongrel , big-boned , thin paunched , deep breasted , having a thick neck and head , prick ears , and a long snout , with dangerous teeth , long stairing hair , and a great bush tail . many good mastiffs have been spoiled by them . once a fair grayhound , ran at them , and was torn in pieces before he could be rescued ; they have no joynts from the head to the tail. some of them are black , and one of their skins is worth five or six pound . of beasts living in the water . their otters are most of them black , and their skins are almost as good as bevers ; their oyl is of rare use for many things . martins also have a good fur for their bigness . musquashes are almost like beavers , but not so big , the males stones smells as sweet as musk , and being killed in winter or the spring they never loose their sweetness : they are no bigger than cony-skins , and yet are sold for five shillings a piece . one good skin will perfume a whole house full of clothes . the bevers wisdom and understanding makes him come nigh to a reasonable creature . his body is thick and short , with short leggs , feet like a mole before , and behind like a goose , a broad tail like a shoo-sole , very tough and strong : his head is something like an otters , saving that his fore-teeth be like conies , two above and two beneath , sharp and broad , with which he cuts down trees as big as a mans thigh , or bigger , which afterwards he divides into lengths according to the uses they are appointed for . if one beaver be too weak to carry the log , than another helps him : if two be too weak , three or four will assist , being placed three to three , which set their teeth in one anothers tough tails , and laying the load on the hindermost , they draw the logg to the desired place , they tow it in the water , the youngest getting under it , bearing it up that it may swim the lighter . they build their houses of wood and clay , close by a ponds side , and knowing their seasons , they build their houses answerably , three stories high , that when the land floods come they may shift higher , and when the waters fall , they remove lower . these houses are so strong that no creature , save an industrious man with his penetrating tools can pierce them , their ingress and egress being under water . they make very good ponds ; for knowing where a stream runs from between two rising hills , they will pitch down piles of wood placing smaller rubbish before it , with clay and sods , not leaving till by their art and industry they have made a firm and curious dam-head , which may cause admiration in wise men . they keep themselves to their own families , never parting so long as they are able to keep house together . their wisdom secures them from the english , who seldom kill any of them , wanting time and patience to lay a long siege , or to be often deceived by their cunning evasions . so that all our beavers come from the indians , whose time and experience fits them for that imployment . of the birds , and fowls both of land and water . they are expressed in these verses . the princely eagle , and the soaring hawks , within their unknown wayes ther 's none can chawk : the hum-bird for some queens rich cage more fit than in the vacant wilderness to sit . the swift-wing'd swallow sweeping to and fro , as swift as arrow from tartarian bow . when as aurora's infant day new springs , there th' morning mounting lark her sweet layes sings . the harmonious thrush , swift pigeon , turtle dove who to her mate doth ever constant prove . the turkey , pheasant , heathcock , partridge rare , the carrion-tearing crow , and hurtful stare ; the long-liv'd raven , th' ominous screach-owl , who tell ( as old wives say ) disasters foul . the drowsie madge that leaves her day-lov'd nest to fly abroad when day-birds are at rest : the eele murthering hern , and greedy cormorant , that neer the creeks in moorish marshes haunt . the bellowing bittern , with the long legg'd crane . presaging winters hard , and dearth of graine . the silver-swan that tunes her mournful breath to sing the dirg of her approaching death : the tatling oldwives , and the cackling geese , the fearful gull that shuns the murdering piece : the strong wing'd mallard , with the nimble teal , and ill-shap't loon , who his harsh notes doth sweal ; there widgins , shildrakes , and humilitee , snites , dropps , sea-larks in whole millions flee . the eagles be of two sorts , one like ours in england , the other somewhat bigger , with a great white head , and white tail , commonly called gripes , they prey upon ducks , and geese , and such fish as are cast upon the sea-shore ; yet is there a certain black hawk that will beat this eagle , so that he is constrained to soar so high , that his enemy cannot reach him : the hawk is much prized by the indians , who account him a sagamores ransom . there are diverse kinds of hens , partridges , heathcocks , and ducks . the hum-bird is no bigger than an hornet , having spider-like legs , small claws , a very small bill ; in colour she represents the glorious rainbow : as she flies she makes a noise like a humble-bee . the pidgeons are more like turtles than ours , and of the same colour , and have long tailes like a mag pie , their feathers are fewer , but their bodies as big as our house-doves , they come into the country to go home-ward in the beginning of their spring : at which time ( saith my author ) i have seen innumerable ; so that i could neither discern beginning nor ending , the length nor breadth of these millions of millions : neither could the shouting of people , the report of guns , nor the pelting of hail-shot turn them out of their course , but thus they have continued for four or five hours together : and at michaelmas they return southward : yet some there are all the year long , which are often killed . they build some thirty miles northward ; from the english plantation in pine-trees , joyning nest to nest , and tree to tree by their nests , so that the sun never sees the ground in that place , from whence the indians fetch whole loads of them . the turkey is a long fowl , of a black colour , yet is his flesh white , he is much bigger than our english turkey ; he hath long leggs wherewith he can run as fast as a dog , and can fly as fast as a goose : of these are forty , fifty , sixty , and sometimes an hundred in a flock : they feed on acorns , haws , and berries , and some will frequent the english corn. when the ground is covered with snow , they go to the sea-side and feed on shrimps , and fishes : if you watch them where they pearch at night , about ten or eleven a clock at night you may shoot as oft as you will , for they stir not except they be wounded : they continue all the year long , and weigh forty pounds and more apeice . pheasants are rare ; but heath-cocks , and partridges are common , whereof our english kill many . ravens and crows , are much like those in other countries . there are no magpies , jayes , cockcooes , jackdaws , sparrows , &c. the stares are bigger than ours , and are as black as crows , which do much hurt among the young corn , and they are so bold that they fear not guns . owles are of two sorts , the one is small speckled like a partridg with eares : the other is almost as big as an eagle and is very good meat . cormorants are as common as other fowles , they devour much fish. a tame cormorant , and two or three good dogs in the water make excellent sport : cranes are as tall as a man , their bodies not much unlike the turkies , they are rarely fat . also many swans frequent the rivers and ponds , which are very good meat . there be three sorts of geese ; the brant goose like one of our wild geese . a white goose about the bigness of ours : of these there will be sometimes two or three thousand in a flock . the third is a grey goose with a black neck , and a black and white head much bigger than our english : they are killed both flying and sitting . the ducks are very large , and in great abundance ; and so is their teale . their old-wives never leave tatling day nor night , they are somewhat bigger than a duck. the loon is ill-shaped like a cormorant , but he can neither go nor fly ; he makes a noise somestime like a sowgelders horn. the humilites , or simplicites rather , be of two sorts ; the one as big as green plover , the other is less ; they are so simple that one may drive them on heaps , and then shoot at them , and the living will settle themselves on the same place again where the dead are , while you shoot again , so that sometimes above twelve score have been killed at two shoots . of fish . there are great store , and much variety of fishes thus enumerated . the king of the waters , the sea-shouldering whale ; the snuffing grampus , with the oylie seal , the storm-presaging porpus , herring-hogg , line-shearing shark , the cat-fish and the sea-dogg ; the scale-fenc'd sturgeon , wry-mouth'd hollibut ; the flouncing salmon , codfish , greedigut ; cole , haddock , haike , the thornback and scate , whose slimy outside makes him seld in date ; the stately bass , old neptunes fleeting post , that tides it out and in from sea to coast ; consorting herrings , and the bony shad. big-bellied alewives , macrils richly clad with rain-bow colours , the frost-fish and the smelt , as good as ever lady gustus felt . the spotted lamprons , eeles , the lamperies , that seek fresh water-brooks with argu's-eyes . these watry villages , with thousands more do pass and repass neer the verdant shore . shell-fish of all sorts . the luscious lobster with the crabfish raw , the brittish oyster , muscle , periwig and the tortoise sought by the indian squaw ; which to the flats dance many a winters jigg : to dive for cockles , and to dig for clams , whereby her lazy husbands guts she crams . the seal , called also the sea-calf , whose skin is good for divers uses , and his body between fish and flesh , neither delectable to the pallat , nor well agreeing with the stomack . his oyl is used in lamps . the shark is as big as a man , some as big as a horse , with three rows of teeth in his mouth , with which he snaps in two the fishers lines ; he will bite off a mans armor legg at a bit , they are oft taken , and serve for nothing but to manure the ground . there are many sturgious , but the most are caught at cape cod , and in the river of meramack , whence they are brought to england , they are twelve , fourteen , and some eighteen foot long . the salmon is as good as ours , and in great plenty in some places : the hollibut is like our plaice or turbut , some being two yards long , and one broad , and a food thick . thornback and scate is given to the doggs , being so common in many places . the bass is one of the best fishes , being a delicate and fat fish : he hath a bone in his head that contain a saucerful of marrow sweet and good , pleasant and wholesome ; they are three or four foot long , they take them with a hook and line , and in three hours a man may catch a dozen or twenty of them . the herrings are much like ours . alewives are much like herrings , which in the end of april come into the fresh rivers to spawn , in such multitudes as is incredible , pressing up in such shallow waters where they can scarce swim , and they are so eager , that no beating with poles can keep them back till they have spawned . their shads are far bigger than ours : the makarels be of two sorts ; in the beginning of the year the great ones are upon the coast , some . inches long : in sommer come the smaller kind , they are taken with hooks and lines baited with a piece of red cloth. there be many eels in the salt water , especially where grass grows , they are caught in weels baited with pieces of lobsters : sometimes a man thus takes a busnel in a night , they are wholesome and pleasant meat . lamprons and lampries are little esteemed . lobsters are in plenty in most places , very large , and some being twenty pound weight , they are taken at low water amongst the rocks ; the smaller are the better ; but because of their plenty they are little esteemed . the oysters be great , in form of a shoo-horn , some of a foot long , they breed in certain banks , which are bare after every spring-tide ; each makes two good mouthfuls . the periwig lies in the oase like a head of hair , which being touched , draws back it self leaving nothing to be seen but a small round hole , muscles are in such plenty that they give them their hoggs . clams are not much unlike to cockles , lying under the sand , every six or seven of them having a round hole at which they take in air and water , they are in great plenty , and help much to feed their swine both winter and sommer ; for the swine being used to them , will constantly repair every ebb to the places , where they root them up and eat them . some are as big as a penny loaf , which the indians count great dainties . a description of the plantations in new-england as they were anno christi , . the outmost plantation to the southward , which by the indians is called wichaguscusset , is but a small village , yet pleasant and healthful , having good ground , store of good timber , and of meddow ground ; there is a spacious harbor for shipping before the town ; they have store of fish of all sorts , and of swine , which they feed with acrons and clams , and an alewife river . three miles to the north is mount wolleston , a fertile soil , very convenient for farmers houses , there being great store of plain ground without trees . near this place are maschusets fields , where the greatest sagamore in the country lived before the plague cleared all : their greatest inconvenience is that there are not so many springs as in other places ; nor can boats come in at low water , nor ships ride near the shore . six miles further to the north lieth dorchester , the greatest town in new-england , well wooded and watered with good arrable and hay ground , fair comfortable fields and pleasant gardens : here are many cattel , as kine , goats , and swine . it hath a good harbor for ships ; there is begun the fishing in the bay , which proved so profitable , that many since have followed them there . a mile from thence lies roxberry , a fair and handsome country town ; the inhabitants are rich : it lies in the mains , and yet is well wooded and watered , having a clear brook running through the town , where are great store of smelts , whence it s called smelt-river . a quarter of a mile on the north of it is another river , called stony river , upon which is built a water mill. here is good store of corn and meddow ground . westward from the town it s somewhat rocky , whence it s called roxberry ; the inhabitants have fair houses , , store of cattel , come-fields paled in , and fruitful gardens . their goods are brought in boats from boston , which is the nearest harbor . boston is two miles north-east from roxberry . it s situation is very pleasant , being a peninsula hemmed on the south with the bay of roxberry . on the north with charles river , the marshes on the back side being not half a quarter of a mile over , so that a little fencing secures their cattel from the wolves . their greatest want is of wood and meddow ground , which they supply from the adjacent islands , both for timber , fire-wood , and hay ; they are not troubled with wolves , rattlesnakes nor musketoes , being bare of wood to shelter them . it s the chief place for shipping and merchandize . this neck of land is about four miles in compass , almost square : having on the south at one corner a great broad hill , whereon is built a fort , which commands all ships in any harbour in the hill bay. on the north side is another hill of the same bigness , whereon stands a windmil . to the north-west is an high mountain , with three little hills on the top , whence it is called tremount . from hence you may see all the islands that lie before the bay , and such ships as are upon the sea coast. here are rich corn fields , and fruitful gardens : the inhabitants grow rich ; they have sweet and pleasant springs ; and for their enlargement , they have taken to themselves farm-houses in a place called muddy river , two miles off , where is good timber , ground , marsh-land , and meddows , and there they keep their swine or other cattel in the summer , and bring them to boston in the winter . on the north side of charles river is charles town , which is another neck of land , on whose northern side runs mistick river . this town may well be paralled with boston , being upon a bare neck , and therefore forced to borrow conveniencies from the main , and to get farmes in the country . here is a ferry-boat to carry passengers over charles river , which is a deep channel , and a quarter of a mile over . here may ride fourty ships at a time . up higher is a broad bay that is two miles over , into which run stony river , and muddy river . in the middle of this bay is an oyster bank . medfod village is scituated towards the north-west of this bay , in a creek : a very fertile and pleasant place : it s a mile and a half from charles town . at the bottom of this bay the river is very narrow . by the side of this river stands new-town , three miles from charles town . it s a neat and well compacted town , having many fair buildings , and at first was intended for a city ; the inhabitants are mostly rich , and have many cattel of all sorts , and many hundred acres of ground paled in . on the other side of the river lies their meddow and marsh ground for hay half a mile thence is water town , nothing inferiour for land , wood , meddows and water : within half a mile of it is a great pond , which is divided between those two towns ; and a mile and a half from this town is a fall of fresh waters , which through charles river fall into the ocean : a little below this fall they have made weires , where they catch great store of shads , and alewives , an hundred thousand of them in two tides . mastick is three miles from charles town ; seated pleasantly by the waters side . at the head of this river are very spacious ponds to which the alewives press to cast their spawn , where multitudes are taken . on the west side of this river the governour hath a farm where he keeps most of his cattel . on the east side is mr. craddocks plantation , who impailed in a park for deer , and some ships have been built there . winnisimet is a very pleasant place for situation , and stands commodiously . it s but a mile from charles town , the river only parting them . it s the lasts town in the bay. the chief islands that secure the harbor from winds and waves , are first deere island , within a flight shot from bullin point . it s so called , because the deer often swim thither to escape the woolves , where sixteen of them have been killed in a day . the next is long island , so called from its length . other islands are nodless isle , round isle ; the governours garden , having in it an orchard , garden , and other conveniencies : also slate island , glass island , bird island , &c. they all abound with wood , water , and meddows : in these they put their cattel for safety , whil'st their corn is on the ground . the towns without the bay are nearer the main , and reap a greater benefit from the sea , in regard of the plenty of fish and fowl , and so live more plentifully than those that are more remoat from the sea in the island plantations . six miles north-east from winnisimet is sagus , is pleasant for situation , seated at the bottom of a bay , which is made on the one side with a surrounding shore , and on the other side with a long sandy beach : it s in the circumference six miles , well woodded with oakes , pines , and cedars ; it s also well watered with fresh springs , and a great pond in the middle , before which is a spacious marsh. one black william an indian duke , out of his generosity , gave this place to the plantation of sagus , so that none else can claim it ; when a storm hath been , or is like to be , there will be a roaring like thunder which may be heard six miles off . on the north side of this bay are two great marshes , divided by a pleasant river that runs between them . the marsh is crossed with divers creeks where are store of geese and ducks , and convenient ponds wherein to make decoys . there are also fruitful meddows , and four great ponds like little lakes wherein is store of fresh fish ; out of which , within a mile of the town runs a curious fresh brook which is rarely frozen by reason of its warmness : and upon it is built a water mill. for wood there is store , as oake , walnut , cedar , elme , and aspe : here was sown much english corn. here the bass continues from the midst of april till michaelmas , and not above half that time in the bay. there is also much rock-cod , and macharil , so that shoals of bass have driven shoals of macharil to the end of the sandy bank , which the inhabitants have gathered up in wheel barrows . here are many muscle banks , and clam-banks , and lobsters amongst the rocks , and grassy holes . four miles from saugus stands salem , on the middle of a neck of land very pleasantly , between two rivers on the north and south . the place is but barren sandy land , yet for seven years together it brought forth excellent corn , being manured with fish every third year : yet there is good ground , and good timber by the sea side , and divers fresh springs . beyond the river is a very good soil , where they have farms . here also they have store of fish , as basses , eels , lobsters , clams , &c. they cross the river in canows made of whole pine trees , two foot and an half wide , and twenty foot long , in which also they go a fowling , sometimes two leagues into the sea. it hath two good harbours , which lie within derbins fort. marvil head lies four miles south from salem , a very good place for a plantation , especially for such as will set up a trade of fishing : there are good harbours for boats , and good riding for ships . agowomen is nine miles to the north from salem near the sea , and another good place for a plantation . it abounds with fish and flesh , of fowls , and beasts , hath great meddows and marshes , and arable grounds , many good rivers and harbours , and no rattle snakes . merrimack lies eight miles beyond that , where is a river navigable for twenty miles , and all along the side of it fresh marshes , in some places three miles broad . in the river is sturgion , salmon , bass , and divers other kinds of fish. three miles beyond this river is the out side of massecusets patent ; wherein these are the towns that were begun in the year , . of the evils , and hurtful things in the plantation . those that bring the greatest prejudice to the planters , are the ravenous woolves , which destroy the weaker cattel , of which we heard before . then the rattle snake which is usually a yard and a half long , as thick in the middle as the small of a mans legg , with a yellow belly : her back is spotted with black , russet , and green , placed like scales . at her taile is a rattle with which she makes a noise when she is molested , or when any come near to her : her neck seems no bigger than a mans thumb , yet can she swallow a squirrel , having a wide mouth with teeth as sharp as needles , wherein her poyson lies , for she hath no sting : when a man is bitten by her , the poyson spreads so suddenly through the veins to the heart that in an hour it causes death , unless he hath the antidote to expel the poyson , which is a root called snake-weed , which must be champed , the spittle swallowed , and the root applyed to the sore ; this is a certain cure . this weed is rank poyson if it be taken by any man that is not bitten , unless it be phisically compounded with other things . he that is bitten by these snakes , his fresh becomes as spotted as a lepers , till he be perfectly cured . she is naturally the most sleepy and unnimble creature that is , never offering to leap at , or bite any man , if he tread not upon her : in hot weather they desire to lie in paths in the sun , where they sleep soundly ; a small switch will easily kill them . if a beast be bitten , they cut his flesh in divers places , and thrust in this weed , which is a sure cure. in many places of the country there be none of them ; as at plimouth , new-town , &c. in some places they live on one side the river , and if they swim over , as soon as they come into the woods , they turn up their yellow bellies and die . other snakes there be , which yet never hurt eitheir man or beast . there be also store of froggs , which in the spring time chirp , and whistle like birds , and in the end of sommer croake like other frogs . there are also toads that will creep to the top of trees , and sit croaking there to the wonderment of strangers . there be also pismires , and spiders , but neither fleshworms , nor moles . there be wild bees or wasps that guard the grapes , making her cobweb nest amongst the leaves : also a great fly , like to our horse flies , which bite and fetch blood from man or beast , and are most troublesome where most cattel be . there is also a gurnipper , which is a fly as small as a flea , and where it bites it causes much itching , and scratching . also the muskito like to our gnats : such as are bitten by them fall a scratching , which makes their hands and faces swell ; but this is only the first year , for they never swell the second year . here also are flies called cantharides , so much used by chirurgions ; and divers sorts of butterflies . of the natives inhabiting those parts of new-england . the country is divided ( as it were ) into shires , every several shire under a several king. on the east , and north-east are the churchers , and tarenteens . in the southern parts are the pequants , and naragansets . on the west are the connectacuts , and mowhacks . those on the north of them are called aberginians , who before the sweeping plague scorned the confrontments of such as now count themselves but the scum of the country , and that would soon root them out , were it not for the english. the churchers are a cruel bloody people , which were wont to come down upon their poor neighbours , bruitishly spoyling their corn , burning their houses , slaying their men , ravishing the women , yea sometimes eating a man , one part after another before his face whil'st he was alive : but they say , they dare not meddle with a white faced man , accompanied with his hotmouthed weapon . they are tall of stature , have long grim visages , slender wasted , and exceeding great arms and thighs , wherein their strength lies ; with a fillip of their finger they will kill a dogg : they live upon fruits , herbs , and roots , but that which they most desire is mans flesh . if they catch a stranger they keep him in as good plight as they can , giving him their best fare , and daily pipe to him , paint him , and dance about him , till at last they begin to eat him piece-meal : they are desperate in wars , securing their bodies with sea-horse skins , and barks of trees made impenitrable , wearing head-pieces of the same : their weapons are tamahauks , which are staves of two foot and a half long , and a knob at the end as big as a foot-ball ; these they carry in their right hand , and in their left a javelin , or short spear headed with a sharp sea-horse tooth ; they are both deadly weapons . the tarenteens are little less savage , only they eat not mans flesh : they are enemies to the indians amongst the english , and kill as many of them as they can meet with . they are the more insolent because they have guns , which they trade for with the french , who will sell his eyes , they say , for beaver . so soon as a boat comes to an anchor , they enquire for sack and strong liquors , which they much affect ever since the english traded it with them , so that they will scarce exchange their beaver for any thing else . these are wise , high spirited , constant in friendship one to another , true in their promises , and more industrious than most others . the pequants are a stately warlike people , just in their dealings ; requiters of courtesies , and affable to the english. the narragansetz are the most numerous people in those parts , the richest and most industrious : they are also the most curious minters of their wampamprag and mowhacks , which they make of the most inmost wreaths of perriwinckles shells ; the northern , eastern , and western indies fetch all their coin from them : as also they make curious pendants and blacelets , and stone pipes which hold a quarter of an ounce of tobacco ; these they make with steel drills , and other instruments , and so ingenuous they are , that they will imitate the english mold so exactly that were it not for matter and colour you , could not distinguish them ; they make these pipes of green or black stone ; they made also pots , wherein they dressed their victuals before they knew the use of our brass : they seek rather to grow rich by industry , than famous by deeds of chivalry . the aberginians are mostly between five and six foot high , straight bodied , strong lim'd , smooth skin'd , merry countenanced , of complexion something more swarthy than a spaniard ; black haired , high foreheaded , black eyed , out-nosed , having broad shoulders , brawny arms , long and slender hands , out-breasts , small wasts , lank bellies , handsome legs , thighs , flat knees , and small feet . it s beyond belief to conceive how such lusty bodies should be supported by such slender foot : their houses are mean , their lodging as homely , their commons scant , their drink water , and nature their best cloathing : you shall never see any monstrous person amongst them , or one whom sickness hath deformed , or casualty made decrepit ; most are fifty years old before a wrinkled brow , or gray hairs bewrayes their age : their smooth skins proceeds from the oft anointing their bodies with oyl of fishes , and fat of eagles , and rackoones , which secures them also against muskitoes : their black hair is natural , but made more jetty by oyling , dying , and daily dressing : sometimes they wear long hair like women , sometimes they tie it up short like a horse tail : their boyes must not wear their hair long , till they be sixteen year old , and then also but by degrees , some leave a foretop , others a long lock on the crown , or one on each side the head , as best pleases their fancy : they will not endure any hair on their chins , but scrub it up by the roots : and if they see one with the appearance of a beard , they say he is an english mans bastard . their cloathing is a piece of cloth of a yard and a half long put between their groyns tied with snake-skins about their middle , with a flap before , and hanging like a tail behind . the more aged in the winter wear leather drawers like irish trowzes ; their shooes are of their own making , cut out of a mooses hide ; have and some skins which they cast about them like irish mantles , being either bear , mooses , or beaver-skins sewed together , &c. and in the winter deep fur'd catskins , which they wear upon that arm that is most exposed to the weather . when they are disposed to trade , they choose a good course blanket , or piece of broad cloth , which they make a coat of by day , and a covering by night : they love not to be imprisoned in cloaths after our mode . though they be poor , yet are they proud , which discovers it self by their affecting ornaments , as pendants in their ears , forms of birds , beasts , and fishes carved out of bones , shels , and stones , with long bracelets of their curiously wrought wampompeag , and mowhacks , which they wear about their loins . many of their better sort bear upon their cheeks the pourtaictures of beasts , and fowls , which they make by rasing of their skin with a small sharp instrument , under which they convey a kind of black unchageable ink which makes them apparent and permanent : others have impressions down the out side of their arms and breasts like stars , which they imprint by searing irons . a sagamore with a hum-bird in his ear for a pendant , a black hawke on his head for a plume , mawhack instead of a gold chain , store of wampompeag about his loins , his bow in his hand , his quiver at his back , and six naked indians for his guard , thinks himself nothing inferiour to the great cham , and will say that he is all one with king charles . of their diet , cookery , meal-times and hospitality . in the winter time they have all sorts of fowls , beasts , and pond-fish , with some roots , indian beans , and clams . in the sommer they have all manner of sea fish , with all sorts of berries . these they roast or boil in great kettles , which they gat by trading with the french , and now of the english : before , they had good earthen pots of their own making ; their spits are cloven sticks sharpned at one end and thrust into the ground , a dozen of them with flesh and fish about a fire , turning them as they see occasion . this they present to their guests , dishing it in a rude manner , and set on the ground , without linnen , trenchers , or knives ; to this they presently fall aboard without bread , salt , or beer , lolling after the turkish fashion , not ceasing till their full bellies leave empty platters . their indian corn they seeth whole , like beans , eating three or four corns with a mouthful of fish or flesh , filling up thinks with their broth. in sommer when their corn is spent isquoterquashes is their best bread , like our young pumpions . when our english invite them to meat , they eat very moderately , though at home without measure . they all meet friends at a kettle , save their wives , who attend at their backs for their bony fragments . they keep no set meals , but when their store is spent , they bite on the bit , till they meet with fresh supplies , their wives trudging to the clam-banks when other provision fails . it s the greatest discourtesie you can shew them , not to eat of their delicates , of which they are as free as emperors , and not to sup of their broth made thick with fish , fowl and beasts , all boiled together . of their dispositions , good qualities , as friendship , constancy , truth , and affability . these indians are of an affable , courteous , and well-disposed nature , ready to communicate the best of their wealth to the mutual good one of another , and the less abundance they have , the more conspicuous is their love , in that they are as willing to part with their mite in poverty , as their treasure in plenty . he that kills a deer sends for his friends and eats it merrily . he that receives but a piece of bread from an english hand , gives part of it to his comrades , and they eat it together lovingly . yea , a friend can command a friends house , and whatsoever is his ( saving his wife ) and have it freely : and nothing sooner disjoyns them than ingratitude , accounting an ungrateful person , a double robber , not only of a mans curtesie , but of his thanks , which he might have from another for the same profered and received kindness . they so love each other , that they cannot endure to see one of their countrymen wronged , but will defend them stiffly , plead for them strongly , and justifie their integrity in any warrantableaction . they are true , and faithful to the english , and have been the disclosers of all such treacheries as have been designed by other indians against them . if any roaving ship be upon the coast , and chance to harbour in any unusual port , they will give the english notice of it , which hath been no small advantage . when the english have travelled far into the couutry , they readily entertain them into their houses , quarter them in their rooms , and provide for them the best victuals they can , and give them kind entertainment , if it be for two or three weeks together . they are also ready to guide them through the unbeaten wildernesses , and if any loose their way , they will not leave them till they have brought them to their desired place . they are very careful to keep good correspondence with our english magistrates , being ready to execute any service which they require of them . if any malefactor withdraw himself from condigne punishment , they will hunt him out , and not rest till they have delivered him up to justice . they are kind and affable , very wary with whom they enter into friendship ; nothing is more hateful to them than a churlish disposition , or dissimulation : they speak seldom , and then utter not many words , and those they do , they deliver very gravely . they never fall out amongst themselves , nor abuse each other in language . yea , though in gaming they lose all their little all , yet is the loser as merry as the winner , and they part good friends . of their hardness . their hardness is to be admired , no ordinary pains causing them so much to alter their countenance : beat them , whip them , pinch them , punch them , if they resolve otherwise , they will not winch for it : and though naturally they fear death , yet the unexpected approach of a mortal wound by sword , bullet , &c. strike no more terrour , causes no more exclamation , no more complaint , than if it were a shot into the trunk of a tree . some have been shot in at the mouth , and out under the ear , others into the breast ; others run through the flanks with darts , others received desperate wounds , and yet , either by their rare skill in simples , or by charms have been cured in a short time . in the night they dare not stir out of their houses , for fear of their abamaco [ the devil ] they will rather lie by an english fire all night , than go a quarter of mile in the dark to their own houses . of their wondering at their first sight of any new invention . they being strangers to arts , are ravished at the first view of any new invention : they took the first ship they saw for a mourning island , the masts to be trees , the sails , white clouds , and the discharging of great guns , to be thunder and lightning : but this moving island being stopped by its anchor , they manned out their canows to go and pick strabones in it ; but by the way , being saluted with a broad side , they cryed out , with much hoggery , so big walk , and so big speak , and by and by kill ; this made them to turn back , and approach no more till they were sent for . they wondred much at the first wind mill which the english erected , for its strange whirking motion , and the sharp teeth , biting the corn so small , and its long arms , neither durst they stay in so tottering a tabernacle . the first plowman they saw was accounted a jugler , the plow tearing up more ground in a day , then their clamshels could scrape up in a moneth . yet are they so ingenious , and dexterous in using the ax or hatchet , that probably they would soon learn any trade , were they not so much wedded to idleness ; so that they had rather starve than work . in brief , they be wise in their carriage , subtile in their trading , true in their promise , just in paying their debts : though their poverty may make them slow , yet are they sure : some having died in the english debt , have by will left beaver for their satisfaction : they be constant in friendship , merrily conceited in discourse , not luxurious , in youth , nor froward in old age. of their kings government , and subjects obedience . their kings inherit , the son alwayes succeeding his father . if there be no son , the queen rules , if no queen , the next of the blood royal ; if any other intrude , he is counted a usurper ; and if his fair carriage win not their love , they will soon unking him . the kings have not many laws to rule by , nor have they any yearly revenews , yet are they so feared , or beloved , that half their subjects estates are at their service , and their persons at his command . though he hath no kingly rules to make him glorious , no guard to secure him , no courtlike attendance , nor sumptuous pallaces , yet they account him their soveraign , and yield chearful subjection to him , going and coming at his beck without questioning a reason , though the matter thwart their wills . such as commit treason , or lay violent hands on their lawful soveraign , die without mercy . once a year he takes his progress , attended with a dozen of his best subjects , to view his countrey , to recreate himself , and to establish good order . when he comes into any house , without any other complements , they desire him to sit down on the ground ( having neither stools nor cushions ) and after a while all that are present sit down by him , one of his seniors making an oration gratulatory to his majesty for his love , and the many good things they enjoy under his government . a king of large dominions hath his vice-royes under him to mannage his state affairs , and to keep his subjects in good decorum . for their laws , as their evil manners come short of other nations , so they need not so many laws , yet some they have , which they inflict upon notorious malefactors , as traytors , murtherers , &c. he that deserves death , being apprehended , is brought before the king ; and some of his wisest men , and if upon trial he be found guilty , the executioner comes in , blindfolds him , and sets him in the publick , and brains him with a club ; they have no other punishment save admonitions , or reproofs for smaller offences . of their marriages . the kings and great pawwoos , or connirers may have two or three wives , yet seldom use it ; others have but one . when a man desires to marry , he first gets the good will of the maid or widdow , then the consent of her friends , then , if the king like , the match is made , her dowry of wamponpeag paid , and so the king joyns their hands never to part till death , unless she prove a whore , for which they may put them away . of their worship , invocations , and conjurations . as its natural to all mortals to worship something , so do these . they acknowledge specially two , ketar , who is their god , to whom they sacrifice when they have a good crop. him they invocate for fair weather , for rain , for recovery of their sick , &c. but if they prevail not , their powwows betake themselves to their conjurations , and charmes , by which they effect very strange things , and many times work great cures . but since the english came amongst them , they are much reformed , and most of them have left these diabolical practices . of their wars . for places of retreat in times of danger they make forts of fourty or fifty foot square , of young timber trees ten or twelve foot high rammed into the ground , the earth being cast up within for their shelter , and with loop holes through which they shoot their arrows . in war their only weapons are bows and arrows , only their captains have long spears , on which , if they return conquerors , they carry the chiefest of their enemies heads ; for they use to cut off their heads , hands , and feet to carry home to their wives and children as trophies of their renowned victories : they also at such times paint their faces with diversities of colours to make them the more terrible to their foes ; they put on also their rich jewels , pendants , wampompeag , &c. to mind them that they fight , not only for their lives , wives and children , but for their goods , lands , and liberties ; they fight without all order , and when they have spent their arrows , they run away . they are trained up to their bows from their childhood , and are excellent marks-men : they run swiftly , and swim almost naturally . of their huntings . they have neither beagles , hounds , nor grayhounds , but supply all themselves : in the season of the year they have hunting houses in the places to which the deer resort , in which they keep their rendesvouze , with their snares , and all the accoutrements for that imployment . when they see a deer moose , or bear , they labour to get the wind of him , and coming neer they shoot him quite through , if the bones hinder not . they hunt also wolves , wild cats , rackoones , otters , beavers , and musquashes , trading both their skins and flesh to the english : they have also other devises wherewith to kill their game . of their fishings . they are very expert in fishing , knowing all kinds of baits fit for each several sorts of fish , and for all seasons of the year . they know also when to fish in the rivers , when at the rocks , when in the bayes , and when at the seas : before the english furnished them with hooks and lines , they made lines of their own hemp , curiously wrought , stronger than ours , and used bone-hooks ; they make also strong nets , wherewith they , catch sturgion ; and in the night they go forth in their canooes with a blazing torch , which they wave up and down , with which the sturgion being delighted , playes about it , turning up her white belly , into which they thrust a bearded dart , her back being impenetrable , and so hale her to the shoar . they look out also for sleeping seals , whose oyl they much esteem , using it for divers things . of their arts and manufactures . they dress all manner of skins , by scraping and rubbing , and curiously paint them with unchangable colours , and sometimes take off the hair , especially if they be not in season . they make handsome bows , which they string with mooses sinews : their arrows they make of young eldern , which they feather with eagles feathers , and head them with brass in shape of a triangle . their cordage is so even , smooth , and soft , that its liker silk than hemp. their canows are either made of pine-trees , which , before they had english tools , they burned hollow scraping them smooth with the shels of clams , and oysters , cutting their out-sides with hatchets of stone : others they make of birch rinds , which are so light that a man may carry one of them on his back . in these tottering boats they will go to sea , scudding over the waves , rowing with a paddle : if a wave turn her over , by swimming they turn her up , and get into her again . of their death , burials , and mournings . though these indians have lusty and healthful bodies , not knowing many diseases incident to others countries , as feavers , plurisies , callentures , agues , obstructions , consumptions , convulsions , apoplexies , dropsies , gout , stone , toothach , pox , meazles , &c. so that some of them live to sixty , seventy , eighty , yea , one hundred years before death summons them hence ; yet when death approaches , and all hope of recovery is past , then to see and hear their heavy sobbs , and deep fetched sighs , their grieved hearts , and brinish tears , and doleful cryes , would fetch tears from an heart of stone . their grief being asswaged , they commit the bodies of their friends to the earth , over whose grave for a long time they weep , groan , and howl , continuing annual mournings , with a stiff black paint on their faces : they mourn without hope , and yet hold the immortality of the soul , that it shall pass to the south-west elysium , a kind of paradise , wherein they shall for ever abide , solacing themselves in odoriferous gardens , fruitful corn-fields , green meddows , bathing in cool streams of pleasant rivers , and shelter themselves from heat and cold in state-pallaces framed by dame nature ; at the portal of this elisium they say there lies a great dogg , whose currish snarlings excludes unworthy intruders : wherefore they bury them with bows and arrows , and store of wampompeag , and mouhak● , either to affright the affronting cerberus , or to purchase greater prerogatives in that in paradise . but evil livers they go to the infernal dwellings of abamacho , there to be tormented . of their women , their dispositions , imployments , vsage by their husbands , their apparel , and modesty . these indians scorn the tutorings of their wives , or to admit them as their equals , though their qualities , and industry may justly claim the preheminence , and command better usage , and more conjugal esteem , their persons and features being every way correspondent , their qualifications more excellent , being more loving , pitiful , and modest , mild , provident , and laborious than their lazy husbands . their imployments are many , for they build their houses in fashion like our garden arbors , but rounder , very strong and handsome , covered with close wrought mats of their own weaving , which deny entrance to a drop of rain , though it be fierce and long , neither can the north winds find a crany whereat to enter ; they be warmer then ours : at the top is a square hole for the smoake to pass out , which is close covered in rainy weather : yet when they have a good fire , they are so smoky , that they are fain to lie down under the smoake . their sommer houses when families are dispersed upon divers occasions , are less : their winter houses are fifty or sixty foot long ; fourty or fifty men lodging in one of them ; and when their husbands require it , the wives are fain to carry their houses on their backs to fishing and hunting places ; or to a planting place , where it abides the longest . the wives also plant their corn , which they keep so clear from weeds , with their clam-shell hooes , as if it were a garden rather than a corn-field ; neither suffering weeds nor worms to hurt it . their corn being ripe , they dry it in the sun , and convey it into their barns , which be great holes digged in the ground like brass pots , lining them with rinds of trees , into which they put their corn , covering it from their gurmundizing husbands , who else would eat up all their allowed portion , and reserved seed if they knew where to find it . but our english hoggs having found a way to open their barn-doors , and to rob their garners ; they are fain to make use of their husbands help to rowl the bodies of trees over them , to secure them against these swine , whose thievery they hate as much as they do to eat their flesh . another of their imployments is , in their sommer processions to get lobsters for their husbands , wherewith they bait their hooks when they go a fishing for bass & codfish . this is their every days walk be the weather cold or hot , the waters rough or calm , they must dive sometimes over head and ears for a lobster , which often shakes them by the hands , with a churlish nip , and so bids them adieu . the tide being spent they trudg home two or three miles with an hundred weight of lobsters on their backs , but if they meet with none , they have a hundred scouls from their churlish hsbands , and an hungry belly for two dayes after . when their husbands have caught any fish they bring it in their canows as far as they can by water , and there they leave it , sending their wives to fetch it home , or they must fast , which done , they must dress it , cook it , dish it , and present it , and see it eaten before their faces , and their loggerships having filled their paunches , their poor wives must scramble for their scraps . in the sommer when lobsters be in their plenty and prime , these indian women dry them to keep for winter , erecting scaffolds in the hot sun , and making fires underneath them , by the smoake whereof the flies are driven away , till the fish remain hard & dry : thus also they dry bass , and other fishes without salt , cutting them very thin that they may dry the sooner before the flies spoil them , or the rain wet them , having a great care to hang them in their smoaky houses in the night , and dankish weather . in sommer also they gather flags , of which they make mats for houses ; also hemp and rushes with dying stuff , of which they make curious baskets with intermingled colours , and pourtraictures of antique imagery . these baskets are of all sizes , from a quart to a quarter , in which they carry their luggage . in winter they are their husbands caterers , trugging to the clam-banks for their belly-timber : they are also their porters to lug home their venison , which their laziness exposeth to the wolves , till their wives impose it upon their shoulders . they also sew thir husbands shooes , and weave turkey feathers for them , besides all their housholds drudgery which daily goes through their hands , and a big belly hinders no business , nor doth their childbirth hinder much time , but the young child being greased and sooted , wrapped up in a beavers skin , bound to his good behaviour , with his feet up to his bum , upon a board two foot long , and one foot broad , his face being exposed to the most nipping weather , this little pappouse travels about with his barefooted mother , to paddle in the icy clamb-banks , being not above three or four dayes old . the womens carriage is very civil , smiles being the greatest grace of their mirth . their musick is lullabies to quiet their children , who yet are generally as quiet as if they had neither spleen nor lungs . to hear one of these indian women unseen , a good ear might easily mistake their untaught voice for the warbling of a well tuned instrument . their modesty suggest them to wear more cloathes than their husbands , having alwayes a short coat of cloth , or skin wrapped like a blanket about their loins reaching to their hams , which they never put off in company . if a husband sels his wives beaver petticote , as sometimes he doth , she will not put it off , till she hath another to put on . their mild carriage and obedience to their husbands is very commendable ; notwithstanding all their churlishness , and salvage inhumanity towards them , yet will they not frown , nor offer to word it with their lords , nor presume to proclaim their superiority to the usurping of the least tittle of their husbands charter , but are contentedly quiet with their helpless condition , esteeming it to be the womans portion . since the arrival of the english comparison hath made their yoake more miserable : for seeing the kind usage of the english men towards their wives , they cannot but as much condemn their own husbands unkindness , as they commend the english mens love . but in the mean time , their husbands commend themselves for their wit in keeping their wives in subjection , and to labour as much as they condemn the english husbands for their indulgence and folly in spoiling such good working creatures . these indian women do oft resort to the houses of the english wherewith those of their own sex , they do somewhat ease their misery by complaining of their thraldom , and seldom part without some relief ; and if their husbands come to seek for their spaws ( for so they call all women ) and do begin to bluster for their idleness , the english woman betakes her to her arms , which are the warlike ladle , and the scalding liquor , threatning blistering to the naked runaway , who is soon driven back by such hot comminations . in a word , the love of these women to the english , deserves no small esteem , whom they are ever presenting with something that is rare or desired , as strawberries , hurtleberries , rasberries , gooseberries , cherries , plums , fish , and such other gifts as their poor treasury affords . new englands prospect . of their religion . the natives of new-england conceive of many divine powers : but one whom they call keihtan ( they say ) is the principal , and maker of all the rest , and himself is made by none . he created the heavens , earth , sea , and all creatures contained therein . he also made one man and one woman , of whom oll mankind came . but how they came to be so far dispersed , they know not . at first ( they say ) there was no sachem or king , but keihtan , who dwells above the heavens , whither all good men go when they die to see their friends , and have their fill of all thins . thither bad men go also , and knock at his door , but he bids them walk abroad , for there is no piace for such , so that they wander in restless want , and penury . never man saw this kiehtan ; only old men tell them of him , and bid them tell their children ; yea , to charge them to tell it to their posterities , and to lay the like charge upon them . this power they acknowledge to be good ; and when they would obtain any great matter , they meet together , and cry unto him ; and when they have plenty and victory , &c. they sing , dance , give thanks , and hang up garlands in memory thereof . another power they worship called hobbamock , which is the devil ; him they call upon to cure their wounds , and diseases . and when they are curable , he perswades them that he sends the same for some conceived anger against them ; but upon their calling upon him , he can , and doth help them . but when they are mortal and incurable , he tells them that kiehtan is angry , and sends them , whom none can cure , which makes them doubt whether he be simply good , and therefore in sickness they never call upon him . this hobbamock appears in sundry forms unto them ; as in the shape of a man , a deer , a fawn , an eagle , &c. but most ordinarily like a snake . he appears not to all , but to the chiefest , and most judicious amongst them , though all of them strive to attain that hellish honor . he chiefly appears to three sorts of persons : of the first rank they are few , and they are highly esteemed of , and they think that no weapon can kill them : the second sort are called powahs : and the third priests . the powahs chief office is to call upon the devil , and to cure the sick and wounded . the common people joyn with him in his invocations , by saying amen to what he saith . the powah is eager and free in speech , fierce in countenance , and joyneth many antick and laborious gestures with the same over the party diseased . if the party be wounded , they suck his wounds ; but if they be curable , the snake or eagle sits on his shoulders and licks the same . him none sees but the powah . if the party be otherwise diseased , its sufficient if in any shape he but comes into the house , and it is an undoubted sign of recovery . the powahs in their speech promise to sacrifice many skins of beasts , kettles , hatchets , beads , knives , and the best things they have to the fiend , if he help the diseased party . when women are in desperate and extraordinary hard travel in in child-birth , they send for the powahs to help them . many sacrifices they use , and sometimes kill their children . the nanohiggansets exceed in their blind devotion , and have great spacious houses , into which their priests only come . thither at certain times most of the people resort and sacrifice almost all their riches to their gods , as kettles , skins , hatchets , beads , knives , &c. all which the priest casts into a great fire made in the midst of that house , where they are consumed . to this offering every man brings freely , and he that brings most , is best esteemed . the priests are men of great courage and wisdom , and to these the devil also appears more familiarly than to others , and covenants with them to preserve them from death by wounds of arrows , knives , hatchets , &c. one of these will chase almost an hundred of their enemies : they are highly esteemed of all , and are of the sachems councel , without whom he will neither make war , nor undertake any great matter . in war the sachems for their more safety , go in the midst of them . they are usually men of the greatest stature and strength , and such as will endure most hardness , and yet are discreet , and courteous in their carriages , scorning theft , lying , and base dealing , and stand as much upon their reputation as any men . and to encrease the number of these , they train up the likeliest boyes from their childhood unto great hardness , and cause them to abstain from dainty meat , and to observe divers other rules , to the end that the devil may appear to them when they are of age . they also cause them to drink the juice of centuary , and other bitter herbs , till they vomit it into a platter , which they must drink again , till at length , through extraordinary pressing of nature , it looke like blood : and this the boyes will do at first eagerly , and so continue , till by reason of faintness they can scarce stand on their leggs , and then they must go forth into the cold . also they beat their shins with sticks , and cause them to run through bushes , stumps , and brambles to make them hardy and acceptable to the devil , that so in time he may appear unto them . their sachems are not all kings , but only some few of them , to whom the rest resort for protection , and pay them homage : neither may they make war without their knowledge and approbation . every sachim takes care for the widdows , fatherless , aged , or maimed , if their friends be dead , or not able to provide for them . a sachim will not marry any but such as are equal in birth to him , lest his seed prove ignoble ; and though they have many other wives , yet are they but concubines , or servants , and yield obedience to the queen , who orders the family , and them in it . the other subjects do the same , and will adhere to the first during their lives , but put away the other at their pleasure . their government is successive , not elective . if the sachims child be young when his father dies , he is committed to the protection , and tuition of some one amongst them , who rules for him till he be of age . every sachem knows the bounds and limits of his kingdom , out of which , if any of his men desire land wherein to set their corn , he gives them as much as they can use . in these limits , he that hunts and kills any venison , gives the sachim his fee ; if it be killed on the land , he hath part of the flesh ; if in the water , then the skin only : the great sachems or kings know not their bounds so well . all travellers or strangers usually lie at the sachims house , and when they come , they tell them how long they will stay , and whither they are going ; during which time they are entertained according to their quality . once a year the priests provoke the people to bestow much corn on the sachim , and accordingly at a certain time and place , the people bring many baskets of corn , and make a great stack thereof near to the sachems house . there the priests stands ready to return them thanks in the name of the sachim , who fetches the same , and is no less thankful , bestowing many gifts upon them . when any are visited with sickness , their friends resort to them to comfort them , and oft continue with them till death or recovery ; if they dye they stay to mourn for them , which they perform night and morning for many dayes after their burial : but if they recover , because their sickness was chargeable , they send them corn and other gifts , whereupon they feast , and dance . when they bury their dead , they sew the corps up in a mat , and so bury it . if a sachim dyes , they cover him with many curious mats , and bury all his riches with him , and inclose the grave with a pale . if it be a child , the father will put all his own special jewels , and ornaments into the grave with it : yea , he will cut his hair , and disfigure himself , in token of his great sorrow . if it be the master or dame of the family , they will pull down the mats , and leave the frame of the house standing , and bury them in , or near the same , and either remove their dwelling , or give over house-keeping . the younger sort reverence the elder , and do all mean offices for them when they are together , though they be strangers . boyes and girls may not wear their hair like men and women , but are distinguished thereby . one is not accounted a man , till he doth some notable act , and shews his courage and resolution answerable to his place : the men take much tobacco , but it s counted very odious in a boy so to do . all their names are significant and variable . for when they come to be men and women , they alter them according to their deeds , or dispositions . when a maid is given in marriage , she first cuts her hair , and then wears a covering on her head till her hair is grown again . of their women some are so modest , that they will scarce talk together whilst men are by , and are very chast : others are light , lascivious , and wanton . if a woman hath a bad husband , or affect him not ; if there be war between that and any other people , she will run away from him to the contrary party , where she never wants welcome ; for where there be most women , there is most plenty . when a woman hath her courses , she retires her self from all other company , and lives in a house apart ; after which she washes her self , and all that she hath touched or used , after which she is received into her husbands bed or family . the husband will beat his wife , or put her away for adultery . yet some common strumpets there are , but they are such as either were never married , or are widdows , or that have been put away for adultery : for no man will take such an one to wife . in matters of injustice or dishonest dealing , the sachim examines and punisheth the same . in cases of theft ; for the first offence he is disgracefully rebuked : for the second , he is beaten by the sachim with a cudgle on the naked back : for the third , he is beaten with many stripes , and hath his nose slit , that all men may both know and shun him . if one kill another , he certainly dies for it . the sachim not only sentenceth the malefactor , but executeth the same with his own hands , if the party be present , otherwise he sends his own knife , if he be sentenced to dye by the hands of another that executes the same . but if the offender be to receive any other punishment , he will not receive it but from the sachim himself , before whom being naked , he kneels , and will not offer to run away , though he beat him never so much , it being a greater disparagement for a man to cry when he is corrected , than was his offence and punishment . they are a very witty and ingenious people : they keep account of the time by the moon , or by sommers or winters ; they know divers of the stars by name : they have also many names for the winds : they will guess shrewdly at the wind and weather before hand , by observations in the heavens . their language is very copious and large , and hard to be learned ; and though in an hundred miles distance their languages differ , yet not so much , but they can understand each other . instead of records and chonicles , where any remarkable act is done , in memory of it , either in the very place , or by some path neer adjoyning , they make a round hole in the ground a foot deep , and as much over , which , when others passing by , behold , they enquire the cause and occasion of it , which being once known , they carefully acquaint others with it . and lest such holes should be filled , as men pass by , they will oft renew them . so that if a man travels , and can understand his guide , his journey will be less tedious , by the many historical discourses that will be related to him . you have heard before of the state of new-england in the year . when she was but in her childhood , but being now grown up to more maturity ; take this account of it , which was written by a reverend minister , in january / , who had lived there . years , and therefore hath great reason , and good opportunities to be acquainted with the condition of it . when we came first to new-england in the year . there was then but one town in the country , viz. that of new-plimmouth , which had stood alone for nine years . from that time to this year now beginning . is just fourty years ; in which time there has been an increase of fourty churches in this colony ( but many more in the rest . ) and towns in all new-england , . which for the most part lie along the sea coast for somewhat more than two hundred miles ; only upon connecticut river , there are thirteen towns lying neer together ; and about the massacusets bay , here are above thirty towns within two , three , four , or five miles asunder . and from the sea , which hath rendred boston a very considerable place , and the metropolis of new-england , all the other towns on the sea coast , and those in the country depending upon it . i have lately heard some merchants that knew old boston , say that this is far bigger , and hath ten times more trade than that , having many ships and catches , and they say no less than an hundred catches went from the country this winter to trade in virginia ; besides many others to the west indies , and to several parts of europe . it was doubted for some years , whether there would be a staple commodity in new-england ; but god and time have shewed many , as furs , fish , masts , pipestaves , and deal-board , and such plenty of corn and cattel , that abundance of provision has been yearly transported for the supply of english plantations , the west-indies , and other parts ; in so much as though many gentlemen of great estates in the first year spent their estates , and some of them that were very brave men of publick spirits , were brought very low , both they and theirs : yet in the latter years , many that have risen out of the dust , by a way of trading and merchandising , have grown unto great estates ; some to ten , others to twenty , yea thirty or fourty thousand pound estate . in the year . began the combination of the united colonies of new-england , which have much encrersed since then ; every one of them having their distinct pattents , except new-haven , which for want of a pattent , was since the coming in of our king , taken into the colony of connecticut ; and though very many of the first commers are now dead and gone , yet there is grown up such a numerous posterity here , that it 's thought there are twenty times more english people now in the country , then ever came into it . and it 's believed by many observing men , that there are many above ten hundred thousand souls . most of the first magistrates are dead , and not above two left in the massacusets ; but one in plymouth , one at connecticut , and not one at new-haven . there came over from england at several times , chiefly before the year . ninety fore ministers , of which twenty seven returned to england again , and there are now dead in the country thirty six ; and as yet living in the country thirty one . the ministers bred up in new-england , are one hundred thirty two , of which two are dead in the country , fourty one have removed to england , most of them from our colledges , besides other schollars that have in england turned to other professions , and eighty one that are now living in the country , employed in the ministery in several places . there have been several synods in new-england ; the first at cambridge , in the year . wherein the antinomian ▪ and familistical errors were confuted and condemned by the word of god. the second at cambridge in the year . wherein the magistrates power and duty in matters of religion , and the nature and power of synods was cleared . the third , in the year . where it was declared , that in point of doctrine , these churches consented to the confession of faith , put forth by the assembly at westminster ; and in point of discipline , the platform of the discipline of these churches , was then published . the fourth was at boston in the year . concerning the subject of baptism , and consociation of churches . it hath pleased the lord to give such a blessing to the gospel among the indians , that in divers places there are not only many civilized , but divers that are truly godly , and shame the english , and are much hated by others of their own country men , though that work has met with many obstructions and remoraes ; chiefly by the death of some of the choicest instruments , and many of the best of the indians ; yet it may be well believed , that there is such a seed of the gospel scattered among them , which will grow unto a further harvest in god's time . the description of the island of barbados : with an account of the trees , plants , herbs , roots , fowls , birds , beasts , fishes , insects , &c. as also of their sugar-canes , ingenio's and manner of making their sugars . the first discovery made of this island was by a ship of sir william curte'us , which returning from pernambock in brasile , being driven by foul weather upon this coast , chanced to fall upon this island , which is not far out of the way , being one of the most windwardly islands of all the carribies ; and anchoring before it , they stayed some time to inform themselves of the nature of of the place , which by tryals in several places , they found to be so over grown with wood , as that there could be no champion ground discovered wheron to plant ; nor found they any beasts , or cattel there , save hoggs , whereof there were abundance . the portugals having long before put some on shore for breed , in case they should at any time by foul weather be driven to , or cast upon on this island , that so they might there find fresh meat to serve them upon such an exigence . and the fruits and roots that grew there , afforeded them so great plenty of food , that now they were multiplied abundantly . in so much as the indians of the leeward islands that were within sight , coming thither in their canoos , and finding such game to hunt as these hoggs were , whose flesh was so sweet , and excellent in tast , they came often thither a hunting , staying sometimes a moneth together before they returned home , leaving behind them certain tokens of their being there , which were pots of several sizes made of clay , so finely tempered , and turned with such art , as the like to them for fineness of mettle , and curiosity of turning , are not made in england , in which they boiled their meat . this discovery being made , and advice thereof sent to their friends in england ; other ships were sent with men , provisions , and working tools , to cut down the woods , and clear the ground wherein to plant provisions for their sustentation , till then , finding food but straglingly in the woods . but when they had cleared some quantity of land , they planted potato's , plantines , and maies , or indian wheat , with some other fruits , which together with the hoggs , which they found there , served only to keep life and soul together . and their supplies from england coming so slow , and so uncertainly , they were oft driven to great extremities : and the tobacco that grew there , was so earthy and worthless , as that it gave them little or no return from england , or other places ; so that for a while they lingered in a doubtful condition . for the woods were so thick , and most of the trees so large and massy , as that they were not to be faln by so few hands : and when they were laid along , the boughs were so thick and and unweldy , as required more help of strong and active men to lop , and remove them off the ground ; which continued so for many years , in somuch as they planted potato's , maies , and bonavists between the boughs as the trees lay on the ground . yet not long after they planted indigo , and ordered it so well , as that it sold in london at very good rates : and their cotten woll , and fustick wood , proved very good and staple commodities : so that having these four sorts of commodities , to traffique with all ; some ships were invited in hope of gain by that trade , to come and visit them , bringing for exchange , such commodities as they wanted , to wit , working-tools , iron , steel , clothes , shirts , drawers , hose and shooes , hats , and more hands . so that beginning to find good by this trade , they set themselves hard to work , and lived in much better condition . but when their sugar-canes had been planted three or four years , they found that to be the principal plant whereby to raise the value of the whole island ; and therefore bent all their endeavours to improve their knowledge and skill in planting them , and making sugar . which knowledg , though they studied hard , was long in learning . this island which we call barbado's lies in thirteen degrees and about thirty minutes of northern latitude : the usual bay into which ships put , is carlile bay , which without exception is the best in the island , and is somewhat more than a league over , and from the points of the land to the bottom of the bay , is twice as much . upon the innermost part of this bay stands a town called the bridge ; for that a long bridge was at first made over a little nook of the sea , which yet indeed is rather a bogg than a sea. this town is ill scituated ; the planters looking more after conveniencie than health . but one house being erected , another was set up by it for neighbourhood , and than a third , and a fourth , till at last it became a town : divers storehouses were also built there wherein , to stow their goods , being so neer and convenient for the harbour . but their great oversight was to build a town in so unhealthfull a place . for the ground being somewhat lower within the land than the sea banks are , the spring-tides flow over , and so remain there , making much of that flat a kind of bog , or marish , which sends out so loathsome a savour , as cannot but breed ill blood , and probably is the occasion of much sickness to those that live there . the ground on either side this bay ( but chiefly that to the eastward ) is much firmer , and lies higher , and therefore with some charge , may be made as convenient as the bridge , and much more healthfnl . three more bayes there be of note in this island . one to the eastward of this , which they call austins bay : the other are to the west of carlile-bay . the first whereof is called mackfields bay ; the other spikes bay ; but neither of these three are environed with land , as carlile bay is ; but being to the leeward of the island , and of good anchorage , they seldome are in danger , unless in the time of the turnado , when the winds turn about to the south ; and then if they be not well moved , the ships are subject to fall foul one upon another , and sometimes are driven a ground . for the leeward part of the island , being rather shelvy than rocky , they are seldom or never cast away . the leng the hot island is twenty eight miles , and the breadth in some places seventeen miles , in others twelve ; so that they make about three hundred nitety two square miles in the whole island . it rises highest in the middle , so that when you come within sight of this happy island , the nearer you come , the more beautiful it appears to the eye . for being in it self exceeding beautiful , it 's best discerned , and best judged of when your eyes become full mistris of the object . there you may see the high , large , and lofty trees with their spreading branches , and flourishing tops , which seem to be beholding to the earth and roots that gave them such plenty of sap for their nourishment , which makes them grow to that perfection of beauty and largeness : whil'st they by way of gratitude return their cool shade to secure and shelter the earth from the suns heat , which otherwise would scorch and dry it up . so that bounty and goodness in the one , and gratefulness in the other , serve to make up this beauty , which alwayes would lie empty and waste . by the commodity of the scituation of this island , which is highest in the midst , the inhabitants within have these advantages . first , a free prospect into the sea ; then a reception of a opure and refreshing air , and breezes that come from thence : the plantations overlooking one another , so as the more in most parts are not debarred , nor restrained of their liberties of the view to the sea by those that dwell between them and it . whil'st the sun is in the aequinoctial , or within ten degrees of either side , there is little change in the length of the dayes , for at six and six the sun rises and sets : but when it s nearer the tropick of capricorn , and in thirty seven degrees from them , then the dayes are something shorter , and this shortning begins about the end of october . eight moneths in the year the weather is very hot , yet not scalding , but that servants , both christians and slaves labour and travel ten hours in a day . for as the sun rises , there rises with it a cool brees of wind ; and the higher , and hotter the sun rises , the stronger and cooler the breeses are , and blow alwaeis from the north-east and by east , except in the time of the turnado : for then it sometimes chops about into the south for an hour or two , and so returns about again to the point where it was . the other four moneths it is not so hot , but is near the temper of the air in england in the midst of may. and though in the hot season the planters sweat much , yet do they not find that faintness which we find in england in the end of july , or in the beginning of august . but with this heat , there is such a moisture as must of necessity cause the air to be unwholsome . the planters there are s●eldom thirsty , unless they over heat their bodies with extraordinary labour , or with drinking strong drink , as our english spririts , or french brandy , or the drink of the island , which is made of the scummings of the coppers that boil the sugar , which they call kill-devil . for though some of these be needful in such hot countries when they are used temperately , yet the immoderate use of them over-heats the bodie , which causeth costiveness , and gripings in the bowels ; which is a disease that is very frequent there , and hardly cured , and of which many die . their blood also is thinner and paler than ours in england : nor is their meat so well relished as it is with us , but flat and insipid ; the hogs-flesh only excepted , which is as good as any in the world. their horses and cattel seldom drink , and when they do , it s but in a little quantity , except they be over heated with working . the moisture of the air causes all their knives , tweeses , keys , needles , swords , &c. to rust , and that in an instant . for if you grind your rusty knife upon a grind-stone , wipe it dry , and put it into your sheath , and pocket , in a little time after draw it again , and you shall find it beginning to rust all over ; which in longer time will eat into the steel and spoil the blade . locks also which are not often used , will rust in the wards and become useless . and clocks and watches will seldom or never go true , and all this is occasioned by the moistness of the air. this great heat and moisture together is certainly the cause that trees and plants , grow to such a vast height , and largeness as they do there . there is nothing so much wanting in this island as springs and rivers of waters ; there being but very few , and those small and inconsiderable . there is but one river , which may yet be termed rather a lake than a river . the springs that run into it are never able to fill it : and out-let to the sea it hath none ; but at spring-tides the sea comes in and fills it , and at neep-tide it cannot run out again , the sea-banks being higher than it . yet some of it issues out through the sand , and leaves a mixture of fresh and salt water behind it . sometimes these spring-tides bring some fishes into it , which will remain there , being more willing to live in this mixt water , then in the salt . sometimes there have been taken in it fishes as big as salmons , which have been over-grown with fat and very sweet and firm . but fish is not often taken in this place , by reason that the whole lake is filled with trees and roots , so that no net can be drawn , nor hook laid , without danger of breaking and losing . the river or lake reaches not within land above twelve score yards , and there is no part of it so broad , but that you may cast a coit over it . the spring-tides about this island seldom rise above four or five foot upright . into these rivolets there come from the sea little lobsters , but wanting the great claws before , they are the sweetest , and fullest of fish that can be eaten . but the water which the people in this island most relie upon , is rain-water , which they keep in ponds , and have descents to them , so that what falls upon other grounds about , may run into them ; the bottom of these ponds are clay . for if the water find any leak to the rocky part , it gets into the clifts and sinks in an instant . about the end of december these ponds are filled , and with the help they have by weekly showers , they mostly continue so , yet sometimes they find a want . this water they use upon all occasions , and to all purposes , as to boil their meat , to make their drink , to wash their linnen , &c. in these ponds are neither fish nor fry , nor any living or moving things , except some flies that fall into them ; but the water is clear and well tasted ; here their cattel drink also . they also save rain water from the houses , by gutters at the eves which carries it down into cisterns . if any tumult or disturbance be in the island , the next neighbour to it discharges a musquet , which gives an allarum to the whole island . for upon the report of that , the next shoots , and so the next , and the next , ill it go through all , and upon hearing of this all make ready . of their bread. bread which is the staff and stay of mans life , is not so good here as in england ; yet do they account it both nourishing and strengthening . it 's made of the root of a small tree or shrub , which is called cussary . this root is large and round , like the body of a small still , and as they gather it , they cut sticks or blanches that grow neerest to it of the same tree , which they put into the ground , and they grow : so that as they gather one , they plant another . this root when its first gathered is an absolute poison , and yet by good ordering it becomes wholesome and nourishing . first , they wash it clean , and lean it against a wheel , whose sole is about a foot broad , covered with latine made rough like a greater . this wheel is turned about with the foot , as cutlers use to turn theirs , and as it grates the root , it falls down into a large trough which is appointed to receive it . this they put into a strong piece of double canvas , or sack-cloth , and press it so hard , that all the juice is squeezed out , and then drying it in the sun , its fit to make bread , which they do after this manner . they have a plate of iron round , about twenty inches in the diameter , a little hollowed in the mid'st , with three feet like a pot , above six inches high , that they may keep fire under . they heat this pone ( as they call it ) so hot as that it may bake but not burn . then the indians ( who are best acquainted with the making of it ) cast the meal upon the pone the whole breadth of it , and put it down with their hands , and it will presently stick together , and when they think that that side is enough , they turn it with a thing like a battle-dore ; and so turn and re-turn it till it be enough , which is presently done . then laying it upon a flat boord , they make others , till they have made enough for the whole family . they make it as thin as a wafer , and yet purely white and crisp . salt they never use in it , though probably it would give it a better relish . they can hardly make py-crust of it ; for as they knead , or roul it , it will crack or chop , so that it will not hold any liquor , neither with , nor without butter or eggs. there is another sort of bread which is mixed , being made of the flower of maise , and cussary : for the maise of its self will make no bread , it is so extream heavy : but these two being mixed , they make it into large cakes two inches thick , which tastes most like to our english bread. yet the negroes use the maise another way . for they tost the ears of it at the fire , and so eat it warm off the fire . the christian servants are fed with this maise , who pound it in a large morter , and boil it in water to the thickness of frumentry , and then put it into a tray and so eat it ; they give it them cold , and scarce afford them salt to it ; this they call lob-lolly . the third sort of bread which they use , is only potatoes , which are the dryest , and largest which they can choose , and this is the most common sort of bread used at the planters tables . of their drink . their drink is of sundry sorts . the first , and that which is most used in the island is mobby ; a drink made of potatoes ; thus , they put the potatoes into a tub of water , and with a broom wash them clean ; then taking them out , they put them into a large brass or iron pot , and put to them so much water as will only cover a third part of them , then covering the pot close with a thick double cloth , that no steam can get out , they stew them over a gentle fire , and when they are enough , take them out , and with their hands squeeze and break them very small in fair water , letting them stand till the water hath drawn all the spirits out of the roots , which will be done in an hour or two . then they put the liquor and roots into a large linnen bag , and let it run through that into a jar , and within two hours it will begin to work : and the next day it's fit to be drunk ; and as they will have it stronger or weaker , they put in a greater or a less quantity of roots . this drink being temperately made , doth not at all fly up into the head , but is sprightly , thirst-cooling drink . if it be put up into runlets , it will last four or five dayes , and drink the quicker . it is much like renish wine on the must. there are two several layers wherein these roots grow ; the one makes the skins of the potatoes white , the other red , and the red roots make the drink red like claret wine , the other white . this is the most general drink used in the island , but it breeds hydropick humours . another drink they have which is much wholsomer , though not altogether so pleasant , which they call perino , much used by the indians , which is made of the cussavy root . this they cause their old toothless women to chaw in their mouthes , and so spit into water , which in three or four hours will work and purge it self of the poisonous quality . this drink will keep a moneth or two , and drink somewhat like our english beer . grippo is a third sort of drink , but few make it well , and it 's rarely used . punch is a fourth sort , which is made of water and sugar mixt together , which in ten dayes standing will be very strong , and fit for labourers . a fifth is made of wild plumbs which they have in great abundance upon very large trees . these they press and strain , and they have a very sharp and fine flavour : but this being troublesome in making is seldom used . but the drink made of the plantane is far beyond all these . these they gather when they are full ripe , and in the heighth of their sweetness , and peeling off the skin , they wash them in water well boiled ; and after they have stood a night , they strain it , and bottle it up , and at a weeks end drink it . it s a very strong and pleasant drink , as strong as sack , and will fly up into the head , and therefore must be used moderately . the seventh sort of drink they make of the skimmings of their sugar , which is exceeding strong , but not very pleasant : this is commonly , and indeed too much used , many being made drunk by it . this they call kill-devil . the eighth sort of drink they call beveridge , made of spring-water , white-sugar , and juice of oringes . and this is not only pleasant , but wholesome . the last and best sort of drink which the world affords , is the incomparable wine of pines . and this is made of the pure juice of the fruit it self without mixture of water , or any thing else , having in it self a natural compound of all the most excellent tasts that the world can yield . i'ts too pure to keep long . it will be fine within three or four dayes . they make it by pressing the fruit , and straining the liquor , and keep it in bottles . three sorts of meat . they have several sorts of meat there , whereof the hoggs-flesh is the most general , and indeed the best which the island affords . for the swine feeding daily upon fruit , the nuts of locust , pompianes , the bodies of the plantanes , bonanas , sugar-canes , and maise , make their flesh to be exceeding sweet . at the first coming of the english thither , they found hoggs of four hundred pound weight , the intrals taken out , and their heads cut off . beef they seldome have any that feeds upon that island , except it die of it self : only such a planter as was sir james drax ( who lived there like a prince ) may now and then kill one . turkies they have large , fat and full of gravy . also our english pullen , and muscovy ducks , which being larded with the fat of their pork , and seasoned with pepper and salt , is an excellent bak'd meat . turtle doves they have of two sorts , and very good meat . there are also pidgeons which come from the lee-ward islands in september , and stay till christmas to feed upon fruits . many of these they kill upon the trees , and they are exceeding fat , and tast excellently . tame rabbets they have , but they tast faintly , more like chickens then rabbets . they have also divers sorts of birds , but none that they use for food . of their fish. now for fish , the island want not plenty about it , yet the planters look so much after their profit on the land , that they will not spare time to catch it , nor to send to the bridge to buy that which is caught to their hands . but when any have a mind to feast themselves with fish , they go to the taverns at the bridge where they have plenty , and well drest . butter they seldom have that will beat thick ; but instead thereof they use vineger , spice , and fry much of their fish in oyl , and eat it hot ; yet some they pickle , and eat it cold . yet collonel humphrey walrond having his plantation near the sea , hath a saine to catch fish withall , which his own servants and slaves put to sea twice or thrice a week , and bring home store of small and great fishes , as snappers red and gray , cavallos , macarel , mullets , cony-fish , and divers other sorts of firm and sweet fish ; and some bigger then salmons , of the rarest colours that can be imagined , being from the back fin which is the middle of the fish , to the end of the tail , of a most pure grass green , as shining as satin : the fins and tail dappled with a most rare hair-colour ; and from the back fin to the head , a pure hair-colour dappled with green . the scales as big as an half crown piece . it is an exccent sweet fish ; only there is one kind of fish here wanting , which are very rife in the adjacent islands , which is the green turtle , which the best meat that the sea affords . in other places they take an infinite number of them by turning them upon their backs with staves , where they lie till they are fetcht away . a large turtle will have in her body half a bushel of eggs. when they are to kill one of them , they lay it on his back upon a table , and when he sees them come with a knife to kill him , he vapours out the most grievous sighs that ever you heard creature make , and sheds as large tears as a stag. he hath a joynt or crevis about an inch within the utmost edge of his shell , into which they put the knife and rip up his belly , which they call his calipee , and take out his bowels , and heart , which had three distinct points , and this being laid in a dish will stir and pant ten hours after the fish is dead : it 's of a delicate taste and very nourishing . of the quelquechoses . the quelquechoses with which they furnish out their tables at a feast are , eggs potcht , and laid upon sippets soaked in butter , and juice of limes and sugar , with plumpt currans strewed upon them , and cloves , mace , cinamon strewed upon that , with a little salt. eggs boiled , rosted , and fried with collops . buttered eggs , and amulet of eggs , with the juice of limes and sugar , a fraize , and a tansie , custards and cheese cakes , puffs , cream boiled to a heighth with yolks of eggs , and seasoned with sugar and spice , jelly which they make of a young pig , caves-feet , and a cock ; cream alone , and some several wayes with the help of limes , lemmons , and oranges ; and into some they put plantanes , gnavers , and bonanoes stew'd , or preserved with sugar , and the same fruit also preserved without cream , and to draw down a cup of wine , they have dried neats tongues , westfalia-bacon , caviare , pickled-herring , botargo , all which are brought to them . from old and new england , virginia , and holland they have beef , and pork ; as al ling , haberdine , cod , poor - john , makarels , and herrings pickled , and sturgeon . pickled turtles they have from the lee-ward islands . of these things they have had in these latter years such store , that the negroes are allowed for each man two makarels a week , and every woman one , which are given them saturday-nights , after which they have their allowance of plantanes , which is every one a large bunch or two two little ones to serve them for a weeks provision . and if any cattel die by chance , or by any disease , the christian servants eat the bodies , and the negroes the skins , head , and intrals , which is divided to them by the overseers . if a horse dies , the negroes have the whole bodies , and this they think a high feast , with which poor souls were never better contented : and the drink which the servants have to this diet , is nothing but mobby , and sometimes a little beveridge ; but the negroes have nothing but water . when the chief planters make a feast for their friends , it s either made by such as live within land , or neer the sea side . for this inland plantation , my author instanceth in sir james draxe , at whose table he hath seen these several sorts of meat well dressed : and this feast was alwayes made when he killed a beef , which he fed very fat , by allowing it a dozen acres of bonavist to feed in . first , he mentions beef as the greatest rarity in that island of which he had these dishes ; a rump boiled , a chine rosted , a large piece of the breast rosted , a cheek baked , the tongue and part of the tripes in minced-pies , feasoned with sweet herbs finely minced , suet , spice and corrans . the leggs , pallats , and other ingredients for an oleo podigro , and maribones . the guests having eaten well hereof , the dishes were taken away , and then came in a potato-pudding , a dish of scotch collips , of a legg of pork , fricacy of the same , a dish of boiled chickens , a shoulder of a young goat ; a kid with a pudding in his belly , a young pigg exceeding fat and sweet ; a shoulder of mutton which is there a rare dish : a pastry made of the side of a young goat , and a side of a young porket upon it , well seasoned with pepper , salt , and some nutmegs : a loin of veal , to which they have plenty of oringes , lemons , and limes ; three young turkies in a dish , two capons very large and fat , two hens with eggs in a dish ; four ducklings , eight turtle doves , and three rabbets ; and for cold baked meats , two muscovy ducks larded and seasoned with pepper and salt : and when these are taken from the table , another course is set on , of westphalia bacon , dried neats tongues , botargo , pickled oysters , caviare , anchoves , olives , and mixt amongst these , custards , cream , some alone , some with preserved plantanes , bonanoes , gnavers , and these fruits preserved by themselves ; cheesecakes , puffs , sometimes tansies , fraises , or amulets : and for raw fruit , plantaxes , bonanoes . gnavers , milions , prickled pears , anchove pears , prickled apples , custard apples , water milions , and pines , better then all the rest . and to this they had for drink , mobby , beveridge , brandy , kill-devil , drink of the plantanes , claret , white , and rhenish wine , sherry , canary , red sack , wine of fiall , besides several sorts of spirits that come from england . now for a plantation neer the sea , he instances in collonel walronds , who though he wants sheep , goats , and beef , yet he makes a plentiful supply in sundry sorts of fish , which the other wants . for all other sorts of meat which were at sir james draxe his table , he found at collonel walronds , as also mullets , maquerels , parrat-fish , snappers , red and grey , carallos , terbums , crabs , lobsters , long fish , with divers others for which they have no names . besides he dwelling so neer the haven , hath of all the rarities that are brought into the island from other parts ; as wine of all kinds , oyl , olives , capers , sturgeon , neats-tongues , anchoves , caviare , botago , with all sorts of salt meats , both flesh and fish ; as beef , pork , pease , ling , habberdine , cod , poor - john , &c. above one hundred sail of ships come yearly to this island that bring servants and slaves , men and women , horses , beasts , asinegoes , and cammels ; utensils for boiling of sugar ; and all manner of tools for tradesmen , iron , steel , lead , brass , pewter : cloth of all sorts both linen and woollen , stuffs , hats , stockings , shooes , gloves , swords , knives , locks , &c. and many other things . and they carry back indigo , cotten-wool , tobacco , sugar , ginger , and fustick wood . of their several sorts of timber . timber for building they have great choice and plenty : as the locust trees which are so long and big as may serve for beams in a very large room , their bodies are strait , above fifty foot long , the diameter of the body about three foot and a half : the timber hereof is hard , heavy , and firm , not apt to bend , and lasting . the mastick trees not altogether so large as the former , but tougher . the bully tree is somewhat less , but in other qualities goes beyond the former . it 's strong , lasting , yet not heavy , nor so hard for the tools to work upon . the red wood , and yellow prickled wood are good timber , and higher then the locusts . the cedar is the best of all , it works smooth , and looks beautifully ; of it they make wainscot , tables , and stools . they have iron wood , and another sort that will endure wet and dry : of these they make shingles , wherewith they cover their houses , because it will neither warp nor crack . of their stone . they have two sorts of stone for building : the one lies in quarries ; but these are small rough , and somewhat porous : being burnt they make excellent lime , white , and firm , by the help whereof they bind their stones and make them to endure the weather . the other sort of stone they find in rocks , and massy pieces in the ground which are soft , and therefore they saw them to what dimensions they please , and the longer it lies above ground the harder it grows . hangings they use not in their houses , because they would be spoiled by the ants , eaten by the cockroaches , and rats . of their servants and slaves . in the island are three sorts of men , master , servants , and slaves . the slaves and their posterity being subject to their masters for ever , they take more care of them then of their servants , which are theirs but for five years by the law of the island . so that for the time the servants have the worser lives : for they are put to hard labour , ill lodging , and slighted diet . formerly the servants had no bone-meat at all , except a beast died , and then they were feasted as long as that lasted . till they had planted good store of plantans the negroes were fed with bonavisto , and lob-lolly , and some ears of maise tosted ; but now they are well pleased with their plantans , wherein they much delight , and thus they dress it . it 's gathered for them before it's full ripe , by the keeper off the plantan groves , who is an able negro , and laid upon heaps till they fetch them away , which they do every saturday night about five a clock ; for then they give over work sooner then ordinary , partly for this work , and partly because the fire in the furnace is to be put out , and the ingenio to be made clear ; besides they are to wash , shave , and trim themselves against the sabbath . it is a fine sight to see an hundred of these negroes , men and women , every one with a grass-green bunch of plantans on their heads , every bunch twice so big as their heads , all marchin gone after another . having brought it home , they pill off the skin of so much as they will use , and boil it , making it into balls , and so eat it . one bunch a week is a negroes allowance , which they have no bread , nor drink but water , their lodging at night is a boord , with nothing under , nor any thing above upon them . the usage of the christian servants is much as the master is , whether merciful , or cruel . such as are merciful , use their servants well , both in meat , drink , and lodging . but the lives of such servants as have cruel masters , is most miserable . when any ships bring servants thither , the planters buy such of them as they like , and with a guide send them to their plantations , where they must presently build them a cabin , or else lie upon the ground . these cabins are made with sticks , wit hs , and plantane leaves , under some little shade that may keep off the rain . the food is a few potatoes for meat , and water or mobby for drink . at six of the clock in the morning they are rung out to work with a bell , with a rigid overseer to command them , till the bell ring again at eleven of the clock , and then they go to dinner , either with a mess of lob-lolly bonavist , or potatoes . at one of the clock they are rung out again , where they work till six , and then home to a supper of the same . but now their lives are much better ; for most servants lie in hamocks , in warm rooms , and when they come home wet from work , they have shifts of shirts and drawers , which is all the clothes they wear , and are fed with bone-meat twice or thrice in a week . of their great fires . sometimes through carelesness of servants , whole fields of sugar canes , and houses have been burnt down : for if the canes take fire , there is no quenching of them , they burn so furiously , and make a terrible noise ; for each knot of every cane , gives as great a report as a pistol . there is no way to stop it but by cutting down , and removing all the canes before it for the breadth of twenty or thirty foot down the wind ; and there the negroes stand and beat it out as it creeps along ; and some of them are so earnest to stop it , as with their naked feet to tread , and to roll their naked bodies upon it , so little do they regard their own smart in regard of their masters benefit . when negroes are brought to be sold , the planters go to the ship to buy them , where they find them stark naked , and therefore cannot be deceived in any outward infirmity . the strongest , youngest , and most beautiful yield the best prizes ; thirty pound is the price for the best , and about twenty five pound for a woman negro ; children are much cheaper . they are very chast people . for when at sometimes they are altogether naked , they will not so much as cast their eyes upon those parts which ought to be covered . jealous they are of their wives , and , and take it hainously if any make the least courtship to them . and if any woman hath two children at a birth , her husband provides a cord to hang her , concluding that she hath been false to his bed : and if by the authority of his master , he be overawed , yet he never loves her after . the planters allow some of them two or three wives , but no women above one husband . when a wife is brought to bed , the husband removes into another room , leaving his wife upon a boord on which she lies , and calls a neighbour to her , who makes her a little fire near her feet , and that serves for possets , broths , and candles . in a fortnight she is at her work again with her pickaninny ( so they call their children ) at her back , as merry as any other . they have times of suckling their children , and refreshing themselves in the fields ; and good reason , for they carry a burden on their backs , and work too . some of them when their children are three years old , as they stoop in their weeding-work , will set their pickaninnies a stride on their backs , where he will spur his mother with his heels , and crow on her back , clapping his hands as if he meant to fly , which the mother is so well pleased with , that she will continue her painful stooping work longer then she would do , rather then discompose her jovial pickaninny , so glad she is to see him merry . the sabbath dayes they have wholly to their pleasures : in the afternoons they have kettle-drums to make them musick , and they all go to dancing , the men by themselves , and the women by themselves , and sometimes the men wrestle amongst themselves . when any of them die , they make a grave , and bury him in the evening , clapping their hands , and making a doleful sound with their voices . they are cowardly , and therefore bloody , when they have advantages . if you threaten before you punish them , they will hang themselves to avoid the punishment . if they have bruises or strains , they anoint themselves with a kind of oyl that comes out of barbary that cures them . when they are sick , or inwardly distempered , a little kill-devil revives , and comforts them . the young maids have usually large breasts that stand strutting out , hard and firm , but when they are old , and have had children , their breasts hang down below their navels . they are excellent swimmers and divers , both men and women . some indians they have from the neighbouring islands , or from the continent , whose women are better versed in ordering the cussavy , and making bread then the negroes ; as also for making mobby . the men they use for foot-men , and killing of fish. one of them will go out with his bows and arrows , and in a dayes time will kill more fish then will serve a family of a dozen persons whil'st it is good . they are very active and learn any thing sooner then the negroes : their women have small breasts , long black hair : clothes they scorn to wear , especially if they be well shaped , only they wear something before their privities . one of these women being got with child by a christian servant , when the time of her travel came , being loth to be delivered amongst the men , went alone to a wood , where was a pond of water , by which she was delivered , and washing her child in the water , within three hours came home again with her child in her arms , which was a lusty boy . some of the planters feed daily two hundred mouthes , and keep them in such good order , as there is no mutinies amongst them , though they be of several nations . their first work is weeding , which if it be neglected but a little time , all is in danger of being spoiled . after weeding comes planting , especially in may , and november : but canes may be planted at all times , that so one field may be ready after another . commonly one field contains about twelve acres . of their beasts and cattel . some camels they have which are brought to them , and they are very useful for carrying down sugar to the bridge , or bringing from thence hogsheads of wine , beer , or vineger , which horses cannot do , neither can carts pass , the wayes are so rocky and uneven . one of these will carry one thousand six hundred pound weight , and therefore the surest of any beast . some horses they have which are brought from several countries , and they use them either for the ingenio , or for the saddle . some bulls and cows they have from the isle of may , and bonavista . the bulls and oxen they use for labour in the ingenio's , and the cows for the pail . a calf here will bring a calf in fourteen moneths . asinegoes they have which are of excellent use for carrying sugar to the bridge : for they will go where horses cannot , by reason of the gullies , and deep wayes : one of them will carry one hundred and fifty pound weight , and some two hundred . hogs they have in abundance which they keep ininclosures ; and they use to sell them alive for d. a pound , and sometime for d. if they be dear . sheep they have but few , neither do they thrive in that pasture . yet the ews have constantly two lambs , but their flesh doth not eat well . some sheep they have from guinny , and binny , that have hair instead of wooll , and their flesh is more like to mutton then the other . goats they have in great plenty , and they prosper well , and tast like our goats : they live in the woods , and are always inclosed . of their birds and fowls . birds they have , but two sorts worth the mentioning . the biggest is a buzzard , somewhat less then ours , and swifter of wing ; the only good they do , is , that they sometimes kill rats . the other is the larger turtle dove , of which there is great store . it 's handsomer both in shape and colour then ours in england , and is very good meat . there is also a lesser turtle , a far finer bird then she . it 's of the shape of a partridge , her colour grey , and a red brown under the wings . there is also a bird like a thrush , of a melancholly look , and her feathers stand alwayes ruffling ; she hath loud and very sweet notes . another there is much like a ren , but as big as a trush , she alwayes looks very merry and jolly . there are great flocks of blackbirds with white eyes , they have a harsh note like our jayes in england : they are great devourers of corn , and blossoms of trees . they have a kind of stares which walk , but hop not as other birds do . they have other like feldefares with big heads , and therefore they call them councellers , they have a strange tune , consisting of quarter notes , composed of five tones , and every one a quarter note higher then the other . they have sparrows , haysocks , finches , yellow-hammers , titoies , and divers others , for which they have no names : and the humming bird , not much bigger then a humble bee , wheerof i have one . sometimes teals come to their ponds , which they kill with their guns . the like they do with fowls called oxen and kine . there is another that they call a man of war , much bigger then a heron , and flies out to sea to see what ships are coming , and when he returns , they know that ships are neer . there are bats that come abroad in the evening and feed on flies . of snakes and insects . there are some snakes of a yard long ; the harm they do is in dove-houses , into which if they can get , they devour the young ones ; and they will skim the milk-pans when they can get to them . there is no venomous beast in the island . there are scorpions some as big as rats , smooth , and coloured like a snake , their bellies inclining to yellow , very nimble and quick , they hurt none ; the snakes and they will fight long , and in the end the snake prevails , and devours the other . frogs and toads they have none . there would be lizzards but that the cats kill them ; they love much to be where men are , and will gaze in their faces , and hearken to their discourse ; their bodies are about four inches long , and their tails neer as much , headed like a snake in their colour , when they please , a pure grass-green on the back , blewish towards the sides , and yellowish towards the belly , and four nimble legs , and as cold as froggs . they have cock-roaches of the bigness and shape of a beetle , of a pure hair-colour ; they appear in the evening , and they will fly to your bed , and if you be sleeping , he will bite till he fetches blood , and presently begon , that you seldom find them . the muskitoes bites and string worse then gnats . next to these are merriwings , and of so evial a substance , that you can hardly discern them but by the noise of their wings ; when they sting , there arises a little knob which will continue so a whole day . caterpillers sometimes they have in great abundance , which do much harm , devouring the potato-plants to the very roots . flies they have of so many kinds , from two inches long with great horns to the least atome , so that it 's too tedious to speak of them all . they have ants and pismires of a small size , but of a great industry ; they are every where , in hollow ground amongst the root of trees , upon the bodie , branches , leaves , and fruit of all trees ; without houses , within their houses , upon their sides , walls , windows , roofs , tables , cupboords , stools , beds , floors , all within and without are covered with them . when they find a dead cockroch , though he be bigger then a hundred of them , yet they will take hold of him and lift him up , and away they carry him , some going by to assist those that are weary ; some ( like officers ) lead the way to shew the hole into which he must pass , and if his body do lie a cross that it cannot go into the hole , they give notice to the carriers , that presently turn his body endwise before it come to the hole , and that without any stop , and they never pull contrary wayes . the planters which are so curious to prevent their coming upon their tables , cupboards , and beds , have little troughs filled with water for the feet of these to stand in ; yet all will not prevail , for they will get in the scieling , and so fall down upon them . to keep them from the shelves on which their meat stands , they are forced to hang them to the roof with ropes , and to tar those ropes and the roofs over them . when a carpet upon a table is covered over with them , if you kill many , and let them alone but a while , they will carry away all the dead ones . if you set sugar upon a table which you have first freed from them , some in the room will presently smell it , and make towards it as fast as they can , and having found it , return again without medling with it , and gives notice of this booty , and then they come in thousands and ten thousands , and in an instant fetch it all away ; so that there is no place safe from these over-busie creatures . another sort of ants there are far larger , that make their nests as big as bee-hives , of clay against a wall or tree , and sometimes within houses , they make them of several little cels . these the cockrocha , and lizards make their prey upon ; wherefore for their own security , they make several galleries , some of five or six yards long of clay also , through which they pass undiscovered : their avenues go out amongst laaves or moss , that they may not be perceived : by often breaking down their nests , they are now most of them driven into the woods . spiders they have , most beautiful and large , and very curious in their webs , and not venomous . another harmful creature they call chegoes , in shape not much unlike a lowse , no bigger then a mite that breeds in cheese , their colour is blewish ; they get through your stockings into a place of you skin , most commonly under the nailes of your toes , and they lay their off-spring as big as a small tare , which will make you go very lamely , and put you to much smarting pain . the indian women will put in a small needle at the hole , and winding the point about the bag , loosen him from the flesh , and so take him out , but the place will fester and rankle a fortnight after they are gone . some little animals there are in the woods no bigger then crickets , that lie all day in holes , but after sun setting they begin their tunes , having exceeding shrill voices like a pack of small beagles . this musick hath no intermission till morning , and then all is hush't . there are many small crabs that live upon the land , of a reddish colour , they are coming from the sea all the year long ( excepting march ) and hide themselves in holes , and hollow trees , and come into their houses and gardens , where they eat herbs . the negroes will eat them , and count them good meat . in march they come all out of their holes and march to the sea in such multitudes as that they cover the earth : no hedge , wall , or house can stop them , but they will over all . now for trees . amongst the trees , there is none of more use then the physick nut , and yet hath it poison secretly lodged in it , but that poison makes good physick : this tree grows to be eighteen foot high ; there are none like it for beauty , and use in the island . it hath many sprigs upon it of four , five , and six foot long , which they lop off one after another , and of them make stakes of above four long , and stick them in the ground an inch deep , close to one another , and keep them even with a rail on either side , and in a moneths space they will take root , and send forth leaves ; and in another moneth will be rooted so fast , that they take away the the railes . these leaves are large , smooth , and beautifully shaped , of a full green , looking like green sattin hang'd on a line , so even they hang naturally . their stems grow apace , rather in bigness then in heighth , and within a while imbody themselves one into another , and then they become a very strong fence , and so close that a rat cannot pass through them , neither will cattel or vermin willingly come near them . and as it 's a beautiful and useful fence for gardens and orchards , and to keep in conies , turkies , muscovy-ducks , so it excellently fences in their pastures which they would inclose . their fruit also is phisical : five of its kernels eaten in a morning fasting , causes both vomits and stools . this nut is like to a white pear-plumb , and of a yellowish colour , and of yellowish colour , having on it as great a peelp as a plumb , which being taken off , you come to the stone of a blackish colour , and within that is a kernel that will part in the middle , where you shall find a thin film of a faint carnetion colour . take off that film , and you may eat the kernel safely without any operation at all , and it 's as sweet as a jordans almond . the leaves are sharp some like a vine leaf , but thrice as big , and much thicker . the poison tree is very beautiful , almost as large as the locust : her leaves as large and beautiful as the lawrel leaves , and very like them . as they cut down these trees they have cipers over their faces : for if any of their sap flies into their eyes , it makes them blind for a moneth after . of this timber they make most of the vessels wherein they cure their sugar . there is a mantionel tree whose fruit is poison . the fruit is like an apple john , and ( they say ) that the indians invenom their arrows with it . the cussavy is rather a shrub then a tree , the sprigs as big as a broom-staff , crooked and ill shaped ; the leaves grow so thick as to cover them , and they grow in bunches , each of them an inch broad , and six or seven inches long , of a dark green. the growth of the roots , and the use of them is set down before . coloquintida is a very beautiful fruit , as big as an ostrages egg , of an ill taste , the rind smooth , with various greens interlaced with murries , yellows , and faint carnations . cassia fistula is a tree which grows exceeding fast . a seed of it being set will in one year grow to be eight foot high , and as thick as a walking staff . the leaf is like that of an ash , but much longer , and of a darker colour . the fruit when it 's ripe is of shape like a black puddling , sometimes sixteen inches long , the pulp of it is progatine , and a great cooler of the reins . there is a plant very like a sugar cane : if it be chewed in the mouth , it causes the tongue and throat so to swell , that the party cannot speak for two dayes . there are tammerine trees , and palm trees planted which were brought from the east-india . the palm yields excellent wine , which is thus gathered : they cut off the bark in such a part of the tree , where a bottle may be fitly placed , and the liquor that runs into it , is excellent good for a day , and no longer . it 's a very delicious liquor . the fig-trees are very large , but bear a small and contemptible fruit , neither are the leaves like ours , nor so long by a fifth part . the bodies of the trees are as long as our elms. the cherry tree is not altogether so large , the fruit is useless and insiped ; the colour some resembling our cherries , and the shape not unlike . the citron is a small tree , though she bears a great fruit , which weighs it down to the ground , the stalk of a dark colour , the leaf shaped like that of limon , but of a dark green . the orange trees do not prosper so well , neither is their fruit so kindly as those of bermudas : large they are , and full of juice , but not delicious ; besides ther full of seeds , and their rinds thin and pale . these trees do not last in their prime above seven years . the limon tree is much handsomer and larger ; their fruits is large and full of juice , and of a fragrant smell . the lime tree is like a thick holly-bush in england , and as full of prickles . when they make a hedge of them about their houses , it 's an excellent fence both against the negroes , and cattel . it 's commonly of seven or eight foot high , extreamly thick of leaves , and fruit , and prickles . the leaves and fruit like those of the limon-tree , yet in the tast of rind , and juice it differs exceedingly . it 's very fit for sauce , but eats not well alone . the prickled apple-tree grows on a tree with very thick leaves , large and of a deep green , shaped like our walnut leaves . the fruit is in fashion in heart of an oke , and of that bigness ; green on the outside with many prickles on it . the tast is very like that of a musty limon . the pilchard pear is much purer in tast , and better of shape , not much unlike a greenfield pear , of a faint green , inter mixed with some yellow near the stalk : the body of a mixt red , partly crimson , partly stammel , with prickles of yellow near the top , the end being larger then the middle . the pomgranate is a beautiful tree , the leaves small and green , mixed with an olive colour ; the blossoms large , well shaped , and of a pure scarlet colour . the young trees being set in rows , and kept in with cutting , make a very fine hedge . the fruit is well known amongst us . the papa is but a small tree ; the bark of a faint willow colour , the leaves large , and of colour like the bark ; the branches grow out four , or five of one heighth , and spread almost level from the place where they sprang out ; about two foot higher are such other branches spreading in the same manner . the top is handsomly formed , the fruit as big turnips , growing close to the body of the tree where the branches grow , and of somewhat a fainter willow colour . the tree is soft , with a knife a man may cut down one that is as thick as a mans legg . they boil the the fruit , and eat it for sauce with pork like turnips . the gnaver-tree is bodied and shaped like a cherry-tree , the leaves somewhat larger and stiffer ; the fruit of the bigness of a small limon , and near of the colour , only the upper end is somewhat blunter : it 's soft and of a delicate tast , within is a pulpy substance full of small seeds , like a figg , some are white , and some of a stammel colour . these when they have passed through the body of man or beast , wheresover they are emptied , they grow , and do much hurt in the pastures where cattel go that eat of them : for they over run all , and are hardly rooted out . the fruit differs in tast , some rank , some sweet . the rind preserved is delicate meat . some cocos there are , they are seldom above eighty or ninety foot high . their branches come out in several parts of the trees , leaving spaces between the several heights : the nuts grow where the lower bows break out : the nuts are of several sizes , mostly as big as a foot-ball , having a green skin without ▪ and between that and the shell a pulpy substance , of which when it 's dry they make ropes , being like hemp hurds . the shell is full of a clear and well-tasted liquor , very delicious ; it 's lined within with a substance as thick as itself , of a white colour that tasts better then a walnut : the leaves of this tree in colour are like the olive leaves . the custard apple grows on a tree full of branches , and large leaves : the fruit when ripe , is as big as the largest pomwater , and of the colour of a warden ; they cut a hole in the lesser end , and so eat out the meat with a spoon : it tasts exceeding like to a custard . it hath many smooth seeds in it . the macow-tree is one of the strangest trees in the island , the body and branches being stuck all over with prickles , as black as jet , from one to seven inches long , sharp at point , and taperwise all the way , and waved as some swords are ; they are hard and excellent for tooth-pikes . the tree is of the size of a willow-tree , the leaves of that colour and shape , but very stiff and hard . at the top is a large tuft of fruit , but not to be eaten , being for shape like that which the ciprus-tree bears : the body is straight , the branches comely , and the top round . date-trees are in colour like these , but the leaves longer . the mangrave , though she be not tall , yet is she of large extent . for there drops from her limbs a kind of gum which hangs together till it touch the ground , and then it takes root : so that this tree so multiplies , that a troop of horse may well hide themselves in it . of the bark they make very strong ropes : and the indians spin it into a fine thred as flax make . of it they make hamocks , and divers things which they wear . the calibash-tree bears leaves , of a full and rich green , and in great plenty ; her fruit is as big as that of a coco , but not to be eaten : round as a ball , and green , smooth , and shining : they grow close to the body of the tree , or boughs , without stalks . of this round fruit they make dishes , bowls , and cups , and other utensils . they look very beautiful on the tree . there are bay-trees whose leaves are so aromatick , as three or four of them will amply supply the place of cloves , mace , and cinamon in dressing any dish of meat . it 's in shape and colour like ours in england . the cedar is the most useful timber in the island . it 's strong , lasting , and not very heavy , and therefore good for building . it works smoothly , and hath a fair grain , and therefore is much used for wainscot , chairs , stools , and other utensils ; the leaves are like those of the ash-trees in england , but somewhat bigger . the mastick-tree is very tall , but the body is slender , and therefore to support her , she hath spurs above seven foot from the ground , fixt into the body , and reach from the tree to the roots : so broad that they make round tables of them , above three foot and an half in the diameter . this tree hath commonly a double top , one side being somewhat higher then the other . the fruit is of a stammel colour , and hath neither skin nor stone , and is unwholsome . the leaves of it grow of such an heighth , that the form cannot be discerned till they fall down . some of these trees are about sixty foot high . the bully-tree is somewhat less , but excellent wood to work on : it bears a fruit like our bullies . her body is strait , and well shap't , her branches proportionable ; the timber very lasting . red-wood is an handsome tree of a midling size , the body about two foot and and an half in the diameter : the timber works so well that workmen commend it above all other . prickled yellow wood is as good as the red-wood , strong and lasting : good for building , and all work without doors . iron-wood is so extream hard , that it breaks the axes that fall it . it is so heavy that it is seldom used in buildings . it is good for any use without doors . for neither sun nor rain can soften it . it 's much used for coggs to the rollers . signum vitae , they use for the same purpose . they send much of it to england : where it 's used for bowls , cabinets , drinking cups , &c. the loust-tree is like a tuscane pillar , plain and massie : for the burden it bears being great and ponderous , ought to have a body proportionable thereunto . some of them are four foot in the diameter near the root , and . foot high growing taper-wise . the head is neither too heavy , nor too light , the branches large ; the springs , leaves , and nuts so thick , that one may lie upon them . the nuts are . inches and a half long , and two inches broad , and an inch thick : the shell somewhat thick , of an hair colour : the leaves bigger then those of our ashes . in every nut are three or four kernels . in times of famine poor people eat them for their sustenance . there is also a bastard locust-tree that looks fair , but will not last . the palmeto hath a body of fourty five or fifty foot high , the diameter , seldom above sixteen inches : the rind , of a poor ash color full of wrinkles ; the leaves about two foot and a half long , in bunches as if twenty long flag-leaves were tied together by the broad ends : with bundles of these they thatch houses very neatly , which is dry , warm , and lasting . the palmeto royal is the stateliest tree that grows on earth , for beauty and largeness not to be parallel'd . when she is about ten or twelve years old , she is about seventeen foot high ; that part which touches the ground is round like 〈◊〉 inkhorn , above which the body of the tree is less , like that part which holds the pen. the body is tawny , and purple , with rings of white and green mixed , that go round about , and stand at six inches distance . about six foot and an half high , grow the bottom of the stalks , thin as parchment , enwrapping one another so close , as to make a continued stem of the same bigness for two foot and an half above the others , every one of those skins bearing a stalk which lessens insensibly from the skin to the point . these branches are of several lengths , the most inward are the highest ; and each stalk is adorned with leaves , and each of these leaves sharp at either end ; the stem is of a pure grass green shining like velom , and all the branches with the leaves of a full grass green , and speading every way , and the highest of them eight foot above the stem . the branches sprout from the middle of tree , one at once , and as it opens it spreads the leaves abroad , at which time the eldest branch withers , and hangs down till the wind blows it off . then comes forth another , and another , and still there is a pike , and a dead leaf , a pike and a dead leaf as the tree growes higher and higher , which is till she be one hundred years old . about thirty or fourty yeas old she begins to bear her fruit , which is of the bigness of large grapes , some green , some yellow , some purple , and then they are ripe when they come to be purple , and fall down ; and then the green turns yellow , and the yellow purple , and so take their turns till the tree gives over bearing . these trees grow till some of them be two hundred , yea three hundred foot high . the top of this tree is of a vast extent , for from the point of the branches on the one side , to the point of the stalk on the other side is seventy eight foot , yet are none of the roots of this tree bigger then a swans quil ; but there are many of them , and they fasten themselves in the rock which makes the tree , though so high , and big , able to stand against all wind and weather . the wood of this tree is so hard and tough , that it breakes the axes of those those that fell it . there are many other sorts of trees , some exceeding large aud beautiful , for which they have no names . of plants . the ginger is a root that brings forth blades like the blades of wheat , but broader , and thicker : they are of a popinary colour , and the blossome of a pure scarlet . when the ginger is ripe , they dig it up , being the root , and scrape off the outward skin to kill the spirits of it , for else it would grow perpetually . others scald it to kill the spirits , and that will be black and hard as wood , whereas the scraped ginger is white , and soft , and hath a cleaner , and quicker tast . red pepper . there are two sorts of red pepper ; the one like coral , of a crimson and scarlet colour mixt : the fruit about three inches long , and shines more then the best polished coral . the other is of the same colour , and glisters as much , but is shaped like a large button of a cloake ; they have both the same quality ; so violently strong , that when they break but the skin , it causes them to cough for a quarter of an hour after the fruit is removed ; but whil'st they are grabling of it , they never give over . it grows on a little shrub no bigger then a goosbberry-bush . they have excellent good cucumbers from the beginning of november , to the end of february , they eat them cold with oyle , vineger , and pepper . but boiled or fried they use them for sauce with mutton , pork , turkies , and muscovy ducks . millions they have likewise for those four moneths : for the most part larger then ours in england , and eat moister . some of them are sixteen inches long . the water million is one of the goodliest fruits that grows : some as big as cloak-bags ; purely green , engravened with straw-colour . no inch of the rind is alike , and they are as smooth as polished glass ; within , they are like an apple for colour , but in tast waterish and wallowish . it 's rarely cooling and excellent against the stone . the seeds are of a pure purple ; they are full of these seeds . grapes they have which are indifferently well tasted , but they are never ripe together : there are alwayes some green , some ripe , and some rotten grapes in a bunch , and therefore they cannot make wine of them . the fruit of the plantane is of great use , and beauty too . in planting them they put a root into the ground six inches deep , and in a very short time there will come out three or four sprouts , whereof one hath the precedence . as this sprout grows , it springs from the intrinsick part of the stem , and the out leaves hang down and rot ; but still new ones come within , and rise up as the palmeto does , like a pike which opens with the sun , and becomes a leaf , and when it 's eight or ten foot high , the pikes and leaves will be of their full bigness , and so continue till the last sprout comes forth , which is the soul of the plant , and will never be a leaf : but is the stem upon which the fruit must grow . when the leaves come to their full bigness , they rot no more , but continue in their first beauty , a rich green with stripes of yellow . these leaves are most of them above six foot long , and two foot broad ; smooth , shining , and stiff as a lawrel leaf , falling from the middle to the end like a feather : and when it comes to the full heighth , the leaves will be fifteen or sixteen foot high , the stem upon which the fruit grows being a foot higher , with a green branch on the top , which branch is very heavy , and then the leaves open and shew the blossome , which is of a pure purple , and like a heart with the point downwards , being of a pound weight ; when this is fallen , the fruit grows . in six moneths space this plant will be grown , and the fruit ripe , which is pleasant , wholesome , and nourishing , yellow when it 's ripe : but the negroes desire it green , for they eat it boiled , and it 's the only food they live upon . when it 's gathered they cut down the plant , and give it to the hoggs , for it will grow no more . in three moneths another sprout will come to bear , and so another , and another for ever . groves they make of these plants of twenty acres of ground so planting them in every room that they can walk dry under the leaves , and be shaded from the sun. the wild plantane grows much as the other doth , but the leaves not so broad , and more upright : the fruit of a scarlet colour , and almost three square , but good for nothing . the bonano differs nothing from the plantane in the body and leaves , but only that the leaves are somewhat less , and the body hath here and there some blackish spots , the blossome no bigger then a large rose bud , of a faint purple and ash colour mixt , the stalk that bears it , is adorned with small blossomes , of several colours : the fruit stands upright like a bunch of puddings , each of them between four and five inches long . the fruit is sweeter then that of the plantane , and therefore the negroes will not meddle with it . it 's near as beautiful a trees as the ●antane . the pine is excellent in the superlative degree , both for beauty and tast . it s a full year before it bring forth ripe fruit , but when it comes to be eaten , nothing of rare tast that can be thought on that is not there . a slip taken from the body of this plant , and set in the ground , will not presently take root , but the crown that grows upon the fruit itself will sooner come to perfection . in a quarter of a year it will be a foot high , and the leaves about seven or eight inches long , appearing like a semicircle : the colour mostly frost upon green , intermixt with cornation , and the edges of the leaves have teeth like sawes . the leaves fall one over another , the points of the lowest touching the ground . in a quarter of a year more , the blossome appears on the top of the stem , as large as a great cornation , the colours , cornation , crimson , and scarlet , in streaks intermixt with yellow , blew , and peach colour-leaves , intermixed again with purple , sky-colour , orange-tauny , gridaline , and gingeline , white , and philamot : so that the flower represents the variety to the sight , which the fruit doth to the tast . when the flowers are fallen , there appears a little bunch of the bigness of a walnut , which hath in it all these colours mixt , which were disper'st in the leaves , and so it grows bigger for two moneths more ; when it 's perfect , it is of an oval form , and at the upper end grows out a crown of leaves much like the former in colour , but more beautiful . some of them six inches long ; the out leaves shorter by degrees . this fruit is inclosed with a rind , which begins with a skrew at the stalk , and so goes round to the top , or crown , gently rising , which screw is about a quarter of an inch broad , and the figures that are imbroidered upon it , near of the like dimension , and divisions between ; which divisions are never one over another in the screw , but are always under the middle of the figures above , which so vary in their colours , as that if you see one hundred pines , they are not like one another ; and every of those figures hath a little tuft , some green , some yellow , some ash-colour , and some carnation . there are two sorts of pines , the king and the queen-pine . the queen is far more delicate , and hath her colours of all greens , which shadows intermixt with faint cornations , but most of all , frost upon green , and sea-greens . the king-pine hath mostly all sorts of yellows shadowed with grass-greens . some of them are fourteen inches long , and six in the diameter : most of them having heavy bodies , and slender stalks , bowed down till they are on the ground . some of them have a dozen little ones round about the prime fruit , which are ripe by turns , and all very good . when it 's ripe it hath an admirable smell , when they come to eat them , they first cut off the crown , and send that to be planted : then they pare off the most beautiful rind , and cut the fruit into slices in a dish , and there issues out a liquor as clear as spring-water about six spoonful , which in tast is in a high degree delicious , and in eating the fruit , the delicate variety of tasts will change and flow so fast upon your pallat , as your fancy can hardly keep way with them , to distinguish the one from other . how they plant their sugar-canes . they dig a small trench of six inches broad , and as deep , in a straight line , the whole length of the ground where they plant them , then they lay two canes one by another along the bottom of the trench , and so continue them the whole lengh of the trenches , then they cover them with earth ; and at two foot distance they do the like , till they have planted all the field . but they plant not too much together , but so that it may ripen successively , that their work may come in in order , that they be not idle : for if they be not cut and used when they are ripe , they will rot . from these canes thus buried , comes forth a sprout at every knot . they begin to appear a moneth after their setting , and in a moneth more they are two foot high at the least , and in the mean time they weed them , and supply where there are any defects . these canes with their tops are about eight foot high , the bodies about an inch in the diameter ; the knots five or six inches distant one from the another . when they are ripe they cut them with little hand bills , six inches above the ground , and divide the tops from the canes ; and then holding the cane by the upper end , they strip off all the blades , which with the tops they give to their horses ; the canes they bind in faggots , and send them home upon asinegoes , each of them carrying three faggots ; two upon crooked sticks on the sides , and one in the middle . and these creatures being used to it , will of themselves go and come without a guide . the place where they unload them , is a little plat of ground near to the mill-house which they call a barbica . being laid in the barbica , they w●●k them out clean , not suffering them to grow stale ; for in two dayes the juice will turn sower , and spoil all ; and in the next place , they grind them with horses under three rollers , whose centers being of brass , steel , turn very easily : but when the canes are between the rollers , it 's a good draught for five oxen or two horses . in a little time then all the juice is pressed out , and then two negro girls take out the canes , and corry them away , laying them on a heap at a distance . under the rollers there is a reciever into which the liquor falls , and from thence by a pipe of lead , is carried into a cistern , which is near the stairs that goes down from the mill to the boyling-house . from thence it passes through a gutter to the clarifying copper : and as it clarifies in the first copper , and the scum rises , it 's conveyed to a second copper , where it 's again scummed , both which scums being very drossy , are thrown away ; but the skimming of the other three coppers are conveyed to the stilling-house , where it stands in cisterns till it be a little sowre . thus the liquor is refined from one copper to another , and the more coppers it passes through , the finer and purer it is . when it comes to the tach it must have much keeling and stirring , and as it boiles , they throw into the four last coppers a liquor made of water and wit hs , which they call temp , without which the sugar would be clammy and never kern . when it 's boiled enough , they poure two spoonfulls of sallet-oyl into the tach , and then it gives over to bubble , then after much keeling they take it out of the tach with ladles , and remove it into the cooling cistern . this work continues from monday morning till saturday night , without any intermission , day and night , with fresh supplies of men , horses , and cattel . the liquor being so cool as that it 's fit to put into pots ; first stopping the sharp end of the pots with plantane leaves , they fill them , and let it stand till it be cold , which will be in two dayes and two nights ; then they remove them into the trying-house , and pulling out the stopples ; the molosses runs out into a gutter that carries it into cisterns again , and that they call peneles , which is a sugar somewhat inferiour to muscovados , which will sweeten pretty well , and is of a reasonable good colour . when it 's well cured , they remove the pots from the curing room into the knocking room , and turning them upside down , they knock them till the sugar falls out , in which there are three sorts . the first is brown , frothy , and light ; the bottom is of a darker colour , gross and heavy , and full of molosses , both which they cut away and boil them again with molosses for peneles . the midle , which is more then two thirds of the whole , is a white colour , dry , and sweet , which they send to their storehouses at the bridge , there to be put in casks and chests to be shipt away . though the muscovado sugars require but a moneths time in making , after it is boiled , yet white sugar requires four moneths , and it s made thus . they take clay and temper it with water to the thickness of frumentry , and pour it on the top of the muscovado-sugar as it stands in the potts , and there let it remain four moneths , and when it comes to be knock't out of the pots , the top and bottom will be like muscovadoes , but the middle perfect white , and excellent lump sugar . the skimmings before spoken of , when they have stood till they are a little soure , they still it ; and the first spirit that comes , is a small liquor , which they call low-wines , which they still over again , and then comes off a very strong spirit , which is very soveraign when they are ill with colds , which the negroes are oft subject to , having nothing to lye upon but aboard , and nothing to cover them . and though the dayes be hot , the nights be cold , and they coming hot , and sweating from their dayes labour , are subject to catch cold ; and when they feel themselves amiss , one dram of these spirits cures them . and the christian servants , when their spirits are exhausted by their hard labour and sweating in the sun ten hours every day , and their stomacks weakened , a dram or two of these spirits is a great comfort and refreshing to them . they make much money also of them by selling them at the bridge , so that they make weekly so long as they work , . l. sterling , besides what is drunk by their servants and slaves . wit hs . there is another plant which they call a with , which is exceeding harmful ; for it pulls down all it can reach to , canes and all other plants . if it comes into a garden , it will wind about all hearbs , and plants that have stalks , and pull them down and destroy them . if into an orchard , it will climb up by the bodies of the trees into the branches , and draws them as it were into a purse ( for out of the main stock hundred of sprigs will grow ) and if any other tree be near it will find the way to it , and pull the tops of them together , and hinder the growth of the fruit ; and cut the main stock at bottom in hope to kill it ; the moisture in the branches above will cast down a new root into the ground ; yea , it will reach the highest timber , and so enwrap their branches as to hinder their growth ; and oftentimes it fastens one tree to another , so that one shall hinder the growth of another . if you clear a passage of ten foot broad between a wood where it grows , and your canes over night , and come the next morning , and you shall find the way crossed all over with wit hs , and got near to the canes , and if they once get amongst them , you cannot destroy the one without the other ; for wheresoever they touch ground , they get new roots , and so creep into every place , and as they go pull all down . yet have they some good virtues ; for they serve for all uses where ropes or cords are required ; as for binding their wood and canes into faggots , &c. and without them they were in an ill condition , having no other wood fit for hoops for their hogsheads , barrels , and tubs ; and they can have them of what length and bigness they please ; and for such uses they are very good . there are several kinds of these wit hs , some that bear fruit somewhat bigger then the cod of a bean , which being divided long-wise with a knife you shall perceive the most various and beatiful colours that can be , and so well matched , as to make up a very great beauty . many canes there be in the island , some large enough to hide five hundred men ; the runaway negroes oft shelter themselves in for a long time , and in the nights range abroad , and steal pigs , plantanes , potatoes , and pullen , and feast all day upon what they stole in the night : and the nights being dark , and their bodies black , escape undiscovered . another sort of wit hs they have that are made of the gum of trees , which falls from the boughs drop after drop , one hanging by another till they touch the ground , from whence they receive nourishment and grow larger : and if three or four of them come down so near as to touch one another , and the wind twists them together , they appear like ropes . aloes they have growing there very good , and its a beautiful plant , and the leaves four inches broad , and three quarters of an inch thick , and a foot and half long , with prickles on each side , and the last sprout which rises in the middle , bears yellow flowers , one above another , which are two foot higher then the leaves . these thick leaves they take and cut them through , and out of them issues the aloes , which they set in the sun that rarifies it , and makes it fit to keep : they save the first running , for if it run too long it will be much worse . this plant in england we call semper vivens . of this is there to be be made an admirable medicine for a burn or scald . an ointment foor a burn or scald , thus , take semper vivens , plantane leaves , and the green rind of elder , of each a like quantity , and boil them in sallet oyl , till all the tincture be drawn in boyling . then strain out the oyl well , and put it on the fire again , and put to it a small quantity of the spirits of wine , and so much yellow wax as will bring it to the consistence of a linement to keep it for use . there also the sensible plant , which closes the leaves upon any touch with your hand , or that end of the staff by which you hold , and in a little time will open again . there are few flowers in the island , and none of them sweet . the white lilly , and red lilly are much fairer then ours , and very beautiful , but neither of them sweet . the saint jago flower is very beautiful , but of an unpleasing smell . another flower they have that opens not till sun setting , and is closed all day , and therefore they call it the flower of the moon . it grows in great tufts , the leaves like a heart , the point turning back : the flower is of a most pure purple . after the flower appears the seed , black with an eye of purple , of the shape of a small button , so finely wrought , and tough with all , as it may well trim a suit of apparel . there is purceane so plentifully every where , as makes it disesteemed . herbs , and roots . there are brought from england , rosemary , time , winter-savory , sweet-marjerom , pot-marjerom , parsly , penny-royal , camomil , sage , tansie , lavender , cotton , garlick , onions , coleworts , cabbage , turnips , redishes , marigold , lettice , taragon , southern-wood , &c. all which prosper well . there is a root which was brought thither by the negroes , large , dry and well tasted . it 's good boyled to eat with pork , mixt with butter , vineger , and pepper ; it 's as big as three of our largest turnips . the strength of the island . this island is strong by scituation ; for there cannot be any safe landing , but where the harbours , and bayes are , which lie to the south-west , and those places are so defencible by nature , as with small cost they are strongly fortified . in the year one thousand six hundred and fifty they were able to muster ten thousand foot , as good , and resolute men as any in the world , and a thousand good horse , and since then , they are much increased . their laws and government . their laws are like ours in england , and they are governed by a governour , and ten of his council ; four courts of justice in civil laws which divide the countrey into four circuits . justices of peace , constables , churchwardens , and tithingmen . five sessions in a year were held for trial of criminal causes , and appeals from inferiour courts . when the governour pleases to call an assembly for the last appeals , and making new laws , or abolishing the old ; it consists of the governour , his councel , and two burgesses chosen by every parish . there are in the island eleven parishes : no tithe paid to the minister , but a yearly allowance of a pound of tobacco upon an acre of every mans land , besides church-duties for marriages , baptizings , and burials . their weather . four moneths in the year the weather is colder then in the other eight , and those are november , december , january , and february ; yet are they hotter then with us in may. there is no general fall of the leaf , every tree having a particular time for it self , as if two locust-trees stand but at a stones cast distance , one lets fall her leaves in january , another in march , another in july , another in september . the leaves when fallen under the tree , being most of them large and stiff , when they were growing , and full of veins from the middle stalk to the upper end , when the thin part of the leaf is consumed , those veins appear like skelletons , with the strangest works and beautifullest forms that can be imagined . negroes heads . they also find in the sands things that they call negroes-heads , about two inches long , with a forehead , eyes , nose , mouth , chin , and part of the neck : they are alwayes found loose in the sands , without any root . it is black as jet , but whence it comes they know not . tar . they have no mines , not so much as of coles in the islands . there flows out of the rock an unctious substance , somewhat like tar : it is excellent good to stop a flux being drunk : and for all aches , and bruises , being anointed with it . it is so subtile that being put into the hand and rubbed there , it works through the back of it . pitch , and movntiack . there is another gumming substance that is black and hard as pitch , and is used as pitch ; they call call it mountiack . an excellent remedy against the stone . my author relates this story concerning himself , that during his abode in the barbadoes , he was taken with such a fit of the stone , that for fourteen dayes together he made not one drop of water ; but when he despaired of life ; god sent him such a remedy as the world cannot afford a better . for within ten hours after this taking of it , he found himself not only eased , but cured : it brought away all the stones and gravel that stopped the passage , and his water came as freely from him as ever before , and caried before it such quantities of broken stones , and gravel that the like hath hardly been seen . and afterwards being in the like torment , he used the same remedy , and found the same ease . the medicine was this , take the pizle of a green turtle that lives in the sea , dry it with a moderate heat , pound it in a morter , and take as much of this powder as will lie upon a shilling , in beer , ale , or whitewine , and in a short time it will work the cure . these turtles are frequent in the chariby , and lucayick islands near to the barbadoes , to which many of them are brought . three sorts of turtles . there are . sorts of turtles : the loggerhead-turtle , the hawks-bill-turtle , and the green turtle , which is of a less magnitude , but far excelling the other two in wholesomness , and rareness of tast . that part of the island which is the most remote from the bridge , ( the onely place of trading ) by reason of deep and steep gullies interposing the passage , is almost stopt . besides , the land there is not so rich and fit to bear canes as the other : yet it 's very useful for planting , provisions of corn , bonavist , cassavy , potatoes , &c. as also of fruit , as oranges , limons , lymes , plantanes , bonanoes : likewise for breeding of hoggs , sheep , goats , cattel , and poultry to furnish either parts of the island which wants those commodities . the sugar canes are fifteen moneths from the time of their planting , before they come to be fully ripe . from the island of bonavista they have horses brought to them , whose hooves are so hard and tough , that they ride them at the barbadoes down sharp and steep rocks , without shooes : and no goat goes surer on the sides of rocks , or hills then they . finis . ( here place the examples of minerals and stones . ) examples of the wonderful works of god in the creatures . chap. i. of strange stones , earth , and minerals . . in cornwal , near unto a place called pensans , is that famous stone called main-amber : which is a great rock advanced upon some other of meaner size , with so equal a counterpoize , that a man may stir it with the push of his finger , but to remove it quite out of his place , a great number of men are not able . camb. brit. p. . the like is in the country of stratherne in scotland . . in summerset-shire , near unto cainsham are found in stone-quarries , stones resembling serpents , winding round in manner of a wreath , the head bearing up in the circumference , and the end of the tail , taking up the centre within : but most of them are headless . camb. brit. p. . . in gloucestershire upon the hills near alderly are found certain stones , resembling cockles , periwinckles , and oisters , which seem to be the gaimsome works of nature , or such shells turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . . in yorkshire , about whitby are found certain stones fashioned like serpents , foulded and wraped round , as in a wreath , so that a man would verily think that they had been somtimes serpents turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . . also in the same country at huntly nabb , there lye scattering here and there amongst the rocks , stones of divers bigness , so artificially by nature shaped round in manner of a globe , that one would take them to be big bullets made by the turners hand , for shot to be discharged out of great ordnance ; in which , if you break them , are found stony serpents , enwrapped round like a wreath : but most of them are headlesse . camb. brit. p. . . in the county of cornwal near unto st. neots , there are a number of good great rocks heaped up together , and under them one stone of lesser size , fashioned naturally in the form of a cheese lying in presse , whereupon it s named wring-cheese . camb. brit. p. . . in richmondshire amongst the ragged rocks , are found stones like unto periwinckles , cockles , and other shell fish . camb. brit. p. . . in the county of hereford , a hill which they call marcley-hill , in the year . ( as though it had wakened on a sudden out of a deep sleep ) roused it self up , and for the space of three dayes together moving and shewing it self ( as mighty , and huge an heape as it was ) with roaring noise in a fearful sort , and overturning all things that stood in the way , advanced it self forward , to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders . camb. brit. p. . . in glamorganshire in a rock or cliffe , by the sea side , there appeareth a very little chink , unto which , if you lay your ear , you shall hear a noise as if it were of smiths at work , one while the blowing of the bellows , another while the striking of the sledge , and hammer ; sometimes the sound of the grindstone , and iron tools rubbing against it , the hissing sparks also of steel-gads within holes as they are beaten , and the puffing noise of the fire burning in the furnace . camb. brit. page . this is called merlins cave . . at aspley gowick in bedfordshire , near unto woburn , there is a kind of earth that turns wood into stone : for proof whereof there was a wooden ladder in the monastry of woburn , that having lien a good while covered in that earth , was digged forth again all stone . camb. brit. p. . i have a peece of wood turned into stone by that earth . . in kile in scotland , there is a rock about twelve foot high , and as much in breadth , called the deaf-craig : for though a man call never so loud , or shoot off a gun on the one side , yet his fellow on the other side cannot hear the noise . description of scotland . . in argile there is a stone found in diverse places , which being laid under straw , or stubble , doth set it on fire , by reason of the great heat that it gathereth there . idem . . it is most strange , yet true , that the armes of the duke of rohan in france , which are fusils , or lozenges , are to be seen in the wood , and stones , through all his country : so that if you break a stone in the middest , or lopp a bough of a tree , you shall behold the the grain thereof ( by some secret cause in nature ) diamonded , or streaked in the fashion of a lozeng . camb. brit. . in warwick-shire , the armes of the shugburies , which are starres , are found in the stones in their own manner of shugbury ; so that break the stone where you will , and there is the exact fashion of a star in the end of it . idem , i have some of these stones . . in the kingdom of fesse in affrica there is a mountain called beniguazeval , in the top whereof there is a cave that casteth out fire perpetually . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in prussia there is great store of amber , which groweth like coral in a mountain of the north-sea , which is clean covered with water : by the violence of the waves beating against this rock , the amber is oft broken off , and cast up by the sea into their havens . . about bever castle in lincoln-shire , are found the stones called astroites , which resemble little stars joyned one with another , wherein are to be seen at every corner , five beams , or rayes , & in the middest of every ray is to be seen a small hollownesse . camb. brit. . we have corral , amber , emralds , calcedony , pearl , onix , sardonix , sardis , bezar , hemathist , and the turquoise from arabia , indostan , and persia. pearls , berils , saphires , and adamants , from zeilan . jasper , cornelion , agate , heliotrope , jacinth , and chrysolite , from malabar , narsinga , and cochin-china . diamonds from borneo , and gulkunda . gold , silver , rubies , saphires , granats , topaz , emeralds , smaradg , espinels , cats-eyes , and porcellane , from pegu , siam , bengala , sumatra , japan , and china . chap. ii. examples of the rare works of god in the creatures . of trees , hearbs , plants , and gums . . of date-trees some are males , and other females : the male brings forth flowers onely ; the female fruit , but the flowers of the female will not open unlesse the boughs , and flowers of the male be joyned unto them : and if they be not thus coupled , the dates will prove stark naught , and have great stones in them , pur. pil. v. . p. . . neer unto the grand-cairo in egypt , is a garden environed with a strong wall ; in the garden is a large fountain , and in the middest of it groweth the only balm-tree bearing true balm , that is in the world : it hath a short stock or body , and beareth leaves like unto vine-leaves , but not altogether so long . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in the country of indostan they have a pleasant clear liquor which they call taddy , issuing from a spongy tree that grows straight , and tall , without boughs to the top , and there spreads out into branches , somwhat like to an english colewort , where they make incisions , under which they hang earthen pots to preserve the influence : that which distils forth in the night , is as pleasing to the taste , as any white wine , if drunk betimes in the morning ; and of a peircing , and medicinable quallity , excellent against the stone . but in the heat of the day the sun alters it , so that it becomes heady , ill-relished , and unwholesome . p. pil. v. . p. . . for cotton wooll , they plant seeds , which grow up into shrubs like unto our rose-bushes : it blows first into a yellow blossome , which falling off , there remains a cod about the bignesse of a mans thumb , in which the substance is moist , and yellow , but as it ripens , it swells bigger , till it break the cod , and in short time becomes as white as snow , and then they gather it . p. pil. v. . p. . . the cynamon tree is a small tree , and low , having leaves like to our bay-tree : in the month of march , or april , when the sap goeth up to the top of the tree , they cut the bark off the tree round about in length ; from knot to knot , or from joynt to joynt , above , and below , and then easily with their hands they take it away , laying it in the sun to dry , and yet for all this the tree dyes not , but against the next year it will have a new bark , and that which is gathered every year is the best cynamon : that which grows longer is great , and not so good . p. pil. v. . p. . . in india is a tree called arbore de ray's or the tree of roots , it groweth first up like other trees , and spreadeth the branches , out of which there come strings , which seem a far off to be cords of hemp , which growing longer till they reach the ground , there take root again : so that in the end one tree will cover a great peece of ground , one root crossing within another like a maze , each of these young trees will in time grow so big , that it cannot be discerned which is the principal trunk , or body of the tree . . there is also a tree called arbore-triste , or the sorrowful-tree , so called , because it never beareth blossoms but in the night-time , and so it doth , and continueth all the year long : so soon as the sun sets , there is not one blossom seen upon the tree , but presently within half an hour after , there are as many blossoms as the tree can bear , pleasant to behold , and smelling very sweet ; and as soon as the day comes , and the sun is rising , they all presently fall off , and not one is to be seen on the tree , which seems as though it were dead , till evening comes again , and then it begins to blossom as it did before : it s as big as a plumb-tree : it groweth up quickly , and if you break but a branch of the tree , and set it into the earth , it presently takes root , and grows , and within a few days after it beareth blossoms , which are like orange-tree-blossoms , the flower white , and in the bottom somewhat yellow , and redish . p. pil. v. . p. . . there is also an herb in india , called by the portugals , herba sentida , or feeling herb , which if a man touch , or throw sand , or any other thing upon it , presently it becomes as though it were withered , closing the leaves together , and it comes not to it self a gain , as long as the man standeth by it , but presently after he is gone , it openeth the leaves again , which become stiffe , and fair , as though they were newly grown : and touching it again , it shuts , and becomes withered as before , so that its a pleasure to behold the strange nature of it p. pil. v. . p. . . pepper is planted at the root of some other tree , and runs up it like ivie : the leaves are like the orange-leaves , but somewhat smaller , green , and sharpe at ends : the pepper groweth in bunches like grapes , but lesse , and thinner ; they are always green till they begin to drye , and ripen , which is in december , and january , at which time it turns black , and is gathered . pur. pil. v. . p. . . the best ginger grows in malabar ; it groweth like thin , and young netherland reeds , two or three spans high , the root whereof is the ginger , which is gathered in december , and january . p. pil. v. . p. . . the clove-trees are like bay-trees , the blossoms at the first white , then green , and at last red , and hard , which are the cloves ; these cloves grow very thick together , and in great numbers : in the place where these trees grow , there is neither grass , nor green herbs , but is wholly drye , for that those trees draw all the moisture unto them . p. pil. v. . p. . . the nutmeg-tree is like a pear-tree , but that its lesse , and with round leaves , the fruit is like great round peaches , the inward part whereof is the nutmeg ; this hath about it an hard shell like wood , and the shell is covered over with nutmeg-flowers , which is the mace , and over it is the fruit , which without , is like the fruit of a peach . p. pil. v. . p. . . gumme-lac comes most from pegu : where are certain very great pismires with wings , which fly up the trees like plumb-trees , out of which trees comes a certain gumme which the pismires suck up , and then they make the lac round about the branches of the trees , as bees make wax ; and when it is full , the owners come , and breaking off the branches , lay them to dry ; and being dry , the branches shrink out , and the lac remains . p. pil. v. . p. . . amber-greese , is usually cast upon the sea-shore , which as some suppose , is the dung of the whale ; or as others , the sperme , or seed of the whale consolidated by lying in the sea. p. pil. v. . p. . the herb addad is bitter , and the root of it so venemous , that one drop of the juice will kill a man within the space of one hour . p. pil. v. . p. . of palm-trees , which they keep with watering , and cutting every year , they make velvets , satins , taffaties , damasks , sarcenets , and such like , all which are spun out of the leaves cleansed , and drawn into long threads . p. pil. v. . p. . . frankincense grows in arabia , and is the gumme that issueth out of trees . idem . p. . . in mozambique , manna is procreated of the dew of heaven , falling on a certain tree , on which it hardens like sugar , sticking to the wood like rozen , whence it s gathered , and put into jars , and is used much for purging in india . idem . p. . . mastick-trees grow only in the island of sio : the trees are low shrubs , with little crooked boughs , and leaves : in the end of august they begin their mastick-harvest , men cutting the bark of the tree with iron instruments ; out of which the gum distills uncessantly for almost three months together . idem . p. . . spunges are gathered from the sides of rocks , fifteen fathom under water , about the bottom of the streights of gibralter , the people that get them , being trained up in diving from their child-hood , so that they can indure to stay very long under water , as if it were their habitable element . . in manica , is a tree called the resurrection-tree , which for the greatest part of the year is without leaf , or greenness : but if one cut off a bough , and put it into the water , in the space of ten houres , it springs , and flourisheth with green leaves ; but draw it out of the water , as soon as it is dry , it remaineth as it was before . pur. pil. v. . p. . . there is in the island of teneriff ( which is one of the canaries ) a tree as big as an oke of a middle size , the bark white like hornbeam , six , or seven yards high , with ragged boughs , the leaf like the bay-leaf . it beareth neither fruit , nor flower ; it stands on the side of an hill , in the day its withered , and drops all night ( a cloud hanging thereon ) so that it yeelds water sufficient for the whole island , wherein are eight thousand souls , and about an hundred thousand cammels , mules , goats , &c. the water falls from it into a pond made of brick , paved with stone ; from whence it s conveyed into several ponds , thorough the whole island . they also water therewith their corn-ground , for they have no other water in the island , except rain-water . the pond holds twenty thousand tun of water , and is filled in one night . many of our english that have been there have attested the truth hereof . idem . p. . concerning which tree , sylvester the poet made these verses : in th' i le of iron ( one of those same seven whereto our elders happy name have given ) the savage people never drink the streams of wells , and rivers , as in other realms . their drink is in the air ! their gushing spring , a weeping tree out of it self doth wring . a tree , whose tender-bearded-root being spread in dryest sand , his sweating-leaf doth shed a most sweet liquor ; and ( like as the vine untimely cut , weeps ( at her wound ) the wine in pearled tears ) incessantly distils a royal stream , which all their cisterns fills throughout the island : for all hither hie , and all their vessels cannot draw it drye ! . aloes growes in the island of socotera , which is nothing but semper vivum , it is so full of a rosin-like juice , that the leaves are ready to break with it : which leaves they cut in small peeces , and cast them into a clean pit made in the ground , and paved : there it lies to ferment in the heat of the sun , whereby the juice floweth forth , which they put in skins , and hang them up in the wind to drye , whereby it hardens . p. pil. v. . p. . . indico groweth in the moguls country , having a small leaf like that of sena : the branches are of a wooddy substance like broom : it grows not above a yard high , the stalk about the bignesse of a mans thumb : the seed is included in a small round cod of an inch long . this once sowed lasteth three years : that of the first year makes a weighty reddish indico , that sinks in water , being not yet come to its perfection : that of the second year is rich , very light , and of a perfect violet-colour , swiming on the water : that of the third year is weighty , blackish , and the worst of the three . this herb , when it s cut , is put into a cistern , and pressed down with stones , then covered over with water , where it remains till the substance of the herb is gone into the water : then it s drawn forth into another cistern , and laboured with staves till it be like batter , then they let it seeth , and so scum off the water two or three times , till nothing but a thick substance remains , which taking forth , they spread on a cloath , dry it in the sun , then make it into balls , dry it on the sand , which causes the sandy foot : that is best , which is of a pure grain ; violet-colour , is glossie , dry , and light . idem . p. . . sir james lancaster in his east-indy voyage , in the isle of sombrero found on the sea-sands , a young twig growing up to a tree , and offering to pluck up the same , it shrank down into the ground , and when it was by strength pulled up , a great worm was the root of it , and as the tree groweth in greatnesse , the worm diminisheth : this tree plucked up , the leaves and pill stripped off , by that time its dryed , is turned into a hard stone ; so that this worm was twice transformed into different natures , after a wondrous manner : of these he brought home many . p. pil. v. . p. . . about saffron walden in essex , there grows great store of saffron , which was first brought into england , in the reign of king edward the third . this in the month of july every third year , being plucked up , and after twenty dayes , having the root split , and set again in the earth , about the end of september it putteth forth a whitish-blew flower ; out of the midst where of there come three chives , which are gathered in the morning before sun-rising , and being plucked out of the flower , are dried by a soft fire ; and so great is the increase that commeth thereof , that out of every acre of ground , there are made fourscore , or an hundred pound weight of saffron , whilst it is moist , which being dryed , yeeld some twenty pound weight . and the ground which three years together hath brought saffron , is so enriched thereby , that it will bear very good barley , many yeares together without dung , or manuring . camb. brit. p. . . all along the shores of the red-sea are abundance of palm-trees of a very strange nature : they grow in couples , male and female : both thrust forth cods full of seed : but the female is only fruitful , and that not except growing by the male , and having her seed mixed with his . the pith of these trees is an excellent sallet , better than an artechoke : of the branches are made bedsteads , lattices , &c. of the leaves , baskets , mats , fans , &c. of the outward husk of the cod , cordage ; of the inward , brushes . the fruit it beareth is like a fig , and finally it is said to yeild whatsoever is necessary for the life of man. it is the nature of this tree , that if never so great a weight be laid upon it , it will lift & raise up it self the more ; for which it was given to conquerors in token of victory . herb. trav. . in italy there grows an herb called balilisco , which hath this innate property ; that if it be laid under a stone in some moist place , in two days space it produceth a scorpion : raimunds mercu. ital. . the assa-faetida tree is like our bryer in height , the leaves resemble fig-leaves , the root is like our radish : though the smell be so bace , yet the taste is so pleasing , that no meat , no sauce , on vessel is pleasing to the gusarat● pallats where it grows , except it rellish of it . herb. trav. benjamin is either pure , cleer , and white , or yellow , and streaked : this gum issues from an high tree , small , and furnished with fruitlesse branches ; the leaves are not unlike to those of the olive : pegu and siam yeild the best . . the coco tree is very rife in the east-indies . in the whole world there is not a tree more profitable than this is , neither do men reap more benefit of any other tree than of this . the heart of the tree makes good timber , planks , and masts for ships : with the leaves thereof they make sails , with the rind of it they make cordage : a gum that grows out of it caulks the ship : the fruit of it is a kind of nut , which being full of kernel , and a sweet liquor , serves for meat and drink : much wine also it yeilds , & of the wine they make sugar , and placetto . the wine they gather in the spring of the year out of the middle of the tree , from whence there runs continually a white thin liquor , at which time they put a vessel under it , and take it away full every morning , and evening , and then distilling it , they make a very strong liquor of it . of the nuts also they make great store of oil : out of the tree they make bows , bedsteads : of the leaves also they make very fine mats , which whilest green , are full of an excellent sweet liquor , with which if a man be thirsty , he may satisfie himself : with the bark they make spoons , dishes , and platters for meat . the first rind of the nut they stamp , and make thereof perfect ockam : and the store of these nuts serve for merchandise . so that out of this one tree , they build and rig ships , furnish them with meat , drink , utensils , and merchandise , without the least help of any other whatsoever . pur. pil. v. . p. . and . . mr. herbert in his travels thus describes it . the tree that bears the coco , is strait , & lofty , without any branches , save at the very top , where it spreads its beautiful plumes , and nuts like pearles , or pendants adorning them . it is good timber for canoes , masts , anchors : the leaves for tents or thatching : the rind for sailes , matteresses , cables , and linnen : the shels for furniture : the meat for victualling . the nut is covered with a thick rind equal in bignesse to a cabbage . the shell is like the skull of a man , or rather a deaths-head , the eyes , nose , and mouth , being easily discerned : within it is contained a quart of sweet and excellent liquor , like new white-wine , but far more aromatick tasted : the meat or kernel , is better relished than our phelberds , and is enough to satisfy the appetite of two reasonable men . — the indian nut alone is cloathing , meat , and trencher , drink , and can. boat , cable , sail , mast , needle , all in one . herb. and sylvester hath set them forth to the life in these verses . the indian isles most admirable be , in those rare fruits call'd coquos commonly ; the which alone far richer wonder yeilds , then all our groves , meads , gardens , orchards , fields . what wouldst thou drink ? the wounded leaves drop wine . lackst thou fine linnen ? dresse the tender rine . dresse it like flax , spin it , then weave it well , it shall thy camrick , and thy lawn excell . longst thou for butter , bite the poulpous part , for never better came to any mart . do'st need good oyle ? then boult it to , and fro , and passing oyl it soon becometh so . or vinegar ? to whet thine appetite ; why , sun it well ; and it will sharply bite . or want's thou sugar ? steep the same a stownd , and sweeter sugar is not to be found . 't is what you will ; or will be what you would : should midas touch it , sure it would be gold . and god , all-good , to crown our life with bayes , the earth with plenty , and his name with praise , had done enough , if he had made no more but this one plant , so full of choicest store ; save that the world ( where , one thing breeds satiety ) could not be fair , without so great variety . . the plantan tree is of a reasonable height ; the body about the bigness of a mans thigh , compacted of many leaves , wrapped one upon another , adorned with leaves in stead of boughs from the very ground , which are for the most part about two ells long , and an ell broad , having a large rib in the middle thereof . the fruit is a bunch of ten , or twelve plantans , each a span long , and as big almost as a mans wrist ; the rind being stripped off , the fruit is yellowish , and of a pleasant taste . pur. pil. p. . . the cedars of mount libanus grow higher than pines , and so big , that four or five men with their armes can but fathom them ; the boughs rise not upward , but stretch out a cross , largely spread , and thickly enfolded one in another , as if done by art , so that men may sit , and lie along upon the boughs : the leaves are thick , narrow , hard , prickly , and alwayes green ; the wood is hard , incorruptible , and sweet smelling ; the fruit like the cones of cypress , gummy , and marvellous fragrant . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in africa are many palmeta trees , whence they draw a sweet , and wholsome wine , by cutting , or boring holes into the body of the tree , into which a cane is put that receives the sap , and conveys it into gourds : it tastes like white wine , but it will not last above four and twenty hours . idem . . in new-spain there are many trees which they call manguey : it hath great , and large leaves , at the end whereof is a strong , and sharp point , which they use for pins , and needles , and out of the leaf they draw a kind of thred which they use much to few with . the body of the tree is big , which when it is tender , they cut , and out of the hole proceeds a liquor which they drink like water , being fresh , and sweet . this liquor being sodden , becomes wine , which being kept till it be sower , makes good vinegar : boil it it a litle more than for wine , and it makes a fine syrup ; and boil it till it be thick , and it makes hony. idem . v. . p. . . there is a certain tree in new-spain called tunalls , in whose leaves breed certain small worms , which are covered with a fine web , compassing them in daintily . this in the season they gather , and let it drye , and this is that cochenille , so famous , and dear , wherewith they dye in grain . idem . . the jack , or giack is an high tree , and uneasy to be ascended ; the jack for shew and bigness resembles a pumpeon : without , it is of a gold yellow , mixt with veins ; within , its soft , and tender , full of golden coloured cloves , each full of kernels , not unlike a great french bean , but more round , each of them hath an hard stone within it , the fruit is somewhat unpleasant at the first taste ; t is glutinous , and clammy in the mouth , but very restorative , and good for the back . . the ananas is not inferiour to the jack in bulk , and roundnesse : it ariseth from no seed , or sowing , but from a root like an artichok : when they are ripe they shew themselves , and are not above two foot high : without , it is covered with a drie rind , hard , and skaley ; within , its wholesome and pleasant , and though a little of it seems to satiate the appetite , yet the stomach likes it well , and its easie of digestion . . the duroyen is somewhat like the jack , in shape round , the inward vertue , is far greater than the outward beauty : at first opening it hath an unpleasant smell : the meat is whitish , and divided into a dozen cells , or partitions , filled with stones as big as chesnuts , white and cordial . it s a fruit nutritive , and dainty , and may well be called an epitome of all the best , and rarest fruits in the the orient . . the arec-tree is almost as high as a cedar , but more like the palmeto : i'ts of a fuzzie , hollow substance , adorned at every top with plumes , wherein the fruit hangs in clusters ; it s in shape and bigness like a wallnut ; white and hard within ; hath neither taste , nor smell : they never eat it alone , but wrap it in a leaf of bettle , and are frequently chawing of it : some adde to it a kinde of lime made of oister-shels , it cures the chollick , removes melancholly , kills worms , provokes lust , purges the maw , and prevents hunger . it s much used in the east-indies . . the palmeto-tree is long , strait , round , and soft , without leaf , bough , or branch , save at the top , and those are few , green , and sedgie : under which branches there appear certain codded seeds : both the male , and female bear blossoms , but the female only beares fruit , and yet not that , unlesse a flowring branch of the male tree be yearly inoculated : the leaves serve for many uses . at the top of this tree there is a soft pith , in which consists the life of it : for that being cut out , the tree dyes . this pith is in bignesse like small cabbage , in taste like a nut kernel , and being boiled it eats like a colly-flower . but of more value is the palmeta wine , which is sweet , pleasant , and nourishing in colour , and taste not unlike muskadine : it purges , cures obstructions , and kills the worms . if it stand two dayes in the sun it makes good vinegar . the wine is thus gotten . they cut a small hole in two or three trees that grow together , which in a short time are filled with the sap that issues in them , which with a cane , or quill , they draw forth . pur. pil. . in summersetshire , near unto glastenbury , in wiral park was that famous hawthorn tree , which used upon christmas day to sprout forth as fresh as in may ; but now it s cut down . camb. brit. p. . . in the marishes of egypt grow those sedgie reeds , called papyri , whereof formerly they made paper , and from whence ours that is made of rags assumed that name . they divide it into thin flakes , whereinto it naturally parteth : then laying them on a table , and moistening them with the glutinous water of nilus , they press them together , dry them in the sun , and then they are fitted for use . pur. pil. v. p. . chap. iii. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fountains , rivers , and waters . . in the bishoprick of durham in derlington field , there are pits of a wonderful depth , called by the vulgar hell-kettles , in which the water by an antiperistasis , or reverberation of the cold air , striking thereupon , waxeth hot ; which pits have passage under ground , into the river teese , as archbishop guthbert tonstal observed , by finding that goose in the river which he had marked , and let down into these pits . camb. brit. p. . . in yorkshire , neer unto knasburow castle is a well , in which the waters spring not up out of the veins of the earth , but distil , and trickle down , dropping from the rocks hanging over it , whence it s called dropping-well : into which , what wood soever is put , it will in a short space be turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . . in caermardenshire , neer unto careg castle , there is a fountain that twice in four and twenty hours ebbeth , and twice floweth , resembling the unstable motions of the main sea. camb. brit. p. . . in westmerland , hard by shape , there is a well , or fountain , which after the manner of euripus ebbeth , and floweth many times in a day . camb. brit. p. . . in ireland is a fountain , whose water killeth all those beasts that drink thereof , but hurteth not the people , though they usually drink of it . ortelius . . near unto lutterworth in leicester-shire , there is a spring of water so cold , that in a short time it turneth straws , and sticks , into stone . camb. brit. p. . . in derbyshire in the peak-forrest not far from buxtone , is a well which in a wonderful manner doth ordinarily ebb , and flow , four times in the space of one hour , or thereabouts , keeping his just tides . camb. brit. p. . . also in the same country at the spring head of wie there rise , and walm up , nine fountains of hot waters , commonly called buxton wells , very sovereign for the stomach , sinews , and whole body . camb. brit. p. . . in scotland on the bank of ratra neer unto stang's castle , there is a cave , wherein the water distilling naturally by drops from the head of the vault , is presently turned into pyramidal stones ; and were not the said hole or cave , otherwiles rid , and cleansed , the whole space as far as up to the vault , would in a short time be filled therewith . camb. brit. scotl. p. . in scotland in the countrey of murray , there is a river called naes , the water whereof is almost always warm , and at no time so cold that it freezeth , yea , in the most cold time of winter , broken ice falling into it , is dissolved with the heat thereof . defcrip . of scotl. . also in galloway , the loch called loch-merton , is of such a strang nature , that the one half of it doth never freeze in the coldest winter . descrip. of scotl. . in lenox is a great loch or meer , called loch-lowmond , in length twenty four miles , and eight in breadth , wherein are three strang things : first , excellent good fish without any sins : secondly , a floating island whereon many kine feed : and thirdly , tempestuous waves rageing without winds , yea , in the greatest calms . desc. of scotl. . there is a certain island called lounda in the kingdom of congo , wherein is no fresh water ( being a very sandy ground ) but if you dig but the depth of two or three hand breadths , you shall find sweet water , the best in all those countryes : and ( which is most strang ) when the ocean ebbeth , this water grows brackish , but when it flows to the top , it is most sweet . p. pil. v. . p. . . not far from casbine , the regal city in persia is a fountain of a strang , and wonderful nature , out of which there continually springeth , and issueth a marvellous quantity of black oil , which serveth in all parts of persia to burn in their houses , and is usually carried all over the countrey upon kine , and asses , whereof you may often meet three or four hundred in company . p. pil. v. . p. . . about three days journey from old balylon , is a town called ait , and neer unto that is a valley of pitch very marvellous to behold , wherein are many springs , throwing out abundantly a kind of black substance , like unto tar , and pitch , which serveth all the country thereabout to staunch their barques and boats with : every one of which springs makes a noise like to a smith's forge in puffing and blowing out the matter , which never ceaseth day nor night , and the noise is hard a mile off : the moors call it hell-mouth . p. pil. v. p. . . clitumnus is a river in italy , which makes all the oxen that drink of it , white . fulk . meteor . lib. . . the river melas in boeotia makes all the sheep that drink of it , black . plin. . the fountain of jupiter hammon , is cold in the day time , and hot at midnight . . the fountain of the sun hath its water extream cold , and sweet at noon ; and boiling hot , and bitter at midnight . plin. lib. . c. . augustine . . there is a river in palestine called the sabbatical river , which runs with a violent and swift stream all the week ; but every sabbath it remains dry , joseph . de bel. jud. l. . c. . some question the truth of this . . in idumae● is a fountain called the fountain of job , which for one quarter of the year is troubled and muddy ; the next quarter bloody , the third green , and the fourth clear . isiod . . the river astaces in the isle of pontus uses sometimes to overflow the fields , after which whatsoever sheep , or milch-cattle feed thereon give black milk . plin. l. . c. . . furius camillus being censor in rome , the lake albanus being environed with mountains on every side , in the time of autumn when other lakes and rivers were almost dry , the waters of this lake after a wondrous manner began to swell , and rise upwards , till at last they were equall with the tops of the mountains , and after a while they brake thorow one of those mountains , overflowing and bearing all down before them till they emptied themselves into the sea. plut. . the river d ee in merionneth-shire in wales , though it run through pimble-meer , yet it remaineth intire , and mingles not its streams with the waters of the lake . cam. brit. . ana a river in spain , burieth it self in the earth , and runneth under ground fifteen miles together , whereupon the spaniards brag that they have a bridg whereon ten thousand catle feed dayly . . pliny tells us of a fountain called dodon , which always decreaseth from midnight till noon , and encreaseth from noon till midnight . . he also tells us of certain fountains in an island neer italy , which always increase and decrease according to the ebbing , and flowing of the sea. . aristotle writeth of a well in sicilie , whose water is so sharp , that the inhabitants use it instead of vinegar . . in bohemia neer to the city of bilen is a well of such excellent water , that the inhabitants use to drink of it in a morning instead of burnt wine . dr. fulk . . in paphlagonia is a well , which hath the taste of wine , and it makes men drunk which drink of it ; whence du-bartas , salonian fountain , and thou andrian spring , out of what cellars do you daily bring the oyl , and wine that you abound with so ? o earth , do these within thine entrals grow ? &c. . aelian mentioneth a fountain in boeotia neer to thebes , which makes horses run mad if they drink of it . . pliny mentioneth a water in sclavonia which is extream cold , and yet if a man throw his cloath cloak upon it , it is presently set on fire . . other waters there are which discolour the fleeces of the sheep which drink of them : whence du-bartas , cerona , xanth , and cephisus do make , the thirsty flocks that of their waters take , black , red , and white : and neer the crimson deep , th' arabian fountain maketh crimson sheep . . and again . what should i of th' illyrian fountain tell ? what shall i say of the dodonean well ? whereof the first sets any cloathes on fire ; th' other doth quench ( who but will this admire ) a burning torch : and when the same is quenched , lights it again , if it again be drenched . . in the province of dara in lybia , there is a certain river , which sometimes so overfloweth the banks that it is like a sea , yet in the summer it is so shallow , that any one may passe over it on foot . if it overflow about the beginning of aprill , it brings great plenty to the whole region ; if not , there follows great scarcity of corn. pur. pil. v. . p. . . in the kingdom of tunis neer unto the city el-hamma , is a hot river , which by diverse channels is carried through the city , the water of it being so hot that few can endure to go into it , yet having set it to cool a whole day , the people drink of it . idem . p. . . in africa , there is a river called margania , and by it a salt spring which turns all the wood is thrown into it , into hard stone . idem . p. . . the river meander is famous for its six hundred windings , and turnings , in and out : whence that of the poet , quique recurvatis ludit maeander in undis . maeander plays his watry pranks , within his crooked winding banks . . groenland in the hyperborean sea , was discovered anno christi . it hath in it the monastery of st. thomas situate in the north-east part thereof at the foot of a mountain , where there is a river so hot , that they use to boil their meat in it , and it serves for other such purposes as fire doth with us , isac . chron. p , . the river hypanis in scythia every day brings forth little bladders , out of which come certain flies which are thus , bred in the morning , are fledge at noon , and dye at night . fit emblems of the vain , and short life of man. the famous river of nilus in egypt useth once in the year to overflow her banks , whereby the whole country is watered . it usually beginneth to overflow upon the seventeenth of june , and increaseth daily , sometimes two , sometimes three fingers , and sometimes half a cubit high on a day . the increase of it is known by a pillar erected in a cistern , whereinto the water is conveyed by a sluce ; which pillar is divided into eighteen parts , each a cubit higher than the other . if the water reach no higher than to the fifteenth cubit , they expect a fruitful year : if it stay between the twelfth , and fifteenth cubit , the increase of that year will be but mean. if it reach not to the twelfth , it s a sign of scarcity . if it rise to the eighteenth , the scarcity will be greater , in regard of too much moisture . this river continueth forty dayes increasing , and forty dayes decreasing . pur. pil. v. . p. . . another thing is wonderful , which is this : in the grand cairo ( which is the metropolis of egypt ) the plague useth many times to be very violent , till the river begins to overflow its banks , at which time it doth instantly cease . so that whereas five hundred a day dyed the day before , not one doth die the day following . idem . p. . . in the county of devon , not far from the town of lidford , at a bridg , the river lid is gathered into a strait , and pent in between rocks , whereon it runneth down a main , and the ground daily waxing deeper , and deeper under it , his water is not seen , only a roaring noise is heard , to the great wonder of those that pass by . camb. brit. p. . . in warwickshire , at nevenham regis , three fountains arise out of the ground , strained through an allom mine : the water whereof carrieth the colour , and tast of milk , which cureth ulcers in the bladder , or kidneys caused by the stone , and provoketh urine abundantly ; green wounds it cleanseth , closeth up , and quickly healeth ; being drunk with salt it looseth , and with sugar it bindeth the belly . about fifty years ago these wells were famous , and in great request , many resorting to them , and the water by others was sent for far and near . idem . p. . . in herefordshire , a little beneath richards castle , nature , who never disports her self more in shewing wonders , than in waters , hath brought forth a pretty well , which is alwayes full of little fish bones , although they be drawn out from time , to time , whence it s commonly called bone-well . idem . p. . . in yorkshire , upon the sea-shore by sken-grave , when the winds are laid , and the weather is most calm upon the sea : the water lying level and plain without any noise : there is heard here many times on a sudden , a great way off , as it were , an horrible , and fearful groaning , which affrights the fishermen at those times , so that they dare not launce forth into the sea. idem . p. . . pliny tells us of the fountain chymaera , that is set on fire with water , and put out with earth , or hey . plin. nat . hist. lib. . c. , . . the same author also tells us , that in the hot deserts of india grows a certain kind of flax that lives in the fire , and consumes not : we have seen ( saith he ) table-cloathes made of it , burning in fires at feasts , by which they have been cleansed from their stains , and spots , and made whiter by the fire than they could be by water . . at belgrad in hungary , where danubius , and sava ( two great rivers ) meet , their waters mingle no more than water and oil : not that either flote above other , but joyn unmixed ; so that near the middle of the river i have gone in a boat ( saith sir henry blunt in his voyage into the levant ) and tasted of the danow , as clear , and pure as a well ; then putting mine hand an inch further , i have taken of the sava , as troubled as a street-channel , tasting the gravel in my teeth . thus they ran sixty miles together , and for a dayes journey i have been an eye-witness of it . chap. iv. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fishes . anno christi . at oreford in suffolk , a fish was taken by the fishermen at sea , in shape resembling a wild man , and by them was presented to sir bartholomew de glanvil , keeper of oreford castle . in all his limbs and members he resembled a man , had hair in all the usual parts of his body , only his head was bald . the knight caused meat to be set before him , which he greedily devoured , and did eat fish raw , or sod : that which was raw he pressed with his hand , till he had squeezed out all the moisture : he uttered not any speech , though to try him , they hung him up by the heels , and grievously tormented him . he would get him to his couch at the setting of the sun , and rise again at the sun-rising . one day they brought him to the haven , and let him go into the sea , but to prevent his escape , they set three rows of very strong nets before him to catch him again at their pleasure : but he , straitwayes diving to the bottom , crept under all their nets , and shewed himself again to them , and so often diving , he still came up , and looked upon them that stood on the shore , as it were mocking of them . at length after he had sported himself a great while in the water , and there was no hope of his return , he came back to them of his own accord , and remained with them two months after . but finally , when he was negligently looked to , he went to the sea , and was never after seen , or heard of . fabians chron. . anno christi . some women of edam in the low-countries , as they were going in their barks to their cattel in purmer-meer , they often saw at the ebbing of the water , a sea-women playing up and down , whereat at the first they were afraid , but after a while , incouraging one another , they made with their boats towards her , and the water by this time being not deep enough for her to dive in , they took her by force , and drew her into the boat , and so carried her to edam , where in time she grew familiar , and fed of ordinary meats : and being sent from thence to herlem , she lived about fifteen years , but never spake , seeking often to get away into the water . belg. common-wealth . p. . . in the seas , near unto sofala are many women-fishes ; which from the belly to the neck are very like a woman ▪ the females have breasts like womens , with which also they nourish their young . from the belly downward they have thick , and long tails , with fins like a dolphin : the skin on the belly is white ; on the back rougher , than a dolphins . they have arms , which from the elbows end in fins , and so have no hands : the face is plain , round , and bigger than a mans , deformed , and without humane semblance : they have wide mouths , thick hanging lips like a hound ; four teeth hanging out almost a span long like the tusk of a boar : and their nostrils are like a calves . pur. pil. v. . p. . . upon the coasts of brasile are often found meer-men , which are like unto men of a good stature , but that their eyes are very hollow . . captain richard whitburn in his description of newfound-land , writes that anno christi . early in a morning as he was standing by the water side , in the harbour of st johns , he espied a strong creature swimming very swiftly towards him like a women , looking chearfully upon him : her face , eyes , nose , mouth , chin , ears , neck , and forehead were like a womans . it was very beautiful , and in those parts well proportioned , having hair hanging down round about the head : he seeing it come within a pikes length of him , stepped back , whereupon it dived under water , swimming to another place , whereby he beheld the shoulders , and back down to the middle , which was as square , white , and smooth as the back of a man ; from the middle to the hinder part it pointed in proportion like a broad-hooked arrow : afterwards it came to a boat wherein some of his men were , attempting to come in to them , till one of them struck it a full blow upon the head : others of them saw it afterwards also . . about brasile are many meer-men , and meer-women , that have long hair , and are very beautiful . they often catch the indians as they are swimming , imbracing them , and kissing them ; and clasp them so hard , that they crush them to death , and when they perceive that they are dead , they give some sighs , as if they were sorry pur. pil. v. . p. . . there are also another sort of them , that resemble children , and are no bigger , that are no ways hurtful . idem . . the torpedo is a strange kind of fish , which a man holding in his hand , if it stir not , it produceth no effect ; but if it move it self never so little , it so torments the body of him that holds it , that his arteries , joints , sinews , & all his members feel exceeding great pain , with a certain numness , and as soon as he layeth it out of his hand , all that pain , and numness , is gone also . p. pil. v. . p. . see more of it afterwards . . in sofala are many river-horses , as big as two of our horses , with thick , and short hinder legs , having five clawes on each fore-foot , and four on the hinder ; the mouth is wide , and full of teeth , four of which are above two spans long a peece ; the two lower stand upright ; the two upper are turned like a boars tush ; they live in the water , but feed on the land upon grass : they have teats wherewith they nourish their young ones : their hides are thicker than an oxes ; they are all of an ash-colour gray , with white strakes on their faces , or white stars in their foreheads . idem . p. . . in the mouth of the river of goa , there was taken a fish of the bigness of a cur-dog , with a snout like an hog , small eyes , no ears , but two holes in-stead thereof : it had four feet like an elephant : the tail was flat , but at the end round , and somewhat sharp : it snorted like a hog ; the body , head , tail , and legs , were covered with broad scals as hard as iron , so that no weapon could peirce them : when he was beaten , he would rowle himself round like an urchin , and could by no strength be opened , till he opened of his own accord . idem . p. . . there are also toad-fishes of about a span long , painted , having fair eyes : when they are taken out of the water , they snort , and swell much : their poison lies only in the skin , and that being flaid off , the indians eat them . idem . p. . . the cuttle-fish hath a hood alwayes full of black water , like ink , which when she is pursued by other fishes that would devour her , she casts it forth , which so darkens and foileth the water , that she thereby escapeth . idem . . there are a sort of fishes , whose wonderful making magnifieth their creator , who for their safety hath given them fins , which serve in-stead of wings : they are of such a delicate skin interlaced with fine bones as may cause admiration in the beholder : these fishes are like to pilcherds , only a little rounder , and bigger : they flye best with a side wind , but longer than their wings are wet , they cannot flye ; so that their longest flight is about a quarter of a mile . the dolphins , and bonitos do continually hunt after them , to prey upon them : whereupon for safety they take the air : but then there is a fowle called an alcatrace , much like a hern , which hovers in the air to seize upon them . incidit in scyllam qui vult vitare caribdim . out of the frying pan into the fire , as our proverb hath it . . there is often a strang fight in the sea between the whale and his enemies , viz. the swordfish , and the thresher . the swordfish is not great , but strongly made , and between his neck and shoulders he hath a bone like a sword , of about five inches broad , and above three foot long , full of prickles on either side . the thresher is a bigger fish , whose tail is broad , and thick , and very weighty . the fight is in this manner ; the swordfish placeth himself under the belly of the whale , and the thresher above with his tail thresheth upon the head of the whale , till he forceth him to give way , which the swordfish perceiving , wounds him in the belly with the sword , and so forceth him to rise up again . in this manner they torment him , that the fight is sometimes heard above three leagues off , the whales roaring being heard much further , his onely remedy in this case is to get to the shore , which he laboureth to do as soon as he sees his enemies : for then there can fight but one with him , and for either of them hand to hand he is too good . pur. pil. v. . p. . . mr. herbert in his east-indy voyage , relates of a shark taken by one of their men , that was nine foot and an half in length , and they found in her paunch fifty and five young ones , each of them a foot in length , all which go out and in at their pleasures : she is armed with a double row of venemous teeth : and is guided to her prey by a little musculus , or pilot-fish that scuds to and fro to bring intelligence , the shark for his kindnesse suffering it to suck when it pleaseth . . the sea tortoise is not much differing from those at land , only her shell is flatter : by overturning them they are easily taken , being hereby dis-enabled either to sink , or help themselves : they taste waterish , and cause fluxes : they superabound in eggs , one of them having in her neer two thousand , which eggs are pale , and round , and will never be made hard with boiling . herberts travels . p. . . in the indian sea is an eagle-fish , whose eyes are five quarters asunder , from the end of one fin to the end of the other are above four yards : its mouth and teeth resemble a portcullis : it hath a long small tail , and it is rather to be wondered at then to be eaten . . in le-maires voyage about the world , a certain fish , or sea monster , with an horn , struck against the ship with such violence , that shook it , whereupon the master looking overboard , saw the sea all bloody , but knew not what should be the cause , till coming into port-desire , where they cleansed and trimmed their ship , they found seven foot under water , a horn sticking in the ship , for bignesse , and fashion like an elephants tooth : yet not hollow , but all solid of hard bone , which had pierced through three double planks , and was entred into a rib of the ship , it stuck about half a foot deep in the ship , and by great force was broken off , which caused that great monster to bleed so much as discoloured the water . pur. pil. v. . p. . . the mannaty is a strange fish resembling a cow : her face is like a buffalo's , her eyes small and round , having hard gums instead of teeth : they feed much on the shore , which makes them taste like flesh of veal : their intrails differ little from a cows : their bodies are commonly three yards long , and one broad , they swim slowly wanting fins , in the place whereof they have two things like paps , which are their stilts when they creep on the shore to graze , where they sleep long , sucking in the cool aire : they cannot keep under water above half an hour . the stone generated in their head is most esteemed , being soveraign against choller adust , the stone collick ; and dissenteryes , if beaten small infused in wine , and drunk fasting . herb. trav. p. . see more afterwards . . the carvel comes of the foam of the sea , every where floating upon the surface of the ocean , of a round form , throwing abroad her strings like so many lines , which she can spread at pleasure , therewith angling for small fishes , which she catches at leasure : you may call her a sea-spider : for when she sees her web too weak , she can blow an infectious breath foaming death , or such a sting as if she had borrowed it from a scorpion . idem . . in the east-indies is a trade wind , which they call a briese , or monson , which blows west all april , may , june , july , august , and part of september , and east the rest of the year : only on the east of sumatra , it blows five months east , and five months west , and the other two variable . this is well known to our east-indy merchants . . the torpedo is a fish like a bream , but somwhat thicker : some marriners having one of them in a net , went to take it forth , but one of them presently cryed out that he had lost the use of his hands , and armes : another that was bare-legged putting his foot to it , lost the sence of his leg : but after a while their feeling returned again : whereupon calling their cook , they bade him to take and dresse it , who laying both his hands thereon , made grievous moan that he felt not his hands : but when its dead it produceth no such effect , but is good meat . pur. pil. p. . . about jamica in the west-indies , is a fish called a manati which is of a strange shape , and nature : it brings forth her young ones alive , and nourisheth them with milk from her teats , feeding upon grass in the fields , but lives for the most part in the water : the hinder-parts of it are like unto a cow , and it eats like veal . idem . v. . p. . . in brasile are oxe-fishes , which are very good meat : for head , hair , skin , cheeks , and tongue , they are like oxen : their eyes small with lids to open and shut ; which no other fish hath : it breatheth , and therefore cannot be long under water : instead of fore-feet , it hath two arms of a cubit long , with two round hands , and on them five fingers close together , with nails like a mans ; under these arms the female hath paps wherewith she nourisheth her young , she brings forth but one at once . it hath no fins but the tail , which is also round and close : their bones are all maffie , and white like ivory : of this fish they make great store of sweet oil : they feed most upon the land . idem . v. . p. . . in sir fran. drakes voyage about the world , when they came to the island of celebes , which is wholly overgrown with wood : amongst the trees night by night , they saw infinite swarms of fiery worms flying in the air , their bodies no bigger than of our english flyes , which made such a shew , and gave such a light , as if every twig or tree had been a burning candle . in which place also were great store of bats , as big as large hens . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in captain saris his voyage to bantam , about mid-night , they fell into the strangest , and fearfullest water that ever any of them had seen , the water giving such a glaring light about the ship , that they they could discern letters in a book thereby , whereas a little before it was so dark , that they could discern nothing . this made them fear that it had been the breach of sunken ground : but finding that they had failed half an hour in it , and saw no alteration , they perceived at length , that it was a multitude of cuttle-fish that made this fearful shew . pur. pil. p. . chap. v. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fowls , and birds . . in one of the scottish islands there is a rare kind of fowl unknown to other countrys , called colca , little lesse than a goose : they come thither every year in the spring , hatch , and nourish their young ones : about which time they cast all their feathers , and become stark naked all their bodies over , and then they get themselves to the sea , and are no more seen till the next spring : their feathers have no quill , as other feathers have , but are all like unto down , wherein is no hardnesse . descr. of scot. . in the north seas of scotland are great loggs of timber found , in which are ingendred after a marvellous manner , a sort of geese , called claik-geese : and they do hang by the beak till they are grown to perfection , and then they receive life and fall off : they are many times found , & kept in admiration for their rare manner of generation : they are very fat , and delicious to be eaten . idem . some question the truth hereof . . storks are so careful of their parents ? that when they grow old , and so are unable to help themselves , the young ones feed them : and when in passing the sea their wings fail them , the young ones will take them on their backs , and carry them over . and this is remarkable about them . . the town of delph in the low-countries is so seated for the breeding , and feeding of those birds , that it is hard to see an house wherein they do not build . in this town upon the third of may , anno christi . a great fire happened when the young storks were grown pretty big : the old ones perceiving the fire to approach to their nests , attempted to carry away their young ones , but could not , they were so weighty , which they perceiving , never ceased with their spread wings to cover them , till they all perished in the flames together . belg. common wealth . p. . . in america there are certain small birds called viemalim , with small and long bills , that live upon the dew , and of the juice of flowers , and roses , like bees : their feathers are of very curious colours : they dye , or sleep every year in october , sitting upon the bough of a tree in a warm place , and in aprill following , when the flowers are sprung , they awake again . i have one of them . . in the arabian deserts there are great store of ostriches , that go in flocks , and often affright passengers that are strangers , with their fearful schr●eches , appearing a farr off like a troop of horsmen . their bodies are too heavy to be born up by their wings , which , though uselesse for flight , yet serve them to run with greater speed , so that a swift horse can scarce overtake them : whatsoever they finde , be it stones or iron , they greedily swallow it down , and concoct it : when they have laid their eggs , ( which are as big as a culverin bullet ) they forget where they left them , and so return no more to them : but they are hatched by the heat of the sun in the warm sands : hence those expressions , lam. . . the daughter of my people is become cruel , like the ostriches in the wildernesse : whereupon she is made the embleme of folly , job . . &c. she leaveth her eggs in the earth , and warmeth them in the dust , and forgets that the foot may crush them , &c. . in brasile there is a little bird , which they call the risen , or awaken bird , because it sleeps six months , and awakes the other six . it hath a cap on its head of no one colour , but on what side soever you look , it sheweth red , green , black , and other colours , all very fine , and shining : the breast also shews great variety of colours , especially yellow , more fine then gold ; the body is grey , and it hath a very long small bill , and yet the tongue is twice as long as the bill : it flyes very swiftly , and makes a humming like a bee. it always feeds flying . pur. pil. . in socotera there are bats , whose bodies are almost as big as a conies , their heads are like foxes with an hairy furr upon them : in other things they are like our bats . one of them being killed by some english , his wings when they were extended , were an ell in length . their cry is shril and loud . idem . . in italy are the flies cantharides , which by day are of a green shining colour , but in the night they shine in the air , like flying glow-worms , with fire in their tailes . raimunds mercu. ital. . in china there is a fowl of a prodigious shape , and bignesse : it is three foot high : the body being exceeding great , more than a man can fathom : their feathers are all white like a swans , their feet broad like fowls that swim : their neck half a fathom long , and their beak half an ell , the upper part of it being crooked . from the nether part of the beak there hangs a very great and capable bag of a yellow golden colour , resembling parchment . with these fowls the natives use to fish , as we do in england with cormorants . they will catch fish with great dexterity , and when they have filled their great bag , which will hold divers fishes of two foot long a peece , they will bring them to their masters . pur. pil. v. . . . in the african desarts is a certain fowle called a nesir , some call it a vultur . it s bigger than a crane . in flying it mounts very high , yet at the sight of a dead carkass , it descends immediatly . she lives long , and in extream old age looseth her feathers , and then returning to her nest , is there fed by the young ones of the same kind . idem . . near unto the streights of magellane , there is an island called penguin island , wherein are abundance of fowls called penguins that go upright , their wings , in stead of feathers , are only covered with down , which hang down like sleeves faced with white . they flye not , but walk in paths of their own making , and keep their divisions and quarters orderly . they are a strange fowle , or rather , a miscellaneous creature , of beast , bird , and fish : but most of bird. pur. pil. v. . p. . . in the isle of man , there is a sort of sea-fowles called puffins , they are of a very unctious constitution , and breed in cony-holes ( the conies leaving their burrows for that time ) they are never seen with their young , but very early in the morning , and late in the evening : they nourish their young ( as it is conceived ) with oil drawn from their own bodyes , and dropped into their mouths ; for that being opened , there is found in their crops no other sustenance , save a single sorrel-leaf , which the old give their young ( as is conjectured ) for digestions-sake ; the flesh of them , whilst raw , not savoury , but powdered , it may be ranked with anchoves , and caviare ; profitable they are in their feathers , and oil , which they use much about their wooll . . the isle of mauritius is a fowle called a dodo ; her body is round , and extream fat , which makes her pace slow : few of them weigh less than fifty pound : her wings are so small , that they cannot lift her above the ground : her head is variously dressed , the one half-hooded with downy black feathers ; the other wholly naked , of a whitish colour , as if a transparent lawn had covered it : her bill is very hooked , bending downwards , the breathing place being in the midst of it , from which part to the end , the colour is light green , mixt with a pale yellow : her eyes are round , and small , and bright as diamonds : her cloathing is of the finest down ; her train is of three or four short-feathers , her legs thick , and black ; her tallons sharp ; her stomach so hot , that she digests stones , or iron , as doth the ostrich . . in lincolnshire there is a bird called a dotterel , so named of his doltish foolishness : it s a bird of an apish kinde , ready to imitate what it sees done : they are caught by candle-light by the fowlers gestures ; for if he put forth and arm , they stretch forth a wing : if he sets forward a leg , or hold up his head , they likewise do the same : in brief , whatsoever the fowler doth , the same also doth this foolish bird , until it be caught within the net . camb. brit. p. . . there is an island called bas , bordering upon lathaien in scotland , unto which there resort a multitude of sea fowls , especially of soland geese , which bring with them such abundance of fish , that , as it is reported , an hundred souldiers that lay there in garrison for defence of the place , fed upon no other meat , but the fish that was thus brought to them : and the said fowls also bring such a number of sticks , and twigs , wherewith to build their nests , that thereby the inhabitants are also abundantly provided of fewel for the fire : and such a mighty gain is made of their feathers , and oil , that no man would scarcely beleeve it , but he that hath seen it . camb. brit. of scotland . p. , . . in magallanes voyage about the world , the king of the island of bacchian sent the king of spain two dead birds of a strange shape : they were as big as turtle-doves , with little heads , and long bills , long small legs , and no wings , but in-stead thereof certain long feathers of divers colours , and tails like turtle-doves : all their other feathers were of a tawny colour ; they flye not , but when the wind blows ; and they call them birds of god. pur. pil v. . p. . . in sofala in the east-indies is a kinde of bird called minga , green , and yellow , very fair , about the bigness of a pigeon , which never treads on the ground , their feet being so short , that they can scarce be discerned : they settle on trees , of the fruit whereof they live : when they drink , they flye on the tops of the water ; and if they fall on the ground , they cannot rise again ; their flesh is fat and savoury . idem . p. . chap. vi. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange beasts , and serpents . . whilst sir thomas row , our english ambassador , was at the great moguls court , he saw many stately elephants brought before the emperour : some of which being lord-elephants ( as they called them ) had their chain bells , and furniture of gold , and silver , each of them having eight , or ten other elephants waiting on him : they were some twelve companies in all , and as they passed by , they all bowed down before the king very handsomely . pur. pil. v. . p. . . though these elephants be the largest of all beasts , yet are they very tractable , unless at such times when they are mad through lust : some of them are thirteen , and some fifteen foot high ; their colour is usually black , their skins thick , and smooth without hair ; they delight much to bathe themselves in water , and are excellent swimmers , their pace is about three miles an hour ; of all beasts they are most sure of foot , so that they never stumble , or fall to indanger their rider : they lye down , and rise again at pleasure , as other beasts do ; they are most docible creatures , doing almost whatsoever their keeper commands them . if he bid one of them affright a man , he will make towards him , as he would tread him in pieces ; and yet when he comes at him , do him no hurt : if he bid him abuse , or disgrace a man , he will take dirt , or kennel-water in his trunk , and dash it in his face , &c. their trunks are long , grissely snouts hanging down betwixt their teeth , which ( as a hand ) they make use of upon all occasions . some elephants the great mogul keeps for execution of malefactors ; who being brought to suffer death by that mighty beast , if the keeper bid him dispatch the offender presently , he will immediately with his foot pash him in peeces : if he bid him torture him slowly , he will break his joynts by degrees one after another , as men are broken upon the wheel . . an english merchant of good credit being at adsmeer ( a city where the great mogul then was ) saw a great elephant daily brought through the market-place , where an hearb-woman used to give him an handful of hearbs as he passed by . this elephant afterwards being mad ; brake his chains , and took his way through the market-place ; the people being affrighted , hasted to secure themselves , amongst whom was this hearb-woman , who through fear , and haste , forgat her little childe . the elephant comming to the place where she usually sate , stopt , and seeing a child lye about her hearbs , took it up gently with his trunk , and without harm , laid it upon a stall hard by , and then proceeded in his furious course . idem . p. . the males testicles lie about his forehead : the females teates are betwixt her fore-legs ; they carry their young two years in their wombs : conceive but once in seven years : they are thirty years before they come to their full growth , and fulfil the accustomed age of a man before they die . . as pyrrus king of epyrus was assaulting the city of argos , one of his elephants called nicon . i. e. conquering , being entred the city , perceiving that his governour was stricken down to the ground from his back with terrible blows ; ran upon them that came back upon him , overthrowing friends , and foes , one in anothers neck , till at length , having found the body of his slain master , he lift him up from the ground with his trunk , and carrying him upon his two tushes ; returned back with great fury , treading all under feet whom he found in his way . plut. in vita pyrri . . the lion hath the jackall for his usher , which is a litle black , shag-haired beast , of the bigness of a spaniel , which when the evening comes , hunts for his prey , and comming on the foot , follows the scent with open crye : to which the lion as chief hunt gives diligent ear , following for his advantage : if the jackall set up his chase before the lion comes in , he howles out mainly , and then the lion seizeth on it , making a grumbling noise , whilst his servant stands by barking , and when the lyon hath done , the jackal feeds on the relicks idem . p. . see more afterwards , example seventeen . . the panther hath a very sweet smell , so that other beasts are much taken therewith , but they are terrified with the ugly deformity of his face ; and therefore as he goes he hides that part between his legs , and will not look towards them till he hath gotten them within his compasse , which when he hath done , he devours them without mercy : so deals the devil with wicked men , strewing their way to hell with variety of worldly delights , and profits ( the thorns of affliction must not touch their flesh , nor hells terrors come within their thoughts ) till he hath made them past feeling , then he devours them . plin. nat . hist. l. c. . . the rhynoceros is so called because of the horn in his nose : he is a large beast , as big as our fairest oxe in england : his skin lyeth plated , and as it were in wrinkles upon his back : their horn , teeth , claws , yea flesh , and blood , are good against poyson , which , as is conceived , proceeds from the herbs which they feed on in bengala , where are most store of them . . the camelopardalus is the highest of beasts , so that a man on horseback may ride upright under his belly , his neck is long , so that he usually feedeth upon the leaves of trees : his colour is white and speckled , his hinder legs are shorter than his former , so that he cannot graze but with difficulty . p. pil. p. . he is also called a jaraff . . in india is a certain beast called a buffelo , which is very large , hath a thick and smooth skin , but without hair : she gives good milk , and her flesh is like beefe . idem . p. . . in the same country also are certain wild goats , whose horns are good against poison , pur. pil. p. . . in the country of indostan in the east-indies , are large white apes , as big as our grey-hounds , which will eat young birds , whereupon nature hath taught their dams this subtilty : they build their nests on the utmost bowes at the end of slender twigs : where they hang them like purse-nets to which the apes cannot possibly come : yet many times with their hands they will shake those boughs till the nests break , and fall down , and then they will devour them . pur. pilgrimage p. . . the camelion is of the shape , and bigness of a lizzard , it is a deformed lean , and crooked creature , having a long and slender tail , like a mouse , and is of a slow pace . it lives only upon flys . it changeth colours according to the variety of places where it comes . it is a great enemy to venemous serpents ; for when it sees any lie sleeping under a tree , it gets upon a bough just over the serpents head , & voideth out of its mouth , as it were a long thred of spittle , with around drop hanging at the end , which falling on the serpents head , immediately kills him p. pil. p. . . there was lately found in catalunia , in the mountains of cerdania , a certain monster , that had humane shape as far as the waste , and downwards it was like a satyre : he had many heads , arms , & eyes , and a mouth of extraordinary bigness , wherewith he made a noise like a bull : his picture was sent by don john of austria ( now governour of the low countrys ) to the king of spain , and afterwards many coppies thereof were drawn , and sent abroad by ambassadors , and other persons to several princes , and states in europe . hist. of this iron age . . in brasile is a certain beast called a tamandua or ant-bear of the bignesse of a great dog , more round than long , and the tail above twice so long as the body , and so full of hair that under it he shelters himself from rain , heat , cold , and wind . his head is small ; and hath a thin snout : his mouth round , with a tongue three quarters of a yard long : he is diligent in seeking ant-hills , which he teareth with his claws , and then thrusts in his long tongue , upon which the ants run , and when it is full , he licks them in ; and this is all his food . pur. pil. v. . p. . . the armadillo is of the bignesse of a pig , and of a white colour : it hath a long snout , and the body is covered with shels like plates , wherewith they are armed : for they are so hard that no arrow will pierce them except in the flanks , where they are softer : their flesh is good to eat , they dig holes in the ground with their snouts , in which they lye . idem . . the porcupine hath bristles , or quils , white and black , of a span and an half long , which they can cast : and they have this quality , that where one of these bristles enters into the flesh , if it be not pulled out presently , it will work it selfe quite through ; they are of a good flesh , and taste . . the civet-cat exceeds the castor for bignesse , her head is little , her eyes clear ; hath a long muzzle ; sharp , and offensive teeth . her hair is parti-coloured , harsh , and bristley , yellow above , and whiter downwards ; the pocket wherein the civet is bred is neer the genitory , which is taken forth with a spoon or stick ; but when she is wild , she casts it forth of her own accord , and by the scent it is found by the passengers . . the lyons in affrick , are more fierce than in colder countryes ; here was one of their skins brought into england , which from the snout to the top of the tail , contained one and twenty foot in length . they engender backwards as do camels , elephants , rhinoceroses , ounces , and tygers . they spare such men as prostrate themselves to them , and prey rather upon men than women , and not at all on infants , except compelled by hunger . his tail is his scepter , by which he expresses his passion . he shrinks not at danger , except some covert of woods hides him from witnesses , and then he will take the benefit of flight , which otherwise he seems to disdain . . the hyaena hath no joints in her neck , and therefore stirs not her neck , but with the bending of her whole body . she hath one continued tooth through her whole mouth . . in africk are many wild asses , whereof one male hath many females , and he is so jealous , that he bites off the stones of the young males , if the suspicious female prevent him not by bringing forth in a close place . . the dabuh is a simple creature , like to a wolf , but that his legs and feet are like to a mans , they which know his haunt , with a taber , & singing , will bring him out of his den , and captivate his ears with their musick , whilst another captivateth his legs with a rope . . the zebra is a very beautiful creature , resembling a curiously shaped horse , but not all out so swift , all over-laid with party coloured laces , and guards , from head to tail . . in sofala there is a certain creature called inhazaras as big as a hog , & somewhat like , with thin black hair , having on his hinder feet five fingers like unto a mans , and four on his forefeet ; they live meerly upon ants , by thursting their tongues which are two spans and an half long into an ant-hil , whereon the ants running , they pull them into their mouths , and so eat them : some call them ant-bears . pur. pil. . there is in affrica a certain monster called pongo , in the whole proportion like unto a man , but that it is bigger . it hath a mans face , hollow eyes , long hair upon the brows , his face and ears being without hair : but his body is all hairy of a dunish colour , &c. he differs from a man only in his legs , which have no calves : he goes alwayes upright upon his legs , and he carries his hands clasped in the nape of his neck , when he walkes upon the ground : they use to sleep in trees , and live upon fruits and nuts . idem . v. . p. . . in congo there is a strange creature as big as a ram , that hath wings like a dragon , a long tail , and great chaps , with diverse rows of teeth : they feed upon raw flesh . idem . p. . . in affrica there is a beast called a dabuk , in bignesse and shape , resembling a wolf , saving that his legs & feet are like a mans . he useth to take dead men out of their graves , and eat them . idem . p. . . in the kingom of mexico there are kine , with bunches on their backs , about the bigness of our bulls , having little horns , and more hair on their foreparts than behind , which is like wooll : on the back-bone they have maines like horses , and long hair from their knees downward , with much long hair on their throats : they are meat , drink , shooes , houses , fire , vessels , and their masters whole substance . . other creatures there are as big as horses , which the spaniards for their fine wooll call sheep : one of their horns usually weigheth fifty pounds . p. pil. v. . p. . . in virginia is a beast called a possown , the female whereof hath a bag under her belly , from whence she letteth forth her young ones , and taketh them in again at her pleasure . idem . p. . . in socotera are sheep , whose tails weigh twenty eight pounds a peece , which therefore are usually cut off from the ewes , least they should hinder their breeding . . in the great mogols countrey there are asses with horns , whereof they make diverse sorts of drinking cups , of excellent vertue . some judging them to be the right unicorns horn . idem . p. . . most certain it is , that the irish cows will not give down their milk , unless their own calves be set by their sides , either alive , or else the skin of the dead calf must be stuffed with straw , and set by them . camb. brit. of ireland . p. . . in the island of orknay the ewes are of such fecundity , that they bring forth constantly two , and many times three lambs a peece ; there be neither ravenous nor venemous creatures there ; nor if transported thither , will they live in that island . description of scotl. . there are three sorts of camels : the first sort are gross , and tall of stature : these will usually carry one thousand pound weight a peece ; when they are to be loaden , being beaten on the knees , and neck with a cudgel , they will kneel down ; and when they feel their load sufficient , they will rise up again of themselves . the second sort of them have two bunches on their backs , and are fit either for burthen , or to ride on . the third sort are of a slender , and low stature , called dromedaries , unfit for burthens , but they excel in swiftness , so that in the space of one day they will travel one hundred miles , and will so continue for eight , or ten dayes together , with very little provender ; and they will abstain from drink , eight , ten , and sometimes fifteen dayes together , without any inconvenience , as they travel through the deserts . . musk is taken from a little reddish beast , that they beat with many blows in one place , that so the blood may gather into it : and when the skin is by this means swoln , and full of blood , they bind it strait , that the blood may not issue forth , and being put into one , or more bladders , its dryed on the beasts back , till the bladder fall off of it self ; and so that blood after a month becomes excellent musk . pur. pil. v. . p. . . amongst the blackmoors , there is a strange beast called a carbuncle , which is seen only by night , having a stone in his forehead that shineth incredibly , and giving him light whereby to feed : but when he hears the lest noise , he presently lets fall over it a skin , which he hath as a natural covering , least his splendor should betray him . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in abassia are kine with horns like unto harts-horns : others there be that have but one horn in the midst of their foreheads of about a span and an half long , turning upward . pur. pil. v. . p. . . there is in the country of mexico a kinde of sheep , which all things considered , is a beast of the greatest profit , and least charge that is : for from them they draw meat and cloathing : they use them also to carry all their burthens , having need neither of shooes nor saddles , nor yet of oats , so that they serve their masters for nought , feeding only on grass which they find in the fields : there are two kinds of these creatures , the one bearing wooll , the other are bare , which are the better for burthen ; they are bigger than great sheep , and less than calves ; they have long necks like a cammel . they are of divers colours , some white , some black , and others grey , or spotted ; their flesh is good meat , but that of their lambs is best : of their wooll the indians make cloath some courser , other finer like half-silk ; they also make carpets , and coverings , and other exquisite works of it , which last long , and have a very good gloss ; they die it into sundry colours : upon these the spaniards carry their bars of silver ; one of these sheep carrying about an hundred and fifty pound weight . . in the stomach , or belly of this beast , is found the bezar's stone ; sometimes one alone , sometimes two , three , or foure : they are different in form , greatness , and colour ; some like filbeards , others like walnuts : some as big as pigeons eggs , some as big as hens eggs : in form some are round , some oval , and of other formes . for their colour , some are black , some white , some grey , dark green , and some as if they had been gilded : they are all made of divers filmes , and skins one upon another . p. pil. v. . p. . . there is in italy the tarantula ( a kind of serpent ) the venome whereof hath such an operation , that whosoever is stung with it , falleth a dancing , and capering , and nothing can allay it but musick . raimunds mercu. ital. examples of dogs love to their masters . . when the athenians quit their city , and betook themselves to sea , upon xerxes his invasion of greece , xantippus the father of pericles had a dog , which for sorrow that his master had left him behind him , cast himself after him into the sea , swimming still by the gallies side wherein his master was , till he came to the isle of salamina , where so soon as the poor cur landed , his breath failed him , and he dyed presently . plut in vita themist . chap. vii . admirable works done by the art of man. . protogenes the rhodian , an exquisite painter , bestowed seven years in drawing a most curious picture , which when apelles beheld , he stood amazed at the excellency of the workmanship , so that for a while he could not speak , but afterwards he said , this is an admirable work , and of huge labour , yet he wants an orator to extol his workmanship to the skies . when king demetrius besiedged the city of rhodes , he took the suburbs , and in them this picture , whereupon the citizens sent to him , requesting him not to deface it ; to whom he answered , that he would sooner burn the picture of his father , than hurt a peece of such admirable workmanship . diod. sic. plut. glasses malleable . . anno christi . amongst other rare presents sent from the sophy of persia , to the king of spain , were six drinking glasses so exquisitely tempered , that they could not be broken . turk . hist. p. . stone-henge described . . about six miles from salisbury , upon the plains , is to be seen a huge , and monstrous peece of work , such as cicero calleth insanam substructionem . for within the circuit of a ditch , there are erected in the manner of a crown , in three ranks , or courses , one whithin another , certain mighty , and unwrought stones , whereof some are twenty eight foot high , and seven broad ; upon the heads of which , others like overtwhart peeces do bear , and rest cross-wise with tenents , and mortesses , so as the whole frame seemeth to hang , whereof it s commonly called stone-henge . camb. brit. . in westmerland hard by shape , there be hung stones in form of pyramids , some of them nine foot high , and fourteen foot thick , ranged directly as it were in a row for a mile in length , with equal distance almost between them . camb. brit. p. . mausolus his tombe described . . artimesia queen of halicarnassus , when her husband mausolus dyed , built him a stately tomb , accounted for the rare workmanship , and costly magnificence one of the worlds wonders . it was five and twenty cubits high , and supported with six and thirty curious pillars , of which martial thus writeth : are nam vacuo pendentia mausolaea , laudibus immodicis cares ad astra ferunt . the mausolaea hanging in the skie , the men of caria's praises deifie . . when sir thomas row was ambassador there , the great mogul built a stately monument for his father : it was about twenty years in building , and three thousand men working daily at it : it was built square , three quarters of a mile in compass : it was made with seven heights one above another , and each narrower than other , till you come to the top where the herse is : at the outward gate is a most stately palace , and gardens walled about , at least three miles in compass ; all built at a vast charge . pur. pil. p. . . mr. herbert , who saw it afterwards , thus describes it . it consists ( saith he ) of four large squares , each about three hundred paces long , the matter is freestone polished , having at each angle , a small tower of party coloured marble . ten foot higher is another tarras , on each side beautified with three such towers . the third gallery hath two towers , on each side . the fourth , one . the fifth , half , and a small square gallery mounting to a royal pyree , within which is the mummy of ecbar ; bedded in a coffin of pure gold. the whole structure is built in the midst of a spacious and curious garden , surrounded with a wall of red stone , and planted with beautiful and odoriferous flowers . porsennah's tomb described . porsenna king of hetruria● , not far from the city of clusium , built for himself a monument of square stone , each side of it was three hundred foot broad , and fifty foot high ; within which square basis , there was an inextricable labyrinth , into which whosoever adventured without a clue , could find no passage out . upon this square he erected five pyramids , four in the corners , and one in the midst ; in the bottom they were seventy five foot broad , and each of them one hundred and fifty foot high , on the top was one brass circle , and covering for them all , from which there hung bells fastened with chains , which being moved with the winde , gave a sound a far off : upon this brazen circle stood other four pyramids , each of them one hundred foot high ; and upon them ( being covered with another plain ) were again erected five other pyramids , the height whereof my author was ashamed to name : so foolishly did he waste the wealth of his kingdom , that in the end the commendation of the artificer should be the greatest . pliny out of varro ; and greaves out of him . . in the great moguls country , from agra to lahar ( which are the two chief cities in this empire ) is about four hundred english miles : the country in all that distant , being even without mountains or hills : and the high-way betwixt them , is planted on both sides with trees , like unto a delicate walk . p. pil. v. . p. . the trees are mulberry-trees . and in all this way , ever and anon , are inns built by several kings , and great men , for the entertainment of strangers : in which you may have a chamber for your self , room for your hourse , and horse-meat , but little for your servant : when a man hath taken up his lodging , no other may dispossess him . in the morning about break a day , all make ready to depart , at which time the gates are opened , and none suffered to depart sooner for fear of theeves . p. . the first invention of printing . . laurence jans , a rich citizen of harlem in the low-countries , walking forth one day into the neighbouring woods for recreation , began to cut in pieces of wood the letters of his name , printing them on the back of his hand ; which pleasing him well , he cut three or four lines which he beat with ink , and printed them upon paper , wherewith he much joyed , and determined to find out another kind of ink more fastening , and holding , and so with his kinsman thomas peterse , found out another way to print whole sheets , but of one side only , which are yet to be seen in the said town : afterwards he changed his letters of wood into lead , and after that into tin , and so by degrees this famous art of printing grew to perfection . belg. common-wealth . p. . . some say that john guttenburg of strasburg , was the first inventer of it , anno christi . in which city he first practised it , and removing from thence to mentz , there perfected it . they say that tullies offices was the first book that ever was printed . p. ramus schol. math. l. . . it doth with wonderful celerity convey learning from one country , and age , to another . imprimit ille die , quantum vix scribitur anno . the most famous printers were . . aldus manutius , and after him paulus his son in venice . in france , crispinus , henry stevens , father to charles ; and charles to robert ; robert to henry , and henry to paul , all printers . . christopher plantine of antwerp , was a most famous and learned printer . . frobenius , that was erasmus his faithful printer . . daniel bombergus , an excellent printer of the hebrew bible , and many other hebrew books , &c. the first invention of guns . . a german fryer of the order of st. francis , called bertholdus swart , being very studious of chymistry , as he was one evening ( for the finding out of some experiment ) very busie in tempering brimstone , sulphureous powder of dryed earth , and certain other ingredients in a morter , which he covered with a stone : when it grew dark , he took his tinder-box to light him a candle , a sparke whereof by chance flying into the mortar , caught hold of the brimstone , and salt-peter , and firing , with a sudden flash blew up the stone . the cunning chymist gues●ng what it was which wrought this effect , never left till he found out the certainty , and then taking an iron pipe , he crammed it full of the same ingredient , together with some stones , and so putting fire to it , he saw that with great fury , and noise it discharged it self : soon after which , he communicated this his invention to the venetians , who , having been often vanquished by the genowayes , did by the help of these bombards , or guns , give them a notable discomfiture . anno christi . bucholtz . . at middleburg in zealand , in the steeple of the abby-church , there is a bell of eighteen thousand weight to strike the hours on , and twenty four small ones which serve for the chymes . belg. common-wealth . p. . a description of the situation of utrecht in the low-countries . utrecht in the low-countries , is so situated , that one may go to what town he please of fifty , that lye round about it in one day . and in a summers day , if one go early from utrecht , he may dine at any one of twenty six towns , where he pleaseth , and return to his own house to supper . idem . p. . trajan built a bridge over the river ister , or danow , containing twenty arches , each arch being one hundred and fifty foot high , sixty thick , and one hundred and seventy foot distant one from another : so that the whole length of it was four thousand seven hundred and seventy foot , which was almost a mile long . the river was very deep , and swift , and the bottom not firm ground , neither could the stream be diverted any other way ; all which made the work far more difficult , and admirable . ancus martius , the fourth king of rome , built a wooden bridge over the river tybur , yet without nails , or pins , so that in times of war it might be taken down : afterwards aemilius the consul built it of stone : and lastly antoninus pius the emperour built it of marble . finis . soli deo gloria . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e trees , fowles beasts fishes plants , fruits , and herbs , virginia's situation . their summers and winters . the natives described . their apparel . habitations and houses . their lodging and beds . their child-birth and children . women laborious and men idle . their several diets . their bows and arrows . their weapons in war. the fishing boats , and furniture . their huntings . their wars . their musick . their trading . their religion . their sepulchers , and burials . their mournings : the priests attire . their civil government . the kings women and attendants . their goverment by customs . of the plantation of the english. elks fruitfulness of the deer . their beasts and fowles ▪ their fish. their fruits . the qualities of the natives . their priests . their government . the countrey described . strange beasts . their hawks and other fowl. birds and fish. bermudas city . powhatans daughter converted baptized and married . she comes into england . her death . vrginia divided . how governed : persons sent over . commodities , their iron , pot , and sope ashes pitch and tar. timber . silk . vines . salt. gifts to the plantation . persons sent over . gifts to promote the plantation . notes for div a -e the nature of its soil . the temperature of the air . it s fertility . their summers , and winters . no venomous creature there . fish fowl trees and plants . tortoises or turtles described . the prickl pear . fowls and birds . plants . things offensive . their number & bigness . whale-fight . strange birds . rat-plague palm trees . shel-fish . other fish birds . more planters sent over . of governours . notes for div a -e the good god , how they increase the priests . their government . they maintain their kings . their charity . their burials , and mournings their behaviour . their names of their marriages , their women . their modesty . their justice punishments . their integrity . their language . their chonicles . notes for div a -e barbadoes first discovered . hoggs found there . hunted by the indians . fine pots . the first painters . indico planted . cotton , and fustick . sugar canes planted . the scituation of the island . the chief towns unhealthful . the baies . the bigness of the island . ils beauty the length of the days the temperature . diseases , the moistness of the air . a want of water . the only river or lake . excellent lobsters . their ponds . speedy warning of dangers bread of c●ssury . how it s made . bread of maise , and cussary together . lob-lolly potatoes used for bread. their drink mobby , how made . perino how made . grippo . punch . plantane drink . kill-devil . beveridge pine-drink the best of all . hogs flesh . beef . turkies . pullin , and muscovy ducks . turtle doves . pidgeons . rabbets . several sorts of fish . the green turtle . quasquechoses . flesh and fish. the negroes alowance . an inland feast . a feast near the sea. merchandize imported and exported . timber trees . locusts . mastick trees . bully trees . red wood yellow wood . cedars iron-wood . stone for buildings . of their servants and slaves . how their servants are used . dreadful fire . how quenched . of the negroes . their chastiy . their jealousie . of their easie travel dancing . the funerals , and physick . negro . maids and wives . indians . camels . horses . bulls and cows . asinegoes . hoggs . sheep . goats . birds and fowls . buzzards . turtle doves . thrush . blackbirds stares . counsellers . the humming bird. teals , oxen , kine : a man of wyr . snakes . scorpious lizzards . cochoaches . the muskitoes . merriwings . caterpillars . other flies . ants and pismires . ants. spiders . negroes . crickets . crabs . the physick nut. the poison tree . a mantionel tree . cussavy . coloquintida . cassia fistula . a strange tamarine trees . palm-trees figg trees . cherry-trees . citron trees . orange trees . limon trees . lime-trees prickled apple trees . prickled pear-trees . pomgranate trees papa-trees gnaver trees . coco-trees custard-apple trees mucow trees . date trees , mungrave trees . calibash trees . bay-trees . cedar mastick trees . bully trees , red-wood trees . prickled yellow wood . iron wood. lignum vitae . locust trees , bastard locust trees . palmeto trees . palms to royal trees . plantanes . wild plantanes . tanes . bonanoes . sugar . canes . old wit hs . aloes . the life & death of nebuchadnezzar, the great, the first founder of the babylonian empire, represented by the golden head of that image, dan. . ., and by the lion with eagles wings, dan. . . as also of cyrus, the great, the first founder of the empire of the medes and persians, represented by the breast, and arms of silver in that image, dan. . ., and by a bear, dan. . by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life & death of nebuchadnezzar, the great, the first founder of the babylonian empire, represented by the golden head of that image, dan. . ., and by the lion with eagles wings, dan. . . as also of cyrus, the great, the first founder of the empire of the medes and persians, represented by the breast, and arms of silver in that image, dan. . ., and by a bear, dan. . by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for william miller ..., london : . advertisement: p. . reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of 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general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng nebuchadnezzar -- i, -- king of babylonia, th cent. b.c. cyrus, -- king of persia, d. b.c. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the life & death of nebuchadnezzar the great , the first founder of the babylonian empire ; represented by the golden head of that image ; dan. . . and by the lion with eagles wings ; dan. . . as also of cyrus the great , the first founder of the empire of the medes , and persians ; represented by the breast , and arms of silver in that image ; dan. . . and by a bear ; dan. . . and by a ram with two horns ; dan. . , . he was the deliverer of gods israel out of babylon , the seventy years of their captivity being expired . by both of these , much light is given to many of the prophesies of isay , jeremy , esekiel , and daniel . by sa. clarke , sometime minister in st bennet fink , london . london , printed for william miller at the gilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . . licensed to be printed , roger l'estrange . the life & death of nebuchadnezzar the great , the first emperor of the chaldeans , who was represented by the golden head of that image , dan. . . and by the lion with eagles wings , dan. . . whereby much light is given to many of the prophesies of isay , jeremy , esekiel , and daniel . by sa. clarke , sometime minister in st bennet fink , london . london , printed for william miller at the gilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door , . the life , & death of nebuchadnezzar the great , first emperor of the chaldeans . nebuchadonazar , or nebuchadnezzar , was the son of nebuchadonazar , or nabopolaser of babylon , who was made general of the army by saraco , king of assyria , and chaldea , after whose death nabopolaser took into his hands the kingdom of chaldaea , which he held by the space of one and twenty years ; at the same time astyages was made governour of media by cyaxares his father ; and the better to strengthen themselves , they entred into affinity , by astyages his giving his daughter amytis to nebuchadnezzar , the son of nabopolaser , and thereupon joyning their forces together , they took ninive , together with saraco , the king thereof , placing a vice-roy in his stead . shortly after , the governour of coelosyria , and poenicia , revolting from nabopolaser , he sent against him his son nebuchadnezzar ( having first associated him with himself in the kingdom of babylon ) with a great army , which was in the latter end of the third , and the beginning of the fourth year of jehoiakim , king of juda ; as appears dan. . . compared with jer. . . nebuchadnezzar was no sooner thus associated with his father in the kingdom , but the things which he was to act , were presently revealed to the prophet jeremy ; the first whereof was the overthrow of the egyptians ; first at the river euphrates ; then in their own country , jer. . the first of these came to pass presently , neco's forces , which he left at carchemish , being cut off by nebuchadnezzar in the fourth year of jehoiakim , jer. . . the second was not till after the taking of tyre , in the seventeenth year of the captivity of jechonia . ezek. . , , . in the third year of jehoiakim , nebuchadnezzar the second , his father being yet alive , entred judaea with a great army , who , besieging , and forcing jerusalem , made jehoiakim his vassal , in despight of pharaoh necho , who had made him king , and took with him to babylon , for pledges , daniel , who was yet a child , with ananias , misael , and azarias . he took also part of the treasures belonging to the temple ; but stayed not to search thorowly for all . for necho hasted with his army to the relief of jehoiakim , hoping to find nebuchadnezzar in judaea . but this great babylonian had no mind to hazard himself and his army against the egyptian , judaea being so ill affected towards him , and himself far from all succour ; or sure place of retreat . if he had ( as may be supposed ) any great strength of scythian horsemen , it was wisely done of him to fall back out of that rough mountanous , and hot country , into places that were more even and temperate . and besides these reasons , the death of his father happening at the same time , gave him just occasion to return home , and take possession of his own kingdom , before he proceeded in the second care , of adding more unto it . and this he did at reasonable good leasure . for the egyptian was not provided to follow him so far , and to bid him battel , until the new year came in , which was the fourth of jehoiakim , the first of nebuchadnezzar and the last of necho . in this year the babylonian , lying upon the banks of euphrates ( his own territories bounding it on the north-side ) attended the coming of necho : there , after a cruel battel fought betwixt them , necho was slain , and his army forced to save it self by a violent retreat , wherein it suffered great loss . this victory was so well pursued by nebuchadnezzar that he recovered all syria , and whatsoever the egyptians held out of their proper territories towards the north. the egyptians being thus beaten , and altogether for the present discouraged , jehoiakim held himself quiet , as being in heart a friend to the egyptians , yet having made his peace with the chaldeans the year before , and nebuchadnezzar was contented with such profit as he could there readily make : he had forborn to lay any tribute upon the jews . but this cool reservedness of jehoiakim , was , on both sides , taken in ill part . whereupon the egyptian king psamnis , who succeeded necho , began to think of restoring jehoahaz ( who had been taken prisoner by his father , and carried into egypt ) and of setting him up , as a domestical enemy against his ungrateful brother . but to anticipate all such accidents , the judean had put in practice the usual remedy , which his fore-fathers used : for he had made his own son jechonia , king with him long before ; in the second year of his own raign , when the boy was but eight years old . as for this rumor of jehoahaz his return , the prophet jeremy foretold , that it should prove a vain attempt , saying , he shall not return thither , but he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive , and shall see this land no more . jer. . , . the egyptians , having lost all their mercenary forces , and received that heavy blow at carchemish , had more gold than sharp steel remaining , which is of small force without the others help . besides , the valour of necho was not in psamnis apries , who , raigning after psamnis , did indeed once adventure to shew his face in syria ; but after a big look , he was glad to retire , without adventuring the hazard of a battel . wherefore this declining nation , fought only with brave words , telling such frivolous tales , as men that mean to do nothing , use , boasting of their former glorious acts against josias , and jehoahaz . and truly in such a time and case , it was easie for jehoiakim to give them satisfaction , by letting them understand the sincerity of his affections towards them , which appeared in time following . but nebuchadnezzar went more roundly to work : for he sent a peremptory message to jehoiakim , requiring him not to stand upon any nice points , but presently to acknowledge himself his subject , and to pay him tribute ; adding thereunto such terrible threatnings , as made the poor judaean lay aside all thoughts of adhearing unto pharaoh ; and to yield to do , as the more powerful would have him . thus he continued in obedience to nebuchadnezzar three years ; during which time the prophet jeremia , cryed out against the impiety of the jews , puting them in mind that he had now for three and twenty years exhorted them to repentance ; but because they had stopped their ears against him , and the rest of the prophets , he now foretold that their captivity was at hand , and that they should bear the yoak of bondage for seventy years . the same calamity he threatned to all the neighbouring nations , to the egyptians , moabites , ammonites , idumaeans , and the rest ; foretelling that they should all drink out of the babylonian cup the wine of his fury , whom they had forsaken ; and that after the seventy years should be expired , the babylonians themselves should tast of the same cup , and be utterly subverted by the medes and persians , by which means the jews should be permitted to return into their own country , and cities . the first imprisonment of the prophet jeremy seems to have been in the fourth year of this jehoiakim , at which time , baruch the scribe , wrote all his prophesies from his mouth , whom he sent to read them unto the people , and afterwards to the princes , who presented them to the king : but fearing the kings fury , they had first set jeremy at liberty , and advised him , and baruch , to hide themselves , jeremiah . ● , &c. jehoiakim having heard part of it read to him , and perceiving the ill news contained therein , he made no more ado , but cut the book in pieces , and cast it into the fire . all which , jeremy caused to be new written , with this addition , that the dead body of jehoiakim , should be cast out , being exposed in the day to the heat , and in the night to the frost , and that there should be none of his seed to sit upon the throne of david . times thus runing on , jehoiakim thought himself secure from all danger , as being tributary to the babylonian , and yet withall , well thought on by the egyptian : about which time the mighty city of tyre , opposed it self against nebuchadnezzar : and upon just confidence of her own strength , despised all preparations that could be made against her . now for as much as the tearm of seventy years was prescribed for the desolation , as well of tyre , as of jerusalem , and other places , and countries , its apparent that they that refer the winning of this city to the ninteenth year of nebuchadnezzar , have good ground and warrant for it . for the siege thereof began in the seventh year of his raign , and lasted thirteen years . here it will not be amiss to insert a brief note concerning the beginning of this great princes rule ; the third year of jehoiakim , was the last of nabul●sser , who being freed from other cares , and businesses , took notice of such as had revolted from him to pharaoh necho , and sent this noble prince ▪ his son , with an army into syria to reclaim them . in this expedition was daniel carried to babylon , who therefore makes mention of it , dan. . . the year next following , being the fourth of jehoiakim , was the first year of nebuchadnezzar , which jeremy affirmeth in express words , jer. . . and from this we must reckon all his time , and actions which follow to be spoken of . in his three and twentieth year he conquered egypt , and then began his great empire , there being none lest that durst offend , or oppose him . the second from this year it was wherein daniel saw that vision of the image consisting of sundry mettals , which prefigured the succession of great kingdoms , that should rule the world before the coming of christ. but to return to the siege of tyre , which began in the seventh year of his raign . the stately city of tyre covered all the ground of an island , that was divided from the continent , by a deep , and broad channel of the sea. the chaldaeans had no fleet of ships , neither were they seamen : the tyrians excelled all other nations in multitude of goodly ships , and skill to use them : and every wind , from one part or other , brought in all needfull provisions to the city : wherefore neither force , nor famine could greatly hurt the place ; whereof nevertheless , the judgements of god ( denounced against it by isay , jeremy , and esekiel ) had threatened the destruction ; and the obstinate resolution of nebuchadnezzar had fully determined to accomplish it . this haughty king , impatient of resistance , undertook a vast piece of work , which was , to fill up that part of the sea which divided the island from the continent . the city of old tyre , that stood opposite to the new , upon the firm land , and the mountain of libanus near adjoyning , that was loaden with stately cedars , and abundance of other trees , furnished him with materials to effect it . thirteen years were spent in this difficult , and hopeless undertaking , which need not seem strange , if we consider , that alexander , working upon that foundation which was remaining of nebuchadnezzars peer , and being withall , assisted with a strong fleet , was yet seven moneths ere he could make way into the city . wherefore , if the raging of the sea was able to carry away that wherewith alexander laboured to cover a shelve , with much more violence could it overturn , and as it were , consume the work of nebuchadnezzar : who laid his foundation in the bottom of the deep ; striving , as it were , to fill the empty belly of this greedy cormorant , whereas the macedonian did only stop the throat of it . all may know that god could easily have accomplished his own threatnings against this place ( though it had not pleased him to use , either a miracle , or such of his more immediate engins , as are earthquakes , &c. ) by making at least , the seas calm , and adding the favourable concurrence of all second helps . but so it pleaseth him oft times , in chastising the pride of man , to use the hand of man , even the hand of man , striving , as it may seem , against all resistance of nature , and providence . so that by this excessive labour of the chaldeans , that scripture was fulfilled , that every head should be made bald , and every shoulder should be made bare , esek . . . yet would not nebuchadnezzar give over till he was master of the town . when he was entred upon this desperate undertaking , whether it were by some losses received , or some mutany in his army , or some glorious rumour of the egyptians strength , his evil willers took courage to rebell against him ; and amongst them , jehoiakim , renounced his subjection , and began to hope for the contrary which soon after fell out . for nebuchadnezzar gave him no leasure to do much hurt : but with part of his army , he marched strait into judea ; where the amazed king made so little resistance ( the egyptians having left him , as it were in a dream ) that nebuchadnezzar entred jerusalem , laid hands on jehoiakim , whom at first he bound , intending to send him to babylon , but his mind changing , he caused him to be slain in that place , and gave him the burial of an ass , to be devoured by beasts , and ravinous birds , according to the former prophesie ; leaving in his place his son , jehoiakim , or jeconia ; whom yet after three moneths , and ten days , he deposed , and sent him pisoner to babylon , together with esekiel , mordecay , and josedech , the high priest. the mother of jeconias , together with his servants , eunuches , and all the ablest men , and best artificers in the land , were also then carried away captives . this jechonias , following the counsel of the prophet jeremy , made no resistance , but submitted himself to the kings will , wherein he both pleased god , and did that which was most profitable for himself , though at the present it might seem otherwise , to such as considered the evil that befell him , rather than the greater evill that he thereby avoided . this only particular act of his is recorded in scriture which was good : but it seems that he was at least a partaker in his fathers sins , if not a provoker , which was the cause , that though he submitted himself to gods will , yet did he not preserve his estate : for so it is said , that he did evil in the sight of the lord , according to all that his father had done . in his stead , nebuchadnezzar set up mattania , his uncle , making him king of judea , and called him zedechias . for like as necho , king of egypt , had formerly displaced jehoahaz , after he had slain his father josias , and set up jehoiachim , the son by another mother : so nebuchadnezzar slew jehoiakim , who depended on the egyptians , and , carrying his son jeconias prisoner to babylon , he gave the kingdom to this zedechias , who was whole brother to that jehoahaz , whom necho took with him into egypt , and from zedechias he required an oath for his loyalty , and faithfull subjection , which zedechias gave him , and called the living god to witness in the same , that he would remain assured to the kings of chaldea , chron. . . esek . . , , . in the first year of zedechias , jeremy saw , and expounded the vision of the ripe , and rotten figs , the one signifying those that were already carried away captives , the other signifying those jews that yet remained , and were afterwards destroyed , jer. . . in the fourth year of zedechias , jeremy wrote in a book all the evil which should fall upon babylon , which book , or roul he gave to seriah , when he went with king zedechias to babylon , to visit nebuchadnezzar , willing him first to read it to the captive jews , and then to binde a stone to it , and cast it into euphrates , pronouncing these words ; thus shall babel be drowned , and shall not rise from the evil which i will bring upon her . this journey of zedechias to babylon is probably thought to be in way of a visit , and to carry some presents to nebuchadnezzar ; but yet its likely he had some suit to make , which his lordly master refused to grant , and sent him away discontented . for at his return , all the bordering princes sent messengers to him , inciting him ( as it seems ) to those unquiet courses from which the prophet jeremy dehorted both him , and them . about which time the prophet , by gods appointment , made bonds , and yokes , one of which he wore about his own neck , others he sent unto the five kings , of edom , moab , ammon , tyre , and zidon , by those messengers which came to visit zedechias , making them know , that if they , and the king of juda continued in subjection , to babylon , they should then possess , and enjoy their own countries ; if not , they should assuredly perish by the sword , by famine and by pestilence . he also foretold them that those vessels which yet remained in jerusalem , should be carried after the other to babylon , yet at length should be restored again . the same year ananias , the false prophet , took off the woodden yoke which jeremy did wear , as a sign of the captivity of the jews , and brake it : vaunting , that in like manner after two years , god would break the strength of babel , and the yoke which he laid on all nations : and that he would restore jeconias and all the jews , with the vessels , and riches of the temple , and put an end to all these troubles . but jeremy instead of his woodden yoke , wore a coller of iron ; and in sign that ananias had given a false , and deceitfull hope to the people , he foretold the death of this false prophet , which accordingly came to pass in the seventh moneth . after this , when zedechias had wavered long between faith , and passion , in the eight year of his raign , he practiced more seriously against nebuchadnezzar with his neighbours , the edomites , ammonites , moabites , tyrians , and others who were promised great aides by the egyptians , in confidence of whose assistance he resolved to shake off the babylonian yoke ; whereof when nebuchadnezzar was informed , he marched with his army in the dead of winter , towards jerusalem , and besieged it . jeremy perswaded zedekias to render the city , and himself to him : but zedechias , being confident of help from egypt , and being perswaded by his princes , and false prophets , that it was impossible that the kingdom of judah should be extirpated untill the coming of shilo , according to jacobs prophesie , gen. . . he dispised the counsell of jeremy , and imprisoned him . for jeremy had told the king that the city should be taken and burnt ; that the king should not escape , but be taken prisoner , and brought to the presence of nebuchadnezzar : that he should not perish by the sword , but being carried to babel , should there die a naturall death . the following year , jerusalem was surrounded , and more strictly besieged by nebuchadnezzars army ; whereupon the king of egypt , pharaoh hophra , entred into judea with his army , to succour zedekias , of whose revolt he had been the principall authour . but jeremy gave the jews faithfull counsel , willing them not to have any trust in the succours of egypt : for he assured them that they should return back again , and in no sort relieve them . and it fell out accordingly . for when the chaldeans removed from jerusalem to encounter the egyptians , these bragging patrones abandoned their enterprise , and taking gaza , in their way homewards , returned into egypt as if they had already done enough , leaving the poor people in jerusalem to their destinied miseries , jer. . , . in the mean while the jews , who in the time of their extremity , had released their hebrew bondmen , and bond-women , according to the law , in the year of jubile , and made them free , thereby to encourage them to fight , did now upon the breaking up of the chaldean army , repent of what they had done , and thinking that all danger had been past , they held them by force to their former slavery . but the caldeans being returned to the siege , the prophet jeremy , when the state of jerusalem began now to grow to extremity , counselled zedekias , to render himself to the babylonians , assuring him of his own life , and of the safety of the city if he would do so . but his obstinate heart led him on to that wretched end , which , his neglect of god , and his infidelity , and perjury had provided for him . three and twenty moneths the chaldean army lay before jerusalem , and held it exceeding straitly besieged ; for they built forts against it round about , king. . . or , they surrounded the city with woodden towers , so as the besieged could neither sally out , nor receive into the city any supplies of men or victuals . josephus saith , that they overtopped the walls with their high towers which they erected upon mounts , from which , with their engines they did so beat upon the walls , that the desendants were forced to forsake their stations . and though the besieged also raised counter-buildings , like unto these , yet the great nebuchadnezzar , who commanded all the regions thereabouts , & had the woods , and rivers at his command , found out means to disappoint & overthrow all the citizens endeavours , and to beat down their towers as fast as they raised them . for his own works were guarded by the walls of jerusalem , whereas theirs within lay open to his batteries . besides , both famine , and pestilence ( which commonly accompany men straitly besieged ) grew fast upon them , whereby , when the number , strength and courage of the jews failed , the caldeans made a breach , and forcing an entry , their princes did seat themselves as lords of the town , in the middle gate , king. . , , . jer. . , . & . , &c. zedechias , beholding this uncomfortable sight , and finding no other means to escape the present danger , lost both his courage , and his hope at once , and shifted himself , together with his wives , children , princes , and principall servants , out of the city , by a way under-ground , leaving his amazed , and now headless subjects to the merciless swords of their enraged enemies . thus he , who when the prophet jeremy perswaded him to render himself , dispised both the counsel of god , and the army and force of nebuchadnezzar , used now the remedy which one calls , a wofull , shamefull , and unfortunate shift . by this secret subterranean vault , zedechias stole away , & by the help of the dark night , recovered the plains , or desarts of jericho . but by reason of the train that followed him and his ( every one leading with him those whom he loved best ) he was easily traced and pursued . how great soever the company was that attended him , yet certain it is , that they , on whose fidelity he most relied , no sooner beheld the caldeans to draw neer , but they all abandoned his defence , and shifted for themselves in the desarts , as they could . for whom god had forsaken , no man regarded . and thus zedechias was taken by the ministers of gods vengeance , and being made a prisoner , together with his children , and princes , he was carried to riblah , in the tribe of nephthalim , where nebuchadnezzar then lay , as a place indifferent between jerusalem and tyre , with both which places he had at one time to do . now when nebuchadnezzar had laid before zedechias the many graces and favours which he had conferred upon him , together with the notable falshood and perjury wherewith he had requited him , he commanded his children , princes , and friends to be slain before his face . this being done , to the and that so lamentable a spectacle should be the last , that ever he should behold in this world , he caused his eyes to be put out , and so carried him like a slave to babylon , where he consumed the rest of his life in perpetual imprisonment . herein was that marvellous prophesie of esekiel fulfilled : i will bring him to babylon , and he shall not see it , esek . . . thus in the eleventh , and last year of zedechias , which was the eighteenth of nebuchadnezzar , the chaldeans entred jerusalem by force , where sparing neither sex nor age , they put all to the sword that they found therein . in the year next following , nebuzaradan , the generall of the babylonish army , burnt the kings pallace , and the whole city of jerusalem , and after the fire had lasted from the seventh to the tenth day , he also burnt the temple of god to the ground , the richest and most magnificent place that ever the sun saw , when it had stood four hundred thirty , and one years . after this upon a second search , nebuzaradan ( not yet satiated with blood ) commanded seventy and two others to be slain , which had hidden themselves from the first sury , to wit , the chief , and the second priest , two commanders of zedechias his men of war , five of his houshold servants , and some others , carrying away to babylon the ablest of the people through all judea , and leaving the poorest labouring people , with some that followed the party of nebuchadnezzar , to till the ground , over whom he placed gedaliah , the nephew of that saphan , whom josias had formerly imployed in the reformation of religion . this gedaliah , a jew by nation , left zedechias , as it seemeth , in the beginning of the war , and by jeremies desire to live with him , its probable that had embraced the same advice , which the prophet gave to zedechias , which was , to submit himself to the babylonian king , who being ordained of god for them , as an instrument of his justice , was , therefore irresistable . the prophet jeremy being left to his own choise to live where he pleaced , made choise to go to gedaliah , to whom he was commended by nebuzaradan , and he , not onely intertained him kindly , but comforted him , and all the other jews that were left under his charge , promising them favour , and liberty , so long as they remained obedient subjects to nebuchadnezzar by whom he was established provinciall governour over his own nation . but ere the year was exspired , a prince of the late kings family ( who during the siege of jerusalem had sheltered himself from the storm , with baalis , king of the ammonites ) being attended by ten other chosen men , whilst gedaliah feasted them in mitspah , the city of his residence , they trayterously slew him , together with divers chaldeans and jews that accompanied him . this done , they escaped , and in their way , encountring with eighty persons , repairing toward gedaliah with persents , they slew most of them , and onely spared some , who promised to discover to them some treasures that were hidden in the fields during the war. they took with them also a daughter of zedechias committed to the care of gedaliah by nebuchadnezzar : this treachery of ismael had been formerly discovered to gedaliah by johanan , one of the captains of the few remaining jews , but he would not believe it . judea being now without a governour ( for ismael durst not take it upon him , but fled as fast as he could to the ammonites ) the residue of the jews , fearing the revenge of the chaldeans , resolved to fly into egypt , and besought jeremy to ask counsell of god for them , who returned answer , that if they remained in judea , god would provide for them , and shew them mercy ; but if they sought to save themselves in egypt , they should then undoubtedly perish . notwithstanding which advice , the jews held their determination , and despised the oracle of god ; and constraining jeremy , and baruch to accompany them , they went into egypt , and by the permission of pharao , they dwelt in taphnes ; where , when jeremy often reproved them for their idolatry , foretelling the destruction of themselves , and the egyptians , he was , by these his own hard-hearted and ingratefull country-men , stoned to death , and by the egyptians , who greatly reverenced him , buried neer the sepulchre of their kings , jer. . & . the nineteenth year of nebuchadnezzars raign it was , when destroying utterly the great and mighty city of jerusalem , he exceedingly enriched himself with the spoils of it , and the temple , and by that dreadfull example terrified all those that should dare to resist him . from that time forward , he , to his three and twentieth year , laboured in the conquest of those adjoyning countries , which god had exposed unto his sword , and commanded to wear his yoke , namely , the edomites , moabites , ammonites , tyrians , sidonians , and egyptians , though some of these were already become his followers , and served under him when jerusalem was taken , and burnt . but the tyrians , whose city was built upon an island , and therefore secure from the invasion of any land-army , and whose fleet was so strong , that they needed not to fear any enemy at sea , were neither daunred with the fall of their neighbour city , nor with the obstinate resolution of this mighty king imploying all his wit , and power to work their subversion . that the city of tyre was rather well pleased then any way discouraged with the destruction of jerusalem , it appeareth by the words which esekiel condemneth , as the common voyce of tyrus , esek . . . aha! the gate of the people is broken , it is turned unto me ; for seeing she is desolate , i shall be replenished . yet at length , that great work before mentioned , began to appear above water , and so to threaten them with inevitable mischief . nebuchadnezzar still follows his work hard , notwithstanding all discouragments , and in the thirteenth year of the siege , and the nineteenth of his raign , he had brought it to such perfection , that now the citizens despaired of holding out against him ; whereupon all the chiefest of them imbarked themselves , their families , and treasures in their fleet , and escaped to the isle of cyprus , but the poorer sort were left to the fury of the enemy ; who being enraged for being put to so much pains , slew with the sword , not only such people of tyre as dwelt on the continent ( who are called her daughters in the field ) but the like execution was done in the streets , into which with excessive labour , the chaldeans made way for his horses , and chariots . thus nebuchadnezzar made his army serve a great service , against tyrus , wherein every head was made bald , and every shoulder was made bare , yet had he no wages , nor his army , esek . . . but was fain to rest contented with the honour of having destroyed that city , which in all mens judgements had been held invincible . the destruction of these two great , and powerfull cities , having made the name of the chaldeans dreadfull in the ears of all the nations round about , nebuchadnezzar used this advantage of that reputation which he had obtained by his victories already gotten , to the getting of more , and more profitable , with less pains . the kingdom of egypt was the mark which he chiefly aimed at . a country so abounding in riches and pleasures , that it might well have tempted any pri●ce , finding himself strong enough , to pick occasion of quarrell against it . besides , it was so far an enemy to the crown of babylon , that , had it been far poorer , yet it must have been subdued , or the conquest of syria could not have been secured . yet was it needfull , that before he entred upon this business , the countries adjacent should be reduced into such tearms , that either they should wholly stand at his devotion , or at least , be able not to work him any displeasure . and herein the decree of god concurred ( as in all prosperous enterprises ) with reason of state. for the people of moab , ammon , edom , damascus , kedar , hazor , and other adjoyning regions , whom god for their sins had condemned to fall under the babylonian yoke , were such , as regarding onely their own gain , had , some of them , like ravens , followed the chaldean army , to feed upon the carcasses that fell by the cruelty thereof . others taking advantage of their neighbours miseries , occupied the countries , which , by his victories , belonged to nebuchadnezzar , all of them thinking , that when the babylonian had satisfied his fury , he would be forced to forsake those desolated countries , and leave the possession of them to those who could first seize upon them . particularly , the edomites , and philistines , had shewed much malice against the jews when their city was taken , esek . . , . whether they had done any good service to the chaldeans , it appears not ; if they did any , its like to have been in reference to their own advantage , wherein yet they were deceived . the ammonites were not contented to rejoyce onely at the fall of jerusalem , but presently they entred upon the country of god , and took possession of it , as if , not the chaldeans , but they had subdued israel , esek . . . jer. . . neither can it be imagined what other design baalis , king of the ammonites had , when he sent ismael , a prince of the blood of judah , to murther gedalia , whom the king of babel had made governour over those that remained in israel , and to carry captive into the ammonites country , the people that abode in mizpah , than a desire of entanglng nebuchadnezzar with so many labours at once , as should force him to retire into his own country , and abandon those wasted lands , to himself , and others , for whom they lay conveniently . such , or the like policy , the moabjtes also did exercise , whose pride , and wrath were made frustrate by god , and their dissimulation condemned , as not doing aright , jer. . . & . . & . & , , &c. all these nations had the art of ravening , which is familiar to such as either live in , or that border upon desarts ; and now the time ministred occasion to them to shew the uttermost cunning of their thievish wits . but nebuchadnezzar made void all their devices by sharp , and sudden war upon them , overwhelming them with unexpected ruine , as it were in one night , according to the prophesies of isay , jeremy , and esekiel , who all foretold , with little difference of words , the greatness , and swiftness of the misery that should come upon them . it appears not with which of them he first began ; but it seems that moab was the last that felt his heavy hand : for so , many interpret that prophesie of isay , threatning moab with destruction after three years , as having reference to the third year following the destruction of jerusalem : the next year after it , being spent in the egyptian expedition . this is evident that all the principal towns in these countries were burnt , and the people either slain , or made captives , few excepted , who saved themselves by flight , and had not the courage to return to their habitations too hastily , much less to attempt any thing against nebuchadnezzar : but lived as miserable out laws , untill the end of the seventy years which god had appointed for the desolation of their countries , as well as of the land of judaea . when by a long course of victory nebuchadnezzar had brought into subjection all the nations of syria , and the bordering arabians in such wise , as that no enemy to himself , or friend to the egyptian , was left at his back , that might either impede his proceedings , or take advantage of any misfortune that might befall him ; then did he forthwith apply himself to the conquest of egypt , upon which those other nations had formerly been dependants . of this expedition , and the victorious issue thereof , the three great prophets , isay , jeremy , and esekiel have written so plainly , that it s altogether needless to seek after any other authority to confirm the same . long before it was prophesied by isay , that the king of assyria , or babylon , should lead away the egyptians prisoners , and the ethiopians captives , young , and old , naked and barefoot , even with their buttocks uncovered to the shame of egypt , isa. . . but esekiel , and jeremy , as their prophesies were neerer to the time of execution , so they handled this argument more plainly , and precisely . for esekiel tells us cleerly , that egypt should be given to nebuchadnezzar as wages for his great service which he had done against tyre , esek . . , , . he recounteth also in particular all the chief citys in egypt , saying , that these by name should be destroyed , and go into captivity : yea , and that pharaoh , and all his army should be slain by the sword , esek . . , , &c. chap. , , &c. and the prophet jeremy , saith thus , behold i will visit the common people of noe , and pharaoh , and egypt , with their gods and their kings , even pharaoh and all that trust in him ; and i will deliver them into the hands of those that seek their lives , and into the hand of nebuchadnezar king of babel , and into the hands of his servants , jer. . , . josephus accordingly saith , that nebuchadnezzar in the three and twentieth year of his raign , and in the fifteenth year after the destruction of jerusalem , did conquer egypt , and kill the king thereof , appointing a vice-roy to govern it . and it is evident that his victories which followed his conquest of syria , were such as did more enlarge his dominions , than all his former wars had done . for esekiel in his th chapter reckoneth up ( besides the whole country of egypt ) phut , and lud , with other nations that may seem to have reached as far as into mauritania , which were conquered by him , and added to his empire . and truly it is worth observation how pharaoh , king of egypt was infatuated by god , who thought himself most safe in his own country by reason of the well-defenced situation thereof , and therefore very unwisely suffered his enemies to make a cleer way to his own doors by the conquest of all his friends , and allyes in syria . for as the labour of this business did more harden then weary the chaldean army , so the confidence , and vain security of the egyptians , relying upon the difficulty of the passages which the enemy was to make through the arabian desarts , and the great advantage which the river nilus afforded , did little avail them , when the war came on ; yea , it did much astonish them ( as may justly be thought ) in the time of execution . it being usually seen , that the hearts of men fail , when those helps deceive them , in which they bad reposed more confidence than in their own virtue , and valour . untill this time the kingdom of egypt had flourished under the rule and government of the pharaohs for above the space of one thousand , four hundred , and eighty years . but from this time forward , it remained forty years without a king under the subjection of the babylonians ; and then at length it began to recover by little and little the former greatness : yet so , that it was never dreadfull unto others as it had been , god having said of that people ; at the end of forty years i will gather the egyptians from the people whither they were scattered ; and i will bring again the captivity of egypt , and will cause them to return into the land of pathros , into the land of their habitation , and they shall be yet a base ▪ kingdom ▪ it shall be the basest of the kingdoms , neither shall it exalt it self any more above the nations ; f●● i will diminish them that they shall no more rule over the nations , and it shall be no more the confidence of the house of israel , esek . ▪ , , , . for whereas it had been said of pharaoh , i am the son of the wise , the son of ancient kings , isa. . . and whereas they had vaunted , the river is mine , and i have made it , esek . . . the princes of egypt , now became fools , the river failed them , the king himself was now taken and slain , and that ancient linage was quite extinguished . of any wars made by nebuchadnezzar after such time as he returned from the conquest of egypt , we read not , except that against ninive , the destruction whereof was forefold by the prophet . ninive indeed had been taken long before by merodoch , and together with the rest of assyria , made subject to babylon . yet was it left under a peculiar king , who rebelling against nebuchadnezzar , as jehoiachim , and zedechias , tributary kings of judah , had done , was made partaker also of the same ruine . that the destruction of ninive followed the conquest of egypt , is clear by the comparison which nahum the prophet made between this city that was to fall , and the city of noe in egypt which was fallen already ; nahum . , &c. art thou better than populous noe , that was situate amongst the rivers , that had the waters round about it ; whose rampire was the sea , and her wall was from the sea. ethiopia , and egypt were her strength , and it was infinite : put , and lubin were her helpers . yet was she carried away , she went into captivity ; her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets , and they cast lots for her honourable men , and all her great men were bound in chains . thou also shalt be drunken ; thou shalt be hid ; thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy , &c. this great monarch , having thus spent his younger days in inlarging his dominions , he betook himself to rest , that he might reap the fruit of his former labours ; and the first thing that he applyed himself to , was to beautifie his imperiall city of babylon , adding a new city to the old , which he compassed about with three walls , and made in them stately gates . and neer the former pallace he built a new one , more stately than it , wherein he raised stone-works , like unto mountains , which he planted with all manner of trees . he made also pensile gardens ( one of the worlds wonders ) born upon arches , foursquare , each square being four hundred foot long , filled above with earth , whereon grew all sorts of trees , and plants . the arches were built one above another in a convenient ▪ heigth , still increasing as they ascended . the highest , which did bear the walls on the top , were fifty cubits high , so that they equalized the highest mountains . he made also aquaeducts for the watering of this garden , which seemed to hang in the air . this most sumptuous frame , which out-lasted all the remainder of the assyrian , and all the persian empire , is said to have been reared and finished in fifteen days . he erected also an image of gold in the plain of dura , sixty cubits high , and six broad , commanding all his servants , and subjects to fall down and worship it , dan. . , &c. but of all this , and other his magnficence , we find little else recorded , save that which indeed is most profitable for us to consider , to wit , his overvalewing of his own greatness , which abased him to a condition inferior to the poorest of men . for whereas god had honoured him , not only with many great , and glorious victories , and much happiness in his own life ; but with a rare discovery of things that were to come after him ; yea , and had manifested the certainty of his dreams , by the miraculous reducing of it into his memory , and given him the interpretation thereof by the prophet daniel : he notwithstanding , became so forgetfull of god whose wonderfull power he had seen , and acknowledged , that he caused that golden image to be set u● , and worshipped , appointing a cruell death for them that should dare to disobey him , which was utterly unlawfull , and repugnant to the law of him that is king of kings ; and thus he who so lately had worshipped daniel , the servant of god , as if he had been god himself : now commanded a statue to be erected unto himself , wherein himself might be worshipped as god : from this impiety it pleased god to recall , and reclaim him , by the wonderful and miraculous delivery of those three blessed saints , out of the fiery furnace , who being thrown bound into the midst of it , for refusing to commit that abominable idolatry , were preserved from all hurt of the fire , loosned from their bonds , accompanied by an angel , and at last called out by the king , and restored to their former honour . nebuchadnezzar being amazed at the miracle , mad a decre tending to the honour of god , whom by the erection of his image , he had dishonoured . yet was not this devotion so rooted in him , that it could bring forth fruit answerable to his hasty zeal : therefore was he forewarned of god in a dream , of a terrible judgement which hung over his head , which daniel expounding , withall counselled him to break off his sin by righteousness , and his iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor , that there might be a lengthening of his tranquillity , dan. . . whence it seems , that injustice , and cruelty were his faults , for which he was thus threatened : but neither did the dream , nor advice of daniel so prevail . for probably he believed it not , but looked upon it as an idle dream ; for that it seemed altogether unlikely that so great a monarch should be driven from amongst men , yea , compelled to dwell with the beasts of the field , and made to eat grass as the oxen , this was altogether incredible in mans judgement , and therefore giving so little heed to it , it s no marvell that he had forgotten it by the years end . one whole year was given to this haughty prince wherein to repent , which respiting of the execution may seem to have bred in him forgetfulness of gods sentence . for at the end of twelve moneths as he was walking in his royall pallace in babel , he was so overjoyed , and transported with a vain contemplation of his own seeming happiness , that without all fear of gods heavy judgement pronounced against him , he uttered these proud words : is not this great babylon that i have built for the house of the kingdom , by the might of my power , and for the honour of my majesty ? but his proud speeches were not fully ended , when a voice from heaven told him , that his kingdom was departed from him , &c. and the same hour the thing was fulfilled upon nebuchadnezzar , and he was driven from men , and did eat grass as oxen , and his body was wet with the dew of heaven , till his hair was grown like eagles feathers , and his hails like birds claws , dan. . , &c. this his punishment was singular , and unexpected . for he ran amongst beasts in the fields , and woods , where for seven years he lived , not only as a salvage man , but as a salvage beast : for a beast he thought himself to be , & therefore fed himself in the same manner , and with the same food that beasts do . not that he was changed in his externall shape from a man to a beast . for as st jerome well expounds it , when he saith , vers . . that his understanding was restored unto him , he shewed that he had not lost his humane shape , but his understanding , being stricken with a frenzy , or deep melancholly , which made him think himself a beast . seven years being expired , nebuchadnezzar was restored both to his understanding , & to his kingdom : and ( saith he ) i blessed the most high , and i praised , & honoured him that liveth for ever , whose dominion is an everlasting dominion , and his kingdom is from generation to generation ; and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing , and he doth according to his will in the army of heaven , and amongst the inhabitants of the earth : and none can stay his hand , or say unto him , what dost thou ? at the same time my reason returned unto me ; and for the glory of my kingdom , mine honour , and brightness returned unto me , and my counsellers , and my lords sought unto me , and i was established in my kingdom , and excellent majesty was added unto me . now therefore i nebuchadnezzar praise , and extoll , and honour the king of heaven , all whose works are truth , and his way is judgement , and those that walk in pride he is able to abase , dan. . , , , . how long helived after this is uncertain , but all agree that he raigned about twenty moneths copartner with his father in the kingdom , and about three and forty years by himself alone . whilst nebuchadnezzar king of babylon raged in judea , god prepared a worm , which in due time , should eat out this spreading tree ; by reason of the cry of his poor people which entred into his ears : according to that of the psalmist , psal. . , . o daughter of babylon , who art to be destroyed : happy shall he be that rewardeth thee , as thou hast served us . happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones . for in this very year was cyrus , the perso-median born ; whose father was a persian , and his mother a mede ; of whom this very nebuchadnezzar at the hour of his death , uttered this prophesie . there shall come a persian mule , who shall make use of your devils , as his fellow-souldiers , to bring you into bondage . he calls cyrus a mule , because he was to be born of a father and mother of two divers nations . finis . the life & death of cyrus the great , the first founder of the empire of the medes , & persians ; represented by the breast , and arms of silver , in that image , dan. . . and by a bear , dan. . . and by a ram with two horns , dan. . , . and the deliverer of the israelites out of babylon , the seventy years of their captivity being expired . whereby much light is given to many of the prophesies of isay , jeremy , esekiel , and daniel . by sa. clarke , sometime minister in st bennet fink , london . london , printed for william miller at the gilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door ▪ . the life , & death of cyrus the great , the first founder of the persian empire . cyrvs was the son of cambyses , king of persia , by mandanes the daughter of astyages , king of media ; he was so named by the prophet isay almost two hundred years before he was born , isay . , . thus saith the lord unto cyrus his annointed , &c. cyrus his first education was under his father cambyses , with whom he lived till he was twelve years old , and somewhat more ; at which time , he was sent for , together with his mother mandanes , by his gandfather astyages , into media . in media he served astyages , first as one of his halberdiers , and then as one of his armour-bearers till he was called home into persia by his father cambyses , when as yet he had one year to spend at school ; and when he had spent seventeen years at school amongst boys , he spent ten years more amongst youths . when cyrus was now almost sixteen years old , evilmerodach the king of assyria , being about to marry a wife called nicotris , made an in-rode , with a great army of horse and foot , into the borders of media , there to take his pleasure in hunting , and harrassing of the country : against whom , astyages , and cyaxares his son , and cyrus his grand child , who then first began to bear arms , being but about fifteen or sixteen years old , marched out , met with him , and in a great battel , overthrew him , and drave him out his borders . indeed the death of nebuchadnezzar , the father of evilmerodach , gave courage to those that had found him a troublesome neighbour , to stand upon prouder tearms with the babylonians , than in his flourishing estate , they durst have used . but evilmerodach , being too proud to digest this loss which he had received by the medes , and their allies , the persians under cyrus , he drew unto his party the lydians , and all the people of the lesser asia , with great gifts and strong perswasions , hoping by their assistance to overwhelm his enemies with a strong invasion , whom in vain he had sought to weary out by a lingring war. the issue of these great preparations made by evilm●r●●ach against the medes , was such as opened the way to the fulfilling divers prophesics which were many years before uttered against babel , by isay , and jeremy . for the babylonians and their confederates , who , trusting in their numbers , thought to have buried the medes and persians under their thick showers of arrow , and darts , were encountered with an army of stout and well trained men , weightily armed for close fight , by whom they were beaten in a great battel , wherein evilmerodach was slain . after which that great empire that was raised and upheld by nebuchadnezzar , was grievously shaken and enfeibled under his unprosperous son , and left to be sustained by his grand-child belshazzar : a man more like to have overthrown it when it was greatest and strongest , than to repair it when it was in a way of falling . xenophon relates the matter thus , when the babylonian had enlarged his empire with many victories , and was become lord of all syria , and many other countries , he began to hope that if the medes could be brought under his subjection , there would not then be left any nation adjoyning , able to make head against him . for the king of the medes was able to bring into the field sixty thousand foot , and ten thousand horse , to which the forces of persia being joyned , made an exceeding great army . considering therefore the strength of such a neighbour , he invited craesus , king of lydia , a prince very mighty both in men and treasure , and with him other lords of asia the less to his assistance , alleadging that those eastern nations , were very powerfull , and so firmly conjoyned by league , and many alliances , that it would not be easie , no nor possible for any one nation to resist them . with these suggestions , backed with rich presents , he drew to himself so many adherents , as he compounded an army of two hundred thousand foot , and sixty thousand horse : of which ten thousand horse , and forty thousand foot were brought by craesus , who had great cause of enmity against the medes , for that they had made great wars against his father allyattes . whereupon cyrus was by his father cambyses , and the council of the kingdom , made generall of the persian army , and sent away into media with thirty thousand souldiers , and one thousand commanders , all of equall authority under him ; and when he came thither , he was also made by his uncle cyaxares , who had sent for him , generall of the median forces , and the management of the war against the babylonian was wholly comitted to him ; with this army he marched against evilmerodach , and his associates , and in a very bloody bartell , overthrew them . in which defeat , evilmerodach , king of babylon , being slain , so many of his subjects revolted , that babylon it self could no longer be secured but by the help of mercenaties , waged with great sums of money out of asia the less , egypt , and other countries , which new leavied forces , were also defeated , and scattered by cyrus , who following his advantage , possessed himself of a great part of the lesser asia . those persians which followed cyrus , and were by him levied , are reckoned to be thirty thousand foot , of which one thousand were armed gentlemen ; the rest of the common sort were archers , and such as used the dart , or sling . craesus , notwithstanding the men lost , and the treasure spent in the quarrell of the babylonians , yet did he conquer aeolis , doris , and jonia , provinces possessed by the greeks in asia the less , adjoyning to his kingdom of lydia . he gave laws also to the phrygians , bithynians , carians , mysians , paephlagonians , and other nations . he also enforced the ephesians to acknowledge him for their lord ; he also obtained a signall victory against the sacaeans , a nation of the scythians ; all which he performed in fourteen years . and being now confident by reason of his good successes , and withall , envious at cyrus his fame , and prosperity ; doubting also that his great victories might in the end grow perilous to himself , he consulted with the oracle of apollo , whom he presented with marvellous rich gifts , what success he might hope for in his undertakings against cyrus ; from whom he received this ambiguous answer , craesus halym penetrans , magnam pervertes opum vim : craesus passing over the river halys , shall dissolve a great dominion : for the devil being doubtfull of his success , gave him this riddle , which might be construed either way , to the ruine of persia , or of his own lydia . hereupon craesus ( interpreting it as he most desired ) resolved to stop the course of cyrus his progress , and therefore despised all the arguments used by sandanes to the contrary , who desired him to consider afore-hand , that he provoked a nation inhabiting a barren , & mountanous region ; a people not covered with the soft silk of worms , but with the hard skins of beasts ; not fed with meat to their fansies , but content with what they found ; drinkers of water , and not of wine ; and in a word , a nation warlike , patient , valiant , and porsperous , over whom if he became victorious , he could thereby enrich himself in nothing but fame , in which he already excelled : and if by them he should be beaten , and subdued , so great would his loss appear of all things , which the world makes account of , that the same could neither be hastily recounted , nor easily conceived . notwithstanding this solid , and seasonable counsel , craesus having prepared a powerfull army , advanced with the same toward media : but in his passage he was retarded at pterium , a city in cappadocia of great strength ; which whilst he attempted both by power and policy to take , and conquer , cyrus came on , and found the lydians encamped before it . neither of these champions were inferior to other , either in strength , or opinion . for out of doubt , craesus , as he excelled any prince of that age in riches , and ability , so was he not inferior unto any in territories and fame , that then lived . but kingdoms and commonwealths have their increase , and periods from divine ordinance . this time was the winter of craesus his prosperity , the leaves of his flourishing estate being ready to fall ; and that of cyrus but in the first spring and flower ; the god of all power , had given a date to the one , and a beginning of glory to the other . when these two armies were in view each of other , after divers skirmishes had passed between them , the persians , and lydians began to joyn together , and to encounter each other in grose bodies ; and as either of them began to retreat , fresh supplies were sent in from both their kings . and as the persians had somewhat the better of the day , so when the dark vail of night had hidden each army from the others view , craesus doubting what success the rising sun might bring with it , quitted the field to cyrus , and withall speed possible , retreated towards his own country , and taking the next way thither , he recovered sardis , the first city of lydia , and his regal seat , without any pursuit made by cyrus to retard him ; where , being arrived , and nothing suspecting cyrus his approach , or any other war for that winter , he dismised his army , and sent the troops of his sundry nations to their own provinces , appointing them to re-assemble at the end of five moneths , acquainting his commanders with his intent of renewing the war at the time appointed . the morning being come , cyrus finding that the lydians were departed , put his army in order to pursue after them , yet not so hastily , and at their heels , as to be discovered . but getting good intelligence of craesus his proceedings , he so ordered the matter , that he presented not himself before sardis , till such time as craesus had disposed of his army , and sent them to their winter quarters . his coming being altogether unlooked for , and unfeared , he had opportunity enough to surround sardis with his army , wherein craesus had no other companies than the citizens , and his ordinary guards , insomuch as after fourteen days seige , cyrus took the city by storm , and put all to the sword that made resistance . craesus now having neither arms to fight , nor wings to fly , in this common calamity , he throst himself into the heap , and multitude of his miserable subjects , and had undergone the same lot with the rest of the vanquished persons , had not a son of his , who had been dumb all his life before ( by the extremity of passion and fear ) cryed out to a common souldier , who was with a drawn sword pursuing his father , that he should not kill craesus . hereupon he was taken and imprisoned , and despoiled of all things , but onely the expectation of death . shortly after he was bound with fetters , and placed upon a large and high pile of wood , to be burnt to ashes thereon . to which , when fire was set , and kindled , craesus remembring the discourse which long before he had with solon , the athenian lawgiver , he thrice cryed out , o solon , solon , solon , and being demanded what he meant by the invocation of solon , he at first used silence : but being urged again , he told them that now he found that true , which wise solon had long since told him ; that many men in the race and course of their lives might well be accounted fortunate , but no man could discern himself to be happy indeed till his end . of this his answer , cyrus being speedily informed , and thereby being put in mind of the mutability of fortune , and of his own mortality , he commanded his ministers of justice , speedily to withdraw the fire , and to save craesus , and bring him to his presence ; which being done , cyrus demanded of him , who it was that had perswaded him ? or what reason had instigated him to invade his territories , and to make him , of a friend , an enemy . to which craesus thus answered : it was thy prosperous , and my unprosperous destiny ( the grecian gods with all , flattering my ambition ) that were the inventers , and conducters of craesus war against cyrus . cyrus being much affected w th this answer of craesus , and bewailing his estate , though he was victorious over him , did not only spare his life , but intertained him ever after as a king , and his companion ; thus heroditus relates it . but xenophon saith , that cyrus did entertain craesus friendly at the first sight , and makes no mention of any such cruell intent of burning him alive ; and this may seem the more probable , because craesus was his grandmothers brother , and it s very likely that neerness of alliance might withhold cyrus ( if he had been vicious , which he was not ) from so cruell a purpose as to have burnt him alive . when cyrus afterwards passed with his army over araves into seythia , he left craesus to be a companion , and counseller to his son cambyses , whom he made governour over his empire in his absence , with whom he lived all-the reign of cyrus , and did afterwards accompany cambyses in his expedition into egypt , where he hardly escaped his tyrannous hands . at this time the races of three of the greatest kings in that part of the world came to an end ; to wit , of the babylonians , medians , and lydians , in balthasar , xiaxares , or darius medus , and craesus . after this lydian war ensued the great conquest of babylon , which gave unto cyrus an empire so large , and mighty , that he was justly reputed the greatest monarch then living upon the earth . how long time the preparations for this great action took up , is uncertain , onely it seems that ten whole years did pass between his taking of those two cities of sardis and babylon ; which time was not wholly spent in providing for the assyrian war , but much of it in setling the estates which he had already purchased ; ctesias also tells us , that during this time cyrus invaded scythia , and being victorious over that nation , he took amorges their king prisoner ; but being in a second battel overthrown by sparetha , the wife of amorges , himself was taken prisoner , and so one king was released for the other . gobrias about this time ( a nobleman , whose onely son , the king of babylon , in his fathers life time , had in a hunting match , villainously slain ) together with his friends , revolted to cyrus . it s very probable also , that no small part of those troubles which sprang up in the lower asia , grew soon after cyrus his departure with his victorious army , before the conquest was fully established . for after cyrus was returned out of asia the less , many nations which were formerly conquered by craesus , and now by cyrus , revolted from him ; against whom he imployed pactias , and then harpagus , who first reduced the phocians under their former obedience ; and then the rest of the greeks that inhabited asia the less , as the jonians , carians , aeolians , and lycians , who , very resolutely ( according to the strength they had ) defended themselyes ; but in the attempt upon babylon it self , it s not to be questioned but cyrus imployed all his forces , having taken order beforehand , that nothing should be able to divert him , or to raise that seige , or to frustrate that work upon which he did set all his rest . and great reason there was , that he should improve all his policy and strength unto the taking of that city , which , besides the fame and reputation that it held , as being the head of an empire , which depended thereupon , was so strongly fortified with a trebble wall of great heigth , and surrounded with the waters of euphrates , that were unfordable , and so plentifully victualled for many years , that the inhabitants were not only free from fear , and doubt of their estate , but through their confidence , they derided , and despised all the projects and power of their besiegers . for not long before , nicotris , the mother of belshazzar , a witty , and active woman , foreseeing the storm that was ready to fall upon babylon from the medes , to hinder their passing the river by boats into babylon , she turned the river euphrates , which before ran with a strait , and swift course , drawing it through many winding channels , which she had cut for that purpose , whereby she made it to run more slowly than formerly it did : and then she raised a huge dam upon each side of the river ; and up the river from the city-ward , she digged a vast pond , which was every way three or four hundred furlongs wide , into which she turned the river , thereby leaving the old channel of the river dry ; which done , she fell to work , and fenced the banks within the city with brick-walls , and raised the water-gates , answerable in every point to the rest of the walls , which were made on the farther side of the channel , round about the city . she built also a stately , and magnificent bridge of stone in the midst of the city , which joyned to the kings houses , that stood on each side the river : and having finished all her works , and fortifications , she turned the river out of the pond into its right channell again . and now came cyrus to invade the country of babylon , and appeared before the walls of the city , and there challenged the king to a duell , or single combat , but he refused it . at this time gadatas , a noble man of babylon , whom belshazzar had gelt , upon a jealousie that he had of him with his wife , fell over to cyrus , in revenge whereof the babylonians sallied out , and fell upon his lands ; but cyrus set upon them , and routed them ; at which time the cadusii whom cyrus had appointed to bring up the rear of his army , unknown to cyrus , set upon a country lying neer to the city ; but the king of babylon falling out upon them , cut them all off . yet cyrus , quickly revenged the death of his men ; and then came to an agreement with belshazzar , to hold truce with the ploughmen on both sides , and the war to go on between the souldiers onely . after which , passing beyond the city , he took in three of their forts , and so returned into the confines of assyria , and media ; and thither , upon his invitation , came his uncle cyaxares , and was by him honourably received ; and intertained in a pavilion , that had been the king of assyrias : and winter now approaching , they entred into consulatation to provide things necessary to maintain the siege . the only hope of cyrus with his medes , and persians ( who despaired of carrying by assault a city so well , and strongly fortified , and manned ) was in cuting off all supplies of victuals , and others necessaries ; whereof , though the town was said to be stored sufficiently for more than twenty years , yet might it well be imagined , that amongst such a world of people as dwelt within those walls , one great want or other would soon appear amongst them , and vanquish the resolution of that unwarlike multitude . yet in expecting that success of this course , the besiegers were likely to endure much hardship , and travel , and that all in vain , if they did not keep strict watch , and sure guards upon all the avenues , and quarters of it . which that he might the better do , he caused presently a vast trench , both for breadth and depth to be cast round about the walls of the city , casting the earth ever towards his own army , and made store of bulworks all along upon it , for his guards to be upon : and then , dividing his whole army into twelve parts , he ordered that each of them should watch his moneth , by turn . and yet this was a very hard work , considering the vast circuit of those walls which they were to gird in , having neither men enough , nor yet sufficiently assured to their commander ; the consideration whereof ministred unto the babylonians matter of good pastime , when they saw the lydians , phrygians , cappadocians , and others , quartered about their city to keep them in , who , having been their ancient friends , and allies , were more like to joyn with them , if occasion were offered , than to use much diligence on the behalf of cyrus , who had , as it were but yesterday , laid upon their necks the galling yoke of servitude . whilst the besieged were thus pleasing themselves with this foolish fansie , and vain mirth ( the ordinary forerunners of sudden calamity ) cyrus , who by god that set him on work , was made strong , valiant , constant , and inventive , devised , and by the labour of his men , digged so many channels as were capable of receiving the waters of euphrates , and so to draw the same from the walls of babylon , that thereby he might make his approaches the more facile , and assured , which , when by the labour of many hands he had performed , he waited for a fi● time wherein to put in execution , what he had designed . for he had left in each of the trenches towards the river , certain banks , or heads uncut till he saw his opportunity . now belshazzar finding neither any want or weakness within the city , nor any possibility for his enemies without , to approach the walls by reason of the great river that surrounded them , he prepared an exceeding sumptuous feast , publick plays , and other pastimes , and thereto invited a thousand of his princes , or nobles , besides his wives , courtezans , and others of that trade . this he did , either to let the besiegers know that his provisions were sufficient , not onely for all needfull uses , but even for superfluity , and excess ; or because he hoped that his enemies by this time were discouraged , and even broken under their manifold disasters : or else he made this feast in honour of bell , his most adored idol : or lastly , because it was his birth , or coronation day : or for many , or most of these respects . yea , he was not contented to use , and shew such magnificence as no prince else could equall , but he listed up himself against the god of heaven , dan. . . for he , his princes , his wives , and his concubines , made carousing cups of the golden , and silver vessels which his grandfather nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was at jerusalem ; and in contempt of the lord of heaven , he praised his own puppets made of gold , and silver , and brass , and iron , and wood , and stone ; whilst belshazzar was thus tryumphing , and had his brains well filled with vapours , he beheld a hand , which by divine power wrote upon the wall that was opposite to him , certain words which he understood not , wherewith , so great a fear , and amazement seized upon him , that the joynts of his loins were loosed , and his knees smote one against another ; which passion when he had in some measure recovered , he cryed aloud to bring in the astrologers , the chaldeans , and the southsayers , promising them great rewards , and the third place of honour in his kingdom , to him that could read , and expound the writing : but it exceeded their art , and skill . in this disturbance , and astonishment , the queen , hearing what had passed , came in , and observing what distraction the king was in , after reverence done , she used this speech ; o king live for ever ; let not thy thoughts trouble thee , non let thy countenance be changed ; there is a man in thy kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods , and in the days of thy father light , and understanding , and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods was found in him , whom the king nobuchadnezzar thy father , the king i say , thy father made master of the magicians , the astrologers , the chaldeans , and the southsayers ; for as much as an excellent spirit , and knowledge , and understanding , in interpreting dreams , and shewing of hard sentences , and dissolving of doubts were found in the same daniel , whom the king named belteshazzar . now let daniel be called , and he will shew the interpretation . this queen was either the grandmother , or the mother of belshazzar ; for it appears that she was not any of the kings wives , because she was absent from the feast , and in regard of her age , past-banquetting , and dancing ; yet upon the report of the miracle , she came in to comfort , and cheer up the king ; and whereas daniel was forgotten , and neglected by others , of younger years , and latter times , this old queen remembred well , what daniel had done in the days of nebuchadnezzar ; grandfather to this belshazzar , and kept in mind , both his religion , and divine gifts . when daniel was brought into the kings presence , he said unto him : art thou that daniel , which art of the children of the captivity of judah ; whom the king my father brought out of jewry ? i have heard of thee that the spirit of the gods is in thee , and that light , and understanding , and excellent wisdom is found in thee ; and now the wise men and the astrologers have been brought in before me , that they should read , this writing , and make known to me the interpretation thereof , but they could not do it : and i have heard of thee that thou canst make interpretations , and dissolve doubts : now if thou canst read the writing , and make known to me the interpretation thereof , thou shalt be clothed with scarlet , and have a chain of godl aboue thy neck , and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom . but daniel made answer in a far differing stile from that which he had used to his grandfather ; for the evill which he had foretold to nebuchadnezzar he wished that it might befal his enemies : but to this king ( whose contempt of god and vicious life he hated , he answered in these words ; let thy gifts be to thy self , and give thy rewards to another : yet i will read the writing to the king , and make known to him the interpretation : which yet before he did , he shewed him the cause of gods judgements against him , and the reason of this terrible sentence , whereof the king and all his wise men were utterly ignorant , the substance whereof is this , that belshazzar forgetting gods goodness to his father , whom all nations feared , and obeyed , and yet for his pride , and neglect of those benefits , as he had deprived him of his estate , and understanding ; so upon the acknowledgement of gods infinite power , he restored him to both again ; and thou his son ( said he ) o belshazzar , hast not humbled thy heart , though thou knewest all this , but hast lifted up thy self against the lord of heaven , and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee , and thou and thy lords , thy wives and thy concubines have drunk wine in them , and thou hast praised the gods of silver , and gold , &c. and the god in whose hand thy breath is , and whose are all thy ways , hast thou not glorified : then was the part of the hand sent from him , and this writing was written , mene , mene , tekel , upharsin , whereof this is the interpretation : mene , god hath numbred thy kingdom , and finished it : tekel , thou art weighted in the ballanees , and art found wanting : peres , thy kingdom is divided , and given to the medes , and persians . the very evening or night of this day , wherein belshazzar thus feasted , and wherein these things were done , cyrus , either by his espeials , or being inspired by god himself , whose ensign he followed in these wars , finding the time , and opportunity fit for him , even whilst the kings head , and the heads of his nobility , were no less distempered with the vapours of wine , than their hearts were with the fear of gods judgements , he caused all the banks , and heads of his trenches , to be opened , and cut down with all speed , and diligence , whereby that great river euphrates was quickly drawn dry , and himself with his army passing through the channell which was now dry , without any opposition , they easily made their entrance into the city , finding none to disturb them ; invadunt urbem somno , vinoque sepultam : all the town lay buried in wine and sleep ; and such as came in the persians way , were put to the sword unless they saved themselves by flight , as some did , who ran away crying , and filled the streets with an uncertain tumult . such of the assyrian lords as had formerly revolted from belshazzar to cyrus , did now conduct a selected company to the kings pallace , which being easily forced by them , they rushed strait into the chamber where the king and his princes were banquetting , and there slew both him and them without mercy , who strove in vain to keep those lives , which god had newly threatened to take away . now was that prophesie fulfilled , jer. . , , . the mighty men of babylon have forborn to fight ; they have remained in their holds ; their might hath failed ; they became as women ; they have burnt their dwelling places ; her barrs are broken . one post shall run to meet another , and one messenger to meet another , to shew the king of babylon that his city is taken at one end . and that the passages are stopped ( viz. of the river euphrates ) and the reeds they have burnt with fire , and the men of war are affrighted ; the prophet isay also , two hundred years before this subversion of babylon , in his forty seventh chapter , and elsewhere , describeth this destruction so feelingly , and lively , as if he had been present , both at the terrible slaughter there committed , and had seen the great and unseared change , and calamity of this great empire ; yea , and had also heard the sorrows and bewallings of every surviving soul , thereunto subject ; which prophesie he begins with these words ; come down and sit in the dust , o virgin daughter of babylon , sit on the ground ; there is no throne , o daughter of the chaldeans : for thou shalt no more be called tender , and delicate , &c. and though it cannot be doubted that god used nebuchadnezzar , and the chaldeans as his instruments to punish the idolatry , and wickedness of the jews , yet did he not forget that in the execution of gods judgements , they had used much rigour , and extremity ; as we see isay . . i was wroth with my people ; i have polluted mine inheritance , and given them into thine hand ; thou didst shew them no mercy ; vpon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid the yoke ; and again , i will rise up against them , saith the lord of hosts , and will cut off from babel the name , and the remnant , and the son , and the nephew : meaning evilmerodach , and belshazzar . and again , isay . , &c. every one that is found shall be thrust thorow ; and every one that is joyned to them shall be slain with the sword ; their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes , their houses shall be spoiled , and their wives ravished . behold , i will stir up the medes against them , which shall not regard silver , and as for gold , they shall not delight in it ; their bowes also shall d●sh the young men to pieces , and they shall have no pitty on the fruit of the womb ; their eye shall not spare children . and babylon , the glory of kingdoms , and beauty of the chaldees excellency , shall be as when god overthrew sodom , and gomorrah , &c. read also chapter fourteenth . no historian that was either present at this victory of cyrus , or that received the report from others truly as it was , could better describe , and leave the same to posterity after it was acted , than isay hath done in many parts of his prophesie , which were written two hundred years before any of these things were attempted . the greatness , and magnificence of babylon , were it not by divers grave authours recorded , might seem altogether fabulous ; for it is reported for truth , that one part of the city knew not that the other was taken three days after ; which is not impossible if we consider the vast circumference of it . diodorus siculus saith , that it was in compass three hundred , and sixty furlongs , which make forty five miles . the walls were so thick that six chariots might pass in front thereon , and they were three hundred sixty and five foot high , and were adorned , and beautified with one hundred and fifty towers . strabo gives a greater circuit , adding twenty five forlongs more to the former compass , reckoning it at three hundred eighty five furlongs , which makes forty eight miles and one furlong . herodotus finds the compass yet to be greater , namely four hundred and eightty furlongs in circuit ; the thickness of the wall he measures at fifty cubits , and the height at two hundred of the same regall cubits . for entrance , it had a hundred gates of brass , with posts , and hooks to hang them on of the same mettall ; and therefore did the prophet isay rightly intitle babylon , the princess , and glory of kingdoms , isay . . & . . but when cyrus had won her , he stript her out of her princely robes , and made her a slave , dividing , not onely her goodly houses , and her whole territory , with all the riches therein contained , amongst his souldiers ; but also bestowed the inhabitants themselves as bondslaves , upon those that had taken possession of their goods . cyrus having obtained this great , and signall victory , the glory of which was a reward for his service done for him who was the authour of it , and of all goodness , and thereby translated the empire of the chaldeans to himself , according to the prophesies which went afore of him ; in this first year of his empire , he made a decree that the captive jews should return again into their own country of judea , and that they should build again the house of god in jerusalem , having now endured , and finished the seventy years captivity foretold by the prophet jeremy . the tenour of which decree was thus , thus saith cyrus king of persin ; the lord god of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth , and hath charged me to build him an house at jerusalem which is in judah , who is there among you of all his people ? let his god be with him , and let him go up to jerusalem which is in judah , and build the house of the lord god of israel ( he is god ) which is at jerusalem : and whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth , let the men of his place help him with silver , and with gold , and with goods , and with beasts , besides the free-will offering for the house of god that is in jerusalem , ezra , , , . he also brought forth and restored the vessels of the house of the lord which nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of the temple at jerusalem , and had put them into the house of his gods ; these were brought forth and numbred unto sheshbazzar the prince of judah ; and this is the number of them ; thirty charges of gold , a thousand chargers of silver , nine and twenty knives , thirty basins of gold , silver basins of a second sort four hundred and ten , and of other vessels a thousand ; all the vessels of gold and silver were five thousand and four hundred . the number of jews that then returned out of chaldea , under their leader zorobabel , the son of salathiel , and nephew to king jeconias , and joshua the son of josedech , the high priest , were about fifty thousand : and as soon as they arrived at jerusalem , they built an altar to the living god , and sacrificed thereon according to their law , and afterwards bethought themselves how to prepare materials for the building of the temple . cyrus having set all things in order at babylon , returned , through media , into persia , to his father cambyses , and his mother mandanes , who were yet living ; and from thence returning again into media , he married the only daughter and heir of cyaxares , and for dowry , had the whole kingdom of media given him with her ; and when the marriage was finished , he presently went his way , and took her with him ; and coming to babylon , from thence he sent governours into all his dominions ; into arabia he sent megabyzus ; into phrygia the greater , artacaman ; into lydia , and jonia , chrysantas ; into caria , adusius ; into phrygia helle spontiaca , or the less , pharmichas ; but into cilicia , & cyprus , & paphlagonia , he sent no persians to govern them , because they voluntarily , and of their own accord took his part against the king of babylon ; yet he caused , even them also to pay him tribute . cyrus having spent one whole year with his wife in babylon , gathered thither his whole army , consisting of one hundred and twenty thousand horse , and two thousand iron chariots , and six hundred thousand footmen , and having furnished himself with all necessary provisions , he undertook that journey wherein he subdued all the nations inhabiting from syria to the red sea. the time that cyrus enjoyed in rest and pleasure after these great victories , and the attainment of his empire , is generally agreed upon by all chronologers to have lasted only seven years ; in which time he made such laws and constitutions as differ little from the ordinances of all wife kings that are desirous to establish a royal power to themselves and their posterity , which are recorded by xenophon . the last war , and the end of this great king cyrus is diversly written by historians : herodotus , and justine say : that after these conquests , cyrus invaded the massagets , a very warlike nation of the scythians , governed by tomyris , their queen : and that in an encounter between the persians , and these northern nomades , tomyris lost her army , together with her son spa●gapises that was the generall of it . in revenge whereof this queen making new levies of men of war , and prosecuting the war against cyrus , in a second sore battel , the persians were beaten , and cyrus was taken prisoner , and that tomyris cut off his head from his body , and threw it into a bowle of blood , using these words , thou that hast all thy time thirsted for blood , now drink thy fill , and satiate thy self with it . this war which metasthenes calls tomyrique , lasted about six years . but more probably this scythian war was that which is mentioned before , which cyrus made against the scythians after the conquest of lydia , according to ctesias , who calleth tomyris , sparetha , and makes the end of it otherwise , as you may see before . the same ctesias also recordeth , that the last war which cyrus made was against amarhaus , king of the derbitians , another nation of the scythians , whom , though he overcame in battel , yet there he received a wound whereof he died three days after . strabo also affirmeth , that he was buried in his own city of pasagardes , which himself had built , and where his epitaph was to be read in strabo's time ; which he saith was this , o , vir , quicunque es , & undecunque advenis , neque enim te adventurum ignoravi : ego sum cyrus , qui persis imperium constitui ; pusillum hoc terrae , quo meum tegitur corpus , mihi ne invideas . o thou man , whosoever thou art , and whensoever thou comest , for i was not ignorant that thou shouldst come : i am cyrus that founded the persian empire : do not envy unto me this little earth with which my body is covered . when alexander the great returned from his indian conquests , he visited pasagardes , and caused this tomb of cyrus to be opened , either upon hope of great treasure , supposed to have been buried with him , or upon a desire to honour his dead body with certain ceremonies ; when the sepulchre was opened , there was found nothing in it , save an old rotten target , two scythian bows , and a sword. the coffin wherein his body lay , alexander caused to be covered with his own garment , and a crown of gold to be set upon it . cyrus finding in himself that he could not long enjoy the world , he called unto him his nobility , with his two sons , cambyses , and smerdis , and after a long oration , wherein he assured himself , and taught others , about the immortality of the soul , and of the punishments and rewards following the ill , and good deservings of every man in this life ; he exhorted his sons , by the strongest arguments he had , to a perpetuall concord and agreement . many other things he uttered , which makes it probable , that he received the knowledge of the true god from daniel , whilst he governed susa in persia ; and that cyrus himself had read the prophesie of isay , wherein he was expresly named , and by god preordained for the delivery of his people out of captivity ; which act of delivering the jews , and of restoring of the holy temple , and the city of jerusalem , was in true consideration the noblest-work that ever cyrus performed . for in other actions he was an instrument of gods power , used for the chastising of many nations , and the establishing of a government in those parts of the world , which yet was not to continue long : but herein he had the favour to be an instrument of gods goodness , and a willing advancer of his kingdom upon earth , which must last for ever . cyrus had issue two sons , cambyses , and smerdis , and three daughters , atossa , meroe , and artistoua . at his death he bequeathed his empire to his eldest son cambyses , appointing smerdis , his younger son , to be satrapa , or leiutenant of media , armenia , and cadusia . he reigned about one and thirty years , and died aged . the greek historians wholly ascribe the conquest of babylon to cyrus , because that he commanded the army in chief ; yet the scriptures attribute it to darius , king of the medes , whose general cyrus was : for when babylon was taken , and belshazzar slain ; it s said , dan. . . that darius the median took the kingdom , being about sixty two years old . it was darius also that placed officers over the severall provinces thereof , as we read , dan. . , . it pleased darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty princes , which should be over the whole kingdom , and over these , three presidents , of whom daniel was the first , &c. and thus was it prophesied by isay long before ; behold ! i will stir up the medes against them , &c. and by the prophet jeremy ; the lord hath raised up the spirit of the king of the medes : for his device is against babylon , &c. jer. . . and again , verse . prepare against her the nations , with the kings of the medes , the captains thereof , and all the rulers thereof , and all the land of his dominion . but certain it is that the honour of that great victory over babylon was wholly given to cyrus , who was the instrument preordained , and forenamed by god himself : not onely for this action ; but also for the delivery of his church : yet daniel makes it plain , that himself : not onely lived a great officer under king darius , but that he continued in that estate to the first year of cyrus , which was not long after , which also was the year of daniels death . as for the age of cyrus we are beholding to tully for it ; who in his first book de divinatione , cites it out of one dionysius , a persian writer , in this manner . the sun ( saith dionysius ) appeared unto cyrus in his sleep , standing at his feet , which , when cyrus thrice endeavoured to take in his hands , the sun still turned aside , and went away : and the magi , who were the most learned men amongst the persians , said that by his thrice offering to take hold of the sun , was portended to him that he should raign thirty years ; which came to pass accordingly : for he lived to the age of seventy years , and began not to raign till he was forty . in the first year of belshazzar , daniel had the vision shewed him of the four beasts , signifying the four monarchies ; and of god delivering over all power , and sovereignty to the son of man , dan. . in the third year of belshazzar , the vision of the ram , and goat , foreshewing the destruction of the persian monarchy by alexander the great , and the great misery which antiochus should bring upon the people of god was shewed to daniel , living then at susa , in the province of elam , upon the bank of the river vlai , which environed the castle of susa , and parted the provinces of susa , and elemais , dan. . whence we may collect , that at that time the province of susa was not in the hands of the medes and persians , but of the babylonians , under whom daniel then lived . darius the mede , son of cyaxares , or ahasuerus the son of adyages , took upon him the kingdom , which was delivered over to him by cyrus , the conquerer , dan. . . & . . the angel , in this first year of his raign , is said to have confirmed , and strengthened him in his kingdom , dan. . . after which he raigned two years . towards the end of the first year of darius the mede , the seventy years of the babylonish captivity expired , which began under jehoiakim , in the first year of nebuchadnezzar , at which time god promised that they should return into their own country , jer. . . thus saith the lord , that after seventy years be accomplished at babylon , i will visit you , and perform my good word towards you , in causing you to return to this place . upon consideration of which very time , now so neer approaching , it was , that daniel powred out that most fervent prayer for the remission of his own sins , and of his peoples ; and for that promised deliverance out of their captivity : whereupon the angel gabriel brought him an answer , not onely concerning this , but also for the spiritual deliverance of the church to be wrought at last by the death of the messias , uttering that most famous , and memorable prophesie of the seventy weeks , dan. . , &c. the samaritans , by the means of some courtiers about cyrus , whom they had bribed for that purpose , distributed the jews in their building of the temple , ezra . . whence proceeded that three weeks mourning of the prophet daniel , which fast he begun about the third day of the first moneth , in the third year of cyrus , dan. . . . after which , upon the four and twentieth day of the first moneth , that vision of the kings of persia ; of alexander the great , and his successours , and their kingdoms , was shewed and revealed unto daniel , as he stood upon the bank of hiddikel , or tygris ; all which is contained in the three last chapters of daniel ; which ( as may be collected out of the close thereof ) was the last vision that ever he had , and that but a little before his death . finis . courteous reader , be pleased to take notice that these books following , are printed for , and sold by william miller , at the gilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . hick●s revelation , revealed , folio clares martyrology compleat , with the persecutions of england to the end of queen maries reign , folio . — lives of ten eminent divines , some being as follow ; bishop vsher , dr gouge , dr harris , mr gataker , mr whittaker , &c. and some other famous christians . — life of christ , º — life of herod the great , º a prospect of hungary , and transylvania , together with an account of the qualities of the inhabitants , the commodities of the countries , the chiefest cities , towns , and strong-holds , rivers , and mountains , with an historycal narration of the wars amongst themselves , and with the turks , continued to this year . as also a brief description of bohemia , austria , bavaria , steirirark , croatia , dalmatia , moravia , and other adjacent countries , contained in a map joyned therewith ; by which map you may know which places are in the power of the turk , and which christians have º ctadocks knowledge and practice ; or , a plain discourse of the chief things necessary to be known , believed , and practised in order to salvation ; º ford , of baptism , º cott●n , on the covenant of grace , º culverwell , of assurance , º records urinal of physick , º ravius oriental grammar , º peacocks visitation , º dr tuckney's good day well improved , º — death disarmed , º — balm of gilead , º clamor sanguinis , º king charles's works , º notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e his parentage . ninive taken . nebuchadnezzar made king. prophesies of him . his first action . he conquers jehoiakim . his fathers death . he conquers pharaoh necho . he conquers syria . chron. . . the weak estate of the egyptians . nebuchadnezzar lays a tribute upon jehoiakim . the captivity foretold . jer. . , &c. jer. . jer. . , &c. and their return . jeremy imprisoned . jeheiakim burns the roule . tyre rebelleth against nebuchadnezzar . tyre besieged . isay . jer. . esek . . the difficulty of the work . jehoiakim rebels , and is taken , and slain . jer. . , . & . . jeconias made king : and imprisoned . jer. . . kin. . , . chron. . . jer. . . & . , . esek . . . zedekiah is made king. jer. . . king. . . jer. . . babylons destruction foretold . sundry prophesies of jeremy . jer. . . jer. . . ananias a false prophet . jer. . jer. . . zedechias rebels . esek . . , . jerusalem besieged . jer. . & . jer. . egypt a broken staff . jer. . , . lev. . , , &c. jer. . jer. . jer. . jer. . . & . . jerusalem taken . zedechias flyes and is taken . and carried to babylon . jer. . , &c. king. ▪ , . jer. . , & . , . king. . . jer. . . with . . the temple , and city burnt king. . . jer. . , . & . , . chron. . , &c. poor people left under gedaliah . jer. . . jer. . jeremy goes to them . jer. . . gedaliah slain . jer. . . king. . . jeremy's counsel rejected . jer. . he is carried into egypt , and stoned . nebuchadnezzar conquers divers nations . tyre is taken . the jews enemies threatned . they are destroyed by nebuchadnezzar . isa. . . egypt attempted by nebuchadnezzar . egypt conquered . carnall confidences . egypt never recovered its strength again . ninive destroyed . see before babylon beautified pensile gardens . nebuchadnezzars golden image . d●n . . , &c. his pride . a miracle . dan. . , &c. dan. . . he makes a decree to gods honour . his dream interpreted . he dwels with the beasts . his bodily shape not changed . he is restored to his kingdom . and gives glory to god. gods justice a prophesie . notes for div a -e his parentage . his education . his first action in war. evilmerodach is slain . the strength of media . cyrus made generall of the army . he overthrows the babylonians . cyrus his great victories . craesus his victories . the devils subtilty . good counsel neglected . craesus marches against cyrus . a great battel . craesus retreats . cyrus pursues him . and beseiges him in sardis . sardis taken . craesus preserved he should have been burnt , but is saved . cyrus makes him his friend . cyrus invades scythia . his danger . the strength of babylon . babylon fortified by nicotris . cyrus invades babylon . cyrus besieges it . the babylonlans vain hopes . cyrus's stratagem . belshazzars feast . his blasphemy . the writing on the wall. the kings distraction the queen comforts him . daniel brought in . the kings speech to him . daniels answer . he reads , and interprets the writing . cyrus drains euphrates . babylon taken . belshazzar slain . prophesies fulfilled . the greatness of babylon . babylons miserable captivity . cyrus releases the jews . his decree for it . or zorobabel . he restores the vessels of the temple . the jews come to jerusalem . his marriage . his governours . his great army , & victories . cyrus his civil government . his last wars . his death . his epitaph . alexander opens his sepulchre and honours his tomb. cyrus his last words . his issue . his age. some usefull observations . medulla theologiæ, or, the marrow of divinity contained in sundry questions and cases of conscience, both speculative and practical : the greatest part of them collected out of the works of our most judicious, experienced and orthodox english divines, the rest are supplied by the authour / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) medulla theologiæ, or, the marrow of divinity contained in sundry questions and cases of conscience, both speculative and practical : the greatest part of them collected out of the works of our most judicious, experienced and orthodox english divines, the rest are supplied by the authour / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by thomas ratcliff for thomas underhill ..., london : [ ] imprint illegible on film; date of publication from nuc pre- imprints. errata on p. [ ]. reproduction of original in union theological seminary library, new york. marginal notes. includes index. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng conscience -- religious aspects -- christianity -- miscellanea. christian life -- early works to . christian life -- miscellanea. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion medvlla theologiae ▪ or the marrow of divinity , contained in sundry questions and cases of conscience , both speculative , and practical ; the greatest part of them collected out of the works of our most judicious , experienced , and orthodox english divines . the rest are supplied by the authour . by sa . clarke , pastor of the church in bennet fink , london ▪ tim. . , . all scripture is given by inspiration of god , and is profitable for doctrine , for reproof , for correction , for instruction in righteousness . that the man of god may be perfect , throughly furnished unto all good works . multi scientiam quaerunt , pauci conscientiam ▪ conscientia autem quam scientia citius apprehenditur , & utilius retinetur . bern london , printed by thomas ratcliff , for thomas vnderhill ▪ 〈…〉 anchor and bible in pauls church-yard ▪ to the right vvorshipful his much honoured friends , sir richard pigot of doddershall knight , and to the virtuous and truly religious lady his wife . sir , madam , i have longed for an opportunity whereby i might testifie my gratitude unto you for your noble favour in so freely conferring the rectory of grendon upon my eldest sonne : as also for those many encouragements which he hath since received from you : and this ( i conceived ) i could not better do then by presenting this book unto you wherein you have the substance of many worthy mens labours upon several heads in divinity contracted into a narrow roome . solomon , the wisest of men , tells us , that of making ( which is true also of reading ) many books there is no end , and much study is a weariness of the flesh : yet to have the choiceest flowers transplanted out of several gardens into a little parcel of ground , cannot but minister both pleasure and profit . concerning this subject , a learned , famous , and reverend divine hath left us his thoughts in these words : of all divinity ( saith he ) that part is most usefull which determines cases of conscience , and of all cases of conscience the practical are most necessary ; as action is of more concernment then speculation . such you shall finde here , whereby you may be guided both in private and publick ; and whereby , as in an impartial glass , you may view the face , and know the true state of your souls , and be directed to be the more exemplary in your lives ▪ you know that magnates sunt magnetes , great ones , like load-stones , draw many by their examples , and inferiours look upon them as their looking-glasses , by which they usually dress themselves : it s very observable , that when crispus the chief ruler of the synagogue beleeved , many of the corinthians beleeved also ; and i doubt not but your constant and diligent attending upon the publick ministry ( though at a great distance from you ) doth attract and quicken many of your tenants and neighbours to do the like . it makes you also precious in the eyes of god and his people , the best nobility is to excel in grace , and vertue ; and this cannot be better discovered then by love to gods ministers , and a careful sanctification of the lords day : and what influence such examples have upon the vulgar is obvious to every eye . i have read that queen elizabeth once riding progresse into suffolk , said , that now she saw the reason why that countrey was so well governed ; for she observed that all the justices , and gentlemen coming to meet her , had every one his minister next to his person . and truly they that honour god , shall be honoured by him , he will be a sun and a shield unto them ; he will give them grace here , and glory hereafter ; and no good thing will he with-hold from them which walk uprightly . godliness is the high-way to happiness , the good old way that hath ever beene beaten by all those saints that now finde rest unto their souls . what aeneas silvius said of learning , may much more be said of religion , and righteousness : vulgar men should esteeme it as silver , noble men as gold , and princes should prize it above their chiefest pearls . semen sanctum statumenterrae , the holy seed is the substance of the earth ; the saints are the people of gods purchase , that comprehend all his gettings , and are much more dear to him then naboths vineyard was to him . he sets them before his face for ever , psal. . . as loving to look upon them , yea , upon the very walls of the houses where they dwell , isa. . . they are his portion , deut. . . his inheritance , esay . . the dearly beloved of his soule , jerem. . . and his glory , esay . . and thus they are though accompanied with many weaknesses : for as david saw nothing in lame mephibosheth , but what was lovely , because he saw in him the features of his friend jonathan : so god beholding his offending saints in the face of his sonne , takes no notice of any thing amisse in them . and truely the knowledge and remembrance of these things is that which doth wonderfully support the godly under their greatest pressures , and draw forth their affections heaven-ward : the saints ( saith a reverend divine ) are lowly in their speeches , but lofty in their actions ; but especially in their affections , which are carried above all earthly objects , and not content till they are got home to heaven . these starres , though they are seene sometimes in a puddle , though they reflect there , yet they have their situation in heaven . these birdes of paradise , though they may happilie sometimes touch upon the earth , yet they are mostly upon the wing , and these outward comforts , and creatures are to them , but scalae & alae , wings , and winde in their wings to carry them upwards . i write not these things ( right worshipful ) as suspecting your ignorance , or doubting your practice of them ; but only to stirre up your pure minds by putting you in remembrance , that wherein you have begun , you may be encouraged to persevere till you come to the full fruition , and enjoyment of that crowne of glory , and eternal happiness which christ hath purchased , and will certainly conferre upon all those that love him , and long for his appearing . for the furtherance whereof , i hope the reading of this book may contribute something , which is the heartie prayer , and earnest desire of him , who will not cease , sir , madam , march . / . to love , honour and serve you , sa . clarke . to the christian reader . christian reader , it hath been long and often complained of , that our english divines , who of all others are judged the fittest , and ablest to write cases of conscience , in regard of their manifold experiences in this kind , have yet done so little . the friers and jesuites have written many large volumes of this subject , which yet are rather so many dunghills , then so many gardens of sweet smelling flowers , and tend rather to the corruping of , then to the satisfying of troubled soules , as may be amply seen in a book lately taught to speake english , called the mystery of jesuitisme . i have long expected , and hoped , that some abler pen would have undertaken this work of such great tenderness , and vast extent , the rather because it hath been the desire , and request of all the forraign protestant churches that some such thing should be done , at least by our london ministers . and truly the work is too great , and the burden too heavy for one mans shoulders : yet seeing that none else would set about it , i , who am the most unfit , and least able for such an herculean labour , have adventured to publish these my first essayes : and being conscious to my own insufficience , have made the greatest part of it , rather a collection out of others writings , than any thing spun out of my own brains . yet , besides the paines in making choice of , and going through so many authors , i have taken liberty to contract where it might well be done , and to vary the phrase ( not thinking fit wholly to tye my self to other mens words ) sometimes to add , and others sometimes to leave out , where my judgement did not concur with theirs . i presume , i need not tell you the usefulnesse of this subject . how necessary it is to get and keep a good conscience : to be acquainted with our spirituall estate , and condition : to be directed in that great duty of self-examination : to have rules prescribed for the right ordering of our thoughts , words , and actions . to have our sins discovered that we may avoid them ; and our errors laid open that we may amend them . for as the clearest blood makes the best spirits , and the purest aire breeds the greatest agility , so the holiest life yeelds the soundest comfort , and the tenderest conscience the most unspotted life . yea , a good conscience will appear in the countenance , and look merrily out at the windows of the eyes . it made stephen look like an angell of god , act . it is praemium ante praemium : heaven aforehand : some clusters of grapes of the caelestiall canaan . it s like sampsons haire , that will make a man invincible . it will stand under the greatest pressures : it made the apostles to go away rejoycing when they had been beaten , for that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for christs sake , act. . , . it made many of the martyrs to go as merrily to dye as to dine . be the aire cleere , or cloudy , he that hath a good conscience enjoyes perpetuall serenity of soule , and sits continually at that blessed feast , where the holy angels are cooks , and butlers ( as luther phraseth it ) and the three persons of the trinity are gladsome guests . let a man be sound within , and at peace with his own conscience , and he will bravely bear up under unspeakable pressures . paul ( though no man out of hell suffered more ) yet did he not only glory in tribulation , but overabound exceedingly with joy , cor. . . as an old-beaten porter to the crosse , malluit tollerare , quam deplorare : his stroake was heavier then his groaning , job . . premat corpus , fremat diabolus , turbat mundus , ille semper erit securus , saith bernard . let men , the world , and the divels doe their worst , they can never hurt him that hath a good conscience . conscientia pura , semper secura . a good conscience hath a sure confidence , he that hath it sits ( noah-like ) mediis tranquillus in undis : quiet in the middest of greatest combustions . it will make a man sleep without a pillow , yea without a bed . it made jacob take such good rest upon a stone : peter to sleep so sweetly , though laden with iron chains , and ( for ought he knew ) to die the next day . philpot , and his fellow prisoners to sing psalms , and to rouse as merrily in the straw in the bishops colehouse , as if they had been upon down beds in a pallace . it s a feast with any food , though never so course and slender . hence it s excellently said : in minimo maximum est bona mens in corpore humano : quae si adsit , delicio●ius vivit , etiam is qui teruntium non habet in orbe , quam si in unum hominem sexcentos confles sardanapalos . it s a full feast , a lasting feast : not for a day , as was nabals : nor for seven dayes , as was sampsons ; no nor for nine score dayes as was that of ahashuerus : but a durable feast without intermission of solace , or interruption of societie . vis ergo ( o homo ) semper epulari ? vis nunquam tristis esse ? ( saith bernard ) bene vive . wouldest thou never be sad ? would'st thou turn thy life into a merry festivall ? get , and retain a good conscience : and then i may say to thee in solomons words , eccles. . , , . go thy way , eat thy bread with joy , and drink thy wine with a merry heart : for god now accepteth thy works . let thy garments be alwiaes white , and let thy head lack no ointment : live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest , &c. thus you see what are the benefits , and priviledges of a good conscience , which should move and quicken us to the study of cases of conscience , whereby we may be enable to keep a conscience void of offence towards god , and toward man , act. . . and that we may be the further provoked hereunto , let us on the other hand consider the mischiefs , and inconveniences of an evill conscience , one small drop whereof troubleth a whole sea of outward comforts , and contentments , a whole confluence whereof would no more ease a wounded spirit , then a fair sho●e a gouty foot , or a silken stocking a broken legg . indeed it s a burden insupportable , which is able to quaile the courage , and crush the shoulders of the strongest man upon earth : hence job preferred , and judas chose strangling before it : daniel chose rather to be cast to the lions , then to carry a lion , and enraged conscience in his bosome . it s an ever-gnawing worm that is bred in this life of the f●oth of filthy lusts , and flagicious courses , and lyes gnawing upon mens inwards , many times in the ruff of all their jollity . it was this that made saul call for his musick : belteshazzar for his carousing cups : cain for his workmen to build him a city , &c. and this they did to put by the pangs of their wounded spirits , and throbbing consciences : and yet all this many times will not serve turn , as we see in nero , after he had killed his mother , and wives : in otho , when he had slain galba , and piso : in herod the great , after he had caused his wife mariamne to be put to death : in our richard the third , after he had murthered his two innocent nephews : in spira : latomus , &c. all which were so grubbed with this worm , that they could not be at rest neither night nor day , till being utterly tired with continuall vexation of spirit , they either desperately slew themselves , or were dreadfully dispatched by others . hence plutarch ( though a heathen ) thought that the very life of a wicked man was punishment enough without , either god or mans revenging hand . for ( saith he ) if they examine their lives , they finde themselves empty of grace , destitute of hope , loaden with fear , sadnesse , unchearfulnesse , and suspition of what will follow after : their lives are therefore worse then the life of a dog : for a dog lives without mentall sufferings , and dies , and there is an end of him : but a wicked man is alwayes upon the wrack whilest he lives , and is never free from the lashes of an evill conscience . quid prodest bonis plena arca , si inanis sit conscientia ? saith st. austin , what good is there in a chest full of goods , when the conscience is empty of goodnesse : such an one is like naaman , a rich man , but a leper : or like jesabel , that ( no doubt ) had a cold heart under a painted face : such an one in the middest of his mirth hath many a secret gripe , and little knows the world where his shooe pincheth him . every fowle that hath the beautifullest feathers , hath not the sweetest flesh : nor doth every tree that beareth a goodly leaf , bear good fruit ? and many things glister besides gold : so is it with wicked men , in the fulness of their sufficiency they are in straits , & . job . , &c. but i will enlarge no further : i shall only tell you that in ordering these cases of conscience , i proceed ( as you may easily perceive ) alphabetically , according to the method which i used in my mirror , where you may finde examples sutable for these severall heads , and by that little progresse which i have already made , you may judge how much is yet behind : which were enough to deter an old man , as i am , being in the sixtieth y●ar of my age , but that , i hope , i am doing the lords work , and if my master call me away before i have finished it , i shall not much faile of st. austins wish , who often desired that when the lord came , he might finde him aut precantem , aut praedicantem , either praying , or preaching . i have one request more to the godly judicious , that wherein they observe my failings , they would be pleased either by word or letter to inform me of them , that i may rectifie them for the time to come : and if i finde these my poor labours usefull , and acceptable to the church of christ , i shall be encouraged , whilst god continues life , and health to go on in the same : i am also to acquaint you , that the bookseller hath so ordered the printing hereof , that whosoever pleaseth , may put in fair paper between each chapter , to make larger additions to the same . thus begging thine earnest prayers for a blessing upon my labors both publick , and private , i rest from my study in thrid-needle-street , london , mar. the . / . thine , and the churches servant sa . clarke . a table of all the questions , and cases of conscience that are handled in this volume . chap. i. about the abstinence in the use of lawfull things . whether may a man sin in the use of lawfull things ? p. . why is there so much danger in the use of lawfull things ? p. . what instances may be given to shew how men abuse their lawfull liberty , with the hazard of their soules ? p. . what meanes may we use to prevent our abuse of these lawfull things ? p. . chap. ii. about actions , naturall , civill , recreative , religious , &c. what makes an action good ? p. . what are the ingredients requisite to make an action good ? ib. what things can make a good action to become evill ? p. . can any thing we do be good , when all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ? ibid. chap. iii. about adoption . how many sorts of sons are there ? p. . how manifold is adoption ? ibid. how manifold is internall adoption ? ibid. what is the manner of adoption begun here in this world ? p. . what are the benefits , and comforts that flow to us from hence ? ibid. how may we know our adoption ? ibid. what duties are we taught from the consideration of our adoption ? p. . what are the means of our adoption , both internall , and externall ? ibid. what are the marks of the inward baptisme ? ibid. how may the mistery of our adoption be conceived of ? ibid. how may the glory of our adoption appear to be so great ? ibid. what kind of persons must we be to attain to this adoption ? p. . what are the marks whereby we may know our selves to be adopted by god ? p. . how must the adopted children of god carry themselves here ? ib. what may we doe to attain the spirit of adoption , and to keep the lively sense of it in our souls ? ibid. what are the signes that we have the spirit of adoption ? ibid. how may we preserve the witnesse of the spirit of adoption ? ibid. chap. iv. about adoration , or worship . what is adoration ? p. . what are the principall grounds of it in the heart ? ibid how manifold is adoration ? ibid. what is religious adoration , and what is to be considerd in it ? ibid. vvhat is civill adoration , and what is to be considered in it ? ib. to what things adoration is due , and in what manner ? ibid. what adoration is due to god , and what caveats are to be remembred therein ? and why ? p. . object . but i intend not to worship the image , but god therein ? ibid. object . god was worshipped before the ark ? and subjects kneele before the chaire of state ? ibid. what vertues are required in religious adoration ? ibid. what adoration is due to the creatures ? ibid. whether any be due to the evill spirits ? what is due to good angels , and to men ? p. . may not religious , or mixt adoration be given to them ? ibid. what adoration is due to the saints departed ? ibid. whether any adoration belongs to the unreasonable creatures , or to the works of the creatures , as to images , &c. ibid. chap. v. about adultery . what adultery is , and whether when the man , or wife commit adultery , the bond of marriage is dissolved ? p. . how tentations to adultery may be prevented , and withstood ? p. . by what means may we preserve our chastity ? p. . chap. vi. about affections , or passions . how many kinds of affections be there , and what are sensuall affections ? p. . whether sensitive affections are to bee abandoned , or only moderated ? ibid. what are the rationall affections ? ibid. how may it be proved that there are affections in the highest part of the soule ? p. . how it may be proved that these rationall affections are motions of the will ? ibid. are these so elevated above the body , that they have nothing to do with it ? ibid. why must our affections be carefully looked to , and ordered according to gods vvord ? p. . how may we know to what passions we are most inclined ? p. . by what degrees are the affections wrought on ? ibid. why wicked mens affections may be farre wrought on , and yet come short ? p. . how shall wee know whether wee are rightly affected towards christ ? ibid. why we should be carefull to have our affections set right ? p. . how to prove that affections in themselves are not sinfull ? p. . how are unmortified passions to be subdued ? p. . how may affections be divided ? ibid. wherein consists the sanctified exercise of those affections which embrace their object ? ibid. what may move us to affect that which is good ? p. . is it not mercenary to serve god upon hope of reward ? ibid. wherein stands the sanctified exercise of those affections that fly from their object ? ibid. what may move us to shun that which is evill ? ibid. it is not servile to forgoe sin for fear of punishment ? p. . may the state of our soules be discerned by our affections ? ibid. why are our affections oft so flat , when our judgements are convinced ? ibid. what rules may direct us in the government of our affections ? p. . vvhy should affections be kept within their bounds ? ibid. how may immoderate affections be prevented or cured ? ibid. vvhy should we try , and carefully govern our affections ? p. . vvhether may the strength of grace consist with the want of those strong affections which men have at their first conversion ? p. . in what cases may christians want strong affections ? and whence it comes to pass ? p. . vvhat must we doe when we have lost our first affections ? p. . chap vii . about afflictions . vvhat is affliction ? and why god suffers his children to be afflicted and distressed ? p. , . but what shall we say to extraordinary afflictions ? and sundry objections answered , p. , . other reasons why god suffers his children to be greatly distressed . p. . what designs hath god in afflicting his children ? p. . what may comfort us in afflictions ? p. . what further may comfort us in afflictions ? p. . how must we prepare for afflictions ? ibid. what may we do to know the meaning of gods rod ? ibid. how shall we know that our afflictions are for triall , and instruction , and not for sin ? p. . how to finde out that particular sin for which god corects us ? ibid. how may we quiet our hearts in affliction ? ibid. how our afflictions are said to be short ? p. . what are the benefits of receiving our afflictions as from god ? ibid. vvhat is to be feared when afflictions are heavy and long ? ibid. how shall we bear afflictions rightly , and be sure to profit by them ? and whence this wisdom to profit by them is gotten ? p. vvhat are the ends of afflictions ? ibid. vvhether all afflictions are evill in their own nature ? and whether simply evill ? p. . how afflictions come to be good ? ibid. how we may prepare our selves to conflict with afflictions ? ib. vvhat may move us patiently to bear such afflictions as god layes on us ? p. . how gods love is manifested to us in afflictions ? p. . how will it appear that afflictions cannot hurt gods children ? p. . how god intends , and works our good by afflictions ? p. . vvhat comfort the consideration hereof may bring us ? ibid. how may we know that our afflictions are trials , and not punishments ? ibid. objections answered . p. . vvhat further helps are there to comfort us in afflictions ? p. . chap. viii . about the angels . vvhat are angels ? and what titles the scripture gives them ? p. . vvhat are the principall properties of the angels ? p. . vvhat are the offices of the angels ? p. . vvhy doth god use the ministry of the angels about us ? p. . vvhy are they tender keepers of gods children ? ibid. vvhat comfort doth the consideration thereof bring to us ? ibid. vvhence then comes it to pass that gods children fall into inconveniences ? ibid. what may this guardianship of the angels teach us ? p. . what need we the guard of angels , seeing god can doe it without them ? ibid. what is further to be learned from hence ? ibid. what excellencies are attributed to the angels ; ibid. wherein should we imitate the angels ? ibid. what further comfort may the nature , and offices of the angels afford us ? ibid. how are the angels imployed ? ibid. how else their ministry is used ? p. . how manifold is the knowledge of the angels ? p. . chap. ix . about anger , wrath , passion , malice , and revenge . how many sorts of anger are there ? p. . what is good anger , and what bad ? ibid. why is anger placed in the heart ? ibid. how must we act anger ? ibid. how may it be proved that there is a good anger ? ibid. when is anger rightly ordered ? p. . what are the properties of holy anger ? ibid. how we are to stir up holy anger in our selves ? p. . why is anger rightly to be ordered ? p. . what are the kinds of disordered anger ? ibid. what motives may disswade us from sinfull anger ? p. . objections whereby men plead for anger , answered ? p. . by what means is corrupt anger to be mortified ? ibid. what further means may we use to subdue it ? p. . what means may we use to supplant it ? p. . how may we cure anger in others ? p. . how is vicious , and virtuous anger differenced ? ibid. what other causes be there of sinfull anger ? ib. vvhat are the evill effects of sinfull anger ? p. . how may we cure anger in others , by seeing it in our selves ? p. . what is hatred , and whence doth it proceed ? ibid. is there no good use of hatred ? what is the chief use of it ? p. . what are the hatefull effects of it ? ibid. how may it be prevented or cured ? p. . how is immoderate anger a sin ? p. . chap. x. about anger in god. what is anger in god ? how to prove that there is anger in god ? p. . why is there anger in god ? why are judgements called gods anger ? ib. why is gods anger so terrible ? p. . how may gods anger be diverted ? ib. why will repentance doe it ? ib. how is gods anger turned from his children , when yet they finde the effects of it ? p. . how such may know that gods anger is turned from them ? ib. how god is said to be angry with his children ? ib. what is anger in god ? p. . vvhy doth god poure out his anger upon sinners ? ib. chap. xi . about the antinomian errours . vvhether gods children should see any sin in themselves ? p. . vvhether is the law given as a rule to believers ? ib. objections answered . p. , , &c. how may our justification be evidenced ? p. . other objections answered , p. , . chap. xii . about apostacie . vvhat is apostacie ? how many sorts are there of it ? p. . how far may a childe of god apostatize ? ib. vvhere then is grace in such an one ? p. . vvhence proceeds the back-sliding of the godly ? ib. vvhat are their sins that cause this back-sliding ? p. . vvhat means may they use to prevent it ? p. . vvhat may move them to avoid the deadness which causes it ? ib. vvhat may quicken them ? p. . how do temporary believers wither , and fall away ? ib. what is the danger of apostates ? p. . vvhat are the signs of falling in grace ib. vvhat means may prevent apostacy ? ib. what motives may encourage to the use of those means ? p. . how may we lay a sure foundation to prevent apostacy ? ib. cpap. xiii . about apparell . how are we to use apparell ? p. . wherein stands decency in apparell ? p. . whether ornaments of gold , silver , &c. may be used ? ib. objections answered ? ib. what cautions are to be observed in the use of such ornaments ? p. . how many sin in apparell ? ib. what are the proper uses of apparell ? ib. what is further to be considered in the use of apparell ? p. . what rules are to be observed in preparing it ? ib. how shall we know what is necessary ? and who shall judge of it ? ib. vvhen is apparell fitted to the body ? ib. whether may we take up strange fashions ? p. . vvhat spirituall use may be made of apparell ? ib. why must we take heed of pride in apparell ? ib. what other reasons against excess in apparell ? ib. though we weare fine apparell we are not proude ? p. . we doe it to please our husbands ? ib. we doe but what most doe ? we would leave it if others would ? p. . may we not labour to hide deformities in our bodies ? ib. vvhy may not women paint their faces ? ib. chap. xiv . about assurance . what is assurance ? what the degrees of it ? how may it be certainly discerned ? p. . how may assurance be attained ? and retained ? p. . what may move us to labour for assurance ? ibid. how may it be proved that we may be assured of our salvation ? p. . how are we assured of our salvation ▪ or how may our graces be known to be true ? p. . objections answered , ib , what testimony is that of the spirit ? p. . whether may the single testimony of our spirit assure us ? and what if we have neither of them ? p. . what if after all our endeavours to get assurance there is nothing but darkness ? ib. what are the special sealing times ? p. what use must we make of assurance when we have it ? p. why do papists oppose this doctrine ? p. objections against it answered . p. how can assurance stand with that humble esteem that we should have of our selves ? p. but this is a doctrine of libertie ? answered . p. what diligence must we use to get assurance ? p. why doth it require such diligence ? p. what kind of diligence is required ? p. why doth it deserve our best diligence ? ib. how do the scriptures prove that it may be attained ? p. how gods spirit can witnesse now that there are no revelations ? ib. what must we do when these testimonies are wanting ? ib. how shall we know our adoption and election ? p. what 's the difference between assurance and presumption ? p. how else may it be proved that assurance may be gotten ? objections answered . p. chap. xv. about astrology , and seekers to astrologers . who are astrologers ? p. . how may it be proved to be unlawful ? ib. whether the stars be certain signs of things to come ? p. . whether there be any certaintie in their art , because sometimes they hit right ? ib. whether moses and daniel were learned in this art ? p. . stars are powerful , why then may we not divine by them ? ib. who may be said to practice this unlawful art ? p. . who be countenancers of it ? ib. how , and when are astrologers tollerated ? p. . how many sorts of foretelling things are there ? ib. are these diabolical predictions lawful ? ib. but many times they foretell the truth ? p. . what use may be made of what is said against them ? ib. may charmes be used wherein there are good words ? p. . may we not enquire of astrologers for future events ? and why not ? ib. what are the evils of it , and what further reasons against it ? p. . chap. xvi . about atheists , and atheisme . how many sorts of atheists be there ? p. . how a man comes to be an atheist ? p. . how doth a man set up a false in stead of a true god ? ib. how are men made atheists ? ib. in whom are atheistical thoughts that there is no god ? p. . how doth a man by thinking deny god in his heart ? ib. how do we turn the true god into an idol ? p. what is the fruit of this thought that there is no god ? ib. what is atheism in practice ? ib. what is atheism in judgement ? ib. what are the signs of atheism ? ib. what other damnable thoughts have we concerning god ? p. what are the cursed fruits of this atheisme ? ib. where do the thoughts of distrust most assault us ? ib. what is the danger of such thoughts ? ib. chap. xvii . about baptisme . what are the principles about baptisme ? p. what argument may be brought from circumcision for the baptizing of infants ? ib. whether is sprinkling sufficient in baptisme ? p. how is baptisme a means of cleansing ? objections answered . ib. what kind of means of grace is baptisme ? p. whether is baptisme necessary to salvation ? ib. wherein do the papists erre about the doctrine of baptisme ? ib. wherein do the anabaptists erre about it ? p. what is the inward washing in baptisme ? ib. must the word necessarily go along with baptism ? ib. is it lawful to baptize without a sermon ? p. how many parts be there of baptism ? ib. what benefit have we by baptism ? ib. are all baptized persons regenerated ? ib. how is baptism called the laver of regeneration ? p. to whom is baptism the washing of the new birth ? ib. how may children be baptized which want faith ? ib. what profit have they by baptisme which believe before ? p. how may parents in faith present their children to god in baptisme ? ib. what use should we make of baptisme when we come to age ? p. how may the lawfulnesse of infant baptism be proved ? p. objections answered . p. , &c. about dipping , whether it be necessary ? p. how is baptisme necessary ? p. are all that die without it in the state of damnation ? objections answered . p. whether are sureties necessary ? p. whether may children of excommunicated persons be baptized . ib. what reasons may be rendred for the affirmative ? p. whether have bastards right to baptisme ? cautions to be observed therein . p. how many waies is baptism taken in scripture ? ib. what is considerable about the matter of baptisme ? ib. what is the sign and thing signified in it ? what the analogie between both ? ib. what is it to baptize in the name of the father , sonne , and holy ghost . ib. what is done in baptisme ? p. what actions belong to god in this covenant ? ib. what is the action of the partie baptized ? ib. may it not be administred in the name of god ? or of christ ? ib. vvhat are the ends of baptisme ? p. whether doth the efficacy of it extend to all sinnes , and to our whole life ? ib. whether doth it abolish original sin ? ib. what difference between the godly , and ungodly , if sinne remain in all ? ib. how doth baptisme confer grace ? ib. whether doth it imprint an indelible character upon the soul ? p. whether may lay-persons baptize ? ib. the example of zipporah answered . ib. whether is baptisme by a wicked man , or heretick true baptisme ? p. who are to be baptized ? objections against infant baptisme answered . ib. whether the children of profest papists may be baptized ; or of profane christians ? p. how oft , and in what place baptism is to be administred ? ib. what use are we to make of our baptisme ? ib. chap. xviii . about blasphemy . what is blasphemy ? p. what is blasphemy against the holy ghost ? ib. how many waies doth blasphemy break out ? p. how may we prevent , or cure tentations to blasphemy ? ib. how doth the hainousnesse of the sin of blasphemy appear ? p. how comes satan to tempt gods children to blasphemy ? p. how many sorts are there of such hellish suggestions ? ib. how are we to resist those blasphemous suggestions ? ib. what is another kinde of blasphemous tentations ? p. what is satans chiefest scope in these tentations ? ib. how may we comfort our hearts against these blasphemies ? ib. how may we know that they are from satan , and not our own thoughts ? ib. how may we be freed from these blasphemous thoughts ? p. objections answered . p. chap. xix . about our bodies ? what is the state of our bodies in this life ? p. how doth it appear that our bodies are vile ? ib. is there no glory belonging to our bodies ? ib. how can our bodies be base for which christ died ? ib. shall these vile bodies be raised up at the last ? p. who shall raise them up ? ib. what lessons may this teach us ? p. when shall this blessed change be ? ib. how shall our bodies be fashioned to christs glorious body ? ib. what lessons may this teach us ? p. how may our bodies be made serviceable to our minds , and instruments of gods glory ? ib. why should we be careful of the health of our bodies ? p. how may our bodily health be preserved ? ib. how doth serenity of minde preserve our bodily health ? ib. how is a sober diet a means to preserve it ? ib. what should such do as use a spare diet ? ib. how doth exercise conduce to bodily health ? ib. how may bodily health be repaired when it s decaied ? p. what just honour is is due to our bodies ? p. how manifold is the care of our bodies ? ib. chap. xx. about borrowing and lending . what rule must the borrower observe towards the lender ? p. how may the borrower hurt the lender in his outward estate ? ib. why must the borrower restore the thing lent as good as it was , or make it good ? ib. what must he do when he is disenabled by gods hand to do it ? p. what if the lender be dead , and none left to require it ? ib. how else may the borrower sin in borrowing ? ib. how may the lender sin in lending ? ib. what if the borrower dissembled , pretending that he was able to repay when he was not ? or being able , refuses ●o pay what he borrowed ? ib. whether is it lawful to lend upon usury ; ib. vvhether may money meerly considered as the price of all other commodities , be let out for profit ? p. . chap. xxi . about brethren , and brotherly love. are all gods children brethren ? and why so ? p. . vvhat comfort may the consideration hereof afford ? and what duties may it teach ? ib. vvhat evills must they avoid upon this consideration ? ib. how shall we know who are gods children , and so our brethren ? p. vvhat good shall we get by them ? ib. why should we love them ? ib. how shall we know that we love them unfeignedly ? ib. vvhat are the impediments of brotherly love ? ib. how may the ferventness of our love be known ? ib. vvhat may nourish love amongst godly brethren ? p. . vvith what kind of love must we love them ? ib. vvhat must we doe that brotherly love may continue ? ib. chap. xxii . about buying , and selling. what rule must the buyer observe ? p. . how may he sin in buying ? ib. what is to be thought of jacobs buying the birth-right ? ib. what rule must the seller obserue ? and how so to doe as not to sin ? ib. how the seller may sin by hurting his neighbour ? p. . vvhether every man may make the best of his own ? ib. how are we to prise commodities that we are to sell ? ib. vvhether may we sell as dear as we can ? ib. vvhether must the seller make known the faults of what he sells to the buyer ? p. . vvhat generall rules are we to observe in buying and selling ? p. . vvhether may we raise the price for giving dayes of payment ? ib. vvhat must the seller do if he be caused to call for the money before those dayes ? ib. how farre doth a fraudulent bargain binde in point of conscience ? p. . whether may we buy stollen goods ? ib. what must we observe in generall in our dealings with others ? p. . vvhat rules in particular are we to observe ? ib. vvhat evills are to be avoided in our dealings with others ? ib. what duties are required in buying and selling ? ib. how to avoid sin in buying and selling ? p. . chap. xxiii . about our callings and vocations . ought every one to have a calling ? p. . is it a sufficient calling to be a servingman ? ib. how must we behave ourselves in our callings ? ib. must rich men that need not , have a calling ? ib. how else may it be proved that all must have callings ? ib. why must we use faithfulness , and diligence in our callings ? ib. why is diligence in a calling so acceptable to god ? p. . doe all that are diligent please god ? ib. how is consciencious walking in a calling a furtherance to a godly life ? ib. what else may move us to diligence in our callings ? p. . whether may a man change his particular calling ? ib. how may we live by faith in our callings ? p. . why is it necessary to live by faith in them ? ib. what are the acts of faith herein ? ib. how may we live by faith for successe in our labours , which are above our strength , or means ? p. . how many sorts sin about their callings ? ib. what must we propose to our selves in following the duties of our callings ? p. . what other rules are to be observed in our particular callings ? ib. chap. xxiv . about our holy calling , or vocation . of how many sorts is the calling of god ? p. . of how many sorts is the generall calling ? ib. what is the externall calling ? what the internall ? ib. vvhy is conversion termed our calling ? ib. what are the effects of it ? p. . wherein appears gods great mercy in our calling ? ib. how may we walk worthy of our calling ? ib. why should we be carefull to know our calling ? ib. doth a christian always know that he is called ? p. . how may it be proved that we may certainly know it ? ib. by what signs may it be known ? ib. how may we be made partakers of it ? ib. vvhat may move us to embrace gods call ▪ p. . how may it be described ? ib. how manifold is it ? ib. what are the parts of effctuall calling ? p. . vvhat is the means of it ? ib. vvhat necessity is there of it ? ib. vvhy should we carefully attend upon the vvord ? ib. but if we be converted , why should we hear so oft ? p. . vvhether is not this calling the same with sanctification ? ib. vvhat is the nature of the call of god ? ib. vvherein doth the necessity of this call appear ? p. . how is it a ground of faith ? ib. vvhat are the parts of inward calling ? ib. vvhat are the fruits of effectuall calling ? p. . vvhat are the marks of it ? ib. what are the signes of it ? ib. chap. xxv . about cares of the world. how manifold are the cares of the world ? p. . how may we arm our selves against them ? p. . object . i should not take so much care were it not for my children ? p. . why should we not be carefull about worldly things ? ib. chap. xxvi . about charity , beneficence , and mercy . what is charity ? p. . what is beneficence ? ib. are these duties required of all ? ib. vvho are the object of beneficence ? ib. vvhat are the properties of it ? ib. how must we shew our chearfulness in giving ? p. . vvho should be the object of it ? ib. from what causes should charity arise ? p. . how may we best perform works of charity ? ib. what are the right ends of charity ? p. . what must we give ? ib. how much should we give ? p. . vvhat rules must we observe therein ? ib. vvho may give ? and that lawfully ? ib. vvhether may the wife give without her husbands consent ? p. . &c. sundry objections about it answered ? ib. to whom are alms to be given ? p. . vvhat order must we observe in giving ? ib. in what manner may we best give ? p. . whether may we give at our doors ? ib. what may we think of them that give alms at their death ? ib. how may the alms of christians be differenced from those of worldlings ? p. . how many waies must we express our charity ? p. . vvhen must we forgive debts ? ib. how must we relieve by free lending ? ib. are alms-deeds arbitrary , or an act of righteousness ? ib. vvhat other arguments may provoke us to charity ? p. . many objections answered ? p. , &c. vvhat else may move us to charity ? objections answered ? p. . doth god take notice of our works of charity ? p. . vvhat may move us to perseverance therein ? ib. what warrant had the widow of sarepta to relieve the prophet before her self and son ? p. . is a man to prefer a godly stranger before his brother that is not so ? ib. whether are we to relieve many strangers , before one godly man in want ? ib. why is giving to the poor a duty ? ib. what shall we be the better for our bounty ? ib. how may we be enabled to works of mercy ? p. . from what must we save that we may have to give ? p. . how much must we lay aside ? ib. objections answered . ib. what may further move us to charity ? p. . what are spirituall alms ? ib. what is christ meaning when he saith , lend looking for nothing again ? p. . why must we so lend ? ib. why is it blesseder to give then to receive ? p. . what is it to be a giver ? what to be a receiver ? ib. chap. xxvii . about chastity . who may be said to be chast ? p. . vvhat hurts chastity ? ib. vvhen are inward lusts most vile ? ib. vvhat are the inward , and outward things that hurt it ? ib. vvhat are the remote provocations to it ? ib. what are the nearer provocations to it ? p. . may we labour to cover deformities in our bodies ? ib. how may we preserve our chastity ? ib. vvhat is chastity ? p. . chap. xxviii . about children . what is the best course to have comfort in our children ? p. . vvhat may move parents to labour after it ? ib. wherein especially doth their duty consist , that they may finde this comfort ? ib. whether children should be taught the scriptures ? p. . how must children manifest their reverence to their parents ? ib. whether we may call any upon earth father ? ib. vvhat if children be more wealthy , and honorable then their parents ? ib. whether children should ask their parents blessing ? ib. objections against it answered . p. . vvhat other duties doe children owe to their parents ? ib. vvherein consists their obedience ? ib. wherein their parents consent is necessary ? ib. why must parents consent be had in their marriages ? p. . what if they urge them to marry such as they cannot love ? ib. vvhat if they neglect to provide them matches in due time ? ib. other cases about their marriage answered ? ib. wherein consists childrens active obedience to their parents ? p. . what if parents mistake in matters reproved , may not a childe make answer ? ib. what is the extent of childrens obedience to parents ? ib. if children yield better reason , may they not refuse to obey ? ib. what is further required of children to their parents , and what rules therein ? p. . what duties doe children owe to their parents after death ? ib. how must children perform all duties to their parents ? p. . must equall respect be shewed to both parents ? ib. whether the father must be preferred before the mother ? ib. what if one commands what the other forbids ? ib. whether stepfathers in law must be obeyed ? ib. · objections answered . ib. must children be subject to guardians , and tutors ? p. . vvhat arguments may move children to be subject to their parents ? ib. what if children be grown in years , and not under their parents government ? ib. whether are many children a blessing ? ib. may parents make void a contract made by their children , without or against their consent ? ib. whether is marriage made without parents consent valid ? ib. what rules must parents observe in giving names to their children ? ib. who are too curious herein ? ib. who are too careless ? p. . why must there be such care had in naming them ? ib. when is it fittest to give names to our children ? ib. how far are children that are married , or called to publick offices bound to obey their parents ? ib. what generall rules are there to observe in obeying their parents ? ib. chap. xxix . about christ. what are we to conceive of the incarnation of christ ? p. . how may this knot be untied ? ib. how may we understand it ? ib. what is further to be considered about it ? p. . what is the nature that is assumed by the son of god ? ib. what is further considerable about christ ? ib. what else ? p. . what are the parts of christs priestly office ? ib. why must christ be a propitiation for our sins ? ib. what satisfaction did christ as our surety bind himself to perform ? p. . what was the principall debt ? ib. why must he be man ? ib. why must he be god ? ib. how may that appear ? ib. what other debt were we liable to , which we must discharge ? p. . why must christ be more then man ? p. . how is the redemption purchased by christ conveyed to us ? ib. what else is required ? p. . how may this mystery be further opened ? ib. what is further to be considered herein ? p. . what are the bonds of this mysticall union betwixt christ and us ? ib. what is further to be considered in christ ? ib. what is considerable about christs kingly office ? p. . what are the speciall branches of the kingdom of christ ? ib. how doth he work this upon earth ▪ ib. how doth he exercise his kingly office towards the church triumphant ? ib. when doth christ first live in a christians heart ? p. . why must christ be emmanuel , god with man ? ib. vvhy must this god and man be one person ? ib. how doth christ make us friends with god ? ib. how shall i know that this emmanuel is god with me ? ib. vvhat benefits have we by gods taking our nature upon him ? ib. how could the death of one satisfie for so many millions ? p. . how doth friendship between god and us arise from hence ? ib. how shall we know that we have comfort in this emmanuel ? ib. whether is christ god , seeing he saith his power is given him ? p. . wherein consists the power of christ ? ib. wherein doth christs dominion over all , especially the church appear ? ib. if christ hath all power , why is the turk and pope so prevalent ? p. . why is christ called often an head ? ib. are all given to christ to be redeemed by him ? ib. but the son of perdition was lost , therefore some that were given to christ ? p. . did christ fully finish the work that was given him to doe ? ib. in what particulars did that work consist ? ib. if christ hath done all , what need wee do any thing ? p. . what are the properties of the work that christ hath finished ? ib. what else are we bound to believe concerning christ ? ib. in what particulars will it appear ? ib. why must we believe that christs fulness is for us ? p. . whether did christ die for all men ? ib. how may we prove that he died only for some ? ib. why then doth the scripture speak so universally of christs death ? p. . doe reprobates receive any benefit by christs death ? p. . how else may we prove that he only died for some ? ib. how then may we know whether we have interest in christs death ? p. . what priviledges have the godly by christs death ? ib. what benefits have we by christs ascention , and exaltation ? p. . who is the great lord keeper of the saints ? ib. what doth it imply where christ is said to be sent into the world ? p. . what necessity was there of christs sending ? ibid. what is considerable about christs priestly office ? p. . what are the properties of christs sacrifice ? p. . how is christ the cause of our sanctification ? ib. did christ doe as much for one believer as for another ? p. . objections against believing in christ answered ? ib. whether christ loves a strong christian more then a weak ? p. . is there no difference between believers in respect of the fruits of christs death ? ib. what is considerable about the glory of christ ? ib. why should christ pray to his father , who could do what he pleased ? p. . what is the difference between christs prayer and ours ? ib. why is christ said to have no form or comliness ? p. . whether was christ beautifull in his outward feature ? ib. how did god hide his face from his son seeing he loved him always ? ib. what are the parts of christs office ? and why in such an order ? ib. how is christ a mediatour ? p. . doth it not imply inferiority ? ib. objections answered . ib. what are the effects , and consequents of the personal union in respect of christs manhood ? ib. in what estate did christ exercise the office of his mediatorship ? p. . what are the degrees of christs exaltation ? ib. what is christ now doing in glory ? p. . how doth he there execute his priestly office ? ib. how the kingly part of his office ? ib. how was christ revealed under the old testament ? ib. what arguments will prove christ to be true god ? p. . how far forth are christs actions to be imitated by us ? p. . how is the whole work of our salvation carried on by christ ? p. . chap. xxx . about the church . what is meant by the word church ? p. . in what sence is a church taken in scripture ? ib. vvho is the builder of the church ? p. . vvhy doth christ build it ? ib. hath christ a speciall propriety in it ? ib. how and why is he said to be the lord of his church ? ib. vvhether are our parochiall assemblies in england churches of christ ? p. . how is the church called gods peculiar ? ib. why is the church compared to a woman ? p. . vvhat duties doth this relation of a spouse to christ teach us ? ib. how must she please her husband ? p. . what priviledges hath she as the spouse of christ ? ib. how many the true church be known ? . is the true church of christ alwayes visible ? p. . vvhat reasons may be rendred for it ? ib. vvhat conclusions may be laid down concerning the visibility of the church ? p. . are not all christians bound to pray for the peace of the church ? p. . vvhat must we pray for in her behalf ? ib. what is further included in our praying for the church ? ib. how must all this be done ? ib. who are bound to do it ? ib. why must we pray for the peace of the church ? p. . how may we so pray for it as to be sure to prevaile ? ib. what means may we use to further us herein ? ib. why is the church called a mother ? p. . where are we to seek for her ? ib. are all bound to joyn themselves to some particular congregation ? ib. vvhat church must we joyn our selves to ? ib. may we joyn with such a church as tollerates the wicked , and opposeth the godly ? ib. is it lawfull to gather churches out of true churches ? p. . is it lawfull to separate from a church because of some errors , and defects ? ib. vvho is the head of the church ? p. . in what nature is christ the head of the church ? ib. objections answered . ib. what may be learned from the consideration hereof ? p. . wherein consists the similitude betwixt christ , and an head , and the church and a body ? ibid. vvherein consists the agreement between the head and members ? ib. what is that body whereof christ is the head ? p. . vvhat else may be learned hence ? ib. whether may the church faile ? ib. vvhat are the infallible marks of a true church ? p. . chap. xxxi . about circumspection , and circumspect walking . what is it to walk circumspectly ? p. . in what scripture phrases is it commended to us ? ib. what things are required to it ? ib. what may further us in this exact walking ? p. . why is it so necessary ? ib. how may we provoke our selves to it ? p. . what other considerations may stir us up to it ? ib. why must we be watchfull over our selves ? p. . why over others ? p. . vvhat benefit have we by it ? ib. what are the impediments of it ? ib. what is this circumspection ? p. . wherein doth it consist ? ib. how must we watch over our eyes ? p. . how over our ears ? ib. how over our pallats ? ib. how over our sence of touching ? p. . how over our tongues ? ib. how over our works and actions ? ib. what must we principally aim at in our christian watch ? p. . vvhat may move us to this circumspect walking ? ib. what means may enable us to it ? p. . chap. xxxii . about the comforts of gods people . have gods people alwayes comfort inwardly ? p. . vvhy doth god sometimes hide his face from them ? ib. how may we finde comfort in our spirituall distresses ? p. . why should we seek it ? ib. hath god comforts for us in all distresses ? ib. whence is the strength of gods children ? ib. what are the comforts of god ? ib. when doth god most comfort his ? ib. vvhence is it that gods children oft want comfort ? p. . chap. xxxiii . about comforting others . what rules must we observe in comforting others ? p. . what are the best means whereby we may comfort others ? p. . why should we be so carefull to comfort others ? p. . how is god the father the author of our comfort ? ib. how is god the son the author of it ? ib. how is god the holy ghost the author of it ? ib. chap. xxxiv . about comforting afflicted consciences . how shall we comfort such as are dejected with a sight of their sins , and want of grace ? p. . how may true desires be discerned from false ? p. . how may one that is distressed in minde be comforted ? p. . how must we proceed in applying the promises to such ? ib. what if we finde him not humbled ? p. . how must comfort be administred ? ib. vvhat are the false wayes ? ib. why are they false ? ib. vvould not god have all to be saved ? ib. did not christ reconcile the world to himself ? ib. vvhat is the right way of administring comfort ? p. . vvhat are the grounds ? ib. how may it be proved ? ib. ob. the desire of good is naturall , therefore god will not regard it ? ib. how may godly sorrow be discerned ? ib. what if a man cannot reach to such a sorrow ? ib. how may the party distressed be brought within the compass of the promise of salvation ? ib. that the promise may have good success , what rules must we observe ? p. . what is the speciall distress arising from the divine tentations ? ib. what are the occasions of this tentation ? ib. what are the effects of it ? ib. what remedies must be used to comfort such ib. what if the party be so distr●cted that he cannot perform any good duty ? p. . what tokens of grace are we to enquire after in such ? p. . how many distress of minde from outward affli●ions be remedied ? ib. we could bear afflictions from god , but ours come from men that hate us ? p. . how is god with us in afflictions ? ib. what are the fruits , and benefits of afflictions ? ib. how are afflictions good in regard of their quality ? ib. how may a distressed soule be supported when god deferres deliverance ? ib. what if our afflictions continue unto death ? p. . how shall we be able comfortably to endure the pangs of death ? ib. how may we prepare our selves for death ? ib. how may we discern whether the joyes of the spirit be in us ? p. . what helps are to be used in the time of death ? ib. what are the helps in practice ? ib. how shall we bear with comfort satanicall molestations ? p. . vvhat if our houses were molested with evill spirits ? ib. what must we doe when we are molested with blasphemous thoughts ? p. . vvhat will cure this grievous malady ? ib. how shall we know whence they arise ? ib. what remedies must be applyed ? ib. how may distresse of minde arising from our own sins be cured ? p. . what if a man after repentance , fall into some great sin again ? ib. what must we doe when troubled for want of grace , and obedience ? p. . but my heart is hard , my faith mixed with infidelity , &c. p. . can god accept our works that are so imperfect ? ib. how doth the body cause trouble of mind ? p. . what are the effects of melancholly ? ib. what is the difference between melancholly , and trouble of conscience ? ib. how must the melancholly be cured ? ib. how do alterations in the body cause trouble of mind ? ib. vvhat remedies are to be used in these cases ? p. . chap. xxxv . about self-commendation . is it lawfull for a man to commend himself ? p. . in what cases is it allowed ? ib. is it not oft condemned in scripture ? p. . how then shall we know when its lawfull ? ib. chap. xxxvi . about communion with god. what is it to be in communion with god ? p. . what are the signs of it ? ib. how may we know it , by the spirit that is given us ? ib. by what signes may we know that the spirit is given us ? ib. how shall we know that we sincerely abide in the truth ? p. . did not the divel and hypocrites confess christ ? ib. how shall we know when we fiducially confess christ ? ib. how may we know that we dwell in gods love ? p. . how shall we know that we walk in the light ? ib. how did christ walk , that we may know whether we walke so ? ib. how shall wee know whether we keep his commandements as we ought ? ib. chap. xxxvii . about communicating in other mens sins . how many wayes may we communicate in other mens sins ? p. . how many wayes is sin countenanced ? ib. why are superiours guilty of such sins as they permit ? p. . how may such keep themselves free from other mens sins ? ib. what may move us to avoid communicating in other mens sins ? ib. how else may we communicate in other mens sins ? ib. are not all guilty some way of the sins of the times ? p. . may we in any case rejoice in another mans sin ? ib. chap. xxxviii . about the choice and use of company . what rule must we observe in the choice of our company ? p. . why must we make use of good company ? ib. what reasons may be rendered for it ? ib. may we keep company with such as are civil ? p. . may we not converse with unregenerate friends , kindred , & c ? p. . what must we doe when in good company ? p. . what in wicked company ? ib. what is meant by not familiarly conversing with the wicked ? p. . why may not such be made our companions ? ib. what if husband , wife , &c. are wicked ? ib. how else can you prove that the wicked are not to be made our companions ? p. . may we then have no dealing with them ? ib. why must we carefully watch over our selves in company ? ib. what rules must we observe for our carriage in company ? ib. how may we attain wisdom herein ? p. . how shall we be furnished with matter to edifie one another ? ib. what if we cannot thus furnish our selves ? ib. why must we be so carefull herein ? ib. what if for all this we cannot bring our hearts to it ? ib. what if we meet with such scornfull persons as will not endure it ? ib. why else should we so carefully shun evill company ? p. . what must we do that live in bad times , and places ? ib. whether is company better then solitariness ? ib. how may it be proved ? ib. what benefits redound hereby to the chuch , and each particular member ? p. . how must we prepare our selves , before we goe into company ? ib. what must our carriage be in company ? p. . what if accidentally , or of necessity we fall into ill company ? ib. why at other times must we carefully shun it ? ib. whom must we consort our selves withall ? p. . what other arguments may move us to make choice of good company ? ib. chap. xxxix . about confession . is confession a duty required by god ? p. . what is confession ? ib. what must we confess concerning christ ? ib. what else in reference to christ ? ib. when must we make confession ? p. . how are we called publickly to it ? ib. when by a church ? ib. how are we called to it at the constitution of a church ? ib. how at our admittance into a church ? ib. how may this be proved ? ib. how are we called to it by a magistrate ? ib. when are we called to it privately . ib. why ought we to confess with the mouth ? p. . how must this confession be made ? p. . but paul saith , hast thou faith , have it to thy self , & c ? ib. whether may a man go to mass , reserving his heart to god ? ib. what is then to be thought of the case of naaman ? p. . but if i goe not to mass , i shall give offence to the papists ? ib. whether may a man , especially a minister fly in persecution ? ib. but persecution is good , therefore it may not be eschewed ? ib. is it not sent of god , how then may we fly from it ? ib. is not flight a kind of deniall of christ ? ib. christ bids us not to fear them that can kill the body ? ib. when may a minister or other fly ? p. . what if his people will not suffer him to fly ? ib. when may we not fly ? ib. whether being imprisoned , may we break prison if we can ? ib. chap. xl. about confession of sin. is confession of sin a necessary duty ? p. . may not a wicked man confess his sins ? ib. how then shall we distinguish such from the confessions of the godly ? ib. vvhy must we remember , and confess our sins ? ib. must we confess in particular ? p. . vvhy must we do it ? ib. is it a duty to confess to men ? ib. in what cases must this be done ? ib. must we confess every sin to others ? p. . to whom must we confess our faults ? ib. but hereby we may lie under a blot ? ib. in what manner must we confess to men ? ib. vvhy are we so backward to confess our sins ? p. . vvhy should we confess it , seeing it s not to be named amongst saints ? ib. chap. xli . about carnal confidence . what carnal confidence is forbidden ? p. . what are the reasons against it ? ib. why are we naturally so prone to it ? ib. why are we so taken up with it ? ib. how shall we know our confidence to be carnal ? ib. how may we prevent , or cure it ? p. . what is confidence ? ib. what is the onely subject proper for a mans confidence ? ib. chap. lxii . about the conflict between the flesh and spirit . how will it appear that there is such a conflict in every regenerate person ? p. . what is this spirituall conflict ? ib. what are the causes of it ? ib. why doth not god perfect our sanctification at the first ? ib. how doth it make for gods glory ? ib. how is it profitable for our good ? p. . what are the essentiall causes of this conflict ? p. . how then are we freed out of our miserable condition ? p. . what is the formal cause of this conflict ? ib. how can such utter enemies dwell together without destroying each other ? p. . vvhat is this combate , and the manner of it ? ib. what doth the flesh aime at in lusting against the spirit ? ib. vvhat is the manner of this conflict in the severall faculties of the soule ? p. . hath not the church a promise to be guided into all truth ? p. . what is this conflict in the affections , and sensual appetite ? p. . vvhat are the effects of this conflict between the flesh and spirit ? p. . vvhat effects doth it produce in the will , and desires ? ib. what in the action , and works ? ib. how shall we distinguish between the fight in the unregenerate , and regenerate ? p. . whether is this conflict in every regenerate person ? p. . vvhat are we to think of infants , and idiots ? ib. vvhether is it in all alike manner , and measure ? ib. is it not sometimes weak in strong christians ? ib. what is the success of this conflict between the flesh and spirit ? p. . what is considerable about the foils which the spirit sometimes suffers ? ib. how far may the flesh prevaile against the spirit ? ib. may not true saving grace , be utterly lost , at least for a time ? p. . have not some of the saints lost degrees of their graces , as david , peter , & c ? p. . vvill not this doctrine of perseverance imbolden to security ? ib. what else is considerable in the success of this conflict ? ib. how is it that some eminent professors quite fall away ? ib. what may encourage us in this conflict against the flesh ? p. . vvhat may move us to set upon this enemy ? ib. by what means may we be enabled to overcome it ? p. . vvhat rules must we observe for this end ? ib. what tends to the weakening of the flesh ? ib. what passages must we stop to keep back provision from the flesh ? p. . what sins do most strengthen the flesh , which we must chiefly watch against ib. is it enough to restrain the flesh from things unlawful ? p. . vvhat other extream is to be avoided ? ib. how else may the flesh be subdued ? ib. with what weapons must we fight against it ? ib. how else may we secure our selves against the flesh ? p. . by what other means may the fesh be subdued ? p. . how may the spirit be strengthened to obtain the victory ? p. . what sins most wound and weaken the spirit ? p. . how may we chear up the spirit in this conflict ? p. . the flesh , and spirit being but qualities , how can they be said to fight together ? p. . how doth the lust of the flesh shew it self ? ib. what are the contrary actions of the spirit ? ib. why is there such a contrariety between the flesh and spirit ? ib. but naturall men also have a combate in them ? p. . have all believers this combate in them ? ib. what are the effects of it in the godly ? ib. whether good works are sins ? objections answered . ib. chap. xliii : about conscience good and bad . what is conscience ? p. . what is the common subject of conscience ? ib. what is the end , or office of conscience ? p. . what is the scripture word for conscience ? ib. vvhere is the fear of conscience ? ib. vvhy is it seated in a man ? ib. vvhat is the office of conscience ? ib. how manifold is the witness of conscience ? p. . what is a good conscience ? ib. what makes up a good conscience ? ib. how doth an evill conscience faile in its proper works ? ib. what must concur to the renovation of conscience ; ib. what since mans fall is counted a good conscience ib. what other definitions of conscience ? ib. how many sorts of a good conscience are there ? p. . what goodness must concur to the making of it up ? ib. vvhat then is a truly good conscience ? ib. what must it be purified from ? ib. how must it be purified ? ib. what must conscience be pacified from ? ib. what must conscience be pacified by ? p. . what are the offices of conscience ? ib. how many sorts of good conscience are there ? p. . how many sincerity of conscience be known ? ib. is there not a sinfull tenderness of conscience ? p. . can all that suffer say , that they suffer for conscience , and for god ? p. . what rules are to be observed in the suffering for a good conscience ? p. . what is the benefit of a good conscience ? p. . what is the danger of an evil conscience ? p. . is it so hard to get a good , and escape an evill conscience ? ib. may conscience be quiet , and yet not good ? p. . how manifold is hardness of heart ? ib. what are the marks of an ill troubled conscience ? p. . how may we know a good troubled conscience ? p. . vvhat are the marks of an erroneous conscience ? ib. what may quicken us to get , and retain a good conscience ? p. . how may a good conscience be gotten and preserved ? p. . vvhat are the signs of a good conscience ? p. . how hath originall sin polluted the conscience ? p. . how is blindness and stupidity of conscience discovered ? p. . how can we sin against knowledge , and conscience , seeing we cannot will evill ? ib. how may a counterfeit conscience be discovered ? p. . how is conscience defiled when troubled , and awakened ? p. . is it not a blessed thing to come well out of the pangs of a troubled conscience ? p. . what is the difference between a troubled , and regenerate conscience ? ib. what may cause trouble of conscience , and yet come short of saving motives ? ibid. what are the false wayes that a wounded conscience is prone to take ? ib. books formerly published by this author . the saints nosegay : or a posie of spirituall flowers . the marrow of ecclesiastical history in two parts . the first part contains the lives of . fathers , schoolmen , first reformers , and modern divines , with the effigies of many of them in copper . the second contains the lives of twenty two christian emperors , kings , princes , and other choice christians , from the primitive times to our present age , with all their effigies cut in copper . a generall martyrologie , or collection of all the greatest persecutions which the church of christ in other countries hath suffered from the creation to our present times , with sundry cuts in copper . whereunto are annexed the lives of mr. tho. cartwright , mr. arthur hildersam , mr. hugh clarke ( the authors father ) dr. potter , b.b. of carlile , mr. rich. sedgwick , mr. rob. balsom , mr. john dod , mr. herbert palmer , mr. jo. ball , mr. rich. rothwell , mr. julines herring , and dr. preston . an english martyrologie of all the persecutions which have befallen our church from the first plantation of the gospel to our modern times , whereunto are annexed the lives of gasper coligni , admiral of france , joane , queen of navar , dr. collet dean of pauls , mr. coverdall , dr. sands arch bishop of york : mr. richard greenham , mr. paul bains , mr. will. bradshaw , mr. richard stock , dr. sibs , dr. tho. tailor , dr. chaderton . a mirror , or looking-glasse both for saints , and sinners , held forth in some thousands of examples , as of gods wonderfull mercies to the one : so his severe judgments against the other , whereunto is annexed , a geograpicall description of all the countries in the known world , with the most famous cities , temples , structures , statues , cabinets of rarities , &c. which have been , and now are in the world . as also , the wonders of god in nature : the greatest rivers , strangest fountains , various minerals , stones , trees , herbs , plants , gumms , &c. which are to be found in every countrey . as also , of the rarest beasts , fowls , birds , fishes , and serpents which are least known amongst us . the life of tamerlane the great . englands remembrancer , containing an historicall collection of the spanish invasion in eightie eight . the gunpowder plot. the fall of the house upon the papists in black-friers . christian good fellowship : a sermon preached at warwickshire feast . an antidote against immoderate mourning for the dead . a funerall sermon . errata . page . l. . . read but will you see the cure ? p. . l. . r. stiles for stills . p. . l. . r. jude for judg. p. . l. . r. when for whence . p. . l. . r. reason for son , and with for without . p. . l. . r. in refusing . p. . l. . r. is for are . p. . l. . r. quest. for object . p. . l. . r. seals for seeks . p. . l. . put out and. p. . l. . r. practice for suspition . p. . l. . put cut as . p. . l. . r. of for or . p. . l. . r. sarah for abraham . p. . l. . r. by for be . l. . r. raised for changed . p. . l. . r. the for then . p. . l. . r. ought not , for ought . p. . l. . r. third for second . p. . l. . r. work this upon earth . p. . l. . r , it is for l ● . p. . l. . r. whence for when . p. . l. . r. whom for when ▪ p. . l. . r. our for one . p. . l. . r. believing for bleeding . p. . l. . put in them . p. . l. . r. immoderate for moderate . p. . l. . r. abused for obeied . p. . l. . r. world for woud . p. . l. . r. inoffensive for offensive . p. . l. . r. they for you . questions , and cases of conscience about abstinence in the use of lawful things . chap. i. quest. whether may a man sinne in the use of lawful things ? answ. yea , abuse of lawful things is damnable , as well as the use of unlawful . the abuse of lawful profits , pleasures , cares , and desires , choaks the seed of the word , mat. . . so mat. . . as in the dayes of noah they did eat , they drank , they married , and gave in marriage , until the day that noah entred into the ark , &c. what ? was it a sin to eat , to drink , to marrie ? no , but they sinned in the abuse of these things , they were so intent upon these , that they cast off all admonitions , and predictions of judgement . so luke . . what was more lawful then to buy a farme , a yoke of oxen , or to mar●y a wife ? yet these shall never taste of the supper : not because they did these things , but because they were so inordinately intent upon them , that they refused the call to the kings supper . so cor. . . the people sa●e down to eat , and drink , and rose up to play . quest. why is there so much danger in the use of lawful things ? answ. . because in using lawful things men are most secure , and think themselves safe : and yet satan is most where he is least suspected : as the serpent lieth in the greenest grasse : so satan lies in ambush against us in our most lawful liberties : as he laid his train against christ himself , in the matter of meat , and drink , when he was an hungry , mat. . . so also against us , chiefly in things wherein god hath given us allowance . wherein was it that satan overcame lot ? was it first in incest with his daughters ? no : but he first foiled him in that which was lawful : he first abused himself with wine , and then in incest . whereas our nature , spider-like , turnes our best , and sweetest things to poison , satan addes his poison too , putting us forward to abuse lawful things : because this both hinders god of his glory in the meanes of our good , and our selves in the end for which god alloweth them . god gives us these things as helps to heaven : but we make them hinderances . his grace puts them into our hands as staves ●o help us in our way , we by our abuse make them clogs to cast us back : he allows us them as spurres to provoke us to cheerfulnesse in his service : we pervert them , and make them as thornes to choak , and hinder us in his service . and well knows satan , that the best things abused , become evil to him that so useth them . christ himself shall be a rock of offence . the word if it kill not our vices , kills our soules : the sacraments are rank poison to the unworthy receiver : he cares not if wealth flow in as waters from a full fountain , so they drown their soules in perdition : and so of the rest . because sins in lawful things are both more ordinary , and lesse discerned , both for the avoiding and preventing , as also for the recovery , and repentance from them . how many natural and indifferent actions doth a man perform in a day , into which creep a number of sins , because men judge themselves free to do as they lust in them , only contenting themselves that they have liberty from god to do the thing , whilest they are unwilling to hear of any of gods restraints , or impositions in the manner , and fruition of that liberty . quest. what instances may be given to shew how men abuse their lawful liberties with the hazard of their soules ? answ. . in eating and drinking , which is not only lawful but necessary : yet here christians offend many wayes . . when they eat not their own bread , earned by their lawful labour , thes. . . . when they feed themselves without feare , jude . not as before the lord. . when they corrupt themselves in the creatures , losing sobriety , modestie , chastity , health , and reason . . when they never taste the sweetnesse of god in the creature , more then beasts do : nor sanctifie themselves after feasting : as job did his sons , job . . . when they waste the creatures , not remembring the afflictions of jos●ph , amos . . in apparel , then which nothing is more necessary decently to cover our nakednesse , to fence our bodies from the injury of the weather , and to put us in minde of sin . but what a number of sins do men and women put on with their apparel ? and that first , for the matter , which is not skins as adams , but stately and costly beyond their rank . . for the manner , while they take liberty to disguise themselves in strange attire , and monstrous fashions , shewing no other hidden man of the heart but lightnesse , vanity , wantonnesse , and thraldome , to every new-fangled fashion , for which the lord threatned to visit the kings children , zeph. . . . for the measure whilest they passe all bounds of sobrietie , and prodigally waste more on their backs , then would cloath a number of the poor servants of jesus christ. in recreation : which are both lawful and necessary : yet how do men sin therein ? . in respect of the matter , when with the fool , ( prov. . ) th●y make a sport of sin : as of dice , cards , lascivious dancing , playes , interludes , and all other sports , wherein is neither praise , vertue , nor good report , phil. . . . in respect of the manner , when they turne their vocation into recreation , pouring out their hearts unto pleasure , being lovers of pleasure more then of god , tim. . . when they waste their precious time in sports , hindring better duties , both in their general and particular callings : dishonouring the sacred name of god by oaths , blasphemous cursings , jesting upon the holy word of god , jeering his ministers , servants , religion , &c. or when others are hurt by their sports , and gaine by winning their money to their prejudice : or their own estate , as solomon saith , he that loves pastime shall be a poor man , prov. . . in marriage : what is more necessary for mans comfort , and for the continuance of the world and church by an holy seed ? but many heap up sin by the abuse of this holy ordinance : some conceit that they may marry where they list , the sons of god to the daughters of men ; forgetting that of the apostle : only in the lord , cor. . . joyning themselves with infidels , hereticks , and enemies to the true religion ; as did solomon to the turning away his heart from the lord. others use it rather to the stirring up of natural corruptions then to allay them : some rather to further each other to hell then to heaven , whilest the husband loseth his authority by unthriftinesse , bitternesse , or lightnesse : and the wise shakes off her subjection by fullennesse , and contempt both of his person , and commandments : others sin more directly when the husband leaves the wife of his youth , and embraceth the bosome of a stranger : or the wife forsakes the guide of her youth , and loves a stranger better . in a mans calling , wherein its lawful and necessary for a man to busie himself : but how many sin herein ? either by living in unlawful callings , or betaking themselves to no callings : or not being careful to sanctifie their callings , and the duties of them by the word of god and prayer : or not retaining heavenly affections in their earthly employments : or not sticking to gathet manna on the sabbath-dayes , which shall rot between their teeth : or by driving their trades with as many glossings , lies and oaths , almost as words : or by turning their trades into crafts , and mysteries of iniquity , getting as much by deceit and injustice , as by faire dealing : or by choaking their general calling by their special , scarce allowing any time to gods service , &c. in providing for a mans family , which is lawful and necessary , and he that doth it not is worse then an infidel , tim. . . yet herein many sin by carking cares : not seeking first the kingdome of god for themselves and theirs , but becoming drudges to the world , and to their children , neglecting to bring them up in the nurture and instruction of the lord , as they are commanded , ephes. . . in company and society with men , which is sweet and necessary , man being a sociable creature ; but how many sins creep into the use of this mercy ? as when men voluntary run into idle and vaine company ; associating themselves with swearers , dtunkards , whoremongers , ●tc . when they spend their time in vain , profane , or rotten communication , neither doing nor receiving good , as they might and ought to do . quest. what meanes may we use to prevent our abuse of these lawful things ? answ. . consider that lawful liberty used to the full extent of it , is exceeding dangerous , and therefore some restraint is necessary . he that will take all the liberty he may , will somtimes take that he ought not : and the more the flesh is pampered , the more the spirit is weakened and foiled . remember who is the author of all thy libertie in these things , and be sure that whilest thou hast the sweetnesse and comfort of them , he may have the glory of them , rom. . . of him , and through him , and to him are all things , to whom be glory for ever , cor. . . whether ye eat , or drink or whatsoever you do , do all to the glory of god. with the use of natural things , labour to joyne a spiritual , and so whilest we cherish our bodies , we shall also refresh our soules : as in the use of meat , and drink , stir we up our selves to labour for the bread and water of life . in putting on our cloaths , labour to put on christ , rom. . . in marriage , meditate much on that sweet contract between christ and the soul : and so in the rest . this is an holy alchimy , that draws gold out of lead , heaven out of earth , and grace out of nature . consider that the right use of peace and plentie , is to grow up in the feare of god , in peace of conscience , and in the comforts of the holy ghost : so the church used her rest and peace , acts . . for where the lord affords more outward blessings , and with them , more time and meanes to serve him , he looks for the more service from them . in our more free and joyful use of gods good creatures , let us carry holy jealousie over our selves , lest sin creep in , and so we dishonour god : job , when his sons feasted together , sanctified them , and sac●ificed according to the number of them , saying , it may be my sons have sinned , &c. job . . do thou the like , mingle not thy joy with sin , lest it end in wo. dr. tailor on the parable of the sower , p. . chap. ii. questions , and cases of conscience about our actions , natural , civil , recreative , religious , &c. quest. what makes an action good ? answ. every truly commendable and comfortable action must consist of an absolute integrity of all concurrents , and requisites . for though some mixture of infirmities and imperfections will cleave to the face of the fairest action ( an absolute unstained purity being incompatible with mortality ) yet every several ingredient must be attended , and temper● with its own particular goodnesse , and honesty , and seasonable conformity to the whole , or else the whole action , though right in other respects , is utterly disrobed of all true splendor , acceptation , and grace . here a little leaven ●oures the whole lump : and the iniquity , defect , and exorbitancy of any one ingredient , denominates the whole action naught . quest. what are the ingredients requisite to make an action good ? answ. . it must be good in its own nature , and warranted by gods word , by which all things must be sanctified to us , tim. . . otherwise let the person be never so pleasing to god , his intentions never so good , his heart never so zealous , the meanes , circumstances , and end never so excellent , yet without this all is naught . the object about which the action is exercised , must be qualified according to the rules of religion . as works of charity are sweet sacrifices to god : but amongst other cautions to season them , the parties that are to partake of them , are to be singled out with godly discretion : for if we bestow our charity upon a sturdy begger , idle rogue , canting companion , we do not only lose the honour and comfort of our charity , but incur much guilt , &c. we must look to the matter , else all may be marred . as for instance , the matter of our beneficence must be our own goods got lawfully , else in respect of divine allowance it will prove an abominable sacrifice . the person must be pleasing to god , else his best deeds are but beautiful abominations . if the person be not justified by faith , and accepted through christ , all his actions , natural , civil , recreative , and religious are turned into sin , prov. . , . so in the pharisee , luke . . the heart must be sincere , else even the noblest duties of religion are nothing worth . judas preached and wrought miracles , yet was a desperate hypocrite : see how the israelites sought god , and enqui●ed early after him , psal. . &c. yet because their hearts were not upright god rejected them . the meanes must be good : otherwise let there be never so exact a concurrence of all other causes , yet the glory and comfort of the action is quite da●kned . as , suppose that by a lie thou couldst save thy neighbours life , yea , his soule , yea , the soules of all men upon earth , yet on thy part , all were naught : for we must not do evil that good may come of it , rom. . . the circumstances must be seasonable : as for example : private prayer is a duty , but then it must be in a fit place , not in the synagogues nor corners of the streets : but in a secret place , mat. . , . meditation of divine things is an excellent duty : but not when the preacher is praying , &c. the end must be answerable in goodnesse : in all our undertakings we must have our eye principally at gods glory : otherwise , let all the duty be carried on never so plausibly in the eyes of men , it s no better then the cutting off a dogs neck : jehu did excellent service ▪ by rooting out the idolatrous house of ahab ; and destroying baals priests : yet it was but murther in gods account , hosea . . because he sought himself , and not gods glory therein . see boltons general directions for a comfortable walking with god , p. . quest. vvhat things can make a good action to become evil ? answ. . impenitency in any sin will staine any action , be it in it self never so good , isa. . , to . an evil end will defile a good action : as , to be seen of men , &c. mat. . , . unbelief makes all actions evil : for heb. . . when we either know not our warrant for it , or believe not gods acceptation of it . rashnesse and indiscreti●n marrs good actions , prov. . . when we have not respect to the circum●ances of well-doing : when good duties are done rudely , &c. whereas we should be wise to do good , rom. . . unwillingnesse doth the like , when it seems evil to us to serve god , josh. . , . when our works are dead works , hebr. . . deuteronomy . . when men bear not their own fruit , do not the duties of their own place , calling , and relations ; as when a king will offer sacrifice : or a private person ▪ or woman will preach , &c. confidence in the flesh marrs good actions : when men trust to their own wits , reason , skill , gifts , and do not all in the name and strength of jesus christ , col. . . phil. . . inconstancy shames any good action : when we are weary of well-doing , or decline , and go backwards : our righteousnesse being as the morning-dew . quest. can any thing we do be good , when all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ? isa. . . ans. our works in themselves are not good , but by gods indulgence assured unto us in the new covenant they are : where god . accepts the will for the deed : we do well , when we desire and endeavour to do as well as we can . . god beholds the work in christ : and through his intercession passes by the evil that cleaves to our best actions . . god regards it , as proceeding from his own spirit in us , who causeth us to do good , and works our works for us : as in ptayer , romanes . . mr. byfield on peter . chap. iii. questions , and cases of conscience about adoption . quest. how many sorts of sons are there ? answ. foure ; . there is a son by eternal generation : and so christ is the son of god. . by creation ; and so adam , and the angels are the sons of god. . by natural generation ; and so cain was the son of adam . . by adoption : and so moses was the son of pharaohs daughter . and thus god takes us out of the family of hell to be his adopted sons . quest. how manifold is adoption ? answ. twofold : . external , whereby the lord takes a people by outward covenant and dispensation to be his sons : and thus the jewes were gods first borne , exod. . . and unto them did belong the adoption , rom. . , . and hence their children were accounted sons , as well as saints , and holy , cor. . . ezek. . , . but many fall from this adoption , as the jews did . . internal , whereby the lord out of everlasting love to particular persons in special , takes them out of the family of satan , and by internal love , and special account reckons them in the number of sons : making them indeed sons , as well as calling them so . isaac by special promise was accounted for the seed , rom. . . quest. how manifold is this internal adoption ? answ. twofold : . adoption begun , john . , . now are we the sons of god , to whom yet the lord behaves himself for some time , and for some special reasons as unto servants , exercising them with many feares , gal. . , . because some spirits will not be the better for the love of their father , but the worse , and therefore he is faine to keep an hard hand over them . to others he behaves himself with more special respect , enabling them with more boldnesse to cry abba father , rom. . , . who are more easily bent to his will by love . adoption perfected , when we shall receive all the priviledges of sons , not one excepted , rom. . . where we are said to wait for the adoption , the redemption of our bodies . by the first we are sons , but not seen and known to be such , john . , . by the second , we shall be known before all the world to be so . quest. vvhat is the manner of adoption begun here in this world ? answ. . god loves jesus christ with an unspeakable love as his only son , and our elder brother . hence when we are his sons in christ , he loves us with the same love as he doth his own son . hence the lord accounts us sons , eph. . , . his love is not now towards us as to adam , his son by creation : but in loving his own son immediately , hence he loves us , adopts us , and accounts us his children . quest. what are the benefits and comforts that flow to us from hence ? answ. if we are sons , then the lord prizes and esteems us as sons : yea , the poorest , weakest , feeblest believer , is more esteemed by god then all the world , and the glory of it : yea , then all the kings , and great men in the world , isa. . , , . not because they can deserve it , but because he hath freely made them sons . if sons , then the lord will certainly take care of us as of sons , and that both for our outward and temporal estate , that we shall want nothing that is good for us , mat. . , . and if at any time we fall into want , and straits , the lord intends thereby our eternal good : hence come all gods corrections , deut. . . heb. . . if sons : then he loves us as sons , as a father doth his son . indeed , israel may say , my god hath forsaken , and forgotten me , isa. . . and yet no mother tenders her child , as the lord doth his children . yea , he freely ●hose us to be his sons , and therefore loves us notwithstanding all our sins , psal. . , . if he see ephraim bemoaning his stubbornnesse , as well as his sicknesse : as jer. . . god cries out , is not he my son ? if sons , then are we heires , and co-heires with christ , rom. . . sons by nature are all heires , but all sons by adoption are : we are heires , first , of the kingdome of glory , pet. . , . secondly , of all this visible world , cor. . . not that we have it all in our own hand ; it would be too cumbersome for us : but we have the use and comfort of it . thirdly , we are heires of the promise , heb. . . and . . whereby the lord himself comes to be our inheritance and portion for ever . if sons , then we have , and ever shall have the spirit of sons , rom. . , . and hereby . we shall be enabled to pray to god , who before could not do it , our mouthes being stopt with guilt . . to cry abba , father , and this spirit witnesseth that we are sons of this father . . hereby we are led and guided continually towards our last end : whence it is , that the same sins which harden others , at last humble us : the same temptations by which others fall , and perish , serve at last to purifie us : hence our decay in grace , leads us to growth at last : hence our feares and doubts serve to establish us at last : our wandrings from god for a time , make us esteem more of the presence and wayes of god at the last . see shepherds sound believer , p. . god will bear with the infirmities of his children , if there be in them a care to please him , with a purpose of not sinning , mal. . . quest. how may we know our adoption ? answ. by our resemblance of god , as a natural childe is like his natural father . quest. but how may this be known ? answ. . examine the life of god in thee , who naturally art dead in sin . the breath of this life is heavenly thoughts , meditations , affections : the actions of this life are spiritual growth , and encrease in grace and vertue . the maintenance of this life , is hungring and thirsting after heavenly manna , and water of life , the word of god. the very being of it is our union and communion with god by the spirit , which is as the soul to the body . examine the light of god in thee : for he is light , and in him is no darkness , and if thou beest his childe , thou art a childe of light . as thou growest in understanding thy fathers will , so thou growest in his image , and art like christ thy elder brother , and hast his image renewed in knowledge , &c. see whether thou growest up in holinesse and righteousnesse ? whether thy light shine before men , mat. . . cor. . . whether thou cleanse thy selfe from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit , &c. see doctor tailor on tempt . p. . quest. what duties are we taught from the consideration of our adoption ? answ. . to walk worthy of our calling ; be not vassals of sin and satan : to carry our selves as kings children , ruling over the lusts of our hearts , the tentations of satan , and the evil customes of the world . to come often into our fathers presence , doing all as in his sight : seeking his glory by doing his will , mal. . . strive to resemble christ , our elder brother , in all vertues , and holy conversation : for john . , . love gods word , that we may grow by it in grace and knowledge : it s the food whereby our father feeds us , pet. . . expect afflictions and chastisements from our father , heb. . , &c. quest. vvhat are the meanes of our adoption ? answ. . internal . . external . quest. vvhat is the internal meanes ? answ. faith in christ , which hath three acts or effects . . to believe christ to be a saviour . . to believe him to be my saviour . . to put confidence of heart in him , john . . quest. vvhat is the external meanes of our adoption ? answ. baptisme ; yet not this alone , but when it s joyned with faith , gal. . , . and thus it comprehends both outward and inward baptism , mat. . . pet. . . quest. vvhat are the marks of the inward baptisme ? answ. the new birth , whereby a man is washed and cleansed by the spirit of god : which hath three marks . . the spirit of grace and supplication , zach. . . . to hear , and obey the voice of god in all things , john . . and . . . not to live in the practice of any sin , john . . mr. perkins on gal. quest. how may the mystery of our adoption be conceived of ? answ. a christian by the gospel is made a believer . now faith , after an unspeakable manner engrafts us into the body of christ ; then being engrafted into christ , who is gods son , we thereby come to be the sons of god , and heires with christ. christ is gods heire , so are all that are grafted upon him , john. . . quest. how may the glory of our adoption appear to be so great ? answ. . if we consider by whom we are adopted , viz. by god : if it be such an honour to be heire to a great prince in the world , what a surpassing glory is it to be son and heire to god , rom. . . the rather if we respect the excellency of god , who is king of kings : or his eternity ; he lives for ever , hos. . . isa. . . other fathers that adopt , may die before they passe the estate . if we consider the great price that was laid down to make us capable of this honour to be heires , viz. the blood of christ , gal. . , . heb. . , . never was there so much paid for all the inheritances in the world . if we consider the great things we are heires to , we shall inherit the earth , mat. . . be heires of the world , rom. . . yea , we shall inherit eternal life : yea , we are co-heires with christ , rom. . . if we consider the great priviledges which gods adopted children enjoy in this life , which are . they have christs spirit in their hearts , called therefore the spirit of adoption , rom. . , . gal. . . this drives away all legal terrors , and testifies to them that they are the adopted sons of god , enables them to pray with boldnesse , and to call god father : leads them into all truth , &c. john . . isa. . . . by the right of their adoption in christ , both their persons and works are accepted with god : so that they are gods favourites , what entertainment soever they have in the world , eph. . . . they have an honourable and everlasting name : so that no preferment is like theirs , isa. . , . . they have gods angels to attend them , heb. . ult . . they may ask whatsoever they will of god , and are sure to have it : yea , he complaines that they will not ask enough , and oft enough , john . . . when they fall into distresse , they have such interest in gods special providence , that an haire of their heads shall not fall to the ground without it . besides , god will make himself marvellous in their deliverance , when all worldly means faile , isa. . , , , . if we consider the wonderful manner of their communion with christ , and that foure wayes . . hereby we have communion of nature with him by his incarnation , whereby he became our brother : yea , we have communion with him in his divine nature , pet. . . . we have communion of state with him , which the scripture calls a great mystery : for so we are said to live with him , to die with him , to suffer with him , to be buried with him : yea , to rise and ascend with him , and to sit with him , eph. . . only preserving the difference between the head and the members in all this . . we have communion of offices with him : for he hath made us kings , and priests with him , rev. . , . pet. . . . we have communion in benefits with him : for god our father hath blessed us in him with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things , eph. . . communion we have with him in grace in this life , and in glory in the life to come . if we consider the assurance that we have given us for the right of adoption . for , . we have an act for it in gods eternal counsel , eph. . . we are predestinated to adoption . . yea , we have gods oath for it , that by these two immutable things the heires of promise might have abundant consolation , heb. . , . . god hath put his spirit into us as the seal and earnest of our inheritance , eph. . , . quest. what kinde of persons must we be to attain to this adoption ? answ. . vve must have a true justifying faith , john . . as we said before . we must look to the sound mortification of the flesh , rom. . . for none can inherit , but such as overcome their corruptions , rev. . . we must forsake all needlesse society , and familiarity with the wicked , and take heed of being corrupted with the sins of the times , cor. . , . we must make conscience of sanctifying the sabbath , and choosing the things which will please god , &c. isa. . , , . quest. what are the marks whereby we may know our selves to be the adopted children of god ? answ. such are made like unto god their father in holinesse , in some truth of resemblance , pet. . . and this they shew two wayes . . by purifying themselves , and sound humiliation for their sins that defaced gods image in them , john . , . . by employing themselves constantly in doing righteousnesse . hereby they are known from the children of the devil , john . . such love the brethren as their fellow-heires , john . . such have the spirit of prayer , rom. . , . such serve god , not out of a slavish fear , but with a filial affection , isa. . . such wil love them that hate them , and blesse them that curse them , luk. . . mat. . . quest. how must the adopted sons of god carry themselves in this life ? answ. they must be peace-makers , mat. . . their father is the god of peace . they must not revile such as revile them , but rather blesse them , seeing they are heires of the blessing , pet. . . they must live without carefulnesse , knowing that they have a heavenly father to care for them , mat. . . and being heires of a better , they must not set their hearts upon this world , john . . they must willingly submit to their fathers corrections , heb. . . mr. byfield on peter . quest. vvhat may we do that we may attain the spirit of adoption , and keep the lively sense and feeling of it in our soules ? answ. we must diligently attend upon the ministry of the word , cor. . , . for its the ministry of the spirit , because by it god offers and communicates his spirit , gal. . . we must beg this spirit of adoption of god , luke . . we must open the doores of our hearts that the spirit may enter , psal. . . rev. , . that is , we must call off our mindes from earthly things , and we must raise them up to attend to the motions of the spirit . quest. vvhat are the signes that we have the spirit of adoption ? answ. if we have the spirit of prayer , whereby we can call god , father , zach. . . rom. . , . gal. . . if we have an high esteem of that dignity which is in adoption , john . . john . . if we reverence and honour god as our father , mal. . . pet. . . if we yield child-like obedience to him , pet. . . rom. . . if we are made conformable to the image of god our father , and christ our elder brother , mat. . . rom. . john . . if we have a lively hope of our future inheritance , rom. . . quest. how may we preserve the witnesse of the spirit of adoption in us ? answ. if we do not extinguish it by contempt of the means of grace , thes. . , . if we do not grieve the spirit by the filthinesse of sin , eph. . . if we stir it up by our honest endeavours . ames . cas. consc. chap. iv. questions , and cases about adoration or worship . quest. what is adoration ? answ. it s the part of gods worship , whereby a man , upon a vile and base esteem of himself , as being but dust and ashes , submits , and subjects his soul to the majesty and glory of god. quest. what are the principal grounds in the heart ? answ. two. . abnegation , or denial of our selves , when we esteem our selves to be meerly nothing . exaltation , or advancement of gods majesty , above all things in the world . so gen. . . isa. . . dan. . . ma● . . . quest. how manifold is adoration ? answ. twofold , religious , or civil . quest. what is religious adoration ? answ. it s the worship of god , in which religion and godlinesse is exercised , expressed , and signified . quest. what is to be considered herein ? answ. the inward intention of the minde , wherein god is conceived as an absolute and omnipotent lord , knowing all things , yea , the heart of man , hearing all our prayers , at all times , in all places , and being the author , preserver , and giver of all good . the outward prostrating of the body , as bowing the knee , lifting up the hands , &c. to testifie our subjection unto god as our absolute lord. quest. what is civil adoration ? answ. it belongs to the second table , and is termed sociall , because its the adoration , or worship that fellow-creatures give one to another . quest. what is to be considered herein ? answ. the inward intention of the minde , which must be this : that the creature worshipped is endued with excellent gifts by god , or that he hath power and government over us . the action , or outward gesture of the body , in token that the creature worshipped is endued with excellent gifts , and graced with authority over us . so that the bodily gesture both in religious worship and this , is , and may be the same , and the difference stands only in the intention of the minde . quest. to what things is adoration due , and in what manner ? answ. the things are of three sorts , . god the creator . . the creatures . . the works of the creatures . quest. vvhat adoration is due to god ? answ. it must not be sociall , ( for we are not gods companions , ) but religious , which is due to him , and to him alone , mat. . . quest. vvhat caveats are to be remembred herein ? answ. if adoration be given to god with a false and erroneous intention , it makes him an idol . as if our bodies be bowed to worship god out of the trinity , as the turks do : or if he be worshipped out of the son , as the jews do , we worship not the true god , but an idol . for god must be so conceived of us , as he hath manifested himself in his word , and not otherwise . to worship god in , at , or before a creature , is superstition and idolatry : and god so worshipped is made an idol . quest. vvhy so ? answ. because he that so worships him , binds his presence , operation and grace to those places , to which god never bound himself , nor his presence , &c. god hath not appointed images to be pledges of these things , eithet by promise or precept . he therefore that worships god otherwise then he requires , or looks to be heard where god will not hear , is an idolater . god expresly forbids the vvorship of his majesty , in , at , or before any creature in heaven or earth , deut. . , , , . obj●ct . but i intend not to worship the image , but god in the image ? answ. it matters not what thy meaning is , seeing god detests that manner of worship ; the israelites worshipped not the calfe , but god in the calfe , exod . . . yet they are said to worship an idol . obj. god was worshipped before the ark , and there he promised to hear the prayers of his people ? answ. they had an expresse command from god to worship before the ark , and a promise that they should be accepted and heard , which the idolater hath not . obj. subjects kneel before the chaire of state , though the king be absent , in token of their subjection due to him , therefore much more may we to the images of god , and the saints in heaven ? answ. kneeling before the chaire of state is a meer civil vvorship , only to shew our subiection to our lawful soveraign , and so is commanded by god : but we have no such warrant to bowe to images : neither is it gods vvill , that they should be tokens of his presence . quest. vvhat vertues are required in religious adoration ? answ. feare , which is a great part of gods vvorship , isa. . . with mat. . , . where feare and worship a●e taken for one and the same . inward obedience of the hidden man of the heart : which is preferred before sacrifice , sam. . . and this stands in two things . . in yielding subjection of the conscience to the commands , threats , and promises of god , so that we are willing to be bound by them . . vvhen the rest of the powers of the soul , in their place and time , perform obedience to god , cor. . . patience , which is , when a man in his afflictions submits his vvill to gods , and quiets his heart , because its the lords doing , psal. . . and . . sam. . . thankfulnesse to god , which shewes it self in two things . . in acknowledging that our selves and whatsoever we have is gods , and proceeds from his blessing alone . . in consecrating our bodies , soules , callings , labours , and our lives to the honour and service of god ▪ quest. vvhat adoration is due to the creatures ? answ. the creatures are either , . evil spirits . . good angels . . living men . . saints departed . quest. is any adoration due to the evil spirits ? answ. no : for they are gods enemies , and accursed of him , therefore no honour is due to them : neither are we to have any dealing with them at all , but utterlie to renounce whatsoever comes from them , or their instruments , as spells charmes , enchantments , &c. which serve to work wonders , but have no such vertue from god , either by creation , nature , word , or institution . quest. vvhat adoration is due to the good angels ? answ. if they did appear to us , and we certainly knew them , we might adore them , but only with a civil and sociall worship . so gen. . . they refuse religious worship , rev. . . quest. vvhat adoration is due to men ? answ. that which is meerly civil , and that in respect of the gifts of god that we see in them , as also of the authority , and place they have amongst us . enjoyned in the fifth commandment . so we see in abraham , g●n . . . which adoration must be according to the laudable custome of the countrey where we live . quest. may not religious , or mixt adoration be given to them ? answ. by no means . peter blamed cornelius for it , acts . , . mordecai refused to give it to haman , esther . . kissing the popes toe is therefore unlawful , because its a civil worship , mixed with religious ; tendred to him as to christs vicar , and is not done to any potentate on the earth . quest. vvhat adoration is due to the saints departed ? answ. all the worship that we owe them , is no more but a reverend esteem of their persons , and imitation of their vertues : no religious worship is due to them , they having nothing to do with us , nor we with them . quest. doth any adoration belong to the unreasonable creatures ? answ. no , there belongs nothing to them , but a reverend and holy use of them . for adoration is a signe of subjection in the inferiour to the superiour : but man is their superiour , and therefore is not to worship them : therefore not the reliques of saints , or the bread and wine in the sacrament . quest. is any adoration due to the works of the creatures , viz. images ? answ. none at all : for . it s expresly forbidden in the second commandment . . the superiour must perform no adoration to the inferiour : now man is a more excellent image of god then any other image , and therefore better then it : yea , the meanest worme which is gods vvorkmanship , is better then any image made by man : therefore we may better worship a worme , then an image . mr. perkins , vol. . p. , &c. chap. v. questions , and cases of conscience about adultery . quest. what is adultery ? answ. it is uncleannesse about the act of generation between a man and a woman , wherof one at the least is married , or betrothed to another . quest. whether , wh●n the husband or wife committeth adultery , the bond of marriage is thereby dissolved ? answ. no : neither may the nocent , nor innocent party put the other away , but still they remain man and wife , till the cause be fairly heard by a lawful magistrate , and by him judged and determined , which is proved . . because the scripture still calls them man and wife : abraham was still sarahs husband after he had committed adultery by lying with hagar . so of david , &c. . though christ hath allowed it to the innocent party , that he or she may commence that action , and being judged , put the other away : yet no where hath he commanded it , that before judgement , he should put her away , which , if she had ceased to be his wife , he would have done , matth. . . . only he that joyned them can separate them , and make them not man and wife , which is god only . indeed , jerome reports of fabiola , that without the judgment of the church , or magistrate , she put away her husband , who was a very vitious , and an adulterous man : but though he write not the rest , yet others say , that she was made to do publick pennance : not that she made a divorce , but because she did it of her self without the judgement of the church . . as private and clandestine marriages are not allowed by reason of manifold inconveniences ; so privy and secret divorces are not allowable , because it would prove prejudicial to the good of many . . they are man and wife , till a just cause be justly known to the contrary , but that cannot be in private , but before a competent judge : god allowing none to be accounted adulterers , but such as are lawfully convicted of it before a lawful magistrate ; for by no right can a man be both party and judge . . if adultery be not known to the innocent , then they are still man and wife , though there be great presumption of it : why not then if known ? knowledge , or not knowledge breaks the bond never the more , unlesse it be proved , judged and determined . . divorce is a punishment for a fault committed ; now none may punish it but a lawful judge . see stock on mal. c. . p. . quest. how may married persons prevent , and withstand temptations to adultery ? answ. consider that the adulterer makes himself the member of an harlot , which will lie heavy upon the conscience when time serves , that in sinning this sin , the body is thus made the member of a strumpet . consider that adultery gives a deadly blow to the knot of marriage : it s cried out on exceedingly in the word : it cuts asunder the sinewes of families : it corrupts the minde , and takes away the use of reason : it brought solomon the wise to run into idolatry against common sense : and sampson the strong , though he knew the harlot would betray him , could not forbear . it will damne men in hell except they repent , cor. . , . no adulterer shall enter into the kingdome of god. so pet. . , . being convinced of the hainousnesse of this sin , in the next place the marriage-bed must be preserved in all purity . the tentation is strong to fornication , but stronger to adultery : for the worser a sin is , the stronger is the impulsion of original lust unto it , and satan is more eager to draw us to it . labour for an hearty love to thy yoke-fellow , which is a special means to preserve conjugal chastity : it s not the having , but the loving of a yoke-fellow , that keeps us chaste . hence prov. . , . keep in with god in other matters : for that man with whom the lord is angry for other things , shall fall into the hands of a filthy woman , prov. . . eccl. . . married persons must be chaste between themselves : beware of excesse or defect in the use of the marriage-bed , cor. . . there must be quenching , not provoking of lust : raging lust is a great enemy to love , and will not be content with one . married persons must avoid also , . words , and talk full of obscenity ▪ they must not by words corrupt one anothers chastity , which is worse then corrupting the chastity of a stranger . what if no body be by , yet god is by . . their eyes must be pure and chaste , else it will follow , that their eyes will be full of adultery , pet. . . adam and eve made coverings to hide their nakednesse each from other . modesty is the best preserver of nuptial chastity love doth no unsightly or unseemly thing . . the bed must be sanctified and kept undefiled by the word and prayer : the word is a mighty healer of corruptions , to which we must joyne prayer , or else we relie too much on the physick . prayer will keep us that we shall not surfet , and so come to a loathing : nor fall into a defect : there must be a satisfying and drinking away of our thirst at our own cisterne , prov. . . least we hanker after a strange fountain . prayer will keep us from base and abusive dalliances . it will keep the bed undefiled , and encrease love , and mutual affection . see capell on temptations p. . consider how the lord approveth , and urgeth matrimonial chastity , thes. . . this is the will of god , that ye should abstain from fornication , and every one possesse his vessel in holinesse , &c. remember how the lord interposeth , and challengeth the covenant between persons at their marriage as made to himself : so as she that forsaketh the guide of her youth , forgetteth the covenant of her god , prov. . . yea , he professeth that he narrowly watcheth , and clearly sees when this covenant is broken . for prov. . , , , . this is made the reason of the precept : the wayes of men are before the eyes of the lord , though no other eye seeth it . remember , the lord watcheth sinners of this kinde to destroy both their souls and bodies , pro. . . he destroys his own soul : he shall be shut out of the heavenly hierusalem , rev. . . and by gods law the adulterer and adulteresse should die , because he would not have the land defiled : nor the guilty person live to be an eye-sore to the innocent . it s worse then theft , prov. . . . consider further the odiousnesse of this sin . . it directly corrupts the fountain of honest , civil , and godly life , which is the inviolable preservation of gods ordinance of marriage . . it s infamous for the church to be accounted an assembly of harlots , . it brings confusion in the common-wealth to have a bastardly brood inheriting . . it s an injury to families to bring in unlawful and usurping heires . . all other sins are without the body : this is against the body , corinth . . . . whereas all other sins may be committed by one party , this winds in two into the sin : so that if one party repent , the other may not , which will be a great burden to the penitent whilest he lives . . it s an high sin against the price of christs blood , wherewith their bodies were bought to be members of christ , that by this sin are made members of an harlot . . the curse of god follows this sin : . in the soul of the sinner , hebr. . . whoremongers and adulterers god will judge . . in his body , prov. . . he shall mourn , having consumed his flesh and his body . . in his name prov. . . which precious thing is irrecoverably lost . . in his estate , it brings him to a morsel of bread . pro. . . it s a fire that consumes all his substance , job . . as we see in the prodigal . . in his bastard-brood : we never reade of any that came to good besides jephthah . quest. by what means may we preserve our chastity ? answ. get a pure heart , because out of it issue adulteries , mat. . . let thy soul become a pure spouse of christ , love him , and cleave to him , this is a good beginning . preserve in thy soul the feare of god , eccl. . . he that is good before god shall be preserved , prov. . , . consider gods presence , who sees thee . get an hearty love to thy wife , prov. . , . avoid occasions of wantonnesse ; as . idlenesse : one of sodoms sins : standing waters putrifie . . intemperance and delicacie in meat and drink : the more the fuel , the greater the flame ; especially avoid wine and strong drink , for they are mockers . avoid intemperance in sleep and apparel : let thy diet be sober , and sleep moderate . . avoid the company and sight of persons , that may become snares : as joseph avoided his mystresses presence : death oft enters by the windows of the eyes : beware of amarous books , pictures , speeches , &c. . use all good means appointed by god for this purpose ; as first , resist lustful thoughts at first , and exercise thy mind in holy thoughts . secondly , consider thy calling of a christian , and remember that thereby thou art called to holinesse . . that the pleasure of sin is short , but the gnawing of a guilty conscience durable . . apply the sword of the spirit , the word of god against it , which is a sharp two-edged sword , &c. . fly to god by prayer ; make thy case known to him , and crave his assistance . see dr. tailor on titus p. . chap. vi. questions , and cases of conscience about affections , or passions . quest. how many sorts or kindes of affections be there ? answ. two. . sensual . . intellectual , or rational . quest. what are sensual affections ? answ. they are such as belong to the sensual appetite : are sented in the body for the instruments of them ; and are suited to the body for the obiects and ends of them , and are guided by the phancie , and are common with us to beasts : the objects of them are sensible things , as meats , drinks , marriage , recreations , &c. a natural or bodily good to be obtained , or evil to be avoided . quest. how may it appear that these sensitive affections are not to be abandoned , but only moderated according to the rules of reason and faith ? answ. . because vertue never ruines that which is wholly conformable to reason : as its reasonable to see a man moved with pity and compassion towards his friend in misery : and a mother to be grieved when she sees her children in pain or torment . it s reasonable that a vertuous man should be touched with indignation , when he sees the wicked , and wickednesse advanced . to apprehend evil , to fear punishments , to attend recompences with joy , to long after promises , are they not encouragements to piety , temperance , and other vertuous actions ? so that they which would have no passions , quench the fruits of vertue , and deny it the content which is due to it . the passions of our souls are the objects of many excellent vertues , which do moderate them , and reduce them to reason when they seek to flie out : as fortitude is a vertue , by means whereof we moderate excessive fear , and immoderate boldnesse , &c. . the sensitive appetite is a gift freely bestowed upon us by god , but vertue never destroys nature ▪ but addes to it the perfections which it wants . it must then suffer the sensitive appetite to act according to its inclination ; yet moderating its motions , and restraining them under the lawes of reason . as to make exact musick we must not take away the diversity of tunes , but reduce them to a good accord , and perfect harmony : so the strivings of vertue ought not wholly to root out all natural passions from the soul , but to moderate and govern them by the rule of reason . passions indeed , if they be immoderate , are infirmities of the soul : if they submit to reason and faith , they are instruments and objects of vertue , the armes of reason , and , as it were , lively sparks which inflame desires in our soules . quest. what are the rational affections ? answ. they are such as appertain to the will , of which they are immediate acts , directed by the understanding . quest. how may it be proved that there are affections in the highest and chiefest part of the soul ? answ. . because the scriptures ascribe to god love , hatred , anger , zeal , &c. who cannot be subject to any sensitive aberrations , and therefore as in him they are perfections , we are commanded to imitate him in them : so there is no reason why they should be denied to us in such sort as they be perfect , and that is principally in the intellectual power of the soul. we certainly know that our sensitive appetite , cannot love , hate , fear , hope , &c. but what may be conceived by imagination , or sensitive apprehension : for we may love an evil thing , but we cannot love an unknown thing : and experience shews , that men may fear god , love him , and hope in him : that they may hate sin , and exercise many notable affections that reason prescribes , and whereunto the sensitive apprehension ascendeth not . as our wit understandeth whatsoever our senses perceive , even so our will may affect whatsoever our passions do follow : for as the object of the wit is all truth , whether real or apparent : so the object of our will is all good , either so indeed , or carrying the glosse thereof : but these affections which reside in the reasonable part of the soul , differ much in nature and quality from those in the inferiour parts of the soul : because they are immaterial , spiritual , and independent of any corporal subject ; but the other are material , corporal , and depending upon some bodily instruments . quest. how may it be proved that these rational affections are motions of the will ? answ. because they are conversant about spiritual , coelestial , yea , eternal objects : as of god , christ , heaven , &c. col. . . of which the sensitive appetite is uncapable . they remain in the soul when it s separated from the body : the saints carry them to heaven with them , as love , joy , hope : but the sensitive appetite will then be of no use to them after the resurrection of the body , which will be raised a spiritual body , to be sustained without any bodily meanes , having no need of food , cloathing , marriage , &c. about which the appetite was here conversant . they are to be found in the angels both good and bad , which have neither bodies nor sensitive appetites . the angels in heaven rejoyce at the conversion of a sinner , luke . . and desire to look into gospel-mysteries , pet. . . and the devils feare and tremble , jam. . . paul makes the will the seat of the affections , and joynes them together , thes. . . being affectionately desirous of you , we were willing to have imparted to you , not the gospel only , but our own soul. quest. are these rational affections so elevated above the body , as that they have nothing to do with it ? no , not whilest the soul is in the body ? answ. yea , though they are originally and radically in the will , yet the will stirs up the sensual affections , and they stir the humours and patts of the body , especially the spirits and the blood , and so make the whole man to suffer , both body and soul. hence they are called passions : as feare chills the blood : anger boiles it ; grief contracts and closeth up the heart : joy dilates it , &c. quest. why must our affections be carefully looked to , and ordered by gods word ? answ. the first sort of reasons may be taken from the effects of disordered passions : as , . because passions when unruly , blinde judgement and reason : passions are like green spectacles that make all things look green : so he that loves , hates , or is vehemently possessed with any other passion , judgeth all things that concurre in favour of that passion to be good , and agreeable with reason . passions seduce the will : because the understanding being the eye and director of the will , which of it self being blinde , and without knowledge , followeth that which the will representeth and propoundeth as good ; wherefore the waves and billowes of apparent reasons , so shake the sandy shelfe of a weak will , that they mingle it with them , and make all one : besides , the will by yielding to the passions , receiveth some little pleasure which moveth her to let loose the bridle to inordinate appetite , having in her two inclinations ; one to follow reason , the other to content sense . passions mightily change the quiet temper , and disposition of the minde : for the minde is at peace , when the will ruled by prudence , moderates and governes the passions : but the soul is troubled when passions oppose themselves against the rule of government . for , . passions rebel against reason , and undermine the understandings of men to their great molestation : for no sooner doth the minde ascend heaven-ward by meditation , but inordinate passions hale it back , and draw it down to the earth . . one passion fights with another , as fear opposeth anger , covetousnesse , prodigality , and on a sudden men fall from one extream to another , as from great ●oy to great grief . . passion is unsatiable , covetousnesse encreaseth as riches encrease . . inordinate passions either prevent reason , or are stirred up by a corrupt judgement , and therefore neither observe time nor place ; but upon every occasion would be leaping into action , importuning execution : yea , somtimes many greedy passions crowd in altogether , every one being more earnest then other to be satisfied : so that to content them all , is impossible ; to content none is intolerable : to prosecute one , and abandon the rest , is to carry so many hungry vipers continually gnawing upon our soules . . there are none that follow the streams of their passions , but expect and believe at last to get full rest and content to their appetites , which yet in the event is altogether impossible : for they keep neither sense , order , nor measure . . inordinate passion it self is an extream tortute and vexation ; god having so ordained that they which will give way to them , should feel the burden of them : thus anger , envie , pride , &c. more disquiet them that entertain them , then they can hurt any other man. rashnesse , inconstancy , craftinesse , are the companions of inordinate passions . the resolutions and determinations of the passionate are unripe , and inconsiderate : they are also inconstant , changing from those purposes , that they had prudently resolved upon in the calme of their passions : and yet passions breed craft , enforcing the minde to finde out new wayes and meanes for performance of what is affected . inordinate passions are hurtful to the body , impaire health , breed humours , nourish diseases , and shorten life . secondly , the second sort of reasons , to shew that affections should be rightly ordered are taken from the consideration of the profit , and benefit of well-guided affections . for , . they rather serve as instruments of vertue , then foment vice : and as an occasion of victory , then a cause of foil . christ , in whom were no inordinate affections , had his soul heavy even unto death , mat. . . . the scriptures exhort us to love , fear , joy , &c. therefore it were blasphemous to say that these passions are absolutely evil . . if the motions of our wills be vertuous , being guided by gods word and prudence , if then the passions concurre with the will , vertuous actions are performed with much more ease and delight . quest. how may we know to what passions our soules are most enclined ? answ. by our company that we most delight in : like affecteth like ; meetings and manners for the most part sympathize together . by our thoughts and words : if we desire to be praised , or insinuate our own praise , it s a signe we are proud . &c. for the minde thinks , and the tongue will speak according to the passions of the heart . get a discreet friend to admonish us of our passions , when we erre from the paths of vertue : for self-love blinds us , and others may see that by us , which we cannot see by our selves . god somtimes suffers our enemies to discover , and upbraid us with our passions , whilest they pry into our actions more narrowlie then we our selves doe . long experience conduceth much to discover our inclinations of minde , as well as the temperature of our bodies . quest. by what degrees are the affections wrought on ? answ. by nine degrees : in the five first , a carnal man may have his affections wrought on , and in the last foure of them he cannot . as , when they are so far wrought on that the heart is enticed , and allured much by them . so the eloquent ministers at corinth wrought on the affections of the hearers that they flockt after them . paul durst not so preach , cor. . . when the affections are so wrought on , that the heart is somewhat touched therewith . thus god turned the affections of the israelites to saul , sam. . . as a needle touched with a loadstone , turnes it self to the north : so a wicked mans affections may be touched by the word . when affections are so wrought on , that the heart is somewhat bowed thereby : so david bowed the hearts of the men of judah , as of one man , sam. . . when they are so wrought on , that the heart is stollen away by them : thus absalom stole away the hearts of all israel , sam. . . when they are so far wrought on , that the heart is enflamed by them . thus cities of refuge were appointed , lest the avenger of blood pursue the slayer , whilest his heart was hot , i. e. whilest he was in a passion , deut. . . so saul had a great zeal to gods church , sam. . . jehu was zealous for god , kings . . when they are so far wrought on that the heart is quite overturned from what it was before . so lam. . . behold , ( oh lord ) for i am in distresse , my bowels are troubled , my heart is turned within me , &c. viz. with grief for their sins . when they are so far wrought on , that the heart is engaged for god. as a woman engageth her heart to him whom she will make her husband , jer. . . vvho is he that engageth his heart to approach unto me ? when they are so far wrought on that the heart is glued to a thing by them . so was davids , psalme . . i have stuck unto thy testimonies . when they are so far wrought on , that the heart is quite given up to the thing that it affects . thus solomon gave his heart to seek wisdome , eccl. . . no wicked man can have his affections thus wrought on , yet his affections may be raised a good way towards christ. for , . by the sparks of right reason , naturally implanted by god in the heart , he may so regulate his affections that he may be chaste , sober , kinde , liberal , just , patient , &c. and to observe the things contained in the law. . their knowledge by the word may raise up their affections exceedingly : knowledge may awe the heart with feare that it go not against its own knowledge : herod feared , mark . . and did many things . . god may quicken their knowledge and conscience , and tell them the horrour of their sins , which may raise up their affections many steps higher , to mourn and be sorry for their sins : as in ahab , kings . . he rent his clothes , fasted , and went softly . . they may have a deep sense and horrour for their estate : they may be afraid to be damned , and of gods judgements , which may make them weep , and sigh , and groan . so mal. . . they covered the altar of god with tears , with weeping , and crying out ; and yet were hypocrites . . self-love may winde up their affections yet higher : for when a man knows that he cannot be saved unlesse he doth thus and thus ; oh how affectionate may he be to do it that he may be saved . for , . he may be loth to commit sin : he may wish affectionately to leave it . he may use some means to leave it . as darius did to have deliveted daniel from the lions den , dan. . . and pilate to deliver christ. . he may vomit up his dear sins , and be sorry that other men should commit them . so micha confessed the silver that he had stolne , and profered to make restitution , and was troubled when he heard his mother curse and swear , judg. . . joab was vexed when david would number the people , chron. . . . he may be so set against sin , that money , favour , honours , &c. may not prevail with him to commit it , as in balaam , numb . . . . he may be forward in religion , and so strict in his wayes , that he may be persecuted for the truth-sake , and for christs sake , and may endure persecution a good while . . he may be ravished and enamoured with the joyes of the spirit . he may be in some extasies of spiritual joy , heb. . . he may taste the good word of god , and powers of the world to come . quest. vvhy may wicked mens affections be so far wrought on , and yet come short ? answ. because they are not kindly wrought on : the galatians affections were strongly wrought on when they would have pulled out their eyes for paul , but they were not kindly wrought on . it s only the love of god shed abroad in the heart that kindly affects us . they are not judiciously wrought on : they are wrought on in a fit , but not with judgement , the heart must first be wrought on , and the spirit moved before the affections can be judiciously wrought on . they are not wrought on regularly : he is affected with feare ; but it s with the feare of gods judgements , not of his goodnesse and mercy , as hos. . . the true israel of god are there said to feare the lord and his goodnesse . they are not wrought on universally : some affections are wrought on , but not all : some sins he grieves under , some he rejoyceth in : some commandments he delights in , other he dislikes . quest. how then shall we know whether we are rightly affected towards chrict or no ? answ. he that is truly affected with christ , grace , &c. affects nothing so much as them . a carnal man may be much affected with christ , but there is something that he affects more . he that affects grace aright , cannot but expresse it : he can as easily carry fire in his bosome , as conceal his grace : he will expresse it in his speeches , his actions , his calling , his company , &c. psal. . . he that affects it aright , if he be never so little interrupted , he is troubled : it s like the stopping of a water-course that causeth it to swell , &c. cam. . . tell him i am sick of love . he hath his conversation in heaven , whence all grace descends . a wicked man may be affected with grace in the bucket , and yet have no love to grace in the fountain : whereas the godly rejoyce in the lord , psal. . . as in the fountain of all grace . quest. but why should we be so careful to have our aff●ctions set right ? answ. hereby only we are in a capacity of being married to christ , who will have our affections before he will marry us . when a man goes a wooing for a wife , his care is to get her affections . he will never marry her , if he be wise , except he may have her affections . so if our affections be to the world , or the strumpet-like things of the world , christ cannot abide us : know ye not that the love of the world is enmity with god , james . . therefore the apostle commands us to mortifie inordinate affections , col. . . hereby only doth the soul set up favourites in her heart . those are the hearts favourites whom the heart most affects ; now if christ be not the hearts favourite , what a woful condition is that soul in ? if pleasures and vanities be in favour with thy heart , christ can have no command there , no further then thy lusts will give leave : when hadad was in favour with pharaoh , he married his wives sister to him , kings . . so if thou favourest the things of the world , thou weddest thy soul to them ; and what an infinite indignity is this to christ , when such base and sordid things should have those affections which belong to him ? hereby the soul is convertible and reconcileable to god : though a man be never so crosse and crooked , yet so long as there be affections in him , he may be won to god. though a man be violently set upon mischief , and an enemy to all grace , yet as long as there be affections in him , he is not implacable ; his affections may be wrought on by the word and spirit : therefore the apostle yokes these two together : without natural affections , implacable , rom. . . what a care then should we have of our affections , because thereby we are reconcileable to god ? it stands us upon infinitely to set our affections aright , because they are the hands of the soul , psal. . . he that hath clean hands , and a pure heart : i. e. he whose affections a●e clean , and heart pure : psal. . . i will wash my hands in innocency , &c. i. e. i will purge mine affections , and so pray , tim. . . lifting up pure hands , i. e. holy affections without wrath , &c. now what a sad thing is it that these hands should be put out of joynt ? as long as our affections are out of order , and set upon things below , we can never take hold of grace , or christ. when the devil takes a man prisoner , he bindes him hand and foot : he bindes up his heart and affections that he cannot weep , nor repent of his sins : he cannot rejoyce in grace nor goodnesse : he cannot delight in the word , &c. above all things therefore be sure that thy hands be loose , and thine affections at liberty to be set on heaven . they are also the handles of the soul : as we can take hold of nothing that is good , unlesse by our affections : so nothing can take hold of our hearts , but by our affections . thus the word first works upon the affections , and were it not for our affections the word could never catch hold of us . affections are the souls stomack : that which the soul affects , it fills and feeds the soul as meat doth the stomack : such then as our affections are , such is our food . we should not therefore feed our souls with vanity , trash and poison : every thing is trash besides christ ; yea , every thing is poison besides christ and his graces : if we set our affections on things below , we feed upon trash . the word is the milk and food of the soul , and therefore the apostle would have us set our affections , and feed upon that , pet. . . let us therefore ●et our affections upon the things which are above , which is the wholesome food of the soul. affections are the materials of grace : the main work of grace is the ruling of the affections aright : it takes them off from things on the earth , and lifts them up to things in heaven . so that when grace converts a man , it doth not take away the affections , but rules and rectifies them . it takes not away anger , but turnes it against sinne , and the dishonour of god. it takes not away cheerfulnesse , but makes us merry in gods service ; and to rejoyce in the lord. it takes not away sadnesse , but makes us mourn for our deadnesse , barrennesse , &c. gratia non tollit sed attollit naturam : it takes not away nature , but lifts it up . therefore saint paul calls our affections members , rom. . . because by them grace worketh . affections are arguments what we are : as our affections are , so are our soules . the goodnesse or vainnesse of our affections shew that we are godly , or ungodly men . affectus virum indicat . our affections , shew what we are . quest. how may it be proved that affections in themselves are not sinfull ? answ. because adam and eve had affections in innocency , who were created without sin . christ took our affections upon him , which if they were sinful he could not have done . he rejoyced , luke . . he sorrowed , mat. . . he was angry , mar. . . he desired , luke . . god commands us to be angry , eph. . . and to mourne , joel . . to feare , luke . . to be ashamed , jer. . . which if they were sinful in themselves , he could not do . yea , it s a great blessing that we have affections . for , . had we no affections , we should be like stocks and senselesse stones ; as is implied , lam. . . q. d. are you such blocks that ye are not at all affected with my sorrowes , therefore it s reckoned as a symptome of a desperately hardened heart , not to be affected with any thing . . were it not for affections nature would be idle and lazie : for they are as winde to the sailes of a ship , as wheels to a chariot : hence psal. . . i will run the way of thy commandments , when thou shalt enlarge my heart , i. e. my affections . though a mans reason tells him , that he is bound to repent , to be godly , to obey , &c. yet if he hath no affections thereto , he cannot move towards them . hence cant. . . draw me , viz. by the affections of love , and i will run after thee . affections are whetstones to good . hast thou love ? it s a whetstone to obedience . hast thou grief ? it s a whetstone to repentance . hast thou anger ? it s a whetstone to zeale , &c. . affections are good channels for grace to run in . art thou covetous and full of desires ? it s easier for thee to covet the better things . art thou cholerick ? it s a fit channel for thy zeal for gods glory to run in . art thou melancholy ? it s a fit channel for repentance to run in . art thou fearful ? it s a fit channel for the fear of god and his judgements to run in , &c. jeremy was of a sad constitution , and see what advantage he made of it . jer. . . oh that my head were waters , &c. quest. how are unmortified passions to be subdued ? answ. to bridle unlawful pleasures its good to accustome our selves to abstain from lawful : he shall not fall in things unlawful , that warily restrains himself somtimes in things lawful . as if a man be given to drunkennesse , he shall the easilier overcome it , if he abstain from strong drink when he might use it . if a man be prone to pride , its best for him not to go so fine as he might do . he that takes his liberty in all things that are lawful , will quickly be a slave to his lusts . hence cor. . . all things are lawful , but all things ●re not expedient , &c. fly the occasions which may incense the passions whereunto we are enclined : occasions and opportunities oft make thieves : the nazarite : to prevent drunkennesse must drink no wine , nor eat grapes or raisins , lest thereby they should be tempted to drink wine , numb . . . &c. when a vehement and rebellious motion assaults us , when we are almost yielding consent to it , then we should turne the force of our soul with our utmost endeavour to the contrary good : for as in warre , the valiantest souldiers are best tried in the greatest encounters ; so in the most vehement passions , the resolutest mindes are best proved . this ennobled josephs chastity : jobs patience : abrahams faith , &c. resist passions at the beginning principiis obsta , &c. cure the wound whilest its green : take physick before the disease be rooted . as he that will be rid of an ill guest , the worser that he entertaines him , the sooner he will be gone . to mortifie passions we must chasten the body : for he that pampers his body , feeds his enemy ; and he that feeds it with dainties , will finde it rebellious , cor. . . i keep under my body , and bring it into subjection , &c. he that would quell his passions whilest he pampers his body , is like him who would quench a fire by adding more fewel to it . we must arm our selves with a resolute vvill , and endeavour to attain to this perfect government of a mans self : from whence will follow a diligent exercise of mortification : and such a man will be daily importunate with god by prayer for grace , to overcome his rebellious nature , and resist tentations , &c. for which end we should consider , that the pleasure which our passions yield is short , wherefore its better for us to crosse them a while , and so winne a crown of glory , then to please them for a moment , and to be condemned to hell for ever . when passions are most vehement , humble thy self with shame and sorrow before god ; seek for succour from heaven : flie under the wings of christ : beat at m●rcies gate by the prayer of faith , and crave grace to overcome them . open thy sores to this good samaritane , and he will poure wine and oyle into them : and so thy passions will melt , and fall away as clouds before the sun. by serious meditation of the death and resurrection of christ , we must work our hearts into the similitude of him , that his vertues may be stamped upon our souls . the healing vertue of christs death applied to our hearts will heal our affections , and conform them to their first integrity . quest. how may affections be divided ? answ. into two kindes . first , some embrace their object , as love , joy , desire , &c. secondly , others shun and decline them , as hatred , fear , &c. quest. wherein consists the sanctified exercise of those affections that embrace , or prosecute their object . answ. in this , that they move to all good soundly , orderly , in fit season , and constantly at the command of a lively and well-rooted faith . quest. what reasons may move us to affect that that is good ? answ. by the law of nature imprinted in our hearts , like a lanthorn to direct us continually in the night of this miserable life . in a well-ordered common-wealth , vertuous men are exalted , therefore the desire of credit and reputation should quicken us unto vertue . the consideration of the decayes of our body , and the approach of death should move us to lead a vertuous life . by vertue we acquire peace , and tranquillity of minde , and a quiet and serene conscience . christ was nailed to the crosse to draw us to vertue ; he was crucified to kill sinne in us , and he rose again to quicken us to newnesse of life . the internal gifts of god , the armour of faith and charity , with other graces wrought in us by the holy ghost , are to fortifie us against vice , and to enable us to a vertuous life . all the good motions from god tend to perswade us to vertue , and to disswade us from vice . god therefore gives us so many teachers and preachers to keep us from sin , and to allure us to godlinesse . the scriptures were written , as letters of love from god , to invite us to vertue , and dehort us from vice . the sacraments ( those seales of the covenant ) were instituted for the spiritual refreshing , and watering of our soules , to the encrease of vertue in us . god in infinite mercy besides his word , hath given us the examples of godly and vertuous men , but especially of christ himself , to draw us to the imitation of their vertues . by vertue of the communion of saints , we enjoy the prayers of all the faithful , who continually beg this mercy for us . god , by his continual providence , doth watch over us for our good , to sustain our weaknesse , to raise us when we fall , to direct us when we erre , to succour us in our wants , to mitigate the tempests of tentations , and to moderate the waves of wicked occasions . vertue of it self , if neither reward had been promised , nor judgments threatned , because of her internal beauty , grace and excellency , might move us to love and follow her . remember the rare and precious promises that are made to those that follow after righteousnesse . quest. is it not mercenary to yield obedience to god upon hope of reward ? answ. no : for if the lord use such meanes and motives to quicken us in heavens way , it s not mercenary but lawful to make use of them for that end , so john . , . rom. . . heb. . . quest. wherein stands the sanctified exercise of those affections that flie from their object ? answ. in that they shun all evil soundly , orderly , and constantly , according to the direction of gods word . quest. what reasons may induce us to shun that which is evil ? answ. the remorse and pangs of conscience in the very act of sinning , may deter us from it . the infamy and disgrace which attends wickednesse : for no man can truly love a vicious man. all well-governed common-wealths appoint punishments for vices to root them out . by sin we deface gods image in us , and so are injurious not only to our selves , but to god , our father and king. vicious persons profane their bodies and soules , the temples of the holy ghost , whom they put forth of his just possession by their wickednesse . the dreadful judgments threatned in scripture , and inflicted for sin , should deter us from it : it cast adam out of paradise : drowned the old world ; cast the angels out of heaven , &c. but especially the bitter suffering of our crucified saviour in soul and body are the monuments of sin , and memorials of our wicked life . the extream wrong we offer to god by it , transgressing his law , perverting his order , injuring his infinite goodnesse , despising his majesty , and sh●wing our selves ungrateful for his love , should above all disswade us from sin . by vice our soules are spoiled of their riches , their most precious robes , and heavenly attire , are made the very dens of devils , and therefore we should avoid it . no day nor hour passeth , wherein appear not some silent sermons to perswade us to avoid sin , and follow goodnesse . as sicknesses , plagues , pains , diseases , &c. and death of others shew us what is the wages of sin . by sin we abuse gods mercies to his great dishonour : like ungrateful deb●ois who oppose their creditors with their own goods . by it we abuse our soules and bodies with all the powers and parts which we have received from god , by making them instruments of his dishonour . all creatures made by god for our use , exclaim against a vitious life : the sun gives light to works of light , and not of darknesse , &c. the exquisite and eternal torments of hell , and the losse of the beatifical vision should warne us to flie from sin , and pursue good . quest. but is it not servile to foregoe sinne for fear of punishment ? answ. the scripture commands the godly to fear him that is able to cast both soul and body into hell , mat. . ● . heb. . . and . . and . . feare of eternal wrath , as it makes men avoid sinne , may well stand with confident assurance of eternal happinesse , and final perseverance . quest. may the state of our soul be discerned by our affections ? answ. yea : we may know our estate to be good , by our embracing of good things , by our joy and delight in them , and by our wonderment at them : as , oh , how i love thy law ! psal. . . one day in thy courts , is better th●n a thousand elsewher● , psal. . . oh the depth of his mercy , rom. . . one thing have i desired of the lord , and i will desire it , &c. psal. . . when the soul stands in admiration of god and good things ; ready to welcom christ and heavenly things , and in comparison thereof to count all but dung , &c. a man is then in a good estate , when hearing of the excellency of heavenly things , he is exceedingly affected therewith , and gives them a room in his heart . it shewes our faith to be true : for where there is true faith , there is alwayes love , joy and delight in the things believed : and on the contrary , deadnesse in affections , discovers atheism and unbelief in the heart . quest ▪ how happens it then , that gods children sometimes , even when their judgements are convinced , yet finde their affections so flat , crying out : alas ! that i should believe such happinesse as heaven , such glory , and yet should have my affections no more stirred in me ? can i be a childe of god ? answ. sometimes the judgement may be convinced , and yet the affections not so quick , . because there may be some division at the same time , as some present crosse , or some present thing lawfully loved that may take up our affections at that time . gods children are sometimes deceived in judging of their affections , but when opposition comes , then they are discovered : as for want of stirring up the grace of god in themselves , or for want of good means : or by bodily indisposition their affections may seeme dull : but let religion be disgraced , or opposed any way , and then you shall finde that their affections are deeply rooted towards heavenly things : but they appeared not before , because there was no opposition . this is a certain rule , that a mans affections are as his perswasion is , and his perwasions as his ●ight is . as he hath a heavenly light , discovering heavenly things , so is his perswasion of a better state then the world can yeild : and answerable to his perswasion so is his soul raised up to delight in the best things . quest. what rules are to be observed for the better goverment of our affections . answ. they must be guided by the word of god : if they have not this rule to guid them , they will wander out of the right way : these are good servants but bad masters . they must not run till reason bid them goe . they are the feet of the soul , now the eye must guide the foot or else it will goe it knows not whither . hereby affections are directed to right objects , to love what should be loved , and to hate what should be hated : as christ directs . luke . , , . and so col. . . . pet. . . . john. . . affections misplaced are like members out of joynt which will one day cause paine . moderate affections , and keep them with in due bounds . proportion them to their objects in measure more or less according to the kinde and degree of good , or evill wherein they are to be ruled by judgement . grieve for the greatest evils most wherein god is dishonored , grieve for afflictions less which are less-evills . so for joy ; luk . . psa. . & . . quest. why should the affections be thus kept within their bounds . answ. because whilst affections are kept within bounds , they are kept in order , every affection keeps his place , like soldiers in their ranks : but when they break their bounds , they break their bancks like a swelling water . whilest they are kept within bounds they are kept in vse , ate helpful one to another , and obedient to reason , otherwise they hurt and devoure one another ; as excessive grief devoures joy . &c when they exceed they make themselves unuseful , and the man in whom they are , unfit either for the service of god , or man. yea they captivate reason , and draw us to doe things both contrary to judgment and conscience . whilest they are kept within bounds they are kept in credit and esteem : but it is their shame to fall into extreams : to be much affected with small , and triviall matters is great levity , to be little affected with great matters is stupidity . to have our affections deffective in spirituall things , and excessive in temporall argues an ill goverment of the soul ▪ we see the contrary . cant. . . . cor. . . exod , . . quest. how may these immoderate affections be prevented ? or cured ? answ. forsee by prudence such things before they come which may prove great provocations to our selves of joy , grief , anger , fear , &c. and set bounds to them in our resolutions before hand how much we will be affected with them when they com to pass , and noe more . set up a master affection in your hearts to rule all the rest , and keep them in awe , in order , and in measure , and let that be the holy fear of god ▪ that your hearts may not dare to love any creature overmuch , nor to grieve for any worldly loss too much . &c. and that because you fear god , who will reward and punish your affections as well as actions . when affections grow exorbitant , turne the streams of them into other chanels wherein they may flow without prejudice to your souls , as phisicians open a vein to divert the course of blood ! as when you are angry overmuch at persons , or things , turne it against sin &c. when one affection is predominate , set an other to check it , and tame it , as immoderate love by hatred of sin : excess in anger by shame and grief for it ; o● grief for temporalls by joy for spiritualls &c. command affections so as to have them at your beck to make them come and goe when you bid them . for prov . . he is better than he that takes a city . contrarily pro. . . hence cor ▪ , . . psa. . . to this end pray to god for stren●th : for to command our affections requires power as well as skill . eph. . . psa : . . the weaker the person is in his understanding and parts , the stronger are his passions : and as persons grow weak , their passions grow strong : the minde may out-reason affections , but strength must over-master them . purg affections from all sinfull mixtures that rhey may be full of themselves & empty of all things that are heterogeniall to them : as from mixtures of the flesh : as of spirituall , and carnall together : hence , pet. . . see that yee love one another with a pure heart &c. purge them from mixtures of self , as the people followed christ , not for himself but for the loaves . from mixtures of deceit : as of abundance of shew of affections , when there is little reality : as those hearers : ezek. . . hence : rom. . . let love be without ●ssimulation . from all mixtures of corruption : as your zeale from passions , and bitterness ; your anger from revenge : your joyes from levity &c. suit your affections to gods ordinances , and providences : to gods words , & works : to your conditions , and occasions : when the word threatens , tremble , when it speaks comfort , rejoyce . for this end god gives us variety of affections to answer the diversity of his dealings : contrary . luke . . &c. the administrations of gods providence call for suitable affections : as jsa . . . in that day did the lord god call to mourning : &c. yea we should suit our affections to the conditions of others rom. . . to weep with them that weep &c. so psa , . . . neh. . . psa. ▪ . we should mourne for the sins of the times ezek. . jsa . . . yea they should be suitable in degree : great sins , or calamities call for great sorrow : great salvations for great joy &c. for which end . we must sanctifie god in our hearts , and make him our feare , joy , hope &c. to be affected contrary to our condition , or gods dispensations makes a discord in gods ears , and pulls downe judgement . isa. . . . . amos . . &c. . to be affected with things as god would haue us , is a means to make that good use of them god intends us by them . mingle affections , not onely to allay , and moderate them , but to corroborate and make them mutually helpfull one to another : so with joy for your own prosperity , mingle grief for others adversity ; joy not allayed with sorrow is madness : with grief for afflictions mingle joy for comforts : with fear of evil , mingle hope in god : with love to the persons of others mingle hatred of their vices , and that , because , this will keep the heart whole , and entire , and prevent heart divisions , when the affections goe hand in hand , and flow together in one chanell . . it will the better vnite their forces , and make them more strong : what is spoken of persons , is true of affections : eccles. . . &c. two are better then one , &c. seventhly , spiritualize affections ▪ as . sorrow for affliction into sorrow for sin ; turn worldly sorow into godly sorrow . so your delight in the creatures to promote your joy in the lord , and in communion with christ , and in holy duties : your hopes of favours from men to raise expectation of spiritual blessing from god : your fear of man into an awfull dread of god , isa. . . eighthly , root and encrease good affections in you , as eph. . . and that . because , when they are rooted in the heart they will be durable , and mould us into their likenesse : else they will be but flashes , and bear no fruit , as r●v . . . gal. . . john . . . cherish holy affections , and blow them up from a smoke to a flame , by the bellowes of prayer , and fewel of the word , thes. . , . ninthly , distinguish affections , and act them . . distinguish them by the objects about which they converse , and by the roots from whence they grow , and by the heads to which they rise . . the objects about which affections are conversant , are either good or evil , as apprehended so by the understanding : as when the understanding apprehends a thing to be good , the affections embrace it with love , cant. . , , . and this good is either present , and then we rejoyce in it : or absent , and then we desire it ; if it be improbable to be attained , then we fear ; if impossible , then we despair : if obstructed , it stirres up anger . if the evil be future , we fear it , &c. . the roots from whence the affections grow , are love or hatred . all the affections which arise from the apprehension of good grow from love : as desire is love in motion : the continual sallies of love : delight is love acquiescing in the possession of it ; fear is love in awe of the beloved : hope is love in expectation : zeal is love in a flame . all the affections which arise from the apprehension of evil , grow from hatred . . the heads to which they arise , and are referred : thus all the affections which are conversant about good , have some delight in them , as love , desire , hope . all that are conversant about evil have some grief mingled with them : as hatred , fear , repentance , anger . . act them according to the nature of them . for , affections are the first principles , or movers of actions , and action is the end or proper work of affections . to act affections consider why god hath placed them in the soul , and act them accordingly : concerning which see each particular affection under their proper heads . tenthly , try affections whether they be true or false , real or counterfeit ; and that . by their properties . . are they set upon right objects ? as to love , desire , delight in , and hope for god and good only . to hate , feare , flie , and mourn for , and be angry with that which is evil . . are they sincere for their acts and ends ? are their acts real or feigned ? as mar. . . john . . do you hate and mourn for sin really ? do ye prefer god and his glory before self ? do ye prefer publick good before private ? . are they sincere for their ends ? do we affect goodnesse for goodnesse-sake ? and god , his word , servants , &c. for the goodnesse that is in them ? do we hate evil for evils sake ? do we affect spiritual things for spiritual ends ? do we desire gifts and graces to glorifie god , subdue corruptions , & c ? . are they moderate ? do you keep them within bounds ? are you fearful of exceeding in them ? . are they seasonable for time and occasion ? then they are good fruit , psal. . . unseasonable affections are like snow in summer , or raine in harvest . . are they constant in their course ? not sudden flashes , or fleeting motions , stirred up by fits , or upon extraordinary occasions , but the constant pulls of our soul. . are they unchangeable and invincible in their bent ? can nothing take of our affections for god and goodnesse ? our hatred and mourning for sin ? our delight in gods ordinances , and duties ? &c. unchangeable love is true love : such is gods to us : and invincible hatred against sin is right hatred , john . . jer. . . . try them by their effects ? first , do they draw us nearer to god , christ , heaven , to walk with him , and wait on him for grace and strength ? do they further our communion with god , and conformity to him . secondly , do your affections prepare you to holy duties , put you forward to them , in them , and further your obedience as the wheeles and sailes of your soul ? thirdly , do they help you in eschewing and overcoming evil , as well as in the obtaining good ? do they turne you from , and set you against evil , so that you dare not sin , because you hate it , and feare god ? but on the contrary , if your affections , . disturb reason and hinder it , or cause you to call good evil , or evil good , or to stand in defence of evil , as jonah did of his passion , jonah . . i do well to be angry , &c. . draw you away from god to go a whoring after vanity . . if they indispose you to duties , take off your edge to them , or put you out of frame for them , as exod. . . pet. . . . if they disquiet your souls , trouble and unsettle them , and cause a tempest in them , as grief did in david , psal. . . so act. . . gen. . . . if they put the body into a languishing condition , as amons love , or lust rather did him , sam. . . . if your affections misguide tongue , or hand , as passion did moses tongue , psal. . . jeroboams hand , kings . . they are not right . quest. why should we try our affections ? answ. first , because they are the pulse of the soul , and by the temper of them the state of the soul may be discerned . secondly , because there is much deceit in them : for a great part of the hearts deceitfulnesse , lies in the cheats of the affections . quest. why should we so diligently govern our affections ? answ. first , because such as the affections are , such is the man : good affections are good treasure hid in the heart , which makes the owner a good man. god accounts a man according to his affections , and describes him by them as he did job , ch . . . and so ps. . . deut. . . secondly , god accepts our persons and services according to our affections : as abrahams willingnesse to sacrifice isaac , gen. . , . and davids to build him an house , king. . . sam. . . for cor. . . it is accepted if there be a willing minde , &c. cor. . . so eph. . , . col. . ● , . yea , god is much taken with his peoples affections , cor. . . cant. . . thirdly , affections are the root of spiritual worship in us , and of our communion with god therein : they make ordinances profitable and comfortable to us , luke . . mal. . . deut. . . act. . . isa. . . jam. . . eph. . . mal. . . thly , affections make the life either comfortable or miserable . what comfort and solace of life lies in love , joy , desire , hope , &c. and how much discomfort in feare , grief , anger , hatred , envie , & c ? the greatest troubles that ever befel many , were procured by their own disordered passions . so tim. . , . tim. . . to . john . . the best men are subject to discover humane infirmities in their affections , as moses , psal. . . iob , ch . . . david , sam. ● . . abraham , gen. . , . peter , mat. . , . paul and barnabas , act. . . elias , kings . . affections make us convertible to god , marriageable to christ , pliable to relations , and tractable to good or evil . . convertible to god : for in the conversion of sinners he works upon their affections , to draw and gain them to himself , as acts . . and . , . . marriageable to christ : for christ wooes our affections , when he would marry us to himself , by heart-charming compellations and arguments , cant. . . . pliable to relations : for relations are founded in affections : as love is the glue that makes man and wife cleave each to other , eph. . . so of parents and children , masters and servants . so of friends , sam. . . . tractable , either to good or evil , to truth or errour . hence . satan to draw men from the truth and ordinances , labours to bring them into distaste of their ministers . . to draw them into errour , he labours to bring the broachers and teachers of errours into favour with their hearers , eph. . . . to draw men to sin he bewitches their affections , and by them blindes and corrupts their judgement , as he did eves , gen. . , . see mr. fenner . ball. r●yner . of the government of affections . quest. whether may the strength of grace consist with the want of those strong affections , which christians have found in their first conversion ? answ. for answer hereunto these three things are to be considered . first , when a man may be said to lose his first affections ? secondly , in what cases a strong christian may be said to want strong affections ? thirdly , whence it is that they which have strong grace may yet want such strong affections as they had at their first conversion ? for the first , affections are fitly compared to the pulses of the soul , by which judgement may be given of the state and temper of the soul ; and that we may know when our affections beat low and are decayed , we may judge thereof by these signes . . when we have not such quick desires after duties . mostly a christian at his first conversion , is so earnest and eager after holy duties , that he will scarce allow himself time for the duties of his particular calling . yea , many times they tire themselves in hearing , reading , meditation , &c. but afterwards this heat abates , and they pray lesse , hear seldomer , &c. which usually proceeds from their multitude of worldly occasions . . affections may be judged to be decayed , when men want those soul-ravishing joyes which formerly they have had : which being abated , their affections also are abated . . affections are decayed , when sensible profiting by ordinances is abated , indeed , a man may profit by ordinances , and yet not be sensible of his profiting . he may grow at the root in solidity of grace , though it may not shoot up so much in blossome of affections . quest. for the second , in what cases may strong christians want strong affections ? answ. first , if they have lesse sin in duties , though they have lesse affections : young converts have oft-times much affections in holy duties , but withal much corruption : they are subject to rashnesse , and precipitancie in their prayers , to be proud of their graces , and to be too apt to have ca●nal dependance upon their duties ; but old experienced christians , as they have oft lesse affection , so they have lesse sin in holy duties , and exercise more grace in them . so after duties , a weak christian is apt to indulge his corruptions , thinking that he hath made a compensation for his sins by his duties ; but an experienced grown christian , though he be not so affectionate in duty , yet he is careful afterwards not to spoil all by sin . secondly , a strong christian may want strong affections , in case that he hath strength of judgement to recompence the want thereof . young trees are more sappy , but old trees are more solid . hence paul prays for the philippians , not only that their love might abound , but that their judgment might abound also , phil. . . though old experienced christians have not so much affection ; yet they have more solidity and clearnesse of judgment , more experimental knowledge in the profound mysteries of the gospel , and more distinct apprehension of the deep things of christ ; whereas affection without knowledge will be but rashnesse , yet such have a promise made unto them , isa. . . the heart of the rash shall understand knowledge , &c. tbirdly , a strong christian may want strong affections , in case it proceed from a natural temper , and not from a sinful carelesse distemper . some are naturally of a soft and tender disposition , and these are naturally more affectionate : and of this temper are most women . others are naturally more bound up in their affections , and are of a more reserved temper , who naturally shew no great affections , neither of joy nor sorrow . at christs death they that expressed most affections were women , luke . . some mens temper is like ice that easily thawes ; others are like iron , and it must be a hot fire that will melt them down ; but the lesse affectionate , are the more judicious . fourthly , in case of sicknesse ▪ old age , and bodily weaknesse , he that hath strength of grace , may yet want strength of affection : as the ebbing and flowing of the sea depends upon the motion and influence of the moon ; so our affections do ebbe and flow much what , as the strength or weaknesse of the body hath an influence upon them . quest. whence is it that they that hav● strength of grace , may yet want those strong affections which they had at their first conversion . answ. first , because at first conversion , grace was but particularly employed , which afterwards is more diffused , and generaly employed . when much water runs in one channel , it makes the stream to run the stronger : but when there are many rivulets cut out , though there be as much or more water , yet there is not the same strength of the stream ; so it is at our first conversion , then all our affections made up but one stream , and therefore seemed the stronger . a new convert hath not so many duties to perform as a grown christian , because he doth not know so many . it may be at first , all his affections run out to pray , to heare , to reade , and whilest all the affections run in this one channel , they seem to be very strong : whereas a grown christian hath , besides these , many particular duties of his calling , and relations to follow , and therefore it s no marvel though his affections seem weaker . secondly , this is from the newnesse of the condition . naturally we are much affected with new things ; as a man that hath been many years in a dark dungeon , when he is suddenly brought into the light , is much affected with it . this is the state of our souls at our first conversion ; we are then brought from darknesse to light , and from the power of satan unto god. pet. . . by the grace of conversion , god brings us out of darknesse into his marvellous light : and because it s so marvellous , therefore it doth so much affect . our change at conversion is very great : we become new men , and we are so affected therewith , that we are ( as it were ) astonished therewith . yet in this case we must distinguish between solid affections , and transient passions , which weare off presently , and vanish suddenly . the affections of some christians , especially of young ones , are like colours which are not in grain , they will soon fade . it is with a new convert , as with a man going to execution ; whilest he is upon the ladder a pardon is unexpectedly brought , how will he be transported with joy ? he will even leap for joy , yet afterwards this torrent of his joy may he abated , though his life be as dear to him as ever . so when a soul hath been brought by the law to a sight of its lost condition , when the gospel proclaimes a pardon , and the spirit of god hath set on the comfort of that pardon upon the heart , oh what ravishments hath that soul fot the present ! which perhaps he shall not long retain : the violence of his joy is abated , but the solidity of it remains . a third reason may be taken from gods indulgence to young converts , who usually gives in comfort according to the necessities of his people : it s with god our heavenly father , as its with natural parents , they are most tender over their new-born children . the father of the prodigal , did not only receive him mercifully , but bountifully too ; he gave him more then was for necessity : he gave him not only shooes , but a ring ; not only cloaths , but the best robe : not only bread , but the fatted calfe , and musick at this feast , and all this was for his newly converted and repenting son : he did not entertain him so every day after . at our first conversion god expresses much bounty and indulgence to us , and afterwards , though we have the same love from god , and the same love to god , yet the expressions may not be the same now , as formerly they were . quest. what must we do when we finde that we have lost our first affections ? answ. first , labour to be sensible of , and humbled for those decays . a decayed condition is an uncomfortable condition : though thy grace may carry thee to heaven ; yet by thy decayes , thou wilt live uncomfortably on earth . secondly , labour to get those decayes repaired . if thou hast lost thy first love , repent and do thy first works , rev. . , . thirdly , make up the want of former affections in solidity of knowledge and judgment : and if the candle give not so great a blaze , let it give a more clear and constant light . fourthly , labour to keep up the first vigour of your affections . for , . remember that you may lose that in a short time , which you may be long in recovering . a man , by one weeks sicknesse , may lose more strength then he can recover in a moneth . a wound may be soon made , but is not so soon cured . so it s far easier to lose our holy affections , then it is to recover them . . labour to keep up your holy affections ; for the truth of grace is more discerned by our affections , then by our actions . it s easier to dissemble acts of grace , then gracious affections . a painter may paint the colour , but not the heat of the fire . . it s very hard to retain the first vigour of our affections , therefore we should take the more paines about it . flushing of spiritual joy is like the sea , wherein the tide doth not flow so high , but the ebbe falls as low : bernard speaking of them , saith , rara bona , brevis mora , they come seldom , and stay but a short time : as the fall follows the spring : and one day is clear , and another cloudy ; so it is with the best christian , his affections are not always at the same pitch : yet it should be our endeavour to maintain in our souls our first vigorous affections in , and towards the wayes of god. mr. love of grace . chap. vii . questions , and cases of conscience about afflictions quest. what is affliction ? answ. any trouble , grief , or evil whatsoever , that happeneth either to soul or body , name , goods , or estate , for correction of sin , or for trial , as it doth to the godly : or for punishment and vengeance , as it doth to the wicked , rom. . . quest. why doth god suffer his children to be distressed and afflicted ? answ. he respects himself therein : for first , god gaines glory many wayes by it ; as first his power is seen in their distresses , his love , goodnesse , truth , &c. then the saints can say with job , mine eyes have seen thee , job . . secondly , not only present power and mercy is then seen , but former : we see what power was used in preventing misery , what mercy in giving comfort . thirdly , then god shall have their custome and company . children that care not for their parents in prosperity , will flie to them in adversity . he aimes at his peoples good therein : for . whilest they are spectators , they lay about them in getting and exercising of grace . others deep sorrows make us see how needful it is to get much faith , patience , scriptures , &c. in readinesse . . they stir up to prayers , mercies , &c. as when peter was in prison , they thought it high time to pray , acts . . . when themselves be afflicted , they help themselves by the afflictions of others ; such suffered this affliction , and god loves them , why not me also ? such cried , and sped well , why may not i ? psal. . , . god aimes at the parties good in great distresses : hereby they are tried , humbled , have experience of their frailties and graces . we know little of our selves till much distressed , neither what our weaknesse , nor what our strength in christ is : how poor our selves , no● how great our god is . . hereby they are brought to receive often sentence of misery , death , hell in themselves ; and its good to taste these things before we feel any of them : it will empty a man of himself , and make him trust in the living god. it will learn him those three lessons of christianity , mentioned by paul , phil. . . to worship god spiritually , to make christ his joy , and to lay down all confidence in the flesh . . hereby they are made helpful to all , for . we cannot pity others till experience hath taught us . . we will not be serviceable till affliction hath humbled and broken us . . we know not how to comfort others till our selves have been wounded and healed : but when we have learned by experience , we can make our plaister serve another man , and comfort him in the same affliction with the same consolation , cor. . . see dr. harris's davids comfort , p. . quest. why doth god suffer holy men to be afflicted ? answ. saint chrysostome hath set down eight reasons , to which more may be added . first , because otherwise they would grow proud of their gifts and graces . secondly , lest others should over-value them , and account them gods rather then men . thirdly , that gods power might the better appear in their weaknesse . fourthly , that their patience might be manifested , and made exemplary , as in job . fifthly , to minde and assure us of the resurrection . for if man suffer not any that hath taken paines for him to go away unrewarded : much lesse will god suffer such as have endured so much for him , to go away uncrowned , rom. . . sixthly , for the consolation of others , when they see that all things fall alike to all . seventhly , that we may the better imitate them in their vertues , when by their sufferings we see that they were partakers of the same nature with our selves . eighthly , that we may be enabled to judge aright who are indeed happy , and who are truly calamitous and miserable . ninthly , for the clearing of his own justice , as in david . tenthly , for purging out corruption by the rod of correction . eleventhly , to wean them from the world by embittering it to them ; as in the prodigal . twelfthly , to prevent sinne by hedging up the way with thornes , hosea . . thirteenthly , to make them flie to god , as the childe to the mother when it s frighted . see stock on mal. ch . . p. . quest. but what shall we say to extraordinary afflictions ? answ. they are no good proofs of a bad person or condition , as in job , &c. obj. but would god so afflict me if i were his childe ? answ. so ? how so ? obj. i am crossed in a childe as never man was : so ungrateful : so unnatural ? answ. yea , except david : eli ▪ and yet they were beloved . obj. oh , but i have such a beast to my husband as never woman had ? answ. yea , abigail . obj. oh , but my estate is so broken , that i am worth nothing ? answ. so was davids at ziklag : so naomies , and yet beloved . obj. oh , but i have sold all , and now want bread ? answ. so did the widow of sarepta , kings . . so neh. . . &c. and lam. . , . obj. oh , but my body is smitten too ? answ. so was davids : psal. . . and jobs : and yet beloved . ob. but i am disabled from all service : i can neither pray , nor read , nor heare , nor live , nor die . answ. so the saints , ps. . . &c. the church in isay , and yet beloved . ob. oh , but my spirit is wounded . i am scorched with hell-flames in my conscience . answ. so job , and david , and yet beloved . ob. oh , but i am torn in pieces with hellish blasphemous tentations ? answ. christ had such offered from satan , and yet beloved . ob. oh , but i am haunted with lusts : now impure lusts : then covetous , revengful lusts , &c. answ. so was paul , rom. . . &c. gal : . . yet beloved . resolve therefore that neither things present , nor things to come , shall be able to seperate us from the love of god , in christ. for no affliction forfeits our title . ob. oh , but mine be sins , passions , tentations ? answ. let them be what they will. if they be afflictions to us : if they tire , wound ; and make us cry to god , as jehosaphat did , when they pursue us , they weaken not our title . ob. oh , but the smart of them may cause that without the hatred of sin ! they may make us weary because painful not sinfull ! answ. . they may : but these two are not well opposed : painfulness comes after from the sinfulness : were they not sinful you could brook them well enough , for their pleasure and prosperity . secondly , if opposed ; know the pains in hippocrites only follows sin committed , whereas thou arr distressed before hand , and art afraid to commit sin , and cryest as paul , rom : : . who shall deliver me from this body of death . thirdly , only great sins are painefull , if nothing but pain be heeded , whereas thou art ●roubled with the first motions ; with the whole body of sin . fourthly , sin is onely painful to the unsanctified , whereas thou art as much troubled for want of faith , love , humility , thankfulness , as for the overflowing of sin . fifthly , paine makes an hyppocrite houle , but not to god , at least in the first place . but sin drives a davia , first to god , then to men : it ends in prayer , not in fretting , dispaire &c. and is it thus with thee ? either thou must condemne david , or confess that a man may be crossed in wife , childe , house , goods , friends , kinsmen , all at once : nay , hazarded in his life , tempted in his soul , troubled in his conscience , yea plunged into a sea of miseries , and yet be dear to , and beloved of god. dr. harris . quest. what other reasons may be rendered why gods children are exercised with grievous crosses ? answ. because they are so beset with corruption , and therefore must be purged . for first , gods children will sometimes venture on noisom meats , and hurtfull poison ; they will feed on grosser sins ; they will drink in the puddle of iniquity , and when the child hath so done what should the father doe ? if david will lie , and commit adultery , and murther the innocent , what can god do less ( unless he would have him spoiled ) then scourge him throughly , when he will be walking so near hells-mouth , then take him by the heels , and make him believe that he will throw him in . it s bettet he should lose his sin them god his childe . secondly , if they fall not to deadly poison , yet will they surfet of lawful meats ; and pleasures unlawfully : so childish we are that we cannot be turned lose to delights , and keep a meane : we cannot have prosperity but we abuse it , swell , brag , snuff , look over our brethren , and forget our selves ; it was so with david , psa. . . . hezekiah , jsa . . . thirdly , god hath but need to dyet the best of us sometimes , we are so lazie when we are full , as men after a feast : we follow our calling as if we would drop a sleep : we performe exercises of religion as children say their lessons , minding every thing rather then that in hand : we come to gods ordinances as fed wantons to a feast : nothing pleaseth unless it be some cickshaw , or new invention , though the worst dish upon the table ; so one trick of wit doth more affect , then twenty gracious sentences . it stands the lord therefore upon if he will provide for his harvest , and our good , to take some pains with us , lest he faile of his vintage whilest we want dressing . fourthly , crosses had need to come , and to come thick , and to come in strength to the strongest of us , because in the best there be many , and strong corruptions . oh the pride , the pride , the unbelief , the ignorances , the self-love that lodges in the purest soul ! so that the child would be spilt , if the rod were spared . fifthly , as god lays many crosses on us , so we may thank our selves for many too , not only because we deserve them , but in that we work them out of our own bowels : for many we draw upon our selves by riot , idleness , rage &c. and others , though heavy enough , we make more heavy through our own folly , whilst we rake into our wounds , looking no higher : and what with unbeleife , and impatience , we double the cross on our selves ; when god afflicts us in measure , we make our crosses beyond measure , because we keep no meane in mourning ; yea we provoke our father to give us the more for our muttering and strugling . dr. harris . p. . now that god hath his great day for afflicting his owne people appeares by these texts . jsa . . . jer. . . and the reasons are , first , because there he doth more especially love , and therefore he will assuredly visit as occasion is justly offered for his so doing . amos . . you only have i known of all the families of the earth : therefore i will punish you , for all your iniquities . so jer. . . pet : . . secondly , there god more especially hates : as he loves their persons , so he hates their sins , yea by how much the more he loves their persons , by so much the more , we may in a qualified sence say , that he hates their sins , as being the only enemies of the eternal welfare of their soules , and therefore though he corrects them in measure , yet he will not suffer them to goe altogether unpunished . jer. . . thirdly , god is very tender , and jealous of his owne honour , it being to him as the apple of his eye , the richest jewell in his cabinet : but the transgressions of his own people asperse him with dishonour , rom. . . through breaking the law they dishonor god : yea their sins in some respect are greater then the sins of others , being committed against greater light , sweeter motions of the spirit , lowder cries of conscience , richer means of grace , more frequent purposes , promises , and vows of better obedience : and god hath said that such as honour him he will honour , and such as despise him shall be lightly esteemed , sam. . . fourthly , god hath still at hand a whole world of executioners , even all creatures who are ready to run at his command , psa. . . and therefore when the day of visiting his people comes , he cannot want either accusers , or executioners . see conants parlament sermon . fifthly , there is some thing of adams filth even in the purest , which must be washed out with these waters of marah . jsa . . . and afflictions puts them upon judging themselves , that they be not judged by god , cor. . . . sixthly , affliction is sometimes intended for the prevention of sin . men are apt to offend in prosperity , iob. . . psa. . . . cor. . . seventhly , troubles drive men to god : as sickness , lameness , blindness , &c. brought many to christ who otherwise had never sought after him . eighthly , god : by these trieth the spirits of men , as he led israel years in the wildernesse to prove them , deut. . . so rom. . . . prov. . . ninthly graces are much exercised by afflictions , hence one said , qui nescit●are are discat navigare : he that knows not how to pray let him go to sea , and as afflictions abound , so grace where it is once wrought abounds . tenthly , god intends to work glory to himself : thereby for first , he justifies the power of his grace thereby against the slanderous accusations of satan , who accuses our service to be mercenary , as he did jobs , job . . . , , , , but he found him the same upon the dunghill as when he was cloathed in scarlet . secondly , saints are added to the church daily , and so great honor brought to god by the examples of the patient sufferin● of gods people , jam. . p●t . . . . when the people saw the constancy of cipryan in his marty●dome , they cryed out , let us also with our holy pastor die . moriamur simul cum sancto episcopo . & j●stin martyr testifies of himself : that having been trayned up in the school of pl●to , he was converted to christianity by seeing the patience of the christians in their martyrdome . sanguis martyrum semen ecclesia : the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church . thirdly , god shews then the glory of his power in drawing them out when they are sunke deep in sorrow . he casts them into extremities , that he might save them out of such doubtfull dangers . as with the blind man john . . and lazarus whom he suffered to lie four days dead iohn . . so exod. . god also turneth the crosses of his people into crowns , and so their afflictions make for their further glory . for first , the readiest way to heaven is by weeping cross. christ who came from the noe could finde noe other way thither againe luke , . . so acts . . heb. . . . luke . . his fatherly correction keeps off the severity of his judgements , fits thee for mercy , and so fo● heaven too . secondly , as they are a way to glory , so they work a proportionable reward of glory , q●o plus tormenti tanto plus erit gloria , . . cor. . . rom. . . see dr. 〈◊〉 . parlament sermon . so then thou mayst be assured if thou beest a son , thy heavenly father will correct thee yet for thy comfort remember that , first , he never doth it till there be need . . pet. . secondly , in wisdom , heb. . . . thirdly , in measure jsa . . . & . . &c. jer. . . . cor. . . fourthly , in love and tenderness , prov. . . heb. . . . rev. . . isa. . . . . psal. : , , . hos. . fifthly , for a moment only psal. . . & . . & . . isa : : . & . . . & . . jer. . . mich. . . sixthly , to try thee what dross of corruption , and what found mettal is in thee deut. . . psal : . . prov. . . .. pet. . . . jam. . . & seaventhly , to purg out sin . jsa . . and . . prov. . . psa : . . eighthly , to refine and make the virtues of christ more stirring in thee dan. . . and . . zach. . . . pet. . . . to refine and make the vertues of christ more shining in this , dan. . . and . . zach. . . pet. . , . ninthly , to stir up , quicken and encrease all saving graces in thy soul , john . . rom. . . , . isa. . . ja● . . , . and amongst all the rest , faith alwayes become most famous by afflictions , as heb. . tenthly , to make thee blessed , job . . jam. . . and . . psal. . . eleventhly , to save thee , cor. . ● . cor. . . twelfthly , he will ever be with thee in trouble , isa. . , . and . . psal. . . thirteenthly , he will deliver thee , job . , . psal. . , , . and . . and . . fourteenthly , nay , never was goldsmith more curious to watch the very first season when his gold was throughly refined , and fitted for use , that he may take it out of the furnace : then our gracious god waits with an holy longing , that he may have mercy upon thee , and deliver thee , isa. . . see boltons preparation to death , p. . fifteenthly , by afflictions we are made conformable to our head christ. sixteenthly , we cannot bear pro●perity . it is as strong waters to a weak stomack . it makes us forget god , and the vanity of all earthly things , and our selves , and our own mortality , and to forget others what respect is due to them . hence david confesseth , psal. . . in very faithfulnesse thou hast corrected me . quest. what designe hath god in afflicting his children ? answ. to teach them to know him and to trust in him , and to know themselves : it s a true ●aying of luther , schola crucis est schola lucis , the house of correction , is the school of instruction . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . his rods when sanctified are powerful sermons to teach us . . to know god : and this is life eternal to know him , john . . it s said of manasseh , chron. . . then he knew that the lord was god : affliction teacheth us not only to know god in his power , anger , hatred of sinne , but also in his goodness and mercy . for god doth so sweeten the bitter cup of affliction , that a child of god doth often taste more of gods love in one moneths affliction , then in many years of prosperity , cor. . , . and . . affliction also teaches us to know god experimentally , and affectionatively : so to know him , as to love and feare him , and to flie to him as to our rock and hiding place in the day of distresse , cant. . , , , . by night , i. e. in the time of divine desertion , &c. . not only to know god , but to trust in him also , cor. . . . to know our selves also : when the prodigal was in adversity he came to himself , luke . . they teach us to know that we are but men , psal. . . yea , but frail men , ezek. . . and that god can crush us as easily as we do moths : which will make us to stand in awe of god , and to study to serve and please him . secondly , gods aim in affliction is to keep us from sin . so cor. . . or when we have sinned , to bring us to repentance for it , and from it . for . they open the eyes to see sin , as gen. . . oculos quos culpa claudit , poena aperit . . they open the eares to discipline , as deut. . . for jer. . . . they open the mouth to confesse sin , judg. . . . they command us to depart from iniquity , iob . , , . they are gods furnaces to purge our drosse : gods files to pare off our spiritual rust : gods fanns to winnow out our chaffe , dan , . . and . . thirdly , gods end is also to make us holy and righteous , isa. . . hebr. . . fourthly , to make the world bitter to them , and christ sweet . for prov. . . fifthly , to prove their graces , rev. . . deut. . . . the truth and sincerity of them . hence he loaded job with afflictions : and the strength of our graces ; for it requires a strong faith to endure great afflictions . . to emprove our graces : for as the palme-tree , the more it s pressed , the hi● her it grows , so do the graces of gods people . sixthly , it is to put an edge upon their prayers , and all their other holy services . . upon prayer : what a fervent prayer did manasses make when he was in fetters in the dungeon , chron. . , , . when saint paul was struck off his horse ▪ and smitten with blindnesse , then he prayed to the purpose , acts . . so isa. . . . upon preaching . prosperity glutteth the spiritual appetite , adversity whets it . . upon the sacrament . how sweet is the sacrament to a true saint , after a long and great sicknesse . . it makes god and his word precious . if god set our corne-fields on fire , as absalom did ioabs , then we come running to him : and how sweet is a scripture-promise to a childe of god in his distresse , hos. . ult . quest. what considerations may chear up our hearts in the time of affliction ? answ. first , that god never afflicts his people , but out of pure necessity , pet. . . as a tender father never corrects his children , but when he is forced to it , lam. . . isa. . . it s sin that puts thunderbolts into gods hand . god never scourgeth us , but it is with a whip made of our own sinnes , prov. . . rom. . . hence isa. . . it s his strange work . secondly , he doth it out of his true and real love , heb. . , , . obj. do not divine afflictions proceed from anger ? was not god angry with moses for speaking unadvisedly , psal. . . and with david for adultery ? answ. this anger was a fatherly anger rooted in love . it was not ira quae reprobat , but ira quae purgat : it was not ira hostilis , & exterminativa , but ira paterna , & medicinalis . as it s sometimes a great punishment for god not to punish , isa. . . hosea . . so it s a great mercy sometimes for god to withdraw his mercy . thirdly , afflictions are a part of divine predestination : that god that hath elected us to salvation , hath also elected us to afflictions , thes. . , , . rom. . . fourthly , they are part of that gracious covenant which god hath made with his people , psal. . . &c. in which text three things are observable . . a supposition of sin ? if his children forsake my law , &c. for it is alwayes the cause sine qua non , the cause without which god would never chastise us , and mostlie it s the cause for which he chastiseth . . a gracious promise , then will i visit their transgressions with the rod , and their iniquiry with stripes . . a merciful qualification , nevertheless , my loving kindnesse will i not take from him , nor suffer my faithfulnesse to faile , &c. so psal. . . fifthly , consider that afflictions are part of the saints blessednesse , iob . . behold , happy is the man whom god correcteth , &c. afflictions when sanctified are instructions , and so are evidences that we are in a blessed condition , psal. . . job , when upon the dunghil , wonders why god should so set his heart upon him , as to visit him every morning , and try him every moment , job . , . lazarus full of sores , and in his rags , was happier then dives in his robes : p●ilpot in his colehouse , then bonner in his palace . sixthly , consider the gracious ends , and designes that god hath in afflicting his children , mentioned before . seventhly , the sweet and precious promises that he hath made to them , to comfort and support them in the day of their affliction . ●i●●hly that all afflictions shall at last work for their good , rom. . . god beats his children as we do our cloathes in the sunne , only to beat our dust and mo●hes : god puts them into the furnace , not to hurt , but to untie the bonds of their sins , as d●u . ● . . god will either deliver them out of afflictions , or send them to heaven by them . quest. what else may comfort us in the times of affliction ? answ. first , consider that by afflictions we are conformed to the image of ch●ist , rom. . . secondly , that christ himself suffers with us , nay , suffers in us . act● . . christ bein● the head of that mystical body , whereof we are members . thirdly , he will 〈◊〉 then us with his grace , that we shall be able to say with the apostle , phil. . . i can do all things , ( yea , and suffer all things too ) through christ tha● s●●●●g●neth me . fourthly , christ will sweeten all those waters of marah to us , that we shall finde them most delicious in the clo●e , cam. . . a bundle of 〈◊〉 is my beloved to me , he shall lie all night between ●y br●●sts : though a bundle of bitternesse , yet i 'le lodge him as near my heart as may be . fifthly , as li●ht is to a man that hath lien long in a dungeon : as the haven is to the m●●riner that hath been long tossed at the sea : so shall heaven be to that soul , that hath been under long and grievous afflictions . quest. what must we do to prepare for ●fflictions ? ans● . first , get a stock of graces : for sicknesse is a time of spending , not getting grace . wo to that man that hath his graces to get when he should use them . now the graces to be stirred up before-hand are ▪ . a t●ue and a stron● f●ith : for a little faith will faint under great afflictions : when the win●e blew fiercely ▪ peters little faith ●ailed , mat. . . . a great measure of patience to enable us to wait quietly and contentedly , till god comes in with help , who many times deferres till the fourth watch of the ni●ht , as mat. . . . a great stock of self-denial , humility , contempt of the world , heavenly mindednesse : such will be as safe as no●● in the a●k : and as those which had sufficient food in the seven years dearth in egypt . secondly , a stock of assurance of salvation : for grace without assurance , and knowledge of it , cannot comfo●t in the day of distresse , ●ob . . this was jobs comfort . so paul , rom. . ● . thirdly , a stock of divine experiences , whereby we may argue from them in the day of adversity : so moses , numb . . . and david , sam. . . and paul , cor. . . fourthly , a stock of sermons : we should use sermons as good husbands do their money : some they lay out for their present occasions , and some they lay up in case of sicknesse : hence isa. . . we are commanded to hear for after-time . fifthly , a stock of scripture-promises which will be as so many reviving cordials , and spiritual anchors to uphold us from perishing in the day of distresse . so d●vid , psal. . . i had perished in mine affliction , unlesse thy law had been my delight . quest. but what may we do to know the meaning and voice of gods ro● ? answ. gods rod ordinarily speaks three languages . . it corrects for sin . . it tries and exercises grace . . it instructs in holinesse : sometime it s for the two latter , and not for the former : as in jobs , and the blinde mans case . but usually it s for all three , lam. . . isa. . . luke . . cor. . . quest. how shall we know whether our afflictions are only for trial and instruction , and not for sin ? answ. it s safest to believe that they are for sin also , when upon our selves , though out of charity we judge them not so to others , rom. . . for though all afflictions are not sent directly and specially for sin , yet sin is the original of all afflictions . quest. what course must we take to finde out that particular sin for which god corrects us ? answ. first , somtimes we may reade our sin in our punishment . as in adonibezek , judg. . . secondly , consider , what that sin is , for which thy conscience most accuseth thee . thirdly , what is the sin of thy constitution : what is thy dilectum delictum , thy peccatum in delitiis , thy beloved and bosome-sin , of which david speaks , psal. . . i have kept my self from mine iniquity . fourthly , when sick and near death , consider what sin doth most trouble and perplex the conscience . fifthly , what those sins are , for which thy godly minister , under whose charge thou livest , doth reprove thee , and of which thy true and real friend doth accuse thee . but if thou canst not hereby finde out the particular sin , labour to repent of all , and then we shall be sure to destroy that sin for which god afflicts us . see mr. calamie's godly mans ark. quest. what means may we use to quiet our hearts in afflictions ? answ. first , remember that they are inflicted by the decree of heaven , and that god is the author of all our afflictions implied , job . . so jer. . , . psal. . . &c. secondly , that they are sent to try thy patience : to shew how well thou canst suffer . thirdly , it s the common state of all mankind : we are all borne to sorrow , job . . as a man we must beare what is common to man , and as a sinful man we bring troubles on our selves , and therefore should say with the church , mich. . . i will beare the indignation of the lord , because i have sinned against him . fourthly , that god takes care for his children , and then especially when they are in affliction , psal. . . i am poor and needie , yet the lord thinketh of me . so jer. . . isa. . . , . fifthly , that god intends us no evil but good thereby , jer. . . for rom. . . sixthly , when in affliction , be assured that it shall be better with thee then now , and so let thy future hopes work thy heart to patience , james . . the darkest night shall have a faire morning ; the rod of the wicked shall not alwayes rest , &c. so isa. . . and . . seventhly , what we lose by afflictions are such things as may be spared , and which god will make up in as good or better , god , and christ , and grace , and heaven cannot be lost . zach. . . cor. . , . zeph. . . eighthly , no affliction shall be too much , or too long , for that only is too much , . that exceeds our desert . whereas ezra . . thou hast punished us lesse then our iniquities deserve . . nor too much in regard of our strength , for god proportions his burdens to our backs , and his stroaks to our strength , isa. . . obj. but paul saith , cor. . . that he was pressed out of measure ? answ. first , indeed he met with unreasonable men who knew no measure , and his afflictions were above his strength as a man ; but he was able to do , and to suffer all things , through christ strengthening him , phil. . . at such times god encreaseth their power , isa. . , &c. secondly , nor too long , though we are apt to cry , how long ? and a little time seems long ; but god who intends our good , must take a time answerable to his own intentions ; when the sore is cured , the plaister will fall off ; if we be not in the fault , usually thy time is short : a day : the evil day , eph. . . a night , psal. . . a peice of a night , isa , . . a moment , isa. . . a small moment , ver . . quest. how can this be when afflictions are oft much longer ? answ. first , in the times of affliction there are many lucida intervalla , intermissions , partly , by ease from the pain and grief that oppresseth , and partly , because of the joy and sweet communion with god , which times being substracted , there remaines but a little time . secondly , when the affliction is past , and we look back to see what good came by it , how lusts were purged or prevented : how graces were cherished or encreased : how sweet mercies are when restored , we shall easily say that it was not too long , only our patience was too short . thirdly , if we consider the eternity , wherein we shall reap the fruit of our sufferings , we shall conclude that it was not too long . see mr. valentines parl. sermon . quest. what are the benefits of receiving our afflictions as from god ? answ. first , it will put us upon serious humiliation for our sins , whereby we have provoked him against us , the rather because no hand can heal us , but the same that hath wounded us , hosea . . chro. . . secondly , it will bear up our spirits , not to sink when our afflictions come thickest , and lie heaviest upon us . for it is our fathers cup , and that only for correction , psal. . . thirdly , it would restrain us from using any unwarrantable meanes for our deliverance . quest. what is especially to be feared when afflictions are heavy , and long upon us . answ. first , then especially fear , and look to the seeds of rage and madnesse which are in thy heart . never more need to look to the banks , then when a tempest is upon the sea . have you seen a beast break his teeth upon the chaine that ties him ? or a dog poure forth his revenge upon the stone that hurt him , then have you seen some dark shadowes of that fiercenesse and fury that is apt to rise out of our hearts , when gods hand lies close upon us . when thou hearest of the strange impatience of jonah , at the beating of the sun upon his head , unto whom yet it was a wonder that he did now see the sun : when thou hearest of those deep expostulations of david with god , psal. . , . hath he forgotten to be gracious ? forgotten his promises ? forgorten his truth ? forgotten his power and mercy ? and shut up all his kindnesse in displeasure ? when thou hearest the impatiencies of job , yet a man renowned for his patience , jam. . . expostulating and charging god , is it good for 〈◊〉 that thou shouldest oppresse ? iob . . when thou hearest of those deep curses of jeremy against the day of his birth , ier. . , . of those froward expostulations and debates of the people of israel with moses , and of moses with god , vvhy hast thou evil entreated this people ? why hast thou sent me ? exod. . . . oh then reflect upon thy selfe , and be afraid of thine own evil heart , which is farre more likely to break out against god , then any of those were ; and for prevention hereof keep in thy sight the history of thy sins , make them as hainous to thy own view as they are in their own nature . the way not to rage against afflictions is to know our selves aright ; that will make us to confess as ezra , that the lord hath punished us less then our iniquities have deserved . ezr. . . the way to bear the hand of god with patience is to confess our sins , and to be humbled for them . levit. . , . wherein is shewed that the sight of our sinne and humiliation for it , is the way to make us accept of the chastisements of god : so lament . . . wherefore doth the living man complain ? a man for the punishment 〈◊〉 his sins . where are three strong reasons why we should not murmure in our affliction . first , we are men , and what an impudency is it for the clay to swell against the potter that formed it , and complaine why hast thou made me thus ? secondly , we are sinners all the punishments we suffer are the wages of our owne iniquities , an● what a madness is it to complaine against the justice of our judge ? thirdly , we are living men , and therefore god hath punished us less then our sins deserve : for the wages of sin is death : rom. . . and what ingratitude is it to repine against mercifull , and moderate punishments ? and yet we are prone hereunto ; but it is the cure ; see v. . let us search , and try our wayes , and turne again unto the lord our god , the more that we grow acquainted with our sinful estates , and marvellous provocations , with the patience , and promises of god , the more we shall justifie god , and wait upon him ; the more we shall judge our selves less then the least of gods mercies , forbearances ; as mich. . . q. d. i have pressed , and vexed , and wearied him with my sins without any care of his glory , but he hath visited me in jugdment not in fury : in wrath he hath remember mercy , and not consumed me as he might have done , he hath not rewarded me according to my sins , &c. but hath spared me as a son , when i dealt with him as a traytor . see dr. raynolds sinfulness of sin , p. . quest. how shall we beare afflictions rightly ? asw. first , if we count it no strange thing to lie vnder it , pet. . . but rather that it is that whereunto we are ordained of old , to be conformed to christ in afflictions that we may be like him in glory . rom. . . yea , if we esteem them as the beaten path , by which god will have all his children to enter into heaven . acts . . tim. . . ly , if we observe the example of all , or the most excellent of gods servants , and especially of his only son , from the beginning of the world to this day , heb. . . thirdly , if we inure and accustome ourselves : to beare the yoak from our youth , it will tame our proud and rebellious hearts , and frame us to beare afflictions the better ever after . lam. . . fourthly , if we consider that satan every day invents new mischief against us , job . . . &c. fifthly , if we remember that it 's a sign of gods love , heb. . . rev. . . and that the issue will be good and blessed , psal. . . esth. . . sixthly , if we remember the many good uses of afflictions . for hereby gods power appears in our weakness : and we have the better proofe of his grace dwelling in us : cor. . . as faith , hope , love , humbleness of minde , patience , &c. that these light , and momentany afflictions work an exceeding , and eternall weight of glory . cor. . . quest. how shall we be sure to profit by afflictions ? answ. first by the confessions of the saints , who have experimented it : as david , psal. . , . manasseh . chron. . . qu. how come we by wisdom not only patiently to bear , but to profit by afflictions ? answ. first , it 's obtained of god by prayer , jam. . , , . secondly , by a due consideration of the end , fruit , and uses of afflictions . quest. what are the ends of afflictions ? ans. first , to keep us from wandring , or to bring us back when we have erred , & to make us tractable schollars in the school of christ. ps. . . . cor. . . secondly , to make us know god , and our selves as they did manasseh : chron. & . thirdly , to give us experience of gods gracious hand in our deliverance . psa. . , . fourthly , to discover to us our faith , and patience , rom. . . . jam. . . fifthly , to keep us from being condemned with the world . cor. . , . sixthly , to purge out our dross of profanness , and unbeliefe . dan. . . and as mustard laid upon the breast , to weane us from the world . psal. . . seaventhly ▪ to manifest gods love , and our election , heb. . , . eightly , to make us partakers of his holiness , and to bring forth the quiet fruits of righteousness . heb. . , . see practice of christianity . quest. are not all afflictions evil in their own nature ? answ. yes , and so the lord stills them , isa. . . amos. . . secondly , they are of a contagious nature , spreading their poison , and making those things evil which are good in themselves . henc● , prov. . . all the days of the afflicted are evil ▪ and genesis . . few and evill are the days of my pilgrimage , &c. thirdly , they are in their own nature , punishments of sin , fruits of gods displeasure , harbingers of death , the first beginnings of everlasting torments , and enemies to our joy , peace and comfort . fourthly , sense shews that they are evill : for afflictions are the mother , and nur●es of smart and sorrow , terrible in their very sound , fearful to look upon , bitter to tast , painful to our feeling , and they torment us whilst they touch us : hence affliction , and mourning are joyned together lam. . . fifthly , they bring forth evil fruit , unless grace alter their nature , for wicked men the more they are afflicted the more they hate god , despair of his mercy , murmure at his providence , and use all unlawfull means to ease themselves . quest. are afflictions then simply , and absolutely evil ? answ. no , for thus sin is only evil , but they are of an indifferent nature . quest. how then come they to be good . answ. first , in respect of the cheif efficient , or author whence they come , they are good , either as they are punishments inflicted by a righteous judge , or chastisements coming from the hand of a merciful father . secondly , because they have had for their subject the cheif goodness , even christ , god and man , who whilest he lived in the world , was exceedingly afflicted , whose pure nature could not admit of any thing that was simply evil in its nature . thirdly , as they help us to come to the cheif goodness : for god hath ordained them as means to further his elect in attaining to salvation , rom. . . thes. . . fourthly , as they are means to draw us nearer to god by true repentance , and fervent prayer mat. . . act. . . quest. what rules are we to observe in preparing our selves unto the conflict with afflictions answ. first , we must hear , read , and study the word of god : for first , it s a speciall means to comfort and uphold us in our troubles , without which we cannot stand , ps. . . secondly , it s the sword of the spirit whereby we may defend our selves , and repel the fury of our spritual enemies , and get the victory over them in the day of battel . it s our souls armory wherein are stored up all our weapons which we must use in this spiritual conflict . it s our card and compass to direct us through this sea of miseries to our haven of happiness : our light to guide us in this hard passage , and our thread to lead us through the laborinth of troubles . it s our quickner when we are wounded , psal. . , . it s our joy in all our sorrows , v. . and it s our cheif comforter in all our miseries . . we must be frequent , and fervent in prayer , acknowledging our sins , that all our affections are justly infflicted upon us , beging pardon for christs sake , and the removall of our afflictions , or that if he please to continue them , that he will arme us with faith , and patience that we may meekly beare them ; come more pure , and approved out of this fiery furnace , and brought nearer unto god , both in respect of the illumination of our mind , and the reformation of our lives , and then god will forgive us . prov. . . john . . thirdly , in our prosperity we must labour diligently in the moderating , and and mortifiing our inordinate affections , and unruly passions that we may bring them in subjection to the good will of god , and make them serviceable to holy reason . especially we must mortifie the passions of fear , which doth much aggravate the weight of misery , and is oft more intollerable then the evil suffered , both as it deformes the minde of resolution , and as it anticipates the griefs before they come . yea many times such as are only faigned in the imagination , & never befall us . we must also in our prosperity limit our hopes : for the further they are extended , the more are we directed when they faile us : and commonly when there have been no bounds to our expectation , there will be , no measure in impatiency , when things so much desired , and expected answer not our hopes . the like may be said , of immoderate desires after earthly things , inordinate lusting after superfluities , which will set us on the rack of discontent when they are not satified , making lesser comforts great crosses , and the lightest afflictions intollerable burdens , so in prosperity we should exercise our selves : in mortifiing rash anger : for if a man be froward when he is pleased in his desires , he will be stark mad when he is crossed , &c. so also we should subdue pride which is the nurce of impatiency , &c. fourthly , we must not fain unto our selves afflictions in our conceit , and imagination , laying crosses upon our selves by a false opinion when god lays none upon us . many through conceit become wretched before their time , and are onely miserable because they are so in their imagination . thus some torment themselves because they have not the upper hand at meetings , respect , and observance from their inferiors : commendations , and applause for their good parts . others grievously afflicts themselves , because they have lost part of their superfluities : yea so powerfull is opinion in producing these effects , that not only a false apprehension causeth a true affliction , but it is able also to turn comforts into crosses , benefits into miseries , and that which this mans opinion makes his hell , another mans opposite conceit would make his heaven , and happiness . fifthly , we must not by feare anticipate afflictions , making our selves miserable before our time . thus some are more tormented with the feare of evils , than with the evils that they fear , and suffer longer and greater sorrows with the expectation of their miseries before they come , then they doe after they are come , and lie upon them . thus some excruciate themselves with fear and grief when they heare but uncertain rumors of great calamities , as though they were already overtaken by them , whereas it may be they will never happen : so in the time of pestilence , and warre , and decay of trading , &c. sixthly , with wise , and christian providence we must forsee crosses , and in the time of peace , and prosperity continually expect when we shall be called forth to encounter with afflictions , that so we may be the better armed for the conflict . for though we are not with a cowardly apprehension to torment ourselves : with crosses before they come , yet must we wisely forsee them that we may prevent those that may be lawfully avoided , and with patience beare those which will necessarily be fall us . luke . . . . mat. . . seventhly , we must not fix our hearts upon any thing in the world , but use these outward blessings as though we used them not , and enjoy them as those that may presently lose them , for what we possess with immoderate love , we lose with immoderate grief : and if we look upon these things as perpetuities , we shall be subject to much sorrow and finde small patience when they prove movables . so we should look upon honor , riches , relations , health , &c. eighthly , we must not be secure in prosperity promising to our selves , immunity from future crosses , and the continuance of our delights : this world that is a valley of tears will not be a paradise of pleasure to us . consider that our providence , and foresight of afflictions will prevent many , and lessen all . wise men make themselves acquainted with future evills by thinking on them before they come , and make those afflictions light by meditating on them , which are made light to others by their customable bearing of them . ninthly , having in our meditations discovered these enemies approaching , we must neither securely contemn them , nor faintly yield to them before we are assaulted . the former of these evils is to be avoided , because there is scarce any force so weak which will not vanquish a secure enemie , and therefore that we may not be endangered hereby , when we see afflictions approching , let us intertaine a valorous fear which may excite us to arme against them , not a cowardly fear which would make us faint , and run away : hence . heb. : : psla. . . and indeed we have small cause to contemn afflictions if we consider our own weaknesse and want of patience &c. the latter of these evils is to be avoided ; because we should be couragious in the power of gods might , and not faint . heb. . . we should resolve with job : though thou kill me , yet will i trust in thee , job . . . such resolution was in the three children , dan. . . in peter , and john , act. . , & in paul , act. . . hence rom. . . . remember his promise . cor. . . tenthly , we must not wilfully run into afflictions , but use all good meanes either to avoid them before they come , or to be freed from them when they are come . as we must not hide our selves from them under the covert of sinful shifts when they are sent of god to finde us ; so we must not voluntarily seek them , and dare them to encounter us when they would be quiet , and mean us no harm . we must not fill this bitter cup to our selves , but only drink of it , when god puts it into our hands , john . . eleventhly , as we may not take upon us voluntary afflictions , when we may lawfully escape them : so neither may we lie under them still , when we may by good and lawful meanes be freed from them ; for this is to tempt the lord , when we needlesly desire to make experience of his power , providence , and promised assistance , either for our delivery , or for strength and patience to undergo these wilful trials . for herein we resemble stubborn children , who wilfully fall that their parents may catch hold of them , and being down , lie still and cry , that others may help them up . this is to tempt the lord , mat. . . jacob used all good meanes to escape his brothers fury , gen. . , . moses fled from pharaoh , exod. . . david from saul and absalom , sam. . . sam. . . — joseph and mary from herod , mat. . . paul from the jewes , acts . . and . . and . quest. what considerations may move us , patiently and quietly to bear those afflictions which god layes upon us ? answ. first , that afflictions are not laid upon us by god as punishments to satisfie his justice : for , . christ bore all our sins in his body upon the crosse , pet. . . isa. . , , and had not christ done this , he had not been a perfect saviour , nor had offered to his father a full and al-sufficient price for our redemption . but he was a perfect saviour , luke . . heb. . . and . , . mat. . . john . . john . . . christ taking upon him our debt , by being our surety , he hath discharged it to the uttermost farthing . yea , he hath also cancelled the hand-writing of ordinances , and the obligation of the law by nailing them to his crosse , col. . . gal. . . and therefore god cannot require a new satisfaction by our sufferings , &c. yea , god is so far off from punishing , where his justice being satisfied , willeth him to spare , that when he corrects his people , it s called his strange work , isa. . . and he is grieved for it , judg. . . . where there is no sin , there is no place for punishment : but in the faithful there is no sin , because it is not imputed to them : their sins are washed away by the blood of christ , and being justified for his righteousnesse and obedience , they are accepted as righteous in gods sight , col. . . and . . rev. . . john . . john . . jer. . . isa. . . jer. . . mich. . . psal. . , . . afflictions tend to our good , to the mortifying of our sins , and to the multiplying and encreasing gods graces in us , and furthering our everlasting happinesse , rom. . , . cor. . . heb. . , . cor. . . lam. . . therefore they are not punishments for sin , not being inflicted for our hurt , but for our good . . that which is either a cause , or meanes of eternal blessednesse , cannot be a punishment for sin : but so are afflictions to the godly , psal. . , . and . . and . . and . . secondly , that afflictions are to the godly the chastisements of a gracious father , wherewith out of meer love he corrects them as his children , not for any displeasure he hath against their persons , nor for any pleasure he takes in their pain , but only for their profit both here and hereafter . and that , because we have testimonies and examples in scripture to make this out , ier. . . pet. . . amos . . prov. . , . heb. . , . rev. . . cor. . . so we see in the examples of job , david , sam. . . sam. . . of the church , psal. . , , . ps. . . rom. . , . quest. how is this love of god manifested unto them in their afflictions ? answ. first , by the measure of afflictions , and that . in general , in that he corrects us in measure , when our sins have been out of measure , both in their greatnesse and number , as also having been committed against so infinite a majesty , isa. . , . jer. . . and . . mat. . so we see in job . . and . . and israels bondage , exod. . , . jer. . . and . . rev. . . and . . . in that all our afflictions are small and light , far inferiour to the desert of our sins , lam. . . cor. . . cor. . . cor. . . . in that they are momentany , and of short continuance , king. . . sam. . . isa. . . lam. . , . mich. . . psal. . , &c. mal. . . ps. . . hos. . , . isa. . . ps. . . secondly , in that our afflictions exceed not our strength : in anger he remembers mercy , hab. . . he corrects in judgment , jer. . . and . . cor. . . yea , he proportioneth them according to the scantest measure of necessity , laying no more upon us then he is necessarily enforced to do , having therein respect to his own glory , and our benefit . thirdly , in that god the father hath committed the tempering of our cup to christ our saviour , who as he hath manifested his love to us , in giving his life for our redemption ; so hath he no lesse skill in tempering a cup fit for our strength . for he remembreth whereof we are made , &c. psal. . . yea , he himself began to us of this cup , and drank it all off , and hath left us only some few drops . his was given him in anger for the purging away of punishment in respect of sin : but ours in love , either to purge out sin , or to prevent sin , isa. . , . heb. . , . and . , . and . . job . , . mat. . . fourthly , in that the holy ghost is present with us , and powerfully assisteth and comforteth us in all our afflictions , whereby we are enabled both to bear and overcome , mat. . . exod. . . and . . psal. . . cor. . , . rom. . . cor. . , . psal. . . and . . and that he gives strength also , see isa. . , , . psal. . , . thes , . . isa. . , , . psal. . , , . god uses to moderate our grief for worldly crosses , by giving us spiritual comforts , rom. . . act. . . fifthly , god afflicts us no more then is necessary for his own glory and our salvation . for . he takes no delight in our sufferings , but uses all means to prevent our punishment , lam. . . isa. . . mich. . . . the measure of our afflictions exceeds not necessity , and therefore first he corrects us gently , and if that prevail , he proceeds no further . . by gods corrections and medicines we may guesse at the greatnesse of our faults and grievous diseases , . our great afflictions argue that our sins are great , either in their own nature , or as they are aggravated by circumstances . sixthly , gods love appears in the ends of our afflictions , which are his own glo●y , and our good . for the first , . as a souldier , behaving himself valiantly in fight , the honour returnes also to his captain : so when we fight manfully against temptations and afflictions , god our general is glorified thereby : and that in the manifestation of his power and goodnesse , assisting us in our afflictions , cor. . . and . . ps. . , , , , . cor. . . isa. . , . sam. . . psal. . . . god is glorified in our afflictions , as they are trials of our spiritual graces , john . . psal. . . thirdly , that god by our afflictions doth much advance the good of our neighbours , and that . as they learn by them to feare god in his judgments , pet. . . . as they serve to restrain them from committing the like sin , which they see punished in us : thus god severely chastened moses and aaron for their distrust , that others might be aware of the like : so david for his adultery : lots wife for looking back , luke . . so cor. . , . . as they serve to manifest gods graces in us , and so make us examples of piety unto them , and presidents for their imitation . so abrahams trial in offering isaac , gen. . . moses was tried both with prosperity and adversity , heb. . . so jam. . . acts . . jam. . , . mat. . . phil. . , . . as they are partners of humane frailty , whilest in our afflictions we bewray impatience : for this will comfort a man when he beares his crosse with much weaknesse and imperfection , in that he observes that gods dear children , yea , and great worthies have shewed the like frailty , as job . jer. . . . as they are occasioned hereby to acknowledge and magnifie gods power , appearing in our weaknesse , his wisdom in our foolishnesse , and his goodnesse , and the vertue of his graces in our frailty , and natural corruption , cor. . . . as our hearts are made tender by afflictions , so that we are apt to pity others in the like miseries : as also because after we are delivered , we are the better able from our own experience , to comfort others with those consolations , wherewith ourselves have been comforted . so psal. . , . cor. . . so it was in christ , heb. . . quest. how will it appear that afflictions cannot hurt the children of god ? answ. first , because the afflictions of this life do neither deprive us of any of those things which are of chiefest excellency , not bring upon us any of those evils which are principally to be avoided . they cannot separate us from the love of god , rom. . , . heb. . . they do not extinguish no● diminish in us gods sanctifying graces , but rather they are encreased by them ; they do not make us more slack in the service of god , but rather kindle our affections in them . nor do they hinder our heavenly happinesse , but rather further it . again , they bring not upon us the chiefest evils that are to be avoided : for they do not empair our spiritual estate : for though the outward man decay , the inward man is renewed daily : they defile us not with sin , but rather ( like files ) scoure off our rust ; they do not subject us to the curse of the law , or to the wrath of god , or to the torments of hell : but rather by bringing us to a fight of our sin , and sense of our misery , drive us to christ the great physician of our soules , they hurt us not in the day of death , but by our being inured to suffer them , death becomes much more tolerable , &c. psal. . , . and . , . cor. . , . exod. . , , . secondly , because god not only aimes at , but powerfully effects our good by afflictions . he b●ings honey out of this gall : blessings out of these curses , rom. . . deut. . . lam. . . ps. . . so gen. . . quest. how doth god intend , and work our good by afflictions ? answ. first , in this life , whether we consider them as trials , or as fatherly corrections . . as trials , for they are not alwayes chastisements for sin , but somtimes gracious trials , whereby god trieth us for his glory , and our own good . so deut. . . zach. . . pet. . , . job . , , . and . . psal. . , . and this god doth , not to better his own knowledge : for , psal. . , . jer. . . heb. . . but to make us known better , both to our selves and others . again , god tries us by afflictions , whether we are true christians or no , lest we declare ourselves to others as the stony ground did , mat. . , . so mar. . . christ tried the young man. yea , god by afflictions trieth what measure of grace we have attained unto , as what measure of faith and affiance we have in god. so acts . . rom. . , . job . . so also of our love , patience , humility and obedience , acts . . cor. . , . sam. . . mar. . . . he trieth us for the advancing of our credit , and esteem also , through the manifestation of his graces in us , prov. . . ars tua typhe jacet si non sit in aequore fluctus , &c. . he tries us likewise for the discovery of our infirmities , and corruptions for our further humiliation , psal. . . mat. . , . quest. vvhat comfort may the consideration hereof afford us in our afflictions ? answ. first , this consideration may justly move us to bear all our afflictions , not only with patience and humility , but also with thanksgiving , and spiritual rejoycing ; and that . because nothing should seem too difficult to be attempted , nothing too grievous to be borne , if it tend to the advancement of gods glory , which should be the supreme end we should aime at in all we do , and suffer . . because hereby we may get assurance that we are gods children ; for god trieth , and in trying purifieth us , that we may be vessels of glory for his own use , isa. . . psal. . . iam. . , . quest. how may we know that our afflictions are trials , and not punishments for sin ? answ. first , when by them we are purified , and made to shine more gloriously in the eyes of god and men , through the brightnesse of those saving graces which are manifested by them . secondly , when we a●e not overcome in the conflict , so as to murmure against the dispensations of god , but shew christian fortitude notwithstanding , and overcoming all these assaults . thirdly , when they prove profitable to us in humbling us for sinne , and quickening us in prayer for pardon and reconciliation through the blood of christ. secondly , we may be comforted in our afflictions , because they have always a good issue , and tend to our great profit both in this life , and in the life to come . for what end soever the devil and his instruments have in afflicting us , yet god tempts no man to evil , jam. . . but he tries us to do us good , deut. . . pet. . , . and that after victory we may receive the crown of eternal life , rev. . . job . . obj. but my afflictions are great , and my strength small , so that i feare i shall be overcome ? answ. god knows how to fit his trials to thy strength , and he hath bound himself by promise to do it , cor. . . obj. yea , but in the mean time i am so pressed , that i discover many corruptions ? answ. happily this is necessary and profitable for thee , that thou mayst be humbled by the sight and sense of thy corruptions , brought to unfeigned repentance for them , and an hearty endeavour in the use of all good meanes , to be freed from them . thirdly , we may be comforted , as our greatest trials bring greatest comfort , because they are signes of greatest grace bestowed upon us : for where there are abundance of afflictions , there god bestows abundance of patience , faith , and other graces , whereby we are enabled to bear and overcome them , as we see in abraham , iob , david , paul , &c. fourthly , we may be comforted because god much honoureth us by these trials ; and that . by enriching us first with his graces , and then trying them , whereby their excellency is manifested to all that behold them . . by crowning his graces in us , when as by trial they are approved : as the armorer first graces his armour by good workmanship , and then brings it to the proof , and lastly employes it in his princes service . fifthly , we may be comforted , because god uses afflictions as an effectual meanes to further our conversion , hosea . . and . , . isa. . . ps. . . and . , . isa. . . chron. . . act. . . . for by afflictions he fits , and prepares us to hear the word , hos. , . job . , . and . . . by afflictions he works in us contrition and humiliation , sam. . . chron. . . lam. . . . afflictions are usually the last meanes that god useth to convert obstinate sinners , jer. . , . amos . , . if they profit not by these , their case is desperate as in those foregoing texts . so isa. . . and . . sixthly , we may be comforted , as god useth our afflictions as an effectual meanes to prevent our falling into sin , as also to mortifie and subdue our corruptions , heb. . . job . , . isa. . . ezek . . seventhly , we may be comforted as god useth afflictions to encrease all his spiritual graces in us . . first , those which are seated in the understanding ; as saving knowledge , and spiritual wisdom , prov. . . isa. . . hos. . , . job . , . and . . psal. . . and the benefit of this spiritual wisdome , doth much exceed our hurt by afflictions , prov. . , . and . . john . . psal. . . . they much confirm , strengthen and encrease our faith . so in abraham , heb. . . and this they do through the experience which we then have of the truth both of gods threatenings and gracious promises . so sam. . , . cor. . , . as also by causing us to renew our repentance , and assuring us that our sins , for which we are thus corrected , shall not rise up to our condemnation , cor. . . they also strengthen our faith as they are signes of our election , rom. . . luke . . tim. . . acts . , . amos . . and as they are signes of our effectual calling , tim. . . luke . . pet. . . ●er . . . john . . and as they are signes of our adoption , gal. . . heb. . , . sam. . , . gal. . . . they confirm and encrease in us affiance , love , hope , feare , and humility . our affiance , jer. . . psal. . . and . , . cor. . , . job . . so for our hope , rom. . . and . , . and our love , cant. . , . and our feare , psal. . . heb. . . isa. . . psal. . . and our humility , psal. . . dan. . . deut. . . cor. . . sam. . . chron. . . and . . lam. . , , . . they encrease in us repentance and new obedience , as they put us upon self-examination to see our sins , and to bewail them with greater grief , gen. . . psal. . , . kings . , . god by them encreases in us obedience to his will , heb. . . pet. . , . john . , . chron. . . . they make us more devout and zealous in his service : as in prayer , isa. . , , . psal. . , . chron. . . isa. . . psal. . . and . . and . , &c. and . . in thanksgiving , psal. . . lam. . . exod. . . jude . . psal. . , . and . , . and . , . they encrease our patience , rom. . . jam. . . sam. . . heb. . . . secondly , god by afflictions worketh and encreaseth in us all those vertues , which concern either our neighbours , or our selves . for , . hereby we are moved to do justice unto all men . . we are made more merciful , and compassionate towards others in misery , heb. . . and . . and . , . . we are by them made more humble and courteous towards our neighbours , prov. . . kings . , , , . . afflictions bring us to a knowledge of our selves , psa. . . and . . hag. . . . by the exercise of afflictions our strength is encreased to bear them , prov. . . . by afflictions god works and encreaseth in us temperance , sobriety , modesty , and chastity . thirdly , god useth afflictions as meanes to convey to us divers worldly benefits and advantages . as . by afflictions we profit much in civil wisdom and policy . . by them we are enabled to discerne our friends from our foes ; he who is a friend in need , is a friend indeed . . by them we come the better to relish gods blessings and benefits , prov. . . quest. what further helps are there to comfort us in , and under afflictions ? answ. first , if we compare our lesser and lighter afflictions with those greater and heavier , that many of gods saints that were dearest to him , have suffered . as abraham , gen. . , , . and . , . and . , . and . . and . . and . of isaac , gal. . . gen. . . of jacob , gen. . and . and . . and . . of moses , heb. . . of job , david , jam. . . sam. ▪ sam. . . of paul , act. . , . cor. . . &c. and cor. . , . and . , , . and . , &c. and it s the lot of the whole church militant to suffer afflictions , isa. . . and . . thes. . . the scripture often foretels the manifold afflictions of the faithful , luke . . john . . revel . . . tim. . . heb. . , . acts . . pet. . . heb. . , . secondly , if we compare our light and small afflictions with those grievous and intole●able punishments which christ suffered for us , isa. . , . heb. . . and . . luke . . and . . and . . mat. . , &c. . and consider further . . that christ suffered all those miseries being innocent , isa. . . pet. . . iohn . . . yea , he suffered them for us who are sinners , dead in our sins , children of wrath , and enemies to god , isa. . ▪ . pet. . . . that we shall be adjudged unworthy to reigne with christ , if we be not content to suffer with him , matth. . , . and . , . luke . . . that god hath pre-ordained those to be like christ in sufferings , who shall reign with him in glory , rom. . . pet. . . cor. . . mat. . , . eighthly , we may be comforted ▪ by comparing our afflictions with the punishments of the wicked , which christ hath freed us from . for , . the wicked endure many and great miseries in this life , for the attaining of earthly vanities , j●r . . . hab. . . . but especially their intolerable torments in hell , do infinitely exceed all the miseries of gods people in this world . ninthly , we may be comforted if we compare our earthly afflictions with our heavenly joyes , luke . . john . . rom. . . cor. . . pet. . , , . cor. . . tenthly , we may comfort our selves from the assurance we have of deliverance out of all our afflictions , psal. . . psal. . , . and . . heb. . . psal. . . isa. . . for , . god takes notice of all our afflictions to deliver us out of them , psal. . . and . , . and . , . p●t . . . psal. . . . god is present with us in all our afflictions to help and relieve us , job . , . and . . psal. . . and . . and . , . and . , . john . . isa. . , . and . , , . and . , , . chron. . , . and our god is omnipotent , and therefore able to help us , psal. . . isa. . . nahum . , . isa. . . yea , he loves us , and therefore will deliver us , deut. . . and . . tit. . . pet. . . jer. . . psal. . . isa. . . and he never shewes his love more then in the time of affliction , isa. . . judg. . . jer. . . lam. . , , . mr. downhams christian warfare . chap. viii . questions , and cases of conscience about the angels . quest. what are angels ? answ. created good spirits sent forth by god to minister for the good of the elect , and for the punishment of the wicked , heb. . , . kings . . quest. what titles doth the scripture give to them ? answ. first , they are called spirits , to shew their nature , which is spiritual . secondly , ministers , to shew their office , which is to minister to god , to christ , and to the sons of men . thirdly , men of god : so judg. . , . the angel is called a man , because he appeared in the shape of a man : and a man of god , because he came from , and was sent by god. fourthly , sons of god : so job . . because they received their being , and are sustained by god , as also for that being made after his image , they still retain the same . fifthly , gods. so psal. . . to set out their excellency , psal. . , . for so in scripture●language excellent things are stiled gods , psal. . . sixthly , cherubims , gen. . . ezek. . . which signifies a figure or image : most usually a resemblance of a young man : for so they appeared as a man , to shew that they had knowledge and understanding , ( as men have reasonable soules ) and as a young man , to set out their beauty , vigour , strength , &c. seventhly , seraphims , isa. . , . which comes from an heb. word that signifies to burn : and they were so called , either from this particular act in touching the prophets lips with a burning cole : or from their fervent zeale in executing the will of god. eighthly , watchers : so dan. . , . and it s attributed to angels . . because of their nature , being spirits they are not subject to drowsinesse and sleepinesse : but wake and watch day and night . . because of their office , which is alwayes to behold the face of god , mat. . . and to be ever ready to do his will , psal. . . which requires watching . . because of the constant and continual care that they have over the saints to keep them from the manifold dangers , whereunto they are subject . hence they are said to be full of eyes round about , ezek. . . ninthly , holy ones ; so dan. . , . because of that holinesse wherein they were at first created , and in which they still abide : hence called holy angels , mar. . . mat. . . tenthly , gods host. so gen. . . psal. . . luke . . because god useth them as an host to protect his saints , kings . . and to destroy his enemies , chron. . . rev. . . eleventhly , thrones . so col. . . because of their dignity and excellency , being fit to sit on thrones , at least in comparison of other creatures . twelfthly , dominions : so col. . . because god hath given them dominion and rule , whereby as lords under god they order and govern matters and persons in the world . thirteenthly ; principalities ; as dominions note indefinitely and generally , such as have authority without respect to any peculiar jurisdiction ; so principalities are such as have a special and peculiar jurisdiction : so tit. . . it s attributed to angels , eph. . . col . . because god sets them over particular policies , kingdomes and persons . fourteenthly , powers : the word properly signifies that right which governours have to exercise their authority . so john . . acts . . it shewes therefore that angels have a good right to that government which they take upon them . fifteenthly , mights : this title imports strength and abilitie to accomplish what they undertake . hence they are said to be mighty in strength , psal. . . so they are called , rom. . . quest. what are the principal properties of the angels ? answ. first , they have great knowledge : for they are understanding creatures able to understand any mysteries that are revealed ; they understand according to the spiritual power of an angelical minde , comprehending all things that they will together most easily , mat. . . in heaven they alwayes behold the face of god , implying , that they are privy to the whole counsel of god revealed in heaven . on earth also they frequent the assemblies of saints , whereby they know the whole counsel of god made known to the church , eph. . . pet. . . and this gift is necessary , because their maine function , is to be gods messengers to declare and execute his will , which they could not do without knowledge thereof . secondly , prudence : for knowledge works prudence , and prudence directs knowledge . hence jam. . . they are coupled together . and this is necessary , because the evil angels , against whom the good angels defend the saints , are exceeding crafty and subtile . thirdly , purity : which is perfect without the mixture of any impurity and sin . signified by the pure white linnen wherewith they are said to be cloathed , rev. . . hence they are stiled holy angels , mar. . . under which is comprised their sincerity , rev. . . and their integrity in execuring gods will , psal. . . and these are necessary to make them fit to appear in the presence of the pure and holy god ; for rev. . . hab. . . psal. . . fourthly , glory : such is the brightnesse of their glory , that it s resembled to lightening , mat. . . so that men on earth cannot endure the brightnesse of angels , numb . . , . mat. . . yea , good men cannot endure it , luke . . and . . rev. . . and . . dan. . . and this is necessary for the glory of the lord whom they serve , as courtiers attending upon kings are gorgeously attired , mat. . . fifthly , power : hence they are called mighty , thes. . . strong , rev. . . to excel in strength , psal. . . resembled to horses and charets of fire , kings . . see what one angel did , kings . . and this is necessary , because the church and children of god whom they defend , have here against them , not only many , mighty , cruel , malicious men , but principalities , powers , &c. eph. . . sixthly , speed : hence they are said to have wings , isa. . . dan. . , . they are swifter then any corporeal substances in these respects . . they cannot be hindered by any bodily impediments , no corporal substance can stay thei● course ; they can passe through , and passe over castles , cities , stone-walls , iron-gates , woods , rivers , seas , &c. . they have no corporal gravity to slaken their motion . . they need not such space of time to passe from place to place , as bodies need . they can suddenly move from heaven to earth , or into any place of the world . . they have great forwardnesse to do any task enjoyned by their lord , more then any other creatures . it s necessary for them . . because heaven and earth are so far asunder , and they have oft occasions to passe from one to the other . . many saints in the world , ( whose distresse requires present succours ) are far distant one from another . . devils are very swift to mischief : and its meet that good angels be as swift to protect , as evil ones to annoy . seventhly , zeal , which is most fervent ; hence seraphim ; such as burne with zeal , and a flame of fire , heb. . . it s necessary because of the fiery fury of the devil and his instruments in plotting against gods glory , and his saints good , therefore the good angels must be as zealous in maintaining the cause of god and his saints , as the other are furious against them . eighthly , constancy in good : and this with respect both to their condition and disposition . in respect of their condition they are immortal , and without decay ; hence after the resurrection we are said to be equal to the angels , luke . . in respect of their disposition : it alwayes temains good , and ever will do : they never yielded to any evil , nor were weary of good , nor never repented of doing good . hence rev. . . they serve god day and night : and mat. . . it s necessary , because the lord whom they serve is jehovah that changes not , mal. . . jam. . . god established the good angels that stand , and this is the true cause of their unalterable constancy . quest. what are the offices of the angels ? answ. they may be ranked under three heads . first , such as they perform to god , which are these . . they attend in his presence for the honour of his majesty , and to set out his magnificence . so kings . . . they follow the lord whithersoever he goes . hence stiled charets of god , psal. . . . they are his messengers to be sent on his errands , psal. . . dan. . . . they are oft employed in declaring his will , as in delivering the law , acts . . gal. . . heb. . . so in divers other particulars : as gen. . , . and . . kings . . dan. . . luke . , ▪ and . . acts . . and . , . and . . and . . revelat. . . . they are his ministers , to do what god appoints them , psal. . . gen. . . numb . . . numb . . . dan. . . . they are executioners of gods judgements , as sam. . , . king. . . rev. . . . they are special instruments of praising god , rev. . , . and . . hence they are called on to do it , psal. . . and . . secondly , such as they perform in relation to christ , and that especially as son of man : as , in general , they ascended and descended on him , john . . g●n . . . heb. . . psal. . . more particularly , . they foretold his conception , luke . , . . declared his birth , luke . . &c. . prevented his danger , mat. . , . . ministred to him in his need , mar. . . . protected him from enemies , mat. . . . comforted him in his agony , luke . . . opened his grave at his resurrection , mat. . . . witnessed his resurrection , luke . , , . . confirmed his ascension , acts . , . . accompanied him to heaven , ps. . , . eph. . . . reveal what he will have done , rev. . . and . . . fight with him against his enemies , rev. ▪ . . gather out of his kingdome all things that offend , matth. . , . . accompany him at his last coming , mar. . . mat. . . . execute his last judgement , mat. . , . thirdly , such as they perform in relation to mens bodies and soules , in this life , and hereafter . in general , they are said to attend on the saints , and to minister to them , heb. . . hence , mat. . . in particular , . they are stewards to provide for them in their need , kings . , &c. . as physicians to cure their maladies , john . . . as nurses to bear up and keep them from hurt , ps. . , . . as guides to direct and keep them from wandrings , gen. . . and . . . as souldiers to guard them , psal. . . kings . . and to destroy their enemies , kings . . . rescuers and deliverers to pull them out of dangers , acts . . and . , &c. dan. , . in reference to our soules in this life : . they are as prophets or teachets to instruct them , dan. . , . and . . luke . , , . act. . . . they are comforters to them in their feares and perplexities , gen. . . isa. . , . . coadjutors to stand with them against satan , zach. . , . judg. . . fellow-members to rejoyce with them at the conversion of sinners , luke . . tutors to punish them for their offences , that they may be brought to repentance , sam. . . in the life to come they are , . watchers , to carry their soules at the separation of them from their bodies into heaven , luke . . . as keepers at the last day to gather all the elect together , matth. . . . fanners or fishers to separate the evil from the good , matth. . . . companions in heaven to joyne with them in praising god , rev. . , , . dr. gouge on heb. quest. why doth god use the ministery of the angels about us ? answ. not for any necessity , for he can do it of himself without them ; but to declare his abundant love to , and care of us in providing for our comfort , and making farre more excellent creatures then our selves our keepers . quest. why are the angels such tender keepers of gods children ? answ. first , because christ our head ( who is their lord and head also ) hath reconciled things in heaven and earth , col. . . viz. angels and men ▪ so that whereas they hate us for our sinnes , now they tender us as hi● members . . they love us as nurses their children , now that they see that god loves us so dearly , as to give his own and only son to death for us . thirdly , because he hath given them charge and commandment so to do , ps. . . quest. what comfort doth the consideration hereof bring to gods children ? answ. first , when we see our own weaknesse and impotency on the one hand , and the multitude , power and policy of the enemies on the other . when we see a whole army of sins besieging us , and a whole legion of dangers ready to oppresse us , we may be comforted when we consider , that not only gods protection , like a wall of fire is round about us , but that he hath also set his angels to pitch their tents about us , so that there are more with us then against us , and the blessed angels are stronger then the powers that are against us : and when we consider that god hath not only charged one or two angels with us , but the whole blessed company of them , to defend and protect us . secondly , when we neglect the watch over our selves , through sleep of soul or body , what a comfort is it that the angels watch over our safety ? as mat. . . when joseph slept , dreaming of no danger from herod , the angel admonisheth him in a dream , and tells him how to escape . thirdly , when we see great difficulties between us and our desires , what comfort is it that we have gods angels ready to do it to our hands ? as mar . . they can rowle away all stones , and make our way smooth for us to all good duties . fourthly , when satan begins to insult , and makes as if he would t●ample upon us , what comfort is it that we have so strong a guard about us , one angel being able to shut the mouth of this toaring lion , as he did those in daniel . dr. ●ailor . fifthly , that their care and attendance on us will be perpetual , because their love to us is founded on their love to christ our head , whose members and spouse we are . ob. but gods children oft fall into inconveniencies , how then are they attended by the angels ? answ. first , they are preserved by the angels from many inconveniences that they know not of : as we have devils about us continually , so certainly there is a conflict between the good angels , and them about us continually . secondly , if at any time we fall into inconveniences , it s because we are out of our way , and then they have no charge over us . for ps. . . thirdly , if we suffer in the custody of angels any inconvenience , it is that we may be tried by it , exercised and made better by it : for if they keep us not from ill ▪ they keep us in ill , and deliver us out of it at length : so that there is nothing in the world that befalls gods children , but they are gainers by it at last , whatsoever it is , rom. . . quest. what may this guardianship of the angels teach us ? answ. first , not to grieve these good spirits : it s wondrous humility in them that they will stoop to be our servants that are weaker , and baser then they : and its wonderful patience that they will continue to guard us , though we grieve them by our sinnes : this consideration would keep us from secret sinnes where no eye of man sees us , but god and our consciences , and the blessed angels see us , and grieve when we fall into sinne . secondly , to blesse god that hath thus honoured us , not only by taking our nature on him , but giving us his own guard of angels to attend us : which shews that in christ we are advanced above the angels : indeed they stand , and are confirmed by christ , hence called the elect angels , tim. . . but they are not the spouse of christ as we are ; he hath honoured our nature more then the angelical . quest. but what need we the guard of angels , since god can guard us without them ? answ. it is not by reason of any defect in god to supply his want of power , but further to enlarge and demonstrate his goodnesse : god could do it of himself , but having ordained such ranks of creatures , he makes all to serve for his own ends . quest. what may we learn further from hence ? answ. first , to take an holy state upon us , and to think our selves too good to abase our selves to sin , to be slaves to men , seeing we have angels to attend upon us ; we are kings , and have a mighty guard , therefore we should carry our selves answerable . secondly , despise not the meanest christian , seeing angels despise not to attend upon them . quest , what excellencies are attributed to the angels in scripture ? answ. they are said to be excellent for holinesse , mar. . . excellent for beauty , acts . . excellent for strength , psal. . . excellent for wisdom , sam. . . excellent for swiftnesse . hence isaiah . . quest. wherein should we imitate the angels ? answ. first , rejoyce at the conversion of sinners as they do , luke . secondly , reverence the majesty of god as they do , by covering their faces , isa. . , . thirdly , stand ready prest to execute the will of the lord as they do , psal. . , . fourthly , execute it for manner as they do , viz. with chearfulnesse , sincerity , and without wearisomness . quest. what further comfort may the nature and offices of the angels afford us ? ans. first , in regard of their readinesse they stand before the face of god , ready to take a commission from him to execute vengeance on the enemies of the church , or to do service for the heires of grace . secondly , here is comfort when we are solitary : when jacob was alone , the blessed angels were with him . thirdly , in respect of our weaknesse : the angels are nurses to uphold and keep us from dangers . fourthly , in respect of contempt : if the world contemn us , yet god honours us in giving us such servants . fifthly , in respect of evil spirits , though they maligne us , yet the good angels love us , and are for us . quest. how are the angels imployed ? answ. first , in respect of god they stand before him to execute his will , psal. . , : and to praise him , isa. . . secondly , in respect of man they are employed . . by way of punishment , and that . to blinde them that they cannot see , gen. . . . to stop them that they cannot go , num. . . . to slay them that they cannot live , king. . . acts . . . in mercy to the godlie , and that . to defend them from dangers , ps. . . . to comfort them in troubles , luke . . . to encourage them in duties , king. . . . to reveal to them hidden mysteries , dan. . , , . . to carry their soules to heaven , luke . . quest. how else doth god use the ministery of angels ? answ. first , in the swaying of the kingdomes of the world , and wherein we live : for eph. . . they are called principalities and powers , because god gives them a preheminence under him , and a power of ordering th●se inferiour things ; as the devils are called , powers of darknesse , eph. . . because the wickednesse of the world doth set them up as kings and princes : so dan. . . the angels are called great princes . they are made to he above kings and earthly powers , as god is above them , eccl. . . marvel not at the oppression in a province ; for there is an high one above the high on earth : and there is the father , son , and spirit , higher then both . a created angel led the israelites into canaan , as may be gathered by comparing the . and . chapters of exodus together . secondly , they are gods warriours and ministers of his manifold decrees . hence they are often called chariots , kings . . and . . hab. . . ps. . . thirdly , they are spirits of heaven , mat. . . gal. . . resembling their creator as children do their father : hence they are called , sons of god , job . . and . . both in regard of their substance , which is incorporeal : and in regard of their excellent properties , life , and immottality , blessednesse and glory , a part whereof is their just lordship , and command over the inferiour creatures . for as they stand before the lord , who sends them out at his pleasure to serve his providence , so they have no small stroak in ordering and managing natural and civil affaires . hence ezek. . , . they have faces to look every way , when as gods watchmen , they stand sentinel in heavens turret : their feet are like calves feet , round , and ready to go either forward or backward with greatest facility . for as they see every way , so they are ready to go every way , for dispensing gods benefits , or executing his chastisements on the elect , and his vengeance on reprobates . let us labour to obey god as the angels do ; else we may be angels for gifts , and yet go to hell. angels wait for gods commands , and are ready to run on his errand , mat. . . dan. . . jacob saw them at bethel , ascending to contemplate and praise god , and to minister to him ; and descending to execute gods will upon men for mercy or judgement ? quest. what other employment have they ? answ. they are eye-witnesses of what is done in the church of god , cor. . . the woman ought to have power on her head , because of the angels . this was shadowed out in the old church ? exod. . . the curtaines were wrought with cherubims , to signifie that about us , who are the true tabernacle , and church of god , there are troops of angels . hence timothy . . quest. how manifold is the knowledge of the angels ? answ. it s fourfold . . natural , whereby they know the works of creation , and the invisible things of god in it , all the truth in which they were created . . supernatural , which is such a sight of god , whereby they are confirmed in their estate , for there was in them some further apprehension of god , than in them that fell . now they could not have it , unlesse they had received it . thirdly , a knowledge of revelation , dan. . , &c. fourthly , a knowledge that they get by observing things that come to passe , both spiritual and natural ; for beholding the graces of the spirit , and working of them , they gather an habitual knowledge , whereby they can discern , both the worker of them , and persons in whom they are wrought effectually : so , observing the course of things casual , they can probably foretel things which in part are casual . now the knowledge which the apostle speaks of , that they have acquired , eph. . . is this knowledge of experience , beholding that which the gospel wrought in the church , they did more fully see the work of redemption . for , . they did see accomplished before their eyes things which they had known in some sort ; as we know things absent unaccomplished . . they did thus grow to a more full and confirmed enlightening , in the wise work of our redemption . . and , which is the principal , they did thus come to a more full knowledge , and acknowledgment of the deep riches of the wisdome of god , the fountain of the former . for though the angels had alwayes a blessed knowledge of god ; yet not a perfect , either in regard of themselves seeing , or of god seen : they did not see him totaliter , so as there was no further thing in him to be seen ; nor yet with such a sight in regard of themselves ; so perfect , that no further light could be lent to it then it had . baines on the eph. chap. ix . questions , and cases of conscience about anger , wrath , passion , malice , hatred , and revenge . quest. how many sorts of anger be there ? answ. two. . good. . bad. quest. what is good anger ? answ. it s a displeasure not against the person , but against the sin of our neighbour , or of our selves : this anger being moderate , and joyned with compassion is an holy anger : commanded , eph. . . commended , cor. . . or , it s a displeasure at that which stands in our way , and hinders good . thus moses was angry , exod. . . lev. . . &c. quest. what is bad anger ? answ. it s a desire to be revenged upon the person of our neighbour , either by words or deeds , threatned , mat. . . quest. why is anger placed in the heart ? answ. first , to be an harbinger , or usher to prepare the way , for obtaining some good desired , and to remove the obstacles that lie in the way . secondly , to be as it were the hearts dagger for the defence of love , desire , delight , and hope . quest. how must we act anger ? answ. first , against sin as the open enemy , and grand obstructer of gods glory , and good to our selves , isa. . . especially against sin in our selves : and in those that are near and dear to us . so moses , exod. . . nehemiah , ch . . , . secondly , for the removal of the impediments of gods glory , and our good . thirdly , for the reformation of the person , and the abuse . quest. how may it be proved that there is a good and lawful anger ? answ. first , because it s attributed to god himself , rom. . . john . . secondly , it was made by god , and was in man before the fall . thirdly , yea , it was in christ himself as man , mar. . . mat. . . joh. . . fourthly , many holy men in scripture are commended for it , exod. . . act. . . act. . . and . , . neh. . . fifthly , in true repentance there must be anger and revenge , cor. . . sixthly , the scripture commends it , eccles. . . and commands it , ephes. . . mat. . . seventhly , there be just occasions for anger , and if we be not angry at them , we fail in our duty to god and man. quest. when is anger rightly ordered ? answ. when it 's moved , quickned and guided by faith , stirring up godly sorrow for sin in our selves or others , joyned with an holy and just desire of revenge , to the saving of the person , appeasing of gods anger , and promoting the kingdome of christ. holy anger must have a just and weighty occasion : so we read of moses , he was angry , when contrary to the command of god mann●h was reserved till the next morning , exod. . . when they tempted god in worshipping the golden calf , exod. . . when corah &c. rebelled , numb . . . the causes of just anger are , first , when we see god dishonoured , and his glory defaced . so in phineas , numb . . , . and elias , king. . . secondly , when injury is unjustly offered to our selves : for by gods law we are bound to seek the preservation of our own good name , and estate . so in paul , acts . . and in christ , john . . but this gives no place to private revenge , when out of bitternesse of spirit we seek the hurt of them that wrong us . forbidden , matth. . . rom. . . yet when wronged we may implore the aid of the magistrate , yet without a desire to hurt him that wrongs us , as luke . . thirdly , when injury is offered to our brethren ; for by the law of charity we are bound to love them as our selves : so in moses , acts . . in david , sam. . . in nehemiah , ch . . . hence , james . . we are commanded to be slow to anger : for the object of holy anger is sin , not the person : so in david , ps. . . in jeremy , ch . . , . quest. what are the properties of holy anger ? answ. first , it must begin at home : we must be most angry with our own sinnes . secondly , it must be mixed with love : god himself in wrath remembers mercy , hab. . , . so in moses , he prays for those with whom he was angry , exod. . , &c. thirdly , anger for an offence must be mixed with sorrow for the offence . so in christ , mark . . hence gal. . fourthly , we must shew christian modesty in our anger , by abstaining from malicious speeches , and unjust actions : so in michael , jude . fifthly , we must observe a due decorum , and fit respect in it , and that , . in regard of our selves , we must have respect to our place and calling : a magistrate must shew his anger , not onely in countenance and words , but in his actions also : and so must a father , the contrary was eli's sin ; but a private person must onely shew it in countenance and words . . the offenders are not to be used all alike : a mean man must not shew his anger to a noble man , or magistrate as he may to his equal ; the sonne must not shew his anger to his father as the father may to the son . moses , a magistrate useth the sword , exod. . . john baptist , a minister , useth onely the sword of the spirit , matth. . . jacob a private man towards laban , useth only mild and gentle admonitions , gen. . . jonathan by rising from the table , and going out , sam. . . the three children in humble and respective words to the king , dan. . . paul the like to festus , and agrippa , acts . , . and . , . sixthly , it must be contained within the bounds of our particular callings , so as that it make us not to neglect our duty either to god or man. seventhly it must be moderate , rising and falling according to the nature of the offence : it will not favour sin in one , and detest it in another : slie out against one offence , and connive at another . eighthly , it must be seasonable for time and continuance : it must not continue longet then the cause continues , our safest course is quickly to be appeased if the party offending repent of his sin against god , and his wrong against us , or our brethren . for reformation is the aim of holy anger . ninthly , the ends of holy anger must be just and holy : which are , . the glory of god which is set forth by our anger , when being private persons we manifest our detestation of sin in word and countenance : being magistrates we punish sin , and execute justice . . the good of church and common-wealth , which most properly belongs to magistrates who are to punish sin , not onely that civil justice may be maintained , but that gods anger which hangs over whole countreys where sin is countenanced , or not justly punished , may be averted . . the good of the party : for hereby the offender is restrained from the like future miscarriages . quest. how are we to stir up just and holy anger in our selves ? answ. we are to stir it up by the exaggeration of the injury done , or received , and that by the consideration of these foure circumstances . first , from the person that doth the wrong : his basenesse , wisdome , gravity , and office : if he hath pretended former friendship , received from us many kindnesses , which he repays with injury and ingratitude : if he hath often done us wrong , which we never revenged , or greatly endamaged himself to endamage us : in all which respects we have much more cause to be angry with our selves for sinning against god : think with thy self that if a base peasant should buffet a prince , what an injury it would be ? how much more abominable is it for me so vile a wretch to rebel against god ? that i should sin against him who hath enriched me with such wisdome and understanding ; that hath adorned me with so many gifts , afforded me such means to keep me from sin : that i should abuse my talents , and his mercies , so as to fight against him with his own weapons . as he hath laden me with his mercies , i have pressed him with my sinnes , &c. secondly , the second circumstance is the injury it self , as if we be injured in our soul , body , name , goods , &c. and as the thing wherein we are wronged is the greater ▪ so is our anger which we conceive against it : this we should consider in the wrong we do against god : we injure him in his glory which is most deare to him : impeach his sovereignty , deny him homage , and all this to satisfie our fleshly lusts , and to enlarge the kingdome of satan . thirdly , the person injured ; as if he be a person of great authority , esteem , and vertue : if one that was then endeavouring the offenders good , &c. in these particulars we have great reason to be angry with our selves for sinning against god : for hereby we have done intollerable injury to the lord of glory : to whom we are indebted for inestimable favours , who hath been always ready to do us good , &c. fourthly , the mannner of injuring : as if we be esteemed as friends , and yet secretly injured as enemies : if the injurie was premeditated long aforehand : if in place where we ought to be loved , and honoured , we be wronged , and disgraced : if the injury be publick before many : if often reiterated , &c. in which respects we have the more cause to be angry with our selves for sinne : for in words we professe our selves christs servants , but in deeds we deny him : we lightly regard his presence : sin against knowledge , and conscience , &c. if ever we had just cause of indignation , it 's against our selves for sinning against god. quest. why is anger rightly to be ordered ? answ. first , because of all passion : it 's deepliest rooted , and extends its branches farthest ; for no age , condition , or nation are free from it : other passions onely trouble some particular persons . lust enflames one , ambition another , covetousnesse another , &c. but whole states are enflamed by anger , and fury . secondly , inordinate anger is most infamous : an argument of shameful levity , infirmity , madnesse . an angry person hates truth , embraceth errour , opposeth them that admonish him ; entertains perverse counsel : forgets his own credit : is an enemy to his own safety : against himself is untameable : against his neighbours is intollerable : under a weak pretence of revenge anger makes men violate all bonds of friendship ; tread under feet all laws both divine , and humane : other passions will hearken to reason , but this to none . thirdly : as of all infirmities there are none worse , or more dangerous then those which disfigure the face of a man : so of all passions none are more pernicious then anger : for the eyes of such a man sparkle : his face is enflamed with blood which flows from the heart : his hair stares with horrour : his mouth foames : his tongue falters ; his feet and hands are in perpetual motion : he vomiteth out nothing but threats ; speaks of nothing but blood and revenge , &c. fourthly , it 's a deceitful passion : an angry man sees not the thing as it is , and yet swells and boils inwardly . fifthly , it 's the character of a fool , prov. . . and . , . eccles. . . sixthly , it makes a man unmindful of his own condition : if poor , yet hee 'l waste his goods : being a private man , he would rule : being weak , he becomes a lion : where delay is requisite , he makes haste : where haste is necessary , he doubts . seventhly , an angry person can neither please god nor man : he regards no commandments ; doth nothing in order , but all rashly and without discretion . quest. what are the several kindes of disordered anger that must be shunned ? answ. it 's disordered when it 's not moved by faith , ariseth not from love , keeps not within its bounds , and is not directed to a right end . the kinds of it are many . first , devilish , which rageth against vertue and godlinesse ; is incensed by innocent and vertuous actions ; as in caine , genes . . . in saul , sam. . . in asa , chron. . . in the jews , luke . . in nebuchadnezzar , dan. . . secondly , rash , and unadvised : the branches whereof are , . unjust anger that proceeds from our own suspicion and imagination only , as in eliab , sam. . . . when we are provoked without cause , or upon every smal occasion contrary to the law of love , corinth . . . prov. . . and it 's a mans glory to passe by a transgression , proverbs . . and so sudden anger which is admitted without deliberation ; condemned , eccles. . . it s a foolish thing , prov. . . . such abound with transgressions , proverbs . . thirdly , immoderate , and immodest anger : which may be discerned by these signes . . when men utter words dishonourable to god by blaspheming , swearing , cursing , &c. or opprobrious to their neighbours , as when their anger breaketh out into bitter and reviling speeches , as shemei did against david , sam. . . the jewes against steven , acts . . forbidden , ephes. . . . when we have no regard of order , and comelinesse , either in respect of our selves , or those with whom we are angry : in respect of our selves , when ( though private men ) we take revenge , which belongs to god , rom. . . in respect of the party with whom we are angry ; as when a sonne being angry with his father ( though upon just cause ) useth him unreverently : and so of servants towards their masters , &c. and all inferiours towards their superiours . . when it makes us forget any duty of love which we owe to them , as to pray for them , and endeavour their reformation : so in the disciples , luke . . . when it stirs us up to violent and unseasonable reproofs , psalme . , . . when it s not mixed with sorrow proportionable to the displeasure that we conceived : he that is rightly angry , though he be displeased with the offence , yet he pities the offender . fourthly , when anger is partial its disordered : and that is , . when its hot against some sins ▪ and can brook others as bad , either because they suite with our disposition , or that we have little wrong by them . . when we are zealous against sin in our enemies , but ●avourable to it in our selves or friends . . when we are as angry for small as for great offences : whereas our anger should be proportioned to the offence . fifthly , when it 's directed against the person of the offendor , not against his offence , and aimes at his hurt , and destruction , but seeks not the glory of god , the good of the church , or common-wealth ; the private benefit of our selves , or neighbours , or the reformation of the offendor . such was cains towards abel : sauls towards david , nebuchadnezzars towards the three children , but christs rule is otherwise , mat. . . sixthly , when being long retained it turns to hatred . quest. what motives may disswade us from sinful anger ? answ. first , consider the sinful causes of it , which are . unbelief in gods word ; david tells us that he was so patient towards his adversaries because he waited upon god , psal. . , &c. . folly , for eccles. . . it resteth in the bosome of fools . . self-love which makes us so to prize our selves as never to think on the injuries and indignities we do to others ; and hainously to aggravate every small wrong done to our selves . . pride , which makes us more sharp-●ighted in apprehending a wrong , and more furiously insolent in taking revenge , prov. . . so in the ephramites , judg. . . and . , &c. so psal. . . this set haman against mordecai , and the jews , esth. . , . . covetousnesse : for if the hope of a covetous man fail his expectation , their unquiet thoughts prepare a lodging in their hearts for anger ; they trouble their own house , prov. . . . impotency , and effeminatenesse of mind which makes men unable to bear injuries : hence women , children , sick , and aged persons are so waiward . . luxurious nicenesse ; if the houses of such are not kept neat ; their diet cooked to their mindes : if a spot be on their cloaths , they are so enraged that the house will not hold them . . curiosity : for when men have an itching desire to see and heare all things : how friends , and foes speak of them : what servants do , and say , &c. they come to hear , and know many things which provoke them to anger . hence prov. . . eccles. . , . . lightnesse in believing reports , and listening to tale-bearers : hence , prov. . . and . . so in saul , sam. . . yea , in david , in hearkening to ziba , sam. . . hence jam. . . . inordinate love , or excessive sorrow : for the powers of the soul , being weakened by these passions , are made unable to beare any burden . . want of meditating on the common imperfections whereunto we are all by nature subject : for if we consider that our selves have as great , or greater faults as those we are angry for in others , we would not be so easily provoked for every trifling occasion , eccles. . , . titus . . . if we would look more at home , and lesse abroad , it would prevent much anger . . tendernesse of education , and foolish cockering of mothers , begets anger , making their children more teasty then wasps , more proud then peacocks , more wanton then the asse-colt , &c. whereas severer education would pull down their stomacks , and make them more patient . . idlenesse , unthriftinesse , and voluptuousnesse nourish anger . hence , proverbs . . thes. . . tim. . . proverbs . , &c. and . . secondly , consider the mischiefs of this passion above others : other passions do but draw men to evil : but this precipitates them into it ; those do but shake , but this overthrows them ▪ love is stronger then death , yet anger overcomes it ; the father in anger forgets his love to his child , the childe to his father , &c. yea , anger makes a man forget the love of himself : as appeares by those , who to satisfie their anger violently thrust themselves into imminent dangers of death : covetousnesse is a violent passion , as apppears by those who venture body and soul to get riches , yet anger makes them hazard the losse of their estates , and to spend all amongst lawyers to be revenged on their enemies . voluptuousnesse makes men plunge themselves into particular pleasures ; but choler makes them of so bad a disposition , that they rejoyce in other mens miseries : it 's worse then envy ; for as envy desires to see any one miserable , it 's choler that procures their misery . feare is a cruel tyrant which makes men thrust themselves into danger to avoid danger , and to kill themselves for fear of greater torment , yet anger vanquisheth fear , causing them , who tremble to see another mans wound , contemne their own death : so that as other affections lead a man , this draws him : others entice him , this compels him : others make us prone to evil , but this casts us headlong into the gulf of all wickednesse . thirdly , consider the manifold evil effects of anger which are produced of it self , or are caused from others : as . it blindes reason , and makes men for the present as though they were distract of their wits . it 's a short madnesse , and in this respect worse ; for that madnesse is involuntary ▪ but this passion is entred into willingly and wittingly . madnesse is an evil of punishment , but this is an evil of sin : so in simeon , and levi , gen. . . in david , sam. . , . in saul , sam. . , . in theodosius . . as it springs from , so it causeth infidelity , and fretting against god , as in moses , numb . . , &c. prov. . . sam. . . . it extinguisheth the love of god , which cannot kindle in such an unquiet breast . how should we love god whom we have not seen , if we love not our neighbour whom we have seen , john . . . it 's an hindrance of holy prayer . an angry man cannot call upon god , or if he should , god would not hear . hence , psal. . . tim. . . mat. . . and . , , . pet. . . . it makes the word of god unprofitable : hence , jam. . . be swift to hear , slow to wrath . it hardens the heart that the word cannot take root . . it so fills , and swells the minde that there is no room for good thoughts , and meditations , it 's so full of thoughts of revenge , &c. so that it stops communion with god , and disturbs the peace of conscience . . it makes men impatient of admonition , which is ordained by god as one means to recover us from sinne : so in abner when justly reproved , sam. . . . it grieves the spirit of god , and lets the devil into mens hearts , to whose image they are conformed by unjust anger , ephes. . . , . . it disfits a man for society . hence , prov. . , . make no friendship with an angry man , &c. . it macerates , and vexes the soul with fury , so that they become self-tormentors ; rage , and fury , tortures more then wrong , and injury . . it exposeth to infinite dangers , by provoking men to enter into private quarrels so as wholly to neglect themselves , that they may hurt their enemies : like the bee that looseth her life to sting others . it oft ruines the body ; some being extraordinarily moved have broken their veins , and vomited out their souls with their blood . others have fallen into mortal diseases , as apoplexies , frenzies , madnesse , palsies , falling-sicknesse , &c. these are its effects in regard of our selves ; now in regard of our neighbours . . it overthrows all friendship : for there was never friendship so inviolable , but anger hath dissolved it . hence , prov. . . anger is cruel , and wrath raging : they will fall from words to blows , then to wounds , then to death . . yea , it makes men hurt whom they should most love , as wife , children , servants , who being necessarily conversant with them , are most exposed to their fury . . it 's the gate of vice whereby it enters . hence , psal. . . cease from anger , leave off wrath , fret not thy self to do evil ; so prov. . . a furious man abounds in transgressions : so jam. . . the effects of anger which are caused by others as a deserved punishment of it , are , , it subjects a man to the wrath of god , and brings his curse upon him , mat. . , . hence job . . prov. . . mat. . . . such are a prey to satan , whilest they plot , and devise that mischief which pleaseth him ; and when once by passion he hath blinded the eye of reason , he can easily lead us into all wickednesse . as crows first pick out the sheeps eyes , and then prey upon them . . it brings contempt from men , whence by it they blaze abroad their folly , whereas wisdome procureth honour and respect . . . an angry man lies open to the malice , fraud and violence of his adversary : for having no power over his passion when provoked , he rusheth himself head-long into danger , not caring what he saith , or what he doth , though tending to his own prejudice , and to his adversaries advantage . fourthly , consider the high account the lord makes of a heart well fortified , and purged from this base passion , prov. . . god calls for the heart , i. e. a heart well drained from sinful affections ; and a christian may fetch a surer evidence of his spiritual estate from his reformation herein , then from any particular duty to the affirmative commandments of the morall lawe . object . but i am chollerick by nature and cannot expel it ? answ. this excuse is no better then adams fig-leafe to hide the nakednesse of thy sin . it will not excuse us before a temporal judge to say , we are prone by nature to such a sin : much lesse before god , god gave us not such a nature , but it comes from original sin , therefore we must not excuse one sin with another ; and what serves grace for but to reforme nature . if thou beest regenerate by the holy ghost , he makes of a leopard a lamb , &c. esay . , . object . though i be somewhat hot for the time , yet it 's quickly gone ? answ. eccles. . . be not of an hasty spirit , for anger rests in the bosome of fools : many are the mischiefs of sudden anger : as it begins without son , so it ends without shame , and repentance : gods children should resemble their heavenly father , who is slow to anger , exodus . , . object . i say nothing in my passion , what would you have me doe ? answ. concealed anger , ( if nourished in the heart , and hidden to have a better opportunity for revenge , or being dissembled for credits sake ) is worse then professed anger . first , in respect of the party that is angry , because turbulent affections kept in , torment the more , like a raging fire that hath no vent , or a violent streame that is stopped . secondly , in respect of the person with whom we are angry ; because it makes him lesse wary , and more secure . hence a secret enemy is more dangerous then a professed enemy : prov. . . and . . as we see in . caine , gen. . . in absolon , sam. . , . in joab , sam. . . in judas , luke . . object . but he hath often offended me ; i can bear no longer . answ. love covers a multitude of sins , prov. . . we must forgive to seventy times seven times , mat. . . as david did to saul ; joseph to his brethren . object . but except god give us the gift of patience we can never put up injuries contentedly ? answ. such would have god do all , and will do nothing themselves : for if they sincerely desired the grace of patience , they would use gods meanes to get it . quest. but by what means is corrupt anger to be subdued , and mortified ? answ. first , faith , as it moderates all passions , so this of sinful anger : and that . by stamping gods image of goodnesse , patience , and long-suffering upon the soul : a man cannot have fellowship with god by faith , but he shall be like him : faith teaches us to imitate our heavenly father , as exod. . . psal. . , . see his long-suffering , pet. . ▪ . ezek. . . therefore col. . . look upon christs example , and imitate him . . by acknowledging the providence of god , without which the least injury could not befal us : the least being a portion of that cup which gods hand reacheth out to us : so in job , chap. . . in joseph , gen. . . in david , sam. . , . this perswasion that all our sufferings come from god , is a forcible motive to patience . for . it constraines us to confesse that all our chastisements are just , yea , lesse then our sins deserved , being but light and momentany : we have cause therefore to admire gods goodnesse in such gentle rods , rather then to be angry at them . . it teacheth that the manner of gods dealing is exceeding tender , and compassionate , psal. . . when we deserve to be cast into hell fire , he doth onely lop and prune to make us more fruitful , therefore we have more cause to be thankful then to be offended . . it shews that god in his infinite wisdome will dispose of every thing for our good , as he hath promised , rom. . . why then should we be angry , seeing god will turn the injuries of men into blessings ? say therefore with christ , iohn . . shall i not drink of the cup , &c. . it acknowledgeth the present course that god taketh to be best , and most behooful for us : for god is wisest , and his prescriptions most safe and healthful : we have therefore no reason to be angry unlesse we will fight against god. . it looks up to christ , and imprints the vertues of his death upon the soul : he that believes in christ crucified , is made like unto christ in love , meeknesse , and all other graces that he manifested in his death . for it thus pleadeth ; christ endured scoffs , reproaches , railings , revilings , buffetings , scourgings , yea , and death it self : not for any demerit of his but for our sakes ; and shall we grudge to suffer small injuries from men at our saviour christs request , seeing we have deserved far greater ? . it submits to the absolute sovereignty of the lord , and will not encroach upon his prerogative royal : now all revenge is gods right , and he hath not given it to man , rom. . . a private man in the common-wealth may not usurp the place of a judge , nor a servant of a master : much lesse may a christian , by revenging his own quarrel in word or deed , intrude himself into gods office . . faith works humility , and lowlinesse , and banisheth self-love , and pride : for it minds a man of his sin , and the desert thereof : and that whatsoever good he enjoys , he holds as an almes of grace ; whatsoever he suffers , he acknowledgeth lesse then his desert , and a just chastisement of love , and therefore is patient . . it raiseth the heart to an earnest desire of spiritual things , and treadeth under feet all vaine and transitory things , and therefore a believer is not much disquieted when he is crossed in them . as the upper region of the aire is not molested with winde , raine , haile , &c. so a heavenly minded christian is lifted up far above these sublunary things , and cannot be afflicted with them . . faith begets soundnesse of spirit , and christian hardinesse : but a sound mind is not easily disturbed with wrongs that are offered , no more then sound flesh is when handled . . it seeks the approbation of god , but is not vainly inquisitive what others think , or speak , or do ; whereas he that basely enquireth what is said against him in every company , disquiets himself with anger , and makes his faults more publick . . it acquaints us with the common frailties of all man-kinde ; discovers the filthinesse of original sinne which hath infected all the sons of adam : it puts us in minde how often we have provoked god , and offended our brethren , the remembrance whereof is a great curb to carnal anger , seeing we do many things that need pardon both from god and man. . it kindles in us just indignation against our own sinnes , which restraines carnal anger from breaking out against others : for he that is zealous against his own sins , hath no leasure to quarrel with others for petty wrongs and injuries . . faith proceedeth with counsel and deliberation : it considers before it judge , and judgeth before it proceed to execution : it defers to censure till time hath revealed the truth . . faith worketh by love , which is of more force to restrain us from revenge , then injury to provoke unto ange● : for love suffers long , yea , suffers all things , corinth . . , . it makes us look upon him with whom we are angry as a brother : to remember that we would have other men to forgive us when we wrong them , and therefore we must do the like . . it 's the property of faith to receive the whole word , and to diffuse the saving vertue thereof into every power of the soul , which changes us in to the nature of it self : but the word requires meeknesse , long-suffering , and patience : the word is compared to leaven that leaveneth the whole lump . . faith obtaineth of god by prayer the spirit of meeknesse whereby our nature is renewed after the image of god ; and our affections sanctified that they may further gods glory , the good of our brethren , and our own salvation . . it shews the danger of retaining anger which is a high degree of murther . it shewes that the promise of forgivenesse is made onely to them that forgive , matth. . that judgement mercilesse belongs to them that shew no mercy , james . . that with what measure we mete it shall be measured to us , mat. . . quest. what further meanes may a christian use to subdue anger ? answ. first , shunne all businesses above thy reach , least being opprest with an unsupportable burden , it makes thee froward and teasty . secondly , yea abstaine from multitudes of businesses , because amongst so many , some will certainly miscarry , and so inflame thy distracted minde with anger . thirdly , shun the society of chollerick persons , least thou beest infected by them , and learn their wayes , prov. . , . as one stick kindles many . fourthly , avoid contentious controversies : for if thou canst not bring over men to thy opinion thou wilt be apt to be angry , thinking that it will derogate from thy wit , and understanding , if thou prevailest not . fifthly , take heed of medling with the strife that belongs not to thee , especially of medling with foolish and indiscreet persons , proverbs . . and . . sixthly , look often upon the admirable examples of the patience of gods saints which have been before thee , as of abraham , gen. . . of moses , exod. . , . of david , sam. . . of stephen , act. . . especially of christ himself , pet. . . seventhly , look also upon the examples of such as have given themselves over to fury , whereby thou shalt see the uglinesse , and brutishnesse of this sin . is not his countenance disfigured ? his words absurd : his actions rude ? &c. eighthly : flie jealousies and surmisings which fill us with choller as much as just grounds : causing us to make a bad construction of a look , a smile , &c. and so to grow hot against the innocent . ninthly , be not light in giving credit to reports , seeing the many practices which are used to abuse the credulous : flatterers will seek to insinuate themselves by accusing the innocent . tenthly , make the best construction of every thing : if the party that hath wronged thee be a young man , impute it to his rashnesse , and want of experience : if a father ? let the remembrance of former benefits mollifie thee towards him : if they be persons under the command of others ? it may be they have been forced to it : if good men ? believe they had no will to hurt thee : if wicked ? its no more then we expected from them . . remove the ocasions of anger : as cotys king of thrace , when one brought him curious vessels , but brittle , he commended their rare workmanship , yet presently brake them , least ( being of an hasty nature ) when his servants by any accident brake them , he should be excessively angry . quest. but when anger hath seized upon us , what means may we use to supplant it ? answ. first , yeeld not obedience to it : believe it not when it would provoke to revenge : in other passions giving them liberty brings some ease , but anger , the more we give way to it , the more it is enflamed . secondly , remember that it 's a dishonest thing to revenge an injury , prov. . . and . . and . . and shews a short wit. thirdly , do not multiply words which are the fuel of anger : we may as well think to quench fire with wood , as anger with words . fourthly , when angry , make some delay before thou speakest , or doest any thing : anger smothered will languish , but let out , will flame to further mischief . besides thou mayest in a moment do that in thy anger that thou mayst repent of whilest thou livest . fifthly , get out of the company of such as have offended thee , as jonathan did , sam. . . sixthly , remember that daily thou sinnest often against god ; and therefore thou hast reason to turn thine anger against thy self . seventhly , consider whether thou purposest ever , or never to lay aside thy anger . if ever ? it's better that thou should'st presently quench it with the water of the spirit , then that it should burn out of it self . if never ? remember that thou nourishest a viper in thy bosome that will eat out thy bowels . eighthly , consider how much precious time thou spendest about a bad matter , which being so short , and precious , should be better imployed . ninthly , we should by earnest and hearty prayer beg the assistance of gods spirit , whereby our affections may be so ruled , and sanctified , that they may be serviceable to gods glory , the good of our brethren , and the furtherance of our own salvation . tenthly meditate on the unbounded mercy of god , whose vertues thou must imitate if thou bee●t his childe ; god forgives that man that injureth thee much more then thou canst : he forgives him infinite sins , and canst not thou forgive him one offence ? and yet thou hast more reason : for thou knowest not his heart ; it may be he meant better to thee then thou imaginest : thou art not acquainted with the strength of his tentation , which perhaps was so violent as would have overthrown thee ; nor the reason why god suffers him to be overcome by it . consider also that thy self stands in need of infinite mercy for washing away thy many foule offences : and wilt thou not let one drop fall upon thy brother to forbear , and forgive in trifling wrongs ? quest. how may we cure anger in others ? answ. first , if thou livest with those that be furious , the best way to winne them to kindnesse , is for thy self truly to repent of thy sins . for prov. . . if a mans wayes please the lord , he will make his enemies to be at peace with him , isa. . . &c. he makes the wolfe to feed with the lamb , &c. the hearts of men are in his hands , and he turnes them as he pleaseth : as he did esaus to jacob , gen. . . &c. and . , . remember his promise , that if we humble our selves , he will grant us compassion in the sight of them that hated us , chron. . . kings . , &c. chron. . . &c. solomon prayes for it . secondly , keep silence : for as fire cannot continue long if the fewel be taken from it , so anger cannot long endure if crosse answers be not multiplied . hence prov. . . and . . jam. . , . as cannon-shot loseth its force if it light on earth , or soft wooll , but dasheth the stone-wall in pieces : so the violence of anger is abated , when not resisted : but furiously rageth when it meets with opposition . thirdly , give a soft and milde answer , either excusing thy fault by shewing thy innocency , or in all humblenesse confessing it , and craving pardon , prov. . . and . . gen. . . jude . . &c. as milk quencheth wilde fire , and oile lime , so doth a milde answer anger . fourthly , administer grave and wholesome admonition , with seasonable counsel and advice , as we see in abigail to david , sam. . . but this must be done when the heat of anger is somewhat asswaged , and with mildnesse and moderation , else it may provoke more . fifthly , humble submission allayes choler : the lion tearrs not the beasts that prostrate themselves : as we see in jacobs case with esau , gen. . , . sixthly , benefits and kindness asswage anger ; so it did sauls anger against david , sam. . . and . . hence prov. . . if thine enemy hunger , give him bread , &c. a great fire melts the hardest iron : so said jacob , gen. . . so prov. . . seventhly , mark diligently the disposition of angry persons , and by all lawful meanes conform thy self to them : shunning all occasions of offence by thy milde and courteous carriage . so eccl. . . and . . see mr. balls power of godlinesse ; dr. tailor on tit. mr. bolton , mr. rein●r , and dr. harris . quest. how are vicious and vertuous anger differenced ? answ. chiefly in the object : the vertuous regards the interest of god , the vicious the interest of a mans self ; but both proceed from glory , and have their motions for the vindication of glory : for a religious anger hath for its motive the glory of god : but the motive of vicious anger is a mans particular glory , and the resenting of private contempt either true , or imagined . hence the proudest men are most cholerick , for being great lovers of themselves , and valuing themselves at a very high rate , they deem the smallest offences against them to be unpardonable crimes . but he that knows himself , and apprehends how small a thing he is , will not think the offences against him to be very great , and therefore will not be much moved at them . quest. what other causes be there of sinful anger ? answ. first , weaknesse contributes much to it : for though a fit of anger look like a sally of vigour and courage , yet it s the effect of a soft spirit . great and strong spirits are patient , but a weak nature can suffer nothing . the winde stirres leaves and small twigges , seldome the bodies of great trees . secondly , all things that make a man tender and wanton , make him also impatient and cholerick , as covetousnesse , ambition , passionate love , ease , and flattery . thirdly , anger is produced by giving way to the wandring of thoughts , curiosity , credulity , idlenesse , and love of sports . fourthly , it s sometimes stirred up by contrary causes , as by prosperity and adversity , the reply of an adversary , or his silence : too much or too little businesse ; the glory to have done well , and the shame to have done evil : there is nothing but will give occasion of anger to a peevish and impotent spirit . quest. what are the evil effects of it , the more to make us shun and hate it ? answ. first , its dreadful , when assisted by power , like an impetuous storme , that overthrows all that lies in its way : how often hath it razed cities , ruined empires , and extirpated whole nations ? one fit of anger in theodosius , ( the best of emperours ) slew many thousands of innocents amongst the nocents in thessalonica . how many have been massacred by wicked princes ? and what slaughters would there be in the world , if mean fellows had as much power as wrath ? secondly , its dangerous to the angry man himself ; for by the overflowing of the gall , wrath overflows all the faculties of the minde , which discovers it selfe by the inflammation of the face , the sparkling of the eyes , the quick and disordered motion of the limbs , the injurious words , the violent actions , &c. wrath turnes a man into a furious beast : yea , in the heat of such fits many get their death , or do such things as they repent at leisure . thirdly , there is no cause so good , but it s marred by impetuous anger : the great plea of anger is the injustice of others : but we must not repel one injustice by another ; for though an angry man could keep himself from offending his neighbour , yet he cannot excuse his offence against god and himself , by troubling the serenity of his soul , and therefore expelling gods image , and bringing in a storme and confusion , which is the devils image . as when a hogshead of wine is shaken , the dregs rise to the top ; so a fit of raging choler doth thrust up all the hidden ordure , which before was setled by the feare of god or men . fourthly , the wrong done to piety or justice , is no just reason for our immoderate anger : for they have no need of so evil a champion , which is rather an hinderance then a defence of their cause , and in stead of maintaining them transgresseth against them . to defend such reasonable things as piety and justice are , there is need of free reason : and whether we be incensed with the injury which is done to them , or the wrong done to us , we must be so just to our selves , as not to lay the punishment upon us for the faults of another , or make ourselves miserable , because our neighbours are wicked . to which end we must remember , that in the violation of justice , god is more interessed then we are , and knows how to punish it when he sees it expedient : and if god will not punish as yet , our wills must not be more hasty then his , and it becomes not us to be impatient for our own interest● , when himself is patient in the wrong done to his own : let the cause of our anger be never so holy and just ; yet that of james is a perpetual truth , chap. . . the wrath of man works not the righteousnesse of god. if it be the cause of god that we defend , we must not use that good cause to bring forth evil effects , and the evil of that which incenseth us can hardly be so grievous as the losse of humanity and right reason , of which a man is deprived by excessive wrath . for prov. . . vvrath is cruel , and anger is outragious . it resteth in the bosome of fooles , eccl. . . fif●hly , the good opinion and love of our selves , which ( when all is said ) are the chief causes of anger , ought also to be motives to abate or prevent it : for would any man that thinks well of himself , and loves his own good , make himself vile and bruitish ? but this is done by letting the reines loose to our choller : whereas the way to deserve the good opinion of our selves and others , is to maintain our selves calme and generous , never removed from the imperial power over our selves by any violence of passion . prov. . . he that is slow to anger is better then the mighty , and he that rules his spirit , then he that takes a city : alexander m. deserves not the name of a great conquerour , who was a slave to his anger . ob. but i have many provocations from those with whom i must necessarily live , servants esp●cially , th●y are so bad , & c ? answ. anger is a remedy worse then the disease , and no houshold-disorder is worth the disordering of our soules with passion . better were it for us to be ill served , or not served at all , then to make our servants our masters , giving them power of dispossessing us of the command of our selves , whensoever it pleaseth them to provoke us to anger . yet a wise man may expresse indignation without anger , making others tremble , himself standing unmoved . quest. how may we from seeing anger in others , learne to cure it in our selves ? answ. first , learne to hate it , and take heed of it , by observing how imperuous and servile it is together : how ugly , unbecoming , unreasonable and hurtful it is to others , and more to a mans self . secondly , mark carefully the wholesome warning which an angry adversary will give us : for he will be sure to tell us all the evil that he seeth in us , which our selves see not . a benefit not to be expected from our best friends . thirdly , study the science of discerning mens spirits , considering with a judicious eye the several effects of every mans anger . for no passion doth so much discover mans nature as this . if a man be a contemner of god , as soon as he is angry , he will wreak his teen upon god with blasphemies : if he hath piety and ingenuity , he will make them plead for him , yet but lamely , as discomposed by anger : if he be a coward , he will insult over the weak : and if he find resistance , you shall see him threaten , and tremble together , like base dogs , then barking most when they run away . if he be haughty , he will expresse his anger by a scornful smile , and will boast of his blood and valour , as lamech did . and from hence let us reflect upon our selves : he that mindes well how wrath betrayes a man , and layes open his infirmities , and that a man that hath no rule over his own spirit , is like a city that is broken down , and without walls , prov. . . will fence himself against that treacherous passion , by christian meeknesse and moderation , and will learn to be wise by his neighbours harmes : and will observe christs precept , mat. . . learn of me , for i am meek and lowly , &c. quest. what is hatred ? answ. it is an indignation for an injury received or imagined , or for an ill opinion conceived of a person or action . it differs from anger in this : anger is sudden , and hath a short course , but hatred is more durable and lasting ; anger seeks more a mans vindication then the harme of others , but hatred studies the hurt of his adversary . quest. whence doth hatred proceed ? answ. it s a compound of pride and sadnesse : and it proceeds out of ignorance of ones self , and the price and nature of things : hence john . . he that hates his brother is in darknesse , and knows not whither he goes , because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes ; as then blinde men are commonly testie : so the blindnesse of ignorance makes men prone to hate their neighbours . quest. is there no good use of hatred ? answ. yes , first , it s naturally good , serving to make us avoid things that are hurtful . secondly , it s morally good , when we use it to oppose that which is contrary to the sovereign good , which is god : for when we hate that which god hateth , we cannot do amisse , so we be sure that god hates it : as when we hate the unjust habits and actions which are condemned by the word of god. but as for mens persons , because god hath not declared his hatred , or love to this or that man , we must love them all , not fearing to offend god thereby , though he should hate any of them ; for we cannot offend him by obeying his commandment , which is , that we should love our neighbours as our s●lves . there is indeed an hatred of iniquity in god against those that oppose his glory , which obligeth us also to hate them with that hatred of iniquity , and to oppose them so long as they oppose god. so david , ps. . . do not i hate them that hate thee , & c ? i hate them with a perfect hatred , i count them mine enemies ; but we must take heed lest the hatred of iniquity , bring a hatred against the person . for to love our enemies , and to overcome the evil with good , is the most ingenuous imitation of god himself . hence mat. . . love your enemies , &c. that you may be the children of your heavenly father , &c. there is need of a great measure of wisdom , and grace to observe these two precepts together , psal. . . ye that love the lord hate evil ; and thou shal● love thy neighbour as thy self , mat. . . hating iniquity in the wicked , and loving their persons , and both for gods sake . quest. what is the chief use of hatred ? answ. it is to be incited to good by the hatred of evil ; for which end it is not necessary that the greatnesse of hatred , equal the greatnesse of the evil : we are not obliged to hate evil things as much as they deserve ; for then the great current of our affections would run into the channel of hatred , and leave the channel of love dry : whereas the hatred of evil is not requisite of it self but by accident , as a consequence of the love of good : for if the hatred of vice perswade us to vertue , we shall be yet more perswaded to it by the love o● goodnesse . quest. what are the effects of hatred , which may make it hateful ? answ. first , many of them are the same with the effects of anger : for there is no anger without some degree of hatred , if not to the person , yet to the action : but there is some hatred without anger , when , in cold blood , men premeditate the destruction of an adversary . secondly , all the destructions in the world , wherein mans will is an agent ▪ are immediately wrought by hatred : for though they may have remote causes of ambition , covetousnesse , carnal love , emulation , and all the violent passions : yet these destroy not but by accident , till some opposition hath driven them into hatred , which is the executioner and avenger of wrongs . thirdly , unto hatred all the cruelty of tyranny , and malice must be imputed : and therefore it s no marvel , if by hating our neighbours we become gods enemies , john . . if a man say he loves god , and hates his brother , he is a liar . fourthly , hatred is a bitter venome , which being once diffused , and soaked into the soul , turnes a man into an hell-fury : makes him contrary to all good , and ready and industrious to all evil ; yet doth it more harme to a mans selfe , then to any other , consuming his spirits with a continual malignant feaver , and banishing from his soul , serenity , and meeknesse , which should nourish other vertues , and give rest to the soul. fifthly , it s often seen that whilest men consume themselves with hatred of others : the person hated is healthful , merry and quiet , as if imprecations made him prosper : ill-grounded hatred drawing gods blessing upon the party , unjustly hated and persecuted : as david hoped , psal. . . let them curse , but blesse thou . quest. what means may we use to prevent , or cure hatred ? answ. consider that hatred is conceived for one of these two ends . first , either to avenge our selves , or secondly , to avenge injustice : which is the cause of god. first , now before we think of revenging an injury , we must consider whether we have done or received the greater wrong : for its ordinary that the offender is harder to be reconciled , that it may not be thought that he is in the wrong . secondly , calmly consider whether the revenge may not do us more harme then the injury : fo● besides , that there is no enemie so despicable , but it is better to let him alone then provoke him , the harme that hatred doth within us cannot be recompenced by any sweetnesse of revenge , though there were no other harme in it , then to delight in robbing god of that which he hath reserved to himself : seeing he challengeth revenge as due to him , excluding all others , heb. . . thirdly , strive against the tendernesse , which makes you quick to pick offences , and slow to make satisfaction : be also ingenuous to devise arguments for patience : art thou condemned being guilty ? acknowledge justice : art thou innocent ? bow under authority . art thou lately offended ? it s too soon to resent it . is the sun gone down since ? it s then too late . art thou wounded ? look to thy cure , not to revenge . art thou well again ? let not thy minde be harder to heal then thy body . art thou offended by a friend ? remember the friendship more then the offence , is it done by an enemy ? labour to make him thy friend by returning good for evil . is he too strong for thee ? it s folly to contend with him . is he too weak ? it s a shame to do it , is he thy superiour ? thou must yield ●o him , is he thy inferiour ? thou must spare him , &c. fourthly , since pride represents our enemies to us under a vile and unworthy notion , let us fetch some good out of that evil : let contempt help patience to bear their provocations : for if 〈◊〉 dog bite me , should i bite him again ? or if an asse did kick me , should 〈◊〉 kick him again ? fifthly , when another offends thee , remember tha● thou hast offended others : it is too great a flattery of self-love to think to be excused by others , whilest we will excuse none : we must therefore put on a resolution of mutual forbearance . sixthly ; above all , we must remember , that we are all guilty before god , and stand in need of his mercy , and unlesse we forgive we pray against our selves , and beg condemnation every time we say the lords prayer . seventhly , meditate often upon death , which will conduce much to the laying down of hatred : let us not be so hot in our dissensions : death will quench our heat within a few dayes : as when two little fishes are contending for a fly , the pike comes and devoures them both : so whilest we quarrel about small things , death is coming , which will swallow up him that is in the right , and him that is in the wrong ; the vanquisher , and the vanquished , and send both to plead their causes before the great judge : and it will go ill with us , if we appear in judgement without repentance and faith , and without charity to our neighbours they cannot be sound : why should our hatred be long , since our lives are so short ? ira mortalium debet esse mortalis . secondly , to temper our hatred against injustice and sin , let us consider that for the most part this is but a pretence , whereby we cozen our selves , and others to palliate personal hatred . if we take gods cause sincerely in hand , we must conforme our selves to his will and wisdom , expecting till he send his messenger , death , to attach , and bring the wicked before his tribunal , psal. . . cease from anger , and forsake wrath ; fret not thy self in any wise to do evil , for evil doers shall be cut off , v. . yet a little while , and the wicked shall not be . if we hate wickednesse , we may be sure that god hates it more , and will punish it : but in his own time , to satisfie his justice , not our humours ; certainly , if we hated iniquity in good earnest , we would hate it more in our selves . if our enemies be wicked , we must love them for gods sake , and for our own , because we also are subject to the like infirmities . dr. peter du moulin of governing the passions . quest. how is immoderate anger a sin ? answ. first , in regard of the impulsive cause of it , when a man is excessively angry , where he hath no just reason for it , mat. . . secondly , in regard of the degree and measure of it ; when , though we have a just cause , yet our anger exceeds the cause , gen. . . thirdly , in regard of the end , when it is not directed to gods glory , and the restraint of sin : but that therein we seek our own glory , or profit , or the satisfying of our proud mindes , prov. . . and . . and . . fourthly , in regard of the direct effects of it : as when we break out into curses , execratious , and reviling speeches in our passion , ps. . . fifthly , in regard of the indirect effects of it , as when we thereby lose the use of our reason , prov. . . luke . . or when it works not the righteousnesse of god : that is , when by our anger we are disfitted for those duties which god hath prescribed , and requires of us . sixthly , in regard of the duration of it , when it continues longer then it ought to do , eph. . . ames . cas. consci . chap. x. questions , and cases of conscience about anger in god. quest. what is anger in god. answ. it 's the inward displeasure which he hath against sin , and his purpose to punish it , accompanied with threatnings upon his purpose , and execution upon his threatnings . quest. how may it be proved that there is anger in god ? answ. first , by his judgements executed upon sinners : as upon the lapsed angels : the old world : sodom and gomorrah : the ten tribes : the two tribes , &c. secondly , by his threatenings against sinne , isaiah . . job . . thirdly , by the saints complaining of it , and praying against it , as psal. . . and . , . and . . and . . quest. why is there anger in god ? answ. first , because of that antipathy which is in him against sin , as it 's contrary to his pure nature : opposed god and would turne him out of his sovereignty : for by sin we cast out god , and admit the devil into our hearts , and prefer our lusts before gods will , and our carnal reason in contriving sinne before gods wisdom in his word . secondly , sin is the onely object of gods anger , though foolish persons make a sport and trifle of it : for it , adam was cast out of paradise , gen. . . the old wo●ld destroyed , gen. . . pet. . . yea , it made god in a sort angry with his own dear son , so that he cried out , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken me , mat. . . and if god shewed anger against sin by punishing it in our surety , christ , who was made sin for us , and yet had no sin in himself : what will become of wicked and ungodly sinners . quest , why are judgements called gods anger ? answ. because they issue from his anger : for it s not the judgements , but the anger in them which lies heavy upon the soul : whereas when we suffer ill , knowing that it is not from anger , but for trial of our graces , or for exercise of them we take it patiently . hence , deut. . . the lord will smite thee with the botch of egypt , and with the emrods , and with the scab , and with the itch , whereof thou canst not be healed : what is a scab , or the itch ( which now are so light set by ) such a terrible judgement ? o yes , when it comes with gods displeasure : what is it that blows the coals of hell , and makes that fire so hot , but gods anger ? isa. . . quest. how will it appear that gods anger is so terrible ? answ. first , we may see it in the earnestnesse of davids suit to have gods wrathful countenance turned away from his sins , and from him because of his sins , psal. . . as also in that of the church , psal. . , . turne us o god of our salvation , and cause thine anger towards us to cease : wilt thou be angry with us for ev●r ? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations ? &c. secondly , in the expressions whereby the scripture sets it forth , as psal. . . thou , even thou art to be feared , and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry . psal. . . the earth shook and trembled : the foundations of the hills also moved , and were shaken because he was wroth . psal. . . and ye perish from the way , when his wrath is kindled , yea but a litle . it was time for moses to call upon aaron to make haste , and go quickly to make an attonement , when there was wrath gone out from the lord , numb . . . it 's called gods fierce wrath , jer. . . his sore displeasure , psal. . . oh! rebuke me not in thine anger , saith david , psalm . . he cared not what god laid upon him , so it were not in anger . thirdly , the greatnesse of gods anger may be estimated by the greatnesse of his mercy . patience abused turns into fury . what is blunter then iron , then steele in it self ? but let it once be sharpened , and nothing is keener : nothing so calm naturally as the sea , but when once flirred , nothing is more tempestuous . the best wine makes the sharpest vineger . so nothing being so merciful as god is in himself ; if he be once provoked , nothing is more terrible , heb. . . our god is a consuming fire , heb. . . it 's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living god. fourthly , the bitternesse of gods wrath may be concluded out of our saviours agony : it was no small thing that made even him standing in our roome , to offer up prayers , and supplications with strong crying , and teares , to be saved from that which he feared , heb. . . see mr. hieron . on psal. . quest. what means then may we use to divert this fierce anger of god ? answ. repentance is the best means we can use to pacifie gods displeasure . when the lord hath threatned many grievous judgements , and plagues for sinne one upon the neck of another , denounced with variety of expressions in the most terrible manner , yet after all that terrible thundring . see deut. . , &c. it follows : it shall come to passe when all these things are come upon thee , the blessings , and the curses which i have set before thee , and thou shalt call them to minde amongst all the nations whither the lord thy god hath driven thee , and shalt return unto the lord thy god , &c. that then the lord thy god will turn thy captivity , and have compassion upon thee , &c. not that repentance is the meritorious cause of pardon , but god will have an order in things : where there is no sense of sin , and humiliation , with prayer for pardon , and reformation , trusting in god for mercy , there the anger of god abides still . again , chro. . . if my people that are called by my name shall humble themselves , and pray , and seek my face , and turn from their wicked ways : i will hear from heaven , and will forgive their sin , and heal their land : and no marvel ; for he is gracious , and a sin-pardoning god , exod. . , . so ezek. . and ch . . manasses was a very great sinner , being enabled by his authority to do the greater mischief , yet upon his humiliation , and prayer , he found mercy , chron. . , . so in the prodigal , luk. . . david , psal. . , . confesseth that whilest he neglected repentance , gods hand was heavy upon him , so that his moisture was turned into the drought of summer , &c. but when he confessed ; god forgave the iniquity of his sin . quest. why is repentance such an effectual means to divert anger ? answ. because it's gods nature so to do : his nature is more inclined to mercy then to anger . for god to be angry , it s upon the supposition of our sins ; but to be merciful , it always proceeds from his own bowels . micah . . who is a god like unto thee , that pardoneth iniquity , and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage : he retaineth not his anger for ever , because he delighteth in mercy . what comes naturally , comes easily , without pain , as beams from the sun , water from the spring , heat from the fire : hence , psal. . . they that know thy name will put their trust in thee , for thou lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee . quest. how can gods anger be said to be turned away from his children , when yet oft-times they finde the effects of it in the course of their lives ? answ. there is a double anger in god , . vindicative . . fatherly . now god after our first conversion removes his vindicative anger from us : after which , though he sometimes threatens and frowns upon us , yet it is with a fatherly anger : and this is that which god removes , together with the shame , and correction attending it , when we repent of our sins , and reform our ways . or there is a childe of anger . a childe under anger . now gods children after their conversion are never children of wrath , and anger , though sometime , they be children under anger , if they make bold with sin : so that then , though they have the right of sons , yet they cannot make use of it , to go boldly to the throne of grace , conceiving god to be angry with them , and so continue till they humble themselves , & reform their ways : god was so angry with moses that he suffered him not to go into the land of canaan , numb . . . so he was with david when he had numbred the people . sam. . . and with the corinthians for their unworthy receiving the sacrament of the lords supper , cor. . . these were all children under wrath , but not children of wrath . quest. how may we know gods anger to be removed , when yet we ●ndure the afflictions ? answ. god is infinitely wise , and in afflicting hath many excellent ends : as first , when he afflicts us , it 's to correct us for our sins ▪ after which when we have pulled out the sting of sin by confession and humiliation , though the affliction doth continue , yet his anger doth not . secondly , affliction somtimes is only for the exercise of our faith , and patience , and trial of our graces , and for the exemplary manifestation unto others of gods goodnesse to us . but even then we may know that afflictions come not in anger to us , when after repentance god speaks peace to our consciences , so that though the grievance continue ; yet it 's attended with peace and joy in the holy ghost see dr. sibs his returning back-slider . quest. how is god said to be angry with his children ? isa. . . answ. gods anger toward his children doth not exclude them out of his love , seeing it is not the anger of an enemy , but of a gracious father , who is not angry with their persons to destroy them , but with their sins to convert and save them . as children by their miscarriages may anger their parents , and provoke them to frown upon them , yea , sharply to correct them , and yet at the same time their parents entirely love them , and seek their amendment : so gods children , when they sin , provoke him to anger , and are said to be out of his favour , not that god changes his fatherly affections , or purposes utterly to reject them : but only changes the effects of his love , into effects of hatred by suffering them to be vexed with terrours of consciences , and outwardly scourges them with temporary afflictions , not out of hatred to their persons , whom he hath once loved in christ , and therefore for ever loves them : but for hatred of their sins , and love to their persons whom by this means he brings to repentance , and reformation of their ways . quest. what is anger in god ? answ. the ancient fathers do unanimously agree that anger in god is nothing but the divine revenge or punishment that he inflicts for sin : for there are no perturbations , or troubled affections in god as there are in men : hence st. austin saith , ira dei non est perturbatio concitati animi , sed tranquilla constitutio justi supplicii . and again , cum irasci dicitur deus , non significatur perturbatio , qualis est in animo irascentis hominis : sed ex humanis motibus vindicta ejus irae nomen accepit : so then gods anger being nothing but his revenge or punishment that he inflicts for sinne , it must needs follow that the anger of god is always provoked by sinne : so gen. . . with . and . . job . . . quest. why doth god poure out his anger upon sinners ? answ. first , because of his justice : for though god be not delighted with our suffering , yet he is delighted with his own justice , according to which punishment is due to sin . it is not evil therefore in god to punish wicked men , because it proceeds from his love of justice . but it s evil for men to deserve punishment , because it proceed from the love of wickednesse . secondly , because it s for our profit . for this is the principal end of all gods punishments , that they amend the sinner : hence st. austin saith , quicquid divinitus ante ultimum judicium vindicatur , non ad interitum hominum , sed ad medicinam valere credendum est . neither will it weaken this argument to say , that wicked men are so far from being warned by their punishments to avoid sin , as that they are hardened by them to the aggravation of their condemnation : because notwithstanding this , they have this profitable effect on the godly ; for by the punishment of fooles wise men are reformed . as cyprian saith ; supplicia imprudentium prudentibus conferunt sanitatem . thirdly , because of the ordination of divine providence . for god is the author of order in the world , and suffers nothing that wants order : but sin is in its own nature nothing but disorder . hence aquinas saith rightly . aequum & ordinatum est , ut qui contra voluntatem divinam percipere voluit peccati voluptatem , ut contra voluntatem propriam cogatur experiri supplicii acerbitatem . it 's but just and equal that those which will needs solace themselves with the pleasures of sin contrary to the will of god , should taste of the bitternesse of punishment contrary to their own wills . d. daunant on col. chap. xi . questions , and cases of conscience about some of the antinomian errours . quest. the antinomians say ▪ that through the blood-shed and righteousnesse of christ in their free justification . god sees no sin in them , and therefore they should see no sin in themselves ; or if they do see it with the eye of reason , yet they should not see it with the eye of faith . quest. is this true doctrine ? ans. no ; for the blood of christ was never shed to destroy all sense and sight of sin in believers . but he died rather to make them sensible of their sins : for he died to save his people from their sins , john . . tit. . . but by the sight of sin they come to be weaned from it , and so saved out of it : and hence it is , that the greatest and deepest spirit of mourning for sin is poured out upon believers , when god hath poured upon them the spirit of grace , zach. . , . and godly sorrow works repentance , &c. cor. . . the blood of christ which was shed for the killing of sin , makes them sensible of their sin , with the aggravations of it , being now not only against the law of god , but against the blood and love of the son of god. the contrary doctrine is very false and pernicious . quest. vvhether is the law given as a rule to believers under the gospel ? answ. yea , as may be proved by these arguments . first , if sin be the transgression of the law , as the apostle affirmes it to be , john . . then a believer is bound to attend the law as his rule , that so he may not transgresse it : as david did , psal. . . for whosoever makes conscience of sin , cannot but make conscience of observing the rule : and they which lay aside the rule , cannot make conscience of sin , which is downright atheism and profanenesse . p●rquius , a great libertine in calvins time , makes this only to be sin , viz. to see , know , or feel sin , and that the great sin of man is to think that he doth sin , and that the old man is put off by not seeing sin . but these are liars , john . , . secondly , a true believer , though he cannot keep the law perfectly as his rule , yet he loves it dearly , and blames himself when he cannot keep it , and cries out with the apostle , rom. . . the law is holy and good , though i am carnal : he loves his copy , though he can but scribble after it . thirdly , had believers been free from this directive power of the law , paul would never have perswaded them to love upon this ground , because its the fulfilling of the law , gal. . , . ob. but the law written in the heart and the spirit , is the rule of life : therefore not the written law ? answ. first , the law written in the heart , is called a law , not in respect of perfect direction , ( which is essential to the rule ) but in respect of ●ighty and effectual operation , 〈◊〉 being a power in it as of a strong law effectually , and sweetly compelling ●o ●he obedience of the law. secondly , for the spirit , he is indeed the principle of our obedience , whereby we conform unto the rule , but not the rule it self . only this is true , . that the spirit enclines the heart to the obedience of the rule . . it illuminates the minde many times to see it by secret shinings of preventing , as well as brings things to remembrance which we knew before . . it acts them also sometimes : as when we know not what to pray , it prompts us . rom. . . when we know not what to speak before our adversaties , it gives it in to us , m●t. . when we know not whither or how to go , it s a voice behinde us , and leads us to the fountain of living waters , isa. . . rev. . . but all these quickening acts proves it not to be a rule by which we ought to walk , but only by meanes of which we come to walk , and are enclined , directed , and enabled to walk according to the rule . fourthly , the spirit of god which endited the scriptures , and this law , is in the scriptures , and in the law as well as in the believers heart , and therefore to forsake or reject the scriptures , or this written rule , is to forsake and reject the spirit speaking in it as our rule ; nay , it is to forsake that spirit , which is the supream judge , according to which all private spirits , nay , all the actings , dictates , movin●s and speakings of gods spirit in us , are to be tried , examined , and judged , as isa. . . john . . for which the men of bereah were commended , act● . . ob. the diff●r●nce between the old and new testament is this : that of moses was a ministery from without , but that of christ from within , and therefore the letter of the scriptures is not a law to a christian , but the law written in their hearts , & c ? answ. if this be the difference between the dispensation of the old and new testament ministry , then we may all burne our bibles as uselesse : and then its a marvel why the apostles preached , or why they wrote the gospel for after-times ; that men mi●ht believe , &c. as it is , john . . john . . for either their writing and preaching was not an external ministry , which is contrary to sense : or it was not christs ministry , which is blasphemous : whereas christ in the spirit , leads us to christ in the letter ; the spirit within to the word without , by which we shall be judged at the last day , john . . and therefore certainly we are to be regulated by it now . ob. but the faithful receive an unction of the spirit , which teacheth them all things ? answ. this teaching is either immediate or mediate : if immediate , why doth st. john tell them that he writ to them , that they might hereby know that they had eternal life , john , . but if mediate , to wit , by the word externally preached , or writ , then that external word is still to be our rule , which the anointing of the spirit helps us to know : when therefore he saith , john . . that being taught of the spirit , they need not that any man should teach them , he speaks not of the immediate teaching of the spirit , but explains his meaning in the words following ; ye need not that any man should teach you , ( i. e. otherwise , or after another manner of way then the spirit taught them ) but as the anointing teacheth you all things , and is truth . for if ministers are to preach in demonstration of the spirit , then they that hear them , and are taught by them , need no man to teach them otherwise , then as the same spirit in the same demonstration teacheth them all things . as therefore the spirit leads us to the word , so the word leads us to the spirit , but never to a spirit without or beyond the word , whereby the outward administration in the word , or letter should cease , when the inward administration of christ in the spirit comes . ob. we are not to be led or guided by any outward commands in our obedience unto god , because god is to work all our works for us , and we are not to live , but christ is to live in us ? answ. it s vain to think that we are not to look at any promises , because christ is to accomplish all promises for us : if the question therefore be , by what we are to live ? the apostles answer is full , gal. , , . we are to live by the faith of the son of god : but if the question be , according to what rule are we to live ; the answer is given by david , psal. . , . thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently , &c. so v. . . if any demand what is the rule of faith by which we live ? answ. the gospel , phil. . . but if you demand , what is the rule of life it self ? answ. the moral law , and of this is the controversie . ob. but we are neither subject to the law , nor to sin : because all things both good and evil come from gods vvill , and all things that are done are wrought by him , and all that he doth is good , and therefore all sinful actions are good , because he works them ? answ. the commanding will of god , called voluntas mandati , is to be our rule , and not the working will of god , called voluntas decreti ; for we cannot sin by fulfilling the one , but we may sin in fulfilling the other : gods secret , and working will was fulfilled when josephs brethren sold him into egypt , and when the babylonians afflicted israel seventy years , and when the jewes caused christ to be crucified , yet in all these they sinned , and provoked god against them , acts . . gods will is his own rule to work by , not ours : and therefore samuel convinced saul , when he spared agag , that his disobedience against gods command , was rebellion , and as the sin of witchcraft , though therein he fulfilled the decree of god , sam. . . fourthly , a fourth argument to prove that the law is our tule , is this : if the love of christ is to lead us , then the commands of christ ( wherein he discovers one chief part of his love ) are to guide us , and to be a rule of life to us ; he that believes that a christian under the rule of the law , is under bondage , may justly be feard that himself is still under the bondage of sin , and satan , and never knew what the true love of christ is : for it 's a great part of the love of christ to command us to do any thing for him . a poor humbled prodigal will account it great love to be made an hired servant . object . the law indeed requires doing , but not the gospell , and therefore believers that are under the gospel are under no law of doing ? answ. as the gospel requires ●o doing that thereby we may be just , so it requires doing also when by christ jesus we are made just : for it commands us to be holy as god is holy , pet. . . and perfect as our heavenly father is perfect , mat. . . the law and gospel require the same perfection of holinesse , onely here is the difference , the law requires it that thereby we may be made just , and therefore accepts of nothing but perfection : but the gospel requires it , because we are already perfectly just in christ : hence though it commands as much as the law , yet it accepts of lesse , even the least measure of sincerity , though mixed with the greatest measure of imperfection . object . a believer hath repented in christ , and mortified sin in christ : so that mortification , and vivification is nothing but a b●lieving that christ hath mortified sin for us , and been quickned for us , and sanctification that is inherent in christ , and not in us , is the evidence of our justification ? answ. first , this principle confounds a christians justification , and sanctification , as it casts the seed of denying all inherent graces in a believer , and lays the basis refusing to do any duty , or conform to any law in our own persons ; and it will follow , that as the perfection of christs righteousnesse to our justification , should make us abhor any righteousnesse of our own to our justification : so if we be perfectly sanctified in christ , then perfection of christs righteousnesse to our sanctification , should make a beleever not only renounce the law , but abhorre all personal righteousnesse through the spirit to our sanctification : and then a believer must abhor to seek any love , or feare of god in his heart , which directly is an inlet to all manner of prophannesse . secondly , christ indeed is our sanctification , as well as our righteousnesse , cor. . . but not materially , and formally , but virtually , meritoriously , and ( with meet explications ) exemplarily . our righteousnesse to our justification is inherent in him , but our sanctification is inherent in our selves , though derived from him : hence we are never commanded to justifie our selves , unless it be instrumentally , and sacramentally , but we are commanded by faith to wash ourselves , isa. . . act. . . we are exhorted to repent , to believe , to mortifie our earthly members , to walk in newnesse of life , &c. because these things are wrought in us by christ to our sanctification , but not wrought in christ for us as our righteousnesse to our justification . object . they that are in christ are said to be compleat in him , col. . . and that they receive all grace from his fulnesse , john . . therefore they have no grace in themselves ; but its first in him , and consequently their sanctification is perfected in him ? ans. though the perfection and fulnesse of grace is first in christ , yet beleevers have not all in him after one , and the same manner , nor for the same end : for our righteousnesse to our justification is so in him as never to be inherent in us , neither here , nor in heaven ; but our righteousnesse to our sanctification is so far in him as it is to be derived to us , and hence it 's formally in us , but virtually and meritoriously in him . object . a christian must do what is commanded , but not by vertue of the command , for the spirit will binde their hearts to the law , but they are not bound by any authority of the law to the directions thereof ; for the spirit ( say they ) is free , and they are under the government of the spirit , which is not to be controlled by any law ? answ. if their meaning be that a beleever is not bound by the commanding power of any law to conforme thereunto , only the spirit will conforme their hearts to it , so that perhaps they shall do the thing which the law requires , but not because the law commands it , then it will follow , that in case a beleever fall into any sin : as whoredome , drunkenness , murder , &c. these wicked acts though they be sins in themselves ; yet they are not so to him , because he is now free from the law , and not bound to obedience by vertue of any command , and where there is no law , there is no transgression . object . the law is our rule as it was given by christ , and not as it was given by moses ? answ. the law may be considered , either materially , as it contains the matter of the covenant of works , and thus a believer is not to be regulated by it : or it may be considered finally , or rather relatively , as it stood in relation to the people of the god of abraham , who were already under abrahams covenant , which was a covenant of grace , gen. . . and so the law as it was given by moses , was given by christ in moses : hence it is that the law of love commanded by moses is called the lawe of christ , gal. . . therefore we must not set christ , and moses together by the eares . object . the written law is not to be a christians rule , but so far as it s written in the heart ? answ. this is a cursed assertion : for did not christ himself resist tentations to sin by cleaving to the written word , mat . , . and was not this done for our imitation : so david , and christ delighted to do gods will , because it was so written of them , psal. . , . paul exhorts children to obedience , because it 's the first commandment with promise , eph. . . paul preached what was in the old testament , acts . . what is it but popery to make the spirit within to be the supream judge , and superior to the spirit of god in the written word without ? the grace of god appearing in the gospel will have us to walk worthy of god in all well-pleasing according to the law , tit. . , . and to mourn bitterly that we are so unlike the will , and image of god revealed in the law , rom. . , . object . paul speaks of a law written and engraven in stone , and therefore of the moral law , which yet he saith is abolished by christ in the gospel ? cor. . , , , . answ. the meaning of this place , as also gal. . . is , that the apostle speaking of the moral law by a synecdoche , comprehends the ceremonial law also , both which the false teachers urged as necessary to salvation , and justification , at least together with christ , against whom the apostle here disputes : the moral law therefore is abolished , first , as thus accompanied with a yoke of ceremonies . secondly , as it was formerly dispensed , the greater light of the gospel obscuring that lesser light of the law , as ver . . thirdly , he may speak of the moral law as a covenant of life , which the false teachers urged , in which respect he calls it a ministry of death , and a letter which killeth ; and thus it s abolished by christ , that with open face we may behold the glory of the lord , as the end of the law for righteousnesse to every one that doth believe . object . the gospel under which believers are , requires no doing , for doing is proper to the law , which promises life , and requires conditions ; but the gospel promiseth to work the conditions , but requires none , and therefore a beleever now is fully free from the law ? answ. the gospel and the law are taken two wayes . . largely , the law is taken for the whole doctrine contained in the old testament , and the gospel for the whole doctrine of christ , and the apostles in the new testament . . strictly , the law pro lege operum : for the law of works : the gospel , pro lege fidei : for the law of faith : the law of works is strictly taken for that law which promises gods favour , and life upon condition of doing , or of personal obedience : the law of faith is strictly taken for that doctrine which reveals remission of sins , and reconciliation with god by christs righteousnesse only , apprehended by faith : now the gospel in this latter sense excludes all works , and requires no doing in point of justification , but only believing : but take it largely for the whole doctrine of gods love , and free grace , and so the gospel requires doing : for as it 's an act of gods free grace to justifie us without calling for our works : so it 's an act of the same free grace to require works of a justified person , to serve him in righteousnesse , and holinesse all the days of our lives , tit. . . and to think that the gospel requires no conditions , is a dreame against multitudes of scriptures , which contains conditional , yet evangelical promises . there are indeed no conditions required of us in the gospel , but what the lord himself hath , or shall work in us : but it doth not therefore follow that no conditions are required of us ; for requiring the condition is the means to work it , and the means and end should not be separated : as christs righteousnesse must go before as the matter , or moving cause of our justification : so faith must go before this righteousness , as an instrument , or applying cause of it by which we are justified : 't is true , god justifies the ungodly . but not immediatly without faith , but mediately by faith , rom. . . when the apostle affirms that we are justified by faith without works , he doth hereby plainly give that to faith which he denies to works : so then as he denies works to be the antecedent condition of our justification , so he affirms the contrary of faith which goes before our justification . believe , and live . object . there is no sin now but unbelief , which is a sin against the gosp●l onely ; therefore there being no sin against any law , christ having abolished it by his death , the law cannot be our rule ? answ. are drunkenness , whoredome , theft , &c. then no sinns to be repented of , or watched against , but only unbelief ? will not the lord judge men , not only for unbelief , but for all the works done in the body , as rom. . . cor. . is not the wrath of god revealed from heaven against all unrighteousnesse , & c ? rom. . . if there were no sin but unbelief , how can all flesh , jews and gentiles become guilty before god , that so they may believe the gospel ? as rom. , , &c. if they be all guiltless till unbelief comes in ? no sin indeed shall condemn a man if he believe , but it will not hence follow that there is no sin but unbelief ; sin is before unbelief comes : a sick sinner , before an healing saviour : sin kills the soul , as it were , naturally , unbelief , morally : no sin shall condemn us if we believe : but it doth not hence follow that there is no sin before , or after faith , because there is no condemning sin , unlesse we fal by unbelief . object . but now to preach the law savours of an old testament spirit , which was wont to wound , then to heale , to humble , and then to raise : but now we are to be ministers of the new testament , and no law is to be heard of ? answ. indeed to preache the law as the means of our justification , and as the matter of our righteousnesse without christ , or together with christ , as they did , cor. . . is a ministry of the letter , not of the spirit : but to preach christ plainly , as the end of the law , & to preach the law , as the means to prepare for , and advance christ in our hearts is no old testament ministry , neither doth it put a vaile upon mens hearts that they cannot see the end of the law , as cor. . . but it takes away the vail of all conceit of mans own strength , and righteousnesse by seeing his curse , that so he may flie to christ , and embrace him for righteousnesse . object . indeed the children of the old testament were under the law as their school-master to lead them to christ , gal. . , . but now ( saith the apostle ) we are no longer under this school-master ? answ. be it so that the sons of god are now no longer under the terrour of this school-master , is it not therefore a ministers work to preach the law unto the slaves of sin ? object . no , but we must say : thou poor drunkard , &c. here is a god that hath loved thee , and a christ to die for thee : here is salvation by him only , because thou art a sinner , fear not ; thou art free from dam●ation , christ died for thee . answ. is a poor drunkard , a villaine that never believed in a state of condemnation ? rom. . . paul saith , there is no condemnation to them that are in christ , but where are they freed that are out of christ ? who are by nature the children of wrath whil'st dead in sin , eph. . , &c. much lesse are such to believe because they are such : are not such ministers therefore that preach this doctrine like the false prophets , isa. . ult . and . ult . that cry , peace , peace , when god saith there is no peace to the wicked ? and saith not christ , john . ult . he that believes not , the wrath of god abides on him : it was upon him before , and when he believes not , it abides still on him . must the ministers of the new testament preach lies , and tell drunkards and villains , before they reject the gospel by unbelief , that the lord loves them , and there is no condemnation to them ? object . to judge of justification by sanctification is a doubtful evidence , a carnal and inferior evidence ? answ. if to be under the power and dominion of sin be a certain evidence of condemnation , so that he that says he knows christ , and yet walks in darkness is a liar , john . . and . . then sanctification , whereby we are freed from the power of sin , is a clear and full evidence of our actual justification : ●oh . . . hereby we know that we know him , if we keep his commandments : so act. . ult . christ is sent to blesse his people by turning the● from their iniquities : then they that are turned from them by him , may know certainly that they are blessed . so tim. . . godlinesse hath the promise of this life , and that which is to come ; therefore sanctification is a clear evidence of gods love to us ; sanctification is always an evidence in it self of a justified estate , though it be not always evident unto us . now to prove that it s no carnal , and inferior , but the first evidence , and a principal one , take th●se propositions . first , the free offer of grace is the first evidence to a poor lost sinner that he may be beloved . secondly , the receiving of this offer by faith ( relatively considered in respect of christs spotlesse righteousnesse ) is the first evidence that sheweth why he is beloved , and what hath moved god actually to love him . thirdly , the work of sanctification ( which is the fruit of our receiving this offer is the first evidence shewing that he is beloved . see shepheards morality of the sabbath . object . that which revealeth any evidence of assurance that i am christ , and he is mine , is the spirit speaking personally , and particularly to my heart , with such a voice , son , be of good cheer , thy sins are forgiven thee : and this is that broad seale of the spirit , making an immediate impression on my heart , without any begged testimony from works of sanctification , which is the revealing evidence of my interest in christ : and the receiving evidence is faith , believing this testimony of the spirit , only because the spirit saith so ; not because i have evidences or particular works of sanctification , such as are , universal obedience , sincerity of heart , and love of the brethren ? answ. the papist is the black devil , taking away all certainty of assurance : the antinomian is the white devil ; a spirit of hell clothed with all heaven , and the notions of free-grace ; they say , free-grace in us is a dream : sanctification inherent is a fiction : christ is all : there is no grace existent in the creature ; grace is all in christ , and nothing but imputed righteousnesse . but if works of sanctification can give no assurance , then first , the joy , and rejoycing which we have in the testimony of a good conscience , that in simplicity , and godly sincerity , not with fleshly wisdome , but by the grace of god , we have our conversation in the world , cor. . . must be but a dream . david , job , moses , samuel , the prophets , and apostles , their joying in a good conscience , must arise from doubtful and conjectural evidences : yea , then none can say in any assurance : i beleeve in christ : in the inward man i delight in the law of god. i am crucified to the world . my conversation is in heaven , &c. for all these are inherent qualifications in a childe of god , but they are doubtful and uncertain . how then hath god promised to love the righteous : to give the prize to him that runneth , &c. secondly , the testimony of the spirit , bearing witnesse to our spirit that we are the children of god , rom. . . is in this sense , an immediate act of the spirit , because the reflex acts of the soul are performed without any other medium , or meanes , but that whereby the direct acts are performed . i know that i know , and i know that i believe ; my sense by the same immediate operation of the spirit , by that which i know god , without any other light , teacheth me to know that i know god : as by light i see colours , and my common sense needs not another li●ht to make me know that i see colours : so when i believe in christ , that habitual instinct of the grace of god actuated and stirred up by the spirit of god , makes me know that i know god , and that i believe , and so that i am in christ to my own certain feeling and apprehension : but this doth not hinder , but the assurance of my interest in christ is made evident to me by other inferiour evidences , as john . . hereby we know that we know him , if we keep his commandments . by keeping gods commandments we do not simply know that we know him by certainty of faith ; but we know that we know god these two wayes . . we know ( the instinct of the new man being stirred up to action by the winde which bloweth when , and where it lusteth ) our knowing of god to be sound , saving and true ; we do not so much know our knowing of god by this supernatual sense , as we know the supernatural qualification and sincerity of our knowing of god ; so that we rather know the qualification of the act , that the work is done according to god : then the act according to its substance , though we do also know it in this relation . so john . . we know that we have passed from death to life , because we love the brethren , i. e. our love to the brethren doth evidence to us , both that we are translated to the kingdome of grace , and also we know that that translation is real , true , sincere , and effectual by love , and all the fruits of the spirit . . by these works of sanctification we have evidence that we have interest in christ , not as by formal light suggesting to us , that the immediate impression of this great , and broad seal of god , and his personal and particular testimony is true , ( for gods spirit needeth not another witnesse to adde authority to what he saith ) but because this conclusion , ( thou john , thomas , &c. hast interest in christ to thy own feeling ) must be proved by scripture , ( except with enthusiasts , we separate the word and the spirit ) therefore these works of sanctification prove the conclusion consequently by scripture and sense , and so lead us to the word of promise , thus . he that believeth , and maketh sure his belief by walking not after the flesh , but after the spirit , hath a clear evidence to his own feeling that he hath interest in christ. but i john , thomas , &c. do believe , and do make sure my belief by walking , not after the flesh , but after the spirit ; therefore i have a clear evidence to my own feeling that i have interest in christ. the proposition is scripture , john . . and . . and . , . rom. . , . john . . and . . the assumption is made sure by sense , not at all times , but when the spirit is breathing upon the soul. for though i do believe , and walk after the spirit , yet to my own feeling i have only evidence of my interest in christ , when the spirit stirs up my sense to compare my faith , and walking with the promises of god in christ. ob. if this be so , then all the certainty that i have of my interest in christ , is ultimately and principally resolved into this weak and rotten foundation of my own good works , which being examined by the law of god , will be found so sinful , that they must needs involve me under the curse of god ? answ. this will not follow for if our works of sanctification were the causes of our peace and comfort , then it might have some colour of truth : but , though these works have sin cleaving to them , yet because our supernatural sense of the spirit suggesteth that these works are the fruits of faith , and are done in some measure of sincerity , and flow not from the spirit of the law , but from the spirit of the gospel , therefore they lead us to christ , and drive us upon a clear gospel-promise , thus . first , that the adherent sinfulnesse of our works are purged by the blood of christ. secondly , that our peace and assurance depends not upon our works , but upon the promises of the gospel in such scriptures as these , tim. . , . cor. . . rev. . . only our inherent qualification leads us , as a moral motive , to look to the promises of god , which is the foundation of our peace . thirdly , if works of sanctification be no sure marks of our interest in christ , because sin cleaveth to them , which involves us in the curse , then neither can faith in christ be a sure mark of our interest in christ , because it is mixed with sinful doubtings : but as faith justifies , not because its great and perfect , but because its lively and true , ( as a palsie-hand may receive a piece of gold as well as a strong one ) so also do our inherent works of sanctification evidence to us that we are in christ , and so lead us to the promises of the gospel , as signes , not causes of our interest in christ , and that under this notion , because they are sincerely performed , not because they are perfect , and without sin . fourthly , in exalting christs righteousnesse one way by making christ all , they make christ nothing another way , by vilifying the glory of sanctifying grace . for we are not by good works to make our calling and election sure to our selves , and in the evidence of our own consciences , if our good works be no signes of our interest in christ. fifthly , the spirit which they make the only witnesse , must be known to us by scriptures , not to be a deluding spirit : for if this spirit cannot be known by those things which are called the fruits of the spirit , gal. . . love , joy , peace , &c. as the fruits are evidences of the life of the tree , then men are to labour for faith , and the raptures , impressions , and the immediate and personal influence of a spirit from heaven without making any conscience of holy ving , and so this is the high-way for men void of all sanctification to believe that they are in christ ; and they may live after the flesh , and yet believe the testimony of the broad seal of an immediate working spirit . mr. rutherfords parl. sermon . ob. but rom. . . it s said that god justifies the ungodly ? answ. first , some answer it thus : that these words are not to be understood in sensu composito , but diviso , and antecedenter : he that was ungodly , is , being justified , made godly also , though that godlinesse doth not justifie him ; and so they compare these passages with those of making the blinde to see , and the deaf to hear , not that they did see whilest they were blinde , but those that were blinde do now see ; which is true and good . but secondly , ungodly here is meant of such , who are so considered in their nature , having not an absolute righteousnesse : so then the subject of justification is a sinner , but withal a believer : now its impossible that a man should be a believer , and not have his heart purified , acts . . for whole christ is the object of his faith , who is received not only to justifie , but also to sanctifie . ob. but rom. . . christ died for us whilest we were enemies ? answ. if christ died for us whilest we were enemies , why do they say , that if a man be as great an enemy as enmity it self can make him , if he be willing to take christ , and to close with him , he shall be pardoned , which includes a contradiction : for how can an enemy to christ close with christ ? but christ died , not only to justifie , but to save us : now will they hence infer , that profane men living and dying so shall be saved ; and indeed , the grand principle , that christ hath purchased and obtained all graces antecedently to us , in their sense , will as necessarily infer , that a drunkard abiding so , shall be saved , as well as justified . ob. but it s said that christ died , and rose again for sinners ? answ. we must know that this is the meritorious cause of our pardon and salvation ; but besides this cause there are instrumental causes , that go to the whole work of justification ; therefore some divines , as they speak of a conversion passive and active ; so also of a justification active and passive : and they call that passive , not only when the meritorious cause , but the instrument applying it is also present , then the person is justified . so then to that grand mercy of justification , something is requisite as the efficient , viz. the grace of god ; something as meritorious : viz. christs suffering : something as instrumental : viz. faith : and one is as necessary as the other . mr. burges vindiciae legis . chap. xii . questions , and cases of conscience about apostasie , or falling away . quest what is apostacy ? answ. it 's a leaving or forsaking that good way and course which men had once taken for the obtaining of grace : so gal. . . ye are fallen from grace . object . how many sorts of apostacy are there ? answ. first , there is a falling from god , either secret , when the heart by distrust is withdrawn ; or open when men do blaspheme the truth , and rail at the doctrine of god , as those jews did , act. . . secondly , there is a temporary defection , or falling away , which afterwards is repented of : or a final of such as die in their apostacy : as julian did . thirdly , there is a spiritual defection from some part of doctrine and obedience : as in david , peter , &c. and a total when the foundation of faith is denied . fourthly , some fall from god in their first yeares , following their superstitious ancestors , as many that are borne of popish parents : others that fall in their middle age after their enlightning with the truth , as sundry inconstant protestants ; which fall to popery , or heresie : so tim. . . foretold , thes. . . fifthly , there is a universal departure from the whole doctrine of christ , after it is once known by the enlightning of the spirit , with a malicious despite of it , because its the truth of god , heb. . . and . . and . . read more of it , pet. . . joh. . . quest. how farre may a childe of god apostatize , and fall back ? answ. first , he may loose all his zeale ; and be but lukewarme , rev. . , . so sam. . . there was no zeale in any to oppose the blasphemy of goliah . this was foretold , matth. . . the love of many shall wax cold . secondly , he may lose all his affections which are the wings of the soul : as it was with sardis , r●v . . . so with asa , chron. . . and david , sa● . . . thirdly , he may grow to be senseless of sin , and of the grace of god : so were josephs brethren when they had thrown him into the pit , gen. . . so the israelites when they had made the golden calf , exod. . . so david , sam. . . fourthly , he may grow to be notoriously vain and worldly : so paul complains of some of his dear friends , phil. . . fifthly , he may grow to that pass that the service of god may be a burden to him : he may cry out as those , mal. . . hence paul exhorts the galatians , ch . . . be not weary of w●ll-doing . sixthly , he may be so dead that nothing can quicken him : and so it may fare with the whole church , even when god shews signes of his departure : hence isa. . . i wondred that there was no intercessor . quest. where then is grace in such an one ? is he unchilded againe ? answ. the grace of a childe of god can never be wholly lost , not for any goodness in himselfe , but through the goodness of god to him : for , first , there is a seed of god still remaing in him , john . . so that he cannot commit sin with that full swinge as wicked men do . regeneration is an immortal seed , pet. . , . secondly , there are supernatural habits remaining in him , whereby he hath inclinations to good , and against evil , psal. . . though the righteous fall , yet shall he not utterly be cast down , &c. now the difference between the seed , and habits is this . this seed is immediately in the soul , though it runnes through all the powers of it : but these supernatural habits are immediately in the powers and faculties of the soul : and herein they differ from moral and natural habits ; in that these do naturally incline , but supernatural habits do never actually incline , but upon concurrence of special grace . thirdly , a childe of god hath ever an anointing , john . . i. e. a gift , and grace of god , whereby his eyes are enlightned to look upon god and his ordinances , and all sin , and iniquity with an heavenly eye , which can never be taken away : so that he will not think or talk of god as a natural man doth : he will discover that he hath something of god still in him . fourthly , there is a little strength in his heart , as rev. . . he doth a little fear god : hath some good desires though but weak , and a little endeavour to please god : though corruptions be very strong . quest. whence proceeds this back-sliding in gods children ? answ. from their giving way to sin , and not looking to themselves to abstain from it ; as from worldliness , passion , &c. as tim. . . this david found by woful experience , and therefore prays , psal. . . that god would uphold him with his free spirit . so we see in peter , matth. . . now the reasons why sin doth so deaden grace in their hearts are , first , sin is a soul-killing thing : when the devil hooks a man into sinne , he draws him into the dead sea , hos. . . when ephraim offended in baal , he died , eph. . . ye were dead in sinne : hence he calls the law of sin , the law of death , rom. . . sinne weakens all the powers and faculties of the soul , and body that they cannot stir to any duty . it 's like a great weight on a mans back , heb. . . as christ saith , cares overcharge the heart , luke . . it separates between god which is the fountain of life , and the soul , and therefore no marvel if it deaden it . secondly , sin grieves the holy spirit of god : and we know that all the quickening of a christian consists in the gracious assistance of gods spirit : so that if he withdraw and suspend his actions we can do nothing of our selves . hence , eph. . . grieve not the holy spirit of god , &c. and thes. . , . it quencheeh the spirit . thirdly , it puts a most bitter hard task upon the soul to go through , which causeth her reluctancy : for such a man must humble himself greatly before god , must renew his repentance with bitter remorse for his sins : must come to a reckoning for it . this made david so loth to call himself to account when he had sinned with bathsheba . fourthly , it defiles the conscience , till it be again purged by the blood of christ , heb. . . it knocks off a mans fingers from laying hold of the promises , which are the things by which men live , isa. . . it makes the conscience say , the promises do not belong to me : for god is an holy god , and his promises are holy , and there is no medling with them without holinesse . fifthly , sin doth either utterly destroy , or mightily weaken all our assurance of welcome to god : and therefore it must needs dead the heart in all duties : as a childe when he hath committed some great fault , is afraid to come into his fathers presence , as we see in jonah and david . quest. what are the particular sins , which cause this deadnesse and backsliding ? answ. first , the niggardlinesse of gods children in his service : when they will do no more then they must needs do : whereas a quickned heart will rather superabound then be wanting : as often in scripture the duty is commanded , but not the quantity , as how often , and how long we should pray , meditate , give almes , &c. now a christian in such cases will rather overdo , then underdo : as philemon v. . i know thou wilt do more then i ask . so cor. . . secondly . neglect of our spiritual watch ; this caused deadnesse in the church of sardis , rev. . . such lie open to the tentations of satan . hence pet. . . so we see in eve , noah , lot , david , &c. hence paul , cor. . . i was amongst you with much feare . thirdly , contenting our selves with a low kinde of religion , that will never attain to any quickening : whereas religion is an high thing , prov. . . it , an high calling , phil. . . so we see in jehosaphat , chron. . . we ( saith the apostle ) have our conversation in heaven , phil. . . fourthly , vanity of mens mindes is another cause of great deadnesse . hence david prays against it , psal. . . when a man gives way to vain thoughts , vain speeches , vain expence of time . fifthly , evil examples is another cause : when we live amongst dead and declining christians , and think all well if we be not worse then they . sixthly , covetousnesse and wordlinesse : whereas while we keep off our affections from the world we are full of life : but when we dote upon the world , it layes bolts and fetters upon our soules , as we see in demas , and tim. . . see how heartlesse those heaters were from this cause , ezek. . . hence eph. . . let not covetousnesse be once named amongst you , &c. seventhly , idlenesse and spiritual sloth , when men let their mindes go as a ship without a pilot : see the danger of idlenesse . prov. . . so when we do not lay forth our talents , and improve our gifts and graces . eighthly . contenting our selves with what we have attained to , and not growing , and going on towards perfection , as heb. . . where there is truth of grace there will be growth , pet. . . and so we are exhorted to it , pet. . . quest. what meanes may we use to prevent this backsliding , and to be quickned in grace ? answ. first , we must go to christ for life and quickening grace : he came for that end that we might have life , &c. john . . now to attain hereunto we must believe in him , john . . and then he invites us , isa. . . believe in the lord jesus christ , set your hearts upon him , seek after him , and you shall have all good , even life it self . secondly , carefully to attend upon the ministery of the word . so cor. . , . you are not straitened in us , but in your own bowels : for our mouth is open to you : q. d. in our ministry there is abundance of grace , life , &c. we come with our armes full , you may be enlarged sweetly thereby , but that you are straitened in your own bowels . thirdly , a careful shunning of all those cause of deadnesse and backsliding , which were before-mentioned . fourthly , be earnest with god to quicken thy heart to pray for his grace , that god would be pleased to put life into thee . pray as elijah did , that fire from heaven may come upon thy sacrifice to warme and heat thy heart , and to stir thee up to that which is good , as the church doth , psal. . . quicken us , and we will call upon thy name . of all petitions we should pray most for life and zeale , next to gods glory and our own salvation , ( nay , indeed as the very meanes of both ) : for indeed there is no grace that we have more need of then this , for it sets all other graces on work , and its most acceptable to god : yea , it s the greatest blessing god can bestow upon us . hence psal. . . great are thy tender mercies , quicken me , o lord , &c. where he takes the quickening of his heart as a gracious effect of gods infinite mercy to his soul. fifthly , be diligent to take earnest and effectual paines in this work , and in all christian duties in all the worship of god : there is a secret blessing upon all those that take paines even in the meanest calling , prov. . . so it is in regard of spiritual life , there is a secret blessing upon those that are diligent about the meanes of grace : as in prayer , striving against sin , hearing the word , sanctifying the sabbath , receiving the sacraments , &c. such shall thrive in grace , when others shall be like pharaohs lean kine , prov. . . he that gathers by labour shall encrease : so is it here . paul though he came late into the vineyard , yet by his diligence he out-went all the rest of the apostles . sixthly , we must exercise that grace we have , and then we shall never fall . if a man have but a little knowledge , and useth , and improves it , it will much encrease . if we make use of our relentings and meltings , and strike whilest the iron is hot ; if we act and exercise any grace , it will prove like the loaves in the disciples hands , which whilest they were distributing , encreased . grace is like a snow-ball that encreaseth by rowling . seventhly , and lastly , consider the examples of gods worthies in all ages , which will much quicken us to be as forward as they : when james would quicken them to patience , he proposes the examples of job and the prophets , jam. . . so when he would quicken them to prayer , he proposeth the example of elias , v. , . the zeale of others will provoke us , cor. . . so when christ would exhort his disciples to suffer persecution , he saith , consider the prophets which were persecuted , mat. . . quest. what motives may perswade us to avoid that deadnesse which accompanies , or precedes backsliding ? answ. first , consider the woful ingredients of this sinne , which are . a dulnesse and blockishnesse to learne any thing that is good ; as it s said of the jewes , acts . . when we enjoy excellent meanes , and profit not by them . . an awkardnesse and listlesnesse to the wayes of jesus christ , as is said of the jewes , mat. . . when we go about duties as having no heart to them . . senselesnesse of conscience , when it feels not little sins , and is little sensible of great ones . . coldnesse and lukewarmnesse of affections : when we neither pray , nor hear , &c. with affections : we can finde teares upon other occasions but not for our sins : our love waxes cold , as foretold , mat. . . . weaknesse , and faintnesse of endeavours : as solomon saith , prov. . . we would feigne have heaven and salvation , but we will not be at paines , and cost to get it , far unlike to john baptists hearers , mat. . . . dulnesse and drowsinesse of the whole man ; though we are very careful , and industrious about the world , yet we are extream carelesse of our soules ; if our hearts were contrite we should soon be quickned , isa. . . secondly . consider that so long as we are dead hearted , we cannot pray . implied , psal. . . nor hear profitably , implied by christ , mat. . , &c. thirdly , whilest we are dead we can have no comfort , no assurance to our soules , that we have the truth of grace in us . when christ gives grace , he is said to quicken that man , john . . true repentance is from dead works , and unto life . faith is not faith if it do not quicken . hence galat. . our sinnes are not forgiven ; if we be not quickned , col. . . fourthly , we cannot grow in grace except we are quickened ; implied , hosea . . the philippians love to paul was dead till it was quickened , and then it flourished , phil. . . fifthly , as long as we are dead , we shall be so far from growing that we shall not be able to keep our own . hence rev. . . such men pine away , as ezek . , . and no marvel , when it makes them neglect the meanes to keep life in them . sixthly , this sin of deadnesse is worse then other sins , and that in six respects . . other sins for the most part are but in one part of a man : as pride in the heart , drunkennesse in the appetite , &c. but deadnesse is in the whole man : it heaps all miseries upon a man , as rev. . . such a man is like judah . isa. . . hath no sound part . it s like the deluge , that drowned the whole world . . other sins are against one or two of the commandments : but deadnesse is against all : it s a sin against prayer , hearing , all ordinances and sabbaths : for in all these we should have life . . this sin is deeper in the soul then any other sin : a man will be wil-linger to part with any sin then deadnesse , and to take up any duty then quickening : judah was content to turne to god , but not with her whole heart , jerem. . . . other sins may be but acts , and we may not have an habit of them , as we see in noah , lot , david , &c. but deadnesse is an habit , eph. . . and an estate of sin is worse then any act of sin . . other sins are the first death of the soul : we are all by nature the children of wrath , and were once dead : but if after we are christians we grow dead again , we are twice dead : and it causeth the second death , not of damnation , but of being dead after we are quickned . sixthly , though god threatens hell and damnation against other sins , yet more especially against deadnesse , when we receive not the truth in the love of it : as thes. . , , . it s a most woful thing when we do not love the truth , ordinances , obedience , duties , &c. see also rev. . , . and . . now further to quicken us , let us consider . we have life , and why should not god have it ? in him we live , move , and have our being : he gives us life and breath : why then should we not give it him again ? the rivers that come from the sea , return to it again . we should therefore with the macedonians , cor. . . yield our selves to the lord. . all the world is alive in their courses : o let christians be alive in theirs , as mich. . . every man walks in the name of his god : let us walk in the name of god. they whose belly is their god , or their pleasures , profits , preferments , &c. their minde and affections run all that way , why should not we be as forward in our wayes . . consider the worth of the kingdome of heaven , eternal life , the gospel , prayer , ordinances , &c. are they such poor beggerly things , that they are scarce worth looking after ? yea , they deserve our best affections . . if we be quickened , nothing will be difficult : for nothing is hard to a willing minde : the difficulty of religion is over if a man be quickened . to such an one gods commandments are not grievous , john . . whereas if our hearts be dead , there is the greater labour required , eccl. . . it s hard for such to overcome lusts , to perform duries : whereas quickning is as oyle to the wheeles , it makes it go easie . . it will yield a great deal of peace , joy and comfort , as psal. . . revive us again , o lord , and we shall rejoyce in thee ▪ such as follow god with an earnest heart , have such joyes as none else can meddle with , god gives them unknown comfort , joy and peace . . it would make heaven it selfe to rejoyce : as the father of the prodigal : this my son was dead , and doth live , luke . . therefore its meet we should rejoyce . so when a poor soul that was dead before , is now quickened in his wayes , the angels in heaven rejoyce at it . . if we were quickned , we should not only do our selves good , but others also . so it was with david , psal. . . himself being quickened : o taste and see ( saith he ) that the lord is good , &c. o feare the lord ye his saints . and v. ● . come children , hearken unto me , i 'le teach you the feare of the lord , &c. so it was with paul , acts . . vvould that thou , and all that hear me this day , were not only almost , but altogether such as i am , &c. fenners alarm . second part. quest. how do temporary believers wither , and fall away from grace ? answ. first , in judgement , when they fall from the grounds of sincerity , and truth whereof they were once perswaded ; as many , who for by-respects are carried from the truth which they once embraced ; such was demas , who forsook the truth to embrace the present world : the galatians , who by little and little fell to another gospel , gal. . . at first through weaknesse , and in part : afterwards in whole , and by obstinacy . hymenaeus and philetus , who once held the truth concerning the resurrection , but in short time erred from the faith , and destroyed the faith of many , tim. . . as this was prophecied of these latter ages , so our eyes have seen it abundantly fulfilled in numbers in these our dayes , who have departed from the faith , and given heed to the spirits of errour , and doctrines of devils , tim. . . by turning anabaptists , anti-scripturists , antitrinitarians , seekers , quakers , ranters , &c. secondly , in affections , whereby they fall from their first love and zeal which once they had for god and goodnesse . thus many who seemed fervent in spirit , and forward maintainers of religion , are now cooled and come to a state of indifferency , if not of neutrality , framing themselves to the times for their own profit , preferment , &c. thirdly , in practice , as the galatians who did run well ; but something letted them , and cast them back , gal. . . thus many who began in the spirit , end in the flesh : who having scaped the filthiness of the world , are again entangled therein , returning with the dog to his vomit , and with the washed sow to her wallowing in the mire , pet. . . fourthly , in respect of means which should preserve them from apostacy . some have seemed to make conscience of hearing the word preached , and tasted sweetness in it , so that nothing could hinder them from taking all opportunities of hearing , but now they distaste the wo●d , dislike , and cry down the ministry , or heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts , tim. . . others that used to pray much , and often , and fervently , but now they wholly , or in great part neglect it . others that were diligent in instructing their families , watching over their behaviour , &c , wholly lay it aside . quest. what is the danger of these apostates ? answ. first , in regard of god they are most hateful to him , seeing they can find nothing more worthy forsaking then the good way , and esteem every thing more worthy keeping then gods image , and graces : hence he stiles them dogs , and swine , pet. . . secondly , in respect of the church , they scandalize the weak , and make themselves and all professors a scorne to the wicked : they wound the hearts of the godly , who in them are made vile to the world : they open the mouths of the wicked to speak evil of the ways of god , and harden the wicked in their loose courses . thirdly , in respect of the sin it self , none more dangerous : for , . relapses are more dangerous then the first diseases . . satan returning , brings with him seven worse spirits and so he is for ever held under the power of them . . this sinne is commonly punished with other sins , which is gods most fearful stroke . . it 's a degree of the sin against the holy ghost , heb. . . fourthly , in respect of the judgements which attend this sin . . the house not founded on the rock must fall , and the fall is great and irreparable , mat. . . . the judgement is certain , being already in part inflicted : the talent is already taken away , and in the next place the unprofitable servant is to be cast into hell fire , mat. . . quest. what are s●gnes and notes of a man thus apostatizing in grace ? answ. first , a resting in a common and general hope of a good estate , without a desire and endeavour to get special assurance . secondly , an opinion of sufficiency : that he hath grace enough , and needs seek no more : and so not to go foreward , is to go backward . thirdly , a comparing of a mans self with those of inferiour graces , or means of resting contented if he be but as good as they . fourthly , a shunning or slighting gods ordinances , and forsaking the assemblies of the saints ; or if he use publick , yet he neglects private duties . fifthly , secret sins ordinarily committed , not bewailed , nor reformed : or allowing a mans self in lesser oaths , idle speeches , roving thoughts ▪ expence of time wastfully , &c. sixthly , hatred of gods children and their wayes whether openly or secretly : hence , psalme . . they that hate sion shall be as grasse on the house-top that withereth , &c. quest. what means may we use to keep us from this apostacy ? answ. first , get sound judgement to discern the truth ftom errour , which is attained by the publick ministry . if we would not quench the spirit , we must not despise prophesie , thes. . , . if we would not fall we must be built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles : we must attend upon reading , meditation , and conference , which notably begets , and confirms soundness of judgement : and by prayer , which obtains the spirit , called the spirit of judgment , isa. . . secondly , sound perswasion of the truth thou professest , and that by getting expe●ience of it in thy heart : if a man once tasts the sweetnesse of christ , and his merits , he will never be a papist in the point of me●it , but abhor his own works as dress and dung : get experience of gods love in christ , and it will be stronger then death , &c. cant. . , . thirdly , sound affections and love to the truth : esteeme it as a pearl worth selling all to buy it : but if thou lovest the world , or any thing better then the truth , with d●mas thou wilt forsake it : so , thessal . . , . fourthly , sound conscience , to which is required , . sincerity . . tendernesse . . sincerity , when a man is inwardly a true nathanael , without guile . . tenderness ; whereby we fear and dislike all sin , the least , the closest , the dearest bosome sin ; whereas an evil conscience makes shipwrack of the faith , tim. . . fifthly , sound conversation . fruitfulnesse in our life fastens our faith , whereas a barren life hath little stability . we must hear the word and do it , if we will be built upon the rock , matth. . . god useth to recompense practice of grace with encrease of grace . hence john . . if ye do these things ye shall know my doctrine , and psalm . ult . he that doth these things shall n●ver fall . the talent used increaseth , like the meal in the barrel , kings . . sixthly , sound fellowship in the communion of saints : in receiving , and communicating christian admonition , reprehension , counsel , comfort , &c. hereby we stirre up the gift of god in our selves and others : hence , thes. . . heb. . . quest. what motions may encourage us to the use of these means ? answ. first , consider how heresies and errours encrease daily in all places , amongst all degrees , and our trial may be at hand , we know not how soon . secondly , this decay , and withering is fatal to reprobates , and befals them onely , but cannot betide gods elict , matth. . . the elect cannot be deceived . thirdly , experience tells us that we may say of some great professors , as it 's said of the fig-tree , matth. . . how soone are they withered ? which is a shrewd argument that the sentence is out against them : never fruit grow on thee any more , ver . . see dr. tailor , on the parable of the sower . quest. seeing many who have been once zealous for gods way , afterwards decline it totally , what is it to set rightly forth at our first owning of christ , and to lay a sure foundation to prevent apostacy ? ans. first , then are our beginnings hopeful when the spirit of god in the ministry of the word , or other meanes of grace did work upon us : when it was not meere education under good governours , nor the acquaintance , and company which we had with those that fear god , but an inward , experimental work of grace upon our hearts . we read , chron. . . of joash , who in his latter days did most wickedly degenerate , when yet in his former time he had been very forward in repairing the temple , and had shewed more zeal for gods glory then the priests did : but what was the ground ? jehoiadah the high priest had a great hand over him , he helped him to his kingdome , and engaged him to god several ways : but when this good man was dead he became a wolf , and put zacharie , iehoiadahs son , to death , and that meerly because he reproved him for his sins : so that though joash had some external restraint upon him , yet was there no internal renovation by gods spirit . look therefore what put thee upon a forwardnesse in the ways of god : was it the spirit of god through the word ? then it is of god , and will endure : otherwise a child mishapen in the conception wil ever after be a monster . secondly , then will beginnings and endings be alike , when grace is rooted , and enters deep enough into the soul. though thou hast never such affections , such enlargements , yet if there be not a rooted , and deep work of grace upon thy soul , it will never hold out , mat. . . the seed that grew hopefully miscarried , because it had no rooting : and the house upon the sandy foundation fell , because the builder digged not deep enough : hence the promise of regeneration is , ier. . . to put the law of god into their inward parts : therefore grace is called the inwa●d man , the hidden man of the heart : if therefore thy repentance hath been deep enough ? if thy faith , and love be rooted ? the gates of hell shall never prevail against thee . thirdly , good beginnings will end well when we professe christ out of love to christ , and sincere intentions , not from sinister and worldly respects : the wolf will at last discover himself for all his sheeps cloathing : as we see in judas . to follow christ for the loaves , or to know him only after the flesh , will never endure . jehu begins with zeal as hot as fire , yet his latter end was like jeroboams , and all because his ends were not pure . observe therefore thy heart diligently in the motions and intentions of it . is it to get applause ? to be reputed of ? to compasse great things for thy self ? if so the time will come that , thy building will fall , though so many did admire it . fourthly , thy beginnings will end coldly , when thy judgement is not well instructed , and informed in the truth . hot affections , but a weak judgement will quickly stagger , and is apt to be carried up and down with every winde of doctrine ; christ therefore prayeth , john . . that they may be sanctified through the truth : hymenaeus and philetus , when they made shipwrack of the faith , they then cast away a good conscience : so that a sound mind and judgement is a special help to perseverance : they which are tossed up and down with every new doct●ine , are called children , ephes. . . because their understandings are weak . fifthly , they that will persevere must be well advised about the nature of grace , & how dear it wil cost them to be disciples of christ ? what they must do and suffer for his name : this christ expresseth under two parables : one of a king going to war : the other of a man undertaking a great building , luke . . &c. so think thou with thy self : shall i joyn my self to those that fear god ? am i fit for such a great work ? am i mortified to all sin ? can i endure to lose all for christ ? do i love him better then my relations , then my life it self ? &c. mr. burges on joh. . p. . sixthly , if thou wouldst not apostatize , practice so much as thou knowest , and the more thou practisest , the more thou knowest , and the more thou knowest thus , the more thou lovest , and the surer doest thou bind it upon thy self , and this is the surest hold , john . . seventhly , call no grounds of divine truth into question : suspect not that which thou canst not reach , but rather accuse thy own weaknesse , and ignorance : our first parents by questioning the truth of gods threatning , lost gods image , which consisted in truth as well as holinesse . eighthly , beware of indifferency in the matters of god ; many think it better to be like the flexible willow , then the sturdy oke , or as wax , to take all forms of religion : these can never hold out when trials come . dr. taylor on tit. chap. xiii . questions , and cases of conscience about apparel . quest. how are we to use apparel ? answ. men and women are to cover their bodies with decent and comely apparel , and so to atti●e themselves , as that in their apparel they do expresse the vertues of their mindes , and the graces that be in their hearts , especially modesty , shamefastnesse and frugality . quest. wherein stands d●cency and comelinesse of apparel ? answ. first , in covering the whole body with it , except such parts as are left bare for necessities sake , as the face , and hands , gen. . , . by sin came shame upon the whole body , and the lord made and appointed the wearing of garments , for the covering of the deformity of our naked bodies , deut. . . nakednesse is threatned as a curse , therefore affected nakednesse is monstrous and vile . secondly , in the fashion making our garments in a decent manner , which is , ▪ when its fitted for the sex , deut. . . . according to the condition , office and calling we are in , and according to our estate , and after the ancient customes of the countrey , and place we live in , and to the example of the most grave , godly , and sober men and women of our own rank , mat. . . zeph. . . cor. . , . phil. . . pet. . , , . quest. may not ornaments of gold , silver , pearles , precious stones , lace , silk , sattins , velvets , &c. be used ? answ. yea , some necessary cautions in using them being observed , as may be proved , gen. . , . and . . exod. . . psal. . , . mat. . . ob. but the prophets seem to condemn and threaten such ornaments , isa. , &c. answ. some of those ornaments were indeed meer vanities , and therefore not to be used . others were in themselves lawful , and are not simply condemned , but only in the abuse of them as they were made instruments and ensignes of pride , wantonnesse , and the lightnesse of the women , as appears , v. . ob. but tim. . . pet. . . the apostles forbid the wearing of gold , or costly apparel ? answ. in these texts the apostles do not simply forbid the wearing of such things , but the abuse of them in riot and excesse , directing their speeches to women , who it seems were excessive in adorning their outward man , and neglected the inward ornaments of modesty and humility , the chief ornaments of christians . hence tim. . , . pet. . . the latter are chiefly commended . quest. vvhat are those cautions to be observed in using these ornaments ? answ. first , they must be used sparingly , and with moderation , according to the rank , place and calling wherein god hath set us , and the example of the gravest and godly persons of our own rank and place , dan. . , , . with mat. . . secondly , they must not be used alwayes alike ; but according to the times and seasons , jer. . . luke . . it was the rich mans fault to weare them every day . thirdly , they must be used to a right end ; not to get honour and esteem amongst men : much lesse to inveigle others , ( as the harlot did , prov. . , . ) but to the honouring of the body , that therein god may be honoured , g●n . . . cor. . . thes. . . quest. how do men and women sin in their apparel ? a●s . first , when they weare strange fashions and guises : threatened even in kings children , zeph. . . the general rule is , whatsoever things are of good report , these do , phil. . . secondly , when with their apparel , they cover not their nakednesse , but as having put off all shame , they discover those parts which modesty requires to be covered . thirdly , when they have their apparel so made , as disfits them for employment , and makes them like pictures in a frame , you cannot stir one part except you stir all : they can scarce feed themselves : solomons good huswife was not so clothed , prov. . , &c. fourthly , when by their apparel they confound sexes : forbidden , deut· . . fifthly , when they weare any garment in religious or civil employments to the scandal and offence of their brethren . sixthly , when they prank up themselves beyond their calling , estate , and degree . seventhly , when they distinguish not between times of mourning and rejoycing : whereas the like garments are not fit for all seasons . quest. vvhat are the proper uses of apparel ? answ. first , to cover our nakednesse , and to hide our corporal shame and defects . secondly , to defend our bodies from the injury of winde and weather , both of the summers heat , and the winters cold . hence garments , quasi gardments . thirdly , to preserve and cherish natural heat and life , which otherwise would spend too fast , what shall we say then to those that make them the ensignes of vanity , and incentives to lust and luxury ? whence else are those bushes of haire and periwigs , those frizlings , crispings , curlings , powdrings , paintings , patchings and spottings , especially of womens faces ? what are the toyes they call fancies ? are they not such as an old writer calls satanae ingenia , the devils fancies ? whereas there is nothing more foolish , did we rightly consider it , then to shew pride in garments , which are indeed the ensignes of our shame ; as if the thief should be proud of his halter : they are called by a word in the hebrew , which signifies perfidiousnesse , as being tokens of our perfidious dealing with god : when as at first man was naked , and yet not ashamed : they are but coverings of this vile body , , phil. . . or as it is in the greek , the body of our humiliation : such as we cannot think of without humbling our soules for the intemperance , and uncleannesse of it . and must our pride break forth in decking such a body ? the apostle saith , rom. . . the body is dead because of sin : sure then a course hair-cloth may best become a dead corpse see elton on the commandments . quest. vvhat is further to be considered in the use of apparel ? answ. first , the preparation of it to be worne . secondly , the wearing of it when it is prepared . quest. vvhat rules are to be observed in the preparing of it ? answ. our care for apparel and bodily ornaments is to be very moderate , mat. . , &c. tim. . . quest. how shall we know what is necessary ? answ. a thing is necessary two wayes . first , in respect of nature , for the preservation of life and health . secondly , in respect of our place , calling and condition , for upholding the credit of it . now that 's necessary raiment which is necessary both these wayes . quest. who shall judge what is n●cessary for persons of every condition ? answ. first , vain and curious persons are not competent judges : but the examples of grave , modest , and frugal persons in every order and estate , who by their knowledge and experience are best able to determine it . secondly , though we must not seek for more then necessary apparel , yet if god of his goodnesse give us more , we must receive it thankfully , and use it to the good example of others . ob. but john baptist saith , we must not have above one coat ? answ. his meaning must needs be , that he that hath not only necessary raiment but superfluity ; must give of his abundance unto them that want . christ himself had two coats , and st. paul a coat and a cloak . . rule : all apparel must be fitted to the body , in a comely and decent manner , as becomes holinesse , tit. . . quest. how shall this be done ? answ. by observing these five rules . first , it must be according to the sex both for men and women , deut. . . which is not a ceremonial law , but grounded upon the law of nature , and common honesty . secondly , our apparel must be suited to our callings , that it may not hinder nor disable us in the performance of the duties thereof . this justly condemns the apparel , ( especially of women and maid-servants ) which sets them , as it were , in a frame , that they cannot with ease and conveniency do their businesses whilest they have it on . thirdly , our apparel must be suited to our meanes , that so we may be able to maintain our families , and relieve the poor . fourthly , it must be answerable to our estate , and dignity , for distinction of order , and degrees in the society of men , when joseph was set over the land of egypt , he was arrayed in fine linnen with a chain of gold about his neck , gen. . . so judg. . . mat. . . the contrary brings great confusion , and overthrows the order which god hath set in the states and conditions of men . fifthly , it must be fitted according to the ancient and laudable custom of the countrey wherein we dwell . quest. but if we see a fashion used in other countreys that we like , may we not take it up ? answ. no , for god hath threatned to visit all such , zeph. . ● . paul taxes it as a great disorder in the corinthians , that men wore long haire , and women went uncovered , cor. . , . sixthly , our garments must be such as may expresse the vertues of our mindes , especially of modesty , shamefastnesse and frugality , tim. . , . mat. . . quest. vvhat spiritual use are we to make of our apparel ? answ. first , we must take occasion thereby to be humbled for our nakednesse , in regard of grace , and of gods favour by reason of original sin : they that are proud of their apparel , are proud of their shame . it s as if a thief should be proud of his bolts or halter . garments are the cover of our shame , and the signes of our sins . secondly , by putting on our garments we are to be minded to put on christ , rom. . . which is done when by prayer we come to god , and entreat him to make the active and passive obedience of christ a covering for us , and that christ may be made to us wisdom , righteousnesse , &c. and that we may be made conformable to him both in life and death in all moral duties , and that we may have the same minde , affection and conversation that he had . thirdly by putting off our clothes , we are to put off the old man , i. e. the masse and body of sinful corruption ; and that 's done when we hate sin , and firmly resolve against it . fourthly , when we cloath and gird our selves , we are taught to gird up the loines of our mindes , to have our lamps burning , to prepare our selves to meet christ , whether at death or the last judgement . quest. why must we take heed of pride in apparel ? answ. first , because hereby we waste that that should be better employed , as for the good of the church , common-wealth , our families , and especially for the relief of the poor . secondly , hereby precious time is abused , when we spend so much time in adorning our bodies , that we want leisure to adorne and beautifie our soules . thirdly , hereby our attire it self is abused , being made a signe of the vanity of our mindes , and the wantonnesse of our hearts , which should shew the religion of our hearts . fourthly , it confounds order in the societies of men : it coming hereby to passe , that there is little or no difference between inferiours and superiours . fifthly , great judgements are threatned against pride in apparel , isa. . , . and . , &c. zeph. . . mr. perkins , vol. . p. . quest. vvhat further reasons may be rendred against excesse in apparel ? answ. first , god hath forbidden garishnesse and excesse in apparel , and therefore except we will shew our selves not to regard his word , we must take heed of it , pet. . , . tim. . , . secondly , consider the coming in of apparel , and we shall see that we have little cause to be proud of it : for we had none in the state of innocency , nor needed none ; we were naked , and not ashamed : at which time apparel would have been to mans body as a cloud to the sun , not to deck but to darken it : but when by sin we had wounded our selves , god was faine to cover it with a plaister . our apparel then is a badge of our sin , and ought to humble us , and who is proud of a plaister that covers a filthy sore . thirdly , it s a most unseemly thing for christians to put excellency in appatel , and to be so careful about these outward toyes . it becomes the world well enough that know no better clothing , neither looking for grace here , nor glory hereafter : but christians should think themselves most beautiful , when they are most modestly attired ; when they are arrayed with grace . we professe our selves to be pilgrims here , and therefore should not fashion our selves to the world , &c. rom. . . pet. . . fourthly , its absurd to place excellency in such a thing as apparel , for we borrow it of poor c●eatures that are far inferiour to our selves . the best silk is the excrements of a crawling worme ▪ and the finest cloth is but the fleece of a silly sheep . and when all is done , we are not so fine as the ●ilie of the field , mat. . , . fifthly , when the outside is most decked , commonly the inside is most neglected , whereas the body is but the case of the soul , and apparel the case of the body , and we use not to make the case of a thing so good , as that we put therein . such are like a poor jade with a velvet saddle , and guilded trappings . sixthly , whereas such as are so careful to get brave apparel , do it to get honour and esteem , god notably crosses them ; some laugh at them and flout them for it , others envie them , and others are angry at them for it : so that whereas they thou●ht to please all , they please none , neither god nor ●an . seventhly , it makes none better that wear it , whether they are beautiful or deformed , vertuous o● vicious . if beauti●ul , what needs such a deal of sti● , which yet doth but hinder their native beauty ? if deformed it usually makes it but more known and taken notice of . if they be vertuous it s not their gay cloaths , but their vertue that adorns them : if vicious , every one will say , that its cost ill bestowed , and it will but encrease their vices . eighthly , they that affect costly apparel sin , . against god by abusing his creatures to pride , and neglecting his worship publick or private , or by coming unprepared thereto , whilest they spend so much time in adorning themselves , dressing themselves by the houre , and praying by the minute . . against themselves by neglecting the inward clothing of their soules , and procuring much envie , and ill speech , and many censures from others . . against their neighbours by provoking them to imitate their bad example : for when some begin , others will follow , and pride spreads quickly , especially where religion keeps it not down . ninthly , it s not only a sin , but the cause and encreaser of much sin . it comes from pride , and is a great encreaser of pride . it hinders the service of god , and the good of our own soules . it breaks the neck of hospitality , destroys charity , causeth racking of rents in the countrey , and falshood and deceit amongst tradesmen to maintain it . it causeth lust in the wearers , and provokes it in others . ob. but though we weare such apparel , we are not proud of it , but as humble as others ? answ. how shall we judge of that which is within , but by the outward fruits . our light should shine outwardly that others may behold it , mat. . . we should keep a conscience void of offence both towards god and man , acts . . ob. we do it to please our husbands , they will have it so ? answ. many pretend this , when indeed they do it to please their own vain mindes . but if any have such phantastical husbands , they must yet take heed of going too farre lest they displease god. let them rather please their husbands by their humble subjection , and modest and sober carriage . ob. we do but what most do ? answ. we must not follow a multitude to do evil : exodus . . ob. vve could be content to lay it aside , if others would do so ? answ. we ought not to tarry for others , but rather to begin and give them a good example . mr. rogers on peter . tenthly , cost and curiosity is against the first institution of apparel : god clothed our first parents in beasts skins , and we are not better then they . he attired them in an habit becoming sorrow , and the state of banished persons . eleventhly , our bodies are but houses of clay , and therefore we should not be too solicitous to adorn them . twelfthly , because of the absence of the bridegroom christ. a chaste spouse is not much taken up in adorning her selfe , when her husband is from home . thirteenthly , such as were most curious herein , are branded in scripture to be most notoriously wicked persons , as thamar , jezabel the whore , rev. . . isa. . , &c. dives , luke . . mr. byfield on peter . quest. if there be any deformity in the body , may we not labour to cover it ? answ. yes : but we may not set a new forme on the face : dissembling is condemned as well in deed as in word , every one should be content with their own natural favour , and complexion that god hath given them , and account of it as a precious thing , be it better or worse . for the outward forme and favour that a man hath , is the work of god himself proportioned , and fitted to him by his special providence . being therefore the lords own work , and his will thus to frame it rather then otherwise , there is great reason that we should rest contented with the same . they therefore that devise , and use artificial formes , and favours to set upon their bodies and faces by painting , and colouring , that they may seem such as indeed they are not , are condemned by the light of nature , and much more by the light of gods word , wherein we have but one only example thereof , and that is of wicked jezabel , kings . . who by this mark is noted for a notorious strumpet , in that she painted her face . for what is this but to finde fault with gods own workmanship ? and to seek to correct the same by a counterfeit work of our own devising , which cannot but be highly derogatory to his wisdome , and displeasing to his majesty . quest. vvhat arguments may be brought against womens painting their faces ? answ. it is not only evil in regard of the abuse , but utterly unlawful and abominable in its own nature , and in the general practice of it , as offending not only against the law of god , but the very light of nature , such as have no spark of grace branding it with a note of reproach wheresoever they discover it : yea , even those that practise it do condemn it in their own consciences , and are ashamed to be taken with the fact : but that all christians may abhorre it , let them consider , . that god is not the author of this beauty , but the devil himself , who brings the works of god into disgrace , not only by counterfeiting them , but by labouring to excel them . saint cyprian thinks , that when wicked angels , professing love to lewd women , that they might destroy them , abused their bodies to filthinesse , as a reward of their wickednesse , they taught them this art of painting ; whence he inferreth , haec non sunt membra quae deus fecit , sed quae diabolus infecit . these painted parts are not of gods making , but of the devils corrupting . now what impiety is it to professors of christianity , being formed by god to seek to be reformed , and bettered by the devil . hence tertullian saith , the devil hath certainly devised this art , that he might oppose himselfe against god : for that is gods work which is natural , and that the devils which is counterfeited : and what hellish wickednesse ( saith he ) is it to adde to gods work , the devils art ? &c. secondly , as it hath an evil author , so it is in it self evil , as springing from sinful roots , and bringing forth abundance of cursed fruits . . the root from which it springs is sometimes pride , which moves them , when they cannot match others in natural beauty , to use these artificial helps , that they may excel them in that which is counterfeit . somtimes it springs from lust , and inward uncleannesse , which moves them to use these inveigling arts , that by seeming more beautiful then they are , they may ensnare the affections of those thar look upon them . . the cursed fruits which it produceth , are either against god , others , or themselves . . against god they offend , by presuming to adulterate his works , and by taking upon them to mend that which ( as they suppose ) he hath made amisse . hence st. cyprian , god made man according to his own image , and dare any presume to change that which god hath made ? in so doing they offer wrong to god , when they strive to reform and transform that which he hath formed . for that which is natural is the work of god , but the alteration of it is the work of the devil , &c. . they offend against men by deceiving and abusing them , making them to admire a painted statue in stead of gods work . again , they much more sin against them , whilest by these devilish arts , and counterfeit beauty , they enflame their hearts with filthy and unlawful lusts . hence st. jerome calls it ; the fire of youth , the fuel of lust , and the signe which shews where an unchaste heart dwells . . they most of all sin against themselves , yea , against both their bodies and soules . for it shews that they are ashamed of themselves in their native colour , and therefore being displeased therewith , like players , they come disguised in the likenesse of other persons , and for want of a better , they act their parts in the habit of an harlot . now what is this but unnaturally to deny themselves ? what is it but to make themselves counterfeit idols , that unto them lust may offer the sacrifice of uncleannesse ? what is it but to expose themselves to the scorne and laughter of those , who seeing their counterfeit beauty , shall afterwards happen to see them in their own complexion , and natural foulnesse . again , whilest they labour to attain to this counterfeit beauty , they lose that true complexion which they have by nature : for with their medicines and minerals which they use for this purpose , they make their colour pale , they wrinkle their faces , yea , oft-times poison their skin , and make dim their eye-sight , and so over-greedily seeking false beauty , they finde true deformity , and make themselves lothsome indeed , that they may appear beautiful in shew . . they sin against their good name , whilest following the practice of harlots , they deservedly get the reputation of being harlots . for this outward painting of these earthly houses , makes men think that they are to be let , and by hanging out this signe of lust , they invite customers , seeming to offer their honesty to sale at easie rates : whereas christians should not only avoid sin , but the very appearance thereof . and concerning such st. ambrose passeth this sentence : having adulterated their faces , they will soon after think of adulterating their chastity , and defiling their bodies . . they disgrace their profession of religion , whilest professing themselves the members of christ , they behave themselves like the limbs of satan . the best beauty of a christian woman is modesty and shamefastnesse , and the best ornament is simplicity and humility : but how farre are they from simplicity and truth , who lie and dissemble , even when they say nothing , speaking falshood and dissimulation with their very faces , to as many as look upon them ? unlesse they think that only verbal untruth is forbidden , and actual falshood permitted . or that it is a greater fault to dissemble in speeches , then to deceive in deeds and actions . ob. for our selves we take no great pleasure in it , but we must do it to please our husbands , that we may gain their love , and keep them from lusting after strange women ? answ. but you ought not by pleasing men to displease god : therefore if it could be imagined that any man is so void of understanding , as that he would have his wife , whom he desires to keep honest , to use the qualities and practice of an harlot , yet she ought not to content him by burdening her soul with a known sin . neither can it be imagined , that women hereby can wind themselves into their husbands love , or preserve him from unlawful lusts : for if neither the fea●e of gods judgements , threatning the lawes of men , and the danger of falling hereby into innumerable evils , will deter him from following such base courses : nor the love of god and his sweet promises will allure him to the performance of his duty , how can it be imagined that he will be drawn by a painted vizard to embrace this conjugal love , or be preserved from strange lusts with a counterfeit beauty ? yea , rather such wives make themselves loathsom to their husbands , whilest these artificial supplies puts them in minde of their natural defect , and this counterfeit beauty , of that ●eal deformity which it hideth . if then you would have your husbands love you , observe rather a sober gravity , then affect a counterfeit beauty , and deck your mindes with ornaments of vertue , as with meeknesse , humility , chastity , &c. which being permanent and unchangable , will make his love constant and perpetual . mr. downhams warfare . chap. xiv . questions , and cases of conscience about assurance . quest. what is assurance ? answ. it is a reflect act of the soul , by which a christian clearly sees that he is for the present in the state of grace , and so an heire apparent to glory . quest. what are the kindes , or degrees of this assurance ? answ. first , an assurance , or certainty of adherence , and application , when we certainly apply , and adhere to the promise , and to christ therein ; peremptorily divolving , and casting our selves upon him for salvation , though perhaps without evident and sensible comforts : called a receiving of christ , john . . a cleaving to the lord with full purpose of heart . acts . . so that if we must perish , we will perish believing : this is the lowest step of assurance which every true beleever hath . secondly , a certainty of evidence or experience : when by the reflection of conscience , or faith upon our selves , and our own acts , or by the testimony of the spirit of god , we evidently see that we are in the state of grace , experimentally discerning what god hath done for us , and that upon such and such grounds , effects of grace , or other discoveries , as being a new creature , cor. . . walking in the light , john . . walking after the spirit , not after the flesh , rom. . . loving the brethren , john . . this assurance is usually attended with much comfort , and joy ; yet every christian attaines not to it , but should labour hard for it : it belongs rather to the well-being , then to the being of a christian. thirdly , an unstaggering certainty , or full assurance , when there is such a full perswasion as overcomes all doubts , feares , and unbelief : such was abrahams , romans . , &c. this is the highest pitch of assurance attainable in this life , and next to celestial enjoyment , which few attaine unto . quest. how may the truth of assurance be discerned ? seeing some that have it , think they have it not , and others that have it not , think they have it . answ. first , try it by the qualifications of the persons assured ; as , . hast thou been troubled in conscience with feares about thy natural condition , and thy soul kindly humbled in thee : the spirit of bondage goes before the spirit of adoption , rom. . , . with matth. . . esay . , . . hath thy humbled b●oken heart been furnished with saving faith . first we beleeve , and then we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise , ephes. . . . hath the spirit been given to thee ? we must first have the spirit , before we can know the things that are given us of god , cor. . . secondly , by the grounds and causes of assurance , which are . divine testimony by audible voice , as christ assured those , mat. . , , . luke . , . and . , . and . , . but this was extraordinary , and is not now to be expected . . the lively exercise of faith , reflecting on its own acts , and seeing it selfe beleeving : and these acts are , . direct : and these again , either receptive of christ : as , joh. . . or operative from , and by christ received , as acts . . rom. . . gal. . . . reflexive , when faith looks back upon its own acts thus receiving christ , and thus acting . so paul knew whom he had beleeved , tim. . . . the testimony of our own renewed and sanctified conscience , according to the word of god , witnessing our good estate : the spirit of man is the candle of the lord , &c. prov. . . tells us what 's in us , corinth . . , , . . the testimony of the spirit of god purposely given us to this end , joh. . . and . . cor. . . the spirit is the authour of our assurance : . as a seal , eph●s . . . sealing us after we believe , as v. . . as an earnest of our inheritance , ephes. . . . as a joynt witnesse with our spirits , rom. . . clearing up our spiritual evidences , and enabling us to discern them , as cor. . . &c. joh. . . thirdly , by the fruits , and effects of it whereby it s distinguished from presumption : as . true assurance mightily provokes to self-purifying , to holinesse in heart and life ; as , john . , . whereas presumption emboldens in sinne . . it stirres up fervent desires , and longs after the gospel of christ ; they long for the sincere milk of the word , pet. . , . but presumption breeds disaffection to it , psalme . , . such either desire it not at all , or not the sincere milke of the word , or not in reference to growth . . it makes the soule incomparably to desire communion with god and jesus christ , as we see in the church , cant. . , , , . with cant. . . to . and . . and . . how doth david mourn for want of the sense hereof ? and pray for it ? psal. . , . but presumption knows not what communion with christ means . . it notably engageth those that have it to serve , and honour god in their places to the uttermost . god assures joshuah , that he will never leave him nor forsake him , josh. . , . and joshuah resolves , that whatever others do , he , and his house will serve the lord , josh. . . so in paul , cor. . , . and in david , psalme . . but presumption contemnes god , job . , . . true assurance singularly supports and comforts the heart in deepest tribulations : as we see in job , chap. . , &c. and paul , corinth . . . but presumption in such cases is a miserable comforter . . it fills us with joy in hope of glory when tribulation hath done its worst , rom. . , , &c. but presumption hath no true hope of another life , ephes. . . quest. how may this assurance be attained and retained ? answ. first , be much in self-examination that we may finde where our evidence clearly lies , cor. . . secondly , quench not , grieve not the spirit , thes. . . eph. . . by any known sinne , for the spirit is given us that we might be assured , and know the things that are given us of god , cor. . , &c. and he assures us convincingly , clearly and satisfactorily , rom. . . eph. . , . with joh. . . and . . thirdly , cherish and improve all our graces ; for every grace hath evidence in it , especially assuring graces ; as knowledge , col. . . faith , heb. . . and hope , heb. . , , . fourthly , constantly exercise our selves herein to have a conscience void of offence towards god and man , in all parts of well-doing . acts . . and . . rom. . . joh. . , , &c. cor. . . isa. . . prov. . . psalme . . joh. . . fifthly , remember former experiences of assurance . so psal. . , , , . and . , . and . , , . sixthly , labour to get out of those conditions which are prejudicial , and obstructive to assurance ; which are . the infancy of grace : such have not their senses exercised to discerne their condition , heb. . , . labour to be grown men , cor. . . pet. . . . the spiritual slumber , or sleep of security : then our evidences sleep with us ; as , cant. . , . and . , , . . the spiritual swoon of desertions . for when god withdraws the light of his countenance , we discerne not our spiritual life , psalm . . and . , &c. and . , &c. labour therefore to remove desertions , the conflicts of tentations , and other soul-distempers . seventhly , diligently , and skillfully improve those notable assuring ordinances , the word , the lords supper , and prayer . for , . the word was written that beleevers might know that they have eternal life , joh. . . joh. . . john . . let it therefore dwell richly in us , col. . . . the lords supper seals up remission of sins , mat. . , . communion with christ , cor. . , . and interest in the new covenant , cor. . , . . prayer , which pierceth heaven , creeps into the bosome of god , and often furnisheth the doubting soul with assurance , joh. . . david oft began his prayers with doubting , but concludes with assurance : as psalme . , &c. . ▪ and . , . and . , , , . quest. what motives may stirre us up to labour for assurance ? answ. first , the want of it exposeth the deare children of god to many miseries ; as , . it argues great weakness of grace : and that they want the anointing of the spirit , joh. . . cor. . . but we should not be alwayes ●bes , cor. . . eph. . ▪ &c. pet. . . . it argues strength and prevalency of corruptions , and tentations , as in david , psal. . , . . or spiritual desertions , the lord having for a time forsaken the soule , and withdrawn himself , as in the case of david , psal. . . heman , psal. . , &c. as●ph , psal. . , &c. the church , cant. . , . and . , , . secondly , the want of it is a great cause of christians dejectedness , and uncomfortableness : for till we know that we are in the state of grace , we want comfort : as it was with hagar when she saw not the fountain , gen. . , . and with the disciples , whilest their eyes were holden that they knew not christ , luke . , . and with mary magdalen , when she knew not of christs resurrection , joh. . , . so if we be close by the well of grace ; if christ be present with us , yea , in us , if we know it not , we are full of tears and sorrow . though nathan told david , sam. . . that god had put away his si● , yet because he had not the sense of it , he wanted the joys of gods salvation , psalme . . . thirdly , god hath often commanded us to labour for this assurance , as , pet. . cor. . . h●b . . . and . . fourthly , it 's possible , if we will take pains , that we may attain to this assurance : proved , . from the many scriptures intimating it , joh. . . rev. . . cor. . , , . joh. . , . and . , , . and . . and . , . . the nature of knowledge , faith , and hope tend to it , col. . . heb. . , . and . . . many of gods people have attained to it , as job . , , . david ▪ implied , psal. . , . hezekiah , king. . . thomas , john . . peter , john . , &c. paul , tim. . . the church , cam. . . and . . fifthly , it 's richly worth all our best endeavours . it 's a jewel of great price , and no stranger shall entermeddle with their joy , prov. . . quest. but how will you prove that a christian may be assured of his salvation ? answ. first , ●here is scarce any eminent christian in the whole book of god , but hath set his seal to this truth by his own particular experience , and it is confirmed by the present experience of many thousands , john . . the drift of saint johns epistle is , that christians might have assurance : besides , the meanes whereby they attained to assurance are common to all christians ; they have the spirit dwelling in them ; they have the fruits of the spirit , and a sweet testimony of their own spirits : peter also exhorts all to give diligence to make their calling , and election sure , pet. . . therefore if it came onely by extraordinary revelation , to what end were our diligence ? secondly , if we search into the nature of faith , we shall see that it tends much to assurance . for there is a double act of faith . . actus primus , the first act , whereby i beleeve in christ for the remissiom of my sinnes , and justifying of my person , which is properly justifying faith . . actus ex fide emanans , an act flowing from faith , by which i beleeve that my sins are remitted , rom. . . assurance is nothing but apex fidei , the highest degree of faith . the hand of faith lays hold on christ , and knows that it receives him : and the want of assurance comes from the imbecility of faith . thirdly , from the nature of the promises : for this is the drift of them , as it is , heb. . . that the heirs of promise might have strong consolation . but what sweetness can a christian draw from a promise till he knows that it belongs to him ? will it enrich a man to know that there are pearles , and diamonds in the world ? nay it 's rather a vexation to know that there are spiritual dainties , but they belong not to me . god hath given his word , his oath , his seal , his earnest , and all to this very end that a poore christian may be assured of his salvation , and that he might have strong , and vigorous consolation . fourthly , from the nature of christian hope , which is certaine , and infallible : it looks upon good as to come , and as certain to come . that good which faith sees , hope waits for . faith eyes it as present , but yet at a distance , and hope tarries for it till it come , heb. . . which hope we have as an anchor of the soul , both sure and stedfast . hope were but a poor anchor if it should leave the soul to uncertainties , to the courtesie of a wave ; to the clemency of a rock , to the disposing of a storme . but this anchor pierces within the vaile , it will be sure to have fast hold , it will fix upon heaven it self , &c. again , rom. . . we glory in hope , &c. but it s a poor glory to triumph in uncertainties , and before the victory : there 's little cause of joy till the soul be provided for eternity , and till it know it selfe to be in this safe condition . a probable hope indeed will beare up , and support the soul ; but it will not quiet and satisfie the soul. christian hope , when it is in its full vigour , is all one with assurance , rom. . . hope makes not ashamed : but if hope could be frustrated , it might make ashamed . quest. what is the manner how christians are assured of their salvation ? or how shall we know that our graces are true , and not counterfeit ? answ. many characters of true grace might here be given : as that it must flow from a principle of sincerity , from a principle of love : that it must be conformable to the grace of christ. but all this will not satisfie the soul , which will still question , how shall i know that my graces are such ? so then that which we must ultimately resolve it into is that double testimony , rom. . . the same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are the sons of god : both these witnesses do fully agree , and make up one entire testimony , so that the soul may say here , as paul doth , rom. . . i speak the truth , i lie not , my conscience bearing me witnesse by the holy ghost . so that the whole work of assurance is summed up in this practical syllogisme . whosoever believes shall be saved ; but i believe , therefore i shall certainly be saved . the assumption is put out of doubt : for , . conscience comes in with a full testimony which is better then a thousand witnesses , john . . he that believes hath a witnesse in himself . so john . . if our heart condemn us not , then have we confidence towards god. ob. but jer. . . the heart is deceitful above all things , how then can we trust it ? answ. first , some understand it of the unregenerate heart : of which it is said , all the imaginations of the thoughts of mans heart , are altogether evil . secondly , the drift of the text is to shew the deceitfulnesse of mens hearts in respect of others : for it s brought in by way of objection , thus : the jews ●an delude the prophets , and so think to evade the curse ? no , i the lord search the hearts ; all is naked in my sight , jer. . . heb. . . thirdly , its true , the sincerest heart is very deceitful . so was davids . psa. . . who can know the errour of his wayes ? no man can be acquainted with every turning and winding of his heart : but this hinders not but that he may know the general frame and bent of his heart . the soul knowes which way its faculties stream with most vehemency . conscience cannot be bribed , it will give in true judgement , especially an enlightned conscience . there is none , but if he search and examine his soul in a strict , and impartial manner , may know whether he be sincere or no , cor. . . who knows the things of a man , but the spirit of a man that is in him . else why are we so often enjoyned , to search , and try , and examine our hearts , &c. if after all our diligence we may be deceived . ob. if by the testimony of conscience , men may know the frame of their spirits , whether they be upright or no , why then are not all true christians assured of their salvation ? have they not their hearts and consciences about them ? answ. first , many are not so well acquainted with their own hearts as they should : they do not search and try their ways : they have a treasure , but know it not . secondly , eternity doth so amaze and swallow up their thoughts when they think of it , that they are ready to tremble , though they be secure ; as a man on an high tower knows that he is safe , & yet when he looks down he is afraid of falling . thirdly , conscience sometimes gives in a dark and cloudy evidence when it s disquieted , and lies under new guilt , so that then the soul cannot so clearly reade its own evidences . it may be it hath dealt hypocritically in some one particular , and therefore begins to question all its sincerity . the conscience indeed doth not alwayes give in a clear and full testimony , but sometimes it doth , and that with absolute certainty . come we then to the second testimony , the great and the supream witnesse of the spirit , not only the gifts and graces of the spirit , but the spirit it self . ob. this seems to be the same with the former : for we cannot know our sincerity till the spirit reveal us to our selves : the soul cannot see its own face , till the spirit unmask it ? answ. we grant that to the least motion in spirituals there is necessarily required the concurrence of the holy ghost , but yet there is a great difference between the working of the spirit , and the witnesse of the spirit ; there is an efficacious work of the spirit when faith is wrought in the soul : but yet there is not the testimony of the spirit , for then every believer should be presently sealed . so that thou●h the testimony of our own spirit cannot be without the assistance of gods spirit , yet it s clearly distinct from the testimony of the spirit : for here the spirit enables the soul to see its graces by the soules light : but when it comes with a testimony , then it brings a new light of its own , and lends the soul some auxili●y beams for the more clear revealing of it . quest. what kinde of testimony is that of the spirit ? answ. first , it s a clear testimony , a full and satisfying light which scatters all clouds and doubts , john . . by this we know that he dwells in us , by the spirit which he hath given us . if an angel should tell us so , there might be some doubt about it : but the inward testimony of the spirit is more powerful , then if it were by an outward voice . secondly , a sure testimony : for it s the witnesse of the spirit , that can neither deceive , nor be deceived , . he cannot deceive , for he is truth it selfe . . he cannot be deceived , for he is all eye , omniscience it self . he dwells in the bosome of god , and is fully acquainted with the minde of god : it s such a certainty as makes them cry abba father , and that with confidence . it s opposed to the spirit of bondage , and therefore takes away all doubtings , yea , the very end why the holy ghost comes to the soul , is to make all sure , and therefore he is called a seal , and an ●arnest . now he assures the soul. . by a powerful application of the promise : for as faith appropriates the promise on our part , so the spirit applies it on gods part . this spirit of adoption seeks love , and peace , and pardon ; and that by a particular application of the promise to us : as when the promise of pardon of sin , and life everlasting is generally propounded in the ministry of the word , the holy ghost doth particularly apply it to the heart , and so seals up the promise to the soul. . by a bright irradiation or enlightning of the soul , clearing its evidences , discovering its graces , and shewing them to be true , and not counterfeit , cor. . . we have received the spirit , which is of god , that we might know the things which are freely given us of god. ob. but many think they have the spirit when they have not : satan transforms himself into an angel of light ? answ. first , one mans self-deceit doth not prejudice anothets certainty . a man in a dream , thinks himself awake when he is not : yet for all this , a man that is awake may certainly know that he is so . secondly , the spirit comes with a convincing light , and gives a full manifestation of his own presence : so that we may sooner take a glow-worme for the sun , then an experienced christian can take a false delusion for the light of the spirit . thirdly , the spirit of god witnesseth according as the word witnesseth : try the spirits : to the law , and to the testimonies , &c. the scripture was endited by the spirit , and the spirit cannot contradict himself : so that whosoever rebels against the light of the word , shall never have the light of the spirit . quest. seeing , as the spirit breaths when it pleases , so it shines when it pleases , whether then may a christian that hath but the single testimony of his own spirit , be assured of his salvation ? answ. the witnesse of our own spirit is a true assurance , though it be not so clear an assurance . i may see a thing certainly by the light of a candle , yet i may see it more clearly by the light of the sun. the light of the spirit may and doth often withdraw it self , and leave us only the witnesse of our own spirit , and yet then the soul hath assurance . quest. but what if i have not the witnesse of gods spirit , nor● of my own neither ? answ. have recourse to former assurance . doest thou remember that once thou hadst a sweet serenity of soul ? that an enlightned conscience upon good grounds did speak peace to thee ? didst thou never see the light of the spirit crowning thy soul with satisfying beams ? then be sure that thou art still in the same condition ; for there is no total falling from grace : gods love like himself is immutable . the spirits testimony is of eternal truth . so did david , when his joy was extinguished , and he would faine have it lighted again , psal. . . restore unto me the joy of thy salvation , and uphold me with thy free spirit ; whence are implied , . that for the present it was taken away . . that he had it . . he remembred that he had it , and therefore prayes to have it restored . davids own spirit was now very unquiet , and gods spirit had withdrawn it self , and now his best refreshing was his former assurance . remember this , that the least drop of true grace shall never be exhausted : the least spark of true joy shall never be extinguished . quest. but suppose we have neither the testimony of gods spirit , nor of our own , nor can recal former assurance , what shall the soul do then ? answ. in such a time look to the beginnings of grace : look now to the soules prizing of a christ : to the whimperings after the breast : to the longings and breathings after its beloved , thoughts upon him , desires after him , endeavours for him : there 's much comfort and sweetnesse in these : i , and some kinde of assurance . for , first , god that hath begun this great and good work in thee , will never give it over till it be full and compleat ; he uses not to leave his works imperfect : the very first motions are of his own planting , and shall lack no watering for encrease . secondly , the least seed of grace , as its choice and precious , so its vigorous and active : it will never leave working till christ be formed in thee : who hath despised the day of small things ? zach. . . he that is richest in grace began with a small stock : improve but present strength , and god will send thee in fresh supplies , that thou mayest walk from strength to strength . thirdlie , if thou canst not spie out any grace in thy self , borrow light of another : lay open thy soul to an interpreter , one of a thousand , that may explain thy condition better then thou canst thy self , job . . he 'll shew thee , here is grace , and there is grace , and there 's an evidence , &c. quest. but what if after all this , there is a total eclipse , all clouds and blacknesse and darknesse , and the very valley of the shadow of death ? answ. first , when there is no certainty of evidence , yet even then have a certainty of adherence and recumbency . now graspe a promise : roll thy self upon the free grace of god in christ. say , if i perish , i perish , and though thou kill me , yet will i trust in thee . like men ready to be drowned , take fast hold , cast anchor , though in the dark . secondly , study self-denial : though thou long and breath after assurance , yet resigne up thy self wholly to gods will , and be content to want it if he see it best for thee . take heed of murmuring . throw thy self at gods feet , and say , o my god , i 'le blesse thee for those eternal treasures of sweetnesse that are in thee , though i should never taste of them . i 'le blesse thee for those smiles of thy face which thou bestowest upon others , though thou wilt not cast one gracious look upon my soul : i 'le blesse thee for those rich offers of grace thou makest to me , though i have not a heart to lay hold of them . thirdly , put thy soul into a waiting posture , and stay till he please to display some of himself to thee : the patient expectation of the poor shall not perish for ●ver , psal. . . one beame of his countenance is worth waiting for all thy life-time : yet wait upon him in prayer , in his ordinances , where the spirit breaths , and god shews his face : thus wait upon him in his own way : yea , and in his own time too : think not time tedious ; he that believes makes not haste , isa. . . consider that god is all this while preparing thee , and making thee more capable of his love : yea , suppose the worst , that thou shouldest die under a cloud , as christ did , yet thy condition is safe : thou shalt then come to a full assurance , nay , to a full possession of thine inheritance . quest. vvhat are the special sealing times wherein christians have this assurance ? answ. first , sometimes at their first conversion : when the spirit of bondage hath past upon the soul , and by a strong conviction hath applied particularly guilt and wrath unto it : then the gospel brings welcome newes of a pardon , and the spirit of adoption applies grace and mercy to the soul , this makes strong impressions of joy , and causeth them to cry out , i am my beloveds , and my beloved is mine , cant. . . hos. . . when israel was a childe , then i loved him . i taught ephraim also to go , taking him by the armes , &c. god hath a special care of tender plants , and christ doth the rather reveale his love to young converts for their encouragement in the wayes of grace : he oiles the wheels of the soul : and imprints the sense of his love , which constrains them to obedience : and hence it is , that young converts are usually so active in the wayes of religion ; so forward and vehement . secondly , sacrament-times are sealing times : for in the lords supper we have the new covenant sealed up to the soul : the soul hath not only his graces encreased , but they are printed clearer : there we have plain and visible demonstrations of the love of a saviour , and have the sense of this love given into our hearts : we feed not only upon sacramental bread , but upon hidden manna too ; here 's a feast of fat things ; the soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse . for the two great ends of this sacrament to a christian are , . growth in grace . . sense of grace . christians come hither , ad corroborandum titulum , to confirm their title ; and yet we must not think that every true christian that comes to the sacrament , must needs have assurance : for . believers themselves may receive unworthily : as the corinthians came together for the worse , and not for the better , and therefore were chastened of the lord , &c. cor. . . . many that have much joy and sweetnesse from the sacrament , yet may not have it in so high a measure as to amount to assurance : all that truly partake of these heavenly dainties , do not go away equally satisfied ; some have but a taste to cherish them , others have a full draught , which doth mightily cheer them . thirdly , times of employment are sealing times : when god intends us for some great and eminent service : he first sheds some of his love into their hearts , which constrains them to obedience , and encourageth them in it . moses would not stir without assurance of gods presence . so god calls joshua to an honourable emploiment , and prepares him for so great a work , with a promise of himself and his love : fear not , be of good courage , i am with thee . i will never faile th●e , nor forsake thee . so when god called abraham to that great work of sacrificing his son , he first warmes his heart with his love , and seales up the covenant of grace to him , and tells him , i am god alsufficient : i am thy buckler , and thy exceeding great reward . and thus he dealt with the prophets and apostles , when he sent them upon great and dangerous messages : he assures them that his directing and protecting mercy shall accompany them , and this made them so undaunted . fourthly , praying times are sealing times : the same spirit that endites the prayer , seales it up . when hannah had prayed , sam. . . the text saith , that her countenance was no more sad . as its priviledge of assurance , that then we may with confidence cry abba , father , so also it s a great means to get assurance ; besides , we may pray for assurance , and be importunate for one smile of his face , and his bowels will not let him deny us : hence such as are most frequent and powerful in prayer , are most blest with assurance . fifthly , times of outward exigencies are s●aling times , cor. . . though our outward man decay , yet our inward man is renewed daily : when all provision failed the israelites , then mannah was rained down : so is this hidden mannah provided for sad and cloudy times : except in the case of total desertion , when the soul hath not the least glimpse shining upon it : but in outward and temporal distresses god uses to reveal himself more immediately unto them : and though the creature frown , yet he smiles upon them . believers are gods friends , and it is not the part of a friend to forsake them in the saddest times . when saint john was banished into the isle of pa●mos , god shews him that glorious revelation ; paul and silas , when in prison , are full of joy : and so with hezekiah . sixthly , times of victory and conquest over lusts and tentations , are sealing times : god after such victories will give his people a triumph , rev. . to him that overcomes will i give to eat of the hidden manna : thus when paul was conquering that great tentation , cor. . . god then strengthens him with this , my grace is sufficient for thee : so it was with that noble marquess of vico : he never had such joy at naples as he had at geneva , when he had conquered all tentations , and had trampled upon all relations for a saviour . so the mourners in ezekiel , that would not yield to the abominations of the times , must have a seale set on them . so that virgin-company in the revelations , ezek. . . rev. . . quest. what use must christians make of assurance , when god gives it in to them ? answ. first , times of assurance should be times of humility and dependance upon god ; when moses had been so long conversing with god on the mount , presently at the foot of the mount he meets with matter of humiliation : the people having made them a golden calfe . when paul had been in the third heavens , then comes a messenger of satan to buffet him , lest he should be exalted a●ove measure . pride , as it twines about the sweetest graces , so it devoures the sweetest comforts . yet there is nothing that tends more to self-abasement , then the beholding gods face , and the seeing of his glory , this will make the soul abhor it self in dust and ashes . none here ever saw more of gods face then moses and paul , and there were none that ever had lower apprehensions of themselves . secondly , times of assurance should be times of trampling upon the creature , and scorning of things below : we should not take care for corne , and wine , and oile , when god lifts up the light of his countenance upon us : when we are in our fathers house , and the fatted calfe is slain , we should not still feed upon husks : when we are clothed with the sun , we should trample the moon under our feet : and let others scramble for the world , who have nothing else to live on . thirdly , times of assurance should be times of more watchfulnesse , and accurate walking with god. to sin against revealed love is a killing aggravation . to sin against light is too much , but to sin against love is a great deal more : this aggravated solomons idolatry , kings . . that he turned from the god of israel that had app●ared to him twice . to provoke god in a wildernesse , is not so much as to provoke him in a paradise . take heed therefore of turning the grace of god into wantonnesse : but if god give thee a sense of his love , walk mo●e stedfastly and accurately before him . fourthly , times of assurance should be times of inviting and encouraging others in the wayes of grace , as david did . psal. . . o taste and see how gracious god is . men look upon religion as a rigid and austere thing , that comes to rob them of their joy : but thou canst tell them of the sweetnesse that is in the wayes of grace : thou canst assure them that all the wayes of wisdome are pleasantnesse : thou canst shew them the goodly fruits of canaan , that were cut down at the brook esh●l . thou canst assure them that there is no such joy to be found in the wayes of sin : that spiritual joy is the most clarified joy : that its solid joy , and lasting joy . all the creatures make but a blaze : but the least spark of this is immortal . fifthly , times of assurance should be times of storing up comforts against times of scarcity : now treasure up beams , heap up light , store up hidden manna : though kept , it will not breed wormes : storing up of former evidences is a good provision against a cloudy day . sixthly , times of assurance should be times of breathing after full possession . the espoused soul should long after the nuptials : for the full consummation of its joy : say , is there such sweetnesse in one cluster of canaan , what shall there be in the full vintage ? is there such glory in one beam of gods face , what shall there be in an eternal sunshine ? quest. who are the great enemies to this doctrine of assurance ? answ. principally , the papists and arminians . quest. upon what account do they so oppose it ? answ. first , the papists lay too much stresse upon good works : now assurance is too goodlie a structure to be built upon such a foundation : they part stakes between grace and merit , and so leave the soul in a tottering condition . for they that would build their hopes upon their own good meanings , and their own good wishes , and good resolutions , and good works , when they have done all , they have built but the house of the spider . but if men would but look to the ebbings and flowings of their own spirits , to the waxings and wainings of their own performances , surely they would acknowledge that they cannot fetch a plerophory out of these . assurance cannot be founded on a bubble ; it must be built upon the free love of god in christ ; upon his royal word and oath : upon the witnesse of the holy ghost , and seale of god himself , or it can never be had . hence dying bellarmine was forced to acknowledge that the nearest way to assurance was only to rest upon the free grace of god in christ. secondly , they take away the clasping and closing power of faith it self : by which it should sweetly and strongly embrace its own object ; they would have the soul dwell in generals , they resolve all the sweetnesse of the gospel either into this universal , whosoever believes shall be saved , or into this conditional , if thou believest thou shalt be saved . now this is so farre from assurance , that the devils themselves do thus beleeve , and yet tremble . they will not allow the soul to break the shell of a promise , so as to come to the kernel ; they allow not faith to say , my lord , and my god. thirdly , they deny perseverance , and therefore must needs deny assurance . yet the arminians would reconcile assurance and non-perseverance . they allow a man a little brief assurance for a moment : a br●ve fulgur : a little shining of joy , that only shews it self that it may vanish : their meaning amounts to thus much : for that moment that thou art in the state of grace , thou mayest be sure of it : but thou canst not be sure that the next moment thou shalt be in the state of grace : and thus they think the grace of god to be as mutable and inconstant as themselves are : whereas all gods children are preserved by the power of god through faith unto salvation : and many of them can say with paul , rom. . ult . i am perswaded that neither life , nor death , nor angels , &c. fourthly , they never had any assurance themselves , and so deny it unto others . thus the fool saith in his heart there is no god , because he never had communion with him : a blinde man saith there is no sun , because he hath not eyes to see it . a deaf man believes not that there is such sweetnesse in musick . upon this account mr. baxter denies assurance , because he never met with any , nor can hear by others of any that have it , except some melancholy women that pretend to it , and that for a moment only : but if he reade the life of mr. ignatius jordan of excester , and of mr. john bruen of bruen stapleford , he shall finde that they not only had assurance , but maintained it for many yeares without interruption : the like he may finde of many others in my first part of lives : and in my mirrour or looking-glasse . ob. but solomon saith , eccl. . . no man knows love or hatred , therefore no man can be assured of his salvation ? answ. they leave out the latter words , by all that is before him , which shew solomons meaning to be this , that no man can know whether god loves him , or hates him by any outward thing , as by prosperity or adversity , by health or sicknesse , &c. wherein all things fall alike to all , good and bad . ob. but he saith again , prov. . . blessed is the man that feareth always . and if we must alwayes feare , then we cannot be assured of our salvation ? answ. first , we must distinguish of feare : it is either filial or servile : the former is here meant , and so a childe may feare his fathers anger , though he feare not to be cast off by him . this child-like feare abolisheth not confidence , but confirmes it . secondly , though we must feare our selves , and our own weaknesse , to provoke us unto watchfulnesse , yet withal we may feare to offend god for his goodnesse , which strengthens our confidence . ob. but saint paul saith , rom. . . who knowes the minde of the lord ? or who was his counsellour ? therefore we cannot know that we shall be saved ? answ. first , his meaning is , that we cannot know the minde of god à priori , before he hath revealed it , but then we may : thus we know our election by our vocation , pet. . . secondly , or thus : we know not the reasons of many of gods actions and dispensations , neither are they curiously to be searched into , as david professeth for himself , psal. . . but ā posteriori we may , as the cause may be proved by the effect , the sun by its beams , the fire by heat , &c. ob. but psal. . . david prayes that presumptuous sins might not prevail over him : therefore he feared they might , and so had no assurance ? answ. first , david was not in doubt because he prayed so , but rather certain of the contrary , because of this prayer of faith , as john . , . this is the confidence that we have in him , that if we ask any thing according to his vvill , he heareth us : and if we know that he heareth us , whatsoever we ask , we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him . secondly , prayer is a meanes of certainty , no signe of uncertainty : we pray for pardon of sin , and yet believe it . ob. but saint paul saith , cor. . . i know nothing by my selfe , yet am i not hereby justified ; but he that judges me is the lord , therefore he had not assurance ? answ. first , paul was not justified by any good thing in himself , had he therefore no assurance ? can a man say , i know that i live not by stones , therefore i cannot know that i live : this is a non sequitur . secondly , though he was not justified by his own righteousnesse , yet he was assured of gods grace , and of his justification by faith , as appears , rom. . . gal. . , . phil. . , . ob. how can a childe of god be assured of his salvation , being conscious to himself , of so many and great sins ? answ. first , all sins are remitted to those who are in christ , and therefore there is no condemnation to them , rom. . . secondly , only reigning sinnes hinder assurance , not the remaining of sinne . thirdly , god hath punished all the sins of his elect in their surety christ , and therefore cannot again punish it in them , rom. . . and . . ob. but i have so many doubts and feares , that i cannot have assurance ? answ. first , doubts exercise faith , but do not extinguish it : christs disciples had many doubts . secondly , a trembling hand may receive a gift from a prince , and know it hath it , though it holds it but weakly . . endeavour to beleeve more firmly , and strive against doubtings , and god will accept it as perfect in christ. ob. but ezek. . . a righteous man may fall from his righteousnesse , and therefore can have no assurance ? answ. first , suppositions are no positions : he doth not say that a righteous man may fall from his righteousnesse . but if he do fall , &c. secondly , we must distinguish of a righteous man ; some are righteous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in appearance only , and in the judgement of charity , and these may fall away from their righteousnesse , and die in their sins : others are righteous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in deed , and in truth : now there is a righteousnesse of profession that may be lost , of which this text speaks : but the righteousnesse which is by faith in christ it can never be lost : an argument from appearance to being is not true . thirdly , if it be meant of a truly righteous man , then i answer , that such a righteous man may fall from the acts of grace , but not from the habits : from some degrees of grace , but not from the seed of it . quest. but how can assurance stand with the humble , and base esteem which a christian should have of himself . answ. first , humility fights not with certainty , being an effect of it , psal. . . secondly , gods children have two eyes , with one they look upon themselves , and are humbled ; with the other they look upon christ and free grace , and are assured ; with the first , paul looking upon himself , cries out that he was the least of saints , and chiefest of sinners ; with the other he looks upward , and triumphs with assurance , rom. . . . ob. but this is a doctrine of liberty . if men may be assured that they shall be saved , then they may live as they lust . answ. first , no such matter , for god will not put new wine into old bottles ; god never prints his love upon the heart till it be renewed , and prepared with evangelical meltings , and the same seale that prints his love , prints his image also : a flinty heart will not take the seale of the spirit ; the white stone with the new name is never given , till the heart of stone be taken away . the soul must first become an ark of the covenant before the pot of hidden manna shall be put into it . indeed if god should seal up his love to an unregenerate man , whilest he hankers after his lusts , he would make such an ill use of it , as to turn the grace of god into wantonnesse : when the sun shines upon dunghils , they send forth the greater stink : but when it shines on sweet herbs and flowers , they send forth a more fragrant smell . god sets his seal on none , but such as have an happy conformity to him , and a full compliance with him : such as have the same interests , and the same glorious ends with himself : such as delight in his law , and feed upon his precepts as upon an honey-combe : such as have an antipathy against sin , yea , against the very appearance of it : such as are ready to pull out their right eyes , and cut off their right hands for him : and therefore there is no danger that such will abuse their assurance to liberty . secondly , sons of god that have this assurance , are led by the spirit of god , rom. . . and therefore cannot walk after the flesh , rom. . . they are borne of god and cannot sin , i. e. wittingly , and wilfully as wicked men do , john . . they hate it as god hates it : they hate it more then hell , and therefore there is no danger that they will abuse mercy to liberty . thirdly , nothing is more industrious then saving faith . it looks so to the end [ salvation ] as withal its most industrious in the use of meanes to attain it : as reading , hearing , meditating , praying , innocent walking , patient bearing of crosses , holy living , conversing with the godlie , shunning the society of the wicked , &c. fourthly , love is a sweeter , surer , and stronger principle of obedience then feare . the law indeed is an hammer to break the heart ; but the gospel is a key to open hearts . a soul assured of gods love , how will it twine about a precept : suck sweetnesse out of a command , catch at an opportunity , long for a duty ! how doth it go like a bee from flower to flower , from duty to duty , from ordinance to ordinance , and extracts the very spirits and quintessence of all : such a soul will send back the streams of its affections into the ocean : indeed such as are frighted into obedience by feare , would soon abuse such love . but love returnes love , and the love of christ will constrain such to obedience , cor. . . fifthly , experience manifesteth that none walk more exactly and closely with god : then such as are most assured of his love ; if we look into heaven , there we may see the glorious angels , and glorified saints , that have not only a full assurance , but a full possession of the love of their god : and yet where hath god more universal and cheerful obedience then from these ? hence we pray , thy vvill be done in earth as it is in heaven : and whereas they say , there is more danger in fraile men that dwell in houses of clay ; we answer , . they should entertain more honourable thoughts of the excellent ones of the earth , whom god now steeps in his own nature , and love , to prepare them gradually for heaven . , though there may be some unworthy dealing by them with their god , yet these flow only from those reliques of slavish principles that remain in them , from some fragments of the old leaven that was not purged out , not by vertue of a gospel plerophorie . doth the knowing that we are the sons of light dispose us to works of darknesse ? 't is true , the sons of god may provoke him , but must they therefore needs do it under this very notion , because they know that they are sons ? nay , must they do it the more for this ? truly this were greater malice then the devils themselves are capable of ; it involves also a flat contradiction : because they know that they are friends , therefore they will deal like enemies : and because they know they are sons , therefore they will deal like slaves . but if they yet doubt whether assurance doth advance obedience , let them compare men assured of their salvation . . with others in the state of grace that want assurance , and then tell us whether they do not differ as much as a bruised reed from a stately cedar . what faintings and palenesse is there in the one ? what vigour and livelinesse in the soul of the other ? one is left to the pleasure of a wave , when the other lies safe at anchor . . compare them with men in an unregenerate condition , what a vast difference is betwixt them ? sure you do not question whether god hath more service from the israelites that feed upon hidden manna ? or from egyptians , that feed upon garlick and onions ? wicked men by feares and terrours of the law may be restrained , and may spend a few sighes , and drop a few teares sometimes , but when they are thus wash't , they soon return to their wallowing in the mire : whereas they that are assured of their salvation are constant and cheerful , and uniforme in their obedience . . that god hath other rods enow to awaken them out of a sinful security , though he do not disinherit them . remember what god speaks to david , psal. . , . if his children break my statutes , and keep not my commandments , then will i visit their transgressions with the rod , and their iniquity with stripes , &c. god will make them know what a bitter thing it is for them to depart from him , and forsake their first love . for . they may fall from assurance : though they cannot lose the seed and root of grace , yet they may lose the flourishing and fragrancy of it : though the foundation of god remain sure , yet they may lose their comfort . though they be built on a rock , they may be dashed with waves : though the seal of god remaines sure , yet they may deface the print of it , so as that it may not be visible to their eye : now we may easily conceive what a sad alteration this will be . . they may fall into a total desertion even so as to look upon god as an enemy , and instead of a filial plerophory , may have a fearful expectation of the fierce wrath of god ; god may dip his pen in gall , and write bitter things against them , and his envenomed arrows may stick fast in them : so that they may be excommunicated from that happy and heavenly entercourse that once they had with god. quest. what diligence is required of us about this assurance ? answ. first , we must use diligence to get this assurance . for . there are but few that have any right to the love of god in christ. it 's a principle in morality that intimate friendship cannot be extended to many . friends usually go by pairs . now though god be of vast and boundless love , yet he chooseth to concentricate it all in a few pickt out of the world that he might engage them the more unto himself . . of those few whom he loves , all are not assured of it : though he loved them with an everlasting love , yet he manifested it in time : not before they had a being ; nor whilest they were in the state of nature ; nor when they were new born children : for babes in christ cannot presently cry abba father . they are not assured , nor sealed till the spirit comes , and stamps a clear impression of gods love upon their softened and melted spirits . . we must use diligence to keep assurance : it 's a jewel that deserves our best care . take heed of loosing the white-stone : take heed of forgetting the new name ? art thou weary of the sun-shine , and wouldst thou cool thy self in the shade ? doest thou begin to loath thy manna , and wouldest thou returne to the garlick , and onions of egypt ? o remember thou didest not so soone obtaine assurance , and wilt thou so soone lose it ? thirdly , give diligence to recover assurance if thou hast lost it . o when will the winter be past that the flowers may appear , and the time of singing may come ? say with the church , awake o south winde , and with thy gentle breathings blow upon the garden that the spices thereof may flow out . never leave till thou findest thy spouse again : tell him that thou art sick of love : that thou longest for a cluster of canaan : that thou art even famished for want of hidden manna . lay thy heart before him , and tell him that thou desirest new stamps and impressions of his love : tell him that thou hast lost the print , yet he hath not lost the seale : tell him that thou wouldst now more prize his love then ever thou didst , or couldest before : give him no rest till he give thy soule rest , and fill it with himself : o desire him to shine out upon thee a little before thou goest hence , and beest no more seene . quest. why doth assurance require such diligence ? answ. first , because of the deceitfulness of the heart that is so apt to please it self with shadows , and to flatter it self into an imaginary happinesse ▪ most men are so confident of heaven as if they had been born heirs apparent to the crown of glory : as if this new name had been given them at their baptism , or as if they had been born with this hidden manna in their mouths . they never knew what a scruple was , and wonder that others trouble themselves with them . these have a key to heaven of their own making , and think they can go to it when they please . thus do vaine men cheat their own soules : whereas it were their wiser way rather to commune with their own spirits , to see what a false print they are of : what corruptions and degenerations from the original : what are the genuine , and what are the spurious works of the spirit . secondly , we have diligent enemies that would faigne quench our joy , and keep it from flaming into assurance : he would have broken thee when thou wast a bruised reed , how will he triumph in thy fall now thou art a stately cedar ? satan being fallen himself , not only from heaven and happinesse , but from a possibility of recovering the same againe , and now he labours to involve us in the same condition : and seeing he cannot possibly do this , he endeavours to damp their joy ; to raise stormes and tempests in their souls : yet our comfort is , we may frustrate him by a strong and clasping hand of faith , whereby we may lay such fast hold of god in christ , that we may thereby make the devil give over as despairing to prevaile . so then the more frequent his assaults are , the more should christians stand upon their watch , and fortifie themselves , and run in times of danger to the name of the lord which is a strong tower , prov. thirdly , give diligence , because it 's a matter of such great consequence , and to be deceived herein will prove the most stinging aggravation of misery that can be : the house that was built upon the sand , great was the fall of it . there is a counterfeit assurance , called presumption that great devourer of souls that slays its ten thousands : o what misery is it for a man to take himself to be in the ready way to heaven , when he is dropping into hell : to expect no lesse then a crown of glory , when he can find nothing but chains of darkness , and a gnawing worme . quest. but what kinde of diligence is required to get assurance ? answ. first , be diligent in self reflexion : a clean heart chews the cud , and ruminates upon its own actions : try thy graces by a scripture sun-beame : compel thy thoughts to come in that they may drink sweetnesse out of their own fountaine , and that they may be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse . assurance consists in a reflex act , and by such workings it is maintained . secondly , be diligent in prayer : assurance comes not with weak wishes , and vellieties that are so frequent in the mouths of many : o that i were sure of heaven and happinesse , &c. but this great blessing deserves a fervent prayer : the white stone is given to none but conquerours : as assurance doth mightily enliven prayer , so prayer cherishes and maintaines assurance . go then to god : be importunate with him : beg a smile , a beame of his face : desire him to take all thy worldly things again , unlesse he will sweeten them with his love . tell him thou canst live no longer on husks , and therfore desire him to give thee something that its fit for a soul to live on . thirdly , be diligent and fervent in communion with thy god : sweet and familiar entercourse with god , puts thee into the number of his friends , and friendship brings assurance : surely he would not kiss thee with the kisses of his mouth if he did not love thee : he would not tell thee so much of his mind if his heart were not with thee : he would not accept of thy prayers , thy spiritual sacrifices , if he meant to destroy thee : communion with god is that which gives an heavenly , and eternal plerophory . quest. why doth assurance deserve our best diligence ? answ. first , hereby the soul is provided for eternity : thou mayest then say , thy lot is fallen unto thee in ● good ground , thou hast a pleasant heritage . thou canst desire no more then to be assured that thou shalt be for ever happy : what would the damned in hell give for a possibility of happiness ? what would some wounded spirits give but for hopes and probabilities of it ? secondly , it will sweeten all present conditions to us : we may eat our bread with joy , and drink our wine with a merry heart when we know god accepts our person , and smells a sweet odour in our sacrifice . we may lay claim to all the pearles in the gospel , and to all its priviledges : if god bestow temporals upon us , we may know that he first dips them in love : yea , thou hast a happy protection in all thy ways : for , . thou art secure against the frowns of the world , for heaven smiles upon thee . thou mayest laugh at the slanders and reproaches of men : for when the world brands thee , the spirit seals thee , &c. . thou art secure in times of judgement . for judgements are intended for the sweeping away of spiders webs , not for the sweeping away of gods own jewels : or if thou beest involved in the common calamity , yet how is this pill rowled up in sweetnesse to thee , when others can tast nothing but gall , and wormwood . thy body may be tossed in the world , but thy soul lies safe at anchor . . thou art secure in the houre of death : thou knowest that providence onely means to break the shell that it may have the kernel . let such tremble at the approaches of death that know not what shall become of their precious souls , but thou mayest safely trample upon the adder , &c. this made the martyrs embrace the flames , &c. assurance of the love of god in christ , and nothing else pulls out the sting of death : indeed death hath lost its sting in respect of all that are in christ ; but yet such as know not that they are in christ , fear death still as if it had a sting : only an assured christian triumphs over it , and saith with saint paul , o death where is thy sting ? cor. . . . assurance fills the soul with praise , and thankfulness . the real presence of a mercy is not enough : there must be the appearance of a mercy , and the sense of it before it fill thy heart with joy , and thy mouth with praise : a doubting christian is like a bird in a snare ▪ the soul hath not its comfort , nor god his praise : an assured christian is like a bird at liberty that flies aloft , and sings chearfully , &c. see mr. culverwels white-stone , and dr. taylor . quest. how may it be proved by scripture that a man may be assured of his salvation ? answ. first , by rom. . . the spirit of god testifies with our spirits that we are the sons of god. quest. but how can gods spirit give witnesse , seeing now there are no revelations ? answ. first , indeed extraordinary revelations are ceased : yet gods spirit may , and doth in , and by the word reveal some things to men , whence he is called the spirit of revelation , eph. . . secondly , gods spirit gives testimony by applying the promises for the remission of sins , and life everlasting by christ , particularly to the hearts of man , when it s generally propounded in the ministry of the word : and this witness of the spirit , may be discerned from presumption by . the means : for it 's ordinarily wrought by hearing , reading , meditation , prayer , &c. but presumption ariseth in the brain , either without such means , or if by them , yet with want of gods blessing concurring with them . . the effects and fruits of the spirit : for it stirs up the heart to prayer , zach. . . and that with sighs and groans , rom. . . arising from the sense of our miserable condition . the second testimony is our spirit , i. e. our conscience sanctified , and renewed by the holy ghost ; and this is known . by a grief of heart for offending god , called godly sorrow , cor. . . . by a resolution , and full purpose , and endeavour to obey god in all things . . by savouring the things of the spirit , rom. . . i. e. by doing the works of the spirit with joy and chearfulnesse of heart , as in the presence of god. quest. but what if both these testimonies are wanting , what must we do then ? answ. have recourse to the first beginnings of sanctification , which are these . . to feel our inward corruptions . . to be displeased with our selves for them . . to begin to hate sin . . to grieve so oft as by sin we offend god. . to avoid the occasions of sin . . to endeavour to do our duty , and to use good means diligently . . to desire to sin no more . . to pray to god for his grace . secondly , by psal. . , &c. where the question is propounded , who of the members of the church shall have his habitation in heaven ? and the answer is , he that walks uprightly before god , deals justly with men , speaks the truth from his heart , &c. thirdly , by joh. . . where three things are evinced . . that he that hath communion and fellowship with god in christ may be undoubtedly assured of his salvation : which the apostle tells was the end of preaching the gospel to them , chap. . , . where also he gives foure infallible notes of salvation . . by remission of sins through the blood of christ , v. . object . but how may this pardon of sin be known ? answ. he answers . first , by our humble and hearty confession of them to god , v. . secondly , if our consciences are pacified by the blood of christ , rom. . . joh. . . . by the sanctifying spirit whereby we are renewed in holiness and righteousnesse , joh. . . . by holiness , and uprightnesse of heart , and life , john . , . . by perseverance in the knowledge , and obedience to the gospel , john . . . he that is the adopted son of god shall be undoubtedly saved , john . . rom. . . object . but how shall we know our adoption ? answ. by these signs . . if thou truly beleevest in the sonne of god , gal. . . john . . . by a hearty desire , and earnest endeavour to be cleansed from thy corruptions , joh. . . . by the love of a christian , because he is a christian , john . , , , &c. . they that are assured of the love of god to them in particular , may also be assured of their salvation , john . . and gods love to us may be known , . by our love to the brethren , joh. . , . . by our love to god , joh. . . which is also known by two signes . . by our conformity to him in holinesse : a child that loves his father will tread in his steps , joh. . . not in equality and perfection , but in similitude , and conformity . . by the weanedness of our affections from the things of the world , john . . fourthly , by tim. . . the foundation of god remains sure , having this seal , the lord knoweth who are his , &c. i. e. the decree of gods election stands firm , and sure : so that they which are elected shall never totally and finally fall away . quest. but how shall i know that i am elected ? answ. paul answereth : by the spirit of prayer and invocation : and by a care to forsake all sin : let every one that cals upon the name of the lord depart from iniquity . fifthly , by pet. . . give all diligence to make your calling and election sure , &c. and this he tells may be done by getting and exercising those graces mentioned , v. , , . mr. perkins . vol. p. , &c. is there any good to be gotten by departing from christ ? by leaving our first love ? by quenching the spirit ? and making apostasie from former degrees of grace and holinesse ? can any son of iesse do for us as christ can ? or do we think to mend our selves by running out of gods blessing into the worlds warm sun ? as d●mas did . o call me not naomi ( may such say ) but call me marah : for i went out full , but come home empty : for indeed so do revolted christians , when they come from the act of sinning : when they have been seeking after their sweet-hearts : they went with their hearts full of peace , and hands full of plenty , and meeting with a bargain of sinning , they thought to seek out their happinesse , and make it fuller ( as solomon did ) but they come home empty : empty of comforts , but laden with crosses ; they have lost their evidences , are excommunicated from the power of ordinances ; are under the terrour of wounded spirits , are buffetted by satan : are out of hope of ever recovering the radiancy of their graces ; have their back-burden of their afflictions , so that they are enforced to confess it to be the greatest madnesse in the world to buy the sweetest , and profitablest sin at so dear a rate . so david found it , and the sulamite , cant. . , . quest. wherein stands the difference betweene assurance and presumption ? answ. first , assurance is built upon the righteousness of christ , the grace of god , the word of god , and the true knowledge of sin , and of our selves : what we are by nature , and what by grace , this was one principle of pauls assurance , cor. . . by the grace of god i am that i am ; but presumption is built , . upon self-ignorance : men know not what themselves are , not what sin is : hence they think themselves righteous when they are great sinners , rom. . . luke . , &c. so rev , . . . upon self-love : which is that false glass that most look themselves in , which makes all seeme good that they are , have , or do . hence , prov. . . and . . . upon self-righteousness , which flows from the two former . . upon ignorance and mistakes about the nature of grace , or upon false principles : such as these , . that shews are substance : or that to seem religious is to be so . so mat. . . . that common gifts are special grace : that parts are piety : or that a civil and moral conversation is a regenerate condition . this will be discovered to be the presumption of many at the last day , mat. . , . . that profession is practice : that trimming of lamps is having of oyle . so matth. . , . and that the forme of godliness is the power thereof : and outwards performances the substance of piety , whereas , tim. . . . that restraint of sinne is mortification , or putting off the old man : or that cutting off the branches of sinne , is plucking it up by the root : that outward cleansing is inward purifying . so math. . . . that mens hearts may be good , though their tongues , hands and lives be bad . . it 's sometimes built upon outward prosperity : they hope god loves them , and will save them , because he hath given them so many good things , all these bottomes are like the house built upon the sands , mat. . . secondly , they differ in the means by which they are obtained , and maintained . for assurance is obtained by , . godly sorrow for sin . for christ gives rest to such , matth. . . so luke . , . . soul-searching and self-examination : or by a frequent comparing our hearts with gods word , and communing with them about the proper effects of grace , and fruits of the spirit in us . . by the illumination and testimony of adoption . . by the ordinances of the word , sacraments , prayer , and a holy and constant use of them , job . . . . by conflicts with doubts , and by resistance of unbelief : as mark . . so that assurance is not ordinarily obtained without much paines . hence , pet. . . but presumption is gotten without means or paines : without sorrow for sin , self-examination , &c. sponte nascitur : it grows up of its own accord , which is a signe that its a weed , and not an herb of grace . again , as assurance is bred , so it 's fed , and maintained by meanes , viz. the constant exercise and discovery of grace : the careful performance of duties , avoiding sin , maintaining communion with god , &c. whereas presumption , as it s gotten , so it 's maintained without care , or cost . thirdly , they differ in their effects , which are seven . . assurance endears god to the soul to love him , delight in him , long after him , and fear to offend him , and to be careful to serve and please him , eph. . , . . but presumption stirs up no affections to god , such , love him no better , fear him no more : leave not sin , not amend their wayes . . it makes men jealous of themselves , and fearful least they should miscarry : they are assured they shall stand , yet take heed lest they fall : that they shall be saved , yet wo●k it out with fear and trembling , psal. . . phil. . . but presumption makes men fool-hardy , and unsuspitious that they shall either fail or fall . . assurance humbles the heart in sight , and sense of gods great goodness , and of its own unworthiness . the higher a soul is lifted up by assurance , the lower it is in its own eye , magnifying god and debasing it self . it compassionates and pities others , and prayes for them , but presumption makes men proud , and well-conceited of their own worth , and despisers of others . so luk. . . i am not as other men , &c. . assu●ance grows by degrees to a plerophory , it comes not all at once : but presumption is at its full strength at first . . assurance bears up the heart from sinking under greatest afflictions : as it supported christ in the height of his passion , matth. . . so it did davids at ziglag , sam. . . but presumption suffers the heart to faint at such times ; and it becomes like nabals , sam. . . when carnal hopes fail , the heart fails , and such soon fall into despaire . . assurance joyns means and end together : and makes us as careful to use means , as confidently to expect the end of our faith , the salvation of our souls : as to wait upon god in all his ordinances , to walk universally in all his ways , &c. but presumption divides between the end and the means , and feeds a man with vain hopes , as . that he may go to heaven though he live in sin . . that he may come to heaven , though he use no means , &c. . assurance fears not , nor flies trial , but desires it for discovery whether it be found or no : but presumption shuns examination , and cannot endure to be tried . like counterfeit coine that cannot endure the touch-stone , or false wares that decline the light . fourthly , they differ in the adversaries to them . for , assurance is much assaulted by satans tentations , by natural unbelief , doubts , fears : it s disturbed and weakened by sin , especially if it be indulged , and by the neglect of holy duties , yea , of lukewarmness in them : but presumption is troubled with none of these . mr. reyers precepts . quest. by what further arguments may it be proved that this assurance may be attained ? answ. first , because god bids us make it sure , pet. . . cor. . . therefore it may be done . secondly , if a man may know that he believes , then he may be assured of his salvation : but a man may know that , joh. . . thirdly , if a man may know that he is sanctified , then he may be assured that he shall be saved : for those are inseparable , rom. . . therefore , fourthly , if we may have peace towards god : yea that peace that passeth all understanding , and joy unspeakable , and full of glory in believing , as rom. . . then we may be assured of our salvation . fifthly , if we have entrance with confidence into gods presence , ephes. . . then we may be assured . obj. but its pride and presumption ? answ. yea , if we look for salvation by any thing in our selves : but we are assured of it only for gods free mercy , and christs merits : besides god requires it of us , and its pride to disobey god. obj. no mans name is in the scripture ? answ. but there is better , for there is the beleevers nature and properties . obj. but the promises are set down generally , or indefinitely , not particularly to me ? answ. we may by a true , and sound reasoning make it good to our selves : thus we do from the general propositions of the law , infer particular conclusions : for how know you , that you have deserved gods wrath , and damnation ? but because the scripture curses all the transgressors of the law , deut. . . but i have broken the law , saith my conscience : therefore you conclude that you are under the curse : so may we do from the gospel . who so believes in christ shall be saved : but i believe in christ , therefore i shall be saved : the weary , lost and laden shall have mercy ; but so am i , therefore i shall have mercy . obj. but we are bidden to work out our salvation with fear and trembling ? answ. not with a slavish fear : for we must serve god without fear all our dayes , luke . . but with a godly fear of offending , which stands well with assurance . mr. rogers on faith. chap. xv. questions , and cases of conscience about astrology , and seekers to astrologers . quest. who are astrologers ? answ. such as gaze on the heavens to reade the fates and fortunes ( as they terme them ) of men and states , persons and people in them , and to foretel from thence what good or evil shall befal them . such were of old held in high esteem with the babylonians , dan. . ● . and . and . . and . , , . also with other nations , dan. . . and with the ungodly jewes , isa. . , , . with whom they did consult about their wei●hty affaires , because they took upon them to foretel things to come . they are called star-gazers , and monethly prognosticators , isa. . . they are joyned with magicians , sorcerers , chaldeans , dan. . , . soothsayers , dan. . . wisemen , dan. . . quest. how may it be proved that this kinde of divination is unlawfull ? answ. first , that which the word of god condemnes as a grand offence , is not to be practised , countenanced or tolerated : but divining by the stars is condemned by gods word : as deut. . , . there shall not be found amongst you any one that useth divination , or an observer of times , or an enchanter , or a witch , or a charmer , or a consulter with familiar spirits , or a wizard , or a necromancer : for all that do these things are an abomination to the lord. and the looking after them is expressed by going a whoring after them , lev. . . so isa . . thou hast forsaken thy p●ople the house of jacob , because they are replenished from the east , and are soothsayers like the philistines . and isa. . , . thou art wearied in thy couns●ls : let now the astrologers , the star-gazers , the monethly prognosticators stand up , and save thee from those things that shall come upon thee : behold , they shall be as stubble , the fire shall burn them : god forbids his people to learn these arts , jer. . . thus saith the lord , learne not the way of the heath●n , and be not dismayed at them . they are called liars , isa. . . that frustrateth the tokens of the lyars , and makes the diviners madd . such are reckoned up with other diabolical arts , as being of the same kinde , dan. . . and acts . , , . — many which used curious arts ( such as this is ) brought their books , and burned them before all men , and counted the price of them , and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver , &c. and this is ascribed to the power of the gospel , v. . secondly , that art whereby men assume to themselves what is peculiar 〈◊〉 god , must needs be sinful , neither to be practised , countenanced , not tollerated : but this is done by such as take upon them to divine of events to persons , and nations by the stars : therefore , the major is clear from isa. . . . shew things to come hereafter , that we may know that ye are gods ▪ where we see that knowing , and declaring things to come is as peculiar a prerogative of god as to know mens hearts . thirdly , that which with-draws the heart from god the father , and christ the son : from considering the works of the one , and heeding the words of the other , is an evil not to be practised , countenanced , or tollerated : but astrological predictions draws from god and christ. therefore , the major is evident : not to consider gods works is a sinful omission condemned , isa. . . and the apostle is as severe against every one that withdraws from christ , col. . , ▪ . now that these prognosticators withdraw mens mindes from christ , may be gathered from that opposition that is put between them by moses , deut. . , to . where they must not hearken to sorcerers that they may hearken to christ : and whilest men ascribe successes good or bad to the stars , they withdraw their mindes from beholding god in his works . fourthly , that which is false , d●lusive , and uncertaine is not to be practised , countenanced , or tolerated : but such is foretelling things by the stars : therefore that they are false is clear . isai . . that frustrateth the tokens of the lyars , and makes the diviners mad . if they speak true at any time , it 's more by hap than any skill . for though eclipses of the sun , and moon , and conjunctions of other planets may be certainly fo●eknown : yet there is no such certainty of the effects that we may divine thereby , for they are but general , partial , and remote causes of events in states , and affairs of men : and there is no certain connexion between causes general , partial , and remote , and their effects . besides , those effects which depend on other causes , upon which the heavens have either none , or no direct power , cannot be certainly known by the positions of the heavens : but so it is with humane affairs : therefore the affairs of men depend principally on gods providence , and under him on the wills and mindes of men . that gods providence ordereth things concerning men and states is proved : ephes. . . he worketh all things after the counsel of his own will ; and that not always according to the ordinary disposition of second causes : but turning and over-ruling things in a secret way beyond the intentions of men , and the ordinary virtue of second causes : so we see in rehoboam's folly . chron. . . amaziah's frowardness . chron. . . hence eccles. . . the race is not to the swift , &c. and psal. , , &c. promotion cometh neither from the east , &c. but god is judg : he pulls down one , and sets up another . again , the stars have no power over mens souls , and mindes : the heathen could say : sapiens dominabitur astris . a wise man will rule over the stars . at the most , that which they have , is but by way of inclination , which grace , education , civil wisdom , and many other things may oversway . besides , the affairs of men , and nations are prospered , and blasted , not according to the use of natural means , but according to their carriage towards god , as they are 〈◊〉 or obedient , penient or impenitent ; and men act in these moral performances as they are assisted , or deserted by god : for which see , isai . , &c. ezek. . , , , . object . but though they be not certain causes , may they not be certain signs of things to come ? answ. no : for if they be signs fore-shewing events , they must either be so by nature , as smoak is a sign of fire : or by institution , as an ivy-bush is a sign of wine to be sold : but they are so in neither of these senses : therefore they cannot be natural signs , because there is no natural connexion between the constellations , and humane events : and whereas it 's said , gen. . . let them be for signs , and for seasons ; for days , and for yeers : the meaning is , they are signs for the things which they cause , as the seasons of the year which they do both make , and signifie : or if they should be granted in general to be signs yet could we not certainly prognosticate any thing by them except we had particular comments on them to declare what they signifie , either by divine revelation , or by solid experience : but no such comment is to be had , and therefore we have no certain fore-knowledg by them . divine revelation is not pretended to , and a certain experience we have not : for experience arises from often observing the same thing , as a physician knows by experience that rubarb purges choller , because he hath often tried it , and ever findes it so : but we can have no such experience of the effect of the stars : . because the heavens do scarce ever return to the same position : for though some great conjunctions be the same , yet there are infinite numbers of stars ( which also have their influences ) that agree not with , and so may vary the effects of the other . . when events follow these conjunctions it cannot certainly be known that they are the effects of them , for that many things fall out together accidentally without connexion , or dependance one upon another . . we see experiences uncertain , for that twins born under the same constellation differ extreamly in disposition , and event , as we see in esau and jacob , and whereas they say , that by reason of the swift motions of the heavens , a little time makes a great difference in their position . saint austin answers , that yet their conceptions were both in an instant , though their birth differed a little : and ludovicus vives adds , that this overthrows all certainty of divining by the stars , because by reason of the swiftnnesse of their motion , they suddenly alter their positions , so that a man can never give an exact judgement of any birth , because he cannot exactly know the minute of his nativity . . identity of effects doth not onely depend upon the efficient , but the matter also : so that if we could be sure that the position of the heavens were the same as they were a hundred years ago , yet the same events will not follow , because of the difference of men in divers ages and climates , of divers tempers , educations , moral , and intellectual principles , &c. and why may not the influence of the stars produce divers effects upon men of divers dispositions , as we see a hen sometimes hatches chickens , other times ducks , partridges , &c. because of different eggs set under her . . arg. that which nourisheth vaine , and forbidden hopes , and fears is not to be practised , countenanced , or tollerated : but so do astrological predictions : therefore , fear , and hope by reason of the signes of heaven is forbidden , jer. . . learn not the way of the heathen , neither be dismayed at the signs of heaven , for the heathen are dismayed at them . object . but astrologers oft hit right in their predictions , therefore it seems there is certainty in their art ? answ. first , doe astrologers tell right some times ? so do witches , yet all confess that it is by the help of the devil , and therefore unlawful . secondly , astrologers do also many times misse in their predictions . for isa. . . the tokens of these liars are frustrated . only this favour they finde amongst the multitude , that their mistakes are not regarded though they be many : their predictions that fall out right , are observed , and remembred though they be few . thirdly , more is ascribed to astrologers in point of truth from some tricks they use , then indeed they deserve : for , as the devil used of old in his oracles , so they use ambiguous expressions which admit of a double construction , and men interpret them according to their events : they add also many ifs , and cautions to their predictions , whereby if the event answer not their prediction , they do with the vulgar avoid the shame of it ; but if it fall out right , they go away with credit . fourthly , it 's the opinion of judicious divines , that much of that truth that is in their predictions is from the assistance of the devil , who either by an open contract , or else in a voluntary secret way insinuates himself to draw on a league , and assists them with his knowledge , and guesses , which exceed any mans . hence saint augustine , master perkins , and others tell us of consciencious men who have beene glad to leave off this study , because of the uncertainty they have found in the rules of it . and satan may help curious heads in this way , because besides his own knowledge , which enables him oft-times to guesse shrewdly , he may be permitted by god in a judiciary way to be a true spirit in the mouth of liars , as he was a lying spirit in the mouth of ahabs prophets . see for it , deuter. . , , , , . object . but it 's said , moses was learned in all the wisdome of the egyptians , acts . . and daniel of the chaldeans , dan. . , . and astrology was part of that learning , and therefore either its lawful , or they learned an unlawful art ? answ. there be two things in astrology . . the theory . . the practise : now many have studied the theory , that have renounced the practise , finding that nothing could be done by it in a natural way . and it 's very probable that all the learning that these holy men had in this art ( if they had any ) was but in a theoretical way : there is no footstep of their practice of it in all their stories , but of the contrary . for we read in the second , fourth , and fifth chapters of daniel , that he was never called in with the magicians , but after them , which shews that he was not of their society : also when he went about searching out secrets , he went not to his books but to his prayers : not to consult with the stars , but with god , as dan. , , &c. object . but are not the starres very powerful , and causes of many strange effects ? and are not effects known by their causes ? why then may we not divine by them ? answ. though they have a great influence upon inferiour bodies , yet we cannot divine by them touching humane affairs ; for , . they cannot act but within their own spheare , which is in corporeal things : but humane affaires , though acted by mens bodies , yet they are guided by their spirits , which in nature are out of the sphere of the heavens operation : and their successes and miscarriages are from divine providence : therefore whatever may be prognosticated by them concerning elementary bodies ; yet for men , their virtue is so short in working on them , that it can give no light to judge of their future affairs . . where the power of working is acknowledged , yet our knowledge of their virtues , and operations is so dim that we cannot divine by it : for the influences of all , or most of the stars are unknown to us ; and when all of them have their influences conjoyned , who can say this effect is from the virtue of this star , and not from another . a sixth argument to prove that astrological predictions ought neither to be practised , countenanced , or tollerated , is this . that which most godly and learned men upon experience have renounced , and repented of , that is neither to be practised , countenanced , nor tollerated : but godly men have renounced and repented of their study of astrology : therefore , the minor is thus proved . st. augustine , the glory of his age for piety , learning , and solid judgement ; confesses that he had been addicted to these vain studies : but by the grace of god he afterward renounced them as an art condemned by true piety , affirming that it was a great errour , a great madness , and a suspition that might easily be refelled : he also mentions another on psa. . that repented of , and renounced this wicked art , as being as bad as paganisme , and judaisme . aug. de doct. christ. l. . c. . so saith holy master perkins . i long studied this art , and was never quiet till i had seen all the secrets of it : but at length it pleased god to lay before me the prophanesse of it , nay , i dare boldly say , idolatry , although it be covered with fair and golden shews : therefore that which i speak with grief , i desire thee to note with some attention . mr. briggs also , sometimes geometry reader at oxford : a man eminent for piety , and his skill in the mathematicks , upon a question moved to him by my authour , touching judicial astrology , told him , that when he went first to cambridge , he thought it a brave thing to be of gods counsel , to forsee , and foretel secrets , resolving to attain to that skill whatever labour it cost him : so accordingly after a while he fell upon the study of the mathematicks , laying good foundation by going through arithmetick , geometry , and astronomy , not resting till he had attained exactness therein : then he fell upon judicial astrology : but there he found his expectation wholly frustrate , for there was no certainty in the rules of it : having therefore tired both body and wits in vain , he at last repaired to a man in cambridge , famous in that art , and a maker of prognostications , to whom he bemoaned himself : for that he had bestowed so much pains to be an expert astrologer , but the uncertainty of its rules did now deceive his hopes : whereto the astrologer replyed , that the rules of that art were uncertain indeed , neither were there any cure for it . whereupon mr. briggs left that study . yea , he affirmed that he would undertake to the skilfullest astrologer in the world , that let him set down any conclusion touching either man or state , yea , or weather , and he would prove that it would fall out so , and that it would not fall out so from their own rules and principles : he said also that his opinion was , that they that addicted themselves to the practise of divining astrology , the devil did at first lend his secret assistance , and at length by degrees , if god prevented not , entise them into a contract . quest. but who may be said to practise this unlawful art ? answ. first , all such as calculate mens nativities , and thereby divine what their condition shall be , whether good or bad : such also as by the stars take upon them to foretel the successe of particular enterprises : such also as erect figures to find out things lost : and such almanack-makers as take upon them to foretel future contingents , as what weather it will be every day , &c. quest. who be the countenancers of this unlawful art ? answ. first , such as go to them to have their nativities calculated , to know their fortunes , as they call it : or that seek to them for things lost , &c. secondly , such as buy or read their books , unlesse it be with a purpose to confute them . this is to go a whoring after them , forbidden , lev. . . thirdly , such as believe their predictions , and are affected with joy , or sorrow as they prognosticate good or bad . fourthly , such as talk of their predictions as things that have something in them , and that they are not to be contemned . fifthly , by applauding their predictions , and applying them to other events . quest. how and when are astrologers tollerated ? answ. first , when their books are licensed , or not prohibited : when they are suffered to go abroad , and not suppressed . secondly , when the astrologers themselves are suffered to go unpunished , who do so cheat and delude the people . when ministers hold their tongues , and preach not against them , nor confute their lying vanities : and when magistrates hold their hands , and punish them not . or when there are no laws made against them , or if made , yet not executed . gerees astrologo-mastix . quest. how many sorts of foretelling things are there ? answ. three , . divine : such as are by god himself , or by the prophets inspired by him . secondly , humane , and natural , which are from natural causes to their natural effects . thus the astronomer may foretel the eclipses : the phisician the effects of some diseases : of which sort are politick predictions , which wise men can sometimes presage about common wealths : though indeed these are but conjectures . thirdly , diabolical , which are by gods just judgement suffered to be upon a people : and these are either by the devil , or by his instruments , as witches , sorc●rers ▪ astrologers , &c. quest. are these diabolical predictions lawful ? answ. no. for , . it is only the property of god , and of the scriptures to foretell things to come : and therefore such astrologers as take upon them to foretell things , not natural but voluntary , and such as are meerly subject to mens wills , do not only undertake a vain , rash , and false thing , but that also which is very abominable and wicked . secondly , it hath been the devils way always to disturb the church , and to endeavour the damnation of many mens souls by making them credulous in these things . and as christ hath set in his church pastors , and teachers to instruct them in the way to heaven : so the devil hath raised his witches , sorcerers , sooth-sayers , and astrologers to seduce the world out of the right way . as cardan , who rose to that height of impiety , as to calculate christs birth , and made his power to work miracles to flow from the influence of the stars under which he was borne . others have been bad , though not so bad , as petrus de aliaco , who thought that the time of christs birth might have been foretold by the stars : and kepler contends , that those wise-men by the rules of astrology might have presaged , not only some strange event , but the birth of some great monarch : as if christ were not born after an extraordinary , and miraculous manner . i deny not but that the heavens have influences upon mens bodies : hence that man possessed with a devil was said to be lunatick , probably because the devill took the opportunity at that time of the moone , wherein humours do most abound , then to disturb and distract him : but the heavens were never made for books to reveal what should come to passe . thirdly , witches sorcerers , and astrologers are oft condemned in scripture , as , lev. . . and . . deut. . , &c. isa. . , &c. besides , all the fathers speak with much vehemency against them : many counsels have condemned them : yea , divers of the wiser sort of heathens have cried out upon them . ptolomy himself acknowledgeth that no certain truth can be foretold by them . tully wrote several books de divinatione , condemning such diviners . instancing that before a great battel the mice had gnawen the buckler of a souldier , whereupon the soothsayer concluded that that war should be fatal and unlucky : as if ( faith tully ) because mice did gnaw some books that i have of plato's de republica , therefore i should conclude that our common-wealth shall be destroyed . and we reade acts . . of many who being converted ▪ brought their books about such curious arts , and burnt them . we may reade more hereof in pererius , spanhemius , zanchy , and others . fourthly , if the heavens were true , and proper causes , or necessary signes , yet no man could certainly prognosticate any thing by them ; because no man knows the number , nor the vertue , and efficacie of the stars . the scripture makes it peculiar to god only to know the stars , and to call them by their names ; but if any man could certainly divine by the stars , he must know their number , activity and influence , yea , and the degree of their activity , without which they cannot but grossely erre . fifthly , if the heavens be causes , yet they are only universal causes : now from a universal indeterminate cause , there cannot be any special particular effect foretold : for besides universal causes , all particular inferiour causes , which are many and uncertain , must be known also . sixthly , if astrological predictions were allowed , it would bring in a contempt of god , and flat atheisme into the world . the scripture carries us out to god in all things , to his wisdom , power , justice , &c. but these would binde us to the planets : yea , by this means also the scripture would be despised , and laid aside , and all prophanenesse would be introduced thereby : yea , and every one would excuse his vices , with how could i help it , seeing i am borne under such a starre : as saint augustine tells us of a servant of a certain astrolo●er , who having robbed his master , his master went about to correct him for it wherupon he cried out that he could not help it , for that he was borne under mercury , ( and the astrologers say that such as are borne under that planet , are given to stealing ) and thus he silenced his master by the rules of his owne art. ob. but we see that many times they foretel the truth ? answ. first , and many more prove false and untrue : and if one thing fall out true , it s more observed then a hundred things that prove false : besides , when they foretel many things , its hard if some one at least prove not true . a blinde man that shoots many arrows , may chance with one to hit the mark . secondly , if such things as they foretel do come to passe , it s either from their expresse , or vertual contract with the devil . and if not so , yet as saint augustine observes , it s a just judgment of god upon thee , that thou shouldest have wherwith to stumble and fall , and undo thy self , as deuteron . . , &c. thus a wicked prophet may foretel that which comes to passe : and why ? god doth it to prove and try you ? see mr. an. burges on john. p. . quest. vvhat use may we make of this which hath been said ? answ. first , let all be perswaded to flie the study , and to abandon the practice of this black art. the scripture condemns it as abomination to the lord , reason witnesses against it as being irration●l and uncertain . there is vanity in it , danger by it . satan is a subtile serpent , and insinuates into many this way before they be aware . finde you pleasure in it ? it s but a sweet poison . think you to get honour by it ? you may be applauded by vain men , but are disallowed by god : perki●s reckons it up amongst the kindes of witchcraft : saint austin counts it ungodly dotage , and inconsistent with christianity . doth profit entice you ? it s but balaams gain , the wages of iniquity , money that will perish with you . secondly , if notwithstanding all that can be said , astrologers will persist in their wicked practice , all should take heed of countenancing them , lest partaking in their sins they partake in their plagues : have therefore no fellowship with these unfruitful works of darknesse : abhorre all commerce with , and resort to such persons : flie from them , as from the devil himself : thou breakest thy baptismal vow if thou renouncest not such diabolical practices . shall we countenance what god abominates , and strengthen men in that which makes both them , and the land liable to wrath ? let them not have the countenance of thy cost to buy them , nor of thy time to reade them , nor of thy tongue to mention or applaud them , nor of thy affections to fear , hope , or rejoyce in any thing they say . forbidden , jer. . , . if there were no buyers of such almanacks , there would be no sellers , and if rhere were no sellers , there would be no makers , at least no publishers of such lying vanities ; and truly if the astrologer be guilty , the buyer and reader cannot be innocent . god hath forbidden seeking to such under a grievous penalty , lev. . . — i will even set my face against that soul , and will cut him off from amongst my people . indeed , learned men have observed that such delusions have prevailed amongst popish and anabaptistical spi●its . but that england should countenance such ! and in a time of reformation ! oh let us blush for shame , &c. how often ( said tully ) did i hear such men promise pompey and caesar , that they should live long , and die a peaceable death , whereas both of them not long after were murdered . and cornelias è lapide the jesuite , in his comment on acts . bewaileth that whilest he was at rome , they were so much given to this wickednesse , whilest the astrologers promised to some long life , to others a cardinalship , to others the popedome , and yet at last all were miserably deluded . thirdly , if astrologers should not be tolerated , then they which are in authority are to be entreated , first , that their books be not suffered so ordinarily to passe the p●esse : o how doth the world dote upon them ; i have been credibly informed that near thirty thousand of lillies almanacks have been vended in a year : if devout men burnt their own books of this kinde , how should devout governours see to the burning of such books ? sure if those books deserve the fire which derogate from the honour of princes , how much more such as withdraw the mindes and hearts of men from god. it were well , if astrologers were put into the some catalogue with other sorcerers in the statute of the first of king james , chap. . and to suffer the same punishment with the other : for the scripture makes them birds of a feather , &c. see as before . quest. but may we not use charmes , wherein there are none but good words ? answ. no ; it s the usual craft of satan to present things , and wayes in themselves indifferent to silly mindes , which consider not , that the harme doth not consist in using such words or actions , but in ascribing to them an unnatural vertue without the warrant of god , who is the master of nature . quest. is it not lawful to enquire of astrologers after things to come ? answ. certainly , since god hath hidden the future time from us , to go about to lay it open , is a work proper to the profest undoer of gods works . quest. vvhy may we not enquire after future times ? answ. curiosity to know the future , carrieth many so far as to make a covenant with the devil , who yet stands not so much upon his points , as to refuse to be consulted with , by those that have made no covenant with him : no doubt but his pride is tickled with a mischievous delight , when he sees men seeking to him for that which is proper to god : and thereby yielding him divine service . which service that he may receive in an hidden way from the finer sort of wits , he hath devised some seeming sublime divinations , perswading rhem that the decree of god about humane events is written in the motions , and several aspects of the starres , and that therefore this kinde of divination is lawful , yea , divine . quest. vvhat are the evils that proceed from hence ? answ. first , they are innumerable : for . that silly reverence which vulgar pe●sons give to these predictions , makes them wilde , and sets them upon the fulfilling of them , because they esteem them unavoidable . secondly , the worst evil is , that thereby mans minde which ought to dwell at home , is transported out of himself , and in stead of reposing upon the wisdom and love of god , is suspended upon the dragons taile , and the ascendant of an horoscope . thirdly , it cuts in sunder the very sinews of industry , and makes men idle , greedy , and inconsiderate . the histories of the greek emperours , alexius and manuel , are lamentable examples how credulous persons are undone by the impostures of astrologers , when they expect from the stars those successes which should have been wrought out by piety , prudence , and valour . quest. vvhat further reason is there against these astrological predistions ? answ. consider that all affirmation is grounded either upon reason , or authority . the assertions of judiciary astrology are of the last kinde : for no reason can be given of their maximes . now the authority upon which these maximes are grounded , must either be divine , or humane , or devilish . they are not grounded upon divine authority , but are expresly forbidden by it , ●er . . . isa. . . and humane authority in this case is of no weight : for who hath given power to men to dispose of the several offices , and preheminences of coelestial bodies ? it remains then that these maximes are grounded upon diabolical authority . in brief , since they are not grounded upon reason , either they are forged by men , or delivered by revelation : and if that revelation comes not from god , it must needs come from the devil . dr. du moulin of contentment . chap. xvi . questions , and cases of conscience about atheists , and atheisme . quest. hhow many sorts of atheists be there ? answ. two. first , when a man saith , or at least thinks that there is no god at all : or denies the attributes of god , psal. . . king. . . & . . mal. . . & . . secondly , when a man ownes , and adores a false god instead of the true god , ephes. . . quest. how doth a man come to the first kind of atheisme ? answ. first , by two steps or degrees . . when he imagins that god doth not see , or not regard him , psal. . . zeph. . . secondly , when he conceits that god is not so severe , and rigorous in punishing sinne as the scriptures set him forth to be , psalme . , . eccles. . . quest. how many wayes doth a man set up a false instead of a true god ? answ. first , when a man worships that that is not god in the roome of the true god : as the heathen did , who worshipped the sun , moon , and stars , &c. for their gods , act. . , . secondly , when a man sets some other thing besides the true god to be his chiefest good : as the voluptuous man doth his pleasures : the covetous his wealth , &c. phil. . . col. . . job . . quest. how are men made atheists ? answ. first , by giving way to sin : for sin draws towards atheisme , by wiping out all the notions of a deity as much as it can : and when we have sinned , we must either get out by repentance , or else we will be willing to turne atheists , by denying that there is either heaven or hell , and believing that when we die , there is a final end of us as there is of the bruit beasts . secondly , satan doth all that he can to make men atheists , because when there is no fear of god before mens eyes , they will commit all manner of sinnes that the devil would have them , psal. . , . when they say there is no god : it fol●ows , they are corrupt , they have don● abominable works . the devil indeed cannot be a ●at atheist , for he believes and trembles , yet he bears a good will to atheism , because he knows that that sin doth much advantage his kingdom . he knows that it is the master-vein in our original lust , and therefore he tempts much to it , and indeed would prevail to make us atheists , but that god hath so wrought in us an impression of a deity , being the main pillar of the law of nature ▪ that we cannot possib●y , nor all the devils in hell assisting with their forces , utterly extinguish this law out of our hearts : hence we finde that our deepest atheists in the world , when they are in extremity , and put to it with some sudden affrightment , do use to cry , o god , o lord , and therefore this corruption and temptation is with the more ease opposed , and answered . for a man hath on his side the works of nature , the law of nature , the stirrings and terrours of his conscience fearing , and trembling at wrath to come : but when all is done , that which must , and one●y will hold us up against the tentation , when we are strongly assaulted by satan , is to sly to the word of god. the word saith that there is a god , and therefore i will believe that there is a god. but when we are free from tentation , other considerations taken from the nature , and various acts of gods providence may stop the mouth of our lusts which would not have god in all our thoughts : but when we are set upon by some fierce tentation , the safest way is , . not to enter into disputes with our own reason ; for the understanding of man is too weak to reach the comprehension of a deity . he that muses much about the nature , and infinite being of god , shall but let in satan the more : the best counsel than for a poor christian is in any hand not to study this point , not to dispute this argument , lest at length he say in his heart , i cannot conceive what god is , and therefore i doubt whether there be such a being or no. . cleave to the word , and say : though my reason cannot tell what to make of it ; though lust in me say that there is no god at all : though satan say there is no god , and most men live as if there were no god ; yet because i finde it in the word , and the scripture saith it , i must , and do , and will believe it : doubts indeed which have any ground must be disputed and answered : but atheism is the denial of the first principle of all religion , and therefore the best way is to begin and end with the word , and to know that such a principle as is the essence and existence of a god ought not to be so much as questioned : and therefore put off such thoughts as oft as they come , as not fit , or worthy thy consideration : and thou shalt finde by often rejecting of them , thy conscience will be better settled , and confirmed , than by going about by reason to answer them . capel on tentations . quest. in whom are these atheistical thoughts that there is no god ? answ. these wicked thoughts are not onely in some notorious sinners , but in the corrupt minde of every son of adam , naturally , psal. . . and . . where davids fool is not some special sinner , but every impenitent sinner , how civil so ever his life be ; though his tongue be ashamed to utter it , yet his corrupt nature is prone to think it , that there is no god. so paul insinuates , rom. . , &c. object . but it 's ingraffed into every mans heart by nature that there is a god ? answ. these two thoughts , that there is a god , and that there is no god , may be , and are both in one and the same heart . the same man that by the light of nature thinks there is a god , may by that corruption and darkness of minde , that came by adams fall , think that there is no god : as heat , and cold may be in the same body in remiss degrees . quest. how doth a man by thinking deny god in his heart ? answ. first , by turning the true god into an idol of a mans brain ? secondly , by placing something that is not god in the room of the true god. every man naturally , without further light from gods word turns the true god into an idol : hence , gal. . . eph. . . psal. . . cor. . . quest. how doth a mans mind turn the true god into an idol ? answ. by three notorious thoughts which are the root of many damnable sinnes ; as . by thinking that god is not every where present , whereby god is robbed of his omni-presence : for god being infinite , is in all places , and when mans heart denies this , it turns him into an idol . so job . , . psal. . . isa. . . . by thinking that there is no providence of god , whereby he orders and disposeth of all things particularly . so psal. . . zeph. . . . by thinking that there is no justice in god : which is when men imagine that notwithstanding their sins , yet god will not punish them as he hath threatned in his word . so deut. . , . amos . . and . . . a man denies god in his thought by placing in the room of the true god an idol of his own brain , which is done by thinking some other thing besides the true god to be their chiefest good : so epicures make their belly their god , phil . . the covetous man his riches , col. . . for what a man thinks to be the best thing in the world for him , that is his god , though it be the devil him-himself or any other creature . hence , cor. . quest. what is the fruit of this thought that there is no god ? answ. it brings forth the notoriousest sins that can be , even atheism it self , which is twofold . . in practise . . in judgement . quest. what is atheisme in practice . answ. it 's that sin whereby men deny god in their deeds , lives , and conversation . this hath three special branches . . hypocrisie ▪ which is a sin whereby men worship the true god : but in a false manner , giving god the outward action but with holding their hearts from him . . epicurisme , which is a sin whereby men contemn god , and give themselves wholly to their pleasures , spending their time in eating , drinking , and other carnal delights , not seeking , nor fearing god , which is the sin of many rich persons . . witchcraft or magick , which is that sin whereby men renounce the true god : and betake themselves to the aid , counsel , and help of the devil , either by himself , or his instruments . quest. what is atheisme in judgement ? answ. it 's that sin whereby in opinion and perswasion of heart men deny god : it hath three degrees . . when men hold , and accordingly worship the true god : but yet conceive of , and worship him otherwise then he hath revealed himself in his word : as the turks , jews , and papists do . , when men place some idol in the room of the true god , holding the same for their god : thus did the gentiles when they worshipped the sunne , moon , and stars or other creatures . . when a man doth avouch , hold and maintain that there is no god at all : and this is the highest degree of atheisme , and such deserve to be put to death for treason against heaven , if he shall die that denies his lawful prince . quest. what are the signs whereby atheisme may be discovered ? answ. david , psal. . sets down three signes . . a disordered life , v. , . . not calling on the name of god by prayer , v. . . contemning of them that put their trust in god , v. . quest. what other signes are there of it ? cnsw . first , if we deny the omni●presence of god ; and are more afraid to sin in the presence of a mortal man , then in the presence of god. secondly , if we think that god regards not these outward things : thus such as use oppression , injustice , deceit , and lying in their worldly affairs are atheists . thirdly , if we say , god is merciful , i will hereafter repent , and so escape punishment , which overturns the infinite justice of god , and makes him all mercy , whereas he is as well just , as merciful . quest. what other damnable thought is there naturally in the heart of man concerning god ? answ. that the word of god is foolishnesse . thus some thought the gospel foolishnesse . cor. . . and the reason is rendred , cor. . . others have the like thoughts of the law , when they judge the threats of the law untrue , and so foolishnesse . hence , deut. . . isa. . . pet. . , . quest. what are the accursed fruits of this atheisme ? answ. first , hence ariseth that cursed , and damnable opinion of many that hold religion to be but humane policy to keep men in awe , and so use it as a politick device to exercise mens brains to keep them from sedition , and rebellion . secondly , hence springs all apostacy , and departing from the faith , gal. . . quest. what other cursed thought ariseth from atheism ? answ. first , that seeing the word of god is foolishnesse , therefore they will not yeeld obedience to it . so job , . jer. . . luke . . and very many are guilty hereof . secondly , then they proceed to say that it 's a vain thing to worship god. so , job . . mal. . . it was in david himself , psal. . . thirdly , a thought of distrust , thus , god doth not regard me , will not help me , nor be merciful unto me . this was moses his sin , numb . . , . and davids , psal. . . and . . and of the israelites , psal. . , . and of peter , mat. . , ● . quest. when do these thoughts of distrust most assault us ? answ. in times of danger , affliction , tentation , and especially in sicknesse , and at death , job . . and . , &c. so psal. . . quest. what is the danger of these thoughts ? answ. first , hence ariseth all horror , and terrours of conscience : all feares , and astonishments of heart . secondly , hence comes desperation it self , whereby men confidently affirme that god hath forsaken them , and that there is no hope , &c. thirdly , this weakens the foundation of our salvation , which stands in the certainty of gods promises : this thought denying the credit of them , and making them uncertain . mr. perkins of mans natural imaginations . chap. xvii . questions , and cases of conscience about baptisme . quest. what are the principles about baptism ? answ. first , that baptisme is a sacrament of regeneration . secondly , that the outward signes in baptisme is water : the inward thing or substance thereof is the blood of christ. thirdly , that the pouring or sprinkling water upon the party baptized , setteth out the inward cleansing of the holy ghost . fourthly , that the forme of baptisme is , in the name of the father , son and holy ghost . fifthly , that baptisme is to be administred by a minister of the word . sixthly , that they that professe the true faith are to be baptized . seventhly , that the children also of such are to be baptized . eightly , that by baptisme we are engrafted into christs mystical body . ninthly , that baptism sets out both our dying to sin , and also our rising to righteousnesse . tenthly , that baptisme is but once to be administred . eleventhly , that the force and efficacy of baptisme lasteth as long as we live . quest. can any argument for the baptizing of infants , be brought from circumcision under the law ? answ. yes : for there is the same extent of the sacrament of initiation under the new covenant , as was under the old . if infants might partake of the sacrament of initiation and regeneration , before christ was exhibited , then much more since . that which the apostle saith of the ark in relation to baptisme , pet. . . that it was a like figure , may be said of circumcision : all their sacraments were like figures , not types of ours . the apostle maketh an expresse analogy betwixt circumcision and baptisme , col. . , . see dr. gouge on heb. quest. where the scripture speaks of baptizing it mentions washing with water , how then can sprinkling s●rve turne ? answ. sprinkling is sufficient to 〈◊〉 the use of water . the party baptized is not brought to the font to have his face , or any other part of his body made cleane , but to have assurance of the inward cleansing of his soul. now that our mindes may not too much dote on the outward thing done , but be wholly raised up to the mistery , the outward element is no further used , then may serve to put us in minde of the inward thing signified thereby . answerably in the lords supper there is not so much bread and wine given , and received , 〈◊〉 would satisfie ones appetite , or slake his hunger , and quench his thirst , but onely a little bit of bread , and sup of wine to declare the use of bread , and wine , and so to draw the mindes of the communicants to a consideration of their spiritual nourishment by the body and blood of jesus christ. quest. how is baptisme a means of clean●ing and sanctifying ? answ. four ways . first , in that it doth most lively represent , and set forth even to the outward senses the inward clean●●n● of our souls by the blood of christ , and sanctifying us by the spirit of christ , rom. . , &c. secondly , in that it doth truely propound , and make tender , or offer of the grace of justification , and sanctification to the party baptized . in this respect it 's called , baptisme of repentance fo● remission of sinnes , luke . . acts . . thirdly , in that it doth really exhibit , and seal up to the conscience of him that is baptized ▪ the aforesaid grace , whereby he is assured that he is made partaker thereof . thus abraham received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousnesse of 〈◊〉 , rom. . . the eunuch and others rejoyced when they were baptized , acts . ● . an● . . fourthly , in that it is a particular , and peculiar pledge to the party baptized , that even he himself is made a partaker of the said graces : therefore every one in particular is baptized for himself : yea , though many be at once brought to the font , yet every one by name is baptized . hence , gal. . . whosoever are baptized into christ , have put on christ ; and acts . . be thou baptized and wash away thy sins . object . but many that are baptized receive no such grace ? are neither cleansed , nor sanctified ? answ. such are onely outwardly washed with water , not baptized with the holy ghost : the fault is not because no grace accompanies the sacrament , but in that they receive not , but reject the grace which appertaineth thereto , rom. . . what if some believe not ? shall their unbelief make the faith of god of none effect ? god forbid . object . many receive the aforesaid graces before they are baptized . as abraham before he was circumcised , rom. . . and some that were baptized after they believed . how then is baptism a means thereof . answ. their spiritual cleansing is more fully , and lively manifested by baptisme , and they are more assured thereof . object . many who live long in grosse sins after baptism , and so were not thereby cleansed and sanctified , yet many years after have beene effectually called : what means hath baptisme been hereof ? answ. the use and efficacy of baptisme is not as the act thereof , transient , but permanent , and perpetual , so long as the baptized person lives : whensoever a sinner unfeignedly repenteth , and faithfully layeth hold on the promises of god : baptisme , which is the seal thereof , is as powerful and effectual as it could have been when it was first administred . for the efficacy of baptisme consisteth in the free offer of grace . so long therefore as god continueth to offer grace , so long may a mans baptisme be effectual . on this ground we are but once baptized ; and as the prophet put the people in mind of their circumcision , jerem. . . so the apostles of their baptisme long after it was administred . yea , they speak of it ( though the act were long before past ) as if it were in doing in the time present . baptisme saveth , pet. . . quest. what kinde of means of grace is baptisme ? answ. baptisme is no physical , or natural means of working grace , as if the grace that is sealed up thereby were inherent in the water , or in the ministers act of sprinkling it ( as in medicines , salves , meats , &c. there is an inherent virtue which proceedeth from the use of them ; and being applied they have their operation whether a man beleeve it or no. ) but it is only a voluntary instrument , which christ useth as it pleaseth him , to work what grace , or what measure of grace seemeth best to him : so as grace is only assistant to it , not included in it : yet in the right use thereof , christ by his spirit worketh that grace which is received by it , in which respect the minister is said to baptize with water , but christ with the holy ghost and with fire , mat. . . quest. whether is baptisme necessary to salvation ? answ. a meanes of working a thing may be said to be necessary two wayes . . absolutely , so as the thing cannot possibly be without it . thus are the proper causes of a thing absolutely necessary : as in this case gods covenant : christs blood , and the operation of the spirit are absolutely necessary for the obtaining any grace . secondly , by consequence , so as according to that course and order which god hath set down , things cannot be without them . now baptisme is not absolutely necessary as a cause : for then it should be equal to gods covenant , christs blood , and the work of the spirit ; yea , then all that are baptized should be cleansed . but it s necessary by consequence , and that in a double respect . . in regard of gods ordinance . . in regard of our need thereof . . god having ordained this sacrament to be used , its necessary it should be used , if for no other end , yet to manifest our obedience . he that carelesly neglects , or wilfully contemns any sacrament enjoyned by god , his soul shall be cut off , gen. . . . great is the need that we have thereof in regard of our dulnesse in conceiving things spiritual , and of our weaknesse in beleeving things invisible . we are carnal and earthly , and by things sensible and earthly , do the better conceive of things spiritual and heavenly : therefore god hath ordained visible elements to be sacraments of invisible graces . again we are slow to believe such things as are promised in the word , therefore the more to help and strengthen our faith , god hath added to his covenant in the word , his seal in , and by the sacraments : that by two immutable things ( gods covenant , and gods seal ) in which it is impossible for god to lie , we might have strong consolation . besides , though in general we do believe the truth of gods word , yet we are doubtful to apply it to our selves ; wherefore for the better applying of gods covenant to our own soul , god hath added his sacraments to his word . quest. wherein do the papists erre about this doctrine of baptisme ? answ. first , in the necessity of it ▪ they making it so absolutely necessary , that if any die unbaptized they cannot be saved , which doome they passe upon infants , though they be deprived thereof without any fault of their own , or of their parents , when they be still born : which is a mercilesse opinion against gods word , and against the order which he hath prescribed . for he hath established his covenant , and promised to be the god of the faithful , and of their seed . hence , acts . . the promise is to you , and to your children ; and cor. . . your children are holy . if these promises should be made void by an inevitable want of baptisme , why would god have enjoyned circumcision ( which to the jews was as baptisme is to christians ) to put it off to the eighth day , before which time many of their infants died ? or would moses have suffered it to be fo●born all the time that the israelites were in the wildernesse ? if they say that baptisme is more necessary then circumcision , i answer , that the scripture layes no more necessity upon it : and if it were so necessary as they make it , then the virtue of christs death were lesse effectual since he was actually exhibited then before . for before it was effectual for infants without a sacrament , but belike not now . secondly they add such efficacy to baptisme , as it gives grace , ex opere operato , or the wo●k it self : wherein they make it equal with the very blood of christ , and take away the peculiar work of the spirit , & the use of faith repentance , and such like graces . can there be more in the water then there was in the blood of beasts offered in sacrifices ? but it is not possible that their blood should take away sin , heb. . . they themselves attribute no such vertue to the word preached , and yet they cannot shew where the holy ghost hath given more vertue to the sacrament then to the word . the apostle , cor. . . joynes them both together ; that he might cleanse it with the washing of water through the word . what can be more said of it then of the word , rom. . . it pleased god by preaching to save them that believe . the gospel is the power of god to salvation . quest. wherein do the anabaptists erre about this doctrine of baptisme ? answ. they too lightly esteem this holy and necessary ordinance of god in that they make it onely a badge of our profession : a note of difference between the true and false church , a signe of mutual fellowship : a bare signe of spiritual grace : a resemblance of mortification , regeneration , inscition into christ , &c. but no more : these indeed are some of the ends , and uses of baptisme : but in that they restraine all the efficacy thereof hereunto , they take away the greatest comfort , and truest benefit which the church reapeth thereby as is above said . quest. what is the inward washing by baptisme ? answ. in that whosoever is fully baptized is cleansed from sinne . fully , i. e. powerfully and effectually , as well inwardly by the spirit , as outwardly by the minister : cleansed , i. e. both from the guilt of sin by christs blood , and from the power of sinne by the work of his spirit : hence , rom. . , . as many as are baptized into christ , are baptized into his death : buried with him by baptisme : baptisme saveth us , pet. . . quest. is it necessary that the word and baptisme go together ? answ. it 's very requisite that where this sacrament is administred , the doctrine thereof be truely and plainly taught , so as the nature , efficacy , and use thereof may be made known , and the covenant of god sealed up thereby , may be believed . hence , matth. . . teaching and baptizing are joyned together . so did john , luk. . . and the apostles , acts . . and . , . and . , . for , . a sacrament without the word is but an idle ceremony . like a seale without a covenant : it 's the word that makes known the covenant of god. . it 's the word which makes the greatest difference between the sacramental washing of water , and ordinary common washing . . by the word the ordinary creatures we use are sanctified , much more the holy ordinances of gods worship , whereof baptisme is one . quest. is it not lawfull to baptise without a sermon ? answ. though it be both commendable , and honourable to administer that sacrament when there is a sermon , yet i judge it not unlawfull to doe it without a sermon : only the people must be taught by the word what the covenant is that baptisme sealeth up , which being done , the word is not separated from that sacrament though at that time there be no sermon . see dr. gouge in domestick duties . quest. how many parts be there of a sacrament , and so consequently of baptisme ? answ. there be three essentialls parts of a sacrament . . the si●ne . . the thing signified . . the analogie between them , which is the union of them both . the first , is some outward , and visible thing : the second , inward and spirituall : the third , mixt of them both : as in baptisme , the sign is water , the thing signified is the blood of christ : the analogie or union stands in this resemblance , that as the former outwardly washeth the filthiness of the body , so the latter inwardly purgeth the soul of all sin . by reason of which relation , and neere affection between the sign , and thing signified , it is usuall by an improper , but sacramentall speech . . to call the signe by the thing signified , and contrarily . so baptisme is called the washing of the new birth ▪ because it 's a signe , seal , and instrument of it . . to ascribe that to the signe which is proper to the thing signified , and so baptisme is said to save us , tit. . . pet. . . which indeed is the propriety of christs blood , joh. . . but by the neere affinity of these two in the sacrament it is said so to do . . to teach us not to conceive the sacramental elements as bare , and naked signs , so as to grow into the contempt of them . . as we may not conceive them idle signes , so neither idol signes by insisting in them as though they were the whole sacrament : for they are but outward , whereas the principal matter of a sacrament is spiritual , and inward . . that then we truliest conceive of a sacrament , when by looking at one of these we see both : by the signe , and action which is outward to be led to those which are spiritual , and inward . quest. what benefit have we by baptisme ? answ. god in baptisme doth not only offer , and signifie , but truely exhibiteth grace , whereby our sins are washed , and we are renewed by the holy ghost , acts . . quest. are all baptized persons then regenerated ? answ. no : for , first , this effect is not ascribed to the work wrought , as the papists teach . secondly , neither by any extraordinary elevation of the action , whereby it is made able to confer the benefit of renovation : for this would make every baptisme a kinde of miracle , as also it would encroach upon the clause following , in tit. . . wherein the work of renewing is ascribed to the holy ghost . thirdly , neither hath the water in baptisme it self any inherent power , or force to wash the conscience , as it hath to wash the filth of the body . fourthly , neither is grace tied by any promise , or means to the action , so as god ( who is most free in his gifts ) cannot either otherwise distribute , or cannot but dispense it with the action : for , . grace is not tyed to the word ; therefore not to the sacraments . . they were separated in the ministry of john the baptist , who confest that though he baptized with water , yet it belonged to him that came after him to give grace . . if these opinions were true , then should every baptized person be truely converted , whereas we see the contrary in simon magus , and many others . . some are justified before baptisme , as abraham before circumcision . so cornelius , acts . . the eunuch , acts . , . some after , as numbers daily converted . . this opinion of tying grace to the sacrament overthrows . the highest , and most proper cause of our salvation , which is gods free election , to which only grace is tyed . . the only meritorious cause of our regeneration , which is christs blood that properly cleanseth from all sin . . the most powerfull , next , and applying efficient , which is the holy ghost , and to whom our renewing is ascribed . quest. how then is baptisme called the laver of regeneration ? answ. first , as it is an institution of god signifying his good pleasure for the pardoning of sinne , and accepting to grace in christ. thus the word and sacraments are said to save , and sanctifie , because they signifie the good pleasure of god in saving , and sanctifying us . thus we say a man is saved by the kings pardon , not that the pardon properly doth it , but because it 's the ordinary instrument to manifest the merciful minde of the king in pardoning a malefactor . secondly , as it 's a seal and pledge of our sanctification , and salvation , as certainly assuring these to the soul of the believer , as he is or can be assured of the other : as a man having a bond of a thousand pounds sealed to him may say , i am sure of this thousand pound : so may a believing party baptized , say of his baptisme ; here 's my regeneration , and salvation . thirdly , as its a means to excite and provoke the faith of the receiver to lay hold on the grace of the sacrament , and to apply it to these purposes : in regard it may as truely be said to renew as faith is said to justifie ; and that is onely as it is a meanes to lay hold on christ our righteousnesse . fourthly , in that in the right use of it , it gives and exhibits christ , and all his merits to the fit receiver : for then as gods grace puts forth it selfe ; and after a sort conveys it self in , and by this instrument into the heart of the worthy receiver . quest , to whom is baptisme the washing of the new birth ? answ. we must not conceive it to be a laver of regeneration to every person baptized : but to such as have the grace of faith to receive the grace offered , john . . ephes. . . for ungodly and unbelieving persons receive nothing in the sacraments but the the elements , and that as naked signs : as we see in judas , simon magus , ananias and saphira . in all whom neither was grace conferred , nor wickednesse weakned . quest. how then can children be baptized , in whom we cannot expect faith , and therefore in them , either faith is not required , or their baptisme is unprofitable ? answ. i will lay down some propositions for the unfolding of this difficulty . as . we must distinguish of infants , whereof some are elect , and some not . these latter receive onely the element , but are not inwardly washed : the former in the right use of the sacrament receive the inward grace : not that thereby we tie god to any time , or means , whose spirit blows when , and where it listeth ; as some are sanctified from the womb , and some after baptisme ; but because god delights to present himself gracious in his own ▪ ordinance , therefore in the right use of the sacrament he ordinarily accompanies it with his grace : here , according to his promise we may expect it , and here we may , and ought to send forth the prayer of faith for it . . though infants want actual faith which presupposeth hearing , understanding , &c. yet they want not all faith : for christ himself reckons them amongst beleevers , matth. . . hence circumcision which was administred to infants , is called a seal of faith. . the faith of their parents is so farre theirs , as that it gives them right to the covenant : for the covenant was made to abraham and his seed : and every believing parent layeth hold on the covenant for himself , and his seed , thereby entitling his children to the right of the covenant as well as himself ; as in temporal things he can purchase land for himself and his heirs , cor. . . if the root be holy , so are the branches : and one parent believing , the children are holy . object . but the just shall live by his own faith ? an. elect infants have a spirit of faith by the spirit of god working inwardly , and secretly , as we see in those which were sanctified from the womb , as jacob , jeremy , john baptist , &c. neither doth it hinder , because infants have no sence of any such thing , no more then it proves them nor ●o live , because they know not that they do so . neither is adams corruption more effectuall to pollute infants , then christs blood and righteousness is to sanctifie them , and this we ought to believe , or else we must deny that they can be saved . quest. if any beleeve before baptisme , what profit then have they by baptisme ? answ. first , they must be baptized in obedience to the command of god ; as abraham , cornelius , paul , &c. believing , obeyed without reasoning , and so manifested their faith by their obedience . secondly , such as are invisibly incorporated into christs body , must also be visibly incorporated into the church by baptisme . thirdly , that the grace received may be augmented . for by the worthy receiving of the sacraments weak graces are encreased , and made stronger . fourthly , that the party baptized may be confirmed and strengthened , not onely in his graces received , but in regard of that grace , and glory which he expects to receive in the resurrection , both which are more firmly sealed to him by baptisme . see dr. taitor on tit. quest. how may parents in faith present their children to god in baptisme ? answ. the dedication of a child to god is a work of singular and great importance , one of the weightiest services we can take in hand , though considered of by few : and it cannot be well done as it ought except it be done in faith : now the acts of faith in this , are . it calleth to remembrance the free and gracious covenant which god hath made with believing parents and their posterity , expressed , gen. . , . acts . . which covenant as it s made to the believing parent , and his seed , so doth the faith of the parent apprehend the promise of the covenant for himself and his seed . and this is the ground of that tender which a christian makes of his children to holy baptism : for by natural generation children of believing parents are defiled with sin , and so under wrath : but they are holy by covenant and free acceptation , the believing parent embracing gods promise for himself and his posterity . secondly , by faith believing parents must give themselves to god , chusing him to be their portion , &c. for he that would give his children to god , must first give himself to god. thirdly , it provokes parenrs to offer their children to god by fervent and faithful prayer , so soon as ever they have received them from him . gods promise calleth for our prayer , as sam. . . fourthly , it considereth what a singular prerogative it is to be actually admitted into covenant with god , received into his family , and have his name put upon us : to be a partaker of the seale of regeneration , pardon of sins , adoption , and everlasting inheritance : solemnly to be made free of the society of saints , and to weare the lords livery , and what an high and incomprehensible a mercy it is , that god hath promised , and doth vouchsafe these great and inestimable blessings , not only to himself a wretched sinner , but also to his posterity , who by nature are enemies to god dead in sin , and in bondage under the curse of the law. fifthly , it stirs up hearty rejoycing in the lord , that he hath vouchsafed in tender compassion to look upon them and their posterity , and thus to honour and advance them . sixthly , it stirs up parents to be diligent and careful to bring up their children in the information , and feare of the lord ; being instant with him to blesse their endeavours for the good of their children , and the glory of his name . for the same conscience that moved parents to offer their children to god in baptisme , will quicken them to endeavour their education in the true faith , and service of god. quest. what use should christians make of their baptisme , when they come to years of discretion ? answ. they should remember that baptisme is a seale of the covenant betwixt god and them , of gods promise , that he will be their god , and of their promise , that they will be his people , repent of sin , believe in christ , and walk before him in sincere obedience : and that the signification , force , use , and fruit of it continueth not for that present only when it s administred , but for the whole course of a mans life : for as its the seal of a free , everlasting , and unchangable covenant , so is the force and use of it perpetual : so then the use to be made of baptisme is twofold . first , it seems to be a pledge and token of gods favour , and that divers wayes . . in that its a seale of our regeneration by the holy ghost , whereby a divine quality is infused into us in the room , and place of original corruption : hence it s called the laver of regeneration , tit. . . it being usual to call the principal cause , and the instrument by the same name . . it seales and confirmes to us the free pardon of our sins , acts . . and . . . it s a pledge of the vertue of christs death , and of our fellowship therein , rom. . . . it s a pledge of the vertue of christs life , and of our communion with him therein , rom. . . col. . . . it s a pledge of our adoption in jesus christ. for when god puts his name upon us , he signifies and assures that we are his sonnes , gal. . , . . it s a solemn testimony of our communion with all the lively members of christ jesus . it s a seale of the bond , and mutual love , and fellowship , both of christ with his members , and of his members one with another , cor. . . . it s a seale and pledge to assure us , that god will provide for us in this life , raise up our bodies to life at the last day , and bestow upon us that everlasting kingdom and inheritance which he hath prepared for us , mar. . . tit. . , , . pet. . . secondly , it s a seale of our duty promised , and so a spurre , and provocation to repentance , faith , new obedience , brotherly love , and unity , and that as . it s a spurre to repentance and mortification : for baptisme seales remission of sins to them only that repent , and as we expect the blessing , we must see that we perform the condition . . it s a provocation to faith , and a pledge thereof . we have gods promise under his hand and seale , that he will wash us from our iniquities , receive us for his children , remember our necessities , and bestow upon us his kingdom . now we much dishonour him , if we question his performance of that which he hath so freely promised and confirmed by covenant and seal . . it s an incitement to new obedience , and a pledge thereof , rom. . . we have solemnly sworn to fight against the devil , the world , and the flesh : and having taken presse-money of jesus christ , it were a foule fault to accept of a truce with satan . . it s a pledge or pawne of love and unity . we must keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace , for we are all baptized into one body . we must not jarre , for we are brethren . it s unnatural that the members of this mystical body should be divided . see ball on faith , p. . quest. by what arguments may the lawfulnesse of infant-baptisme be proved ? answ. first , the infants of believing parents are under the covenant of grace , belonging to christs body , kingdome , family , therefore are to partake of the seale of this covenant , or the distinguishing badge between them who are under the covenant of grace , and them who are not . the whole argument will be cleared by these five conclusions . . that the covenant of grace hath alwayes been for the substance one and the same . . that god will have the infants of such as enter into covenant with him , be counted his as well as their parents . . god hath ever since abrahams time , had a seale to be applied to such as enter into covenant with him . . by gods own order the seed , or infants of covenanters before christs time , were to be sealed with the seal of admission into his covenant , as well as their parents . . the priviledges of such as are in covenant since chtists time , are as honourable , large and comfortable both to themselves and their children , as they were before christs time . that the covenant was the same for substance both to jewes and gentiles ▪ is proved , fi●st , by the prophecies , where the same things are promised to the gentiles , when the gospel should be preached to them , as were first promised to abraham and his seed . so jer. . . isa. . . joel . . but more fully in the new testament , luke . , , , , , . luke . , ▪ mat. . ● , . gal. . , , . eph. . . to the end of the chap. so gal. . ▪ we finde three sorts of abrahams seed . . christ , the root of the rest . . all true believers , chap. . . these partake of the spiritual part of the covenant . . such as were only circumcised in the flesh , but not in the heart , rom. . . of whom ishmael and esau were types , gal. . , &c. such as are only holy by an external profession , gal. . . that god will have the infants of such as enter into covenant with him to be counted his , is proved . thus it was in the time of the jewes , gen. . , &c. and so it is still , acts . , . luke . . rom. . , &c. cor. . . that the seale of initiation is to be administred unto them who enter into covenant with god is clear . circumcision was to the jewes infants , and therefore baptisme is , both of them being the same sacrament for the spiritual part of them . none might be received into the communion of the church of the jews till circumcised , nor of the christians till baptized , that baptisme succeeds in the room of circumcision is clear , col. . , . that infants amongst the jewes were to be initiated , and sealed with the signe of circumcision , which though actually applied to the males , yet the females were virtually circumcised in them . hence the whole church of the iewes are called the circumcision . and exod. . . no uncircumcised person might eat of the passeover , whereof women did eate as well as men . ob. but circumcision was not a seale of the spiritual part of the covenant of grace , but of some temporal and earthly blessings , as of their right to canaan , &c. answ. that circumcision was a signe of the covenant of grace is plain , rom. . . abraham received circumcision for a signe of the righteousnesse of faith , &c. that the priviledges of believers under the gospel is more large , honourable and comfortable , appears , heb. . . cor. . . gal. . , &c. now . how uncomfortable a thing is it to parents , to take away the very ground of their hope for the salvation of their infants . for we have no ground of hope for any particular person , till he be brought under the covenant of grace . . how unwilling also must christian parents be to part with their childrens right , to the seale of the covenant , this their right to the covenant being all ground of hope that believing parents have that their infants that die in their infancy , are saved , rather then the infants of turks or pagans . ob. but there is neither precept , president , nor expresse institution in all the new testament for the baptisme of infants ? answ. i deny the consequence , that if in so many words it be not commanded , it is not to be done : there is no expresse reviving of the lawes in the new testament , concerning the forbidden degrees of marriage : nor against polygamie : or for the celebration of a weekly sabbath : nor for womens receiving the lords supper . no expresse command for believers children when growne up , to be baptized , nor example of it , though there was for the instructing and baptizing jewes and heathens : but we have virtually , and by undeniable consequence sufficient evidence for the baptisme of children , both commands and examples . as gods command to abraham , as he was the father of all covenanters , that he should seale his children with the seale of the covenant . again , mar. . . christ commands his disciples to teach all things what he had commanded them , i. e. the whole gospel containing all the promises , whereof this is one , i will be the god of believers , and of their seed : that the seed of believers are taken into covenant with their parents . and mat. . teach all nations , baptizing them , &c. now as they were to teach the aforesaid promises , so they were to baptize them : the persons to whom they were to do this , were all nations , whereas before the church was tied to the jewes only ; now we know that when the nation of the jewes were made disciples , and circumcised , their infants were made disciples and circumcised . and gods manner is , when promises or threatnings are denounced against nations , to include infants , which are a great part of every nation ; except they be particularly excepted , as they were , numb . . . ob. but infants are not capable of being disciples ? answ. first , they are as capable as the infants of jewes and proselytes were , when they were made disciples . secondly , they are devoted to be disciples . thirdly , th●y are capable of gods teaching , though not of mans . fourthly , they belong to christ , and beare the name of christ , mai. . . mar. . . mat. . . and therefore are his disciples , as appears by those texts if compared together . fifthly , they are called disciples , act. . . and . compared . another command by good consequence for the baptizing of infants is from acts . , . because the promise was made to them and their children , which proves that they were taken into covenant with their parents , and therefore were to receive the seale of the covenant . for examples , though there were none , yet there is no argument in it ; yet we have examples by good consequence : for the gospel took place , just as the old administration ▪ by bringing in whole families together . when abraham was taken in , his whole family was taken in together with him : so of the proselytes . likewise in the new testament , usually if the master of the family turned christian , his whole family came in , and were baptized with him . so we see , acts . . so the houshold of stephanus , of aristobulus , of narcissus , of lidea , of the jailor , &c. . argum. to whom the inward grace of baptism doth belong , to them belongs the outward signe : but the infants of believers , even whilest infants are made partakers of the inward grace of baptisme : therefore they may , and ought to receive the outward signe of baptisme . the major proposition is proved , acts . . can any man forbid water , &c. act. . . the minor is proved , mark . . to such belongs the kingdom of god. and cor. . . they are holy . besides , there is nothing belonging to the initiation and being of a christian , where of baptisme is a seale , which infants are not as capable of as grown men . for they are capable of receiving the holy ghost , of union with christ , of adoption , of forgivenesse of sins , of regeneration , of everlasting life , all which are signified and sealed by baptisme . for in receiving the inward grace , of which baptisme is the signe and seale , we are meer passives , whereof infants are as fit subjects as growen men , or else none of them could be saved . ob. though they are capable of grace , and may be saved , yet we may not baptize them , because by preaching they are to be made disciples , before they may be baptized , mat. . . answ. this is not the first institution of baptisme , but the enlargement of their commission : before they were sent only to the lost sheep of the house of israel : but now to all nations , who were to be converted to christ ; but before were out of the covenant of grace , and therefore their children had no right to baptisme : but when once themselves were instructed and baptized , then their children were capable of it by vertue of the covenant . ob. but it s said , he that believes and is baptized shall be saved : therefore faith must precede baptisme ? answ. first , if this argument hath any strength against the baptism of infants , it hath much more against the salvation of infants : and however they can evade the one , we shall much more strongly evade the other . secondly , it s no where said , unbelievers , or rather non-believers , may not be baptized : it s said indeed , he that believes , and is baptized , shall be saved : but it s no where said , he that believes not may not be baptized : christ excludes infants , neither from baptisme , nor from salvation , for want of faith , but positive unbelievers , such as refuse the gospel , he excludes from both . ob. but supposing them to be capable of the inward grace of baptisme ; yet this is no warrant for our baptizing of all infants , because we know not upon whom god doth this work ? answ. our knowledge that god hath effectually wrought the thing signified , is not the condition upon which we are to apply the signe : god no where requires that we should know that men are converted before we baptize them . the apostles themselves knew it not , as we see in simon magus , alexander , hymenaeus , ananias , and saphira : but he requires that we should know that they have in them that condition which must warrant us to administer the signe : fallible conjecture must not be our rule in administring the sacraments either to infants , or grown men : but a known rule of the word : the apostles baptized grown men , not because they judged them inwardly sanctified , but because they made a profession of faith and holinesse , and such christ would have to be received into the communion of the church : though it may be they were never received into communion with himself : and in this the rule to direct our knowledge , which is but the judgement of charity , is as plain for infants as for grown men . object . but all that enter into covenant , and receive the seale of it must stipulate for their parts , as well as god doth for his , which infants cannot do ? answ. first , the infants of the jews were as much tied to this as the infants of christians are : every one that was circumcised was bound to keep the law , gal. . . secondly , god seales to them presently , their names are put into the deed , and when they are grown up , they in their own persons stand obliged to the performance of it . in the mean time jesus christ who is the mediatour of the covenant , and the surety of all covenanters , is pleased to be their surety . we know that persons standing obliged in the same bond , may seal at several times , and yet be in force afterwards together : so here , god of his infinite mercy is pleased to seal to infants whilest they are such , and accepts of such a seal on their parts as they are then able to give , expecting a further ratification on their part when they come to riper yeares , in the mean time affording them the favour , and priviledge of being in covenant with him , of being reckoned to be of his kingdom , and not of the devils : if they refuse to stand to this covenant when they are grown men , there is no hurt done on gods part , they must take their lot for the time to come . object . but if the sealing be but conditional on gods part , that they own and ratifie it when they come to ripe age , were it not better to deferre it till then , to see whether they will then make it their voluntary act , yea , or no ? answ. first , this objection lay as strongly against gods wisdome in requiring the jews infants to be circumcised , and therefore argues no great wisdome , and modesty in those who thus reason with god against his administrations . secondly , god hath other ends , and uses of applying the seal of the covenant to them , who are in covenant with him , then their present gaine : it 's an homage , worship , and honour to himself : and it behooves us even in that respect to fulfill all righteousnesse : when christ was baptized and circumcised , he was as unfit for the ordinance through his perfection , as children are through their imperfection , being as much above them , as children are below them . thirdly , yet the fruit and benefit of it at the present is very much both to parents , and infants . . to the parents whilest god doth hereby honour them to have their children counted to his church , to his kingdome , and family , and so under his wing , and grace whilest all other infants in the world have their visible standing in the kingdome of satan : and so whilest others have no hope of their childrens spiritual welfare , till they are called out of that condition , these need not doubt of their childrens welfare if they die in their infancy , or if they live , till they shew signes to the contrary : god having reckoned them to his people , and given them all the means of salvation , which thei● infant age is capable of ▪ . to the children , when as ( besides what inward secret work god is pleased to work in them ) they being members of the church of christ have their share in the communion of saints , are remembred at the throne of grace every day by all that pray for the welfare of the church : and particularly in those prayers which are made for a blessing on his ordinances : and lastly , it 's no small priviledge to have that seal bestowed upon them in their infancy , which they may afterwards plead when they come to fulfil the condition . object . but if their being capable of a spiritual part , entitles them to the outward signe , why are they not admitted to the lords supper , which is a seal of the covenant of grace as well as this ? for ( say they ) the jews infants did eat the passeover : then if our infants have as large priviledges as theirs had , then they must partake of the lords supper ? answ. we are sure that infants are capable of the grace of baptisme , but we are not sure that they are capable of the grace signed , and sealed in the lords supper : for though both are seals of the covenant of grace , yet it 's with some difference : baptisme properly seals our entrance into it : the lords supper properly our growth , nourishment , and augmentation in it : baptisme for our birth , the lords supper for our food : now infants may be born again whilest they are infants , have their original sin pardoned , be united to christ , have his image stampt upon them ; but concerning the exercises of these graces , and the augmentation of them in infants , the scripture is silent . neither is there any mention in scripture that the jews infants did eat the passeover : indeed when at the passeover their children asked them the meaning of that service , they were to instruct them therein : but there is neither precept , nor president for their eating of it . see mr. marshalls sermon about infant baptism . object . none are rightly baptised , but those that are dipped ? answ. though dipping may be used where the child is strong , and the weather , and climate are temperate , yet it is not necessary , or essentiall to baptism , as is proved by these arguments . that which christ the author of baptisme requireth not , that cannot be necessary to this sacrament . but christ requireth not dipping : therefore : hesychius , stevens , scapula , and budaeus prove by many instances that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies washing , which may be done without dipping . . the words baptize , and baptisme are oft used in scripture : where the persons or things said to be baptized were not dipt , as mat. . . shall baptize you with the holy ghost , and with fire : they were not dipt in that fire which came down from heaven upon them , acts . . mat. . . yea shall be baptized with the baptisme that i am baptized with ; yet neither christ , nor his disciples that we reade of , were dipt in blood , mark . . baptisme of cups , pots , tables , or beds : cups , and pots may be washed , by pouring water in them without dipping : and tables and beds were not dipped , cor. . . baptised in the cloud , which only rained upon them , &c. . if the spiritual grace signified by baptisme is sufficiently expressed without dipping , then dipping is not necessary : but it is : therefore : the thing signified is the cleansing of the soule from the guilt , and filth of sinne , which is sufficiently expressed by washing with water without dipping , pet. . . . the outward act of baptisme signifying the inward cleansing of the soule is expressed in scripture by sprinkling ; as heb. . . the blood of bulls and goats sprinkling the unclean , &c. heb. . . having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience , pet. . . through sanctification of the spirit , and sprinkling of the blood of christ ; therefore dipping is not necessary . . it may sometimes be necessary to baptize sick , and weak persons ; but such cannot be dipt without apparent hazard to their lives : therefore it s not necessary . . the sacraments of the church may , and ought to be administred without giving any just scandal : but the meeting of many persons , men and women , and going naked into a river together , cannot be done without scandal , therefore it s not necessary . object . but the word baptize is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to dip , or die : therefore washing , or sprinkling is not baptizing ? answ. first , we are not so much to respect whence words are derived , as how they are used : derivative words are oft of larger extent then their primitives : as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which properly signifies a resounding back again : or catechising by way of question , and answer : yet in scripture it s oft taken in a larger sence for instructing grown men in the doctrine of salvation . so luke . . acts . . and . . rom. . . gal. . . so though baptisme comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that signifies properly washing , or dipping : yet it s taken more largely , as was shewed before in several scriptures : ) for any kinde of washing or cleansing where there is no dipping . secondly , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from whence baptize is derived , signifies as well to die , as to dipp , and probably the holy ghost hath reference to that signification , because by baptisme we change our hiew , the blood of christ washing us from the filth of sinne , and making our souls as white as if they were new died . object . but christ , and john , and philip , and the eunuch are said to go down into the water , therefore washing and sprinkling are not sufficient , without dipping ? answ. first , an example of christ , and his apostles without a precept binde not in all things : for christ washed his disciples feet before his supper , and he administred it at night , and only to twelve men , &c. yet are not we bound hereunto : likewise the first christians sold their possessions , &c. which we are not obliged to imitate , acts . . secondly , the reason is not alike : at first christians had no churches , nor fonts , and multitudes were to be baptized , and they were grown men and women , and so were better able to endure it , and the climate was hotter : but now we have fonts , and children are baptized , and they many times weak and infirme , and our climate is colder , and there would be danger in it . thirdly , it 's very improbable that all those in act. . that were converted , and presently baptized upon the place : and the jaylor and his family who were baptized at midnight in the place where they were , were dipped , but rather washed , or sprinkled . see dr. featlies dippers dipt . quest. how is baptisme necessary ? answ. this was shewed before in part , to which i now adde that it 's necessary . . as the lawful use thereof is a note whereby the true church of god is distinguished from the false church : not that the church of god cannot be a church without the sacrament : for it may want baptisme for a time , and yet remain a true church as the church of the jews wanted circumcision for fourty years in the wildernesse , jos. . . . as it serves for necessary uses to men of yeares that are baptized : as , . to testifie to the church and themselves that they are received into the body of christ , which is the company of the faithful . . to testifie their obedience to gods command , and their subjection to his ordinance , which is appointed for their good . . to be a necessary prop to uphold their weaknesse , a seal to confirme their faith in the covenant of grace , and an instrument to convey christ to them with all his benefits . . it 's necessary to infants , as it serves to admit them into the visible church , and withal to signifie their interest in the covenant of grace , and consequently their interest to life everlasting . quest. are all then that die without it in the state of damnation ? answ. no : for. first , baptisme is appointed by god to be no more then a seal annexed unto , and depending upon the covenant : therefore we must put a difference between it , and the covenant . indeed the covenant of grace , and our being in christ is absolutely necessary : for none can be saved unlesse they have god for their god : but the signe thereof is not necessary : for we may be within the covenant of grace though we have not received the signe , and seal thereof in baptisme . secondly , the bare want of baptisme where it cannot be had , is pardonable . the thief on the crosse was saved though he was not baptized : and so were many of the martyrs in the primitive times . yet the wilful contempt , and carelesse neglect of this ordinance when it may conveniently be had ▪ is dangerous , and damnable , and to such that threat belongs , gen. . . that soule shall be cut off . thirdly , the grace and mercy of god is free , and not tied to the outward elements , joh. . . the winde blows where it listeth , i. e. god gives grace when , where , and to whom he pleaseth . fourthly , infants borne of believing parents are holy before baptisme , and baptisme is but a seale of that holinesse , cor. . . yea , to them belongs the kingdom of heaven , mark . . object . they which are sanctified have faith , which infants have not ? answ. god saith , i will be thy god , and the god of thy seed : by virtue of which promise the parent layes hold of the covenant for himself and his children : and the children believes because the father believes . object . infants are borne in original sinne , and therefore cannot be holy ? answ. every beleeving parent sustains a double person . . as descending from adam by corrupted seed , and thus both himself and his children are corrupted . . as he is a holy , and believing man ingraffed by faith into christ , the second adam ; and thus by his faith , his children comes to be within the covenant , and partaker of the benefits and priviledges thereof ▪ and by the same faith , he being a believer , the guilt of original corruption in the infant is not imputed to him to condemnation . object . others that would make it absolutely necessary object , john . . except a man be born of water , and the holy ghost , he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven ? answ. first , if this be meant of baptism , then the word may carry one of these two sences . . christ directs his speech principally to nicodemus , who was a timorous professor , who remained ignorant , and had long neglected his baptisme . . that the kingdom of heaven is not here put for everlasting happinesse , but to signifie the visible state of the church under the new testament , and then the meaning is , that none can be admitted into the church , and made a visible member thereof but by baptisme : nor can any be made a lively member of christ , but by the spirit . secondly , or this place is not be understood of baptisme : but of regeneration , wherein christ alludes to exod. . . which speaks of clean water , and then the meaning is , thou nicodemus art a pharisee , and usest many outward washings : but unlesse thou beest washed inwardly by clean water , i. e. regenerated by the holy ghost , thou canst not enter into heaven . thirdly , or the necessity of salvation lies not in both , but only in the new birth by the holy ghost . quest. whether are not witnesses , commonly called god-fathers , and god-mothers necessary ? answ. no. first , for in the primitive times the parents of children which were heathens and newly converted to the christian religion , were either ignorant and could not , or carelesse and would not bring up their children according to the word of god , and true religion which they newly professed : therefore persons of good knowledge and life were called to witnesse baptisme , and promised to take care of the childrens education : but now parents being better taught and qualified , the other is not necessary . secondly , christ in his word hath taught all things that are fit , and necessary about baptisme amongst all which he hath not appointed the use of sureties . thirdly , the whole congregation present do present the childe to the lord , and are witnesses of his admission into the church ; and therefore there needs no other . fourthly , that which is required of them to promise , and performe , may , and ought to be performed by the parents of the infant baptized , who by gods command ought to bring up their children in the knowledge and fear of god ; therefore the other are not necessary . quest. whether have children of excommunicated persons right to baptisme ? answ. before this question be answered some grounds must be laid down ; as , . there are two texts principally about excommunication , mat. . . cor. . . the scope of both which is to shew that the excommunicated person is debarred the kingdome of heaven . for he is not to be held a true member of the church , but as an heathen and publican . . in excommunication there are three judgements to be considered . . of god. . of the church . . again of god. the first is when god holdeth any obstinate sinner guilty of the offence , and consequently of condemnation except he repent . the second is of the church , which follows gods judgement , pronouncing the party guilty , and subject to condemnation : which judgement is not to be given absolutely , but with condition of repentance , and so farre forth as man can judge by the fault committed , as also by the word which directs how to discern of the impenitency of the sinner . the third again is gods judgement , whereby he confirms that in heaven which the church hath done on earth . so then the answer may be , . that the persons excommunicate are in some respect no members of christs body , and in some other respects they are . quest. how are they not ? answ. first , in that they are cut off from the company of beleevers by the sentence of excommunication ; and so have no participation with them in prayer , hearing the word , or receiving the sacraments : and that because the action of the church stands in force , god ratifying that which his church hath done . secondly , because by their sinne they have ( as much as in them lies ) deprived themselves of the effectual power of gods spirit , which should rule , and govern them . quest. how are they members ? answ. first , some are members , not actually , and in present , but in the eternal counsel of god , and so shall be in time , when they are called . hence gal. . . paul saith , god had separated him from the womb , and called him by his grace . so rom. . . when we were enemies , we were reconciled to god by christ. secondly , some are members onely in shew , and appearance ; as hypocrites . thirdly , some are lively members which are united to christ by faith , &c. rom. . . fourthly , some are decayed members , who though they belong to gods election , and are truly ingraffed into christ , yet for the present have not a lively sense thereof : like a member in the body that hath the dead palsie : such are excommunicated persons : for in regard of their ingraffing , they are true members , and cannot be quite cut off from the body of christ , john . . yet they are not holden so to be in three respects . . in regard of men , because they are excluded from communion with the faithful by the censure of the church . . in regard of god , because what the church rightly binds on earth , he binds in heaven . . in regard of themselves , because for a time they want the power and efficacy of the spirit , till by true repentance they recover life again . now though in these respects they be not esteemed members , yet in truth they are not wholly cut off from the society of the faithful : for the seed of faith remains in them that knits them to christ , though the sense thereof be lost , until they repent : hence the answer to the question is , that the children of such persons as are excommunicated , are to be baptized ; because they are indeed , and in the judgement of charity true members of the body of christ , though in some regards they are not for the present esteemed so to be . quest. what reasons may be rendred for this ? answ. children of parents that are professed members of the church ( though cut off for a time , for some offence ) have right to baptisme ; first , because it 's not in mans power to cut them off from christ , though they are excommunicated . seconly , the personal sin of the parent may not keep the blessing from the childe ; and therefore it may not deprive him from partaking of the ordinance of god. thirdly , difference must be made between them which do not make separation from the church , and yet are great offenders , and open apostates that joyn themselves with the enemies of the church to the ruine of the truth of the gospel . fourthly , we must put a difference between those that have given up their names to christ , though fallen grievously , and turks , and infidels that are out of thr covenant , and never belonged to the church . fifthly , if gods mercy enlargeth it self to thousands of generations , men should not be so hard-hearted as to question whether such infants belong to the covenant , and thereupon to deny them the sacrament of baptisme . quest. whether have children , borne in fornication , right to baptisme ? answ. they ought not to denied it . for the wickednesse of the parent ought not prejudice the childe in things that belong to his salvation . quest. are there no cautions to be obs●rved ? answ. yea : first , that the parent be one that holds the true faith , and reli●ion . secondly , that the minister exhort him to true , and unfeigned repentance for his sinne committed , and that before the childe be baptized . thirdly , that there be some appointed to answer for the infant besides the parents , and to make solemn promise to the church , that it shall be carefully brought up , and instructed in the faith . the same also is to be done before the baptizing of the children of parents that are excommunicated . master perkins , vol. . p. . quest. how many wayes is baptisme taken in scripture ? answ. first , it signifies the superstitious washing of the pharisees , who bound themselves to the baptismes , or washings of cups , and pots , mark . . secondly , the washings appointed by god in the ceremonial law , h●b . . . thirdly , the washing by water which serves to seal the covenant of the new testament , mat. . . fou●thly , by a metaphor , it signifies any grievous crosse and calamity : thus christs passion is called his baptism , luk. . . fifthly , it signifies the bestowing of extraordinary gifts of the holy ghost , and that by the imposition of the apostles hands , acts . . and . . sixthly , it signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry . thus apollos is said to teach the way of the lord knowing onely the baptisme ( i. e. the doctrine ) of john , acts . . quest. what is considerable ●bout the matter of baptisme ? answ. three things : the signe ; the thing signified ; and the apology of both ? quest. what is the signe in baptisme ? answ. partly the element of water , act. . . and partly the right by divine institution appertaining to the element , which is the sacramental use of it in washing of the body ; and these two , water , and external washing of the body , are the full , and compleat signe of baptisme . quest. what is the thing signified , or the substance of baptism ? answ. christ himself our mediatour , as he gave himself for our washing , and cleansing , eph. . . quest. what is the analogy and proportion of both ? answ. water resembles christ crucified , with all his merits , joh. . . the blood of christ cleanseth us , &c. i. e. the merit and efficacy of christ crucified frees us from our sins , and from the guilt , and punishment thereof . quest. what is it to baptize in the name of the father , the son , and the holy ghost ? answ. first , these words signifie to baptize by the commandment and authority of the father , son , and holy ghost . secondly , to baptize by , and with the invocation of the name of the true god , col. . . thirdly , it signifies to wash with water , in token that the party baptized hath the name of god named upon him , and that he is received into the houshold , or family of god , as a childe of god a member of christ , and the temple of the holy ghost , cor. . . quest. what then is done in baptism ? answ. the covenant of grace is solemnized between god and the party baptized . quest. what actions belong to god in this covenant ? answ. first , his making promise of reconciliation , i. e. of remission of sins , and life everlasting to them that are baptized and believe . secondly , the obsignation , or sealing of this promise ; and that is either outward , or inward . . the outward seal is the washing by water : which washing serves not to seal by nature , but by the institution of god in these words , baptize them , &c. hence , eph. . . . the inward sealing is the earnest of gods spirit , eph . . quest. what is the action of the party baptized . a●sw . a certain stipulation , or obligation whereby he bindes himself to give homage to the father , sonne , and holy ghost : which homage stands in faith , whereby all gods promises are believed , and in obedience to all gods commandments . the sign of this obligation is , in that the party willingly yeelds himself to be washed with water . quest. why is it not said , in the name of god , but in the name of the father , son , and holy ghost . answ. to teach us the right way to know and acknowledge the true god. quest. wherein stands the knowledge of this true god ? answ. first , that there is one god and no more . for though there be three that are named , yet there is but one in authority , will , and worship : hence some are said to be baptized in the name of the lord , act. . . secondly that this one true god is the father , son , and holy ghost . a mystery unsearchable . thirdly , that these three are really distinct , so as the father is first in order , the sonne the second , and the holy ghost , not the first , nor second , but the third . fourthly , that they are all one in operation , john . . and especially in the act of reconciliation , or covenant making . for the father sends the son to be our redeemer : the son works in his own person the work of redemption : and the holy ghost applies the same by his efficacy . fifthly , that they are all one in worship . for the father , son , and holy ghost , are joyntly to be worshipped together , and god in them . sixthly . that we are to know god , not as he is in himself , but as he hath revealed himself to us in the covenant of grace ; and therfore we must acknowledge the father to be our father , the son to be our redeemer , the holy ghost to be our comforter , seeking to grow in the knowledge , and experience of this . quest , may not baptisme be administred in name of christ alone , or in the name of god without mentioning the three persons ? answ. no : for the true forme of baptism is prescribed by christ himself ; from which we may not presume to vary . object . but , acts . . it 's said , repent and be baptized in the name of christ ? answ. peters intent there is , not to set down the forme of baptisme , but the end and scope thereof , which is , that we may attain to true fellowship with christ. quest. what are the ends of baptisme ? answ. first , baptisme seems to be a pledge to us in respect of our weakness , of all the graces and mercies of god , and especially of our union with christ , or remission of sins , and of mortification . secondly , it serves to be a signe of christian profession before the world . hence it s called the stipulation , or interrogation of a good conscience , pet. . . thirdly , it serves to be a means of our first entrance , or admission into the visible church . fourthly , it s a means of unity . so it s urged , eph. . . cor. . . quest. whether doth the efficacy of baptisme extend it self to all sins , and to the whole life of man ? answ. ●he use of baptisme enlargeth it self to the whole life of a man , and it takes away all sins past , present , and to come ; only with this caution , if the party baptized stand to the order of baptisme , viz. to turne to god , and to believe in christ , and so to continue by a frequent renual of faith and repentance , as occasion shall be offered . quest. how may this be proved ? answ. first , because the scripture speaks of them that had been long before baptized : and that in the time present baptisme saveth , pet. . . so rom. . . and in the future tense , he that believes , and is baptized , shall be saved : and paul , eph. . . all which shews that baptisme hath the same efficacy after , which it had before the administration of it . secondly , the covenant of grace is everlasting , isa. . . hos. . . but the covenant is the foundation or substance of baptisme : therefore baptisme is not to be limited to any time , but must have its efficacie so long as the covenant is in force . thirdly , the ancient church of christ hath alwayes taught that all sins are done away , even sins to come by baptisme . quest. whether doth baptisme abolish original sin ? answ. the perfect and entire baptisme ( in which the outward and inward are joyned together ) abolisheth the punishment of sin , and the guilt , and the fault ; yet not simply , but in two respects . first , in respect of imputation , because god doth not impute original sin to them that are in christ. secondly , in respect of dominion ; because original sin reignes not in them that are regenerate ; yet after baptisme it remains , and is still , and that properly sin , rom. . . col. ● . . evil concupiscence ! eph. . . therefore some portions of the old man , and original sinne remain after baptism . quest. if persons baptized be sinners until death , what difference is there between the godly and ungodly ? answ. in them that are regenerate there is a sorrow for their inward corruption , and for their sins past , with a detestation of them , and a purpose to forsake sin , to which is joyned an endeavour to please god in all his commandments . this is not in an ungodly man. quest. how doth baptism confer grace ? answ. first , it confers grace , because its a means to give and exhibit to the believer , christ , with his benefits , and this it doth by its signification ; for it serves as a peculiar , and infallible certificate to assure the party baptized of the forgivenesse of his sins , and of eternal salvation : and whereas the minister in the name of god applies the promise of mercy to the baptized , it s as much as if god had made a peculiar promise to him . secondly , it may be said to confer grace , because the outward washing of the body is a token or pledge of the grace of god , and by this pledge faith is confirmed , which is an instrument to receive the grace of god. ob. a sacrament is not only a signs and seale , but also an instrument to convey the grace of god to us ? answ. it s not an instrument having the grace of god tied to it , or shut up in it : but an instrument to which grace is present by assistance in the right use therof : because in , and with the right use of the sacrament , god confers grace , so that its a moral , not a physical instrument . quest. wh●ther doth baptisme imprint a mark or character upon the soul , which is never blotted out . answ. in scripture there is a twofold mark of distinction ; one visible , the other invisible . of the first kinde was the blood of the paschal lamb in the first passeover : for by it the first borne of the israelites were marked , when the first-borne of the egyptians were staine : of this kinde is baptisme ; for by it christians are distinguished from jewes , turks , &c. the invisible mark is twofold : first , the eternal election of god , tim. . by vertue of this christ saith , i know my sheep , john . . and by this the elect of all nations are marked , rev. . and . secondly , the second is the gift of regeneration , which is nothing else but the imprinting of gods image upon the soul : by which believers are said to be sealed , eph. . . cor. . . and baptisme is a meanes to see this mark in us , because its the laver of regeneration . ob. the male children amongst the jewes that were not circumcised were to be cut off ? gen. . . therefore it seemes that baptisme is necessary to salvation ? answ. it s meant not of infants , but of men , who being till then uncircumcised , despised the ordinance of god , and refused to be circumcised , as appears by the words following : for h● hath made my covenant void : now infants do not this , but their parents , or men of yeares . quest. whether may such as are called lay-persons , or private men , administer baptism ? answ. ministers of the word only may do it . for to baptize is a part of the publick ministry , mat. . . where preaching and baptizing are joyned together ; and things that god hath joyned may no man separate . he that performes any part of the publick ministry must have a lawful call , rom. . . heb. . . but private persons have no call to this businesse . again , whatsoever is not of faith is sin : now for private persons to baptize , is not of faith ; for they have neither precept nor example for it in the word of god , therefore its sin . ob. but zipporah circumcised her childe ? exod. . . answ. the example is many wayes discommendable : for she did it in the presence of her husband when there was no need . she did it in haste , that she might prevent her husband . she did it in anger , for she cast the foreskin at his feet ; and it seems she was no believer but a meer midianit● : for she contemned circumcision when she called her husband a man of blood , because of the circumcision of the childe , v. . and in this respect it seems moses either sent her back , or she went away when he went down into egypt . some others think that moses was so stricken by the angel , that he was unable to do it , yet her fact was not justifiable . ob. a private person may teach ; and therefore baptize ? answ. private and ministerial teaching are distinct in kinde , as the authority of a magistrate , and master of a family are distinct authorities . a private person , as a father , or master , may instruct his children and servants : but he doth it by the right of a father or master , being so commanded by the word of god : but ministers do it authoritatively by vertue of their calling and office , as ambassadors in the stead of christ , cor. . . quest. wheth●r is baptisme administred by a wicked man , or an heretick , true baptisme ? answ. if the said party be ordained , and stands in the room of a true pastor , and keeps the right forme according to the institution of christ , it is true baptisme . christ commands the jewes to hear the scribes and pharisees , because they sat in moses chaire , mat. . . though hereticks and apostates , because they taught many points of moses doctrine : but not only such . quest. who are the persons that are to be baptized ? answ. all such as be in the covenant really , or in the judgement of charity , and they are of two sorts . first , persons of yeares that joyn themselves to the true church : yet before they be admitted to baptisme , they are to make confession of their faith , and to promise amendment of life , acts . . and . . and thus all such texts of scripture , as require faith and amendment of life in them that are baptized , are to be understood of persons of years . secondly , infants of believing parents . this was proved largely before : but because this doctrine is so much opposed , i will adde something more briefly . reasons for their baptisme are these . . the command of god , mat. . . baptize all nations , &c. wherein the baptizing of infants is prescribed . for the apostles by vertue of this commission baptized whole families , acts . , . cor. . . . circumcizing of infants was commanded by god , gen. . but baptism succeeds in the room of circumcision , col. . . therefore baptizing of infants is likewise commanded . . infants of believing parents are within the covenant of grace : for this is the tenour of the covenant . i will be thy god , and the god of thy seed , gen. . . therefore they are to be baptized . ob. but this promise was made to abraham , as the father of the faithfull . answ. it belongs to all believing parents . for exod. . . god promises to shew mercy unto thousands of them that love him . and acts . . the promise is to you , and to your children , &c. and cor. . . your children are holy , i. e. in the judgement of charity they are to be esteemed as regenerate , and sanctified : therefore they are to be baptized . for this is peters reason , acts . , . to whom the promises belong , to them belongs baptisme : but to you and your children the promises belong , therefore you and your children are to be baptized . ob. but we know not whether infants are the children of god or no , and therefore we may not baptize them ? answ. first , the same may be said of men of yeares : for we know not whether they be gods children or no , how fairly soever they deport themselves ; so that by the like reason we may exclude them from the sacraments . secondly , we are to presume that children of believing parents , are also gods children , and belong to his election of grace , god ordinarily manifesting , that he is not only their god , but of their seed also . ob. infants have not faith , and so their baptisme is unprofitable . answ. some think that they have faith as they have regeneration , viz. in the beginning , and seed thereof . but the faith of their parents is their faith and gives them right to baptisme , because the parents receive the promise , for themselves and their children , and thus to be borne in the church of believing parents , is instead of the profession of faith . ob. infants know not what is done when they are baptized ? answ. yet baptisme hath its use in them . for its a seal of the covenant , and a means to admit them as visible members into the church . quest. whether are the children of turks and jews to be baptized ? answ. no : because their parents are out of the covenant of grace . quest. whether are children of profest papists to be baptized ? answ. their parents being baptized in the name of the father , son , and holy ghost ; and the church of rome , or papacy , though it be not the church of god : yet is the church of god hidden in the papacy , and to be gathered out of it , therefore i see not why the children of papists may not be baptized : only with these two cautions . . that the aforesaid parents desire this baptisme for their children . . that there be sureties who will undertake for their training up in the true faith . quest. whether may children of p●ofane christians that live scandalously be baptizes ? answ. they may . for all without exception that were borne of circumcised jewes , ( whereof many were profane ) were circumcised : and we must not only regard the next parents , but the ancestors , of whom it s said , if the root be holy , so are the branches , rom. . . and there is no reason that the wickednesse of the parent should prejudice the children in things pertaining to life eternal . quest. how oft is baptisme to be administred ? answ. but once : for the efficacy of baptisme extends it self to the whole life of man : and as we are but once borne , and once ingrafted into christ : so we must be but once baptized ? quest. in what place is baptisme fittest to be administred ? ans● . in the publick assembly , and congregation of gods people , and that for the●e reasons . first , because baptisme is a part of the publick ministry , and a dependance upon preaching the word of god. secondly , the whole congregation may be edified by opening the institution , and doctrine of baptisme . thirdly , the whole congregation is by prayer to present the infant to god , and to beg the regeneration and salvation of it , the prayers of many being the mo●e effectual . fourthly , the whole congregation is hereby made a witnesse of the infant visible membership . quest. what use are we to make of our baptisme ? answ. first , our baptism must put us in minde that we are admitted , and received into the family of god , and therefore we must carry our selves as the servants of god in all holy conversation . secondly , our baptism in the name of the father , son , and holy ghost , teacheth us , that we must learn to know and acknowledge god aright , i. e. to acknowledge him to be our god and father in christ : to acknowledge his presence , and therefore alwayes to walk as before him : to acknowledge his providence , and therefore to cast our care upon him : to acknowledge his goodnesse and mercy , in the free pardon and forgivenesse of our sins . thirdly , our baptisme must be to us as a storehouse of all comfort in the time of our need : if thou beest tempted by the devil , oppose against him thy baptisme , in which god hath promised and sealed unto thee the pardon of thy sins , and life everlasting . if thou beest troubled with doubtings ▪ and weaknesse of faith , consider that god hath given thee an earnest , and pledge of his loving kindnesse : often look upon the will of thy heavenly father sealed , and delivered unto thee in thy baptisme , and thou shalt be comforted in all thy doubts . if thou liest under any crosse or calamity , have recourse to thy baptisme , in which god promised to be thy god , and of this promise he will not faile thee , &c. mr. perk. vol. . p. , &c. chap. xviii . questions , and cases of conscience about blasphemy . quest. what is blasphemy ? answ. blasphemy in the usual acceptation of the wo●d in greek authours signifies any evil speech , or calumniation ( as beza notes ) but by a phrase peculiar to sacred writers , the penmen of the scriptures , it imports always an ungodly speech , which though it be uttered against men , yet it reacheth , and is carried to the contumely of god himself . so , matth. . . rom. . . tit. ● . . and it s either against men , or god. for , . every reproachful word tending to the hurt , or disgrace of any other mans name , and credit is called blasphemy . so , tit. . . . peter . . mark . . . all such injurious , slanderous , or reproachful words as are uttered to the disgrace of god , religion , gods word , ordinances , creatures , works , ministers , &c. are called blasphemy : against god , rev. . . his name , rom. . . his word , tit. . . christ , act. . . christians , jam. . . his doctrine , tim. . . rom. . . christian liberty , rom. . . teachers , cor. . . christians , for abstaining from evil , pet. . . the holy ghost , or his work , mat. . . quest. what is blasphemy against 〈◊〉 holy ghost ? answ. it is a sin , not in deeds , and actions , but in reproachful words ( mark . . ) uttered , not out of fear , nor 〈◊〉 infirmity , as 〈◊〉 did ; and sick , and frantick persons may do : but out of a malicious , and hateful heart , corinth . . . heb. . , . not by one that is ignorant of christ , as paul was when a blinde pharisee : but by one enlight●d through the holy ghost with the knowledge of the gospel , heb. . . not of rashnesse , but of set purpose to despite the known doctrine and works of christ , heb. . . being accompanied with a universal defection , or ●lling away from the whole truth of god , heb. . . as also with a general● pollution , or filthiness of life , mat. . . pet , . ▪ and being irremissible , because such a● commit it cannot repent , mat. . . heb. . . quest. how many ways doth blasphemy break out ? answ. the schoolmen say three ways . . cum attribuitur deo , quod ei non convenit . when we affirm that of god which is umbeseeming his majesty , and incompatible with his holy and divine nature ▪ as to make him a creature , or a liar , or cruel , unjust , unmerciful , sinful , or the cause of sin . . cum a deo removetur , quod ei convenit , when we deny that to god , which indeed belongs to him , as chron. . . . cum attribuitur ereaturae , quod deo appropriatur . when we put that upon a creature which is proper to god : thus when the israelites had made a golden calf , and said , this is thy god , o israel , &c. it s called blasphemy , neh. . . they commited great blasphemies . see o. sedgwicks part. sermon . quest. what meanes may we use to prevent , and cure tentations to blasphemy ? answ. first , we must get assurance of gods love to us , and then we shall love him , and love alwayes thinks , and speaks well of the party beloved : but if we once entertain thoughts that god hates us , and will curse us , then we will hate him , and be ready to curse him : and this is incident to us when under some great affliction , as we see in jobs case : when god chastens us sore , and worse then commonly he doth others , and when we finde some circumstances for which we cannot finde a president in the world , then we begin to apprehend some unkinde dealing from god , and concludes that he hates us , and then we will be ready to hate him again , and begin to enter into some termes of blasphemy , to prevent and cure which , we must know , that no afflictions , be they never so great , unusual , or unhard of , are any certaine signes of gods anger , much lesse of his hatred . job was the first that was ever used as he was , and his foolish wife would thence conclude that god hated her , and her husband . jonah had a crosse , the like whereof was never in the world before , yet was it no fruit of gods hatred : jacob had sore , and heavy afflictions , yet was it ever true , ( jacob have i loved ) even when he afflicted him : and esau had great outward prosperity , and yet that was as true ▪ esau have i hated : be then convinced that god loves thee , and all the devils in hell , and all the lusts in original sin cannot make thee blaspheme god. secondly , we must get our sins pardoned , repent of all our iniquities , and then the crosse can never wring from us words of blasphemy : it is not the greatnesse of the crosse , but the guilt of sin working with the sting of the crosse which makes men in tribulation to blasphem , rev. . . thirdly , suppose the worst : have we blasphemed ? yet we must repent of our blasphemy , and hope in god to despair is to make us uncapable of mercy : to despair by reason of blasphemy is a worse sin then blasphemy it self : they are both against the goodnesse of god : but despaire is against his goodnesse , mercy , and truth . indeed it s an horrible crime to blaspheme god , and the worse , because it s somewhat like that unpardonable sinne : besides , other sinnes are against god in his greatnesse , government , &c. but this is against his goodness , and god as he is represented to us stands more upon his goodnesse then his greatnesse , and therefore blasphemy hath always been held amongst the greatest of sins , therefore we should the more be aware of it , and we may the better avoid it , because it 's against that natural inbred principle of a deity ; so that nature it self is afraid of it . satan indeed is a great blasphemer , and labours by all means to bring us to it , but we must set the word and spirit of god against it , yea , and the law of nature too ; and if at any time we be overtaken with it , yet we must remember that its pardonable , tim. . . i was ( saith paul ) a blasphemer , &c. yea , which worse , he compelled many to blaspheme , yet ( saith he ) i obtained mercy , mat. . . christ tells us that upon repentance it shall be forgiven . the devil would perswade us that all blasphemy is the sinne against the holy ghost : but we must deny it , and our reason must be , because we are sorry for it , and were it to be done again , we would not do it for all the world : but he that sins against the holy ghost is not sorry for it , is not grieved for his offence : would have all others to commit the same sinne : is desirous to have hell as full as he can : wishes that wife , children , parents , friends , neighbours , all might commit the sin against the holy ghost as he hath done . see capell on tentations . quest. how doth the hainousness of this sin of blasphemy appear ? answ. first , it s one of the most horrid sins in the world : some sins are more directly and immediately against mens own persons : as idlenes , prodigality , &c. some are against other mens persons : as lying , slandering , &c. but the blasphemer fights directly against god : other sins strike at god , but this pierceth him , and strikes through his name with execrations , &c. and therefore such were to be put to death , lev. . , . isa. , . hab. . . secondly , it s an high contempt of god , a desperate flying into his face , a charging him with folly , cruelty , and tyranny , job . . ult . it so provokes god that usually he cuts them off sooner then other sinners , as those that are ripe for destruction . thirdly , it argues the highest ingratitude in the world : for a man like a mad dogg to flie into the face of his master who keeps and feeds him : to use that heart and tongue which god made for his praise to the disgrace of his creator : to load him with injuries , who daily loadeth us with mercies . to curse him who blesseth us , &c. they are said to crucifie christ afresh , heb. . . magis offendunt qui blasphemant christum regnantem in coelis , quam qui crucifixerunt ambulantem in terris . aug. they are worse then those that actually crucified him . fourthly , it exceedingly debaseth a man , and makes him viler then the vilest creature ; for they in their kind praise god , and shew forth the wisdom , power , and goodness of their creator : but the blasphemer dishonours him in all his attributes . fifthly , it is a most unprofitable sin : other sins have some seeming pleasure , and profit to allure , but what pleasure , or profit can it be to rage against the just , and great god. sixthly , such are guilty of the most pestilent scandal that can be : they grieve the godly , harden the wicked , offend the weak , who are quickly turned out of the way : they become an evil example to their families , who like soft wax are easily cast into any forme . now woe be to them by whom scandals , especially blasphemous scandals come , mat. . , . seventhly , it 's a sin which makes men most like the damned in hell . as the saints in heaven being filled with joy , shall vocally sing the praises of their redeemer : so the damned in hell , being filled with the wrath of god , shall vocally blaspheme him : and if the wicked in this world that do but taste of the cup of gods wrath , yet blaspheme him for their torments , rev. . . how will they be filled with blasphemies , when they shall be filled with the wrath of god for ever . eighthly , as its the greatest sin , so it makes men liable to the greatest judgements of god , and to the severest punishments of the magistrate . when a man shall directly and purposely speak reproachfully of god , denying him in his attributes , or attributing that to him which is inconsistent with his nature , this is called direct and immediate blasphemy , and if it be acted , not out of infirmity of nature , the person not being distempered by sicknesse , melancholy , nor madnesse , but out of malice , deliberation , and obstinacy , the party should die without mercy , lev. . , , , . this was not a judicial law belonging to the jews onely , but it being of the law of nature , is a universal law for all nations : hence wicked ●ezabel , that she might stone naboth to death , proclaimes him a blasphemer , kings . , . so john . . and they stoned stephen for this pretended cause , act. . . nebuchad●ezzar by the light of nature made a decree , that whosoever blasphemed the god of heaven , &c. should be cut in pieces , and his house be made a dung-hill , dan. . . how much more should christian magistrates make severe laws for the punishment of such notorious offenders , which if they neglect to do , as their light is greater , so their punishment shall be greater : they punish thieves , and murtherers with death : they punish traitors that seek to destroy the lives of princes , or that speak against their honour and dignity with death , and shall not he that speaks against the king of kings die the death ? and when men neglect their duty in this kinde , god takes the sword into his own hand : he cut off blasphemous senacharib , and his army for it , king. . . the syrians blaspheming god , and calling him the god of the mountaines , but not of the valleys , many thousands of them lost their lives for it , king. . , . blasphemous arius voided his bowels , and died miserable . see many more examples of gods judgments upon blasphemers , and blasphemous hereticks in my mirror in those two chapters . master hall upon tim. . . quest. how comes satan to tempt gods children to blasphemy ? answ. when he cannot overcharge the conscience of the weak christians , by ripping up , and aggravating those sins which he hath in truth committed , nor cause him desperately to desist from going forward in the course of sanctification , then he suggests into his minde horrible blasphemies against gods majesty , and continually turmoils him with most impious thoughts , that thereby he may distract his minde from holy meditations , and utterly discourage him in all christian exercises . quest. of how many sorts are these his hellish suggestions ? a●sw . of two sorts . . such as seeme to have some ground in corrupted reason , for the sugge●ting whereof he oft-times useth our sinful flesh as his wicked instrument : and these arise sometimes from our over-great prosperity whereby we are brought to forget , and neglect the lord who hath been so bountiful unto us : sometimes from the grievousnesse of afflictions , whereby men are moved to murmur against god , and to repine at his judgements ; sometimes from some offence unjustly taken from gods word , or works : as from the plainnesse of the scriptures , the unequal dispensation of gods benefits , and punishments whence arise these tentations : that there is no god , or if there be , yet no particular providence : that he hath not eyes to see all things , nor power to rule them : that he is not just in his judgements , but an accepter of persons : that his word is not true , either in the promises or threatnings : that he makes little account of vertue to reward it , or of sin to punish it : neither yet hath provided either a heaven for the godly , or a hell for the wicked : that let men do what they can , yet in the end either all , or none shall be saved , &c. quest. how are we to resist these blasphemous suggestions ? answ. first , we should ▪ as soone as they are suggested , reject them as abominable , saying to our selves , god forbid that i should entertaine such a blasphemous thought of the most mighty , wise , just , and gracious god : especially having no reason for it but the false suggestion of the devil , who is a liar from the beginning , and by his lies seeks my destruction . secondly , then ( if we cannot be th●s rid of it ) let us flie unto the lord by earnest prayer desiring him to enlighten our mindes by his spirit , that we may clearle discerne his truth , and the falshood of satan , and that he will encline our hearts to submit our judgements to his truth , and reject satans damnable lies . thirdly , we must endeavour to enrich our mindes with such a measure of knowledge as may enable us to answer all satans cavils ; especially by studying the scriptures , which are able to make us wise to salvation . fourthly , we must open our state to some able friend , who may teach us how to confute these tentations : and by all meanes we must take heed of that foolish bashfulnesse which makes men keep the devils counsel to their destruction for fear of shaming themselves : whereas it s no shame to be subject to these tentations which the dearest of gods children are not freed from . quest. what is the other kinde of blasphemous tentations ? answ. such as are without all shew of reason , or appearance of truth , sencelesly absurd , and no lesse admirable for their sottishnesse , then for their hellish impiety ; and these cannot without trembling be thought on : neither doth satan use the help of the flesh herein as he doth in other tentations , it being no fit instrument for this employment , because these blasphemies are so horribly wicked that they are above the conceit of corrupt nature , but are the immediate product of hell , satan casting them into the minde like wild-fire with great swiftnesse and violence . or if the flesh be used herein , yet it s not with delight , but with fear and horrour , seeing there is neither pleasure nor profit in them , but a fearful expectation of speedy vengeance if we swallow them with consent . quest. what is satans chiefest scope in these tentations ? answ. first , he hath no hope to prevaile with a christian to approve of them , seeing he cannot draw a profane worldling thus far with all his power and skill : but his chiefest aime is hereby to work astonishment in them that they shall be utterly unfit to performe any holy exercise , or duty which they owe to god , hoping thereby so to enfeeble them , that afterwards he shall get an easie victory over them . secondly , he labours hereby to overthrow their faith , and to bring them to utter despaire of gods mercie , putting them out of all hope that he will ever pardon such outragious sins , seeing they do so impiously blaspheme him to his face : and therefore lest they should multiply these horrible sinnes by their longer abode in this life , and so encrease the measure of their just condemnation , he tempts them to lay violent hands upon themselves , and to seek to mitigate their torments by hastening their death . thirdly , when by manifold experiences he hath learned that by these suggestions he little advanceth these cursed ends : yet such is his inveterate malice towards gods poor saints that he will not surcease to pursue them with these suggestions so long as god permits him , that he may at least turmoile , and vex those whom he hath no hope to overcome . quest. how may we comfort and strengthen our hearts against these wicked blasphemies ? answ. first , consider that they are not our own thoughts , but satans suggestions , and therefore they shall not be charged upon us as our sinnes , but shall be set on satans score and punished upon him . quest. how shall we know that they are satans suggestions , and not our own thoughts ? answ. fir● , in that they are so outragiously wicked , that even nature , though corrupted , is not capable of them , unlesse by long custom of malicious sinning against god , it become plainly diabolical . how much losse then are they capable of them who have received some measure of grace , and in the uprightnesse of their hearts desire to fear , love , and serve the lord. secondly , they may be discerned to be from satan by the manner of their injection , which is not voluntary and upon choice ; but sudden , as a flash of lightning , with such unavoidable violence that they cannot be prevented , and that continually , one following in the neck of another . thirdly , whereas a mans own thoughts being natural , work no extraordinary perturbation in the mind : on the contrary , these blasphemous suggestions strike the heart with such horrour and feare , that thereby the understanding is astonished , the heart quakes , the minde is distracted , the joynts tremble , &c. secondly , consider that these kindes of tentations are common to afflicted christians : yea , so ordinarily doth satan fight with this weapon , that he durst therewith assault christ himself , the unspotted lamb of god in whom was no sinne . thirdly , consider that it s no sinne to be tempted to these blasphemies , if they be resisted : as it s no fault in a chaste person if a filthy harlot tempt him to uncleannesse so long as he yeelds not to it . quest. but how shall we know that we resist these blasphemies ? answ. first , in our own outward man we resist them , when we do not actually yeeld by words , or deeds , so as that our yeelding is subject to our senses . secondly , inwardly we resist them , when we neither approve them in our judgments , nor embrace them with our wills , nor incline to them in our affections with liking and delight . fourthly , consider that these blasphemous susigestions , are not evil to them who resist them : or if evil , yet only our crosses , and evil of punishment , not evil of sin , which the lord of his infinite goodnesse turns to the good of his children . object . yet i fear that i have so much revolved these blasphemous tentations in my mind , and have been so negligent , and slow in rejecting them , that i doubt much i have yeelded some liking to them ? answ. first , there is nothing more common then for an afflicted conscience to accuse when it 's innocent , and to lay a heavy burden upon it self where the lord gives a discharge . secondly , but suppose it be true , yet there is no cause of despair ; and that . because this sin being committed through infirmity is pardonable , and therefore if thou repent and bewaile it , hate and abhor it , strive and endeavour to mortifie it , god ( according to his gracious promise ) will freely remit it . . it 's not committed by the christian man , if we speak properly , but by the flesh , and unregenerate part , and therefore it shall never be imputed to the spiritual man , who resists it all he may : but to the flesh , which alone shall b●ar the punishment , god using to that end not only the hammer of his word , but also temporary crosses and afflictions . . god measures not our sinnes according to the nature , and matter of the sins themselves , but rather according to the affection of the sinner , which gives the form and being thereunto : in regard whereof the greatest sin being entertained by the concupiscence only , and there crushed and choaked , is esteemed by god a far lesse sin , then the least degree of wickednesse which is willingly committed , nourished , or defended . quest. by what means may we be freed from these hellish blasphemies ? answ. first , we must have recourse to god by fervent prayer , entreating him to rebuke satan , and to restrain his malice , either that he may not cast his hellish wild-fire of blasphemous thoughts into our minds , or at least that he will quench them at their first entrance that they may not enflame our concupiscence with the least liking of them . secondly , when satan terrifies us by laying these blasphemies to our charge , we are to appeal to the lord the searcher of our hearts , as the supream judge , and having the testimony of our consciences to bear witnesse with us , we are to protest our innocency : and so to disavow these wicked suggestions , and to protest such hatred of them , that we would rather die a thousand deaths then yeeld the least assent to them . thirdly , we are not to make such account of these suggestions as that therby our understandings should be dulled , our minds distracted , our senses astonished , and our hearts discouraged , so as to be made unfit for the service of god and the duties of charity to our brethren , and the duties of our particular callings . object . this indeed were a good course for such as have quiet minds : but i am so distracted in every holy duty , with these blasphemous suggestions , that i cannot perform them with und●rstanding , so that they become unprofitable to me , and ( i fear ) they are turned into sin ? answ. though thou canst not perform these duties as thou wouldst , yet do them as well as thou canst ; yea the more thou art troubled in them , be the more earnest in doing of them ; for they are the best weapons to repell satan , whereof if satan can disarme thee he will be sure to prevaile . they are gods ordinances , and therefore though thou finde no present good by them , yet thou must do them in obedience to gods command : and so in the end thou shalt finde that god accepts thy endeavours , and will pardon thy infirmities , and give such a blessing to them by his spirit , that they shall bring joy and comfort to thy heart . fourthly , we must not revolve these blasphemous suggestions in our minds , nor suffer them to reside in our thoughts , but forcibly withstand them when we find them first entring : or if they be entred before we be aware , we are presently to reject them , and entertain into our mindes some heavenly meditations , which will keep them from easie re-entrance . fifthly , we must have a special care to avoid idlenesse , and solitarinesse , and spend all our time either in holy exercises , or in the duties of our lawful callings : for idlenesse prepares us for tentations , and makes our hearts , like unmanured ground , fit to bring forth nothing but weeds : and solitarinesse brings in this case a heavy woe with it , eccles. . . giving satan a great advantage against us : which made the devil when he tempted christ to make choice of the wildernesse , having by manifold experience found that such solitary places are fittest for his purpose . sixthly , if for all this we cannot be rid of them , we must not too earnestly strive against them , or be overmuch grieved with them ; but seeing they are satans sins , and not ours , if we abhor and strive against them , we must constantly go on in our course of godlinesse , and righteousnesse , and so let them passe as they come without being dismaied at them . mr. downams christian warfare . chap. xix . questions , and cases of conscience about our bodies . quest. what is the condition and state of our bodies in this life ? answ. they are vile and base , and that not only the bodies of the wicked , but also of the dearest children of god , phil. . . quest. how may this be made out ? answ. our original is base , we are dust , and to dust we must return . besides , our continuance is full of changes , we are subject to sicknesse , sores , paine , hunger , &c. and base we are , because we are upheld by inferiour creatures . we enter into the world one way , and then go out a thousand : somtimes by violent , sometimes by more natural deaths : are subject to divers diseases , loathsom to the eyes and noses , especially when we are nearest our end : then our countenances wax pale , our members tremble , and all our beauty is gone : when we are dead , our carcasse is so lothsom , that it must be had out of sight , yea , though of abraham , gen. . . for as mans body is of the finest temper of all others , so the corruption of it is most vile . quest. is there then no glory belonging to our bodies ? answ. yea ▪ for , first , its gods workmanship , and therefore excellent : so excellent , as the heathen galen being stricken into admiration at the admirable frame thereof , brake out into an hymne of praise to the maker of it : and david cries out , i am wonderfully made , psal. . god made this his last work as an epitome of all the rest . secondly , the scripture teaches us that we owe glory to our bodies , and therefore it forbids us to wrong our bodies , and speaks infamously of self-murtherers , as of saul , achitophel , judas , &c. and god to shew the respect that we owe to our bodies hath provided pleasing objects for every sense , as ●ight for the eyes , flowers for the smell , and musick for the ears , &c. thirdly , these bodies of ours are members of christ redeemed , and sanctified temples of the holy ghost , indeed as it keeps the soul from heaven , so it s the grave of the soul : but otherwise it s the house , temple , and instrument of the soul. quest. but can those bodies be called base for which christ shed his precious blood ? answ. whilest gods children live here , their bodies are in no better a condition then the bodies of others : hezekiah is sick : lazarus hath his sores ; david and job are troubled with loathsome diseases : and its reason it should be so . for , . it was so with christ , he took our base ragged nature on him : he hungred , thirsted , was pained , yea , death had a little power over him ▪ and shall we desire a better condition then our head , and master had ? it s 〈◊〉 decree that we must returne to the dust as all 〈◊〉 fellow saints have done ▪ 〈◊〉 we must partake with 〈…〉 mean estate ▪ 〈◊〉 we will partake 〈◊〉 his glory . . hereby god doth exercise our faith , and hope , causing ●s to expect a bettter resurrection ; and by this meanes our desires are quickned after a better life . . as yet there is sinne in us , from the danger whereof , though we are delivered , yet there is corruption which remains behind in us ; and by this god will teach us to see the contagion of sinne , and how the devil hath deceived us , when he promised a better condition . . it shews gods wisdome in vanquishing sin by death , which is the child of sinne : for be it we shall be purged from sinne , and from corruption both of body and minde , and thus is our base estate made a way to our excellent estate hereafter . quest. shall these vile bodies of ours be raised againe at the last day ? answ. yea , it s an article of our faith : it was typified by aarons dry rod budding , and by jonas's deliverance out of the belly of the fish , where he had been three days , and three nights : it was believed of all the fathers , heb. . . it s a grounded truth that these bodies of ours that are sowne in corruption , shall be raised in incorruption , corinth . . ● . and for our further security , enoch before , and elias after the flood , were taken into heaven in their bodies . again , it s not contrary to reason , though above the reach of reason ; for christ takes care that the dust whereof we are made , and to which we return be preserved : and why cannot christ as well raise a body out of the dust , as at first he made it out of the dust , especially seeing the soul is preserved in heaven to this end , to be joyned again to it . nay , it is not contrary to the course of nature : we yearly see that summer succeeds winter , day the night , youth comes out of infancy , mans age out of youth , and cor. . . thou fool , the corn is not quickened except it die . nay we see daily strange things wrought by art , and shall we think gods almighty power cannot work more strange effects . quest. who shall raise up our bodies at the last day ? answ. christ , john . , . for he is our head , and the body must be conformable to the head : hence , romans . . if the spirit doth dwell in us that dwelleth in christ , the spirit that raised him up , will raise us up also . secondly , christ is a whole saviour , and therefore will raise up our bodies as well as our souls : for he is a saviour of both : hath delivered both from hell , and therefore will raise up both to heaven . thirdly , christ is the second adam : as we did beare the image of the first adam in corruption , so we must bear the image of the second adam in glory . fourthly , christ is the seed of the woman that must break the serpents head , and therefore he must work this change . fifthly , christ changed his own body being burdened with all our sins : and therefore as an exemplary cause , shall much more raise us up . for sin , which is the sting of death being once overcome , what can keep us in the grave ? quest. what may the consideration hereof teach us ? answ. first , it may strengthen our faith in consideration that we have such strong saviour , that nothing shall be able to separate us from his love , nor take us out of his hand . secondly , it may direct us how to honour our bodies , not making them instruments of sinne against him , but so to use them , that we may with comfort , and joy expect , and desire his coming to change these our vile bodies . thirdly , to labour to assure our selves of our parts in this change at our resurrection , and this we shall know . . if we finde christs spirit in us . for then the same spirit that raised him up , if he be in us , will raise us up also , rom. . . for the first resurrection is an argument of the second , and he that finds his understanding enlightned , his will p●able , and his affections set upon right objects , will easily believe the resurrection of his body . . if we hope for this change , and so hope , that we are stirred up thereby to fit our selves for it . . if we grow in grace , pet. . . it 's a sign that we have an entrance into christs kingdome : for god doth ever honour growth with assurance of a blessed estate . fourthly , this may comfort us in time of death , considering that we lose nothing but basenesse , and our bodies are but sowen in the earth , and this depositum which god committeth to the fire , aire , earth , water , &c. must be rendred up again pure , and changed by christ. fifthly , it may comfort us also at the death , and departure of our friends , knowing that they are not lost , and that the earth is but an house , and hiding place for them to sleep in , and that god will not forget at the last day to raise them up with the rest of his saints , and to change them , and make them like to his glorious body , thes. . . sixthly , to pray to god to teach us to number our days so that we may apply our hearts unto wisdome , as psal. . . quest. when shall the time of this blessed change be ? answ. at the day of judgement , and not before , as will appeare by these reasons . . because all are then to be gathered together : even those that were buried foure thousand years ago must stay till the number be fulfilled : and it will make for the honour of christ that we should all meet together to attend on him with multitudes of angels , so that they cannot be perfected without , or before us , and we shall not prevent those that are asleep . . this makes for the comfort of christians that are weak , that the martyrs , and constant professors of christ should be pledges of their rising , who continually ●ry , how long lord ? . gods will is that now things should be carried in a cloud , and that the last day should be the day of revelation , which could not be , if this change should be before . quest. but how shall our bodies be fashioned to christs glorious body ? answ. first , as he is immortal never to die againe , so shall we , we shall be freed then from all sin , and so consequently from all mortality . secondly , we shall be incorruptible , we shall neither have corruption within us , not without us , cor. . . we shall be embalmed with the spirit that shall cause us for ever to be incorruptible . thirdly , we shall be unchangable : alwayes the same without sicknesse of body , or indisposednesse of mind . fourthly , we shall be in perfect strength : here we contract to our selves weaknesse from every little thing , as alteration of aire , labour , &c. but there the body shall be enabled to every thing , whereas here we are weak , unfit , and soone weary of every duty : even moses hands must be supported . fifthly , we shall have beauty and comelinesse : the most lovely complexion and proportion of parts , there shall be no dregs in our body ; all wants shall be supplied : what is misplaced shall be reduced into right order . if we lose limbs for christs sake he will not be indebted to us , but will restore them againe . object . but christ retained wounds after his resurrection , much more shall we be imperfect ? answ. this was a voluntary dispensation for a time for the strengthening of thomas his faith , not of any necessity . sixthly , these bodies of ours shall be spiritual , cor. . . a natural body is upheld by natural means , as meat , drink , physick , &c. but then there shall be no ●eed of such things . christ shall be all in all to us . seventhly , then our bodies shall obey our spirits : now the body keepes the spirit in slavery , but then it shall readily yeeld to every motion of the spirit . the ground of the glory of these our bodies shall be the beatifical vision , and our union with christ. if our beholding him here in his ordinances be of such a power as to translate us from glory to glory , cor. . . what a change shal be wrought in us , when we shall see him as he is ? and if his first coming had that power in it to make all things new , corinth . . . much more when he comes the second time in glory shall he make all things new and glorious . quest. what lessons may the consideration hereof teach us ? answ. first , in all cases of dismay and trouble , it may encourage us rather to lose our bodies , then to offend god , knowing that if we give them for god , we shall receive them againe with advantage . secondly , labour we to make our bodies instruments of his honour , and let us honour our bodies wherein are the seeds of immortality : and glory in so using them , as that they be carried to the grave with honour . thirdly , let us honour the bodies of the deceased saints of god , and the places of their sepulture , as cabinets wherein the precious dust of the holy saints is laid up in keeping . fourthly , when we die we should not trouble our mindes with the discomfortable thoughts of wormes , rottennesse , darknesse , &c. but with the eye of faith let us look beyond these upon heaven , whither we are going . this made job , though covered with ulcers , chearfully to say , my redeemer liveth , &c. fifthly , if we want limbs , yet to comfort our selves , the resurrection will restore all . sixthly , let us serve god here with our best endeavours : it s but a while and our labour shall not be in vain . is it not better by doing thus to partake of this blessed change , then to spare this vile body , and by pampering it , and prostituting our selves to vile and base courses , thereby to disenable our selves in the resurrection to lift up our heads with joy , because our redemption draws nigh ? see dr. sibs on phil. . . quest. how may our bodies be made serviceable to our minds , and instrumental to gods glory ? answ. they must be maintained with great care , but not with much tendernesse : for we should use them to be content with a little , and with things easie , and ordinary , looking lesse for pleasure , then for health , which yet is the way to get a lasting pleasure . quest. why should we be so careful of the health of our bodies ? answ. because of all earthly things it is the most precious : without health of the body the minde will have much adoe to maintain its liberty , and stability : the disorder of the humours of the body disturb the minde , and make i● froward ; yea , sometimes reason is qui●e overturned by reason of some corporal indisposition . quest. by what means then may the health of our bodies be preserved ? answ. especially by these 〈◊〉 things . . serenity of mind . . a sober di● . . exercise . quest. how is serenity of minde a means to preserve bodily health . answ. serenity of minde , and health of the body preserve one another : but the minde is a more powerful agent upon the body , then the body upon the mind . a chearful spirit keeps the body healthful , whereas frequent excessive fits of choller , and deep sadnesse , sowre the whole masse of blood , and poison the fountain of animal spirits ▪ whereby the body loses its lively colour , and good plight , and droops into a lingring consumption , prov. . . heavinesse in the heart makes it stoop , prov. . . by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken ; and on the contrary , prov. . . a merry h●art doth good lik● a medicine ; and to get this mercy heart the wise man advises us to keep our mindes in a mild temper . prov. . . the merciful man doth good to his own soul , but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh : and the body thus preserved in health by the serenity of the mind , pays him readily for that good office : for the minde is kept in tranquillity by the good constitution of the body . quest. how is a sober diet 〈◊〉 meanes to preserve the health of the body ? answ. as there is nothing that wears the body , and sets the minde out of frame so much as intemperance in diet : and truely not only such as glut themselves with meat and drink , but generally all that live plentifully , ea● and drink too much , and confound in their stomacks too many various ingredients , giving to nature more then it needs , and more then it can dispense with ; which superfluity , that especially of the third concoction , turns into ill humours , whence various diseases are bred , answerable to the variety of our dishes , as in the common-wealth idle persons ▪ and uselesse souldiers are they that stir up seditions , and trouble the state. then natural heat , which serves to the nutritive faculty , being put to an over great labour , wears away before the time ; and the spirits serving to make the pot boile below , leave the intellectual part ill served in the upper roome : and that overplus of nourishment growing to pride of blood , breeds no better effect in the soul then to swell the appetite , and to provoke it to rebellion against the reason : whereas if we would bring our selves to a more simple , and sparing diet , both our bodies and mindes would enjoy a better health : the fewer vapours the belly sends to the brains , besides what are necessary , the clearer is the skie in that upper region : the best rule therefore for such as feast plentifully , is to fast frequently : most sicknesses in their beginnings , may be cured by this abstinence . quest. but what should they do that use sparing diet ? answ they should allow themselves some seasons for good cheere . indeed it oppresseth such whose ordinary meales are so many feasts : but it renews the vigour of those that use it seldome : wine is given by god to make glad the heart of man , psal. . . prov. . . it 's of singular vertue to charm cares : a draught or two extraordinary , when the mind is dejected with crosses , will put upon a mans businesses a smoother and calmer face . quest. how doth exercise conduce to the health of the body ? answ. without exercise the body becomes a● unweildy bag of corrupt humours : great eaters need the more exercise , but the most sober need some : the naturallest , and pleasantest is walking , to which they that use a sedentary life , must allow sometime : but if one be shut up , or hath lost the use of his leggs , he must invent some other way instead of walking to exercise his body , and prevent sicknesse , and if he cannot use exercise , he must eat and drink the lesse . it 's a wise course to harden the bodies of children , and young men especially , against cold , which is the cause of most diseases in aged persons : but when one hath been tenderly brought up , it 's imprudence to go about to inure his body to hardnesse in his declining age , which is more then it can beare . quest. these are good rules to preserve bodily health , but how shall we mend it when it s impaired ? answ. first , physicians must be consulted withal , and remedies used ; about which two rules should be observed . . let it be betimes , before sicknesse hath taken root . . let it be seldom : for two many remedies are worse then the disease . physick , and physicians should be used for necessity , not for wantonnesse : the chief use of that art is to prevent diseases . but every man ought to have enough of it to know his own body , and to keep off the indispositions to which he is obnoxious , and not to wear out his bodie with drugs without great necessity : there are certaine simple , and easie helps which being used betimes would prevent great inconveniences ; and what wise man would not keep himself from painful diseases , if the use of a little sage , or juniper berries would do it , whatsoever remedies are used for the prevention of sicknesses , it 's certaine that the abstinence from unwholsome things is better then the use of wholsome . secondly , let the body be well clad , for commodity , not for shew , neither curiously affecting the mode , nor opposing it with a fantastical singularity . let all that we weare be cleanly and wholsome , not to please other mens eyes but our own : for he that is slovenly in his attire , will thereby grow sad and dejected before he be aware . why should a man make himself contemptible to the world , and displeasing to himself by a wilful lazie neglect of his person ? thirdly , let there be order , and sutablenesse in our houshold furniture , though it be never so course . let not any thing want his proper place , though never so little . confusion is offensive to the minde , but order gives a secret delight . fourthly , let our habitations be lightsom if it be possible , in a free aire , and neer a garden . gardening is an innocent delight : it was the trade of man in the state of innocency . fifthly , for exercises , such should be chosen that bring a publick utility , as the hunting of such beasts as are an annoiance to the countrey , as foxes , badgers , wolves , &c. or the use of military pastimes which fit men to serve their countrey . it 's a double content to a generous and well disposed nature , when he doth good for his pleasure ; whereas games of hazard do very much discompose the minde : they accustom it to hang upon the future , and to depend on fortune ( as they call it ) to which every wise man will give as little power over him as he can . they also provoke passion , and cause much disturbance in the soul for things of nothing . games that consist in dexterity of body , or mind are much to be preferred before these . chess will sharpen the wit , but buzie it overmuch , and toile the spirits instead of recreating them , which is the proper use of play . of all gaming the lesse the better ; and when it disorders the passion , the least is too much . he that ventures much money at play , ventures with it , not only the tranquillity of his minde , but makes a certain loss of it , whatsoever becomes of the money : this bold venturing proceeds not from a contempt of this worlds goods ( as such gamesters pretend ) but out of an insatiable greedinesse to gaine much in a short time : wherefore to them that have but a little money , and to great lovers of it , great losses at play are very smarting : and yet the gain is more hurtfull then the losse : for it enflames covetousnesse , and sets the heart upon a wicked labour to grow rich by the ruine of others : hereby also the fountain of charity is dryed up , and so the streams of charitable deeds : squand●ing away of money in play , is not the way to make friends of that un●ighteous mammon , that receive a man into everlasting habitations , but an enemy rather , that will turn him out of his temporall habitation . it is the way to lose both earth and heaven . when we have an undoubted right to our money , and the present possession of it , what a mad part is it to call that into question whether it must be ours or anothers , and decide that question with the cast of a die ? and what ungratefulnesse is it to the great giver of all good gifts , to play those gifts away , which he hath afforded us of his bounteous liberality , and which have been acquired for us by the sweat and hard labour of others : and though the pa●ties at play be consenting to that strange way of acquisition , yet that consent makes it not lawful , neither of them being owner of those goods which he calls his , but only stewards , who must give an account to their master . so then , whether we winne , or lose we commit robbery : for if we rob not our adversary ▪ we rob our selves , our families , and god : and herein are worse then that ill servant that hid his talent in a napkin : for the gamester if he be a looser hath made away his talent wherewith god had intrusted him : and though he be a gainer , yet he makes himself uncapable of giving a good account of his talent to his lord , seeing he hath put it to an unrighteous bank . dr. du moulin upon contentment . quest. why is just honour due to our bodies ? answ. as they are necessary instruments of the soul to work by : as they are temples of the holy ghost , and as they are members of christs body . quest. how manifold is the care of our bodies ? ans. the one evil , and forbidden , which tends to the fulfilling of the lusts of the flesh , rom. . . the other good , and lawful which tends to the preservation of our life , and health , that so we may be the better fitted and enabled to the duties of our callings , general , and special . chap. xx. questions , and cases of conscience about borrowing , and lending . quest. what rule is the borrower to observe towards the lender ? answ. that he do nothing to the hurt , and hinderance of him in his outward estate . quest. how may the borrower hurt the lender in his outward estate ? atsw . first , when the borrower doth not returne , or restore the thing borrowed at all to the lender , if he can retain it ; contrary to kings . . psal. . . rom. . . secondly , if he return or restore not the thing borrowed to the lender in due time at the time appointed , but keeps it longer without the consent of the lender , and it may be forceth the lender to recover that by law which was lent in love . by the law of the jews , if the debtor deferred to pay his debt , he was to be sould , and his wife , and children , &c. as appeares , kings . . hence , prov. . . thirdly , when borrowing things that are spent in the use , as bread , bear , wine , flesh , &c. he restores not as much , and every way as good as that which was lent him , or things not spent in the use , as horse , oxe , garments , &c. when he restores them not as good as they were lent , but either lesse , or worse then was lent , and that wittingly and willingly . of this sort are such tradsmen as break , that they may escape by paying half , or a quarter of their debt . hence that law , exod. . . and king. . . quest. vpon what ground is the borrower to restore the thing borrowed as good as it came to his hands ? or if it be hurt or spoiled through his negligence , or want of care , or good usage , he is bound to make satisfaction for the damage ? answ. upon this ground of equity : because the borrower onely receives benefit by the thing lent , so long as he hath the use of it , therefore he is bound to make it good , if any hurt come to it through his want of care and good usage . quest. what if the borrower of money , or other things by the immediate hand of god , and not by any negligence , or default of his own , is disenabled to restore it , what must he do in such a case ? answ. he is then to humble himself to the lender requesting his favour , and to purpose restitution , and to promise payment whensoever god shall enable him , and if god doth make him able , to performe it , prov. . . matth. . . quest. what if the lender be dead , and none left to require the thing lent , what must the borrower then do ? answ. he is to restote it to the childe of the lender if he have any ; or if none , then to his next of kinne , or for want of such , or if none can be found , then he must restore it to the church , or to the poor , numb . . , . dan. . . luke . . quest. how else may the borrower sin in borrowing ? answ. when he borrows any thing of his neighbour , especially money for ill ends and purposes : as to maintain his pride , riot , and excesse : or when he borrows , that by the thing borrowed he may hurt another in his person , or outward estate : or when one having a sufficient stock of his own to manage his trade , and live comfortably , yet he borrows to enable him to engrosse and monopolize all , or most of a commodity into his own hands to the great hurt and prejudice of others : this is an evil eye , prov. . . so , isa. . . hab. . , , . quest. how may the lender sin by lending ? answ. first , when he lends to such persons as he knows borrow for ill ends , and purposes , as to maintain pride , luxury , &c. or to wrong , hurt , vex , & trouble others : whereas lending being an act of charity , properly should be done to the poore , psal. . . exod. . . secondly , when he lends upon usury to his poor brother : forbidden , exod. . . thirdly , when the lender requires the thing lent too greedily , as either before the time appointed for the returning of it , having no extraordinary need , or at an unseasonable time , as on a sabbath day , &c. deut. . , . fourthly , when he requires the thing lent with rigour , and extream hard usage of the borrower , disenabled by god for the present to repay him , and that by casting him into prison , &c. exod. . , . isa. . . mat. . , . quest. what if the borrower dissembled when he borrowed , pretending that he was able to pay when he knew he was not : or being able refuses to pay , as many bankrupts do : may not rigour be used to such ? answ. yea , the lender may lawfully cast such an one into prison , and so make him bear the burden of his pride , dissimulation , and injustice , prov. . . and . . no pity is to be shewed to rash and foolish sureties : nor to dissembling borrowers . see elton on the commandments . quest. whether is it lawful to put money out to usury ? answ. before this can be answered , we must consider , . who it is that borrows , whether a poor brother that is constrained to it by need : or a rich tradesman that takes it up to enlarge his trade : or a rich man that lays it out upon superfluous occasions . now you may not receive profit from him that borrows out of necessity . to the poorest of all you must give and not lend : to the next rank of poor you must lend freely ; but if a man will borrow that money which you could improve your self for enriching of him , or that will wantonly lay it out for his meere pleasure , the case is very different : for god hath not commanded me to love any man more then my self : neither is there any reason that i should deny my own advantage to maintaine another mans excesse . . upon what termes do you lend ? whether upon an absolute contract for a set profit , whatever becomes of the principal , or upon a friendly trust to a voluntary satisfaction according to the good improvement of the summe lent . the former is not safe : for where there hath been an honest endeavour to make an advantage , which yet hath been disappointed by an unavoidable casualty , or force , there to require interest , cannot be without oppression . but the latter is undoubtedly lawful , and such as are conscionable will think themselves as strongly bound to it by the law of gratitude , as by any bond whatsoever . . if you make an absolute contract ? is it upon a certainty , or upon an adventure ? for if you are willing to hazard the principal , there can be no reason why you may not take part of the advantage . . where the trade is ordinarily certain , there are yet further considerations to be had : for the clearing whereof these grounds may be laid down . . that the value of monies , or other commodities is arbitrable according to the sovereign authority , and use of several kingdoms , and countreys . . that whatsoever commodity may be sold , is capable of profit in the loane of it : therefore a horse , or an oxe , &c. seeing it may be sold , it may be let out for profit . . that money it self is not only the price of all commodities in all civil nations , but in some cases is a traffickable commodity , the price whereof rises and falls in several countreys upon divers occasions , and yeelds either profit or losse in the exchange of it . there can be no doubt therefore but that mony thus considered , being as it were turned into merchandise , may be bought , and sould , and thereby improved to a just profit . quest. but whether may money meerly considered as the price of all other commodities be let forth to profit ? answ. all usury , which is an absolute contract for meere loane of money , is unlawful , both by law natural , and positive : both divine and humane ; and that for these reasons . . because nature teaches us that mony is not capable of supersaetation , or encrease . . that no man ought to set a price on that which is not his own . . that the use of the stock once received , is not the lenders but the borrowers : for the power of disposing of it , is for the time transferred by contract into the borrowers hands : if the lender then by vertue of such a contract takes interest , he doth but in a legal way rob the borrower . that the scripture forbids this practice , appears , exod. . . lev. . , . deut. . , . neh , . . psal. . . prov. . . ezek. . . many heathen nations have also condemned such contracts . it hath been condemned by the council of vienna , and other ecclesiastical laws . yet , though it be unlawful to covenant for a certain profit for the meer loane of money , there are other circumstances about it , which allows the lender lawful liberty to take use for his money , especially in these two cases . . if he sustains losse , and misses of gain by want of his money lent : for why should i hurt my self to pleasure another , and enrich another by mine own losse ? . if i shall incur a real losse , or forfeiture by the delayed payment of the sum lent , i may justly look for satisfaction from the borrower : yea , if there be an apparent danger of losse to me at the time of the contract , nothing hinders but that i may secure such a sum as may be sufficient for my indemnity . and if i see an opportunity of an apparent profit that i could make by disbursing such a sum of money , and another that hath a more gainful bargain in chase , shall desire to borrow my money for his greater advantage , there is no reason why i should have greater respect to his profit then mine own , and therefore upon contract i may secure to my self such a moderate sum , as may be somewhat answerable to the gaine , which i willingly forgo for his greater profit . in brief , to guid us in borrowing , and lending , our only rule is charity : for in all humane , and civil acts of commerce , it s a sure rule : that whatsoever is not a violation of charitie is lawful . and what is not agreeable to charity is sinful . and as charity must be our rule , so our selves must be the rule of our charity . look what you could wish to be done to you by others , do you the same to them , and so you cannot be guilty of the breach of charity ; that will tell you that if you can finde out a way whether by loane , or sale to advance your stock , that is free from oppression , and beneficial to others as well as to your selves , you need not fear to walk in it with all honest security . b. halls cas. of conscience . chap. xxi . questions , and cases of conscience about brethren , and brotherly love amongst christians . quest. are all gods children brethren ? answ. yes , as is proved , col. . . tim. . . mat. . . quest. why are they brethren ? answ. first , because they are borne of the same womb , pet. . . secondly , they are adopted of the same father , eph. . . thirdly , they are brought up in the same family , eph. . . fourthly , they are estated in the same inheritance , rom. . . fifthly , they are written amongst the living in the same city , isa. . . sixthly , they execute the same office of prophets and priests to god , rev. . . quest. what comfort may the consideration hereof afford them ? answ. that though they are despised in the world , yet they are a people of a great kindred : the meanest christian hath as good friends as the greatest potentate . grace works , as it were , a consanguinity with all the saints . quest. what duties may the consideration hereof teach them ? answ. first , to live familiarly together , to visit them , and not to be strangers one to another , acts . . secondly , to do all things faithfully each to other , john . thirdly , to defend each other by words and deeds : let not a brother be wronged if thou canst help it . fourthly , to supply their wants with brotherly affection , james . . joh. . . fifthly , to love them without dissimulation , rom. . , . and . . col. . . eph. . . joh. . . and . . quest. what evils must they avoid upon this consideration ? answ. first , they must take heed of contention , gen. . . and that . by publick suits at law , cor. . , &c. . by private quarrels , or discords . object . but they do me wrong . answ. . admonish them of it , lev. . . mat. . . . be not rashly angry with them , mat. . . . if they repent , forgive them to seventy seven times , mat. . . and be quickly reconciled , mat. . , . secondly , speak not evil one of another , rom. . . jam. . . and . . it 's the devils property to accuse the brethren , rev. . . thirdly , be not ashamed of them : for christ is not ashamed to own them as brethren , heb. . . fourthly , have them not in respect of persons : for the poor are brethren as well as the rich , jam. . , &c. though they be in tribulation , yet are they companions in the kingdom of god with us , rev. . . fifthly , all superiours must take heed of tyranny : for they rule over their brethren . quest. how shall i know who are gods children , and so my brethren ? answ. first , by their innocency : they bear their fathers image . secondly , by their love to gods house and his word . thirdly , by their language , joh. . . fourthly , by the opposition of the world to them . quest. what good shall i get by them ? answ. first , by associating thy self with them , thou mayest escape many judgements . sodom had been spared for ten righteous persons : and get much good . potiphars house is blessed for josephs sake , and labans for jacobs . secondly , thou mayest learn their ways . thirdly , thou mayest be better acquainted with the father , by living amongst his children . quest. why should we be so careful to love the brethren ? answ. first , because it much commends us to god. secondly , it shews that we are translated from death to life , joh. . . thirdly , that we are of the truth , joh. . . fourthly , that we are born of god , joh. . . fifthly , that god dwells in us , joh. . . sixthly , that all we do for them shall be fully rewarded , mat. . . seventhly , it will give us boldnesse at the day of judgement , joh. . . quest. how may i know whether my love to them be unfeigned ? answ. first , if thou beest as willing to do them good as to proffer it , john . . secondly , if thou seek'st not thy own things : but canst love them against profit , credit , &c. phil. . . thirdly , if thou lovest all as well as some , the meanest as well as the greatest , eph. . . fourthly , if thou canst go to god for them in secret . fifthly , if thou canst love them constantly . sixthly , if thou canst reprove , as well as flatter and praise them . seventhly , if thou canst propose them as patterns for thy imitation . eighthly , if thy sorting with them makes thee more holy , and humble . ninthly , if thou doest to them as thou wouldst be done by . quest. what are the impediments of brotherly love ? answ. either ignorance will blind thee , or envy will corrupt thee ; or pride , and inequality of gifts and place will swell thee ; or infirmities will dull thee ; or forgetfulnesse will disappoint thee ; or objections and excuses will deceive thee ; or trespasses will alienate thee ; or the scorns of the world will discourage thee . quest. how may the ferventnesse of our love to the brethren be known ? answ. first , if thou accountest it thy greatest felicity on earth , next to the enjoyment of gods favour , to have delightful fellowship with the brethren , psalm . . secondly , if thou hast enflamed desires after their fellowship . thirdly , if thou canst cover a multitude of faults in them , pet. . . fourthly , if thou canst be at pains for them : love is laborious . fifthly , if thou art speedy in doing them good , prov. . . sixthly , if thou lamentest thy absence from them as a bitter crosse . seventhly , if thou doest daily and heartily pray for them , and give thanks without ceasing . ●uest . what may nourish affections amongst godly brethren ? answ. first , remember often gods love to thee in christ , joh. . , , . eph. . , . secondly , think much of gods command for it , and his acceptation of it , eph. . , . pet. . . thirdly , meditate often of our dwelling together in heaven , jam. . . pet. . . fourthly , converse much together , have fellowship in gospel duties . fifthly , consider the promises made hereunto , eph. . , . pet. . , , . phil. . . quest. with what kinde of love must we love the brethren ? answ. first , it must be a natural love , even such an one as ariseth out of our dispositions , as we are made new creatures in jesus christ , cor. . . secondly , it must be a sincere love , without dissimulation , rom. . . not in word , but in deed , joh. . . thirdly , it must be a fervent love : they must be loved above all other people , pet. . pet. . . fourthly , it must be a pure love , that comes from a pure heart , tim. . . a love in the spirit , col. . . fifthly , it must be a diligent love that will expresse it self upon all occasions : a labouring and working love , thes. . . heb. . . sixthly , it must be a speedy love , prov. . . seventhly , it must be an humble love , a love that would ever serve the brethren , gal. . . eph. . . and . . prov. . . eighthly , it must be a constant love , gal. . . ninthly , it must be a growing love , phil. . . thes. . . quest. what rules are we to observe that brotherly love may continue amongst us ? answ. first , some things are to be avoided : as . we must not fashion our selves according to this world , but avoid all needlesse conversation with wicked men , rom. . , . . we must take heed of , and avoid such as low discord , or cause divisions amongst men : whether such as go about to seduce men into opinions , rom. . . gal. . . pet. . . or such as make contention in practise . . take heed of being insnared with vain-glorious desires after worldly greatnesse , either in church or common-wealth , mat. . . gal. . ult . . take heed of conceitednesse , or willfulnesse in judgement : we must not be wise in our own eyes , but rather in lowlinesse of minde esteem other mens gifts , and judgements better then our own , phil. . . rom. . , . prov. . . . take heed of worldlinesse , and self-love , and minding of our own things , and studying our own ends in conversing with others , cor. . . phil. . . . take heed of overmuch retirednesse , and neglecting comfortable fellowship with our brethren , heb. . . phil. . . psal. . . secondly , some things are to be practised : as , . we must provoke one another to love , both by words , and actions which must be without flattery , and dissimulation , heb. . . . we must strive without complement to shew the sound proofe of our love in all our actions : and by the fruits of it in all well-doing , strive to approve our selves to god and before men in this thing , cor. . . . in all that we do to , or for the brethren , we should do them in a loving and respectful manner , cor. . . . we must strive to be rightly ordered towards our brethren , in case of sin against god , or trespasse against us . quest. how may this be done ? answ. first , if we know a fault in our brother , and finde that it tempts us to alienation from him , we must follow gods counsel , lev. . . reprove him plainly . secondly , we should be convinced that there are infirmities in the best , though we know them not , and therfore so to look for it , that when they do break out , we should be ready to bear with their infirmities , and forbear them if they be meer frailties , choosing rather to crosse our selves , then to provoke them in their weaknesse , rom. . , . thirdly , if our brother trespasse against us , we should shew our selves to be easie to be intreated , and forgive to seventy seven times , if he say he repenteth , mat. . . fourthly , if we have done wrong , we should make haste to be reconciled , and seek it , with willing acknowledgement , and readinesse to make satisfaction , mat. . , . mr. byfield on peter . chap. xxii . questions , and cases of conscience about buying , and selling . quest. what rule is the buyer to observe in buying ? answ. that therein he doe nothing that may tend to the hurt , and prejudice of his neighbour in his outward welfare and estate . quest. how may the buyer sin in buying ? answ. first , when the buyer debaseth the commodity which he would buy , dispraising it above measure , and that against his own knowledge and conscience : or sets another to unde●bid for the commodity , that he may get it the better cheap , prov. . isa. . . matth. . . secondly , when he takes advantage of the sellers simplicity , or present necessity to buy his commodity for less then its worth , whereas gen. . , . abraham would give the full price , and levit. . , , . object . but jacob took advantage of esau's present need to buy his birth-right of him for a mess of pottage ? answ. this fact of jacobs was extraordinary , and therefore is no rule for us to walk by : besides he was informed by his mother that gods purpose was to deny the blessing to him , and therefore he took this opportunity of buying the birth-right , being ( probably ) moved thereto by the spirit of god. thirdly , when the buyer makes bad payment for the commodity he buyes : as when he either paies not at all , or payes less then was agreed for , or delaies payment after the time appointed , or willingly and wittingly , pays counterfeit coyn , or bad commodities , or mi●ells the money : thus did not abraham , gen. . . quest. what rule must the seller observe in selling ? answ. he must not hurt , or prejudice his neighbour in his outward estate thereby ? quest. how is this done ? answ. first ▪ by praising and extolling the thing he sells above the known worth , and goodness of it : or affirms it is worth so much , or stood him in so much , and he was bidden so much for it : it may be by his own wife , or friend under a pretence only that he may sell it the dearer , contrary to psal. . . his tongue speaking that which his heart and conscience tells him is false . secondly by taking advantage of the buyers simplicity , or present necessity thereby to take more for his commodity then it is worth : or when the seller knoweth that the buyer cannot make present payment , but must take it upon 〈◊〉 , he thereupon raiseth the price unreasonably , gen. ● . . lev. 〈…〉 amos . . thirdly , in selling and delivering that which he knows to be bad 〈◊〉 in the substance of it , for good , and at the price of good : as when a man sells ●and to which he hath not a good title , or which he hath formerly sold or 〈…〉 without acquainting the buyer with the morgage : or in ware , when 〈…〉 bad for good , as copper for gold , &c. fourthly , in selling and delivering that which he knows to be bad and faulty in the quality of it , for good , and at the price of good , as lame , and unsound cattel for sound , rotten flesh for wholesome : rotten wares for sound : using false lights , &c. amos . . fifthly , deceiving the buyer in number , weight , or measure , and yet taking the full price : forbidden , lev. . , . deut. . , , . ezek. . . mic. . , . prov. . . and . . quest. how else doth the seller sinne by hurting his neighbour in his outward estate ? answ. by raising the just price of things , or wracking them to so unmeasurable a rate , as that thereby he oppresseth his neighbour . forbidden , lev. . , , . thes. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , significat modum excedere in augendis rerum preciis . object . may i not make the best of mine own ? answ. no , he may not make what he can of his own to the hu● , wrong , and oppression of another , it being against christs rule , ( mat. . . ) and that gal. . . quest. how then are we to prize the commodities which we sell ? answ. not according to our own greedy minde , but according to the rule of equity , i. e. according to the true value of the thing , and the benefit its like to yeeld to the buyer , lev. . , &c. sixthly , the buying and selling things unprofitable , and hurtful , as cards , dice , &c. or things that tend meerly to maintain pride , and vanity : as painting , complexion , patches , &c. or tending meerly to maintaine superstition , as beads , crosses , crucifixes , &c. isa. . . acts . . see elton on the commandments . quest. whether may a man sell his wares as dear as he can , and get what he can of every buyer ? answ. for answer hereunto i lay down these propositions . . there is a due price to be set upon every saleable commodity , else commerce amongst men would be destroyed : for if every man might set what rate he pleaseth upon his land or goods , where should he finde a buyer ? surely nothing would follow but confusion , and want : for then meerly extremity must both make the market , and regulate it . . the due price is that which cuts equally , and indifferently betwixt the buyer , and seller , so that the seller may have a moderate gaine , and the buyer a just penny-worth . . in those countreys where there is a price set , by publick authority , upon marketable commodities , the way of commerce is easie , and its fit that every one should be kept close to that rule . . where all things are left arbitrary there were no living , if some limits were not set to the sellers demands . . these limits must be the ordinary price used in the several countreys wherein they are sold ; and the judgement of wise , experienced , and unconcerned persons : and the well-stated conscience of the seller . . if men shall wilfully runne beyond these bounds , and take advantage of the rarenesse of the commoditie , or the ●aucity , and necessity of the buyers , to enhance the price , to an unreasonable height , they are guilty of the b●each of charity , and by making a sinful bargaine procure to themselves a cu●se . . yet is not a man so strictly tyed to any others valuation as that he may not upon any occasion , ask or receive more then the common price : or that if the market rise he is bound to sit still . for there may be a just reason upon a general mortality of cattel to set his beasts unsold , at a higher rate , or upon a dearth of corn , or other commodities to heighten the price : but in such cases we must observe these rules . . we must grudge our selves our own gain . . we must not be of the first that enhance the price : but must rather be the lowest in our valuation , and labour what we may to bring down the market , always putting our selves in the buyers room , and think how we should wish to be dealt with if we were in his case . . it 's lawful for the sel●er in his price to have regard not to his disbursments only , but to his labour , cost , delay of benefit , to his losse in managing , to his hazard , or difficulty in conveyance : but yet in all these with such moderation , as that he may be a just gainer by the bargaine : not reckoning the buyer , nor hasting to be rich by the secret spoiles of an oppressed neighbour . . those things whose onely end is pleasure , or ornament , as a jewel , a hauk , a hound , &c. can admit of no certaine value : the owners affection must estimate it , and the buyers desire must make up an unbounded bargaine : yet in these , and all other things not necessary , conscience will tell us that we must so sell as we would be content to buy . quest. what follows from the consideration of all this ? answ. first , that those common maximes amongst tradsmen : that things are so much worth as they can be sold for . that men who are masters of their wares may heighten their prizes at their pleasure , and get what they can of the buyers : and that whatsoever they get by the simplicity , or nenecessity of the buyer , is lawful price , are damnably uncharitable , and unjust . quest. whether is the seller bound to make known to the buyer the faults of that which he is about to sell ? answ. for answer hereunto consideration must be had of divers circumstances . as . what the nature , and quality of the fault is , whether it be small , or such as makes the thing unuseful or dangerous to the buyer . or whether the fault be apparent or secret : now concerning those , small faults may be concealed without injustice : main , and important must be revealed . again , if apparent faults be not discerned by the buyer , he may thank himself : but secret faults known onely to the seller ( if they be such as may be prejudicial to the buyer ) ought not to be concealed : or if the seller do conceal them , when as the buyer pays as if they were sound and perfect , the seller is bound in conscience , either to void the bargain , or give just satisfaction . . it must be considered whether the buyer before the bargain concluded , hath desired the seller to discover the faults , and out of a reliance upon his fidelity , and warrant hath made up the match ? or whether in confidence of his own skill he made up the bargain without moving any question ? if the former , a double bond lies upon the seller to deal faithfully , that so the buyer may either cease : or if he shall see that notwithstanding that defect it may serve his turn , he may proportion the price accordingly : but if the buyer do peremptorily rely upon his own judgement , hoping to make a gaine by his bargain , because the seller out of conscience of the imperfection , sets it ( as he ought ) at the lower rate , and thereupon makes up the match , and will stand to all hazards , i see no reason why the seller may not receive his full price : but if it be dangerous to the buyer ( as if the horse be subject to perillous starting , or stumbling : or if the land be liable to a litigious claime , &c. ) the seller is bound in conscience at least after the bargain ) to reveale it , that the buyer may provide to prevent the mischief as much as may be . but if the seller shall use art to cover the defects of his commodity , or shall mixe faulty wares with sound that they may passe undiscovered , he is more faulty then his wares , and makes an ill bargain for his soul. quest. what general rules are to be observed in buying and selling ? answ. first , that it 's not lawful for a christian chapman to thrive by fraud . secondly , that he may not sell upon other tearmes then he would wish to buy . thirdly , that his profit must be regulated by his conscience , not his conscience by his profit . fourthly , that he is bound to prevent the buyers wrong , or if heedlesly done to satisfie it . fifthly , that he ought to affect rather to be honest then rich . sixthly , that being a member of a community both civil , and christian , he ought to be tender of another mans indemnity no lesse then of his own . quest. whether may a man sell his commodities the dearer for giving dayes of payment ? answ. for answer hereunto we must remember that there are ( according to the casuists ) three strages of prices . . the highest , which they call rigorous . . the mean. . the lowest . if these keep within due bounds , though the highest be hard , yet it is not unjust , and if the lowest be favourable , yet it is not always necessary . if rhen you proportion but a just price to the time , and worth of your bargain , so that the present shall passe at the easiest price : some short time for the mean , and the longer delay for the highest , i see not wherein you do offend . quest. what reason may be rendred to prove this lawful ? answ. it is not meere time which is here set to s●le , which were odious in any christian to bargain for : but there are two other considerations which render it lawful . . the hazard of money agreed upon , which often comes short in the payment , whilest inferiour chapmen , into whose hands the commodity is scattered , prove● bankrupts : so as much losse hereby comes many times to the confident seller , whence is that proverb , a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush . . the cessation of that gain which the merchant might have made of his money in the mean time , which probably might have been greater then the proportion of the raised price can amount to . quest. what if the seller be occasioned to call for his money , being driven to it by some emergent necessity , or drawn by the opportunity of a more gainful bargain , before the time wherein it is due ? answ. he ought then to make an abatement proportionable to that time prevented , and that by reason of the inconvenience , or losse which the buyer sustaines , who may hereby be put upon straits , and inconveniences in getting in the money before the time appointed . but what quantity is to be allowed on the one part ; or defalked on the other , is only to be moderated by christian charity , and that universal rule of doing what we would be willing to suffer . quest. whether , and how far doth a fraudulent bargain bind men in conscience to performance ? answ. is the fraud actively yours , done by you to another ? or passively put by another upon you : if the former ? you must repent and make satisfaction , either by annuling the match , or making amends for the injury . if the latter : wherein did the fraud lie ? if in the main substance of the thing sold ? the bargain is void , both by the law of nature , and of conscience : as if a man hath sold copper for gold-lace : or alchymie for silver ; the reason given by the casuists , is , because there is no bargain without consent . but here is no consent at all whilest both parties pitch not upon the same subject : the buyer propounds to himself gold , &c. the seller obtrudes copper , &c. the one therefore not buying what the other pretended to sell , here is no bargain , but a meer act of cousenage , liable to punishment both by the laws of god and man. but if the fraud were onely in some circumstances , as in some faulty condition of the thing sold not before discerned , or in the overprizing the commodity bought , the old rule is , cavearemptor . you must hold to your bargain : but if the fault be so great that it mars the commodity , the seller ( being conscious to the fault ) is bound to make satisfaction . in the matters of contract we must distinguish betwixt a willing deceit , and an unvoluntary wrong . if a man shall sell a horse which he knows to have a secret and incurable disease , to another for a sound one : and that other , believing the sellers protestation , shall upon the same price put him off to me : i am injured , but whither shall i go for amends ? not to the immediate seller , for he deceived me not : nor to the deceiver , for he dealt not with me : in this case , though the law will not help me , yet the first seller is bound in conscience to give me , by his hands that sold me this injurious bargaine , due satisfaction . there may be no lesse fraud in buying also : whether in unjust payment in false coine : or in buying by weights , or measures above allowance : or by wrong valuation of the substance and quality of the commodity , not known by the seller : as for example : a simple countrey man findes a quantity of ambergreece cast upon the shore , and not knowing it , greaseth his shoes , &c. with it : a crafty merchant that knows the worth of it , buys it for a small matter , and makes a great gain by it : the bargain is fraudulent , and requires a just recompence to the ignorant seller , into whose hands providence had cast so rich a booty . quest. whether may a man lawfully buy those goods which he knows , or strongly suspects to be stollen ? or if he hath ignorantly bought such goods , whether may he lawfully , after the knowledge of the owner , keepe them ? answ. to buy such goods as you know , or have just cause to suspect that they are stollen , makes you accessary to the theft : for if there were no receivers , there would be no thieves : but if , making use of saint pauls rule concerning meats , you extend your liberty to whatsoever is sold in the market , and shall in the exercise of that freedom upon a just , and valuable consideration ignorantly buy those goods , which you afterwards hear , and know to be anothers , your contract is faultlesse , since your invincible want of knowledge acquits you from any guilt of consent : yet withal , you are bound to acquaint the true owner with the matter , and to proffer your selves ready to joyne with him in the prosecution of the law upon the offender , and upon an equal satisfaction to tender him his own . b. halls cas. of conscience . quest. what are the general rules that christians should observe in all their dealings with others ? answ. that we carry and behave our selves simply and uprightly , honestly , and with a good conscience as in the sight of god , who sees not only our outward actions , but the inwards thoughts of our hearts : and therefore they should do as paul , heb. . . we trust that we have a good conscience in all things , willing to live honestly ; and on the the contrary , in all our contracts we must shun all guile , and deceit , and all double dealing tending to the undermining and circumventing our neighbours , as paul exhorts , thes. . . let no man go beyond , or defraud his brother , &c. and david tells us , psal. . . that god abhors the deceitful man. quest. what particular rules are to be observed ? answ. first , in all our dealings we must observe truth in all our words , and not only speak it from our lips , but from our hearts , hating , and avoiding all subtil equivocations , and mental reservations tending to deceive those with whom we deal , zac. . . secondly , we must use fidelity in all our promises , performing them though it be to our own hindrance , unlesse he to whom we make them do release us , psal. . , . thirdly , justice in all our actions , giving every man his due , and dealing with others as we would have them deal with us . fourthly , charity and compassion in remitting our right in whole , or in part when the bargain proves hard , and to the hindrance of our poor neighbour who is not able to bear it . fifthly , patience , and contentednesse when we sustain damage , or be otherwise crossed , or overreached in any of our contracts , either purposely by those with whom we deal , or by some casualty which could not be foreseen . quest. what evils are to be avoided in our dealings with others ? answ. first , lying , and equivocation which is as bad , prov. . . getting treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity , &c. prou. . . wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished , &c. yea , though a man could get the whole world by it , what would it profit him seeing thereby he loses his soule , rev. . . and . . secondly , all perfideousnesse , and breach of promise , though it tend to our great advantage , seeing god will never blesse goods gotten by such meanes : or if we should thrive by it , our worldly gaine will never recompence our spiritual losse , prov. . . treasures of wickednesse profit nothing , &c. thirdly , uncharitablenesse , raising our gain out of our neighbours losse , whereas , as fellow members , we should labour to thrive together . fourthly , we must not through impatience fret , and murmur when we meet with crosses and losses in our contracts , but be content sometimes to lose as well as to gain , for which end we must not look so much to inferiour means , which oft are exceeding faulty , but fix our eyes upon the wise providence of our good god , who governs all things , even such as seeme most contingent , to his own glory , and the spiritual , and eternal good of them that love and fear him . quest. what duties are required of us in buying and selling ? answ. these were mentioned before , yet i shall runne them over with some additions . . the seller must be the truly , and lawful owner of the things which he sells , or his deputy appointed by him , and that the buyer do not for his private gaine , buy any thing from any whom he thinks not to have any right to sell it : therefore they offend which buy stollen goods if they know it , or who sacrilegiously buy and sell church-livings , and such things as have been freely consecrated to the service of god , of which sort are they that have bought bishops , and deanes , and chapters lands , and impropriations . secondly , the seller ought to sell , and the buyer to buy such things as are vendible , and may justly be bought , and sold. such therefore offend as sell , or buy the gifts of the spirit , as simon magus , acts . . or holy thing● which belong to god , and those who sell , and buy justice , or injustice by bribery given , or taken to fill their own purse● , and to pervert right , isa. . . and . . amos . . they also who sell and buy truth and lies , as false witnesses , and such as hire them to give in false testimony . but most of all , such as for corruptible things sell their souls unto sin as ahab did , king. . . and those , king. . . thirdly , we ought also to sell only such things as are fit for sale , or knowing them to be otherwise , to acquaint the buyer with it , and so to pitch a lower price according to their lesser value . we must not otherwise sell things that are falsified in respect of their substance , and such as are mixt and corrupt , for such as are good , which is a common fault amongst merchants , and tradesmen , who for their greater gaine adulterate their wares , and mingle things of different degree in goodnesse , selling them all at the best rates . fourthly , we must sell such things onely as are some wayes profitable to the church of common-wealth , either for necessary use , or for ornament , and delight : they therefore offend who sell such things as are unprofitable to others , much more they that sell such things as are pernicious , and hurtful in their nature : as they that sell popish and heretical books to ignorant people , who are like to be seduced by them , obsceane , or popish pictures , books full of ribaldry , and profannesse , fit only to corrupt such as read them . fifthly , we ought in selling and buying to set our wares at an equal price , the best rule whereof for the most part is the market , which values things not simply in their own worth , but with consideration of circumstances of scarcity , plenty , time and place , and not according to the price we gave , whether lesse , or more , nor only respecting whether we gain much or little , whether we get nothing , or lose thereby . for as necessarily through the change of prices we must sometimes lose , so we may gain at another time to regaine these losses , and to repaire our estate : and as we must not when we have an ill bargain , exceed the market , and so transferre our losse upon others , but patiently beare it as imposed by god : so when we have a good bargain in respect of the difference of places , and times , we may not , unlesse we would be uncharitable to our selves , put off our gain to others , but receive it thankfully as gods blessing upon our labours . but yet herein we must take heed that we be not overstrict , seeking only our own gaine without respect to the common wealth , nor uncharitable to the poore in joyning with others to keep up the market in times of scarcity : but when we can afford it , we ought to abate something , and by our example to bring down others to the like reasonable rates . againe , we must take heed that we use no unjust , nor uncharitable courses to raise the markets , by forestalling , and buying up the things that are brought at low rates with purpose to sell them dearer in the same place : or to ingrosse commodities , that having them all in our own hands , we may sell them at our own rates . neither may we ( as some companies use to do ) combine our selves together to sell our wares at a certaine rate . nor keep in our commodities to cause a dearth ; seeing if we defraud the people of gods blessings , we shall be liable to their curse , as , prov. . . neither may the buyer desire to have commodities under the worth , especially when he hath to deal with the poor , whose necessities oft-times constrain them to take , not what their wares are worth , but what they can get for them . such shop keepers therefore offend grievously who take advantage of their poverty who work for them , sinfully to oppresse them , forcing them to sell their tears , sighs , and groanes with their wares , because wanting bread to put into their own , and their childrens mouths ; they refuse to buy their wares , not because they do not want them but that therby they may beat them down to the vilest prizes , and so pinch and almost starve them who work hard for a poor living , whilest the buyer by his excessive gains , lives in all superfluous excesse , and grows wealthy . sixthly , in regard of the manner of buying and selling , we ought to use honest simplicity , avoiding all manner of fraud and deceit : they therefore offend who use a thousand devices to circumvent , and defraud their neighbours , as . by blinding their minds with their false praises of their wares , and their eyes with false , and deceitful lights . . by concealing the known faults of their wares , endeavouring to get the highest prices , as though they were faultlesse . . by asking double the price of their commodity , and taking it also if they can prevail with the buyer to give it . . by abusing their friends under colour of love , selling dearer to them then they would to a meer stranger . . by telling untruths either about the worth of their commodities , or the price which they cost them , or the mony that they have been offered , or that which they will take , and not under , and oft confirming their lives with intermingled oaths ; and many other cheats which i cannot name . quest. how may thess sins in buying and selling be avoided . answ. if ( as we professe ) we would prefer justice , and charity , before deceit and self-love . . if we would consider that god is present , and beholds all our dealings , to whom ere long we must give an account , thes. . . and lastly , if we would remember that it will profit us nothing to win the whole world with the losse of our souls , mark . . mr. downams guide to godlinesse ? chap. xxiii . questions , and cases of conscience about our callings , and vocations . quest. ought every man to have a calling ? answ. yea , as may appear by these scriptures , eccles. . . ephes. . . christ himself had one , mark . . thes. . . quest. is it a sufficient calling for a man to attend upon another , as serving men do ? answ. to attend upon the persons of magistrates and nobles is a warrantable calling , especially having some particular employment annexed to it , as to be cook , butler , clerk , croome , &c. so had cornelius servants , acts . . quest. how must we behave our selves in our particular callings ? answ. we must be diligent , painful , and faithful therein , genes . . . psalm . . . prov. . . and . . and . . thes. . . gen. . . quest. suppose a man have enough to maintain him , and his without a calling ? answ. yet if he be able , he must employ himself in some particular calling , either in church or state , and be diligent therein : he must eat his bread either in the sweat of his brain , or of his brow . adam himself must work , gen. . . see elton on the commandments . quest. how else may we prove that all must have callings ? answ. from the examples of gods saints in all ages : as of abel , &c. before the flood : the patriarchs after the flood , and many under the gospel . quest. why must we use faithfulnesse and diligence therein ? answ. first , because he that is slothful , and negligent therein , or walks loosly , and carlesly , is neere a kin to him that lives without a calling : yea , he is brother to him that is a great waster , prov. . . secondly , diligence in a calling , is the work of the lord : and therefore he that doth it negligently is accursed , jer. . . thirdly , god of his rich mercy hath allowed us six days , not to loiter , but to labour , and dispatch our businesse in , exod. . . fourthly without diligence in a particular calling superiours could not govern and provide for their inferiours : nor inferiors serve , and please their superiours according to the fifth commandment : nor either of both provide for their health according to the sixth commandment : nor avoid idlenesse , and the fruits thereof according to the seventh commandment : nor shun the crime of theft forbidden in the eighth commandment : nor preserve their good names provided for in the ninth commandment : but be ever coveting , and full of discontent forbidden in the tenth commandment . jndeed it s not possible to reckon up all the sins , and dangerous discomodities that attend upon them that either live without a calling , or that deale negligently , and carelesly in their calling : as appeares . pro. . . . . and . . quest. how may this be proved ? answ. by the wofull experience of such as have either used unlawful callings , as thieves , cheaters , gamesters , parasites , stage-players , &c. or else that have lived without a calling , who besides that they are commonly unprofitable caterpillers , yea burthensom , and chargeable to others , they either grow profane in their lives , or fall away from the truth of religion into damnable sects , and erronious doctrines . quest. how may we prove that diligent walking in our callings is so acceptable to god ? answ. because as he that hath no lawful calling , or that walketh negligently in one that is lawful , transgresseth all the commandments of the second table , thereby highly displeasing god , and pulling a curse upon himself : so he that walketh diligently in a lawful calling , keeps gods commandments , and so hath a promise of a blessing annexed to it , lev. . . deut. . . prov. . , . quest. do all that walk painfully in a lawful calling please god ? answ. no , except withal they observe these rules . . that such be true beleevers , without which its impossible to please god , heb. . . and such as are careful daily to amend their lives . . they must follow their earthly businesses with heavenly mindes : and see that their worldly affaires do not justle out the seasonable performance of holy duties : that so they may also thrive in grace , and be good husbands for their souls . . that they so shunne unnecessary medling with other mens matters , that withal they be not so shut up in their bowels , as to neglect their brethrens causes , when duty and conscience calls for their asistance . quest. how is conscionable walking in our callings a furtherance to a godly life . answ. because therein we follow god in doing that which he requires at our hands , and imitate the example of the godly that went before us , who have found the benefit and comfort of it . practice of christianity . quest. why else must we have , and attend upon our particular callings ? answ. first , god hath commanded us to labour the six dayes , and to do all our work , exod. . , . secondly , particular callings are gods appointment for our own good , of our persons , family , estate , and for the benefit of others also , and god gives us wisdome , and ability to mannage them , as he did to bezaleel , exod. . . &c. so isa. . . &c. and . . thirdly , it s the means whereby god hath ordained that we should get our living , gen. . . thes. . . and such as will not work , must not eat , thes. . . &c. it s a character of a good woman , prov. . . idelness is disorder , thes. . . fourthly , the promise of plenty , comfort , and blessing is made to the diligent , prov. . . and . . and . . hence psal. . , . isa. . . mr. reyners precepts . fifthly , man is born to travell , and labour , job . . . quest. what else may move us to diligence in our particular callings ? answ. remember that god who hath set us in our callings , hath promised also to be with us therein , to give us good successe , to help us to bear out the tediousnesse which sin hath brought upon our labour , to give us his protection in these our wayes , to feed and maintaine us by his blessing upon our labour , in the house , in the field , in our stock , and store , whereas poverty arresteth the idle person , prov. . . and . . see also , jos. . . secondly , whereas all other creatures live to themselves , man was appointed to live to others as well as to himself ; the church , his countrey , family , the poor : every one challengeth a part in him . thirdly , an honest calling is a school of christianity . for , . as we send little children to school to keep them out of harmes way , and unhappy turnes : so diligence in our callings fenceth us against satans tentations : and it 's a bridle to restraine our own leud desires , abating wicked lusts , abandoning loose commpany , and fitting us for the lords coming , when we are in his service . . whilest in this school we perform duties for the lords sake , we have daily practise and encrease of graces , such , as faith , obedience , patience , meeknesse , constancy , truth , invocation , thanksgiving , and by experience of gods goodnesse for the time pas● , we are the better enabled to depend upon him for the time to come . . in this school also we learn to be teachers of others , and to be patterns to others of the right use of the world , whilest our selves use it daily , as not using it : whilest we so play the good husbands , as that we keep our selves from being worldlings : not laying aside our heavenly minds , whilest we are about our worldly businesses . fourthly , consider the danger of those that stand idle all the day long , passing their time in voluptuousnesse . paul saith , that such as live in pleasure are dead while they live : they are out of gods protection , never out of satans snares : their heart , like the field of the sluggard , it s overgrown with the nettles of lusts , &c. as rust frets iron unused , and moths garments unworne , so good things are shaken out of the hearts of idle persons ; their souls are but as salt to keep their bodies from stinking : it shall one day be said to them , take that unprofitable servant , &c. mat. . . tailor on titus . quest. may not a man change his particular calling if he dislike it , and like another better ? answ. every one ought to continue constantly , and conscionably in his particular calling ; wherein their calling to grace did find them if it be warrantable , and lawful , as we see , cor. . . no comfortable change of a calling can be made but in these cases . . of private necessity , when a man is disenabled to follow it , or cannot get a subsistance by it . . or for the common good , and that truely so , not hypocritically pretended , and for by-respects . if any man then upon the giving of his name to religion , shall grow into neglect , distaste , or dereliction of his honest particular calling , we may ever strongly suspect him of hollownesse , and hypocrisie : hence mr. perkins saith , though a man be endued with excellent gifts , and be able to speak well , to conceive prayer , and with some reverence hear the word , and receive the sacraments , yet if he practice not the duties of godlinesse within his own calling , all is but hypocrisie . see boltons first vol. quest. how may we live by faith in the exercise of our particular callings ? answ. when considering that its gods ordinance that men should labour in some honest vocation for their private maintenance , and the common good , we believe the promises that he hath made of protection , and blessing us therein . the texts of scripture are plaine for both , gen. . . and . . ephes. . . corinth . . . thes. . , . thes. . , , . prov. . . and . . and . . and . . and . . psalme . . quest. why is it necessary that we should live by faith in them ? answ. to prevent the evils which beset us in our ordinary callings , as covetousnesse , injustice , impatience and distracting care . naturally men are apt to incumber themselves with superfluous businesses , and trouble themselves about the event and successe : they content not themselves with their lot and condition , but desire to heap up riches above measure : they forecast many things in their heads long before , and know no end of their cares . the trouble which we meet with in the world , begets love of the world , and whether it be crossed or prosper , the more they be exercised about the things of this life , the more they follow after them with greedinesse , vexation , discontent , plotting how to compasse their designes , whether by right or wrong , by fraud or oppression . now the sovereigne remedy against these , and such other mischiefs is a lively faith , which lifteth up the heart to better things , quietly submitting to the good pleasure of god , commending the successe of all their honest employments to his highnesse , and resting upon his grace for present help and future supply in the use of such meanes as he hath ordained , heb. . . quest. what are the acts of faith in this particular ? answ. first , it informeth us to make choice of an honest calling for which we are fitted , and into which we may enter by direct , good , and lawful means , prov. . . secondly , faith instructeth not to meddle above our knowledge , but to lean upon the living lord , not on our own skill and cunning , prov. . , . for if we do , either it shall not effect what we do intend , or if we bring it to passe , yet it shall not succeed , or avail to those honest uses which we intended , psalme . , . hag. . , . eccl. . . thirdly , it quickens the most skilful workman to strive with god in prayer , that the work he sets upon may succeed and prosper . fourthly , it causeth diligence , care , uprightnesse , and faithfulnesse in all the businesse of our calling , as knowing that whilest we walk honestly therein , we do service to the lord jesus , psal. . . eph. . , . faith awakens the sluggard , rowseth the lazie , makes the idle lay his bones to work , prov. . , . and him that was a purloiner to deal truly , justly , and honestly . fifthly , it encourageth to the most painful , difficult , and ( in the worlds esteem ) the most disgraceful works of our callings . distrust breeds nicenesse , feare and sluggishnesse , but faith produceth hardinesse , valour , and activity ; for it assures of divine protection and good successe , isa. . . jos. . . prov. . . tim. . , , . heb. . . mark . . heb. . , . sixthly , it strengthens against manifold troubles , disgraces , oppositions , and discouragements that we meet with in our places : and enables us to go through ill report , and good report , honour and disgrace , heb. . , , . cor. . . thes. . , . phil. . , . it directs us to order the affaires of our callings wisely , and to go about them in a good manner , i. e. in obedience to god , to right ends , and with an heavenly mind , exercising the graces that god hath bestowed on us , eccl. . . sam. . . eighthly , it teaches to moderate our cares , confine desires of earthly things , and to commit our selves to god for the successe of our work , as psal. . . mat. . . pet. . . psal. . ● . prov. . . ninthly , it supporteth with strength patiently to bear the miseries , and calamities which accompany us in our callings , which ever since the fall of adam we are subject unto , and worketh the soul to contentation in every estate , phil. . , . tenthly , it restraineth distrustful cares about the successe of our labours , but is not slack to crave gods blessing upon our labours , phil. . . eleventhly , if we finde wished successe , it makes us vigilant , frugal , humble , merciful , and thankful : for it receives blessings as gifts of grace to be employed according to gods will , and appointment , to the glory of his name , and comfort of his people , and teaches so to use the world , as willing to renounce it , &c. cor. . . prov. . , . psal. . . twelfthly , faith coupleth the labours of our callings with the practice of christianity . for god hath commanded us both to seek his kingdome , to work out our salvation , to make our election sure , to exercise our selves in good works , to walk in love , and to exercise our selves honestly in our particular callings , which faith will not separate . quest. but how may we live by faith touching the successe of our labours , which we finde too much above our strength or means ? answ. first , faith in such cases causes self-denial in respect of our judgement , wisdome , and power , prov. . . and . . and . . jer. . . lam. . . secondly , it teaches submission to gods direction , and dependeth upon his help and assistance : and asks counsel at his word , jude . . and . , , . isa. . . it chooses what god approves , though to humane wisdome it seems bootlesse , and improbable . it trusteth god for ability to the work , provision of the means , the disposition of them , and the good successe to come by them , mat. . . and . . psal. . . ezra . . . thirdly , it brings forth industry and endeavour to serve gods providence : he that is most confident to speed , is most vigilant to take all opportunities , and most diligent to use all lawful means . fourthly , it cannot be silent in such a case , but sends us to god by prayer , chron. . . psal. . , . fifthly , it puts life and hardinesse in us to play the men , judg. . . sixthly , it waits upon god for good successe , and triumpheth before the victory , prov. . . seventhly , its ready and forward to praise god for good successe , psa. . , . judg. . , , . see ball on faith. quest. how many sorts of men transgresse about their callings ? answ. first , such as run into callings before god sends them . many such intruders there are into the ministry . secondly , such as live by such ways as god calls them from : as by usury , lottery , deceit , oppression , &c. thirdly , such as do the work of their calling at an unlawful time : as on the sabbath , &c. fourthly , such as abide not in their callings . fifthly , such as meddle with many callings : being called but to one . sixthly , such as live without a calling . seventhly , such as are slothful in the execution of the callings wherein god hath set them . mr. byfield on peter . quest. what must we propose to our selves in following the duties of our particular callings ? answ. we must not make gain our end therein , as heathens and turks do , and all that do so are servants and drudges to mammon , but christians ought to follow their work , because god hath so appointed , aiming also at the good of the church and common-wealth , and our own gain must come in on the by , as it shall please god to send it . we must follow our callings as a means god hath appointed to keep us from idlenesse , and to humble us thereby , and that we may be instruments of the common good . rogers on pet. quest. what other rules are to be observed in our particular callings ? answ. first , that our calling be lawful and agreeable to gods will , and word : such an one as our labour in it may tend to gods glory , and to the good of the church and common-wealth , and the furthering , not only of our temporal , but our spiritual good , and the eternal salvation of our souls . secondly , that we be in some measure qualified with such gifts as are fit for our callings : for when god calleth men to any place , he furnisheth them with such competency of gifts , as that they may profitably performe the duties required in it : that we may with cheerfulnesse and comfort go on in it , expecting his blessing upon our labours , and in the end of our lives a rich reward for doing him therein faithful service . thirdly , our mindes and hearts must be setled in our callings , so as not to shift , and change them , unlesse it be upon weighty and necessary causes , nor to intrude , and busie our selves in the callings of others , which would overthrow all order , and bring confusion both in church and state , and crosse gods wise providence in the government of the world , who gives variety of gifts to be exercised in variety of callings ; therefore we must follow the apostles rule , cor. . , . fourthly , we must so behave our selves in our callings as may be for gods glory , the good of others , and our own welfare : for which end , . for our persons we must be regenerate , and sanctified : for our persons must be accepted , before our works can please god , tit. . . to the pure all things are pure , &c. all that a wicked man doth is abominable , prov. . . . neither can such expect a blessing upon their labours , ps. . . and . , , &c. and . . gods promise belongs only to the righteous as appears in those texts . . the duties of our callings must be performed in faith : as was shewed before , heb. . . joh. . . rom. . . . they must proceed out of unfeigned love to god and our neighbours , which is the fountain of all true obedience , and not principally from self-love , and love of the world : the love of god will move us to consecrate our lives , and labours wholly unto him , and love unto our neighbours will make us to seek their good as well as our own , cor. . . gal. . . . they must be directed to right ends : as . principally to gods glory , which we should advance in every thing , cor. . . . the good of the church and common-wealth , which we should prefer before our private good . . so to aime at our own profit , as that we joyn there with the welfare , and benefit of our neighbours , and not raise our gaine out of their losses . . our care must be to performe the duties of our callings after a right manner : for which end we must , first follow our earthly businesses with heavenly mindes , and affections ; as citizens of heaven , and pilgrims on earth , longing after the joyes of our own countrey , phil. . . coll. . , . especially in the midst of our ordinary businesses , we should oft lift up our hearts to god , craving his blessing in , and giving him praise at the end of our work , not forgetting christs counsel , mat. . . secondly , we must sanctifie them by the word and prayer : the first is done when we labour to see our warrant out of scripture for all we do : doing all things both for substance and manner as gods word requireth and directeth : the second is done when by prayer we desire gods blessing upon all our labours , and returne him thanks when we have obtained it , col. . . for its gods blessing only that makes rich , prov. . . deut. . . . he gives , and he takes away , job . . sam. . . psal. . . abraham and lot by gods blessing waxed rich , gen. . , . and isaac , gen. . . . and jacob , gen. . . without which all our labour is in vain , psal. . , . god will blow upon it , hag. . , . . there are sundry virtues to be exercised in the right and religious performance of the duties of our callings : as , ( ) knowledge , and judgement , whereby we are enabled to discerne between good , and evil , right , and wrong , without which we walk in darknesse , and shall be apt to commit many errors . ( ) affiance in god , whereby we cast our selves upon his promise , and providence in the use of lawful means : as psal. . . commit thy way to the lord , trust in him , and he shall bring it to passe . for which end remember that ▪ god takes care of the fowles , cloaths the lilies , mat. . , . ( ) get and use a good conscience both towards god and man , as paul , act. . . heb. . . this willl keep us from all secret sins , and crafty conveyances , whereby we are naturally apt to wrong our neighbours for our private advantage . ( ) we must get contentation , being in all things contented with gods good pleasure , judging that condition best wherein he hath placed us , indifferently welcoming poverty , or riches , prosperity or adversity , gain or losse , because they are sent of god , phil. . . if we get this , we shall not be discontented with the basenesse of our callings , nor envy others their great preferments , their lesse labour , and more gains , &c. it will also keep us from base covetousness , knowing that godlinesse is the greatest gain , tim. . . hence , heb. . . ( ) we must possess our souls with patience , which we have need to do , considering that we are daily subject to many crosses , and miscarriages which would otherwise discourage us from going on . ( ) we must have our hearts replenished with thankfulness to god being always ready , when we observe his love in blessing our labours , to render him the praise of all , gen , . . not sacrificing to our own nets , as hab. . . but seeing all comes from god , to returne all praise to god , cor. . . ( ) we must perform the duties of our calling with alacrity , and cheerfulnesse , doing it heartily as to the lord , col. . , . who will reward our labours with an heavenly inheritance : and this will make all our labours more easie , and to be more acceptable to god. ( ) we must observe justice in all the duties of our callings , doing nothing in them but what may advance our neighbours good as well as our own , thes. . . dealing with others as we would that they should deal with us . mr. downams guide to godlinesse . chap. xxiv . questions , and cases of conscience about our holy calling , or vocation . quest. of how many sorts is the calling of god ? answ. first , the particular calling , which is to serve god in some particular vocation : so the word is used , heb. . . rom. . . secondly , the general calling which is to serve god in all parts of holinesse , with promise of eternal reward through the merits of christ. quest. of how many sorts is this general calling ? a●sw . . external . . internal . . both external and internal . quest. what is the external calling ? answ. it s the work of gods grace in his word offering christ , and calling upon all sorts of men to reform their wayes , and to receive christ , and to yeeld obedience to the will of god , with promise of salvation if they obey . quest. what is the inward calling ? answ. it s the action of god both by his word and spirit , calling out his elect by name particularly , and perswading them to separate from the world , and receive the covenant of gods grace in christ , and to devote themselves to holinesse of life . quest. why is our conversion termed our calling ? answ. first , because the meanes whereby god works upon us , ordinarily is his word , or the voice of his servants calling upon us for amendment of life . secondly , because through the mighty working of the spirit of christ , the voice of gods servants speaking out of the word , is directed to our hearts in particular with such life , and power , that thereby our dead hearts are quickned and we receive the words of the minister , as the very voice and word of christ. thirdly , because god would hereby note unto us the easinesse of the work , he can do it with a word speaking , and in an instant convert a sinner . quest. but how may our effectual calling be discerned , seeing wicked men may be affected with the word ? answ. it may be discerned by the effects of it , whereof some appear immediately , other some a longer time after . quest. what are those effects ? answ. first , a true sight of , and willing confession of our sinne-guiltinesse , joyned with a detestation of all sin , and dislike of our wayes which are not good . secondly , a willing separation from the world , both in our affections , by a weanednesse from those earthly things which before we doted on : and a forsaking the needless society of the wicked . thirdly , an unfeigned forsaking of all sin , with a purpose never to return to it again , desiring earnestly to partake of christs righteousness both imputed and imparted . fourthly , a love of god and his glory above all things , rom. . . fifthly , a spirit of prayer , joel . . sixthly , a willingness to be ruled by the word in all things . quest. wherein doth gods wonderful mercy appear in our calling ? answ. by the consideration of the things whereunto we are called , which are , . to his marvellous light , pet. . . . to the fellowship of his son jesus christ , cor. . . . to a wonderful liberty from the servitude of sin , satan , the world , and the ceremonial law , gal. . . . to the grace of christ , gal. . . . to an estate of immunity , and free pardon , rom. . . . to all safety , isa. . , , . rom. . . . to christs glorious kingdome , thes. . . thes. . . pet. . . pet. . . quest. how may we walk worthy of our calling ? answ. first , if we be humble , and not wise in our own conceits , rom. . , , . secondly , if we be very thankful to god for his rich grace unto us in our calling , and the rather . because it s no common favour , but a special grace bestowed upon us : for no man comes to christ , but whom the father draws , joh. . . . god hath done it without respect to our works , or desert on our part , tim. . . . because of the means , and manner of our calling : all the three persons of the trinity concur in it , and its an holy calling , tim. . . . because of the priviledges to which we are called : as to be sonnes , and heires with christ , cor. . . to a kingdome and glory , thes. . . thes. . . . because gods gifts and calling are without repentance , rom. . . isa. ● . , &c. jam. . . thirdly , if we are careful to maintain good works , tit. . . it s the end of our calling , luk. . , . fourthly , if we are fully contented when we are sure that god hath thus called us , isa. . , . fifthly , if we rest in the doctrine we have learned , and have been taught , and are not carried about with every winde of doctrine , eph. . , &c. quest. why should we be so solicitous to know our calling ? answ. first , because it instates us into all the promises of god. secondly , it purifies our hearts and lives , acts . . thirdly , it supports our hearts in the midst of all afflictions , and tentations wherewith we are assaulted , eph. . . heb. . , , . joh. . , . fourthly , it puts life into all our duties , both of religion and righteousnesse , gal. . . fifthly , it opens a spring of grace in our hearts , john . . mr. byfield on peter . quest. doth a christian alwayes know that he is called ? answ. sometimes a christian staggers a little , either not being an experienced christian , or through sight of corruptions and tentations : but setting these aside , a christian knows his calling , and will live by his rules : for it s not only a calling , but it works a disposition : and therefore if we finde it not , we must attend upon the meanes of the gospel , which is called the kingdome of heav●n , and it will bring us into a good estate , and shew us our estate also , which being once made known to us , we may assure our selves it will remain with us for ever ; which also may be gathered from this , in that its an high calling , and nothing can break any one link of that chaine made by god , romanes . , . dr. sibbs on phil. quest. how may it be proved that a christian may certainly know his vocation or calling ? answ. first , because its the office of the spirit of god , which the faithful have received to certifie them of those things , which god hath freelie bestowed upon them , cor. . rom. . . secondly , gods children are commanded to make their calling and election sure , pet. . . neither is this a legal , but an evangelical precept . thirdly , the grace which they have received of god , hath the nature and force of an earnest , in respect of the inheritance that is promised them , eph. . . and . . seeing therefore it assures us of that which is to come , it selfe cannot be uncertain : for nothing can make that certain , which is uncertain it self . fourthly , the certain knowledge of the grace of god bestowed upon us , is required as a necessary foundation to that joy , and gratitude that god expects from us , pet. . , . fifthly , a conscience purified from dead works , doth necessarily infer a certain knowledge of grace , heb. . . rom. . . and . . sixthly , this is expresly affirmed of the faithful , and that from such reasons as are common to all the faithful , cor. . . john . . and ▪ . and . . quest. by what signes may this certainty of our vocation be confirmed to us ? answ. first , by the constant inclination of our wills to god as to our chiefest good . psalm . . for no man can place his chiefest happiness in the fruition of god , except he be called out of the world , and converted from the idols which he had formerly set up in his heart . secondly , by a purpose and readiness of mind to hearken to god in all things , sam. . . act. . . psa. . , . for hereby we answer to the call of god. psa. . , . thirdly , by an earnest longing after the word of god , pet. . . for by this word we are called , and regenerated , pet. . . fourthly , by our sincere love to them who are begotten to god by the same meanes , joh. . . quest what meanes are we to vse that we way be made partakers of this holy calling ? ans. though god is many times found of those that sought him not , yet there are several duties to be performed by us ordinarily , if we will be made partakers of this heavenly calling : as . . we must prize gods word above all earthly treasures , psa. . . for none will seek the kingdome of god till he under-valew all things in comparison of it mat. . . luk. . . . we must bestow our principal care , and labor in the attaining of it , joh. . . pro. . . and . . the reason is because that esteem can never be solid , and serious , which hath not endeavors added to it . . we must with all diligence , and care applie our selves to the use of those means which god hath sanctified to cōmunicate his grace to us by , pro. . . we must wait , as the impotent did at the pool of bethesda , joh. . , , . and the reason is , because god who is the author of grace , hath appointed , and makes effectuall those means , whereby he will convey his grace to us . . yea , we must set such a rate upon them that we must be content to sell all to purchase this pearl , pro. . . mat. . , . for though god requires nothing of us , but freely bestowes life upon us , isa. . . . yet we ought to forsake all unlawfull things in act , and all naturall good things in affection , and disposition , that we may get the grace of god. quest. what motives may stir us up to embrace the calling of god ? answ. first , if we seriously consider who it is that calls us , it s the omnipotent god , to whom we are bound to hearken in all things , though we know not what will follow heb. . . secondly , if we seriously consider what it is that we are called to : it s no small , and trifling thing , but to life , and eternall glory pet. . . eph. . . thirdly , if we seriously consider what it is that we are called from , wich is nothing but sin , and death , act. . . luk. . . fourthly , if we seriously consider the moving cause of this our calling , which is no other but the incomprehensible grace of god towards those which were his enemies . rom. . . . cor. . . and truly we are desperately hardened if such goodness will not work upon us , as , sam. . , , . fifthly , if in the humility of our hearts we compare our selves with others to whom this calling is denied , cor. . . sixthly , if we seriously consider what a grievous sin it is to neglect this calling of god , much more to despise it , mat. . , . luk. . . seventhly , if we consider what miseries god may justly lay upon us for the same , pro. . . &c. ames . cas. consc. quest , how else may our vocation , or calling be described ? answ. it s an effect of gods election , whereby christ , god and man , doth by his kingly authority call , and invite us whilst we live here unto the participation of the inestimable benefit of our redemption , that thereby we may attain unto life everlasting . quest. how manifold is this calling ? answ. . it s twofold . . common and general , whereby all indifferently , good and bad , elect and reprobate , are outwardly invited by the ministry of the word to embrace the benefit of redemption wrought by christ : this is ineffectual to reprobates , because they refuse to come , when invited to the kings supper , luke . . secondly , effectual calling is proper to gods elect , when as to the outward ministry of the word , wherein grace and salvation is offered to all believers , christ joynes the inward operation of his holy spirit , which opens our deaf eares , enlightens our blinde understandings , and softens , and sanctifies our hard and corrupt hearts , so as we attentively hear , truly understand , and by a lively faith apply the doctrine of grace and salvation , which is preached unto us , whereby we are also separated from the world , given unto christ and he to us , where upon follows that neare union whereby we being ingrafted into his body , mystically do become his members , and he our head , mat. . , . rom. . . act. . . joh. . . act. . . quest. what are the parts of our effectual calling ? answ. first . our separation from the world , of which formerly we were true members , that from henceforth we should be of gods houshold , and family , joh. . . eph. . . and this he doth , not for any merit of ours , but of his free grace , jsa . . . ephe. . . . . cor. . . pet. . . isa. . . tim. . . secondly , that reciprocal donation , whereby god the father gives christ , his only son , truly and effectually to all his elect , to be their head , redeemer , and saviour , and also whereby he gives his elect to christ to be his members , that so they may be redeemed and saved by him , isa. . . john . . rom. . . john . . and . . thirdly , the union and communion which is betwixt christ and gods elect , which followes upon the donation before spoken of , whereby christ and they are mystically coupled together into one body , he becoming their head , and they becoming his members , eph. . , . and . . john . . eph. . , , . john . . john . . quest. what is the meanes of our effectual calling ? answ. first , on gods part , the preaching of the word , which is made effectual by the inward operation of the spirit , first to mollifie our hard hearts , and truly to humble us , by setting our sins before us , and this is done by the preaching of the law : and so seeing our inability of working out our own salvation , we are brought out of our selves to seek for salvation in christ , applying him , and his merits to us hy a true , and a lively faith , and this is done by the preaching of the gospel . secondly , the meanes on our part , is the saving hearing of the word , whereby our hearts are mollified , and we truly humbled , and brought out of our selves to seek for salvation in christ , whereby faith is begot in us , whereby we apply christ unto us , and rest upon him alone for salvation . quest. vvhat necessity is there of our effectual calling ? answ. first , before our effectual calling , we are no true members of the church , though we may outwardly thrust our selves into this society . for the church is a company or congregation , which is truly called and selected out of the world : and if we be not of the church , there is no salvation , eph. . , . acts . . secondly , if we be not truly called , we are not truly justified , nor sanctified , nor can be glorified , rom. . . thirdly , if we be not thus called , we cannot come to christ , nor communicate with him in his benefits , nor receive any saving grace of the spirit . quest. but why should we be so careful in attending upon the vvord . answ. first , because the ministry of the word is gods ordinance , instituted by him , for the gathering together of the saints , &c. eph. . , . neither doth he ordinarily use any other means for our calling and conversion . hence philip was sent to the eunuch , acts . ananias to paul , acts . peter to cornelius , acts . , . secondly , its god himself , who speaks by the mouthes of his ambassadors , who come not in their own names , but in christs stead , entreating us to be reconciled to god , cor. . . and . . jerem. . . luke . . thirdly , the titles which are given to the word , may strongly move us to attend upon the same . it s called the ministry of reconciliation , cor. . . the gospel of peace , eph. . . the word of grace , acts . . . . the word of life , phil. . . acts . . the word of salvation : the kingdome of god , mat. . . by which we are brought into the kingdome of grace and glory . heavenly seed , cor. . . whence ministers are called spiritual fathers , cor. . . it s milk for babes , and strong meat for men , heb. . . it s a rule for our lives , deut. . . jos. . . a lamp to our feet , &c. psal. . . the sword of the spirit , eph. . . fourthly , the word is that heavenly light that shines to us when we are in darknesse , whereby our blinde eyes are illuminated to see , and finde the way to heaven , luke . . mat. . . acts . . fifthly , it s the meanes to beget faith , without which its impossible to be saved , eph. . . heb. . . john . . and . , . rom. . . tim. . . quest. but if once we be converted , what need we hear so oft ? ans. first , neglect of gods word is a manifest sign that we are not truly converted , john . . and . , , . they which have grace cannot but be ravished with the excellency of the word . secondly , the word is the food of our soules , whereby we are nourished , and the graces of gods spirit strengthened in us : and the want of it is a great judgement , amos . , . thirdly , though he have attained to knowledge enough : yet we must hear to quicken us to practice , to reform our affections , to nourish our graces : yea , it s profitable to teach , to reprove , &c. that the man of god may be perfect , &c. tim. . . cor. . . therefore with david , we should desire to dwell in the house of god , psal. . . mr. downhams christian vvarfare . quest. vvhether is not our vocation or calling all one with our sanctification ? answ. no : for . our vocation is before justification , rom. . . but sanctification is not before justification : therefore they are not the same . secondly , sanctification is the end of vocation , thes. . . therefore it s not all one with it . thirdly , faith is the principal thing in vocation : the first part of it being gods call ; the second part being our answer to that call , or coming in at that call , jer. . . now faith is no part of sanctification strictly taken , because its the means and instrument of our justification and sanctification , acts . . hence our hearts are said to be purified by faith , acts . . gal. . . john . . we passe from death to life by faith , therefore it s no part of our spiritual life , as faith comes by hearing , and therefore hearing is no part of faith : so justification comes by faith , and therefore it s no part of sanctification . quest. vvhat is the nature of the call of god ? answ. concerning this call , i shall lay down these propositions . first , our vocation or calling is ever by some word or voice , either outward or inward , or both : either ordinary , or extraordinary : by the ministry of men , or by the immediate inspirations , or visions of god. secondly , this voice in the ordinary calling of the elect , is not by the voice of the law , but by the voice of the gospel , bringing glad tidings , written by the apostles , and preached to the world , john . . cor. . . with . the spirit indeed inwardly accompanies the voice of the gospel , but now none are called by the immediate voice of the spirit without the gospel , or by the immediate testimony of the spirit , breathed out of free grace without the word , eph. . , . thirdly , this voice of the gospel , is the voice of god in christ , or the voice of jesus christ , although dispensed by men , ( who are but weak instruments for so mighty a work , ) sent , and set in christs stead , rom. . . john . . thes. . , . it s called christs call , heb. . . because christ takes ( as it were ) the written word in his own lips , and thereby pierces through the eares to the heart , through all the noise of feares , sorrows , objections against believing , and makes it to be heard as his voice . fourthly , the thing that christ calls us unto , is , to come to him : christ will now have the lost prodigal to come home : he will have the burdened soul to come to him for ease , mat. . . jer. . , . and . . he calls for us to come and possesse his fulnesse , luke . . cor. . . fifthly , this call to come , is all one for substance with the offer of christ , which consists in three things . . a command to receive christ , as present and readie to be given , john . . . perswasion and entreaty , to come and accept of this offer , corinth . . , . . a promise of the thing offered if we will receive it . sixthly , this call or offer hath three special qualifications . . it s inward as well as outward : for thousands are outwardly called , which yet never come , because they want the inward call , john . . he that hath heard and learned of the father comes to me , hos. . . . it s a particular call , mar. . . there is a general call , and offer of grace to every one : but when the spirit applies generals to particulars particularly , this makes the call particular , isa. . . john . . . it s effectual as well as inward and particular , luke . . compel them to come in , john . . it s a calling out of purpose , rom. . . mat. . , . chron. . , . quest. wherein doth the necessity of this call appear ? answ. first , no man should come unlesse first called . for what hath any man to do with christ , or to make himself a son of god , and heire of glory , except he be called thereto of god ? secondly , no man would come without the lords call , mat. . , . — no man hath hired , or called us . there must be an effectual call to bring men home , isa. . . . no man could come unlesse called , john . . unlesse the father draw him , viz. by this call. for rom. . . we are shut up under belief . quest. how is this call a ground of faith ? answ. first , it s the ground by which , or wherefore it rests upon the promise : the minde sees . the freenesse of mercy to a poor sinner in misery , and this breeds some hope that the lord may pity it . secondly , the fulnesse and plenteous riches of mercy , and this gives great encouragement to the soul to think , that if it comes , the lord will not deny it a drop , psal. . , . thirdly , the preciousnesse and sweetnesse of mercy , makes the soul exceedingly to long for it , psal. . , . and to disesteem all things to enjoy it : but when to all this , god sends a special command to come in , and to take mercy , and that for no other reason , but because it s commanded , this puts an end to all feares and discouragements , and the soul answers , as jer. . . behold , we come , &c. mr. shepherds sound believer . quest. what are the parts of inward calling ? answ. first , the enlightning the minde to understand the principles of religion , which though alone it be not sufficient , nor more then may be in a reprobate , yet it s the foundation of the rest , without which there is no effectual calling . secondly , the opening of the heart to believe , ( as lydia's was , ) when we believe every thing particularly to belong to us , and so the promise of salvation amongst the rest . thirdly , a change of the whole man. this is essentially necessary to salvation : for by nature we are slaves of sin : and as long as we continue in our natural condition , we are far from salvation . quest. vvhat are the fruits of this effectual calling ? answ. first , when a man goes about the works of the same , and labours to walk worthy of it in an holy life . secondly , when a man highly esteems his calling , and the hope of glory that he is called to , as paul accounted all but dung in comparison of the knowledge of christ crucified : and the things which he highly esteemed before his calling , afterwards he made no reckoning of them . thirdly , when he will suffer any thing for the same , rather then be drawn from the hope thereof . quest. what are the marks of effectual calling ? answ. they are either negative , or affirmative . first , negative . as . not to hear the word , and that diligently . . nor to hear joyfully . . nor to reform many things , as herod . . nor to do some choice duties : as ananias and saphira . secondly , affirmative . . to seek above all to be at peace with god , and to have his spirit to assure us of everlasting salvation : not to serve the times , but above all to be assured of gods favour . . that we hate unfeignedly all evil : but especially the evils of the times , and of our natures . . to affect heartily all good : but especially those good things which the world and times disregard , and that our selves are most untoward unto . mr. rogers on pet. quest. vvhat other signes are there of our effectual calling ? answ. first , if we be effectually called , it supposes that we are chosen , and singled out from others in the world : and whom god calls he qualifies : when he called saul to be king , he gave him a kingly heart : so if god call us to his heavenly kingdome , he will give us holy , kingly , and heavenly hearts and mindes . secondly , mens tongues will shew what calling they are of in their discourse : a christian will remember that he is a christian , and will walk worthy of his calling , and will say , with nehemiah , shall such a man as i do thus ? speak thus ? think thus ? thirdly , this calling is to glory : and therefore he that is called , will oft think of heaven , and magnifie and admire gods goodnesse to him , saying with david , what is man that thou shouldest be mindful of him ? fourthly , if a man be thus called by god , he will finde a spiritual answering within himself to gods call. if god say , thou art my son , the heart answers , thou art my god. behold i come quickly , ( saith christ , ) even so come lord jesus , saith thy heart . fifthly , this calling is an high calling ; it s from heaven to heaven . it s from an heavenly spirit , by spiritual meanes , to christ in heaven , to saints , to spiritual employments and priviledges . dr. sibbs on phil. chap. xxv . questions , and cases of conscience about cares of the world , quest. how many-fold are the cares of the world ? answ. twofold . . regular . . irregular . first , care is then regular . . when it hath a right end , such as is both sutable with , and subordinate to our main end , the kingdome of god and his righteousnesse . secondly , when the meanes of procuring that end are right . for we may not do evil to effect good , rom. . . contrary in ahaziah , kings . . yea , saint austine is peremptory , that if it were possible by an officious lie to compass the redemption of the whole world , yet so weighty and universal a good must rather be let fall then brought about by the smallest evil . thirdly , when the manner of doing it is good , and that is . when the care is moderate , phil. . , . . when it 's with submission to the will and wisdome of god , when with david , we can resolve not to torment our hearts with needlesse and endless projects , but to rowle our selves upon gods protection , sam. . , . so sam. . . act. . , . contrary , king. . . and in this respect care is not a vexation but a duty , thes. . . prov. . . care irregular is a cutting , dividing , distracting care , against which we should strive for these reasons . first , irregular cares are superfluous , and improper to the ends which we direct them upon : and that not to our main end only ( happinesse ) which men , labouring to find in the creature where it is not , do instead there of finde nothing but trouble , and vexation : but even to those lower ends which the creatures are proper and sutable to . for to us properly belongs the industry , and to god the care : unto us the labour , and use of the means , but to god the blessing and successe of all , cor. . . luk. . . pet. . . psalme . . matth. . . we should therefore learne to cast our selves upon god ; and that . in faith depending upon the truth of his promises , heb. . . as dan. . . sam. . . chron. . , . and . . the contrary grieves god , numb . . . ps. . , . & . . and it proceeds from this , that we measure god by our selves : that we conceive of his power onely by those issues and wayes of escape , which we are by our own wisdomes able to forecast : and when we are so straitned that we can see no way to turn , there we give over trusting god , as if our sinnes were greater then could be forgiven , o● our afflictions then could be removed : the best way therefore to establish our hearts in all estates , is to have the eye of faith fixed upon gods power , and to consider what he saith , isa. . , . so hab. . , . zach. . , . hos. . . chron. . , ● . ezek. . . . by prayer , which is a maine remedy against careful thoughts , phil. . , , . so we see in hannah , sam. . , , . so , chron. . . deut. . ● . and . . mal. . . isa. . , . hab. . , , , . secondly , as irregular cares are needlesse , and superfluous , so they are sinful also . . in regard of their object , they are worldly cares , the cares of the men of this world : therein we declare our selves to walk as the gentiles , as if we had no better a foundation of contentment then the heathen which know not god : hence , eph. . . mat. . . whereas we are taken out of the world , and therefore must not be conformable to the world , nor bring forth the fruits of a wordly spirit ; but walk as a peculiar people that have heavenly promises , and the grace of god to establish our hearts , joh. . . cor. . . rom. . . psal. . . tit. . . pet. . . illi terrena sapiant , qui promissa coelestia non habent . cyprian . . they are sinful in regard of their causes , which are principally two . . inordinate lust , or coveting , the running of the heart after covetousness . . distrust of gods providence ; for those desires which spring from lust , can never have faith to secure the heart in the expectation of them , jam. . . . they are sinful 〈◊〉 their effects . for , . they are murthering cares , cor. . . they work sadnesse , suspicions , uncomfortablenesse , and at last death . . they are choaking cares , mat. . . they take off the heart from the word , and thereby make it unfruitful . . they are adulterous cares , jam. . . they steal away the heart from god , and set us at enmity against him . quest. how may we arm our selves against them ? answ. first make the creature no vexing creature : for which end . pray for conveniency : for that which is sutable to thy minde , not to thy lusts , but to the abilities of thy mind . labour ever to sute thy occasions to thy parts , and thy supplies to thy occasions . a ship , out of greedinesse , overladen with gold , will be in danger of sinking , though the capacity of the sides be not a quarter filled : on the other side , fill it to the brim with feathers , and it will still tosse up and down for want of ballasting : so is it in the lives of men , some have such greedy desires that they think they can run through all sort● of businesses , and so never leave loading themselves till their hearts sink and be swallowed up of worldly sorrow and security in sin : others set their affections on such trivial things , that though they should have the fill of their desires , their minds would still be as floating , and unsettled as before : therefore if thou livest in the calmest times , . fill not thy self only with light things , and such are all things in this world of themselves : but get thy heart ballasted with faith in gods promises , love , and fear of his name , a foundation of good works , and then whatever becomes of thy other loading , thy ship it self shall be safe at last : thou shalt be sure in the greatest tempest to have thy life for a prey . . consider the burden of thy vessel ; as all ships are not of equal capacity , so all men have not the same abilities : some have such a measure of grace as enables them with much wisdom , and improvement to manage such an estate , as would puff up another with pride , sensuality , superciliousnesse , and forgetfulnesse of god : some again are fitted to some kind of imployments , not so to others , and in these varieties of state every man should pray for that which is most sutable to his disposition and abilities , which may expose him to fewest tentations , or at least make him most serviceable in the body of christ , and bring most glory to his master . hence , prov. . , . mat. . . give us our daily bread . . labour to get christ into thy ship : he will check every tempest , and calme every vexation that grows upon thee . when thou considerest that his truth and person , and honour is imbarked in the same vessel with thee , thou mayest assure thy self that either he will be thy pilot in the ship , or thy plank in the sea to carry thee safe to land . say , if i suffer in his company , and as his member , he suffers with me , and then i may triumph that i am any way made conformable to christ my head . if i am weak in body , christ my head was wounded : if weak in minde , christ my head was heavie unto death : if i suffer in my estate , christ my head was poor : if in my name , he was called beelzebub , cor. . . mat. . . again , have i a great estate ? this takes away all the vexation that i haue christ with me : his promise to sanctifie it , his wisdom to manage it , his glory by it to be advanced , his word by it to be maintained : his anointed ones by it to be supplied : his church to be by it repaired : in one word , his poverty to be by it relieved . . cast out thy jonah , every sleeping , and secure sin that brings a tempest on thy ship , and vexation to thy spirit . examine thy self impartially , and when thou hast found it out , though thy choicest pleasure , or chiefest profit , yet cast it out in an humble confession unto god , in an hearty and willing restitution to men , in opening thy close and contracted bowels to those that never yet enjoyed comfort from them , then shall quietnesse arise to thy soul , &c. . to remove the vexation of the creature , keep it from thy spirit , suffer it not to take up thy thoughts and inward man : these things are not thy business , but thy accessories , and a mans heart should be on the first , not on the latter , psal. . . when the creature hath raised a tempest of vexation in your souls , poure out your corruptions by confession , abate your lusts , and the provisions of them , live by faith , and say ; it 's the lord , let him do what seems good to him : the lord giveth , the lord taketh , blessed be his name . thirdly , use the creatures as vexing things : for which end . let not earthly things bear rule over thy affections , least they emasculate all the powers of thy soul : let grace sit in the throne , and all earthly things be subordinate to the wisdom and government of gods spirit in thy heart . they are excellent servants , but pernicious masters . . be armed when thou touchest or medlest with them . armed against the lusts , and against the tentations that arise from them . get faith to place thy heart upon better promises : enter not upon them without prayer to god , that since thou art going amongst snares , he would carry thee through with wisdom and faithfulnesse , and teach thee how to use them as his blessings , and as instruments of his glory . make a covenant with thy heart , be jealous of it least it be surprized , or bewitched with sinful affections . . touch them gently : do not hug them , love , and dote upon them , nor grasp them with adulterous embraces : the love of money is the root of mischief , and is enmity against god , tim. . . jam. . . joh. . . . use them for hedges and fences to relieve the saints , to make friends of unrighteous mammon , and to defend the church of christ. by no means have them in thy field , but only about it : mingle it not with thy corn , lest it choke all . . use them as gideon , for weapons of just revenge against the enemies of gods church to vindicate his truth and glory ; and then by being wise and faithful in a little , thou shalt be ruler over much , &c. see dr. reynolds . object : but i should not take so much care were it not for my children ? answ. paul saith , cor. . . let those that are married , be as though they were not : meaning in regard of this scraping of wealth together by unlawfull means , or in regard of readiness to do works of mercy . god hath promised to be a father of the fatherlesse . some go to hell themselves to make their children rich : but god requires no such thing at our hand : therere is a moderate care indeed , as tim. . . he that cares not for his own , &c. but we must not make this a pretence to excuse our sinfull and immoderate cares : what ability the creature hath to help , is from god , and when the creature is taken away , god is where he was . dr. sibs . quest. why ought we not to be careful about worldy things ? answ. first , because these things are good in a very meane degree ; they cannot breed contentment , nor make a man happy . secondly , they are base , bones for dogges : reprobates have more plenty of them then gods children , they are more meet wages for slaves , then portions for children : the wicked have these , but the godly have spiritual graces here , and eternal glory hereafter . thirdly , they are very vaine , subject to many losses , and changes : yea , and we are as vain as they , so that if we should never lose them , yet we may be taken from them , not twenty , or fourty years hence , but ere to morrow : neither can we tell whether we shall leave them to our children : haply it may be to strangers , yea enemies , or if we should leave them to our children , we know not how they will spend them . indeed we must have callings , and we must be painful in them : so adam had before and after his fall : as solomon commends diligence , so he speaks against idlenesse , prov. . . he sends the sluggard to the ant for forecast , prov. . . joseph in times of plenty laid up for times of want , gen. . . therefore it 's not the care , but the excesse that is forbidden . mr. rogers on pet. chap. xxvi . questions , and cases of conscience about charity . quest. what is charity ? answ. it 's that affection of love which moves us to hold our neighbours dear , and to desire , and seek their good in every thing which is dear unto them , and that for christs sake , according to the will of god , cor. . , &c. where we have the properties of charity largly described ; and it must be shewed by beneficence . quest. what is beneficence ? answ. it is with a bountiful heart , and hand to do good to all , who in any kinde whatsoever need our help , by our riches , labour , care , counsel , providence , or howsoever : so that it extends it self to all good works , as building of schools , and colledges , maintaining the ministry , and gods worship , erecting of hospitals , allowing yearly pensions to parishes , and corporations for relief of the poor : or if we want ability to do these , then by counselling those that want it , by being eyes and feet to the blinde and lame , act. . . job . , &c. quest. are these duties then required of all ? answ. yea , heb. . . they are numbred amongst the fruits of the spirit , gal. . . and are joyned with love and faith , tim. . , . quest. who are the object of beneficence ? answ. first , all men , thes. . . yea , it must extend to our enemies , prov. . . mat. . , . luk. . , . secondly , yet chiefly to the houshold of faith ; gal. . . christ accepts it as done to himselfe , matth. . . so david , psal. . . ephesians , c. . . quest. what are the properties of benificence ? answ. first , it must be liberal and bountiful : da multum multis . we must do good to many ; as we sow our seed plentifully , cor. . . prov. . , . non qui habet , & servat , sed qui impertit est dives , & impertio , non possessio divites facit . clem. alex. not he that hath wealth , and keeps it , but he that bestows it is rich , &c. otherwise he puts it into a broken bag , hag. . . it s a duty required by god , deut. . . job . , . secondly , it must be cheerful , eccl. . . tit. . . cor. . . rom. . . prov. . . cor. . . deut. . . quest. how doth this cheerfulnesse shew it self ? answ. first in countenance , which adds a grace to a good deed . dat bene , dat multum , qui dat cum munere vultum . where the eye of the giver tells the receiver that its a token sent him from a loving heart , prov. . . secondly , in our words , when we speak comfortably to the party to whom we do good . quando adjicimus bona verba , bonis rebus , cor. . . thirdly , in the action . ( ) when a man doth good speedily and readily . beneficentia est virtus quae moram non patitur . it dislikes all delays : omnis benignitas properat . seneca . all goodnesse is quick of hand , and swift of foot . bis dat qui cito dat . et qui moratur , neganti proximus est . he that delays a benefit is next door to him that denies . proprium est libenter facientis cito facere . s●n. it s the property of him that gives willingly to give speedily , isa. . . we must prevent mens suits with such a readinesse , as god doth , psal. . , . nam illud beneficium jucundum , quod obviam venit . sen. that benefit is most delightful to the receiver , which stays not till he comes to seek it , but meets him in the midst way , cor. . . ( ) when at least we entertain the first motion ; and if our benefit hath not found him out before he sued , yet at least let him finde it when he sueth . atque etiam dum rogat , erogemus : let us give him while he asks . nam qui tarde dedit , diu noluit . sen. so prov. . . and . . especially we must avoid delays in giving , after we have granted the suit : for there is nothing more distastful , then when we are forced to ask again , and find more difficulty in the delivery then in the grant . the third property is constancy in doing good : benefacta benefactis pertegentes . plaut . making one good deed an introduction to another : hence , thes. . . thes. . . cor. . . deut. . . gal. . . hereby we imitate our heavenly father ; yea , we must encrease in doing good that our last works may excel the first , as rev. . . for mat. . . fourthly , equality and proportion must be observed in a discreet suiting our works of mercy to our estate , and ability , that they may match , but not exceed it : too much at one time will necessarily cause too little at another . for which end we must use care , diligence , and frugality in getting , and saving , that so we may be the better able to do good , eph , . . psal. . . dat , non profundit . he giveth but not wasteth , that so he may still give . hence , cor. . . dabo egenti , sed ut ipse non egeam ; succurro perituro , sed ut ipse non peream . sen. fifthly , we must have respect to the parties that receive our almes , giving more or lesse as their wants require . for he that gives more , non dat sed ditat : he relieves not his wants , but makes him rich : he that gives lesse , non pa●perem sustentat , sed paupertatem . he cures not the disease , but onely gives some present ease . sixthly , we must so give to one as that w● neglect not many . non est beneficium nisi quod ratione datur , quoniam ratio omnis honesti comes est . sen. it 's not a benefit which is not given with reason , because reason is the guide , and companion of all vertuous actions , eccl. . , . cast thy bread upon the waters , not water , tim. . . quest. who should be the object of our bounty ? answ. the poor , luk. . . they are the ground in which this seed is to be sowen if we expect an harvest of happinesse ; they are the bankers to whom we must deliver gods talents if we will be faithful ; they are gods factors to whom we must deliver our goods , and then god himself will acknowledge the debt , and will surely pay with advantage . not canting companions , lazy lossels , sturdy rogues , profuse prodigals . for , thes. . , . such should not eat ; except in case of extremity : and then non homini , sed humanitati , not to the person , but to the common nature of mankinde : but to the honest labourer , and poor hous-keeper , who either , through the greatnesse of their charge , or deadnesse of trade , crosses , losses sicknesse , &c. are not able to get their bread , or the blinde , and maimed , the aged , and decrepid : weak widows , or young orphans . lev. . . pars sacrilegii est , res pauperum dare non pauperibus . it 's a kind of sacriledge to give the poors portion to those which are not poor . tunpissimum g●nu● perd●ndi est inconsulta donatio . unadvised giving is the worst kinde of loosing : yet we must not be overscrupulous in making our choice : we must not be so busie in examining their estate , and desert , that we can finde no leasure to relieve their wants : hence , thes. . . mat. . . and . . quest. what are the true causes from whence this charity ariseth ? answ. first , faith , which formalizes all the christians actions , and mainly differences their works from the same works done by worldlings . now to do a work in faith , and approved in the sight of god , is not only to be truly perswaded , and assured that the thing we do is warranted by gods word , and allowed by him , but that we also in christ are accepted of him : otherwise they are not accepted , but are sin , heb. . . rom. . . secondly , obedience to god because he hath commanded it , therefore such almes as are given without respect to gods command , out of natural pity , or for worldly ends , as profit , and vain glory are no properties of an infallible blessed man , mat. . . thirdly , love unfeigned : hence , cor. . . it s called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because given out of meer good will : else it 's not accepted , ● cor. . . such love not god , joh. . . and this must arise , . from our love to god , cor. . . . from our love to our brethren , cor. . . fourthly , mercy , and compassion : when we relieve them as fellow members , with a sense and feeling of their misery , isa. . . joh. . . it s required , hos. . . heb. . . job . , . such are blessed , prov. . . cor. . . else all our pity is unprofitable , jam. . , &c. hence , joh. . . l●t us not love in word or tongue , but in deed and truth . quest. how may we best perform these works of mercy ? answ. if we not only take notice of the wants by report , but by often visiting the poor , and so being eye-witnesses ●f their wants , and miseries , jam. . . mat. . , . and that for these reasons . . by visiting the poor , we shall be the better enabled to make a good choice , and to discover who are truely poor from those who are counterfeits : as also , who are religious and industrious in their callings , from the profane and idle drones . . hereby we shall be the better enabled to fit our alms to their necessities , both in respect of the proportion , and also the special kinde of their wants , whereby the benefit will be much encreased , psalme . . and . . . it would prevent their stragling abroad to begg necessaries , which is forbidden , deut. . . and such as neither care for house or home , like idle drones , would finde little relief , unlesse they earn it with the sweat of their browes . . it would provoke us to be the more compassionate , when we see their small provision , hungry fare , thin cloaths , and hard lodging : children crying for hunger , and parents crying because they have not food for them , &c. their eye would affect the heart . . hereby we may do them double good , by distributing spiritual as well as temporal almes to them , instructing the ignorant , blaming the faulty , admonishing , counselling and comforting them as god hath comforted us , cor. . . and our words will finde more easie entrance into their hearts , when as our good works have prepared the way . . by seeing the wants of our brethren , we shall be provoked to be thankful to god for his goodness and bounty to us , in not only supplying our wants , but enabling us to be helpful to others . . hereby we shall learn temperance , and sobriety in the use of gods blessings , and not to abuse them to superfluity and excesse , seeing many as good as our selves do want them ? but to husband them frugally that we may be the more able to relieve others . . hereby we shall have occasion given us to prepare against the day of affliction and want , which may befall us as it hath done others . . when we visit the poor we visit christ in them , and he accounts it as done to himself , mat. . . quest. what are the right ends of giving almes ? answ. first , the principal end is gods glory , which should be the chiefest motive to all christian duties , mat. . . cor. . . secondly , the subordinate ends are , the good of our brethren who are hereby refreshed , the adorning of our profession by these fruits of piety ; the edification of others by our good example ; the stopping of the mouths of adversaries when they see our love to god manifested by our love to our brethren ; our own temporal , and spiritual good , and the furthering and assuring our eternal salvation . quest. what must we give ? answ. we must give onely that which is our own , by just and lawful means derived to us ; therefore to be liberal of that which is not our own , is to take goods from the right owners & to give them to others at our own pleasure , which is no better then plain theft in the sight of god : if the hire of an harlot , and price of a dog might not be consecrated to god , deut , . . then may we not offer that which we have gotten by stealth , deceit , oppression , &c. isa. . . we must deal justly and love mercy , mic. . . hence , eccles. . . prov. . . isa. . . cor. . . the civilians say , bonus usus non justificat injuste quaesita ; the good use justifies not the unjust getting of goods : such should rather be restored to the true owners , luke . . quale est illud munus quod alter cum gaudio accipit , alter cum lachrymis amittit ? aug. hence will follow . . that it s not lawful for one partner to give almes out of the common stock without the consent of the other , except he set it on his own particular account . . it s not lawful for him that is indebted more then he is able to pay , to give alms , seeing he gives not his own , but anothers . . it 's not lawful for a man to give that which he hath borrowed of another , or that which is left in pawne with him , except in such things where the property is altered with the use , as meat , money , corn , &c. then we may give , when we purpose to make satisfaction by restoring the like to the owner . yet all these cases are to be understood with this exception : if the poor ●e but in ordinary want ; not in extream necessity , and danger to perish for want of relief , in which case all becomes common through his irresistible necessity , mat. . , , . deut. . , . yet even then we must resolve to our utmost to restore to the owner those goods which we have thus employed . quest. what should be the quantity and measure of our almes ? answ. this is not particularly determined in scripture , because there are so many circumstances which may alter the case that no certain rule could be given ; but it s left to christian prudence to give as occasion is offered , more or lesse as he thinks good : hence , cor. . , . and . . yet in generall this rule must be observed : we must give bountifully , not with a niggardly hand , cor. . . deut. . . prov. . . cor. . . yet herein respect is to be had to our own ability , keeping our cisterns full that our selves may drink of them , and setting the overplus to run abroad , as prov. . , . act. . . every one according to his ability sent , &c. cor. . , . yet in cases of extreame necessity we must go beyond our ability , cor. . . so christ commands , luk. . . and . . act. . . and . , . in other cases we may have two coats , joh. . . tim. . . quest. what rule must be observed in the quality of our alms ? answ. we must give to the poor things wholsome , cleanly , convenient , and comfortable for the sustentation of their lives , avoiding two extreams . . of such as give them such base , and sluttish food , as a dog will scarce eat . remember therefore that thou relievest not contemptible creatures , but those that are of the same nature , &c. yea , in them we lend to the lord , who scorns our refuse , mal. . . we relieve christ , and will we give him swill , and swines meat , who nourisheth our souls with his precious body and blood . . of such as give them superfluous dainties : but we must feed them , not pamper them with superfluities : christ when he fed the multitude provided not dainties , but multiplied the barley loaves and fishes . utantur divites superfluis , den● paup●ribus necessaria . aug. let the rich enjoy their superfluities , and let them relieve the poor with necessaries . quest. what persons ought to give alms ? answ. all of any estate , when they meet with poorer then themselves ; but principally its the duty of rich men , luk. . . tim. . , . cor. . . joh. . . yet not onely of them : for he that hath but a bare competency is to give to them that want necessaries : and such as have onely sufficient for nature are bound to give to them who are in present extremity , unlesse the like necessity be iminent to themselves : for we must love our neighbour as not above our selves : charity begins at home . now that such must give may be proved by scripture , luk. . . and . . eph. . . by example : the poor widow , mark . . macedonians , cor. . . apostles , act. . . luk. . . with joh. . , . it s the way to have our little encreased , prov. . . luk. . . besides , the alms of the poor ( though they give little ) are as acceptable to god , as of the rich , deut. . . cor. . . god measures the deed by the will. quantitatem oblationis virtute offerentium determinavit . chrys. as the poor widows gift . quest. what persons may lawfully give almes ? answ. none but such as are owners of the things given : hence , . it s unlawful for servants to give of their masters goods , unless he hath given them leave , either in particular , or general . or unless in case of extream necessity in the absence of their governours , having a purpose to make it known to them , resolving to restore out of their own what they have given in case their governours mislike it . . it s unlawful for children , under the government of their parents , or tutors to give almes without the consent of their parents , or governors , either expressed by words , or allowed by the continual custom of the family , except it be out of their own allowance . . it s unlawful fot such as are not of sufficient age , or discretion to give almes , because they may waste their estates , or give to unworthy persons for want of discretion . quest. whether is it lawful for the wife to give alms without the consent of her husband ? answ. in divers cases it is lawful for her to do it : as . if he be a fool , or a madd man , and not able himself to mannage his estate . . when as he is far absent , and so his consent cannot be asked , especially if she conceive that if her husband were present , he would like of her doings . . when he hath committed the administration of his houshold expences to his wife , his heart trusting in her . . when having a certain allowance made her by her husband , she spares somewhat out of it to relieve others . . when she or her friends for her , have before marriage , over , and above her dowry reserved something to be at her disposal . . when she gets something by her own labour , she may dispose of part of it to charitable uses , if the lawes of the countrey be not against it . . if the alms which she gives be but of small value , as bread , bear , cast apparel , and such like . . if her husband be so basely miserable , as having much , he will part with nothing ; or if he be so wicked , that though he spend much vainly , and wickedly , yet he will give nothing to those that want ; or if to any , yet not to them that fear god. . when its a received custom of the countrey that the wives should give alms to the relief of the poor . object . but the propriety of the goods being wholly in the husband , its theft in the wife to give any part of them away without the consent of her husband , either expressed , or implied ? answ. if the case be so between man and wife , it were good for the woman not to marry : indeed it is granted , that as god hath made them yoke-fellows , so she must endeavour to perswade her husband to draw with her in all christian duties : for which end , she must use toward him all duty , respect , reverence , loving and sweet behaviour , that she may move him to love all goodnesse , at least for her sake : she must also shew such care , faithfulnesse and good huswifery that the heart of her husband may trust in her , prov. . . yet if after all this her husband be a nabal , that will neither be charitable himself , nor consent that she shall be so ; she may do it her self , only herein these cautions are to be observed . . she must observe the former rules , and give discreetly , not exceeding her husbands ability , the which if it be unknown to her , she must give sparingly , and things of smaller value . for , prov. . . she must do him good , &c. . she must perform this duty with all meekness and humility of spirit , with all reverence and due respect to her husbands authority , with acknowledgement of her subjection in all things lawful , that she may win him by her christian carriage , pet. . . . in the manner , she must so do it as not to give her husband any just cause of offence , she must not usurp authority over him , tim. . . nor cause the word of god to be blasphemed , tit. . . . she must not disgrace her husband by publishing his faults : reporting her own good deeds , and her husbands backwardnesse , but rather pray for his amendment , prov. . . but for the further clearing of this point three things are to be considered . . it s acknowledged that the husband hath authority over his wife to rule and govern her as her head , corinth . . , , . tim. . . gen. . . . yet the husbands government , and wives subjection must be in the lord , col. . . eph. . . cor. . . he bears the image of god , and she is to yeeld obedience to him as unto god in all honest , lawful , and indifferent things . but if he command what is forbidden , or forbid what is comman●ed , she is not to obey him therein : now works of mercy are enjoyned , and therefore he may not forbid them , or if he do , she may not obey . . consider the communion which is between man and wife by reason of the bond of marriage which extends both to their persons and goods : for their persons , they are no longer twaine , but one flesh : hence they have not an absolute power to dispose of their own bodies , but either over other , cor. . so also there is such a communion in goods that there is no absolute prop●iety in either of them , but it rests in them both : so , gen. . . all that god hath taken from our father is ours : not that it was their dowry , but through gods blessing on their husbands labour , it was theirs through the communion of marriage . hence at marriage the husband used to endow his wife with all his worldly goods . object . but this communion of goods extends to her use onely : for the propriety is in the husband , and for the common use which the wife hath in her husbands goods , it only extends to meat , drink , apparel , and such necessaries for her maintenance ? answ. a husband indeed may dispose of , or alienate his estate without his wives consent , except it be her joynture : but this he must do for the good of his wife and family , not for their hurt , else he is a thief to her and them . again , if the wife may dispose of her husbands goods for her bodily use , may she not much more do it for the good of her soul ? and thereby lay up treasure in heaven : good works being enjoyned to the wife , as well as to the husband , tim. . . and therefore it s better to obey god then man , act. . . object . but under the law , if a wife made a vow , though of consecrating any things to gods service , yet the husband had power to disannul it ? answ. vows were of two sorts . . of things absolutely commanded , and wherein all were bound to obey , and these no husband could disannul . . of things indifferent , and these indeed the husband might make void : but alms-deeds are not arbitrary or indifferent , but positively required of all . . i prove it further ; because alms-deeds , and works of mercy are no lesse commanded by god in the scriptures , in the wife , then in the husband , prov. . . and not without good cause is it made the note of a gracious woman , because ordinarily alms deeds are done out of houshold store , and provision , the disposing whereof doth more properly belong to the woman then to the man , as the whole current of the chapter shews . so paul would have younger women marry and guide the house , tim. . . the which when the husband allows her to do , he honours his wife as he ought , pet. . . and disgraceth her , when he turnes her out of this office : which he ought not to do , unlesse she hath forfeited her priviledge , by her unjust and indiscreet abusing of it . thirdly , god the instituter of marriage , gave the wife to the husband , not to be his servant , but his helper in all good things , gen. . . therefore if he neglect religious and charitable duties , she must not only perswade him to them , but if he still neglect , must do them her self for him , lest the sin and punishment lie not only upon him , but upon her , and the whole family , zipporah , by performing a duty which belonged not to her , but to her husband , diverted gods judgement from him , exod. . . and abigail saved her husband and family by the like . fourthly , if a wife may not do it without special commission from her husband , then were she in no better a condition then the meanest servant : yea , her servitude would be far worse , if she be restrained from expressing her charitable affections hereby : for the poorest servant may out of his wages give something : and the poor widow may cast in her mite , whereas the wife , though she hath never so much under her hand , may give nothing , or if she do , she shall be accounted a thief , and robber of her husband . fifthly , the last sentence of everlasting happinesse , shall be pronounced to the wife , as well as to the husband , for their alike doing of these works of mercy , matth. . . therefore she , as well as he must feed christ in his members , &c. sixthly , we have the examples of holy women in scripture , who are commended for it , as of abigail , sam. . . of those godly women that ministred to christ , luke . . and of that good woman , pro. . . seventhly , the last reason may be taken from the custome of our countrey , which ordinarily authorizeth them to do these works of mercy , if their power be not justly restrained by their husbands for their abusing of it . ob. yet this doctrine is dangerous , because indiscreet women will abuse it , it may be to the undoing of their husbands , and ruine of their estates ? answ. it s but a carnal reason to think that evil will come by the discovery of a religious truth , or though they should , let truth be maintained though the inconveniences be never so great . tbough one abuse a sword , yet all must not be disarmed for that . though the gospel be to some a savour of death , yet must not ministers therefore forbear to preach it . because some women will abuse this doctrine , yet they which are discreat and vertuous , must not therefore be kept in ignorance of their duty , and have their consciences ensnared , and burdened with that which is not sinful , yea , with that which is honest and commendable . many wives undo their husbands with their daintinesse in fare , curiosity in furnishing their houses , and costlinesse in their apparel , but few in doing works of charity . quest. to whom are almes to be given ? answ. almes-deeds are to be extended only to the poor and needy , deut. . . john . . eph. . . cor. . . luke . . now these poor are of divers kindes , christ reckons up six , mat. . . hungry , thirsty , harbourlesse , naked , sick , and poor prisoners . to which adde , the oppressed and exiled , isa. . , . especiallie if they suffer for the constant confession of the truth . adde also such as are indebted above their meanes , the lame , blind , aged , decrepid , the poor widow and distressed orphans , &c. isa. . , . nehem. . . luke . . jam. . . quest. what order are we to observe in giving almes ? answ. first , they which are in extream necessity , and near perishing , are first to be relieved , be they acquaintance or strangers : friends or foes , mat. . . rom. . . luke . . yet if we cannot relieve all such , we are to prefer our kindred and friends , and the godly in the first place . we must also have respect to those , who by providence are first cast upon us , who thereby seem by god himself to be preferred before others , luk. . . . again , the whole church and common-wealth is to be preferred even before our selues , if there be such a necessity : for its better that one member perish , then that the whole be destroyed : therefore the primitive christians sold all they had to relieve the common necessitys . . we must take care to provide necessaries for ou● selves : for charity begins at home : then for our second selves , our wives : then for our parents . contrary reproved , mar. . , . then for our children , and the rest of the family tim. . . then our spiritual kindred , except our kindred in the flesh be godly also , and then they are to be preferred , gal. . . john . . rom. . . mat. . . and . . so david , psal. . . then our benefacto●s , to whom we formerly have been beholding , cor. . . prov. . . then to our kindred in the flesh , gen. . , . then common friends and neighbours : for prov. . . better is a neighbour that is near , then a brother afar off : then out countreymen , and strangers , lev. . . rom. . . h●b . . . gen. . . and . . isa. . . mat. . . deut. . , . then it must extend to our very enemies , rom. . . kings . . quest. in what manner may we most conveniently distribute our almes ? answ. almes are either more publick and common , or more private and particular . first , in the former , our best course is to follow the lawes and customes of our countrey . secondly , for our private almes , we may give them to such poor , as upon enquiry we have found out to be honest and needy : or else to such others , as god by a more immediate providence doth unexpectedlie present to us . quest. what may be thought of giving almes at our doors ? answ. it cannot be condemned , till the good lawes made , be put in execution , for the reformation of this disorder ; yet with these cautions . first , the whole stream of our charity must not run that way . secondly , we must give to such as are in apparent misery , as to the aged , decrepid , lame , blinde , &c. not to idle vagrants and common beggars : and that for these reasons . . because they which are truly poor , will by this meanes be neglected whilest idle drones devour that which belongs to them . . hereby the bold and impudent will often speed better then the modest and shamefast . . our almes shall by this meanes be distributed unequally ; some having all , and others none , neither can they be fitted to the quantity or quality of their wants . . such giving encreaseth the number of idle vagrants , encoura●ing them to continue in their wicked courses , without any feare of god , or subjection unto men . . it crosseth gods ordinance , who would not have a beggar in israel , deut. . . proclaiming both the negligence of magistrates in not reforming this disorder , and the hard-heartednesse of private persons , who through the want of mercy and compassion , thrust their neighbours into such sinful courses . . hereby those excellent lawes , which are made to prevent such disorders are transgressed , and so the christian magistrate is justly offended . quest. vvhat are we to judge of such almes as are given by men at their death ? answ. they are to be esteemed and censured according to the quality and condition of the persons by whom they are performed . for . either they are done by such as according to their abilities , have exercised such charity in their whose lives after their conversion , out of love , and obedience to god , and mercy towards men . or secondly , out of self-love , vain-glory , or servile fear , by such as have utterly neglected them in their life-time , and now think to make satisfaction for their former neglect . for the former we are to judge , that they proceed from their love to god and their neighbours , being not content with what they have done in their life-time , but also take care that they be continued even after their death . neither are we to take exceptions , though the quantity now given doth exceed all that they have done in their lives , seeing herein they deal no otherwise with the poor then with their own children and friends , upon whom they bestow more by vvill , then ever before they gave them ; and its just that men should keep the largest part of their goods while they live for their own maintenance , giving to the poor what they can conveniently spare , and they are very charitable , if they design a great part of their estate to religious uses , when as themselves shall have no further use of it . but for those who wholly neglect works of mercy in their lives , and think it sufficient to give something at death , they are not absolutely to be condemned , - lest hereby they take occasion to neglect both : besides , these may be after-fruits of their late repentance : they are also good to the receivers , and for the givers , they are better then such as neither do good in life , nor death : neither can they be taxed for doing them now , but because they did them no sooner . which fault that we may avoid , consider . that its better , and more commendable to give liberally in our life-time , making our own hands our executors , and our own eyes our overseers , then to leave it to the discretion of others . . it s more acceptable to god , being a signe of a stronger faith , and more firme dependence upon him . . it s an evidence of greater love and obedience , if at gods command we are willing to part with our goods , even whilest we might retain them to our own use . . it s a more seasonable seeds-time , and so we may assuredly expect a more fruitful harvest . . if we neglect it our selves in our life , we can have no certainty that we shall ever do it . for . we may be stripped of our goods before death , and so have nothing to bequeath then . . death may surprize us suddenly , and give us no time to dispose of our goods . . our sicknesse may be such as may deprive us of our understanding and memory , whereby we shall be disinabled to do it . . if we make our will before-hand , it may be concealed or made void by some trick in law , or unjust testimony of false witnesses , or not be performed through the dishonesty of executors , therefore do as solomon advises , prov. . . and gal. . . . it s most comely for a christian to give almes in his life-time , so living continually as he means to die ; therefore christ calleth our good works , lights which we should see to go before us , and not to be held behinde our backs . . such almes as are given at death , by those which gave none in their lives , there is great cause of suspition , that they proceed not from those right and religious causes which set christians on work to do them , but from sinister ends , and worldly respects ▪ which before prevailed not with them , till now they see that they can keep them no longer . quest. how may the almes of christians be differenced from those which are done by worldlings ? answ. first , they differ in the causes or fountain from which they arise : for , first , the almes of christians are the fruits of a lively and justifying faith , and are done out of unfeigned love , and obedience unto god , and therefore he is merciful , because he is assured that god is merciful to him , and he gives small things to men , because he receives great things from god. secondly , they spring from charity and mercy towards the poor , because they are members of christ , and of the houshold of faith , or at least creatures of god , of the same flesh with himself : whereas worldlings almes arise from self-love , whereby he aimes at some temporary good , to be derived to himself thereby : or out of pride and vain-glory to get praise , mat. . . &c. or out of an opinion of merit to get a greater reward from god : or out of a servile feare to escape the wrath of god here or hereafter , and therefore they profit nothing , cor. . . secondly , a christian shews mercy , being enclined thereto by the motion of gods spirit , and an inward fountain of goodnesse , which is thereby wrought in him , enclining him when he wants objects to enquire , and seek after them ; but the worldlings mercy is the meer work of nature , and is only moved by the presence of some miserable object , which stirs him up to present pity , but the object being removed , his mercy ceaseth . thirdly , they differ in their ends : the end of a christian being principally that god may be glorified : the subordinate ends being the good of his neighbour , the adorning of the gospel , and the edification of others by his good example , his own present good in the assurance of gods favour , and his future glory in heaven : but of the worldling , his chief end is his own glory and good , &c. as before . fourthly , they differ in the matter , and that in regard of propriety , a christian gives liberally , out of his own store , which god hath bestowed upon him by his honest labour : the worldling gives out of that which is other mens , and having raked much together , by lying , fraud , injustice , oppression , &c. he gives out of it some small almes to make satisfaction for his sins , and to stop the cry of conscience , that he may go more quietly to hell. fifthly , they differ in the quantity : a ch●istian gives liberally , not only out of his superfluity , but out of his competency , yea , he spares something out of his necessaries , if need require : but the worldling gives with a niggardly heart and hand , out of his superfluities , and that not till his own turn be served . sixthly , they differ in the quality : a christian gives things profitable and wholesom : but the worldling the basest refuse , which he would scarce give to his dogs . seventhly , they differ in the object and extent . a christians mercy extends to all that need , because they look not to their deserts , but to gods command ; yet it s especially exercised to the godly poor : as gal. . . imitating god therein , mat. . . and david , psal. . . but the worldlings mercy extends usually to such as have some way deserved it , or that may deserve it : or to kindred , or friends , therefore it s rejected by god●punc ; mat. . , . eighthly , they differ in the manner of giving , and in the mindes of the givers . for . a christian gives with a plain , and honest heart , as rom. . . seeking therein only to please god , as matth. . . but the worldling hunts after his own profit , or praise , matth. . . neither is it an act of mercy , but of self-love . . a christian doth works of mercy with great humility , remembring that whatsoever he thus gives to god , he hath first received it from god : and so confess that he doth far lesse then his duty , and that he is sufficiently rewarded , if his failings are pardoned : but the worldling is puffed up with pride , thinking that hereby he hath satisfied for his sins , merited heaven , and made god his debtor : and hence he is so supercilious towards his poor brother , that he makes his gift unacceptable . . a christian doth all with cheerfulnesse , as knowing that god loves a cheerful giver , tim. . . they proceed from an inward habit , and therefore flow freely from him : this he sheweth by his pleasant countenance , sweet words , speedy giving , &c. but the worldling doth it churlishly , dum manu dat , vultu negat : whilest his hand gives , his looks denies : he gives with reproaches , taunts , harsh expostulations , &c. not so much comforting the poor with his gifts as afflicting his soul with his words . ninthly , they differ in time : for a christian gives all his life long : but the worldling for the most part onely when death is approaching , when he can keep his goods no longer . quest. how many ways must our charity be expressed ? answ. principally three wayes . . in giving . . in forgiving . . in lending . quest. when must we forgive debts ? answ. when we see our neighbours decayed in their estates , whereby they are disenabled to pay what they borrowed ; we must shew mercy to beasts when they lie under their burden , much more to men . hence , exod. . , . neh. . . luk. . . isa. . . mat. . , . quest. how must we relieve by free lending ? answ. when their estates are decayed , and our lending may probably recover them again . hence , deut. . . mat. . . luk. . . psal. . . quest. whether are alms-deeds arbitrary , or an act of righteousnesse ? answ. by righteousness we understand not generally all righteousnesse which consisteth in a total conformity to the whole law , nor that part of legal righteousnesse which consisteth in obedience to the second table ; but certain special fruits of this righteousnesse in works of mercy which by the hebrews are called by the name of righteousness , as dan. . . which is a grace that resteth not only in an internal habit , or bare affection of the heart , but also in the outward action of relieving the poor . which also is called justice , which is a virtue that gives to every one those things which are due to him , mat. . . when thou dost thine alms , which the syriack renders , when thou doest thy justice . called also righteousnesse , corinth . . . prov. . . psalm . . . now that almes-deeds are not arbitrary , but absolutely necessary is proved : for that , . they are not only works of mercy , but fruits of righteousness , which are straitly injoyned in the law , deuter. . . esay . . ezek. . . luke . . and . . matth. . . ephes. . . luke . . acts . . . our riches are not absolutely our own , but gods talents committed to us , not for the satisfying of our lusts , but for the honour of our master , and good of our fellow servants . hence , heb. . . , such as neglect works of mercy commit three hainous sins , theft , sacriledge , murther : for they that have received much , and communicate not to the wants of others , shall be arraigned and condemned for thieves against god and their brethren : besides what we are commanded to give to the poor is consecrated to gods service , called therefore sacrifices . so that its sacriledge to rob them of it : and lastly , if we suffer the poor to perish in their wants we are guilty of murther against the sixth commandment . si non p●visti , occi●isti , ambrose . thou hast killd the poor , if thou hast not fed them . hoc est occidere hominem vitae suae ei subsidia denegare . ambr. this is to kill a man when we denie to him the means of preserving his life . . the lord who is the chief owner of our goods , having appointed all that we can spare to this use , it s no longer our own but the poors portion , which they have as good right to as we have to the rest , therefore its injustice to detain it : only here is the difference ; god hath given us our riches immediately himself , but to the poor mediately by us . est panis famelici quem tu tenes , nudi tunica quam tu in conclavi conservas . basil. it s the bread of the hungry which moulds in thy cupbord : the coat of the naked which hangs useless in thy chamber , &c. hence , jam. . . prov. . . cor. . . and . . heb. . . pet. . . . we are but stewards , and a day of account will come , luke . . and therefore if we would give it up with joy , we must shew mercy , mat. . . and . , . . consider that communion that is between the poor , and us with our head christ ; and its reason that such as are united in communion of persons , should also communicate in the use of their goods for their mutual comfort , rom. . . cor. . . and . . we partake of the same nature , are redeemed by the same blood ; are partakers of the same heavenly calling , cor : , . pet. , . and . . and . . partakers of the same precious promises , eph. . . are of one church , have one religion , &c. jam. . . christ takes that that is done to them as done to himself , and will richly reward it , matth. . . . what we give to the poor , we give to god himself , prov. . . da mihi de eo quod dedi tibi : de meo quaero , & mihi non donas ? da , & reddo . habuisti me largitorem , facito debitorem . aug. god thus bespeaks thee : give me something of that which i have given unto thee : i ask but mine own and wilt not thou give it ? give , and i will restore it : thou hast found me a free giver , and now make me thy debtor . quest. what further arguments may provoke us to charity ? answ. first , we resemble god in shewing mercy , and that in such an attribute as he delights in above all others , exod. . . hence , luke . . secondly , such works please god , and make us accepted with him , hos. . . eleemosyna non tantum pro sacrificio , sed prae sacrificio , mic. . , . heb. . . isa. . , . jam. . . phil . . luk. . . thirdly , hereby we make our calling and election sure , pet. . , , . col. . . alms shew saving knowledge , and spiritual wisdom , jam. . . unfeigned repentance , luk. . . a lively faith , jam. . . true love to god , john . . love to our neighbours , cor. . , . contrary , jam. . . they are notable signes of the remission of our sins , luk. . . and that we are citizens of heaven , prov. . . and therefore blessed . fourthly , hereby we are assured of our interest in gods promises : as , eccl. . . mat. . . and . . heb. . . it shall not be lost , but restored , it may be , when we have forgotten , mat. . . luk. . . prov. . . terrena omnia serv●nd● amittimus , largiendo servamus . isiodor . earthly things are lost by keeping , and kept by bestowing , solas quas dederis semper habebis opes . hence , luk. . . fifthly , god will repay it with great increase , luk. . . prov. . , . contrary , prov. . . cor. . . lucrum est pietatis nomine facere sumptum . tertul. eleemosyna non est divitiarum dispendium , sed ditescendi potius compendium , quaestusque omnium uberrimus . giving alms is not the way to waste our wealth , but the best art of thriving , and the most compendious course to get riches . hence it s compared to lending upon usury , mat. . . prov. . . luk. . . if we love our money , it should move us to part with it upon charitable uses . god is the best and the surest pay-master , and alsufficient to perform ; nihil promittit , & non reddit : fidelis ille factus est debitor , esto tu avarus exactor . aug. god pays what he promiseth : he is a true debtor , be thou a covetous exactor . sixthly , it s the end of riches to be employed for good uses , not to be lockt up . seventhly , by giving them to the poor , we long enjoy them , which by keeping we cannot do : what we give is sent to heaven before us , and what is hoarded up , is lost and left behinde us . eighthly , our inestimable gain will countervaile our long forbearance . hence , gal. . . eccl. . . the rather considering the eternity of it . ninthly , such shall be blessed in their posterity , psal. . . esay . , . tenthly , god rewards alms-deeds with corporal and earthly blessings , prov. . , . and . . eleventhly , god will be merciful to such as shew mercy , mat. . . twelfthly , if we hear the cry of the poor , god will hear us , isa. . , . so we see in cornelius , act. . . contrary , prov. . . thirteenthly , if we pity the poor , god will pity us in our afflictions , psalm , , , . isa. . . fourteenthly , hereby we reap the benefit of the poors prayers to god for us , cor. . . fifteenthly , alms-deeds further our salvation , luke . , &c. tim. . , . prov. . . and . . deut. . . mat. . . luk. . . job . , . sixteenthly , the greatest benefit of our alms redounds to our selves : hence , act. . . prov. . , . cor. . , , . seventeenthly , fearful threatnings are denounced against the unmerciful , ezek. . . prov. . ● . frustra manus ad deum expandit , qui has ad pauperes non extendit , cor. . . gal. . . prov. . . deut. . . job . , to . jam. . . as in the parable of the rich glutton . non habuit guttam , quia non dedit micam ; he had not a drop of water , because he would not part with a crumb of bread . aug. eighteenthly , by alms-deeds our estates are confirmed , and encreased , cor. . , . isa. . , . prov. . . and . . ninteenthly , the merciful shall be filled with joy , as it evidenceth gods graces in us . twentieth , such shall attain to a prosperous estate with honour , psal. . . prov. . . and they which honour god shall be honoured by him , sam. . . isa. . . master downams plea. object . but we are poor , and have not to give ? answ. many that pretend this can yet find enough to bestow on idle , unprofitable and wicked courses : but supposing first , that thou hast but a competency , yet out of that thou must give to the poor : if thou hast not money , sell something that thou mayest best spare ; and work hard with thy hands , eph , . . object . but the poor are so unthankful that our alms are lost ? answ. thou must do thy duty and expect thy reward from god , not from men , eccles. . . we must give , not only to the ungrateful , but to our enemies , rom. . . object . but most poor are so wicked that it discourages us to give them ? answ. this should make thee more diligent in seeking out such as are worthy to be relieved , eccles. . . mat. . . yet in giving we should not be over-scrupulous . for , . hereby we may neglect our duty , and not do it at all , eccles. . . . god causes his sun to shine on the evil and good , matth. . . and we should imitate him . so rom. . . . it s far better to give to many unworthy , then that one who is worthy should be neglected in his necessity . . consider that mercy looks not after merit , but after misery , and chiefly intends to relieve their poverty , not to look after their righteousnesse : non moribus damus , sed homini . chrys. we look not after the manners , but after the man : nor do we take compassion of him for his virtue , but for his misery . . if god should take the same course with us as we do with the poor , and examine our deserts before he would bestow his gifts , we should never have our requests granted , but hopelesly perish in our wants . . we should forbear these overstrict examinations of the poor , le●t hereby we do not so much comfort them by our gifts , as torment them by our harsh manner of giving . . consider that though the poor be unworthy to whom thou givest , yet god is worthy for whose sake thou givest , and if thou givest in obedience to his command , though it seeme to be cast away in respect of the party , yet not in respect of thee who givest ; for god will certainly reward thee . object . but i have a great charge , and many children , and therefore must prefer them before strangers ? answ. they that are miserable because they have wife , and children , would not be liberal if they had none : ne transferas culpam in insontes , saith basil , lay not the blame upon those that are innocent . besides , was not the gospel written for such as well as for those that have no children ? and are not both by it equally bound to works of mercy ? did they beg children of god for this end , that they might plead by them a priviledge from obeying gods commandment ? may they not justly fear that god for this cause will ease them of their burden by taking away their children ? we may provide for them a competency , and yet not deny to god of our abundance , and superfluity . when thou beginnest to number thy children , number them , and spare not , but forget not to reckon christ as one of the number : he hath given thee whatsoever thou hast , and will richly recompence thee . besides thou knowest not how thy children will prove ; it may be ungrateful , and will not thank thee for it : it may be wicked and prodigall , who will mispend it profusly : yea , it may be the wealth thou leavest them will be the occasion of their everlasting ruine . secondly , we must love our children wisely , and take care so to provide for them , as that their estates may be blessed , and durable , which is best effected by leaving them to gods blessing in a moderate estate , without which they may be oppressed by those that are more mighty , or defrauded by those that are more crafty , &c. but if god take charge of them , he is their best protector , so that none shall wrest their patrimony out of their hand , psalm . . thirdly , were we sure that the estates we leave them should prosper with them , yet we should not love our children better then our selves , nor prefer their wealth before our own souls , and their flourishing estate which is but momentany , and mutable , before our fruition of those joyes which are infinite and eternall . object . but trading is bad , and our burdens many , and we have not wherewithal to give almes . answ. first , use your hands : such as are able must labour , and take pains to relieve those that can do neither , eph. . . secondly , use your heads , cast about how the wants of others may be supplied . thirdly , do something by way of abatement : abridge your selves a little that you may be helpful to others , abate something from your backs , from your bellies , from your recreations , &c. object . but we must not only maintain nature , but our honour and credit in the world ? answ. it s true : yet we must abate from our superfluities . christ disrobed himself for a time , for our sakes , of his glory : and we for his sake must lay aside of our overplus : abate something from a dog , from a bird , from a beast , &c. quest. but what may move such as are able to be willing also to works of mercy ? answ. first , look to god , he is our friend , nay , our father . if a friend say to you , such a friend or kinsman of mine is in want , pray you do something for my sake , you will do it : how much more should you do it when god saith so to you . secondly , consider that christ comes to you in his flesh when poor christians come to you : he presents a pale face , a hungry belly , a naked body , will you not do something to support christ , and cloath christ , &c. in his members and servants . thirdly , christians that come to you for relief are your own flesh : and shall the head do nothing for the foot ? fourthly , consider your selves ; for hereby you shall place your wealth safely and secure it . fifthly , it s the best way to improve it : it s a sowing seed in a fruitful soile , corinth . . . it 's your gift , but its gods debt , and he will repay it , prov. . . object . but when shall i have it again ? answ. take gods word , he will pay fully , and certainly : he hath pawned his honour , and credit upon it that he will do it at first or last . put your childrens portions into gods hand , make him your executor : he never dies : he never breaks : he ever lives to provide for them . object . a man may give indeed till he give all away , and what then shall become of him and his ? answ. eccles. . . solomon answers there all objections and cavils ; some may say , what i give is cast away and lost : no , cast thy bread upon the waters , and thou shalt finde them again . but there are so many poor that there is no end of giving ? give a portion to seven , and also to eight : to this man a little , and to that a little : to every one something . but i know not what times may come , what i may be put to ? therefore give whilest thou hast something to give ; thou knowest not how little a while thou mayest en●oy , nor what thy self mayest come to want : thou mayest need mercy , therefore sowe mercy , that thou mayest reap the like . i pity them with all my soul , but i cannot relieve them . answ. solomon answers , if the clouds be full of rain , they will drop down water ; that is certain , it will impart it to the hungry and thirsty ground : so if we have mercy and charity in our hearts , there will be something in our hand too . object . but if i were well seated and accommodated , then i could spare something , but alas ! i live in a corner , out of the way , i have but little trading , and it s not with me as with many others , i cannot give ? answ. solomon answers , whether the tree stands north , or whether it stands south , in a more fruitful , or in a more barren place , yet it s the lords tree still , cadit domino , it falls to him , and it bears fruit to him , and so it will be with us too , if we be good trees , let us live in the north , or in the south , in a better , or in a worse habitation , we will yet yeeld some fruit . object . yea , this is true if we knew how it would be accepted : poore men are captious , and they will not take a little , and rich men will take exceptions , and say that i do it out of pride , and thereupon will tax me the higher , &c. ans. solomon again answers , he that observes the wind and rain , shall neither plow nor sowe : if a man will still be objecting , he shall never go on with any work or service whatsoever . object . yea , but i know not the parties to whom i give , there are many dissemblers that pretend to much want , when it is not so ? answ. solomon answers , neither doest thou know how the childe grows in the womb , yet thou must not starve the childe : we must do what is fit for us to do , and use our best wisdome , and then leave the rest to god , whose providence works for us ( as it were ) under the ground , as it doth for the childe . object . but i find by experience that i have been often cheated with fellows heretofore , and that discourages me now ? answ. solomon answers , sowe thy seed in the morning , and slack not thy hand in the evening , for thou knowest not which shall prosper , this , or that , or whether both shall be alike : therefore cast not perils , but venture it sometimes , thou knowest not but it may succeed very well : however , what thou doest with an upright heart , and usest thy best discretion in , god will accept and take it in good part : see dr. harris spittle sermon . quest. but doth god take notice of our works of c●rity ? answ. yea : first , he takes notice of the person that doth them , as of cornelius , acts . . secondly , of every act of mercy . thirdly , how much mercy every one sheweth . dorcas made many coates . fourthly , of the time when : obadiah in a hard time , hid the prophets and fed them , king. . . fifthly , with what heart and enlargement of affection we do them : as of those macedonians , cor. . . sixthly , yea , of the least degree of mercy : of a little cake , king. . . of a cup of cold water , mat. . . idem . quest. what may move us to be constant , and continue in our charity ? answ. first , in regard of our brethrens need ; they may long continue to be in want : he that hungers and thirsts , may hunger and thirst again , joh. . . others also may stand in need of our charity : for , mat. . . you have the poor always with you : we must not tie our selves to relieve one man once onely , nor one alone . secondly , in regard of our selves , for the reward is promised to such as continue in well-doing , rom. . . dr. gouge on heb. quest. what warrant had the widow of sarepta to relieve the prophet before she made provision for her self and her son ? answ. had she not known that it was the special will of god ; she should not have done it , to defraud her self and her sonne to relieve a stranger , contrary to the accustomed rule of piety , tim. . . therefore paul would have widows to be maintained by their own kindred . quest. is a man to prefer a stranger eminent in piety before his brother which is not so adorned with it ? answ. thou must rather nourish and relieve thy poor brother , then thy friend : for this office is coupled with nature and blood , according to which thou art more obliged , and neerer to thy brother then to thy friend : but if it be in thy power to advance the one to publick offices in church or state , thou must preferre thy virtuous friend before thy carnall brother . quest. if i see many strangers in want , and one good man also , whether should i relieve those many strangers , or that one good man ? answ. a good man is to be preferred before a a stranger , but many strangers before one known person : for the more common good is the better . balls power of godlin●sse . quest. why is giving to the poor a duty ? answ. first , because its such a duty as every poor man doth desire , and crave of another ; and hopes , and wishes that he may perform it to him , and blames him for unmercifulnesse if he neglect it ; and every rich man will acknowledge that if he should loose all , he would desire that others should shew mercy to him : therefore it s a manifest duty arising from that plain maxime , do as you would be done to . secondly , it tends to the refreshing of our brethrens bowels , and supplying their wants , and may keep them from perishing : and it pleased god so to order the world that some shall be poor , and others shall have abundance , that he may try the disposition of the later by the former , joh. . . thirdly , it will abound by many thansgivings unto god , &c. cor. . , . its makes heaven resound with thanks , and praises : yea if the poors tongues should be silent , yet their very loyns do blesse god for thee in their kinde : therefore it s our duty to do that which makes so much for gods honour . fourthly , it s undoubtedly a duty which must either justifie the truth of our religion , or condemne us as hollow hearted : now bounty to the poor is a note of soundnesse in religion , and on the contrary , he that gives not to the poor according to his means , though he pray never so often , hear never so many sermons , fast never so frequently , receive the sacrament never so constantly , read the scriptures never so daily : be he never so earnest a condemner of other mens faults , and of publick abuses , and let his shew of religion be never so abundant , yet he is but an hypocrite and dissembler , and the lord takes no delight in his services , isa. . . jam. . ult . luk. . , . mat. . . jam. . . prov. . . joh. . , , . jam. . . fifthly , covetousnesse is as thorns that choaks the word , and keeps a man from following the directions of god therein ; and so he loves his money more then god , more then his poor brother , more then the rewards of god , and more then heaven it self , and so he is an arrand hypocrite . quest. but what shall we be better for our bounty to the poore ? answ. it s the best way to prevent poverty , luk. . . cor. . . prov. . , . and that for these reasons . . because god is the great lord and master of his family in heaven and earth , and riches come not by chance , or mens industry , or the love of their friends , &c. but by the appointment of god , who makes rich , and makes poor ; wherefore all men are but his servants and stewards , to whom he commits more or lesse as best pleaseth him : hence it follows , that it must needs conduce much to the continuation and encrease of a mans wealth , that he be found a good steward of the things committed to him by his master . now to communicate of our substance to the poor with a large heart and hand , is to do the office of a good steward , pet. . , . and such shall not be put out of their office , but as he hath been faithful in a little , he shall be made ruler over much . secondly , solomon tells us , prov. . . the blessing of the lord makes rich , &c. and gives a comfortable encrease of our estates : without which men are but like horses , that carry a great burden of gold and silver through the world , and are not masters but slaves to their riches . now such comfortable wealth doth not spring from mans wit or paines , but from the blessing of god , without which the watchman watcheth in vain , the builder buildeth in vain , the husbandman plowes in vaine , the merchant trafficks in vaine , &c. either no encrease will come , or none but a vexing , and cumbersome encrease : but the lord hath expresly promised his blessing to those that open their hands to their poor brethren , deut. . . and certainly god will never be found a promise-breaker . thirdly , it s a lending to the almighty , and therefore will surely procure abundance , for god will never prove a bankrupt , he will never borrow without a resolution to pay , nor without actual repayment , and that in the fittest time and manner , prov. . . there is the bill of gods hand , wherein he both acknowledgeth the debt , and promises payment , q. d. be it known unto all men by this present promise , that i the lord god of heaven and earth , do owe and acknowledge my selfe to be indebted to every merciful liberal man all those summes of money which he hath , or shall bestow in relieving the distressed , to be paid back unto him , whensoever he shall demand it , ( for where no day is set , the borrower is bound to payment upon demand ) and to this payment well and truly to be made , i binde my self firmly by this present promise , sent , sealed and delivered by solomon my known secretary ; so that unlesse we will proclaim the lord an insufficient or dishonest debtor , we see that giving to the poor is the best way to save and encrease our wealth , his word being far surer then checquer . . it will cause many prayers to god for us , that must needs cause him to give us all good things in abundance , and so deliver us from penury . prayers made to god by his servants , upon due ground cannot be in vain , cor. ▪ . or if any should be so unthankful as not to pray for such , yet surely the houshold of faith will , to whom we ought most to abound in bounty . quest. but what means may we use to enable us to works of mercy ? answ. that a man may give , he must have money , and an heart , and a will , and a gift too : for he that hath nothing , cannot give , though he would , he that wants a heart , cannot give because he will not : both therefore are requisite , and for the getting of both we must use these means . first , we must seriously consider of these many precepts , promises and threats , which are in the book of god , concerning this duty , pressing them upon our selves , and saying , doth not the same god , which saith , hear the word , say also , give to the poor ? and if conscience binde me to the one , doth it not binde me to the other also ? if i should keep all the other commandments , and break one , shall i not be found a transgressor of all , will it any thing avail me , that i seem to be religious , if i be not merciful . secondly , to this adde prayer , beseeching god to give you this so worthy a grace , by which you shall be made so like himself , that you may know your selves to be his children , john . . and john . . and hereby we know that we love the brethren , if our hands and hearts are open to them , for love is bountiful . thirdly , thou must begin to give , that thou mayest get an habit of giving , and presse thy self to be much in doing good works , till thou hast made it easie , and delightful to thee : yea , thou shalt hereby finde as great a promptnesse to it , as thou foundest a backwardnesse before : and that you may get something to give , you must observe these rules . . you must be diligent in your callings , for the diligent hand maketh rich , and so provide matter for bounty , eph. . . and this is one end that we must propound to our selves in the works of our calling , not onely that we may supply our own wants , but may have wherewithal to relieve others . . we must use thrift , which is a due saving from sinful and needlesse expences ; and indeed hereby we might be enabled to do much , if we would cut off our superfluities . object . but from what must we save ? answ. from riot , luxury , drunkennesse , gaming , and sinful expences by which men serve the devil , and the flesh : from needlesse journies , and contentious suits in law : from excesse in works of kindnesse , in attire , feasting , housholdstuff , &c. and truly we should be willing to deny our selves in that which is much more then enough , to minister to them that have lesse then enough . . we must lay up in store for mercy , we must have a poors mans box in our house ; as david , when he intended to build a house for god , he provided all things aforehand in abundance , so must we for works of mercy , cor. . . when thus it lies by us we will give it with a free heart . quest. how much must we lay aside ? answ. be sure to do it in convenient abundance , rather with the more then with the lesse : and truly most men may spare their tenths of their comings in for pious uses , so we shall be rich in good works . try this a while , and if thou findest gods blessing so liberal that thou canst well spare it , give it still : if not , give according as thou art prospered . object . i give as much as my neighbours which have as good an estate as i ? answ. not mens examples , but the scripture must be our rule : god bids us to give after our ability , not after our neighbours nigardlinesse : again , how knowest thou that thou givest as much as another of thy estate ? dost thou know all that he gives ? or what his estate is ? ob●ect . but i do not know that my neighbour is so poor ? answ. first , you cannot meek god with pretending ignorance , prov. . . secondly , why do you not inform your selves by enquiring , and seeking to know ; why are you so inquisitive in enquiring after all other things , and so carelesse in this ? to be ignorant then is your fault , and one fault cannot excuse another . object . but i have little enough for my self and family ? answ. first , he that hath two coats may think that he hath little enough , and yet he is commanded to part with one . secondly , probably its self-love that makes thee think that thou hast little enough : canst thou think so short a pittance as thy brother hath enough for him , and all thy abundance little enough for thee ? obj. but i must provide for my family , and therefore cannot give ? answ. if this were a good argument then none should give , but the same god that bids thee to provide for thy family , bids thee give too , therefore thou must do both , and not strive so to overdo for the one , as to neglect the other . provide moderately for thy own , and thou shalt have sufficient for the poor too . object . but i have not wherewithall to be still giving , i cannot spare it ? answ. hast thou for fine cloaths , for fine fare , &c. and hast thou not for works of mercy ; suppose thy hat should be lost , hast thou not wherewith to buy another ? yes , why then wherefore hast thou not wherewith to relieve a poor man ? object . but if i should lose againe and againe , i should have nothing at length ? answ. it may be so , but thou mayst give so moderately that thou mayst have still something to give . object . i give enough according to my estate , why then do you presse me to give more ? answ. if this were true , it were a good answer : but in most i prove it to be false , for compare thy expences for mercy with those for superfluities , in entertainments , in cloaths , &c. they are far inferiour , those of mercy are nothing in comparison of the other : whereas god bids , feast the poor , and not the rich , i. e. rather then the rich , therefore its evident that thou doest not enough for mercy . object . yea , ●ut my place requires ? answ. and doth not thy place require that thou shouldst be rich in mercy as well as in cloaths , and other things ? know therefore that till thou art as abundant in works of mercy as in other things , god doth not account that thou hast done enough . object . but the poor are unthankful it ? answ. first , all are not so ; therefore give to them that are thankfull . secondly , one mans fault must not dispense with another mans duty : thou art unthankful to god ; yet he gives , so must thou . thirdly , take heed that thou dost not causelesly accuse them for unthankfulness , which thou must prove . object . but they are idle , and bring poverty upon themselves by their idlenesse , and wastfulness ? answ. first , hast thou before admonished them of it ? if not , here is a fault unseasonably to mention their evills to excuse thy selfe from doing a dutie . secondly , if thou canst not prove this , thou art a slanderer as well as a niggard , and that is a double fault . object . but they are such as have wronged me ? answ. choose to give to such , for so thou shalt shew more charity , and have a greater reward : we are commanded to feed our hungry enemy , and have a special blessing promised for it : and this is to imitate god , who loved us when we were enemies . nbject . but if i be still giving , i shall give all away ? answ. use thy discretion in giving as in other things , and thou needest not do it . a man may be very bountiful , and yet reserve enough for other good uses , cor. . . object . if i give so much away , i shall never be rich ? answ. this is an excuse worse then the fault ; for it chargeth god with flat falshood : god saith , give , and thou shalt not want : thou sayest i shall want if i give ; he saith , he that gives shall be blessed : thou sayest , he shall not : god saith , he that watereth shall be made fat : thou sayest , he shall be made lean : he saith , he will repay it : thou sayest , he will not repay it . doth not this impute falshood to god ? besides , this objection arises from an abominable principle : thus , what i cannot be rich if i do , that i will not do : as if gods commands must not be obeyed if they keep us from riches : god saith , be not hasty to be rich : and he i● not worthy of me that will not lose all for my sake : what hurt is it if thou beest not rich ? thou mayest be saved without riches , but if we do not our duty , we cannot be saved . again , if thou beest not rich in this world , thou shalt be rich in good works , and that 's the best riches . object . why should i give that to another which i have got by my hard labour ? answ. not thy labour , but gods blessing hath given thee this abundance , and because he that blesses thee bids thee give , therefore thou shouldst give . quest. what may further move us to be charitable ? answ. first , god gives us all things richly to enjoy , therefore we should imitate our father , and be bountiful like him . secondly , thou art a steward , and therefore must bestow thy masters wealth as he commands thee : thou mayest need , and in thy need wouldst be relieved , and its reason that thou shouldst do to others , as thou wouldst they should do to thee . thirdly , they to whom thou givest are thy brethren , tied to thee by many bonds , they have the same father , faith , baptisme , &c. and is not this reason enough to move thee to give them ? fourthly , thy wealth is uncertain and fickle , therefore do good with it whilest thou hast it : for when it s gone , nothing will comfort thee but the remembrance of the good thou didst with it ; as in ●obs case . fifthly , it doth good to the soul for the present , assuring it of our uprightnesse , so can no other expending : it doth good to our name , making it like a precious ointment : to our religion , adorning it : to our estate , for like a plentiful sowing , it brings in a plentiful harvest , it secures ▪ from want , which no riches can do . to our posterity , who shall enjoy the blessing : and all these in the greatest quantity : for no other giving hath half so many promises , and our good shall be according to gods promises . it doth good for the longest continuance , for it doth good after death : yea , at the resurrection , for then shall these gifts be remembred , praised , and rewarded . it doth good with most ease : here needs no toiling , nor sweating as in other things : for god will bring the fruit to our hand by a secret blessing , and if we will live by faith , here is no hazard at all : he that hath gods word cannot lose his reward . whatlies poor mans advocate . sixthly , consider that christ , though he was rich , yet for our sakes he became poor , that through his poverty we might be rich , cor. . . yea , he became so poor , that whereas the foxes have holes , and the birds of the aire have nests , yet he had not whereon to lay his head , mat. . . and this he did , that through his poverty , and pouring out his hearts blood , he might crown us with the inestimable riches of heavenly glory , and that for ever and ever : and shall not we worms and wretches , most unworthy of the least bit of bread we put into our mouths , part with our superfluities to relieve the fainting soul of him for whom christ died , and which he takes as done to himself , mat. . . were it but a cup of cold water only , mat. . . seventhly , remember that the last , and everlasting doom at that great , and dreadful day must passe upon us according to our carriage in this kinde : then shall there a severe , and sincere search be made after works as signs , and evidences of faith in the heart , or of unbelief and rottennesse there , matth. . , &c. of spiritual almes . quest. what are spiritual almes ? answ. such as flow from the fountain of truest mercy , and compassion , and are of greatest consequence , tending to relieve , repair , and refresh the poverty , wants , and miseries of the soul , and it consists in these particulars . . in instructing the ignorant , prov. . . and . . . in giving counsel to them that need , and seek it , exod. . . ruth . , &c. . in reducing the erroneous , exod. . . . in endeavouring the conversion of others , psal. . . luk. . . . in exhorting one another , heb. . . . in reproving such as offend , lev. . . . in admonishing such as are out of order , thes. . . . in considering one another to provoke unto love , and good works , heb. . . . in comforting the heavy and afflicted heart , thes. . . . in forgiving from the heart our brethren their trespasses , mat. . . . in chastening delinquents , prov. . . . in raising such as are falne through infirmity , with the spirit of meekness , gal. . . . in mutual encouragements against the cruelty , and confusion of the times , and in the way to heaven , mal. . . . in supporting , and mercifully making much of weak christians , thes. . . . in using patience towards all men , thes. . . . in praying one for another , jam. . . boltons general directions , &c. quest. what is christs meaning when he saith , lend looking for nothing again , luke ▪ . answ. for answer hereunto let us consider , first , what we may look for again . secondly , what we may not look for again . thirdly , what is christs sence . first , we may look for again . . what justly answers to the thing lent . hence elisha , kings . . chargeth the widow to pay her debts . . in case the borrower can pay , and will not , and there be no other remedy , we may have recourse to the law for our relief : for the law is good being used lawfully , and the sword of the magistrate is to defend the oppressed , rom. . . . the like courtesies in time of need : for it s but equal that we should support one another in love . . love and thankfulnesse . this paul paid cheerfully to aquila , and priscilla , rom. . . to whom i give thanks : these things we may look for , yet we must not lend for these things sake , for then we are self-seekers . secondly , we may not look for again : the like good turn to be done to us for lending sake , as lending , because its a free act : nor any gain for lending , wishing that what we lend may come home with advantage : because this overthrows the nature of lending , which ought to be free ; and it takes away the equity of lending , which is onely that the lender be no loser , exod. . , . thirdly , this appears to be christs sense in the word nothing ; because herein he doth onely oppose the pharisees , who used to lend only to those that were able and willing to benefit them again , and from whom they looked for the like , luke . , , . quest. what are the reasons why we must so lend ? answ. first , because of the command of god for it . secondly , the promise of christ , your reward shall be great in heaven , luke . , . thirdly , it s a sign of our sonship : ye shall be the children of the highest . fourthly , the example of god , he is kind to the unthankful . fifthly , it differences us from ungodly men : sinners lend to sinners to receive as much again . quest. what are the reasons why it s a blesseder thing to give then to receive ? answ. first , because he that gives feels not the poor receivers troubles , and tentations : he need not say , what shall i eat , what shall i drink , &c. mat. . . secondly , he most resembles god and heaven which spend , and are spent by perpetual blessings and influence . thirdly , he is in this an actor , and doer in the providence of god : whereas the receiver is a sufferer : and the more active we are , the more god-like we are , who is a pure act . quest. what is it to be a giver ? answ. a giver is such an one as freely makes that which is his to become another mans . quod meum est , tuum efficere nullo vire cogente . quest. what is it to be a receiver ? answ. he is a receiver that accepts as his own that which is given him from a right owner : either out of bounty , as when solomon received gifts from the queen of sheba ; or out of misery , as when the poor receive from the rich . mr. abbots christian family , &c. chap. xxvii . questions , and cases of conscience about chastity . quest. how many sorts of persons may be said to be chast ? answ. first , such as are borne with some natural impediment : this is natural chastity . secondly , such as are gelded , or made chaste by men . this is artificial chastity . thirdly , such as are fitted by god for the gift of continency : this is christian chastity : all mentioned by christ , mat. . . quest. what are the things that hurt and hinder chastity ? answ. they are of two sorts , either inward or outward . quest. what are the inward things ? answ. filthy imaginations , unchast thoughts , and inward lusts , and motions of the heart to uncleannesse , whereunto the heart gives consent : or purposes of the heart to any act of uncleannesse , matth. . . col. . . quest. when are these inwards lusts most vile ? answ. when they are so violent and strong that they continually boile , and burn within us , giving us no rest , but continually provoking to some filthy act of uncleannesse , cor. . . col. . . hos. . . quest. what are the outward things that hurt or hinder chastity ? answ. they are either such things as precede the act of uncleannesse : or the act of uncleannesse it self . quest. what are they that go before it ? answ. either such things as more remotely provoke lust , or things neerer to it . quest. what are the remoter provocations to it ? answ. first , gluttony , or excesse in eating and pampering the belly with meats ; or when we use curious and dainty meats deliciously and unseasonably , especially such as have greatest force to provoke lust , purposely to encrease it in us , jer. . . ezek. . . rom. . . hos. . . secondly , drunkennesse , and immoderate drinking , using wine , and strong drink unseasonably , and wantonly , principally to stir up lust , isa. . . rom. . . eph. . . thirdly , lustful dreames proceeding from surfeiting , drunkennesse , causing nocturnall pollutions : mentioned , deut. . . fourthly , idlenesse , when we spend our time in immoderate sleeping , ease , and doing nothing , but following sensual delights , sam. . , . ezek. . . tim. . . quest. what are the neerer provocations unto lust ? answ. first , light , vain , and immodest setting out of the body , o● carriage of it , as by gayrish , wanton , and new fangled attire ▪ curling , frizling , and powdering the haire : painting , and spotting the face : laying out naked breasts : mincing with the feet , ezek. . . prov. . . tim. . . pet. . . cor. . . king. . . jer. . . isa. . , &c. zeph. . . quest. may not such as have some deformity in the body labour to cover it ? answ. yea : so as they set not a new form upon the body : for dissembling is as unlawful in deed as in word . secondly , keeping company with wanton and unclean persons ; frequenting of lewd houses , especially at unseasonable times , gen. . . psal. . . prov. . . and . , , &c. eph. . , . thirdly , immodest and filthy speaking , or singing unclean songs , eph. . . and . , . col. . . fourthly , reading unchast and filthy books , fitter to be burnt , as those were , acts . . fifthly , idle , and curious looking of men upon women , or women upon men , gen. . . and . . and . , . sixthly , looking upon lascivious and filthy pictures , or unseemly behaviour used in stage-plays , &c. numb . . . , . ezek. . . eph. . , . seventhly , mixt dancing of men and women together , wherein light and immodest behaviour is used , exod. . . job . , . mark . , . eighthly , wearing of apparel not fit for the sex that they may the more easily commit filthinesse , deut. . . job . . gen. . . ninthly , wanton kissing , and unchast dalliance , gen. . . prov. . . deut. . , . tenthly , moving , entising , and perswading to the act of uncleannesse , as gen. . , . prov. . , &c. elton on the commandments . quest. what means are we to use for the preserving of our chastity ? answ. first , a constant and conscionable performance of private religious exercises , as reading , praying , meditating , &c. will so purifie the heart , and sweeten the soul with divine comforts , and mortifie the flesh , and confirme the spirit of grace , and beat down tentations , by meanes whereof a christian shall be conquerour over them . secondly , painfulnesse in ones calling will divert the mind from all inflaming fancies , and find the soul , and body so much imploiment in things of a lawful , and useful nature that there will be no leasure for wicked and unlawful conceits : otia si tollas , &c. thirdly , temperance in diet is a great furtherance to the chastity of the body , as withdrawing the fuel puts out the fire . fulnesse of bread will make a man an unclean sodomite , ezek. . . beat down thy body by abstinence , cor. . . fourthly , to prevent uncleanness we must shun the corner of the harlots house , and resolutely avoid the society of such as may entice us to wickednesse : we must pull out the right eye , mat. . . for prov. . . dalliance will breed whoredom . fly fornication , cor. . . as joseph did , gen. . , . fifthly , if these prevaile not , we must have recourse to marriage , and to the due , and lawful enjoyment of it , cor. . . whatelies brid-bush . sixthly , because from the heart issue adulteries , we must get a pure heart , making the inside first clean , and let thy soul become the spouse of christ to love and cleave to him . seventhly , preserve in thy soul the fear of god , eccl. . . he that is good before ●od shall be preserved , prov. . , . if knowledge enter into thy soul thou shalt avoid her snares : consider gods presence who sees thee . eighthly , hearty love betwixt married persons is a great preserver of chastity , prov. . , . ninthly , use all good means appointed by god for the preservation of thy chastity : as , . resist lustful thoughts at first , busying thy minde in holy thoughts , prov. . , . . consider thy calling to , and profession of christianity , by both which thou art called to holinesse . . remember that the pleasure of sin is short , but the gnawing of a guilty conscience will continue to eternity . . apply the word , which is the sword of the spirit , especially such places of it as tend directly to the cutting down of this sin . . fly to god by prayer , and if thou beest strongly assaulted , complain to him , as a woman tells her husband to be rid of a temp●e● . . if these prevail not , see whether thou hast not been guilty of uncleannesse before marria●e , if so , thou must truly repent of it , for marriage without repentance abates not the power of lust , and therefore thou must with many prayers and tears beg pardon ; thou must ( as it were ) wash thy selfe in the tears of true repentance , cor. . , . . get sound knowledge in the wo●d of god , which is an excellent preservative against it , prov. . , , , , , , . psal. . . joh. . . . remember thy creator in the days of thy youth , eccl. . . consider that god did not make thee to wallow in the mire of these swinish pollutions . meditate also of thy own mortality , that the thoughts of thy death may be the death of thy lusts , p●t . . . . walk in love : when paul charges the ephesians to avoid fornication , he seriously adviseth them to walk in love , eph. . , . as knowing that the exercise of true christian love , breeds such desires of holinesse , as mightily fence the heart against all base lusts whatsoever . . avoid too great estimation of earthly things , which breeds lust , tim. . . . take heed of contemplative wickednesse , cast not about how to fulfill the lusts of the flesh , rom. . . mr. byfield on col. . beg chastity of god by prayer , seeing its his gift alone , matth. . . cor. . . . fly the society of filthy and effeminat persons ; cor. . , , . eph. . . prov. . . and keep company with such as are sober and chast . consider also these texts of scripture , ezek. . . sam. . . pet. . . thes. . . tim. . . and . , . tit. . . quest. what is chastity ? answ. chastity is a part of temperance , whereby we keep our bodies , and souls pure , and undefiled temples of the holy ghost , and members of jesus christ , and this is to be observed through our whole life , whether we be in a single or married estate . see more in matrimonial chastity . chap. xxviii . questions , and cases of conscience about children . quest. what is the best course that parents can take to have comfort in their children ? answ. the best way to have gracious children is to begin at religion , planting it in them as their tender years will bear , training them up in the knowledge , and information of the lord , dropping into them by little and little the seeds of holinesse , providing , if it be possible , that they may suck in holinesse with their mothers milk . quest. what may move parents hereunto ? answ. first , they should consider that they have been the cause of their childrens evil , and holp them into sinne , begetting them in their own image , and so have brought much misery upon them , and therefore they have need also to endeavour to bring them out of it . secondly , this is a good ground of all other nurture : for though they bring them up in learning , or to trades , if they bring them not up also in the feare of god , they leave them to the curse of god , and by gods just judgement they prove a heart-breaking to their parents : when they should have the greatest comfort in them : whereas , prov. . . my sonne , if thy heart be wise i shall rejoyce . thirdly , god takes notice how parents performe this duty , and accordingly blesses or curses both them and their children : as we see in the examples of abraham , genes . . , , . and the contrary in eli , sam. . . fourthly , it s a means for continuing and propagating the gospel , and true religion , when having trained up our children in the feare of god , we leave them to serve god when we are gone . quest. wherein especially doth this duty consist , and how may we performe it ? answ. first , in acquainting them with the grounds of religion by private catechising them . secondly , by bringing them to the publick assemblies so soone as they are able to sit there reverently , or fruitfully ; this is to teach them in the trade of their way , prov. . . object . but alas , what should we trouble children with such things as these ? answ. first , though it may seem fruitlesse for the present , yet they will remember it when they are old , prov. . . secondly , by this means thou mayest displace , at least restrain natural folly which is bound up in their hearts , if thou doest no more . thirdly , godly parents have done it , and are commended for it : hannah brought her sonne to eli to be instructed so soone as he was weaned , sam. . . solomon was a tender childe when his father taught him , prov. . . timothy was acquainted with the scriptures of a childe , tim. . . and the excellent fruits of this timely instruction appeared in them all . tailor on titus . quest. how must children manifest their reverence to their parents ? answ. first , by their words , and that divers wayes . . giving them reverend and honourable titles : of all which , father and mothe● are fittest . object . but this title of father is so proper to god that we are to call none on earth father ? mat. . . answ. this is not simply to be taken of the title it self , but of the mind of him that gives or affects it . if it be given , or affected to obscu● gods fathertherhood , or to make a man a father of himself , without dependance upon god or reference to him , who is properly the father of all , it s an impious and sacrilegious title , but otherwise its lawful and warrantable , as appeares by these texts , sam. . . king. . . judg. . . king. . . cor. . . tim. . . gen. . . and . . . they must shew their reverence to their parents by using few words in their presence , and those not without just occasion , gen. . . and . . . by meek and humble speeches , sam. . . and . . . by taking a fit opportunity to speak : as when their parents are not seriously busie , or in company , or in passion , sam. . . contrary , sam. . . . by giving a present , and pleasing answer when their parents speak to them , as sam. . , , . mat. . . quest. how else must they shew their reverence to their parents ? answ. secondly , by their carriage towards their parents , which consists in these particulars . . if the childe know that his parent is coming , he should haste to meet him ; so , gen. . . king. . . . do such childlike obeisance as becomes their age and sex : as uncovering the head , bending the knee , bowing the body , standing up , &c. so , gen. . . king. . . . their countenance and gesture must be sober , and modest in their parents presence . . they must give the place , and upper hand to their parents . quest. but what if the child be more wealthy and honourable then the parent ? answ. no honour is comparable to the dignity of fatherhood : indeed a child by reason of some honour , and office may in publick be forced to take place of a parent , but they must not do it in private . . according to the custom of the time , and place they must ask them blessing . so , gen. . . and . , &c. object . these had the spirit of prophesie , whereby they could foreshew what should come to passe afterward , which made their children come to them ? answ. first , their blessings were more then predictions : for they were also assurances that god would perform those blessings to their children : for they were both prophets , and fathers : as prophets they foretold things : as fathers the obtained the blessings pronounced , and an assurance thereof to their children , and that by faith and prayer . secondly , though parents cannot with such an extraordinary spirit assure to their children any distinct particular blessing , yet the faithful prayer of parents is a special and ordinary means to obtain the blessing on their children ; gods promise extending to the faithful , and their seed , gen. . . acts . . prov. . . object . if parents be wicked their prayers are an abomination , what blessing then can children look for from wicked parents ? answ. though god hear not wicked parents in love and goodnesse to themselves ; yet for the good of their children he doth and will hear them , and that the rather to maintain a reverend respect of parents in the hearts of their children : for asking a blessing is an acknowledgement of superiority , and authority , according to that of the apostle , heb. . . the lesse is blessed of the greater . and as for the gesture of kneeling its answerable to the gesture used by jos●ph , gen. . . who bowed himself with his face to the earth . object . but kneeling is a gesture proper to gods worship . answ. it is not so proper , but it may be used in civil cases , else christ would have reproved the young man for kneeling before him , as well as for calling him good ; for he conceived christ to be but a meer man , and the worship he did was but civil . it s not simply the gesture , but the occasion of it , the minde of him that performs it , and the ends which he performs it for , that makes it either divine , or civil . cornelius fell down before peter , and was blamed , because his manner of worshipping was divine : the jaylor fell down before paul and silas , and was not blamed , because his manner of worshipping was meerly civil . some disallow not childrens asking their parents blessing , but think it meet only for children whilst young , not considering of what years , and state joseph was when he performed it . others think it not unlawful , but carelesly neglect it , little considering the benefit of a parents blessing : esau shall rise up in judgement against them , gen. . . heb. . . quest. what is another duty of children to their parents ? answ. obedience , which is the surest note of the honour a child gives to his parent : hence , eph. . . col. . . without which , external reverence is a meer mockage ; as , mat. . . obedience is a duty so proper , that the apostle applies it to christ as a proper attribut , pet. . . as obedient children , &c. see christs example , luk. . . solomon calls the neglect of it , a despising of a parent , prov. . . quest. wherein consists this obedience ? answ. first , in forbearing to do things without their parents consent , which is a duty they are most bound to whilst they are under their parents government , during which time , parents consent is not only meet but necessary , numb . . . and that for these reasons . . children are as the goods of their parents , wholly in their power to be ordered , and disposed by them . hence satan having all that job had put into his hands , took liberty over his children as well as his goods and cattel , job . , . . children , whilest under their government , even the eldest that are heires , differ nothing from servants , gal. . . . by gods law , parents had power to sell their children , exod. . . . parents had power to disannul such things as children had done , num. . . now this subjection of theirs consisteth principally in five things . quest. what is the first ? answ. first , they must have their parents consent in making choise of their calling : jacob was sent by his parents to laban , gen. . . david was appointed by his father to keep sheep , sam. . , . when saul would have david to wait on him , he sent to j●sse , sam. . . so jerem. . . jonadabs sons were rewarded fo● their obedience in this kind . secondly , in their marriages : for , . god himself hath given us a pattern , by bringing the woman to the man , gen. . . shewing that he who gave a being to the woman , had a right to dispose of her in marriage , which right now parents have in gods room . . we have gods expresse rule for it , deut. . . cor. . , . the parent had also power in giving , or not giving her that was defloured , exod. . . . we have the examples of gods saints for it ; as of isaac , gen. . . jacob , gen. . . he also asked his daughter of laban , gen. . , &c. sampson , judges . . . we have the judgement of the ancient fathers , who constantly taught this doctrine . . the very heathen acknowledged the equity hereof , gen. . , &c. and . . yea , and all laws confirm it . quest. why must parents consent be had in marrying their children ? answ. first , because by marriage they are put from their parents , g●n . . . therefore it s but equal that it should be with their consent . secondly , the parents power by marrying the childe is put over to the husband , or wife : and shall this power be taken away without their consent ? thirdly , children for the most part are rash and heady , and would undo themselves , whereas parents love their children , and have more experience , and discretion in choosing for them . q. but what if their parents urge their children to marry such as they cannot love ? answ. if they have no just exceptions against the party , they must labour to the uttermost to bring their affections to the bent of their parents will : but if notwithstanding all the means they can use , they cannot get affections , they may in a reverend manner intreat their parents not to presse them to it . quest. vvhat if parents be negligent in due time to provide their children fit matches , may not they provide for themselves ? answ. in such a case a childe , knowing where a fit match may be had , may make it known to his parents , as sampson did , judg. . . craving his consent and help therein : and if his parent will not hear , he may use the meditation of friends , and if the parent be still wilful , he may have recourse to the magistrate , who is in gods stead , and the father of his countrey , and what the magistrate doth , it s as good a warrant as if the parent did it . the like may be done , if the parent be an idolater , atheist , or heretick , and will not yeeld that his childe shall marry to any but such as are of his own profession , or disposition . object . though jacob married one wife by his parents consent , yet not the other ? answ. jacob had a general consent from his parents to take a wife of the daughters of laban , therefore if it had been lawful for him to have two wives , he had not done it without their consent . object . servants may marry without their masters consent , why not children without their parents ? a. . it s not lawful for servants so to do , while the date of their covenant lasteth . secondly , parents have greater power over their children , then masters over their servants : the latter being only by mutual covenant , and the servants voluntary subjection : but the former is by the bond of nature . object . children marry for themselves , not for their parents , why then should their consent be so stood on ? ans. first , though they marry not for their parents , yet from their parents , being by marriage freed from their power . secondly , children are not their own , but are the inheritance of the lord , psal. . and god hath given them to their parents as an inheritance , therefore a child may no more alienate himself from his parents , then other of his goods . thirdly , children may not alienate any of their parents goods without their consent , gen. . . gal. . . and that . because parents may hereby know what they have , and what they have not , and acco●dingly order their expences , which they could not do if children might purloin , and take of their goods at their pleasure . . it s a means to restrain the lavish humour of children , that so their parents may be the better enabled to lay up for them , cor. . . fourthly , children must be ordered by their parents for their apparel . israel made joseph a coat , gen. . . fifthly , children must forbear to binde themselves to do any thing against their parents consent , they may not make a vow without their consent , numb . . . quest. wherein consists the active obedience of children to their parents ? answ. in yeelding themselves pliable to their parents will , and that especially in four things . first , in being ready to their uttermost ability to perform all their lawful commands , eph. . . as for example . . they must come at their call , gen. . . sam , . , &c. and . . . they must go on their errands , though farre , and troublesom , gen. . . and . . and . , . sam. . , . . they must attend upon their parents when commanded , gen ▪ . . . they must faithfully perform what businesse is injoyned them , gen. . . jer. . . sam. . , . secondly , in obeying the wholsom instructions which their parents give them , prov. . , . and . , . exod. . . for , . parents are commanded to instruct them . . great wisdom may be attained hereby , prov. . . and . . and . . . much joy is brought to parents by it , prov. . . and . . contrary , gen. . . sam. . . gen. . . thirdly , in submitting to their parents reproofs ; and amending what is justly reproved , gen. . . sam. . , &c. quest. what if the parent mistake in the matter reproved , may not the child make answer ? answ. yea , but he must do it mildly , reverently , and seasonably . object . christ took up his mother roundly , for reproving him unjustly ? luke . . answ. christ , as god-man , was greater then his mother , and so with authority blamed her for her unjust reproof : this she knew , and therefore was silent . fourthly in submitting to their parents correction , and amending what they ate justly corrected for , heb. . . prov. . . quest. what is the extent of childrens obedience to their parents ? answ. in all things , col. . . to wit , in the lord , eph. . . for which end , . they must labour to bring their judgement and will to the bent of their parents , to think that meet for them to do , which their parents would have them do , gen. . , . . though in their judgments they cannot think it fittest , yet if pressed to it , they must submit , gen. . &c. quest. may not a child yeelding better reason then his parent , refuse to do what be judges unmeet , at l●st till he be better informed ? answ. he may render his reason with reverence , and humility , and desire his parents not to urge it upon him , gen. . , . yet in indifferent things , if parents will not be satisfied , but will be obeyed , children must yeeld . for , . in such things the command of a parent is a warrant for the child , so that a parent may sin in commanding that , wherein a child may obey without sin . . children hereby manifest their high esteeme of their parents , how willing they are to please them . . it s a great means to preserve peace , and love betwixt parents and children . quest. what is further required from children to their parents ? answ. to repay , and recompence what they can , their parents care , cost , and kindnesse towa●ds them , and that in the way of thankfulnesse , tim. . . quest. what rule is to be observed herein ? answ. children must relieve their parents according to their necessitie which may be through , . natural infirmities : or , . casual extremities : concerning the first , the rule is . children must bear with their parents infirmities , not the lesse reverendly esteeming their place , or person ; nor performing the lesse duty to them by reason of the same , remembring that themselves in their younger and weaker years were subject to many infirmities : as , gen. , . it was a great infirmity in isa●c to prefer profane esau before godly jacob , especially against an expresse word of god : yet jacob reverenced him not the lesse , gen. . . so gen. . . sam. . . luke . . contrary , prov. . . . children must cover their parents infirmities , both by passing them by , and concealing them from others as much as they can . for , pet. . . love covers a multitude of sins . so , gen. . . contrary , gen. . . sam. . . concerning the second , the rules are . children must bear with their parents , and not the lesse reverently esteem them , nor perform the lesse duty , because of them , being crosses which by gods providence are laid upon man , whether upon his body , as blindnesse , lamenesse , sicknesse , &c. or on his person , as captivity , banishment , imprisonment , &c. or on his estate , as poverty , want , &c. so gen. . . ruth . , . hence , lev. . . . children must afford relief and succour to their parents as they need the same . so , gen. . . and . . and . . and . . ruth . . sam. . , . john . . tim. . . contrary , mark . , . whereunto are such as first deny relief to their parents , john . . secondly , that bring their parents into extremity by their lavish spending , or drawing them to be their sureties ; or bringing them into danger by their mischievous practises , gen. . . thirdly , that strike their parents , exod. . . fourthly , that murder them , tim. . . . children must bear with the inward infirmities of their parents , as weaknesse of judgement , slipperinesse of memory , violence of passion , &c. . with their outward infirmities which arise from instant tentation : such were those , gen. . . and . . sam. . . and . . gen. . . and . . and . , . quest. what duties do children owe to their parents after death ? answ. first , to inter their bodies with such decency , and honour as may be answerable to the place , and reputation wherein they lived , gen. . . and . . and . . for , . it s a testimony of their great love , and respect to them . . it s a blessing promised by god to his saints , kings . . kings . . the contrary is threatned as a curse , jer. . . kings . , . psalme . . . it s a great deformity for a corps to lie above ground , therefore children who are most bound to cover their parents deformity , are in this respect bound to bury them . secondly , children must have respect to the credit of their deceased parents , and that especially in three things . . in paying their just debts so far as they can , when their goods , or lands come to their hands , psal. . . . in suppressing evil reports of their parents as much as they can . for , matth. . . . in imitating their parents good example . so , kings . . king. . . kings . . quest. after what manner must children perform all these duties to their parents ? answ. first , for conscience-sake , rom. . ▪ 〈◊〉 . . . pet. . . secondly , in sincerity , col. . . thirdly , cheerfully , and with a ready mind , cor. . . fourthly , reverendly , as to them that bear the image of god. fifthly , so , as yet not to sin against god : it must be in the fear of god. sixthly , constantly , or else they loose their reward . quest. must equal respect be shewed to both parents ? answ. yea , the law mentions both father and mother . so , gen. . . and solomon . . because both parents under god are alike means of their childrens being . . the care , and pains of both is very great . object . the wife is subject to the husband : therefore ought a child to prefer his father before his mother ? answ. though there be a difference betwixt them in relation of one to another , yet in relation to their children , they are both as one , and have alike authority over them . quest. what if one commands what the other forbids ? answ. the thing commanded , or forbidden must be observed : if it be about a thing simply good or evil , then the parent that would have what is good to be done , and what is evil to be forborn , must be obeyed , though it be the mother ; but if it be a thing indifferent : then the father is to be obeyed ; yet no contempt must be shewd to the mother therein . quest. whether do children owe subjection to step-fathers , and mothers , and to fathers and mothers in law ? answ. yea , as to those that are in the place of natural parents : so did moses , exod. . . and ruth , chap. . , . and . . and christ , luke . . and that , . because the marriage bond makes them one flesh with our natural parents . . the law makes it incest for a man to lie with his stepmother , lev. . , . therefore they are in the roome of natural parents , and so to be honoured . . it s a great honour which a child doth to his natural father , or mother to respect such as they have made one flesh with themselves . object . nature cannot so well brook a step-parent , as a natural parent ? answ. first , if not so well , yet we must not depise them . secondly , conscience , and religion should alter corrupt nature . object . step-parents seldome care for their husbands , or wives former children ? answ. first , god teaches not only to be subject to the good , and gentle , but also to the froward , pet. . . and not to be overcome of evil , but to overcome evil with good , rom. . . secondly , the scriptures reckons such as rise up against their parents in law amongst such as rise up against their natural parents , mic. . . quest. must children be subject to guardians and tutors . answ. yea , for the apostle faith that they are under them , gal. ● . . so esther , ch . . . and elisha , king. . , &c. and . . quest. what arguments may move children to obey their parents ? answ. first , they are commanded to obey them in the lord , i. e. because parents are to the children in the lords stead , liberis suis pater est vice dei. greg. nazian . they bear gods image , and children in obeying them , obey god. secondly ; it is right , col. . . which implies three things . . it s agreeable to all laws of god , nature , nations . . the place of parents requires so much : for right requires that every one should have his due . . parents deserve so much , so that its done by way of recompence . thirdly , it s well pleasing to the lord , col. . . and he will reward it , gen. . , &c. . contrary , sam. . . sam. . . king. . . fourthly , its gods charge to them : honour thy father , and thy mother . it s a perpetual and general law. quest. what if children be grown to years , and not under their parents government ? answ. this may cause some difference : yet so long as a child hath a parent , he owes honour to him : as we see in joseph , though married , and a great man , gen. . . and . . and . . and in solomon , king. . . fifthly , because of gods promise made to such obedient children , that thy days may be long in the land , &c. dr. gouge . household duties . quest. whether are many children a blessing ? answ. yea , so saith david , psal. . . and . , . hence , ruth . . quest. whether may parents make void a contract secretly made by their children , without , or against their consent ? answ. the scriptures gives them authority , either to ratifie such contracts , or to make them void , numb . . . the father may make void a vow of his child in matters pertaining to gods worship , much more a matrimonial promise . if a young man defloure a maid , in equity he is to be compelled to marry her , deut. . . yet by gods law it may not be without the fathers consent , exod. . . quest. whether is a marriage made without , or against the parents consent valid , or no ? answ. it may be valid in the courts of men according to humane lawes , and therefore the issue of such is free from bastardy : yet it s not a divine , or spiritual conjunction , or marriage , being flatly against gods precept , deut. . . exod. . . cor. . . mr. perk. upon gal. quest. what rules are parents to observe in giving names to their children ? answ. first , they should give them such names as may put them in minde of some good duty . paul could never hear , or remember his new name , but he was thereby put in mind of his new office , and duty which he was to perform amongst the gentiles . secondly , as much as may be these names must be given in the natural language : thus the hebrews gave fit names in hebrew : the greeks in greek , as timothy , &c. act. . . the latines in latine , as tertius , quartus , rom. . , . thirdly , we must neither be too curious , nor too carelesse in giving names to our children . quest. who are too curious ? answ. such as give them names above the nature of men : some drawing too neer the deity it self ; as emanuel ; and the jesuites . some of angels , as gabriel , michael , &c. some of vertues , as grace , faith , mercy , patience , &c. quest. who are too carelesse ? answ. such as name their children with heathenish names : as hector , achilles , hanibal , julius caesar , &c. as if they would have them prove like them . sometimes they give them names of things far below the nature of men , as of beasts , trees , flowers , &c. dr. tailor on tit. quest. why must there be such care in naming our children ? answ. because such whose names were appointed by god , as gen. . . mat. . . luke . . and such as were given by holy men and women that were guided by gods spirit , were holy , sober , and fit names . as . names which had some good signification : as samuel , heard of god : john , the grace of god : jonathan , the gift of god : simeon , obedient , &c. . names which have in times before us been given to persons of good note , whose life is worthy our imitation : as isaac , david , peter , mary , elizabeth , &c. that the names may move them to imitate those worthies . . names of our own ancestors , and predecessors , to preserve a memory of the family , which appears to have been an ancient practice amongst gods people , luke . , & ● . . usual names of the countrey , which custome hath made familiar : as henry , edward , robert , william , &c. quest. at what time is it fittest to give names to our children ? answ. at the time of their baptisme . under the law , children were named at their circumcision , luk. . . and . . and so under the gospel it hath in all ages been used : and that . that their names may be a testimony that they have been baptized . . that so oft as they hear their names , they may be put in minde of their baptisme . . that they may know how that by name they are given to christ to be his souldiers , and therefore they ought not to start from him . . that they may also be assured that being baptized with water , and the spirit , they are registred by name in heaven . dr. gouge housh . duties . quest. whether , and how far are children that are married , or called to publick offices in church , or state , bound to obey their parents ? an. childrens obedience to parents ought to be perpetual , so long as they live : implied in that precept : honour thy father , and thy mother , that thy days may be long , &c. but yet not alwayes in the same manner and degree . for whilest children live in their fathers house , and under his power , they ought to obey , and asist in taking care of houshold affairs , and in other businesses as they are commanded by them , mat. . , &c. but such as are married , or called to publick offices , though they must reverence , and be helpful to them , yet are they not bound to desert their callings , luke . . or to returne to take care of their family businesse as they did before . dr. davenant on col. quest. what general rules are to be observed by children in obeying their parents ? answ. first , they must obey , not in some things , and at some times , but alwayes , through the whole course of their lives , eph. . . secondly , they must perform this obedience . . with reverence internal , and external : internally they must have an high esteem of them , a tender respect to , and shew honour , and observance of them : externally they must shew it by all reverend behaviour , as by rising up before them , giving them the honour to speak first , &c. . with readinesse to hear and receive their instructions , prov. . . thirdly , they must endeavour to fulfil their desires by their labours , or otherwise . fourthly , they must submit to their rebukes , prov. . . to their restraints about diet , apparel , recreations , &c. to their corrections , heb. . . fifthly , they must pray for them : for if they must do it for all , much more for them , tim. . . sixthly , they must shew meeknesse of love three ways . . by obeying without enquiring , murmuring or contending . . by bearing with their infirmities , whether of body or minde : yea , though aged , diseased , crabbed . . by obeying without respect of profit ; the contrary is base , and mercenary . seventhly , they must shew thankfulnesse , and gratitude , by recompencing their parents kindnesse , and relieving them in their wants , if they fall into want , tim. . . mr. byfield on col. chap. xxix . questions , and cases of conscience about christ. quest. what are we to conceive of the incarnation of christ ? answ. that it is a notable wonder , and great , beyond all comparison : that the son of god should be made of a woman , gal. . . even of that woman that was made by himself , john . . col. . . that her womb and the heavens now should contain him , acts . . whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain , kings . . that he who had both father and mother , whose pedigree is recorded , even up to adam , who in the fulnesse of time was brought forth in bethlehem , and when he had finished his course , was cut off at jerusalem , should yet be in truth , that which his shadow melchizedek was , only in the conceit of the men of his time , without father , without mother without pedigree , having neither beginning of days , nor end of life , heb. . . with isa. . . and mich. . . that his father should be greater then he : john . . and yet he his fathers equal , john . . phil. . . that he is before abraham was , john . . and yet abrahams birth preceded his near two thousand yeares , that he who was davids son , should yet be davids lord , mat. . . &c. this is a wonder of wonders . quest. how may this kno● be untied ? answ. the untying of it depends upon the right understanding of the wonderful conjunction of the divine and humane nature in the unity of the person of our redeemer ; for by reason of the strictnesse of this personal union , whatsoever may be verified of either of those natures , the same may be truly spoken of the whole person , from whithersoever of the natures it be denominated : for the clearing whereof , remember that in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the godhead bodily , col. . . i. e. by such a personal and real union , as doth inseparately and everlastingly conjoyne that infinite godhead , with his finite manhood in the unity of the self-same individual person . quest. how may we understand this ? answ. remember that he in whom that fulnesse dwells , is the person : and that fulnesse that so dwelleth in him , is the nature . now there dwelleth in him not only the fulnesse of the godhead , but the fulnesse of the manhood also : so that there are two distinct natures in him : and two so distinct , that they do not make one compounded nature , but still remain uncompounded , and unconfounded together : but he in whom the fulnesse of the manhood dwells , is not one : and he in whom the fulnesse of the godhead , another : but he in whom the fulnesse of both those natures dwelleth , is one and the same immanuel , and consequently he is but one person . quest. what is further to be considered about this ? answ. that the divine nature did not assume an humane person , but the divine person did assume an humane nature : and that of the three divine persons , it was neither the first , nor the second , that did assume this humane nature ; but it was the middle person , who was to be the middle one , that must undertake this mediation betwixt god and us : which was otherwise also most requisite , as well for the better preservation of the integrity of the blessed trinity in the godhead , as for the higher advancement of mankind by meanes of that relation which the second person , the mediatour , did beare unto his father . for if the fulnesse of the godhead should thus have dwelt in any humane person , there should then a fourth person have been necessarily added to the godhead : and if any of the three persons , besides the second , had been borne of a woman , there should have been two sons in the trinity , whereas now the son of god , and the son of the blessed virgin , being but one person . is consequently but one son , and so there is no alteration at all made in the relations of the persons of the trinity . again , in respect of us , god sent his own son made of a woman , that we might receive the adoption of sons , gal. . , , . and if a son , then an heire of god through christ : intimating thereby , that what relation christ hath to god by nature , we , being found in him , have the same by grace , john . . and . . with john . . for though he reserve to himself the preeminence which is due to him in a peculiar manner of being the first-borne amongst many brethren , rom. . . yet in him , and for him , the rest likewise by the grace of adoption , are all of them accounted as first-borne , exod. . , . heb. . . rom. . . quest. vvhat is the nature assumed by the son of god ? answ. the seed of abraham , heb. . . the seed of david , rom. . . the seed of the woman , gen. . . the word , the second person of the trinity being made flesh , john . . neither did he take the substance of our nature only , but also all the properties and the qualities thereof : yea , he subjected himself in the dayes of his flesh to the same weaknesse which we find in our fraile nature , and was compassed with the like infirmities , being in all things made like unto his brethren , acts . . heb. . . cor. . . heb. . , . and . . yet as he took upon him not an humane person , but an humane nature ; so it was not requisite that he should take upon him any personal infirmities , as madnesse , blindnesse , lamenesse , and particular diseases , which are incident to some only ; but those alone which do accompany the whole nature of mankind , as hunger , thirst , wearinesse , grief , pain , and mortality . quest. what is further considerable about christ ? answ. that as he had no mother in regard of one of his natures , so he was to have no father in regard of the other : but must be borne of a pure virgin , without the help of man , jer. . . and this was requisite , as for other respects , so for the exemption of the assumed nature , from the imputation and pollution of adams sin : for sin having by that one man entred into the world , every father becomes an adam to his children , conveying the corruption of his nature to all whom he begets , rom. . . but he being made of man , but not by man , and so becoming the immediate fruit of the womb , and not of the loynes , must necessarily be acknowledged that holy thing , luke . . the virgin was but the passive and material principle , of which that precious flesh was made , and the holy ghost the agent and efficient : yet cannot the man christ jesus be thereby made the son of his own spirit , because fathers beget their children out of their own substance , but the holy ghost did not so , but framed the flesh of him from whom himself proceeded , out of the creature of them both , the handmaid of the lord , luke . , . whom from thence all generations shall call blessed . that blessed womb of hers was the bride-chamber , wherein the holy ghost did knit that indissoluble knot betwixt our humane nature and his deity , the son of god assuming into the unity of his person , that which before he was not , and yet without change , ( for so must god still be ) remaining that which he was , whereby it came to passe , that this holy thing which was borne of her , was in truth called the son of god , luke . . which wonderful connexion of two so infinitely differing natures in the unity of one person , how it was there effected is above our shallow capacities , yea , the angels stoop , and desire to look into it , pet. . . this we may safely say , that as the distinction of the persons in the holy trinity , hinders not the unity of the nature of the godhead , though every person holds intirely his own incommunicable property , so neither doth the distinction of the two natures in christ any wayes crosse the unity of his person , although each nature remaineth entire in it self , and retaineth the properties agreeing thereto , without any conversion , composition , commixtion , or confusion . quest. what is further considerable about christ ? answ. that as there is one god , so there is one mediatour between god and man , even the man christ jesus , &c. tim. . , . and in discharge of this his office , he being the only fit umpire to take up the controversie between god and man , he was to lay his hand as well upon god , the party so highly offended , as upon man , the party so basely offending . in things concerning god the priesthood of our mediatour is exercised , heb. . . and . . quest. what are the parts of his priestly office ? answ. satisfaction , and intercession : the former whereof gives contentment to gods justice : the latter soliciteth his mercy , for the application of this benefit to gods children in particular ; whereby it comes to passe that god , in shewing mercy upon whom he will shew mercy , is yet for his justice no loser , rom. . . by vertue of his intercession he appears in the presence of god for us , and maketh request for us , heb. . . and . . rom. . . heb. . , . and he must be such a sutor as taketh our case to heart . hence , heb. . . he must be made like his brethren , &c. in which respect , as it was needful he should partake with our flesh and blood , that he might be tenderly affected to his brethren : so likewise for the obtaining of so great a suit , it behoved that he should be most dear to god his father , and have so great an interest in him , as he might always be sure to be heard in his request , john . . and therefore he must be his beloved son , matth. . . so then it was fit our intetcessor should be man like our selves , that we may come boldly to him , heb. . . it was fit also he should be god , that he might go boldly to the father without any way disparaging of him , as being his fellow and equal , zach. . . phil. . . quest. why must christ be a propitiation for our sins ? answ. such was gods love to justice , and hatred to sin , that he would not have his justice swallowed up with mercy , nor sin pardoned without making a fit reparation : therefore our mediator must not look to procure for us a simple pardon without more ado , but must be a propitiation for our sinnes , and redeem us by his fine , and ransome , and so not only be the master of our requests , to intreat the lord for us : but also take upon him the part of an advocate to plead full satisfaction made by himself as our surety , rom. . . john . . and . . mat. . . tim. . . job . . joh. . . heb. . . unto all the debt wherewith we any way stood chargeable . quest. what satisfaction did christ our surety binde himself to perform in our behalf ? answ. it was of a double debt , the principal , and the accessory . quest. what was the principal d●bt ? answ. obedience to gods most holy law , which man was bound to pay as a perpetual tribute to his creator , though he had never sinned ; but being now by his own default become bankrupt , he is not able to discharge in the least measure ; his surety therefore being to satisfie in his stead , none will be found fit to undertake such a payment , but he who is both god and man. quest. why must he be man ? answ. first , because man was the party that by the articles of the first covenant , was tyed to this obedience , and it was requisite that as by the disobedience of one man , many were made sinners , so by the obedience of one man , should many be made righteous , rom. . . secondly , if our mediator were only god , he could have performed no obedience ( the god-head being free from all manner of subjection . ) quest. why must he be god ? answ. because , if he were a bare man , though he had been as perfect as adam in his integrity , or the angels themselves : yet being left unto himself amidst all the tentations of satan , and this wicked world , he should have been sub●ect to fall as they were ; or had he held out , as the elect angels did , it must have been ascribed to the grace , and favour of another , whereas the giving of strict satisfaction to gods justice was the thing required : but now being god as well as man , he by his own eternal spirit preserved himself without spot , presenting a far more satisfactory obedience unto god , then adam could possibly have performed in his integrity . quest. how may that appear ? answ. besides the infinite difference that was betwixt both their persons , which makes the actions of the one beyond all comparison to exceed the worth and value of the other , we know that adam was not able to make himself holy , but what holinesse he had , he received it from him that created him after his own image , so that whatsoever obedience adam had performed , god should have eaten but of the fruit of the vineyard which himself had planted , cor. . . and of his own would all that have been which could be given to him , chron. . , . but christ did himself sanctifie that humane nature which he assumed , john . . and so out of his own peculiar store did he bring forth those precious treasures of holy obedience , which for the satisfaction of our debt , he was pleased to tender to his father . secondly , if adam had done all things that were commanded him , he must for all that have said , i am an unprofitable servant , i have not done that which was my duty to do , luke . . whereas in the voluntary obedience which christ subjected himself to , the case stood far otherwise . indeed if we respect him in his humane nature , his father is greater then he , john . . and he is his fathers servant , isa. . . mark . . yet in that he most truly said , that god was his father , john . . the jewes did rightly infer from thence that thereby he made himself equal with god , and the lord hath proclaimed him to be the man that is his fellow , zach. . . being therefore such a man , and so highly borne , by the priviledge of his birth-right , he might have claimed an exemption from the ordinary service which all other men are tyed to ; and by being the kings son , he might have freed himself from the payment of that tribute which was to be exacted of strangers , matth. . , . when the father brought this his first begotten into the world , he said , let all the angels of god worship him , heb. . . and at that very instant wherein the son advanced our nature into the highest pitch of dignity , by admitting it into the unity of his sacred person , that nature so assumed , was worthy to be crowned with all glory and honour , and he in that nature might then have set himself down at the right hand of the throne of god , heb. . . tyed to no other subjection then now he is , or hereafter shall be , when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to god the father : for then also in regard of his assumed nature , he shall be subject unto him that hath put all things under him , cor. . . but he looking on the the things of others , phil. . , , , . he chose rather to come by a tedious way , and wearisome journey to it , not challenging the priviledge of a son , but taking upon him the form of a mean servant : not serving as an honourable commander in the lords host , but as a common souldier , making himself of no reputation , and emptying himself of his high dignity , he humbled himself , and became obedient unto death , phil. . . being content all his life long to be made under the law , gal. . . yea , so far that as he was sent in the likensse of sinful flesh , rom. . . so he disdained not to subject himself unto that law which properly did concern sinful flesh , and therefore though circumcision was by right applicable only to such as were dead in their sins , and the uncircumcision of their flesh , col. . , . yet he in whom there was no sin to be put off , notwithstanding submitted himself there unto : not only to testifie his communion with the fathers of the old testament : but also hereby to tender to his father a bond signed with his own blood , whereby he made himself in our behalf a debtor to the whole law , gal. . . baptisme also pertained properly to such as were defiled , and had need to have their sins washed away , act. . . hence matth. . . mar. . . when many came to john baptist , christ also came amongst the rest : but the baptist considering that he had need to be baptised of christ , and not christ by him , as altogether unfitting for that imaculate lamb of god : yet did he , as our mediatour , submit himself to that ordinance of god also : not only to testifie his communion with the christians of the new testament : but especially , because it became him thus to fulfill all righteousnesse , matt. . . and so having fulfilled all righteousnesse which the meanest man was tyed to , in the dayes of his pilgrimage ( which he needed not to have done , if he had respected himself onely ) the works which he performed were truly superogatory , which might be put upon the account of them whose debt he undertook to discharge , and being performed by the person of the son of god , must in that respect , not only be equivalent , but infinitely overvalue the obedience of adam , and all his posterity , though they had continued in their integrity , and remained instantly serving god day and night till this hour : and thus for our main and principal debt of our obedience , our mediatour hath given satisfaction to the justice of his father with good measure , pressed down , &c. luk. . . quest. what other debt were we liable to , which christ must discharge ? answ. besides obedience , sin is also a debt , matt. . . and sinners debttors , luke . . matt. . . in regard of the penalty due for the default : and as the payment of the debt which comes nomine panae , dischargeth not the tenant from paying his yearly rent afterwards , which of it self would have been due , though no fault had been committed : so the due paiment of the yearly rent after the fault had been committed , is no sufficient satisfaction for the penalty already incurred : therefore our surety , who stands chargeable with all our debts , as he maketh paiment of the one by his active , so he must make amends for the other by his passive obedience . he must first suffer , and then enter into his glory , luke . ● . for heb. . . it became him , for whom are all things , &c. in bringing many sons to glory , to make the captain of their salvation perfect , i. e. a perfect accomplisher of the work he had undertaken , through sufferings . now the godhead is of that infinite perfection , that it s not subject to any passion : and therefore if christ had been only god , he could not have paid this debt , which consisted of suffering and dying : besides , gods justice must be satisfied in that nature that had sinned , and the same nature must suffer punishment , that had committed the offence , heb. . , . therefore christ became man that he might suffer , phil. . . heb. . , , , . quest. why must our saviour be more then man ? answ. because if he had not been god too , he could never have gone through with such a work . for if a man had been as righteous as adam , and willing to suffer for the offence of others , possibly his sufferings might have satisfied for one : but here innumerable multitudes were to be redeemed to god , rev. . . & . . neither could man , or angel have held out , if a punishment equivalent to the endlesse sufferings of all the sinners in the world had at once been laid upon him . it shaked the powers of christ himself , on whom the spirit did rest , isa. . . it amazed him , mar. . . made him send up strong cries , heb. . . and prayers , mar. . , . the bloud whereby the church is purchased must be gods bloud , acts . . the lord of glory must be crucified , cor. . . the prince and author of life killed , acts . . the man who is gods own fellow must be thus smitten , zach. . . with matt. . . again , if the life of any singular man might have been equivalent to the lives of all mankind : yet the laying down of that life would not have been sufficient , unlesse that he that had power to lay it down , had power also to take it up again , hence paul concludes , cor. . . if christ be not risen , our faith is in vain , you are yet in your sins . hence also , rom. . . had christ broken prison , and made an escape , the payment of the debt , which as our surety he had taken upon him , being not satisfied , heaven would not have held him , more then paradise did adam after he had fallen into gods debt , and danger : but raising himself from the dead , presenting himself in heaven before him , to whom the debt was owing , and maintaining his standing there , he thereby hath given good proof that he is now a freeman , and hath fully discharged that debt of ours for which he stood committed : and this is that evidence , which we have to shew , of that righteousnesse whereby we stand justified in gods sight , according to that of the apostle , rom. . , . hence joh. . , . and . , . the manhood indeed could suffer , but not overcome death : the godhead could overcome any thing , but not suffer ; he therefore that was to suffer , and overcome death for us , must be partaker of both natures , that he might do both , pet. . . quest. how is this redemption purchased by christ , conveyed to us ? answ. it was indeed a dear purchase , when we were redeemed by the blood of god : but what should the purchase of a stranger have been to us ? or what should we have been the better for it , if we could not derive our descent from the purchaser ? the manner in israel was concerning redemption , that to him that was next of kin belonged that right to be goel , or the redeemer , ruth . . & . , , , . hence job calls christ his goel , job . , &c. for if he had not thus assumed our flesh , how should we have been of his blood , or claimed any kindred to him ? and unless the godhead had by a personal union been unseparably conjoyned to that flesh , how could he therein have been accounted our next of kin ? hence cor. . . christ is reckoned the second man , though there were many millions between adam and him , and that because these two were the only men , who could be accounted the prime fountains from whence the rest of all man-kind did derive their existence and being . for as all in the world derive their descents from the first man : so in the respect of a more immediate influence of efficiency , and operation , doe they owe their being to the second man , the lord from heaven , as is implyed , jer. . . psal. . . & . . & . . job . , . act. . ▪ &c. this being a certain truth , that god doth more immediately concur to the generation , and all other motions of the creature , then any natural agent doth , or can do . hence , rom. . . this second man is not onely as universal a principle of all our beings , as was the first , and so may sustaine the common person of us all as well as he : but is a far more immediate agent in the production thereof : not as the first , so many generations removed from us : but more neere to us then our next progenitors , and so justly to be accounted our next of kin , even before them also . quest. is this sufficient and all that is required ? answ. no , there is another kind of generation required , for which we must be beholding to this second man , before we can have interest in this purchased redemption : for as the guilt of the first mans transgression is derived to us by means of carnal generation : so must the benefit of the second mans obedience be conveyed to us by spiritual regeneration . hence , john . and . . now as christ in respect of our adoption of sons , which he hath procured for us , calls us brethren , heb. . . so in respect of our new-birth ▪ whereby he begets us to a spiritual and everlasting life , he owns us for children , isa. . . psal. . . heb. . . and v. . the apostle deduceth this conclusion . for as much as the children are partakers of flesh and blood , he himself likewise took part of the same . he himself , i. e. he who was god equal to the father : for none else could make this new creature , but the same god that is the creator of all things , cor. . . eph. . . gal. . . james . . p●t . . . john . . th●se new born babes being born of the spirit , none could send the spirit to beget them , but the father , and the sonne from whom he proceedeth ; the same blessed spirit that framed christs natural body in the womb , being to fashion every member of this mystical body unto his similitude and likenesse . quest. how may this mystery be further opened to us ? answ. in every pe●fect generation the creature produced , receives two things from him that begets it : life , and likenesse . now touching our spiritual death , and life , consider these texts , corinth . . , . ephes. . , . col. . . gal. . . from which we may easily gather , that if by the obedience and sufferings of a bare man , though never so perfect , the most soveraigne medicine that could have been thought upon , should have been prepared for the curing of our wounds ; yet all would be to no purpose , we being found dead when the medicine came to be applied . our physician therefore must not onely be able to restore us to health , but to life also , which none but god the father , son , and holy ghost could do : hence , job . . . and . . . hence christ is said to be a quickning spirit , cor. . . an adam therefore , and perfect man he must be , that his flesh given for us on the crosse , might be made the conduit to convey life to the world : and a quickning spirit he could not have been , if he were not god , able to make that flesh an effectual inst●ument of life by the operation of his spirit , as john . . as for the point of similitude and likenesse , it 's said that adam after his fall begat a son in his own likenesse , gen. . . so saith christ , john . . that that is born of the flesh is fl●sh , &c. so , cor. . , . indeed ou● likenesse to christ will be more perfected hereafter , phil. . ult . yet in the mean time , such a conformity is required in us to christ , phil. . . ephes. . , &c. rom. . . god did not give the spirit to christ by measure , and therefore though many millions of beleevers , do continually receive this supply of the spirit of christ , yet that fountain is not in the least exhausted , nor that well-spring of grace diminished . for , col. ● . . and john . . as in the natural generation , there is a correspondence in all parts between the begetter and begotten , though it be found in the begotten in a farre lesse proportion : so in this spiritual : for every grace that is eminently in christ , the like grace will appear in gods children , though in a farre inferiour degree . quest. what further is to be considered herein ? answ. that christ by enlivening and fashioning us according to his own image , his purpose was not to raise a seed to himself dispersedly , and scatteringly , but to gather together in one the children of god , &c. john . . yea , and to bring all to one head by himself , eph. . . so that the church militant and triumphant , though as farre distant as earth and heaven , yet they make but one in jesus christ , ephes. . , . quest. what are the bonds of this mystical union between christ , and us ? answ. the quickning spirit on his part , which being in him as the head , is thence diffused to the spiritual animation of all his members : and faith on our part , which is the prime act of life wrought in those who are capable of understanding by the same spirit : see both proved in these texts , john . . cor. . . and . . phil. . . rom. . . john . . and . . gal. . . and . . and . . ephes. . . both of which are of so high a nature , that none could possible by such ligatures knit up so admirable a body , but he that was god almighty . as for faith , it s the operation of god , col. . . wrought by the same power that raised christ from the dead , thes. . . hence paul prays , ephes. . , &c. it was fit also that this head should be of the same nature of the body that is knit to it . hence , ephes. . . iohn . , . shewing that by this mystical and supernatural union , we are as truely conjoyned with him , as the meat and drink we receive , when it s converted into our own substance . secondly , that this conjunction is immediately made with this humane nature . thirdly , that christ crucified hath by his death made his flesh broken , and blood poured out for us , to be fit food for the spiritual nourishment of our souls , and the very well-spring from whence by the power of his god-head , all life , and grace is derived to us : hence , heb. . , quest. what are we further to consider in christ ? answ. that as in things concerning god , the maine execution of our saviours priesthood doth consist : so in things concerning man , he exerciseth both his prophetical office , whereby he opens the will of his father to us , and his kingly , whereby he rules and protects us . it was indeed a part of the priests office to instruct the people in the law of god , deut. . . hag. . . mal. . . yet were they distinguished from the prophets , isa. . . jer. . . and . . and . . and . , , . lam. . . as in the new testament prophets and apostles were a different degree from ordinary pastors and teachers , who received not their doctrine by immediate inspiration from heaven , eph. . . pet. . . hence , heb. . . god hath spoken to us by his sonne , called therefore the apostle as well as the high-priest of our profession , heb. . , . and therefore in the execution of his prophetical office he is in a more peculiar manner likned to moses , deut. . , &c. act , . , . our prophet must therefore be a man raised up from amongst his brethren the isralites , rom. . . who was to perform to us what the father 's requested of moses , exod. . . deut. . . . and this he daily affecteth by the power and ministry of the gospel , instituted by the authority , and seconded by the power of this our great prophet , whose transcendent excellency beyond moses is set forth , heb. . , , , . which house of god is no other then the church of god , tim. . . whereof , as he is the only lord , so he is also properly the only builder : christ therefore being both the lord and builder of his church must be god as well as man , mat. . . whence it is that we finde all the mansions of this great house to be called indifferently the church of god , and the churches of christ , tim. . . cor. . . rom. . . indeed there are other ministerial builders whom christ imploys in that service , which he bestowed upon his church for that end , eph. . , . who receive their power from him , mat. . . such was paul , cor. . . and . , . yet there he acknowledged that they were gods building , as well as gods husbandry , so v. . . two things therefore we find in our great prophet that differences him from all the other prophets . . that no man knows the father save the son , and he to whom the sonne will reveal him , mat. . . john . . being in his fathers bosome he knows his secrets , and thereby is able to reveale the whole will of his father to us , whereas all other , even prophets , and apostles have their knowledge at the second hand according to the grace given them by the spirit of christ , pet. . , . john . , &c. . all other prophets and apostles can do no more then plant , and water ; but god onely gives the encrease ; they could not save one soul unlesse christ were with them by the powerful presence of his spirit , john . . eph. . . psalme . . without whose assistance we are altogether ignorant . for , cor. . . wherefore paul concludeth concerning himself , and all his fellow-labourers , that all is of god , cor. . , . our mediatour therefore must not want the excellency of power whereby he may make us capable of this high knowledge of the things of god propounded to us by the ministry of his servants ; and so must be god as well as man : that he may save to the uttermost all that come to god by him , heb. . . quest. what are we to consider about christs kingly office ? answ. that he hath a kingdome , isa. . . dan. . , . luke . , &c. he is that new david our king , which god hath raised up to his israel , jer. . . hos. . . ezek. . . and . . who was in truth both the sonne of man , and the sonne of the highest : that in one respect we may say to him as they did to david , sam. . . we are thy bone , and flesh ; and in the other , sing of him as david did , psalme . . the lord said to my lord , &c. so that the promise made to our first parents , gen. . . may well stand with pauls saying , rom. . . the god of peace shall bruise satan under our feet . for he came for this end , john . . tim. . . and still that foundation of god remaines unshaken , isaiah . . hos. . . besides me there is no saviour . quest. what are the special branches of this kingdom of our lord and saviour . answ. first , the one of grace , whereby that part of the church is governed which is here militant . secondly , the other of glory , belonging to that part which is triumphant in heaven . quest. how doth he work upon this on earth ? answ. as by his prophetical office he works upon our minde and understanding : so by his kingly office , he rules our will and affections , casting down imaginations , &c. cor. . . working in us both to will , and to do , phil. . . that he sanctifieth us wholly , thes. . . we are taught likewise to believe , that both he that sanctifieth , and they that are sanctified are all of one , i. e. of one and the same nature , heb. . . that as their nature was tainted in the first adam , so it might be restored again in the second adam : and that as from the one a corrupt , so from the other a pure and undefiled nature might be transmitted to the heirs of salvation . quest. how doth christ exercise his kingly office towards the church triumphant ? answ. in that the same god that giveth grace , is he also that giveth glory : yet so , that the streams of them must run to us through the golden pipe of our saviours humanity . for , cor. . . since by man came death , it was fit that by man also should come the resurrection of the dead ; even by that man who hath said that he will raise us up at the last day , john . . who shall then come to be glorified in his saints , &c. thes. . . and shall fashion our vile bodies to his glorious body , phil. . ult . see dr. ushers incarnation of the son of god. quest. when doth christ first live in a christians heart ? answ. when the heart gives a firme assent to the gracious promises made in christ for the pardoning of sinnes , and acceptation to the favour of god , and title and interest to life everlasting . for as christ was conceived in the womb of an humble and beleeving virgin ; so if we will conceive christ in our hearts , we must be humble to deny our selves in all things , and believing , to go out of our selves to the promises of god in christ. quest. why must our saviour be emanuel , god with man ? answ. first , in regard of the greatnesse of the good which we are to have by him : for , . he is to be god and man together to satisfie the wrath of god , to undergo the punishment due to sin , as our surety : he must give us title to heaven , and bring us thither , which none can do but god. . he must know our hearts , wants , griefs , infirmities , and must be every where to relieve us : and none can do this but god. secondly , in regard of the evils which we are to be freed from : he is to defend us in the midst of our enemies ; and who is above the devil , and sin , and the wrath of god , and all the oppositions which stand between us and heaven , but god ? he must be man : for man had sinned , and man must suffer for sinne , and without blood there is no remission : and then that he might be a merciful saviour , there must be a sutablenesse in the nature that there may be a sympathy . quest. why must this god and man be one person ? answ. because if each nature were a distinct person , then there would be two christs , and so the actions of the one , could not be attributed to the other . quest. how doth christ make us friends with god ? answ. first , by satisfaction , taking away the wrath of god. secondly , by the spirit : for god sends his spirit into our hearts , to fit us for friendship and communion with him when we have something of god in us . quest. how shall i know that this emanuel is god with me ? answ. if by the same spirit of his that sanctified his humane nature , he works in me desires to be nearer , and nearer to him , to be liker to him . if i am on his side : if i be near him in my affections , desires , and understanding . if i finde an inward desire to be more with him , and like to him : if outwardly in the place where i live , i side with him , and take part with his cause , it s a sign i have an interest in him . quest. what benefits accrue to us by gods taking our nature upon him ? answ. first , he hath hereby dignified , and raised our natures above the angels : oh , what a mercy is this that the great god of heaven and earth , should take dust into the unity of his person , and marry such a poor nature as ours is ? secondly , for the great god of heauen and earth , before whom the angels cover their faces , the mountains tremble , and the earth quakes , to take our flesh to save sinful man , to free him from such misery , and enemies , and then to advance him to so great happinesse , this indeed is admirable . thirdly , hereby we are made one with god ; shall god then be god with us in our nature in heaven , and shall we defile our natures that god hath so dignified ? shall we live like beasts whom god hath raised above angels ? &c. fourthly , as he hath thus advanced our natures , so he hath put all the riches of grace into our nature in christ , and this for our good . fifthly , our nature being ingraffed into the god-head , therefore what was done in our nature , was of wonderful extention , force , and dignity , which answers all objections . as , . object . how could the death of one man satisfie for many millions ? answ. because it was the death of christ , whose humane nature was graffed into the second person in the trinity , and being but one person , what the humane nature did or suffered , god did it . quest. but how doth friendship between god and us arise from hence ? answ. first , because sinne which caused the division , is hereby taken away : and sinne being taken away , god is mercy it selfe , and mercy will have a current . secondly , christ is a fit person to knit god and us together , because our nature is pure in christ , and therefore in christ , god loves us . thirdly , christ being our head of influence , conveyeth the same spirit that is in him , to all his members , and by that spirit , by little and little , purges his church and makes her fit for communion with himself , making us partakers of the divine nature . quest. how shall we know that we have any ground of comfort in this emanuel ? answ. we may know that we have benefit by the first coming of emanuel , if we have a serious desire of his second coming , and to be with him where he is . if as he came to us in love , we desire to be with him in his ordinances as much as may be , and in humble resignation at the houre of death , desiring to be dissolved , and to be with christ , praying , come lord jesus , revel . . . secondly , whereas he took our nature upon him , that he might take our persons to make up mystical christ , he married our nature to marry our persons , this is a ground of comfort that our persons shall be near christ as well as our nature . for as christ hath two natures in one person , so many persons make up one mystical christ ; the wife is not nearer the husband , the members are not nearer the head , the building is not nearer the foundation , then christ and his church are near one another : which affords comfort in that , . as he sanctified his naturall body by the holy ghost , so he will sanctifie us by the same spirit , there being the same spirit in the head and members . . as he loves his natural body ▪ so as never to lay it aside to eternity , so he loves his mystical body in some sort more ; for he gave his natural body to death for his mystical body ; therefore he will never lay aside his church , nor any member of it . . as he rose to glory in his natural body and ascended to heaven : so he will raise his mystical body that it shall ascend as he ascended . doctor sibs his emanuel . . christ being in heaven , and having all authority put into his hands , psal. . , . he will not suffer any member of his body to suffer more then is fit . object . if all the power that christ hath be given him , as it is , john . . then he is deus constitutus , deus creatus , datus , not deus natus : made , and created god , how then can he be of the same nature with god , who hath all he hath given him in time ? answ. first , if christ speaks there of his divine nature , then , though not as god , yet as the second person , he is of the father , and so not in time , but from all eternity he had all those divine properties communicated to him : for he is therefore called the son , because begotten of the father . secondly , if the text speak not of this nature , but the office , or reward rather of his mediatorship , then that power , and glory which is here said to be given him , may well be understood of that mediatory power , and honour which god vouchsafed to him : and though by reason of the personal union , all honour , and glory was due to him , yet god had so ordered it , that he should not have the manifestation of it till he had suffered , and run through the whole course of his active and passive obedience . in scripture language , aliquid dicitur fieri , quando incipit patefieri , a thing is said to be done , when it manifesteth it self , as act. . . this day have i begotten thee , speaking of christs resurrection , because he was then truly manifested to be the son of god. quest. wherein consists the power of christ ? answ. first , in that its universal , in heaven , earth , and hell , phil. . , . secondly , that though he hath all power , yet the administration of it is by his spirit , which therefore is called the spirit of christ. hence joh. . . thirdly , that this power of christ extends not only to the bodies , and externals of men , but it reacheth to their hearts and consciences also . by it their mindes are enlightened , their hearts changed , their lusts subdued , and they are made new creatures : whence christ saith , he is the way , the truth , and the life , joh. . . fourthly , as its the heart of man that this power of christ reacheth to , so the main , and chief effects of this power are spiritual , and such as tend to salvation : as to give faith , and repentance to men , joh. . . to save that which was lost , to dissolve the works of the divel , &c. fifthly , this power of christ must needs be infinite , if we consider the ends for which it was given him : for it s to gather and save a people out of the world , to justifie their persons , to sanctifie their natures , and to judge all men at the last day : but he cannot judge all mens lives , yea , and their secret sins without infinite knowledge , and though christs humane nature be not capable of infinity , and omnisciency , yet the person that is the judge must be so qualified . sixthly , his power is arbitrary in the use of it , he opens own mans heart , and leaves another shut : he cures one blind eye , and leaves another in darkness , matt. . . quest. what are the remarkable particulars wherein christs dominion over all flesh , especially the church , doth appear ? answ. first , in appointing a ministery for the conversion and saving mens souls , matt. . , . ephes. . . secondly , in blessing , and giving success to his ministery , cor. . , . thirdly , in convincing and inlightning mens understandings , so far as to see their sinful and damnable estate , as also the absolute necessity of a remedy through christ. fourthly , in that he is the author and fountain of all the grace that the godly have , joh. . . in christ there is plenitude fontis , the fulness of a fountain . in angels , and adam , only plenitude vasis , the fulness of a vessel . now this fulness of christ is for communication , and our participation of it , joh. . . hence tim. . . he is king of kings , &c. fifthly , he not only gives grace , but is able to bestow all the glory , and happiness which the scriptures promise . now the reward , or fruit of grace , is either the niward peace , and joy of heart here , or eternal happiness hereafter , both which are in christs power , and munificence , isa. . . he is called the prince of peace , and our peace , ephes. . . and heb. , . the authour of eternal salvation . sixthly , in that he can forgive , and pardon sin , which is only in gods power , mar. . . for , nemo potest remittere de jure alieno . seventhly , in giving laws , and prescribing duties to all according to which they should live , therefore he calls them his commandments . is stiled a king , and a kingdom is attributed to him . eightly , in inabling , and strenthening his children in all their afflictions , so that they do not only bear them , but triumph therein with joy unspeakable , and full of glory , hence phil. . . cor. . . ninthly , in that he is appointed to judge the whole world : where two things do manifest his exceeding great power . . the immediate preparation to it : for christ by his power shall raise up all out of their graves , cor. . . the godly shall rise , because they are members , and he their head , and the godly shall be raised by him as a judge . . his solemn coming to judgement with power and majesty , thes. . , . tenthly , by over-ruling , conquering , and subduing his enemies , christ though in heaven , yet hath his enemies , even all that are enemies to his church and children , acts . . they oppose christ , who oppose his members . if you hurt the feet , the head in heaven feels it : but christ will reign in despite of all his enemies , psal. . . hence rev. . . christ rules the nations with a rod of iron , &c. object . but why then is the power of the turk and pope still lifted up against him ? answ. the apostle tells us , cor. . and heb. . all things are not yet in subjection to him : he hath a kingdom , and power ; but as yet he is only rex pugnans , & vincens , then he will be rex triumphans . he will put down all power , and principalities , there will be nothing but christs power . quest. why is christ so frequently in scripture called a head ? answ. first , in regard of his eminency , and dignity : for he is exalted above every name , i. e. any thing that hath the greatest fame , and dignity either in this world , or that to come , hence col. . . that he might have the preheminence in all things . secondly , in regard of his spiritual influence , and powerful communication of his grace , and strength to those that are his members , col. . . as the head is the fountain of all life , and motion , and from it every member hath its proper nourishment , so it is with the church of god. thirdly , this relation of a head implieth a neer union and conjunction , and such there is between christ , and the godly which must needs also prove the perseverance of the godly , for christ will not loose any one of his members . fourthly , in respect of government and direction ; he is the king of saints , and the king of nations : he hath a rod of iron to bruise his enemies ; only this government , though it be in the world , yet it is not in a worldly manner : the best , and choisest part of it is , in preparing and setting those whom the father hath given him , to eternal life . quest. is all mankind given by god the father to christ , to be redeemed by him ? answ. though christ hath a sufficiency , and fulness in him to obtain salvation for all , yet some only are given to him intentionally by gods decree to be their actual saviour , and mediatour , joh. . . for if all were given to him , then all must be saved , joh. . , . and . , . object . but joh. . . it s said , of those that thou gavest me , there is none lost but the son of perdition , therefore some may be lost ? answ. the apostles are said to be given to christ in a two fold respect : . of sanctification , and glorification , and so judas was not . . in respect of their office , and calling , as joh. . . so then there is a two fold giving of some to christ , the one of justification to eternal life , the other of office , and service : and that this is meant here is plain , because he is called the son of perdition . quest. whether did christ fully finish the work that the father gave him to doe ? answ. yea he did fully , and perfectly finish it , joh. . . concerning which , observe these particulars . . christ might have come into the world as a glorious lord and law-giver , only to rule and give laws : but coming as a mediatour , and surety , it behoved him to be under a law , and to discharge that work he undertook , and this appears , because he was not necessitated to be incarnate , but it was wholly at his own good pleasure , phil. . , . . there was an holy and admirable agreement between god the father and the son , to be a mediatour for those which his father had given him . for though the covenant of grace be made with believers , yet there was a previous and an antecedent covenant made between the father and the son to be a mediatour , which argreement was , that if christ would lay down his life for such , then the father would give them to him as his seed , and glorifie them , and also reward him with all honour , and glory , hence isa. . . . from this covenant and agreement it is , that christs work is truly and properly obedience , and such and obedience as hath a reward annexed to it : and joh. . . christ calls it the commandment which he had received from his father , hence also , rom. . . . that it was not meerly obedience , but a meriting obedience : there was an intrinsecal worth , and excellency in christs obedience answering to our salvation : hence , though we have justification , and salvation of meere grace , yet in respect of christ , it was of justice , and debt , so that in christ the covenant of works was fulfilled , though in us the covenant of grace . . this work christ was to do , was in its self very heavy , and grievous , though his readiness made it easie . for to obey the law of god , and to suffer all the wrath that was due for our sins , was a bitter cup to drink off , hence matth. . . . this work christ finished and compleated . quest. in what particulars did his finishing this work consist ? answ. first , in that he did it wholly , and universally , there was not one tittle of the law which he did not fulfill . secondly , he finished it universally for parts , and not only so , but fully for degrees : he did not only love god , but loved him as much as the law requires : all that he did was so fully done , that there wanted not the least degree of grace in any duty . thirdly , because he had not only an objective perfection in parts , and degrees : but also a subjective perfection : all within him was throughly , and perfectly holy : so that as we are originally , and actually polluted , he was originally and actually holy , so that the law had no fault to finde with him , luk. . . heb. . . and . . fourthly , he finished it in respect of duration , the law requiring continuance , though there were perfection of parts and degrees , and subjective perfection also , yet , cursed is he that continues not therein , gal. . . fifthly , he so finished it , that he left nothing to be done , either by angels , or men , in that way , and kind as he did it . object . then what needs diligence , and zeal in the wayes of god : sin , or not sin , all is one , christ hath done all , & c ? answ. our duties are not required to that end which christs was , but yet they are necessarily commanded for other ends , because god hath commanded them as the way to walk in , if we will be saved : as also to glorifie god , and to restifie our thankfulness and love to him , yea , there is an inseparable connexion btween a man interessed in christ , and a holy life , as there is in the fire with heat and light . quest. what are the properties of the work which christ finished ? answ. fir● , it was a work of infinite value , because he was god as well as man. secondly , mediatory , all that he did , and suffered tended to a propitiation , and reconciliation with god , so that as the nature of them was infinite , so the end of them was pretious and admirable . thirdly , it was not only his work , but our work : he did them not for his own sake , but for ours . fourthly , it was of necessity , and that . from the justice of god , which being infinite , could not be satisfied , but by that which is of infinite value . . from the holinesse of the law , that admits of no work but what is perfect , pure , and holy . . from our own impotency , which proclaims the necessity of christs perfection : for take us as we are in our selves , and so we are nothing but sin and a curse : instead of doing gods work wee doe the divels , and take us as regenerate , and then , though we be partakers of gods grace , yet the remnants of corruption within us doe staine , and infect all we doe . fifthly . here is the glorious visibility of christs perfect working in his resurrection , ascention , and now sitting at gods right hand in glory , which could not have been , had not christ perfected his work . quest. what are wee further bound to believe concerning christ ? answ. first , that whatsoever christ had , or was , was not for himself , but for us : his fulness for our emptiness : his attonement for our sins : as the full breasts are for suck to the child : the vertue of the head for the members of the body : the fulnesse of the fountaine for the streams , isa. . ● . cor. . . quest. in what particulars will this appear ? answ. first , his incarnation was for us , not for angels , nor for any other end . if there had been but one man of all mankind to be saved , christ would have dyed , as paul said , gal. . . who gave himself for me . it was not the multitude of believers which made christ to become man : for comparatively there are but a small remnant , but it was because such are given to him as mediatour , and so he would be faithfull for one , as well as for many . secondly , all that christ did was not for himself , but for us : all his miracles , joh. . . his miracles tending to the confirmation of their faith . so was his obedience to the law , and fulfilling the righteousnesse thereof , for our sakes . thirdly , his sufferings , and rendring himself an attonement , and sacrifice on the cross was for us , isa. . . he died for us , gave himself for us , &c , heb. . . abels blood cried for vengeance , but christs for mercy . fourthly , the fruits and benefits of his mediation redound to us : justification , pardon of sin , sanctification , victory over lusts , assurance of gods favour , all these come by christ , but to those only for whom he was appointed a saviour . secondly , that all this was of god the father . it s his will and gracious appointment that christ should do all these things for his , col. . . thirdly , it s the duty of all gods children to know and believe this fulnesse of christ for them , and to look upon christ , and all his benefits as for them . quest. why is it their dutie to do so ? answ. first , because otherwise christ would be in vaine , and not of that use that god hath appointed him for : the fountaine runs in vaine , if none will drink of it . secondly , because in , and through him , god doth magnifie his glory : his attributes of grace , mercy , and unspeakable bounty : so that if we do not thus receive christ , we deprive god of all his intended glory . thirdly , because of the insufficiency of all other things to satisfie the troubled , and broken heart , which may make us to flie to this , and to say , whither shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal life . fou●thly , our necessity may enforce us to it : consider , when our own hearts disquiet us : when the perfect law troubles us : and when the devil accuses us , we should then flie to christ which will answer all . quest. whether did not christ die for all men ? answ. christs mediatory prayer , john . and death , is not for all the world , but onely for some certaine persons who are given by the father to him . quest. how can this be made out , and proved ? answ. first , consider that there is a necessary connexion between christs prayer or intercession , and his death : they are of equal latitude ; whom he prayed for , he died for , and whom he died for , he prayed for : so , rom. . . and this must needs be so , because christs prayer is one part of his priestly office , and the oblation of himself a sacrifice for sin was the other . secondly , though christ in his prayer , and death had special love , and regard to some of mankinde , and not to all , yet there is no man that is damned that can lay the blame any where but upon himself : so , hos. . . death and hell are the wages of sin . thirdly , we must distinguish of the sufficiency , and worth of christs death in it self , and the effectual application of it : christs death is of value enough to redeeme ten thousand worlds , because its the obedience to death of that person who is god as well as man , and by reason of his deity there is such a merit , and satisfaction upon his death , that the sins of all men , and devils are not able to counterpoise it : but christs intention , and purpose was to lay down his life only for his sheep , john . . fourthly , christs special and particular love to some rather then to others is no ground of despaire . for if a man will act according to reason , his condition upon these tearms is more hopeful then to be left to such an incertain universal benefit of christs death , which yet ( as themselves confesse ) none may be actually saved for all that . is it not more desirable to have such a special love , whereby we are sure some will be saved , then such a generall one by which no man may receive salvation at all ? fifthly , in this , as in all other points of religion , we must not go according to our carnal affections and desires , but the direction and revelation that is in the scriptures : for the way of salvation wholly depending upon gods will , we cannot judge of it , but so far as he discovers his will therein ; but god doth not discover any such thing to us in scripture , as universal redemption : therefore we should not hold it . sixthly , yet it cannot be denied but that the scripture , when it mentions the subject for whom christ died speaks indefinitely of all . as all died in adam , so all shall be made alive in christ , cor. . . he takes away the sinnes of the world , john . . he is a propitiation , not for our sins only , but of the whole world : yet all these must be taken indefinitely , not universally , that he died for all sorts of persons in all nations , not for each particular person , as will appeare by these reasons . . the scripture doth expresly limit gods love , and christs death to some onely , john . . for his sheep , rom. . , &c. so , john . now these can never be reconciled to the other texts , but by this distinction . . the scriptures which speak of this universality , speak of the actual benefit and fruit of his death . now it s granted by all , that none do actually partake of christs benefits but the godly . so then if the whole world , john . . should extend to all mankinde , then all should be actually pardoned and saved . . experience shews that such phrases must necessarily be so limited : for if christ died for all men intentionally : how is it that under the law , excepting a few proselytes , the offer of grace was onely to some few , and though it be enlarged under the gospel , yet there are many nations , and persons to whom christ and his benefits have never been offered ; and how then can we think that christ died for those to whom he never discovered so much as the mention of his death . quest. why then doth the scripture speak so universally about christ death ? answ. not to lead us into an errour contrary to other scriptures , but for these reasons . . to shew that this great benefit purchased by christ , was designed for man , and not for the apostate angels , heb. . . . it might be in opposition to the jewes : for a long time the means of salvation were onely amongst them , as john . . therefore peter would not so much as preach the gospel to the gentiles till he was admonished to call no person uncleane , acts . . seeing therefore that formerly to the jewes only were committed the oracles of god : now that by christs coming the partition wall was broken down , and the means of salvation is not inclosed in one country more then in another , it may very well be called the whole world that christ died for ; for commonly the scripture comprehends al the men of the world under this division of jew and gentile : hence is that precept , mark . . preach the gospel to every creature : so rom. . . the casting away of the jews is the reconciling of the world : where the world is opposed to the nation of the jews . . it was to abate and confound the pride of the jews , who because the messias was to come of them , were apt to be puffed up with this priviledge , and to envy and murmur that the gentiles should be made partakers of this grace : which christ represents under the elder brothers murmuring at the entertainment of the younger , luk. . . . it might be , because when christ came into the world , few of the jews were converted in comparison of the gentiles , rom. . , &c. and those branches were broken off , that new ones might be grassed in : therefore it may we●l be said , that christ died for all , and that he was a propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world , because that all nations did now come in and worship christ , whereas few of the jews received him . . it was , because now no nations or particular persons were excluded : for though there be an election of some only , and christ in his death had a special love to those only whom the father had given him : yet because , who these individual persons are , is not manifested by god , therefore the outward propounding of it is universal , not excluding any : thus all the invitations and commands are universal , as mat. . . . it may be , because though the greater part of the world perisheth , and many are called , but few chosen , matth. . . yet if we judge of those for whom christ died , absolutely in themselves , they are a great number : so that as there is a world of those that perish , so there is a world of those that shall be saved . . it doth use such expressions , as in this , so in other things also , when yet all acknowledge that there is a necessity of restraining it : as speaking of christ , it s said , all fl●sh shall see the salvation of god , luke . . and act. . . i will poure out my spirit upon all flesh , &c. whereas some onely had those extraordinary gifts : so that famous promise , that all nations of the earth should be blest in abraham ; whereas , gal. . . it 's restrained to the spiritual seed of abraham . quest. do reprobates receive any benefit by christs death ? answ. in some respects it had been better for them if there had not been a christ , because when they wilfully refuse him , it aggravates their sin and condemnation , john . . and . . yet several mercies do redound even to reprobates by christs death . as , . there is no man that lives under the means of grace , but he may hereby be encouraged to repent , and to believe for his salvation ; whereas the apostate angels are left without hope . . the ministers of the gospel may hereupon promiscuously preach the gospel to all , as within the spheare of christs death ; so the apostle writing to churches , wherein many were corrupt both for doctrine and manners , yet calls them a church , saints , beleevers , not excluding any from the benefit of christ : so therefore may ministers do in their preaching ; yet they must not propound christ as a saviour to them in the first place , but must do as paul when he preached to foelix , act. . . laying open the wrath of god to him for his sins , so that he trembled : so must they humble them by the law , before they preach the gospel . . reprobates have this advantage by christ , that they enjoy all the mercies they have : for all being forfeited by adams sin , by christ ( who is the heire of all things ) they come lawfully to enjoy the mercies they have : for its christ that beareth up the world : indeed they have not a sanctified use of what they enjoy ; for to the impure all things are impure , tit. . . but otherwise they have a lawfull right before god and man to what they enjoy , psal. . . . it s by christs death that many wicked men are partakers of the common gifts of gods spirit : it s the spirit of christ that gives several gifts to men , cor. . christ is the vine , and so not only grapes , but even leaves come from his sap and juice . . christ by his death is made lord of the whole world , and hath conquered all the inhabitants that are therein : so that they are christs as a lord , who hath bought them by his death , pet. . . they denied the lord that bought them . wicked men are bought by him to be his vassals and servants , and he may dispose of them as he pleases for his churches good . quest. how may it be proved that christ gave himselfe onely a ransome for some ? answ. first , because we are said to be elected in christ our head : for though election be originally from the meer will of god , yet we are chosen in christ as the mediatour : if then election be only of some , as is proved , rom. . then christ died onely for some : for christ is but the medium , whereby election doth bring about all the effects thereof . seeing therefore election is onely of some , and that is in christ as the medium , christ also must be onely for those that are elected . secondly , whom christ as mediator would not pray for , those he would not die for , but he prayed not for the world , john . . shall he give his blood , and will he not voutsafe a prayer , his intercession ? and oblation go together . thirdly , for whom christ died , he died not only for their salvation , but that they might have grace to fit them for it , tit. . . but the wicked have not faith and repentance given them . therefore fourthly , there cannot be a greater love then christ to die for one , and if god hath delivered up christ for us ; how shall he not with him freely give us all things , rom. . . therefore to say that christ died for all , and yet will not save all , is to grant the greater , and deny the lesse . quest. how then shall we know who they are that have an interest in christs death ? answ. first , such as are dead to sin . christs death , and sins death go together , rom. . , . gal. . . if christ be crucified for thee , the lusts of sin are crucified in thee . secondly , such are not onely dead to sin , but to the world also : so paul , gal. . . col , . , . so then not only grosse sinnes exclude from a propriety in christs death , but also an inordinate frame of heart to these lawful things below . indeed if this inordinate affection be a burden , and grief to thee , they hurt not : non sensus , sed consensus nocet . thirdly , such make the death of christ a pattern of all patience , and humble resignation , peter . , . for christs death is not onely efficacious , and meritorious , but exemplary . christ learnd obedience by his sufferings , heb. . . when he was reviled , he reviled not again , &c. so should it be with us . fourthly , such look upon the bitternesse , and uglinesse of sinne , as being so foule , that nothing but the blood of christ could wash it away : the very thoughts of christs death , makes them cry out of the cursed , and filthy nature of sinne . fifthly , such are infinitely affected with the love of god , and christ in this his death : so corinth . . . considering from what a dying , damning state christs death freed them , it works in them unspeakable affections , and enlargments towards god and christ. sixthly , such will resigne up to christ all that they have , and now live no longer to themselves , or to worldly motions , but unto christ , rom. . , . pet. . . cor. . . they look upon their bodies , estate , health , parts , &c. not as their own , but resign up all to christ. quest. what are the priviledges which come by christs death to such 〈◊〉 have interest therein . answ. first , such as can plead christs death , can also plead his resurrection , intercession , and whatsoever glorious actions are done by him for his people , rom. . . secondly , such have a propriety in all the benefits of his mediatourship , justification , sanctification , and glorification , rom. . , . heb. . . thirdly , such shall have no other good thing either in heaven or earth denied to them , rom. . . he that hath christ , hath enough , and if thou wantest any thing , it s not because god doth not love thee , or because his merciful thoughts are not towards thee ; but because many good things are not absolutely good in themselves , and so not wholly necessary for thee . fourthly , such may from this special love to them rather then to others , have an assured perswasion of their perseverance in grace , till they attain to glory : for christ will not lose any of those for whom he suffered such bitter things , rom. . . fifthly , such can rejoyce in all tribulations , and especially are above the fear of death . christs death having taken away sinne , which is the sting of it , cor. . , &c. quest. what are the benefits we have by christs ascension , and exaltation ? answ. first , hereby his holy spirit is given more plentifully , and abundantly : implied , john . . so john . . if i depart i will send the comforter , &c. secondly , hereby we are enabled with all holy and heavenly gifts , either in a sanctifying , or ministerial way ; so , eph. . . christ when he ascended gave gifts to men : that we have a ministry and ordinances with the spiritual effect thereof , it s wholly from this ? yea , john . . all miraculous gifts descend from this : yea , our faith , repentance , love to god , and delight in holy things is because of this truth . thirdly , hereby he prepares a place for his children , john . . he is gone to heaven to see that thrones of glory be provided for his people . fourthly , christ is gone to heaven to be our advocate , and to plead our cause , john . . h●b . . . in his greatest glory he forgets not his children , as pharaohs butler did joseph : yea , when we cannot minde our selves , christ is commending our estate to the father , and pleading our cause when any accusation is brought against us . fifthly , though christ be gone to the father , yet he is not departed from us for ever , but will come again and take us to himself , joh. . . which is the utmost happinesse that a beleever can desire . quest. who is the great lord keeper of the saints ? answ. jesus christ , john . . quest. what is implied herein ? answ. first , it implies our insufficiency to keep our selves . secondly , the precious esteem and account that god hath of them : they are his treasure , his jewels , mal. . . a peculiar people , and his heart is upon them . thirdly , it implies a more peculiar care of them , then of all the world besides : for they are said to be given to christ out of the world , that he may keep them . indeed god is a preserver of all , job . . psal. . . but he hath a gracious presence with his children , which is not from his infinitenesse , and necessity , but from his meere love , chron. . . isaiah . . fourthly , it implies the great safety of gods people , who have a fourfold cord that holds them , that cannot be broken . . christs power which is omnipotent , john . . . their life is hid with christ in god , collos. . . and they have a crown laid up in heaven . . his fidelity and immutability : he is the amen , the alpha , and omega ; the same yesterday , to day , and for ever , heb. . . . his love , and compassion , which quickens both power , and fidelity , and sets all on work ; when we were enemies he died for us , rom. . . how much more , being reconciled , will he care for us , which is far lesse then to die . . his wisdome : all treasures of wisdome being hid in him , isaiah . . he is called the counsellour : now all these must needs make the godly safe . fifthly , it implies a strong tie , and obligation upon christ to keep them : for they are given him as sheep to the shepherd : and he by one oblation hath at once for ever perfected the godly , heb. . . quest. what doth the phrase imply , where christ is said to be sent into the world , joh. . . ans. first , that though the three persons in the trinity are equal in nature , and dignity , yet the scripture represents to us an order in their operations to us ward , especially in the work of our redemption , so the father is said to send , joh. . . gal. . . joh. . . the son is said to be sent , to be the person that shall procure our redemption , the holy ghost is said to be sent by the father and the son for the application of those benefits which christ purchased for us , joh. . . and . . secondly , this sending of christ doth not relate to him as the second person ( for so he is not sent , but begotten ) but as he is mediatour , as god and man , and denotes his incarnation , with the discharge of all those duties which thereby he undertook . thirdly , it signifies the authoritative mission , and calling him to that work , heb. . . and . . fourthly , that the father did not only call him to this wonderfull imployment , but qualified , and fitted him with all abilities for that work , powering out his spirit upon his humane nature without measure , psal. . . joh. . . col. . . fifthly , that the fountain from which our salvation doth arise , is the meere good will and pleasure of the father . so that though our justification , sanctification , and glorification be attributed to the merits of christ , & it s for his sake , that we enjoy them , yet the sending of christ into the world , and giving him to become our mediatour , is wholly from the absolute good pleasure of god. sixthly , that he is under an office , and obligation of trust , and faithfulnesse : therefore he often calls it the command he had from the father , implying that if he did not accomplish all for which he was sent , he should be guilty of unfaithfulness , and disobedience . seventhly , yet we are not to think that this is done against christs will , as if his father did compell him to this work : no , he professeth the contrary , psal. . . eighthly , we may consider of a two fold office that christ was sent to , which yet cannot be well distinguished , because one is contained in the other . . there is the office of a mediatour , whereby he was sent to save his people from their sinnes , which is the sending most spoken of in scripture . . there is a sending as a prophet to teach , and guide his church : so joh. . . and he doth not teach only externally , but internally by giving a seeing eye and understanding heart . quest. what necessity was there of christ to be thus sent ? answ. first , had not the father thus sent christ into the world , there had been no difference between the damned angels and fallen man. secondly , herein the grace , mercy , and goodness of god appears , in that it was his only begotten son that he sent , the greatest gift that he could give . thirdly , christ mission is the original , and root of all the churches mission that is : as the father hath sent me , so i send you , joh. . . for christ being sent , is thereby made the head of his church , as church power is seated in him as the original , and therefore all the missions of church officers now is reduced to this as the fountain of all , therefore they are called the ministers of christ , the ambassadors of christ , they administer all in his name , and every thing is done by his authority , matth. . , &c. fourthly , take notice of the compleatness , and perfection of this mission , heb. . . that since christs mission we are not now to expect any other extraordinary missions , christ came as the fulness of all . fifthly , consider the seasonableness of the time wherein he was sent , gal. . . called the fulness of time , when the church of the jews was become like a wildernesse , when all the former prophets were forgotten , when there was an universal blackness upon the church , then christ came . sixthly , consider the manner of his sending , viz. in a humble , low , and contemptible way in the eyes of the world : so that none tooke him to be the messias . quest. what are we to consider about christs priestly office ? answ. first , that it did consist in offering up himself a sacrifice : every priest was to expiate sin by sacrifices : now because god would have burnt offerrings no longer , neither could the blood of rams , &c. purge away sin , therefore christ came to make an attonement : so that now we have reconciliation with god , upon a two fold ground : . his mercy ; . his justice . is his mercy to send christ into the world , yet that christ must satisfie by his death , it s his justice . secondly , herein christs priestly office exceeded those under the law : they being only typicall , did outwardly cleanse , but christs blood cleanseth us from sin , and purifieth our persons and consciences . thirdly , this priestly office of christ is not only in the oblation of his body , but also in his prayers for us . for so did the priests under the law : and christs prayers for us are of two sorts . . whilst he was on earth he prayed for us , joh. . . now he is in heaven he intercedes for us : his prayers on earth were attended with great cries , and groans , and debasing of himself : but this in heaven is nothing but the presentation of his will , that what he had prayed for , and obtained for his people ▪ should be applyed to them . fourthly , consider the adjuncts of his priestly office : he is a priest after the order of melchizedech , psal. . . heb. . . which doth imply . . the conjoyning of the kingly power to the priesthood , which was forbidden by the lord : king uzziah was smitten for medling with the priests office. had christ only sanctified himself to be a priest for us , without this kingly office , we should still be under the power of our lusts , and should have wanted a spiritual prince of glory , against that prince of darkness . . it implies the spirituality of his priesthood : for melchizedek , though a priest , yet he brought only bread and wine to abraham to refresh him so : christ after that bodily oblation of himself , hath now appointed his children no other but spiritual sacrifices . . there is implyed the perpetuity of it : there is no abolition , or translation of this office to any other . . this priestly office was confirmed by an oath , heb. . , every word of god is as sure as his oath , but this was done to establish our faith : for its the hardest thing in the world for a soul troubled with sin , to believe that christ hath made such an attonement , and purchased reconciliation : therefore god did not only promise , but swore it . quest. what are we further to consider about the priesthood of christ ? answ. first , that christ is not only the priest , but the sacrifice it self : he offered up himself in the bloody and ignominious death of the cross for our sakes . secondly , that he is not only priest and sacrifice , but altar also . priest he was in both his natures as god and man : sacrifice he was in his humane nature , because that only could suffer : and altar he was in respect of his divine nature , because by that he was sanctified . thirdly , in a sacrifice it was necessary that there be some kind of destruction or anihilation of the thing to the honour and glory of god : so christ suffered both in soul and body , in those exquisite torments which were upon him ; he was wounded all over for our transgressions . fourthly , that christ offered up his body as a sacrifice to god : for its unlawful to offer sacrifices to any but to god , because hereby is represented gods supream dominion and majesty , which is signified by the destruction of the thing offered . now though christ did not cease to be god , yet by his death there was a separation of soul and body , though not of the divine nature from either . it was then unto god that he offered up himself . fifthly , this sacrifice was by way of expiation , and propitiation to attone , and pacifie the justice of god , which otherwise would have been a consuming fire to all man-kinde , as it was to the apostate angels . sixthly , the holy and ●ust nature of god against sin is such , that there was a necessity of christs sacrificing himself upon the crosse for us . quest. what are the properties of christs sacrifice ? answ. first , it had infinite worth in it : so that if god had so ordained , it would have procured reconciliation for all the sinnes of all mankinde , and that because the person offering was god , as well as man : hence , rom. . , . . it s of infinite worth in respect of the gracious readinesse , and willingnesse of him that did offer it . . it had infinite worth in respect of the thing offered , which was no lesse then the precious body and blood of christ himself . secondly , though christ offered up himself a sacrifice , yet the appplication of it must be in such a way as god hath appointed , which is not done till it be received by faith : for so the father hath appointed that this price should reach to none but those that believe . thirdly , that hence christs blood doth not onely wash away the guilt of sinne , but the filth of it , tit. . . so that none can plead the justifying efficacy of ch●ists death , that have not also the sanctifying efficacy of it . fourthly , though christ offered up himself but once , yet the virtue , and power of it doth abide for ever ; yea , it extended to the godly that lived before his sufferings . fifthly , that its continually useful and necessary , because we renew our sinnes daily , and it behoves us to apply this medicine continually . sixthly , consider the certaine successe , and prevalency of it to reconcile us to god. seventhly , it s that sacrifice which christ presents to his father . eighthly , the purity of this is not to be forgotten : christ is a lamb without spot , pet. . . for as we must have a priest without sin , so a sacrifice without any defect : otherwise this sacrifice would have needed another , and so in infinitum . ninthly , the virtue of this sacrifice is to make us like christ himself : he thinks it not enough to be a king and priest himself ; but he makes us kings and priests for ever . we offer up prayers and praises to him , and by him we conquer all our spiritual enemies . quest. how is christ the cause of our sanctification ? ans. first , efficiently : for not onely the father , and spirit , but christ himself also is the cause of all the holinesse we have ; therefore called , the life ; because he gives all supernatural life to his : and the vine , john . . because as the branch separated from the vine can bring forth no fruit , so neither we without christ : as also the authour and finisher of faith , heb. . . of his fulnesse we all receive , &c. joh. . . secondly , he is the meritorious cause of our sanctification : and therefore not onely pa●don of sin , but holinesse and zeal is made the consequent of christs death , rom. . . thirdly , christ in a large and improper sense is called the formal cause of the good that is in us : an assistant form , not informing , i. e. christ received and applied by faith , doth in a most inward , and intimate manner live in us , and thereby strengthens us : hence , gal. . . i no longer live , but christ in me . for by faith we are united to him , and so he becomes our head from whom we have all spiritual influx . fourthly , christ is the final cause of our sanctification , i. e. we are made holy to this end , both that we may shew forth the praises and glory of christ as our redeemer , as also that we should live to him : desiring to know nothing but christ crucified , cor. . . quest. did christ do as much for one believer as for another ? answ. yea , as will appear if we consider these things . . christ as mediatour did receive all equally into his charge , and trust ; the father gave such a number of persons , neither more , nor lesse to christ , to purchase their salvation , and every one of these he did exactly know : for to him , as god , all things past and to come are present . . as thus christ in a mediatory way received every one to his charge , and trust so in the discharge of it , he had an equal respect to all , not willing the salvation of one beleever more then another . . in respect of the effects and fruits of his mediatory loue , in some particulars all are alike , as in justification ; all beleevers stand alike justified through the blood of christ , all are accepted of , and beloved of christ alike . though its true , one is more justified then another extensively , but not intensively , i. e. one hath more sinne forgiven then another ; yet christs righteousnesse is the same in it self to all : as the light of the sun is the same to every starre , though one star partaketh more of it then another . . in the application of christs benefits there is no regard to external temporal differences , so that a poore weak christian may enjoy more of god and christ then the richest , or learnedst in the world . . christs gracious promises , which are for the maine the substance of the covenant of grace , are equal to all his . indeed there are peculiar promises , which are made either to some high degrees of grace , or to some in their peculiar promises , which are made either to some high degrees of grace , or to some in their peculiar relations , or sufferings for christ , which do not belong to all ; but the covenant of grace , which is the substance of all promises , i● offered , and fulfilled in one beleever as well as in another : for , corinth . . . object . but such glorious promises do no not belong to me , i am so poor and unworthy ? though others may claim them , yet i may not ? answ. hereby thou chargest christ sinfully and foolishly : is not christs promise universal to every one that is heavy laden , matth. . . why dost thou except when christ doth not , saith he , not clearly , him that comes to me , i will in no wise cast out , john . . though nexer so miserable , wretched and sinful . object . but we cannot go to him ? answ. john . . all that the father giveth me , shall come to me . christ will not break the bruised reed , nor quench the smoking flax , matth. . . yea , the promise of perseverance is to every godly man , as well as to any , pet. . . . christs power , protection , care is to one as well as to another , though he may suffer some to be more afflicted , heb. . . quest. but doth not christ love a strong christian more then a weake one . answ. in some particulars the poore weak christian hath more love and affection from christ then a strong one . . christ commonly shews more pity and compassion to such as are objects of greater want and indigency . he gently leads those that are with young . . his protection , and preservation of such is more peculiar , and emphatical ; the weaker thou art , the greater is gods power and grace manifested in thee , cor. . . he is the father of the fatherlesse : when we are weak , then are we strong . . he doth commonly vouchsafe more inward comforts , and evidences of his love to such , and gives them more chearfulnesse and joy ▪ yea , new converts have many times more joy then they have all their life after . . god doth in a singular manner keep them from those exercises and tentations which many times he lets to fall upon those that are more eminent , john . . . though they are weak in some things , yet christ makes them remarkably strong in some other things ; the apostles for fear fled from christ , when mary followed him to the crosse . . to the weak , god hath made glorious promises for the encrease of their grace , isa. . . mat. . zach. . . . god sanctifies these infirmities and weaknesses to them , so that they get more good by their weak graces , then others doe by their strong . it s better to be a babe in grace , fearing to fall , then presumptuous , as peter was . quest. is there then no difference between believers in respect of the fruits of christs death ? answ. yes : for , first , though justification be alike , yet their sanctification is not : one is more holy then another : as one star differs from another in glory , so doe christians in grace : there are babes , and strong men in christ. carnal , and spiritual . indeed , one is sanctified as well as another , aeque , but not aequaliter : the measure and degree is different . secondly , as sanctifying , so common gifts which are for service , god gives them in much variety , eph. . . cor. . . there be diversity of operations , yet but one spirit . thirdly , the means of grace are likewise differently administred : some live under more powerful means then others : some also live in cleerer , and more evidencing times of gods grace then others : yet is there not one elect person , though liuing in remote and dark corners , but the converting grace of god will finde him out . fourthly , their tentations , either inward or outward , are very different : all gods children have not such buffertings of satan as paul had . obadiah lived quietly in ahabs court , when elijah was pursued to death , rev. . . the devil shall cast some , not all , into prison ; yet in these different administrations all beleevers may take the same essential comfort , and look for the same substantial happinesse . quest. what are we to consider about the glory of christ ? answ. that the glory which christ hath , he communicates it one way or other to his children : if the head be crowned with glory , it redounds to all the body . yet to understand this aright , consider . that the glory which christ hath , as it is personally and subjectively his , so its incommunicable . for if that should be made ours , we should be the only begotten sons of god , mediators , and saviours , &c. . we must consider a difference of those effects of glory which christ vouchsafeth to his . one instance of glory was to work miracles ; this was part of the glory that was common to christ and others : yet it was communicated only to some of the apostles and believers in the primitive times : yea to some to whom he was not an head in a spiritual and saving manner ; yet herein was there a great difference between christ and beleeves , he wrought them in his own name , and power , they through the name of christ. . there are some things which christ did that are made legally ours : god accounts it as if we had done them . so christs sufferings to take away the curse of the law , and his obedience to the rule of the law is made ours ; and therefore by his obedience we are said to be made righteous . . there are glorious priviledges which christ hath , and he gives them to us also ; we are sonnes as well as he , yea , co-heirs with him in glory , rom. . . we shall raigne with him , be raised up , sit on thrones of glory with him , judge the world with him ; as he hath a rod of iron to break the nations with , so shall the saints have , rev. . , . . there is the sanctification of our natures by grace : and as christ was sanctified , so also doth he sanctifie us : he sanctified himself for this end , and of his fulnesse we all receive , joh. . . so , cor. . . and . . for he made himself a sacrifice , not onely to remove the guilt of sin , but to subdue it ▪ to make us holy as well as happy . quest. how came christ , being god , to pray to the father ? for by this the arians , and socinians would prove him not to be god ? for say they , why should he pray that could do what he pleased ? answ. christ , though god , yet as man he did pray to the father , and that for these reasons . . because as man he was not omnipotent , and so his humane will was not able to accomplish what he desired , in which respect it was that as man he prayed . . christ as man was subject to the law of god , and so was bound to give that service , and religious worship to god which the law required , and therefore his praying was the fulfilling of a duty which he had voluntarily submitted to . so was his baptisme , mat. . . . though all things were due to him , yet by the ordination of god , he could not partake of them but by prayer . ask of me , and i will give thee the heathen for thy inheritance , &c. psal. . . prayer is appointed both to christ and us as the medium whereby gods purpose is brought to passe . . christ prayed upon the same ground as he gave thanks : he praised god as the father of such mercies as his soule was affected with , and so he prayed to god for such things as he had not yet the full accomplishment of . . christ prayed for our example , that we should imitate him . quest. what then is the difference between christs prayer , and ours ? answ. first , if we speak absolutely of christ as a person , so he needed not to pray : for so being god as well as man , he could have done all things the humane nature desired without any humble supplication to the father : but it s otherwise with us . secondly , neither did christ pray for any spiritual gracious mercies : which are the chiefest matter of our prayers , because such things imply a sinful imperfection in the subject . thirdly , neither did christ use prayer as a meanes to quicken , and excite his heart , to make it more heavenly and zealous , as we doe . fourthly , all that he could pray for was in reference to his body , and the further glorification of that , he having taken our infirmities upon him : it s not so with us . quest. isa. . . it s said , that christ had no form or comlinesse : is this so ? answ. first , to god he was altogether desirable , the only beloved , and comely in his sight , and without whose grace none is beauteous in gods eye , psal. . . secondly , he had forme and comeliness to the admiration of the good angels , which made them cry holy , holy , holy , when they beheld the majesty of his beauty . thirdly , the divels spied a beauty in him , when they acknowledged him to be the son of the high god , luke . . fourthly , believers , who are the most clear-sighted in the world , acknowledge that he is altogether the faire , and the chiefest of ten thousand , cant. . , . and . . fifthly , the eyes of unbelievers will one day be opened to see his beauty , either in their conversion , when their carnal eye is made spiritual : as we see in p●ul , nichodemus , &c. or in the day of judgement , thes. . . when he shall appear in glory . quest. whether was christ in his face , and outward feature beautiful , as psal. . . thou art fairer then the children of men ? answ. that text speaks not of his outward beauty , but of his inward , and spiritual beauty , by reason of his wisdom , holiness , righteousnesse , meeknesse , &c. yet it s very probable that in his body he had much comlinesse : for these reasons . . the jews never twitted him with any corporal deformity , which they would out of malice have done , if he had had any deformity . . he was not subject to any miscarriages in his conception , or birth , whence weaknesse , and deformities ensue . . he was not subject to diseases which come by sin , and often deface the beauty of the body , nor to any intemperance in life , which spoiles the comlinesse , and colour . indeed christ took some universal infirmities of man , as hunger , thirst , mortality , &c. but he took no particular infirmities , of blindnesse , lamenesse , &c , he that was perfect god , was made also perfect man. some think , and that very probably , that the first and second adam were as comly , and well featured in body as ever any in the world : being both formed without sin , and without man , and being more immediately compleated , and perfected by god. quest. how , and why should god hide his face from his son , seeing he loved him alwayes ? and when he cryed out that he was forsaken , did he cease to be god , or to be in god ? answ. god did not hide his face from him , as he was his son , but as he was our surety in the room of sinners : he hid not his face from christ as man , but as a mediatour . again , it was not the godheads forsaking christ according to essence , but according to sence . it was not a totall , absolute , and final forsaking , but only partial , and for a short time . calverts mel caeli . quest. what are the parts of christs office ? answ. that he is a prophet , a priest , and a king , christ revealed , and revealeth to the elect the whole counsel of god , as a prophet . he procured , and procureth for them all the good therein revealed as a priest : what he revealed as a prophet , and procured as a priest , but as yet is unaplyed , he applyed , and applyeth as a king. quest. why are the parts of his office mentioned in this order ? answ. first , in respect of man , whose ignorance is healed by him as a prophet , his alienation as a priest , his impotencie to subjection , as a king. secondly , in respect of the manner of the actuall dispensation of salvation , made known by him as a prophet , procured by him as a priest , applyed by him as a king. thirdly , in respect of the manner of the execution of his office : he taught as a prophet , he suffered as a priest , he entered into heaven as a king. quest. how is christ a mediatour ? answ. he is a mediatour of our salvation , but not of our election . quest. doth it not imply inferiority to be a mediatour ? answ. christ , in respect of the divine nature is equal with god , phil. . . but in respect of his office , and the humane nature , both which the word christ precisely taken , holdeth out to us , he is inferiour to the father , joh. . . object . christ being both god and mediatour , which is an office implying inferiority , it follows from hence , that christ is inferiour to himself ? answ. christ as mediatour is inferiour to himself as god , inequality in respect of office , consisteth with equality in respect of nature , and persons . object . christ being both god and mediatour , it follows that christ is a mediatour to himself . answ. a mediatour is so either properly , or analogically . properly who reconcileth others unto others . analogically who reconcileth others to himself : as he that doth justice unto another , exerciseth justice properly : but he that doth justice unto himself , exerciseth justice proportionably : christ performeth the part of god accepting , and of a mediatour reconciling , in a diverse respect . object . but tim. . . there is one god and one mediatour , the man christ. hence it seemeth that christ is mediatour as man , not as god-man ? answ. the word man here is not taken in an abstracted sence , for the humane nature alone , but in a concrete sence , signifying the person , and nature , yea both natures together . so also , acts . . object . if christ as god-man be mediatour , then the divine nature subsisting in the relation of the son , received the office of mediator , and consequently something may be added to god , but nothing can be added to god , because he is perfection itself ? answ. the divine nature received not the office , as considered in it self , but in respect of its voluntary dispensation , as accepting of subsistence with the humane nature , i. e. christ received and sustained the office of mediatour , not as god alone , nor as man alone , but as god-man : the divine nature in respect of its voluntary dispensation : the humane nature properly . to the divine nature there is not any thing added , only a relation : but to the humane nature there is added a reall change . quest. what are the principal effects , and consequents of the personal union , in respects of christ manhood ? answ. first , the grace of eminency , whereby the manhood in respect of this personal union is exalted farre above all creatures , and now sitteth at the right hand of god. secondly , created habituall grace , which christ received out of measure , joh. . . it was in him in his full latitude in four respects . . in respect of its subject , here it is to be found in its proper subject , as light in the sun. . in respect of its nature : there is in christ all kind of grace . . in respect of the intensenesse of it : it s in him in the highest degree , both negatively , it could not be exceeded , and positively , none was equal to it . . in regard of the effects , that he might be fit to derive unto his members all that measure , and fulness of grace that becometh such an head ; grace in the elect is the same in kind , with that created grace that is in christ. thirdly created power , which also is out of measure , the power of working miracles was in christ as man constantly , and permanently after the manner of an habit ; not so in the prophets , and apostles . yea the humanity of christ , besides its inherent power , which exceeds also other creatures , is also an instrument of the divinity , which is omnipotent : hence , christ as man could , and can do whatsoever he pleaseth either by his inherent power , or as an instrument of the divinity : hence he received that compleat authority of executing all power both in heaven and earth , matth. . . fourthly , created knowledge . knowledge in christ is either increated , which is in him as god : whereby he knoweth all things , joh. . . or created , which is in him as man , and is of three sorts . beatificall , infused , and experimentall : . beatificall knowledge is called the knowledge of vision , whereby he doth not only see god face to face , as the rest of the saints do , but sees also the manhood in personal union with the god-head : the knowledge of the blessed , and the torment of the cursed : of it , joh. . . its principle is the perfect understanding of the manhood : its medium , the light of glory . . infused , whereby he knows all things that can be known by the concreated abilities of angels or men : of it , isa , . . it s principle is an habit infused by god : its medium , the light of grace . . experimentall , whereby he knows all things that can be known by practice , and rational observation of events : of it , luk. . . it s principle , the faculty of reason : its medium , personal experience , heb. . . and observation of reiterated events by the light of reason . christs beatifical knowledge admits not of increase , in respect either of the habit , or act . his infused knowledge admitted not of increase , in respect of habit , though it might in respect of the act . his experimental knowledge seems to have admitted increase both in respect of the habit , and act , hee grew in wisdome as in stature , luke . , . fifthly , the right of divine adoration , heb. . . rev. . . yet we are not to worship with divine worship the man-hood as considered in itself , but as being personally united to the god-head , we worship him as god-man . sixthly , communication of properties , which is a manner of speech , whence that that is proper to either nature , is not only verbally , but really predicated of the person consisting of , or subsisting in both natures . seventhly , capablenesse of the office of a mediatour . quest. what is the state wherein the lord jesus executed the office of mediatorship ? answ. either the state of humiliation , or exaltation . the estate of humiliation , continued from the time of his incarnation to his resurrection . the estate of exaltation began at his resurrection , and continues for ever . quest. what are the degrees of his exaltation ? answ. his resurrection opposite to his death : his ascention into heaven , opposite to his descention into the grave : his sitting at the right hand of the majesty of god ( i. e. in a state of glory , next to the glory of god himself ) opposite to the continuing in the grave . quest. what is christ thus in glory now doing ? answ. executing his mediatory office , not in a condition of humiliation , as when here , but in a manner suitable to his state of glory . quest. how doth he now execute the prophetical part of his office ? answ. by sending forth the ministery , giving gifts , and making the improvement thereof effectual for the calling home , and building up his elect , matth. . , &c. ephes. . , &c. quest. how doth he execute the priestly part of his office ? answ. first , by appearing in the presence of god for us , heb. . secondly , by continual presenting to the father the satisfaction , and merit of his perfect obedience performed by him in his state of humiliation for us , rom. . . h●b . . . thir●ly , by manifesting his constant will , and desire , that this his satisfactory , and meritorious obedience should be accepted of the father for us , joh. . . fourthly , by declaring it to be his constant will , and desire that the benefit thereof should be effectually applyed to us , heb. . . and . . note . some hold that ch●ist still in heaven as man , doth pray to god the father , properly , and formally in respect of his church , whence , say they , he is called an advocate with the father , and is said , still to make intercession for us : yet not that he prayeth in so servile and humble a manner as he did whilst here , yet ( say they ) its more then a meere presenting of himself , or his will that the father fulfill what he hath purchased : it s a true , and formal praying , neither ( say they ) is this any more indecent or unbeseeming christ as man in heaven , then praising of god , which yet as man he doth . quest. how doth he exercise the kingly part of his office ? answ. by applying unto his elect by his spirit , what he revealeth as a prophet , and purchased as a priest , by ruling in his elect by his word , and spirit , together with defending them from his and their enemies . mr. nortons orthodox evangelist . quest. how was christ revealed under the old testament ? answ. the first prophesie of christ was by god himself given to adam , gen. . . the seed of the woman shall break the serpents head : and christ was that seed of the woman , being born of a woman only , a virgin that had not known a man : and therefore at the very time when he fulfilled this promise upon the cross , he said to his mother , woman behold thy son : woman , not mother , to intimate that he was the seed of the woman long before spoken of . abraham also expected this promised seed , joh. . . he saw my day , and rejoyced : this was the soul of the covenant of god made with him , the seale whereof was circumcision , an image of his blood-shed . isaac was a type of his seed in many respects . . isaac was born of sarah , a barren woman , and past child-bearing : jesus was born of mary , a virgin , springing like a branch out of a dry stock : like a stone hewen out of a rock without hands , dan. . . . isaac bare the wood that should have consumed him , christ bare the cross on which he was crucified . . isaac was bound , jesus was bound . . isaac should have been offered for a sacrifice , jesus was offered a sacrifice for the sins of the world . . isaac on mount moriah : jesus on mount moriah , as some think . . from isaac arose that proverb , in the mount will the lord be seen . in jesus its much more true : for no man hath seen the father at any time , but the son , and he to whom the son hath revealed him : in him we see all the love of god : for behold what love the father hath given us , in that he hath sent his only begotten sonne into the world , that whosoever believeth in him might not perish , &c. many such types had those times , like prospective glasses to convey their glimmering sight to the only object of happinesse christ jesus . as jacob , who got the blessing in his eldest brothers garment . joseph who was stripped of his cote , sold by judahs motion , stood before pharaoh at thirty years old , whose core dipped in blood , turned the wrath of his father from his brethren : even as christ was stripped by the souldiers , sold by judas treason , stood before god in his office about thirty years old , and in whose blood we being dipped , are delivered from the wrath of god the father . thus before the law : under the law we shall find nothing but christ. the children of israel in their journey to canaan were guided by a pillar of cloud by day , and of fire by night , their day was something overcast by a cloud , and yet their darknesse was something overcome by a light . hence peter compares the word of the prophets to a light shining in a dark place , pet. . . now all the light they had was borrowed from christ , as the stars doe theirs from the sun , and all lead to christ again , as little rivers to the ocean . see this . in their sacraments : their ordinary sacraments were circumcision , and the passeover , which both had reference to the same inward grace : for what ment the blood-shed in circumcision , and sprinkled on their door-poosts in the passeover , but the blood of christ shed for the remission of ●ines , and sprinkled on our hearts to cleanse us from sin : christ was the true paschall lamb , in whom therefore the law of it is fulfilled , not a bone of him shall be broken , where john calls him , the lamb of god , &c. joh. . . again the pillar of cloud , and fire , and the red sea in which they were baptized , as cor. . . called in the gospel the baptism of water , and fire , signified the effusion of the blood of christ , and the infusion of his graces : the merit of his passion , and the efficacy of his spirit in our hearts to make it ours by application : the water that came out of the rock , being smitten with the rod , when the people were ready to perish , signified the blood issuing out of christs body in his bloody sweat , when the wrath of god , the rod of god lay heavy upon him , when the chastisement of our sins was upon him : so that which streamed out of his side when pierced by the souldier , which was spilt for our sakes , who otherwise had perished . the manna wherewith they were sustained in the wildernesse , was christ , that bread of life that descended from heaven , joh. . . so cor. . , . the brasen serpent figured christ lift up upon the cross , and as that saved all that looked to it being stung with fiery serpents : so christ saves us from the power of the old serpent the divel , &c. . all the laborious and tedious paedagogy of their ceremonies was only to lead them to christ , the blood of all their sacrifices propitiatory , and gratulatory , of bullocks , rams , goats , lambs , &c. were all but types leading to christ , who was the true sacrifice , in which all others were sanctified , and by which gods justice is satisfied : and they were so many , in such variety to seale to them his alsufficiency . so were all their curious ablutions , and costly oblations of rost , baked , sod , fried , to teach our perfect washing by his blood , and perfect nourishment by his body , which suffered the heat of gods wrath , and so was dressed to our appetite , and sauced with such diversity to take away our satiety . the two goats , one offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the people , the other , having the sinnes of all the congregation confessed over him , was let go into the wildernesse : both which expresse christ in a double respect , either because he was slaine that we might escape : or because christ was dead and is alive , rev. . . he dying for our sinnes , and rising again for our justification , rom. . . so in the purgation of the leper , two birds were to be brought , the one to be killed , the other to be let flie being first dipt in the blood of the former , as christ died for us , and we being dipt in his blood escape death eternall . . all their holy persons represented to them their messias : their priests , especially the high priest , who sacrificed , and blessed the people in his name , in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed . and as the high priest bare the names of the tribes upon his shoulders when he appeared before the lord ; so did christ of all his faithful . the high priest entred into the holy of holies once a year , not without blood ; so did christ by his own blood open a way for us in the highest heavens , &c. . the holy places also were teachers of the same truth : as , ( ) the tabernacle was a visible signe of gods presence amongst his people , therefore in it was placed the mercy-seat , even jesus christ in whom it pleased god to have mercy on whom he will have mercy . ( ) so was the temple , and therefore they were to offer their sacrifices at the temple : their prayers were to be in , and towards the temple , because all were sanctified and accepted in christ who was the true temple : but when christ the true light came into the world , all these shadows fled away . dr. stoughtons christ crucified the tree of life . quest. how may it be proved that christ is true god ? answ. first , he to whom the name of god doth properly belong , he is truely god or the most high : but the name of god doth properly belong to christ , therefore he is god ; christ is called god , so as no creature is , both subjectively , and by way of attribution . . subjectively . so sam. . . the god of israel said , &c. which is a prophesie of christ , and can onely be meant of him as our mediatour . so , tim. . . god was manifested in the flesh . . by way of attribution the name of god is spoken of him . so , isa. . . the mighty god , hos. . . i will save them by the lord their god : so , john . . my lord and my god , joh. . . the word was god , tit. . . the great god , rom. . . christ is over all , god blessed for ever . he is called also jehovah , which is altogether incommunicable to the creatures : nothing his eternal essence : so , rev. . . to him which is , which was , and which is to come . god himself also makes himself known to his people by this name , exod. . . i am that i am . so , psal. . . that they may know that thou whose name is jehovah , &c. which name is never in scripture attributed to false gods , or to creatures . now that this name jehovah is ascribed to christ , appears , jer. . . he that is our righteousenesse is jehovah , the son of god , and not the father , who by his righteousnesse doth move the lord to justifie us . nor is christ thus called alone in that place , but in many others also ; as , isa. . . prepare ye the way of jehovah ; which mark expounds of christ , mark . , . so , zach. . . jehovah said to me , &c. which saint matthew applies to christ , matth. . . and in that prophetical psalm of the kingdome of christ , psal. . christ is six times called jehovah . . arg. if the divine attributes do truly properly belong to the sonne of god , then is he truly and properly god : but the divine attributes do truly , and properly belong to the sonne of god ; therefore he is truly god : as eternity is an attribute which is proper to god alone ; and this belongs to the sonne of god , john . . in the beginning was the word : now if christ was before the creation , he must then needs be from all eternity : for before the creation there was nothing but god. so prov. . , . the lord possessed me ( wisdome ) before his works of old , i was from everlasting . now that christ is called wisdome , appears , luke . . and . . so , john . . glorifie me with the glory which i had with thee before the world , and rev. . . i am alpha and omega , the first and the last , which was , and which is , and which is to come , rev. . . i am the beginning and the end . now these titles do belong to god , isa. . . and . . and . . so , john . . before abraham was , i am : compared with , exod. . . i am that i am . again , he is omnipresent , mat. . . lo i am with you alwayes , &c. so rev. . . and . . he is in the midst of the golden candlesticks . so also he is omniscient , which is peculiar to god. king. . . chron. . . prov. . . act. . . now that this properly belongs to christ is proved , john . . lord thou knowest all things , &c. so , joh. . . joh. . . rev. . . he is also omnipotent , which is peculiar to god : hence , cor. . . he is called the power of god , and isa. . . the mighty god , tit. . . the great god , hos. . . the lord of hosts . so , zach. . . again , absolute power to work so as he will is peculiar to god : but this title belongs to the sonne of god , joh. . . he raiseth and quickneth whom he pleaseth , and john . . i give to my sheep eternal life , john . . father i will that those which thou hast given me may be where i am , &c. also predestination of some to eternal life is peculiar to god , which also is attributed to christ , joh. . . i know whom i have chosen , john . . i have chosen you out of the world ; and this election was before the foundation of the world , eph. . . . arg. it s proved by comparing parallel texts of the old and new testament together : for such texts in the old testament , as without controversie are meant of the true , and everliving god , are in the new testament expounded of our lord christ : so , numb . . . and . . i will smite them with the pestilence , &c. which saint paul expounds of christ , cor. . . the people tempted christ , and were destroyed of serpents . so , psal. . . o my god take me not away in the midst of my days : of old thou hast laid the foundations of the earth , &c. which is applied to christ , heb. . . so , isa. . . &c. mine eyes have seen the lord of hosts : then followes , make the heart of this people fat , &c. which was accomplished in christ , joh. . , . again , isa. . , , . hos. . . the lord of hosts will make a feast , &c. he will swallow up death in victory ; which is meant of the lord christ , cor. . , . rev. . . isa. . . so , isa. . your god will come and save you , and v. . then the eyes of the blinde shall be opened , &c. which shews that it must be meant of christ , and his miracles , as luke . . so , joh. . . again , isa. . . prepare the way of the lord , &c. meant of christ , matth. . , &c. isa. . . the word of god abideth for ever , i. e. the gospel of christ , pet. . . mat. . . so , isa. . , . — his reward is with him : applied to christ , rev. . . so , isa. . . thus saith the lord and his redeemer , the lord of hosts , i am the first and the last , and thus christ described himself , rev. . . so , isa. . . — every knee shall bow to me , &c. applied to christ , rom. . , . phil. . . again , isa. . . — he shall be for a stone of stumbling , &c. applied to christ , luke . . rom. . . . pet. . . . arg. is drawn from the relation betwixt his sacred person , and god the father : christ is the sonne of god , and that not as angels , and men , by creation , or regeneration , but by eternal generation : and the father , and the sonne have the same individual substance : the father begets the son without change , or motion , after a most glorious and wonderful manner within himself , and essentially one with himself : yea , this relation is coaeval with the essence , as he is always god , so he is alwayes sonne , psal. . this day have i begotten thee , this day is the day of eternity , micah . . the goings forth of him — have been of old from everlasting . for this reason he is said to be the proper sonne of god , rom. . . and god his proper father , john . . he is called the only begotten sonne of god , john . . and . . john . . then he is not created . hence he is called the first born of every creature , col. . . as man he was a creature , but as god he was before every creature . he is called the image of his fathers person , heb. . . for , as when we look our selves in a glasse , our image like our selves is naturally produced : so when god with the eye of his understanding , beholds ( if we may so speak ) the glass of the divine nature from everlasting to everlasting , there results the son , an essential image of himself : so then he is the natural son of god ; and by that divine way of the fathers communicating of his divine essence , by eternal generation ; as may be further proved by the titles that god the father gives him by calling him his son , which is a title that advanceth christ above all creatures ; and christ calls himself the son of god , john . . for which the jewes charged him with blasphemy , john . , . . arg. we are enjoyned in scripture to worship christ with that religious adoration which is properly and solely due to the everliving god , therefore he is god , nor will the lord give this his glory to any other , isa. . . and . . hence , john . . he that honours not his son which is sent , honoureth not the father which sent him . there are divers honours which are gods peculiars , and they all belong to christ : as , . religious worship in spirit , which is the exhibiting of that reverence and worship which is due to the great god , in all places , at all times , and in all things : but this spiritual worship is to be exhibited to our lord christ , psal. . . worship him all ye gods , and rev. . . saint john ascribes to him glory , and dominion for ever and ever . so , rev. . . and . . and rom. . . he is over all , god blessed for ever . again , the high god alone is the object of religious invocation , psal. . . and they are idolaters which call on them that are not true gods , gal. . . yea religious invocation is gods glory which he will give to none other , isa. . . but it is to be given to christ , acts . . and . , . cor. . . rev. . . hence i argue , that person that knows the hearts of all , and hears the prayers of all in the world , is the true god : but christ doth so , therefore he is true god. again , it s an honour peculiar to the true god , to be the object of religious trust and confidence : but jesus christ is the object of religious trust and confidence , therefore he is the true god. . arg. to swear is a part of religious service when performed in truth , in righteousnesse , and in judgement , which analogically is ascribed to christ himself . hence the argument is , that person that is the object of a religious oath is god , deut. . . thou shalt swear by his name , who is a most infallible witnesse , judge and avenger of all perjured persons , and such as use his name either rashly or falsly : but christ is the object of a religious oath , & because he hath no greater to swear by , he sweareth by himself , isa. . . i have sworn by my self that to me every knee shall bow . here christ swears by himself , and the words immediately foregoing , v. . i am god , and besides me there is none other : saint paul expounds those words of christ , rom. . . before whose tribunal every knee must bow , and by bowing of every knee , he proves that we must all stand before the tribunal of christ , therefore christ is god. . arg. divine service is only due to god , deut. . . repeated by christ , mat. . . inward , and outward service which is absolute , illimited , and universal is to be performed only unto god : but this honour is due to christ as he is the great lord ; whom even the greatest kings are bound to serve , dan. . . psal. . , , . and this was foretold , psal. . . all kings shall fall down before him , and all nations shall serve him . hence also , luke . . and john . . yea , the holy angels are bound to serve him , dan. . . heb. . . therefore he is god. . arg. the maker of heaven , and earth , and all things in them is the true god : but jesus christ is the maker of heaven and earth , &c. therefore he is the true god , gen. . . isa. . . exod. . . jer. . , . now that christ is the maker of heaven and earth , is proved , joh. . . all things were made by him , and ver . . there was nothing that was not made by him , col. . . all things were made by christ , things visible , and invisible , &c. . arg. he that is the preserver of all things is god : but christ is the preserver of all things , therefore he is god : for preservation is a work equivalent to the creation , neh. . . without him all things would fall back to nothing , rom. . . of him , and for him , and to him are all things . now that this conservation is the work of our lord christ , appears , heb. . , . and . . and . . col. . . with v. , . joh. . . my father worketh hitherto , and i work . . arg. infallible knowledge , and prediction of future events which are meerly contingent , and which in nature have no reason at all of their futurition , is an argument of the deity . what is more contingent then to know our thoughts afar off ? but so doth god , ps. . . act. . . now that this is peculiar to god only , appears , isa. . . hence he is called a god of knowledge , sam. . . and infinite in understanding , psal. . . but our saviour christ foreknew , and foretold things to come , luk. . . mar. . . joh. . . therefore he is god. . arg. he that works miracles by his own power , is god : but christ wrought miracles by his own power , therefore he is god : now that miracles are gods royal prerogative , appears , psal. . . the lord above doth wondrous works : this is implied , kin. . . am i a god to kill , and make alive ? that christ wrought miracles when , and where he pleased , appears in very many instances ; the apostles could not do so , as appears , act. . . tim. . . they could not raise their friends from the bed of sicknesse . it s gods property alone to do what he pleases , psal. . . yea , christ wrought such miracles by his own power , as never man wrought , john. . . yea , he raised up his own dead body . hence , joh. . . if i do not the works which no man ever did , &c. yea , christ did the same works which his father did , and after the same manner , joh. . . yea , he wrought his miracles by his own power and virtue , mark . . yea , he gave power to others to work miracles in his name , mark , , . act. . and . , . yea , christ by his working of miracles was demonstrated to be the son of god , and equal with the father , joh. . , . mat. . . see act. . . . arg. it was requisite that christ should not only be a true man , but very god also for the accomplishment of gods glorious designe and purpose of mans redemption . it is true , christ was mediatour before his incarnation , by his word , and spirit , acting in reference to the nature which should in the fulnesse of time be assumed into his person , but he was not so perfectly a saviour as now he is . this second person of the glorious trinity is named jesus , and he is so called from the end , which is most excellent , to save men from their sins , and hell , and to confer righteousnesse and life upon all beleevers : and the name messias , and christ import his offices , which are the divinely instituted means to attaine that end , viz. the salvation of mens souls . a meer creature priest , a meere creature prophet , and a meer creature king could not perform those several actions which were necessarily to be done by christ , who was a priest , a king and a prophet , all three meeting happily in him , and in him alone . christ in regard of his priestly office , which was after the order of melchizedeck ) offered up his body as a propitiatory sacrifice by his eternal spirit , to reconcile us to god his father , to obtain remission of sinnes , spiritual graces , and life eternal by an alsufficient price laid down for us . indeed god is said to love the world , and from thence to give his son to die for the elect , joh. . . and freely to forgive all our sinnes : but this is not opposite to the merits and satisfaction of christ which belong to him as a priest , and sacrifice : for we must consider a double reference of gods love ; one towards the creature , the other towards his justice , and hatred of sin . god would have his son to satisfie them both with due recompence . he satisfied his love to the sinful creature , when he gave his son to be our mediator : he satisfied his love to justice , and hatred of sin , when he gave his son to die for us , and by his blood to expiate our sin : he satisfied his love to the creature , because out of love he forgives sins freely in regard of the creature , though he laid the punishment on his dear son to satisfie his justice : for notwithstanding his love to justice , and hatred of sin , he out of his love to his elect forgives their sins , and gives them eternal life , in which respect it may be truly said , god satisfied himself , and appeased himself in his beloved son. now the blood of a meer man could not satisfie gods justice for those innumerable and grosse sins which man had committed against the infinite majesty of god : the church is redeemed by the blood of god , acts . . not was it sufficient that christ should be a saviour in regard of merit , but he must be so also in regard of efficacy ; and he executes his offices most powerfully and gloriously , being exalted ( after he had overcome death ) above all principalities and powers , where he is our advocate , yea , such an advocate as can plead the worthinesse of his person , his perfect obedience , and meritorious sufferings , and can do whatever he pleaseth to promote our happinesse : hence , . conversion , illumination , and all saving graces are his free gift , joh. . . and paul oft prays , grace , and peace from god the father , and from jesus christ. . he governs them by his holy laws , protects them by his grace , and power , and singularly cares for them as his precious jewels , is tenderly affected to them as a father to the child , &c. john . . and b●ings them at last to his eternal inheritance , pet. . . . he sends his holy spirit to dwell in them , and to be their comforter , and this proves him also to be the true god , in that he can send the holy ghost , who is also the ever living god. . as he quickned his own body , so he will raise them up at the last day : hence he calls himself , the resurrection and the life , joh. . . so , cor. . , . . he will send his angels to gather them together , and shall passe sentence on the devils and the wicked , and force every knee to bow to him , isa. . . rom. . , . tit. . . . he will give unto his sheep eternal life , joh. . . and . . see all these arguments enlarged , and vindicated from all the cavils , and objections of the adversaries by mr. estwick in his answer to bidle . quest. how far forth are the actions of christ to be imitated by us ? answ. for answer hereunto we must distinguish of christs actions : as , . such as were done by his divine omnipotency , as all his miracles were : these are admirandae , & adorandae , non imitandae : to be admired , and adored , not to be imitated . . such as were done by his prerogative . as his sending for the asse without his owners consent : these are amandae , non imitandae : to be loved , not to be imitated . . the actions of his mediatorship : as his dying for sin , rising from the dead , ascending into heaven , &c. these are not to be imitated but only analogically : thus , as he died for sin , we must die to sinne : as he rose again , so we must rise to newnesse of life : as he ascended into heaven : so must we daily in our meditations , and affections : as he was a king , so must we be to conquer our lusts ; as he was a priest , so must we be to offer up spiritual sacrifices . . of a contrite heart , psal. . . . of righteousnesse , psal. . . . of praise , heb. . . . of almes , heb. . . . of our selves , our soules , and bodies , rom. . . as he was a prophet , so must we be to instruct our families . . his ministerial actions , wherein especially two things are considerable . . his unction , or fitting with gifts . . his mission and sending by his father : and these are to teach ministers not to run before they be gifted by god , and sent by the mediate means of the presbytery . . his natural actions , as eating , drinking , sleeping , &c. wherein , though we do the same , yet we cannot be said to do them in imitation of him , because we do them by a natural instinct . . his occasional , and accidental actions : as his instituting , and celebrating of the sacrament at night and after supper , and in an upper room , &c. his being baptized in a river , &c. these we are not to imitate him in . . his moral actions of piety , and holinesse , and these especially we are to imitate him in , and to walk as he walked , joh. . . quest. how is the whole work of our salvation carried on by christ ? answ. as he is the closure of every link in that golden chain of our salvation which reacheth from eternity to eternity : as , . he is the foundation of our election , eph. . . . the price of our redemption , pet. . , . . the efficient cause of our regeneration , eph. . . . the author of our justification , jer. . . . the beginner and perfecter of our sanctification , heb. . . joh. . , . . the matter of our consolation both temporal and spiritual , joh. . . rom. . . . the sweetner and sanctifier of all our troubles , rom. . , &c. . the assurance and pledge of our resurrection , cor. . . thes. . . . the procurer , and producer of our glorification , joh. . . rev. . . and therefore he may well be called our all in all . absumus a te , vivimus ex te , fidimus in te , tendimus ad te , non nisi per te , optime christe . chap. xxx . questions , and cases of conscience about the church . quest. what is meant by the word church ? answ. the hebrew word translated in the psalms , congregation , signifies to gather together , or a company of people assembled together . so , numb . . . the greek signifies to call , the compound to call out . thence the word translated a church , act. . . in general , signifies an assembly of people . so act. . , . hence when assemblies were dissolved , every man is said to return to his own house , kin. . . mostly the greek word in the new testament is appropriated to an assembly of saints that profess the ●ospel . such assemblies are our churches , both because they are called out of their houses to one assembly , as also by reason of their calling out of the world , and out of their naturall condition : hence they are oft stiled the called , as rom. . . cor. . , . matth. . . in common use this word church is metonymically put for the place where such assemblies meet . so the word synagogue , which signifies the same with church ▪ is put for an assembly , and so translated , jam. . . and for a congregation , act. . . as also the place of the assembly . so luke . . quest. in what sence is a church taken in scripture ? answ. first , for a company of men selected , gathered , and called out of the world by the doctrine of the gospel to know , and worship the true god in christ according to his word , cor. . . rev. . . this is the visible church , which is not alwayes eminent , and glorious to the eyes of the flesh , as papists avouch , the church being like the moon , subject to mutations , rev. . . secondly , for the whole company of the elect , which in all ages , and places have , and doe , or shall believe in christ , through the calling of god the father by the operation of the holy spirit . this is the invisible catholick church . so col. . . thirdly , for the faithful in some one family , so it is to be understood , cant. . . rev. . . heb. . . rev. . . cant. . . and . . cor. . . matth. . . and . . tim. . . rom. . . cor. . . and . . fourthly , for the lawful governours of the church , to whom the censures of the church doe of right belong , matth. . . this is the church representative . fifthly , for a material temple . so cor : . . and . . it s put also for all those that shall be saved , he● . . . the professors of christ , act. . . the faithful of some one province , thes. . . some notable assembly of the faithful partaking together in the word and sacraments , cor. . . a multitude of any , whether good or bad , meeting together , act. . , . quest. who is the builder of the church ? answ , christ , for the church is made an house of god , and the several members of the church , so ordered , and qualified as they make up that church , and all this by christ. by christ , they which by nature are dead in sin , are quickned , and made lively stones : by him they are quickned , and gathered together , and endued with all needful graces , whereby they become an holy house , and a fit temple fo● god to dwell in , john . . ephes. . . joh. . . hence ephes. . . quest. why doth christ build up his church ? answ. first , because the members of the church , before they were members , were dead , and scattered , and destitute of all grace , therefore there must be some to quicken , gather , and furnish them with grace . secondly , christ of all others is fittest to doe this : he is the very wisdom and power of the father : by him all things were made , and are preserved , sustained , and ordered : therefore it s most meet that the church should receive her spirituall being , preservation , and every good thing from , and by christ. thirdly , for working the great work of mans redemption , which is proper to the church , christ humbled himself , even to death , the death of the cross , therefore it s most meet that he should have the honour of building up his church : thus he sees of the travel of his soul , and is satisfied , as isa. . . phil. . , , , . quest. hath christ a special propri●ty in his church ? answ. yea , and that for these reasons . . because he purchased it with his own blood , act. . . . he built it : hence , pet. . , . ephes. . . . god hath given the church to his son , psal. . quest. how , and why is christ said to be the lord of his church ? answ. first , by gods ordination , psal. . . ephes. . . secondly , by the redemption which christ hath made of his church : so exo. . . therefore these two titles of lord and redeemer are oft joyned together , isa. . . and . . thirdly , by a mutual covenant between christ and his church , as of old between god and israel : god avoucheth israel to be his peculiar people , they avouch him to be their god , deut. . , . this was oft foretold by the prophets , jer. . . hos. . . zach. . . and is accomplished in the christian church , heb. . . christ in , and by the gospel , and sacraments offers himself to be our lord , and we take him so to be , by our subjecting of our selves to his ordinances . fourthly , by the laws , and ordinances which christ hath given to his church , it s the part of a lord to give laws , and he is their lord in special to whom he gives laws : but gods word wherein those laws are contained , is in special given to the church , psal. . , . hence the church is stiled the pillar , and ground of truth , tim. . . fifthly , by a special care which he takes of his church , tim. . . dr. gouge on heb. quest. whether may our parochial assemblies in england be called churches of christ , wherein there are so many corrupt persons ? answ. they may , and are true churches . look upon jerusal●m , matth. . . you shall see that the eleven tribes were apostates : there were in it dumb dogs , isa. . . there were scribes , and pharisees hypocrites , they had corrupted the doctrine of the law with their false glosses : the temple was made a den of thieves ; yet the evangelist calls it the holy city : and that . because there was the service of the true god in the temple , the word preached , sacrifices offered , the meetings of the church of god. . because as yet they had not received a bill of divorcement : so have not we the word of god preached , the sacraments truly administred , &c. and when did the lord give us a bill of divorcement ? and therefore to encourage us against the cavills of the separatists , let us remember , . that the word of truth is truely preached amongst us , which appears by the conversion of thousands , whereas never was any converted by a word of errour , jam. . . . that our ministers are of god , because by them so many are begotten to god , christ thought it a good reason when he said , believe me that i came out from the father for the works sake : the blind man saw this , joh. . . . our meetings are holy meetings : for . our people are outwardly called by an holy calling , and to an holy end . . they profess faith in christ , which is an holy profession , and therefore in charity they are to be judged saints . . congregations are called holy in scripture , from the better part , not from the greater : as an heap of wheat mingled with chaff , is called an heap of wheat : so cor. . . with chap. . . . mixt congregations are holy in gods acceptation , who esteems them , not as they are in themselves , but as members of christ , israel at the best , was a stiffnecked people , ye balaam said , that god saw no iniquity in them , numb . . . quest. how is the church gods peculiar ? answ. first , because believers are the most precious of men , even the most noble upon earth : hence cant. . . they are the sons of god , brethren of christ , heirs of heaven . secondly , in regard of god , they are a peculiar people , distinct from others , by the grace of election , by which they are chosen out of the world , and advanced in gods favour above all others . hence they are called , an holy nations ? the spouse of christ , the dauhgter of god , the choice of god , and gods delight . thirdly , in regard of their whole manner , and condition of life : hence they are said to dwell alone , and not to be numbred amongst the nations , numb , . . as for instance , . their original are not some few families , coming out of some corner of the earth : but they sprung of christ , of whom all the families of heaven and earth are called . . their countrey is not of the earth : here they are pilgrims , and strangers : but heaven is their home , from which they look for their saviour , ephe. . . . their king is neither born , nor created , but the everlasting king of glory , who rules not some one countrey , but from sea to sea , &c. and not for an age , but for ever . . their lawes are spirituall , reaching the conscience as well as the outward man , most perfect , never changed , nor abrogated , as mens be . . their war and weapons are not carnall , but spiritual , as their chiefest enemies be : their captain was never foiled , nor can be , and therefore they are sure of victory befo●e they strike a blow : and as for their corporal enemies , they overcome them , non feriendo , sed ferendo , not by striking but sufring . . their language is that of canaan : their speech shews them to be citizens of heaven : therefore called a people of a pure language , &c. zeph. . . . their garments are devised , and put on by god himself , even the garments of innocency , long robes dyed in the blood of the lamb , rev. . . . their diet springeth not out of the earth , but descends from heaven : jesus christ , the bread of life , &c. of whom , whosoever feeds shall continue to eternal life . quest. why is the church compared to a woman , rev. . ? answ. first , as simply considered in her self : and that for three causes . . because to the woman was first made the promise of the blessed seed that should break the serpents head , and it s still made good to the church under the same similitude : for to her all the promises of god doe properly belong . . because she is feeble , and weak as a woman without her husband , joh. . . . because she is a pure , and chast virgin , not defiled with idolatry , as the romish strumpet is , cor. . . secondly , as she stands in relation to others , and that . to god , and in this relation she is the daughter of god , cant. . . psal. . . . to christ , in which relation she is the spouse of christ. . contracted to him in his incarnation : so cant . . married to him as his bride , and taken home in his second comin● to dwell with him for ever . . to christians , and in this relation she is their mother . for a woman through the company of her husband , brings forth children : so the church by her conjunction with christ , and the power of his word , brings forth , nurceth , and brings up many children to god. quest. what duties doth this relation of a spouse to christ teach her ? answ. first , to cleave to her husband . for god seeing that it was not good for adam to be alone , he made the woman of his rib , being cast into a sleep , and brought , and married her unto him , saying , for this cause shall a man leave father and mother , and cleave to his wife , &c. gen. . . so god seeing , after the fall , that it was much less good for man to be alone , he institutes a second marriage with the second adam , whom he casts asleep by death , and brings his spouse out of his side pierced , and marries the church to him , that renouncing all loves and lovers but him , she might cleave undevidedly to him , and this she must doe foure wayes . . in person : for as the wife delivers up her person to her husband alone : so believers must deliver up their souls , and bodies to jesus christ. for cor. . , . we are no longer our own , &c. . a faithful shouse is married but to one man , cor. . . so the church . . christ our husband communicates his whole person to us : he gives his life for his sheep only : prayes for no other . . christ as a faithful husband leaves father in heaven , and mother on earth , and cleaves to his wife . . to cleave to christ in faithful affection , loving our husband christ as our selves , nay better then our selves , not loving our selves to the death for his sake , seeing his love to us was stronger then death , and more to us then to his own life . . to cleave to him in affliction , as a wife takes her husband for better , and worse . a kingdom is promised to such , luke . , . secondly , the church must depend upon christ her husband as upon he head , and that . for direction , subjecting her self , as owing obedience to all his commands , ephes. . . and this she must doe , seeing he is the true light , the sun of righteousness , the pillar able to direct her . . for protection , christ is the saviour of his body the church , ephes. . . the only phineas that turns away the wrath of god , kindled against his israel , the onley moses that stands in the gap where gods wrath had made a breach . . for provision : none else but jesus christ can supply the church with such things as she needs : he can bestow pardon of sin , righteousness , life , and salvation : he paies her debts , both of obedience to the whole law , and satisfaction for the breach of it . thirdly , she must rejoyce to honour her husband even with her own dishonour : for christ rejoyced to honour her even with his own infinite dishonour : the joy of heaven pleased him not without her presence , and fellowship in it . fourthly , she must , as a good spouse , doe all things to please her husband , thereby testifying her love to him . this is to walk worthy the lord , &c. col. . . quest. how must she please her husband christ ? answ. first , she must not seek to please her self in any thing that is displeasing to him , she must deny her self , her own will , reason , affections , and desires , much more her sinnes , and lusts to please him , rom. . , , . secondly , she must not seek to please others , for then she cannot please christ , gal. . . thirdly , she must labour for a conformity to him in manners , and affections . . of vertues , as humility , innocency , patience , &c. . in will , willing holily what he willeth , and nilling what he nilleth . . in practice , chearfully observing what he commands . fourthly , she must deck and trim her self with graces , psal. . . she must put on lowlinesse , meeknesse , &c. so tim. . . fifthly , she must shew her love to christ by loving , and gladly intertaining his friends . sixthly , she must shew her delight in him in his presence , and long after him in his absence , isa. . . rev. . . crying even so come lord jesus . quest. what priviledges hath the church as the spouse of christ ? answ. first , free election : he hath made choice of her , and not she of him , joh. . . he was not bound any way to chuse her : neither did he finde any reason in her , as other young men doe : no disposition , no work of preparation , no freewill , no affections toward him , neither is he bound to render a reason , if he had passed by us as he hath many others . secondly , divine pacification : by this marriage all hostility , and enmity is removed betwixt god and the church : for ephes. . , . he is our peace , col. . . hereby we have daily entrance , and access unto god , not as strangers , or ordinary friends : but as friends , yea as children in prayers , praises , &c. ephes. . , . thirdly , gracious assimulation , and fitness between the bridegrom , and bride : for whereas . she was of base parentage , a daughter of the earth , her father an amorite , &c. ezek. . . now she is made a chosen generation , the daughter of a prince , of near alliance to god. . she was poor and needy , had no worth , no dowry to prefer her : now by this contract , she hath an estate made her fit for a prince : that as her husband is heir of all things , his love is so liberal that he hath made her a co-heir of his own heavenly inheritance , rom. . . . she was deformed , without beauty , or comelinesse , she hath now attained perfect beauty in righteousness , and the beauty of her husband makes her beauty perfect , ezek. . . without wrinkle or spot , ephes. . . . she was naked , covered with nothing but shame , excepting a few rags , and fig-leaves : now her cloathing is of wrought gold , psal. . . garments of salvation , isa. . . fourthly , free and liberal donation , as young men give jewels and love-tokens . for . what he covenants , and promises , he also pledgeth with many graces , shining as so many jewels , thereby testifying his bounty towards her . . he bestows his person on her , and by becoming hers , she becomes his , and so of twain , they become one flesh . . with his person he bestows his goods upon her , i. e. all his merits , and obedience , all his sufferings , all his glory , all his prayers . . he invests her , not only into his goods , but into his inheritance , and in due time consummates the marriage , bringing his spouse home into his house of glory , a mansion prepared for her : putting her into possession of all the wealth of heaven , where she enjoyes his immediate presence . fifththly , high and honourable exaltation , and advancement : as ahashuerus made esther , a poor captive maid , a sharer in all the honour of his kingdom by marrying her . yea , the churches honour exceeds that of the greatest queens : for . they are matched with , and laid in the bosoms of men , but she is admitted into the bed with him that is god and man , cant. . . . they are married to kings , but such as are mortal , who often leave them miserable widows : but she to the king of glory , who only hath immortality . . they are married to consort in some one kingdom , and part of the earth : but she to a king that rules from sea to sea , to whom all kings are subject , and by whom they rule . to a kingdom unshaken , that fades not away , &c. pet. . . sixthly , strong and eternal consolation , in that by reason of this marriage a firm and constant happinesse is assured , which all the contracts in earth cannot perform . quest. how may the true church be known ? answ. first , by her face : now the face of a true visible church , is discerned , by . by the sincere preaching , and professing of the word of god. . the due and true administration of the sacraments , according to that word . . the exercise of discipline appointed in , and by the word : the first , is absolutely requisite to the face , and being of a church . the two latter serve for the beauty , and stability of it . so joh. . . and . . my sheep hear my voice , &c. where christ is , there is the church , but where two or three consent in his name , there christ is , matth. . . act. . . secondly , by her voice , she speaks the language of canaan : she enjoyns not , nor commands in her family , any thing but what she hath direction for from her husband revealing his will in the scriptures : and dares impose no yoke on her children , where her husband hath left them free . she conceives her self so the spouse of christ , that yet she still remaines the handmaid of the lord. thirdly , by her virtues , or qualities : as . she is holy , in respect . of holinesse of the doctrine which she teacheth : what she receives from the lord , she teacheth . . of the better part of the visible church she is holy , though not in respect of the greatest part . . whatsoever corruption of doctrine or manners spring up , she reproves , and censures , not tollerates it . . she is meek , loving , patient , merciful , &c. jam. . . full of good fruits , her weapons are prayers , and tears , not fire and faggot . fourthly , by her marriage : a good way to know one by , is the head , and the church cannot be better known then by her head jesus christ , whose wife she is , by whom all the children of the church are begotten , by virtue of the eternal covenant of grace , as in lawful wedlock , cant. . . and . . fifthly , by her carriage and behaviour : . to her husband , to whom in all her behaviour she expresses foure virtues . . she is chast , and faithful to him : she forgets not the guide of her youth , &c. . she is subject to him in all things : content to be tryed , and ruled in all cases by his will revealed in his word . . she depends only on her husband for the meanes of her welfare , and all needfull supplies : will not seek to any other advocates , or mediators , &c. . she honours her husband onely , and will give his honour to no other . . to her children , whom . she nurceth at her own breasts , puts them not forth to such strange milke of traditions , councils , decretals , &c. . she instructeth , and teacheth them . . porvides for them : she upholds the means of salvation to keep her children in good state . quest. is the true church of christ alwayes visible ? answ. the true church is not alwaies conspicuous , visible and glorious to the world , but may be oppressed and hid . so was the church in egypt , thrust out into the wildernesse : so in elijahs time , when he complained that he was left alone : so in the babylonish captivity , therefore compared to dead and dry bones , ezek. . . so rev. . . quest. what reasons may be rendred for this ? answ. first , because the church is a select company called out of the world , a little flock , joh. . . a garden enclosed , cant. . . the blind world neither can , nor will see the church . secondly , the church is such a body , as is not alwaies visible to mans eyes , no not to good mens , as as we see in elias , the foundation being in gods election , and the union spiritual . thirdly , sometimes the church abusing peace , and prosperity makes the lord to strip her naked and bare , and to ●end her into the wildernesse , yea to make her as a wildernesse , hos. . . fourthly , the church provides for her safety sometimes by flying into the wildernesse : she is like a dove in the rocks , cant. . . ly , the churches militant condition suffers her not alwaies to be visible , being not tyed to any one estate or place : therefore she is compared to the moon being s●metimes in the full , and sometimes hid . quest. what conclusions may be laid down concerning the visibility of the church ? answ. first , by the church which we hold invisible , we mean the catholick church , even the multitude of all the elect which have been , are , or shall be , which church is holy , and no wicked persons belong to it : it s a communion of saints only , to which belongs remission of sins , and life everlasting , and this is invisible to the world , and that . because the ground , and foundation of it ( gods election ) is invisible . . the greatest part of the elect are not subject to sence : not the saints in heaven , nor many on earth , some being not born , others but new bo●n . . visible things are not believed , but things invisible : faith is of things not s●en , and if we believe the holy catholick church , we cannot see it . secondly , concerning the militant church , we hold . that god will alwaies have a part of his catholick church here on earth that shall hold , and maintain the true faith in the several ages to the worlds end , and this cannot faile upon earth . . this part of the catholick church consists of men that are visible , and exercise visible ordinances , as the word , sacraments , &c. and often in peaceable times appears glorious in many particular , and visible congregations . . that these visible , and particular churches , are not alwayes visible after the same manner : neither is any part of the visible church alwayes so necessarily visible , but that it may disappear , as the church in the old and new testaments have some time done . . this number of men in whom this part of the church contsteth , may come to be a few , and by tyranny and heresie , their profession may be so secret amongst themselves , that the world cannot see them . though like the sun , she shines in her self , yet she may be obscured from the sight of others . . though the church cannot fail upon earth , yet the external government of it may faile for a time : her pastors may be interrupted , her sheep scattered , her discipline hindered , the external exercise of religion may be suspended , and the sincerity of religion exceedingly corrupted : so that the members of the church are only visible amongst themselves . thirdly , though the church of god be not alwaies seen , yet she is alwayes safe , and that . because if she cannot be safe in the city , she shall be safe in the wildernesse , where god will provide her a place , as rev. . . . gods purpose for the safety of his church cannot be altered by any enterprises of her enemies . though pharaoh slay all the infants , yet moses shall be preserved by his own daughter in his own bosome to be a deliverer . though herod slay the infants , he shall misse of him whom he seeks . . god makes high account of his church , as the signet of his right hand , the apple of his eye , therefore he will provide for her safety . . gods wisdom makes it healthful for his church sometimes to be hid , that she may always be safe : otherwise the world would destroy her . dr. tailor on rev. quest. are not all christians bound to pray for the peace of the church ? answ. yea , . we must pray for the whole church , where ever dispersed . . for the natural members , and noble members especially : the living stones , those which are more instrumental , and organicall : such as are eminent in power , and place , in worth , and in service . . more particularly for our own church , to which we are related , and to the principals of it , as cities and vniversities . . for the restoring of the people of god , even for the jews , and for the setting up of the new jerusalem , as god hath promised in his wo●d . . by the same reason we must pray against such as are against the church . quest. but what must we pray for in the behalf of the church ? answ. first in general , for all blessings ; for all that is good , and useful , and tends to the welfare of it : as for the protection of it : deliverance of those that are in danger , preservation from danger to those that are free : for the perfection of it : that god will re●ore those churches that are over-run , refine , and purifie those that stand : for the propagation of it , that god will stretch the boun●s , and enlarge the borders of it : that he will bring more subjects under the kingdom of christ. secondly , in particular , we must pray for a three fold peace of the church . . a peace with god , in causing the churches to keep their peace with him , in walking in purity and power of his ordinance , without which , though they were in peace with all the world , it will come to nothing : all other blessings will be soon gone , except we have something to soder us with god , which can be nothing but our exact walking with him in his ordinances . . peace amongst the members of the church : that they may be free from dissentions , divisions : that they may think the same thing , go the same way , and unanimously minde the glory of god. . a forreign peace also from all opposition without , that there may be no invasion by forraign enemies upon the church of god. quest. what is further included in our praying for the church ? answ. first , one thing is implyed inwardly , that our hearts should work towards the church , our desires and wishes should be for the welfare of it . secondly , another outwardly , that we should endeavour to attain what we pray for : our counsels should be for the welfare of the church : our examples should be patterns to others to provoke them to good works : such as are in authority should exercise it for the setling , and furthering the peace of the church : yea we should not onely pray our selves , but should stir up others to doe the like . quest. but how must all this be done ? answ. first , sincerely , not out of by-respects . secondly , earnestly , and frequently , putting all our strength to it . thirdly , constantly , not by fits only . quest. who are bound to do all this ? answ. every christian in what station soever he is : as . magistrates in their places , whom it p●incipally concerns to pray for , and promote it . . ministers in their places must be leading persons in these duties , and provoke others to it . . yea all , in every condition , learned , and unlearned , men , and women , &c. examples , and scriptures for all these are : that of moses , exod. . . so judg. . . sam. . . sam. . . psal. . . and . . and . . and . . isa. . . rom. . . cor. . . phil. . . col. . . quest. but why must we thus pray for the peace of the church ? answ. first , consider what the church is , and that . in relation to god , it s his house , the spouse of christ , and there cannot be a dearer relation to put a deeper ingagement upon us then this . . in that relation that she hath to us . she is the mother of us all , and therefore we should sympathize in her weale , and woe . secondly , consider that peace is the summe of all blessings : hence the ancients painted peace with a horne of plenty . for . peace nourisheth all arts , sciences , trades , &c. . it s a very careful , and useful nurce to cherish religion , acts . . there is no hearing of the law of god , nor the law of justice , when men have their swords in their hands . arma silent l●ges . thirdly , consider the nature of prayer , both in the efficacy , and necessity of it . . it s a most efficacious engine : the summe of all policies for a christan to work by , for peace : its god that rules all the world : hath all hearts in his hands , can make a mans enemies , yea the very stones to be at peace with him : and prayer rules god , he suffers himself to be overcome by it . le● me alone , saith god , exod. . . . it s of great necessity also : for god will not bestow blessings , till we seek and sue to him for them , and the reason is , because otherwise he shall have li●tle honour by it : if it come without seeking to god for it , we should ascribe it to other means , and things . fourthly , consider the nature of a christian , and we shall see that its the most proper work for him . for . he is the son of the church , and it becomes him ( at least ) to pray hard for his mother , as craesus his dumb son did for his father . . he is a son of peace , a son of the god of peace , a sonne of the gospel of peace : and the spirit given him is a spirit of peace . . he is a son of prayer : it should be the element in which he draws his breath , to run towards god , and towards heaven in a way of peace : besides , he is enabled to pray when others cannot , he is sensible of the condition of the church which others are not . quest. but how may we so pray for the peace of the church , as to be sure to prevail ? answ. first , we must pray in faith , believing gods word , and his promises made to his church . secondly , in sincere charity , in a true genuine love to the church . thirdly , in repentance , lifting up pure hands to god. god will not hear our prayers , if we will not hear his commands . fourthly , pray with servency , and earnestness of spirit ; a fearfull begger teaches how to give a denial . god loves a kind of violence , to dash our prayers against heaven , and the throne of grace with an holy zeal of spirit which prevailes much with god : we must make our prayers fat with fasting ( saith tertullian ) which are ordinarily starved with formality . fifthly , pray constantly : though god seem not to regard our prayers , yet we must not give over , but hold out , and wait upon him . quest. what meanes may we use to help us in the serious performance of this duty . answ. we must lay aside all our carnal security , and lay things to heart : observe the state of the church , and lay it to heart . let not the world ( as the ivy deals with the oake ) twist about thy heart , which will make christianity dye within thee : be not too busie with worldly affairs , least they choke all thoughts about bettr matters . dr. stoughton . quest. why is the church called a mother ? gal. . . answ. because the word of god is committed to the keeping of the church , which word is seed , pet. . . milk , cor. . . strong meat , heb. . . and the church is a mother which by the ministry of the word , brings forth children unto god ; and when they are born , feeds them with milk out of the two breasts of the old and new testaments . quest. where are we to seek for our mother the church ? answ. she is to be sought for , and found in the true visible churches , the certain marks whereof are three . . the preaching of the word out of the writings of the prophets and apostles , with obedience , joh. . . eph. . . . true invocation of god the father , in the only name of christ , by the assistance of the spirit , act. . . cor. . . . the right use of the sacraments , baptisme , and the lords supper , matth. . . and by these we shall finde the true church of god in england , &c. quest. are all christians bound to joyne themselves to some particular church , or congregation ? answ. yea , they are in a special manner bound to it , and that for these reasons . . in regard of gods institution , mat. . . wherein is contained a necessity both in regard of the precept , and the means . . in regard of the presence of god and christ there , rev. . . for if we will come to god , we must come also to that assembly where god doth in a special manner manifest his presence , and is found of those that seek him there . . in regard of gods glory , which is much advanced publickly by this means : for as god under the law placed his name in jerusalem , so under the gospel he doth it in these publick assemblies . . in regard of the covenant and promise of god : for they which are members of the church , they are , as it were , directly under the promises and blessings of god to be poured out upon them , psal. . . and . . . in regard of our profession ; because otherwise it cannot be that the beleevers should be distinguished from infidels , cor. . . . in regard of mutual edification , which follows from this combination of the godly amongst themselves : heb. . , . cor. . . and . , . rom. . . quest. what church must we joyn our selves to ? answ. first , only to the true church which professeth the true faith . secondly , if we be uningaged , we must as much , as we may , joyn our selves to the purest church . thirdly , though we may joyn our selves to that church , in which necessarily many defects are to be tollerated , yet we may not joyne our selves to such a church in which we must necessarily partake with her in her sins , eph. . . neither must we fix our selves to any church with a minde to favour her defects , by our silence : ( but so far as it may be done with edification ) we must assist in taking them away . quest. are we to associate our selves with such a church as tollerates the wicked , and opposes the godly ? answ. first , to tollerate notorious wickednesse is a great sinne in a church , revel . . . and in its nature tends to the corrupting of the church , corinth . . . secondly , it defiles the communion to those wicked men that are tollerated , and to those that are the cause of their tolleration , hag. . . thirdly , all such partake in this pollution , which do not what in them lies to remove such scandals , cor. . . fourthly , that mixture which ariseth from such a tolleration doth lessen the comfort and edification of the godly . fifthly , yet it is not lawful presently to separate from such churches , where the wicked are tollerated , and the godly discouraged , john , , . and that for these reasons . . because that errour may be but the infirmity of the church . . because patience and forbearance must be exercised towards a particular offending brother , gal. . . much more towards a society of brethren , or a church . . by the rash departure of the godly , a reformation of those evils is not promoted , but hindred . . because we cannot remove from such a church to a purer , without grievous inconveniences , which ought alwayes to be avoided as much as may be without sinne . am●s . cas. of consc. quest. is it lawful to gather churches out of true churches ? answ. it s a most unwarrantable practice of them that do so : it s an uncharible , and unscriptural practice : there is neither precept , nor precedent for it in al the book of god : indeed we read in scripture of gathering churches from amongst the heathen . were england a land of heathens , and no church planted amongst us , it might be proper enough to gather churches here ; but to put a planted , constituted , and settled church into the condition of heathens , savours strongly of pride , and censoriousnesse : besides , gathering of churches amongst us , breeds woful divisions in families , the husband going one way , the wife another , the child a third , the servant a fourth , &c. and is a great impediment to their mutual edification . again , they which gather churches amongst us have their members oft-times living many miles asunder : how then can such pastors watch over their soules as those that must give an account thereof ? or how can such members partake of all ordinances , or perform such mutual duties each to other as they ought ? moreover , it s a kinde of sacriledge thus to rob godly ministers of the creame of their flocks , and the crown of their ministry of whom they have travelled in pain till christ was formed in them : and its hard measure in those who thus reap where they have not sown , and enter into another mans labours . mr. hall on tim. quest. is it lawful to seperate from a true church , because of some errours or defects in it ? answ. by no means , and that for these reasons . . because the root of such separation is bad , and therefore the fruit cannot be good . it springs from pride , and censoriousnesse ; as in the pharisees , who were the great seperatists , and had their name from thence . . such are schismaticks , and ( probably ) will in a short time be hereticks : schisme being the way to heresie : they make a rent in the church whose peace should be very dear to us : for though peace be not the being of a church ; yet it tends much to the well being of it : for as a kingdom , so a church , being divided , cannot stand . . the pretences of separation ( as the crosse , surplisse , &c. being removed ) though separation even then for those things was unlawful , it s now farre more vile , and therefore god punisheth the separatists of our time more severely , by giving them up to viler opinions then formerly . . it s a scandal and great wrong to a church : it s ill to forsake the society of one good man without a just cause , how much more to unchurch a whole church causelesly ? . such cannot escape the revenging hand of god : though men may suffer them , yet god will not : one of the saddest judgements we read of in scripture befell schismatical corah , and his company , numb . . . they made a rent in the congregation , and the earth rent in sunder , and devoured them : when caine seperated from the church , genes . . . he became a vagabond . idem . quest. who is the head of the church ? answ. christ only , col. . , . quest. in what nature is christ the head of the church ? answ. according to both his natures . for , col. . . he is called the head of the church ; whom v. . the apostle had said to be the image of the invisible god ; but that image was the eternal son of god , the word incarnate : therefore christ , as god-man is the head of the church : for the church ought to have such an head , which had a conformity of nature with the rest of the members that were to be incorporated into it : but this conformity agrees to christ according to his humane nature , where christ and his church are said to be one flesh , eph. . . the church also ought to have such an head which could communicate spiritual life to it ; but this is only in the power of god , whence god is called both the husband and head of the church , psal. . . therefore christ , as god , was the head of the church also . object . but christ could not thus be the head of the old church , because he was not then incarnate : for it is the part of an head to communicate , and impart its good to the body ; but the humanity of christ could not profit the church before his incarnation , and therefore he was not the head of the church of the jews according to his humanity ? answ. though christ had not then actually conjoyned the humanity to himself ; yet according to the divine decree of his future incarnation , and passion , according to the eternal efficacy of it , and according to the lively faith of the patriarchs , even christs humane nature , and those things which he was to do and suffer in the same , did much benefit the ancient church when as yet they were not in act . from the beginning of the world , they were chosen in christ , and by christ all the adopted sons of god , ephes. . , . christ was the lamb of god slaine from the beginning of the world , and therefore from the beginning of the world he was the lively head of his church : for those things are present to god and faith which are not yet come : hence aquinas saith truly : christum fuisse secundum humanitatem caput ecclesiae ante incarnationem , per operationem fidei , quae illum in carnandum apprehendebat , & sic beneficium justificationis consequebatur . object . but christ is not the head of his church according to his divine nature , because that hath no conformity of nature with the rest of the members : neither according to his humane nature , because according to that he cannot communicate spiritual life to his members , therefore he is no way the head of the church ? answ. i answer in general : if there be found in christ the perfect resemblance and reason of an head , this is enough to make him truly called an head , though the conditions of an head be not found in either of the natures apart . as for that which is objected , that the humane nature of christ doth not communicate life and spiritual motion to the members , i answer by distinguishing . the life of grace is infused into the members , either by the principal agent , who creates grace in the soul by the way of authority ; and in this sense the influx of grace is from god alone : or else from the instrument joyned with the principal agent , and so the humane nature of christ instrumentally is said to communicate grace , and spiritual life : as it nothing derogates from the natural head that it communicates life , and motion to the other members , not immediately from it self , but by the means of its latent virtue : so neither doth it derogate from the dignity of this mystical head , that it communicates life , and grace , not principally from its self , but by reason of the divinity dwelling in it , christ therefore notwithstanding these objections , is the head of his church , according to both his natures . quest. what may we learn from the consideration hereof ? answ. first , in that god is the head of the church , we may thence conclude that she shall be perpetual , and that the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her : for if god be with us , what shall be against us ? and truly , if the head of the church were less then god , she would never be safe , having all the devils of hell , and all the wicked of the world against her . secondly , if god be the head of the church , then all the members of it ought to obey this their head in all things with reverence , and godly fear : for there is an infinite obligation upon every creature to obey god : but ( if it could be ) there is more then an infinite obligation upon the church that is redeemed , and sanctified to obey her god , her mistical , and life-giving head . thirdly , if god be the head of the church , then christs ascention into heaven , hath not deprived her of her head , yea he is present , and ever will be present with his catholick church , by the presence , and power of his divinity , though he be not present to the eyes of our flesh , according to his promise , matth. . ult . loe i am with you alwaies , even to the end of the world , therefore the pope is a superfluous head . fourthly , is our head man also ? then by vertue of his kindred to our nature , we may assure our selves that he loves us dearly , that he is very sensible of our miseries , and ready to relieve us , heb. . , . fifthly , is our head man ? this may comfort us , in that the divel hath no cause of triumphing over us : indeed he overcame the first adam , who was the head and fountain of all mankind : but the second adam , the head of his church , hath overcome him : yea in christ , we overcome him , being his members equally as we were overcome in adam : the conquest of our head , hath made us conquerors . quest. wherein consists the similitude betwixt christ and a head ? and betwixt the church and a body ? answ. the natural head must be considered in a double respect to its membes : . of difference . . of agreement : and so must this mysticall head also . quest. wherein consists the discrepancy betwixt the head and members ? answ. first , in respect of its eminency and dignity : for the head doth more fully , and perfectly enjoy all the sences , then the members which are under it : so christ our mystical head , doth possesse all spiritual grace , much more abundantly then all men , and angels ●oyned in one , joh. . . secondly , in respect of its government : for the head directs , and governs , and all the members are directed , and governed in their operations by it : so christ doth rule and govern his church , and she hearkens to his commands , and submits to them , epes . . . . thirdly , in respect of its causality , and influence : for the head imparts , and communicates sence , and motion to all the members , so that they would want sence , and motion if they should be separated from the head : so christ infuseth spiritual life , and motion into his members , otherwise they would be stupid and dead , and destitute of all spiritual motion , joh. . . hence phil. . . quest. wherein consists the agreement between the head and members ? answ. first , in that the natural head hath conformity of nature with the members : for it would be a monstrous thing if a mans body should have a horses head ; so between the church and her mystical head , there is an agreement of nature , heb. . . secondly , the head , and members have an agreement in order to the same end , viz. the safety and preservation of the whole person : so christ and his members , which are one person , are ordained to attaine one , and the same end , viz. eternall glory , and happiness ; and for the attaining of this end , both the head and the members do daily co-operate . this is the care of the head to bring his members to perfect blessedness , joh. . . where he is called the saviour of his body , eph. . . and this also is the scope of all ch●ists members , that together with their head , they may participate of that blessedness . as paul. phil. . . thirdly , the head , and members have a continuity between themselves , and all have their act , and information from the same soul : so this mystical head , and all his members have a certain continuity between themselves , and have their spiritual information , and vivification from the same principle : for between ch●ist and his members there is a certain conjunction by means of the holy ghost , who resting more fully in christ our head , flows from thence into all the members , giving life to all , and uniting all , ephes. . quest. what is that body whereof christ is the head ? answ. the church , in latine ecclesia ab evocando , because its a company , or multitude of called ones , who are called out of the world by the ministery of the gospel , and other means appointed by god to draw men out of the state of ignorance , and misery , and to bring them to a state of glory : in which sence we call such a company of persons a church , as profess the doctrine and religion of christ under lawful pastors : such were the seven churches of asia : such that at rome , corinth , &c. these congregations are called a church , and such as live in them , members of the church , who also ( in the judgement of charity ) are to be reputed members of the holy catholick church , both because on gods part they have offered unto them such means , whereby men are brought to partake of eternall life , and because that on their part in regard of the external action , and profession , these means are received , and used to their salvation . this body of the church whereof christ is the head , consists not of unbelieving , and wicked members , but only of holy , and sanctified ones , whom god hath pulled out of the power of darkness , and hath translated them into the kingdom of his dear son. so that it is not sufficient to salvation to be a visible member of any particular visible church , by the external profession of faith , except withall a man be a mystical member of the catholick church by true faith , and the spirit dwelling in his heart . hence cyprian faith , quid faci● in domo fidei , p●rfidum pectus . quest. what else may we learn from hence ? answ. first , that christians must not envy those which are endowed with more excellent gifts then themselves , because they are members of the same body : that therefore which is given to one , that we ought to esteem as given to every one : according to that of st. austin , tolle invidiam , & tuum est quod habeo , tolle invidiam , & meum est quod habes : take away envy , and that which i have is thine , take away envy , and that which thou hast is mine . secondly , seeing gods children are all members of the same body , therefore they should be ready to serve one another in love , and to be affected each with others weale or woe , as if it were their own , cor. . . dr. davenant on col. quest. whether may the church faile ? answ. neither the catholick church , nor any part or member of it can faile , or perish . joh. . . this church christ hath undertaken for to defend to the end , matth. . . and . . she is the first born , whose names are written in heaven , heb. . , . if it cannot be in one place , or kingdom , it will in another ; the woman , when persecuted , had a place prepared in the wilderness to fly into . but a particular church may faile , and die , and come to nothing , as we see in the seven famous churches of asia . this may also be proved out of many places of scripture , mat. . . where christ foretels that the church of the jews ( which had as great priviledges as any church on earth ever had ) should cease . paul tells the corinthians , they may come to be no church , cor. . . and the church of rome , rom. . , , . the church of israel , the ten tribes were dischurched , hos. . . quest. what are the infallible marks of a true church ? answ. first the sincere preaching of the gospel : hence a true church is described by it , rom. . . so psal. . . act. . . and where the gospel ceaseth in the sincere preaching of it , they are an undone people , prov. . . secondly , true and sincere use of the sacraments , at least in the substance of them : hence the church of judah is called the circumcision , rom. . . and st. paul defines the church under the gospel by the sacraments , phil. . . thirdly , a sincere profession of the word of god , and true christian religion , either in uprightness of heart , or in the judgement of charity . so cor. . . so gal. . . all particular churches are churches that are in christ , and churches of visible saints . fourthly , true discipline , and a right use of the censures of the church : but this is only necessary to the well-being , not to the essence of a church . censures may be wholly neglected , yea perverted against the godly : and yet the church be a true church , as joh. . . so rev. . , . mr. fenners alarm , second part . chap. xxxi . questions , and cases of conscience about circumspection , and circumspect walking . quest. what is it to walk circumspectly ? ans , the greek word , ephes. . . signifies exactly or precisely : so that to walk circumspectly , implies an accurate study , and diligence throughout our lives , that we offend none : but by the light of faith and good works edifie all . the course of christianity is an exquisite course , and strict walking . quest. in what other phrases is this circumspect course commended ? answ. it s implied in the phrases of walking before god , gen. . . living honestly , heb. . . walking worthy the lord in all well-pleasing , col. . , . quest. what things are required in circumspect walking ? answ. first , that it be exact , and considerate , according to the true and perfect rule of gods word , in every thing , great and small , so as to go to the utmost of them , and to all the rules that god prescribes : not turning aside , either to the right hand , or left , deut. . . and . . prov. . . chron. . . isa. . . psal. . , . secondly , it must be full , in all fruits of holinesse , and justice , going to the utmost of every command ; so casting our occasions , that one duty justle not out another . fearing , as to commit the least sinne , so to neglect any duty of piety , or mercy , deut. . . col. . . numb . . . and . , . jos. . , , . such an one looks to the thriving of all his graces : his moderation shall not damp his zeal , nor his zeal outrun his knowledge : his providence shall not lessen his faith , nor his faith destroy his providence , &c. all his graces run in a circle , move , strengthen , and quicken each other . thirdly , it makes a man diligent to redeem , seek , observe , and take opportunities of doing good , eph. . , . there is no time , state , condition , or company , but some way or other he will improve it for his good , and work profit out of it for the advantage of his soul , act. . . pet. . . philip. . . heb. . . fourthly , he looks to the manner as well as to the thing done , considering all circumstances that belong to a good work , as time , place , order , and manner of doing , together with the inward affection , and disposition of the soule , and is careful that all may be right , rom. . . joh. . . phil. . , . fifthly , he is constant at all times . quest. what may further us in this exact walking ? answ. first , sound knowledge of the right way , which is as the light , guiding us to set every foot aright , psal. . . prov. . , . secondly , a diligent watch and care to prevent sloth , and to keep from all extremities : we are apt either to deal slightly in the work of the lord , or to make conscience where we should not . thirdly , a due and careful examination of our affections to the things we go about , and of our several actions flowing from them , lest we be overtaken with sin in them , prov. . . and . . gal. . . he that regards his courses cannot be regardlesse of his heart which is the fountaine of all actions , good and evil . a bad affection may marr a good work , but a good affection cannot justifie an evil action . hence paul prays , phil. . . fourthly , a holy jealousie , and suspicion lest the heart be deceived through the deceitfulnesse of sin . for he knows that sinne lies in ambush to beguile him : the world is full of allurements , and his heart is ready to hearken to their cunning insinuations , which makes him to look to his wayes with more then double diligence : yea , this holy jealousie makes him flie even from all appearance of evil , as from a serpent : it makes him also more careful to use all good meanes whereby he may be supported , and strengthened against all occasions which might entice him to sin . fifthly , a serious consideration of gods continual presence about us , and with us , where ever we are , and what-ever we are about . so. psalme . . psalme . . prov. . , . and . . psalme . , . and . . job . , . sixthly , another furtherance to circumspect walking is to be often sifting and and examining our selves , veiwing our hearts and lives , taking account of our selves how we watch , and how we walk , and how the case stands between god and us , psal. . . and . . prov. . . quest. why is this circumspect walking so necessary ? answ. first , its gods command that we should walk before him according to all the statutes and ordinances that he hath given in covenant to be observed by us : and we for our parts have undertaken to serve him in holiness and righteousnesse all our dayes , and that without limitation , even to go to the uttermost in every command , psal. . . secondly , we must all appear before the judgement seat of god , to give an account of those things done in the flesh , be they good , or evil : we must be accountable for every idle word , and roving thought , much more of every unwarrantable action , and therefore we have need to look to our ways . thirdly , the wicked amongst whom we live are ready to take all advantages , and watch for our halting , both to harden themselves : and through us , to wound the pure religion of god. hence , col. . . phil. . , . fourthly , the way to heaven is full of crosses , snares , and dangers by reason of our enemies , and therefore requires all our diligence , either to avoid them , or else to step over them ; besides , it s a narrow way , and on high , and how wary had he need be that walks on an high narrow rock , or that sails between two dangerous gulphs . fifthly , this strict walking is the onely safe and prosperous way , psal. . . lev. . , . rom. . . it s time to cast off the works of darknesse , and to put on the armour of light , joh. . , . chro. . . chron. . . king. . . thes. . , . sixthly , such as are now nearer the end of their faith , and love , must be more diligent in the work of them ; for the end of every thing is of such force that the nearer we come to it , we do with the more courage and diligence ply the means which bring us to it . seventhly , in such walking there is much comfort , and joy : yea , the pleasures of the world are not comparable to it , psal. . ● . jer. . . for the commandments lead unto rest , and he that walks in them shall finde peace to his soule . eighthly , sinne is the disturber of conscience : the onely make-bate that sets a man at odds with god , and at contention with himself , therefore we should watch against it . ninthly , the relation wherein we stand to god , to christ , to the holy ghost , to the saints , binds us to walk honourably , honestly , and circumspectly , that we may keep our selves from the pollutions of the flesh , and the evil customs of the world . quest. how may we stir up our selves to this circumspection ? answ. first , we must bewail our former ignorance , rashnesse , sloth , shame our selves for it , and labour to make it hateful to us . secondly , we must quicken our selves to more diligence for the time to come . remember that we have been too long in security , indulgent to our carnal affections , foolishly pursued earthly vanities with double diligence , whilst the practice of piety and justice hath been clean forgotten , and almost buried in oblivion : now therefore we should awake from sleep , shake off sloth , consider the season , and with special labour redeeme the opportunities which through carelesness have overslipped us ; the work it self is easie , pleasant and honourable , the recompence of reward unspeakable , and glorious , the worthinesse , sovereignty , and exceeding love of the commander , the dignity of the work , and excellency of the reward , do challenge of us the most exquisite care , pains , and diligence that can be possibly imagined . thirdly , we must flie to god by prayer , intreating him to work our hearts to this holy circumspection at all times . of our selves we have no power to stand , or to preserve any spark of gods spirit glowing in our hearts , we must beseech him therefore who hath put these good motions into our mind , to confirme , and establish us therein unto the end . mr. balls power of godlinesse . quest. what further considerations may provoke us to this circumspect walking ? answ. first , in regard of sin which is exceeding deceitful , heb. . . sinne never presents its self in its own colours , but takes upon it the shape of some vertue or other , as superstition the dresse of religion , licentiousnesse of christian liberty , covetousnesse of thriftinesse , &c. and it ever makes some pretence of delight , profit , advancement , &c. that gives a man content : as , gen , . . and . . mark . . prov. . . yea , like satan , it translates it self into an angel of light , cor. . . therefore we have need to watch . sin is of a bewitching nature : it insensibly soaks into a man , as it did into david , sam. . , &c. and when once it hath possessed him , the heart cannot be withdrawn from it , as in davids example , sam. . , . and sampsons , judg. . , &c. secondly , in regard of satan , he is a mortal enemie , implacable , sedulous , restlesse , and very terrible , pet. . . for , . his name devil declares him to be an accuser , and therein one that seeketh all advantages he can against us . . an adversary , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , contralitigator , who will do us all the despight he can as an adversary in law. . he is a lion , strong , ravenous , fierce , and cruel . . he is as a roaring lion , doing what he can to affright us , and make us yeeld to him . . he walks up and down , wherein he shews himself to be sedulous , and restlesse , mat. . . . he seeks whom he may devoure . this declares him to be a deadly enemy , that aimes at our death , even the damnation of our souls ; and is there not just cause to watch against such an enemy ? thirdly , for our selves we are exceeding foolish , like the silly fish that with a bait is soon taken : by reason of the flesh that is in us we are prone , and forward to yeeld to every temptation , as dry tinder soon takes fire ; as gun-powder , &c. besides , there is in us a natural pronenesse of our selves to decay in grace , and to fall from it , as a stone to fall downward ; or for water to wax cold if removed from the fire . fourthly , for god who is oft provoked by mens security , and carelesnesse to leave them to the tentations whereunto they are subject , which if he do , we cannot stand : as we see in peter , matth. . . . hence , corinth . . . rom. . . quest. why must every one be circumspect over himself ? answ. first , because every one is nearest to himself ; now our greatest care must be of the nearest to us . secondly , every one hath a special charge of himself , act. . . whereby they may save themselves , tim. . . thirdly , every one best knows himself , and can best discern when he begins to decay , cor. . . hence we are exhorted , to examine our selves , &c. cor. . . fourthly , every one is especially to give an account of himself , rom. . . cor. . . quest. why must every one be circumspect over others ? answ. first , because of the near union of all christians , they are brethren , mal. . . secondly , because of the like common condition of all : others as well as our selves , are subject to manifold infirmities , and to all sorts of tentations , and have the same enemies . thirdly , because of the extent of brotherly love , matth. . . this is the summe both of the law , and gospel . if we do this we shall do well , jam. . . fourthly , because of the zeal that we ought to beare to the glory of god : for to keep others from falling , addes much to gods honour . dr. gouge on heb. quest. what benefit shall we have by this circumspect walking . answ. it will conduce much to the comfort of our lives . for our understandings , and judgements are not given us only to plot for the world , and to be circumspect for our temporal welfare : but to be wise for the maine end , to glorifie god , and save our souls , to get out of the corruption of nature , and to maintaine our communion with god ; the end of our living in the world , is to begin heaven upon earth : and whatsoever is done in order to this end is good , but without circumspection nothing can be done to this end . quest. what are the impediments that hinder us from this circumspect walking ? answ. first , the rage of lusts that will not give a man leave to consider of his wayes : but are impetuous , commanding , and tyrannous , making men without consideration to rush into sin as the horse into the battel . secondly , too much worldly businesse : when men are distracted with the things of this life , are overloaden with cares , they cannot be circumspect for their souls : they are like to martha , and neglect maries part . thirdly , christian circumspection is an hard , and difficult work : it s an easie matter to talk of others , to consider of other mens wayes : but to come home , and to look to a mans self , is an hard taske that few undertake . quest. what is christian circumspection , or watchfulness ? answ. it s an heedful observation of our selves in all things , and a serious , and diligent circumspection over all our ways , that we may please god by doing his will , and neither commit any sin that he hath forbidden , nor omit any duty which he hath commanded . this is required , deut. . , . mar. . , . ephes. . , , . and . . col. . . cor. . . and . . thes. . , , , . acts . , . quest. wherein doth this circumspection consist ? and in what is it to be used ? answ. first in general , it is to be used in all things , tim. . . in all places , at all times , upon all occasions : when wee are alone , or in company : abroad , or at home , in the work of our callings , general , or special ; in our recreations : in our civil affairs , morall actions , religious duties , luke . . for satan laies his nets , and snares to catch us in all these , therefore we had need to look to every step . secondly , neither must this watch be kept over some of our parts only , but over the whole man , and that in all the powers , and parts of soule and body , that in our inward faculties , and outward actions , we may please god by doing his will. but especially we must keep this watch over our soul , deut. . . over our reason , and judgement , that it be not darkned with ignorance , matth. . . nor corrupted with errors and heresies : over our memories that they retain not vanity , and sinful impressions that should be blotted out , nor forget those things with which god hath betrusted them . over our wills , that they go , not before , but wait upon holy reason , chusing that which it commendeth , and refusing that which it disalloweth : over our consciences , that they be pure and clean : not slack in doing their duty , nor we negligent in giving heed to their evidence : over our thoughts , which naturally are only evill , and that continually , &c. thirdly , but above all our other internal parts , we must keep this watch over our hearts , prov. . . heb. . . for the heart is the treasury , either of all good or evil , and from it the tongue speaks , and the hand works , and if this fountain be corrupt , it will defile all . now by heart we chiefly understand the affections , and desires , both concupiscible , and irascible , all the passions of love , hatred , hope , despaire , joy , sorrow , anger , and fear : and by keeping them , we mean their holding in subjection unto reason , it self being first made subject to the word and will of god , we must watch our hearts to keep out carnal concupiscence from entring , and must shut the door of our hearts against the first motions , and inclinations unto sin : and if they be entred at unawares , we must repell them presently upon our first discovering of them : it s good to crush this cockatrice in the shell . fourthly , we must take heed of nourishing in our hearts such corruptions as are most dangerous to our souls health : as . watch against those sins to which through our natural corruption we are most inclined : and that . because of all others , wee have most cause to abhor them , seeing by them we have most dishonoured , and displeased god. . they have most often wounded our consciences , and given us the greatest foils . . they have most disturbed our inward peace , and deprived us of spiritual joy , in the assurance of gods love . . we are still most prone to fall into them , our corrupt natures being so much inclined to them , and our carnal love doting upon them . . we must most heedfully watch against those sins which do most ordinarily attend our special callings , because being daily conversant in them , they make daily , and dangerous assaults against our souls : and by reason of our many falls and foils , they become customable , and hearden our hearts in them . hence are these exhortations , luke . , , . and . . acts . . pet. . . . we must watch over our hearts , that they be not drawn away with the sins of the times , and countries wherein we live , because we are apt to follow a multitude to doe evill , and are easily led aside by bad example : and being faln into them , we are apt to continue in them without remorse , the multitude of offenders taking away the sense of sin . fifthly , we must keep the like watch over our sences , which are the gates of our souls , by which all things enter : which watch doth chiefly consist in two things . . in restraining them of their liberty , and not suffering them to rove at their pleasure , nor to satisfie themselves , even to satiety with sensuall delights , and full fruition of their several objects : but sometimes stopping them in their course , we should call them to an account , whether the things about which they are exercised are as profitable to our souls , as pleasant to our sences . . when we allow our sences to take their pleasure , we must carefully take heed that they delight themselves only in things lawful both for matter , measure , and manner : so using these sensual pleasures as not abusing them : as helps to make us to go on more chearfully in our way , and not as impediments to hinder us in our journey . quest. how must we watch over our eyes ? answ. by not suffering them to rove about at pleasure , and to glut themselves with delightful sights , and restraining them as much as we can , that they do not behold that in this kind which is not lawful to covet : for of seeing comes loving , and of loving , lusting , and desiring , matth. . . we must keep them from gazing upon any thing that may be to us a ground of tentation , whereby we may be drawn into any sin , or which may be a distraction to us in gods service . thus job watched over his eyes , job . . and this is solomons meaning , when he saith , that the wise mans eyes are in his head , but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth , eccles. . . because a wise man leaves not his eyes to their own liberty , but governs them by discretion , whereas fools suffer them to rove every where . into which folly david fell , when he suffered his eyes to gaze upon the beauty of bathshebah , and therefore afterward he kept a surer watch over them , and intreated god to turn away his eyes from beholding vanity , psal. . . quest. how must we watch over our ears ? answ. to keep them from hearing any thing that is vain , and sinful , tending to the corrupting of our souls , or the hindring of them in their growth in grace : all filthy speeches tend to gods dishonour , and to our own , and our neighbours hurt : so doth all unsavory talk , bitter taunts , unchristan jests , whisperings , backbitings , and slandering , and all such discourses as feed the flesh , and starve the spirit , wed us to the world , and wean us from god : we must therefore stop our ears against these bewitching sorceries , and not for the pleasing our carnal sence , hazard the destruction of our precious souls . the ears like conduit-pipes , convey into the soul , either the clear streames of the water of life , or the filthy puddles of sin , and death . quest. how must we watch over our pallates ; ans. that we do not , to please our pallat , use such excess in our diet , as will disenable us to christian duties : knowing that the end of our eating is to refresh and strengthen our bodies , that they may be fit for gods service , that hath fed them , and not the pampering of the flesh with sensual delight : to give way to our appetite , is to bring innumerable evils upon our selves : as upon our bodies sickness , and death : upon our soules and bodies both , sloth and idleness , unfitness to any good action , drowsiness , or vain mirth , shortness of memory , dulness of understanding , wanton dalliance , and inflamation of our hearts with unlawful lusts . quest. how must we watch over our sence of touching ? answ. that to please it , we do not enslave our selues to effeminate daintiness , thinking our selves undone , if we cannot rowle our selves upon our beds of down , and go in soft raiment , and , dives-like , be cloathed in purple , and fine linnen every day : but we should so inure our selves , that we may not think it strange and intollerable to lie hardly , and go hardly , if christ who suffered so much for us , call us to suffer a little for the testimony of his truth : much more must we restraine this sence from unlawful objects , as unchast kisses , lascivious imbraces , and wanton daliances , which tend to the inflaming of our hearts with unclean lusts , and defiling our bodies , which should be the temples of the holy ghost . quest. how must we watch over our tongues ? answ. we must resolve with david , psal. . . i will take heed to my wayes , that i sin not with my tongue . for the well ordering thereof is a matter of great moment , for furthering , or hindering us in our christian conversation . prov. . . a wholsome tongue is a tree of life , &c. if we use it well , it will be our glory , it being a notable instrument of glorifying god , by speaking to his praise : and then if we honour god , he will honour us , sam. . . but if we abuse it to sin , it will become our shame , seeing thereby we dishonour god , who hath given it us , and all good things . hereby we may edifie our brethren , prov. . , and . . but if we vent froth , and filthiness , we shall corrupt them , cor. . . by the well using of it we shall have comfort , prov. . . and . . it evidenceth that we are upright in gods sight , psal. . . perfect men , jam. . . but the contrary is a sign of a rotten , and wicked heart , matth. . , . life and death are in the power of it , prov. . . matth. . . by our words we shall be justified , or condemned , therefore let us resolve with david , psal. . . that our tongues shall speak of righteousness all the day long , &c. yet we must moderate our tongues by seasonable silence , that they be not too full of talk . for prov. . . in many words there is much sin . so prov. . , . and . . eccles. . . job . . iam. . . quest. how should we watch over our works and actions ? answ. that they may in all things be conformable to the word , and will of god , whilst we doe what he commands , and abstain from what he hath forbidden . thus we are exhorted , prov. . . ponder the path of thy feet , &c. and it s made the mark of a truly wise man , prov. . , . a prudent man looks well to his going , &c. for we tread upon slippery places , , whilst we are managing our worldly affairs . for this end . we must spend none of our precious time in sloth , and idleness , ( for by doing nothing , we shall quickly learn to do that which is ill ) but that we be always exercised in some good impolyment that respects gods glory , our own , or our neighbours good . . that with 〈◊〉 care , and circumspection we keep our selves from all sinfull actions , and if sin begin to arise in our hearts , presently to stiflle it , that it bring not forth fruit unto death . . we must watch over them , that we may not only shun evil , but do good , whereby god may be glorified , and our light may shine before men , our profession may be adorned , our neighbours edified , and our calling and election secured to our own souls . quest. what are the principal ends that we must aim at in this circumspect walking ? answ. first , that we may please god in all things , for which end this watch is very necessary . for naturally all our wayes are corrupt , and without singular care we can never please god. secondly , that we may daily more and more mortifie our corruptions , especially those which bear greatest sway in us , that we avoid all sins , especially those into which we have fallen most frequently , that we think no sin small , seeing the least is strong enough to make way for greater . yea , that we watch against all occasions and incentives to sin . for pro. . . who can carry fire in his bosom & not be burnt ? hence , prov. . . and . , . isa. . . psal. . . thirdly , we must keep this watch , not only that we may avoid all sin , but also that we may perform all christian duties with diligence , and constancy , and that towards god and man : yea , it must extend to the manner of our performance of them : as that they be done in love , and obedience to god , that thereby we may glorifie him , in faith and with a good conscience , with alacrity , and sincerity : and lastly , that we do them prudently , and seasonably , with due respect to persons , time and place . quest. what reasons may perswade us to this watchfulness and circumspection ? answ. first , because it s most necessary , deut. . . take heed to thy selfe , &c. luk. . . let your loins be girt about , &c. jos. . . and . . mar. . , . rev. . . and it s thus necessary , . because through our corruption we are exceeding weak , whence it is that we are so prone to sin , and easily overcome with tentations , if we neglect our watch . hence , mat. . . watch and pray , lest ye fall into tentation , &c. cor. . . let him that thinks he stands , take heed lest he fall . so , phil. . prov. . . . because naturally we are drowsie , and sleepy , and even the wise virgins were prone to take a nap , and therefore god calls upon us to awake , eph. . . cant. . . . because of the wickednesse and deceitfulnesse of our hearts , which are ready to withdraw themselves from god , and to start aside like a deceitful bowe , jer. . . psal. . . hence it is that the lord warns us hereof , deut. . . take heed that your hearts be not deceived , and ye turn aside . so , heb. . . . because without it we can have no assurance that we are spiritually inlightned , and awakened out of the sleep of death . for this is the difference between the faithful and unbelievers , thes. . , , . secondly , because it s very profitable ; and that , . because it helps us much to the leading of a godly life , in which we thrive , or go backwards as we keep , or intermit our christian watch . for when we watch over our selves : god will likewise watch over us , and by the assistance of his holy spirit enable us to stand against all tentations , and to go forward in our christian course : but when , through our negligence , we wilfully run into tentations , he leaves us to be foiled , that we may learn to take better heed . if we be not wanting to our selves , the lord will enlighten our understandings to discern the right way wherein we should walk , eph. . . and when we see our way we shall have our faith strengthned , and our courage confirmed to proceed in it : hence these are joyned together , cor. . . watch ye , stand fast in the faith , quit your selves like men , be strong , noah , david , lot , peter , &c. whilest they carefully kept their watch , triumphed over the enemies of their salvation , but laying it aside , they were dangerously foiled . it conduceth much also to a godly life , as it makes us fit and ready for the well performing of all christian duties . hence , psal. . . . it helps us much : as it enableth us to be constant in this course , and to persevere in it even to the end . it strengthens us against all discouragements , enables us to avoid , or leap over all impediments , or oppositions which might encounter us in our christian course . . it s a notable means of christian security : so that keeping this course , we may say with david , psal. . . though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death , yet will i fear no evil : such may lay them down safely , as he , psal. . . and take their rest , &c. it procures inward peace : for if god be with us , who can be against us , rom. . . from which peace arises spiritual joy also , pet. . . . by it we are fitted for all estates , so that prosperity shall not puff us up whilst we keep our watch , nor adversity shall discourage us in our journy to our heavenly countrey . for , act. . . heb. . . . by this watch we are prepared against christs coming to judgement , and prepared to enter into the joy of our master : as we see in the parables of the faithful steward and wise virgins . . by this watch we are assured of blessednesse , luk. . , , . mat. . , . rev. . . quest. what means may we use to enable us to this circumspect walking and keeping our watch ? answ. first , we must use sobriety and temperance , pet. . , . thes. . , . luk. . . which temperance must extend , not onely to meats , and drinks , to carnal pleasures and delights : but it must reach also to the right ordering of our minds in the use of all temporal blessings in a due manner , and measure , so that they may be helps , not hindrances to us in all the duties of a godly life . secondly , we must nourish in our hearts the true fear of god , not a servile fear , which wil make every slave to watch for fear of the whip : but a child-like fear , which will cause us to do nothing that may displease our heavenly father , who so loves us , and whom we so love : but to do all things so as god may be well pleased in us , and we in him , psal. . . this fear is promised , jer. . . this causes us to depart from evil , prov. . . and . . hence david , psal. . . stand in awe and sin not : the want of it is the cause of all evil , gen. . . ps. . . rom. . , , . thirdly , we must often call to remembrance gods fearful judgements executed on sinners , especially on such as continue securely in sin , neglecting to keep this watch . so , mat. . . isa. . , . rev. . . hence paul minds us of them , cor. . . to . fourthly , we must continually remember the day of our death , not as though it were far off , but near approaching , even at our doors . our lives are momentany , and this short time so uncertain , that we have no assurance to live till another day , no not so much as the next minute : when we go abroad , we know not whether we shall return home : when we go to bed , whether we shall rise , &c. many are suddenly taken away , and that which befals one , may befal any , therefore it s our wisdom to stand continually upon our watch , that we may be found in readinesse whensoever the master comes . fifthly , we must often meditate upon that great and terrible day of the lord ; when he will come with thousands of angels to judge both the quick and the dead , cor. . . of which day , because its uncertain when it will come , we should always keep our spiritual watch , that when christ comes we may be found ready . this christ himself teaches us , mar. . , . so , pet. . . blessed are all that do so , mat. . , . mr. downams guide to godlinesse . chap. xxxii . questions , and cases of conscience about the comforts of gods people . quest. have gods people alwayes comfort in their souls ? answ. god may hide his comforts from them for a time , but at length they shall shine out upon them again , psal. . . quest. why doth god sometimes hide comfort from them ? answ. first , to shew forth his wisdome , and power : the lord knows how to enlighten their darkness , psal. . . to turn all things to the best , rom. . . secondly , it s the godly mans priviledge above all others , to finde god sweet to their souls , either in afflictions , or by deliverance out of them : and that . because their persons are accepted with god , whereas others are rejected . . they are sealed with the earnest of gods spirit , and can goe to god in fervent prayer , which others cannot , psal. . . . they have the grace of repentance which removes sin , that caused god to hide his face . . they have patience which supports them till god returns with comfort . thirdly , it s one end of gods much humbling , and afflicting his children , not to sink , or forsake them , but that at last his powerfull work may be shewed upon them for his glory , and their comfort , deut. . . job . . pet. . . fourthly , god manifesteth hereby his care , and faithfulness in his promises , whereby he hath engaged himself not to leave them comfortless : dr. taylor on temp. quest. what is the onely way to finde comfort in the time of spirituall distresse ? answ. to fly unto god , and seek it of him , psal. . , . and . . and . . &c. so did paul , cor. . . quest. why must we do thus ? answ. first , because there is a command for it , psal. . · secondly , there is a promise of success , isa. . . thirdly , there is ability in cod to give a gracious issue to all our distresses , pro. . . eph. . . fourthly , he is ready to be found , and to afford that which is desired . mercy pleaseth him , mich. . . he is near to all that call upon him , psalm . . so psal. . . fifthly , because he would have all his to seek to him , he furnishes them with the spirit of prayer : for this end , gal. . . rom. . . hieron on psal. . quest. but hath god comforts wherewith to support his children in any fears and straits ? answ. yea , he hath such consolations , as will make a man sleep without a bed , live almost without a soul , they will make one bold in danger , quiet in trouble , and to live in the jaws of death . nehem. . . act. . . psal. . , . and . . quest. but whence comes their strength ? answ. first , because they be gods joys , the joyes of the spirit , derived immediately from the fountain , and things be purest , and strongest there . secondly , because they are spiritual , and as spirits are more active then bodies , so spiritual things then bodily , and natural . thirdly , this comfort is most certain , and lasting ; they ( for the present ) ouertop , and ( for the future ) overcome , and survive all other , both crosses , and comforts . fourthly , it is independant , and in a sort all-sufficient , borrowing no help from the creatures : nature , and art work with instruments , and by means : they cannot support without meat , strengthen without sleep , give sleep without warmth , nor warmth without a bed , &c. but god can , beyond means , without means work comfort , make one see in the darke , live in death . quest. but what be these comforts of god ? answ. first , precious promises , applyed by god in due season , and brought home to the heart , which revive the spirits more then any balm . secondly , strengthening graces , god powers the spirit of faith , patience , power , courage into his in due time , and they raise the hearr , as wine the fainting spirits , every saving grace is healing , strengthening , and establishing . thirdly , hourly experience of gods care , and providence : as the childe never sees the love of a mother so much , as when he is sick : so gods children never finde god to be so good , as in their miseries , and that makes them pluck up their feet with jacob , and to say with paul , i know whom i have trusted : and with the church , thou wilt guide us unto the death , and after , receive us unto glory . fourthly , special peace of conscience , and joy of the holy ghost , by new expressions of gods favour , and ravishments of heaven . then god opens heauen , and they see their life , and crowns , and so are carried over all . quest. when doth god thus comfort his ? answ. first , when they most need it , as then the mother brings out her cordials when the childe is sick , when they be most humbled , and empty of themselves : after greatest humiliations , come greatest consolations . secondly , but especially in the day of tryal and persecution : the more the divel bestirs him , the more god bestirs him . thus the sweetest nights , that ever jacob spent , were in the field : so with peter in prison , acts . and david had those large affections to rise at midnight , and gods word was so sweet to him , when his troubles were bitter . dr. haris peters enlargement . quest. whence comes it to pass that gods children oft want comfort ? answ. they fault is in themselves , and it usually proceeds from some of these causes . . the are unkind to christ , and repell the motions of his spirit . . they improve not the pretious means of salvation which they enjoy . . they are careless of their conversation , and company . . they linger after carnal liberty , and ease . . they yeild to carnal policy , and shifts to keep them off from the power of religion that they may goe on in a lukewarm course . . they linger after earthly things and comforts , and wrap up themselves in fleshly policy for ease . . they tremble not at gods judgements , and threatnings , and at the signs of them . dr. sibs on cant. chap. xxxiii . questions , and cases of conscience about comforting others . quest. what rules are we to observe about comforting others ? answ. first , labour to know their case , what is the kinde and cause of their trouble , whether inward , or outward , spiritual or temporal , respecting soul , or body , friends , goods , or name , together with the dimensions of their sorrow , else we cannot deal effectually with them : the physician must know his patients disease before he can apply a medicine , &c. paul sent tychicus to collosse to know their state , and comfort their hearts , col. . . secondly , when we know that , we must pity and sympathize with them : for comfort comes out of the bowels of mercy . hence , job . . god is first a father of mercies , and then a god of all consolation , cor. . , . thirdly , when this is done , then we must apply sutable comforts to their needs : as , ( . ) if their trouble arise from want , then comfort them as christ did his disciples , mat. . , &c. . from the consideration of gods providence in feeding fowles , cloathing flowers , &c. . from gods knowledge of their necessities , mat. . . . from gods promises , v. . and psal. . , . ( . ) if it arises from losse of friends , and near relations : see how paul comforts the thessalonians , thes. . , &c. . that christ died and rose again , v. . . they that die in the lord sleep in jesus . . christ at his coming will bring their souls with him , and raising their bodies will reunite them for ever , ver . , . . they with their formerly deceased friends shall be caught up to meet the lord in the air , v. . . they shall ever be with the lord , v. . and that it is a duty to comfort others when their friends die , appears by the example of david , sam. . . of the jews , joh. . , . the neglect is threatned as a sad affliction , jer. . , . ( . ) if it arise from persecution : see how christ comforts his disciples , mat. . , , . as , . that they are therefore blessed . . great shall be their reward in heaven . . that the prophets before them suffered the like . . that at present they have cause to rejoyce , and be exceeding glad . so , pet. . , &c. peter uses sundry arguments in the like case ; as . the end of persecution is to try their faith , and patience , sincerity and constancy : as the fire the gold . . in suffering for christ they are partakers of christs sufferings in way of community , and conformity , who suffered the like things for his confession of the truth : and they that have fellowship with christ in his sufferings shall have communion with him in glory , &c. v. . . they are happy : their sufferings being both a sign and meanes of their happinesse , v. . . they that are reproached for the name of christ have the glorious spirit of god resting on them , which is glorified , not only by them , but in them , and makes them glorious , v. . . such sufferings are no strange thing , but what is common : no matter of grief nor shame , but of joy , and honour to suffer as a christian : and for which they should praise god , v. , , . . it s gods will that they should suffer , and bear the crosse patiently , and suffer according to his will , v. . . in such sufferings they may comfortably commit the keeping of their souls to god in well-doing , as to a faithful creator , and gracious redeemer , and fulfiller of his promises , v. . ( . ) if it arise from desertion , and terrours of conscience , see how christ provides for their comfort , isa. . , , . and . , . and . . and . , , , . ( . ) if the affliction be any other kind of correction , propose pauls grounds of comfort , h●b . , , &c. . all chastisements are the rod of a father , who will neither forget mercy , nor measure , v. . . they proceed from gods love , v. . . they are signes and pledges of adoption , that we are sons , and not bastards , ver . , , . . submission to chastisements is the way to life and salvation , v. . act. . . . gods end therein is our profit , that we may be partakers of his holiness , v. . . though they be sad and troublesome at the present , yet in the issue they will be comfortable . for we shall reap the peaceable fruits of righteousnesse thereby , and be both bettered and comforted thereby . quest. but what are the best means whereby we may comfort others ? answ. first , use kind and loving speeches which will revive , and refresh the spirits of him that is disconsolate : so joseph to his brethren , gen. . , . boaz to ruth , ch . . . so the angel , zach. . . secondly , strong reasons , or arguments drawn from the several heads of consolation : as the author , ends , and benefits of affliction , and comparison thereof with what they deserve , and what some other suffer , &c. thirdly , plaine scriptures properly and fitly applied : as precepts , promises , and examples recorded therein . the scriptures are a treasury of comfort , full of choice cordials , and were written for this end , rom. . . david found it by experience , ps. . . . . scripture comforts are the chiefest , coming home to the heart , and are efficacious to revive fainting souls , having the consolations of god in them , and his blessing upon them , thes. . . fourthly , experience both of our own , and others is an excellent meanes of comfort to others . . our own experience of gods dealing with us in the like conditions , and of the comforts wherewith god hath comforted us for this end that we might comfort others therewith , cor. . , , . these made christ himself a more sympathizing and merciful high-priest , heb. . . so cor. . , , . so peter is commanded , luke . . . we should comfort others by the experiences others have had of gods mercies to them . fifthly , the exercise , and evidence of our graces is a good means of comforting others : for its matter of great joy , and comfort to the godly who see , or heare of it : as , . of our faith and love , rom. . , . thes. . , . phil. . . philem. . cor. . . . our constancy in the truth , and work of the lord , thes. . , . col. . . john . john . phil. . . sixthly , prayer to god for them is another means : and that , . for comfort to be conveyed into their hearts . so did paul , col. . , . . that god would give us the gift of comforting others , the tongue of the learned , promised , isa. . . seventhly , consider the persons who are fit to be comforted ; as , . in general , gods people above all others ; its their portion , and bread which we must not give to dogges , isa. . . with ch . . , . so christ , mat. . . . weak and faint souls , thes. . . comfort the feeble minded , &c. isa. . , . strong then the weak hands , &c. so doth god himself , cor. . . contrary is reproved , ●zek . . . . mourners for sin , or for want of gods presence , and for misery . . mourners for sin , who are deeply humbled in the sight and sense thereof , and in the apprehension of gods displeasure : so did peter , act. . , . and paul , act. . , , . and christ , luk. . , . he hath pronounced such blessed , mat. . . and isa. . . . mourners for want of gods presence , and the light of his countenance ; such have need of comfort , the bridegroom being taken from them , mat. . . . mourners for misery ought to be comforted : as the jews , whilst captives in babylon , isa. . , . implied , job . . with job . . it s needful for such , as wine for those that be of heavy hearts , prov. . , . . seekers after christ ▪ as , cant. . , . should be comforted ; as the angel did the women , mat. . , &c. and christ , mary magdalen , joh. . . to . eighthly , write letters , send messengers , and take journeys on purpose to comfort others . . write consolatory letters to the afflicted , as paul did his epistles to rome , corinth , ephesus , colosse , &c. and to particular persons , as to timothy , titus , and philemon : so did james , peter , john , jude , and christ to the churches of asia , rev. . , . and . , . . send messengers , as paul a prisoner sent tichicus , and on●simus to the colossians to know their state , and comfort their hearts , col. . , , . and tichicus to the ephesians , ch . . . . and timothy to the thessalonians , thes. . , , . whose returns with good tydings much comforted him , cor. . , . thes. . , . . take journeys to comfort others . paul prayed for it , rom. . , , . and long'd for it , thes. . , , . quest. but who should we be so solicitous to comfort others ? answ. first , because of the necessity , and commodity of comfort in afflictions , in respect of the souls , and bodies of others as well as of our own . . comfort is useful and needful for others in six respects . . to support , and bear them up from sinking under the pressures of troubles inward or outward , pr● . . . the spirit of a man , ( being shored up with comfort ) will bear his infirmities ; but a wounded spirit , ( that wants the healing plaister of consolation ) who can bear . . to quicken them , and keep life in their spirits : and to preserve , or recover them from fainting , and swounding . comfort is the life of our spirits , yea the life of our lives , without which our life would be no 〈◊〉 , but a lingring death ; the damned in hell are said to die eternally , because they are void of all joy and comfort . . to chear , and refresh them ▪ to raise them up from their sorrow , psal. . . in the multitude of my thoughts within me ( saith david ) thy comforts ( breathed into me by thy spirit , or handed unto me by thy servants ) delight my soul. comforts poure the oyle of gladnesse into hearts full of heavinesse . comfort is honey in the mouth , melody in the eare , and a jubile in the heart . . it s needful to quiet and compose the spirits of others , when inwardly disquieted , and perplexed ; they cause a calm in a tempest . . to establish , confirm , and settle others that are in a good frame of spirit , to hold their spirits fast from being shaken . paul wrote his consolatory epistle to the corinthians , that they might stand fast in the faith , &c. cor. . . to the ephesians , that they might not be carried about with every winde of doctrine , eph. . to the colossians , that they might be rooted , and built up in christ , and established in the faith , col. . , . he sent timothy to the thessalonians , to establish , and comfort them concerning their faith , thes. . . . it s commodious to edifie others in their holinesse , and obedience : comfort as well as councel builds men up further into the body of christ : for it corroborates the heart , heightens their spirits ( with paul ) to forget those things that are behinde , &c. phil. . . paul exhorts the thessalonians to comfort , and edifie one another , i. e. to edifie by comforting , thes. . . for , . comfort is a great encouragement to duties , as hezekiahs comfortable words were to the levit●s that taught the good knowledge of the lord , chron. . . and to the hearts of the people , to animate them against the fear of the king of assiria , chron. . , , . . it s a means to lead others forward on towards perfection : hence they are joyned together , cor. . . be perfect , be of good comfort . . comfort may be needful also in respect of the bodies of others , or outward man , which would perish in their afflictions , were not their soules strengthned by comforts to stand under the pressures thereof . secondly , the second reason may be drawn from the misery of them that want comfort . it s a sad thing to be in affliction , and to have no comforter . we to him that is alone , eccles. . . it much aggravated davids troubles , psal. . , . and . , . and sions miseries , lam. . , , , , . so solomon judged it , eccles. . . it was the jews sad case in their captivity , isa. . . and ninivehs in her ruine , nah. . . thirdly , from the excellency of the duty in it self : it s an high , and honourable employment to comfort others : for , . it s the work of god to comfort poor souls , isa. . . cor. . . he glories in it , as in a title of excellency , cor. . . isa. . . v. . ps. . . isa. . . and . . to comfort is the act , as of the deity , so of the trinity , and of every person in it . . of god the father , who is the father of mercies , and the god of all comfort , corinth . . . . of god the son ; for he as god-man , and mediator , is the fountain of all consolation , phil. . . if there be any consolation in christ : he takes it for granted that there is . so , cor. . . john . . and . , . . of god the holy ghost . it s his proper work to apply comfort to the hearts of gods children from the father , and the son. hence he is called , the comforter : he is prayed for by the son to the father , and promised to be sent from both for this end , joh. . , . and . . and . . quest. how is god the father the authour of comfort ? answ. by destination , and appointment of it to us : for he hath appointed us to obtain , as salvation , so consolation by jesus christ. hence it s said to abound by christ , cor. . , , . quest. how is god the son the author of comfort ? answ. first , by redemption , or purchase , as of us , so of joy , and comfort for us , by his blood as the price thereof . secondly , by reception of it : as christ bought it , so he took it , and keeps it for us : when he ascended on high , he received , as gifts , so comforts for men , psal. . . it pleased the father that all comfort should be laid up in christ as in a treasury , and that he should send forth the same to his people , as the fountain doth water . thirdly , by dispensation , or office , as he is our prophet , which he executes , and so comforts us , by his spirit which he hath given us . quest. how is the holy ghost the author of consolation ? answ. by applying it to us ( which is his proper work ) even all that comfort which the father hath appointed to us , and the son hath obtained , and kept for us . yea , to comfort others hath been the practice of the godly , as of job , ch . . , . of the prophets , isa. . , . of the apostles , philem. . fourthly , from the equity of the duty : we ought to do it for these reasons . . because we would be comforted by others in our distresse : and therefore we should do to others as we would have them do to us . . all true christians have an interest in comfort : it s their portion , and therefore in comforting them we give them but their own . . it s the end why god gives us abilities , and experiences that we may use them to comfort others , so that hereby we are debtors to others , cor. . . . it s our office as we are members of the same body with them , eph. . . hereby we edifie our selves in our most holy faith , judg. . love knits christians together , and makes them communicative of good one to another . chap. xxxiv . questions , and cases of conscience about comforting afflicted consciences . quest. how may we comfort afflicted consciences that are wounded , and dejected with the sence of sin , and of gods wrath , and want of grace ? answ. set before them , and apply to them these eight grounds of consolation . . the boundlesness , and freeness of gods pardoning , reconciling , accepting , and healing mercies to sinners , infinitely exceeding all their sins , and unworthiness both in multitude , and magnitude , in all dimentions , and duration , psal. . , , . therefore to doubt , or despaire , is to forsake our own mercies , and so to sin against mercy , which is one of the highest , and most confounding aggravations of sin . set also before them the bowels of gods compassions , which are most tender , and fail not , lam. . . the riches of gods free grace , which can neither be exhausted , nor diminished : and the freeness , unchangableness , and everlastingness of his love to poore sinners which deserved nothing but wrath , and judgement , hos. . . jer. . . . the infiniteness of christs merits , of his death , passion , and obedience which is sufficient to satisfie gods justice , to pacifie his wrath , and fulfill his law perfectly : more able to save us , then our sins are to condemn us : his sufferings being the obedience of a god , as well as of a man , acts . . set before them also the plenteousness of redemption that is in christ , that he can and will deliver them from all their sins : the prevalency of his intercession to make application of his redemption , and the benefits thereof to sinners on earth , whereby he is able to save to the uttermost all that come to god by him , heb. . . . the free , gracious , and general tender of christ , and of pardon , peace , grace , joy , and glory with him , to all , and every one that will receive him , without respect of persons , as joh. . . mar. . , . cor. . , . and christ sends his ministers , as ambassadours , to beseech men to be reconciled to him . for as moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness ; so is christ lifted up upon the pole of the gospel , that whosoever believes in him should not perish : therefore we must take heed of rejecting these tenders of grace and mercy . . set before them christs gracious invitation of all to come to him that feele any want of him , or have any desire to him , matth. . . isa. . . set also before them christs promise of reception , and of not rejecting any that come to him , joh. . . and his complaint that men will not come to him , joh. . . . set before them the experiences , or examples of gods mercy manifested , and of christs merits applyed to the greatest of sinners , as to manasseh , chro. . , , , , . with kin. . . to paul tim. . , , . to mary magdalen , mar. . . to the woman who had been a notorious sinner , luke . , , . to some of the corinthians , cor. . , , . . set before them that some of gods dear servants have drunk deep of the cup of soul-troubles , and of the wine of astonishment , in inward anguish , and horrour , and gone down in their apprehensions , even to the gates of hell , when yet god raised up , and filled them with joy , as we see in job , chap. . , . and . , , . and . . with chap. . , . in heman psal. . , , , , , , . in david , psal. . . and . . & . . and . , , , , . in christ himself , math. . . luke . . in mr. peacock , mr. glover . mis. katherine bretergh . see these in my book of examples . . set before them , and apply to them gods promises of healing , quickning , in●ightning ▪ and of returns of peace , and joy to such . . gods promises of healing wounded spirits , and broken hearts , deut. . . ps●l . ● . ● . job . . luke . . isa. . . pet. . . with hos. . . . gods promises of quickning made to dead souls buried in the grave of desertion , to revive , and raise them up , deut. . . sam. . , . ezek . , , , . gods promises of giving his spirit to be a comforter , joh. . . for which end he dwells in broken hearts , isa. . . this was the confidence of gods people , hos. . . . and of david , psal. . . . gods promises of inlightning made to such as walk in darknesse , and that . of causing his face to shine upon them , after he had hid it from them , isa. . . . of making christ , the sun of righteousnesse to arise with healing under his wings , mal. . . isa. . . mich. . . . gods promises of returns with peace , and joy , isa. . . sam. . . lam. . , . psal. . . god is an everlasting father , isa. . . so david assures himself , psal. . . see more such promises , mich. . . joh. . . and . . isa. . . . phil. . . iob . . psal. . . and . , , . and . . and . . matth. . . joh. . , . acts . . . set before them , and apply to them two things . . that grace may be hid for a time in the heart like sparks of fire in the ashes : there is a difference between the being of a thing in it self , and the discovery thereof to us : as many things seem to be which are not , so somethings are , which seem not : and that . because the seed of god remains in them , joh. . . grace may be to seek sometimes when we have occasion to use it , but it can never be lost . . the gifts , and calling of god are without repentance , rom. . . god doth not give them , and take them away againe from his servants . . the perpetuity of grace is founded upon the immutability of god , and his free love , and good will , so that as he is ever the same in his affection to them , so he will continue them to be ever in the same relation to him , heb. . . john . . . both they , and the grace of god in them are kept by the power of god to salvation , pet. . . none is able to pluck grace out of them , no more then to pluck them out of gods hand , joh. . , . . the golden chain of salvation cannot be broken , and all the links in it are inseparable , rom. . . perswade such poor souls that grace hath its seasons of hiding it self , and of appearing , as the sun hath his time of setting , and rising , and to conclude the non-existence of grace from the not appearing of it , is all one as to say , the sun will never rise because it s set . perswade them to deferre passing sentence upon themselves , till they be in a calme estate , and capacity of making a right judgement of themselves . whilest their spirits are in a perplexed estate perswade them to hearken to the counsel of christian friends , who , at such a time , can better judge of them then they of themselves . . that desire of grace is grace , and that , . because true desires have the nature , and truth of grace in them , though in a small measure : as there is true fire in a spark : true water in a drop ; the least of any thing partakes of the nature of the whole . . desires are the seeds and beginnings of grace in the soul , out of which grace grows to its full measure , and stature ; as corn sowen in the earth ; so desires are grace in the seed : habits are grace in the blade : acts are grace in the ear ; and perfect works are full corn in the eare . . good desires are accepted and rewarded by god , as well as deeds : yea , for deeds when power to actuate them is wanting , cor. . . god estimates his people rather according to their affections then actions ; as king. . . with sam. . . so in abraham , gen. . ● , . and the poor widow , mar. . , &c. therefore gods servants have pleaded their wills , and desires before god rather then their deeds : as nehemiah , chap. . . david , psal. . . and paul , rom. . . to . . good desires are the work of god in us as well as deeds , phil. . ● . and he will perfect them in us , phil. . . god doth not his work by the halves , sam. . . psal. . . christ is the authour of our faith in desires after it , heb. . . they are the smoke of the flax which christ will not quench , matth. . . . god hath made many promises to desires . . of acceptation , cor. . . . of supply and satisfaction , psal. . . god stirs up desires for this end , that he may satisfie them . . of blessednesse , mat. . . . of water of life , and of the spirit ▪ john . , . . of spiritual wine , and milk , isa. . , . luke . . object . but how shall we know that our desires are true , and such to whom these promises do belong . answ. first , by the root : for true desires of christ and grace do spring , and grow , . from an heart humbled before god in the sight of its sinne and misery , of its own vilenesse and unworthiness . hence , psal. . . . from a soul sensible of its spiritual necessities , as of christ , grace , the things that accompany salvation , pardon of sin , power over it , &c. . from a minde enlightned to see , as the want , so the worth and necessity of these things . secondly , by the fruits , or effects . true desires put forth serious , and sutable endeavours in the use of means to obtain the things desired : so ps. . . they will watch daily at wisdoms gates , prov. . . thirdly , by the properties of them , which are foure . . they are sincere , and that . for ground , when they are carried out after christ , and spiritual things as well for their sakes as for our own . . for ends , when desires have spiritual aims , as the mark they shoot at , viz. to make us humble , obedient , serviceable , conformable to christ , and acceptable to god through christ. . they are stirring , vigorous , and vehement for temper , and measure : therefore called , hungring , and thirsting : so , psal. . . and they must needs be so , because they proceed from the bottome of the heart , and from the whole soul , isa. . . such shall finde god , jer. , . now the strength of holy desires appears , . in preferring spirituals before temporals , christ , and grace before riches , honours , &c. in being willing to part with any thing to get christ. to sell all to buy him , luke . , , . . in exceeding all other desires in us in heat , and height : and in swallowing up all desires after earthly things . . true desires are seasonable for time , whilest the things desired may be obtained : they will seek god early . indeed true desires are never too late , yet late desires are seldome true ; as we see in esau , and the five foolish virgins , matth. . , &c ▪ . they are constant for duration , not by fits and starts when stirred , upon some special emergencies , or occasions : they are restlesse till they are satisfied , psal. . . and . . in the next place . first , caution them against four evils , to take heed . . that the do not dishonour god in the time of their desertions by unworthy thoughts of him , or hard speeches against him : by murmuring at him , or quarreling with his dispensations : this was the psalmists fault , psal. . , , . but he checks himself for it , ver . . the contrary was jobs commendation , job . . with . . . that they do not destroy their own souls , either . by denying what god hath done for them in the beginnings of grace , saying that they are reprobates , &c. whereby they beare false witnesse . . against themselves , which is unnatural . . against the grace of god , and against the god of grace , which is most ungrateful . . by refusing what god would give to them , viz. grace , mercy , peace , and joy : wilful refusal whereof is wilful murder . . that they do not gratifie satan who is a liar , and the father of lies : a murtherer of souls from the beginning : an accuser of the brethren , job . . and an accuser of god to us as if he were an hard master , gen. . . now men gratifie satan . . by entertaining parley with him ▪ as eve did . he will certainly prove too hard for us . . by hearkening to his suggestions , as these , or the like . . to cast off ordinances , to neglect duties publick , or private , as if they were needlesse , or to no purpose : hereby he seeks to starve our souls . . to harbour jealovsies , and evil surmises of god , or dishonourable thoughts of him : as if he were not mercifull , faithfull , &c. . to cast away their confidence , and lay hope aside , and to give over seeking , or waiting on god any longer , and to throw themselves into the gulph of despaire . . to make wrong judgement of themselves and their condition , as if they were out of the state of grace , out of christ , &c. because for the present they cannot discern it : or that they are not the lords , because they are so deeply distressed as none of his ever were . . to follow satans prescripts for deliverance out of their soul-troubles , which is to lay aside all thoughts , or cares about their souls : to go to merry company , give themselves to pleasures , &c. . that they do not satisfie their disquieted hearts : and that , . by taking offence at gods dealing with them , or to be angry with god , or sullen . . by giving way to sad perplexed thoughts , which gives satan mighty advantage against them . . by venting , or justifying the distempers of their hearts , as jonas , chap. . . . by putting away comfort from them in a froward , peevish humour when it s tendered to them , lest god answer them accordingly , psal. . . secondly , direct them to have special respect to three graces to nourish them : which are , . repentance for their sins , those especially which cause this trouble : for which labour for a deep and unfeigned sorrow , till when they are not fit for comfort . . faith , which they must labour to strengthen by all means : as to trust in god : his mercies and promises : in christ , his merits and mediation : these are strong refuges , psal. . . job . . psalme . . rom. . . john . . . patience , which they must continually exercise in bearing gods hand , submitting to his will , waiting his leasure , &c. thirdly , take a right course for healing their distempers , and troubles of soul , and that . by searching the sore to the bottome to finde our the core , and cause thereof , as chirurgions do , by drawing the troubles of their heart to an head , as their sorrow for sinne in general , or for some one sinne in special , &c. . by turning the stream of their passions into another channel , as physicians turn the course of blood in the nose by opening a veine : so turne their feare of wrath , and hell into the channel of holy feare of god , and his goodnesse , and their grief for penal evils , inward , or outward , into the channel of godly sorrow for sin . fourthly , bear with their infirmities , as ignorance , frowardnesse , &c. become all things to them for their refreshment , and recovery , as paul , cor. . . shew love to them with pity : and patience to bear all , and hope all : speak to them as sympathizing with them in their troubles , and sorrows : make it out to them that your words come more from your bowells then your braines . mr. reyners rules for the government of the tongue . quest. how may a man that is in distresse of minde be comforted and relieved ? answ. the most sure general remedy is to apply the promise of life everlasting in and by the blood of christ. quest. but what must be our 〈◊〉 of proceeding in the application of this promise ? answ. therein three rules are to be observed . . the party must disclose ( if he know it ) the cause of his particular distress , that the remedy may the better be applied : and indeed the very opening of the cause is a great ease to the minde . . if the cause can , and may be made known , then you must see whether the party be fit to receive comfort : and that is , if he be humbled for his sinnes , pray for pardon , and desires amendment : without this the word of comfort will be misapplied to him . quest. but what if we do not finde him humbled ? answ. your first and principal care must be to work in him some degree of humiliation : for which end you must labour to convince him of sinne , and then shew him the necessity of grief for it , at least , for some of his principal sins ; and herein two things must be remembred . . that their worldly sorrow must be turned into a godly sorrow : as when one bleeds at nose , they open a veine to turn the course of it : so when men are troubled with worldly sorrow , shew them that they must grieve , not for worldly respects , nor meerly for fear of punishment , but principally for the dishonour that redounds to god by their sinnes . . take care that this sorrow be not a confused sorrow , because he is a sinner as other men are ; but a distinct sorrow for this , or that particular sinne : and then he that is grieved for one sin truly , and unfeignedly , will proportionably be grieved for all the sins that he knows to be in himself . . minister and apply comfort to him that thus confesseth his sinnes , and is truly humbled for them . quest. how must this comfort be administred ? answ. it may be done by bringing the party within the compasse of the promise of life : and there be two wayes of doing this : the one false , the other true . quest. what are the false wayes ? answ. first , some think that men may be brought within the covenant , by the doctrine of universal grace and redemption . but this way is both false and unfit . quest. why is it false ? answ. because all the promises of the gospel are limitted with the condition of faith , and repentance , and are not universally made to all . object . but god would have all men to be saved , tim. . . answ. the apostle who is the best expounder of himself saith , acts ▪ . . the time of ignorance god regarded not , but now he warns all men to repent . now , i. e. after the coming of christ in the flesh : but it must not be enlarged to all adams posterity : so in that of timothy , god would have all men to be saved , i. e. now in this last age of the world . so , cor. . . now is the acceptable time , &c. col. . . rom. . . again , all men , i. e. not all particular men ; but some of all sorts , and kindes : so all is taken , tim. . . object . but paul saith , cor. . . god was in christ reconciling the world to himself ; therefore the promise in christ belongs to the whole world , and to every particular person ? answ. paul answers it himself , rom. . . the casting away of the jewes is the reconciling of the world , i. e. of the gentiles in the last age of the world : and so must that place to the corinths be understood , viz. not of all , and every man that lived in all ages , and times , but of them that were under the gospel , to be called out of all nations , &c. secondly , this way of applying is unfit : for the argument must be framed thus : christ died for all men , but thou art a man , therefore christ died for thee : to which the distressed party would answer : christ died indeed for him if he could receive him : but he by his sinnes hath cut himselfe off from him , and forsaken him , so that the benefit of his death will do him no good . quest. what then is the right way of administring comfort to such ? answ. first , consider the grounds whereby a man that belongs to god may be brought within the covenant . secondly , the right way whereby they must be used and applied . quest. what are those grounds ? answ. first , recourse must not be had to all graces , and all degrees of grace ; but only such as a troubled conscience may reach unto : which are faith , repentance , and the love of god : and that there may be no mistake about these , enquiry must be made , what be the seeds , and first beginnings of them all . as , . the first ground of grace is this . a desire to repent , and believe in a touched heart , is faith , and repentance it self ; though not in its nature , yet in gods acceptation . quest. how may that be proved ? answ. all grant that in them that have grace , god accepts of the will for the deed , as , cor. . . . god hath annexed a promise of blessedness to the true and unfeigned desire of grace , matth. . . rev. . . so he promises , psalme . . and . . object . but the desire of good things is natural , therefore god will not regard it ? answ. desires are of two sorts . . some be of such things as by the light of nature we know to be good , as of wisdom , learning , honour , happiness , &c. and these indeed nature can desire : but then . others be above nature : as the desire of the pardon of sin , reconciliation , and sanctification : and they which have a serious desire of these , have a promise of blessednesse . secondly , a godly sorrow , whereby a man is sorry for sinne as sinne , is the beginning of repentance , and indeed repentance it selfe , for the substance : hence , cor. . . paul rejoyced , because it was wrought in the corinthians . quest. but how may this sorrow be known ? answ. if the heart of him in whom it is , is so affected , that though there were neither conscience , nor devil to accuse , nor hell to punish , yet would he be grieved , because god is offended by his sin . quest. but what if a man cannot reach to such a sorrow ? answ. art thou grieved for the hardnesse of thy heart , because thou canst not so grieve , thou mayst then conclude that thou hast some measure of godly sorrow ; for nature cannot grieve for hardnesse of heart . thirdly , a settled purpose , and willingnesse to forsake all sin , is a good beginning of conversion , and true repentance : so in david , psal. . . and the prodigal , luke . , . fourthly , to love a man because he is a childe of god is a certaine signe that a man is a partaker of the true love of god in christ , john . . mat. . . onely remember that these desires must not be fleeting , but constant , and encreasing . quest. having heard the grounds , what is then the way , whereby the party that is in distresse may be brought within the compass of the promise of salvation ? answ. first , trial must be made whether the party hath in him any of the afore named grounds of grace , or no. for which end , ask him whether he believe and repent ? if he say he cannot , then ask him whether he doth not desire to do it ? and so of the other grounds . secondly , after this tryal , then comes the right applying of the promise of life to the distressed person , and it must be done by this or such arguments . he that unfeignedly desires to repent , and believe , hath remission of sins , and life everlasting : but so doest thou , therefore these belong to thee ; and this is fittest to be done by a minister , who hath ministerial authority to pronounce pardon . quest. that the promise thus applied may have good successe , what rules are to be observed ? answ. first , that the comfort administred be allayed with some mixture of the law , lest the wound be too soone healed : for such usually become worst of all , therefore bring them on by little and little to comfort , the sweetnesse whereof will be greater , if it be qualified with some tartnesse of the law. secondly , if the distressed party be much oppressed with grief , he must not be left alone , lest satan get advantage against him : as he did against eve , when she was alone : hence , eccl. . . woe to him that is alone : then satan usually tempts him to despair , and self-murther . thirdly , you must teach him not to rest upon his own judgement , but submit himselfe to such as have more judgement , and experience then himself . fourthly , never tell such of any fearful accident , or of any that have beene in the like , or worse case then himself : for hereby the distressed conscience will fasten the accident upon it selfe , and be drawne to deeper griefe or despaire . fifthly , the comforter must bear with the infirmities of the distressed : as frowardnesse , peevishnesse , rashnesse , disordered affections , or actions . yea , he must ( as it were put upon him their persons ) grieve , weep , lament with them that he may shew a sympathy . sixthly , he must not be discouraged , though after long paines he see but little fruit upon the distressed party . thus for the general : now for the particular distresses themselves . quest. what is the speciall distresse arising from the divine tentation ? answ. it s a combat with god himself immediately : when the conscience speaks some fearful things of god ; and withal the party distressed feels some evident tokens of gods wrath . as we see in the example of job , ch . . . and . . and . . so in david , psal. . , &c. and . quest. what may be the occasion of this kind of tentation ? answ. usually it follows upon the committing of some notorious sin , which wounds the conscience , as it did in caine , saul , and judas . sometimes it comes when there is no such sinne committed ; as in job , and then there can no reason be rendred for it but the divine will and pleasure of god. quest. what are the effects of this tentation ? answ. they are many , and strange : for sometimes it works a strange change in the body : inflames the blood , drinks up the spirits , dries the bones , &c. so psal. . . job . . psal. . . job . . quest. what remedies must be used for the comforting of such ? answ. first , the party troubled must be brought to a personal exercise of faith , and repentance in , and by himself : for which end he must narrowly examine his heart , to finde out his sinne : and then he must humbly confesse all his known sinnes against himselfe , acknowledging that he hath deserved death and damnation : then he must cry earnestly to the lord for pardon , psalme . . object . but what if the party be so distracted that he cannot performe any good duty ? answ. let him sigh , and sob to god for mercy , and comfort : which is a work of the spirit , rom. . . secondly , trial must be made whether the distressed party hath any tokens in him of grace , or no. quest. what are they ? answ. . whether he be grieved because he cannot grieve for sinne as he should . . whether he hath a serious desire to believe , and repent : a purpose to sinne no more , &c. then minde him of gods promise , cor. . . my grace is sufficient for thee , &c. and teach him to submit to gods will , as david , sam. . . thirdly , apply to him the promises of god made to afflicted persons , as psal. . . mat. . . luk. . . fourthly , minde him of his life past , and of gods merciful dealing with him , and others in this case formerly : for if he hath formerly had any evidences of gods love and favour , he is now by them to settle and quite his minde . for whom god loves , he loves to the end . so psal. . . fifthly , you must labour to remove such reasons , and doubts as the party distressed usually makes against himself for his own overthrow ; which commonly are these . . being minded of gods mercy , &c. they will say , that this is good indeed , but it belongs not to them , for they neither do , nor can feel any thing but the tokens of gods wrath , &c , to answer this , informe them of the manner of gods dealing in all his works , which is to work by contraries : by death he gives life , and sends men to heaven by the gates of hell : he shews his greatest power in our greatest weaknesse . so , sam. . . job . . . they use to say , that if they could feel any comfort at all , they would quiet their mindes , and yeeld to good counsel and perswasions . to this the answer is , that in such cases we must live by faith , not by feeling , hab. . . when we have neither sight , nor sense , nor raste of gods mercie , and apprehend nothing but wrath , we must then labour to lay hold of the promise of mercy . so did david , psalm . . . and abraham , rom. . . job , though thou kill me , yet will i trust in thee : and the thiefe on the crosse. . they plead that their case is desperate ; and that never was any in their case . but this is false . job was in as bad a case , and david , psalme . and . and christ himself on the crosse cried out , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken me . quest. how may trouble of minde arising from outward afflictions be remedied ? answ. two things are to be required of the party distressed . . practice . . meditation . first , practice is a diligent examination of his conscience to find out his sinne . an hea●ty confession of it to god , and earnest prayer for forgivenesse ; which things will bring much comfort : as we see in manasses , chron. . , &c. and this is required , lam. . . secondly , meditation of the comfortable promises recorded in the word of god , touching afflictions which may be reduced to five principal grounds of comfort . . that all afflictions , from the least to the greatest , come not by accident , or chance , but by the special providence of god. for , . god hath fore-appointed them , rom. . . we must be conformed to his son in sufferings . . god doth not only barely permit afflictions , but effects them , as they are corrections , tryals , and punishments , isa. . . amos . . . god orders and disposeth them , limitting and appointing the beginning , continuance , measure and end of them : yea , he orders them to his owne glory , the good of his servants , and benefit of his church : hence he is said to correct in judgment , jer. . . so , gen. . , . sam. . . psal. . . obj. we could bear afflictions from god , but ours comes from men that hate us . answ. god useth them as his instruments to execute his will upon us : therefore we should submit : so did joseph , gen. . . and . . . tell them of gods command touching the crosse , and the obedience we owe to him therein , luke . . we must take up our crosse daily , and follow christ : hence , micah . . pet. . , . and this being gods command , we must be as careful to obey him in it , as in any other moral commandment . . god will be present with his servants in afflictions , psal. . . and . . quest. but how is god with us in afflictions ? answ. . to work our deliverance from them , psal. . . yet with this limitation , so far forth as its good for us . . to temper , and moderate our afflictions , so as we may be able to bear them , cor. . . hab. . . . or if he do continue them , yet he will comfort us in them , phil. . . . to do us good by them , rev. . . quest. what are the fruits and benefits of afflictions ? ans. . they make us see and consider our sins , gen. . . so in manasses . . they serve to humble us before god. so , luke . , &c. psal. . , , . . they serve to work amendment of life , h●b . . . corinth . . . psal. . , . . they cause us to deny our selves , and to rest wholly on the mercy of god , corinth . . . . they make us cry heartily , and fervently unto god , psal. . . hos. . . . they bring forth patience , &c. rom. . . . they work us to obedience . so in christ , heb. . . quest. how are afflictions good in regard of their quality ? answ. as they are pledges and tokens of our adoption , when we make a good use of them , heb. . . . the last ground of comfort is , that whatever our distresse be , we have partners with us in the crosse. for we have christ our partner : this was pauls comfort , phil. . . so pet. . . yea , christ accounts them as his own , acts . . pet. . . and our brethren suffer the like , pet. . . quest. but how may a distressed soul be supported when god deferres deliverance ? answ. first , consider that god in his wisdome hath set down a time for every thing , eccl. . . so god appointed a time for drowning the world , gen. . . and for the babylonish captivity , jer. . . and for israels being in egypt , gen. . . this teaches gods children sundry lessons . . to wait gods leasure with patience : though deliverance comes not in their time , when they would have it , yet it shall come in gods time when he hath appointed it , psal. . . hab. . . . not onely to believe the promises in general , and gods faithfulness to fulfill them : but we must believe them in particular , i. e. with application to their proper and several circumstances , as the particular time , means , and places wherein ▪ and whereby god will make them good to us . this made daniel so to pray , when he knew the seventy years were expired , dan. . , &c. secondly , when god defers deliverances , he doth it upon weighty causes , best known to himself , the principal whereof are , . the more deeply to humble us , and bring us to self denial , and teach us patience . . to teach us to acknowledge whence our deliverance comes : and accordingly to value and prize it . for benefits easily gotten are lightly regarded , and soone forgotten . . to weane us from the world , and to draw us to meditations of the life to come , where all tears shall be wiped from our eyes , rev. . . . to prevent greater evils which we would run into , if we had our hearts desire . so exod. . . deut. . . thirdly , remember that god exercises his best servants with long continued afflictions : so he kept abraham long childlesse ; and zachary , and elizabeth , and david without the kingdome ; and so david complaines , psal. . , . quest. but what if we finde no end of our afflictions but that they continue unto death ? answ. first , we must then even until death continue to live by faith . secondly , in the meane time relieve thy soul with these meditations . . it s gods pleasure that we should through manifold afflictions enter into heaven , act. . . therefore murmur not at thy fathers dispensations , prov. . . . though thy afflictions be long , and tedious , yet god will at length give a joyful issue . for so he hath promised , matth. . . psal. . . and . . . our longest afflictions are not comparable to the eternal joys which god hath prepared for them that love him , cor. . . rom. . . hence , pet. . . for , heb. . . . though god grant not deliverance sooner , yet his love is unchangeable , and the crosse cannot seperate us from it , rom. . . quest. but how shall we be able to endure , with comfort , the pangs of death ? answ. hereunto two things are required . . a preparation to death . . helps in the time of death . quest. how shall we prepare our selves for death ? answ. first , pray oft with david , psal. . . lord make me know mine end , &c. and with moses , psalme . . lord , teach me to number my days , &c. secondly , endeavour daily to disarme and weaken death ; as the philistines dealt with sampsom : and this we must do by weakening sinne , which is the sting of death , cor. . . thirdly , endeavour to have some true taste of the joyes of heaven aforehand . quest. but how may we attain hereunto ? answ. first by a serious consideration of the evils that hinder our happinesse , which are foure . . the misery of our lives by reason of sinne , and the consequences thereof . for none is free from sin , prov. . . rom. . . , &c. . the vanity of all things that are in the world , which therefore can never give full content , eccles. . . . the mutable condition of our lives in this world : being but strangers here , pet. . . heb. . . . whilest we are here , we are separated from our head which is in heaven , and from the happy fellowship we shall enjoy with him there , cor. . . hence , phil. . . secondly , we must frequently mediate of the blessed estate of the saints in glory , joh. . . rev. . . matth. . . thirdly , then we must compare ou● present state in this life with that in heaven , whereby we shall find the one infinitely to excell the other : and this will make us a weary of the world , and to long for heaven , cor. . . phil. . . and . . quest. how may we discern whether this joy of the spirit be truly in us or no ? answ. there are sundry properties wherein it differs from carnall joy : as . this joy succeeds sorrow for sin , joh. . . matth. . . whereas carnal joy springs from carnal delights and objects , prov. . . it ends in mourning , luke . . . it s a fruit of righteousness : it issues from christ known , and believed to be made unto us of god , wisdome , righteousness , sanctification and redemption : whence flows peace of conscience , and joy in the holy ghost , rom. . . but carnall joy ariseth from the sudden feeling of some wordly delight . . it s founded in the holy use of the word sacraments , and prayer ; and in the practice of love , mercy , justice , &c. the other is from no such thing , job . , , . . it s so fixed , and rooted in the hearts that it cannot be removed from thence , joh. . . whence its able to swallow up all grief , and heaviness : whereas the others is mingled with bitterness , prov. . . . it s eternal , not only continuing in this life , but in that to come , whereas the joy of the wicked is short , &c. job . . so in these examples , luke . . and . . quest. what are the helps that are to be used in the time of death ? answ. they may be reduced to two heads ; meditations , and practises . quest. what meditations are we to use ? answ. first , consider death in a double respect : . as it is in its self , and so it s a curse , and the forerunner of condemnaton . . as it s qualified by the death of christ , and so it s a blessing , and the end of all our miseries , a short passage to joy , &c. and the grave a perfumed bed , &c. secondly , consider that there be three degrees of eternal life , the first , in this world before we die , which is begun when we repent , and believe in christ , &c. joh. . . the second in death , which frees us from all sin , and misery ; preparing the body for eternall happinesse with the soul which is already in heaven . the third is , when both soul and body being re-united , goe into everlasting glory . thirdly , consider that there is a mystical union , and conjunction between christ and every believer , both in regard of body and soul , which being once knit , shall never be dissolved : so that the dead , and rotten body continues still to be a member of christ , by vertue of which union it shall certainly be raised up again at the last day , and made like to christs glorious body . quest. what are the helps in practice ? answ. first , if thou wilt comfortably bea● the pangs of death , thou must labour to dye in the faith : which is done by laying hold of the promise of god , touching forgiveness of sin , and life everlasting by christ , heb. . . gen. . . joh. . , . cor. . . secondly , if thou wilt die with comfort , thou must die in obedience , i. e. willingly , and readily without murmuring , submit to the will of god , in bearing the pains of death . so did christ , not my will , but thy will be done . so we are taught to pray . thy will be done , &c. for which end we must learn to submit patiently to all lesser afflictions . quest. how shall we be enabled to bear with comfort satanical molestations either when we are possessed by the divel , or fear to be so , or have our houses molested by the divel ? answer first , herein consider , that possession is knowne by two signes . . when the divel is evidently present , either in the whole body , or in some part of it . . when he hath rule in the said body , either in whole or in part , so that the partie himself hath not that use of his body which he would . so was it with them which were possessed in christs time . secondly , it falls out oft that strange diseases fall upon men arising from corrupt humours in the body : and some have strange passions from natural causes unknown , which also produce extraordinary effects , and yet they are neither bewitched , nor possessed . now to stay the mind in such cases , these rules are to be observed . . remember that though satans malice , and power be very great , yet he cannot exercise it upon gods children , when , where , and how he pleaseth , for god hath limited his power , and sets his bounds that he cannot pass . the reasons whereof are . because he is a creature , and therefore finite ; and can neither know nor do any thing beyond the reach , or capacity of his nature , or above the power and skill of a creature , cor. . . neither can he work a miracle , which is peculiar only unto god , psal. . . . because he is subject to the will of god : he could not go out to deceive ahabs prophets , till god gave him leave , king. . . so job . . hence we may have comfort in that god will not give him leave to do any thing against his children to their destruction : but so far as shall make for their salvation . . such persons must have recourse to god by prayer , and to his word wherein he promiseth his presence and protection to his children in their greatest dangers , psal. . , . zach. . . isa. . . numb . . . yet this freedom , being but a temporal blessing , god is not so tyed by his promise , but that it may sometimes come to pass that they shall be so molested : yet this is our comfort , that if it be so , yet it shall turn to our good . . remember that the best servants of god have been molested by the devil : yea , christ himself , matth. . . so jobs children were slain by him ; and so mat. . , . luke . . . we must in such cases seek unto god by prayer for deliverance if it stand with his good will and pleasure , or else for patience , that we may quietly beare that particular affliction . quest. what must we doe in case our houses are molested with evill spirits ? answ. first , we must not abide there where it is certainly known that god hath given the divel power , least we tempt the lord , christ did not of his own private motion goe into the wilderness : but by the direction of the holy ghost , matth. . . paul went not of his own head to jerusalem , but upon the motion of the spirit , acts . . whence it follows that we may not cast our selves into places of apparent danger , much less into those places which god hath given up into the power of satan . secondly , that which we are to do in the use of meats , and drinks , must be done in the houses and places where we dwell : we must sanctifie them to our use by the word and prayer . quest. what must we doe when we ar● troubled with blasphemous thoughts against god the father , son , and holy ghost : as that god is not just ▪ 〈◊〉 merciful : or that he regards mens persons : or knows not what is done here below , or at least , doth not regard them : that he cannot doe this , or that , & c ? answ. consider whence these thoughts come : as sometimes from satan , who casts them into our heads ▪ sometimes from an evil custome , when men wi●lingly hearken to lewd , and cursed speeches which immediately tend to the dishonour of god , or to the willfull abuse of his word , judgements , or mercies , and upon hearing , approve of them , or at least , seek not to hinder them so much as in them lies . sometimes they creep into mens hearts by degrees , when they wax cold in gods service and make little conscience of those duties which immediately concern gods glory , or that accustome themselves too often , to causeless swearing , forswearing , cursing . &c. now the danger of it is very great , what cause soever it proceeds from , especially in those that look towards heaven , and apply their hearts to serve god , and fear his name . for it often brings forth desperation , and manifold horrors , and troubles of minde ; so that often they are tempted to make away themselves , judging themselves to be firebrands of hell. quest. what course is to be taken for the curing of this grievous malady ? answ. first , enquiry must be made into the next causes of this tentation : as . we must enquire whether it had its beginning from the thoughts of our own mindes , or from the suggestions of the divel . quest. how shall we know from whether of these two they arise ? answ. first , by the entrance of them into the minde : for those which come from the divel , come speedily , like lightning , and after a sort are forced in , so that we cannot avoid them , and they come so often , that they weaken the memory , dull the sences , and weary , and confound the brain . secondly , they may be known to come from the divel , because they are directly against the light of nature , the sparks whereof are not quite extinct in us by sin . thirdly , at the first conceiving such thoughts , the party is smitten with extraordinary fear , and his flesh is so troubled , that many times sickness , and faintings do follow . ly . remember that blaspemous thoughts cannot ordinarily proceed from any but such as are given up to reprobate mindes : but such as come from the divel are usually cast into such mens mindes as are civill , and such as profess the gospell , at least in shew , and sometimes into such as are the true members of christ. secondly , enquiry must be made whether thou love , and approve of such thoughts or no. to which thou wilt answer , that thou abhorrest them as the divel himself . quest. after such enquiries made , to finde out the cause , what remedies must be applyed ? answ. first , such must be informed that these thoughts coming from the divel are not thy sins , but thy crosses : for they are the divels sins , who shall answer for them , but not ours , except we approve , and give consent to them . satan cast such thoughts into christ himself , when he tempted him to infidelity , covetousness , and idolatry : yet was christ free from sin , because his holy heart consented not to , but abhorred , and repelled them . again , we must let such thoughts go as they come , diverting our mindes another way : for the more we strive against them , the more we shall be entangled with them . secondly , remember that though such thoughts are sometimes our sinnes , yet through gods mercy , they are pardonable , if we unfeignedly repent of them . thirdly , such persons must not be alone : for this tentation is begun , confirmed , and encreased by solitariness : eve was tempted when she was alone , therefore such persons should converse with good company : and exercise their mindes with reading gods word , heavenly meditations , singing of psalms , &c. fourthly , such must as heartily repent of these evill thoughts , as of evill words , and deeds . for through mens carelesness over their thoughts , it is that god suffers satan to plague , and torment them with such blasphemous thoughts : and after repentance he must watch more narrowly over his ways , especially over his heart , which is the fountain of all , prov. . . quest. how may distresse of minde arising from our own sinnes be cured ? answ. first , that particular sin must be known , which is the cause of this distress , most are prone to dissemble herein , pretending that it comes from some wicked thoughts , or affections , when as usuall it comes from some gross actual sin , especially against the third , sixth , and seventh commandments , and the more secret such sins be , the more horror of conscience they bring . secondly , their sin being known , see what signs thou canst finde in them of true repentance for it : otherwise they are not fit to receive comfort . thirdly , if this be found , then administer comfort , yet mixed with some terrors of the law , that the comfort may appear to be the sweeter , wherein observe these two rules . . inform the party that his sins are pardonable , though in themselves great , and hainous , yet by the mercy of god in christ , they may be remitted , and this he may be convinced of . . because gods mercy is infinite , and over all his works , psal. . . christs death is of an infinite value . god delights in mercy , isa. . . psal. . . as we see in manasses , mary magdalen , paul , &c. . because men living in the church , and knowing the doctrine of salvation shall not be condemned simply for their sins , but for their impenitency : therefore men should be grieved , not so much for their committing of sin , as for continuing therein without repentance . . because it pleases god many times to leave men to themselves to commit some sin that greatly woundeth conscience : yet even these do not utterly take away grace , but afterwards makes it shew it self , and shine more . for rom. . . where sin abounded , grace abounds much more . . the promises of god , touching pardon of sin , and life eternal , in respect of believers are general , and in regard of all , and every man , indefinite , so that they exclude not any : only they admit one exception , of final impenitency . . shew him that his sins are pardoned , if he be heartily grieved that by his sins he hath offended so loving , and merciful a god. and if he desire with all his heart to be reconciled to god in christ , and resolve against sin for the time to come , luke . , &c. shew him these texts , matth. . , . and . . luke . . quest. but what say you to the case of recidivation , if a man after repentance for s●me grievous sin , fall into it again ? answ. his case is dangerous ( as relapses into mortall diseases ) yet not altogether desperate ; for . we that have but a drop of mercy , must forgive our brethren , again and again , much more will god , who hath an ocean of mercy , isa. . . apostates are called to repentance with promise of pardon , luke . . the prodigal ( by whom is meant a childe of god , who fell after repentance , and obedience ) upon his purpose to return , was pardoned . so cor. . . paul prayes the lapsed corinthians to be reconciled to god. . assure such that upon their repentance , they shall be pardoned . quest. but i am troubled for want of grace in my heart , and obedience in my life , what must i doe ? answ. this is common to all gods children , more , or less , at one time or other : so was paul troubled , rom. . . now there are many grounds of comfort whereby the heart may be stayed in this sorrow , that it be not immoderate : which are first , remember that its gods will that thy sanctification should be imperfect in this life . this is manifest both by the word of god , and daily experience : and god will have it so , . because god gives grace according to the measure and manner of our receiving of it , which in this life is imperfect indeed remission of sins , and justification by christs obedience are ours by imputation , and so are perfect ; but sanctification , regeneration , the love of god and man are put into us . yet before we have them , we must receive them , and the means whereby we receive them is faith , which because it is weak , and imperfect in this life , therefore the gifts which we receive thereby are imperfect also . . if any were absolutely perfect in this life , then he should fulfill the moral law , and so be a saviour unto himself , and by the tenor of the law have life , and so christ should not be a saviour properly , but only as an instrument to dispose us to the keeping of the law , whereby we might save our selves : but christ is the only allsufficient saviour , and the accomplishment of our salvation is from him alone . . it s gods will that his children should be brought to nothing in themselves , that they might be all in all out of themselves in christ : but if our sanctification were perfect here , we should rest contented in our own goodness : that paul might not do so , he was buffeted , cor. . . secondly , consider what makes thee accepted with god , and how much thy self must do for this end : which is . thou must heartily bewail thy sins both of heart and life , and if thou renewest thy sins , thou must by renewing thy repentance recover thy former estate . . in regard of thy former sins , thou must rest on gods mercy alone , flying to the throne of grace to obtain pardon of them . . thou must endeavour for the future to perform obedience to god in all his commandments , that thereby we may shew our gratitude to him for his mercy , and profit in our obedience . object . i endeavour to do these things : but alas ! in sorrow for sin i am troubled with hardness of heart : my faith is mixed with doubtings , and my obedience with many slips , and falls : what shall i therefore doe ? answ. remember these rules . . if thou hast a minde and purpose not to sin , and a desire to please god , and endeavourest to perform both ; god in mercy accepts this for obedience it self : accipit suum , & remittit tuum . he accepts that which is his , , and forgives that which is thine . his is the grace which puts us upon these desires , and endeavours : ours are the wants and weakness in performance : the first he accepts , the latter he forgives . quest. but can god accept our works which are imperfect ? answ. as our obedience is in truth , so far its his work , and therefore he accepts it ; as it s ours so he pardons it , because we are in christ. secondly , canst thou say with paul , rom. . . the good which i would doe , i doe not , and the evill which i would not , that doe i ? doest thou desire , and endeavour to doe good , and to eschew evill ? then thou art regenerate . thirdly , remember that this is thy priviledge , that the corruption of thy nature is not part of thee , if regenerate , neither doth it belong to thy person , in respect of divine imputation , rom. . . it s no more i ( saith paul ) but sin that dwells in me . quest. how doth the body cause trouble of minde ? answ. two wayes , either by melancholly , or by some strange altera●ion in the parts of the body . quest. what is melancholly ? answ. it s a kind of earthy and black blood , especially in the spleen corrupted , and distempered , which , the speen being obstructed , conveies it self to the heart , and brain , and there partly by its corrupt substance , and contagious quality , and partly by corrupt spirits , annoies both heart and brain , being the seats , and instruments of reason , and affections . quest. what are the effects of melancholly ? answ. they are strange and often fearful : it s called the divels bait , because the divel being well acquainted with our complexions , by gods just permission , conveies himself into this humour , and worketh strange conceits : and the effects of it are . in the brain : for this humour being corrupted sends up noisome fumes which corrupt the imagination , and make the instrument of reason unfit for understanding , and sence . hence follow strange imaginations , and conceits in the mind . . upon the heart ; for there is a concord between the heart and the brain , the thoughts , and affections ; now therefore when the minde hath conceived fearful thoughts , the affection is answerably moved , whence come exceeding horrors , fear , and despaire , and yet the conscience is not troubled at all . quest. what difference is there between melancholly , and trouble of conscience ? answ. they are thus distinguished . . in trouble of conscience , the affliction is in the conscience , and so in the whole man : but in melancholly , the imagination is that that is disturbed . . aff●iction of conscience hath a true , and certain cause which occasioneth it , viz. the sight of sin , and sence of gods wrath : but in melancholly , the imagination conceiveth a thing to be so which is not , making a man fear , and dispaire upon supposed , and feigned causes . . a man afflicted in conscience hath courage in other things : but a melancholly man fears every thing , even where no cause of fear is . . melancholly may be cured by physick : but affliction of conscience cannot be cured by any thing but the blood of christ , and assurance of gods favour . quest. how is a man that is troubled by melancholly , to be cured of his distress ? answ. first , he must be perswaded to be advised , and ruled by the judgement of others , touching his own estate . secondly , you must search whether he hath any beginnings of grace : if not , you must labour to bring him to a sight and sence of his sins , that his melancholly sorrow may be turned into a godly sorrow . thirdly , when some measure of faith , and repentance are wrought in him , then promises of mercy are to be applyed to him , which he must be perswaded to rest upon : such are , psal. . . and . . jam. . . fourthly , use physick which may correct , and abate the humour , it being a means by gods blessing to cure the distemper of the body . quest. how do strange alterations in the parts of the body cause distresse of minde ? answ. divers wayes ; sometimes by phrensie in the brain : others sometimes by trembling of the heart , or swelling of the spleen , or a rising of the intrailes , all which cause strange imaginations , fears , &c. quest. what remedies are to be used in these cases ? answ. first , in this case also , consideration is to be had whether the party thus troubled hath any beginnings of faith and repentance : if not , then means must be used for the working of them in him . secondly , then the opinion conceived must be taken away by informing him of the state of his body , and what is the true and proper cause of the alteration thereof . thirdly , if after this the distemper still remaine , then he must be taught that it is a correction of god , and therefore he ought to submit to it : god seeing it best for him . mr. perkins , vol. . chap. xxxv . questions , and cases of conscience about self-commendation . quest. is it lawful for a man to commend himself ? answ. it is lawful in some cases for a child of god to commend himself : to declare what god hath done for him or by him to speak of the graces god hath bestowed on him , of his labours , of works which god hath wrought by him , yea , and of his sufferings for god ; as will appear by these examples : of nehemiah , chap. . . to , &c. of job , chap. . and . of paul , act. . phil. . thes. . cor. . and . quest. in what cases is this self-commendation allowed ? answ. first , of afflictions from god ; wherein they have professed their faith in god : their patience , obedience , sincerity , constancy , &c. so job . ch . . , . and . , , . and the church , psal. . , &c. and jeremy , ch . . , . secondly , of injuries from men in word or deed . . in word , by scoffs , and reproaches , as david , sam. . , . by slanders of their good conversations : so did paul , act. . , &c. and . . and . , . and . , &c. so jacob , gen. . , to . yea , christ himself , joh. . , , . . in deed : then we may protest our innocency to prove we suffer wrongfully ; as daniel did , dan. . , christ , joh. . , . and . . thirdly , when thereby we may shew forth the infinite riches of gods free grace , and mercy to such vile and unworthy creatures , in giving us grace to be what we are , and enabling us by grace to do what we do , that thereby we may encourage weak believers to dependance on god for grace , and mercy , and against despondency notwithstanding all their infirmities , and unworthinesse . so paul , cor. . , . tim. . , , . fourthly , to give others occasion , and to provoke them . . to pray for us . so paul , heb. . . . to praise god for us , and glorifie him in our behalf . so paul , cor. . , . gal. . . ephes. . , . . to glory on our behalf before others , especially those that seek to traduce , and slander us . so paul , cor. . , . thes. . . fifthly , when others require an account of our faith , holinesse , obedience , or experiences : hence , pet. . . sixthly , when we would propound our selves as examples to others of faith , patience , godlinesse , &c. to draw others to follow our steps : so david , psal. . ● . paul , phil. . . christ , mat. . . seventhly , when our enemies accuse us falsely , and our friends ▪ who can , and ought to vindicate us , refuse or neglect to do it , so paul , cor. . . ei●hthly , to shew and approve our integrity , and reality , that we are not almost , but altogether christians , before those to whom we relate , or with whom we have to do : so , paul , cor. . . that we may make it appeare that we seek not theirs but them , thes. . , , . cor. . . thus we may commend our selves . . to uphold the credit of our calling , as paul did of his ministry . . to further the successe of our labours : so paul also . . to promote the efficacy of the counsel , or charge we give to others , and make it more prevalent . so paul , tim. . . . to manifest our love to others by opening our hearts to them , to let them look in and see the treasures of grace , comforts , and experiences which god hath laid up in them : also to gain their love to us , to insinuate into their bosomes , and so be a means of doing them the more good : so did paul , cor. . . we may also commend our selves in some things , to approve our sincerity in other things : so david , psal. . . and . , . and nehemiah , ch . . . ninthly , when the cause , truth , wayes , and church of christ , and the name of god are like to suffer by us , if we be silent and do not vindicate our selves in our sufferings from men : this made paul even to magnifie his office , &c. rom. . . tenthly , when we leave the place where we lived , or over whom we were set , or give over the office we did bear , it may be seasonable to give an account of our diligent , and faithful discharge thereof , and of our unblamable carriage therein : so did samuel , sam. . , , . so paul , act. . . eleventhly , to convince others of their sins , and that . either against god by declaring to them that they see no such evil in us , but the contrary graces and practises ; that we dare not say , or do , as they do for a world , thereby to draw them to repentance . . or against our selves , when they reject or abuse us , by appealing to their consciences what iniquity they have found in us to deserve the same at their hands . object . but is not this condemned ? prov. . . cor. . . was it not simon magus his sin ? act. . . and that pharisee's , luk. . . so prov. . . answ. self-commendation which proceeds from pride , and hypocrisie , or from distrust of providence , as if god would not take care of our good names , &c. is vain , and sinful . laus proprio sordescit in ore : and hereby such do others a treble wrong . . they take other mens office out of their hands ; or take that to our selves which is anothers right to give us . . they give to others a bad example , who will learn to imitate them . . it s tedious to an ingenuous spirit to hear others to boast of themselves : yet the abuse of a thing takes not away the lawfulnesse and use of it . quest. how then shall we know when self-commendation is lawful ? answ. first , by the matter , when the thing for which we commend our selves is , . good in it self , and praise worthy : for if it be evil , we glory in our shame : again , it must not be for our temporals , as riches , honours , &c. but for spirituals , as the righteousness of christ , the grace , love , and favour of god : the work or service of god , or for doing , or suffering for god : so , jer. . . so in paul , phil. . , , . cor. . , , . rom. . . phil. . . cor. . . to . cor. . , , , , . . when for the matter we speak only of such things as are really ours , or that we have in truth , and do in deed , so that for the truth of our words we can appeal to the testimony of gods spirit , and our own consciences : as paul , rom. . , , . thes. . , . cor. . . secondly , by the measure , when it is our care , and fear not to over-reach herein , but to speak rather under then over of any good we have , or do : so , cor. . , &c. rom. . . thirdly , by the manner , and that in a threefold respect . . of our selves , when we commend our selves forcedly , humbly , and modestly . . forcedly , not forwardly : when we are necessitated , or strongly moved thereto ; as paul , cor. . . and v. . . humbly , out of the sense of our own infirmities and unworthinesse , notwithstanding all the good we have or do ; and out of feare lest others should think better of us then we are , or deserve : so with paul , cor. . . for gods humble servants take notice of the evil as well as of the good that is in them ; as isa. . . job . . and . , . cor. . , . ephes. . . tim. . , , . . modestly , when we speak of our graces , and performances soberly , not in a boasting way , as nebuchadnezzar did , dan. . . how modest was paul in speaking of matters that concerned his own praise ? cor. . , , to . heb. . . . of god , when we speak of the good we have , or do thankfully , and that . with a free acknowledgement of god as the sole authour of all , from whom we have received all we have , cor. . . phil. . . isa. . . . out of a sense of gods goodnesse to us therein , with high and honourable thoughts of god , and fear of his name , and with an heart inflamed with love to god and joy in him . . of others , when we commend our selves charitably , and tenderly , not to despise , disgrace , or discourage others who are weak : as the proud pharisee insulted over the publican , whom god justified , when he condemned the other . fourthly , by the end : self-commendation is lawful when the end is good , . in respect of our selves to do our selves right , and to preserve our good names , not to get our selves praise from men : for see what christ teaches us , luk. . . when you have done all that you can , say we are unprofitable servants , &c. hence paul ascribes all to gods grace , cor. . . and see what christ saith , john . . hence paul , thes. . . . in respect of god ; when , whatever we speak of our selves that is good , we do it that god may be glorified in us , and by us , and for us , and we give god the praise of all our praises : yea , if god may be glorified , and his name exalted , we can be content to be abased , and to have our honours laid in the dust . so john the bap. joh. . , . so , cor. . . mr. reyners rules for the government of the tongue . to these foregoing , add one rule more . that when a man is urged to a necessary self-commendation , and is forced by the importunity of others to vindicate himself ; yet to qualifie his speech as much as may be , its good to use a word of the plural number ; as paul doth , cor. . . we the ambassadors , &c. where he distributes the honour to many , that he may not seem to attribute too much to himself , and so that plural number is a phrase of singular humility . dr. stoughton . chap. xxxvi . questions , and cases of conscience about our communion with god. quest. what is it to be in communion with god ? answ. when we are made one with him , or united to him , as a childe to his father , joh. . . so that our communion with god , is . to see him in his works . . to hear him in his word . . to speak to him by prayer , and praise . . to walk with him in meditation of his presence . quest. what are the evidences , or signs of our communion with god , and with jesus christ ? answ. first , the holy spirit of god , and of jesus christ given to us , joh. . . hereby we know that he abideth in us , by his spirit which he hath given us . so joh. . . quest. how doe we know this our communion with god , by his spirit given us ? answ. first , as the inward , immediate , efficient cause of this divine communion with us . for . god dwells in us by his spirit , ephes. . . . christ supplies his absence from his church by his spirit , joh. . , , , . and . , . secondly , as an anointing , teaching us all things , joh. . . revealing to us the things that are given us of god , cor. . . and illuminating us with light to receive them . yea sometimes the spirit evidences our fellowship with god , by such a clear , bright , and immediate way , that it wonderfully assures us hereof , joh. . , , . thirdly , as a witness with our spirits , rom. . , . fourthly , as a seal upon our hearts , ephes. . . fifthly , as the earnest , and first-fruits of our adoption , and endless communion with god in glory , ephes. . . rom. . . sixthly , as the original cause , and root of all these spiritual fruits , which are only found in them that have communion with god , gal. . , . quest. but by what signs may we know that the spirit of god is given us ? answ. if the spirit of god be given us , then . we are , or have been effectually convinced by the spirit of our own naturall misery , and of christs supernaturall alsufficiency to remove it , joh. . . to . . we are washed , and sanctified by the spirit , cor. . . mortifying the old man , and quickening the new man in us , rom. . , . . we are acted , guided , and led by the spirit of god , rom. . . . we minde the things of the spirit , rom. . . our thoughts , projects , contrivements , &c. do habitually fix here . . we bring forth the fruits of the spirit , which spirit cannot bring forth bad fruit , not be barren , ephes. . . gal. . , . . we combat by the spirit against the flesh , gal. . . . we are strengthened to every good word and work , with might in the inward man by the spirit , ephes. . . col. . , . and particularly by the spirit we are notably enabled unto prayer against all our infirmities , rom. . , , . secondly , the true abiding of the ancient , primitive truth , and doctrine of christ in us , is another sign of our communion with god : so that we are not carried aside to unsound new fangled opinions , ioh. . , , . all novelties in doctrine are to be censured by primitive truths , and brought to the ancient standard for their regulation . quest. how shall we know that we sincerely abide in the truth ? answ. first , if we have a cordial love to the truth , thes. . . contrary in those , tim. . , . secondly , a consciencious care to doe nothing against the truth , but any thing for it , cor. . . ioh. . . thirdly , an earnest contending for the faith once delivered to the saints , iude . not for new upstart doctrines , and new-coyned opinions . fourthly , a bearing witness to the truth , both verbally , and really in the worst times , and against the greatest dangers . so paul , phil. . . and so rev. . . yea , christ himself bore witness to the truth even unto death , ioh. . . thirdly , true confession that jesus is the son of god , is an evidence of our communion with god , ioh. . . object . but how can this be ? did not the divel confess christ to be the son of god ? mar. . . luke . , . and hypocrites ? mat. . . . answ. there is a double confessing that jesus is the son of god. . dogmaticall , arising meerly from the assenting act of faith that believes the truth of gods word , touching jesus christ. so divels , and hypocrites may confess christ , tit. . . and in opinion they know him , luke . . this may be without any communion with god and christ. . fiduciall , arising not only from the assenting , but also from the applying act of faith , when we confess christ with confidence , and trust in him for salvation : this is here meant . quest. how shall we know when we fiducially confess jesus christ ? answ. . if we assent to the truth of gods record touching christ , ioh. . , . . if we appy christ to our selves , resting and living upon him according to that record , ioh. . , . gal. . . . if we confess christ thus applyed , not only in words , but in deeds also , tit. . . mat. . . . if we confess christ even to sufferings , and to death , acts . , . and . . rev. . . fourthly , not doing , or practising of sin , is a sign of our communion with god , ioh. . , . fifthly , unfeigned love to god , and dwelling therein , is a signe of our true communion with god , ioh. . . for . our true love to god denotes a reciprocation of mutual affections betwixt god and us , ioh. . . . it implies a reciprocation of the genuine fruits , and effects of love mutually . god loving us , adops , redeems , calls , sanctifies , justifies , and glorifies us : we loving god , trust in him , fear , obey him , &c. both these import spiritual communion with god. quest. how may we know that we truly dwell in gods love ? answ. . when we love god with an intensive love , luke . . that is , with all within us . . when we love god with a predominant love , that overcomes our love to all other objects besides god , psal. . . mat. . . with luke . rev. . . . when we love god obedientially , so as willingly to obey all his commands , ioh. . . ioh. . . cor. . . . when we love him invincibly , so that our love cannot be quenched , or conquered , but we are ready to endure any thing for his sake , cant. . , . acts . , . and . . . when we love him continually , ephes. . . sixthly , walking in light , and not in darkness , evidenceth our communion with god , ioh. . , , . quest. how shall we know that we walk thus ? answ. . when we are effectually translated from darkness to light , acts . . col. . . ephes. . . . when we cast off the works of darkness , and put on the armour of light , rom. . . &c. when we bring forth the fruits of light , eph. . . . when we shun all fellowship with works of darkness in others . eph. . . . when we love the light , and come to it , that our deeds may be manifested to be of god , ioh. . , . seventhly , walking as christ , or chief captain , heb. . . walked , is another sign of our communion with god , ioh. . . quest. how did christ walk , that we may know whether we walk as he walked ? answ. . christ walked holily , purely , and inoffensively towards god and man , heb . and . . isa. . . so should we , cor. . , . act. . . and . . thes. . , , . . christ walked most humbly and meekly , mat. . . phil. . , , . . most self-denyingly ; though rich , he became poor for our sakes , cor. . . so mar. . . . most zealously , ioh. . , , . . most obedientially to his heavenly father , rom. . . ioh. . . heb. , . phil. . . . most profitably , he went about doing good , act. . . . most lovingly , tenderly , and compassionately to poor sinners to win , and save them , luke . , , , . mat. . , . and . , , . luk. . . to the end . . most spiritually and heavenly , he lived on earth , as if he had been in heaven , extracting heavenly contemplations , and spiritual lessons from all sorts of earthly objects , and occasions presented before him , as ioh. . , &c. and ver . . . and . , , &c. and . . &c. eighthly , keeping his word , and commandments , discovers our communion with him , joh. . . and . , . quest. how shall we know whether we keepe his commandments as we ought ? answ. if we practice righteousness , joh. . . and . . and that . first , for the substance , and matter , that whatsoever we do be good , forbearing the contrary , or indifferent . secondly , from a right ground , and principle , luk. . , . kin. . , . which is . from a pure heart : . purified by the blood of christ for our justification , zach. . . psal. . . act. . . . by the spirit of christ for our sanctification , cor. . . psal. . . . from a good conscience , purged by christ from dead works , to serve the living god , heb. . . and when it s habitually exercised to an inoffensiveness towards god and man , acts . . with . . and when it endeavours to be compleatly , and universally good , acts . . yea , when it approves it self good in gods sight , pet. . . and when from all this the heart gives in a comfortable testimony of its simplicity and godly sincerity , able to support under greatest distress , co. . . &c. . from faith unfeigned without which there is no pleasing of god , heb. . . faith washes all out duties , and acts of obedience , in the blood of christ , and so renders them acceptable to god , pet. . . thirdly , when for form , and manner we doe righteousness , so as god requires : and that . spiritually , and heartily , prov. . : joh. . . cor. . . . sincerely , and uprightly , gen. . . as david , psal. . . and . . paul , cor. . ult . peter , joh. . , , . . obedientially , because god commands it , as in noah , heb. . . abraham , heb. . , , &c. david , psal. . . and . . paul , rom. . . . vniversally , without reservations , and exceptions , psal. . . numb . . . luke . . . constantly , psal. . , . and . , . and . . fourthly , for right ends , gods glory , cor. . . and our own , and others spiritual and eternal good , mat. . . pet. . , , . rom. . . ninthly , true brotherly love is a sign of our communion with god , joh. . . and . . mr. roberts believers evidences . chap. xxxvii . questions , and cases of conscience about communicating in other mens sins . quest. how many wayes may we communicate in other mens sins ? answ. first , by counsel , and advise , when though another is the hand , yet thou art the head , and adviser , sam. . . absolom committed incest , but achitophel counselled it , mark . . the damsel desired john baptists head , but her mother advised her , v. . secondly , by command , whether by word or writing , sam. . . doeg murthered the priests , but saul commanded him , act. . . the servant struck paul , but the high-priest commanded it : the judges condemned naboth , but jesabel commanded them by her letters : so david by letters killed uriah . so , sam. ● . . king. . . and . . jer. . . thirdly , by permission : thus all governours are guilty ▪ when their inferiours , whom they should restraine , commit sinne : so in eli , sam. . . qui non prohibet malum cum potest , facit . he that forbids not sinne when it s in his power , commits it : pilate was guilty , because he restrained not the jewes from putting christ to death : so , nehem. . . numb . . . fourthly , by provocation . gal. . . ahab was most wicked whom jesabel provoked , king. . . fifthly , by consent , and countenancing wicked actions : as saul , act. . . by consenting to stevens death . so num. . . quest. how many wayes is sinne countenanced ? answ. first , by participation in the action : as the receiver to the thief , the baud to the harlot , the broker to the usurer . secondly , by silence and concealment : when a man hath a calling publick , or private to reprove , and doth not . so ezek. . , . or when we conceal sin from such as should reforme it . thirdly , by connivence and indulgence , when we will not take notice of sin in such as we over-love , not correct it as we ought : this cost eli deare , sam. . . fourthly , by abetting sin : and that , . when we undertake to justifie and defend it ; or , . to extenuate it . fifthly , by praising and flattering men in sin , prov. . . quest. why are superiours guilty of such sins as they permit ? answ. first , because every man is commanded to reprove his brother , lev. . . much more must superiours do it . secondly , every man is bound to prevent sin so much as lies in him , especially the sins of those under his charge . but he that reproves not , corrects not , &c. prevents not sinne . thirdly , they are made keepers of both tables , and therefore sin if they see them not both kept . quest. how then may such keep our selves free from other mens sinnes ? answ. first , they must pry , and enquire into the lives of those that are committed to them , that they may see what is amisse ; this a private man is not bound to , but publick are , prov. . . secondly , when they cannot prevent sinne , they must according to their power punish it ; and not think it enough to serve god themselves , but cause others to do it ; as abraham , gen. . . joshuah , chap. . . so it s commanded . exod. . . masters must come with their train to the house of god , psal. . . quest. what motives may provoke us to avoid communicating in other mens sinnes ? answ. first , we must be responsible to god for all our own sinnes , and they are enow , and too many , and therefore we have no need to load our selves ther mens sins . secondly , amongst many wicked men , and motions , remember jacobs resolution : into their secret let not my soul come , gen. . . so we are exhorted , prov. . . if sinners entice thee , consent thou not . nicodemus stands up for christ when all were against him , joh. . . thirdly , remember that in gods esteeme to run with thieves is to be a thief , psal. . . the actors and consenters are in the same case ; and it s all one whether we be defiled with our own , or others filthinesse . fourthly , god hath ordained humane society to better us , and help us out of sin , not to pollute and strengthen one another in sin . fifthly , the harder this duty is , by reason of the deluge of sin , and the scorns that are cast upon it , if we walk alone , and crosse the times , by so much the more acceptable it is to god ; as we see in noah , lot , &c. sixthly , the want of conscience in this duty sets , and continues all things out of frame in all estates ; as when the magistrate punishes not : ministers reprove not : masters , and parents restraine not , and so make themselves guilty of most sins of their inferiours . dr. tho. tailor . quest. how else may we communicate in other mens sins ? answ. according to mr. baines on ephes. it may be done eight wayes . . by provoking to sin ; as such as stirre up lust , anger , pride , &c. in others . these are worse sinners then they which commit it ; as the devil tempting our first parents , was deeper in the sin and judgement then they . ring-leaders in sin shall be ring-leaders in judgement . . by commanding sin : for he that commands it , is the chief offender . thus david murdered uriah . . by counselling : as jonadab to ammon , sam. . . . by consenting ; as ahab in the murther of naboth , king. . . so hosea . . . by carelesseness to prevent sinne : we must not say as cain : who made me my brothers keeper ? but we must watch over , exhort , reprove , &c. for when achan sinned , all israel is said to sinne , jos. . . and the whole body of them was punished . . by not suppressing sin : thus eli sinned , sam. . . . by applauding sinne : so , rom. . . this strengthens the armes of the wicked . . by not testifying against it , lev. . . quest. are not all men guilty some way or other of the sinnes of the times ? answ. yea truly , we all receive some taint , and soile from the times we live in , either our zeal is weakened , or we do not grieve so much for the sins of the times as we should , this made the corinthians guilty of the sin of the incestuous person , cor. . . quest. whether is it lawfull for a man to rejoyce at another mans sinne ? answ , we may never rejoyce at sinne as it is sin : but as god turnes it to an occasion of good , so we may rejoyce : as when a proud man by falling into some shameful sinne , is thereby brought to repentance , and humbled ; or when by the occasion of some soule impiety , a good law is made against it , which otherwise would not have been made , phil. . , , , . ames . cas. consci . chap. xxxviii . questions , and cases of conscience about the choice and use of company . quest. what rule are we to observe in the choice of our company ? answ. never cast thy self into wicked company , nor press amongst the profane , especially upon choice , voluntarily , and delightfully : and abide no longer with them at any time , upon any occasion , then thou hast a sound warrant , and calling thereto . fo its uncomly , and incompatible with a good conscience : it s not for the honour , or comfort of gods children . to keep company , or familiarly to converse with graceless men . object . but may we not make use of such company ? answ. that we may the better understand it , we must distinguish of our companying with them : for . there is a common , cold , and more general society , in trading , buying , selling , saluting , eating , and drinking together , and in other passages of humanity , and entercouse of civill society , to which charity , nature , necessity , or the exigents of our callings , general , or particular , do warrantably lead us . this may , nay must be , cor. . . . speciall , dear , intimate society , in consultations , and counsels about matters of special secrecie , greatest weight , and highest consequence : in spiritual refreshments , religious conferences , prayer , marriage , &c. in a free communication of their souls , their spirituall estate , &c. now gods children are bound by the law of god , and prudence , from conversing with delight , and from the exchange , and exercise of those speciall passages of dearest acquaintance with profane men , and enemies of god. quest. what reasons may be rendred for this ? answ. first , by such society he incurs a double hazard . . of being infected with sin : can a man touch pitch , and not be defiled ? or go upon coals and not be burnt ? pro. . , . indeed there is a strange attractive , and impious power in ill company to poison , and pervert even the best dispositions . for . by familiar correspondence with such , there steals upon a man a secret and insensible dislike of his former sober courses , as having thereby too much abridged himself of his liberty . . there slily insinuates into his heart a pleasing approbation of , and assent to the sensuall courses of his lewd companions . . there follows a resolved , and habitual change of his affections , and conversation into the manners of those which he so familiarly converses with . . he grows out of conceit with good men , and good exercises , because he daily hears them railed on , jested at , and slandered : and so by degrees is himself transformed into a scoffing ishmael , and a breathing devil . quest. but i hope we may keep company with such as are civil ? answ. christians which have any fear of god in their hearts , will shun the society of such grosly profane persons , knowing that their souls are a thousand times more capable of the contagion of sin , then their bodies of an infectious disease , and therefore their danger is greater by conversing with meerly civill men , whose society they unadvisedly entertain for kindred , old acquaintance , advantage , or such carnall respects , and thereby cool in their zeale , loose their comfort , feelings of gods favour , joyful springings of heart , boldness in the ways of god , cheerfulness in the exercises of religion , and that comfortable fruition of other christian prerogatives , which many other of their brethren doe , and themselves , by the benefit of religious companions , and delightfull conversing with the saints , might plentifully enjoy . . a christian is every hour which he is in their company without a warrantable calling , and just dispensation out of the word of god , in great danger of being involved within the flames of the just confusions , and inwrapt within the compass of those outward curses , and plagues which gods indignation inflicts upon wicked men . all profane men , being unreconciled to god , are every moment liable to all those miseries , and fearfull judgements , which either man , or devill , any of gods creatures , or his own immediate hand can bring upon them , they are only respired by gods mercy , and deferred to those opportunities , and seasons which seem fittest to his holy wisdom . now when at any time they light upon them , if any of gods children be unwarrantably in their company , and with delight , its righteous with god , that he receive his portion amongst them at that time , chron. . . be ye not therefore companions with them , ephes. . . secondly , because there must shortly be an everlasting separation between the christian , & profane men : it s best therefore for a christian to begin this separation in time , and not to repose his special love upon an object where it must not eternally rest , nor intimately converse with him , whose company he shall not hereafter have in heaven . . a christian conversing with gracelesse persons doth obscure , if not quite lose his credit with good men : for a man is reputed to be of their humour , and conditions with whom he doth ordinarily , and intimately converse . now a good name is better then great riches , prov. . . eccle. . . it makes the bones fat , prov. . . therefore we should much prize it . hly , no profane person can heartily , and directly love a childe of god for his zeale , and spiritual graces : nay , naturally he hates all holy impressions : and that . because of that irreconcilable enmity , and antipathy between the seed of the woman , and the seed of the serpent : between light and darkness , christ and belial . . because every unregenerate man , though furnished with the best perfections attainable in that state , thinks that his lukewarmnesse , and formality is censured and condemned by that zeale , and forwardnesse of the true christian , and that if that holy strictnesse be necessarily required , they plainly proclaime the damnablenesse of his state , upon which he securely reposes himself , as sufficient to salvation . hence they so hated david , psal. . . what heart then can a christian have to converse intimately with such as hate him for his goodnesse-sake . fifthly , its absurb that a member of christ should exercise familiarity with a limb of satan : neither can god endure that his faithfull subjects should so converse with traitors . sixthly , conversing with such , doth cross , and overthrow this common , and christian duty , that in all companies we should either doe good , or receive good , or both : whereas in this case a christian takes hurt , and doth hurt : he takes hurt because he throws himself upon tentation , and hazards being infected either with profanenesse , or lukewarmnesse . he hurts others also , and that . he hardens his companions in their unregenerate courses , because they think he would not so familiarly converse with them , except he were well conceited of their spiritual state . . he is a stumbling block to the weak christian , who by looking upon his example may be led awry from the strait path of his profession , and by taking thereby liberty of imitation , whereby his young beginnings of grace may be choaked , &c. . hereby he grieves strong christians , when they see him so far forg●tfull of himself , and disgracefull to his profession as to converse with the enemies of god. seventhly , when an unregenerate man sees that a christian presses into his company , and desires to spend time with him , he presently concludes , that sure he sees in him matter worthy of christian company , and endowments sufficient to rank him amongst the saints , or else he could not take such delight in his conversation : whereupon he is fearfully hardened in his present courses , and settled with resolution upon the plausibly deceivablenesse of his unregenerate state . eighthly , above all for this purpose peruse often , and ponder well , . the prohibitions hereof in gods book , cor. . . ephes. . . prov. . . thes. . . prov. . . . the protestations , and practises of the saints , psal. . , . jer. . . king . . . the punishment inflicted for the familiarity with the ungodly , as chro. . . and . . quest. may we not converse with our unconverted kindred , friends , neighbours , &c. answ. yes , but then you must observe these rules ▪ first , labour for more power of grace , knowledge , sanctification , christian wisdom , and resolution in thee to convert them , then there is of stubbornesse , sensuall malice , sinfull wit , worldly policy , and satanicall sophistry in them to pervert thee . secondly , see that thy heart be sincere , and that in the singlenesse thereof thou seek truly their conversion , and not thine own secret contentment . for in this point thy heart will be ready to deceive thee : thou mayest go into such company with a pretence , and purpose to solicite them about salvation , and to prevail with them about the best things , and yet , before thou art aware , mayst be insnared in the unwarrantable delights of good fellowship , pleasant passages of wit , and such idle familiarities , as thou wast wont to enjoy with them in thy unregenerate time : and so instead of the discharge of a christian duty , thou mayst both hurt thy self , and harden them . thirdly , as phisitians use to fortifie themselves with preservatives , and counterpoisons when they visit contagious , and pestilentiall patients : so be thou sure to furnish thy self before hand with prayer , meditation , the sword of the spirit , and store of perswasive matter , strength of reasons , and unshaken resolution to repell , and beat back all noisome insinuation of spirituall infection . quest. what must wee doe when we come into christian and good company . answ. prize it as thy only paradise , and heaven upon earth : the very flower , and festivall of all thy refreshing time in this vale of tears , and therefore ever bring with thee . . a chearfull , and delightsome heart , and though thou wast formerly sad , and overcast with clouds of heaviness , yet let the presence , and faces of those , whom hereafter thou shalt meet in heaven , and therewith incomparable joy behold for ever , disperse , and dispell them all , and infuse comfortable beams of heavenly , and spiritual joy . secondly , a fruitfull heart , full with gracious matter to uphold edifying conference , and gracious talk : being forward , and free without hurtfull bashfulness , or vain-glorious aime , both to communicate to others the hidden treasures of heavenly knowledge which thou hast gotten out of gods word , as also of moving questions , and ministring occasion mutually to draw from them the waters of life for the quickning of the deadness of thy own heart . and herein consists a chrians wisdome to take notice of each others gifts , and severall endowments , and so with wise insinuations to provoke them to pour out themselves in those things wherein they have best experience , and most excellency . some are more skilfull in discussing controverted points : others in resolving cases of conscience : others in discovering satans depths : others in comforting afflicted spirits , &c. now many worthy discourses lye buried in the brests of understanding men by reason of the sinfull silence , and barrennesse of those about them . thirdly , an humble heart , ready , and rejoycing to exchange , and enjoy mutuall comforts , and soul-secret with the poorest , and most neglected christian. take heed of spirituall pride , which will make thee too prodigal , and profuse , and so engross all the talk , which is sometimes incident to new converts , or counterfets : or else too reserved , and curious , to say no more , then may breed an applause , and admiration of thy worth . there is no depth of knowledge , no heighth of zeal , no measure of grace , but may be further enlarged , more enflamed , and blessedly encreased by conference with the poorest faithfull christian. see rom. . . and . . mr. boltons directions for a comfortable walking with god. quest. what must wee doe when we come into the company of the wicked ? answ. first , thou must vindicate the power , and truth of religion from the mistakings of those which are ignorant , and undervaluers of it ; as for example : thou art in company where thou hearest a mea● civill man , or formal professor commended for his religion , which commendation if he carry away without contradiction , the rest of the company may be drawn to resolve not to goe beyond his pitch , seeing his estate is approved by wise and understanding men as hopefull , and comfortable . now in this case thou must , with as much wisdome , and charity as thou canst possibly , disrobe such a fellow of his undeserved applause , and reputation of holinesse which he never had , left the by-standers be hardened , and the power of christianity be disparaged . secondly , be silent from all unsavoury communication , foolish jesting , &c. which is the known , and proper language of the sons of belial , and the sinfull evaporations of wicked witts , and therefore vnmeet for the children of god. thirdly , pray for , and practice an holy dexterity to divert them from their wicked , or too much worldly tal● to more savoury conference , and heavenly discourse . for which end , . observe wisely all opportunities , and occurrencies , which may minister matter of digression into divine talk , and acquaint thy self with the art of abstracting holy instructions from the book of the creatures , and businesses in kind . as was christ practice , matth. . , &c. john . , &c. and . , &c. . have ever in readinesse some common heads of stirring , and quickning motives to minde heavenly things : as the cursed condition of our natural state , the incomparable sweetnesse of christian wayes , the vanity and vexation of all earthly things , the miseries of this short life , the everlastingnesse of our state in another world , the terrours of death , the dreadfulnesse of the last and great day , &c. which ( through gods blessing ) may sometimes soften the hardest hearts , and work in them some remorse and heavenly impressions . . above all , get into thine own heart an habit of heavenly mindednesse , by much exercise , entercourse , and acquaintance with god in pouring out thy soul ever and anon before him , and in holy meditations , and if thou beest thus blessedly busie at home with thine owne heart , thou shalt finde thy selfe much more pregnant , and plentiful in holy talk when thou comest abroad . idem . quest. what is meant by this that we must not familiarly converse with the wicked ? answ. first , negatively : the meaning is not , . that we may not be in the same place with them , for then we must go out of the world , cor. . . . nor that we may not do them common courtesies , as to lend to them , salute them , matth. . . where christ implies that we should salute others besides our brethren . . not that we may not sometimes , upon some occasions , come into more familiar meetings with them : as to feasts , &c. cor. . . secondly , affirmatively , the meaning is , . that we may not upon choice , without just occasions , frequent their company ; which for their sins we should hate , psal. . , . . that we may not delight in their society , which cannot but be a griefe to a godly heart , psal. . . and . . . that we may not choose them for our familiar friends . quest. who are such wicked men as we may not make our companions ? answ. first , negatively . . not such an one as is unfound at heart , but not discovered : for one whom we may lawfully chuse for our friend , may afterwards prove an hypocrite . . nor such an one who hath many weaknesses , whom we must rather restore with the spirit of meeknesse , gal. . . secondly , affirmatively . . such as are out of the church , as jews , turks , pagans , &c. . such as are justly excommunicated out of the church for blasphemy , heresie , or profannesse , cor. . , , . . such as , though they continue in the church , yet by their works they shew that they are meer carnal . quest. but what if our neare relations , ●s husband , wife , &c. are wicked ? answ. we must distinguish of wicked persons : who are , . such as are not bound to us by any special bond , and these we may not make our companions . . such to whom we are bound by consanguinity , affinity , or our civil callings : for these we must afford them our outward presence familiarly , corinth . . , . though we cannot be of one heart , and minde with them ; as , act. . . quest. how may it be further proved that we may not make the former our companions ? answ. first , because it s expresly forbidden by god , eph. . . prov. . . and . , . act. . . cor. . . thes. . . as under the law the leprous must be separated from the clean , lev. . . with . . secondly , it subverts , and confounds that order which god hath appointed , which is , that the precious must be separated from the vile , jer. . . thirdly , it s hurtful for gods children who are in danger of infection by them : as joseph in pharaohs court learn'd to sweare by the life of pharaoh . so , prov. . . and . , . hence is that precept , isa. . . cor. . . prov. . , . fourthly , it hurts the wicked , . for it keeps them from being ashamed , and so from turning to god ; they being encouraged in their wayes , when they see that notwithstanding the same , the godly afford them their familiar presence as if they were virtuous , luke . . . it makes us unable effectually to rebuke them , when we are in such a league of familiarity with them . fifthly , it s very scandalous and offensive to weak christians . quest. may we then have no dealing with him ? answ. yea , we may , . lawfully enter into league with them not to do them hurt , as isaac with abimelech : jacob with laban : for the rule is , rom. . . . to trade , and maintaine commerce with them , as david , and solomon with hiram , and his men . . we may be sometimes in familiar meetings with them to seek to gain them to god : for the sick have need of a physician : upon this account christ conversed with publicans and sinners . quest. why must we be so carefull to watch over our selves in company ? answ. first , because we often take much hurt in company , and are in far worse case by meanes thereof for want of good direction , and heedfulnesse , then we were before we came into it . secondly , experience teaches that there are very few meetings , wherein men are not made worse the one by the other . quest. why so ? answ. because in company many occasions are offered , as of glorifying , so of dishonouring god , and of troubling and grieving our selves and others . besides , the tongue is an unruly member , &c. jam. . , , &c. and as for the heart which sets the tongue on work , it is uncharitable , suspitious , prophane , worldly , &c. yea , a very fountaine of evil thoughts , oaths , adulteries , slanders , &c. mat. . . hence comes so many idle and profane speeches whereof we must give an account in the day of judgement , mat. . . and at best , endlesse talking of matters that concerne wordly profit , or pleasure : this made job so carefull to sanctifie his children after their love-feasts , job . . quest. what particular rules are to be observed concerning our carriage in company ? answ. first , seeing there is such danger in it , we are not to rush unadvisedly into it , but with fear , and trembling , and upon good occasion . secondly , we are to resolve with our selves before hand to do others as much good as we are able , and to help them forward to eternal life : purposing also to get some spiritual good to our selves , as occasion shall be offered . thirdly , we must resolve , if we can do no other good , at least to be harmlesse , and to leave no ill savour behinde us , either by our speech or behaviour , prov. . . and . . col. . . thes. . . james . . jude . sam. . . quest. how may we attaine unto this ? answ. first , we must pray for grace before we go into company , as jacob prayed to be kept from the sword of esau , gen. . . so we must pray that we be not infected by them . secondly , we should think of some profitable matter before-hand , and intreat god to enable us to declare the same . thirdly , we must wisely and carefully wait for , and lay hold on the fittest occasions of doing and receiving good . fourthly , we must resolve not to thwart or crosse others , but in the spirit of meeknesse , and lenity to bear one with another , gal. . , . col. . . and for that end to put on love , which envies not , boasteth not , rejoyceth not in iniquity , provokes not , nor is easily provoked unto anger : but suffers long , hopeth all things , &c. cor. . , &c. prov. . . pet. . . quest. how shall we be furnished with matter to edifie one another ? answ. if no present occasion be offered , as was to christ , luke . , . we must have consideration , both of the things and of the persons . the things we are to think of are either some part of gods word which we have lately heard preached of , or that we have read , or meditated upon , or some work of god lately fallen out , wherein yet we must avoid the common abuse , which is either to turne it over as table-talk , or matter of news without making any further use thereof . quest. what if we cannot thus furnish our selves ? answ. then let us read , or cause to be read , some portion of scripture , out of which we may be the better furnished : and as for persons , we must consider whether they be superiors , inferiors , or equals , whether good or bad , whether they need instruction , reproof , quickning , or comfort , &c. that so we may accordingly apply our speeches to their , and our own edification : as christ did , luk. . , . and . , . quest. why must we be so carefull thus to furnish and exercise our selves ? answ. because we are commanded to provoke one another to love , and good works , heb. . . to exhort one another daily , heb. . . to redeem the time , eph. . . now a wo● spoken in due season is like apples of gold , &c. prov. . . our speec● must be gracious alwayes , &c. col. . . no corrupt communication must pr●●●ed out of our mouths , &c. eph. . , . we must edifie one another , thes. . . so did paul , act. . , , . quest. what if for all this we cannot bring our hearts to it ? answ. it s better for such to keep home , to look to our families , and attend our callings , then to go into company where we neither do , nor receive good . quest. what if we meet with such brutish and scornful persons as will not endure good communication ? answ. then follow christs rule : give not that which is holy unto dogs , &c. mat. . . and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darknesse , ephes. . . yet withal , we must wisely bear , and seek to win them : but if we cannot prevaile , we must follow solomons rule , prov. . . depart from the company of a foolish man , when thou seest not in him the words of wisdome . practice of christianity . quest. what other reason may be rendered why we should so carefully shun evil company ? answ. because the scripture teaches us to shun all sinful occasions , as well as actions : therefore we must keep out of the way . quest. seeing there is so much danger by bad company , what must we do that live in bad times and places ? answ. first , look to thy grace that it be true , and then thou mayest be sure that ill company shall not rob thee of it . true grace is compared to oile ; now cast oile into a vessel of water , and it will not mingle with it , but will swim on the top : so grace will swim upon the water of tentation . as all the water in the salt sea cannot make the fish salt ; so all the wicked in the world cannot change the nature of grace : a good man will retaine his goodnesse in bad places , and company : as joseph did in the court of wicked pharaoh : nehemiah in the court of artaxerxes : obadiah in ahabs court : daniel in nebuchadnezzars : abijah in wicked , and idolatrous jeroboams house : and the saints in nero's houshold . secondly , yet we ought to bewaile our living in bad places and times : it s our misery , though not our sin : so did isaiah , ch . . . and david , psal. . . and lot , pet. . , . thirdly , it is our duty , the worse the times and places are wherein we live , the better , and the more blamelesse we should labour to be , that thereby we may adorne our profession , stop the mouths of the adversaries , and winne them to imbrace christianity , phil. . . as stars shine brightest in a dark night , and fire burns hottest in a frosty day : so should our profession shine brightest in the darkest places ; and our zeale burne hottest when the love of many waxeth cold ? fourthly , we must not think to excuse our wickednesse , because we live in bad times , and places ; as abraham did his lie by his being in gerar , gen. . . it s the badnesse of thy heart , not of the place that makes thee bad . as no place , though never so good , can exempt a man from sinne : the angels sinned in heaven , adam in paradise , judas in christs family : so no place , though never so bad , can excuse a man from sin . fifthly , if it be so commendable to be good in bad places and company , how abominable then is it to be bad in good places , and company ; to be dirty swine in a faire meddow . sixthly , delight not in bad places and company : to delight in such , argues that thou art bad thy selfe : noscitur ex socio qui non cognoscitur ex se , deut. . . master love of grace . quest. whether is company better then solitarinesse ? answ. though there be a fit time for solitarinesse , and every thing is beautiful in its season : yet civil conversation is to be preferred before solitarinesse , as tending more to the glory of god , the advancement and enlarging of the kingdome of christ , the good both of church and common-wealth with all the members of them , and our own present comfort , and future joy , which is much augmented , when by our christian conversation , and vertuous actions , our holy profession , and good example , our admonitions , exhortations , counsel , consolation ; our works of justice , and charity , and by all other good offices mutually performed , we build up those that are about us in their most holy faith , and draw many to accompany us to the kingdome of heaven : hence , gen. . . it s not good for man to be alone , eccles. . , . two are better then one , &c. and saint paul lays it as a charge upon all . heb. . , . to provoke one another to love and good works , &c. quest. how may this be further proved ? answ. first , god commends it to us by his works of creation : for he hath made us in our natures political , and sociable creatures , who take comfort in conversing together . secondly , in his wise providence he hath so disposed of us that we should not be absolute , and able to live of our selves , but need the mutual help one of another : so that the king needs the subject as much as the subject needs the king ; the rich help the poor , and the poor labour for the rich : the city needs the country , as well as the country the city . thirdly , god hath linked all men together into society , as it were particular members of the same bodies , and hath so furnished them with diversity of gifts , and several abilities to sundry offices , that no sort of men can be wanting without a maime , nor any part utterly pulled from the whole , but he must necessarily become a dead and unprofitable member , and work his own ruine by this his separation . fourthly , in our renovation , we are , as it were , anew created into one body , where of christ is the head , and as diverse members have our several functions , and offices allotted to us , which are not onely for our own use , but for the good of the whole body , and every of our fellow-members , corinth . . , , , . quest. what are the benefits which redound to the whole body , and to all particular members hereby ? answ. first , hereby they are linked together by the same spirit , and in the bond of love to performe all mutual offices of christian charity which may advance each others good . secondly , they communicate in the same blessings , and rejoyce in one anothers good , having according to their numbers their joys redoubled : in their troubles , and afflictions they also communicate in one anothers grief , each comforting his fellow , and so making the burden much more light by compassion , and bearing it upon many shoulders . thirdly , they stirre up gods graces in one another , both by word , and good example , helping to remove impediments that lie in the way , and exhorting one another to cheerfulnesse in their journey , whereby they quicken their speed towards the kingdom of heaven . quest. how must we prepare our selves before we go into company ? answ. first , when we are free , and left to our choice , we must chuse such company as in all likelihood may either do us good , or at least receive some good from us , and therefore we must pray unto god to direct us in our choice , and make our meeting profitable for the advancement of his glory , and our good . secondly , we must also pray to god to give us his grace , and holy spirit , whereby we may be enabled to prosecute these ends . thirdly , seeing the enemy of our salvation layes nets and snares to entrap us in all places , and especially in our company , we must therefore resolve before-hand to arme our selves against these dangers , and to keep a narrow watch that we be not overcome by him . fourthly , we must not propound this as our end , to passe away the time , and to solace our selves with carnal delights , but to go with this resolution , that we will do our best to receive good , especially for our soules , or to do good to our companions by our words , examples , and actions , to prevent sin in them , or to quicken them to good . fifthly , we must put off , and cast from us turbulent passions , and disordered affections , and adorne our selves with the contrary graces of gods spirit : we must for this end subdue our pride , and wrath , and frowardnesse , envy towards our superiours , and disdaine towards our inferiours : and we must put on brotherly love ; see the benefits of it , cor. . , , , . and with it we must put on the spirit of meeknesse , and patience to put up injuries , and passe by offences , and to bear with infirmities : the spirit of humility , &c. quest. being thus prepared , what must our carriage be in company ? answ. first , we must sincerely seek gods glory , and our own salvation ; shunning whatsoever may impeach the same . secondly , we must be innocent and unblamable in all our words and actions , and give no ill example , or offence to any in our company : but shine before them , &c. matth. . . so we are exhorted , pet. . . so did paul behave himself , thes. . . thirdly , we must be just and righteous , observing truth in our words , and equity in our actions : as we are exhorted , phil. . , . this the gospel teacheth us , tit , . . fourthly , we must be fervent in love towards those with whom we consort , which will make us ready to perform all other duties towards them , as we are exhorted , rom. . , . col. . . fifthly , we must labour to be of the same minde as we are of the same company , to minde the same things , and to have the same affections , pet. . . rom. . . phil. . . and to walk by the same rule , so farre as will stand with truth and justice . sixthly , we must not carry our selves proudly towards one another , not being wise in our own conceits , rom. . . but condescending to men of low degree in the truth , and in things indifferent , and of small moment : or if we dissent , to do it in a meek and peaceable manner . seventhly , we must be patient , and peaceable in our conversation , more ready to beare them to offer injuries , as we are exhorted , rom. . , . for which end we must follow saint paul counsel , col. . , . quest. but what if through accident , or our necessary occasions , we fall into ill company ? answ. then we must not hide our profession , lest christ be ashamed of us , mat. . . nor applaud them in their wicked courses , endure their reproaches and ta●nts at religion , countenance their swearing , or profane jests with our smiles , much lesse runne with them into the same excesse of riot , pet. . . but rather labour to reclaime them , and gain them to christ. for which end we must . . see that in all our carriage we be unblamable , phil. . . that they may have nothing to say against us , tit. . , . thus we are exhorted , pet. . , . . we must walk worthy our high calling , eph. . . adorning our profession by our holinesse , and righteousness , that if possible we may winne them to christ , matth. . . pet. . , . . if by all this they will not be reclaimed , yet we must not mingle spleene , and choller with our zeale , but behave our selves meekly , with patience and forbearance . for , jam. . . the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousnesse of god. hence we are so much pressed to peaceablenesse , rom. . . yet may we not for peace-sake betray the truth , or forgo our own piety . we must follow peace with holinesse , heb. . . and not neglect the things whereby we may edifie one another , rom. . . we must not beare with those that are evil , rev. . . . we must not by such wicked company be discouraged from any good , not be moved to neglect any christian duty which present occasion maketh necessary . mr. downams guide to godliness . quest. why must we at other times carefully shun the society of the wicked ? answ. first , because it s frequently forbidden in the scripture : as prov. . , · and . . and . . . and . . ephes. . . thes. . . cor. . . cor. . . see the danger of it in davids matching with scoffing mechol , sam. . . jehorams marrying with ahabs daughter , sam. . , . secondly , we have the examples of the godly studiously declining such company : of elisha , king. . . of david , psal. . . and . , . and . . and . . thirdly , there are many reasons to enduce us to it : for . we are in great danger in a short time to grow , like unto them : for sin is of a contagious nature , and we are most apt to receive infection , and they will endeavour to entice us , prov. . , , . this david know , and therefore resolves against such company , psal. . . and praies to god for assistance , psal. . . see the danger of keeping such company in these examples , act. . . pro. . , . gen . , . the reason is rendred by paul , cor. . . . such society argues strongly that we are not truly religious , and upright in heart , but that we still halt between god and the world , for prov. . . an unjust 〈◊〉 is an abomination to the just , and be that is upright in his way is an abomination to the wicked . see also , joh. . . joh. . . quest. whom then must we consort ourselves with all ? answ. first , with those that are godly , and vertuous , as being a singular furtherance to all christian duties , prov. . . hereby we may edifie one another , heb. . . for the more we converse with such , the greater encrease we shall find of one piety , faith , love , zeale , &c. as coals laid together do kindle one another . so we see in the example of david , who rejoyced in the society of such psa. . . psa. . , . hence psal. . . when the church flourished most , and did thrive in grace , and godliness they thus conversed together , , acts . . and . . quest. what other arguments may provoke us to make choice of such company ? answ. it takes away the tediousness of our journey , when we have such company to travell with us ; seeing they draw us on by their good discourses , and put out of our minde the tediousness of the way : they comfort , and encourage us when we are weary : they are ready to help us if any evill befall us : they assist us against our spiritual enemies that would rob us of the treasures of our graces : they further us by their good example : yea it s a notable means to make us familiar with god , and to enjoy the fellowship of his holy spirit , which is the chiefest bond that unites us together in this holy communion . for mat. . . where two or three are gathered together in his name , christ is in the midst to make himself known to them . secondly , good company preserves us from falling into many sins , and inciteth us to many duties . if thou doest any good things in such company , none will hinder thee : but if thou doest evil , thou art presently observed , reproved , and amended , prov. . . for as iron sharpens iron , so doth the face of a man his friend : saul himself prophesied by keeping company with the prophets , much more are gods children inflamed , and provoked to good by such company . thirdly , hereby we are the better fitted , and enabled to perform all christian duties one towards another : as . of watching one over another , that we may take all occasions of doing good , by restraining such as are ready to fall , & provoking each other to all vertuous actions , heb. . . we must strengthen our brethren , luke . . so phil. . . . of instruction , whereby with all readinesse we inform the ignorant , and enlighten them in the knowledge of god , and his truth , act. . . reclaime the erroneous : exhorted to , jam. . . turn many to righteousness , and therefore shall shine in the kingdom of god , dan. . . . of admonition , whereby we put our brethren in mind of their duty , rom. . . th●s . . . either when through forgetfulness they fall into sin , or omit the duties of gods service . . of reproof , whereby we rebuke them that wilfully fall into sin , and continue in it without amendment , required , epes . . . otherwise we make our selves accessary to their sins . so mat. . . yea otherwise we hate them , lev. . . . of exhortation , whereby we incite , and provoke them to all duties of godliness , quickning those which are dull : disswading from sin those which are ready to fall , and encouraging those that run well in their christian course : as heb. . . exhort one another daily , &c. . of consolation , whereby we strengthen the weak hands , and feeble knees , heb. . . and refresh with seasonable comforts such as are ready to faint under the burden of their afflictions : as thes. . , . rom. . . for its an ease to those that are in misery , to have companions in their sufferings . . of counsell , whereby we advise those , who of themselves know not what to doe : and this sometimes the weaker may perform to the stronger , as abigail did to david : because lookers on being free from prejudice , and passion , can see more clearly then those that are interested in the business . . of good example , by which , shining before them in the light of an holy conversation , we do not only shew them the way to heaven , but ( as it were ) take them by the hand , and lead them in it . so mat. . . pet. . . and . . mr. downams guide to godliness . chap. xxxix . questions , and cases of conscience about confession . quest. is confession a duty that god requires of christians ? answ. yea , it s a gospel-duty that we should confesse with our mouths as well as believe with our hearts , rom. . . quest. what is this confession required ? answ. it s an open profession of christ , and his gospel , his truths and wayes , and a pleading for the same . quest. what must we confesse concerning christ ? answ. first , his natures ; as his divinity and humanity : so did the woman of canaan , matth. . . john the baptist , joh. . , , . the eunuch , act. . . peter , joh. . . secondly , his offices : so did nathaniel , mat. . . the woman of samaria , joh. . , . and john the baptist , john . . thirdly , his beauty , excellency , and dignity : so did the church , cant. . , , &c. john the baptist , joh. . , . and . . to . so the saints , rev. . , , . fourthly , especially such things concerning christ as others deny , or doubt of : as they asserted christs resurrection which was then denied , act. . . rom. . . act. . . and . . quest. what else must we confesse in reference to christ ? answ. first , our faith in him , and his gospel : so , mark . . joh. . . act. . . isa. . , . our interest in god and christ. so , job . , &c. joh. . . cant. . . secondly , our grace received from christ , and of the work , and workings of it : so , cor. . . tim. . , . king. . . john . . psal. . . gal. . . cor. . . thirdly , our worshipping of god after a gospel manner , purely , and spiritually without humane inventions , or superstitious vanities . so , acts . , . fourthly , our practice , or manner of life : what is the constant bent of our resolutions , and endeavours : so , psal. . . john . , . thus relations of experiences are confessions of christ before men : so also to beare witnesse a-against sinne , though with our own danger : so did john the baptist , mark . , . quest. when must we thus make confession ? answ. when we are called thereunto either publickly , or privately . quest. how may we be called publickly to it ? answ. either by the church , or by the magistrate . quest. when are we called to it by a church ? answ. either at the constitution of it ; or at our admission into it . quest. how are we called to confession at the constitution of a church ? answ. as christ makes the confession of faith to be the foundation upon which his visible church is built , mat. . . to . whence two things may be collected . . that a good confession of faith in christ should be made , and laid as a foundation at the gathering , or constituting of a church , which may be effectuall to keep the members sound in the faith , and to ingage them to hold fast their principles . . that those are the fittest stones for the building of a church , that can give the best account of their faith in christ. quest. how are we called to confession at our admittance into a church ? answ. at our admission into a church , to which we desire to joyne our selves , being required to give an account of our faith and holinesse , we should be free and ready to do it . quest. how may that be proved ? answ. first , because , as to beleeve with the heart , makes a man a member of the invisible church , so to confesse with the mouth , qualifies him to be a member of the visible church of christ. secondly , this gives the church knowledge of us , and satisfaction in us , yea , moves them to glorifie god for us , and to receive us in the lord unto the fellowship with them in all christs ordinances , without which they may be afraid of us , as the church of jerusalem was of paul , act. . , . thirdly , this seems to have been the practice of the primitive church ( as now it is of the reformed churches ) so act. . . fourthly , what is done at the planting of a church , is proper to be done in the augmentation of a church , whosoever would be a lively stone in this building should be a confessor of christ , pet. . . quest. how are we called to this publick confession by a magistrate ? answ. when we are brought before rulers , and governours for christs sake , and examined about our religion , then we ought to bear witnesse to christ , and his truth , as christ , and his apostles did , john . . tim. . . luke . . mark . , . so act. . , to . and . , to . act. . . . and . . to . and . , &c. and . , &c. quest. when are we called to it privately ? answ. first , when we are asked by a single person , who desires information , and lays not a snare for us , pet. . . so did christ , joh. . , . and . , &c. and . , &c. secondly , when we are engaged in reasonings and disputes with others about the matters of christ , and his gospel , jude . we are set for the defence of the gospel , phil. . . act. . . and . , , &c. and . . and . , , &c. hence , phil. . . thirdly , when we are in company where the name of christ is blasphemed , or his truths , wayes , servants are evil spoken of : then we ought to stand up for christ , and his truth , &c. and to speak as much for them as others do against them , yea , to outspeak them , and put them to silence . quest. why ought we to make confession with the mouth ? answ. first , in regard of god : and that , . because its an homage , and service that god requires of us , isa. . . with rom. . . . god the father did confesse , and give testimony by a voice from heaven to his sonne christ jesus , matth. ● . . and . . so christ saith , john . , . and . . and herein we should be followers of god , as dear children , ephes. . . . hereby we give glory to god , phil. . . joh. . . rom. . . secondly , in respect of christ , and that . because its christs priviledge to be confessed , or an honorary that was conferred on him by god for his deep humiliation , phil. . , . and not to confess him , is to rob him of that glory which is peculiar to him . . it was christs practice , both in life and death . he confessed his father , john . . and . . that god is a spirit , john . . how he will be worshipped : john . . and . . he did bear witnesse to the truth , joh. . . hence rev. . . and . . thirdly , in regard of our selves : and that , . because we are gods witnesses , isa. . . to this end god gives us more knowledge and grace then he doth to others , that we might speak more of , and for god then others . hence , mat. . . it s our honour to be witnesses of christ , joh. . . and . . cor . . act. . . and . . . if we confesse god , and christ , and his truth , we shall be confessed by both . . by the father , who will own and avouch us to be his people , portion , jewels , friends , &c. and that , . before men : if we testifie for god , he will give testimony of us , as he did of abraham , abel , moses , daniel , enoch , &c. heb. . , . hence gods servants have appealed to god to be their witnesse , job . . psal. . , . and . . and . , . if we plead for god , he will plead for us ; as , numb . . . job . . . lam. . . psal. . . . before devils . so , job . . and . . . by the sonne : if we confesse christ , he will confesse us , mat. . . luke . . . if we confesse god and christ we shall be encouraged , defended , and honoured even here . . we shall be encouraged and strengthned by christ too , and in our testimony , act. . . and . , . tim. . ● , ● . . we shall be defended , and delivered from the assaults , and designes of our enemies , acts . , . and . , . and . , , , . tim. . . . if we honour god by confession , he will honour us , and that . with favour , affection , and respect from men , pet. . . act. . . rev. . , . . with victory over satan , rev. . , . . yea , god will honour us with mutual inhabitation , which implies intimate communion , joh. . . . if we confesse christ aright , we shall be saved . confession tends to salvation . . as a way appointed us to god , to walk in towards heaven . . as a character , property , and practice of such as shall be saved . . as a furtherance of our salvation , because its a means , or help to our perseverance in the faith , even to the end : and then , mat. . . heb. . . fourthly , in regard of others , who by our confession may receive instruction , confirmation , and encouragement to doe the like boldly , and without fear . quest. how must this confession be made ? answ. first , freely , without compulsion ▪ as water flowes out of the fountain . secondly , plainly , and fully without obscurity , without hiding , or mincing the truth . so joh. . , . hence our confession of christ should flow from faith as the fountain , and that . from our faith in christ. confession with the mouth should proceed from faith in the heart , cor. . . psal. . . object . but , rom. . . hast thou faith , have it to thy self , before god , therefore we need not confess it before men ? answ. paul there speaks not of a justifying faith , but of a faith , or perswasion of christian liberty in things indifferent : this faith a man may keep to himself , or so shew or use it , as thereby not to offend his brother . . from out experience in some measure of christ , and his grace , or of what we confess : this will provoke us to a confession before men , as act. . , &c. so joh. . . christ gave his apostles experience , and paul , act. . . thirdly , boldly without fear , or shame , so acts . . with . . and . , . and . . phil. . . it s our honour so to doe , act. . . and . , &c. psal. . , sam. . , &c. fourthly , constantly , without giving over till we have finished our testimony : as the two witnesses , rev. . . and paul , tim. . . act. . . hence , rev. . . this christ takes kindly , rev. . . and . , . fifthly , innocently without giving offence , or occasion to any to speak evill of us , whilst we are speaking good of gods name , or for his truths , and wayes , act. . and . . for which end we must doe it . . with meekness , from an humble spirit , without any shew of pride , ostentation , passion , or bitterness . . with fear of god , of offending him whilst we are confessing him , or doing , or saying any thing which may cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of : and with reverence of men , by giving all due respect to them before whom we speak . sixthly , sincerely out of love and zeale . . out of love to christ , and his truth : for what we love we will own openly cant. . . love is strong as death , &c. . out of zeale for god , his glory , the credit of his cause , the honour of his truth , the propagation of his gospel , the encouragement and comfort of his friends , and the conviction of his enemies . seventhly , patiently , with a disposition , and resolution to suffer for our testimony if god call us to it : as others have suffered before us , mat. . , &c. joh. . . rev. . . and . , . . and . . and . . mr. reyners government of the tongue . quest. whether is it lawful for a man being urged to go to idol-service , and to hear mass , so he keep his heart unto god ? answ. it is not , as may be proved by these reasons . first , st. paul , cor. . and the . chap. disputes this question , whether they might go into the idol temples , and there eat of meat offered to them , so they did not partake with idolaters in the worship of their idols ? this he concludes utterly unlawfull ; for they could not partake of the lords cup , and the cup of devils : so is it unlawful for a protestant to go to the popish mass. secondly , god is the creatour of both body and soul , and therefore is to be worshiped with both : and we rob him of his due when we reserve our hearts to him , and give our bodies to idols , whereas , rom. . . we must give up our bodies a living sacrifice unto god. object . against this some object the example of naaman , kin. . , ▪ where they infer , that the prophet gave naaman leave to worship in an idol-temple ? answ. first , some answer that naaman speaks only of civil , and politick worship : for his office was to kneel down that the king might lean on his shoulder : and naaman makes open protestation , ver . . that he will worship no god but the god of israel . secondly , others answer better , that naaman acknowledgeth it a sin to go the house of rimmon , and therefore craves pardon for it twice , verse . and withall , vows that thenceforth he would offer sacrifice to no god , save only to the lord. thirdly , naaman intreats the prophet to pray for him , that he might be constant in the service of the true god : and that in case , through humane frailty , he should , against his purpose , be drawn to it , that the lord in mercy would pardon his offence . object . but if i doe not go to mass , i shall give offence to the papists ? answ. we are to doe our duty , though men be never so much offended , mat. . . again ▪ we ought not to do evil , that good may come of it . quest. whether may a man , especially a minister , with a good conscience fly in persecution ? answ. sometimes it is lawfull , though not alwayes : for first , christ commands it , matth. . . neither was this command ever repealed . secondly , we have many examples for it in scripture , of jacob , gen. . and . of moses , exod . . heb. . . of the prophets hidden by obadiah , kin. . . of elijah , kin , . . of christ himself , joh. . . of paul , act. . . , . object . persecution is good , and therefore it may not be eschewed ? answ. first , some things are simply good of themselves , as vertues , and all morall duties , and these may not be eschewed . gthers are good only in some respects , as things indifferent , which are neither commanded , nor forbidden , and these may be eschewed except we know they are good for us . now persecution being good only by accident , we may avoid it , because no man can say , whether it be good , or bad for him . object . persecution is sent of god for the triall , and good of his church ? answ. first , evill things sent of god , may be avoided , if he shew us a way , or means to escape them . secondly , there is a two fold will of god , his revealed will , and his secret will : by the former he hath appointed , that in case of present danger , when a a door is open , we may escape . as for his secret will , because its unknown , and therefore uncertain to us , we may not rashly presume thereof , but rather use the means offered , till god reveale the contrary . object . to flie in persecution is a kind of deniall of christ , and against confession ? answ. christian confession is two-fold : first , open. secondly , implicite . . open confession is when a man boldly confesseth his faith before the adversary even unto death : as the martyrs did . . implicite , which though it be inferiour to the former , yet it s a true confession , and acceptable unto god : and this is when a man to keep his religion , is content to forsake his country , friends , and goods . object . but christ bids us not to fear them that can but kill the body , therefore we may not flie ? mat. . . answ. first , this forbids not all feare , but such a fear as tends to appostacy , causing men to renounce faith , and a good conscience . secondly , it speaks of such feare , whereby wee feare man more then god. thirdly , its speaks of such a feare whereby we are urged to tempt god by doing something that is contrary to his will , and out of our calling . now when we speak of flight in persecution , we understand not such a flight as tends to apostacy , &c. but that alone whereby we use the means offered according to his appointment . quest. when may a man , minister , or other fly ? answ. first , when there is no hope of doing good by his abode in that place , where the persecution is : but not when there is hope : at such a time god forbad it paul , act. . . secondly , consider whether the persecution be personall , or publick . personal is that which is directed against this , or that mans person . publick , which is raised against the whole church : if it be personall against the pastor , he may fly , and it may be , his flight will bring peace to the church . quest. but what if the people will not suffer him to fly ? answ. they should be so far from hindring him , that they should rather further him : so acts . . but if the persecution be publick , then he is not to fly : for then the strong should support and confirme the weake . thirdly , if there be in the pastor , moderation of minde : for as he must not be overcome with excessive feare , so neither must he be foole-hardy to run into apparent danget . to avoid both which , he must pray for wisdome , courage , and constancy , and use the consent , and advice of the church , for his further direction herein . fourthly , the pastor must only withdraw himself for a time , and not utterly forsake his charge , and calling , mat. . . fifthly , he may fly , if after due triall , and examination of himself , he finde not himselfe sufficiently armed with strength to beare the extrenity . sixthly , if he be expelled , or banished by the magistrate though the cause be unjust . seventhly , if god offer a lawfull way , and means of escaping . eightly , if the danger be not only suspected , and seen afar off , but certain , and present . quest. when may not a pastor , or other man fly ? answ. first , when god puts into their heart the spirit of courage , and fortitude , whereby they resolve to stand out against all the fury of the adversary . so it was with paul , act. . . and . . one in queen maries dayes having this motion to stand out , and yet flying , for the very act , felt such a sting in his conscience , that he could never have peace till he died . secondly , when they are appehended , and under the custody of the magistrate : then they may not fly , because in all their sufferings they must obey the magistrate . quest. whether then may a man imprisoned , break prison if he can . answ. no man being in durance may use any unlawfull , or violent means to escape : for we may not resist the magistrate in our sufferings . servants must submit to the unjust corrections of their masters , pet. . . the apostles would not so escape when they might ; till the angel brought them forth , act. . . thirdly , when a man is bound by his calling , and ministry , so as therein he may glorify god , and doe good to his church : for the discharge of the duties of our callings must be preferred before our very lives . fourthly , when god by his providence cuts off all lawfull meanes , and wayes of flying : then he doth ( as it were ) bid that man stay , and abide : we must not use unlawfull means , nor do evill that good may come of it . mr. perkins vol. . p. ▪ see more of the lawfulnesse of flight in persecution in the life of athanasius in my first part of lives . chap. xl. questions , and cases of conscience about confession of sin . quest. is confession of sin a necessary duty ? answ. yea , or else god would never have promised so great a reward to it , as joh. . ▪ job comforted himself with it , job . . so psal. . . ut somnium narrare vigilantis ; sic peccata confiteri viri paenitentis est . aug. to tell a mans dream is the sign of a waking man , so to confess his sins , of a true penitent . quest. may not a wicked man confess his sins ? answ. yea , as we see pharaoh , saul , judas , &c. did . quest. how then shall we distinguish between the confession of a regenerate , and unregenerate man ? answ. by these signs . first , true confession comes from a troubled soule , as we see in the publican : from a broken , and bleeding heart , as did davids : from a melting heart , as did josiahs . but the other knows it not : the racking pain only wrings it from him , not the mercy of that god whom he hath offended . secondly , the first proceeds from a bleeding heart , laying hold upon mercy : as dan. . . ezra . . the other wants this , therefore christ saith , repent and believe , mar. . . thirdly , it comes from an honest heart in the first , purposing not to sin : he confesses , and forsakes , prov. . ● . hence ezra . , . the other though he seem to disgorge his stomack , yet he returns with the dog to his vomit : so deut. . , . dike on the heart . quest. why must we remember , and confess our sins ? answ. first , because promise of forgiveness is made to it , prov. . . joh. . . secondly , god hath made good this promise upon the right performance of it , sam. . . psal. . . . threats are denounced against those that confess not their sins , prov. . . joh. . , . dr. gouge on heb. quest. in confessing our sins , must we descend into particulars ? answ. yea , so did david , sam. . . so ezra . , . nehem. . . &c. dan. . , , , . mat. . . tim. . . act. . , . quest. why must we do this ? answ. first , this is the next way to bring us to that measure of humiliation which is necessary : hence acts . . and . , &c. secondly , this is the best course we can take to escape gods future judgements , cor. . . if we would judge our selves , we should not be judged , &c. hieron ●n psal. . quest. is it a 〈◊〉 to confess our sins to men also ? answ. yea , so jam. . . confess your faults one to another : not only to the elders of the church , but to your brethren also : therefore it s no ground for popish auricular confession , wherein they require that every one , at least once a year , should in the ear of a priest confess all his sins , together with the circumstances of them : a politick invention to know the secrets of others , to keep them in awe , and to enslave their consciences . quest. in what cases then is confession to be made to others ? answ. first , in case of scandall given by persons before , or after their reception into the church and fellowship of the gospel . . before their admission : such as desire admittance , having formerly committed gross sins , should solemnly acknowledge their sinfull courses , and godly sorrow for them , and their resolution against them for the future , to give satisfaction to the church , that god hath wrought a change in them . so matth. . . act. . , . . after their admission , such as give offence by walking disorderly , either to the whole church , or to some particular members of it , they 〈◊〉 to confess their faults to the whole society , or to the persons to whom the ●ame is known , to testifie their repentance , that such as know their sinne , may know their sorrow also : and . if the offence be publick : by their open confession to preserve the credit of the society , and roll away the infamy from it , that it may not be accounted an ulcerous body : and also thereby to warn others to fear , least they offend . . if the offending brother be cast out , or the brethren withdraw from him they may receive satisfaction by the free , and hearty confession of his offence , and receive him to fellowship again , and renew their love towards him , as cor. . , . . yea , to forgive , and comfort him , lest he be swallowed up by overmuch sorrow . secondly , in case of injuries done to others , then they should willingly acknowledge , and be sorry for the same : for so confession is a kind of satisfaction , and a means of pacification . thus christ directs , matth. . , . luke . . thirdly , in case of scruple about some sin that burdens our conscience : as whether we have committed it or no ? or whether we be not some way accessary to it ? or whether it be a pardonable sin , or a sin unto death ? and how may we obtain pardon ; &c. to which may be added , the predominancy of any lust which is too masterfull for us ? in such cases we may disburden our souls into the bosome of some wise , and godly friend , acquainting him with our scruples , to obtain the benefit of counsell , and prayers , &c. oft times the very opening of our griefs , eases our conscience , as opening a vein cools the blood . fourthly , in case of a common judgement , or particular affliction : . of a common judgment , when a man by his sin hath had a special hand in pulling down the same : as achan , josh. . then he must confess it both to god , and before men , so jon. . . . of a particular affliction : as sickness , &c. then also its good not only to confess our sin to god , but to men also : as jam. . , . . fifthly , in case of reproof from others , when they tell us of our faults , we should freely confess them with grief , and purpose of amendment . so sam. . , . . sixthly , in case of co-partnership with othe●s in sin : when any one of their consciences are awakened , he should confess his sin to his fellow-drunkard , thief , &c. to awaken them , and so to help them out of the snares of the divel . so gen. . , . luke . , . seventhly , to magnifie the riches of gods free grace to us , though we have been guilty of great sins . so did paul , tim. . acts . , . and . . . . eighthly , to prevent sin in others : when by confessing the sins , and the evill we have found in them , we may make them to beware thereof . so its usefull for malefactors at their execution to confess their sins that others may be warned . quest. are we bound to confess every sin to others ? answ. first , we are bound absolutely to confess every known sin to god , but confession to men is necessary only in some cases , and that not of all sins . secondly , we are bound to confess such sins to others , as are open , or known to them , not our secret sins : as . our bosom-sins , we need not to confess but to god alone , psal. . . . secret sins , unknown to men , we may conceale them . . whilst providence covers them . . whilst conscience is quiet : but when god in his providence brings them to light , or our consciences , being awaked , terrifie and affright us , so that we can have no ease till we have acknowledged them , then we are to confess our sins , though we suffer for it . . yet sometimes we may confess our secret sins to others , to obtain ease , comfort , counsell , prayers , &c. quest. who are the persons , to whom we must confess our faults ? answ. first , to such persons , or societies , whom we have injured , and scandalized , or consociated in sin with them . secondly , our secret sins we should confess to ministers , as to our spiritual physitians , or to such others as we judge wise , godly , and faithfull . quest. but hereby we may loose our credit , and lie under a blot ? answ. if thou choosest such to confess to , it will not prejudice thy credit : . such will consider themselves , that they also may be tempted , and may be forced to doe the like , and therefore what they would that others should doe to them , they will do to thee , mat. . . . it will rather tend to our credit : for it will represent to them the tenderness of our consciences , humility , hatred of sin , and fear of offending . quest. from what principles , or in what manner should we confess our sins to others ? answ. first , out of zeale for god , to give him glory before men , and that . of his omnisciency , in knowing our most secret sins . . of his providence in detesting them . . of his justice in punishing , or righteousness , and faithfulness in afflicting us for them . . free grace in pardoning them , and in accepting , imploying , and saving us from them . . patience in sparing us , and mercy in doing us good , notwithstanding our sins against him . secondly , out of hatred against sin , we must confess with grief , hatred , and shame , as a man would speak of the most loathsome things . thirdly , out of love to others , to make sin odious to them , and to make them abhor , and eschew the sins we have faln into , and escape the shame , and sorrow we have met with for the same . also out of grief for wronging or offending others : and from a mind to give them satisfaction for the same . fourthly , out of humility , to humble our selves for our faults even before men , and to take shame to our selves by confessing , in the cases , and upon the occasions premised , and that to make it appear how much we hate sin , and our selves for sin , and to keep others from thinking too highly of us : so paul , cor. . . quest. why are men so backward to confess sin ? answ. first , because it brings shame , and grief along with it , which sin cannot endure . for sin hath so perverted the soule , as to misplace shame in the acknowledging offences , which should be placed in offending . secondly , confession is an ejection of sin : it layes an engagement on us not to sin again , but to hate , and put it away : this , neither sin , nor satan can endure . thirdly , confession brings sin to light , which ( like an horrid monster ) it cannot endure , joh. . . sin loves to wear a vaile of secresie , or a vizard of counterfeit piety , or a garment of excuses : to wrap it self ( like the divel in samuels mantle , that the filthy shame of its nakedness may not appear . quest. why should we confess sin , seeing its so filthy , and shamefull a thing that it becometh not saints once to name it ? answ. first , though sin be filthy it it self , yet the confession of it is clean , and commendable . secondly , there is a twofold naming of sin : . with delight , and boasting of it , and indulgence to it : this is prohibited to saints . . with detestation of it , indignation at it , and grief for it : this is commanded . thirdly , to conceal sin , when there is just occasion to confess it , is sinfull modesty . it s to keep satans counsell : to harbor a thief , or murderer in our bosoms that will rob us of our souls , and cut our throats , and is the high-way to destruction , prov. . . and . . fourthly , a serious , and religious confessing of sin is a means to clense , and heal soul maladies , whereas hiding it , is but like the skinning over a sore , which will afterwards fester , and break out more dangerously . many famous men , as origen , austin , &c. have been free in publishing their sins , and errors in judgment to the world . mr : reiners government of the tongue . chap. xli . questions , and cases of conscience about carnal confidence . quest. what carnal confidence is particularly forbidden in scripture ? answ. first , trusting in riches , job . . . tim. . . secondly , in men , psal. . . though princes , v. . thirdly , in strength of a city , prov. . . fourthly , in our relations , mich. . . fifthly , in gods enemies , jer. . . hos. . . sixthly , in places of idolatrous worship , jer. . . seventhly , in the flesh , phil. . . quest. what reasons doth the scripture give against it ? answ. first , all such confidence shall be rooted out , job . . secondly , its punishable , job . . . thirdly , it argues great folly , prov. . . fourthly , its deceitful , prov. . . fifthly , it s rejected by god , jer. . . quest. why have men naturally confidence in outward things ? answ. their hearts being not filled with grace , they relish not christ , but flie to these outward things for refuge . thus the jews boasted in the name of holy people , their law , temple , holy land , &c. and many amongst us , of hearing the word , receiving the sacrament , uncovering the head , bowing the knee , &c. yet all these could not save them from captivity , nor us from destruction . quest. why are men taken up with carnal confidence in these things ? answ. first , because outward things are easie , and men cannot endure to apply themselves to the hard matters of the law. secondly , they are glorious , and men desire to be taken notice of . thirdly , men have a foolish conceit that god is pleased with the outward act , though inward sincerity be wanting . fourthly , men want knowledge of themselves , an inward change , a sense of their own unworthinesse , and christs worthiness . quest. how shall we know whether our confidence is carnal , or no ? answ. first , where this carnal confidence is , there is bitterness of spirit against sincerity : none persecuted christ more then the scribes and pharisees which sat in moses chair , &c. secondly , where this is , such men secretly bless themselves in their outward performance of good duties without humiliation for their defects . dr. sibs on phil. . . thirdly , when we venture on ill courses , and causes , thinking to be supported by the help of outward means : as in warre , with multitude of souldiers and horses , &c. which cannot prevail , isa. . , , , &c. and . , &c. fourthly , when we rest our souls upon meaner things , never seeking to divine and religious helps . fifthly , when men love to sleep in a whole skin , and therefore will take the safest courses ( as they think ) to secure themselves , not consulting with god , but with flesh and blood ; and confiding in creature help : whereas , . the creature yeelds not that we expect it should : there is falshood in these things ; they promise much , and perform little , and so deceive them that trust in them . . they are mutable , and subject to change : all things come to an end save god who is unchangeable . . they are snares and baits to draw us away from god by reason of the vanity of our hearts , which are vainer then the things themselves , psal. . . eccl. . . quest. how may we prevent or cure this carnal confidence ? answ. a right apprehension of god will do it . for the more , or less that we conceive of god as we should do , so the more , or lesse we disclaime confidence in the creature , they who in their affections of love , joy , affiance , and delight , are taken up too much with the creature ( say what they will ) they professe to all the world by their practice that they know not god : but the who know and apprehend him in his greatness and goodness , in that proportion they withdraw their hearts from the creature , and all things else . as in a paire of balances , so where god weighs down in the soul , all other things are light ; and where other things prevail , there god is set light by . dr. sibs on hosea . quest. what is confidence ? answ. it s a certainty that we conceive of a future desired good , or of the love , and fidelity of a person , whereby the heart is filled with joy and love . quest. what is the only subject proper for mans intire confidence ? answ. god , all-good , almighty , and all-wise , without him all things that men use to repose their confidence upon are waves and quicksands . men are mutable , and though they could give good security for the constancy of their wills , they can give none for the continuance of their life . the goods of the earth faile our expectation , or come short of our satisfaction , or slip from our possession : they will leave us , or we them : no wonder then if they that repose their full and whole confidence in them are seen so often to fall into despaire . here then the true counsel for tranquility is to trust wholly upon none but god , on other things according to their nature and capacity : they shall never deceive us if we require nothing of them above their nature . confidence is good according to the goodness of the subject that it reposeth upon : wherfore confidence in god the only soveraign good , perfect , solid , immutable , is the best of all , and the only thing that can give assurance , and content to the soul. he that is blest with that confidence is half in paradise already : he is firm , safe , meek , serene , and too strong for all his enemies , psal. . . god is to him a sun to give him light , heat , life , and plenty of all goods : and a shield to guard him , and shelter him from all evils : he gives him grace in this life , and glory in the next . o lord of hosts , blessed is the man that trusteth in thee . dr. du moulin of contentment . chap. xlii . questions , and cases of conscience about the conflict , or combate between the flesh , and spirit . quest. how will it appear that there is such a conflict in every regenerate person ? answ. by plain testimonies of scripture , as gal. . . the fl●sh lusteth against the spirit , and the spirit against the flesh , &c. rom. . , . . quest. what is the spirituall conflict ? answ. it s nothing else but a continual combate between the unregenerate part , the flesh , with the lusts thereof , and the part regenerate , the spirit , with all the holy qualities , graces , and motions thereof , by reason of their contrariety in nature , and conjunction in place , whereby they mutually lust , and strive one against the other , the flesh willing , and imbracing that evill , which the spirir nilleth and hateth : and nilling , and shunning that good , which the spirit willeth , and affecteth , and contrariwise . for in this conflict they mutually assault each other with irreconcilable hatred , so that as the one getteth , the other looseth , as one gath●rs strength , the other is weakned : as in a paire of scales , when own rises the other falls : they are like light , and darkness , &c. quest. what are the causes of this conflict ? answ. the principall cause is gods will for the manifestation of his own glory : for which purpose he doth not perfect our sanctification in this life ; but in part regenerating , and leaving us in part unregenerated . quest. but why did not the lord ( who could easily have done it ) perfect sanctification in us at first , as he did by his only word at first create , and make us perfect ? answ. were there no other reason but that good pleasure of his most wise will , it were sufficient to satisfie us . for he best knowes what to give , and when to give : but yet divers reasons may be assigned for it : as first , this course is most profitable , both for the setting forth of gods glory , and the advancing of our good . quest. how doth it more manifest , and magnifie gods glory ? answ. that the weaker we are in our regenerate part , and the stronger the flesh is , and all other the enemies of our salvation , the more clearly gods wisdom shineth forth in strengthening this weak part , and enabling it to stand in the day of battel : yea , in causing it to obtain a full and finall victory , putting all its mighty enemies to flight . this moved the lord to suffer the prick in the flesh to molest paul , cor. . . that his grace might be perfected in the apostles weaknesse . . god is more glorified when as we , seeing the strength of our naturall corruptions , and our frailty , and the many infirmities of our spirituall part , are moved hereby to attribute all the glory , and praise of our salvation to the alone mercy of god , both in the respect of the beginning , and perfecting thereof , and utterly denying our own selves , and all our righteousnesse , do wholly rely upon the perfect righteousness of christ : whereas if there were in us perfect sanctification , we should hardly acknowledge the lord to be all in all in our salvation . . the wisdom and power of god is more manifested , and glorified , when as he doth his great works by contrary means , and causes , which in their own nature would rather hinder them : therefore he will have us blind , that we may see ; and foolish , that wee may be wise , &c. he will give blessednesse to us , who have so many wants , and corruptions , yea make our imperfections to serve as means for the encreasing of our happinesse , this doth exceedingly magnifie his power , and wisdom . . we are hereby made more thankfull to the lord , and more chearfull in seting forth his praise , when notwithstanding our wants and imperfections , we are supported , and saved , then if he should at first endue us with all perfection : for the more we have found the want of gods benefits , the more we prize them , and so are the more thankful for them . so it was with st. paul , when through the violence of the flesh , he had been led captive to sin , rom. . , . how doth he break forth into thankfulnesse . i thank god through jesus christ my lord. . hereby we more glorifie god when wee are assured by our growth in grace , by which we are enabled to resist the flesh , and the lusts thereof , that they are the free gifts of god , and that he beginneth , encreaseth , and continueth them in us , whereas otherwise we would think them to be some naturall faculties , and abilities , and not given us of god. quest. how is this conflict profitable for our good ? answ. . because its a notable means to train us up in humility , which is a grace most acceptable unto god : and this is done when we see , and consider what a miserable spoile sin hath made of all those graces , and excellent endowments which we had by creation : how it hath poisoned , and corrupted all the powers , and parts of soul and body : how it hath made us unfit for any good , and prone to all evill ; which corruption doth in a great measure remaine in us after regeneration , darkning our understandings , defiling our consciences ; perverting out wills , hardening our hearts , &c. so that if we were not continually assisted by the special grace of god , we should easily be foiled in the conflict , and made a prey to our malicious enemies , cor. . . . it s most effectuall to work in us self-deniall , without which we cannot be christs disciples . for when we plainly discern that there is nothing in our selves to rest upon for the satisfying of gods justice , this will make us flie to christ , to hunger and thirst after his perfect righteousness , and so it will make us wholly to relye upon him for justification , and salvation . . we are hereby moved to abhor sin which god so hates , and that with the greater detestation , when as by our own experience , we finde and feel the poison of it working in our selves , and to bewaile , and forsake it with more earnest endeavours , when we see what miserable effects it produceth , and what cursed fruits it brings forth in us . . we are hereby occasioned to fly oftner unto god by fervent prayer , acknowledging , and bewailing these relicts of corruption before the throne of grace , earnestly craving the pardon of them , and strength against them , whereby we may be enabled to mortifie our corruptions , and to fly from all sin for the time to come . . through the remainders of these corruptions we have the benefit of spiritual exercise to prevent sloth , whilst we make war against them , withstand their assaults , prepare our selves for the conflict , watch over our hearts that they be not surprised exercise our spiritual graces , and buckle to all holy duties required by god for obtaining the victory , phil. . . cor. . . ephes. . . . it makes us to go on in our pilgrimage with contentment , and patiently to bear all afflictions , not only because we deserve them by reason of our sins , lam. . . but also because we know , and have experience that these corrections are necessary to mortifie our lusts , and to draw out the core of our corruptions : and as salt to season us that we be not tainted , and perish in our fleshly putrifaction . . by this conflict our hearts are weaned from the world , and it provokes us to long after our heavenly happiness , when finding our selves tired with this fight , not only with forreign foes , but these intestine traitors , we cannot but earnestly desire that perfection which is only attainable in a better life , phil. . . with rom. . . . it causeth us to long after the crown of victory , and when we have obtained it , it will hereby become much more glorious . for the lord will have us first to fight , and overcome , and then he will reward us with the crown of victory : he will first have our g●aces exercised , and manifested , and then he will give us a proportion of glory , according to the proportion of our graces tim. . . secondly , as its profitable that these relicts of sin should remain in us , so its sutable , and seasonable to the time , and place wherein we live . for god hath determined that here we shall not attain unto perfection , but only that we should labour after it , and attain it in the life to come : that whilst here , we should be in our nonage , and come to our perfect age in christ , and to our heavenly inheritance after our dissolution . this world is appointed for our painfull pilgrimage and the place of our warfare , and it s not seasonable to expect rest and joyes till we be arrived safely in our own country . quest. what are the formall , and essentiall causes of this conflict ? answ. because contraries do best illustrate contraries , let us remember that there was a time when this conflict was not to be found in this little world of man , the which was twofold . first . that truly golden age , in which man was created after gods image , and lived in the state of innocency : at which time there was a blessed peace , and heavenly harmony between the body and soul , and all the powers , and parts of them both : but when satan , the arch enemy of mankind , saw , and envied our happy condition , he plotted by all means to work our ruine , and despairing to accomplish it by power , he had recourse to serpentine policy , whereby he perswaded us , under shew of love , to undoe our selves , and thereby he entred in upon us , accompanied with a crew of his hellish followers , the chief whereof were disobedience , unbelief in god , and credulity to the divel , damnable pride , envy , discontent , aspiring ambition , and unthankfulness : all which being let into our souls , they dispoiled us of gods rich graces , our created wisdom , and holiness , making themselves conquerors over all our powers , and parts , and every one of them chusing for their habitaion those places , and parts which they thought most fitting for them . as for example , ignorance , errour , curiosity , and many thousands of sinfull imaginations surprised , and keep possession of our mindes ; worldliness , and profaneness subdued , and held reason in subjection : perverseness , and rebellion surprize the will : but in the heart there are such multitudes of hellish enemies as can neither be named , or numbred , as legions of unlawfull lusts , infidelity , wicked hopes , hellish despaire , hatred of god , love of the world , pride , disobedience , deceit , cruelty , ambition , covetousnesse , voluptuousnesse , &c. secondly , in the state of corruption there was no conflict , because the strong man , satan , having got possession , all things were at peace , only there was some contention betwixt the will , and the conscience , and between one unruly passion , and another , yet both yielded obedience to the divel , as their chief soveraign , who if he saw any disadvantage arising to his kingdom by this contention , he could appease , and joyn them together like friends in doing him service . but this hellish peace was far more pernitious to our poor soules , and bodies , then the most cruel war is to the weakest enemy , and the rather , because we had no apprehension of the danger , nor feeling of our own misery , being born bondslaves to the divel , and brought up in doing him service in the unfruitfull works of darkness , for which we had only the present pay of worldly vanities , though when we had laboured most in doing his druggery , we were often couzened of our wages : notwithstanding which , being born , and inured to this hellish thrauldom , we desired still to live , and die in it , taking delight in pleasing this our tyrannicall master , yea , though after all , we were sure to be cast into hell fire . quest. how then come wee to be freed out of this miserable condition ? ans. our gracious god of his infinite mercy , of his meer free grace , and good will , sent his only son into the world to redeem us by his pretious death , to vanquish , and subdue all the enemies of our salvation , and to set us at liberty , who were in bondage , yea in love with our thraldom , not so much as desiring to be freed from it , who not only paid the price of our redemption , and provided a soveraign salve for all our sores , but applies the power , and efficacy of his merits unto us , whilst by his word , made effectuall by his spirit , he discovers unto us this work of our redemption , and the promises of grace , and salvation made to all repentant and believing sinners , by which he begets this faith in us , wherewith , as with a hand , we lay hold on , and apply unto our selves his righteousnesse , death , and obedience for our justification , and redemption , whence it is that we are freed from our sins , christ having satisfied for them , as also from our thraldom , to satan , death , and condemnation , so that they shall never be able to hurt us , or to lay any thing to our charge . and not resting here , our powerfull saviour sends his spirit , and graces into our hearts to pull us out of the dominion of sin , and satan , to regenerate , and purifie us from the filth of our sins , by the power of the same death , wich delivered vs from the guilt , and punishment due to it , and enabled us to serve god in newness of life , by applying also unto us the vertue of his resurrection . quest. what then is the formall cause of this spiritual conflict ? answ. sanctification only begun , and not perfected in this life : not for want of sufficient vertue in christs death , and resurrection , but through the weakness of our faith , we being in part spirituall , and in part carnal : and though satan being thrust from his throne , cannot rule in us as a tyrant , yet is he not so wholly expelled , but he molesteth us as an enemy . so that there may be two main and effectuall causes given of this conflict between the spirit accompanied with gods graces , and the flesh attended with many sinfull lusts : . the one is the antipathy , and contrariety which is between , which is as unreconcilable as light , and darkness , heat , and cold , &c. so that the prospering of the one , is the ruine of the other , and the victory of the one is the others overthrow . . the second is their cohabitation in the same place , and subject , which ministreth to them occasion , and imposeth a necessity of their continual opposition , as when fire and water meet together , &c. neither do these opposite enemies dwell in diverse parts , but in the same parts , and faculties , in the same understanding , will , body , and affections , so that the whole soul , in respect of its diverse faculties , is partly flesh , and partly spirit . quest. but how can such utter enemies dwell together without the utter destruction of the one party ? answ. though these contraries cannot dwell together in their prime vigour and full strength , yet they may , when their degrees are abated , and their vigour deadned . quest. what is this combate , and the manner how it s fought in us ? answ. being by the ministry of the word brought to a sight and sense of our wretched and damnable condition , our sleeping consciences are awakened , our hard hearts are throughly humbled , and softned , so as our former carnal security being shaken off , we mourne in the sight of our sin and misery : then being thus humbled , the lord , by the preaching of the gospel , makes known to us his love in christ , the infinitenesse of his mercy , together with that singular pledge thereof , the giving of his dear sonne to death for our redemption : the promises of the gospel assuring us of the pardon of our sins , deliverance out of the hands of our spiritual enemies , whom christ hath vanquished by his death , and of the eternal salvation , both of our souls and bodies , if we lay hold upon christ , and his righteousnesse by a lively faith , and bring forth the fruits thereof by forsaking our sins , and turning to god by unfeigned repentance ; all which being made known unto us , we begin to conceive that there is some possibility of our getting out of the bondage to sinne and satan , and attaining to salvation , which inflames our hearts with an earnest desire to get out of this bondage , and to be made partakers of christ , and his righteousnesse , who alone can help us , and hereupon we resolve to deny our selves and all other means as vain , and unprofitable , and to cast our selves wholly upon christ for justification , and salvation : from whence ariseth a constant endeavour , in the use of all good means , for the attaining hereunto , &c. which desires are no sooner wrought in us by the ministry of the word , but the lord who is rich in mercy , by the same means doth satisfie us , sending his spirit , and all his graces to take possession of us for his use , to rule in us , to thrust down satan from his sovereignty , to subdue and mortifie our sinful lusts , so that they shall not hereafter raign in us ; which army of graces , under the conduct of gods spirit , do no sooner enter , and encounter their enemies , but presently they put them to the worst , giving them such deadly wounds in the first conflict that they never recover of them , but languish more and more , till at last they be wholly abolished . quest. what manner of conflict or combate is this ? answ. it s not corporal , but spiritual , cor. . , , . for as the enemies are spiritual , so is the fight , by inward lusting and concupiscence , whereby motions , and inclinations , either good , or evil are stirred up in heart and soule ; and so there is a contrary lusting between these enemies : the flesh lusting against the spirit , and the spirit against the flesh , gal. . . quest. what are the ends that the flesh aimeth at in lusting against the spirit ? answ. first , to stirre up and incline us to such lusts , desires , and motions as are sinful , and contrary to the law of god , as infidelity , impenitency , pride , self-love , &c. it endeavours to beget and stirre up evil thoughts in the minde , wicked inclinations in the will , and sinfull affections in the heart . hence , james . , . its compared to a filthy harlot which entices men to commit wickedness with her , upon which follows the conception , and birth of sinne and death . hence also christ makes it the fountaine of all wickedness , mat. . , . but on the contrary the spirit endeavours to stirre up , and cherish good motions in us , as good meditations in the minde , good resolutions in the will , and good affections in the heart . so joh. . . we have received an unction from god whereby we know all things ; and saint paul exhorts , thes. . . quench not the spirit . hence david also , psal. . . — my reines also instruct me in the night season , i. e. those sweet meditations and motions which the spirit secretly puts into my mind . so , isa. . . thine eares shall heare a voice behinde thee , &c. so , joh. . , . secondly , to repress and smother the good motions which the spirit stirs up in us , or else to poison and corrupt them that they may become unprofitable , and turned into sin , gal. . . so that we cannot do the good that we would , and rom. . , . hence it is that our righteousness is become as a menstruous cloth : and that our best prayers have need to be perfumed with the sweet odours of christs intercession : but on the contrary the spirit labours to expel and subdue those evil motions , and moves us to take the first and best opportunity to serve god : it also purifies our hearts by faith , and makes us strive against our infirmities that we may with fervency and cheerfulnesse perform all holy services to god : and wherein we come short , it moves us to bewaile our imperfections , and to labour in the use of all good means to attaine to greater perfection : as paul , cor. . . and lamentably to complaine of it ; as rom. . , . and to presse after the mark , phil. . . and thus the spirit at last masters the flesh ; as john . . quest. what is the manner of this spiritual conflict in our several faculties and parts ? and that both in our superiour and inferiour faculties ? answ. first , our minde being but in part renewed , the relicts of our sinful corruptions remain in it , which continually fight against the renewed graces of the spirit , labouring to expell and thrust them out , and the other to keep their possession , and to continue therein . now this conflict in the minde may be diversly considered in respect of the diverse faculties that belong to it . as , . the understanding being in part regenerated , and in part corrupted ; partly inlightned , and partly dark through ignorance , yea , and much depraved also : hence there is a conflict maintained betwixt sanctified knowledge , and spiritual wisdome on the one side , and carnal curiosity , palpable ignorance , and that wisdom of the flesh that is worldly and devilish on the other part ; curiosity looks after idle speculations and curious questions : but saving knowledge leaves secret things to god , deut. . . yea , labours to mortifie that idle curiosity ; as rom. . . yet resteth not in any measure attained , but labours after spiritual growth till it come to perfection in christ. then it continually conflicteth with palpable ignorance : for we know but in part , &c. cor. . . yet stands it not at a stay , but endeavours to know as we are known . again , spiritual wisdome fights with that wisdome of the world that is earthly , sensual , and devillish , jam. . . the one is taken up in spiritual and heavenly things , counting all things else but drosse , and dung , yea losse , in comparison of them : the other is wholly devoted to earthly and transitory trifles , and is only delighted in beholding those things whose beauty is subject to the senses , and to natural reason . hence , jer. . . rom. . . corinth . . . matth. . . . the judgement , in which ariseth another conflict : for so farre as the minde is inlightned with spiritual wisdome and knowledge , the judgement discernes between truth and falshood , right , and wrong , &c. allowing and approving the one , and rejecting and disallowing the other : but so farre forth as it still remaines blinde , and misled through ignorance , the judgement mistakes errour for truth , and evill for good . hence , matth. . . eccles. . . psal. . . act. . , , . in this conflict they wound one another , and interchangeably either of them prevail : as for example : truth , in that part of the judgement which is regenerate , strikes at error in the unregenerate part , and gives it a deadly wound ? yet oft-times , through the help of subtile sophistry , and nice distinctions , it recovers strength , and truth gets a foile : but being again renewed , and confirmed by the light of gods word it gives errour a shameful overthrow . from hence it is that the godly learned do so often differ in judgement in points of religion , viz. because their mindes and judgements are but in part regenerated , so that the relicts of ignorance , and errour do still remaine in them , which works in them only a doubtful opinion , and not any well settled judgement , and this makes them to take that way which seems most probable . and this difference befals them not only in the knowledge of those points of religion which are of lesse consequence , but also exceeding weighty , and fundamental , as we see in the example of the corinthians , and galatians , even after the truth of the gospel had been preached unto them , the one erring in the doctrine touching the resurrection of the dead , the other in the maine point of justification by faith in christ without the works of the law. obj. but hath not the church a special promise of being inlightned by the spirit , and guided into all truth ? joh. . . joh. . ● , . answ. the like promises are made also to every particular member of the church , who notwithstanding may , and sometimes do erre in some particulars : therefore the promise is to be limited . . unto all truth necessary to our salvation . . that they shall by the spirit receive this priviledge , that whereas the wicked continue , and perish in fundamental errours , the faithful , though they may fall into them , yet they shall not live and die in them , but shall in gods good time be reclaimed , according to that promise , isa. . . . the next conflict which is to be considered in the minde , is between the actions and operations of it , which like the minde it self , being partly spiritual , and partly carnal , do continually strive and fight one against another : and these are our thoughts , meditations , and imaginations , which labour mutually to expel one another . for when the spirit lifts up our minde in divine contemplations , causing us to think or meditate on heavenly things , the service of god , the duties of christianity , or of our lawful callings , as the means whereby we may attain unto them : then the flesh pulleth them down , suggesting worldly , or wicked thoughts , or such as are impertinent , and unseasonable : but the spiritual part finding it self thus defeated , shakes off those thoughtes , and baths it selfe in the blood of christ by a lively faith , whereby it is cleansed from the defilement of them , and up again it mounteth in spiritual and heavenly meditations , phil. . . col. . , . . there is also a combate between the flesh and spirit in our memories : for the memory so far as it is regenerate labours to blot out , and deface all worldly , wicked and sinful impressions , and to have imprinted in it those spiritual and heavenly instructions which have been committed to its custody by the sanctified understanding : on the other part the flesh stands in direct opposition to the spirit by reprinting and repeating those lessons of impiety which we had learned in the school of the devil , and the world , especially before our conversion , and by working in us a forgetfulnesse of all good things whereby th●se heavenly jewels are presently cast out of doors , and cannot abide with us no more then water in a five . . there is the like conflict between the flesh and spirit in the conscience . for as it is regenerate , it is so enlightned by the spirit of grace , that like a true witnesse , it gives an infallible testimony between god and us , excusing when we do well to encourage us , and accusing when we do ill that we may forsake it , and recover our selves by unfeigned repentance . yea , before our doing of either of them , it gives in its approbation to that which is good that we may embrace it , and discovers that which is sinful that we may avoid it . it plays also the part of a judge , and according to this true evidence , it either justifies , or condemns us : from the former whereof ariseth peace , comfort , and joy in the holy ghost for our encouragement in well-doing ; and from the other , either fear , whereby we are restrained from sinne , or sorrow not to be repented of , cor. . . after we are fallen . but on the contrary , the conscience as unregenerate , is blinded with ignorance , or corrupted with malice , and therefore always ready to play the part of a false witnesse , either colouring over our sinnes with deceitful colours , that we may commit it , or excusing it , when it s committed as venial , or none at all that we may continue in it : or on the other side , it accuseth when we do well in gods service , or in the use of our christian liberty about things indifferent to raise in our minds superstitious fears , or causelesse doubts , that being affrighted we may be hindred in our christian duties , or discouraged when we have done them . it plays also the false judge , condemning where god and a good conscience justifies , and justifying where they condemne : which false sentence is the cause of carnal security , when we continue in sin , and of needlesse fears , when we are careful to perform our duty : yet if at any time that sentence be reversed by the good conscience enlightned by the word and spirit , and the uglinesse of sin be discovered , then the corrupt part of conscience , which before seemed senseless , being thus awakened , fills the minde with loud cries , and grievous accusations , and hideous fears , and now as eagerly moved to despaire , as it did before to security , and presumption , telling us that our sins are unpardonable , and that it s too late to repent ; but then again the good conscience silenceth it , and quiets the fury of it , by witnessing to us that our hearts are upright , though we have been overtaken , and have fallen through infirmity : or at least , by bathing it self from the filth of sin in the precious blood of christ , which is sufficient to purge us even from presumptuous sins , it thereby quiets our hearts again . secondly , come we now to the fight which is between them in the will , which is much mo●e sharp and sensible . for it likewise being partly regenerate and partly unregenerate , there is a continual combate between these contrary factions , whilst the regenerate part wills , and affects that which is good , and the unregenerate part wills , and chooseth that which is evil , and refuseth that which is good : as for example ; the regenerate part being guided by the sanctified understanding , chooseth god as the chiefest good , and refuseth the world and earthly vanities ; the service of satan , and the momentany pleasures of sin , which in the end bring death , though the former be bitter to the flesh , and more imbittered by afflictions , and the latter be sweet and delightful to the carnal appetite : but on the contrary , the unregenerate part of the will , being directed by that wisdome of the flesh which is worldly , sensual and devilish , neglecteth and refuseth the present comforts of grace , which it relisheth not , and the future hopes of heavenly happinesse , which it knoweth not , and chooseth this present world with the vain honours , and uncertain riches , and sinful pleasures of it , because they are subject to the senses , and may be had in present possession : and in this conflict , sometimes the one , and sometimes the other prevails , and causeth the adverse party to give ground . so , rom. . ▪ &c. thirdly , having seen the conflict between the flesh and the spirit in the understanding and will severally , come we now to that conflict which is in them , being joyntly considered : as between faith , and infidelity on the one hand , and vaine presumption on the other : and this is referred to both these faculties , because as the least degrees of faith are chiefly in the will , so the highest degrees of it are in the understanding . for after the law hath brought a man to the sight and sense of his sins , of the punishment due to them , and of his utter inability to get out of this forlorn condition : and that the gospel hath discovered to him that christ was sent into the world by his blood to purge us from the guilt and punishment of our sinnes , and by his righteousnesse and obedience to justifie sinners ; then the spirit of god assisting the ministry of the word , works thereby in his heart some earnest desires to be made partaker of christ , and these benefits which we call hungring , and thirsting after his righteousnesse , and this is the first degree of justifying faith , and not only a preparation to it : for they are pronounced blessed , who thus hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , matth. . . but there is no blessednesse to those who are in the state of infidelity . then there is wrought in his will a firm resolution to choose christ alone for his saviour , and to relie upon him only for his salvation , which is the second degree of true faith , unto which when a christian hath attained by the lively and experimental feeling of gods love in his ordinances , of the vertue and power of christs death and resurrection for the mortifying of his sins , and the renewing and quickning him in all saving graces ; and lastly , by his daily walking with god in the works of holiness and righteousnesse , and that sweet communion he hath with him in spiritual exercises , he gro●s from one degree of faith to another , till at last he attains to a full perswasion of gods love , the remission of his sins , and of his own salvation : but yet the f●esh , and relicts of corruption , even when we have attained to the greatest perfection , as in the part regenerate there is full , and certain perswasion , so in the unregenerate part there dwells doubting , infidelity , and vain presumption , which continually assault one another , sometimes the one , and sometimes the other prevailing , and getting the victory , although in the conclusion faith alwayes overcomes : so we see in the example of abraham , and sarah , heb. . . rom. . . of peter ▪ mat. . . the father of the possessed child , lord , i believe , help my unbeleif , job , ch. . . and . . and . . and . . and . . so in david , psal. . . and . . and . . and . . and . . and . . having seen the conflict between the flesh and spirit in the superiour faculties of the soul , come we now to it in the inferour , seated in the heart of man. quest. what is the conflict between them in the affections , and sensuall appetite ? answ. though these be no more corrupt then the other , yet the corruption in them is more sensible , and though the conflict be no more dangerous , yet 〈◊〉 much more turbulent , and violent . for as outward objects move , and affect the sences , and there the heart , and affections , so they being thus moved , do move the will , and the will draweth also the judgment , and understanding ▪ but though these sensual faculties are more grosly poysoned , and therefore seem more desperately incurable ; yet the spirit of god working also upon these parts , doth purge them from their contagious humours , and comforts the heart with such spirituall cordials , and strengtheneth it with such heavenly antidotes , that spirituall health is in some measure recovered : yet is there a continuall combate in the heart and affections , as they are renewed , and sanctified , and as they remain corrupt , and unregenerate : for the heart of stone striveth with the fleshly heart , rebellion with obedience , corruption with grace , and whilst the spirit draws the heart to god , and heavenly , and spirituall things , the flesh pulls it back , and labours to keep it still fixed on the earth , and worldly vanities . hence springs a continual conflict between the affections , and passions , wherein sometimes the same affections being divided between grace , and corruption do strive against themselves , and sometimes being cross matched , do mutually oppose other affections , and passions which are opposite to them : thus the love of god , of spiritual , and heavenly things , is assaulted with self-love , and love of the world , and hatred of those divine excellencies : affiance in god , his promises and providences , with confidence in the creature , and diffidence in almighty god : zeal of gods glory , with carnall , and blind zeal : the fear of god , with the fear of men : hope in god , with earthly hopes , and also with presumption , and despaire : sorrow for sin , with worldly sorrow , and carnall security : joy in the holy ghost , and spirituall rejoycing in god , with carnall joy in the pleasures of sin , and moderate grief for worldly losses , &c. quest. what are the effects which this conflict between the flesh , and spirit produceth in us ? answ. the effects are either such as it produceth in the will , and desires , or in the works and actions . quest. what are the effects which it produceth in the will , and desires ? answ. from this conflict between the flesh and spirit , arising from the imperfection of our regeneration , this effect is wrought in the man regenerate , that he cannot with full consent of will , either choose , and imbrace , or refuse , and reject either good or evill , because being partly regenerate , and partly unregenerate , his will is divided , and accordingly doth at the same time both choose , and refuse both the good , and the evill . for when the regenerate will would do that which is good , or avoid rhat which is evill , the unregenerate part strugleth , and hindereth , and when this would embrace the evill , and refuse the good , the regenerate part resisteth and opposeth . and this is that which the apostle paul complains of , rom. . , . and hence arises a notable difference between the sins of the godly , and the wicked : for though they be all one in respect of the act , and deed done , yet they are not so in respect of the agent , and manner of doing . for the regenerate man cannot commit any known sin with full consent of will , but there is a reluluctancy against it , not only in his conscience , but in his heart , will , and affections , and consequently it resisteth the motions of the flesh , nilling that which it willeth ; and if through frailty it be overcome , yet it hateth , and detesteth that sin with which it is taken captive , and makes a christian much displeased with himself , because he hath committed it . so we see in david , who though by the flesh he was drawn , not only to will , but to commit some grievous sins , yet he truly saith of himself , that his heart hated every false way , &c. psal. . . but the unregenerate man , though sometimes he hath some pangs of conscience checking him for his sinnes , that he cannot securely sleep in them , yet he likes , and loves them with all his heart . &c. quest. what are the effects that this conflict produceth in the actions , and works ? answ. the effects which it workes in the actions of a regenerate man are diverse : as first , he cannot do the evill at all times which the flesh chooseth : thus joseph refused the wicked suit of his whorish mistris , gen. . . secondly , he cannot commit sin as the wicked do , with full consent of will : for sin being deposed in its regency , cannot bear sway as in times past it did : it s confined to a part alone , and so farre as regenerate , we cannot sinne , john . . hee that is borne of god sinneth not , &c. thirdly , he cannot walk in the way of sinners , but propounds to himselfe to serve the lord in holinesse , and righteousnesse all his dayes ; and though sometimes he slips , and falls , yet the spirit of god that dwells in him , convinceth him of his sins , and stirs him up to rise again , and to turn to the right way by renewing his repentance . and on the contrary , by reason of this conflict , the regenerate man cannot do the good he would , and desireth , gal. . . rom. . , . for when he would run his christian race , sin encompasseth , and presseth him down , heb. . . and makes him either sit still , or move slowly . hence it is that our best obedience is so imperfect , that were it not covered with christs perfect obedience , and our pollutions washed in his blood , we could never be accepted with god. the consideration whereof should move us to work out our salvation with fear , and trembling , cor. . . phil. . . to keep a narrow watch over our hearts , prov. . . heb. . . it should make us to complain with paul , rom. . . and to pray fervently for gods assistance , prov. . . heb. . . quest. but seeing that in the carnal man there is a fight , or skirmish , which hath some appearance of the spiritual conflict , how shall we be able to distinguish b●twixt them ? answ. they differ in many things : as first , in their ground , and cause from whence they arise : for the spiritual conflicts ariseth from the grace of regeneration , and sanctification , whereby gods gifts , and graces being infused into all our powers , and faculties , they make war against our carnall corruptions , and fleshly lusts : but the conflict which is in the unregenerate , arises from the relicts of gods image defaced in us , opposing the image of satan , and our fleshly corruption . for the minde retains some small sparks of the light of knowledge , which may be improved by studying the book of the creatures , but much more by studying the book of gods word , whereby the minde of a meer carnall man may be so inlightned as to be able to distinguish between good and evill , truth , and error , right and , wrong : and hereby the conscience also being directed , it retains a power to excuse when we do well , and to accuse , terrifie , and condemn when we do evill , rom. . . the will likewise retains a kind of freedom , not only about things materially evill , but such also as are natural , civill , and meerly morall , though herein also it be very weak , & corrupt , and defective : and these relicts common to all , are in some , raised much higher by the common gifts of the spirit , and civill graces which are conferred more largely upon some then upon others ; but there being mingled in all these faculties , abundance of corruptions also , and many of them in the speciall kinds , one contrary to another , hence ariseth this war between them : like thieves , who all agree together , to rob a true man , but fall out among themselves , when they come to divide the spoil . thus the understanding enlightned by nature , or common grace , discerns in particular actions what is good , and to be chosen , and what is evill , and to be shunned , informs the conscience accordingly , and leaveth it to its censure , and determination either to approve for doing good , or to condemn for doing evil , upon which censures sometimes the will is incited to embrace that which the conscience allows , and refuse that which it condemneth , but other sometimes being transported with its owne sinfull corruption , and overswayed with the violence of the inferiour will , carnall appetite , and unruly passions it hearkens unto them , and stops the ears to reason , and conscience : so we see in laban , though reason and conscience told him that he ought to use jacob well , and to reward him richly for his service , because for his sake the lord had blessed all that he had , yet his will being corrupted , and his affections wholly carried away with the love of the world , he changed his wages ten times . so pharaoh in his dealing with israel , exod. . , . thus saul with david , sam. . . and pilate with christ. secondly , they differ in the moving causes of this conflict : for the spirit is moved to assault the flesh by the true love of god , which causeth it to make war against carnall lusts , because they are odious to god , enemies to his grace , and contrary to his holy will : and by a filial fear of god , which makes a regenerate man loth to yield to any motions of sin , least he should displease his heavenly father : but the combate between the conscience , and affections ariseth from self-love , and servile fear which makes the unregenerate man to withstand the motions of sin in the will , and affections for fear of punishment , and horror of conscience , shame , corporall pain , eternall death , &c. they differ also in their ends : for the end at which the regenerate aimeth in fighting against the flesh , is , that he may glorifie god by his victory , and be more assured of his love , and his own salvation : but the end which the unregenerate mans conscience aims at herein , is , that he may the better compasse his worldly desires , either in the obtaining of som earthly good , or avoiding some imminent evil . thirdly , they differ in respect of the combatants , for in the conflict between the flesh and spirit , there is a combate between grace and corruption in the same faculties : knowledge , and ignorance , spirituall wisdom , and carnal wisdom in the same understanding : so willing , and nilling good , and evill in the same will : accusing , and excusing in the same conscience : love of god , and of the world : fear of god , and of men : trust in god , and in the creature in the same affections : temperance , and intemperance in the same appetite , &c. but in the conflict which is in the unregenerate ; the combate is between ●ivers faculties , which are all carnall , and corrupted , one of them fighting against another , as between the reason and the will , the conscience and the carnall concupiscence , passions , and affection ; in which what party soever prevails , still the unre●enerate man is drawn unto sin . they differ also in the manner of the fight : for that which is between the spirit , and the flesh is done by a contrary lustin● of one against the other in a practicall , reall , and effectuall manner : but that which is between the reason , and the will ; the conscience and affections , is maintained by logicall disputes , and mentall discourses , whilst the conscience infers fearfull conclusions of punishments , and gods ensuing judgements upon the wicked choice of the will , and their yeilding to satisfie carnall affections . for whilst reason is earnest in perswading by arguments , and the will rebellious , and violent in crossing it , the conscience being rowsed up , comes in to the rescue of reason , restraining the will from embracing the evill it likes , by fear of punishments , whereby it begins to stagger , and faint : but then enters in a troop of tumultuous passions , and affections as fresh aids , to strengthen the will in rebellion , which being themselves first hired and corrupted to do satan service , with the present pay , or expected wages of worldly vanities , they do by the same profers perswade the will to be obstinate , and with all resolution to oppose itself against reason , and conscience : yet in all this conflict betwixt divers faculties there is no enmity , no contrariety in their natures , neither is there more grace , or lesse corruption in the reason , and consciences , then in the will and affections , for they all like and love sin , with the pleasures , and profits of it , only they are affri●hted with the terror of gods judgements , which they perceive will necessarily follow upon such sinfull premises . fourthly , they differ in their contrary effects . for by the conflict between the flesh and the spirit , our faith is confirmed in the assurance of our regeneration , seeing gods spirit , that is one of the combatants , dwells in us : of gods love , and favour , seeing he hath chosen us for his souldiers : and of our own salvation , seeing gods spirit fighting in us , and for us , assures us of victory , and of the crown of everlasting glory : but from the conflict of conscience in the unregenerate , ariseth doubting , and incredulity , fears , and despaire in the apprehension of gods wrath , and those dreadfull punishments which sin hath deserved . . from the combate of the flesh and spirit , unfeigned repentance is begun , or renued , and encreased in the regenerate : for there is a change in them , principally in their wills , hearts , and affections , whereby in all things they oppose the flesh , hating that which it loves , and loving that which it hateth ; willing what it nills , and nilling what it wills : upon which follows the purifying of the heart from all all sinfull corruptions , the hating and forsaking of all sin , and an hearty desire and endeavour to serve the lord in holiness , and newness of life , yeilding universall obedience both in affections , and actions , renouncing all sinne , and embracing all good duties , and that in the whole course of our lives . . the war between the spirit and the flesh causeth the most secure peace , even peace with god , when as becoming his souldiers we fight undet his standard against his , and our enemies : peace between the faculties of our soules , when as the inferiour faculties are subject to the superiour , the affections hearkning to , and obeying the conscience , the will yielding to reason as gods vice-roy , and all to god as their supreme soveraign . it brings also with it unspeakable comfort , and joy in the holy ghost , because it assures of gods love , and gracious assistance , of a full , and finall victory over all our enemies , and of the crown of everlasting glory . but the conflict of the conscience in the unregenerate causeth continuall tumults , tyranny in the superiour faculties ruling only by servile fear , and rebellion in the inferiour , when as they have power to break the yoke of government , horror , and anguish of mind : disconsolate sorrow , and hellish despair , when the affrighted conscience bears sway : or the mad joy of frantique men , when the wild affections , and disordered passions , by silencing the conscience , get the upper hand , which oft times lasting no longer then a blaze of thornes , leave behind redoubled grief , and desperate despaire . . the conflict between the spirit and the flesh makes the regenerate man with more care , and diligence to observe his own heart , to watch over all his wayes that he give no advantage to his sinfull flesh : it causeth him earnestly to endeavour in the use of all good means , that the spirituall part may be strengthened , and the flesh , with all its carnall lusts may be mortified , that it may not prevaile against the spirit , as cor. . . but the conflict of conscience is commonly joyned with wretchless security , whereby the unregenerate man carelesly neglects the causes , and occasions of this bitter conflict till he be overtaken with them , and only avoids the punishment but not the sin , or the sin only when he is sensible of the punishment . it works in him no care to mortifie his sins , unless only in outward act , and that also out of a slavish fear , and not in love and obedience unto god. it makes him not carefull to use means for the subduing of the flesh , yea rather it brings him into a sluggish dispair , as if all meanes were uselesse , or if he use any means , its only in hypocrisie , to stop the cry of his conscience , not with a desire to profit by them . fifthly , they differ in the subject matter , or occasion about which this conflict is made by these divers enemies . for the flesh and spirit do in all things oppose one another : the spirit the flesh in all that is evill : the fesh the spirit in all that is good . for there is no action which the spirituall man performs , but the flesh interposing , hindereth therein ; as in prayer , hearing , receiving the sacrament , sanctifying the sabbath works of justice , mercy , temperance , &c. somtimes wholly withdrawing him from them , other somtimes distracting & disabling him in them , which makes him to complain with the apostle , rom. . , . and on the contrary the spirt opposeth the flesh in all known evill , either by restraining from falling into evill , or being fallen , to rise again by repentance . sixthly , they differ in respect of time : for the combate between the flesh and spirit begins at our regeneration , and not before ; and being begun , its constant , and continues to the end of our lives , though it may have some intermissions in respect of sence and feeling : but the conflict of conscience oft times begins so soon as we have the use of reason , receiving common notions from the light of nature ; but it s neither constant , nor continuall , but only by pangs and fits upon the occasion of some great sin committed , or about to be acted : nor yet alwayes lasting to the end of our lives : for ofttimes by custome in sin , the conscience becomes dead , and seared , that it takes no notice of sin , nor opposes the will , and affections , but suffers them to run headlong to all manner of wickedness . quest. whether is this conflict between the flesh and spirit , in all the regenerate ? answ. it is in all the regenerate that have received spirituall illumination , and have the use of reason , and understanding , being possessed of gods sanctifying graces , not only in the habits thereof , but in their acts , and operations . quest. what are we to think of infants , and idiots ? answ. such of them as belong to gods election , he worketh in them for their justification , and sanctification after an extraordinary , secret , and wonderfull manner , applying christ to them , his righteousness , obedience , and vertue of his death , and resurrection by his holy spirit , who all-sufficiently supplies unto them the defect of all inferiour instruments , and means , and hereby purgeth them from the guilt , punishment , and corruption of their sins . now in these there cannot actually be this conflict , because they have not the acts and operations of spiritual graces , but only the seeds of them : yet even in them , through spirituall regeneration , there may be some kind of conflict between the spirit and the flesh , the seed of grace , and of corruption striving one against another . but this is meant of elect infants dying in their infancy . quest. whether is this conflict in all the regenerate in like manner , and measure ? answ. it is not , but diversly as it pleaseth the lord to glorifie himself in the manifestation of his wisdom , goodness , and omnipotency , either by giving his servants a greater measure of strength , and grace , whereby they obtain an easie victory , or a scanter proportion of it , by which notwithstanding they shall as certainly , though not so speedily overcome , shewing his greater power in their greatest weakness , cor. . . quest. is not this conflict sometimes weake in strong christians ? answ. yes , for sometimes through pride , and self-love , they are apt to forget themselves , and being swoln up in their own conceits , to rob god of his glory , by arrogating some part of the praise of their spiritual strength , and victories to themselves , whereupon the lord leaves them by spirituall desertions unto their own abilities , and le ts loose their enemies to assault them ; in which case they are utterly unable to stand in the least conflict , but are shamefully foiled , and led captive of sin , as we see in the example of noah , lot , job , david , peter , &c. and then being discouraged , they complain with job , chap. . . that god opposeth them as a mighty enemy , &c. and with david , psal. . . and . , . and with the church , isa. . . and . . and then the flesh proudly swells , & triumphs over the spirit , saying , is this the man that took god for his hope ; but though god hath withdrawn himself a little , that the spirituall man might the more earnestly seek him , yet doth he not utterly forsake his servants , and his graces in them , which though they seem extinct , yet are they but in a swoon , and therefore when the lord blows upon them again by his spirit , then they recover their former strength , and the christian champian being grieved , and ashamed for his former foile , with more then wonted valour assaults his enemies , and puts them to flight , obtaining the victory , and ever after hold them under more base subjection . quest. what is the success of this conflict between the flesh and the spirit ? answ. the success is twofold , the first whereof is the repulses , and foils which the spirit suffers through the malice , and fury of the flesh : the second is of the victory , and triumph of the spirit over it . the first is temporary , and lasts only for a time : the second is permanent and everlasting . quest. what is considerable about the first ? answ. that the spirit is often foiled in this combate , when as by the subtilty , or violence of the flesh , it s hindred in its course of godliness , & allured , or forcibly drawn to the committing of sin : of which st. paul complains , rom. . , . and this happens either through the weaknes of the spirit , or want of watchfulness , and spiritual care to get the whole armour of god close buckled to us : of which foils there follow three notable effects . . unfeigned and bitter sorrow for our slips and falls . so isai. . . . an earnest desire to rise again , to be delivered from the bondage of the flesh , and having gotten the victory , to keep it under for the time to come . so rom. . . . having obtained the victory , an use of all good means to be preserved from all such foiles for the time to come ; for which end he . keeps a narrow watch over all his wayes , especially over his heart , wherein the flesh hides his chiefest ambushments , not readily satisfying every desire of profit , and delight , but first examining them by the rule of gods word , whether they be to be embraced , or rejected . . he will be most carefull to comfort , and strengthen the spirituall part , to keep the armour of god close buckled to him , and to be well provided of weapons before the conflict . . he will shew the like care in weakning his enemy the flesh , by withdrawing from it the chiefest weapons , whereby it hath formerly prevailed . . the regenerate man after his falls will more zealously hate his sin then ever formerly , avoiding and flying from it : yea , the oftner he hath fallen into it , the more he hates it . . after his foils , and falls , he will carefully perform all holy duties which are contrary to his former sins : redeeming his lost time by his future diligence . quest. how far may the flesh prevaile against the spirit ? answ. for resolving of this doubt , we must first distinguish between the gifts of the spirit , and the persons in whom they are , the gifts may be considered both in their kind , and in their quality . first , concerning the former , the gifts and graces of the spirit are either common to the regenerate , and unregenerate , or proper and peculiar to the elect alone . the common graces are especially those morrall virtues of wisdom , justice , fortitude , temperance , patience , &c. which may not only be lost , and quite extinguished in civill men , but also in the faithfull , because they are not essentiall to a christian , but rather ornaments , then part of the spirituall man : so in david when he feigned himself mad , and in the matter of bathsheba , and in his unjust sentence against mephibosheth . thus noah lost his temperance : lot his chastity : jeremy , and jonah , their patience , &c. but as for those sanctifying graces , proper , and peculiar to them , and essentiall to a christian , being once had , they can never be lost , notwithstanding all the power and malice of the divel , and the flesh . for rom. . . the gifts , and calling of god are without repentance ▪ so also joh. . . secondly , the saving graces of the spirit may be considered in their quality ; for they are either true , or false : the true are in the regenerate alone : the false in hypocrites , and temporaries : now these may loose their illumination , faith , love , and zeale , because they are but either common graces , or in shew , & appearance only . hence matth. . . from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath , with luke . . . quest. but may not true sanctifying , and saving graces in the regenerate be utterly killed , or at least for a time quenched ? answ. first , as some seeming graces in the unregenerate may be quite lost , so true grace in the faithfull may be seemingly lost , but not quite : for matth. . . to him that hath shall be given , and he shall have abundance . so joh. . . every branch in me that beareth fruit , shall be purged , &c. yet may they seemingly loose those graces which they keep in truth : as for example , they may seemingly loose their saving knowledge , when through the relicts of ignorance , they fall into some gross errors , heresies , or schismes . they may seemingly loose their faith , when being violently assaulted by temptations , it receives some grievous foils , and lies covered under incredulity , as fire under ashes , or the sun under a cloud : they may seem to loose repentance , when they are overtaken afresh by their old sins : especially when after they are cleansed , they relapse into gross sins , not only through ignorance , but wittingly against knowledge , and conscience , &c. yet these saving graces are not lost , but only hid , and covered for a time . secondly , other graces which spring from those which are fundamentall , and absolutely necessary to the being of a christian , may for a time be lost , as full assurance , peace of conscience , zeal of gods glory , the sence and feeling of his love , joy in the holy ghost , &c. which tend to the well being of a christian , may in respect of present apprehension , not only be much dulled , but quite extinguished : as we see in job , who thought god his enemy . so david complaines , psal. . . and . , , , . and . yet in these intermissions the true christian hath restless longings after the sence , and feeling of renewed graces , and shews as much fervency of affection , and intireness of love towards them by his bitter mourning for their absence , as he formerly did in his joy , and rejoycing in their presence . thirdly , saving and fundamentall graces may be lost in some degrees , at least in respect of their operations : as the strong faith may be shaken with doubtings , fervent love may be cooled , assured hope may quail , &c. as we see in the examples of job , david , peter , the galatians , and the angel of the church of ephesus , rev. . . and of sardis , rev. . . yea these graces may not only be shrewdly shaken , but cast into a dead swoune , in which they will appear , neither to others , nor to them that have them : but yet all this is to be understood of their functions , and operations , which may decay in their degrees : but as for the habits of these graces , they never decay in gods children , not so much as in their degrees , but grow continually till they come to their full stature : whence they are said to be trees of righteousness of gods own planting , psal. . . isa. . . and gods building , psal. . . and gods children who grow till they come to perfect age , ephes. . , , . and their graces are fountains of living water which flow continually , isa. . . hence the path of the just is compared to the morning light , &c. prov. . . object . but did not david loose degrees of his grace , when he committed adultery , and murther ? and peter when he denyed his master ? answ. there was a decay , yea an utter surceasing of them for the time , till they were renewed by repentance , yet not in the habits , and essence of their graces , but only in their operations : as the sun ever shines in his full brightness , though it s oft hid from our sight . yet we must not ascribe this permanency of their graces , to any property , or excellency which gods children have in themselves , as if by their own strength they could withstand all tentations , but it is to be ascribed to the power , and promises of god , to our union with christ , from whom we receive spirituall nourishment , and to the continuall gracious assistance of our good god , who supports us against all the powers of hell. object . but by this doctrine many will take occasion to become presumptuous , and secure ? ans. so is the doctrine of justification through gods free grace by faith obeyed , yea gods mercy , redemption by christ , and all the promises of the gospel : for where the apostle taught , rom. . , . and . . where sin abounds , grace abounds much more ; some were ready to say , let us then sin that grace may abound : but it s not possible that any sound christian who hath these graces should abuse what hath been said to presumption , and security : for though they cannot loose their graces , yet they may loose peace , comfort , joy , &c. which is the very life of their lives , in which state they are full of horror , and before they can purchase their former peace , they must pass through the purgatory of repentance , send out deep sighs , and bitter groans , &c. which will make them more wary ever after , even as long as they live , phil. . . quest. what is the second thing considerable in the successe of this conflict ? answ. that the spirit alwayes obtaineth an assured victory over the flesh : for though it be often weakned , yet it cannot be wholly vanquished , but still recovers strength whereby it prevails , and puts the flesh to flight , though it recieves many wounds ▪ and falls in the fight ▪ the reason is , because christ holds us by the right hand , and bids us fight without fear , isa. . , , . and . . yea he hath inseparatly united us to himself by his holy spirit , joh. . . and made us lively members of his body , and therefore being able to defend us , he will never suffer us to perish ▪ for then his own body should receive a maime . oject . but we see many christians , who both in their own judgement , and in the judgement of others are members of christ , yet quite fall away , and become members of satan ? answ. the members of christ , generally so called , are of two sorts : . such lively members as are inseparably united to him by his holy spirit , and a lively faith , which neither the divel , nor the flesh , nor any other power can pluck away from him . . such as are improperly called christs members , being dead , and fruitless , and only so in outward profession , and these may faile , and be quite severed from christ , but this doth not prove that the true members of christ may perish , for they can never be parted from christ in respect of their spirituall union , because gods spirit which is the cheif band of it , can never faile , hosa . . . jer. . . quest. by what degrees doth the spirit obtain the victory ? answ. first , in this life , in which this conquest over the flesh is but inchoate , and begun , the lusts thereof not being wholly abolished , but only in some degrees mortified : by reason whereof the conflict between these enemies , continues , not only in our first conversion , when we are but babes in christ , but even through the whole course of our lives : yet still for the most part the issue of it is the victory of the spirit , though it meets with many foils in the fight , rom. . . where it appears that whatsoever his slips , and errors may be , yet for the most part he holds on in his christian course unto the end . secondly , yet whilst we continue here , the victory is neither gotten , nor held without a conflict , wherein the spirit is often foiled : but in the end of this life we shall obtain a full , and perfect victory over the flesh , and all the lusts thereof , and then there shall be no place , or time for fighting , but for receiving the crown of victory , and the enjoying of everlasting peace , as tim. . . rev. . . quest. what arguments may encourage us to this conflict against the flesh ? answ. to the obtaining of this victory there are two things required . first , a due preparation to the fight . secondly , a wise and valorous behaviour in the fight itself . quest. what is required in the preparation to the fight . answ. first , a serious consideration of those arguments which may put courage into us , and make us resolute in assaulting this enemy . secondly , a right use of certain means which may enable us to overcome . quest. what are the reasons which may encourage us to set upon this enemie the flesh . answ. first , because its the will of our great captain , the lord of hosts , that we should encounter it , to which he often , and earnestly presses us to yield obedience by his command , that we should fight against the world , and the divell : as first , that we should depose it from its regency , rom. . . that we should not satisfie it , gal. . . that we should utterly renounce it , tit. . , . that we should put it off , ephes. . . yea mortifie it , col. . . crucifie it , or put it to a shamefull death , gal. . . there is a gracious promise to such , rom. . . secondly , let the necessity of this fight encourage us to it , seeing we have no peace with our sinfull flesh , but upon most wofull conditions , if we do not fight against it : for if we fight not against it , it will fight against , and overcome us : if we hold it not under as a slave , it will tyrannize over us , and enthrall both our souls , and bodies in a wretched bondage : and we had better , with the prodigall feed with filthy swine , then to become slaves to these sensual , and more filthy lusts . now how unworthy is this our being , and breeding , who by our creation were sons , and children of god , to yield our selves slaves to such cruel masters , who will make us imploy our bodies , and minds which were created for gods service , in the miserable bondage of sin , and satan ? but besides the hatefulness of the flesh for its cruell tyranny , it s more odious for its pollution , and filthiness : for there is no filthy sink , or stinking carrion to be compared to it . thirdly , the consideration of the manifold evills which are done unto us by the flesh , should excite us to this combate . for its more mischievous to us then the divel himself , who could never hurt us , if we were not first betrayed by this inbred enemy : yea it s worse then hell , and damnation , being the cause of them both : and without it , hell were no hell : it s the root of all sin , and wickedness , from which idolatry , blasphemy , murther , adultery , &c. grow , and spring : it s such an enemy as makes god himself our enemy , exposing us to his wrath , and would cast us headlong into eternall torments , if gods infinite mercy did not stay us in the way . it s the provoker to all wickedness , and the greatest outrages that were ever committed in the world may challenge the flesh as their chief cause and author , and shall we have any peace , or truce with such a vile , and malicious enemy ? it was it that pierced christs hand and feet , that thrust the spear into his side ; that put him into that agony in the garden , and upon the cross , &c. which moves men daily to crucifie him afresh , and to trample his precious blood under their filthy feet : and can we finde in our heart to have peace with such an enemy to our saviour ? it s also the cause of all our punishments , and miseries in this life , whether inward , or outward , and lastly of death it self , and everlasting damnation . lastly , consider that if we maintain the fight against it , we shall be sure to obtain the victory , and not only overcome the flesh , but with it the world , and the devil , and all the enemies of our salvation . quest. what are the meanes whereby we may be enabled to overcome the flesh ? answ. they are principally two . first , we must take unto us , and put upon us the whole armour of god. the battell is against the flesh , and therefore the weapons of our warfare must not be carnall seeing they will rather strengthen , and cherish , then wound , & mortifie fleshly corruptions : now this armour is described , ephes. . , &c. and herein we must be sure not to put it on by piece-meal ( for death may enter by one place unarmed ) but we must be armed cap a pe : at all points , that all being covered , none may be indangered . . we must be perswaded not to trust in our own strength , but in the power of gods might ; nor in the weapons themselves , which in themselves are too weak to bear the mighty blows of our spirituall enemies , but in the promises of god , which assure us of the victory , and in his gracious assistance , which we are daily to beg by prayer , and by which alone we shall be enabled to get the victory . secondly , we must carefully observe , and put in practice divers rules fit for this purpose . quest. what are those rules ? answ. they are of two sorts : for they either tend to the weakning , and subduing of the flesh , or to the strengthening of the spirit . quest. which are those that tend to the weakening of the flesh ? answ. they also are of two kinds ; as first , that we withdraw , and withhold from the flesh all meanes whereby it may gather strength . . that we use the contrary means whereby it may be weakened . quest. what is observable concerning the form●r ? answ. it s the care of all that are to fight against potent enemies , to deal with them as the philistines did with sampson : curiously to search wherein their chief strength lies , and then to use all means to disable , and deprive them of it , which course must also be held by us in this conflict with the flesh : for which end first , we must not nourish and strengthen this our enemy : we must not feed our flesh with sinfull pleasures , and carnall delights , nor give it ease , and contentment by glutting it with superfluities : we must not pamper it with ease , and delicacy , with unlawfull sports , or immoderate use of lawfull recreations , &c. for this would strengthen it against the spirit : neither are we to nourish the flesh , nor to leave it to its own liberty to cater for it self , remembring that its far unfit to have the liberty of a son , or friend , seeing its a base slave , and bitter enemy ; and if we give it the least liberty , it will draw us from one degree to another , till at last it bring us to all manner of licentiousness . secondly , when the flesh would take its liberty whether we will or no , we must forcibly restrain it , otherwise it will wax proud , and insolent , foile the regenerate part , and make it live in miserable bondage . hence cyril saith , si carnem nutriatis , & ipsam frequenti molitie , ac jugi deliciarum fluxu foveatis , insolescet necessario adversus spiritum , & fortior illo efficitur . it fares with the flesh , and spirit , as with two mortall enemies in the field : for he that by any means aids , and strengthens the one , doth thereby make way for the vanquishing of the other . there are ( saith one ) two committed by god to thy custody , a nobleman and a slave , on this condition , that thou shouldest feed the slave like a captive with bread and water , and entertain the nobleman with all provision befitting his dignity . object . but what passages must we stop to keepe back provision from the fl●sh ? answ. the provision which we are to with-hold from it , are all the meanes whereby it may be nourished , and enabled to resist the spirit , and seeing the flesh is resident in all the parts , and powers of our bodies , and soules , we must therefore use our best endeavour to keep from our corrupt minds all sinfull cogitations , and from our phansies all vain imaginations : we must not entertain ungodly counsels , pernicious errors , and false doctrines , but cut them off when they are approaching , and cast them out when they are entred : and on the contrary , we must furnish our minds in the regenerate part with holy thoughts , and divine meditations , with religious counsels , wholesome instructions , and pure doctrine out of gods word , col. . . so must we keep our consciences free from sin , and purge them daily from dead works , that they may serve the living god , heb. . . endeavouring to keep them pure , peaceable , and tender : we must keep , or blot out of our memories the remembrance of sinful pleasures , unless it be to repent of them , ribald speeches , profane jests , injuries received , with a purpose of revenge , with all other lessons of impiety imprinted in them either by satan , the world , or our own corruptions , and engrave in them all holy lessons which have been taught us out of the word . we must preserve our hearts from all unlawfull lusts , wicked desires , unruly passions , and ungodly affections : especially from covetousness , ambition , and carnall pleasures , and labour to have them fixed on spirituall and heavenly things , and to have them wholly taken up , and constantly possessed with sanctified affections , and holy desires ; we must keep out from our appetite intemperance , and all desires of excess , and nourish in it temperance , sobriety , modesty , and chastity . we must keep our tongues from all corrupt communication , pet. . , . our ears from ungodly discourses , our eyes from wanton objects , and lastly our bodies from sloth , and idleness , effeminate delicacy , excessive sleep , and all manner of sinfull pleasures , and on the contrary entertain watchfulness , sobriety , &c. and when being two full fed , it begins to be wanton , we must keep it under with fasting , and painfull labour . quest. what principall sins be there which most strengthen the flesh , which must especially be watched against ? answ. first , ignorance of god and his will , whereby the eyes of our understanding being hoodwinckt , or blinded , we may be easily misled into all by-paths of sin . secondly , infidelity , which nourisheth the flesh in all impiety , whilst neither believing gods promises , nor threatnings , we neither care to please him , nor fear to offend him . thirdly , security , impenitency , and hardness of heart , which mightily confirms the flesh in all wickedness , because hereby it goes on quietly in sin without all check , or remorse , and puts the evill day farre out of sight . fourthly , especially take heed of the love of the world , and setting our affections on earthly things , jam. . . joh. . . for this weakens the spiri● , and quencheth all good motions , which would cross us in the fruition of this momentary vanities of honour , riches , and pleasures , and roots out of our heart the love of god , from whence spings all true obedience : and thrusts us headlong into noisome tentations , and all manner of sins which promise to us the satisfying of our earthly desires . hence , tim. . . we must not intangle our selves in the affairs of this life , &c. if we will have heaven for our home , we must have our conversation there , whilst our commoration is in the world , phil. . . so , col. . , . we must therefore flie covetousness , tim , . , . it s the root of all evill , &c. so al●o we must avoid voluptuousness , surfeiting and drunkenness , chambering and wantonness , sloth and idleness : for the more we pamper the body , the more we pine the soul : as we see in noah , lot , david , &c. hence gregory saith , sicut carne qu●escente spiritus deficit , ita ea laborante convalescit : as the flesh enjoying rest , the spirit fainteth , so the flesh being sick , the spirit enjoyes health . quest. is it enough to restrain the flesh from things unlawfull ? answ. no , but we must also moderate it in the use of such things as are lawfull : yea there must not only be a sober , and moderate use of meats , and drinks , and carnall delights , but sometimes also a totall abstinence from them for the bette● taming of the flesh : solus in illicitis non cadit , qui se aliquando & a licitis caute resting it , saith gregory , he only falls not in things unlawfull , who sometimes warily restrains himself from those which are lawful . and st. austin tells us , qui a nullis refrenat licitis , vicinus est & illicitis : he that refrains from no lawfull delights , is in the next neighbourhood to those which are unlawfull . quest. is there not also another extreme to be avoided ? answ. yea , we must not destroy the bodie whilst we endeavour to tame the flesh : nor hurt , or kill our friend , whilst we make war against our enemie ; as when by watchings , fastings , &c. we so weaken our bodies , that thereby we make them unfit for anie good duties : hence gregory , saepe dum in illo hostem in●equimur , etiam civem quem , diligimus , trucidamus oft times whilst in these thing we pursue an ha●ed enemy , we doe unawares kill a beloved friend . quest. what other rule are wee to observe for the subdoing of the flesh ? answ. we must spoil this our enemie of its armour , and weapons wherewith it fights against us , as the philistines did the isra●lites . quest. what are these weapons ? answ. those fiery lusts , and darts of tentations wherewith the flesh encounters us , and draws us to commit sin either in thought , word , or actions , of which we are to deprive the flesh by taking away the matter whereof they are made , and all occasions , and means of them : or if we cannot doe this , we are to endeavour to wring these weapons out of our enemies hands , and to turn the point of them against himself by taking occasion from these tentations to perform some holy duty contrary thereto . as when it encounters us with wicked thoughts , take occasion thereby to fixe upon heavenlie meditations : when it provokes to corrupt speeches , take occasion to utter some wholesome speech : when it tempts to evil actions , be more forward to all religious duties , and more zealous of good works : or if we cannot wring these weapons out of the fleshes hands , we must look the better to get on the whole christian armour , especially the shield of faith , and sword of the spirit , that by the one we may bea● off these fierie darts , and by the other we may beat back our enemies : and have an eye on which side thine enemie strikes at thee : whether on the right side with tentations of prosperitie , or on the left with tentations of adversitie , whether it assaults thy head with errors , and heresies , or thy heart with unlawful lusts : thine eyes with wanton objects , or thine ears with corrupt speeches , and against all these oppose the shield of faith for thy securitie , pet. . , . quest. what other meanes must we use to secure us against this enemie ? answ. first , we must keep a narrow watch over our selves , and over our enemie , not only to prevent all occasions whereby it may circumvent us , but also we must take the best opportunities for the killing , and crucifying of all our fleshlie lusts : and this is necessarie , because in this life we cannot get a full conquest over it , but often when we have gotten the better , put it to flight , wounded and weakened , yet it is still plotting , and practising new treasons : for the atchieving whereof it hath great advantages , being an enemie in our bosome : and no sooner do out forraign enemies , the divel , and the world assault us , but this lurking traitor is presently ready to open the doors , and let them into our hearts , yea , and to joyn with them to work our overthrow : how carefull therefore should we be to shake off carnall securitie : in this world there is no place of safety . secondly , we must keep this watch as at all times , so in all things : for one postern unguarded is able to let in an armie of enemies : hence , tim , . . watch thou in all things : and this watch must be kept not only in things in their own nature evill , but even in indifferent things , that we abuse not our christian libertie to sin : yea , in those actions which are in their own nature good , that we may do them in a good manner , and for a right end : so christ exhorts in hearing , luke . . so in prayer we must watch against roving thoughts : and in giving alms against hypocrisie , matth. . . thirdly , we must keep this watch over all the parts and faculties of out bodies and souls , especially over our sences , which being the gates of our souls , let in , and keep out both friends and enemies : thus wee must watch over our eyes that they wander not after wanton , and wicked objects : as job . . and because our own providence is not sufficient to secure us , we must pray with david , psal. . . turne away mine eyes from beholding vanity . we must also watch over our ears , and take heed of what we hear : and how we hear : for evill words will corrupt good manners , cor. . . so over our tongues , our taste , our appetite , as solomon adviseth , prov. . . put a knife to thy throat , otherwise we shall be like a city whose walls are broken down , and therefore becoms an easie prey to an enemy , prov. . . fourthly , especially we must keep a strict watch over our tongues which the flesh abuseth as a notable instrument of all evill : which as a razor , or sharp sword , wounds not only our neighbours , but our own souls , and consciences : this david promiseth , psal. . . and this wee must doe the rather , . because god requires it , psal. . . keepe thy tongue from evill , &c. . because of that power and potency which is in the tongue to draw us to good , or evill , life , or death , as prov. . . and . . and . . . the naturall maliciousness in this little member should make us watch over it the more heedfully : for psal. . . it s a sharp razor , &c. rom. . . jam. . , , , . it an unruly evill , jam. . . and christian perfection consists in well ordering of the tongue , jam. . . now in this our watch we are to keep our tongues from impious words against the majesty of god , as blaspheming his name , profaning his word and ordinances , scorning his works : as also from dishonest , and unjust speeches , which tend to the prejudice of our neighbours , ephes. . . levit. . . and saint james gives a reason for it , jam. . . such speake evill of the law , and judge the law : viz by doing that which the law condemneth ▪ . we must refrain from idle speeches , and consequently from much speaking , wherein there is much vanitie , prov. . . considering that we must be accountable for every idle word , matth. . . fifthly , but above all other parts , we must guard our hearts , as solomon adviseth , prov. . . and that . because of all other parts its most crafty , and deceitfull , jer. . . . because it is the chief commander in this little world of man , ruling all other parts : it s their guid and captain that directs all their courses : it s the spring and fountain of all our thoughts , words , and actio● , luke . . mat. . , . and . . therefore it much concerns us at all times , in all places , and companies , & imploiments , whether about the service of god , or conversing with men , or alone , to keep our hearts pure , holy , sober , and righteous , least they being corrupted , mislead all our other powers , and parts , and seeing we cannot do this of our selves , we are continually to pray to the lord who hath our hearts in his hands , that he will rule and guide them , that so with themselves , all our other faculties may be brought into subjection to him : that he will cause them to love what he loves , and to hate what he hates , as psal. . . and . . and . . and . . sixthly , we must keep this watch in our spirituall armour , especially we must use the shield of faith , and the sword of the spirit to assault the flesh , and the lusts thereof , as soon as they approach towards us : sometimes repelling , and wounding them with the threatnings of the law , and sometimes thrusting them through with the sweet promises of the gospel , which encourage us to a godly life , and with the remembrance of gods love in christ , and what our dear saviour hath done , and suffered to free us from our sins : yea , we must use this sword of the spirit against each particular lust ▪ as when the flesh would withdraw us from the service of god , and engage us to the service of satan , and the world , we must resist it with that text , exod. . . wherein we are bound to worship , and serve god , and that we are redeemed for that end , deut. . . matth. . . luke . . when it moves us to neglect good works , remember , ephes. . . that we are created for this end . when it perswades to defer repentance , remember , eccles. . . psal. . , . when it would provoke us to love of the world , remember , jam. . . joh. . . pet. . . when it tempts us to pride , remember , prov. . . and . . god resisteth the proud , &c. when it tempts to covetousness , remember , tim. . , . heb. . . quest. what other rules must be observed by those that would subdue the flesh ? answ. first , we must resist it in all the occasions that it taketh , and means which it useth to prevail against us , and see that with equal care we avoid and shun them . for if we are so weak of our selves , that we are prone to fall , when no outward means provoke us thereto , how much more shall we be foiled when as their objects presents themselves , and both time , place , and company invite us to imbrace them : especially considering that by exposing our selves to these needless dangers , we tempt god to leave us to our own weakness , and to the malice of our spirituall enemies , that so by our falls , we may learn to be more wary for the time to come . hence paul , ephes. . . having forbidden fornication , &c. forbids the naming of them , together with filthy , and foolish talking , and scurrilous jesting , which are means to provoke to those sins , as we see in david , achan , ahab , &c. hence , prov. . . a companion of fools shall be destroyed , and psal. . . away from me ( saith david ) ye wicked , i will keepe the commandements of my god : hence also , ephes. . . . we must withstand the first beginnings of sin , and labour to quench our fiery lusts when they are first kindled in us , thes. . . abstain from all appearance of evill : and st. jude advised , that we should be so far from entertaining sin , that we should hate the garment spotted by the flesh , jud. . . thirdly . if we would get the victory over our sinfull lusts , we must prevent them withall speed , take them unprovided , and set upon them before they be aware : for the longer we defer the fight , the more difficult , and doubtfull we make the victory . if we single them out one by one as they appear to us , we shall easily overcome them , but if we give them time to muster their forces , and to come in troops against us , we shall not be able to withstand their power : we should therefore ( as pharaoh ) drown them in the tears of true repentance as soon as they are born : we must destroy sin in its first conception , and not suffer it to receive birth , and breath in our words , and actions , least it grow to our destruction , jam. . . sin when it is finished brings forth death . hence st. austin , caput serpentis obs●rva : quod est caput serpentis ? prima peccati suggestio . observe well the serpents head , that thou mayest give give it a mortall wound : and what is this serpents head , but the first suggestion of sin : and st. cyprian saith , diaboli primis titillationibus obviandum est , nec col●ber soveri debit donec in serpentem formetur . withstand the divels first allurin● motions , neither let us cherish the snake till it grow to a serpent . sin is an unlimited evill which admits of no bounds , if we let it have full liberty to enlarge it self , like elias his cloud , &c. and if we do not this , we are not so wise for our souls , as we are about earthly things : if fire be cast into our bosoms , we will presently cast it out : and quench it when it first takes hold of our houses : we mend our garments when the rent is small : we presently stop the gap when the water hath made a breach in the bank , &c. why then should we not deal so with sin , which is a greater evil , and more dangerous , vel exigua scintilla flammam ingentem accendit , & hominem saepenumero viperae semen perdidit : saith nazianzen , the least spark in time grows to a great flame , and oft times the seed of the viper hath destroyed a man : let us therefore shun the least fault , seeing , though it be small , it will quickly be great if we let it go on . a small error in the beginning of the way , may become great in the end of the journey . sin is a gangrene which if let alone will devoure all : and therefore here , if ever the physitians rule is good , cito , longe , tarde : flie from it speedily : go far enough , and it will be too soon if ever we return to it again . to give way to the first motions of sin is very dangerous , as appears by the examples of cain , solomon , jonas , sampson , herod , judas , &c. fourthly , we must not think any sin so small , as willingly to commit it , and to continue in it without repentance : but contrarywise we should the rather flie from the least sin , because naturally we are apt to slight and neglect such . non est minimum in vi●a hominum negligere minima , saith eusebius : it s not the least thing in a mans life to neglect such things as seem to be least , and i know not of what faults we may be secure , seeing we must be judged for sins of ignorance , and give an account of our idle words and thoughts . for which end let us consider . . that even by the least sins gods law is transgressed , his justice violated , and his wrath provoked . hence st. hierom saith : nec consideres quod parva peccata , sed quod magnus ●it deus , c●i displicent . do not consider the smallness of thy sins , but the greatness of thy god who is displeased with them : and st. austin adds , nullum enim peccatum adeo parvum , quod non crescat neglectum . non enim considerandum quid fecerit , sed quem offenderit , there is no sin so little which being neglected doth not increase , and we must not consider what we have done , but how great he is whom we have offended . . consider that the eternall son of god suffered the bitter death on the cross , as well for the least , as for the greatest sins , and is any sins small which could not be purged by a less price ? . consider what great evills come of the least sins : for first our smallest sins defile our persons , and makes us abominable in gods sight , especially when we willingly entertain , or live in them . it ill becomes the temples of the holy ghost to have such sluttish corners : it ill beseems us who are espoused to christ , to come into his presence with such blemishes , and loathsome defilements . . the least sins do wound , and being often committed , do ●ear the conscience : as much use makes the hand brawny , and little drops , do hollow the hardest stones : and small blows cut down the strongest oakes , they also harden the forehead , and make the face impudent . . if we would know how much even those sins which they would count small , doe provoke the lords wrath , we may see by those severe judgments which he hath executed on offenders in this kind , as on nadab , and abihu , lev. . , . on vzzah , . sam. . . on achan , josh. . on the man that gathered sticks on the sabbath , numb . . . on ananias , and saphira , acts . but above all , most dreadfull was gods judgment on our first parents for eating of the forbidden fruit , whence st. austin saith , haec peccata etsi parva sint per misericordiam , fiunt magna peccatoribus negligentia . although our sins , when they are repented of , become small , yet they are made great unto sinners through their negligence , and impenitency . so matth. . . and . . . that we may not give way to the least sins , let us consider , that if we willingly entertain them , they will prove no less dangerous then the greatest , because they are the continuall errors of our lives , which are more frequently committed then hainous offences , and therefore what they want in weight , they ●ave in number : the tallest ship may be sunk by the smallest sands : hence st. austin saith , ne contemne peccata parva : etsi parvi facias dum ea ponderas , time saltem quando annumeras . despise not small sins , for though thou doest but lightly esteem them whilst thou dost weigh them , yet at least fear when thou beginnest to number them . great rivers are filled with small drops : gather the least things together , and they will make a great heap , &c. great sins indeed more wast the conscience , and are like to savage beasts , devours us at one bit , or jonas's whale that swallowed him up at once : but small sins also are like those little vermin , that with their multitude plagued pharaoh and his people . but what need i speak of multitudes of sins , when the least unrepented of is sufficient to damn us . . if we be carefull to flie from the least sins , it will be a notable means to preserve us from falling into greater : he that gives no place to the first motions of covetousness , is safe from usury , bribery , extortion , theft , &c. he that keeps his tongue from speaking irreverently of god , is safe from cursing , and blasphemy : he that makes conscience of vain swearing , is safe from perjury , &c. therefore st. hierom saith , satis prodesse ad cautionem discimus etiam minima pro maximis cavere . it s a good caution in avoiding sin , to take heed of the least , as though they were the greatest , whereas if we ordinarily swallow smaller sins , it widens our throats to let down greater . . consider that sin is that deadly poison which satan the great red dragon casts out of his mouth , and who would drink that which he hath disgorged ? who would be allured to swallow these poisons which are so mortall to the soul , because they delight our carnall appetite ? sin is satans livery , which who so willingly wea●s , acknowledges the divels soveraignty , and his own servitude , joh. . , . . consider that those enemies are most dangerous , which are most despised : for hereby we are brought to neglect our watch , to lay aside our armour , and weapons , and to fall i● to the deadly slumber of carnall security , and what enemy is so weak , that cannot cut the throat of the strongest when he is a sleep , and disarmed ? nullum peccatum tam parvum est , quod contemptu non fiat magnum , saith st. augustine , there is no sin so small , which contempt will not make ●reat . . consider that if we do not hate all sin , small as well as great , we hate not any with a christian hatred : for they that hate sin truly , and spiritually , doe it upon these grounds . . because it hath the divels stamp , and superscription on it , who is cods , and our greatest enemy , and this his image is upon the smallest , as well as the greatest sins . . such hate sin because they love , and fear god , and would not do any thing which might displease him ; and they hate it because it s so odious to god , so opposite to his law , and contrary to his nature , upon which grounds they hate every sin , small and great : and though they doe not equally hate all , yet they are not in love with any . fifthly , the next rule for the subduing of the flesh is , that we must neglect no sin as though we were in no danger of falling into it . for we have the seed of all sin in us , and need nothing to the committing of it , but that god should leave us to our selves , and satans tentations : hence we are commanded to work out our salvation with fear and trembling , phil. . . and when we think we stand , to take heed of falling , cor. . . sixthly , the last rule is , that we set no stint to our mortification , but that we endeavour from one degree to aspire to another , till we come to perfection : we must not deale with these spirituall enemies as joash with the aramites , king. . . contenting our selves with two or three victories over them : much less as the israelites with those cursed nations , suffering them quietly to dwell with us , on condition that they will contribute something to our pleasure , profit , &c. but we must war with them till we have utterly rooted them out : or at least to deal with them , as joshuah with the gibeonites , to make them our slaves . let us not deal with them as saul and ahab with agag , and benhadad , get the victory , and so suffer them to live , least through gods judgment they kill us because we killed not them : neither with saul , let us destroy the meanest of our lusts , and keep the fattest alive which bring most pleasure , or profit to us : let us not be like herod , that refrained from many sins , but would not part with his herodias : but our mortification must be without stint , or restraint , extending to all lusts in respect of the object , and in respect of the time , continually even to the end of our liues : and thus continuing faithfull to the death , we shall receive the crown of life , rev. . . and lastly in respect of the degrees , we must not content our selves that we have mortified our lusts in some measure , but we must strive after perfection , not suffering sin to live in any of our members , but must cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh & spirit , &c. co. . . labouring to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect , mat. . . for which end we must pray god to sanctifie us throughout , thes. . . and christ our saviour to sanctifie and cleanse us by th● washing of water by the word , &c. ephes. . . and to our prayers , we must add our endeavours to encrease in the measure of mortification , getting daily new victories over all our sinfull lusts . true grace is growing grace , &c. quest. what means may we use to strengthen the spirit to the obtaining of the victory ? answ. first ▪ we must avoid the means whereby it s weakned . for in this spirituall warfare both these concur in the same actions : for the famishing of the flesh , is the nourishing of the spirit , and the weakning of the one , is the strengthening of the other . quantum carni detrahes , tantum facies animum spirituals bona habitudine relucere , saith basil. look how much thou detractest from the flesh , so much thou makest thy spirituall part to prosper and flourish in good health , and liking . now the chief means whereby the spirit is weakned , are our sins , whereby we grieve the good spirit of god , and make him weary of lodging in our hearts but above others , such sins weakens the spirit as are committed against knowledge , and conscience , wilfully , and presumptuously : with which kind of obstinate rebellion the spirit is tired , that he will no longet contend with us , but leave us to our lusts , and a reprobate mind to go on to our perdition , gen. . . so it was with the old world . of this god complains , amos . . that he was pressed under their sins as a cart under the sheaves : for this god gave the gentiles up to vile affections , &c. rom. . . we must not therefore quench the spirit , thes. . . nor grieve him , ephes. . . quest. but what are those speciall sins which most wound and w●aken the spirit ? answ. first , ignorance , and blindness of mind , which pulls out of the hand of the spirit his chiefest weapon , the sword of gods word whereby it defends it self , and offends its enemies : it also dazels the understanding that it cannot discern the slights , and subtilties of our spirituall enemies , nor on which side they strike us , nor how to ward off their blows . secondly , infidelity , which disables the spirit whilst it deprives it of the chief comforts , and encouragements whereby it s strengthened against the assaults of the flesh , viz. gods sweet promises of grace in this life , and of glory in the next , to all those who walk in the spirit , and mortifie the flesh . yea it weakens the spirituall bond of our union with christ , which is our faith , by which alone he is applyed , and so hinders the influences of his graces , by which we are strengthened against the flesh , and enabled to withstand the assaults of all our spiritual enemies . thirdly , impenitency , which is most pernicious to the health , and vigour of the spirit : for besides , that it hinders all the operations of faith , the application of christ , and all the promises made in him , our communion with god , hiding his loving countenance from us , in the appehensions whereof consists the life of our lives , it also depriveth us of peace of conscience , and joy in the holy ghost , by which our spiritual man is strengthened , & after we have received wounds by the flesh in the spirituall f●ight , it hinders their cure , and causeth them to rankle , and daily to grow more incurable . fourthly , carnal security , and hardness of heart greatly weakens the spirit , whereby we bless our selves when our state is dangerous , and have no sence , and feeling , either of gods mercy , and love , or of his displeasure , by the one whereof the spirit is strengthened in gods service , and by the other we are preserved from sinning against him . carnall security weakens the spirit , as it makes us put the evill day far from us , and utterly to neglect our spiritual enemies , as though there were no danger ; it makes us lay aside our watch , and so to lie open to the assaults of our adversaries , and to neglect the means of our safety . fifthly , the love of the world , which like birdlime , so besmears the wings of of our soul , that thereby it is fastened to the earth , and worldly vanities : more especially the love of honours , and the glory of the world makes the spirituall man sluggish in the pursuit of eternall glory . the love of riches hinders him from seeking after those incomparable treasures which are reserved for us in heaven ; it choaks the seed of the word that it cannot take root , and bear fruit : it frustrates all the good motions of the spirit , that they cannot take effect : it exposes us to many tentations , and sna●es which drown men in destruction , tim . , . and so the love of earthly pleasures hinder the pursute of those eternal pleasures , and fulness of joy which is as gods right hand for ever more . for when the flesh is pamperd with these carnall delights , the spirit is pined : when it s made fat with gluttony , the spirit grows lean , fulness of wine , and the spirit will not stand together , as we see , ephes. . . secondly , we must not provide for the spirit poison instead of wholesome food , nor carnall weapons instead of spirituall : as , instead of the pure word of god , and heavenly manna , the sincere milk of the gospel , and sacraments , we must not feed our souls with humane inventions , and traditions , will-worship , and superstitious devotions , not warranted by scripture ; of which , the more liberally that we feed , the more lean we wax in our spiritual strength , and stature , yea , the more feeble we grow in all spirituall graces . . we must not provide for this spirituall warfare , carnall weapons . for cor. . . the weapons of our warfare are not carnal , &c. as for example , we must not fight against the flesh with fleshly anger , and carnal revenge . for jam. . . the wrath of man works not the righteousness of god : we must not seek to subdue the flesh with popish fasting , called the doctrine of divels , tim. . , . but with our fasting when we have just occasion , we must joyn prayer , the one being the end , the other the means enabling us thereunto . thirdly , we must not remit any thing of our zeal in holy duties , and give way to coldness , and formality therein . for we may the more easily preserve the strength of the spirit , whilst its in the best plight , then recover it when it s diminished again , the more resolutely we stand in the strength of grace received , the more willing the lord is to assist us in fighting his battels : the more carefull we are to encrease his spirituall talents , the more willing he is to redouble them , . lastly , we must avoid fleshly sloth , and negligence : and must use gods gifts , and graces in the exercise of christian duties to the glory of him that gave them . our knowledge must be exercised in the practice of what we know : our faith in good works : our love to god , and our neighbours in performing all holy duties we owe them . for if we could abound in all graces , yet if we did not use them for our own defence , and the discomforting our enemies , we should be never the neerer in obtaining the victory . quest. how may wee cheare up , and comfort the spirit to this conflict ? answ. first , we must earnestly desire to have the spirit more strengthened , and the gifts , and graces of it more enlarged , and multiplied in us . god hath promised that if we want the spirit , and ask it of him , he will give it us , luke . . so if we have it , and desire , and beg an increase of the gifts of it , he will satisfie our desires , and carry it on to perfection , psal. . . phil. . . for therefore doth the lord give us these longings that we may satisfie them , we must not therefore rest content with any measure of grace received , but go on from grace to grace , till we come to perfection : and this is an infallible sign of the regenerate , who are therefore said to be trees of righteousness of gods own planting , psal. . . which are most fruitfull in their old age : they are like the morning light , which shines more , and more to the perfect day , prov. . . they are gods bildings , which is still setting up till it be fully finished , ephes. . . they are gods children who grow from strength to strength , till they come to a perfect stature : therefore we must desire to grow in grace , ephes. . , . joh. . . pet. . . secondly , we must use all good means for the strengthening of the spirit ; for which end , . we must be diligent in hearing , reading , and meditating on the word of god , which is the ministry of grace , and salvation ; not only the seed whereby we are begotten again , but the food also whereby we are nourished till we come to a full age in christ , pet. . . and because a time of scarcity may come , we must ( with joseph ) lay up aforehand that we may have provision in such times as those . for if food be withdrawn from the spirit , it will languish , and not be able to stand against the assaults of the flesh in the day of battell . . to the ministery of the word , we must joyn the frequent use of the lords supper , which is a spirituall feast , purposely ordained by our saviour christ , for the strengthening our communion with him by the spirit , and for the replenishing of us with all those sanctifying graces , whereby we may be enabled to resist the flesh . . we must use the help of holy conference , instructing , exhorting , admonishing , counselling , and comforting one another , that we may be further edified in our holy faith , jude . thirdly , if we will strengthen the spirit , we must nourish the good motions thereof , neither utterly quenching them , nor delaying to put them in practice , but presently obeying them , taking the first , and best opportunity of performing those duties which it requires : as when a fit opportunitie being offered , it moves us to prayer , either to beg the graces which we want , or to give thanks for benefits received , we are not to neglect this motion utterly , nor to cool it by delayes , but presently to put it in execution . so in other duties either of piety to god , or of mercy , and charity to men , we must not put them off to another time , but presently set upon them , making hay while the sun shines , &c. which will much chear , and comfort the spirit , being thus readily obeyed . fourthly , we must be careful of maintaining our peace with god , and our assurance of his love , and favour which is best done by preserving peace in our own consciences , keeping them clear from known , and voluntary sins , whereby our father may be angered , and we exposed to his judgments . for if god be offended , his spirit cannot , be well pleased with us , neither will he renew our strength , nor send us fresh supplies of grace , to strengthen us against our spirituall enemies : neither can our regenerate spirit with courage fight against the divell , the world , and the fesh , when it wants the light of gods countenance , and its peace is interrupted with him . yea , we must endeavour to have , not only gods graces habitually , but to feel their severall actions , and operations working our hearts to all good duties . and these feelings of faith , and comforts of the spirit are best obtained , and kept , when as we preserve our communion , and familiar acquaintance with god in the constant and conscionable use of his holy ordinances , of hearing , prayer , receiving the sacraments , and frequenting the publick assemblies , where god is present by his spirit , as psal. . , . and . . &c. when we labour daily in the mortification of our sins , which separate between god and us , and exercise our selves in all holy duties of his service , thereby glorifying his name , and edifying our neighbours by our good example . fifthly , we must carefully preserve our bodies , and souls , which are his temple , in purity from all pollution of sin : for as a good aire , and sweet habitation doth much refresh , and strengthen our natural , and vitall spirits , and preserves our bodies in health : so no less doth it chear up the spirit of god within us , if we provide him a cleanly lodging , free from sinfull impurity , sweetned with the incense of our prayers , and adorned with the flowers , and fruits of our good works , and holy obedience . sixthly , if we would strengthen the spirit , and increase in us the gifts and graces thereof , we must keep them in continual exercise , and cause these habits to shew themselves in their functions , and operations : for as breathing and moving are necessary for preserving the life of our bodies : so fruitfull working , and holy walking in all christian duties is for preserving , and cherishing the life of the spirit , gal. . . if we live in the spirit , let us walk in the spirit , let the fire of the spirit have fit vent to send out its flames in holy , and righteous actions , it will live and blaze , but if we stop its vent , it will presently die . let faith exercise it self in apprehending the promises , in waiting for performances , fighting against doubting , and in bea●ing the fruits of good works , it will from a grain of mustard-seed , grow to be a great tree , from smoaking flax , to a burning flame , and from a feeble assent to a full perswasion . let love be exercised in doing , and suffering for gods sake , in performing all holy services , and christian duties to god and our neighbours , it will grow from a spark to a great fire . let the shoulders of patience be inured to bear the cross of christ , and suffer afflictions : to put up wrongs , and overcome evill with good , though they be weak at first , they will become hardy , and strong . exercise encreaseth graces , but ease and sloth weakens them , we should therefore resolve with david , psal. . , , . seventhly , the last and principall means to cherish the spirit , is earnest and effectuall prayer to god that he will strengthen our weakness , and quicken our dulness , and support our faintness , by a constant renewing of his spirit in us , and sending a continuall supply of his saving graces , to reenforce , and refresh our decayed bands , that by these auxiliaries , they may be enabled to stand in the day of battell , and to get the victory over all our spirituall enemies . it s god that teaches our hands to war , and our fingers to fight , psal. . . and that gives us at the last a full , and final victory , and then adds the crown of victory , even everlasting glory . mr. downhams christian warfare . quest. but the flesh and spirit being but qualities , how can they be said to fight together ? answ. because the flesh and spirit are mixed together in the whole regenerate man , and in all the powers of his soul : as light and darkness are mixed in the air in the dawning of the day : and as heat and cold are mixed together in lukewarm water : we cannot say that one part of the water is hot , and another cold , but heat and cold are mixed in every part : so the man regenerate , is not in one part flesh , and another spirit , but the whole mind is partly flesh , and partly spirit , and so are the will and affections , &c. now upon this mixture it is that the powers of the soul are carried , and disposed divers ways , and hereupon follows the combate . quest. how doth the lust of the flesh shew it self ? answ. first , it defiles , and suppresses the good motions of the spirit : hence paul saith , rom. . , . when i would doe good , evill is present : and the law of the flesh rebels against the law of the mind , hereupon the flesh is fitly compared to the disease called ephialtes , or the mare , in which men in their slumber , think they feel a thing as heavy as lead to lie upon their breasts , which they can no way remove . secondly , it brings forth , and fills the mind with wicked cogitations , and rebellious inclinations : hence concupiscence is said to tempt , to entice , and to draw away the mind of man , jam. . . quest. what are the contary actions of the spirit ? answ. first , to curb , and restrain the flesh : hence st. john saith , the regenerate man cannot sin , joh. . , secondly , to beget good motions , inclinations , and thoughts agreeable to the will of god , as in david , psal. . . my reins instruct me in the night season : and isa. . . thine ears shall hear a voice behind thee , &c. and thus by the concurrence of these contrary actions in the same man is the combate made . quest. why is there such a contrariety between the flesh and spirit ? answ. because the spirit is the gift of righteousness , and the flesh stands in a double opposition to it . . in the want of righteousness . . in a proness to all unrighteousness . object . but naturall men also have a combat in them . for they can say , video meliora , proboque , deteriora sequor . i see and approve of what is good , but doe that which is naught ? answ. this combat is between the naturall conscience , and rebellious affections , and its incident to all men that have in them any conscience , or light of reason . quest. have all believers this combat in them ? answ. no : for . only such as be of years have it : for infants , though they have the seed of grace in them , yet do they want the act , or exercise of it , and therefore they feel not this combat , because it stands in action . secondly , this combate is in the godly in the time of this life only . for in death the flesh is abolished , and consequently this combate ceaseth . quest. what are the effects of this combate in the godly ? answ. it hinders them that they cannot do the things that they would , gal. . . and that three wayes . . it makes them that they cannot live in the practice of any one sin , joh. . . . if at any time they fall , it staies and keeps them that they sin not with full consent of will , but they can say , the evil which i hate , that doe i , rom. . . . though in the ordinary course of their lives they do that which is good , yet by reason of this conflict they fail in the doing of it , rom. . . hence it follows that all the works of regenerate men are mixed with sin , and in the rigor of justice deserve damnation . object . sin is the transgression of the law : but good works are no transgression of the law , and therefore they are no sins ? answ. i answer to the minor : the transgression of the law is two-fold . one which is directly against the law , both for matter and manner : . when that is done which the law requires , but not in that manner it should be done : and thus good works become sinfull . object . good works are from the spirit of god : but nothing proceeding from the spirit of god is sin ? answ. things proceeding from the spirit of god alone , or from the spirit immediately , are no sins : but good works proceed not only from the spirit , but also from the mind , and will of man , as instruments of the spirit : and when an effect proceeds from sundry causes that are subordinate , it takes unto it the nature of the second cause : hereupon our works are partly spirituall , and partly carnall , as the mind and will of the doer is . object . but good works please god , and what pleases god is no sin ? answ. they please god , because the doer of them is in christ. again , they please not god before , or withour pardon . for they are accepted , because god approves his own work in us , and pardons the defect thereof . object . no sins are to be done , therefore if good works be sin , they are not to be done ? answ. they are not simply sins but only by accident . for as god commands them , they are good , and as godly men doe them they are good in part . now the reason holds only thus , that which is sin , so far forth as it is a sin , or if it be simply a sin , is not to be done . mr. perkins , vol. . p. . chap. xliii . questions , and cases about conscience good and bad. quest. what is conscience ? answ. it is a faculty of the soule , taking knowledge , and bearing witness of a mans thoughts , words , and works , excusing them when they be good , and accusing them when they be evill , rom. . . if the conscience be not deceived , but bears a true witness , then it s no erroneous conscience ; yet it may be an evill conscience if it be not sanctified as well as inlightned . or , conscience is a particular knowledge which we have within us of our own deeds , good , or evill , arising out of the generall knowledge of the mind , which shews us what is good , or evill , and conscience tells us when we have done the one or the other . conscience is a word of great latitude , and infinite dispute . it s taken sometimes properly , sometimes generally . it s both a faculty , and a distinct faculty of the soul : the schools reject that , others this : but besides reason , the word bends most that way , tim. . . it s distinguished from the evill , tit. . . from the mind . and if we mark it , conscience is so far from being one of both , or both in one , as that there is between them : . a jealousie , then an open faction : the other powers of the soul taking conscience to be but a spie , do what they can , first to hide themselves from it , next to deceive it , afterwards to oppose it , and lastly , to depose it . conscience on the other side , labours to hold its own , and ( till it be blinded or bribed ) proceeds in its office in spight of all opposition : it cites all the powers of nature , sits upon them , examineth , witnesseth , judges , executes , hence come those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 self-conferences , or reasonings spoken of , rom. . . thence those apologies , and exceptions amongst themselves when conscience sits . quest. what is the common subject of conscience ? answ. the reasonable soul : indeed there is some shadow of it in a beast , a● th●e ●s of reason : but it is but a shadow : the proper sea● of it , is the highest part of the soul : it s usually referred to the practicall understanding , because it s busied about actions , and drives all its works to issue by discourse : but as that ground is too weak ( for neither is every discourse conscience , nor every act of conscience a discourse ) so is that room too straight : conscience is therefore rather to be placed somewhat higher , under god , but over all in man , distinct from other faculties , ye● still sheathed in the body . quest. what is its end , or office ? answ. it is set in man to make known to man , in what terms he stands with god , thence its name , and therefore is fitly tearmed , the souls glass , and the understandings light . conscience therefore is a prime faculty of the reasonable soul , there set to give notice of its spirituall estate in what terms it stands with god. the soul is ranked into three parts , and those into as many courts , and offices . the sensitive part hath its court of common pleas : the intellectual , of the kings bench : the spirituall , a chancery : in this court all causes are handled , but still with speciall reference to god : here sits conscience as lord chancellour , the synteresis as master of the rolls : to this court all the powers of man owe , and pay service till the judge be either willingly feed , or unwillingly resisted . and this of conscience strictly taken . . it s taken sometimes more generally : sometimes for the whole court , and proceeding of conscience , by the fathers : sometimes for the whole soule of man , either stooping to conscience , or reflecting upon it self ; so the hebrews ever take it : you never find that tearm ( conscience ) with them , but heart , spirit . so st. john ( who abounds with hebraisms ) if our heart condemn , or condemn us not , joh. . , &c. dr. harris , st. pauls exercise . quest. what is the scripture word for conscience ? ans. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which is a compound word : . of the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifies to see , mat. . . and to know , joh. . . . of a preposition , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifies with : so as conscience implyeth , knowledge with : viz. with some other thing . conscience then implies a double knowledge : one of the mind , which is a bare understanding of a thing : another of the heart : so as the heart witnessing a thing together with the mind , is conscience , cor. . . — save the spirit , ( i. e. the conscience ) of a man which is in him . or the double knowledge that is comprised under conscience , may be of god , or a mans self . god knoweth all things , even the most secret thoughts , psal. . . and every man knoweth the most secret things of himself , cor. . . the testimony therefore of a mans heart , with his mind , or rather with god , is conscience . hence it s said to bear witness , rom. . . and paul rejoyced in the testimony of his conscience , cor. . . quest. where is the seat of conscience ; answ. within a man : for it s applyed to the heart , heb. . . yea , it s stiled the heart , prov. . . sam. . . and the spirit , cor. . . quest. why is it seated in a man ? answ. that it may the better perform the function which belongs to it : it being within , may see all within , and without . as a man within a house full of windows , kin. . . but conscience cannot be discerned by others without , as is implyed , jer. . . cor. . . quest. what is the office of conscience ? answ. to witness , rom. . . for this end it hath ability to know the things of a man. the witness of conscience is the surest witness that can be . it s a faithfull witnesse that will not lie , prov. . . a man by his tongue may belye himself , but conscience cannot doe so . quest. how manifold is the witnes● of conscience ? answ. twofold : either to accuse , or to excuse , rom. . . to accuse for evill , to excuse by freeing from evill unjustly laid to ones charge : the jews conscience accused , joh. . . st. pauls's excused , act. . . hence follows trouble , or peace to a mans soul , as matth. . . rom. . . quest. what is a good conscience ? answ. that conscience is said to be good , when it obeyeth such light , and direction , as it doth think , and take to be true and sound light , and direction , act. . . quest. how many things concurre to make up a good conscience ? answ. first , the matter whereupon it worketh , which is a conformity in the whole man to the whole will of god : gods will made known to man , is mans rule , whereunto all his thoughts , words and actions ought to be conformed . secondly , the proper act of it , where this matter is to be found , the conscience will beare witness , and give a true testimonie thereunto . thirdly , the consequence following thereupon , which is peace , and quietness to the soul. such a good conscience was perfect in mans innocency : but by his fall it was clean lost , and became an evill conscience . for gen. . . quest. how doth an evill conscience faile in the proper works thereof ? answ. sometimes in defect : sometimes in an excess . . in the defect when it suffers a man to run into all evill , and doth neither check , nor trouble him for the same . called a seared conscience , tim. . . . in the excess , when it doth so out of measure trouble him , as it takes away all hope of pardon , and hinders sound and true repentance : yea , and makes his life a burden to himself : so judas's , matth. . , , . hence , isai. . , . quest. what must concurre to the renovation of conscience , and making it good ? answ. first , faith in lord jesus christ , whereby the conscience is purged , and purified from the naturall defilement which it had , heb. . . hence we are exhorted , heb. . . to draw near with a pure heart , &c. secondly , a sanctified work of the spirit , whereby the heart is alienated from sin , and made watchfull against it : and withall it is put on to conform it self to the holy will of god : whch conformity being true , and entire , without hypocrisie , moveth the conscience to bear witness thereunto , rom. . . cor. . . this is stiled a pure conscience , tim. . . tim. . . and a conscience void of offence , act. . . quest. what then since mans fall is counted a good conscience ? answ. first , that which giveth a true testimony of a mans faith in christ , for the pardon of his sins , and reconciliation with god , heb. . . secondly , which bears witness to his conformity in the whole man to the holy will of god in all manner of duties to god and man , act. . . particularly , and specially in those duties which belong to his particular calling , whereof he is to give an especiall account , matt. . . thirdly , that which worketh peace , and quiet in the soul , rom. . . cor. . . dr. gouge on heb. quest. what other definitions may be given of conscience ? answ. conscience is the judgment of a man concerning himself , and his own wayes , in reference , and subordination to the judgement of god : dr. ames . or it s the souls recoiling on its self . ward , dike . or it s the souls acting , and reflecting on it self , and on all a mans own actions . quest. how many sorts of good consciences are there ? answ. a good troubled conscience : bona turbata . secondly , a good quiet conscience : bona pacata . quest. vvhat goodnesse must concurre to a right good conscience ? answ. first , a goodness of sincerity . secondly , a goodness of security : it must be honeste bona , & pacate bona . quest. what then is a truly good conscience ? answ. a good conscience is that which is rightly purified , and rightly pacified by the word , blood , and spirit of christ , regularly performing all the offices unto which it is designed . quest. what must it be purified from ? answ. first , ignorance : a conscience void of knowledge , is void of goodness : the blindy conscience is alwayes an ill conscience , tit. . . secondly , from error , the erroneous conscience is ever a desperate , and dangerous conscience . look what swine are to a garden : a wilde boare to a vine-yard : young foxes to grapes , &c. such is an erroneous conscience to churches , doctrines , truths , graces , and duties : it overturns all : it engaged herod under an opinion of piety , to destroy john to save his wicked oath , mat. . . others make void gods commands to make good their own vows , jer. . . it made paul to persecute the church , act. . . others to compass sea , and land to make proselites , matth. . . thirdly , from naturall deadness , or hardness , heb. . . a dead conscience is not for a living god. quest. how must conscience be purified ? answ. first , the word of christ is the great heart-searcher , and conscience-purifier , heb. . . joh. . . & . . this removes ignorance , psal. . , . it rectifies error , being a voice behind us , isa. ● . . ends all controversies , isa. . . resolves all doubts , luke . . removes deadness and hardness , jer. . . it s an hammer to soften : it s immortall seed , &c. pet. . . hence psal. . , , . secondly , the bloud of christ further purifies it , heb. . . and . . joh. . . thirdly , the spirit of christ , together with the word , and blood of christ purifies it , joh. . . heb. . . the spirit heals those diseases before mentioned . . ignorance , being the spirit of illumination , ephes. . . . errour , being the spirit of truth , joh. . . . deadness , being the spirit of life , rom. . . its refiners fire , &c. mal. . . hence , isa. . . quest. what must conscience be pacified from ? answ. first , it must be at peace from the dominion of sin : there is a peace when sin , and satan are strongly armed , and keep the house , luke . ● . but this is the peace of a sleepy , not of an awakened conscience : woe to them , luke . . amos. . , . conscientia pacate optima , may be , vitiose pessima . in tali pace amaritudo mea amarissima : ber. there is no peace to the wicked , isa. . ult . pet. . . secondly , from the rage of satan , this is the happy peace promised to believers , matth. . . the summe of that promise , rom. . . the god of peace shall bruise satan under your feet shortly . thirdly , from the displeasure of god , when we can say , rom. . . being justified by faith , we have peace with god : this is the best part of our peace : such as the world cannot give , john . . so , phil. . . this guards the soule from all fears , and assaults of the law , sin , guilt , death , hell , and satan . quest. what must conscience be pacified by ? answ. first , by the word of christ its pacified , and restored to peace : hence the gospel is called , the word of peace , &c. acts . . rom. . . cor. . . isa. . . and . . secondly , by the blood of christ. this is the procuring cause of all our peace , col. . . rom. . , &c. this blood gives the soule all boldnesse to enter into the holiest , &c. heb. . . and gives us assurance before god. thirdly , by the spirit of christ , which is the procreating cause of peace in us : hence as christ is called an advocate , joh. . . so is the holy ghost , joh. . . only here is the difference : christ is our advocate to god , prevailing with him to grant us peace : the holy ●host is gods advocate to us , to prevaile with us , to entertain peace . he applies the word , and promises which proclaim our peace : he applies the blood of christ which procures our peace : he hath the last hand in consummating our peace ; whence it s called , joy in holy ghost , rom. . . so gal. . . quest. vvhat are the offices of conscience ? answ. first , propheticall , or ministeriall , i. e. to doe the office of a minister , watchman , or seer , to give warning from god , from whom it hath its commission to warn , and inform , direct , reprove , admonish , and charge . it s the mouth of the lord , the candle of the lord , prov. . . secondly , regall , or magistraticall . it hath a commanding , and legislative power , rom. . . they were a law to themselves , therefore what conscience commands , or forbids is more to a godly man , then what kings command , or forbid . hence , dan. . . but though it hath a kingly power , yet it hath not an arbitrary power : it self is subject to god. thirdly , testimonial , or to bear witness , rom. . , . cor. . . this is a testimony which gods spirit doth attest to , and consent with , rom. . . and . . this is above a thousand witnesses for , or against thee , joh. . , , . conscientia mille testes . turpe quid acturus , te sine teste time . fourthly , juridicall , and judg-like : it passeth sentence on thee , and reads thy doom : hence we are said to be convicted of our own consciences , joh. . . self-condemned , tit. . . rom. . . joh. . , . consciences sentence is the forerunner of the last judgement , job . , . isa. . . sam. . . fifthly , registeriall : for it s the great register , and recorder of the world. it s to every man his private notary , keeping records of all his acts , and deeds . it hath the pen of a ready writer , and taketh from thy mouth all thou speakest : yea from thy heart all thou contrivest , and though its writing may for the present , like the writing with the juice of a lemon , be illegible : yet when thou comest into the fire of distress , it will then appear : or at farthest , the fire in the great day of judgment will discover it . it s the poor mans historiographer , who hath no chronicler to rite his story , jer. . . so that conscience is then good when it doth officiate well , and doth the part of a minister , of a magistrate , of a witness , and of a judge . quest. how many sorts of good consciences are there ? answ. first , the good conscience of faith : without which its impossible to please god , heb. . . therefore st. paul joines faith , and a good conscience together , tim. . , . and . . there is no good faith , where there is not a good conscience : nor yet a good conscience where true faith is wanting , therefore look to thy faith , if thou wouldst finde a good conscience , heb. . . tim. . . secondly , a pure conscience , the clean , pure , and undefiled conscience is the inherent , and internall righteousness of the saints , and the ornament of a christian , tim. . . and . . tim. . . as faith makes the conscience good before god , so purity makes it good before men . such are blessed , mat. . . joh. . . great are the comforts , benefits , and priviledges of a pure conscience , and high are the promises made to it , psal. . . and . , , . in pure water thy face may be seen , not so in muddy : so in a pure conscience gods face may be seen , and no where else in the earth . thirdly , a sincere conscience : sincerity is the glory of purity , and of conscience , and of every person , grace , or action : sincerity is the soundness , health , and right constitution of conscience . hence noah , and job are called perfect , because sincere , gen. . . job . . of this conscience , paul speaks , cor. . . the greek word for sincerity , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used , cor. . . cor. . . signifies such things as are tryed by the light . or , as a chap-man opens his wares to see if there be any deceit in them . quest. but how may this sincerity of conscience be known ? answ. . it makes a man abhor all guile , and fraud , and to renounce the hidden things of dishonesty : like jacob , a plain downright man : or nathaniel , an israelite , in whom was no guile : such was paul , cor. . . and . . and michaiah , kin. . . and caleb , joh. . , . . sincerity brings all to the light , joh. . . he that doth the truth , cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in god , and therefore , as of sincerity , and as of god , and as in the sight of god , are put together , cor. . . such an one owns nothing but what will endure the sun. hence , psal. . . joh. . , . job . . cor. . . thes. . . . the sincere man is still one , and the same , whether alone , or in company : yea , he is rather better then he shews : as the kings daughter , all glorious within , psal. . . he is just , and faithfull , being a law to himself . . the sincere man may have his failings , and is subject to tentations , yet he never allows himself in any known evill : therefore he is called perfect in respect of his intention , and aime , king. . . he resists every known will , and rejects every known error : he purifies himself as god is pure , joh. . so rom. . , . . a sincere man holds on his course , and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger , job . . as the vessell of gold wears brighter , and brighter by use , therefore sincerity is the best seen in times and places when , and where satan is let loose , rev. . . where there are few encouragements to persist in a godly way : so nichodemus in sticking to a condemned christ , joh. . . joseph of arimathea to a crucified , forsaken , and naked christ , joh. . . . universality is a certain note of sincerity , when we walk in all the commandements of god , as luke . . heb. . . dan. . . to be partiall is to corrupt the law , mal. . . to make conscience of one duty , and not of another , is to make no conscience of the one , or of the other . so mat. . , . rom. . . . a sincere man carries himself ever as before god , cor. . . psal. . . and . . he carries an awfull apprehension of god with him whithersoever he goes : hence , col. . . . a sincere man consults with his duty more then with his commodity , and resolves against sin , more then against any danger : he undervalues all losses to the losse of gods favour , and his own peace , psal. . . . such an one cannot skill of fleshly wisdome , or worldly policy : he is no time-server , cor. . . simplicity is the sincerity , and sincerity all the policy of a consciencious man. he desires no more wisdom then will make him honest , and sincere , rom. . . . sincerity is known , . by the originall , and principle it moves from : pharisees pray for ostentation , not from devotion , mat. . , , . so , phil. . . a sincere person doth all out of a principle of piety to god , and charity to man. . by the rule it constantly walks by , viz. gods word . so josiah , kin. . . come commodity , or discommodity , he keeps on his way : but unsound persons cast their eye on their own interest . so chron. . . and . . and . . kin. . . . by the end it aimes at , god is the sincere mans end , and his glory his aime : the hypocrite makes himself his own end , and so himself his own god , zach. . , . hos. . . fourthly , an inoffensive conscience , which paul highly esteemed , act. . . and this doth , . avoid giving offence , either to god or man. . he strives to prevent offences to god , and takes up purposes against them , psal. . . and if he hath displeased god , he is displeased with himself for it . so jer. . . job . . ezek. . . and . . and he is carefull to breake off his sins by repentance , job . , . and . , . he is resolved rather to offend all thee world , then to offend god , gal. . . dan. . . act. . . . avoid giving offence to man : especially such an offence as may cause him to sin , and then such an offence as may cause him to take offence : in the first we tempt him , in the second we try him : in both we offend him , and doe the divells work in both . by the former he is stumbled , by the second he is made weake , and by both offended , rom. . . we must therefore take heed that we doe nothing that should cause others to offend by sinning , as elies sons did , ▪ sam. . . and jer●boam , kin. . . and ahab , kin. . . woe to such , luke . . we must give no offence to the godly , be they stronger , or weaker , matth. . , . nor to the wicked . hence , col. . . tim. . , . pet. . . and . . we must not offend our selves , but must regard what conscience calls for to satisfie our duty , and to keep in with our selves , rather then to gratifie any others requests . . an inoffensive conscience will not be apt to take offence , either . from god , who can never give any : yet to some , christ is a rock of offence , rom. . . yea he was so to his disciples , math. . . . from gods way : as when we receive the word with joy , but meeting with persecution we are offended , and turn back , math. . . . from gods children , and their weakness , so far as either to condemn their persons , or dislike their profession , matth. . . true godliness makes a man apt to take all in good part , cor. . . . from the evill world , because all men speak evill of the wayes of god , and forsake them , we must not therefore be offended , isa. . , . fifthly , a quick-sighted conscience . conscience's whole work is circumspection , and therefore it must have eyes in every place : it must have eyes before to view , and oversee actions to be done : behinde to review , and overlook actions already done : especially it must be full of eyes within , to make a privy search in our own hearts : to take account of the inward motions from which actions are undertaken , of the inward intentions , and affections with which they are undertaken , and of the inward aims and true ends for which they are undertaken . the pharisees were full of eyes without , and none within : full of eyes before ▪ but had none behind : they could censure others actions , not see their own : hence called fooles , and blind , mat. . , , . sixthly , a well-spoken conscience , which can make the soule a good answer , or upon just occasion make fit demands , and puts forth its quaries , pet. . . . it makes a good and ready answer to god , as psalm . . and . . . it makes a good answer for god , as is commanded , pet. . , . it s ready to give an account of its spirituall estate when it is required . it makes a good answer for ones self , when under the greatest clouds of censures , suspicions , or reproaches , rom. . . cor. . , . . when any business of conscience is under consideration , conscience puts the best answer into thy mouth , and will readily resolve what is to be done . seventhly , an honest dealing conscience : for so much of honesty before men , so much of good conscience before god : of this paul glorieth , heb. . . act. . . pet. . . peter exhorts to it , a good conversation without , proclaimes a good conscience within , phil. . . notes of an honest conscience are , . he hath engraven on his heart this maxime , i must be a law to my self : hence it s said , tim. . . the law is not witten for the righteous : and if others were as honest as he , fewer laws , and magistrates would serve turne . . he makes christs rule his oracle , matth. . . what ever you would others should do to you , &c. which is the epitome of the law , and prophets : the voice both of scripture , and nature . . you may be bold to take his word , and trust him : he dares not deceive , though he may be deceived : his word is as good as his bond : his bond as his oath : and his oath as his soul. . you need not fear to take his wares , his weight , or his measure , all are currant , and warrantable : he is faithfull , and punctuall in his reckonings , disbursments , and receits , as they , kin. . . &c. . he respects not a person so much as the cause : the cause of the poor , fatherless , and widows is more to him , then the face of the rich , or the letter of the mighty : like levi , deut. . . . he will sooner suffer any prejudice himself , then prejudice his neighbour , psal. . . he sweareth to his own hurt , and damage , and changeth not . eighthly , a tender conscience : which is the heart of flesh promised , ezek. . . the c●ntrite spirit in which god delights , isa. . , . commended in josiah , king. . , . and david , sam. . . sam. . . and in ephraim , jer. . . and in the publican , luk. . . quest. but is there not a faulty tendernesse of conscience ? answ. yes , as , . when one is so tender that he cannot endure to be touched with a reproof ; prophesie to us smooth things , say they , isa. . . give us of your softest pillows , ezek. . . such was amaziah , amos . . and they , jer. . . and they , act. . . and . . whereas the right tenderness is to be very sensible of the evil of sin , and the danger thereof : and thereupon impatient of the sinne , but very patient of reproofe , psalm . . . act. . . . when he is scrupulous . as when one hath got gravel in his shooe , he cannot set his foot on the ground without complaint . the apostles rule will help such , rom. . . let every one be fully perswaded in his own minde , i. e. rid himself of unnecessary , and unprofitable scruples : unnecessary scruples are when a man makes a stirre about things wherein gods word is silent , and makes sin where the scripture makes none : as the priests did about going into the judgement hall , joh. . . lest they should be defiled ceremonially , but made no scruple to defile themselves morally , by bringing upon them the guilt of innocent blood . again , they made a great scruple of putting the money into their holy corban , because it was the price of blood , but questioned not the giving money for the same , and taking the blood it self upon themselves and children , mat. . . such are condemned by christ , matth. . . mark . . unnecessary and vaine scruples the apostle would have us lay aside , corinth . . . asking no question ( in such cases ) for conscience-sake . . when he is of too facile , and flexible a spirit , so as to yeeld to every one that counsels and entises him to sin : for this ephraim was broken in judgement , hos. . . thus tender-hearted was rehoboam , chron. . . and zedekiah , jer. . . . when the conscience is weak and sickly , as paul calls it , cor. . . and is easily cast down and discouraged . this was the disease of the stony ground , it was so tender as to be offended at the crosse , matth. . . outwardly tender , and inwardly hard : whereas the good ground was inwardly soft to give rooting to the seed , but outwardly hardy to endure all weathers . this picks a quarrel at the gospel for some circumstances , mark . . such was the conscience of the mixt multitude , numb . . . and of the spies , numb . . . that started at the ●ight of the anakims , and would not have the people endanger themselves : the properties of it are . . it s apt to scruple things lawfull . it eates nothing but herbs , rom. . . . it puzzles and perplexes it self about things of no great moment : as days , m●ats , &c. col. . . . it s apt to judge him , that upon better grounds is not of his minde and practise , rom. . . . he is apt to stumble , rom. . . . or to be grieved , and distasted , rom. . . . whe● the conscience is so awakened that it cannot take any more rest , psal. . ● ▪ , . so psal ▪ . . my sinne is ever before me , and psal. . . this is a sad and painful , if not sometimes also , a sinful tenderness , when the soul sees nothing but sin , guilt , and misery in it self , nothing but anger , wrath and frow● in god , and no hopes of redemption by christ , or of recovery by the spirit of grace . but the right tenderness is that due proportion of sense in an awakened conscience which labours to keep the soule guarded , and unmolested . taking up jobs resolution , job . . this tendernesse shewes it selfe . . in respect of god : in every thing to which god is intituled , and hath interest in ; moses stands for an hoof , exod. . . christ is tender for the least tittle of the law , matth. . . he is all on a flame with the zeale of gods house , and would not endure to have it profaned in the least , joh. . . yea , . principally he is tender of those things wherein gods glory is concerned , joh. . . and . , . this makes a man regardless of self , in respect of name , credit , family , estate , yea , and of life , act. . . so the martyrs : and nehemiah , ch . . , , . . he is tender in respect of gods truth , which must be bought , not sold. so was paul , gal. . . so rev. . . he shews his tenderness in retaining , and contending for old truths , and in taking heed how he vents any new doctrines : so cor. . . and . . pet. . . . he is tender of whatsoever doth proceed from god , as to submit to every command of god , for he trembles at his word , isa. . . so christ , luk. . . john . . . he yeelds , melts , and breaks under any threat of gods word , or sense of gods displeasure : so josiah , king. . . contrary in jehoiakim , jer. . . . he much more yeelds and humbles himself under the afflicting hand of god : he comes forth of the furnace , like gold , all melted , and refined , job . . and . . whereas others walk contrary to god , lev. . . . he kindly thaws , and melts under the sense of the free favour , and abundant love of god , as the ice before the warme sun. so , ezra . . this was the gracious temper of that poor woman , luk. . . so we are required , hos. . . . in respect of men , this tenderness must shew it self to all in general , and to each in particular : to the godly , to the wicked ; to strong , to weake . . to the godly : and that , . by not grieving them , and forbearing to offend them : he is ever tender of the peace , and studious of the satisfaction of every honest man. if his meat , apparel , haire , company , &c. make his brother to offend , he will eat no such meat , wear no such apparel , or haire , keep no such company whilest the world stands , rather then to make his brother offend , cor. . . . he is tender of their reputation , not to expose them , or rather religion in them , to reproach . so joseph would not bring a reproach upon mary , mat. . . . he is tender of disagreeing with , or dividing from any that is godly , upon unnecessary and frivilous grounds . enters not upon doubtful disputations ; falls not out about questions that nourish jangling , but destroy edification : the common sin of our times : contrary to the apostles precept , eph. . , . . he is especially tender of weak christians , no wayes to discourage them , despise them ; or impose any burdens , much less to lay stumbling blocks before them : but to bear their infirmities , rom. . . to condescend to their terms , rom. . . this makes us like christ , who is tender of all his little ones , mat. . . isa. . . mat. . , . luke . . . to the wicked , who must see that we are tender of his good , more then he is of his own . so , tim. . . pet. . . and we are to endeavour to take away occasion from them that seek it to speak reproachfully of us , tim. . . . we must be tender of the good of those that are nearest to us : that we , and our houses may serve the lord , jos. . . so , job . . and paul of the corinthians , whom he had espoused to christ , cor. . . and . . . in respect of self : and that , . in respect of sin already committed : for which his heart smites him , sam. . . sam. . . and gives him no rest till he hath made his peace with god by repentance , and with man by restitution , or other satisfaction : as , zacheus , luk. . . . in respect of sin not yet committed : he fears and departs from evil , and shuns all occasions and provocations tending to it . so joseph , gen. . . . he shuns small as well as great sinnes : he will not be found , no not in an officious lie : as gehazi's was , kings . . flies lesser oaths , eccles. . . idle words , matth. . . wanton lookes , vaine thoughts , &c. . he flies secret sinnes as well as open , and is most known by his closet , and solitary carriage : he saith with david , psalme . . shall not god search this out ? . he shuns as well sinful omissions , as sinful commissions , as knowing that in the day of judgement these will be charged upon him , mat. . . omissions are sins that bring a curse , mat. . . the slothful servant is called an evil servant , mat. . , . negative holiness will not commend us to god , though it may to man. . he flies and avoids the common sins and prevailing errors of the times : so did nehemiah reform the profanation of the sabbath , and usury , neh. . . and . . to . and . , &c. . he flies as well all sinful occasions as actions : he keeps out of the way , and and company of wicked men , psal. . . eccl. . . for , prov. . , . judas took no hurt amongst the disciples , but going to the high priests , he was for ever lost . peter took no hurt in the garden , but in the high priests hall was insnared . din●h walking out to see the daughters of the hivites , and sampson to see the daughters of the philistines , neither of them returned so well as they went out . many now adays by leaving ministers , ordinances , assemblies , &c. have made themselves a prey to seducers , and have been corrupted : hence , joh. . . . he flies not only what is simply evil , but whatsoever hath an appearance of evil : as he is commanded , thes. . . rom. . . phil. . . eph. . , , . . as he flies whatsoever hath an appearance of evil , so he dares not always trust whatsoever hath an appearance of good . he therefore tries all things , and holds fast onely what is good , thes. . . knowing what christ saith , luk. . . that which is highly esteemed amongst men , is abomination in the sight of god. he suspects that action , person , and state of life of which all men speak well : he still knows that satan deceives more easily , and destroyes more dangerously when he assumes the shape of an angel of light . hence we are commanded to mistrust many things , thes. . . revel . . . gal. . . peter . . matth. . . john . . . he takes heed even of what he knows to be lawful : he dares not do all that he may do , knowing that he that will do all he may , often doth more then he ought , cor. . . and . . in use of things lawful he observes three rules . . it may be lawful , but is it expedient ? when ? how much ? how far ? and how often is it expedient ? . it is lawful , but will it edifie , or offend ? . it s lawful , but i must not suffer my self to be brought under the power of any thing though lawful : he knows its a true saying , licitis perimus omnes : all the world is undone by lawful things abused , and mis-timed . it was the undoing of the old world , and sodom , mat. . . luke . , . . he dares not do alwayes what is in his power . joseph did not what he might have done to his unkinde brethren , gen. . . . nor dare he do what others have familiarly done before him in his place : so , nehemiah , ch . . , &c. . he doth not only avoid sinful actions , but takes sad notice of , and bewails his sinful affections , and the depraved disposition of his nature . he mourns under the sin that dwells in him , rom. . , , . he would neither have his sin reign , nor remain in him : he hates his sin in every degree with a perfect , and impartial hatred . . he ever rather consults with honesty , justice , and duty , then with honor , commodity , and safety : if he once engageth , he changeth not , though it be to his prejudice , psal. . . . he alone , in the cause of christ and religion , dares stand it out against the whole world . unus athanasius contra totum mundum ; and so did luther , regarding neither the favour , nor the frowns of his adversaries . he considers not so much the danger that lies before him , as the duty and necessity that lies upon him , to appear in such a time and cause . so elijah , king. . . ninthly , a passive and hardy conscience , which admits of no feare , timerousness , or tendernesse at all in it , as to suffering : this hardiness proceeds from the fore-named tenderness , and is inseparable from it . it s not bred so daintily , nor kept so tenderly , but that it can digest the worlds hardest usage : it s patient to all suffering , impatient only of sinning . it puts within a man a heart of adamant , and upon a man a face of brasse or flint : it trembles not at the sight of any torment , dan. . . we are not careful to answer thee , o king , in this matter . this is commended by peter , pet. . , . and truly without this all other things are nothing : not the conscience of faith , purity , sincerity , &c. this commended the christians of old times : they were content to be bound , that truth might be at liberty , and to die , that religion might not die . quest. but can all that suffer say that they suffer for conscience , and for god ? answ. no , there are four kinds of sufferings , which a good conscience can have no comfort in . . when we put our selves upon voluntary , and arbitrary sufferings , and then place religion and conscience in it : as the baalites of old , who cut and lanced themselves , king. . . and the circumcelions of later time . but who required these things at their hands ? they cannot say with saint paul , they bear the marks of the lord jesus in their bodies , gal. . . but rather the marks of their own folly , and rashnesse . . when we pull upon our selves unnecessary and unwarrantable sufferings , by a preposterous , and precipitate medling in businesses out of our way and calling : this is to suffer as busie bodies in other mens matters . not as a christian , pet. . , . . when we pull upon our selves deserved sufferings from the hand of justice for our evil doings . these may say with the thief , luke . . we suffer justly , &c. these ( like zimri ) are burnt with fire which their own hands have kindled . . when we bring our selves into worse sufferings then any of the former , viz. sufferings in conscience and from conscience , by shunning any other sufferings for god and conscience : as judas , spira , &c. these are run from the fear , and are fallen into the pit , isa. . . the first of these sufferings are foolish , the second sinful ; the third shameful ; and the last dreadful . quest. what rules then are to be observed in the sufferings of a good conscience ? answ. first , see that thy sufferings be ever , and only for well-doing . as thou must not shun sufferings by choosing evil , so thou must not seek , and procure them by evil , pet. . . a good conscience must not go out of gods way to meet with sufferings , nor out of sufferings way to meet with sinne . it s not poena but causa : the cause , not the punishment which makes a martyr . . if thou sufferest for ill-doing , yet be sure that it be wrongfully , pet. . . and if thou beest charged with any evil , that it be falsly , mat. . . that thy conscience may say , we are as deceivers , yet true , as unknown , yet well konwn to god , cor. . , . thirdly , if thou desirest chiefly , and especially to suffer in the cause , and for the name of christ , this with him is to suffer as a christian. in the matters of the kingdom daniel was careful to carry himself unreprovably , but in the matters of god he cared not what he suffered , dan. . , . life as it is too little worth to be laid out for christ , so it s too precious to be laid out in any other cause . it s an honour if we can call our sufferings , the sufferings of christ , col. . . and our scarrs , the marks of the lord jesus , gal. . . and can subscribe our selves , the prisoners of christ , eph. . . fourthly , if thou lovest to see the ground thou goest upon : that thy cause be clear , the grounds manifest , that thou beest not thrust forward by a turbulent spirit , or a mis-informed conscience : but for conscience towards god , or according to god , that thou mayest say with the apostle , i suffer according to the will of god , pet. . . fifthly , if thou beest careful not only that the matter be good , but that the manner be good , lest otherwise we disgrace our sufferings , pet. . , &c. if thou suffer wrongfullly , yet thou must suffer patiently . this is to suffer as christ suffered , pet. . , , . sixthly , if thou committest thy self in thy sufferings to god in well-doing , pet. . . suffering times must not be sinning times : he is no good martyr that is not a good saint . a good cause , a good conscience , a good life , a good death , a good matter to suffer for , a good manner to suffer in , make an honourable martyr . tenthly , a conscience of charity . this the apostle speaks of as the end , and perfection of the law , and gospel too ▪ tim. . . where there is the truth of charity , there is the truth of conscience also ; the more of charity , the more of conscience . now this charity is twofold . . external , or civil , which respects . the poor to whom is to be shewed the charity of beneficence . . to the neighbour and friend , a love of benevolence . and , . to the enemy a love of forgivenesse . . to the poor a love of beneficence , and well-doing : this kind of charity is the worlds grand benefactor : the poors great almoner : the widows treasurer : the orphans guardian : and the oppressed mans patron : this lends eyes to the blinde , feet to the lame , deals out bread to the hungry , cloaths the naked , and brings upon the donor the blessing of him that was ready to perish . this zacheus shewed , luke . . and job chap. . , &c. and obadiah , king. . . and nehemiah , chap. . . hence psal. . . prov. . , . so cornelius , acts . , . isa. . . . to our neighbours must be shewed the charity of benevolence : we must love them as our selves , matth. . . rom. . . for prov. . . he that hath a friend , must shew himself friendly . it s a pleasant thing to see friends and neighbours living in this mutuall love , and benevolence , psal. . . &c. . to our enemies a love of forgiveness . this is the hardest , and therefore the highest pitch of love : a lesson only to be learned in the school of christ. the pharisees taught otherwise , which christ laboured to reform , matth. . . luke . . . this makes us like our father in heaven , who is kind to the thankfull , and unkind , luke , . . and like his son on earth , who prayed for his enemies . this we are exhorted to , col. . , . . spirituall , or ecclesiasticall , which is to be shewed in the love we bear to the church and truth of christ , and to the souls of our brethren . this charity is to be preferred before all the former : the former may be amongst heathens , and civilized christians , but this is the peculiar badg of the people of god : a love of symphonie in judgment , and opinion : of sympathy in heart , and affection , and of symmetrie , or harmony in an offensive conversation : this is often , and earnestly pressed , phil. . , &c. pet. . . it s the end of the law , the adorning of the gospel : the lively image of god , and of christ : the first fruit of the spirit : the daughter of faith : the mother of hope : the sister of peace : the kinswoman of truth : the life and joy of angels : the bane of divels : it s the death of dissentions : the grave of schismes , wherein all church rupture , and offences are buried , joh. . , . joh. . . gal. . . . yea , it s the very bond of perfection , col. . . and that which covers all sins , pet. . . quest. what is the excellency , and benefit of a good conscience ? answ. first , the excellency of it appears in the honourable titles given to it above all other graces , and the reall preheminence it hath , if compared with all other things : as . it hath this proper denomination given it ordinarily of a good conscience , act. . . tim. . . pet. . , . whereas other graces , though excellent in their place , and kind are seldom so called . where do we read of good faith , good love , holiness , &c. whereas conscience is good of it self , and makes the good faith , the good love , the good repentance , &c. which all cease to be good when severed from the good conscience . again , compare it with all other good things , and it hath the better of them , what good is there in a chest full of goods , when the conscience is empty of goodness ? quid prodest plena bonis area , si inanis sit conscientia ? said st. austin , what if he hath good wares in his shop , a good stock in his ground , good cloaths to his back , &c. if he hath not a good conscience in his heart ? this man is like naaman , a rich and honorable man , but a leper . what are all great parts , and abilities , without a good conscience ? but as sweet flowers upon a stinking carcass . it s above all faith alone , therefore they oft go together in scripture , tim. . , . and . . if this be put away faith is shipwract . nothing profits alone without this ; not baptisme , pet. . . not charity , tim. . . not coming to the lords supper , heb. . . not any serving of god , tim. . . not obedience to magistrates , , rom. . . not all our sufferings , pet. . , . let all duties be performed , and conscience nor regarded , and the man is but an hypocrite . let all gifts remain , and profession stay , and the man is but an apostate . hence bernard , vtilius est currere ad conscientiam , quam ad sapientiam , nisi eadem sit sapientia quae conscientia . it s better running to conscience then to all your wisdom , unless you mean by your wisdom nothing but conscience . the unlearned man with a good conscience ( saith saint austin ) will goe to heaven , when thou with all thy learning shalt be cast into hell. surgunt indocti & rapiunt regnum coelorum , &c. . it s absolutely necessary to the very being of a christian , whereas many other things serve only to his better being . to suppose a christian without conscience , were to suppose the sun without light , and fire without heat . it s of the very same consequence to spirituall life , as the sence of feeling is to natural life , which hath the preheminence of all other sences : for . feeling is the first sence in being : so is conscience in the new creature . . feeling is of absolute necessity . if a man want that , he is a dead man : so is conscience absolutely necessary to the very being of a christian : a man may be short in parts , weak in duties , defective in knowledge , and yet be a good christian : but if he hath lost his conscience , he is altogether dead . . many creatures excell man in other sences : but in feeling man excells most other : so the best christian excells in the tenderest , and quickest touch of conscience . . other sences have a particular organ of their own , and lye in a narrow room : as hearing in the ear , seeing in the eye , &c. but feeling is extended all the body over , both within , and without . so is conscience of a vast , and universall extent over all our actions , intents , words , and motions from first to last . faith looks to promises : fear to threats : hope to futures : obedience to duties : repentance to sinnes , &c. but conscience looks to all . . it most fortifies the soul with strength against , and gives victory over all adversaries . it s like the ark with a window in the top to let in light from heaven . like elias mantle , it divides the waters , and carries the godly soul● through a flood of miseries as on dry land. it encourageth in the middest of fire , and fagots , accompanieth into dens , and caves , and made the martyrs sing in dungeons , and flames . it s like the anvile that breaks whatsoever is beaten on it , but is it self by all strokes made more firm . it makes a man like a brazen wall , jer. . . it s devoid of fear , as job . . it will encourage a man to hold up his head before any judgment seat , act. . . yea , before gods tribunal . joh. . . a chearfull conscience makes a chearfull countenance , prov. . tranquilla conscientia , tranquilla omnia . . it annoints the head with oyle , and makes the cup run over with joy , and consolation . good conscience's peace , is the peace that passeth all understanding . it makes a heaven upon earth : it s a continuall feast , prov. . . the stranger intermeddles not with his joy . his feast is above ahasuerus's , est. , . it s the greatest good a man can have , and the procurer , and maintainer of all the good that a man is capable of here . it s the only paradise that god loves to walk in : the only throne which christ sits in : the only temple which the holy ghost dwells in : the golden pot which the hidden manna is kept in : the white stone which the new name is written in , &c. . it s not only a reall good it self , but makes all other things better where it hath to do , whence it deserves the title of a good conscience . riches , honour , learning , &c. are not good really , but only in opinion , nor doe you alone make any man the better : but a good conscience makes all good , and good better where it comes . it finds some sinfull , and leaves them holy : proud and leaves them humble : covetous , and leaves them content , &c. it mends magistrates , ministers , poor , rich , yea all . it s the treasury of good , and therefore brings out nothing but what is good . good communication , good conversation : yea it makes actions indifferent in their own nature to become good , and actions good to become better . quest. what is the danger , and mischiefe of an evill conscience ? answ. first , here commonly is the first decay of a christian. hymeneus , and alexander first put away a good conscience , and then sunk in their faith , tim. . . when the conscience is once corrupt , then presently so is the judgment , then the affections , then the life , and then all . corruption in the conscience is like poison in the spring head . no man aimes at the height of impiety at once ; and this is commonly the first step , when conscience likes not to retain the knowledge of god , he gives vp to vile affections , then to a reprobate minde , and at last to be filled with all manner of unrighteousness , rom. . , , . a hopefull professor by this meanes soone becomes a dangerous apostate , and at last a down-right atheist , tit. . , . the sun beginning to set in conscience , night hastens on in the affections : then farewell grace : and when the sun goes back in the heaven of conscience , the shadow goes back many degrees in the diall of comfort , then farewell peace . secondly , as the first decay usually begins here , so it proves the worst , and most dangerous : a breach in the conscience , is like a breach in the sea-bank : or like a leake in a ship : very desperate . some sins , and slips are like the breaking of a leg , or arm that may be set again : but this is like the breaking the neck , of which few recover . paul tells of some that had given themselves over to lasciviousness , &c. ephes. . . but they came to this height of impiety by blinding their minds , and deadning their consciences . in the last dayes many depart from the faith , and give heed to seducing spirits , &c. tim. . . but they first feared their consciences , ver . . it s the ready , yea the only way to the sin against the holy ghost . thirdly , either thou must resolve to make a good warfare for a good conscience , or to suffer an ill warfare made upon thee from an evill conscience . of all wars civill-war is the worst , and of all civill-wars , domesticall ; and of all domesticall , matrimoniall . for where the relation is nearest , division there is unkindest . but there is one war worse then all these : the personall division is worse then between man and a wife . some have thought that they were able to make an offensive war against conscience : but none were ever able to make a defensive . to fight against conscience , is to fight against god , and who ever fought against god and prospered , job . . if conscience be disregarded in his two first offices , he will be known in his two last . if his ministeriall reproofs , and magistraticall rods be slighted : he will as a witness , and a judge , chasten thee with scorpions . fourthly , when any have betrayed their trust , and yielded up this fort to satan , they are ever after cashiered from gods service , and delivered up by him to satans custody , and an evill conscience's mercy , either to be misled by an erroneous conscience , or terrified with an accusing conscience , zach. . . rev. . . thes. . , , . quest. is it so hard then to get , and keepe a good conscience , and to escape a bad ? answ. yes truly , as will appear in these three respects . first , in respect of satan , all whose spight is at a good conscience , and all his aime is to make it bad . he envies us , not riches , nor honour , nor learning , nor parts , nor duties , &c. but only a good conscience : he envied not pharaoh his kingdom : nor achithophel his policy : nor absolon his beauty : nor haman his honour , and offices , nor dives his wealth , &c. he could make use of all : yea he will offer his help to men to get these things , so they will quit a good conscience . but if a man be plundered of all his estate , and stormed out of all his out-works of his riches , friends , children , power , places : yea , out of his nearer comforts , out of his faith , and hope : out of his prayers , and promises , if he retreat to a good conscience , and make good this last refuge , satan will be repelled with shame , and loss . job when he had lost all else , manfully defending this piece , he recovered all again at last , and his last state was double ro his first , job . , . secondly , in respect of thy self , or the work it self , thou shalt finde it a hard task : it requires the greatest skill , and utmost diligence , acts . . herein exercise i my self always , &c. i. e. i use all my skill , diligence , and constancy together , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . thirdly , in respect of others its still more difficult : many miscarry in it : who is sufficient for this work ? tim. . . quest. may a mans conscience be quiet , yet not good ? answ. yea , there are four sorts of quiet consciences , and never a one of them good : first , an ignorant conscience : for as a blinde man eats many a haire , and drinks many a fly : so these know not that they doe evill , and therefore are not disquieted , but commit all uncleanness with greediness , ephes. . , . abimelech boasts much of his integrity , gen. . , . when it was but morality , or ignorance , therefore glory not of such a blinde , deafe , and silent conscience : the dumb and deafe divell was hardest to be cast out , mar. . , , . secondly , a conscience that was never yet well awakened : but sin lies at the door , like a lion asleep ; this conscience is either given over to sleep a perpetuall sleep , as god threatens , jer. . , . or else it will awake , and cry out like a travelling woman , it will destroy , and devour at once , isa. . . the consciences of josephs brethren were long asleep , but awaked at last , and made them tremble : so with jonas , ch . . . thirdly , a deluded conscience , by satan , or his instruments , which dreams of nothing but visions of peace , luke . . when the strong man armed keeps possession , all is at peace , lam. . . ahab deluded speaks of nothing but peace , kin. . . so zach. . . many live and dye in this condition : the world saith , they dye like lambs , psal. . . when its tather like solomons oxe , prov. . . so jer. . , . but it s better to dye the most dreadfull death of the righteous , then the most hopefull , and peacefull death of the wicked . these dye so securely , not because the sting of death is taken out , which were their happiness , but because the conscience is taken out , which is their misery . fourthly , a hardened conscience ; this treasures up wrath against the day of wrath , rom. . , . job . . there is no greater plague on earth then this , no judgment in hell beyond it . quest. how manifold is this hardness of heart ? answ. it s sixfold , as appears by the severall expressions in pharaohs hard-heartedness : as . a naturall hardnesse , and insensibleness of conscience , which is part of the sin , and punishment of originall sin , which is alike in all : called the heart of stone , ezek. . . . an attracted , and acquired hardness , through frequent reiterations of sin , and the secret curse of god upon it . hence , heb. . . ephes. . , , . where are eleven steps by which the poor soule goes to hell : as . vanity of minde , wherein men think there is little hurt , but it s the first step to hell. . darkness of understanding , which follows the former . . alienation from the life of god , alienation actively on their part , they loathing god , a sinfull alienation : and passively on gods part , his soule loathing them , a judiciall alienation . . blindness of ignorance , one sinne begetting another in infinitum . . this blindnesse leads to further hardnesse , viz. judiciall , because of the hardness of their heart . . then they are insensible , and past feeling . . then desperate , giving themselves over to sin , as ahab , kin. . . then they are quite lost . . then they are bruitish , turned into beasts , they give themselves over to lasciviousness . so , pet. . . jer. . . rom. . . philip. . . . then they worke uncleannesse : they draw sinne with cartropes , &c. isa. . . . then they are insatiable in sinning . so , rom. . , . . then the delight in it , committing all uncleanness with greediness . thus a man is trasnformed into a beast at first , and into a divell at last . . a judiciall hardness , as then the conscience , or heart is further hardened by impostors , or seducers . so , exod. . . god gives them over to strong delusions to believe a lye , thes. . . hence god is said to lay a stumbling block before apostates , ezek. . . to deceive false prophets , ezek. . . and to put a lying spirit into their mouthes ▪ king. . . . a ministeriall hardening . god lets them enjoy the gospell , and means of grace , but they having added to naturall , voluntary hardness of heart , and to contempt of the truth , a love of error , god sends leannesse of soule , under fatnesse of orninances : hence isai. . , . then preaching proves the savour of death , cor. . . so pharaoh grew worse and worse under moses ministery . . a divine hardening : a penall hardening by divine vengeance : called gods sending all his plagues upon the heart , exod . . a heart hardened by the curse of god is an epitome of all plagues in the world , yea of all the plagues of hell. yet here in god doth not infundere malitiam , poure in malice , but non infundere mollitiem , not put in softnesse . hence , rom. . . . a satanicall hardening : indeed satan hath his first , or second hand in every sinfull act , and an hand from the first hardening to the last . he perswades , and prevailes , king. . . quest. vvhat are the marks of an ill troubled conscience ? answ. first , troubles are then evill , when the root whence they spring is evill . thus ahab was troubled till he was sick , not because his lust of covetousness was unmortified , but because it was unsatisfied . so was ammon . so , prov. . . some cannot sleep if they have done no mischief all day . this is indeed the divells trouble , and hell is full of such troubled spirits . secondly , when if it be at all for sin , it is not so much for the intrinsecall evil or sinfulnesse of it , as for the eventuall , or consequentiall evills that attend sin , and the punishment that follows it . so ahab , kin. . . . so caine , judas , simon magus , act. . . this is to be troubled for hell , not for sin . thirdly , when the carriage under troubles is evill , then its an evill trouble : as . when men rage , and swell under gods stroke , but their uncircumcised hearts accept not of the punishment of their iniquity : so caine stormed at his punishment . so , isa. . , . . when notwithstanding their troubles they still go on in sin . felix trembled , but it wrought no good upon him , act. . . jeroboam , king. . . he was ill , but ahaz was worse after judgements upon them , chro. . . so , rev. . . and . . . then troubles are evill , whose cure is evill , or when an evill course is taken for their removall : as . when men fly to outward means to remove inward grief , but go not to to god , as caine , to travelling , and building of cities . saul to davids musick . an ill diversion doth but prorogue , not cure the disease . . wen they rest in the outward use , and observation of religious means , without an inward change of heart , and thorow reformation of life : ahab humbled himself , fasts , mourns , &c , yet ahab is ahab still . judas was full of inward horrour , confesseth , and makes restitution , but goes not penitentially to god , and fiducially to jesus christ. jeremy therefore calls this a gadding : it s not a penitentiall returning , jer. . . . when men have recourse to diabolicall , and sinfull means : as saul to the witch : sam. . , . ahaziah to baal-zebub , kin. . . belshazzar to his magitians , dan. . . so , . , . . when men dispairingly give over all our hopes , and use of means , saying , there is no hope , jer. . . and . . this putting away all mercy is worse then all the former . this was cains case : i am sentenced , i must be damned : god hath not mercy for me , i will aske him none . this is a wilfull casting away of a mans self : this evill is of the lord , kin. . . why should i wait , or pray , or repent , &c. this is to forsake our own mercies , jonah , . . quest. how may we know a good troubled conscience ? answ. first , when our trouble is rather for our sins , then our sufferings : when we cry out of our sins : as lam. . . so jer. . . ephraim bemoans himself , &c. secondly , when in this condition we confesse , bewaile , and lament our sins , as david , psal. . . so , job . . and , . thirdly , when after this we forsake it , prov. . . such shall have mercy . fourthly , when we do not only forsake it as to the outward act , but the heart is changed , and mortified as to the love of sin : when god hides pride from man , job . . when we can say , sin is more bitter then death , eccless . . . fifthly , when upon this the heart is carried out to seek after christ for rest , and righteousness , matth. . . when we go to this fountain to wash away sin , zach. . . joh. . , . sixthly , when after this the conscience is made more watchfull , and tender , job . , . quest. what are the marks of an erroneous conscience ? answ. first , when it leaves the word , which is the standing rule to rectifie conscience by , and prefers traditions , or some humane invention before an expresse precept . so , matth. . . secondly , when we leave the waters of siloah , the holy scriptures , which run softly , uniformly , and constantly , and takes extraordinary providence for a rule instead of precept , whereas gods providences , both prospering , and adverse , are rather probatory , then directory , deut. . . dan. . . erroneous conscience imputes his success to his cause , and his cause prospering , he stiles gods cause : this was rabshakeh's divinity , isa. . . and of the chaldeans , hab. . . such say , as jer. . we offend not , because they have sinned , and we have prevailed . solomon tells us , we can conclude nothing certainly from hence , eccles. . . , . and . . and . , ult . thirdly , it prefers a supposed fictious revelation , before written , and cleere revelations : as that deceived prophet , king. . . now all divine revelations coming from the spirit of truth , are ever consonant to the word of truth , which is the rule to try all revelations by , pet. . . fourthly , it prefers a strong impulse from his own thoughts , before gods own thoughts , jer. . . god said , that it never came into his minde to approve of what they did , yet they would doe it , because it was their conscience , and came into their mind . but these impulses , though coming from a gracious spirit , can be no rule : as we see in davids impulse to build god an house , sam. . , . so to be revenged on nabal , sam. . . prov. . . he that trusteth his owne heart is a foole . hence , job . . it s trusting to vanity . fifthly , it interprets difficulties , and discouragements as a discharge from duty . the time is not come ( say they ) to build gods house , therefore it s not our duty , hag. . . but this is a sluggards conscience , when he pretends a lion in the way , prov. . . sixthly , it conceives a fair intention , or good end can legitimate an unwarrantable action . it s true , a good end hath a great influence upon an action to make it theologically good : yet can it not alter the nature of an action that is materially bad to mend it , job . . our rule is , not to doe the least evill to gain the greatest beneficiall good , or to avoid the greatest penall evill , rom. . . seventhly , it s so confident that it dares appeal to god to patronise his exorbitancies , joh. . . they thought they did god the best service , when they did the church the greatest disservice . so. phil. . . paul out of zeale persecuted the church . so , act. . . quest. what motives may quicken us to get , and retaine a good conscience ? answ. first , remember that god weigheth , and trieth the conscience , prov. . . so much of conscience as is in a man , or duty , or action , or suffering , so much of thanks , and esteem with god : so much conscience as thou hast towards god , so much comfort is coming to thee from god. secondly , if conscience be wanting , thou wilt suffer loss of all thou hast , of all thou hast done , suffered , or expended , god will say to such : when you fasted was it not to your selves , & c ? ananias lost his cost when he had been at so great charges : alexander his reward when he had suffered so much : judas lost all after he had followed christ so long , and preached to others so often . thirdly , a good conscience leads a man to perfect , and compleat happiness both here , and hereafter . . in this world its the only way to a good , and blessed life : and that . in prosperity it will be as an hedge about all thou hast , as the candle of the lord in thy tabernacle . . in adversity , it will be as the good houswifes candle , that goes not out by night . or like israels pillar of fire , it will not leave thee in a wilderness . as ruth to naomi : or ittai to david , sam. . . it will in all make thee more then a conqueror , rom. . . it s a mans dearest , and closest friend that will visit him in prison , &c. . in death : it gives rejoycing when under the stroke , and sentence of death . it s like saul and jonathan , lovely in life , and in death not divided . . in the world to come : it will stand a man instead when he appears before the great tribunall of god , where courage dares not shew its face : nor eloquence open its mouth : nor majesty hath any respect : nor greatnesse any favour : where mony bears no mastery : as that martyr said , rev. . , . hence , joh. . , . yea , it s the step to the highest glory , and its the stare of highest beatitude . to be feasted with the fruits of a good conscience , is angels food , and some of the sweet meats of heaven : as a tormenting conscience is one of the greatest miseries of hell. fourthly , consider the miseries of an evill conscience in life , in death , and after both . . in this life : in the middest of prosperity he can have no security , job . especially , verse , , , , . and . . there is no torment like that of an evill conscience : it marred belshazzars feast , &c. . but much more in adversity : then conscience that had been long silent , and quiet , cries out , and flies in the sinners face : as in josephs brethren . this woe , though dreadfull , yet is the least , because shortest , and ends in a few dayes , or years : but . at death : which is a great woe , and double to the former : all the sufferings in this life to the wicked , whether in body , or in spirit , are nothing if compared with that which follows : yet this also hath an end , at the day of judgment : but then follows another . . at the day of judgment , when all the cataracts of wrath are set open , all the vials emptied out : then shall that sealed book of conscience be unclasped , and out of their own mouth , and heart , and book shall they be judged : then shall a hell in conscience be cast into a hell of dispaire , and an hell of guilt into a hell of pain : and this judgment is called eternall judgement , heb. . . and the destruction of the wicked , an everlasting destruction , thes. . . and this eternity is a vast ocean , that hath neither bank nor botton : a center that hath no circumference : no measures of times , nor number of ages can fathom , or reckon the length of it . in which eternity thy evill conscience shall accompany thee , and fill thy heart with new tortures of grief , and feare , and wrath , and bitterness , and despair . quest. what then are the meanes whereby a good conscience may be gotten , and preserved ? answ. first , they are either principall , or subservient . first , principall , and they are . to get the blood of christ sprinkled upon the conscience , by the hand of faith , heb. . . all duties , gifts , observances , &c. are nothing to this . other things may make the outside clean before men , but the blood of christ is that alone which makes the conscience clean before god , that there is now no more conscience of sin , as to the guilt , and spot of it . so heb. . . the blood of the covenant is that whereby the believer is sanctified , christs wounds are our city of refuge : christs blood is the well of bethlehem , which we should long for , and break through an host of difficulties to come unto . except we drink this blood we have no life in us , &c. joh. . , . . to seek , and get the spirit of christ , which is the next principal ingredient in , or efficient of a good conscience : its gods spirit with our spirits that makes the good conscience , rom. . . the single testimony of naturall conscien● 〈◊〉 not much to be regarded : but when conscience is cleared by the spirit , and 〈◊〉 with the spirit , the testimony of these two is great , and weig●●●● gods spirit thus witnessing to our spirit is the clearest testimony of our adoption , and salvation , rom. . . hence , cor. . , , . so then where the spirit of god is , there is a good conscience . secondly , the subservient means are thirteen , wherein the first six direct us what to doe : the other seven what to avoid . . thou must get faith to make thee a good conscience , therefore faith , and a good conscience are often joyned together , acts . . christ gives faith for this end , to purifie the conscience : where faith is pure , the conscience is pure : this makes the good , and mends the bad conscience . now this faith that makes , and keeps a good conscience , is three fold : . justifying faith : for there must be apprehending , and applying the blood of christ , act. . . for 〈◊〉 qua creditur , is fides qua vivitur . faith whereby we believe , is the faith whereby we live . . doctrinal faith , tim. . . for corrupt opinions , breed corrupt consciences : and corruption in morals , usually follows corruption in intellectuals : here begins commonly the first step backward to all apostacy , and the first step forward to all impiety . . a particular warranting faith to legitimate our actions , which also may in some sense be called a justifying faith , not to justifie our persons from all guilt , but our actions from sin : every action that is good in it self is hereby sanctified to the use of conscience by the word of god. so rom. . , . . repentance , and the daily renewall thereof is a second means : this ever goes along with true faith , mar. . . hence this was the total summe of what paul taught : to repent and believe , act. . . so , job . , . conscience must shut all known sin out a doors , or sin will soon thrust conscience out a doors . . if thou wouldest have a good conscience , observe what hints thou hast at any time from christ , and the spirit . good conscience must observe the eye , voice , beck , finger , and every motion of christ. as its a fearfull judgment to fear where no fear is . so it s a foule sin not to fear where fear should be , jer. . . thou hast smitten them , and they have refused to receive correction , &c. hence , prov. . . they shall suddenly be destroyed . peter by observing these hints from christ , recovered after he had denied him . . listen attentively to the mutterings , and whisperings of thy own conscience : take notice what news conscience brings thee home every day : commune often with thy own heart , psal. . . so did david , psal. . . these soliloquies are our best disputes , and the most usefull conferences . observe every day what were thy actions , what were thy passions : see what words fell from thee , what purposes , and thoughts were in thee . non venitur ad bonam conscientiam , nisi per cordis custodiam . bern. . yet so we must hearken to , and confer with conscience , as also to confer conscience with the scripture : that 's the book of life , and according to that , our conscience must be copied , or corrected . unicuique suus liber est conscientia , bern. search the scriptures , and trust not thine own judgment too far . this rule well observed , would resolve what is to be done in many cases : most men , whatsoever their opinion , and practise is , plead conscience , conscience : it s my conscience say they , my conscience bids me do thus : i , but what doth god bid conscience do ? had adam never fallen , we should have needed none other rule , but our own consciences ? but now we have a law written , and proclaimed , we must not make conscience the supreme law , but the subordinate . ●deed conscience is to have a negative voice , so that nothing is to be done without his assent , and good liking : but it must not challenge an arbitrary , and illimited power to act , or determine any thing without the advice of this great councel , the law , and the prophets . . prayer is a great friend to good conscience : the good conscience makes many a good prayer : there is the particular demand of a good conscience , pet. ● . which b●za understands of prayer . good conscience hath ever one eye upon god to observe his precepts , and the other up to god to beg his direction : usually such as are most frequent in prayer have the best consciences : acts . . cornelius . hypocrites do not so , job . . and . , . . beware of committing the smallest sins , yea of many things which goe for lawfull : the least spark may consume the greatest house , the least leak , the greatest ship . call not faith , and troth small oaths , they are more then yea , and nay . refrain idle words , rash anger , vain mirth foolish jesting , &c. the greatest spoil made in conscience , had at first but small beginnings . qui otiosum verbum non reprimit , ad noxia cito transit : & vanus sermo est vanae conscientiae index . . take heed of adventring , though but upon one greater sinfull act : lest it for ever shut conscience out of doors : one deliberate act of sin , threw the angels out of heaven : that one sin deliberately committed by our first parents against an express precept cast them out of paradise . so in judas , ananias , and saphira , &c. . take heed of living under , and contenting thy self with a cold , man-pleasing ministry , which sows pillows under thine armholes , crying peace , peace . the voice of a faithful preacher is the voice of a crier , isa. . . his found , the sound of a trumpet , isa. . . his words like sharp nails , &c. eccl. . . so , mal. . . isa. . , . take great heed whom thou choosest for thy bosome friend : ill acquaintance hath undon many . one sinner destroyes much good : one corrupt man , corrupts another , sam. . . . in things doubtfull , be well aduised , or forbear , and take the surer , and safer way . some defend usury , cards , dice , long haire , naked necks , &c. but most condemn them . judge what is safest , and let these be thy rules to judge by , ephes. . . phil. . . . take heed of worldly mindedness : there is no greater enemy to conscience : these thorns choke the best seeds of grace : and this canker eats out the very life of conscience : for , for a piece of bread such an one will transgress : such will break their word , betray their trust , deceive their brother , falsifie their wares , weights , measures , lye for advantage : riches and a good conscience seldom dwell under the same roof . . take heed of an erroneous conscience : this is as wildfire in dry corn : as the wild bore , or ravening bear : as the wild ass , jer. . . many hopefull professors being once leavened with error , doe first in their hearts undervalue , and contemn , and then with their mouths vilifie , and disgrace those faithfull ministers , whom they formerly magnified , and highly prized . mr. sheffield in his accute , and accurate treatise of conscience . quest. what are the signes of a good conscience , whereby it may be knowne ? answ. first , it may be known by the causes of it : it s not the work of nature , but the free gift of god : not purchased by our own merits , nor purged from naturall defilements by our own satisfactions , but purified from dead works , by the precious blood of christ applyed to us by his holy spirit , and a lively faith . secondly , by the manner whereby it is wrought in us : for it s not wrought by worldly perswasions , taken from our credit , pleasure , profit , &c. but by the ministry of the word begetting faith in us whereby the heart is purified , and this it doth . . by terrifying with the sight and sense of our sin . , and the punishments due for the same , whereby we are humbled : and then , secondly , by pacifying , and comforting it ; by offering to us in christ the free pardon of our sins , reconciliation with god , and the eternal salvation of our souls . thirdly , it s known by the effects : for it excuseth and acquits us before god of all sin : and speaks peace to our hearts , assuring us that we are in gods favour and grounding this testimony upon the infallible truth of the scriptures : it makes us bold in all dangers : couragious in the performance of all good duties : like good servants to come often into our masters presence , because it witnesses that we are in favour with him : it makes us often to examine the book of our accounts in gods presence , and to desire him to survey our reckonings , psal. . . after which audit , it will justifie us in regard of our integrity , as ps. . . not in respect of the perfection of our performance , which is full of wants and weaknesses ; but of our desire and resolution , psal. . . and . . fourthly , it 's known by the properties of it , which are . as its peaceable , so also its pure , not only from the guilt of sin , but also from the corruption . for the blood of christ , as ( like a sovereigne salve ) it pacifies the rage of conscience caused by the sores of sinne : so it draweth out the corrupt matter that caused it , cleansing these wounds , heb. . . . with all care and circumspection it keeps it self clear both before god and man , act. . . before god from the faultinesse of sin , and before men from offensiveness , and all appearance of evil , cor. . . . it s not doubtful , and wavering whether it be so or no , but being so , it knows assuredly that it is so , and sees it self by its own light , heb. . . prov. . . joh. . , , . . it makes them that have it , merry , cheerful , and full of joy : it 's a continual feast , it makes the hardest lodging a bed of down : a prison a pallace , &c. rom. . . act. . . paul and silas sang in the dungeon . so , cor. . . it triumphs over death it self : yea it chears the heart in the day of judgement , as was said before . fifthly , it s known by the integrity , and constancy of it . it labours to approve it self both to god and man in all things , at all times . it respects the whole law , and every precept , due order , and proportion being observed in the weight and excellency of every duty . it joynes piety , and holinesse with righteousness , and honesty , and faith with good works , psal. . . heb. . . it s the same in all places and companies . mr. downams guide to godliness , quest. how hath original sin polluted every mans conscience ? answ. first , by bringing a veil of ignorance upon it , whereby it horribly mis-judgeth , calling good evil , and evil good , &c. thus the consciences of heathens miserably enthralled them to the service of idols , as if they could damne or save them . thus some hereticks have thought that they served god by doing most abominable and unnatural things . the gnosticks taught , that fornication and uncleannesse were often to be committed , so as to avoid all conception , and if a child do follow they did follow , they draw it from the womb , beat it in a mortar , seasoned it with honey and pepper , and so did eat it , saying that in this manner they did celebrate the great passeover . the carp●cr●cians affirmed , that every one was bound to commit sin : and that the souls were put into the bodies till they should fulfill the measure of their iniquities , applying that in the parable to this purpose : thou shalt not go out till thou hast paid the last farthing . the montanists made a sacrifice of the blood of an infant of a year old , whom with needles in a most cruel manner they prickt to death . they said also , that it was as great sin to pull a leaf from a tree as to kill a man. the donatists would throw themselves from mountains , and drown themselves in rivers to make themselves martyrs . here was also a voluntary contracted blindnesse upon their consciences , and a judicial , inflicted on them by god : yet had there not been a natural blindnesse in their consciences , they could never have been improved to such an height of impiety . secondly , its polluted , not only by the blindness , but by the stupidity , and senselesness that is upon it : so that though one sin be committed after another , though lusts , ( as so many thieves ) come to steal their souls away , yet this sleepy dog gives not one bark . such mens sinnes come from them as excrements from dying persons , without apprehension of them ; their consciences are feared as with an hot iron . quest. how is this blindness and stupidity of conscience discovered ? answ. by the actings of it , in not performing those offices for which god hath put it into the soul● as . one maine work of conscience is to apply in particular what we reade in the scriptures , as generally spoken : when it reads the threats , and curses of the law denounced against such sins as thou art guilty of , then saith conscience , this belongs to me : hence god gives the commands by particular application : thou shalt not commit adultery , thou shalt not steal , &c. that conscience may say , this command belongs to me : but if we read over the scriptures a thousand times , and hear so many sermons , if conscience doth not apply all becomes ineffectual . object . how then can men commit those sins which they know to be sins , which conscience tells them to be sinnes , seeing we cannot will evill as it is evill ? answ. first , it ariseth from the defect of conscience , it not making particularly such a powerful application pro hic , & nuns , as it should do : there is a general , and habitual knowledge of such things to be sinnes ; yea , it may be a particular apprehension that they are now sinning and offending god ; but it s onely a speculative apprehension , it s not a practical one produced by conscience in them . secondly , herein the corruption of conscience is seen in that , though it doth apply , yet it is so weakly , and coldly , that it loseth the activity , and predominancy over the affections , and will of a man : so that he cares not for such checks and reproofs , rom. . . such detain the truth in unrighteousnesse ; they keep conscience a prisoner that would gladly do its duty . thirdly , or if it do apply , yet it s seldom , not daily and constantly : the cock crew once , or twice before peter remembred himself : conscience may apply sometimes , yet may the noise of lusts drown the voice of it . thus the consciences , even of natural men in some fits , when they are in expectation of some great and eminent judgements , may work strongly for the present , as of pharaoh , ahab , and foelix : but this is a flash only . fourthly , as conscience naturally doth not its duty in applying , so neither in witnessing , and bearing testimony to our actions , which yet is one great end why conscience is put into man. hence it s said to be a thousand witnesses : yea , and its a thousand tormentors too : but alas , it s so defiled , that in many things , if not in all , it fails , and gives at least no true witnesse at all , as appears in that , if men can conceal their sins from others , they matter not at all what witnesse conscience , and god can bear against them . fifthly , the pollution of conscience will further appear by the actings of it in accusing , and excusing , rom. . . as for its duty of accusing , it s almost wholly silen● : and men run into all excess of riot , embrace all wickednesse their consciences scarce smiting at all for it . divines say , that its an exceeding great mercy of god that he hath left a conscience in man : for if that had not some actings , there would be no humane societies : conscience being a cu●b to them : but when it s so corrupted that it cannot do its office , what hope then remaines for such ? as we see in the example of josephs brethren , gen. . . and as for the other act of excusing , conscience is turned into a camelion , to be like every object it stands by : it excuses and flatters men in all they do : and makes them say , god i thank thee , i am not like other men , &c. luk. . . whereas , if conscience were well inlightned by gods word , it would instead of excusing , accuse and condemn . sixthly , conscience is further polluted in the actings of it : for when application , witnessing , and accusing will not do , it should smite and terrifie : it should fall from words to blows , act. . . they are said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : to be pricked in their hearts , as if a dagger had been stabbed in them : so it was with foelix , cain , judas , &c. now conscience naturally is greatly polluted herein . for either it doth not at all give any blows , or if it do , it s with slavish and tormenting thoughts , which makes the sinner runne from christ , and indisposeth him for mercy and comfort . seventhly , there should a tribunal be erected in every mans heart , wherein conscience should sit as judge , and this court of conscience should be daily kept : so , psal. . . we are commanded to commune with our own hearts : to search and try our ways : to judge our selves that we be not judged , cor. . . this the very heathen commended : nosce teipsum , and tecum habita : and complain of the neglect of it , in se nemo tentat descendere ; and it s frequently commanded in scripture as an introduction to conversion , and as a constant duty of the converted to prevent apostacy : but who is there that keeps this court daily in himself ? who examines himself to say , what have i done ? who calls his thoughts , words , and actions to this bar , and gives judgement against them ? now this judgement of conscience is seen about a twofold object . . our actions which are to be judged whether they are agreeable to the word of god , or no ? for whatsoever we undertake , and are not perswaded of in conscience as lawful , is a sin , rom. . . . our persons ▪ and the frame and constitution of our souls : and herein conscience is more unable to do its work then in the former : for actions ( at lest many of them ) are condemned by the light of nature : but when we come to search and judge our heart , much heavenly skill and prudence is required . if hypocrites did thus judge themselves , they would not bless themselves in their good condition as they do . god hath placed it in man as an umpire to judge matters impartially between god and thy own soul : but conscience being naturally polluted , is not able to discharge this office . hence it is that this court ceaseth , conscience doth not keep any assize at all . eightly , it s defiled in that its afraid of light , and is not willing to come to the word to be convinced : but desires to be in darknesse that so a man may sinne the more quietly , jon. . , . hence , john . . it s the work of gods spirit to convince the world of sin : but the natural conscience cannot abide this , and therefore it hates a searching ministry , as ahab did michaiah . ninthly , it s defiled in that its subject to many disguises : it appears under so many visors , that its hard to know when its conscience , or when it s something else that is far enough from conscience : yet by reason of this guile , men flatter themselves with the name of conscience , when indeed it is corruption in him : a devil in samuels mantle . quest. how may a counterfeit conscience be discovered ? answ. first , when it is not conscience , but a sinful lust that puts thee upon many things : this is a sad delusion , thus to have conscience , and so god himself abused : thus saul when he had sacrificed pretended conscience , and that all was to serve god : absolon when he hatched rebellion pretended a vow , and so he must out of conscience perform it . judas when he repined at the ointment pretended charity and conscience , when it was lust and covetousnesse . secondly , when its fancy and imagination which perswades thee , and not conscience : thus fancy hath a great influence upon many : in melancholly persons especially its hard to discern when it s their fancy , and when its conscience that works in them trouble for their sins . thirdly , custome , education , and prepossessed principles sometimes work upon man as if they were conscience : thus many are affected in religious things , not out of conscience but custome : they have been used to such things , brought up in such a way of serving god , and therefore they would have such wayes and customes still . but that it s not conscience but custom , will easily appear , in that they will change according to outward advantages : when shechem would be circumcised , it was not out of conscience : but for dina's sake . when jeroboam erected an altar , it was not for conscience , but out of carnal policy . fourthly , if it be conscience that puts us upon duties , and those commanded , yet hardly are they done for conscience sake . the same duties may be done out of conscience to god by some , and from corrupt sinful motives by others . thus rom. . . paul presseth obedience , not only for feare , but for conscience : if it were from fear only , it were sinful . hence peter speaks of a conscience of god , pet. . . a conscience towards god , pet. . . which is not to be understood subjectively , as if god had a conscience but objectively : for a conscience that respects the will , and authority of god : many frequent ordinances , not out of conscience to god , but in regard of the laws of men , or some such other respect . whereas , colos. . , . all should be done heartily as to god , &c. fifthly , natural conscience is greatly polluted by original sin in regard of the limited and partial conviction , or illumination that it is apt to receive . conscience will receive some light , and be convinced in some smaller things , but the weightier things its apt to neglect . so the pharisees , luk. . . sixthly , its polluted in that it s very severe in censuring other mens sins , but blinde about its own . in this its like the eye which can see all other things but it self , mat. . , this christ chargeth upon the pharisees , bidding them first to pull out the beam out of their own eye , &c. so rom. . . judah was very severe against thamar , till he saw the staff and the bracelets . such have the eyes of the lamiae , that they take up when they go abroad , and lay aside when they come home . seventhly , it s defiled because of the ease , and security it hath , whereas , if it were awaken , it would give the sinner no rest , day nor night . the rich man bad his soul take its ease , he found no gripes of conscience . eighthly , it s grosly defiled , both because it hath lost its subordination to god and his word , the true rule of conscience , and also its superiority over the will and affections : towards god it keepts not its subordination , but naturally falls into two extreams , either taking other rules then the scripture , as we see the papists do : or else rejecting the word wholly as a rule , as the antinomians do , who say , that a man is perfect when he can sin , and his conscience never smite him f●r it . and as for the affections , and will , conscience cannot now rule , and command them . quest. how is conscience defiled when troubled and awakened ? answ. first , when though it trouble , and accuse , yet it doth it preposterously , not seasonably and opportunely . it should put forth its effectual operation before sin is committed to prevent it : but it seldome doth it till the sin be committed , when god is dishonoured , and when guilt is contracted , and then also it acteth , not so much under god to bring about true peace , by repentance , and faith , as the devils instrument , to bring to despair , and so from one sin to fall into a greater ; as we see in judas . secondly , it discovers its pollutions by slavish and tormenting fears which do accompany it : so that whereas the proper work of conscience is by scripture-light to direct to christ for healing , now on the contrary these wounds do fester , and corrode more : the conscience by feeling guilt runs into more guilt : so adam when he had sinned , was afraid of god , and ran to hide himself : now this reproaches the goodnesse and mercy of god , that we should have such hard thoughts of him : they oppose his grace and mercy which he intends to exalt in the pardon of sin . thirdly , this troubled conscience discovers the pollution of it by the pronenesse , and readiness in it to receive all the impressions , and impulses of the devil ; who endeavours to heighten the trouble : so that whereas before he tempted the secure to presumption , now he tempts the troubled conscience to despair , representing god as so severe that he never pardons such transgressions , &c. thus he wrought upon the troubled conscience of cain and judas . fourthly , its polluted by that ignorance , and incapacity in knowing what is our true christian liberty purchased by christ. indeed the true doctrine of christian liberty was one of the greatest mercies brought to the church in the first reformation : but the notion of christian liberty may soon be abused to profaness : and conscience smitten for sin , is many times prone to stretch its obligations beyond the due line : they judge such to be sins as are none ; they make duties where god hath not required : this is a scrupulous conscience so called , because as little stones in the shooe hinders our going , so doth the scrupulous conscience much annoy our christian walking : and as when one dog barks , he sets all the dogs in the town a barking , so one scruple begets another in infinitum , which makes a man very unserviceable , and his life very uncomfortable . again , from the blindnesse of a troubled conscience cometh also the sad , and great doubtings upon the heart , whereby the soul is distracted , and divided : pulled this way , and haled that way , rom. . , &c. paul speaking at large about a doubting conscience , shews that its a damnable thing to do any thing doubtingly whether it be a sin or not . a doubting conscience is more then scrupulous ; for a man may go against a scrupulous conscience , because the conscience is resolved for the main , that a man may do such a thing lawfully , only he hath some fears , and jealousies moving him to the contrary : but a doubting conscience is when arguments are not clear , but a man stands as it were at the end of two wayes , and knows not what to do . now if the conscience were well informed by gods word , it would not be subject to such distracting doubts , but through natural blindness it s often at a stand . lastly , it becomes from a scrupulous doubting conscience , a perplexed conscience so ensnared that what way so ever it takes , he cannot but sinne . as paul thought himself bound to persecute the christians , if he did it , it was plaine that he sinned , if he did it not , he thought he sinned . indeed rhe casuists say , non datur casus perplexus : there cannot be any case wherein there is a necessity of sinning , because a man is bound to remove the error upon his conscience , yet the ignorance and blindnesse of man brings him often into that perplexed estate . fifthly , there is a pronenesse in such a conscience to use all unlawful meanes , and to apply false remedies for the removal of this trouble , sixthly , there is an open and direct opposition to what is the true evangelical way appointed by god for to give true peace , and tranquility to such a conscience . quest. is it not then a blessed thing to come well out of the pains of a troubled conscience ? answ. yea , it is a most blessed , and happy thing to come out of a troubled conscience in a good , safe , and soul-establishing way : for when conscience is in trauel its apt to miscarry : yea , sometimes it s so far from having any joy , or true fruit of holiness produced , that a monster is borne instead of a man-childe . both scripture and experience confirm this , that many come out of these troubles with more obstinacy , and wilfulness to sin again : and so those hopefull workings end in a senselesse stupidity . pharaoh for a while , and belshazzar , and felix trembled : conscience gave some sharp stings , but it came to no good . thus in many , frequent troubles of conscience end in a plain dedolency , and stupidity of conscience never to be troubled more . oh therefore pray , and get thy friends pray , that thy troubles may be sanctified , and blessed to make a thorough change upon thee . quest. what is the difference between a troubled and regenerate conscience ? ans. conscience may be exceedingly troubled about sin , and yet be in a state of original pollution , and destitute of the spirit of christ : as we see in cain , and judas , who had earthquakes in their consciences , and more trouble then they could bear , and yet had not regenerate consciences : indeed these troubles are sometimes introductory , and preparatory to conversion . but if we stay in these , and think them enough , we grossie deceive our souls . when the jews by peters sermon were pricked to the heart , act. . , . they cry out saying , what shall we do ? peter directs them to a further duty which is to repent ; therefore those fears and troubles were not enough for their conversion . it s true , a gracious , regenerate conscience may have great initiatory troubles of conscience ; yet these troubles do not infer regeneration : but are therefore brought upon thee , that thou mayst be provoked to enquire after this new creature . quest. what may be the causes of the trouble of conscience , which yet are short of true saving motives ? answ. first , the commission of some great and hainous sin against conscience : this may work terror ; the very natural light of conscience in this case may fill the soul with terror . so act. . . the consciences of the heathen accused them . thus nero after he had killed his mother , was filled with terrors , and our richard the third , when he had murthered his nephews . secondly , it may arise from some heavy and grievous judgement that befals them ; as we see in josephs brethren , gen. . . so in belshazzer , &c. thirdly , god as a just judge can send these hornets to sting their consciences . thus cain being stung , fell to building to quiet it . this was threatned , deut. . , . this is the beginning even of hell it self in this life , heb. . , . fourthly , it often comes by the spirit of god convincing , and reproving by the word , especially the law discovered in the exactnesse , and condemning power of it , joh. . . the spirit convinceth the world of sin : now conviction belongs to the conscience principally ; and indeed it s the ordinary way of conversion : when gods spirit by the law convinceth , and awakens the conscience making it restless ; the man finds nothing but sin : no righteousness to be justified by : the law condemns , justice arraigns , and he is overwhelmed : hence , rom. . . the same spirit is the spirit of bondage and of adoption , called so from its different operations . fifthly , they may arise by gods permission from the devil : when god left satan to buffet , and tempt the incestuous person he was almost swallowed up with too much grief . quest. what are the false wayes that a wounded conscience is prone to take ? answ. first , some when troubled for sin , call it melancholly , and pusillanimity , and therefore they will go to their merry company , they will drink it away , rant it away ; or go to their merry pastimes . as herod sought to kill jesus as soone as he was borne : so these seek to stifle troubles of conscience in the first beginnings of them . secondly , when this will not prevaile , but that still they think they must go to hell for their sins , they set themselves upon some superstitious austere ways : as in popery , to go on pilgrimage : to enter into a monastery , &c. thinking thereby to get peace of conscience ; but luther found by experience the insufficiencie of all these courses . mr. anthony burges of original sin . soli deo gloria . a table of some of the principal things contained in this volume . a abuse of lawful things how prevented . pag. . adoption , marks of it . , . afflictions . , . apparel , how men sin in it . . assurance no doctrine of liberty . b backsliding , whence it proceeds . baptisme inward , the marks of it . ● . believers temporary . blasphemy , tentations to it . , &c. bodily deformities , whether they may be hidden . , bodily health , how preserved . c callings , how men sin in them . . charity the best . charms sinful . chastity , how preserved . christ , when truly affected . christ when he first lives in a christians heart . christ proved to be god. , christs actions which to be imitated . christ , to walk as he walked . company , how men sin about it . conference amongst christians . confession of christ. conflict , when none in man. d deadness in christians . death , how to prepare for it . desertion . , desires true , and false . diligence about assurance . drinking , see eating . e eating , and drinking , how men sinne in them . election , how known . f faces may not be painted . families , how men sin in providing for them . fashions strange , sinful . father , whether any man may be called so . flight in persecution . , g god may be served upon hope of reward . p. . and for fear of punishment . how a false instead of a true god is set up . , good works . grace , signes when we decay in it . h hardness of heart how manifold . i image worship . , infants , and ideots , what to be thought of them . justification , how evidenced . l law our rule . love to the godly . , gods love , how to know that it dwells in us . m marriage , how men sin about it . melancholly , the distempers of it . o ornaments to be used with cautions . , p parents consent necessary in marriage of children . p. . . and in their contracts . parents caution in naming their children , prayer of christ , and ours differ . praying for the church . . how to prevaile . presumption , how it differs from assurance . r recidivation , cases about it . recreations , what should be used . , . how men sin in them . redemption uniuersal disproved . , , , repentance diverts gods anger . reprobates , what benefit they receive by christ. s sin , how it differs in the godly and wicked . . how to resist it . . none small . , sins of others whether to be rejoyced in . sins of inferiors , when charged on superiors . sorrow godly . spirit , how we may know that we have it . spirits testimony . , &c. sufferings . sincerity , signs of it . , t thoughts of distrust . thoughts distinguished from satans suggestions . tongue to be watched . how we are guided into all truth . u usury whether lawful . w watchfulness of christians . , , &c. word of god carefully to be attended . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e eccl. . . b. h●lls epist. to his cases of conscience act. . . summum apud deum est nobilitas ▪ cl●rum esse virtutibus ▪ hierom. psal. . . isa. . . col. . , . notes for div a -e . rule . vii . rule . x. rule . the blessed life and meritorious death of our lord & saviour jesus christ, from his conception to his cross, and from his cross to his crown together with the series, and order of his ministery, and miracles, as they are recorded by the four evangelists, wherein what is wanting in one is supplied out of the other / by sam. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the blessed life and meritorious death of our lord & saviour jesus christ, from his conception to his cross, and from his cross to his crown together with the series, and order of his ministery, and miracles, as they are recorded by the four evangelists, wherein what is wanting in one is supplied out of the other / by sam. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for william miller, london : . marginal notes. advertisement: p. . reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project 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illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng jesus christ -- biography. jesus christ -- miracles. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - rachel losh sampled and proofread - rachel losh text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the blessed life , and meritorious death of our lord & saviour jesus christ ; from his conception to his cross , and from his cross to his crown . together with the series , and order of his ministery , and miracles , as they are recorded by the four evangelists , wherein what is wanting in one is supplied out of the other . by sam . clarke , sometime pastor in st bennet-fink , london . in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren , that he might be a merciful , and faithful high priest in things pertaining to god , to make reconciliation for the sins of the people . for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted , he is able to succour them that are tempted . heb. . , . london , printed for william miller at the sign of the gilded-acron st pauls churchyard near the little north door . . imprimatur , joh. hall r. p. d. episc. lond. à sac. domest . april . . the life & death of our blessed lord & saviour jesus christ. in the th moneth after john , sirnamed the baptist , was conceived , the angel gabriel ( who had in time past foretold to daniel , the coming of the messias , by a definite number of weeks ) was sent by god to nazareth in galilee , to the blessed virgin mary , that was betrothed to joseph , of the same tribe of judah with her self , and of the stock of david , who , after salutations , declared unto her that she should bring forth the son of god , and should call his name jesus : and having more fully taught her of the admirable manner of her conception , to be performed by the power of the holy ghost overshadowing her , with great faith she said , be it to the handmaid of the lord according to thy word . luk. . , . christ being thus conceived , the mother of our lord went into the hill countrey , with hast into a city of jiuda ( to wit , hebron , a city of the priests , situate in the mountains of judea , josh. . , . ) where , when she entred into the house of zacharias the priest , and had saluted her cousin elizabeth , she , perceiving the child to spring in her womb , was filled with the holy ghost , and declared that mary was blessed which believed , and confirmed that those things should be performed that were told her of the lord : to whom for an answer the blessed virgin ( imitating that song of hannah . sam. . . ) rehearsed that divine hymn , my soul doth magnifie the lord , &c. after which mary tarried with her about three moneths . luke . . , . mary not long after , joseph finding his betrothed wife with child , was willing to put her away privily : but being warned of god in a dream , and informed that she had conceived by the holy ghost , and should bring forth her son jesus , who should save his people from their sins , he taketh his wife . matt. . , . when the time of maries delivery drew neer , there came forth a command from augustus that all the roman world should be taxed , which taxing was first made , when cyrenius was governour of syria , [ luk. . ] whereupon joseph went up from galilee , from the city of nazareth , into judea into the city of david , which is called bethlehem , because he was of the house , and linage of david , that he might be taxed , with mary his wife , being great with childe . luk. . , . during their abode there , jesus christ , the son of god in the fulness of time was born of the most blessed virgin mary at bethlehem , [ matth. . . & . , . gal. . . ] in the four thousanth year of the world [ saith the learned primate of ireland , doctor usher ] whom mary rolled in swadling clothes , and laid him in a manger , because there was no room in the inn. luk. . . christ being thus born , his nativity was revealed by an angel of the lord to shepherds that were keeping their flock by night in the neighbouring fields , which word , a multitude of the heavenly host receiving , prayed for glory to god , peace to the earth , and good will to men ; when they were departed , the shepherds making hast to bethlehem , found mary and joseph , and the child lying in the manger , and they published that which was told them concerning the child , and so returned praising , and glorifying god. luk. . , . the eighth day after his nativity the child was circumcised , and his name was called jesus , which was so appointed by the angel gabriel , before he was conceived in the womb . luk. . . presently after , the wise men from the east , being guided by a new and extraordinary star , came to herod to jerusalem , and there , having learned that the birth-place of christ was bethlehem of judea , they went thither , and entring into the house which was pointed out to them by the star that stood over it , they found the little child , and mary his mother , and falling down they worshipped him , and opening their treasures , they offered unto him gold , frankincense , and myrrhe . then being warned of god in a dream that they should not return to herod , they departed into their own countrey another way . matth. . , . the fortieth day after her delivery , mary went up to jerusalem to the temple , both that she might present him to the lord according to the law of the first-born ; and also that she might offer for her self a pair of turtle doves , or two young pigeons ( she being so poor that she could not offer a lamb ) according to the law concerning women that had lain in . luk. . , , , . with levit. ● . , , , , . when his parents , joseph and mary brought the child jesus into the temple , to do for him according to the custome of the law , their came in at the same time simeon of jerusalem , to whom it was revealed by god that he should not die before he had seen the anointed of the lord , whom he took in his arms , and praised the lord , adding prophesies , both concerning christ and his mother . at the same instant also came anna , a prophetess , the daughter of phanuel , who also acknowledged the lord openly , and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in jerusalem . luk. . , . thus when joseph and mary had performed all things according to the law of the lord , they returned into galilee , to their own city nazareth . luk. . . some time after , the angel of the lord appeared unto joseph in a dream , warning him to fly into egypt , thereby to provide for the life of the child , and to escape the malicious designs of herod , who having by the wise men heard that one was born king of the jews , sought to destroy him : and accordingly joseph , when he awaked , took the young child and his mother by night , and went into egypt , where he remained until the death of herod . matth. . , , . but herod , thinking that the young child had been still at bethlehem ( being further provoked by the wise mens not returning to him ) that he might destroy him amongst the rest , sent forth some of his souldiers , who killed all the children which were in bethlehem , and in all the coast thereof from two years old and under , according to the time of the star first seen in the east , concerning which he had enquired of the wise men . matth. . . after the death of herod , who had sought the life of the young child jesus , the angel of the lord appeared again to joseph in a dream whilst he was in egypt , commanding him that he should return with the young child and his mother into the land of israel , for that he that sought his life was dead : and accordingly when joseph awaked , he performed what was by the angel enjoyned him . matth. . , , ▪ but when he was come back into the land of israel , he heard that archilaus raigned in judea in the room of his father herod , he therefore feared to go thither : and being warned of god in a dream , he departed into the parts of galilee ( which tetrarchy herod had given by will to antipas ) and there dwelt in the city of nazareth , from whence jesus took the name of nazarene . matth. . , . and the primitive christians of nazarenes ▪ act. . . when jesus was twelve years old , at the feast of the passover , he was brought to jerusalem by his parents , joseph and mary ; and when the seven days of unleavened bread were ended , his parents returning home , jesus staid behind them . but so soon as they missed him , they sought him three days , and at last found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors hearing them , and asking them questions , so that all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers . luk. . , . then went jesus down with his parents to nazareth , and was obedient to them . luk. . . and during his minority , followed his fathers trade of a carpenter , eating his bread in the sweat of his brows , as appears by the speeches of his fellow-citizens . is not this the carpenter , the son of mary ? mar. . . the thirtieth , and the last jubilee falling in the thirtieth year of our lord jesus christ , and in the beginning of his gospel , john , his forerunner proclaimed in the wilderness : prepare ye the way of lord and make his paths strait . mark . . and opening the acceptable year of the lord , or the time of his divine pleasure , in which our good god vouchsafed to manifest that great one to the world , isa. . . luke . . for in the th year of the raign of tiberius , caesar , pontius pilate being governour of judea , herod antipas tetrarch of galilee , his brother philip tetrarch of ituraea , and the region of trachonitis , and lysanias tetrarch of abilene , under the priesthoods of annas , and caiphas , came the word of the lord unto john the son of zacharias in the desert [ luke . . ] according unto whose command this nazarite , both priest and prophet of the lord , did baptize in the desert of judea ( in which there were many cities which are mentioned josh. . . ) preaching the baptism of repentance for the remssion of sins . matth. . . mar. . . luk. . . endeavouring that christ that came after him might be made known to israel . john . , , . which that he might more certainly know , this sign was given him of god , that upon whom he should see the holy ghost descending and remaining , he should thereby know that it was he that should baptize others with the holy ghost . john . . it s most probable ( saith the learned doctor usher ) that this his ministery began on that most convenient day , the tenth of the seventh moneth ( about the nineteenth day of our october ) which was both penitential , being joyned with a solemn fast , in which whosoever did not afflict his soul , should be cut off from his people , and also expiatory , in which the high priest went into the holy of holies to expiate the sins of the people with blood that was offered : and that same day in which by the sound of trumpet the jubilee was commanded to be proclaimed over all the land. levit. . . so john baptist , the preacher of repentance and remission of sins , to be attained by the blood of christ that was to come , passing through every region round about jordan , lifted up his voice like a trumpet , saying , repent ye , for the kingdom of heaven is at hand : whereupon there went out to him jerusalem , and all judea , and all the region round about jordan ( especially that huge multitude which returnned from jerusalem , the feast of tabernacles being ended about the beginning of our november ) and were baptized of him in jordan , confessing their sins . matth. . , , , . mark . . and when all the people were baptized , jesus came also from nazareth of galilee to jordan to be baptized of john. luke . . matth. . . mark . . which office john denied at first to perform as standing in need himself to be baptized of christ ; but the lord urging that thus it behoved that all righteousness should be fulfilled , he baptized him . matth. . , . jesus then beginning to be about thirty years old , luke . . at this time there was made a most illustrious manifestation of the blessed trinity : for the son of god in the humane nature that he assumed , ascending out of the water and praying , the heavens were opened , and the holy ghost was seen in a bodily shape like a dove , descending upon him , and the voice of the father was heard from heaven saying , this is my beloved son in whom i am well pleased . matth. . , . mark . , . luke . , . jesus being now full of the holy ghost , returned from jordan , and was driven by the spirit into the desert , where for forty days and nights , being tempted by the divel , he remained amongst wild beasts , not eating any thing , and when the days were ended he was an hungry . luke . , . matth. . , . mark , , . satan taking this opportunity , set upon him with a threefold temptation , all which being ended , he departed from him for a season . matth. . , . luke . , . and the angels came and ministred unto him . matth. . . mark . . after which jesus returned in the power of the spirit into galilee . luke . . john the baptist , the next day after christs coming to him , when the jews from jerusalem sent some priests and levites of the sect of the pharisees to him , as he was baptizing at bethabara by jordan , to ask him who he was , he professed clearly that he was not the christ : he denied also that he was elias , or that prophet ( foretold by moses . deut. . . the same indeed with christ. act. & . . but by the jews thought to be another , ) he told them also that he was , the voice of one crying in the wilderness , make strait the way of the lord : and then added that testimony of christ , i baptize with water , but there stands one amongst you whom ye know not , he it is who cometh after , and is preferred before me , whose shooe latchet i am not worthy to unloose . john . , . with chap. . . the next day john seeing jesus coming to him , saith , behold the lamb of god that taketh away the sins of the world . this is he of whom i spake , there comes one after me that is preferred before me , for he was before me , &c. and i saw him , and testifie that this is the son of god. john . . . the day after john stood and two of his disciples with him , and seeing jesus walking , said , behold the lamb of god , which , when the two disciples heard they followed jesus , and tarried with him that day , for it was about the tenth hour one of these was andrew , who brought his brother simon to jesus , and then jesus saw him , he said , thou art simon , son of jonah ; thou shalt be called cephas . john . , the next day jesus going into galilee , commanded philip ( which was of bethsaida , the city of andrew and simon peter ) to follow him . philip finding nathaneel under a fig-tree , brought him to jesus , who declared him truly to be an israelite in whom their was no guile ▪ john . , &c. withal hinting , that himself was that ladder of heaven foreshewen to jacob in his dream . gen. . . upon which the angels of god were seen ascending and descending . john . . on the third day their was a mariage in cana of galilee to which jesus was invited , together with his mother and his disciples , where he turned water into wine , the beginning of his miracles : and his glory being hereby made manifest , his disciples believed in him . john . , . after this he went down to capernaum , he , his mother , and brethren ( or kinsmen ) and his disciples , and tarried there not many days . john . . and thus we are come to christs entring upon his publick ministery , whose acts shall be set forth according to four distinct passovers out of the harmony of the four gospels contrived by doctor richardson , bishop of ardah in ireland , and recorded by the primate , doctor usher : in which this is singular , that saint matthew onely is found not to observe the order of time which is constantly observed by the other three evangelists ; excepting onely the parenthesis of johns being cast into prison by herod . luke . , . the first passover of the ministry of christ. john . . from which the first year of the seventieth , and last week of daniel began , in which the covenant is confirmed with many . dan. . . with matth. . . jesus went to jerusalem to the passover , and going to the temple he scourged out them that bought and sold there : and for a sign of his authority , he declared unto them that the temple of his body should be dissolved by the jews , and be raised again by himself . john . , , . he wrought miracles , and many believed on him , but he did not commit himself to them because he knew what was in man. john . , , . he instructed nicodemus , the disciple that came to him by night , in the mystery of regeneration , and about faith in his death , and the condemnation of unbelievers . john . , . then leaving jerusalem he went into the land of judea with his disciples . vers . . there he tarried and baptized ( viz. by the hands of his disciples , who had been before baptized , either by himself ( or by john. ) at this time john baptized in aenon , for he was not yet cast into prison . john . , . there arose a question between some of johns disciples and the jews about purifying . vers . . then did john instruct his disciples , who told him of jesus in a way of emulation , concerning himself , and his office , and of the excellency of jesus christ the son of god , giving this notable and last testimony of him before his imprisonment . vers . , &c. for presently after , herod the tetrarch cast john into prison for reprehending his incest with his brother philips wife , and other evils done by him . mark . , . matth. . , , . jesus hearing that john was cast into prison , and that the pharisees had heard that there were many made disciples by him , and baptized , viz. by the hand of his disciples , he left judea ( having staid there about eight moneths ) and went into galilee . john , , . matth. . . but in his way he must needs go through samaria , where he brought the samaritan woman neer the city sychar , and the citizens thereof , to the knowledge and acknowledgement of him , four moneths before the harvest ( or the passover ) about the middle of the ninth moneth called ab. john , , &c. jesus having staid two days in sychar , he went onward in his journey into galilee . john . . this was his second return from judea into galilee after his baptism , and being received of the galileans who had seen what things he had done at jerusalem , he preached with great fame in their synagogues . john . luke . , . mark ▪ , . in cana of galilee he healed the son of a nobleman that lay sick . john . , . he wrought miracles also in capernaum , and afterwards came unto nazareth where he had been brought up ; and entring into the synagogue ( as his custome was ) he expounded to them the prophesie of isaiah concerning himself : the citizens at first wondering , but afterwards being filled with wrath , they thrust him out of the city , and endeavoured to have cast him down headlong from a hill ; but he , passing through the midst of them , went his way . luke . , . jesus then leaving nazareth dwelt at capernaum , and their so taught them on the sabbath days that they were astonished at his doctrine . luke . , . mark . , . also at the synagogue in capernaum he cast out an unclean spirit , commanding him that he should not tell who he was . luke . , . mark . , . after which he arose and went out of the synagogue into the house of simon and andrew , where he healed simons wives mother that lay sick of a feavour . luke . , . mark . , , . matth. . , . about sun-set jesus healed all the sick folk which were brought to him , and cast out devils , commanding them to hold their peace . luke . , . mark . , , . matth. . , . in the morning he went into a desert place to pray , and when simon and others sought , and would have staid him , he answered , that he must preach to other cities also . luke . , , . mark . , . then jesus went through all galilee , and taught in their synagogues , and cast out devils . luke . . mark . , and as he stood by the lake of genazereth a great multitude pressed upon him : he entred therefore into simons ship , and taught the multitude from thence . luke . , . and when he had left speaking , at his command there was a great draught of fishes taken ; at which simon peter and andrew , james and john being astonished , he commanded them to follow him , and he would make them fishers of men . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . then jesus went through all galilee , teaching in their synagogues , and healing every disease , and his fame went through all syria , and a great multitude followed him . matth. . , , . in a certain city jesus healed a leper , who , though he was forbidden , yet published it : and they came to him from every place to hear him , and to be healed , insomuch as he could no more openly enter into the city , but was in desert-places , and prayed . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . then again jesus entred into capernaum , his own city , after some days , and taught them at home , and before the scribes and pharisees , and a great multitude : he forgave sins to one sick of a palsie , who was let down through the roof of a house , and healed his disease to the astonishment of them all . luke , , . mark , . , . matth. . , . then went jesus forth again by the sea-side , and all the multitude came unto him , and he taught them , and as he passed by , he saw , and called , levy , or matthew , sitting at the receipt of custome . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . . jesus in the house of levi defended both himself and his disciples for eating with publicans , and excuseth and vindicates them against the pharisees for their not fasting . luke . . . mark . , . matth . , . and it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first ( i. e. the first sabbath of the new-year , instituted after their coming out of egypt , and beginning from the moneth nisan , or abib ) jesus going through the corn fields , cleared his disciples from the charge of the pharisees , because they plucked the ears of corn ; and explained the doctrine of the sabbath . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . the second passover of the ministery of christ , from which the second year of the seventieth week of daniel begins . after this was the feast of the jews , and jesus went up to jerusalem , and healed on the sabbath day a man that had an infirmity thirty eight years , who lay at the pool of bethesda : and made a most divine apollogy to the jews , who sought to kill him because he said that god was his father . john . . . afterwards he went from thence and entred into a synagogue and taught , and healed one that ▪ had a withered hand : whereupon the pharisees went forth , and straightways , with the herodians , took counsel how they might destroy him . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . but jesus when he knew this , withdrew himself to the sea , and healed the multitudes that followed him , straitly charging them that they should not make him known , and commanded his disciples that a small ship should wait on him , because of the multitude that througed him . mark . , . matth. . , . and it came to pass in those days that he went into a mountain to pray : and when it was day , he chose twelve , whom he called apostles , who are specified by name . luke . , . mark . , . and he came down with them from the mountain , and stood in a plain , where a great multitude came to him and he healed them all . luke . , , . after this they went into an house , and the multitude came together again so that they could not so much as eat bread , and when his kinsmen heard of it they went to lay hold on him , for they said , he is besides himself . mark . , , . when jesus saw the multitude , he went up into a mountain , and when he was set , his disciples came unto him : and then he preached that long , and excellent sermon , first to the apostles , and afterwards to all the people . luke . , . matth. , & , & . now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people , he entred into capernaum , where he healed the centurions servant that lay sick of the palsie , ready to die . luke . , . matth. . , . the day following he went into the city of naim , and raised one that was dead , and carrying out to his burial , which was the only son of a widdow : whereupon his same spread abroad . luke . , . john the baptist , being yet in prison , and being moved with the relation of his disciples concerning the fame , and deeds of jesus , sent two of them unto him , saying , art thou he that was to come , or shall we look for another ? and when they were returned with his answer , christ gave a large testimony of john after which he upbraided some of the cities for their ingratitude , and yet willingly submitted to the sole good pleasure of his father , who hid his son from some , and revealed him to others . luke . , . matth. . , then simon the pharisee , desired him that he would eat with him , and as they were at meat he defended against simon , and absolved the woman , a sinner , that washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head , both kissing , and anointing them , luke . , . it came to pass afterwards that he went from city to city preaching , and his disciples were with him , and certain women ministred unto him . luke . , , . then they brought unto him one that had a divel that was both blind and dumb , and he healed him , and zealously defended himself against the pharisees and scribes that came down from jerusalem , that blasphemed him , saying , he casteth out devils through beelzebub . mark . , . matth. . , . then said some of the scribes and pharisees to him , master , we would see a sign of thee , to whom ▪ when he had sharply rebuked them , he would give no other sign but that of jonas . matth. . , . whilst jesus spake to the people , it was told him that his mother and brethren stood without desiring to see , and to speak with him : but jesus answering , shewed them whom he accounted for his mother , and brother , and sister . luke . , , . mark . , . matth. . , . the same day jesus went out of the house and sate by the sea-side , and great multitudes were gathered unto him , so that he went into a ship , and sate , and taught the multitude many things , by the parable of the sower , and by divers other parables , luke . , . mark ▪ , . matth. . , . also the same day when it was evening , he said unto them , let us lance forth unto the other side of the lake : and when he had given an answer to some that would follow him , and sent away the multitude , they took him even as he was in the ship , and by the way there arose a great tempest , but he rebuked the wind , and calmed the sea , and saved his disciples . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . when they came to the other side into the country of the gadarens , or gergasens , which was on the opposite shore to galilee , and when he was gone on land , there met him two possessed with devils , very fierce ( mark and luke mention but one ) out of whom jesus cast the devils , and suffered them to go into the heard of swine ; whereupon the gadarens desired him to leave their coasts . then did the possessed persons importune him that they might abide with them ; but he denied their request , and sent them back to publish about decapolis what great things jesus had done for them : after which he passed over again by ship to the other side , and from thence went unto his own city [ capernaum . ] luke . , . mark . , , , . matth. . , , . and it came to pass that when jesus was returned , the people received him gladly , for they waited for him , and he was by the sea-side . luke . . mark . . and there came to him the disciples of john , saying , why do we and the pharisees fast oft , but thy disciples fast not ? to whom he gave answer . matth. . , . whilst jesus yet spake , behold there came jairus , one of the rulers of the synagogue , and besought him greatly for his only daughter , being about twelve years old , who lay at the point of death : and as he was going , even at jairus door , a woman that had an issue of blood twelve years was suddenly healed by touching the hem of jesus garment : and the daughter of jairus being now already dead , was restored to life by his word onely : and he straitly charged them that no man should know it . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . when jesus was departed thence , two blind men followed him , whose eyes he opened , straightly charging them ( but to no purpose ) that no man should know it . matth. . , . as they went out , behold , they brought unto him a dumb man possessed with a devil , and when the divel was cast out , the dumb spake , and the multitude marvelled : but the pharisees blasphemed . matth. . , , , . then went jesus round about all their cities , and villages , teaching , and healing their diseases . then went he into his own country , and his disciples followed him , and he taught in their synagogues on the sabbath days , and was again contemned of them and called the carpenter : yet were they astonished at his doctrine . mark . , . matth. . , . and he went round about their villages teaching . mark . . jesus was moved with compassion towards the multitude when he saw the great harvest , and the few laborers , and thereupon commanded his disciples that they should pray the lord that he would send forth laborers . matth. . , . then sent jesus the twelve apostles by two and two , having sufficiently instructed them with commands and power to preach , and to heal diseases . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . and it came to pass when jesus had made an end of commanding his disciples , that he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities . and the twelve departed , and went through the towns preaching the gospel , and healing every where . luke . . matth. . , . . about this time ( november th ) sejanus was killed : after whose death , tiberius caesar soon knew that all the crimes which he had charged upon the jews , were feigned by himself : wherefore he commanded the governours of all the provinces , that in every town they should spare that nation , except very few that were guilty persons : but that they should alter non of their customs , and should make much account of them as lovers of peace , and their customs as conducing to publick tranquility . about this time also was john baptist beheaded . mark . , . matth. . , , . and when his disciples heard of it , they came , and took up the body , and buried it , and went and told jesus . mark . the fame of jesus being spread abroad , herod the tetarch , and others , hearing it , declared their opinions about him , and herod desired much to see him . luke . , , . mark . . the apostles returning , told jesus what things they had done . luke . . mark . when jesus had heard of the death of john , and of the deeds of the apostles , he said unto them , come ye your selves apart into a desert-place , and rest a while : for by reason of the multitude they had not leasure to eat ; he therefore , taking the twelve with him , went by ship privately into a desert place , of the city called bethesda : but when the multitude heard it , they followed him on foot out of all cities , and out went him , and he taught and healed them . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . then jesus went up into a mountain , and there sate with his disciples , and the passover was nigh . and when it was evening , he sed above five thousand men , besides women , and children , with five barley loaves , and two little fishes , and there remained twelve baskets full of fragments . and when the jews ( seeing his miracles ) would have made him a king ; jesus constrained his disciples to go before him unto the other side , opposite to bethesda , towards capernaum : and he himself went apart into a mountain to pray : and when they had gone about five and twenty or thirty furlongs , in the fourth watch of the night , jesus went to them , walking upon the sea , and would have passed by them : but they being affrighted , he told them who he was , rebuked peter and saved him from sinking , so that they were amazed : and they drew to shore and came to the land of genazaret : and when he came out of the ship , as soon as it was know , they brought their sick that they might touch the hem of his garment , and they were presently made whole . john . , . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . the next day , after that jesus was passed over , the people which stood on this side the sea , took shiping and came to capernaum seeking jesus , to whom he preached in the synagogue of capernaum about the bread of life , and affirmed to the jews that murmured , that he was that bread of life . from that time many of his disciples went back , but the apostles would not go away , notwithstanding he called one of them a devil . john . , . the third passover of the ministery of christ. john . . from which the third year of the seventieth week of daniel began . the scribes , and pharisees which came from jerusalem , came to jesus , and when they saw some of his disciples to eat with defiled , that is , unwashen hands , they found fault , because they did not walk after the tradition of the elders , to whom jesus answered concerning traditions , that they frustrated the commands of god that they might keep the traditions of men : and he taught the people , which he also expounded to his disciples at home , that nothing which enters into a man , but that which cometh from within , that defileth a man. mark . , . matth. ▪ , . then he arose from thence and went into the borders of tyre , and sidon , and he could not be hid . for a canaanitish woman , a gentile , a syrophaenician by nation , came to him , earnestly beseeching him for her daughter , that was vexed with a devil : whom , when he had commended for the greatness of her faith , he cast the divel out of her daughter . mark . , . matth. . , . and again departing from the coasts of tyre and sidon , he came unto the sea of galilee , through the midst of the coast of decapolis , and they brought unto him one that was deaf , and had an impediment in his speech , whom he healed , and charged him that he should tell no man , but all in vain . mark . , . then went he up into a mountain and sate there , and healed many , so that the multitude wondred . matth. . , , . in those days , when there was a very great multitude that had remained with him three days , he fed four thousand men , besides women and children , with seven loaves , and a few little fishes , and there remained seven baskets full of fragments . mark . , . matth. . , . and straitway jesus entred into a ship , with his disciples , and came into the parts of dalmanutha , or the coasts of magdala . mark . . matth. . . and the pharisees came to him , requiring a sign from heaven , who after he had deeply sighed , he denied any sign but that of jonas , to those hypocrites , who knew how to discern the face of the sky , but not the signs of the times : and leaving them , he entred again into a ship and passed to the other side . mark ▪ . . , . matth. . , . and when his disciples were come to the other side , they had forgotten to take bread , and they had but one loaf with them in the ship. then jesus said unto them , take heed of the leaven of the pharisees and sadduces , and of the leaven of herod : & they reasoned amongst themselves because they had forgotten to take bread : but jesus rebuking ▪ them that they had forgotten the miraculous multiplication of the loaves , gave them to understand that he spake not of the leaven of bread , but of their doctrine . mark . , . matth. . . . then came jesus to bethsaida , and they brought to him a blind man , whom he led out of the town , and anointed his eyes with spittle , and he recovered his sight , and jesus forbad him to tell it . mark . , . and jesus went with his disciples into the towns of caesarea philippi : and it came to pass as he was alone praying , and was now in the way , that he asked his disciples , whom do men say that i am ? when they had answered , he said unto them , but whom do ye say that i am ? and when peter had answered , he pronounced him happy , annexing promises , and forbad his disciples to tell any man that he was the christ. he also foretold his death , and resurrection , and called peter satan , because he rebuked him for so saying . then he preached to his disciples , and to the multitude of the cross which every one must bear that would follow him , and at length foretold his transfiguration . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . and it came to pass about eight days after these things ( or six intermediate days ) that he was transfigured in an high mountain . and when they came down from the mountain , he charged them that they should tell no man what they had seen till he was risen from the dead : and they kept it close , questioning one with another , what the rising from the dead should mean , and they asked him , why do the scribes say that elias must first come ? and they received an answer by which they understood that jesus spake of john baptist , as that elias . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . and it came to pass the next day when they were come down from the hill , and that he was come to his disciples , he saw a great multitude about them , and the scribes questioning with them : and straitway when all the multitude saw him , they were greatly amazed , and runing to him , saluted him : and as he was asking about their questioning with his disciples , the father of a lunatick child answered him , that it was about his child that had an unclean spirit , both deaf and dumb , and that his disciples could not cast him out . then jesus having cast out the spirit , restored the child to his father whole : and being at home , he shewed his disciples the reason why they could not cast out this devil . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . and they departed thence and passed through galilee , and he would not that any man should know it : and he taught his disciples concerning his death and resurrection : but they understood not that saying , and being exceedingly sorry , were afraid to ask him . luke . , , . mark . , , . matth. . , . when they were come to capernaum they asked peter about jesus his paying tribute money . and when jesus was come into the house , he prevented peter , telling him , that he should find a piece of money in a fishes mouth , and bad him pay that for tribute both for himself and for jesus . matth. . , . at capernaum jesus asked his disciples what it was that they disputed of among themselves by the way , at which , when they were silent at the first , they afterwards told him that it was , who should be greatest in the kingdom of heaven : then jesus taking a child , and seting him in the midst , taught them that they should have humility even as a child . he also warned the world of offences : admonishing us to take heed that neither hand , foot , nor eye make us to offend . that little ones are not to be despised . how our brother sinning against us , is to be reproved ▪ as also to be bound and loosed by the church : and to be forgiven to seventy times seven times , as he shewed in that parable of the two debtors to the king. luke . , , . mark . , . matth. . , . then said john to him , we saw one calling out divels through thy name , whom jesus taught that he was not to be forbidden , and again warned them not to offend little ones , and to take heed again that neither hand , foot , nor eye cause them to offend . luke . , . mark ● , . after these things jesus walked in galilee : for he would not walk in jury , because the jews sought to kill him . now the feast of tabernacles was at hand : and jesus went not up to the feast , as his brethren would have him do , who as yet believed not on him : but he went up after them , not openly , but as it were in secret . john . , . and it came to pass that when the time was come that he should be received , he set his face to go to jerusalem , and he sent messengers before his face , and they went into a village of the samaritans to make ready for him , but they would not receive him , wherefore they went into another city , and jesus rebuked his disciples who would have commanded fire to come down from heaven upon them . luke . , . and as they were passing in the way , jesus gave an answer particularly to some that would follow him . luke . , . after these things jesus sent seventy disciples by two and two into every city and place where he himself would come , giving them instructions , and arming them with power . mark . , . the multitude enquiring after jesus at the feast , and murmuring concerning him , jesus in the midst of the feast , taught in the temple : and they wondring at his doctrine , he answered , that his doctrine was not his own but his that sent him : he also answered many things to them who reproached , and objected against him , and officers were sent to apprehend him . in the last and great day of the feast , jesus crying out concerning faith in him , there was a division concerning him amongst the people : but the officers which were sent , and nicodemus defended both his person and cause before the pharisees that spake against him . john . , . then went jesus unto the mount of olives , and early in the morning he sate and taught in the temple , where , being not willing to condemn the woman that was taken in adultery , he warned her to sin no more . as he was teaching in the treasury of the temple , he affirmed that he was the light of the world , and defended his bearing record of himself . ] he taught many things concerning the father himself , and told them whether he goes , and who he is : also of their father abraham : of the servitude of sin and of the devil : of himself , that he had not a divel as they supposed : that whosoever kept his sayings should not tast of death , concluding with these words , before abraham was , i am ; whereupon they took up stones to throw at him : but jesus hid himself and went out of the temple , going through the midst of them , and so passed by . john . , . as jesus passed on the way , he saw one begging that was blind from his youth , who being made to see , after many examinations both of himself , and of his parents , he was cast out of the synagogue , who afterwards meeting jesus , he worshipped him . john . , . then preached jesus that he is the door of the sheep , and that good shepherd : as also concerning thieves , and hirelings : and there was again a division amongst the jews for those sayings . john . , . at this time the seventy returned to him with joy , whom jesus further warned and instructed : and rejoyceing in spirit , he told them privately that their eyes were happy . luke . , . then came to him a certain lawyer , asking him , what he must do to inherit eternal life ? jesus sent him to the law ; and by the parable of the man that fell amongst thieves , taught him who was his neighbour . luke . , . afterwards it came to pass , that as he went , he came to a certain town , and was received into the house of martha , she her self ministring to him , whilst mary heard the words of jesus , for which she was preferred before martha . luke . , . and it came to pass as he was praying in a certain place , when he ceased , one of his disciples said unto him , lord , teach us to pray , as john taught his disciples : whereupon he , the second time prescribed to them the lords prayer : using arguments also to stir them up to constancy in prayer , and for the confirmation of their faith in obtaining their sutes . luke . , . then cast jesus a divel out that was dumb , and the multitude marvelled , and he confirmed against some blasphemers , that he did not cast out divels through beelzebub . luke . , . and it came to pass as he spake these things , that a certain woman of the company said unto him , blessed is the womb that bare thee , &c. to whom he replied , luke . , . and when the multitude were gathered thick together , he began to say : this generation seeks a sign , but there shall be none given but that of jonas : adding , that the queen of the south , and the ninivites should condemn that generation , charging them to take heed that the light which was in them , were not darkness . luke . , . when jesus had spoken these things , a certain pharisee desired him that he would dine with him : and wondring that jesus had not first washed , he was severly reprehended , with the rest of the pharisees , by jesus for their outward holiness , or simulation , and for their inward wickedness , covetousness and pride : and he pronounced a wo likewise to the lawyers . luke . , . in the mean time when there was gathered together an innumerable company , jesus said to his disciples , take heed of the leaven of the pharisees which is hypocrisie : and fear not them which kill the body . luke . , . and one of the company said to him , master speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me : to whom jesus said , who made me a judge ? and upon this occasion he preached against covetousness in the parable of the rich man that would build great barns : as also against all anxious , distrustful , and unprofitable carking about the necessaries of this life ; commanding them rather to seek the kingdom of god : and to be like them that wait for the coming of their lord as becomes every faithful and wise steward : telling them that he would send the fire of division into the earth , and upbraided them that they could not find out that that was the appointed time . luke . , . there were present at that season some that told him of the galileans , whose blood pilate had mingled with their sacrifices , from which occasion he preached repentance , and propounded to them the parable of the fig-tree , that had no fruit . luke . , . as he taught in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day , behold , there was a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years , and was bowed together ; whom jesus healed , and defended his deed against the ruler of the synagogue that was full of indignation . then did he liken the kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustardseed , and to leaven . luke . , . then went he through all the cities , and villages teaching , and journying towards jerusalem , to wit , to the feast of dedication . luke . . as he went , one said to him , are there few that shall be saved ? to whom he answered , commanding to strive to enter in at the straight gate . luke . , . on the same day some of the pharisees came to him , saying , get thee out , and depart hence , for herod will kill thee ; to whom he gave a resolute answer . luke . , . and it came to pass as he went into the house of one of the chief pharisees to eat bread , there was one present that had a dropsie , whom he healed , and defended the deed though it was done on the sabbath day . he also spake a parable to them that were bidden , and instructed him that had invited him . luke . , . and when one of them that sate at meat with him heard these things , he said unto him ; blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of god : to whom jesus answered , and propounded to them the parable of the great supper , and of the several excuses that those that were invited , made . luke . , . and there was a great multitude that went with him , and he turned and preached unto them , that life it self is to be laid down for christ. he also propounded to them the parables , of the man that was about to build a tower , and of the kings going to war. luke . , . and there came to him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him , and the scribes and pharisees murmured , whereupon he spake unto them the parables of the lost sheep , of the groat , and of the prodigal son. luke . , . he also told to his disciples the parable of the unjust steward accused to his lord : together with the application of the same : and the pharisees , that were covetous , when they heard these things , derided him . then preached he against them , and taught many other things , and declared the parable of the rich man fareing deliciously , and of lazarus the beggar . luke . , . moreover he said to his disciples , wo to them by whom offences come , and taught , that a brother sinning against a man is to be forgiven . luke . , . hereupon his disciples said to him , lord encrease our faith , to whom he answered concerning the power of faith ; and by the parable of the servant coming from plough and straightway ministring , he shewed that they are unprofitable servants when they have done all , having done no more than what was their duty . luke . , . and it came to pass as he went to jerusalem , that he passed through the midst of samaria , and galilee , and as he entred into a certain village , there met him ten lepers , who , as they were going according to his command , to the priests , they were cleansed , of whom one of them came back to jesus to give him thanks , and he was a samaritane . luke . , . the pharisees asking jesus when the kingdom of god would come ? he answered , that the kingdom of god would not come with observation : but that it is within : and further ▪ said to his disciples , that according to the days of noe , and lot , so shall be the day in which the son of man shall be revealed : but that he was first to suffer many things . luke . , . then spake he to them a parable that they should always pray , by the example of the widow interceeding to the unjust judge : whereas god is a righteous revenger . luke . , . he spake also to some that perswaded themselves that they were just , and despised others , the parable of the pharisee● , and publicane praying in the temple . luke . , . and it was at jerusalem the feast of the dedication , and it was winter , and jesus walked in the temple in solomons porch : then came the jews round about him and said unto him , how long doest thou make us to doubt ? if thou beest the christ tell us plainly ? which he avouched by his works , saying , i and the father are one : whereupon they again took up stones to stone him . and he defending himself to be god by the scriptures , and his works , they sought again to take him , but he escaped out of their hands . john . , . then he went again beyond jordan where john at first did baptise , and there he abode , and many resorted to him ; and as he was wont , he taught them , and healed them , and many believed on him there . luke . , , . mark. . . matth. . , . then came to him the pharisees tempting him , saying , is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause ? jesus denied it , and gave an answer to the pharisees , objecting the bill of divorce which moses commanded : he answered his disciples also who said , that then it s better for a man not to marry . mark . , . matth. . , . at this time they brought unto him little children that he should lay his hands upon them , and pray , and his disciples forbad them ; for which , being rebuked by jesus , he laid his hands upon them , and blessed them , and then departed from thence . luke . , , . mark . , . matth. . , , . jesus going from thence , as he was in the way , there met him a young man , one of the rulers , very rich , saying unto him , good master , what must i do to inherit eternal life ? and jesus having spoken concerning the title that he gave him , sent him to the commandments , and he replying , that he had observed them , jesus loved him : but bidding him to sell all that he had , and give it to the poor , he went away sorrowful . luk . , . mark . , . matth. . , . then jesus inveighed bitterly against covetous rich men : and when peter said , behold we have left all to follow thee , he made notable promises to all such , whereof some were peculiar to the apostles : adding withal , that many which were last should be first , and the first should be last , which he declared by a parable of labourers in a vineyard : for many were called , but few chosen . luke . . . . matth. . , &c. mark . , &c. lazarus of bethany being sick , his sisters sent to tell jesus thereof , who as soon as he heard it , tarried two days in the place where he was : but afterwards he said to his disciples , let us go again into judea : they said to him , the jews of late sought to stone thee , and goest thou thither again ? jesus answering , said unto them , lazarus sleepeth ( meaning that he was dead ) let us go to him ( said thomas ) that we may die with him . john . , . jesus came nigh to bethany , and found that lazarus had been buried four days : and mary hearing of it , came quickly to him out of the town , where martha also met him , and jesus seeing her weep , he wept also , and coming to the grave , he bad them remove the stone , and , giving thanks to his father , called lazarus out of the grave , whereupon many believed on him : but some went to the pharisees and told them what things jesus had done . john ● . , . hereupon the pharisees called a councel , where caiphas prophecied concerning jesus , and from that day they consulted together that they might put him to death , commanding that if any one knew where he was , they should give them notice that they might take him . jesus therefore walked no more openly amongst the jews , but went unto a city , called ephraim , and there continued with his disciples . john . . after this they went up to jerusalem , and as they were in the way , jesus went before them , and they were afraid , and he again took the twelve , and began to tell them what things should happen unto him , but they understood none of those things . luke . , . mark . , , . matth. . , , . then came to him james and john , the sons of zebedee , and their mother , desiring that they might sit , the one on his right hand , and the other on his left ; but he repelled them with his answer , and when the rest were displeased with their request , he admonished them all , that he that would be great and first amongst them , must be the minister and servant of all . mark . , . matth. . , . and it came to pass when jesus came nigh to jericho , a certain blind man sate begging by the way side , and asking who it was that passed by , and hearing that it was jesus of nazareth , he ( though he was rebuked ) earnestly implored his mercy , and being called by jesus , he received his sight , and followed him , glorifying god. luke . , . then jesus entred , and passed through jericho , and espying zacheus in a sycamore tree , he said unto him , i must abide at thy house to day . luke . , . and as jesus went out of jericho , a great multitude followed him : and he restored sight to two blind men , whereof bartimeus was one , and they followed him . mark . , . matth. . , . being come nigh to jerusalem , because they thought that the kingdom of god should immediately appear , as he went forwards , he told the parable of the noble man that went into a far countrey , who gave to his ten servants ten pounds to occupy therewith till he returned , and when he came back , knowing which had gained most by trading , he rewarded each of them according to the proportion of their gain . luke . , . now the passover was at hand , and many went out of the countrey up to jerusalem before the passover , that they might purifie themselves , john . , , . and jesus , six days before the passover , came to bethany , and they made him a supper , and lazarus sate with him ▪ and mary anointed his feet , & wiped them with the hairs of her head , whom jesus defended against judas : and much people came thither , not onely for jesus sake , but that they might see lazarus : but the chief priests consulted how they might put lazarus to death , because many of the jews believed by reason of him . john . , . mark . , . matth. . , . luke . , . after this jesus went before , ascending up to jerusalem ; and it came to pass that when he was nigh to bethphage , and bethany , at the mount of olives ( the th day of our march ) he sent two of his disciples for an ass-colt that was tyed . mattkew mentions the dam also : and they brought the colt unto jesus , and cast their garments on the colt , and set him thereon , and much people that came to the feast , met him , many casting their garments in the way , and others cut down branches of the trees and strewed them in the way , and when he was come unto the descent of the mount of olives , the company that went before and that followed , cried , hosanna to the son of david ; then said some of the pharisees to him , master , rebuke thy disciples : jesus answered them ; and the pharisees thereupon said amongst themselves , perceive ye not that we prevail nothing ? belhold the world is gon after him . john . , . luke . , . mark . , , . matth. . , . when jesus was come nigh , seeing the city , he wept over it , foretelling the utter destruction thereof . john . . luke , . mark . , . and when he was entred into jerusalem , all the city was moved saying , who is this ? and jesus entred into the temple of god , and cast out those that bought and sold in it , and healed both blind , and lame in it : and justified the children who cryed , hosanna , in the temple , against the priests , and scribes that were displeased at it . he also taught daily in the temple , those that heard him being very attentive : but the chief priests and elders of the people sought to destroy him . luke . , . mark . . matth. . , , , , . some greeks of those that came to worship at the feast , desired to see jesus , and he answered them that told him : also by preaching of his passion , and calling upon his father he received an answer from heaven , which some thought to be thunder , others an angel : and speaking again of the lifting up of the son of man from the earth , he answered them that asked him , who this son of man was ? then going from thence , he hid himself from them : and when it was evening , he went with his disciples unto bethany : and though he had done so many miracles amongst them , yet did they not believe , that the word of isaias might be fulfilled . yet nevertheless many of the rulers believed on him , but did not confess him for fear of the pharisees jesus crying out therefore , preached concerning faith in him . john . , . mark . . on the morrow when he came from bethany , he was an hungry , and seeing a fig-tree that had onely leaves on it , he cursed it , and it straitway withered . then they came to jerusalem , and entring into the temple , he again cast out those that sold and bought there , and would not that any should carry a vessel through the temple ; and crying out , he taught concerning faith in himself : but the chief priests sought how they might destroy him : for they feared him , because all the people were astonished at his doctrine : and when evening was come jesus went out of the city . mark . , . matth. . , . and when they returned in the morning , as they passed by the fig-tree , they saw that it was dried up by the roots , which peter shewing to jesus , he preached unto them of the power and virtue of faith , but especial in prayers . and they came again into jerusalem , and as he was walking in the temple and teaching , the chief priests , elders , and scribes came unto him , saying , by what authority doest thou these things ? jesus answered by asking them concerning johns baptism . he also spake unto them the parable of the two sons , asking them , which of the two did the will of his father ? and applied it unto them . as also the parable of the vineyard let out to husband-men , and of their killing the heir of the vineyard , together with the application thereof : and from that hour they sought to take him : but they feared the people , for they took him for a prophet . again he propounded to them the parable of the marriage of the kings son , and the refusals , and excuses of some that were bidden , and the wickedness and punishments of others , especially of him that had not on the wedding garment . then went the pharisees , and took counsel how they might intangle him in his talk : wherefore they sent out unto him their disciples , with the herodians saying , is it lawful to give tribute to cesar , or not ? these being astonished at his answer , lest him , and went their way . luke . , , , , , . mark . , , & . , , , . matth. . , . & . , . the same day there came to jesus the saduces , asking him of the woman that had seven brethren to her husbands , which of them should be her husband in the resurrection ? and when the multitude heard his answer whereby he proved the resurrection , they were astonished at his doctrine : then a pharisee that was a lawyer , tempted him , asking which was the great commandment in the law ? to whom he answered , and asked the pharisee whose son christ is ? and no man was able to answer him a word , neither durst any man from that day forth , ask him any more questions . luke . , . then spake jesus to the multitude , and to his disciples concerning the scribes and pharisees , denouncing eight woes against them : and turning his speech to the city of jerusalem , he accused her of cruelty , and obstinacy , and foretold her desolation . luke . , , . mark ● . , , . matth. . , . and as jesus sate over against the treasury he saw a widow casting in two mites , whom he preferred before them that cast in more . luke . , . mark . , . when he was gone out of the temple his disciples shewed him the stately buildings , and stones of it , whereupon he foretold the ruine thereof . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . and as he sate on the mount of olives over against the temple , his disciples asked him when these things should be , and what should be the sign of his coming , and of the end of the world ? to whom he at large answered concerning the signs of them both : and warned them to watch , and be ready , because they knew not the hour when the lord would come , and he taught the same thing by the parable of the ten virgins : as also by the parable of the talents delivered to the servants to trade withal ; and described the judgement of this world ( perhaps as a type of that ) by setting the sheep on the right hand , and the goats on the left , and giving sentence upon each of them . by day he taught in the temple , but at night he went into the mount of olives : and all the people came unto him early in the morning , and he taught them in the temple . matth. . , . luke . , . and it came to pass when jesus had finished these sayings , he said unto his disciples , ye know that after two days is the passover , and the son of man shall be betrayed to be crucified : about which time they consulted together in the pallace of the high priest , that they might kill jesus : but they said , not on the feast day , lest there be an uproar amongst the people . mark . , . matth. . , . as jesus was in the house of simon the leper , he defended a woman that powred an alabaster box of ointment on his head , as he sate at meat , against his disciples that murmured at it , and foretold his burial . mark . , . matth. . , . then entred satan into judas , who offered himself and covenanted to betray him . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , , . the fourth and last passover , in which christ ( our passover ) was sacrificed . cor. . . and so an end was put to all the legal sacrifices which prefigured this only one . the fourth , or middle year of the last week of daniel now beginning . dan. . . in the first day of unleavened bread , when the passover was slain ( april . ) his disciples asked him where they should prepare it ? then he sent peter and john into the city , telling them that there should meet them a man bearing a pitcher of water , by following of whom , they should find a guest-chamber ready furnished by the good man of the house . mark . , . matth. . , , . and in the evening he went thither with the twelve , and when they had sate down and eaten , jesus said , i have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before i suffer : and he commanded them to divide the cup amongst themselves : saying , i will not any more eat of the passover , or drink of the fruit of the vine , until the kingdom of god shall come ; then said he , one of you shall betray me , and they began to be sorrowful , and to say unto him one by one , is it i ? and he answered , it is he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish : and to judas , asking is it i ? he answered , thou hast said . luke . , . mark . , , . matth. . , . also whilst they were eating jesus instituted the sacrament of his body and blood in bread and wine after he had supped , adding , i will not henceforth drink of the fruit of the vine , till i shall drink it new with you in the kingdom of my father ? but , behold ( saith he ) the hand of him that betrays me , is with me at the table , then they began to enquire amongst themselves if any among them should do this . luke . , . mark . , . matth. . , . there was also a strife amongst them which of them should be accounted greatest : when supper was ended , jesus arose and laid aside his garments , and took a towel and girded himself therewith , and began to wash , and wipe his disciples feet , and peters also , who at first denied it , but afterwards desired it . this being done , jesus sate down again , saying , i have shewed you an example , that as i have done , you might likewise wash one anothers feet : he that will be greatest amongst you , let him be the least : yet he added , i do not speak of you all for i know whom i have chosen . when he had said these things he was troubled in spirit , and testified , saying , one of you shall betray me : his disciples therefore looking one upon another , were uncertain of whom he spake : peter therefore beckened to the beloved disciple that he should ask who it was : jesus answered , he it is to whom i shall give a sop after i have dipped it , and he gave the sop to judas , and said unto him , what thou doest , do quickly . judas having received the sop went out immediately ; and it was night . joh. . , . luk. . , . when judas was gone out jesus said , now is the son of man glorified , and god is glorified in him : and he told them of his sudden departure , and exhorted them to the mutual love one of another . he said also , simon , simon , behold satan hath desired you , that he might winnow you as wheat : but have pray'd for thee : and do thou strengthen thy brethren : and when peter , too confidently , said , i will lay down my life for thee , he answered , the cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice . then said he unto them , he that hath a purse , let him take it , and he that hath not a sword , let him buy one : some answering , here are two swords , he said , it is enough . luk . , . then did jesus comfort them against the sorrow which they conceived for his death : and to the questions of thomas , philip , and judas ( who is also libbaeus , surnamed thaddaeus , another of the son of alphaeus , and brother of james ) he answered every one particularly , promising them that the holy ghost should be their teacher : and left his peace with them : and again admonished them of his approaching death , and of the joyful fruit thereof : adding , arise , let us go hence : and when they had sung an hymn , they went out towards the mount of olives . john . , . mark . . matth. . . in the way as they were going , by the parable of the vine , & the branches , he exhorted them to bring forth fruit , and to remain in the love of god towards them , and mutually to love one another , and to abide patiently the hatred of the world , which hates christ himself : and that they should not be offended for persecutions . john . . and again he comforted them against sorrow for his death by the promise of sending them the comforter , the spirit of truth , whose office against the world , and towards them he describeth . and admonished them that yet a little while , and they should not see him : and they , not understanding what that meaned , he explained it unto them : and told them that their aforesaid sorrow should be turned into joy , by the example of a woman bringing forth a man-child : as also by the promise of his returning to them , by the love of the father towards them , and by his ready hearing of their petitions that they should make in his name . and when he said , i came forth from the father , and am come into the world , and again , i leave the world and go unto the father , his disciples answered , lo , now thou speakest plainly : we believe thou camest from god : to this jesus replied , that the time was now come that they should be scattered every one to his own , and that himself should be left alone , and at last concluded with a most divine prayer to the father for the mutual illustration of his own , and the fathers glory : as also for the apostles , and the whole company of believers john . , . & . , . when jesus had spoken these things , he went with his disciples ( as he was wont ) over the brook cedron , to the mount of olives . then said jesus unto them , all ye shall be offended because of me this night . but after i am risen again , i will go before you into galilee : and when peter said , though all men should be offended , yet will not i ; jesus said , to day , vein this night before the cock-crow thou shalt deny me thrice : but both he , and all the disciples replied , though we should die with thee , yet we will not deny thee . john . . luke . . mark . , . matth. . , , . then came they to a place called gethsemane , where was a garden into which jesus entred , and his disciples , unto whom he said , pray ye that ye enter not into temptation : sit here , while i go and pray yonder . and he took peter , and the two sons of zebedee with him , and began to be very sorrowful , and he said unto them , tarry here and watch , and going from them about a stones cast , he kneeled down and prayed that the cup might pass from him : and there appeared an angel from heaven , strengthening him . then he returned and finding his disciples sleeping , he reprehended and admonished them : and then went the second time , and prayed more earnestly , and being in an agony his sweat was as drops of blood : and coming again , he found them sleeping for sorrow , for their eyes were heavy : and therefore he again admonished them , and they knew not what to answer . then left he them , and went away again and prayed the same words : after which coming to his disciples , he said unto them , sleep on now , and take your rest : behold the time is come , and the son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners : arise , let us be going : behold he is at hand that doth betray me . luk. . . mar. . , . mat. . , . while jesus yet spake , behold judas ( who knew the place , because jesus often resorted thither with his disciples ) with the chief priests , pharisees , captains of the temple , and elders of the people , and officers , and a band sent from them , came thither with lanthorns , and torches , and a great multitude with swords and staves . and judas had given them a sign , saying , whomsoever i shall kiss the same is he , and he straitway kissed jesus : to whom jesus said , wherefore art thou come ? betrayest thou the son of man with a kiss ? john . . luke . , . mark . . , . matth. . , . but jesus knowing all things that should come unto him , went out , and said unto them , whom seek ye ? they said unto him , jesus of nazareth . jesus said unto them , i am he : and they went backwards and fell to the ground . he asked them again , and answered them as at first : adding if ye seek me , let these go away . joh. . , . then they took him ; and when those that were about jesus saw what would follow , they said to him , lord ▪ shall we smite with the sword ? and peter struck off the right ear of malchus . to whom jesus said , put up thy sword : cannot i pray , and have more than twelve legions of angels ? shall not i drink of the cup that my father hath given me ? suffer you thus far : and he touched his ear and healed him . and jesus said unto them , do ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves ? but this is your hour , and the power of darkness . then all his disciples left him and fled , and a certain young man ( of their company ) being laid hold of , left his linen cloth , and fled from them , john . , . luke . , , . mark , . mat. . , . then they bound jesus , and brought him , first to annas , the father in law of caiphas , who sent him bound to caiphas the high priest , who formerly had prophesied , that it was expedient that one man should die for the people . there were all the chief priests , and elders , and scribes of the people gathered together . then caiphas asked jesus concerning his disciples , and his doctrine : jesus answered , i spake openly to the world , ask them that heard me : then one of the officers stroke him with a staff : to whom he said , if i have well spoken , why smitest thou me ? then all the council sought false witnesses against him , and found none . at last two false witnesses came , but their testimony agreed not . caiphas then said , answerest thou not to what they witness against thee ? but jesus held his peace . then he adjured him to tell whether he were the christ , and jesus answered , i am : and ye shall see the son of man sitting at the right hand of the power of god , and coming in the clouds of heaven . wherefore they judged him guilty of death for this blasphemy . then did they mock him , and spit upon him , and cruelly beat him with buffets and staves : and covering his face , they said , prophesie who smote thee ? and many other things they spoke against him reproachfully . joh. . , . luk. . , . mar. . , . mat. . , . peter followed afar off that he might see the end , and so did another disciple that was known to the high priest , and went with jesus into the pallace , but peter stood without at the door : then that other disciple spake to her that kept the door , and brought him in . and as peter was warming himself at the fire ( for it was cold ) the maid that kept the door asked him , and affirmed that he was one of his disciples , but he denied it , or that he knew him , or knew what she said . a little after he went out into the porch , and the cock crew . and as he was going out another maid saw him , and said to the by-standers , this fellow was also with jesus of nazareth ; also another said , thou art also one of them ; then he again denied it with an oath : and about an hour after they that stood by said , thy speech bewrayeth thee : and the cousin of malchus amongst the rest said , did not i see thee in the garden with him ? and while he yet spake the cock crew the second time : then the lord turned , and looked upon peter , and he remembring the words of jesus , went out , and wept bitterly . john . , &c. luke . , &c. mark . , &c. matth. . , &c. as soon as it was day , the elders of the people , and the chief priests , and the scribes , came together , and led him into their council , saying , art thou the christ ? jesus said unto them , ye will not believe , nor answer me , nor let me go . yet he said , that he was the son of god : to which they replied , what need we any further witness . luke . , . then straightway in the morning the whole multitude of them arose , and led him bound to pontius pilate , the governour , from caiphas to the hall of judgement ( april d. ) but they went not into the judgement hall , lest they should be defiled that they could not eat the passover : and jesus stood before the governour . pilate therefore came forth unto them , and said , what accusation bring you against this man ? they answered , if he were not a malifactor we would not have delivered him unto thee : and they accused him , saying , we found this man perverting the nation , and forbiding to pay tribute unto caesar , saying that he himself is christ , a king : and when he was accused of the chief priests , and elders , he answered nothing . then said pilate , hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee ? but he answered him not a word , so that pilate marvelled . then said pilate to them , take ye him and judge him according to your law : but they replied , it is not lawful for us to put any man to death . pilate then entred into the judgement hall again , and calling jesus , said unto him , art thou the king of the jewes ? jesus answered , saist thou this of thy self , or did others tell it thee of me ? pilate said , am i a jew ? thine own nation , and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me : what hast thou done ? jesus answered , my kingdom is not of this world : pilate therefore said unto him , art thou then a king ? jesus answered , for this cause came i into the world that i might bear witness unto the truth . then said pilate to him , what is truth ? and when he had said this , he went out again to the jews , and said unto them , i find in him no fault at all : and they were the more fierce , saying , he stirreth up the people , teaching throughout all jewry , beginning in galilee , to this place . pilate hearing of galilee , asked him if he were a galilean ? and when he knew that he belonged to herods jurisdiction , he sent him to herod , who was in jerusalem in those dayes . when herod saw jesus , he was exceeding glad : but being deceived of his hopes of seing a miracle , and jesus not vouchsafing any answer , either to him , or to the chief priests and scribes that vehemently accused him , after he had set jesus at naught , and mocked him , he sent him back to pilate , arayed in a gorgeous robe : and herod , and pilate were made friends that very day . john . , . luke . ● , , . mark . , . matth. . , . then pilate , when he had called the chief priests , and the rulers , and the people , he said unto them ; neither i , nor herod find any fault in him , nor any thing worthy of death : i will therefore chastise him and release him . for he was of necessity ( according to the custome ) every feast to deliver to the people one prisoner whomsoever they would . and the multitude crying out aloud , began to desire that he would do unto them as he ever had done . then said pilate , ye have a custom that i should release one unto you at the passover : will ye therefore that i release unto you the king of the jews , or barabbas ? for he knew that the chief priests had delivered him up of envy : but they stirred up the people that they should rather desire barabbas , who was a notable thief , who lay bound for insurrection , and murther in the city . when pilate was set down on the judgement seat , his wife sent to him , saying , have thou nothing to do with that just man : for i have suffered many things in my dream by reason of him this day ▪ pilate therefore spake unto them again , being willing to release jesus , which of them will ye that i release unto you ? they all cryed out , saying , not him but barabbas . pilate replied , what then will ye that i shall do unto him whom ye call king of the jews ? and they all cryed out again , crucifie him : pilate said unto them the third time , why ? what evil hath he done ? i find no cause of death in him : i will therefore chastise him , and let him go : but they cryed the more earnestly , crucifie him : and were very instant with loud voices desiring the same . mark . , . then pilate took jesus and scourged him , and the souldiers platted a crown of thorns , and put it on his head , and clothed him with purple , saying , hail , king of the jews , and beat him with staves . pilate therefore went forth again unto them , and said unto them , behold i bring him forth unto you , that ye may know that i find no fault in him : then jesus came forth , wearing the crown of thorns , and the robe , and pilate said unto them , behold the man. when the chief priests , and officers saw him , they cryed out , saying , crucifie him , crucifie him . pilate replyed , take ye him and crucifie him ; for i find no fault in him . then said the jews , he ought to die , because he made himself the son of god : when pilate heard that , he was the more afraid , and went again into the jugdement hall , and said to jesus , whence art thou ? but jesus gave him no answer . then said pilate to him , speakest thou not unto me ? knowest thou not that i have power to crucifie thee ? jesus answered , thou couldst have no power unless it were given thee from above . from thence-forth pilate sought to release him : but the jews cryed out , then art thou not caesars friend . when pilate heard this , he sate on the judgement seat , in the place called the pavement , and it was the preparation of the passover , and about the sixth hour : then said he to the jews , behold your king : the chief priests answered , we have no king but caesar. when pilate therefore saw that he prevailed nothing , but the rather a tumult was made , he took water and washed his hands before the multitude , saying , i am innocent of the blood of this just person , see you to it . and all the people answered , and said , his blood be upon us , and our children . then pilate being willing to content the multitude , released unto them barabbas , and when he had scourged jesus , he delivered him over to their will , that he might be crucified . john . , , , . then the souldiers of the governour , when they had led jesus into the hall called praetonium , they called together the whole band ; and when they had stripped him , they put upon him a skarlet robe , and platted a crown of thorns and put it on his head , and a reed in his right hand , and bowing the knee , they mocked him , saying , hail , king of jews . and when they had spat on him , they took the reed , and smote him on the head : and when they had mocked him , they took off the purple , and put his own clothes on him , and led him out to crucifie him . matth. . , . mark . , . then judas which had betrayed him , when he saw that he was condemned , repented himself and brought the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests , confessing his sin unto them : and casting the silver pieces into the temple , went and hanged himself : and they bought with them the potters field , that the prophesie might be fulfilled . matth. . , &c. and jesus came forth carrying his cross ; but as they were leading him , they found one simon of cyrene , as he came out of the countrey , whom they took , and compelled to carry the cross after jesus : there were also two thieves that were led with him to be crucified . and there followed a great multitude of people , and of women that lamented , to whom jesus turned and foretold the lamentable destruction of jerusalem . and when they were come into the place called calvary , but in the hebrew , golgotha , they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrhe , and vineger mingled with gall , and when he had tasted it , he would not drink it : and they crucified him there ( and it was the third hour ) and two thieves with him , one on the right hand , and the other on the left . and jesus said , father forgive them : for they know not what they do . and pilate wrote a superscription in hebrew , greek , and latine , and put it on the cross : which , at the request of the chief priests , pilate would not alter . and after they had crucified him , they divided his garments into four parts , to every souldier , that was imployed in his execution , a part : and cast lots for his seamless coat , whose it should be , that the scripture might be fulfilled : and sitting down they watched him there ; and the people stood beholding him : but they that passed by , reviled him , wagging their heads , and saying , oh , thou that destroyest the temple , and buildest it in three days , save thy self : if thou beest the son of god , come down from the cross. likewise also the chief priests , and rulers , with the people , and scribes , and elders mocking , and scoffing , said amongst themselves : he saved others , himself he cannot save . if he be the king of israel ; if that christ , the chosen of god , let him come down from the cross , and we will believe him . he trusted in god let him deliver him if he will have him ; for he said , i am the son of god : the souldiers also mocked him , and coming to him , offered him vinegar , saying , if thou be the king of the jews , save thy self . the thieves also that were crucified with him , cast the same in his teeth . and one of them , continuing his railing against him , the other being converted , rebuked him , and said unto jesus , lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom : to whom jesus answered , to day shalt thou be with me in paradise . and there stood by his cross the mother of jesus , and his mothers sister , mary , the wife of cleophas , and mary magdalene : when jesus therefore saw his mother , and the disciple whom he loved standing by , he said to his mother , behold thy son , and to the disciple , behold thy mother . and when the sixth hour was come , there was darkness over all the land , or countrey , until the ninth hour : and about the ninth hour , jesus cried out with a loud voice , eli , eli , lamma saba cthani ? and some that stood by , said , he calleth elias . luke . . . matth. . , . luke . , , . after this , when jesus knew that all things were accomplished , that the scripture might be fulfilled , he said , i thirst . now there was set there a vessel full of vinegar , and they filled a spunge with vinegar , and put it upon hysop , or a reed , and put it to his mouth , saying , with the rest , let be , let us see if elias will come to save him , and take him down . but jesus , when he had received the vinegar , said , it is finished . and then again he cryed with a loud voice , father into thy hands i commend my spirit , and bowing his head , he gave up the ghost . and when the centurion saw that he so cryed out , and gave up the ghost , he glorified god , saying , truly this is a just man ; truly this is the son of god. mark . , . and behold the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottome , and the earth did quake , and the rocks rent , and the graves were opened , and many bodies of the saints , which slept , arose , and came out of their graves after his resurrection , and went into the holy city , and appeared unto many . and the centurion , and they that stood over against , and they that watched jesus , when they saw the earthquake , and the things that were done , feared greatly , saying , truly this was the son of god. and all the people that came together to that sight , beholding the things that were done , smote their breasts , and returned : and his acquaintance , and the women which followed him from galilee , stood afar off , beholding these things , among whom were mary magdalene , and mary the mother of james the less , and mother of joses , and salome , who also when he was in galilee followed him , and ministred unto him , and many other women that came up to jerusalem with him . luke . , , . mat. . , . the jews therefore , that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the sabbath ( for that sabbath was an high day ) because it was the preparation , besought pilate that their leggs might be broken , and that they might be taken down . the souldiers therefore came and brake the leggs of the two thieves , but not of jesus , because he was already dead . yet one of them with a spear pierced his side , and there came out blood and water , and these things were done that the scriptures might be fulfilled . joh. . , . and when even was now come , because it was the preparation , that is , the day before the sabbath , there came joseph of arimathea , a rich man , and an honourable councellor , who also looked for the kingdom of god , a good , and a just man , and one who had not consented to the counsell and deed of them : being a disciple , but secretly for fear of the jews , came boldly to pilate , and begged the body of jesus . pilate marvelled that he was already dead , and calling the centurion asked him , and when he knew it , he gave the body to joseph . there came also nicodemus ( which at first came to jesus by night ) and brought a mixture of myrrhe , and aloes about a hundred pound weight : and they took the body of jesus and wrapped it in a linnen cloth with the spices , as the manner of the jews was to bury . and joseph laid it in his own new sepulchre , which he had hewen out of a rock , wherein yet never man was laid , and which was in a garden in the place where jesus was crucified , rolling a great stone to the door of the sepulchre : and mary magdalene , and mary the mother of joses , who came with him from galilee , beheld where they laid him , sitting over against the sepulchre ; and they returned and prepared spices and ointments , and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment . joh. . , . luk. . , . mar. . , . mat. . , . the next day [ april th ] the pharisees besought pilate that he would command the sepulchre to be made sure untill the third day , adding their reason ; which , when he had yeelded to , they went and made the sepulchre sure , sealing the stone , and setting a watch. in the end of the sabbath , or when the sabbath was now past [ april th ] when it dawned towards the first day of the week , in the morning very early whilest it was yet dark , came mary magdalene , and mary the mother of james and salome , bringing spices which they had bought , that they might see the sepulchre , and annoint jesus : and they said , who shall roll away the stone from the door for us ? and when the sun was risen , coming to the sepulchre they saw the stone rolled away : for behold there was a great earthquake : for the angel of the lord came down from heaven , and rolled away the stone , and sate upon it : and they went in , but found not the body of the lord jesus : and it came to pass , as they were much perplexed thereat , behold two men came to them in shining raiment ; their countenances were as lightening , and their garments white as snow . matthew and mark mention but one angel : and the keepers for fear did shake , and became as dead men . and when the women were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth , the angels said to them , fear not ye , i know that ye seek jesus that was crucified : but why seek ye the living amongst the dead ? he is not here : he is risen as he said , come and see the place where the lord was laid , and remember what he said , whilest he was in galilee with you ; saying , the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinfull men , and be crucified , and the third day rise again : but go ye quickly , and tell his disciples , and peter , that he is risen from the dead , and behold he goes before you into galilee , there ye shall see him ; behold , i have told you . then the women remembred the words of jesus , and they departed quickly out of the sepulchre with fear and wonder , and great joy , and ran to tell his disciples : but they said nothing to any man as they went : for they were afraid . and when the women told these things to the eleven , and to all the rest , their words seemed to them as idle tales . but mary magdalene telling peter , and the other disciple whom jesus loved , they have taken away the lord and we know not where they have laid him ; peter and that other disciple went out , and came to the sepulchre : but that other disciple did outrun peter , and came first to the sepulchre , and when he stooped down , he saw the linnen clothes lying , but went not in . then came peter following him , and went into the sepulchre , and saw the linnen clothes lye , and the napkin that was about his head not lying with them , but wrapped together in a place by it self : then went in that other disciple , and saw and believed , and peter went unto his own home , wondring at what was done : for as yet they knew not the scriptures , that he must rise again from the dead . and the disciples went to their own home . but mary magdalene stood without at the sepulchre weeping , and whilest she wept , she stooped down in the sepulchre and saw two angels in white , sitting , the one at the head , the other at the feet , where the body of jesus had lain ; and they said unto her : woman why weepest thou ? she said , they have taken away my lord , and i know not where they have laid him : and when she had thus said , she turned back , and saw jesus , but knew not that it was he . and jesus said to her , why weepest thou ? whom seekest thou ? she , supposing that it had been the gardiner , said , if thou hast born him hence , tell me where thou hast laid him , and i will take him away : jesus said to her , touch me not , but go and tell my brethren saying , i go , &c. and she came and told his disciples , and those that had been with him , as they were weeping , and mourning , that she had seen the lord , and that he had said these things to her : but they believed her not . and as the women went from the sepulchre ( perhaps mary magdalene was absent ) that they might tell his disciples , behold jesus met them , and said unto them , all hail , and they came and held him by the feet , and worshipped him . then said jesus to them , be not afraid , go and tell my brethren that they go into galilee , there they shall see me . joh. . , , . luk. . , . mar. . , . mat. , , , . now when they were going , behold the watch went into the city , and shewed to the chief priests all the things that were done : and when they were assembled with the elders , they took counsell , and gave large money to the souldiers that they should say , that his disciples came and stole him away whilest they slept : and if it come to the governours ears ( said they ) we will perswade him , and secure you . so they took the money , and did as they were taught : and this saying is commonly reported amongst the jews to this day . mat. . , . and two of them went into the countrey that same day to a village sixty furlongs from jerusalem , called emaus : and as they journeyed , jesus went along with them ; and they , telling what things were done concerning jesus of nazareth , how he was crucified , and that he rose again , &c. jesus shewed them out of the scriptures that it behooved christ to suffer , and to enter into his glory . and in the village , when he had taken bread , and given thanks , and broken it , he was known to them , their eyes being opened , though he appeared in another form , and he vanished out of their sight . and they rose up that same hour , and returned to jerusalem to the eleven , who said to these two , the lord is risen indeed , and hath appeared unto simon . then they told them what things were done in the way , and how he was known of them in breaking of bread : but neither believed they them . luke . . mar. . , . whilest they yet spake , it being evening , in the first day of the week , the doors being shut where the disciples were gathered together for fear of the jews , came jesus himself and stood in the middest of them , and said , peace be unto you : but they were affrighted supposing that they had seen a spirit ; but he upbraided them with their unbelief , and hardness of heart , because they had not believed those that had seen him since he was risen : and he said unto them , why are you troubled ? see my hands and my feet : a spirit hath not flesh and bones : and he shewed them his hands and his feet and his side : and when they believed not for joy , and wondred , he said unto them , have ye here any meat ? and he did eat a piece of broiled meat and an hony comb : and his disciples rejoyced that they had seen the lord and he said unto them , these are the words that i spake unto you , while i was yet with you : that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of moses , and in the prophets , and in the psalms of me . then he opened their understandings that they might understand the scriptures , and said unto them , thus it is written , and thus it behooved christ to suffer , and to rise from the dead the third day , and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations , and ye are witnesses of these things . and behold i send the promise of my father among you : but tarry ye at jerusalem till ye have received power from on high . he said again unto them , peace be unto you : as my father sent me , so send i you . goe ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature : he that believes and is baptized , shall be saved : but he that believes not , shall be damned . and these signs shall follow them that believe : in my name they shall cast out devils : they shall speak new tongues : they shall take up serpents : and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them : they shall lay their hands on the sick , and they shall recover . and when he had said these things , he breathed on them , and said , receive ye the holy ghost : whose sins ye remit , they are remitted to them , and whose sins ye retain , they are retained . thus jesus appeared five times in the first day of his resurrection . joh. . , . luke , . mar. . , . but thomas called dydimus was not with them when jesus came , and the rest of the disciples told him , we have seen the lord : but he very confidently professed that he would not believe it . after eight dayes [ april the th ] thomas being then present with the rest , jesus came , the doors being shut , and stood in the middest , and said unto them , peace be unto you , and abundantly satisfied thomas his unbelief . joh. . , . luke . , . then the eleven disciples went into galilee unto the mountain that he had appointed them . and when they saw him , they worshipped him , but some doubted : and when jesus came unto them , he said , all power is given unto me both in heaven and earth , go therefore and teach all nations , baptizing them , &c. and loe i am with you to the end of the world. mat. . , . after that , jesus was seen of above five hundred brethren at once and after that to james . cor. . , . afterwards jesus shewed himself to his disciples at the sea of tiberias : or at least , to seven of them as they were fishing . for they having fished all night and caught nothing , in the morning , jesus unknown unto them , stood upon the shoar , and bid them cast their net on the right side of the ship , & they caught a hundred fifty & three great fishes : and jesus said unto them , come and dine ; and none of them durst ask him , who art thou ? knowing it was the lord. when they had dined , he warned peter thrice of his pastorall charge as he loved jesus , and forewarned him what kind of death he should die . and to peters question concerning john , he gave an answer that was not rightly understood of the brethren . joh. . , . last of all be appeared to his disciples in jerusalem , and led them out as far as bethany , and he lift up his hands , and blessed them . and it came to pass that as he blessed them , he was parted from them , and carried up into heaven . luke . , . mat. . . this jesus christ was promised to adam in paradise presently after his fall in those words , the seed of the woman shall break the serpents head : but whether he should come of jew or gentile , not a word was told him . after this abraham ( the hebrew ) was given to understand that of his seed should come the messiah : but of what tribe , nothing was revealed . to jacob indeed it was shewed , that of the tribe of judah should shiloh come : but whether male , or female , nothing certain . david was assured that a son of his should sit upon his throne for ever : but till isaias , it was not known that he should be born of a pure virgin : that a woman should compass a man. isa. . . behold a virgin , that famous virgin ( the originall sets it forth with an accent ) spoken of gen. . . shall conceive and bear a son. the very place of his birth was not set forth till micha did it . mich. . . not the just time till daniel foretold it . dan. . . thus by degrees , and piece-meal ( as it were ) god spake of old to the fathers by his servants the prophets . heb. . . every age almost , brought sorth some new thing touching the babe of bethlehem ( lapt up in the swathbands of the holy scriptures ) either in express and evident terms , and testimonies , or else in mirrors , and miracles . lastly john baptist ( fibula legis & gratiae , as one calls him ) the buckler of the law , and gospel , pointed him out with his finger , behold the lamb of god , &c. now this jesus christ is the most excellent person in the world ; the fairest amongst men : worth ten thousand of us , as the people said of david . sam. . . look upon him as he is described , heb. . , , . for his nobility , he is gods own son : for his riches , he is heir of all things : for his wisdom , he made the worlds : for his eminency , he is the brightness of his fathers glory , and the express image of his person : for his might , he upholdeth all things by the word of his power : for his merits , he hath by himself purged our sins : for his preferment , he sate down at the right hand of the majesty on high traps treas . the quallity and kind of christs death is remarkeable for three characters which were engraven on the death of the cross , which he died . . for the painfulness of it . the nature of that death was painfull : for death it self is painfull ; no man payes that debt with ease . when asa dies , he cryes , ah my feet . when david dyes , he complains , o my cold body . when the shunamites child dyes , he cryes , ah my pained head . when ●zzah dyes , he cryes , oh my leprous skin . life is a precious pearl : but there are three things besides , which made christs death painfull . . violence . it 's painfull to die of any violent disease : but when five deaths do all concur , and strive which of them shall dispatch the poor man soonest , this must needs be more painfull . such was christs death , which made him complain . psal. . . they pierced my hands and my feet , and joh. . . one of the souldiers with a spear pierced his side , and forthwith there came out blood , and water . here are five deaths that invaded a living man : death on each hand , and on each legg , and death on his side , though this last , came a little too late . now a violent death it must needs be , when strong and great nails did pierce the most nervous parts of his body , his hands and his feet . . slowness . four leasurely violent deaths seized on him . blood is the life of the living creature : then look how long his blood was coming out , his life was dropping out as long . it 's a great aggravation for a man to be long a dying , and yet cannot die . to have his torment quick , and yet his death slow is an image of hell , where men seek death , and yet cannot finde it . christs slow death was divided into four quarters . death at each hand , and at each foot made his pain the greater . the weight of his body did hang upon those four tormenting nails , his pierced hands and feet , as if death had delighted to hold christ long at sea , and to deny him it's last sad service . christ had been before dying a terrible death in the garden , when he was boiled ( as it were ) in a bloody sweat : and two circumstances shew that the two thieves death was nothing in slowness of torment comparable to christs death . . the sad and direful preparatories to christs death , as he was the night before in a soul-death , when those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as it were drops , or great hail stones of blood , frozen , or hardened together ( as stephanus thinks ) through extream terrour : when he was scourged , and crowned with thorns . . he was so weakned in body thereby , that he was not able to bear his own cross : which made him complain . psal. . . i may tell all my bones . my strength is dried up like a potsheard : so that christ began to die the night before , and continued dying twenty four hours , the lords anger and curse being on him , and then bodily pain , with the curse of the law all this time wrought upon him . and christ , in bearing the pains of the second death , did suffer that which all the elect should have sustained in their souls for ever . isa. . . the lord laid upon him the iniquity of us all : and though christ died but one death for all the elect , yet in the extremity of the pain , it was many deaths to him . . many degrees of life were taken from him . consider how much of life christ had , and the removing of it by violence must be so much the more painfull . now life natural had in christ a sweet and a peaceable dwelling : the possession of life was with excellent delights : it was planted besides the glorious god-head personally , and so had sweet company , and that made it pleasant . it had not been so much to take away the life of a common man , whose life is not priviledged with grace , and the grace of a personal union with god. the second character that was engraven on christs death , was , that it was shameful , and reproachful . now shame is , first , fundamentally in the cause : sin , and sin acted by men against that law of god is the onely foundation of shame : exod. . . aaron made the people naked to their shame . so sam. . . shame and sin are neer a kin . and thus christ was no more capable of shame than he was of sin . he came out of the womb clothed with the white robe of innocency , and he never contracted one black spot on that fair robe of the highest image of god from the womb to the grave , and therefore there was no shame fundamentally in christ. . there is shame formally in sin : and that , first , in being ashamed actively . secondly , in bearing of shame passively . in the former consideration , because sin is a shameful thing in itself . jer. . . there is an internal blushing , and shame rising from sin ; the conscience of the sinner ( if it be not cauterized ) thinking ill of sin , and esteeming it self base in doing it . rom. . . what fruit had you in those things whereof you are now ashamed ? so christ thought ill of sin , and esteemed the creature base in sinning . . christ our lord being our surety , though he could not be ashamed of any sin he did himself : yet being made a sin for us , he did bear the shame of our sin : and thus he was not free from shame passively , as it 's a punishment of sin . isa. . . i gave my back to the smiters , and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair : i hid not my face from shame and spitting . heb. . . he endured the cross , despising the shame . so then in these respects christ did bear our shame . . in that , though he was the lord of glory , and thought it no robbery to be equal with the father ; yet he abased himself to become man : yea , the lowest of men , a servant . phil. . , , . matth. . . isa. . . . all the tokens of reproach and shame were on his sufferings : as , . in gestures : they put a crown of thorns on his head : and a reed for a scepter in his hand to mock his kingly power . they saluted him with mocks , and bowing the knee to him . . in words . they cried out , hail , king of the jews : they scorned his prophetical dignity , when they blindfolded him , saying , prophesie who it is that smote thee . and to deride his priesthood , they put a robe on him : and when he was on the cross offering himself as our priest in a sacrifice to god , all that passed by , wagged their heads , and shot out their lips , saying , he trusted in god , let him deliver him , &c. then did they spit in his face , which in the law was a great shame . deut. . , . job . . . his death was shameful , the death of a thief , and robber : so it 's called , christs reproach . heb. . . let us go forth bearing his reproach . it was a shameful thing to see the lord of glory , bearing his own cross on his back , and all the children , and base ones of the city wondring at him , and crying out upon him . this is called the reproach , or shame of christ. heb. . . psal. . . . they shamed him in pulling off his garments , and scourging him . as , jer. . . they brought him bound to pilate as if he had been a common thief . matth. . . hence isa. . . he was despised , and rejected of men : and we hid as it were our faces from him . he had all shame put upon him : he was branded as the greatest thief of the three : he went out at the gate of life , bleeding , pained , cursed , shamed , forsaken , despised and mocked . even the sun seemed to be ashamed to see its creator in so painful and shameful a condition , and therefore hid its head . the third character which was engraven on christs death , was the curse of god. now the curse that christ was made , was , . the lords pronouncing him a curse . deut. . . cursed is he that hangeth on a tree ; which paul applies to christ. gal. . , . this indeed was a ceremonial curse ; but had a special relation to christ , who was under a real , and moral curse . . gods devoting and setting him apart in his eternal counsel for suffering the punishment of sin . . the dishonour that was put upon him ; and so was christ under a curse . psal. . . he was a worm and no man. isa. . . the least of men : the contempt and refuse of men . act. . . the stone rejected by the builders . hanging is the death of the poorest , and basest of men : and thus was christ used . act. . . whom ye slew and hanged on a tree . act. . . whom by wicked hands ye have crucified and slain . hanging is more then slaying : it 's putting him to a base death that is cursed of god and man : and this to be inflicted on a king lineally descended of the blood royal , the kingly tribe of judah : the onely man on earth that by birth and law had title to the crown of judea , was the worst that men or devils could do . triuni deo gloria . to the reader . there is lately published , by mr sam. clarke , a new piece of lives containing the lives of ten eminent divines ; with some other private christians , the divines being as follow , mr john carter , mr sam. crook , mr john cotton , dr tho hill , dr will. gouge , mr tho. gataker , mr jeremy whitaker , and bishop james usher , mr rich. capel , and dr rob. harris , &c. there is also another piece of mr clarkes newly published , it being the wicked life , and wosul death of herod the great , a stranger by nation , yet by the romans made king of the jews . taking in also the story of the jews during all the time of his reign , which was about thirty seven years , whereof thirty five were before the incarnation of christ , and two after , whereby much light is given to many passages in the evangelists , &c. both sold by william miller , at the gilded acorn near the little north door in st pauls church-yard . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e christs conception foretold . mary goes to her cousin elizabeth . joseph is warned not to put away his wife . joseph and mary go to be taxed . jesus christ is born . his birth is revealed to the shepherds christ is circumcised . wisemen come to jerusalem mary goes to be purified . simeon , and anna prophesie of christ. joseph is warned to fly into egypt . the babes of bethlehem are slain . joseph returns into judea . he goes to the city of nazareth . jesus is found in the temple . his private life . john christs forerunner . john ▪ preaches and baptizech . jesus is baptized . a manifestation of the trinity . jesus ▪ tempted of the devil . johns testimony of jesus . simon named cephas . christs first miracle . dr ushers annals . jesus went to the passover . he works miracles . he instructed nicodemus . johns last testimony of him . jesus went into galilee . he preaches , with great applause . he preaches , and works miracles . he heals all diseases . a great draught of fishes . a leper healed . he forgives sins . he called levi. and defends his practice . he heals on the sabbath . they seek to destroy him . he chooses twelve apostles . he is judged to be mad . his sermon on the mount ▪ raises a dead man to life . jesus his testimony of john. one washed his feet . casts out a divel . he shews who are his kinsmen . he teaches by parables . he calms the tempest . he casts out the legion of divels . he answers johns disciples . raises jairus's daughter . cures blind men he casts out a dumb divel . he is scorned . ● his compassion to souls . he sent out his disciples . sejanus killed at rome . john beheaded . multitudes follow jesus . he sed five thousand men , &c. he walked on the sea. many go back from him . he condemned their traditions . heals the cananitish womans daughter . he heals many . feeds four thousand . denies a sign to the pharisees . warns his disciples of their leaven . who christ was judged to be . his transfiguration . heals the ▪ lunatick . foretel's his death , and resurrection pays tribute . teaches humility . darling sins must not be spared . they sought to kill him . he sent out seventy disciples . he preached at the feast . and in the temple . they attempt to stone him he cures the blind man. he is the door of the sheep . of martha and mary . he teaches the lords prayer . of the queen of the south and the ninivites . he resuses to be a judge . exhorts to repentance . few to be saved . life to be laid down for christ the parable of the lost sheep , &c. of dives and lazarus . of offences . the power of faith . cures ten lepers . to pray always . the pharisee and publican . preaches and heals . about divorce . he blesses little children . against covetousness . lazarus's sickness and death jesus raises him . he foretells his sufferings . he cures the blind man. calls zacheus . ten pounds given to ten servants . he rides into jerusalem . he wept over jerusalem . children cry hosanna . a voice from heaven . he curses the fig-tree . power of faith. parable of the vineyard and wedding feast . they lay snares for him . he proves the resurrection . eight woes against the pharisees . the poor widows charity . he foretels the de struction of the temple , and the end of the world. foretells his death . and is anointed . the passover is prepared . judas the traytor . the lords supperinstituted . he washes his disciples feet . faith shall not fail . he comforts his disciples . the parable of the vine and branches . his divine prayer . he foretells peters denial jesus in his agony he is betrayed by judas . he is sent bound to caiphas . false witnesses against him he is judged guilty of death and abused . peter denies him . and repents . jesus is sent to pilate . pilate cleers him he is sent to herod , who abuses him . pilate again cleers him . jesus is scourged , and crowned with thorns . pilate condemns him . he is mocked . judas hangs himself . jesus carries his cross . he is crucified and mocked . the good thief . he gives up the ghost . the vail of the temple is rent . his side is pierced . his body is given to joseph . and buried . his sepulchre is sealed . his resurrection . jesus appears to mary m. and to other women . and to two , going to emaus . and to his disciples . his speeches to them . thomas his incredulity his faith is confirmed . he appeared again . and again his ascension . the promises of him to the fathers . chrysolog . his excellency . his painfull death his violent death . his slow death . . his shame full death . . his cursed death . the life and death of pompey the great with all his glorious victories and triumphs : as also the life and death of artaxerxes mnemon, one of the great persian emperours / by sa. clarke, sometime pastor in st. bennet finck london. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life and death of pompey the great with all his glorious victories and triumphs : as also the life and death of artaxerxes mnemon, one of the great persian emperours / by sa. clarke, sometime pastor in st. bennet finck london. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for william miller ..., london : . imperfect: cropped and stained, with loss of text. contains marginal notes. 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bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng pompey, -- the great, - b.c. caesar, julius. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the life & death of pompey the great . with all his glorious victories and triumphs . as also the life and death of artaxerxes mnemon , one of the great persian emperours . by sa. clarke sometime pastor in st. bennet finck london . london , printed for william miller at the guilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . the life & death of pompey the great . strabo , the father of pompey was much hated by the people of rome , who feared his greatnesse obtained by armes ( for he was a noble captain ) and to shew their distast , when he was slaine by a thunderbolt , as his body was carrying to buriall , the people seized upon it , and did great despite unto it : but on the contrary , never any other roman , besides pompey , had the love of the people so soone , nor that continued constante● , both in prosperity , and adversity , than it did to him : and that which procured their love , and good liking , was his temperance in life , aptnesse to armes , eloquence of speech , faithfullnesse of his word , and courtesy in his behaviour . he gave without disdain , and received with great honour : being but a child , he had a certain grace in his look , that wan mens good wills before he spake . his countenance was amiable mixed with gravity ; and when he come to mans estate , there apppeared in his gesture , and behaviour , a grave , and princly majesty . his haire stood a little upright , and the sweet cast , and motion of his eyes made him very gracefull . he was sober , and temperate in his diet , contenting himself with common meates ; and when once in his sicknesse , his physician advised him to eate a thrush , and none could be gotten , a friend told him , that lucullus ( a certain great man ) kept them all the year , where he should be sure not to fail ; he replyed , what then ? if lucullus were not , should not pompey live ? and therewithall , letting his physicians counsell alone , he bad them dresse him such meat as was easy to be had . pompey being a young man , and in the field with his father , who was in armes against cinna , there lay with him in his tent a companion of his , called lucius terentius , who being corrupted with money , promised cinna to slay pompey , and other of his confederates had promised to set their generals tent on fire . this conspiracy was discovered to pompey as he sat at supper , which nothing amazed him , but he drank freely , and was merrier with terentus than ordinary : but when it was bed-time , he stole out of his own tent , and went into his fathers . in the night terentius went into pompey's tent , and with his sword gave many a thrust into the matteres●e : presently also the whole camp was in an uprore , and the souldiers , out of hatred to their generall , would needs in all hast have gone , and submitted to the enemy : and strabo du●st not go out of his tent to speak to them , but pompey ran amongst these mutineers , and with teares in his eyes besought them 〈…〉 their generall ▪ he went also and threw himself flat on the ground athwart the gate of the camp , and told them that they should march over him if they had such a desire to be gone : whereupon , the souldiers being ashamed of their treachery , returned to their lodgings . presently after his fathers death , pompey being his heir , he was accused for robbing the common treasury , and in particular for taking certain toiles , and cords of hunters nets : he confessed the having of them , and that his father gave him them when the city of asculum was taken ; but that he had since lost them , when cinna came to rome with his army , at which time the unruly souldiers , breaking into his house , plundred him of all that he had . this matter had many dayes of hearing before it was determined , in which time pompey shewed so much courage , and prudence in managing of it , that he wan such credit , and favour by it , that antistius , who at that time was praetor , and judge of the cause , fell into such a liking of him , that secretly he offered him his daughter in marriage , and pompey liked so well of the match , that the parties were privately made sure each to other : and not long after , through the care , and paines of antistius , when the judges came to passe sentence , pompey was cleered . this businesse being over , pompey married antisti● : after which going into cinna's camp , he was wrongfully accused of some misdemeanours ; whereupon , being afraid of the tyrant , he secretly stole away ▪ and when he could not be found in cinna's camp ▪ there went a rumour abroad that cinna had murthered him , which so irritated some , who of a long time had hated cinna ▪ that upon this occasion , they rose up against him : but he thinking to save himself by flight , was pursued by a captain with a drawn sword ; cinna seeing him , fell down on his knees to him , and profered him his signet ring , which was of great price to spare his life : tush ( said the cap●ain ) i come not to seal any covenant , but to be revenged upon a villaine , and cruel tyrant , and withall ran him through and slew him . cinna being thus dispatched , carbo took upon him the government , a more cruel tyrant than the former : and after him , syll● succeeded ; and at this time the romans , being grievously oppressed by one tyrant after an other , thought themselves happy in the change of governours . for their city was brought into such misery , as hoping no more to see rome recover her lost liberty , they desired yet a more tollerable bondage . in sylla's time pompey was at a place in italy called picenum , in the marches of ancona , where he had certain lands , but much more the love and favour of the citizens for his fathers sake . he seeing that the most noble men of rome forsook their houses , and estates to repair to the camp of sylla , as unto a place of safety , he also resolved to go thither , yet not in a base manner , like a fugitive , but purposed to raise an army , and to go in an honourable manner as one that could doe sylla good service . so he made tryall of the good will of the picentines , who readily joyned with him , and whereas there was amongst them one vindius , who opposed pompey , saying , that a boy that came from school but the other day , must now in hast be a captain , the rest of the citizens were so incensed against him , that they ran upon him and slew him . thus pompey being but twenty three years old , not tarrying for commission from any man , took upon himself authority , and causing a tribunall to be set up in the mid'st of the market place of auximum , a great , and populous city , he commanded the two brethren , called the ventidians ( the chiefest men of the city , but his enemies ) presently to avoid the city : then began he to leavy men to constitute captaines , leiutenants , sergeants , and such other officers as appertain to an army . and from thence he went to the other neighbouring cities , where he did the like , so that in a short space he had gotten three compleat legions together , as also amunition , carts , and all other necessaries , for them . in this sort did pompey advance towards sylla ; not in hast , as a man that was afraid to be met with by the way , but by small journeyes , lodging still where he might have the best advantage against an enemy , causing the cities wheresoever he came to declare against carbo , and for sylla . yet three captains who adhered to carbo , carinna , caelius , and brutus , did in three severall places compasse him in on every side , thinking to have destroyed him . pompey was nothing amazed hereat , but marshalling his army , he first set upon brutus , having placed his horsemen ( amongst whom himself was in person ) before the battel of his footmen , and when the men at armes of his enemy ( who were gauls ) came to charge upon him , he singled out the chiefest amongst them , and ran him through with his spear , and slew him . the other gauls seeing their champion slaine , turned their backs , and in their flight , over ran their own footmen ; so that at last they all fled for their lives . then the cities round about , being terrified with this overthrow , came in and yeilded themselves to pompey : afterwards scipio also the consul , coming against pompey to fight him , when the battels were ready to joyn , before they threw their darts , scipio's souldiers saluted pompey , and went over to his side , whereupon scipio was faign to fly . and lastly carbo himself sending diverse troops of horse against him by the river arsis , pompey charged them so furiously , and drave them into such a place of disadvantage , that being neither able to fight nor fly , they delivered up themselves with their horses , armes , and all to his mercy . sylla all this while heard nothing of these overthrows which pompey had given to his enemies , but understanding his danger , being environed with so many armes , fearing lest he should miscarry , he made hast , and marched to his relief . pompey being informed of sylla's approach , commanded his captaines to arme themselves and to set their army in good array , that their generall sylla might see how bravely they were appointed . for he expected that sylla would do him great honour , as indeed he did , even beyond his expectation : for when sylla saw him afar off , coming towards him , and his army marshalled in such good order of battell , and his men so bravely advancing themselves , being elated with their late victories , he alighted from his horse ; and when pompey came to do his duty to him , and called him emperour , or soveraigne prince , sylla resaluted him with the same title , which made all that were present to wonder that he would give so honourable a name to so young a man as pompey was , who as yet was not made a sanator : considering also that sylla himself did now contend for that title , and dignity with marius , and scipio . the intertainment also that sylla gave him afterwards , was every way answerable to the first kindnesse that he shewed him . for when pompey at any time came to him , he would rise up , and put off his cap to him , which he did not to any other noble man that was about him : yet was not pompey puffed up with all this , nor the prouder for it . shortly after sylla would have sent pompey into gaul ( now france ) because that metellus , the roman generall there , was thought to have done no exploit worthy of so great an army as he had with him : but pompey answered , that there was no reason to displace an ancient captain that was of greater fame , and experience then himself , yet ( said he ) if metellus himself be contented , and will desire it of me , i will willingly go , and help him to end this war. metellus being informed hereof , wrote for him to come . pompey then entering gaul , did of himself wonderfull explots , and so revived the courage , and valour of old metellus , that the war prospered exceedingly in their hands : but these were but pompey's first beginnings , and were wholly obscured by the luster of those many wars , and great battels which he fought afterwards . when sylla had over come all italy , and was proclaimed dictator , he rewarded all the great captains , and leiutenants that had taken his part , and advanced them to honourable places , and dignities in the commonwealth , freely granting whatsoever they requested of him ; but for pompey , highly esteeming him for his valour , and thinking that he would be a great support to him in all his wars , he sought by some meanes to ally him to himself , metella , his wife being also of the same opinion , they both perswaded him to put away his wife antistia , and to marry aemilia , who was daughter to metella by a former husband , though she was married to an other , and now with child by him . these marriages were wicked , and tyrannicall , fitter for sylla's time , than agreeable to pompey's nature , and condition . and truly it was a shamefull thing for pompey to forsake his wife antistia , who for his sak ? , a little before had lost her father , that was murthered in the very senate house upon suspition that he took part with sylla for his son pompey's sake : and to take aemilia from her lawfull husband , by whom she was great with child , and to whom she had been married not long before : which also caused the mother of antistia to lay violent hands upon her self , seeing her daughter to receive such open and notorious wrong . but god who hates such injustice , and cruelty , followed pompey with this judgement , that his wife aemilia died miserably presently after in childbirth in his house . about this time newes was brought to sylla , that perpenna was gotten into sicilie , and had brought all that island into subjection to him , where he might safely intertain all sylla's enemies : that carbo also kept the seas thereabouts with a certaine number of 〈…〉 was gone into africk , to whom resorted many other noblemen who were escaped from the proscriptions and outlaries of sylla . against all these was pompey sent by his father in law with a great army , who no sooner was arrived in sicily but perpe●na fled , and left the island to him . then did pompey deale friendly and favourably with all the cities which before had endured great troubles and misery , and set them again at liberty , the mamertines only excepted , who dwelt in messina : they despising his juridiction and government , pleaded the ancient priviledges of the romanes which had been formerly granted unto them . but pompey answered them angerly , what do you pr●ting to us of your law that have our swords by our sides ? he dealt also too cruelly with carbo in his misery ; for he might have killed him in hot blood when he first fell into his hands with lesse blame : but pompey , when he was taken , caused him to be brought before him , though he had been thrice consul , and to be publickly examined , sitting himself in his tribunall , and condemned him to die in the presence of them all , to the great distast , and offence of all that were present : yet he bad them take him away to execution , which was done accordingly . pompey dealt as cruelly also with quintus valerius , a man of rare parts , and excellent learning , who being brought to pompey , he took him aside , and walked a few turns with him , and when he had learned what he could of him , he commanded his guard to take him away and dispatch him . pompey indeed was compelled to make away all sylla's enemies that fell into his hands : but for the rest , all that he could suffer secertly to steale away , he willingly connived at it , and would not take notice of it , yea , himself did help many to save themselves by flight . pompey had determined to have taken sharp revenge of the city of the himerians , who had stoutly taken the 〈…〉 one of the governours of the city , craving audience of pompey , told him boldly , that he should doe great injustice if he should pardon him , who was the only offender , and destroy them who were not guilty . pompey then asking him who he was that durst take upon himself the offence of them all ? sthenis answered , that it was himself who had perswaded his friends , and compelled his enemies to do what was done : pompey being much pleased to hear the frank speech , and boldnesse of the man , he forgave both him , and all the citizens . after this pompey being informed that his souldiers did kill divers in the high-wayes , he caused all their swords to be sealed up , and whose s●al soever was broken , he punished them soundly for it . pompey being busy about these matters in sicily , he received instructions , and a commission from sylla , and the senate at rome , to depart thence immediately into africk , with all his power to make war against domitius , who had a very great army . pompey accordingly speedily prepared to take the seas , leaving memmiu● ▪ his sisters husband , to govern sicily , and so imbarking in sixscore gallies and eight hundred other ships , wherein he transported his victuals , ammunition , money , engines for battery , and all other his warlike provision , he hoised saile , and landed one part of his army at v●i●a , and the other at carthage , and presently after his landing , there came to him seven thousand souldiers from his enemies to take his part , besides seven whole legions that he brought with him . against him came domitius with his army in battell array ; but before him there was a quagmire , that ran with a very swift streame , very hard to get over ; besides , it had rained exceedingly all that morning , so that domitius judging it impossible then to fight , bad his men to trusse up and be gone . pompey on the other side , spying this advantage , caused his men to advance , and coming upon the enemy , who was now out of order , had a cheap victory over them , wherein he slew about seventeen thousand of them , whereupon he was by his souldiers saluted with the name impera●or , or emperour , but he told them he would not accept of that honourable title , so long as he saw his enemies camp yet standing , whereupon they ran presently and assaulted it , and took it by force , and slew domitius therein . after this overthrow , all the cities in that country , came and submitted to pompey , and those that refused were taken by force . they took also king j●rbas , who had sided with domitius , and gave his kingdom to hiempsal ▪ ●ut pompey being desirous further to imploy his army , he went many dayes ●ourny into the maine land , conquering all wheresoever he came , making the power of the romans dreadfull to those barbarous nations , who before made small acount of them . he caused also the wild beasts of africk to feel his force , bestowing some dayes in hunting of lyons , and elephants : and in fourty dayes he conquered his enemies , subdued africk , and setled the affaires of the kings , and kingdoms of that part of the country , being then but twenty four years old . pompey being returned to vtica , he received letters from sylla , willing him to discharge his army , and to retain only one legion with himself till the comming of another captain that was to succeed him in the government of that country . this grieved him not a little , though he made no shew of it at all : but the souldiers were much offended at it , and when pompy prayed them to depart , they gave out broad speeches against sylla , and told him directly that they were resolved not to leave him whatsoever became of them , and that they would not leave him to trust to a tyrant . pompey , seeing that he could not prevaile with them , rose out of his seat , and went into his tent weeping : but the souldiers followed him , and brought him again to his chaire of state , intreating him to remaine there , and command them , and he desired them to obey sylla , and to leave their mutinies . in fine , he seeing they were resolved to presse him , swore that he would kill himself rather then they should compel him , yet scarce did they leave him thus . hereupon it was reported to sylla that pompey was rebelled against him ; which when he heard , he said to his friends , well , i see then that it is my destiny in my old age to fight with children . this he said , because of marius the yonger , who had done him much mischief , and had greatly endangered him . but afterwards , understanding the truth , and hearing that all generally in rome would go to meet pompey , and receive him with all the honour they could , he resolved to go beyond them all in shew of good will : wherefore going out of his house to meet him , he embraced him with great affection , and welcomed him home , calling him m●g●us that is great , and commanded all that were present to give him that name also . after this pompey required the honour of a triumph , which sylla opposed , affirming that this honour should be granted to none but to such as had been consuls , or at least praetors : he told him also , that if he should stand for it he would oppose him . pompey was not discouraged herewith , but boldly told him , that all men did honour , not the setting , but the rising sun. sylla heard not well what he said , and therefore enquired , and when it was told him , he wondred at the confidence of so young a man , and cryed out twice , let him then triumph on gods name . yet many were offended at it , but pompey to anger them more , would be brought in his triumphant chariot drawn by four elephants , many of which beasts he had taken from the kings , and princes whom he had subdued : howbeit the citie gates being too narrow for them , he was faign to leave his elephants , and to be drawn in with horses . now his souldiers that had not all they looked for , nor that was promised to them , sought to hinder his triumph , which being reported to him , he said , t●a● he would rather lose all his preparations , than be forced to flatter them : he might have been made a senator if he had sought after it , but in that he did not , being so young , it pleased the people exceedingly , especially when after his triumph they saw him still amongst the roman knights : on the other side sylla was much vexed to see him come so fast forward , and so soon to rise to so great credit : yet being ashamed to hinder him , he suppressed it , till pompey , contrary to his mind , brought in lepidus to be consul , through the good will of the people that furthered his desire ▪ hereupon sylla seeing pompey returning crosse the market place after the election , with a great train of followers , he said to him , o young man ! i see thou art glad of this victory , and so thou hast cause : for questionlesse it s a brave thing that through the favour of the people thou hast brought in lepidus ( the vilest person of all other ) to be consul , before catulus the honestest man in the city : but let me advise thee to look well to thy self , for thou hast advanced one that will be a dangerous enemy to thee . sylla also discovered his ill will to pompey , in that when he made his will , he gave legacies to every one of his friends , and left pompey wholly out : yet did pompey take it well enough , and whereas lipidus , with some others , after sylla's death , would have kept his body from being buried in the field of m●rs , and from funerall solemnities , pompey prevailed to bury him honourably . shortly after sylla's death ▪ his prophesy to pompey concerning lepidus proved true ; for lepidus openly usurping the power which sylla had , raised an army of those of marius his faction , whom sylla had hitherto suppressed , which put pompey upon his best skill , and experience ; for which end he presently took part with the nobility , and the honester part of the people , by whom he was imployed to raise an army against lepidus , who had already the greatest part of italy , and by the help of brutus , kept gaul on this side the mountaines : the rest , pompey easily subjected to himself , only he was somewhat long i● besieging brutus in modena . during which time , lepidus brought his army to the gates of rome , demanding his second consulship , which much affrighted the people : but they were soon comforted by a letter which pompey sent , wherein he informed them that he had ended his wars without bloodshed . for brutus had yeilded himself to pompey who had slaine him . shortly after , lepidus was driven out of italy into sardinia , where he fell sick , and died . at this time sertorius was in spain , who kept the romans in great aw● , being a valiant captain ▪ and one to whom all the fu●gitives resorted . he had already overthrown many inferiour captaines , and was now grapling with metellus pius , who in his youth had been a noble souldier , but now being old , and too wary , he neglected many opportunities , which sertorius , by his dexterity took out of his hands . hereupon pompey keeping his army together , endeavoured , by the help of his friends , to be sent into spain , as an assistant to metellus : and at last , by the endeavour of lucius philippicus , he obtained the government of that country . when pompey was arrived in spain , sertorius gave out bitter j●ers against him , saying , that he would use no other weapons against that young boy but rods : and that , if he were not affraid of the old woman , meaning metellus , much less was he afraid of him . yet for all these brags , he stood better upon his guard , and went stronger to fight than he did before , being afraid of pompey . in this war the successe was very various , yet nothing grieved pompey more than sertorius his winning the city la●ron . yet shortly after in a set battel , near the city of valentia , he slew herennius , and perpena , both gallant souldiers , and leiutenants to sertorius , with ten thousand of their men . this victory so encouraged pompey , that he hasted to fight with sertorius himself before metullus came to him , that he might have the sole glory of the conquest . so they both met by the river of sueron in the evening ▪ both fearing the comming of metellus , the one that he might fight alone , the other that he miget fight with one alone . but when it came to triall , the victory fell out doubtfull , for either of their wings had the upper hand : sertorius wan great honour in this battell , bearing all before him wheresoever he went : and pompey encountering a great man at armes , cut off one of his hands , yet he escaped by turning up his horse with very rich caparisons amongst pompey's followers , and whilest they were contending about the horse , he escaped . the next morning very early , both the generals brought their armies again into the field , to confirme the victory , which either of them supposed that he had gotten : but metellus , comming to pompey at that present , sertorius retreated , and dispersed his army . pompey going to meet metellus ▪ when they came near , he commanded his sergeants , and officers to put down their bundles of rods , and axes which they carried before him , to honour metellus the more , being a better man than himself : but metellus would not suffer it , but in every thing made pompey his equall , only when they camped together , metellus gave the watch word to all the army . sertorius with a running army , cut them short of victuals , spoiling the country , and keeping the sea-side , so that they were foced to divide themselves and to goe into other places for provision . pompey in the mean time having spent most of his estate in this war , sent to rome for money to pay his souldiers , threatening that if they would send him no money , he would return with his army into italy . lucullus being now consul , though he was pompey's enemy , yet procured the money for him , that himself might the better prevaile to be sent against king methridates : for he feared that if pompey returned into italy , he would procure to have that imployment . in the mean time sertorius died , and perpenna , who was ▪ the chiefest man about him , supplied his room . but though he had the same army , the same meanes , and the same power , yet had he not the same wit , and skill to use it . pompey therefore marching directly against him , quickly discovered his insufficiency , and ●aid a bait for him , sending ten troops to prey in the fields , commanding them to disperse themselves abroad , which accordingly they did , and perpenna , took the opportunity , and charged upon them , and had them in chase , but pompey tarrying for them at a foord , was ready with his army in good order , gave them battell , and obtained the victory , and thus ended all the war : for most of the captaines were slaine , and perpenna himself taken prisoner , whom he presently put to death . perpenna shewed to pompey letters from the greatest noblemen of rome , who were desirous of change of government , willing him to return into italy . but pompey fearing that they might occasion great commotions in rome , put perpenna presently to death , and burned all the writings , not so much as reading any one of them . pompey after this , remained in spain till he had pacified all tumults , and then went with his army back into italy , and arrived just when the war of the bondmen and eencers , led by spartacus , was in the greatest fury . upon pompey's comming , crassus being sent generall against them , made haste to give them battell , wherein he overcame them and slew twelve thousand and three hundred of these fugitive slaves . yet fortune intending to give pompey some part of the honour , five thousand of these bondmen , who escaped from the battell , fell into his hands , whom he overcame , and wrote to the senate at rome , that perpenna had overcome the fencers in battell , and that he had plucked up this war by the roots . the romans receiving these letters , were very glad of the newes for the love which they bore to him . yet for all the great honour and love they did bear to him , they suspected , and were afraid of him , because he did not disband his army , fearing that he would follow sylla's steps , and rule over them by force : hereupon as many went forth to meet him out of fear , as out of good will ▪ but when he told them , that he would disband his army so soon as he had tryumphed , then his ill-willers could blame him for nothing , but that he inclined more to the people than to the nobles ; and because he desired to restore the tribuneship to the people , which sylla had pu● down . indeed the common people at rome never longed for any thing more than they did to see the office of the tribunes set up again : and pompey was very glad that he had such an oppo●tunity , thereby to ingratiate himself with them , and to requi●e the love which they had shewed to him . this was the second tryumph , and the first consulship which the senate decreed to pompey , which made him neither the greater , nor the better man. yet was it such an honour , as crassus ( the richest , greatest , and eloquentest man in rome ) durst not demand before he had requested pompey's good will therein : and truely pompey was very glad of the request , having of a long time sought an opportunity whereby to gratifie him , and therefore he made earnest suit to the people for him , assuring them that he would as much thank them for making crassus his fellow-consul , and colleague , as he would for making himself consul . yet when pompey had obtained his request , and they were both created consuls , they were in all things contrary one to the other , and never agreed in any one thing whilest they ruled together : crassus had the more authority with the senate , and pompey with the people : for he restored to them the office of tribunes , and passed by edict , that the knights of rome should have power again to judg in causes both civil and criminall . this wonderfully pleased the people , when himself came in person to the censors , and pray'd that he might be dispensed with for going to the wars . at this time gellius and lentulus were the censors , who being honourably set in their tribunal seats , taking a view of all the romane knights that mustered before them , they marvelled when they saw pompey comming , with all the ensignes of a consul borne before him , and himself ( as other knights did ) leading his horse by the bridle : and when he came neer , he commanded the sergeants that carried the axes before him , to make room for him to pass by the barrs with his horse , where the censors sate . this made the people to flock about him , wondring and rejoycing with great silence : the censors themselves also were marvellous glad to see him so obedient to the law , and did him great reverence . then did the elder of the censors examine him thus ; pompey the great , i pray thee tell me , if thou didst serve so long in the war as the law doth appoint ? pompey answered aloud , yes verily have i done , & that under no captain but my self . the people hearing this , shouted aloud for joy , and the censors themselves came down from their seats , and accompanied pompey to his house , to please the great multitude that followed him , clapping their hands for joy . at the end of their consulship , grudges growing higher between crassus , and pompey , there was one gaius aurelius , a knight , who till then had never spoken in the publick assembly : he getting up into the pulpit for orations , told the people openly , that that night jupiter had appeared to him , and commanded him to tell both the consuls from him , that they should not leave their office before they were reconciled together : yet for all this pompey stirred not : but crassus took him by the hand , and spake thus before the people ; my lords ! i think it no dishonour to me to give place to pompey , sith you your selves have thought him worthy to be called the great , before he had any haire on his face , and to whom you granted the honour of two tryumphs before he came to be a senator . having thus spoken , they were reconciled together , and so gave up their office. crassus after this , retired to his former manner of life , and pompey , as much as he could , avoided pleading mens causes in publick , and by degrees withdrew himself from frequenting the market-place , and came seldom abroad , but when he did , he had alwayes a great traine following him . it was a rare thing to see him to be familiar with any one , or to come abroad but with a great company of attendants . the power of the pirats upon the seas began in ci●ieia , of which at first there was no great account made , till they grew bold and venturous in king methridates wars , being hired to serve him : and when the romans engaged in civill wars at home , they neglected looking after them , which made them more audacious . for they did not only rob and spoil all marchants by sea , but plundred islands , and cities upon the sea-coast , insomuch as men of great nobility , and wealth joyned with them , and they set up store-houses in divers places , and had beacons to give warning by fire all along the sea-coasts , which were well watched : they had also great fleets of ships well furnished , with excellent galliots , skilfull pilots , and marriners : their ships were swift of sail , and pinnaces for discovery . all the sea-coast over there was musick , singing , and rioting amongst them : prizes were daily brought in , persons of quallity taken prisoners , and put to great ransome . their ships were a thousand in number , and they had taken four hundred towns. they had spoiled and destroyed many temples that had never been pro●ained before . they had many strange sacrifizes and ceremonies of religion amongst them , and besides all other insolences and injuries which they did the romans by sea , they often went on land , and plundred and destroyed their country houses ; and once they took two roman praetors in their purple robes , with their sergeants and officers , and carried them quite away . at another time they surprised the daughter of antonius ( a man that had the honour of a tryumph ) as as she was walking in the fields , and put her to a great ransome . and further to dispite the romans , when they had taken any of them , and they told them that they were citizens of rome , they would cloath them like romans , and putting out the shipladder they would bid them be gone to rome , and if they refused they would throw them overboard , and drown them . these pirats had all the mediterranean seas at their command , that a marchant durst scarce look out , or traffique any whether . this moved the romans ( ●earing a famine by their means ) to send pompey to recover the dominion of the seas from them . the first man that moved that pompey might not only be made admirall at sea , but have absolute power to command all persons whatsoever without giving any account of his doings , was pompey's friend : which was done accordingly , and absolute authority was given unto him , not only of the seas , but for the space of four hundered furlongs from the sea , within which compasse were many great nations , and mighty kings . it gave him power also to choose out of the senate fifteen leiutenants , and to give to every of them severall provinces in charge , and also to take money out of the treasury to defray the charges of a fleet of two hundred saile , with full power besides to leavy what men of war he thought good , and as many galliots , and marriners as he pleased . this law was confirmed by the people . yet the nobility , and chiefe senators thought that this authority did exceed , not only all envy , but that it gave them apparent cause of fear to give such unlimited power to a single person : whereupon they were all against it but caesar , who promoted it , not so much to favour pompey , as to ingratiate himself with the people . but the noblemen fell out with pompey , and one of the consuls was very hot with him , told him that he sought to follow romulus his steps , but peradventure he would come short of that end he made : this so provoked the people that they had thought to have killed him : but catulus , a worthy man , spake also against this edict , yet spake much in the praise of pompey , and in conclusion , avised the people not to adventure a man of so great account in such dangerous wars ; for ( said he ) if you chance to lose him , whom have ye then to put in his place ? the people cried out , your selfe . after this , seeing how the people were bent , he spake no more . next after him rosoius would have preswaded them to have sent an other with pompey as his colleague , but the people made such an outcry against him , that a crow flying over the market place fell to the ground . upon the day when the decree was to be fully passed , pompey went forth of the city , and when he understood that it was confirmed , he returned the same night privately , to avoid the envy they would have borne him if the people should have flocked in multitudes to have waited on him home . the next morning he came abroad , and sacrificed to the gods , and audience being given him in a publick meeting , he so handled the matter that they much inlarged his power , almost doubling the preparations , which were at first decreed to him . for it was ordained that he should have five hundred ships , one hundred and twenty thousand footmen , and five thousand horsemen . he chose also twenty four senators , all of them having been generals of armies , and two generall treasurers . whilest these things were preparing , the price of victuals fell , which rejoyced the people much , and they said openly , that the very name of pompey had almost ended the war already . pompey divided all the sea into thirteen divisions , and in each of them he appointed a certain number of ships , and a leiutenant over each of them : and by thus dispersing his navy all abroad , he brought all the pirates ships that were in a fleet within his danger , and when he had taken them , he brought them all into an harbour . but such of them as could escape , fled into cilicia , as the surest place of retreat : these pompey would needs follow in his own person with sixty of his best ships : yet went he not till he had scowred the tus●an seas ▪ with the coast of libia , sardinia , sicily , and corsica , o● all those thieves that had wont to keep thereabouts , and this he did within the space of fourty dayes , taking infinite paines , both himself and his lieutenants . pis● , one of the consuls , did all he could to hinder pompey's preparations , and supplies of oare men , out of envy to his prosperity . pompey being informed of it , sent his ships to brundusium , himself in the meane time passing through tuscany came to rome ; where so soon as his comming was known , the people ran out to meet him , as if he had been a long time absent ; and that which made them more joyfull was , that now victuals came in freely out of all parts , the seas being cleared from pirates . pompey could have had piso put out of his consulship , but would not . so having setled all things in quiet according to his desire , he hasted to his navy at brundus●●m , and hoising sale , passed to athens , where he landed and sacrificed to the gods , and so returned to his ships . at his going out of the city there were two writings in his praise affixed to the gate . that within was this , the humbler that thou dost thy self as man behave , the more thou dost deserve the name of god to have . that on the outside of the gate was this , we wisht for thee , we wait for the , we worship thee , we wait on thee . now pompey having taken many of these pirates , upon their submission spared their lives , which so encouraged the rest , that flying from his captains , and leiutenants , they came and delivered up themselves with their wives and children into his hands . pompey pardoned all that thus came to him , and by that meanes came to have knowledge of the rest , whom he pursued , and in the end took . the most and richest of them had conveied their wives , children and goods into strong castles and townes upon mount taurus , and they that were fit for service , imbarked , and lay before a city of corasesium , where they tarried for pompey , and gave him battel by sea , and after endured a siege by land : yet after a while , they besought him to receive them to mercy , yeilding themselves , their towns , and islands , which they had strongly fortified , into his hands . thus was this war ended , and all the pirates , within lesse than three moneths space , driven out of the seas . pompey won also a great number of ships , and ninety gallies armed with copper spurres . as for those whom he had taken ▪ ( who were in number about twenty thousand lusty men and good souldiers ) he would not put them to death , but planted them in inland countries in certain small townes of the cilicians , that were scarce inhabited , who were very glad of them and gave them lands to maintain them : and whereas the city of the s●lians had not long before been destroied by tygranes , king of armenia , he replenished it again by placing many of them there . he bestowed others of them in the city of dyma in the country of achaia , which lacked inhabitants , and had great store of good land belonging to it , though many of his enemies greatly blamed him for it . before pompey was chosen generall against the pirates , young metellus was sent praetor into creet , who finding it to be a den of these thieves , he took many of them , and put them to death : the rest that escaped , being straightly besieged by him , sent unto pompey , craving pardon , and desiring him to receive them to mercy : pompey accordingly pardoned them , and wrote to metellus , requiring him to give over that war , commanding the cities also that they should not obey metellus . he sent also lucius octavius , one of his leiutenants , who entered into the towns besieged by metellus , and fought against him in the behalfe of the pirates . this act of pompey procured him much ill will , for that he fought for the common enemies of the world , who had neither god nor law , and that only to deprive a roman praetor of his triumph , who had done such good service against them . yet metellus lest not off his wars for pompey's letters , but having taken the pirates , he put them to death . when the newes came to rome that the piratick war was ended , and that pompey had no more to doe , but ●o go from city to city to visit them , one manlius a tribune of the people , brought in another law , that pompe● , taking the army from lucullus , and all the provinces under his government , with all bythinia , which g●abrio kept , should go and war upon tygranes ▪ and methridates , and yet reserve in his hands all his jurisdiction , and army by sea in as royall a manner as he had it before , which was to make him an absolute monarch over all the roman empire . the senate stuck not so much at the injury offered to lucullus , depriving him of the honour of his doings , and giving it to another , but that which most grived them was , to see pompey's power established into a plain tyranny : hereupon they encouraged one another to oppose it to the uttermost : yet when the day came for the passing of this law , they all drew back for fear of angring the people , and none durst oppose it : only catulus inveied against it a long time together : but say what he could , the decree passed by the voices of the tribes . and thus was p●mpey in his absence , made lord of all that which sylla , with much effusion of bloud had attained to with great difficulty . when pompey by letters from rome was informed what law the people had past in his behalfe , he seemed to be much grieved that such great offices , and charges should be laid upon him one in the neck of another , and clapping his hand on his thigh he said , o gods ! shall i never see an end of these troubles ? had it not beeen better for me to have been a meane man , and unknowne , than thus continually to be ingaged in war ? what! shall i never see the time , that breaking the neck of spite , and envy against me , i may yet once in my life live quietly at home ▪ in my country with my wife and children . his friends that were about him were much displeased with this his deep dissimulation , knowing that his ambitious desire to rule , made him mad at heart to be thus imployed , the rather because ●●nds contention between him and lucullus , which his deeds forth with discovered . hereupon he sent forth his precepts into all quarters , requiring all souldiers immediatly to repaire to him , and caused all the kings , and princes within his jurisdiction to attend him , and so , going through all the countries , he changed all that lucullus had before established . he also released the penalties that were imposed upon them , and took from them , all the favours that lucullus had granted them . lucullus finding himself so hardly dealt with , friends on both sides mediated a meeting betwixt them , that they might talk together , and accordingly they met in galatia , having their sergeants , and officers with rods wreathed about with lawrell carried before them , which shewed that pompey came to take lucullus's honour from him . indeed lucullus had been consul before pompey , and was the older man , yet pompey exceeded him in dignity , having triumphed twice . at their first meeting they discoursed very courteously , each commending the others deeds , and each rejoicing at the others good successe : but at parting they fell to hot words ; pompey upbrading lucullus's covetousnesse , and pompey's ambition , so that their friends had much ado to part them . lucullus when he was gone , divided the lands in galatia which he had conquered , and bestowed other gifts upon them . pompey on the other side , camping hard by him , commanded the people every where not to obey him : he took his souldiers also from him , leaving him only sixteen hundred , choosing out such as he thought would do him small service . he blemished his glory also , telling every one that lucullus had fought only with the shadow and pomp of those two kings , and that he had left him to fight with all their force , and power . lucullus on the other side said , that pompey went only to fight with such as himself had subdued , and that he sought the honour of triumph over armenia , and pontus , as he had formerly practiced to triumph for overcoming a few slaves and fugitives . lucullus being now gone , pompey sent strong garrisons into all the sea coast from phoenicia to the bosphorus , and then marched towards methridates , who had in his camp thirty thousand footmen ▪ and two thousand horsemen , yet durst he not fight , but encamped upon an high mountain till he was forced to leave it for lack of water . he was no sooner gone but pompey seized upon the place , and setting his souldiers to dig , he found water enough for all his army . then he encamped round about methridates besieging him in his owne camp : methridates endured it foutty five dayes , and then slaying all the sick and impotent in his camp , with the choise of his army he escaped by night . another time pompey found him by the river euphrates , and lodged hard by him : methridates prepared , suspecting that pompey would that night storm his camp ; but pompey thought it not sa●e to fight in the dark , and therefore resolved rather to encompasse him that he might not fly , and to fight him in the morning : but pompey's old captains would needs fight presently , which pompey at last consented to , and the romanes r●n upon them with great cries , which so affrighted their enemies , that they presently turned their backs and fled , so that the romans slew ten thousand of them , and took their camp. methridates himself with eight hundred horsemen , made a lane through the romans and so escaped : yet as soon as they were passed , his men dispersed , some one way , some an other ; that himself was le●t but with three persons only , whereof hyp●icr●te● , a manlike woman was one , who never left him , but alwayes looked to his horse , being armed after the persian manner , till he came to a strong castle called inora , where was store of gold , and silver , and the kings chiefest treasure . here methridates divided all his richest apparell amongst his friends , and to each of them a mortall poison to carry about them , whereby they might prevent falling into their enemies hands alive . pompey built a city in the place where he gained this victory betwixt the rivers of euphrates , and araxes , situate in armenia the lesse , which he called nicopolis . this city he gave by the consent of his souldiers , to such of them as were old , lame , sick , wounded , or disbanded : to whom many of the neighbours afterwards repairing , the nicopolitans lived after the manner of the cappad●cians . from hence methridates had intended to have gone into armenia , but king tigranes prohibited it , and promised an hundred tallents to him that could kill him : passing therefore by the head of euphrates , he fled through the country of c●lchide : in the mean time pompey invaded armenia , being sollicited thereto by tigranes the younger , who rebelled against his father , and met pompey at the river of araxes , which falleth into the caspian sea. then did pompey and he march forward , taking in such towns as yeilded unto them . tigranes , who had been much weakned by lucullus , understanding that pompey was of a mild and gentle nature , he put his souldiers into garrisons , and himself with his friends , and kinsmen went to meet pompey . when he came neer his camp , being on horsebak , there came two sergeants to him commanding him to alight , which he did accordingly , and put off his sword and gave it them , and when he came before pompey he shamfully fell upon the ground , and imbraced his knees ; but pompey took him by the hand , raised him up , and made him sit down by him on the one side , and his son on the other , saying to them both , as for your former losses you may thank lucullus for them , who hath taken from you syria , phoenicia , cilicia , galatia , and sophena , but for what you have left till my comming , you shall enjoy it , paying to the romans six thousand tallents , for the wrong you have done them : provided also that your son shall have sophena for his part . tigranes accepted of the conditions , whereupon the romans saluted him king , and he gave great summes of money amongst the army : but his son was much discontented , and when pompey sent for him to come to suppe with him , he refused , wherefore pompey imprisoned him , and kept him to be led in his triumph at rome . shortly after phraates , king of parthia , sent ambassadors to desire this young prince who was his son in law , and to tell pompey that euphrates must be the uttermost bounds of his conquest . pompey answered , that tygranes had more right to his son than phraates , & as for limiting his borders , he would do it with justice . so leaving afranius to keep armenia , he passed by other nations that inhabited about the mountaine of caucasus , having methridates in chase . two of the chiefest of these nations were the iberians , and the albani●ns , neere to the caspian sea. these , upon his request , suffered him to passe through their countries . but winter hasting on apace , these barberous people raised an army of fourty thousand fighting men , and passed over the river of cyrnus . pompey could have hindered their passage , but yet let them come over , and then fought with them , and overcame them , and slew multitudes of them in the field , whereupon they submitted , and made peace with him . then pompey went against the iberians , who took part with methridates . they were more and better souldiers than the albanians : they were never subject to the medes , and persians , nor to alexander the great . these pompey overcame also in a bloudy fight , and slew nine thousand of them , and took ten th●●sand prisoners . from thence he went into the country of c●lchide , where servilius met him by the river of phasis , with his fleet with which he kept the pontick sea : he found it a hard work to pursue methridates any further , who had hid himself amongst a people that bordred upon the lake of maeot●s . he heard also that the albanians had rebelled , wherefore he went back to be revenged on them , passing over the river of cyrnus again , yet with much difficulty , because the barbarous people had made a defence on the further side , by felling , and laying many trees across all along the banck of the river : and when he was got over , he was to travel through a dry country a great way before he came to any water , whereupon he caused ten thousand goats skins to be filled with water , and so marched over it . at the river abas he met with his enemies , who had now an army of one hundred and twenty thousand foot men , and ten thousand horsemen , but armed only in beasts skins . their generall was cosis , the kings brother . in the battel this cosis flew upon pompey , and throwing a dart at him , wounded him in the flanck ; but pompey ran him through with a l●nce , and slew him . some say that some amazons assisted this people against pompey . after this battel pompey going back to invade the country of hyrcania , as far as the caspian sea , was forced to retreat by reason of an infinite number of deadly serpents that he met withall , wherefore he went back into armenia the les●e , to which place he had many rich presents sent him from the kings of the elymians , and the medes , to whom he returned courteous answers . yet he sent afranius with part of his army , against the king of parthia , who had much harrased and plundred the country of tygranes , and he drave him out . at this time the concubines of methridates were brought to him , but he would not touch any one of them , but sent them all home again to their parents , and friends , being most of them the daughters of princes , and other noble captains , only stratonice whom methridates loved above all the rest , with whom he had left the custody of his castle where lay all his treasures of gold and silver , was but a singers daughter . she delivered the castle into pompey's hands , and besides , offered him rich and goodly presents , all which he refused , saveing such as might serve to adorne the temples of the gods , and that might beautifie his triumph , leaving the rest to stratonice to dispose of as she pleased . the king also of the iberians sent him a bedstead , table , and chaire , all of pure gold , praying him to accept it as a token of his love , he delivered them into the treasurers hands to be accountable for them to the state. from hence pompey went to the city of amisus , where he did such things as he had before condemned in lucullus , taking upon him to establish laws , to give gifts , and to distribute such honours , as victorius generals used to doe when they had ended all their wars . and this he did to gratifie twelve barbarous kings , and princes , and captains that came to him thither . writing also to the king of parthia , he gave him not that title which others used to do , who stiled him king of kings . he had also a wonderfull desire to winne syria , and to passe through arabia even to the red sea , that he might enlarge his victories every way , even to the great ocean . as he did when he conquered lybia , and in spain had enlarged the roman empire to the atlantick sea ; and in pursuit of the albanians he went almost to the hyrcani●n sea. as he passed on towards the red sea , he commanded his souldiers , with a sufficient number of ships to to wait for the marchants that sailed to bosphorus , and to seize upon the victuals , and other m●rchandize that they carried thither : and so passing on with the greatest part of his army , he came to the place where he found the bodies of the romans that were slaine by methrida●es under their captain trierius , which he caused to be honourably bu●ied , which thing lucullus had neglected to do , which made his souldiers hate him . pompey having now by afranius conquered the albanians dwelling about mount amanus , he marched into syria , and conquered it , making it a roman province : he conquered also all judaea , where he took king aristobulus : he built certaine cities there , and delivered others from bondage , sharply punishing the tyrants in them . he also spent much of his time there , in deciding controversies , and in pacefying the contentions w●ich fell out betwixt free cities , princes , and kings . and truly if pompey's ●ame , and renowne was great , so was his vertue , justice , and liberality , which covered many faults which his familier friends about him did commit . for he was of such a gentle nature , that he could neither keep them from offending , nor punish them when they had offended . whilst pompey was in judaea , being angry with aristobulus , he marched against him , hyrcanus ( the brother of aristobulus , who contended with him for the kingdom ) provoking him thereunto . pompey understanding that aristobulus was fled into alexandrion , a strong and stately ●astle , seated upon a high hill , he sent and summoned him to come unto him , and aristobu●us being advised not to make war against the romans , he came to pompey : and after he had debated his title to the kingdom , with his brother hyrcanus , by pompey's permission he retired into the castle again this he d●d two or three times , alwayes flattering pompey out of hope to prevail in hi● suit . yet pompey required that he should deliver up his castles into his hands ▪ which he was ●aine to do , though he was much discontent●d at it , and therefore he went to jerusalem with a purpose to prepare for war. pompey not thinking it fit to give him any time for preparation , followed him immediately , and first encamped at jericho , where were most excellent dates , and balsome , the most precious of all other ointments , and from thence he marched towards jerusalem . aristobulus repenting what he had done , came and met him , promising him money , and that he would yeild up , both himself and the city in a peacable way . pompey pardoned him , and sent gabinius with a party of souldiers to receive the money : yet were they faigne to return without it : for aristobulus's souldiers would not stand to what he had promised . pompey being much provoked hereby commited aristobulus into custody , and presently marched against jerusalem . the citizens being at this time divided amongst themselves , they that stood for hyrcanus were willing to open the gates to pompey : but the faction of aristobulus refused , and prepared for war , because pompey kept their king prisoner : and accordingly they seized upon the temple , and cut down the bridge which led into the city . hyrcanus and his friends , let in the army , and delivered over to them , both the city , and the kings pallace , the custody of both which , pompey committed to pis● , who fortified the houses and buildings that were neere the temple , first offering to the besieged conditions of of peace , and when they refused , he prepared to give a generall assault , being assisted by hyrcanus with all things needfull . on the north side of the city pompey encamped , which was the easiest to be assaulted : yet were there high towers , and a deep ditch made with hands , besides a deep valley which begirt the temple , and towards the city , the place was very steep when the bridge was taken away . to overcome these difficulties , the romans raised mounts , cuting downe trees round about , and filling up the trench with materials which the souldiers brought . this work proved very difficult , considering the vast depth of the trench , and the resistance of the jewes , made from above . but when pompey observed that the jewes rested every seventh day ( for though they would defend themselves from an assailing enemy , yet they held it unlawfull on that day to hinder any work that the enemy did ) he chose those dayes especially wherein to carry on his work : so that in time the trench was filled , and the tower fitted upon the moun● , and the engins planted which shot huge stones wherewith they battered the temple , yet was it long before those strong and stately towers yeilded to the assaults of the besiegers . the romans being much tired , pompey wondred at the obstinacy of the jewes , especially considering that all this while they never intermitted their daily sacrifices , which the priests every morning and evening ●ffered upon the altar , not omitting the same in their greatest extremities . in the third moneth of the siege , the greatest tower , being shaken by the battering rams , at last fell , and brake down a great peice of the wall , at which breach many of the romans rushed into the temple . these running up and down , while some of the jewes sought to hide themselves ▪ and others made small resistance , slew them all . many of the priests , though they saw the enemies rushing in with their drawn swords , yet being nothing at all dismaied , continued their sacrifices and were slaine at the very altar , prefering the duty which they owed to their religion before their own lives . all places were full of slaughters ▪ some of the jewes were slaine by the romans , others by their owne countrymen that were of the contrary faction . many threw themselves down headlong from the rocks : others setting their houses on fire , burnt themselves , not enduring to behold those things that were done by the enemy . here ●ell twelve thousand of the jew●● , whereas of the romans there were but few slaine , though many wounded . amongst the captives that were taken , was absol●n , the uncle and father in law of aristobulus , the son of john hyrcanus . upon the same day and in the same moneth was the temple taken by pompey , as it had been taken by nebuchadnezzar five hundred and fourty three years before : and it fell out also to be on their sabbath , about the twenty eight day of our december . pompey , entered into the temple , and many others with him , and there beheld those things which were not lawfull to be seen by any , but the high priests only . and whereas there were in the temple , the table and candlesticks with the lamps , all vessels for sacrifice , and the censers all of pure gold , and a huge heape of spices , and in the treasuries of sacred money above two thousand talents , yet pompey medled not with any of these , but the next day he commanded them which had the charge of the temple , to purifie , and cleanse it , and to offer their solemn sacrifizes unto god. pompey then restored the high priesthood to hyrcanus , both because he had shewed himself so forward all the time of the siege , as also for that he hindred the jewes that were in all the country , from joyning with aristobulus : and together with the priesthood he gave him the principality also , only forbiding him to wear a crown . then did he put to death those that were the chiefest cause of the war , and made the jewes tributaries to the romans , and the cities which they had formerly conquered in caelosyria , he took from them , commanding them to obey their own governours : and the whole nation of the jewes , formerly advanced through prosperity , he contracted within their ancient bounds . the king of the arabians that dwelt at the castle of petra , that never before made any account of the romans , was now greatly afraid , and wrote to pompey that he was at his devotion to doe what he commanded . pompey to try him , brought his army before his castle of petra , and lodged them for that day , and fell to riding ▪ and mannaging his horse up and down the camp : 〈◊〉 the meane time posts came riding from the realme of pontus with letters of good newes , as appeared by their javlins wreathed about with lawrel : the souldiers seeing that , flocked about the place to hear the newes , bur pompey would make an end of his riding before he would read the letters , whereupon many cryed to him to a light , which he did : but then he wanted a high place to stand upon , and the souldiers were so impatient to hear the newes that they would not stay to make one , they heaped saddles one upon an other , and pompey geting up upon them , told them , that methridates was dead , having killed himself because his son pharnaces rebelled against him , and had wan all which his father possessed , writing to him that he kept if for himself and the romans . upon this newes all the camp rejoyced wonderfully , and sacrifized to the gods with great mirth . pompey finding this troublesome war to be so easily ended , presently left arabia , and by speedy marches he came to the city of amisus . there he met with great presents which were sent him from pharnaces , and many dead bodies of the kings kindred , and the body of methridates himself , who was known by certaine scars in his face . pompey would by no meanes see him , but to avoid envy he sent him away to the city of sinope . he much wondred at his rich apparrell , and weapons : the scabbard of his sword cost four hundred talents : his hatt also was of wonderous workmanship . pompey having here ordered all things according to his mind , he went homewards with great pomp , and glory . coming to mytylene , he eased the city of all taxes for theophanes his sake , and was present at certaine playes , the subjects whereof were the great acts of pompey he so liked the theater where these playes were made , that he drew a moddle of it to make a statlier than it in rome . as he passed by the city of rhodes , he heard the rhetoricians dispute , and gave each of them a talent . the like he did at athens unto the philosophers there , and towards the beautifying of the city he gave them fifty talents . at his return into italy he expected to have been received very honourably , and longed to see his wife , and children , thinking also that they longed as much to see him : but god so ordered it , that in his own house he met with occasion of sorrow : for his wife mutia in his absence had played the harlot . yet whilst he was a far off , he made no account of the reports which were made to him of her : but when he drew neere to to italy , he was more attentive to them , whereupon he sent her word he would own he no more for his wife . there were also rumors spread abroad in rome which much troubled him ; it being given out that he would bring his army strait to rome , and make himself absolute lord of the empire . crassus hereupon , to give more credit to the report , and to procure the greater envy against pompey , conveied himself , family , and goods out of rome . but when pompey came to italy , calling his souldiers together , he made an oration to them as the time and occasion required , and then commanded them to disband , and every one to returne to his own home , and to follow his businesse till the time of his triumph . as he passed , such was the love of the people to him , that multituds of them accompanied him to rome whether he would or no , and that with a greater power than he brought with him into italy , so that if he had been disposed to have made innovation , he needed not the assistance of his army therein . at this time there was a law that no man should enter into rome before his triumph , wherefore pompey sent to the senate , requesting them to defer the choise of consuls for a few dayes , that he might further piso , who sued for the consulship that year : but through catoes meanes they denyed his request . pompey marvelling to hear of his boldnesse and free speech , was very desirous to make him his friend . so cato having two neeces , he desired to marry one himself , and to have the other for his son ; but cato flatly denied him , though his wife , and sister were angry that he refused to make alliance with pompey the great . after this , pompey being desirous to prefer afranius to be consul , he caused money to be given to the tribes of the people which being reported abroad , made every man speak evil of him , as having put the consulship to sale for money , whereas himself had purchased it by his noble and valiant deeds . the time for his triumph being come , the statelinesse , and magnificence was such , that though he had two dayes to shew it , yet lacked he time to produce all . for there were many things prepared for the shew which were not seen , and would have set forth another triumph . first the tables were carried wherein were written the names of the nations for which he triumphed : as the kingdomes of pontus , armenia , cappadocia , paphlagmia , medi● , colchis , iberia , albania , syria , cilicia , and mesapotomia : as also the people that dwell in phoenicia , palestina , judaea , and arabia : and all the pyrates that he had overcome by sea , and land. in all these countries he had taken a thousand castles , and neer nine hundred townes , and cities . of pyrates ships eight hundred . moreover he had replenished with inhabitants thirty nine desolate towns. these tables also declared , that the revenue of rome , before these his conquests , arose but to five thousand myriads , but now he had improved them to eight thousand , and five hundred myriads . besides , he now brought into the treasury to the value of twenty thousand talents in silver , gold , plate , and jewels , besides what had been distributed already amongst the souldier● , of which he that had least , had fifteen hundred drachma's for his share . the prisoners that were led in this triumph , were the son of tygranes , king of armenia , with his wife , and daughter : the wife of king tygranes himself , called zozime : aristobulus king of judaea . the sister of m●thridates , with her five sons : and some ladies of scythia . the hostages of the iberians and albanians , as also the kings of the commagenians : besides a great number of marks of triumph which himself and his leiutenants had won in severall battels . but the greatest honour that ever he wan , and which no other of the consuls ever attained to , was , that his three triumphs were of the three parts of the world , to wit , his first of a●rick : his second of europe : and his third of asia ; and all this before he was fourty years old . but from this time forward pompey began to decline , till ( with his life ) he had lost all his honour . lucullus at his returne out of asia , was well received by the senate , and much more after pompey was come to rome . for the senate encouraged him to deal in affairs of state , being of himself slow , and much given to his ease and pleasure , because of his great riches . so when pompey was come , he began to speak against him , and through catoes assistance , gat all things confirmed which he had done in asia , and which had been undone by pompey . pompey , having such an afront put upon him by the senate , had recourse to the tribunes of the people , the viles● of whom was clodius , who closed with him , and had pompey ever at his el●ow ▪ ready to second what motion soever he had to make to the people : he also desired pompey to forsake cicero , his ancient friend , but clodius his utter enemy . by this meanes cicero was brought into danger , and when he required pompey's assistance , he shut the doore against him , and went out at a back-doore ; whereupon cicero was forced to forsake rome ▪ at this time julius caesar returning from his praetorship out of spain , laid such a plot a● quickly brought himself into favou● , but tended to the ruine of pompey . he was now to sue for his first consulship , and considering the enmity between pompey and crassus , he considered that if he joyne● with one , he made the other his enemy , he therefore mad● them fr●ends , which indeed undid the commonwealth . for by this means caesar was chosen consul , who strait fell to flattering of the people , and made lawes for their advantage , distributing to them lands , which embased the majesty of the cheife majestrate , and made a consulship no better then the tribunship of the people . bibulus , his fellow consul , opposed him what he could , and cato also , till caesar brought pompey into the pulpit for orations , where he asked him whether he consented to the decree which he had set forth ? pompey answered that he did : and that he would defend it with the sword. this gat him much ill will. not many dayes after , pompey married julia the daughter of caesar , formerly betrothed to servilius caepio : and to pacifie caepio , pompey gave him his own daughter in marriage , whom yet he had promised to faustus , the son of sylla . caesar also married calphurnia , the daughter of piso. afterwards pompey filling rome with souldiers , carried all by force . for as bibulus came to the market place accompanied with cato and lucullus , they were basely abused , and many were wounded , and when they were driven away , they passed the act for dividing of the lands as they pleased . the people being encouraged hereby , never stuck at any matter that pompey and caesar would have done . and by this means all pompey's former acts were confirmed , though lucullus opposed what he could . caesar also was appointed to the government of both gauls with four whole legions . then were chosen consuls , piso , father in law to caesar , and pompey's great flatterer . pompey now so doted on his young wife , that he suffered himself wholly to be ruled by her , and leaving all publick affairs , he went with her to country houses , and places of pleasure , which encouraged clodius , a tribune of the people to despise him , and to enter into seditious attempts . for when he had driven cicero out of rom● , and sent away c●to to make war in cyprus , and caesar was occupied in gaul , finding that the people were at his beck , because he flattered them , he then attempted to 〈◊〉 things that pompey had established . amongst others he took young tigranes out of prison , and carried him up and down with him , and continually picked quarrels against pompey's friends . pompey comming abroad one day to hear how a matter of his was handled , this ●lodiu● having gotten a company of desperate ruffians about him ▪ gat up into a high place , and asked aloud , who is the most licentious captain in all the city ? they answered , pompey . and who ( said he ) is he that scratcheth his head with one finger ? they again answered , pompey , claping their hands with great scorne . this went to pompey's heart , who never used to be thus abused , and he was yet more vexed , when he saw th●t the senate was well pleased with this his disgrace , because he had forsaken , and betrayed cicero . upon this a great uprore was made in the market place , and many were hurt , whereupon pompey would come no more abroad whilst clodius was tribune , but advised with his friends how he might ingratiare himself with the senate : they advised him to put away his wife julia , to renounce caesars friendship , and to stick again to the senate . some of these things he disliked , yet was content to call home cicero , who was clodius his mortall enemy , and in great favour with the senate ▪ hereupon pompey brought cicero's brother into the market place to move the matter to the people , with many men about him , and they fell to blowes , so that many were slaine , yet he overcome clodius , and cicero was called home by the decree of the people , who also brought pompey into favour with the senate , and caused a law to be made whereby to enable pompey to bring corn to rome : and thus by cecero's meanes pompey had once again power given him both by sea and land over all the roman teritories . for all the havens , marts , and fairs , and all storehouses , and marchandizes , yea , and tillage came into his hand . for this clodius acused him , saying , that the senate ▪ had made this law , not because of a dea●●h of victuals , but that they made a dearth that so the law might passe for restoring pompey's power , which was almost come to nothing . pompey having now full authority ●o cause corn to be brought to rome , he sent his friends , and lieu●enants abroad , and himself went into 〈◊〉 ; and when he was ready to returne again , there arose such a storme , that the mariners feared to weigh their anchors ; but he commanded them to doe it , saying , it s necessary that the people should have corn , but it s not necessary that i should live . thus by his prudence and courage he filled all the markets with corn , and the seas with ships , and so great plenty of provision was brought in , as fully furnished , not only rome , but all italy . about this time caesars great conquests in gaul wan him much credit . but whilst they thought him to be warring afar off , he appeared in the middest of the people at rome , and much apposed pompey in the weightiest matters of the commonwealth . for he had the power of an army which he hardened with paines , and continuall exercise , not only to fight against the barbarous people , but to make himself invincible , and dreadfull to the world . moreover , by that infinite quantity of gold , and silver , and other treasures that he gat from the enemy , he purchased many friends to himself , sending great presents to rome , to the aediles , praetors , consuls , and their wives ; therefore when he was come back over the alps , and wintered in the city of luca , multitudes of the people , yea , two hundred of the senate themselves , amongst whom were crassus , and pompey , went out of rome unto him . all these caesar returned back again , some with store of money , others with good words : but with pompey and crassus he agreed , that they two should sue to be consuls , and that himself would send them good store of voices upon the day of election : and that if they were chosen they should get a decree of the people , that they should have some new provinces , and armies assigned to them , and with all , that they should procure his government to continue for five years longer . this plot being discovered , and spread abroad , gave great distast to honest men , and many who had intended to sue for the consulship , gave it over . only lucius domitius , being encouraged by cato , stood for it . for ( ●●id he ) thou doest not contend for the consulship , but to defend the liberty of thy country against two tyrants . pompey fearing catoes faction , thought it not safe to let domitius come into the market place : he sent therefore armed men against him , who slew the torch bearer that came before him , and made all the rest to fly , amongst whom cato was the last man that retired , who , whilst he defended dimitius , was wounded in the elbow . thus pompey and crassus came to be consuls , wherein they carried themselves very dishonestly . for the people being about to choose cato , praetor , pompey perceiving of it , brake up the assembly , falsly alleadging that he had certain ill signes , and afterwards , corrupting the the tribes with money , they chose antias , and vatinias , praetors , and then by trebonius , a tribune of the people , they published an edict that caesar should hold his government five years longer : unto crassus they appointed the province of syria , and to make war against the parthians . unto pompey they allotted africk and both the spaines , with four whole legions , of the which , at caesars request , he sent him two , to assist him in his wars in gaul . crassus , at the going out of his consulship , departed into syria , and pompey remained in rome to dedicate the theater which he had built , where he caused many goodly playes to be made , and caused wild beasts to be baited , & hunted , amongst which , five hundred lions were killed : but the most terrible fight of all , was amongst his elephants . this he did to gratifie the people , though to his very great cost , and he procured much love to himself thereby . but he gat more envy from others by commiting the government of his provinces , and legions , unto his leiutenants , whilst himself with his wife took their pleasure up and down italy . at an election of the aediles , on a sudden there was a great hurlyburly , swords were drawn and many were slaine about pompey , so that he was faigne to send home his garments that were ●prinkled with their bloud , and to fetch others . his young wife that was great with child , seeing his clothes bloudy , was so frighted that she fell into a swound , that they had much ado to recover her . at an other time , being with child again , she fell in labour , and dyed in childbirth : and as pompey was carrying her into the country to bury her neer unto the city of alba at his country house , the people took her corpse , and carrying it into the field of mars , buried it their : and this they did more for caesar , than for pompey's sake . this alliance between pompey and caesar being thus broken , which rather covered than bridled their ambition to rule , there arose a new stirre in rome , and every mans mouth was full of seditious words : about which time ●ew●s came that crassus was overcome and slaine in parthia , who was the only barre to hinder these two from civil war : for they both feared him , and therefore kept themselves quiet . yet they thought the empire of rome was too little for them . pompey thinking that caesar would not disband his army , sought to strengthen himself against him by procuring offices in the city : and when he could not procure them , the people being bribed by caesar , he left the city without a magistrate , so that there were none to command , or whom the people might obey . hereupon a rumour was spread that a dictator must be chosen , and that pompey must be the man : this cato opposed with all his power : but when pompey's friends excused him , saying , that he neither sought , nor would accept of it , then cato highly commended him , and pray'd him to see good order kept in the commonwealth , which accordingly he undertook ▪ then were domitius and massala chosen consuls , but after awhile one of them died , whereupon many were earnestly bent to have a dictator , and cato fearing great disorders , was willing that pompey should have some office to keep him from that which was more tyranicall . bibulus a cheif man in the senate , and pompey's enemy , was the first man that moved that pompey might be chosen consul alone : for ( said he ) by this meanes the commonwealth shall be rid of present ▪ trouble , or it shall be in bondage to an honest man. it was expected that cato would have opposed this motion ; but rising up , he told them , that he would not first have made this motion , but seeing it was propounded by an other , he thought it meet , and reasonable to be followed . for ( said he ) its better to have an officer to command , whatsoever he be , than to have none at all , and that there was none so fit to command ▪ in so troublesome a time as pompey . all the senate consented hereto , and ordained that pompey only should be consul , and that if he saw it needfull to have the assistance of an other , he ●ight ●ame whom he saw good , yet not till two months wer● past , pompey being thus made consul alone , he carried it very friendly unto cato , and thanked him for the honour he had done him , intreating his assistance in the execution of his office. cato replyed that he had no reason to thank him ; for what he had done , he had not done it for his sake , but out of his respect to the publick good : and that if he asked his counsel in any thing , he would give it him privately , if not , that he would openly speak that which he thought best . pompey then married cornelia , the daughter of metellus scipio ▪ the la●e wife of young publius crassus , slaine with his father in parthia . this lady was of excellent beauty , and gifts , well learned , skilfull in musick , geometry , and philosophy ▪ she was modest , and sober , free from brawling , or follish curiosity . her father was noble both by birth , and deportment . yet many disliked pompey's marrying so 〈…〉 and giving himself to feasting and 〈…〉 he should have looked to his consulship in so troubl●some a time . pompey proceeded sharply against those that by bribery , and indirect meanes came to their offices . he made lawes , and ordinances for the administration of justice , and himself dealt uprightly in all things , and took order that judgement should be administered with silence , safety , and gravity . but when his father in law was accused , he sent for three hundred and sixty judges home to his house , praying them to help him , which the accuser of scipio understanding , let fall his suit . plancus also being accused , pompey ( contrary to the law ) spake in his commendation ; whereupon cato , who was one of the judges , stopped his ears , saying , that he would not hear an offender praised , being contrary to the law : plancus was condemned by all the judges to the great shame of pompey . yet otherwise he set all things in good order , and chose his father scipio for his fellow consul for the five last moneths . then he caused the government of his provinces to be assigned to him for four years more , with commission to take out of the treasury a thousand talents yearly , for ro defray the charges of his wars . caesars friends seeing this , moved that some consideration might be had of him also , who made great wars for the commonwealth , and by his good service had deserved either to be chosen consul again , or else that they should prolong his charge , and government , that no other successor might reap the fruit of his labours ; much stir arose about this matter : but pompey said , that he had received letters from caesar , by which he requested a successour , and to be discharged of this war : adding , that he thought it fit they should grant him the priviledge to demand the second consulship though he was absent . this cato stoutly withstood , saying , that leaving his army he must returne home as a privat● 〈…〉 and in his own person crave recompence of his country . pompey replying nothing hereto , made many think he bore no great good will to caesar ; the rather because he had sent to him for the two legions which he had lent him under colour of his war against the parthians . though caesar smelt his design , yet he sent his souldiers , and rewarded them liberally . about this time pompey fell dangerously sick at naples , whereof he yet recovered again , and the neapolitans sacrifized to the gods , for his recovery ; the like also did their neighbours round about , and it ran so generally through italy , that there was no city or town wherein they did not make open feasting , and rejoyced for many dayes together . the infinite number of people also which went to meet him out of all places was such , that there was not roome enough for them all , but the highwayes , cities , townes , and ports were full of people , feasting and sacrifizing to the gods for his recovery . diverse also went to meet him that were crowned with garlands , casting nosegays , and flowers upon him . yet some thought that this was the cause of the civil wars that ensued . for hereupon he grew so proud to see himself thus honoured , that forgetting his former government , he began to dispise caesar , thinking that he could easily overcome him when he pleased . besides , appius that brought him his two legions from caesar out of gaul , reproached much his doings there , and gave out many foul words against caesar. for he said that pompey knew not his own strength , who might overcome caesar with his own legions , for that when they saw pompey , they would forsake caesar and turne to him . these flattering speeches made pompey so secure , that he laughed them to scorne who were afraid of war ; and such as said that if caesar came to rome , they knew not how his power could be resisted , he smilingly bad them take no thought , for if he did but 〈…〉 ground , he could fill italy with armies 〈…〉 and foot out of all places . in the 〈…〉 increased his army , and drew neer to italy , 〈…〉 some of his souldiers daily to rome to be present at the election of magistrates , and many of those that were in office he wan with money : amongst whom was paul●● ▪ one of the consuls , whom he drew to his side by giving him fifteen hundred talents . the like he did to curio ▪ a tribune of the people by paying his vast debts , and he gained thereby mark anthony , who was engaged for a great part of curio's debt . a captain alse sent from c●sar , being at the senate door , and understanding that they would not prolong caesars government as he desired , claping his hand on his sword , he said , well! this shall give it him . curio tequested in the behalfe of caesar , that they would either cause pompey to disband his army , or else licence caesar to have his army as well as he . for ( said he ) being private men they will either agree between themselves , or both being of like strength , neither will seek any alteration for fear of the other . but marcellus the consul , opposed this hotly , calling caesar thiefe , and saying that he would proclaime him an open enemy to rome if he did not disperse his army . yet curio , anthony , and piso procured that the senate should decide the matter , saying , all they that would have caesar disband his army , and pompey to keep his , let them go to the one side of the house , and such as would have them both to disband , let them stand on the other : by this meanes it was carried against pompey . curio much rejoyced at the victory , and going into the market place , he was there received by his faction with shouts of joy , and clapping of hands , and nosegays of flowers thrown upon him . pompey was not present to see the good will of the senators to him ; but marcellus stood up and said , that he he would not stand trifling , and hearing orations , when he knew that ten legions were already passed over the alps , intending to come in armes against them , and that he would send a man that should defend their country well enough . and so going through the market place unto pompey , being followed by all the senators , he said openly : pompey , i commnad thee to help thy country with that army thou hast already , and also to leavy more to aid thee . lentulus also used the same speech to him , who was chosen for the year following . when pompey went to leavy souldiers in rome , some would not obey him , and others went very unwillingly , the most part of them crying out peace , peace . anthony also , against the senators minds , read a letter to the people sent from caesar , wherein he seemed to make reasonable requests to draw the affections of the common people to him . for he moved that both pompey and he should resigne their governments , and dismisse their armies , referring themselves wholly to the judgments of the people , and to deliver up unto them an account of their doings . cicero , who was lately returned from cilicia , endeavoured to bring them to an agreement , propounding that caesar that should leave the government of gaul , and his army , reserving only two legions , and the government of illyria , attending his second consulship . pompey liked not this motion , and so all treaty of peace was cut off . in the mean time newes came to rome that caesar had won ariminum , a large and strong city in italy , and that he came directly to rome with a great power : but the truth was he came but with three thousand horse , and five thousand foot and would not stay for the rest of hi● army that was not yet come over the alps , but hasted rather to surprise his enemies on the sudden , who were all in a hurlyburly , not expecting him so soon , than to stay till they were fully ready to fight with him . when he came to the river of rubicon ( which was the utmost bound of the province which he had the charge of in italy ) he made an alt , pondring with himself the great enterprize he took in hand : at last he cryed out to them that were by , jacta est alea , let the die be cast . or let us put all to the hazard , and so passed on with his army . newes hereof comming to rome , never was there such a consternation and fear seen amongst them . for all the senate ran immediatly to pompey , together with all the rest of the city magistrates , and tullus asked him , what power he had in readinesse to resist caesar ? he answered ( but something faulteringly ) that he had his two legions that came from caesar , and with those that he had levied in hast , he thought he should make up thirty thousand fighting men . then tullus cryed out , ah! thou hast mocked us pompey ; and thereupon ordered ambassadors to be sent to caesar. phaonius also , a bold man , said , stamp now with thy foot upon the ground , pompey , and make those armies come which thou hast promised . pompey patiently bore this mock . then cato thought good that they should make pompey leiutenant generall of rome , with full and absolute power to command all , saying , they that knew how to doe the greatest mischief , know best how to remedy the same . and so immediately he departed to his government in sicily . also all the other senators went to the provinces whereunto they were appointed . thus all italy being in armes , no man knew what was best to be done : for such as were out of rome came flying thither out of all parts , and such as were in rome , fled out as fast , where all things were in disorder . they which were willing to obey were very few , and they who by disobedience did hurt , were too many , neither ●would they suffer pompey to order things as he would , because every one followed his own fancy , yea , in one day they were in diverse minds . all this while pompey could hear no certainty of his enemies , the reports being so various ; and when he saw the tumult , and confussion so great at rome that there was no possibility of pacifying it , he comanded all the senators to follow him , declaring all such as staid behind to be caesars friends . the two consuls fled also without sacrifizing to the gods , as their manner was when they went to make war : and pompey in his greatest danger and trouble had great cause to think himself happy , because he had every mans good will ▪ shortly after pompey was gone out of the city , caesar came into it , who spake very friendly to all whom he found there , labouring to quiet their fears : only he threatned metellus , one of the tribunes , because he would not suffer him to take any of the treasure of the commonwealth , saying , that it was not so hard a thing for him to kill him as to speak it . thus having put by metellus , and taken what he pleased out of the treasury , he prepared to follow pompey , intending to drive him out of italy before his army should come to him , out of spain . pompey in the meane time took brundusium , and having gotten some ships together , he caused the two consuls presently to embark , with thirty companies of footmen , which he sent before to dyrrachium . he sent also his father in law scipio , and his son cneius pompeyus into syria to provide him ships . then did he fortify brundusium , and guarded the walls with souldiers , commanding the citizens not to stir out of their houses . he cast up trenches also within the city at the end of all the streets , saving those two which led to the haven , and filled those trenches with sharp-pointed stakes , and when at leasure he had imbarked all the rest of his souldiers , he by a signe , called off those which guarded the walls , and having received them into his ships , he hoisted sailes and departed . caesar finding the walls of brundusium unguarded , presently suspected that pompey was fled , and rushing into the city , he had certainly falne into the pits , but that the brundusians gave him warning of them , whereupon he fetched a compasse about to go to the haven , and coming thither , he found all the ships under saile save two , wherein were a few souldiers . some judged this departure of pompeys the best stratagem of war that ever he used : but caesar marvelled that being in so strong a city , and expecting his army out of spain , and being master of the seas besides , he would so easily forsake italy . thus caesar within threescore dayes became lord of all italy without bloudshed . he was very desirous speedily to have followed pompey , but having no ships ready , he was forced to stay . then did he hasten into spain to joyn pompey's army with his own . pompey in the mean space had gotten a marvellous great power together both by sea , and land. by sea he had five hundred good ships of war , besides multitudes of galliots , foists , and pinnaces . by land he had all the flower of the horsemen of rome , and of all italy to the number of seven thousand , valiant men , and of great houses : but his footmen were raw and untrained souldiers , whom pompey continually exercised at the city of beraea , taking as much paines therein as if he had been in his youth . it was great encouragement to others to see pompey , being fifty eight years old , fighting on foot compleatly armed , and then speedily to mount on horseback , and in his full career to draw , and put up his sword , to cast his dart with as much agility and strength , and point blank , that few young men could do the like . to pompey there came diverse kings , princes , and lords of great countries : and of roman captains , who had born office , to the number of a whole senate . amongst these , there came also labienus , who formerly had been caesars great friend , and an assistant to him in his wars in gaul . there came also to him brutus , a very valiant man , who had never before spoken unto pompey , because he thought him guilty of his fathers murther , but now he willingly joyned with him as a defender of the roman liberties . cicero himself also , who had written , and given counsel for peace , thought it a shame not to be amongst the number of those who would hazard their lives in the defence of their country . there came also didius sextus , though he was an old man , and lame of one of his legs , whom when pompey saw comming ( though others laughed him to scorn , yet ) he rose up and went to meet him , judging it a signe of much love when such old men chose rather to accompany him in danger , than to remaine at home in safety . the chief of pompey's army , sitting in counsel , decreed that no citizen of rome should be put to death , but such as ●ell in battel : that no city subject to the empire of rome should be sackt , which made pompey's part liked the better : and most judged those , enemies both to the gods , and men , that did not wish him the victory . caesar also shewed himself very courteous , and mercifull ; for having taken all pompey's army in spain , he set all the captaines at liberty , and only reserved the souldiers to himself : then comming over the alps again , he passed through all italy , and came to brundusium in the winter time , and from thence , passing over the sea he came to the city of oricum : and having vibius , one of pompey's familiar friends : with him , whom he had taken prisoner , he sent him to pompey again to desire that they might meet , and both of them disband their armies within three dayes , and being reconciled , and having given their faith each to other , to returne into italy like good friends together . but pompey durst not trust to these fair words , judging them but snares to entrap him . he therefore suddenly removed to the sea coast , and took all the places of strength neer to the sea side , safely to lodge his camp in , and all the ports , harbours , and creeks , fit for ships to lie in , so that whatsoever wind blew , it served his turne to bring him either men , victuals , or money . caesar , on the other hand was so distressed both by sea and land , that he was driven to hasten to a battell , and to assail pompey even in his own strength , to force him to fight with him , and for the most part he alwayes had the better in most skirmishes , saving one , wherein he was in danger to have lost all his army . for pompey had valiantly repulsed all his men , and made them fly , and had slaine two thousand of them in the field , but he durst not enter pell mell with them into their camp when they fled : which made caesar say to his friends , that his enemy had won the victory that day if ●e had known how to overcome . this victory did so encourage pompeys men , that they would needs hazard a battel . but pompey , though he wrote to many of his friends and confederates as if he had already beaten caesar , yet was he not willing to adventure all upon a battell , thinking it better , by protracting time and cutting his enemy short of victuals , to overcome him . for this end pompey preswaded his men to be quiet , and not to stirre : but when caesar , after this last bickering , being scanted of victuals , raised his camp , and departed to go into thessaly , through the country of the atham●neans , then he could no longer bridle their courage , who cried out , caesar is fled , let us follow him : and others said , let us returne home into italy . and some sent their friends , and servants to rome to hire them houses neere the market place , intending at their return , to sue for offices . some in a jollity would needs saile to lesbos , where pompey had left his wife cornelia , to carry her the good newes that the war was ended . pompey calling a councell , affricanus thought it best to go into italy , and to win that , as being the chiefest mark they shot at in this war : for whosoever had that , was sure of all sicily , sardinia , corsica , spain , and gaul : he said also , that it was a dishonour to pompey ( who should be very tender of his credit ) to suffer their country to be in such bondage , and subjection to slaves , and base flatterers of a tyrant when as it offered it self as it were , into their hands . but pompey thought it dishonourable for him to fly from caesar , and to make him follow him , since he now had him in chase , nor lawfull before the gods now to forsake his father in law scipio , and many others , who had been consuls , and who were dispersed up and down greece , and thessaly , who by this meanes would certainly fall into caesars hands , together with their riches , and armies . he said also , that they had care enough for the city of rome by drawing their armies farthest from it , so as they remaining safe and quiet at home , not feeling the miseries of war , might joyfully welcome him home that remained conquerour . with this determination he followed caesar , not intending to give him battel , but to besiege him and so to cut him short of victuals : but whilst he pursued him faire and softly , his men cryed out of him , that he intended not to war against caesar , but against his own country , that he might still keep the authority in his hand . phaonius also mocked him , and went crying up and downe , my masters , i give you notice that you are like to eat no tusculan figs this year . with these and many others such lewde speeches , they compelled pompey to submit to their rash and giddy desires , contrary to his more prudent purpose , and determination , which yet a generall over so many nations , and armies , should not have done . these little considered that he with whom he was to fight , was caesar , who had taken a thousand townes , and cities by assault , had subdued above three hundred severall nations , had won infinite battels of the germans and gauls , and was never overcome : had also taken a million of men prisoners , and had slaine as many in diverse battels . yet pompeys men still vexing him with their importunity , when they were come into the fields of pharsalia , caused him to call a counsel . there labienus the generall of the horsemen , swore before them all , that he would not rerurne from the battell till he had driven his enemies out of the field : and the like oath did all the rest of the commanders take . the night before the fatall battel there were heard sudden and fearfull noises in pompeys camp , which awaked all the souldiers . at the changing of the fourth watch , there was seen a great light over caesars camp , like unto a burning torch which came and fell in pompeys camp. in the morning caesar intending to raise his camp , and to remove to the city of 〈◊〉 , whilst his souldiers were busy in sending away their bag , and baggage , some brought caesar word that they saw much armour , and many weapons carryed too and fro in their enemies camp , and heard a great noise and bustling , as of men that were preparing to fight . his scouts also brought him word that pompeys van was already set in battel array . caesar much rejoyced when he heard this , saying , now the day is come that we shall no longer fight with hunger , and want , but with men , and thereupon gave order that they should presently put out the red coat of armes upon his tent , which was the signe used amongst the romans when they were to fight . the souldiers when they saw that , left their tents , carriages and all , and with great shouts of joy , ran to arme themselves , and so without noise or tumult they were by their captaines put into battel array . pompey himself led the right wing of his battel against anthony . the middle battel he gave to scipio his father in law which was right against domitius calvinus : his left wing was led by lucius domitius aenobarbus , which was guarded by the men at armes ; for all the horsemen were placed there , to distresse caesar if possibly they could , and to overthrow the tenth legion , which contained the valiantest souldiers that caesar had ; and amongst whom himself alwayes used to fight in person . caesar seeing the left wing of his enemies so strong with the guard of horsemen , brought six companys of foot for a reserve , and placed them behind the tenth legion , commanding them to stand close , that they might not be discovered by the enemy : and commanded them when the horsemen should charge upon them , that they should not throw their darts strait forward but upward at their faces : for ( said he ) these brave fellows and fine dancers , will not endure to have their faces marred . pompey being an horseback rode up and down to observe how both armies were marshalled , and perceiving that his enemies stood still in their ranks , expecting the signall of battel , and that his own battel waved up and down disorderly , as men unskillfull in the wars , he feared that they would fly before they were charged . therefore he commanded his van to stand sleadily in their ranks , and to defend themselves in a close fight when they enemy should assault them . but caesar disliked this devise : for thereby ( said he ) the force of their blowes was lessened , and by with-holding them from giving the charge , that courage was taken away which the assailant carrieth with him when he comes on with fury , it made them also more fainthearted in receiving the enemies charge . in caesars army there were about twenty two thousand fighting men , and in pompeys above twice so many . when the signal of battel was given on either side , and the trumpets sounded an alarme , every man began to look to himself : but a few of the chiefest of the romans , and some grecians that were amongst them , that yet were not entred into the battell , perceiving the imminent danger , began to bethink themselves to what a sad passe the ambition , and contention between these two great persons had brought the state of rome unto , where were kinsmen against kinsmen , and brethren against brethren imbrewing their hands each in others bloud . whereas , if they could have been contented quietly to govern what they had conquered , the romane empire was big enough for them both . or if that could not have quenched their insatiable desires and thirst after glory , they had occasion enough offered them against the germans , and parthians : or else they might have proceeded to conquer scythia , and india , . for what scythian horsemen , or parthian arrows , or indian riches , could have withstood the power of seventy thousand roman souldiers , especially being led by two such captaines as were pompey and caesar , whose names were famous through the world. now when the fields of pharsalia , were covered 〈◊〉 with horse and men in armes , after the signall was given , the first man of caesars army that advanced forward to give the charge , was caius crassinius , a captain of one hundred twenty and five men : and this he did to make good his promise to caesar , who having asked him that morning what he thought of the event of the battel ? he said , oh caesar ! thine is the victory , and this day thou shalt commend me either alive or dead . thereupon he brake out of his rank ( many others also following him ) and ran into the midst of his enemies , making a g●eat slaughter ; but as he still pressed forward , one ran him through the neck and slew him . pompey did not make his left wing to advance over suddenly , but staid to see what his horsemen would do , who had already divided themselves , intending to compasse in caesar , and to force his horsemen ( who were fewer in number ) to give back upon his squadron of foot men , and thereby to disorder them . but on the other side , caesars horsemen gave back a little , and the six companies of footmen that he had placed secretly behind them ( being three thousand in number ) ran suddenly to charge the enemy in the flank and comming neer to pompeys horsemen , they threw their darts ( as caesar had appointed them ) full in their faces . the young gentlemen , being raw souldiers , and little expecting such a manner of fight , had not the hearts to defend themselves , nor could abide to be hurt in their faces , but turning their heads , and clapping their hands on their faces , they fled shamfully . they being thus routed , caesars men made no account to follow them ▪ but went presently and charged his infantry , and especally where they had no guard of horsemen , by which meanes they might be the easiler compassed about . thus they being charged by these in the flank and in the van also by the tenth legion , finding themselves ( contrary to their expectation ) compassed about by their enemies , whereas they thought to have environed them , they could no longer make resistance , but were put to the rout also . when pompey saw the dust flying up in the aire , and thereby conjectured the flight o● his horsemen , he was like a man amazed , and at 〈◊〉 end , forgeting that he was pompey the great , 〈…〉 retiring into his camp , he sat silent for a good 〈…〉 ●uch time as his enemies entered 〈…〉 together with his men that fled : and th●n he 〈◊〉 no more , but , what! into our camp ? and so rising up , he pu● on a gown fit for his sad condition and secretly stole ou● of the camp : his other legions also fled , and caesars men made a huge slaughter of the tent keepers , and of their servants that guarded the camp : there were slaine about six thousand . but at the taking of the camp caesars souldiers plainly saw the madnesse and folly of pompey's men : for their pavillions and tents were full of nosegayes , and garlands of mirtle , and their ●ouches covered with flowers , their tables full of bowls of wine , as men prepared to sacrifize for joy , rather than to arme themselves to fight when pomp●y was gone a lit●le way from his camp , he forsook his horse , having very few with him , and perceiving that none pursued him ▪ he walked fair and softly on foot , having his head full of thoughts . for he , for thirty four years together used alwayes to be victorious , and therefore now it was stran●e to him to fly : he now saw how in one hours space , he had lost all that glory and riches ▪ which he had purchased by so many great victories . he , that not long before was followed and obeyed by so many thousand men of war , by so many nations , and horsemen ; by such a great fleet upon the sea , was now falne into a low and poor estate , with so small a traine , that his very enemies , who sought him knew him not . when he had thus passed the city of larissa , he came into the valley of tempe , where being a thirst he fell down on his belly , and drank of the river , then rising up , he went , and came to the sea side , and lay all night in a fishers cottage . the next morning by break a day he went into a li●tle boat upon the river , having some freemen with him , and as for his slaves he dismissed them , and bad them go boldly unto caesar , and not to be afraid . thus rowing up and down the shore side in this little boat , he espied a great ship in the sea lying at anchor , which was ready to saile away : the master of the ship was one peticius , a roman , who , though he was not acquinted with pompey , yet he knew him well by sight . some of the marriners told peti●ius that they saw a little boat comming towards them , wherein were some men that held up their hands , and made signes to them : peticius looking , knew pompey , and commanded his marriners to let down the boat , wherewith giving pompey his hand , he received him into the ship , and those that were with him , and then hoised sail. with pompey their were both the lentuli , and faomius . presently after they espied king dejotarus comming in a boat towards them , and making signes to be taken in , which accordingly they did . at supper time ▪ the master made ready such meat as he had aboard . and faonius seeing pompey for want of attendants , washing himself , he ran to him , and annointed him , and ever a●ter waited upon him , doing such offices as servants do to their masters , washing his feet , a●d preparing his food for him . pompey then passing by the city of amphipolis , sailed to the isle of l●sbos to fetch his wife cornelia , and his son , who were at mitilene , and having there cast anchor in the rode , he sent a servant into the city to his wife , whose message did not answer her expectation . for she had still been put in hope by letters , of her husbands good successe , and that the war was well ended : the messenger finding her thus confident , thought not fit to salute her , but rather by his tears discovered the great misfortune of pompey ; and at last told her , that she must dispatch quickly if she would see her husband , with one ship onely , and that not his own , but borrowed : the young lady hearing this , fell down in a sown'd before him , but after she was come to her self , remembring that it was now no time to weep and lament , she went speedily through the city to the sea side . there pompey meeting her , took her in his armes and embraced her : but she sinking under him , fell down , and at last said : out alas ? wo worth my hard fortune , not thine , good husband , who now see thee with one poor ship , who before thou marriedst me the vnfortunate cornelia , was wont to saile in these seas attended with five hundred . alas ! why art thou come to see mee , and didst not rathar leave me to my accursed destiny , seeing my self am the cause of all this thy evil ? alas ! how happy had i been if i had died before i heard of the death of my first husband publius cras●us , slaine in the parthian war ? and how wise had i been , if ( according to my determination ) i then had slaine my self , whereas i yet live to bring this misfortune upon pompey the great ? to this pompey answered : peradventure ( my cornelia ) thou hast known a better fortune which hath also deceived thee , because shee hath continued longer with me than her manner is . but since we are borne men , we must patiently beare these troubles , and once more try what she will doe . for it is not impossible for us again to change this adversity f●r prosperity , no more than it was to fall from our late prosperity into this calamity . when cornelia heard him say so , she sent into the city for her houshould stuff ; and famely : the metylenians also came to salute pompey , praying him to come and refresh himself in their city : but pompey refused , and advised them to obey the conquerour ; for ( said he ) caesar is of a just , and curteous nature . then pompey turning to cratippus the philosopher , who came , amongst the citizens to visit him , made his complaint to him , and reasoned a little with him about divine providence . then taking his wife and friends he hoised saile and departed , staying no where but to take in fresh provision and water . the first city that he touched at , was atallia in the country of pamphylia . thither came to him some gallies out of cilicia , and many of his friends and souldiers , insomuch as he had now sixty senators in his company . then understanding that his army by sea was yet whole , and that cato had gathered together a great number of his souldiers after the overthrow , whom he had transported with him into africk , he complained to his friends for that they had compelled him to fight by land , and not suffered him to make use of his fleet , wherein he was the stronger , and that he kept not his army neere to the sea , that in case he miscarried at land , he might presently have repaired to his fleet at sea , and thereby have resisted his enemy . thus pompey being driven to atempt somewhat according to his small ability , to some cities he sent ambassadors , to others he went himself to gather money , wherewith he armed and manned some ships . but fearing the sudden approach of his enemie , before he could be in readiness to resist him , he bethought himself to what place he might retire for his better safety , and resolved that there was never a province of the romans that was able to secure him , and for other strange nations , he thought none safer for him to retire into than parthia , which was able to aid and help him . some advised him to go into africk unto king juba . but theophanes the lesbian said , that it was great ●olly to decline egypt that was but three days sail from thence , and where ptolemey was , who was lately come to mans estate , and was infinitely bound to pompey for the late favours which he shewed to his father , and not put himself into the hands of the parthians , the most unfaithfull nation in the world . he thought it also an ill part for him to carry his young wife of the noble family of scipio . amongst such barbarous people , who care not how basely they abuse any strangers . this speech altered pompey's mind , and made him resolve to flie into egypt : and so with his wife cornelia , he departed from cyprus in a galley of seleucia . the rest of his train , imbarked also , some in galleys , others in merchants ships , and so passed the sea without danger . when pompey heard that king ptol●my was in the city of pelusium with his army , warring against his sister , he steared that way , and sent a messenger before to the king , to certifie him of his arrivall ; and to entreat him to give him entertainment : king ptolomey was at this time but a young man , and under him , the whole realm was governed by one photinus . he therefore assembled a councell of the chiefest , and wisest of his court , and when they were met , photinus in the kings name commanded every man to declare his judgment about the reception of pompey whether they should intertain him or not ; and truly it was a sad thing that photinus an eunuch , and theodotus of chio , who was the kings schoolmaster for rhetorick ▪ and achillas an egyptian , should consult amongst themselves what they should do with pompey the great . all this while pompey rode at anchour near to the shore , expecting the resolution of this councell , amongst whom their opinions were various , some were for , others against his reception ; but theodotus the rhetorician , to shew his eloquence , perswaded them that neither the one , nor the other was to be done . for ( said he ) if we receive him , we shall make cesar our 〈◊〉 ▪ and pompey our lord : if we receive him no● , pompey will blame us , and cesar also for not keeping him ▪ our safest way therefore is to kill him : for thereby we shall win the good will of the one , and not fear the displeasure of the other ▪ adding that mortui non mordent , a dead man bites not . this they all resolved upon , and accordingly gave achillas commission to do it . this being concluded , achillas took with him septimius ( who had sometimes served under pompey ) and salvius a centurion , and two or three other souldiers , and so made towards pompey's galley , about whom there were at this time the chiefest of his traine to see what would be the issue of this matter . but when they saw what intertainment he was like to have , and that they came not in that princely manner , answerable to the hopes that theophanes had put them in , seeing so few men comming towards him in a fisher-boat , they began to mistrust the sequell , and advised pompey to turne back , and to launch again into the sea , whilst he was yet out of the reach of their darts . in the meane time the fisher boat drew near , and sep●inius rose up and saluted pompey in the roman tongue by the name of imperator , or emperour . achillas also spake to him in greek , wishing him to come into his boat , the shore being full of mudde , and sand banks , so that his galley could no carry him to the shore . at this time they saw afarre off diverse of the kings gallies which were arming with all speed possible , and all the shore was full of souldiers , so that though pompey and his friends would have altered their minds , yet they could not tell how to escape , and if they had discovered their mistrust of them , they had given the mutherers a cloak for their cruelty . pompey therefore taking his leave of his wife cornelia , who lamented his death before his end , he commanded two of his centurions to go down before him into the boat , and took with him onely philip , one of his slaves enfranchised , with another slave called scynes . when achilles reaching out his hand to receive pompey into his boat , he turned him to his wife , and son , and repeated these verses of sophcoles : the man that into court comes free , must there in state of bondage bee . these were the last words which he spake to them . the land being far off , when he saw never a man in the boat speak friendly to him , he said unto septimius , me thinks , my friend , i should know thee , for thou hast served under me heretofore : the other nodded with his head , but gave him no answer . pompey observing these things , took a little book into his hand , wherein he had written an oration that he ment to make to king ptolomy , and began to read it . as they approached to the shore , cornelia , with her friends about her , stood up in great fear , to see what would become of pompey , and she hoped well when she saw many of the kings people on the shore , comming towards pompey , as it were to receive , and honour him at his landing . but even as pompey took philip by the hand to rise more easily , septimius came behind him , and thrust him through with his sword : salvius , and achillas also made at him with their swords . pompey did no more but took up his gown , with which he covered his face , and took the wounds in a manly manner , only sighing a little . thus ended he his life the very next day after his birth , being fifty nine years old , they which rode at anchor in their ships , when they saw him thus murthered , gave such a fearfull cry that it was heard to the shore : and weighing their anchors with speed , they hoised sail and departed , having a lusty gale of wind to help them . the aegyptians had thought to pursue them , but when they , saw they were past their reach , they let them go . then striking off pompeys head they threw his body overboard , where it was a miserable spectacle to all that desired to behold it . philip , his infranchesed bondman , stirred not from it till the aegyptians had glutted themselves with looking upon it . then having washed it with salt water , and wrapped it up in an old shirt of his own , he sought about the sands , and at last found a piece of an old fisher-boat , scarse enough to burne all the body : and as he was gathering the pieces of this boat together , there came to him an old roman , who in his youth had served under pompey , saying , o friend , what art thou that preparest the funerals of pompey the great ? philip answered , that he was a bondman of his infranchised . well ( said he ) thou shalt not have all this honour alone , pray thee let me accompany thee in this devout deed , that i may not altogether repent me that i have dwelt so long in a strange country , where i have endured much misery ; but to recompence me , let me have this good happe to touch pompeys body , and to help to bury this most famous captain of the romans . the next day lucius lentulus , not knowing what had happened , comming out of cyprus , sailed by the shore side , and perceiving a funeral fire , and philip standing by it , he asked him whose funerall it was ? but straight fetching a great sigh , alas ( said he ) perhaps it is pompeys the great . then he landed a little , and was presently slaine . this was the deplorable end of pompey the great . caesar not long after came into aegypt , where there were great wars , at which time pompeys head was presented to him , but he turned aside and would not see it , abhorring him that brought it as a detestable murtherer . then looking on his signet ring where on was engraven a lion holding a sword , he burst out a weeping . achillas and photinus he put to death . king potolomy bing over thrown in battell by the river nilus , vanished away and was never after heard of . theodotus escaped caesars hands , and wondred up and down aegypt in great misery , dispised of every man. and afterwards marcus brutus ( who slew caesar ) when he conquered asia , met with this theodotus by chance , and puting him to all the torments he could possibly devise , he at last slew him . the ashes of pompeys body were afterwards brought to his wife cornelia , who buried them in a town of hers near the city of alba. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e his parentage . his towardlynesse . his abstinence . his cou●rage and prudence . he is accused . and cleered . his marriage . cinna slaine . carbo succeeds . and sylla . pompey raised an army , he goes towards sylya . his danger by the way . his victories . he meets sylla . sylla honours him . his modesty . his acts ni gaul . his second marriage . tyrannicall proceedings he is sent into sicily . and conquers it ▪ his cruelty . his prudence . he passes into africk . his great victories there . he is commanded to disband his army . his souldiers love to him . his returne into italy . sylla honours him . his first triumph . sylla envies him . the people love him . sylla's death . pompeys wars with lepodus . he gos into spain . his wa●s there . his victory . his prudence . his returne into italy . his victory over the fencers . his favour with the people . his humility· his pride . the power of the ●irates . pompey sent against them . his large commission , his policy . his victories over the pirates . he comes privately to rome . his return to his navy . his clemency , and wisdome . his envy . his commission much enlarged ▪ his dissimulation . his prid. he crosses lucullus . his ▪ wars with met●●ida●●s . he builds a city . methridates flight . base flattery . his war with the al●anians and illyrians . his valour . serpents drive him back . his chastity . his self-denyall . his ambition . his charity . his acts in syria , and judaea . pompey's acts in judaea . he comes to jericho . he marches to jerusalem . the temple besieged . the t●mp●e taken . the jews 〈◊〉 . note the 〈◊〉 when the ●emple was taken . hyrcanus made prince and priest. methridates death . his policy . his liberality . he returns into italy . he divorceth his wife . he disbands his army . the people honour him . he seeks to win cato . his second triumph· cice●o leaves 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 policy . he flatters the people . pompey marries caesars daughter . he dotes on his yong wife . pompey disgraced . cicero recalled . pompey 〈…〉 corne. n●te . caesar● comes privately to rome . he bribes the o●ficers . pompey chosen consul . provincis divided . pompey's theater dedicated . ●ulia dyeth . pompey and caesar quarrel . pompey made consul . he marries cornelia . his justice . and injustice . he sends to caesar for his two legions . his sicknesse , and recovery . the people honour him . pompey's prid●e note . the miseries of war. pompey made general against caesars the fruits of division . wars between pompey and caesar. coesar passes r●bicon . pompey repoached . the confusion in italy . pompey leaves rome . caesar enters rome . pompey at brundusium . he leaves italy . caesar pursues him . pompey's power by sea. his industry , and activity . many came to him . caesars curtesy , and mildnesse . caesar wants victuals . caesar beaten . imprupence . folly. caesars great victories . prodigies . the battell of pharsalia . valour . pompey beaten . he ●li●s . vanity of all ea●thly injoyments . humility . pomp●y goes to his wife . their speeches each to other . he r●asons about providence . pompey flyes into egypt . he sends to king ptolomy . a councell about pompey . base treachery and ingratitude . pompey takes his leave of his wife and son. pompey is slaine . the murthers justly punished . his buriall . a collection of the lives of ten eminent divines famous in their generations for learning, prudence, piety, and painfulness in the work of the ministry : whereunto is added the life of gustavus ericson, king of sueden, who first reformed religion in that kingdome, and of some other eminent christians / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a collection of the lives of ten eminent divines famous in their generations for learning, prudence, piety, and painfulness in the work of the ministry : whereunto is added the life of gustavus ericson, king of sueden, who first reformed religion in that kingdome, and of some other eminent christians / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], [i.e. ], [ ] p. : port. printed for william miller ..., london : . "the second part: containing the lives of gustavus ericson ... as also of divers other christians ..." (p. [ ]- ) has special t.p. advertisement: p. [ ] at end. reproduction of original in harvard university libraries. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng gustaf -- i vasa, -- king of sweden, - . christian biography. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion all that thou sees't and readest is divine : learning thus vs'd is water turn'd to wine : well may wee then despaire to draw his minde , view heere the case ; i' th booke the jewell finde . 〈◊〉 sculpsit p. v. a. m. fecit a collection of the lives of ten eminent divines , famous in their generations for learning , prudence , piety , and painfulness in the work of the ministry . whereunto is added , the life of gvstavus ericson , king of sueden , who first reformed religion in that kingdome , and of some other eminent christians . by sa. clarke , preacher of the gospel in st bennet fink , london . be ye followers of me , even as i also am of christ , cor. . . brethren , be ye followers together of me , and mark them which walk so , as ye have us for an ensample , phil. . . ministri vita censura , & cynosura . london , printed for william miller , at the guilded acorn near the little north-door in st. pauls church-yard , . to the candid reader . christian reader , i here present thee with another volume of the lives of ten eminent ministers of jesus christ , and of some other christians . the acceptance of my former labours in this kinde , hath encouraged me to make some further progress herein . we see how diligent the papists have been to write and publish the lives of their rome-canonized saints , though most of them were but ignes fatui that led men into boggs of errour , or blinde leaders of the blinde , as the pharisees were in our saviours time , till both fell into the ditch : how much more diligent and carefull should we be , to perpetuate the memories of those who were fixed stars , not in the antichristian , but in the true church of christ : and truly , if any church in the christian world , since the reformation , much more ( through gods great mercy ) hath the church of england abounded with such : and now what doth the lord require of us , but that we should be followers of those , who through faith and patience inherit the promises . good examples are for imitation , bad for evitation . good examples put a kinde of life into men : even tired jades seeing other horses to gallop , will easily be put into a gallop also ; and experience shews , that its a good means for our quickning , duely to observe the examples of such as have been forward in godlinesse , according to that of the apostle , phil. . . mark them which walk so as you have us for an example . it s the spirits end in guiding some men in the right way , and that eminently , that by their walking therein , they might excite others to follow them : and it s also a special end of regestring the histories of the saints departed , for whatsoever was written aforetime , was written for our learning ; and this is the best learning which we can reap from such records , to imitate their excellencies , and ( if it be possible ) to outstrip them therein . god in his wisdome hath not regestred them , that they should be known onely as matter of story for our delight , but for our direction and imitation ; and to shew that the things which he requires of us are possible , seeing they have been done by others before us ; as also to shew the way and means more plainly how to do them , and to declare how gratefull and acceptable they are when done . for the scriptures are not penned altogether in a commanding stile , but have sweet alluring examples mingled with the precepts . there are four wayes ( saith an eminent divine ) of teaching , rule , reason , similitudes , and examples : the two former enjoyn , but work not upon the affections ; and as for smilitudes , they are for illustration , onely examples conform us in a sweet alluring manner ; and that we may receive good from good examples , these rules are to be observed : . we must eye and pry into them , which is the very end why god hath left us a continuall succession of good examples . . we must eye them , not to observe their weaknesses , to discover their shame , for this is a poysonous disposition ; neither may we observe them thereby to take liberty to the flesh , from what is amiss in them ; but we must eye them , as we look into glasses , to dress , and adorn our selves thereby . . we must eye them for imitation : we must look upon the best , and the best in the best . we must not compare our selves with those who are inferiour to us in gifts and graces : for he that thinks himself good by comparison is not good at all . st. paul saith , brethren , be ye followers of me , even as i am of christ : he propounded to himself , the most excellent pattern of all , even of christ himself , and he blamed the corinthians , because they measured themselves by themselves , cor. . . . we must labour for soft and sanctified hearts ; for a stony heart will receive no impression . . we must look to every one that hath any good thing worthy imitation : for in every christian there is something imitable ; and therefore st. paul longed to see the romans , that he might be comforted by their faith , rom. . . . lastly , in things concerning which there is no certain rule to direct us , we ought to imitate the examples of the most holy and sober christians , as in the fashion of our apparrel , the length of our hair , &c. and as good examples are very profitable , so there is much danger in those that are evil , which by reason of the corruption of our natures , are great incentives , and allurements to sin . nemo errat uni sibi , sed dementiam spargit in proximos , accipitque invicem , saith seneca . no man erres to himself also , but disperseth , and communicates his folly to his neighbours alone , and interchangeably receiveth the like from them . and as evil examples are hurtfull in all , so they are most pernicious in superiours : for seldome do these tall cedars fall , but they beat down all the low shrubs about them . thus magistrates by their evil example corrupt their subjects , parents their children , masters their servants , and especially princes their people , seeing all the country , either for fear or flattery , is apt to conform to their examples . ea conditio est principis , ut quicquid faciat , praecipere videatur , saith quintilian . princes actions stand for precepts , and their examples have the power of a law to draw their subjects to imitation . as the heliotrope moves after the sun , so do subjects follow the manners of their princes . regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis . alexander the great used to carry his head on the one side , whereupon his nobles and courtiers in imitation of him did the like . the common people ( saith one ) are like a flock of cranes , as the first flyes all the rest follow after ; or as a beast , where all the body follows the head. rulers sins do much hurt , as by imputation — delirant reges , plectuntur achivi , so by imitation ; for man is an apish creature , apter to be led by his eyes , than by his ears . magis intuentur quid fecerit jupiter , quam quid docuit plato , satth st. augustine . height of place ever addes two wings to sin , example and scandal , whereby it soars higher , and flyes much farther . oh therefore how cautious should rulers be lest they be partakers of other mens sins , tim. . . they have enough of their own to answer for . potentes potentèr torquebuntur . let them take heed lest the iniquity of their heels ( of those that follow them at heels ) doth compass them about , psal. . . and as the evil examples of great ones are very pernicious , so are their good examples very profitable : such as were the kings of judah , such were the subjects ; like prince , and like priest , like people . before vespatians time the romans were grown to great excess , and profuseness in their apparrel , houshold stuffe , and attendants , having by their conquest of the east , learned the eastern vices ; and though many good laws were made against it , yet could they not be restrained : but so soon as he came to the empire , being a sober , moderate , and temperate prince himself , all that former vanity grew out of fashion . i am not ignorant how some of late have endeavoured to bespatter , and to bring an odium upon the names of some of our former worthies ( whose lives i have formerly published ) as though they were fanaticks , anabaptists ( because they would not have their children baptized by popish priests ) enemies to the state , traytors , &c. but the memory of them shall be blessed , when the names of these their traducers shall not . this is no new thing : indeed it s an old trick of the devil and his instruments , to belye gods children , and to represent them in the ugliest hue they can devise , thereby to make them the more odious : thus doeg dealt by david : the priests and prophets by jeremy : the persian courtiers by daniel , and his companions : amaziah by amos : hamon by the whole nation of the jews : tertullus by paul : and the heathen idolaters by the primitive christians , whereof you may see many examples in my mirrour , p. , . but though the credit of the saints may be flyblown for a season , and somewhat obscured , yet as the moon wades out from under a cloud , so shall their innocency break forth as the light , &c. psal. . . buried it may be in the open sepulchre of evill throats , but surely it shall rise again . a resurrection there shall be of names as well as of bodies , at the farthest at the last day . but i fear to exceed the length of an epistle , and therefore i shall conclude with the words of the holy apostle st. paul , the grace of our lord jesus christ , and the love of god , and the communion of the holy ghost be with you all . so begging your prayers , i rest from my study in thredneedle-street , octob. . . yours to serve your faith and further your joy , sa . clarke . vpon this book of lives . vvho e're shall please to cast a glancing-eye on these unpolish't , and rude lines which i expose to publick view , may chance t' admire a womans hand should dare so to aspire . but why should man and wife divided be , who long have liv'd in love , and unity ? for mine own part i do not know the reason , except a womans verse be out of season . indeed i almost blush thus to be seen amongst so many worthies as have been famous for learning give them but their right , yet let me dare 'mongst them to throw my mite . of these examples sure i am there 's need , to back our faith , and strengthen us indeed against such traps and nets as now are spread to catch gods people in the wayes they tread . yet if these worthies rather chose to dye than known truths to betray , or once deny , then let us tread their path , which path is blest , that when we dye we may with them have r●st . and now to him that wrote this book due praise , and thanks i give : and pray that it may never dye , but when he dyes may live . to the reverend , &c. upon his book of lives . vvill not the rest of mankinde blush for shame , when they shall read , what under every name is there related ? may not ushers graces raise conscious blood into our modern-faces ? ( he honour'd more his dignity and see , then they did him ; god send more such as he ) may not crook , whitaker , and painfull hill shame drone-vinedressers who want skill or will ? may not , or rather , will not every story u●b●aid the present age , and stain our glory ? when those that are not over-vicious shall run hazard to be styl'd fanatical : and these much more , whom you present to view may probably be call'd fanaticks too . for moses and the prophets are despised , apostles , and evangelists not prized : what wonder then , if those whom here you raise even from the dead to guide in holy wayes shall be reproached , scorned , and neglected , and that example which they gave , rejected ? yet , sir , your pi●us labours sober men will prize , and praise god for your happy pen , whereby that pr●cious treasure once contain'd in earthen v●ssels , now broke by deaths hand is for our use preserved i● good part , and we therewith enriched by your art. let them who would your labours rightly prize endeavour to untwine these mysteries . candles put out , yet shining bright and fair , cities demolished , yet standing are ; salt turned into dust , yet seasons much , uncanonized saints , yet truely such . j. c. the names of those divines , and others , whose lives are contained in this volume . mr. john carter , who dyed anno christi . mr. samuel crook , who dyed anno christi . mr. john cotton , who dyed anno christi . dr. thomas hill , who dyed anno christi . dr. william gouge , who dyed anno christi . mr. thomas gataker , who dyed anno christi . mr. jeremy whitaker , who dyed anno christi . dr. james usher , primate of all ireland , who dyed anno christi . mr. richard capel , who dyed anno christi . dr. robert harris , who dyed anno christi . in the second part. gustavus ericson , king of sueden , who dyed anno christi . mrs. jane ratcliffe , who dyed anno christi . mr. ignatius jurdaine , who dyed anno christi . mrs. margaret duck , who dyed anno christi . mrs. margaret corbet , who dyed anno christi . mrs. elizabeth wilkinson , who dyed anno christi . being sometimes occasionally absent from the city , these faults have escaped the corrector , which i pray thee mend with thy pen before reading of the book . page . line . read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. . l. . r. strenuous for pervous , p. . l. . put in , when so ne , &c. p . l. . r. conscionably for conscionable , p. . l. . put out , an , p. . l. . put out , was , p. . l. . put in , of , l. . r. her for his , p , . l. . put in , occasion , p. . l. . r. familiarly , for familiarity , p. . l. r bishops for bishop , p. . l. . r. strange for strong , p. . l. . r. dayes , for life , p. . l. . r. knowing for know , p. . l. . r. wrote for wrough● , p. . l. . r. jure human● , & juris human● , p. . l. . r. bury for b●y , l. the last , r other , for to her , p. . l. . r the restless , for restless the , p. . l. . r. sabboth for sabbath , l. . r. lubeckers for lubecks , p . l. . r. the so●l , for the sould , p. . l. . r. m●t. . . for m●t. . . p. . l. . r. which for when , p. . l. . put in by that , l. p●t in , he , p. l. . p●t out , used , and put in , to , p. . l. . put in , of , p. . l. . r. you , for yours , l. . l. ▪ r. breeding for being . mr. john carter . the life and death of mr. john carter , who died anno christi , . master john carter was born at wickham in kent , near canterburie , about the year of our lord , . he was descended but of mean parents , yet were they religious , and of good report , who not being able to maintain him at the university , wholly upon their own charge ; there was one mr. rose , a rich man in canterbury , who taking notice of his piety in those his tender years , of his ingenuity , studiousness , and proficiency in all school-learning , even beyond the pitch of a grammer scholar ; and finding him hopefull , and likely to prove a precious instrument in the church of christ , he took him into his care , sent him to cambridge , and contributed such sums of money to him from time to time as were needfull . he was admitted into clare-hall , and was pupil to dr. bing , a famous civilian , and master of that house . presently after his first admission into that house , he was taken notice of as one of singular learning , and ripeness for his years . amongst the rest that were of his year he had a theam given him to make upon this subject , frugalitas virtutum maxima : and when the young students brought in their theams , the lecturer took , and read them , and when he came to carters theam he stood , and paused awhile , and at last , said before them all : here is the best theam that ever i read ; and gave him some money for his encouragement , and highly commended his industry ; and always after cast a favourable eye upon him , and sought opportunities to do him good . when mr. carter had taken his degrees of batchelor , and mr. of arts , his tutor , dr. bing ( out of his singular love to him for his piety and learning ) gave him a chamber in his own lodgings , where he continued a year , or two , which conduced much to the compleating of him for the work of the ministry ; and all the while that he continued a gremial in the lap , and bosom of his mother , the university , he held constant meetings with divers of his famous contemporaries , and that every week , as with dr. chaderton , dr. andrews ( afterwards bishop of ely ) mr. culverwell , mr. kewstubs , and divers others , whom god raised up and fitted to send forth into his harvest , to gather his corn , then ripe for the sickle , into his barn. at their meetings they had constant exercises ; first , they began with prayer , & then applied themselvs to the study of the scriptures ; one was for the original languages , anothers task was for the grammatical interpretation ; anothers for the logical analysis ; anothers for the true sense , and meaning of the text ; another gathered the doctrines , and thus they carried on their several imployments , till at last they went out , like apollos , eloquent men , and mighty in the scriptures : and the lord was with them ; so that they brought in a very great harvest into gods barn. mr. carter would not run before he was sent , though he was so excellently qualified for the work ; he durst not venter upon the exercise of the holy work of the ministry , till he had , not only an inward , but an outward call also , viz. an assignation , approbation , and solemn admission by the laying on of the hands of the presbyterie . when he was ordained , the bishop ( who in those days was primus presbyter , or praeses ) seeking to oppose him , asked him this question , have you read the bible through ? yes ( said he ) i have read the old testament twice through in the hebrew , and the new testament often through in the greek ; and if you please to examine me in any particular place , i shall endeavour to give you an account of it . nay ( said the bishop ) if it be so , i shall need to say no more to you ; only some words of commendation and encouragement he gave him , and so with other assistants , he ordained him . anno christi , . the vicaridge of bramford in suffolk , near ipswich , fell void , and mr. rose of canterbury , beforementioned , procured the presentation thereof for mr. carter of the dean and chapter of canterburie , in whose gift it was . the salary at first was only twenty marks per annum , but afterwards the church raised it to twenty pound per annum , and that was the most that ever he had there , yet he accepted of it , and being setled in it , he set himself to do the work of christ faithfully with all his might , as a workman that needed not to be ashamed . every lords day he preached twice very powerfully , and chatechised the younger sort . he also preached a lecture every thursday , to which multitudes from ipswich , and other adjacent places , did resort : and god gave such success to his ministry , that by his labours many sons and daughters were from time to time begotten unto god. many precious christians that remain unto this day , acknowledge that their conversion was by mr. carters ministry . before his sermons he made but a short prayer , and that always in the same words : after sermon he used to be large , and full , and expressed himself with great variety of phrases , and with much fervency , and always he concluded with the lords prayer . he was very diligent in visiting the sick , especially the poorer sort ; and he never went to the house of any poor creature , but he left a purse-alms , as well as a spiritual-alms of good , and heavenly advice , and prayer . no poor body ever came to his door that went away empty ; his wife also looking to that as carefully as himself . every saturday throughout the whole year he gave the milk of his cows to the poor of the town ; and indeed he gave more to the poor every year , then the revenue of his slender vicaridge came to in the whole : yet god so blessed him , that whilst he was in bramford , he quickly paid mr. rose of canterbury all the money that he had disbursed toward his education in the uuniversity ; and before he left bramford he purchased about twenty pound per annum ; gods blessing only makes rich . he had but two sons , and he brought them both up in learning , and maintained them in the university in good fashion . he was sound , and orthodox in his judgement : an able , and resolute champion against all manner of popery and arminianism ; as also against anabaptism , and brownism , which did then begin to peep up , and infest the church , to tear and rent the seamless coat of christ. he was always a non-conformist , one of the good old puritans of england . he never swallowed any of the prelatical ceremonies against his conscience : so that he was often troubled by the bishops , but god raised him up friends that always brought him off , and maintained his liberty . he was prudent , and of a peaceable spirit , and never censured any that could , and did conform , if he judged them consciencious , and saw any thing of god in them . at his first coming to bramford , he saw of the travel of his soul. he had a plentifull harvest , many souls being daily added to the church , by his powerfull ministery , and holy life . but after he had abode many years amongst them , the people began to be glutted with heavenly manna , and loathed it , so that there grew a great decay in their first love : and about the year . or something before , there arose up a generation of malignant spirits , who were haters of a plain , powerfull , and searching ministry , and of the life and power of godliness : these were the gentry , and chief of the parish . these rose up against mr. carter , pressed him to conformity , complained of him to the bishop , and threatned that they would either bring him to conformity or eject him . at this very juncture of time , through gods gracious providence , the rectory of little belsted fell to be void . a very small village , some three miles from ipswich , and a solitary place ; the means indeed was better then bramford , yet short of a competency , and of the deserts of so eminent a pillar in the church of christ : it being but about fifty pound , and at the most not worth above sixty pound per annum . the patron ( mr. bloss ) became a suitor to master carter to accept of it , which he refused again , and again , being resolved rather to endure persecution at bramford , to grapple with all difficulties , and to die there , rather then to remove . but gods providence over-ruled him . at bramford he saw that he must be outed , and mr. bloss would take no denial : yea , and he found favour in the eyes of the bishop ; so that he was instituted without subscription , or submitting to the ceremonies : and then at last , god ( as it were ) taking him by the hand , and pulling him whether he would or no , he removed from bramford , after he had done faithfull service in the work of the ministery for about thirty four years in that place , and was setled at belsted parsonage , where be continued eighteen years before god caused him to rest from his labors ; and in all that time he discharged his holy function just as he had done in bramford in his younger years ; though his congregation here was but small : yet it pleased god that many fish came within the compass of his net from ipswich , and other neighbouring towns , where they were destitute of faithfull shepherds , so that his later crop in gods harvest-field , was very considerable . little belsted was a tusculanum to him , where in his old age he had much secret , and sweet communion with god in the house , and , as an isaac , with him in the fields , which was a beginning of that glorious communion which he now enjoyes with god in the mountains of spices . he being dead , yet speaks ; and his works praise him in the gates . for from the press we have his learned , and pithy commentary on the sermon of christ in the mount : and two short , but substantial , solid , and profitable catechisms : one , milk for children : the other , winter evenings communication . his pains in the study of the revelations were indefatigable . he wrote much in a little room ; but these labours of his yet never saw the light . many ministers that privately did converse with him , lighted their candles at his . for his carriage and deportment in his family , it was sober , grave , and very religious . he there offered up the morning and evening sacrifice of prayer , and praise continually : so that his house was a little church . thrice a day he had the scriptures read , and after that the psalm , or chapter were ended , he used to ask all his children and servants what they remembred , and whatsoever sentences they rehearsed , he would speak something out of them that might tend to their edification . for his own , and his wives habit , it was very plain , and homely , of the old fashion , yet very cleanly and decent ; insomuch , that all that came to his house would say , they had seen adam and eve , or some of the old patriarchs . in all his house also , there was nothing but honest plainess . he was such an one as jacob , a plain , sincere , i had almost said a perfect man ; i am sure a true nathaneel , in whom was no guile . he never used any plate in his house , but vessels of wood and earth ; pewter and brass were the highest mettals for his utensils . all the time of his house-keeping he used constantly at his table a little wooden salt , which with age was grown to be of a duskish black , which was much taken notice of by all comers . he never made feasts , yet always had wholsom , full , and liberal diet in his house , and all fared alike : he , and his wife did never think that his children , and servants , and poor folk did eat enough . the righteous man ( saith solomon ) is mercifull to his beast : so he was carefull even for the bruit creatures , that they should be fed to the full . all his cattel were like to the first kine that pharaoh saw feeding in the meddow , they were fat-fleshed , and well favoured ; insomuch , as some godly people used to say merrily : if they would be a cow , or a horse , or a hog , or a dog , they would choose mr. carter for their master . he had a sharp wit , and was sweet , milde , affable , and pleasant in his conversation ; yet were there not any of his most facetious passages , that did not savour of holiness . his communication and discourse was always heavenly , and his eyes were frequently lifted up towards heaven : he did not eat , or drink without praising god with his mouth , and eyes . his whole conversation was in heaven . besides his family duties , and prayers , he prayed constantly in his closet at his first going to his study , and before he came forth to dinner and supper . he prayed very loud , and mostly very long : for the extension of his voice he had a double reason ; one that by his earnest speech he might quicken , and raise up his own heart , and devotion : the other , that he might give a good example for secret prayer to his children , and servants ; and he never closed any prayer , without adding the lords prayer ; and his ground for that practise was this ; he judged his own best prayers imperfect , and that of christ most perfect , and comprehensive of all our necessities . that you may be the better satisfied concerning his sense , and judgement in this matter , take this transcript out of his printed commentary upon mat. . . where after he hath set forth the excellency , and perfection of christs prayer , he addeth , christ now directs us to the right performance of the duty of prayer . after this manner pray ye : or as st. luke sets it down , when you pray , say . not binding us strictly to use these words always , and none other , but to use the matter , manner , and like affections : but as for them who cannot so well enlarge their suits in other words , or for those also who can , and do it , and yet remain still unsatisfied , as not having done it sufficiently ( and who can do it sufficiently ? ) the lord christ hath left this most excellent help to use the very words of this divine prayer , as the most worthy servants of god have ever used to do : and learn we here by the way , that an absolute necessity lyeth upon us ( which ought to be our greatest glory and comfort ) to pray in these words , or in this manner . for it is the undispensable commandment of our lord christ : after this manner pray . he had a special dexterity in comforting afflicted consciences ; resolving doubts , and answering questions ; when some came to him ( not long before he changed this earthly for an heavenly mansion ) and told him of the rigour of the prelates , how it grew higher every day , how they persecuted conscientious ministers , and christians : of their innovations , and of the book for liberty of sports on the sabbath days , tending to the fearfull profanation thereof : he used these expressions : i have had a longing desire to see , or hear of the fall of antichrist : but i check my self , i shall go to heaven , and there news of it will come thick , thick , thick . when others came to him , and pressed him with importunity to tell them his judgement concerning the future state of the church , saying to him , that he had travelled much in the study of the revelations , and they were perswaded that god had revealed something more then ordinary to him . what do you think ( said they ) shall we have popery once again , or no ? he answered , you shall not need to fear fire , and fagot any more : but such dreadfull divisions will be amongst god people and professors , as will equalize the greatest persecutions . a man meeting him near his house , called to him , saying , oh mr. carter ! what shall i do ? my wife is entring into her travel , and i think she will die with very fear : mr. carter answered , make haste , run to your wife , and tell her that i am going to my closet as fast as i can to pray for her ; therefore bid her not faint , but to be of good courage and comfort . the man accordingly ran to his wife , and told her what had passed between mr. carter , and him . presently her fears vanished , god gave her strength , and she was delivered immediately , and safely : and strait after , her husband went to mr. carter ( even before he came out of his closet ) and told him what god had done for him . another time , a poor man met him by the way , and cryed to him piteously , saying , mr. carter ! what shall become of me ? i work hard , and fare hard , and yet i cannot thrive , i continue bare , and know not how in the world to live . he answered him : yet still you want one thing , and i will tell you what you shall do , work hard , and fare hard , and pray hard , and i will warrant you shall thrive . there dwelled in that parish a tanner , that was a very godly man , and one that had much familiar society with mr. carter . this man as he was very busie in tawing of a hide with all his might , not so much as turning his head aside any way : mr. carter coming by accidentally , came softly behinde him , and merrily gave him a little clap on the back : the man started , and looking behinde him suddenly , blushed , and said , sir , i am ashamed that you should find me thus : to whom mr. carter replied , let christ when he comes finde me so doing : what ( said the man ) doing thus ? yes ( said mr. carter to him ) faithfully performing the duties of my calling . being at dinner at ipswich at one of the magistrates houses ; divers other ministers being at the table also : one amongst the rest ( who was old enough , and had learned enough to have taught him more humility ) was very full of talk , bragged much of his parts , and skill , &c. and made a challenge , saying , here are many learned men , if any of you will propound any question in divinity , or philosophy , i will dispute with him , resolve his doubt , and satisfie him fully . all at the table ( except himself ) were silent for a while : then said mr. carter , ( when he saw that none else would speak ) to him , calling him by his name : i will go no further then my treacher to puzzle you : here is a sole : now tell me the reason why this fish that hath lived always in the salt water , should come out fresh ? to this , this forward gentleman could say nothing , and so was laughed at , and shamed out of his vanity . at another time a certain man came to him , and made his moan , saying , i have lost the greatest friend that i had in the world : i had ( in a manner ) all my livelyhood from him : to whom mr. carter answered : when the fountain is dryed up in one place , god will open it in another . to one of his sons he said , son john , god hath always brought water for me out of the hard stinty rock . those covetous hard hearted men , who have been enemies to my person and ministery , have many times come in , and given me countenance and maintenance . his eldest son , whom he had bred up to the ministery , and who proved a blessed instrument in the church of christ , being dead , mr. carter took care of his eldest son , sent him to cambridge , and walking with him towards the stable , took his last leave of him , in these words in latine , cave , mi fili , fastum , ignaviam , antichristum , my son , beware of pride , sloth , and antichrist . his usual saying was , a traveller must have a swines belly , an asses back , and a marchants purse : meaning that he must be content with any fare , bear all injuries , and provide for vast expences . we are pilgrims and travellers here , and we must prepare for wants , wrongs , and spoiling of our goods . it might well be said of him , semper erat ubi non erat : his heart was where his head was , and now his soul is , to wit , in heaven . his whole life was nothing else but a communion day . old jacob seemed to live in him : and sure the spirit of god breathed as much in him , in his words , and writings ( holiness dropped from his pen in every ordinary letter that he wrote ) in his actions , and soliloquies , as in any mans in these latter times . he was always instilling precious precepts , exhortations , instructions , or consolations into those with whom he had occasion to converse . a godly woman told his son , that she had been servant to a religious gentleman , to whose house mr. carter did often resort , and that she was won to christ at first , by hearing the heavenly speeches , and sweet principles that dropped from him as she was warming his bed , and as she waited upon him in his chamber . he was always most just , and exact in his dealings . he put a clause in his will , for the faithfull , and carefull payment of his debts : yet when his son john , and his daughter eunice , whom he made his executors , enquired what his debts were , he could finde nothing that he owed , except to the smith for shooing of an horse or two . his son , when he came to look over his library , found two or three books ( not one of them worth a groat ) upon which he had written , this book was borrowed of such an one : let it be restored : or if the owner cannot be found , allow something to the poor for it , and that liberally . once , being in a journey many miles from home , in changing a piece of gold at a shop , he took an half crown piece instead of a shilling , neither he nor the shop-keeper knowing it : but as soon as he came home , he found the mistake ; whereupon he could not rest satisfied , but the next day took a long journey back again on purpose to that town , to carry back the half crown again . he was of a sweet , mild , and gentle nature , and of a gracious spirit . a loving , and faithfull husband to his wife , and a tender , and indulgent father to his children ; and if he failed in any thing , it was in his carriage to his servants ; for truly he carried not himself to them as a master to his servants , but as a familiar friend to his friends . he would make them to sit down with him at his table , and would drink to them at his meals . he , and his wife were married together almost threescore years , and in all that time there was never heard any distastefull word to pass betwixt them . neither indeed could it be otherwise : for he lived , and walked with her as a man of knowledge : he was to her a prudent , faithfull , and tender guide ; and she was humble , and meek , reverenced , and highly esteemed him . every word he spake was an oracle to her , and her will ever closed with his judgement . he lived to the age of fourscore : when his youngest son john was born , who was the youngest of nine , he called him the son of his age , and yet he lived to see him fourty years old before he died himself , being fourty years old when he was born . he was much , and frequent in secret fastings , and when he kept such a day , he told none of his house of it , save his wife only , and she would not eat any thing that day on which he fasted , but oft-times she was with him in his retiring chamber to joyn with him in prayer ; yet could it not be concealed from the rest of the family , because at night he supped not , but only had a toste , and a draught of ordinary beer to sustain nature . on the sabbath days he never had any roste meat at dinner , because he would have none thereby kept from the publick ordinances ; the pot was hung on with a piece of beef , and a pudding in it , and that was their constant lords days dinner , for well-nigh sixty years together . his church at belsted stood in a very solitary place , whereof he always kept a key , and would often resort thither all alone . a gentleman once espying him as he went towards the church on a private day , hid himself , till mr. carter was past , and gone into the church , and then he came close up to the church wall , desiring to peep in at some window to see what he did , and to listen if he said any thing ; and this gentleman afterwards told his son john , that he first prayed , then read a chapter , and after that prayed largely , and very heavenly , as if he had been in his family , or in the publick congregation . he vigorously held on the constant course of his ministry to the last . it may be said of him , as of caleb and joshua ; he was as sit for service in gods harvest-field at fourscore , as he was at fourty . indeed some abatement of bodily strength there was , as old age did steal upon him . after his afternoon sermon on the sabbath days he would be something faint , and commonly when he came home he would call for some comfortable draught , and when he had lifted up his eyes to heaven , and taken it , he would say to them about him , these are crutches to shore up a ruinous house : but in his intellectuals , and spiritual strength there was no decay . old mr. benton of wramplingham in norfolk , a holy man of god , being upon occasion in suffolk in those parts , could not but give a visit to his old friend , mr. carter of belsted ; and being with him , he heard him discourse with such holy gravity , and a mixture of all kinde of learning , sollidity , and wit , that he stood amazed at it , and said , mr. carter , i see you are like unto the palm and cedar tree , you bring forth more fruit in your age. i thank you ( said mr. carter ) you tell me what i should be . and now the time of his departure was at hand : some fortnight , or three weeks before his translation , there appeared some decays in his body , and memory , which now began to fail him . he would sometimes ( but rarely ) call to go to sea , and to his better countrey . yet he sate up from morning till night , and commonly walked up and down the room , and never failed to perform prayer , and other family exercises , so that none could discern any considerable defect either in his spiritual , or natural strength : only in this , that when he had done , he would presently call to begin again ; and say to his daughter eunice , who was now the stay of his house , and the staff of his old age ( god having taken away his dear wife about two years before ) daughter , shall we not go to prayer ? and when she answered him , sir you have been at prayer already , and you are weary , he would reply , i fear we have not done what we should do . it was one of his constant and ordinary petitions in every prayer , that god would vouchsafe him a mercifull , and easie passage out of this life , and the lord did most graciously answer him therein . february the . anno christi , . being the day before the sabbath , in the evening he called very earnestly for paper , ink , and two pens : for ( saith he ) by gods grace tomorrow i will preach twice : but ( god knows ) he was not in a fit condition for study ; yet with that resolution he went to bed , and god gave him some rest that night . in the morning upon the sabbath day he did rise from his bed , as he used to do , and came out of his bed-chamber into the hall , and after prayer , he called for his ordinary breakfast , which he used before he went to church ( for still he held his resolution for preaching ) which was an egg ; he took it into his hand , but alas ! it would not down : whereupon he said to his daughter . eunice , i am not able to go to church , yet i pray thee , lead me to my bed , i will lie down a little and rest me . so he rose up out of his chair , and walked up and down , she supporting him , and when he came to the parlour door , before he put his foot over the threshold : oh eunice ! saith he , what shall i do ? put your trust ( saith she ) in that god of whom you have had so much experience , who never yet did leave you , nor forsake you . yea ( saith he ) the lord be thanked . so he gathered up his strength , went to the bed-side , sat down upon it , and immediatly composed himself to lie down . he lifted up one of his legs upon the bed without any great difficulty , laid down his body , and rested his head upon the pillow . his daughter still stood by , expecting when she should lift his other leg upon the bed , thinking that he had been faln asleep : and she was not mistaken , for so he was . it proved his last sleep , and before she could discern any change in him , his soul had taken its flight into heaven , even into the arms , and embraces of his blessed saviour , whom he had faithfully served all his life long ; being about fourscore years old . he intended a sabbaths labour for christ , and christ gave him rest from his labour , even the rest of an eternal sabbath . when his daughter began to speak to him , and to lift him , she found that his breath was departed , yet was there not any change in his countenance at all : his eyes and his mouth continuing in the same posture they used to be in his sweetest sleeps . thus the lord gave unto his faithfull servant the desire of his soul , and a return of his prayers , such an easie passage , as that his death could not be discerned from a sweet natural sleep . not many days before his death he called his daughter and said to her , daughter , remember my love to my son john : i shall see him no more in this life : and remember me to the rest of my children , and family , and deliver this message to them all from me : stand fast in the faith , and love one another . this was the last message that ever he sent to them . he ended his life with a doxology , breathing out his last , with these words , the lord be thanked . when he had thus yielded up his spirit into the hands of his heavenly father , his daughter eunice dispatched away a messenger to his son john at norwich : for so had her father given order before he died , that his body should not be put into a cofsin till his son john came : and god carried him through the journey in hard weather , so that through gods good providence , he arrived at belsted early on the tuesday , and going into the house of mourning , he found the body of his deceased father still lying upon the bed : they uncovered his face , and sweetly he lay , and with a smiling countenance , and no difference appearing to the eye between his countenance alive and dead , only that he was wont to rejoyce , and to bless his son at their meeting , and now he was silent . his son fell upon his face and kissed him , and lift up his voice and wept , and so took his last leave of him till they should meet in a better world . february the th . in the afternoon , anno christi , . was he interred , at which time there was a great confluence people from all the parts thereabout , ministers , and others , all taking up the words of joash king of israel : oh my father ! my father ! the chariots of israel , and the horsemen thereof ! good mr. samuel ward , that famous divine , and the glory of ipswich , came to the funeral , brought with him a mourning gown , and offered very respectfully to have preached his funeral sermon , now that such a congregation was gathered together , and upon such an occasion . but his son , and daughter durst not give way unto it : for so their father had often charged them in his life time , and that upon his blessing , that there should be no sermon at his burial : for ( said he ) it may give occasion to speak some good of me that i deserve not , and so false things may be uttered in the pulpit . mr. ward rested satisfied with this , and accordingly did forbear : but the next friday at ipswich , he turned his whole lecture into a funeral sermon for mr. carter , in which he honoured him , and lamented the churches loss , to the great satisfaction of the whole auditory . gloria fugentes sequitur . glory is like your shadow ! follow it , and it will flie away from you ; but she from it , and it will follow you . and so it proved with mr. carter : he was most eminent for humility : humble he was in his habit , and humble in all his deportment : for though his gifts called him before great men , yet his most ordinary converse was with those of an inferiour rank ; in whom he saw most of the power of godliness . so that he might truly say , with david , psal. . . i am a companion of all them that fear thee , and of them that keep thy precepts . he wrote very much ; but he left nothing behinde him save what is printed , and his exposition upon the revelations ; and a petition to king james for the taking away of burdensom ceremonies out of the church . nothing else but a few broken papers , which he regarded not . probably he burnt the rest , when he saw his appointed time draw neer , meerly out of a low opinion of himself , and his own gifts . he avoided all things that might tend to outward pomp , and ostentation : he would have no funeral sermon : he left order in his will not to be buried in the church , but in the church-yard ; where he , and his wife , that glorious pair , he interred together without so much , or rather so little as a poor grave-stone over them . he had learned of christ to be meek and lowly in heart : he was humble in his life , and humble in his death , and now the lord hath highly exalted him . he kept a constant diary , or day book , in which every day he set down gods extraordinary dispensations , his own actions , and whatsoever memorable things he heard , or read that day . he cast up his accounts with god every day : and his sins were blotted out before he came to his last reckoning ; his day of refreshing came , and he rests from his labours plus vivitur exemplis quam preceptis , saith seneca ; examples of the dead , are sermons for the liv●ng : he was a true child of abraham , and the blessing of abraham fell upon him . i will bless them ( saith the lord to him ) that bless thee , and i will curse them that curse thee . some years after his death , his son john being at bramford , there was an ancient gentleman , that had lived there long , and was mr. carters old friend , who spake thus unto him , mr. carter , i have nowli● to see the downfall of all your fathers opposites , and enemies ; there is not one of them , but their families are scattered , and come to ruine . let all the enemies of gods faithfull messengers hear and fear , and do no more so wickedly . it may be truly said of him , and his faithful yoke-fellow , as it is written of zacharias and elizabeth , they were both righteous before god , walking in all the commandments , and ordinances of the lord blameless ; and truly the world will , and can testifie , that neither of them did ever do that thing that was evil , or unjust , or scandalous , or uncomely , even their enemies themselvs being judges , they were as to men , without blemish : their life was a sweet savour , and they went out of this life as a fragrant persume . this life was drawn up by mr. john carter , junior , now also with the lord , one who degenerated not from the steps of his learned , and holy father , and by him was sent to me some years since , together with this ensuing epistle : which i have the rather inserted , to provoke , and stir up others , who can in this way , revive the memories of the dead saints , to do it , which will be a more lasting monument to them , and far more beneficial , and advantagious to the church of god , than any sumptuous , and costly funerals , or grave-stones whatsoever . to his reverend brother , and fellow labourer in the lords vineyard , mr. samuel clark , pastor of bennet fink , london . worthy sir , that which naomi spake to ruth concerning boaz ▪ he hath not left off his kindnesse to the living , and to the dead : it is fully verified of your self : you cease not to shew kindness to the living , and to the dead . to the living ; by your preaching , and ministery you make saints daily . to the dead saints you shew kindness , by perpetuating their names to their honours , and the good of many : and herein you are a greater gainer : you shine your self by making others shine . amongst the rest of those that honour you i am one , though i never saw your face , otherwise then in the frontispiece of your learned books . in the first part of your marrow of ecclesiastical history , we had information , that you did resolve to add a second part ; and to put in the lives of such godly divines , and others , as were eminent in these latter times , if you were furnished with faithfull informations . hereupon , divers did set upon me with very great importunity , to write the life of my dear father , and to send it up to you . truly worthy sir ! i was desirous of the thing , but durst not undertake the work : i was sensible of mine own weakness , and also that his sayings , and doings had 〈…〉 slipped the memories of this generation , that i should have brought to light such an imperfect thing , as rather would have been a blemish to so eminent a saint , than any honour . hereupon i laid aside all thoughts of medling , or attempting such a thing . i know that he is glorious in heaven , and on earth too , so far as his name is spread . now , good sir , let me be bold to give a short account of my self . some few days since i went about to make a new diary for my self , i was desirous in the first place , to set down some passages of my father , for mine own satisfaction , and use . i began so , and before i was aware , it amounted to so much , as i thought better that that should be published , than nothing at all : and at last my spirit grew restless : i could not satisfie my self , till i had digested it into some order , and made it publick . and now , sir , here it is ; i present it to your judicious view ; accept it in good part from a meer stranger . my humble request to you , worthy sir , is this , that , though i slipped the last opportunity , yet if you shall set forth any more lives ; or if you shall have a new impression of any of the former , that you would extract so much of my precious fathers life , as you shall judge fit , and place it where you please in your ecclesiastical history . your monuments will be lasting in after ages , when my poor pamphlet will be worn out with time . pardon my boldness : the lord lengthen out your days , for the good of his church , and the honour of his saints . your most observant friend and brother , that truly honoureth you , john carter . the life and death of mr. samuel crook , who died an. christi . samuel crook was born at great waldingfield in suffolk , jan. . anno christi . he was a prophet , and the son of a prophet , even of that great , and famous light , dr. crook , a learned , and laborious divine , who was sometimes a preacher to the honourable society of greys-inn ; a gentleman well descended , and of an ancient family . this our samuel was in his younger years trained up in merchant taylors school in london , and having perfected his studies there , he was sent to the university of cambridge , and admitted into pembroke-hall , where he was first scholar , and afterwards chosen fellow of that house , being chosen by the unanimous consent , and suffrage of all , but the master , upon whose refusal , he was soon after elected , and admitted one of the first foundation of fellows in emanuel college , where , until this day his name is precious , being preserved in their library amongst their choicest ornaments of that house in the catalogue of their first fellows , thus written ; mr. samuel crook , batchelour in divinity . from his very youth he was highly esteemed in that university , both for his candid , and ingenuous behaviour in a comely person , as also for his pregnant parts , ready wit , great industry , and answerable proficiency in all kinds of polite learning , which renders a man more expedite , and exquisite for any worthy , and noble imployment , and is more especially preparatory , and introductory to the study of sacred divinity : which being observed , and taken notice of , he was first made choice of to be the rhetorick reader , and afterwards was advanced to be philosophy reader in the publick schools , both which places he performed with general applause . amongst his other youthly imployments , he translated virg●ls eclogues : the first , and second books of his aeneids : juvenals first satyre , and most of the memorable speeches both in virgil , and other poets ; all which were clear demonstrations of his ingenious capacity , and ingenuous sufficiency . and , to shew that his heart ; even in his youth was drawn heaven-ward ( from whence his wit was sanctified ) he translated divers of davids psalms , and composed several sacred hymnes of his own : some of which he sung with tears of joy , and desire in his last sickness , having a sweet voice , and good skill in musick . in his younger years also , he was a constant , and diligent hearer , and great admirer of that man of god , mr. william perkins , and a reverend observer of all the most eminent men of that time , who were famous in their generation , carefully , and safely laying up in the faithfull treasury of his memory what he heard from them ; which was an evident presage of his future abilities , and that he was likely to become a skilfull master builder in the house of god , and an excellent instrument of winning many souls unto christ. he was acute in the greek , and well skilled in the hebrew and arabick tongues , which he sparingly made use of , only upon necessary occasions , not for ostentation , to amuse such hearers as seem to be most pleased with what they least understand ; but for the more full , and clear opening of the text , and giving the genuine interpretation thereof from its divine o●lginals , whose full sense , and native elegancies ( proper to every language ) cannot always be expressed to the life without recourse to the fountains . for as st austin saith , habet omnis lingua sua quaeque propria genera locutionum , quae cum in aliam linguam transferuntur , videntur absurda : every lnnguage hath its proper kind of speeches , which being translated into another tongue , seem to be absurd . he very well understood , and spake the italian , french , and spanish tongues , and had read very many grave , and witty authors in each of them , whereof , by the excellency of his wit , he made admirable use even in divinity ( which now a days many illiterate persons , most audaciously , and presumptuously defile with unhallowed hearts , and unwashed hands ) he being able by an holy alchimy ( as was said of virgil , aurum de stircore : he could draw gold out of a dunghil ) to make every thing serve to his powerfull perswasions , wherein he excelled . he likewise studied history , politicks , and physick , of all which he made excellent use in his amplifications , illustrations , and insinuations of more divine subjects . every thing furnished him with more moving expressions of his sweet notions in prayer , and preaching , which made him a burning as well as a shining light with greater brightness and lust●e . while he was yet a fellow in emanuel college , in a due compliance with the pious statutes of that house , he entred into the office of the ministry , sept. the th anno christi , which he took not upon him as a shelter to save a fellowship , but to gain souls unto god : for which purpose he immediatly betook himself to that evangelicall work of preaching , for the most part at a place called coxton , not far from cambridg , and in some other places thereabouts ; where ( besides the prosecution of his other studies , and performance of sundry exercises in the college ) he had preached twenty eight sermons within the space of eleven moneths : which was a rare thing in those times , when the fellows of houses were rather hinderers than furtherers of so good a work , if undertaken by younger men . after he was transplanted from that nursery , and setled in a pastorall charg● many miles distant from that university , to shew his thankfull acknowledgment of the honorary supports of his breeding received from those famous seminaries , he gave to the library of pembroke-hall , great basils works , greek and latine in two volumes in folio , with these verses written in them , which discovered a specimen of his happy strain , and genius of purer poëtry , as well as his gratefull minde : quae mihi formasti teneros impuberis annos grandaeva , at gravida ingeniis foelicibus aula pembrochiae , fas sit minimo , veneranda tuorum ingentis tenuem officii deponere partem . and to emanuel college library he gave all the councils in greek and latine of binius edition in folio , in five volumes , with these verses : sacra 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & studiis domus hospita sacris emanuel , mihi quae juvenilibus arbitra caeptis culturam , comites , victum , & gratissima musis otia porrex●i ! sic te nascentia porrò faecundam claris mirentur saecula na●is , donato ut liceat tantillum reddere tantis . and to the university library he gave all gregory nazianzens , and gregory nissens works , greek and latine , in four volumes in folio , with these verses : accipe parva tui 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mater alumni sic te perpetuâ florentem pube , nepotum sera manus , sophiae lumen , morumque magistram , artis praesidium , britonum decus , orbis amorem : delicias regum , & fidei venerentur alylum . having thus traced his wayes , and procedure in the university , we must now follow him into the country : for in september anno christi , he was by the cleer , and good providence of god ( without the concurrence of the plottings , and contrivances of cunning , or insinuating friends ) fairly , and freely called to the pastorall charg of a great flock at wrington , a market-town in the county of sommerset , being presented thereunto by that honourable , and famous knight st arthur capel of little hadam in hertford shire , great grandfather to the lord capel now living . there did he ( in obedience to his call ) forthwith settle himself , and immediatly he set upon the work for which he was sent , viz. to instruct , and turn unto righteousness that great people , who had never before enjoyed the blessing of a preaching minister , or ministry amongst them ( which therefore required the greater skill , and industry of the spirituall husbandman to manure , and manage , such an incultured plot ) so that he was to them ( if not to the whole country adjacent ) the first that by preaching the gospell , brought religion into credit , and discovered to them the heavenly canaan , which before was to most of them a terra incognita , as an unknown land , and thereby left them much richer both in spirituals , and temporals than he found them . insomuch that , he might at length , in a proportion , say of that place as augustus , the emperour , did of rome , lateritiam reperi , marmoream reliqui : i found it built of bricks , but i left it built of marble . mr. crook having thus pitched , and fixed his pastorall staff , as he never sought higher , or other earthly preferments ( though his capacity , and credit was well known to be such as made him capable of , and opened a ready way for it ) so he never accepted of any additions , or accessions of maintenance , or honour , though they were honourably profered by such persons as were able to have advanced him . as for the course of his ministry , and deportment : his progress was answerable to his beginings : yea , his works were most , and best at the last : for as he preached , so he practised : his whole life being but one continued commentary upon his doctrine , and an exemplary sermon consisting of living words , or of words translated into works , as will further appear in its due place . few men ever came into a place with greater expectation , which yet he not only satisfied , but exceeded it . few men could draw after them those affections , and admiration which he did ; which also were so far from cooling , and diminishing , as that they encreased , and that deservedly , to his last , rather than decreased amongst all that had learned christ in humility , and truth . and as for those few silly seduced ones , who were carried away towards his latter end , with a spirit of giddiness , through the secret , and subtile insinuations , and whisperings of false teachers , in corners ( who with as much ignorance as confidence delude the simple , by great swelling words of vanity , and uncouth phrases , abhorrent from christian religion , sobriety , and truth , and which wise men lament , while fools , who are ignorant of the depths , and methods of satan , applaud , and admire ) endeavoured in their virtigenous fits , to eclipse his credit , and splendour : yet his pious , and affectionate essayes to reclaim them with the spirit of meekness , as also his fervent prayers , and yearning bowels for their reducing , turned all their revilings to his greater lustre , and glory , amongst all such as were able to discern of things that differ , and willing to approve the things that are excellent . not long after mr. crook's first setling in this his pastorall charge , he happily married a wife of his own tribe , and after his own heart , who was the eldest daughter of that reverend mr. walsh , an holy , and painfu●l minister in suffolk , a great , and rare light in his time , and famous for his ministeriall labours , his fervent zeal , and abundant charity . she was a very prudent , and gratious woman , a most loyall , loving , and tender wife , zealous and active for his encouragement , credit , and comfort in all things , especially in his ministry ; to which she constantly bore such hearty respect , and reverence , as did much quicken , and enlarge him in the work of the lord. she was also continually studious , and carefull to free , and ease him of all emergent occasions , avocations , and businesses of ordinary concernment , that so he might with the more freedom follow ( what his soul most delighted in ) his diviner imployments , and enjoy himself , and friends in his necessary relaxations . in a word , her behaviour was such as becometh holiness , a teacher of good things to the younger women , and in her family a worthy pattern , and a great promoter of godliness in all that conversed with her , and to her husband a meet help indeed , and so she continued all the dayes of their conjugall relation . children he left none , besides those spiritually begotten unto christ by his labours in the gospell . his great delight , and indefatigable pains in preaching so many years so frequently , was almost beyond all example : for he constantly preached ( if in health ) thrice a week , besides his extraordinary labours on many emergent occasions which he cheerfully embraced , as rejoycing in all opportunities of doing good , and that abroad as well as at home . in all his sermons ( which were many thousands ) his expressions were choice , grave , solid , weighty , savoury , and seasonable : his applications home , and pertinent , strongly enforced , and set on from divine authority by a sweet , and moving elocution , a masculine eloquence , fervent zeal , and strength of love to the souls of the hearers . he knew very well how to set forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , abstruse points plainly , and how to manage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , plain truths elegantly ; not in the words of mans wisdome , but which the holy ghost teacheth : alwayes speaking in christ , as of god in the sight of god. he was not like one that makes a feast once a moneth , or once a quarter , letting his family beg or starve in the intervals ; nor like such as visit the pulpit twice every sabbath day , yet bring no new matter with them scarce once a moneth ; but still are setting on the same dishes with a little new garnish , even unto nauseousness : but our mr. crook , as he layed in richly , so he layed out liberally , and prudently , like a ready scribe instructed to the kingdom of god ; or a good housholder , who brings forth of his treasury , things both new , and old . and albeit he could by his quick invention , profound judgment , and faithfull memory ( things rarely meeting in the same man ) dexterously dispatch that with little labour which costs other men much pains ; yet he seriously professed with rejoycing , that he never durst serve god with that which cost him nothing : well knowing that industry adds weight , and respect both to the matter , and speaker , whereby his words became as goods , and nails fastened by that great master of the assemblies , which are given from one shepherd . his motto was , impendam , & expendar : i will spend , and be spent , which he cheerfully verified . for he counted not his life dear in comparison of preaching the gospell , and of finishing his course with joy , and the ministry he had received from the lord jesus , to testifie the gospell of the grace of god. when he was told by his physician ( who was very carefull to preserve his life ) that he might live longer if he would preach seldomer : alas ! ( said he ) if i may not labour i cannot live : what good will life doe me , if i be hindred from the end of living ? et propter vitam vivendi perdere causam ? when through age , and weakness he was disenabled from travelling abroad any more to perfume other congregations with the sweet odours of his pretious ointment : and when by reason of his years , and infirmities , he might very well ( as an emeritus miles ) have sued out ( even in the court of heaven it self ) a writ of ease , and have passed the rest of his dayes in rejoycing over his triumphs , and trophies : yet would he never give over studying , and preaching , till all strength of body gave him over . yea he often preached , even when his legs almost refused to carry him any more to church , and that with much spirit , and unexpected vivacity , even as a mighty man refreshed with the wine of gods spirit . and being ( some years before his departure ) sensible of the daily approaches of death ( which he long expected ) to his exhausted , and decayed body , almost ready to be deserted of its divine soul ; he did severall times preach his own funerall sermon ( as supposing he should never preach more ) and that not without the tears , proceeding from the grief of his loving , and beloved hearers . and when after such preaching , and rejoycing in it , he invited ( as his constant manner was ) such ministers , and friends as came to hear his lecture , to his table ; he would force himself to sit with them ( although for the most part he was forced to be silent , by reason of the expence of his spirits ) and much rejoyced that he had once more imployed his masters talent , and enjoyed the precious society of saints in whom was all his delight . he used often to say to his friends that rejoyced with him , and blessed god for him , that he was nothing but a voice , as being troubled at the decayes of nature growing upon him more , and more , whereby his feeble body was disenabled from serving his still active soul , and his tongue being no longer able to speak out , at least not so often as he would have had it . in his ministry he never strove for vain glory , nor of men sought he praise , disdaining to stoop to the lure of popular applaus : and therefore he ever shuned those more gay , and lighter flourishes of a luxuriant wit ( which like beautifull weeds , make a fair shew at a distance , but stink neerer hand ) wherewith the emptiest cells affect to be most fraught ; like those , who for want of wares in their shops , set up painted boxes to fill up empty shelves . he fed not his flock with airy dews of effeminate rhetorick ( which a masculine orator would shake off from his pen , and lips ( as st paul did the viper from his hand ) nor yet with the jerks , and quibbles of a light spirit , which he ever abhorred as the excrementitious superfluities of frothy brains , and unhallowed hearts : but he ever led them out into the green pastures of solid , and savoury truths , as their necessities , and capacities did require . he had ( and alwayes administred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , rationall , unadulterated milk for babes in christ , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and strong meat for grown men . he was a wise master builder , who intending to raise a strong , and beautifull fabrick , laid a solid foundation , able , and sufficient to bear , and strengthen all his superstructures . he therefore began his ministry with a pervous , and perspicuous handling of such texts as might discover to his people , the divine authority , sufficiency , purity , and energy of the holy scriptures , the ten commandements , articles of the faith , the lords prayer , the doctrine of the sacraments , god in trinity , his decrees , creation , providence , of sin , christ , the new covenant , the fall of man , the mediator , the gospell , faith , vocation , regeneration , justification , adoption , sanctification , glorification ; the church , the last judgment , the christian warfare , and such like : all which in process of time , he opened , and applied , sometimes more largely , sometimes more briefly ; but alwayes profitably , and sweetly , as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed , but rightly dividing the word of truth in a practicall way . out of all which in his more mature , and riper years , greatest strength of parts , and depth of judgment , he ( after many serious reviews ) compiled that excellently compacted systeme of divinity in a catecheticall way , which he deservedly intituled , the guid to true blessedness . and out of it he again extracted that lesser catechisme which he often used , with very profitable , and delightfull explanations , both in his congregation , and family . a most profitable , course of teaching , and learning the true knowledg of christ. he went also through many intire scriptures ( which doth greatly try , and improve a divine ) and the more obscure any place was , the greater was his diligence , with happy success to bring light unto it . difficulties which are lions in the way of the sluggard , proved but spurs to his industry . he went over many of the psalms , as the t , d , th , th , th , th , th , d , th , th , d , . the twelve first chapters of isay , lamentation the d , habbacuk the d , the prophesie of malachy . mathew the t , th , and th chapters . all the examples both of good , and bad men in the scriptures , for imitation of the former , and detestation of the latter . all the miracles , and parables of christ ; all st johns gospel ( an admirable commentary : ) the twelfth of the epistle to the romans : the second chapter of the epistle to the ephesians : the d , and d to the collossians : the d to the thessalonians chap. . the eleventh of the epistle to the hebrews : the d , and d chapters of the revelations , with many more , besides very many texts suitable to the times on every occasion , being exceeding happy in the choise , and prosecution of them . whensoever his preaching day happened upon january the , ( which was his birth day ) he still noted his years compleat , with this paenitentiall epiphonema , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , god be mercifull unto me a sinner . a memorable evidence of his pious sence of his own unworthiness in the sight of god , how much soever he was cried up , and esteemed by men . no excellency of naturall abilities , no eminency of spirituall endowments , no acceptation of his labours ever puffed him up ; but that he still walked in all lowliness and humility towards all men , even in his greatest exaltations in the hearts of men . much might be said of his long continued course of catechising , ( that most profitable , and speedy way of implanting knowledg ) by which he set up so great , and cleer a light in his congregation , as will not only discover the wisdom , and excellency of the workman , and guid their feet in the wayes of truth , and holiness who have been enlightned thereby : but much facilitate the further polishing of those living stones by succeeding builders . his heavenly and divine spirit of prayer seemed to excell all other his excellencies , as will be attested by all that heard him in publick , or private , and that ever knew what a prayer of faith , elevated to the highest pitch by the holy ghost , meaneth , whether they ever found any to excell him , or many to come near him . o! those penitent , unbowelling confessions , earnest deprecations , petitions , panting-longings , and sighings after god , and his grace ; those mighty powerfull arguments whereby he set all home , feeling thanksgivings , and divine raptures carrying up his soul to heaven in the sacred flames of his own sacrifices ; sweetly perfumed with the incense of him who presenteth all the prayers of his saints on the altar of grace . he first brought conceived prayer into use in those parts , wherein he was so happy , so free from impertinent expressions , and unnecessary repetitions , so rich in piercing supplications , patheticall thanksgivings , and gracious wrestlings with the almighty ; yea , so dexterous to apply himself to prefer all suits , and to fit every occasion ( like an exquisite archer , able to shoot to an hairs breadth , ) and so prompt , and full in expressing the very hearts of those that indeed joyned with him , in whatsoever they desired for themselves or others , as if , by a kind of transmigration , their souls had passed into his , and spake the very bottom of their hearts by his tongue , which their own could not utter . and this was such an opening , and warming of his hearers hearts before his sermons , and such a sweet closing up of all after his preaching , as added much to the power , and profit of all his labours , and was to him a transcendent advantage in his whole ministry . and truly his example took so well with all the godly ministers that heard him , that they accounted it their great happiness , and honour to follow , and imitate him ( with whom yet very few could keep pace ) in that most important part of a ministers work , and office , whereby they might be the more able to pour out their souls , and the souls of their people into the bosom of the almighty . in the orb of his publick ministry , this fixed star shined brightly ( without the least eclipse , or retrograde motion ) somewhat above forty seven years . a long time for such a lamp to burn , as he did : but his long continuance ministred a fair opportunity of bringing many stragling sheep into christs fold , the great ●hepheard of our souls . once indeed the last bishop of that diocess gave a stop to his tuesdayes lecture , but god in mercy to many , set it on going again , and cast him that interrupted it out of his place , while this painfull , and faithfull labourer went on with his work . so much for his publick ministry : come we now to his private carriage . his whole life was exemplary . take him as a christian , raised by his ministeriall function to the height of a beacon upon an hill , and so his light was great , and his smell very fragrant . he not only kept himself pure and unspotted of the world , but his light so shined , that both good men glorified god by seeing his good works , and wicked , and foolish men had their mouthes stopped by his good conversation in christ , and were even enforced to give in testimony to it , maugre their malice against his holiness , and worth . in his family , towards the wife of his bosom , he walked as a man of knowledg , wisdom , and great tendeness of love : towards the rest of his houshold , as david professed he would do in the psalm , and as a bishop of pauls description , tim. . and titus . yea towards all , as a worthy pattern of love , zeal , humility , meekness , temperance , patience , gravity , and of every good work . what his constancy , and diligence was in his studie , the fruits of the great , and long travell of his mind , his works ( which praise him in all the gates of sion ) do speak to all the world , beyond that can here be spoken of him . for when all is said that can be spoken of him , so much cannot be said as his own industry speaks . in his more vacant hours he was far from being idle , or unprofitable . such as had the happiness ( which was never denied to any that desired it ) to partake of his private discourses , never returned empty from his full magazine , if they brought but vessels capable of the overflowings of his rich mind , and heart . very many excellent lights in the church have lighted their torches at his coelestial fire . many young schollars have been marvellously improved by his prudent , and pious directions , and encouragements in their studies , which now are become excellent instruments in the church of christ. if after his preaching he found no mention made of his sermon , by which he might collect , that probably some benefit had been reaped by it , he would be much dejected , as if the fault had been in his preaching ( even then when he seemed to excell himself , ) rather than in his hearers ; and used to say , that if he had preached better , they would have profited more . if any christians came to him for resolution in cases of conscience , or for counsell in straits , or for comfort in spirituall desertions , or for healing of a wounded spirit ; as god had given him an excellent spirit of discerning to judg of their condition , and of the most seasonable applicatives ; and an exquisite dexterity to speak a word in season to the weary , and fainting soul ; so he was never shie , coy , or difficult to be spoken with , nor lofty , or supercilious to any to whom he gave access ; but shewed forth all tenderness , pity , and compassion to them : he heard them fully , and patiently and wisely administred to their severall distresses , and ' ever sent them away ( as it s said that titus vespasianus did his suitors ) not only not grieved , but very well satisfied , and abundantly comforted . he was very bountifull to his kindred that needed it , and then most when their necessities swelled highest . he was very charitable , and open handed to the poor members of jesus christ : and albeit his charity shined most to those of his own flock , yet was it not shut up from strangers , but he was very liberall to them also as he found occasion . yea , when he went abroad to bestow the gospell freely upon other congregations adjacent , such poor as he found to be hearers ( unless they were known to him to take up hearing as a cloke to cover their idleness , and neglect of their callings ) never went home empty handed , but he alwayes warmed , and cheered them with his bounty , as well as instructed them with his doctrine . how much he was given to hospitality , gentlemen , ministers , neighbours , strangers , and the poor , must needs give in such an ample testimony as will hardly be credited by such as knew him not , and are strangers to a bountifull heart . he spared from himself to administer unto others ; minding more the wooing of many to receive benefit by his ministry ( some of whom might perhaps at first follow him for the loaves ) than to lay up largely for such as he should leave behind him : and choosing rather to be at a continuall charg to encourage men by his bounty ) than to suffer them to be unprovided for , when they came to partake of his ministry . when he conversed with ministers , his humility usually put him into the place of a learner : but in learning he taught , and by teaching he learned more . he was so good , and skilfull a chymick , that he seldom parted with such company , till he had gotten something by them : yet were they sure to be the greatest gainers , and he alwayes accounted it the best bargain , when others were gainers by him . his constant , and continuall preaching , seldom allowed him the much desired opportunity of hearing others : but when he could enjoy that benefit , he greedily laid hold of it : and then would this painfull bee gather hony from every flower , making a good use of the meanest gifts , and improving his own rich talent by dipping it into theirs . nor was he ever heard to slight or disparage the labours of any the least of his brethrn , that sincerely endeavoured to bring in souls unto christ : but alwayes he encouraged them , and as he found cause , informed , and directed them , and that in a prudent , and taking way , to their great advantage . in his mirth ( to which he sometimes unbended himself to recreate his overwearied mind , that with renewed strength he might return to his more serious , and severer studies ) he strictly observed the bounds of honesty , civility , modesty , and the gravity of his place ; well considering , that the least dead fly in the apothecaries choisest oyntment , causeth it to send forth an unpleasing savour . the table was usually the place of his greatest liberty in this kind , yet even there he would still interlace mirth with some sprinklings of a more serious wit , which might instruct as well as exhilerate , and make cheerful ; and contained all within the limits of sobriety , without biting sarcasmes , or unbeseeming scurrility . and usually he closed all with reading some portion of scripture , and giving some short , and profitable instructions thereupon , which might administer grace to the hearers , and leave a sweet savour , and relish upon their spirits , and whole converse . to give you a true , and full character of his whole deportment in few words . he was a good , and a faithfull steward in his masters house , alwayes abounding in the work of the lord , a pillar in the house of his god , never weary of his lords work , but best pleased when he had done most service . his conversation was immaculate , and unblameable : his behaviour uniform , and universally pious . he was grave without austerity , pleasant without levity : courteous without dissembling : free in discourse where he might profit , yet reserved where he saw cause : he was seldom the first speaker although he was best able to speak . he loved usefull discourse , but abhorred froth , and babling . he was witty without vanity , facetious without girding , or grieving of others . he knew his place , yet was not insolent : resolute he was , but not wilfull : he maintained his authority , but was not haughty . a great master he was of his own passions , and affections , and thereby abundantly furnished with the more abilities , and embellishments that most attract , and maintain the dearest love , the deepest reverence , and highest respect . he was a great admirer of learning , and piety in others , though they were far below himself in both : his affections were above , though he were below : he conversed more with heaven than with earth while he remained on it , and is now a crown of glory in the hand of the lord , and a royall diadem in the hand of his god , as being an ornament unto heaven it self . he lived in the world seventy five years ( within one moneth , ) in which long race he saw many sad changes , and sore storms beating hard upon the church , tossed with tempests , and not yet at anchor . but never was david more distressed for his dearest jonathan , than this man of bowels was for the calamities of the dear spouse of christ. he was most incessantly inquisitive after the churches estate in all countries ; a sad lamenter of all her afflictions ; a daily orator , and mighty advocate for her at the throne of grace , and never enjoyed himself , but when he descried her under sail towards some creek , or haven , wherein she might find comfort , and rest : being much in prayer and fasting for her full reformation , and perfect deliverance . some good hopes whereof he conceived in the prosperous atchievements of the great gustavus adolphus , late king of sweden ( semper augustus : ) but when he by the sad , and unsearchable providence of the only wise god , suddenly , and untimely fell , in the full carier of his victories , and of the churches hopes , and that the christian world was by his fall , hurled from the height of so great expectation , he continually mourned over the unhappy setting of that glorious northern starre , as a sad presage of all the inundations of miseries since befallen , and that still are rising higher , and higher upon the church of christ , the quick , and deep sence whereof lay close upon his heart to his dying day . neither was he without his sufferings , and dangers in our uncivil civil wars . he was affronted by rude ruffians , and bloody minded souldiers , who tyranized over him in his own house ; not permitting him quietly to enjoy himself , and his god in his private study , to which he often retired , not only from their insolencies , but from their blasphemies : even thither would they pursue him with drawn swords , vowing his instant death for not complying with them in their bloody engagements . yet it pleased that gracious god whom he had so faithfully served , to preserve him for further service , and to make that an hiding place for his preservation which they intended for his slaughter house , and after all , to bring him to his end in peace . when he had faithfully served his generation , by the will of god , in the gospel of his son for above forty seven years , he was gathered to his fathers in a good old age , full of days , and honour , by a blessed , and happy death ( the certain result of an holy life ) decemb. . anno christi . the day formerly used for celebrating the nativity of his great lord and master , the lord jesus christ. the last testimony of the peoples great love to him must not be forgotten by any that desire to preserve his precious memory in their hearts with honour . this amply appeared by their great lamentation , and mourning for him in his sickness , and at his death , and sad exequies . his funeral was extraordinarily celebrated , not only by the voluntary confluence of the greatest number of people that ever crouded into the spacious fabrick of that church ; and by many hundreds more there assembled about the door , which were unable to get in : but by multitudes of gentlemen , and ministers , all striving to out-mourn each other , standing about his hearse with tears , recounting his excellent labors , his fruitfull life , their great profiting by him ( as sometimes the widows about peter , weeping , and shewing the coats , and garments which dorcas made while she was with them ) every one aggravating their griefs , and losses in his gain , and striving who should honour him most in bearing his body to the bed of rest. the testimony given him at his interment by him who performed that last office of love with many tears , and which he knowingly spake from his long , and intimate acquaintance , and conversing with him almost forty years together , take with you for a close in that ministers own words out of the pulpit . although ( said he ) funeral orations are commonly , either the vain flourishes of mercinary tongues , or the weak supports of an emendicated fame ; and since good mens works shall praise them in the gates , it is but to light a candle to the sun : and since bad mens works cannot be covered with so thin a daub ; it is but to paint arotten post. yet some testimony is due to such as having obtained a more eminent place in christs mystical body , the church , have also been instruments of more than ordinary good to his members . samuel died a judge , a prophet ; a great man , a good man in israel , and all the israelites were gathered together ( to honour his obsequies ) and lamented him , and buried him , sam. . . to say nothing then of so rich a cargazoon , so full a magazine , so rare a subject of all commendable qualities , and admirable endowments , were a frustrating of your eager expectations . to say little , were a wrong to him that deserved so much ; to say much , were both a derogation from his merits , that may challenge , and an imputation upon your judgements and affections that will acknowledg more due , than i can now deliver . nevertheless , since the memorial of the just is a sweet perfume , give me leave to strew a few of his own flowers upon his herse , and i will discharge your patience . his holy life , and consciencious courses , his constant labors thrice a week in the ministery of the gospel ( unless in times of sickness , or necessitated restraint ) for the space of forty seven years ( wherein he could give an account of above seven thousand elaborate sermons preached by him ) are so well known , not only in this , or the neighbour parishes , but through the whole county , and the country round about , that i need not mention them . few men ever ran so long a race without cessation , or cespitation , so constantly , so unweariedly , so unblamably . all which time he was a burning , and a shining light , joyfully spending , and being spent for the good of gods people . many , many of whom he hath guided to heaven before him , who received the beginnings of spiritual life from his ministry ; and many more shall walk in that light after him . and from his splendent lamp , divers faithfull ministers ( some triumphant before him , some militant after him ) have lighted their candles : his tuesdays lecture being more profitable to teach usefull divinity than an academy , whereby he did not only , dolare lapides , sed artifices . two things ( rarely met in one man ) were both eminent in him : a quick invention , and a sound judgement , and these accompanied with a clear expression , and a gracefull elocution . to which integrity , and humility being joyned , made him a transcendent minister , and a compleat christian. in his sickness ( full of biting pains , which he bore with great patience ) it was his greatest grief that god had taken him off from his labour , which was his life and joy . his heavenly mind ( like the heavenly bodies ) counted his work no weariness . if he were weary in work , he was yet never weary of work . his spirit was still willing when the flesh was weak : and he often used to say in his health , si per hanc viam mors , sum immortalis : and in his weakness , odi artus , fragilemque hunc corporis usum desertorem animi . and when he saw no more ability for labors , he accounted it superfluous to live ; and chearfully , not only yielded , but patiently desired to die , in a satiety , and fulness of life ; not as meat loathed ( as many times natural men do ) but as a dish , though well liked , that he had fed his full of . he had his intellectuals strong in a weak body ; witness his last swan-like song in this place , the sweet doctrine of our adoption in jesus christ , on rom. . . ( so far he had gone in that chapter ) most clearly , and acuratly delivered , and aptly distinguished from justification , and sanctification : yet that day , october . going to church , and sensible of his own weakness , he said to a dear friend ( who told him that he came to see , and hear him ) perhaps it may be my last ; as to all our loss , it was indeed . and as if his motion in gods work , had been natural , he was more quick , more vigorous toward his center , and , like the sun , shewed his greatest light , when he was nearest his setting . his last ministerial duty privately done in great weakness of body ( unable to go to the church ) was the baptizing of two children , wherein he streamed such beames of divinity ; sounded such bowels of humanity , shewed such sweetness of affection to his charge , that i seriously wished his whole congregation had heard him , in this departing farewell . and being told how well it was approved , he replyed with tears , in great humility , lord , what am i ? what am i ? to diverse of his loving neighbours , visiting him , he often protested , that doctrine that he had taught them , was the truth of god , as he should answer at the tribunal of christ , whereunto he was hasting , exhorting them to stand fast therein , as he most affectionately prayed for them , professing of them with joy , i have kind friends , kind neighbours , lord reward them all , and grant they may find mercy with him in that day . his desire was to give to his neighbours ( if enough could have been had his printed catechism , which ( to my knowledge ) hath had the approbation , and commendation of the profoundest , and accutest judgements in both universities ; and well it might , being a compleat body of orthodox divinity , and to have this assertion of the apostle peter written before it , — exhorting , and testifying that this is the true grace of god wherein ye stand — and to subscribe his name to it . after he had in himself received the sentence of death approaching ( which he chearfully did , when he saw no more likelihood of labour ) he desired his friends not to pray for his life ; but pray god ( said he ) for faith , for patience , for repentance , for joy in the holy ghost ; and the lord heard him in that he desired , for he was a rare pattern in all these , as ( amongst many others ) these gracious words of his may witness , lord ( said he ) cast me down as low as hell in repentance , and lift me up by faith to the highest heavens in confidence of thy salvation . i wish our proud , presumptuous , impenitentiaries had heard him crying for repentance , and seen him weeping for grace . it might , perhaps , have melted their stony hearts . as he was full of days , so was he full of grace , full of peace , full of assurance : the tuesday before he departed , this day seven night ( said he ) is the day on which we have used to remember christs nativity , and on which day i have preached christ , i shall scarce live to see it ; but , for me was that child born , unto me was that son given , who is , wonderfull , councellor , the mighty god , the everlasting father , the prince of peace . and no less full was he of true honour for his worth , and work sake in the hearts of all that feared god ; his memory shall be blessed , and his name a sweet perfume to posterity , when the names of his reproachfull scorners ( the last brood of beelzebub ) shall rot , and stink , and be an abhorring to all slesh . he is now come to the end of his labour , and the beginning of his rest . his work was with his god , and his reward shall be from his god : now he sees the blessed , and blessing face of god , which is the glory of all sights , and the sight of all glory . thus set this bright occidental star : a star of the first magnitude . one of the first , and i dare say ( without envy of any , that knew him , and that knows himself ) one of the most glorious lights that ever shone in this orb , or ever is like to arise in this horizon . o! how is such a publick loss to be lamented ! of such a champion of christ ! such an atlas of the truth ! that set his shoulders to support the shaken pillars thereof in these days of abounding , and abetted errours . well may this parish mourn , well may this country , well may his friends , his family : well may we of the ministry bewail it , saying , o my father , my father , the chariots of israel , and the horsemen thereof ! ah my brother , my brother ! i am distressed for thee , very pleasant hast thou been unto me : lovely and gracious in life , lovely and glorious in death . — heu tua nobis morte simul tecum solatia rapta ! i end in one word of exhortation , you that have heard the joyfull sound of this ( now broken ) silver trumpet so long , remember that by the space of forty , and seven years , he ceased not to warn every one with tears : remember what he hath spoken while he lived : remember what he yet speaks being dead ? hold fast the form of sound words which ye have heard of him . hold fast the faithfull word which he hath taught you . hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering . take heed of wolves : beware of dogs : take heed of men : men of perverse minds , speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them . although the prophets die , yet gods word spoken by them shall live for ever , and will do good to them that walk uprightly , and shall take hold on them that obey it not . so let us leave our brother in the bed of honour , till the joyfull morning of the resurrection of the just , when he , amongst them that have turned many unto righteousness , shall shine as the stars , for ever , and ever . the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance , psal. . . the issues of his brain and heart made publick , were only these ; first , that exquisite , and accurate , guide to true blessedness ( so often reprinted , and so highly esteemed by all that read it through , with understanding , and care . then ( at several times ) he gave way to four occasional , and select sermons , viz. the waking sleep . the ministerial husbandry . the discovery of the heart ; and death subdued . that wherein he had taken most pains ( which since is published in print by dr. burgess , and mr. w. gregory ) is an excellent treatise , wherein his main design , in very apposite , and acutely distinguishing characters , was to lay open , not those more apparent , and obvious contrarieties of vertues in holy , and vices in wicked men , evident unto ordinary capacities upon the first aspect ; but the more hidden , and less discerned difference between the plausibly● seeming vertues of evil men , and the real graces of the truly godly : as likewise between the raigning sins of hypocrites , and the daily infirmities of the saints , which many times , even by quick-sighted spectators , are both mistaken . in prosecution whereof , he first brings forth the hypocrite in his best dress , and attire , and then sets by him a regenerate man living up to his rule : adding the differences between them , thereby to unmask the hypocrite , and to detect his incroachments upon the name , and priviledges of the saints . secondly , he sets out a true childe of god , labouring under infirmities , and an hypocrite under the power of sin ( which cannot consist with saving grace ) notwithstanding all his flourishes , that so he may clearly distinguish a christian in black , from a counterfeit in white , and between the bewailed weaknesses of the saints , and the wilfull wandrings of the wicked . a work no less needfull to all , than gratefull to the soul-sound , self-searching christian , that labours for sincerity , and the assurance of it . but the iniquity of the times , full of hypocrisie , and atheism , hating , and hindering such discoveries , and by all means discouraging those that would make them ( together with the authors constant imployment , even unto the impairing of his strength , and spirits in feeding his flock ) disabled him from compleating that admirable piece . sundry other issues of his fertile , and excellent wit , and curious invention he left behind him , as divers choice , and sacred aphorisms , anatomica , nosognostica , pathologica , therapeutica , physiologica , and prophylactica : as also divers divine emblemes , and similitudes ; all eminent demonstrations of his exquisite abilities , and profitable improvements of them . the life and death of mr. john cotton , who died an. christi . john cotton was born at derby , anno christi . his parents were persons of considerable quality , and of good reputation . their condition , as to the things of this life , competent : neither unable to defray the expences of his education in good literature , nor so abounding , as to be a temptation on the other hand unto the neglect thereof : and god , who had then predetermined this then tender plant , to be a tree of life , for the feeding of many thousands , and to be a chosen vessel to bear his name before the nations , in way thereunto , he inspired his parents with an effectuall sollicitude concerning the ordering of this their son in his minority . this care in his parents was quickly above expectation answered in the first-fruits of their sons proficiency , who more , and more encreased great hopes concerning him throughout the whole time of his minority , wherein he was trained up in the grammar school of derby . when he was about the age of thirteen , he was admitted into trinity college in cambridg , where his industry was great , and his profiting in the arts , and languages above his equals , so far commended him to the master , and fellows , as that he had undoubtedly been chosen fellow of that college , had not their extraordinary expence about building of their great hall at that time put it by , or at least , deferred their election , untill some longer time . from trinity he was removed to emanuel , that happy seminary both of piety , and learning : and in that society the lord gave him favour , so that in due time he was honoured with a fellowship amongst them ; when he was elected to it , after a diligent , and strict examination according to the statutes of the college ; wherein this is not unworthy the taking notice of ; that when the poser came to examine him in the hebrew tongue , the place that he made triall of him by , was that portion of scripture , isaiah the d , wherein the prophet declaims against the pride , and haughtiness of the daughters of sion ; which text hath more hard words in it , than any other place of the bible , within so short a compass : and therefore , though a present construction , and resolution thereof , might have put a good hebrician to a stand , yet such was his ability , and dexterity , as made those hard words facil , and easie , and rendred him a prompt respondent . and this providence is further remarkable about him , that whereas his father ( whose calling was towards the law ) was but obscure , and had not many clients that made use of his advice in law-matters before ; it pleased god after his sons going to cambridg , to bless him with great practice , so that he was very able to keep him there , and to allow him full , and liberall maintenance ; insomuch as this blessed man hath been oft heard to say , god kept me in the university . being thus advanced , he was in the place of improvement , beset with examples as so many objects of better emulation . if he slacken his pace , his compeers will leave him behinde : and though he quicken it , there are still those that are before him : but he was , not only a lover of labour , but communicative of his learning , and therefore he proved a diligent tutor , and had many young students committed to his care . he was a didactical-man , both able , and apt to teach : and truly ability to instruct youth argues a wise man : and to be willing to teach , argues a good man : for goodness is communicative : and such was his academical dexterity , that he could impart ( as scaliger speaks ) the felicities of wit to his hearers , so accomodating and insinuating the matter in hand , as that his pupils might both perceive their profiting , and taste the sweetness of that wherein they profited . thus by his school-stratagems he won the hearts of his pupils both to himself , and to a desire of learning : they were each to other as the prophets , and the sons of the prophets : his pupils were honourers , and lovers of him : and he was a tutor , a friend , and a father unto them . the manner of his conversion , according to his own relation was thus . during his residence in the university , god began to work upon him by the ministery of mr. william perkins of blessed memory : but the motions , and stirrings of his heart which then were , he suppressed , thinking that if he should trouble himself with matters of religion , according to the light he had then received , it would be an hinderance to him in his studies , which then he had much addicte● himself unto . therefore he was willing to silence those suggestions , and inward callings which he had from gods spirit , and did wittingly defer the prosecution of that work until afterwards . at length , as he was walking in the fields , he heard the bell tolling for mr. perkins , who lay a dying , whereupon he was secretly glad in his heart , that he should now be rid of him , who had ( as he said ) laid siege to , and beleagured his heart . this became matter of much affliction to him afterwards , god keeping it upon his spirit , with the aggravation of it , and making it an effectual means of convincing , and humbling him in the sight , and sense of the natural enmity that is in mans nature against god. afterward hearing dr. sibs ( then mr. sibs ) preaching a sermon about regeneration , wherein he shewed , first , what regeneration was not , and so opening the state of a meer civil man , mr. cotton saw his own condition fully discovered , which ( through gods mercy ) did drive him to a stand , as plainly seeing himself , destitute of true grace , all his false hopes , and grounds now failing him : and so he lay for a long time , in an uncomfortable despairing way : and of all other things this was his heaviest burden , that he had wittingly withstood the means , and offers of grace and mercy which he found had been tendered to him ; thus he continued till it pleased god to let in a word of faith into his heart , and to cause him to look unto christ for his healing , which word also was dispensed unto him by the same doctor sibs , which begat in him a singular , and constant love to the said doctor , of whom he was also answerably beloved . that which frist made him famous in cambridge , was his funeral oration for doctor some , master of peter house , which was so accurately performed in respect of invention , elegancy , purity of stile , ornaments of rhetorick , elocution , and oratorious beauty of the whole , as that he was thenceforth looked at as another xenophon , or musa attica , throughout the university . some space of time intervening , he was called to preach at st. maries , where he preached a university sermon , with high applause from the academical wits , insomuch as the fame of his learning grew greater , and greater . and afterwards being again called to preach in the same place ( as one oration of pericles left his hearers with an appetite after another ) so the memory of his former accurate exercises , filled the colleges , especially the young students , with a fresh expectation of such elegancies of learning , as made them flock to the sermon with an athenian itch after some new thing , as to the ornaments of rhetorick , and abstruser notions of philosophy . but his spirit now savouring of the cross of christ more than of humane literature , and being taught of god to distinguish between the word of wisdom , and the wisdom of words , his speech , and preaching was not now with the enticing words of mans wisdom , but in the demonstration of the spirit , and of power . the disappointed expectation of the auditory soon appeared in their countenances , and the discouragement of their non-acceptance returned him unto his chamber , not without some sad thoughts of heart : where yet he had not been long , but lo , dr. preston ( then mr. preston ) knocks at his chamber door , and coming in , acquainted him with his spiritual condition , and tells him how it had pleased god to work effectually upon his heart by that sermon : after which dr. preston ever highly prized him , and both fully , and strongly closed with him : which real seal of god unto his ministery much comforted his soul , far above what the present less acceptance of the auditory had dejected him , or their former acceptance had encouraged him . his concio ad clerum , or latine sermon , which he preached when he proceeded bachelor of divinity ( which was after he had been at boston about half a year ) was very much admired , and commended . his text was , mat. . . vos estis sal terrae : quod si sal infatuatus fuerit , quo salietur ? ye are the salt of the earth ; but if the salt hath lost its savour , wherewith shall it be salted ? in handling of which text , both the weight of the matter , the elegancy of phrase , rhetorical strains , grave , sweet , and spiritual pronunciation , rendred him yet more famous . the like did his answering of the divinity act in the schools , having a very acute opponent [ mr. william chappel ] to dispute with him . so that in cambridge the name of mr. cotton was much set by . unto this earthen vessel , thus filled with heavenly treasure , the inhabitants of boston in lincolnshire , made their address , saying , come and help us . and in that candlestick the father of lights placed this burning , and shining light : to whom he removed from cambridge about the twenty eight year of his age. at his first coming , he met with some obstructions from the diocesan , then bishop barlo , who told him that he was a young man , and therefore unfit to be set over such a divided people : mr. cotton being ingenious , and undervaluing himself , thought so too , and purposed to return to the college again : but some of his boston friends , understanding that one simon biby was to be spoken with , who was neer to the bishop , they presently charmed him , and so the business proceeded without any further trouble , and mr. cotton was admitted into the place after their manner in those days . two things are here not unworthy our observation , which mr. cotton would sometimes speak of to his friends : first , that in the beginning of his ministery he was exercised with some inward troubles which much dejected him . and indeed , good spirits are much bettered by their conflicts with the worst of spirits : spiritual preachers are often trained up in the school of temptation . so true is that theological maxime , meditation , prayer , and temptation make a divine . this dispensation of the all-wise god , he afterwards found , not only to be beneficiall unto him , in preparing his heart for his work : but also that it became an effectual means of his more peaceable , and comfortable settlement in that place , where the people were divided amongst themselves , by reason of a potent man in the town , who adhered to another cambridge man whom he would faign have brought in . but when he saw mr. cotton wholly taken up with his own exercises of spirit , he was free from all suspition of his being pragmatical , or addicted to siding with this or that party ; and so both he and his party began to close more fully with him . secondly , whereas there was an arminian party in that town , some of whom were witty , and troubled others with disputes about those points ; by gods blessing upon his labours in holding forth positively such truths , as undermined the foundations of arminianism , those disputes ceased , and the tenets of arminianism were no more pleaded for . thus god disposeth of the hearts of hearers , as that generally they are all open and loving to their preachers at their first entrance . for three or four years he lived , and preached amongst them without opposition . they accounted themselves happy ( as well they might ) in the enjoyment of him ; both the town and country thereabouts being much bettered , and reformed by his labours . but after he was not able to bear the ceremonies imposed , his non-conformity occasioned his trouble in the bishops court at lincoln , from whence he was advised to appeal to an higher court : and imploying mr. leveret ( who afterwards was one of the ruling elders of the church of boston in new england ) to deal in that business , and he ( like jacob ) being a plain man , yet piously subtile to get such a spiritual blessing , so far insinuated himself into one of the proctors of that high-court , that mr. cotton was treated by them , as if he were a conformable man , and so was restored unto boston . after this time he was blessed with a successfull ministry unto the end of twenty years . in which space he on the lords dayes in the afternoons , went over the whole body of divinity in a catechistical way thrice , and gave the heads of his discourse to those that were yong scholars , & others in the town , to answer his questions in publick in that great congregation : and after their answers , he opened those heads of divinity ; and finally applied all to the edification of his people , and of such strangers as came to hear him . in the morning of the lords dayes he preached over the first six chapters of the gospel of st. john : the whole book of ecclesiastes ; the prophesie of zachariah , and many other scriptures ; and when the lords supper was administred ( which was usual every mon●th ) he preached upon , corinth . . & chron. . the whole chapter , besides some other scriptures concerning that subject . on his lecture days , he preached through the whole first , and second epistles of john , the whole book of solomons song ; the parables of our saviour set forth in matthews gospel to the end of chapter the th . comparing them with mark and luke : he took much pains in private , and read to sundry young scholars that were in his house , and to some that came out of germany , and had his house full of auditors : afterwards , seeing some inconvenience in the peoples flocking to his house , besides his ordinary lecture on the thursdays , he preached thrice more in publick on the week days : viz. on wednesdays , and thursdays , early in the morning , and on saturdays at three a clock in the afternoon . only these three last lectures were performed by him but some few years before he had another famous colleague . he was frequent in duties of humiliation , and thanksgiving : sometimes he continued five or six hours in prayer , and opening the word : so indefatigable was he in the lords work : so willing to spend , and be spent therein . besides , he answered many letters that were sent him far and near , wherein were handled many difficult cases of conscience , and many doubts cleared to great satisfaction . he was a man exceedingly beloved , and admired of the best , and reverenced of the worst of his hearers . he was in great favour with dr. williams , the then bishop of lincoln , who much esteemed him for his learning , and when he was lord keeper of the great seal , he went to king james , and speaking of mr. cottons great learning and worth ; the king was willing , notwithstanding his non-conformity , to give way that he should have his liberty in his ministry without interruption : which was the more remarkable considering how that kings spirit was carried out against such wayes . also , the earl of dorchester , being at old boston , and hearing mr. cotton preaching about civil government , he was so affected with the wisdom of his words , and spirit , that he did ever after highly account of him , and put himself forth what he could in the time of mr. cottons troubles to deliver him out of them , that so his boston might still enjoy him as formerly ; but his desires were too strongly opposed to be accomplished . about this time he married his second wife , mistriss sarah story , then a widow . he was blessed above many in his marriages , both his wives being pious mat●ons , grave , sober , and faithfull . by the first he had no children : the last , god made a fruitfull vine unto him : his first-born was brought forth far off upon the sea , in his passage to new england : so that he being childless when he left europe , arrived a joyfull father in america : in memorial whereof he called his name sea-born , to keep alive ( said he ) in me , and to teach my son , if he live , a remembrance of sea-mercies , from the hand of a gracious god : he is yet living , and entred into the work of the ministry . a son of many prayers , and of great expectation . the corruption of the times being now such , that he could not continue in the exercise of his ministery without sin ; and the envy of his maligners having now procured letters missive to convent him before the high commission court , which letters a debauched inhabitant of that town undertook to serve upon him ( who shortly after died of the plague . ) mr. cotton having intelligence thereof , and well-knowing that nothing but scorns , and imprisonment were to be expected from them , according to the advice of many able heads , and upright hearts ( amongst whom that holy man of god , mr. dod , of blessed memory , had a singular influence ) he kept himself close for a time , in , and about london , as luther sometime did at wittenberg ; and paraeus since at anvilla : yet was not that season of his recess unprofitable : for addresses during that time were made unto him privately by divers persons of worth , and piety , who received satisfaction from him in their cases of conscience of greatest concernment . and when he went into new england , it was not a flight from duty , but from evident danger , and unto duty : not from the profession of the truth , but unto a more opportune place for the profession of it . when mr. cotton arrived at new england , his manner of entrance unto them was with much blessing . for at his first coming he found them not free from troubles about setling the matters both of church and commonwealth . at which time , being requested , he preached before the general court : his text was , haggai . . yet now be strong , o zerubbabel , saith the lord , be strong , o joshua the son of josedek , the high priest , and be strong all ye people of the land , saith the lord , and work : for i am with you , saith the lord of hosts : and the lord working mightily by this sermon , all obstructions were presently removed , and the spirits of all sorts , as one man , were excited unanimously , and vigorously in the work of the lord from that very day . in order whereunto , the court considering , that all the members of that republick , were also church members , and therefore to be governed according to the law of god , they desired mr. cotton to draw an abstract of the judicial laws delivered from god to moses , so far forth as they were of moral , i. e. of perpetual , and universal equity ; which accordingly he did , advising them to persist in their purpose of establishing a theocraty , i. e. gods government , over gods people . from this time it was a usual thing for the magistrates to consult with the ministers in hard and difficult cases , especially about matters of religion : yet so , as notwithstanding occasional conjunction , religious care was had of avoiding confusion of councils . after which time how usefull master cotton was to old england , to new england , to magistrates , to ministers , to people , in publick , in private , by preaching , by counsel , and resolving difficult questions , all know that knew him , and consequently saw the grace of god so evidently manifested in him . in the course of his ministry in new boston , by way of exposition he went over the old testament to isaiah the . the whole new testament once through , and the second time to the middle of hebrews the th . upon the lords days , and lecture days , he preached through the acts of the apostles : the prophesies of haggai , zechariah , ezra , the revelations , ecclesiastes , canticles : the second , and third epistles of john , the epistle to titus , both the epistles to timothy ; the epistle to the romans , with other scriptures . the presence of the lord being with him , and crowning his labours with the conversion of many souls , and the edification of thousands . besides these aforementioned labors , he hath many pieces in print , which being well known , need not be here enumerated . his youth was unstained , whence he was so much the more capable of being an excellent instrument in the church in his elder days . he that will do good in the church , must have a good report of them which are without , lest he fall into the reproach , and snare of the devil , tim. . . st. augustine tels us , that a good life is requisite in respect of our selves , but a good name is requisite in respect of others . we may be good men if we have a good conscience , but we are not like to do much good , if we have not a good name . he was a general scholar , studious to know all things , the want whereof might in one of his profession be denomitated ignorance , and piously ignorant of those things , the nescience whereof made him more learned . deservedly therefore is his praise great in all the churches , that he not only gave himself to the acquiring of learning , but exceeded many that had done vertuously therein . he excelled in the greater part of the encuclopaidia . those which best knew his goings out , and his coming in , cannot but give a large testimony to his piety . he was a saint ( above many of the saints ) manifestly declared in the consciences of the godly amongst whom he walked , to be the epistle of christ , known , and read of all men . in his house he walked with a perfect heart . he was an example to the flock ; clothed with love , and humility amongst his brethren : one of a thousand in respect of his worth : but ( as it is reported of dr. whitaker ) as one of the multitude in respect of his facile , and companion-like behaviour . both ability , and modesty in such a degree , are not ordinarily to be found in the same man. others with much affection beheld the beauty of his face , whilest himself was as one who knew not that his face shined . he was a father , friend , and brother to his fellow-elders , and a shining light before all men . he well knew that a bishop ought not to be defective in the well government of his family : he must be one that rules well his own house : in conscience whereof , he himself rising betimes in the morning , as soon as he was ready , he called his family together ( which was also his practice in the evening ) to the solemn worship of god , reading , and expounding , and occasionally also applying the scriptures unto them , alwayes beginning , and ending with prayer . in case of sin committed by child or servant , he would call them aside privately ( the matter so requiring ) laying the scriptures before them , and causing them to read that part which bore witness against such an offence : seldome or never correcting in anger , that the dispensation of godly discipline might not be impured , or become less effectuall , through the intermixing of humane passion . he began the sabbath , on the saturday evening : and therefore then performed family duties after supper , being larger then ordinary in exposition , after which he catechized his children , and servants , and then returned into his study . the morning following , family worship being ended , he retired into his study untill the bell called him away . upon his return from the congregation , he returned again into his study ( the place of his labour , and prayer ) unto his private devotion ; where ( having a small repast carried him up for his dinner ) he continued till the toling of the bell. the publick service being ended , he withdrew for a space into his aforementioned oratory , for his sacred addresses unto god , as in the forenoon : then came down , repeated the sermon in his family , prayed , and after supper sang a psalm , and , towards bed time , betaking himself again to his study , he closed the day with prayer . thus he spent the sabbath continually . in his study , he neither sate down unto , nor arose from his meditations without prayer : whilest his eyes were upon his book , his expectation was from god. he had learned to study , because he had learned to pray . an able student is a gospel student , because unable to study without jesus christ. the barrenness of his meditation at some times , yea though his endeavour was most intense upon a good matter , convinced him whence it was , that his heart musing upon the same subject at another time , his tongue became as the pen of a ready writer . as he was not ( comparatively ) wanting in parts , learning , or industry ; so was he most carefull not to trust in them , but to fix his dependance wholly upon god. herein he was not unlike to blessed bradford who studied kneeling . another synesius , who was wont to divide his life between prayer , and his book . like unto paul , not sufficient of himself to think any thing as of himself , and professing all his sufficiency to be of god. but we will give our selves ( say the apostles ) continually unto prayer , and to the ministry of the word . men of labour , they were , and men of prayer . as any weighty cause presented it self either in the church , commonwealth , or his family , he used to set dayes apart to seek the face of god in secret : such were the bowels of this spirituall father , the horsmen , and chariots of this israel . he might say with paul , he was in fastings often . his conversation upon earth was a trading in heaven . a demonstration of the praises of him who hath called him . a temperature of that holiness , sweetness , and love , which continually gained upon the hearts of many spectators . the habituall gracious scope of his heart in his whole ministry , is not illegible in that usuall subscription of his at the end of all his sermons , tibi domine . unto thy honour , o lord. a tast of the divine soliloquies between god and his soul , you may please to take notice of from these two transcribed poems left behind him in his study , written with his own hand . a thankfull acknowledgement of gods providence . in mothers womb thy fingers did me make , and from the womb thou did'st me safely take : from breast thou hast me nurst my life throughout , that i may say i never wanted ought . in all my meales my table thou hast spread , in all my lodgings thou hast made my bed : thou hast me clad with changes of array , and chang'd my house for better far away . in youthfull wandrings thou didst stay my slide , in all my journeys thou hast been my guide : thou hast me sav'd from many an unknown danger , and shew'd me favour even where i was a stranger . in both my callings thou hast heard my voice , in both my matches thou hast made my choise : thou gav'st me sons , and daughters them to peer . and giv'st me hope thou l't learn them thee to fear . oft have i seen thee look with mercies face , and through thy christ have felt thy saving grace : this is the heav'n on earth , if any be : for this , and all , my soul doth worship thee . another made by him ( as it seems ) upon his remove from boston into that wilderness of n. engl. i now may expect some changes of miseries , since god hath made me sure , that himself by them all will purge mine iniquities as fire makes silver pure . then what though i find the deep deceitfulness of a distrustfull heart ? yet i know with the lord is abundant faithfulness , he will not lose his part . when i think of the sweet , and gracious company that at boston once i had , and of the long peace of a fruitfull ministry for twenty years enjoy'd . the joy that i found in all that happiness doth still so much refresh me , that the grief to be cast out into a wilderness doth not so much distress me . for when god saw his people , his own at our town , that together they could not hit it , but that they had learned the language of askelon , and one with another could chip it . he then saw it time to send in a busie elf , a joyner to take them asunder : that so they might learn each one to deny himself and so to piece together . when the breach of their bridges , and all their banks and of him that school teaches ; when the breach of the plague , and of their trade also arow , could not learn them to see their breaches . then god saw it time to break out on their ministers , by loss of health , and peace ; yea withall , to break in upon their magistrates , that so their pride might cease . a disputation is well called the sieve of truth : so in his polemical labors he was a seeker thereof in love : his scope was , the glory of god , unity of the church , and the edification of men , not the ostentation of wit. it was his holy ambition , not to seem to be learned , but indeed to be bettered . a sincere seeker of light , not of victory . witness his brotherly acceptance of dr. twiss his examination of mr. cottons treatise of predestination , from whom he acknowledged that he received light thereby , and was ready to attest the great abilities of the doctor , that star ( if any in this age ) of the first magnitude . it is true , mr. cottons mind was then exercised about the point of reprobation . touching the point of election , it is sufficiently known that he was not only orthodox , but also cleer . as there were of old that pretended the predestinarian heresie to have had it's rise from st. austin , and grevinchovius of late blushed not to say of famous dr. ames , who was , arminianorum malleus , amesius pelagianizat . dr. ames playes the pelagian : so , the wonder is less , if this sound , and judicious divine hath not escaped the imputation of arminianism from some , notwithstanding the redundant testimony of his doctrine , and generally of all that knew him , to the contrary ; yea , that occasionally he hath been heard to say , by testimony yet alive , and above exception , that he looked at arminianism as another gospel , and directly contrary to the covenant of grace . what melancthon sometimes said to eccius , may be here truly applied to him : mr. cotton in his disputations sought not his own glory , but gods truth so able an opponent was rare , so candid an opponent was more rare . he that fell into his hands , was likely to fall soft enough ordinarily ( except through his own default ) not likely to lose any thing save his error . a mans wisdom makes his face to shine : he had an happy , a quick comprehensive , and benign understanding , as having received the manifestation of the spirit , for the service and profit of others . to discover the mind of god , and therewith the sentence of judgment , in matters too hard for inferiour judges , was no small part , both of the worth , and usefulness of him that was to minister before the lord. so it seemed good to the father of lights to make this happy instrument , not only to excel his brethren , but in many respects , upon this account to excel himself : a grace so far acknowledged in him , as that all sorts , both the magistrates , and private persons , whether learned , or unlearned , exercised with their respective cases of conscience , waited under god , in a special manner upon his lips for knowledge , and sought the law at his mouth . so equal a contention between learning and meekness , is seldom visible in any one person . ●he consciences of those that knew him being appealed to , he will be acknowledged amongst the meekest on earth in his dayes . so conspicuous was this grace in him , that multitudes beheld it , not without making extraordinary mention thereof . it is true , he had an advantage above many in his natural constitution , and it's influence from his education , heightened intellectuals , and moralities , was not inconsiderable ; but that which gave the being of meekness , which sanctified , and perfected all , was the grace of christ. he was of an accute apprehension , and therefore sensible of , but yet so little in his own sight , that he was not easily provoked by an injury . sensibleness of dishonor done to god by sin , or of what the offender had done unto himself by sinning , left such impressions upon him , as that his taking notice of any injury done unto himself , was not usually taken notice of . he had well learned that lesson of gregory : it is better many times to fly from an injury by silence , than to overcome it by replying . it was grynaeus his manner , to revenge wrongs by christian taciturnity . if inferiors expostulated unnecessarily with him , he would patiently hear them , and give them a brotherly account , pacifying their minds with a gentle , grave , and respectiv● answer . take one instance in this kind instead of many ; unto one of his hearers , then sick of singularities , and therefore the less able to bear sound doctrine , following him home after his publick labours in the congregation , and instead of better incouragement , telling him that his ministry was become either dark , or flat : he gently answered ? both , brother , without further opening his mouth in his own defence ; choosing rather to own the imputation , than to expostulate with the imputer . disputations are great trials of the spirits of intelligent men . hooper and ridley were patient martyrs , but somewhat impatient disputers . the synod held at cambridge in new england , as matters were then circumstanced ; was unto this good man an hour of temptation , above what had ordinarily befaln him in his pilgrimage : yet such was his eminent behaviour throughout , as argued in the consciences of the spectators singular patience , and left him a mirrour for the temperament , mildness , and government of his spirit . pious meekness fits for church society . yet though he was so gentle , meek , and flexible , that men might perswade him above what could be expected usually from a man of his worth , in the things of god he was steadfast , and unmovable . the sanctuary cannot want the fire that is from heaven , neither may it be touched with the fire that is from hell. gentleness of disposition , when actuated by christ , makes us so much the more acceptable , and profitable unto man : but if the spirit withdraweth his assistance , we fall short of reaching gods ends , and the seasonable suppressing of exorbitancies . if this good man had alwayes had that voice sounding in his heart , which one wished that mild lantgrave of hessen might have heard from the smiths forge : duresce , duresce ; utinam & lantgravius durescat : happily there are that think some disorders , disturbances , and irregularities might , by gods blessing , have been prevented . but ordinarily , and in matters of greatest weight the lord was with him . though his forbearance was both observable , and very imitable in things that concerned himself ; yet he could not forbear them whom he knew to be evil . an experience whereof he manifested some heterodox spirits , by their specious discourses about free-grace and subtle concealings of their principles , so far deceived him into a better opinion of them than there was cause , as that notwithstanding they fathered their errors upon him in general , and abused his doctrine to the countenancing of their denial of inherent grace in particular , yet was he slow to beleeve these things of them , and slower to bear witness against them . but so soon as the truth herein appeared to him , hear his own words taken out of his letter to mr. davenport ; the truth is ( saith he ) the body of the island is bent to backslding into errour , and delusions : the lord pitty , and pardon them , and me also , who have been so slow to see their windings and subtil contrivances , and insinuations in all their transactions , whilst they propagated their opinions under my expressions diverted to their constructions . yea such was his ingenuity and piety as that his soul was not satisfied without often breaking forth into affectionate bewailing of his infirmity herein in the publick assemblies , sometimes in his prayer , sometimes in his sermon , and that with tears . he was a man of an ingenuous and pious candour , rejoycing ( as opportunity was offered ) to take notice of , and to bear witness to the gifts of god in his brethren , thereby drawing the hearts of them to him , and of others to them , and that to the encouragement of them , and the edification of many . he did not think himself a loser by putting honour upon his fellow-labourers , but was willing that they should communicate with him in the love and esteem of the people . he was not only a son of peace , enjoying continually the feast of a good conscience , with serenity and tranquillity of affections at home , but also a peace-maker , quallified by the graces aforementioned to be a choice instrument in the hand of the prince of peace amongst the churches , where if any difference arose , mr. cotton was ready ( being called thereunto ) to afford his help for the composin ; of them ; and had a singular faculty and ability therein , by reason of that excellent wisdome , and moderation of spirit which god in christ had given him , whose blessing also did ordinarily crown his endeavours with good success . he was one , the reality of whose profession gave many cause to bless god for the kindness of the lord shewed unto all sorts by him . his portion in the things of this life , exempted him from being an object of envy in that behalf ; yet behold , quantum ex quantillo , so much communicated out of so little ; we may not here be altogether silent concerning the grace of god bestowed upon him , whereby according to his power , yea above his power , he was benificent unto others , but especially to those of the houshold of faith. the gospel opened his heart , his lips , and the doors of his house . he well remembred that scripture , there is that scattereth , and yet encreaseth , and there is that withholdeth more than is meet , but it tendeth to poverty . as also , the liberal soul shall be made fat . amongst others , his fellow-labourers in the ministry were entertained with peculiar contentment . by one instance see his spirit in the rest , a certain minister who had gotten into the fellowship of that eminent man mr. arthur hildersham , and many other godly preachers , being acquainted with their secrets , betrayed them into the prelates hands . this man coming afterwards to boston , and meeting with mr. cotton , this ga●us had not the heart to speak to him , nor to invite him to his house , which ( he said ) he never neglected to his knowledge , to any stranger before , much less to any of his own order . some years since there was brought unto boston a report of the necessity of the poor saints at sigataea , a little church whereof the reverend mr. white was their faithful pastor , which suffered much extremity by reason of the persecution of their then prevailing adversaries , forcing them from bermudas into the desart continent . the sound of whose distress was no sooner heard of , but you might have heard the sounding of his bowels , with many others , applying themselves to a speedy collection , and sending it to them on purpose for their seasonable relief , the sum was about seven hundred pounds , two hundred whereof he gathered in the church of boston , no man in the contribution exceeding , and but one equalling his bounty . and it was remarkable that this contribution arrived there the very day after those poor people were brought to a personal division of that little meal then remaining in the barrel , and not seeing ( according to man ) but that after the eating thereof they must dye a lingring death for want of food ; and upon the same day their pastor had preached unto them ( it being the lords day upon that text , psal. . the lord is my shepherd , i shall not want . at such a time the good hand of the lord brought this succour to them from afar . whilst he was in old england , his eminent piety , the success of his labours , and his interest in the hearts both of superiours , inferiours , equals , drew upon him much envy , and his non-conformity added thereunto , so that he was delivered in a great measure to the will of his adversaries , who gave him not over till they had bereaved him of much of his livelihood , his liberty , country , and therewithall of the sweet society of lovers , friends , and many wayes endeared acquaintance , more precious to him than life it self . yet the measure of the afflictions of christ , appointed to be suffered by him , was not so fulfilled ; but lo , in the time of his exile , some brethren , provoked by the censure of authority , though justly , & not without tears inflicted upon them , singled out mr. cotton as the object of their displeasure , who ( though above other men ) declining irregular and unnecessary interesting himself in the actions of the magistrate , and ( while opportunity lasted ) endeavouring their healing , yet they requited him evil for good , and they ( at least some of them ) who were formerly companions with him in the tribulations of that patmos , yea respecters of him , had taken sweet counsel together , and they had walked in the house of god as friends . hence was he with tongue and pen blasphemed by them , for whom he formerly intreated , and for whom , he both then , and afterwards wept , and put on sackcloth . as touching any tenet wherein he may seem singular , remember that he was a man , and therefore to be heard and read with judgement , and happily sometimes with favour . st. hierom makes a difference between reading the writings of the apostles , and other men . they ( saith he ) alwayes speak the truth , these as men sometimes erre . but no man did more placidly bear a dissentient than he . it contributes much towards the fuller discovery of truth , when men of larger capacities , and greater industry than others may be permitted to communicate their notions ; onely they should use this liberty by way of disquisition , not of position , rather as searchers after scripture-light , than as dictators of private opinions . but now this western sun hastens to his setting : being called to preach at a neighbour church , he took wet in his passage over the ferry , and , not many hours after , he felt the effect of it , being seized upon with an extream ilness in his sermon time . this sad providence when others bewailed , he comforted himself in that he was found so doing . decet imperatorem stantem mori . it is the honour of a commander to dye standing . st. austins usual with was , that when christ came , he might finde him , aut praecantem , aut praedicantem ; either praying , or preaching . calvin would not that when the lord came , he should finde him idle . after a short time he complained of the inflamation of his lungs , and thereupon found himself asthmatical , and afterward scorbutical ( which both meeting in a complicated disease , put an end to his dayes ) insomuch that he was forced to give over those comforting drinks which his stomack could not want . if he still used them , the inflamation grew unsufferable , and threatned a more sharp , and speedy death . if he left them , his stomack forthwith ceased to perform its office , leaving him without hope of life . by these messengers he received the sentence of death , yet in the use of means he attended the pleasure of him in whose hands our times are ; his labours continued whilst his strength failed : november the . he took in course for his text the four last verses of the second epistle to timothy , salute prisca and aquila , &c. giving the reason why he spake of so many verses together , because otherwise he said , he should not live to make an end of that epistle . he chiefly insisted upon those words , grace be with you all ; so ending that epistle , and his lectures together . for upon the lords day following he preached his last sermon upon joh. . . and the word was made flesh , and dwelt among us ▪ ( and we ●eheld his glory as of the onely begotten son of the father ) full of grace and peace . now he gave himself wholly to prepare for his dissolution , making his will , and setting his house in order : when he could no more be seen abroad , all sorts , magistrates , ministers , neighbours , and friends afar off , and those near at hand , especially his own people resorted to him daily , as to a publick father . when the neighbour ministers visited him ( in which duty they were frequent ) he thanked them affectionately for their love , exhorting them also as an elder , and a witness of the sufferings of christ , to feed the flock , encouraging them , that when the chief shepherd shall appear , they should receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away . finding himself to grow weak , according to that of james , he sent for the elders of the church of boston to pray over him , which last solemn duty being performed , not without much affection , and many tears : then ( as polycarp a little before his death said , that he had served christ fourscore and six years , neither had he ever offended him in any thing ) so he told them ( through grace , he had now served god forty years , it being so long since his conversion ) throughout which time he had ever found him faithful to him ; and thereupon he took occasion to exhort them to the like effect , that paul sometime did the elders of ephesus , a little before they were to see his face no more , take heed therefore to your selves , and to all the flock over w●ich the lord hath made you overseers , to feed the church of god which he hath purchased with his own blood . particularly he lamented that the love of many , yea , and some of their own congregation was grown cold towards the publick ordinances , calling upon them so much the more for their watchfulness in that respect ; which done , he thanked them for their loving and brotherly assistance to him in their holy fellowship , and commended them to the blessing of god. his pious consort , and those olive plants that sate lately about his table , now gathered together about the bed of a dying husband , and departing father . this was his last solemn transaction with man in this world : silver and gold ( though he wanted not ) he had not much to give them , but the blessing of a righteous pa●ent he left with them . that reverend and godly man , mr. wilson ( who excelleth in love , as mr. cot●on did in light ) the faithful pastor of that church , taking his last leave of him , and most ardently praying unto god that he would lift up the light of his countenance upon him , and shed his love into his soul , he presently answered , he hath done it already , brother . his work now finished with all men , perceiving his departure to be at hand , and having nothing else to do , but onely that great work of dying in the lord , he wholly composed , and set himself for his dissolution , desiring that he might be permitted to improve that little remnant of his life without impediment to his private devotions , and divine soliloquies between god and his soul ; and for that end he caused the curtains to be drawn , and a gentleman , and brother of that congregation that was much with him , and ministred to him in his sickness , he caused to promise him that the chamber should be kept private . but a while after , hearing the whispering of some brethren in the room , he called to that gentleman , saying , why do you break your word with me ? not long after ( being mindful no doubt of that great helpfulness which he received from that aforementioned brother throughout his visitation ) he left him with this farewel , the god that made you , and bought you with a great price , redeem your body and soul unto himself . these words were his last words , after which he was not heard to speak , but lying some hours speechless , he quietly breathed out his spirit into the hands of him that gave it , december . anno christi , . being entred into the sixty eighth year of his age. the life and death of dr. hill , who dyed anno christi , . mr. thomas hill was born at kingston in worcestershire , of godly parents ; and david accounted it his great honour and blessing to be the son of gods handmaid , psal. . . his parents dedicated him unto god from his child-hood , designing him to the work of the ministry , and in order thereunto they trained him up in school-learning in the country ; and being there well fitted , they sent him to emanuel colledge in cambridge , where the rose was not cankered in the bud , his youth not corrupted , nor debauched , as too many are : but this morning ( like that sam. . . ) was without clouds , not sullied with any noted miscarriage ; but on the contrary , as it is said of sampson when young , that the spirit of the lord began then to move him , judg. . . so in his then sober , and studious behaviour , the sun looked out betimes in that summer morning , and through gods grace ( otherwise than it oft falls out in nature ) he gave promising hopes of an after clearer day . this being taken notice of by the governours of the colledge , they thereupon , after examination had , chose him scholar of the house , he ( as his saviour ) still growing in wisdome and stature , and in favour with god and man. and then after some good time spent in his private studies in the colledge , for his further perfecting , and the more happy seasoning of his spirit , he went and sojourned with that man of god ( now also with the lord ) mr. cotton at boston in lincolnshire , where , by gods rich blessing upon his most godly directions , and example , and the society he had with him , and other eminent christians in that place , he was much improved and furthered , as otherwise , so especially in heavens-way , which happily went along with him to his journies end . upon his return from thence to the colledge , it was not long before he was chosen fellow with general approbation , though upon a most strict , and double examination , more ( i think ) than ever was in that colledge before , or hath been since , though it still is , and ever hath been , according to the statutes , very strict , and serious , and which hath been blessed to be a special means of holding up true worth , and learning in that happy society . and now , through gods good hand of providence , leading and strengthning him , he proved a diligent , painful , and successful tutor of very many pupils , and divers of them persons of quality , who since have proved great blessings both to the church and commonwealth : and thus as he was before a pattern to young schollars , so after he was a tutor , no diligence was wanting whereby he might be instrumental to gods glory , and the good of those who were committed to his charge . but this our wise master-builder , satisfied not himself as a tutor in polishing of builders , but as a faithful and painful minister , he laboriously endeavoured to square other lively stones for gods temple , pet. . . and so as he read to schollars in the colledge , he also diligently and conscionbl● preached to a neighbour congregation [ st. andrews ] in the town , so that many poor souls long after had cause to bless god for him . nor was he an hireling to flye when the wolf came , but when the plague in this time of his ministry raged in the town , he still continued with them in his ministerial employment , the better shepherd he , who not onely fed the sound , but also healed and bound up the torn , and weak of the flock . this alabaster box of precious oyntment thus powred out , filled the whole house with its odour , and the sweet fragrancy of it did spread abroad , so that now he came to be more taken notice of by many both great , and good men , and so by some of eminent worth , and honour , he was called to the pastoral charge of tichmersh in northamptonshire , where he laboured faithfully in gods harvest for the space of about eight or nine years , and partly by preaching and conversing up and down with others ; but especially with his own parochial charge , he proved a great blessing , not onely to that town , but also to the whole country , in every place where he came , spreading a good savour , and leaving it behinde him . during the time of his being at tichmersh , he sometimes repaired to warwick castle , to that noble robert lord brook , who highly esteemed him , and in whose family he grew acquainted with mrs. mary wilford , at that time governess to the lady frances rich ( a young lady of rare parts ) daughter to the right honourable robert earle of warwick , and mutual affections growing betwixt them , he was married to her , who since his death , was re-married to the reverend , learned , and pious dr. tuckney , master of st. johns colledge , and regius professor in cambridge , my much honoured friend , so that she hath been made happy in the enjoyment of two such husbands , as few women in our times have attained to . whilst he was labouring ( as aforesaid ) in the work of the lord , for more publick service he was chosen by the parliament for one of that county to attend , and assist in the assembly of divines , called together by their authority at westminster ; where being of very good use , he was often ordered by the parliament to preach before them at their publick fasts , and upon other their more solemn occasions . he was also chosen by them to be one of their morning week-dayes preachers in the abbey at westminster , besides his constant sabbath-dayes labours in another great congregation [ st. martins in the fields ] where he was a blessing to many thousands . from thence he was ordered to be master of emanuel colledge in the university of cambridge , which being not a sphere large enough for his activity , he was after a while removed to the mastership of trinity colledge , where what great good he did , many that lived under him can give an ample testimony ; and that happy change proclaimed , from that confusion ( by reason of those distracted times ) in which he found it , to that orderly composure , and frame , in which , through gods blessing , he left it . how sollicitous he was for their best welfare , his frequent preaching in their chappel to them all , and his writing to their seniors , speaks out fully ; and many can bear witness how humble , and loving he was to them in his carriage , how studious to keep up college-exercises , how zealous to advance piety and learning ; and for that purpose , to countenance , and prefer such as he observed to be eminent in either . as he was a university-man , he was zealously carefull . . of its honour ( which the parliament can witness ) in an unkindly contest about it ; and also his care in collecting the decayed antiquities of that university , whose pains in that argument , it is pity but that they were communicated to the world . . of its priviledges , as alwayes , so especially in those two years together in which he was vice-chancellor , for which he suffered in some mens reputes unjustly . . of its profit and emolument , being a special means of procuring to it from the parliament , the lambeth library , which of right ( as it was judged ) fell to that university ; as also from a worthy knight [ sir john wollaston , alderman of the city of london ] a yearly stipend for a mathematick lecturer , and also large summes of money for the fitting of the publick library , that it might be of general use ; for the accomplishment whereof , the university is more wayes than one his debtor . . lastly , of the general good , and well-ordering of it . surely it was his careful thought in private with himself , as appeared by his making it the subject of his discourse with others ; scarce was there a time wherein he met with his intimate , and judicious friends , but he would be asking or proposing something that way . by this it appeared that his care was to keep up those universities , which some in those times would have ruined ; upon which occasion g●●tius pronounceth many christians to be worse than the philistines ; for they , sam. . . would let the company of prophets alone , even where they kept a garrison . as he was a divine , he was sound in the faith , orthodox in his judgement , firmly adhering to the good old doctrine of the church of england , even that which in that university was taught , and maintained by famous whitaker , perkins , daunant , ward , and many others in their times ; and in the other university amongst other great names there , he was a great admirer of the right reverend and judicious dr. robert abbot , bishop of salisbury , and well were it if there he had many more such admirers . the doctrines of gods sovereignty in his decrees : of his in-conditionate free-electing-love : of his free-grace against free-will , and the power of nature in spirituals : of justification by the imputed righteousness of christ , against the perfection of inherent righteousness now attainable by us in this life . of perseverance in grace , against the apostacy of the saints , and the like , were not with this pious , and learned man ( as they are now called by some ) sects and notions , matters onely of learning and curiosity , and of the presbyterian faction : but of the life-blood of faith , which at his death ( as he expressed to a friend of his ) he had singular comfort from , and in his life firmly beleeved , constantly preached , and by his pen endeavoured to maintain and defend , and that against the great daring champion , of the contrary errors , whom the abusive wits in the university , with 〈◊〉 impudent boldness could say , none there durst adventure upon , whose immodest scurrility , his learned ananswer to that daring adversary , which he had made so fair a progress in ) had shortly consuted , had not he by his more sudden death been therein prevented . as a minister of the gospel : in his preaching he was plain , powerful , spiritual , frequent , and laborious : for besides what in that kinde he did , as to the university in st. maries , and in the colledge chappel , which was very happy in his often pains there ; in the town he set up one lecture every sabbath morning in the parish church of st. michael , performed only by himself , and cheerfully frequented by a great confluence both of schollars and townsmen ; and another in the church of all-hallows every lords day in the afternoon , in which he did bear at least the fourth part of the burden , and both of them gratis , as there were many more such lectures there performed , much about the same rate , weekly by other pious learned men , and more indeed than are in any town or city , upon those tearms in all england , or are like to be there again ; which is mentioned that god may have the glory in the first place , and then for the honour of that reformation , which so many do traduce , and spit at ; as also of those more noble spirited preachers , who so freely offered unto god that which did cost them so much , for which of men they received nothing . but that place of cambridge did not bound the course of this our laborious preachers ministry , but ( as it is said of our saviour , matth. . . ) that he went about all cities , and villages teaching and preaching ; and of st. paul rom. . . that from jerusalem , and round about , and that to illyricum ( which was in right line three hundred and thirty german miles , as pareus upon the place computes it ) he did fully preach the gospel ; imitating herein , as jerom observes , his lord and master , that sun of righteousness , whose going forth is from the ends of the heaven , and his circuit unto the ends of it , psa. . . in these their blessed steps our brother trod , and followed them in his painful ministry , diligently preaching when he had occasion to be abroad in remoter parts ; but especially in many towns and villages nearer hand , round about the university , being a means to set up lectures in many of them , and very often assisting in them ; and as our savior is observed by some divines to have preached more frequently the nearer he was to his departure ; so this his faithful servant , as it were presaging that his day would be but short , towards his evening he made the more haste and speed in his journy towards his end , and yet more abounded in this work of the lord , and now findes that his labour is not in vain in the lord , cor. . . thus of him as a minister . and lastly , as he was a christian , he was active for god , as his saviour , act. . . going up and down , and doing good ; and though otherwise modest , yet when the case required it , bold in a good cause . he was spiritual in communion , and a quickner of those with whom he conversed . fruitful in discourse , by which the frame of his spirit might easily be discovered : frequent in asking questions , which was both his humility , and christian good husbandry , thereby to improve himselfe , his time and company . affable he was to others , of much humility , and low thoughts of himself , and of great integrity and singleness of heart towards god , his truth , ordinances , wayes , and servants ; of a very publick spirit , and much affected with the various conditions of the state , but especially of the church and people of god. he was a most loving husband to his wife , and a dutiful son to his parents , and in his life time very helpful to his other relations . many poor , both of the university and town do now feel the want of his bounty which they tasted of in his life time ; and both they , and others had done more at his death ( as appeared by his intentions of it in the draught of his will ) had not the suddenness of his change prevented it . in a long continued quartan , god had knocked at his door , which in the interim of his recovery awakened him to get all within ready against the coming of his lord , which , though to his friends was unexpected , yet found not him unprepared . in his short sickness , he expressed to an intimate friend his great comfort , and joy in gods discriminating electing-love ; and to a reverend doctor , about half an hour before his departure , who enquired of him about the setling of his outward estate , and inward peace , he readily , and without the least hesitancy , answered , that thro●gh the mercy of god in christ his peace was made , and that he quietly rested in it ; whereby it seems ( as was said by one ) he had his faith at his fingers ends , and having before given all diligence to make his calling and election sure , though he was somewhat suddenly called out of this life , yet had he an abundant entrance set open to him , into the everlasting kingdome of our lord and saviour jesus christ , departing quietly in the lord , decem. . . as to himself he had lived a fruitful and gracious life , and therefore ( as clemens romanus speaks of some of the first , and best bishops ) he closed up all with a happy and blessed death ; and as to others , he lived approved , and dyed desired , and very much lamented . he was a great friend to the publication of the lives of godly and eminent ministers , and christians , and assisting to me in procuring information concerning the lives of some of those worthies whom i have formerly printed . dr. william gouge . the life and death of dr. gouge , who dyed anno christi , . william gouge was born in stratford-bow , in the county of middlesex , novem. . anno . his father mr. thomas gouge was a godly gentleman . his mother was the vertuous and pious daughter of mr. nicholas culverel , a merchant in london , and she was sister to those two famous preachers , mr. samuel , and mr. ezekiel culverel ; she had also two sisters who were married to those two famous and learned divines , dr. chaderton , the master of emanuel college in cambridge , and dr. whitaker the regius professor of divinity in the same university ; so that by the mothers side he came of a stock of eminent preachers . our william gouge in his younger years was first trained up in pauls school london , and was afterwards sent to a free-school at felsted in essex , where he was trained up three years under the publick ministry of his uncle mr. ezekiel culverel , by whose labours he was much wrought upon , and if not first begotten , yet much built up in his holy faith , as himself often expressed . from thence he was sent to eaton , where he was educated other six years , during all which time he was more than ordinarily studious and industrious ; for when other boyes upon play-dayes took liverty for their sports and pastimes , he would be at his book , wherein he took more delight than others could finde in their recreations , whereby he profited beyond many his equals . at this time whilst he was a schollar at eaton , he was possessed with an holy fear of god , was conscionable in secret prayer , and in sanctifying the sabbaths , and was much grieved at the ordinary prophanation thereof by sports and pastimes which were then , and there too much allowed , as he did oft-times in his life , with much thankfulness unto god express . from the school at eaton he was chosen to kings college in cambridge , whither he went anno christi . and at the first entrance of his studies he applied himself to p. ramus his logick , and grew so expert therein , that in the publick schools he maintained and defended him , insomuch as when on a time divers sophisters set themselves to vilifie ramus , for which end the respondent had given this question , nunquam erit magnus , cui ramus est magnus , which some of the sophisters hearing , and knowing the said william gouge to be an accute disputant , and a stiff defender of ramus , they went to the divinity schools , where he was then hearing an act , and told him how in the other schools they were abusing ramus , he thereupon went into the sophisters schooles , and upon the moderators calling for another opponent , he stepped up , and brought such an argument as stumbled the respondent , whereupon the moderator took upon him to answer it , but could not satisfie the doubt : this occasioned a sophister that stood by to say with a loud voice , do you come to vilifie ramus , and cannot answer the argument of a ramist ? whereupon the moderator rose up , and gave him a box on the ear , then the school was all on an uproar ; but the said william gouge was safely conveyed out from amongst them . when he was senior sophister , he was chosen moderator of the sophisters acts in the publick schools , which was a place of great credit , and he began every act with a solemn speech in latine which was not usual in those dayes , and it added much grace to the act. the said william gouge took his degrees in order , performing for every one of them , all those exercises in the publick schools , which by the statutes of the university were required . and during his first three years , he kept the colledge so close , that he lay not one night out of the walls thereof ; and at the three years end he was admitted fellow , and then went to visit his friends . he was a very hard student ; for as he was a lover of learning , so was he very laborious in his studies , sitting up late at night , and rising early in the morning . he continued in the colledge for the space of nine years , and in all that time ( except he went forth a town to his friends ) he was never absent from morning prayers in the chappel , which used to be about half an hour after five a clock in the morning ; yea , he used to rise so long before he went to the chappel , as that he gained time for his secret devotions , and for reading his morning task of the scriptures : for he tyed himself to read every day fifteen chapters in english out of the bible , five in the morning , five after dinner before he fell upon his other studies , and five before he went to bed ; he hath been often heard to say , that when he could not sleep in the night time he used in his thoughts to run through divers chapters of the scripture in order , as if he had heard them read to him ; and by this means he deceived the tediousness of his waking , and deprived himself also sometimes of the sweetness of his sleeping hours , though by that , which administred to him better rest , and greater sweetness ; for he preferred the meditation upon the word before his necessary food with job , and before sleep with david . the like practice he used in the day time when he was alone , whether within doors , or abroad ; for which ed , as an help , he wrote in a little book which he alwayes carried about him , the distinct heads of every particular passage in every chapter of the bible , that so , when in any place he meditated on the word of god , and was at a loss , he presently found help by that little book . by this means he made himself so expert in the text , that if he heard any phrase of scripture , he could presently tell where it was to be found . besides , he had his set times of study for the more difficult places of scripture , that he might finde out the true meaning of them , by which he attained to a great measure of exactness in the understanding of the scripture . during his abode in the university he did not onely ply his own studies , but used also to send for others whom he observed to be ingenuous and willing , and instructed them in the arts , whereby he was a great help to many , and brought them also to be better proficient . while he was a scholler in kings college , there came a jew to cambridge , who was entertained in sundry colleges to teach them the hebrew tongue , and amongst the rest , in kings colledge , and mr. gouge took the opportunity of learning of him , as many other of the students also did ; but most of them grew soon weary , and left him , onely the said mr. gouge kept close to him so long as he tarried . but when he was gone , those which before had lost their opportunity , now seeing their own folly , they came to mr. gouge , and entreated him to instruct them in the grounds of the said language , which he accordingly did , and thereby himself became an excellent hebrician . and as he was expert in the learned languages , so was he likewise in the arts , and all other necessary literature , that he might have nothing of these to learn when he should come to make use of them . being chosen a lecturer both of logick and philosophy in the college , he made conscience of observing all the times appointed by the statute for reading , and never omitted any of them , and his readings were so exactly composed , that thereby he profited his auditors exceedingly , and procured much credit , and applause from them ; but withall , some envy from his successors , who by his example were now provoked to a more painful , & frequent reading of their lectures which in former times were performed seldomer , and in a more perfunctory manner . he was so cautious , and strict in the whole course of his life , that thereby he got the name of an arch-puritan , which was the terme then given in scorn to those who were conscientious in their wayes . in the first year of his fellowship he began his common-place book for divinity , in which he made references of all which he read . he had also white paper bound betwixt every leaf of his bible , wherein he wrote such short and pithy interpretations , and observations on the text as could not well be referred to any head in his common-place book . he took such pleasure in , and was so addicted to a university life , that he was resolved to have spent many more years than he did , if not his whole life therein . but his father , after he had been two or three years master of arts , much against his minde , took him from the university upon the occasion of a marriage which he prepared for him ; and god by his providence turned this to the great good of his church : for by this means , though it were somewhat late before he entred upon the ministry , yet it is very probable that he entred upon , and exercised that sacred calling much sooner than he would have done , if he had been left to his own choice . his wife was the daughter of mr. henry caulton a citizen , and mercer of london , but an orphan when he married her . having thus changed his condition , and entred into a married estate , that he might not be distracted , nor impeded in his studies by worldly business , he committed the whole care of his family affairs to the management of his wife , and still applied himself wholly to his studies , and to the weighty businesses of his heavenly calling . he lived with this his wife for the space of two and twenty years in much love , and peace , and had by her thirteen children , seven sons , and six daughters , whereof eight lived to mens , and womens estate , and were all of them carefully educated , and sufficiently provided for . it was his earnest desire , and daily prayer to god for his sons that they might all be preachers of the gospel , so highly did he prize the function , that is so vilified and contemned by too many others , for he himself found such comfort , and content in that calling , that he thought no greater could be found in any other ; and he often professed for his own part , that the greatest pleasure he took in the world was in the imployments about the work of the ministry , insomuch as he was wont to say to divers honourable persons of his acquaintance , and particularly to the lord coventry , keeper of the great seal of england , that he envied not his great place , and imployment . in the order and government of his family , he was very exemplary . his house was another bethel , for he did not onely constantly upon conscientious principles use morning and evening prayer and reading the sacred scriptures in his family ; but also he catechized his children , and servants , wherein god gave him a singular gift for their edification ; for in teaching them he used not any set form , but so , as that he brought them whom he instructed , to express the principles taught them in their own words ; so that his children ( as gregory nazianzen saith of his father ) found him as well a spiritual as a natural father . yea never any servant came to his house , but gained a great deal of knowledge therein : so likewise did diverse others , who at the request of their parents were instructed by him . he was in a special manner a strict and conscionable sanctifier of the lords day , and that not onely in the exercise of publick duties incumbent upon his office , but also in the private sanctification of it in the duties of piety in , and with his family , and secret in his closet ; and for this end , as he did forbear providing of suppers the eve before the sabbath , that servants might not be occasioned thereby to sit up late ; so neither would he suffer any servant to stay at home for dressing any meat upon the lords day for the entertainment of friends , whether they were great or mean , few or many . on the sabbaths , after his publick labours were ended , divers neighbours ( wanting helps in their own families ) came to his house , where he repeated his sermons after so familiar a manner , that many have professed that they were much more benefited by them in that his repetition , than they were in the first hearing of them ; for he did not use word by word to read out of notes what he had preached , but would by questions and answers draw from those of his own houshold such points as were delivered ; and this exercise being ended , his constant course was to visit such of his parish as were sick , or by pain and weakness were dis-inabled to go to the publick ordinances , with each of whom , he would discourse of some spiritual and heavenly subject suitable to their condition , and after that , he prayed with them , wherein he had a more than ordinary gift , being able in apt words and expressions to commend their several cases unto god , and to put up petitions suitable to their several needs . his usual course was to pray eight times in the publick congregation on the lords dayes ; for as he prayed before , and after each sermon ; so also before , and after his reading and expounding the scriptures , which he performed both in the forenoon and afternoon . and in his family his constant course was to pray thrice every lords day , and that in a solemn manner , viz. in the morning , and evening , and after his repetition of the sermons . he was ordained minister in the two and thirtieth year of his age , and about a year after , which was in june . he was called to the exercise of his ministry in the parish of black-friars london , where he continued to his dying day , which was about five and forty years , and six months , never accepting of any other ministerial imployment , though he had the proffers of many great places : his manner of coming to black-friars , was thus , that parish being destitute of a preaching minister , mr. hildersam , a famous , pious & powerful preacher , being in company with some of the better sort of the inhabitants of black-friars , who complained of their want , he told them that there was one living in stratford-bow , who was out of imployment , whom he judged very fit for them . hereupon divers of them went thither on the lords day , where he frequently preached gratis , to help the minister that then was there , and upon hearing of him they liked him so well , that making report thereof to their neighbours , he was by an un animous consent ( nemine contradicente ) chosen to be their minister , which election being made known to him , he accepted of it , and ever after shewed a great respect to the inhabitants of that place . before mr. gouge came to them , they had not so much as a church of their own to meet and hear the word of god in , nor any place wherein to bury their dead , but by such means as he used , the church and church-porch , together with the ministers house , and church-yard ( all which they enjoyed before but upon curtesie ) were bought in ; so as now , they all , as their proper inheritance , do belong to the parish of black-friars . and five years after his coming thither , the old church being found too little to entertain those multitudes that flocked thither from all parts of the city , to hear him , he was an instrument of purchasing in certain rooms adjoyning , whereby the church was enlarged almost as big again as it was before . the sum of purchasing , new building , and beautifying of which church amounted to above one thousand five hundred pounds , all which was procured , partly by collections at his lectures , and partly by the volunta●y contributions of his parishoners , without any publick collections in other places . after this , there being divers rooms under the said church belonging to several land-lords , he used such means as to purchase them also for the benefit of the parish , which he did the rather to prevent all dangers that by wicked minded persons might have befaln gods people in that church , by any contrivance in the rooms under the same . thus they who had nothing of their own at his first coming , have now , through his procurement , the whole church , the church-porch , a church-yard , a vault to bury their dead in , a very fair vestry with other adjacent rooms , besides the house wherein he himself dwelt so long as he lived ; all which they hold as a perpetual inheritance . they have also a lease of certain tenements of a considerable value for three hundred years ; all which were procured by his prudence , interest , and industry . such was his love , and respect to this parish , as though he was oft proffered places of far greater value , yet he refused them all , oft saying , that the height of his ambition was to go from black-friers to heaven . at his first coming to black-friers , being in the thirty third year of his age , he preached constantly , besides twice every lords day , a weekly lecture , viz. on the wednesdayes in the forenoon , which for the space of about thirty five years was very much frequented , and that not only by his parishioners , but by divers city ministers , and by sundry pious and judicious gentlemen of the innes of court , besides many other well-disposed citizens , who in multitudes flocked to hear his heavenly doctrine ; yea such was the fame of dr. gouge his ministry , that when any country ministers , and godly christians came to london about their affairs , they thought not their business fully ended , unless they had been at black-friers lecture . and it pleased god to give such a blessing to his ministry , that many of his auditors , though living in other parishes , upon trial before sundry elderships , have confessed , that the first seeds of grace sown in their hearts , were by the blessing upon dr. gouges ministry : and indeed herein god wonderfully honoured his labours , by making him an aged father in christ to beget many sons and daughters unto god , and to nourish up others in the wayes of righteousnesse , thousands having been converted , and built up by his ministry . he used also every month to preach a preparation sermon before the communion , on the eve before each monthly sacrament . he was eminently laborious and faithful in the work of his ministry even to his dying day , preaching so long as he was able to creep up into the pulpit , as a tree planted in the house of the lord , he was fruitful even in his old age , psal. . , . he often used to say in his latter dayes , that he could preach with more ease than he could get up into the pulpit , the reason whereof doubtlesse was this , because as the encrease of his asthma dis-inabled him to go , so the encrease of his intellectuals enabled him to preach with more ease than in his younger dayes . his preacing was alwaes very distinct : first , he opened his text , giving the true and proper sense of it , then gave he the logical analysis of it , and then gathered such proper observations as naturally flowed from it , and properly and pertinently improved , and applied the same ; by which method his ministry proved very profitable to his hearers . many have acknowledged that in regard of the logical resolution of his text he went beyond all that ever they heard , as also in clearing difficult , and doubtful places of scripture as they came in his way . and as his method was clear , so were his expressions plain , alwayes delivering the solid points of divinity in a familiar stile to the capacity of the meanest . as for his life and conversation , it was holy and exemplary , himself practising what he preached unto others , and living over his own sermons ; his doctrine , and his practice concurred , and went hand in hand together . before these times of examination of persons , before their admission to the sacrament of the lords supper , he used to go to the houses of the better sort in his parish , where he appointed a time for them , and their whole families to meet together , that he might examine how fit they were to be admitted to that ordinance : yea he appointed sundry small families to meet together on a certain day , that he might make trial of their fitness also ; and then his manner was , not to admit any of the younger sort to the sacrament , till in his judgement he found them fitted for it . though he addicted himself much to his studies , and carried himself peaceably , yet wanted he not those that did envy , and malign him , and that took all occasions to do him what mischief they could : as in the case of serjeant finch his book about the calling of the jews , which dr. gouge only published , and the author himself owned it , yet for his publication of it he was committed to prison , and kept there for the space of nine weeks together . king james being informed that the serjeant had in that book declared , and endeavoured to prove that the jews should have a visible kingdome which should be above all other kingdoms , which doctrin he abhorred , he thereupon grew extream impatient : bishop neal also with others , provoked him against the publisher of the book , which so incensed him , that he would admit of no apology . yet after a while , dr. gouge was moved distinctly to declare his judgement , and opinion about that point of the calling , and conversion of the jews , which he did in these ensuing propositions . all that i can gather out of the holy scriptures about this point is , . that the calling of the jews , importeth more than a spiritual calling to beleeve in jesus christ , and to imbrace the gospel . . this their spiritual calling may be called an outward glorious calling , in regard of the visibility and generallity of it ; to put a difference betwixt the promised calling of the nation , and the continual calling of some few persons . for in all ages since the rejection of the jews , some few , here and there have been called . thus the calling of the gentiles in the apostles time , when christians had no pompous civil government , was an outward glorious calling , by reason of the visible famous church which they had . . it is probable that at , or after their calling , they shall not be scattered as now they are , but shall be gathered together into churches , and be freed from the bondage and slavery wherein they have been many years together . . to give them a soveraignty over all the whole church seemeth to me to be derogatory to that absolute sovereignty which christ the head of his church hath , in whom the promises of the perpetuity of davids scepter , of the extent of his dominion , of the subjection of all nations are accomplished . . to set down the distinct time , place , and other like circumstances of their calling , needeth more than an ordinary spirit , and implies too much curiosity . . the point of the calling of the jews being no fundamental point of christian religion , to be over stiff in holding one thing or other therein , to the disturbance of the peace of the church , comes near to schisme . upon which being examined by archbishop abbot , and his answer approved , he was released from his imprisonment . ordinarily in the summer vacation he was with his family in the country ; but not so much for his own ease , as for the further service of gods church : for besides his preaching every lords day in the place where he resided , he improved his time for the publication of those his treatises which are now in print , viz. the whole armour of god , domestical duties , an explanation of the lords prayer , gods three arrows , of the pla●ue , famine , & sword , upon occasion of those judgments then raging . the saints sacrifice of thanksgiving , upon his recovery from a dangerous sickness . to which is now added his commentary upon the whole epistle to the hebrews , which was the subject of his wednesdayes lectures for many years . while he was setled at black-friers , he commenced batchelour of divinity anno christi , . which was the eighth year after he had taken the degree of master of arts. anno christi , he proceeded dr. of divinity , at which time eight london ministers proceeded doctors , upon which occasion , dr. collins , the then regius professor , put up mr. gouges degree , and procured it to pass in the regent-house before he had any notice thereof , and without his consent , whereby he did in a manner force him to take his degree ; yet so as when he heard what was done , he readily went to cambridge , and performed all his acts , according to the statutes of the university , as he had done at the taking of all his former degrees . such respect was generally shewed to him , as that in sundry publick imployments he was chosen a trustee or feoffee . as in the year , he was chosen one of the trustees for mr. whetenhalls three lectures . also in the year . he was chosen one of the trustees for buying in of impropriations , and for many other pious , and charitable uses wherein indeed he alwayes approved himself a carefull , and faithfull trustee , and in some cases , by his great pains and cost , he procured to be setled for ever such pious donations , as would otherwise have been wrested away , and alienated from their intended use . the business about the buying in of impropriations was this : there was a select society of thirteen persons joyned themselves together as trustees , to stir up , and encourage such as were piously affected to contribute towards the buying in of impropriations , and giving them freely towards the maintenance of godly and able ministers . and these were so faithful to their trust , as albeit they met very frequently , and spent much time , and pains in consultation about that business , yet did they never spend one penny out of the publick stock , for the refreshing of themselves ▪ yea though they had sundry agents , and messengers whom they imployed about that business , and that both far and near , yet did they never diminish that stock wherewithall they were intrusted to the value of a penny ; but themselves , at least most of them , contributed out of their own purses for the discharge of all by-expences . and when they had the opportunity of buying in any great impropriation , and wanted money in stock to go through with it , they did amongst themselves give , or lend so much as might effect it ; and amongst others , our dr. gouge at one time lent l. gratis for that use , besides the monthly contribution which he gave . by this means , in a few years space , thirteen impropriations were bought in , which cost betwixt five and six thousand pounds , into which their care was to put godly , able , and orthodox ministers ; and their design was to plant a learned and powerful ministry , especally in cities , and market towns in several parts of the kingdome where there was the greatest need , for the better propagation of the gospel in those parts . indeed this was it that raised up so much envy against them , and made dr. laud , the then bishop of london to consult with mr. noy , the kings atturney general about dissolving this society , and hereupon mr. noy brought them all into the court of exchequer , picking this quarrel against them , for that they had made themselves a body incorporate , without any grant from the king. when the case had been debated by learned councel on both sides , the result was , that the court adjudged their proceedings to be illegal , that their trust should be taken from them , and that what impropriations they had thus purchased should be made over to the king , and that the king should appoint such as he thought meet , to dispose of those impropriations which they had bought in . the aforesaid atturney that strictly examined all their receipts , and disbursments , found that they had laid out of their own money , at the time when they were questioned , a thousand pounds more than they had received , and thereupon obtained an order of the court , that those debts should be first discharged out of the revenues of the impropriations , before they should be disposed to particular uses . thus was their trust quite wrested out of their hands , and that excellent work fell to the ground . anno christi , dr. gouge was by the authority of parliament called to be a member of the assembly , of divines , wherein his attendance was assiduous , not being observed during the whole time of that session to be one day absent , unless it were in case of more than ordinary weakness , ever preferring that publick imployment before any private business whatsoever , and therein he was not one to make up the number onely , but a chief and useful member . for he was chosen , and sate as one of the assessors and very often filled the chair in the moderators , absence , and such was his constant care , and conscientiousness in the expence of time , and improving it to the best advantage , that in case of intermission in the assembly affairs , he used to apply himself to his private studies : for which end it was his constant practice to carry his bible , and some other books in his pocket , which upon every advantage ▪ he drew forth , and read in them , as was observed by many . episcopacy also being voted down by both houses of parliament , and so no ordinary way being left for the ordination of ministers , the parliament thought fit to set up an extraordinary way by three and twenty ministers , who for the space of a year were to ordain such as tendred themselves according to the rules prescribed by them , with the humble advice of the assembly , of which number dr. gouge was one , and acted with his brethen therein ; at which time i observed his strictness in keeping of fasts : for on an ordination day , which was alwayes accompanied with fasting and prayer ; in the afternoon one proffered him a peece of a candied orange pill , which ( though he was then very ancient ) he refused to accept of till the work of the day was finished . he was likewise chosen by a committee of parliament , amongst others , to write large annotations upon the bible , being well known to be a judicious interpreter of scripture , and how well he performed that task , is , and may be evident to all that read his part , which was from the beginning of the first book of the king to job . in which the intelligent reader may observe such skill in the original , such acquaintance with the sacred story , such judgement in giving the genuine sence of the text , and such accuteness in raising pertinent observations , that without the help of any other commentators , a man may accommodate himself with the sense , doctrines , and uses of most of those scriptures that came under his hand , in those brief annotations . before this , when the book allowing sports and recreations on the lords dayes was by publick authority injoyned to be read in all churches throughout the kingdome , he , as sundry others , godly and faithful ministers refused to read the same , resolving rather to suffer the uttermost , than to manifest the least approbation of so wicked , and licentious a practice , it being so contrary to the express letter of the scripture . by reason of his ability and dexterity in resolving cases of conscience , he was much sought unto for his judgement in doubtful cases , and scruples of conscience , and that not only by ordinary christians , but by divers ministers also both in the city and country , sometimes by word of mouth , and other sometimes by writing : and indeed he was accounted the father of the london divines , and the oracle of his time . he was likewise a sweet comforter of troubled consciences , wherein he was exceeding skilful , and dextrous , as many hundreds in the city have found from time to time , being sought unto far and near by such as groaned under afflictions and tentations , many of whom , through gods blessing upon his labours , were restored to joy and comforts out of unspeakable terrors and torments of conscience . he was of a most sweet , and meek disposition ; yea such was his meekness of spirit , that it seemeth not to be paralleld . for though he lived with his wife above twenty years , yet neither childe , nor servant , could ever say that they saw so much as an angry countenance , or heard so much as an angry word proceed from him towards her all her life long . some have observed , that towards his latter end in his visage he did much resemble the picture that is usually made for moses . certainly he was the exact effiges of moses his spirit , and in this resembled him to the life , that he was one of the meekest men that this generation hath known . he was , as a great peace-keeper , so a great peace-maker , having an excellent dexterity in composing of differences , he was far from doing wrong to others , and as far from revenging wrong done to him by others . notwithstanding which , he suffered much , both by the speeches , and also by the actions of evil , and envious persons ; yet his manner was , rather to pray for them , than in any harsh manner to retaliate like for like . he alwayes judged that revilers , and injurious persons wronged themselves more than him . sundry scandalous and false aspersions were cast upon him , yea by such persons as were guilty of those very crimes which they laid to his charge . for some who lived by the unwarrantable trade of usury , to justifie their own unlawful practices , have not stuck to charge the same upon him , though he was alwayes free from it , never putting out any money to use , either by himself , or any other for him , neither directly , nor indirectly , as he hath been often heard to affirm , both in his life time , and not long before his death . being chosen president of sion college , according to the custome , when he left his office , he preached a learned and polite latine sermon ad clerum , which he delivered by the strength of his memory , without the help of his notes , which shewed that though his body was decrepit , and feeble , yet his intellectuals were vivid , quick and vigorous . he was very charitable , especially to the godly poor , according to that direction of the apostle , gal. . . where he exhorts us to do good to all , but especially to the houshold of faith. he maintained some poor schollars in the university wholly at his own charge , and contributed liberally towards the maintenance of others . indeed he set apart a sacrea stock as he called it , a portion for the poor , proportionable to his receits , which he faithfully distributed . yea he was of such a charitable , and bountiful a disposition , that though his father left him a competent estate , yet such were his annual disbursements for his kindred , and others that stood in need of relief , that from the time of his fathers death till his children came to be of years , and so to call for their portions , he laid up nothing of all his comings in ; whereby it may appear , that they , who out of envy cry up his estate to be greater than it was , do consequently cry up his bounty and charity : for that whatsoever his estate was , it was wholly laid out for the relief of such as stood in need ( necessary expences for his family only excepted ) which as it doth appear by his papers so in his life time he professed it to some of his children ; and truly as in other things he excelled many others , so in this he excelled himself . he was very conscientious in the expence of his time from his youth to the very time of his death . his custome was to rise very early both in the winter and summer . in the winter time he constantly rose so long before day , as that he alwaies performed all the exercises of his private devotions before day-light : and in the summer time he rose about four a clock in the morning ; by which means he had done half his work before others began their studies . if he happened to hear any at their work before he began his studies , he would say ( as demosthenes spake concerning the smith ) that he was much troubled that any should be at the works of their calling , before he was at his . he was a man of much temperance and sobriety , both in his eating , drinking , and apparrel : and for recreations , howsoever many pious persons do spend time therein , and that lawfully in warrantable recreations , yet he spent none of his so , whence it was that he was never expert in any kinde of sports : he hath been often heard to say , that he never took any journey meerly of pleasure in all his life-time . study , and p●ins were alwayes , both in youth and age his chefest pleasure and delight ; yea it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his heavenly father , wherein he took as much pleasure and delight , as natural men do in their eating and drinking , or in their disports and pastimes . such was his deportment in his conversation , that there was scarce a lord , or lady , or citizen of quality , in , or about the city that were piously affected , but they sought his acquaintance , and were ambitious to enjoy his company , wherein they took much content , and found much benefit to their souls thereby . and whereas many persons of quality out of their great respect to him , came to visit him , he would so endeavour to order their conference as might tend most to their edification ; and if their visits were meerly complemental , he soon grew weary , and accounted it a burden to him . he was alwayes of a very friendly , and courteous disposition , in so much as the meanest , not only of his own parish , but of the city , found easie access to him , and he was as easie to be intreated , yea ready to do what good he could to all . and amongst other graces his humility was very eminent , and exemplary : though others knew 〈◊〉 when his face did not shine , yet he knew not when it did . he that readily could observe the least glimpses or appearances of any worth in others , would not acknowledge them in himself : he was ( as it was said of nazianzen ) high in imployments , and abilities , but low in his disposition , and resentment of his own worth . he was not observed to be puffed up either with the multitudes that flocked unto his ministry ( which were many and great ) nor with any applauses of men ; but would still say , that he knew more by himself to abase him , than any could know to extol him ; yea so eminent was his humility , that he charged his executor , to whom he committed the care of his funeral , that there should no green-staffe be laid upon his herse , though this usual respect is given to those who in their life-time were governours of the hospital of bridewell , one of which number this worthy doctor was , yea and a benefactor too to that house : as also that he should not affixe any escocheons to his herse , though he was a gentleman of an ancient descent , as if he had thought that the poverty of christ was his patrimony , and coat of arms , and his interest in him , his greatest , and best atchievement ; or as if both living and dead he would be ( as the apostle speaks ) cloathed with humility . he was much in communion with god , and contented not himself only with his constant , daily , and ordinary holy duties , but was also frequent in extraordinary exercises . in the bishops times , when it was not permitted to keep fasts in the publick congregations , he was one of those ministers who frequently holp private christians in their more retired humiliations . in times of fears and dangers , he with divers others , had sometimes monthly , yea sometimes weekly fasts , whereof many were kept in his own house , and others of them in his vestry ; which he was observed to perform with extraordinary reverence & awfulness of spirit . his confessions were accompanied with much sense of , and sorrow for sin , brokenness of heart , self-abhorrency , judging of the creature , and justifying of god : his petitions were pertinent , judicious , spiritual , seasonable , accompanied with faith and fervency ; like a true son of jacob , he wrestled with supplications , and tears , as resolving not to depart out of gods presence without a blessing . but there was none like him in thanksgiving , when a man would have thought that he had spent the last drop of his spirits and strength in confession and prayer ; o! how would he recollect is spirits when he came to the work of thanksgiving , wherein he would be so large , particular , warm , and vigorous , that in the end of the day when mens affections grew flat , he would so revive and quicken them , as if the work had been then but newly begun , and as if that had been the onely work of the day ; and herein indeed he may be a pattern to all his surviving brethren in the ministry . he was very inquisitive after the state , and condition of the church of christ , both at home , and abroad , that he might accordingly order his prayers in their behalf , of whom he was never unmindful in his addresses unto god. and when he heard that it went ill with the church of god in any place , like another nehemiah , he sate him down , and wept , and mourned , and fasted , and prayed unto the god of heaven in their behalf . his study was as great to advance christ , as to debase himself . he used frequently to say , when i look upon my self , i see nothing but emptiness , and weakness ; but when i look upon christ , i see nothing but fulness and sufficiency . when the hand of his body was weak and shaking , that of his soul , his faith was strong and steddy . when he could not hold the cup at the sacrament , nor scarce carry it to his own mouth by reason of his palsie hand , yet then with a firme an● fixed affiance did he lay hold upon christ , and with a strong and eager appetite applied his blood to his soul , and his manner was sweetly to breathe forth joyful thanksgivings for his refreshment by the blood of christ , when he was returned to his house after the lords supper ; yea when he could hardly creep with his body to the place where it was celebrated , and was forced many times to make use of the help of others to support him in his passage thither , even then did his faith run swiftly , and was upon the wing to carry him to christ. when worldly suports failed him , when health , and strength forsook him , he made jesus christ the staff of his old age , often professing , as his great misery and impotency without him , so his holy and humble recumbency upon him . great was his patience under the visiting hand of god , especially in his old age , when god exercised him with painful maladies . though by reason of the sharpness , and bitterness of his pains occasioned by the stone , and acuteness of his urine , and that lethalis arundo ( as he oft called it ) that deadly arrow in his side , which he knew could never be plucked out but by death , i mean his asthma , which he got by an excessive cold in attending upon publick imployments : notwithstanding ( i say ) by reason of these he was often heard to groan , yet never did he once grumble against the dispensations of god. never did he complain of god for his sufferings , though oft of himself for sinning : he never cryed out a great sufferer , but oft , a great sinner ! and yet he would overtake that expression again , with the discoursing of , and comforting himself in a great saviour , and in the depth of his torments he would say , well , yet in all these there is nothing of hell , or of gods wrath . his sufferings were never so deep , but he could see the bottome of them , and would say , soul be silent , soul be patient ; it is thy god , and father that thus ordereth thy estate ; thou art his clay , he may tread and trample on thee , as pleaseth him : thou hast deserved much more : it is enough that thou art kept out of hell : though thy pain be grievous , yet it is tollerable : thy god affords some intermissions , he will turn it to thy good , and at length put an end to all ; none of these can be expected in hell. he used often to make mention of the extent of obedience , which he said , was not onely to endeavour to do what god requireth , but also patiently to bear what gods will is to lay upon his creature , as christ himself , though he were the son , yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered . in his greatest pangs , he oft used this speech of holy job , shall we receive good from the hands of god , and not evil ? he often commended his soul unto christ , and used to say , i am perswaded that he is able to keep that which i have committed to him against that day . when any of his friends went about to comfort him in those gifts which god had bestowed on him , and works which he had wrought by him , he would answer , i dare not think of any such thing for comfort ; jesus christ , and what he hath done , and endured , is the only ground of my sure comfort . many that came to visit him in his weakness , professed that they went away better than they came , by reason of those savoury and gracious speeches , and expressions that proceeded from him . though , towards his latter end , his fits of the stone were frequent and sharp , having sometimes four or five of them in an hour , yet such was his desire to finish that his so much desired commentary upon the epistle to the hebrews , that so soon as the bitter pain of his fit was over , he still returned to his work , making some further progress therein . and thus he continued labouring in that imployment through many pains till tuesday the . of december , anno christi , . about which time , as his natural strength was exceedingly decayed , so now also his intellectuals began to fail , and for the following three dayes , a drousiness seized upon him , insomuch that he could not hold up his head to look into a book , but slumbered away his time in a chair ; and upon friday being the third day after he had given over his studies , enquiring what day it was , he cried out , alas ! i have lost three dayes . the day following being saturday he had no desire to arise out of his bed , neither indeed could he , in regard of his weakness , which was such , and he was so sensible of it , that he said , now i have not long to live in this world , the time of my departure is at hand , i am going to my desired haven ; the apprehension whereof was no little joy unto him , for he had often said to such of his friends as came to visit him in his sickness , i am willing to dye , having , i bless god , nothing to do but to dye . indeed sometimes he seemed to be in the same strait with st. paul between life and death , having a desire to depart that he might be with christ , which was best of all : but yet very desirous he was to finish his commentary upon the epistle to the hebrews , which he knew would be very useful to the church of god , and in that respect he was willing to live ; and god so far answered his desire in that particular , that he lived to finish it within half a chapter . but when he perceived that his time in this world could not be long , o! how sweet , and joyful was the apprehension of death unto him , which he often termed , his best friend next to jesus christ. so that he came willingly ; he was not plucked and dragged to death : death was his familiar acquaintance ; it was his priviledge as well as his task . when his good sister said to him in his sickness , brother , i am afraid to leave you alone ; why sister ( said he ) i shall i am sure , be with iesus christ when i dye . the meditation of death was not more frequent than sweet unto him . his soul was upon the wing , and was bent heaven-ward , even whilst it was in the cage of his decrepit body . upon saturday , though he kept his bed through weakness , yet was he more wakeful , and his spirit more lively , and cheerful , than for several dayes before , which questionless was from his joyful apprehension of his approaching departure . his speeches that day were more than ordinary heavenly : he spake much in the admiration of gods free grace , and riches of his mercy in jesus christ. as while he lived he led a heavenly life , so about the time of his death , by those comforts , and joyes that he found in his soul , he seemed to be in heaven , even while he was upon the earth ; and so he continued full of sweet , and divine comfort , and heavenly expressions to the last of his understanding and speech , which continued to munday morning , when both of them failed him ; from which time he lay breathing , yet shorter , and shorter till eight of the clock at night , about which time , in the presence of all his children , and divers of his friends , he quietly slept in the lord , making an happy change from earth to heaven , which was decem. . anno christi , being years old , after he had served god faithfully and painfully in his generation . a catalogue of the books published by him . of domestical duties on eph. . and . the whole armour of god , on eph. . of the sin against the holy ghost , on matth. . , . mar. . , . upon the lords prayer , called , a guide to go to god. gods three arrows , plague , famine , and sword , on num. . , &c. sam. . . exod. . . the extent of gods providence ; nov. . on matth. . , , . the dignity of chivalry , on chron ▪ . the saints sacrifice , or a comment on psal. . two treatises , . the sabbaths sanctification . . a treatise of apostacy , on luke . . the saints support : a sermon before the commons in parliament , on nehem. . . mercies memorial , nov. . on exod. . . the progress of divine providence : a sermon before the house of lords , on ezek. . . a funeral sermon , on ezek. . . the right way : a sermon before the lords , on ezra . . two catechismes . a commentary on the epistle to the hebrews . my reverend friend mr. tho. gouge , eldest son to this famous doctor , desired me to insert this life , amongst these other worthies contained in this volume . the life and death of mr. thomas gataker , who dyed anno christi , . mr. thomas gataker , or gatacre ( for so he wrote himself till of later years to prevent miscalling , occasioned frequently by the view of the letters , he changed it into gataker ) was a branch of a very ancient family , so firmly by gods providence planted in shropshire , that the stock hath continued in the same house , carrying the name of its owner , and known by the title of gatacre-hall ; by an un-interrupted succession from the time of king edward the confessor . his father , mr. thomas gatacre ( being a younger son of william gatacre ) was designed by his parents to the study of the law , in order whereunto he was admitted a student in the temple : and during his abode there , he , occasionally went to visit some of his kindred , who were then high in place , and power , whereby he was often present at the examination of some christian confessors of the gospel , in those bloody times wherein satan armed all his forces to suppress that dawning light which threatned ruine to his kingdome of darkness . the harshness and cruelty of those proceedings , together with the constancy of those weak , yet sincere christians , who with evidence of truth , and resolution of minde maintained faith and a good conscience , were very prevalent with him to facilitate his entertainment of that purer doctrine of the gospel which began to shine into his soul. this being apprehended by his parents , fearing his change in religion , they sent him over to lovaine in flanders , and to win him to a compliance with them in religion , they setled upon him an estate in a lease of an hundred pounds per annum in old rents ; but like st. paul , phil. . . he counted all outward advantages as nothing in comparison of the knowledge of iesus christ. his father therefore perceiving how fixt and unmoveable he was in his choice of religion , in which yet he had nothing to except against , but only the novelty of it , he recalled him into england , and in great displeasure revoked his former grant of ● . per annum , which yet could not be effected without his sons consent : but this young disciple had already learned the hard lesson of self-denial , and of forsaking all to follow christ , and therefore to preserve his conscience pure and intire , he gave up that which was intended as a baite to apostacy . but the lord , who h●●h promised to his faithful followers reparation and satisfaction for all their losses for his sake , raised him up friends , by whose assistance , and encouragement , he pursued his studies at oxford , and in process of time , when , not onely the clouds of ignorance and superstition were dispelled , but also those bloody storms in the marian dayes were blown over , he took upon him the publick ministry of the gospel , and was houshold chaplain to that great favourite , robert earle of lecester , and afterwards pastor of st. edmunds in lumberd street , london : in which parsonage house by his wife ( who was of an honest family of the pigots in hertfortshire ) amongst other children , he had this thomas , who was born september the . anno christi . in his childe-hood he was so addicted to those means which his parents applied him unto , for the implanting in him the seeds of good literature , that he rather needed a bridle , than a spur : for his love of learning ( equal to that admirable capacity , wherewith the father of lights had furnished him ) was so active in the acquiring of it , that his father was fain often gently to chide him from his book . neither were his nimble wit , sharp judgement , and vast memory perverted to be the instruments of that debauchery wherewith the corruption of our nature doth too often stain and desloure our first dayes : for he had a lovely gravity in his young coversation ; so that what gregory nazianzen said of the great basil , might be averred of him , that he held forth learning beyond his age , and a fixedness of manners beyond his learning . having happily finished his tyrocinnia of first exercises in the grammar-schooles ( wherein he overcame by his strange industry the difficulties which th●se times ( dest●tute of many helps which our present dayes do enjoy ) conflicted withall , and outstripped many of his fellows which ran in the same course ; before he had compleated sixteen years viz. anno christi , he was by his father placed in st. johns college in cambridge . not long after his settlement there , his father ( being called by god to receive the reward of his labours ) left him , not wholly destitute , and yet not sufficiently provided for any long continuance of his studies in that place . but god who hath engaged his truth and mercy to the upright , and even to his seed also , ps. . , . ( especially when the son doth not degenerate , nor thwart the providence of god , by a forfeiture of his title to the promises ) provided friends and means for him , who was by an hidden counsel then designed to be an instrument of doing much service to the church of christ. thus the fruit was not nipped in a promising bud , by the frost of want . now not from meer favour , but from merit ( upon the proof of his learning ) he was 〈◊〉 chosen scholler of that worthy society , wherein he continued his studies with unwearied diligence , and happy success , till he , with abilities answerable to his degree , commenced master of arts. for an instance of his industry , take this , viz. that he was a constant auditor of that eminent light of learning , mr. john boys , who read a greek lecture in his bed to certain young students that preferred their nightly studies before their rest and ease . the notes of those lectures he kept as a treasure , and being visited by mr. boys many years after , he brought them forth to him , to the no small joy of the good old man , who professed that he was made some years younger by that grateful entertainment . about this time was contracted that streight friendship betwixt our mr. gataker , and that faithful servant of jesus christ. mr. richard stock , which continued to the death of this reverend minister , as appears by mr. gatakers testimony given unto him at his funeral . an evidence of that good esteem which mr. gataker had now acquired for his learning and piety was this , that a college being then to be erected by the munificence of the countess of sussex , the trustees of that foundress ( being persons eminent for prudence and zeal ) did choose him for one of that society , and they transplanted him into that new nursery of arts and religion , being confident that he would ( as indeed he did by christs assistance ) prove very fruitful both for the ornament and benefit of that seminary . indeed they laid hold of him before the house was fit for inhabitants , fearing lest so fair and promising a flower should be taken up by some other hand . but while the college was in building . ( that he might not lose any opportunity of doing good ) he retired himself to the house of mr. william aylofes in essex , who had prevailed with him to instruct both himself in the hebrew language , and his eldest son in that literature which was proper to his age . in this family , partly by his own inclination , and partly by the encouragement of the governours thereof , he performed family duties for the instruction and edification of the whole houshold , expounding to them a portion of scripture every morning , that the sun of righteousness might as constantly arise in their hearts , as the day brake in upon them . in this exercise , whereby he laboured to profit both himself and others , he went over the epistles of the apostles , the prophesie of isaiah , and a good part of the book of job , rendring the text out of the original languages , and then delivering cleer explications , and also deducing usefull observations . dr. stern , the suffragan of colchester , on a time visiting the mistress of the family ( to whom he was nearly related ) happened to be present at one of these exercises , at which time mr. gataker explicated the first chapter of st. pauls epistle to the ephesians , which is known to be most pregnant of divine my steries : but this portion of holy writ he treated upon with such happy elucidations , that the judicious doctor was much satisfied with his pains therein , and admiring the endowments of mr. gataker , exhorted him instantly to be ordained to the work of the ministry , whereby those his gifts might be authoritatively exercised for the publick good , and improved for the building up of the church , and withall , offered him his assistance in that business : but mr. gataker , well weighing the burden of that calling , and judging modestly of his own abilities , which he conceived disproportionable for that office ( to the full discharge whereof the apostle hath set , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , who is sufficient ? ) thanked the doctor for his kinde offer , but deferred the matter to further consideration : but afterwards by the advice of the reverend mr. henry alvey , formerly his tutor , and whom in this business he now took for his counsellour , upon his remonstrance of divers reasons , and the importunity of dr. stern afresh re-iterated , he assented to be ordained by the said suffragan . the fabrick of sidney-sussex college being now finished , he betook himself to the station , and imployment whereunto he was before designed , and to the work depending thereon , wherein his pains in seasoning young students with principles of piety and learning , were both great , and very successful : for some of them that watered their gardens at his spring , or kindled their lamps at his light , grew up to great eminency , as mr. john hoyl , and mr. thomas pell , who were afterwards worthy fellows of that society . about that time there were certain persons in the university , zealous of promoting the glory of god , and of gaining souls to christ , that lay in a sad condition through the defect of pastors able to teach , and lead the people in the wayes of truth , life , and peace , especially mr. abdias ashton of st. johns college , and mr. william bedel of emanuel , who set on foot a design of preaching in places adjacent to cambridge , even to a considerable distance . these men invited mr. gataker to be a partner in this good imployment , who being drawn , and encouraged by them , preached every lords day at everton ( a village in the meeting-confines of cambridge , bedford , and huntingtonshire ) where a decrepid man ( who was reported to be sixscore and ten years old ) sustained the name of vicar , vix magni nominis umbra . here a family of the burgoines , resident in that place deserveth this honourable remembrance , that mr. roger burgoine during that time , used mr. gataker with great humanity , and respect , which by him was construed to be an effect of his piety . after he had thus religiously imployed himself for the space of half a year , manifesting his publick spirit therein , he had some causes that moved him to retire from the university at the motion of mr. ashton before mentioned , who had been his tutor , whereupon he removed to sir william cooks family , then resident in london . this place and imployment occasioned a more publick discovery of his ministerial gifts , with the singular approbation of many persons of note , not onely for their outward estate , but also for their affection unto , and judgement in religion . hereupon the lecturers place of lincolns inne falling void , some principal persons of that honourable society ( who had been his auditors occasionally elsewhere ) made addresses unto him , inviting him unto that place , offering their assistance , and alledging the facility of his introduction by the lord chief justice pophams interessing himself in the business , whom they knew to have loved his father mr. thomas gataker ( being once his intimate friend , and contemporary in the study of the law ) and to favour this his son very highly for his own worth and work in the ministry : but he , according to his usual modesty , declined the undertaking of it , and resisted the importunities even of his friend mr. stock ; till dr. mountague , master of sidney-college , repairing to london , and being made acquainted with the design in hand ( though ●e had it in his thoughts to invite mr. gataker back to the college , that he might read an hebrew lecture which had a salary annexed to it by the lord harrington , ●e● ) laying that aside , he pressed mr. gataker with arguments , and authority , encouraging him against his own dissidence , and so wrought him at last to an assent , that without any suit made by him the lord popham should recommend him to that society . thus was he chosen preacher at lincolns-inne , where he spent ten years to the great advancement of piety amongst them , and with an happy reformation of some abuses of the lords day , as he himself testifies in his apologetical discourse against lilly , p. , . but notwithstanding that engagement , mr. gataker did not totally abandon the family of sir william cook , to whose lady he was near by blood , and dear to them both upon the account of his pious and profitable labours amongst them . therefore in the vacation-times , being dis-ingaged from his attendance at the innes of court , he resided in that family , exercising his ministry either in their chappel , or in the parish church as occasion offered it self ; and this he did with an apostolical minde , not for filthy lucre , but freely , making the gospel a burden onely to the dispenser of it ; yet such was the care and piety of that religious pair , that they also would not serve god with that that cost them nothing : for aftewards , in consideration of those his pains freely taken amongst them , they settled upon mr. gataker an annuity of l. per annum , which also he received for some few years , but afterwards he saw reason to remit it to the heire of that family , forbearing to make use of his right he had to it , and forbidding his executor to demand any arrears of that annuity . this is mentioned the rather to shew the generous temper of this holy man of god , who aimed at the spiritual good of others , more than at his own temporal advantages , and how infinitely he was removed from the fordid acquisition of gain , or the prostitution of his sacred function unto secular designs , which may stop the mouth of malice , and the impudent clamours of some , whose consciences being either gauled or cauterized , spared not to traduce him for covetousness : but his own pen wrote the best apology , as indeed ( according to that of nazianzen ) they that will give him a just character , have need of his eloquence . whilst he attended on that flock at lincolns inne , sir william sidley , a learned mecaenas , and pious patron of the church , proffered him a fair benefice ; and when mr. gataker declined the burden of a pastoral charge , and pleaded an unwillingness to be removed from those worthy gentlemen ( of whose favour he had such good experience ) he endeavoured to perswade him that by taking an assistant , all those inconveniences would be salved , and so he needed not to desert that society , which in term● time only required his labours and attendance : but mr gataker , who poised the burden in the ballance of the sanctuary , alwayes judged one cure of souls to be sufficient for one man , and therefore ventured the unkinde resentment of the noble gentleman upon his refusal , rather than the multiplying of preferments to himself . after ten years labours profitably imployed at lincolns inne , not onely to the great benefit of the then living servants of god , but also for the behoof of posterity , especially by that his learned tractate of lots , there , and then conceived , and formed ( wherein what satisfaction is given to conscience in many cases , let the judicious acknowledge . ) mr. gataker thence removed to undertake the rectory of rotherhithe in surry , of the grounds , motives , and manner whereof he himself hath largely given an account to the world in his apologetick against lilly , p. , . of which this is the sum ; the rectory of redrith in surry ( as it is commonly called ) being void , and one of an infamous life , labouring hard to succeed in it ( in order to which , before the former incumbents death , he had set on foot a transaction with the mother of certain orphans in whose hands the patronage was supposed to rest ) some of the religious inhabitants , valuing the means of grace above all their other outward enjoyments , cast their eyes , and thoughts upon mr. gataker , to gain whom , to their own intreaties , they added the mediation of his good friend mr. richard stock , who , when he had by many reasons remonstrated unto him that god did give him a clear call to that place , whose honour , and ordinances might suffer prejudice by the intrusion of an unworthy man if he should refuse the call , he at last suffered himself to be perswaded , and prevailed with to undertake that charge ; which being represented to sir henry hobart , the kings atturney general by mr. randolph crew ( afterwards lord chief justice ) sir henry that before favoured other pretensions to gratifie some tenants of his in that parish , yet now did readily imbrace the motion concerning the setling of mr. gataker there , according to his own contentment ; and withall wrote a letter to the bishop for the removal of all obstructions that lay in the way , or that might hinder his acceptance of the presentation of mr. gataker , which , being signed with all the hands of the three brethren , who had right to that advocation , was tendred on his behalf . the report of this his removal was no welcome news to many of that honourable society , who would fain have retained him , and some of them offered an enlargement of his maintenance for an argument to keep him , and others of them represented the consistence of both imployments by the help of an assistant : but he that made not his ministry a meer trade of living here , as gregory nazianzene complained that some did in his time , and too many do in our times , would not multiply his burdens , when he deemed himself unfit for the least , and would not suffer himself to be wrought to any other resolution . therefore anno christi , commending his former charge to the grace of god , he betook himself to the sole attendance of that flock of which now the holy ghost had made him the overseer ; and his industry in the discharge of his duty there was both constant and great , notwithstanding that he was almost perpetually troubled with the head-ache , wherewith god had exercised him from his very youth , and for which he had only this poor comfort from his physician , dr. goulston , his singular good friend ( with whom he communicated his studies upon galen , and to whom he contributed his assistance for the edition of some parts of galen ) who often told him , that the incurable disease of age would be the onely remedy of his distemper , because together with the abatement of natural heat , his indisposition would grow less vigorous and violent . to the work of his ministry in publick upon the sabbaths , he added a catechetical weekly lecture on fridays in the evening , which was designed by him , to lay the foundation of saving knowledge in the hearts of the children , of whom a certain number every lecture day did give an account of their knowledge by set answers to questions delivered out to them aforehand for their instruction ( this course of holding a form of sound words , agreeable to the doctrine of the gospel consigned in holy writ , of what importance it is , we may gather from that ignorance , and those errours which have invaded the church in these our times ; which mischiefs can hardly be imputed to any thing so much as to the neglect of that usefull duty of catechizing . ) but that exercise was performed by him with such an accurate , and methodical explication of the whole body of divinity , that christians of riper years , and of long standing in christs school , did resort to be partakers of those discourses , wherein their well-exercised senses did find not only milk fit for babes , but also solid meat suitable to grown men in christ. this course he continued till he had compleated a pefect summary of divinity , and gave it over when he saw that the least part of his auditory consisted of those for whose sakes he principally intended this work ; his parishoners being grown at least to a neglect of his free labours in that kinde . mr. gatakers constant retirement in his study caused him to make choise of an help meet for him that might oversee his family , which was a necessary act of prudence ; and therefore not long before he left lincolns inne , he married the widow of mr. william cupp , to whose two daughters he was so providently kinde in their education , that he disposed of them in marriage to two divines of note in the church , and continued such a fatherly love to them , and theirs , that the world mistook them for his own children . that wife dyed in child-bed of a son that did bear the fathers name , who , after that he had seen the most remote parts of the world , wherewith we keep commerce , returned home to his father , and dyed in peace . the same motive still being in force , he after a decent interval of widow-hood , chose for himself the daughter of a reverend minister , mr. charles pinner , who was brought up in the worthy , and religious family of mr. ellis crisp , brother to mrs. pinner ; and it pleased god to give him a son by her , whom in process of time he dedicated unto god in the work of the ministry , but immediately to take away the mother , so that the mothers funerals , and the childes baptisme were celebrated together . thus our wise and gracious father tempers the cup for his children , lest they should surfet upon earthly enjoyments , as they might easily do if they were unmixed with occasions of sorrow . then did mr. gataker remain for many years in a disconsolate condition , till at last he adventured and married a gentlewoman of a very considerable family , being sister to sir george , and sir john farwell , and a good esteem for knowledge and piety . by her he had three children , whereof a son , and a daughter were carried to the ground before their mother , but the third yet lives to walk by the light of her fathers life and doctrine . this his third wife being of a contemplative minde , fell into a consumption , which so wasted her body , that her soul took its flight from thence into heaven . last of all he took to wife a citizens widow , whose comfortable conversation he enjoyed for the space of four and twenty years , but without any issue by her . his love to her was one motive that induced him to remove out of his parsonage house into another habitation of his own revenue . for , supposing that she might survive him , he would make a convenient provision for her , that she might not be subject to the curtesie of another for her removal ; and that affection extended it self in his great liberality to many of 〈◊〉 kindred that were in need of help and support from him , and that both in her life time , and since her decease . he survived her two years within a few dayes , and because he numbred his dayes with wisdome , and thereupon presumed that the time was approaching wherein his soul should be married to the lamb , he would not endure to listen to the motion of some , who would have advised him to a new entanglement in the world . having thus related his several marriages in a continued narrative , let us now step back to take notice of some passages in time that went before the last of them . anno christi , having a justifiable curiosity to see our neighbour churches in the united provinces , and something of the spanish provinces in the netherlands , he took advantage of the truce between the king of spain , and the hollanders for a free passage between both countries . thereupon with his entire friend , captain joshua downing , and an old acquaintance , mr. roger hughs ( his mnason , whose house he frequented at london ) he took his voyage , taking also along with him a nephew of his , who was a young student , to be a partner with him in his travels . his mother being then alive , had some fears , lest he being a known and noted adversary to the popish cause ( which he had mortally wounded with many and sharp weapons ) should suffer inconvenience from that generation of vipers , whose violent , and virulent malice often prompts them to base course of secret revenge ; but god was his guide , his sun , and his shield , and so prospered his journey , that within a months space ( for they took boat july the , and returned safe august the , ) he had viewed the most considerable places in the low-countries . in this his travel he gave better satisfaction to the english church in middleburgh , where he gave way to the importunity of friends , who were desirous to hear him as well as glad to see him , than he did to the english papists in flanders , with whom he had divers debates , wherein he drove some to a confusion whom he could not draw to a conversion . anno christi . a violent fit of the colick assaulted him , and brought him to the very brink of the grave ; but it pleased god to bring him back again that he might do him further service . for the year ensuing , before he had well recovered his strength , he was called by the parliament to sit as one of the assembly which was summoned to be consulted with about religion ; where his endeavours for promoting truth , and suppressing errour were sincere and serious : and his study of peace with modesty was in this remarkable , that when his reasons delivered concerning christs obedience in order to our justification ( wherein he differed from his brethren , could not obtain assent from the major part , which determined the question contrary to his sense , his great love of unity imposed upon him silence , and wrought likewise upon him resolutions , not to publish his discourses upon that subject from rom. . . that so he might not publickly discover dissent from the votes of that reverend assembly . i wish there had been the like prudence and modesty in some others , who profess themselves to differ but in circumstantials . during his attendance upon the work of that convention , the earle of manchester ( being acquainted with his great worth , and fitness in regard of his learning of all kindes for academical transactions ) offered him the mastership of trinity college in cambridge , which is the greatest preferment in that university . for that noble lord being intrusted by the parlament with the reformation of that academy , was not passionately transported with a blinde partiality of mens persons upon any sinister respects , but desired to prefer them whom he judged most worthy , and most hopeful to do christ service in that place , and therefore being perswaded that mr. gataker might ( both in regard of his gravity , and vast scholastical abilities ) be a choise ornament to that university , and fair copy for others to write by , he was very desirous to place him there . but this good man , though often importuned by many friends to accept of the motion , according to his accustomed modesty , with many thanks to the noble earle , refused to undertake that place , though of much honour , service , and outward advantage ; pleading , together with his unworthiness , the weakness of his body by reason of age , and thereupon his inability to take journies : and because he looked upon himself , as having one foot in the grave , he humbly desired , that a younger man might be thought upon , more likely to be longer serviceable than himself , in a place of so great eminency and trust . and indeed the sense of his own weakness was not a vain presage of his decayes ; for not long after he was again surprised by the colick , which before had shaken him , and made his crazie body less able to endure new conflicts , and these were so sharp , that his recovery appeared desperate , not only to his other friends , but even to his physitians also . yet it pleased god though he chastened him sore , not to give him over unto death . for his studies , which seemed to be his meat and drink in his health , were his physick also when he was sick : for whilst he was confined to his chamber , he prepared for the press his dissertation de tetragrammato , and a grammatical discourse de bivocalibus ; and though this for the subject be not comparable to the other , yet it may be averred , that what he did by the by , and for the refreshment of his languishing body , and minde , was of more worth than the main work of many students . after a long time that he had been a prisoner in his own house , he , by gods assistance recovered so much strength as that he was able to go to gods house : and now he believed himself bound to imploy his ministerial gifts in gods service , and therefore he again adventured into the pulpit , where he spent himself so far that he strained a veyn in his lungs , for which ( being then about seventy three years old ) he was let blood , by which , and other good means god was pleased to carry him through that danger . when he had recruited his veyns , and sinews with fresh abilities , he , being unwilling to fall under that woe , cor. . . for not preaching the gospel , acted more according to the willingness of his spirit , than was proportionable to the weakness of the flesh ; whereupon he fell into a relapse of spitting blood ( for which he again permitted a veyn to be opened ) which laid on him a necessity of forbe●ring the pulpit ; yet would he never forgoe the administration of the sacraments , nor his usual short discourse at funerals suitable to the present ( whensoever he was sollicited thereunto ) though even those shorter exercises of his lungs were painful to him , & wasted that oil , which , like a burning light he spent for the enlightning of others . the main of his time was now spent in his study , and that was not designed as a meer entertainment of himself in a quiet privacy , but to the publick benefit of the church for the present , and for posterity , as appears amongst other works , by those exquisite annotations upon the prophesies of isaiah , jeremiah , and the lamentations ; and we should have gained more by his later industry , if the malicious slanders of the enemies of the truth had not diverted his time , and studies to some necessary apologies . neither did he , when he was by the hand of god disabled to preach , betray his flock into the hands of wolves , that would make a prey of precious souls , nor desert it . for being troubled , lest the foundation that he had laid ( after the example of the wise master-builder st. paul ) should either not be built upon , or destroyed , he retained the title of rector , with a charge beyond the revenue ( as it was sometimes proved ) till provision might be made of a faithfull , and orthodox minister , to whom he might comfortably devolve both the burden and the benefit . to his care of feeding his flock in publick , very agreeable was his diligence in instructing his family in private ; for on friday nights weekly after supper he used to expound that short catechisme which he had published for the use of his parishioners ; in which course he so laid forth the nature and attributes of god , the state of man , both intire and corrupt , the means of his fall , and recovery ; the nature of faith and repentance , with the doctrine of the sacraments ; that his parlour was one of the best schooles for a young student to learn divinity in ; and indeed his house was a private seminary for divers young gentlemen of this nation , and far more forreigners , who did resort to , and sojourn with him , to receive from him direction , and advancement in their studies ; and many who afterwards were eminent in the churches , both here , and abroad , were brought up under his eye , at least , as paul was at the feet of gamaliel . persons of note that had been his assistants were ▪ mr. young , mr. goodal , mr. symonds , ( of whom yet in these later times of division , mr. gataker hath been heard to say , it was pity that our church had lost him , intimating his turning aside to wayes of separation ) mr. grayle , and others who are yet living labourers in gods vineyard . of forreigners that sojourned with him , and were as ambitious of being entertained by him as if they had been admitted into a university ; these were some , mr. thylein , who was afterwards a reverend pastor of the dutch church in london ( whose son was brought by his mother but a fortnight before mr. gatakers decease , intreating the same good office in the behalf of him , which the father had with much comfort enjoyed ) mr. peters , mr. and. demetrius , mr. hornbeck , mr. rich , mr. swerd , mr. wittefrangel , mr. severinu● benzon , mr. georg de mey , dr. treschovius , &c. the strength of mr. gatakers memory was extraordinary , as may appear by this , that though he used no common-place book , yet had he in readiness whatsoever he had read , as is manifested by his manifold quotations in all his works . his gifts for edification may be conjectured by his works which are extant , in which he hath shewed himself like the ingenuous and industrious bee for his rare extraction of all manner of knowledge from almost all authors , and the solid digestion of it first , and then storing it up for the publick good . his polite literature was admired by the great lights of learning abroad , as the excellent salmasius , and others with whom he held correspondence . and the exercise of it with condescention to children hath been enjoyed with wonder and pleasure at his visitation at tunbridge school with the right worshipful company of skinners , the worthy patrons thereof ; and that which made all his knowledge both usefull and gratefull , was , that he was neither vain in ostentation , nor morose , or illiberal in reservation of it . but beyond all , he sacrificed his talents to god , while he made hagar serve sarah , and contributed the egyptian spoyls , all his forreign learning towards the building of the tabernacle : for with a strange felicity , he made his humane literature ( both his moral and critical studies ) to become subservient to religion , and instrumental to the explication of heavenly truths . his graces of sanctification were very eminent in every condition , to all purposes , and towards all his relations . in the private course of his life , his piety , humility and charity were very remarkable . his piety appeared not only by his diligence in preaching , but also by his own frequenting gods ordinances dispensed by others ; in order whereunto he did once a week at least , repair to some lecture in london , so long as he had liberty to look beyond the bounds of his own parish : he manifested his piety also by his strict , careful , and conscientious observation of the lords dayes , which he wholly consecrated ( except the seasons of repast ) unto holy duties , and imployments ; and besides he was free in his contributions upon divers occasions to the maintaing of the lords house of prayer : and because there is a connexion between sacred persons and things , his love to godly and faithfull ministers may be looked upon as an act of piety , as well as of charity . another evident instance of his zeal for gods glory , was his constant consideration of the state of gods churches abroad , with a diligent enquiry how it fared with them , and a tender sense of their affliction , which begat his meditation on amos . . entituled , sorrow for sion : as also his earnest desire of a reformation of things amiss amongst our selves , was doubtless acceptable unto god , though this sinful nation is yet unworthy to have it accomplshed . one special effect and property of his piety was , that holiness of life expressed in a constant tenor of good duties , with the abridgement of his liberty in things indifferent , especially of recreations ( for he understood no recreations besides study , and made the pleasanter part of his study , the sawce to the more severe ) that he might give no scandal to the good , nor encouragement to the bad ; alledging often those two golden rules of st paul , all things are lawfull , but all things are not convenient , or expedient ; and all things are lawfull , but all things edifie not , cor. . . & . . his humility appeared , . in that low esteem he had of his own gifts , which yet all others that knew him admired : he was a true moses , that took not any notice of that shining lustre of his own countenance . like a fair ear of corn loaden with grain , he bended his head downwards : for he had nothing of the pharisaical temper , either to advance himself , or to vilifie his brethren of meaner gifts . . in his freedome from ambition of outward advantages . for he declined not only large means in the country , but also both ecclesiastical dignities , and courtly preferments . for he studiously waved the counsel of some who had given notice of him to that hopeful prince henry ( whom god only shewed to this land , and then snatched him away to himself ) and had it in their design to make way for his being admitted chaplain to his highness ; and for the same reason he constantly declined publick appearances , insomuch as he could not , without much reluctancy , be drawn by those who had most interest in him unto more solemn assemblies . . in his meek conversation with , and condescention to the meanest christians : for he refused not familia●●●y to converse with the poorest christian that repaired to him for counsel or satisfaction in their doubts . his charity was large , though for the most part secret , both in giving , and forgiving to poor persons : for he would not permit it to blaze , only allowed it to shine when his example was requisite to lighten and lead others to glorifie god , and gratifie men . in redemption of captives , relief of poor protestants , especially of the ministry ; to the repairs of publick and common losses , and general calamities , and to the setting forward of any good work he was strangely liberal , the fruit whereof the lord returned into his own bosome , according to that promise , the liberal soul shall be made fat . yet did he not so exhaust himself in his life , but that in his last will and testament he did also bequeathe unto the poor of the parish of redrith l. to ten of his brethren in the ministry , whose wants and necessities , especially if occasioned by the iniquity of the times , he gave l. i. e. to each of them l. and to eight ministers widows l. apiece , in all l. to them . thus his good works both went before him , and followed him also unto heaven , whereby also he hath left behinde him the perfume of a good name , for the imitation of them that survive . justice is presupposed unto charity : for god hates robbery for sacrifice , isa . . and mr. gataker was exactly just in giving every man his due , though very frequently he remitted of his own right , so that he was , according to the hebrew phrase , a just man , that is a kinde , equitable person , of a milde disposition , no severe exacter of his own , and a free dispenser of gods gifts , so that his righteousness endures for ever , both to his honour upon earth , and to his happiness in heaven . in , and about his death , to which the course of his declining dayes leads us , his patience and faith were very eminent ; the later attended with a deep sense of his own sins , which he acknowledged unto god , and to him only was that confession needful : for as to men , his conversation was , as ● bishop● ought to be , irreproveable , tim. . . the first step to his decease ( for morbus est via ad mortem , sickness is the rode way to death ) was a fainting fit that surprized him on friday night , july the , or rather on saturday morning , july the , yet of this he made no great account ( for he disturbed not the rest of a servant by calling for assistance ) because he had at sundry times such faintings , wherein he gave nature leave to work out her victory over those vapours , or viscous humors that oppressed her . yet thus far he made use of it , that he compared his infirmity to that of seneca , which according to his relation , the physitians of that age called , meditationem mortis , and wished that it might prove to him a preparation to his dissolution . the indisposition , not ceasing with the fit , discovered it self within a short time to be a tertian ague , which how gentle soever , yet falling upon a person of his age , and crazie temper ( who had long supported a weak frame with a very regular course of diet ) made his condition doubtful to his physitian , who was one of learning and worth , that imployed his best care and skill about that patient , whom he looked upon as a considerable person to the whole church . july the , having published his will , and taken such order as he thought fit for the settlement of his outward estate , he composed himself to god ; his tertian growing too strong both for nature and art , resolved it self into an almost continued feavor , the extream heat whereof was very painful unto him ; yet during those conflicts he shewed a sweet calmness of minde , a heart weaned from the world , to which he had no affection , though his memory exactly served him for ordering his charity even to the last ; and in one word , he represented a soul wholly submitting to gods good pleasure . he professed more than once , that no outward thing troubled him so much , as the condition of that reverend minister mr. sainthill , who had but lately undertaken that charge at redrith upon the uncertain title of mr. gatakers life , which now failing so soon , besides the expectation of his friends , that minister he foresaw was like to be unsettled , and thereby to suffer some inconvenience . though friends , and physitians gave him incouraging words at their visits , yet he , being sensible of his inward decayes , could not be flattered into 〈◊〉 hopes of long continuance here , earnestly contending that he was not to expect miracles . his expectation of gods dismissing of him , hence was so fixed , th●t being consulted whether he would appoint any 〈◊〉 person to perform the last office for him ? he not startled at the question , appointed that mr. ash should be intreated to do that work , because he had done the same at his last wives funerals ; and one opportunity casually offered it self to set forward that design . for july the , mr. ash , out of his kinde respect to mr. gataker , sent him two funeral sermons preached by him , one at mr. whitakers , the other at the interment of dr. spurstows only childe . this gave occasion to mr. gataker , in the return for that favour , to request the last that he could be capable of . upon the receit of a letter to that purpose , mr. ash on the saturday following , visited his dear and dying friend , who then told him , that he found him conflicting with his last adversary ; and that though he knew the sting was pulled out , yet nature would struggle . these , and other of his expressions , mr. ash presently wrote down , and related them at the end of his sermon . that day in the afternoon being july the , he called for some papers of mr. baxters which were sent to him by the author , with a desire of his judgement concerning them . he wished some short notes ( for the perusal of them had been his last work ) to be read over to him , in which he altered something : and having dictated a letter to that his learned and reveren friend , he appointed that that with the animadversions inclosed , should be sent to him . so vigorous was his minde in a body drooping , and dropping into the dust . he had now given over the use of physick as to any prolongation of his life : for he said that he would struggle no more , because he found that what was prescribed for the refreshing of nature , did rather oppress it , and therefore he was resolved to wait the lords leisure . an ancient servant that waited on him , desiring leave to rectifie the bed-cloaths , and saying withall , sir , your head doth not lye right ; he answered , it will lye right in my coffin . july the , at one a clock in the morning , death began to seize on his left foot , from which the spirits retiring , he felt the deadness of that part , and a very sharp pain in the part of the leg adjoyning to it . hereupon he called for his son , and told him , he feared that he should have a difficult death . he then commanded two surgeons to be sent for to look upon his leg , whom he required to tell him , whether or no his foot were any whit discoloured . it seems he had conceived some fear of a gangrene , but being satisfied by them that there could not be any ground for such an apprehension , he rested with patience . in the evening of that day being visited by mr. santhil , and lying in great anguish by reason of the violence of his heat , he prayed for pity and patience ; support here , and a comfortable issue . july . . early in the morning , being full of pain , gasping , and panting , he cryed out , how long lord , how long ? come speedily . but though death had made an encroachment upon his outward perishing part , yet his inward man felt no decay . for with a full use of reason , he that morning ordered the continuance of a weekly relief to certain poor persons , as also of●some small monethly pensions to some widows for a season : he also caused his physitian to be consulted with about taking something that might procure rest , and was erected to a more cheerful disposition : he also enquired after news , and dicoursed freely , yet confessed himself to be in pain . about three a clock that afternoon , feeling some great change after the putting forth of nature , he called his sister , son , and daughter to receive his last charge , and when they were come , he thus spake unto them ; my heart fails , and my strength fails , but god is my fortress , and the strong rock of my salvation : into thy hands therefore i commend my soul , for thou hast redeemed me , o god of truth : then turning his discourse to his son , he said , son , you have a great charge , look to it : instruct your wife and family in the fear of god , and discharge your ministry conscientiously . to his sister ( a gentlewoman two years elder than himself ) he said , sister , i thought you might have gone before me , but god calls for me first , i hope we shall meet in heaven , i pray god to bless you . his daughter he admonished , to minde the worldless , and god more , for that all things without piety , and the true fear of god are nothing worth . he advised also that his son draper ( being a man of means ) should entertain some godly minister into his house to teach his children , and instruct his family . he exhorted them all to love and concord , which ( he said ) he hoped the rather , because he had cleerly settled his estate , so as to prevent differences . he inlarged himself in each of these a little , wishing them all to lay to heart the words of a dying man. after this he desired that all should withdraw , and leave him to his rest , which he hoped was at hand : but all his conflicts were not yet accomplished . july the , his voice began to be less intelligible , the putrid preternatural heat having furred up his mouth , as is usual in feavors ; yet both his understanding , and senses were very quick and active : about six of the clock in the evening he called for his son to recommend his soul unto god by prayer , and endeavoured to express what he desired , but could not do it so clearly as to be well understood ; yet by his gestures he gave assurance that he understood perfectly , and concurred fervently with the devotions used on his behalf . within an hour after , nature being quite spent , he gave up the ghost , and was translated into that rest which he so often and earnestly had desired to finde in another world , because he could obtain none in this . thus after forty three years inspection of this pious and diligent pastor of redrith , he left his flock , returning to the great , and chief shepherd of our souls , from his gracious hands to receive an incorruptible crown of glory , having almost compleated fourscore years . for his person , the express whereof ( though he was often importuned by dear friends ) he would never allow to be taken either by pencel , or sculpture . he was of a middle stature , of a thin body , and of a lively countenance , of a fresh complexion , that looked young when he came to preach at ●incolns inne , and yet was grey betimes , which made him to be thought elder than he was , because he had long appeared ancient in the eyes of the world ; of a choicely temperate diet ; of a free and cheerful conversation , addicted much to study , yet not secluding himself from fit company . he was of a quick apprehension , sharp reason , solid judgement , vast memory , which ( through gods mercy ) continued fresh to the last of his dayes . he was helluo librorum , one that did not vainly encrease his liberary for ostentation , but chose books for use , which also he made of them so happily , that he had conquered a strong portion of learning , which he made to serve him upon all occasions . he was not so great a treasurer , as a free dispenser of those riches of the minde , which he did communicate readily , expeditely and cleerly . he was an ornament to the university , and of that society designed for the study of the law ; a light of the church , the salt of the place where he abode ; a loving husband ; a discreet parent ; a faithful friend ; a kinde neighbour ; a courteous entertainer of strangers ; a candid encourager of students ; a stout champion for the truth , yet a lover of peace , preserving the unity of charity even where there was difference of judgement ; an adversary to novel fancies , as well as to antiquated superstitons in religion ; of a christian magnanimity in despising the world , and therefore resolute , through bad report , as well as good , to maintain a clear conscience . in brief , he was a faithful shepherd , and a fit mirrour for pastors , as well as an exact patern for people ; who having almost compleated eighty years , departed full of 〈◊〉 ; but being dead , yet speaks in his living monuments of sound learning . his printed works are these : of the nature , and use of lots , in o. a just defence of the same against mr. jo. balmford , in o. tho. gatakeri londinatis antithesis , partim guilielmi amesii , partim gisberti voetii de sorte thesibus reposita , in o. a discourse of transubstantiation , with a defence thereof , in o. davids instructer . the christian mans care . the spiritual watch. the gain of godliness , with self-sufficiency . the just mans joy , with signs of sincerity . jacobs thankfulness . davids remembrancer . noahs obedience . a memorial of englands deliverance in . sorrow for sion . gods parley with princes , with an appeal from them to him . eleazers prayer , being a marriage sermon . a good wife gods gift . a wife indeed . marriage duties . deaths advantage . the benefit of a good name , and a good end . abrahams decease . jeroboams sons decease . christian constancy crowned by christ. all these are printed in one volume in folio . the decease of lazarus , in o. st. stevens last will and testament , in o. a defence of mr. bradshaw against jo. cann , in o. gods eye on his israel , in o. a mistake removed , and free-grace , &c. in answer to j. saltmarsh in o. shadows without substance , a rejoinder adversus ●undem in o. mysterious clouds and mists , &c. an answer to j. simpson , in o. mr. ant. wottons defence , in o. a true relation of passages between mr. wotton , and mr. walker , in o. an answer to mr. geor. walkers vindication , in o. a vindication of the annotations on jer. . . in o. a discourse apologetical , in o. marcus antoninus imp. cum commentario , in o. de novi instrumenti stylo . dissertatio adversus psochenii diatribam , in o. cinn us , sive adversaria miscellania , lib. . in o. de baptismatis infantilis vi , & efficatiâ , disceptatio inter d. s. wardum , & tho. gatakerum , in o. t. g. stricturae in d. davenantii epistolam , in o. de tetragammato , in o. ejusdem vindicatio adversus capellum , in o. de bivocalibus , dissertatio philologica , in o. animadversiones in j. piscatoris , & l. lucii scripta adversaria de causa meritoria justificationis , cum responsione ad l. lucii vindicias , in o. fran. gomari disputationes elencticae , de justificationis materiâ , & formâ , elenchus , in o. stricturae in barth . wigelini sangallensis de obedientia christi disputationem theologicam , in o. the annotations upon isaiah , jeremy , and the lamentations , which was his work in the great notes upon the bible . adversaria miscellanea in qibus sacrae scripturae & & aliorum scriptorum lux redditur . edente carolo , thome gatakeri filio . fol. the life and death of mr. jeremy whitaker , who dyed anno christi , . jeremy whitaker was born at wakefield in yorkshire , anno christi , in which place also he was trained up in the grammar school ; and it seems that the lord betimes did draw forth his love towards himself , for even whilst he was a school boy , his affections did flow out towards those who were most religiously disposed , in whose company he used frequently to go eight or ten miles to hear a wakening-soul-warming sermon ; he used also to joyn with them in prayers , and other holy exercises and duties ; and being able to take sermon notes , both understandingly , and largely , he was very helpful to those private christians in repeating what they had publickly heard , being from his child-hood full of affections in whatsoever business he undertook . thus this plant of gods own setting , did both blossome , and put forth fruit quickly , which providence did afterwards make a very fruitful tree . whilst he was at the grammar school , though his father endeavoured often , and earnestly to divert his thoughts from the office of the ministry , yet was he unmoveable in his desires to be a minister , and he never afterwards repented of this his choice , but would all his life long upon all occasions , magnifie that his office , insomuch as he hath often been heard to utter this speech , i had much rather be a preacher of the gospel , than an emperour ; and when a motion was once made to him to be the head of a college in the university , he readily returned this answer , my heart doth more desire to be a constant preacher , than to be the master of any college in the world . when he was sixteen years old , being well grounded at the grammar school , he was sent to the university of cambridge , and admitted a sizar in sydney-sussex college , where he soon discovered , and was taken notice of , and much valued for his pregnant parts and scholarship . at twenty years of age he commenced bachelor of arts , and a while after he was sent to okeham ( the chiefest town in rutlandshire ) there to teach the free-school . at that time there was one mr. william peachy , the minister at okeham , a godly man , and a painful preacher of the gospel , and eminent for his skill in the sacred languages , who dearly loved , and highly valued our mr. whitaker from his first acquaintance with him ; which he manifested by proffering to him his daughter in marriage , as mr. whitaker hath since told some of his friends ; he was the rather inclined to accept of the motion , because she was the daughter of a pious , painful , and learned minister of the gospel ; and occasionally hath told his friends , that he was the better pleased with his choice , because of that relation . about four years after his coming to okeham he married chephtzibah , the daughter of the said mr. peachy , by whom god gave him four sons , and three daughters . all his sons he designed for the ministry , but it pleased god in his life time , to take one of them away whilst he was a student in cambridge ; the other three survived , and he lived to see two of them ordained , and set apart for the work of the ministry ; the third he appointed to be educated for the same work . having staid about seven years at okeham , he was removed to a pastoral charge at stretton in the same county , where he continued about the space of thirteen years . whilst he continued school-master at okeham , he undertook and preached a weekly lecture there , besides many sermons which he preached occasionally in neghbouring congregations : and during his abode at stretton , besides his pastoral imployment , wherein he preached twice every lords day , he also constantly preached his weekly lecture at okeham , and was a principal prop to hold up some other lectures in the neighbourhood . his manner also was to set apart every holy-day ( if there were but one in the week ) as a day of seeking god in reference to the necessities of the times , and no man was more free , and frequent in assisting in dayes of humiliation in private , both in rutlandshire , and in the adjacent counties whensoever he was called , and invited thereunto . such was his love to christ , that his publick imployments ( though many and great ) did not take him off from attending his family duties , nor from more private exercises of communion with god ; his ordinary course in his family was , together with prayers , to expound some part of the holy scriptures , and that twice every day , besides other parts of scripture which he daily read in secret ; so that usually he read all the epistles in the greek testament twice every fortnight ; yea , when by reason of extremity of pain , and weakness , he could not read himself , he herein imployed others for his help . hence it came to pass that he was a man mighty in the scriptures , like unto apollos , act. . . as was observed by all that conversed with him , or that heard him preach or pray , and this course he earnestly commended to the practice of his dearly beloved eldest son , as an excellent means to make him both a ready , and a profitable preacher . whilst he lived in rutlandshire , came forth the book allowing sports on the sabbath , which he refused to read , though it was with commands and threatning pressed upon him . and afterwards when he was called to give in his answer about a contribution amongst ministers to maintain the war against the scots , he openly told the bishop , or his chancellor , that his conscience would not permit him to do it . this his answer exposed him to the hazard of losing both his living and ministry , as the times then were ; whereupon one of his neighbours , through misguided love , ( compassionating him and his family ) payed the money required , and subscribed mr. whitakers name without his knowledge . this was long concealed from him ; but when he came to the knowledge of it , he expressed his dislike with many complaints , and much grief of heart . as he had early , so he had constant vigorous workings of heart towards the calling and work of the ministry , and that upon this ground , because he alwayes wayes conceived , that therein a christian might enjoy most fellowship with christ , and have opportunities of doing him the best service ; and he often considered christs speech to peter , if thou lovest me , feed my sheep , feed my lambs , joh. . , . he was never so well pleased with any imployment as when he was about the works of his ministry : in the pulpit he was ( as it were ) in his own element , like a fish in the water , or a bird in the air . though many times he went thither halting , and full of pain , yet did he not manifest any sense of distemper whilst he was in the pulpit . when an assembly of divines was to be chosen to consult , and advise the parliament about ecclesiastical affairs , he was , for his eminent piety and learning , nominated for one , and how usefull and advantagious he was to those affairs , is well known to all that were members of that assembly ; and when providence had thus brought him to london , he was ( as paul , cor. . . ) in labours more abundant , than many , yea than most others . not long after his coming to london , he was called , and chosen to the pastoral charge of mary magdalen bermondsey in southwark , about which he consulted with many godly and judicious ministers , and with their consent and approbation accepted of it , after which , for the most part , his task was to preach constantly four sermons every week , two in his own charge , one at westminster , and one at christ church london ; and after he had laid down his christ church lecture , at the importunity of the inhabitants , he took up one at stepney , besides his preaching two lectures quarterly at michaels cornhill : adde to these his preaching monethly at the morning exercises , or else he assisted on the fast dayes in the conclusion of those exercises ; besides his many occasional sermons , as for preparation to the sacrament in his own church , and at funerals , both at home and abroad ; yea , it is truly reported of him , that he would never deny any request for preaching and praying , if godgave him bodily ability , or other unavoidable occasions did not necessarily hinder him . many week dayes he preached twice , even then when he attended the work of the assembly of divines , to wit , the morning exercise , either at westminster , or elsewhere , and upon some other occasion in the afternoon of the same day . this may minde us of the commendation which st. paul gave of epaphroditus , phil. . . for the work of the lord he was nigh unto death , not regarding his life . so it s well known to multitudes , that this might fitly be applied to painfull mr. whitaker ; yea many conceived that his painfull diseases , which hastened his removal from us , were occasioned , and encreased by his many constant , and indefatigable labours in this kinde . and though he preached so often , yet were not his sermons j●june , wordy , empty sermons ; but alwayes full of scripture strength , savoury , and affectionate , as his auditors can well testfie . neither is this to be wondred at , if we consider that he was a universal scholar , both in the arts , and original languages : by much study he had digested the whole body of divinity ; he was well acquainted both with the fathers and school-men : an acute and solid disputant , excellently versed in cases of conscience , and second unto none in his acquaintance with the sacred scriptures . since our times of wofull desertion and apostasie , both from gospel truths and practices , he would undauntedly both in private conferences , and in his publick ministry express his dislike , yea his detestation thereof , to the faces of them how great soever , who too much favoured heresies , errours , and ranting courses , though he knew that thereby he did run the hazard of procuring many frowns to himself . he refused to sign and subscribe the late engagement , though thereby he was in danger of losing his lecture at westminster ; and if his sermons preached there upon eph. . ▪ . concerning mens walking according to the course of this world , &c. fulfilling the lusts of the flesh , &c. could be collected , and published , it would thereby appear , that mr. whitaker out of his zeal for gods glory , and love to his lord christ , was of an undaunted courage , and full of christian magnanimity . one further testimony whereof we have in this following story : since these stormy times began , wherein the liberty and livelyhood of ministers hath been so much maligned and struck at , as he was riding with one of his intimate friends by tiburn ( which he had not seen , or not observed before ) he asked what that was ? and being answered that it was tiburn , where so many malefactors had lost their lives ; he stopped his horse , and uttered these words with much aflection , oh what a shame is it that so many thousands should dye for the satisfaction of their lusts , and so few be found willing to lay down their lives for christ ? why should not we in a good cause , and upon a good call be ready to be hanged for jesus christ ? it would be an everlasting honour , and it is a thousand times better to dye for christ , to be hanged , or to be burnt for christ , than to dye in our beds . he did often , and zealously defend the office of a gospel ministry both in publick , and in private , and that especially amongst those persons , and in those places , where ( as he conceived ) there was most need . in one of his morning lectures at westminster , this passage came from him with much affection , though ( said he ) i have read , and heard of some good men , who unadvisedly in their passion , have persecuted the persons of some godly ministers ( as asa was angry with the prophet , and cast him into prison ) yet i never knew , i never read , nor heard of any godly person who durst oppose the office and calling of the ministry . and whereas at the end of his sermon , a souldier ( expressing himself to be dissatisfied with what he had spoken ) came to him in private , and asked him , whether he meant this of the ministry of england , as now constituted ? he returned him this answer , although i will not justifie the calling of every individual minister in the church of england ( as you dare not justifie the saintship of every member in your independent congregations ) yet i will be ready when , and where you please , to maintain the office , and calling of englands ministry at this day and that he continued unmoved , and unchanged in his judgement , and esteem of the ministerial calling to the last , may be manifested by this passage in his last will and testament , which is here set down in his own words , and written with his own hand , for my son jeremiah , my desire is that he be bred a scholar , and that the lord would spiritually incline his heart , freely to give up himself to the lord to serve him in the work of the ministry , which calling and imployment ( though now despised ) i do esteem above all others in the world , and do commend it to all mine , that if the lord bless them with sons , they would commend this calling to their posterity . and truly this deserves seriously to be considered , whether there be not herein much to credit and encourage the ministry of the gospel , that a learned man , and so eminent for piety , who also had throughly studied the controversie of the times , and had heard and read what could be said against the ministry , should yet upon his death-bed give such a testimony unto it , when he daily expected to make up his account before god , and also give such great encouragement to his posterity , to addict themselves to this calling now , even now , when such disgrace is cast upon it , and when the ministers setled maintenance is threatned to be taken from them : and may not those men , who knew mr. whitakers worth , be hereby awed and moved to take heed how they oppose or slight that calling of men , whom he , living and dying , judged to be so highly honoured by god himself ? to this also adde , that it was an ordained ministry , which he thus valued , which appears by these two lively testimonies ; . in that he joyned with that classis whereof he was a member in ordaining of ministers , . in that he had an hand in the book not long since published by the province of london in the defence of such a ministry , not onely by his assent to it , but also by his assistance in drawing it up . as mr. whitaker loved god dearly , so god loved him , which he manifested by those grace wherewithall he enriched him ; and truly love tokens are real messengers of his love that sendeth them ; and what surer signs can we have of gods love , then when he bestows upon us the graces of his holy spirit ? now of these the lord had given him a more than ordinary measure , and besides , what hath been said before , there were five graces more which were very orient , and shining in his crown . . his tenderness of heart : who ever knew a man of a more melting frame of heart before god , whether in confessions , petitions , or thanksgivings ? is there any one living that can say , that i have at sometimes joyned with him in prayer , and he shed no tears ? how did his own sinfulness ( though it was no more than the ordinary imperfections of the fairest saint upon earth ) the evils of the times , and the testimonies of gods displeasure breaking out upon us , break his heart into pieces ? we may truly believe that for the space many years , he did never come off from the serious consideration of these things with dry eyes ; and how many thousands be there of gods children , that would account it a sign of much love from christ , if they could finde such thawings in their frozen breasts ? . his meekness of spirit , with which precious jewel he was richly adorned : who ever saw him transported by passion , on a fire through foolish anger , or disgused by discontent ? though his zeal would waxe hot , and burn in him for god and his glory ; yet he was a man of a cool spirit , and meek , like moses , in all his own concernments ; and this he hath often manifested in a remarkable manner , when disputing with men of dissenting principles and opinions , yet his spirit was so even that their unhandsome provocations could not discompose him , and drive him into passion . . for his patience , he may well be called a second job . many who saw him under those racking pains in his last sickness , so frequently reiterated , and so long continued , were confident that god did put him , and keep him in his furnace to be a pattern of patience unto posterity . it is confessed that he did roar many times till his throat was dry ; but who ever heard him speak any one word of murmuring or discontent , because of gods afflicting providence ? he himself indeed would sometimes through tenderness of conscience charge himself of impatiency , because he made a noise in his extremity : but that expressed onely natures sensibleness , not sinful frowardnes ; and when ( accusing himself causelesly ) he was minded of christs roarings , yet free from all sin , he would be silent . i confess indeed , that in his desires to be dissolved he would take up jobs complaint , wherefore is light given to him that is in misery , and life unto the bitter in soul ? which long for death , but it cometh not , and dig for it more than for hid treasures , &c. for my sighing cometh before i eat , and my roarings are powred out like waters , job . , . but he alwayes concluded with submission to the good pleasure of god. when he had been asked how he did ? this was frequently his answer , the bush alwayes burning , but not consumed ; and though my pains be above the strength of nature , yet they are not above the supports of grace . . the lord was pleased to vouchsafe him such a measure of the spirit of grace and supplications , that his soul was never out of tune for that service . most of his words when he was under torment , were holy complaints and prayers to god. it will not be impertinent or unprofitable , if i here set down some of them . o my god help ! father of mercies pity ! do not contend for ever ! consider my frame that i am but dust ! my god that hath made heaven and earth , help me ! oh , give me patience , and inflict what thou wi●t ! if my patience was more , my pain would be less . dear saviour , where are thy bowels ? why dost thou make me an astonishment to my self and others ? why dost thou cover thy self with a thick cloud , that our prayers cannot pass ? blessed is the man that endureth temptation . lord this is a sad temptation , stand by me , and say , it is enough ! am i not thy servant ? consider lord that i am thy servant . o these bitter waters of marah ! lord drop sweet comfort into these bitter water of marah . o the blood of sprinkling , lord , the blood of sprinkling lord ! that blood which extinguisheth the fire of thine anger ; o that it might allay my burning pains ! i am in a fiery furnace : lord be with me as thou wast with the t●ree children , and bring me out refined from sin ! when i have sailed through the ocean of these pains , and look back , i see that none of them can be wanting . i flye unto thee , o god , hide me under the shadow of thy wings till these terrible storms be overpast . . god added humility as a crown to all his other graces , which yet shone bright in the eyes of all that were acquainted with him : indeed he was cloathed with humility : and hence it was that he would converse so familiarly with the poorest christians , and with them who were of the lowest parts for knowledge , even with babes in christ. this his ordinary expression of himself before god , did clearly demonstrate his great humility , poor worm ! sinful wretch ! o pardon my transgressions for they are very great . hereupon he would weep much , when he was told how much he was prayed for , wondring at gods goodness , that so sinful a wretch , and worthless a creature should have so much interest in the hearts , and prayers of the people of god. and his language in his will speaks how little he was in his own eyes ; the words are these , i desire that at my funeral there may be no pomp ; but that so poor a worthless wretch may be privately laid in the ground . and as his graces were many , so were his comforts many , and great , which god vouchsafed as singular manifestations of his love to this his dear servant , and childe . o what kisses of christs mouth , and what imbraces from the arms of his love were bestowed upon this saint of the most high ? he enjoyed all along his afflicted condition , an uninterrupted assurance of gods fatherly love in christ. in his addresses unto god , he constantly claimed propriety in god , calling him , my god , and my father . his inward peace , and joy were the support of his heart under all his grievous , and grinding pains . he was confident of mercies mixtures with all his greatest distempers , not at all doubting of the sanctification of them to him through grace . thus he spake many times in his applications unto god , consider , and save me , for i am thine . how long , how long lord , shall i not be remembred ? yea , i am remembred , blessed be thy name . this is a fiery chariot , but it will carry me to heaven : blessed be god that hath supported me hitherto ; and he that hath delivered , will yet deliver . thou lord never forgettest them that put their trust in thee . alwayes when the extremity of pain was over , he would with smiles speak of gods mercies . though trembling took hold upon him when his violent pains began , yet would he with confidence say , now in the strength of the mighty god , i will undergo these pains : o my god put under thine everlasting arms , and strengthen me . many times he told a bosome friend of his , that notwithstanding all his rentings and roarings ( from which he expected no deliverance but by death ) he would not for a thousand worlds change estates with the greatest man on earth , whom he looked upon as in a way of sin , and enthraled thereto . and this much bespeaks gods fatherly indulgence towards him , that satan could never shake his confidence , nor assault his hopes all the time of his irksome , irksome distemper . and this was further very remarkable , that he counted all these inward cheerings , the fruits of prayers that were made for him , though god saw cause to deny that ease , and recovery to his body which was so much begged ; and withall , he valued those spiritual cordials , and refreshings far beyond deliverance from the gout , and the stone , yea and death it self . these things are the rather mentioned , to prevent that discouragement , or offence which some may be too apt to take at the violence , and continuance of his wasting and tormenting pains , notwithstanding his own godliness , and the uncessant prayers , both ordinary and extraordinary , which were made unto god in his behalf , for he found the sweet fruits of them in his own bosome , even when he felt the continuance , and increase of his bodily grief . another thing very remarkable in holy mr. whitaker , was his love to his fellow christians , he was a man made up ( as it were ) of love . his delight was in the saints upon earth whom he esteemed most excellent , and their society was a constant cordial to his spirit . his frequent visits of them that were in trouble , and his stirring up of others to the like practice , were testimonies of this his cordial love ; which indeed was not verbal , but real . he was also abundant in works of charity , few men of his estate did equalize him therein . he would often say , it is a brave thing when a man together with a full estate , hath a charitable heart . sometimes upon special occasions he hath given away all the money that he had in the house . it was not unusual with him to give twenty shillings to a poor saint , and he had many experiencences of gods gracious returns in such cases . by his last will he gave twenty pounds to the godly poor of his own parish . there were two cases wherein his loves were most enlarged to the people of god , whereof you may take these two instances ; the one when the sufferings were publick . he often told an intimate friend of his , that englands late breach with scotland , and the blood that was shed , together with other sad consequences thereof , had taken such impression upon his heart , that the sorrow would never be removed till his death ; and the sufferings both in holland and in england in our late sea-sights were an heavy burden upon his spirit . the other case was in respect to the inward perplexity of such as were afflicted in minde ; having moved a special friend of his the week before his death , to bestow a visit upon one in that condition , the very morning before his death ( when speech was grievous to him in respect of his great weakness ) he asked him whether he had remembred the party that was troubled in spirit ? which was a remarkable evidence of his strong love to such . and besides what hath already been mentioned , i might here set down his many wrestlings with god to prevent the flood or troubles which he apprehended the protestant churches were now in danger to be overflowed withall ; as also his compassionate respect to congregations in the country , which were like sheep wandring upon the barren mountains without a shepherd . and as his love s●owed forth to the saints , so was theirs no less towards him : not to speak of the many frequent , and friendly visits of godly men and women in the neighbourhood round about him ; there was scarce ever heard of any man that was so much prayed for both in publick and in private ▪ both upon ordinary and extraordinary occasions , as he was . there was no particular case so frequently , so affectionately spread before god in most of the congregations about london as his . three dayes were set apart by ministers , and many other praying friends to seek god in his behalf , one in private , and two in publick , which also were observed much better than such dayes usually have been of late ; yea , in remote countries , besides the ordinary prayers made for him , there were some fasts kept also with special reference to his afflictions . the multitude of people that came to his funeral , with the many weeping eyes , did clearly shew how much he was beloved . here might also be remembred the readiness of the london ministers to supply his place at home , and his lectures elsewhere , as also the willingness of his fellow-lecturers at westminster to preach for him there , when he himself by reason of weakness could not possibly do his own work , but its needless , for still every where upon the naming of mr. whitaker , love is some way discovered by such as had any knowledge of him . whilst he was able , he never neglected his minsterial service ; he hath often gone upon crutches unto the congregation of his own people , to fulfil his ministry ; yea , once at least he adventured to preach at michaels cornhil , when he was scarce able to get into the pulpit , and his friends with much difficulty holp him out of the church homewards ; and at other times when his legs would not serve him , he used to ride to church . and when he was by extremity of pains taken off from his ministry , he would sometimes profess to some special friends , that the pain felt was not so grievous to his spirit , as his inability , by reason thereof , to mannage his wonted work : indeed it was his meat and drink , to be doing the will of his heavenly father . many times these were his words , if i could but preach , i should be much better ; and he would rejoyce with cheerfulness and thankfulness , when in the times of his weakness he found not himself more distempered by his preaching , and would mention such experiences , as arguments to move ; and induce his friends to yeeld to his preaching when they disswaded him from it as prejudicial to his health . anno christi , about the beginning of november , the violent pain of the stone , did in such a manner and measure arrest him , that from that time he continued gods prisoner , confined to his bed or chamber , till he was set free by a long expected , and much desired death . most physi●ians in the city were consulted with , and were from time to time very ready to serve him with their advice , who did unanimously conclude , that his sharp pains proceeded originally from an ulcer in the kidnies , but immediately from an ulcer in the neck of the b●●dder , caused by a continual flux of ulcerous m●tter dropping down upon that part ; and by reason of the acuteness and quickness of the sense there , his pains were almost continually in that place , though the fountain of them was from the kidnies . about two moneths before his death , his pains grew more extream , yet divine indulgence vouchsafed at some times some mitigation of them , and intermission both in the night and day : but notwithstanding the long continuance and extremity of them neither his faith nor patience did abate , yea they much encreased , and grew higher ; and as he grew nearer his end , so his longings for death were much increased , yet accompanied with holy submission to the good pleasure of his gracious father . these were some of his expressions , o my god break open the prison door , and set my poor captive soul free : but enable me willingly to wait thy time ! i desire to be dissolved : never aid any man more desire life , than i do death ! when will that time come , that i shall neither sin more , nor sorrow more ? when shall mortality put on immortality ? when shall this earthly tabernacle be dissolved , that i may be cloathed upon with that house which is from heaven ? blessed are the dead which dye in the lord , for they rest from their labours , and follow the lamb whither soever he goeth . so great was his love to his god and saviour , that he maintained and expressed high estimations , and honourable thoughts of his majesty , when he was under the most tormenting providences : he feared nothing more , than lest he should do or speak any thing that should red●und to the dishonour of his name . these were some breathings of his large love , when through pain he was as in the fire , or upon the rack : good lord keep me from dishonouring of thy name by impatieency ! oh , who would not even in burnings have honourable thoughts of god! who that knows thee , would not fear thee , o lord , love thee , and honour thee ? lord , thou givest me no occasion to have any hard thoughts of thee ! blessed be god , there is nothing of hell in all this ! blessed be his name for jesus christ , and the revelation of the everlasting gospel ! who knows the power of thy wrath ? if it be so heavy upon thy servant hore , how heavy shall it be to all those who shall endure it without mixture ? blessed be god for the peace of mine inward man , when my outward man is full of trouble ! this is a bitter cup , but it is of my father mixture , and shall i not drink it ? yea lord , through thy strength i will : this is my burthen , and i will bear it . upon any abatements of his excruciating pains , he was constantly much in blessing god , using these , and such like expressions : o! what a mercy is it that there is any mitigation , any intermission ! lord make me thankfull . and turning himself towards those that stood by , he would bespe●k them thus ; o help me to be thankfull ! o lift up a prayer for me that i may be thankful ! o what a mercy is this ! how much worse might this affliction have been ! i might have been distracted , or laid roaring under disque●ness of spirit : by these , and many such like expressions and workings of his spirit , who perceiveth not the sparklings of his love to god ? and to a dear friend he often said , brother , through mercy i have not one repini●g thought against god. the sabbath sevennight before god released him , though his pains were very sharp , yet he bestowed most part of the time of publick ordinances , in prayer , together with those that were about him , and his petitions were most in the behalf of ministers , that god would cloath his ordinances with his own power , and enable his ministers to speak to the souls of his people . then did he also with many tears bewail his detainment from the sanctuary , and sabbath-opportunities of doing , and receiving good , which had been his delight : professing also , that his being taken off from service , was a greater affl●ction to him than all his bodily pains . and because this apprehension ( to wit , of his present unserviceablness ) did much afflict him ; this therefore was often suggested to him ( which the lord pleased to make a relief to his spirit ) viz. that now by the practice of faith , patience , contentment , and spiritualness ( which he had formerly preached to , and pressed upon others ) he was very profitable unto them who visited him , and might also prove very advantagious unto others who might be acquainted therewith , through gods grace by christ. so great was his tender respect to his friends , that when his pains were coming with violence , he would intreat them to withdraw from him , that they might not be grieved with his roari●gs ; and he used often to bless god , that his compassionate friends were not necessitated to abide within the reach of his doleful lamentation . as his death drew more nigh , so his fits of pain were more frequent , either every half hour , or many times every quarter , yea two or three in a quarter of an hour , which did exceedingly abate his strength . the night before god took him out of this vale of tears , mr. ash hearing that he was not likely to live another day , went early in the morning to take his leave of him , whom his soul loved , at which time he found his bodily strength much decayed ; and perceiving that he could not speak without much difficulty , mr. ash spake the more unto him in reference to the approach of his happy hoped for change , and his discourse ( through gods mercy ) was very refreshing his spirit . he told him also that many of his friends intended to set apart that day in seeking the lord for him , and asked him , in what things e●pecially he desired to be remembred before the throne of grace ? his answer was , do not complain , but bless god for me , and intreat him to open the prison door . then mr. ash laying his hand upon his cold hand , covered with a clammy sweat , took his last farewell of him with an aking heart ; and upon his departure from him , the last words which mr. whitaker spake to him were these ; brother , i thank you , i pray god bless you , and i bless god for you . that day was spent in addresses to god for him at peters cornhill , where mr. newcomen quickned and guided our prayers in his sermon upon joh. . ● . lord , behold he whom thou lovest is sick ; and mr. jenkin endeavoured to moderate , and regulate our sorrows from luke . . weep not for me . thus his friends having by prayers and praises ( on his behalf ) given him to god , and having prepared their hearts for the loss of him , the lord was pleased that evening to take him to himself , june , being above fifty five years old . after his death mr. holiard opened his body in the presence of dr. cox , dr. micklethwaite , and dr. bevoir ; ( some other more ancient doctors would have been there , if , either their being out of town , or present urgent occasions had not hindred ) being opened , they found both his kidnies full of ulcers , and and one of them was swelled to an extraordinary bigness through the abundance of purulent matter in it . upon the neck of his bladder , they found a stone , ( which was about an inch and an half long , and one inch broad , weighing about two ounces when it was first taken out and withall they found an ulcer which was gangrenized , and this was judged to be the cause of his death . all other parts of his body were found firm and sound . he was so humble , that he feared lest gods people praying for him , should speak too well of him before the lord. he was a self-denying man , never daring to look after great matters in this world ; whereby he condemned many whose self-seeking in earthly advantages , renders them very offensive and unsavoury in the church of christ. mr. calamy speaking of him saith ; if i should enter upon his commendations , i might truly say what nazanien doth of his sister gorgonia , that i have more cause to fear lest i should speak below , than above the truth : for he was a burning and a shining light in this our israel : a messenger , and an interpreter one amongst a thousand : a bazal●el in gods tabernacle : a true nathaniel that by his integrity , humility , constancy , charity , publickness , and peaceableness of spirit , and by his diligence and f●ithfulness in preaching the gospel , made his life both amiable and desirable . i will say of him , as it was said of athanasius , that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an adamant , and a loadstone . to all that conversed with him , he was as a loadstone to draw their hearts to love him : but in the cause of god , and in reference to the truths of christ , he was as an unconquerable adamant . he was a jeremy , both in mourning for , and in witnessing against the sins of the times . he was a second whitaker , though not so eminent in learning as to be ( what is said o● 〈◊〉 ) mundi miraculum , academiae oraculum , the miracle of the world , and the oracle of the university ; yet he was ( which is also said of him ) sound in the faith ; one that had no private opinion , that did not in veteri viâ novam semitam quaerere , seek out new paths of his own , but kept the old way , and the old path . that had a great wit without any mixture of madness . he preached no less by the heavenliness of his doctrine than by the holiness of h●s life ; yea he preached as effectually by his death , as by his life or doctrine , for so great was the patience which god measured out to him , that though in his extremity of torments he groaned , yet he never grumbled . though he often mourned , yet he never murmured ; nay , though he often roared by reason of the greatness of his pain , yet he alwayes justified and m●gn●fied god therein ; and this he did so constantly , and in such a measure , that as it is said of job , so it wi●l be said by the saints that succeed us , for their mutual consolation , and encouragement , ye have heard of the patience of whitaker : he had indeed an ul●●rated flesh , but a sound and whole spirit , and that inabled him to bear his infirmity : he had a stone in the bladder , but a very soft and tender heart : he had a gangreene in his body , but a sound soul , unstained by sin . i heard him often say with thankfulness , that under all his bodily sufferings , he had a blessed calmness , and quietness in his spirit , that god sp●ke peace unto him ; that though he roared for pain , yet the devil was chained up from roaring upon him . on the death of my dear friend , mr. jeremiah whitaker . if death be but a servant sent to call the souls of saints to their originall : dear saint , thine was a noble soul , to whom three messengers were sent to call thee home ; a stone , an ulcer , and a cangreene too , three deaths to hasten that which one should do . ' ●was not because thy soul was deeper set than ours , within its house of clay , nor yet because thou wert unwilling to depart thither , where long before had been thine heart : they were not sent to hale by violence a soul that lingred when 't was called hence . god shew'd how welcome one death was to thee , who did so meekly entertain all three . thus many deaths gods israel did inclose , the sea before , behinde a sea of foes ; on either side the jaws of mountains high , no way from death , but unto death to flye . not to destroy them , but to let them see the power of love , which then would set them free . thus jobs four messengers which did relate the doleful story of his ruin'd state : and his three friends which acted satans part ( he on his flesh , and these upon his heart ) who by disputing him unto a curse would make his spirits torments the far worse , were by gods wise disposal sent to show the strength he on his champion would bestow . thus painters put dark grounds where they intend to overlay with finest gold , and lend by deeper shadows lustre to that face , on which they mean their choisest skill to place . thus workmen season much with sun and wind those greatest beams which must the building binde , whilst smaller pieces haply are put in when they come bleeding from the wood , and green . oft where is greatest grace , god's pleas'd to send great conflicts those great graces to commend . as the six-fingred giants sword did bring the more renown to little davids sling . the vanquisht lion , and the conquered bear prepar'd that holy head a cr●wn to wear . the angel wrestled first , and then did bless and made the greater servant to the less . pain was too great for thee , gods grace for pain , and made the greater serve the less again . thy pains serv'd thee for glory , and did fit the head on which a crown of life must sit . this is gods method to fetch joy from grief , to turn our sorrows unto our relief , to save by killing , and to bring to shore by the ships planks which was quite broke before . and thus a barren womb first took the seed which did six hundred thousand people breed . that seed too must from knife and altar rise , and be before a fire a sacrifice . great preacher of thy heavenly fathers will thy tongue did many ears with manna fill . thy life out-preach't thy tongue , o blessed strife ! thy sickness the best sermon of thy life . before each doctrine must be prov'd a new , thine end was one great proof that all was true . before thou preach't by weeks , but now by hours , each minute taught thy mourning auditors , each patient groan , and each believing eye was a new sermon in brachygraphy . when nature roars without repining words , grace in the mouth when in the bowels swords , in midst of torments to triumph o're hell , to feel gods arrows , yet his praises tell . through thickest clouds to see the brightest light in blackest darkness to have cleerest sight , and with our lord to cry , my god , my god , upon a cross under the sharpest rod. this is indeed to preach ; this is to show faiths triumph over natures greatest wo. then welcome fiery serpents , scorching sting , which did thee thus to th' brazen serpent bring . then welcome whale , which though it first devour , renders at last the prophet to the shore . well might'st thou bear the stone which death did throw , who had'st the white stone the new name to show : well might'st thou be with such an ulcer calm whose soul was heal'd before with heavens balm . when spirits wounds are cur'd though nature groan , an heart of flesh can heal a back of stone : let conscience have her feast , and let flesh roar , this pain shall make the others joy the more , as many times those flowers most fragrant smell which nearest to some noysome weeds do dwell . thus have you seen the forge most clearly glow , on which the smith doth drops of water throw . keen frosts make fire the hotter , and deep night causeth celestial lamps to shine more bright . and by a dear antiperistasis , the childs distress sweetens the fathers kiss . a wounded body yeelds to a sound soul , the joyes of this do th' others pains controle . as in the day that the sun beams appear all other lesser stars do disappear . when heaven shines , and divine love doth reign , the soul is not at leasure to complain . internal joyes his heart so well composes , that they have judg'd their flames a bed of roses . mr. gataker , mr. whitaker . but what shall england do from whence are lopt , two if her richest acres to heaven dropt . by loss of these two acres she 's more poor , then if sh 'had lost an hundred lordships more . 't were a good purchase to gain these agen , by giving to the sea all lincoln fen. two little mines of gold do far surpass huge mannors where th' whole vesture is but grass . learn we by them what all men will once say , one pearch of heaven , 's worth the whole globe of clay . ed. reynolds d. d. the life and death of james vsher , dr. of divinity , arch-bishop of armagh , primate , and metropolitan of all ireland , who dyed anno christi . alexander the great commanded that no man should draw his picture but apelles , the most exquisite painter in the world ; and that his statue should not be made in brass by any one but lysippus , the most excellent work-man in that kinde : so truly , the life and death of this great and good man is fit to be written only by the ablest pen that can be found . dr. james usher . james usher was born in dublin , the metropolis of ireland , in the parish of st. nicholas , january the , anno christi . his father , mr. arnald usher , was a student in the law , one of the clerks of the chanchery in that nation , and a person of excellent parts and endowments . his mother was mrs. margaret stainhurst , who in her later time was seduced by some of the popish priests to the roman religion , they taking their opportunity , whilst this her son was upon some occasion in england ; and they , by their subtilty , had engaged her in such vows , that when her son came back he could not possibly reclaim her , which they have often boasted of in print ; yet her sons hope was , at least upon her death bed , to have prevailed for the reducing of her to the truth : but it pleased god , that she dyed suddenly at drogheda , when he was absent at dublin , whereby , to his no small grief those his hopes were frustrated and disappointed . his grandfather by his mothers side was james stainhurst ( whose christian name he bore ) who was chosen three times speaker of the house of commons in the irish parliaments , in the last whereof he made the first motion for the founding and erecting of a college , and university in the city of dublin . he was also recorder of that city , one of the masters of the chancery , and a man of great wisdome , and integrity . his uncle was richard stainhurst , a man famous in france , and other nations for his great learning , which he manifested in several books published by him , one of them , when he was eighteen years old , between whom , and this reverend person there passed many learned letters . his uncle by his fathers side was henry usher , who was trained up at cambridge , and proved a prudent and learned man : he was afterwards arch-deacon of dublin , at which time he was first sent over into england to queen elizabeth , and the council , with a petition for preserving the cathedral of st. patricks dublin from being dissolved , wherein he prevailed , the fruits whereof this his nephew reaped afterwards , being made chancellor of it , and receiving his subsistence from it for many years . the second time he was sent over by the council of ireland to queen elizabeth to procure her patent for the founding of a college , and university in dublin , wherein he prevailed also : so that the college ( of which this worthy person was the first fruits ) had its being from his grandfathers motion , and his uncles industry . he had a brother named ambrose usher , who , though he dyed young , yet was a man of excellent parts , very skilful in the oriental languages , who had translated the old testament from the beginning , to the book of job , out of the hebrew into english , which is still preserved under his own hand ; but upon the coming forth of the new translation in king james his time , he desisted from making any further progress therein . our james was taught first to read by two of his aunts , who were blinde from their cradles , and so never saw letters , yet were they admirably versed in the sacred scriptures , being able suddenly to have given a good account of any part of the bible . at eight years old he was sent to the grammar school , where he had the happiness to meet with two excellent schoolmasters , sir james fullerton , afterwards leger ambassador in france , and sir james hamilton ( afterwards lord viscount clandeboise ) who was usher of the school . these two learned men were sent over by king james out of scotland upon an other design , though they were disguised in this imployment : and indeed they came very opportunely by the good hand of gods providence , for this youths founding in learning , at such a time when there was a great defect of learned schoolmasters , which he often acknowledged as a special mercy of god to him therein . at ten years old was the first time that he could remember to have found in himself any evidences of his saving conversion unto god , which was instrumentally wrought by a sermon which he heard preached upon rom. . . i beseech you brethren by the mercies of god , &c. about the same time also meeting with some notes taken from famous mr. perkins his works being not then printed ) concerning the sanctification of the lords day , proved , through gods blessing , so effectual with him , that ever after he was the more strict in the observing of it . about the same time also he read over st. augustines meditations , which so affected him , that he wept often in the reading of them . this young , yet hopeful plant , thus inuring , and accustoming himself to secret duties in his tender years , the devil , that grand enemy of our salvation , thinking to nip him in the bud , assaulted him with divers terrours and affrightments , both sleeping and waking , hoping thereby to discourage , and take him off from the same : but he ( with st. paul ) betook himself to prayer with earnestness to be delivered from these satanical delusions , and assaults , and at last was heard in that which he feared , by being freed from them , and strengthened against them with more than ordinary courage , and comfort ; which made such an impression in him , as that he could not forget it to his old age . the devil now finding that he could not be affrighted out of his course of godliness , made use of another engine , which was to allure him with the bait of pleasure , some of his friends teaching him to play at cards , wherewith he was so much delighted , that it began to prevail over his love to his book ; yea it came in competition with his love to god , and care to serve him ; which being seasonably by gods spirit discovered to him , he presently gave it over , and never played afterwards . at twelve years old he was so affected with the study of chronology and antiquity , that , reading over sleidans book of the four empires , and some other authors , he drew forth an exact series of the times wherein each eminent person lived ; and during the time of his abode at school , which was five years , he was throughly instructed in grammar , rhetorick , and poetry , wherein he so excelled , and with which he was so delighted , that he was fain to take himself off , lest it should have hindred him from more serious studies . at thirteen years of age he was admitted into the college of dublin , being the first student that was initiated into it ; and as it seems , it was so ordered upon design by the governours thereof , upon their observation of his pregnancy , and rare parts , that it might be a future honour to the college to have his name recorded in the frontispiece of their admission book , and so accordingly he was the first graduate , the first fellow , the first proctor , &c. at the same time sir james hamilton , hitherto usher of the school , was chosen fellow of the college , and thereby became his tutor , who oft-times admired his accuteness and proficiency , whereby in a short time he equalized his instructers . here he first began to study the greek and hebrew languages , in both which he afterwards excelled , and made himself in a little time master of the arts , most of which he modelled in a method of his own , especially that of musick . at this time the education , and helps which that college afforded were very eminent : for though at first there were but four fellows , yet the tongues and arts were very exactly taught to all the students who were divided into several classes . each tutor read aristotles text in greek to his pupils ; yea each fellow read three lectures a day , at each of which there was a disputation maintained either upon the present , or the precedent lecture , and sometimes they were ordered to dispute more socratico . on saturdayes in the afternoon each tutor read a divinity lecture in latine to his pupils , dictating it ( as they did all other their lectures ) so deliberately , that they might easily write after them , to their great benefit and advantage . at fourteen years old he was judged fit , and admitted to the sacrament of the lords supper ; and his usual custome was , the afternoon before , to retire himself in private , and to spend it in a strict self-examination , and deep humiliation for all his sins ; wherein he had such enlargements of heart , that a stream of tears flowed from his eyes , which afterwards he oft recalled to minde , both as a provocation , and censure of himself : when he was of elder years , there was a certain pl●ce by a water side whither he oft resorted , sorrowfully to survey his sins , and with floods of tears to confess , and bewail them ; wherein he found so much sweetness and communion with god , that he thirsted for such comfortable opportunities , and it was his usual custome to spend saturdayes in the afternoon in these duties . amongst other sins he much bewayled his too much love to humane learning , which made him as glad when munday came that he might renue his studies , as he was when sabbath day came , wherein he was to apply himself to the service of god ; and it cost him many tears that he could not be more heavenly-minded at that age . at fiftten years old he had made such a progress in the study of chronology , that he drew up in latine an exact chronicle of the bible as far as to the books of the kings , which did not much differ from that of his late annals , excepting his enlargements by some exquisite observations , and the syncronismes of heathen story . about this time also he was much afflicted with a strong temptation , which moved him to question gods , love to him , because he was so free from afflictions , which was occasioned by some inconsiderate passages which he met with in some authors , and long was he under some trouble before he could get rid of it . before he was bachelor of arts he read stapletons fortress of the faith , and therein finding how confidently he asserted antiquity for the popish tenets , withall , branding our church and religion with novelty in what we dissented from them , he was much troubled at it , not knowing but that his quotations might be right ; and he was convinced that the ancientest must needs be best , as the nearer the fountain the sweeter , and clearer are the streams ; yet withall , he suspected that stapleton might mis-report the fathers , or wrest them to his own sense ; and therefore he took up a setled resolution , that in due time , if god prolonged his life and health , he would trust onely his own eyes by reading over all the fathers for his satisfaction herein ; which work he afterward began at twenty years old , and finished that vast labour at thirty eight , strictly tying himself to a certain portion every day what occasions soever intervened . whilst he was batchelor of arts , he read divers of the works of the fathers , and most authors which had written the body of divinity both positively and polemically in consuting the popish errors , and had read many of their authors also , by which means he was so well acquainted with the state of those controversies , that he was able to dispute with any of the popish priests , as he often did with the principal of them . anno christi , the earle of essex newly coming over lord lieutenant of ireland , and being chosen chancellor of the university of dublin , there was a solemn act appointed for his entertainment , and mr. usher being then batchelor of arts , answered the philosophy act with great applause and approbation . about this time his fathers intention was to send him over into england to the innes of court , for the study of the common law , which was a great trouble to him , yet in obedience to his fathers will he assented , and resolved upon it ; but it pleased god that his father shortly after dyed , viz. august the . anno christi , so that then he being at liberty to make choice of his studies , devoted , and applied himself wholly to divinity , and thereupon was chosen fellow of the college , being before uncapable of taking the oath which was required of all fellows at their admission , viz. that the present intent of their studies should be for the profession of divinity , unless god should afterwards otherwise dispose their mindes . and here again was an other occasion of disturbance to his mind ministred to him . for his father left him a good estate in land ; but finding that he must have involved himself in many suits of law before he could attain to the quiet enjoyment of it , to the interrupting of his other studies , he gave up the benefit of it to his brothers and sisters , suffering his uncle to take letters of administration for that end , resolving to cast himself upon the good providence of god , to whose service in the work of the ministry he had wholly devoted himself , not doubting but he would provide for him ; yet that he might not be judged weak or inconsiderate in that act , he drew up a note under his hand of the state of all things that concerned it , and directions what to doe about it . when he was nineteen years old he disputed with henry fitz-simonds , a jesuit , in the castle of dublin , as himself acknowledgeth in his preface to his book called britanno-mochia ministrorum ; the occasion of which dispute was this , the jesuit by way of challenge , as it was interpreted , gave forth these words , that he being a prisoner was like a bear tyed to a stake , but wanted some to bait him : whereupon this eminent man ( for so he was though very young ) was thought fit , and able to encounter him , though at their first meeting he despised his youth , as goliah did david . mr. usher proffered to dispute with him about all bellarmines controversies , for which a meeting was appointed once every week , and it fell out that the first subject proposed was de antichristo , about which they had two or three solemne disputations , and mr. usher was ready to have proceeded further ; but the jesuit was weary of it , yet gives him a tolerable commendation , and much admired his abillities in such young years : concerning which he saith , there came once to me a youth of about eighteen years of age , one of a too soon ripe wit , scarce you would thank that he could have gone through his course of philosophy , or that he was got out of his childe-hood , yet was he ready to dispute upon the most abstruce points of divinity . and afterwards the same jesuit living to understand more of him , saith , that he was a catholicorum doctissimus , the most learned of such as were not catholicks ; being ( as it seems ) unwilling , or ashamed to call him heretick . anno christi , when he was about twenty years old he commenced master of arts , and answered the philosophy act , and was chosen catechist of the college , in which office he went through a great part of the body of divinity in the chappel by way of common place ; and ministers being scarce at that time , there were three young men of the college chosen out , and appointed to preach in christ church before the state : one was mr. richardson , afterwards bishop of ardah , who was appointed to preach an expository lecture upon the prophesie of isaiah every friday . another was mr. welch , afterwards dr. of divinity , who was designed to handle the body of divinity on sabbaths in the forenoon ; the third was our learned usher , who was to handle the controversies for the satisfaction of the papists on the lords dayes in the afternoons , which he did fully and cleerly , alwayes concluding with some emphatical exhortation , that it tended much to the edification and confirmation of the protestants in their principles , as many of them in their elder yeares have acknowledged . having thus preached for a while as a probationer , he refused to continue it any longer , having not as yet received ordination : he also scrupled to be as yet ordained by reason of his defect of years , the canons requiring twenty four , and he being yet but twenty one : but by some grave and learned men he was told , that the lord had need of his labours ; and so upon their perswasions and importunity , his age being dispensed with according to some former presidents , he was ordained at the usual time , the sabbath before christmas day , anno , by his uncle henry usher , archbishop of armagh , with the assistance of some other ministers . the first text that he preached publickly upon before the state , after his ordination , was rev. . . thou hast a name that thou livest , and art dead , which fell out to be the same day upon which was fought the battel of kinsale , which being a day specially set apart , by prayer to seek unto god for his blessing and assistance in that engagement , and being his first fruits after his entrance into the office of the ministry , god might in a more than ordinary manner make his labours efficatious and prevailing ; the rest of that epistle to the church of sardis he finished afterwards . it was well known that if the spaniards had gotten the better that day , the irish papists had designed to murther the english protestants both in dublin and other places , but especially the ministers . hence ( said he ) arose a tentation in me to have deferred my ordination till the event of the battel had been known , that so i might the better have escaped their fury ; but i repelled that suggestion , and resolved the rather upon it , that dying a minister , and in that quarrel , i might at least be the next door to a martyr . the spaniards being ( as was said before ) overthrown at kinsale , and the hopes of the irish , as to that design , being frustrated , they began generally to subject themselves to the statute , which was now put in execution , in their coming to church ; and that it might tend the more to their profit , the lord lieutenant , and his council , desired the ministers at dublin , so to divide themselves , that ( in imitation of what he had already begun at christ church ) there might be a sermon on the lords dayes in the afternoon at every church upon those controversies . st. katherines ( a convenient church ) was assigned for mr. usher , who removed accordingly , and duely observed it ; and his custome was , that what he had delivered in one sermon , he drew it up into questions and answers , and the next lords day , several persons of note voluntary offered themselves to repeat those answers before the whole congregation , which made them more clear and perspicuous to the popish party . it pleased god by his , and the labours of others of his brethren in the ministry , not only in dublin , but in other parts of the kingdome , that the papists came so diligently to church , that if they had any occasion to absent themselves , they used to send in their excuses to the church-wardens , and there were great hopes in a short time to have reduced the whole nation to protestanisme : but on a sudden , the execution of the statute was suspended , and the power of the high commission court ( then erected , and used onely against the papists ) was taken away ; whereupon the papists presently withdrew themselves from the publick assembles , the ministry was discouraged , all good mens hearts were grieved , and popery from that time forward encreased , till like a great deluge , it had overflowed the whole nation . upon this , the spirit of this holy man ( like pauls at athens ) was exceedingly stirred in him , insomuch as preaching before the state at christ church upon a special solemnity , he did with as much prudence , courage , and boldness as became his young years , give them his opinion of that abominable toleration of idolatry ; making a full and clear application of that passage in ezekiels vision , chap. . . where the prophet , by lying on his side , was to bear the iniquity of judah for forty dayes . i have appointed thee ( saith the lord ) each day for a year . this ( said he ) by the consent of interpreters , signifies the time of forty years to the destruction of jerusalem , and of that nation for their idolatry ; and so ( said he ) will i reckon from this year the sin of ireland , and at the end of the time those whom you now imbrace shal be your ruine , and you shall bear this iniquity , wherein he proved a prophet : for this was delivered by him , anno christi , and anno , was the irish rebellion , and massacre ; and what a continued expectation he had of a great judgement upon that his native country , i , saith dr. bernard , can witness from the year , at which time i had the happiness first to be known to him ; and the nearer the time approached , the more confident he was of the event , though as yet nothing that tended towards it was visible to other men . the body of divinity which is printed in his name is highly commended by mr. downam , who set it forth , and so it is by a stranger , ludovicus crocius , who much desired that some english man would turn it into latine for the benefit of forreign churches , but it was not intended by him for the press . it was begun by him in publick , but finished some years after in private in his family , constantly instructing them twice a week , unto which persons of quality and learning resorted , and divers of them took notes , whereby several copies were dispersed abroad , some imperfect and mistaken , and many passages are in it which were not his , neither is the whole so polished as his other pieces which were published by himself ; and indeed he was displeased that it came forth without his knowledge , yet understanding how much good it had done , he connived at it . shortly after the aforementioned defeat given to the spaniards at kinsale , the officers of our english army gave pounds to buy books for the college library at dublin ( then souldiers were advancers of learning ) the ordering of which was committed to dr. challoner , and this lord primate , who made a journey into england on purpose to buy books with it . he then met with sir thomas bodly , who was buying books for his library at oxford , and they were very helpful each to other in procuring the rarest pieces . in his journey he visited mr. christopher goodman , who had been professor of divinity in oxford in king edward the sixths dayes , then lying on his death-bed at chester , and he would often repeat some grave and wise speeches that he heard from him . after this he constantly came over into england once in three years , spending one moneth at oxford , another at cambridge , in searching the books , especially the manuscripts , in each university ( amongst which , those of corpus christi college in cambridge , he most esteemed ) the third moneth he spent at london , intending chiefly sir robert cottons library , and conversing with learned men , amongst whom , even in those his younger years he was in great esteem . in his after-years he was acquainted with the rarities in other nations : there was scarce a choice book in any eminent persons library in france , italy , germany , or rome it self , but he had his way to procure it , or what he desired , transcribed out of it , so that he was better acquainted with the popes vatican than some that daily visited it . the puteani fratres , two learned men in paris holp him much with many transcripts out of thuanus , and others , between whom and him , many letters passed . now , though the reading of the fathers all over was a vast work , yet the pains he took out of the common road of learning in searching of records , and all the manuscripts he could get throughout christendome , together with the knotty study of chronology and antiquity , was equal with , if it did not exceed the other . many volumes he also read onely to attain to the knowledge of the use of words in several ages , as galen , hipocrates , &c. and most of the records in the tower of london : besides there was scarce the meanest book in his own library , but he remembred it , even to admiration , and had in his head readily whatsoever he had read . the first church-preferment which he had , was given him by archbishop loftus a little before his death , which was the chancellorship of st. patricks dublin , unto which he took no other benefice . in that place mr. camden found him when he was writing his britannia , anno christi , and in his observations concerning dublin , saith of him , most of these i acknowledge to owe to the diligence , and labours of james usher , chancellor of the church of st. patricks , who in various learning , and judgement far exceeds his years . in this preferment , though the law required not his preaching , but onely in his course before the state , yet would he not omit it in the place from whence he received his profits , and though he endowed it with a vicaridge , yet went he thither in person , viz. to finglas a mile from dublin , and preached there every lords day , unless he were detained upon some extraordinary occasions ; and the remembrance that he had been a constant preacher , was a greater comfort to him in his old age , than all his other labours and writings . his experiments in prayer were many , and very observable , god ofen answering his desires in kinde , and that immediately , when he was in some distresses ; and gods providence in taking care , and providing for him in his younger years , as he often spake of it , so it wrought in him a firm resolution to depend upon god in his latter dayes , what ever extremity he might be brought into . anno christi , when he was twenty seven years old he commenced batchelor of divinity , and immediately after be was chosen professor of divinity in the university of dublin : at first he read twice a week , and afterwards once a week without intermission throughout the year , going through a great part of bellarmines controversies . in this employment he continued thirteen or fourteen years , and was a great ornament to his place . three volumes of those his lectures written with his own hand he hath left behinde him , and it would be a great honour to that university where they were read , and benefit to many others if they were published . when he performed his acts for his degree , latine sermon , lectures , position , and answered the divinity act , he wrote nothing but only the heads of the several subjects , putting all upon the strength of his memory , and present expressions , as also he did his english sermons . his readiness in the latine tongue was inferiour to none in these latter times , which ( after seventeen years disuse , from the time that he left his professors place ) appeared when he moderated the divinity act , and created doctors to all mens admiration . the provostship of the college of dublin falling void , he was unanimously elected thereto by all the fellows , he being then about thirty years of age , but foreseeing that upon the settlement of lands belonging to it , and the establishing of other matters , he should be much impeded and distracted in his studies , he refused it , and so another was sent out of england to fill it . the revenues of it were very considerable , whereby we may see how mean and little the things of the world seemed in his eyes even in those his younger years . about this time the irish prelates , especially dr. hampton , his predecessor in the sea of armagh , had obtained king james his grant for reducing ireland to the same ecclesiastical government of the church of england ; the principal occasion whereof was this , the english prelates a little before had used a great deal of severity against the non-conformists , their high commission , and other courts , and canons , had driven many worthy and learned men into other countries , and some of them went into ireland ; the irish bishops being weary of this resort , are desirous to advance their power to the same height with the english hierarchy , combined together , and obtained king james his commission to sir arthur chichester , earle of belfast , a famous souldier and prudent governour , who was at this time lord deputy , and bore the sword ▪ there eleven years together with very much honour , and esteem in that nation . for the effecting of this , a great assembly of the whole nation was convened . in the commission the king required them to consult with mr. usher , whose learning , judgement , and esteem would much conduce to the promoting of that work : but if he approved it not , the king required that they should proceed no further , for that he would not be the author of any innovation amongst them . this reserve troubled the prelates exceedingly , and therefore they resolved to carry it closely ; the kings letters to them , they transmitted from one to another , but acquainted not mr. usher with them , intending to surprize him when the assembly was met ; they should come prepared and fortified , he would be taken on the sudden . howbeit god that intended him for so great a good at that time in crossing their design , that many faithful labourers in his vineyard might not by this their power be displaced , by a special providence gave him some light ( though but very little ) into the matter ; and the manner was thus , mr. usher going to visit one of them , found him perusing the kings letter ; but upon his coming , he laid it down in his window , closed at both ends , onely there was an open place in the middle , and as they were discoursing together , mr. usher glancing his eye upon it , espied his own name , and some other vvords about himself , of which he could not pick out the meaning ; but yet he judged them to be of importance , as discipline , ireland , england , &c. mr. usher thought it not prudence for him to take notice of those hints , neither could he handsomely fish out the business from the bishop , wherefore he went another way to work ; and indeed the surest way , by seeking counsel from god , communicating the matter to dean hill a very godly man , whom he requested , that with some others , they would seek unto god for his assistance , for he believed that something was in brewing that he might not know of . herein imitating the practise of wise daniel , chap. . , . this done he studied the rights of the irish church , some fruits whereof we have in that learned piece of his called , the religion professed by the ancient irish and britains . yet he heard nothing till the assembly was summoned , and himself the next day was to be present at it ; then went he to the lord deputy to know the occasion of their meeting . the lord deputy would not believe at first that he could be a stranger to it ; but afterwards , when mr. usher had assured him that he had no information from the bishops about it , he was much displeased , and told him that without him all the the rest were but cyphers , for that the king had referred the whole business to his judgement , whether the power of the hierarchy should be established there as it was in england . the next day the kings commission and letters were read in the assembly , and speeches were made concerning the excellency of the kings intention to reduce that kingdome to one uniformity with england in ecclesiastical government ; they also told him what honour the king had put upon him , whose esteem , learning and judgement the king so much depended upon for the promoting so great and good a work . mr. usher replied , that he believed that in a business of so great concernment wherein he was so far interested , the kings intentions were that he should have convenient time to consider of it before he delivered his opinion , which he also humbly desired . the bishops answered , that his judgement was sufficiently known by his practise , and that they expected no more from him but his consent , and concurrence with them . he replied , that the matter concerned more than himself , for ( said he ) if i had all mens consciences in my keeping , i could in these disputable cases give laws unto them , as well as unto my self ; but it s one thing what i can do , and another thing what all other men must do . then they asked of him if he had any thing to say why they should not satisfie the kings desire ? he , after a short pause , wherein he lifted up his heart unto god for direction , told them that if they would grant him no longer time , he would as well as he was able give them his judgement , if that honourable assembly would grant him three requests , . a free hearing without interruption . . liberty for him to answer any man that should be unsatisfied . . that there might be a final determination of the business at that meeting . these being all granted , mr. usher undertook to prove , that such a jurisdiction could not be introduced into that kingdome , neither by the laws of god , nor by the civil , or ecclesiastical constitutions of that kingdome , nor yet without the violation of the kings prerogative in that nation : all which he performed to admiration . but before he descended to particulars , he shewed the difference between conformity as it was set up in england , and as it would be , if it were set up in ireland . the kings ( saith he ) and queen of england imposed those ceremonies , that thereby they might decline the charge of schismaticks , wherewith the church of rome laboured to brand them , seeing it did appear hereby that they left them only in such doctrinal points , wherein they left the truth . again , hereby they would testifie how far they would willingly stoop to win and gain them , by yeelding to meet them as far as they might in their own way : but ( saith he ) the experience of many years hath shewed , that this condescention hath rather hardened them in their errours , than brought them to a liking of our religion : this being their usual saying , if our flesh be not good , why doe you drinke of our broth ? as for ireland , wherein the english canons were never yet received , and the generality of the inabitans were popish recusants , and even in popish kings times , there was no receptions of the popes ecclesiastical constitutions , because he encroached upon their temporals , if such laws now should be set up under so religious a protestant king , this would be to set the pope on horse-back , amongst them , which needed not . the lord deputy , when he had finished his speech , and answered what was objected against it , told him that he was much affected with every part of his learned speech , but that he was more especially concerned in that which touched upon the kings prerogative part ; wherein he had discovered such hidden flowers of the crown , as he thought the king himself knew not ; and therefore ( he said ) as he would endeavour to preserve his majesties right therein , whilst he was his deputy , so he would present them to the king , and take care , that it should be very hard for any that came after him to rob him of them . by this we may easily see , that he was then so far from a prelatical spirit , that on the contrary he was an advocate for , and patione of godly and conscientious non-conformists . anno christi , he proceeded dr. of divinity being created by archbishop hampton , his predecessor ; one of his lectures for his degree was upon the seventy weeks to the slaying of the messias , mentioned dan. . . the other out of rev. . . concerning the meaning of the prophesie , that the saints should reign with crist a thousand years , which in these times would be very seasonable ; but it s lost . dr. hoyle ( who died professor of divinity in oxford , after he had many years been the like in dublin ) said , that when he went out dr. of divinity , he thought tully himself could not have excelled him in eloquence ( had he been alive ) not only in his composed speeches , but in those which occasionally fell from him upon the by . anno christi , he published his book , de ecclesiaram christianarum successione , & statu , magnified so much by causabon and scultetus , in their greek , and latine verses before it . it was solemnly presented by archbishop abbot to king james , as the eminent first fruits of that college at dublin . indeed its imperfect , for about three hundred years from gregory the , to leo the , viz. from the year , to , and from thence to this last century , which he intended ( after the finishing of a book , which he was now about ) to have compleated : but the lord prevented him . anno christi , there was a parliament in dublin , and consequently a convocation of the clergy , at which time those learned articles of ireland were composed and published , and dr. usher being a member of that synod , was appointed to draw them up ; they were highly approved of the m●st orthod●x divines . they determine according to st. austin against the doctrine of the pelagians : prove the man of sin , spoken of thess. . to be the bishop of rome ; and for the morality of the sabbath ; of both which this most learned doctor was very confident , and oft wished that some of our learned men of late had spared their pains when they went about to prove the contrary . in defence of the last of these , he wrote a most excellent and learned letter to dr. twiss , who had desired his judgement about it . he wanted not enemies who sought to scandalize him to king james under the title of a puritan , which was very odious to him in those dayes , seeking hereby to prevent his further promotion ; but god so ordered it , that it proved an occasion of his advancement ; for king james being jealous of him upon that score , by reason of the eminency of his learning , fell into serious discourse with him , and therein received such abundance of satisfaction , both of the soundness of his judgement and piety , that notwithstanding the opposition made by some great ones , without his seeking , he made him bishop of meath in ireland , which just then fell void whilst he was in england , and the king often boasted that he was a bishop of his own making . whilst he was thus bishop elect , he was chosen to preach before the house of commons , feb. . , in margarets westminster : the sermon by order of the house was printed , and it is a most learned one . upon his return into ireland , he was consecrated bishop of meath at droheda by archbishop hampton , with the assistance of two suffragan bishops , according to the custome ; at which time there was given him an anagram of his name , as he was then to write himself , which was this , james meath , i am the same ; and he made it good ever afterwards . his preferment did not cause him to grow slack in his constancy of preaching , as it did too many , who having caught the fish , laid aside the net : but , as possidonius saith of st. austin , he was still the same ; which he bound himself the rather unto by the motto of his episcopal seal , ve mihi si non evangelizavero , woe is me if i preach not the gospel , which he continued in the seal of his primacy also . he had many papists in his diocess , whom he endeavoured to reclaim by private conferences , and at length they were willing to hear him preach , so it were not in a church , which he condescended to , and preached in the sessions-house , and his sermon wrought so much upon some of them , that their priests forbad them hearing him in any place ever after . anno , there were some papists censured in the star-chamber for refusing to take the oath of supremacy , at which time he was called thither to inform them of it before the sentence passed , which occasioned that learned , speech of his upon that subject , since printed with his english works . while he was bishop of meath , he answered a challenge sent him by the jesuite malone ; and his going over into england to print it , occasioned another learned tractate of the universality of the church of christ , and the unity of the catholick faith , in a sermon preached before king james on eph. . . till we all come in the unity of the faith , &c. and gods providence so ordered it , that whilst he was thus busied in england , archbishop hampton dying , he was made his successour , primate of ireland , anno christi , and he was the hundreth bishop of that see. being thus promoted to the highest preferment his profession was capable of in his native country , he was so far from being puffed up with pride , that he was more humble , and frequent in preaching , and it so fell out , that for some weeks together overtoyling himself in the work of the ministry to the overwasting of his spirits , whic he did at the request of some essex ministers , who importuned him to preach on the week dayes , because they could not come to hear him on the sabbaths , he fell into a quartane ague , which held him three quarters of a year . after his recovery , the lord mordant ( afterwards earle of peterborough ) being a papist , and desirous to draw his lady to the same religion , he was willing that there should be a meeting of two eminent persons of each party to dispute what might be in controversie between them . the lady made choice of our lord primate , and prevailed with him , though newly recovered from the aforesaid long sickness , and scarce able to take such a journey . the jesuite chosen by the earle went under the name of beaumond , but his true name was rookwood ( brother to ambrose rookwood , one of the gunpowder traitors . ) the place of meeting was at drayton in northamptonshire , where there was a great library , so that no books of the ancient fathers were wanting upon occasion for their view . the points to be disputed on , were concerning transubstantiation , invocation of saints , worshipping of images , and the visibility of the church . three dayes they were in this disputation , three hours in the forenoon , and two hours in the afternoon each day ; and the conclusion was this , after the third day of meeting , the lord primate having been hitherto opponent , now the tables were to be turned , and the jesuit according to his desire , was to oppose , and the lord primate to answer : but when the time came , and the jesuit was expected , instead of coming , he sent his excuse to the lord mordant , which was , that all the arguments which he had framed in his head , and premeditated , so that he thought he had them as perfect as his pater noster , were now slipt from him , and he could not possibly recover them again ; and that he believed it was a just judgement of god upon him , for undertaking of himself to dispute with a man of that eminency and learning without a licence from his superiour . the lord mordant seeing his tergiversation , upon some further discourse with the lord primate , was converted , and became a protestant , and so continued to his death . one challoner , a secular priest , afterwards writing a book against this beaumond by way of scorn , bids him beware of coming any more to drayton , lest he meet with another usher , to foil him again , to the dishonour of his profession , and himself . the lord having made his labours so succesful , the countess of peterborough had him alwayes in great respect , and upon his losses in ireland , and other distresses here , she took him home to her owne house , with whom be lived about nine or ten years , and then died there . anno christi ● , in august , he went back into ireland , where he was entertained with all the expressions of love and joy that could be . the discourses which daily fell from him at his table in clearing difficulties in the scripture , and other subjects ( especially when learned men came to visit him ) tended exceedingly to the edification of the hearers , so that it might well be said of him , as the queen of sheba said to solomon , happy are these thy servants that stand continually about thee , and hear thy wisdome . and such was his humility withall , as that he would , in practical subjects , apply himself to the capacity of the poorest , and weakest christian that came to him for information , and satisfaction of their doubts . nay some times , he was more propense to communicate himself to such , than to others that were more learned ; which strangers have wondred at , as the disciples marvelled at our saviours talking with the poor woman of samaria , joh. . . and answering her questions , rather than taking notice of them . indeed he was a mirror of humility : for though he was higher than any other from the shoulders upward , yet might many of his inferiours learn humility of him , as may appear in these few amongst many other examples . in his publick preaching , no man more denied himself to preach christ , insomuch as some that affected that frothy way of preaching by strong lines ( as they call them ) were much ashamed after they had heard him preach in oxford , wherein he reproved , and decried the corinthian vanity in this kinde . also in one passage of his at the court before the king , he taught the bishops , and doctors that then heard him , thus ; great sch●llars ( said he ) possibly may think that it stands not with their credit , and reputation to stoop so low , &c. but let the learnedest of us all try it when we will , and we shall finde , that to lay this ground work right , that is , to apply our selves to the capacities of a common auditory , and to make an ignorant man to understand these mysteries in some good measure , will put us to the trial of our skill , and will trouble us a great deal mor● , than if we were to discuss a controversie , or handle a subtle point of learning in the schools . he was indeed another paul , who determined to know nothing but christ , and him crucified . neither was his speech or preaching with the enticing words of mans wisdome , but in the demonstration of the spirit , and of power , cor. . , . . in his private conversation he framed himself to the capacity of the meanest that conversed with him . he had an excellent gift of expressing himself both in latine and english , and as he could sore with the eagle in polemick discourses when he met with giants , so he would stoop to the lowest pigmies in practical subjects , and would apply himself to the poorest and weakest christians . he was no dictator , nor would impose upon other mens judgements or consciences , but was as ready to receive from others , as to impart to them , and would much incline to vulgar christians , rather than unto others that were more learned . . in his demeanour and behaviour he had high thoughts of others , and as low of himself , and that in every condition of his life , both in prosperity and adversity . godly persons of what rank soever , had great power with him , he would put them in his bosome , visit th●m in their sickness , supply their wants , beg their prayers , and countenance their cause and persons . in his passage for ireland , he sometimes lay at n●sson for wind , where sundry times he preached to a plain country auditory : and whereas there were in that part of the country ( where i lived about five years when i first began my ministry ) divers plain christians , which were never called but by their christian names ; yet indeed were such as had not a bare form , but the life and power of godliness in them , so that i was never acquainted with more knowing christians for men and women of their rank ; these he grew into familiar acquaintance with , would entertain them in his chamber , discourse with them , answer their questions , and satisfie their doubts : and when he was made archbishop , some of them told him , that now they must know their distance , and durst not be so familiar with him as formerly : to whom he answered , that he was the same man still , and they should be as welcome to him as formerly , and accordingly used the same familiarity with them as he had wont to do : and when he lay at chester , he would as soon preach at the request of mr. ashbrook , and mrs. kirkman ( a godly woman of the meaner rank , whom i well knew ) as at the intreaties of the mayor and aldermen of that city , whereby he demonstrated , that his delight was in the saints , and that he was a companion of all them that feared god ; and this indeed was one reason that he rose so high ; he honoured god , and therefore god honoured him , sam. . . whilst i lived in warwickshire , not much before the long parliament begun , my self with two other neighbour ministers made a journey to oxford ( where he then was ) on purpose to desire his judgement in some cases wherein we could not so well satisfie our selves ; we found him at his lodgings in christ church , where , before he would admit any speech with us , he caused us to put on our hats , to sit down by him , and then to speak our mindes ; when i told him that we were come to request his judgement in some difficulties , he presently stopped me , saying , mr. clarke , i shall freely tell you my judgement in any thing but about the et caetera oath , concerning which i did speak occasionally , declaring my minde about it , and i have newly received a letter from two doctors ( whose names i forbear to insert out of respect to them ) who take me up as if i was a school-boy , ( and withall he pulled the letter out of his pocket ) adding , that in that regard he would say no more about that matter , &c. i replied , that we were sufficiently satisfied about that oath , but the questions we had to propound were of another nature , wherein he gave us very full and clear satisfaction . his custome was to pray four times a day , in , and with his family ; in the morning at six a clock , in the evening at eight , and before dinner and supper in his chappel , at each of which he was alwayes present . on friday in the afternoons there was constantly an hour spent in his chappel in catechizing upon the principles of religion for the instructing of his family ; and on sabbaths in the evening , the sermon which he had preached in the forenoon was repeated in his chappel by one of his chaplains . in the winter evenings his constant manner was to spend two hours in comparing of old manuscripts of the bible , in greek and latine , in which work , five or six assisted him , and the variae lectiones of each were taken by himself with his own hand . anno christi , in michaelmas terme there were some proposals made , and offered to be assented to by the irish papists , upon condition of a more full tolleration of their religion , for the raising and maintaining of five hundred horse , and five thousand foot ; wherein the protestants also must have born some share : to consider hereof , a great assembly of papists and protestants of the whole nation was appointed in the lord deputy faulklands time . the place of their meeting was in the hall of the castle in dublin . at which time the bishops , by our lord primates invitation , met at his house , where he , and they drew up , and unanimously subscribed a protestation against the toleration of popery ; a copy whereof , because it deserves perpetual remembrance , is here inserted . the judgement of the archbishops , and bishops of ireland , concerning the toleration of popery , which is applicable also against the toleration of other heresies . the religion of the papists is superstitious and idolatrous , their faith and doctrine erroneous , and heretical , their church in respect of both apostatical . to give them therefore a toleration , or to consent that they may freely exercise their religion , and profess their faith and doctrine is a grievous sin , and that in two respects ; for , . it is to make our selves accessary , not onely to their superstitions , idolatries , heresies ; and in a word , to all the abominations of popery , but also ( which is a consequent of the former ) to the perdition of the seduced people , which perish in the deluge of the catholick apostacy . . to grant them a toleration , in respect of any money to be given , or contribution to be made by them , is to set religion to sale ▪ and with it , the souls of the people , whom christ our saviour hath redeemed with his most precious blood . and as it is a great sin , so also a matter of most dangerous consequence , the consideration whereof we commend to the wise and juditious ; beseeching the zealous god of truth , to make them who are in authority , zealous or gods glory , and of the advancement of true religion ; zealous , resolute , and couragious against all popery , superstition , and idolatry , amen . ja. armachanus , mal. cashlen , anth. medensis , tho. hernes & laghlin , ro. dunensis , &c. georg. derens. rich. cork , cloyne , rosses , andr. alachadens . tho. kilmore , & ardagh , theo. dromore , mic. waterford & lysm . fran. lymerick . this judgement of the bishops , dr. george downham , bishop of derry , at the next meeting of the assembly , which was april the , , published at christ church before the lord deputy and council in the middest of his sermon , with this preamble , viz. are not many amongst us for gain , and outward respects , willing , and ready to consent to a toleration of false religions , thereby making themselves guilty of a great offence , in putting to sale not onely their own souls , but also the souls of others : but what is to be thought of toleration of religion , i will not deliver my own private opinion , but the judgement of the archbishops , and bishops of this kingdome , which i think good to publish unto you , that whasoever shall happen , the world may know that we were far from consenting to those favours which the papists expect . after he had published it , the people gave their votes with a generall acclamation , crying , amen . the judgements of the bishops prevailed so much with the protestants , that now the proposals drove on very heavily ; and after much debate of things , the l. deputy finding the discontents of both parties encreasing , desired our lord primate , as the fittest person , both in regard of his esteem in the assembly , and being a member of the council , and therefore concerned in promoting of the kings business , to sum up the state of things , and to move them to an absolute grant of some competency that might comply with the kings necessities , without any such conditions , with which upon their answer , he would cease moving any further ; which ( upon very little warning ) he did with much prudence , according to his double capacity of a privy counsellour , and a bishop : a copy of which speech desired of him by the lord deputy , was immediately transmitted into england : but it not being prevalent with the assembly , to induce them to supply the kings wants , it was dissolved . not long after the lord deputy falkland being called back into england , when he was to take boat at the water side , he reserved our lord primate as the last person to take his leave of , and fell upon his knees on the sands , and begged his blessing , which reverend respect shewed to him , gained a greater reputation to himself , both in ireland and england ; and indeed from his younger years , the several lord deputies had alwayes a great esteem of him . it was no small labour to him to answer those many letters which came to him from forreign parts , and our own nations upon several occasions ; some for resolution of difficulties in divinity , others about cases of conscience , and practical subjects . twelve of the most eminent divines in london ( who at his being here , were wont to apply themselves to him as to a father , as dr. sibbs , dr. preston , &c. between whom , and him there were most entire affections ) wrote to him for his directions about a body of practical divinity , which he returned them accordingly . he much endeavoured the augmentation of the maintenance of the ministery in ireland , and for that end he had obtained a patent for impropriations to be passed in his name for their use as they should fall , but it was too much neglected by themselves , whereby his desires were frustrated . he preached every lords day in the forenoon , never failing unless he was disabled by sickness , in which he spent himself very much : in the afternoons his directions to dr. bernard , his assistant , were , that before publick prayers he should catechize the youth , and that after the first , and second lesson , he should spend half an hour in a brief and plain opening the principles of religion in the publick catichisme ; and therein he directed him to go , first through the creed at once , giving but the sum of each article , the next time to go through it at thrice , and afterwards to take each time one article , as they might be more able to bear it ; and to observe the like proportionably in the ten commandements , the lords prayer , and the doctrine of the sacraments : the good fruit of which was apparent in the common people upon their coming to the communion , at which time , by orde● , the receivers were to send in their names , and some account was constantly taken of their fitness for it . his order throughout his diocess to the ministers , was , that they should go through the body of divinity once a year , which he had accordingly drawn out into fifty heads . when any publick fast was enjoyned he kept it very strictly , preaching alwayes first himself , and therein continuing at least two hours , in a more than ordinary manner enlarging himself in prayer ; the like was done by those that assisted him in the duty . his expences for books was very great , especially whilst he enjoyed the revenues of his archbishoprick , a certain part whereof he laid aside yearly for that end , but especially for the purchasing of manuscripts and other rarities , as well from remote parts of the world , as near at hand . he was the first that procured the samaritan bible ( which is onely the pentateuch ) to the view of these western parts of the world . it was sent him from syria by the way of a●eppo , anno christi . he had four of them sent him by a f●ctor whom he imployed to search for things of that nature ; and these were thought to be all that could there be had . one of these he gave to the library of oxford : a second to leyden ( for which ludevicus de dieu returns him publick thanks in a book that he dedicated to him : ) a third he gave to sir robert cottons library : and the fourth , after he had compared it with the other , he kept himself . the old testament in syriack , an other rarity also , was sent him from those parts not long after . it might happily seem incredible unto some , to relate how many years agone , he confidently foretold the changes which since are come to pass both in ireland and england , both in church and state , and of the poverty which himself should fall into , which he oft spake of in his greatest plenty . some took much notice of that text which he preached of in st. maries in cambridge , anno christi , upon the late kings coronation day , and the first annual solemnity of it , out of sam. . . if you still do wickedly , you shall be consumed , both you , and your king. others of the last text that he preached on at the court immediately before his return into ireland , cor. . . god is not the author of confusion , but of peace , as in all the churches of the saints : in his application , he spake of the confusions , and divisions which he was confident were then at the doors . in his book called ecclesiarum britannicarum antiquitates , p. , ●he hath this remarkable passage , after he had largely related the manner of the utter destruction of the british church and state by the saxons about the year , as he found it in gildas , he gives two reasons why he was so prolixe in setting it down , . that the divine justice might the rather from thence appear to us , the sins of persons of all sorts and degrees being then come to the heigth , which occasioned , not onely shaking of the foundations of the british church and state ; but the very destruction , and almost utterly overturning of them . . that even we now might be in the greater fear that our turn also is coming , and may be minded of that of the apostle , rom. . . behold the goodness and severity of god : on them which fell , severity , but towards thee goodness , if thou continue in his goodness : otherwise thou also shalt be cut off . he often acknowledged that sometimes in his sermons he hath resolved to forbear speaking of some things , but it proved like jeremiahs fire shut up in his bones , that when he came to it , he could not forbear unless he would have stood mute , and proceeded no further . he was very bold and free in the exercise of his ministry , sparing sin in none , yea even before kings he was not ashamed to do it . he often ( to his utmost ) stood in the gap to oppose errours and false doctrines ; he withstood to the face any toleration of popery and superstition , by whomsoever attempted : he was so fervent in his preaching , that that of the psalmist might be applied to him , the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up . anno christi , he spake before many witnesses , and often repeated it afterwards , that he was perswaded that the greatest stroak to the reformed churches was yet to come ; and that the time of the utter ruine of the roman antichrist should be when he thought himself most secure , according to that text , revel . . . when she shall say , i sit as a queen , and shall see no sorrow , &c. his farewell sermon , in , or very near the place where he had lived in england , was then much observed upon jam. . . sin when it is finished brings forth death ; wherein he spake of the fulnes of the sins of this nation , which certainly would bring great destruction : adding , that the harvest of the earth was ripe , and the angel was putting in his sickle , rev. . . applying also that of the epha in the vision , zach. . when it was filled with wickedness ; and that of the amorites , who when their iniquities were come to the full , were destroyed . he often also hinted the same in his private discourses , and many that heard them , laid these his sayings up in their hearts , and by what hath already fallen out , do measure their expectations for the future . at the last time of his being in london , he much lamented , with great thoughts of heart , the wofull dis-unions , and the deadly hatred which he saw kindled in the hearts of christians one against another , by reason of their several opinions in matters of religion ; and observing how some opposed the ministry , both to office and maintenance : others contemned the sacraments : others raised , and spread abroad damnable dectrines , heresies , and blasphemies : upon which considerations he was confident , that the enemies which had sown these up and down the nation , were priests , friers , and jesuits , and such like popish agents , sent out of their seminaries from beyond the seas in sundry disguises , who increasing in number here in london , and elsewhere , do expect a great harvest of their labours ; and he was perswaded , that if they were not timely prevented by a severe suppressing of them , the issue would be either an inundation of popery , or a massacre , or both ; adding withall , how willing he was , if the lord so pleased , to be taken away from that evil to come , which he confidently expected , unless there were some speedy reformation of these things . an. christi , a little before the parliament began in ireland , there was a letter sent over from the late king to the lord deputy , and council , for determining the question of the precedency between the primate and archbishop of dublin ; the question was nothing as to their persons , but in relation to their sees . this good man out of his great-humility , was hardly drawn to speak to that argument ; but being commanded , he shewed in it a great deal of learning , and rare observations in matters of antiquity , so that the business was de●ermined on his side , who afterwards by another letter ( procured without his seeking ) had the precedency given him of the lord chancellor . these things took little with him , but were rather burdens to him who was not in the least elated , or puffed up thereby . ' at that parliament , he preached the first day of it before the lord deputy , and the lords and commons , in st. patricks dublin . his text was , gen. . . the scepter shall not depart from judah , nor a law-giver from between his feet till shiloh come , and to him shall the gathering of the people be . at the beginning also of the parliament anno christi , he preached before the same auditory on deut. . , . and moses commanded us a law , even the inheritance of the congregation of jacob , and he was a king in jesurun , when the heads of the people , and the tribes of israel were gathered together . both which texts as they were pertiment , so were they handled with rare judgement and eminent learning . the lord was pleased to make his labours very successfull , some few instances whereof , i shall here set down ; some of which i had from my reverend friend mr. stanly gower , the last from my own knowledge . a lords eldest son , who from his cradle had been trained up in popery , but was of excellent parts , and learning was at last prevailed with by his father to sojourn for a while with this learned prelate in drogheda ; the prudent prelate studied nothing more than how he might take him by craft ( as the apostle did the corinthians , cor. . . ) and therefore did not presently fall into discourse with him about his religion , but recreated himself for a time in discoursing with him about some philosophical questions , and schol-points , in which studies he perceived the gentleman was well versed , and took much delight in them : this he continued till at last he gained so far upon his affections , that of his own accord he moved some discourse about matters of religion ; and then finding him studious , he did not presently go about to instruct him in the truth , but sought to puzzle him with doubts about his own religion : by this means the gentlemans conscience began to be awakened ; nor were his scruples removed , though he had recourse to a monastery hard by where they were debated ; so that at last he came with tears to the learned primate for satisfaction , and he promised to deal faithfully with him ; but ( saith he ) those whom you trust do not so , for they will not suffer you to see with your own eyes , nor to understand the scripture but according to their churches commentaries . then did he advise him to go amongst them , and to ask them , whether he that understood the originals might examine their interpretations , and to bring him word what they said . accordingly he did so , and brought him word , that they were divided in their judgements . then did the learned prelate wish him no longer to trust to their implicit faith , and he would demonstrate to him how much they perverted the sense of the scriptures , and abused the writings of the antient fathers , whilst they sought to make the world believe that the fathers and councils were wholly for them , and against us : and if ( saith he ) you distrust your own lear●ing and reading , and will make choice of anyother , who you think can say more , i will make this good which i have said before the best of them all . this was an introduction to much confidence which the gentleman had in him ; and it pleased god after much temptation which he had to the contrary ( as he confessed ) to direct him to betake himself to prayer ; after which time , he acknowledged that he understood more of the way of truth , both when he conferred with the primate , and when he meditated apart , than ever he could attain to before ; and the issue was , that he came into the church unlooked for of the primate , and after sermon , made a confession of his faith , offering to seal the truth of it ( if they pleased to admit him ) by receiving the sacrament of the lords supper , which was then to be administred . the papists , especially the priests were so enraged hereat , for losing such an one of whom they conceived so great hopes , that they made much disturbance , insomuch as the gentleman , for safety , was sent over into england to oxford , that he might decline their fury ; and the forces of the city were raised to prevent the present danger : and the lord deputy hearing of it , sent a troop of horse , and ( as it was said ) thereupon dissolved one of their monasteries . another was this , the lady falkland , about the time of the late queens coming out of france to be married to king charles , turned recusant , and on a time was gotten into the company of father fisher , father sweet , and father swetnam in drury lane , and by some means or other , dr. featly , and mr. gataker were procured to meet them there ; the lord savil , brother to this lady , as he also was going that way , accidentally met with dr. usher , and intreated him to go along with him to this meeting ; the bishop consented , and by the way requested the lord savil at their first entrance privately to give notice to his sister , the lady falkland , that she should take no notice of him , and saith he , i will do the like to the ministers , and as for the jesuits i beleeve , they know me not at all . at their first entrance , they found them engaged about image-worship ; the jesuits denied that they gave them divine worship ; the ministers were proving that they were no fit mediums to worship god by . after they had tugged at it , and were wearied , and ready to give over that question , bishop usher said , but gentlemen , pray you tell me , do not you give them divine worship ? they answered no : how then ( said he ) will you be tryed ? they answered , by the council of trent . indeed ( said the bishop ) that council doth require the giving of worship to them , but who shall expound what that honour , and worship is , and assure us that it is not divine ? will you be determined by thomas aquinas ? they said , yes . then was the book sent for , and he turned presently to that place where he concludes , that the same reverence is to be given to the image of christ , as to christ himself , and by consequence , seeing christ is adored with the worship of latria , his image also is to be adored with the same worship . now ( said the bishop ) have you any higher worship than the latria that you give to god ? upon this one of the jesuits whispered to the lady falkland to know his name that thus disputed ? she answered , that he was a country minister . no ( quoth the jesuit ) there is more in him than in both the other . try him ( said she ) further . that question being laid aside , that of free-will was taken up ; the bishop sate silent as before whilst the state of the question was canvassed between the ministers and jesuits , and much ado there was about it , so that they had like to have broken off , without coming to any issue ; the bishop seeing that , said ; gentlemen , if you will give me leave i will bring you to the point in difference presently by this similitude . if you make free-will to be the horse , i will make grace to be his rider . now true it is , my horse can go of himself , but he knows not whither i intend to go : besides he is dull , and tyred , and i spur him on ; my spur doth not properly go , but it makes my horse to go . you may easily apply it : but the jesuits had enough , and listed not to encounter him any farther , pretending a necessity to be gone , and so left the place ; so mightily it pleased god by him to convince them . another was this : a protestant knight in ireland , had prevailed so far with his lady , who was then a papist , as to admit of a parley about their religion , and she made choice of one for her , that was called amongst them , the rock of learning . the knight made choice of this our primate to encounter him , and upon the day appointed many persons of note were there assembled ; the learned , and prudent primate before the disputation began , spake thus to the lady , madam ( said he ) let us know the end of our meeting . is it that this gentleman , and i should try our strength before you ? if so , then it is like that we can speak languages , and quote authors which you do not understand , how then will you know who gets the better ? therefore this is not our end : if this gentleman desires to shew his learning and reading that way , if he please to come to the college of dublin , where there are men that will understand us both , and can judge between us , i shall willingly deal with him at those weapons : but now our business is something else : it is supposed that we two , whom your husband and you have chosen , can speak more for the defence of our religion than you that chose us , and your desire is to know , by hearing our discourse in your own language , how to rectifie your judgements . now therefore i will give you a rule , which if you please to remember , you shall be able to discern which of us two have the truth on our side , and it is this : the points we will discourse of shall be such , without some knowledge whereof no man may in an ordinary way attain to the end of his faith , the salvation of his soul. in these you may easily lose your selves , not onely by heresie , which is a flat denying of them , but by ignorance also , by a bare not know of them . the word of truth contained in the scriptures , is the rule both of faith and life , common to small and great , concerning these things : now whilst we keep to the true sense of the scriptures in these points , you may understand us both ; but when we shall fly to subtle distinctions to evade plain texts , or flye from the scriptures to take sanctuary in authors which you know not , assure your selves that we are at a loss , and seek victory rather than truth . keep this rule , madam , in you minde , for this gentleman dares not deny it to be a true one , and then you will be the better for our meeting . and now sir ( said he to the jesuit , her champion ) i am ready to engage with you in any such points . the dispute was begun , and after a short encounter , the jesuit was driven to those shifts ; whereupon the primate said , madam , do you understand my argument that i propounded to this gentleman ? she answered , yes , and do you ( said he ) understand this gentlemans answer ? she answered , no indeed , it is too high for me : but ( said the primate ) i do , and can answer him in his own way , but then you would not understand me neither : therefore sir ( said he to the jesuit ) i pray you help the lady to understand your answer as she doth my argument , then i will further reply . but it pleased god within a while , so to disable the jesuit from proceeding , that he left the place with shame ; and the lady by this , and some further endeavours , became not only a good protestant , but a very gracious woman . the last instance i shall give of the successfulness of his labors , is this , about twelve or thirteen years ago we had an ordination of ministers in our seventh classis ; at which time ( according to our custome ) we called in the young men that were to be ordained one after an other , and examining of them about the work of gods grace in their hearts , three of them acknowledged that they were converted by gods blessing upon the labours of this our lord primate , whilst he preached at oxford , where they then were students about the beginning of the long parliament . anno christi , he came out of ireland into england , being invited thereto by some eminent persons , wherein the special providence of god did manifest it self for his preservation , it being the year before the rebellion brake out in ireland ; as if ( according to the angels speech to lot ) nothing could be done there till he was come hither , and escaped to this his zoar. his library ( which was very great ) in the first year of the rebellion , viz. , was in drogheda , which place was besieged four moneths by the irish rebels , and they made no question of taking it , and some of their priests and friers talked much what a prize they should gain by that library ; but the barbarous multitude spake of burning it : but it pleased god to hear the fastings , and prayers of his people within , and in a wonderful manner to deliver them , and so all his books and manuscripts were sent him that summer to chester , and from thence were brought safe to london . the sufferings he now lay under were many and great . all his personal estate was lost , and that which belonged to his primacy in ireland was destroyed , only for the present he was preacher in covent garden . anno christi , the great business of the earle of strafford came in agitation , upon which a scandal was raised of him , by a rash , if not a malicious pen in his vocal forrest , as if he had made use of a pretended distinction of a personal and political conscience to satisfie the late king that he might consent to the beheading of the said earle , telling him , that though the first resisted , yet he might do it by the second ; but to clear him of this , a person of quality affirmed under his hand , that some years agone a rumour being spread of the death of this reverend prelate ( whose loss was much lamented at oxford ) when this concerning the earle was then by one objected against him , the late king answered that person in very great passion , and with an oath protested his innocency therein . besides , he left under his owne hand a relation of that whole business , a true copy whereof followeth . that sunday morning wherein the king consulted with the four bishops , viz. of london , durham , lincoln , and carlisle ) the archbishop of armagh was not present , being then preaching , as he then accustomed to do , every sabbath in the church of covent garden , where a message coming to him from his majesty , he descended from the pulpit , and told the messenger , that he was then , as he saw , imployed in gods business , which as soon as he had done , he would attend upon the king to understand his pleasure : but the king spending the whole afternoon in the serious debate of the lord straffords case with the lords of his council , and the judges of the land , he could not before evening be admitted to the kings presence . there the question was again agitatated , whether the king in justice might pass the bill of attainder against the earle of strafford . for , that he might shew mercy to him was no question at all , no man doubting , but that the king without any scruple of conscience might have granted him a pardon , if other reasons of state ( in which the bishops were made neither judges nor advisers ) did not hinder him . the whole result therefore of the bishops determination , was to this effect ; that herein , the matter of fact , and the matter of law were to be distinguished ; that of the matter of fact , he himself might make a judgement , having been present at all the proceedings against the said lord ; where , if upon hearing all the allegations , on either side , he did not conceive him guilty of the crimes wherewith he was charged , he could not in justice condemn him . but for the matter in law , what was treason , and what was not , he was to rest in the opinion of the judges , whose office it was to declare the law , and who were sworn , therein to carry themselves indifferently betwixt him and his subjects , &c. upon his losses in ireland , and the straits he was brought into here , two offers were made unto him from forreign nations ; the one from cardinal ri●hlieu , onely in relation to his eminent learning , with a promise of large maintenance , and liberty to live where he pleased in france amongst the protestants . the other from the states of holland , who proffered him the place of being honorarius professor at leiden , which had an ample stipend belonging to it ; but he refused both . and now by reason of the disturbance of the times he was perpetually removing , having with st. paul , no certain dwelling place , and some of those evidences mentioned by that great doctor of the gentiles to prove himself to be the minister of christ , were applicable to him , cor. . , &c. in much patience , in afflictions , in necessities , in distresses , in tumults , or tossings to and fro ; in labours , in watchings , and fastings . by honour and dishonour : by evil report , and good report : as deceivers , and yet true : as unknown , and yet well known : as dying , and behold we live : as chastened and not killed : as sorrowful , and yet alwayes rejoycing : as poor , yet making many rich : as having nothing , and yet possessing all things , &c. anno christi , he obtained leave of both houses of parliament to go to oxford for his study in that library . anno christi , the late king coming thither , he preached before him on the fifth of november . his text was nehem. . . and our adversaries said , they shall not know , neither see , till we come in the middest amongst them , and stay them , and cause their work to cease . in his sermon he advised his hearers to put no repose in the papists , who ( saith he ) upon the first opportunity will serve us here , as they have done the poor protestants in ireland , which much offended some that were there present . in march following he went from thence into wales to cardiff in glamorganshire , where for a time , he abode with his daughter : but septem . . anno christi , he removed from thence to st. donnets ( the lady stradlings ) and by the way meeting with some souldiers , they used him barbarously , plucked him off his horse , and brake open two of his trunks full of books , taking them all away : amongst these he lost two manuscripts of the history of the waldenses , most of his books he recovered again ; but these manuscripts , though the meanliest clad , he could never hear of , which gave suspicion that some priest or jesuit had lighted upon them . the loss of them grieved him much , they being of use to him for the finishing of that book , de ecclesiarum christianarum successione , & statu . not long after he fell into a painful sickness , wherein he bled four dayes together , so that he swoonded , and all hope of life was past , and a rumour was spread abroad that he was dead , which occasioned grief to many ; and it was so far believed at court , that a letter came over for a successor in his primacy in ireland : but it pleased god that he recovered , and june , anno christi , he came to london , where the countess of peterborough gladly received him . after a while he was chosen to be preacher to the honourable society of lincolns inne , where he continued divers years with great honour , and respect from them , till at the last , losing his sight , so that he could not read his text , and his strength decaying , he was advised by his friends to forbear , and to reserve himself , and the remainder of his strength for the writing of books , which were yet expected from him . no spectacles could help his sight , onely when the sun shone he could see at a window , which he hourly followed from room to room in the house of his abode : in winter the casement was often set open for him to write at . this summer he conceived would be the last , wherein he should make use of his eyes ; the winter following he intended to have an amanuensis to write for him , and a competent salary was intended for him whom he should choose to that work : but the lord was pleased to prevent it by taking him to the sight of himself . after he had left lincolns inne , he was prevailed with to preach in several places , as in graies inne , nov. . anno , which he then thought might have been his last sermon , and it was taken as an honour by that honourable society , whereof he had been admitted a member at a reading above thirty years before : he preached also at the temple at mr. seldens funeral , and at two other places in the city , both which the lord was pleased to make very effectual in the conversion of divers that were his hearers : and indeed seldome did the sword drawn by him return empty . the last sermon which he preached was about michelmas , anno , at hammersmith . he complained that he was much troubled , finding himself unable to continue his ministry ; his thoughts were on it in the day , and his dreams in the night , and though he had been a preacher about fifty and five years , and so , like the levites might well be excused from this service of the sanctuary , and have imployed himself ( as his manner was ) in directing of others , yet he resolved , if god continued his life the summer following , to return to it again in some small church or chappel . he sought not great things for himself : in the time of his distress by reason of his losses in ireland , the parliament for some years was bountiful to him ; but the two last years of their sitting , it fell out to be suspended . but after they were dissolved , the care of him was renewed by the lord protector , by whose order a constant competent allowance was given him , which was continued till his death , besides very considerable summes extraordinary . all that knew him , found him very communicative , not onely of his studies for the advantage of their mindes , but of part of his stipend , for the relief of their bodies ; and indeed in works of charity he more needed a bridle , than a spur . he was not so severe in his judgement about episcopacy , as to disown other reformed churches , but declared that he loved and honoured them , as true members of the church universal , and was ready for the ministers of holland , france , & ● . to testifie his communion with them . he was a man of a most exemplary moderation , meekness , humility , and ingenuity . anno , he drew up an expedient to accommodate some of our differences in ecclesiastical affairs , which some moderate men of both parties were ready to subscribe . but in matters of doctrine for the substantials , it was often his charge , that ministers should not preach any thing , as to please men , but god , who hath put them in trust , thess. . . for such as seek to please men , are not the servants of christ , gal. . . and in defence of those truths , no man was more resolute and constant than he , not giving place by way of subjection , no not for an hour , gal. . . but in circumstantials , he thought it to be our duty with st. paul , to please all men , and not our in all such things , cor. . . to edification and concord . he was in these things alwayes the same , holding fast the form of sound words in doctrine and practice to the last . the night before he left london , oh! the humble expressions he used of his own unworthiness , demeaning himself as if he had been the least of saints , which he uttered with many tears : he wished those about him to prepare for afflictions and trials , which he was perswaded , were not far from them . having abode at london one and fifty dayes , for so it was punctually noted by himself in a book , it being his custome , with david so to number his dayes , both for the place where , and the manner how he spent them , he returned to rygate , feb. . , to the countess of peterboroughs . march the following , was the first day of his sickness , upon which day ( as every day ) he had been well busied . most part of it , as long as he had light , he had spent at his study , proceeding in his chronologia sacra , clearing all the doubts in his annals of the bible , in which he had gone as far as to the book of judges , where the last words he wrote were these , hic praeterea notandum , but returned not to make any further progress . from his study he went to visit a sick gentlewoman in that family , and prescribed to her most excellent preparatives for death , with other most holy advice in practical matters , in which he spent three quarters of an hour , but in such an heavenly manner , as if , like moses upon mount nebo , his eyes had been strengthened to take a prospect of the heavenly canaan . that night about eight a clock , he first complained of his hip , judging it to be a spice of the sciatica , which he had been troubled with about five and thirty years before , contracted by sitting up late in the college library at dublin ; but by the application of an ointment , he was presently eased of that pain , so that he took some rest that night . in the morning he complained of a great pain in his side , whereupon a physitian was sent for , who used such means as he judged fit for him ; but the pain continuing , and his spirits decaying , he wholly addicted himself to prayer , only upon the abating of the torment , he advised those about him , in health to prepare for sickness , and death , that then they might have nothing else to do but to dye ; and after a short settlement of the things of this world , he took great content in his approaching death . a minister there present assisted him with his prayers , but afterwards he desired to be left to his own private . the last words he was heard to utter which was about one a clock in the afternoon , and a little before his death ) were these ; praying for the forgiveness of his sins , he added , but lord in special forgive my sins of omission : herein he had his wish , which he often used , that he might dye as holy mr. perkins did , which expired with crying for mercy and forgiveness . but did he pray for pardon of his sins of omission ? and yet he was a person that was never known to omit an hour , but was alwayes imployed in his masters business , either in preaching , reading , writing , or hearing others ( as of late ) to read to him ; either resolving doubts , or exhorting , instructing , and counselling such as came to visit him ; yet did he dye with this humble expression , lord forgive my sins of omission . a speech that may give us all matter of solemn meditation , and imitation . march the . anno christi , this glorious sun set , and from earth was translated to heaven , having been primate of ireland just one and thirty years , and a preacher five and fifty years , and having lived about seventy five years . what he had to leave was only his library , and divers imperfect copies of his intended works , which death prevented his finishing of . the lord protector ( as he was then called ) gave him an honourable burial at the publick charge , in the chappel of henry the seventh at westminster , and extended to his , what was before intended for himself in the grant of some of the lands belonging to the primacy of armagh for the terme of one and twenty years . he was highly admired , and much honoured by all the famous lights of his time through the christian world . spanhemius divinity-professor at geneva , anno christi , in his epistle dedicatory to him , before his third part dubiorum evangelicorum , spends above two leaves in extolling him : some of his expressions are ; your very great parts , most excellent usher , are known , not onely within your own country , but in ours , and wheresoever else there is honour given to piety , or price set upon learning , &c. he speaks much of his charity to strangers , his humility , piety , works , his library , of which he made such use for the publick good , that it was not so much his own as the library of all learned men : in a word ( saith he ) the name of usher with us is a name of piety and vertue , it is of great renowne at our geneva , &c. gerard vossius frequently admires him as a man of vast learning , worthy of an everlasting monument . the high merits ( saith he ) of this most excellent , and throughout most learned man , both of the church , and of the whole commonwealth of learning , deserve an everlasting grateful memory : a man so excelling in the knowledge both of humane and divine things , that i cannot speak any thing so high of him , but his worth doth surpass it . bochartus and simplicius , call him frequently , magnum usherium , usher the great . morus in his oration at geneva dedicated to him , stiles him , the most excellent servant of god , the most reverend man of god ; the athanasius of our age. thy breast ( saith he ) is a breathing library : thou art to britain as austin was to hippo : farewel britains great honour . ludovicus de dieu in his animadversions on the acts , dedicated to him , entitles him , to the excellent prelate , worthy of an eternal memory , &c. paulus testardus blesensis stiles him , seculi , & ec●clesiae decus eximium , the greatest honour of the church and age. arnoldus bootius , saith of him , that he did excel with a most singular judgement in the oriental languages , and in all other abstruse , and deep learning : venerable to all europe , whose authority prevails much with all men , &c. mr. selden saith of him , the most reverend prelate james usher , a man of great piety , singular judgement , learned to a miracle , and born to promote the more severe studies , &c. dr. prideaux calls him , the most rich magazine of solid learning , and of all antiquity . dr. davenant speaks thus of him , a man of singular piety , abounding with all manner of learning . sir roger twisden acknowledging the assistance he had from him in his history , saith thus , this we owe to the most worthy archbishop of armagh , in whom , with incredible learning , and rare knowledge of antiquity , his most courteous conversation , and wonderful sweetness , in instructing the unskilful , mixed with a certain serious episcopal gravity , were seen to strive one with the other , &c. there was an eminent character given of him by a the whole university of oxford in the year , by solemn order in the convocation , which was given in charge to sixteen eminent persons , of whom seven were doctors chosen with the vice-chancellor & proctors , to see his effigies cut , and an elogium worthy of him , to be prefixed to his annotations on ignatius his epistles ( there then in the press ) and at the charges of the university , and in the publick name of it . indeed it was omitted to that book , but was aftewards affixed to his book de symbolis ; the elogium is this , james usher archbishop of armagh , primate of all ireland , the most skilful of primitive antiquity , the unanswerable defender of the orthodox religion , the maul of errours , in preaching frequent , eloquent , very powerful , a rare example of an unblameable life . yea for his learning , his very adversaries being judges , those of the church of rome have acknowledged . a certain jesuit in a book called hyberniae vindiciae , writing against dempster , a scotchman , who had undervalued the irish for learning , after he had reckoned up many learned men of his own , and other orders of that nation , at length he addes this of our primate , and if i should put in men of a different religion , i might truly say , scotland never saw another usher , whose sublime wit , and most curteous behaviour , i wish that unlucky education amongst sectaries had not been his stepmother . divers others of his popish adversaries might be mentioned , but i forbear , and shall adde onely the testimony of dr. william chappel , sometime fellow of christs college in cambridge , and afterwards provost of trinity college , dublin , who was very judicious , and a great learned man : he gave three reasons why he thought our primate to be the greatest schollar in the christian world . . because of his rare natural parts , having a quick invention , a prompt wit , a strong memory , a clear understanding , a piercing judgement , and a ready utterance . seldome ( said he ) do all these meet in an eminent degree in the same person ; but in him they so concurred , that it is hard to say in which of them he most excelled . . because few men had made so rich an improvement of these parts ; nor indeed had such means , by reason of the choice libraries which he had the use of , viz. his own , dr. challoners , the university library at dublin , which he had frequent access unto , besides the university libraries , and sir robert cottons in england he had also taken indefatigable pains in studying , and that for many years together , which few other mens bodies and brains could bear . . because in these , and in the universities beyond the seas , he was so esteemed ; and whosoever conversed with him , found him a skilful linguist , a subtile disputant , a fluent orator , a profound divine , a great antiquary , an exact chronologer ; and in brief , a living , and walking library : insomuch that the greatest professors admired the concatenation of so much learning in one person . a catalogue of the books published by him . de ecclesiarum christianarum successione & statu , in o. epistolarum hybernicarum syloge , in o. historia goteschalci , in o. de primordiis ecclesiarum britanicarum , in o. ignatii epistolae cum annotationibus , in o. de anno solari , macedonum , in o. annales veteris testamenti in fol. annales novi testamenti , &c. in fol. epistola ad cappellum de variantibus textus hebraici lectionibus , in o. de graeca septuaginta interpretum versione syntagma , in o. a sermon before the house of commons , feb. . . a declaration of the visibility of the church , in a sermon before king james , june . . a speech in the castle in dublin the of nov. . an answer to malon the jesuit , in o. . the religion professed by the antient irish and british , in o. . immannel , or the incarnation of the son of god , in o. . a geographical description of the lesser asia , in o. . confessions and proofs of dr. reynolds , and other protestant divines about episcopacy , in o. . a discourse of the original of bishops , and archbishops , in o. . his small catechisme reviewed , in o. . his body of divinity , in part his , but published without his consent , in fol. a method for meditation , or a direction for hearing the word . annals of the old and new testament , with the synchronismes of heathen story to the destruction of jerusalem , in fol. the life and death of mr. richard capel , who dyed anno christi . mr. richard capel was born in the city of gloucester , anno christi ; of good parentage , descended from an ancient family of the gentry of his own name , in herefordshire , and of alliance to the lord capel , ( but he had learned with brave philpot , to tread that under his feet . ) his father was a stout man , and an alderman of that city ; a fast friend , first to mr. thomas prior , and afterwards to mr. john workman , ( having had a principall hand in drawing of him thither ) both of them men of great sufficiency for the preaching of the gospell , and instruments that the lord made much use of , for the advancement of the true saving knowledge of himself , and for the setting up of the reall , and substantiall power of godliness in that city , during the time that they exercised their m●nistry there . his elder brother yet lives , and is an alderman in that place . after he had been trained up at school , and well fitted for it , he was sent to the university of oxford , where his diligence , and proficiency was such , that he was chosen fellow of magdalen-colledge , and had the breeding up of some there , who afterwards proved excellent , and eminent scholars : as dr. frewen , ( who was alwayes a thankfull man to him for his education ) and famous mr. pemble , who ended his dayes at his house , &c. his attendance at court upon the chiefest favourite ( in the dayes of that learned king james ) gave him opportunity of advancement , i● his thoughts had been bent that way : but he sought not great things for himself ; yet continued at court till the death of sr. thomas overbury , that learned knight , and his very good friend , and then he had adieu to that course of life . as for his inward storms they were very many , and exceeding bitter , ( which also were accompanied with many bodily infirmities , which attended him in his younger years ) but it was well for him that he bore the yoke in his youth : and there was none that knew so much of his temptations and desertions , as th●t eminent , and learned divine , dr. harris , by reason of that intimate acquaintance he had with him in those dayes ( being his kinsman ) which also was occ●sioned the more , by the often recourse he had then into those parts , for the fetching of some spiriruall refreshing from that man of god , mr. john dod , who was both able , and willing to speak a word in season to a broken and co●rite heart . for the eminency of h●s parts , there were very few that could match him . the most , even of our most high-flown eagles , have commonly some peculiar gift wherein they most excell , and by it ●o very good service to christ , and his church : but this man had grasped all good learning , and made every thing his own so evenly to see to , that he was very expert in the same , and would ( with cato the elder ) be up in the height , in all th●t ever he was to act in . melancthon used to say that pomeranus was the gramarian : that himself was the logician : that justus jonas was the orator : but that luther . was all in all : here was one that was not inferior to luther . if he pleased to turn to the school , or to case-divinity : to augustine , or chrysostome : to galen , or hippocrates : to aristotle , or tully : to history , or philosophy : to arts , or tongues : who could tell but himself , which of them he was best versed in ? he was a very living library , a full storehouse of all kind of good literature , no less than a little university , the mirrour of those parts , and above the envy of most . the least draught of his pencil , would have told any protogenes , he had been the apelles . he excelled in all that ever he would set his hand to , unless it were in his utterance in the publick congregation , and therein indeed he had a great defectiveness . god 〈◊〉 him great understanding of the times to know what israel ought to do . he stood upon the watch-tower , and saw what was hid from most mens eyes ; and being quick of sent , in the fear of the lord , he gave timely notice to some that stood in place : which had it been heeded , we had never been so fearfully pestered with those hydraes heads that are now starting up afresh daily to the great disturbance of our people . simler said of melancthon at his going from the university of tubing , that none of the learned men there , how many soever they were , had so much learning , as to know the great learning that was in that man. too too many amongst us were even sick of the same disease , that knew not the depth that was in this mans brest . there were many men in this one man , even all scholarship epitomized in this profound clerk : and yet for all this , he had that great blessing , which he himself observed as a singular favour vouchsafed to dr. john reynolds , that great oracle of oxford , that he never set on foot any manner of new opinion . the like is observed of learned dr. whitaker , st●led the oracle of cambridge , and the miracle of the world . a mercy that most men of superlative parts use not to be too rich in . there is scarce any strong brain , without some strong fancy . if the great wits of our times had kept themselves close to the steps of these rare divines , we had never seen the sorrows that we now sigh , and groan under , and would be glad to be rid of if we knew how . for the excellency of his preaching he excelled most men . he was an in●erpreter one of a thousand . his understanding was strangely opened , for the understanding and opening the scriptures . he would bolt out that out of the holy book of god , that would not come into any other mans consideration ; yet it should be genuine , and evidently appearing to be the dri●t , and meaning of the holy ghost . an intelligent man could never sit at his feet , or be in his company , but he should meet with that there that would never fall from any other mans mouth , nor ever drop from any other mans pen. his words were as goads , and as nails fastened by the master of the assemblies . they were edged with so much reason , re-enforced from the lively oracles , that they could not fall to the ground in vain . it 's no marvell therefore that the cream of the whole country where he lived ( as they could have opportunity ) would hang upon his ministry . yet he used to be very plain in all his expressions . he would not deliver what he had from god in an unknown tongue , nor yet in words , and phrases which were too sp●uce , and trim . he had learned his lesson we●l of that great apostle , and doctor of the gentiles , who came not with enticing words : nor with any other , but such as the very catechu●n●ni , the youngest beginners might understand . he kept close to the footsteps of our choicest worthies : as famous mr. dod ( who used to say , that so much latine was so much flesh in a sermon ) mr. cleaver , mr. hildersam , and such other holy men of god , led by the self same spirit . he would deliver the whole , and wholesome truths of god , in such an holy , and wholsome way , that it bred very good bloud in the hearts of his hearers . he would stoop so low as to speak to the poor country people in their own proper dialect , so as they could not but even see , and feel , and find out god , and be occasioned to speak of him all the week after . if he met with a deep mystery , he would make it plain to the shallowest capacity . whatever subject he sell upon , he would handle it so divine-like , that the hearts of his auditors would be wrapt up into heaven , whilest they heard him winding , and turning a point of divinity , like a workman that needed not to be ashamed . whereas , now adayes , whilest some of our great divines , seem to be too much taken up with quaint , and historicall flourishes , there is a sensible decay of the power of god amongst us . an exotick , or strange tongue in the publick congregation ( whatever men think of it ) is set out as a sign of gods displeasure , cor. . , . it feeds such humors as should rather be purged out . it had no good effect in the church of corinth . mens wits will waxe wanton , when they be not over-awed by the plain power of gods word . when preachers keep not close to the very words of our lord jesus christ , tim. . . and to the doctrine that is according to godliness : but love to be tampering with another doctrine , though not with another in the main ; but even in the manner of delivery only , ( as when it savours too much of the pomp of humane eloquence ( saith calvin ) when it differs from the stile of the holy ghost , ( saith danaeus ) the people be in danger of turning aside to vain jangling , to perverse disputings , desiring to be teachers , and such like matters . the gold upon the pill may please the eye ; but it profits not the patient . the paint upon the glass may feed the fancy ; but the room is the darker for it . the sword of gods spirit can never wound so deep , as when it 's plucked out of these gaudy scabbards . nakedness deforms too too many in these dayes ; but it is the best garnishing , and ornament the truth can have . a sober dress best becomes a grave matron . there be words as well as things which the holy ghost teacheth , cor. . . the arrows fetched out of gods own quiver will pierce the deepest , and make the people fall the soonest under christ. the weakness of god is stronger than men . pauls weapons were mighty . the sincere milk of gods word will make christs babes to grow best . this curious age is too too much given to the affectation of words , and phrases , and cadencies : and holy dr. sibs was wont to say , that great affectation , and good affections seldome goe together . the swelling words of vanity may tickle the ear , tip the tongue , and please in matters of discourse : but when it comes to push of pike , they afford but little comfort . mr. capel had another manner of wisdome than that of words . he was an able minister of the new testament , not of the letter , but of the spirit , that hath given , doth give , and will give life , cor. . . having this hope then , he used great plainness of speech : and by the manifestation of the truth , he commended himself to every mans conscience in the sight of god , and thereby hath so well seasoned the country where he lived , that the fruit of it ( without doubt ) will remain , and be seen many years after . his prayers were lively , and fervent . he was a man that had a very large measure of that spirit of grace , which is a spirit of supplication . he was so well fitted with abilities to open his mind to god , as if ( with blessed bradford ) he had been almost ever upon his knees . he could tell his own errand , or any other mans , at the throne of grace , with as good freedome , and to as good purpose , as any man living . he would not be rash with his mouth when he came before god , nor set out what he had to say there , with painted eloquence , or court-like complement : but his mouth used to be filled with such savoury arguments , as very well became an humble suppliant . he was far from those battologies , and miserable extravagancies , that too many prayers are stuffed with . he would pour out his soul to god at all manner of times , upon all manner of occasions , with all manner of prayer , and supplication , and with that admirable variety of all sorts of quickening and feeling meditations , that it would even ravish the hearts of those who had the happiness to be partakers with him therein . yet for all this , he was clear in his opinion for the lawfulness of the use of set forms of prayer , according to the tenet of all our best , and most judicious divines , and according to the practice of all churches , even the best reformed , saith mr. rogers , now , and in all former ages . so saith mr. hildersam : yea , and mr. smith himself saith upon the lords prayer ( though as then he was warping , and afterwards wandred far in the wayes of separation ) that it was the practice of the ancient church , and of all the reformed churches in christendome : of the churches immediately after the apostles ; nay ( saith he ) of the church in the time of the apostles , as may probably be gathered out of cor. . . this hath also been the practice of the best lights that ever were set up in the churches of christ. it is very well known that the flower of our own divines went on in this way , when they might have done otherwise if they had pleased , in their prayers before their sermons . nay , mr. dod himself would seldome end his devotions in his own family but with the use of the lords prayer . nay yet more , mr. cartwright ( hist. christ. p. . p. . ) thinks it very probable that christ his own self made use of a set form at meales . it is not good to cast stones of offence in the way of our weak brethren , who being of meaner parts , want ability , memory , and audacity to conceive prayer , especially before others , that they be not taken off from , nor disheartened in this so comfortable , and necessary a service of god : nor may we lay a trap , or snare for our own feet . who knoweth what times may pass over him ? if god should plunge us into the ditch , and leave us labouring in the noose , the loftiest of us all may be faign to take relief from , and to make use of these poor contemptible props , and crutches ( as some deem , and call them ) when the soul is so troubled that it cannot speak ; but chatter only , like a crane , and swallow , psal. . . when it is so full of grief that it can do no more than sigh , and groan , and make a confused noise , as psal. . . it will then be glad to catch at any thing to give it self vent by . dr. harris tells us of a second bradford , that in time of his distress , was fain to adopt mr. bradfords words , and to spread them before god as his own , because he had said more for him ( as he thought ) than he could say for himself . i knew ( saith mine author ) a rare , and eminent divine indeed , that would be as often upon his knees as any man that ever i conversed with , that would sometimes be in such damps , that had no more to set before god to give his heart ease by , than the words of david in the one and fiftieth psalm . well might then this knowing divine of ours , that had been so tossed with tempests , be tender of that , that might be so usefull for poor trembling hearts in a stormy day . get to god therefore as thou canst . sad judgements be upon our people . spirituall judgements are the forest judgements . what if thou hast but the same words ? as christ , mat. . . thou maist be heard as he was , heb. . . the song of moses was a new song , because tendered to god with new affections , rev. . . & . . what if thy petitions be broken , and confused ? as exod. . , , . this poor man cried , saith david , psal. . . when he was in a poor case indeed , like a bedlam , sam. . . and yet he was heard . the little lisping children have sometimes a grant of their requests , when those that are of greater maturity seem to be set aside . whilst moses held up his hands ( though in a poor way ) israel prevailed . who can tell what god may do ? abraham left asking , ere god left granting , even for a filthy sodome . remember mr. latimers , once againe , once againe : tug , and wrestle . we may come to see , and our people may bee made to know , that their heart is turned backe againe to the god of their fathers , king. . . but to return to master capel . he was of a sound , and setled judgement . he pitched at first upon a good foundation , and being nourished up in the words of faith , he continued in the things he had learned , and been well assured of , knowing from whom he had received them , as tim. . . he was well grounded in his opinion : one that stood like a brazen wall , as firm as a very rock in the middest of all the dashings and clashings of tempestuous times . he saw with a clear eye through all the painted glosses of those that were given to change ; and therefore was not moved at all with any thing that was said or done in that kinde ; he was true to his religion , and clave close all along to his first principles , holding fast the faith that was once , and ( as he himself would often express it ) but once delivered to the saints . he lived and dyed a true orthodox divine , according to the known doctrine of the church of england . he knew full well , for all the great talk of the gospel , as though it were but newly dropt out of the clouds , that there is not any other gospel , but the everlasting gospel , rev. . . that was preached before unto abraham , gal. . . and hath been entertained all along still by gods faithful people , and shall be so continually to the end of the world . yet some there be that are no mean pretenders to the gospel , and notwithstanding the same , are in great danger of perverting the gospel of jesus christ , as gal. . . this constant , and stable man was set up as a sure sea-mark . let us stand to his steps though we stand alone . god and a good conscience are alwayes good company . elijah was but one , yet did he very good service . one athansius in the east , one hillary in the west , was of mighty great use in a staggering time . what if we meet with storms . it is but a poor religion that is not worth suffering for . it will turn to a testimony , luke . . when the wilde humour is spent , men will return home again . a statue of mercury wil be looked upon then . those poor silly souls that be tossed to and fro , and whirled about , and about again with every wind of doctrine , eph. . . will be glad of such a sight in the day of their visitation ; whereas they which know , or should know more of god , be not steddy in their steering , but vary in their course , poor bewildred hearts will be at their wits ends , not knowing which way to turn , nor to whom to go , nor whom to walk after . as there is but one god , so there is but one faith , & one baptisme , and one way to eternal life , and one rule for us all to walk by , why be we not then all of one heart ? why walk we not all in one tract ? so many men as we see , so many mindes there be . every moneth almost produceth a new faith. it is easie to swim with the tyde : to perswade the heart of the rectitude of that that is favoured by the times , and yet to pretend still that it is from more light . we may talk of the spirit , but its certain that schisme is a fruit of the flesh. the old way is the good way , jer. . . he shall stumble , and ensnare his feet that swerves from the antient paths . what is got by gadding ? men itch for change still , and there is no rest but with our first husband , hos. . . it is good to be all of one minde in god. where there is not unity in judgement , there is scarce unity in affections . we are too fierce against such as close not with our notions . it was bell , book , and candle once : it is not much better now . wilde fire flyes amain : we cannot all cut to a thread ; there will be some variation in the compass : but whilst we aim at the white , the odds is to be passed by without bitterness . why should there be such huge rents and divisions in the church ? where is our mutual forbearance ? we have not yet learned our lesson well , to wait one for another till god shall reveal it , phil. . . whilst we be so sharp in our contests , satan makes his markets : religion goes to wrack ; our differences are widened . some are ready to give up all , seeing there is no better harmony : others could well wish themselves out of the world , that they might be delivered ( as melancthon said ) from the implacable difference , even amongst some divines . oh! that we could hearken unto god , who would have the truth followed , but in love , eph. . . if the word will not prevaile , the cross will come , and make a hooper , and a ridley imbrace one another . let us fall upon that one , and onely solid way of god , it will ever be our glory . get we to god , he can stablish our unresolved hearts , cor. . . see that the judgement be so rightly set , isa. . . and the heart so firmly knit to god , and his truth , and then we shall not waver . tamper not with opinions , pet. . . nor with opiniative men , tim. . rom. . , . nor yet with books that scatter tares . this grave , and prudent divine gives a very good caution to this purpose in his treatise of temptations , from famous mr. dod , a man of vast experience . an honest heart may be sorely puzled with a forked argument . the martyr could dye for christ , that could not dispute for him . some pretend that they must try all things : but they speak besides the book . who will try rats-bane , or a sharp sword whether it will pierce into his bowels ? some think that they can withdraw when they see danger ; but satan is subtle : venome will get ●n before we be aware , and error will stick , and eat like a gangrene . what gets the fly that playes with the candle ? they that nibble at the bait , shall hardly escape the hook . again , gingle not with tearms that be improper in matters of religion ; they savour of singularity , breed rents and divisions between preachers and people , and take off the minde from things more essential . learned men have observed , that hereticks gat great advantage by the unwary speeches of the fathers . some of calvins expressions that were not so well pondered , have done no great good to some in our times . nestorius fell into his heresie by defending an improper speech of his ; and eutyches thinking to mend it , fell into the other extream . dr. thomas tailor speaks much to this point to very good purpose in his progress to holiness , p. , , . and concludes , that if we will keep the faith of our fathers , we must keep the words of our fathers . our mr. capel was a man of a single heart : he was ( with jacob , gen. . . ) a plain man , i. e. a downright honest man , as the original signifies . a very nathaniel , an isralite indeed , joh. . . in whom , though there was some infirmity , yet there was no guile . he had much of the wisdome that is from above , and was as far from hypocrisie as most men living . if all others were of his temper , momus had no need to complain of the want of a window into any mans breast . he was what he was indeed , and in truth , without dissimulation : he was very high in his conformity to those primitive christians , act. . . and left a brave president to all that would be what they should be in this particular . we of this doubting and deceitful generation had need to look about us , and see what was here set before us in very legible characters , that we may learn to be more above board in our dealings . we are faln into an age , like that of the prophets , wherein every one hath too much of the hypocrite . we may well cry , help lord , for the faithful fail : with a double heart and double tongue do they speak . the most be for all tides and times , as mutable as the weather-cock : for any manner of mode , so as they can serve their own turns by it . some can be any thing but what they should be . we have need to beware of men where every brother will supplant . the hypocrite with his mouth destroyes his neighbour , prov. . . it is indeed good to be wise as serpents , but withall we should be innocent as doves . though it be just with god that the deceiver shall be deceived , and some like it well , yet is it not just in those that do it . they that turn aside to crooked wayes , shall be led forth with the workers of iniquity , psal. . . plain dealing is a jewel , yea though it be in sin , as this acute man tells us , in his ●entat . part. . it s a dainty fine thing in our confessions , repentance , and in all wherein we act . he that useth it ( what ever men say or think ) shall neither live , nor dye a beggar . downright honesty is the best policy . it is delightful to god , prov. . . and it will be a comfort to us , cor. . . this is our rejoycing , and we never eat ●ur meat with more gladness , than when we do all with singleness of heart , act. . . mr. capel was a very useful man in his life . he was ( with melancthon ) born for the common good , and lived for the publick benefit of the whole country . whilst he was at his pastoral charge , he gave himself fully , and wholly to reading , to exhortation , and doctrine ; and his profiting appeared unto all men : so that he was generally , and that justly reputed a man approved of god , rightly dividing the word of truth : it is well known what pains he took , and to how good purpose , during the whole time of his abode there , which was about one and twenty years . he preached constantly twice every lords day ; and besides preached a lecture constantly every week , though he had but an infirm body , till by reason of sickness he was taken off : and then besides his sabbath-dayes work , he preached onely upon the festival dayes . his lips were touched with a coal from the altar . it may truly be said of him , as it was of musculus , that his words pierced like a two-edged sword . he could when he pleased be a boanerges , a son of thunder ; but his bent was most to be a barnabas , a son of consolation . he was a true evangelical preacher , and comforted many a drooping heart by his labours in publick , and gave abundance of satisfaction in private to many troubled spirits that used to resort to him out of all countries , both far and near . he also shewed himself to be a tree of gods own planting , by bringing forth more fruit still in his age . when the times were such ( some flying so extreamly high , the ceremonies being pressed with rigour , and grievous penalties inflicted ) that he ( being tender in matters of conformity ) must needs quit his pastoral charge , which was novem. . , he betook himself then to his little cell ( as samuel did to his ramah ) that had never been looked upon if he had not come thither ( no more than islebium , and bretta , if not for luther and melancthon ) and there he had more health and cheerfulness of spirit than formerly , which he improved well for the publick advantage : for , there he fell upon the practice of physick . he indeed had bent his studies that way before hand ( foreseeing what would follow ) yet would he do nothing in that kinde ( it not being his calling ) so long as that great work of the ministry lay upon him : but when he had quit the more special tye of the care of mens souls , he then took himself to be at more freedome , and having a license sent him by the bishop of gloucester to authorize him , he fell upon the cure of mens bodies ; and being of great sufficiency , his fame was quickly spread abroad . he was looked upon as a very trismegistus , or a second aesculapius ▪ he could do much at the diving into a disease , and in applying such medicines as were proper and fit . not like some that will be tampering with that profession , and give their doses at adventure . he was quick , yet in cases of difficulty and danger he would weigh things well . in desperate diseases he would adventure far , according to the rules of reason , what he gave should be safe . he mixed all with his own hands , he would stoop to the meanest , and serve all at an easie rate . his receits amounted not to the half , nay not to one quarter of a common apothecaries bill . he was blessed by god with great , and good success , and had resort , especially towards his latter end , out of his own , and other countries , so that he had not leasure to sit at his own meals in quiet . yea many times he was quite tired out till god called him to rest . his words were seasonable and savoury : his tongue was a tree of life : his lips fed many . whosoever came near him , should have something dropping ( if he did but heed it ) that was worth carrying away with him . it is true , he would be pleasant , and jest more freely than many did , or could well like . ( some of his best friends wished that it had been otherwise ) but there will be something of humane infirmity cleaving to us all in this world . yet the times are to be considered , and the nature of a many with whom he had to deal , that could no more away with a downright blow , than some can away with sound doctrine . yet there was never a prudent heart but it might have picked sweet out of that which some did most of all distasie . it is said , that erasmus did more hurt to the pope by his jesting , than luther did by his ruffling : so this man gave a deadlier blow to the iniquity of the times in his jocular way , than most others can do in their most serious undertakings ; yet would he be as serious as any man living upon a just and fit occasion , and would be as tender to trouble the spirits of the meanest as heart could desire . urbanus regius having had one dayes discourse with luther , said , that it was one of the sweetest dayes that ever he had in his life : some can say as much of this rare man , when they had him ( as all might have had him ) in the right veyn . he was singular in that faithful advice and counsel which he used to give to all of all sorts upon every emergent occasion . it was said in old time , they shall ask counsel of abel , sam. . . and so they ended their matters . the common conflux of almost all in those parts , was still to his house . oyntment and perfume rejoyce the heart , prov. . . so did the sweetness of this man by his hearty counsel . to some he was as another nestor ; others found him ever a most faithful achates , and such made him ( as tully did his atticus ) their constant assylum , and his dexterous counsel ( like ariadnes thred ) led them out of many a perplexed labyrinth . he was ( as that famous augur in homer ) one that could see things past , and present , & guess shrewdly also at those that were to come . oldmens counsels ( they say ) are young mens lances : mr. calvins were very profitable , so were mr. capels : many a young beginner , and tired conflicter , did fetch all their best weapons out of this mans armory . he preached the gospel freely for the most part of his last twenty years . freely he had received , and freely he would give . not that he thought it unlawful for a minister to take maintenance , or to take that maintenance by tithes , which hath been publickly set aside in this land ; for his tithes he paid himself , and that freely and duly too ( all the whole time of his preaching thus freely ) and that to one who did not much in the work of the ministry ; and he did it upon this ground , because he knew it to be his due . i will not dispute this point at this time with those that be hampered in their opinions , but heartily wish them , with all those that in these times are such enemies to tithes , and are so extreamly defective in making conscience to pay them , to consider what hath faln from the pens of holy men that have been far enough off from being this way interessed . mr. cartwright saith plainly , that they that take away the tithes of the ministers , and turn them to their own use , would doubtless crucifie christ again if he were here upon earth . beza speaks of some that leave christ , as the souldiers did , which crucified him either stark naked , or but sorrily clad ; and so to do ( saith he ) is not to love god , but the goods of god more than god. dr. john reynolds saith , our ancestors provided houses , glebe-lands , tithes , and other profits for the maintenance of pastors ; and a little after he saith , the churches goods allotted to the maintenance of pastors and teachers , are not profane , but sacred ; and therefore the sin of them that purloyn them , is sacriledge , not theft , wherein god is spoyled , prov. . . it is a snare to devour that which is holy , and after the vows to enquire . ananias and saphira were made a dreadful spectacle , for filching of a little of that that was set apart for god. the eagle fired her whole nest by one poor piece of flesh plucked from the altar . the people of this land are cursed with a curse , and they will not see the cause of it , viz. their robbing of god , mal. . , . in tithes and offerings . when shall we prove god , and see if he will not pour us out a blessing , as he hath promised , mal. . . it would be a great joy to some that will get nothing by it , to hear gods israel once again tuning it out before the lord , as deut. . , . i have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house , i have not taken away ought thereof , for any unclean or common use , as junius reads it . for then they might say with heart and hope , lord look down from thy holy habitation , and bless thy people , and the land that thou hast given us , as deut. , . the practice of this judicious man will sway with some , who was such a burning & shining light , the more to be admired that it blazed so long , and so clearly too , without any of this sublunary oil. his mind was so fully satisfied with his small gain in the practice of physick , together with what he had of his own temporal estate , that he would accept of nothing for his preaching of any man living , though tendred , and never so much pressed upon him . he took not himself bound ( as the case stood ) to labour in the work of the ministry , there being another incumbent in that place . what he did was meerly in love to god and mens souls . indeed he met with many diversions , as the tempests of the times ; his own domestick troubles , age creeping on , store of sick and sad people , and recourse of all sorts , so that he had scare an hour free for study ; yet nothing would take him off from this imployment , till god took him off from all his labours . as he preached , so he lived down the iniquities of the times . he did not onely cry them down by his publick ministry , but gave them a more deadly blow by his contrary walking . noah condemned the world more by what he did , than by what he said , h●b . ● . the way which mr. capel took , put some to a stand , caused others to relent , and repent , and encouraged others in the good and right way , whilst they had his patern that could not be contradicted . now that he is gone , such have a harder task ; but god will carry on his own work . he was eminent for self-denial : indeed self-denial is in every mans mouth , but hardly to be found in any mans practise . self hath ever been , is , and will be the great diana , notwithstanding all mens fair pretences . we read of him that could give smoothe and golden words , ruth , . . but when it came to the point , he would not mar his inheritance . self hath too great a stroke in the best of us all , both preachers and professors , both in church and commonwealth . it began to work betimes . st. paul tells us in his dayes , that all sought their own things , phil. . . and it is now grown to a greater head in our age , when we neither eat , nor drink , nor fast , nor pray , nor , do any thing to speak of , but too too apparently we seek our selves therein . how much then was this brave man to be admired , seeing all that knew him , can bear him witness , how far he excelled in this rare grace ! he could deny himself in his own understanding , and go after god in a way that he knew not , as abraham , heb. . . he could deny himself in his own will , when he that is above would lead him in a way that he would not , as joh. ● . . he could deny himself in his own affections also , when he came to be crossed in what he could have most desired , ever ruling them by reason , and religion , as a wise man should do , subjecting himself to bear with quietness what could not be holp , without raising too much dust . it is strange to see how far he could deny himself in apparel , diet , attendance , and what not ! he was very exemplary for his contempt of the world . he had gotten the start of most men in that particular . he used to be beating upon this point mainly , both in his publick preaching , and in his private conference , and shewed the reality of what he pressed when he came to act himself . indeed he could not say as luther did , that he never had been tempted unto covetousness , but he kept himself from any noted taint in that kinde ; nay from the least suspicion of that foul crime , with famous dr. whitaker . when he had things under his hand , he still charged his servants to do what few men practice , that they should never set up corn , nor bring home cattel , but take as the market would afford . all that knew him knew that he was far enough from encreasing his estate by any indirect means ; and never was there any man more willing to part with money upon a just and fit occasion . it is well known that he gave over a living of good value , one of the best in those parts above twenty years before his death , and betook himself to a poor little corner , from which he would never be withdrawn , no more than musculus from his berne . and even there he might have picked mens purses if he had been that way given : but many , and many a time he put back money , and took but a small matter from those that were able , and would have been willing to have given him more ; they sought to force him to take it , but he would utterly refuse it . he was no less exemplary fo his great humility . this was the grace that graced all the good that was in him . he would be often speaking of what he had heard concerning dr. john rainolds , that he was as learned a man as any was in the world , as godly as learned , and as humble as godly . mr. capel loved , and reverenced this doctor , and trod in his steps . he could speak with tongues more than most men , yet would he never make use of them in the publick congregation . he used to honour all men ; to acknowledge the gifts , and parts of those that were far below him , and to rejoyce in them , as hooper did in the blinde boy . he would not meddle in things that were too high for him , nor intrench upon that that was beyond his sphere . he would not stand in the place of great men . he could refuse honours , as musculus did , and contented himself with plain ; and mean things . it s observed by cajetan , the flower of the cardinals , that he would never be in his silks and braveries , but kept his old fashions to his lives end . melancthon would not disdain to do that , which his meanest servant would scarcely have put his hand to . so was it with mr. capel , and he would bear things that went awry without distempering himself about them . moderation he pressed , and moderation he practised . staupicius told luther concerning his behaviour , that in the first three years , he did all things according to the utmost rigour , and that would not do : in the next three years he did all according to the laws and counsels of the antients , and that would not hit : and in the last three years , he did all according to the will of god , and yet neither would that succeed ; and then he was fain to be content with what he could have . thus you have a taste , and but a little taste ( in this that hath been said ) of the precious liquor that was powred into this earthen vesssel . to which might be added the quickness of his apprehension , the strength of his memory , his sense of the publick evils , his passing by of wrongs and offences ; his special regard to such as loved their wives and ministers , and the like : but where should i make an end ? these , and his other eminent parts , vertues , and graces deserve to be laid in oyl-colours by the most skilful pencil . towards his latter end he met with some pinching griefs , which he did bear with invincible patience , and fortitude : he willingly submitted , because it was gods will to have him so exercised . all of us must expect to drink of the self-same cup : our last dayes usually are our worst dayes , as moll●rus observes ; the clouds will then be returning after the rain . we must be taught to know , and speak it out , that we are but pilgrims : we must be more truly and thoroughly taken off from the world ; more ripened , and mellowed , and seasoned for god , and be made more serious in all our undertakings . melancthon used to say , that if he had no cares , he should have no prayers . our comfort is , our time is but short ; the most and best of our treasure is gone before : our hope is laid up in heaven . get we more communion with god , more faith , more patience , and let us put on the whole armour of god , and then we shall be able to stand , and to withstand in the evil day , and in the end shall be more than conquerours through him that hath loved us . this clear-sighted , and understanding man foresaw storms approaching , and rejoyced that he should be in his grave before they sell , whither also he came as a shock of corn gathered into the barn in due season . the sabbath day was the last day of his life , the strict observation whereof he often pressed ? he would say that we should go to sleep that night ( as it were ) with meat in our mouthes . that sabbath day being september the . , he preached twice , taking his leave of the world by pressing faith in god. that evening he repeated both his sermons in his family , somewhat more largely than ordinary . he read his chapter also , went to prayer , and so to bed , and dyed immediately , by that the words were well out of his mouth , being threescore and ten years old . who can desire to dye better than stephen did , calling upon god : he would often say , that if god saw it fit , one had better to dye of a quick , than of a lingring death : and god answered his desires . his works . a treatise of temptations . capels remains . the life and death of dr. robert harris , who dyed anno christi . robert harris was born in a dark time , and place at broad-campden in glocestershire anno christi . his father had the repute of a very wise , and understanding man , and his mother of a very devout , and charitable woman , under whose wings he spent his childhood : but he acknowledged it as a matter of grief to him all his life , that he preferred his play before reading the scriptures to his parents at their call . so soon as he was fit for it , he was set to a free-school at chipping-cambden , where he met with a double discouragement ; the first was from the often change of his schoolmasters by reason of the small salary that came to them : the second proceeded from the fierce and cruel carriage of others , which ( as he used often to say ) was the bane of many young schollars ; and though for his own part , he remembred not that he had smarted under a rod in any school , yet the sight of the severity used to others , brought such a trembling and sadness upon his spirit , that he could not shake it off to his dying day . from thence he was removed to the school at worcester , under the care of mr. bright , and on the sabbaths he heard that reverend and learned dr. robet abbots ; and being furnished with school-learning , he went from thence to magdalen-hall in oxford , being allyed to the principal , mr. lyster . there he shewed a more than ordinary desire of learning , and having but little help either from the principal , or his tutor , he followed his private studies with the more earnestness ; yet all this while he enquired little into the wayes and truths of god. his tutor not long after leaving the hall , he earnestly solicited the principal , that he might be committed to the care of one mr. goffe of magdalen college , who was noted for a very good logician and disputant , but withal he was accounted a puritan , which made the principal ( who was popishly affected ) to disswade his choice ; but he ( not out of love to religion , but learning ) persisted in his desires , and prevailed . mr. goffe having thus received him into his charge , required him , that with the rest of his fellow-pupils , he should joyn in reading the scriptures , repetition of sermons and prayer ; which new course , he being unaccustomed to , was somewhat troubled at it , observing that none of the seniors imbraced that way , and yet it was such as he knew not how to contradict . this caused him oft to betake himself to his private prayers , wherein he begged of god , either to discover to him the falshood , if his tutor had any design upon him to corrupt him , or if this course were pleasing to god , that then he would confirm him in it ; and it pleased god after a while so to resolve him , that he bought a bible , and with indefatigable pains he applied himself to the reading of that , and other good authours in divinity . shortly after mr. goffe refuseth to continue his tutor , onely agrees that they would conjoyn their studies together , mr. goffe reading philosophy to mr. harris , and mr. harris reading greek to him , and from greek they proceeded to hebrew , in which study some other of the fellows joyned with them , whereof one afterwards was president ; and besides these studies , his tutor and he agreed to read calvins institutions by turns , which course they continued as long as their other occasions , and exercises would permit . having for a while been bachelor of arts , he was willing to try his fitness for the ministry , because otherwise his father would have him to the study of the law ; and having prepared a sermon , he proffered his pains at chipping-cambden ; but such was the wofull ignorance of those times , that in the greater town he knew not where to procure a bible to carry with him into the pulpit ; yet at last being directed to the vicar there , he indeed had a bible , but it could not be ●ound , having not been seen of some moneths before ; yet search being made he was furnished with a bible , and after prayer made , he took for his text those words , rom. . . brethren , my hearts desire and prayer to god for israel is that they might be saved ; and his sermon was highly commended , and yet himself would say , that he was a loser by the bargain . ▪ because his heart swelled upon it . . because his carnal friends hereupon called on him to give over university studies , and to come amongst them , as having learning enough . his father also ( having many other children to provide for ) was willing to ease his charge , and therefore applied himself to some persons of eminency both in church and state , to get some preferment for him : but he , being willing to decline publick imployment for the present , humbly intreated his father , that what he would hereafter bestow upon him for a patrimony , he would be pleased for the present to allow it him for his maintenance in oxford , that he might perfect his studies there , which his father at last condescending to , he returned with joy to oxford . but behold gods providence ! he had not been long at oxford before a fearful plague brake out in that place , which so scattered the university that few were left remaining , in which case he was again put to his shifts ; loath he was to return home , and whither else to betake himself he knew not ; till at last , by a special providence , he was invited to the house of one mr. doyly , five miles from oxford , a gentleman of a very antient family in that county , and a great friend to the gospel , whose wife also was eminent for knowledge , and piety , to them therefore mr. harris goes for the present . coming to mr. doylyes , he there met with one mr. prior , a prudent godly man , and of an excellent spirit , who being much weakned by two wracking diseases , of the stone and gout , and overburdened with preaching both on the sabbaths and fasts , enjoyned upon the occasion of the plague , in meer pity , mr. harris holp him a turn or two , which he performed with so good approbation , that presently he was set upon , both by mr. doyly , mr. prior , and some others , that he could not withstand their importunity , but was necessitated to preach with them , at least during the continuance of those extraordinary fasts . mr. harris pleaded that he was not an ordained minister , and therefore durst not meddle with any thing but preaching ; neither with that , but till he could be ordained . this they assented to , and during his abode amongst them , he met with ample requit●ls from the good gentleman , and his wife , and great encouragement from the people . about this time there was a fearful eclipse upon the church ; many eminent ministers were suspended both from their office and benefices , and amongst them , those three bright shining stars , mr. dod , mr. cleaver , mr. lancaster . upon this occasion sir anthony cope , who had formerly placed , and now lost mr. dod at hanwell , and mr. cleaver at drayton , became a suter to his brother doyly ( for so he was by marriage ) for the enjoyment of mr. harris . mr. doyly entertained this unwelcome motion with great regret , as being wholly unwilling to part with one whom he so much prized , yet after a long debate , it was judged most beneficial for the publick , and therefore could not be resisted . mr. harris went to hanwell with much grief and fear , where he found the temper of the country to be this : preach he might and welcome , but they would own no man for their pastor but those who were ejected : at last it was concluded that mr. harris should preach to both congregations whilst authority would permit , and so long as there was any hope of recovering their former pastors , this gave some satisfaction , yet was it not sufficient , becasue mr. harris was not fully of their former pastors minde . just at the same time it fell out that mr. whately came to banbury , and met with no less a share in the peoples displeasure , who though they could not except against his ministry ( he being endowed with excellent parts ) yet they quarrelled , because his judgement about ceremonies was not the same with that of their former teachers ; and the truth is , they both had a sad time of it for a great while , notwithstanding all the prudence and moderation which sir anthony cope , and mr. dod shewed to the quieting of them . after a while , archbishop bancroft finding that the silenced ministers would not yeeld , presented two chaplains to hanwell and drayton , upon pretence of a lapse : but sir anthony cope , sitting then in parliament , took one or two of the house with him , and presented his two clerks to the archbishop , who after a long contest , was content to admit his presentation ; but sir anthony having spoken in that parliament against insufficient ministers , not without reflexion upon the archbishops , and bishops , archbishop bancroft could not but resent this , and therefore referred his clerks to be strictly examined by his ablest chaplain . the chaplain , having as it seems , his lesson before-hand , brings in the clerk designed for hanwell ( which mr. harris had declined ) as altogether insufficient , though a grave and discreet divine . mr. harris was returned , mediocriter doctus , moderately learned . the archbishop being not satisfied with this last account , desires bishop barlow , who was present with him , to make some further proof of mr. harris , and the bishop being an active and witty man , was glad of the opportunity , and deals with mr. harris , first in divinity , but most in other learning , and greek , wherein the bishops excellency lay , and both of them so long greeked it , till they were both gravelled for want of words , whereupon they both laughed , and so gave over . the bishop going in to the archbishop , in his report ( as mr. harris expressed it ) set him up as much too high , as the chaplain had set his fellow too low . the archbishop hearing the bishops testimony , was content to admit mr. harris , but upon condition that he might have hanwell , which was easily assented to by sir anthony , having before designed it for him , and mr. dod also was present to testifie his concurrent desire ; the only stick with mr. harris was , that he was fearful to succeed so famous a divine ; which answer was not pleasing to the archbishop , though at present he courted mr. dod. a new pastor being thus placed at hanwell , and withall , drayton being furnished with a godly prudent man [ mr. scudder ] there were now three neighbours , who were linked together , not onely in judgement and affection , but also in affinity ; for mr. harris married mr. whatelyes sister , and mr. scudder his wives sister , and these three for a while met weekly together , and by turns translated and analysed e●ch his chapter , till multitudes of publick imployments caused them to desist . not long after there befell mr. harris his wife , upon the birth of her first childe , a long and sore affliction , which was ( as mr. dod told him ) but to season , and fit him for his work ; and mr. harris himself would oft say , that he had been quite spoyled , had he not thus been taken down ; for young ministers know not what ground they tread on , till god layes them flat . this , and some other clouds being blown over , the weather seemed now to clear up , and his people began to relish his ministry , and much comfort he found in the neghbourhood of many godly ministers , on one side he had mr. cleaver , a very solid text-man , on the other mr. lancaster , a very humble , and self-denying man , who though by birth he was a good gentleman , and had sometime been fellow in kings college in cambridge , where he had read sundry publick lectures , and made many speeches , and ( as dr. collins , that master of language used to say ) delivered himself in as pure latine as ever tully spake , having no other notes to help him , but what he wrote upon his own nails ; yet this good man , thus accomplished with all learning , contented himself with a living that was not worth l. per annum , and in his preaching made no noyse of any learning at all . when i was young i knew this mr. lancaster , he was a very little man of stature , but eminent , as for other things , so especially for his living by faith. his charge being great , and his means so small , his wife would many times come to him when she was to send her maid to banbury market to buy provision , and tell him that she had no money ; his usual answer was , yet send your maid , and god will provide ; and though she had no money , yet she never returned empty , for one or other that knew her to be mr. lancasters maid , either by the way , or in banbury town meeting her , would give her money , which still supplied their present wants . but above all his neighbours , mr. harris still most respected mr. dod , and concerning him was fully of mr. cartwrights minde , that he was the fittest man in england for a pastoral office ; he was able to speak to any mans capacity ; he was never out of the pulpit , for all his discourses were sermons , which he intermixed with such variety of delightful expressions , and similitudes , as would take with any man. the truth is , he was a very eloquent man both in english , and latine , and so facetious and pithy , that mr. harris used to say often , that if all his apothegmes were gathered together , they would exceed all that plutarch had written in greek , and others since his time in latine had published . for some years mr. harris had the happiness to live with , and near this man of god , and that in such a conjunction as greater could not be . during the time of their converse , they studied together , and daily read a chapter in the original together . and after mr. dod was restored to the liberty of his ministry in another diocess , he would not expound a text , preach a sermon , answer a case of conscience ( whereof many were daily brought to him ) without the concurrence of mr. harris with him , so highly did that eminent divine prize him , and would often blame him for his reservedness and unwillingness to put forth himself . mr. dod being ( as was said before ) removed into northamptonshire to fausley , god was pleased to supply his want by the resort of sundry young students from oxford to hanwell , so that mr. harris his house was a little academy ; and amongst others , he took much comfort in mr. pemble ( who would do nothing , especially in divinity , without his advice ) as also mr. capel , who oft resorted to him in his grievous conflicts and temptations for advice and succour , and also in his well known treatise of temptations . whilst he was at hanwell he had frequent calls to london , sometimes to pauls cross , sometimes to preach before parliaments , and other sometimes at country-feasts , which occasioned many invitations to places there : but of all the auditories , that of saviours in southwark was most grateful to him , and there he could have spent the remainder of his dayes if his voyce would have reached so great an assembly . from thence he was invited to some lesser churches , but god had not yet finished his work by him at hanwell , and therefore something or other still interposed . probably he had closed with aldermanbury , had not the then bishop of london [ land ] complemented him out of it , commending his conscio ad clerum at oxford , and promising him better preferment than he thought he should merit . some other offers were made to him , but still he met with some cross providence , which made him come to a resolution to end where he began . at hanwell he went over many scriptures , but his people found least good from that which cost him most pains , viz. his sermons upon the colossians , which epistle he preached throughout . indeed at that time he thought he could not speak too highly to a people who had been so taught , but upon further trial he found that he could not go too low , so that ( as some of his hearers after told him ) his pains upon that epistle was wholly lost as to them . his sermons upon historical scriptures , best pleased most of his auditors ; but with himself , and the more spiritual sort , his labours upon the book of the canticles prevailed most , the notes whereof he was often pressed to make publick , which he refused upon a double account . . because a great part of them were lost , and dyed with dr. preston , to whom he had lent them , and whom he used to call , a needlese engrosser of other mens notes . . he less satisfied himself in his elder years , in divers passages of that mysterious book . yet if the world were at leasure to hear old men speak , it might be very useful to collect those dispersed papers , and it is hoped that some of his near relations ( who best know his hand , and method in writing ) may take some pains therein for the publick good . at hanwell mr. harris continued preaching for about forty years , a constant , pain●ul , and faithfull preacher , both upon the ●abbaths , and other occasions which fell out often ; for when he came thither , he found that there had been an accustomed course of preaching upon such festival dayes ( then so called ) which might not enter●ere with the lecture or market at banbury , which he also kept up , especially on easter , and whitson mundayes , unto which , multitudes of christians resorted far and near , as the doves to the windows , yet without any superstition . and on the morrow , they were entertained with the like feast at banbury by mr. wheatley . o , what a faire of souls was then held at hanwell and banbury by these two brothers ? how did religion then flourish , and professors thrive like the calves in their stalls ? the truth is , these preachers carved out sound and wholesome food , and their hearers came with good stomacks , expecting what they found , viz. milk for babes , and strong meat for strong men , and accordingly did grow thereby . in those dayes godly preachers stuffed not their sermons with aiery notions , and curious speculations , but sought out profitable matter , which they delivered in sound words , and in plain method of doctrine , reason , and use , accommodating themselves to every mans capacity , and god gave them a plentifull harvest in that country . these his imployments at home ( together with his natural bookishness ) made him less forward to engage in lectures abroad , onely he was one in a combination at dedington in oxfordshire ; and for sometime he kept a lecture alone at stratford upon avon in warwickshire every other week , unto which there was a great resort both of the chief gentry , and choisest preachers and professors in those parts , and amongst them , that noble and learned knight , sir thomas lucy of charlcot had alwayes a great respect for him . about this time a great living in the country was offered him , about which he was very indifferent , and indeed , was but very indifferently dealt with in it , which occasioned him to say , that he never bore any thing more impatiently than the abuse of religion to base and private ends , and , that carnal policy , would render profession despicable at least , whilst some men took such a liberty to themselves in equivocating and dawbing ; and the reason of such mens success was , not because they had more wit than others , but more boldness to say and do what others durst not . all this while he continued at hanwell in much prosperity , and the neighbours thereabouts frequented his sermons , amongst whom he received the greatest seals of his ministry : but though he found so much encouragement from abroad , yet we must not forget his people at home , who were so far brought into a conformity , that at sometimes there was not a family in the town where gods name was not in some measure called upon , nor a person that refused to be prepared by him for the lords supper . and as the lord was thus pleased to bless , and succeed his labours , so he caused him to thrive in his outward estate likewise , which himself could not but take notice of ; for though his means was not great , and his children many , for whose sakes he kept a schoolmaster , and the resort of friends to his house not small , both on sabbath dayes , and lecture dayes , yet was he in a thriving condition , which occasioned him to say , that there was a secret blessing attending on house-keeping . for ( said he ) i am not able to give an account of my expences and of gods supplies . but now began those cloudy times , and his sadder dayes , when troops and armies marched into those quarters , about edghil , where was fought a bloody battel , octob. . , upon the lords day , in the vale of the red horse , being distant about four miles from him ; yet it pleased god so to order it ( which he took for a great mercy ) that he heard not the least noise of it ( the wind sitting contrary ) till the publick work of the day was over ; nor could he believe the report of a battel , til a souldier besmeared with blood and powder came to witness it . from this very time his troubles encreased : now was he threatned by this , then by the other garrison , one while he was a roundhead , and then a malignant , frequently oppressed with souldiers that were quartered upon him , yet still he kept his station , and some of his guests would joyn with him in family-duties , which he intermitted not , when others would scoffe at them , because not mingled with book-prayers . every sabbath he held on the course of his ministry , and most of those which quartered with him , being commanders and officers , they shewed themselves civil to him , and his ; onely at one time there was a company who were so outragious in swearing and blasphemy , that he could not forbear preaching upon that text , james . . above all things , my brethren , swear not , &c. which so netled some of them , that they damned themselves to hell if they did not shoot him in case he preached again upon that text , which they judged to be purposely chosen against them ; the next sabbath he proceeded purposely upon the same text , wherein he backed what he had said before , and as he was preaching he saw a souldier take his carbine , and fumble about the cock as if he was preparing to shoot ; but mr. harris , apprehending that he did it onely to disturb him , went through his work , and heard no more news of his souldier . thus he continued his labours in those sad times , and though he was chosen a member of the assembly of divines at westminster , yet because , upon serious thoughts , he judged his presence less needful there than in the country , he continued his station there , till he saw his tenements in the neighbourhood fired , wood , and nurseries of wood destroyed , himself threatned , and at last enforced by a scottish commander to shift for himself , yea some of his own neighbours were now ready to betray him , whereupon he went to london , and by gods good providence came thither in safety , though a sad man. when he came to london he went to the assembly , where he found much more undone than done : indeed he met there with many excellent and learned men ; but his thoughts were sollicitous for his people , his wife and children , whom he had left behinde : and indeed he found little rest in his spirit , till the same good hand of providence had safely brought them unto him . then went he with more comfort to the assembly , where he did antiqum obtinere , hear all , and say little . upon his remove from his house , both his books , and his notes ( some few only excepted which he had conveyed away beforehand ) together with all his remaining goods , were seized upon , and his living given to another ; but that might soon have been supplied , many offers being made to him , from several places , and country committees . the first motion that he hearkened to was the temple ; but upon trial , he found that church too large for his voyce , and thereupon refused , and at last he was sent to buttolphs bishopsgate , where , though the congregation was too large for him , yet being necessitated to do something for the maintenance of his family , he remained there during his attendance upon the assembly . after his continuance there for some time , himself with four more divines were commanded down to oxford , which was then under suspension by the parliament ; which imployment , he often professed , that he did earnestly decline , and that principally for two reasons ; . because the committee for hampshire had given him a free call to petersfield , and thither he would willingly have gone . . having long discontinued from the university , he looked upon himself as very unfit for such a service ; but in conclusion he was plainly told , that such as would not be intreated , must be commanded , and so he was ordered to prepare for his journey . this much troubled him , and therefore he first goes to petersfield , and acquaints them how the case stood with him , and because he could not come suddenly to them , he desires them , either to pitch upon some other minister , or else to take the care upon themselves , to provide supplies for both the churches ( for two they were ) and to pay the preachers out of the revenues of the place . the people liked neither of the offers , yet were content to wait a while in hopes that he might come to settle with them , requesting him in the mean while to provide them such supply as himself should approve of . this proved a troublsome work to him , though for a time he sent them help from oxford , and thereabout ; for preachers were now hard to be gotten , there being more want of ministers , than of places ; yet at last two were procured , the one of whom gave no good content . at last he was put upon it , either to relinquish oxon , or petersfield ; the former he could not decline , and therefore he left the latter , though with great regret , because he could not seal up such respect , and thanks as he conceived was due from him to that country . neither had he less trouble in providing for buttolphs bishopsgate ( it being no easie matter to please citizens ) yet at the last they were supplied to their content . about this time many libels were cast abroad in oxford against other preachers , and one amongst the rest reflected upon mr. harris , reckoning up his several livings , and great revenues , wherein they mentioned what was past , present , and to come , and happily if they had heard of the rest , which at several times were offered him , they would have put them also into that catalogue : mr. harris being informed hereof , he wrote to some friends ( which letters are already extant ) wherein he vindicated himself in the main , yet withall he professed unto others , that it would , and should be to him matter of humbling , and caution to him whilst he lived , that he had given the least advantage to such as sought it ; for though he stood clear in his own , and others consciences , who best knew him , that he was far from allowing non-residency , and plurality of livings , yet to such as were ignorant of all circumstances , there was some appearances of evil ; which also he took the more to heart , because from that time forward he found the affl●cting hand of god both upon him , and his . the preachers that were sent to oxford found but ill entertainment ; on the one hand they were aspersed , and libelled against by their own mothers sons , and on the other hand they were challenged to a publick disputation by one mr. erbery , a sectary , and his associates . mr. harris was unwilling that this challenge should be entertained , , having observed that disputes of that kinde , send away each party more strengthened in their opinions , than when they came thither ; yet his brethren being of another minde , they desired his concurrence , at least so far with them , as to begin the work with prayer . this he condescended unto , and the disputation proceeded , and the issue was , that all were censured , some for speaking , others for their silence , in which latter rank he was willingly placed . not long after came the chancellor of oxon [ the earle of pembroke ] to visit the university , who , according to the custome , bestowed degrees upon some of the schollars , and amongst others , mr. harris was admitted doctor of divinity , who yet , neither thought himself the better schollar , nor the better preacher for this new honour , and had it not been that he was loath to sleight the favour from his betters , he had refused it : having learned , that an empty hand from a prince , and a naked title from his chancellor , must be counted an honour . at this time many headships of colleges ( before made void ) were now to be supplied , and dr. harris professed , that seeing it was noised abroad , that these reforming preachers came thither to play their own game , viz. to thrust out others , and to invest themselves with their places , he therefore resolved to keep to his old course ; namely , to stand silent without opening his mouth for any headship at all , and presently the best places were all disposed of ; neither was any thing spoken of for dr. harris , till a noble man , of the other university , made mention of him , as not fit to be forgotten , whereupon trinity college was assigned to him . this some of his friends much wondered at , considering , that , though he was the meanest in his own eyes , yet was he the oldest man , and one that had suffered more by the times than any , if not than all the rest ; yet he himself said little to it , onely he enquired who was the head that was ejected , and what was the nature of the place : for he was unwilling to entertain the proffer , if the former head could finde favour to hold it , and thereupon he forbore as long as he could be permitted ; and as for the place , the smalness of the college , and the scituation of it gave him great content , who desired no more than what would keep him from distractions in his studies , and the only thing that he stuck at was , because there was a parsonage annexed to the college . but when he understood that its distance from oxford was not great , and the conditions easie , viz. that he was required to preach but eight sermons per annum at it , he the more willingly inclined to it , though after acceptance , he could not satisfie himself under two sermons a week ; and so at last there he sate down , and took much content in the fellows of that college , betwixt whom , and him there was ever a very fair correspondence . at the parsonage he found most of the people ( though they had been long taught ) very ignorant , and much addicted to their old customes , and ( which he looked upon as a sad prognostick to the place ) no sooner did any there look heaven-ward in any special manner , but the lord presently took him away , some few , and those very few excepted . about this time a motion was made by the committee at oxford of removing him to new college , which was now void , but as the motion began without him , so it was stifled by him , the rather , when he heard that some exception was taken above against him as being uncapable of that place , because he was not a winchester schollar . the truth is ( as he professed to some of his friends ) he rather desired a little , than a great college , being one who was very much addicted to privacy , and his book , which made him often say , that if trinity college were a competency without the parsonage , he would not leave it for any place , except it were an hospital : so much had he seen into the vanity , and troublesomenesse of the world . in his latter dayes journies began to be tedious to him , which occasioned some well affected citizens in oxford ( who were moved thereunto by a sermon which . dr. cheynell preached unto them ) to make some overtures to him of reading a catechisme lecture , or of preaching upon the principles of religion ( which liked him best ) in one of their churches ; in consideration whereof , they would maintain him an assistant at his parsonage . the motion was good , the exercise needful ; the onely question was , how such a work would be accepted in such a place amongst the wits , and schollars of the university ; yet because he had bemoaned himself to god in private , bewayling that his comfort was little in the place where he preached , and made it his humble sute that god would not lay him aside , but finde some imployment for him , whilst he had ability to perform it , because ( i say ) he had prayed thus , and this motion presently ensued , he durst not reject it , but set upon the work , wherein the lord assisted , giving him strength even beyond what could be expected from a man of his age , and caused his labours to finde great acceptance with his auditors ; and thus he continued preaching once every sabbath at his parsonage , and once in the week this lecture : besides which he preached when his turn came in the university , and that both in english , and in latine also . yet we are not come to the end of his labours ; for having now freed himself from worldly affairs , disposed of all his children , and having left himself nothing else to do , but to prepare himself , and his wife for their graves , who had lived about fifty years together , it pleased god to exercise him in this strange manner . his wife , who was born of parents eminently pious , had been religiously educated , and her self a constant worshipper of god all her time , who seldome rose from her prayers with dry eyes , was delivered up by god to satans buffetings , and to such hellish temptations , and horrors of minde , as struck a grief and terrour unto all the spectators , which occasioned him often to say , that god made appear to all beholders , that the best man is no more than the lord makes him hourly . for as the receiving of grace , so the keeping , using the comfort and enjoyment of it , is all from him , which is not onely true in supernatural graces , but in the gifts of nature also ; our wits , senses , phantasies , all are in gods hand ; nor are the wisest men any thing longer than he pleases to continue them so . this good woman was a sad instance of all this , whose temptations were so violent , so horrid , and withall so subtil , that they put the ablest , and most experienced men to their wits end to answer them , and her poor self even beyond her self : whilst she was in this perplexed condition , sundry eminent preachers and professors visited her , and her husband ( who had been a happy instrument of satisfying many others ) could give her no satisfaction . one day as she was complaining that she could finde no comfort , o ( saith he ) what an idol do some make of comfort , as if their comfort were their christ ! in the middest of these trials , he yet took notice of these comforts and mercies , . that she was kept from blaspheming the highest ( for so she stiled god ) and from hurting her self , and others . . that this affliction awakened him and his children ; for they esteemed her the most conscientious and innocent amongst them all . . it put him upon more work than his age could well bear , that so he might call out his thoughts upon business , and not eat up his own heart with grief and care . and lastly , it wrought in him an holy despair of all creature-comforts ; for now he could neither enjoy childe , nor friend , nor food , nor sleep , having her continually before him in his eye , ear , and heart ; and all friends fear●ng to come in sight , lest they should wound themselves , or trouble her ; onely continual p●ayers were offered up for her upon all occasions , which gave hopes that the lord might yet make her end comfortable , and conquest glorious . however ( her husband would often say ) that the difference was not great whether comfort came at death , or an hour after , since comfort would come assuredly . but leaving her under a general expectation of a blessed issue in the best time , we return once more to her husband now ready to enter into his haven of rest . after a long and laborious life , which could not but be painful to him that underwent it , we come at length to his last , long , and painful sickness , which is the usual harbinger of death . in the summer he began to droop , and finding his decay , he sent for two physitians [ dr. bathurst , and dr. willis ] who were well known to him and his , by former experiences , and eminently known in the university ; to whom he professed , that he used means meerly in obedience to god , but for his own part he could live , and durst dye . his ●hysitians ( as himself confessed ) had proceeded so far as art and learning could carry them , but herein they would lose of their worth , that they had to deal with complicated diseases , which were seldome removed , but most of all with old age , a disease which was never cured . his first encounter was with a vehement pleu●itical pain in his left side , which was attended with a feavor , as also with a great defluxion of rheume , and oppression of his lungs with flegme , and when after divers weeks all these his assailants seemed well-nigh vanquished through the tender care of his skilful physitians , yet then that enemy which had so long lodged in his bosome , brake forth into an empyema , which he expectorated daily in so great a measure , for the space of two moneths or more , that hereby ( together with some fits of his old diseases , the stone and strangury ) he was not able to speak much to those that visited him . and herein indeed it fell out according to what he had often foretold in his best strength , viz. that little was to be expected from him on his death-bed , which occasioned him to write ( fearing that his tongue might not then be able to utter it ) his advice and counsel to his family many years before his death . the truth is , he the rather forbore to speak , because he perceived that some had a design to make his speeches publick , which he was utterly averse to , neither would he consent that any thing of his life or death should be written : nay , he could never be perswaded at any time to fit , that his picture might be drawn ; so desirous he was that all of him might be buried with him . and albeit he spit up those lungs which he had wasted in the pulpit , yet could not that light of grace be so smothered under a bushel , but that oft-times the beams thereof would shine forth , and himself would breathe forth himself in pithy speeches , and savoury discourses . in the beginning of his sickness , being desired to admit of company , he answered , i am alone in company , it s all one to me to be left alone , or to have friends with me ; my work is now to arm my self for death which assaults me , and i apply my self ( as i am able ) for that great encounter . and accordingly he spent his whole time in meditation , prayer , and reading the holy scriptures , especially the book of psalmes , the prophesie of isaiah , and st. johns gospel , taking exceeding delight in the , , , , and , chapters of that evangelist . after which time his nights were long , and sleeps short ; and when he could neither sleep nor sit up in his bed to read , his manner was to command others to read to him , and then himself would collect the most useful things that were contained in the chapter , explaining such things as were difficult , and sweetly feeding upon the rest . his constant practice was , to exhort such as either visited , or attended upon him , above all things to get faith. it is ( saith he ) your victory , your peace , your life , your crown , and your chief piece of spiritual armour : howbeit , get on all the other pieces , and then go forth in the lords might , stand to the fight , and the issue shall be glorious ; onely forget not to call in the help of your general : do all from him , and under him . on the lords dayes he would not hinder any from the publick ordinances for any thing that was to be done about him , till sermons were ended , and then he would say , come , what have you for me ? ( meaning something of repetition ) unto which he would attend with such diligence , as that he would summe up the heads of every sermon , and say , o what excellent truths are these ! lay them up charily , you will have need of them . when friends came to visit him , he used to say , i cannot speak , but i can hear : and when he was asked where his comfort lay ? his answer was , in christ , and in the free grace of god : one telling him , sir , you may take much comfort in your labours , you have done much good , &c. his answer was , all is nothing without a saviour , without him my best works would condemn me . oh , i am ashamed of them , being mixed with so much sin ! oh , i am an unprofitable servant , i have not done any thing for god as i ought ; loss of time sits heavy upon my spirit . work , work apace ; assure your selves , nothing will more trouble you when you come to dye , than that you have done no more for god who hath done so much for you . sometimes he used thus to breathe out himself , i never in all my life saw the worth of a christ , nor tasted the sweetness of gods love in that measure as now i do . when he was asked what should be done for him ? his answer was , do not onely pray for me , but praise god , for his unspeakable mercy unto me , and in particular that he hath kept satan from me in this my weakness . oh how good is god , entertain good thoughts of him . how ever it be with us , we cannot think too well of him , or too bad of our selves . and this sense of gods goodness was very deeply imprinted upon his heart to his very last ; and therefore in all his wills , this legacy was alwayes renewed , item , i bequeathe to all my children , and to their childrens children , to each of them a bible , with this inscription , none but christ. being upon a time visited by two reverend doctors , his choice friends , who before they prayed with him , desired him to tell them what he chiefly requested ? he answered , i praise god he supports me , and keeps off satan ; beg that i may hold out : i am now in a good way home , even quite spent : i am now at the shore , i leave you tossing on the sea. oh , it is a good time to dye in : yet when his end approached nearer , being often asked how he did ? he answered , in no great pain ( i praise god ) onely weary of my unuseful life . if god hath no more service for me to do here , i could be gladly in heaven , where i shall serve him better , freed from sin and distractions . i pass from one death to another , yet i fear none ; i praise god i can live , and i dare dye ▪ if god hath more work for me to do here , i am willing to do it , though my infirm body be very weary . desiring one to pray with him , and for him , that god would hasten the work ; it was asked whether pain , &c. put him upon that desire ? he answered no , but i now do no good , and i hinder others which might be better imployed , if i were not : why should any desire to live but to do god service ? now i cease from that , i do not live . by this time the violence of his distempers disabled him , and the advice of his physitians was , that he should forbear speech , yet he called upon those which attended him to read some part of the scriptures to him constantly , especially he put one of his sons that was with him , to pray frequently , and whilst his life and speech lasted , he used to conclude all the prayers with a loud amen . the nearer he approached to his end , the more he slumbered . once when he awoke , he found himself very ill , whereupon calling for his son , he took him by the hand , and said , pray with me , it is the last time in likelihood that i shall ever joyn with you ; and complaining to him of his wearisomeness , his son answered , there remains a rest : to whom he replied , my sabbath is not far off , and yours is at hand , ere that , i shall be rid of all my trouble , and you will be eased of some . at length his ruinous house ( which onely inobedience to the will of god had held out beyond his own desires , and all mens expectations , from the heighth of summer till the depth of winter ) comes to be dissolved . about saturday in the even , he began to set himself to dye , forbidding all cordials to be administred upon what extremity soever , and gave his dying blessing to his son ( who onely of all his children was present with him ) and ( upon his request ) enjoyned him to signifie , when he had opportunity , to that country , where he had lived longest , that he lived and dyed in that faith which he had preached and printed , the comfort whereof he now found . something else he began to speak , but his distempers interrupted his purpose , and from that time he never entertained any discourse with man , onely he commanded the eight chapter of the epistle to the romans to be read to him . and herein god was exceeding good to him in the return of those petitions which had been put up for him that afternoon , by those two eminent divines , and his dearest brethren before mentioned : for whereas his great distempers gave occasion to fear his death would be exceeding painful , yet did it prove so easie , that his son , and other attendants could but guess at the particular time of his departure : his breathings were easie , and even , his eyes open , and full of water , till at the last ( having lifted them up towards heaven ) they closed of themselves , and his soul , without the least motion of resistance of the body , entred into everlasting rest , whilst those whom he left behinde were entring upon the day of their rest . for then began he a perpetual sabbath in heaven , when they began theirs on earth , betwixt twelve and one on saturday night , december . anno christi . he dyed in a good old age , and full of dayes , having overlived fourscore years : his loss was much bewayled by the college , by the city , and whole university of oxford . he was ( as all that knew him confessed ) a man of admirable prudence , profound judgement , eminent gifts and graces , and furnished with all qualifications that might render him a compleat man , a wise governour , a profitable preacher , and a good christian. first , look upon him as a christian , for that was his , and is every mans greatest ornament . he was a man that had much acquaintance with god , much communion with him in private meditation and prayer , accounting those his best dayes wherein he enjoyed most converse with him . in the time of his sickness , one asking him how he did ? oh ( saith he ) this hath been a sweet day , i have had sweet communion with god in jesus christ. he was not like them who are all for promises and priviledges , though in the mean time they neglect duties : he made them his exercise , but not his christ : he was much in those severe parts of religion , as private humiliation , mortification , and self-denial , whereby he gained the conquest over himself . the truth is , he was ( as far as is consistent with humane frailty ) master of his corruptions , passions , reason , appetite , language , and all . the lord was pleased to work upon him in the primrose of his life , though he certainly knew not , either the preacher or sermon whereby he was converted . his course was in the dayes of his strictest examination to set down in writing his evidences for heaven , sometimes in propositions from scripture ; other sometimes in sylogismes , and these he often subscribed to in a book that he kept for that very purpose . but these evidences were best read by others in the course of his life , by his exact walking with god in piety , charity , humility , patience , and dependance upon him . he was far unlike to those who sit in moses chair , and teach what themselves practise not . he had well digested that fathers precept to preachers , either preach not at all , or live as you preach . his life was a commentary upon his doctrine , and his practice the counterpane of his sermons . what was said of that precious bishop jewel , was true of him , that he adorned a heavenly doctrine , with a heavenly life . in a word , he did vertere verba in opera , he lived religion , whilst many onely make it the subject of their discourse . he was much more than he seemed to be , not loving to make a noise in the world , but accounting it better to do , than to speak . in his works of charity to the poor , he was no less discreet , than private . when he met with fit objects , his hand was more ready to give , than his tongue to proclaim it . indeed he was no friend to idle , lazy , canting persons who live on the sweat of other mens brows . these he looked upon as the pests of the commonwealth , nor could he think it charity to relieve such to the prejudice of the publick , and to their own destruction . but gods poor , and the houshold of faith lay neer his heart . whosoever shall survey his large bills of weekly , and quarterly allowances ( besides ) considerable summes given to poor ministers , and especialiy to their widows , and orphans , who never knew whence it came ) and shall adde thereunto his legacies bequeathed in his will to charitable uses , cannot ( what ever others thought of him ) but judge that his charity exceeded the ordinary proportion of his revenues . naturally he was of a stout and masculine temper , yet through grace , he attained to a great measure of humility : he was mean , and low in his own eyes , and had more undervaluing thoughts of himself , than all the world besides had of him . he was very sensible of that enemy , which he often complained of , viz. discouragement , which he used to stile , the childe of pride and unbelief . it must needs be acknowledged a great measure of humility that could keep a man lowly under such abilities , attainments , and such general applauses as he met with in every place . his usual saying was , that he valued no man for his gifts , but for his humility under them : neither should he expect much from any man , were his parts never so great , till he was broken with afflictions and temptations . it was his observation , that the humblest preachers converted most souls , not the choisest schollars , w●ilst unbroken . he would sometimes use this speech , which though a seeming contradiction , yet hath it much truth in it , it is better to be an humble devil , than a proud angel. he never affected popular applause , variety of pulpits , printing , &c. as one conscious to himself of , i know not what unworthiness ; neither ever came he thus abroad , but when by importunity he was haled to it . . consider him as a man in his morals , whether in the government of himself in particular , or of his family , or his greater trusts , and in all you shall finde him like himself , excellent , and almost without a parallel . in regard of himself , he was exactly temperate , confining himself to hours for diet , sleep , &c. he would often say , that he would rather pour liquor into his boots , than into his mouth between meals . he was a strict observer of those laws of sobriety , which st. paul had pressed upon ministers , and which himself in his drunkards cup had taught others . he used to eat seasonably and sparingly , which ( without question ) was one great means of preserving such vigorous spirits to so great an age : his onely play time was saturdayes in the afternoon , then he used to unbend , and disburden himself by some innocent recreations , but onely ad ruborem . he was a man of an excellent deportment , and sweet behaviour , whereby he won much upon all with whom he conversed . grave he was without affectation , pleasant without levity : indeed he never loved to hear himself talk , and therefore by some was judged too reserved ; but when he knew with whom he had to do , he was communicative enough . no man was more candid , or fuller of civility ; none more open or free to entertain or return discourses . he was very cautious before he struck a league of intimate friendship with any man ; but when he had once chosen , he was cordial , firm , and constant , his head , hand , tongue , pen , feet , purse , all , were now no longer his own but his friends . it is said of the french , that whatsoever cloaths they wear , whatsoever garb they accost you in , becomes them so well , as if nothing else did ; and a great critick in men as well as in books , used to say of our doctor , that whatsoever he did or spake became him . it was a rare thing to see him angry . if at any time the folly of others had discomposed him , or their sin had provoked him , yet could he quickly command himself , and convert his passion into wholesome instruction . though himself had great parts , both natural , and acquired , yet would he never sleight or undervalue , much less contemn , or discourage any whom he judged to be right in the main . he was very sparing in his censures of others , gentle to all , and severe onely to himself . he had a special gift of forgetting injuries , but would offer none . his memory was never more faithfull than in retaining civilities received , to which he would industriously make what proportionable returns lay in his power . he much feared lest he should give any occasion of suspicion that he either forgot , or neglected any , because he could not readily recall mens names , which occasioned him to say , that if he lived long he should forget his own name , with him in valerius . at meals his manner was to be sociable , and facetious ; yet still he took occasion to enquire of the publick , and how it feared with particular towns and families , whence he would alwayes extract something for matter of prayer or prayer or praise in his thanksgiving after meat . in his family he had that qualification of a good bishop mentioned by the apostle , that ruled well his own house . he had an excellent method in the education of his children , which was this : in general , his care was to maintain his authority over them , yet even that authority was equally tempered with lenity and gravity . he loved them without fondness , and ruled them without rigour . in particular , so soon as they could use their tongues , they were made acquainted with the historical part of the scriptures . as soon as they could use their legs , they were set to school , and when they could remember any thing of a chapter read , or bring home any part of a sermon , his care was to instruct them in the fundamentals of religion . their childehood being past , he would call upon them for the practice of religion , and was a diligent observer of their private performance of religious exercises , wherein their mother was no small help to him . when they grew up to more maturity , he diligently observed their capacities , inclinations , but especially their constitutions , when he could guess at that sin which was like to prove their dilectum delictum , their darling corruption , he accordingly suited their callings , so as that sin might be least nourished , and most beaten down . the rule which he gave them was this , when you are youths chuse your callings ; when men chuse your wives , only take me along with you : it may be , old men may see further than you . thus whilst he condescended to them , and they submitted to him , both parties were gratified . though he had a numerous issue , yet ( through gods blessing upon his estate ) he disposed of them to no mean imployments . many he sent to the universities ; some to merchandise , &c. to his sons whom he bred in the university his rule was , study work , more than wages : to those whom he bred in the city , he would say , do not waste a halfpenny , and you will not want a penny . and truly so well did they all improve , as his advice , so their own time and parts , that they became masters of their particular callings , which ministred unto him no small comfort . he acknowledged it a great mercy to his dying day , that none of his children were blemished , either in their bodies , or in their reputations . he was one of them in whose children that popish slander concerning the ungraciousness of the children of the married clergy , received a real confutation . many of his sons he buried in their prime , some at home , others in forreign parts , and some dyed shortly after himself , yet all of them gave comfortable hopes to conclude upon a rational charity ( both by the pious letters of those which dyed abroad , and from that particular account which they gave of themselves who dyed at home ) that they all meet in heaven ; they which survive need not this attestation . amongst the dead , there was mr. tho. harris of magdalen college in oxford , who was eminently learned beyond his age , an ornament to that noble foundation , whereof he was a member ; once the joy of his friends , and still their sorrow ; and probably this arrow from gods hand stuck deep in the fathers heart to his dying day . for his servants , there are some yet living that served him in his younger dayes , who still bless god that ever they came under his roof , where they received the beginnings of grace , and such a measure of knowledge as kept them from warping in the late giddy times . whilst he remained with his antient flock , his constant manner was to keep a religious fast before his administration of the sacrament of the lords supper . and after he came to his small college , he so prudently managed all his affairs , that he was both feared , and loved . indeed his government there was such as caused a wonder : for whereas that college before , was famous for factions , during his time there was never any complaint made to any visitors ; and no marvel , for the foundation there , honoured him as a father , and he looked upon , and loved them as his children , and accordingly he scaled up his love to them in his last will and testament . he called gifts , bribery , and hated the very shadow of it . examples are known in the college of gratuities refused long after faire , and free elections . but look upon him as a schollar , and there we have him in his proper element . though he left the university early , and preached constantly , yet being of a retired disposition , a constant student , and endowed with great parts , he became master of all manner of learning to qualifie a divine . in the sacred languages , especially in the hebrew , he was very exact . his conciones ad clerum , declare him to have been a pure and polite latinist : his first , which was preached and printed long since , hath undergone the test , and gained the approbation of all knowing men in that language ; the younger by full forty years , is of as good a complexion , and of as vigorous a constitution as its elder brother ; and it s hoped that in due time it may be made as publick . what his abilities in disputation were , hath upon several occasions been made to appear in that college exercises in the chappel , where oft-times in the unexpected absence of the opponents , himself would ex tempore take up the cudgels , and make good their ground . in which exercises he approved himself a subtle , clear , and ready disputant , without any grains of allowance either for his age or discontinuance . indeed his chiefest learning lay where he made least shew of it in publick , viz. in chronology , church-history , councils , case-divinity , and his insight into the fathers . but his parts were best seen in the pulpit . his gifts in prayer were much more than ordinary , wherein his affections were warm , and fervent , his petitions pithy and substantial , his language pertinent , unaffected , and without tautologies . oh , how would he raise up a dull and sinking spirit ! how would he warm a cold and frozen heart ! how would he carry a man out of himself , and by degrees mount the soul heaven-ward ! his sermons in print are well known to the world , and his works praise him in the gates . the particular excellencies of nazianzen , basil , chrysostome , austin , ambrose , bernard seemed all to con●enter in him . he taught rhetorick to speak in our mother-tongue , and ( without falshood , or flattery ) he may be stiled , the english orator . his doctrines carried light with them , and his uses heat : his reproofes were weighty , and his exhortations powerful . but enough of this , lest we hear as he did who spake much in commendation of hercules , quis unquam vituperavit ? who ever dispraised him ? yea , what either christian or schollar , but approved , or commended him ? if you would know the worth of his sermons , read them ( though read they come short of what they were when preached ) yea read them again and again , and endeavour to read them with the same spirit they were preached , and you cannot but acknowledge an excellency in them . amongst other his excellencies in preaching , which were many , these were not the least , that he could so cook his meat that he could make it relish to every pallate : he could dress a plain discourse , so as that all sorts should be delighted with it . he could preach with a learned plaineness , and had learned to conceal his art. he had clear notions of high mysteries , and proper language to make them stoop to the meanest capacity . his way in contriving and penning his sermons was this : . he so contrived the parts of his text , and points of doctrine , as might afford him most scope in his application , wherein his , and indeed , a sermons excellency doth consist ; and therefore he used to say , that in a sermon he contrived the uses first : he did often handle the same texts , and the same points , and yet still would pen new applications which might be most suitable to the quallity and condition of the auditory . . in penning , when he once began , he would never take pen from paper , nor turn to any book till he had written all . all his younger dayes , for about twenty years together , he wro●ght all , and could without much difficulty preach the same verbatim . he was wont to say , that he had a fluid , and waterish memory . i can ( said he ) quickly remember any thing of my own , and as quickly f●rget it again . yet questionless his memory was vast and tenacious ; for though sometimes he had but short notes in his bible , and that but seldome , yet did he never use them , except when he preached a clerum of late years , in which he sometimes glanced upon his papers . his custome was , presently after he had heard a sermon , to write down the heads thereof , and he scarce either forgat , or misplaced any of them . upon fast-nights he would by the strength of his memory repeat two , sometimes three sermons that he had heard that day , in the same order as they were delivered . speaking with a friend about memories , he said , that his memory never failed him : for ( said he ) i durst never trust it . he used to say , that a preacher had three books to study , . the bible . . himself . . the people . he looked much to the ordinance , and relation between pastor , and people , and would say , that preaching to them was but one part of the pastors duty . he was to live and dye in them , as well as for , and with them . he complained much of some mens too large insisting upon the doctrinal parts of their points , whereby they left little or no room for application ; and found that few , either in the cities or universities bended themselves to enlarge upon their uses , which made their sermons to differ little from divinity-lectures ; and though all preachers could not enlarge themselves therein , yet he would often call upon them to accustome themselves to it as being most profitable . he would relate a passage of mr. dods concerning mr. cartwright ( who often in his dayes preached occasionally at hanwell ) me thoughts ( said mr. dod ) when i heard the doctrinal part of his sermon , i was in heaven : but when he came to apply it , i sometimes thought that if i had been in his place , i could presently have applied his point more closely . non omnia possumus omnes . many young preachers resorted to dr. harris for counsel , both for direction in their private studies , and in their sermons ; and he used to perswade them for many reasons to pen largely , and to keep their notes for all emergent occasions , often commending mr. dods words , who professed , that he would rather preach an old sermon ten times , than speak any thing new without preparation . hee would say , that he would have a preacher to exceed himselfe upon just occasion , and not alwayes to keep the same pace , yet did not that alwayes hold in his own practice ; for generally his hearers commended those sermons most which cost him least , and himself would say , that he never came off with less comfort , and worse content to himself , than when he was in appearance best provided : and he gave this reason for it , not because he had used such diligence in preparing ( for that was his duty ) but because he was then aptest to depend upon himself , and to neglect his dependance upon god. many sought to him for advice in choosing divinity books , to whom he would open himself freely . some he perswaded to read ames his medulla , tileni syntagma , bucanus , and such like . to some others , he would commeend aquinas his summes ( which dr. john reynolds used to call that absolute body of divinity ) melcheor canus , and of late , mr. bowles his pastor evangelicus . but above all , he would call upon every one to read the text in the originals , and to analyse chapters . this he perswaded mr. pemble to , and set him to practice it in the book of the preacher , or ecclesiastes ( which he accounted a very hard book , till he met with that brief , but pithy exposition , of that incomparable divine , dr. edw. reynolds ) and after that upon zachary . when any consulted with him about writers , he would ask what they aimed at in a writer , for several men had their several excellencies . for acuteness he used to commend mr. baines , and his second , dr. ames , mr. john ball , mr. capel , &c. if they aimed at the spiritual part of divinity , he would leave them to dr. si●s : if the rational , to dr. preston : if the historical , to bishop usher . for solid preachers , he much prized dr. sandersons first works ( to his later he was a meer stranger ) mr. randal , mr. hildersam , dr. reynolds , &c. and for all the requisites for a preacher , both for method , matter , elocution , pronunciation , all , he would often say , that he seldome met with an abler man than his brother whateley of banbury . when his judgment was asked about commentators , he used to answer , that he was now more of dr. jo. reynolds his minde than ever concerning mr. calvin ; for upon experience ( said he ) i finde that the most of the late writers do but descant upon his plain song ; and the jesuits are very plagiaries , who first rob him , and then rail upon him . next to calvin he used to commend sundry late writers , as pareus , rivet , mr. cartwright especially , together with some popish writers , as maldonate ( whose wit , and learning he preferred before his spirit ) before him , learned masius , modest ribera , and ( for ought he found by him ) honest estius . and being asked about the best editions , his answer was , that what was said of homer , was true of the fathers , and the first popish writers , viz. that was ever the best which was least corrected . of the antient fathers he would say , that unless it were for their polemical and historical parts , their writings were more for devotion and affection , than for their judgement and understanding . about modern authors this was his opinion generally ; that what english men did ex professo undertake , they did best perform it . no men excel them in expounding scriptures , in answering papists , arminians , &c. none equal to them in the pulpit , or in practical , or case-divinity . and he held cambridge very happy in her whitakers , downams , davnant , perkins , besides many others . and for oxford , he would lay one jo. reynolds ( to pass in silence a younger reynolds , and his son in law , born a schoolman ) in the ballance with hundreds , as a man never sufficiently admired for his humility , as well as for his learning . for the schoolmen he liked many things in them , but not their aukward , and ignorant quoting of scripture , nor their multiplying of useless questions , with needless obscurities . for lutherans , he commended divers of them for their learning and industry , but disliked their tartness . for arminius ( though he were none of the best ) yet he liked him better than his disciples and successors , who were more desperate and dangerous in the five controverted points , than many of the papists . as for socinianisme , he accounted it to be but a kinde of blancht mahometisme . and this he observed in general , that those papists who were most conversant in the scriptures , come nearest to us ; the like he said of the lutherans , as chemnitius , gerard , hemingius , &c. he was sparing to deliver his judgement about our condition at home , yet some things lay sadly upon his spirit ; as , . he complained that the power of godliness , and exercise of love , and self-denial , were much abated in these later dayes ; and he much bewayled the vast difference , both in garb and practice , betwixt new , and old professors . . that the indulgence that was shewed to tender consciences , was much abused to prophaneness , whilst men of no conscience most pleaded that liberty of choosing their own churches , and teachers ; and indeed , on the matter abandoned all . . that the liberty of prophesying which some pretended to , was abused to meer licentiousness and confusion , whilst some would have none , and others all prophets and preachers . . that in the university few could be called constant students , but the most made a short work of it , and posted into the pulpit before they understood their grounds , so that few were able to encounter our growing errours . . that in the church men were in their extreams , some pressing nothing but law , others preaching nothing but the gospel , and christ. . he complained of the want of catechizing , and instructing youth in the principles , the want of which , he saw by experience was a great occasion of the peoples giddiness . . but most of all he bewayled the readiness of many to side , and make divisions . he loved not either to use , or to hear used , dividing names , and titles ; upon which occasion he often related mr. greenhams answer to the lord treasurer cecil , who being asked on which side the blame lay in that great rent between the bishops , and their antagonists , answered , that the fault was on both sides , and in neither side : for ( said he ) the godly wise on both sides bear with each other , and concenter in the main ; but then there be sel●ish ▪ peevish spirits , on both sides some , and these be they that make the quarrel . this he applied to our times by reason of the distinction of presbyterians , and independents , saying , men of humble , and sincere hearts , though differing in opinion , can , and do walk together , pray togther , and love one another ; but men who wholly look a● their own interests , blow the coals , and make a stir , as if the opions were irreconcileable , and as every one was disaffected to christs cause that goes not their pace and path . he professed freely , that for his own part he was not convinced of some things that were earnestly pressed about church government : he did not conconceive any one external form to be so essential to a church , but that it might still deserve that name , though under a presbyterian , or independent , or episcopal form , so long as it was kept within the bounds of those general rules laid down in the scriptures . it s true , some of these had been abused to tyranny , and the rest might in time be abused also ; but the use and abuse of things are far different , and he would not commend either the one , or the other in their rigid exactions in some cases . for presbytery , though he thought that bishop bilson could never ( with all his learning ) disprove the being of lay-elders in the apostles times , yet he thought withall , that it was not so easie a thing to prove the perpetuity of such an ordinance to the worlds end , especially so cloathed and attended with all those perquesites which some heretofore called for . he thought that there was some reason in the distinction of jure human● , and juris human● , what ever his application was who first used it : but for the thing it self , sith it is not altogether disproved , but allowed , yea once commanded , and not since retracted ( for ought he knew ) he saw no reason why any man should , eo nomine , be aspersed , because a presbyterian , by any dissenting brethren . for the to her of independency , he confessed that it was a politick way , and free from much trouble , and opposition : for who shall oppose the minister , when all are of his minde before they are admitted ? yet could he never satisfie himself ( though upon occasion he often desired it ) in some particulars ; as , . what warrant men have to take out of anothers flock his best sheep , and to entertain them without his consent , or testimony . he asks whether any man would willingly be so served ? whether this would not open a gap , that so soon as a member is offended with his own pastor ( happily upon deserved reproof ) presently to flye to another congregation . . to leave the cullen sheep in a hard condition : for how shall they be looked upon ? the answer must needs be , little better than heathens : for the minister may preach to such , and what more may he do to these , when the chief are gone ? . this way seemed to him to be very destructive to that relation between pastor and people . . he conceived this way of gathering of churches into private places , and companies , to be prejudicial to the publick worship of god : experience declaring , that in many places of late , the publick ordinances are grown into disuse , preaching onely excepted , which might be afforded to ca●ibals if they would hear . . lastly , for congregations to consist of members at such a distance , as that one should live in the north , and another in the south , &c. many miles asunder , whereby inspection cannot be performed on the pastors part , and on the peoples part , they can enjoy little communion and edification one from another ; this he used to say , that he did not understand , nor could he finde any precept for it in the word , nor any president or practice of it in antiquity , if we speak of churches constituted , and out of persecution , banishment , &c. these things he neither wrote , nor spake but with much fear , and grief . amongst other things , he did very much bewayl the great sleighting of solemn ordination of ministers , the office being so sacred , the work of the ministry so important , and the minister of so publick concernment . he wondred that when as in all other offices there is such solemnities at the officers instalments , that a minister , and ambassador of jesus christ should be silently admitted without fasting , prayer , and some publick solemnity . as to private passages it were endless to write all his observations : onely take these few ; he observed that such as often changed their principles , and faith professed , usually fell from scepticisme to atheisme . that so much humility as any man had , so much grace , and worth he had , and no more . that nothing was to be accounted good in , or to any man , but that which was his proper fruit , and done by vertue of his calling , from a principle of god , and for god. that the best man hath no security from any one sin , or fall , or temptation , any further , or longer than he was held up by gods hand , and christs mediation . that god doth oftentimes leave us to own satans suggestions for our own , because we do not own god in his holy motions , and breathings . that its just with god to deny us the comfort of our graces , when we deny him the glory of them . in himself he observed , that what he forgat in the week , would unseasonably press in on the sabbath ; so that he could , if he durst , contrive more worldly business on the sabbath , than he could dispatch all the week . that he found no greater enemy than discouragement , which he called , the childe of pride and unbelief . he used to say , that some duties which were oft in mens mouthes , he found very difficult to him : as , . to deny himself in all his selfs , was a work to be learning whilst he lived . . to live onely by faith , and a bare promise without a pawn is a great work . . to give all to free grace , and to christ alone is a mighty work . . to love where we meet with unlovingness , and contempt , is no easie matter . . to do ones proper work without some present pay , and countenance from god and man , is a hard task . . that it s far harder to adopt others comforts , than their sorrows , and to hold ones self exalted in anothers exaltation . . that to dye in cold blood , and to be active in it as an act of obedience , is the work of a christian. in his sickness he would occasionally vent himself thus : it s a hard thing to think ill of our selves , and well of god at the same time . it s a hard thing for a saint to forgive himself some faults , when god hath forgiven them . it s hard to think holy thoughts long , and to confine them to anothers prayers . we know but little of christs love , till all be perfected , and spread before us in heaven . for his children , he referred them to an old will , which he had made anno christi , when they were many , and small , which because it may be of use to many others , it s here inserted . the advice and counsel of dr. harris to his family , annexed to a will made by him , anno christi . to my dear wife and children ; my dear selfs , i know not what leasure i shall have to speak unto you at my death , and i am not , you know , very free in speech , especially in sickness and sadness , and therefore now i will speak my heart to you , and i would have you to hear me speaking whilst you live , in this my writing which i divide amongst you all . first for you , my dear wife , you shall finde the substance of that i would say to you printed to your hand in the book of martyrs , vol. . p. , to wit , in john careless his letter to his wife ; keep the book , and often read the letter , onely one thing i adde , if you marry again , remember your own observation , viz. that second husbands are very uxorious , second wives very prevalent , and therefore take heed that you do no ill office in estranging your husband from his natural children or kindred ; you shall thereby draw upon him a great sin and judgement , if you kill in him natural affections : i have said , and do with all the strength and power that is in me , thank you for your faithfulness , and resign you to the husband of husbands , the lord christ. now my poor children , let me pour out my heart to you , and speak to your souls first . for your souls . trifle not in the main point , the soul is immortal , you have to deal with an infinite majesty , you go upon life , and death , therefore here be serious ; do all to god in a serious manner . when you think of him , speak of him , pray to him , any way make your addresses to his great majesty , be in good earnest , and have god , and have all . . more particularly , get your pardon in christ : it is not impossible to get it assured to you , if you will learn , . to deny your selves . . to live by faith . . to understand the nature of the new covenant . settle your judgements in these points , and the thing is feasible . . having gotten it , be still adding to your evidence , and enjoy your present assurance : do all to god as to your father . next to this , think how you and i shall endure the sight , the thought one of another at the last day , if you appear in the old adam ; much less shall you stand before christ ; unless you shew the image of christ in you , and therefore never cease till you be made new creatures , and study well what that is . in the last place , strive for those graces most , which concern your places and conditions , and make head against those sins which most threaten you : as first , hereditary sins . i was naturally melancholy , that is a humour that admits of any temptation , and is capable of any impression and distemper : shun as death this humour , which will work you to all unthankfulness against god , unlovingness to man , and unnaturalness to your selves . . of your times , and habitations . . of your tempers and age . . of your callings . i have made my own peace , my sins shall not hurt you , if you make them not yours ; you need not fear the success if you will oppose to sin , christ is made sanctification to you , he came to dissolve the works of satan ; he hath overcome for you , and hath made as many promises for your sanctification , as your justification : gather those promises as they be set down , especially in the covenant with an oath , luke . press these to god , cor. . . in short , do not talk and make a noise to get a name of forward men , but do the thing ; be constant in secret duties , and act religion in your c●llings ; for it is not a name , or notion ; it is a frame of nature , and habit of living by divine rule . what it is , you will then know when you have it in truth first , and in power next , and not before . onely this for the present , it is that you must live , and dye by , that you must rise , and reign by ; therefore , my ch●ldren , i give you that advice , which i gave your brother , now with god ; be more than you seem : do more than you talk of in point of religion : satisfie your own consciences in what you do ; all men you shall never satisfie ; nay , some will not be satisfied , though they be convinced . for your bodies . i was troubled with straightness of breath and breast , which was also hereditary , and therefore you must fear it the more . the remedies are , . disclaim hereditary sins . . keep heads clean , feet warm , and hearts cheerful . . be more frequent than i , and your brother in exercise . . shun late drinking or studying . . use lighter suppers . for your callings . . choose well , . a profitable calling for the publick . . a full imployment . . a calling fit for your parts and means . it is better to be a rich cobler , than a poor merchant . . use a calling well , . make it an help , not a snare to your souls . . be . diligent . . skilful . any honest calling will honour you , if thus you honour it , and therefore you may be hopeful , because my self ( who had not your parts and helps ) never fou●d any thing too hard for me in my calling , but discouragement , and unbelief . for your company . abandon all infectious , flattering , self-serving companions , when onc● you have found them false , trust them no more . sort with such as are able to do , o● receive good . solomon gives you the best counsel for this in many places . read the proverbs , and remember him in this ; . forsake not an old friend . . be friendly , and faithful to your friends . . never trouble , or trust friends unless there be a necessity . . lastly , be long in closing with friends , and loath to lose them upon experience of them . for your marriages . in marriage you lay the foundation of your present woe , or weal ; therefore here be not rash , go not alone , yet remember paul , cor. . . first , study whether you have a calling to marry , yea or no , and advise well of that . if none , forbear ; if so , advise with friends , before your affections be engaged . in your choice , . aim at grace . . good nature and education ; the best woman is not ever the best wife . . good parts of understanding , huswifery , &c. as for portion , be it more or less , be upon certainties , and trust not words ; and for parentage , let not the distance be too great , lest you despise , or be despised : however be sure that the person likes not your fancy , but your judgement . for your children . make it your chiefest work to make them , . godly . . useful . bestow most of their portions in good education ; and if grace make no difference , do you make none in your affections , countenances , portions , partiality , this way ends in nothing else but envy , strangeness , &c. for your selves within your selves . my desire hath been to carry an even hand over you all , and have laboured to reduce you , as near as i could ( all circumstances considered ) to an equality , and therefore my last request , and charge is , that you will live together in an undivided bond of love ; you are many of you , and if you joyn together as one man , you need not want any thing : what counsel , what comfort , what money , what friends may you not help your selves unto , if you will contribute your aides ? wherefore ( my dear children ) i pray , beseech , command , adjure you by all the relations , and dearness that hath ever been betwixt us , that you know one another , visite ( as you may ) each other , comfort , counsel , relieve , succour , help , admonish one another . whilst your mother lives , meet there ( if possible ) yearly . when she is dead , pitch upon some other place , if it may be , your eldest brothers house , or if you cannot meet , yet send to , and hear from one another yearly . and when you have neither father , nor mother , be so many fathers and mothers each to other , so you shall understand the blessing mentioned , psal. . for your estates . be not troubled that you are below your kindred ; get more wisdome , humility , goodness , and you are above them ; onely this do , . study work more than wages . . deal with your hearts to make them less . . begin below . . joyn together to help one another . . rest upon the promises , which are many , and precious this way . . sow mercy . take of your mother ( to this end ) — a piece : give that in works of mercy , and if all other means fail you , that shall maintain you ; i know , i know i say , and i am confident in it , that if ye will be humbled for my barrenness , and will trust god in his own way , he will make comfortable provision for you . object no more , but trust him . for the publick . bless god that you are born english men , and bear your selves dutifully , and conscionably towards authority . see god in the magistrate , and hold order a precious things : and for the church , neither set her above her husband christ , nor below her children ; give her that honour , obedience , and respect that is her due ; and if you will be my children , and heirs of my comfort in my dying age , be neither authors , nor fautors of any , either faction , or novelty . it s true , this is not a rising way , but it is a free , fair , comfortable way for a man to follow his own judgement , without warping to either hand . perhaps you may hear variety of judgements touching my walk , when i sleep in silence , some taxing me for too much , some for too little conformity ; but be not ye troubled : i did what in my circumstances seemed best to me , for the present ; howsoever the event hath not in some points answered expectation , yet i have learned to measure things by another rule than events , and satisfie my self in this , that i did all for the best , as i thought . sure i am , my saviour christ is perfect , and never failed so much as in circumstance . to him i commit your souls , bodies , estates , names , lifes , deaths , all ; and my self waiting when he shall change my vile body , and make it glorious like unto his own , amen . even so come lord jesus , amen . on the memory of that famous and godly minister , dr. robert haris , my late worthy friend . as once elias in john baptist came back to the jews , in that triumphant flame of light and zeal , wherein he did before without deaths help up into glory soar ; and by this transmigration of his grace , prepared paths before his masters face : even so in thee ( blest soul ) did breathe anew great chrysostom , yea great apollos too ; to thee those mighty orators did give their tongues to speak , to thee their life to live : nay , thou thy self didst in thy self renew , thy fort'ys vigour in fourscore ; we knew when all thy strength decayd , thy gifts did thrive , the man is dead , the preacher still alive ; alive in his own sermons in our love , his name alive below , his soul above . and may the younger prophets still inherit a double portion of their fathers spirit ; that by a sacred metempsychosis , the gifts may now be theirs , which once were his ; that every sermon which we hear , may be ( rare preacher ) a true pourtracture of thee ; yea , may it of each following age be true , the former are exceeded by the new ; visions of young surpass old prophets dreams , the fathers light 's outshin'd by childrens beams , that in their measures we may more , and more , th'unmeasur'd fulness of our lord adore . e. reyner . the second part : containing the lives of gvstavus ericson , king of sueden , who was the first reformer of religion in that kingdom . as also of divers other christians , who were eminent for prudence and piety . we desire , that every one of you do shew the same diligence , to the full assurance of hope unto the end . that ye be not slothful , but followers of them , who through faith and patience inherit the promises , heb. . , . london , printed for will. miller , at the gilded acron near the little north-door in st. pauls church-yard , . the life of gustavus ericson king of sueden , who dyed anno christi . in the dayes of christian the second , king of denmark who also laid claim to the crown of sueden , after the decease of swanto , the lords of sueden chose steno stur to be their governor , against whom gustavus , archbishop of upsal opposed himself , loving his place , more than his country ; and being crossed in his expectation , he promotes the interest of christian of denmark , who to set forward his claim to the crown of sueden , spent one year in the pursuit thereof by force of arms , but effected little . nor did the archbishop of upsal get ought in denmark , who saw that he played his own game , nor could he escape the seisure of his temporalities in sueden for his treachery against his native country ; whereupon the year following he obtained the popes sentence of excommunication against the governour of sueden , and all his partakers , for invading the rights of his church and bishoprick ; and hereupon the king of denmark takes courage to invade sweden once more with an army under his general , who in a battel overthrew the suedes , and wounded steno their governour , who thereupon retired to stockholm ( the regal city ) and unto him repaired all such as intended to adventure their all in the defence of their country . the rest of the suedes submitted to the danish general , who encouraged thereby , marched to stockholm ; but meeting with many difficulties in his march , and when he came to the city , finding no hope to draw them to a treaty , and his army being now much wasted , he sent to denmark for recruit ; and after a while the king in person comes to him , and so stockholme is beleagured , which yet held out bravely , so that the danish army being wasted , and the remainder being wind-bound , and almost famished , a treaty of peace is set on foot , and at last agreed unto by both parties . but the king intending nothing less than to stand to it , pretends that he could not come into stockholme to finish the treaty till pledges were first given for the safety of his person . this the suedes assent to , and send him pledges of the sons of the nobles , who were sent aboard his ship , and the kings minde , changing with the wind , away he sails with them into denmark , and there committed them to safe custody : and after four years returns into sueden with a great army , and gives a second overthrow to the suedes in the field , wherein the governour steno was slain : then the king marching to stockholme , findes the city standing upon its guard under the government of christina , the wife of steno ; where for a while we shall leave him in a long , and tedious siege , whilst we give you some account of our gustavus . amongst the pledges carried away , and imprisoned as aforesaid , by the king of denmark was this gustavus , the son of ericus , a noble suedish lord now in stockholme beleagured by the king. this gustavus was of a noble familiy , whose grandfather having married the sister of steno stur , the governour , thereby he became incorporate into the antient stem of the kings of sueden ; and in his younger years he was trained up in the court , under his uncle steno , who was no less valiant in the field , than wise for government in peace . under him did our gustavus learn the principles of war , which afterwards he began to practice under suanto , the next governour . for after the death of steno the first , the difference between the danes and suedes about the government grew so high , that they fought two battels , in both which the suedes were the victors , gustavus carrying the royal standard of sueden , though at that time he was but eighteen years old ; and being now about the age of twenty six , he was ( as was said before ) committed prisoner to the castle of callo in jutland , under the custody of sir ericus banner , a knight of denmark , who kept him warily that he might suffer no wrong , except from the king himself . this imprisonment he had now endured for the space of four years with patience : but having daily intelligence brought him of the danes cruelty to the suedes his countrymen , he concluded that his own condition was like to ulysses in polyphemus his den , being reserved but as a chief dish for the tyrants pallate , when all the rest were devoured . having therefore upon a day obtained liberty to ride on hunting , being eager in the chase ( though he minded another game ) he rode away , and having changed his apparel as well as his course , passing through many unknown wayes and dangers , after a chase of three hundred miles , he arrived at last at lubeck , one of the hanse towns , and that held correspondence with sueden against the dane upon the same quarrel of being oppressed by them . no sooner was gustavus arrived at lubeck , but that his keeper , sir ericus banner , was come thither also in pursuit of him , who demanded of the magistrates the delivery of his prisoner . gustavus pleaded for himself that he was no lawful prisoner to the king of denmark , but amongst others , was delivered by his country as a pledge for the safety of the kings person during the treaty between the king , and his countrymen , and that the king contrary to all right and faith , detaining him , and the other pledges , had carried them captive into denmark ; that now he was under the publick faith of the state of lubeck , to whom he was fled for refuge against oppression , desiring to have the benefit of law , and to have the matter tried ; divers of the senate of lubeck were of opinion that gustavus ought to be returned to the dane as his prisoner , and that it concerned not them to be judges of the lawfulness , or unlawfulness of his imprisonment : but the consul overruled the matter , who affirmed , that though originally they had not power to determine the point , yet gustavus being before them de facto a freeman , and as such , had put himself into the protection of the city of lubeck , and had appealed to them for justice , it becomes them therefore to do herein according to law ; and that by the law of god , the law civil , and the law of nations , they ought to enquire into the true state of gustavus his captivity , and to determine the same upon grounds of justice ; otherwise they might make themselves parties to the king of denmarks oppressions ( if the case prove so ) before they understand what they do . the authority of the consul , and the strength of his reasons prevailed so far with the rest of the senate , that they passed this definitive sentence , that gustavus shall be protected by the state of lubeck , till the cause be tried . this served gustavus his turn for the present , but he knew not how short a time it would continue : he knew that interests of nations are soon changed , especially of such petty states as lubeck was : besides , he had too much other work to do , to continue long in one place , and thereupon secretly , without giving notice to any , save to his good friend the consul , whose counsel he took along with him , he gat aboard a merchants ship , and sailed into the bay of calmar , into which he entred secretly , and finding that they stood upon their guard against the danes , he discovered himself to the lady magnus , that held the castle , acquainting her with the manner both of his captivity and escape ; and taking advantage of the reports which then came of the sad examples of the danish cruelty , and oppessions , he endeavoured to perswade , and encourage the citizens to stand out in defence of the liberties of themselves , their wives , and children , and not to trust to the fair words , and glozing promises of the danes ; but rather to endure a little hardship for a time , assuring them that the face of affairs would be shortly changed . the citizens willingly hearkned to him , but some mercenary souldiers , raising a muteny , had thought to have slain him : but the plot being discovered , the muteny was suppressed , and gustavus advised for his safety to withdraw himself into his own country , and there to obscure himself , till a more convenient time should enable him to carry on his design . he knew this journey would be full of difficulty and danger ; for his way lay through smalland , where the danish emissaries were very active to draw the suedes to moderation , and to submit to the danish yoke : yet through it he adventures , but with much grief of heart to see the country people so miserably deluded ; insomuch that he could not forbear , but told them , that they should consider the cases of many of their country-men , who had as fair promises from the danes , yet met with nothing but miserable bondage . adding that there was much less danger in standing the push of the danish pike , than in committing themselves , and all that was dear unto them to so broken a reed as their fair words , which had not only failed , but mortally wounded the liberties of their country-men , who had given credit to them . say what he could , divers suedes of the better rank in those parts , being pre-ingaged to the danes , perswaded the people otherwise , saying , that the danes aimed onely at the suppressing of such of the suedish nobility , as combined themselves against the kings government : but as for the people , the king was resolved to win them , and that they should never need to fear want so long as salt and herrings lasted : but if they would not be prevailed with , they were all but dead men , except speedily they forsook their country , and fled . gustavus finding the people hereby so affrighted , that they had rather be slaves with quiet , than hazard themselves in war , he found it not convenient for him to stay any longer there , whereupon he secretly departed to terno , amongst his own tenants ; and having there provided himself of necessaries he went thence to refsnass , his fathers house , where he concealed himself for the most part of that summer , yet at length he adventured to discover himself to one that had been a faithful friend to him , and once was archbishop of upsal ; but in those troublesome times had been laid aside , and now was retired to a monastery at gripsh●lm . this man being now grown old , was fearful , and willing to be quiet , though upon hard conditions , wherefore he disswaded gustavus from stirring , alleadging the great advantage that the king had , having an army in the field , and the towns generally under his command , affirming that the king desired nothing more than to ingratiate himself with the people , for whose assurance he had granted letters of grace , and a general pardon , and therein particularly mentioning gustavus himself ; wherefore he advised him to give credit to the king , and to submit to his government . and for my part ( said the old man ) i dare engage to procure from the king a special , full , and free pardon for you if you shall desire it . gustavus heard him with silence , but liked not his undertaking ; for ( thought he ) this old man may hope hereby to screw himself into the kings favour : neither indeed did he like to adventure himself upon the kings promises , wherefore he resolved to wave this old mans counsel , and to retire himself back to rafsnass all this while the king continued in the siege of stockholme , where we formerly left him , endeavouring , partly by force , partly by messages of grace to get possession of that city : for which end he first confirmed the agreement which his general had made with the lords in the field , and then granted a general pardon , and act of oblivion for whatsoever former faults . then sent his hearty commendations , and fair promises to the people in the country by the suedish lords that were of his party , yet in many places it met with little or no respect at all . nevertheless in continuance of time , by the often droppings of his good words , serious pro●●ses , protestations , execrations , letters patents , and declarations under the kings hand and seal , an entrance is made into the hearts of the men at stockholm , the gates at length are opened , and the king admitted entrance , and acknowledged by all to be their lawful king , and then was crowned , and solemn feasts were held for all sorts of people , both suedes , danes and germans . this was a fair morning , but who knows what a great-bellied day may bring forth ? the king all this while was contriving the ruine of the suedish nobility , and now he hath them in one place within walls , and a sufficient guard upon them : but it must be done under the fairest pretence that may be , for the thing it self , was ugly and ill-favoured . hence it was first resolved , that a treason should be supposed to be plotted by the suedes to massacre the danes , and therefore the danes , as in their own defence , should assassinate the suedes ; but this was thought dangerous , and might in the event turn to the destruction of the danes in so populous a city , and who knows what men in despair may do ? then another way was propounded , viz. that the king must look upon the suedish lords as under the popes curse , and sentence of excommunication , and to draw forth the kings justice with more colourable zeal , the archbishop of upsal , who had procured that sentence , must openly accuse the suedish lords as excommunicated persons , for treason against the king , robbery of the church , and as spoylers of the dignity and estate of the archbishop , and therefore he must demand judgement against them ? and this was approved of . and the better to draw these suedish lords together , a feast is appointed the third day after the coronation , at which also the germans and danes were present , and then before them all , the arcbishop of upsal ( though unwillingly when he saw what would be the event ) steps forth before the king , and accuses the suedish lords of injury done by them to himself both in person and estate , and demanded ●atisfaction for his damages . the king liked not this charge as not being home enough , and therefore told him , that he forgat the popes sentence , the crime of treason , and his own place , who ought in zeal to the church to have demanded punishment upon the persons offending . after which he commanded the guards to seize upon the suedish lords , and ( as some writers say ) shewed them so much mercy as to let them live till the next day ; and in the interim he set guards upon all the avenues to the city that none might be suffered to depart out of it . and the next day being november . anno christi , not by legal trial ; but in a way of butchery , he murthered near a hundred of the nobles , and chief men of sueden , and citizens of stockholm , and then letting loose the souldiers upon the city and country , all sorts of persons , ecclesiastical , civil , great , mean , men , and women , and children suffered all manner of violences and deaths that cruelty could devise ; their rage extending , not onely to the living , but to the dead , towards whom they used all the opprobrious indignities that could be , the lively character whereof may be described better by some dane that saw it , or some that were interessed in the scicilian vespers , or the parisian nuptials , or irish massacre than by my pen. after these horrid murders , and outrages , covetousness began to ascend the stage , the king seizing upon all the estates , both of the dead and living , and to make all sure , the liberties of sueden being thus brought into the state of a dead man , they thought to buy them also so as they might never rise again : to which end , they set guards in all places , published edicts , and did not onely deprive the suedes of their armour , but of their arms and legs also , saying in scorn , that a swede could plow his ground well enough with one arm , and a wodden leg . but the last , and worst of evils was abominable hypocrisie . for this christian kings conscience ( forsooth ) is pretended for what he did : he was touched with much compassion , and would not have done it , but that his conscience tyed him thereto in zeal to the church , and obedience to the popes sentence of excommunication ; and thus religion is made the patron of all these villanies . yet all this quieted not the kings conscience , but he hastes out of uecden , possibly fearing lest the ground should open her mouth , and swallow him up , or lest the fame of his cruelty should arrive before him in denmark , and make that nation abhor , and vomit him out . but behold how vengeance follows him ! now is he gone home , king of the three kingdomes of the baltick sea , and to secure sueden , he had left guards in every place : but cruelty never conquered mens spirits ; a tyrant may be feared of all , but is hated of all , and his own conscience so pursues him , that he can be quiet no where . and so it fell out with this king ; for within three years he lost all his three kingdomes without adventuring one drop of blood , or striking one blow for them . the manner shall be after glanced upon ; but my present work is to shew how sueden , now under water , comes to lift up its head again . this sad news at stockholme coming to the ears of gustavus now at rafsness , and in particular the murther of his own father ericas amongst the rest of the nobles , he was not at all discouraged , but rather provoked with a desire of revenge , and to rescue his country from such barbarous tyranny ; yet what with grief and detestation of such execrable cruelty , and doubt that many would be affrighted thereby from appearing in their countries cause , his spirit was much troubled , and rendred less able at the present to determine upon the manner of his proceeding ; and therefore in all haste away he goes to the mountain-people with this news ; but they , scarce civillized , are little sensible of their countries cause gustavus therefore makes no stay there , but away he goes to a castle in those parts commanded by one aaron peter , a noble man , whom once he knew to be well affected to the liberties of his country , and to him he discovered himself what he was , and what were his intentions , desiring his counsel ; but he found the man , and others in those parts so amazed at the news of stockholme , as that they forgat both themselves and the publick , and were rather willing to couch under any burden , than to make opposition against it ; yea so fearful they were of being suspected by the danes , that they rather desired to be esteemed wholly at their service , and especially aaron peter , who ( though he pretended pity and compassion to gustavus in this condition ) and promised not onely security to his person if he would abide with him , but his best assistance in compassing the ends propounded by him ; yet having drawn from him the utmost of his resolutions , after a few dayes , wherein he had carryed himself fairly to avoid suspicion , he gets himself abroad , and away he went to the danish lieutenant bruno , and discovers to him the whole matter , as well concerning gustavus his intentions , as what counsel himself had given him . but aaron forgat one point of policy , which was , to let none know his intentions but his own heart ; for he told his wife , whither , and what he went about ; who being more true to her country , and regardful of the laws of common honesty and hospitality , than her lord was , when he was gone , told gustavus , whither her lord was gone , and to what purpose , and therefore advised him forthwith to shift for himself , furnishing him with her own horse to go to suertso , to one that had been gustavus his colleague in the university . the day following came bruno the dan● , with twenty souldiers to apprehend gustavus at aaron peters house ; but his lady told him that gustavus was secretly departed the day before ; and so the prey being lost , bruno returns without sport . thus god made a woman a great instrument in saving sueden from miserable ruine . gustavus being come to suertso found kinde entertainment ; but consideration being had to the restless 〈◊〉 pursuit of the danes , it was thought convenient that he should not stay long there ( for now the enemy hunted upon hot sent ) and therefore he departed privately beyond the dallcarls unto retwick . these dallcarls are a people of sueden strong and hardy , men of resolution , and being inured to work hard in the mines , were fit for action , whence ( as some writers note ) they have their name of dallcarls or carles , or robustious men of the dales , having by reason of their priviledges this advantage , that they are numerous and rich . to these gustavus applies himself , and relates to them the particulars of the massacre at stockholme , whereby the suedes had lost much of their best blood ; he told them also what further danger the nation was in , which he in good language set forth to the life ( for he could no less skifully manage his tongue than his arms . ) the dallcarls pitying the state of their country , and having respect to themselves , and their friends , they told gustavus , that they would adventure all that was dear to them to be revenged on the danes , and to vindicate their nation from bondage ; onely they desired him that he would engage their brethren of the eastern dales with them . this gustavus willingly undertook , and forthwith departed to mora , the chief city of those dales , whither coming about the latter end of december , the next day he obtained audience of them , and told them , that he should not need to make any preface to gain their attention , being perswaded that the matter of his discourse would ease him of that trouble ; he therefore prayed them to take into consideration the perplexed condition of the suedish nation in those later years , that through their own distractions , and civil , or rather uncivil discontents they had betrayed the liberties of sueden into the hands of strangers , who instead of seeking the publick weal , had wrought altogether for the advancement of their own interest , the people of sueden being in the mean time glutted with misery , and drunk with tears , having themselves , their wives , children , and estates , prostituted to murthers , torments , rapine , and all manner of contempt . i appeal ( saith he ) to the old men , they know it , they cannot forget it , and the young men may know it , if they will ask their elders . and shall there never be an end of these miseries ? are the suedes become a people alwayes to be trampled upon , devoured , and made food for forreigners ? call ( i pray you ) to minde the government of that tyrant , ericus of pomerland , his cruelties , oppressions , and extortions ; and remember that you , that you i say of the dales , rose unanimously in defence of your country against him , and therein hazarded all that was dear to you , even to your lives , and thereby compelled him with shame to return to his own country . and now look about you and consider , are you in any better condition under the enraged danes ? a people that bear an immortal hatred to our nation , and are themselves hateful to all nations but themselves : can you expect better dealing now from them , than you have found hitherto after an hundred years experience ? hear the cryes of the survivers at stockholm , the fatherless and widows , the dying groans of so many brave men of this nation , under the cruel torments , and unsatiable butcheries ; the abhorred massacre of all sorts , degrees , and sexes , and ages , contrary to all faith , promises , oaths , execrations and engagements under hand and seal . it may be they will now promise you peace , justice , and what not ? did they not give all these assurances to our dead friends at stockholme ? and yet they brake all bonds and engagements , and will you believe their words ? no , no ; the danes are still the same men , or rather inhumane monsters that ever they were ; their hatred is now broken forth into a flame , which will never be quenched , so long as the riches , or any blood of the suedish nobility lasteth , nor will ever cease till it hath run over all the country . do you not every day hear the sad news of this approaching evil ? is it not almost come to your own doors ? and will you sit still till it hath seized on your neck ? is it not much better ( if we must dye ) to dye like souldiers , than like slaves ? are the danes more than men , and we less than women ? i am here present this day : command my estate , person , and life , and i will adventure all in this service , if you will joyn with me in any way , though i should serve but as a private souldier . for i had rather dye a free nobleman of sueden , in the defence of my country , than live to see it underperpetual vassallage . the moreans being much affected with this speech , professed their readiness to appear in the defence of their dear friends and country-men , in whose liberties and lives their own were wrapped up . yet they prayed him , for the present , to retire himself to some place of privacy for his own safety , till their neighbours of the western dales might be in a sit posture to joyn with them , assuring him that in the interim they would not slack their preparations . gustavus took this answer courteously , and away he flyes to the western dallcarles bordering upon the mountains , to gain them into a posture ; and there also meeting with fresh news of the bloody cruelty of the danes , he goes once more amongst the mountains , where having to deal with sharp weather , rough and unknown wayes , more trodden by wilde beasts than men ; yet indignation against the enemies , and zeal for his country , adde new courage , and resolution against all difficulties , and dangers , and at last he makes trial of the peoples minde again : but they , scarcely sensible of any thing but what was under ground , and knowing no happiness above mining , nor any misery worse than it , turned a deaf ear to all that he spake , till at length gustavus came to the house of laurence olai , an active , and brave knight in those parts , who had sometime served steno stur , the governour , with much valour and faithfulness . he , joyning with gustavus , told the mountainers that gustavus had given them true intelligence concerning the suedish miseries under the danish cruelties at stockholme , and other places : further adding , that he had received late information , that the danish king intended a royal progress through all sueden , to receive homage of the people , and had by proclamation enjoyned gibbets to be erected in all places , and that letters were coming down into the country to provide quarter for the danish souldiers that were to be as a guard to the king in his progress . this news wrought effectually upon them , and as they were considering what to do , messengers came from the country of the dallcarles round about to seek after gustavus ; but he was gone further out of reach , to lima. hereupon the mountainers resolve to joyn with those of the dales to request gustavus his speedy return , whom they would make their captain ; and accordingly he came back with the messengers , where he found the people assembled , who received him with loud acclamations of joy , and made him governour and captain of the dallcarles , swearing fealty , and obedience to him , assigning him a life-guard of choice young men for his honour and safety . thus one great work is over . gustavus had all this while to do with a people whose principles were fixed in their manufactures ; and though they had many eyes , and could discern things nigh at hand well enough , yet could they not discern the times , nor from thence make conclusions what they ought to do . for god never made all men for all things . miners are no good states-men , nor states-men good miners ; and therefore it s the less marvel that gustavus spent an whole year in this painful pilgrimage , with continual labour and danger , and all to make this people sensible of their condition , and willing to defend their liberties before it was too late ; and yet could he prevail nothing , till the danish feast at stockholme ( not above two moneths past ) roused them out of their security . but now gustavus was in a posture for the field , as a captain for the liberties of sueden , against a known enemy , or tyrant rather , who thought that he had setled his government in sueden , both by law and arms. nor indeed can this work be looked upon but as a special work of divine omnipotency , in compassion to an oppressed , and undone people , that so strong a principle of magnanimity , zeal , and constancy , should lead one man thus in this service through all opposition and danger ; but these are but small things in comparison of what remained , and was further done by him . gustavus being thus engaged , proceeds to gather his army , and to him laurentius olai joyns , together with the friends and servants of those noble men who were murthered at stockholme , and others disinterested who were in danger of the danish interdict , and with these he begins first to march on candlewas day , anno christi , leading his men to the copper mountains , where he surprised the governour and other officers belonging to the mines , seizing upon all the danish goods , the kings revenue , and the tenths , and so returned into the valley . by this means he gained in some measure a stock for the encouragement of his souldiers , whereby his army encreased daily , and he facing about , went to the other mountains , where , by general consent , he was made their lord and governour : after which he divided his army into two parts , leaving one in the mountains under the command of peter sueno , a famous captain , to whom many of the inhabitants joyned themselves , and these he kept as a reserve , to assist him as occasion required . with the other part of his army he marched into the country of helsing , which on one side bordered upon the sea , having the valley of the dallca●les on the other ; and this he did , as well to gain a passage by sea , if occasion should require , as to secure his army the more by such good neighbourhood : but whilst he thus advanced into helsing , letters were sent unto the mountainers from the archbishop of upsal , the old enemy of the suedish liberties , signed by himself , his father ericus trolli , and bennet canutus , who stiled themselves the council of the kingdome of sueden ; the purport whereof was , to beseech them to be mindful of their duty to their sovereign the king , and of the peace of the kingdome of sueden , with large promises of the kings grace and favour to them , and of a safe conduct to gustavus , if he would lay down arms ; adding that by so doing , differences might be composed for their great advantage : but all the entertainment these letters met with was , indignation , and scorn . the helsingers gave gustavus no harsh entertainment , yet was his presence not very acceptable , they besought him that they might be spared from present engagement in arms , their country being exhausted and much impoverished by the late troubles : gustavus hereby found that their temper was not for his turne ; he must have men of resolution , and therefore he accepted of their submissive answer , and leaving them to second thoughts , he marched thence into gestrict , where the people readily submitted to him , and so he returned to the dales again , having by this march encreased his army to the number of five thousand good old souldiers , who having formerly hidden themselves in several places , now repaired to him . the archbishop of upsal finding what little respect his letters had with the mountainers , he resolved to do that by force , which his fair language could not effect ; and therefore he sent henry de milen , with a commanded party of souldiers into the dales , to reduce them betimes , and to crush the bird in the egge . gustavus being informed of his coming , advanceth to meet him , de milen hearing this , retires from him , professing to the archbishop , that gustavus was not to be dealt with by parties : but the truth is , a spirit of trepidation had possessed the danes , or else being in the field , as they were , they would never have suffered an enemy thus to gather under their noses , nor have dallied thus with gustavus by parties , when they had a just army in readiness . gustavus was otherwise minded , he had begun , and now there was no retreating ; he will now let all men know that he was so far from fearing the danes , that he undertakes a long march to finde them out , and fight them within their own walls , and accordingly he advanceth to westerass , a city having a castle , and being rich by a continual market of copper and iron brought daily from the mountains thither , and therefore there the danes had placed a garrison . gustavus by this march also had much encreased his army by the confluence of the country to him , whereupon he divided his army into three battels , the van was commanded by laurentius olai , the middle by laurentius ericus , whom he commanded to march through the valley of balingsass , and to encamp near to st. olais chappel , but not to attempt any thing without further order . the enemy not minding to stay their leisure ; and observing the manner of laurentius his approach , gave h●m a full charge , especially with their horse , which was so bravely entertained by laurentius , that the danes gave ground , and at last both horse and foot were driven to a disorderly retreat , whom laurentius pursued . gustavus hearing hereof , and fearing lest his mens forwardness might carry them beyond their post , he hasted into the van , though with some danger to his person , and with the loss of some that were nigh to him , and when he came , he found laurentius engaged even unto the streets of the city in pursuit of the flying enemy , so that it was dangerous to bring them to a stand , whereupon he gave them their liberty , and with them he follows the enemy through the streets . but the danes , when they came into the market place , ra●lied themselves , and made a stand behind their ordinance , which were ready planted to give the suedes a salutation upon their first approach : but laurentius fricus with the middle battel , found out a nearer way , and was already gotten into the city , and now charged the danes in their rear , making them quit their place , and their ordnance , and thereby saved much blood which might have been shed of the suedish side . the souldiers in the castle seeing their friends thus beaten , shot fiery bullets , whereby the city was fired in sundry places ; but the suedish souldiers quenched the fire , and saved the city . the danes in the city being sled to their intrenchments , defended themselves till they had strengthened the garrison in the castle , and then by the help of their boats , gat them to stockholme . this victory , as it discouraged the enemy , so it much encouraged many secret friends to their country to forsake the danes , and to take part with gustavus , amongst whom was arvidus , a west goth , whom gustavus knew so well , that he presently sent him with part of the army to besiege the castle of steckburrow , and to watch the motion of the people in those parts . other castles also were besieged ; but laurentius ericus was sent with his brigade to upsal , and laurentius olai , with the country people that now flocked to him from all parts , was appointed to second him . as they marched thitherward they intercepted the scouts of the governour of upsal ; and the next day letters were sent from the governour , and magistrates of upsal to the suedish commander in chief , to desire liberty according to their wonted manner every year upon st. ericus day , to hold their procession with the shrine of st. ericus , to the church of old upsal , being half a mile without their city ; to which , answer was returned , that it belonged to the suedes , not to the danes to hold that solemnity . the governour though he missed the procession , yet would not lose his feast ; he therefore would let the suedes know , that he could keep his feast though the suedish army waited upon his trenches ; and accordingly held his feast in the archbishops garden . but the next morning before break of the day , the suedish army came to the walls , seized upon the guards , and entred the city , whilst the danes half asleep , and as yet scarce sober , being surprized with a pannick fear , fled out of the city , fiering of it as they went : but the suedes appointing a party to quench the fire , pursued the danes till they had passed the river , in which passage the governour was shot with an arrow , whereof he died at stockholm . about eight dayes after comes gustavus from westerass to upsal , a●d calling the canons of the college together , he asked them whether they were suedes or danes , charges them with the blood , spoyl , and misery of sueden , affirming that they , and their archbishop had nourished all the rebellions in sueden against their lawful governours , that they were betrayers of their countries liberties into the hands of forreigners ; that ere long they must be responsible for those actions , and in the mean time he required fealty from them , and security that in their stations they would maintain the peace and liberty of the country . they humbly answer by petition , desiring that he would consider their engagement to their archbishop , now at stockholme , and that they might have leave to send to him to see if they could prevail to take him along with them in this engagement , promising to write to him to invite , and perswade him hereunto . this gustavus was content to grant , and wrote himself by the same messenger : but what other message the canons sent privately , the event renders somewhat doubtful . for the letters were received with contempt , and the messenger detained , the archbishop saying , that he would carry an answer in his own person ; and accordingly he caused a body of horse and foot immediately to be drawn forth , with which he marched with that speed and secresie , that they were within two miles of upsal , before gustavus heard any thing of their coming . gustavus now too late , began to consider his own weakness , his army being divided in so many severall imployments , and the enemies ( if he was not misinformed ) exceeding him in strength : whereupon he debated with himself what were fittest for him to do : the city was unassured to him , if not assured against him : if he retreat , it would be construed for a flight : if he stay , he must put all to the hazard : he considered also that though he might suffer in his honour by a retreat , yet that might be repaired again , but if he lost his men , that loss would be irreparable both as to his own honour , the liberty of sueden , and the safety of his party . hereupon he speedily withdrew out of the city into a wood not far off : and the archbishop without opposition entring the city , is soon informed thereof , and as eagerly pursues him to the wood , where the suedes had made a stand , and gave not ground for all that the danes could do against them . as gustavus was bestirring himself from place to place , his horse fell into a quagmire , where , being espied by the danes , he was knock't from his horse , and had been at their mercy ; but that a party of about twenty of the suedish horse came seasonably to his rescue , and horsed him again ; after which , returning to charge the enemy afresh , they retired , but yet in good order , which gustavus observing , he was willing to make a golden bridge for a flying enemy , and so let them go quietly to upsall . gustavus had now leisure to consider what to do : and found by experience a double error in his proceedings : first that he had divided his army into so many parts , that none of them was of it self sufficient to oppose the enemy in case they should gather to an head : the other , that in his march ( contrary to caesars rule ) he had not reduced the enemies castles ; but le●t them , as birds of prey , to fall upon any of his parties , when they should be weak . he considered also , that if now he should leave the wood , he was environed with those castles , and had the enemies army entire , and near him . what shall he now do ? men bring themselves into straits , and plunges , but god brings them out . gustavus had a party now besieging the castle of westerass , who hearing of the fight between the archbishop , and gustavus , rose , and hasted to him . gustavus being thus recruited , turns to the left hand , leaving upsal on the right , and so bended his march towards stockholme , supposing that they might meet with the archbishop , before he could recover stockholme ; and herein his expectation was not frustrated : for if gustavus committed two errours , the archbishop fell into one which was worse than both of them , and that was , that being returned to upsal , he considered not that he had left gustavus in a posture of defence , who also might possibly recruit his army , and so meet with him in his return to stockholme if he made not the better haste ; and so indeed it fell out , gustavus met him , fought him , and after an hours dispute , gustavus his arguments were of that force , that the archbishop hardly escaped into stockholme with tenth part of his army . gustavus follows him , and entrenches his army near to the city , but considering that the city was full of danes , and that most of the suedes after the late massacre had forsaken their houses , and that it was like to hold out long , he was casting with himself how to encrease his army ; but he was soon eased of that care : for the helsingers , that hitherto had concealed themselves , now come unanimously , and offer their service to him , and the like did many old souldiers of germany , insomuch as he was less able to provide quarter for them than men . but what doth the king of denmark all this while ? is not he ready by this to march with a compleat army to save a kingdome that is ready to be lost ? no doubt but he had a good minde to it ; but his condition was such that he durst not stir from home . for as he went out of sueden without one god-speed , so he came into denmark without one welcome-home . he was so dyed in blood that all were afraid of him : his victory was abominated , his person odious , and his government grown intolerable ; wherefore finding that he could raise no army at home , and that if he should go out of denmark he might lose all there , and get nothing but blows abroad ; he commands his governour in the isle of gothland to relieve the danes in sueden as occasion should require ; in pursuance whereof , he repairs thither , and after one repulse suffered , he relieved the castle of steckburg , besieged by arvidus , and then changing the garrison , he committed the keeping of it to one bernard de milen . gustavus considering that the siege of that place would prove dangerous to arvidus , if the country , and neighbourhood were not assured to him ; he sent to the bishop of hincopen , and having prevailed with him , by his advice , he summoned a meeting of all the states of east and west gothland , smalland , vermeland , and of the dales ; and when they were assembled , he prayed them to take into consideration the condition of their country : that the misery thereof was occasioned onely through their divisions and variety of interests ; and the government having been of late in the hands of forreigners , the publick weal hath thereby been much endamaged . he said , he should not need to enlarge upon the particular burdens which they felt and groaned under . the great business which he desires them to take into consideration was , to advise , and conclude upon the means of redress : as for himself he would deliver his opinion freely and cleerly , viz. that no means on earth could cure these evils , but a speedy and effectual unanimity , and joynt endeavour to restore the old principles of government , by one supreme governour , and a free parliament of the states , as formerly had been used : but if they had any further advice therein , he earnestly desired to be informed by them , assuring them that whatsoever they should judge meet to be done in order to a settlement , he would endeavour the accomplishment of the same , though to the sacrificing of his life , and all that was dear to him . this speech being ended , there was a joynt acclamation , and assurance given , that they all fully , and freely assented to his opinion , and were ready to assist him therein to the utmost , withall , giving him great thanks for his undertaking their rescue out of the tyrants hands , earnestly requesting him to proceed till he had perfected the same , whereunto they would constantly contribute their prayers to god for his gracious assistance , and for the protection of his person ; and for his further assurance , they do not only acknowledge , and promise submission to him as their lawful governour ; but they pray that it may not seem grievous to him to take upon him the place , and title of their lawful lord and king. to this gustavus answered , that he took up arms against the common enemy of his country , not aiming at rule , but at the peoples liberty from the iron yoke of the danish tyranny , under which themselves , their wives and children lay bound day , and night ; that he called not himself to the work , but onely offered his assistance therein ; that he was invited to command by the transilvanian suedes of the dales ; that his detestation of that abhorred butchery at stockholme ( wherein , not onely many personages fit to do their country service , but many of his own blood lost their lives and estates ) did enrage his spirit to it , so that he thought nothing dangerous for him to adventure , so that he might take vengeance for it , which made him yeeld to the invitation of the men of the dales : and if you also ( said he ) will joyn your aid in this work , and can conside in my command , i will not refuse to be your captain and governour untill the enemy be fully vanquished , and our country cleared from them . but as touching the making of a king , you may take that into consideration when the war shall be fully finished ; for then whomsoever the states of sueden shall elect to be king or governour , his will i be to serve in any condition . this speech was received with joyful acclamations , and an unanimous vote that gustavus should be accepted for their lord and governour ; and accordingly all that were present sware fealty to him , and faithful obedience next under god. this was a little parliament of part of the nation , and chiefly intended to assure those places where the war was , and to unite them in a more vigorous prosecution thereof ; and the success was answerable : for hereupon many towns and castles of west-gothland , and small and , readily surrendred , and submitted to gustavus , whose deputies being sent to the council , and convinced in their judgements of the justness of the cause , the people had obliged themselves to stand to what their deputies should conclude . hereupon gustavus finding less need of imploying so many souldiers in these neighbouring parts , he sends a party into finland , to which many of the people joyned : amongst whom was one grabb , a valiant man , and skilful sea-captain , who having armed a few ships , with them assaulted such places upon the coast as held for the dane , sometimes in one part , sometimes in another ; surprising towns , slaying many , doing all by night , and before the next morning he was gone , no body knew whither , nor which way . this caused the enemies to divide their forces , to guard so many places at once ; and in the mean time the suedes sat down before abbo , though they were there hard matched , and sometimes overmatched by the danes ; for as yet that part of the country had not felt the danish cruelty , though if they had prospered , they should not long have escaped the same . the castle of steckburg , after above half an years siege , was taken by arvidus , the governour whereof being committed to prison , after he had lain there two moneths , he submitted to gustavus , and sware fealty to him . the governour of the isle of gothland being ignorant of these passages , came with a fleet , well provided to relieve the castle ; but when he came to the promontory , he was suddenly assailed by the suedish ships which lay behinde the same ; and after the loss of six hundred of his men , he was glad to betake him to his wings . shortly after , arvidus was sent with part of his army to block up calmar , the rest being sent to the camp before stockholme ; for the danish admiral , after the late defeat , having repaired his losses with a new supply of men and ships , came to the relief of them in stockholme , and the danes being strengthened by this recruit , sallied out of the city , and beat up one of the suedish quarters , so that for a moneths space , the city remained disingaged . gustavus now finding by experience that stockholme was a morsel too big for him to swallow , without further strength , he bent his principal industry for the recovery of other places garrisoned by the danes , and amongst other places the city of nicopen was at length yeelded up to him by the governour , henry canzow , with whom letters were found from the danish tyrant , which required him to put to death all the suedes that came into his power , especially those of the nobility : but as he had too much humanity in him to execute so bloody a decree , so he liked it not in others , and therefore he told gustavus , that letters of the same purport were sent to other places , and he believed they would be put in execution , which fell out accordingly in finland ; for the governour of abbo , being blocked up ( though not formally besieged ) by the suedes , caused divers of the chief men of finland to be assassinated : but ericus flemming being forewarned of the danger , and now in the governours hand , offered his service , with so many suedes as adheared to the danes , to adventure their lives the night following to beat the suedes before the city out of their quarters , which being liked by the governour , he asigned him such men as he desired , who accordingly entred the suedish quarters , but liked their entertainment so well , that they returned no more into abbo : and thus he escaped that danger which many others shortly after smarted under . gustavus having gained nicopen , the castles of tineslor , and westerass , presently after were delivered up to him , the latter having endured a siege of nine moneths : but finding all his labour before stockholme lost , unless he could encrease his strength at sea , he sent to lubeck for men of war , and ammunition , who readily assented being oppressed by the danes in their trade . nine ships were sent to gustavus within a few moneths with ammunition , and souldiers , who had a great minde to see gustavus before they would engage ; but being satisfied when they had seen him , they all swear to be faithful to him ; part of these gustavus sent to the siege of calmar , the other part he carried along with him to the siege of stockholme ( as it was the policy of war amongst the romans to divide their auxiliaries ) and then he sent the country-men to their several habitations . within a few weeks after , eight more ships of war arrived from lubeck at stockholme , and being thus more secured at sea , gustavus re-inforced the siege in a more regular way than formerly . the suedes before abbo finding the work too hard for them , withdrew their forces , and the governour being now at liberty , by order from the danish admiral , prepared a ship of war , with ammunition , and souldiers , for the relief of stockholme , which early in a morning coming to the fore-land , sent out a skiffe for discovery , which was intercepted by ericus flemming , now admiral of the suedes , who clearing the men out of the skiffe , and manning it with suedes in the same fashion , he sent it back , into which , when the governour of abbo was entred to enquire after news , they presently apprehended him , and carried him away , and being hardly chased by the danish ships , they suddenly fell amongst the suedes , and being charged by them , some were taken , and others escaped . but the governour of abbo being brought to gustavus , he presently hanged him on a tree , for his cruel assasinating the nobility of finland . within a few weeks after the danish admiral came with five ships for the relief of stockholme , but being within view , and not liking the coast , he returned without doing any thing , and gustavus now finding the sea safely guarded , he prosecuted his siege more vigoriously , making his approaches to the very suburbs , and by bridges closing his quarters . hereupon the city began to be in distress , and many escaping out , submitted to gustavus : amongst these , a spy is sent out , who under colour of submission , was to make discovery , and as occasion served , either to return into the city , or to haste into denmark to acquaint the king with the state of their affairs . this spy was discovered , and being searched , letters were found sown up in his cloaths , whereupon he was convicted , and executed : and this being known in the city , and judged to be by intelligence from some within , all the suedes were ordered to depart , but such as would take up arms for the danes . on the other side , gustavus having intelligence of preparations , intended for the relief of the danes in sueden , he sent a party into norway to begin a war there , who meeting with little opposition , soon made themselves masters of the province of wicken , the castle of carlsburg , the danes being in no posture to oppose them , as the case stood . for christian the second , then king of denmark , by reason of his injustice and oppressions of his own people , whilst he invaded the lives , liberties , and estates of all sorts , and for his execrable murders , and perfidiousness in sueden ; his contumelious outrages towards strangers , and his uncivil behaviour towards his own queen , who was sister to the emperour , charles the fifth , having hereby provoked all men against him , but more especially the duke of holst , he proclaimed war against the king ; and the nobility of denmark , perceiving that they were distrusted by their king , who relying upon strangers , intended to bring them into government in denmark , and so to rule his kingdome by force and rigour , they joyned with the duke , and invited him into jutland , where all joyned with him . and christian now too late , though too soon to him , concluding that the duke would be made king , leaves his throne and country , providing for his safety elsewhere ; and shipping himself , his queen , children , and all the treasure he could scrape together , he sailed into germany ; first going to the duke of brandenburgh , and then to the elector of saxony : and after some time he found means to raise an army for the recovery of his kingdome , but not keeping touch with his souldiers , he lost his army and kingdome a second time ; whereupon despairing of good success , he fled into flanders , where he lost his queen , the greatest comfort he had left him in the world ; not onely in regard of her relation to the emperour , but in regard of her excellent vertues , whereby she was so much beloved of the danes , that they offered to submit to her as to their lawful queen if she would stay in denmark ; but she , like her self , chose to live in exile with her husband , rather than to reign without him . the danes in sueden understood these things , and those of them that were besieged in the castle of calmar were ordered to hold out as long as they could , and then to fire the city , & ship themselves for the isle of gothland ; but the citizens being informed hereof , in the night time opened their gates , and let in the suedes , who soon made themselves masters of the castle , and after that , of the isle of oland , whereof when tidings came to stockholme , they proffered to surrender , but upon such conditions as gustavus would not accept of . now did the suedish affairs seem to promise a calm nigh at hand ; whereupon gustavus thought it convenient to endeavour a settled form of government , for which end he summoned a general meeting of all the states at stregness , who being assembled , he told them , that now things were in a hopeful way of peace ; that it was necessary for the publick peace , and justice of the nation , that the antient form of government should be revived : that for the present they see the nation without a supream magistrate , and without a senate : that the former hath murthered the later , and the people ejected the former : that he hoped in a short time to render an account of the nation reunited , and in a peaceable condition , which is the end of war ; but some person must be elected to govern them when in a peaceable condition , and a senate must be constituted according to the antient custome of sueden , who may elect the supreme governour : that they , the states of sueden , are the only first movers in this work , and have power to constitute this senate anew , and therefore he prayes them to proceed according to their discretions for the settlement of the government , and such instruments as are necessary , and conducing thereto . the states seeing their way clear before them , without further demur proceed to the election of a senate , consisting of some of those of the former senate who had escaped the enemies fury , and continued faithfull : to whom they added others of the great men : and having constituted them , they granted to them the same power , and priviledges which the ancient senate had , and in particular , to elect one such person as they should think meet to be their lawfull king or governour . the senate being thus chosen , and impowred , they unanimously elect gustavus for their king , and send a message thereof to him , humbly requesting that he will not refuse to take the kingdome upon him , and to perfect the work of restoring liberty to the nation , and vindicating the same from all tyranny . gustavus having heard this message , answered , that the burthen of governing a kingdome was too heavy for his shoulders . that it was one thing to govern in warre , wherein he was trained , and another thing to be a king , wherein he was not skilled . that he was well wearied already with the dangers , cares , and labours of the warre , and now having brought the nation into a posture of subsistence in peace , he hath his ends , and therefore desires them to rest contented therewith , and that they would make choice of some other person of the nobility of sueden to be their king , assuring them that himself would gladly serve under him whom they should choose , and so thanking them for their good opinion of him , he dismissed the messengers . the states , and senate having heard this answer , were no wise satisfied with it , and therefore renew their requests ( the popes legate also joyning with them ) and tell gustavus plainly that they will not receive any negative , nor can he evade the election if he regard the senate , or convention of states , or the peoples good . gustavus hereupon is at length overswayed , and yet abhorring all unworthy self-ends , he professed his acceptance only upon the same grounds which moved them to elect him : and that withall he was convinced that the work was of that nature that he was unable to go through with it , & therefore he would rest upon the lord of sabbath for his assistance , and protection , and next under him , upon the lords of sueden , whose wisdome , care , and industry he much prized ; especially desiring the earnest , and daily prayers of all the people , upon which account only he would submit to their desires . and so , according to the ancient custome , by mutuall obligations of oaths , gustavus is solemnly declared , and proclaimed king of sueden : yet refused he to be crowned till five years after . the first thing that was done after this election was the requitall of the lubeckers , for adventuring their men , ships , and estates , with the suedes , against the danes ; in recompence whereof the suedes granted , that they would never make peace with the danes without the consent of the lubeckers . that upon the surrender of stockholme , such wares , goods , and debts therein , as the lubeckers , and dantzickers should own upon oath , should be secured , and returned to them . that the lubeckers shall be paid for their service . that the sea should be free for them , and that they shall have a free trade in sueden . that they only of all forreign nations shall have a free trade in the ports of stockholme , calmar , sarcopen , and abbo . that the king shall do them right . that he shall never set prizes upon any of their merchandise , nor compell them to sell , or leave their goods against their wills . that their goods and estates wracked , shall be restored to the owners , without loss . that their goods sold in sueden by their mariners , or servants without order , shall be restored to their owners , and the offenders punished . that the king of sueden shall not harbour any of the enemies of lubeck . that if any difference shall arise between the suedes , and lubeckers , the same shall be ordered by four lords of sueden sent to lubeck , and so many citizens of lubeck joyning with them . these were confirmed under the hands , and seals of the king , and lords of sueden , and commissioners of lubeck . this was more than a recompence to the city of lubeck , had they been as careful to keep touch with the suedes as the suedes were with them . shortly after stockholme was surrendred to the king , who entred the same in the month of june , after welnigh three years siege , wherein the danes had time enough to have relieved it , if they had been convinced of any right that they had to the kingdome of sueden . upon his entry he was proclaimed king of sueden and gothland , with great applause and joy of all sorts . hereupon divers towns and castles were surrendred to him ; and in the reare , the dukedome of bleking , and the town and castle of elsburgh , the onely commodious port that the suedes have into the western sea. but still the dukedome of finland , and the adjacent countries were out of the kings possession ; and therefore beginning now to study good husbandry for those people whom he must own , he dismissed his forreign forces , and the residue of his army he sent into finland under the command of ivar , and ericus fleming , who within the space of one year reduced all that country into obedience , and the northern people submitted upon the credit of their neighbours , so that the whole kingdome was now united under the kings command , and he had nothing to do but to study peace and justice . and accordingly he first made peace with the muscovite , having none other enemy whom he need to fear , nor indeed any that bordered upon him , but the muscovite on the east , and the dane on the west ; and as for the danes , their condition was this : king christian being fled , frederick , duke of holst , being sent for , came into denmark , and by the nobility was elected and crowned king some years before gustavus was crowned in sueden , though gustavus was in arms divers years before him . ●oth these coming to the throne upon the same title of the peoples liberty ; and knowing how necessary peace with one another would be , a mutual treaty is propounded by the king of denmark , and in order thereto , the king of sueden propounded an interview , wherein he stood not upon punctilio's , but proffered to come to the king of denmark in some convenient place upon security of a safe conduct , which the king of denmark granted as soon as it was demanded . the place of meeting was ancona , in the confines of scania , where , in the presence of the lords of both nations , an interview is had ; and after mutual salutations and complements , the king of denmark spake of the miseries , and calamities that had befaln both the nations for divers years last past , declaring their present dangers also by reason of the continual contrivances of christian their late king , which ( saith he ) will be much heightned if our discords should continue : for my own part therefore i am for peace with sueden upon just and honourable tearms . gustavus answered , that he held peace between the nations convenient and commendable , and was willing to hearken thereto upon equal conditions . the king of denmark began with proposing the continuance of the union of the three northern kingdomes according to the articles of calmar ; which ( said he ) were confirmed by the oaths of the deputies of all the three nations ; yet he desired not the change of the present government of sueden , but onely that gustavus should acknowledge him superiour . gustavus secretly disliking this proposal , answered modestly , that for his part he was unwillingly drawn to accept of the suedish crown . that he could wish that both nations could flourish under one head . but ( said he ) the agreement of calmar is dissolved by the misgovernment of the late king ; and if the danes could not all this while gain their expectations by force of arms , much less can they think it rational for the suedes to yeeld up by treaty the liberties of their country , which are dearer to them than their lives , as the late wars have demonstrated . neither can himself , who is sworn to maintain the liberties of his country , allow of such tearms , much less advise his people to consent thereto . yet for my own part , though i will not be a subject , yet i desire to be a friend , true , and faithful to the king of denmark , and am ready to gratifie him in all things agreeable to equity . the king of denmark perceiving hereby the unreasonableness of his former demands , tells the king of sueden in plain terms , that himself was desirous of a firm peace , and league with him , if sueden would be content with its antient limits , and would yeeld up what in these late wars they had gained from denmark , especially the dukedome of bleking . the king of sueden answered , that himself valued the peace of both nations beyond that petty dutchy , and therefore he would consult with his lords about it , and accordingly it was assented to . but the proposal about the isle of gothland , proved more difficult : it was in the possession of the danes , but claimed as belonging to the crown of sueden , yet at last they agreed to lay that debate aside till a more convenient time : and thus peace was concluded between these two kings , as well for the hans-towns , as for themselves , against christian the deposed king ; and all the suedish captives in denmark were set at liberty , and such of the suedes as formerly had any particular interest in denmark , were restored to their right . about this time a spiritual disease was newly breeding in germany , which soon grew to be almost epidemical in those eastern parts . gospel-light was newly sprung out of popish darkness , discovering the very bowels of the romish religion , to be a meer garbage of pride and covetousness : to prevent which , the devil raiseth up another light , or a thing as like to light as himself is , when he is transformed into an angel of light . he found the people as desirous to gain their civil as their religious liberties . this he colourably helps on by a company of professors , pretending to a more pure light , and perfect way of holiness by a second baptism , suggesting that men of light must walk according to their light , and that they were bound by no other law , and so needed , neither magistracy , nor ministry : nay , those ordinances savour of antichristian tyranny . hereupon they rose , and ran up and down germany , and like the waves of the sea , swallow up , and bear down all before them , till dashing on a rock , they break themselves in pieces . but before this storm , two drops fall upon sueden by the coming over of two men with the holland merchants , during the interview of these two kings . these were melchior rincus , and knipper dolling , who arriving at stockholme , instill new principles into the people , whence followed , that entring the churches , down go images , and organs , and all such things as they will call monuments of idolatry . they made also publick invectives against publick worship , and the clergy , as antichristian , suggesting that it were better to have none at all . gustavus the king returning to stockholme finds much need of his presence , and understanding of the tumultuous reformation , and the sad principles taken up , he commits the two evangelists to prison , and afterwards banished them ; but their poison was not so easily cured . the news of this reformation at stockholme , spreads far , and wide over the kingdome , and liberty was so welcome to all , being newly crept from under a tyranny , that even good government is brought into question , and the king saw no way to pacifie the storm , but by casting overboard to the people somewhat to keep the whale from overturning the ship : and finding that he must adventure a breach with the pope , who had lately sent a special legate , the cardinal de potentia , with authority to enquire of the bloody massacre made by christian at stockholme , thereby to vindicate himself of so horrible a crime , and that the legate upon examination had judicially pronounced sentence , that nothing was done therein by christian but what was just and right ; he therefore told the people that he would visite all the churches in his own person , and make a reformation by the advice of learned men ; and accordingly the king in person visited all the churches throughout the nation , and informed himself of the state of them ; but coming to upsal , he was opposed by the archbishop , and canons ; whereupon a disputation was appointed , wherein the king himself would be president : after which he summoned all the states of sueden to meet , to whom he related what he found in his visitation , requesting their help in directing some moderation in the work of reformation , in doctrine , and the worship of god , and in calming the violence of the catholick clergy , which were such desperate enemies to it ; as also in regulating their abuse of the church-maintenance , which they spent in pride and luxury , which ought to be imployed for the saving of peoples souls . their answer was , that if the matter be made to appear upon enquiry , they were of opinon that the temporalties belonging to the clergy , may , and ought to be seized , and the church-maintenance also secured , for the right ends and uses to which they were appointed . the ecclesiasticks declaim against this , affirming , that the churches priviledges and revenues were granted and confirmed to the church by kings and emperours ; and therefore ought not to be invaded under pain of damnation . to this it was replied , that the true elders were worthy of double honour , both of reverence and maintenance ; but such as are slow bellies , neither serving god nor man , ought not to have the churches maintenance ; and that if some kings , against all equity , permitted the same , other succeeding kings may , and ought to reform it ; that there is not one sentence in all the scriptures that warranteth such power in church-men , or that countenanceth such manner of living , especially in an unlawful way of opposing the civil magstrate , as hath been used in sueden for these last two hundred years . in conclusion , the states determined , that the churches revenues are in the power of the king , according to the condition of times , to encrease , maintain , or to diminish , as may best conduce to the safety of true religion in doctrine , and to the establishment of the pure worship of god , and holiness of life . hence followed a storm of imputations , and execrations , forreign nations are made to believe that the king is an atheist , and that the common people in sueden obey a devil in the shape of a man ; but the king sleighted these scar-crows , as all princes that fixe their counsels upon good foundations , ought to do ; yet the common people in sueden were enraged hereby , and amongst these the dallcarles , who were the first in vindicating the peoples liberties , are now the first that appear to keep themselves and the people in bondage ; but they knew not who to pitch upon for their leader ; yet at length one was discovered called nicholas stur , reputed the son of steno stur late governour of sueden , and he ascends the stage in west gothland to act for the old church government ; the people also allured by his great name , joyned with him , and so the war is now become bellum episcopale , the bishops war. the king hears , and sees all , yet the hatred and practices of these men move him not : he shewed magnanimity in the field , but never more than in this case . he is but newly a king , and contrary to all principles of policy , he is presently put upon an hard task , even to change ecclesiastical government , and their formerly received religion , wherein he was to sail against wind and tyde , and therfore though he was very couragious ; yet this daring adventure must rather be attributed to his faith , than to his valour ; and he met with success accordingly , for the dallcarles not finding that bravery of spirit in their new captain , as might become a son of that famous steno , began to suspect that they might be in danger of a cheat , and therefore they secretly sent to the widow of steno stur to enquire the truth : she tells the messengers plainly , that they were deceived , for that her son nicholas was long since dead . this message caused the dallcarles presently to withdraw their assistance , fearing that the cause of religion will not bear them out , unless patronized by one of the royal blood of sueden . the dallcarles now gone , the spirit presently disappears , and is no where to be found , till he makes another apparition at rostock , where at the request of the king of sueden , he was put to death ; as also some others of his party in sueden were served in the like manner , and so the storm blew away . yet the common people are still like a sea ; a famine comes upon the land , and the church-men tell the people , that this is the fruit of their innovations in matters of religion , whereupon they are again angry , and refuse to pay the kings tribute ; the king tells them that few of them understood gods words , and that fewer of them could make a right judgement of his works ; that their stop of his tributes should not stop his course : he soon gathers an army , and marches to westerass , and from thence gives notice of his coming to them of the dales , requring them to meet him at terna , ready either to fight for their cause , or to beg pardon for their enterprise . the dalcarles like neither if they could help it ; feign they would hold their old way of religion , yet choose rather to submit , and to hazard their opinions rather than their lives , and the issue was , some of them were corporally punished , others reproved , and sent home , giving security for their good behaviour ; and in the like manner , others in other places were so served ; onely the archbishop of upsal , being one of the popes sons , was admitted as a male-content to banish himself from his native country . the king being returned to westerass , considered with himself the danger of the kingdome by reason of the bad lives of the clergy , and their neglect of the peoples souls , and their restless endeavour to bring his government into dislike with the people , and his person into contempt by imputations of heresie and blasphemy , to which some stop must be put speedily , or all would come to confusion : hereupon he called a convention of all the states of sueden , to whom he propounded to take into consideration the state of the nation , saying , that they all knew that he neither sought , nor willingly undertook the government of the same ; that they all promised to assist him therein , without whose help it was impossible for him to govern ; that he now , contrary to his expectation , found the people much dissatisfied through the instigation of the clergy , whose lordship , and power amongst them , you all ( said he ) know to be such , as that now it is put into the ballance with the kings ; and their luxury , pride , and idleness all the world knows to be such , as is inconsistent with the duty of their places , the good of the people , and righteous government ; that their castles and temporal revenues are exempted from the service and safeguard of the kingdome , to maintain dissentions , mutenies , and rebellions ; that for his part he must rather cease to be a king , than to see all things in confusion under his government : and therefore i require ( saith he ) some order to be taken by the convention of the states for regulating hereof , or else i am resolved to lay down my government , and leave it to them that can manage it to better purpose ; and hereof i desire a speedy and positive answer from you the bishops , and other states of this kingdome . but the bishops ears were deaf to these things : their authority , and revenues were dearer to them , than to part with them for words . they thought they had the king at an advantage , which they purposed to make use of : and the major part of the other states , overswayed by the bishops , did not so readily , and resolutely appear for the king , as they ought to have done , fearing the popes thunderbolt more than the kings displeasure . the king being offended hereat , said , he would never adventure one drop of suedish bloud more , to maintain his government by a civil warre , wherein the conquered must be miserable , and the conqueror unjust , and wherein friends must destroy one another : and forthwith coming into the convention of states , he resigned up his kingdome , and government , asking nothing but a recompence for his service , and that they would take his inheritance at a moderate valew , and so he departed into the castle . this may seem a strange example . octavius only debated with the senate about laying down his government , but did it not : gustavus did it , and debated it not . they that make government their work , will be glad of rest : but they that make it their sport , the people will sooner be weary of them , than they of it . it seems gustavus missed of those encouragements which were promised from the convention of states when he undertook the government ; and for him to continue therein without them in order to maintain the peoples liberty was vain : and therefore if he herein followed the examples of some of his ancestors , he may the rather be excused , though hereby the kingdome was left in a confused condition . the next day the states met again , and in cold blood , and upon second thoughts told the bishops , that the kingdome must not be ruined to satisfie their lusts , and that if they would not be equal judges between themselves , and the people , others must : yet ( said they ) you shall be once more heard what you can say for your selves : and hereupon a conference was appointed , wherein dr. olaus appeared for the king , and dr. gallen for the bishops ; and the point about ecclesiastical power was largely debated , which conference the longer it lasted , the more it touched the quick , so that many of the hearers saw cause to alter their opinions about prelacy , insomuch as upon the third day the voters for the people urged the bishops positively to submit to the king : but if they meant otherwise to expose the nation to extremity , and mischief should come thereby , they vowed to be revenged upon the authours thereof ; and to this , the greater part of the nobles agreed . at length the plurality of votes prevailed , and a message was sent into the castle to gustavus by a person of quality , to beseech him to return into the convention of states , but prevailed not , and a second message prevailed as little , till a third message presented by persons of near relation to him prevailed to bring him to the convention , where he was received by all the states with the greatest observancy that could be , all making it their humble request , that he would not reject the government in such a juncture of affairs , withall , promising their utmost , and faithful assistance . the king considering with himself , that though it was an ill condition with him to be alwayes labouring , and yet never to do the work ; yet it was much worse to grow weary before he had attained to the shore , for that was the next door to drowning ; whereupon he took up a resolution to neglect mens opinions and censures , and to see to what issue he could bring the counsels of the conventions of estates . at last it was concluded that the bishops should render up their castles and temporalties to the kings disposal , and submit to live upon such pensions as should be allowed them by the states , saving evermore the titles , interests and right of the nobility , and others , to any part of the said temporalities , which by the distemper of the times , had been encroached upon : but the execution hereof proved more difficult ; many being unwilling to disrobe themselves before they went to bed . such as were worst affected were soonest at the issue , as desperate persons , through conscience of their guilt , conclude that no mercy is to be had , and therefore they had as good pass the pikes at first as at last . only the bishop of hincopen was loth to part with his castle of monkbed , about which he held some debate , but in conclusion was ordered to deliver possession at a day prefixed , and in the mean time to put in security for the performance thereof , and not to disturb the publick peace . the king would not discharge his army till all was done , and at the time appointed he marched with it to the castle of monkbed , where he was sumptuously feasted by the bishop , who gave so great content to the king , that he discharged the bishops sureties , and at his request , allowed him to visit the churches of gothland , where , having gotten much treasure , without taking leave of the king , he took shipping , and sailed to dantzick , where , after some years , he dyed . and thus sueden gave a leading example to the eastern nations of regulating , and restoring the church-revenues to the right ends for which they were intended . gustavus having now reigned five years since his first election , and having thus far prevailed to pare the nails , and clip the wings of the lordly clergy , he thought that now he might hearken to the advice of his states , and give them satisfaction by being crowned , and thereupon he appointed a day to solemnize his coronation at upsal , which accordingly was performed , after he had served at the helm of government seven years . gustavus his spirit , which was alwayes daring , grew yet more brave : his aims are yet higher , viz. at a reformation in doctrine , worship , and holiness of life ; for which end he first placed in all the cathedrals , men eminent for learning , holiness , and eloquence , to preach the word of god , enjoyning the bishops out of the church-revenues , to provide them such pensions as might encourage them in the work . the king also kept set times every week to hear them in his own person before he sent them forth , & this he did , as well to satisfie his own conscience , as to encourage others to attend upon publick ordinances . but now comes the trial , the states had agreed , and the prelates had in shew submitted as to their temporalties ; but when the reformation in doctrine , worship , and conversation was promoted , the devil roars , and will not so easily be cast out of the whole nation of suedon . the minister that was sent to preach at scaren , was so entertained by the bishop , and his party , that he was forced to flye to upland to save his life ; and the rector of the college undertaking to expound st. matthews gospel , was in danger of being stoned by the schollars , who were encouraged thereto by the lords , and great men that joyned with the bishop , in this undertaking . some also both of the great men , and commons of west-gothland hearing hereof , bestirred themselves , not for the bishops sake ( say they ) but because our religion is invaded by this new germaine doctrine of luther ; and upon this account they sent letters to small and to stir them up to take arms , who were easily perswaded thereto , and seized upon such as would not joyn with them , and amongst others , upon the countess of hoy , the kings own sister . they wrote also to those in the dales , and other neighbouring provinces to send their deputies to a meeting appointed by them at larva , so uncertain is the love of the people . thus the scene of war is changed , and though tyranny was in the van , and prelacy in the main battel , yet popery brought up the rear ; and all tended to bring the nation into its old condition , rather than to suffer such a change . so unsensible are men of their present happiness . this storm the king might rationally foresee , by what he found in the case of prelacy ; yet his courage leads him on even to astonishment , having nothing to back him but a good cause and a good conscience ; and truly , though polititians might condemn him , yet the issue justified him . for the inhabitants of west-gothland considering that the generality of the people , had sworn allegiance to the king , thereupon demurred upon the business ; as also the kings merits , their enjoyment of their laws and liberties , and that , as to the point of heresie objected against the king , they were no competent judges ; and that , considering the kings piety , they had no cause to beleeve it , but rather to judge it a scandal raised by his enemies . hereupon the confederate lords grew into differences amongst themselves , and the bishop , and one other of them fled into denmark , whither the kings letter pursued them , alleging that it was contrary to their agreement , that either king should harbour the others enemies , so that they were feign to flye from thence into mecklemburgh ; and the other lords ( forgetting what they had done ) stood upon their justification , alledging that they were forced to it by the heads that were absent in forrein parts ; and that they never promoted , or encouraged the rebellion either by advice , letters , or instructions , and therefore would stand to their trial at law. the king and his council wondered at their confidence , advising them rather to stand to the kings mercy , and to crave his pardon : but they refused any mercy but what the law would allow . at last the king produced their own letters wherein they had written to the provinces to take arms , and so being self-condemned , two of them suffered death , one was ransomed , and the rest begging pardon , were received to mercy : which excellent temperature in the execution of justice commended , and confirmed the king in his new-begun kingdome , making the people both to fear , and love him . and thus was this stir ( for warre i cannot call it ) about popish religion quieted , not with the kings sweat , and labour , but by god alone , whose cause it was . the king taking into his consideration that the king of denmarks carriage in this matter , suited not with the former agreement made betwixt them , and being unwilling that the same should be invalidated in the least point ( wise men who will preserve friendship , must stop the breach whilst it is small ) he prevailed for an other interview , that they might understand each others minde more fully , and hereby the former agreement was explained , enlarged , and confirmed , and so parting in love , they returned with joy . the king of sueden after so many storms ; now hoped for peace , and a settled government , and having been three years a crowned king , he purposed to build up his family by marriage , which he solemnized with the lady katherine , daughter to the duke of saxony , at stockholme , and now he must abide the issues , and events of the affairs of the kingdome , to be theirs for better , and worse , and what he was formerly bound to do , meerly for the nations-sake , he must now do for the sake of his own family and relations . and thus having laid the foundation of his own house , he proceeds to the further building up of the house of god ; for though he had before seized upon the temporalties of the prelates , yet their places , so far as they concerned church government , he took not away , nor that maintenance which was appointed for the ministry : the states also settled pensions upon such as should be overseers , or bishops , to have care of the churches , and to these places ( as was said before ) the king had sent choise men for gravity , learning , and holiness of life , and now he advanced two brethren , dr. laurentius and dr. olaus , the one to be archbishop of upsal , the other to be bishop of stockholme , through whose care and industry , together with other reformed bishops , the reformation of religion much prospered in the kingdome during their lives , which was for the space of about thirty years ; and through their study and diligence it was principally that the bible was translated into the suedish language ; and being printed , was dispersed into every town through the nation . but the time of the kings rest was not yet come : a strange apparition proceeds from the belgick shore unto the coast of norway , christian the deposed king of denmark , now long since reputed , as buried in brabant , had at last by the help of the empeperour , and some adventurers in holland , and the adjacent countries , who hoped for large priviledges in denmark or norwey ( if they could be regained to the king ) gathered souldiers and ammunition , and with twenty five ships sailed from enchusen to the coast of norwey ; but by the way having lost ten of them , they arrived only with the rest , and before they were aware they were imprisoned by the ice , all that winter . yet was christian at liberty all that while to work his designs upon that country of norwey , the danes being at that season wholly disinabled to oppose him . as many therefore of the great men of norwey as pleased , had free correspondence with christian : only the governour of agger-house castle dealt subtilly with him , refusing to surrender it to christian , but upon such terms as might stand with his honour . for ( said he ) though i acknowledge christian to be king of these three northern kingdomes ; yet for the honour of my family , i desire leave to write to frederick the now king of denmark , for present relief ( which in common reason he cannot send during winter ) otherwise i will tell him that i must surrender the castle to king christian ; and by this means your majesty will be no loser , and my honour shall be saved . christian was contented herewith , and the governour dispatched his messenger into denmark , and notwithstanding the frost , he had such supply sent him as enabled him to stand upon his own defence . upon this christian prepared for a siege , during the continuance whereof , as the besieged were relieved by the danes , so were the besiegers not onely by the normans , but by many runegadoes out of sueden : such was their old love to christian , and their hatred to gustavus ; and these flocking to christian from all parts , soliciting the dallcarles ( who were now disobliged from their king ) to revolt with them to their former king , who ( as they said ) was through afflictions become quite another man , changed into a meek and compassionate nature , and a gracious deportment , and would doubtless imbrace them readily , and give them all the assurance they could desire ; they told them also that forregn princes would assist him , for that they liked not such presidents of subjects deposing their king. and above all , they might hereby assure themselves that they should be received into the bosome of the church , and into the favour of the pope . these , and such like motives were suggested to the dallcarles : but old birds would not be catched with chaffe ; few of them gave any credit to these things , and many derided them , knowing that nature is no changeling , except it be overpowred by supernatural principles : that the manner of christians coming , shewed little signs of repentance for any other thing , than for that he had parted with the crown upon such easie tearms : that the differences between gustavus their king , and them , were but lately begun , and might easily be composed ; but those between christian and them , were beyond a cure . the revolted suedes seeing this , soon disappear , and the winter being now almost ended , and christian finding his party discouraged , and the stream still after six years so strong against him , and being grown weary of living upon the germain courtesie , he chose rather to cast himself upon a treaty with his uncle the king of denmark , than to return into brabant , and having conditions proffered him by the danish admiral of safe conduct whilst he treated with his uncle , and in case of non-agreement , that he should have liberty to go whither he would , he sails with the admira into denmark , never so much as enquiring whether the admiral had power to grant such conditions or not . coming into denmark , before he was aware , he was made a prisoner , gaining onely this advantage , that now he was maintained honourably upon the publick charge of the kingdome , as one that formerly had been their king , whereas if he had been elsewhere , he must have lived upon the curtesie of such as would have pitied him ; and yet this is observable , that the danish admiral had no thanks for this service , and many thought that it would have been better for denmark , if the prisoner had been in a forreign country : for though it be true , that deposing of kings by their subjects is sadly resented by other princes ; yet it is only whilst the sore is green , and the flesh tender , which may occasion some anger from abroad for the present ; but if upon some trial , they get nothing , forreign princes so love their own interest , and peaceable government , that by continuance , the wound breeds stupefaction , and they will engage no more . now as touching sueden , who was not a little concerned in this business of norwey , its worthy our observation , how the breach between the king and the dallcarles was first made ; for though the occasion was small , yet the mischief might have been exceeding great . the matter was briefly thus : the kings debts to the lubeckers for their service in the time of his was , were not yet fully satisfied , and now payment was required with some eagerness , but how they should be paid , and how the money levied , admitted great matter of debate ; some were for a tax , but that was thought would go hardly down with the people , who were so exhausted by ten years wars . others were of opinion that the profit of the mines might be assigned to the lubeckers for certain years , but then they knew not how the government should be maintained without them ? at last a project was propounded to give the king the biggest bell save one out of every steeple within his dominions , which ( as was alledged ) would do the work , and no particular man should have any loss , nor the publick be prejudiced . but this was a great mistake as things then stood : for the merchants had engrossed much copper , and if this proceeded , they were undone , they could get no market . it was said , this was no good reason , being of too private a nature , to be ballanced with the publick good . then the quarrel was about the condition of these bells : it was said , they were anointed , and consecrated to an holy use , and ought not to be imployed for prophane uses ; but this also was judged invalid , the opinion being grounded upon superstitious principles : but be it granted that the anointing , and consecrating them was superstitious , yet if any property be at all in such devoted things , that property remaineth till it be legally destroyed , and until then , the seizing of such things , and converting them to other uses , will in the vulgar opinion fall under the notion of sacriledge , which hath been alwayes abominable even amongst the heathen , though ●t were done in the wilde wars : or if it comes not under that notion , then it must be in the nature of a gift to the people of the parish , either for their pleasure , or for the more convenient assembling them to publick duties ; in both which cases the unlawful seizing upon them is looked upon as a common plunder , and invasion of the goods of the whole body of the people at once , which is a sad presage that no mans particular estate is his own any longer under such a government . and it seems the people of sueden had such an apprehension of this president ; for after it was resolved upon , and began to be put in execution , an insurrection was made , and the people stood up in defence of their bells , so that some could not be removed , others that were taken down , and carrying away , were pursued and rescued , and the officers that were imployed , were well beaten for their pains . this being reported to the king , he called a convention of the states , which would have been more seasonable before the business of the bells had made such a jangling . this convention of states met at upsall : but the dallcarles , who were most eager for their bells , summon another convention of the people at arbogg , so that here was one parliament against another . the people ( saith the historian ) are commonly of that temper , that they will either serve humbly , or govern proudly . true liberty ( which is the golden mean ) they neither know how to want , nor how to use , especially such as the suedes now were , trained up in warre ; who therefore chose rather to lose their peace than their bells . but the parliament at arbogg thrives not : few hearkened to their summons : yet did they set a good face upon the matter , and sending messengers to the king , they protest their fidelity , yet desired his answer to two requests : one , that the king would not send more forces into the country of the dallcarles than they should deem convenient for them to quarter : the other , not to set any governour over them , but such an one as was of their own country , and neighbourhood . the kings spirit was too great to like of conditions from his subjects , yet his wisdome prevailed to take into consideration the condition of his affairs . he considered that christian was now in norwey : that winter was newly begun : that the norwegians were inclined to assist christian : and that if the dallcarles should be further provoked , the issue , might be doubtfull . he therefore dissembled his displeasure , and sent them a governour according to their desire : but at the end of three years , he raised an army , and seized upon the chief authors of this rebellion , and put them to death : and further , to bring down the pride of the dallcarles , he seized upon their liberties , and so levelled them with the rest of the people . this was the first malignant design against the government of gustavus , in favour of the cause of the deposed king , which , like a granado firing in the air , spent it self before it fell : but it proved not the last . for soon after the king of denmark died , leaving christian a prisoner to the lords of denmark , who differing in their opinions as to the election of a king , spent two years in an interregnum : during which time , some sought to promote the son of the deceased king , which was but a child , and therefore more capable of counsell , and herein the bishops joyned . others acted for the duke of holst : and some were for restoring christian , then a prisoner , to the crown again . this was one summons to the king of sueden to look about him , and kept him off from punishing the dallcarles for the matter about the bells . but there was another thing that was no less dangerous , though the effect was not like to be so sudden , and that was this about this time there was a change of government in lubeck from the popish to the lutheran way , which although in it self it suited well enough with the king of suedens mind , yet in such alterations there is commonly one man more active than the rest , who in such alterations of religion becomes an instrument of altering the government . and such an one the lubeckers had fitted for the purpose : his name was woolweaver , a man whose education was answerable to his name : him they made consul of the city , and he being gotten up , was blown higher by affecting popularity , and undertaking to be a protector to the poor , who were now much encreased in the city , the principal cause whereof , he alledged to be the king of suedens abridging them in their priviledges , contrary to his agreement made with them , when they assisted him in his wars ; as also that he had countenanced trade from , and with the hollanders , and other nations ; for a remedy , whereof woolweaver counselled them to endeavour to draw the danes to joyn with the lubeckers against all trading with sueden from without the baltick sea. but the danes told them that they thought it not meet to conclude in things of that nature till they were better settled in their government , and were ageeed about the party that should be their king : and finding it more necessary to keep good correspondence with sueden ( because of the endeavours of a party amongst themselves to advance christian to the throne again ) they acquainted the king of sueden with the designs of the lubeckers . woolweaver stormed at this , and without blushing , faces about , and propounds to the king of sueden to joyn with him against the hollanders : but gustavus his counsel was rather to manage well the matter concerning denmark , than to enter into new engagements . for ( saith he ) the danish affairs are as a sea of many currents , wherein if you steer not an even course , and keep not constant watch , you may be in danger of shipwrack ; and therefore as imbarked in one , and the same ship with denmark , let us bend our whole counsel in the speedy settlement of the government thereof , so as may best conduce to the concurrent interest of both nations . woolweaver finding himself thus disappointed in both these places , grew angry , and like one lifted up from below , lifted up his thoughts higher than his wits served him , and in his carere vaunteth , that as he had advanced gustavus to the throne , so he would pull him down again , and thereupon entertained correspondency with the runnegadoes of sueden : which gustavus being quickly sensible of , he seized upon the persons , goods , and priviledges of the lubeckers in sweden . the lubeckers also dealt in the like manner with the suedes in lubeck . wool-weaver in the mean time aiming at no less than the crown of sueden , held private intelligence in sueden , and stirred them up to civil broils that might busie the king at home , and first he prevailed with the earle of hoy , who had married the kings sister , and being a person of great interest , he prevailed with the people , especially with those of smalland , to disaffect them towards the king ; which done , the earl withdraws himself , his wife , and children to lubeck , under pret●nce for his health sake : but being there arrived he was made commander in chief of all the disaffected suedes who repaired unto him . it s the usual fate of great men seldome to be contented with their present state ; they think that either their own merits are not rewarded enough , or their inferiours too much , and so through discontent , striving to be higher , they fall lower . the earle of hoy thought it not enough to be the kings brother by marriage , and lord lieutenant under gustavus in sueden , but he must become general of a party of discontents under woolweaver against his king , his brother , his kindred , and country ; and what he gained thereby , will afterwards appear . in the mean time many retire to him out of sueden , principally by reason of the disturbances in smalland , which himself had kindled before his departure thence , and which afterwards were fomented by a company of lawless persons who had combined themselves against the kings justices there , and carried themselves with so high an hand , that it came to blood , even to the slaughter of the kings lieutenant in that country ; and when the king had suppressed them by force of arms , yet they maintained a kinde of theevish war till they could retire themselves to the earle of hoy , whose party being thus increased , waited all advantages , which occasioned the king of sueden to stand rather upon his watch , than upon his defence ; for they did him no harm , god having provided other means to clip their wings without the labour of the king of sueden . for woolweaver according to his design , being strengthened by these aides , soon imployed it about his principal work , which was to settle his neighbours , the danes , in a fitting posture for his purpose . for the present condition of denmark was this : the nobles were divided ( as was said before ) about the election of a king , divers were for john , the son of the former king , though a childe , and that principally upon the account of religion , which his father had changed into the lutheran way , and they hoped the sonne would the rather uphold it . this the bishops smelt out , and sought the advancement of the popish religion , and therefore would have the government managed by administratorship ; and in their own names they published injunctions , wherein they required all the lutheran preachers to depart out of the country by a day prefixed . this being like to fall heavy upon the cities of hafnia , and malmogia , who yet were loath to make a breach , they prevailed to have the government by administratorship advanced , and withall invited christian duke of holst to be administrator for john , the former kings son , but he disclaimed it . then they had recourse to , and prevailed with the duke of aldenburgh ( who professed the doctrine of luther ) to accept thereof , who thereupon came to hafnia with a party ; and when he was there , perceiving many whisperings about the restoring of their deposed king , the duke to gain the greater party , declared his willingness for the resettlement of him , whereby he won much upon the common people . for christian drove on the same trade in denmark as he had formerly done in sueden , flattering the people into a party against the lords , which ( as an historian saith ) is the ready way to tyranny . woolweaver , though he was more passionate , than wise , takes this opportunity , and sides with the duke of aldenburgh , and prevails with him to engage against the duke of holst , who had divers of the lords of denmark that joyned with him to make him king ; but in this the duke of aldenburghs expectation was frustrated ; for he lost the day , and was beaten out of the field by the duke of holst . and now was the duke of holst brought upon the stage to act his part for the crown of denmark , thereby to procure his own rest and safety ; and observing that the king of sueden was left out of the play , he invites him to bear a part in the game for woolweavers sake . the king of sueden well knowing his own interest , made little difficulty of the matter ; and though woolweaver endeavoured to stop that muse by a fair message , yet the king would not so be perswaded , but told the messengers of their masters entertainment of the suedish runnegadoes , and so dismissed them ; and being informed that the people in denmark sided with the duke of aldenburgh , for their deposed king , he thought it not fit to dally any longer , but forthwith falls with an army into the danish territories , and possessed himselves of divers places for the use of the duke of holst . the danish lords also seeing which way the current ran , and themselves deserted by the people , joyned with the duke of holst , and engaged him for the crown in good earnest . in the mean time the duke of aldenburgh , seeing what interest he had with the common people , thought all safe , and therefore took his ease , and enjoyed his pleasure . but the duke of holst did not so ; he sent the danish lords into jutland with an army , who soon settled that country , and from thence marched into fionia , where in one battel all the duke of aldenburghs hopes were dashed , and the earle of hoy was sacrificed to the king of suedens pleasure ; the archbishop of upsal also , and divers other disaffected suedes were slain in the battel . the news hereof coming to lubeck , made woolweaver once more tack about , and hearing that suanto , the son of steno stur , sometimes governour of sueden , was in the duke of saxonies court , he suborned a messenger to him as from his mother , to meet her at malla , where ( it was said ) she waited with convenience for him : hereupon he repaired to malla , where instead of meeting with his mother , he was met with by a troop of horse from lubeck , who offered him in the name of the city , great honours if he will be advised by them , and so by surprisal , they conveyed him to lubeck , where he was saluted by woolweaver the consul , with great expressions of joy , who minded him of the unsetled state of the northern kingdomes , and of the private disaffection of the suedes to their king. adding that now there was a fair opportunity offered to him to recover the government of sueden , which place was so famously managed by his ancestors . that lubeck had an army in readiness , wanting onely his consent to be their leader . that it was expected that he should now shew himself worthy of such progenitors : but suanto had sworn allegiance to gustavus , and meant to observe it , and therefore refused the proffers , and demanded liberty to depart , or else that woolweaver would shew cause why he was detained prisoner . woolweaver seeing no good was to be done , told him that he was no prisoner , and that it was free for him to go when , and whither he pleased , only earnestly desiring that where ever he went , he would retain a favourable opinion of the city . the king of sueden being informed of these passages , was thereby sharpened in the pursuit of the duke of holsts interest upon the main land of schonen , and in a short time brought all the country to submit to him , onely the city of malmogia , and some other neighbouring castles held out for the duke of aldenburgh , from whom they expected relief ; and accordingly the duke , with the duke of oldenburgh , and the duke of mecklenburgh , joyning all their strength together , resolve to adventure all upon the issue of one battel with the king of sueden , wherein their army was utterly and irrecoverably overthrown ; so that within a few dayes all the country was wholly for the duke of holst , which but a week before was quite of another temper . haffnia had now been besieged above half a year by the duke of holst , which city was only left as the gleaning of the war , and wherein the last strength of the dukes of aldenburgh , oldenburgh , mecklenburgh , and of the city of lub●ck was now contracted . all this while christian the deposed king had time enough to try the curtesie of the house of burgundy ; but none of that house would stir in his behalf , and which was more unhappy for the besieged , the affairs of lubeck were faced about to the reer . for the hans-towns in their general meeting , perceiving that the affairs of lubeck had for these five years last past been wholly swayed by woolweaver , under a pretence of religion , and that the city by that means was brought into such difficulties that they knew not how to come off , either with credit or safety ; they therupon concluded ( according to the counsel sent by the emperor to the city ) that the former government should be restored at lubeck , not at all medling with the matter of religion ; and because they would salve the credit of woolweaver , they commended him to the government of bergeridoffe . woolweaver was not therewith contented , and therefore at his departure out of the city , vowed revenge ; and the senate at lubeck , being now changed , considering the restless spirit of woolweaver , were as little satisfied as he , and therefore sent messengers after him , who finding him upon his journey , in the territories of a prince , who owed him no good will , they procured him to be imprisoned , and afterwards charging him with treason against the state of lubeck , he was put to death , and quartered . and now lubeck was setled upon its old basis , and flourished again , leaving this lesson to such as would be states-men , that miscarriages in government , are not reformed by altering , but by establishing the government . haffnia now after a years siege , being tired out with the miseries of war , was surrendred upon tearms , not altogether so honourable for the duke of holst , as might have been expected : whereupon the king of sueden told the duke , that being privy to his own engagements in the dukes behalf , he little expected that such an agreement should ever have been made by the duke without his knowledge , and in one thing , not without his consent . for ( said he ) why should i be excluded out of this agreement , and you thereby to engage your self not to aid me in case i should not agree with the lubeckers upon just tearms . the duke pleaded that he was necessitated to it to gain the present surrender of the city ; as also that the importunity of the lords , and his neighbour princes drew him thereto : nevetheless he assured the king , that if he would send ambassadours , he should finde that he should not receive any damage thereby . and accordingly the king did send ambassadours ; but the lubeckers could never prevail to have a resettlement of their priviledges in sueden as they desired : so that in conclusion , there was onely a bare truce concluded betwixt them , and the king of sueden for five years . thus are the three northern kingdomes brought once more into a settlement , and turbulent lubeck was calmed , and the captive king in a manner twice captivated , and now if not quite hopeless , yet less hopeful than ever formerly . england indeed was allied , and had done what it thought meet , and possibly more than was meet . for ambassadours were sent from hence to draw the lords to a treaty ; but they liked not to adventure their necks upon purposes and promises . the emperour did less , either judging christians person despicable by reason of his unworthy carriage to his queen , and lords ; or the lords were more wise and wary than to adventure upon a second trial of their late kings curtesie , unless they were compelled thereto by force : to do which , the emperour had neither time , nor money to spare , though the opportunity lay as fair to do his brother a good turn as he could desire , if he had intended it . and lastly , though the common people did what they could , yet they effected nothing . it s many times seen , that providence doth advance some particular persons of the meanest rank to be instrumental in the publick government , but never puts the government into the power of such , which would be the speedy way to confusion , as appeared in those very times by the earthquakes in government , raised by the anabaptists in germany , wherein though the issue was abortive , yet it came to that growth as made the greater powers to tremble . and now the time of suedens rest was come , where both king and people might have leisure to injoy their several lots . the king had hitherto acted the souldiers part very well , and now he must try his skill in a peaceable government , wherein i shall onely set down the brief contents of many laws , and acts of state , which shew rather the disposition of the government , than the several actions thereof . the king now at leisure , taking into consideration that the fewel which maintained the civil war was now spent , and that the people who had been trained up to the toyl of war , were fitter for labour than leisure ; and considering also that a time must come when a commonwealth , reduced by war , must be governed and maintained by peace ; he now applied himself to acquaint his people with matters of profit , drawing them to mining , husbandry , fishing , and merchandize , all which were much advanced by the kings own ingenuous contrivances ; and by encouraging the laborious , banishing idleness , punishing vagabonds , and wanderers , he found a way to make the sea to serve the land , the land to serve men , men to serve their nation , the nation to observe their king , and both nation and king to serve god ; and thereby he laid a far better building of sueden than augustus did of rome , of whom it was said , that he found it of earth , and left it of stone . the people likewise soon found the sweetness of this government , and were not far behinde in requital of the kings favour to them . they had now lived twenty years under his government , and in a good measure found the benefit of peace , though bought with their sweat and blood in a long war ; but how sad would it be , if the last breath of the king should put an end to their happiness ? the council therefore at their meeting , taking this into consideration that the government of sueden by election was alwayes uncertain , and seldome effected without deceit , and discord , and oft-times at the price of the peoples blood ; that it is of short continuance , depending upon the life of one man , and prejudicial to the publick good . for that in such cases , kings will deplume their subjects to feather their own nests , to keep their young ones warm , when themselves are gone ; and that it were far better for the people to be sucked by one leech , which in time might be satisfied , than by the change of many , who will but increase the pain , and suck without satiety . that the advancement of one family to the throne would be a cure to all this , and a preparative to a wining aspect from it upon the people , and of a due respect from them to it , and so of a kind of conjugal affection between both against the marriage day . that it is a means to suppress the turbulent aimes of ambitious men , who croud into the throne , though of all others they be most unworthy . besides , that it secureth the present government in the peaceable possession of him that enjoyes it . and that upon these , and such like grounds , augustus , and other roman emperours , who wanting issue , used in their life times to adopt , and declare their successours in the government , and trained them up for that service ; nor did they finde it dangerous either for themselves , or their successours so to do . that the people at the siege of stockholme offered to settle the government upon the king , and his children , when at that time he neither had any , nor was married : but now that he is married , and hath children , and hath given such large experience of his love , industry , and faithfulness in adventuring all that he had , even to his own life to vindicate the honour of his country : what acknowledgement can be sufficient for so great a merit , less than the settlement of the crown of sueden upon him , and his posterity for ever ? this was the result of their debates , and thus it was resolved unanimously at the council held at orebrogia , that it should be propounded by them to the convention of states that it might be confirmed for future ages . all which by an instrument under their hands they professed to be done by them freely , and of their own accord without any constraint . indeed the kings enemies scoffed hereat , as if he had suffered a crown to be forced upon his family against his will. others pretended religion against it , as if god liked not that men should contrive perpetuities ; which is true , yet doth he like that men should be provident in establishing justice , truth , and peace in a nation ; for which end himself did settle the crown upon the family of david , and hath blessed the same rule in the government of most kingdomes with prosperous success , though not alwayes precisely fixing upon the same person that men design thereto . but whatsoever was said , its clear that the kings desire was not very eager upon it , for that he summoned not a convention of states of four years after ; and then at westerass the point was debated anew , the result whereof was this act ; that after the death of gustavus ericson , his son shall succeed in the government , and his eldest son , and the heirs male of his body ; and for want of such , his second brother , and his heirs male of his body ; and for want of such , john , the second son of gustavus , and his heirs male of his body shall succeed , and so the rest of the sons of gustavus , and their heirs male of their bodies : and in case of want of heirs males of the sons of gustavus , the eldest of the blood , and family of gustavus shall succeed , and his issue male ; and for want of such , then shall such person succeed as the council of the kingdome of sueden shall elect , provided he be no forreigner , and that he shall provide portions for the issue female of gustavus . the council of states did herein as wise men , that steer their course by rule , and yet still leave to god his supream controle , who also in this case overruled their rule as to the succession of the posterity in ericus his line , which was afterwards laid aside by the people ( ericus being found false to the principles of governme●t established by his father , and the convention of states ) and yet god owned gustavus his family so far as to build him a sure house ( who had built gods house ) by raising from thence many brave men both for war and peace , and made it the brightest constellation of all the northern hemisphere , to have an influence , not onely within the kingdome of sueden , but into the general affairs of europe . but as gustavus his house grows in their hopes , so christian , the deposed king loseth in his . the emperour being intent upon his wars with france , found it necessary to quiet his affairs in germany , and therefore amongst other things at the convention at spires , the difference between him , and christian the third , king of denmark came under debate , and was settled ; and christian the second , the emperours brother in law , was after fourteen years of imprisonment , left still to be a prisoner , who seeing himself now quite neglected by his chief friends , bethought himself how he might make his captivity ( seeing it must be his condition ) as easie as he could ; and for that end he actually surrendred all his right , and the right of all his posterity in the crown of denmark , and the dukedomes of holst , and sleswick , in as ample manner as could be devised , and thereby indeed he obtained , though not a release from , yet more liberty in his prison . the title of sueden was not at all mentioned , neither did the suedes require any resignation , nor would acknowledge any title . yet the emperour was willing enough to countenance any quarrel that was picked against the king of sueden , as appeared in the business of the elector palatine , and the duke of lorain touching their nieces dowry ( which , as they pretended , the kingdome of sueden ought to take care of ) but the matter went no further than words . the claim was published in print , and so was the king of suedens answer also , who denied the matter of fact , and alledged that if any thing had been formerly due , it was made null by that inhumane tyranny , whereby christian forfeited all his rights in sueden , for himself and posterity : declaring also that now the publick revenues of the crown of sueden , were otherwise setled , and could not be altered . a while after , the king of suedens second wife dyed , leaving three sons , and four daughters . her eldest son [ john ] was afterwards king of sueden , when his eldest brother ericus was deposed by the people for his misgovernment . her second son [ magnus ] was duke of east-gothland . her third son [ charles ] was duke of sudermania , who afterwards was king upon the deposing of his nephew sigismund , first king of poland , and after crowned also king of sueden , but after a while was ejected by the people , because he would not maintan the liberties of sueden , but sought to advance the polish interest . after the death of this charles , his son gustavus adolphus succeeded in the kingdome ( whose life i have also written ) and after him , his daughter christina , who resigning the government , charles gustavus , son of katherine , daughter to charles , and half sister to gustavus adolphus , married to one of the house of casimire , succeeded , who lately dying , left an infant in the throne , since when , christina would willingly have reassumed the government , but was rejected by the states , the rather because she was turned papist , who reserve the kingdome for the son of charles . a brave posterity doubtless ; yet the king , though now stricken in years , could not live unmarried , but took a third wife , katherine , daughter to gustavus , governour of west-gothland . the wisdome , courage , and prosperous success of gustavus , being now famous amongst other nations , occasioned sundry applications to be made to him for assistance ; but he was ever wary of moving out of his own sphere . it s an excellent point of skill in a commander to know when his strength hath attained its just bounds of conquest , and there , stopping his desires of gaining more , to fix upon the good government of what he hath already gotten . it was one of the last counsels given by augustus to tyberius , that he should not endeavour to enlarge the bounds of the empire , lest he should meet with more difficulty in keeping , and less in losing what was gained . for the larger the borders are , the more opportunity is given for invasion from abroad , and for rebellion at home . the wisdome , and moderation therefore of gustavus is to be commended ; for though he wanted not men of war , nor hope of success in further undertakings , yet having adventured for the delivery of his country from tyranny , and accomplished it , he desired no further happiness upon earth , than to maintain what he had gotten , yet was he once over-reached by the livonians , who proffered to commit themselves to his protection , which he refused ; yet when they were much endangered by the muscovites , he sent aid unto them , who engaging too far , and the livonians hanging behinde , the whole burden was left upon the suedes , who finding the muscovite too heavy for them , and the livonians heartless , or faithless , withdrew their assistance betimes , and made their own peace . it s a usual policy amongst princes to be slow in advancing their eldest sons ( who are to succeed them ) into places of government , and not without cause ; for in such cases , especially in times , and places of darkness , their designed successours , if well gifted by nature , or education , may prove heads of parties , and factions , and thereby put the present governours to much trouble ; the one being looked upon as the rising , the other but as the setting sun. yet it seems more prejudicial to the people to have a raw , and unexperienced governour set over them , who knows not how to govern himself . and therefore if ericus had been more experienced in government , he might have proved , either more advised by the overruling direction of his father , or else he would have discovered himself so far , as that he would never have been trusted , and so many troubles might have been prevented , which ensued afterwards . but it is vain to call back things which are already past , the time draws on a pace which must determine the work of this great king : he had now governed the kingdome of sueden long , and had seen many changes in other nations as well as his own , and yet must outlive one more in denmark before he leaves the world . for about this time died christian the third , king of denmark , by whose decease the kingdome was put to the hazard of an other election , which concerned sueden not a little ; for christian , the captive king was yet alive , and had another fair opportunity to try the curtesie of the lords of denmark : but they being unanimous for the choice of frederick , the son of the duke of holst , him they crowned , and christian was still set aside . unhappy man , that having lived a prisoner seven and twenty years in his own nation , could not in all that time , by his carriage gain a better opinion amongst the nobility of denmark , but that still he remained under the note of an impenitent , and obstinate tyrant . it is the opinion of wise men that the breach between a king , and his people , is like the divorce between a man , and his wife , never to be made up again ; and yet the difficulty lyes not in any determinate judgement , or rule upon the case , as that of divorce doth ( and therefore comes not within the compass of impossibility ) but in the distemper of the parties , by ambition on the one side , and jealousie on the other , both hard to be cured : yet the first leading the way to the second , if that be first allayed , the second may be cured . and this christian might have observed in the example of carolus canutus , his corival in the suedish throne , who having been crowned king , and fought successfully against the danes and norwegians , ruled somewhat too imperiously , for which he was ejected out of his throne ; and yet afterwards , being re-admitted , he ruled in that manner , that he dyed satisfied with honour , and the love of his people . but christian was of another temper , he would fain come again into the government , but not under restraint , nor with submission , nor by leave , nor with the love of his nation ; but still depending upon a forreign interest , and the power of the emperour , he was looked upon as an enemy , and his return , as that of the unclean spirit , that would render the latter condition of the nation sevenfold worse than the former . for he that is a king indeed , though wrongfully rejected , will still bear the minde of a king to desire the peoples good , and will endeavour to deserve their love : but he that depends upon the forreign interest of such as are professed enemies to a peoples religion and liberties , disowneth interest in his people , and therefore cannot rationally expect any re-acceptance ( if that nations religion be right ) either by the leave of god , or liking of the people . now whether christian took conceit at this election , seeing no hope of ever gaining a better condition than for the present he was in , writers mention not , but he dyed presently after , even within one moneth of the death of christian the third , and in the seventy eight year of his age . and gustavus out-lived him , and all these changes well-nigh two years , seeing his people in a settled condition for justice , religion and peace amongst themselves , and with all their neighbours , thriving in trade , industrious in husbandry : skilfull in improving the benefit of their mines : potent both at sea , and land : and himself blessed with repute , and honour , both from his own people , and strangers : successfull in all his affairs ; and leaving a numerous posterity behind him . and having lived seventy years , and thereof raigned thirty eight years , he gave in charge to his children to endeavour the peace , and to maintain the liberties of their country : but especially to preserve the purity of religion without the mixture of humane inventions ; and to live as brethren in unity among themselves . all which also he left as a memorial , ●ealed up in his last will , and so he resigned up his spirit to god , anno christi . so lived gustavus , or augustus , for the name is the same , which perhaps , minding him of imitation , made him exceed his patern . his aims out reached the roman empire , and were higher than the world : his difficulties , and dangers greater : his enemies more desperate by conjuncture of the devils : his labour and industry not unlike : his success beyond all , even to wonderment . if he came short of austustus in his time of government ( wherein the difference was not much ) yet he exceeded him in the manner : it being with such an excellent temper of monarchy with popularity : he preserved the peoples liberty , with the honour of a king , and common security , without pride of tyranny . the people living as well under the king without servitude , as in a popular estate without sedition , and yet he attempered all , with just liberty of conscience , and the true worship and service of god , which he owned as the chief diamond in his crown , and conveyed all to his successours by a better , and more enduring settlement than augustus did , or could attain unto : his worst enemies never publickly taxed him with any crime but covetousness : and thuanus ( a writer of credit in those times ) gives no countenance thereto : nor did the patrimony left by him to his children , hold forth any such thing ; and therefore if any such thing were , it was for the service of the state of sueden , wherein , if he spared not others , it s confessed by all , that he spared not his own estate . his infirmities were common to other men , and must be acknowledged vitia naturae , non animi , as infirmities of nature , not of purpose of minde . if his fame rather mounted upwards , than spread abroad , we may thank the subtilty of those times , who liked not that the splendor of his religion should dazel their own , and we may pity the distempers of those dawnings that knew not how to value that morning star till it was set . it was augustus his lot , after a long and honourable reign , to dye , and yet tum quidem pauci luxerant , postea temporis omnes : few mourned at his death , but a while after , all . for tyberius succeeded him , who was as wicked , as augustus was good : and whatever the people thought of gustavus whilst he lived , a while after when ericus came to reign , they knew what it was to want their gustavus : of whom it may truly be said , that he dyed a king , a a patriot , a knight , a christian , true , and unconquered , and yet lives a monument of the truth of that golden sentence , uttered by the god of truth , him that honours me , will i honour . deo tri-uni gloria . the life , and death of mrs. jane ratcliffe , who dyed anno christi . mrs. jane ratcliffe was born of good parents , who were morally civil , and moderately religious , according to the temper of the times wherein they lived : her uncle was mr. edward brerewood , a learned professor in gresham college london . in her younger years she was rather civil than religious , and sometimes rather merry than civil ; yet lightsome without lightness , or immodesty : though too much delighted with dancing , stage-playes , and other publick vanities , according to the fashion of young folkes , especially in those times when these things were so well thought of , that they were admitted to be acted in the churches . but it pleased god , according to his election of grace , in due time to call her by the ministry of mr nicholas byfield , who was a powerfull , and a profitable preacher of gods word at that time in the city of chester ; which also was seconded by the afflicting hand of god , who took away her first child ( which she much took to heart ) but god made it an occasion to make her his own child by adoption , and grace . for from that time the meanes of grace had a more kindly operation upon her , which made her ever after more to mind her father in heaven , than any child she had upon earth . yet at first she rather feared god than loved him , whence were engendred many perplexing scruples in her soul , which for the present were very grievous unto her : for her spirit was sore wounded , and a wounded spirit , who can bear , prov. . . the truth is , the pangs of her new birth were so painfull , and bitter , and sometimes so terrible , that it was a difficult thing to fasten any comfort upon her . but after the lord had chastened her soul with his severe discipline , and thereby had prepared her for a cure , he shewed himself her most favourable and effectual physician , according to that job . . he make●h sore , and bindeth up , he wound , and his hands make whole . for he quieted her troubled spirit , and setled it in the assurance of his love . being thus , through gods goodness , converted , and comforted , it pleased him to bestow many excellent endowments upon her , both intellectuall , and morall . for by her frequent , and attentive hearing of sermons , and reading good books , the bible especially ( unto which she was addicted with an incredible desire , and delight ) and by moving questions to such as she thought best able to answer them , she became an excellent proficient in the most sound , and usefull points of religion : yet took she not upon her to teach any but her own children , and servants , though an apollos might not have disdained to learn of such a priscilla , act. . . she medled but little in worldly matters , and when she did , she little minded them : yet ( shadowing her self from acquaintance with the world ) she shined gloriously in her knowledge of god , and heavenly matters . as she had occasion to converse with others she shewed her self a very prudent abigail : the word of god ( as st paul prescribeth ) dwelt richly in her in all wisdome , which appeared in her speech , in her silence , in her carriage , and in her actions . in her speech : for ( as the same apostle requireth ) being enriched both in knowledge , and utterance , cor. . . she opened her mouth with wisdome , as that rare woman , prov. . . having ( as st jerome dictated to celantia ) thought before-hand what she should speak , and while she was yet silent , forecasting that she might say nothing , which afterwards she would wish to be unsaid again ; and so she was fitted , and well prepared either to counsell , or to comfort , to reprove , or to plead for , as there was occasion . yet was she not ( as some women would have been , with her abilities , and some without them have been ) obstreperously talkative , nor affected by her words to make any oftentation of her wit , or other good parts : but very sparing of her speech , so that she was as much observed for her silence , as for her discreet discourse when there was just occasion , and opportunity . for she had learned , that in multitude of words there wants not sin , prov. . . that whosoever keeps his mouth , and his tongue keeps his soul , prov. . . that death and life are in the power of the tongue , pov. . . that tatling women are condemned by the apostle , tim. . . that of every idle word account must be given at the day of judgement , mat. . . and that they who profess religion , and refrain not their tongues , their religion is vain , jam. . . this moved her , with david , to resolve that her mouth should not offend , psalme . . certainly such silence as she used ( in those that know how to speak ) is an argument of wisdome : for a wise man ( saith solom●n ) and it is as true of a woman ) holdeth his peace , prov. . . and he that rfr●●ns his lips is wise , prov. . . and so far was she from speaking ill , especially of the absent , or of her betters , that st jeroms precept to celantia , was set forth in her practice , which was , rather to look to her own life , than to carp at anothers . and she well knew that where corrupt communication is restrained , there that which is good to the use of edifying is required : yet was she so wise , and wary , even in the use of good words , as to observe when , and where , and before whom to use them , and the season when to give over as well as when to begin her discourse . she gave farther proof of her prudence in her carriage , and behaviour : and bishop hall in his contemplations makes this a very good proof of wisdome . there are some ( saith he ) whose speeches are witty , while their carriage is weak , whose deeds are incongruities , whilest their words are apothegmes . it is not worth the name of wisdome that may be heard only , and not seen . good discourse is but the froth of wisdome : the pure , and solid substance of it is well-framed actions . and according to this we may commend her conversation for prudence in practice , above that which , she shewed either in the use , or restraint of her tongue : for as st. jerom saith , she taught others more by her example than by her speech , much more , then by her silence . she was a woman of a well composed spirit , discreetly advised , framing her affairs by good direction of grace , and reason , without any direction of humour or passion , which bare no sway over her at all , and very seldome had any shew , or appearance in her , but when her discretion told her it was fit to make use of them for due advertisement to others ; and then she would order it with such moderation , as that neither her words , nor her looks , nor her gestures , carried any colour of contradiction to her prudence , and piety : so that her wisdome was a protection to the reputation of her piety against all scornfull reproaches : yea it was a promotion of the christian profession to more estimation in her person , and for her sake . and though she was singularly gifted , yet was she far from their disposition who think they do nothing well unless they be singular : and though she had less to do with worldly matters , than most would have had in her condition , yet therein also she gave that proof of prudence which solomon observeth , prov. . . a wise woman ( saith he ) builds her house : for she was very provident in managing her family affairs both whilest she was married , and when she was a widow also . now from her intellectuall parts , let us pass to her morall , and we shall find , that though she had a very good head , richly stored with ingenious , and religious notions , yet she had a far better heart , more abundantly furnished with excellent graces , whereof we will single out some . . for her faith , which is the hand that turneth the key to unlock the storehouse of divine beneficence : this appeared by a paper written with her own hand , wherein she did set down the articles of her faith in full , plain , and perspicuous terms with pertinent proofs of scripture to every point , and then she maketh particular application thereof to her self , as thus : i do believe the scriptures to be the very word of god , tim. . . pet. . . and i have found them so to me by the witness of gods spirit , which i have felt testifying of them , and by the unutterable comfort which i have received by them , wonderfully refreshing my heart when it was in the deepest distress , whereby god hath made them so good unto me that i account them better than thousands of gold , and silver , psal. . . i do believe that god made man at first after his own image , gen. . . which image did chiefly consist in knowledge , and holiness , eccles. . . eph. . . and out of admiration of this image , i do long for that time when i shall be satisfied with it , psal. . . i do believe that all mankind hath sinned , king. . . and that the nature of man is stained with sin from the birth , psal. . . i know , and must acknowlegde that the cause of all the afflictions which do befall me in this life is in my self , and i know no cause to murmure at my crosses when i look upon my sin . i do believe that jesus christ is god , and my god , psal. . . and in that he is a god , and my god , it doth exceedingly comfort me : for he is full of grace to supply my wants ; a counsellor to direct me in my doubts ; almighty to defend me ; and an everlasting father to love , pitty , and bear with mine infirmities , and to spare me ; a prince of peace to perform reconciliation with his father for me , and to fill me with the peace which passeth all understanding , and that he will establish , and order me henceforth , and for ever . i do believe that the passion of christ was by the eternall decree , and appointment of god , act. . . and that his sorrows were sustained for our sins , and for our sakes , so as he bore all our iniquities , pet. . . and that in his own person , he fullfilled , and finished all sufferings needfull for our salvation , pet. . and that his passion ( so grievous as cannot be imagined ) is a sufficient price for the sins of the world , joh . . therefore why should not i be willing to suffer any thing for his sake , that hath suffered so great things for me : and say ( with st. paul ) god forbid that i should rejoyce in any thing but in the cross of christ. i will for ever trust in him ; and relie upon him as the life of my life , and as to me both in life , and death advantage : and having such a proof of the infinite love of god to me in not sparing his own son , but giving him up to death for me , shall i ever doubt of my freedome from condemnation , such a price being paid for the discharge of my debts by such a surety ? i do believe that christ overcame sin , death , the grave , and hell , and rose again from the dead , ascended into heaven , and sitteth on the right hand of god in majesty , rom. . . and that he hath purchased his church by his bloud , and that he is a lawgiver to his church , jam. . . which is gathered by his voice , joh. . . seperated from sinfull society with the world : for she is an holy church , eph. . . yet dispersed over the world ; for she is catholick , eph. . . and though catholick , and dispersed , yet but one , eph. . . knit unto christ by an indissolveable union , col. . . and i am sure that i am a member of this church for i am called out of sinfull communion with the : world by the voice of the ministers of christ , who are in his stead , and seperated from it by the power of the word , and i do relie upon christs merits for righteousness , and salvation . i do not delight in the society of the wicked , but in theirs who fear him , whom i love with sincere affections , as the most worthy people of the world , and whatsoever i want of an holy life , yet i do not live after my old evil conversation ; but i constantly endeavour to be more , and more holy . what thanks shall i give unto god , who hath called me out of darkness into his marvellous light , and saved me from the common condemnation of the world ? o the depth of the love of christ unto me ! i do believe that there shall be a generall judgement , psal. . . that christ shall be the judge , a visible judge in his humane nature , act. . . that it shall be at the last day ; but the precise day , and hour is not known to any man , or angel , mat. . . that then every man shall be judged , jude . and every secret thing shall be brought to light , rom. . . and that the judgement will be most just , and so confessed by all , rom. . , . why then should i fear the last judgement , seeing he shall be my judge who is my brother , advocate , and redeemer ? he that was willingly judged for me , will give no hard sentence against me ; yea he hath already absolved me from my sins , and given me the earnest of his spirit , and the seal of the sacraments , and i have judged my self that i may not be condemned with the world , cor. . . i do beleeve that the glory of heaven is unspeakable , and incomprehensible by us here on earth , cor. . . that is it eternal , matth. . . and that it is the gift of god proceeding onely from his free grace , not our merit , luke . . his free gift bestowed onely upon the elect , rev. . . o that i could by the effectualness of contemplation behold the greatness of this felicity which is provided for me ! yet as i can conceive it , i cannot choose but long to be absent from hence , that i may be present with the lord , cor. . . whos 's admirable beauty i shall clearly see , and know as i am known , and that with a perfection both of holiness and happiness ; such holiness as will not onely free me from all sin , but from all possibility of sinning ; such happiness as that , ceasing from all labour and sorrow , i shall enjoy an eternal sabbath , and shall be free to all the treasures of heaven , and ( with the fruition of gods glorious presence ) shall enjoy the sweet society of all the glorified saints and angels . and all this , as it is unuterable , so it is unalterable : for as i cannot be disappointed of it because it is certain , so i cannot be deprived of it because it is eternal . how then should the hope of the future life , but swallow up the afflictions of the life present ? and why should i fear death , when being dead i shall be so blessed ? yet was not her faith elevated so high , but that she could readily apply it to promises of an inferiour degree : for as she trusted in god at all times , as david teacheth , psal. . . so did she in all things , whether temporal or eternal . in straits and difficulties for the affairs of this life , she had that ready at hand : commit thy way unto the lord , trust also in him , and he shall bring it to pass , psal. . . if at any time she was sinisterly censured by any one , her faith applied that promise to her heart , he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light , and thy judgement as the noon day , psal. . . and whatsoever it were that came upon her as a cross , her faith was either as a wreathe betwixt her shoulders and it , that it did not pinch her , or a remover of it from her self to him , who was best able to bear it , by vertue of that warrant , psal. . . cast thy burthen upon the lord , and he shall sustain thee , and that done , her faith which teacheth to keep an eaven pace with the promises , not making haste , isa. . . by anticipating the time of accomplishment , taught her soul to wait upon god , as davids did , psal. . . to effect his own work , at his own time , in his own way and manner , wherein she would not prescribe any thing at all . by this daily exercise of her faith , she gained a great deal of freedome , and lightsomness of spirit , which admirably appeared in her deportment upon great disappointments of that which was her own due , and unexpected payments unto others : when she hath seen no way of supply for the present occasions , she hath believed that gods providence would effect what her forecast could not , when she was not wanting in the use of means , and that he could furnish her with that which should be sufficient , albeit for the present she saw not how , nor by what means it would come to pass ; and therefore when she had done what belonged to her duty , in the affiance of her faith , she rested quiet , and remained cheerful , and slept neither the less , nor the worse for it ; and that which confirmed her confidence the more was , that she still found by experience that god was most worthy to be trusted . that her faith was as good as it was great , appeared by the effect of it in her devotion and piety , which was suitable to her knowledge of god , and her faith in him ; by both which , as she had a clear apprehension of him , so none had more dear , and devout affections to him , or more assured signs of such , than she , as appeared in these particulars : she was frequently , and fervently conversant with god ( besides the publick ) in her private supplications , and therein was he most favourably familiar with her ; for he sent forth his spirit into her heart , whereby she cried , abba father , gal , . . the spirit of grace and supplication , zach. . . which enabled her in an extraordinary manner and measure to pour out her soul into his bosome ; and though she duely esteemed of the solemn prayers of the sacred assemblies ( whereof a learned and pious divine said , that never any one prayed well privately , who contemned , or neglected the publick prayers of the church ) and never sleighted , or censured set forms of prayer , yet could she , and that excellently well , conceive prayer , and vary her petitions as the present occasion did require . yea in this devotion she was so abundant in apt and pertinent expressions , that indeed it was admirable , that one so silent in her common conversation with the world , should be so fluent , and eloquent in her entercourse with god. nor was she more copious in speech , than fervent in spirit : for such was her holy violence in prayer , as that she seemed not to knock at heaven gate for another to open it , but to make a battery upon it her self , and to break in by the powerful importunity of her supplications . her service also of god in this kinde , was no dry devotion , but steeped , and drenched in showres of tears ; and though her prudence used as much privacy as might be herein , yet such a singular gift could not be hid from her servants , and some secret female friends , who sometimes , when they were sick , or possessed with fears , or pains of child-birth , they would move her with importunity to pray with them , and when she yeelded to them , and god to her , by answering her request , they were apt ( as there was cause ) to impute the good effect to her fervent supplications . a female friend of hers ( who was her bed-fellow in london for many weeks together ) and thereby was a partaker of her daily devotions , professed that she was so plentifully furnished for utterance of her requests to god , that she never wanted variety of meet words to be presented unto him , but when a surcharge of sighs and tears put her prayers to a pause . when the heart is full of love , the mouth is filled with praise of a person most deservedly , and most dearly beloved , whereof we have an example in this vertuous gentlewoman , who when time , company , and occasion did invite her to communicate to others the good matter which her heart had indited of god , she used her tongue as the pen of a ready writer , psal. . . and when she had that great king for the subject of her speech , she spake of him with such hearty and savoury relishes of sacred delight and reverence , and with such an affectionate force , as if her soul were ready to leap out at her lips into the ears of others , to kindle the same holy fire in their hearts who heard her , which burned in her own bosome , longing ( as david did ) that others might taste , and see the goodn●ss of the lord , psal. . . that they might be rivals with her in her religious love ; and glad she was when any sinner was converted , or any already called , better enabled to promote the glory of god , and that was the end which she principally aimed at in her godly discourse of him in giving vent to her heart in this duty , she could spend her spirits with great delight , both to her self , and to those choice friends who had opportunity to hear her , when just occasion was ministred unto her ; and yet when she had spoken best , she found matter of complaint in her own expressions , as being too faint , and too flat , and so far below that which was meet for the majesty of the great god , insomuch as all the acceptation which she desired of him , was but to pardon her presumption ( as the errour of her love ) for taking upon her to speak of his excellency , and the weakness of her spirit and speech , which made her fall infinitely short of doing him right in the publication of his praise . another evidence of her dear affection unto god , was the great love , which for his sake , she bore to whom , or whatsoever had any near relation to him , according to that joh. . . he that loves god must love his brother also : and he must love him rather in a direct , than in a collateral line , as gods childe , rather than as his brother , more for gods sake than for his own : the dearest degree of love belongs to those persons and things which are nearest to him , and to such she bore a sincere , and singular good will : as to his saints with david , psal. . . and to his true religion , and worship , both at home , and abroad , the happy progress and prosperity whereof was with her ( as jerusalem with david ) preferred above her chiefest joy , psal. . . and it was a great affliction to her heart , to hear any ill tidings of any good man , or any good cause . she highly prized gods word , and in the blessed sacrament of the lords supper , she felt such a sweet refreshing as might make amends for the severity of her frequent fasting , so that for her part , and portion of it , in respect of the common sort of communicants , she might say , i have meat that ye know not of , joh. . . dainties , which infinitely exceed whatsoever delighteth , or pleaseth a sensual pallate : for the house of god , she shewed her self just of davids minde , when she said , i have loved the habitation of thy house , the place where thine honour dwelleth , psal. . . and how amiable are thy tabernacles , o lord of hosts , my soul longeth , yea even fainteth for the courts of the lord , psal. . , . if by any imperious impediment she were kept from the church ( as by sickness in her body , &c. ) her soul was love-sick by her longings to be there ; and whereas many women take a little occasion to absent themselves from it , she would many times force her feeble body to carry her soul to the sanctuary , though the day before she were confined not only to her chamber , but to her bed ; whereby though she hazarded her health , yet it pleased god so graciously to accept of her zeal to his house , that she was never the worse for those pious adventures . she kept a great distance from doting on the world , which st. james condemns as enmity to god , jam. . . though while she lived she could not choose but be in the world , yet did she so love her dear lord jesus christ , that for his sake she was exceedingly estranged from the world ; which appeared , . by her estrangement from sensual delights , which she shewed by her frequent fasting from meats and drinks : by her abstinence from such sports and pastimes as before her conversion she had been too immoderately addicted unto , and by her fi●m resolution to forbear marriage after her widowhood , and to rest in that condition wherein she might best attend upon the service of god. indeed her love , and delight in communion with god , made her mindeless of meat , and careless of provision for the flesh . well she knew , that though fasting makes the body weak ( as david saith , my knees are weak through fasting , and my flesh faileth of fatness , psal. . . ) yet it strengthneth the spirit , and maketh it vigorous in conflict , and victorious in the event ; yea fasting and prayer make a potent combination , which is able to drive the strongest devil out of his usurped possession , as matth. . . these two she used , not onely as weapons against the devil , but as wings to elevate her soul god-ward and heaven-ward ; yet herein was she observant of our saviours rule , mat. . . that she fasted without an appearance of fasting , onely the next day it might be discerned by her faintness , she having spent her spirits in spiritual exercises the day before . for those sports and pastimes wherein formerly she had taken too much contentment , she not onely abstained from them , but much complained of her vanity in them : her eyes ( which before were used to behold them with delight , now ) shed tears of shame and sorrow , that formerly she had set her minde so much upon them , and now she imployed them in the more frequent and affectionate reading of the holy scriptures , wherein she took more delight than she had done before in the most pompous spectacles , set out to take the eyes with gazing , and the minde with wonder . and as for marriage , her heart was so devoted to her lord christ , that though she had divers fair invitations to it , by such as both for profit , and credit , and other considerable respects , were worthy rather to be desired , than denied , yet she resolved not to change her condition in that kinde , and that not onely in love , and loyalty to her former husband , but that she might be more free to serve god according to that of st. paul , cor. . . the unmarried woman careth for the things of the lord , that she may be holy both in body and spirit ; but she that is married careth for the things of the world how she may please her husband . . she had so chosen god for her portion , and set up her rest in the riches of his love , that she had but little minde of the worlds riches . she knew , that riches may be had , and well used of the religious ; and that poverty alone commends no man unto god , as st. jerom speaks , yet did she not dote upon them ; but though she was competently careful and frugal , as christ prescribeth , joh. . . gather up the broken meat that nothing be lost ; and though she was provident as the apostle requires , tim. . . if any provide not for his own , and especially for those of his own hosue , he hath denyed the faith , and is worse than an infidel ; yet withall beleeving that of the prophet david , psal. . . a little that the righteous hath is better than the riches of many wicked ; and as conforming her self to that of st. john , love not the world , nor the things of the world , joh. . . she often besought of almighty god rather to make , and keep her poor , than to suffer her heart in any sort to sink down from her maker , to dote upon mammon . she was one that could very well finde in her heart to honour god with her substance , as prov. . . she was as cheerful in her layings out for him , as any miser could be in his layings up for himself ; and when she heard of the irreligious parsimony of some towards the maintenanance of the publick ministry in that city of chester , she hath professed that she had rather be at all the charge of all the common contributions her self ( if her estate would bear it ) than that god should be grumbled at , or his service poorly prized , or the wages of his work unwillingly paid . another undoubted testimony of her true love to god , was in that she so much desired to dye out of a fervent affection to him , insomuch that she feared a long life would keep her too long from the enjoyment of him ; being therein like unto david in those ardent aspirations of his , as the hart panteth after the water brooks , so panteth my soul after thee , o god , my soul thirsteth for god , for the living god , when shall i come , and appear before him , psal . , . that which worldlings are most afraid of , that she so much wished for , that her friends were fain to plead with her to be pleased with life , though she , not being contented with their arguments , contended against them by contrary reason , shewing first why she did desire to dye . secondly , why she was not afraid of death , and hoping that it would not tarry long , she had in readiness some special matters to be remembred at her death , which she left in writing under her own hand , and are as followeth : first , why i desire to dye : i desire to dye , because i want while i live here , the glorious presence of god , which i love and long for , and that sweet fellowship of the angels , and saints who would be glad of me as i am of them , and would entertaine me with unwearied delight . i desire to dye , because while i live , i shall want the perfection of my nature , and be as an estranged , and banished person from my fathers house . i desire to dye , because i would not live to offend so good a god , nor to grieve his holy spirit : for his loving kindness is better than life it self : and he is abundant in mercy to me , and it doth lye as an heavy load upon my heart many times , to think of dipleasing him . i desire to dye , because this world is generally infected with the plague of sin , and some have this plague-sore running upon them , and i my self ●m tainted with the same disease , so as whilst i live here , i can be in no place , nor in any company , but i am still in danger of being infected , or to infect others , and if this world doth hate me because i endeavour to follow goodness , how will it rejoyce if my foot do but slip ? therefore how woful would my life be unto me , if i should give occasion to the world to triumph , or blaspheme in respect of me ? i cannot choose but desire to dye , when i consider that sin , like a leprosie hath so corrupted me , that there is no soundness in me , my minde , my memory , my will , and affections , yea my very conscience is still impure ; in every faculty of my soul there is a miserable mixture of vile infection which makes me aweary of my life ; and all this is the worse , because it is incurable , and inseparable companion of my life , so that i can go no whither to avoid it ; there is no business that i can dispatch that concerns my happiness without a muteny in mine heart ; though gods works be all fair works , yet there are in my nature many defects , insufficiencies , mistakings and transgressions ; so that i may say with david , innumerable evils have compassed me about , mine iniquities have taken hold on me , so that i am not able to look up , psal. . . i therefore desire heaven for holiness rather than for happiness , that i might sin no more . i desire that condition wherein i may most glorifie god. i desire to dye , because of the devils malignant , and uncessant assaults : i can stand no where before the lord on earth , but one devil or other , is at my right hand , and must of necessity enter into conflict with them , and their temptations , and be buffeted , and gored by them , which is a thousand fold worse than death : more easie it is to wrestle with flesh and blood , than with those principalities and powers , and spiritual wickednesses , and great rulers of the world : for they are subtle and cruel , and and like roaring lions they go about seeking whom they may devour , pet. . . i desire to dye , because by death i shall rest from the hard labours of this life . i desire to dye , because nothing in this world can give me solid , and durable contentment : i am less in liking of life , and have more desire of death when i consider the misery that may come both on my body and estate , and fearful alterations may come , and wars may come , and all the desolations , and terrours which accompany them , and i may be left in the hands of the sons of violence : besides i daily suffer the loss of my friends who were the companions of my life , and means of much contentment unto me ; and those whom i lose by my life , i shall finde by my death , and enjoy in another world unto all eternity : and for my children it doth not trouble me , for that god which hath given life and breath , and all they have , while i am living , can , without me , provide for them when i am dead ; my god will be their god , if they be his , if they be not , what comfort would it be for me to live ? my life would be exceeding bitter unto me if i should see them dishonour god , whom i so much love . when she enjoyed the greatest portion of temporal or spiritual comfort , yet would she never say , master , it is good to be here , as matth. . . but making that but a step for an higher ascent , she rather inferred , it is good going hence : for if on earth there be so much good , how pleasant and desirable is heaven ; the joyes on earth to those that are there , are but as the earth is to heaven , little , and low , dark , and heavy . why i do not fear death . i fear not death , because it is but the separation of the body from th sould , and that it is but a shadow of the body of death , rom. . . whereas the separation of the soul from god by sin , isa. . . and of soul and body for sin , is death indeed . i fear not death , because death is such an enemy as hath been often vanquished , and because i am armed for it , and the weapons of my warfare are mighty through god , and i am assured of victory . i do not fear death for the pain of it ; for i am perswaded i have endured as great pains in life , as i shall finde in death , and death will cure me of all sorts of pains ; and because christ dyed a terrible and cursed death , that any kinde of death might be blessed to me ; and that god , who hath greatly loved me in life , will not neglect me in death ; but his spirit will succour and strengthen me all the time of the combate . i do not fear death for any loss : for i shall but lose my body by it , and that is but a prison to my soul , an old rotten house , or ragged garment , nay i shall not lose that neither , for i shall have it restored again at my saviours second coming made much better than now it is : for this vile body shall be like the body of christ , and by death i shall obtain a far better life . and as an incentive of divine love , she prepared a breviate of gods principal benefits to her self for meditation on her death-bed , and for thanksgiving to god , which was this : how shall i praise god , . for my conversion . . for his word , both in respect of my affections to it , and the wonderful comforts i have had by it . . for hearing of my prayers . . for godly sorrow . . for fellowship with the godly . . for joy in the holy ghost . . for the desire of death . . for contempt of the world . . for private helps and comforts . . for giving me some strength against my sin . . for preserving me from gross evils both before , and after my calling , &c. she shewed her holy love to god , by conforming her practice to his precepts , according to that joh. . . if you love me , keep my commandements . she thought nothing too much that she should stick at ( if god commanded , or forbad it ) nothing so small , but his word was able to give it weight enough to bow down her neck to the obedience of it . if it was a greater matter that he required of her , she considered , that he was a god infinitly , both great and good , and that unto her , who had and would do for her ten thousand times more and greater things than she could do for him : if it were a little thing , she conceived that the contempt or neglect of it would aggravate her guilt , as naamans servants said to their master , if the prophet had bidden thee do some great matter , wouldst thou not have done it ? how much rather when he saith unto thee , wash , and be clean ? king. . . the less the duty is , the more is the disobedience if we do it not ; for thereby we extenuate the authority of the almighty , and such as sleight it in a little thing , will not regard it in a greater : she was therefore very precise in every point which god required the per●formance of . by this means she still increased in holiness and sanctification , and kept a greater distance from great offences ; according to that of st. jerom , non cito ad majora progreditur , qui parva formidet , who so is afraid of a small sin , will not easily grow bold on those that are greater . her love to god was strong as death , cant. . . yea , and much stronger , so that death could not affright her ; for she desired da●ly to look death in the face , nor could it hurt her more than she was content to endure : for though it was not likely that she should go through the narrow wicket of death , and not be pinched in her passage , yet was she well contented with it , seeing it was the ready way to come to god , whom she so much longed to behold . her charity was very chary of the credit of the absent , towards whom she would not suffer either her tongue , or her ears be guilty of any wrong or robbery of their reputations . she never imposed false crimes , or feigned faults upon others : she never discovered their secret sins , or aggravated those that were known : she never denied , dissembled , nor diminished the vertue or good parts of any . though her hatred of sin was such as became a sincere christian , yet knew she how to distinguish betwixt sin , and the sinner , and setting a severe dislike on the one , she reserved ( as charity required ) love , or compassion for the other . her charity was regular according to the rules of scripture , which she set down in a paper ▪ with quotations of texts for her direction in four particulars , . i must give readily , job . . prov. . . tim. . . . i must give secretly , matth ▪ . . . i must give liberally , cor. . . & . . . i must give cheerfully , cor. . . it was answerable also according to her own ability , and others necessities : she had rather give a little to many ( since the number of the needy is very great ) then a great deal to a few ; and she so ordered her charity , that she might still be able to exercise her hand that way , and not as some , who give so much that after a while they can give no more . and upon extraordinary occasions , if she were not magnificent , the let was not in her minde , but in her means . her charity was vigorus , and so cordial that what she gave was alwayes without grudging , knowing that god loves a cheerful giver , cor. . . yea she was so cheerful herein , that she bestowed nothing upon her self with more readiness , than she did upon others , whether it were towards the maintenance of the ministry , or in giving almes to the poor ; and yet herein did she follow the rule of our saviour , matth. ● . . let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth ; for she was many times as close in giving her own , as a thief would be in taking away from others ; so that none did more good deeds with less shew , or sound of words than she . for the object of her charity , she took her direction from the apostles precept , gal. . . do good unto all , but especially to the houshold of faith . she indeed shut up her charity from none that had need of it , but she enlarged it chiefly to such as were of the faithfull . her love and charity was very intire , and great to her friends , yet not so confined to them , but that she reserved a competent measure for them that dealt unfriendly with her , or that were enemies to her . if there was any unkinde difference between her , and any one , though she enjoyed the freedome of her judgement to think as there was cause , yet would she not suffer her affections to be estranged from them , but was ready to do them good , if power , and opportunity did furnish her for it . she requited love for hatred , pity for spight , ●riendly offices for offensive usages , she bare ill will to none . she hated nothing , but that which is worse than nothing [ sin ] and that she hated in all , and most of all in her own soul. as her charity was evidenced by doing , so also by suffering : if any tribulation were upon others , or imminent over them , she was like minded with her lord and master , according to that of the prophet , isa. . . in all their afflictions he was afflisted . she did passionately sympatize in the sufferings of her fellow-members : if it was ill with the church , or any particular saints ; it was no better with her . charity made her suffer as much by inward affection , as they did of their enemies by outward affliction . her patience also was very remarkable : for though her apprehensions were quick enough to conceive any thing tending to the disturbance of peace and patience ; yet she enjoyed such a calmness of spirit as could hardly be turned to a storm . if any were injurious towards her , her tongue could more readily pray , and her eyes weep for them , than with looks , or words of indignation , or disdain set upon them . if she were angry at others , which was very seldome , it was sin , their sin that was the cause of it . if news came to her of any losses in her estate , as sometimes there did of great ones , yet was she never put out of temper with those ill tidings , having these considerations ready at hand to quiet her heart : it is that god that gave all , that now taketh away some , why should i take it ill ? he would not have me to be in love with , nor to relye upon uncertain riches , which were never true to any that trusted them , but upon himself , and i willingly renounce them to rest upon him . he can , if he see it good , recompence the loss , in the like , or some better kinde . if he take more , there will yet be many poorer than my self ; and if he take away all my goods , he can give me content without them , for he is all-sufficient , and so though i have nothing , i may be as possessing all things , cor. . . the world and i must part , and whether we be unstiched by parcels , or torn asunder by taking all at once , all is one to me ; that which he chooseth is best for us both , for his owne glory , and my good , if i grudge not against him , but willingly ( as i pray ) give way to his will. by bodily sufferings her patience was exceedingly tried both for the truth and strength of it : for of some of her children she had long , painful , and very perilous labour ; but that which exceeded all , was , a long , and sore sickness , to which were applied very rough and irksome remedies , so that she suffered not onely the anguish of her disease , but many things also of the physitians , as that woman in the gospel , mark . . and had it onely been pain and torment , it had been more tolerable ; but it was accompanied with a strange infirmity and deformity . her jaw being faln , she could not bring it up towards her upper jaw : her mouth was drawn awry towards her ears , so that with much difficulty both to her self and others , her food was conveyed through so crooked a passage to her throat ; which might have caused the greater discontent to her minde , because it was the shipwrack of much beauty and comeliness , which until then was seated in her countenance , and whereof she kept remarkable impressions to her dying day ; yet shewed she admirable patience under this great affliction , to which her heart was brought meekly to submit ; and concerning which , she said , that if it pleased the lord still to continue her a spectacle of deformed misery , she would not repine at his doing , or her own suffering , but would willingly , abide it until he freed her body from the disease by health , or her soul from her body by death . her modesty also manifested it self by her shame-faced estrangement from sin and vanity , concerning which vertue in her it may be said , that it was rather sometimes too much , than any time too little , and it shewed it self divers wayes . . in her look , which was habitually composed to a modest and gracious gravity , so that against any thing that was unseemly to be said , or done , she carried a severe rebuke in her very countenance ; or if any were so immodest as to speak , or do any thing before her , not becoming christianity , her modesty made some supply to their want of it , she would blush for them . . in her speech , whereas some would have vaunted themselves , or made some vain-glorious shew of such sufficiency as was in her , she rather shadowed her own light with a dark lanthorn , and therefore in that wherein she was a teacher , she carried her self as in the person of a learner , rather asking questions , than making resolutions , or giving rules , and directions unto others . . by her silence : for as st. ambrose saith , though● silence be a rest to other vertues , yet is it a chief act , an● exercise of modesty ; yea her pace , her habit , and he whole behaviour was a lesson of modesty , which , together with her other vertues , wrought a kinde of awfulness in her person , so that those that had not grace to do well in private , were more afraid and ashamed of an appearance of evil in her presence , than in the sight of many a magistrate . as for humility , she made great account of it , she studied it seriously , and got it so by heart , that there was no need of art to make profession or ostentation of it . solomon makes contention the proper effect of pride , prov. . . so peaceableness is a sure sign of humility ; and this she shewed in that she could endure contradiction , reproaches , and other trials of humility without a quarrel , or breach of peace with any , being still ready to deny her self , and to yeeld to others so far as with a safe conscience she could . once a new gown being brought her to put on , and presented as a gift from he husband , wherein his kindness had put him to more cost than she wished , to make her more fine than she desired to be , she humbly besought with tears that it might not come upon her back ; she said indeed little with her tongue , but her eyes spoke much , because she was loath to conrradict him whom she was bound to obey ; and at last she submitted to his will , though against her own , not onely because that habit was no better than others of her rank did wear , but because it was a testimony of her husbands love , and of her own loyal subjection to his will ; wherein she followed the advice of bishop hall in his contemplations . it is not ( saith he ) for a good wife to judge of her husbands will but to execute it ; neither wit , nor stomack may carry her into a curious inquisition into the reasons of an enjoyned charge , much less to a resistance , but in an hoodwinckt simplicity she must follow whithersoever she is led , as one that holds her chief praise to consist in subjection , following her husband , as the israelites did the cloudy pillar , which when it stood , they stood , when it went they followed . and indeed it was no marvel that she was so obsequious to her husband , for amongst her papers were found special directions which she had , drawn out of the scripture , for her conjugal affection , and behaviour towards her husband , which were these which follow , under this title ; duties which concern me in particular . i must submit my self to my husband , as to the lord , eph. . . i must account him my head , eph. . . i must be in subjection to him in all things , as the church unto christ , eph. . . i must get his consent even for those times that i set apart for religious duties , cor. . ● , . i must walk pleasingly towards him , cor. . . when by his death she was loosed from the law of her husband , she would have returned to a meaner habit , but because it was suitable to the place which she held in the city ( as having been wife to him who had been twice mayor of chester , and divers times a burg●ss of parliament ) and for that god made such good things neither onely , nor principally for the use , and wearing of the wicked , but for his children ; and that it might not be imputed either to singularity nor nigardize , she made no remarkable change in her attire ; and indeed , to keep down pride , she would not eat the bread of idleness , prov. . . but willingly wrought with her hands , as that vertuous woman did , vers . . and readily descended to such homely offices as were meet for the meanest of her servants . notwithstanding such excellent gifts , and graces wherewith god had inriched her soul , her mind was not lifted up to vaunting or vanity , nor to the undervaluing or envying gods gifts in others , but in lowliness of minde , she esteemed others better than her self , phil. . . disavowing her own praise , though those that gave it , thought it much less than her due , and advancing others far before her self , though in gifts they were far below her ; and no marvel , for she was not as those who are far more curious to know the faults of others than to correct their own , but an exact enquirer into her own life , a severe censurer of her own imperfections and failings ; and as for others , she observed them most for that which was best in them , to make her self more holy by imitating them therein , and more humble for that wherein she fell short of them . she often presented , and arraigned her self before gods tribunal to bring her self down in submission as guilty before him , begging pardon on her knees at his hands ; and she came the lower by comparing her own faultiness , infirmity , and misery with his infinite purity , power , and majesty , in comparison of whom , all nations are but as the drop of the bucket , or the small dust in the ballance , isa. . . which made her to think of him with admiration , and love , and of her self with detestation and loathing ; and when she took notice of any good thing in her self , she boasted not of it , even because she had received it , and that of gods free gift , making it a memento of thankfulness to him that gave it her , knowing that he might have passed by her , and given it to another , and that he might be provoked to take it away from her , if she should take any of that glory to her self which was due unto him alone . she alwayes held this for a maxime , that if it be good to be esteemed vertuous ( and most desire to be so esteemed ) than to be so indeed , is much better ; for the substance of a good thing is alwayes better than the semblance of it ; therefore she was so sincere in her whole course , that she hated the least appearance of hypocrisie : she was one of those whom david blesseth for their integrity , bl●ssed are they who keep his testimonies , and seek him with their whole heart , psal. . . her love was without dissimulation , rom. . . she loved not in word , or in tongue onely , but in deed , and in truth , joh. . . and this appeared in that she made her deeds of charity and good will alwayes better than her words , whereof she was so chary , that some blamed her for want of affability , which being objected to her , she said , i like not the lavish language of some , who have their mouthes full of complemental curtesie to every one , though their hearts be shut and contracted , when their mouthes are so enlarged ; and if they have love enough within to maintain such liberality of words without , i like my own heart the worse , that it is not so ready to attend upon my tongue , as on the sudden to minister cordial affections meet for such frank and friendly expressions . she used rather to let her friends see her love by her works , than to hear it by her words . her constancy also was very remarkable , by which her spirit was stedfast with god , and her heart stedfast in his covenant , as the israelites should have been , but were not , psal. . , . her faith was grounded and settled , col. . . so that she was not carried away with divers and strange doctrines , heb. . . much less with every wind of doctrine , eph. . . but what she was for faith and godliness from her first conversion , the same she was in all places , at all times , and in all companies : but for the measure or degree of grace , she was not , as a stake in an hedge , which grows not , but as a plant in the garden that springeth up , no dwarf in gods house , but one that by spiritual nourishment , and daily exercise of her graces , grew up apace towards the stature of christ , and as it s said of the path of the just , prov. . . she shined more , and more unto the perfect day : so that she was best at last , and most heavenly minded when she had the least time to tarry on the earth . she was a loyal , and obedient wife ; a careful , and kinde , though not a found mother ; a gentle and beneficent mistress ; a good and a charitable neighbour , and a true and constant friend . towards her latter end she fell into some bodily distempers , wherein she had fits or trances , like the embrions of death , which ( by a gradual failing of her spirits ) left her at last unable to speak or move , yet without any great alteration in her countenance , which , by some , was conceived to be a spice of the mother , it was short , and not sharp , for she felt no pain ; yet when she returned to her self , she found that she was commonly more feeble than before . upon the munaay sevenight before she dyed , was the first assault given , which set deaths pale colour upon her face and fingers from the middle joynts towards the ends ; her nails turned to a blewish black , which being rubbed a while , returned again to their former complexion , and she remained that night indifferent well ; the next day her disease appeared in the form and quality of a kindely ague , and so continued mostly t●ll within three or four daies before her end , & then it turned from an intermitting ague to a continual feaver , that afflicted her with extream burning , and other pains which commonly accompany such a disease , especially when it rageth most as it doth towards the latter end . during her sickness , having the free use of all her faculties , her soul , no doubt , was exercised in holy meditations ; for wh●h she had kept in store many particulars of importance to be remembred at her departure out of this world . her desires were strong for a speedy dissolution , so that she implored god with the request of david , psal. . . make haste to help me , o lord my salvation : and psal. . . be pleased o lord to deliver me , o lord make haste to help me : and this she desired that she might have a joyful meeting with him , and fruition of him , after whom her soul longed , even then when her life was most lightsome , and her condition most comfortable : and now the time drew near that her desire was to be granted in that kinde which she most desired , by the power of death , to pass to the authour of life , which she did in such a calm manner that when she was thought to be but asleep , she was found to be dead , on friday , august the . anno christi . the life , and death of mr. ignatius jurdaine , who dyed anno christi . ignatius jurdaine was born at lime-regis in the county of dorset , anno christi . and when he was yet young , he was sent by his friends to the city of exeter , to be brought up in the profession of a merchant , and from thence , being about fifteen years old , he was sent into the isle of garnsey ; and god by his good providence having brought him to that place , did also there effectually call , and convert him by his grace : so that from that time he resolved to be like that wise merchant in the gospel , mat. . . to part with all for that pearl of great price , whereas others did make it their great work , and highest design to get the pelf of the world , and to load themselves with thick clay , hab. . . and in testimony of his thankfulness to god , he left by will a considerable legacy to the poor of lime where he was born , and to the poor of garnsey , where he was new born . god seasoning his heart with grace in his younger years , the general course of his life , did for the future relish of it , according to that of solomon , prov. . . train up a childe in the way he should go , and when he is old he will not depart from it . for as he was trained up in religion from his youth , so he continued not only in the form and profession , but in the life and power of it , until his old age , and death . in the whole tenour of his life , his piety was most eminent ; and indeed , there have been few observed to hold such const●nt , and close communion with god , as mr. jurdaine did . it was his constant practice for many years together , even to his old age , to arise between two and three of the clock in the morning , and that even in the coldest seasons of the year and to spend the time in secret meditation , and prayer , until six a clock , which was the appointed time for his morning-sacrifice in the family ; at which time he was called from his secret devotions to the exercise of religious family-duties . and if at any time he had over-slept himself ( as he accounted it ) and did not rise until four a clock , he would much bemoan himself , for the loss of so much precious time , wherein he might have enjoyed sweet , and comfortable communion with god : surely , had he not experimentally found much sweetness in this his spiritual converse with god , as david did , psal. . . he could not have continued so constantly therein . and having thus awaked with god in the morning , and renewed his acquaintance with him day by day , it s no marvel that he did walk with him all the day long after . in all his affairs and dealings , his care was to walk very exactly , and sincerely , according to st. pauls direction , eph. . . but though in all things he studied to approve himself to god , and to walk as in the sight of god , cor. . . yet could he not escape the malicious censures of men , who charged him to do all in hypocrisie . he well knew that he had the imputations of dissembling , and hypocrisie cast upon him , by men void of charity and sincerity ; but the testimony of his own conscience did more comfort him , than the uncharitable censures of men dejected him ; and he used upon that occasion to take up the words of job , till i dye i will not remove mine integrity from me , job . . . many have oft heard him to profess , that he would not willingly commit a sin to get a world , though the evil which he would not do that did he , as rom. . . ( as it is incident to the best of men ) yet did he bewail it with grief of heart . the sincerity indeed both of his intentions and actions hath been questioned by some , who were not ashamed to say , that under colour of doing justice ( when he was a publick magistrate ) and providing for poor , he robbed the poor , and helpt to keep his own house ▪ which was due to the poor : but for that falshood that was thus charged upon him , there were none that could ever better clear him from it than himself , not onely his conscience witnessing for him before god , but his books ( wherein he kept an exact record of all the money which he received by way of mulct from swearers , drunkards , &c. according to the law ) and the officers that distributed the money testifying his integrity before men ; so that might truly say with jacob , gen. . . my righteousness shall answer for me , and so it did herein both before god and men . nay , he was so far from depriving the poor of their right , that he added much of his own , distributing sixpences and shillings even when he had no money in bank . he had not onely the testimony of his own conscience , and of good men , for his upright and just dealing , but even of such who had little goodness in them . a prophane gentleman jee●ing at his heavenly discourses ; another of good quality , though of little piety , replyed , well , gentlemen , you may laugh at him , but on my conscience , he meaneth well , and whosoever of us goeth to heaven , shall meet mr. jurdaine there . he was a man that made conscience of all the duties and exercises of religion both in private , and in publick : his frequent discourses of heaven , and the way thereunto , and assurance of his interest therein , did declare that his heart and conversation were much in heaven . he used 〈◊〉 take occasion to confer of spiritual , and heavenly things with all sorts of men that he conversed with . one should seldome hear him speak but of heaven and heavenly things . his heart was so full of heaven that he could not but utter , and breath it forth in his discourses with men , and especially with those whose hearts and faces were towards heaven : when he was at table receiving his dayly food , he did usually minister occasion of holy discourses , and diverted vain , and unprofitable talk , to such edifying speeches , as might minister grace to the hearers , according to that exhortation , eph. . . he took occasion from earthly things to speak of heavenly ; as from the sweetness of the creatures , to speak of the infinite sweetness which is in god ; from feasting on earth , to the sitting down with abraham , isaac , and jacob in the kingdome of heaven , matth. . . and feasting with god and his blessed saints there . and when the table-cloath was taken away , he would often say , in heaven there is no taking away , here we are soon satisfied , and cloyed , but there will be such a feast , that we shall be continually delighting our souls with it , without any cloying . and his manner was to close his meals with singing some short psalm . he delighted much in reading good , and holy books , and especially that book of books , the sacred scriptures , wherein he most delighted , and thereby shewed that he had the property of a godly man , set down , psal. . . & . . the word of god was his meditation all the day long , yea both day and night . he did not onely read the bible above twenty times over , but he read it with special observation ( as appeareth by the asterisks , and marks in the bible which he used ) making particular application to himself . the like course he took in reading over that usefull book of mr. rogers his seven treatises , and other practical books , wherein he was very conversant , and his collections out of several authours do abundantly testifie . and he took so much delight in reading that voluminous and excellent book of the acts and monuments of the church , that upon occasion he told a friend that he had read it seven times over . his zeal for god and his glory , and against idolatry , prophaneness , and other evils , whereby god was highly dishonoured , was most eminent , and remarkable . he was a man of an anti-laodician temper ; he had well learned the apostles direction , rom. . . to be fervent in spirit , serving the lord , and not the time . he was far unlike ignatius loiola , the founder of the order of jesuits , who was a man of fire that was set on fire by ●ell to promote the cause of the prince of darkness ; but he had an holy fire kindled in his heart from heaven , whereby he did burn with zeal for the advancement of gods glory , and an holy indignation against sin , and errour . he would ( if it had been possible ) have burnt up all the dross , and fi●th that corrupted the truths of god , and that was contrary to the wayes of holiness ; and therein he was very like to ignatius the martyr . neither did his zeal carry him beyond knowledge , like that of the jews , rom. . . when in his zeal he used often to cry out , fie upon discretion ; for he condemned only that counterfeit pretence of discretion , which was taken up , and pleaded against true and regular zeal : and truly if carnal discretion be set up , and cried up , like the worldlings idol , it is the part of true christian zeal to cry it down . he was a very strict and conscientious observer and sanctifier of the christian sabbath , or lords day . he did then rise very early as on other dayes ( if not earlier ) and called upon those in his family to rise early on that day , saying , this is gods day , and as we do expect that our servants should rise early to go about our work on our dayes , so god expects our early rising on his day , to go about his work and service . and he used carefully to attend upon gods holy ordinances . the feet of them that dispenced the gospel , were beautiful in his eyes , as rom. . . more beautiful than their faces to many others . he was one of those saints , that sate down at gods feet to receive his word , deut. . . as disciples used at the feet of their teacher , implied , act. . . and he was very desirous , and willing to learn of any that came with the lords message unto him . he was a m●ason , an old disciples , act. . . yea a disciple when he was old : it never came into his heart to cast off ordinances , no not when he had attained to an high measure towards perfection . he was a constant writer of sermons , even when he was old , and that , not for his own benefit alone , but for the good of his family , to whom he did constantly repeat the sermons . and if he found himself overtaken with drowsiness in hearing the word ( an infirmity incident to age ) his manner was to stand up , and to rouse up himself that he might hear the more attentively . he knew that religion consisted not in hearing , repetition , and profession , but in practice ; and therefore his care was to digest his hearing , and knowledge into an holy conversation . his love was so great to the ministry of the word , and the lords holy ordinances , that he did intirely love , and affect all faithfull and painfull ministers , though their gifts were but mean ; but he could not away with a lazie minist●r , though he was never so learned . where fidelity , and learning meet together in one minister , oh! how highly would he reverence him . and being desirous not to go to heaven alone , but to draw others with him , his usuall course was , when he went with his family to gods house , to make an exhortation to his children and servants , that they should consider into whose presence they were going , and whom they were to hear , even that great god , to whom they were to give an account of every word , which they should hear ; and therefore he required them carefully to store it up for their practice , and not to say , my father , or my master would not afford me time ; for if they did , he would protest against them in the day of judgement . and as he was going to the congregation on the week-dayes , he would often finde some of the country people that were come early to the market , and then would ask them where they did live , and when they answered five or six , or more miles off , he would thence take occasion to shew them how vain a thing it was to pursue the world , and to neglect the care of their precious and immortal souls ; and would ask them , how they could rise so early to get the world , and not rise as early to get interest in jesus christ , and to attain the favour of god , and assurance of eternal happiness . and then looking back upon his family , he would say to them , you see here how these people can rise betimes to get a little part of the world , and you will hardly rise early to get the assurance of the favour of god , which is far better than the whole world . as he returned from sermons , he would be speaking to them that went with him of what they had heard , exhorting them to be mindfull of it , and to put it in practice ; and when one of the company was troubled , hearing him to press such things upon them , told him , that he had heard many good sermons at st. peters [ the cathedral ] but never heard one at the great conduit before ; he presently replied , sirs , are ye troubled to be put in minde of the word of god ? i pray god the time come not , when you are in hell , that you wish you had not onely practised the sermons which you heard at st. peters , but had received good counsel from the word , at the great conduit also . thus by his diligent attending upon , and carefull applying the means of grace , and gods blessing upon them , he attained a very great measure of assurance , even to a kinde plerophory , such as the apostle speaks of , thess. . . much assurance , and col. . . full assurance of understanding , by which he was carried as with full ●ails , to holy duties . and truly , if we connsider the measure , continuance , and constancy of it , there are few christians that have attained the like . assurance was much in his tongue , and in his heart ; it was that which he earnestly laboured for , and obtained by fervent prayer , and diligent use of the means . god gave him the testimony and seal of the spirit , and so assured him of his eternal love in christ , as also of his adoption , and eternal happiness in heaven . god gave it him as part of his reward for his sincere , and faithfull service . at sometimes he had more than ordinary comforts , and incomes of the spirit for the strengthning of his assurance : as for instance , at a time he being at a sermon , and attending heedfully to those discerning and differencing marks of uprightness , which were then laid down , and one mark being more powerfully pressed , and coming fully home to his condition , he being in a deep and serious meditation , and reflecting upon himself , and finding , it to be truly in him , it seemed to him as if one struck him upon the shoulder , encouraging , and saying , be of good cheer , thou art the man : upon which he had presently such inward joyes , and ravishings of spirit as were unexpressible . and as by diligence he obtained , so he carefully kept his assurance by frequent trial of himself , and his spiritual estate towards god , he used to try himself by all the marks of sincerity which he found in the scriptures , heard by the ministry of the word , or read in the books of godly divines , and thereby he did clear up his evidences for heaven ; and he did not onely try his estate by some marks , but he kept a narrow watch over his heart and wayes , and thereby his assurance was preserved ; and he kept it for a long time together , even for thirty years , and more : and being asked whether he never met with any temptations of doubting of his estate towards god , he gave this answer , that he had been , and often was sorely assaulted by satans temptations , which were set against his faith and assurance , and that he had been foiled in respect of the application of some particular promises ; but he was not thereby driven from his hold-fast of christ , or from the assurance of his interest in the covenant of grace ; yet still he acknowledged that his assurance , and all his ability in spiritual things , was through christ that strengthened him , as paul , phil. . . as he had this assurance himself , so he was alwayes forward to stir up others to labour for it ; there were scarce any that he met with , if he supposed that their faces were heaven-ward , but he would be questioning with them about their assurance ; blaming them if they did not diligently seek after it , and encouraging them to labour for it . and when some did ask him how they should get it , he gave them this answer , that they should importunately seek it of god , and not give him any rest till he granted it unto them ; i would ( said he ) lock , or bolt my chamber door , and beg it of god , and never give him rest till i had obtained it ; and then he advised them that they should daily try themselves by some marks , and he often mentioned three that he used to try himself by , . a sincere desire to fear the name of god , as nehem. . . . a sincere endeavour to do the will of god in all things required , as psal. . . . a full purpose of heart to cleave to the lord , as act. . . and these he did not onely speak of , but pressed them with much earnestness , as longing that others should partake of that high priviledge , and heavenly gift with himself . if he met with any schollar , and such an one especially as applied himself to the study of divinity , his usual question to such was , what evidence have you for heaven ? you schollars have the best opportunities of all men for the getting of assurance ; you are still looking into gods book , and into other good books , and should acquaint your selves with your spiritual estate towards god , and so have a greater measure of assurance than others . the like course he took when he met with any others , as occasion was offered , or if he found none , he would take it of himself : once when he was a parliament man , being at london , and coming accidentally into the shop of an intimate acquaintance , a man of great estate and imployment , and an alderman of the city , he expressed his wondring at so great trading for the things of the world , and thereupon demanded how he could in the midst of such wordly business attend the weighty affairs of heaven ? his friend answered , that he hoped he looked after the good of his soul. mr. jurdaine replied , how can you attend upon the worship of god every morning ? his friend answered , that though he could not attend upon it every morning , yet he failed not of it in the evening ; well sir , said mr. jurdaine , i will tell you in plain tearms what i would have you ●o do , i would take all these goods , and throw them out into the street , and let them rather be cast away , and perish , than that they should be a means to ruine my soul unto all eternity . from this assurance it was that he was so fearless of death : he knew that death was an enemy , as the apostle saith , cor. . . but that through christ , it was become a friend to open the gate of heaven . whereas death in it self is as bildad saith , job . . the king of terrours , or as the heathen said , of all terribles the most terrible ; yet he , being assured of his interest in christ , found it not so to him ; for he looked upon it as having lost its sting through christ. indeed , he made it so familiar to him by his continuall meditation of it , that he was so far from fearing it , that he did delight to speak of it , yea earnestly desired it , and with joy expected it , whereby he discovered his great proficiency in the school of christ. it was his usuall saying , that if death were offered him on the one hand , and the kings crown on the other , he would take the crown , and throw it into the kennel , and choose death far before it : he knew that he should be a great gainer by death , and thereby obtain the crown of life and glory , jam. . . pet. . . and that he feared not , but rather hoped for death . and this was further manifested , in that when the plague was very hot in the city of ●xeter , and he being in the highest place of authority there at that time , when the poor flocked about his house for relief , though he would not causelesly expose himself to danger , yet being in the discharge of his duty , he feared not the infection ; but often professed , that if by gods disposing , the plague should seize on him , he would kiss , and welcome it as the messenger of death . nor was the meditation of death then in his minde onely in times of danger , but at all times ; there was not a day wherein he did not speak of it , and not onely when there was occasion offered to talk of it , but he would take occasion to discourse of that subject : as when he was invited to a feast , he would tell the messenger that he would come if he did live so long : and when he went out of his house upon publick or private businesses , he would ( as it were ) take a solemn leave of his wife , telling her , that he knew not whether he should return to his house again . yet did he not so much desire death as to undervalue the blessing of life , or to neglect the means for the preservation of it ; for he acknowledged it to be a great blessing , and he was willing to live as long as the longest lived man , if it were gods good pleasure , and if he might do him service . and when he was sick , or in any danger , he would carefully make use of the means , that he might thereby serve gods good providence for his recovery or deliverance , saying , that though he must trust in god , yet he must not tempt him by seeming to trust in him . his minde was not so much upon earth , and death , as upon heaven , to which he was assured death would be a passage for him : sure his heart was much upon heaven , or heaven was much in his heart , as appeared by his frequent discourse of it both day and night ; and our saviour christ tells us , mat. . . that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks . all that knew him , and looked upon him without a prejudiced eye , would say , that he was a most heavenly minded man ; a man that lived in heaven as much as most that lived upon earth . when in the night he looked upon those glistering lights of heaven , ezek. . . the firmament adorned with those stars of light , psal. . . he used to raise up his thoughts and speech much higher , even to the glory of the highest heaven , saying , if these visible heavens be so glorious , how doth the heaven above them exceed in glory , where god alone shall be the light , and yet the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdome of their father , mat. . . there was scarce any occasion administred , or any special act of gods providence that did occur , but it would draw out some speech of heaven from him ; as when any cross , or loss befell him in his affairs , he would say no more , but , heaven will pay for all . and when in a journey he fell from his horse , and lay for a while in a swoon , as soon as he recovered , his first words were , well , i see that i am now deceived , i thought that my horse would have cast me into heaven . these are some few heads of the breathings of his piety , to which much more might be added ; and truly they which knew him will marvell , not that so much is said of him , but rather that there is so little . he was as eminent for justice as for piety , when he was advanced to the chiefest place of government in that city , to be mayor of that honourable corporation : he was an eminent magistrate , and that not only in the year of his majora●ty ; but ever after as long as he lived . he looked upon it , not as a place of honour onely , but as an office of trust , wherein he might honour god , and execute justice amongst men , and reform those evils which abounded in those times in that place : he did not glory so much in having the sword carried before him ( though it was a singular badge of honour to that city , that the kings swo●d should be taken from his side , and delivered to the mayor to be carried before him , as a signall testimony of his favour , and their loyalty , and courage in the insurrection of perkin warbeck ) as he was desirous to draw forth the sword of justice against evil doers , and not to carry it in vain , rom. . . he was observed to be an impartial administrator of justice , and one that without respect of persons did punish evill doers , of whatquality , or condition soever they were that did transgress the law , whether they were citizens or strangers that came thither , if complaint were made to him , they should not escape condign punishment , as the laws of the land , or custome of the place did award . as for instance . there was a gentleman of quality that was complained of to him for swearing five oaths , and for some other misdemeanours : mr. jurdaine thereupon sent a constable with a warrant to fetch him before him : but the gentleman gave the constable threatening language , so that he durst not execute his office : whereupon mr. jurdaine sent one constable more for him , who brought the gentleman before him : and he being in his court when he came , after divers good admonitions given him , he told him , that though he was never so great a gentleman , he could no more go to heaven whilest he took such courses , than he could eat that stone ( pointing to a great stone in his court ) and then required him to pay five shillings for his oaths , which he did : then he told him that he must put in sureties for the good behaviour : this the gentleman refused to do , alleadging that he was a stranger : whereupon mr. jurdain● commanded the constables to carry him away to prison till he would find sureties , which accordingly they did ; and as he was going into the prison door , he desired that he might return back again , and he would give bail : when he came to mr. jurdain● to do it , he again gave him many good instructions , and the gentleman ( though he was a man of a very high spirit ) gave him many hearty thanks for his good counsell , and promised amendment for the time to come . the master of bridewell could witness how many disorderly persons were sent thither by mr. jurdains warrants , more than by any other justices in his time . the stocks , and whipping-post could testifie what swearers , drunkards , unclean persons , and such like notorious offendors were punished , principally by his indifferent execution of justice . and if any of the offenders that were liable to the censure , and penalty of the law , desired to be spared , he would tell them ; here be my children whom i dearly love , and yet if any of them should commit such offences , they should suffer as you must do : and therefore i cannot remit of the penalty of the law. what excuses , or fair pretences soever they made , he caused the law to be executed upon them ; yea and that the more severely , because of the greatness of the crime , and the greater dishonour that redounded to the name of the most high god thereby . when some scandalous offenders , for the gross sin of uncleanness were accused , and questioned before the court , and some present ( for by-respects ) pleaded for them , desiring to have them spared , he wished the watchmen that were at the gates to keep out the plague ( it being a time wherein some neighbour-towns were infected ) should be called home : for ( saith he ) the plague is in the guild-hall of the city : adding further , that if they did not execute the law upon them , he would complain of them to the council table : and thereupon , after much contest , there was order taken for their severe , and just punishment . he was ever very vigilant , especially in the year of his mayoralty , when the government of the city lay upon him , both to prevent , and remove disorders : insomuch as he would go himself with the constables to search for idle , and disorderly persons on sabbath dayes at night , and at the end of the assizes , and sessions , and in fair weeks , &c. yea , he did not only execute justice , but he shewed himself zealous therein , manifesting the greatest indignation against those evils whereby god was most highly dishonoured , as swearing , and sabbath-breaking . indeed swearing was most odious unto him , and had there been a greater penalty than was at that time appointed by the law of the land , he would most readily have inflicted it . but by his punishing as many as were brought before him , it struck such an awe into the generality , as that some that lived at that time in the city , and near the place of the greatest concourse of people , the corn-market , observed that they did not hear an oath sworn for many years together . he did not only maintain his zeal against swearing , and swearers of the ordinary sort , and rank of men , but even of the highest that came within the verge of his authority . as for example ; a gentleman of great quality , and much favoured at court , was heard to swear five or six times in the city . mr. jurdaine having notice of it , sent some constables to demand the penalty for swearing . the gentleman was of an high spirit , and at this time accompanied with the chiefest of the county of devonshire , and there were divers hot spirits about him . the constables pressed towards the room where he was , saying , that mr. jurdaine had sent them to demand the aforementioned penalty : and it was like to have broken forth into a great , and dangerous contest ; but a prudent gentleman , of a more moderate temper , and one that feared an oath , stepped forth to them , and told the constables that this gentleman was of an high , and impatient spirit , and had great company about him : i fear therefore ( said he ) that the event may be of sad consequence if you pursue your intentions at this time ; yet the constables seemed unwilling to depart till they had what they came for ; the gentleman seeing this , said , i will now pay the six shillings to you for him , and i promise you faithfully that i will take a convenient time to admonish the knight when it shall do him more good than the rigorous exaction of the penalty of the law can at this time , and so they departed . it is credibly related that mr. jurdaine being summoned to appear in the star-chamber , for an act of justice , wherein it was supposed that he went somewhat beyond the strict letter of the law , being there in the presence of some of his judges , who were noble men , and hearing them to swear divers oaths , he told them , that they must pay for every oath that they had sworn , or otherwise he would make it farther known . when he was mayor of exeter , he did much reform the open prophanation of the sabbaths . for whereas the hullers had wont to set their mills agoing on the sabbaths , he put a stop upon them for that whole day , knowing that that whole day was to be dedicated to god , and his worship , and service ; and whereas it was usuall to sell fruit and herbs , and other things on the lords holy day ; as also bowling , cudgel-playing , and other prophane pastimes were then much used , by his zeal and vigilancy , and by the care of other officers under him , they were wholly left off , though not without much reluctancy , opposition , and some danger at the first ; for there were commotions and tumults , and great resistance made against him ; but by his constant zeal for god , and his day , and gods blessing upon the same , they were at last suppressed and quelled . and not onely when he was mayor , but ever after , being a justice of peace , in which office he continued for twenty and four years , he was much taken up in the execution of justice , yea sometimes for the whole day from morning till night : so that he did not onely execute judgement in the morning , as jer. . . after he had been with god in the mount of heavenly meditation , but all the day long , as moses sate to judge the people , and the people stood before moses from the morning untill the evening , exod. . . and when he was out of power as a justice , he discovered his zeal as a christian , against prophane swearing , and for the strict observation of the sabhath , wherein there is a remarkable instance of both at once ; and it was this , mr. jurdaine returning from the parliament in the company of a person of honour , he was invited by him to stay at his house that night , being saturday , and the sabbath following , he ( having observed that noble personage to swear , as they travelled together ) told him , that he would not go into his house , for that he was a swearer , and he feared that the house would fall upon his head : answer was returned , that he need not fear that , for the house was newly built , a fair , and strong house : to this he replied , yea but the flying rowl of curses shall enter into the house of swearers , and shall consume the timber , and stones of it . but to obtain his company , the lord pressed the inconveniencies of his lodging in an inne on the sabbath day : mr. jurdaine replied , but i will never go into your house , unless you will engage your self , that no oath shall be sworn , ●nor cursing uttered by your● , your lady , nor none of your servants or family : this was faithfully promised ; yea but then ( said mr. jurdaine ) how shall the sabbath be kept ? the answer was , that he should have an honest sermon in the forenoon . and what in the afternoon , said he ? except we shall have a good sermon in the afternoon also , i will not go in . that likewise was granted , and ( as it is said ) all was faithfully performed . he was not for judgement only , but for mercy also : and he shewed mercy to the souls of them that were brought before him , as transgressors of the law , and to be punished according to their demerits : for he would labour to convince them of the hainousness of their offences , that so he might bring them to a sight of their sins , and to repentance for the same . he did much encourage the officers under him to a diligent , and faithfull discharge of their duty : and indeed they stood in much need of it , meeting with many discouragements from some others : and when he found them somewhat backward through timerousness , or other by-respects , to execute his warrants upon persons of high place , he would exhort them to be active , and forward in doing their duty , telling them , in good earnest ( for that was his usuall word ) that if he had as good a warrant from god , as they had from him to apprehend offenders , if he were required to apprehend the devil himself , he would not be backward to put it in execution . his zeal was not only in distributive justice as a magistrate : but he was conscienciously carefull as a christian , in commutative justice , in his commerce , and dealings with men , wherein he made the word the rule of his practice : and if he found at any time that he had swerved from that rule , he would retract it , that so neither his own conscience , nor other men might reproach him for walking disorderly , and besides the rule : and that appeared , not only by his avoiding all usurious contracts , but also in making restitution of all that had been gotten thereby . he had sometimes taken usury for money lent to a person about lime , which he had received for divers years : for at that time he held it lawfull , by reason of the practice which he had observed in some forreign states , and the concurrent judgements of some divines of note , who spake in favour thereof : but upon his perusall of the writings of other godly divines of our nation , and by conference with some worthy ministers of his acquaintance , he was so convinced of the unlawfullness of usury , that he did not only forbear the practice of it for the future , but restored the interest formerly taken : and took no more for the loan of money , than the party borrowing would voluntarily give him . he did much bewail the common course of too many , who sin against god , both in getting , and spending their worldly estates . for ( said he ) as they get it unjustly , and by indirect means , so for the most part , they spend it leudly , and lavishly in satisfying their sinfull lusts . neither was he more famous for justice , than he was for charity , and that both in his life , and at his death : in his life-time he was a free-hearted man , and open-handed . he was a great patron of the poor : another job in that respect : he could truly say with him , as job . . was not my soul grieved for the poor ? no doubt it was ; and the bowels of his compassion did yearn towards them : he was an advocate , and did earnestly plead for them , and especially for gods poor , honest poor persons , whose hearts , and faces were set godward , and heavenward , and his hands were very open to relieve them : he did that for them , which many of far greater estates had not hearts to do . he would often say , that he wondered what rich men meant , that they gave so little to the poor , and raked so much together for their children . do you not see ( quoth he ) what becomes of it ? and would reckon up divers examples of such as heaped up much for their children , and they , within a short time had scattered , and consumed all : and on the other side , he often spake of such as had small beginnings , and afterwards became rich , or of a competent estate : giving a particular instance in himself : i came ( said he ) but with a groat , or six pence in my purse to this city : had i had a shilling in my purse , i had never been mayor of exeter . and therefore leave children but a little , and they ( by gods blessing on their labour , and industry ) may become rich : but leave them a great deal , and they are in danger to be beggars . his care for the poor was most remarkeable in the time of the great plague in that city , which was anno christi . for in the maiors absence he was chosen his lieutenant , or deputy , and he , seeing the deplorable condition of the city , accepted of it , and then he wrote divers letters to many towns in devonshire , and to some in dorset , and sommersetshire , by which meanes he procured severall summes of moneys , for the suppliall of the wants of the many hundreds of poor , that at that time were in a very distressed estate : one that was an eye-witness related , that he had seen morning after morning coming to his door , sometimes thirty , sometimes forty , yea fifty , or sixty , or more , wringing their hands ; some crying that their husbands were dead : others that their wives were dead : others that their children were dead , and that they had not any thing wherewithall to bury them . some again cried that their families were sick , and they had not wherewithall to relieve them . others that they had divers children , but they neither had bread , nor money to buy it for them . some cried for bread : some for physick : others for shroudes for their dead : and he not only heard them patiently ; but his bowels yearned towards them , and his hands were stretched out for their relief . for , standing within his own shop , with his own hands , he ministred supplies unto them all , and so dismissed them for the present . and the next morning when there was a renewall of their sad complaints , his charitable care of them was renewed also : and thus he continued morning by morning , even for the space of near three moneths , till the return of the mayor into the city . besides his great care of supplying the wants of such poor as came unto him , he had a speciall respect to poor house-keepers , and tradesmen , such as were ashamed , and unwilling to make their sad , and necessitous condition known ; and a peculiar care of the godly poor , concerning whom he used to advise with the constables , and churchwardens of every parish , and according to their need , would proportion some relief , and help unto them , and send it by the hands of the said constables , or churchwardens . and his care for the poor was not only in that extraordinary season ( as their exigents did require ) but so long as he continued in the land of the living : and he was so constantly exercised in this great work of charity , that he did it , as it were , naturally : as the apostle speaks of timothy , phil. . . but though he did well , yet heard he ill even for this , and by some it was cast in his teeth , that he made beggars : and when he was asked by a man of place , and estate , what he would give to keep the poor from begging ? ( supposing that he would not be so forward therein , as he was in relieving them ) he freely offered a great part of his estate , upon condition that the other would do the like : but when he saw his forwardness , the other pulled back his shoulder , and would not joyn with him therein . he was given much to hospitality : he would not eat his morsels alone by himself , as job . . he well remembred the apostles direction , heb. . . be not forgetfull to entertain strangers . he was most loving , and friendly to them , and especially to such as did suffer for conscience sake : as those godly ministers who were silenced for non-conformity ( although his own judgement was well satisfied in that point . ) to him they did continually resort , and by him they were kindly entertained : insomuch as by the profaner sort , he was cried out on as an arch-puritan : but by those that took religion to heart , he was honoured with the title of ga●us mine hoste , and of the whole church , as rom. . if we consider his last will , and testament , we shall find in it very great and unparalleled acts of charity : as he gave one third part of his temporall estate to his wife , and another third part to his children , according to the custome of the city , so out of the other third part , he left very large legacies , especially to the poor . we will here omit many legacies given to ministers , and others , and point only at some that were more remarkeable ; and take them in his own words in his will ; first i give to all the poor of this city , and county that receive pay of parishes , and also to those that dwell in almes-houses , i give five shillings to each , to be paid at my buriall . i give to one hundred more poor people ten shillings to each , to be given to such as my overseers shall think to have most need , the honest poor to be chiefly looked unto . also i give to the poor of lime , where i was born , and to the poor of garnsey , where i was new born , five pounds to each place . also i forgive all the moneys owing to me , if it be under the value of twenty shillings to each . ( these smaller summes which he had lent to the poor were very many : ) also my will is , and i give now more to fifty poor people of this city , and county , twenty shillings to each , by my overseers , or the major part of them . thus out of that estate which god had given him , he gave again by way of gratitude to god , viz. to the poor , who are gods receivers . god gave him , and left him a competent estate ( after his many , and great losses ) and which is more , he gave him an heart to honour him with his substance , prov. . . and to lay it forth as became a faithfull steward , in the service , and for the honour of his lord , who had intrusted him with it . it 's true , some did wonder , and others did sharply censure him for his extraordinary charity , and liberality , and especially for that he left no greater a part of his estate to his wife : but this may be said in his defence : that the strait , and close hearts of others , are no fit pattern to measure his large heart by . and besides , god had opened his hand in giving very liberally unto him blessings , both spirituall , and temporall , and especially spirituall , even the graces , and comforts of his spirit : and he enjoying such sweet communion with god even above most other men , what marvel is it if he did more for god than other men use to do ? and as for his wife , as he left her the third part of his estate , so likewise he made her executrix of his will , and thereby much more had come to her than there did , had not some debts ( which he accounted good ) failed and come short both of his , and her expectation : besides , he did assure himself , that her brother , who was then living , and a man of great estate , would be ready to supply any of her wants . thus we have heard what mr. jurdaine did for god : in the next place let us see also what god did for him . besides all those graces , which were eminently in him , and whereby he was enabled to act so zealously , and vigorously for god , which all were gods free gift : and that comfortable assurance that he had , which was part of his reward : the lord also advanced him from a mean , and low estate , to the highest place of honour , and dignity in that city . his beginnings were but small , as appears by his answer to some that threatened to follow him with suits , and not to give over till they had not left him worth a groat : to whom he chearfully replied : that he should be then but two pence poorer than when he came first to exeter : for ( said he ) i brought but six pence with me hither ; and yet , through gods blessing on his labours , he gat a competent , and comfortable estate , whereby he maintained a large family of children , and servants ; kept hospitality : was liberall to the poor , and open-handed to any pious use , even far beyond many who yet had larger estates . but when he had the greatest temporall estate , he set no great estimate upon these fading , perishing things : he set them not up in his heart ( as worldlings use to do ) but trod them under his feet : and usually also he set them very low in his ordinary discourse of them , and especially when he was speaking of heaven , and heavenly things . and yet he did not forget to acknowledge gods goodness in bestowing any of these outward things upon him . he found by experience that they were but uncertain riches , tim. . . and that they had wings , and would fly away , prov. . . but he did not run crying after them , as they use to do who set their hearts upon them : whereas he saw , and acknowledged gods hand as well in taking away , as in giving : as job did , job . . and therefore was quiet , and content , having experimentally learned , in some good measure , that excellent lesson with st paul : i have learned in whatsoever state i am , therewith to be content , phil. . . by vicissitudes , and changes of estates , god did exercise his faith , patience , and contentation . having passed through the severall inferior offices , he at last ascended to the highest place of honour in the city , to be mayor there , wherein ( as hath been shewed ) he demeaned himself as became a christian magistrate , and his ambition therein was highly to honour god , who had thus honoured him . and afterwards he was twice chosen to be a burgess of parliament , wherein his zeal for god , and against the corruptions of the times , was abundantly manifested . he was a great stickler to have the bill passed for the punishment of adultery with death : but those times would not bear it : surely some of the lawmakers knew some speciall reason for it . when he made a motion for the passing of that bill ; one , or more of the members in the house , cried out , commit it mr. jurdain , commit it ; upon which a great laughter was occasioned ; whereupon he presently said unto them ( in a zealous manner like himself ) do you laugh when a man speaks for gods honour , and glory ? upon which there was a more than ordinary silence in the house . the bill was at that time laid aside , but in a following parliament , it was called upon by the name of mr. jurdains bill . he was also ( as it 's said ) the first man that promoted the bills for the more strict sanctification of the sabbaths , and against swearing . yea , god did not only advance him to places of honour , and dignity in the eye of the world : but gave him an high place also in the hearts of his people ; and therein god made good his promise , sam. . . such as honour me , i will honour . his name was very precious in the esteem of those that knew his worth , both whilest he lived , and since his death . indeed it is confessed that he was a by-word unto many , and that his name was taken up by way of reproach , but it was by such as were upbraided , and reproved by his holy , and gracious conversation : and he valued not their reproaches , knowing that his lord and master did suffer much more in this kind , and that this was but a chip of that cross , which , as he was commanded , he was willing to bear : yea he was well content to drink of this bitter cup after his master , and with him , he despised the shame , heb. . . which the men of the world cast upon him : nay , he accounted it his honour to suffer shame for the name of christ , as the apostles did , act. . . but some there were that brought shame upon themselves , whilest they thought to cast contempt , and scorn upon him . amongst other instances , this one was remarkeable : that being chosen burgess for the parliament , not without much opposition , and going up to london to clear the election , at which time there was an accusation sent up against him by a man of no mean place , and power , that he was the host of the schismaticks : whereupon some presumed that he would have been sent back with disgrace : and accordingly there was a sermon prepared by one to jeer him at his return ; this being his text , psal. . . what ailed thee — thou jordan that thou wast driven back ? thus men of prophane spirits will dare to make the sacred word of god to serve their own base lusts and ends . but mr. jurdaine , instead of being driven back , was confirmed in the place to which he was chosen , and so shame was cast into the face of this wicked scorner ▪ and his sermon , or invective rather , proved abortive . and as mr. jurdaine stood up boldly for god , so did god stand by , and for him , and assisted him , and carried him through many troubles , and dangers that did threaten , and even compass him about . one act of gods providence , amongst many others , was most notable , in delivering him out of trouble . he having done an act of justice ( as was hinted before ) in punishing an unclean person , whose offence was aggravated by some hainous circumstances , being moved with an holy indignation against the offence , he went ( as it seems ) besides the letter of the law in some circumstance : whereupon some friends of the person punished ( being stirred up with fury for the disgrace that reflected upon them , without weighing the dishonour that was done to god , and the foul blot that was cast upon religion ) resolved to prosecute him to the uttermost for it , wherein they put him to great charge , and trouble , by prosecuting him in the star-chamber : and when the cause was to come to a finall determination , it was much feared by many of his friends , and through the boastings of his adversaries , that some heavy censure would have passed upon him , to his crushing , if not to his utter undoing . but when his friends on earth failed , he flees to heaven for succour , and defence , and cried unto god in davids words , psal. . , . be not far from me , o lord , for trouble is near : for there is none to help : o my strength , hast thou to help me . and he set apart the evening , and a great part of the night , by fasting , and prayer , to engage god of his side , who hath the hearts of all men , even of the greatest in his hands , to turn them as he pleaseth , prov. . . and behold , the next morning he received a reall , and gracious answer from heaven , being not only acquitted , but commended by the lord keeper , god stirring up the hearts of divers in that high , and arbitrary court , to speak for him . thus the lord was a very present help to him in the time of trouble , psalme . . after he was thus ( through gods mercy ) freed , and returned to his house , he piled up the books , and papers of all the proceedings in that troublesome , and vexatious business , under his cupboard in his parlour , which was the place to which he did often resort , and where he had that daily sweet , and heavenly communion with god aforementioned ; and being asked the reason why he left so many books , and papers to lie in that manner ? his answer was ; these i keep in my sight as memorials , and monuments of gods mercy in freeing me from my troubles . many other particulars might be instanced in : but by that little which hath been said , you may guess at the great worth of this holy man. only give me leave to adde the observations , and testimony of mr. thomas manton , who knew him well , who speaks thus of him : mr. ignatius jurdaine may in some sense be stiled the wonder , and phoenix of his age , and place of abode : concerning whose piety , and frequent communion with god , his constant heavenliness , his charity in giving , lending , and entertaining : his doing justice with impartiality , and diligence , we have already heard : and therefore give me leave only to suggest a few other passages , and observations . . that for his temper , he was a man of a raised zeal , and heroicall spirit , one of those rare examples which the lord giveth the world now and then , and therefore his actions are not to be measured by an ordinary standard . . seldome or never did any come into his company , but he would discourse with them about holy things , asking the younger sort , how they did hope to be saved ? the more grown , if they professed religion , whether they had any assurance ? which if they denied , he would tell them , that he was even ashamed of them . in good earnest ( would he say ) i would study the promises , and go into my closet , and lock the door , and there plead them to god , and say , that i would not go forth till he gave me some sense of his love . . his entertainment at his table was free , and sufficient , but frugall , and sober : if his wife at any time excused the slenderness of it , he would say , brown bread , and kennel water is good fare with the gospel . i have oft heard him say so : there is somewhat a like saying of mr. greenhams , and possibly mr. jurdaine might borrow it thence , it suiting so well with the temper of his spirit . . a formall man had once preached a sermon at the cathedrall , about heaven : the discourse was for the most part frothy , and beneath the dignity , and worth of such an argument . mr. jurdaine was present as well as my self : after sermon i went to his house ( being to receive a letter from him to oxford ) and after many good instructions , he asked me , if i had been at the sermon that morning ? i told him , yea . and did you ( said he ) hear those wonderfull things which god hath provided for them that love him ? and so he readily picked out all those passages which were any way subservient to use , and profit . it was wonderfull to me to see how an holy heart could draw comfort out of any thing . the sermon as mr. jurdaine repeated to me , was another kind of sermon , and seemed to be savoury , and spirituall . i remember with what warmth , and vigour he spake of it , even till this day , and hope that i shall never forget it . . this is not to be forgotten , his sending a letter to the late king , and expostulating with him about setting forth the book concerning sports , and recreations on the lords dayes , which was inclosed in another to the bishop of exeter , to desire him to convey it : and notice being given to the bishop that copies of it were divulged ( possibly by the transcriber ) he thought he could not conceal it with safety , and therefore carried it to the king , who when he had read it , in a great anger said , he would hang him . but the bishop ( a pious man ) fell upon his knees , and besought his majesties pardon , alleadging , that god had not a better servant , nor his majesty a better subject in the whole land. when the bishop returned from his moneths attendance , mr. jurdaine went to visit him , and after civilities past , the bishop said , ah , mr. jurdaine , would you put me upon so hot a service ? you know there are many eyes upon me ( meaning the archbishops party , who suspected him as a favourer of puritans ) yea , my lord ( said mr. jurdaine ) there are eyes upon you , the eyes of god , and his holy angels , to see how you discharge your duty , and office as the kings chaplain , and bishop of the church . . now and then , when he had leasure , he would usually go to his neighbours shops , and admonish them to take heed that the cares of the world did not deaden their spirits to heavenly things , telling them , if they had many thousands it would not still the cry of conscience , purchase the least favour from god , nor so much as ease the pain of the teeth , or keep off one fit of an ague ; yea , if money were thrown to the dogs , they would not so much as smell at it . . he would often perswade his fellow-magistrates to a liberal provision for the poor ; and when they would ask him , where they should have money ? he would answer , god will provide , rather than the poor shall want , let us sell our gowns . . when he did distribute money to the poor with his own hands in a time of great infection , and some asked him if he were not afraid of the plague ? what ( said he ) afraid of gods visitation ? let us fear rather the plague-sore of our owne hearts . . in his troubles in the star-chamber , when one told him , he was sorry that the lord keeper was against him : he answered , i have a greater lord keeper than him : the lord is my keeper , i shall not be afraid . . it is not amiss to set down what others thought of him : i remember a godly man observed him , that in every business ( though he advenfar ) the lord carried him through with reputation , and so compared him with another of great parts , who , though godly , was alwayes toiled in every undertaking . drunkards , and frequenters of ale-houses , were afraid of him : he was their usual bugbear ; their memento in the middle of their excess was ; its time to be gone , mr. jurdaine will come by and by . the ordinary sort of men were convinced of his integrity , insomuch as carnal and vicious men at a time of election of burgesses for parliament would say one to another , if you choose any , choose jurdaine , he will be right for the commenwealth , and will do the city service . he was twice chosen burgess for the parliament , and once mayor of the city , and once deputy mayor in a time of great infection by the pestilence . the reverend minister that preached his funeral sermon , amongst others , had this expression : look upon his will , and you will think him the richest man in the city . though many exceeded him in estate , but few or none in making provision for the poor . delinquents seldome went from him without conviction . a noble mans servant that had scorned him , being brought before him , and convicted for having sworn rashly three times , mr. jurdaine demanded his fine , and shewed him the hainousness of the sin , with which the man was calmed , and though he came from his companions braving , yet he returned with the acknowledgement that he was a good justicer ; and when they asked him , what jurdaine did to him , he answered , he gave me good law , and fair words . i have heard above thirty years ago , that some godly persons in exeter were convented before the bishops court for keeping some private dayes of humiliation ; whereupon mr. jurdaine went to the bishop ( who was a godly man ) to intercede for them . the bishop told him that such conventicles were forbidden by the law , the state being jealous lest the seeds of sedition or heresie might be sown in them : to whom mr. jurdaine replied , my lord , do you think that the lord jesus christ , when he comes to judgement , will say concerning these , and such like poor christians , take them devil , take them , because though they sought me by fasting and prayer , yet they did not observe every circumstance with so much prudence as they might have done . whereupon the bishop dismissed them . i am now come to the last act of his life , his sickness , and the period of that , his death . in his sickness , which was very painfull , he being sorely afflicted with the stone , and cholick , yet did he manifest more than ordinary patience , not opening his mouth in any word that might savour of repining , or discontent at his present condition ; but meekly and patiently submitting to gods afflicting hand , and waiting for his long-expected , and much desired dissolution . he did then much act faith in jesus christ , and his gracious promises , and his assurance remained unshaken , though satan was then busie with him by his temptations : but being strong in the lord , and in the power of his might , he did resist him . some of his nearest friends that observed his confident assurance in the course of his life , and of his happy estate in heaven after death , did suppose that satan would have set upon him with so much violence , as to have shaken his assurance , as no doubt he had will enough to do ; but god who had him in chains , would not permit him to do it : but he went out of the world as a conquerour out of the field , being , through christ , victorious over all his spiritual enemies . one particular in his sickness may not be omitted , which was , his taking all occasions of exhorting and encouraging others to constancy in the faith , zeal for god , and making sure of heaven ; and when his spirits began to fail him , he would say , i cannot speak much more to you now ; r●member what you have heard from me in my health . he was willing also to incite others that were absent to the discharge of their duties . the mayor of the city that then was , sending to see how he did , he called the messenger unto him , and said , remember me to mr. mayor , and tell him from me , that he have a special care of these three things : to do justice : to provide carefully for the poor ; and to make sure of heaven . his gracious speeches in the time of his sickness , were many , and more than can be here expressed . having fought the good fight of faith , and finished his course , he sweetly , and quietly resigned up his soul into the hands of his blessed saviour and redeemer . he departed this life , july the . anno christi . being the sabbath day . the sabbath was his delight on earth , and on that day god gave him to enjoy an eternal sabbath with him in heaven . as he had sweet communion with god in the use of ordinances for many years on that day , so he went to enjoy an immediate communion with god on that holy day ; and after all his labours he entred into rest , even that glorious rest in heaven , heb. . . his departure hence was in the seventy ninth year of his age , and , according to his account for the new-birth , in the sixty fifth year . for so long he reckoned since the time of his effectual calling . at the celebration of his funerals , there hath not been known any man to be more lamented than was he , the loss being so great , not to the city alone , but to all those western parts , the influence of his example , as a zealous magistrate and christian , reaching far and near . after he had served his own generation by the will of god , he fell on sleep , act. . . the life , and death of mrs. margaret ducke , who dyed anno christi . the father of mrs. margaret ducke was mr. henry southworth , a gentleman of a good family : her mother was a vertuous and religious matron . he was a merchant and customer of london , by which means having acquired a plentiful estate , he contented himself with it , and withdrew from thence to a more quiet , and retired ( that is a more happy ) life at wells , where he lived plentifully , and having onely two daughters , his co-heirs , he gave them liberal , and pious education in all those wayes which commend , and accomplish well-bred gentlewomen . this gentlewoman , who was the younger of his daughters , was deservedly dear to both her parents , and lived with them till their deaths , which fell out to be shortly one after another : for as they were lovely and pleasant in their lives ( if i may so use the words of davids lamentation over saul and jonathan , sam. . ) so in their deaths they were not divided . she was then about the one and twentieth year of her age , at which time she was desired in marriage by many younger in years , and higher in means and lands than the gentleman was , unto whom ( with her great contentment even to her dying day ) she yeelded her self , and her affections , resolving ( as the vertuous marcella in st. jerom answered her young woer , cerealis , who was of a noble , and consular race ; si nubere vellem , utique maritum quaererem , non haereditatem ) that when she married , she would marry an husband , not an estate , though yet god had blessed her husband with a competency of these outward things . their marriage was celebrated by that incomparable , and ( even in this age ) famous prelate , bishop lake , in the city of wells ( who never married any persons besides themselves ) where , for some years they lived together , and the town to this day gives an ample testimony to their piety and charity . for her part , they say , as gregory nyssen said of placilla , that if she prevented him not in any work of charity , yet she was sure to concur with him therein ; and when she departed from thence , they soon complained , and lamented the want of her charity . the blinde complained that they wanted an eye , the lame a staffe , the mourners one to comfort them , the languishing one to visit them , as st. jerom said of nepotian . for indeed , she was eyes to the blinde , feet to the lame ; she was a mother to the poor and distressed , and to those who had nothing to help them ; the blessing of those ( as job saith of himself ) that were ready to perish came upon her , and she caused the widows heart to sing for joy . from wells they removed to blackfriers in london , where she lived long under the powerful ministry of the thrice worthy and learned dr. gouge , a man , famous for his pains in the church of christ. what her life , faith , charity , patience was , during her abode there , was well known to all in general , and particularly observed by that reverend doctor , and abundantly testified at her funerals by him , so that nothing needs to be added to his full , and faithful testimony . one thing was well observed by him , and is very remarkable , that notwithstanding the many opportunities she had to see playes , to which the neighbourhood , and vicinity of the play-house there , and the frequent throngs of gentlewomen which prest thither , might have been forcible and prevailing invitations , yet she could never whilst she lived there , nor indeed all the time of her being in london , be induced to see any of them ; and being sometimes advised by her dearest friend , to go thither , as other gentlewomen did , to avoid too much retiredness , she answered , it is hard to say whether with more discretion , or religion , that she liked it not , and that , next to gods house , she could best spend her time in her own . in gods house ( if i may with reverence use tertullians expression ) she saw enough of the scene , scenicae doctrinae delectant ? sat nobis sententiarum , sat versuum , sat etiam canticorum , &c. sentences , verses , and songs enough to delight her soul. would she see a tragedy ? there she could see before her eyes jesus christ , evidently set forth , crucified amongst them , gal. . . what a sight is christs coming to judgement ? kings throwing down their crowns and scepters , and themselves before him ? in her own house she could ( as solomon describes the excellent huswife , prov. . , . ) imploy her self in looking well to the wayes of her houshold , and not eating the bread of idleness , that so her children might rise up , and call her blessed ; her husband also , and he might praise her . she was so far from the gadding disposition of other talking , walking women , that she was for the most part as a snail , domi porta , within her own shell and family . and as st. jerom pourtaits his never enough admired , and applauded marcella , raro procedebat in publicum , & maximè nobilium matronarum domos vitabat , ne cogeretur videre quod contempserat : she went seldome abroad , and especially chose to decline the houses of noble and honourable ladies , lest she should be tempted to see those vanities which she resolved to contemn , and so be unwillingly wrought and brought to desire what she so willingly despised . this retiredness ( as usually it doth ) drew on her a decrease of health , which occasioned , for the enjoyment of a better air , and recovery of health , her removal to cheswick , where she lived to her dying day , exceedingly beloved , and dyed extreamly lamented , and desired of all . while she enjoyed her health , which yet was much interrupted , her constant , and unfailing practice was , besides daily prayers in the family , to betake her self in the morning , and at other convenient times to her constant private devotions in her closet , and then allotting some time ( for being a wise and prudent woman , she made a little time reach far ) in the education , and oversight of her children , and disposing and dispensing the affairs of the family , the residue of the day she spent in reading books of piety and devotion , and most willingly those of dr. gouge , by which means she made her heart , bibliothecam christi , a library of christ , and furnished her self with such a stock of christian knowledge , and devotion , as carried her on with much comfort and cheerfulness through all her afflictions , till she arrived at her long , and much longed for home . both in her health , and sickness , she was of so meek and milde a comportment , and behaviour towards all , that she conquered by it , as ignatius advised polycarp to do , those that had ( if at least any had ) any venemous sting , or spleen against her . for her meekness she seemed indeed like that dove in the prophet hosea , chap. . . that had no heart , none certainly to do any harm or injury to any . and as solomon saith , prov. . . a loft answer turns away wrath ; so without doubt her soft and milde disposition in these rough and blustering times , kept off many an impetuous storm and shower from her . this mildness was eminently conspicuous in her sickness . one night her husband perswaded her to use an electuary that was sent her , she refused it twice , but in milde tearms ; yet the next morning she told him , that she had been too blame ( it might be ) in her words the night before . often she desired all the world to forgive her if she had offended any , as she heartily forgave them all that had offended her . her husband told her , that he thought she had no enemies ; yea ( said she ) some have wronged me , but i forgive them from my heart , and desire god to forgive them . in all the time of her sickness she was never heard to use any impatient word to any , or of any quis unquam ab hac muliere quod displiceret audivit ? that i may use st. jeroms question concerning another on her behalf , who ever heard any thing from this good woman that might displease him ? or believed any thing against her , and condemned not himself of too much credulity or malignity in believing it ? cheerful she was , yet she tempered it with such a becoming severity ; severe she was , yet she allayed it with such a decent cheerfulness , that it may be truly said of her , what was said by st. jerom of a vertuous woman , nothing was more severe than her cheerfulness , nor cheerfull than her severity . such a concurrence and constellation of vertues and sweetness , such a mirror of charity , such a treasury and magazine of chastity and sobriety was in her . in short , she had such an eminency in single vertues , as if she had had no more , and yet such a worthiness in all , as if she had been singular in none . since the troubles of these bleeding times she suffered many afflictions with a masculine patience , though much imbittered to her by a long , and tedious sickness , and the necessary , and indispensable absence of her dearest consort , which yet she professed , that it never bred in her the least ill thought of him , saying often , that she did but desire to see him again , and to speak with him , and then she was ready , if god so pleased , the next day to sing old simeons , nunc dimittis , luke . . lord now lettest thy servant depart in peace . and god heard her prayer , and his also ( for in this they were joynt and mutual orators ) and to her great comfort , she saw him , and spake with , and for three weeks space they mutually enjoyed each other abroad in the house . but then the first-born of death began to devour her strength ( as bildad speaks , job . . , . ) and threatned to bring her to the king of terrours ; for so indeed death is to them that have not made their peace with god : but to her , however in regard of the dissolution , and parting of those dear friends , body and soul ( which had been now for two and forty years sweet , and loving inmates ) a valley of achor , hos. . . ( that is , bitterness , as the word imports ) yet was it to her a door of hope to open her a passage into that better world , which she so much longed after , often professing , that there was nothing that could tempt her to wish for life , but the breeding up of her little ones ; which yet now she was the less solicitous about , because she could leave them in the hands of their tender , and careful father , not doubting ( as old dying jacob said when he was blessing the two sons of joseph , gen. . . . ) that that god which had fed her all her life long untill that day , and the angel which had redeemed her from all evil , would bless them . and now finding her self arrested by the messenger of death , and her body ( like the house of saul ) growing weaker , and weaker , but her soul ( like the house of david ) waxed stronger and stronger , took higher flights , and made nearer approaches to god that gave it . when her husband came to her ( as he did frequently ) he continually admonished , and minded her of the gracious promises of mercy in christ , and of faith in him , and desired her to be strengthened , and comforted in them : her answer was , she was comforted in them , she found the comfort of gods spirit in her , and verily believed she should see the goodness of the lord in the land of the living , psal. . . ever and anon saying , i am comforted : gods spirit is in me which makes me endure my sickness , and more pains than you can think of , so comfortably as i do . when she knew of none by , her usual prayer was , lord look down upon me in thy mercy , lord forgive me my sins , lord assist me with thy holy spirit ; lord thou hast assured me of the forgiveness of my sins ; lord assist me still with thy holy spirit . and many times passing the whole night without sleep , she spent that time in these , and the like heavenly prayers , and ejaculations , in which her husband , and those which attend her continually , still found her when they came to her . never man had a more faithfull , dear , and loving wife , or more carefull of what concerned him , than himself , and more tender of any thing said , or done against him , than if it had been said , or done against her self . and when he seemed to lament the loss he should have if god took her from him : she meekly answered , we came not into the world together , and therefore may not look to go out together . when he replied , that it would be much better for their children if he went first , as by the course of nature was most likely , she said , that he could do much better for the children than she could , and thanked god for that she could now leave them with him . for the space of three weeks she kept her bed , and about a fortnight before her death , being surprized with a fainting fit in which she was like to depart , and thereby perceiving that earth would suddenly return to the earth whence it came , that her soul might be the better winged , and prepared for a return to god that gave it , she de●ired that all the family might be called up , and joyn in prayers with , and for her . at which time , observing the grief and passion of her husband , and those that were present , expressed plentifully by tears from their eyes , she besought him , and them not to grieve , and lament for her happiness . about that time a reverend person coming to visit her husband , he solicited him to enlarge that great act of favour unto him , by a greater act of charity to his wife , by visiting her also whom god now visited with sickness , as also to pray with , and administer some comfort unto her , which he most willingly condescended unto ; and having taken a strict account of her faith in christ , and hopes of a better life , he left her with his fatherly benediction , top full of comfort ; and when she was afterwards told that he came out of respect and kindness to visit her husband , she said , no , but god had sent him for her comfort , often acknowledging the consolations which she had found by him . when any came to visit her in the time of her sickness , at the parting , she desired them to pray for her , and often sent messengers , and caused letters to be directed to her friends in london to pray for her , for that she was now preparing for another world . when she was sometimes desired for her childrens sake to chear up her self , her answer was , that to leave them did not trouble her , because she was assured that god would provide for them , adding that she would willingly leave husband , children , and all , to go to christ , which was just the minde of that blessed martyr ignatius , befall me ( said he ) what will , or can , so i may enjoy jesus christ , my love , my life that was crucified for me ; or rather st. pauls case , expressed in that most elegant barbarisme , phil. . . desiring to be with christ , which is multo magis melius , much more better . and now finding the day of her life wasted to the evening , and ready to dye into night , on the lords day before her death , she desired the prayers of the congregation in the parish where she lived , being well assured ( as she said ) that many good people would pray heartily for her . after which , some coming to visit her , and exhorting her to patience , and to remember the afflictions of job , she answered , that she had had her part in his afflictions , god having given her luctuosam foecunditatem , as st. jerom said of laeta , a sad , and sorrowfull fruitfulness , taking away seven of her children in their minority , so that she ( as hanna spake in her song , sam. . . ) that had born seven , waxed feeble , yet she comforted her self with this hope , that they were in heaven before her , and hoped that they would be lamps to lead her to heaven ; for she assured her self , that they followed the lamb whithersoever he goeth ; and for those two which were yet alive , she thanked god , for that she saw no ill qualities in them . besides ( she said ) that god had taken away her goods from her , but had given her patience , which to her was of more value ; and she esteemed it above them all , knowing that god was able to restore all when he pleased . she often acknowledged gods goodness to her in sending her a milde sickness , and not taking her away with some sudden stroke ( as he did the wife of ezekiel , chap. . . ) or by some tormenting disease , as he is pleased to visit some of his dear ones , acknowledging the wonderful mercy of god to her therein . a week before her death , she called her eldest daughter to her , being to go from her to school at putney , and putting her hand on her shoulder , she said to her , i give you that blessing which my mother gave me at her death , the god of abraham , the god of isaac , and the god of jacob bless you ( and then added the blessing which aaron by gods own appointment was to give the children of israel ) the lord bless thee , and keep thee , the lord make his face shine upon thee , and be gracious unto thee ; the lord lift up his countenance upon thee , and give thee peace . and bid her serve god , and pray duly to him both morning and evening , and fear his name , and then ( said she ) i doubt not but god will bless you , as he hath blessed me . in the evening of the same day , she commanded her younger daughter to be brought her , and to be put upon the bed in a kneeling posture , and then putting her hand on her shoulder , she gave her also the same blessing as she had given to her sister . four dayes before her death she grew a little better , which put her friends in some hope of her recovery ; but the day following her sickness seized on her again , and so continued upon her that she slept no more till she slept the sleep of death , and together with her sickness , her piety , devotions , and comforts encreased in her . in the last night of her life , presently after midnight , feeling death now approaching , she sent for her husband , and family out of their beds , and told him when he came to her , that she was now leaving the world and him , and expressed in many words her great devotion , faith and assurance of that everlasting life which she now was shortly to enjoy , and desired that they might now all pray together , which they did , she still expressing much devotion and comfort ; and after an hour spent in those passages , she desired that the bell might be tolled for her , and some gentlewomen of her neighbours , coming to her , before them she expressed her comforts , and assurances of everlasting life as before , and with increase , and therein , and in prayers they continued till near the rising of the sun. after this she seemed for a wh'le willing to slumber , and closed her eyes , and so lay for a little while , but then turned her head to the other side of the pillow , and after a few restless turnings , she said ( what the prophet micha had said before her , mich. . . ) there is no rest in this world , and then opening her eyes , after some expressions of the comfort which she felt , distinctly knowing all that were present , and speaking to them all , she seemed to slumber again , and after a little time , spake these words , come , let us go , let us go ; repeating those words several times , which she spake not in a slumber , but being awake , and as perfect in her understanding , and memory , as at any time in her life . and it is a comforttable opinion that divines teach from luke . . that the angels do attend on gods children , especially at the time of their dissolution , to conduct their souls from earth , to heaven ; which opinion she sometimes in her sickness related to her husband , and added , that she had heard it from the pulpit , and had read it in some books , and she believed it to be true , and comforted her self with it . after a little time she called for some drink , and having taken it , it began to alter her , as it seems she felt in her self , for she presently laid her self back on her pillow , and lifting up her eyes towards heaven , she said , lord have mercy upon me ; lord jesus receive my soul ; and so continued moving her lips , and her tongue , but her words were not heard , and then held up one hand , and then joyned both her hands together , holding them up with her eyes still heaven-ward , till her strength failing her , she laid down her hands by her , and stretched her self in the bed without any help , and sweetly fell asleep about seven a clock in the morning , august the . anno christi . and august the . she was decently , and solemnly laid in her bed of rest ; the house ( as job saith ) appointed for all the living , job . . where the weary are at rest ; where the wicked cease from troubling , and hear not the voyce of the oppressor , job . , . the life , and death of mrs. margaret corbet , who dyed anno christi . if we enquire into the relations of this gentlewoman , either by affinity or consanguinity , or both sides , the families are ancient , of renown , and good reputation . concerning the family from whence she was descended , her father was sir nathaniel brent , late warden of merton college , a learned knight , whose great pains , and dangerous adventures to procure the history of the councel of trent ( which he translated into english ) are to be remembred with an honourable mention , and for his faithful discovery of jesuitical juglings , his name will be had in honour , when the names of the popish party will rot . her mother , the lady martha brent , was a lady of a gracious spirit , abounding in love , meekness , humility , love to gods ordinances , and gods children . her delight ( with david ) was in the society of saints . she imitated her worthy father in the sweetness of disposition , who was dr. robert abbot , that learned and godly bishop of sarum , who was malleus baptismi , & armianismi , the hammer of popery and arminianisme : his excellent works or monuments of his honourable memory . to be born of a godly family , and to be well descended , is a mercy not to be neglected . mr. philpot , a zealous martyr , being a kings son , and an archdeacon , told his adversaries that he was a gentleman . anabap●istical parity , and levelling designs are worthily to be abhorred , and looked upon as a ready way to confusion , rapine , and violence . so then we see that she was a gentlewoman every way well descended . her ancestors were persons of honour , and from them she had the benefit of an ingenuous and liberal education . this is much , but it s more , when i say that she came of a godly stock , and of praying relations ; and indeed , this is that which ennobles nobility it self . god in mercy began with this gentlewoman betimes , even about the fourteenth year of her age . then god gave her a willing minde , and purpose of heart to serve him in the dayes of her youth : insomuch as she was swift to hear the word of god , she waited diligently at the posts of wisdomes gate . she wrote the sermons which she heard ( a practice used by king edward the sixth , that rare english josiah ) and she left many volumes of sermons of her own hand-writing , taken with great dexterity , and these are as so many choise monuments of her industry . she was much conversant in reading of the holy scriptures ( which can make us wise unto salvation ) and she joyned with her reading , prayer , and meditation . her delight was in the word of god : it was ( as with jeremy ) the joy and rejoycing of her soul ; and with the reading of scriptures she searched expositors , and practical divines , and attained thereby to such a measure of divine knowledge , as enabled her to state some questions of controversie for her better use , and help of her memory , and to discourse very soundly upon the most material points of religion , and even above her age and sexe , to maintain the truth , as occasion was offered , with strength of argument against gain-sayers . she was eminent for the grace of humility ; and when i have said that she was of an humble spirit , what can be said more ? this the apostle would have us to be cloathed withall , pet. . . humility is the ornament of all graces : it s that salt that seasons the best parts and graces . so humble was the spirit of this excellent gentlewoman , that the poorest might have free access unto her , and receive curteous language from her mouth , and liberal almes from her heart and hand , both being opened wide for their relief . the observation of this humble deportment from her child-hood , gained the heart of her dear husband unto her , long before she was ripe for her marriage : her humble spirit evidently appeared by her condescending to them of low estate : the servants in her family , the poorest , and meanest in the parish where she lived , will bear witness to the truth of this particular . she was of a meek and quiet spirit , which ( as the apostle saith , . pet. . . ) is in the sight of god of great price . all her relations will attest her meek deportment , and how much she hated brawls and contentions : her very enemies ( if they would speak their consicences ) can testifie her readiness to pass by injuries . so far she was from rendring reviling for revilings , that she endeavoured to rec●mpence ●vil with good , and prayed for such as despitefully used her , professing that it was the desire of her ●●ul to do her very enemies all the christian offices of love which lay in her power . special notice ought also to be taken of her wisdome and gravity in the ordering of her conversation her discourses were savoury , administring grace to the hearers , and tending to edification . her behaviour was modest , and grave ; though she was of a cheerfull spirit , yet it was without levity : she was no tatler , busie-body , no medler in the affairs of others : she was no gadder up and down from house to house , hearing , and telling of news ( as too many do to the wounding of the reputations of others . ) the vain and frivolous discourse of some who came to visit her , was an heavy burden , and affliction to her spirit . the dicourses of such as tended to the defaming and blasting others reputation , were a great grief and trouble unto her ; and when she heard such discourses , she would endeavour to turn the stream another way , and move such discourse as might be profitable for the sou●s good . her love was very eminent towards all those that feared god : she was with david , a companion to such , a lover of their acquaintance , who were the saints , the excellent ones , psal. . . insomuch as when she apprehended any thing of god , though in persons inclining to separation , and of a contrary judgement from her , she was so compassionate , as to labour with much sweetness and candour , to convince them of their errours , and to w●n them to the truth ; imitating herein the holy practice of learned musculus , who gained some anabaptists , and sectaries by kindness , and benefits , and 〈◊〉 them as much by love as by arguments . her holy courage deserves special notice ; for though she was humble , meek , and loving , yet she was stout and couragious in declaring her judgement upon just occasions , before those whom she knew to be contrary minded , hating compliance against conscience , and doubting alwayes the soundness and sincerity of those who du●st not own their opinions . she was much of her worthy fathers temper in that particular , who hath been often heard to say , that a coward can hardly be an honest man ; and much of esters resolution , desiring rather to suffer her self than sluggishly , and silently to see the truths of god to suffer . she was a praying christian : she was much in prayers and tears ; much in a sacred acquaintance , and holy communion with god : her gift in prayer was very great : she was much in her closet alone , and there much upon her knees : an excellent patern for womens imitation , which by no means should suffer that great duty to be omitted . it was a character of paul , when converted , act. . . behold he prayes . praying christians are the best christians , they are prevailing christians ; and as reverend and holy mr. dod was used to say , never d●spair of that person who can but pray . she was ●ixed and 〈◊〉 in religion , having frequently read the scriptures , 〈◊〉 many ●ound , orthodox , and practical divines , she became settled , rooted and grounded in the truth . she was one that held fast her profession without wav●ing . she was not 〈◊〉 about with every wind of doctrine eph. . . neither was she of their humours , who for politick ends comply with all companies in their opinions . she kept close to the publick ministry where she lived , there she heard the word faithfully dispensed . she neither was of their opinion , nor practice , who out of i know not what kinde of singularity , separate from the ministry of a godly pastor and husband . her delight was very great in gods ordinances , and she was glad when they said , let us go to the house of the lord in company . she had such an high esteem of , and longing desire unto the house of god , that when her strength failed her , she would be carried thither ; by reason of lameness , the feet of her body were weak , but the feet of her soul , her affections , were strong , nimble , and vigorous . look upon her in her relations , as a wife , a mother , and mistress , and you shall see she was mindefull of her duty to god in them all : her great care and endeavour was to set up god in her family ; in order whereunto she bestowed great pains in catechising of her children , and other near relations committed unto her charge . her great design was to bring them all up in the fear and admonition of the lord , and to inculcate again and again , that main and needfull lesson of remembring their creator in the dayes of their youth . much pains she took in catechising , and instructing her servants , especially before they were to receive the sacrament of the lords supper . she used to examine them of the sermons they heard , and she customarily read over those sermon notes to them which she had taken ●t church , that so they might be the better prepared to give an account thereof to her husband . god was pleased to give her several olive branches round about her table , well bred , well catechised , and well governed , and of very great hopes . as eunice and lois instructed young timothy , so she instructed those hopefull little ones in the holy scriptures , and acquainted them with the knowledge of god in their tender years . thus according to solomons counsel , they were trained up in the way wherein they should walk , prov. . . and that even from their childhood ; insomuch as one of them ( though very young ) hearing a neighbour using the name of the lord upon a sleight occasion , reproved him for it , alleadging the commandement of god against it , thou shalt not take the name of god in vain . and another of them reasoning with his fellows about god and the devil , professed that he had rather be in hell with god , than in heaven with the devil . and a third , who by reason of her age could not speak distinctly , said in some discourse with her father , that god almighty would not bless them who tell fibbs ( meaning lies ) and that she had rather dye than tell a fibb ; so far had their mothers instructions prevailed with them . she was eminent for a charitable and bountifull spirit ; she was another dorcas , full of good works , and alms-d●eds . that high elogium that solomon gives a vertuous woman , may properly be applied unto her , many daughters have done vertuously , but she excelled them all , prov. . . many there are that come far short of her , but very few that went beyond her in the acts of charity . god gave her a liberal and plentifull estate , and that was a great mercy ; but it was a far greater mercy that he gave her a liberal heart to do good , and to distribute : to cast her bread on the waters , and to honour god with her substance . that protestation which job makes for his own vindication , may fitly be applied unto her , job . , . he would not with-hold the poor from their desire , nor cause the eyes of the widow to fail . he would not see any to perish for want of cloathing , nor any poor without covering . the whole country round about where she dwelt , will bear her witness , that she visited and relieved the sick , and cloathed the naked , fed the hungry , and healed the wounded . her purse , her hand , her heart , were all open for their relief . she bought many precious drugs , and cordial waters : she made several precious salves , and gave them all away to such as were in need of them . she spared not her best pains , being never aweary of well doing ; insomuch that in the extremity of her greatest sickness ( such bowels of compassion yearned in her ) she compounded several medicines with her own hands , and applied them . thus will her works praise her in the gate , and being dead , she yet speaketh , prov. . . heb. . . for her precious name liveth . the lord will have the name of the righteous to be in everlasting remembrance , psal. . . and the memory of the just is blessed , prov. . . and precious in the sight of the lord is the death of his saints , psal. . . now this rare gentlewoman reaps the fruit of her serving of god , and the whole harvest , whereof she received onely the first fruits in this present world . the usual saying is , all is well that ends well : come we therefore to speak of her end . her life was holy , and therefore her death must needs be happy . it pleased the lord to exercise her with a long and lingring sickness ; and amidst the weakness of the outward man , god gave her great strength in her inward man ; though her limbs and outward strength failed her , yet god was her strength and portion , and he never failed her . a few dayes before her distemper waxed high ( her husband being from home ) she sent for all her family both young and old , to come in unto her chamber , with whom she prayed near two hours , with such pathetical , heavenly , scripture-language , as drew admiration and tears from those that were present . she blessed her children , counselled her servants , heartily and affectionately commended her husband unto god ; she wept and prayed , and prayed and wept , and could not easily part with the company , nor yet leave off praying , and weeping . upon the encrease of her distemper , her spirit was much disturbed , and some impertinent speeches did fall from her , yet in the middest of all her impertinences , grace , and the spirit of god , did eminently declare their power and sovereignty in her , by many savoury and choice speeches , and sweet breathings of her soul ; some of which are these that follow , i was in the devils claws , but jesus christ , the sweet bridegroom of my soul , the sweet bridegroom of my soul ( these words she often reiterated ) the sweet bridegroom of my soul hath delivered me . at another time , i am safe , for jesus christ is at my heart , and i would not part with him for ten thousand worlds . again , come lord jesus the captain of my salvation , ride on gloriously conquering , and to conquer for me satan , sin , hell , death , and all mine enemies . afterwards again , i was in hell , but now i am in heaven ; i am in heaven indeed , indeed i am in heaven ; i am in heaven eternally ; i am in heaven the habitation of gods glory unto all eternity . much of this nature she did speak , even when her understanding was so disturbed , that she scarce did know her near relations , and those who did attend upon her in her chamber . and now all these things are worthy to be transmitted unto posterity , and to be had in perpetual remembrance . she was an eminently godly gentlewoman , being but little above eight and twenty years of age when she dyed , which was in the beginning of march , anno christi . but though she was young in years , yet was she old in grace : she had lived long in a little time : she was a mirror of her age , and a renown of her sexe , a pattern worthy of imitation . she was the beloved faithfull wife of as an intirely loving and faithfull husband . she was a tender affectionate mother to her own , and no less carefull of those pledges committed to his charge . she was a most dear sister , an affectionate mistress , carefull both of the bodies and souls of her servants , that they should neither want corporal , nor spiritual food . her profession was with joshua , chap. . . choose you this day whom you will serve ; but as for me , i and my house , we will serve the lord. she was not onely a friend to her friends , but a friend to her enemies , even unto such as despitefully used her all the country round about could not but look upon her , whilst living as a publick gain , and when dead ▪ as a publick loss : she was very usefull whilst she lived , and will be much missed now she is dead . two things were very eminent in her : setledness in religion , and holiness of conversation . by her death the poor have lost a liberal almoner ; the sick 〈…〉 a good physitian ; the wounded have lost a 〈◊〉 chirurgion ; the husband hath lost a faithful wife ; the children a tender mother , the servants a gracious mistress : and not any that knew her of all her neighbours and friends , but they will finde a great loss , and miss of her . all that knew her loved her , but onely such whose love is not worth the having . she lived much desired , and dyed much lamented : for her to live was christ , and to die was gain , phil. . . she was honoured in her life , and she was honoured at her death , by a confluence of many persons of quality , of the gentry , ministry , and neighbourhood round about , who by their concourse at her funeral , shewed plainly in what an high estimation she was amongst them , and that her good name was like a precious oyntment powred forth . the hope of glory was that sovereign cordial which abundantly revived , and satisfied her spirits whilst she lived , and now her hope is turned into fruition , and her faith into vision . all her sorrows and sighings are turned away , and her imployment is without the least tediousness , without interruption , and intermission to sing hosannahs , and allelujahs to him that sitteth upon the throne , and to the lamb for ever more . this life was drawn up by my reverend and worthy friend dr. henry wilkinson , principal of magdalen hall , oxon. the life , and death of mrs. elizabeth wilkinson , who dyed anno christi . mrs. elizabeth wilkinson was born of godly parents , of an ancient , and well reputed family of the gentry in devonshire . her father was mr. anthony gifford , her mother , mrs. elizabeth cottle , and by them she was religiously educated during her minority : after which she lived with an aunt ( an old disciple ) above twenty yeares together , where she had many prizes put into her hands to get wisdome , even many spirituall advantages for her eternall good . but considering that no helps of education , nor any means could prove effectuall without divine influences ; it pleased the lord out of the riches of his mercy , in a signall manner to vouchsafe a blessing to all those helps , for the good of her soul , and to crown all endeavours in order thereunto with good success . she was observed from her childhood to be very docile , very willing to learn , industrious in reading of , and swift to hear the word of god preached . she was very carefull to remember what she heard , and took much pains in writing sermons , and collecting speciall notes out of practicall divines . she had the ornament of a meek , and quiet spirit ; with that she was eminently adorned : she looked not ( as too many do ) upon gaudy , and vain dresses as any ornament : she neither liked them , nor conformed to them , but went in a grave , decent , and sober attire : she was humble , gentle , tender-hearted , and full of bowels of compassion , remembring such as were in bonds , as if she had been bound with them , heb. . . she was of so affable , sweet , and courteous a disposition , that she gained abundance of love , and respect from all those that conversed with her : and by this means she was the greater gainer by all good conferences . it was her usuall custome to move good discourse , and ofttimes she turned the stream of other impertinent talk into something which was solid , and tended unto edification , and that ministred grace to the hearers . she kept a diary of gods dealings with her soul , and of other various dispensations that she met withall . she was much busied in prayer , meditation , and self-examination . she would often desire her husband , and others of her acquaintance to deal plainly , and impartially with her . for ( said she ) i would not be deceived with a formall profession , nor with a temporary faith . perhaps through affection you may judge far better of me than i deserve ; wherefore i desire you to sift , and search me throughly : for i like such plain dealing best of all , and those are my best friends which deal most plainly with me . in process of time after a carefull watching over her heart , and frequent addresses made unto the throne of grace , she found returns answerable to her prayers , and desires : god gave her a large measure both of parts , and graces : she was able not only to assert the truths of god , but to convince gainsayers . she abounded in love , faith meekness , humility , and the rest of the graces of the spirit , insomuch as she became a christian of the higher form , a tall cedar of libanus , a grown , solid , and excellent christian . it pleased god for the triall of her graces , to exercise her very much in the school of affliction . insomuch as ten years before her death , she was ( one time reckoned with another ) at least half the time sick . but god ordered this sickness of her body to be a medicine for her soul. for the spirit of prayer was much set on work hereby ; and her faith , love , and patience did appear , and shine the more eminently . out of the furnace she came forth as gold purified seven times : so that the rod , and staff , correction , and instruction went together , and by these fatherly chastisements her soul did thrive more abundantly . when she was able , she neglected not the frequenting of the publick assemblies : they were her delight : and she was a professed adversary to the withdrawing from the publick congregations of the saints . both them , and the godly , and reverend ministers of the gospel she had in high esteem , and reverenced them all her dayes . and when she was not able to go to the publick congregations , she used to spend her time in reading , prayer , and meditating at home , and imployed her friends to read to her , and pray with her . such as were stable , and sincere christians were her delight : those she accounted more excellent than their neighbours . she would often say , that she valued no friends like to those who were friends to her soul. concerning her deportment , and carriage to her relations ( for such as are reall saints shew it in their severall capacities ) never was a wife more full of sincere love , and respect to an husband , whom she loved entirely , and was as entirely beloved by him . her affection to her children was very tender : she was carefull to catechize , instruct , and to train them up in the fear of god ; and upon her deathbed , amongst many other excellent counsels , and instructions , she added this charge as from a dying mother , that they should remember that they had a mother , who would not allow them in any sin . she was carefull also to instruct her servants , and to teach them the fear of the lord. indeed she was ready , and willing ( as opportunity was offered ) to do good unto all : and as need required , gave unto them , both corporall , and spirituall food . she had a large heart , and improved it to do a great deal of good in a little time : insomuch as the poor , the sick , the afflicted , and the unexperienced to whom she was very mercifull , and usefull whilest she lived , had a very great miss of her when she was dead . in brief , she was one of those worthies of whom the world was not worthy : and yet to give a further character of her , i will here set down a narrative , copied exactly out of her own hand-writing , of gods gracious dealing with her soul , as it follows word for word . it pleased the lord out of the riches of his grace , to remove me from an ignorant place where i was born , and to bring me very young , into a religious family : and when i was about twelve years of age , upon the reading in the practice of piety , concerning the happy estate of the godly , and the miserable condition of the wicked in their death , and so for ever unto all eternity ; it pleased the lord so much to affect my heart with it , as from that time my heart was wrought over to a desire to walk in the wayes of god. but at that time , i fear , i did not go upon a right principle ; for i then did not eye the glory of god in it , but only my own safety , that it might be well with me for ever . but quickly after that i had but begun to set my face towards sion , i was set upon with many temptations , and perplexities in my thoughts , which were very troublesome to me at all times , but especially when i was alone : the consideration whereof brought such an horrour upon my conscience , insomuch as i did not know what to do . that little i had , whether from education , or from the light of nature , caused a striving in me continually against those thoughts of atheisme , which were most terrible unto me . i was sensible that it was a fearfull sin to have any such thoughts to lodge within my brest : but i desired from my soul to be freed from them , and had continuall reasonings within me against them , and yet still for a long time i was troubled , but could not acquaint any with my condition . i did not think that it was so with any other as it was with me . in this strait , when i knew not which way to turn me , even there did the lord extend his compassion towards me in my greatest extremity , in directing me to read calvins institutions , and especially that part that treats of the creation . whereupon the lord was pleased to give in such satisfaction to my soul , concerning those things about which i was troubled , as that from that time forwards i was not violently assaulted in that kind . but no sooner was i freed from that trouble , but new ones sprang up : for the very remembrance of that horrid sin of atheisme , left such a terrour upon my spirit , as made me fear that i had committed that sin against the holy ghost : and so my condition seemed to be , not only for the present , but , in my apprehension , then for ever most miserable . all other sins , though never so great , i knew upon true repentance were pardonable : but this sin , that i lay under the fear of , i knew out of the word of god should never be pardoned : which caused many sad fears upon my spirit known to god alone . for the removall of these fears , the lord in mercy directed me to the reading of mr. scudders works ; where are laid down the marks of that sin . upon perusall whereof the lord was pleased to satisfie my misgiving heart , by a clear manifestation to my soul , that i had not committed that sin ; and so assured me that though my sins were great , yet were they pardonable , which put me more chearfully upon the use of such means as the lord had directed me unto . and having satisfaction given in concerning this particular , there was a great burden taken off from my spirit . although i found no grace in my heart , nor discovery of the love of god unto my soul , yet , in that there was but a possibility , there was a ground of comfort administred to my heart ; which i formerly feared that i should be shut out from . but still my fears remained , that i was not one of those in particular for whom christ died : the more i looked into mine own heart , the more i saw , of sin , and satan , discouraging me from having any hope , that the lord should accept of such a vile sinfull wretch as i was , who had entertained such sinfull thoughts . i likewise thought how small the number was of those that should be saved , in comparison of others , and my repentance , i feared , came short of that which was required in the gospel . as for faith , i could not find the least measure of it in my soul ; with many other sad discouraging thoughts . but when i was most perplexed with fears , and doubts , even then did the lord graciously dart in some beams of his reconciled countenance , as i was reading something in mr. scudders christian daily walk , &c. which the lord set home upon my soul , and brought into my soul so much joy , and comfort at the present , as neither my tongue , nor pen can express : but this joy remained not long , for i quickly lost the sense of it : yet the remembrance of it was sweet unto me at all times . but after this , all my former fears returned afresh again upon my heart , only i had a door of hope opened , that when god saw it best for me , he would return , and renew his reconciled countenance unto my soul in the clear light , and apprehension thereof : and this was when i was about sixteen years of age . after which time the lord did exercise me with various dispensations : for , for two years space , i was by providence cast upon a place , where i heard very little powerfull preaching , small helps for the good of my soul , but what the lord was pleased to give in by the use of private means . but his power , and abundant mercy was much seen in that time , that , though i had not much comfort , yet the lord was pleased to keep up my spirit in a way of depending upon him , and my fears were less at that time , than formerly when i had more helps : so gracious was t●● lord unto me , in keeping me alive in a time of famine . after this , through gods goodness , i was sometimes under the preaching of a powerfull minister , [ mr. bateman of ockingam ] who was crowned with the conversion , strengthening , and building up of many souls : unto whose preaching the lord gave me such a blessing , as i seldome , if ever , went away from hearing him without comfort . though i came to hear him with many doubts upon my spirit , yet the lord so ruled , and directed him , as if his sermons had been only concerning my particular , and he fully acquainted with the whole condition of my soul. sometimes the lord directed me to some supporting promises , upon which i relied : but those promises which were made to believers , though i highly prized them , yet i durst not apply them to my self , fearing that i had no interest in them . but that promise prov. . . he that confesseth , and forsaketh his sins , shall find mercy . and that joh. . . if we confess our sins , he is faithfull , and just to forgive us our sins , and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness . and the promise is joh. . , . if any man sin , we have an advocate with the father , jesus christ the righteous , and he is the propitiation for our sins ; and not for ours onely , but for the sins of the whole world ; and the invitation , isa. . . ho , every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters , and he that hath no money , come ye , buy , and eat , yea come , buy wine and milk without money , and without price , together with the rest of the chapter ; all those places the lord often made a stay unto my soul : and afterwards the lord so blessed one means or other unto me , insomuch as i was kept from sinking , and falling into such horrour as many of the people of god sometimes fell into . but yet my fears and doubts were so many , as that my comfort never lasted long : if the lord did but hide his face , i was troubled . no longer could i beleeve ( then i found new strength given in ) that the lord would ever have mercy upon my soul. the sense of original sin , and actual transgressions in their filthiness , and guiltiness , caused my fears yet to remain upon my spirit , my faith then seemed very small , if i had any , which i much questioned : i durst not then say , lord encrease my faith , but i could cry earnestly , lord work faith in me . i found much dulness and deadness , manifold distractions in duties , so that god might justly have withdrawn himself from me for ever ; yet notwithstanding all my uneven walking with god , he was graciously pleased to manifest his mercy unto my soul. when i was stricken with such weaknesses , as i apprehended might quickly have ended my life , i fell into a great fear : at the first finding my heart to sink , the lord was pleased to g●ive me so much respite , as to pour out my soul before him , desiring strength and support from him to keep up my spirit , and to make me willing to submit to his dispensations , and the lord graciously answered my prayers , in that he removed all my former doubtings , and fears all the time of that sickness , which was long , and so dangerous , that neither i , nor others expected my life . the lord then cleared up my evidences for heaven , and gave me in so much comfort against the apprehension of death , as i never had in all my life before . other like trials of the lords love i found still , when i was in the greatest extremity , and stood most in need of help from him , insomuch as at such times , i have hoped that i should never again have questioned the love of god to my soul : but i have found it otherwise by sad experience : for when these impressions were worn of , i have been ready to call all in question again concerning my poor soul. it made me oft to think of that which was laid to solomons charge , that he forgat the lord that had appeared to him twice . i found it the hardest thing to believe , that ever i went about . but this wavering condition could not satisfie my soul ; for the lord giving me sometimes a glimpse of his love , made me long after fuller enjoyments of it , so that i was carried out with a restless impatience , to beg that the lord would take away the heart of unbelief from me , which did both dishonour him , and hinder me from that peace which the lord was willing that his people should enjoy . my heart then being brought unto that frame , i was more willing than ever i was before , to impart my condition unto some spiritual friends , whom i desired to deal impartially with me , acquainting them with the whole condition of my soul , how far the lord had carried me on , and at what i stuck , and still as new objections did arise , i laboured to get satisfaction : being convinced that i had too much prejudiced my self in that i had not sooner made my condition known to some who were able to give me advice . this way of communicating my condition , i found the lord blessed unto my soul , insomuch that my hopes were more confirmed , my fears more removed , my faith more strengthned , and by the hearing of such sermons and reading such books as came closest unto the conscience , and were most for trial of ones spiritual condition , i found the greatest benefit by , and received the most comfort from them . formerly i had many fears that i was not one of them who had an interest in the election of grace : but the lord afterwards put into my heart to enquire whether i had those graces of his spirit wrought in me which none but his own elect people could have . upon the strictest searching into mine own heart , the lord was pleased after many years of fear , at last to evidence unto my soul that there was a change wrought in my heart , will , and affections , notwithstanding the remainders of sin and corruption , which still encompassed me about ; being confident that he that had begun this good work , would not leave it unfinished unto the day of jesus christ ; and the lord was pleased to set home divers promises for the strengthning of my faith ; to wit , those which set down the everlasting covenant , sam. . . the everlasting love of god , jer. . . joh. . . the certainty of the foundation , tim. . . the certainty of the promises , cor. . . they are all in christ yea and amen ; and that the children of god have eternal life promised unto them , and that none shall be ever able to pluck them out of christs hands , joh. . . then for divers years the lord was pleased to stay me , to lead , and guide me till he had set my feet upon that rock which is higher than i , from whence i trust , that i shall never be removed . and now my hearts desire is , to ascribe that measure of hope and comfort which the lord hath given me at any time , onely unto the praise of the glory of his grace , who hath made me accepted in his beloved , which is so great a mercy as i can never be thankfull enough for , nor walk answerable thereunto . i know , when i look into my heart , there is matter of fear that the lord will withdraw the influences of his comforts from me : but that which i rest upon is , the free mercy of god in christ , expecting performance of his promises made , rom. . . sin shall not have dominion over you , because you are not under the law , but under grace : and ezek. . . that he will sprinkle clean water upon me , and that he will give me a new heart , and put a new spirit within me , that he will take away my stony heart , and give me an heart of flesh ; being perswaded that the lord will keep me by his own power through faith unto salvation . and now that i may have all the graces of the spirit strengthened , and encreased in me , which i finde that i stand in continual need of : it is the desire of my soul to be a partaker of the lords supper , which , through the blood of christ onely , i have right unto . this is the particular account of gods gracious dealing with this godly gentlewoman : considering there was no administration of the sacrament in that parochial congregation where she lived , and used formerly to receive it , nor any pastor at all to officiate there , she being desirous to enjoy that great ordinance , and that after a pure way of administration , sent this aforementioned narrative to the reverend dr. harris , living then in the university , who admitted her to the participation of the lords supper in that publick assembly where he administred it . now let us see also a letter written by dr. harris concerning this godly gentlewoman , whom he highly honoured , upon the occasion of his communicating the aforesaid letter of hers to a friend : do not ( saith he ) think it lost time to read over this narrative : it was penned by this gracious woman upon a serious occasion , what time she was to give an account of her self at her admission to the lords supper . the discourse is plain , but pregnant of instruction . i alter nothing in the thing , i onely take notice of the persons therein mentioned : as . god , . satan , . the parties self : all which offer matter worthy thy thoughts . first in satan , thou seest his most ordinary way and method in tempting . his first attempt is to blow out all light left in the soul , and to quell all thoughts of a deity if possibly he can , that so no room at all may be left for god : if that cannot be , but the conscience will be sometimes talking ; then his next work is to question and argue the case , whether indeed there be such a person as god , such a thing as the soul , such a book as the bible , such a place as an heaven or hell ; and if he cannot gain such a conclusion from the soul , then in the third place the question is , what manner a one this supposed god is ? and first , whilst thou art in thy natural state he represents god made all of mercy , and when thou art under mercy , all of vengeance and fury ; there was no place for fear , and here none for hope : there sin was an inconsiderable thing , and beneath gods cognisance ; here sin is unpardonable , and beyond gods mercy : in both estates he labours the destruction of faith ; now in the threats , then in the promises . in the first estate you must never yeeld to self-despair ; no , spit in his face that shall once question thy belief in god , without the least doubting . what ? not believe my maker with all my soul ? what ? once doubt or suspect him ? i defie him , and the foul fiend that shall say so . on the other side , when once converted , what hast thou to do with the covenant of grace and peace ? that is bread for children , not for dogs , hypocrites , for such as have sinned against the holy ghost , as thou hast done ; and at this bay he holds the soul for some space ; and eftsoon recruits his forces , and renews his interrogatories , thus , thou within the promise ? thou a believer ? canst thou say , darest thou say that thou hast faith ? it may be thou darest not deny it , but what is that to the point ? thou darest not affirm it , though partial enough to thy self : be advised by me , who loves plain dealing , and let not thy false heart , and these fawning preachers befool thee unto destruction . thus the devil up , and down , first and last , thus he proceeded with man at the first , and though sometimes he shifts hands , and findes out new wayes , yet here lyes his road for the most part , and this is the first party here named . now in the second place , what doth god ? it must be granted that he permitteth these hellish scullions to scour his plate , and to fit the vessels of honour for their masters use , and they ( as glad of the office ) bestir themselves , they dawb their vessels , and render them as foul and ugly as they can ; but when they have done their work , god takes his plate out of their hand to their no small grief ; and in the mean while god goes along with the temptations , and in them all supports his poor servants now more immediately by his own hand , prompting their petitions , darting into their souls some glimpses of comfort , minding them of some promise , to be sure , yeelding them some secret hope , something or other which draws them along still more or less . . now more immediately by men , and other means ; sometimes he directs them to some special book or treatise which fits their case , and holds soul and life together at present ; sometimes he sends an interpreter one of a thousand , that shall rip up their misery , and shew them their misery , and shew them their remedy , and at last fetches off his captives , even then when satan began to crow , and cry victory , that extremity being gods opportunity , and this is usually , though not ever , gods way . now look upon the third concerned , the party tempted , what doth he ? he sticks ( often ) in the birth , fool as he is , his first work is to keep the devils counsel , confess and be shamed for ever ; the devil is true to him , and he will be as true , and never peach : he travels with a wofull burden of sin , guilt , horrour ; but if thou lovest thy self ( saith the devil ) keep thy own counsel , trust not god , nor man. but if the preacher doth force him to a confession , and he can hold no longer , then he makes forth but fair and softly . first , he makes many offers , goes , and comes , and something he would say , but is loath , he begins afar off , and then stops , begins again , and then stops again , takes another day , and then comes again with a purpose of uttering all ; and when he comes to his friend , either all is quiet for the present , and the pang over , or else if he hangs still on the rack , then he drops out somewhat , but reserves the worst , and so is little the better , because he comes not to the bottome quickly ; or if he speaks out all , yet there is another rub in the way ; how can i tell whether this parties testimony be true or no , his judgement and affection being right ? he shews me promises , but knows he or i whether those promises do belong to me ? he speaks of a christ , but what is that to me , if he be none of mine ? he talks of believing , seeing is believing : it is a senseless thing to trust to anothers goodness when i have nothing of mine own ; to believe mercy wh●n i feel wrath , shall i not believe mine own eyes ? and thus after a world of sermons , sacraments , conferences , the poor soul hovers , and findes no rest or satisfaction till god be pleased to work him to these things , . to a resolution of imparting himself to some godly friend , and of speaking his whole heart to some one or other . . of resting in gods bare word , without the assurance of sense . . of accepting of jesus christ without any ifs , and and 's , notwithstanding his own unworthiness . . of waiting upon god , and hearkning when he will speak peace ; and when he is brought thus far that he will be beholden to a commuinon of saints , and will take gods word without any farther surety , and owe all to christ , though he can contribute nothing , and in despight of all suggestions and discouragements will stick to the peace of christ , and look for all his peace in that way , saying , though he kill me yet will i trust in him , i will wait , and hearken to him ; when ( i say ) he is thus far proceeded , satan may now go shake his ears , and receive his answer , its god that justifies , who shall condemn ? oh! hell , where is thy power ? oh! death , oh! devil , what is thy commission ? it s not my meaning to prescribe to god any one way of working ; but this is the way he often takes with his children , and this we may finde exemplified in this foregoing narrative touching the conversion and procedure of this saint , so far as she hath commented upon her own life . now for her death , i will tell thee wh●t my observations were thereabout . . i finde that god began with her quickly , and called her hence before she was aged , and that is mostly his method where an early harvest is intended , a timely seeds-time is promised ; they live quickly , and live apace who ripen betimes ; so was it with her who was seldome out of action after her entrance , but gained as much time in so little a time as any i knew . . i observe that death came not all at once upon her , she was yearly dying some years before she dyed her last , and thus death was made familiar to her : i have seldome known any of her age that was less amazed at the speech and thoughts of death ; so good a thing it is to know experimentally what it is to dye beforehand . . observe how gods power triumphs in weakest vessels : it is a thing i have often thought on , that godly women for the most part dye more confidently and comfortably than do good men , the lord trampling upon satan in them , and in her very eminently . . her patience was remarkable in the midst of sore pains which frequented her in the beeding and bearing of children , yet then her speech was , i fear not pains , i fear my self , lest through impatiency i should let fall any unfitting word : it is a blessed frame when pain seems light , and sin heavy . . i plainly saw in her the power of grace beyond nature ; . when life and death were both laid before her , her speech was this , i am at my fathers disposal , howbeit of my self i rather incline to death , than life . . whereas her affections were very strong both to her loving husband and children , insomuch as it was conceived , that the last farewell would go very near her when she should part with so precious and dear friends , she was so much taken up with the thoughts of christ , that she seemed not to stick at any such relations . nay thirdly , she seemed wholly to forget her natural self , for being intreated to favour her body and speech in regard of the lowness of her spirits , after some pause she brake forth into these words : shall i for this poor carkass be wanting to my souls comfo●t , and my saviours praises ? let me have your prayers still , and god his praises ; yea , pray not onely for , but with me . which being done , she overflowed with comfort , and in that condition i left her , and that stream of comfort led her , not long after , to the fountain where are rivers of joy for evermore . thus lived she a most profitable life : thus dyed she a most fruitfull death . god so turned this his servant , that living , dying , and after death she should be fruitfull . thus will god honour those that honour him . to him be all honour to eternity . amen . now it may be usefull to make mention of her last sickness , especially eight weeks before her death . all her discourses were savoury , tending to edification . many good christians came to visit her , who all ( if it were not their own fault ) might reap some spiritual benefit from those many excellent speeches which proceeded out of her mouth . and the counsels she gave to her relations , and other friends , were tempered with gravity , and affection . she accustomed not her self to affectation of high-flown phrases , but held fast the form of sound words . she was an old disciple , and her grave and sober language accordingly discovered her so to be . from the very first of her last sickness , her apprehension was that she should dye shortly , and her longing desire was to be dissolved , and to be with christ. she often repeated those words of job , there the weary go to rest ; and those words in the close of the revelations , come lord jesus , come quickly ; upon the approach of her death ( whereof she was very sensible ) she asked her husband , what promises of assurance were a firm ground for her to bottome upon ? he named joh. . . and i give unto them eternal life , and they shall never perish , neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand . likewise he added rom. . . . who shall lay any thing to the charge of gods elect ? it is god that justifieth , who is he that condemneth ? it is christ that dyed , yea rather , that is risen again , who is ever at the right hand of god , who also maketh intercession for us . he added vers . , . for i am perswaded that neither death , nor life , nor angels nor principalities , nor powers , nor things present , nor ●●ings to come ; nor height , nor depth , nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of god which is in christ jesus our lord. these ( said she ) are sweet promises . that morning she dyed , she desired her husband to read the chapter of john ( which chapter that eminent holy scotchman , mr. rollock , caused to be read to him when he was dying ) after that was read , she was ravished with great joy , and expressed her self accordingly . her husband , and two other friends prayed with her . after the last prayer was ended , she said , my flesh , and my heart faileth : her husband answered her , that god was the strength of her heart , and her portion for ever : he would never fail her . she returned an answer ( which were the last words which ever she spoke to him ) he will never fail me . about an hour after she resigned up her spirit unto god who gave it ; and her last words were , i have finished my course . she slept in jesus december the , anno christi . to her to live was christ , and to dye was gain . she lived much desired , and dyed much lamented . her name is like precious oyntment powred forth . she lived holily , and dyed comfortably , and now partakes of those joyes which eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither can enter into the heart of man to conceive , even those things which god hath prepared for them that love him . divers epitaphs were made at the death of this rare gentlewoman : i shall onely insert two which were made by two reverend and learned doctors . on the death of that worthy gentlewoman , mrs. elizabeth wilkinson . e-re while ( dear consort ) i was leas'd to thee , wise now to christ for perpetuity : l-iving with thee was sweet , with him far best , i-n earth joy 's mixt with pain , in him all rest . i-wrought , i suffer'd much in a few years , l-ife now rewards my work , wipes off my tears ; s-ighs are all turn'd to songs , all tears to wine , k-ings favour crowns my heart , what should grieve thine ? a-re we not both of the same houshold still ? i-at the banquet , and thou at the mill , b-oth fellow-servants : i my pension now : n-ext thine , work on , the feast succeeds the plow . e-ach of us yet in hopes , my dust to win s-alvation from the grave , thy soul from sin . t-hings worth the waiting for ; christ comes to save , o-mourn no more , but write this on my grave . h-ere lies mother , and babe , both without sins , n-ext birth will make her , and her infant twins . her childe was buried with her . thus interwoven were our names , till death left wilkinson without elizabeth . wee 'l joyn again . 't was man and wi●e before , 't will then be fellow-saints for evermore . ed. reynolds . on the truly vertuous and religious mrs. elizabeth wilkinson . to her husband . say , shall i speak or hold my peace ? that seems more due ; but this more ease , where , what to speak , is hard to say ; for should i utter all i may , 't were endless : and to praise a friend by halves , is but to discommend . and would i speak , to whom ? and what ? to those that knew ? or knew her not ? who knew her need it not : for they know more than i am like to say : who knew her not , may think that she deserv'd but what they hear from me : and so instead of setting forth her praise , i should but wrong her worth . he that adores with silent view , doth not detract from what is due : but all that while his silence sayes , he knows not how enough to praise . so , might i choose , i would adore her speaking worth , and say no more . but since i must ( for so you say ) not hold my peace , i must obey : yet 't is , i say , too hard a task , to answer fully what you ask : to know , what first i should commend , and harder , where to make an end . should i begin , where first appear her worths , i must begin with her. ( higher than so , i need not go , tho , whence she came , be worthy too . ) from first , her own deserving merit claims more than others do inherit : nor is it easie to express , what age of hers was spent amiss . her temper meek ; her carriage such : her language good , and not too much : her habit comely , more than brave , her conversation humbly grave . what vertues deck't a single life , were doubled , when she was a wife . how good a wife , i need not tell to him who knew her worth so well ; nor , what was her maternal care , to whom her children were so dear . nor was her good confin'd to home , but challenged a larger room ; to heal the sick , the hungry feed , and succour those that stood in need ; good both to soul and body too , of those with whom she had to do ; to rich , to poor , to great , and small , but in her closet best of all ( which was her christian daily walk ) in doing that which others talk : forward to good without constraint , and as she liv'd , she dy'd a saint . but this to speak at large would crave a volume , not an epitaph . and were it done , i might offend by shaming many left behinde , ( tho more there may be found , i fear , that will commend , than follow her . ) some minde good words , more than good lives , some are good women , not good wives ; some , neither this , nor that ; and some abroad are better than at home ; some hope to dye like saints , although , 't is too too plain , they live not so . 't is rare in all respects to see a wife , a woman like to thee ; at home , abroad , in life , in death , like unto our elizabeth . i. wallis d. d. a table of the chief things contained in the first part. a advice to children page , &c. affability afflictions of gods ministers . , , , , b books which are best c candour charity , . , , , , , , comforting afflicted consciences , , communion with god conjugal love , , constancy contentment conversation in heaven conversion courage , d diligence , , divisions lamented e envy , f faith , , , family duties , , , , family government fasting and p●ayer ▪ , , , , fruitfulness in conversation , g gratitude h heart t●nder hospitality , , , humility , , , , , , , , , , , hypocrisie complained of i ignorance independency 〈…〉 approved industry , , , , , , , , , , , , , , justice , l life holy , & heavenly , , , , , love to the saints m meekness , , memory good ministry highly esteemed , , , ministry successfull , , , , moderation , modesty , p painfulness in the work of the ministry , , , , , , , , , , , . patience , , , , peace-makers , , persecutors plagued by god , , piety , , , , popery not to be tolerated prayer frequent and servent , , , , , , , , prayer succesfull , , , set forms of prayer lawfull preaching plain , best predictions , , , providences remarkable , , ● , , , , , , , , , , , ● prudence , , , s sabbath sanctified , , satans malice , and subtilty , self-denial , , , , , sermons which are best single-heartedness slanders speeches gracious , , , , , , &c. studiousness , , , sympathy , , t temperance , temptations , , temptations resisted thansgiving page tithes asserted w wives vertuous , word meditated on world contemned , z zeal , , , , , , , a table of the principal things contained in the second part. a afflictions of gods children p. , anabaptists raise troubles assurance b bible translated into suedish bishops temporalties given to the king bounty c charity , , comforts of gods children , , , constancy , conversation heavenly conversion , , , covetousness courage of gods children , , , , cruelty , d death desired ; and why , death not feared , and why devotion e enemies loved f faith of gods children , , , , family government fasting and prayer fidelity g gods mercy to his children , , , growth in grace , h heavenly-mindedness , hospitality humility , , hypocrisie i joy unspeakable , justice , , l life holy , love to gods children , , ● love to gods house m meekness , mercy to souls ministes loved ● modesty ● p patience , , ● piety , , , , ● policy , , ● popish lies , and slanders ● prayer frequent , and fervent , , ● prayer prevalent , ● pride ● providences remarkable , , ● prudence , , , , , , ● r religion reformed in sueden , , ● restitution ● s sabbath sanctified , ● satans subtilty and methods , , ● self examination ● slanders against gods children , ● speeches holy , ● sympathy ● t thankfulness to god , ● treachery , ● w wives good , , ● z zeal , finis . courteous reader , be pleased to take notice that thefe books following are printed for , and sold by william miller , at the guilded acorn in st. pauls church-yard , near the little north-door . mr. anthony burgess of original sin , folio . rouses works , folio . gadbury's doctrine of nativities , folio . hickes revelation revealed , folio . wilson on the romans , folio . taylor of temptations , &c. in folio . boltons discourse of true happiness , quarto . clarks lives of ten eminent divines , and other famous christians , quarto . clarks ministers dues , quarto . obstinate lady , quarto . record urinal of physick , octavo . langleyes death of charles the first lamented , and restauration of charles the second congratulated , octavo . ravius oriental grammar , twelves . latin bibles , twelves . latin testaments , twelves . boltons helps to humiliations , twelves . mr. peacocks meditations , twelves . country-mans catechisme , twelves . clamor sanguinis , twelves . lord capels meditations , twelves . quarles barnabas , twelves . king charles's work , twenty fours . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e heb. . . rom. . . doctor sibb● . cor. . . sam. . jaer . . . dan. . . & . . amos . . esther . . act. . . cor. . . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he goes●● cambridge . his proficiency . his industry . gods providence . note . his ordination . he fixes 〈◊〉 bramford . his great pains . his successe . his prayers . hi● charity . his children . his zeal . his non-conformity . his enemies . gods providence . his remove to belsted . his communion with god. his works . his family duties . his humility . his hospitality . his conversation . his secret duties . his prayers of the lords prayer . his skil in comforting afflicted conseences . a● prediction . his prayers successfull . his gracious speeches . his acuteness . his fruitfulness . his justice . his age. his fastings . his retirements . his vigour . his sickness . his death . his funeral . his humility . his works . his diary . note . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . his proficiency . his preferment . his youthly ●abours . a good linguist . what use he made of them . a good artist . his ordination . his preaching . his gratitude . his remove to wring●on . his industry and ●rudence . his contentment . his holy life . his esteem his marriage . his wives characte● . his great pains . his manner of preaching . his motto . his industry . his hospitality . his self ▪ d●niall . his prudence in his ministry . his catechism his humility . his powerfull pra●ers . ●is long labors . his holy life . his family carriage . his studiousness ▪ his usefulness to others . his skill to comfort others his charity . his hospitality his humility . his mirth . his table-talk . his character his long life . his sympathy . his afflictions . gods providence . his death . his funeral . the testimony at his funeral . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education he goes to cambridge . his remove to emanuel . gods providence . his industry . his prudence . his conver●ion . his ora●ory . he converted dr. preston . his great learning . his call to boston . his temptations . his troubles . his labours . ●is industry . his holy duties . gods providence . his marriage . his troubles . gods judgement on a persecutor . he ●lies into new engl. his arrivall in new engl. a speciall providence . magistrates and ministers united . his labours . the success of the ministry . his learning and studiousness . his piety . his humility . his family carriage . his sabbath imployment . his dependance on god. his fastings . his moderation . his wisdome . 〈◊〉 meeknes● . his modest his candor . his peace-making his hospitality . a special providence . his suffering● from men . his sickness . his death . notes for div a -e his parentage . his education his proficiency . he is chosen fellow of 〈◊〉 a careful tu ●r . his labours in ●he ministry . his remove to tichmersh . his marriage . he is chosen ●o the assembly . chosen to be matter of emanuel . his remove to ●●iuity . his industry . his care of the university . de jure belli & pacis lib. . cap ● . sec. . his sound judgement . his painfulness in the ministry . his activity for god. his character his charity . his last sickness . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education his early piety his remove to cambridge . he defended ramus . his advancement . he is fellow . his studiousne●s . he read chapters every day . his meditation of the word . he instructed others . he learned hebrew . a general schollar . his diligence his marriage . his children . his esteem of the ministry . his family government . his sanctifying of the sabbath . his visiting the sick . his frequent prayers his ordination . his choice to black-friars . his self-denial ▪ his industry . his success in the ministry . his painfulness . his manner of preaching . his holy life . he is envied . his judgement about the calling of the jews . his labours . he commenced doctor . his publick imployments . buying in of impropriations . he is chosen to the assembly of divines ▪ to the ordination of ministers . to write annotations on the bible . he refused to read the book for sports . his skill in cases of conscience . his meekness . a peace-maker . he is slandered . his good memory . his charity . his studiousness . his temperance . his deportment . his affabi●ity his humility his fastings . his thanksgivings . his sympathy his faith. his patience . his excellent speeches . his sickness . his death . notes for div a -e his parentage his birth . his education his remove to cambridge . gods providen his industry and preferment his remove to sidney college . his abode in essex . his imployment there . his ordination . his return to cambridge . his diligence his ministe●●ial imployment . his remove to london . his call to linconlus-inne . his self-deni● his rem●ve to rotherhithe . his industry . his catechizing . his first marriage . his second marriage . his third marriage . his fourth marriage . he views the low-countries . he is chos●n to the assembly . his self denial . his distempers . his care of his flock . his family imployments . persons bred under him . english. forreigners . his great memory . his great learning . his piety . his zeal . his holy life . his humility his charity . his justice . his patience , and faith. his sickness . his preparation for death . ●is words to mr ash. his return to mr. baxter . he waits for death . death seizeth on his leg . the vigour of his natural parts . his last charge to his relations . his death . his character his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his early seeking god. his esteem of the ministry . his remove to cambridge . his remove to okeham . his marriage and children . his remove to stretton . his great pains . his frequent fastings . his family-duties . his zeal and courage . his delight i● the ministry ▪ he is chosen to the assembly . he is chosen to mary magdalens bermondsey his great industry . he was a universal schollar . his zeal and courage . his high esteem of the ministry . gods love to him . his tender-heartedness . his meekness . his patience . his spirit of prayer . his humility . his comforts ●aith and joy. his love to the saints . his charity . his sympathy he was much beloved . his delight in preaching . hi● sickness . his holy speeches . his tormenting pains . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . the college at dublin founded . his education a special providence . his timely conversion . satans malice . prayer powerfull . satans subtilty gods mercy . his admission into the college . his great proficiency . his admission to the sacrament . his preparation thereto . his skill in chronology . his study of the fathers . he is designed to the study of the law. his study of divinity . his contempt of the world . his disput● with a jesus he is master of arts , and catechist . his o●dination . his first sermon after it . tentation resisted , a great reformation . popery encreaseth . his zeal . a prediction . his body of divinity . souldiers favourers of learning . his great diligence . his correspondents . his first preferment . his constant preaching . his prevalency in prayer . he is bachelor in divinity , and professor . his strong memory . his self-denial episcopal subtilty . a special providence . a holy practice . his speech in the assembly . the success of his speech . he is dr. of divinity . the articles . of ireland . his enemies . he is made bishop by the king. he preaches to the parliament . his constant preaching . his success in his ministry . his answer a jesuit . he is made primate of ireland . his disputation with a jesuit . the lord mordant converted . his fruitfull conference . his humility . examples of it ▪ psal. . . & . . his frequen● prayers . his indust● a tolerati● of popery d●sired . the bishops judgements against it . lord falklands esteem of him . his incessant pains . his care of 〈◊〉 ministry . his constan● preaching at catechizing . his expences in books and manuscripts . a predi●●● jer. ● . . his zeal against popery . predictions . he lame our divi● his humility . his labours successful . his pru● prayer powerful . his disp●●●tions wit●●hree jesu● they are foyled . another disputation . a special providence . the success of his ministry . a special●●vidence . his suff● a scandal clea●ed . offers 〈◊〉 to him 〈◊〉 abroad ▪ he goes to oxford . and into wales . he is abused by souldiers . his sickn● he is chos● lincolns 〈◊〉 his last sermon . his cha●● he owns ●●ther refo● churches ▪ a peace ●●ker . his zeal . his humility . his last sickness . his dea● his funeral . his learning admired . his character his learning ●cknowledged ●y papists . notes for div a -e his birth , and ●arentage . his education . his preferment at oxford his attendance at cou●t . his tem●●●tions . his excel● 〈◊〉 . h●s knowledge of the times . a universal schollar . his-modesty . hi● excellent preaching . h●s communi●iveness . his plain preaching . note . his ●ervent prayers . set forms of prayer lawful his sound judgement . his constancy the danger of inconstancy in religion . how to be constant therein . his single-heartedness . hypocrisie complained of his usefulness his frequent preaching . he leaves the min●stry at pit●●combe . he practiseth physick . his fruitful discourses . an excellent counselor . he preached freely . tithes asserted his holy life . his self-denial . his contempt of the world . his humility . his moderation . his patience . his death . notes for div a -e his birth . his going to ●xford . his convers woful ignorance . his first sermon . his return 〈◊〉 oxford . a special p●●●vidence . ministers suspended . his remove to hanwell . mr. whately a● banbury . he is setled at hanwell . his marriage . his affliction mr. lancaster a learned and humble man. life of faith mr. dods character . how mr. dod prized him . his invitatio● to london . his labou● at hanwell . his frequent preaching and success . his lectur at stratford upon ●von rel●gion flourisheth . gods blessing upon his outward estate . the battel at edgebill . his troubl● his courage . he is chosen one of the assembly . his remove to london . he is setled at buttolphs bishopsgate . he is sent to oxford . he is chosen to petersfield . he leaves petersfield . he is traduced . his several afflictions . a disputation at oxford . he commenced doctor . he is made head of trinity college . he refused new college he is chosen to preach a lectu●e in oxford . his wives sore temptations . mercies mix● with trials . his last sickness . his humility ▪ h●s secret imployments . how he spent his time . his counsel to his friends . his strict observation of the sabbath . his divine speeches . his death . his timely conversion . his charity . his humility . his pithy ●p eches . his temperance . mr. r. m. his patience . family government . his advice● his children gods blessing upon his children . his servants gods servants . his good government in the college . his great learning . a good disputant . his fervent prayers . an excellent preacher . his method in preaching ▪ his strong memory . his pithy speeches . what sermons are best . his advice to young preac●ers . his advice about books . his judgement of mr. calvin . and of other writers . his judgement of our times . about indpendencye ▪ about ordination of ministers . his excellent speeches . notes for div a -e an introduction . his parentage his educatio● his imprisonment . his escape . he comes to lubeck . he is remanded by h●s keeper . pleads for himself . defended by the consul . protected b● lubeck . his escape calmar . his danger . his remove● to his own country . the king admitted into sockholme . plots to destroy the suedish lords . the suedish lords surpr●sed , and murdered and murdered danish cruelty . covetousness . hypocrisie . what gustav●s then did . treachery . a special providence . he goes to the dallca●●es , his speech to them . their answer . he meets with new difficulties . sir laurence olai assists him . he arms. gods providence to the suedes . he raiseth an army . seizeth on the kings treasure . he divides his army . he advanceth into helsi●g from thence into gestrict . the danes are infatuated . he marches to westerass . the danes are bea●en . westerass taken . upsal taken . gustavus quits vpsal . his danger and delivery . gods providence . the danes again are beaten . his army much encreased the king of denmark hated at home . a convention of the estates in sueden . they proffer him the kingdome . which he refuseth . many joyn with him . abbo besieged steckburgh surrendred . stockholme relieved by the nicopen yeelded to the suedes . tineslor and westerass surrendred . the lubeckers assist him . the danes beaten at sea. stockholme straitly besieged . he begins a war in norway . the king of denmark flyes into germany . then into flanders . a good wife . calmar surrendred . a parliament called . a senate established . they choose gustavus king which he refuses . they press him again . he submits . his piety . the lubeckers required . the articles of agreement . stockholme surrendred . finland reduced . peace settled . peace with the muscovite . the duke of holst chosen king of denmark . the two new kings meet . the king of denmarks speech . the king of suedens answer peace concluded . gospel light in germany . envied by the devil . anabaptists trouble all . two of them come into sueden , and cause much trouble . gustavus banisheth them . their infection spreadeth . the pope justifies the massacre at stockholme . the king visits the kingdome . a convention of the estates . they leave the church-revenues to the disposall of the king. popish lies , and slanders . the dallcarles rebell . religion reformed . and are quieted . traytors executed . a famine causeth new stirs . which are soon quieted . convention of estates caled . the kings speech to them . the bishops refuse to submit . he resigns his kingdome to the states . note . the nobles oppose the bishops . they request him to reassume the government . the temporalties of the bishops given to the king. the bishop of hincope● flies . the clergies pride abated . gustavus is crowned . reformatiou carried on . the kings piety . satan rages . so do the bishops . and others that affected popery . the kings courage . the mutineers disagree . some flye . others put themselves upon triall . are cast , and condemned . the kings prudence . another interview of the two kings . the kings marriage . his piety . he preferrs godly bishops . reformation carried on . the bible translated . king christian invades norwey . policy . some suedes revolt to him . others were more wise . king christians foolish credulity . he is made a prisoner . note . the king of sueden meets with new troubles . 〈…〉 tumults about bells . subjects treat with their king. the kings policy . he punishes the rebels . the king of denmark dies . an interregnum there . reformation of religion in lubeck . woolweaver , a turbulent person . the danes refuse to joyn with woolweaver . so doth gustavus . woolweavers pride . the king and woolweaver fall out . the earl of hoyes treachery . pride goes before a fall . divisions in denmark . gustavus joyns with the lords of denmark . the duke of aldenburgh beaten . woolweavers treachery against gustavus . suanto's fidelity . aldenburgh beaten . woolweaver is hanged and quartered . haffnia surrendred . the king makes a truce with lubeck . note . the king of suedens prudence . the crown of sueden is made successive , and why . the crown is entailed upon gustavus his family . gods blessing upon his family . christian resigns his crown . gustavus his poste●ity . gustavus grows famous . note . policy of princes . the king of denmark dies . another chosen . christian the tyrant dies . gustavus dieth his character notes for div a -e her parentage her conversion . the manner of it . her excellent parts . heavenliness . her prudence . in her speech . in her silence . her holy communication . her wise demean●ur . her faith . the confession of her faith . her faith. her comfort . her frequent prayers . her fervent prayers . her prevalent prayers . her holy speech . her humility her love to gods children and to the church of christ. her love to the word and sacrament , and house of god. her weanedness from the world . her frequent fasting . her abstinence from sports , and from marriage . her weanedness from the world . her bounty to the ministry . her desire to dye . why she desired death . why she feared not death . her thankfulfulness . her universal obedience . her love to god. her charity . her love to her neighbours her sympathy her patience . her modesty . her humility . a good wife . her preferring others before her self . her sincerity . her constancy . her growth in g●ace . her sickness . her death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion . his holy life . his early rising to converse with god. he is slandered , and vindicated . his heavenly conversation . his much reading . his zeal . his prudence . his strict observation of the sabbath . his love to ministers . his desire to have others saved . his assurance his joy unspeakable . how he maintained his assurance . he stirred up others to labour for it . his desire of death . yet carefull of life . his heavenli-mindedness . his justice . his impartiality . examples of it . a great reformation wrought by him . his courage . he reforms the prophanation of the sabbath . his zeal , and courage . his mercy to souls . his justice . he restores use-money . his charity . his hospitality . how god honoured him . he is chosen mayor , and burgess of parliament . his courage . he is reproached by the wicked . the power o● prayer . his prudence . his sickness . his patience , his death . his funeral . notes for div a -e her parentage her marriage . her removed to blackfriers . her love to gods house . her retiredness . her weakness . her holy life . her meekness . her sickness . her patience . her comforts . a loving wife . her faith. she begs prayers . her afflictions . she blesseth her children . her devotion her death . notes for div a -e her parentage her timely conversion . her piety . her humility . her meekness . her p●udence and gravity . her love to the saints . her courage . her frequent prayers . 〈…〉 her family government . her charity . her sickness . her holy speeches . her character her death . notes for div a -e her parentage , and education . her timely conversion . her piety . her growth in grace . her afflictions sanctified . her relative duties . the time , a● manner of 〈◊〉 conversion . satans malice . gods mercy . satans subtilty . gods mercy . her comfort , and joy . gods mercy in want of mean● . gods providence . her faith in promises . her fears and doubts . her prayers answered . a hard thiug to beleeve . she imparts her condition to christian friends , and findes comfort . her self-examination . her faith . her thankfulness . satans method , and subtilty . gods mercy to his own . mans folly . she dyed daily . he patience her holy speeches . her sickness . her joy unspeakable . her death . the life & death of william, surnamed the conqueror, king of england and duke of normandy, who dyed anno christi, by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life & death of william, surnamed the conqueror, king of england and duke of normandy, who dyed anno christi, by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], [i.e. ] p. : port. printed for simon miller ..., london : . reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng william -- i, -- king of england, or - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - melanie sanders sampled and proofread - melanie sanders text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion wilhelmus conquestor rex anglia dux norman : etc. the life & death of william , surnamed the conqueror : king of england , and duke of normandy . who dyed anno christi , . by samuel clarke , late minister of bennet-finck london . london , printed for simon miller at the signe of the star , at the west end of st pauls , . the life and death of william sirnamed the conquerour king of england , and duke of normandy : who dyed anno christi , . the normans issued out of denmark , and norway , the inhabitants of which countries in those times were so fruitful in the procreation of children , that they were forced oft-times to send multitudes abroad to seek new habitations . amongst whom there was one * roul , a great commander , attended with many lusty lads , who in the dayes of king alfrid , first landed in england ; where finding no room empty , nor any imployment , was content ( upon some relief received ) to seek imployment else-where ; which he did against rambalt duke of frize , and reiver duke of chaumont , and henalt , with whom he often encountred , and made great spoiles in their countries . then passing along the coast of france , he entred the mouth of the river seine , and sackt all the country up to roan : where the people having been a little before miserably spoiled by an other invader , were so terrified by the coming of these new forces , that the archbishop of roan , by the peoples consent , offered him the obedience of that city and country upon condition that he would protect them , and govern them according to the laws of christ , and the customes of their countrey . for charles the simple , the present king of france , being otherwise embroiled about the right of his crown , neglected to defend them : so that roul shortly after attempted the conquest of paris itself , and therein gave some notable overthrowes to some of the french commanders : so that king charles was forced to buy his peace by entering into alliance with , and giving over to roul , his right to normandy , ( formerly called nuestria ) . and hereupon roul turned christian , and was baptized by the name of robert. thus he came to his estate , which he governed with such judgment and equity , that he left his name honourable , and his successours a firme foundation to build upon . from him in a direct line descended six dukes of normandy that inherited that dukedome , the last of which , was also called robert , who ( out of blind devotion ) resolving to visit christ's sepulchre , acquainted his nobles therewith : they disswaded him all they could , because he had no issue , and allaire earl of britaine , and the earle of burgundy were already contending which of them should succeed him , whereby their country was like to become a prey to the souldiers , from which he in conscience was bound to secure it . the duke told them , that he had a little bastard , of whom he had great hopes , whom he would invest with that dutchy as his heir , and therefore he prayed them thenceforth to take him for their lord. and ( said he ) to shew my trust in him , i will make the earl of britaine his governour , and seneschal of normandy ; and the king of france shall be his guardian , and so i will leave him to god and your loyalty . shortly after the bishops and barons did their homage to this base son , named william , whom his father begat on one arlet , a mean woman of falaise . and duke robert delivered the child with his own hand to henry first king of france , whom he had greatly assisted in keeping his crown against an other competitor : and therefore he might the more presume ( if good-turns done to princes could weigh down self-respects ) to have found a faithful discharge of his trust . he caused also young william to doe his homage for the dutchy of normandy to the king , and so committed him to his royal faith : and going his joruney , he dyed in asia , william being then but nine years old . soon after the news of his father's death , the nobles of normandy , by much intreaty gat him out of the french king's hand , knowing that they having him amongst them , would countenance his counsellers , and such as were in office. but they soon found that his person without power did but increase their discord , and factions . for presently after his right was questioned by competitors and first robert de tresny , an experienced souldier , bringing a fair line from roul , intertained , and feasted the chiefest men amongst them , urging to them what a wrong it was to him , that a bastard , and a child should be preferred before him in the dutchy , which his ancestors had gotten by their valour , and what a shame it was for the normans to be governed by such an one . and when words prevailed not , he brought it to the tryal of the sword in a great battel , in which ( by the valour of roger de beaumont ) he was defeated and himself and his two brethren slain . not long after , the king of france , ( violating the trust that was reposed in him ) assisted in person william earl of arques , another pretender to the dutchy , descended also from roul , and brought to his aid a mighty army , yet count guifford , duke william's general , by a stratagem training the french into an ambush , overthrew them , and caused the king to return to paris with great loss and dishonour , and forced arques to seek relief from the earl of bologne , where yet he found little favour , few regarding men that are overthrown , and low . this storm past , a worse succeeds . there lived with duke william , a young lord of the like years , called guy , descended also from roul , who , coming to be sensible of his interest , was advised by some stirring spirits to put in for the dutchy , which ( they said ) was his right , and but usurped by the bastard . and to promote his affairs there fell out a deadly feud between two of the greatest lords , vicount neel , and the earl of bessin , whose quarrel duke william either did not , or could not pacifie , whereupon this guy , who was lately made earl of briorn and vernon , interposed to end this discord ; and by the advice of grimolt de plessis , brought it to pass that both these great men turned the point of their malice against duke william , for not ending the difference , and therefore conspired with guy to murther him at unawares ; which also they had effected , had not a fool , whom they suspected not , noting their preparations , got away in the night to valogne , knocking , and crying at the gates , till he was admitted to the dukes presence ( who was now about seventeen years old ) whom he willed presently to flee or he would be murthered . the duke seeing the fool so affrighted , contemns not the information , but presently takes horse , and all alone posts towards falaise , his strongest place . by the way his horse was tired , and at break a day coming to a village called rie , it fell out that a gentlemen was standing at his door , ready to ride abroad : of him the duke enquired the next way to falaise ; the gentleman knowing him humbly craved the cause of his so strange and untimely riding alone ? the duke told it him , and this gentleman , called robert de rie , lent him a fresh horse , and sent his two sons with him to conduct him the next way to falaise . no sooner were they got out of sight , but the conspirators came posting after , and enqured of the same gentleman whether he saw the duke : he answered , that he was gone a little before such away ( shewing them another path ) and offering his service to count bessin , rode on with them , but led them so about , that the duke had gotten into falaise , whereupon , being disappointed , they returned to their homes ; so strengthening themselves that the duke thought fit to retreat into roan , and from thence to the king of france to crave his aid , putting him in mind what faithfull service his father had done for him : that he was his homager ; under his protection ; and that he had no other sanctuary to flee unto for succour against his mutinous and unruly nobility . and he was so importunate that the king aided him in person with a royal army against his competitors , whom they met in the vale of dunes , as ready to resist them , with as great a power and resolution , as the other were to assault them . the battel was very fierce and bloody , wherein the king of france , and duke william bestirred themselves lustily ; yet had not ralfe de tesson been false to his fellows , to recover the favour of the duke , they had hardly carried the victory . after this , diverse of the conspirators ( who had too great hearts to submit ) passed over the alps into italy , where they grew very famous for their valour . but here ended not the dukes troubles . for guy de burgagne escaping by flight , fortified the castles of briorne and verneil ; yet in the end was forced to submit both them , and himself to the dukes mercy , and now became his pensioner , who before was his competitor . this gentle act of the dukes brought in many others to yield up themselves , and had their signiories redelivered to them , but their castles were demolished . shortly after , our duke was called into action again , by geffry martel earl of anjou , who usurped alanson , damfront and passais , members of the dutchy of normandy , to recover which , the duke raised an army , and first got alanson , where , because he was opprobriously scorned by them , and called the son of an harlot , he used extream cruelty . then laid he siege to damfront , to relieve which , count martel came with a great army ; and our duke to discover his strength , sent roger de montgomery , and two other knights to deliver this message to the earl , that if he came to victual damfront , he should there find him the porter to keep him out . whereunto the earl answered : tell your duke that to morrow at break a day he shall have me there on a white horse ready to give him the combate , and i will enter damfront , if i can : and that he may know me i will wear a shield d'or , without any devise . roger replyed , sir , you shall not need to take that paines : for to morrow morning you shall have the duke in this place , mounted on a bay horse : and that you may know him he shall wear upon the point of his launce a streamer of taffaty to wipe your face . so returning , each side prepared for the morning . but the earl , busied in ordering his battels , was informed by two horsmen , that came crossing the field , that damfront was for certain surrendred to the duke , whereupon in a great rage , he presently departed with his army : part whereof , as they passed a streight , were cut off by vicount neel , who by that service redeemed his former offence , and was restored to the dukes favour , whom ever after he served faithfully . from damfront the duke with his engines removed to hambrieres , a frontier town of count martels : but by the way ( had he not discovered it himself ) he had been entrapped in an ambush and overthrown : yet before he could clear himself he lost many brave men ; wherewith he was so enraged , that pressing into the midst of his enemies , he made at count martel , strake him down with his sword , clave his helmet , and cut off an eare , yet he escaped out of the press , though diverse of his men were taken , and the rest routed . but whilst he was thus contending with outward enemies , two of his own conspired against him , william guelan , earl of mortagne , and william earl of eu , both pretenders to the dutchy of normandy : but the first , upon suspicion , the second upon proof of intention , were both banished . and the earldomes of mortagne he gave to robert , and that of eu to odo , both his brethren by the mothers side . and all these difficulties he encountred withall before he was full twenty two years old . now the more to confirm and strengthen his estate against future practices , he assembled a parlament of his bishops , barons , and gentlemen , causing them to take their oath of allegiance , and to raze their castles . after which he married matilda , the daughter of baldwin the fifth , earl of flanders , but not without some opposition . for his uncle mauger , archbishop of roan , excommunicated him for marrying her who was his cosen german . to expiate which offence ( though the pope dispensed with it ) he was enjoyned to build some hospitals for blind people : and two abbyes , one for men , and the other for women ; which were built at ca●n . these his successes made him the object of envy to the french court , who incensed the king against him , to abate his power , and to find a quarrel ▪ ( which borderers easily may do ) to set upon him . the king who was forward enough of himself , to make his cause the fairer , pretends to correct the insolencies of the normans committed in his territories , and to relieve count martel , oppressed by the duke . he alleadged also , that it concerned him in honour and justice , to have that province which held of his crown , to be governed by a prince of lawfull blood ; wherefore he resolved utterly to extirpate duke william , and to settle a legitimate prince in that dutchy . for which end , he raised two armies through all his dominions , whereof one he sent along the river seine , the other into the countrey of bessin , meaning to encompass him . the duke hereupon divided his forces also into two parts ; and sent the one under his brother odo , earl of eu , walter guiffard earl of longevil , and others , into the countrey of caux , himself with the other advanced toward eureux , to oppose the king who was at mentz . he also withdrew all the cattel and provisions out of the countrey , into cities and fortresses . the kings army marching to mortimer , and finding the countrey to abound with all plenty , fell to makeing good cheer ; thinking that duke william with his men , was yet at eureux ; which the army of odo understanding , marched all night , and at break of day gave them so hot an alarm , that he put them all into a rout , leaving their horses and armour to the normans , who in the pursuit of fourty thousand left not a fourth part of them alive . the king of france thus defeated , returned home with disgrace ; and our duke with the price of the prisoners , recovered his peace , and the castle of thuilliers , which had been taken from him in his minority . cout martel though much discouraged with the kings overthrow , yet made some attempts for the recovery of his towns , but without success . wherefore the next spring he went again to sollicit the french king to aid him against the duke , who ( said he ) is now grown insolent upon the victory he stole last year , so that there is no living by him . besides , he suggested that the normans extreamly derided the french , and had a base esteem of them , making their last overthrow the subject of their sport , and rhimes , as if the king of france , upon such an inconsiderable loss , durst not break a dishonourable peace . the king being stung with this reproach , raised a mighty army , far greater than the former , wherein were three dukes , and twelve earls , and notwithstanding the solemne peace made , and so lately sworn with the duke , he entered normandy in the harvest time , spoiling all before him along the countrey of bessin . from thence he passed to bayeux , and caen , purposing to pass the river dine at verruil , and to destroy all as far as to roan : coming thither he found the causeway long , and bridge narrow , wherefore he caused his van to pass over first , and to secure his rere , lead by the duke of berry , himself staid behind in caen , till his men and carriages were passed . duke william all this while was storing his fortresses with men and victuals : strengthening himself and falaise , as much as he could : yet had no army in the field , but only a running camp , ready to take all advantages ; and so lets the fury of this storm spend itself , till being informed of their passage over the bridge , and then marching all night with ten thousand men , in the morning early he set upon the rereward , with so dreadfull a cry , and fury , that such as were upon the causeway being affrighted , thrust forward such as were before them , hasting to get over the bridge , which , by reason of the great press , brake , so that many were drowned ; and such as were got over could not return to aid the rest . nor the king ( by reason of the marishes on both sides ) could not yield any succor to his people ; but stood a spectator of their slaughter ; there were very many slain , and six of the kings earls taken prisoners . this shameful overthrow was so laid to heart by the king of france , that he died shortly after , and the duke of normandy enjoyed peace , which he imployed nobly in ordering and beautifying his state ; building and endowing churches , and monastries : he erected also a tomb for himself and his wife at caen ; feasting and rewarding his nobles , and other men of worth ; whereby he so engaged their hearts to him , that they were wholly his to do what he pleased . in the time of this calm he sailed over into england , pretending a visit to king edward , his kinsman , who , because he had been protected , and bred in normandy by duke richard the second ( grandfather to them both ) gave him most royal entertainment ▪ probably he came to see , and to be seen , to make way for his future designs . and not long after herald , whether on purpose , or by some casualty of weather was driven into france , is uncertain ; but he was gallantly entertained in normandy by duke william , and at roan something was concluded betwixt them ; whether to divide the kingdom of england between them ; or that herald , being a coast-dweller , should let in duke william after the decease of king edward the confessour , and do his best to help him to his kingdom , is uncertain ; but whatever it was , it was solemnly sworn to upon the holy evangelists , and all the reliques in roan . and for more assurance herald was betrothed to adeliza , the dukes daughter , and his brother wolnot was lest as a pledge for the performance . sure it is , that so much was done , either by our king edward , who by will left the crown to him , or by herald , or both , as gave him ground to challenge the crown of england and to pursue the getting of it . though indeed it was not in either of their powers to prejudice our state , or to alter the conse of a right succession . as soon as duke william heard of the death of king edward , and of the election and coronation of herald , he assembled the states of normandy , and acquainted them with the right he had to england , intreating their utmost assistance for the recovery of it , and to avenge him on the perjur'd . usurper herald ; shewing them what a strong party he had in england , and the distractions of the people , which made his attempt very probable . he told them what glory , wealth , and greatness the obtaining of such a kingdom would add to them . yet notwithstanding all he could say , there were but few that liked of this attempt , and they which did , were such as had long followed him in the wars , and thereby had exhausted their estates , and were content to run any adventure that might promise hope of advantage . of the rest , some thought it best to hold and defend their own countrey , without adventuring to conquer an other ▪ and this was the richer sort : others were willing to contribute , but did it so sparingly that it little advanced the design ; and the rest were so tyred with former wars , and so willing to enjoy the blessing of peace , that they were unwilling to forgoe a certain , for an uncertain good . the duke meeting with these discouragements , was much perplexed , which made him to deal more particularly with his best friends , whom he knew to affect honour , and that they would adventure their whole estates with him . these were william fitz-auber , earl of brettevil ; gualter guifford , earl of longevil ; roger , lord de beaumont , &c. especially his own brothers ▪ odo , bishop of bayeux , and robert earl of mortagne . these he procured in a full assembly to make their offers , which they did so liberally ( fitz ▪ auber promising to furnish fourty ships with men and amunition , the bishop of bayeux fourty , the bishop of mentz thirty , &c. ) that the rest of the assembly doubting , that if without their help the duke should carry on his design , he would not forget their backwardness , they came off more liberally . the duke finding them yielding , yet not so forward as was requisite for such an undertaking , dealt with the bishops and great men apart , getting that of them severally , which of all together he could not attain , and causing every mans contribution to be recorded , kindled such an emulation amongst them , that they which before would do nothing now strove who should do most . by his fair perswasions also he drew in most of the princes and nobles of france , to adventure their persons , and much of their estates with him . as robert fitz harvay , duke of orleance , the earls of britaine , ponthieu , bulloigne . , poyctou , maine , nevers , hiesms , ●umarl , signior de tours , yea and martel his enemy , earl of anjou . indeed it was strange that these great men of france , should adventure their lives and fortunes to add england to normandy , and so great a crown to a duke who was too great for them already . but where god hath determined alterations in kingdoms and states all things shall concurr to promote the same . the king of france who should have most opposed was now a child , and under the tutorship of baldwin earl of flanders duke william's father in law , and therefore from thence he was sure of furtherance , rather than hinderance . and to delude the young king he promised faithfully , if he conquered england , to hold it of the crown of france , as he did his dutchy of normandy . and to make the pope his friend , he promised him to hold it of the apostolick see : whereupon the pope sent him a consecrated banner , an agnus dei , and one of saint peter's haires . the emperour also sent him some forces under the command of one of the princes of the empire . and being thus encouraged and furnished , within eight months he was ready with a powerful army , at saint valery in normandy , to transport himself into england in ships . but now let us see how affairs stood in england : king edward the confessor , being himself without issue , had in his lifetime sent into hungary for his nephew edward , called the outlaw , the son of edmund ironside , intending to make him his successour to the crown ; but he dying soon after his arrival in england , king edward then gave his son edgar the name of etheling , or prince edgar , meaning to design him for his successour ; but was prevented by death before he had fully established him ; and edgar etheling , though he had right , yet being young , and a stranger here , and so wanting power to make good his right , herald , the son of earl godwin , stept into the throne , and though hereby ( violating of holy rights ) he offended the clergy , yet not any , either of the clergy , or laity durst oppose him ; as being the most martiall man in the kingdom , and such an one as the state of the realm then stood in need of . and besides his own worth he had the assistance of edwin , and marchar , the two great earls of yorkshire , and chester . indeed king edward had appointed the crown sometimes to william duke of normandy , sometimes to edgar etheling , and sometimes to this herald , who was now crowned by aldred , archbishop of york : and being possessed of the throne , he was able to make good his title : yet to make prince edgar some part of amends he created him earl of oxford . and herald being thus setled , carried himself with great valour , and justice for the time he enjoyed it , which was but nine months . he made all provisions for defence that a politick and active prince could do . the first man that begun to disturb his new government was his younger brother toustaine , who in king edward's reign being made governour of northumberland , for his pride and barbarous cruelty , was banished the kingdom ; and now by reason of his former hatred against his brother , was easily set on by the duke of normandy , and baldwin earl of flanders , ( who had married his two daughters to duke william , and toustaine , ) to assail herald . he first assailed the isle of wight , and then set upon the coast of kent , from whence he was chased by herald , and forced to withdraw into the north , where seeking to land , he was thence repulsed by the earls marchar , and edwin , ( whose sister herald had married . ) then he craved aid of the scots ; and afterwards of harald harfager , king of norwey , who was excercising piracy about the orchades ; with him he prevailed , and so uniting their forces , they landed about tinmouth , and from thence marched into the heart of the kingdom . but near stamford king herald of england met them with a strong army , and after a long and cruel fight , ended the day with victory , and the death both of toustaine , and the king of norway . no sooner was this battel over , but with his wearied and broken forces he was called to a more fatal business in the south . for now duke william of normandy pretending a right to the english crown , by the testament of the late king edward his kinsman , upon the advantage of king herald's being so far off with his army , landed at pemsey , near to hastings in sussex ; and herald being informed of it , gathering together his broken forces , increasing them as much as he could by the way , with all possible speed he hasted to give the duke battel . duke william as soon as he had landed his men , sent his ships away , that so they might think of nothing but either victory or death . then going himself on land his foot slipt , and he fell down , which some of his company took for an ill signe ; no ( said he ) i have by this taken possession of this land. many attempts were made to compound the difference between herald , and william , but herald would hearken to none , presuming of success , and judging it a disgrace to capitulate for that which was his own . and when one of his brothers called gyrth intreated him to consider what a fearful thing it was to break an oath , which he had so solemnly sworn . herald judged , that nothing which he had done being a private man could be of force to him , being now a prince . anno christi , . october the fourteenth ( being also herald's birthday ) and his soldiers ( thinking to honour him thereby ) having spent the night in revelling and drinking ( whereas the dukes men spent it in quietness and devotion ) they joyned battel , the kentish men being placed in the front ( as by antient custom was their due ) and king herald with his londoners , leading the main battel : where though the number of their armies was not much unequall ( each of them having above sixty thousand men ) yet was there great odds in the expertness of the souldiers , and more in their weapons . for the duke had with him all the flower of france , and flanders , whereas king herald had lost his best men in the late fight , and for weapons , the normans had long bowes , which then were not in use among the english , it 's no marvel then though the normans got the victory . and though herald lost his life , yet he lost not his credit : and the english shewed no less valour though they were conquered , than the other did in conquering . for king herald ( like an expert general ) had ordered his men in so firme a body , that no power of the normans could disorder their ranks , till duke wìlliam used this stratagem : he made his men to retire , and to counterfeit flight , by which meanes he drew the english on upon an hollow ground covered over with earth , wherein many of them fell and perished , as also into an ambush of his horsemen , which unexpectedly fell upon them and cut them in peices , indeed duke william fought that day so valiantly that he had three horses slain under him : but king herald shewed no less valour in killing many of the normans with his own hands . insomuch as the fight continued doubtfull for a long time , till at last king herald being struck into the braines with an arrow , fell down dead , upon whose fall a base norman , cut off one of his thighs , for which duke william was so offended , that he disarmed the souldier , and cashier'd him . thyra king herald's mother , proffered a great some of money for his body , which the duke nobly refused and gave it her freely , who buried it in walltham abby . and no marvel if the english had such ill success . for the people being secure from their former enemies the danes ( which peace had continued now about the space of fifty years ) had discontinued the use of armes , and were generally debauched with luxury and idleness . the clergy was grown licentious , and well content with little learning . the nobility given to gluttony , venery , and oppression : the common sort to drunkenness and all disorder . duke william , as his valour won him the victory , so his victory won him a crown ; and suddenly of an old duke he became a young king. wherefore having returned publick thanks to god for his good success in the place , which he called battel field , near hastings in surrey , he led his army towards london , yet not the direct way for fear of an other encounter , but thorow kent , sussex , surry , hampshire , and bark shire , and so coming to wallingford , he there crossed the thames , and passed through the counties of oxford , bucks , and hertford : and whilst he staid at barkamsted , aldred archbishop of york , woolstan bishop of worcester , walter bishop of hereford , with the earls edwin , and morchar , the greatest men in the kingdome , yea and edgar etheling himself , came and yielded their allegiance to him , the pope having cursed all such as would not accept of him . from hence as william passed towards london , he found his way stopt up with multitudes of great trees , which by frederick abbot of saint albans , a man of noble blood , were caused to be felled to secure his monastery from being spoiled by the normans ; whereat william both wondering and fret ting , sent for the abbot under assurance of his safe return , and asked him why he did it ? frederick stoutly replied : i have done the duty both of my birth and profession , and if others of my rank had done the like ( as they might , and ought to have done ) it had not been in thy power to have pierced the land so far . from hence william marched to london , where the gates were set open , and the bishops , lords , and people entertained him with great signes of joy , though with small gladness ; and though he had not their hearts , yet he had their knees ; for in most humble manner they accepted of him for their sovereign , and upon christ-mass day after , he was crowned at westminster by aldred , archbishop of york : for that stigand , archbishop of canterbury , was not held canonically invested in his see. here , according to the accustomed form , the bishops and nobles took their oaths to be his true and faithful subjects : and he ( being required by the archbishop of york ) takes his oath before the altar of saint peter , to defend the right of the church , to establish good laws , and to see justice uprightly and impartially administred as became a good king. nor did he ever claim any power by conquest , but as a regular prince , submitted himself to the orders and customs of the kingdom , desiring rather to hold the scepter by his testamentary title than to claim it by the sword . so that though the name of conquerour , by the flattery of the times , was given to him ; yet he shewed by all the course of his government that he assumed it not . being thus setled , he chose for his counsel such men as he knew to be of greatest wisdom , and experience ; then he applied his thoughts to secure his new-gotten empire . for which end he fortified such places as lay open to danger ; placed strong garrisons upon the coasts ; and provided ships to ride in those harbors which lay most open to invasions . he marched also towards dover , ( the lock and key of the kingdom ) to secure that place , and to overaw that kentish , a most strong and populous province . but when stigand , the archbishop of canterbury , and eglesigne , the abbot of saint austins ( who were the cheifest lords and governours of kent ) heard of it , they assembled the commons at canterbury , laying before them the dangers of their province , the miseries of their neighbours , the pride of the normans , and the wrongs of the church . all which ( say they ) are too apparent . the english till now were ever free , and the name of bondmen not heard among them . but now servitude attends us , if we yield to the pride of this insulting enemy ; to withstand which , we are ready to adventure our lives with you . this resolution drew the people willingly to joyn with them , who appointed to meet at a bay at swanscomb , within two miles of graves end . accordingly there they met at the day , and kept themselves secret in the woods , waiting the coming of the conquerour , agreeing to carry before them great branches of trees , whereby they might conceal themselves , and if need were , impede the march of the normans . which device daunted king william at his approach , who judging himself secure , was thus before he was aware , suddenly beset on every side with enemies . for now the kentish men , having environed his army round , threw down their boughs , and with bent bowes prepared for battel : so that he which even now thought himself secure of the kingdom , began to dispair of his life , in which amazement , stigand , and eglesine pesented themselves before him , and said , most noble duke , behold here the commons of kent are come forth to meet and receive you as their sovereigne , requiring your peace , and their own freedom , and the enjoyment of their ancient lawes . if these be denied they are resolved to submit their tryall to a battel , fully purposing rather to dye than lose their laws , and liberties , and so to live servilely in bondage , which name , and nature is , and ever shall be strange unto us , and not to be endured . william being brought into this strait , and loath to hazard all upon so nice a point , more warily than willingly granted their desires , and pledges being given on both sides for performance , kent yielded to him her earldom , and dover her castle . when king william had established all things for englands security , he committed the government of it to odo , bishop of bayeux , his brother by the mothers side , and to his cousin * fitz-auber , whom he made earl of hereford , and in the lent following sailed into normandy , taking with him all the chief men of england , who were likeliest to make a party against him in his absence . as edgar etheling , stigand archbishop of canterbury , the two great earls edwin , and morchar , frederick abbot of saint albanes , agelnothus abbot of glastenbury , walteof earl of northumberland ; roger earl of hertford , rainulph earl of cambridge , gospatrick earl of cumberland , &c. and in his absence , which was all the summer , nothing was here attempted against him , save that edrick , surnamed the forester in the county of hereford , calling in the welch to his assistance , forraged the remoter borders of that county . the rest of the kingdom was quiet , expecting what would become of this new world , wherein as yet they found no great alteration , their laws and liberties remaining the same they were , and they might hope that by this accession of a new province , england would have her dominion enlarged abroad , and her profit not impaired at home . king william having disposed his affairs in normandy , towards winter returned into england , where he had three sorts of men to satisfie , . such as had adventured their lives and estates with him , . those of his own countrey , whose merits , and propinquity looked for recompence , whereof the number was very great , . the people of england , by whom he must now subsist , wherein he had more to doe than in his battel at hastings , seeing that all rewards with money must be raised out of the stock of the kingdom , which must needs be distastfull to the state in general ; and if he preferred any of his to dignities by displacing others , it must needs bring very feeling grievances to the persons displaced . but he thrust no great men out of their room , but such as put themselves out by revolting after they had given their fealty to him . so that it seems he contented himself , and his for the present , only with what he found ready , filling up their places who were slain in the battel , or fled away , as many were with herald's sons , out of the kingdom . such of desert as he could not presently prefer , he sent abroad into the abbeys , there to live till places fell void for them , whereof twenty four he sent to the abbey of ely , by which policy he not only lessened his suitors at court , and eased the eye sore of the english , but had a watch over the clergy , who were then of the greatest power in the kingdom , and might prevail much with the people . but the english nobility thinking that their splendor was darkned by the interposition of so many strangers , and fearing that yet it would be further eclypsed , conspired together , and fled , some into scotland , and others into denmark , to try if by forraign aid they could recover themselves . amongst whom , edgar etheling , with his mother and two sisters , intending for hungary , where he was born , was driven into scotland , where he was kindly entertained by * malcolin the third , whose former sufferings in exile had taught him to pity others in the like distress : and whom also it concerned to look to his own , now his neighbours house was on fire . this induced him also to make a league with edgar , and to tie it the stronger , he took to wife margret , the sister of edgar ( a very virtuous lady ) by whom the blood of our antient kings was preserved and conjoyned with the normans in king henry , the second , and so became english again . edgar being thus in scotland , there repared to him the earls edwin , and morchar , hereward , gospatrice , siward and others , and shortly after stigand and aldrid the two archbishops : with diverse of the clergy , who in that third year of king william's reign , raised great commotions in the north , and sought most eagerly to recover their lost country . but it now proved too late , the king having setled the government of the kingdom , so that instead of prevailing they gave advantage to the conquerour to make himself more than he was . for all oppositions made by subjects against their soveraigns , do , if they succeed not , tend much to their advancement ; and nothing gave deeper rooting to the normans here , then the petty revolts made by scattered troops in several places , begun without order , and followed without resolution . king william , foreseeing new stirs from scotland , sent to malcolme to deliver up to him his enemy etheling , which if he refused he threatned him with wars . malcolme returned answer : that it was unjust and wicked , especially in a prince , to betray to his enemy , one that came to his court for protection , especially being now so nearly allied to him . william , thus disappointed , feared a dangerous rebellion in his kingdom , to prevent which he built four strong castles . one at hastings : a second at lincoln : a third at nottingham : and a fourth at york , in all which he placed strong garrisons . and disarming the english , he commanded every housholder to put out both fire and candle at eight a clock at night , at which hour he appointed that in every town a bell should be rung ; called by the french coverfew , or cover fire , to prevent nightly tumults which otherwise might arise . then did he give the earldom , and all the lands that edwin held in york-shire , to allain earl of britaine . the archbishoprick of conterbury , he conferred on lankfranc abbot of caen. that of tork upon thomas his chaplaine , and all the rest of the english , which were out in rebellion , had their places supplied by the normans . shortly after , goodwin , and edmund the sons of the late king herald , coming with some forces out of ireland , landed in summersetshire , and fought with adnothus , one of king william's captains , whom they slew with many others , and taking great booties in cornwall and devonshire , returned back into ireland . exeter also thought to shake off the norman yoak . and northumberland , to recover their former liberties took armes , against whom the king sent robert cumin , and himself went against exeter and besieged it , and at last the citizens opened their gates and submitted to his mercy , the ring-leaders escaping into flanders . but in the north , cumin lying secure in durham , was suddenly in the night surprised by edgar etheling , and his followers , who slew cumin , and all his normans being about seven hundred , one onely escaping to carry the ill newes to king william . during these stirs in england the english fugitives in denmark so far prevailed with king swaine , that he sent a strong navy of three hundred ships , well fraught with souldiers , under his two sons harold , and canute , who arriving in humber , marched to york , to whom also edgar , and his associats out of scotland , joyned themselves . at whose approach the citizens were so terrified that they set fire on the suburbs , and the flame by an high wind , was driven over the wall , whereby a great part of the city was consumed , together with the cathedral church and a famous library of great worth , and the garrison of normans consisting of . were all slain . this so incensed king william , that speedily raising an army , he entered northumberland , pittifully wasted by the danes , and made spoil of all , and with a good summe of money purchased the departure of the danes ▪ these devastations in sundry counties made such a dearth , that the people were forced to eat horses , dogs , cats , rats , &c. and between york and durham , for the space of sixty miles , for nine years together , there was such an utter desolation , that neither house was left standing , nor field tilled . after this great defeat most of the lords came in upon the publick faith , and were conducted to barkhansted , by the abbot frederick , where upon their submission , and oath of allegiance retaken , they were restored to his favour , and to give them satisfaction , king william , before the archbishop lankfranc , and the lords , again sware to observe the antient laws of the realm , established by his noble predecessors , especialy those of saint edward . yet not long after these . lords upon new discontents brake out again . but earl edwin , making towards scotland , was murthered by the way by his own men . the lords morchar and hereward , betook themselves to the isle of ely , intending to secure themselves there for that winter ; to whom also repaired earl syward and the bishop of durham out of scotland . but the king who was no time giver , presently besieged them with flat boats on the east , and made a bridge two miles long on the west , and so brought his men upon them , who seeing themselves surprised , yielded to the kings mercy : only hereward desperatly marched with his people through the fens , and fled into scotland , the rest were sent to diverse prisons where they dyed , or remained during the kings life . those lords that continued loyal upon the late submission , were imployed and preferred by the king. as edric , the forrester . and gospatrice was made earl of northumberland , and sent against king malcolme , who wasted the countries of tisdale , cleaveland , and cumberland . waltheoff , the son of earl syward , he married to his neece judith , a very valiant man : shewing a noble nature to love vertue , even in his enemies . and now king william , finding scotland , to be a place of retreat for all his discontented subjects , and where his competitor edgar lived , he entered the kingdom with a great army , which encountring more with wants than forces , and both kings considering the uncertain events of war , upon fair overtures concluded a peace , agreeing upon the bounds of each kingdom ; and delinquents with their partakers were generally pardoned . and shortly after edgar etheling , came in volutarily , and was restored to the kings favour , who allowed him a liberal maintenance , which held him ever after quiet . king william being now gone into normandy , there was amost dangerous conspiracy begun against him by ralph de waher earl of suffolk and norfolk ; roger fitz aubre , ( or osburne ) earl of hereford : waltheoff , earl of northumberland , with eustace , earl of bulloine ( suborned , as it was thought , by the king of france , there unto ) . these lords conspired to keep william in normandy , and to dispossess him of his kingdom ; for which end they agreed to joyn theirs with the danish forces , whom they intended to call in . this was a dangerous combination , the king being in normandy besieging the castle of dole , in britaine , belonging unto ralph waher , and defended against him by the king of france , and at such a time when all his neighbor princes were jealous of him , and ill affected to him . the king of scotland , and the princes of wales , ready to joyn with them at home . swaine king of denmark , with a navy of two hundred sail ready to invade england ; to which drone , king of ireland , joyned sixty five ships . and this did more distract and incense him , because most of these great lords were either his kinsmen or nearly allied to him . this grand conspiracy was discovered by waltheoff to archbishop lankfranc , who perswaded the earl to go to the king and to inform him of the greatness of his danger . yet notwithstanding this discoverie , roger , and ralph , proceed in their intentions , and raise forces . but by the diligence of odo , bishop of baiaux , the kings brother , the bishop of worcester , and the abbot of evesham , they were so prevented that they could never unite their forces : whereupon ralph fled into france ; roger was taken and imprisoned ; waltheoff was beheaded ; and so this flame was extinct . the greatest and last insurrection was in normandy , by king william's own son robert , who by the instigation , and assistance of philip king of france , ( envying williams greatness ) entered normandy , and claimed it as his own right . his father indeed had promised him it long before , but robert impatient of delaies , endeavored by a strong hand to wrest it from his father . king william hearing hereof passed with a strong army over into normandy , where in a battel meeting with his son , hand to hand , he was by him unhorsed , and hurt in the arm . but his son perceiving by his voice that it was his father , suddenly leaped off his horse , took him up in his armes , fell down at his feet , and humbly intreated his pardon , which his father easily granted , embraced his son , and ever after they lived in mutual love . after this king william sent this his son robert , with an army against malcolm king of scots , who had invaded northumberland , who at the coming of duke robert , retired . at which time duke robert began to found a castle upon the river of tine , whereof the town of newcastle did take its beginning , and name , which formerly was called moncaster . these frequent wars put the state to an infinite charge , the king entertaining all this while , besides normans , very many french. finding the english ( in respect of many great families that were allied to the danes ) rather to incline to that nation than to the normans . in the fifteenth year of his reign he subdued wales , and brought the king thereof to do him homage . and presently after quarrels arose between king william , and the king of france . the king of france invades normandy , and takes the city of vernon . the king of england invades france , and subdued the country of xantoigne , and poicton , and so returned to roan . then did the king of france summon our king to do him homage for england , which he refused , saying he held it of none but god , and his sword : but for the dutchy of normandy , he offered him homage , which yet would not satisfie the king of france . whereupon he made a new invasion but with more loss than profit . in the end they concluded a crazy peace , which held only till king william had recovered a sickness , whereinto ( through his travel , age , and corpulency ) he was faln ; which occasioned the young and lusty king of france jeeringly to say , that he lay in of his great belly in roan . this so irritated king william that so soon as he was recovered , he gathered a very strong army with which he entered france in the chiefest time of their fruits , spoiling all before him till he came to paris , where the king of france then was , to whom he sent to shew him of his upsiting . from thence he marched to mentz , which he wholly sackt , where he caught the occasion of his death , by the strain of his horse amongst the breaches : from whence he was conveighed sick to roan . anno christi , . king william , before his going into normandy , the more to assure himself , and his successors of the english crown , on the east side of london , built a strongly fenced castle or magazine for his warlike amunition , which he entrenched with a long and deep ditch , 〈◊〉 now called the tower of london : the surveyor of which worke , was gundulphus , bishop of rochester the mortar of it being tempered with the blood of beasts . then to fill his coffers he imposed great subsidies upon the land , causing an exact survey to be taken of the whole kingdom ; yea , and of every particular part and commodity thereof , so that there was not a hide of land , lake , water or wast , but he knew the value , the owners , and possessors , together with the rents , and profits therof . as also of all cities , towns , villages , monasteries , and religious houses . causing all the people in england to be numbered , their names to be taken , with notice what every one might dispend by the year , their substance , money , and bondmen were recorded . how many yoak of oxen and plough-lands were in the realm : and what services they owed that held of him in fee : all which was certified by oaths of the commissioners . this done , he caused six shillings to be paid him for every hide of land. the book that cōtained this survey , was called the roule of winchester , as being kept there at first . but ever since it hath been called doomsday book , because of the general and inevitable censure thereof ; and since it hath been kept in the kings exchequer at westminster , this grievous exaction made the english miserably groan under their present state , whereby the king and his normans were daily more hated : and he on the contrary loved them so little that he fought by all means to bring the english name , and nation to ruine . he gave also further offence both to god and man , by depopulating the fruitful country , lying south from salisbury to the sea : pulling down towns , and villages , with thirty six parish churches , and so laid open all the country for thirty miles space , for wild beasts for his own game in hunting : which place hath ever since been called the new forrest . he also imposed such severe punishments upon such as offended in hunting his game that he was called the father of wild beasts . but god's severe judgment pursued him for his wickedness ; for in this forrest , richard his second son , was gored by a deer , whereof he dyed . rufus , an other of his sons , being taken for a deer , was shot thorow with an arrow and slain . henry , his grandson by robert curtoise his eldest son , eagerly pursuing a deer was by a bough struck into the jawes , and left hanging till he died . although king william at his coronation had taken an oath to observe the laws of king edward , then in use : which oath he renewed at barkhamsted , yet did he abbrogate many of them , and brought in the norman laws , written in french , commanding that all causes should be pleaded , and all matters of form dispatched in french ; either on purpose to entrap men through ignorance of the language , or else to make the normans language predominant in this kingdom , which yet he could never effect , there being not so much as any footsteps of that language remaining in the english tongue . forms of judgment by fire , and water , called ordeal , formerly much used , were now antiquated and shortly after quite abolished by the pope , as savouring too much of paganism . that of combat continued longer , but was of no ordinary use . actions both criminal , and real , began now wholly to be judged by the verdict of twelve men , called by the name of enquest . and whereas the bishops formerly dealt in secular causes , and shared with the king in many mulcts imposed on delinquents , now the king confined all the clergy within the compass of their own ecclesiastical jurisdiction , to meddle only in matters concerning mens souls . he set up sheriffs in every shire , and justices of peace to punish malefactors . and lastly , he ordainned his councel of state his chancery , his exchequer , and his courts of justice , which alwayes removed with his court. these places he furnished with officers , and assigned four terms in the year for determining controversies amongst the people , commonly held at westminster . as for his provisionary revenues , his tenants who held lands of the crown , paid him no mony but only corn , and victuals ; and a just note of the quality , and quantity of everyman's ratement was taken through all the shires of the kingdom , and leavied constantly for the maintenance of the kings house . one law he made which was extreamly distastfull to the gentry . that whereas they might at their pleasure , hunt & take deer which they found abroad in the woods , now it was ordained that upon penalty of putting out their eyes , none should presume to take or kill any of them , the king preserving them for his own game . in the first year of his reign he granted to the city of london , their first charter and liberties in as large a manner as they enjoyed them under king edward the confessor ; which he did at the request of william a norman , bishop of london ; in grateful remembrance whereof , the lord major and aldermen upon their solemn days of their resort to pauls , do still walk to the grave-stone where this bishop lies interred . also this king was the first that brought the jewes into england . he also enacted a law that whosoever forced a woman should lose his genitals . in his time the use of long bows came first into england , which , as they were the weapons wherewith under this king france conquered england , so they were the weapons with which england under succeeding kings conquered france . this king also appointed a constable at dover castle , and a lord warden of the cinque-ports . in short , he ordained such good laws , and had them so well executed , that a girle might carry a bag of money all the country over without danger of being rob'd . and in his time the setting of seals to bonds and writings was first used . in king william's time stigand archbishop of canterbury , was removed from his see and kept prisoner during his life in the castle of winchester ; and lanfranc , an italian ▪ succeeded him ; who in a synod at london , removed the bishops sees from small towns to cities : as from silliway to chichester ; from kyrton to exeter ; from wells to bath ; from sherborn to salisbury ; from dorcester to lincolne ; and from lichfield to chester ; and from thence again to coventry . he founded the abbey of battel in sussex , where he overcame herald . the abbey of selby in yorkshire ; and a third near london , called saint saviours . he founded also the priory of saint nicholas at exeter , and gave great priviledges to saint martins le grand in london . in normandy he founded an abby at caen : and he gave to the church of saint stephens there , two mannors in dorsetshire ; one in devonshire ; an other in essex ; much land in bark ▪ shire , some in norfolk ; an house in woodstreet london , with many avowsions of churches . in his time saint pauls church being burnt down , maurice bishop of london , began this which is now standing ; a work so admirable and stupendious that many thought it would never have been finished . towards the building of the east end of it , the king gave the choice stones of his castle in the west end of the city ; in which place afterwards was founded a monastery of black friers . and after the death of maurice , richard , his next successor , gave all the rents of his bishoprick towards the building of this church ; yet the finishing of it was left to his successors . about the same time william , bishop of durham ; founded university colledge in oxford : in the twentieth year of his reign , their happened so great a fire in london , that from the west gate to the east gate it consumed all the houses and churches , at which time ( as was said before ) pauls church was burnt down . burning feavers also consumed the people . murrains devoured an infinite number of cattel ; great rains and floods destroyed the fruites of the earth , whence ensued a great famine ; and by them the hills were so softned , and undermined , that some of them fell , and overwhelmed the neighbouring villages . tame fowls , as hens , geese , peacocks , &c. fled into the woods , and forests , and turned wild . odo , the kings brother , bishop of bayeux , hoping to obtain the popedom had heaped up vast treasures for the purchasing of it . but as he was about to begin his journey , he was seized upon by the king , and imprisoned , and his house being searched , there were found such heaps of gold as caused admiration in all that saw it , and many of his bags were drawn out of rivers , where they were laid , full of gold beaten to powder . king william wanting mony seized upon the plate , jewels , and treasure within all the monastries in england . pretending , that the rebels had conveyed their riches into these religous houses ( as into sanctuaries , and priviledged places ) to defraud him thereof ▪ he made also all bishopricks and abbyes that held baronies ( alwayes free before ) to contribute to his wars and other occasions . we left king william sick at roan , occasioned partly by heat and partly by the leap of his horse which brake the inward rim of his belly ; and perceiving his approaching death , he made his will , wherein he commanded that all his treasure should be distributed to churches , ministers , and the poor ; appointing to each their several portions . his dukedom of normandy ▪ he left to his eldest son robert , to whom he had formerly given it . his kingdom of england he left to his second son william . and henry his youngest son , surnamed beauclark , hearing himself neglected by his father , with tears said , and what father do you give me ? the king answered , five thousand pounds of silver out of my treasury . but ( replied he ) what shall i do with the treasure if i want an habitation ? his father answered , be patient my son , and comfort thyself in god , suffer quietly thy elder brothers to go before thee . robert shall have normandy , and william england , but thou in time shalt have intirely all the honour that i have gotten , and shalt excell thy brethren in riches and power . his son william he sent away into england , and by him letters to archbishop lanfranc . his prisoners he commanded to be set at liberty ; and then dyed september the ninth in the fifty sixth year of his dutchy , the twenty first of his kingdom , and the sixty fourth of his age , anno christi . . no sooner had this late glorious ▪ princes soul left his body , but his dead corps was presently abandoned by his chiefest followers , who posted away every one to defend his own ; whilst his menial servants despoiled him of his armor , vessels , apparel , and all princely furniture , leaving his dead body naked upon the floor , where it lay stinking till one harluins , a poor country knight , at his own cost undertook to cary it to caen , unto saint stevens church formerly founded by this king. at his entrance into caen , the monks came forth to meet him ; but at the very instant , a sudden fire happening , presently invaded a great part of the city , whereupon his hearse was forsaken by all , every one applying himself to help to quench the fire . after which being carried to church and the stone coffin set ready , which was to receive the body , one ascelinus fitz-arthur , stood up and forbad the burial , saying , this very place was the floor of my fathers house , which this dead duke violently took from him : and here upon part of my inheritance founded this church ; this ground therefore i challenge , and in gods behalf , forbid that the body of my despoiler he covered in my earth , neither shall it be interred within the precincts of my right . whereupon they were forced to compound with him for a present sum of money , and for one hundred pound weight of silver afterwards to be paid , and so the exequies went forward . but when the corps came to be laid into the tomb , it proved too litle , and the belly being pressed ▪ and not bowelled , brake , and with an intollerable stink , so offended the by-standers , that with great amazement , they all hasted away , and the poor monks were left to shuffle up the burial , who also were glad when they gat to their cells . he was of an indifferent stature , of a comly person , of a good presence , till his corpulency increasing with age , made him unweildy ; of so strong a constitution that he was never sick , till a litle before his death . his strength such that few men could draw his bow ; of wit ready , and very politick ; in speech eloquent ; resolute in attempts ; in hazards valiant ; a great souldier , and very successful ; his charters of an other tenour , and very brief ; as may appear by one that run thus . william , the third year of my reign , give to thee norman hunter , to me that art both leese and deer , the hop and the hopton , and all the bounds up and down , under earth to hell , above the earth to heaven ; from me and mine , to thee and thine , as good , and as faire , as ever they mine wear . to witness that this is sooth , i bite the whitewax with my tooth . before jugg , maud , and marjery , and my youngest son henry . for a bow , and a broad arrow , when i come to hunt upon yarrow . his only wife was mathilda , or maud , daughter to baldwin the fifth , surnamed the gentle , earl of flanders , by whom he had , robert surnamed curtois , or short thighs , who succeeded his father in the dutchy of normandy whereof he was dispossessed by his brother henry , king of england , at the battel of ednarchbray , anno. . where being taken prisoner , his eyes were put out , and he was sent to the castle of cardiff in wales ; and after twenty years imprisonment , died there . william the elder , surnamed miser , who in the right of queen maud , was earl of flanders , who died six years before his father . richard was born in normandy , and as he was hunting in the new forrest , whilst he was young , was slain by a stag. william surnamed rufus , who succeeded his father in the kingdom of england . henry surnamed beau-clerk , or the fine schollar , who after his brothers death came to be king of england , and duke of normandy . cicily his eldest daughter was by her father made a nun , and afterwards was chosen abbess in the monastery built by her father in caen. constance his second daughter , was first married to allain earle of little britaine , who was afterwards by king william made earl of richmond . alice , his third daughter was married to steven earl of bloys . gundred his fourth daughter was married to william warren , who was the first earl of surry , in england . ella his fifth daughter : some say , she dyed young . margeret , his youngest daughter , who was contracted to alphonso king of galicia in spain ; but dyed before the marriage was consummated . there was one randolph peverel , to whom edward the confessor was very bountifull , because he had married his kinswoman , the daughter of ingelrick , a man of great nobility among the english saxons . a lady of that admirable beauty , that with her looks she conquered the conquerour william , who desired nothing more than to be her prisoner in armes , which to effect , he begins to express a kind of love to the remembrance of her deceased father ingelrick , enriching the colledge of martins le grand , in london , first founded by him , and her uncle edward . then he honours and advances her two brethren , william peverel , castellane , or keeper of dover castle , and payne peverel , baron of bourn , in cambridgshire , the founder of barnwell abbey , and standard-bearer to robert , duke of normandy , in the holy war against the infidels . he prefers her kindred and friends : he sollicites her by the messengers of the devils bedchamber , his fly enchanting bawdes , and comes sometimes himself ( like jupiter ) in a golden shower . thus by these forcible demonstrations of his love , and unavoidable allurements ( especially from a king ) she was brought at length to his unlawfull bed , unto whom she bare a son named william , who was lord of nottingham , and founder of lenton abby . the lady his mother ( touched with remorse of conscience for her sin ) to expiate her guilt ( for such was the doctrine taught in those dayes ) founded a college in hatfield peverel , in essex , wherein , setting apart all worldly imployments , she spent the remainder of her dayes . king william , having once setled himself in the kingdom , divided a great part of it among his followers : to allen , surnamed the red , earl of britain , who came into england with him and was his son in law , he gave the honour , and county of edwin , within the province of york by his charter in these words . i william ( surnamed the bastard , king of england ) give and grant to thee my nephew allen , earl of britain , and to thy heirs for ever , all those villages , towns , and lands , which were late in the possession of earl edwin in yorkshire , with knights fees , churches , and other liberties and customes as freely and as honourably as the said edwin held them . given at the siege before york ▪ finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e his pedigree . * or rolls . his birth and parentage . he is made duke of normandy and commited to the french king. he comes into normandy . his troubles by competitors . the king of france against ▪ him . new troubles . treason against ▪ him . a special ▪ providence . he retires to the french king. his valour and victory . his meekness . his new troubles . he recovers his towns. his valour . a new conspiracy . he calls a parlament his marriage ▪ he is envied by the french king , who invades his country . the french beaten . the king of france invades his country again , and is again beaten . the king of france dies . he goes into england . his preparations . his policy his subtilty . the affairs in england . herald made king , an. . his prudence and policy . his opposition and successe . his victory . duke william comes into england . his policy . the battel between him and herald . their mutual valour . herald slain . englands sins . duke williams victory . his progress . the english submit to him . a stout abbot . he comes to london ; is received with joy. his coronation . no conquerour . his prudence . the kentish mens policy . * or fitz-osburne . king william goes into normandy . returns into england . his prudence . and policy . the english rebel . * or malcol●● . he built castles . troubles out of ireland . in the west and north. england invaded by the danes and scots . york burnt . king william goes against them . woful devastations . the king conquers . new discontents . ely taken . king william's clemency . peace with scotland . a new conspiracy . discovered . prevented . his son robert rebels . is reconciled to his father . new-castle built . quarrels with france . the french king jeers him . his reveng . his sickness . the tower built . england surveied . dooms-day book . new forrest made . remarkable judgments . the laws in french bishops power abated . his houshold provision . the charter of london renewed . bishops sees changed . his works of piety . pauls church burnt . and reedified . great judgments . he despoiles the monasseries . his last vvill. his death . vanity of ▪ vanties . his charecter . his wife . his sons . his daugters . the life & death of the valiant and renowned sir francis drake his voyages and discoveries in the west-indies, and about the world, with his noble and heroick acts / by samuel clark ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life & death of the valiant and renowned sir francis drake his voyages and discoveries in the west-indies, and about the world, with his noble and heroick acts / by samuel clark ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , [ ] p. : port. printed for samuel miller ..., london : . advertisements: p. 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be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng drake, francis, -- sir, ?- . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the life & death of the valiant , and renowned sir francis drake , his voyages and discoveries in the west-indies , and about the world , with his noble and heroick acts. by samuel clark late minister of bennet fink , london . london , printed for simon miller , at the star , at the west end of s. pauls , . the life and death of sir francis drake , with his voyages into the west-indies , and about the world ; and other his valiant actions . he died , anno christi . . this francis drake was born neer unto south tavistock in devonshire of mean parents . his godfather was francis russel , afterwards earl of bedford , who gave him his name of francis. his father in the reign of king henry the eighth , was called in question for religion , by reason of the six articles set forth by the king against the protestants , whereby he was feign to shift his habitation , and to retire into kent . but after the death of king henry , in the time of king edward the sixth , he obtained a place in the navy royal to read divine service : and after a while he was ordained deacon , and made vicar of the church of vpnor upon the river of medway . yet continuing poor ( the place being of small value ) he put forth this his son to serve a neighbor mariner that traded with a small barke into france and zeland , who brought him up in the mariners art , and by reason of his ingenuity , and activity , took such liking to him , that ( being a bachelor ) when he died , he bequeathed unto him his bark . shortly after , this francis drake , hearing of the preparations which were made by sir john hawkins ▪ for a voyage , anno christi ▪ . he sold his bark , and joyned himself with him , which voyage proving disasterous , at s. john de vllva , he lost all he had , and hardly brought himself back . our drake hereupon was forced to betake himself to his mariners practice to repair his losses , by which , serving in a man of war , he got good store of mony , whereupon he made a second voyage into the spanish west-indies to recover there what he had formerly lost , and with the ship of war , called the dragon , and another ship , none knowing his intentions but his own consorts , in the year , on whitsunday eve , being may th . himself being captain of the admiral , a ship of seventy tuns , and his brother john drake captain of the vice-admiral called the swan , of twenty five tuns , having in both of them of men and boys seventy three , all voluntiers , he so divided them that they were forty seven in one ship , & twenty six in the other . these ships he furnished excellently with victuals , and apparel for a whole year ; providing also store of all manner of ammunition , artillery , artificers stuff , and tools , and whatsoever was requisite for such a man of war , in such an attempt : but especially he had provided five nimble pinnaces , made at plimouth , which being taken asunder , were stored aboard his ships , and ready to be set up as occasion served ; with these he set sail from the sound of plimouth , intending for nombre de dios in the west-indies . the wind was fair and favourable , so that within twelve dayes they had sight of the madara , and canary islands , yet they never cast anchor , nor made any stay for twenty five days after their setting forth ; at which time they saw the island of guadalupe , one of the west indie islands , and the next morning they entred between dominica and guadalupe , and landed on the south side of dominica , where they remained three days to refresh their men , and to take in fresh water , whereof there was plenty . the third day in the afternoon they set sail for the continent , or terra firma ; and the fifth day after they had fight of sancta martha , from which they steared their course towards port phesant ( so named by captain drake in his former voyage , by reason of the great store of those fowls in that place ) and within six days after they safely arrived in that bay . here did captain drake give order to his brother what to do in his absence , and well manning his boats , went to the shore , where , upon a great oak he found a plate of lead nailed , having in it this inscription . captain drake , if you happen to come to this port , make hast away . for the spaniards you here met with the last year have betrayed this place , and taken away all that you left here , &c. your loving friend john garret of plimouth . but notwithstanding this advertisment captain drake meant not to depart from this port ( which was so fit for his purpose ) till he had set his pinnaces together which he brought with him in his ships . and for his own , and his mens security , whilst the carpenters were employed about that work , he made a kind of a fort by the water side , by felling great trees , and laying them one upon another . the next day after their arrival , came in also into that port an english bark of the isle of wight of sir edward horseys , whereof james rawse was captain , and john overy master , with thirty men ; these brought in with them a spanish carvel of sivil , being sent with advise to nombre de dios , and also a shallop , both which they had taken by the way . and captain rawse , understanding the design of captain drake , desired to joyn with them , and upon articles agreed on , he was admitted . within seven days the pinnaces were fitted , and furnished for service , and other businesses dispatched , so that setting sail in the morning toward nombre de dios , they held on their course till they came to the isles of pines upon the third day ; at which place they found two frigates of nombre de dios , lading planks and timber from thence . the negroes in those frigats informed them of the state of the town ; and told them that some souldiers were daily looked for from the governour of panama to defend the town of nombre de dios against the symerons , who were blacks that formerly had fled from their spanish masters by reason of their cruelty , and were by this time grown to a nation under two kings , who had almost surprised it about six weeks before . captain drake , having learned what he could of them , set these negroes on shore , that they might go to their countrey-men the symerons , and to prevent any notice that they might give to nombre de dios of his approach ; & so hasted his going thither . for which end he disposed of all his companies , leaving the three ships and carvel with captain rawse , and chose into his pinnaces ( making the shallop one ) fifty three of his own company , and twenty of captain rawse's : providing fit arms for them : viz. six targets , six firepikes , twelve pikes , twenty four muskets and calievers , sixteen bows , six partizans , two drums , and two trumpets . then leaving their company , they arrived at the island of catavaas , where landing early in the morning , captain drake there trained his men , and delivered them their several arms , which hitherto he had kept safe in good casks , encouraging them to the enterprise by setting before them the weakness of the town , being unwalled , the unexpectedness of their coming and the great richer , and honor that was to be gained if they effected it . and in the afternoon he set sail for nombre de dios , and before sun-set , gat as far as rio francisco : from whence , keeping close to the shore that they might not be discovered by the watch-house , they came within two leagues of the point of the bay , where he caused them to strike a hull , and to cast out their graplers , till it was dark ; when night was coming , setting sail , and rowing hard and silently , they recovered the point of the harbour , purposing not to attempt the town till day-breake . but captain drake hearing that some of his men began to talk of the difficulty and danger of the enterprise , to put by these conceits , he tooke the opportunity of the rising moon to perswade them that it was day , so that they got to the town an hour before the day brake . in the harbour they found a spanish ship of sixty tuns , newly come in , laden with canary wines and other commodities , which spying so many pinnaces , sent his boat presently a shoar to give the town warning ; which captain drake perceiving , cut betwixt her and the town , and forced her to go to the other side of the bay : so that he landed his men without impeachment . vpon the platform they found six pieces of ordnance ready mounted , some halfe , some whole culverines . these they presently dismounted , and the town tooke the alarm , which they were the readier to do , because they were oft disquieted by the symerons , who caused the great bell to be rung out , and drums run up and down the town . captain drake , according to the directions he had given before , left twelve men to keep the pinnaces , that he might assure a safe retreat , if need should be , and before he would enter the town he thought fit to view the mount , on the east side , where , as he was informed , they had planted ordnance to scower all about the town ; therefore leaving half his men at the foot of the mount , himself with the other half , speedily marched up to the top , where finding no guns , they as speedily descended ; and appointing his brother , with john oxenham , and sixteen of his men to go about behind the kings treasure-house , to enter the east-end of the market-place , himself with the rest , passed up the broad-street with sound of drum , and trumpet . the fire-pikes in both the companies affrighted the enemy , and gave light to the english , whilst the inhabitants stood amazed at the strange sight , and hearing drums and trumpets sounding in sundry places , judged the english to be far more than they were . yet by reason of the time spent in marching up and down the mount , the souldi●rs and inhabitants of the town had put themselves in arms neer to the governors house , & not far from the gate of the town , which was only one , leading towards panama , meaning ( as it seemed ) either to shew their valour in the governors sight , or , if need were , to have the better opportunity for their flight . and to make shew of a greater number of shot than they had , they had hung lines with lighted matches overthwart the end of the market-place , and at the approach of the english they gave them a volley of shot , yet levelling so low that the bullets oft grazed on the ground . the english stood not to answer them in the same kind ; but having once discharged their guns , and feathered with their arrows , they came to the push of pike , and their fire-pikes being well armed did them notable service : and with the butt ends of their guns , and other short weapons ( captain drakes brother and his company entring at the same time another way ) they charged them so furiously , that the spaniards threw down their weapons and ran away . and in the pursuit , and return of the english , many of them were wounded by the enemies weapons which lay very thick and cross one another . at their return they made a stand near the midst of the market-place , whence captain drake sent some of his men to stay the ringing of the bell : but the church being strongly built and fast shut , they could not get in without firing it , which captain drake would not suffer , and having taken two or three spaniards in their flight , he commanded them to conduct them to the governours house , where they ordinarily unladed their mules that brought the treasure from panama . but though the silver was kept there , yet the gold , pearl , and jewels was from thence carried to the king treasure-house which stood not far off . at the coming of the english to the governors house , they found the gate open , a candle lighted upon the top of the stairs , and a fair gennet ready sadled for the governor ; by means of which light , they saw a huge heap of silver in that nether room , being a pile of silver bars of about foot in length , foot in breadth , and foot in heigth , each bar being near pound in weight . yet did captain drake straitly command his men not to meddle with any of it , but to stand to their arms , because the town was full of people , and in the kings treasure-house , nearer the water , there was more gold and jewels than all their pinnaces could carry , which he intended they should presently break open . no sooner were the english returned to their guard but a report was brought them that their pinnaces were in danger of being taken , and that if they staied till day they would be opprest with multitudes both of souldiers and townsmen : wherefore captain drake sent his brother , and john oxenham to the water side to know the truth , who indeed found their men much affrighted by reason that they saw great companies of the spaniards running up and down the town ( which was as big as plimouth ) with lighted matches , which also sometimes shot at them . presently after a violent shower of rain powred down so vehemently that before the english could get the shelter of a penthouse , some of their bow-strings were wet , and their match and powder spoiled , which before they could renew , some of them were muttering about the strength of the enemy , which captain drake overhearing , said , i have brought you to the very mouth of the treasure of the world , and if you go away without it , you can blame no body but your selves . the storm ( which lasted about half an hour ) being ended , captain drake , desiring to put these fears out of his mens heads , and to allow the enemy no longer respite to gather themselves together , stept forward , commanding his brother and some others to break open the kings treasure-house , and the rest to guard the market-place till the business was dispatched . but as he stept forward his strength and fight , and speech failed him by reason of abundance of blood which he had lost out of a wound received in his leg at the first encounter , which indeed was so much , when they looked after it , that they thought it impossible for one man to loose . insomuch as they which were before most forward , began now to prefer their captains life before that vast treasure : and therefore having recovered him with some hot water , and bound up his wound with a scarf that stopt the bleeding , they intreated him to be content to go with them aboard , that his wound might be better searched and drest . this he would by no means be perswaded to , knowing that it would be impossible , after such a respite to return to effect the work they came for , thinking it more honorable for himself there to die than to leave so high an enterprise unperformed . yet some of them having already gotten some good booty , by force mingled with fair words , carried him away to his pinnace , judging that by his life they might recover wealth sufficient , but if they lost him , they should hardly recover their own home . thus embarquing by break of day , having ( besides the captain ) many men wounded , though none slain but one trumpeter , whilst the chyrurgeons were busie in dressing them , before they departed the harbor , they took the said ship of wines to cheer up their men : but before they had got her out of the haven , the spaniards had remounted one of their culverins , and made a shot at them , which yet hindred them not from carrying away the ship to the isle of victuals , which lies without the bay westward about a league off the town , where they staid two days to cure their wounded and to refresh themselves in those pleasant gardens , abounding with all sort of dainty roots , and fruits , besides great plenty of poultrey , and other fowls , no less strange than delicate . presently after their arrival there , came a proper , and well spoken gentleman to captain drake , indeed to view in what state they were , but protesting that he came of his meer good will to see the captain for that he had undertaken so incredible an enterprize with so few men : adding , that at first they suspected them to be french , from whom they could expect no mercy ; but when they perceived by their arrows that they were english , their fears were the less , because they knew that though they took their treasure , yet they would not be cruel to their persons . he told him also that the governor had consented to his coming ; yea , had directly sent him , because there were some in town that said , they knew the english captain , who the two last years had been upon their coast , and had always used their persons civily . he therefore desired to know whether it was the same captain drake or no ? whether the english arrows were poisoned with which their men were wounded ? how their wounds might be cured ? and lastly , whether they wanted victuals , or other necessaries , with which the governor was ready to furnish them so far as he durst ? captain drake ( though he took him for a spy ) yet used him courteously , and answered to his demands , that he was the same drake , that they meant . that it was never his manner to poison his arrows . that their wounded might be cured by ordinary chyrurgery : and that he could sufficiently supply all his wants in that island . adding , that he wanted nothing but some of that special commodity , which that country yielded , to satisfie himself and his company . he advised the governor therefore to be vigilant , for that before he departed , he would ( by gods leave , and assistance ) share with them in some of their treasure . to this the gentleman replied , that if he might move the question without offence , what was the reason that being possessed of the town they should so soon leave it wherein there was above tun of silver , and much more gold in value , in the kings treasure-house ; capt. drake told him the true cause of their retreat , & how unwillingly he was carried aboard . the gentleman acknowledged that he had no less cause in departing than he had shewed valor in attempting . thus after fair entertaiment , and some gifts bestowed upon him by captain drake , after dinner he was dismissed , & protesting that he was never so much honoured by any in his life . after his departure , a negro that had fled to them , being examined , informed them how they might have gold and silver enough , by means of the symerons , to whom though himself was hateful because he had betraied them to the spaniards , yet if captain drake would protect him , he would adventure his life to serve him therein . this gave cause of further consultation , and because the island where they were was neither safe nor healthy , the next morning they set sail for the isle of pinos ( or port plenty ) where they had left their ships . by the way captain drake sent his brother , and one ellis hixon to the westward to search the river cagro , which he had discovered the year before , desiring to have further knowledge of it , because it tended southward within six leagues of panama , upon which river , at a town called venta cruz ▪ they used to imbark their treasures that by mules was brought from panama , and so to send it by water to nombre de dios. this cost them three days rowing to get as far as venta cruz , but they came back in a day and a night . when captain drake came to his ships , capt. rawse suspecting that they could not now safely continue upon that coast being thus discovered , was willing to depart , and capt. drake was as willing to dismiss him ; wherefore aug. . taking his leave , he left them in the aforesaid isle , where they had remained five or days . after which , having put all things in readiness , capt. drake resolved with his two ships , and three pinnaces to go to carthagena , and six days after he came to anchor with his ships between the islands of charestra , and s. bernards , and himself led the three pinnaces about the island into the harbor of carthagena , where they found a frigate at anchor , aboard which was only one old man , who told them that the rest of his company was gone a shore to fight about a mistress , telling capt. drake also that a little before , there speedily passed by a pinnace , calling to him and asking whether there had not lately been there some english , and frenchmen ? and being told that there had not , he hasted away ; after which he saw divers small ships , bringing themselves under the castle . capt. drake , farther learned by him that within the next point , rode a great ship of syvil , that being unloaden , was the next morning bound for s. domingo : wherefore taking this old man with him , he rowed to that ship and with his pinnaces presently boarded her , though with some difficulty by reason of her height . as soon as they had entred they threw down their gates , and spardecks to prevent the spaniards from hurting them with their close fights ; who seeing the english possessed of their ship , stowed themselves all in hold , except or that were before the beete ; then seeing no further danger , they cut her cable at half , & with their pinnaces towed her out from the island , right before the town , yet without danger of their great shot . the town taking the alarm , rung out their bells , shot off great guns , and drew their horse and foot , with their shot , if they could , to hinder their going out . the next morning capt. drakes ships took two frigates , who came from nombre de dios to carthagena with letters of advise , to certifie them what captain drake had done there , and therefore to wish them to stand upon their guard. capt. drake now considering that he was discovered in two of the chiefest places of all that coast , yet resolved not to depart till he had found the symerons , and made a good voyage : but this requiring length of time , he resolved to burn one of his ships , and to make the other his store-house , that so his pinnaces might be thorowly manned . but knowing how loth his company would be to part with either of their ships , being both so good sailors , and so well furnished , he sent for the carpenter out of the swan , and taking him into his cabin , he charged him privately to go down into the well of the ship , and to bore three holes as neer to the keel as he could , and then to set something before the holes , that the issuing in of the water might not be heard . the carpenter being dismaid with this command , desired to know the cause why he would sink so good a ship , new , and strong : adding that if his brother , master , and other company should know it , they would surely kill him . then did captain drake tell him his reasons for it , promising that it should not be known till all of them were glad of it : and so he did it accordingly . the next morning capt. drake would in his pinnace go a fishing , and calling for his brother in the swan , would have him go with him , who rising suddenly , said that he would follow him presently . capt. drake perceiving that the work was done , asked why their bark was so deep ? whereupon his brother sent one down to know whether there were any water in the ship ? the steward going down , was up to the wast in water , and cryed out that the ship was full of water . hereupon some ran to the pump , and others to search out the leak . but notwithstanding all their pains and diligence they could neither clear her of water , nor find the leak . then capt. drake advised that she should be burnt that the enemy might never recover her , and to satisfie them ( who were very unwilling ) he made his brother captain of the admiral , and placed the master of the swan with him , and himself would go in his pinnace : then did every one take out what they lacked , and liked , and captain drake had what he desired , and men enough for his pinnaces . the next morning they set sail for the sound of darrien , which in days they recovered , and then retiring into a place out of all trade , they reposed themselves privately for days , that the enemy might think them quite gone from the coast . during which time some built them houses : others exercised themselves to shoot at buts : others trimmed the pinnaces to make them the sitter for sailing , and rowing : others provided fresh victuals of fish , fowl , hogs , deer , conies , &c. whereof there was great plenty . then captain drake leaving his ship with his brother , took two of the pinnaces to go to rio grand . by the way , seeing on the land great store of cattle , captain drake contenting them for their pains , the indians furnished him with as much provision of them as he desired . the same day about three a clock , they entred rio grand , rowing up the stream till dark night , but the current was so strong that they gat but two leagues all that time ; that night they had a terrible storm with thunder and lightning , after which they were extreamly troubled with muskitos ( like our gnats ) that they could get little rest . the next morning early they passed up the river , meeting none till three in the afternoon , and then they spied a canow with two indians fishing : and about five a clock , they spied some houses of the spaniards , to which when they came , the inhabitants were fled , where they found store of bacon , cheese , sweet-meats , conserves , and sugar ; with these they loaded their pinnaces , and so returned back again down the river ; at the mouth whereof , they cleansed their pinnaces , and steered westward till they came to their ship , and company , and by the way they took two frigates well stored with live hogs , hens , and maiz , which ( dismissing the men ) they kept for their own provision . yea their store which then , and afterwards they took was such , that they relieved the symerons , and two french ships that were in extreme want . during their absence , captain john drake in his pinnace went into the main , and espying some symerons , had dealt so effectually with them , that leaving two of his men with their captain , he gave him two symerons , agreeing to meet again the next day . these two being intelligent men , declared to captain drake , how glad they were of his coming , knowing him to be an enemy to the spaniards , and that their captain and company would stay for him at the mouth of rio diego . captain drake having consulted about the business , resolved to take his brother , and the two symerons and with his two pinnaces to go to the said river , giving order that the rest of his fleet should follow him the next morning , because there was a place both of great safety and plenty . when they arrived there they found the symerons according as they had promised , where after mutual kindnesses , they took in two more of the symerons , appointing to meet them and others of their country-men at rio guana . in the mean time captain drakes ship was pittifully shaken with a great tempest ; but having trimed her , they brought her safe into the channel , and there moored her . the symerons coming ( as they had appointed ) captain drake asked them how they could furnish him with some of the spaniards gold , and silver , they answered , that they had taken store from the spaniards not for love of it , but to despite them , which they had sunk in rivers , which they could not now recover because the rivers were high : and the spaniards in these rainy months used not to carry their treasure by land. captain drake to entertain his company for these five months , commanded all his ordnance and provisions a shoar , making a fort for their safety , and by the help of the symerons , raised two large houses for all his company . in the mean time , captain drake leaving his brother to look to those affairs , with three pinnaces went againe for carthagena , where when they arrived they let fall their grappers between the island of gardens , and the main . the governor sent to know why he stayd so long upon their coast ? he answered , to traffique with them , having tin , pewter , cloth , &c. which they needed . the governor replyed , that the king had forbidden them to trade with any , except for powder and shot of which if he had store , he would be his merchant ? captain drake answered that he came to exchange his commodities for silver & gold , and meant not to return without it . here he took two frigates , whereof he sunk the one , and burned the other , not being able to man them and after a while , being out of hope of any purchase there , much of their victuals being spent , and spoiled , they put forth to sea though the weather was very stormy . many days they sailed and could get no provision , the westernly winds not suffering them to return to their ship : at last when all their provisions were almost spent , and they hopeless , they espied a frigate , which proved spanish ; her they pursued , and so soon as the weather would suffer them , boarded and took , wherein they found store of provision , which they took , as sent them by god : after this they landed on the main , and by setting the spaniards lately taken at liberty , they procured more provisions from some indians that were under a spanish governor . presently after many of capt. drakes men fell sick , yet it pleased god that none died but only a quarter master , he was also a very good marriner , and so at last they returned to their ship , where they were entertained with the heavy news of the death of captain john drake , and another , both slain as they attempted the boarding of a frigate , presently after the departing of the pinnaces from them . here did captain drake continue for a month , keeping close that they might not be discovered , during which time there fell a sickness amongst his men whereof joseph drake , another of his brothers , died , and some others , at last the symerons brought him word that for certain the spanish fleet was come to nombre de dios : yet did he send forth the lyon to make further discovery , which soon tooke a frigate laden with maiz , hens , and pompions , which assured them of their arrival . then did he after advice taken prepare all things for his journey by land to panama , and having now buried twenty eight of his men , he left ellis hixon with his ship and other company , giving charge that they should not believe any messenger that should come in his name , except they saw his hand writing . and so upon shrove-teusday , accompanied with men , whereof only were english , the rest symerons , he began his journey , every one besides his arms , carrying much victuals , and what was wanting by the way , the symerons with their arrows provided from time to time . about the midst of his journey they came to a very high mountain , upon the top whereof was a goodly tree which when he had ascended , he saw from thence the south sea , whereupon he besought of god that of his goodness he would giue him life and leave once to sail in an english ship in those seas , with which resolution he acquainted john oxenham , who presently protested that unless he beat him from his company , he ( by gods grace ) would attend him in that voyage . at last they came into a champion country where , as they passed over some hills , they saw panama five or six times a day , and the last day they saw the ships riding in the road. coming within a league of panama they went into a grove wherein they might lie safely undiscovered neer the highway that leads from thence to nombre de dios. thence he sent a symeron , apparelled like the blacks of panama to learn the certain night , and time of the night , when the treasure was to come by . he quickly brought back word that the treasurer of lima was that night to come by with mules , whereof were laden with gold , one with jewels , and the rest with silver ; upon this notice they presently marched till they came within two leagues of venta cruz ; and here captain drake disposed his men , half of one side of the way with himself , and half on the other side with john oxenham . they had not lain there above an hour before they heard the recoes coming . and though all were charged not to stir till a fit time , yet one robert pike , having drunk aqua vita too freely , hearing a cavalier ride by , starts up to see who it was , whereby discovering himself , the cavalier galloped away to inform the recoes of some danger which he apprehended , and perswaded them to stop their mules , and to send before them those which were laden only with victuals , which accordingly was done : and when these came , they seized on them , amongst which they found only two horse-load of silver , and were told , that being discovered , before day they would have all the forces of city , and country come upon them : whereupon capt. drake being thus disappointed of his hopes , resolved rather to march by the way of venta cruz , though it was dangerous , than to return by so long and tedious a way as he came , the symerons promising to stand by him in all dangers . so having refreshed his men with victuals , whereof they had plenty , they took their journey towards venta cruz , and when they came neer , they were encountred by a company of souldiers , who having discharged a full volley of shot upon them , wherein they hurt some , and wounded one mortally , the english returned them the like both with their shot and arrows , and so ran upon them with intent to come to handy blows : but the spaniards fled most of them into a wood by , from whence they shot at them , wounding some , and killing a symeron ; then did capt. drake with his men enter the town ; where some got some good pillage , and so hastened away , the spaniards not daring to pursue them : they passed on thorow many dangers and difficulties to their ship and company , where they were received with great joy , though many were much troubled for loss of the gold. then , taking further counsel , he sent john oxenham in the bear to the eastward to take some ships laden with victuals , which at that time used to go to nombre de dios , and himself in the minion went westward to see if he could light upon any ships carrying treasure towards the fleet . the minion about the cabezas met with a frigate wherein was some gold , and had a genoway pilate in her , who , being well intreated by capt. drake , informed him that there was a frigate in veragua ( vvhence they came ) ready to come forth in vvhich there vvas above a million of gold , profering himself to conduct them thorovv the flats into the harbor vvhere she lay : but vvhen they came thither they found that they vvere discovered , and the vvind changing from east to west , they vvere forced to turn back , and shortly after they met vvith the bear vvhich had taken a frigate vvith some store of provisions in her : vvhich being a nevv ship , capt. drake made her a man of war , and vvith her and the beare sailed tovvards cativaas — not far from vvhence they met vvith a french man of war vvhich vvas in great distress for vvant of vvater , and victuals , vvhom he supplied ; after vvich he took of the french men , english , and some symerons , and leaving both his ships in a safe road he manned his frigate and tvvo pinnaces , and vvent tovvard rio francisco , vvhere for vvant of vvater he left his frigate commanded by robert doble , requiring that they should not attempt any chase till his return . in rio francisco he landed his men , charging them in the pinnaces to be there the fourth day after vvithout fail , and so vvith his men he marched vvith great silence tovvards the high vvay vvhich leadeth betvveen panama , and nombre de dios : and coming vvithin a mile of it , they staid and refreshed themselves : and the next morning there came by three recoes laden vvith neer tun of gold and silver : these they seized on though guarded vvith souldiers , so that there vvas some shot exchanged , by which the french capt. was wounded , and one symeron slain : then did the spaniards fly , and the other loaded themselves with gold , and buried about tun of silver , and so retired the same way they came : but a french man being overloaden with gold and wine , lost himself in the woods , and being taken by the spaniards , discovered to them where the silver was hid . when capt. drake came back to the river of francisco where ( according to order ) he expected to meet with his pinnaces , instead of them he discovered seven spanish pinnaces which had been searching all the coast for him : this made him suspect that they had taken and spoiled his pinnaces , whereupon he resolved with or others to make a raft of trees upon which they would adventure to put to sea to seek their ship : by the way they sate up to the middle in water , by reason of which , and the parching heat of the sun their skins were much fretted . but it pleased god that after six hours , they spied their two pinnaces coming towards them to their no small joy . but the pinnaces not seeing the raft , ran under a covert behind the point , whereupon the captain and company gat ashore , and ran over land to them , who received them with great rejoycings ; and so they rowed to rio francisco where he took in the rest of his company and all their treasure , and so hasted back to his frigate , and then to his ship , where he divided the silver in even portions between the french and english. a while after , having set all things in a readiness , they went out to sea in the frigate , together with the french ship , and capt. drake ordered of his own men , and of the symerons , to go back and see what was become of the french captain , and what of the hid treasure they could recover . these he set on shoar at rio francisco , where he met with one of the two french men that staid with their captain , who told them that presently after their departure the spaniards overtook them , and seized upon the captain and the other , himself escaping by flight , and throwing away his camag , and a box of jewels that he might run the faster : he told them also that the spaniards had searched so narrowly for the treasure that was hidden that he belived all was gone . yet captain drake would needs have the men go , who coming thither , found that all the earth for a mile compass had been turned up , yet lost they not all their labour , but returned safe bringing with them thirteen bars of silver , and some quoits of gold , with which they embarked and returned with joy to their frigate . now did they think of returning home having made their voyage , but they wanted a ship to carry their victuals in their return , wherefore going towards carthagena they met with a frigate , which they took , laden with maiz , hens , hogs , & hony : the men they set on shore , and took the bark with them , and so returned to the cabezas , where they fitted their frigates , and stored them , burning the pinnaces and giving the iron-work to the symerons ; he also looked up some silk and linnen which he sent to their wives . pedro seeing him take out of a trunk a rich cymeter which the french captain had given him , he so fell in love with it , that he would needs give four quoits of gold for it , and another to one francis tucker , who was to move the business . captain drake yielded though something unwillingly : yet the gold he would not take to himself but cast it into the general adventure , and so returned home-words . by the way they touched at cape s. anthony , where in one night they took turtles , and many of their eggs which did them good service , and so with a prosperous voyage , thorow gods mercy , they came safe to plimouth on a sabbath in the forenoon , just at sermon time , aug. . . and the news of his coming being carried to his friends in the church did so prevail with them , that few were left with the preacher , all hasting to see him , and gods goodness in his safe return . of his voyage about the world. captain drake having in his former voyage had a sight of the south sea , he was restless in his desires to sail in an english bottom upon it : yet was he for some years hindred , partly thorow envy of some at home , and partly thorow employment abroad into ireland under walter earl of essex , to whom he did much noble service both by sea and land. yet against the year , he procured a commission from the queen , and with the help of divers friends , adventurers , he fitted himself with five ships . the pellican , admiral : of tun burden : himself the captain . the elizabeth , vice-admiral , of tuns : captain john winter . the marigold , of tun : john thomas captain . the swan , of tun : john chester captain . the christopher , a pinnace of tun : thomas moon captain . these ships had in them able men , and were well furnished with all necessary provisions : and had some pinnaces ready framed , stowed abroad , ready to be set up when occasion served . he had also skilful musicians , rich furniture , the vessels for his table , and some for his kitchin of pure silver , and divers other sorts of curious workmanship , to shew the riches and magnificence of his country . being thus furnished , they set sail from plymouth , nov. . . but the wind coming contrary , they were forced to put into falmouth : and to repair dammages , they were forced to stay till decemb. . the first place they touched at , was the isle of mogadore within the dominion of the king of fess. from whence they departed , decemb. . to cape barbas , and after they had refreshed themselves there for six days and stored themselves with fish , they set sail for cape verde , and touched at the isle of maio , a very fruitful place , where they found store of figs , coco-nuts , plantanes , great heards of goats , and flocks of wild hens . from hence they passed by the isle of s. jagô , and came to the isle of fogo , in which is a steep hill of about miles to the top , wherein is a fiery furnace , which four times a day sends forth flames & abundance of pumice-stones , the rest of the island is fruitful and inhabited by portugals . two leagues off is another island called brava abounding with trees , ever green , fruits , and other commodities : as figs , cocoes , plantans , oranges , lemons , citrons , &c but the sea is so deep about it that there is no anchoring . at cape verde they took in fresh water , and feb. the second , set forwards for the straights to pass into the south-sea . by the way they came to the coast of brasile , and passed on south-ward to the river of plate , where they all met , and not finding a convenient harbor there , they passed on till may . . where , in another bay they came to an anchor . here captain drake unloaded the swan , and brake her to pieces that he might bring his men into a neerer compass , and neer hereto were some islands upon which they took as many sea-calves , and several sorts of fowl as they pleased : and so having taken in such provisions as they needed , june . they set sail from thence , and june . came into another bay , where they discharged the christopher and laid her up . june . they found here the ship which they had lost long before in a storm : and so they entred port s. jalian to refresh their wearied men , and to cherish them who in their absence had sustained much misery . here captain drake and some others going a shore were assaulted by the natives , called pentagons from their huge stature : these slew two of his men , but one of them being slain , the rest fled , and captain drake returned to his ships . whilst they remained here , there was a conspiracy discovered , a gentleman in the company having designed to murther the general , and to overthrow the voyage : this being proved against him before a council of war , he at last confessed it , and being therefore condemned to die , he was put to his choice , whether he would be set ashore amongst the natives , or sent into england to answer it before the queen and council , or whether he would be executed there : he chose the last , and having prepared himself for death , had his head cut off . here the general discharged the mary , a portugal prize , because she was leaky , and so having wooded , watered and trimmed his ships , having now only three ships remaining , aug. . they departed setting their course for the straights , and changed the name of his own ship from the pelicane to the golden hind . and in their passage thorow the straights they came to a fair and fruitful island , where some of them going a shore with the general they took possession of it in her majesties name , & called it elizabeth island . here they found on other islands , many penguins , of which in one day they killed , which they found to be good and wholsome food . this passage was very difficult in regard of many turnings , and various winds . sept. . they entred into the south-sea , the straight being about leagues in length , in some places broader , and in other narrower : their entrance into this sea was sept. . presently after which , they met with a terrible tempest which continued long , insomuch as sept. . the marigold was separated from them whereof john thomas was captain , which they could never after meet with . and octob. . in a sore storm the lost their vice-admiral , the elizabeth , which being weary of these troubles , returned thorow the straights , and went for england whither they came the year following . the admiral , now left alone , was driven to the fifty fifth degree of south latitude , where amongst islands , they refreshed themselves for two days , and by the means of some herbs they found there , they recovered their health . presently after they encountred with another dreadful storm which made them despair of safety , or rather the former renewed , which lasted full days : in which time the men were so tired out , and decayed in health , as made them run again amongst those islands , where they met with three days breathing , and provided such things as they wanted . octob. . the storm ( thorow gods mercy ) being turned into a calm , they shaped their course towards the coast of peru , which proved very mountainous and barren , without water and wood except some places inhabited by the spaniards , wherefore they ran off again to an island called mucho , which they found to be fruitful and well stored with maiz , sheep , and other cattel . here he intended to water , and take in provision , but the treacherous indians killed two of his men on shore , and with their arrows wounded all the men that were with him in the boat , and himself was very dangerously wounded under the eye . hereupon the general set sail again for the main to get water , and fresh victuals for his weak and wounded men , and they came to an anchor in philips bay , whence he sent a boat for discovery , which brought back an indian whom they took as he was fishing : by his means they gat some small relief , but that would not serve turn , wherefore a captain of the indians , being pleased with their gifts , and courteous usage , conducted them to another place where they had a plentiful supply of what their necessities required . there also they met with a spanish ship wherein they found some fine gold of baldivia , and a great cross of gold beset with emeralds , and a god of the same metal nailed to it : of this burden they eased the ship . then being very desirous to meet with their lost ships , they sought out an harbor where they might trim their ship , and set up their shallop , to enable them to search every creek for them . from the first place they came to they were driven by the spaniards with the death of one of their men : but decemb. . they met with a place wherein they did their intended work . and after the pinnace was fitted , himself with some others went to seek for their ships , till the wind forced them back again , and then with their ship they proceeded in their voyage . as they sailed along , they came to a place called tarapaca , where landing to seek fresh water , they found a spaniard asleep , with bars of silver lying by him , weighing about spanish ducats : of these they eased him , and returned to their boat. landing in another place they met a spaniard driving eight peruvian sheep that carried in bags about weight of fine silver , which they also took along with them . a little farther they traded with some indians to whom they gave knives , beads , and such trifles , and received by exchange many good things that they stood in need of ; and amongst others some of those peruvian sheep , whose heighth and length was equal to a pretty cow , and their strength exceeding their stature . they have necks like camels ; their wool is exceeding fine , their flesh good meat ; and they supply the room of horses both for burden , and travel . in the province of cusco , the common ground , wheresoever it 's taken up , in every hundred pound weight of earth , yields s. of pure silver , after the rate of five shillings an ounce . from thence feb. . they came to the port town of arica , where , in two barks , they found forty and odd bars of silver , each weighing pounds , of which they eased them . and as they passed on they met with another bark laden with linnen , some of which they took for their own use . feb. . they came to lima , in which port were spanish ships , yet they entred and cast anchor all night in the midst of them . here they heard of a ship wherein were bars of silver , besides silks , linnen , and a chest full of royals of plate : as also of another ship loaden with gold , and silver for panama : hence therefore they hasted next morning endeavouring to overtake that gallant ship , called cacafuego , which was gone from lima days before them . march first , they fell with cape francisco , where about midday they descried a ship a head of them , which was that they looked for : but by the way , they had taken a ship , laden with wine : and another , laden with tacklings , wherein they found l. weight of gold . this cacafuego ( or evil sailer ) they took , and before they left her , a boy of her own , named her cacaplata . in her they found store of fruits , conserves , sugars , meal , &c. besides a quantity of jewels and precious stones : chests of royals of plate ; pound-weight of gold : tuns of uncoined silver , large silver and gilt bowls , valued in all to thousand pezoes , which was the cause of her slow sailing : for these commodities they gave the master a little linnen , and such other things , and so dismissed him , to go on his voyage with more speed . march . being now quite out of hope of meeting with their lost ships , they came to the isle of caines , and anchored in a fresh river , where they spent some days in taking in wood , water , and other necessaries : and in their passage they met with another ship laden with china silk , china dishes , and a falcon of gold with a great emerald set in his breast . april . anno . they came into the harbor of guatuleo , inhabited with spaniards , with whom they had some trading , and received of them many things which they needed , especially bread : and so being sufficiently provided of necessaries , they left the coast of america , yet not forgeting to take with them a pot of about a bushel in bigness , full of royals of plate , and a chain of gold , and some jewels which they met with in the town . april . they set their course directly into the sea , which they continued to june third till they came into the forty second degree of north latitude , where they met with such a strange change from heat to cold that much impaired the health of many of them . this much discouraged many of them , and made them despair of finding any passage that way ; yet would not the general be disheartened , but cheered them up by comfortable speeches of the divine providence , and of gods care over his children out of the scriptures : adding thereto his own cheerful example , stirring them up to endure some short extremity to have the speedier comfort , and a little trouble to have the greater glory , which made them resolve to see the uttermost of what good was to be done that way . june . they were forced to run in with the shoar by reason of contrary winds ; the road was bad , and dangerous by reason of extreme gusts , and flawes that beat upon them : hereupon not staying long there , in regard of the extremity of cold they were forced to turn southward : and june . they came to an anchor in a fit harbour , where yet they met with much cold ; then some of their men went a shore to set up tents , and to make a fortress wherein to secure their goods whilst they trimmed their ship : the people of the country came in multitudes to them , wondering at every thing they saw , and esteeming them to be gods , though they did what they could to undeceive them : they gave them shirts , linnen cloths , &c. wherewith to cover their nakedness and to hide their shame , and they returned feathers , cawls of net-work : their quivers for their arrows made of fawns-skins , &c. presently after came there king whom they called hioh , and set his crown upon the generals head , enriched his neck with chains , and by signs resigned to him his right and title in that whole land ; wherefore in the name , and to the use of her majesty , he took the scepter , crown , and dignity of the said country into his hand , wishing that it had lyen fit for her majesty to enjoy , and that the riches , and treasure wherewith the inland part abounds , might be conveniently transported into england , and that the gospel might be propagated to these ignorant and harmless people . the general and his gentlemen marched farther up into the land , which they found very fruitful , and saw infinite numbers of large and fat deer : multitudes of conies of a strange kind . this country captain drake named nova albion : and nailed fast to a tree a plate of brass whereon was engraven queen elizabeths name : the day , and year of their arrival , and of the resignation of that kingdom by the king and people into her majesties hands , &c. july . they took a sorowful leave of the english , and ran to the tops of mountains to keep a sight of them as long as they could . near to this country lye the islands of s. james in one of which they stayed , july . where they found store of seals , birds and such other provision as served their turns . after which they bent their course to run directly with the islands of the moluecos : and sept. . they came within the sight of certain islands , from whence they brought to them in their canowe , cocos , fish , pottatos , and some fruit , which for a while they exchanged for other things : but the general smelt their design to make a prey of him and his , which they discerning began to throw stones at the english : but a great gun being discharged over them so affrighted them , that they fled and returned no more . yet others resorted to them , offering to deal more fairly with them , but cunningly fell to stealing what they could get , which made the general to leave them , and called it the island of thieves . octob. . they came within the sight of other islands , and anchored in one of them called mindanas : from thence they came to the moluccas islands , the chief whereof are called terenate , tidore , matchan , and batchan , all very fruitful , and yielding abundance of cloves , whereof they had as many as they desired at a cheap rate . as they directed their course to tidore , the vice-roy of the king of terenate came boldly aboard them , intreating the general by all means to go to terenate , assuring him that their king would be very glad of his coming , and ready to do for him what in reason he could require , whereas if he went to their enemies the portugals in tidore , he would have nothing to do with him . upon these perswasions the general ran with terenate , and presently sent a messenger to the king with a velvet cloke , as a present , requiring nothing but provisions in exchange for such things they wanted , and whereof he had store : the king sent back the vice-roy and some others of his nobles to the general to signifie that seeing he came from so mighty a princess , he would willingly entertain amity with her , and would reserve the commodities and traffique of his whole island , to trade with her subjects if they would embrace it . in token whereof he sent the general his signet , promising that himself with his nobles would come to his ship , and bring her into a safer harbour . whilst they were delivering this errand the generals messenger was come to the court , and by the way was met by some nobles , who conducted him to the kings presence , to whom he delivered his message , and present . the king received it very graciously , and presently prepared himself to go in great state to the general , the rather to do honour to our queen from whom they came . the general received him answerable to his dignity : his ordnance thundred , mixed with small shot , and his trumpets and other instruments sounded to the great delight of the king and his company . he sent him also into his canow such presents as he thought would be most acceptable , and work in him a confirmation of the friendship already begun . the king as soon as he had brought their ship to an anchor , left them , promising to send them necessary victuals , and provision : and accordingly they had by way of traffique rice , hens , sugar-canes , plantanes , cocos , and meal : and some cloves , and more they might have had if they had pleased . novemb. . they departed , seeking out a place where they might trim their ship , and provide other necessaries ; and novemb. . they came to an island uninhabited , where they aboad days . there they set up their tents , raised a fort for their goods , set up a smiths forg , trimmed their ship , and dispatched their other businesses to their content , finding in the island divers sorts of excellent provisions , so that in that space they grew lusty , strong , and healthful , and gained rare experience of gods wonderful wisdom in many strange , and admirable creatures that they saw there . it was full of wood , the trees large , & streight , without boughs save only at the top : amongst which every night they saw great swarms of fiery-worms flying in the air , whose bodies gave such a light as if every twig had been a lighted candle , and the whole place the starry sphear . here also were store of reer-mice as big , or bigger than hens : and multitudes of cray-fish where of one would satisfie four hungry men at dinner : they live always on the land in holes like cony-berries . being thus well furnished with all necessaries , decem. . they put to sea , and decemb. . had sight of the celibes islands , where , amongst those islands they were entangled till , jan. . at which time apprehending themselves past all danger , passing on with full sails , in the beginning of the night , their ship was laid fast up upon a desperate shoal , where was no probability of saving any thing , nor of escaping with life : and the more they looked about the less they hoped of geting clear off it again . hereupon they presently fell to prayer expecting nothing but present death . yet that they might not seem to tempt god by leaving any means unattempted that he afforded , presently after their prayers were ended , the general ( exhorting them to have the chiefest care of the better part , the soul , and adding many comfortable speeches of the life to come , which now alone they looked for ) encouraged them all to bestir themselves shewing the way thereto by his own example : and first of all the pump was well plyed , and the ship freed of water , whereby they found their leakes to be nothing encreased , which , though it gave them no hopes of deliverance , yet it gave them some hope of respite , in as much as it assured them that the bulk was sound , which they acknowledged to be the immediate providence of god alone , for that no strength of wood , and iron could possibly have born so hard and violent a shock as their ship met with , dashing her self under full sail against the rocks , except the extraordinary hand of god's had preserved the same . their next assay was for good ground and anchor-hold to sea-ward of them ( whereon to hale ; ) by which means , if by any , the general put them in comfort that there was yet some hope left to cleer themselves : he therefore in his own person undertook the charge of sounding , which when he had done he found that even but a boats length from the ship , there was no bottom to be found by any length of line whatsoever : so that the beginnings of hope which they were willing to have conceived before , were now quite dashed again . yea , their misery seemed to be encreased , for that their expectation was now turned into awaiting for a lingring death , of the two , the far more fearful to be chosen . yet one thing fell out happily , that the most of their men did not apprehend that danger , which if they had done , they would probably have been so much discouraged , that their sorrow would have disabled them from looking after a remedy . but the general , and those few others , that could judge of the event wisely , dissembled the same , and gave encouraging speeches to the rest . for now it seemed a clear case , that whilst the ship lay so fast moored that she could not stir , either they were there to remain on the place with her , or else leaving her to commit themselves in a most poor , and helpless estate to seek some other place of refuge , the better of which choices carried with it the appearance of worse than a thousand deaths . for as touching their ship this was the only comfort that she could give them , that lying there confined already upon the hard and pinching rocks , they could not but continually expect her speedy ruine , as soon as the sea and winds should come to be the severe executioners of that heavy judgment , by the appointment of the eternal judge already given upon her , who had bound her there , as with adamantine chains to a most narrow prison , against their coming for that purpose : so that if they stay'd with her , they must perish with her : or if by any means yet undiscovered , any of them there should chance to be delivered , their escape must needs be a perpetual misery : it being far better to perish together , than with the loss of their friends to live in a strange land : whether a solitary life ( the better choice ) amongst wilde beasts ( as birds on the mountains without all comfort ) or amongst the barbarous heathens in intollerable bondage both of body and mind . but put the case that the day of the ships destruction should be deferred , longer than either reason could perswade or in any likelihood could seem possible ( it being not in the power of any ship whatsoever to suffer what she had already endured ) yet could their abode there profit them nothing , but encrease their wretchedness , and enlarge their sorrows . for as her store and victuals were not much ( sufficient to sustain them only for some few days , without hope of having any new supplies , no not so much as a cup of cold water ) so must it inevitably come to pass , that they should be driven to eat the flesh of their own arms ; and how intollerable a thing this would have proved may easily be judged . and if they had departed from her whither should they have gone to seek relief ? nay , the impossibility of going seemed to be no less than those other before mentioned . their boat was not able at once to carry above twenty persons , and they were fifty eight in all : the nearest land was eighteen miles from them , and the wind from the shoar directly beat against them ; or if they had thought of setting some a shoar , and then fetching the rest , there being no place thereabout without inhabitants , the first that had landed must first have faln into the hand of the enemy , and so the rest in order as they came : and suppose they should escape the sword , yet would their lives be worse than death , not only in respect of their woful captivity , and bodily miseries ; but most of all in respect of their christian liberty , being to be deprived of all publick means of serving the true god , and continually grieved with the horrible impieties , and devilish idolatries of the heathen . their misery being thus manifest , the consideration thereof must needs have caused trembling to flesh and blood , if faith in gods promises had not mightily sustained them . the night they passed with earnest longings that the day would appear : the time they spent in frequent prayer , and other godly exercises , thereby comforting themselves and reviving their hearts : striving to bring themselves to an holy submission under the hand of god , and to refer themselves wholly to his good will , and pleasure . the day at length appearing , and it being then almost ful-sea , after they had given thanks to god for his forbearing them so long , and had with tears called upon him to bless their labors , they again renewed their travel to see if now they could possibly find any anchor-hold which they had formerly sought in vain . but this second attempt proved as fruitless as the former , and left them nothing to trust to but prayers , and tears , seeing it appeared now impossible that the prudence , policy , or power of man could ever effect the delivery of their ship , except the lord miraculously should effect the same . then was it motioned , and by general voice determined to commend and commit their case to god alone , leaving themselves wholly in his hand , to destroy or save them as it should seem best to his gracious wisdom : and that their faith might be the better strengthned , and their comfortable apprehension of gods mercy in christ be more clearly felt , they had a sermon preach'd by their minister , master fletcher , and the sacrament of the lords supper administred to them . after which sweet repast , and other holy exercises adjoyning to it , ended , left they should in any respect seem guilty of neglecting of any lawful means that might conduce to their safety , they resolved to lighten their ship by casting forth her goods into the sea , which accordingly in a very short time they dispatched with much alacrity . so that even those things which before they judged most necessary , considering their condition , they now despised , neither sparing their ammunition for defence , nor the food for the sustentation of their lives , but every thing as it first came to hand went overboard , assuring themselves that if it pleased god to deliver them out of that desperate strait , he would both fight for them against their enemies , and not suffer them to perish for want of bread. but when they had done all they could , it was not their endeavour but gods immediate hand , and good providence that wrought their deliverance . it was he alone that having brought them to the shaddow of death , set them at liberty again , after they had remained in that desperate condition full hours , for the magnifying of his almighty power and mercy . the manner of their delivery was thus ; the place where their ship fate so fast was a firm rock : the ship struck on the larboard side : at low water there was not above six foot depth in all , on the starboard-side , and yet within a very little distance there was no bottom to be found . the brieze during all the time that they were thus stayed , blew stifly against their broad side , and so kept the ship upright . but it pleased god in the beginning of the tide ; while the water was yet almost at the lowest , to slack the stiffness of the wind , and then their ship that required thirteen foot water to make her float , and had not at this time on one side about seven at most , wanting her prop on the other side , which had already too long kept her up , fell a heeling towards the deep water , and by that means freed her kneel , and made them all glad men . this , of all their other dangers in the whole voyage was the greatest , yet not the last . for of a long season they could not free themselves , from the care and fear of those shallows : nor could they possibly come to any convenient anchoring amongst them : but were continually tossed amongst those many islands and shoals of the celibes , till the eighth day of the following month . jan. . being not able to bear any sails by reason of a tempest , and fearing their many dangers , they let fall an anchor upon a shoal . and jan. . being got a little farther south , they again cast anchor at an island , where they spent a day in taking in water , and wood . after which they met with foul weather , and dangerous shoals for many days together , which occasioned them to leave these coasts , and to bear for timor , the most southerly cape of the celibes : yet could they not so easily clear themselves as they expected : so that jan. . they were forced to run with a small island not far from thence ; and while they were with their boat at a good distance searching for a convenient place wherein to anchor , they were suddenly environed with no small extremities . for there arose a most violent , and intollerable flaw , and storm from the south-west against them , making them ( who were on a lee-shoar , amongst most dangerous rocks , and shelves ) extreamly to fear , not only the loss of their boat and men ; but of themselves , their ship , and goods : or the casting of those men whom god should spare amongst infidels ; which misery could not by any power or industry of theirs have been prevented , had not the present goodness of god ( by staying the outragious extremities wherewith they were environed ) wrought their present delivery : by whose unspeakable goodness , their boat and men also , were unexpectedly brought to them in safety . january , . with much adoe they gat clear from this place , yet the winde turning strong against them , they could bear no sail to the end of that month . february the first , they saw a very high land , and would faign have born to it to have got some succour , but they could find no safe harbour . february the third , they saw a small island , but being still unable to bear any sail , they were carried away by the storm , and were not able to fetch it . february the sixth , they came to another island , where they cast anchor , and furnished themselves with water and wood . february the eighth , departing thence they spied two canows coming towards them , which talked with them , and conducted them to their town called barativa . the people were gentiles , of handsome bodies , comely stature , civil demeanour , very just in their dealings , and courteous to strangers : were glad of their coming , and relieved their wants with what the country could afford . their island is rich , and fruitful , having gold , silver , copper , tin , sulpher , &c. and they are very skilful in working these mettals . their fruits are nutmegs , ginger , long pepper , limons , cocos , with divers others , of each of which they had from them , whatsoever they desired for their need : having here spent two days , they departed very well refreshed . after this they passed within sight of many islands , but they neither needed nor desired to visit them , only they took in some fresh water at one of them , where they found two turtles . march the tenth , they came to an anchor under a high land where they took in water , and then sent their boat to traffique with the inhabitants : and the next day the general sent his man with a present to the king of cloth , both linnen and woollen , and some silk , which he gladly accepted , and thankfully received , and returned rice , cocos , hens , and other victuals . this was the isle of java : and march , the thirteenth , the general himself with his gentlemen , and some others went a shoar , and presented the king with his musick ( who entertained him joyfully ) and shewed him the manner of the use of their arms , by training of his men before him : and so they were dismissed with a promise that more victuals should be sent them . in this island there is one chief king and under him many petty governors whom they call raias , who live in great friendship one with another . march , the fourteenth , they received more victuals from them , and the day after , three of these raias came to see the general and his ship , and warlike ammunition , wherewith they were very much pleased : and relating it to the king , he went to see them himself carrying some victuals with him . the raias came daily to them , whom the general entertained courteously : and one of them brought an ox , for which the general requited him with some silks . here they trimmed and washed their ship of which she had great need , being in this long voyage overgrown with a kind of shel-fish which much hindred her sailing , they traded with this people for hens , goats , cocos , plantanes , and other things whereof they had great plenty . march , the six and twentieth , an. dom. one thousand five hundred and eighty , they departed shaping their course for the cape of good hope : and june the fifteenth , they passed by that : and july the two and twentieth , they came to sierra leona , where they took in fresh-water , and met with some oisters , and plenty of lemons which much refreshed them . and september the six and twentieth , ( which was munday in the account of those that had stayd at home , but by their computation was the lords day ) they safely , with joyful mindes , and thankful hearts to god for his wonderful goodness to them , arrived at plimouth , having spent two years , ten months , and some odd days in seeing the wonders of the lord in the deep , in discovering very many admirable things , in going thorow with so many strange adventures , in escaping out of so many dangers , and overcoming so many difficulties in encompassing the world. queen elizabeth going aboard this ship , was therein feasted by captain drake , at which time she knighted him . the ship was laid up at deptford where the carcase of it lay very many years after . the voyage of sir francis drake into the west-indies . queen elizabeth finding the restless malice of the king of spain against her , to the end that war might not first be brought home to her own doors , set forth a fleet to finde her enemies work abroad , under the command of sir francis drake , who having prepared his fleet and gotten them together to plimouth to the number of five and twenty sails of ships , and pinnaces : and having of souldiers and marriners two thousand three hundred in the whole , imbarked himself and them september the twelfth , anno christi , one thousand five hundred eighty five , being accompanied with these worthies . master christopher carleil , lieutenant general . anthony powel , sergeant major . captain matthew morgan , and captain john sampson , corporals of the field . and these officers after named had command over the rest of the land captains . captain anthony plot. captain edward winter ; captain john goring ; captain robert pew ; captain george barton ; captain john merchant ; captain william cecil ; captain walter bigs ; captain john hannam ; and captain richard stanton . the commanders at sea under him were , martin forbusher , vice-admiral in the primrose ; francis knowls in the gallion lecester , reer-admiral ; thomas venner , captain in the elizabeth bonadventure , under the general ; edward winter , captain in the aid ; christopher carliel , leiutenant general , captain in the tyger ; henry white , captain in the sea-dragon ; thomas drake , captain in the thomas ; thomas seely , captain in the minion ; baily , captain in the bark talbot ; rob. cross , capt. in the bark bond ; george fortescue , captain in the bark bonner ; edward careless , captain in the hope ; james erizo , captain in the white lyon ; thomas moon , captain in the francis ; john rivers , captain in the vantage ; john vaughan , captain in the drake ; john verney , captain in the george ; john martin , captain in the benjamin ; edward gilman , captain in the scout ; richard hawkins , captain in the galliot called the duck ; bitfield , captain in the swallow . when they were gotten out , they took their course towards spain . and when they came neer that coast they spied divers sails , whereupon the general sent some pinnaces to see what they were ; who upon the sight of them , abandoned most of their ships ( being french men laden with salt. ) amongst them there was one so well liked , which had no man in her , as being brought to the general he made stay of her for their service , intending to pay for her , which he accordingly performed at his return , and called her the drake , the rest were dismissed in safety . the day following , standing in again with the shore they espied a tall ship of about two hundred and forty tun , which was chased by the leiutenant general in the tyger , and when he had forced her to strike sail , upon examination finding her to be a spanish ship of saint sebastian , laden with poor john from newfound land , they juged her to be lawful prize ; and therefore distributed her lading amongst the fleet , which afterwards stood them in good stead . a day or two after they put into the isles of bayon , where they had no sooner anchored , but they manned forth all their pinnaces with an intent to surpise the city , upon sight of whom the governour and people were much amazed ; there they landed , and quartered themselves to their best advantage : but in the night there arose such a storm , that they thought fit to return to their ships , which they did with some difficulty , many of their ships being driven from their anchors . the tempest continued three days , which scattered the fleet , and the speedwell was driven into england , the rest came together again when the storm was ended . then the lieutenant general was sent to see what they might do about vigo , where he took many boats , and carvels , divers being laden with houshold stuffe : and amongst other church ornaments , they found a great crosse of silver , of fair and embossed work , and double gilt , which was of good value . the spaniards complained that here they lost goods worth above three thousand duckats . a little from thence they landed , and by consent of the governour of galizia , quietly furnished themselves with fresh water , and all other necessaries paying for the same . from thence they went to the canaries purposing to have refreshed and stored themselves with necessaries in the isle of palma : but the sea going high , and the landing place ( whereof there was but one ) being naught , they left it , and went to the isle of ferro , but finding that extreme poor they left it , and steered towards the coast of barbary : and november the thirteenth they fell with cape blank , where they caught store of fish , and from thence went to the isles of cape verde : and november the sixteenth , they discovered the isle of saint jago , where they came to an anchor , and landed a thousand men under the leading of the lieutenant general carliel ; the way proved marvellous stony and troublesome in their march , yet they rested not till they came to a fair plain two miles from the town : there having rested themselves for a while , they advanced hard to the wall of the city , finding no enemy to resist them , all being fled , whereupon he sent two captains with sixty men to quarter out the city for his army , and to erect saint george's cross upon the enemies fortress that it might be seen by our navy , which was done accordingly ; and it being november the seventeenth , the day of our queens coming to the crown , they discharged all the ordnance , being about fifty pieces which they found in the town , ready mounted and charged , which also was answered by the ordnance out of all our ships , which were now come near . here they continued fourteen days taking such spoils as the place afforded , as wine , oyl , meal , vinegar , olives , &c. but found no treasure at all in it . this city is finely seated , having a river running by it , and a valley full of gardens and orchards well replenished with fruits , hearbs , and trees , as lemons , oranges , sugar-canes , coco's , plantans , &c. november the four and twentieth , the general , and lieutenant general with six hundred men marched to st. domingo , twelve miles within land , which they found empty also , the inhabitants being fled into the mountains , from whence they returned to st. jago : and november the six and twentieth , they embarked their forces , and went to the play , where they found two pieces of ordnance hid in the ground , and so they burned the town , and departed . hence putting over to the west-indies , within a few days began a great mortality amongst their men , so that within a small time there died two or three hundred of them of burning feavers and some of the plague . in eighteen days space they came within sight of saint dominica , inhabited by savage people that go all naked , and paint their bodies : these helped our men to fill & carry fresh water from the river upon their bare shoulders to their boats , & brought them store of tabacco , and bread made of the cassavy root , very white , and savory , for which they gave them some glass beads to their great content . from thence they went to s. christophers island , where they cleansed and aired their ships , & refreshed their sick people : from hence they resolved to go to hispaniola : and by the way they met with a small frigat , bound for s. domingo , the chiefest and ancientest city in that island ; and the men of her being examined , one assured them that the haven of it was a barred haven , the shoar well fortified , so that there was no convenient landing within ten english miles of the city , whither this man undertook to conduct them . january the first , they landed ten miles from that brave city , and under the command of the lieutenant general marched towards the city whither they came about one a clock in the afternoon ; when they came neer , above a hundred and fifty gentlemen well mounted presented themselves against them ; but the small shot playing upon them , they departed , and the english proceeded towards the two gates of the city that lay towards the sea ; both which the spaniards had manned , and planted their ordnance without the gates , and some small shot in an ambush by the way side . the english being aboue twelve hundred men divided themselves : the lieutenant general leading the one halfe to one gate , and captain powel the other halfe to the other gate , vowing that with god's assistance they would not rest till they met in the market place . no sooner had the spaniards discharged their ordnance , doing some litle execution , but the lieutenant general hasted or rather ran upon them to prevent their charging again , and notwithstanding their ambush , entred pell mell with them into the gate not staying till he came into the market place , unto whom shortly after came captain powel with his companies . this place they strengthened with baricadoes , the city being too large to be guarded by so small , and weary an army . and after midnight , they in the castle , hearing some of the english busie about the gate of it , quitted it , some being taken prisoners , and others escaping by boats. the next day the english enlarged their quarters , and fortified themselves , and held the town for a months space . during this time the general sent a negro boy with a flag of truce to the spaniards , who by the way was met by some officers of the galley which the english had taken , together with the city , who furiously thrust the poor boy thorow the body , who returning to the general , having declared how barbarously they had used him , fell down , and died in his presence . the general being much moved herewith , commanded the provest martial , to take two friers , and to carry them to the same place with a sufficient guard , and there to hang them ; and withal he sent one of the prisoners to inform the spaniards why he did it , and to tell them that till the party who had thus murthered his messenger were delivered to him , there should no day pass wherein he would not hang two prisoners till all were consumed . hereupon the day following , the murtherer was brought , and an offer made to deliver him to the general , who yet thought it more honourable to make them perform the execution themselves in the sight of the english , which was done accordingly . during their aboad here commissioners oft passed between the spaniards & them about the ransome of the city , but not agreeing , the english spent every morning till the heat of the day , in firing , and destroying the houses in the outward part of the city , two hundred marriners being employed therein for divers days : yet were the houses built so magnificenlty , and strongly of stone , that they could not consume one third part of the town all that time , whereupon the general was contented to accept of twenty five thousand duckets , of s. . a piece , to spare the rest . here our soldiers met with good pillage , especially of rich apparel ; but treasure they found none : for the spaniards by their cruelties had so destroyed the natives , which used to work in the mines of gold and silver , that they were wholly given over , and in that island they were forced to use copper mony. yet they found store of wine , oyl , vineger wheat , meal , woollen and linnen cloth , some silks , &c. which much relieved them : there was but little plate found but good store of porcellaws , or china dishes : yet some plate they found , and very costly houshold furniture . from saint domingo they put over towards the main , and at last came within sight of carthagena , who had notice of their coming twenty days before from hispaniola , so that they were fully provided for them . the mouth of the harbor lay about three miles westward from the city , where they entred without opposition : and in the evening some of them landed under the conduct of the lieutenant general , who about midnight began their march towards the city , keeping close by the sea-wash for their greater safety . when they came within two miles of the town , about one hundred of their horse met them , but upon the first volley of shot that was given them , they retreated . coming within half a mile of the town , the way grew narrow between the sea , and an arm of it , which was fortified with a stone wall and ditch : the wall built with very good flankers : there was only a little place left open which was made up with very good baricadoes of wine-pipes filled with earth standing very close together . this place was furnished with six demiculverins , and sakers , which shot directly in front upon them as they approached : they had brought also two great gallies with their prowes to the shoar with eleven pieces of ordnance ; which flanked their coming on : in those gallies also were three or four hundred small shot placed : and on the land to guard that narrow pass three hundred shot , and pikes . these spared not their shot either great or small ; but the english , taking the advantage of the dark , still keeping the sea-wash shoar escaped all pretty well , themselves forbearing to shoot till they were come to the very wall side , then running upon the barricadoes , down went the pipes of earth , and after a volley of shot in their faces they came to it with pikes and swords , wherein they proved too hard for the spaniards , and forced them to flee . here the lieutenant general with his own hands killed the chiefest ensign bearer of the spaniards , who yet fought very stoutly . then pursuing them , they entred pell mell with them into the town and wan the market-place , the spaniards flying to the mountains , whither before they had carried their wives and children . at every streets end they had made barricadoes and trenches excellently well , and had placed many indians in corners of advantage , with arrows so impoisoned that if they did but break the skin the wounded party died : by these some of our men were slain : they had also stuck in the ground against the coming of the english abundance of sticks with sharp ends villainously impoisoned , most of which they yet escaped by keeping the sea-wash-shoar . here they stayed six weeks , the aforenamed mortality continuing still amongst them , though not so violent as at first . this the spaniards call a galenture , which such as were touched with , if they escaped death continued long very weak both in mind and body . this forced them to give over their intended enterprise for nombre de dios , and so overland to panama , where they should have met with store of treasure : and here they resolved to return home-ward . during their aboad in this place there passed divers courtesies between the spaniards and them ; and the governour of carthagena , and the bishop of it , with divers gentlemen came to visit the general : yet because they could not agree about ransoming the city , they burned the out-parts of it , and at last they agreed to give the general one hundred and ten thousand duckets for the ransome of the rest , this being a far richer place than s. domingo : and afterwards they gave him a thousand crowns to spare an abby that stood a quarter of a mile from the town , and because they professed that they were not able to ransom the castle , it was blown up with gun-powder . the island hath in it many pleasant fruits , and orange-trees set in walks of a great length : the whole island being cast into gardens and orchards . after six weeks aboad , having taken in fresh-water , and other provisions , they put to sea , march , where , after two or three days , a great ship which they had taken at s. domingo , called by them the new-years-gift , sprung a leak , being laden with ordnance , hides , and other plunder , whereupon they returned with the whole fleet to carthagena , where they stayed ten days more , unlading her , and bestowing her men and goods in other ships , and so departed , directing their course to cape s. anthony , in the easterly part of cuba : and because they could not presently find any fresh water , they departed , thinking to recover the mattances , eastward of havana : but for want of wind they were after fourteen days , brought back to cape s. anthony , where , upon a more diligent search , they found water enough . after three days spent in watering they departed , may . and proceeding about the cape of florida , & keeping along the coast , they went on till may . at which time they espied a beacon on land , unto which they went with their pinnaces well man'd , & marching up the river-side , at last they saw a fort , newly built by the spaniards : whereupon the leiutenant general took four companies , and marched towards it : and though he went as covertly as he could , yet the enemy took the alarm , and thinking that the whole force of the english was coming against them , they discharged their pieces , and ran away . their flight was discovered to the english by a french man , who had been a prisoner with them , whereupon the general himself with many others went to the place , and found it empty . on the platform they found thirteen or fourteen pieces of brass ordnance , and a chest having in it about two thousand pound sterling , lately sent from the king of spain's treasurer to pay the souldiers of that place . from hence they went to their town about a mile off , standing upon the river of s. augustine , and when they landed , the spaniards made some few shot at them , and ran away . the sergeant major finding one of their horses ready sadled and bridled , gat up and followed the chase : but by one that lay behind a bush , he was shot thorow the head and slain : his death was much lamented , being a souldier of great experience , and courage . here they resolved to go to virginia to seek out the english sent thither the year before by sir walter rawleigh under master ralph lane , their governour , whither they came , and at their request carried them back with them to england : where they safely arrived at portsmouth , july . anno christi . . the total value which they got in this voyage was estimated at sixty thousand pounds , whereof they that went the voyage had twenty thousand pounds , and the aventerers the other forty . in the voyage they lost seven hundred and fifty men . amongst whom were eight captains : four lieutenants ; six gentlemen , and others . the ordnance gotten of all sorts were two hundred and forty : whereof above two hundred were brass , the rest iron . of sir francis drakes service against the spaniard in eighty eight . anno christi , one thousand five hundred eighty eight , the king of spain having gotten together a huge navy , which they tearmed invincible , came for england , and queen elizabeth of famous memory , for her own preservation prepared another , which she committed to the charge of charles howard of effingham , lord admiral , and to our renouned drake her vice admiral , which navy she sent into the western parts of england , the whole story whereof you may read in my englands remembrancer ; and out of which i shall collect only so much as concerns my present purpose . july the twentieth , about noon this terrible fleet of the spaniards was discried by the english before they looked for it ; whereupon ( the fleet lying in the road of plimouth ) with much difficulty they towed out their ships : and being forth , they saw the spanish ships with lofty towers , like castles , seeming at first to make for plimouth , but seeing the english ships got out of the harbor , they steered by towards calis , which the english willingly suffered them to do , that they might the more commodiously chase them in the reer with a fore-right wind. july the one and twentieth , our lord admiral sent before him a pinnace , called the defiance , to denounce war by discharging her ordnance , and himself following in the ark-royal , set upon the spanish admiral ( as he thought ) though it proved to be the ship of alonzo de levas , where fire , smoke , and lowd thundring cannons began the parley : and rending bullets ( freely interchanged ) were the fiery messengers of each others minds . soon after came up drake , haukins , and forbusher , incessantly playing with their ordnance upon the hind most squadron of the enemies which was commanded by recalde , whose ship was soon so battered as that it was made unserviceable , and thereupon was with much difficulty drawn into the main fleet. in this medly , a great gallion , wherein was don pedro de valdez , and some other noblemen being sore battered by the english shot , to avoid the same , fell foul upon another ship , whereby her fore-mast was broken off , and she made unable to follow the rest of the fleet. but the night coming on , our lord admiral , supposing that they had left nothing aboard in her , and fearing to loose sight of the spaniards , passed by her , and followed the lanthorn , which he supposed to be carried by sir francis drake , as was agreed . but this brave kinght was eagerly pursuing five great hulks which he judged to be spaniards ; yet when he haled them they proved to be easterlings , and friends , and so were dismissed . july the two and twentieth , sir francis drake espied the aforementioned lagging gallion , whereupon he sent forth a pinnace commanding them to yield , otherwise his bullets , without any delay , should force them to it : valdez , to seem valorous , answered , that they were four hundred and fifty strong : that himself was don pedro , and stood upon his honour , and therefore propounded certain conditions : drake replyed , that he had no leasure to parley . if he would immediately yield , well and good : if not , he should soon find that drake was no dastard . pedro hearing that it was the fiery drake ( whose very name was dreadful to the spaniards ) that had him in close , presently yielded , and with forty of his companions , came aboard sir francis his ship ; where , first giving him the conge , he protested that he and all his , were resolved to have died fighting , had they not faln into such noble hands , whose valour and felicity was so great , that mars , and neptune seemed to wait on him in all his enterprises , and whose noble , and generous mind towards the vanquished , had often been experienced even of his greatest foes . sir francis , to requite his spanish complements with english courtesie , placed him at his own table , and lodged him in his own cabin : and the rest of that company he sent prisoners to plimouth , where they remained for the space of eighteen months , till by payment of their ransoms they obtained their liberty . but sir drake's men paid themselves well by the plunder of the ship , wherein they found fifty thousand duckets of gold , which they merrily shared amongst them . july the three and twentieth , was the greatest fight between these two fleets : and july the four and twentieth , the english fleet was divided into four squadrons , whereof the lord admiral in the ark-royal , led the first : sir francis drake , in the revenge led the second : captain hawkins the third : and captain forbusher the fourth . what notable service these gallant men did perform against that invincible armado , may be seen in my book before mentioned . the voyage of sir francis drake into portugal . anno christi , one thousand five hundred eighty nine , don antonio , who laid claim to the kingdom of portugal , came into england to crave aid of queen elizabeth against the king of spain , who had seized upon that kingdom for himself , and forced the other to fly . queen elizabeth at his importunate suit , and to find the spaniards work at home sent a fleet with him under the command of sir john norris for the land-service , and sir francis drake for the sea : in which voyage they both performed much noble service both by sea and land , and returned in safety unto plimouth . the last voyage of sir francis drake into the west-indies . anno christi , one thousand five hundred ninety five , he undertook another voyage to the west-indies , wherein himself , and sir john hawkins were generals , sir thomas baskervile collonel general : sir nicholas clifford lieutenant general : arnold baskervile sergeant major : and nicholas baskervile , barkley , grimston , rush , boswel , plat , chichester , stanton , and fenton were captains . august the eight and twentieth , anno christi , one thousand five hundred ninety five , they embarked at plimouth , and sailed towards the grand canados , meeting with nothing in the way worth mentioning : and september the six and twentieth , they arrived at the port of canados , otherwise called saint john de cruz , where , in boats , and pinnaces they attempted to land : but the enemy , who waited for their coming , had so intrenched themselves in the very place where they should have put ashore , so plied them both with their small and great shot , from the castle town , and this intrenchment , that with the loss of some of their men , they were forced again to their ships . from thence they departed to a place where they watered , in which place , some of their men , straying into the country from their friends , were met with and slain by those barbarous people , and torn with dogs they keep on purpose , to destroy men that come to water there . this island yields store of wine wheat , and other grain ; conies , partridges &c. from thence , passing towards the west indies , they saild by the island called martinino , inhabited by barbarous people called canibals : from thence to dominica where they had store of tobacco for hatchets and knives , &c. november the twelvth , they cast anchor against a great fort , within three or four miles of porte-richo , from whence they were plyed with great shot . here died that brave sea captain , sir john hawkins , to the great grief of all the rest . the same day also sir nicholas clifford , captain stratford , and captain brown were wounded with a great piece of ordinance , as they sat at supper with sir francis drake whose stool also was struck from under him , as he was drinking a cup of beer ; yet , by gods providence he , and all the rest escaped . and that night sir nicholas clifford died of that wound : and captain brute brown , a day or two after . the spaniards had barred up the harbor by sinking a great ship therein , from which they had drawn long masts on both sides to the forts , which defended the passage : within which were there five spanish ships , filled with muskitiers , and stored with ordnance ; yet captain baskerville , putting his men into boats , & pinnaces , attempted to enter by force , & fir'd one or two of those ships , but with a shower of small shot was beaten back , with the loss of many of his men . from hence sailing to the continent they burnt rio de la haak , the inhabitants wherof offered thirty four thousand ducats to redeem the same , but over prising the pearls they brought , it was refused ; they also burnt down some other villages thereabout . here in a religious house they found some treasure , pearl and marchandize , which they carried away . in this country was great store of beeves , goats , sheep , horses , asses &c , and also store of fowl , as pellicans , red sea fowls , like unto crane . december the nineteenth , they came to santa martha , out of which all the inhabitants were fled : but the english following them into the woods , found some treasure , and other things of some value ; when they departed they set the town on fire . december the five and twentieth , they came to nombre de dios , and the same day captain arnold baskervile died . they landed about a mile from the town , and when they came to it the enemy gave them a bravado of shot and then ran away . having before conveighed away all their treasure and goods . yet something they found in the woods , as oyl , wine , vinegar , meal , and linnen-cloth . on munday after sir thomas baskervile with six hundred men began their journey by land towards panama , hoping there to furnish themselves with the spanish treasure : but when they had laboured a day or two , and encountred with many difficulties , thorow narrow , dirty , and most cumbersomways , being assailed on both sides with many volleys of shot out of the woods , they came to a fort in a very narrow passage where only one man could pass a breast , where the enemy slew their men as fast as they came , and hearing that there were two more such forts betwixt that and panama , they were constrained with the loss of many of their best men , and much grief , to return to their ships , and set fire upon nombre de dios. january the tenth they came to scoday , and took a spanish frigate that was sent to give intelligence of their being upon the coast , but found nothing of worth in her . then the general caused his sick men to be carried a shoar and to have the best comfort they were able to give them : also there they built four pinnaces , and took in fresh water . here were great store of wild-beasts in this island but no inhabitants . january the eight and twentienth , anno christi , one thousand five hundred ninety five , died this famous , and renowned captain sir francis drake , of a flux , and grief for his bad successes in this voyage . his death was exceedingly lamented by all the company . his corps being put into a coffin of lead was let down into the sea , the trumpets in a doleful manner ecchoing out their lamentations for so great a loss , and all the cannons in the fleet were discharged according to the customes of sea-funeral obsequies . the rest of the fleet came safe to their desired haven in their native country of england . april one thousand five hundred and ninety six . sir francis drakes father when he fled into kent ( as you read in the beginning of this life ) was fain to shelter himself in the hull of a ship , where many of his younger sons were born . he had twelve in all , & as it pleased god to give to most of them their first being upon the water , so the greatest part of them died at sea ; only the youngest , though he was as far as any of the other , yet died at home , whose posterity yet inherits that which by himself and this noble sir francis , the eldest brother , was hardly , yet worthily gotten . soli deo triuni gloria . among other verses made in his commendation , i have long since read these , great god of prowess , thunderbolt of war : bellona's darling : mars of chivalry : bloody enyo's champion , foe-mens fear . fames stately pharos , mapp of dignity : joves pearl , pearls pride , prides foe , foes enemy : spains shaking fever , regent of wars thunder : vndaunted drake , a name importing wonder . books printed for , or sold by simon miller , at the star , at the west-end of s. pauls . quarto . physical experiments , being a plain description of the causes , signs and cures of most diseases incident to the body of man ; with a discourse of witchcraft : by william drage practitioner of physick , at hitchin in hartfordshire . bishop white upon the sabbath . the artificial changeling . the life of tamerlane the great . the pragmatical jesuit , a play ; by richard carpenter . the life and death of the valiant and renouned sir francis drake , with his voyages and discoveries about the world and his valniat acts . large octavo . master shepherd on the sabbath . the rights of the crown of england as it is established by law ; by e bagshaw of the inner temple . an enchiridion of fortification , or , a handful of knowledge , in martial affairs . demonstrating both by rule , and figure , ( as well mathematically by exact calculations , as practically , ) to fortifie any body , either regular or irregular . how to run approaches to pierce through a counterscarf , to make a gallery over a mote , to spring a myne &c. with many other notable matters belonging to war , useful and necessary for all officers , to enrich their knowledge and practice . the life and adventures of buscan , the witty spaniard . epicurus's morals . small octavo . daphins and cloe , a romance . merry drollery , complete ; or a collection of jovial poems , merry songs , witty drolleries intermixed with pleasant catches : collected by w. n. l. b. r. s. j. g. lovers of wit. bubler of war. tractatus de veneris , or a treatise of poysoning their sundry sorts , names , natures , & virtues with their symptoms , signs , diagnostick & prognostick , and antidotes . wherein are divers necessary questions discussed ; the truth by the most learned confirmed ; by many instances , examples , and stories illustrated ; and both philosophically , and medicinally handled ; by william rainsay . the vrinal of physick , by robt. record , doctor of physick . wherunto is added an ingenuous treatise concerning physicians , apothecaries , chyrurgions , set forth by a doctor of elizabeth's days ; with a translation of papius ahalsossa , concerning apothecarys confecting their medicines ; worthy perusing and following . large twelues . the moral practice of the jesuits : demonstrated , by many remarkable histories of their actions in all parts of the world , collected either from books of the greatest authority or most certain and unquestionable records and memorials , by the doctors of the sorbonne . artimedorus of dreams . oxford jests , refined , now in the press . the third part of the bible and new testament . a compleat practice of physick . wheren is plainly described , the nature , causes , differences , and signs of all diseases in the body of man with the choicest cures for the same , by john smith , dr. in physick . the duty of every one that will be saved , being rules , precepts , promises and examples , directing all persons , of what degree soever , how to govern those passions , and to live vertuously and soberly in the world. the spiritual chorist , or six decads of divine meditations on several subjects ; with a short account of the authors life ; by wm. spurstow , d. d. sometime minister of the gospel at hackney near london . small twelues . the understanding christians duty a help to prayer . a new method of preserving and restoring health , by the vertue of coral and steel . david's song . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e his birth , and parentage . his education . his first voyage into the west-indies . he comes to nombre de dios. and takes it . the vast treasure found there . all cover , all loose . captain drake swoons . he is carried away he burns one of his ships . he marches towards panama . sees the south-sea . misseth the treasure . venta cruz taken . he returns towards panama . and takes much gold and silver . a dangerous attempt . their return for england . arrive in safety . his preparations a conspiracy discovered . he comes to the straights . he loses two of his ships . his many dangers . his booties of treasure . the cacafuego taken ▪ nova albion . they come into the east - indies . their great danger . a wonderful deliverance . they come to java major . their return home . another voyage into the west-indies . they come to st. jago . and take ●● . saint domingo taken . they come to hispaniola saint domingo taken . domingo partly burnt , and partly ransomed . they come to carthagena . carthagena taken . they return homeward . their safe arrival . his brave service in eighty eight . see more of this in the life of the earl of essex . his last voyage into the west-indies . nombre de dios taken . they march toward panama . are forced to return . his death and burial a looking-glass for persecutors containing multitudes of examples of god's severe, but righteous judgments, upon bloody and merciless haters of his children in all times, from the beginning of the world to this present age : collected out of the sacred scriptures, and other ecclesiastical writers, both ancient and modern / by sam. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a looking-glass for persecutors containing multitudes of examples of god's severe, but righteous judgments, upon bloody and merciless haters of his children in all times, from the beginning of the world to this present age : collected out of the sacred scriptures, and other ecclesiastical writers, both ancient and modern / by sam. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , [ ] p., leaf of plates : port. printed for william miller ..., london : . advertisement: p. [ ]-[ ] at end. errata: p. 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instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng judgment of god. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion viou here his shadowe whose laborious quill by sacred chymistry doth balm distill to calm the persecuting spirits rage and mixe delight with profitt in each page walter binneman sculp a looking-glass for persecutors ; containing multitudes of examples of god's severe , but righteous judgments , upon bloody and merciless haters of his children in all times , from the beginning of the world to this present age. collected out of the sacred scriptures , and other ecclesiastical writers , both ancient and modern . by sam. clarke , minister . god judgeth the righteous , and god is angry with the wicked every day : if he turn not , he will whet his sword : he hath bent his bow , and made it ready : he hath also prepared for him the instruments of death : he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors , psal. . , , . london , printed for william miller , at the sign of the gilded acorn , near the little north door in st. paul's church-yard , . to the christian reader . i know well that this is a very tender subject about which i am now writing . for , — the ancients made divine revenge to be a child of night , shut to the earth , but ope ' to heavens sight . there are two sorts of persons which err about the judgments of god : the one of such who will not take any notice of them , be they never so plain and conspicuous . of such the prophet complains , esay . . lord , when thy hand is lifted up , they will not see : but they shall see . these are stupid , and blockish persons : for ( saith the prophet , verse . ) when thy judgments are in the earth , the inhabitants of the world will ( or at least should ) learn righteousness . the other sort are of such as are too critical , and censorious in judging of god's providential dispensations , as if they were punishments for sin , when god hath other excellent ends in them : this was the fault of christ's disciples , john . . when they saw a man that was blind from his birth : master ( say they ) who did sin ? this man , or his parents , that he was born blind ? to whom our saviour answered , neither hath this man sinned , nor his parents : but that the works of god should be made manifest in him . but notwithstanding these errors , both on the right and left hand , there must be an humble , sober , and prudent taking notice of god's judgments that we may make a right construction of them . the apostle st. paul , having recorded the dreadful examples of god's wrath upon the sinful israelites in the wilderness ( cor. . . &c. ) concludes ( verse . ) now all these things happened unto them for ensamples : and they are written for our admonition , upon whom the ends of the world are come . god himself also hath appointed the recording and observation of such judgments , that all israel may hear , and fear , and do no more any such wickedness , deut. . . obj. but do we not often see , that great and violent persecutors live long , and prosper in the world , as if they rather merited a reward , than procured god's wrath against them for it ? ans. it 's true . . god's judgments upon many persecutors are more spiritual , and so less conspicuous , and visible to the eye of the world : as when god gives them up to blindness of mind , hardness of heart , a cauterized conscience , and a reprobate sence , which of all other judgments are the most dreadful , hos. . . . all the while they escape with impunity , they are but treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath , and revelation of the righteous judgment of god , rom. . . for it 's a righteous thing with god to recompence tribulation to them that trouble and persecute his people , thes. . . hence , job . . is not destruction to the wicked ? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity ? god doth record and register such wicked mens sins against the day of judgment . he writes them in a book with a pen of iron , and the point of a diamond , jer. . . he seals them up in a bag , job . . as a clerk of the assizes seals up the indictments , and at the assizes opens his bag , and produceth them , deut. . . yet god in all ages hath taken some of these persecutors , and hung them up in chains , as spectacles of his wrath , for a warning unto others . and howsoever such , by reason of god's patience and forbearance , may dream of impunity ; yet let them know that judgments are never nearer than when they are least feared . a great càlm is many times the fore-runner of a storm , when men cry peace , peace , then comes sudden and swift destruction , thes. . . when agag said in his heart , surely the bitterness of death is past ▪ then came samuel and hewed him in pieces . when the old world was eating , drinking , buying , building , persecuting , and snorting in security ; then came the flood , and destroyed them : when men be at case in sion , there is a wo denounced against them , amos . . to the . when men look at judgments as a far off , then god will defer no longer , ezek. . . . when the philistins met together to be merry and to sport themselves with sampson , ( whose eyes they had put out ) he brought the house upon their heads , and slew them all . now god executes judgments upon some wicked persecutors ; but these are but praeludia futuri judicii , tokens and fore-runners of that great and general judgment . some are now punished ( saith one ) as the old world , sodom , egypt , jerusalem , &c. that we may know that there is a providence taking notice of all : yet all are not punished , that we may know there is a judgment to come , to which the wicked are reserved , pet. . . here god's way is in the clouds , we see not the reason of many things , but then his justice and righteousness shall be gloriously apparent to all the world , rev. . . here they live longest , many times , that deserve not to live at all , job . . the israelites are oppressed whilst the egyptians live at ease . good david is in want , and persecuted , whilst wicked nabal abounds . sion is oft captive to babylon : but there is another day , and another reckoning , when all shall be set to rights : when the righteous shall rejoyce , and the wicked shall mourn , esay . , . god will not alwayes suffer his jewels to be trampled in the dirt under the feet of pride and malice ; but he will vindicate the injuries that are now done unto them , luke . . now men curse , but christ will then receive such , with a come ye blessed of my father , &c. matth. . . o how singularly foolish than are you , that seek to root out , and to rid the saints out of the world , as the heathen emperors did . these resemble the stag in the emblem , that fed upon the leaves , which hid him from the hunter . and sampson - like , by pulling down the pillars , they bring the house upon their own heads . but i will enlarge no further . if ( through god's blessing ) this little book may prove useful to the deterring of wicked and malevolent spirits from all kinds of persecution , though but in words and gestures , esay . , . and to the encouraging of the godly persecuted , to bear their sufferings meekly , referring their cause wholly unto god , who saith , vengeance is mine ; i will repay , saith the lord , rom. . . i have mine end , who am thy friend and servant to thy faith sam. clarke . from my study in hammersmith , april . . god's judgments upon persecutors recorded in the books of the old testament . the first persecutor and murtherer was the devil , as our saviour christ testifies ▪ john . . he was a murtherer from the beginning : he murther'd the souls ( the most noble and divine part ) of our first parents , and in them of all their posterity , had not god ( of his infinite goodness and mercy ) made a balsom of the blood of christ , for the healing of that deadly wound . see the devil's punishment for it , gen. . . . the two first men that were born into the world were cain and abel ; and long they had not lived together before cain , when they were in the field together , rose up against his brother abel , and slew him , gen. . . and wherefore slew he him ? because his own works were evil , and his brothers righteous , john . . but the righteous god would not suffer him to go away with impunity . for saith god to him , gen. . . when thou tillest the ground , it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength . a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth ; in which condition he suffered many thousand deaths ( by reason of his horrors and terrors of conscience ) before he came to die , as is implied , verse . from thy face shall i be hid , and i shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth , and it shall come to pass that every one that findeth me shall slay me . . though the scripture mentions particularly no other persecution before the flood , yet gen. . . it 's said , the earth was corrupt before god , and the earth was filled with violence : which violence certainly was chiefly practised by the wicked cainites against the church of god : for which sin ( among others ) god brought that general deluge which destroyed them all , gen. . . god said unto noah : the end of all flesh is come before me : for the earth is filled with violence through them : and behold i will destroy them with the earth . . when the world was reduced to a very small number , yet then had satan a wicked ham to persecute and mock his godly aged father ; for which he was cursed , and his posterity doomed to bondage and servitude , gen. . , , . cursed be canaan : a servant of servants shall he be to his brethren , &c. . in holy abraham's family there was a persecuting ishmael , as the apostle paul testifies , gal. . . he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit : but though he was abraham's son , god would not suffer this sin to go unpunished : for , verse . — what saith the scripture ? cast out the bond-woman and her son : for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman . and sure it was no small punishment to be cast out of the church of god , and not to be suffered to partake of the blessings promised thereunto . . when the church of god , the children of israel were in egypt , they were persecuted by pharaoh king of egypt , and his people , who set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens , exod. . . thinking thereby to eat them up and wear them out : and when that prevailed not , they made them serve with rigor , and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage in mortar , and in brick , and in all manner of service in the field : all the service wherein they made them serve , was with rigor , verse . . and when yet they still multiplied , the king commanded the midwives , siphra and puah , when they did the office of a midwife to the hebrew women , and saw them upon the stools , if they were delivered of a son , they should presently kill him , verse . . and when these midwives neglected his commands , he charged all his people that every son that was born to the israelites , should be cast into the river nilus , verse . . and when god sent moses into egypt to deliver his people out of the house of bondage , pharaoh raged more against them : he caused straw to be taken from them , and yet the number of bricks to be continued ; and when that task was not done , the officers of the children of israel were cruelly beaten , exod. . . but the justice of god slept not all this while : they had shed the blood of the people of god , and god turned all their waters into blood : they had killed all the males of the israelites , and god's destroying angel killed all their first-born : they had drowned multitudes in the river , and pharaoh and his army were all drowned in the red sea. poena venit gravior quo magè sora venit . justice though slowly , yet doth surely tread , and strikes with iron though she walks with lead . . saul the first king of israel was a cruel persecutor of david , and the priests of the lord ; of whom ( upon a false suggestion ) he slew fourscore and five persons that did wear a linnen ephod ; and not satisfied with their blood , he went to nob , the city of the priests , and smote it with the edg of the sword , both men and women , children and sucklings , and oxen , and asses , and sheep , sam. . , . but see the end : his country being invaded by the philistins , he goes to the witch of endor , where he complained to the devil in samuel's mantle , that god had forsaken him when he was sore distressed by the philistins , and answered him no more , neither by prophets , nor by dreams , sam. . . and a few dayes after , when he had lived to see his army routed , three of his sons slain , and himself sorely wounded , in despair he fell upon his own sword , and died , sam. . , , , . . asa ( though a good king ) being reproved by the prophet hanani , for relying upon the king of syria , and not upon the lord his god , was wrath with him , and put him in prison , and oppressed some of the people at the same time , chron. . , . but god would not suffer this sin to go unpunished : for , verse . he was diseased in his feet ( probably of the gout , ) and his disease was exceeding great , which in the end took away his life . . king ahab persecuted the prophet micaiah , who dealt plainly and faithfully with him , and sent him to amon the governour of the city , and to joash the king's son , saying , put this fellow in the prison , and feed him with bread of affliction , and with water of affliction , until i return in peace , chron. . . but notwithstanding all his policy in disguising himself , he was slain in that battle , verse . . . jesabel his wife slew the prophets of the lord , kings . . and persecuted elijah : but jehu being made king when he was come to jezreel , jezabel painted her face , and tired her head , and looking out to jehu said , had zimri peace that slew his master ? jehu seeing her , commanded her to be thrown down out of the window , which was accordingly done by some of her own servants ; by the fall she was slain , and trampled under horses feet , and her body was torn , and devoured by dogs , kings . , , . . manasse persecuted the ancient and noble prophet isaiah , ( who probably was of the royal blood ) for his free reproofs for all his wickedness , who thereupon caused him to be sawn in sunder with a wooden saw ( as josephus saith : ) but not long after the lord brought upon him the captains of the host of the king of assyria , who took manasse among the thorns , and bound him in fetters , and carried him to babylon , where he was cast into a dungeon , chron. . . . the wicked jews grievously persecuted the prophet jeremiah : first , they smote him with the tongue , jerem. . . come , say they , let us devise devises against jeremiah — come and let us smite him with the tongue , and let us not give heed to any of his words . afterwards pashur the priest , smote him , and put him in the stocks ; whereupon jeremiah denounced this judgment against him : the lord hath not called thy name pashur , but magor-missabib . for thus saith the lord , i will make thee a terror to thy self , and to all thy friends , and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies , and their eyes shall hehold it . — and thou pashur and all that are in thine house shall go into captivity , and thou shalt come to babylon , and their thou shalt die , jerem. . , , , . which grievous threatnings were without all question performed . . after this the priests , and the prophets , and all the people took jeremiah , and said , thou shalt surely die , jer. . . to whom jeremiah said , as for me , behold , i am in your hand : do with me as seemeth good unto you : but know ye for certain , that if you put me to death , ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon your self , and upon this city , and upon the inhabitants thereof , &c. verse , . . when jerusalem was besieged by nebuchadnezzar's army , king zedekiah caused jeremiah to be cast into prison for foretelling the destruction of jerusalem , & the captivity of zedekiah , jer. . , . &c. but god suffered him not to go unpunished . for not long after , the city ( according to jeremiah's prophecy ) was taken , & zedekiah was , in his flight , overtaken , and carried to the king of babylon , who slew his sons before his eyes , & that that dreadful sight might be the last thing that he should ever see he immediatly put out his eyes , and bound him with chains , and carried him to babylon , jer. . , , . and zedekiah's princes , & nobles , who had smitten jeremiah , and put him into prison , jer. . . & did afterwards cast him into a dungeon , where he did stick in the mire , jer. . . when the city was taken , they also being over-taken , were carried to the king of babylon , who slew them all , jerem. . . . afterwards when the people were carried into captivity , jeremiah being ( according to his own desire ) left in the land of juda , he with the rest of the people , was carried perforce by johanan , and some other wicked captains into egypt , unto whom he foretold that they should their perish by the sword , and by the famine , and by the pestilence , for which plain and faithful dealing , they stoned him to death ( as josephus reports : ) but it was not long before nebuchadnezzar came , and overcame the egyptians , and plundered the country , at which time those predictions of jeremy were fulfilled upon his persecuting enemies , jerem. . , . and . , . &c. . and that the destruction of jerusalem , and the babylonish captivity ( which continued seventy years ) was in a special manner inflicted upon them for their crying sin of persecuting the ministers and people of god , appears plainly , chron. . . where it is said : they mocked the messengers of god , and despised his words , and misused his prophets , until the wrath of the lord arose against his people , till there was no remedy . therefore he brought upon them the king of the chaldees , who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary , and had no compassion upon young man , or maiden , old man , or him that stooped for age , &c. . during the captivity , haman the agagite ( a deadly enemy to the church and people of god ) had got a decree from king ahasuerus , upon a certain day to destroy , to kill , and to cause to perish all jews both young and old , little children and womon , and to take the spoil of them for a prey , esther . . but god wonderfully defeated this design , preserved his people , and turned the mischief intended against them , upon their enemies pates . for this wicked haman was himself hanged upon the gallows , fifty cubits high , which he had prepared for mordecay , esther . . his ten sons also were slain , esther . . and all others that rose up against them . . sometime after the return of the jews from the babylonish captivity , antiochus epiphanes , or the vile rather , was a cruel and merciless persecutor of the godly among them : but being in straits for want of mony , he went into persia to gather up some : and being there , he heard that in a wealthy city , called elymais , there was a very rich temple dedicated to diana : thither therefore he went , and besieged it ; but the inhabitants , sallying out , drave him away with great shame and loss : and when he came back to babylon he heard of the overthrow of his captains and armies in judaea : which news ( together with his late defeat ) so wrought upon him , that he fell sick , and finding no hope of recovery , he called his most familiar friends unto him , and told them that his disease was violent and desperate , and that he was justly plagued by god , with this grievous sickness , for that he had tormented the people of the jews , destroyed their temple and committed horrible sacrilege , and for contemning the majesty of of god : but now he vowed , that if it would please the lord to receive him , he would become a jew , and do many great things for the people of god : as also that he would go through all the known world to declare the power of god : notwithstanding which ( the lord knowing his hypocrisie ) continued to plague him after a very grievous and terrible manner . for he had a remediless and incessant pain in his bowels , and intollerable torments in all his inward parts . his body bred abundance of worms , which continually crawled out of the same : yea , he so rotted above ground , that whole flakes of flesh fell from his body , which was accompanied with such an intollerable stink that none were able to come near him , neither could he himself endure the same , which forced him to say , it is meet to submit to god , and for man which is mortal , not to set himself in competition with god. thus this vile person , who formerly in a proud and insolent manner had protested that he would make jerusalem a common burying place , and the streets thereof to run with the blood of god's people , by god's just judgment ended his life in extream misery in a strange land , upon the mountains of parata , near babylon . . probably under him it was that the saints endured most of those persecutions which are mentioned by the apostle in that little book of martyrs , heb. . , , . others had trial of cruel mockings , and scourgings ; yea , moreover of bonds , and imprisonment . they were stoned : they were sawn asunder ; were tempted ; were slain with the sword : they wandred about in sheepskins , and goatskins , being destitute , afflicted , tormented : of whom the world was not worthy : they wandred in desarts , and mountains , and in dens , and caves of the earth . of god's judgments upon persecutors under the new testament . herod , surnamed the great , hearing by the wise men that came out of the east , that there was one , who was born king of the jews , and being informed by the chief priests and the scribes that the place of his birth should be bethlem of judah , he sent forth his soldiers , and ( to make sure work ) he slew all the children that were in bethlem , and in all the coasts thereof , from two years old and under , hoping thereby to have destroyed christ. but presently after , the lord gave him over to a spirit of phrensie , that he slew maryamne , his beloved wife , and his children ( which made augustus caesar say , that it was better to be herod's dog than his son ) and his nearest kinsfolk , and familiar friends . and shortly after , god's terrible judgment fell upon him by a grievous disease , which was a slack and slow fire in his inward parts : he had also a greedy and dog like appetite after food , which yet was insatiable : he had also a rotting in his bowels , and a grievous flux in his fundament : a moist and running humor in his feet , and the like malady vexed him about his bladder : his privy members putrified , engendring abundance of worms , which continually crawled and swarmed out of the same . he had a short and a stinking breath , with a great pain in breathing : and through all the parts of his body such a violent cramp , as no human strength was able to endure . yet longing after life , he sent for physicians from all parts , by whose advice he went to the hot baths at calliroe : but finding no ease by the use thereof , and his torments still encreasing , he endeavoured to lay violent hands upon himself , had he not been prevented by his friends about him ; and so at last ( having had some foretastes of the torments of hell ) in extream anguish he ended his wretched life . . herod the less , surnamed antipas , having married the daughter of aretas , king of arabia , after a while , put her away , and took herodias , who had forsaken her husband philip , herod's brother : for which incestuous , and adulterous marriage , john the baptist plainly reproved him , saying , it is not lawful for thee to have her , matth. . . hereupon , at the instigation of herodias , he first cast john into prison , and afterwards cut off his head. but the lord suffered not this wicked murther to go long unpunished : for aretas , raising an army against herod , for his ignominious dealing with his daughter , in a pitch'd battle , wholly overthrew him , and cut off his whole host. and not long after herod falling into disgrace with augustus , the roman emperor , he , together with his incestuous herodias , were banished to vienne in france , where they ended their wretched lives with much shame and misery . . after this there arose a third herod , surnamed agrippa , who ( not taking warning by his predecessors calamities ) fell to persecuting the church of christ , and conventing james the brother of john , before him , he condemned him to be beheaded : and seeing the death of james pleased the jews , he took peter also , and delivered him to four quaternians of soldiers to keep him in prison , intending after the passover to put him to death , acts . . &c. but neither did this bloody persecuting herod escape any better than his predecessors had done : for upon a great festival day , he being arraied in glittering and royal apparel , sat upon his throne , and made an oration to the people , which being ended , the people gave a shout , saying , it is the voice of a god , and not of a man : whereupon the angel of god's immutability smote him , and he was eaten of worms , and gave up the ghost , in the fifty fourth year of his age , and the seventh of his reign under claudius caesar. . now the sins of the jews being ripe , especially that heynous sin of persecuting the prophets , and messengers of god ; cried aloud for judgment ( according as christ had foretold them ) matth. . , , . &c. behold ( saith he ) i send unto you prophets , and wise men , and scribes , and some of them you shall kill and crucifie , and some of them ye shall scourge in your synagogues , and persecute them from city to city , that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of the righteous abel , unto the blood of zacharias , son of barachias , whom ye slew between the temple and the altar : verily i say unto you all these things shall come upon this generation . and that you may know more particularly what those judgments were , our saviour christ sets them down , matth. , . your house is left unto you desolate : and more plainly , chap. . , . then shall be great tribulation , such as was not from the beginning of the world to this time : no , nor ever shall be : and except those dayes should be shortened , their should no flesh ( to wit , of the jews ) be saved : but for the elects sake those dayes shall be shortened . . these predictions of our saviour were fulfilled by the roman armies under vespasian , and titus his son : for besides the afflictions which befel them in divers other countries , being tossed up and down by the roman deputies , there were slain in caesarea twenty thousand in one day : at alexandria fifty thousand another day : at zabulon and joppa eight thousand and four hundred : at damascus ten thousand had their throats cut . in the siege of jerusalem , they were so miserably pinched with famine , that oxen's dung was accounted good meat : others fed upon old leather , and some women boiled their own children , and did eat them . many hoping to save their lives by flying to the romans , had their bowels ript up , to search for gold and jewels in their stomacks and guts : two thousand of them thus perished in one night . ninty seven thousand of them were taken prisoners ( besides what fell under the sword ) when jerusalem was taken by storm , and eleven hundred thousand perished by the sword , famine , and pestilence , during the siege , and at the taking of the city . some of the prisoners were carried to rome to grace their triumph : others were slain in divers places at the conquerors will : some were torn in pieces and devoured by wild beasts : others were compelled to march in troops against their fellows , and to kill one another to make the spectators sport . the reliques of this wretched people were dispersed into all nations under heaven , having no magistrates of their own to protect them ; but were , and still are altogether at the will and discretion of the lords of those countries where they sojourn : so that no nation under heaven is so vile and contemtible as the jews . . yet here was not an end of their misery : for in the reign of the emperor trojan , these wretched people rebelled against the romans in egypt and cyprus , and falling upon the inhabitants , used unheard-of cruelties towards them ; whereupon trajan sent against them martius turbo , who slew many thousands of them . and fearing lest the jews in mesopotamia should break forth into the like outrages , he commanded lucius quintus to destroy them utterly , who so diligently executed his will , that the emperor , to recompence his service , made him president of judaea . dion . . after him adrian the emperour sent severus his general against these wretched jews , who ( by reason of their multitude ) would not trie it out in a pitched battle , but proceeding more warily , and taking his opportunities , he by degrees , took fifty of their strong castles , razed nine hundred and fourscore of their best towns , and slew five hundred and eighty thousand of them : besides multitudes that perished by famine , diseases and fire , so that almost all judea was made desolate : he also by an edict prohibited the jews from coming near to jerusalem , or from any high place to look towards the same . dion . . salmaticensis testifieth that this adrian destroyed twice as many jews as moses brought out of egypt . that he razed jerusalem , and not far from it , built another city , which after his own name he called aelia , and over the gates of it he placed statues of swine , which were faithful porters to prohibit the superstitious jews from entrance . . st. hierom tells us , that in his time , on that day wherein jerusalem was taken by the romans , you might see decrepit women , and old ragged women , and old ragged men , and many wretched people ( but pitied of none ) with blubbered cheeks , black arms , dishivelled hair , howling , and lamenting for the desolations of their sanctuary , in their bodies and habits , bearing and wearing the sad characters of divine vengeance , of whom also the soldiers exacted their fees for granting them liberty of farther weeping : so that they who formerly sold the blood of christ and his members , were then fain to buy their own tears . gods judgments on persecutors during the ten primitive persecutions under the heathen emperors . . nero ( that monster of men ) that raised the first bloody persecution against the christians , caused them to be clad in the skins of wild beasts , and torn in pieces with dogs : others he crucified : of some he made bone-fires to light him in his night-sports . in brief , such horrible cruelties he used against them , as made them to be pitied of their very enemies . but god at last found out this wretched persecutor . for being adjudged by the roman senate to be an enemy to mankind , he was condemned to be whip'd to death ; to avoid which shameful end , he cut his own throat . . domitian the author of the second persecution against the christians , grew to that prodigious height of pride , that he would be adored as a god : but god raised up his own houshold servants against him , who ( by the consent of his wife ) slew him with daggers in his privy chamber . his body was buried without honour : his memory accursed to all posterities , and his arms , and ensigns were thrown down and defaced . . trajan , though a prudent prince , and good civil magistrate , yet by the instigation of satan and his instruments , raised the third persecution against the church : for which the vengeance of god , and his heavy hand fell upon him . for first he fell into a grievous palsie : then lost the use of his senses : and lastly fell into a dropsie , and dyed in great anguish and misery . . adrian , who raised the fourth persecution , causing ten thousand christians to be crucified in armenia , and afterwards stirred up a hot and cruel persecution against them in other places , was stricken by god with an issue of blood from his lungs which exceedingly disquieted and weakened him : then he fell into a consumption of the lungs , which he spat out continually : and in the mean time he was afflicted with an insatiable dropsie , whereupon , finding himself so variously tormented , he would have taken poison ; or cut his throat with a knife : but his friends preventing him , he was forced to die a lingering and painful death . . marcus antonius verus , who continued the fourth persecution , exercising exceeding great cruelties against the christians in all parts of his empire , especially at lions , and viene in dalphine : for which cause , the lord struck him with a grievous apoplexy , of which , after he had lain speechless three days , he dyed . . comodus the emperor , who continued also this fourth persecution against the christians , was given over to such abominable wickedness , that he kept three hundred concubines , and as many boys for unnatural and delectable uses : and for his cruelty was poisoned by his friend marcia , which caused him to fall into extreme and deadly vomiting , in which he was slain by narcissus , one of his chamberlains . . severus , the author of the fifth persecution , never prospered after he began the same , but fell into diverse calamities : and at length was stricken by god with such an extreme pain through all the parts of his body , that being in misery therewith , he would fain have poisoned himself ; but being prevented by his friends , he dyed a languishing and painful death . . under him , claudius herminianus , governour of cappadocia ( out of hatred to his wife who was a christian ) extremely persecuted , and afflicted many of gods children : he was stricken by god with a pestilential carbuncle , and had vermine bred in his bowels which devoured him alive , after a most horrible manner , which extorted a confession from him , that those plagues fell justly upon him for his persecuting the christians . . maximianus the empreor , who raised the sixth persecution against the people of god , especially against the pastors of the church , was himself together with his son slain by his own soldiers . . decius who raised the seventh persecution , labouring by all means utterly to destroy the church of christ , exercising all the cruelty and torments that the wit of man could invent against them . for this cause god raised up the scythians against him , who in a bloody battel , routed and overthrew his army , and himself , and son were cruelly slain : or as others say , to avoid falling into his enemies hands , he leap'd his horse into a whirlpit , after which his body was never found . . presently after the death of this tyrant , a grievous plague and pestilence fell upon the bloody persecuting gentiles in every of the roman provinces , which lasting ten years together , made such havock among them , as is horrible to hear , and almost incredible to believe . and it was observed , that where the emperors edicts had been put in execution with most severity , there it raged most , insomuch that many places became utterly desolate . . gallus the emperor who continued the seventh persecution , was himself with his son slain by one of his own captains . . valerian the emperor , in the beginning of his reign was very mild towards the christians : but afterwards ( being stirred up by the devil and his instruments ) proved a terrible persecutor of them in all his dominions : but not long after , he was overthrown by the persians in a bloody battel ; wherein himself was taken prisoner , being seventy years old , and made so vile a slave , that sapores the king of persia , used his back as a block whereby to mount on horse-back , and afterward he caused him to be flayed alive , and powdered with salt , so that he dyed in cruel torments . eusebius . . claudius a president , and one of his ministers of cruelty , was possessed by the devil , and so grievously tormented , that biting off his tongue in small bits , he dyed miserably . this was the eighth persecution . . aurelian who raised the ninth persecution , being about to send out an edict for renewing the persecution against the christians , as he was about to sign it , a thunderbolt fell at his feet , which so terrified him , that for the present he forbore : but afterward , renewing it again , god stirred up his servants to cut his throat . niceph. eutropius . . dioclesian the author of the tenth persecution , first used all politick ways to cause all the christians in his armies to renounce their faith. then by proclamation he commanded all their churches to be beaten down ; their bibles to be burnt , or torn in pieces : that all christians in any office should be ejected : that christian bondmen who would forsake their profession should be made free : but when , notwithstanding this , he saw that the number of christians still increased , being satiated with blood , he resigned , and gave over the empire : but shortly after god struck him with diverse and strange diseases : his house was burnt down by lightning from heaven : and himself was so affrighted with a dreadful thunder that he ran mad , and killed himself . ruffinus . . maximinian also , his fellow-emperor raged exceeding cruelly , and outragiously against the christians . for when twenty thousand of them , upon a solemn festival day , were assembled in a temple at nicomedia , to serve god , he caused it to be environed with some bands of soldiers , to be set on fire , and to be burnt with all that was in it . and a city of christians in phrygia , taking it after a long siege , he caused it to be burnt , and razed to the ground , with all that were in it . but shortly after god struck him with a grievous and incurable disease , wherein vermin bred abundantly in his body , which was accompanied with such an horrible stink , that , not being able to endure it , he hanged himself . . maximinus that next succeeded in the eastern empire , was a cruel and implacable persecutor of the saints . for which god struck him with an uncoth and loathsome disease . in his privy members there grew a sudden putrefaction , and at the bottom of the same there arose a botchy corrupt bile , with a fistula consuming and eating up his entrails , out of which came swarming and innumerable company of lice , which was attended with such a pestiferous stink as none were able to abide it . and being a corpulent man , all his fat so putrified , and stank so horribly , that some of his physicians , not being able to endure it , he commanded to be slain : and others of them were cruelly put to death , because they could not cure him . but at last being told that it was gods just revenging hand upon him for persecuting his people , he seemed to relent , and commanded the persecution to cease : and god was pleased in some measure to ease him of his grievous torments . but about six months after , he sent forth a new proclamation for the utter rooting out of the very name of christians , whereupon his disease returned again , and assaulted him in greater extremity than before ; so that his body being all rotten and full of corruption and worms , he dyed an accursed and miserable death . chrysostom saith , that the apples of his eyes fell out before he dyed . . galerius a chief instrument of the persecution under dioclesian fell into a grievous disease : in the nether part of his belly there arose a spreading sore which consumed his privy members , from whence there crawled abundance of worms , bred of the putrefaction , which neither chyrurgeons , nor physicians could cure . this made him to acknowledge that it was a just hand of god upon him for his cruelty to the christians , and so he dyed miserable ▪ or as others write , he flew himself . languets chron. . licinius the eastern emperor , a bloody and merciless enemy to the christians , was in two great battels overthrown by constantine the great , and slain by his soldiers . . antiochus , who passed sentence upon agapetus , a godly young man , that was but fifteen years old , fell down suddenly as he sate upon the seat of judicature , crying out , that all his bowels burned within him , and so he dyed in great torment . . mamuca , a saracen , being a cruel persecutor of the people of god , like unto pharoah , met also with the like stroke of gods vengeance . for as he was returning by sea , with his army in a hundred ships , from the slaughter of the christians , god sent such a storm upon them , that few or none of them escaped drowning . paulus diaconus . lib. . c. . julian , surnamed the apostate , was first a christian , yet afterward became a heathen , and proved one of the most dangerous and deadly persecutors that ever the christian church had . first , he began to undermine the christian religion by policy , and afterwards proceeded to downright blows , letting loose the gentiles , and his governours upon the christians , wherein neither arian , nor orthodox is spared from imprisonment , banishment , tortures , and what not ? and when complaints were made hereof to the emperour , he answered , that their religion taught them to bear all patiently . he would not endure that christians children should be trained up in humane learning , because he saw the christians did beat the gentiles with their own weapons , and made philosophy an instrument to serve divinity : he took away the ministers maintenance , thereby destroying not so much presbiters , as the presbytery . but whilest he was thus busie against the church : he was called to an expedition against the persians : whereupon he made a solemn protestation , that when he returned from this war , he would utterly root out christianity , and so proceeding in his journey , he beat the enemy to a confused retreat ; whereupon , that he might pursue them with the more speed , he threw off his armor , but as he was posting on , he was met by a dart , or arrow that pierced through his arm , and entred into his side , and whilest he endeavoured with the other hand to draw it out , he received another wound , and thereupon fell from his horse , and receiving his blood , gushing from his wound into his hands , he threw it up into the air , saying , vicisti galilaee , vicisti : o thou galilaean ( so he called christ in scorn ) thou hast overcome me : and nazianzen saith , that his body was carried away in a tempest , without lamentation , and without burial . gods judgments upon persecuting hereticks . . arius the first great disturber of the peace of the christian church , was sent for by constantine the great , who asked him what the matter was that where-ever he went , still tumults and slaughters followed him . and whether he did really agree with the nicene faith ? arius did professedly avow that he did full agree thereto . the emperor commanded him to set the same down in writing under his hand , which he did in the emperors presence . then the emperor required his oath to manifest that he was reall in the same : and he readily made oath , that what he had written , was according to the truth , and that it was his reall judgment and opinion . the emperor now having his subscription and oath , was satisfied , and would have him first to communicate with the orthodox church at constantinople , that he might be the better qualified for communion with the church at alexandria , where athanasius had mightily opposed him : and accordingly he wrote to alexander the bishop of constantinople to receive arius into communion . . alexander , laying aside all further disputes ( by which hitherto he had mightily opposed the arian party ) betook himself wholly to prayer , wherein he continued fervently for diverse days and nights : but more especially that next day before the lords day , wherein arius was to be admitted to the sacrament : the sum of which prayer was this , it must needs be thus , o lord , that arius must communicate with this people to morrow . let thy servant , o lord , now depart in peace , and never see that day : and destroy not thou the righteous with the wicked : but if thou wilt spare thy church , ( as thou wilt spare it ) remember the words of eusebius ( an arian bishop ) and give not over thine inheritance to destruction and contempt , and take arius out of the way , lest he being admitted into communion , heresie should seem also to be received into communion with the truth , and wickedness be accounted godliness . this eusebius , bishop of nicomedia at constantinople had now the whole conduct of the matter concerning arius , and sent word to alexander that unless he would receive arius into communion , he would banish him from constantinople , and put another into his place that should do the work. but eusebius for all his threats , missed his expectation . for the lords day being come , arius with the emperors authority , marched forth in state out of the emperors hall , with eusebius and other bishops in his train : and passing along the streets in pomp ( a strange manner of address to the sacrament ) came to the common market place , where a sudden fear fell upon him , and therewithal , he was surprised with a flux , which enforced him to retire into a house appointed for such a purpose , and there suddenly his speech failed him : his excrements and blood ran out , his belly brake , his guts fell out , and his spleen and liver followed . the people staying long in expectation of him , and he not coming , they entred the house , and found the sad spectacle of him lying dead in that manner . constantius , one of the sons of constantine was himself an arian , and a great favourer of diverse arian bishops , by whom ( by his countenance and authority ) the orthodox christians were grievously persecuted . and thus this emperor , who would be stiled eternal emperor , and yet would not allow christ to be eternal god , and instead of being exceeding great , became odious to all good men , was abhorred by his own soldiers : and lastly was loathed by himself ; he saw his honour buried before he dyed : became a tormentor to himself by jealousies , fears and vexations , and these brought on a fear , which soon put a period to his life . . in the reign of julian , one george an arian bishop of alexandria , having raged exceedingly against the orthodox : yet would also shew his zeal against the heathen temples , which did so vex and exasperate the gentiles , that they , taking advantage of julian's coming to the crown , rose in a tumult , and seized upon bishop george , tyed him to a camels tail , and dragged him through the streets of alexandria , and then they burnt both bishop and camel in one fire . and thus god rendred to this heretical bishop a recompence for all his villanies , and outrages done to the orthodox . . valence , another arian emperor , was a great countenancer and encourager of the heresie , and a persecutor of the orthodox ; insomuch as when athanasius was dead in alexandria , the persecution broke in like a torrent , so that no man could stand before it : the orthodox churches both in city and country were swallowed up , and destroyed by it . yet this flood stopped not there , but brake ( as it were ) out of the world into the wilderness among the monks , where this persecution raged most of all , till the heathen goths paid the debt of the people of god , by the death of the emperor valence , somewhat like that of julian , saving that after his wounds received in the battle , with much ado he got into a town for succor , wherein , together with the whole town , he was by the pursuing goths burnt alive . . another constantine , a monothelite , being a cruel persecutor of the orthodox , was slain by one of his own servants as he was washing himself in a bath . hist. magd. gensericus , an arian king of the vandals , used a great deal of cruelty against the orthodox ; and in the end , he was possessed by an evil spirit , and dyed miserably . p. melan. chron. . hunricus , a son to a king of the vandals , being an arian , was a merciless persecutor of the orthodox , banishing five thousand of them at one time , among whom , some of them being unable to travel , he caused cords to be tyed to their legs , and to drag them through stony and rough places , whereby many of them perished . but not long after , god struck him with venomous biles all over his body , and in the end he was consumed by lice . h. magd. anastasius the emperor , a patron of the eutychian heresie , was a bloody persecutor of godly christians , and was slain by a thunderbolt . . arcadius the emperour , having by the perswasion of eudoxia , his empress , who was a violent arian , banished chrysostom from constantinople : the very next night there was such a terrible earthquake , that the emperor and all the people being extremely frighted , sent one post after another to fetch him back again . . theodoricus , an arian king of the goths , persecuted the sound christians with all rigor and hostility , among whom he slew two noble senators , symmachus , and boetius ; but not long after the lord stroke him with madness : and as he was sitting at his table , he had the head of a great fish set before him , which he imagined to be the head of symachus , whom he had slain , and thereupon he fell into such fear and astonishment , that he soon after dyed . evagri . . ehe arian vandals in africk were cruel persecutors of the orthodox , whereupon justinian the emperor sent against them his brave general belizarius , who overthrew them in several battels , took gilimer their king prisoner , and wholly subverted the empire of the vandals in africk , after they had reigned there by the space of ninety years , wherein , for the most part they had been merciless persecutors of the true christians . gods judgements upon popish persecutors . . about the year some popish bishops in bohemia , stirred up the queen , who was then great with child , to move the king uladislaus , severely to punish the piccards , as the godly christians were then called : and the queen much pleased her self in thinking what grateful spectacles she should have , when she should see some of them burnt , others beheaded , and others drowned in the river : but it pleased god that before she could see it effected , she fell in travel , and could by no means be delivered of her burden ; whereupon the physicians advised that the child should be cut out of her womb , which being done accordingly , the child lived , but the mother dyed . . two years after , the bishops by their importunity prevailed with the king to use sharp remedies against those growing evils , as they called them : whereupon an edict was drawn up , that all the piccards in the kingdom , without distinction of age , sex , or quality should be slain . this was brought to the assembly of states , then met at prague , to be confirmed by them . many of the nobles opposed it ; but by the subtilty of the chancellor , and his associats , it was at last agreed upon by the major part : and the chancellour as he returned homeward from the parliament , visited a nobleman of his acquaintance , and told him with much joy , what they had resolved upon . the nobleman had a servant standing by , who was a great favourer of the brethren , he asked him , how he liked this decree ? the servant answered , that sure all parties were not agreed . the chancellour , suspecting some secret treachery , asked him , who durst oppose the states of the kingdom ? the servant answered , there is one in heaven , who , if he were not present at your counsels , you have consulted but in vain . the chancellour replyed , thou knave , thou shalt find that , as well as the rest : and so , rising up in a fury , immediately a carbuncle arose upon his foot , which turned to a disease called ignis sacer , whereby he dyed in much misery . . another who was a great stickler in promoting this decree , in his return home-wards , as he was alighting out of his chariot to make water , struck his member on a sharp nail that was in the boot , whereby , as he went forward , he drew out his entrails , and not long after gave up the ghost . also one dr. austin , who by slanderous libels had stirred up the king to this persecution , dyed suddenly as he sate at supper . . another noble-man who promoted the aforesaid decree , as he was a hunting , his horse threw him , and his own arrow ran into his thigh , and came out at his loins , whereby he dyed a very painful death . and many others of them met with the like judgments from god , whereupon it grew into a proverb : if you be a weary of your life , attempt something aganst the piccards , and you shall not escape a year to an end . . the year after two german tradesmen were apprehended at prague , and by the monks there , were accused of lutheranism , for which they were condemned and burnt : but one of their chief persecutors , who wished that all the piccards were hanged , burned , or beheaded by his hands ' it pleased god that all these evils befell himself : for , being exceedingly in debt , for very vexation , he hanged himself : and when his friends had buried him privately , the common people , hearing of it , dig'd up his carcass , and threw it away , which , by the magistrates command , was ordered to be burnt : but when the wood was consumed . and the body only scorched , his head was by one stricken off . . as john huss was going to constance , there was one stanislaus znoma , a bohemian , who , as he was travelling toward the council to accuse him , was stricken by god with a deadly impostume whereof he dyed in his journey . this huss though he had the emperors safe conduct , was condemned and burnt there : shortly after whose death the bohemians rose in arms under their undaunted general zisca , and had admirable successes against the emperor , and popish party . for they maintained war against the emperor sigismund by the space of seventeen years together , wherein he spent an infinite treasure , lost many brave armies , and gallant men . and during these wars a thousand monasteries were overthrown and destroyed , many stately castles demolished , and cities plundered and burnt , which was gods just revenging hand upon him for his perfidiousness . . in the late bohemian persecution , one dr. knapper , a great . persecutor of the godly protestants , was slain by conspiracy of his own wife , who was an adulteress ; for which she was hanged . . another of those persecutors vomited out his ungodly soul together with his blood. . another ran mad , and threw himself down from his own house , and so roaring fearfully , breathed his last . . another shot himself dead with his own pistol . . another ran mad , and withal fell into so loathsome a disease , that none could endure his stink , and at last he was choaked in vomiting up of abundance of blood. . another was seized with a strange disease , wherein his body turned as black as a coal , and he uttered his speech like the barking of a dog , and within the space of three days , dyed in terrible pains . . another by the breaking of a great gun was torn all to pieces . . another was taken with a terrible disease in the throat , so that his tongue rotted in his mouth , and many holes were eaten in his throat , by which both food , and physick came forth , so that he dyed in much misery . . ladislaus king of bohemia , together with diverse other popish princes had conspired together , utterly to root out the protestants in that kingdom , which should have been put in execution at the time of the kings marriage : but a little before , in the middle of his great preparations , he fell sick , and within the space of six and thirty hours , he dyed of a pestilent sore in his groin . . in france , minerius governour of provence was sent with an army by the king against those ancient christians , the waldenses , who used much cruelty against them , burning some , killing others , driving others into woods , and mountains , whereby they perished of famine , and depopulated whole towns and villages . not long after the lord smote him with a terrible disease , so that he felt like a burning fire within him from the navel upward : and his lower parts rotted and were consumed with vermin , which mortification was attended with a grievous stink : he had also a profusion of blood instead of his urine , and in those extreme torments , he ended his wretched life . . simon monfort , earl of leicester , was a cruel persecutor of the godly albingenses under the king of france , and by the instigation of the pope ; but as he was besieging some of them in tholous , his head was stricken off by a stone , which a woman let flye out of an engine . . lewis , king of france , besieging avignion , a city of the albingenses , vowed that he would never depart till he had taken it : but suddenly after , god sent a dreadful pestilence into his army , which daily wasted great numbers of his men : and the king himself was forced to quarter at a distance in an abby , to avoid the infection , where shortly after he dyed out of his wits . . truchetus an old expert captain was imployed by the duke of savoy against the waldenses , who were a naked and unarmed people : but whilest he was prosecuting of them , he was first sore wounded with stones , and afterwards , slain with his own sword by a poor shepherd , who was keeping cattel in the field . . the lord of revest , chief president of the parliament at aix in france , put many godly persons to death : but shortly after , himself was put out of his office , and was stricken by god with such an horrible disease as made him run mad , that none of his friends durst come near him , and so he perished miserably . . after him succeeded in his office one bartholomew cassinaeus , who proved also a pestilent persecutor , whom the lord struck with a fearful and sudden death . . johannes de roma , a monk was a bloody and implacable persecutor of the waldenses . his manner was to fill boots with boiling oil and put their legs into them , tying them backward over a form , their legs hanging down over a soft fire , and afterwards cruelly to put them to death , and seized upon their goods . but not long after his own servants rob'd him of those ill-gotten goods : and he fell into a horrible disease unknown to any phisician ; the pains and torments whereof did so incessantly vex him , that he could , by no means have one minutes rest , neither could any endure to come near him by reason of his horrible stink . his body was full of sores and ulcers , which swarmed with vermin , so that rotting , his flesh fell of by piece-meal . in which torment he often cryed out , o! who will deliver me , who will kill me , and deliver me out of these intollerable torments ? and so languishing in anguish and despair , he ended his cursed life . . john martin , another great enemy to the waldenses , used to boast every where that he would slit the nose of one of their chief ministers : but before he could effect it , a wolf meeting him , bit off his nose , whereupon he ran mad , and died miserably . . the cardinal of lorrain , a principal pillar of the house of guise , a crafty and cruel persecutor of the people of god , as he was coming from rome with a purpose of stirring up the kings of france and poland utterly to root out the protestants in their dominions : it pleased god to work so ▪ wonderfully for his peoples safety , that by the way he fell mad at avignion , and dyed in the flower of his youth . at the instant of whose death , there fell out such a dreadful tempest as made all to be amazed at it . . bellemont , a counsellor of the parliament of provence , was so hasty to condemn the poor people of god , that he went not from the judgment hall from morning till night , causing his dinners to be brought to him . but whilest he was so busie in this way of persecution , there began a little sore to rise upon his foot , which quickly grew red , and full of pain , and so encreased the first day , that by judgment of chyrurgeons , there was no hope of cure but by cutting off his foot , which he refusing , they used all other means they could devise , yet the second day the whole leg was infected , and the third day his whole thigh , and the fourth day his whole body , upon which day he dyed . his dead body was all over parched as if it had been roasted by a fire . . a judge of the city of aix , who was a great persecutor of the protestants , drowned himself in the river . a chief judge , who was a principal instrument in condemning the waldenses in merindol , and cabriers , died suddenly , not living to see his bloody sentence executed . . john cranequin , a lawyer of bourges , who was a great informer against the people of god , to bring them into the cruel inquisition , was stricken by god with a marvellous strange phrensie , so that whatever he saw seemed to him to be crawling serpents : and having in vain used all sorts of medicines , yea , and wicked sorcery too , at length was quite bereaved of his senses , and so ended his wretched life in much misery . . chancellour prat , who put up the first bill in the parliament of france , against those of that religion , and gave out the first commissions for the putting of them to death ; dyed himself not long after , fearfully swearing , and blaspheming the name of god , and had his stomach gnawn in pieces by worms in a strange manner . . john morin , a mighty enemy to the professors of the truth , who made it his whole business to apprehend and accuse them , dyed himself in most grievous , and horrible torments . . the chancellor oliver , who had been himself a professor of the truth , apostatizing from the same , was restored to his office , in which he spared not to shed much innocent blood : but whilest he was thus busied ▪ a fearful judgment befel him ( as was foretold by some of those innocents whom he condemned ) for falling into extreme terrors of conscience , he betook himself to his bed , sighing and sobing without intermission , and breathing forth murmurings against god ; yea , his horrors were so violent that he shaked the bed under him , as if a young man with all his strength had done it . and a certain cardinal coming to visit him , he could not endure his sight , crying out , that it was that cardinal that had brought him to damnation . he continued long under these dreadful torments , and dyed at last in despairing fear and anguish . . poncher , arch-bishop of tours , who condemned many godly persons to the fire , was himself seized upon with a fire from god ; which , beginning at his heel , could by no means be cured , till one member after another being cut off , he dyed in much misery . . an austin friar called lambert , a dr. and prior in the city of lieg , and one of the bloody inquisitors , as he was one day preaching bitterly against the protestants , was stricken speechless , and being carried out of his pulpit into his cloister , he was shortly after found drowned in a ditch . , augustine marlorat , a learned , painful , and holy preacher in roan , was condemned to be hang'd , and drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution : the constable of france loaded him with a thousand reproaches and outrages , as also did monsieur monbrun , the constables son , who shortly after was slain in the battel of dreux : also one villibon gave him a switch with a wand , adding many reproachful speeches therewith , which marlorat bore with admirable patience and meekness : and when he was executed and dead , the malice of his adversaries rested not there : for one of the soldiers struck on his legs with his sword : but speedy vengeance from god pursued his persecntors : for the popish captain that apprehended him was slain within three weeks after , by the basest soldier in all his company : and two of his judges dyed very strangely soon after ; namely , the president of the parliament , by a flux of blood , which could by no art , nor means be stopped : the other being a counsellor , voided his urine at his fundament , which was accompanied with such an intollerable stink , that none could endure to come near him . villebon also who switched him , sped no better . for a while after the marshal vielle ville , coming to roan about publick affairs , invited villebon to dinner , and in discourse , lamenting the miseries of that city , he exhorted him to reform many abuses , seeing he was the kings lievtenant there . villebon took this so ill , that he said , if any man dare tax me for not behaving my self as i ought in my place , i would tell him to his face that he lyed . these words he repeated over so often , that the marshal being much urged , struck at him with his sword , with such violence , that , had he not received the blow with his arm , his head had been clest to the teeth . thus for the present he escaped with the loss of that hand wherewith he had stricken marlorat in so disgraceful a manner at the place of execution . . a young gentlewoman of about three and twenty years old , came from gascoine to paris , to join her-self to the protestant church there : and after a while , she among others , was apprehended , imprisoned , and condemned to be burnt , which she endured with admirable patience and constancy , but presently two of them that bore witness against her , falling out , the one slew the other with a knife . . gharles cominck who had been a friar in the city of gaunt , after his conversion , was apprehended , and condemned , but after his execution , one of his greatest adversaries , who had a chief hand in his death , fell into such grievous horrors and terrors of conscience , that he dyed within a few days . . dr. aegidio , a godly preacher in sevil , being brought into the inquisition , and used miserably by them , before they proceeded to condemn him , it pleased god , that three of the inquisitors , who were his greatest adversaries , dyed , by which good providence , he was released , and lived some years after . . the emperor ferdinand the second , was a great persecutor of the protestants in bohemia and germany , who after his victory over frederick , prince palatine , and the bohemian states , made it his work to root out the protestant religion in those countries , and turned them into a very shambles of blood , sparing neither age , sex , nor rank that refused to abjure the truth . but whilest he was in his full carier , god brought in against him a contemptible people [ the swedes , ] under whose swords most of those bloody wretches fell ; who were the bohemian scourges , so that much of germany , and of the emperors country was a very aceldama , a field of blood. the emperor 's great army , consisting of twenty four thousand , that had given laws to germany for many years together , and were looked upon as so many captains by reason of their long practice and experience , was broken in the plain field . and the emperor himself being broken with breach upon breach , was forced to such terms as the enemies could be drawn to . examples of gods judgments upon popish persecutors in england , and scotland . . sir thomas moor , and fisher , bishop of rochester , who were great persecutors of the protestants in the reign of king henry the eighth , were themselves not long after condemned for treason , and beheaded . . philips , who betrayed mr. tindal to the emperors secretary , fell into a grievous disease , and was caten up of lice . . pavier , the town-clerk of london , a cruel enemy to the true professors of the gospel , swore a great oath , that if he thought the king would set forth the scriptures in english , rather than he would live to see it , he would cut his own throat . but he brake promise ( saith the author ) for instead thereof he hanged himself . foxford , chancellour to stokesley , bishop of london , a bloody persecutor , and the common butcher of gods saints , dyed suddenly , sitting in his chair , his belly breaking , and his guts falling out before him . . rockwood , who was a great stirrer up of the persecution against gods people in calis , suddenly fell sick , staring , raging , and crying out , all to late : for i have maliciously sought the death of many godly persons , and that against mine own conscience : and therefore all to late ; all to late : and thus he continued unto his end . . the under marshal also , who at the same time was a persecutor , fell down dead in the council chamber , and never spake word after . . adam damlip , a godly preacher in calis , was falsly accused of treason , for which he was condemned , and executed ; and when he would have purged himself , sir ralph ellerker would not suffer him to speak , but commanded him to be carried away to execution , saying , that he would not depart till he saw the traitors heart out : but shortly after , in a skirmish against the french , this ellerker was slain , and after they had stripped him naked , they cut off his privy members , and pulled out his heart , which they did not to any other of the slain . . dr. story , a bloody persecutor in queen marys days , when queen elizabeth came to the crown , could not forbear to curse her dayly in his grace at board ; for which trayterous practice he was deservedly hanged . . john twiford , a furious papist , that used to set up stakes for them that were burnt in smithfield , dyed , rotting above ground , so that none could endure to come near unto him by reason of his horrible stink . . william gardiner , an english merchant , being present in lisbon at the marriage of the king of portugal's son with the king of spain's daughter , and seeing the abominable idolatry then used in the presence of the king ; and of all the states there assembled , he stepped to the cardinal , who was celebrating of mass , and plucked the cake out of his hand , and trampled it under his feet , and overthrew the chalice : for which , by most exquisite torments in a horrible manner they put him to death by degrees , and then burned him , a spark of whose fire , was driven by the wind a great way into one of the kings ships lying in the haven , and quite consumed it : and within half a year after the new married prince dyed ; and the year after the king himself dyed also . . cardinal woolsey , after much opposition against the light of the gospel which brake forth in his time , and much cruelty used against the professors of it , fell into disgrace with king henry the eighth , who sent for him up out of yorkshire , and in his journey ( suspecting the issue ) he took such a strong purge , as his rotten body not being able to bear , he dyed at the abby of lecester . his dead body was as black as pitch , and so heavy that six men could scarcely bear it , and it stank so intollerably that they were fain to hasten the burial of it in the night , at which time there was such an hiddeous tempest , as blew out all the torches , and the storm was accomponied with such a stink , that they were glad to throw him into his grave , and so to leave him . . judge morgan who passed sentence of condemnation upon the incomparable lady jane dudley , shortly after ran mad , and in his raving fits , cryed out continually to have the lady jane taken away from him , and so he continued till he dyed . . morgan , bishop of s. davids in wales , who condemned the blessed martyr mr. ferrar , and unjustly usurped his bishoprick , not long after was stricken by god in a most strange manner . for his food would not go down , but pick up again , sometimes at his mouth , sometimes blown out at his nose , most horrible to behold : and thus he continued a spectacle of gods displeasure , till he dyed . . mr. leyson also who was sheriff at the burning of mr. ferrar , having fetched away his cattle , and put them into his own grounds , diverse of them would never eat any meat , but continued bellowing and roaring till they dyed . . dr. duning , chancellour of norwich , who was a bloody persecutor in the reign of queen mary , was stricken suddenly as he sate in his chair , and dyed . . berry , commissary of norfolk , another bloody persecutor , as he was walking with one of his concubines , fell down suddenly with a heavy groan , and never stirr'd after . . a persecuting suffragan of dover , having been with cardinal pool for his blessing , coming out of the cardinal's chamber , fell down the stairs , and brake his neck . . bishop thornton , another cruel persecutor , as he was looking upon his men at bowls upon a sahbath-day , fell suddenly into a palsie , and being carried to his bed , and willed to remember the lord : yea , ( said he ) so i do : and my lord cardinal too : and so he dyed . . dr. jeffery , chancellour of salisbury ; a wretched persecutor , who had appointed to call before him ninety godly persons , and to examine them by inquisition , the day before , as he was looking upon his buildings , fell down suddenly and dyed . . thomas blaver , a privy counsellor to the king of scots , was a great persecutor of the faithful in that land : but being by god struck with sickness , he fell into despair , crying out that he was damned , and a cast-away : that he was damned without remedy . in which miserable condition he dyed without any sign of true repentance . . henry , arch-bishop of mentz , a godly , and religious man , was accused as being guilty of heresie to the pope , who sent two of his cardinals to examine the matter : and they most unjustly deposed him , and cast him out of his place , whereupon he said unto them : if i should from your unjust sentence appeal unto the pope , 't is like i should find no redress from him ; wherefore i appeal to the lord jesus christ , that just and righteous judge of all the world , and cite you to answer me before his judgment seat , for this unjust act of yours . to which they scoffingly answered , go you first , we will follow after . not long after this , the good arch-bishop dyed , which , when the cardinals heard of , they said jestingly one to another : behold , he is now gone before , and we must follow after according to our promise . and indeed shortly after they both dyed upon one day . the one , sitting upon a jakes voided out his entrails : the other , gnawing his own fingers , and having made himself deformed with devouring himself ; he dyed miserably . . about the year . there was at chipping sadbury a godly woman convented before the chancellour [ dr. whittington ] by whom she was condemned to be burnt . and against the day of her execution , multitudes of people flocked to the town , and among the rest , dr. whittington came to see her burnt . at the same time there was a butcher in another part of the town that was killing a bull : but the butcher , somewhat missing his blow , the bull broke loose just as the people were coming from seeing the execution of the martyr : the people , seeing the bull coming , divided themselves , and made a lane for him to pass through , the bull went through , without hurting , man , woman , or child , till he came to the place where the chancellour was , against whom he ran very furiously , and with his horns , hitting him on the belly , ran through it , and tearing out his guts with his horns , trailed them about the streets , to the great astonishment of all that beheld it . . at the burning of alexander goug , and alice driver , martyrs , there was one bate , a barber , that was a very busie man about burning them : but presently after gods severe judgment fell upon him , so that within three or four weeks after , he dyed in much misery . . in the reign of queen mary , one of the sheriffs of london , called mr. woodrose , used mr. bradford very churlishly at the time of his execution , as he had dealt with mr. rogers before . he used also to laugh , and make himself sport at the sufferings of these innocent persons , and used to beat away the people who were desirous to shake them by the hand before their death : but the lord ( who usually punisheth such bloody persecutors ) shortly after struck him with lameness upon one side , that he could never after turn him in his bed. he had also a dog-like appetite , that could never be satisfied with food : and in this misery he continued by the space of eight years , even till he dyed . . adam foster of mendlesham in suffolk , was apprehended by one thomas mouse , and george rivet for not coming to mass , and by them was carried before sir john tyrel , who sent him to the bishop of norwich . but it pleased god that mouse , was immediately after stricken with a grievous disease , whereof he shortly after dyed : and rivet ( not warned thereby , but ) persevering in his persecuting ways , had a great swelling that rose in his legs , which grievously vexed , and tormented him ; and at last , falling into a fearful disease , he dyed miserably , and in so impatient a manner , as terrified all that heard thereof . . george eagles , martyr , who was hanged at chelmesford in fssex , was cut down before he was dead , and sadly mangled by one william swallow , bayliff of chelmesford : his body being opened , they pulled out his heart , and quartered him , and set up his quarters in several places . but shortly after , gods terrible judgments fell upon this swallow , so that his hair fell from his head , his eyes were so closed that he could scarce see , the nails fell off from his fingers and toes , and a leprosie over-spread his whole body , and his estate so melted away that he fell into beggary , and dyed in much misery . , william seaman , thomas carman , and thomas hudson were apprehended in norfolk : their persecutor was sir john tyrel , who commanded his servants to search for seaman : one of their names was robert baldwin , a neighbour to seaman , and one in whom he put much confidence . yet this treacherous person ( to gratifie his mr. ) searched seamans house in the night , and finding him at home , carried him prisoner to his master . as they went in the way a strange light fell from heaven betwixt them : after which , this baldwin , though then in the flower of his age , never enjoyed good day , but pined away till he dyed . . mr. william brown , minister of little-stanham in suffolk , for preaching boldly , and faithfully against the mass , was persecuted by on robert bloomsield , constable there . but the terrible hand of god fell upon him , both by sickness , and consumption of his estate , so that , being rich before , he became poor . his wife also , and his son dyed of pining sickness . and though he thought to repair his estate , by marrying a rich widdow , yet god still blowed upon it . his body also was full of botches and sores , and being thus afflicted in body , and impoverished in his estate , he dyed in misery . . there was in lancashire , one justice leland , who was a great persecutor of the godly in those parts : he one day as he was sitting in his chair , and discoursing with his friends , fell down suddenly and dyed , never so much as once stirring after . . ralph lardin , the betrayer of george eagles aforementioned , was himself arraigned , condemned , and hanged . as he stood at the bar , he said publickly , this is justly faln upon me for betraying the blood of that just and holy man , george eagles , who , through my means was condemned , and i sold his life for a little money . . mr. swingfield , a deputy in thames-street , hearing that mrs. angel , a midwife , and a gracious woman , was at a gentlewomans labour in crooked-lane , taking three others with him , he beset the house , and apprehended her , and carried her unto some of bishop bonner's officers , who put her into lollards tower. this mrs. angel was great with child , and by reason of the fright , and a fall which she caught at her apprehension , she fell into labour the next day , and was delivered in prison , having no woman with her , to help her in her extremity . but within ten weeks after , deputy swingfield , and all the other three that came with him to assist him , all of them dyed . . there was one burton , the bayliff of crowland in lincolnshire , who in king edward the sixth's time , was a seemingly zealous protestant : but when queen mary came to the crown , he soon turned papist , and endeavoured to stir up his neighbours to introduce the mass. they , not being forward in it , the sabbath following this burton went to the church , and when the curate was beginning to read the english service , burton went to him , saying , sirrah , will you not say mass ? buckle your self to it , you knave , or by gods blood , i will sheath my dagger in your shoulders . the poor curate , being affrighted herewith , betook himself to read mass : but shortly after , as this burton , with one of his neighbours , rode together upon the fen-bank , a crow , ( with her usual note ) flew over his head , and voiding her excrements , it fell on his nose , and ran down upon his beard , and stank so horribly as set him a vomiting in a most violent manner : whereupon , hasting home , he betook himself to his bed , but could eat nothing : and the stink , and vomiting still continuing , with fearful oaths and execrations , he cursed the crow for thus poisoning of him ; and so continued in extreme torments till he dyed . . there was one james abbes burnt at bury for religion : as he went to the stake , some poor people met him , begging his alms , and because he had no money to give them , he plucked of his apparel , to his very shirt , and distributed it among them , exhorting them to be strong in the lord : and ( as faithful followers of jesus chlist ) to stand stedfast in the truth of the gospel , which , ( said he ) with gods assistance , i will now , in your sight , seal with my blood. whilest he was thus exhorting them , there came one of the sheriffs men , who , hearing what he said , cryed out to the people most blasphemously , saying , good people , believe him not , for 't is heresie that he speaketh . and as abbes continued his godly exhortations , so this wicked wretch belched out his blasphemous exclamations , till they came to the stake . as soon as the fire was kindled . gods fearful vengeance fell upon this wicked wretch ; who , immediately , in all the peoples sight , fell distracted , wherewith ( a little before ) he had charged this blessed servant of jesus christ : and in a furious manner , pulling off his cloaths , he said , thus did james abbes , the true servant of god , who is saved , but i am damn'd . and so he ran about the town , still crying out , james abbes was a good man , and is saved , but i am damn'd , hereupon his master caused him to be bound , clothed , and kept in a dark room , but as soon as the company was departed he tore off his cloths , still raging , and crying out , james abbes was the true servant of god , and is saved , but i am damned : and thus he continued till he dyed . . one dale , a promoter and persecutor in queen marys days , was eaten up by lice , and dyed miserably . alexander , the keeper of newgate , a merciless enemy to those that lay there for religion , and who used to go to bishop bonner , and his officers , crying out , rid my prison : rid my prison : i am too much pestered with these hereticks : by gods just judgment he fell into a grievous disease : his body was so much swoln that he was more like a monster than a man , and his entrails so rotted that none could endure the stink of him . and his son james , to whom he left a great estate , soon consumed it , saying in a jeering manner , ill gotten , ill spent . at last , as he went through newgate-market , he fell down suddenly and dyed . . also john peter , alexander's son in law , was an horrible blasphemer , and used upon every occasion to say , if it be not so , i pray god , i may rot before i dye . he was also very cruel to the poor servants of god in prison . and god paid him home in his own coin : for according to his imprecation , his body rottted away by piece-meal till he dyed . . one lever of brightwel in barkshire , , jeeringly said , that he saw that ill-favoured knave . latimer , when he was burned at oxford : and that he had teeth like an horse : but the lord suffered not this profane scoff to go unpunished . for about that very same hour wherein lever spake those words , his son hanged himself . . all ages have cause to admire , and adore the exemplary judgments of god poured out upon stephen gardiner , bishop of winchester , in queen marys days ; who upon the day wherein reverend latimer , and learned ridley were to be burnt at oxford , ( though some great peers came to dine with him that day , yet ) would not sit down to dinner , till one of his servants about four a clock in the afternoon , coming post from oxford , brought word that execution was done upon them . then did he hast to dinner , and was very merry , but ere he had eaten many bits , a sudden stroke of gods hand fell upon him , so that he was carried immediately to his bed , in which he continued for fifteen days in intollerable anguish and torments , rotting above ground , during all which time he could void nothing that he received , neither by stool , nor urine , his tongue also hung out of his mouth swoln , and black , and so he languished and pined away in great anguish and misery . . king james the fifth of scotland , by the instigation of the popish clergy , was a great persecutor of the truth that then brake forth in that kingdom : and for that end he gave commission to sir james hamilton , natural brother to the earl of arran , who was his treasurer , to call , and convent all that were suspected of heresie , and to inflict upon them the punishment , which , after tryal , they should be found to deserve : in execution of which commissiion he was most fierce and cruel , not sparing some that were of his near kindred . but when he was in his greatest heighth , and made it his work to suppress the gospel , one of his own friends , whom he pursued upon the account of religion , accused him of treason , and notwithstanding the mediation of the popish clergy for him , as their greatest patron , he was arraigned , condemned , executed , and quartered in the streets of edenburg . this king james also was heard to say , that none of that way should expect any favour at his hands , nay , nor his own sons if they should be found guilty . but shortly after , war breaking forth with england , he found his nobility averse to those incursions which he intended to make into england , which much vexed him . these thoughts , and some fearful visions which he had by night , terrified him exceedingly . for at linlithgow , on a night as he slept , it seemed to him that thomas scot , justice clerk , came unto him , with a company of devils , crying , wo worth the day that ever i knew thee , or thy service : for serving thee against god and his servants , i am now adjudged to hell torments . hereupon awaking , he called for lights , and told his servants what he had heard and seen . the next morrow , by the light of day , news was brought him of the death of the said justice clerk , which fell out just at the same time when the king had this vision , and almost in the same manner : for he dyed in great horror , often reiterating those words , by the righteous judgment of god , i am condemned . and this manner of his death , answering so exactly to the kings dream made it the more terrible . the king also had another dream in the same place a few nights after , which did more affright him . whilest he lay sleeping , he thought that sir james hamilton aforesaid , came unto him with a naked sword in his hand , and therewith cut off both his arms ; threatening to return within a short time , and to deprive him of his life . with this he awaked , and as he lay musing what this dream should import , news was brought him of the death of his two sons , james , and arthur , the one dying at s. andrews , the other at strivling , at one and the very same hour . the next year , which was . being overwhelmed with grief , he dyed at falkland in the two and thirtieth year of his age. a little before he dyed , word was brought him that his queen was delivered of a daughter ; whereupon he brake forth into a passion , saying : it came with a lass , ( meaning the crown ) and will go with a lass. fie upon it . . one friar campbell in scotland did bitterly rail upon that man of god , mr. patrick hamilton whilest he was burning at s. andrews : to whom mr. hamilton said with much earnestness : thou wicked man , thou knowest the contrary , and hast sometime made a profession of the truth : i appeal thee to answer it before the judgment seat of christ : a few days after campbel fell sick , and in great horror of conscience dyed distracted . . anno . there was in breda one peter coulogue , a godly man , who , by his popish adversaries was cast into prison , and his maid-servant daily carried him his food , confirming and comforting him out of the word of god as well as she was able ; for which they imprisoned her also . not long after peter was put to the torment of the rack , which he endured patiently . after him the maid was fetch'd to be racked , whereupon , she said ; my masters , wherefrre will ye put me to this torture , seeing i have no way offended you ? if it be for my faith-sake , ye need not torment me : for , as i was never ashamed to make a confession thereof , no more will i now be at this present before you ; but will if you please freely shew you my mind therein . yet for all this they would have her to the rack : whereupon she again said , if i must needs suffer this pain , pray you give me leave to call upon my god first . this they assented to ; and whilest she was fervently pouring out her soul unto god by prayer , one of the commissioners was surprised with such fear and terror that he fell into a swoon , out of which he could never be recovered , by which means the poor maid escaped racking . . in the reign of king henry the second of france , there was a godly tailor condemned to be burnt for religion , and some about the king would needs perswade him to be present , and to see the execution himself : and god gave the tailor such strength and conrage in the fire as astonished the king to behold it : and the poor tailor , having espied the king in a window where he sate , fixed his eyes so stedfastly upon him , as they were never off , and the king was thereby constrained to leave the window , and to retire into his chamber , and was so affected therewith , that he confessed the shadow of the taylor followed him whither soever he went , and for many nights after he was so terrified with the apparitions of the taylor , that he protested with an oath , that he would never hear , nor see any more of those lutherans burned . . in the late rebellion , and persecution of ireland , john nicholson , and anne his wife were received into the protection of one fitz-patrick , who would have perswaded them to change their religion and to go to mass : but they professed that before they would do that , they would dye upon the swords point . then he laboured to prevail with the woman to burn her bible , but she said , that before she would do it , she would dye the death : whereupon the sabbath morning following , they were both of them cruelly murthered : but he that acted that villany , was so tormented in conscience : and dogged with their apparitions , that he pined away and dyed . . in the late irish massacre , wherein the bloody papists spared none of what age , sex , or quality soever ; o! how visibly did the judgments of god follow them ? and for that savage blood-shed , gave them blood to drink in great measure : for mac-guir mac-mahun , and sir philem oneal , being taken prisoners , were publickly executed . most of the rest were consumed by the sword , either in their own countrey , or in foreign parts , and their spirits were generally so debased , and their courage emasculated , that a few english , or scottish soldiers would chase multitudes of them ; and gods judgments did so eminently follow them , that within a few years most of that cruel generation were rooted out . of gods judgments upon persecutors in germany , spain , and france . . the electoral house of saxony , upon the devesting of that brave and pious prince john frederick , the true heir , by the emperor charles the fifth , and the investing the younger house to usurp that honour , hath ever since proved a greater friend to the popish party , than to the purer church of the french , and helvetick confession . maurice that usurped the dutchy and electorate , upon the captivating of the said john frederick , his cousin , first ruined the princes of the smalcaldick union , to which himself had subscribed ; and then ( casting an ambitious eye upon the empire it self : ) broke his faith with the emperor that had raised him ; and having patched up the defection by the help of ferdinand of austria , king of bohemia ( afterwards emperor ) he lastly perished by a violent death in a pitch'd battel fought against his fellow-protestants . a just judgment of god upon him . . charles the fifth , having obtained the empire by the help and monies of our king henry the eighth , was the most potent emperor that ever germany had as long as he maintained the peace of religion : but having yielded to the popes instigations , and prospered a while in his intended extirpation of the truth , he found at last by sad experience , what his brave , and valiant general [ castaldus ] had foretold him , that these violent proceedings would in the end prove fatal to himself : for having first fled away at midnight , in a cold and rainy season from onspurch , for fear of the protestant army , he was afterward ( instead of setling his son philip in his imperial throne , as he had intended ) forced to surrender the empire to his brother ferdinand , who diverse years before had entred into a secret league with the protestant princes of germany , and so having lived a few years in a despised , and disconsolate condition , he at last ended his life most ingloriously in a monastery . . his son philip the second , king of spain , the most inveterate enemy of the gospel that ever lived , did not only erect shambles for gods saints in most of his large dominions , by his bloody inquisitors , but still aided the rebels in france , england , and ireland against their lawful sovereigns , and plotted to invade all other protestant dominions in christendom , so at last by one general carriage of them all , he and his holy father the pope , might have shared the christian world by a double monarchy , of the church and empire between them . but did this bloody prince prosper in these his ambitious and cruel designs ? nothing less . for what got he by his invading france by land , and england , and ireland by sea , and by his large pensions conferred upon the traitors and secret enemies of either states ? truly nothing . for having wasted about thirty millions of money upon those fruitless designs ; and not gained a foot of land in any of those realms , but the loss of a great part of the seventeen provinces , with whom , having broken his oath solemnly sworn to them in his inauguration , they ( by the aid of england and france ) freed themselves from his unjust oppression and tyranny . neither did the divine justice suffer him so to escape , but raised a fire in his own house . for whereas he had issue by his first wife mary , the daughter of john the third , king of portugal , one only son , called charles ( a prince of admirable towardliness ) he ( during the life of our queen mary , his second wife ) treated a marriage for his son with elizabeth , the eldest daughter of henry the second , king of france ; during which treaty , our queen mary dying , he himself married her who was designed for his son ( a lady of admirable beauty and parts : ) they often in private , never forgetting their old affections , lamented their unhappy loss each of other . the son also detested his fathers cruelty , and butchery by the merciless inquisitors ! this so enraged his jealous father , that he imprison'd him , and delivered him over into the inquisitors hands , by whom he was condemned , anno christi , . and a few days after he sent to him to choose his own death , who in a warm bath caused his veins to be opened , and so dyed . a while after ( though she was great with child ) he caused his queen to drink a cup of poison , which soon dispatched her . . king philip's fourth wife was anne , the daughter of mary , the empress , his own natural sister , by whom he had issue ferdinand and james ▪ both cut off by death in their infancy , and philip , who being the only surviving issue of this incestuous match , succeeded his father in his dominions , but not altogether in his cruelties . . rodulph the second , emperor of germany , not following the steps of the wise maximilian his father , but of the aforesaid philip his brother in law , sought by all secret and hostile means to enervate , and root out religion in the empire : what got he by it , but to have gods curse denounced in scripture fulfilled upon him ? that the elder should serve the younger . for mathias the arch-duke of austria , raising an army in the year . and joining his forces with those of the oppressed protestant in bohemia , hem'd up his brother rodulph in prague , got the kingdom of hungary from him in present possession , and the empire in reversion , leaving him nothing but the complement of majesty , which he did not long survive , and could never revenge that affront . . we need not look into ancient histories of gods judgments upon heathen persecuting emperors : we may see the sad successes of the princes of the house of valois in france . king henry the second of france was meanly married to katherine de medices ( the niece of pope clement the seventh ) during the life of the dolphin his elder brother , who was afterwards poisoned . and francis the first , his father deceasing , he succeeded , and swayd the french scepter for diverse years , with much tranquility and happiness , till ( loathing the coiture of his queen , unfit indeed for a princes bed ) he grew highly enamoured on piciavia of valence , a woman of exquisite beauty , and good extraction , with whom he long after lived in continual adultery , and was by her enticed to persecute and slay the protestants , anno ghristi . that so by the confiscation of their lands and goods , she might enrich her self , and her kindred . this persecution put a period to all his former victories , and the next year was followed with the loss of the city of seins in italy to the spaniard : the death of the old gallant general leo strozzi by a base hand , and the overthrow of his french army by james de medices . . anno christi . the violence of persecution was again renewed against the protestants , and the very next year after ( as before ) god again gave up the french army to the slaughter of the spaniards and dutch at the siege and battel of s. quintins , in which were above three thousand slain upon the place , and many of them men of note , and soon after the town was taken by storm : also annas duke de memorancy himself , the constable of france : the marshal of s. andrew : the duke of longevile , gaspar de coligne , earl of castilion and admiral of france , and a number others of the great peers were all taken prisoners . in sum , the loss and slaughter was so great , and fatal to the french , as it well-near equalled that victory obtained by the duke of bourbon at the battel of pavia in italy against francis the first , his father . yet henry the second still shut his eyes against the cause of these losses , and having his heart cauterized by his lusts , he not only caused the godly to be committed to the flames , but himself would needs be a spectator of their torments as a pleasing sight , and had combined with philip king of spain , his new son in law , for the utter ruine and final subversion of geneva . nay , but a few hours before his death , anno . lodovick faber , and annas burgus , two senators of paris , because they had spoken a little freely in defence of the innocency and piety of the protestants in the open senate , were cast into prison by his special command , in the bastile of the same city , by gabriel earl of mongomery , one of the captains of his guard. and the persecution of all others of the same profession grew so hot and furious : when the king june the nine and twentieth , the same year , running at tilt with the very same earl of mongomery , and near the very bastile where the said senators were prisoners , was struck with a splinter of mongomery's spear , through the eye into his brain , and never had the happiness to speak one word after , though he survived the wound a few days ; nor to acknowledge his former lust and cruelty . . and if we farther look to gods hand that followed this prince in his posterity , it will yet seem the greater miracle . for of five sons that he had , all save one dyed without lawful issue to survive them , ad three of them by violent deaths , and in his posterity ended the valetian line , the crown thereupon devolving to the royal branch of cleremont , commonly called bourbon , whom his sons had most bitterly hated and persecuted . and of all his five daughters , three dyed issueless , and the eldest ( the queen of spain aforementioned ) that had issue was cut off by poison . nay , his very bastard son , henry of engolism , a great actor in the parisian massacre , perished also by the stab of philip altovit , a florentine , his old and mortal enemy , anno christi . during the reign of henry the third , his brother . . charles the ninth ( third son of the said henry the second ) who succeeded his brother francis the second , anno christi . had he continued his reign with as much mercy and wilsdom as he began it , when he followed the grave and seasonable advise of michael hospitalius , his chancellor , probably he had lived more virtuously and dyed less miserably . but he had scarce raigned two years in peace and plenty , when katherine de medices , his mother ( desiring to get the regency into her own hands by raising combustions in the kingdom ) perswaded this her son to revive those persecutions against the protestants which his father had begun . she also reconciled her self to charles lorainer , duke of guise , whom a little before she had feared and hated , being a secret enemy to lewis de cleremont , prince of conde . he and the marshal of s. andrew having gained annas momorancy , constable of france to their party , they all conspired together for the ruine of the truth . the protestants in the mean time , seeing the king in his minority , held ( as it were ) captivated by this triumvirate , took up arms by the queen-mothers own instigation , to maintain the kings edict of pacification , which was published anno christi . commonly called , the edict of january . the year following , by the instigation of the said triumvirate , not only the queen-mother , but anthony de cleremont , king of navar also ( who yet dyed a protestant ) was drawn on to assail those of the religion with open force , they in the mean time filling the queen-mothers ear with these vain flatteries , that she should soon see the utter ruine of all the hereticks in france : from which time that goodly , rich , peaceable , and flourishing kingdom , for almost forty years together ( some short pauses excepted ) was filled with cruelties , ravages , ravishments , murthers , battles , fires , slaughters , and all other calamities that attend a civil war : in the end of all which , the protestants being increased in their strength and numbers , obtained a more firm and advantagious peace than ever they had before : whereas those three incendiaries who had been the authors of all these miseries , perished within a few years after , by the just judgment of god in the very act when they were pursuing the godly party . for the marshal of s. andrew was slain in the battle of dreux : annas de momorancy under the very walls of paris , and francis lorainer , duke of guise , was pistoled by john poltrot whilest he besieged orleans . king charles seeing that by open force he could not eradicate and destroy the truth , nor root out the professors of it , about two years before the hellish massacre begun at paris , and prosecuted ( to the perpetual infamy of france ) in diverse other cities , held a secret council in the castle of blois , with katherine de medices , his mother , alexander , and hercules ( called also henry and francis ) his brothers , and henry lorainer , heir to the said duke francis aforementioned , by what means they might best draw the protestants into their toil to murther and destroy them . the same council was again held in the house of hieronimo de gondy at s. clou , and the time and order of the bloody marriage banquet to be served in at the nuptials of the king of navar with the lady margaret , the french kings sister , almost in the same manner and order as it was afterwards put in execution on bartholomews day , anno christi . in which were most inhumanely murthered , of men , women , and children ( many also of them being great and honourable personages ) of either sex about thirty thousand . and while the duke of guise was prosecuting that most inhumane butchery , a cabinet council was held in the queen-mothers chamber , whether it were not necessary that both the duke , and the rest of his family who were then present , should not be dispatched at the same time in that disorderly tumult . king charles himself never saw good day after this bloody massacre , though the court-sycophants had promised him that it should prove the first happy day of his absolute monarchy . for though he had been long drenched in lust ( a sin seldom separated from a persecutor ) by his ordinary adultery with a mean wench of orleance , of whom he begat charles of engolism , afterwards earl of auvern : and though he had been trained up by his mother to see the slaughter of beasts ; and ever in his chases had been accustomed to bath his hands in the blood of the slain game ( which might have served to stupifie his conscience , as they did inflame his fierce and cruel nature , yet ) a very stinging remorse in his conscience , did ever pursue and haunt him after that merciless slaughter , brought about , chiefly by his own swearing and forswearing , ( by which the king of navar , and the admiral coligni were deceived ) his eyes ever rolled up and down uncertainly in the day-time with fear and suspition , and his sleep was usually interrupted in the night with dismal dreams and apparitions ( like our king richard the third of england after he had murthered his two nephews in the tower ) nay , though he survived that massacre not fully two years , yet had he in that time plotted the death of the said henry , duke of guise , and the removal of the queen-mother , and her instruments from the helm of state : but as he , a little before the massacre had poisoned that incomparable princess for learning and piety , joan , queen of navar : so did his mother , or the duke of guise ( by way of prevention , or anticipation ) minister to him his fatal sharp phisick , of which ( after many and grievous torments ) he deceased upon whitsunday , anno christi . being not full twenty five years old . . the queen-mother , the kings two brethren , the cardinal , and the duke of guise , that had not only joined with him in his persecution , but encouraged him to it , they still survived , and for ought men saw , were firmly setled in peace and prosperity : though guise might have taken warning by the death of claude , duke of aumal , his brother , slain with a musket-bullet from the walls of rochel , as he lay in siege before it , anno christi . . henry his brother , who succeeded king charles , was not long before chosen king of poland , where he then was ; but hearing of the death of his brother , he clandestinly stole away from that kingdom to return to france . in his return the good emperor maximilian the second , and the venetian state , earnestly advised him to maintain the former edicts of pacification inviolably , and not force the consciences of men in matters of religion ; of the same opinion also were all his wisest councellors , who saw plainly that the encreasing of the protestants was the only means now left under heaven to draw the pope and his conclave to yield some reformation of the church , which it needed exceedingly . but his mother advised him by all means to root out the professors of the truth by fire and sword. and others there were of loose and atheistical lives , as henry duke of guise ; lewis the cardinal of guise ; renalt villoclare ( a man , saith the incomparable monsieur de thou , fatally preferr'd to be an attendant upon this king by his mother ) and diverse others , who perswaded the king to break the aforesaid edicts for pacification , and never to sheath his sword till he had utterly ruined all the protestants in france : and the king , being of a weak , and degenerate spirit , the house of guise ( being the arch-enemies of the gospel ) became at length so potent , and triumphed so notoriously over the impotency of the king , that at last they forced him to seek to those very protestants for support , against whom he had taken a solemn oath for their utter destruction . infinite almost were the treasures which he spent upon his minions and pleasures ( his expenses upon his dogs only , amounted in those times to twenty thousand pounds yearly at the least ) but most was exhausted in the prosecution of his wars against the protestants . . guise , and his faction now grown strong , and assured of support from king philip the second of spain , after he had expelled his king out of paris , and heaped a world of other insolent affronts upon him , was drawn by him , anno christi . to the assembly then held at blois . he came thither with his brother lewis lorainer , cardinal of guise , and charles , prince of ionvile , his son , upon the same royal assurance of safety , with which charles the ninth , had ( by his advise ) deceived the protestants before the abhorred massacre in the year . but during this assembly this duke of guise was slain , against the publick faith given him , not only within the castle of blois , but in that very room , wherein sixteen years before he had advised the bloody massacre of paris to be executed . two circumstances also do add much horror to the punishment it self : one was that he was but newly risen from the bed of his adulterate lust , having not been able before this night , to conquer the chastity of a gentlewoman that waited on the queen-mother : and therefore was so eager in reaping the fruits of his long siege , that he came not to the council chamber , till he was oft sent for , and even then scarcely ready : the other was in the manner of his first wound , which was given him in his throat , and immediately caused the blood so abundantly to stream out of his mouth , as he never had time so much as to call upon god for mercy or forgiveness , but spent his last minute in endeavouring to revenge himself upon his murtherers . . a while after the cardinal of guise , his brother ( who had been a great gamester at cards and dice ; perished also in the same castle of blois by a violent death . katherine de medices , the queen-mother , who had been the chief cause for thirty years together of the shedding of so much innocent blood , being present at the same time in the said castle , stormed secretly that so great an action should be entred into , and effected without her advice : and when she heard that charles lorainer , duke of main was escaped , ( being the younger brother to the murthered duke of guise ) she presaged to the king her son , the sad issue of that rash attempt , which he ( as it seems ) interpreting to be rather the expression of her wishes than her fears ; and having by many woful experiences , seen the effects of her revengful italian spirit , took a course to pacify her wrath : for not long after , she there ended her unhappy life , by poison ( saith elias reusner ) in the same castle also , where she held the first secret and bloody council for the execution of the aforesaid bloody massacre . francis her youngest son dyed before her , june the tenth , anno . in the one and thirtieth year of his age , of a violent poison , probably ministred to him by some of the hispaniolized guisards , so that it caused very much blood to issue out of his body in several places , the sight of which purple streams might well call upon him to remember with what inhumane pride he trampled upon the bloody streets of paris in the great slaughter committed upon gods saints and martyrs about twelve years before . . there now only remained henry the third , the french king , alive , of all the first contrivers , and principal executioners of that inhumane massacre , which no age , no time , no action of the most barbarous nations of the world could ever parallel , till that horrid massacre of the bloody irish upon the english protestants in the year . october . wherin above one hundred and fifty thousand perished in one of the four provinces of that kingdom , after the most savage and barbarous manner that ever was read of . . charles lorainer , duke of main was presently upon the death of his brother made general of the holy league , ( as they stiled it ) and paris it self , and in a manner all the popish cities beyond the loi● giving up their names and forces to that faction , supported from rome by pope sixtus the fifth , and from spain by philip the second . . when the king saw that neither his acting the monk with the flagellators , nor his playing the devil against the prostants , could secure him from a speedy ruine by the violent hands of rebels ; he sent to the victorious king of navar ( his brother in law ) and to the protestant army , before whose known valour the popish forces hastened back from the loyer to the seine ; henry the third pursued them , and pitched his royal pavilion at s. clou , not far from the gates of paris . but his former cruelties , and persecutions of the godly , were doubtless the hinderances of his new expected victories , and the divine providence so ordered it that in the very place where the last resolution was taken by himself , his mother , his brethren , and others for the speedy execution of that brutish massacre , about seventeen years before , nay in the very same house of jerom de gondy , and in the very same room and chamber ( saith john de serres ) was murthered by james clement , a jesuited monk , anno christi . and in the nine and thirtieth year of his age. this assasination was promoted by pope sixtus the fifth , by the seditious sermons of jesuits , priests , and friars , and by the persecution of katherine mary , duchess of mompensier , sister of the slain duke of guise , who was so horribly transported with malice against the protestants , and with desire of revenge upon the king , as she prostitued her body to that jesuited goat , to encourage him the more to that horrid murther , and by that means to stupify and harden his soul by his filthy lust , that it might not startle at any other wickedness whatsoever . yet as this king some months before his death had altered his former bloody resolution against the protestants ; so did the divine providence at his death afford him some hours of repentance , after the bloody knife had been sheathed in his belly ; in which time he acknowledged his sin , and his error in having been so long miss-lead by his ambitious and malicious counsellors , and his sin in having persecuted his protestant subjects , and for having enforced the conscience of many to submit to popery against the known truth by threats and cruelty . . our queen mary began her reign with the breach of her publick faith. . for whereas the crown was set upon her head by the gentry and commons of suffolk , ( although they knew her to be a papist ( which shews that the godly protestants , whatsoever is suggested to the contrary by lustful , prophane , and popishly affected persons , are the best subjects that any sovereign can be happy in ) yet she , in one of her first acts of council , took order for their restraint , long before the mass and latine service were generally received in london , and caused that diocess to tast the sharpest inquisition , and persecution that raged during her reign , which was happily shortened by her husbands contemning her person , and her enemies conquering her dominions , neither of which she had power either to recover , or revenge : so that though she dyed not by any outward violence , yet was her end as inglorious and miserable , as her reign had been turbulent and bloody . she might have taken warning by the sudden , and immature death of king james the fifth of scotland , her cousin german , who , raising a persecution there , against his loyal and innocent subjects that were protestants , anno christi . burning some , exiling , and imprisoning others , and forcing many to blaspheme , in abjuring the known truth ; and all by advice and procurement of james beaton , arch-bishop of s. andrews , and david beaton , abbot of arbroth , his brother , never saw good day after : for two brave young princes his sons , were the year following , cut off by untimely ends in their cradles : wars to his great disadvantage and loss were raised between him and our king henry the eighth , his uncle , and all things fell out so cross to his haughty and vast mind as that it hastened his death , which fell out anno christi . see more of him before . many also are the examples of gods severe , but righteous judgments of god upon popish persecuting prelates , whereof you have store of instances in my two martyrologies , and in my two vollumes of examples . i shall content my self for the present with two or three , which though briefly set down there , yet here more largely . . thomas arundal , arch-bishop of canterbury , having been the successful traytor , by the help of his reverend follow-bishops , to estabish henry the fourth in the throne of king richard the second , his liege lord , and cousin german , pressed the new king ( whose broken title needed the supportments of his prelates ) to use his temporal sword for the destruction of the disciples of john wickliff , whose numbers at that time were so encreased that they even filled the kingdom : the king assented . and having by their cruel instigation , shed the blood of many of gods saints , his reign proved neither long nor prosperous . . king henry the fifth . his son , a brave and marshal prince , succeeding him , the protestants began to meet more publickly , and to profess the truth more openly than before . the arch-bishop thereupon renews his former suit to the son , as he had before successfully pressed upon the father . in particular , he first aimed at the destruction of sir john oldcastle ( see his life in my second volume of lives ) who had most affronted him . he , by reason of his great alliances , and the favour of his king , who called him his knight , might have expected exemption from their tyranny : but they prevailed with the king ( as saith arch-bishop parker ) rex virum clarum , sibique familiarissimum , episcoporum potestati , & carnisioinae permisit : the king gave up this famous man , and who was dear to himself , to the power , and destruction of the bishops : and yet it pleased god that he outlived this persecuting arch-prelate two years at least . for the arch-bishop having murthered many godly saints in king henry the fourths time , and being a great stickler in state affairs , having long before procured himself to be made lord chancellour of england , and lastly ( in a synod held by himself at rochester ) having forbidden the reading of the scriptures in english , and limited preachers , under an heavy censure , what they should treat of in the pulpit , was soon cut off himself by the immediate hand of god , after he had condemned that warlike kinght , sir john old-castle , lord cobham , before he could see him executed . for his tongue was so swoln , and benummed that he could neither swallow , nor speak , some days before his death : it being ( saith one ) the just judgment of god upon him ( and may be a warning to all other wicked popish prelates ) that as he had muzled up the mouths of preachers , and kept the scriptures from the knowledge of the people , being their spiritual food . so he should neither be able to swallow nor speak , from that very minute that this judgment fell upon him , and so he dyed within a few days after , in great torment , and extremity , by a languishing silence and famishment . a later example we have in the admirable punishment of james beton , arch-bishop of s. andrews in scotland , who was also a member of the purpurated conclave at rome . he had for diverse years been an inveterate enemy to the gospel , and the professors of it in that kingdom under king james the fifth : and after his death , taking the advantage of the infancy of the princess mary , the hereditary queen of that realm , he thought it a work worthy of himself , to double die his purple robes in the blood of the saints : and to make a full and clear way for that his sanguinary project , he forged a will of the deceased king , whereby he was established the chief regent there , during the young ladies incapacity to reign : from which yet , his false play being discovered , he was removed , and for a while imprisoned : yet was he no sooner delivered , but he presently endeavoured to raise a new and a fatal war between england and scotland , and to root out the professors of the truth by a violent and bloody persecution . and among others whom he cited , imprisoned , or exiled in the year . he seized upon mr. george wiseheart ( a very eloquent and learned preacher ) who by the latin writers of that age is called sophocardius , and contrary to their own popish canons , adjudged him to present death himself , which is never done , except by the hellish inquisition of spain , but by delivering the martyrs into the power of the civil-magistrate ; and in his court before the castle of s. andrews , caused that bloody sentence to be executed , the said mr. wiseheart being first strangled , and his body afterwards burnt to ashes ; the cardinal in the mean time had a chamber prepared for him , with carpets and cushions in the windows , out of which he was a triumphant spectator of this godly mans martyrdom : from which window he departed , not more delighted , than ( as himself thought ) secured ; and presently he began to fortify his castle against all assaults . but gods judgment from eternity awarded against him , for this later , as well as former cruelties exercised upon his faithful servants , slep'd not . for within a few weeks after , the cardinal having falsified his promise to the lord norman lesly , son of the earl of rothsay , a zealous romanist ; he upon the thirteenth day of may , the same year , with about fourteen resolute gentlemen in his company , entred the said castle of s. andrews , where the cardinal lay ( having had a whore with him all that night ) and having first assured himself of all within , and the gates without , he slew the bloody prelate by his bed-side without law or justice , who had but a little before , most unjustly condemned and murthered the aforesaid mr. wiseheart , and being willing to expose the dead carcass of that cruel persecutor ( all weltring and besmeared with blood ) unto the view of the people ( who abhorred his butcheries , and rejoiced at his fall ) casually they laid it along , to be seen of all men in that very window , out of which a little before , leaning at his ease upon rich cushions , he had proudly beheld the death of that precious martyr . . it s very observable which historians take notice of , that generally the greatest persecutors are most drenched in the sin of uncleanness , and epicurism . what was escovedo , that great instrument of the king of spain's cruelties against the evangelical party in the low-countries , but a a very lump of lust , which in the end proved fatal to him ? . peter espinac , a bishop of lions in france , was a great persecutor , and one that lived in incest with his own sister . . john arch-bishop of s. andrews in scotland , spent the greatest part of the revenues of his see , and the seisure of the protestants estates ( whose mortal enemy he was ) upon his whores and revellings . . the cardinal of granvels veneries were so manifest and numerous , as when anno christi . the kingdom of tunis , and the strong fort of gulette ( formerly esteemed impregnable ) were won by the turks ; the spaniards made a jest of it , & said openly , that the cardinals breeches , had occasioned that loss , meaning thereby , that king philip the second , relying chiefly upon his advice in that , and in most of the rest of his important affairs , the cardinals lusts so took him up , that he had not leisure to advise the king for the best . . cardinal beton ( aforementioned ) wallowed at home with pollution among his harlots , and raged abroad with the blood and slaughter of the innocent servants of christ. . in that hellish massacre on s. bartholomew's day , in paris it self : the murtherers there , were for the most part , brutish and lustful soldiers , or profane varlets of the scum of the city , and though their leaders were more noble , yet less virtuous . the duke of guise , and aumale , albert , gondy , earl of rets , tavanne , and others of them that were bred up in lust , revellings , and all manner of debaucheries . . the next place that came nearest to the cruelties exercised at paris , was the city of lions , where the numbers of the slain and massacred was so great , that their bodies being thrown into the river rhodanus , or rosne , stained and corrupted the water , the violence of which stream , carrying them down by heaps to tornou , ( where the inhabitants , not knowing what they were , but fearing that it proceeded from invasion by enemies , and robbers , assembled themselves in arms together for their mutual defence . ) the chief ring-leaders , and abettors of which butchery ( monsieur de thou , a papist , yet an incomparable historian , confesseth ) to have been boidon , mormieu , and clou , three of the most wicked , and vilest varlets that a kingdom could harbour ; which boidon was afterwards executed at clermont in auvergne : and if mormieu escaped a shameful end , yet surely he deserved it as well as his fellow persecutor , having before ( as semanus confesseth ) procured the murther of his own father ? at tholous also , a few days after , a great slaughter of the godly was committed ; not by the better sort of citizens , or sober , or morally virtuous papists ; but by one turry , and a number of other infamous , and lewd persons like himself , who joined themselves together for the effecting of that bloody execution . the like villany was perpetrated and done at the great city of roan in normandy , by one maronie , a most infamous ruffian , and a great many of other base varlets , who flocked to him as to their chief ringleader . . but in none of them were these two hellish sins of adultery and blood more eminently coupled together than in paygillard , the master butcher at angiers , who having long continued in the sin of adultery , was at last enticed by his harlot , to murther his own wife . . in france , after this barbarous and cruel massacre , the eighth day of november following , there appeared a dreadful comet , concerning which , a learned protestant , presently after published an elaborate poem , wherein he presaged , that it was gods herald or messenger to denounce his judgment quickly to ensue upon that kingdom for their late inhumane butcheries . these verses were scarcely come abroad , when there suddenly broke out in poictou , a new , dreadful , and before unknown disease , commonly called the poictovinchollick , which miserably wasted that goodly kingdom for above thirty years after . this disease was accompanied with many extreme pains and torments , not only in the outward parts of the body , but also in the inward and vitals , insomuch as it drew on diverse horrid convulsions , and in many , blindness before it killed them . the strange original , the hidden nature , and those unparallel'd torments which it produced , sometimes resembling the very stabs , and gashes made with swords , and ponyards , gave all impartial judgments just ground to conclude , that it was the finger of god himself in punishing the merciless murthers of his dear saints . . but though the brutish , goatish papists were so cruel and inhumane , yet others there were of more moral and moderate princiciples , who in their very souls abhorred and detested those barbarous practices . monsieur de thou in his unparallel'd ▪ history tells us , that himself was about nineteen years old when that horrible and hellish massacre was committed in paris on s. bartholomews day , which fell out that year on the lords day , and did in his very soul abhor the cruelty and savageness thereof , when in his passage through the streets to mattins that morning , he met with diverse villains , dragging along the dead body of hierom grolet , late governour of orleance , all weltring with gastly wounds in his own blood : at which sight his heart relenting , and mourning inwardly , not daring to shed tears publickly , he hastened home to the house of christopher de thou , his father , who at that time was the chief president of the parliament in paris , there freely to deplore that execrable butchery ; as did also the said christopher , his father . . vidus faber pibratius , john merviller , belleureu , all eminent men , with all the judicious , and morally virtuous papists in that city , did christianly hide , and so preserved many protestants from a wretchless massacring . nay , arman guntald , the old marshal biron ( father of charles , duke of biron , that was beheaded in king henry the fourth's time ) when the deputies of rochel came to him , some few weeks after that bloody execution , to treat of a peaceable accomodation of their affairs , he shed many tears in their presence upon his execrating the authors of that cruelty , and acknowledged the great mercy of god to him that he neither knew of it , nor had any hand in it . at the city of lions also , where the inhumanity of the murtherers almost equalled that of paris , mandelot the governor there , did his best to have prevented it , and in his heart ( with many other grave and sober gitizens of the romish religion ) utterly detested it . and when the slaughtered bodies that were tumbled into the river of rosne , were carried down with the stream to tornou , valence , vienne , and burg , contiguous to the same river , the papists there , generally detested the cruelty thereof : and at arles , where for want of springs , and ponds they had most use of that river water ; yet they so much abhorred that butchery , as they would neither drink thereof , nor yet eat any of the fish taken therein , for diverse days after : and generally in all provence , those of the romish religion drew the mangled bodies out of the water , and with great humanity interred them . . monsieur carragie , a noble gentleman , who was governour of the great city of roan in normandy , did likewise oppose the massacres there to the utmost of his power . as did also james benedict largahaston , the prime senator of burdeaux , who thereby became himself in danger to have been slain by those seditious varlets , who at first had been stirred up to commit those outrages by the seditious sermons of a lustful jesuite , called eminund auger . . claudus , earl of tende , a descendant of the illustrious house of savoy , governour of provence , monsieur de gordes , governour of daulpbany , monsieur sauteran , governour of auvergne , and francis duke of memorancy , absolutely refused to suffer any massacres to be committed in such places as were under any of their governments : so as the rochellers in their declaration set out the same year , do acknowledge that all such romanists , who had but any humanity left in them , did in their hearts abhor , and with their mouths detest those abominable outrages and hellish cruelties . . and as the soberer and modester sort of papists abhorred such brutishness , so also they disswaded from the same . that noble gentleman david hamilton gave this advice to james , earl of arran , then regent of scotland anno . when cardinal beton would have perswaded him to have joined with him in the persecution and slaughter of the godly in that kingdom : i cannot but wonder , said he , that you should give up the innocent servants of god , against whom no crime , is objected , but the preaching of the gospel , into the hands and power of men most infamous for lust , cruelty , and all other wickedness ; which in the mean time those very enemies of the truth themselves cannot deny that the lives of such as profess this doctrine which they so hate , are full of integrity and virtue : and therefore although the profane and bloody prelates could never be drawn to pity gods children , much less to love them for their piety and innocency ( being therein more inhumane than diverse of the heathen emperors themselves , who , upon the information of the virtuous and harmless deportment of the christians , by their governours of provinces , caused their persecutions to be slacked and ceased ) yet diverse princes and moderate pontificians , have been moved by the upright and honest lives of gods children to further their liberty of conscience , and to abhor the cruelties which other papists have practised upon them . . maximilian the emperour , son of ferdinand the second , and francis the first , the french king were hence perswaded to grant unto their own subjects freedom of conscience . . the earl of egmont , and horn ( though zealous papists ) laboured with the dutchess of parma , that the low-country protestants might be free from fines , imprisonments , and all other manner ●f persecutions in respect of religion . . under francis the second , the french king anno christi . by the excellent and learned speeches of charles marillack , arch-bishop of vienne , and john de monlu , bishop of valence freely spoken before the king himself in behalf of the french protestants , all persecution against them was restrained . the said bishop among other particulars , affirming boldly , that a great encrease of the sectaries proceeded from the ignorance and evil lives of the bishops , who having laid aside the care of their flocks , had , for many years made it their business to enhanse their fines , and rents , and to live deliciously , and loosely ; so as there were sometimes forty of them seen at once together , wasting their time in luxury and idleness in paris : the care of their churches being in the mean time turned over to young and ignorant fellows . and so the bishops becoming blind and useless ; the parish priests also , following the example of their diocesans , were only intent upon spoiling and vexing their people about their tithes , but were wholly unskilful and negligent in preaching to them : and that therefore it was no wonder , though diverse of the nobility as well as of the common people , did so readily hearken to new opinions , and doctrines . the same counsel , that the conscience ought not to be forced , nor any to be persecuted for matters of religion meerly , did michael hospitalius , chancellour of france , give unto charles the ninth , the same year that he succeded to the crown , after the death of the said francis , his brother . . by these foregoing examples we may plainly see , that their self-love , and wallowing in all manner of sensuality , is the great cause of their hatred to the godly , whose lives and principles oppose their wickedness and errors . the persecutions of the arrians against the orthodox , exceeded the cruelty of the heathen emperours , but this of the romanists far surpasseth and exceeds them both being joined together . . pope paul the third , left this bloody legacy to his conclave when he dyed anno christi . ( as is testified by mounsieur de thou ) for having called diverse of the cardinals into his bed-chamber , he exhorted them by all means to continue and maintain the office of the inquisition , as the only means left upon earth to establish the romane religion . . it may cause wonder in any serious man to consider that amongst the turks , jews , indians , yea , and the papists themselves , the most zealous , strict , and precise in their several religions , are the most esteemed and honoured ; and only in the greater part of the protestant churches , the most knowing and resolute retainer , of the truth , and the most strict and godly in their lives , are most hated , nick-named , disgraced , and persecuted : and grace which should add a lustre to learning , riches , honours , noble extraction , and all other outward endowments , whether natural or acquired , that alone obscures all the rest , and brings the contempt , not only of great ones , but even of the scum , and dregs of the multitude upon the persons so qualified . . sir john oldcastle , lord cobham , in the reign of our king henry the fifth , being convented before thomas arundel , arch-bishop of canterbury , and diverse other lustful and bloody bishops , spake thus unto them : whilest i was , said he , a swearer , a rioter , and every way else vicious , you never reproved me , nor questioned me : but since i have embraced this despised doctrine of john wickliff , which hath taught me how to conquer my sins , and to lead an honest and a godly life , now you are enraged against me with malice , and seek my destruction . . the same observation was made by annas du bourg , that brave senator of paris anno christi . under king henry the second of france : that there were many adulteries , perjuries , oaths , and other infamous offences dayly committed , and already punishable by the laws , and yet such as were guilty of all , or any of those crimes were countenanced and advanced : but against the professors of the truth all cruelty was practised , who were guilty of no other offence , but of embracing the truth of the gospel revealed unto them by the spirit , and word of god , and of discovering , by the same light , the horrible vices , and errors of the popish power that so there might follow an amendment . . experience sufficiently manifests that persecution hath never been a way to suppress the truth ; and surely it s against the dictates of charity and christianity to enforce the conscience without a full and clear conviction . this was confessed by king henry the third of france ( one of the most impotent princes ( saith a learned gentleman ) that ever swayed that scepter , and the most inveterate enemy that ever the protestants had , having been instructed to hate , betray , and persecute them , by katherine de medices ▪ his bloody mother , even from his very cradle , ) yet when james clement , a jesuited monk , had sheathed a knife in his bowels , and that he saw himself near to the minute in which he was to give an account of all his cruelties to the supreme judge of heaven and earth , he made an effectual speech to the chief commanders of his army , being most of them papists : wherein he exhorted them to acknowledge and obey the king of navar ( then a protestant ) as their lawful soveraign , and the undoubted heir of the french crown : and to know this undoubted truth for the future : that religion which is instilled into the souls of men by god himself , cannot be forced by man. . the same truth also , and almost in the same words did the lord brederode , and the other protestants in the low-countries alledge for their just excuse in their joint apology , published in the year , and farther added : that if the papists did conceive their religion to be the truth , they should instead of blood , fines , imprisonings , and banishments , take the good , and seasonable counsel of the learned gamaliel , and try a while , whether the protestants separation from them , were of god or no. for otherwise , if by force , and tyranny they should compel them to profess and practice those actions in gods worship , which they accounted abominable ; and should also restrain them from the practice of those duties towards god , wherein they were convinced the truth of his service consisted , their consciences must needs be shipwrack'd and undone , and so instead of making them new converts , they should leave them atheists and libertines . a table of the names of the persecutors , visibly plagued by god. satan pag. cain pag. old world pag. ham pag. ishmael pag. pharaoh pag. saul pag. asa pag. jesabel pag. manasse pag. jewes , and pashur pag. false prophets , &c , pag. zedekiah , and his princes pag. johanan , and his companions . pag. haman pag. antiochus the vile pag. herod the great pag. herod the less , or antipas pag. herod agrippa pag. jewes pag. nero pag. domitian pag. adrian pag. marcus antonius verus pag. commodus pag. severus pag. claudius herminianus pag. maximianus pag. decius pag. gallus pag. valerian pag. claudius pag. aurelian pag. dioclesian pag. maximian pag. maximinus pag. ib. galerius pag. licinius pag. antiochus pag. ib. mamuca pag. ib. julian apostata pag. arius pag. ib. constantius pag. george of alexandria pag. valence pag. ib. constantine pag. gensericus pag. ib. hunricus pag. ib. anastasius pag. ib. arcadius , and eudoxia pag. theodoricus pag. ib. arian vandals pag. ib. uladislaus and his queen pag. popish bishops pag. ib. popish lords pag. dr. austin pag. popish monks pag. ib. stumislaus znoma pag. emperor sigismund pag. ib. doctor knapper , and some others pag. ladislaus king of bohemia pag. minerius pag. ib. simon monfort pag. lewis , king of france pag. ib. truchetus pag. ib. lord of revest pag. bartholomew cassinaeus pag. ib. johannes de roma pag. ib. john martin pag. cardinal of lorain pag. ib. bellemont pag. ib. a judge of aix pag. a chief judge pag. ib : john craenequin pag. ib. chancellour prat pag. john morin pag. ib. chancellour oliver pag. ib. poncher pag. lambert a friar pag. ib. monbrun pag. villibon with others pag. popish witnesses pag. ib. popish informers pag. popish inquisitors pag. ib. emperour ferdinand the second pag. ib. sir thomas moor pag. bishop fisher pag. ib. philips pag. ib. pavier pag. ib. foxford pag. . rockwood pag. ib. an under marshal pag. ib. sir ralph ellerker pag. doctor story pag. john twiford pag. ib. kings of spain and portugal pag. cardinal woolsey pag. ib. judge morgan pag. bishop morgan pag. ib. mr. leyson pag. ib. doctor dunning pag. ib. commissary berry pag. a suffragan of dover pag. ib. bishop thornton pag. ib. doctor jeffery pag. ib. thomas blaver pag. ib. two cardinals pag. doctor whittington pag. bate pag. ib. mr. woodrose pag. thomas mouse pag. ib. george rivet pag. ib. william swallow pag. robert baldwin pag. robert bloomfield pag. ib. justice leland pag. ralph lardin pag. ib. mr. swingfield pag. ib. bayliff burton pag. a serving man pag. dale , a promoter pag. alexander a jailor , and his son pag. john peter pag. lever pag. ib. stepen gardiner pag. ib. king james the fifth of scotland . pag. sir james hamilton pag. friar campbel pag. a popish persecutor pag. king henry the second of france pag. ib. irish persecutors pag. maurice duke of saxony pag. charles the fifth emperor pag. philip the second , king of spain pag. rodulph the second , emperour pag. henry the second , king of france pag. french persecutors pag. ● charles the ninth , king of france pag. queen mother of france pag. french persecutors pag. henry the third , king of france pag. , duke of guise pag. cardinal of guise pag. queen mary of england pag. thomas arundel pag. , henry the fourth , king of england pag. james beaton pag. escovedo pag. peter espinac pag. cardinal granvel pag. boidon pag. puygillard pag. errata . in the epistle , page . line . read they for you . in the book , p. . l. . r. selves for self . p. . l. . r. recover for receive . p. . l . r. god immediately for gods immutability . p . l. . r. trajan for trojan . p. . l. . r. causing for caused . p. . l. . r. thunderclap for thunder . p. . l. . r. miserably for miserable . p. l. . r. fully for full p. . l. . r. feaver for fear . p. . l. . r. charles conink . p. . l. . r. that so carnage for carriage . p. . l . dele god p. l. . dele that . p. . l. . r. when for which . p. . l. . r. monluc . books printed for , and sold by william miller , at the gilded acorn , in s. pauls church-yard , near the little north-door . juvenal with cuts , by sir robert stapylton , knight , in large folio . elton on colossians folio . cradocks knowledge and practice , quarto . his principles . octavo . dod on the lords prayer . quarto . medice cura teipsum , or the apothecaries plea against doctor christopher merret . quarto . richard ward , his two very useful and compendious theological treatises , the first shewing the nature of wit , wisdom and folly. the second describing the nature , use , and abuse of the tongue & speech , whereby principally wisdom and folly are expressed ; wherein also are diverse texts of scripture , touching the respective heads explained . octavo . templum musicum , or rhe musical synopsis . octavo . fettiplace's christian monitor , earnestly and compassionately perswading sinners unto true and timely repentance , by the serious view of the seven following weighty considerations . . the stupendious love of god unto man in christ jesus . . the great danger of despair , and greater of presumption . . the sweetness , easiness and pleasantness of the ways of god. . falshood and flattery of the ways of sin . . safe , joyful and blessed state of the righteous . . dangerous and most deplorable state of the wicked . . shortness and uncertainty of life , terrors and amazement of an unprepared death , and eternity of punishments after death . twelves . fettiplace's souls narrow search for sin . octavo . english dictionary , or expositor . twelves . complete bone-setter . octavo . the famous game of chesse-play . octavo . shelton's tachygraphia , latine . octavo . emblems divine , moral , natural and historical , expressed in sculpture , and applyed to the several ages , occasions and conditions of man , by a person of quality . octavo . clark of comfort , which gods children have , or at least earnestly desire and long after , whilest they are in this world , together with the obstructions of comfort , and the removal of them . twelves . jeofferies new-years gift . twelves . divine examples of gods severe judgments upon sabbath-breakers , in their unlawful sports , collected out of several divine subjects , viz. mr. h. b. mr. beard , and the practice of piety , a little monument of our present times , &c. a brief remembrancer , or the right improvement of christ's birth-day . a second sheet of old mr. dod's sayings , or another posie gathered out of mr. dod's garden . hunting for money , the first part . the hunting match for money , the second part . bishop hall's sayings , concerning travellers , to prevent popish and debauched principles . the whole duty of man , containing a practical table of the ten commandments , wherein the sins forbidden , and the duties commanded , or implied , are clearly discovered by famous mr. william perkins . at which place you may be furnished with most sorts of bound or stitch'd books ; as acts of parliament , proclamations , speeches , declarations , letters , orders , commissions , articles with other state matters ; as also books of divinity , church-government , sermons , and most sorts of histories , poetry , plays and such like , &c. books formerly published by this author . folio . a general martyrology containing an historical narration of all the chiefest persecutions , which have been in the world from the creation to our present time ; whereunto are annexed the lives of sundry eminent divines , and some others . an english martyrology of all the chiefest persecutions which have been in england from the first plantation of the gospel , to the end of queen marys reign : whereunto are annexed the lives of sundry eminent divines . the first volume of cases of conscience . a mirror , or looking-glass both for saints and sinners , &c. in two volumes ; with a geographical description of all the known world , &c. quarto . the marrow of ecclesiastical history contained in four volumes of lives . diverse other single lives in quarto . octavo . the history of eighty eight : the powder plot : and of the fall of the house in black friars . finis . a geographicall description of all the countries in the known vvorld as also of the greatest and famousest cities and fabricks which have been, or are now remaining : together with the greatest rivers, the strangest fountains, the various minerals, stones, trees ... which are to be found in every country : unto which is added, a description of the rarest beasts, fowls ... which are least known amongst us / collected out of the most approved authors ... by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a geographicall description of all the countries in the known vvorld as also of the greatest and famousest cities and fabricks which have been, or are now remaining : together with the greatest rivers, the strangest fountains, the various minerals, stones, trees ... which are to be found in every country : unto which is added, a description of the rarest beasts, fowls ... which are least known amongst us / collected out of the most approved authors ... by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . gaywood, richard, fl. - . [ ], [i.e. ], [ ] p. printed by r.i. for thomas newberry ..., london : mdclvii [ ] added illustrated t.p. signed: r. gaywood. includes index. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce 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areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng geography -- early works to . great britain -- description and travel. great britain -- description and travel -- early works to . america -- description and travel. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a geographicall description of all the countries in the known vvorld . as also of the greatest and famousest cities and fabricks which have been , or are now remaining : together with the greatest rivers , the strangest fountains , the various minerals , stones , trees , hearbs , plants , fruits , gums , &c. which are to bee found in every country . unto which is added , a description of the rarest beasts , fowls , birds , fishes , and serpents which are least known amongst us . collected out of the most approved authors , and from such as were eye-witnesses of most of the things contained herein . by sa : clarke , pastor of the church of christ in bennet finck , london . psalm . , . o lord , how manifold are thy works ! in wisdome hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches : so is the great and wide sea , wherein are things creeping innumerable : both small and great beasts , &c. london , printed by r. i. for thomas newberry , at the three lions in cornhill , over against the conduit . mdclvii . a geographicall description of all the covntries in the knowne world as also of the chiefest cittyes , famousest structures , greatest rivers ▪ strangest fountaines &c. together with the rarest beasts ▪ birds fishes &c , which are least known● amongst vs. by sa : clarke : r gaywood fecit a geographicall description of all the countries in the known vvorld . the division of the world. the earth is commonly divided into four parts , asia , africa , europe , and america . asia described . asia is divided into two parts : asia the lesse , next to europe , called also anatolia , or natolia , thus bounded : towards the west and north , is greece : full west is the archipelagus : on the east is the river euphrates : on the north is the euxine sea : and on the south the mediterranean . this country was once of admirable fertility , affording all sorts of commodities , both for necessity and delight : but for the sins of her inhabitants it s turned into barrennesse , having been so often wasted by the great monarchs of the earth . first , by the babylonians , then by the meads and persians , then by the grecians , then by the romans , and lastly by the turks , who have made such wofull havock , that in it are to bee seen the ruines of above four thousand cities , and towns : the residue have lost both the names , and memory of their predecessors , and the people are faln from the knowledge , religion , and industry of their fore-fathers : and for the most part are mahumetans . in this asia the lesse are contained these provinces : caria , jonia , dori● , lydia , aeolis , phrygia minor , and major , cilicia , pamphilia ▪ lycia , bythinia , pontus , paphlagonia , galacia , cappadocia , lycaonia pysidia , and armenia minor . in jonia stood miletum where paul preached to the elders , acts . . and ephesus . in lydia were seated laodicea , thyatira , philadelphia , sardis and pergamus . in phrygia minor was adramitium mentioned act. . . in phrygia major was colosse , to whom paul wrote his epistle . in cilicia was tarsus where paul was born . in this country feed those goats whose hair makes our curious chamlets , and grogerams , falsely called camels hair . in pamphilia are seated perga , pisidia , and attalia , sea towns , act. . ● , . in lycia the cheif city was patara . in lycaonia were iconium and listra . in pisidia was the famous city of antiochia . in asia the greater are contained these countries , syria , palestine , armenia major , ara●●a the happy , stony , desert , media , assyria , mesop●tamia , persia , chald●n , part●ia , hircania , t●rtaria , ●hi●a , and india . in syria are phaenicia , cael●syria and syroph●nicia . in phaenicia are tyre and sidon , sarepta and ptolaemais . in caelosyria are hieropolis , damascus , aleppo , tripolis &c. palestine is in length two hundred miles : in breadth but fifty : containing samaria ; idumaea , judaea , galile the higher , called galile of the gentiles : galile the lower , wherein were nazareth : and mount tabor , where christ was transfigured . armenia major , now turkomania , wherein was colchus whence jason fetched the golden fleece . arabia divided into three parts , arabia deserta , where the children of israel were fed with manna forty years . arabia petrosa , where mount sinai was , and the law given . arabia faelix , abounding with spices and drugges , where medina is , the place of mahomets sepulchre . media where the fruits of the country are said to bee always green , and flourishing . assyria where nineveh stood to which jonah was sent . mesopotamia where was babylon . persia a great empire where the regall city is persepolis . chaldaea often mentioned in scripture . parthia the inhabitants whereof were famous for their archery , and opposition against the romans . hircania which hath many cities of note , and abounds with wine , and honey . tartaria formerly called scythia , whose queen tomyris , overcame cyrus , and cut off his head : they have neither cities nor houses but live in hoards ; their prince is the great cham. china is a very great , populous , and fruitful country , and the inhabitants are very ingenuous , but it is lately overrun by the tartars , as you shall hear afterwards . india , through the midst whereof runs the river ●anges , dividing it into india intra gangem , which lieth towards the west , and india extra gangem , which lyeth towards the east . the chief place whereof is goa , where the vice-roy of portugal resides . the islands of asia the less are rhodes , over against caria ; and cyprus , formerly consecrated to venus . in the indian ocean the islands are very many , principally ormus , zeilan , sumatra , avirae insulae , bocuro , java major , and minor , japan , the molucco's , and the philippine islands , which abound with spices of all sorts , pearls , and gold , whereof i will now give a more particular account . asia minor , more largely described . cappadocia described . cappadocia , called also leucosyria , and now amasia , stretcheth four hundred and fifty miles along the euxine sea ; bounded on the west , with paphlagonia , galatia , and part of pamphilia , on the south with cilicia , on the east with the hills antitaurus , and moschius , and part of euphrates ; here runneth halis , the end of craesus empire , both in the site and fate thereof , hee being deceived with that ambiguous oracle , craesus halin penetrans , magnam pervertet op●m vim , that passing halis , hee should overturn a great state , which hee interpreting actively of his attempts against cyrus , verified it passively in himself . in cappadocia was the city of comana , famoused by the temple of bellona , and a great multitude of such as were there inspired by devillish illusions . not far thence also was castabala , where was the temple of diana persica . galatia , or gallo-graecia , hath on the south , pamphilia , and on the north it s washed with the e●xine sea , by the space of two hundred and fifty miles . sinope was the chief city : deiotar●s a famous king : but galacia is made more famous by st. pauls epistle written to the church thereof . pontus , and bithinia , now called bursia , hath on the west the mouth of pontus , the thracian bosphorus , and part of propontis ; galacia on the east : part of the euxine sea on the north : and asia , properly so called , on the south : the most famous cities in it were nice , wherein was celebrated the first general council gathered against the arians : nicomedia , sometimes the seat of the emperors ; apamia , or bursa , nigh to mount olympus , where the first ottamans had their seat-royal , and all of that race ( except the great turks themselves ) are still there buried : chalcedon , builded seventeen years before bi●amium and the builders thereof are said to bee blinde , which neglected that better seat . here was held a famous council of six hundred and thirty bishops against the heresie of eutiches . paphlagonia ▪ hath on the north pontus , on the east the river halis , on the south phrygia and galacia , and on the west bithynia : vetruvius tells us of a ●ountain here that seems to bee mixed with wine , that makes drunken such as drink freely thereof . asia , properly so called , now sarcum , is bounded on the west with part of propontis , and hellespont , the aegean , icarian and myrtoan seas ; on the south with the rhodian sea , lycia and pamphilia ; on the east with galacia : and on the north with pontus , bythinia , and part of propontis . in which space are contained phrygia , caria , and both mysia's , aeolis , jonia , doris , and lydia . phrygia is divided into the greater , and the less , called also hellespontiaca , and troas . the greater lyeth eastward , and is so called from the river phryx , which parts it from caria . here stood midaium the royal seat of mydas , and apamia the phrygian metropolis . here also upon the river sangarius stood gordie , where was the gordian knot , which when alexander could not untie , hee cut it in sunder with his sword . in the lesser phrygia stood the eye of asia , and star of the east , called ilium , or troy , destroyed by the grecians after ten years siege , the ruines whereof appear at this day , the walls , and decayed buildings entertaining the beholder with a kinde of majesty ; the walls were of a large circuit , of great , spongy , black , and hard stones , cut foursquare ; the ruines of the turrets on the walls are yet to be seen , also great marble tombs of ancient workmanship made chest-fashion , and their covers whole are yet to be seen without the walls . many great cisterns made to receive rain water are yet whole ; the soil about it is dry , and barren : the rivers xanthus , and simois so much famoused , are small rivers , which in summer are quite dry . nunc seges est ubi troja fuit . cyzicus was a city of mysia , wherein was a famous temple , whose pillars were four cubits thick , and fifty cubits high , each of one stone , the whole building was made of polished stone , and each stone was joyned to other with a line of gold : the image of jupiter within was made of ivory , crowned with a marble apollo , which city and temple were swallowed up in an earthquake , and probably for their abominable idolatry . the like befel philadelphia ( one of the seven churches to which st. john wrote ) another city of mysia , and the like to magnesia in the same region . a little hence standeth abydus , and over against it on europe side was sestus ; one of the guards of the turkish empire , he having built castles there which are well furnished , and the straits not being above seven furlongs over . here xerxes joyned asia to europe by a bridge , for the transportation of his huge army into greece . in mysia also was that famous pine-tree that was four and twenty foot in compass , and growing intire for seventy foot from the root , was then divided into three arms , equidistant , which afterwards gathered themselves close into one top two hundred foot high . jonia is situated on the icarian seas over against the isle of chios , wherein were ten principal cities , miletus , myus , priene , ephesus , colophon , lebedus , teos , clazomenae , phocaea , and erythraea . the temple of diana described . the temple of diana at ephesus was one of the worlds wonders ; two hundred and twenty years were spent in the building of it : it was built upon a marish to prevent hurt by earthquakes , which were very common in those parts ; the first foundation was laid upon coals , the second upon wooll ; it was four hundred twenty and five foot long , and two hundred and twenty broad , there were in it one hundred twenty and seven pillars of marble , sixty foot in height , and thirty six of them curiously wrought and engraven , the works of so many kings . the doors of the temple were of cypress , which after four hundred years , were as fresh as if they had been new made ; the roof was of cedar : the image , which superstition supposed to have come down from jupiter , was made by one canesia : some say of ebonie , others of the vine which had many holes made , and filled with spikenard , the moisture whereof closed up the rifts . it was inriched and adorned with gifts beyond value . it was contrived by ctesiphon , and was seven times fired , the last whereof was by erostratus , who did it to get himself a name : herodo . doris was almost surrounded with the sea , wherein was gnidus , a city famous for the marble image of venus and halycarnassus , famous for herodotus , and dionysius the historians ; and for mausolus , whose sepulchre erected by artimesia his wife , and sister , was accounted one of the seven wonders of the world. lycia is washed by the sea for the space of two hundred miles : in it mount taurus ariseth , hence stretching it self eastward under divers appellations , to the indian sea. pamphilia beareth eastward from lycia , and now together with cilicia is by the turks called caramania . armenia minor , which is divided from the greater , now turcomania , by the river euphrates on the east . a more full description of the countries in asia major . the land of canaan described . it was first called canaan after that the posterity of canaan the son of cham had possessed it , when moses and joshua had conquered it , it was called the land of israel . after the babylonish captivity it was called the land of judaea : from the philistines , which inhabited the sea-coasts , it was called the land of palestine : and by christians since , the holy land. adricomius , which hath best described it , makes it to bound eastward on syria , and arabia : southward on the desart of paran and egypt : northward on mount libanus : and westward on the sea. from dan to bersheba its about a hundred and sixty italian miles in length , and sixty in breadth . no country in the world had so many cities in so little a compass as this once had . the royal cities in each tribe were these : in aser , acsaph , besides sidon , and tyrus : in benjamin , bethel , gaaba , jerusalem , and jerico . in dan , ●achish ; besides eckron and gath : in ephraim , gazer , samaria , saron , and tapua : in gad , rabba : in isachar , aphec : in juda , arad , be●eck , eglon , hebron , libna , mackeda , odolla , taphua : in manasse , dor , gilgal , jezreel , megiddo , taanac , and thirza : in the other part of manasse , astaroth , edri , geshur , machathi , soba , teman , and damascus . in nepthali , aser , kedes and hemath : in ruben , heshbon , madian and petra : in simeon , debir , and gerar : in zebulon , jeconan and shimron . jordan is the chiefest river , which at last looseth it self in the lake asphaltites , but before that , it makes many fruitful vallies , and spreadeth it self into a lake called genazereth , sixteen miles long , and six broad , environed with many pleasant towns , as julias and hippo on the east : tarichea on the south , and tiberias on the west , made wholesome with her hot-waters . but before it makes the lake of genazereth , it makes another called samachonitis , it especially is filled with the snow of libanus usually melted in the first month , which causeth jordan then to swell , and overflow his banks ( which made josua's passing thorough it at that time the more miraculous : ) in scripture it s called the waters of merom . the variety of fruits , and other temporall blessings , wherewith this country was inriched , are so fully set down in scripture that i need make no particular mention of them . what multitudes of people it fed , may be taken notice of in those two instances ; first , when david numbred them , there were found eleven hundred thousand in israel , and four hundred and seventy thousand in judah , valiant men that drew the sword , sam. . . and yet benjamin and levi were not reckoned : and in the dayes of jeroboam , chr. . abijah king of judah brought into the field four hundred thousand , and jeroboam eight hundred thousand , and on this part were slain five hundred thousand , all choice men , which no history can match in any age , or place of the world : what then was the total number , if women , children , impotent , and aged men had been reckoned ? after the return from the babylonish captivity , one third part of this country was called judaea , to distinguish it from the other two , samaria and galilee . galilee was the most northerly , confining on libanus and anti-libanus towards the north : on phaenicia westerly : having caelosyria on the east : and samaria with arabia on the south : jordan parted it ●n the middest it was divided into the higher and lower galilee , the higher was called galilee of the gentiles , containing the springs of jordan , and those cities which salomon gave to king hyram : the lower was called galilee of tiberias , that city giving name both to the lake and region , in which nazareth , and the hill tabor were famous . samaria is seated betwixt galilee , and judaea , being much lesse than either of them . judaea is the most southerly , between the mediterranean , and dead seas , samaria , and idumaen . pliny addeth to these the region of decapolis , so called from her ten cities , which were , caesarea philippi , aser , kedes , nepthalim , sephet , corazin , bethsaida , capernaum , jotopata , tiberias , and bethsan , called also scythopolis . a description of hierusalem , and the temple , as they were when they were destroyed by the romans . hierusalem was compassed with a treble wall on every side , save only on that part where it was inclosed with inaccessible vallies ; for on that side it needed onely one wall : it was built upon two hils , the one opposite to the other , separated by a valley , which was wonderously replenished with houses . one of these hills , whereon stood the upper part of the city , was far higher and steeper than the other ; whereupon king david compassing it about with a wall , called it the city of david . the other hill called acra , was the place whereon the lower part of the city stood : and opposite to this acra , was another hill lower than it , which at first was divided from it by a large valley ; but when the asmonians reigned , they filled up this valley , and cut down the top of acra , that it might not hide the temple : within one of the vallies was siloam , a fountain sending forth abundance of clear and sweet water : the outmost wall , by reason of the valley about it , and the rock whereon it stood was impregnable , the rather , because besides the situation , it was built very strongly by david , salomon , and other kings . a fourth wall was begun by agrippa : in humane reason , had this wall been finished , the city could never have been taken : for hee began to build it with stones twenty cubits long , and ten cubits broad , so that it could neither bee easily undermined , nor battered with engines : but hee built this wall but ten cubits high , and then fearing lest claudius caesar should think that hee had a purpose to rebell , hee gave it over : yet afterwards the jews raised this wall twenty cubits high : made a battlement two cubits high , and the tower three cubits , in all four and twenty cubits high : besides , upon the wall were three towers twenty cubits broad , and twenty cubits high , built four square , very strongly ; within these towers were rooms for men to dwell in , and cisterns to receive rain-water . the third wall had ninty of these towers , and between every tower were two hundred cubits space : the second wall had fourteen towers ; and the old wall had threescore , and the compasse of the whole city was three and thirty furlongs . between the north , and the west-part of the city , upon the outmost wall , stood the tower psephina , which was raised threescore and ten cubits high ; so that in a clear day a man might from thence discover arabia , and the utmost confines of the jews , even to the sea. just opposite to this was the towe● hippicos , built by herod upon the old wall , which for bignesse , beauty , and strength , surpassed all others in the world : it had four corners , each of which was five and twenty cubits broad , as many long , and thirty cubits high , and in no place hollow : on the top was a well to receive rain-water , twenty cubits deep . on the top of all were houses five and twenty cubits high , divided into many rooms : above them were battlements two cubits high , and turrets three cubits high , so that in all it was fourscore and five cubits high . hee built also a second tower , in breadth and length forty cubits , and as many high , in figure of a square pillar , all solid , and not hollow within : and above this , a porch ten cubits high , adorned with turrets and pinacles : over the midst of this porch hee built another tower , distinguished into goodly roomes , and sumptuous baths ; and on the top it was beautifyed with turrets and pinacles ; so that the whole height was almost fourscore and ten cubits . lastly , hee built a third tower , which hee called after his queens name , mariamne , twenty cubits high , and twenty broad , all of solid stone , and not hollow , having more stately and magnificent lodgings in it than either of the former : it was in all fifty five cubits high . these towers , though they were very high , yet by reason of their situation they seemed far higher : for the old wall whereon they were built stood upon a rock that was thirty cubits high , whereby their height was much increased : they were not built also of ordinary stone , but all of white marble , whereof each stone was twenty cubits long , and ten cubits broad , and five cubits thick ; and so curiously joyned together that every tower seemed but one stone ; within the city was the kings palace , surpassing all that can bee spoken of it , and for greatnesse , and curious workmanship , may bee compared with any other in the world : it was invironed with a wall thirty cubits high , adorned with goodly towers round about , beautified with houses for an hundred of the nobility : the variety of the marble wherewith it was built , was admirable , all sorts being therein used , though never so rare to bee found . in every room also were many vessels of gold , and silver , and many porches round about , adorned with most curious pillars : there were in it very many pleasant walks , adorned with all sorts of trees , and gardens , beset with fountains that spouted up water on high , and cisterns beauti●yed with many brazen statues , from which ranne out water continually . the temple described . the temple was built upon a rocky mountain ; the plain on the top whereof was at first scarce big enough for the temple and court , the hill being very steep : but the people every day bringing earth thither , at last made it plain , and large enough , and inclosed the hill with a treble wall , which was a work passing all expectation ; to the effecting whereof many ages were spent , and all the holy treasure offered to god from all parts of the world : the foundations of the temple were laid three hundred cubits deep , and in many places more . the stones of it were forty cubits , the porches were double , and every one was supported by many stately pillars , five and twenty cubits high , all of one peece of white marble ; the tops of them were of cedar so exactly wrought , as astonished the beholders : these porches were thirty cubits broad , and the compass of all was six furlongs . the courts were curiously wrought , and paved with all sorts of stones . thirdly , the way to the inward temple was all inclosed with stones , wrought like lattice-work , which were three cubits high , of curious workmanship : to this second there was an ascent by fourteen staires ; and aloft it was four square , and enclosed with a wall by it self , whose outside being forty cubits high , was all covered with stairs to ascend up to it , and within , it was twenty five cubits high : at the top of the fourteen staires within the wall was a level , compassed with a wall of three hundred cubits , which had eight gates in it ; and between the gates were porches opposite each to other , reaching from the wall to the treasury , supported with great and stately pillars . all the gates were covered with plates of gold , and silver , only one was covered with corinthian brasse , which for beauty far excelled the other , dazling the eyes of the beholders : in every gate were two doores , each of them thirty cubits high , and fifteen broad ; and on each side they had seats thirty cubits long , and forty cubits high , each one supported with two pillars , twelve cubits thick : only the gate which was covered with corinthian brasse , was fifty cubits high , the gates were forty cubits , and it was more richly adorned than the rest . fourthly , the holy of holies was situated in the midst of all , and had twelve staires to go up to it . the forepart of it was an hundred cubits high , and as many broad : backward it was forty cubits ; on each side it had as it were two shoulders rising up in height twenty cubits : the first gate was seventy cubits high , and five and twenty wide , and had no doores , to shew that heaven was alwayes open , &c. all the fore-parts were gilded , and all wi●●in was covered with fine gold . the inward part was divided into two rooms , whereof the first only might bee seen , which was in height fourescore , and ten cubits , in length forty , and in breadth tvventy : round about the wall vvas a golden vine , vvhereon hung many grapes in clusters all of gold , every cluster being about six foot long : it had golden gates fifty five cubits high , and sixteen cubits broad . it had curious hangings of the same length , admirably vvrought vvith purple , violet , and scarlet silk , all the fabrick vvas so exquisitely and richly vvrought , that none could possibly imagine any vvorkmanship that it vvanted : for it vvas all covered vvith a massie plate of pure gold vvhich dazled the eyes of the beholders : the top vvas all set vvith rods of gold , sharp like pikes at the ends , lest birds should sit thereon , and defile it . the stones wherewith it was built were forty five cubits large , five in length , six broad , and as many long . joseph . l. . c. . the city of ninive described . ninive was first founded by assur the son of sem , gen. . . enlarged by ninus , the third babylonish king : the compasse of it was four hundred and eighty furlongs , or sixty four italian miles ▪ the walls were one hundred foot high , and so broad , that three chariots might passe abreast upon them ; upon the walls were fifteen hundred towers , each of them two hundred foot high : it 's called a great city , jonah . . it was eight years in building , and there were never fewer than ten thousand workmen about it . the city of babylon described . babylon was founded by nimrod , gen. . . but enlarged by semiramis , who for the carrying on of that work , drew together thirty hundred thousand workmen ; who in one year finished the walls , which contained in circuit four hundred and eighty furlongs , or sixty four italian miles : they were two hundred foot high , and fifty foot thick ; so that six chariots might drive abreast on them . the river euphrates ran through the midst of it : over which shee built a strong , and stately bridge of a mile long , binding each stone to other , with clips of iron fastened with molten lead . these walls were one of the seven wonders of the world. it was built four square , each side sixteen miles long ; scituated in a large plain . aristotle calls it a country , rather than a city : and it must needs bee very great , when some part of it was taken three dayes before the other heard of it . it had a hundred brazen gates , and two hundred and fifty towers upon the walls , for beauty , and strength . semiramis built in it two pallaces both for ornament , and defence : one in the west , which was sixty furlongs in compasse , with high brick walls , and within that a lesse , and within that a third , wherein also was an impregnable tower. these were wrought sumptuously with images of beasts : it had three stately gates , and within the walls were game of beasts of sundry sorts . the other pallace was in the east , on the other side of the river , containing thirty furlongs in circuit . semiramis her obelisk described . semiramis queen of babylon caused an huge obelisk , square , and of the fashion of a pyramid , to bee cut out of the armenian mountains one hundred and fifty foot long , and four and twenty foot thick , which with much difficulty was brought to the river euphrates , and from them thence to babylon , where shee erected it , to bee matter of admiration to future ages . diod. the rarities in old babylon described . within the heart of this huge and stately city of babylon shee built a tower , reckoned amongst the vvorlds vvonders ; it had an hundred brazen gates , and two hundred and fifty towers . semiramis also built in the same city a stately temple which shee dedicated to cush , or jupiter belus , four square ; each side containing two furlongs or a thousand paces , with thick towering walls , entred by four gates of polished brasse . in the midst was a solid tower of the height and thicknesse of a furlong : upon this another , and so each higher than another , being eight in number , reaching far above the middle region of the air : in the highest tower was a chappel , and therein a fair bed covered , and a table of gold , in the top of this chappel shee placed three golden statues : one of jupiter , forty foot long weighing a thousand talents ( each talent containing sixty three pounds , and almost ten ounces ) : another of ops , weighing as much , sitting in a golden throne , at her feet two lions , and hard by , huge serpents of silver , each of thirty talents . the third image was of juno standing , in weight eight hundred talents : to all which was a common table of gold forty foot long , and twelve broad , weighing fifty talents . there were also two standing cups of thirty talents , and two vessels for perfume , of the like weight : besides three other vessels of gold weighing twelve hundred talents : all which the persian kings after their conquest of it took away . herod . nebuchadnezzar's babylon with its rarities described . nebuchadnezzar , after hee came to it , having conquered all the neighbouring nations , enriched this temple of belus with their spoils , and added a new city to the old without the same , which hee compassed about with three walls , and made in them stately gates : and neer his fathers palace hee built another more stately , wherein hee raised stone works like unto mountains , which hee planted with all manner of trees : hee made also pensile gardens ( one of the vvorlds vvonders ) born upon arches four square , each square containing four hundred foot , filled above vvith earth , vvherein grevv all sorts of trees and plants : the arches vvere built one upon another in convenient height , still increasing as they ascended : the highest vvhich bate the vvalls vvere fifty cubits high : hee made also aquaeducts for the vvatering of this garden . hee erected also an image of gold in the plain of dura sixty cubits high , and six broad : these stately buildings made him so to boast ; is not this great babel that i have built for the house of the kingdome , by the might of my power , and for the honour of my majesty ? herod . the tower of babylon described . about one hundred and thirty years after noahs comming out of the ark , his posterity being affrighted with the late flood , under nimrod they intended to raise up such a pile , as should secure them from a second deluge , and admirable it is to consider , what multitudes of men there were in the world in so short a space , there being but eight persons that came out of the ark , and now this building was carried on by five hundred thousand men ; the basis of it was nine miles in compass , and in a few years they raised it above five thousand paces into the sky , and had proceeded farther , but that god by confounding their languages , despersed them over the whole face of the earth . herb. trav. the country about babylon hath been the fruitfullest in the vvorld , yeilding ordinarily two hundred , and in some places three hundred increase : the blades of the vvheat and barley are about four fingers broad ; they cut their corn twice in the year , and depasture it a third time , or else it would bee nothing but blade : pur. pilgri . p. . the city of bagdat described . bagdat is raised out of the ruines of old babylon : it s in circuit above three miles , containing fifteen thousand families : it s watered by tygris , somewhat broader than the thames ; it hath a bridge over it made upon thirty long boates , chained together , made to open , and shut at pleasure : the mosque stands at the west end , large , round , and pleasantly raised of white freestone : the pallace joyns to the market , its large but low . the coha-house is a house of good fellowship , where every evening they assemble to drink a certain stygian liquor , a black , thick , bitter potion , brewed out of bunum berries , of great repute , because it provokes lust , and purges melancholly . the buzzar is square , and comely , the gardens are sweet and lovely . syria described . syria bounds northward upon cilicia , and part of cappadocia by mount amanus : on the south upon judea , and part of arabia-petraea : on the east upon arabia deserta , and euphrates : and on the west upon the syrian sea. this country is thought to have been the habitation of our first parents before the flood , and of noah , and the better part of his family , after . hierapolis was the chief city , where was a temple built in the midst of the city , compassed with a double wall : the porch looking northward was almost a hundred fathoms high : the temple it self , was three hundred fathoms , at the top whereof stood images of priapus ; which was their god , whom they served with filthy and godlesse vices . the temple within shined with gold , and the roof was wholly of the same mettall . it yeilded so fragrant a smell , that the garments of those that came into it retained the sent long after : within it was a quire , where stood the images of jupiter , supported with bulls , and of juno sitting upon a lyon , with a scepter in one hand , and a distaffe in the other , adorned with many jewels ; and amongst the rest on her head , one called the lamp , yeilding light in the night season . not far from the city was a lake two hundred fathoms deep , wherein was preserved sacred fishes , and in the middest thereof an altar of stone , crowned always with garlands , and burning with odours . antioch , another city in syria , was built by seleucus , and was sometimes the seat royall of the syrian kings , and afterwards it was the third city in the roman empire : the third seat of the christian patriarks : and the first place where the disciples were called christians : but now it s a sepulchre to it self , being left but a small village . damascus , another regal city , was fair , and great , every side containing fifteen miles , by it ran the river pharphar , that watered their gardens : but abana entered into the city , and by conduits was carried into their private houses , both of them adding both pleasure and profit to the inhabitants ; which made naaman prefer them before all the waters of israel . in it was a synagogue of the ismalites , a stately building , wherein was a wall of glasse distinguished by three hundred sixty and five holes , in each of which was a dial with twelve degrees , answering to the hours of the day , within it were bathes and costly buildings , so rich of gold and silver as seemed incredible : it had forty great porches in the circuit of it , wherein nine thousand lamps , all of gold , and silver hanged from the roof of them . it was ca led the palace of benhadad . aleppo is now the chiefest city in syria , wherein this is very remarkable , that though the plague rage never so much ( as many times it doth ) yet upon that very day wherein sol enters into leo , which is usually the twelfth or thirteenth day of july , it immediately ceaseth , and all that are then sick amend , and such as are then come abroad , need fear no further danger . the turks call aleppo , halep , which signifies milk , because it yeilds great store of milk . it s usuall here with many christians to take a woman of the country ( provided shee bee not a turk , for its death for a christian to meddle with them ) and when they have bought them , to enroll them in the cadi's book , and so to use them as wives at bed , and board , while they sojourn there , and then at their departure to leave them to shift for themselves , and children . tripolis is a city on the main land of syria , neer unto mount libanus , which is a mountain of three days journey in length , reaching from trypolis to damascus : the christians which dwell upon this mountain are called maronites , they are a very simple and ignorant people , yet civil , kind , and curteous to strangers . there are now few cedars growing here , only in one place , there are four and twenty growing together , they are tall , and as big as the greatest oaks , with diverse rows of branches , one over another , stretching strait out , as though they were kept by art. there is no place in all the vvorld , wherein they speak the syriack tongue naturally at this day , but only in four villages on this mountain , which are eden , hatcheeth , shany , and boloza . neer unto tripolis , there is a gallant plain of about a mile in length full of olive , and fig-trees . scandaroon , by christians called alexandretta , is in the very bottome of the straights : the air is very unwholsome , and infects those that stay any time there , occasioned by two high mountains , which keep away the sunne from it for a great part of the day : the water also neer the town is very unwholsome . here our merchants land their goods , and send them by caravan upon camels to aleppo , distant about three days journey . here are many jackalls , which in the night make a great crying , and comming to a grave where a corse hath been buried the day before , if the grave bee not well filled with many great stones upon it , they will scrape up the earth , and devour the corps . mr. bidulphs travels . the empire of persia described . persia at this day hath many famous provinces subjected to her command ; as persia , parthia , media , hyrcania , bactria , sogdiana , evergeta , ar●a , drangiana , margiana , paropamisa , caramania , gedrosia , susiana , arabia , chaldea , mesopotamia , armenia , iberia , and mengrellia , twenty noble kingdomes of old : the whole empire is bounded east , west , north , and south , with india , arabia , the caspian and persian seas . in length from east to west is one thousand three hundred and twenty miles ; and in breadth from north to south ; it s one thousand four hundred fourscore and eight miles ; so that the whole circuit is about four thousand miles : the revenues of the persian king , amount yearly to the sum of one million and one hundred and ninty thousand pounds sterling . the persians are usually big-boned , strong , straight , and proper : of an olive colour , the women paint , the men love arms , and all love poetry . no part of their body is allowed hair , the upper lip excepted , where it grows long , and thick : they turn it downwards : the meaner sort reserve a lock in the middest of their head , by which they believe mahomet will pluck them up into paradise . their eyes are black , their foreheads high , and their noses hooked ; upon their heads they wear shashes of great rowls of calico , silk , and gold , the higher , the more beautiful : they wear no bands , their outside garment is usually of calico , stitched with silk , quilted with cotton ; the better sort have them farre richer , of silk , silver and gold ; their sleeves are straight and long , their garment reaches to the calf of the leg , their wasts are girt with towels of silk , and gold very long : next their skin they wear smocks of cotton very short ; their breeches and stockings are sowed together ; from the ankle to the shooes they are naked ; their shooes have no latchets , sharp at the toes , and turn upward . circumcision is so necessary , that without it none can call himself a mussulman : both men and women use it ; the women at any time from nine to fifteen : the men at twelve , which was ishmaels age , when abraham circumcised him , whom they make their progenitor . their ordinary houshold furniture is a pan , a platter , and a carpet ▪ their diet is soon drest , and as soon eaten ; their table is the ground , covered with a carpet , over which they spread a pintado cloth : before each man they lay four or six thin cakes of wheat : for every one a wooden spoon , their handles almost a yard long , and huge big mouthes : their only meat is pelo , dressed after diverse manners . it consists of rice , mutton , and hens boiled together , to which they adde various sauces , &c. their drink is sherbet , made of fair water , sugar , rosewater , and juice of lemmons mixt together . the chief cities in persia described . the city of lar described lar is the chief city in the province of larestan . it s not walled about : in that art is needlesse , the lofty rock , so naturally defending her : shee hath a brave castle on the north quarter , mounted upon an imperious hill , not only threatning an enemy , but awing the town with her frownin● posture : the ascent is narrow and steep : the castle of good stone : the walls are furnished with good battlements , whereon are mounted twelve brasse cannons , and two basilisks ( the spoils of ormus ) within the walls are one hundred houses stored with souldiers , who have there a gallant armory , able to furnish with lance , bow , and gun , three thousand men . the buzzar or market-place , is a gallant fabrick ; the materials , a good chalkie-stone , long , strong and beautiful : it s covered a top , arched , and containing in it a burse , or exchange , wherein the shops are stored with variety of wares : the walk from north to south is a hundred and seventy paces : from east to west one hundred and sixty : the oval in the center is about one hundred and ninety . the mosques or churches are not many : one especially is round , figuring eternity : in some places engraven with arabick letters , and painted with knots , and in other places with mosaick fancies . it s low , and without glasse windows , woodden trellizes ( excellently cut after their manner ) supplying that want : here are the fairest dates , orenges , lemmons , and pomecitrons in all persia : at easy rates you may have hens , goats , rice , rache , and aquavitae . the inhabitants are for the most part naked , being a mixture of jews , and mahumetans ; their habit is only a wreath of calico tyed about their heads , a cloth about their loins , and sandals on their feet ; the rest naked . herb. trav. shyraz described . shyraz is at this day the second city for magnificence in the persian monarchy : it 's watered by the river bindamyr , that springs out of the tapirian mountains : it 's each way about three miles in length ; the compasse nine miles . it s pleasantly seated in the north west end of a spacious plain , twenty miles long , and six broad ; environed with stupendious hills , under one of which the city is placed : it s defended by nature , inriched by trade , by art made lovely : the vine-yards , gardens , cypresses , sudatories , and temples ravish the eye , and smell , in every part sweet , and delightful . the houses are of sun-burnt bricks , hard , and durable ; flat and tarrassed about : the belconies , and windows are curiously and largely trellized : the floores spred with rich carpets : none are without their gardens , or forrests , rather of high chenaers , and cypresses : in it are fifteen brave mosques , pargetted with azure-stones , resembling turquoises , without ; lined within with pure , black polished marble : the tops beautified with many double-guilt-spires , which reflect the sun beams with a rich and delightful splendor : two excel all the rest : one of them is fifty foot high in the body , leaded , covered with gold , and blew ; the walls , varnished and wrought with knots and poesies : above , aspiring with two colums of wood round , cut and garnished with great bravery , very nigh as high as pauls in london . the other is quadrangular : the superficies of arabick invention , imbost with gold , paved with porphiry , painted with azure , garnished with mazes , and at their festivals made resplen●ent with one thousand lamps and torches . idem . when our english embassador passed through this city , hee was entertained in the dukes palace , where all the great men of the court and city were present , and many young ganimedes arrayed in cloath of gold , went up and down with flagons of pure gold , to fill out vvine to such as nodded for it : they were served with a curious banquet , at the end whereof came in the duke : hee was ushered in by thirty gallant young gentlemen vested in crimson satten : their tulipants were of silk and silver , wreathed about with chains of gold , of pearl , of rubies , turquoises , and emeralds : they were all girded with rich swords , and imbroidered scabbards , they had hawks on their fists , each hood worth one hundred pound . to these succeeded their lord , the arch duke of shyraz , his coat was of blew satten , richly imbroidered with silver , upon which hee wore a robe of a great length , so glorious to the eye , so thick powdered with oriental gems , as made the ground of it invisible , the price invaluable . his turbant was of pure fine silk and gold , bestudded with pearl and carbuncles : his scabbard was beset all over with rubies , pearls , and emeralds : his sandals res●mbled the bespangling firmament , &c. idem . the ancient persepolis described . persepolis was a city so glorious , that quintus curtius , and diodorus siculus intitle it the richest , and most lovely city under the sun. it was a very large city , and the metropolis of all persia , two of the gates standing twelve miles asunder , which shews what the circuit of it was , when in her beauty and bravery . on the south side was a stately and magnificent pallace , built by king cyrus : on the north side stood a mighty strong castle , which was girt about with three walls : the first wall was four and twenty foot high , adorned and beautified with many turrets and spires : the second was like the first , but twice as high : and the third was foursquare , being ninety foot high ; all built of polished marble : on each side of the city were twelve brasen gates , with brasen pales set before them very curiously wrought . on the east arose amiably an hill of four acres , in which , in stately mausoleum's , were entombed the monarchs of the vvorld . many rare and admirable buildings it had , amongst which the glorious temple of diana was the most exquisite for art , and materials in the vvorld : the stones were of the richest marble and porphery , the roof of refined gold . the pallace royal was cut out of the marble rock , above two miles in compasse : the roof and windows were of gold , silver , amber , and ivory : the seate within was of gold , and oriental glittering gems : in one room was an artificial vine , the stalk of pure gold , the clusters of grapes of pearls and carbuncles : his bolster was valued at five thousand talents of gold ; the footstool worth three thousand talents : so that when the greedy greeks had pillaged three dayes , yet alexander had for his share seventy two millions of crowns of gold : besides hee loaded away three thousand mules , with two and thirty millions , and seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds in coin. the ruines of this stately city are seen at this day with astonishment . herb. trav. p. . the city of spahawn described . spahawn , the metropolis of the persian monarchy , is seated in the parthian territory , as the navel to that spacious body : it 's nine english miles in compasse , containing seventy thousand houses , and of souls about two hundred thousand , composed ( besides natives ) of english , dutch , portuguize , poles , moscovites , indians , arabians , armenians , georgians , turks , jews , &c. drawn thither by the magnetick power of gain and novelty . the principal things observeable in it are , the bridge well built of stone , supported by five and thirty arches , through which the syndery from the acroceraunian mountains gently floweth . the midan , or great market-place ▪ which is the most spacious , pleasant and aromatick market in the vvorld : a thousand paces from north to south , the other way above two hundred , resembling our exchange : the building is of brick , well made , and framed in a most delightful manner ; the inside is full of shops , each shop full of ware , arched above , a top framed tarrase-wise : and cemented with excellent plaister , it s placed in the heart of this triumphant city . the kings pallace joyns to the west side of it , possessing a large quantity of ground backward , though to the street side it hath no magnifick front ; her best bravery being in the trim pargetting and painting with azure and gold , in mosaick and antick sort , interlaced with poesies of arabick : but within , the rooms are arched , enlightened with curious trellizes : the roof embossed with red , white , blew , and gold , the sides with sports , and painted images : the ground spread with rich and curious carpets of silk and gold. tarrased above , garnished with a very high tower , excellent for view ; and breathing . the wildernesse behinde is filled with all sorts of birds , priviledged from hurt , or affrights , who return their thanks in a sweet melodious consort . the north isle of the midan , contains eight or nine arched rooms , hung with lamps and candlesticks , which being lighted , gives a curious splendor . opposite to this pallace is a fair mosque , in form round , and within distinguished into isles ; the walls are lined fifteen foot high from the ground with white , and well polisht marble , without pews or seats : in the midst is a stately tank , or pond , and at the portal another eightsquare , filled with christal streams of water , wherein all musslemen wash their hands , armes , eyes , &c. as an operative work to purge sin , and confer devotion . in the midan the shops bee uniform , the trades are no where severed ; all the mercers together , the lapidaries together , &c. but most of them are of gums , drugs , and spices so sweet and delicate as can bee imagined . the hummums or sudatories are many , and very beautiful , some square , but most round , made of white stone polished , and durable ; the windows are large without , and narrower within , the glasse is thick , and dark : the top round , tyled with a counterfeit turquoise , perfectly blew , fresh and lasting ; they are divided into many rooms , some for delight , and others for sweating : the paving all pure black marble : men use them in the morning , women towards night . t is their catholicon against all diseases , colds , catarrhes , flegme , aches , &c. the city is oval , each house made pleasant by large cypresse gardens . the seraglio for his women , is full of precious treasures , and more precious beauties , but not to bee seen . the castle is very large , well walled , and deeply moated . the city hath so many pleasant gardens , that at a distance you would take it for a forrest , so sweet , you would call it a paradise : i shall only describe one of them excelling all others . going from the midan , you passe through an even delicate street two miles long , most part of the way walled on both sides , bedecked with summer-houses , but more remarkable in that abundance of green , broad spreading chenore trees , yeelding shade , and incomparable order and beauty . the garden is circled with a stately wall , three miles in compasse , entred by three gallant and curious gates . from north to south it is one thousand paces ; from east to west seven hundred : from one end to the other easily seen by reason of a fair large alley , running all along in parallel , distinguished into nine ascents , each surmounting other a foot , each distance smooth and even . in the center is a spacious tank , made into twelve equal sides , each side being five foot , set round with pipes of lead , which spout out water in variety of conceits and postures , which sort of pastime continues thence to the north gate , where is raised a house of pleasure , antickly garnished without , within divided into four or six chambers : the lower is set out with tanks of rich white marble , and fumes out a cool breese : the higher rooms are garnished with variety of landskips , representing their sports of hunting , hawking , fishing , riding , shooting , wrestling , and other fancies : the seeling is inriched with beaten gold , imbost with azure . from her tarrasses is a dainty prospect of most part of the city . this garden is replenished with trees of all sorts , for fruit , shade , and medicine : all so green , so sweet , so pleasant , as may well bee tearmed a compendium of sense-ravishing delights . within the city is a column or pillar , at the base twenty foot round , and sixty foot high , made of the heads of men and beasts : the occasion of this was anno christi . when tamas shaw ruled persia , being much troubled with turks and tartars , these citizens refused not only to contribute to his wars , but denyed him enterance , whereupon hee vowed revenge , entred the city by force , and without regarding age , or sex , slew three hundred thousand of them ; and of their heads made this pillar , as a trophee of his victory , and their basenesse . — en quo discordia cives perduxit miseros . — when our english embassador came to the emperor of persia , he found him at asharaff in hircania , two miles from the caspian sea : when hee came to the court with his retinue , they allighted , and were ushered into a little court du guard , that stood in the center of a spacious court , the ground spread with persian carpets , about a pretty white marble tank , where they were feasted with pelo , and wine , the flagons , cups , dishes , plates , and covers being of pure beaten gold : thence they were led through a spacious and fragrant garden , curious to the eye , and delicate to the smell , to another summer-house , rich in gold imbossements , and paintings ; but far more excellent for the admirable prospect ▪ for from thence they viewed the caspian sea on one side , and the mountain taurus on the other . the ground chambers were large , four-square , archt , and richly guilded above , and on the sides , below , bespread with curious carpets of silk and gold. in the center were tanks of christalline water ( an element of no mean account in those torrid habitations ) round about the tanks were placed goblets , flagons , cisterns , and standards of pure massy-gold : some of them were filled with perfumes , others with rose-water : with wine some , and others with choisest flowers . from thence they were led into another large square upper room , where the roof was formed into an artificial element , many golden planets attracting the wandring eye to help their motion : the ground was covered with far richer carpets than the other : the tank was larger : the matter , jasper ; and porphiry : the silver purling-stream was forced up into another region , yet seemed here to bubble wantonly as in her proper center : about it was so much gold in vessels for use , and oftentation , that some merchants with them , judged it worth twenty millions of pounds sterling : another tank there was incircled with a wall of gold , and richest gems : no other flagons , cups , nor other vessels were there but what were thick , and covered over with diamonds , rubies , pearls , emeralds , turquises , jacinths , &c. the seeling of this chamber was garnished with poetick fancies in gold , and choicest colours . the ground in this room was covered with such carpets as befitted the monarch of persia : above sixty of the greatest nobles sat round about it , cross-legged with their bums to the ground , and their backs to the wall , like so many statues , their eyes fixed on a constant object ; not daring to speak , sneese , cough , spit , &c. in the emperors presence . the ganimed boys in vests of gold , and richly bespangled turbanes , &c. with flagons of most glorious mettal , profering wine to such as would tast it : the emperor abbas himself sat at the upper end ; so much higher than the rest , as two or three silken shags could elevate him : his apparrel was plain , &c. the city of casbine described . casbine is at this day for multitude of buildings , and inhabitants , the chiefest city in media , and next to spahawn , the greatest city in the persian monarchy . it s compassed with a wall seven miles in compasse : seated in a fair even plain , having no hill of note within thirty miles compasse : the champain yeilds grain , and grapes , but no wood . it hath a small stream to water it , which gives drink to the thirsty ; and makes fruitfull the gardens , whereby they yeild abundance of fruits , and roots in variety ; as grapes , orenges , limes , lemons , pomecitrons , musk melons , and water-melons , apples , pistachoes , filberts , almonds , walnuts , plums , cherries , peaches , apricocks , figs , pears , goosberries , dates , and excellent pomgranats ; &c. the families in it are twenty thousand , and the inhabitants about two hundred thousand : the buzzars , or market places are large , and pleasant : the midan is uniform , and beautifull : the kings palace nigh the market , low built , painted with blew , red , and yellow colours , commixt with arabick letters and knots in gold , and azure : the windows are spacious , trellized , and neatly carved : neer the kings gate is a great tank : the hummums , or sweating places are many , resplendent in the azure pargetting , and tileing : the gardens are pleasant for view and smell . the city of tauris described . tauris was the late metropolis of media , taking its name from the prodigious mountain taurus , under which it is built ; the ancient name was ecbatane , when shee was farre greater than now shee is : strabo saith , that it was fifteen miles in compasse , the walls were strong and stately , seventy cubits high , and fifty broad , beautified with many lofty turrets , and battlements , within were many great and excellent palaces , especially that which was built by daniel ( the mausoleum of the median kings ) was most magnificent , which remained undemolished till the time of josephus . that built by darius was no lesse memorable , most whereof was built of cedar , the roof studded , and plaited with burnished gold . at this day its about five miles compasse , well peopled , traded to from farre and neer ; the houses are flat on the top , made of brick ; the buzzar large , and the gardens lovely . the city of derbent described . derbent is a strong and famous port town upon the caspian sea , viewing from her lofty turrets , the armenian , and hyrcanian territories , as also ararat , and the sea . it s circled with a strong , high , and defensible stone-wall , above three miles in compasse : the houses , hummums , and churches , are but meanly beautifull : the strong castle kastow is most observeable in it , pleasantly , and very advantagiously seated . hyspaan described . the city of hyspaan in persia , was formerly called hecatompolis , by reason of its hundred gates ; it 's compassed with a strong wall , and is in circuit as much as a man may well ride on horseback in a day ; it s a very strong city , and is excellently watered with deep channels of running springs , conveyed into it from the coronian mountains , which are as a wall inaccessible about it . on the north side is a very strong castle , which is compassed about with a wall of a thousand and seven hundred yards in compasse . on the west side of the city are two seraglio's , one for the king , the other for his women : palaces of great state , and magnificence , the walls whereof glister with pollished marble , and pargetting of divers colours ; and all the palaces are paved with curious checkered work , and covered with curious carpets wrought with silk , and gold ; the windows are made of marble , porphery , and alabaster ; the posts and doors of massie ivory , checkered with glistering black ebonie , so curiously wrought in winding knots , as may easilier stay than satisfie the wondering eye of the spectator . near the palace is a stately garden , spacious , and large , beautifully adorned with a thousand sundry kinds of fruit-trees , plants , and flowers of all sorts to delight the beholders . there are in it a thousand fountains , and a thousand brooks , and as the father of them all , a pretty river which with a mild stream , and delightful murmure , divides the garden from the kings palace . casan described . casan is the chiefest city in parthia ; it is seated in a goodly plain , having no mountains within a dayes journey of it : it wanteth neither fountains , springs , nor curious pleasant gardens : it aboundeth with all necessaries for the life of man ; it 's greatly frequented with all sorts of merchandize , especially out of india . the citizens are very industrious , and curious in all manner of sciences , especially in weaving girdles , and shashes ; in making velvets , satins , damasks , excellent persian carpets of a wonderful finenesse : here you may buy all manner of drugs , and spices ; as also turkesses , diamonds , rubies , and pearles ; as also all sorts of silk , raw and wrought : for there is more silk brought into casan in one year , than there comes broad cloth into london . this city is much to bee commended for civil government : for an idle person is not suffered to live amongst them ; the child that is but six years old is set to labour : no ill rule , disorder or riot is suffered there . they have a law amongst them , whereby every person is compelled to give his name to the magistrate , withal declaring by what course hee liveth ; and if any tell untruly , hee is either well beaten on the feet , or imployed in publick slavery . casan contains above four thousand families ; the houses are fairly built ; the streets bee large and comely : the mosques and hummums are curiously painted , and covered with blew tiles , like turquoises : the buzzar is spacious , and uniform . the gardens abound with fruit , and the fields with corn : the carravans-raw is an admirable fabrick , able to receive all the retinue of the greatest potentate in asia . it was built by saw-abbas for the entertainment of travellers on free cost : the whole building is founded on marble , six foot high , the rest of brick ; varnished and coloured with knots , and phansies of arabick characters in azure , red , and white , laid in oile : it s a perfect quadrangle , each side two hundred paces long : in the midst of this spacious court is a large fouresquare tank , or pond , with christaline water : this royal inne is seated in the midst of fragrant and spacious gardens . armenia the greater described armenia major lyeth on the farther side of euphrates : is a very mountainous country ; hath part of cappadocia , and euphrates , on the west . mesopotamia on the south : colchis , iberia , and albania on the north. and the caspian sea , and media on the east : one part of it is called turcomania , the other georgia . on the mountain of ararat , in this countrey the ark rested , and from hence the world was repeopled . the chiefest rivers are phasis and lycus , which runne into the pontick sea : cyrus , and araxes into the caspian ; euphrates , and tygris which run into the red , or persian sea. tygris , so called from its swiftnesse , passeth through the lake arethusa , yet neither mingling water , nor fishes , saith solinus ; afterward it diveth under taurus , and riseth on the other side bringing much filth with it , and is again hidden , and again riseth , and at last carrieth euphrates into the sea. mr. cartwright in his preachers travels , saith , that these present armenians are a very industrious people in all kind of labour : that their women are very skilful , and active in shooting , and managing any sort of weapon , like the ancient amazons ; that their families are great , the father and all his posterity dwelling together under one roof , having their substance in common , and when the father dyeth , the eldest son governs , all submitting themselves under his regiment , after his death , not his son , but his brother succeeds , and when all the brethren are dead , then the eldest son. in diet , and clothing they are all alike . media described . media hath on the north the caspian sea : on the south persia : on the west armenia : and on the east parthia . ecbatane was once the metropolis of it , twenty miles distant from the caspian straits : which are a narrow way made by hand through the hills , scarce wide enough for a cart to pass , eight miles in length , the rocks with their obscure frowns , hanging over them , and in the summer time multitudes of serpents guarding them . the walls of ecbatane were built of hewen stone , seventy cubits high , and fifty cubits broad , and sixteen miles in compasse . herodotus saith , that after the assyrians had raigned in asia , five hundred and twenty years , the medes rebelled , chose deioces for their king , at whose command they builded him this royall city , and in it a palace of cedar wood ; joyned with plates of silver , and gold , being a stately thing , the whole compasse of it was seven furlongs . diodorus siculus reports , that at one time , multitudes of sparrows that devoured their seed , forced the inhabitants to leave this countrey , and to seek their living in other places : as mice caused them in some part of italy : and frogs that rained out of the clouds , made the attariotae : and fleas chased away the inhabitants of myus : how great is that god , who of the smallest of his creatures , can muster armies to conquer them that swell in the conceit of their own greatnesse ? as against pharoah , &c. and how many nations in africa have the grashoppers exiled from their native habitations ? amongst the medes none might bee king except hee was in stature and strength more eminent than others : they used to nourish dogs with great care , to whom they cast men ready to dye , whilest yet breathing , to bee devoured of them . in this country is the lake of van , three hundred miles long , and a hundred and fifty broad , of salt water the greatest next to meotis . gyllicus affirms that eight great rivers run into it , without any apparent issue to the sea. parthia described . parthia is seated at the roots of the mountains , having the arians on the east ; the medes on the west : caramania on the south : and hyrcania on the north , surrounded with desarts : they used not gold , or silver , but only to adorn their armour : they had many wives , of whom they were so jealous that they forbad them the sight of any other man : they performed all businesses , both publick and private on horseback ; this being the distinction of free men from servants ; they buried their dead in the bellies of birds , or dogs : they were exceeding superstitious in the service of their gods : they were a stout , unquiet , and unfaithful people : their fight was more dangerous in their flight , than in their onset ; whence seneca saith terga , conversi metuenda parthi . the parthians flight doth most affright . it s now called arach . hyrcania described . hyrcania ( now strava ) hath on the west media : on the east margiana : on the south parthia : and on the north the caspian sea : it s famous for store of woods , and tygers : strava the chief city abounds with trafick for silk : their religion agrees with that of the persians . arabia described . arabia is a very large country lying between the persian gulph on the east , and the arabian gulph on the west : on the south is the ocean ; and on the north is syria and euphrates . it s usually divided into petraea , deserta , and foelix : the name faelix , or happie is given to the southern part , from the fertility of it . petraea to a second part , of petra the seat royal : deserta , or the desert from the nature of it , being a very barren soil . arabia the desert is bounded on the east with babylonia , and part of the persian gulph : on the north with mesopotamia , neer to euphrates : on the west with syria , and arabia petraea : and on the south with the mountains of arabia faelix , neer unto which , and euphrates , it hath some towns which are frequented by merchants : in other parts it is unpeopled , only by some roving arabians wandering in it , seeking pasture for their cattel . arabia petraea hath syria on the west and north : arabia the desert on the east ; and arabia foelix on the south : some call it nabathaea : that part of it which is next to syria is fruitful ; the other barren , wanting both wood , and water , and frequented by wandring theevish arabians : in this country it was , that the israelites wandred forty years up and down in their passage to canaan . here is mount sinai , a mile and an half from horeb , and far higher : sinai is ascended by steps cut out of the rock , and from the top of it may bee seen both shores of the red-sea . arabia foelix bounds upon the former , and hath the sea on all other parts , against which it doth abut for the space of three thousand five hundred and four miles . it s now called ayaman , or giamen . it s probable to bee the country where saba stood , whose queen came to visit salomon , though the abassines challenge her to themselves : it hath store of rivers , lakes , towns , cities , cattel , and fruits of many sorts . the chief cities are medina , mecca , ziden , zebit , aden , &c. here is store of gold , silver , and variety of precious stones : as also wild beasts of diverse kinds . the inhabitants use circumcision at thirteen years old after the ●xample of ismael . frankincense grows only in this country , and not in every part , but in one part only , guarded , and almost unpassable by rocks ; the place is one hundred miles long , and about fifty in breadth ; there are three hundred families appointed to attend this wood , who are called holy , and when they cut the trees , whence incense sweats , which is in the spring and autum , they must abstain from women , funerals , &c. when it s gathered , they carry it on camels by sabota , where they pay the tithe to a god called sabis . they have in arabia sheep with great tailes , some of which weigh forty pounds , some much more : they kill all the mice they can , as supposing them enemies to their gods : the women cover their faces , being contented rather to see but with one eye , than to prostitute their whole faces . they have also balsom trees . the arabick language is now the most common in all the eastern countries , especially amongst those that imbrace the mahometan religion . tartary described . the tartars inhabit a vast space of ground in asia , and are divided into many tribes different both in name and government one from another : the greatest and mightiest of them is the crim tartar , called by some the great cham , that lyeth south , and south east from russia . their arms are bows , arrows , and swords ; they are all horse-men , and use to shoot as readily backward , as forward : the common souldiers have no armour more than their ordinary apparel , which is a black sheep skin with the wool side outward in the day time , and inward in the night , with a cap of the same : the nobles imitate the turks , both in apparrel and armour . in their wars they chiefly seek to get store of captives , especially of boyes and girles , whom they sell to the turks , or other neighbour nations ; they are most of them mahometans . they have certain idol puppets made of silk or other stuff in the likenesse of a man , which they fasten to the door of their walking houses to keep them in safety ; besides they have the image of their great cham , of an huge bignesse , which they erect at every stage when they march , and every one as he passeth by , must bow down to it , they are much given to witchcraft , and sorcery . they are divided into hoords , over each of which is a duke , who are bound when the emperor sends for them , to attend him with such a number of souldiers , every one having two horses , one to ride on , and the other to kill , when his turn comes to have his horse eaten : for their chief food is horseflesh , which they eat without any bread : they keep also great heards of kine , and black sheep , rather for their skins and milk ( which they carry with them in great bottles , ) then for their flesh , which ( they say ) is not so strengthning as horse-flesh , they drink milk and bloud mingled together : sometimes as they travel , they let their horses blood ; and drink it warm . they have no towns but walking houses , built upon wheeles , like shepheards cottages : these they draw with them , and drive their cattel before them , and when they stay , they plant their cart-houses very orderly in rank , so making the form of streets , and of a large town : the emperor himself hath no other city but such as these : in the spring they move with their cattel northward grazing up all before them , and then return southward again , where they remain all the winter : towards the caspian sea , and on the frontiers of russia , they have a goodly country , but marred for want of tillage . they use no money , and prefer brass and steel before all other mettals . they have broad and flat visages , much tanned , have fierce and cruel looks , thin hair on their upper lips , they are light and nimble , they have short legs , as if they were made for horsemen : their speech is sudden , and loud , speaking out of a deep hollow throat : their singing is very untunable . the circasses that border upon lituania , are more civil than the rest , applying themselves to the fashions of the polonians : the nagay tartars lye eastward , and are far more savage , and cruel : the most rude , and barbarous , are the morduit-tartars , that worship for god , the first living thing they meet in the morning , and swear by it all the day after : when his friend dyes hee kills his best horse , and carries his hide upon a long pole , before the corps to the place of buriall : that so his friend may have a good horse to carry him to heaven ; they are void of learning , and without written laws , only some rules they hold by tradition , as to obey their emperor and governors : none to possesse any land , but the whole countrey to bee common : not to use daintiness in diet , &c. this great country is bounded on the east with the eastern ocean : on the west with russia , and moldovia : on the north with the sythick , or frozen sea : and on the south with mare caspium , the hill taurus , and the wall of china : it s in length from east to west , five thousand four hundred miles , and in breadth from north to south , three thousand and six hundred miles . it was formerly called scythia . it hath been so fruitfull of people , that it was called , vagina gentium , et officina generis humani ; the mother of all inundations . from hence indeed huns , herules , franks , bulgarians . circassians , sueves , burgundians , turks , tartarians , dutch , cimbers , normans , almaines , ostrogothes , tigurines , lombards , vandals , visigothes , have swarm'd like locusts , round about this ball. and spoil'd the fairest provinces of all . the island of cyprus described . in the mediterranean sea : there are only two islands belonging to asia , cyprus , and rhodes . the island of cyprus described . cyprus is seated in the sea of syria , and is in compasse five hundred and fifty miles : it s in length from east to west , two hundred miles : in breadth but sixty five miles . it s about sixty miles distant from cilicia , and one hundred from the main land of syria . in summer it s very hot : the greatest supply of water is from the clouds : so that in constantines time , there being a great , and long drought , the island was almost unpeopled for thirty six years together . ordinarily it s very fruitfull , and so stored with commodities , that without the help of other countrys , its able to build a ship from the keel to the top-sail , and to furnish it to sea , with all things necessary , either for a voyage or sea-fight . it yeilds plenty of wine , oile , corn , sugar , honey , wool , cotton , turpentine , allum , and verdegreece : as also all sorts of mettals , salt , grograms , and other commodities ; whence it was called macaria ; or the blessed island . there are abundance of cyprus trees growing in it . the inhabitants are warlike , strong , and nimble , civil , hospitable , and friendly to strangers . the jews in trajans time slew in this island , two hundred and forty thousand living souls , whereupon ever since they suffer no jew to come amongst them . the island is divided into eleven provinces : the chief rivers are pedeus and tenus : the chief cities are paphos , once famous for the temple of venus . famagusta on the south sea. nicosia almost in the center of the countrey . amathus , ceraunia , now called cerines : and arsione , now lescare . it s now under the turks , who took it from the venetians , anno christi , one thousand five hundred threescore and ten . the island of rhodes described . rhodes is situated in the carpathian sea , over against caria in the lesser asia : it s in circuit one hundred and twenty miles : the chief city is of the same name , where stood that huge colossus of brasse , in the image of a man fourscore cubits high , whose little finger was as big as an ordinary man : it was the work of twelve years , made by chares of lindum . the inhabitants of this i le were always good seamen . anno christi . the knights of st. john in hierusalem , being driven out of asia by the saracens , seized upon this island , and were always troublesome neighbours to the turks , till the year . at which time solyman the magnificent , wrested it from them . the forenamed city of rhodes , stands on the east part of the island at the bottome of a hill , and on the shore of the sea ; having a safe and fair haven : it hath also two walls for defence , thirteen high towers , five bulwarks , besides sconces and outworks : it s inhabited only by turks and jews : for though the christians are suffered to trade freely all day ; yet at night , upon pain of death they must leave it . the rhodian colossus more fully described . in the isle of rhodes stood one of the worlds seven wonders , which was a huge colossus made of brasse in the form of a man , standing with his two leggs striding over an haven , under which , ships with their masts and sails might passe : it was fourscore cubits high , with all the parts proportionable , and all gilt over . when muani the fifth caliph of babylon , overcame constance the emperour in a sea-fight , and had taken the isle of rhodes , this image being formerly thrown down by an earthquake , was sold by him to a jew , who loaded nine hundred camels with the brasse of it . theoph. pez . mel. hist. the islands and countries in the east-indies described . malabar described . malabar is neer to cape comeryn : it s four hundred miles in length , but not above a hundred in breadth : yet so populous that one of the samorines , or kings , hath brought into the field two hundred thousand men : the countrey is green and full of all delights , cattel , corn , fruit , cotton , silk-worms , and other merchandise : it hath store of strong towns , and safe harbours . it s divided into many toparchies , but all obeying the samorine , a naked negro , yet as proud as lucifer : the nayroes are his lords , a sort of mammeluks , that live by the sweat of other mens brows , lust wholly mastering them : they always go armed with sword and buckler : the people generally are big-limmed , strong , cole-black , wear their hair , ( which is like wool ) long , and curled : about their heads they have a wreath of a curious sort of linnen wrought with gold , and silk : about their wast a peece of calico , all the rest naked : the vulgar sort pink their skins in many places : some are mahometans , others gentiles : the mahometan women use vails like other indians : such as are gentiles affect nakedness : their greatest pride is in their noses , and ears ; and they judge them most brave which are bigest , and widest : their ears they make big by weighty bables which they hang in them : they wring their snouts with silver , brass , or ivory : their arms and legs are chained richly . their braminies , or priests , have the maiden heads of all that are married : they are couragious and politick . the city of callecut in malabar described . callecut a city is not large , nor of any beauty ▪ the houses are low , thick , and dark : the samorine , or emperor usually abides here : many deformed pagathoes are here worshipped : the chappel where their grand idol sits is covered , and about three yards high : the wooden entrance is ingraven with infernal shapes : within their beloved priapus is imperiously enthronized upon a brasen mount : his head hath a resplendent diadem , from whence issue four great rams horns : his eyes squint : his mouth is wide , from whence branch four monstrous tusks : his nose is flat : his beard like the sun beams , of an affrighting aspect ; his hands are like the claws of a vulture ; his thighs and legs big , and hairy ; his feet , and tail resemble a munkies ; other temples ▪ have other pagods , ugly all , yet all differ in invention . they commonly exchange their wives ; as men have many wives , so one woman may have many husbands . the isle of zeiloon described . zeiloon , or ceilon , is two hundred and fifty miles in length , one hundred and forty in breadth . it abounds with sundry sorts of aromatick spices : but especially with cinamon : it hath plenty of orenges ; dates , cocoes , ananas , plantans , and mastick ; it hath elephants , bufolos , cowes , sheep , hogs , &c. smaragds , rubies , ambergreece , &c. the king hereof to shew his bravery to the portugals , invited them to see him walk upon a tarras , arraied in an imbroidered coat , powdered with gold , smaragds , diamonds , and pearl ; altogether darting out rayes wonderfull , delightfull and pleasant : hereupon selveira , the portugese governor , builds a stately and strong castle amongst them , under pretence of defending them from the mallabars ; but it was rather to bee his jewel keeper : for in a short time hee ravished the king of all his riches ; in this island there is scarce any village , or mount , without its pagod : amongst which , that apes tooth god was the principal , resorted to by millions of indians : and when columbo , the vice-roy of goa took it away , they pro●ered to redeem it with three hundred thousand duckets ; their idols are horribly deformed , and ugly : yea the more ugly the more venerable . the manner of fishing for pearls in the isle of zeilan . they begin their fishing every year in march or april , and it lasteth fifty dayes , and when this time draweth neer , they send very good divers to discover where there is the greatest plenty of oisters under water , and right against that place they pitch their tents on the shore , making as it were a little village ; and so when the time is come , they go out in their boats , and anchor in fifteen or eighteen fathom of water , and then they cast a rope into the sea with a great stone fastened at the end of it : then a man that hath his nose and ears well stopped , and anointed with oile , with a basket under his left arm , goes down by the rope to the bottome of the sea , and as fast as hee can fills the basket with oisters , and then shaking the rope , his fellowes in the boat pull him up with his basket , and thus they go on till they have filled their boats with oisters , and so at evening when they come to their tents , each lay their heap of oisters by themselves , and none of them are opened , till their fishing bee ended : at which time they open every man his own , which is easily done , because then they are drie , and brittle : there are but few of these oisters in comparison , that have pearles in them . there are also certain that are expert in pearles , present , that set the price upon them , according to their carracts , beauty , and goodness : the round ones are best . choromandel described . choromandel stretches from cape comoryn to the famous gulph of bengala , and hath in it these famous towns of trade : negapatan , meliapore , polycat , armagun , narsinga , mesulipatan , and bipilipatan . negapatan is hot , and unwholesome , the wind and raines being for the greatest part of the year high , and unseasonable . the town hath good water , and fruits well relished , cooling and nutritive , yet the people are much vexed with feavers , fluxes , &c. they are blackish , blockish , unapt for study or exercise , by reason of the heat : a small thin shuddery or lawn is drawn before their secret parts : their head hath a small wreath , the rest is all naked : they have gold , and precious stones , which they esteem as wee do trifles . the bannians wives have here more freedome to burn themselves when their husbands dye , than in other places ; so that in this place the custome is usual . if any refuse to burn , they must shave , and are accounted as monsters . the city of goa described . goa is the bravest , and best defenced city in all the orient , where the vice-roy of portugal keeps his residence , and seats of justice . it s built three hours journey within land , in an island thirty miles compass , surrounded by a river that flows from the mighty mountain bellaguate . it s compassed with a strong and beautiful wall , proud in her aspiring turrets , dreadful in many tormenting cannons . the market-place or buzzar is in the center of the city , richly built , pleasant , and capacious : the other streets ( after the indian mode ) are narrow , and nasty : the buildings in general are spacious and comely : t is watered with a delicious stream : the gardens are filled with sweet , and eye-pleasing flowers : the whole isle abounds with grass , corn , groves , cattel , fruits , and many other sense-ravishing delights , wherein there are above twenty villages : the field peeces here are above three hundred ; the palaces are strong , of good stone , furnished within with rich arras , and painting , and the churches beautiful , and comely . herb. travels . the city of amadavar described . amadavar is the metropolis of cambaya , or guzurat , watered by a sweet river , and circled by a beautiful strong stone wall of six miles compass , well and orderly adorned with many pretty towers , and twelve posterns . the streets are many , indifferently large , and comely : most shops abound with aromatick gums , perfumes , and spices : as also with silks , cottons , calicoes , and choice of indian , and china rarities , owned , and sold by the fair spoken , but crafty bannians . the market-place is rich , and uniform , the castle strong , large , and moated about . the houses in general are built of sun-dryed bricks , low , large , and tarrassed . the island of socotora described . socotora is an island in the mouth of the red-sea : a little island , but pleasant , and abounding with good things , one part rising into wholesome hills , other parts falling into fruitful dales ; all places garnished with spreading trees , sweet grass , fragrant flowers , and rich corn : hath store of olives , aloes , sempervive , sanguis draconum , cocoes , dates , pistachoes , orenges , pomegranats , pomecitrons , lemons , melons , suger-canes , &c. it abounds with fish , foul , and flesh : here are civet-cats . the inhabitans are black ; they are christians by profession ; their churches are built in the form of a cross , kept sweet , and neat , without seats and images : they have a patriarch whom they reverence , and duly pay their tithes to the clergie : their feasts and fasts like ours . age is much regarded , humility commanded , and commended : second marriages are not allowed , except they had no children by the first : have their sacraments ; wrap the dead in clean linnen , and so bury them without lamentation . ormus described . ormus is situated in the persian gulph , a miserable , and forlorn city , and isle at this day ; though not many years since , it was the bravest place in all the orient . if all the world were made into a ring , ormus the gem , and grace thereto should bring . the whole island is a sulphurious earth , which together with the heat of the sun , from may to september , makes it almost intollerable ; so that their custome is to sleep in beds of water all day , naked ; the city had a fair buzzar , many churches , monasteries , brave magazeens , stately houses , and as gallant a castle as any was in the east . the whole isle exceeds not fifteen miles in compass , and is the most barren place in the world , neither affording tree , nor spring of good water : yet from the advantagious standing , the industrious portugal made it the staple , and glory of the world , till in the year . the english joyning with the persians , made it a ruinous heap , as it continues till this day . narsinga described . narsinga is famous all over asia : it s confined by mallabar , gulcunda , bengala , and the ocean : the king is very rich , and powerfull in men , arms , and ammunition : his countrey full of all things requisite for use , and pleasure : hath many fair towns , strong forts , pleasant fields , and choicest minerals , abounding in rivers , hills , dales , cattel , corn , fruits , &c. the temples have in them many rich , and massy idols , of ugly shape , as best pleaseth the devil for his service , and devotion . bisnagar is the second city in narsinga for grandeure , and bravery ; being circled with a wall of four miles compass , and as well fortified : well built , and wealthy ; it is much frequented by our european ships , and junks from all parts of india . few strangers come thither but they are invited by the king , who delights to shew them his fine cloathes , being set thick with stones , and gems of infinite value : hee hath for his guard a thousand pensioners : hee affects polygamy , and therefore stiles himself , the husband of a thousand women , who at his death makes his flaming grave their consuming sepulcher . mesulipatan is seated neer the bengalan ocean ; the town hath little beauty , not many years since a raging mortality , and famine having well nigh depopulated it ; the fields , and gardens , are parched by the sun from march to july ; the four next months are disturbed with wind , and incessant rains ; only from november to march , they have kindly weather . the english have here a residence where they trafick for calicoes , rice , &c. malacca described . malacca is a peninsula , whence abundance of gold is carried into pegu , siam , borneo , and sumatra ; it s judged to bee part of the ophir whence solomon fetched his gold . malacca , the royal city obeyes now the siam monarchy ; being conquered by the king thereof , anno christi . by the help of the portugals , at which time they gat an incredible mass of treasure , three thousand peeces of great ordinance , and so much minted coin that the king of portugals part came to two hundred and fifty thousand ryals of eight . the city is above three miles long , but narrow ; built upon the banks of a pleasant river as broad as our thames . a rivolet of sweeter water runnes through the town , over which is raised a strong stone bridge , the buildings are generally low , and but meanly furnished , though they want no gold to purchase better . the streets and fields shew many delightful arbours , and choice fruits , with corn , sugar , and durapen trees , preferred before gold , and silver . patania described . patania stands between those two famous ports of malacca , and siam : the town is strong , and defended by twelve great brass guns , whereof one is a basilisco of twenty six foot long . the people are black , and go almost naked : they delight much in eating bettle , and opium : they usually eat in plates of gold , they are very hospitable to strangers , and the better sort of them blush not to proffer their daughters , and neeces to be their bed-fellows during their stay there . adultery they punish sharpely , fornication lightly , they delight much in wine , rack , rice , fruites , &c. siam described . siam is a powerful and wealthy kingdom : the king hath under him many countries watered by ganges : he usually goes to war with a thousand elephants ; and two hundred thousand men : the inhabitants are black , and almost naked : as a badge of devotion , they gird their middles with a peece of leather , and carry an umbrella in their hands to lenefy the flaming sun ; they are great idolaters , worshiping gods in the shape of prtapus , or pan : they have groves and altars , whereon they offer flesh , fruit , and flowers ; their tallapois , or priests , are great conjurers , and much esteemed by the people . here are abundance of diamonds , chrysolites , onix-stones , magnets , bezars , with lignum aloes , benjamin , cotton , and mines of gold , silver , iron , copper , &c. victuals , and other commodities are very cheap : but it s most memorable in the cabriz , or blood-stone here generated . the riches of the king of pegu. the king of pegu in the east-indies for people , dominions , gold , silver , and precious stones , far exceeds the power of the great turk . this king hath diverse treasuries full of riches : hee is lord also of the mines of rubies , saphires , and spinels . near unto his royal palace there is an inestimable treasure , whereof hee makes no account , for it stands in such a place as every one may see it . it is a great court , walled about with stone , with two gates which stand alwayes open ; and within this court are four guilded houses covered with lead , and in each of them are idols of a very great value . in the first there is the image of a man of gold , very great , and on his head a crown of gold , set with most rare rubies , and saphires , and round about him are four little children of gold . in the second there is the statue of a man of silver , sitting on heaps of money , whose stature in height as he sits is higher than the roof of an house : i measured one of his feet ( saith mine author ) and it was as long as all my body , with a crown on his head like the first . in the third there is a statue of brasse of the same bignesse , with the like crown on his head . in the fourth there is a statue as big as the other of gansa , which is the mettal they make their mony of , which is copper and lead mingled together : this also hath a crown on his head like the first . they have many idol-houses , which they call pagods , all the tops whereof are covered with leaf gold , and some of them are covered with gold from the top to the bottome , and once in ten years they guild them a new . this king stiles himself king of the white elephants , and when hee rides abroad , four white elephants are led before him vested with gold , having their teeth inclosed in sheathes wrought with jewels . hee keepeth above four hundred tame elephants , and hath many wild ones in the woods , which they can catch at their pleasure ▪ the city of pegu described . pegu is a very great , strong , and fair city , and very populous : it s made square , with very fair walls , and a great trench round about it , full of water , wherein are many crocodiles : it hath twenty fair gates made of stone , on every side five gates ; there are upon the walls many turrets , guilded with gold very fair ; the streets are as streight as a line , from one gate to another , and so broad , that twelve men may ride abreast in them : on both sides , at every mans door there grows a palmer tree , which yeilds a pleasing shadow , so that a man may walk in the shade all day long : their houses are covered with tiles . the kings house is in the midst of the city , walled , and trenched about , the buildings within are very curious , and sumptuously guilded , having costly workmanship on the front , which is also fairly guilt . the house wherein his idol stands is covered with tiles of silver , and all the walls are guilt with gold . not far from this city there is an idol-house of a wonderfull bigness , and all guilt from the top to the bottome ; unto which adjoyneth an house for their tallipoies , or priests to preach in . it is five and fifty paces long , and hath three walks in it , and between them four great pillars guilded : the house it self is guilded with gold within , and without , and round about it are very fair houses for pilgrims to lodge in : and many goodly houses for their priests which are full of images of men , and women , all covered with gold . sir walter raughly in his history of the world , proves by many probable arguments that this was the ophir from whence solomon fetched his gold , and ivory . pur. pil. this kingdome of pegu is bounded by siam , ganges , and the ocean , and is commandresse of many islands , as monim , barongo , nogomallo , cocos , &c. it is a kingdome full of all earthly delights , and blessings of nature , as gold , silver , lead , and iron : also smaragds , topaz , rubies , saphires , garnats , emeralds , espinels , and cats eyes . as also of rice , long pepper , sugar , benoin , musk , gum-lack , cotton , calicoes , and what else a reasonable man can desire . their habit is thin and fine ; they wear no beards : they dye their teeth black , because dogs teeth are white , they cut and pink their flesh as a mark of bravery . the king of pegu on festival dayes rides abroad in his triumphant chariot all guilded , which is drawn by sixteen goodly horses : his chariot is high , with a rich canopy over it . about , and behinde it go twenty of his nobles , each of them having a rope in his hand that is fastened to the chariot , to hold it upright from falling . the king sitteth in the midst of the chariot , and about him stand four of his nobles that are in greatest favour , &c. hee hath one principal wife , and at least three hundred concubines . every day ▪ hee sits to hear the suits of his subjects in this manner : hee sits on an high seat in his great hall , and under him sit his nobles ; and they which desire audience come and set them down before him at forty paces distance , holding up their supplications in one hand , and in the other a present , according to the weightiness of the matter ; then come the secretaries , take their petitions , and read them before the king , and if hee grants their requests , hee sends one to take their present , otherwise not : but never speaks to them himself . the noble and simple are all apparelled alike for the fashion , only differing in the finenesse of the cloth , which is of bombast : first they have a shirt of white bombast ; then another painted cloth which they binde up betwixt their legs , and on their heads they wrap an other cloth in fashion of a miter : they go all barefooted : all sorts of women wear a smock that reacheth to their middle , and from thence downward they wear a cloth open before , so that they cannot go but they discover natures secrets , which they say was invented to keep men from sin against nature ; they go also barefooted , having their arms adorned with hoopes of gold , and jewels , and their fingers full of precious rings . sumatra described . sumatra is that famous isle formerly called trapabone : it s six hundred miles long , and two hundred and forty broad . it s rich in gold , fruits , and precious stones , but miserably overspread with ignorance , and superstition ; the inhabitants worshiping cats , rats , dogs , yea and the devil himself : both sexes go for the most part naked : the soil is good where the rivers water it , but barren where the veins of gold are found . there are many good inland towns , but the ports are best known , as aken , aru , daru , &c. but especially passaman , where is most store of gold ; the rivers abound in fish , and crocodiles , which creature is a wonder in nature , comming from a little egg , and growing till it bee eight or ten yards long : their tailes are as long as their bodies ; their mouths and throats so wide , that they are able to swallow a horse , and man at one bit ; their teeth are engrailed ; they have no tongue , and contrary to all other creatures move only the upper jaw ; their bellies are penetrable , their backs hard to bee peirced . in the winter quarter they fast from food ; all the rest of the year devour their prey with much greedinesse ; sixty dayes passe before the female layes her eggs , which are commonly sixty in number , and shee is sixty dayes in hatching them , and usually they live sixty years : some call them aligartos . the jchneumon steals into his belly , and gnaws in sunder his guts whilst hee lies gaping that the little trochil may pick his teeth , which gives it feeding . java major described . java the greater is an island neer the bengalan sea , in length four hundred and fifty miles , in breadth two hundred and seventy : the midland is for the most part mountainous , and ill peopled ; the sea coasts low , and populous , yet unhealthful . the sea-coasts by reason of trade for pepper , hath well-built towns , especially bantam , palamban , jackatra , japarra , tuban , jortan , &c. bantam is the biggest city in the island , nigh two miles long : it yeelds rice , pepper , and cotton-wool ; though most of the pepper bee brought thither by the chineses from janeby , borneo , and malacca . four vice-royes are under the mattarans , or great kings command ; who is able to bring into the field two hundred thousand desperate slaves , black , but valiant : the climate is so hot , that for the most part they go naked ; their weapons are lances , darts , arrows , but especially creezes , two foot long , broad , waved , sharp , and small pointed , and basely poisoned : the hilt of wood , horn , the better sort of gold , silver , or ivory , cut in the figure of a deformed pagod : they are given to murders , theft , adultery , deceit , &c. also magick , and astrology delight them , in which satan instructs them , the better to oblige them to his worship . they are excellent swimmers ; they delight in hunting tygers , ouzces , &c. they are friendly to the english , especially ever since the dutch took jackatra from them . their orankayes , or great men are idle , sociable , but not to be trusted . the isle of celibes described . celibes is by some called makasser , from her best city in the island : its oval , and above two hundred miles long : well peopled , but with bad people : it s fruitful , though under the hotest part of the burning zone ; they are black , naked , only having a few plantane leaves tyed about their middles ; the better sort wear tulipants , and white shirts upon their coal-black skins . the women are very immodest . the men use long canes , out of which they can blow a little pricking quill , which if it draw bloud in any part of the body , it kills immediately , so strong is the poyson . the molucco isles described . the molucco isles are five in number : molucco , gillolo , tirnate ; tidore , and machan : the english were the first traders hither , and the natives acknowledged our king their sovereign , though since the dutch thrust us out , as if all india was theirs by title from the creation . gillolo is the greatest , but in cloves , mace , nutmegs , ginger , pepper , oile , aloes , and honey , all of them alike plentifull . the bandaneza islands described . neer unto the former , are the islands of amboyna , banda , puloway , pulerone , lantore , batan , labatacka , nero , ticobassa , cumber , salamo , &c. all of them , especially pulerone , and puloway , seeming continued wildernesses of nutmeg , and clove trees , pepper , vines , and olives . these two last , first traded with our merchants , and acknowledged fealty to our king james , till the uncivil dutch dispossessed us , cruelly abusing our men , and entitling themselves lords of the banda-islands . the isle of borneo described . borneo resembles an oval shield , and for the most part groans u●der the spanish servitude : it hath many villages and people , which are great idolaters : it yeilds mines of gold , and diamonds , bezar , musk , lignum aloes , amber , sanguis draconum , vvax , rice , and rattoons . her chief haven towns are socodania , and bemermassin . the isle of japan described . japan is in length six hundred miles : in breadth one hundred four score and ten : the best towns and ports in it are meacco , ozacca , tenze , firando , fuccate , &c. macco is an inland city as big as florence , but not so beautifull ; hath a sweet and large river : low but comely houses : abundance of stately fotiquees , or temples full of guilded idols , called by them mannada's . the government is monarchicall , above sixty petty kings do homage to the emperor : whose frowns are worse than an ordinary death . the countrey is for the most part mountainous , full of rivers , trees , corn , grasse , and mines : it hath plenty of villages swarming with heathen idolaters . the people in the north , and east parts of it are more savage , treacherous , idle , lascivious , and awed by no law : malefactors they crucify . the civil japonians are valiant , courteous , and great affectors of novelties . the best port in it is ozacca , strong , and beautifull , famous for its royal castle , varnished , tiled , and burnished over with pure gold : rich , and majesticall , of excellent stone , and well built ; the walls are every where twenty foot thick , well polished , and curiously cemented ; circled with deep trenches ful of water , having above twelve iron gates , with draw-bridges . fuccate is a pretty sweet town , well watered , having a strong , and defensive castle , it s environed for three miles compasse with spreading sycamore trees , wherein are many small , but richly-tiled fotiquees , or temples , in which they worship pan , or priapus , yea the devil in his ugliest shapes . in meacco are seventy temples , wherein they number three thousand three hundred thirty and three little guilded devils : but more memorable is that in meacco , huge , and wonderfull , of guilt copper : its posture is sitting in a chair seventy foot high , and fourscore broad : fifteen men may conveniently stand upon his head , his thumb is forty inches about , and his other limbs proportionable . at dabis is another of these idols , made of copper ; hollow , vast , thick , and double guilt : his height is twenty four foot , though formed kneeling , his buttocks resting on his legs , his arms are stretched out , and sometimes making a fire in him , they sacrifice a child , which in his embraces is fryed to death with horrible torture . the women of japan , if they want means to bring up their children , most unnaturally deprive them of that life , which not long before they had given them . their houses are most of wood ; because of their frequent earth-quakes : with them black is a feastival colour , and white a funeral . they dye their teeth black . reproaches , thefts , pe●●●ry , and dice-play , is very hateful to them . herb. and purch . the kingdome of china described . china hath on the east , the sea of japan : on the west the deserts of judustan : on the north the tartars : on the south the philippine islands : and on the south west , cochinchina , pegu , with part of siam . in form its square , each way one thousand five hundred miles over : the circuit above four thousand miles : the country is generally plain , and fruitfull , full of sweet and navigable rivers , which are no lesse inhabited than the cities , and villages ; there are in it six hundred cities : two thousand walled towns , and four thousand unwalled ; one thousand castles , and villages numberlesse : it feeds above sixty millions of men , and boyes , besides women which bee not inrolled : the whole empire is divided into fifteen provinces ; each of which hath a metropolis , full of people , fairly built , and very spatious . one of their kings to keep out the tartars , built a wall of one thousand and two hundred miles in length , six fathom high , twelve yards thick : it was twenty and seven years in building , though constantly wrought upon by seven hundred and fifty thousand men . pequin the now regal city of china described . pequin is in compasse thirty leagues , or fourscore and ten english miles , environed with two walls , upon which are innumerable towers and bulwarks . it hath three hundred and sixty gates , each having over it a castellet with two towers , and a draw-bridge . there are in it three thousand eight hundred temples , wherein are continually sacrificed birds , and wild beasts , and amongst these , four very admirable , for their curiosity , and costlinesse . the streets are long , and large ; the houses fair , encompassed with iron , and latten grates : at each street end is a triumphal arch , shut up at nights , in the chief whereof are watch-bells . there are one hundred and twenty large channels of water , and over them eighteen hundred rich , and fair bridges : there are in this city one hundred and twenty shambles , one hundred and twenty market-places ; besides in every street five or six shops , wherein they sell flesh , poultry , and bacon . there are without the city sixteen hundred garden-houses belonging to persons of principal note : and twenty four thousand sepulchres of mandarines , [ justices of peace ] with their little gilded chappels , encompassed with grates of iron , and latten , with rich arches at their entries . the gardens , groves , tanks , and fountains , have their walls lined within with fine porcelane which makes a gallant shew . there are also store of other houses with great walls , in which are gardens , and groves with game for hunting , which belong to several companies . the city of nanquin described . the city of nanquin is thirty and six miles in compasse , circled with three strong walls and ditches : the kings palace in it is vast , and glorious : the other buildings many : the inhabitants are reckoned to bee twenty thousand : the temples are above a thousand : the streets fair and the people industrious . the country of quinsay described . quinsay borders upon cochin-china : the whole countrey is well watered , and the rivers abound with fish ; which they use to take with cormorants . the people are of an olive colour , wear their hair very long : their eyes are commonly black : their noses little : their eyes small : their beards deformedly thin ; their nailes oft-times as long as their fingers , serving as a mark to distinguish the gentry by : the better sort are cloathed in silk , and satten : the meaner in black cloth made of cotton ▪ their coats long , and quilted , made to tye under the left arm , after the as●●tick mode : their sleeves are long and strait at hand : their shooes oft of the same stuff with their coats : some have them richly imbroidered ▪ some knit their hair in cawls of silk , in horse-hair some , and some in fillets of gold , or silver : others wear high caps , or felts , made of fine twigs , round , and mixed with silk of divers colours , &c. the women are modest , a light vail of fine linnen wholly covering them . they are generally proud , crafty , jealous , voluptuous , and given to musick ▪ poetry , painting , and stage-playes ; they eat in porcellane , and have their diet in many small dishes , minced , which they take up with two sticks of bone , or ivory : for to touch their meat , or their mouths with their fingers is held absurd , and impious ; they all sit on stools , and eat on tables . no beggars are suffered amongst them , for if they bee young , the whip rewards them , but if they bee old , and lame , the hospital relieves them : murther they punish with death : adultery , and theft , with the strappado . they exceedingly honor , and reverence their parents : they obey them at all times , in all places : marry not without their assent : they honor them bee they never so mean : relieve them bee they never so poor : at their death shew loyalty and duty , and seldome mourn lesse than two or three years . they arrogate all sorts of excellencys in art , or science as peculiar to their nation , they think their speech , ( which mostly consists of monosyllables ) the most sweet , and rhethorical of any in the world : they say they are the antientest of all other people , and that they borrow nothing from any other , but all other from them : they say they were the first inventers of letters , guns , painting , tillage , and navigation : for all which they say that they only see with two eyes , and all others but with one . they are great gamesters , and when they have lost all , stake their wives , and children , whom they part with , till they can redeem them ; they so firmly believe the resurrection , that sometimes they lend money to bee repayed in the world to come : though their houses outwardly are but mean , yet oft-times the insides are lined with excellent good marble , porphyry , and serpentine . when the husband dyes , the wife mourns exceedingly , puts sackcloath next her skin : for three years is scarce seen to laugh , and abstains from publick feasts , and pastimes . there hath often been great warres between the tartars who lived beyond the vast wall before mentioned ; and the chineses ; as anno christi , which lasted for seventy and seven years , at which time the tartars wholly conquered that potent empire , extinguished the imperially family of the sunga's : erected a new family of their own , which they called ivena , of which tartarian race nine emperors governed successively the kingdome of china , for the space of seventy years in peace : but at the end thereof a contemptible person of the chineses , called hugh , presumed to rise up against them , acting first the part of an high-way man , and wanting neither courage , nor companions , in a short time made up the vast body of an army , fought with ; and after many signal victories in the year . finally drove them out of the kingdome of china , receiving for his pains the whole empire , and was the first erector of the imperial family of the taiminges , who enjoyed the kingdome in peace for two hundred and fifty years : the last of them was called vanley , who from the year to : governed the kingdome of china , with much prudence , and equity : but about that time the tartars being multiplied ; and receiving many injuries from the chineses , they again take armes , invade china , and with mighty successe began , and continued the wars till the year ; at which time they had made a full conquest of it , no considerable party opposing them in their peaceable possession ; as you may read more fully in a book called bellum tartaricum . the city of quinsay described . quinsay was formerly the regal city of china , situated abuut the heart of the country , and yet not far from the sea : in it were to bee found so many delights , that it seemed an earthly paradise : it was one hundred miles in compasse , for the streets , and channels thereof were very wide , and the market-places very large . it had on the one side , a clear lake of fresh water , and on the other , a great river , which entring into many places of the city carryed away all the filth , and occasioned a good air . there were store both of carts , and barks to carry necessaries . it had in it twelve thousand bridges , great and small ; those on the chiefest channels being so high , that ships might passe under them . on the other side of the city was a great trench forty miles long , large , and full of water from the river , which served both to receive the overflowings of the river , and as a fence to that side of the city , the earth , that was taken out , being laid as a bank , or hill on the inside . there are ten chief market-places ( besides infinite others along the streets ) all of them square , the square being half a mile on each side , and from the fore part of them runs a principal street forty paces wide , reaching from one end of the city to the other , with many bridges traversing of it ; and at the end of every four miles is such a market-place . there is also a large channel running over against the street behinde the market-places , on the banks whereof are erected store-houses of stone , where merchants out of all countries laid up their commodities , being commodious to the markets . in each of the market-places three dayes in a week was a concourse of forty , or fifty thousand persons which brought in whatsoever was requisite for the life of man , besides beasts , and fowls of game . then followed the butchers rows of beef , veal , kid , and lamb : besides there were all sorts of herbs ; and fruits , and amongst them huge pears weighing ten pound a peece , and very fragrant : peaches yellow , and white , very delicate . every day from the ocean , which is but five and twenty miles off , is brought up abundance of fish , besides what the lake and river yeeld . all the market-places are encompassed with high and fair houses , and underneath are shops of artificers , and all sorts of merchandises , spices , jewels , pearls , rice-wine , &c. many streets answer one another in those market-places , wherein are many bathes , both of cold , and hot waters , and people wash every day before they eat any thing . at the end of each market-place is a palace where magistrates determine all controversies which happen amongst merchants and others . there are twelve principal trades , each of which have one thousand shops , and yee shall see in every shop ten , twenty , thirty , or forty men at work under one master . the masters themselves work not , but stand richly apparreled , and their wives with jewels inestimable : their houses are well ordered , and richly adorned with pictures , and other stupendious costs . about the lake are many fair buildings , and great palaces of the nobles , and chief men ; and temples of their idols , and monasteries of many monks . in the middest of the lake are two islands , upon each of which is a palace with incredible numbers of rooms , whither they resort upon occasions of marriages , or other feasts , where are provisions of vessels , nappery , and other things , kept in common for such purposes . in the lake also are boats and barges , for pleasure , adorned with fair seats , and tables , and other provision for banquets , covered over head : within they are neatly painted , and have windows to open , and shut at pleasure . nor can any thing in the world seem more pleasant , than from the lake to have such a prospect , the city so fully presenting it self to the eye , with so many temples , monasterys , palaces , gardens with high trees , barges , people , &c. for their manner is to work one part of the day , and the other part to spend in solace with their friends , or with women on the lake , or in riding in chariots up and down the city . all the streets are paved with stone , as are all the high wayes in china : the principal street of quinsay is paved ten paces on each side , and in the midst it 's well gravelled with passages for the water , which keeps it alwayes clean : there are also multitudes of chariots , accommodated with cloathes , and cushions of silk , for six persons in each of them ; and in them the inhabitants solace themselves in the streets , or go to gardens provided on purpose for their pleasure . this city contains about sixteen hundred thousand housholds , and together with the country adjoyning , yeelded to the king sixteen millions , and eight hundred thousand ducats of gold yearly , besides six millions , and four hundred thousand ducats for the customes of salt . pur. pil. v. . p. . the great mogols empire described . the great mogols country is called indus●an , which for spaciousness , abundance of brave towns , numberlesse inhabitants , infinit treasure , mines , food , and all sort of merchandise exceeds all kings and potentates in the mahomitan world. this vast monarchy extends from east to west two thousand six hundred miles : from north to south one thousand four hundred miles : it s in circuit five thousand . it is bounded with the bengalan gulph , and indian ocean : on the south with decan and mallaber : north and north west with tartary , and persia ▪ it contains thirty seven large provinces : thirty great cities : three thousand walled towns : his revenues are very great : he hath in continual pay three hundred thousand horse , and keeps two thousand elephants at a vast charge ; his treasurer yearly issuing out above forty millions of crowns . the names of the provinces are . candahor , the chief city is of the same name : it lies northward , and confines upon persia. . cabul , the chief city is of the same name : it lyes in the north west part , and confines upon tartary . . multan , the chief city is of the same name : on the west it joyns with persia. . hajacan , it hath no great city : it s bounded eastward with the famous river of indus , and westward with persia. . buckor , the chief city is buckor-succor : indus runs through it , and much inriches it . . tatta , the chief city is of the same name : the river indus maketh many fruitful , and pleasant islands in it : the chief arm of it falls into the sea at synde , a place famous for curious handy crafts . . sorat , the chief city is janagar . it s a little province but rich , bounded with the ocean on the south . . jeselmeere , the chief city is of the same name . . attack , the chief city is of the same name : it lyeth on the eastside of indus . . peniab , it 's seated 〈◊〉 five rivers , which all fall into indus : it s a great , and very fruitful province . lahor is the chief city , afterwards described ; which is the chiefest city of trade in all india . . chishmeere , the chief city is called siranakar : the river phat passeth through it that falls into indus . . bankish , the chief city is called bishur : it s divided from chishmeere by the river indus . . jengapor , the chief city is of the same name : it lies upon the river kaul . . jenba , the chief city is of the same name : it lies east of peniab . . delli , the chief city is of the same name ; which is a great city , where most of the great mogols lye interred . . bando , the chief city is of the same name . it hath agrae on the west . . malway , a very fruitful province : the chief city is rantipore . . chitor , a great province , where the chief city is of the same name . . guzarat , a goodly kingdome , and exceeding rich , inclosing the bay of cambaia : the chief city is surat , a place of great trading . . chandis , vvhere the chief city is brampoch , large , and populous , and the south bounds of this empire . . berar , the chief city is shapore , the south part of it also bounds this empire . . narvar , vvhere the chief city is gehud , watered by a fair river that empties it self into ganges . . gualiar , the chief city is so called , where the mogol hath a great treasure . in this city also is a strong castle , where hee useth to keep his prisoners . . agra , where the chief city is of the same name , and afterwards described . . sanbal , the chief city is of the same name : it s watered by the river jemini , which falls into ganges . . bakar , where the chief city is bikaneer : it lies on the vvest side of the river ganges . . nagracut , the chief city is of the same name , where is a chappel richly seeled , and paved with plates of pure gold . the idol is called matta , visited by many thousands yearly , which out of devotion cut off a part of their tongues to sacrifice to it . . syba , vvhere the chief city is hardwair : here the famous river ganges springs out of a rock , whither the superstitious gentiles go daily in troops to wash their bodies . . kakares , where the principal cities are dankalee , and purhola : it s very large , and exceeding mountainous , and is parted from tartarie by the mountain caucasus , being the mogols most northerly bound . . gor , the chief city is of the same name : the river persilis begins here , which runs into ganges . . pitan , the chief city is of the same name : it s watered by the river kanda , which falls into ganges . . kandua , where the chief city 〈◊〉 karhakatenka : the river sersili parts it from pitan , and lies northward . . patna , the chief city is of the same name : a fertile province , bounded by ganges on the west . . jesual , where the chief city is raiapore : it lies east of patna . . mevat , where the chief city is narnol : it s a very mountainous country . . udessa , where the chief city is jokanat . it s the eastermost part of this vast empire . . bengala , it s a very spacious and fruitful kingdome , bounded by the gulph of bengala , into which the river ganges emptieth it self at four mouthes . this empire hath plenty of excellent wheat , rie , and barley , whereof they make pure white bread . as also of kine , sheep , and goats , with whose milk they make much butter , and cheese ▪ they have store of bufelo's that give good milk : it s a very large beast , having a smooth thick skin without hair . they have store of red deer , fallow deer , elks , and antilops , which are good venison ; and every mans game , not being enclosed in parks . they have geese , ducks , pigeons , partridges , quails , peacocks , and many other singular good fowl : a sheep is usually sold for twelve pence , four couple of hens for twelve pence : a hare for a penny , three partridges for a penny , &c. they have store of salt and sugar . they have abundance of musk-melons , water-melons , pomegranats , pomecitrons , lemmons , orenges , dates , figs , plantans , mangoes , in shape like our apricocks , but more luscious : ananas , a delicate fruit : store of potatoes , carrats , and other good roots : as also pears , and apples in the northerly parts : many good garden herbs , and ginger : also taddy , an excellent drink that issues out of a tree . for three months they have abundance of rain , with much thunder , and lightening : the other nine months so clear , that a cloud is scarce to bee seen . the country is beautified with many woods , and great variety of fair goodly trees , some having leaves as big as bucklers , others parted small as fern , as the tamarine trees that bear a sower fruit ; somewhat like our beans , very good to cool , and cleanse the blood : all their trees are green all the year about . there are rare flowers of admirable colours , but few of them sweet , save their roses , and two or three more sorts . the country is watered with many goodly rivers , especially indus , and ganges ; besides which , they have store of springs , upon many of which they bestow great cost of stonework , making tanks , or ponds , some of them a mile in compasse , others more , surrounded with stone walls , and within them fair stone steps round about . some of them are filled with rain water . they have a strong drink called rack , distilled from sugar , and the spicie rind of a tree called jagra : they have also cohha made with a black seed boiled in water , that helps digestion , quickens the spirits , cleanses the blood , and provokes lust . many of their houses are flat on the top , on which in the cool seasons of the day , they take the cool air : they have no chimnies , using no fire , but only to dresse their meat . the upper rooms have many lights to let in air , but they use no glasse : amongst their houses are many fair trees , which are a great defence against the sun. most of their houses in the cities are of brick , or stone , well squared . their staple commodities are indico , and cotton-wool , of which they make diverse sorts of cloth , some finer , and purer than our best lawns : some of it they staine in variety of curious figures . they have also store of silk , which they weave curiously , sometimes with gold , and silver , whereof they make velvets . sattens , and taffaties , but not so good as in italie . they have store of drugs , and gums , especially gum-lac , of which wee make hard wax . the earth hath store of minerals of lead , iron , brasse , copper , and silver , which yet they need not open , having so much brought out of all other countries . they have curious gardens , planted with fruitfull trees , and dainty flowers , which never fade : in which they have fountains to bathe in , and other water works for delight . there are lyons , tygers , wolves , jackals : over grown snakes , and in their rivers crocodiles . there are many scorpions , and flies that are very troublesome , and muskitees . the wind , called the monson blows six months southerly , and six months northerly , seldome varying : april , may , and the beginning of june , till the rains fall , are exceeding hot : thus hath the wise disposer of all things tempered bitter things with sweet , to teach us that there is no true , and perfect content in any kingdome , but that of heaven . they have store of good horses , and camels , dromedaries , mules ; asses , rhynocerots ; which are as long as the fairest oxe in england , their skines lye plaited in wrinkles on their backs . they have many elephants , their king having usually fourteen thousand , and many of the nobles a hunded a peece : there are some of them fifteen foot high , all of them black , their skin thick , and smooth , without hair : they take much delight in the water , and will swim excellent well , they are exceeding docible , so that they will do almost any thing the keeper bids them : if he would have them affright a man ; he will make towards him as if hee would tread him in peeces , and yet when hee comes to him , not touch him . if hee bid him abuse a man , hee will take dirt , or kennel water in his trunk , and dash it in his face ; &c. they are most sure of foot , never stumbling : they are governed with a hook of steel , with which their keeper sitting on their necks , pull them back , or prick them forward at their pleasure . every male hath allowed to him four females . the inhabitants of indostan described . the inhabitants before they were conquered by tamerlane , were all gentiles , but now they are mixed with mahometans : they are of stature , like us , very streight , seldome or never is there a crooked person amongst them : they are of an olive colour , have black hair , but not curled ; they love not any that are white , saying that they are like lepers , their chins are bare , but have long hair on their upper lips , shave their heads ; only reserve a lock on the crown for mahomet to pull them to heaven by . the habits of men and women differ little , mostly made of white cotton cloth , made close to the middle , then hanging loose down below the knee : under them they have long breeches reaching to the ancle , and close to their bodies : their feet are bare in their shooes , which they commonly wear like slippers , which they put off when they come into their houses , whose floores are covered with excellent carpets , upon which they sit when they talk or eat , like taylors on their shop boards : on the mens heads are shashes , which is a long thin wreath of cloath , white or coloured . the mahometan women cover their heads with vails , their hair hangs down behind twisted with silk : oft bedecked with jewels , about their necks and wrists : their ears have pendants : their nostrils pierced to put in rings at their pleasure : their ease in child bearing is admirable : for it is a common thing there , for women great with child , one day to ride carrying their infants in their bodies , and the next day to ride carrying them in their arms . the great mogol , every year at the entring of the sun into aries , makes a feast to his nobles which lasts nine days , at which time they present him with gifts , and he again repays them with princely rewards : i was astonished ( saith mine author , who was an eye witnesse of it ) when i beheld at that time the incredible riches of gold , pearls , pretious stones , jewels , and many other glittering vanities which were amongst them . the walls in the kings house are painted , or beautified with pure white lime : the floores are covered with rich , and costly carpets : there lodge none with him in his house but his eunuches , and women , and some little boys , that hee keeps for detestable uses : hee always eats in private amongst his women , upon great variety of excellent dishes , which being prepared , and proved by the taster , are served up in vessels of gold covered , and sealed up , and so by the eunuches brought to him . in this empire there are no inns to entertain strangers , onely in great towns are fair houses built for their receit , which they call sarrays , not inhabited , where travellers have room freely , but they must bring with them beds , food , and other necessaries which they usually carry upon camells , or in carts drawn with oxen , wherein they have tents to pitch when they meet with no sarray's . the inferior sort of people ride upon oxen , horses , mules , camels , or dromedaries , and the women like unto the men , or else in slight coaches drawn with oxen , many whereof are white and large , and they are guided with cords , which go through the parting of their nostrils , and so betwixt their horns , into the coach-mans hands : they are nimble , and will go twenty miles a day . the better sort ride upon elephants , or are carried on mens shoulders in sedans , which they call palankeenes . in all their great cities they have markets twice a day , early in the morning , and in the evening ; wherein they sell almost every thing by weight . they are generally so superstitious , that they will rather dye than eat , or drink any thing that their law forbids . the chief cities in the great mogols countries described . lahore in the great mogols country , is a vast and famous city , not much inferiour to agra , the metropolis ; yea , for circuit and bravery , it much excells it : the aire for eight months is pure , and restorative : the streets are paved and gracefull , which are cleansed , and watered by the river ravee , which flows most pleasantly into this city , from the casmyrian mountains , and after a stately course of three thousand english miles , deep enough for junks of sixty tun , it falls into indus at tutia . this city is beautified with stately palaces , mosques , hummums , or sudatories , tanks or ponds , gardens , &c. the castle is large , strong , uniform , pleasant , and bravely seated , being built of hard , white , and polished stone : armed with twelve posternes : within which is a palace , sweet , and comely , entred by two gates , and courts : on the walls , are pictured sundry stories , and pastimes . from this city to agra is five hundred miles , the country in all that distance being even without mountains , and hills , and the high way planted on both sides , with shady ash-trees , whose spreading green tops lenefies the scorching heat of the sun : at the end of each eight miles is a fair , and convenient lodge built for travellers to repose themselves in : herb. trav. p. . pur. pil. v. . p. . brampore in the same countrey , is a city seated low , and in an unhealthful plain , very large , and spacious , and inhabited most by the bannians : the streets are many and narrow ; the houses not high , and but meanly beautifull . in the north-east end it hath a castle standing by the rivers side , large and defensive : in the river is an artificial elephant , so skilfully shaped , that by the bannians it is adored , and by others admired . idem . fettipore , if the water were good , it had triumphed over all the cities in india ; it is walled about , and to the north , north west , hath a lake , or fish pond five miles over : the north east hath a fair buzzar , or market place five hundred paces long , well paved , and built on all sides with pleasant houses : at one end is the mogols house , and a mohol most excellently framed ; the other side is glorious by a curious mosque , or church ascended by thirty steps , adorned with a brave gate : the top is full of pyramids , the court within is six times bigger than the royal exchange in london , excellently paved with free stone , the iles are large and well paved , the pillars all of one stone , and beautifull : and affronting this gate is a most sumptuous monument , covered with painting , and pearl-shell : proud in the many princes there buried . idem . candahor is seated in a reasonable fruitfull countrey , redundant in all good things , yet by reason of so many caravans passing , and repassing from lahore to persia , all sorts of provision is very dear , and the passage much pestered with theeves : the city is not very spatious but strong , made defensive by many helps of nature , and art : in the south , and east ; it s surrounded with an advantagious wall : in the west , and north , with high and precipitious mountains : the suburbs are large , adding to the city both beauty and wealth . idem . mandow is a city both antient , and famous , seated on the side of a lofty and steep hill , and beautified with a strong and stately castle , encompassed with a defensive wall of five miles compass ; the city is very beautiful , adorned with temples ( in one of which are buried four kings ) palaces , fortresses , especially with a tower ascended by one hundred and seventy steps , supported by massy pillars , and adorned with gates and windows very observable . idem . surat is at this day a city , great , famous , rich , and populous ; yet neither air , nor soil agrees with strangers ; the one being extream hot , the other sandy , and sulphurious . from june to september the clouds showre down continually unhealthful rains , the wind and thunder so commixing , that no place in the world seems more unhealthful : it s counted the third best town in the guiarat kingdome : amadavar , and cambaya excelling her : it s watered with a sweet river called tappee , which arising out of the decan mountains , glides through brampore , and so to surat . it s circled with a mud-wall , a strong stone castle is built at the south-west side , the river washing it : the vvest opens into the buzzar through a fair gate of stone : the medan is of no great beauty , nor do the shops give any splendor . the houses are indifferently beautiful , some of carved wood , others of brick : the english , and dutch houses at the north end , excelling the other for bignesse , and furniture : adjoyning to one gate is a tank of water , made of good free-stone , circling in above one hundred sides , or angles , in compasse near one thousand paces . agra is the navel of the mogols territories , and empresse of india : it s watered by the river jeminey , which from delly glides hither , and commixing with ganges , flows into the bengalan sea : it s in shape like an half moon ; the streets long , and narrow , and nasty , of seven miles continuance : part of it is walled about , the rest ditcht . here the great mogol hath a palace , wherein are two large towers , at least ten foot square , which are covered with plates of the purest gold . asmeer is seated upon an high impregnable mount , the greater part of the city being below , fairly built , walled with good stone , and moated about : the country about it is champaigne and very fruitfull . the kingdome of bengala described . bengala is a very large kingdome , lying along the sea-coast one hundred and twenty leagues , and as much into the land : it s watered by the river cabaris , called by some guenga . it abounds with rice , vvheat , sugar , ginger , long pepper , cotton , and silk , and enjoyeth a very wholesome air . gouro is the regal city , spacious , and beautiful ; and so is bengala , which hath given name to that part of the sea called the gulph of bengala : chatigan is also another of their cities . the inhabitants are a most subtile , and wicked people : men , and vvomen given much to uncleannesse ; they never dress or seeth meat twice in one pot , but every time have a new one . adultery is punished with the losse of their noses . in this country are many rhinocroces . it is now subject to the great mogol . cambaia described . cambaia is called also g●sarat , containing in length from the river bate to circam , which is a country belonging to persia , five hundred miles upon the sea-coasts : on all other parts it s invironed with the kingdomes of dulcinda , and sanga on the north : mandao on the east ; and with the gredosians on the vvest ; the sea ▪ and the confines of decan being the southerly bounds . it hath in it sixty thousand cities , and villages . it s watered with many rivers , whereof indus is the chief , which divides it in the middle , arising from caucasus , and after a course of nine hundred miles , at two mouths disembogues it self into the ocean . it s a fertile country , not inferiour to any other in india : the earth and trees bring forth plenty , and variety of fruits : it hath store of elephants , precious stones , silk , cotton , &c. the people are of an olive colour , and go naked , except about their privities : they eat no flesh , but rice , barley , milk , and other liveless creatures ; their chief sea-towns are daman , bandora , curate , ravellum , and bazuinum ; and within land , cambaia , madabar , campanel , tanaa , &c. cambaia being the chiefest , situate three miles from indus : it s called the indian cairo , having much trafick to it by indians , portugals , persians , arabians , armenians , &c. the vvomen dye their teeth black , thinking it a great part of their beauty , and therefore alwayes go with open lips to shew it . vvhen men die they burn their bodies , and their wives dressed as for a wedding , burn with them . six leagues from decan is a hill out of which diamonds are taken ; it is walled about , and kept with a garrison : their religion is partly moorish , partly heathenish . they have hospitals for sick , or lame birds , beasts , &c. yea they redeem beasts , and birds lives , and if maimed , or hurt , carry them to their hospitals . in the high wayes , and woods they set pots with water , and scatter meat to feed them . if they catch a flea , or a louse , they will not kill it , but let it go : and you can do them no greater injury , than to kill either in their presence ; and if by intreaty they cannot perswade you to forbear , they will redeem its life with mony . they drink no wine , eat no vinegar , use water only ; they will eat no eggs , as supposing blood to bee in them ; they are very careful before they sit down , that no living creature bee under them . pur. pilgrimage . the philippine islands described . the philippine islands were discovered by the spaniards out of new spain , anno christi . who in honour of their king philip the second , gave them that name : they are many in number , lying far into the sea before cauchin-china , and chambaia : some of them are great , and very rich in rice , honey , fruits , birds , beasts , fishes , gold , &c. and inriched more by trade from china : seventy of these islands are subjects , or friends to the spaniards , their intestine divisions making an easy way to the spanish conquest . they worshiped the sun , and moon . now they have amongst them many monasteries of friers , and jesuites : but the wicked lives of the spaniards , makes the inhabitants abhor their religion : they carve , and cut their skins in sundry fashions , and devises , all over their body . the island of mauritius described . the island of mauritius lies within the torrid zone , about one hundred leagues from madegascar . it abounds with all good things , requisite for mans use : the land is high , and mountainous ; the shape somewhat round ; in circuit about one hundred miles , every where sweet , and flourishing ; having an healthful air , and the blooming fragrant trees abating the heat of the sun : besides the gentle breezes moderating the weather : there are delicious rivers which make the earth fruitful : infinite store of lofty spreading trees , green all the year ; their boughs being never unapparrelled of their summer livery : the ground is ever spread with natures choicest tapestry , the mirthful sun ever re-inforcing a continued vigor , and activity : of the trees , some are good for timber , others for food ; all for use : here is store of box , and of ebony of all sorts , black , white , red , and yellow : the tree is high , small , and streight : and the wood of such esteem , that many ships come yearly to it to load with ebony ; besides which , there are coquo trees , pines , ashes , cypresses , &c. as also store of rare fruits : birds , and fowl : hawks of all kinds : bats as big as gos-hawks , passo-flemingos , herons , geese , and many others , good in their flesh , and excellent in their feathers : fish there are plenty , as the cow-fish , dolphins , abicores , cavalloes , vvhale , porpice , grampasse , mullet , bream , trout , tench , soles , flounders , tortoises , eeles , sharks , pikes , crabs , lobsters , oysters , cuttle-fish , rock-fish , and other strange fishes : some like hedg-hogs ; some like cats , others with bristles , &c. this isle also affords goats , hogs , beeves , and land tortoises so big , that two men may sit on one of them , and shee will go away with them . africa described in general . africa is divided on the north from europe , by the mediterranean sea : on the south it runs on a point to the cape of good hope , and is bounded with the vast ocean , called there the aethiopick sea : on the east with the red-sea ; and on the vvest with the atlantick ocean , called mare del nort , so that her longitude and latitude contains about four thousand and two hundred english miles . it s much lesse than asia , and far bigger than europe . in most parts it s very barren , and therefore hath no great plenty of inhabitants . it s full of sandy desarts ▪ which lying open to the winds , and storms , are often moved like to the waves of the sea , by which means cambysis with his army was much hazarded . it s full of venemous serpents , which much endanger the inhabitants ; besides other ravenous beasts , which ranging about , possesse themselves of a great part of this country , and make it a vvildernesse of lions , leopards , elephants , and in some places crocodiles , hyena's , basilisks , and monsters without number , and name : for when , for want of water , creatures of all kinds , at sometimes of the year come to those few rivolets that bee , to quench their thirst ; the males promiscuously forcing the females of every species that comes next him , produceth this variety of forms . salust reports that there dye more of the people by beasts , than by diseases : and in the tracts of barbary , the inhabitants every tenth , fifteenth , or five and twentieth year , are visited with a plague , and with the french disease in such violence , that few recover , except they remove into numidia , or the land of negros , the very air whereof is an excellent antidote against those diseases . their commodities are elephants , camels , barbary-ho●ses , rams with great tails weighing above twenty pound , &c. africa is divided into seven parts . barbary , or mauritania : numidia , lybia , the land of blacks : aethiopia superior : aethiopia inferior : and egypt , besides the islands . barbary hath on the north the mediterranean sea : on the vvest the atlantick : on the south the mountain atlas , and on the east egypt . the inhabitants are crafty , covetous , ambitious , jealous of their vvives : their country yeelds orenges , dates , olives , figs , and a kinde of goat ; whose hair makes a stuff as fine as silk . it contains in it the kingdomes of tunnis , algier , fess , and morocho . tunnis is famous for the chief city of the same name , five miles in compasse ; and carthage , two and twenty miles in circuit , that contended so long with rome for the monarchy of the world ; and utica memorable for catoes death there . algier contains in it a strong harbor for turkish pirates : before the chief town whereof the emperor charles the fifth received a mighty losse of ships , horses , ordinance , and men . fess hath in it a city with seven hundred churches , one of which is a mile and an half in compasse . morocho , where the chief city of the same name hath a church larger than that of fess , and thereon a tower so high , that from thence may bee discerned the to● of the mountains azaci which are at one hundred and thirty miles distance . here is also a castle famous for globes of pure gold that stand on the top of it , weighing one hundred and thirty thousand barbary ducke●● . numidia , the second part of africa hath on the east egypt : on the vvest the atlantick ocean : on the north the mountain atlas , and on the south the desarts of lybia : it s called also the region of dates from the abundance that grows there . the inhabitants are very wicked : stay in a place but till they have eaten down the grasse : hence there are but few cities , and those in some places three hundred miles distant . lybia on the east is bounded with nilus , on the west with the atlantick : on the north with numidia ; and on the south with the country of the blacks : it s so dry , that a traveller can scarce meet with any water in seven dayes journey ; the inhabitants live without any law , almost so much as that of nature . the land of blacks , or negroes , hath on the west the atlantick ; on the east aethiopia superior ; on the north lybia ; and on the south the kingdome of manicongo . the river niger runs through it , almost as famous as nilus for her overflowing : it yeelds store of gold , silver , ivory , and other commodities . it hath in it four kingdomes : tombu●o , infinitly rich . bornaum , where the people have no names proper ; no wives peculiar ; all therefore no children which they call their own . gonga , the king whereof hath no estate but from his subjects as hee spends it . and gualatum , a very poor country . of this land of negroes one makes these verses . the land of negroes is not far from thence , neerer extended to th' atlantick main , wherein the black prince keeps his residence , attended by his jetty-coloured train ; who in their native beauty most delight , and in contempt do paint the devil white . aethiopia superior ; or the kingdome of the abyssines . is bounded on the north with egypt ; on the south with the mountains of the moon ; on the east with the red-sea , and on the vvest with the country of the blacks . the king hereof is called prete janny , or presbyter john : they are mungril christians : the king hath under him seventy petty kings , which have their several laws , and customes : the country yeelds orenges , lemmons , citrons , barley , sugar , honey , &c. aethiopia inferior is on every side begirt with the sea , except on the north , which is bounded with the mountains of the moon . it consists of five kingdomes ; aiana which abounds with gold , ivory , honey , wax , corn , large sheep , &c. zanguabar in which is mosambique . monomopata , wherein are plenty of gold mines . the king is served with great pomp , and hath a guard of two hundred mastiffs . cafraria , in which is the cape of good hope : alwayes stormy to the spaniards ; whence one was very angry with god , for suffering the english hereticks to passe by it so easily , and not giving his good catholicks the like speed . manicongo , where in many parts the inhabitants are men-eaters , selling such flesh in their shambles . egypt hath on the east the red-sea , on the vvest barbary : on the north the mediterranean and aethiopia superior on the south . it was called the granary of the vvorld : for though it hath rain but seldome , yet nilus overflowing makes it very fruitful : the chief cities ; are grand cairo , and alexandria : see afterward a more full discription of it . the islands belonging to africa described . the atlantick islands are . that of saint thomas , lying directly under the aequinoctiall line , inhabited by the portugalls , and yeilding plenty of sugar . . prince island , lying between the aequator and tropick of capricorn : a fertile place . . the gorgades being nine in number , lying neer to cape virde : they abound in goats , and the chief of them is called st. james . . the canaries , for their fruitfulnesse called , the fortunate islands : they are seven in number , the cheif is called the grand canary , they yeild excellent wines . . the hesperides , not far from the gorgades , where the soil is very fruitful ; the weather continually fair , and the air very temperate . the aethiopick islands are . the island of saint laurence , or madagascar ; which is four thousand miles in compasse , and longer than italy , rich in all commodities for mans use : the people are very barbarous , and most of them black , yet there is some white amongst them , supposed to bee transplanted out of china . . socatrina , or socotera , which lyes at the mouth of the red-sea , and is sixty miles in length , and twenty five in breadth : it s very dry and barren , yet hath diverse good drugs in it . from thence cometh our aloes socotrina . the principal countries in africa more largely described . africa is usually divided into egypt . barbary . numidia . lybia . the land of negro's . aethiopia interior . aethiopia exterior . and the islands , as was aforesaid . a more full description of egypt . this country of egypt containeth in length from siene to the mediterranean sea , five hundred sixty and two miles , and in breadth from rosetta to damietta above one hundred and forty miles : yet in some places it s not above thirty seven miles broad : the inhabitants are tawny , and brown . from its fruitfulnesse it was called horreum populi romani : the roman granary , where lucan saith . the earth content with its own wealth , doth crave no forreign marts : nor jove himself : they have there hopes alone in nilus fruitful wave . dr. heilen . this nilus is divided towards the sea , into seven channels . it swelleth above its banks by the space of forty days , beginning upon the th day of june , and is forty days more decreasing , and returning into its banks . during this inundation , the cattle live on hills , and in the towns , unto which they are aforehand driven , and foddered till the return of the water into its channel . the towns , and villages stand all upon tops of hills , and in the time of the flood appear like so many islands : and the people by boats have free intercourse all the while . in the mud left upon the fields , are many creatures ingendred by the heat of the sun : whence ovid , and when the seven mouth'd nile the fields forsakes , and to his ancient channel him betakes : the tillers of the ground live creatures find of sundry shapes , int h ' mud that 's left behind . dr. heilen . this river is almost three thousand miles long , and being the only river of egypt , affords the only drink to the egyptians , and indeed it s very good water . the paper made of sedges , called papiri growing by this river , afforded ptolemy philadelphus materials for books in that brave library of alexandria : but understanding that attalus , king of pergamus , used this egyptian paper , for to exceed him in another library , hee prohibited the carrying of it out of egypt , whereupon attalus invented parchment , called from his city pergamena : and before these inventions , they wrote either on the inside of the bark of a tree called liber , whence wee call our books libri , or on tables made of wood , called caudex , whence came our codex . or on tables covered over with wax : whence tabellarius is a letter carryer : and the pin which they wrote with , was called stylus , which was afterwards used for that peculiar phrase used by any : as negligens stylus : exercitatus stylus . sometimes they wrote in leaves , as the sybils did their prophesies , called sybillae folia : whence we call it a leaf of paper . pharos is a little island over against alexandria , in which ptolemaeus philadelphus built a watch-tower for the benefit of saylors : the chief workman was sostratus of gnidos . it was all of white marble , of a wonderfull height , ascended by degrees , and in the top were many lanthorns with lights in the night , to direct those that travelled by sea ; for the admirable structure , it was counted one of the wonders of the world . the chief cities in egypt described , the grand cairo described . the grand cairo in egypt is accounted one of the greatest cities in the world . it is situated upon a most beautiful plain , neer unto a certain . mountain called mucatun , about two miles from the river nilus , it 's invirond with stately walls , and fortified with iron gates . in it are built most stately and admirable palaces , and colledges , and most sumptuous temples . there are also many bath stoves , very artificially built : it aboundeth with all sorts of merchandise out of all parts of the world. there is in it a famous burse [ exchange ] called canen halili , wherein the persian merchants dwell ; it 's built very stately in the manner of a king's palace , of three stories high : beneath it are many rooms , whither merchants resort for the exchange of their costly wares ; as all sorts of spices , precious stones , cloth of india , &c. there is also a stately hospital , the yearly revenues whereof , amount to two hundred thousand peices of gold called saraffi . the suburbs are very large , wherein also are many stately buildings , especially a colledge being of a wonderful height , and great strength : besides many other palaces , colledges , and temples . here they have great store of poultry : for in certain ovens built upon sundry lofts they put abundance of eggs ; which ovens being kept in a moderate heat , will in seven days hatch all those eggs into chickens . p. pil. there are in it eighteen thousand streets . it is so populous , that its reputed in very good health , if there dye but a thousand a day , or thirty hundred thousand in a year . i mean when the plague ; which comes once in seven years , is amongst them . heil . in one of the streets are about threescore cooks shops : then follow oth●r shops , wherein are to bee sold delicate waters , and drinks made of all kinds of fruits , which are kept charily in fine vessels : next to these are shops , where diverse confections of honey , and sugar , like to ours in europe , are to bee sold : then follow the fruiterers shops , who have out-landish fruits out of syria , as quinces , pomgranats , &c. next to them are shops wherein they sell eggs , cheese and pancakes fryed with oyle : next is a street , wherein all manner of artificers dwell : then there are diverse ranks of drapers shops ; in the first rank they sell excellent fine linnen , fine cloth of cotton , and cloth called mosal , of a marvellous breadth and finenesse , whereof the greatest persons make shirts , and scarfs to wear upon their tulipants : then are mercers shops , wherein they sell silks , damask , cloth of gold , and velvet brought out of italy : the next are woollen drapers , with all sorts of european cloth : next of all are store of chamblets to bee sold. at the gate of zuaila dwell great store of artificers . next to the forenamed burse is a street of shops , where are all kind of perfumes , as civet , musk , ambergreece , &c. next follows the street of paper merchants , with most excellent smooth paper : there are also to bee sold pretious stones , and jewels of great value , which the brokers carry from shop to shop : then come you to the gold-smiths street , inhabited mostly by jews , who deal in rich commodities : then are there upholsters , and brokers who sell apparel , and rich furniture at the second hand , as cloaks , coats , nappery , &c. it hath many large suburbs , as that of bed zuaila , containing about twelve thousand families , being a mile and an half in length . the suburb called gem●li tailon , adorned with a most admirable palace , and sumptuous temple : where also dwell great store of merchants , and artificers . the suburb called bell elloch , containing neer three thousand families , inhabited by merchants , and artizans of diverse sorts ; there is also a great palace , and a stately colledge : here are many stage-players , and such as teach camels , asses , and dogs to dance , very delightful to behold . the suburb bulach upon the bank of nilus , containes four thousand families : here are many artificers , and merchants , especially such as sell corn , oyle , sugar , &c. it s also full of stately temples , colledges , and hospitalls ; under this suburb you may sometimes see above a thousand barks upon the river , the suburb of caresa contains about two thousand families : here are many sepulchers built with high and stately vaults , and arches ; adorned within with diverse emblems , and colours , the pavement spread with sumptuous , and rich carpets . the inhabitants of cairo in the winter time , wear garments of cloth lined with cotton : in the summer they wear fine shirts , over which some have linnen garments , curiously wrought with silk : others wear chamblet , and great turbants on their heads , covered with cloth of india : the women go in costly attire , having on their foreheads frontlets , and about their necks chains of pearl : on their heads they wear a sharp , and slender bonnet , about a span high very pretious , and rich , their gowns are of woollen cloth with strait sleeves , curiously imbroidered with needle work , over which they cast veils of excellent fine cloth of india : their faces are covered with a black scarff : on their feet they wear fine shooes , or pantoffles , &c. the city of alexandria described . the great city of alexandria , was founded by alexander the great , not without the advise of most famous , and skilful architects , upon a beautiful point of land stretching into the mediterranean sea , being distant forty miles , westward from nilus : it was most sumptuously , and strongly built , four square , with four gates for entrance : one on the east-side towards nilus : another on the south towards the lake of buchaira : the third westward towards the desert of barca : and the fourth towards the haven . neer unto the city walls , are two other gates , which are divided asunder by a fair walk , and a most impregnable castle which stands upon the wharf , in which port the best ships out of these parts of the world ride : here the christians pay a tenth of all their wares , whereas the mahometans , pay but a twentieth part . at this time that part of the city that lyes towards cairo is best inhabited , and furnished with merchandize , and so is the other part that lies next to the haven : under each house in the city is a great vaulted cistern , built upon mighty pillars , and arches , whereinto at the overflowing of nilus , the water is conveyed , under the city walls , by a most artificiall sluce , that stands without them . the city stands in a sandy desert , so that its destitute of gardens , vines , and corn , but what is brought from places at forty miles distance . the city of rosetto described . rosetto was built by a slave to one of the mahometan governours , upon the eastern bank of nilus , three miles from the mediterranean sea , and not far from the place where nilus emptieth it self into the sea : in it is a stately bath-stove , having fountains both of cold , and hot water belonging thereunto . the city of thebe described . thebe at this present contains but about three hundred families ● but the buildings are very stately and sumptuous . it abounds with corn , rice , and sugar , with a certain fruit of a most excellent tast , called muse : it hath in it great store of merchants , and artificers : the countrey about it , abounds with date-trees , which grow so thick , that a man cannot see the city till hee comes neer the walls : here grow also store of grapes , figs , and peaches : over against the city the river of nilus makes an isle , which standing high , brings forth all sorts of fruits but olives . the city of chanca described . the great city of chanca is about six miles from cairo , at the very entrance into the desert , through which is the way to mount sinai : it s replenished with most stately houses , temples , and colledges : all the fields between cairo , and it , are full of dates . from chanca to mount sinai are one hundred and forty miles , in all which way there is no habitation : through this city lye the two main roads , one leading to syria , and the other to arabia : they have no water , but what remains in certain channels after the inundation of nilus . in the other cities there is nothing remarkable . the egyptian pyramids described . in egypt are diverse stupendious structures called pyramids , the greatest whereof is situated on the top of a rocky hill , which riseth above the plain about an hundred feet , with a gentle , and easy ascent , the height of the situation adding beauty to the work , and the solidity of the rock giving the superstructure a permanent , and stable support : each side of this pyramid is six hundred ninety three feet according to the english standard ; so that the whole basis contains four hundred eighty thousand two hundred , and fourty nine square feet , or eleven english acres of ground . the height is the same with the breadth : viz. six hundred ninety three feet . the ascent to the top is contrived in this manner : from all the sides without , the ascent is by degrees ; the lowermost step or degree is about four foot in height , and three in breadth , which running about the pyramid in a level , makes on every side of it a long , but narrow walk ; the second row is like the first , retiring inward from the first three feet , and so runs about the pyramid . in the same manner is the third row placed above the second , and so in order the rest like so many stairs rising one above another to the top , which contains about nine foot square . the degrees by which men ascend are not all of an equal depth , for some are about four foot , others scarcely three , and the higher they ascend , the more they diminish , both in breadth , and thicknesse : so that a right line extended from any part of the basis to the top , will equally touch the outward angle of every degree . these are all made of massie , and polished stones , hewn out of the arabian mountains , which bound the upper part of egypt , being so vast , that the breadth and depth of every step , is one single and intire stone , so that in most of them is contained thirty feet of stone : the number of these steps is two hundred and seven . on the north side ascending thirty eight feet upon an artificial bank of earth , there is a square , and narrow passage , leading into the inside of this pyramid , containing in length ninety two feet , and an half : the structure of it hath been the labour of an exquisite hand , as appears by the smoothnesse and evennesse of the work , and by the close knitting of the joynts : it is now an habitation for great ugly batts of about a foot long . at the end of this entrance you must climb up a massy stone , eight or nine foot in height , where you enter into a gallery , the pavement consisting of smooth , and polished white marble ▪ the breadth is about five foot , and the height the like : the length of this gallery is an hundred , and ten feet : at the end whereof begins a second gallery , a very stately peece of work , and not inferiour either in respect of the curiousity of art , or richnesse of materials , to the most sumptuous or magnificent buildings : it s divided from the former by a wall ; at the end whereof is a well about three feet in the diameter , the sides whereof are lined with white marble , it s eighty six cubits in depth , hewn through the rock on which the pyramid stands ▪ beyond the well about fifteen foot is a square passage , the stones whereof are exceeding massie , and exquisitely joyned , which contains one hundred and ten feet , at the end whereof is an arched vault , or little chamber ; the length about twenty feet , the breadth seventeen , the height about fifteen . the length of this second gallery before mentioned is one hundred fifty and four feet , of white , and polished marble , both roof , walls , and bottome ; the joynts are so well knit , that they are scarce discernable : the height of this gallery is twenty six feet , the breadth six feet , bounded on both sides with two banks , like benches of polished marble . at the end of this gallery you enter into a square hole which brings you into a little room lined with rich , and speckled thebaick marble , out of which through another passage , being all of thebaick marble ; most exquisitely cut , you land at the north end of a very sumptuous , and well proportioned room , wherein art seems to contend with nature , the curious work not being inferiour to the rich materials : it stands in the heart , or center of the pyramid , equidistant from all the sides , and in the midst between the basis , and the top : the floor , sides , and roof , are all made of vast , and exquisite tables of thebaick marble : from the top to the bottome are but six ranges of stone , all of an equal height . the stones which cover this room are of a strange , and stupendious length , like so many huge beams lying flat , and traversing the room , and bearing up that infinite weight , and masse of the pyramid above . of these there are nine which cover the roof ; the length of this room is thirty four english feet : the breadth somewhat above seventeen feet , the height nineteen feet and a half . in the midst of this glorious room stands the tomb of cheops of one peece of marble , hollow within , and sounding like a bell ; but empty : for ( saith diodorus ) although the egyptian kings intended these for their sepulchres , yet it happened that they were not buried therein : for the people being exasperated against them , by reason of the toilsomenesse of these works , and for their cruelty , and oppression , threatned to tear in peeces their dead bodies , and with ignominy to throw them out of their sepulchres , wherefore the● commanded their friends when they were dead to bury them in some obscure place . the tomb is cut smooth , and plain , without any sculpture , and ingraving : the outsides contain in length seven foot , three inches , and a half . in depth its three foot , and almost four inches , and the same in breadth : the hollow part within is something more than six foot long , the depth is somewhat above two feet ; whereby it appears that mens bodies are now as big as they were three thousand years ago : for it is almost so long since this tomb was made . this pyramid was twenty years in making , and yet there were three hundred threescore , and six thousand men continually working about it , who only in radishes , garlick ; and onions are said to have consumed eighteen hundred talents . collected out of mr. greaves , a curious observer of it . the egyptian mummi's described . not far from this pyramid in egypt are the mummi's , which were the graves of the ancient egyptians , into which are discents not unlike to the narrow mouthes of wells , some near ten fathomes deep , leading into long vaults , hewn out of the rock with pillars of the same . between every arch lie the corpses ranked one by another of all sizes , which are innumerable , shrowded in a number of folds of linnen , and swathed with bands of the same , the breasts of divers being stained with hierogliphical characters : the linnen being pulled off , the bodies appear solid , uncorrupt , and perfect in all their dimensions ; whereof the musculous parts are of a brown colour , hard as stone-pitch , and hath in physick the like operation ; only more soveraign . to keep these from putrefactions , they drew the brains out at the nostrils with an iron instrument , replenishing the head with preservative spices : then cutting up the belly with an aethiopian stone , they took forth the bowels , cleansed the inside with wine , and so stuffing it with a composition of myrrhe , cassia , and other odours , they closed it up again : the like the poorer sort effected with bitumen , fetched from the lake of asphaltites in jury , whereby they have been preserved till this day , having lyen there for about three thousand years . the lake of maeris described . maeris , one of the egyptian kings , undertook , and finished that most admirable lake , which for greatnesse , and colour is like a sea : it s about six hundred furlongs from the city of memphis , the circumference of it , contains m.m.m.dc. furlongs , the depth of it is fifty fathom , or three hundred feet ; many myriads of men were imployed for many years about it . the benefit of it to the egyptians , and the wisdome of the king cannot bee sufficiently commended : for seeing the rising of nilus is not alwayes alike , and the country is more fruitful by the moderatenesse thereof : hee digged this lake to receive the superfluity of the water , that neither by the greatnesse of the inundation , it should cause marshes , or by the scarcity of water , the earth should not yeeld her strength , hee therefore cut a ditch from the river to this lake fourscore furlongs long , and three hundred feet in breadth , by which sometimes receiving in , and sometimes diverting the river , hee gave at his pleasure a sufficient quantity of water to the husbandmen . after the kings name , it s called the lake of maeris . in the midst of this lake hee built a sepulchre , and two pyramids , each of them of an hundred fathoms high , placing upon them two marble statues , sitting on a throne , one representing himself , the other his wife ; seeking hereby to make his memory immortal . the revenews which came by the fish of this lake , hee gave to his wife to buy her unguents , and ornaments , which was so great , that it amounted to a talent a day : for it was mightily replenished with fish of twenty sorts , so that very many were continually imployed in catching , and salting of them . diod. sion . herod . barbary described . barbary hath on the east cyrenaica : on the west the atlantick ocean ; on the north the mediterranean sea ; and on the south the mountain atlas . it s now usually divided into the kingdomes of tunnis , algiers , fess , and morocco . it produceth figs , olives , dates , sugar , and horses excellent for shape , and service . the men are comely of feature , of a duskish colour , stately of gate , implacable in hatred , laborious , and treacherous . the women are rich in jewels , beautiful in blacknesse , and have delicate soft skins . the kingdome of tunis described . tunis hath on the east cyrenaica , and on the vvest algier : it containeth all that which the ancients called numidia antiqua : the soil is fertile , especially the western part : the inhabitants are healthful , seldome vexed with any sicknesse ; it s divided commonly into five parts . ezzab in the east , having many towns and regions in it . tripolis , where the chief city is of the same name ; and where the great turk hath a bassa , or vice-roy : it s at this day a receptacle of pyrats , that rove and rob in those seas . anno christi . it was wonne from the knights of malta by sinan bassa . tunis , where the chief city of the same name standeth , near to the ruines of carthage : it hath in it about ten thousand housholds , and many temples , and especially one of singular beauty , and greatnesse . cairoan also hath been a famous city six and thirty miles from the sea , and one hundred from tunis ; where is an admirable temple built upon pillars of marble . constantina , having the chief city of the same name , wherein a● eight thousand families , and many sumptuous buildings , a great temple , and two colledges . bugia , which for one hundred and fifty miles space extends it self by the sea side to the river major ; the principal city is called bugia , sometimes adorned with temples , hospitals , monasteries , and colledges of students in the mahometan law. there is also in bugia , necotus a very pleasant city ; and chollo , very rich . in this country also is seated bona , formerly called hippo , where st. augustine was bishop . the kingdome of algier described . algier formerly called mauritania caesariensis , is bounded on the east with tunis , on the vvest with fess , and morocco . it hath in it five principal cities . hubeda . tegdenit . guagido . telesine , which sometimes contained sixteen thousand families , and is adorned with many beautiful temples , and hath in it five dainty colledges , curiously wrought with mosaick work . and algier . the city of algier described . algier is seated on the mediterranean sea , upon the side of an hill , whereby one house hinders not the prospect of another : it s in fashion like a bow : the old town is in compasse three thousand four hundred paces : the island wherein it stands is walled about , except that part which is open to the port , and city ; where lately they have erected a five cornered tower to secure both : it s well strengthened with turrets , fortresses , and bulworks : without the wall is a ditch of sixteen paces broad : without the town there are three castles : the streets are generally narrow , and in the winter dirty : the houses toward the street are dark : but being inwardly built with square cloisters , it makes them light : the roofs being flat serve them for galleries and prospect : in the middest is a well , but the water brackish : they use no chimnies , but make fires in panns . the kings palace , and great mens houses have spacious courts , with specious pillars about , and many by-rooms spread with mats , and carpets , their custome being to put off their shooes when they enter . their houshold furniture is generally mean : their common lodging is upon a mat , or carpet upon the ground : pelts are their nappery , water their drink , rice with pulse their meat , &c. five cisterns without the city supply them with water , fetched in upon the shoulders of their slaves : there are seven fair mosques , five colledges of janizaries , where six hundred of them live together in one house . one hospital , four fair baths , whereof two for washing with hot , and cold water , paved with marble : two royall porches , one of thirty six foot square , with columes for the janizaries , and the other is before the palace : within the walls are neer thirteen thousand houses , many of them containing thirty families , and some more : there are in all above one hundred mosques , besides the oratories of hermites : sixty two baths , fourscore and six schools , wherein children learn to read , and write , and a few others for the alcoran : in the suburbs are fourteen thousand six hundred ninety eight gardens , each having christian slaves to keep them : yea there is scarce a family in the city , wherein they have not one or more christian slaves of both sexes : besides in the kings prison are commonly two thousand , and two or three thousand more in their gallies , so that in all , there are seldome fewer than thirty thousand of these poor slaves . see what misery these poor captives indure before in the chapter of cruelty . fesse and morocco described . fesse and morocco , formerly called mauritania tingitana , have on the east algiers ; on the west the atlantick ocean : and are parted one from the other by the river omiramble : the other principal rivers in them are tensilt , sus , suba , and lyssus . fesse is divided into seven provinces , in the which the chief city is fesse , so called from the abundance of gold that was found at the laying of the foundation of it . the city of fesse described . the city of fesse is both great , and strong : the soil about it , is diversified with little hills , and pretty vallies , which make it very pleasant : the river neer it disperseth it self into many channels , and when it enters into the city , it divideth it self into two arms , and these again are subdivided into variety of water-courses , passing through every street , and by pipes under ground is carried into every temple , colledge , inne , hospital , and almost into every private house , whereby it carrieth away all the silth that might annoy either the sight or sent . the buildings are of mosaick-work , with fine bricks , and stones framed after a most curious manner , lovely for delight , and stately for admiration . the roofes of the houses are adorned with gold , azure , and other excellent colours : on the top they are flat for the inhabitants use and pleasure : within they are richly furnished , every chamber having in it a presse curiously painted , and varnished . the portals , pillars , cisterns , and other ornaments of the city are very exquisitly framed : there are of temples in it about seven hundred , whereof fifty are very great , and fair , adorned with marble pillars , and other ornaments , the chapiters whereof are wrought with mosaick and carved works : each of them hath his fountain of marble , and other costly stones : the floores are covered with mats closely joyned ; the walls also for a mans height are lined with the same ; every temple hath its steeple after the mahometan manner , whereon their priests call the people to prayer at the appointed hours . the principal temple is that of caruven , so great , that it contains in circuit a mile , and a half . it hath thirty one gates great and high : the roof is one hundred and fifty tuscan yards long , and neer fourscore broad . it s supported with thirty eight arches in length , and twenty in breadth : round about it are porches on the east , west , and north , every one in length forty yards , and in breadth thirty , under which are store-houses , wherein are kept lamps oyle , mats , and other necessaries : every night are lighted nine hundred lamps , for every arch hath his lamp , especially that row which extends through the midst of the quire , which alone hath one hundred and fifty lamps : amongst which are some great lights made of brasse , every of which hath sockets for one thousand five hundred lamps : the steeple is exceeding high . not far from the city are twenty lime-kills , and as many brick-kills , serving for the reparation of the temple , and houses that belong to it . the revenues of this temple are two hundred duckets a day . in the city there are two principal , and most stately colledges , adorned with mosaick , and carved works , paved with marble , and stones of majorca ; in each of them are many chambers : one of them containing above one hundred chambers , is adorned with a goodly fountain of marble , and a continuall running stream : about it are three cloisters , or galleries of incredible beauty , supported with eight square pillars of diverse colours : the arches adorned with mosaick of gold , and azure : the roof of carved work . the gates of the colledge are of brass finely wrought , and the chamber doors are well carved . in the great hall where they say their prayers , is a pulpit , ascended by nine stairs , all of ivory , and ebony . there are many hospitals in fesse not inferior to the colledges for building : there are also a hundred bath-stoves well built , each of them having four halls , and certain galleries without ; in which they put off their cloaths , most of them pertaining to the temples , and colledges , and yeilding them a great rent . their inns are almost two hundred , built three stories high , each of them having one hundred and twenty chambers in them , with galleries before all the doors : but yeilding neither beds , nor food for strangers . there are also a thousand mills , the revenues whereof belong to the temples , and colledges . each trade in fesse hath a peculiar place allotted thereto . there are six hundred fountains walled about , which supply the temples , and other places with water , because the river is sometimes dry . in the territories of fesse is the city of sella , where the buildings are of mosaick work , supported with marble pillars . the shops are under fair , and large porches : in which , there are arches to part the several occupations : it hath in it fair and beautiful temples : hither the english , genowayes , flemings , and venetians use to trade . morocco described . morocco is divided into seven provinces , in all which the chief city is morocco , once the metropolis of barbary , containing one hundred thousand families , but now inferior to fess for voluptuousnesse , spaciousnesse , and beauty : yet there is a large church in it bigger than that of fesse , though not so beautifull , having a tower on it so high , that from thence may bee seen the hills of azasi at one hundred and thirty miles distance . there is also a large and stately castle , on whose tower there stand three globes made of pure gold , weighing one hundred and thirty thousand barbary duckets , some kings have been about to take them down , but have always been hindred by some disasters , which makes the common people judge , that they are kept by spirits . numidia , and lybia described . betwixt barbary , and these , is the mountain atlas , so high that the top of it cannot bee seen : it was so called from one atlas a king , that dwelt at the bottome of it . numidia hath on the east egypt : on the west the atlantick ocean : on the north atlas : and on the south lybia : the inhabitants live like the nomades , not in houses , but in waggons , and carts , whence lucan speaking of them , said , they dwell in waines , not houses , and do stray through fields , and with them lead their gods each way . heilin . they spend their time in hunting , staying but three or four dayes in a place , whilst the grasse will sustain their camels ; so that there are few towns in this country , and those far remote one from another . teffet is their greatest city , which yet consists not of above four hundred housholds , and hath no other town within three hundred miles of it . in this country are abundance of dates , whence it s called dactylorum regio . this fruit is most of ●heir food , and with the stones of them they feed their goats , which makes them fat , and causeth them to give store of milk . the air hath this property , that it presently cures all that have the french disease , and come into it . the chief cities are stafilet , dausen , dara , lapsa , and teffet . lybia hath on the east nilus ; on the vvest the atlantick ocean ; on the north numidia ; and on the south the land of negroes . in this country arius , the heretick was born , who denyed the perpetual divinity of christ. it is now called sarra , i. e. a desart , because the whole country is full of sandy desarts , through which merchants use to travel eight dayes together , without the sight of either river , lake , bush , or tree . the chief cities are huadan , guargata , and toherraum . they have neither king nor lawes , but are governed by the chief man in every tribe : they are most gentiles , they have some mahometans amongst them . the land of negroes described . the land of negroes hath on the east aethiopia superior : on the west the atlantick ocean : on the north lybia ; and on the south the kingdome of manicongo : the people are very ignorant and bruitish : most of them gentiles , yet are there some mahometans and christians amongst them : they took the portugal ships when they first saw them , for great birds with white wings : their guns for the work of the devil , and bag-pipes for living creatures . the nobles in the presence of the king , never look him in the face , but sit on their buttocks with their elbows on their knees , and their hands on their faces ; they anoint their hair with fat of fishes , which makes them stink abominably . they have abundance of gold and silver , very pure , and fine . it s watered with the river niger , which from the fifteenth of june overflows its banks for the space of forty dayes , and is so many more before it returns into its channel , which makes the fields very fruitful : in one place niger hides it self for six miles under ground : the second river is senega , upon whose northern bank , the people are cole black ; but on the south only tawny . the chief kingdomes are gualata , where they have no laws . guinie , where there is neither town nor castle , except mina built by the portugals . tombutum , where the inhabitants spend all their time in singing , and dancing . the king hereof is the richest of all the princes in those parts of africa , keeping a royal palace , and hath for his guard three thousand horsemen , and footmen sance number . melli , which is three hundred miles long , the inhabitants are rich , civil , and industrious . cana , where are plenty of lemons , and pomegranats . gialo●ie , where the people are so nimble , that they will leap upon a horse when hee gallops , and stand upright when hee runs , turn themselves about , and suddenly sit down ; mount , and dismount in a trice . benin , where the people rase their skins with three lines drawn to the navel , without which they think they cannot bee saved ; both men and women go naked till they bee married , and then they wear a cloath from the wast to the knees . nubia , where there is a poison so exceeding strong , that the tenth part of a grain will kill a man in a quarter of an hour : it s sold for one hundred duckats the ounce . bornum , where the people have neither wives , nor children that they call their own , nor names , but are only distinguished by some external accident . goaga , where the king hath no revenues , but what hee winnes from his enemies . ganaga , where the king hath nothing , but what his nobles please daily to allow him . the country of the mandigos described . in guinie upon the river gambra live the mandingos : the river abounds with crocodiles , river-horses , torpedoes , running-fishes , &c. on the banks of it are many geese , ducks , hernes , curlews , storks , plovers , &c. on the land are beeves , goats , guinie hens , &c. the people are perfeclty black , and live a very idle life , except it bee in their seed-time , and harvest : their usual food is rice , or some grain boiled ; their drink is water , or dullo , made of grain like our ale : their houses are round covered with reeds , many of them built together , and compassed with a wall of reeds six foot high , to defend them from wild-beasts , which yet many times , much endanger them . there are ant-hills cast up by pismires ; some of them twenty foot high , and in compasse able to contain twelve men , which with the heat of the sun are baked into that hardnesse , that our english which trade thither for gold , use to hide themselves in the ragged tops of them , when they take up their stands , to shoot at deer , or other beasts . the town wherein the king dwels is seated on the river , compassed about with hurdles ten foot high , and fastened to strong poles : on the outside is a trench of great breadth , beyond which the town is again circled with posts , set close together of about five foot high : their armes are azegaies , or javelins , made of reeds six foot long , with an iron pike artificially made , and dangerous : they have others that they cast like darts , with barbed heads : as also swords about two foot long . some have bows and arrows made of reeds , headed with iron poisoned : when any of them come to the king , they presently kneel down , and comming nearer , they lay their hands first upon the ground , then upon their head , then comming to him , they lay their hand with much submission upon the kings thigh , and so retire back : the king answers them with nodding his head : they are generally cloathed in cloth made of cotton , whereof there is plenty ; their apparrel is a shirt to their knees ▪ and a pair of breeches ; they are mostly bare-headed , their hair bedecked with gregories , made of leather , of several fashions , which whilst they wear , they think that no evil can betide them . the king hath two wives sitting by him , laying their hands on his naked skin , stroaking , and gently pulling the same . vvhen the woman is with child , shee lyes no more with her husband till the child bee weaned . the wives live in great servitude , beating their grain in morters : they never are admitted to sit , and eat with their husbands : you shall never see kissing , or dalliance betwixt husband and wife , nor brawling amongst the wives , though one man hath many , and they equal : each woman hath her several house for the night , and when they appear in the morning , they salute their husbands , kneeling , laying their hands on his thigh : her apparrel is loose , and party-coloured : from the wast upward shee is bare , to shew her painted razed body , whereof they are proud , turning themselves to shew it , and well pleased when you handle it . few either of men or women are without tobacco-pipes made of earth well glazed , about two inches long , the bowle will hold half an ounce of tobacco : into these they put reeds about a yard long , and so draw the smoak . they have store of palmita wine : and gourds which grow like our pumpions carryed up their walls , of unequal size , from an egge to a bushel , yeelding variety of houshold vessels to eat , drink , and wash cloaths in : they have store of great locusts trees , which yeeld clusters of cods , ripe in may , which they eat . they have store of bees , and honey . they have a sort of trees , which on a long stalk have a great and round fruit with a pleasing pith therein , on which baboons and monkeys feed . there is a tree or shrub commonly growing on the river bank like our great briars , having a ragged leaf , which leaf with the gentlest stealing touch , betwixt the finger , and thumb , will make the whole bough to close up all his leaves , and the touch of a sprig , will cause the whole tree to close up all his leaves : it bears a yellow flower like our eglantines . there are many lions , jackals , ouzes , and leopards . the civit-cats , and porcupins rob them of their poultry . there are also abundance of elephants , which going in companies spoil their corn , and cotton grounds : they feed amongst sedges , and upon boughs of trees : the blacks eat their flesh ▪ there are deer of all sorts , antilops , wild bulls , and huge bears . the baboons go by three or four thousand in a heard , some of the bigest being leaders , which are as big as lions : the females carry their young under their bellies , and if any have two , shee carries one on her back . there are infinite store of guinie-hens , partridges , quails as big as woodcocks , pidgeons , parrats , and parakitos : their greatest fowl is a stalker , who standing upright is taller than a man : the next is a wake , which makes a great noise as hee flies , and doth much hurt in their rice grounds : of smaller birds there are many sorts , pleasant to the eye , and delighting the ear . aethiopia inferior described . aethiopia inferior hath on the east the red-sea : on the vvest the aethiopian ocean : on the north the land of blacks , and aethiopia superior : and on the south the southern ocean . it hath in it these kingdomes . atan between the mouth of the red-sea , and the river calimanci . it abounds with flesh , honey , wax , corn , gold , ivory , and abundance of sheep , whose tails usually weigh five and twenty pounds . zanzibar extending from the river calimanci to monomopata : it s divided into fifteen provinces , or kingdomes , the chiefest whereof is sofila , where there is so much gold , and ivory , that some would have it to be solomons ophir . cafraria , which hath on the east the river de infanto : on the vvest and south the ocean : and on the north the mountains of the moon : it extends southward to the cape of good hope , first discovered by the portugals , anno christi . . the africans at the cape of good hope described . at the cape of good hope : the africans are ugly black , strong-limmed , desperate , crafty , and injurious . their heads are long , their hair woolly , and crispt ; of which some shave one side , leaving the other long , and curled : another shaves all , saving a little tuft on the top : another ( thinking his invention better ) shaves here , and there , the bald skull appearing in many places : other some shave away all save a lock before . such as have tufts of hair , hang in them brasse buttons , spur rowels , peeces of pewter , &c. their ears are long , and made longer by heavy bables they hang in them , as links of brass , or iron , chains , glass-beads , blew-stones , bullets , or oister-shels : and such as cannot reach to such jewels , have singles of dear , beaks of birds , dogs or cat stones , &c. their noses are flat , crusht so in their infancy , their lips great : quick , crafty eyes : and about their necks they have guts , or raw puddings , serving both for good and ornament : the better sort instead of them get hoops of iron , chains of brasse , or greazy thongs of stinking leather : their arms are loaden with voluntary shackles of iron , ivory , rusty brass , or musty copper : the rest of their bodies are naked , saving that they are girded with a thong of raw leather , to which is fastened , a square peece like the back of a glove to cover their privities : but the women , when they receive any thing , return their gratitude by taking up that slap , and discovering their shame : but their great ones have better cloathing : a nasty untanned hide of a lyon , leopard , calf , baboon , or sheep ( the hair inward ) which they put upon their shoulders , reaching to their wasts : for their thighs and legs are never covered : to their feet is fastened a broad peece of leather , tyed by a little strap , which for the most part they hold in their hands , that their feet may have liberty to steal , which with their toes , they can do most cunningly , all the while looking you in the face , as if they meant no harm . most of the men are semi-eunuches , one stone being exsected in their infancy by their nurses . both sexes hideously cut , gash , and pink their brows , nose , cheeks , arms , breast , back , belly , thighs , and legs in sundry works , and figures . they have no houses , they delight most in caves , holes , or lyons dens , unfurnished ; a whole tribe commonly keeping together , coupling without distinction , the name of wife , or brother , being unknown amongst these incestuous persons . they feed , sleep , and speak altogether without order , or law : in the night they sleep round a fire , a centinel watching the lyons , their adversaries : vivitur ex rapto : the one eating the other , the lyon tearing some of them , and they other times training him over covered pits , which catches him : and so they slay , and eat him to day , who perhaps was a sepulcher to their friends , or parents the day before . they dawb , and rub their skins with grease , and coals , indenting , and drying them in the sun whereby they become monsters to all civil eyes . they eat men alive , or dead , which when they fail of , dead whales , seals , pengwins , grease , or raw puddings are their diet : and when the frost of old age benums their limbs , whereby they are unapt to provide their own food , they either eat them , or expose them upon the mountains , either to bee killed by famine , or devoured by lyons . with these no violent death , nor stroying rage of lust , is half so dreadful as old age . they have no spark of devotion , no knowledge of god , heaven , hell , or immortality ; no place of worship , no day of rest , no order in nature , no shame , no truth , no ceremony in births , or burials , meer brutishnesse , and stupidity over shadowing them . the women carry their children on their backs , and give suck with their long dugs stretched over their shoulders . anno christi . . sir james lancaster had amongst them a thousand sheep , and fifty oxen for trifles . they train their cattle to such obedience , as with a whistle , great heards will follow them like dogs , and being sold , with a like call will runne away after them , to the buyers costly mirth and admiration : to prevent which , the marriners upon the delivery of each beast ; either kill it quickly , or fasten their horns with cords to stakes placed there on purpose . the kingdome of sofala described . sofala is situate on the cost of eastern ethiopia , neer the sea : here the portugals traffick to manica , a land of much gold , within land above threescore leagues ; the women perform the offices of tillage , and husbandry : in it are many sorts of fruit , as pomgranats which bear all the year , some green , some ripe , and some in flowers : fig-trees which yeild black figs all the year about : oranges , limes , vines , which bear twice a year , in january , and july ; ananas , sugar canes , palm-trees which yeild infinite cocoes , and wine ; guiny wheat , and rice ; there are abundance of hens , goats , kine , wild beasts , and wild swine . in manica grow little trees on rocks ; which are dry most part of the year , but if you cut off a bough and put it into water , in the space of ten hours it springs , and flourisheth with green leaves : in some parts they have store of orenges and lemons . the king of this country is called the quitive , they are gentiles ; hee hath above one hundred women whereof one or two are his queens : and many of them are his aunts , cosins , sisters , and daughters , all whom hee useth promiscuously ; when hee dies his queens must dye with him , to do him service in the other world . the kingdome of monomopata described . monomopata is above two hundred leagues long : on the north-west lies the kingdome of abutua , where is much fine gold , yet their greatest riches they count their cattle : on the east it hath the river zambeze : on the south-west it extends to the ocean , and southward it s bounded with the river inhanabane : the king hath many women , whereof one is principal : none may speak with him , except hee bring a present ; the king and his subjects wear a white perewinkle in their foreheads for a jewell , fastened in their hair , and the king hath another great one on his breast . none of them cut the hair of their heads or beards , yet they grow not long : they live commonly to ninety , or one hundred years : when the king dyes , his queen must drink poyson to serve him in another world. it abounds so with elephants , that about five thousand are yearly killed for their teeth-sake : there are said to bee three thousand mines of gold. the kingdome of congo , or manicongo described . the kingdome of congo hath on the west the ocean : on the south the caphars and mountains of the moon : on the east those hills from which the rivers issue , and run into the fountains of nilus : and on the north the kingdome of benin : the most southerly part is called quimbibe : a great and mighty kingdome , extending from bravagal to bagamidri ; the air is wholesome , the earth out-outwardly furnished with store of fruits , inwardly with mines of christal , and other mettals . angola is another province of congo , a great kingdome , and very populous . cabazza is the royal city , one hundred and fifty miles from the ocean : from this country the portugals use to carry above twenty thousand slaves yearly into brasile . they are heathens , have their idols of wood in the midst of their towns , in fashion like a negro , which they call mokisso's : they take as many wives as they please , there are mines of silver , and excellent copper : they have many kine , but love dogs-flesh better , which they feed for the shambles ; their houses are fashioned like bee-hives : horse-tails are great jewels amongst them , for one of which they will give two slaves . congo properly so called , extendeth westward three hundred seventy five miles ; northward five hundred and forty ; southward six hundred , crossing over the mountains of the sun , and the mountain of christal : it s divided into six provinces , bamba , songo , sundi , pango , batti , and pemba . bamba is the greatest , and richest ; there are mines of silver , and on the sea-shore , shells which they use in stead of mony : amongst them there are some very strong men , who will cleave a slave in the middle , or cut off a bulls head at one blow : there are certain creatures as big as rams , having wings like dragons , long tails , and chaps with diverse rows of teeth ; they live upon raw flesh ; their colour is blew , and green , and they have but two feet ; the pagan negroes worship them for gods. the rivers of congo are many , the greatest whereof is zatre : in all of them are river-horses , and crocodiles , and they overflow as doth nilus . there are whole mountains of porphiry , jasper , white marble , and other marbles ; and one , that yeelds fair jacinthes , straked with natural veins . when any of the inhabitants dye , they have no power to bequeath their goods to their kindred , but the king is heire general to all men . the kingdome of loango described . loango is the no●therly neighbour of congo , right under the line : the country stretcheth two hundred miles within land : the people are called bramanes , and the king mani loango : they are circumcised after the manner of the jews , as all the rest of the nations in those countries use to bee : they have abundance of elephants , and wear cloaths of palm : they are heathens , and use many superstitions ; they have their mokisso's , or images , to which they offer several things . beyond the country of loango are the anzigues , the cruellest cannibals that are under the sun : for in other places they eat their enemies , or their dead , but here they eat their country-men , and kins-folk , and keep shambles of mans flesh , as with us of beef , or mutton . they have many mines of copper , and great quantity of sanders , both red , and gray . they are excellent archers ; they are circumcised , and worship the sun for their greatest god , and the moon next . ethiopia superior ; called also abassia , described . it is watered with four principal rivers , and as many huge lakes : the first river is taucea , running northward , but drunk up by the thirsty sands , before it can come to the sea : it hath bordering upon it , mountains of admirable height , and inaccessible : the second river is oara , larger than nilus , that emptieth it self into the sea of zeila : the water is very clear , but the superstitious abassines refuse to drink of it , because in its passage it watereth some mahometan regions . the third is gabea , and the fourth is nilus : one of the lakes is called dambea , threescore mile long , and five and twenty broad : it abounds with fish , and river-horses ; and in it are many islands , in which traitors are confined . the abassine soil is for the most part hollow , and in the midst of the plains , rise many rockie-hills , which in times of war serve them for fortresses : the whole country abounds with mettal-mines ; but the inhabitants , partly through ignorance , and partly for fear of the turks , if the riches of their country should bee discovered , suffer them to lye hidden in the earth , only they make use of so much iron as lyes upon the surface of the earth . of plants and trees there is great variety : there are hares , goats , bores , harts , elephants , camells , buffalls , lions , panthers , tigers , rhinocerotes , and jaraffs . the air in this country is most part warm , and temperate : in some parts very hot , and unwholesome . the winter is from the end of may , to the beginning of september ; in which time it rains almost every day , which is often accompanied with thunder : their vvine is made of honey ; their churches are usually compassed with trees for shade . the richer sort buy garments of the saracens , the rest both men and women cover their bodies either with a skin , or some course hempen-cloth : when they do reverence to any , they put off their cloth from the shoulders to their navel ; their hair is long , which serves them for a hat : the better sort curle and anoint their hair with butter ; they brand marks in their bodies , especially in their face ; on their little fingers they suffer their nails to grow as long as they will ; their hands and feet are bare , which they colour reddish ; they are artlesse and lazie : they lye on ox hides , they eat their meat out of great bowles of wood , without any napperie : they have no cities , but great unwalled villages ; their greatest town hath scarce sixteen thousand houses : these houses are small , without elegancy or story , round , and covered with earth , and straw : they paint christ , the virgin , and other saints black , as devils , and wicked men white . their temples are round , having a double porch : they neither walk , nor talk , nor sit , nor spit , nor laugh in the church , nor admit dogs into the church-yards : some churches are only for men , others for women : in small villages they are common to both , but with divisions that they cannot see one another . the chiefest port belonging to the abissines is suaque●n , situated in the arabian gulph : it excels most of the cities in the orient , in four things : first , in the goodnesse and security of the haven , which is fenced by nature against all storms , and will contain two hundred ships , besides multitudes of small vessels . secondly , in the easinesse of loading , and unloading of them : for the city being built in an island , they set the beak-heads of their ships and gallies over the streets , and by casting a plank over , they are emptied into the ware-houses . thirdly , for trafick with strange nations ; for there repair thither merchants from all parts of india , cambaia , pegu , malacca , arabia , ethiopia , egypt , &c. which trade for abundance of gold , and ivory . fourthly , for the strength of the city , which is very great , by reason of sholds , flats , islands , rocks , banks of sand , &c. which makes the approaches very difficult , and dangerous . this country of abassia is as big as germany , france , and italy , and hath in it plenty of rice , barley , beans , pease , sugar , &c. the hill amara in ethiopia described . in ethiopia under prete janny , commonly called prester , or presbyter john , is an hill called amara , situated in the navel of the ethiopian body under the equinoctial line , adorned with all variety of fruits , wholesome air , pleasant aspect , and prospect : yea heaven , and earth , nature and industry have all been corrivals to present their riches to it . it stands in a great plain , having no other hill near it by thirty leagues , the form of it is round : the rock is cut so smooth without any unequal swelling , that to him that stands beneath , it s like an high wall : the top is overhanged with rocks , jutting forth for the space of a mile : it s above twenty leagues in the circuit , compassed with a wall on the top , well wrought , that so neither man , nor beast in chase may fall down . the top is a level , only towards the south is a rising hill beautifying this plain , whence issueth a pleasant spring which passeth through all that plain , and payeth its tribute to every garden that will exact it , and so maketh a lake at length , whence issueth a river that from thence runneth into nilus . the way up to it is cut out of the rock , not with stairs , but by an easy ascent , so that one may ride up with ease , at the foot whereof is a fair gate with a corps du guard : halfway up is a fair and spacious hall , cut out of the rock with three large windows to it , and at the top is another gate with the like guard : the air above is wholesome , and delectable , so that they live long there without sicknesse ▪ there are upon it thirty four palaces standing by themselves , spacious , sumptuous , and beautiful , where the princes of the royal blood have their abode with their families . there are two temples also , the most beautiful in all ethiopia . there are many flourishing and fruitful gardens , curiously made , and plentifully furnished with europian fruits , as pears , pippins , &c. and of their own , as oranges , citrons , lemons , &c. it s also adorned with cedars , palm-trees , &c. as also with variety of herbs , and flowers to delight the sight , taste , and sent : there are also cubaio trees , pleasant in taste beyond all comparison , and great store of balm-trees . there is plenty of all sorts of grain , and corn , and such charms of birds as delight the ear with their melodious warbling notes , and please the eye with their variety of colours , and other creatures that adorn this paradise . the aforenamed churches have their pillars , and roofs of stone , richly , and cunningly wrought , the matter and workmanship contending for magnificence : that of jasper , alabaster , marble , porphyrie ; this of painting , gilding , and much curiosity : to these are adjoyning two stately monasteries ; in one whereof are two rare peeces , whereon wonder may justly fasten both her eyes . the treasury , and the library of the emperor , are such as neither of them is thought to bee matchable in the world ; neither that of constantinople , wherein were one hundred and twenty thousand books ; nor that of alexandria , wherein were seven hundred thousand books : for the number in this library is numberlesse , their price inestimable . there are three great halls , each above two hundred paces large , with books of all sciences , written in fine parchment , with much curiosity of golden letters , and other work , and cost in writing , binding , and covers : there are all the greek fathers : the writers of syria , egypt , africa , and the latine fathers , with others innumerable , in greek , hebrew , arabick , abyssine , egyptian , syrian , and chaldee . there are poets , philosophers , physicians , rabbines , talmudists , cabalists , hieroglyphicks , &c. the treasury , leaves them of all other princes behinde it . it s a sea that every year receiveth new rivers , which never run out : every emperor yearly laying up part of his revenue there . the jewels here kept are incomparable , topazes , amethists , saphires , diamonds , &c. hee hath one jewel that was found in the river niger ( that brings forth more gemmes than any other in the world ) which is one peece diversified with a thousand variety of stones . it s about two spans , and an half square : there are in it one hundred and sixty diamonds , one as large as the palm of ones hand : it hath in it above three hundred emeralds ; rubies the greatest in the world : above fifty saphires , turqueses , balazes , amethists , spinels , topazes : jacinths , chrysolites , &c. nature here playing the jeweller , and representing a map of the worlds gemmes in this one jewel , without , and infinitely beyond all art of man. bernardo de vecheti , a jeweller , being sent thither by francis de medicis , duke of florence to see it , accounted it beyond all estimation , and value . the emperor also hath made him tables with thousands of stones set in them . in this hill are kept the princes of the blood royal , as in a prison , and never return thence , except they bee chosen emperors . anno christi . there were six of them : these meet all together when they please to recreate themselves by hauking , hunting , &c. and they have grave persons to instruct them in learning , and vertue . purchas pilgrimage . p. . &c. the chiefest cities in abassia , or aethiopia superior , described . the chiefest cities in this empire are : . saba , in which are four gates made of alabaster , and jasper , wrought with antique work , and the doors thereof curiously carved . it hath in it five thousand great and sumptuous houses : the streets are spacious , and so shaded with pent-houses , that a man may walk without being offended by either sun or rain . the other cities are . aruma . . cossomum . . zameta , the seat of barnagasso , or the vice-roy . . suacen , before described . . tanape . . and zembra : the kings court also is a wandring city ; for his pavilions , and tents belonging to him , and his retinue being pitched , take up ten miles in compasse . in this empire are seventy tributary kingdomes , the chief whereof are . barnagassum , which lyeth towards the red-sea , and borders on the turks . . tigremaon , famous for her mines of gold. . angote , where the inhabitants use salt , pepper , and iron instead of mony , and feed on raw flesh . . amara , where is that famous mountain before described . . guagere , which is an island in the river nilus , one hundred seventy and five miles long , and one hundred twenty and five broad , &c. the natives call this emperor , the negus . his revenues are so great , that besides the expences of his court , and camp , he coffers up three millions every year . the islands in the red-sea , belonging to africa described . that which is now called the red-sea , or arabian gulph , that parts asia from africa , is in length one thousand and two hundred miles , in breadth for the most part one hundred : it s so full of sholds , that ●xcept they keep the channel in the middest , there is no sailing but by daylight : at the entrance into it , stands the i le of babel mandel , or babmandel , which the ancient kings of egypt used to chain up to keep the passage . sues is neer the bottome of this sea , where the turk hath his arsenal , and gallies for those seas : the timber is brought out of caramania by sea , by the river nilus , and by cammels the rest of the way , at incredible charges . some think that pharaoh was here drowned : others think that the passage of the israelites was at tor , where this sea is not above nine miles over . ezion geber was a port hereabouts whence solomon sent his fleet to ophir for gold , &c. bernice was a port in the red-sea , where the indian drugs , and spices were unladen in the time of the roman empire , and from thence carried to alexandria in egypt . zidem is twelve leagues from mecca , where since the ships used to unlade their spicery , as formerly they did at bernice . a little further is the i le of mehun : and then the i le of cameran , one of the hotest places in the world : then dalaqua , where they get pearls . it s one hundred twenty and five leagues long , and twelve broad . mazzua is another island which makes ercocco a good haven . there are diverse other small iles , in which there is nothing memorable . the chiefest islands belonging to africa described . madagascar described . madagascar , or st. laurence island , is the greatest island in the world , being a thousand miles in length , and in some places four hundred miles in breadth : it s full of towns , people , minerals , beasts , woods , waters , and what 's requirable in a fruitful land . it s a good place for victualling , as they passe into the east-indies , the air quick , and healthfull : it s divided into four kingdomes , each king with their ebony scepters ruling his people , being jealous of each others greatnesse . the sea towns are infected with mahometisme , the midland eclipsed with black idolatry . nature hath taught them laws , they punish murther with death ; adultery with publick shame , and the●t with banishment . fishing delights them more than tillage . the people are generally strong , couragious , and proper . the men cover their naked bodies in warre , with strong and massy targets , their right hand , brandishing a long neat pike , or lance of ebony , barbed with iron , kept as bright as silver , which they can throw with excellent dexterity , and skill : their colour is black , they anoint their naked bodies with grease , and tallow ; proud to see their skin shine , and are not offended with the stink : their hair is long , black , and curled : they wear a few leaves plaited about their wasts , but are elsewhere naked ; their ears are bored and wide ; they pink , and cut their flesh ; and whilst the men seek their prey abroad , the women keep constantly at home and spin . the boys marry at ten , and the maids at twelve years old . they know no letters : nihil scire , nil jucundius . the earth is rich in minerals , gold , silver , iron , copper , &c. but hearing of the cruelty , and covetousnesse of the portugals , they prohibit the diging of them . if you will buy any thing of them , they give it in exchange for agats , helitropians , jasper ; and long red cornelian beads , which they prefer before all the diamonds of india , and of which they are so proud , that the owner , bee hee subject or king , is oft dethroned for it , one string of them being able to put them all into a combustion . bracelets , copper-chaines , beads , bells , and babies are much esteemed , for which you shall have in exchange , sheep with great tails , beeves , bufaloes , camels , antilops , red-deer , leopards , goats , milk , hens , eggs , vvheat , barley , rice , oranges , lemons , lymes , pomcitrons , plantanes , sugar canes , ginger , toddy ; coconuts , &c. herb. travels . their time of marriage is for men at twelve , and for women at ten . they have a kind of bean growing on trees , the cod whereof is two footlong . the island of mohelia described . mohelia , another island beyond it , where the houses are made of reeds , or straw , fitted to the heat of such a torrid climate . the inhabitants are cole black , have great heads , big lips , flat noses , sharp chins , huge limbs , go naked , having only a few plantane leaves about their wastes , to veil their modest parts ; they cut , and pink in several works their skins , face , armes , and thighs , striving to exceed each other in variety . tobacco is of great account amongst them , which they suck out of long canes , called hubble-bubbles : they have store of buffols , goats , turtles , hens , huge bats , camelions , rice , pease , cuscus , honey , oisters , breames , and much other fish : they have also toddy , cocos , plantanes , orenges , lemons , lymes , pome-citrons , tamarind , sugar-canes , &c. the isle is alwayes green , each day a gentle breeze , and shower bedewing the earth , and mollifying the scorching sun ; so that it is alwayes adorned in floraes livery , yea , roabed with natures best arras , pleasantly refreshed with silver purling streams , and shaded with dainty trees of all sorts . here you may have thirty orenges , or lemons for a sheet of paper : for two sheets ten coco-nuts : an oxe for a peece of eight , and a goat for six pence . the isle of st. hellen described . this island is on this side the cape of good hope , and nearer to the african , than to the american shore : the seas about it are very deep , and the land so high and precipitious , that the marriners use to say , a man may chuse whether hee will break his heart going up , or his neck comming down : but when up , no place yeelds a more delightful object : it s even , and plain , cloathed with sweet grasse , long , and curious : the springs above are sweet ; there are but two rivolets in the island : there are abundance of hogs , and goats : there are also phesants , powts , quails , hens , partridges , and diverse sorts of useful herbs , as wood-sorrel , trifolie , basil , parsly , mint , spinage , fennil , annis , radish , and lemons . the island of st. thomas described . the island of st. thomas is of a round figure , being one hundred and fourscore miles in compasse ; it lyeth directly under the aequinoctial line : it so aboundeth with sugar , that forty ships are laden from thence yearly : the chief city is pavoasan : at the first discovery it was wholly overgrown with woods , now it is inhabited by the portugals , and negroes ; the latter often living till they bee an hundred years old : the portugals not exceeding fifty . it will bear no fruit that hath a stone in it . in the midst is a woody mountain continually over-shadowed with a thick cloud , which so moistens the trees , which are many , that from thence droppeth water sufficient to water all their sugar grounds . princes island described . princes island lyes between the aequator , and the tropick of capricorn , near unto the isle of st. hellen : it s called princes island , because , when it was first discovered , the revenues of it were allowed to the prince of portugal . the isle of cape verde described . next to cape verde are seven islands full of birds , but empty of inhabitants : but the isles of cape verde are nine ; they were first discovered , anno christi . none of them are inhabited but st. jago , and del fogo , so called , because it burns perpetually : they were taken by sir anthony sherly , anno christi . who had in one night such a showre of ashes , as hee did lie by del fogo , that in the morning you might have written with your finger upon the deck of his ship . st. jago was taken by sir francis drake , anno christi . brava , and bona vista have better names , than natures , they yeeld no matter for history : as neither do the isles of st. matthew , sancta cruz , st. paul , and conception . the former of these are called the gorgades , and abound with goats . the latter the hesperides , distant from africk ten thousand furlongs . the island of maio described . maio hath in it a lake two leagues long , where the sun congeals and turns the water into salt . here the sea looketh like a green field , being covered over with an herb called sergasso , like to our sampher , which lies so thick that a man cannot see the water , hindring the ships passage , except it hath a strong wind : it is yellowish of colour , and beareth an empty berry , like goosberries . it s four hundred miles distant from the coast of africk , and the sea is so deep , that no ground can bee found , and yet this herb is thought to come from the bottome . these coasts are troubled with continual thunders , and lightenings ; and unwholesome raines ; and if this rain-water stand but a little , it turns into worms , and it fills the meat that is hung up in it with worms . here swims also upon the face of the waters another herb like a cocks-comb , which is so venemous , that it can hardly bee touched without peril . in these seas also they meet with great and tedious calmes . the canary islands described . the canary islands are twenty leagues from the continent of lybia , being six in number . canaria , la-palma , teneriffa , lancerota , hierro , la-gomara ; and forteventura . the ancient inhabitants knew no god but nature ; were ignorant of the use of fire ; shaved with flint-stones : nursed their children by goats ; tilled the earth with horns of oxen ; abominated the slaughter of beasts ; like beasts used women in common ; had no meum , and tuum . the woods their dwelling was , the herbs their diet ; and on the leaves , and boughs , they slept in quiet . they are now inhabited by the spaniards , who have the inquisition amongst them : the grand canary is the residence of the inquisitor whither all the other isles repair for justice . it s one hundred and twenty miles in compasse : hath store of goats , bees , asses , hogs , barley , rye , rice , variety of flowers , grapes , and other excellent fruits . teneriff may compare with the grand canary in multitude of inhabitants ; and exceeds it in grapes , yeelding yearly eight and twenty thousand buts of sack ; of the high pike in this island , see afterwards . hyerro is famous for that tree , which ( like the rock in the desart ) affords sweet water to all the inhabitants : the description whereof , see afterwards . madara stands in two and thirty degrees , and is the greatest of all the atlantick isles : it was so called of the wildernesses of trees there growing , which when they were first fired , they burned so furiously , that the people for a time were forced to go some space into the sea from the violent heat , and the wood-ashes made the soil so fat , that at first it yeelded threescore fold , since but thirty : the excellent wines that wee have from thence are made of vines that were brought from candy , and they bring forth more grapes than leaves , the clusters being two , three , and four spans long . at first here were many pigeons that would suffer themselves to bee taken , not knowing , and therefore not fearing a man. forty miles from madara is the isle of porto santo , or all-saints , because discovered upon that day anno christi . here were such store of conies , bred of one shee cony , brought hither great with young , that the island was almost destroyed , and made unhabitable by them . the isle of malta described . within the streights there are only some few islands belonging to affrica , whereof the isle of melita , or malta is the chiefest : in old time famous for the temple of juno , spoiled by the roman verres . it s distant from sicilie threescore miles , from africa one hundred and ninety : it was sometimes subject to the carthaginians . it is now held by the knights of malta , whose valour appeared anno christi . by defending it against their mighty and powerful adversary the turk . the general description of europe . europe by pliny is called orbis domitorum genitrix , and well shee may , if we read her story in her greek monarchy of alexander the great , and in her latine empire of the romans , who scarce left a corner of the world , then known , unconquered . it is almost encompassed with the sea , being as it were a peninsula , whose isthmus , is that part which lyes between the river tanais , and the frozen sea , by which it is joyned to asia . westward it is bounded with the atlantick ocean , having no land till you come to amerrica . on the east towards asia , it hath the aegean sea , called archipelagus , and pontus euxinus , palus meotis , and the river tanais : southward it hath the mediterranean sea , and fretum herculeum . northward the pole artick . she bears in length but three thousand and eight hundred miles , and in breadth nigh one thousand and two hundred miles : so that shee is the least , but yet the most populous part of the world , and blessed with the gospel above all others . the kingdomes , and countrys in the continent of europe are , spain , france , belgia , germany , italy , denmark , hungary , poland , sclavonia , greece , dacia , norway , sweden , and muscovy . spain , not long since consisted of three kingdomes , castile , arragon , and portugal , but lately portugal hath rent it self from her , and chose for king , the duke of braganza , under the name of john the fourth , but wee will speak of her as shee was before , and so in compass shee is about one thousand eight hundred and ninety english miles . it s begirt with the sea on every side , unlesse on the eastern , where it is joyned to france by a kind of isthmus , crossed by the pyrenaean mountains from sea to sea. on the west it s bounded with the atlantick sea : on the north with the cantabrick : on the south with the straits of gibraltier : and south east with the mediterranean sea. it yeilds all sorts of wines , sugar , fruits , oils , mettals , lamb-skins , wool , cork , rosen , steel , &c. the inhabitants are not many , nor have they many great cities , as in other parts of europe : the poor are proud , the best superstitious , and hypocritical : yet good souldiers , because patient to endure labor , hunger , thirst , by which means they rather weary out , than overcome their enemies . france begins at the west from the pyrenean mountains , and is bounded on the east with germany : on the north with our english seas : southward with the mediterranean : and south-east with the alpes , which divide it from italy . the cheif provinces are lorraign , burgondy , and savoy , which have princes of their own : the rest are normandy , britany , bury , aquitane , picardy , peictoires , languedock , anio● , casconie , provence , and campaine , &c. the country is very fruitfull , which causeth much traffick from neighbouring nations : their special commodities are wine , salt , linnen , paper , &c. it s well peopled , and hath many fair cities , the inhabitants are great courtiers , and light of carriage . belgia hath france on the south : denmark on the north : germany on the east : and the ocean on the west : it s called the lowcountrys , or netherlands . it s in compasse about one thousand miles . it s divided into seventeen provinces : whereof four are dukedomes : seven earldomes : five baronies : and one marqueship . the dukedomes are . brabant , in which is an●werp . . luick . . lutzenburg , where is the vast forrest of ardenna . . gilderland . the earldoms are . flanders . . artois . . heinolt . . holland . . zeland . . zutphen . . hamme . the barronies are . friezland . . utrech . . mecklen . . overysel . . grauling . the marquisat is that of the holy empire . it s a good land , and affords store of butter , cheese , and very great oxen. the people are industrious , and excellent mechanicks . the men are big boned , excellent seamen , and maintain their liberty by the sword . germany lyeth eastward from belgia , and is bounded on the west with france , and belgia : on the east with hungary and poland , and the river vistula . on the north with the german ocean , and on the south with the alps that divide it from italy . bohemia is situated in the middest , compassed with the hyrcanian wood : whereof the regal city is prague . germany comprehends many provinces , as saxony , brandenberg , pomeren , bavaria , silesia , franconia , austria , helvetia , east-friesland , westphalia , cleveland , alsatia , brunswick , and hassia . the emperor is now chosen by eight electors , the arch-bishops of triars , ments , and colen : the count palatine of the rine : the duke of saxony , and bavaria : and the marquesse of brandenberg , and the king of bohemia with his casting voice . it s a rich country in corn , wine , fruits , and mines , and hath in it healthful baths : the people are warlick , and ingenious . italy hath germany on the north , the mediterranean on the south , the adriatick sea on the east , and on the west mare terrenum . it s in length one thousand and ten miles : the greatest breadth is four hundred and twenty . it s divided into many states ; the chief are the kingdome of naples : the territory of rome , lumbardy , tuscany : the signiory of venice , verona , &c. it s of admirable fertility , and called the paradice of the world . the inhabitants are grave but exceeding libidinous . denmark is joyned to germany on the south : on the west it hath mare germanicum , and is a peninsula , the two principal provinces are irglant and holstein : most of the other are petty islands , whereof zeland is the chief , and loitland . it breeds goodly horses , and store of cattle . hungary hath on the vvest germany , the river tabiscus and walachia on the east , poland on the north , and on the south , is the river sauri : southward is sclavonia . the famous river danubius cuts her in the middle , nameing her parts citerior , and ulterior . the chief provinces are soliense , where the earth sends forth such a stink , that it poysons the birds that fly over it ; and an island in danubius that is exceeding fertil , and so generally is the whole country . the inhabitants are strong , their daughters portions are only a new attire ; and all their sons equally inherit without respect of primogeniture . the emperor and turk share it betwixt them . poland hath silesia on the west , the river boristhenes on the east , the baltick sea on the north , and hungary on the south . it s in compasse two thousand six hundred miles . the chief provinces are livonia , lituania . volinia , samogatia , podolia , russia nigra , mazoria , prussia regal , podlasia , and the dukedome of opwits , and zator , and polonia propria . the land abounds with hony , wax , mines of copper , and iron , horses fit for service : the kingdome is elective . sclavonia hath hungary on the north , the adriatick sea on the south , greece on the south-east , and italy on the west . it contains in length four hundred and fourscore miles , and in breadth one hundred and twenty . it s divided into illiricum , dalmatia , and croatia . the sclavonian language is used in many countrys , both of europe and asia . it s divided betwixt the empire of germany , the turk , and the venetians . greece hath on the west the adriatick sea : on the east the aegean , hellespont , and propontis , northward the mountain hemus , and southward the mediterranean . it was once the seat of the worlds empire , and flourished above other countries with all sorts of humane learning . it was one of the first that embraced the gospel , and bred many fathers of our church . it s now miserably enslaved to the turks . it s commonly divided into peleponesus , achaia , epirus , albania , macedonia , migdonia , and thracia . it yeilds gold , silver , coperas , colours , wines , velvets , stuffs , &c. dacia hath on the west hungary , on the east the euxine sea , on the south greece , and on the north sarmatia , from the which its divided by the carpathian mountains . it was formerly called misia . the cheif regions in it are transilvania , moldovia , walachia , servia , rascia , bulgaria , and bosnia . norway is in length one thousand three hundred miles , in breadth about six hundred . it s under the government of the king of denmark . theft is counted the greatest sin amongst them . it yeilds cables , masts , furrs , stockfish , which the poor eat instead of bread . the metropolitan city is nidrosio , besides which there are but two of note , bergla , and asloia . on the north , and west , lies the populous province of finmark . sweden is on the east of norway , from which it is divided by the dofrine mountains on the north and south its bounded by the seas , on the east it joynes to muscovy . it s a fertile country , and in some provinces hath great plenty of corn , furrs , mines of gold , silver , copper , and lead . it s divided into gotland , quasi good land , finland , quasi fine land , bodia , scrickfinia , lapland , &c. the inhabitants often live till they bee one hundred and forty years old . thence lately have come the two great conquerors , gustavus adolphus , that conquered much of germany , and carolus adolphus , that now hath conquered poland , and most of prussia . muscovy is the last country of europe towards the east , and part of it stands in asia . it s bounded on the west with livonia , and part of sweden : on the east with tartary , on the north with the frozen seas : and on the south with lituania . the length of it is three thousand miles , the breadth of it is three thousand threescore and five . most of it is extream cold , but to help that , they have great store of furrs , as sables , martins , white foxes , &c. it hath store of corn , fruit , and cattel . the people are very base , contentious , ignorant , and sottishly superstitious . they bury their dead upright , with a staff in his hand ; and a penny in his purse , with a letter to st. nicolas to procure him entrance into heaven . the chief provinces are muscovy , where stands the regal city of mosco . pernia where they eat dryed stags flesh instead of bread . rhesan full of corn , and horses , &c. the islands in europe described . in the western atlantick seas are groenland , groviland , island , and frisland . these are extream cold , yet yeild plenty of fish , oil , whale bones , and morses teeth . in the british seas , are ireland , great britain with her train , the orcades , hebrides , silly , man , weight , anglesey , jersey , garnsey , &c. others there are of lesse note in the german seas , and those which divide norway , and sweden from germany , and poland . towards spain are the azores , nine in number , the chief of them is faial . the southern islands of europe lie in the mediterranean seas : as the baleans neer spain , corsica , sardinia neer italy , sicily , and malta . in the adriatick , and jonian seas , absorrus , curicta , scardona , insulae diomedeae , issa , tragurium , pharia , corsica , and melitum . more southward , ertcusa , cephalenia , ithica , echidnades , zazinthus , the strophades and cythera . in the mouth of the aegean sea is candy , an i le of five hundred and twenty miles in compasse , abounding with cypresse trees , and a lascivious wine called malmesey . the chiefest islands in the aegean sea are melos , chias , bria , the cyclades , sporades , delos , &c. but i will write a little more particularly of the chiefest of these islands ; as samothracia , which is a small island , where the air is most cleer , and pure : the chief town is samia , beautified with a goodly harbour , but now by reason of the pyrates infesting it , left almost desolate . lemnos , containing in circuit almost one hundred miles : here is digged that soveraign mineral called terra lemnia , and sigillata , because it s sealed when made into pellets , with a turkish character : the vvestern parts are dry , and barren , the eastern more fruitful : it contains about seventy five villages . lesbos is one hundred sixty eight miles in compasse : the south , and vvest parts are mountainous and barren , the rest level , and fruitful . chios is one hundred twenty and five miles in compasse . it beareth that sweet gum called mastick . in it are an infinite number of partridges that are of a red colour , they are kept tame ; and fed in flocks in the streets , and villages , a little boy or girle driving them into the fields , and with a whistle calling them home again . the most excellent greekish vvines are made here , called vina chia . . euboea , over against chios , now called negropont , is in compasse three hundred sixty five miles : a very fruitful island ; between the continent and it , is only a little euripus that ebbs and flowes seven times in one day , the reason whereof , when aristotle could not finde out , hee threw himself into it , saying , quia ego non capio te , tu capis me : in it are two rivers , cireus , and nileus : strabo saith , that if sheep drink of the former , their wooll turns white ; if on the latter , coal black . the sporades are twelve in number , the chiefest is milo : fourscore miles in circuit ; the soil is fruitful of grain , and oil : here is excellent marble , curiously spotted : pitch and brimstone , and hot springs good for many diseases . the cyclades are in number three and fifty , the chiefest are . . delos , wherein they had a custome not to suffer men to dye , nor children to bee born in it , sending their sick men , and great bellied women to rhena , a small island hard by ▪ samos , where the tyrant polycrates lived , who , because hee never had any mischance , threw a ring that hee loved dearly , into the sea ; but shortly after , hee found it in the belly of a fish that was brought to his table : yet was hee at length brought to a miserable death by orontes , a persian , shewing the instability of all earthly things . . patmos , whither st. john was banished by the emperor domitian , and where hee had his revelations . in the cretan seas are . . crete , in compasse five hundred and ninety miles , in length two hundred and seventy , in breadth , fifty : the soil is fruitful , especially of wines called muskadels : it yeelds also sugar-candie , gums , hony , sugar , olives , dates , apples , orenges , lemons , raisons , citrons , and pomegranats , yet it wants corn. it s very populous . paul describes the people out of epimenides : the cretians are lyers , evil beasts , slowbellies . it s famous for three things . . they have no venemous creature there . . if a woman bite a man hard , hee never recovers again . . there is an herb called alimos , which if one chaw in his mouth , hee shall feel no hunger that day . it was once called hecatompolis , because it had in it a hundred cities . it is in the venetians hands . the jonian isles described . cythera is in compasse threescore miles : it was formerly called porphyris , from the abundance of that sort of marble called porphyrie , which the mountains yeeld . the strophades are two islands , wherein there is nothing remarkable , but a spring of fresh water in one of them , which hath his fountain in peloponesus , above five miles distant , which passing under the sea , ariseth there . zacinthus : now zant , is threescore miles in compasse . it s wonderfully stored with wine , oil and currans , of which last ordinarily they make yearly one hundred and fifty thousand chekins for their own coffers , besides eighteen thousand dolars , which they pay for custome to the state of venice : when the english first traded thither , the inhabitants were very poor , and when the english bought so many currans of them , they asked our merchants whether they dyed cloaths , or fed their swine with them ; which uses themselves put them to , but now they know better , and grow rich by the trade . this island is much troubled with earthquakes , commonly once a week , whereupon they build their houses low . the chief city is zant , not big , the streets rugged and uneven , and the houses low for the cause aforesaid . over the town-hall door in this city is this distich inscribed . hic locus odit , amat , punit , conservat , honorat , nequitiam , pacem , crimina , jura , probos . the echinades islands are five in number , being but like rocks , and are famous for nothing , but for the famous battel of lepanto fought near them , betwixt the turks , and the christians . cephalenia is in compasse one hundred sixty and six miles , and contains two hundred towns : the chiefest commodities it yeelds , are wheat , hony , currans , powder for dying scarlet , oil , and wooll , &c. corcyra , now corfu , is neer epyrus , in length , four and fifty miles , in breadth , four and twenty : its seated in the midst of the venetians lordships by sea : the chief city is corfu , where the turks have received sundry repulses . it s very fruitful in hony , wax , wine , oil , &c. the adriatick isles have nothing of note in them , and therefore i proceed to the mediterranean isles , the principall whereof is scicily , in compasse seven hundred miles . the people are ingenuous , eloquent , and pleasant , but very unconstant , and talkative . the soil is incredibly fruitful , in wine , oil , hony , saffron , sugar , salt : in mines of gold , silver , allom , having also agates , and emeraulds , with such abundance of corn , that it was called , the granary of the romane empire . in this country is the hill hybla , so famous for bees , and hony : and aetna , which continually sendeth forth flames of fire : here was once the famous city of siracuse two and twenty miles in compasse : but now palermo is the seat of the spanish vice-roy . in this island lived those two great tyrants , dionysius the elder , and dionysius the younger , who were so odious for their cruelty , that all the people hated ▪ and continually cursed them , only one old woman prayed for the life of the latter ; and being asked the reason , shee answered , that shee knew his grand-father to bee very bad , and when at the prayers of the people , hee was taken away , his son succeeded , that proved far worse than his father ; and after their curses had prevailed also for the removal of him , came this present tyrant , worse than either : for whose life shee was resolved to pray , least after his decease the devil himself should come amongst them . malta is in compasse about threescore miles ; it s seated on a rock , over which the earth is not above three foot thick ; yet have they abundance of pomegranats , citrons , orenges ; and other excellent fruit : there is also great store of cotton-wooll , wh●ch they sow as wee do corn : in the acts this island is called melita : it consists of four cities ▪ and threescore villages . it was by charles the fifth given to the knights of the rhodes , newly expelled by the great turk : they are a thousand in number , whereof five hundred must bee alwayes resident in the island : the others upon summons must make their appearance . none are admitted into their order , unlesse they bring a testimony of their gentry for six descents . but some make this island to belong to africk , where you may see more of it . corsica is just against greece in the ligurian sea , and is in length one hundred and twenty miles : in breadth threescore and ten : the whole circuit being three hundred twenty and five . it s a fine country , yeelds excellent dogs for game , good horses , fierce mastiffs , and a beast called musoli , found no where in europe , but here , and in sardinia : horned like rams , and skinned like stags , of incredible hardnesse . it produceth the best vvines , oil , figs , raisons , and hony , but bitter , and unwholesome . it abounds also with allom , box-trees , iron-mines , &c. it s under the government of genoa . the people are churlish , stubborn , poor , and illiterate . sardinia , which is seven miles distant from corsica . it contains in length one hundred and fourscore miles , in breadth fourscore and ten , in circuit five hundred and threescore . it abounds in corn , and cattel , but wants oil. their bulls do naturally amble , and therefore the country peasants usually ride upon them . here is the beast musoli , of whose skins carryed to corduba , and there dressed , is made our true cordovan leather . the inhabitants are little of stature , and prone to rebellion , and therefore the spaniard suffers neither smith , nor cutler to live there . the chief city is calearis , just opposite to africk , having a goodly haven much frequented by merchants , and is the seat of the spanish vice-roy . the baleans islands described . the chief of these islands are , . majorca , about threescore miles distant from spain , and is three hundred miles in compasse ; the chief cities are majorca , wherein is an university , and palma . . minorca , distant from the former nine miles ; and is in circuit one hundred and fifty miles : the inhabitants are effeminate : the soil for the most part fruitful . nigh to these are two lesser islands . . ebuisa , one hundred miles in circuit ; the chief commodity in it is salt . . olhiusa , threescore and ten miles about . the men and women in both of them are excellent swimmers . the lesser islands scattered up and down , have nothing in them remarkable , but only in one of them called ischia , is a fountain so hot , that in a short time it will boil any flesh or fish put into it . somewhat without the mouth of the straits of gibralter , is the island of gades , or cales , in length thirteen miles . anno christi . it was suddenly taken by the english under the conduct of charles , earle of nottingham , robert earle of essex , and sir walter rawleigh : at which time they burnt the spanish indian fleet , consisting of forty ships , whose lading was worth eight millions of crowns . they overthrew also the spanish fleet , consisting of fifty seven men of war : they took two great gallions with their luggage : they spoiled and carryed away abundance of warlike amunition : they slew and took prisoners four thousand foot , and six hundred horse : whence one made this distich . alcides yeelds to devereux ; hee did see thy beauties , cales , but devereux conquer'd thee . the british islands discribed . england is bounded on the east with the german , on the west with the irish , on the south with the brittish oceans , and on the north with the river tweed , and a line drawn from it to solwal vvestward . formerly the northern limit was a wall crosse the island from carlile in cumberland to the river tine . it was built by severus as a fortresse against the picts : at every miles end was a castle ; between every castle many watch-towers , and through the walls of every tower and castle went a pipe of brasse , which from one garrison to another conveyed the least noise without interruption : so that the intelligence of an invading enemy , was quickly made known to all the borders . vvhen the wall failed , the strong townes of berwick and carlile were the chief bars against invasion . it s in length three hundred and twenty miles : concerning our commodities , they are thus reckoned up . england is stored with mountains , bridges , wooll , with churches , rivers , women beautiful . the bridges are in number eight hundred fifty and seven . the rivers are three hundred twenty and five , the chief is thames , which ebbs and flowes twice a day more than threescore miles : the banks of it are so adorned with fair towns , and princely palaces , that a dutch poet made verses of them , thus englished . wee saw so many vvoods , and princely bowers sweet fields , brave palaces , and stately towers , so many gardens , drest with curious care , that thames with royal tiber may compare . the second river is severne , whose head is in plinlimmon hill in mountgomry-shire , and ends seven miles short of bristol , washing in the mean space the walls of shrewsbury , vvorcester , and gloucester . the third trent , so called from thirty kindes of fish found in it . it s fountain is in stafford-shire , and passing through the counties of nottingham , lincoln , lecester , and york , it meets with humber , the most violent river in all england . the fourth humber , made up of the rivers , dun , are , vvarfe , you re , darwent , and principally ouze , and trent . the fifth medway , a kentish river , famous for harbouring the royal navy at chatham . the sixth tweed , the north east bound of england , on whose northern bank stands the strong town of berwick . the seventh tine , famous for newcastle , and her inexhaustible coale-pits . these with the rest are thus set forth by draiton the poet. our floods queen thames , for ships , and swans is crowned , and stately severn for her shore is praised , the christal trent for foords , and fish renown'd , and avons fame to albions cliffs is raised . carlegion chester vaunts her holy dee , york many wonders of her ouse can tell : the peak her dove , whose banks so fertil bee , and kent will say her medway doth excel . cotswol commends her isis to the tame , our northen borders boast of tweeds fair flood : our vvestern parts extol their vvillies fame , and the old lea brags of th' danish blood . our women are the most beautiful in the world , without the help of any adulterate sophistications . in a compleat woman , say the italians should bee the parts of a dutch woman from the girdle downward , the parts of a french woman from the girdle to the shoulders , over which must bee placed an english face . and as their persons , so their priviledges are greater here than in any other nation , they being not so servilely submiss as the french : nor so jealously guarded as the italians : hence england is called the purgatory of servants , the hell of horses , and the paradise of women . and the italians commonly say , that if there were a bridge built over the narrow seas , all the women of europe would runne into england : for here they have the upper hand in the streets , and at the table , the thirds of their husbands estates : their equal shares in lands ; priviledges wherewith women in other countrys are not acquainted . the wooll of england is excellent fine , especially that of cotswold in glocester shire , of lemster in hereford shire , and in the i le of wight . of it , are made excellent broad-cloaths , which are dispersed all over the world , bringing in much money into the realm , and setting on work so many poor people . and the giving of some cotswold sheep by king edward the fourth , to henry king of castile , anno christi . is counted one of the greatest prejudices that ever hapned to this nation . the wooll transported hath brought into us no lesse than one million and five hundred thousand pound yearly , and our lead half as much . wee have more parks in england than in all europe besides . lately we had chases thirty , forrests fifty five , parks seven hundred forty and five , replenished with abundance of game . our mines are of tin , lead , and coals . beer wee have plenty , which being transported into france , the lowcountries , and germany is amongst them highly esteemed . we have so many well-tuned bells , that forreigners have called it the ringing island . our air is very temperate : no seas in europe yeild more plenty of fish . our oisters were famous amongst the old romans . our herrings yeild great profit to the netherlanders . our nobility have not such unlimited power as in other nations . our commonalty live in far greater reputation than they do in other countries , and have more civility in them . our ministry is learned and religious , and have a more practical , and powerful manner of preaching than in any other nation . their printed works are so famous , that many young schollers of other nations , come over on purpose to learn our language , that they may bee able to make use of our books ; they are also the best provided for of any ministers in the reformed churches . the diet of england is for the most part flesh : in london alone there are slain and uttered , no fewer than sixty seven thousand and five hundred beefes , and six hundred seventy five thousand sheep , besides calves , lambs , swine , and poultry , in a year : i beleeve now farre more : the spanish gondamor when hee was here , having often seen our shambles , said that there was more flesh here eaten in a month , than in all spain in a year . a forreigner comming to london , and seeing such multitudes of people in the streets , wondred where there could bee meat to fill so many bellies : but when hee had seen our shambles , and markets , hee wondred where there could bee bellies to eat so much meat . our navy is called the walls of england , the like ships for service are not to bee found in the world , and our marriners , and souldiers are not to bee equalled . in king edward the third his time two hundred of our ships neer scluse overcame four hundred of the french : of which they sunk two hundred sail , and slew thirty thousand souldiers . in eighty eight a few of our queens ships overthrew the spanish invincible armado , consisting of one hundred thirty and four great gallions : sir francis drake with four ships , took from the spaniard one million , and one hundred eighty nine thousand , and two hundred duckats in his voyage anno christi . . and again , with five and twenty ships hee awed the ocean , sacked st. jago , domingo , and carthagena , bringing away with him besides much treasure , two hundred and forty peeces of ordnance . our country men drake , and cavendish have sailed round about the world. i omit the voyage to cales mentioned before . sir richard creenvil in one of the queens ships called the revenge , wherein were but one hundred and fourscore souldiers , and of them ninety so sick as not able to fight , yet maintained hee a sea-fight for four and twenty hours against above fifty of the spanish gallions , and though when his powder was spent to the last barrel , hee yeilded on honorable tearms , yet before , he had killed one thousand of the spaniards , and sunk four of their greatest vessels . and what victories wee have had of late over all the navies of the lowcountries , i omit to speak of , because they are fresh in every ones memory . in land service our souldiers are able to endure , and resolute to undertake the hardest enterprises : witnesse our warres , and conquests in spain , france , ireland and scotland , and the netherlands assisted by us . england is a most fertile , and a most potent island , as well for situation , as for men and ships : and the inhabitants are good souldiers both by sea and land , in valour and courage , not inferior to any one nation whatsoever , and are more apt to offend by temerity , and overmuch forwardnesse , than by cowardize , it excells all other nations in mastiffs , cocks of the game , and women , who are incomparably beautiful , and therefore have great influence upon the men : yea the queens have commanded here more absolutely , and have been much better obeyed and respected , than the kings . the division of england is into forty shires , and nine thousand seven hundred and twenty five parishes , beside chappels : in these are five hundred fourscore and five market towns , besides cities : the chief are shrewsbury , northampton , south-hampton , lecester , warwick , &c. our universities are two , cambridge , and oxford , which for number , and beauty of colledges , multitudes of students , and largeness of revenues , are not to bee equalled in the christian world . i will not determine which is of greater antiquity , this question having been agitated by so many . in several places of england there is excellent white salt made : i shall describe the manner of the making of it at nantwich only . there is one salt spring , which they call the brine-pit , standing close by the river weever , from whence the brine is conveyed into the severall wich-houses , and when the bell rings , they begin to make fire under the leads , wherein they boil the said salt-water , and as it seeths , the wallers ( which are commonly women ) do with a woodden rake gather the salt from the bottome , which they put into long wicker baskets , and so the water voideth , and the salt remains . in some other places they boil it in iron pans with coals , but they say the salt is not so white . the cities in england described . the city of london described . no records set down the original of this ancient city . a city it was when caesar first entred brittain , and by the testimony of tacitus , ptolemy , and antonine , was called londinium , and by ammianus marcellinus , for her successive prosperity , augusta , the greatest title that can bee given to any . in regard of both elements it is most happy , as being situate in a most rich , and fertile soil , abounding with plenty , and store of all things , and on the gentle ascent , and rising of a hill hard by the thames side , which by his safe and deep channel is able to entertain the greatest ships , which daily bring in such store of rich merchandise from all parts of the vvorld , that it striveth at this day with the mart towns in christendome for the second place , and affordeth a most sure , and beautiful rode for shipping . this city doth shew her self as the cedar amongst shrubs : it was the seat of the british kings , and is the model of the land , and mart of the world : for thither are brought the silks of asia , the spices of africa , the balms from grecia , and the riches from both the indies . no city hath been so long famous , nor in civil government can bee compared with her . her walls were first built by constantine the great , at the request of his mother helena , reared with rough stone , and british brick , three english miles in compass : through which are seven fair gates , besides posterns . a long the thames this wall at first ranged with gates , the one douregate , now dowgate , the other billingsgate , a receptacle for ships . in the middest of the city was set a mile mark ( as the like was in rome also ) from whence they measured their stations , which stands till this day , and is commonly known by the name of london stone . st. peters in cornhill is thought to have been the cathedral of restitutus , a christian bishop in constantine the great 's time , which was afterwards removed to st. pauls , whose greatness exceeds all others , and spires had so high that twice they were consumed by lightning from heaven : it hath in it besides this church , one hundred twenty and one churches more , viz. ninety and six within the walls , and sixteen without , but within the liberties , and nine more in her suburbs . it s divided into six and twenty wards , governed by so many aldermen , a lord maior , and two sheriffs , the yearly choice whereof was granted them by patent from king john : in whose time also a bridge of stone was built over the thames upon twenty arches , built of excellent freestone , and each arch being sixty foot high , and full twenty in distance from one another ; so that for length , breadth , beauty , and building , the like is not again to be found in the world . king john gave certain void places in london to the city to build upon , and the profits thereof were to go toward the charges of building and repairing the same bridg : and the mason who was the chief wo●kman in building it , erected a large chappel upon it , at his own charges , and largely endowed it , which is since turned to a dwelling house . it was finished anno christi . having been thirty and three years in building . afterwards sundry beautiful houses were built upon it , that it seems a street rather than a bridge , and many charitable men have given lands , houses , and summes of money towards the maintenance of it . at the east end of this city standeth the tower : a most famous and goodly citadel , encompassed round with thick , and strong walls full of lofty and stately turrets , fenced with a broad and deep moat , furnished with a gallant magazine of warlick ammunition , and other buildings besides , so that it resembles a big town . concerning the church of st. paul , an ancient writer saith , that it contains in length six hundred and ninety feet , the breadth thereof is one hundred and thirty foot ; the height of the west arched roof from the ground is one hundred and two foot , and the new fabrick from the ground is eighty eight foot high . the stone work of the steeple , from the plain ground rose in height two hundred and sixty foot , and the timber frame upon the same was two hundred seventy and four foot high , the spire before it was burnt down , was five hundred thirty and four foot high . about the time of william the conqueror , when musters were made of able men to bear arms , london brought into the field under their colours forty thousand foot men , and twenty thousand horsemen . it hath often , and is daily enlarged with new buildings , and spacious suburbs stretched forth from the gates a great length on every side , but westward especially , which are the greatest , and best peopled : in which are twelve inns for students of the common law. the four principal houses are the inner temple , the middle temple , grates inn , and lincolns inn : six smaller belong to the chancery : besides two inns more for the sergeants at law. these western suburbs are so carried on , that they joyn to london another city called westminster , famous for the seat , and sepulchre of our kings , and for the courts of justice kept every tearm in westminster hall. no walls are built about this city : and those of london are left to shew rather what it was , than what it is : whose citizens , as the lacedemonians did , do repute their strength to consist in their men , and not in their walls . in the city of westminster along by the thames side , are many stately buildings for the nobles , and great men of the land , as essex house , arundel house , summerset house , &c. the abby church in westminster , was the last time built by king henry the third , of excellent workmanship , supported with sundry rows of marble pillars ▪ and the roof covered over with sheets of lead : a peece of work that cost fifty years labour in building : it was afterwards much enlarged towards the west end , by the succeeding abbots : and at the east end king henry the seventh built for the burial of himself , and his children , a chappel of admirable , and stately workmanship : called by leland , the vvonder of the vvorld : for a man would think that all the curious , and exquisite work that can bee devised , is there compacted together ; wherein is to bee seen his own most stately , and magnificent monument all of massy and solid copper . vvestminster hall was built from the ground by king richard the second , and made his own habitation , which continued so till henry the eights time , who removed it to vvhite-hall , which formerly belonged to cardinal vvoolsey . the new exchange was built by the earle of salisbury , and so named by king james . but to return a little again to london : there are in it many publick and beautiful buildings , as that famous senate-house called guild-hall , built by sir thomas knowls , lord mayor : leaden-hall , a large , and goodly building , erected by simon eire , to bee a common granarie , wherein to lay up corn , to bring down the price thereof in time of a dearth : but especially the burse , which queen elizabeth with a solemn ceremony , named the royal exchange , erected upon pillars for the use of merchants , and ornament of the city : it was set up by sir thomas gresham , citizen , and knight : a most magnificent work it is , whether you respect the model of the building , the resort of merchants from all nations thither , or the store of wares therein . the royal exchange . this royal exchange was erected in the year , . in this order : the ground whereon it stands , and the houses , were purchased by the citizens of london : it cost them above three thousand five hundred thirty and two pounds : the houses they sold for four hundred seventy and eight pounds , to such persons as should pull them down , and carry them away : then was the ground levelled at the charges of the city , and possession thereof was by some aldermen , given to sir thomas gresham , knight , and agent for queen elizabeth , thereupon to build a burse at his own proper charges , and hee on the seventh of june , laid the first foundation brick , being accompanied with some aldermen , every one laying a peece of gold upon his brick , which the workmen took for themselves , and forthwith followed their work with such diligence , that in september , anno christi , . the same was finished , and covered with slate . in the year . january the three and twenty : the queen came from summerset-house through thridneedle-street to sir thomas greshams house in bishopsgate-street , where shee dined ; and after dinner going through cornhil , entred the burse , viewed every part of it , especially the pawn , which was furnished with all sorts of fine , and rich ware , and then caused the said burse by an herald , and trumpet , to bee proclaimed by the name of the royal exchange , and so to bee called from thenceforth , and not otherwise . besides which , this sir thomas gresham gave a most spacious house , sometimes his own habitation , one part thereof to bee an hospital for poor people , and the other to the advancement of learning , now known by the name of gresham colledge ; standing between bishopsgate-street , and broad-street , and instituted professors of divinity , law , physick , astronomy , geometry , musick , and rhethorick , allowing them fifty pounds per annum a peece , besides chambers , and other accommodations . gresham colledge . the first professors in this colledge were mr. anthony vvootton , for divinity : doctor matthew guin for physick : doctor henry mountlow for civil law : doctor john bull for musick : mr. beerwood for astronomy : mr. henry bridges for geometry : and mr. caleb vvillis for rhethorick : these lectures are read daily in tearm-time , except sabbaths , by every one upon his day , in the morning betwixt nine and ten a clock in latine ; and in the afternoon betwixt two and three in english , notice whereof is given by ringing the exchange-bell at these hours . only the musick lecture is read in english on saturdayes between ten and eleven in the morning , and between three and four in the afternoon . but to passe by sion colledge ( whereof doctor vvhite was the founder ) which is governed by a president , two deans , and four assistants yearly chosen , and the many hospitals , and other publick buildings yet amongst them . the charterhouse described . wee may not passe by that greatest , and most noble work that ever was done by one man , and hee a subject , which was the building and endowing of the charter-house by mr. thomas sutton for the entertainment of youth ; and decayed gentlemen , who by maims in the wars , or by other casualties were undone : where their provision is so bountious , that it can hardly bee matched in europe : the very house and appurtenances cost him thirteen thousand pound , besides which , hee endowed it with five manners in essex , two in lincolnshire , eight in vvilt-shire , together with near four thousand acres of rich pasture ground in that county . two in cambridge-shire , beside his lands in hackney-marsh , and tottenham in the county of middlesex , and with all , and singular the vvoods , reversions , presentations , and rights of him the said thomas sutton in any of the aforesaid mannors ; over and above hee gave five thousand pound to make additions to his hospital , and for some other charitable uses . and to the treasury of the house to defend their right if need were , one thousand pound , besides some other gifts . wee may in the next place take notice how commodiously london is supplied with water , conveyed by pipes under ground from excellent springs , some of them at a remote distance : besides the new-river water brought twenty miles from chadwel , and amwel , in hartford-shire , to the north side of the city near islington , where a large cistern is made to receive it . this work was undertaken by mr. hugh middleton , and begun february twenty , anno christi . and in five years space was fully accomplished : by reason of the inequality of the ground , the trench in some places descended full thirty foot : in others it was mounted over vallies in a trough , born up with wooden arches , some fixed deep in the ground , others rising in height above three and twenty foot . another convenience of water was devised by peter maurice , a dutchman , who by means of a wheel brings water out of the thames , into a great part of the city . of the beauty and excelleny of this city one made these verses . along thames banks outstretched far the city london lies , resembling much her mother troy ; aloft shee lifts her eyes . vvhile on a gentle rising hill shee beareth towards east : a city pleasant for her site , in aire and soil much blest . religious , and populous ; and hence shee looks on high , and well deserves for to bee called , the britans britany . for learning new lutetia , ormus for trade , and wealth : a second rome for valiant men ; chrysae for plate , and health . salisbury described . in vviltshire the city of salisbury was built about the year . at which time richard poor , the bishop ( purposing first to begin with the house of god ) in a most delectable place , began to found a most stately , and beautiful minster , which , with an exceeding high spired steeple , and double crosse isles on both sides hee with great cost finished forty years after ▪ viz. one thousand two hundred fifty and eight , concerning which church daniel rogers made verses thus in english . vvonders to tell : how many dayes in one whole year there been so many windows in that church ( ' men say ) are to bee seen so many pillars made by art , of marble there appear . as houres do flit , and flie away throughout the running year : so many gates do entrance give as months one year do make , a thing well known for truth , though most it for a wonder take . a cloister it hath besides on the south side , for largenesse , and fine workmanship inferiour to none , whereunto adjoyned the bishops palace : and on the other side an high bell-tower , passing strong , standing by it self , apart from the minster : through the city there are rills , and sewers of water in every street : it is passing well inhabited , and frequented , plentiful of all things , especially of fish ; adorned with a very stately market-place , wherein standeth their common hall of timber-work , a very beautiful building . camb. brit. bristow described . the city of bristow hath the river avon passing through the midst of it : it stands partly in sommerset , and partly in gloucester-shire ; but is of it self a county incorporate : it is situate somewhat high between avon , and the little river frome : sometimes it was invironed with a double wall : it is so beautified with buildings publick and private , that it fully answers the name of bright-stow . it hath common sewers or sinks so made to run under the ground for the conveyance , and washing away of all filth , that it is very cleanly , and wholsome , whereupon there is no use here of carts ; it is excellently furnished with all things necessary for mans life , so populous , and well inhabited , that next after london , and york , it may justly challenge the chiefest place of all the cities in england . it hath a very commodious haven , which admitteth ships under sail into the very bosome of the city ; on the southside , radcliffe ( by a stone bridge with houses on each hand built upon it , which makes it more like a street , than a bridge ) is joyned to the city . it hath hospitals in every quarter thereof , for the benefit of the poor , and fair churches . the most beautiful of all which , is st. maries of radcliff without the walls , into which there is a most stately ascent up many stairs : large withal , and finely and curiously wrought , with an arched roof of stone over the head , artificially embowed : a steeple also of an exceeding height , which was founded by one vvilliam cannings an alderman of the city . hard by there is another church called the temple , the tower whereof when the bell rings shaketh to , and fro , whereby it hath cloven it self from the rest of the building . there is also st. stephens church , the tower steeple whereof being of a mighty height , was most sumptuously and artificially built by one shipward , alias barstable , a citizen , and merchant . on the east , and north side it s fenced with the river frome , which gently falling into the avon , maketh a dainty harbour for ships , with a convenient wharf , called the kay : under which , between avon and frome there is a plain , set round about with trees , yeelding a most pleasant walk : on the south east there is a large and strong castle for the defence of the city : beyond the river frome ( which hath a bridge over it ) there ariseth an high hill , from which is a fair , and goodly prospect of the city , and haven : upon the top of this hill , where it spreads into a plain , shadowed with a double row of trees , is an handsome school . this city is further beautified with many stately buildings : amongst the rest is the cathedral church , &c. neer unto this city is an high cliffe by the avons side , called st. vincents rock , very full of diamonds , which are not much set by , because of the plenty of them : they are of a bright and transparent colour , matching , if not passing the indian diamonds , in hardnesse only they are inferior to them : nature hath framed them four or six pointed with smooth sides ; as if cut by a lapidary . there is another rock also on the west side full of diamonds , which by a wonderful work of nature , are enclosed as young ones within the bowels of hollow , and reddish flints . there are within this city , and suburbs , twenty fair churches , whereof eighteen are parish churches : there is no dunghill in all the city , nor a sink that comes from any house into the street , but all is conveyed under ground : they carry all upon sleads , and bring no carts into the city . the water at the kay sometimes ebbs and flows forty foot in height . four miles below it , the avon falls into the severn ; the bridge is half as long as london bridge , and yet hath but four arches in it . the city of wells described . neer unto mendip hills , which are rich in lead-mines , stands the city of wells , so named from the springs , or wells that boil up there , which for the multitude of inhabitants , for fair , and stately buildings , is worthy to bee regarded . a goodly church it hath , and a colledge founded by king ina. neer unto the church , there is a spring called st. andrews well , from whence comes such a confluence of water , as by and by makes a swift brook . the church is throughout very beautifull , but the frontispice thereof in the west end is most excellent : for it riseth up from the foot to the top all of imagery , in curious and antike wise wrought of stone carved , and embowed very artificially . the city of bath described . this city is seated low in a plain , environed round about with hills , almost of one height , out of which certain rills of fresh water flow continually to the great commodity of the citizens ; within the city there bubble and boil up in three several places hot springs of water , of a sea colour , sending up from them thin vapours , and a kind of a strong sent withall , by reason that the water is drilled , and strained through veines of brimstone , and a clammy kind of earth called bitumen . these springs are very medicinal , and of great vertue to cure bodies , overcharged and benummed with corrupt humors : by their heat causing much sweat . of all these the cross-bath is of the most mild , and temperate nature , having twelve seats of stone in the sides of it , and is inclosed within a wall . a second , distant from this not fully two hundred foot is much hotter , thence called the hot-bath , adjoyning to which is a spittle or lazar-house , built by reginald bishop of bath for the relief of poor diseased persons . the third and greatest is called the kings-bath , walled also round about , and fitted with thirty two seates of arched work . the city is fortified with walls ; wherein are set certain antique images , and roman inscriptions ; and hath in it a fair and large cathedral church . the city of excester in devonshire described . the city of excester stands upon the river ex , whence it receives its name . it is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill : the walls of it , which were first built by king athelstone , are in a manner round , only towards the ex it rangeth almost in a strait line , having six gates for entrance , and many watch-towers interposed betwixt , whose compass containeth above one thousand and five hundred paces , or a mile and an half , having suburbs running out a great way on each side . in it there are fifteen parish churches : and in the highest part thereof neer the east gate , standeth a castle called rugemont , commanding the whole city , and territory about it , and hath a very pleasant prospect into the sea. in the east quarter of the city stands the cathedral church , having many fair houses round about it . by reason of some wears the river is so stopped up that no vessels can come neerer the city than topsham , which is three miles off . the soil about it is but barren : yet by reason of the statlinesse of the place , the riches of the inhabitants , and the frequent concourse of strangers , all kinds of commodities are there so plentiful , that a man can ask for no necessary but he may have it . the city of winchester described . in the county of hamtshire is the city of winchester , situated in a fruitful and pleasant place , being a valley under hills , having a river on the east , and a castle on the vvest : the circuit of her walls are well neer two english miles , containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces , through which open six gates for entrance . in this city are seven churches , besides the minster which is seated about the middest of it , and built very sumptuously . the city of chichester in the county of sussex described . the city of chichester is walled about in a circular round form : the lavant , a pretty riveret , running hard by it on the vvest , and south sides . four gates it hath opening to the four quarters of the world , from whence the streets lead directly , and crosse themselves in the middest , where the market is kept , and where bishop robert read erected a fair market house of stone , supported with pillars round about it . between the west , and south gates stands the cathedral church : not very great , but handsome , and neat , having a spire steeple of stone rising a very great height . the city of canterbury in kent described . canterbury is a very ancient and famous city in kent , much renowned both for the situation , and great fertility of the soil adjoyning , as also for the walls enclosing it round about : by reason likewise of the rivers watering it , and commodiousnesse of the woods there about ; besides the vicinity of the sea , yeilding store of fish to serve it . and though it was sore shaken in the danish warres , and consumed in a great part sundry times by fire , yet rose it up always again more beautifull than it was before . the cathedral is raised aloft neer the heart of the city with great majesty , and stateliness . the city of rochester described . in the same county is the city of rochester , seated in a bottome , fortified on the one side with a marsh , the river medway , and weak walls . it is now stretched out with large suburbs , on the east , west , and south sides : the cathedral church , was built by bishop gundulph , a norman , anno christi . neer unto it stands an old ruinous castle , fortified formerly both by art and situation . at the end of the city there is a very goodly bridge of stone excellently arched , built by sir robert knowls , at the end whereof sir john cobham erected a chappel : and the bridge is daintily coped with iron bars ; under which the river medway , swelling with a violent , and swift stream , makes a loud roaring noise . the city of glocester described . the city of glocester is a very fine , and beautiful city , both for the number of churches , and buildings therein . it lyeth stretched out in length over the severn : and on that side where it is not guarded by the river ; it hath in some places a strong wall for defence . the cathedral church is a stately building , with an exceeding high and fair steeple . in an arch of this church , there is a wall built in the form of a semicircle full of corners , with such an artificial devise , that if a man speak with never so low a voice at the one part thereof , and another lay his ear to the other ; which is a good way off , he may easily hear every sillable . the city of oxford described . where the river cherwel meets with isis , and pleasant ilets lye dispersed by the sundry disseverings of waters , there this famous city , and university of oxford , sheweth it self aloft in a champion plain , from whence religion , and learning have been spread into all the parts of england . a fair and goodly city it is , whether wee respect the seemly beauty of private houses , or the stately magnificence of publick buildings , together with the wholsome situation , and pleasant prospect thereof . for the hills beset with woods , do so environ the plain , that as on the one side they exclude the pestilent southwind , and the tempestuous west-wind on the other , so they let in the clearing east-wind only , and the north-east-wind with all , which frees it from all corruption , whence sometimes it was called bellositum . the city of eli described . the city of eli is situate in the middest of great and large fens , and was formerly famous for the reputed holinesse of the nuns there residing : and for a stately monastery , so rich that the abbot thereof , not long after vvilliam the conquerors time , laid up every year in his own coffers , a thousand and four hundred pounds . king henry the first made it a bishops sea , promoting thereto one hervey , who sought by all means to advance the dignity of his church : for which end hee obtained of the king that it might bee toll-free : hee made a way also from exing to eli through the fens , of six miles in length : and the monks growing rich , the cathedrall church being much decayed through age , they by little and little built it , and brought it to the ample statelinesse which now it hath . a lanthorn it hath at the very top thereof , just over the quire supported by eight pillars , and raised upon them right artificially , built by john hothum the bishop : and under the church towards the north , stands st. maries chappel , a singular fine peece of work , built by simon montacut● bishop : the city it self is not much to bee accounted of either for beauty , or resort of people to it , as having an unwholsome air by reason of the fens round about it . the city of lincoln described . the city of lincoln is large , and well inhabited , and frequented , it stands upon the side of an hill , where the river vvitham bends his course eastward , and being divided with three small channels , watereth the lower part of the city . in the highest part of the city the cathedral is erected , a stately structure , being built through out , not only most sumptuously , but with rare and singular workmanship , most beautiously : especially the forefront at the west end , which in a sort ravisheth , and allureth the eyes of all that judiciously view it ; very ancient this city is , and hath been farre larger , and more populous : it hath in it fifty parish churches : whereof at this day there remain only fifteen besides the minster . the city of norwich in northfolk described norwich is situated upon the river yare : the form of it is somewhat long , being from south to north a mile and an half long , and in breadth about half so much , drawing it self in by little and little , in the southend ; making in a manner a sharp point ; compassed it is about with strong walls , beautified with many turrets orderly placed , and twelve gates : only it is not walled on the east side , where the river ( after it hath with many windings in and out , watered the north part of the city , having four bridges for passage over it ) is a sufficient defence with his deep channel , and high steep banks . it flourisheth with wealth , plenty of inhabitants , great resort of strangers , fair buildings , and hath in it about thirty parish churches : on the east side of it stands a very fair cathedral church near unto the castle , built upon a very high hill , which was compassed about with an exceeding deep ditch . in the midst of the city near the market-place is a very fair town-house , which on market-dayes is plentifully furnished with all things necessary for mans life . the netherlanders being driven away by the duke d' alva's cruelty , repairing hither in great numbers , brought in the making of sayes , bayes , and other stuffe , to the great gain of the citizens . anno christi . the citizens conveyed water out of the river in pipes by an artificial instrument , into the highest parts of the city . the city of coventry in warwickshire described . coventry is a city very commodiously seated , large , sweet , and neat , fortified with very strong walls which are about three miles in compasse , through which are thirteen gates for enterance , most of them very stately , and strongly built , besides eighteen other towers in several parts of the wall for defence . a little river called shirburn runs through the city , which is beautified with many fair and goodly houses , amongst which there rise up on high two churches , of rare workmanship : st. michaels , and trinity , standing one hard by another , with stately spire steeples of a very great height . in the midst of the city is the market-place , called the cross-cheaping , and therein a crosse , or pillar of stone of most exquisite , and admirable workmanship : there is also a very fair grammer-school , and a neat library at the end of it , with convenient habitations for the master , and usher : near unto it is vvel-street , and therein a very large fountain that continually sends forth great plenty of excellent water . the city had very large suburbs belonging to it , especially in the east and west ends , most whereof were broken down in our late civil wars , and a large trench made on the outside of the walls . the city of worcester described . under the city of worcester runs the severn with a slow pace , as admiring , and wondring at the city as it passeth by : and truly worthy it is of admiration , whether you respect the antiquity , or the beauty thereof . it stands in a place rising somewhat with a gentle ascent by the rivers side that hath a fair bridge , with a tower over it . it is well , and strongly walled ; and the inhabitants are much inriched by the trade of cloathing . it is one thousand six hundred and fifty paces about the walls , through which seven gates give entrance , with five other vvatch towers for defence , there are in it divers churches besides the cathedral , which is seated on the south side of the city ; and is a passing fair and stately building , adorned with the tombs , and monuments of king john , prince arthur , diverse of the beauchamps , &c. the city of lichfield in staffordshire described . lichfield is a very ancient city , known unto bede by the name of lichidfield , i. e. the field of dead bodies , by reason of a number of christians there martyred in the bloody persecution under the emperor dioclesian . this city is low seated , of a good largenesse , and fair withal , divided into two parts by a shallow pool of clear water ; which parts are yet joyned into one by two bridges , or causway's made over it , having sluces to let out the water , the south part is the greater , consisting of divers streets , having in it a school , and an hospital of st. john , founded for the relief of the poor . the farther part is the lesse , but beautified with a very goodly cathedral church : which is round about compassed with a very fair wall , castle-like : this church mounteth up on high with three pyramids or spires of stone , making an excellent shew , and for elegant , and proportionable building yeeldeth to few cathedrals in england : but by our late civil wars it is much defaced . the city of westchester described . the city of chester is built foursquare , and is inclosed with a strong wall that is above two miles in compasse , and hath in it eleven parish churches , the fairest of which is that of st. johns without eastgate , being a very stately building : near unto the river dee standeth the castle upon a rockie-hill , where the courts palatine , and the assises are kept twice a year . the houses are built very fair , and along the chief streets are galleries , or walking-places , they call them rowes , having shops on both sides , in which a man may walk dry from one end to the other . here king edgar in a magnificent manner triumphed over the brittish princes : for himself sitting at the foredeck of his barge , kennadie king of the scots : malcolin king of cumberland ; mucon , king of man , and of the isles , with all the princes of vvales , comming to do homage , like watermen working at the oare ; rowed him along the river dee in a triumphant manner . there is in it a very large , and fair cathedral church , wherein is the tomb of henry the fourth , emperor of germany , who ( as they say ) gave over his empire , and lived here an eremites life . this city wants not any thing required in a flourishing city , but that the sea , being offended , and angry ( as it were ) at certain mills , and a causway made crosse the channel of the river dee , hath by degrees drawn himself back , and affordeth not unto the city the commodity of an haven , which formerly it did injoy . the wall hath in it four fair gates , opening towards the four quarters of heaven , besides three posterns , and seven watch-towers . before the desolations made by our late civil wars , without the east , and north gate , the city extended herself in her suburbs , with very fair streets , adorned with goodly buildings , both of gentlemens houses , and fair innes for the entertainment of strangers . the water-gate leadeth to the river of dee , where it enters into the mouth of the sea , and by which is a fine spacious peece of ground , called the rood-eye , yeelding pleasure and profit : and upon which the citizens walk for the air , and use sundry recreations . the bridge-gate hath lately been beautified by a seemly water-work of stone , built steeple-wise , by the invention , and charge of mr. john tyrer , and is of excellent use for conveying the river-water into the citizens houses thro●gh pipes of lead , and wood , into almost all parts of the city . the city of hereford described . the city of hereford is seated amongst pleasant medows , and plentiful corn-fields , compassed almost round about with rivers ; on the north , and west sides with one that hath no name , on the south side with the river wy , that commeth out of wales . it is walled about , having six gates ●or entrance , and fifteen watch-towers for defence , extending in compasse to one thousand five hundred paces . the normans upon the side of wy , built in it a mighty great and strong castle , which time hath so defaced , that now there remains nothing but the ruines of it . the greatest glory that this city had , was when king athelstan brought the lords of vvales into it , and forced them yearly by way of tribute to pay him ( besides hounds and hawks ) twenty pounds of gold , and there hundred pounds of silver by weight . the city of york described . the city of york is very ancient , and of so great estimation formerly , that the roman emperors kept their courts there . it is at this day the second city of england , the fairest in all the country , and a singular , both safeguard and ornament to all the northern parts . a pleasant place , large , and stately , well fortified , beautifully adorned , as well with private , as publick buildings , rich , populous , and was lately an archiepiscopal see. the river ouse flowing with a gentle stream from the north part , southward , cutteth it in twain , and divides it as it were into two cities , which are conjoyned with a stone bridge , having in it a mighty arch of extraordinary bignesse . the vvest part is compassed in with a very fair wall , and the river together , four-square wise , and gives entrance only at one gate , from which a long and broad street reacheth unto the very bridge ; which is beautified with handsome houses , having gardens , and orchards , planted on the backside on either hand , and behind them fields even to the walls , for exercise and disport . on the east side the houses stand very thick , and the streets are narrower , and it is fortified also with a strong wall , and on the south-east it is defended with the deep channel of the muddy river fosse , which entring into the heart of the city by a blind way , hath a bridge over it with houses built upon it , and so close ranged one by another , that a man would judge it a street rather than a bridge , and so a little lower it runneth into the ouse , where at there confluence , a strong and stately castle was built that commanded the city , but is now gone to decay . towards the north stands the cathedral church , an excellent fair and stately fabrick . king henry the eight appointed here a council , not unlike to the parliaments in france , to decide and determine the causes , and controversies of these northern parts , according to equity and co●science , consisting of a lord president , certain counsellors , a secretary , and under officers . this city is governed by a lord maior , twelve aldermen , many chamberlains , a recorder , a town clerk , six sergeants at mace , and two squires , which are the sword-bearer , and common sergeant , who with a great mace goeth on the left hand of the sword. the city of durham described . the city of durham is seated high , and is passing strong withall , yet taketh it up no great circuit of ground : it is of an oval form , and environed on every side , save on the north , with the river weer , and fortified with a wall : towards the southside stands the cathedrall church : built high , and stately , with an high tower in the middest , and two spires at the west end . in the middest is a castle placed as it were between two stone bridges over the river . northward from the castle is a spacious market place , and st. nicholas church , from whence there runneth out for a great length north-east , a suburb compassed on two sides with the river , like as other on both sides beyond the river , which lead unto the bridges , and each of them have their several churches . venerable bede lies under a marble tomb , in the cathedral church of this city . the city of carlile in the county of cumberland described . the city of carlile is passing commodiously , and pleasantly seated between severall rivers ; being guarded on the north side with the channel of eden , on the east with petteril , on the west with caud : besides which natural fences , it is fortified with strong walls of stone , with a castel , and a citadel : in form it is somewhat long , running out from west to east : on the west side stands the castle , fair , and large . almost in the middest of the city , riseth on high the cathedral church , the upper and newer part of it being very artificially , and curiously wrought : on the west side stands the citadel built by king henry the eight , very strongly and with bulworks . vvales described . vvales is bounded with the seas on all sides but the east , where it is separated from england by the river dee , and a line drawn to the river vvie : or rather by that huge ditch cast up by king offa , which begins where wie falls into severn , and reacheth unto chester , even fourscore and four miles in length . the country is very mountainous , and barren , yet by the industry of the inhabitants is made fruitful ; their chiefest commodities are woollen flannels , cottons , bays , &c. brought weekly to oswestre , the farthest town in shropshire , and thence dispersed into other countries . it is divided into north-wales , and south-wales , in both which are twelve shires , having in them one chase , thirteen forrests , thirty and six parks , ninety and nine bridges : the chiefest rivers are dee , vvie , conwy , tivy , and chedhidy . the welsh language is least mixed with forreign words of any used in europe , but having many consonants in it , is lesse pleasing . the people are cholerick and hasty , but very loving each to other . in vvales are one thousand and sixteen parishes , of which fifty and six are market towns , besides the cities , which are four , viz. st. davids in pembrookshire , bangor in carnarvonshire , asaph in flintshire , and landaff in glamorganshire . in cardiganshire were found some silver mines by the industry of mr. thomas middleton , that yeilded some good quantity of silver . the twelve shires of vvales are , pembrookshire , caermardenshire , glamorganshire , brecknockshire , radnorshire , cardiganshire , moungomeryshire , mertonethshire , denbighshire , flintshire , caernarvonshire , and the isle of anglesey , which is separated from the main land by the river moenay , wherein are beu-marish , and holi-head , common passages to ireland . scotland described . scotland is separated from england by the rivers tweed , and solway , and the cheviot-hills , reaching from one river to the other : it s in length four hundred and eighty miles : in breadth much lesse , no place being threescore miles from the sea : it s divided into high-land and low-land . the people of the high-land living on the vvestern parts of scotland , have some civility : but those in the out isles are very barbarous : the low-landers are in dispositions , and language almost like the english. scotland is far more barren than england . the chief commodities are course cloathes , freeses , fish , hides , lead-oare , &c. the principal rivers are forth , clada , and tay , all navigable . in scotland there are four universities , st. andrews , glasco , aberdeen , and edenburgh . the nobility and gentry are great affecters of learning , and therefore do not only frequent their own universities , but travel into forraign parts for improvement of the same . the whole country is divided into two parts by the great river tay : the southern part is more populous , and fruitful , every where bestrewed with cities , and towns , as england is : the northerly more barren , and rude , retaining the customes of the wilde irish , from whence they came . the southren part hath in it these counties , tividale , merch , laudien , liddesdale , eskedale , annandale , niddesdale , galloway , carrick , kyle , cunningham , arran , cluidesdale , lenox , sterling , fife , strathern , menteith , argile , cantire , and lorn . the northern counties are , loquabrea , braidalbin , perth , athol , anguse , mer●s , mar , buguhan , murrey , ross , sutherland , cathnes , and strathnavern . and these again are divided into sheriffdoms , stewardships , and bailiwicks . the chief cities in scotland described . edenburgh is the regal city of scotland , seated in lothien , where is the royal palace , and the chief courts of justice . it consists principally of one street about a mile long , into which runne many petty lanes , so that the whole compasse may be about three miles : it s strengthened by a castle that commands the town . glasco in cluidsdale , where an university was founded by bishop turnbull , anno christi . . st. andrews in fife . sterling , or striveling , seated in striveling hundred . aberdeen in mar. dondee , in anguis . perth , or st. johns town . scotland was once inhabited by two populous nations , the scots , and picts : the former inhabited the western parts of the land , the latter the eastern : these two nations at length falling out , there were great and large warres betwixt them , till at last the scots prevailing they extinguished , not the kingdome only , but the very name of the picts . most memorable was that fortification drawn from abercorn upon the frith of edenburgh , unto dunbritton opening upon the west sea , where julius agricola set the limits of the romane empire : at this place began the great wood caledonia , famous for the wilde white bulls bread therein , with manes like lyons , thick , and curled , of nature fierce , and cruell , so hatefull to mankind that they abhorred whatsoever was by them handled , or breathed upon . the cattle in scotland are but small , yet many : fish so plentifull , that in some places men on horseback , hunt salmons with spears . the islands belonging to it are , the western , the orknayes , and the shetlands , in number above three hundred . amongst the western , the hebrides , skie , mula , ila , and arran , are the chief : all abounding with corn , wood , salmons , herrings ; and some with conies , deer , horses , and sheep . the orknay islands upon the north , lie in a raging sea , about three and thirty in number , whereof thirteen are inhabited , the other replenished with cattel . in them are no venemous serpents , nor other ugly vermine ; the aire sharp , and healthful , apt to bear oats , and barley , but have no wood : of these pomonia is the greatest , that hath six minerals of lead , and tin , and twelve parishes in it . ireland described . ireland is divided into four provinces : mounster , leinster , connaught , and ulster . in mounster are the counties of limmerick , kery , cork , waterford , dismond , and holy cross in typperary . in leinster are east-meath , west-meath , kilkenny , caterlough , queens county , kings county , kildare , vveshford , and dublin : in connaught are clare , ●r towmund , gallaway , maio , slego , letrim , and roscoman . in ulster are dungal , or tyr-connel , tyrone-upper , tyrone-nether , farmanagh , cavan , monaghan , colrane , antrim , down , armagh , and lough . ireland hath on the east that tempestuous sea that divides it from england . on the west , the western ocean : on the north , the deucalidonian sea : and on the south the vergivian sea : it contains in length four hundred , and in breadth two hundred miles . the air is temperate , but not so clear as ours in england ; it doth not therefore ripen corn well , but causeth grasse to grow abundantly : the winter is more subject to wind than snow . the soil is uneven , wooddy , wilde , watrish , and boggy , full of loghs , and meers : yea great ponds are sometimes found upon high mountains : hence new commers are subject to rheumes , dissenteries , and fluxes , the usual cure whereof is uskebah . this island breeds no venemous creature , neither will any live there , if brought from other places . all the breed in ireland ( except women , and grayhounds ) are lesse than in england . the commodities are cattel , and sheep , which are twice shorne in one year ; but their wool is course , of which they make mantles , caddows , and coverlets : their hobbies also are of great esteem : bees there are in great abundance . the people are generally strong , and nimble , patient of hunger , and cold , implacable in enmity , light of beleef , greedy of glory . the kernes , or wilde irish are extreamly barbarous , not behaving themselves as christians , scarcely as men . the chief rivers are , . shenin , or sinei , beginning in ulster , and running two hundred miles till it falls into the vergivian sea , and is navigable threescore miles . . the slane . . awiduff , or blackwater . . showre , &c. of which spencer makes these verses . there was the liffie rowling down the lea , the sandy slane , the stony aubrian : the spacious shenin spreading like a sea , the pleasant boyne , the fishie-fruitful bann , swift awiduffe , which of the english man is call'd blackwater ; and the liffar deep , sad trowis that once his people over-run , strong allo tumbling from slewtogher steep ; and mullamine , whose waves i whilome taught to weep . there also was the wide embayed mayer , the pleasant bandon crown'd with many a wood , the spreading lee that like an island fair , enclosed corke with his divided flood , and baleful oure , distain'd with english blood : with many more , &c. the principal lakes are , lough earn , lough foile , and lough corbes , in length twenty , in breadth four miles , in which are three hundred ilets abounding with pine-trees . dublin the metropolis of ireland is seated on the liffie in which is an university . our king john was the first that was entituled lord of ireland , which title the kings of england retained till anno christi ● . at which time in an irish parliament , king henry the eight was declared king of ireland , as a name more repleat with majesty . the province of mounster described . mounster hath on the south the vergivian sea , on the north part connaught , on the east leinster , and on the vvest the ocean . it s in length from baltimore in the south unto the bay of galway in the north , fourscore and ten miles : its breadth east , and west from waterford haven , to feriter haven , is one hundred miles . the air is mild , and temperate : the soil in some parts hilly with woods , and solitary mountains : the vallies beautified with corn-fields : the commodities are corn , wood , cattel , wool , and fish , especially abundance of herring , and cod. the principal city is limrick , compassed about with the famous river shannon , by the parting of the channel . also neer unto the river savaren , which issues out of muskerry mountains , stands the city of cork : and lastly in this province is the fair city of vvaterford , having a commodious haven for trade , and traffick . the province of leinster described . leinster hath on the east the irish seas : vvestward on connaught side , it s bounded by the river shannon : northward with the territory of lougth , and southward with part of mounster . it s in length fourscore miles : in breadth seventy ▪ the airds clear , and mild : the soil generally fruitful , and plentifull both in fish , and flesh ▪ stored with corn , cattel , and pastures . it s well watered with rivers , and for the most part well wooded , except the county dublin , where it is much wanting : it breeds excellent hobbies that amble very easily . it hath in it three rivers of note , shour , neor , and barraeo , which issue out of the huge mountains blandinae , and meet together before they empty themselves into the ocean . in this province are , . kilkenny , a fair midland town . . kildare . . vvexford , which was the first english collony . . dublin , the metropolitan city , which is strong , beautiful , and frequented by merchants : near to it is the beautiful colledge consecrated to the holy trinity , which queen elizabeth made an university . the province of connaught described . connaught is bounded eastward with part of leinster : northward with part of ulser : westward with the main ocean , and southward with part of munster : it s in length one hundred six and twenty miles , and in breadth fourscore . the air is not so pure , and clear as in other provinces , by reason of the many bogs . in it twomond , or the county of clare , is best both for sea , and soil . galway commodious for shepheards . maio replenished with cattel , deer , hawks , and hony , slego with pasturidge . le trim full of rank grasse , and forrage . roscomen , plain , and fruitful , fit for cattel , or husbandry . the principal city , and indeed the third in ireland is galway , built in manner much like a tower , and is well frequented with merchants , having a convenient haven : near unto it is the isle of arran . the province of ulster described . ulster on the north is divided with a narrow sea from scotland , southward it extends to connaught , and leinster , and on the vvest is beaten with the vast ocean . it s length is near one hundred miles from north to south , the breadth one hundred and thirty , and odd miles . the air is temperate , which causeth the ground to bring forth great store of several trees , both for building , and fruit-bearing , plentiful it is of grasse for cattel , well furnished with horses , sheep , and oxen. the rivers carry vessels for pleasure , and profit , furnished they are with great store of fish , especially of salmons , abounding more in some of these rivers , than in any other place in europe . indeed in some places this country is barren , troubled with loughs , lakes , and thick woods , but in other places fruitful enough , if it were but well husbanded . the principal place in this province is armagh near unto the river kalin , which though it make but a poor shew , yet lately was an archiepiscopal see : wherein once sate richard fitz-ralph , commonly called armachanus , who anno christi . wrote so sharply against the begging friers , detesting such voluntary beggery in christians . thus was the state of ireland before the late horrid rebellion brake forth , what alterations the same hath produced , i am not able to write . the isle of man described . man is situated in that part of the british sea that is called st. georges channel : it lyes between england and ireland , containing in length about thirty miles , the broadest place exceeds not nine miles , the narrowest is not lesse than five . generally it s an high land upon the sea-coasts , defended with rocks lying out into the sea. the harbours for shiping are , . douglas the safest . . rainsway , . ramsey . . laxie , all towards england : and peel , a poor harbour facing ireland . it abounds with springs of water , which make diverse usefull rivolets : the soil is indifferently fruitfull , yet much of it is mountainous : it yeilds rie , wheat , barley , but especially oates , of which they make their bread : it s stored with beasts , sheep of a course wooll , horses of a small size , and goates : there is no want of fish , and plenty of fowl. the aire is quick and healthful : frosts short , and seldome . snow will soon dissolve because of the vicinity of the sea : and its subject to extraordinary high winds . the inhabitants are civil and laborious : their drink water , their meat fish , their bedding generally hay , or straw : they are much addicted to the musick of the violine , so that there is scarce a family but more or lesse can play upon it : they are ingenious in learning manifactures , and bear a great esteem , and reverence to the publick service of god : naturally they are unchaste . anno christi . it was given by the parliament to thomas lord fairfax , as a reward of the great services he had done for them . the azores islands described . the islands of azores are nine in number : tercera , st. michael , st. george , st. mary , pico , fayall , graciosa , flores , and corvo . they are named azores from the many ayeries of goshawks found there . of these tercera is the greatest , and fruitfullest : it abounds with oil , wine , corn , oade , fruits , &c. her best town is angra , her best fort brazeil , her haven bad to anchor in . pico is the highest , being ( as some say ) above fifteen miles to the top , which is many times seen cleerly : but about the middle of it hang the clouds . it s about ten miles in circuit : it s for the most part composed of brimstone , so that many times from the top issue forth flames of fire , as out of aetna : below are umbragious shades , and cold rivolets , into which when the vomited fire is forced , those opposite elements eccho forth their discontents in an hideous noise . in the island of tercera are some fountains , the water whereof is so hot , that it will boil an egg : there is also another fountain that turns wood into stone , and a tree that grows by it hath that part of the root which grows in the water petrified : the other that is out , is wood , as of other trees . a more particular description of the kingdomes , and countries contained in the continent of europe . spain described . spain was seized upon by the sweves , goths , and vandals , anno christi ▪ . who remained in possession thereof more than four hundred years , till their king rodrigues , with almost all his nobility , was defeated by the saracens , who were brought in by a certain earl in revenge of the dishonour of his daughter , whom the king had ravished . these saracens maintained themselves there , above seven hundred years , as well against the french , as the spaniards themselves , who endeavoured to expell them . it was formerly divided into twelve kingdomes , which were all reduced to one by ferdinand , and isabel anno christi , except that of portugal , which was subjugated by philip the second , and peaceably possessed by him , and his heirs , till the year as above . it was in the reign of the aforesaid ferdinand , that the indies and many other islands were found out , the riches whereof hath much augmented the potency of spain , and made her to aspire to the monarchy of the world . the chief rivers in spain are . tagus , formerly famous for his golden sands : it riseth in the mountain of seira molina , running by the city of toledo , and then smoothly gliding by the walls of lisbon in portugal , it pays his tribute to the western ocean . . ana ( now guadiana ) which rising about the same place , afterwards runs under-ground for the space of fifteen miles , as our mole in surrey doth . . baetis ( now guadalquiver ) . duerus , that runneth from its head in the hills of b●iscay , westward : . iberus , which having his head in the same mountains , runs eastward almost four hundred miles , of which two hundred is navigable . the chief hills are . aurentius saltus , stretching from the pyrenean mountains towards portugall . . siera morena , declining from the middest of spain towards the straits of gibraltar . . seira nevada , which crosses the kingdome of granata from east to west : steep hills , amongst which the people speak the arabick tongue perfectly . whilst the saracen moors possessed spain , they divided it into twelve principallities , as . leon and oviedo , having on the east biscay , on the south castile , on the north the ocean , on the west gallicia : it yeildeth little , yet swift horses called hobbies . the chief towns are . aviles on the sea side . . palenza . . oviedo . . astorga . . leon. . navarre , having on the east the pyrenean mountains , on the west iberus , on the north biscay , and on the south aragon . the chief cities are . victoria . . viana . . sanguessa . . pampelune , the metrotropolis of the country , anno christi . . in the reign of queen katherine , who was married to john of albert : the king of spain raising an army under pretence of rooting out the moors , suddenly surprized this kingdome , unprovided for resistance , and keeps it till this day , though the french have often attempted the recovery of it . corduba , comprehending andaluzia , granada , and estremadura . andaluzia , is the richest , and fruitfullest country in all spain : the chief towns are , . corduba , the metropolitan , whence comes our true cordovan leather , made of the skins of a sardinian beast . neer this city is a wood thirty miles long , consisting all of olive trees . . marchena , where are the best jennets in all spain . . medina sidonia , the duke whereof was general of the armado in eighty eight . . lucar di barameda , an haven town . . xeres , a haven town also , whence come our xeres sack , commonly called sherry-sacks . . tariffa , seated at the end of the promontory towards affrick . . sevil , the fairest city in all spain , in compasse six miles , environed with beautiful walls , and adorned with many magnificent buildings of palaces , churches , and monasteries , and hath under its jurisdiction twenty thousand small villages : it s also divided into two parts by the river baetis , yet both are joyned together by a beautifull and stately bridge . hence come our sevil oranges , and from hence goeth the indian fleet. analuzia in spain , as well for plenty of all blessings of the earth , as for the pleasures , and delights of the fields , is a meer terrestrial paradise . the horses which shee produceth are so swift in course , that they seem ( according to the proverb ) to be engendred by the wind. spain feeds an infinite number of sheep , especially in castile , where is made most excellent cloath , and the wooll for the superlative finenesse thereof , is transported into other countries : in other parts it is barren , through the lazinesse of the people ( as some think ) who love much better to put their hands to the sword than to the plough . the people are melancholy and cholerick : sober , and content with a little , spending more upon the back than upon the belly : they are very ambitious , and good souldiers , knowing as well how to use a victory , as to gain it ; and are more exactly observant of discipline than any other nation in the world . the kingdome is hereditary , and for want of an heir male it falls to the distaff . granada , which is bounded with murcia on the east , andaluzia on the west , castile on the north , and the mediterranean sea on the south . the chief cities are . granata , a neat and stately town , the houses being all built of freestone with curious workmanship : it hath many wholsome springs about it , and is fenced about with a strong wall , in which are twelve gates , and one hundred and thirty turrets . . alamia , famous for her baths . . malaga , whence comes our malaga sacks . . almeria , a great port-town . . osuna . . estremedura , watered with the river batis : the chief cities are . merida . . guadalo●nal , famous for her mines of gold and silver . . gallicia , a very mountainous country : in it the chief cities are , . compostella , in which is an university . . baiona , at the mouth of minius . . coronna , called the groine , a place often spoken of in our wars with spain in queen elizabeths time . . biscaie , having navarre on the east , old castile on the south , leon on the west , and the cantabrian ocean on the north. the chief cities are , . tholosa . . st. sebastian . . fontaraby . . bilbo . it abounds with good wines , store of cattel , and the best sword-blades : it s mountainous , and woody ; out of the hills arise one hundred and fifty rivers , of which iberus and duerus are the chief . it yeelds plenty of iron , and good timber for ships . they admit no bishops amongst them ; and the women at all meetings drink first . . toledo , the chief city is of the same name , standing upon the river tagus , beautified with many palaces of rare and admirable architecture , and fortified with good walls , on which stand one hundred and fifty towers : it s seated almost in the midst of spain , and is well inhabited by noble men for pleasure , by merchants for profit , and by souldiers , it being garrisoned . the arch-bishop hereof is the chief prelate of spain , president usually of the inquisition , whose revenues amount to three hundred thousand crowns per annum . it hath in it an university . . the next city is calatrava , on the river ana. . talbora , on the river tagus , a very neat city . . murcia , the chief cities whereof are , . alicante , whence comes our true ali●ant wine , made of the juice of mulberries growing here in great plenty . murcia , on the river segourg . . cartagena , a brave haven upon the mediterranean sea. . castile , bounded on the east with navarre , arragon , and toledo : on the west with portugal , on the north with asturias , and on the south with andaluzia , and granada . it s now divided into the new , and old : the old is on the north side , wherein the chief cities are , . soria . . segovia , famous for wooll , and cloathing . validolid , a neat town , and an university . . avila . . burgos . . salamanca ; the chiefest university in spain . new-castile is on the south of the old : the chief cities are , . madrid , the kings seat , and the most populous city in all spain , though it bee seated in a barren country . . alcara de henares , formerly complutum , an university . . alcantara . . signeuca , a small academy . . cuenca , nigh to which is the escurial , or monastery of st. lawrence , built by king philip the second . a building of that magnificence , that no building , either in times past , or present is comparable to it . the front towards the vvest is adorned with three stately gates , the middlemost whereof leadeth into a very sumptuous temple ; and into a monastery wherein are one hundred and fifty monks , of the order of st. jerom , and a colledge . that on the right hand openeth into divers offices belonging to the monastery : that on the left into schools , and out-houses belonging to the colledge . at the four corners are four turrets of excellent workmanship , and for height majestical : towards the north is the kings palace : on the south part are diverse beautiful , and sumptuous galleries . and on the east side , sundry gardens , and walks very pleasing , and delightful . it contains in all eleven several quadrangles , every one cloistered about . portugal described . . portugal hath on the north the river minius : on the south the river ana : on the vvest the ocean : and on the east castile : formerly it was called lusitania . the air is very healthful : the country for the most part is hilly , and bare of corn : but it abounds with hony , vvine , oil , allom , fruits , fish , white-marble , salt , &c. it s in compasse eight hundred seventy and nine miles : the length three hundred and twenty : the breadth threescore : the most firtile part is about conimbria : the people are excellent mariners , and happy in forreign discoveries . the rivers , great and small , are near two hundred : the greatest is minius , full of red lead , and its navigable one hundred miles . the chiefest cities are , . lisbon upon tagus , famous for traffick : it s seven miles in compasse , containing above twenty thousand houses of neat and elegant building : it s walled about , wherein towards the sea are two and twenty gates , and towards the land sixteen : on the walls stand threescore and seven turrets . . miranda . . braga . . conimbra , a famous university . . porto . at the southern part of portugal is the cape of st. vincent . after the overthrow of king sebastian in the battel in africk , where three kings fell in one day , there were divers pretenders to the crown of portugal , and amongst the rest philip the second , king of spain was one , who made a shew that their titles should bee lawfully debated , yet in the mean time hee sent an army under the duke de alva , seized on it by force , and so kept it , till within these few years the portugals drave out the spaniards ( as was aforesaid ) on a sudden , and made the duke of bragance , one of the family of the former pretenders , king : who keeps it till this day . the king of spain by the losse of it hath lost one of the fairest diamonds in this crown ; having therewith lost the east indies , and brasile in the west . . valentia , the chiefest city is of the same name , situated near the mouth of the river guadalander ; in it is an university , &c. there is nothing of note in this country . . catalonia , which hath iberus on the south , arragon on the west , the sea on the east , and the pyrenian mountains on the north ; the chief cities are , . gironne . . barcelona on the sea , a town of good strength . . perpignan . . arragon , is bounded with catalonia on the east , castile on the west , navarre on the north , and valentia on the south : the river iberus runs through the midst of this country . the chief cities are , . lerida , an university on the river cinga , &c. there is nothing else of note . the pyrenean hills described . the pyrenean mountains stand as a natural boundary between the two great monarchs of france , and spain : they run in a ridge from sea to sea , the cantabrian ocean fiercely beating on the west , and the mediterranean gently washing the east ends of them . the highest of them is called canus , because it hath for the most part a white cap of snow upon it , on the top whereof in a clear day , a man may see both the seas . the french side of these mountains is naked , and barren , the spanish very fruitful , and adorned with trees . france described . the kingdome of france is composed of four and twenty provinces , wherein are fifteen archbishopricks , ninety seven bishopricks , ten parliaments , fourteen universities , and four orders of knighthood . the french are so naturally inclined to armes , that the proverb saith , they are born souldiers , nor indeed can they stay long at rest ; for if they have no war with their neighbours , they quickly make it amongst themselves : points of honour make them run into the field , as to a feast , so that many of the nobility unhappily fall by duels . they go like thunderbolts to combats , and conquests , and overcome whatsoever opposes them ; but as soon as their heat is cooled , they turn their backs , and suddenly loose what they had gained with such reputation . the french are more than men ( saith the proverb ) at the beginning of a fight , and lesse than women towards the end . the french cavalry is the stoutest and best in the world. their generosity is such , that they grudge not to praise the vertue even of their enemies , when they deserve it . they agree so ill out of their own country ; that they make themselves disesteemed by it . france is wonderfully stored with rivers , the chiefest whereof are , . seine , which arising in burgundy , passeth by paris , and rhoan , and receiving into it nine navigable streams , disembogueth it self into the brittish ocean . . some upon which standeth amiens , hath its head about st. quintins , divides picardy from artois , and receiving eight lesser streams into it , falleth into the sea. . loyre , on which are seated nants , and orleance ; it riseth out of the great mountains in avergne , runs six hundred miles , receiveth into it seventy two lesser rivulets , and so falleth into the aquitane ocean . . rhoane , rising at briga , three miles from the head of rhene , watering lyons , where it meets with sone flowing from alsatia ; then it waters avignion , and admitting thirteen lesser brooks , it falls into the mediterranean at arles . . garond , which running from the pyrenean hills passeth by the walls of burdeaux , and tholouse : of these rivers it is said : the seine is the richest ; the rhoane the swiftest ; the garond the greatest ; and the loyer the sweetest . but come wee to a more particular description of the several provinces . . gascoyn , and guien , are bounded with the pyrenean hills , the aquitane ocean , and the river garond . the cheif cities in it are , . tholouse , wherein is a parliamentary court for the execution of justice : the fields about it extend in length one hundred , in breadth , seventy french leagues ; wherein was fought that dreadfull battel between attila king of the huns , that had in his army five hundred thousand fighting men , and aetius , the roman lieutenant in france , wherein the romans were victors , and slew of the barbarians an hundred and fourscore thousand persons . . burdeaux , where our king richard the second was born : in it are an vniversity , and parliamentary court , . bazas on the garond . . raion , on the coast of spain . on the north end of this country stands the little province of xantoigne : the cheifest cities whereof are sainctes , and rochel , the best fortified town in all france , and formerly the strongest hold of the protestants . . poictou , which hath on the north brittain , and anjou : on the east the dutchy of berry : on the south xantoigne , and guien , and on the east the aquitain sea. the chief cities are , . poictiers ▪ on the river clarius , next in greatness to paris it self . . castle herauld , the title whereof was given to the family of hamiltons in scotland by henry the second , and francis his son , &c. . anjou , is but a little province , but very fruitfull , and yeilds the best wines in france . to it are annexed the provinces of turrain , and main . the chief towns of anjou are , . angiers , where is an university . . beaufort , sometimes belonging to our dukes of lancaster . . saumur , pleasantly seated on the loyre , and an university : on the north sides of anjou , between it , and normandy , lyeth main , whose chief cities are , . man 's , or main , . beaumont , . vendosme . on the south-east between anjou , and berry , lyeth toureine , and in it the cities of . toures , neer unto which charles martel overthrew an army of four hundred thousand saracens , under their captain abdaramen , and slew of them three hundred and seventy thousand , about the year . . amboise , . bloys , . orleance , upon the loyre : an university , wherein especially the civil law is studied . . britain , environed with main , tourain , and the sea : in it are two good havens , brest , and st. malo : the chief cities are . na●ts upon the bank of loyre , where is a parliament . . rhenes . . vannes . . st. briene . . rohan . . normandy , which hath on the south main , and the i le of france , on the east the river some : on the other parts the ocean : the river seine runs through the middest of it . the chief cities are ; . constance , . cane , . bayeux , on the sea side . . pontoyse , . roan , . falaise , . mortaigne . . crecy , . caux . . verneil . the cheif haven towns are , hareslew , deep , and newhaven . . the isle of france , encompassed with the seine , and other petty brooks : in it is seated the regal city of paris , formerly lutetia , quasi in luto sita , because situated in a clayie soil , whence grew the proverb , it stains like the dirt of paris . the city of paris described . paris is in compass twelve miles : it stands in a most fertile soil : the citizens are reputed to be about five hundred thousand . it s honoured with a parliament , to which all others may appeal , from which not one : it hath in it a famous university , counted the first in europe , containing fifty and five colledges , built by charles the great , anno christi . at the perswasion of alcuinus , an english-man . it s seated on seine , which serves the town with little boats , and barges , the river ebbing and flowing no higher than pontelarch , about seventy and five miles below paris . it was held by the english sixteen years , and in it our king henry the sixth was crowned king of france and england in the church of nostre dame , or our lady , which church is threescore and five fathom long , four and twenty broad , and fifteen high , above which the steeples are raised thirty and four fathoms . in this isle of france is also st. vincents ; and somewhat eastward soysons , then carenton , where the protestants have a church : also the royall palace of fountainbleau , one of the fairest houses in christendome . northward lyeth the dukedome of valois , whose prime city is senlis , and next it luzarch . . berry and burbon , which are environed with poictou , limosin , avern , burgondy , and champain . the chief city in berry is bourges , well stored with sheep . it s watered with the river cher , and hath in it thirty and three walled towns . in bourges is a famous university . . sancerre . . argenton . . casteau rous. burbon is watered with the rivers of loyre , and alliere : the cities are , . burbon . . molins . . nevers . to burbon belong beavois , and avern : in beavois are the cities of beavois , and ville franche : in avern the chief citie is clermont ; then st. floure , invincible by its situation . . claudes argues . . maregnes , and . aubigny . . limosin , is environed with berry , poictou , xantoigne , and avergne . it s watered with the rivers vienne , and vexerew . the chief cities are , . tulles . . tuviers . . maignai . . limoges . . chalue . south-west to limosin are the ●●ttle countries of perigort , and quercu , whereof the chief towns are , . mountalbon , situated on the garond : a strong hold of the protestants . . cahors , a beautiful rich city . in perigort are the cities of perigeux , and sarlat . . daulphine , is environed with avergne on the west , provence on the south , savoy on the east , and bresse on the north. the rhoan runs through this countrey , and meeting with zone it washeth the walls of lyons , a famous mart town , and university . . valence . . vienna . . grenoble , where is a parliament . in the mountains bordering on this country , and lying between it , savoy , provence , and piedmont , dwell the waldenses , many times formerly , and now of late grievously persecuted by the popish party . . languedoc , is environed with the pyrenean hills , gascoin , the river rhoan , and the mediterranean sea : the chief cities are , . narbon . . montpelier on the sea side , which is a famous university for the study of law , and physick . . nismes . . agde . . lodove . . provence , is bounded with languedoc , dauphine , piedmont , and the mediterranean sea. it s divided into three parts : one whereof belongs to the pope , the metropolis whereof is avignion , seated on the river rosne , wherein the popes made their residence seventy years together ; in it is an university . the second part belongs to the prince of orang , wherein the chief city is orang , famous for her rare and wonderful antiquities . the third and greatest part belongs to the king of france : wherein are . marseleis , a famous mart town . . aix , where is a parliament . . arles , wherein was held a councill by constantine , anno christi . . picardy , and champaigne , are environed about with normandy , belgia , lorayn , burgundy , berry , burbon , and france : it s divided into the higher , and lower : in the higher is . callis , taken by our edward the third after eleven months sieg , anno . and suddenly lost by queen mary , anno . after it had been english two hundred years , . bullen , taken by our king henry the eight , . terwin , taken by the same king , maximilian the emperor of germany serving under his ensigns . in the lower picardy are , . st. quintins . . abbeville , strong frontire towns , . peronne , . amience , . monstreville , . guise . campaigne hath in it , . rheimes , where the kings of france are crowned , and anointed . in it is an university , and one colledge for the entertainment of english fugitives . . troys , . brie . . montargis , . sens , . auxerre . . chalons . . the dutchy of burgundy , is bounded with champaign , bresse , and burbonoys : the chief cities whereof are , dijon , where is a parliament , autun , beaulne , verdune , sologne , chalons , belonging to the prince of orange , alice : it s watered with ten rivers . all these provinces are under the king of france , and besides cities , have in them thirty and four good havens . within the limits of france are three other countries , which are not subject to the king of france , as savoy , lorrain , the county of burgundy , which last is bounded with champaigne , lorrain , switzerland , and bresse , and the dutchy of burgundy . the length of it is ninety miles , the breadth sixty : the inhabitants are a warlike people , called commonly walloons : the soil is exceeding fruitfull : it s watered with the rivers soan , love , dayne , and doux , upon whose banks stands the fair , and strong city of bezanson , an university . dole also stands on the same river , a strong , rich , and beautiful city , and an university , wherein the jesuits have a colledge . . salines . . gray . . arbois . . boutenant . . chastilion , and above three and twenty more walled towns. lorrain , which is environed with part of belgia , alsatia , the county of burgundy , and champaigne : it abounds with corn , wine , mines , salt , fish , and an excellent race of horses the people are hardy and politick , and are governed by a duke : in it are store of lakes well replenished with fish , one whereof is fourteen miles in compasse : the chief rivers are , . the meure , . mosa , . mosella : the chief cities are , . nancy seated on the meure , . st. nicholas , well seated , neatly built , and very populous , but not walled about : . vausoleur , . pont moson , . neufa chateau , . vaudemant . unto this countrey belongs the county of barrois , environed with the two streams of the river marne : the chief towns are , barleduc , lamot , arg , and ligni . . savoy , which is bounded with dauphine , bress , switzerland , and piedmont . within the limits of this countrey stands the famous city of geneva , being but two english miles in circuit , and the territories thereof stretch but two leagues and an half of each side . at the end of the city is the lake lemannus , and the river rhoan divides it into two parts . this little common-wealth by the assistance of god , resisted a great siedg laid against it by the duke of savoy , anno christi : as also another attempt made by charles emanuel , duke of savoy , to have taken her by surprise . hee secretly listed one thousand and two hundred men , under the command of mounsieur d' aubigny , who by means of great store of ladders , and other instruments got to the number of two hundred into the town , whilst the duke was following with some regiments for recruit : but being discovered , and the citizens running to their arms , it pleased god to strike those which were entered with such a pannick fear , that they returned the same way they came , without having been able so much as to seize upon one gate , to let in the other forces . thus this great design so long premeditated , so secretly carried on , so successefully begun , and almost compleatly executed , was by the watchful eye of gods providence over his people , prevented : and this hot camisado hath made them of geneva stand better upon their guard ever since . they use to punish adultery with death , and if any malefactor fly thither for refuge , they punish him after the custome of the country where the crime was committed . the chief cities of savoy , are . chambery the dukes seat : it stands in a pleasant valley amongst the mountains , and is beautified with many neat houses , well fortified with a strong castle , and some outworks . . tarentaise , which commands the passage into italy through the hills geneura . . bramont . . aquibelle . . carboneirs . . maurienne . on the north east of savoy is the county of bresse : the chief towns whereof are , . chattillion . mont real , . bourg , well seated and fortified . the marquisat of saluzzes is seated in piedmont , a part of italy . piedmont it self , being bounded with millaine on the east , savoy on the west , switzerland on the north , and the mediterranean on the south : a fruitful country compared with savoy , but inferior to the rest of italy . it hath in it one hundred and sixty walled places , and is very populous : it hath in it fifty earldomes , and fifteen marquisates : it s divided betwixt the dukes of savoy , and mantua , the river tenarus parting their possessions : the chief towns belonging to the savoyard are , . turin built on the banks of the river duria : in it is the palace of the duke of savoy , and an university . . aoste . . vercelli , a strong town . . inurea , &c. the alps described . the mountains of the alpes , which require five dayes to bee ascended , divide france , and germany from italy : they are alwayes covered with snow : hanibal made a way through them with fire , and vineger . they begin at savona , and having run a good space in a continued hill , are at last divided into many parts : there are five passages over them into italy : three out of france , and two out of germany : the first out of france is through provence , close upon the tyrenean seas , and so through liguria , which is the easiest . the second through the hills called geneura , into the marquisat of saluzzes , and so into lombardy : the third is over mount cenis , through the country of turin . the first way out of germany is through the grisons country , by the town of valtolin ; the other way is through the country of tyrol , by the towns of inspurg , and trent . italy described . this country abounds with rice , silks , velvets , sattins , taffaties , grograms , rash , fustians , gold wire , allom , glasses , &c. the chief rivers in it are , . poe , which riseth out of the alps , and running through lombardy , emptieth it self into the adriatique sea. . rubicon . . tyber . italy is usually divided into six parts ; but the principalities thereof are ten ; as . the kingdome of naples , having the land of the church on one side , and the sea on all others . it s in compasse one thousand four hundred sixty and eight miles : it abounds with mines of divers mettals , and the choisest wines : the chiefest provinces in it are , . terra di lavoro , formerly campania , wherein the chiefest cities are , . cajeta , seated on the sea side . . naples the metropolis , and a beautiful city containing seven miles in compasse : in this city , the french , or neapolitan disease was first known in christendome : it stands on the sea shore , and is fortified with four castles . . capua , which emasculated the valor of hanibals souldiers . . cuma , nigh to which is the lake avernus , the stink whereof poisons birds that flye over it . . baiae , famous for the baths . . nola. . puteoli . . misenum , nigh unto which is the hill vesuvius , that casteth forth flames of fire , and in the reign of titus it cast forth such abundance of smoak , and ashes , as darkned the sun , and overwhelmed two cities . . abruzzo , whereof the chief towns are , . aquilea . . beneventum . . aquino , where thomas aquinas was born . . sulmo , ovids birth-place . . calabria inferior , whose chief cities are , . peste , where roses blossom thrice in a year . . salernum , famous for the study of physick . . consensia . . regium . . locris . . calabria superior , wherein the chief towns are , . tarentum , . crotona . . polycastrum . . amicle . . sybaris . . st. severine . . terra di otranto , wherein the chief cities are , . brundusium , one of the best havens in the world . . hydruntum , now otranto . . gallipolis . . puglia , the cities whereof are , . manfredonia . . cannae , where hanibal slew of the romans forty two thousand and seven hundred , and had hee followed that victory hee had been master of rome . in this country is the hill gargalus , or mount st. angelo , one hundred and twenty miles in compasse , strengthened both by nature , and art : it abounds with cattel : the people in these two provinces are troubled with a tarantula , which is only cured by musick . . the land of the church , which north and south is extended from the adriatick to the tuscan seas ; the east bounds are axafenus and trontus , which divide it from naples : north-west its bounded with the rivers poe , and fiore , which divide it from the venetians ; and south-west with pisseo , which parts it from the florentines : the provinces hereof are , . romandiola extending from rubicon east , to the venetians on the west : from the appenine hills south , to padus , and the adriatique on the north. the chief cities are , . bononia , the principal university in italy , where the civil laws are much studied , seated on the river aposa . . rimana , formerly ariminum , on the mouth of the river rubicon . . cervia , on the adriatique sea , where great store of salt is made . . ferrara , whose territories stretch in length one hundred and sixty miles , and in breadth fifty , wherein are contained the brave cities of modena , and rhegium : ferrara the chief-city is seated on the bank of poe , a broad , deep , and swift river , which guards it on the one side , and on the other it s fortified with strong walls , and a large moat . in the midst of the city is a large green , into which there open on all sides nineteen streets , most of them half a mile long , and so even , that the ends of them may bee easily seen . the whole compasse is five miles . . ravenna . . marcha anconitana , environed with romagna , the appennine , naples , and the adriatique : the chief towns are , . ancona , seated on the hill cimmerius , and it is an haven town . . ascoli the fair . . firmo the strong . . macerata . . adria , which gave the name to the neighbouring sea. . narma . . humona . . loretto , famous for the pilgrimages made thither . . the dukedome of spoleto , is situate under the appennine hills . the chief cities are , . spoleto . . ovietto , seated on a very high rock , where is a church very lightsome , and yet the windows are made of alabaster in stead of glasse . . perugia . . asis . in this country is the lake of perugia , thirty miles in compasse . near which hanibal slew flaminius with fifteen thousand of his romane souldiers . . st. peters patrimony , containing campagna di roma ( formerly latium ) and part of hetruria . the chief cities are , . alba. . ostia , at the mouth of tyber . . antrum . . tybur . . praen●ste . . ardea . . gabii . . veii : a large and rich city . . tivolis . . rome , seated on the river tyber , enlarged with the receit of two and forty rivers , and is distant from the sea fifteen miles . see old rome described afterwards . the roman empire was extended from the irish seas in the west , to the river euphrates in the east , three thousand miles : and from danubius in the north , to mount atlas in the south , two hundred miles . the revenues of the empire were estimated to amount to one hundred and fifty millions of crowns per annum . but rome as now , is but eleven miles in compasse , within which also there is much wast ground : the inhabitants are about two hundred thousand , two parts whereof are clergie men , and curtesans , the latter being seldome under forty thousand , which pay to the pope thirty thousand duckats per annum . the principal buildings are the church of st. peter : the castle of st. angelo , an impregnable fortresse : the popes palace called belvidere : and the vatican library . . the common-wealth of venice hath many territories belonging to it , the length whereof is above one thousand miles , but the breadth far lesse . for the city of venice it self , see the description of it afterwards . the chief provinces belonging to it are , . marca trevigiana , having on the south the river poe , on the west the dutchy of millaine , on the east frivli , and the gulph of venice , and on the north tirol : the chief city is treviso , . padua , where an university was setled anno christi . famous for physicians , and their garden of simples . see the description of it afterwards . . vincenza . . brescia ; the second city for bigness and beauty in all lombardy : her territories are in length one hundred , in breadth fifty miles . . verona , seated on the athesis . it boasteth of an amphitheater , able to contain eighty t●ousand people : her territories are threescore and five miles in length , and forty in breadth . . briscello . . bergamo . . este. . crema , a strong fort against the millanois . . frivli , formerly called forum julii ; it s environed with istria , the alps , trevigiana , and the adriatique : it s in length fifty miles , and the breadth no lesse . the chief cities are , . aquilegia , seated on the natisco . . treist close to the sea. . gorritia . . palma , excellently fortified . . cividad di austria . . istria environed with the sea , frivli , and carniola : it s in compass two hundred miles , the air very unwholesome : the chief towns are , . cape d' istria , or justinople . . pola . . parenza . . portula . . rubinum . . monsona . the polity whereby this common-wealth hath so long subsisted is an aristocracie : wherein , . they exempt their citizens from the wars , and hire others in their places , so that by their death the common-wealth sustains the lesse losse . . they entertain some forreign prince for their general , whom , when the wars are ended , they presently discard , by which means they avoid factions , and servitude , which were like to happen if they should imploy any of their own people , who by his vertue , and valour might win the hearts of the souldiers , and so make himself their prince . . their laws suffer not the younger sons of their nobility and gentry to marry , least the number increasing should diminish the dignity , yet they allow them unlawful pleasures , and for their sakes permit publick stewes . . the dukedome of florence containing the greater part of tuscany : it s parted from genoa on the west by the magra , and the strong town sarezana : from romagna , and ancona on the north by the appennine hills : on the east by the pisseo , and on the south by the tyrrhene seas . the chief cities are , . florence seated nigh to the confluence of arnus , and chianus : see the description of it afterwards . charles the arch-duke was wont to say , that it was a city to bee seen on holy dayes only . . pisa , a brave and strong city . . sienna , in whose territories are orbitello , pienza , soana , and six and twenty other walled towns. . pistoya , where began the factions of the guelphs , and gibbilines . . massa , famous for her quarries of white marble . . volaterra . . arrezzo . . cortona , seated under the appennine . . carara . . borgo san sepulchro . . ligorne , a famous haven seated at the mouth of the river arnus . the whole length of this dukdome is two hundred and sixty miles , the breadth not much lesse . the people are great merchants . . the dukedome of millaine , which hath on the east mantua and parma : on the south liguria : on the north trevigiana , and on the west piedmont : it stands wholly in lombardy , the garden of italy . the chief cities are , . pavia , on the river ticinus , an university . . lodi . . alexandria , a place of great strength . . cremona , famous for her high tower. . como , seated on a lake so named . . millaine , honoured with an university : see this stately city described afterwards . the dukedome of mantua bounded on the east with romagna , on the west with millaine , on the north with trevigiana , and on the south with parma , and placentia . to this belongs the dukedome of mountferrat , situated on the south-east part of piedmont , the chief cities whereof are , . alba. . casala st. vas. . nicaea , or niza ; and . isola . the chief cities of mantua are , . mirabella . . lucera . . capriana . . modena . . reggio . . cuneto . . mantua , a very strong town , environed on three sides with a water that is three quarters of a mile broad , and on the fourth with a wall . . the dukedome of urbin which lies in the midst of the papal territories having the adriatique on the north , the appennine on the south , romagna on the west , and marca anconitana on the east . in it are two hundred castles , and seven cities , the chief whereof are , . urbin , at the foot of the appennine , . belforto , . pisauro , a good haven , . cabo , . fano , sea towns also . . the principality of parma , and placentia , which hath on the north mantua , on the south the appennine , on the west millain , & on the east modena . here are made those excellent cheeses called parmesans . parma is seated on the little river pirina , and placentia on the po. to this principallity belongs also mirandula , with her territories , where was born that famous scholler , john picus mirandula . . the common-wealth of genoa , containing liguria , which hath on the east the river varus , on the west the river magra , which parts it from tuscany , on the north the appennine , and on the south the ligurian seas : it s in compasse fourscore miles , but not so much in breadth . the people are much given to usury , whence one said merrily , that in christendome there were neither schollers enough , nor gentlemen enough , nor jews enough , and being answered that there were of all these rather too great plenty than any scarcity : he replyed , that if there were schollers enough , there would not bee so many double , and treble beneficed men ; and if there were gentlemen enough , so many pesants would not be ranked amongst the gentry ; and if there were jews enough , so many christians would not professe usury . the chief towns are , . ceva . . finaly . . noli . . sarazena . . genoa . in compasse eight miles : the building for the two first stories are built of marble , curiously wrought , but by the law they are forbidden to use marble any higher . it hath a very spacious haven , well fortified , where ships may ride in safety . . the state of luca , which is situated in tuscany : the city is three miles in compass , the territories eighty miles , in which they can raise three thousand horse , and fifteen thousand foot upon occasion . and thus i have done with italy , and come to the description of the chief cities in it . the chief cities in italy described . a description of old rome , and the chiefest rarities thereof . rome when it was first built was but two & twenty miles in compasse : it was situated upon dainty hills , in a most healthfull air : had a brave river running by it , with the more ease to convey the in-land commodities for her necessity , and delight ; it had the sea at a convenient distance , not too neer , whereby shee might be annoyed with forreign navies , nor so remote , but that shee might bee supplyed with outlandish commodities . the river tiber at rome is four hundred foot broad , and so deep that it will carry ships of the greatest burden . it s about sixteen miles distant from the sea. it was almost round in compasse . the suburbs in processe of time grew so great , that aurelian the emperor built new walls , which were almost fifty miles in compasse , the walls were adorned with seven hundred and forty turrets : and yet again , the suburds in a little time grew so great , that one of them was fifteen miles long , and reacht even to the sea , and in augustus his time , there was numbred in rome above three hundred , and twenty thousand poor people that received relief from the publick : besides the number of bondmen was very great : few rich men , but they had an hundred and some four hundred a peece : seneca saith in his time that the inhabitants were so many , that the spatious and innumerable houses were scarce able to contain them : that a great part of them were forreigners that came from all parts of the world to live there : so that the number of inhabitants was reckoned to bee at least four millions . these people were sustained with provisions brought out of all nations : so that rome seemed to bee the common mart of the whole world. heliogabalus to shew the greatnesse of the city ; caused all the spiders to be gathered and put together , which being weighed , amounted to ten thousand pound weight , and a great plague breaking out at rome , for many dayes together , there dyed ten thousand persons . the houses were generally built very high , that so they might bee the more capacious , insomuch as augustus was fain to make a decree , that their buildings should not exceed seventy foot in height , conceiving that they marred the delicacy of the air , by their over-much shadow : but this extended only to private mens houses , for the great men were not limited . but besides the great height of the houses , they were beautified by the matter whereof they were built , by the architecture , and by the symmetry of them , wherein art and elegancy strove for priority . and for that end , what exquisite workmen soever greece , or asia brought forth , they were either sent for , or came of their own accord to beautify this imperiall city , especially in augustus's time , who made his boasts , marmoream se relinquere , quam lateritiam accepisset : that hee should leave rome built of marble , which hee found built of bricks . nero also when hee had burned a great part of it , at his own charges built it up again , beautifying it with excellently composed streets large wayes , and curious porches to all the houses , which three things were a great ornament to the city : whereupon cassiodorus saith , our fore-fathers tell us of the seven wonders of the world : the temple of diana at ephesus : the costly tomb of king mausolus : the brazen statue of the sun in the isle of rhodes , called the colossus : the image of jupiter olympicus made by phidias : the house of cyrus king of the medes and persians , built by memnon : the walls of babylon built by semiramis : and the pyramides of egypt . but now ( saith hee ) the city of rome is the greatest miracle of them all . there were in it four hundred twenty four temples erected to their idol-gods . there were two capitols in rome ; the old built by numa , the new begun by tarquinius priscus , and superbus , finished by horatius pulvillus consul , upon the saturnin , or tarpeian , or capitoline hill . it was eight acres , or eight hundred feet in compasse , almost four square . it was ascended unto by one hundred steps on the south part , which looked towards the market place , and palace , it would hold eight thousand men . it was covered with brasse-tiles all guilt with gold ; there were three chappels in it , to one of which ( viz. jupiters ) augustus gave sixteen thousand pound weight of gold , and jewels worth almost as much more , twelve thousand talents were spent in gilding of it . the gates were covered with thick plates of gold. the only foundations of this capitol cost tarquinius forty thousand pound weight of silver , the pillars of it were cut out of a quarry of marble , called pentick-marble , and they were as thick as long . plut. next after the capitol , the pantheon is worthily noted . it was built by agrippa , son in law to augustus in the year of the city seven hundred twenty and nine . the architecture of it was admirable , the beauty , and proportion of all the parts most exquisite : the breadth of it was one hundred forty and four feet , and the height as much : it was wholly covered over with very great tiles of brass richly guilt . in the reign of trajan it was burnt by lightning , and re-built by h●drian . the temple of peace was built by vespasian , three hundred foot long , and two hundred broad : it was the most beautifull of all the temples in the city , and enriched with gifts of inestimable value : it was adorned with statues , and pictures of most exquisite workmanship : yea and all the rarities were collected into this temple , for the sight whereof men formerly used to travell through the whole world . and here also hee placed those vessels which formerly belonged to the temple of hierusalem , and were brought from thence by titus at the sacking of it . it was burnt down in the time of commodus , either with fire from heaven , or arising out of the earth after a little earthquake . there were an infinite number of baths both publike , and private in rome . some of which baths , were all paved with plates of silver and set with rows of pillars for ornament . antoninus's bath had sixteen hundred seats of polished marble in it . the appian causey was built by appius claudius censor ▪ it reached from rome to capua , the bounds of the empire that way , at that time ; which was afterwards lengthened to brundusium by julius , and augustus caesar , in all three hundred and fifty miles long , and so broad , that two coaches might easily pass by one another , being about twenty and five foot broad . it was made of hard flinty stones , hewen and laid so close together ( yet without any morter or claspes of iron ) that it seemed all of onestone ; the stones were three , four , and five feet square : nine hundred years after it was made , the stones were not one whit dis-joynted or broken , ever and anon on the sides were stones whereon persons might sit , or lay their burdens , or get on horseback , and at every miles end , high stones ( or pillars ) were raised , whereon were engraven the number of the miles . likewise there were many monuments on both sides with witty inscriptions , or pretty inventions on them , yeelding both matter of mirth , and seriousness to the travellers . there were fourteen ( saith pliny ) twenty ( saith p. victor ) aquaeducts in rome ; the chiefest of which was the claudian , began by caligula , and finished by claudius ; so big as a man might ride on horseback in it ; brought forty miles to the city in a level , through the mountains , and over the vallies ; as high as the highest hill in the city : seven millions and a half were spent in making it . there were besides in the city one thousand three hundred fifty two lakes , or great receptacles of water for common use . the cloacae , or common sewers , were made by tarquinius priscus ; they were so wide , that a cart loaden with hay might passe along them , viz. sixteen foot wide , and as many high . there were seven chief armes from the seven hills ( besides several smaller from other parts ) which ran into the main channel . notwithstanding all the weight of building upon them , and several earthquakes , they remained firm almost eight hundred years . and at one time when they were out of repair , there were a thousand talents spent in repairing of them . there was an infinite number of statues , or images in every part of the city , costly for their matter , and curious for their workmanship : some authors say , that there were near as many of them , as there were living people in the city ; some of them were of polished marble ; infinite of brass , some of ivory , some of silver , and some of gold. domitian the emperour commanded that no statues should bee made for him in the capitol , but such as were all of silver , or all gold , solid , and not hollow , each of them weighing at least an hundred pound weight : commodus the emperor had a statue made for him of gold that weighed a thousand pound weight : together with a bull and a cow of the same mettal , as if hee had been the founder of the city . hee had also in the market-place a pillar erected , and his statue made upon it , of a thousand five hundred pounds weight of silver . their statues of brass were most of them guilt , and so were many of their statues of silver . some of them were of a colossaean bigness , others mounted on horse-back , and in several postures , and habits : for the preserving of all which from hurt , there was one who was called comes , or an earl , whose office it was , continually to walk up and down in the night , attended with many souldiers , that none might wrong them , and besides it was death for any man to do it . lipsius de mag. rom. imperii . rome was for her beauty and bravery called aurea , and aeterna , and the romanes thought that the monarchy of the world was tyed to them with chains of adamant . but god hath confuted their golden dreams by breaking their empire , and given up their city six several times in one hundred thirty and nine years space , into the hands of barbarians , who exercised therein all kinde of cruelty : besides , it is observed that rome , since it became papal , was never besieged by any enemy , but it was taken . sybil long since prophesied . tota eris in cineres , quasi nunquam roma fuisses . the manner of the romane triumphs : and particularly that of palus aemylius after the conquest of perseus king of macedon . first , the people having set up sundry scaffolds as well in the lists , and field called circos , where the games , and races of horses , and charrets used to bee , as also about the market-place , and in all the streets through which the triumph should pass , they all presented themselves in their best gowns , to see the magnificence , and state thereof . all the temples of the gods were set wide open , hanged full of garlands of flowers , and all perfumed within . through all the quarters of the city were set many sergeants , and other officers , with tipstaves to order the stragling people , and to keep them from pestring the streets , or hindring the triumph which lasted three dayes . the first day was scant sufficient to see the passing by of the images , tables , pictures , and statues of a wonderful bignesse , all wonne , and gotten of their enemies , and now drawn upon two hundred and fifty charrets . the second day there were carried upon a great number of carts all the fairest , and richest armor of the macedonians , as well of copper , as of iron , and steele , all glistering bright , being newly furbished , and artificially laid in order : fair burganets upon targets , habergions , and corslets upon greaves : round targets of the cretans , and javelins of the thracians , and arrows amongst the armed pikes : all bound so trimly one to another , that one hitting against another as they were drawn , made such a sound , and noise as was fearful to hear . after these carts there followed three thousand men , which carried the ready mony in seven hundred and fifty vessels which weighed about three talents a peece , each of them carried by four men . others carried great bowles , cups and goblets of silver , and other pots to drink in , beautiful to behold , as well for their bignesse , as for the great , and singular embossed work about them . the third day early in the morning the trumpets sounded the brave alarum they give at an assault , after whom followed one hundred and twenty goodly fat oxen , with their horns guilt , and garlands of flowers , and nosegaies about their heads , and by them went many young men with aprons of needle-work about their middles , who led them to the sacrifice , and with them young boyes that carried goodly basons of gold and silver to receive , and sprinkle the blood of the sacrifices about . after these followed all those that carryed all coins of gold , and basons , and vessels , each of them weighing three talents . then was carryed the great holy cup which aemylius had caused to bee made of massy gold , set full of precious stones , weighing ten talents for an offering to the gods . next to them went they which carryed plate , made , and wrought after antick fashions , and the admirable cups of the ancient kings of macedon : as the cup called antigonus , and another seleucus : and to bee brief , all the whole cup-broad of plate of gold , and silver of king perseus : and next them came the kings charriot with his armour , and his royal crown upon the same . a little after followed the kings children , whom they led prisoners with the train of their school masters , and other officers , and their servants weeping , and lamenting , who held up their hands to the people that looked upon them , thereby teaching the young children to do the like , and to ask mercy , and grace at the peoples hands . there were three pretty little children , two sons , and a daughter amongst them , who by reason of their tender years lacked understanding , which made them ( poor souls ) insensible of their present misery , and that moved the people so much the more to pitty them , seeing the poor little infants that knew not the change of their hard hap : so that through compassion to them , they had almost let the father pass without looking upon him : yea many of the peoples hearts did so melt for pitty , that the tears ran down their cheeks till they were past , and gone a good way out of sight . king perseus the father followed after his children , and their train : hee was cloathed in a black gown , with a pair of slippers on his feet , after his country manner : hee shewed by his countenance , his troubled mind , being opprest with sorrow for his most miserable estate , and condition : hee was followed with his kinsfolk , his familiar friends , his officers , and houshold servants , their faces being disfigured with blubbering , shewing to the world by their lamentable tears , and sorrowful eyes cast upon their unfortunate master , how much they sorrowed , and bewailed his most hard and woful estate , whilest they made little account of their own misery . after all these , there followed four hundred princely crowns of gold , which the cities , and towns of greece had purposely sent by their ambassadors unto aemylius , to honour his victory : and last of all came aemylius himself in his triumphant chariot , which was passing sumptuously set forth , and adorned : this was a gallant sight to behold , and yet the person himself was worth looking on without all that great pomp , and magnificence : for hee was cloathed in a purple gown , curiously branched with gold , carrying in his right hand a bough of lawrel , as all his army did the like , the which being divided by bands and companies : followed the triumphant chariot of their captain , some of the souldiers singing songs of victory , according to the usual manner of the romans in the like cases , mingleing them with merry , and pleasant toyes , as glorying , and rejoycing in their general : others of them sang songs of triumph in the honour , and praise of aemylius his noble conquests , and victorys : so that hee was openly praised , blessed and honoured of all , and neither hated , nor envied of any that were good , and honest . plut. in vita ejus . rome was so populous when paulus aemylius was censor , that being mustered by him , they were found to bee three hundred thirty seven thousand four hundred fifty and two men . the manner of pompey's third triumph . for the statelinesse and magnificence of this triumph , though pompey had two dayes to shew it in , yet were there many things , which for want of time were not seen ; even so many as would have served to have set forth another triumph . in the first place there were tables carryed , whereon were written the names and titles of all the people , and nations which hee had conquered , and for which hee triumphed ; as the kingdomes of pontus , armenia , cappadocia , paphlagonia , media , colchis , iberia , albania , syria , cilicia , and mesopotamia : as also the people that dwell about phaenicia , palaestine , judaea , and arabia : and all the pirates which hee had overcome both by sea , and land , in all parts of the world : in all these countries , hee had taken a thousand castles , almost nine hundred cities , and walled towns ▪ of pirates ships eight hundred : hee had replenished again with people , nine and thirty desolate towns that were left without inhabitants : in these tables was further declared , that before these conquests the revenues of the common-wealth of rome were but five thousand myriads per annum , but now pompey had made them eight thousand and five hundred myriads per annum : and that hee had brought now for the treasury in ready gold and silver , plate and jewels , the value of twenty thousand talents , besides that which hee had distributed amongst his souldiers , of which hee that had least for his share , had one thousand five hundred drachma's : the prisoners that were led in this triumph , besides the captains of the pirates , were , the son of tygranes , king of armenia , with his wife and daughter : the wife of king tygranes himself , called zosime : aristobulus , king of judaea : mithridates sister , with her five sons , and some ladies of scythia : the hostages also of the iberians , and albanians , and of the kings of the commagenians : beside many other things too large to recite : but that which made his honour the greatest , and whereunto never any of the roman consuls attained , was , that in his three triumphs , hee triumphed over the three parts of the world : in his first over africk , in his second over europe , and now in this third over asia , which was almost all the then known world ; and all this before hee was forty years old . plut. in vita ejus . a description of the city of venice , with her rarities , which was begun to bee built anno christi . upon the th of march , and upon seventy and two islands . this wonder of cities , is seated in the bosome , or betwixt the armes of the adriatick sea : it is built upon four thousand islands , and is ( as it were ) chained together by four thousand bridges . the occasion which made these watry isles a mansion for men , was when that northern deluge of goths , vandals , huns , and longobards did overflow all italy , the people of all sorts fled to these lakes , to avoid the land torrent that was like to swallow them up ; and finding the air to bee gentle , and fit for habitation , and propagation , they pitched their tents upon these isles , and associated them by conjoyning bridges . there are seventy two isles that support venice : and the nearest part of the continent is five miles distant : there are banks , and ditches cast up to preserve her from the impetuousnesse of the waves of the sea , extending in length above six miles . shee is above eight miles in circuit . through the banks in seven places , there are passages broken for boats , but not for bigger vessels . besides there be above twenty thousand gondolaes , or boats , which ply up and down perpetually , in each of which are two rowers at least , so that upon occasion , shee can suddenly make an army of above fifty thousand gondoliers . shee hath for her motto , nec fluctu , nec flatu movetur . nor winds , nor waves can stir her . her fabriques , publick and private are extraordinary specious , and sumptuous , and her streets so neat , and evenly paved , that in the depth of winter a man may walk up , and down in a pair of sattin pan-tables , and crimson silk stockings , and not bee dirtied . there are above two hundred palaces fit to receive any prince with his ordinary retinue : her situation is so rare , every street almost having an arm of the sea running thorow it ; and her structures so magnificent , and neat , that shee ravisheth therewith all strangers that come to visit her . she hath in her one hundred and fifty churches , and monasteries : but especially three things worthy of sight , viz. st. mark 's church and steeple , the treasury , and the arsenal . st. mark 's church is built throughout with rare mosaique work , and yet the furniture of the church surpasseth the fabrique in richnesse ; her walls are inlaid in many places with precious stones of diverse colours , and in such a manner , that they seem rather to be the work of nature , than of art. it is built in the form of a crosse , whose corners are highly vaulted , and covered with bright lead , as all the rest of the church is . the whole bulk is supported with most curious arches joyned together by marvellous art. the inside from the middle to the highest part thereof glistereth with gold , and the concavity of the vaults is enriched with divers curious , and antick pictures . that which is from the gilding down to the pavement , is excellently joyned together with goodly tables of marble , by whose pleasant veins in form of rays , the eyes of the beholders are rather fed than satisfied . the seats below are of an extraordinary red stone , like to porphyry , the pavement is all of marble engraven with diverse figures wholly different , and of various colours : there are sundry columnes and tables of parian , spartan , and numidian work , that environ the seats on both sides the quire. the entrance into the church on both sides , is in a manner of the same trimming : while gilded arches are sustained without , by more than three hundred exquisite pillars , the space between those pillars being filled with choyce tables of marble . on the height of this entrance , are four great brazen horses all gilded over , in a posture as if running , and neighing . all this bears up the highest top of the church divided into six steeples , every of which is like a pyramid , and hath on the sharpest point thereof , a white marble statue of a naked man standing upright . divers other representations delightfull to the eye , and wrought with exceeding skill , do beautify the spaces between the steeples , and all that which is vaulted underneath is covered with gold ▪ in sum , there is no place in the whole church , either within , or without , but it 's either adorned with marble , gold , or precious stones ; so that the two columnes of alabaster , and the chalcedony stones which are in the middest of the pavement , are accounted the least curiosities . the arsenal of venice is one of the greatest magazines of armes in all the world ; it 's three miles in compasse , wherein there are above three hundred artificers , perpetually at work , who make , and repair all things that belong thereto . this arsenal hath armes to furnish two hundred thousand men , and hath constantly belonging to it two hundred gallies in dock , or abroad in course , besides galliasses , and galleons , with all provisions necessary for them . amongst the armors , are one thousand coats of plate ; garnished with gold , and covered with velvet , so that they are fit for any prince in christendome . the treasury of st. mark is cried up through the world : they say there is enough in it to pay six kings ransomes . there are jewels of all sorts , and sizes , diamonds , rubies , saphires , emerauds , cups of agat● of an huge bigness . the great diamond which henry the third gave when hee was made a gentleman of venice : there you may see an armour all of massie gold , beset all over with great pearles , turkies , rubies , and all manner of precious stones , in such a quantity , and bigness , that they alone would make a rich treasury . there are also twelve corslets of gold beset with precious stones . there is an huge gold chain that reacheth from pillar to pillar : diverse chests of gold , and amongst others , one great iron chest with this inscription , when this chest shall open , the whole earth shall tremble . there are two large unicorn's horns . a great bottle made of a chalcedonian stone transparent , and clear , which will hold above a quart . there is a garnet of a vast size , formed into the shape of a kettle which will hold neer a gallon . there are many crosses , and crucifixes of massie gold beset with jewells of all sorts : there are the crowns of cyprus , and candy , as also that of the dukes of venice all inlaid with choyce rich diamonds , great rubies , emerauds , saphires , and other stones that would beget astonishment in the beholders . in that of the dukes , there is one great ruby worth an hundred thousand crowns . there are cups of sundry formes cut out of rich stones , with dishes of sundry kinds . there are divers presses full of plate , huge , and massy , with statues of silver , and large chalices of gold , and variety of other rich things , the worth whereof no eye is able to judge . there are moreover twelve crowns of massie gold , which were taken at the sacking of constantinople , when the french , and venetians divided the spoyles . pacheco the spanish ambassadour , comming to see this treasury , fell a groping whether it had any bottom , and being asked why ? answered ; in this amongst other things , my great masters's treasure , differs from yours , in that his hath no bottom , as i finde yours to have . alluding to the mines in mexico , and potofi . in one of its islands called murano , crystall glasses are made where you may see a whole street ; on the one side having above twenty furnaces perpetually at work both day , and night . if one of these furnaces bee removed to any other island , or but to the other side of the street , though they use the same men , materials , and fuel , yet can they not make glasse in the same perfections for beauty , and lustre , as in this place . howels survey . the city of padua described . padua is a city within the venetian territories , and was erected into an academy . anno christi . shee is famous every where for a seminary of the best physicians , and hath a garden of great variety of simples . it was formerly girt with a treble wall : but a double contents her now , which hath very deep ditches round about : for the river brent with vast charges , and labour was brought to this city , which hath much advantaged her , both for strength , and navigation : it is situated in a most pleasant , and plentiful plain , enjoying a sweet temperate clime , with a singular good soil , by reason of the neighbourhood of the eugonian mountains on the west side of it . her circumference is neer upon seven miles ; her temples , and dwelling houses , both publike and private , are more magnificent than elsewhere . shee hath six stately gates : five large market-places , within the walls twenty two great churches , twenty three monasteries , twenty nine nunneries . she hath the most renowned hall for publike justice of any city in italy , covered all over with lead , and yet propped by no pillars . the council-court hath gates , and columes of marble ; shee hath twenty eight bridges , arched over the brent which runns thorow her . she hath very spatious piazza's : shee hath six hospitalls , three for the poor , and three for pilgrims . shee hath a place called monte de pieta , set up on purpose to root out the jews usury , who used to demand twenty per cent : for brocage : shee hath other two hospitals for orphans , and poor children . there are thirty eight thousand crowns deposited in the hands of several persons of quality ( to whom the poorer sort may repair with their pawns , and if it bee under thirty shillings , they pay no use for their mony , if it bee above , they pay five per centum ) for relieving the poor . the city of millan described . the city of millan in italy lies within a stately wall of ten miles compasse . it s situated in a great plain , and hath about it green hills , delightful meadows , navigable rivers , enjoyes an wholesome air , and the fertile country about it , furnisheth it with all store of necessary provision . the city it self is thronged with artisans of all sorts . there bee many stately churches in it , and before that of st. lorenzo there stand sixteen marble pillars , being a remnant of the temple of hercules . but of all the churches , the cathedral is most costly . 't is all of white marble , and about it are five hundred statues of the same : there is a late building added to it which is very glorious , especially for the huge pillars of granito , an excellent sort of marble : private mens houses also in millan are not inferiour to those of other cities in italy . the streets are of a more that common breadth , and there are very many gardens within the walls . the greatest hospital in italy is that in millan , which is a square of columnes , and porches six hundred roods about , seeming fitter to bee a court for some king , than an hospital for the poor . the castle in millan is accounted by all engineers the fairest , and strongest citadel in europe . riamund's mer. ital. the city of naples described . naples the metropolis of that kingdome , stands upon the shore of the mediterranean sea : it s reckoned the third city in italy , and so great are the delights that nature hath allotted to this place , that it is still frequented by persons of great quality . the streets of it are generally well paved , of free stone , large , and even : the houses are very uniform , built flat on the top to walk on ; a notable convenience in those hot countries . another like accommodation which this city hath against the heat , is the mole , which is an artificial street casting it self into the sea , whither all the gentry at the evenings resort to take the fresco. amongst the palaces that of the vice-kings is the fairest : it hath three castles ; and the churches generally are very curious and costly , filled with marble statues . this city is exceeding populous , and consequently vicious : hee that desires to live a chaste life must not set up there : for as their gardens are well filled with oranges , so their houses want not lemmons ; there are usually thirty thousand courtesans registred that pay taxes for their pleasure . near unto naples is virgil's tomb upon an high rock . and the crypta neapolitana in the rocky mountain pausylippus , cut thorow , very high , spacious , and well paved , so that for the space of a mile , two coaches may go on front under the earth : in the midst is a madonna , with a lamp perpetually burning . not far off is the hill of brimstone , on which neither grass nor any herb grows ; but 't is all white with ashes , and ever casts out of several holes a continual smoak , with flames , making the very earth to boil : the ground is hollow underneath , and makes an hideous noise , if struck upon with an hammer . on the other side naples , is the mountain of vesuvius , brother to aetna , upon the top whereof is a terrifying spectacle , viz. a vorago , or hole about three miles in compass , and half as much in depth , and in the midst is a new hill that still vomits thick smoak which the fire within hath raised within these few years , and it still daily increaseth . pliny the naturalist being too inquisitive after the cause of this fire , changed life for death upon this mountain . idem . virgil made a talisman , or brazen fly , which hee set upon one of the gates of the city of naples , which for the space of eight years kept all manner of flies from comming into the city . gaffarels unheard of curiosities . part . . chap. . see more there . the city of florence described . florence is the capitol city of tuscany , situated at the bottom of very high hills , and environed on all sides with the same , except on the west side , before which lies a plain country . this city is divided into two by the river arno , over which are built four bridges of stone ; upon one of the two chief is the goldsmiths street : upon the other , which is a very stately structure , stand the four quarters of the year in marble : opposite unto which , stands a vast columne with a statue of justice in porphyrie at the top : hard by is the palace of strossie , admirable for the immensity of its fabrick ; on the left hand whereof is the merchants vault supported with many fair pillars , and before it a brazen boar jetting forth water : before that is the great place , in the middest whereof is the great duke cosmus on horseback in brass , near unto which is a fountain , the like to which italy affords not . round about the laver is the family of neptune in brasse , with his colosse of marble in the middest , born up by four horses . in this same piazza is a porch arched and adorned with some statues , amongst which that of judith in brass , with the rape of the sabines , three persons in several postures cut all out of one stone . just against it is the palazzo vechio , at the entrance whereof stand two colossi , the one of david , the other of hercules trampling on caous , excellent pieces . within is a court set about with pillars of corinthian work . above is a very spacious hall with divers statues . near to it is the richest of treasures , the great dukes gallery , in the uppermost part whereof are contained as many wonders as things : some to bee admired for the preciousness , and art ; others for their rarity , and antiquity : on each side of the gallery stand above fourescore statues : one , an idoll brought from the temple of apollo in delphos : another of scipio africanus holding up his gown under his arm : then two curious triumphant pillars : over the statues hang rare pictures , the most famous scholars on the one side , and souldiers on the other . at the right hand of this gallery are several stanza's full of curiosities , wherewith the spectators are astonished , both in regard of the richnesse , and rarity thereof . in the first room is an altar totally compacted of jewels , and precious stones : the value inestimable . in the next is a table with flowers , and birds in their natural colours of precious stones , with a cabinet worth two hundred thousand crowns , covered with agates , emerauds , amethists , &c. within it is the history of christs passion , with the twelve apostles all in amber . in the third is a cabinet with calcedonie pillars , filled with ancient medals of gold . round about this room are an infinite number of natural , and artificial curiosities : as the emperours head cut on a turquoise bigger than a walnut , with thousands more . next is the armory ; wherein are the habits , and diverse sorts of arms of several ages , and people . there is likewise a loadstone that bears up fourscore pounds weight of iron . in the last cabinet are curious turned works of ivory , a pillar of oriental alabaster , &c. in another room are twelve great cupboards of silver plate of all sorts , and another of all pure massie gold : a saddle all embroydered with pearls , and diamonds ; besides many other things of great worth . from hence is a private passage to the dukes court on the other side of the river : the front of which edifice is very majestick , towards the basis of dorick work , in the middest of ionick , and the uppermost story of corinthian . in the court is a grotto with statues , and a fountain over it ; and a loadstone of a most prodigious greatnesse . the gardens belonging to it , for their largenesse have the face of a forrest , for their variety , of a paradise . here are cypresse groves , their walks with statues : here a sea of fountains ; these swans , ostriches , and other delighting creatures . the cathedral church is of a vast bulk , and exquisite workmanship , made of red , white , and black marble . the cupola is so high , that the brass globe at the top will hold sixteen persons : no lesse excellent is the steeple , composed of the same stone and materials with the church , but with more art , and ornaments . the chappel of st. laurence seems more than terrestrial : it s wholly overlaid with fine polished stones , neither is there any colour upon earth , but it 's there in stones naturally . near to this is a famous library , filled with great variety of manuscripts . in brief , the houses of florence are generally built high , the streets are paved with great stones , even and large , and adorned with many excellent fountains , and other publick ornaments . the chiefest cities of italy are thus usually distinguished : rome the un-holy ; venice the rich ; naples the gentle ; florence the fair ; genoa the proud ; millan the great ; bolonia the fat ; padua the learned ; and verona the ancient . idem . belgia , or the netherlands described . belgia is bounded on the east with the river ems , and part of germany : on the west with the germane sea , on the north with east-friezland , and on the south with the some , champaigne , and lorrain : it s in compass one thousand miles . the country is very populous , the men well proportioned , and ingenious : the inventers of clocks , printing , and the compass : they found out diverse musical instruments , the making of chariots , painting with oil colours , working pictures in glass , making of worsteads , sayes , tapestry , &c. the women govern all , both within doores , and without : the country lies low upon the seas , and therefore is very subject to inundations . in the reign of our king henry the second , flanders was so overflown , that many thousands of people , whose dwellings were devoured by the sea , came into england , and were by the king first planted in york-shire , but afterwards removed into pembrook-shire . since then , the sea hath swallowed up in zealand eight of the islands , and in them three hundred towns , and villages , the ruines of the churches , &c. being seen at low water till this day . the commodities are linnen , skarlet , worstead , sayes , silks , velvets , armour , cables , ropes , butter , cheese , &c. the chief rivers are , . rheine . . mosa , which compasseth half the country . . ems , dividing the two friezlands . . scaldis , which rising in picardy , runs through artois , divides henault , and brabant , and a little above antwerp emptieth it self into the sea. . ley , which runs quite through flanders . in zealand and holland especially , they are fain to defend themselves against the sea by huge banks about ten ells high , and five and twenty in breadth at the bottom , made of the hardest clay , with great pains , and maintained with great charge ; their inside is stuffed with wood , and stone , and their outside covered with strong , and thick mats . it s divided into seventeen provinces , which are these that follow . . limbourg , and the bishoprick of leige , environed with brabant , and namurce , on the west : with brabant , and gulick on the north : with gulick , and collen on the east : and with luxenbourg on the south . in the bishoprick are four and twenty walled towns , and one thousand and eight hundred villages : the chief city is leige , seated on the meuse : the buildings of it are very fair . it s a famous university , wherein were students at one time , nine kings sons : four and twenty dukes sons : twenty nine earles sons , besides barons , and gentlemen . the next cities are , . tongres . . dinand , neer namur . . huy . . bilsen . . truden . the dutchy of limbourg , contains five towns. . limbourg , on the river weser . . walkenbourgh . . dalem . . rode le buck. . carpen , besides one hundred twenty and three villages . luxenbourg , which is bounded on the north with limbourg , on the south with lorrain , on the east with the bishoprick of triers , and on the west with the meuse . it s in circuit two hundred and forty miles , in which stand one thousand one hundred sixty and nine villages , and twenty and three walled towns. the chief are , . luxenburgh on the river elze , . bostonack , commonly called the paris of ardenne . . thionville . . mommedi . . danvillers , . ivoy . . neuse chastel . . rocke de march. . arluna . here is the forrest of ardenna , once five hundred miles in compass ; now scarce ninety : in the edges whereof are the famous hot baths , called the spaw , which are of most vertue in july , because then hottest . in the skirts of this countrey towards france , is the dukedome of bovillion , whose cheif towns are , sedan , where is schola illustris ; and bovillon : the duke is a peer of france , and hath been a great friend to the protestants . . gelderland , which hath on the east cleve , on the west brabant , on the north frizland , and on the south limbourg ▪ it contains three hundred villages , and twenty four towns , the chief whereof are , . nimmegen , seated on the branch of the rheine , which is called whael . . ruremond . . arnheim . . harderwick . . doesbourgh . . buren . it s a fertile soil for feeding of beasts , which grow so great and fat , that anno christi . there was a gelderland bull killed at antwerp , that weighed three thousand and two hundred pounds . . brabant , having on the east , north , and south the meuse , and on the west the scheld . it s in length seventy five , in breadth sixty miles , comprehending seven hundred villages , and twenty six towns , whereof the chief are , . lovain , in compasse within the walls four miles , and six without . it s an university wherein are twenty colledges , and a seminary of english jesuits : there are in it many goodly gardens , mountaines , valleys , medows , &c. . bruxels of the same bigness , and the dukes seat , but for pleasure , profit , uniform buildings , and elegancy thereof , far beyond lovain . . bergen ap some , famous for the notable resistance it made to spinola , anno christi . . bolduc . . tilmont . . mastriecht . . breda , the seat of the prince of orange . . the marquisat of the empire is contained in brabant : the chief city is antwerp , in circuit seven miles : in it are eight principal channels cut out of the scheld , on which the town is seated , the biggest of them being able to contain one hundred ships . before the civil warres , it was a place of wonderful great trading : but now the hollanders have so blocked up the haven , that the traffick is removed to amsterdam . . flanders is divided into the imperiall , gallick , and teutonick flanders . the last of these is divided from the other two , by the river ley. the chief towns in it are , . gaunt , whose wall is seven miles round . the rivers scheld , and ley run through it , and make in it twenty six islands , conjoyned with ninety eight bridges . . burgi● , situated on a fair , and deep channel made by art , which much advantageth it . . ypres , a very strong town standing on a river of the same name . . winnocks-berg . . grauling , on the sea side , a strong fort. . oudenard . the four principal ports of flanders are , . dunkirk . . scluse , at the mouth of the channel of bruges , having a fair haven able to contain five hundred good ships ; it s in the hand of the states . . newport , where was fought that famous battle between the spaniards , and states . . ostend , which held out a siedg of three years , and three months against the arch-duke . imperiall flanders , is parted from brabant , by the river dender , from the gallick flanders , by the river scheld about oudenard . the chief towns are , . alost , on the dender . . dendermond . . hulst , . axelle . . rupelmond . the gallick flanders , is severed from the teutonick by the river ley : from the imperiall by the scheld . the chief towns are , . lisle , . doway , where is an university . . orchies . . armentiers . . st. amand. . turnay . in all flanders there are thirty five towns , and one thousand one hundred seventy and eight villages . it s in length ninety six miles , in breadth much lesse . it s bounded with brabant on the east : picardy on the west : the sea on the north : and artoys on the south . . artoys , which hath on the east heinalt , on the west picardy , on the north flanders , and on the south champaigne . it contains seven hundred fifty and four villages , and twelve walled towns , whereof the chief are , . arras , whence comes our arras hangings , . ayre . . pernes . . st. omer , a good haven . . lilliers . . le-cluse . the frontier towns are , . hedinfert against picardy . . st. paul. . heinalt , bounded on the east with limbourg , on the west with flanders , on the north with brabant , and on the south with champaigne : the length of it is sixty miles , and the breadth fourty eight . it contains nine hundred and fifty villages , and twenty four towns , the chief whereof are , . mons , a strong and rich city , . valenciennes , seated on the scheld . . conde . . bavays . . landrecy , on the river sambre . . mariembourgh . . engien . . reulx . . avennes . on the south part of heinalt , is the town , and territory of cambray . . namurce , which hath on the east limbourg : on the vvest heinalt : on the north brabant , and on the south luxenburg : in this country are many coals which are kindled with water , and quenched with oil. it contains one hundred and eighty villages , and four towns. . namurce , seated where sicambris falls into meuse . . charlemont . . valencourt . . bovines . it s a fruitful country , enriched with mines of jasper , and all sorts of marble , and abounding with iron . the inhabitants are good souldiers . . zutphen , is a town in gelderland , an ancient earldom , seated on the river ysell , a strong place , in the siege whereof that mirror of chivalry , sir philip sidney lost his life . . holland is a woody country , having on the east utrecht : on the west and north , the sea : and on the south the meuse . it s in circuit one hundred and eighty miles , no part whereof is distant from the sea three hours journey . it containes four hundred villages , and three and twenty towns : whereof the chief are , . dort , where the national synod was held against the arminians , anno christi . . harlem , where printing was invented . . leiden , a famous university . which city consists of forty one islands , passed partly by boats , and partly by bridges , whereof there are one hundred forty and five , and of them one hundred and four built with stone . . delft . . alkmer . . rotterodam . . horn. . enchusen . . amsterdam , a very fair haven town : the men are good sea-men , the women very industrious : there is scarce a boy of four years old , but can earn his own meat . it yeilds butter , cheese , &c. the chief village is the hage , having in it two thousand housholds . zealand , consisteth of seven islands , and in them three hundred towns. the first island is walcheren , and in it the chief towns are , . midlebourg , . flushing , an excellent haven , and of great strength . nigh unto it is the fort ramekins , and the brill . . vere . the next island is south beverland , whose chief town is tergowse . the third is schoven , its chief town sixixee . . tolen , whose chief town is tertolen , &c. in all this countrey are eight cities , and one hundred and two villages , the soil is fruitful , but they have neither wood , nor fresh water . . west-freizland , which hath on the east groyning , on the south overyssel , on the other sides , the sea. it contains three hundred forty and five villages , and eleven towns : the chief are , . lewarden . . harlingem , a sea town . . zwichen . . doceum . . franeker , an university . . utrecht , is bounded on the east with gelderland , on the other three sides with holland : it contains seventy villages , and five towns , as , . rhenen . . wick de duerstede . . amesford . . monfoort . . utrecht just in the middest . . overyssel , is bounded on the north with freizland , and groning , on the south with gelderland , on the east with westphalia , on the west with the sea . it contains one hundred and one villages , and eleven towns , the chief whereof are , . swall . . campene . . deventer , basely betrayed to the spaniards by sir william stanley . . steinwick . . hasselt . . oldezel . . handerberg . . delden . . machlin , which is a town in brabant , which anno christi . was much defaced by fireing of eight hundred barrels of gunpowder . besides the town , it contains nine villages . it s a fair and strong town , being daintily seated amidst the waters of the river dele , so that it may bee drowned on all sides . . groyning , which is a town of vvest-friezland , containing under her command one hundred forty and five villages , the chief being old haven , and keikerk . it s bounded on the east with east-friezland , on the west with vvest-friezland , on the south with overyssel , and on the north with the sea. these countries are now divided between the states under an aristocratical government , and the king of spain : the states have the dutchy of guelders : the earldomes of holland , and zealand , and zutphen . the lordships of friezland , utretcht , overyssel , and groning , seven in all ; the rest are spanish . germany described . the compass of this spacious country is two thousand and six hundred english miles : the inhabitants are little addicted to venus , but very much to bacchus ; they are of strong constitutions , and much inclining to fatnesse . the titles of the fathers descend to all their children , every son of a duke , being a duke , and every daughter a dutchess . the soil for the most part is healthful , and profitable , yeelding several minerals , corn , and wine , together with linnen , quicksilver , allom , &c. the chief rivers are , . danubius , which rising out of nigra sylva , receiveth threescore navigable rivers into it , and having run a course of one thousand and five hundred miles , emptieth it self at seven mouths into the euxine sea. . rhene , which arising in helvetia , and running through germany , and belgia , after a course of eight hundred miles , falleth into the german ocean . . albis , rising on the skirts of bohemia , passing by magdenbourg , brunswick , and denmark , after four hundred miles course , falls into the same sea. . oder , arising in silesia , runs through brandenbourg , and pomerania about three hundred miles , and so falls into the baltick sea. . maenus or the main . . weser . the empire of germany is not hereditary , but elective : and when the emperor is dead , the arch-bishop of mentz , writes to the rest of the electors to meet at frankfurt within three months , either in person , or to send their ambassadors : in the vacancy , the elector palatine is the vicar ; and hee who is elected king of the romans is declared heir . the three ecclesiastical electors , are the arch-bishops of mentz , trevers , and colein : the others are the king of bohemia , the elector palatine ▪ the duke of saxony , and the marquiss of brandenburg : to whom was lately added the duke of bavaria . being assembled at frankfurt , they make oath to chuse a fit person : they are obliged to finish the choice within thirty dayes , and may not go out of the town till it bee accomplished . if the voices happen to bee equal , hee who hath the king of bohemia's vote , is proclaimed emperour . the three states of the empire are , . that of the aforesaid electors , wherein the ecclesiasticks have the precedency . the second state consists of four arch-bishops , as magdeburg , salsburgh , bremen , and bezanson : after whom follows the great master of the teutonick order ; and then one and thirty bishops ; ten abbots with the title of princes ; and some abbesses ; and lastly the counts , and barons , whereof there are many . the third state is made up of the imperial towns , which are in number threescore and five : the four principall are , lubeck , metz , auspurgh , and aixe , or aquisgra●e . another union there is for the preservation of trade , and commerce , the chief cities whereof are , lubeck , colein , brunswick , and dansick . these are called hanse-towns . the empire is distributed into ten circles ; franconia , bavaria , austria , swevia : that of the upper rheyn ; that of the four electors towards the rheyn , westphalia , saxony , low saxony , and burgundy . come wee now in particular to the chief provinces of germany , which are fifteen . as , . east-friezland having on the west the river ems , on the east the weser , on the south westphalia , and on the north the sea : the chief towns are , . emden . . ammer dun. . oldenbourg . . westphalia , which is bounded on the east with brunswick , on the west with belgia , on the south with hassia , and on the north with the sea. the soil is fruitful , the trees yeeld abundance of sweet acorns which feed our westphalia bacon : the northern part is called bremen , from the chief city of that name : the next parts belong to the duke of saxony , the chief towns whereof are , . clappenbourg . . exenberg . . alsdorpe , &c. the other part belongs to the bishopricks of collen , munster , and triers . in that of collen are , . collen , the bishops seat . . anderna●h . . lentz seated on the rhene . . bonna . . mondenand . the chief towns under the bishop of munster are , . warendorp . . herverden . . munster , seated on the river ems. here the frantick anabaptists seated themselves , anno christi . till they were deservedly punished and destroyed the chief towns in the bishoprick of triers are , . bopport on the mosel . . engers . . coblents . . triers on the mosel also . . cleveland , which dutchy contains cleve , gulick , and berge . it joyns to gelderland , and the chief cities are , . cleve . . calkar . . wesel . . emerick . in gulick the chief cities are , . aquisgraue , or aken . . gulick . . dulken . . newis . the chief towns in berge are , . dusseldorp . . hattingen . . arusberg . . alsatia , which hath on the west lorrain , on the south helvetia , on the east the rhene , and on the north , the palatinate . the chief towns are , . strasbourg , where is a tower five hundred seventy and eight paces high : it stands on the rhene . . psaltburg . . vveisenberg . on the south end of alsatia stand colmer , hagenaw , and selestade , three fair cities belonging to the empire . . franconia which is bounded on the east with bohemia : on the west with elsas : on the north with hassia , and on the south with swevia , bavaria , and helvetia . it s divided betwixt the palatine of rhene , the duke of vvittenberg , the marquess of anspach ▪ and baden , the bishops of mentz , bamberg , vvestberg , and the emperour , of which in order . the palatinate of rhene is in length from north to south , threescore and twelve miles ; in breadth from east to west , fourscore and sixteen . in which compass are some towns of the empire , and some lordships belonging to the bishops of vvormes , and spires , both seated on the rhene . the palatinate hath store of fruits , mettals , and rhenish wines : hath many gallant towns , as . mospotch . . heidelberg , an university . on the banks of rhene stand . bacharach , whence come the best rhenish wines called bachrach . . coub . . oppenheim . . cruitznack . . frankendale . . germensheim . . mainhem , &c. there are in this country fourteen other walled towns. vvittenberg , whereof the chief towns are , . turbing , an university . . stutguard , the dukes seat . . marback . . caustat , &c. anspach , the chief towns whereof are , . anspach . . ha●lbrun . . plenifelt . baden , a fruitful country lying between the rivers rhene , and neccar : the chief towns are , . durlach . . pfortshaime . . baden , a neat town seated on the rhene , having hot baths in it . mentz , seated where the main emptieth it self into the rhene , whereof the chief towns are , . lanstein . . bing , seated on the rhene . bamberg , which is a fair city seated on the main , the other chief towns are schestlites , and forchiam . vvirtzberg , a bishops seat , formerly called herbipolis , the other towns belonging to it are schwinfurt on the main , and arnsteme . the emperors part contains the free , and imperial cities seated in the palatinate , and vvittenberg , the chief whereof are , . norenberg , situated in the very center of germany . . frankfurt on the main , where the two great book marts are held in midlent , and mid-september . . helvetia , or switzerland , which is bounded on the east with tyrol , on the west with france , on the north with lorraine , and elsas , and on the south with italy . it contains thirteen cantons ▪ as . zurick . . bern. . lucern . . urania . . glaris . . zugh . . basil . . friburg . . underwalt . . soloure . . schaffhausen . . apensol . . swits . the chief towns are , . zurick , or tygure . . st. gall. . basil. where is a famous university . . constance seated on the lake bodenzee ; it belongs to the house of austria . . bern. . baden ; where are good bathes . . lucerne , situate on the banks of a great lake , bearing the same name . the country is in length two hundred and forty , and in breadth one hundred and fourscore miles : in it are the heads of●those four famous rivers , poe , danow , rhene , and rhone , that run east , west , north , and south . these people were sometimes under the emperor ; but being over-burthened by the tyranny of their governours , they shaked off the yoak , and entring into an offensive , and defensive league , cantoned themselves under a new government . these helvetians are shut up within mountains , and great lakes , which make their country unaccessible . the tyranny of some governours , as aforesaid , caused them to shake off the yoak , not only of the house of austria , but of their own nobility also . their first league was begun by three country peasants , which in a short time was much augmented , by the aversion of the people from the abovesaid government . let no man trust to his own power , and maintain it by rigour , for enemies often come from whence they are least expected . so soon as this league was made , they seized upon the castles of their governours , and drove them out of their country anno christi . but arch-duke leopold being puffed up by some conquests hee had made , and being provoked by the solicitations of the expulsed nobility , led his forces against the villages , but was defeated in the mountains , near morgarten . this victory of the switzers produced the perpetual alliance of the three villages , to which the rest shortly after adjoyned themselves ; yea , and many imperial towns near them have so leagued themselves with them , that now they have no enemie that they need fear , except from among themselves : since which time their alliance hath been sought by popes , kings , and princes of europe , and especially by france , which by keeping in with them , through a yearly pension , hath drawn no small advantages from them . their republick is composed of three orders : the villages to the number of thirteen . the associates , or confederates : and the towns which depend upon their direction . they have also divers forms of government : for that of the villages is democratical ; and that of the towns , aristocratical : which mixt common-wealth is only kept in unity by the care which shee hath of her own preservation . their assemblies are made by a general convocation to treat of war , peace , &c. at which the ambassadors from every town are to meet . their religion in some of the cantons is only romane , in others reformed , and in some mixed . in this marshal age of ours , bloody mars hath as well skipped over their mountains , as through the seas , des●●●s , and vast forrests . . suevia , which is divided into the upper , and lower . the upper is bounded on the east with tyrol , on the west with helvetia , on the north with lower suevia , and on the south with millaine : it was formerly called rhetia , now they are called grisons ; divided into three confederations . . lega cadi dio ; whose chief city is coyra . . lega grisa . . lega dritture , they are papists , and protestants mixt together . lower suevia , or schwaben hath on the east bavaria ; on the west danubius : on the north franconia , and on the south tirol , and the grisons . the chief towns are , . ulme . . lindwe , on the lake bodenzee . . auspurg on the river leith . . norlingen . . vvherlingen . . ravensperg . . dinkle spuhel . . gmund . . bavaria , which hath on the east austria , and stiria , on the west the leike , on the north bohemia , and part of franconia , and on the south tirol , and carinthia : the chief cities are , . munchen , the dukes seat , on the river aser . . ingolstat , on the danow , an university . . ratisbone , on the danow also . . passaw . . sulesbourg , on the river saltzach . . frising . . eystet , &c. being in all thirty four , and forty six walled towns besides : the soil is fruitful . the northern part of bavaria is called the upper palatinate , whereof the chief towns are , . amberg , where are silver mines . . newburg . . awerbach . . sultzbach . . weiden . . castel . . austria , is an arch-dukedome that contains the province of austria , styria , carinthia , tirol , and carniola : it s divided from hungary on the east , by the leita : from bavaria on the west , by the ems : from moravia on the north , by the tems : and from stiria on the south , by the muer : it was once called pannonia superior : the chief cities in austria are , . vienna , an university , seated on the danow , the beautifullest city in all germany , adorned with magnificent churches , stately monasteries , and a sumptuous pallace for the archduke . emps. . st. leopald . . neustat . . hainburg . . crems . styria is in length one hundred and ten miles , and about sixty in breadth . it hath the river rab on the east , carinthia on the west , the dravus on the south , and the meur , and austria on the north : the chief cities are , . marchpurg . . gratz . carinthia is seventy five miles in length , and fifty five in breadth . it hath stiria on the east , tirol on the west , bavaria on the north , and the alps on the south . the chief towns are , . villach . . spittal . . gurach . . freisach . . st. veit . carniola is one hundred and fifty miles long , and forty five broad . it hath on the east sclavonia , on the west italy , on the north carinthia , and on the south istria : the chief towns are , · newmark , . esling . . marsperg . . bagonock . . saxenfelt , all on the river savus , which runs through the middle of the country . tirol , which is seventy two miles broad , and as many long . it hath on the east carinthia , on the west the grisons , on the north schwaben , and on the south marca trevigeana . it s a fruitful countrey , and full of silver mines : the chief towns are , . oenipont , or inspurch . . landeck . . tirol . . bolzan . . trent , on the river adesis , where the council was held against the protestants . . bohemia , which hath annexed to it silesia , lusatia , and moravia . bohemia is bounded on the east with silesia , and moravia , on the west with franconia , on the north with misnia , and lusatia , and on the south with bavaria , and is encompassed with the hercynian forrest . the whole kingdome is in compasse five hundred and fifty miles , in which are contained seven hundred and eighty cities , walled towns , and castles , and thirty two thousand villages : they use the sclavonian language . the soil is fruitful , enriched with mines of all sorts but gold. here are many forrests , and in some of them a beast called loris , having under its neck a bladder of scalding water , with which , when shee is hunted , shee so tormenteth the dogs , that shee easily escapeth them . the chief cities are . . prague , in the middest of the countrey , seated on the river mulda : it consists of four several towns , each of them having their several magistrates , laws and customes : the principal is called the old town , adorned with many fair buildings , a spacious market place , and a stately senate-house : the second is called the new-town , separated from the other by a deep and wide ditch : the third is called the little-town , divided from the old by the river mulda , and joined to it by a beautiful bridge consisting of twenty four arches : in this town is the hill rachine , on whose sides are many stately houses of the nobles , and on the top a magnificent palace for the kings : the fourth is that of the jews , who have in it five synagogues , and live after their own laws . the second city is egra , seated on the river eger , on the borders towards franconia . . budwus towards austria . . melmukle , on the river albis . . weldaw . . pilsen . silesia , is bounded with bohemia on the west , brandenburg on the north , poland on the south , and hungary , and moravia on the east : it s in length two hundred and forty miles , and fourscore in breadth , and is equally divided by the river oder : the chief towns are , . preslaw , or uratislavia . . jagundorfe . . glats . . oppolen . . glogaw . . olderberg , all seated on the river oder . lusatia , which hath on the east and north silesia , on the west brandenburg , and on the south silesia : the chief cities are , gorlits , and trabel on the river nisse , spemberg , and gotthuse , on the river spe , and lastly bautsen . moravia , which hath on the north and east silesia , on the west brandenburg , and on the south austria , and hungary . it abounds with corn , and hath much myrrh , and frankincense , which contrary to the usuall manner , grow immediately out of the earth , not from trees : the chief towns are , . brinne . . olmutz , an university . . terebitz . . jasa . &c. . brandenburg , which hath on the east poland , on the west saxony , on the north pomerania , and on the south lusatia : it s in compass five hundred and twenty miles , in which are contained fifty cities , and sixty four walled towns : the chief are , . brandenburg . . frankfurt upon oder , an university , seated in a fruitful soil abounding with corn , and wine . . berlin , where the prince keeps his court , seated on the river spre . . havelburg , to this belongs part of prussia , called ducal , with the dukedomes of cleve , juliers , and berg , &c. so that in largenesse of territories , they exceed the dukes of saxony , but not in revenues . . pomerania ; and meclemburg . the first is bounded on the east , wirh the river vistula , on the vvest with meclemburg on the north with the baltick sea , and on the south with brandenburg : the chief towns are , . stetin , the princes seat , and an university . . wolgast . . vvallin . . gripswald an university . . newtrepton , a sea town . meclenburg , or megalopolis stands on the west of pomeren , the chief towns whereof are , . malchaw . . sternberg . . vvismar . . rostock , an university . on the west hereof stands the fair hans-town of lubeck ; and about ten miles from it , hamborough : on the further side of the river is stoade , where the english house is to sell their wares . . saxony , which hath on the east lusatia , and brandenburgh : on the west hassia : on the north brunswick ; and on the south franconia , and bohemia . it contains the countries of thuringia , misnia , voitland , and saxony . the chief cities in thuringia are , . erdford , a great city . . iene , an university of physicians . . smalcald . . hale . . vveimar . the whole country is in length one hundred and twenty miles , and about as much in breadth , and yet it contains two thousand villages , and twelve earledoms . misnia , environed with bohemia , voitland , thuringia , and saxony ; the chief towns whereof are , . dresden , on the river albis : the dukes seat , and principal magazine . . lipsique , an university . . rochlits . . mulburg . voitland is a little country south of misnia , whose chief towns are , . olnits . . vverde . . cronach . . culmbach . . hoffe . saxony , lies on the north of thuringia , and misnia : the chief cities are , . magdeburg , formerly parthenopolis . . vvorlits seated on the albie . . helderick . . vvittenberg , the seat of the duke , and an university , where luther lived : within the bounds of saxony are the two small principalities of anhalt , and mansfield . . brunswick , and luneburg , which have on the east brandenberg : on the west westphalia : on the north denmark : and on the south saxony , and hassia . the river ems runs through this country : and the chief cities are , . brunswick . . wolfohaiton , where the duke keeps his court. halberstade . . lunebourg . . cella . . hassia , which hath saxony on the east , franconia on the south , westphalia on the west and north : the chief towns are , . dormestad . . marpurg , an university . . geysen . . dries . . frankenburg . . cassels . in this country is the vvederaw , containing the counties of nassaw , and hannaw , and the free city of friburg . in the county of nassaw are , . dillingbourg . . nassaw . . catzenelbagen . and . herborne , an university , where piscator , and alstedius were professors . denmark described . denmark contains the cimbrick chersoness , part of scandia , and the islands of the baltick sea : the chersoness is in length one hundred twenty miles , and in breadth fourscore , wherein are contained eight and twenty cities , and twenty royal castles , or palaces . the cheif provinces are , . holstein , whose chief cities are , nyemunster , and brumsted . . ditmars , whose chief cities are , meldory , where they cover their houses with copper , and mance . . sleswick , whose chief cities are , goterpe , and londen a haven town . . iuitland , whereof the chief towns are , rincopen , nicopen , hol , and arhausen . the islands are five and thirty , whereof the principal are , . senland , or zeland , in length threescore and four , in breadth two and fifty miles , containing seven strong castles , and about thirteen cities ; the chief being , . coppenhagen , an university . . elsennour on the sea side , where they that pass the sound pay their customes : this sound is in breadth three miles , and is commanded by the castles of elsenbourg , on scandia side , and cronburg in this island . . roschilt . the second island is fuinen . . bornholme . . fimera , wherein ticho brahe built his artificial tower , in which are rare mathematical instruments . that part of scandia which belongs to denmark , is divided into three provinces . . hallandia . . scania , in length threescore and twelve miles , in breadth eight and forty , the pleasantest , and fruitfullest country in all denmark , and having seas abounding with herrings . . blicker , where is colmar , a strong fortress against the swedes . the province of scania reaches up to sweden , and ju●land to holstein . the kingdome is elective , and the principal strength of it consists in good , and stately ships , not only for the defence of the islands , but of that most important passage of the sound , which is a streight separating scania from zeland , and is of huge advantage by reason of the infinite number of ships which pass through it into the baltick sea , and come from all the havens of that sea back into the ocean . the noble men are much inclined to the wars ; zealous for their rights and liberties , and make no alliance by marriage with the common people : they refuse ecclesiastical honours , as below their condition . the gentlemen are all equal , and as it were of one family , there being neither earl , nor baron ; only the officers of the crown , and counsellers of the kingdome have the preheminence . norway described . norway is bounded on the north with lapland , on the east with the do●rine mountains ; which part it from swethl●nd : on the other parts with the sea. it s in length one thousand and three hundred miles , in breadth not half so much . it s much troubled with certain little beasts called lemmers , about the bigness of a field-mouse , which , like locusts , devoure every green thing on the earth , and at a certain time die in heaps , and with their stench poison the air ; so that the people are long after troubled with the jaundies , and a giddinesse in the head : but these beasts come not often , the soil is barren , and the common people live on dryed fish in stead of bread . the chief commodities are stock-fish , butter , rich furrs , train oile , pitch , masts , cables , deal-boards , &c. towns here are few , and the houses are miserably poor : their cheif towns are , . nidrosia . . bergen , an ancient mart town . . asloia . . staffanger : on the north , and west of it , lieth finmark , a great and populous province , both of them are subject to denmark . the chief towns in finmark are , . saman . . hielso , both sea towns . . wardhouse , a place of much trading . swethland described . swethland hath on the east muscovy , on the west the dofrine hills , on the north the frozen seas , and on the south the baltick sea , which doth not ebb , and flow : this sea begins at the sound , and interlaceth denmark , swethland , germany , and poland , extending to livonia , and lituania . this countrey with the provinces of lapland , scricfinia , and barmia : is bigger than france , and italy joyned together . the soil is fruitful , the aire healthfull , so that many of the inhabitants live to one hundred and thirty , and some to one hundred and forty years old . it yeilds mines of lead , copper , and silver , buck-skines , goat-skines , oxen , tallow , tar , costly furrs , &c. the chief provinces are , . lapland , which is divided into two parts , whereof the eastern part belongs to the great duke of mosco , the western containing lapland , properly so called , and scricfinia , belong to swethland : they have store of rich furrs , but use not many , and are good archers . . bodia , lying on the south of scricfinia : the chief towns whereof are , . virtis . . vista . . helsinga . . finland , which hath the baltick sea on the south . it s a very fruitfull and populous countrey , containing one thousand four hundred thirty and three parishes , wherein are a thousand families , in some of them : the chief towns are . albo. . name , a strong place , &c. . sweden , which hath on the east sinus bodicus , on the west the dofrine hills , on the north lapland , and on the south gothland : for the most part it is a fruitful countrey : the chief cities are , . upsale . . nicopia , a sea town . . coperdole , famous for its abundance of brasse . . gothland , which is the best and richest province of the north : it s divided into the island , and the continent . the island of gothland is seated in the baltick sea , being in length eighteen miles , and but five broad : the chief town is wisbich . the continent of gothland joyns to denmark , and hath in it the great lake weret , which receiving into it twenty and four rivers , empties it self at one mouth , with such an hideous noise , that it is commonly called the devills head , the chief cities are , . stockholm . . lodusia . . walburg . . colmar , famous for its impregnable castle . sweden is the biggest of all the northern kingdomes , the regall city whereof is stockholm , a town with the suburbs of great distent : there are in it many huge mountains , rocks , and forrests , where are sometimes seen and hard , strange illusions and phancies , as likewise in the water , which are very terrible , both to men and horses that pass that way . the swedes are good souldiers both by sea and land , of a strong complexion , and fit to indure hardship , and labour : the nobility is very milde , and frank , loves learning , and languages , especially the latine , and french : they travel much abroad : are dextrous at exercises , and seek learned company : they heartily love one another out of their own country , hide the vices of their compatriots , and stand much for the honour of their nation . muscovy described . muscovy hath on the east tartary , on the west livonia , lituania , and part of sweden , on the north the frozen ocean , and on the south the caspian sea , and lake of meotis . it is in length from east to west , three thousand and three hundred miles , in breadth three thousand sixty and five . the women love their husbands best , that beat them most : they use the sclavonian language , and in their religion follow the greek churches : the northren parts are so cold , that the people do not only line their cloaths , but their houses with furrs : the chief commodities are rich furs , flax , hemp , oil , honey , wax , canvasses , nuts , &c. it hath many great rivers , as . tanais , which emptieth it self into palus meotis . . duina , running into the scythian seas . . boristhenes , or neiper , running into the euxine sea . . onega , running into the baltick sea . . volga , which at seventy mouths empties it self into the caspian sea . the chief provinces are , . novograd , having a city of the same name on the baltick sea , a place of great trading . . plescovia , whose chief town is plescow : it is in length three hundred and thirty miles , and one hundred and thirty in breadth . . volodomire , a fruitful country , where usually one bushel of corn returns twenty , and sometimes five and twenty : the chief town is of the same name . . rhezan , very plentiful in corn , hony , fish , fowl , &c. . severia , a great province upon the lake of maeotis . . smolensco , whose chief city is of the same name . . rescovy . . rostowia . . corelia . . permia , where are abundance of stags . . condora . . petzora . . the kingdome of casan , and citraham . . muscovia , whose chief city is mosco . the city of mosco described . mosco , the regal city in russia is almost round , and bigger it is than london , environed with three strong walls , circling the one within the other , and having many streets lying betwixt them . the inmost wall , and the buildings within it being fenced , and watered with the river moschua , that runneth close by it , is all accounted the emperors castle . the number of houses ( as they were formerly reckoned ) amounted to forty one thousand , and five hundred . the streets of this city , instead of paving are planked with great firr trees , planed , and laid even together , and very close the one to the other . the houses are of timber without lime , and stone , built very close and warm , of fir trees , which are fastened together with notches at each corner : and betwixt the timber they thrust in moss , to keep out the air , which makes them very warm : the greatest danger is their aptnesse to take fire , which being once kindled is hardly quenched , and hereby much hurt hath been done , and the city miserably defaced sundry times . the whole countrey of russia , in the winter lyeth under snow a yard , or two thick , but greater in the northern parts , from the beginning of november to the end of march : in which time the air is oft so sharp , that water thrown upward congeales into ice before it comes to the ground : if you hold a pewter dish in your hand , it will freeze so fast to it , as that it will pull off the skin at parting : divers in the markets are killed with the extremity of cold : travellers are brought into towns sitting dead , and stiff in their sleds : some loose their noses , some their ears , fingers , toes , &c. which are frozen off : and yet in the summer you shall see a new face on the countrey : the woods , which mostly are firr , and birch , so fresh and sweet , the pastures , and medows so green , and well grown : such variety of flowers : such melody of the birds , especially of nightingales , that you cannot travel in a more pleasant country : the summer is hotter than with us in england . for fruits , they have apples , pears , plums , cherries red , and black : deens like muskmelons , but more sweet and pleasant , cucumbers , gourds , straberries , hurtleberries , &c. wheat , rie , barley , oats , pease , &c. their cheif commodities are furrs of all sorts , as black foxes , sables , lufernes , dun foxes , martrons , gurnstales , or armines , minever , beaver , walverines , a great water rat , whose skin smels like musk : squirrels grey and red : foxes white , and red : as also wax , honey , tallow , hides of beeves , and buffs : train oile , caviare , hemp , flax , salt , tar , salt-peter , brimstone , iron : muscovy slate , fallow deer , roe-bucks , and goats great store : for fowl , they have eagles , hawks of all kinds , swans tame and wild , storks ; cranes , fesants , white partridges , &c. for fresh water fish , they have carp , pike , pearch , tench , roach : as also bellouga of four or five ells long , sturgion , severiga , sterledy , which four sorts breed in volga , and of all their roes they make caviare , &c. the streets in their cities and towns instead of paving , are planked with firr trees planed , and laid even together . their chief cities are , mosco , novograd , rostove , volodomire , plesco , smolensco , jaruslave , perislave , nisnovograd , vologda , ustiuck , colmigroe , casan , astracan , cargapolia , and columna . it s governed by an emperour , or great duke ▪ with most absolute authority ( after the manner of the eastern countries ) though it lye very near the north. the muscovites follow the greek religion , under a patriarch , though yet it bee mingled with very many superstitions , which are not like to bee amended , because the great duke suffers none of his subjects to travel , and see other countries . they are much tormented by the turks , and tartars . they have waged great wars with the poles , and swedes , but with many losses . a description of the state and magnificence of the emperour of russia . sir thomas smith being sent ambassador from king james to boris , emperour of russia , anno christi . one of his company thus relates their entertainment . when ( saith hee ) wee entr●d the presence , wee beheld the excellent majesty of a mighty emperour , seated in a chair of gold , richly embroidered with persian stuffe : in his right hand hee held a golden scepter , had a crown of pure gold upon his head , a coller of rich stones , and pearles about his neck , his outward garments of crimson velvet , embroidered very fair with pearles , precious stones , and gold : on his right●hand stood a very fair globe of beaten gold , or a pyramis with a cross on it : nigh that stood a fair bason and ewre , which the emperour used daily . close by him on another throne sate the prince , in an outward garment like his fathers , but not so rich , with an high black fox cap on his head , worth there five hundred pound , having a golden staffe in his hand . on the emperours right hand stood two gallant noble men in cloath of silver , high black fox caps , with great long gold chains hanging to their feet , with poleaxes of gold on their shoulders ; and on the left hand of the prince stood two other such , but their poleaxes were of silver : round about on benches sate the council , and nobility in golden and persian coats , and high black fox caps to the number of two hundred , the ground being covered with cloath of arras . after dinner ( saith hee again ) wee were led to have audience through many chambers to a very fair and rich room , where was infinite store of massie plate of all sorts , where wee again viewed the emperour , and prince seated under two chairs of state , each having a scul of pearl upon their heads . in the midst of the room stood a great pillar , round about which for a great height stood wonderful great peeces of plate very curiously wrought , with beasts , fishes , and fowles , besides other ordinary peeces of serviceable plate . the emperour at dinner was served in rare dishes of silver , but most of massie gold , &c. sic transit gloria mundi . pur. pil. v. . p. . the permians , and samoeds described . the permians lie north from russia , and are now subject to the emperor thereof : they have broad , and flat faces like the tartars , from whom probably they had their original : they live by hunting , and trading with their furrs . the samoeds live more towards the north sea ; they are very brutish , eating all manner of raw flesh , even to the very carrion that lyeth in the ditch : they are also subject to the russees : they acknowledge one god , but represent him by such creatures as they have most good by , and therefore they worship the sun , the ollen , the losh , &c. they are clad in seals-skins with the hairy side outward , that reaches as low as the knees ; with their breeches and stockings of the same , both men , and women ; they are all black-haired , and beardlesse : the women are known from the men by a lock of hair hanging down by their ears : they are ever roving about from one place of the country to another , without property either of house , or land : their leader in every company is a priest. lapland described . on the north of russia next to corelia , lyeth lappia , about three hundred forty and five miles in length , in breadth fourscore and ten . the whole country almost is either lakes or mountains : those on the outside are barren craggie rocks : but in the inland they are well furnished with woods , the lakes being in the vallies : their diet is very mean ; bread they have none , but feed only upon fish , and fowle : they are subjects , part to russia , part to sweden , and the other part to denmark , which all exact tribute of them : but the emperor of russia the most . they are wholly unlearned , not having so much as the use of the alphabet amongst them : they pass all nations in witch-craft , and sorcery : their weapons are long-bows , and hand-guns wherein they are very nimble , and excellent marks-men through their continual practise in shooting at wilde fowle : for our english cloath they give fish , oil , and furs , whereof they have store : when their fishing is done , they draw their boats to shore , turning the keel upwards , and so let them lye till the next spring-tyde : they travel upon sleds drawn by olen-deer , which they use to turn a grazing all the summer time in an island called kilden , and towards winter , when the snow begins to fall , they fetch them home for their use . anno christi . vvilliam purseglove , a servant to our english muscovy company , makes this relation of his travels in these countries : wee travelled ( saith hee ) in sleds , each of them drawn by two rain deer , the snow was so hard frozen , that it did bear sleds and deer . two hundred and fifty sleds were in this argeshey , or company , with whom wee travelled some dayes : then chusing the best bucks ; i , with seven sleds more , rid post , only staying now , and then for an hour , where the samoed , our guide , knew that there was store of white moss , wherewith to refresh our deer , so that in eight and forty hours space wee rode three hundred and fifty miles . these samoeds , by their frequent travel , know the wayes , though the weather bee thick , and foggy , as also where store of white moss grows : at which places , if it bee night they pitch their tents made of deer , or elks-skins , which work is done by the women ; and in the mean time the men unyoak the deer , and turn them loose to dig through the snow , though it bee very deep , to seek for their food and sustenance . pur. pil. v. . p. . when a rich samoed dies , because hee should not travel on foot , his friends will kill three deer to carry him into the new world , they will also strangle a slave to attend on him . if a young child dye under seven years old , they use to hang it by the neck on some tree , saying , it must flye to heaven . the women are very hardy , and at their labour the husband plaies the midwife ; as soon as the child is born , they wash it with cold , or snow-water , and the next day the woman will bee able to conduct her argish of sleds . the men are stout , and bold of spirit , not very tall , but broad breasted , broad faced , with hollow eyes : their weapons are bows , and arrows , long spears , and short swords . poland described . this country is plain , and wooddie , the air so cold , that they have no wine , or grapes , but use ale in stead thereof . it so abounds with corn , that it sends much abroad into other countries : they have also great store of cattel . they use the sclavonian language , yet are much addicted to the latine tongue : they are generally proud , impatient , delicious in diet , and costly in attire : they are of all religions . the chief rivers are , . vistula , which parts it from hungary . . neister , which parts it from moldovia . . neiper , &c. but to speak more particularly of the provinces , which are , . livonia , which is bounded on the east with muscovy , on the west with the baltick sea , on the north with finland , and on the south with lituania . it s in length five hundred miles , in breadth one hundred and threescore , very mountainous , and fenny ; yet yeelds plenty of corn. the chief cities are , . riga . . derpt . a town of much traffick . . rivalia , a strong place . . name , another strong fortress : other chief countries in it are , . curland . . senugal . . estland . . virland . . harland . . geroenland . . lituania , which hath livonia on the south : podolia on the north : poland on the east : and muscovie on the west : the chief cities are , . vilna , an university . . vilkomire . . brestia . the air is sharp , and the country barren , yet are there many beasts , whose skins are good commodities . . volinia , environed with lituania , podolia , and russia ; it is a small woody province : the chief cities are kiovia , and circassia , on the banks of the river nieper . . samogitia , whose chief town is camia . it joyneth to livonia on the north , and the baltick sea on the west . it s full of wood , and yeilds great store of honey . . podolia , which hath lituania on the north , neister on the south , russia east , and poland vvest . the ground is so fertile , that of one sowing they have three harvests : the chief cities are , . camienza ; seated on high rocks . . orkzacow . . winieczia . . russia nigra , having on the east podolia , on the west and north poland , and on the south hungary : the chief towns are , . leopolis , or lembourg . . grodeck . . luckzo . a fruitfull countrey , having store of horses and cattel . . mazovia , which is environed with russia , prussia , lituania , and poland : the chief city is marzow . . spruce , prussia , or borussia , is upon the baltick sea : that part of it which belongs to poland is called prussia regal : the chief cities whereof are , . dantzick , a famous mart town ▪ . koningsberg ; an university . . heilsperg . . maneburg , or marpurg , . angenberg . . clune . . podlossia , which hath lituania , and mazovia on the east and west : the chief towns are , . tycockzin , a strong for t . . byesko . . knissin . . the dukedomes of opswitz , and zator , which have the chief towns of the same names ; they are in silesia , but under the king of poland . . poland properly so called , which hath lituania on the east , germany on the west , mazovia on the north , and podolia on the south : the chief cities are , . cracovia , on the bank of vistula . . lublin . . guisna . . siradia . . sendomire . . minsko . . posna . . dobrinia . . vlatislavia . poland takes her name from the great fields , which produce a huge quantity of corn , there are in it many fens , lakes , and very great forrests , where , in the trunks of trees is often found great store of hony , whereof they make a certain drink ( chiefly in lituania ) which is most delicate , and yeilds not a whit in goodnesse to spanish wine : there winter is very long , and sharp , against the rigour whereof they serve themselves of stoves , and good furred gowns : the nobility is very studious of warre , and desirous of travel , and of an humor much like that of the french : they express their gallantry in the beauty of their cloaths , weapons , and horses : in the sumptuousness of feasts , weddings , funeralls , christenings , and in numerous traines of servants , when they go a wooing . the most eminent dignities amongst them , are to be senators , whom they call waiwodes , chattellans , and starosts , or captains . of poland it is said , that if a man hath lost his religion , let him go seek it in poland , and he shall find it there , or else let him make account that its vanished out of the world . europae spec . hungary described . the soil is wonderfull fruitful , yeilding corn thrice a year , the grass in some places exceeds the height of a man , which feeds a wonderfull number of cattel : besides which , they have deer , partridg , and pheasant in such abundance , that any man may kill them : they have also mines of gold , silver , and copper , fish , wine , &c. the chief rivers are , . danubius , called also ister . . savus . . dravus . . tibiscus , which exceedingly abounds with fish. the turk hath these chief cities in hungary , . buda , on the danow . . gyula , on the confines of transylvania . . pest. . alba regalis . . quinque eccl●siae . . rab. the emperor hath in his part . . presburg upon the edg of austria . . strigonium , or gran. . agraria . . comara . . toctax . . canista . . alkeinburg . . neheusel . . zigeth on the dravus . dacia described . this countrey is sufficiently fruitful , and abounds with horses , whose manes reach to the ground : but to speak of the provinces more particularly , which are , . transylvania , which hath on its north the carpathean mountains , on the south walachia , on the west hungary , and on the east moldovia . the chief towns are , . alba julia , or weisenburg . . claudiopolis , or clausenburg . . bristitia . . centum colles . . fogaros . . stephanopolis , &c. their present prince is rogotzi , a protestant . . moldovia , is on the north end of transylvania , and extending to the euxine sea : the chief cities are , . zucchania . . fucchiana , . falezing . . walachia , divided from bulgary by the danow : the chief cities are , . sabinium . . prailaba . . tergovista , the vayvodes seat . it abounds with gold , silver , iron , saltpits , wine , cattel , horses , brimstone , &c. . servia , which lyeth between bosnia , and rascia : the chief cities are , . stoinburg , the seat of the despot . . samandria . . belgrade , on the danow . . rascia between servia , and bulgary : the chief city is boden . . bulgary , joyning on the east to the ●uxine sea : on the west to rascia : the chief cities are , . sophia , the seat of the beglerbeg of greece . . nicopolis . . bosnia , having servia on the east , croatia on the vvest , savus on the south , and illiricum on the north : the chief cities are , . cazachium , . jaziga . sclavonia described . sclavonia , is more fit for pasturage than for corn : their sheep , and other cattle bring forth young twice in a year , and are shorn four times : the provinces are , illiricum , or windismarch , which is bounded on the east with the danow , on the west with carniola , on the north with dravus , and on the south with savus : the chief cities are , . zatha on danubius . . zakaocz . vvindishgretz on dravus . . sagouna . it s now a member of hungary . dalmatia which hath on the east drinus , on the west croatia , on the north savus , and on the south the adriatique sea : the chief cities are , . ragusi , a sea town , and of great traffick . . sicum , on the sea also . . jadara , another sea town . . spalato , a sea town . . scodra , or scutary . . lyssa , where scanderbeg was buried : these two last are under the turks , the other under the venetians . croatia , which hath on the east and south dalmatia , on the north savus , and on the west istria , and carniola : the chief cities are , . gradiska , situate on savus . . bruman . . novigrade , on the savus neer germany . . sisseg , or sissaken . . petrowya . these people are usually called crabbats , and serve as mercenaries in the emperors armies . greece described . greece is bounded on the east with the aegean sea , the hellespont , propontis , and the thracian bosphorus . on the west it hath italy , with the adriatick sea , on the north with the mountain hemus , and on the south with the jonian sea . it s situate in the northern temperate zone under the fifth and sixth climates , the longest day being about fifteen hours . the people once were famous for armes , and arts , which made them account all others barbarians : now they are degenerated from the prinstine vertue of their ancesters , and are become unconstant , ignorant , riotous , and idle : at their feasts they drink till they come to the height of intemperancy ; hence grew our proverb ; as merrie as greeks . the women are generally brown , yet well-favoured , and excessively amorous : they use much painting to keep themselves in favour with their husbands , who when they are wrinkled , and old , put them to all drudgery . their church government was by four patriarks . . of alexandria . . of hierusalem . . of antioch . . of constantinople . their language was greek , of which they had five dialects . . the attick . . the dorick . . the aeolick . . the jonick . . the common dialect ; but now it is almost devoured by the sclavonian or turkish tongue . the soil is fruitfull , and would yeild good profit if it were well husbanded : but the natives having nothing that they can call their own , in regard of their slavery to the great turk , neglect husbandry . the commodities that they send abroad into other countries are wine , oil , copper , vitreal , velvets , damasks , grogreams , &c. and some gold , and silver . the chief rivers are cephisus , which rising in the frontiers of epirus , emptieth it self into the aegean sea , erigon , alaicmon , strimon , athicus , stymphalus , ladon , inacus , pineus , populifer , &c. greece is ordinarily divided into these seven parts , . peloponesus . . achaia . . epirus . . albania . . macedonia . . migdonia . ▪ and thracia . peloponesus described . peloponesus , is a peninsula almost surrounded with the sea , only it is joyned to the firm land by an istmus five miles broad , which was fortified by a strong wall , and five castles called hexamilium , which reached from sea to sea : it is in compasse six hundred miles , and it is now called morea , and is divided into six provinces , , elis. . messina . . arcadia . . laconia . . argolis . and . achaia propria . . elis which hath on the east arcadia , on the west the jonian sea , on the north achaia propria , and on the south messina : the chief cities are , argis , nigh unto the river alpheus . it was formerly called olimpia , famous for the statue of jupiter olimpicus , which was one of the worlds wonders . and pisa. . messina , which hath on the east arcadia , on the north elis , on the west and south the sea : the chief cities are , . messina , now golpho di coron . . pilon , now navarino . . and methone , or medon . . arcadia , which hath on the east laconia , on the vvest elis , and messina , on the north achaia propria , and on the south the sea . the chief cities are , . psophis . . mantinia . . megalopolis . and . phialia : here was the lake stymphalus , and the river styx , whose water for the ill tast was called the water of hell ; this countrey was fit for pasturage and grazing . . laconia , which is bounded on the east and south with the sea , on the north with argolis , and on the west with arcadia : the chief cities are , . lacedaemon , once a most flourishing commonwealth . . leuctra , on the sea side . . thalana , nigh unto the lake lerna , and mount tenarus , and . selassia . . argolis , which is bounded on the east and north with the sea , on the vvest with achaia propria , and on the south with laconia : the chief cities are , . argos . . micene . . nemaea . . epidaurus , and . nauplia . . achaia propria , which hath on the south elis , arcadia , and argolis , on all other parts the sea . the chief cities are , . corinth , at the foot of the acro-corinthian hills , neer to the fountain pyrene : this city was formerly strengthened with a castle , which standing on the said hills , was called acro-corinthus , and was impregnable . here lived lais , that famous strumpet that exacted ten thousand drachmas for a nights lodging . it s now called crato , and is a place of small note . . patras . . scycion , now vasilico ; and . dimea . the country of achaia described . achaia is bounded on the east with the aegean sea : on the west with epirus : on the north with thessaly : and on the south with peloponesus , and the sea thereof . it s divided into seven provinces . . attica . . megaris . . boeotia . . phocis . . aetolia . . doris ; and . locris . . attica , which hath on the west megaris ; and on all other parts the sea : the soil is barren , yet by the industry of the inhabitants was made fruitful : their current mony was stamped with an oxe , whence grew that saying of corrupt lawyers , bos in lingua . the chief cities are , . athens , once famous all the world over . . marathron , where m●ltiades overthrew the huge army of darius . . piraea , the haven town to athens ; and . panormus . . maegaris , which hath on the east attica : on the west sinus corinthiacus : on the north boeotia ; and on the south the istmus . the chief cities are , . megara , now megra : and . eleusis . . boeotia , which is bounded on the east with attica : on the west with phocis : on the north with the river cephisus : and on the south with megaris , and the sea. the chief cities are , . thebes on the river cephisus . . daulis . . platea . . leuctra , where epaminondas gave that great overthrow to the lacedemonians . . ascra , the birth-place of hesiod . . cheronea ; the birth-place of plutarch . . orchomenon . in this country are the streights of thermopylae , where leonidas with three hundred spartans slew twenty thousand of xerxes his army , and were themselves all slain . . phocis , which hath on the east boeotia : on the west locris , and doris : on the north the rivers cephisus ; and on the south sinus corinthiacus : here is mount helicon , consecrated to the muses : mount citheron , and pernassus , whose two-fold top kissed the clouds . the cheif cities are , . cyrra . . crissa . . anticyra on the sea side , where grew eloborum , that cured the phrensie . . elladia . . pytho ; or pythia seated in the heart of greece . here the amphictyons kept their court. they were men selected out of the twelve principal cities in greece , and had power to decide all controversies , and to enact lawes for the common good . . delphos , where was the temple of apollo , the most famous oracle of the heathens . . locris , which hath on the east aetolia : on the north doris : and on the other parts the sea. the chief cities are , . naupactum , now called lepanto , where was that famous battel between the turks , and christians . . ematia . . aetolia , which is bounded on the east with locris : on the west with epirus : on the north with doris : and on the south with the gulph of lepanto : here is the forrest of caledon , where meleager slew the wild boar ; and the rivers evenus , and achilous . the chief cities are , . chalcis . . olenus . . plurona ; and . thirmum . . doris , which hath on the east boeota : on the west epirus : on the south the sea ; and on the north the hill oeta : the chief cities are , . amphissa . . libra . and . citinum . epirus described . epirus , is bounded on the east with achaia ; on the north with macedonia ; and on the other parts with the sea : here is the mount pindus , sacred to apollo , and the muses ; and the acroceraunian hills : here are also the rivers acheron , and cocytus ▪ for their colour , and taste , called the rivers of hell. the eastern part of this country is called acarnania ; the western chaonia : the chief cities are , . antigonia . . cassiope . . toronia . these in the western part , and in the other , . nicopolis . . ambracia : now larta . . leucas . . anactorium ; and . actium , nigh to the sea of lepanto , where augustus , and anthony fought for the empire of the world . this country was once called molossia . here that famous scanderbeg was king ; as also of albania . albania described . albania , hath on the east macedonia ; on the west the adriatick sea : on the north sclavonia ; and on the south epirus . the chief cities are , . albanopolis . . sfetigrade . . durazzo , formerly called dyrachium . . croya , under whose walls amurath lost his life . macedonia described . macedonia , hath on the east migdonia : on the west albania : on the north misia superior ; and on the south epirus , and achaia : the chief cities are , . scydra , or scodra . . andaristus . . aedessa . . eribaea . . pidna upon the mouth of the river alaicmon . . pella on the same shore , and . syderocaspae , famous for her gold and silver mines . thessaly described . on the southern part of macedonia , is thessalia planted . it s a fruitful and pleasant country : here is the hill olympus , upon which were the olympick games , as running with chariots , and on foot , wrestling , fighting with whirlebats , &c. the reward of the conquerors was only a garland of palm ; and yet highly esteemed by them : here also are the hills , pelion , and ossa , and betwixt olympus , and ossa was that delectable valley called tempe , five miles long , and six broad ; so beautified with natures riches , that it was accounted the garden of the muses . the chief cities are , . tricca . . lamia . . demetrias . . larissa , both upon the pelasgick bay. . pharsalis , nigh unto which was that great battel fought between caesar , and pompey for the monarchie of the world . and . pherae . migdonia described . migdonia , is bounded on the east , and south , with the aegean sea ; on the west with macedonia ; and on the north with thracia : here is the hill athos , which is threescore and fifteen miles in compass ; three dayes journey in height , and casts a shadow as far as lemnos , which is forty miles off . the chief cities are , . stagira . aristotles birth-place . . apollonia . . pallene . . neapolis , on the borders of thrace . . antigonia ; and . thessalonica , now salonichi , seated on the sea , to the church whereof st. paul wrote two of his epistles . thrace described . thrace hath on the east pontus euxinus , propontis , and hellespont : on the vvest macedonia : on the north the hill haemus , and on the south the aegean sea : the inhabitants are bold , and valiant : the earth ripens corn slowly , because of the cold : the vines yeeld more shade than juice , and the trees more leaves than fruit . the chief towns are , . sestos on the hellespont , over against abidos in asia , famous for the love of hero , and leander . . abdera , the birth-place of democritus , who spent his life in laughing at others . . potidaea . . cardia , seated on the thracian chersonese over against troas on asia side . it s now called st. georges arme. . lysimachia , on the sea shore . . callipolis , on the northern promontory of the chersonese , which was the first town that ever the turks took in europe , which was anno christi . . trianopolis . . adrianople . the first seat of the grand signiors in europe . . pera , formerly galata ; and . constantinople , formerly bizantium . the city of constantinople described . constantinople , was built by constantine the great ; it stands on a cape of land , near the entrance of the bosphorus : it s in form triangular : on the east side washed with the sea ; on the north with the haven : and the west side joynes to the continent . it s walled with brick , and stone intermixed orderly , having twenty four gates , and posterns : it s about thirteen miles in circumference . the world hardly affords a more delicate object , if beheld from the sea , or adjoyning mountains . the lofty , and beautiful cypresse-trees are so intermixed with the buildings , that it seems to present a city in a wood to the pleased beholders . it s built on seven hills , whose aspiring heads are crowned with magnificent mosques , or churches , all of white marble , round in form ; and coupled above ; being finished on the top with guilded spires , that reflect the sun-beams with a marvellous splendor : some having two ; some four , and some six adjoyning turrets , exceeding high , and slender : tarrast aloft on the outside , like the main top of a ship , in several places equally distant , whence their priests with elated voices ( for they use no bells ) call the people together to their mahometan service . when constantine first built this city , hee enclosed it with a wall , that for length , fairness , and thickness , was one of the famousest in the world , every stone being cemented together with brass couplets , that the whole wall seemed to bee but one stone : hee erected also many high towers , built many sumptuous temples , and adorned it with infinit more magnificent buildings , both publick , and private : commanding also by publick edict all princes of the empire , that each of them should build a palace or some other sumptuous , and splendid monument there : hee also brought from rome divers memorable antiquities , as the palladium of troy : the high pillar of porsido , which hee caused to bee erected in a fit place , by which hee set apollo's brazen image of an unmeasurable bigness , having his own name ingraven thereon : amongst other glorious buildings was the proud palace of the publick library , wherein were one hundred and twenty thousand choice written books : in the midst whereof were the guts of a dragon , above one hundred and twenty foot long , on which homers iliads were written in letters of gold : in diverse other parts of the city were very rare things , as the nymphs grove : the market-place of mettal : the famous images of juno , minerva , venus , &c. with infinite other varieties : so that strangers which saw it , being full of admiration were astonished at the beauty of it , judging it a dwelling meet for the gods , rather than an habitation for earthly emperours . but now time , with her iron teeth , and the many changes which have happened , have quite altered the face of constantinople : so that now upon the hill , whereon the imperial palace once stood , there are kept elephants , panthers , and other wild beasts in the ruines of it . on the second hill whereon stood the palace of the patriarches , in which were buried in chests of fine marble , most of the christian emperors , a mosque is now erected . upon the third hill is the sepulchre of the great mahomet , that won the city , of a marvellous greatness , and magnificence , surrounded with one hundred houses covered with lead , made to receive strangers of any nation , where themselves , servants , and horses , may remain three dayes on free cost : sultan mahomet leaving two hundred thousand ducats revenue per annum , to maintain the same . the fourth hill hath on it the church , and sepulchre of sultan selim in the same form , and order as the other . the fifth hath the church and sepulchre of bajazet , with a great and spacious piazza about it . the sixth hath the church and sepulchre of solyman the magnificent , which in greatness , workmanship , marble pillars , and riches more than kingly , passeth all the rest , and deserves to bee matched with the seven wonders of the world : the seventh contained the sumptuous temple of sancta sophia , which deserves a particular description by it self . the temple of sancta sophia described . the temple of sancta sophia standing upon one of these hills , exceeds not only all the rest , but all the most stately fabricks in the world : the principal part thereof riseth in an ovall , surrounded with pillars admirable for their matter , proportion , and workmanship : over those are others , through which ample galleries curiously paved , and arched above , have their prospect into the temple : the roof is compact , and adorned with mosaick painting ; which is composed of little square peices of marble , gilded , and coloured according to the place they are to assume in the figure or ground , which set together , as if imbossed , present an unexpressible statelinesse , and are of marvellous durance . the sides , and floor of the whole church are laid with excellent marble : it is vaulted underneath , containing large cisternes which are replenished with water from an aquaeduct : within on the left hand is a pillar covered with copper , which ever sweats : the doors are curiously cut through , and plated . it was from east to west two hundred and sixty foot long , and in height one hundred and fourscore ; and hath contained at once , six and thirty thousand turks . in the middest of it there are pillars of gold and silver , huge candlesticks , lanthornes , lamps , and other ornaments of gold and silver , whereof the worth is inestimable . it had in it one hundred gates , and was above a mile in compass . the turks seraglio described . in the extreamest north-east angle of constantinople , standeth the great turks seraglio or palace , compassed with a lofty wall three miles in compasse , comprehending goodly groves of cypresse-trees , intermixed with plaines , delicate gardens , artificial fountains , variety of fruit-trees , and what not rare ? luxury being the steward , and the treasury inexhaustible . the proud palace of the tyrant opens to the south , having a lofty gate-house , engraven with arabick characters , set forth with gold , and azure , all of white marble : this gate leadeth into a stately court three hundred yards long , and about one hundred and fifty wide ; at the farther end whereof is another gate hung with shields , and cymiters ; this leads into a second court full of tall cypresse-trees , being not much lesse than the former . it is cloistered round about , covered with lead , handsomely paved , and supported with columns of marble , which have chapiters , and bases of copper . on the left hand is the divano kept , where the bassa's of the court do administer justice : beyond this court on the right hand is a street of kitchins , and on the left stalles large enough for five hundred horses . out of the second court is an entrance into the third , surrounded with the royal buildings , large , curious , and costly . without on the north side stands the sultan's cabinet , in form of a sumptuous summer-house , where hee of ten olaceth himself with variety of objects , and from whence taking barge hee passeth to the delightfull places of the adjoyning asia . in the seraglio also , are many stately rooms appropriated to the season of the year , which are called rooms of fair prospect , into which the sultan goeth sometimes alone , but more usually with his concubines for his recreation . within a fine little court adorned with very many delicate fountains is the chamber wherein hee gives audience to ambassadors , &c. one part whereof is spread with very sumptuous carpets of gold , and crimson velvet , embroydered with very costly pearls , upon which the grand signeur sitteth : the walls of the room are covered with fine white stones , having divers sorts of leaves , and artificial flowers curiously wrought upon them , which make a glorious shew . a little room adjoyns to it , the whole inside whereof is covered with silver plate , hatched with gold , the floor being spread with rich persian carpets of silk , and gold . there are belonging to the sultan's lodgings very fair gardens , of all sorts of flowers , and fruits , that can bee found in those parts ; with many very pleasant walks , enclosed with high cypresse-trees on both sides , and fountains in such abundance , that almost in every walk there are some of them . besides the former rooms ( which are very many ) for the sultan's own use , there are also the womens lodgings , wherein the queen , the sultanaes , and all the kings women do dwell , and they have in them bed-chambers , dining rooms , with-drawing rooms , and all other kinds of rooms necessary for women . in another place there are divers rooms , and lodgings for all the principal , and inferiour officers so well furnished , that nothing is wanting that is fit , and necessary . amongst which are two large buildings , one his wardrob , the other his treasury , with very thick walls , iron windows , and iron doors . in the seraglio are rooms for prayer , bagnoes , schools , butteries , kitchins , stillatories , swimming places , places to run horses in , wrestling places , butts to shoot at , and all the commodities that may adorn a prince's court. there is also an hospital for such as fall sick in the seraglio , in which there are all things necessary for diseased persons : and another large place wherein is kept timber , carts , &c. to have them neer hand for the use , and service of the seraglio . over the stables there is a row of rooms , wherein is kept all the furniture for the horses , which is of an extraordinary value ; for the bridles , petorals , and cruppers , are set so thick with jewels of divers sorts , that they cause admiration in the beholders , and exceed imagination . the grand signior's bed-chamber hath the walls covered with stones of the finest china mettal , spotted with flowers of divers colours , which make a very dainty shew : the antiportaes were of cloath of gold of bursia , and their borders of crimson velvet , embroidered with gold , and pearls : the posts of his bedstead were of silver , hollow , and instead of knobs on the tops , there were lyons of crystall ; the canopy over it was of cloth of gold , and so were the bolsters , and matteresses : the floor was covered with very costly persian carpets of silk , and gold , and the pallats to sit on , and cushions were of very rich cloth of gold . in the hall adjoyning is a very great lanthorn round , and the bars of silver , and gilt , set very thick with rubies , emeralds , and turkesses ; the panes were of very fine crystal , which made a very resplendent shew . there was also a bason , and ewre , to wash in , of massie gold , set with rubies , and turkesses . in constantinople is a piazza , in which is raised upon four dice of fine mettal , a very fair pyramid of mingled stone all of one peice , fifty cubits high , carved with heroical letters , resembling the agulia of rome , in whose top were the enclosed ashes of julius caesar : in the same piazzo also is a great pillar of brasse , made with marvellous art , in form of three serpents wreathed together with their mouths upward . there are in constantinople eighteen thousand mosques , great and small : in the chief place of it are two burses , built four square , high , and round at top , each having four gates opening upon four streets , round about garnished with shops , stuffed with all sorts of rich , and costly wares of inestimable value , as precious stones , pearls , sables , and other rich furs of all sorts ; silk , and cloath of gold : bows , arrows , bucklers , and swords : here also they fell christian slaves of all ages , as wee sell horses , the buyers looking them in the eyes , mouth , and all other parts , which is done every forenoon , except fridayes , which is their sabbath . the bassa's also in sundry places have built fair houses , encompassed with high walls , which outwardly have no beauty : but inwardly full of all riches ▪ and pleasure , the world can afford : for they use to say , that they build not to please passers by , but for their own commodity . the turkish empire described . the grand signior , who hath his seat in the stately , and imperiall city of constantinople , hath under his command , the chiefest , and most fruitful parts of the three first known parts of the world . in europe he hath all the sea coasts , from the confines of epidaurus ( the utmost bound of his empire in europe westward ) unto the mouth of the river tanais , now called don , with whatsoever lyes from buda in hungary , to the imperial city of constantinople : in which space is comprehended the greater part of hungary , all bosna , servia , bulgaria , with a great part of dalmatia , epirus , macedonia , grecia , peloponesus , thracia , the archipelago , with the rich islands contained therein . in affrica he possesseth from the river mulvia ( the bounder of the kingdom of fesse , to the arabian gulph , or red-sea eastward , except some sea-towns held by the king of spain , and from alexandria northward , unto the city of asna southward : in which space are contained the famous kingdomes of tremizen , algiers , tunes , and egypt , with divers other great cities , and provinces . in asia all is his from the hellespont westward , unto the great city of tauris eastward : and from derbent neer unto the caspian sea northward , unto aden upon the arabian gulph southward . the greatnesse of his empire may bee the better conceived by the greatnesse of some of the parts of it : the meer of meotis ( which is all at his command ) being in compasse one thousand miles : and the euxine , or black-sea , which is in circuit two thousand seven hundred miles , and the mediterranean coast which is subject to him , contains in compasse about eight thousand miles . the like distance is from derbent to aden : and from balsara upon the persian gulph , unto tremisen in barbary , are neer four thousand miles . hee hath also in the mediterranean sea , the noble isles of cyprus , euboea , rhodes , samos , chios , lesbos , &c. in this so large , and spatious an empire , are contained many great countries , sometimes famous kingdomes , abounding with all sorts of temporal blessings , and natures store ; for what kingdome is more fruitful than egypt , syria , and a great part of asia ? what countrey more abounding with all good things , than was sometimes hungary , grecia , and thracia ? in these countries hee hath also many rich and famous cities , but especially four , which bee of greatest wealth , and trade , viz. constantinople , grand-caire , aleppo , and tauris . constantinople , for multitude of inhabitants , exceeds all the cities in europe , wherein are reckoned to bee above seven hundred thousand men . aleppo is the greatest city of syria , and the centre whereunto all the merchandize of asia is brought . tauris , of late the royal seat of the persian kings , hath in it above two hundred thousand men . grand-caire amongst all the cities in africk , is the chiefest , being the store-house , not only of the riches of egypt , but of much of africk and india . for his ordinary revenews they are not estimated to exceed eight millions of gold , but his extraordinary escheates are very considerable , as his confiscations , forfeitures , fines , amerciaments , tributes , customes , tenths of all prizes taken by sea , or land , &c. which far exceed his standing revenew : his bassa's , and great officers , sucking out the blood of his poor subjects , and heaping up inestimable treasures , which usually falls to the grand signiors coffers . his presents also amount to a great value : for no ambassadour can come before him without great gifts : none can get offices , or preferments without money : none may return to him from their provinces , or expeditions , empty-handed : in brief , its easy for so great a tyrant to pick a quarrel with any rich man , and so to take away his life , and seize upon his estate be it never so much . the strength of his empire consists especially in these four things . in his timariots , which are horsemen , to whom hee hath given lands for their life , upon condition of serving him upon all occasions with men and horses : by these , as with a bridle , hee keeps all the rest of his subjects in his vast empire in awe : for they can no sooner move , but they shall have these timariots , as falcons in their necks , for to that purpose they are dispersed all over his dominions : and again , out of them hee is always able to draw into the field one hundred and fifty thousand horse-men well armed , without a farthing charge , to go whither soever hee shall command them . the whole number of them is accounted to bee seven hundred and ninety thousand fighting men : whereof two hundred fifty seven thousand dwell in europe , the other four hundred sixty and two thousand in asia , and affrica . secondly , in his spahi , ulufagi , and carapici of his court , which are another sort of horse-men , to whom hee gives pay , being indeed the seminaries of the great officers , and governours of his empire , for from amongst them , hee chooseth his sanzacks , or captaines , whom for their good deserts , he raiseth to be begs , begler-begs , visiers , and bassaes. thirdly , besides these , hee hath other horse-men , called acanzii , which for some priviledges are bound to serve ▪ they are of the peasants whom hee much esteems not , only they serve to blunt his enemies swords . fourthly , in his footmen , and janisaries , which are born of christian parents in europe , and taken from them when they are young , and in whom there appeareth the greatest strength , activity , and courage : they are bred up to hard labour and pains , and after a certain time are taken into the cloisters of the aiamoglans ( for so they are called , till they bee admitted into the number of janisaries ) and there delivered to governours , who keep them still exercised to painful labour , using them hardly in apparrel , diet , and lodging : there they learn to shoot in bows , and guns , the use of the scimiter , and feats of activity , and when they are expert therein , they are admitted into the number of janisaries , or spahi . now for his strength by sea , hee hath as great means to set forth a fleet as any prince whatsoever , the overgrown woods of epirus , and cilicia , with those of nicomedia , and trapezund , yeild him abundance of timber for ships , and gallies : neither can he want shipwrights and carpenters for the framing of them , his large pay drawing many , even from amongst the christians into his arsenals at constantinople , synope , callipolis , &c. neither hath hee ever wanted good store of expert sea-men : for besides those which hee hath in the forenamed places , out of his gallies , which hee hath at lesbos , chios , rhodes , cyprus , and alexandria , and from the pyrates which frequent his havens of tunis , bugia , tripolis , and algeirs , hee can as need requires , chuse captains , marriners , , and rowers , sufficient for the storing , and managing of his fleet. notwithstanding all which , this vast empire is much declined of late : their late emperors much degenerating from their warlike progenitors , their souldiers generally addicting themselves to unwonted pleasures , their ancient discipline of warre being neglected : their religion , or superstition rather , not with so much zeal , as of old , regarded , and rebellions in diverse parts of the empire , of late strangely raised , and mightily supported , being all signs of a declining state . see knolles his discourse hereof . america described . anno christi . christopher columbus , born at ner●i in the country of genoa , being a man of projecting wit , excellently skilled in astronomy , and navigation , strongly conceited that some lands must needs lye in the portion of the circle ▪ which should make up the world into a globe ; considering also the motion of the sun , hee perswaded himself that there was another world , to which the sun imparted his light , when hee went out of our horison . this world hee hoped to discover , and therefore imparted his intent to the genowaies , but was by them rejected . then sent hee his brother bartholomew columbus , to motion the matter to our king henry the seventh , but hee , falling into the hand of pyrates by the way , was long a prisoner before hee was enlarged ; but as soon as hee was free , hee came to our english court , and his motion was readily embraced by the king : but god , who had otherwise disposed it , so ordered it , that columbus , not knowing of his brothers imprisonment , because hee heard nothing from him , thought that his suit was rejected , and thereupon addressed himself to the king of spain , who after many delayes , furnished him with two ships only for discovery : with this small assistance hee sailed in the ocean more than threescore dayes , without discovery of any land , so that his discontented spaniards began to mutiny , absolutely resolving to go no further ; columbus did all that hee could to pacifie and incourage them , but when nothing would prevail , hee was fain to ingage himself to them , that if land was not discovered within three dayes , hee would steer his course back again : at the end of which time one of the company discryed fire , an evident sign of land , which they took possession of , anno christi . and columbus in honour of the spaniards , called it hispaniola : after which hee discovered cuba , and so with much treasure , and greater content hee returned into spain ; and after two other voyages hee sickned , and dyed , and was buried at sivil . this columbus being on a time at supper with some of the great spanish dons in the court , they took occasion to speak very sleightly of his indian discoveries , as if it was such a small matter which might have been performed by any man : hee hearing them , called for an egge , and when hee had it , desired them to try if any of them could make it stand an end upon their trenchers : they all tryed , and by indeavouring equally to poise it , laboured to make it stand , but could not ; then did columbus take it , and knocking it down pretty hard , crackt the end , which caused it to stand upright : at this they all laughed , saying , that every fool could do so : yea ( saith hee ) and now i have made a discovery of that new world , every one can go thither , &c. vvhen the spaniards first arrived in those parts , they found the inhabitants naked , unacquainted with husbandry , making their bread of cassavy roots , worshiping the devils , whom they called zemes , in remembrance of whom they had certain images made of cotton-wool , like to our childrens babies : to these they did great reverence , as supposing the spirit of their zemes to bee in them : and the devil to blind them the more , would sometimes make these puppets move , and make a noise : they stood also in great fear of them , for if they did not fulfil his will , the devil would execute vengeance upon some of the children of these poor deluded souls . they thought the christians to bee immortal , wondring at the masts , sails , and tacklings of their ships , and to try whether they were immortal or no , having taken some straglers , they held their heads under water till they were strangled , which made them change their opinions . they esteemed gold and silver no more than dross , yet for the colours sake adorned themselves therewith , as they did with shells , feathers , and the like . the spaniards after their coming amongst them behaved themselves very cruelly , killing them like sheep , and forcing them like beasts , to labour in their mines , to carry their burthens , and to do all manner of drudgery , which caused them so to hate them , that one haythney a noble man amongst them being perswaded to bee baptised , with the promise of heaven for his reward ; asked whither the spaniards went when they dyed ? and when answer was made that they went to heaven , hee renounced his intended baptisme , protesting that hee had rather go to hell , with the unbaptised , than to live in heaven with so cruel a people . in some places there was such abundance of gold , that in some mines they found more gold than earth , which the indians exchanged greedily for hammers ; knives , axes , hatchets , and such tools of iron ; for before , they were fain to make their canows or boats plain without , of the body of a great tree which they made hollow with the force of fire . columbus having thus happily begun this noble enterprize , hee was seconded by americus vesputio , a florentine , from whom ( unjustly ) it was called america . to him succeeded john cabot , imployed by our king henry the seventh . ferdinando magellane first found out the south passage , called the streights of magellane , by which hee compassed the world , and was afterwards followed by our drake , and candish ; and the dutch nandernoort : since which time another dutchman called le maire , found out a more southerly passage into the south sea , called le maires streights , by which hee also compassed the world . america is divided into two parts , mexicana , and peruana . mexicana is the northern tract , containing the provinces of mexico ▪ quivira , nicaragua , jucutan , florida , virginia , norembega , new-france , new-england , &c. mexico , is now called new-spain , in which is that excellent tree called mete , which they plant , and dress as wee do our vines , yeelding so many sorts of commodities : for when they bee tender , they make of them conserves , paper , flax , mantles , mats , shooes , girdles , and cordage : on the leaves grow prickles so hard , and sharp , that they use them in stead of sawes . from the root of the tree comes a juice like unto syrup , which if you seeth , it will become hony , if you purifie it , it will become sugar : you may also make wine , and vineger of it : the rind rosted cureth hurts , and sores , and from the top boughs is such a gum which is an excellent antidote against poison . it abounds also with many golden sanded rivers , wherein are crocodiles which the natives eat : it hath mines of gold , and a mountain burning like aetna . it s bounded on the east with jucutan , and the gulph of mexico : on the west with california : on the south with peruana ; and the northern limits are not known . it was very populous before the arrival of the spaniards , who in seventeen years slew six millions of them , roasting some , plucking out the eyes , cutting off the arms of others , and casting them alive to bee devoured of dogs , and wild beasts . mechuacan , one of the provinces of new-spain , abounds with mulberry trees , silk , hony , wax , black amber , and great plenty of fish : the inhabitants are tall , strong , active , and speak a copious language . mexico , hath in it a city of the same name , in compass six miles , consisting of six thousand houses of spaniards , and sixty thousand of indians : it s situate on lakes , and islands like venice , every where interlaced with pleasant currents of fresh , and sea waters : the plain wherein the town standeth is seventy leagues in compass , environed with high hills , on the tops of which snow lyeth continually . the lake on whose banks the city lyeth is fifty miles in compass , the banks whereof are adorned with pleasant towns , and houses , and on the lake are fifty thousand wherreyes plying continually . nigh to this city is the gulph of mexico , whose current is so swift , and heady , that ships cannot pass directly to , and fro , but are compelled to bear either much north , or much south . it s nine hundred miles in compass , and hath two ports , one between the farthest part of jucatan , and the isle of cuba , at which the tide entereth with a violent stream , the other between the said cuba , and the farthest part of florida , at which the tide with the like violence goeth forth : the sea is very tempestuous , and hath only two safe havens , viz. havana on the north side , and st. john de luna on the south , which are strongly fortified by the spaniards . the country of mexico is inferior to peru , in the plenty and purity of gold , and silver , but far exceeding it both in the mechanical , and ingenious arts here professed , and in the abundance of fruits , and cattel , of which last there is such store , that many a private man hath forty thousand kine , and oxen to himself ; fish also are very plentiful : that only which is caught in the lake , whereon mexico stands , being reputed worth twenty thousand crowns per annum . mexico was conquered by ferdinando cortez , anno christi . his army consisting of one hundred thousand americans , nine hundred spaniards , eighty horsemen , seventeen small peeces of ordnance , thirteen brigandines , and six thousand wherrie-boats which from the lake assaulted mexico . in quivira , another province , the riches of the people consists in cattel , whose hides yeeld them coverings for their houses ; their bones , bodkins ; their hair , thred ; their sinewes , ropes ; their horns , mawes , and bladders , vessels ; their dung ; fire ; their calf-skins , budgets to draw , and keep water in : their blood , drink ; and their flesh meat . nova albion , lyeth on the west towards tartary : it was discovered by sir francis drake , anno christi . the king whereof did willingly resign himself , and land to our queen . in it is a hare , resembling a mole in his feet , a cat in his tail ; under whose chin nature hath fastened a little bag , as a store-house ; for in it , when hee hath filled his belly , hee reserveth the rest of his provision . it abounds in good fruits . jucutan , is a peninsula in circuit nine hundred miles , a fruitful country situated over against cuba . florida , hath on the east the northern sea : on the west mexico ; on the north new-france , and on the south virginia : it abounds with goodly fruits , and hath some quantity of gold , and silver . emeralds are also found there , and turquesses , and pearls . women when their husbands dye , cut off their hair close to their heads , strewing it upon their husbands graves , and may not marry again , till their hair bee grown to cover their shoulders . virginia described . virginia , is seated between four and thirty , and four and forty degrees of northerly latitude : it s bounded on the east with the great ocean ; with florida on the south : new-france on the north : and the western limits are unknown . the summer is as hot as in spain ; the vvinter is as cold as in france , and england . it was discovered by the english by the direction , and at the charge of sir vvalter rawleigh , anno christi . and in honour of our virgin queen called virginia . it yeelds store of tobacco , and now they get silk-worms , and plant store of mulberry trees , which is like to bee a good commodity . there is but one entrance by sea into this country , at the mouth of a goodly bay : the capes on both sides are named henry , and charles : the water floweth in this bay near two hundred miles , and hath a channel for one hundred and forty miles , between seven , and fifteen fathom deep , and ten , or fourteen miles broad . at the head of the bay , the land is mountainous , from which proceed great brooks , which make five navigable rivers : the mountains have in them milstones , marble , and some peices of christal : the earth is generally black , and sandy . the river neer to the mouth of the bay is called powhatan , the mouth whereof is neer three miles broad , and it is navigable one hundred miles : hence their emperor is called powhatan . in a peninsula on the north side thereof , is placed james town . no place in summer affords more sturgeons , whereof threescore and eight have been caught at one draught . in winter they have abundance of fowl. fourteen miles from powhatan is the river pamaunk , seventy miles navigable with big vessels . then toppahanock , which is navigable one hundred and thirty miles . then patawomeck , one hundred and twenty miles navigable . at the mouth of powhatan are the forts henerico , and charles ; forty two miles upward , is james town , seventy miles beyond that , the town of henerico , ten miles higher are the falls , where the river falls down between mineral rocks , twelve miles beyond that , there is the crystall rock , wherewith the indians head their arrows . the commodities are silk-grass , hemp , and flax , surpassing ours ; a certain sedg , which by boiling yeilds skeines of good strength , and length , some like silk , some like flax , and some like hemp . there is also allom , terra sigillata , pitch , tar , rozen , turpentine , sassafras , cedar , grapes , oil , iron , copper , &c. sweet gums , dies , timber , trees of sweet wood of fourteen kinds : besides , plenty of fowl , fishes , beasts , fruits , plants , hearbs , berries , grains , espec●ally maiz , whereof one acre of ground will yeild two hundred bushels of corn , roots , &c. their chief beasts are bears , deer , a beast like a badger , but living in trees like a squirrel : flying squirrels . another beast headed like a swine , tailed like a rat , as big as a cat , and hath under her belly a bag , wherein shee carrieth her young : their dogs bark not , their wolves are little bigger than our foxes , their foxes like our silver haired conies , and smell not as ours . they have eagles , hawks , wild turkies , &c. the people are cloathed in deer skines about their middles , else all naked . their houses are round , of small poles fastened at the tops ; and covered with bark , or mats : they are good archers , so that they will kill birds flying , fish swiming , and beasts running . their chief god is the devil , which they call oke , whose image is made ill-favouredly . on the north of it lyes new-england , planted with many english towns , especially new-boston , an haven town , and a place of good trading : the other countryes in this tract of ground have little that is remarkable in them . florida described . the length of florida extends to twenty and five degrees : it runs with a long point into the sea , and into land it stretches westward unto the borders of new-spain , and to those countries which are not yet fully discovered : on other parts it s washed with a dangerous sea . it is very rich with silver , gold , and stones of great value . in it are great variety of trees , fruits , fowls , beasts : as bears , leopards , ounces , wolves , wild dogs , goats , hares , conies , deer , oxen , &c. their towns are paled about with posts fastened in the ground , having no more entrance than for two men to passe at a time , where stand two watch towers for defence : their houses are round , their apparrel nakedness , except a skin about their secrets : they paint and rase their skin curiously , which they rub over with the juice of an herb , that cannot bee gotten out : they let their nailes on their fingers and toes grow long , they are tall , nimble , and comely . when the king dieth , they bury him with solemnity , and upon his grave they set the cup wherein hee was wont to drink , and about it they stick many arrows : for six months certain women are appointed to bewail his death : his house , and goods they burn together . they sow , or set their corn as in virginia , and have two seeds times , and two harnests , their meat is venisons , fish , and crocodiles dried in the smoak for preservation . peruana described . the other part of this new world , is called peruana , being in compasse seventeen thousand miles , comprehending in it golden castile , guiana , peru , brisile , and chili . the first is so called from the abundance of gold in it , lying in the northern parts of peruana , and part of the istmus , which is but seventeen miles broad between sea and sea : it s admirably stored with silver , spices , pearls , and medicinal herbs , and is divided into the provinces of castella del oro , nova andaluzia , nova granata , and carthagena . castella del oro is in the very istmus , an unhealthful countrey : the chief cities are nombre de dios on the east , and panama on the west side : through which two places comes all the traffique between spain , and peru. the commodities from peru being unladen at panama in the south sea , and thence carried by land to nombre de dios , in the north sea , and thence shiped to spain . in guiana is the great river orenoque , which is navigable with ships of burthen for one thousand miles , and with boats , and pinnasses almost two thousand more : it was discovered by sir walter rawleigh , and the river margnon , called the river of the amazons , which is navigable almost six thousand miles , and towards the sea two hundred miles broad . peru , lieth under the aequinoctial line , and stretcheth for the space of eight hundred leagues , upon six hundred whereof , viz. from atacama , to tumbez it never raineth● and yet it is as fruitful a land for all sorts of necessaries for the life of man , as is in the world : on the west frontire , is a mighty ridg of high mountains that are always covered with snow , from whence issue great store of rivers into the south sea , with the water whereof , being led by sluces , and channels , they moisten their vineyards , and corn fields , which makes them exceeding fruitful : besides , mines of gold and silver , there are mines of copper , and tin , there is also abundance of salt-peter , and brimstone . it is now well replenished with horses , kine , sheep , goats , and wheat . the fortresse of cusco described . one of the incas of peru built a fort , that may rather seem the work of devils than of men , especially considering that these indians had neither iron , nor steel to work , and cut the stones with , nor cart , nor oxen to draw them : yet was this fort built with stones that seemed rocks , rather than stones , drawn by strength of men with great cables , and that through uneven ways , in rough mountains : many of them being brought from places that were ten , twelve , and some fifteen leagues off : especially that stone which the indians called vvearied , which was brought fifteen leagues , and over a great river in the way : the most of them came five leagues off these stones they joined so close together in the building , that the joynts could scarcely bee discerned , which required often lifting up , and setting down , neither could they make cranes , or any kind of engines to help them therein , neither had they square , or rule to direct their work . instead of mortar they used a kinde of clay that held faster . this fortresse was built on an hill on the north side of the city of cusco , the hill was so steep on one side , that that way it could not bee assaulted , and therefore one wall served on that side , which was two hundred fathoms long : on the other sides they made three walls , one without another , each being above two hundred fathoms , and were made in the fashion of an half moon , in which there were stones admirably great : each wall had in the middest one gate , which was covered over with one entire stone : each wall stood thirty foot distant from the other , and at the top of them the battlements were above a yard high : within those walls there were three strong forts , the middlemost was round , which had in it a conduit of very good water , brought under ground from far . the walls were all adorned with gold and silver , and had images of beasts , birds , and plants enchased therein , which served instead of tapestry , the other two forts were square , and they had passages under ground from one to another , artificially made with labarinthian windings , and turnings , inextricable but by a thread . they drew their great stones with great cables : to draw the stone which they called wearied , they had twenty thousand indians , the one half before , the other behind , and yet in one uneven passage it crushed three or four thousand of them to death . this proved so unweildy that they never laid it in the building , pur. pil. v. . p. . another of the incas to shew his magnificence , caused a chain of gold to bee made , which was seven hundred foot long , and every link as big as a mans wrist , two hundred indians could but lift it . caxamalca , another city in peru , is four miles in circuit , entered by two gates ▪ on the one side stands a great palace walled about , having within it a great court planted with trees : this they call the house of the sun , whom they worship , putting off their shooes when they enter into it : in this city there are two thousand houses ; the streets are as strait as a line , the walls are strong ; built of stone about three fathoms high ; within there are fair fountains of water . in the middest is a very fair street walled about , having before it a fortress of stone . on one side of this street was the palace of the ●n●as , or emperor , with lodgings and gardens : the houses were all painted with diverse colours , and in one room were two great fountains adorned with plates of gold : one of them was so hot that a man cannot endure his hand in it , the other was cold . atabalipa was emperour when the spaniards took it , from whom they presently got fifty thousand pezoes of gold , each of them being worth one ducat , and two carolines , and seven thousand marks of silver , besides many emeralds . the spaniards asked atabalipa what he would give them for his ransome ? hee told them that hee would fill that room with gold , to a mark , that was higher than a tall man could reach by a span , the room being five and twenty foot long , and fifteen foot broad : then they asked him how much silver hee would give besides : hee answered , as much as ten thousand indians could carry in vessels of silver of diverse sorts . the spaniards went to cusco to receive part of it , where they found a temple of the sun covered with plates of gold : as also many pots and vessels of gold , yea there was such store of gold as amazed them , especially one seat which weighed ninteen thousand pezoes of gold : in another room the pavement , and walls were covered with plates of gold and silver , they found also a great house full of pots , and tubs of silver : the spaniards having worn out their horses shooes in their travel , caused the indians to shooe them with gold . in the city of pachalchami , they found an image with many emeralds at his feet fastened in gold , idem p. . peru is plentiful in all manner of grain ; hath civil inhabitants , many cities , and an healthful air . it hath store of tobacco , first brought into england by some marriners , anno christi . the use whereof is now grown too common . it abounds above all other provinces with gold and silver . in this countrey is the river of plate , one hundred and fifty miles broad at the mouth , and two thousand miles long . in it also is a beast that hath a bag in her neck , into which shee puts her young ones when any body approaches , and so runs away with them , there is also a sort of fig-trees , of which they write that the northside that stands towards the mountains , bringeth forth fruit in the summer only : and the southside towards the sea is fruitfull only in winter . atabalipa king of this countrey being taken prisoner by the spaniards , was forced to redeem his life , with an house full of refined gold and silver , judged to bee worth ten millions , which when they had received , they perfidiously slew him . the admirable high-waies in peru described . in peru in the west-indies are two admirable high-wayes made by the ingas , or emperours : the one is by the andes , or forrests from pasto unto chile , being nine hundred leagues long , the cawsey five and twenty foot broad ; and every four leagues hath a stately house , where was provision of victuals , and apparel , and every half league , men that stood ready to carry messages , and orders from hand to hand . the other way was thorow the plains along the coast , of twenty five foot broad , and on each side a wall of a mans height from piura , to chile , where both the wayes met . this latter way was between trees that yeelded a very pleasant shadow in those hot countries , and both of them began at the imperial city of cuzco . p. pil. v. . p. , . the emperors garden described . there belonged also to the incas a garden of silver , and gold , wherein were many sorts of herbs , flowers , plants , trees , beasts , great and small , snakes , snails , lizzards , butterflies , small and great birds , each set in their places all of gold : they had also maiz , quinua ; pulse , fruit-trees , with fruit on them all of gold , and silver , resembling the natural . in the incas house they had heaps of wood all counterfeit of gold , and silver . all the vessels ( which were infinite ) for the temple-service , pots , pans , tubs , hogsheads were of gold , and silver , yea the spades ▪ and pickaxes , for the garden were of the same . at the taking of this city by the spaniards , the image of the sun fell to one captains share , who lost it one night at dice , whereupon they said , that hee had played away the sun before it was up . p. pil. v. . p. , &c. the temple of the sun described . cusco , the imperial city of the incas in america , when the spaniards first took it , had in it a temple of the sun , all the walls whereof were covered with plates of gold , from the top to the bottom . at the east end was the image of the sun of one plate of gold , as thick again as the other : the face was round with raies of gold like flames of fire , all of one peece : it was so big , that it filled all from one wall to the other . on both sides were the bodies of their deceased kings , embalmed , set in seats of gold , placed on planks of gold : all the doors about the temple were lined with plates of gold ; without the temple , on the top of the walls ran a champhered work of gold , above a yard broad , round about the temple ; beyond the temple ran a cloister of four squares , round about the top whereof was such a crown of champhered gold above a yard broad : in the corners of the cloister were chappels ▪ one whereof was dedicated to the moon , all which with the gates thereof were covered with plates of silver : the image was placed , as that of the suns , with the face of a woman , all of one plank of silver ▪ the next chappel was dedicated to venus , and the starres , lined also with silver , and the porch of silver . the third was dedicated to the thunder , and lightning : the fourth to the rainbow ; which two last were all lined , and garnished with gold . hard by was an house for the priests , all lined with gold from the top to the bottom . there were twelve doors to the cloister , and as many tabernacles or shrines which were all plated over with gold in form of porches , and the floores covered with gold . the images were all set with turkesses , and emeralds . in the house also were five fountains , of water wherein they washed the sacrifices : out of them the water ran in pipes of gold ; and many of their pillars were of gold , hollow , and some of them were of silver . brasile , hath on the north guiana , on the south the river of plate and chile , on the east the ocean , and on the west the mountains of peru , called the andes : the hills are high , and craggie , full of ravenous beasts , and poisonous serpents : on them also inhabite a barbarous people going stark naked . in the vallies the air is healthy , the earth fat , and alwayes flourishing . it yeelds great store of sugar , and rich mines : and brasil wood to dye with ; the natives go naked , and are very barbarous : in their feasts they used to roast a fat man , and cutting him to collops , did eat him with much delight : both men and women are great swimmers , and excellent divers , being able to endure long under water . here is a beast so slow in motion , that in fifteen dayes , hee cannot go further than a man can throw a stone , whence the portugals call it pigritia . brasile , is generally temperate , of a delicate and healthful air , so that many of the inhabitants live till they bee above one hundred years old : generally , it s neither hot , nor cold : the heavens are very pure , and clear , especially by night : the moon is prejudicial to health , and corrupteth things very much : the mornings are most healthful : there are very little twilights : their summer begins in september , and endeth in february : their winter in march , and ends in august : the nights and dayes are almost all equal : the country is very watery , both from the plenty of rain , and rivers . it s full of great woods , which are green all the year : towards the sea coast it is hilly : from parnambuck to the captainship of the holy-ghost , it s scarce of stone : from thence to st. vincent , mountainous , with many quarries of stone : there is little provision for apparrel , the country yeelding nothing but cotton-wool . they have fair , and large deer , with large heads , of several kinds : as also elks somewhat like a mule , that have no horns ; a snout that they shrink up , and put forth , and are excellent swimmers . there are store of wild boars that have their navel on their backs , whence comes a sent like that of foxes . there are a sort of acuti , like conies , that live in their houses , that having filled their bellies , hide what they leave till they bee again hungry . their pacas are like pigs , their flesh is pleasant , but they never bring forth above one at a time . there are ounces , some black , some grey , some speckled , a cruel , and dangerous beast . the curigue is grey , as big as a cat , shaped like a fox , and smells worse ; they have a bag from the fore to the hinder feet , wherein they carry their young ones , till they can get their own food : they usually have six or seven young ones . the armadillo is as big as a pig , of a whitish colour , having a long snout , and the body armed with things like plates , so hard , that no arrow can peirce them , except in the flank : with their snouts they dig into the earth with incredible celerity : their flesh tastes pleasantly , and of their skins they make purses . there are several sorts of porcupines : if one of their quills enter the flesh , it works it self in strangely , if it bee not pulled soon out . there are many kindes of apes with beards , and monkies ; and wild cats with excellent furrs . there are huge snakes , some of twenty foot long , that will swallow a whole deer ; others there are that live of birds eggs , black , long , and having a yellow breast ; they live on trees . another sort there is , big , and long , all green , and beautiful , that live also of birds , and eggs. another sort with a long snout that feeds only upon frogs , there are rattle-snakes so swift , that they call them the flying-snakes , some of them twelve or thirteen spans long . there are abundance , of other sorts , with scorpions , and spiders , and so many lizards that they cover the walls of their houses . there are abundance of parots that flye in flocks , and fill whole islands , they are fair , and of sundry colours , and are good meat . there are other curious birds , and amongst the rest , the awaken-bird , which sleeps six months , and lives the other six months : they have partridges , turtle-doves , blackbirds : yea and ostriches , eagles , faulcons , &c. they have many sort of fruit-trees , and cocoes , and above twenty sorts of palm-trees ; pine-trees also , and others that are medecinable : some they have that never rot , and others that yeeld an excellent smell . chilie , hath on the east the virginian sea , on the west the south sea , or mare del zur : on the north peru , and on the south the streights of magellane . it s very cold , and in the midland very mountainous , and barren , but towards the sea level , fruitful , and watered with many rivers that flow from the mountains : it yeelds plenty of gold , abundance of hony , store of cattel , and wine ; fruits , and plants brought from spain prosper well here : here are the patagons some of them are said to bee eleven foot high . here is a river having in the day time a violent stream , and in the night no water in it , the water proceeding from the melting of the snow upon the mountains . the gold in chily is gotten two wayes : one , by washing the earth in great trays of wood ; the earth by washing wasteth , and the gold remaineth in the bottome . the other is by art to draw it out of the mines : every shower is a shower of gold : for with the violence of the water falling from the mountains , it brings from them gold along with it . there are also rich copper mines , horses , goats , and kine brought thither out of spain , are so encreased , that there are found thousands in heards , wild , and without owners . they have also other cattel , that are natural to america , in some of which the bezar stones are found . amongst the rest , there is a little beast like unto a squirel , whose skin is the rarest , delicatest , and softest furr that is : it is of a grey colour . no fruits that have stones will prosper here . the magellanick streights described . fourteen leagues within the cape of st. mary , lyeth the first streight , where it ebbs and flows violently : the streight being not full half a mile broad , so that the first entrance is dangerous , and doubtful : three leagues this streight continues , whence it opens into a sea eight miles long , and as broad , beyond which lyes the second streight , west , south west , from the first , a dangerous passage also , being three leagues long , and a mile in breadth , this opens into another sea , extending to the cape of victory , a place of such a nature , that which way soever a man steers his course , hee shall be sure to have the wind against him : the length of it is forty leagues , the breadth in some places two leagues , in some others not half a mile : the channel so deep , that there can bee no anchorage , the water full of turnings , and the stream so violent that being once entred there is no returning . on both sides are high mountains continually covered with snow , from whence proceed also dangerous counter-winds , that beat on all sides of it . the principal of the american islands described . many of the islands in this part of the world have nothing remarkable in them , and therefore i will speak but briefly of them . the islands neer unto the gulph of mexico described . at paria begin two ranks of islands , the one extending east and west , the other north , and south : amongst the former is margarita , so called from the abundance of pearls gotten there : but being barren , and wanting fresh water , it is not inhabited . cubag●ua is her next neighbour , yeildeth also store of pearls , but for the like barrennesse is unpeopled : here were so many pearls gotten , that the king of spains fifth , amounted ordinarily to fifteen thousand duckats a year . on the east part of this island neer unto the sea , there is a fountain that casteth forth a bituminous substance like oil , in such abundance , that it is seen floating upon the sea , two or three leagues off . then follow orchilia , oruba , and some other islands concerning which we have no more than their names upon record . that other rank that trends northward ▪ are granata , st. vincent , st. lucia , dominica , and north-west , desiderara , st. christophers , holy-cross , &c. all which are called the islands of the caribes , or canibals , the inhabitants whereof eat mans flesh , and passing over in their canoes , to other islands , hunt for men as others do for beasts at home they only cover their privities , but in war they use many ornaments : they are nimble , beardlesse , shoot poisoned arrows , bore holes in their ears , and nostrils , for bravery , which the richer sort deck with gold , the poorer with shels , and make their teeth black , which never ake nor rot : their houses are round , they have hanging beds of cotton , called hammackoe● , and they worship only the sun and moon . they have parrats bigger than pheasants , with backs , breasts , and bellies of a purple colour . in guadabuza is a fountain so hot , that it will quickly boil a peece of meat . in mevis also there is an hot bath like ours in england . in mona are wild boars , and great wild bulls : in moneta are abundance of fowl. the antiles islands are seven . st. vincent , granado , lucia , matalina , dominica , guadalupa , and aysey , where the natives paint themselves , to keep off the muskitoes , wear their hair long , cut their skins in diverse works , worship the devil , and poison their arrows . boriquen , or st. johns island is three hundred miles long , and seventy broad , traversed with a rough mountain , out of which flow many rivers : here the spaniards have some towns : the chiefest is porto rico , taken by the earl of cumberland , anno christi . from whence hee brought about eighty cast peices , and much other wealth . mevis hath in it great store of wood , and in a valley betwixt two hills , there is a bath like unto ours in england : there are in it store of conies , sundry kinds of fowl , and plenty of fish ; some of our english under captain middleton , anno christi , passing through the woods , came to a most pleasant garden , being one hundred paces square on every side , and had many cotton trees growing in it , and many guiacum trees ; about it were such goodly tall trees growing , as if they had been planted by art. in the islands of margarita , and cubagua , which are situate nigh unto the golden castile , there is neither corn , grass , trees , nor water ; so that sometimes the people will give a tun of wine for a tun of water : but they have abundance of precious stones , hence called margarites , and the gems called unions ▪ because they alwayes grow in couples . jamica described . jamica , or the island of st. james , which was once very populous , but now is almost destitute of inhabitants ; the spaniards having slain in this , and a neighbouring island called boriquen above sixty thousand living souls : so that the women used to kill their children before they had given them life , that they might not serve so cruel a nation : it s in length two hundred and fourscore mil●s , and in breadth threescore and ten . it s well watered , and hath two towns of note , oristana , and sevil : here the english have this last year planted themselves . jamica is very subject to hurricanes , which are such terrible gusts of wind , that nothing can resist them . they ●urn up trees , overturn houses , transport ships from sea to land , and bring with them a most dreadful confusion ▪ they are most frequent in august , september , and october , the natives are of quicker wits , than in other islands . cuba is three hundred miles long ▪ some say three hundred leagues , and threescore and ten broad . it s full of forrests , rivers , lakes salt , and fresh , and mountains : here the people were prohibited the eating of serpents , as a dainty , reserved for the higher powers . the air is temperate , the soil is fertil , producing excellent brass , but the gold is drossie : it abounds with ginger , mastick , cassia , aloes , cinamon , sugar , flesh , fish , and fowle . the chief cities being seated on the northern shoar , are , st. j●go , and havana , a safe rode for ships , where the king of spains ▪ navie rides till they carry home their rich lading . in this isle of cuba two things are admirable : one a valley trending between two hills for three leagues , which produceth abundance of stones , of a perfect round form like bullets : the other a fountain , whence bitumen , or a pitchie substance floweth abundantly , and is excellent to pitch ships . in these islands the inhabitans have been wasted by the mines of hispaniola , and cuba to the number of twelve hundred thousand . bermudae were discovered by sir thomas summers , and thence called summers islands : they are four hundred in number : in the biggest is a colony of english , who found it fruitful , and agreeable to their constitutions . the commodities in these islands , are variety of fish , plenty of swine , mulberries , silk-worms , palmitos , cedars , pearls , and amber-greese . they have great variety of fowle , as big as pidgions , which lay speckled eggs as big as hens eggs on the sand. another fowle there is that lives in holes , like conie-holes : tortoises they have , and in the belly of one of them they finde a bushel of eggs , very sweet : one of them will serve fifty men at a meal : their winter is in december , january , and february , yet not so sharp , but then you may meet with young birds . it s so invironed with rocks , that without knowledge a boat of ten tuns cannot bee brought in , and yet within is safe harbour for the greatest ship . hispaniola , which lamenteth her loss of three millions of her inhabitants murthered by the bloody spaniards . it s in compass one thousand and four hundred miles , having a temperate air , fertil soil , rich mines , amber , and sugar . it excels cuba in three things . . in the fineness of gold . . in the increase of sugar , one sugar-cane will here fill twenty , sometimes thirty measures . . the great fruitfulness of the soil ; the corn yeelding an hundred fold . the chief city is st. domingo , ransaked by sir francis drake , anno christi . and lately attempted by our english , but through miscarriages they lost their opportunity of taking it , which made them go to jamica . hispaniola seemeth to enjoy a perpetual spring , the trees always flourishing , and the medows all the year cloathed in green . it s in a manner equally divided by four great rivers , descending from high mountains , whereof junna runneth east , attibunicus west , nabiba south , and jache northward : diverse of their rivers after they have run a course of ninety miles , are swallowed up of the earth . on the top of an high mountain is a lake three miles in compasse , into which some rivolets run , without any apparent issue . in one part of this island is a lake , whose water is salt , though it receive into it four great fresh rivers , and twenty smaller : it is thought , to have some intercourse with the sea , because some sharks are found in it : it is subject to stormes , and tempests . another lake there is that is partly salt , partly fresh , being twenty five miles long , and eight broad . these are in a large plain which is one hundred and twenty miles in length , and between twenty five and twenty eight miles in breadth . another valley there is , that is two hundred miles long , and broader than the former , and another of the same breadth , but one hundred and eighty miles long . one of the provinces in hispaniola called magua , is a plain compassed about with hills , wherein are many thousand rivers and brooks , whereof twelve are very great : some thousands of them are enriched with gold . another province is most barren , and yet most rich , with mines . from this island the spaniards used to bring yearly , four or five thousand duckats of gold . this island is much infested with flyes , whose stinging , causeth great swelling ; also there is a worm that creepeth into the soles of mens feet , which causeth great swelling , and pain , for which they have no remedy , but to lance the flesh , and so to dig them out . they have a certain kinde of beetles , which have four lights that shine much in the dark , two in their eyes , and two under their wings when they flye ; they use to bring them into their houses , where they do them double service : first , by killing the gnats : secondly , by giving them light , which is so great , that they can see to read by it . kine in this island carried thither by the spaniards are so multiplied , and grown wild , that they kill them for their hides and tallow , leaving their flesh to bee devoured by dogs , and fowl : almost forty thousand of them have been transported in one year . anno christi . ants were as noisome to them , as grashoppers in other parts of the world ; they spoiled their fruits , and fruit trees ; they could keep nothing in their houses , which was fit to bee eaten , from them , and had they continued , they would have unpeopled the island . there are worms also which do such harm in timber , that a house will scarce stand here thirty years : when the king in this countrey died , they buried the best beloved of his concubines with him , who also had other women buried for to attend upon them in the other world , together with their jewels and ornaments : they had also set in their sepulchre a cup of water , and some of their cassavi bread . anno christi , here happened such an hurricane as threw down most of the houses in domingo , and bona ventura , destroied twenty sail of ships , lifted up many men into the air , who falling down again were miserably bruised . newfound-land described . newfound-land is an island bordering upon the continent of america , no farther distant than england is from the nearest part of france . it lies between six and forty , and three and fifty degrees of northerly latitude : it s near as big as ireland , and is near half the way between ireland , and virginea ; even in winter it s as pleasant , and healthful a place as england . the natural inhabitants are not many , and those rude , ignorant of god , and living under no kinde of civil government . in their habits , customes , and manners , they resemble the indians , which live upon the continent . they are ingenious , and tractable , and take great pains in helping those christians which yearly fish upon their coasts , to kill , cut , and boil their whales , expecting nothing for their labour , but a little bread , or some other trifles . all along the coast of this country , there are many spacious and excellent bayes , some of them stretching into the land more than twenty leagues . and round about the coast , and in the bayes , there are many small islands , all within a league of the land , which are both fair , and fruitful , neither doth any country in the world afford greater store of good harbours , nor those more safe , commodious , and free from danger . the soil of the country in the vallies , and sides of the mountains is so fruitful , that without the labour of man it naturally produceth great plenty of pease , and vetches , as full , and wholesome as ours in england : other places produce plenty of grass : there are strawberries red , and white , and rasberries as fair , and good as ours in england : multitude of bilberries , and other delicate berries , in great abundance : there are also pears , cherries , filbeards , &c. there are herbs for sallets , and broth , as parsley , alexander , sorrel , &c. as also flowers , as red , and damask-roses , with others ; beautiful , and delightful both to the eye , and smell : there are also diverse physical herbs , and roots . some corn that our men have sowed proved very good , and yeelded great increase : so do cabbages , carrats , turneps , lettice , &c. in the country there are great store of deer , hares , foxes , squirrels , beavers , wolves , bears , and other kindes of beasts , both for necessity , profit , and delight . besides great numbers of small birds , there are hawks , great and small , partridges , thrustles , nightingals , &c. as also ravens , gripes , crowes , &c. besides plenty of water-fowle , as geese , ducks , gulls , penguines , pigeons , &c. of these there is such abundance , that the fisher-men which yearly trade thither finde great refreshing by them . the country yeelds store of rivers , and springs , pleasant , delightful , and wholesome : together with abundance of fuel for the fire ; besides timber trees , as fir , spruce , fit for masts of ships ; from whence also comes abundance of turpentine : pines also , and birch-trees , &c. the rivers , and harbours are stored with delicate fish , as salmons , pearles , eeles , herrings , makarel , flounders , cods , trouts , as large , fat , and sweet as any in the world : besides lobsters , crab-fish , muscles , &c. there are also beavers , otters , &c. the seas along the shore yeeld whales , spanish-makarel , dorrel , pales , herring , porposses , seales , &c. especially by their cod-fishing , both our own , and other nations are much enriched . two hundred and fifty sail of ships go thither usually in one year from england . new-scotland described . new-scotland lyeth on the east of st. croix : on the north it s compassed with the great river canada ; and hath the main ocean on the south . it hath many safe harbours , and great rivers , having on the sides of them delicate medows , where the earth of it self , bringeth forth roses red , and white , and lillies , having a dainty smell . the soil is fat , producing several sorts of berries , as goos-berries , straw-berries , hind-berries , ras-berries , &c. as also pease , wheat , barley , and rye . the rivers abound with lobsters , cockles , and other small fishes : there are great store of wild fowle , as geese , herons , ducks , wood-cocks , pigeons , : the coast hath store of cod , and other great fishes : the land is full of wood . mostly of great oaks ; the rest fir-trees , spruce , birch , and many other sorts here unknown . groenland described . groenland is accounted part of america , and is high , mountainous , and full of broken islands along the coast : it hath good baies , and navigable rivers that are full of fish : between the mountains are pleasant plains and vallies : there a●e store of fowle ; black foxes , and deer : the people wander up and down in the summer time , without fixed habitations , for hunting , and fishing , carrying their tents , and baggage with them : they are of a middle stature , brown , active , warlike , eating raw flesh , or a little perboiled in blood , oil , or a little water , which they drink . their apparrel are beasts , or fowles skins , the hairy , or feathered side outward in summer , and inward in winter : their arrows and darts have but two feathers , and a bone-head ; no wood growes there ; they worship the sun. their winter-houses are built of whales-bones , covered with earth , and vaulted two yards deep under the earth ; within land they have a king that is carried upon mens shoulders : they have hares as white as snow , with long fur : dogs which live on fish , whose pizzels , as also of the foxes , are bony . their summer work is to dry their fish on the rocks , for their winter provision : every one hath a boat made of fir-wood , driven thither from other countries , covered with seals-skins , about twenty foot long , sowed with sinewes , or guts ; so light , that one may carry them , and so swift , that no ship can hold way with them , and yet they use but one oar which they hold by the middle , in the midst of their boat , being broad at both ends wherewith they row forward , or backward , at pleasure . a brief narrative of some of the barbarous , and inhumane cruelties exercised by the spaniards upon the indians in this american world , collected out of their own authors . bartholomew de las casas , a dom●nick frier , and bishop in america , who wrote in the year . saith thus of them . the indians are a simple , harmless people , loyal to their lords , and such as gave no occasion of offence to the spaniards , till by their extream injuries they provoked them thereto . to these lambs ( saith hee ) the spaniards came as cruel , and hungry tygers , bears , and lions , intending nothing for these forty years but blood , and slaughter to satisfie their avarice and ambition : insomuch that of three millions of natives , that they found in hispaniola there remains not one . cuba , and the other islands indured the like miseries ; and in the firm land ten kingdomes , greater than all spain , were dis-peopled , and left desolate , in which there perished not less than twelve millions by their tyranny , hee might as truly have said fifty millions . their cruelties at their first planting in hispaniola drave the poor indians to their shifts , and to their weak defence , which so enraged these lions , that they spared neither man , woman , nor child : yea they ripped up the great bellied women ▪ and used to lay wagers which of them could with greatest dexterity cut off an indians head , or cut him in sunder in the midst : they would pluck the infants by the heels from their mothers breasts , and dash out their brains against the stones , or throw them into the river . they set up gibbets , and in honour of christ , and his apostles ( as they used prophanely to say ) they would both hang , and burn them . others they took , and cutting their hands almost off , bid them carry letters to their country-men , who for fear of these tyrants were fled into the mountains : the nobles , and chiefest men they broiled on gridirons : i once ( saith mine author ) saw four or five of them thus roasted , and when they made a lamentable noise , they stopped their mouthes , and so made them indure the torment till they dyed . they kept dogs to hunt them out of their coverts , which devoured these poor souls : and if at any time an indian thus provoked , killed a spaniard , they made a law , that one hundred of them should bee slain for him : one of the kings proffered to till the ground for them for fifty miles space , if they would spare him , and his people from the mines ; but for recompence , the spanish captain defloured his wife , and took him prisoner , and sent him into spain , where hee perished by the way . in another province of hispaniola , the spanish governour called before him three hundred indian lords , some of them hee burned , slew others with the sword , and hanged up the queen ; as they did also in another province : and for the rest which remained after these butcheries , they shared them amongst them for slaves . the men they consumed in the mines , the women by tillage , and by heavy burdens that they made them to carry , and both by famine , scourging , and other miseries . and thus they did in all other places whithersoever they came : in the islands of st. john , and jamica were six hundred thousand inhabitants , and within few years , there were scarcely two ●undred left in either of them : in cuba a cacique , or lord , called all his subjects together , and shewed them a box of gold , saying , this is the spaniards god , and made them dance about it , and then hurled it into the river : and afterwards being taken , and condemned to the fire , when hee was bound to the stake , a frier came and preached to him about heaven , and hell : the cacique asked if any spaniards were in heaven ? yea ( said the frier ) such as were good : then said the cacique , i will rather go to hell , than come where any of that cruel nation are . i was once present ( saith casas ) when the inhabitants of a town brought us forth victuals , and met us with great kindness , and the spaniards without any cause given , slew three thousand of them , neither sparing age , nor sex . at another time ( saith hee ) at their request , i sent to other towns to meet us , promising them good usage , and when two and twenty caciques met us , our captain against all faith , caused them to bee burned ; which base usage caused the poor indians to hang themselves : so that a spaniard seeing them take this course , hee made them beleeve that hee would also hang himself , to persecute them in the other world , which kept some from this self-execution . six thousand children dyed in three , or four months space of famine , their parents being sent away to the mines ; the rest they hunted out in the mountains , and desolate islands . in the land of lucaia they destroyed all , and when they shipped multitudes of them for the mines in hispaniola , for want of food , a third part of them commonly perished by the way , so that an unskilful pilot might have been directed his way by these floating carkasses . the like havock they made in the continent , almost unpeopling all places whether they came . from dariena to nicaragua , they slew four hundred thousand people with dogs , sword , fire , and other torments . they used to send friers to preach , that under pain of confiscation , and losse of lands , liberty , life , &c. they should acknowledge god , and the king of spain : yea they would steal to some places , and half a mile off of the citys by night they would make this proclamation where none heard it , and then in the night whilst they were asleep , fire their houses , slaying , and taking captive at their pleasures , and then fall to search for gold . a certain cacique gave the spanish governour the weight of nine thousand crowns in gold , and hee by way of requital to extort more , bound him to a post , and putting fire to his feet , forced him to send home for three thousand more , and yet not satisfied , hee persisted to torment him , till the marrow came forth of his feet , wherewith hee died ; when any of the indians fainted under their grievous burdens , or for want of food , the spaniards , least they should loose time in undoing the chain wherein they were tyed , they would cut off his head , and so let the body fall out . at another time they robbed the nicaraguans of their corn : whereby thirty thousand of them died of famine , and a mother was driven to eat her own child : besides , five hundred thousand were carried away into bondage , and fifty or sixty thousand more were slain in their warres : so that in one of the most populous regions in the world ( saith casas ) there remain not above four or five thousand persons . cortes used to have four kings to wait upon him : hee burned sixty kings , their children looking on . another spaniard cast four of their kings to bee devoured by his dogs . in new-spain from the year to . within the compasse of four hundred and eighty miles about mexico , they destroyed above four millions of people by fire , and sword , besides those that dyed by miserable servitude and drudgery . in the province of naco and honduras in the space of eleven years , two millions of men perished by the same ways . in guatimala , in sixteen years space , were destroied five millions of souls . alvarado , who was the instrument of this destruction dyed by the fall of his horse , and had his city of guatimala destroyed , and overwhelmed by a threefold deluge , of earth , water , and stones . in his expeditions , he forced the indians by ten , or twenty thousand at a time to go with him , allowing them no other sustenance , but the flesh of their slain enemys , keeping in his army shambles of mans flesh . in panuco and xalisco , they exercised the like cruelties : one of the spaniards forced eight thousand of the indians to wall about his garden , and suffered them all to perish with famine . in machuachan they tortured the king that came forth to meet them , that they might extort gold from him : they set his feet in the stocks , and put fire thereto , binding his hands to a post behind him , and then had a boy standing by , that basted his roasted feet with oil : another stood with a cross-bow bent against his breast , and a third stood with dogs ready to devour him , by these tortures hee dyed . they forced the indians to bring them their gods , hoping they had been of gold , but when their golden hopes failed , they forced them to redeem them again with gold. yea where the fryers had forced the indians to cast away their gods , the spaniards brought more from other places to sell them . in the province of st. martha , they laid utterly waste and desolate four hundred and fifty miles of land , by destroying the inhabitants : the like they did in the kingdome of venezula , where they destroyed four or five millions . besides , they carried of them captive out of the continent into the islands , a million of people . they spared no sort of persons ; plucked the children from the breasts to quarter them to their dogs , tortured kings with new devices borrowed either from the inquisition , or from hell : they used to cut off the noses , and hands of men and women that lived peaceably with them : they sold fathers , mothers , children , asunder into diverse places , and to diverse persons never to meet again : they used to ly with the women , that being with child they might yeild them the more mony in their sale . the spanish priests used to devote them with curses to the devil , and taught them vices by their evil practises and examples , insomuch as one said , hee would perswade the king of spain to send no more priests into america . they teach them usury , lying , swearing , blasphemy . a caciques son that was towardly in his youth , and proved after dissolute , being asked the reason of it , said , since i was a christian , i have learned to swear several sorts of oaths , to dice , to lye , to swagger , and now i want nothing but a concubine , to make mee a compleat christian : this made them to say , that of all gods the christians god was the worst , which had such bad servants , and to wish for their own gods again , of whom they never received so much hurt as from the christians . a christian ( said one of them ) is one that impiously demands maiz , honey , silk , raiment , an indian woman to lye with ; they call for gold and silver , are idle and will not work , are gamesters , dicers , wicked blasphemers , backbiters , quarrellers , &c. and taking a peece of gold , hee said , loe this is the christians god : for this they kill us , and one another , for this they play , blaspheme , curse , steal , and do all manner of villanies . in peru they had publike places of torture , whereinto they might put a thousand of the miserable creatures at once , by exquisite tortures to force them to a confession of their hidden treasures : such as escaped these , used to hang themselves in the mountains , and their wives by them , and their little children at their feet . by dogs at land they worried them , and in their pearl fishings , exposed them to the ravenous sharks in the seas ; by fire , and sword consuming twenty millions of people , since the jesuits went amongst them . these and infinite more , have been the cruelties which the cruel spaniards have exercised upon the poor , naked , innocent people : our author , a papist , that relates these things , least any should think that hee wrote too much , protests that they were a thousand times worse than hee had set down , the reading whereof might astonish the sence of the reader , amaze his reason , exceed his faith , and fill his heart with horror , and uncouth passions . it is no marvel that god follows such bloody beasts with his vengeance , as lately hee hath done ( if the relation be true ) which cometh from the mouths of some of themselves , lately taken by some of our frigots upon the coast of spain , as they came out of these countryes , whereof the narrative follows . the marquesse of baydex , now taken by our fleet neer cadiz , upon examination saith , that above five months since there happened in lima a fearfull earthquake , and a most miraculous rain of fire in peru , insomuch that the whole city of lima is swallowed up , and destroyed , as also the city of calao , in which places there perished above eleven thousand spaniards , and ( through the wonderful distinguishing hand of god ) not above one hundred indians . in the city of lima the king of spain hath lost by the earthquake , one hundred millions of silver ready wrought up . also the famous mines of potozi , where they had their greatest quantities of silver , are destroyed in a wonderfull manner , so that the hill is not to be seen , but all is plain , nor is there any further possibility of having gold , or silver in peru : some of the spaniards themselves acknowledge , that this judgement is justly befaln them for their cruelty to the poor indians , who crying to god for vengeance , have pulled down this visible hand of god upon them . lima and potosi described . in lima no houses are covered on the tops , because it never rains , and is a hot countrey : no city in india is richer . over the top of the mountain of potosi , there always hangs a cloud even in the clearest day . the hill riseth in the form of a pyramis , being three leagues high , environed with cold air : at the foot of it standeth the fair city of potosi , within six leagues about grows no grasse , corn , nor wood : the entrance , and mine works are so dangerous , that few that go in return again . the metal lies above two hundred fathoms deep , the king of spain receives thence yearly , eight , or ten millions of silver . lima , is the cheifest city in peru , standing within two leagues of the south sea , containing about two thousand houses , is very rich , and of more trade than all the cities of peru besides . it is the seat of the vice-roy , the arch-bishop , and of the inquisition . finis . examples of the wonderfull vvorks of god in the creatures . chap. i of strange stones , earth , and minerals . in cornwal , near unto a place called pensans , is that famous stone called main-amber : which is a great rock advanced upon some other of meaner size , with so equal a counterpoize , that a man may stir it with the push of his finger , but to remove it quite out of his place , a great number of men are not able . camb. brit. p. . the like is in the country of stratherne in scotland . in summerset-shire , near unto cainsham are found in stone-quarries , stones resembling serpents , winding round in manner of a wreath , the head bearing up in the circumference , and the end of the tail , taking up the centre within : but most of them are headless . camb. brit. p. . in gloucestershire upon the hills near alderly are found certain stones , resembling cockles , periwinckles , and oisters , which seem to bee the gaimsome works of nature , or such shells turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . in yorkshire , about whitby are found certain stones fashioned like serpents foulded , and wrapped round , as in a wreath , so that a man would verily think that they had been sometimes serpents turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . also in the same county at huntly nabb , there ●ye scattering here , and there amongst the rocks , stones of divers bigness , so artificially by nature shaped round in manner of a globe , that one would take them to bee big bullets made by the turners hand , for shot to bee discharged out of great ordnance ; in which , if you break them , are found stony serpents , enwrapped round like a wreath : but most of them are headlesse . camb. brit. p. . in the county of cornwal , near unto st. neots , there are a number of good great rocks heaped up together , and under them one stone of lesser size , fashioned naturally in the form of a cheese lying in presse , whereupon it s named wring-cheese . camb. brit. p. . in richmondshire amongst the ragged rocks , are found stones like unto periwinckles , cockles , and other shell fish . camb. brit. p. . in the county of hereford , a hill which they call marcley-hill , in the year . ( as though it had wakened on a sudden out of a deep sleep ) roused it self up , and for the space of three dayes together moving and shewing it self ( as mighty , and huge an heap as it was ) with roaring noise in a fearful sort , and overturning all things that stood in the way , advanced it self forward to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders . camb. brit. p. . in glamorganshire in a rock , or cliffe by the sea side , there appeareth a very little chinck , unto which , if you lay your ear , you shall hear a noise as if it were of smiths at work , one while the blowing of the bellows , another while the striking of the sledge , and hammer ; sometimes the sound of the grindstone , and iron tools rubbing against it , the hissing sparks also of steel gads within holes as they are beaten , and the puffing noise of the fire burning in the furnace . camb. brit. p. . this is called merlins cave . at aspley 〈◊〉 in bedfordshire , near unto woburn , there is a kind of earth that turns wood into stone : for proof whereof there was a woodden ladder in the monastery of woburn , that having lien a good while covered in that earth , was digged forth again all stone . camb. brit. p. . i have a peece of wood turned into stone by that earth . in kile , in scotland , there is a rock about twelve foot high , and as much in breadth , called the deaf-craig : for though a man call never so loud , or shoot off a gun on the one side , yet his fellow on the other side cannot hear the noise . description of scotland . in argile there is a stone found in diverse places , which being laid under straw , or stubble , doth set it on fire , by reason of the great heat that it gathereth there . idem . it is most strange , yet true , that the arms of the duke of rohan in france , which are fusils , or lozenges , are to bee seen in the wood , and stones through all his country : so that if you break a stone in the middest , or lopp a bough of a tree , you shall behold the grain thereof ( by some secret cause in nature ) diamonded , or streaked in the fashion of a lozeng . camb. brit. in vvarwick-shire , the armes of the shugburies , which are starres , are found in the stones in their own manour of shugbury ; so that break the stone where you will , and there is the exact fashion of a star in the end of it . idem , i have some of these stones . in the kingdome of fesse in affrica there is a mountain called beniguazeval , in the top whereof there is a cave that casteth out fire perpetually , pur. pil. v. . p. . in prussia there is great store of amber , which groweth like corall in a mountain of the north sea , which is clean covered with water : by the violence of the waves beating against this rock , the amber is oft broken off , and cast up by the sea into their havens . about bever castle in lincoln-shire , are found the stones called astroites , which resemble little stars joyned one with another , wherein are to be seen at every corner five beams , or rayes , and in the middest of every ray is to bee seen a small hollownesse . cam. brit. wee have corral , amber , emeralds , calcedony , pearl , onix , sardonix , sardis , bezar , hemathist , and the turquoise from arabia , indostan , and persia. pearls , berils , saphires , and adamants , from zeilan . jasper , cornelion , agate , heliotrope , jacinth , and chrysolite , from malabar , nursinga , and cochin-china . diamonds from borneo , and gulkunda . gold , silver , rubies , saphires , granats , topaz , emerald , smaradg , espinels , cats-eyes , and porcellane , from pegu , siam , bengala , sumatra , japan , and china . a strange report of a city in barbary that is turned into stone . they write from barbary , that a whole city consisting of men , beasts , trees , houses , utensils , &c. are turned lately into stone : every thing remaining in the same posture , as children at their mothers breasts , &c. one whiting , captain of an english ship , who was a a slave there , comming to the duke of florence , told him of it , having himself seen it , whereupon the duke ) holding fair correspondence with the bassa of tripolis , ) wrote to him about it : the bassa by letter hath assured him of the truth of it , and that himself was an eye witnesse of the same , going to the place to see it , and that it was done in few hours , and hee hath sent the duke diverse of th●se things petrified , and amongst the rest some peeces of gold that are turned into stone . this information sir kenelm digby , had from a friend of his in florence , besides other letters that mention it . if it bee true wee shall have further confirmation of it . i am not apt to beleeve such reports , yet seeing the psalmist tells us , that strange punishments are for the workers of iniquity , i thought fit to insert it , till time discover the truth ▪ chap. ii. examples of the rare works of god in the creatures . of trees , hearbs , plants , and gums . of date-trees , some are males , and other females : the male brings forth flowers onely ; the female fruit , but the flowers of the female will not open unlesse the boughs , and flowers of the male be joyned unto them : and if they be not thus coupled the dates will prove stark naught , and have great stones in them , pur. pil. v. . p. . neer unto the grand-cairo in egypt , is a garden environed with a strong wall , in the garden is a large fountain , and in the middest of it groweth the only balm-tree bearing true balm , that is in the world : it hath a short stock or body , and beareth leaves like unto vine-leaves , but not altogether so long . pur. pil. v. . p. . in the country of indostan they have a pleasant clear liquor which they call taddy , issuing from a spongie ▪ tree that grows straight , and tall , without boughs to the top , and there spreads out into branches , somewhat like to an english colewort , where they make incisions , under which they hang earthen pots to preserve the influence : that which distills forth in the night , is as pleasing to the taste , as any white wine , if drunk betimes in the morning ; and of a peircing , and medicinable quallity , excellent against the stone . but in the heat of the day the sun alters it , so that it becomes heady , ill-relished , and unwholesome . p. pil. v. . p. . for cotton wool , they plant seeds , which grow up into shrubs like unto our rose-bushes : it blows first into a yellow blossome , which falling off , there remains a cod about the bignesse of a mans thumb , in which the substance is moist , and yellow , but as it ripens , it swells bigger , till it break the cod , and in short time becomes as white as snow , and then they gather it . p. pil. v. . p. . the cynamon-tree is a small tree , and low , having leaves like to our bay-tree : in the month of march , or april , when the sap goeth up to the top of the tree , they cut the bark off the tree round about in length ▪ from knot , to knot or from joynt to joynt , above , and below , and then easily with their hands they take it away , laying it in the sun to drye , and yet for all this the tree dyes not , but against the next year it will have a new bark ; and that which is gathered every year is the best cynamon : that which grows longer is great , and not so good . p. pil. v. . p. . in india is a tree called arbore de ray's , or the tree of roots , it groweth first up like other trees , and spreadeth the branches , out of which there come strings , which seem afar off to bee cords of hemp ; which growing longer till they reach the ground , there take root again : so that in the end one tree will cover a great peece of ground , one root crossing within another like a maze , each of these young trees will in time grow so big , that it cannot bee discerned which is the principal trunk , or body of the tree . there is also a tree called arbore triste , or the sorrowful tree , so called , because it never beareth blossoms but in the night-time , and so it doth , and continueth all the year long : so soon as the sun sets , there is not one blossom seen upon the tree , but presently within half an hour after , there are as many blossoms as the tree can bear , pleasant to behold , and smelling very sweet , and as soon as the day comes , and the sun is rising , they all presently fall off , and not one to bee seen on the tree , which seems as though it were dead , till evening comes again , and then it begins to blossome as it did before , it s as big as a plum-tree : it groweth up quickly , and if you break but a branch of the tree , and set it in the earth , it presently takes root , and grows , and within a few dayes after it beareth blossoms , which are like orange-tree-blossoms , the flower white , and in the bottom somewhat yellow , and redish . p. pil. v. . p. . there is also an herb in india called by the portugals , herba sentida , or feeling herb , which if a man touch , or throw sand , or any other thing upon it , presently it becomes as though it were withered , closing the leaves together , and it comes not to it self again , as long as the man standeth by it , but presently after hee is gone , it openeth the leaves again , which become stiffe , and fair , as though they were newly grown : and touching it again , it shuts , and becomes withered as before , so that its a pleasure to behold the strange nature of it . p. pil. v. . p. . pepper is planted at the root of some other tree , and runs up it like ivie : the leaves are like the orange leaves , but somewhat smaller , green , and sharp at ends : the pepper groweth in bunches like grapes , but lesse , and thinner ; they are alwayes green till they begin to drye , and ripen , which is in december , and january , at which time it turns black , and is gathered . p. pil. v. . p. . the best ginger grows in malabar ; it groweth like thin , and young netherland reeds , two or three spans high , the root whereof is the ginger , which is gathered in december , and january . p. pil. v. . p. . the clove-trees are like bay-trees , the blossoms at the first white , then green , and at last red , and hard , which are the cloves ; these cloves grow very thick together , and in great numb●●s . in the place where these trees grow , there is neither grass , nor green herbs , but ●s wholly drye , for that those trees draw all the moisture unto them . p. pil. v. . p. . the nutmeg-tree is like a pear-tree , but that its lesse , and with round leaves , the fruit is like great round peaches , the inward part whereof is the nutmeg ; this hath about it an hard shell like wood , and the shell is covered over with nutmeg-flower , which is the mace , and over it is the fruit , which without is like the fruit of a peach . p. pil. v. . p. . gumme-lac comes most from pegu : where are certain very great pismires with wings , which flye up the trees like plum-trees , out of which trees comes a certain gumme which the pismires suck up , and then they make the lac round about the branches of the trees , as bees make wax , and when it is full , the owners come , and breaking off the branches , lay them to dry , and being dry , the branches shrink out , and the lac remains . p. pil. v. . p. . amber-greese , is usually cast upon the sea-shore , which as some suppose is the dung of the whale , or as others , the sperme , or seed of the whale consolidated by lying in the sea. p. pil. v. . p. . the herb addad is bitter , and the root of it so venemous , that one drop of the juice will kill a man within the space of one hour . p. pil. v. . p. . of palm-trees , which they keep with watering , and cutting every year , they make velvets , satins , taffaties , damasks , sarcenets , and such like , all which are spun out of the leaves cleansed , and drawn into long threads . p. pil. v. . p. . frankincense grows in arabia , and is the gumme that issueth out of trees . idem . p. . in mozambique , manna is procreated of the dew of heaven falling on a certain tree , on which it hardens like sugar , sticking to the wood like rozen , whence it s gathered , and put into jars , and is used much for purging in india . idem . p. . mastick-trees grow only in the island of sio : the trees are low shrubs , with little crooked boughs , and leaves : in the end of august they begin their mastick-harvest , men cutting the bark of the tree with iron instruments , out of which the gumme distills uncessantly for almost three months together . idem . p. . spunges are gathered from the sides of rocks , fifteen fathom under water , about the bottom of the streights of gibralter , the people that get them being trained up in diving from their child-hood , so that they can indure to stay very long under water , as if it were their habitable element . in manica , is a tree called the resurrection-tree , which for the greatest part of the year is without leaf , or greenness : but if one cut off a bough , and put it into the water , in the space of ten hours , it springs , and flourisheth with green leaves ; but draw it out of the water , as soon as it is dry , it remaineth as it was before . pur. pil. v. . p. . there is in the island of teneriff ( which is one of the canaries ) a tree as big as an oke of a middle size , the bark white like hornbeam ; six , or seven yards high , with ragged boughs , the leaf like the bay-leaf . it beareth neither fruit , nor flower ; it stands on the side of an hill , in the day its withered , and drops all night ( a cloud hanging thereon ) so that it yeelds water sufficient for the whole island , wherein are eight thousand souls , and about an hundred thousand cammels , mules , goats , &c. the water falls from it into a pond made of brick , paved with stone ; from whence it s conveyed into several ponds , thorough the whole island . they also water therewith their corn-ground , for they have no other water in the island , except rain-water . the pond holds twenty thousand tun of water , and is filled in one night . many of our english that have been there have attested the truth hereof . idem . p. . concerning which tree , sylvester the poet made these verses . in th' i le of iron ( one of those same seven whereto our elders happy name have given ) the savage people never drink the streams of wells , and rivers , as in other realms . their drink is in the air ! their gushing spring , a weeping tree out of it self doth wring . a tree , whose tender bearded root being spread in dryest sand , his sweating leaf doth shed a most sweet liquor ; and ( like as the vine untimely cut , weeps ( at her wound ) the wine in pearled tears ) incessantly distills a royal stream , which all their cisterns fills throughout the island : for all hither hie , and all their vessels cannot draw it drye ! aloes grows in the island of socotera which is nothing but semper vivum , it is so full of a rosin-like juice , that the leaves are ready to break with it : which leaves they cut in small peeces , and cast them into a clean pit made in the ground , and paved : there it lies to ferment in the heat of the sun , whereby the juice floweth forth , which they put in skins , and hang them up in the wind to drye , whereby it hardens . p. pil. v. . p. . indico groweth in the moguls country , having a small leaf like that of sena : the branches are of a wooddy substance like broom : it grows not above a yard high , the stalk about the bignesse of a mans thumb : the seed is included in a small round cod of an inch long . this once sowed lasteth three years : that of the first year makes a weighty reddish indico , that sinks in water , being not yet come to its perfection : that of the second year is rich , very light , and of a perfect violet colour , swimming on the water : that of the third year is weighty , blackish , and the worst of the three . this herb , when it s cut , is put into a cistern , and pressed down with stones , then covered over with water , where it remains till the substance of the herb is gone into the water : then it s drawn forth into another cistern , and laboured with staves till it bee like batter , then they let it seeth , and so scum off the water two or three times , till nothing but a thick substance remains , which taking forth , they spread on a cloath , dry it in the sun , then make it into balls , dry it on the sand , which causes the sandy foot : that is best , which is of a pure grain , violet-colour , is glossie , dry , and light . idem . p. . sir james lancaster in his east-indy voyage , in the isle of sombrero found on the sea-sands , a young twig growing up to a tree , and offering to pluck up the same , it shrank down into the ground , and when it was by strength pulled up , a great worm was the root of it , and as the tree groweth in greatnesse , the worm diminisheth : this tree plucked up , the leaves , and pill stripped off , by that time its dryed , is turned into a hard stone ; so that this worm was twice transformed into different natures , after a wondrous manner : of these hee brought home many . p. pil. v. . p. . about saffron walden in essex , there grows great store of saffron , which was first brought into england , in the reign of king edward the third . this in the month of july every third year , being plucked up , and after twenty dayes , having the root split , and set again in the earth , about the end● of september it putteth forth a whitish blew flower , out of the midst whereof there come three chives , which are gathered in the morning before sun-rising , and being plucked out of the flower , are dried by a soft fire ; and so great is the increase that commeth thereof , that out of every acre of ground , there are made fourscore , or an hundred pound weight of saffron , whilst it is moist , which being dryed , yeeld some twenty pound weight . and the ground which three years together hath brought saffron is so enriched thereby , that it will bear very good barley , many years together without dung , or manuring . camb. brit. p. . all along the shores of the red-sea are abundance of palm-trees , of a very strange nature : they grow in couples , male and female : both thrust forth cods full of seed : but the female is only fruitful , and that not except growing by the male , and having her seed mixed with his . the pith of these trees is an excellent sallet , better than an art●choke : of the branches are made bedsteads , lattices , &c. of the leaves , baskets , mats , fans , &c. of the outward husk of the cod , cordage , of the inward brushes . the fruit it beareth is like a fig , and finally it is said to yeild whatsoever is necessary for the life of man. it is the nature of this tree , that if never so great a weight bee laid upon it , it will lift and raise up it self the more , for which it was given to conquerors in token of victory . herb. trav. in italy there grows an hearb called balilisco , which hath this innate property , that if it bee laid under a stone in some moist place , in two days space it produceth a scorpion : raimunds mercu. ital. the assa-faetida tree is like our bryer in height , the leaves resemble fig-leaves , the root is like our radish : though the smell bee so base , yet the taste is so pleasing , that no meat , no sauce , no vessell is pleasing to the gusarats pallats where it grows , except it relish of it . herb. trav. benjamin is either , pure , cleer , and white , or yellow , and streaked : this gum issues from an high tree , small , and furnished with fruitlesse branches ; the leaves are not unlike to those of the olive : pegu , and siam yeild the best . the coco tree is very rife in the east-indies . in the whole world there is not a tree more profitable than this is , neither do men reap more benefit of any other tree than of this . the heart of the tree makes good timber , planks , and masts for ships : with the leaves thereof they make sails , with the rinde of it they make cordage : a gum that grows out of it caulks the ship : the fruit of it is a kinde of nut , which being full of kernel , and a sweet liquor , serves for meat and drink : much wine also it yeilds , and of the wine they make sugar , and placetto . the wine they gather in the spring of the year out of the middle of the tree , from whence there runs continually a white thin liquor , at which time they put a vessel under it , and take it away full every morning , and evening , and then distilling it they make a very strong liquor of it . of the nuts also they make great store of oil : out of the tree they make bows , beadsteads : of the leaves also they make very fine mats ▪ which whilst green , are full of an excellent sweet liquor , with which if a man bee thirsty hee may satisfy himself : with the bark they make spoons , dishes , and platters for meat . the first rinde of the nut they stamp , and make thereof perfect ockam : and the store of these nuts serve for merchandise . so that out of this one tree , they build and rig ships , furnish them with meat , drink , utensils , and merchandise , without the least help of any other whatsoever . pur. pil. v. . p. . and . mr. herbert in his travels thus describes it . the tree that bears the coco , is strait , & lofty without any branches , save at the very top , where it spreads its beautiful plumes , and nuts like pearls , or pendants adorning them . it is good timber for canoes , masts , anchors : the leaves for tents or thatching ▪ the rinde for sailes , matteresses , cables , and linnen : the shels for furniture : the meat for victualling . the nut is covered with a thick rinde equall in bignesse to a cabbage . the shell is like the skull of a man , or rather a deaths head , the eyes , nose , and mouth , being easily discerned : within it is contained a quart of sweet and excellent liquor , like new white-wine , but farre more aromatick tasted : the meat or kernel , is better relished than our philberds , and is enough to satisfy the appetite of two reasonable men . — the indian nut alone is cloathing , meat , and trencher , drink , and can. boat , cable , sail , mast , needle , all in one . herb. and sylvester hath set them forth to the life in these verses . the indian isles most admirable be , in those rare fruits call'd coquos commonly , the which alone far richer wonder yeilds , then all our groves , meads , gardens , orchards , fields , what wouldst thou drink ? the wounded leaves drop wine , lackst thou fine linnen ? dresse the tender rine . dresse it like flax , spin it , then weave it well , it shall thy cambrike , and thy lawn excell . longst thou for butter , bite the poulpous part , for never better came to any mart . do'st need good oyle ? then boult it to , and fro , and passing oyle it soon becometh so . or vinegar ? to whet thine appetite . why , sun it well , and it will sharply bite . or want's thou sugar ? steep the same a stownd , and sweeter sugar is not to bee found . 't is what you will ; or will bee what you would : should midas touch it , sure it would bee gold . and god , all-good , to crown our life with bayes , the earth with plenty , and his name with praise , had done enough , if hee had made no more but this one plant , so full of choicest store ; save that the world ( where one thing breeds satiety ) could not bee fair , without so great variety . the plantan tree is of a reasonable height ; the body about the bigness of a mans thigh , compacted of many leaves , wrapped one upon another , adorned with leaves in stead of boughs from the very ground , which are for the most part about two ells long , and an ell broad , having a large rib in the middle thereof . the fruit is a bunch of ten , or twelve plantans , each a span long , and as big almost as a mans wrist ; the rind being stripped off , the fruit is yellowish , and of a pleasant taste . pur. pil. p. . the cedars of mount libanus grow higher than pines , and so big , that four or five men with their arms can but fathom them ; the boughs rise not upward , but stretch out a cross , largely spread , and thickly enfolded one in another , as if done by art , so that men may sit , and lye along upon the boughs : the leaves are thick , narrow , hard , prickly , and alwayes green , the wood is hard , incorruptible , and sweet smelling ; the fruit like the cones of cypress , gummy , and marvellous fragrant . pur. pil. v. . p. . in africa are many palmeta trees , whence they draw a sweet , and wholesome wine , by cutting , or boring holes into the body of the tree , into which a cane is put that receives the sap , and conveyes it into gourds : it tastes like white wine , but it will not last above four and twenty hours . idem . in new-spain there are many trees which they call manguey : it hath great , and large leaves , at the end whereof is a strong , and sharp point , which they use for pins , and needles , and out of the leaf they draw a kind of thred which they use much to sew with . the body of the tree is big , which when it is tender , they cut , and out of the hole proceeds a liquor which they drink like water , being fresh , and sweet . this liquor being sodden , becomes wine , which being kept till it bee sower , makes good vineger : boil it a little more than for wine , and it makes a fine syrup ; and boil it till it bee thick , and it makes hony. idem . v. . p. . there is a certain tree in new-spain called tunalls , in whose leaves breed certain small worms , which are covered with a fine web , compassing them in daintily . this in the season they gather , and let it drye , and this is that cochenille , so famous , and dear , wherewith they dye in grain . idem . the jack , or giack is an high tree , and uneasy to bee ascended ; the jack for shew and bigness resembles a pumpeon : without , it is of a gold yellow , mixt with veins ; within , its soft , and tender , full of golden coloured cloves , each full of kernels , not unlike a great french bean , but more round , each of them hath an hard stone within it ; the fruit is somewhat unpleasant at the first taste ; t is glutinous , and clammy in the mouth , but very restorative , and good for the back . the ananas is not inferiour to the jack in bulk , and roundnesse : it ariseth from no seed , or sowing , but from a root like an artichoke : when they are ripe they shew themselves , and are not above two foot high : without , it is covered with a drie rind , hard , and skaley ; within , its wholesome , and pleasant , and though a little of it seems to satiate the appetite , yet the stomach likes it well , and its easie of digestion . the duroyen is somewhat like the jack , in shape round , the inward vertue , is far greater than the outward beauty : at first opening it hath an unpleasant smell : the meat is whitish , and divided into a dozen cells , or partitions , filled with stones as big as chesnuts , white , and cordial . it s a fruit nutritive , and dainty , and may well bee called an epitome of all the best , and rarest fruits in the orient . the arec-tree is almost as high as a cedar , but more like the palmeto : it is of a fuzzie , hollow substance , adorned at every top with plumes , wherein the fruit hangs in clusters ; it s in shape and bigness like a walnut ; white , and hard within ; hath neither taste , nor smell : they never eat it alone , but wrap it in a leaf of bettle , and are frequently chawing of it : some adde to it a kinde of lime made of oister-shells , it cures the chollick , removes melancholly , kills wormes ▪ provokes lust , purges the maw , and prevents hunger . it s much used in the east-indies . the palmeto-tree is long , strait , round , and soft , without leaf , bough , or branch , save at the top , and those are few , green , and sedgie : under which branches there appear certain codded seeds : both the male , and female bear blossoms , but the female only bears fruit , and yet not that , unless a flowring branch of the male tree bee yearly inoculated : the leaves serve for many uses . at the top of this tree there is a soft pith , in which consists the life of it : for that being cut out , the tree dyes . this pith is in bigness like a small cabbage , in taste like a nut kernel , and being boiled it eats like a colly-flower . but of more value is the palmeto wine , which is sweet , pleasant , and nourishing ; in colour , and taste not unlike muskadine : it purges , cures obstructions , and kills the worms . if it stand two dayes in the sun it makes good vinegar . the wine is thus gotten . they cut a small hole in two or three trees that grow together , which in a short time are filled with the sap that issues in them , which with a cane , or quill they draw forth . pur. pil. in summersetshire , near unto glastenbury , in wiral park was that famous hawthorn tree , which used upon christmas day to sprout forth as fresh as in may ; but now it s cut down . camb. brit. p. . in the marishes of egypt grow those sedgie reeds , called papyri , whereof formerly they made paper , and from whence ours that is made of rags assumed that name . they divide it into thin flakes , whereinto it naturally parteth : then laying them on a table , and moistening them with the glutinous water of nilus , they press them together , drye them in the sun , and then they are fitted for use pur. pil. v. . p. . chap. iii. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fountains , rivers , and vvaters . in the bishoprick of durham , in dirlington feild , there are three pits of a wonderful depth , called by the vulgar hell-kettles , in which the water by an antiperistasis , or reverberation of the cold air , striking thereupon , waxeth hot ; which pits have passage under ground , into the river teese , as archbishop guthbert tonsta ! observed , by finding that goose in the river which hee had marked , and let down into these pits . camb. brit. p. . in yorkshire , near unto knasburrow castle is a well , in which the waters spring not up out of the veins of the earth , but distil , and trickle down , dropping from the rocks hanging over it , whence it s called dropping-vvell : into which , what wood soever is put , it will in a short space bee turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . in caermardenshire , near unto careg castle , there is a fountain that twice in four and twenty hours ebbeth , and twice floweth , resembling the unstable motions of the main sea. camb. brit. p. . in vvestmerland , hard by shape there is a well , or fountain , which after the manner of euripus , ebbeth , and floweth many times in a day . camb. brit. p. . in ireland is a fountain , whose water killeth all those beasts that drink thereof , but hurteth not the people , though they usually drink of it . ortelius . neer unto lutterworth in leicester shire , there is a spring of water so cold , that in a short time it turneth straws , and sticks into stone . camb. brit. p. . in derbyshire in the peak-forrest not far from buxtone , is a well which in a wonderful manner doth ordinarily ebb , and flow , four times in the space of one hour , or thereabouts , keeping his just tides . camb. brit. p. . also in the same county at the spring head of wie there rise , and walm up , nine fountains of hot waters , commonly called buxton wells , very sovereign for the stomach , sinews , and whole body . camb. brit. p. . in scotland on the bank of ratra neer unto stang's castle , there is , a cave , wherein the water distilling naturally by drops from the head of the vault , is presently turned into pyramidal stones ; and were not the said hole , or cave otherwhiles rid , and cleansed , the whole space as far as up to the vault , would in a short time be filled therewith . camb brit. scotl. p. . in scotland in the countrey of murray , there is a river called naes the water whereof is almost always warm , and at no time so cold that it freezeth , yea , in the most cold time of winter , broken ice falling into it , is dissolved with the heat thereof . descrip. of scotl. also in galloway the loch called loch-merton is of such a strange nature , that the one half of it doth never freeze in the coldest winter . descrip. of scotl. in lenox is a great loch , or meere , called loch-lowmond , in length twenty four miles , and eight in breadth , wherin are three strange things : first , excellent good fish without any fins : secondly , a floating island whereon many kine feed : and thirdly , tempestuous waves rageing without winds , yea , in the greatest calms . desc. of scotl. there is a certain island called lounda in the kingdome of congo , wherein is no fresh water ( being a very sandy ground ) but if you dig but the depth of two or three hand breadthes , you shall find sweet water , the best in all those countryes : and ( which is most strange ) when the ocean ebbeth , this water grows brackish , but when it flows to the top , it is most sweet . p. pil. v. . p. . not far from casbine , the regal city in persia is a fountain of a strange , and wonderful nature , out of which there continually springeth , and issueth a marvellous quantity of black oil , which serveth in all parts of persia to burn in their houses , and is usually carried all over the countrey upon kine , and asses , whereof you may often meet three or four hundred in company . p. pil. v. . p. . about three days journey from old babylon , is a town called ait , and neer unto that is a valley of pitch very marvellous to behold , wherin are many springs , throwing out abundantly a kind of black substance , like unto tar , and pitch , which serveth all the country thereabout to make staunch their barques with , and boats : every one of which springs makes a noise like to a smith's forge in puffing , and blowing out the matter , which never ceaseth day nor night , and the noise is hard a mile off : the moors call it hell-mouth . p. pil. v. . p. . clitumnus is a river in italy , which makes all the oxen that drink of it , white . fulk . meteor . lib. the river melas in boeotia makes all the sheep that drink of it , black . plin. the fountain of jupiter hammon , is cold in the day time , and hot at midnight . the fountain of the sun hath its water extream cold , and sweet at noon ; and boiling hot , and bitter at midnight . plin. lib. . c. . augustine . there is a river in palestine called the sabbatical river , which runs with a violent and swift stream all the week ; but every sabbath it remains dry . joseph . de bel. jud. l. . c. . some question the truth of this . in idumaea is a fountain called the fountain of job , which for one quarter of the year is troubled and muddy ; the next quarter bloody , the third green , and the fourth clear . isiod . the river astaces in the isle of pontus uses sometimes to over flow the fields , after which whatsoever sheep , or milch cattel feed thereon , give black milk , plin. l. . c. . furius camillus being censor in rome , the lake albanus being environed with mountains on every side , in the time of autumn when other lakes and rivers were almost dry , the waters of this lake after a wondrous manner began to swell , and rise upwards , till at last they were equall with the tops of the mountains , and after a while they brake thorow one of those mountains , overflowing and bearing all down before them till they emptied themselves into the sea. plut. the river d ee in merionneth shire in wales , though it run through pimble-meer , yet it remaineth intire , and mingles not its streams with the waters of the lake . cam. brit. ana a river in spain , burieth it self in the earth , and runneth under ground fifteen miles together , whereupon the spaniards brag that they have a bridge whereon ten thousand cattel feed daily . pliny tells us of a fountain called dodon , which always decreaseth from midnight till noon , and encreaseth from noon till midnight hee also tells us of certain fountains in an island neer italy , which always increase and decrease according to the ebbing , and flowing of the sea . aristotle writeth of a well in sicilie , whose water is so sharp , that the inhabitants use it instead of vinegar . in bohemia neer to the city of bilen is a well of such excellent water , that the inhabitants use to drink of it in a morning instead of burnt wine . dr. fulk . in paphlagonia is a well , which hath the taste of wine , and it makes men drunk which drink of it ; whence du bartas , salonian fountain , and thou andrian spring , out of what cellars do you daily bring the oyl , and wine that you abound with so ? o earth , do these within thine entrals grow ? &c. aelian mentioneth a fountain in boeotia neer to thebes , which makes horses run mad if they drink of it . pliny mentioneth a water in sclavonia which is extream cold , and yet if a man throw his cloath cloak upon it , it is presently set on fire . other waters there are which discolour the fleeces of the sheep which drink of them : whence du bartas . cerona , xanth , and cephisus do make , the thirsty flocks that of their waters take , black , red , and white : add neer the crimson deep , th' arabian fountain maketh crimson sheep . and again . what should i of th' illyrian fountain tell ? what shall i say of the dodonean well ? whereof the first sets any cloathes on fire ; th' other doth quench ( who but will this admire ) a burning torch : and when the same is quenched , lights it again , if it again be drenched . in the province of dara in lybia , there is a certain river , which sometimes so overfloweth the banks that it is like a sea , yet in the summer it is so shallow , that any one may passe over it on foot . if it overflow about the beginning of aprill , it brings great plenty to the whole region , if not , there follows great scarcity of corn. pur. pil. v. . p. . in the kingdome of tunis , neer unto the city el-hamma , is a hot river , which by diverse channels is carried through the city , the water of it being so hot that few can endure to go into it , yet having set it to cool a whole day , the people drink of it . idem . p. . in africa , there is a river called margania , and by it a salt spring which turns all the wood is thrown into it , into hard stone . idem . p. . the river meander is famous for its six hundred windings , and turning in , and out : whence that of the poet. quique recurvatis ludit maeander in undis . maeander plays his watry pranks , within his crooked winding banks . groenland in the hyperborean sea , was discovered anno christi . it hath in it the monastery of st. thomas , situate in the north-east part thereof at the foot of a mountain , where there is a river so hot , that they use to boil their meat in it , and it serves for other such purposes as fire doth with us . isac . chron. p. . the river hypanis in scythia every day brings forth little bladders , out of which come certain flies which are thus , bred in the morning , are fledge at noon , and dye at night . fit emblems of the vain , and short life of man. the famous river of nilus in egypt useth once in the year to overflow her banks , whereby the whole country is watered . it usually beginneth to overflow upon the seventeenth of june , and increaseth daily , sometimes two , sometimes three fingers , and sometimes half a cubit high on a day . the increase of it is known by a pillar erected in a cistern , whereinto the water is conveyed by a sluce ; which pillar is divided into eighteen parts , each a cubit higher than the other . if the water reach no higher than to the fifteenth cubit , they expect a fruitful year : if it stay between the twelfth , and fifteenth cubit , the increase of that year will bee but mean. if it reach not to the twelfth , it s a sign of scarcity . if it rise to the eighteenth , the scarcity will bee greater , in regard of too much moisture . this river continueth forty dayes increasing , and forty dayes decreasing . pur. pil. v. . p. . another thing is wonderful , which is this : in the grand cairo ( which is the metropolis of egypt ) the plague useth many times to bee very violent , till the river begins to overflow its banks , at which time it doth instantly cease . so that whereas five hundred a day dyed the day before , not one doth dye the day following . idem . p. . in the county of devon , not far from the town of lidford , at a bridge , the river lid is gathered into a strait , and pent in between rocks , whereon it runneth down a main , and the ground daily waxing deeper , and deeper under it , his water is not seen , only a roaring noise is heard , to the great wonder of those that pass by . camb. brit. p. . in vvarwickshire , at nevenham regis , three fountains arise out of the ground , strained through an allom mine : the water whereof carrieth the colour , and taste of milk , which cureth ulcers in the bladder , or kidneys caused by the stone , and provoketh urine abundantly , green wounds it cleanseth , closeth up , and quickly healeth ; being drunk with salt it looseth , and with sugar it bindeth the belly . about fifty years ago these wells were famous , and in great request , many resorting to them , and the water by others was sent for , far and near . idem . p. . in herefordshire , a little beneath richards castle , nature , who never disports her self more in shewing wonders , than in waters , hath brought forth a pretty well , which is alwayes full of little fish bones , although they bee drawn out from time , to time , whence it s commonly called bone-vvell . idem . p. . in yorkshire , upon the sea-shore by sken-grave , when the winds are laid , and the weather is most calm upon the sea : the water lying level , and plain without any noise : there is heard here many times on a sudden ▪ a great way off as it were , an horrible , and fearful groaning , which affrights the fishermen at those times , so that they dare not launce forth into the sea. idem . p. . pliny tells us of the fountain chymaera , that is set on fire with water , and put out with earth , or hey . plin. nat . hist. lib. . c. . . the same author also tells us , that in the hot deserts of india grows a certain kinde of flax that lives in the fire , and consumes not● wee have seen ( saith hee ) table-cloathes made of it , burning in fires at feasts , by which they have been cleansed from their stains , and spots , and made whiter by the fire than they could bee by water . at belgrad in hungary , where danubius , and sava ( two great rivers ) meet , their waters mingle no more than water and oil : not that either flote above other , but joyn unmixed , so that near the middle of the river i have gone in a boat ( saith sir henry blunt in his voyage into the levant ) and tasted of the danow as clear , and pure as a well ; then putting mine hand an inch further , i have taken of the sava , as troubled as a street-channel , tasting the gravel in my teeth . thus they ran sixty miles together , and for a dayes journy i have been an eye-witness of it . chap. iiii. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fishes . anno christi . at oreford in suffolk a fish was taken by the fishermen at sea , in shape resembling a wild man , and by them was presented to sir bartholomew de glanvil , keeper of oreford castle . in all his limbs and members hee resembled a man , had hair in all the usual parts of his body , only his head was bald . the knight caused meat to bee set before him , which hee greedily devoured , and did eat fish raw , or sod : that which was raw hee pressed with his hand , till hee had squeezed out all the moisture : hee uttered not any speech , though to try him , they hung him up by the heels , and grievously tormented him . hee would get him to his couch at the setting of the sun , and rise again at the sun-rising . one day they brought him to the haven , and let him go into the sea , but to prevent his escape , they set three rows of very strong nets before him , to catch him again at their pleasure : but hee , streightwaies diving to the bottom , crept under all their nets , and shewed himself again to them , and so often diving , hee still came up , and looked upon them that stood on the shoar , as it were mocking of them . at length after hee had sported himself a great while in the water , and there was no hope of his return , hee came back to them of his own accord , and remained with them two months after . but finally , when hee was negligently looked to , hee went to the sea , and was never after seen , or heard of . fabians chron. anno christi . some women of edam in the low-countries , as they were going in their barks to their cattel in purmer-meer , they often saw at the ebbing of the water , a sea-woman playing up and down , whereat at the first they were afraid , but after a while , incouraging one another , they made with their boats towards her , and the water by this time being nor deep enough for her to dive in , they took her by force , and drew her into the boat , and so carried her to edam , where in time shee grew familiar , and fed of ordinary meats : and being sent from thence to harlem , shee lived about fifteen years , but never spake , seeking often to ge● away into the water . belg. common vvealth . p. . in the seas , near unto sofala are many vvomen-fishes ; which from the belly to the neck are very like a woman : the females have breasts like womens , with which also they nourish their young . from the belly downward they have thick , and long tails , with fins like a dolphin : the skin on the belly is white ; on the back rougher than a dolphins . they have arms , which from the elbows end in fins , and so have no hands : the face is plain , round , and bigger than a mans , deformed , and without humane semblance : they have wide mouths , thick hanging lips like a hound ; four teeth hanging out almost a span long , like the tusk of a boar : and their nostrils are like a calves . pur. pil. v. . p. . upon the coasts of brasile are often found meer-men , which are like unto men of a good stature , but that their eyes are very hollow . captain richard vvhitburn in his description of newfound-land , writes that anno christi . early in a morning as hee was standing by the water side , in the harbour of st. johns , hee espied a strong creature swimming very swiftly towards him , like a woman , looking chearfully upon him : her face , eyes , nose , mouth , chin , ears , neck , and forehead were like a womans . it was very beautiful , and in those parts well proportioned , having hair hanging down round about the head : he seeing it come within a pikes length of him , stepped back , whereupon it dived under the water , swimming to another place , whereby hee beheld the shoulders , and back down to the middle , which was as square , white , and smooth as the back of a man ; from the middle to the hinder part it pointed in proportion like a broad hooked arrow : afterwards it came to a boat wherein some of his men were , attempting to come in to them , till one of them struck it a full blow upon the head : others of them saw it afterwards also . about brasile are many meer-men , and meer-vvomen ; that have long hair , and are very beautiful . they often catch the indians as they are swimming , imbracing them , and kissing them , and clasp them so hard , that they crush them to death , and when they perceive that they are dead , they give some sighs , as if they were sorry . pur. pil. v. . p. . there are also another sort of them , that resemble children , and are no bigger , that are no wayes hurtful . idem . the torpedo is a strange kind of fish , which a man holding in his hand , if it stir not , it produceth no effect ; but if it move it self never so little , it so torments the body of him that holds it , that his arteries , joints , sinews , and all his members feel exceeding great pain , with a certain numness , and as soon as he layeth it out of his hand , all that pain , and numnesse is gone also . p. pil. v. . p. . see more of it afterwards . in sofala are many river-horses , as big as two of our horses , with thick , and short hinder legs , having five clawes on each fore-foot , and four on the hinder ; the mouth is wide , and full of teeth , four of which are above two spans long a peece ; that two lower stand upright ; the two upper are turned like a boars tush ; they live in the water , but feed on the land upon grass : they have teats wherewith they nourish their young ones : their hides are thicker than an oxes ; they are all of an ash colour gray , with white strakes on their faces , or white stars in their foreheads . idem . p. . in the mouth of the river of goa , there was taken a fish of the bigness of a cur-dog , with a snout like an hog , small eyes , no ears , but two holes in stead thereof : it had four feet like an elephant : the tail was flat , but at the end round , and somewhat sharp : it snorted like a hog ; the body , head , tail , and legs , were covered with broad scales as hard as iron , so that no weapon could peirce them : when hee was beaten , hee would rowle himself round like an urchin , and could by no strength bee opened , till hee opened of his own accord . idem . p. . there are also toad-fishes of about a span long , painted , having fair eyes : when they are taken out of the water , they snort , and swell much : their poison lies only in the skin , and that being flaid off , the indians eat them . idem . p. . the cuttle-fish hath a hood alwayes full of black water , like ink , which when shee is pursued by other fishes that would devoure her , shee casts it forth , which so darkens and soileth the water , that shee thereby escapeth . idem . there are a sort of fishes , whose wonderful making magnifieth their creator , who for their safety hath given them sins , which serve in stead of wings : they are of such a delicate skin interlaced with fine bones as may cause admiration in the beholder : these fishes are like to pilchards , , only a little rounder , and bigger : they flye best with a side wind , but longer than their wings are wet , they cannot flye , so that their longest flight is about a quarter of a mile . the dolphins , and bonitos do continually hunt after them , to prey upon them : whereupon for safety they take the air : but then there is a fowle called an alcatrace , much like a hern , which hovers in the air to seize upon them . incidit in scyllam qui vult vitare caribdim . out of the frying pan into the fire , as our proverb hath it . there is often a strange fight in the sea between the vvhale and his enemies , viz. the swordfish , and the thresher . the swordfish is not great , but strongly made , and between his neck and shoulders he hath a bone like a sword , of about five inches broad , and above three foot long , full of prickles on either side . the thresher is a bigger fish , whose tail is broad , and thick , and very weighty . the fight is in this manner ; the swordfish placeth himself under the belly of the vvhale , and the thresher above with his tail thresheth upon the head of the whale , till hee forceth him to give way , which the swordfish perceiving , wounds him in the belly with the sword , and so forceth him to rise up again . in this manner they torment him , that the fight is sometimes heard above three leagues off , the whales roaring being heard much further , his onely remedy in this case is to get to the shore , which hee laboureth to do as soon as hee sees his enemys : for then there can fight but one with him , and for either of them hand to hand hee is too good . pur. pil. v. . p. . mr. herbert in his east-indy voyage , relates of a shark taken by one of their men , that was nine foot and an half in length , and they found in her paunch fifty and five young ones , each of them a foot in length , all which go out and in at their pleasures : shee is armed with a double row of venemous teeth : and is guided to her prey by a little musculus , or pilot fish that scuds to and fro to bring intelligence , the shark for his kindnesse suffering it to suck when it pleaseth . the sea tortoise is not much differing from those at land , only her shell is flatter : by overturning them they are easily taken , being thereby dis-inabled either to sink , or help themselves : they taste waterish and cause fluxes : they superabound in eggs , one of them having in her neer two thousand , which eggs are pale , and round , and will never be made hard with boiling . herberts travels . p. . in the indion sea is an eagle-fish , whose eyes are five quarters asunder , from the end of one fin to the end of the other are above four yards : its mouth and teeth resemble a portcullis : it hath a long small tail , and it is rather to be wondred at than to be eaten . in le maires voyage about the world , a certain fish , or sea monster , with an horn struck against the ship with such violence that shook it , whereupon the master looking overboard , saw the sea all bloody , but knew not what should be the cause , till coming into port desire , where they cleansed and trimmed their ship , they found seven foot under water , a horn sticking in the ship , for bignesse , and fashion like an elephants tooth : yet not hollow , but all solid of hard bone , which had pierced through three double planks , and was entred into a rib of the ship , it stuck about half a foot deep in the ship , and by great force was broken off , which caused that great monster to bleed so much as discoloured the water , pur. pil. v. . p. . the mannaty is a strange fish resembling a cow : her face is like a buffalo's , her eyes small and round , having hard gums instead of teeth : they feed much on the shore , which makes them taste like flesh of veal : their intrails differ little from a cows : their bodies are commonly three yards long , and one broad , they swim slowly wanting fins , in the place wherof they have two things like paps , which are their stilts when they creep on shore to graze , where they sleep long , sucking in the cool air : they cannot keep under water above half an hour . the stone generated in their head is most esteemed , being soveraign against choller adust , the stone collick ; and dissenteryes , if beaten small infused in wine , and drunk fasting . herb. trav. p. . see more afterwards . the carvel comes of the foam of the sea , every where floating upon the surface of the ocean , of a round form , throwing abroad her strings like so many lines , which shee can spread at pleasure , therewith angling for small fishes , which shee catches at leisure : you may call her a sea spider : for when shee sees her webb too weak , she can blow an infectious breath foming death , or such a sting as if she had borrowed it from a scorpion . idem . in the east-indies is a trade wind , which they call a briese , or monson , which blows west all april , may , june , july , august , and part of september , and east the rest of the year : only on the east of sumatra , it blows five months east , and five months west , and the other two variable . this is well known to our east-indy merchants . the torpedo is a fish like a bream , but somewhat thicker : some marriners having one of them in a net , went to take it forth , but one of them presently cryed out that hee had lost the use of his hands , and armes : another that was bare legged putting his foot to it , lost the sence of his leg : but after a while their feeling returned again : whereupon calling their cook , they bade him to take and dresse it , who laying both his hands thereon , made grievous moan that hee felt not his hands : but when its dead it produceth no such effect , but is good meat . pur. pil. p. . about jamica in the west-indies is a fish called a manati , which is of a strange shape , and nature : it brings forth her young ones alive , and nourisheth them with milk from her teates , feeding upon grass in the fields , but lives for the most part in the water : the hinder parts of it are like unto a cow , and it eats like veal . idem v. . p. . in brasile are oxe-fishes , which are very good meat : for head , hair , skin , cheeks , and tongue , they are like oxen : their eyes small with lids to open and shut , which no other fish hath : it breatheth , and therefore cannot bee long under water : instead of fore-feet , it hath two arms of a cubit long , with two round hands , and on them five fingers close together with nails like a mans ; under these arms the female hath paps wherewith she nourisheth her young , she brings forth but one at once . it hath no fins but the tail , which is also round and close : their bones are all massie , and white like ivory : of this fish they make great store of sweet oil : they feed most upon the land . idem . v. . p. . in sir francis drakes voyage about the world , when they came to the island of celebes , which is wholly overgrown with wood : amongst the trees night by night , they saw infinite swarms of fiery wormes flying in the air , their bodies no bigger than of our english flyes , which made such a shew , and gave such a light , as if every twig or tree had been a burning candle . in which place also were great store of bats ; as big as large hens , pur. pil. v. . p. . in captain saris his voyage to bantam , about midnight they fell into the strangest , and fearfullest water that ever any of them had seen , the water giving such a glaring light about the ship , that they could discern letters in a book thereby , whereas a little before it was so dark , that they could discern nothing . this made them fear that it had been the breach of sunken ground : but finding that they had failed half an hour in it , and saw no alteration , they perceived at length , that it was a multitude of cuttle-fish that made this fearful shew . pur. pil. p. . chap. v. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fowls , and birds . in one of the scottish islands there is a rare kinde of fowl unknown to other countrys , called colca , little lesse than a goose : they come thither every year in the spring , hatch , and nourish their young ones : about which time they cast all their feathers , and become stark naked all their bodies over , and then they get themselves to the sea , and are no more seen till the next spring : their feathers have no quill , as other feathers have , but are all like unto down , wherein is no hardness . descr. of scot. in the north seas of scotland are great loggs of timber found , in which are ingendred after a marvellous manner , a sort of geese , called claik-geese : and they do hang by the beak till they are grown to perfection , and then they receive life and fall off : they are many times found , and kept in admiration for their rare manner of generation : they are very fat , and delicious to bee eaten . idem . some question the truth hereof . storks are so careful of their parents ; that when they grow old , and so are unable to help themselves , the young ones feed them : and when in passing the sea their wings fail them , the young ones will take them on their backs , and carry them over . and this is remarkable about them . the town of delph in the low-countries is so seated for the breeding , and feeding of these birds , that it is hard to see an house wherein they do not build . in this town upon the third of may ; anno christi . a great fire happened when the young storks were grown pretty big : the old ones perceiving the fire to approach to their nests , attempted to carry away their young ones , but could not , they were so weighty , which they perceiving , never ceased with their spread wings to cover them , till they all perished in the flames together . belg. common wealth . p. . in america there are certain small birds called viemalim , with small and long bills , that live upon the dew , and of the juice of flowers , and roses , like bees : their feathers are of very curious colours ▪ they dye , or sleep every year in october , sitting upon the bough of a tree in a warm place , and in aprill following , when the flowers are sprung , they awake again . i have one of them . in the arabian deserts there are great store of ostriches , that go in flocks , and often affright passengers that are strangers , with their fearful schreeches , appearing a farre off like a troop of horsemen . their bodies are too heavy to bee born up by their wings , which , though uselesse for flight , yet serve them to run with greater speed , so that a swift horse can scarce overtake them : whatsoever they find●e , bee it stones or iron , they greedily swallow it down , and concoct it : when they have laid their eggs , ( which are as big as a culverin bullet ) they forget where they left them , and so return no more to them : but they are hatched by the heat of the sun in the warm sands : hence . those expressions , lam. . . the daughter of my people is become cruell , like the ostriches in the wildernesse : whereupon shee is made the embleam of folly , job . . &c : she leaveth her eggs in the earth , and warmeth them in the dust , and forgets that the foot may crush them , &c. in brasile there is a little bird , which they call the risen , or awaken bird , because it sleeps six months , and awakes the other six . it hath a cap on its head of no one colour , but on what side soever you look , it sheweth red , green , black , and other colours , all very fine . and shining : the breast also shews great variety of colours , especially yellow , more fine than gold ; the body is grey , and it hath a very long small bill , and yet the tongue is twice as long as the bill : it flyes very swiftly , and makes a humming like a bee. it always feeds flying . pur. pil. in socotera there are bats , whose bodies are almost as big as a conies , their heads are like foxes with an hairy furr upon them : in other things they are like our bats . one of them being killed by some english , his wings when they were extended , were an ell in length : their cry is shril and loud . idem . in italy are the flies cantharides , which by day are of a green shining colour , but in the night they shine in the air , like flying glow-worms , with fire in their tailes . raimunds mercu. ital. in china there is a fowl of a prodigious shape , and bignesse : it is three foot high : the body being exceeding great , more than a man can fathom : their feathers are all white like a swans , their feet broad like fowls that swim : their neck half a fathom long , and their beak half an ell , the upper part of it being crooked . from the nether par● of the beak there hangs a very great and capable bag of a yellow golden colour , resembling parchment . with these fowls the natives use to fish , as wee do in england with cormorants . they will catch fish with great dexterity , and when they have filled their great bag , which will hold divers fishes of two foot long a peece , they will bring them to their masters . pur. pil. v. . p. . in the african desarts is a certain fowle called a nesir , some call it a vultur . it s bigger than a crain . in flying it mounts very high , yet at the sight of a dead carkass , it descends immediatly . shee lives long , and in extream old age looseth her feathers , and then returning to her nest , is there fed by the young ones of the same kinde . idem . near unto the streights of magellane , there is an island called penguin island , wherein are abundance of fowls called penguins , that go upright ; their wings , in stead of feathers , are only covered with down , which hang down like sleeves faced with white . they flye not , but walk in paths of their own making , and keep their divisions , and quarters orderly . they are a strange fowle , or rather , a miscellaneous creature , of beast , bird , and fish : but most of bird. pur. pil. v. . p. . in the isle of man , there is a sort of sea-fowles called puffins : they are of a very unctious constitution , and breed in cony-holes ( the conies leaving their burrows for that time ) they are never seen with their young , but very early in the morning , and late in the evening : they nourish their young ( as it is conceived ) with oil drawn from their own bodyes , and dropped into their mouths , for that being opened , there is found in their crops no other sustenance , save a single sorrel-leaf , which the old give their young ( as is conjectured ) for digestions-sake ; the flesh of them whilst raw is not savoury , but powdered , it may bee ranked with anchoves , and caviare ; profitable they are in their feathers , and oil , which they use much about their wooll . in the isle of mauritius is a fowle called a dodo : her body is round , and extream fat , which makes her pace slow : few of them weigh less than fifty pound : her wings are so small , that they cannot lift her above the ground : her head is variously dressed , the one half hooded with downy black feathers , the other wholly naked , of a whitish colour , as if a transparent lawn had covered it : her bill is very hooked , bending downwards , the breathing place being in the midst of it , from which part to the end , the colour is light green , mixt with a pale yellow : her eyes are round , and small , and bright as diamonds : her cloathing is of the finest down : her train is of three or four short feathers : her legs thick , and black : her tallons sharp : her stomach so hot , that shee digests stones , or iron , as doth the ostrich . in lincolnshire there is a bird called a dotterel , so named of his doltish foolishness : it s a bird of an apish kinde , ready to imitate what it sees done : they are caught by candle-light by the fowlers gestures : for if hee put forth an arm , they stretch forth a wing : if hee sets forward a leg , or hold up his head , they likewise do the same : in brief , whatsoever the fowler doth , the same also doth this foolish bird , untill it bee caught within the net . camb. brit. p. . there is an island called bas , bordering upon lathaien in scotland , unto which there resort a multitude of sea fowls , especially of soland geese , which bring with them such abundance of fish , that , as it is reported , an hundred souldiers that lay there in garrison for defence of the place , fed upon no other meat , but the fish that was thus brought to them : and the said fowles also bring such a number of sticks , and twigs wherewith to build their nests , that thereby the inhabitants are also abundantly provided of fewel for the fire : and such a mighty gain is made of their feathers , and oile , that no man would scarcely beleeve it , but hee that hath seen it . camb. brit. of scotland . p. , . in magallanes voyage about the world , the king of the island of bacchian sent the king of spain two dead birds of a strange shape : they were as big as turtle-doves , with little heads , and long bills , long small legs , and no wings , but in stead thereof certain long feathers of divers colours , and tails like turtle-doves : all their other feathers were of a tawny colour ; they flye not , but when the wind blows , and they call them birds of god. pur. pil. v. . p. . in sofala in the east-indies is a kinde of bird called minga , green , and yellow , very fair , about the bigness of a pigeon , which never treads on the ground , their feet being so short , that they can scarce bee discerned : they settle on trees , of the fruit whereof they live : when they drink they flye on the tops of the water ; and if they fall on the ground they cannot rise again ; their flesh is fat , and savourie . idem . p. . chap. vi. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange beasts , and serpents . whilst sir thomas row , our english ambassador , was at the great moguls court , hee saw many stately elephants brought before the emperor : some of which being lord-elephants ( as they called them ) had their chains , bells , and furniture of gold , and silver , each of them having eight , or ten other elephants waiting on him : they were some twelve companies in all , and as they passed by , they all bowed down before the king very handsomely . pur. pil. v. . p. . though these elephants be the largest of all beasts , yet are they very tractable , unless at such times when they are mad through lust : some of them are thirteen , and some fifteen foot high ; their colour is usually black , their skins thick , and smooth without hair ; they delight much to bathe themselves in water , and are excellent swimmers , their pace is about three miles an hour ; of all beasts they are most sure of foot , so that they never stumble , or fall to indanger their rider : they lye down , and rise again at pleasure , as other beasts do ; they are most docible creatures , doing almost whatsoever their keeper commands them . if hee bid one of them afright a man , hee will make towards him , as if hee would tread him in peeces ; and yet when hee comes at him , do him no hurt : if hee bid him abuse , or disgrace a man , hee will take dirt , or kennel-water in his trunk , and dash it in his face , &c. their trunks are long , grissely snouts hanging down betwixt their teeth , which ( as a hand ) they make use of upon all occasions . some elephants the great mogul keeps for execution of malefactors ; who being brought to suffer death by that mighty beast , if the keeper bid him dispatch the offender presently , hee will immediatly with his foot pash him in peeces : if hee bid him torture him slowly , hee will break his joynts by degrees one after another , as men are broken upon the wheel . an english merchant of good credit being at adsmeer ( a city where the great mogul then was ) saw a great elephant daily brought through the market-place , where an hearb-woman used to give him an handful of herbs as hee passed by . this elephant afterwards being mad , brake his chains , and took his way through the market-place ; the people being affrighted , hasted to secure themselves , amongst whom was this hearb-woman , who through fear , and haste , forgat her little childe . the elephant comming to the place where shee usually sate , stopt , and seeing a childe lye about her hearbs , took it up gently with his trunk , and without harm , laid it upon a stall hard by , and then proceeded in his furious course . idem . p. . the males testicles lye about his forehead : the females teates are betwixt her fore legs ; they carry their young two years in their wombs : conceive but once in seven years : they are thirty years before they come to their full growth , and fulfil the accustomed age of a man before they dye . as pyrrus king of epyrus was assaulting the city of argos , one of of his elephants called nicon . i. e. conquering , being entred the city , perceiving that his governour was stricken down to the ground from his back with terrible blows ; ran upon them that came back upon him , overthrowing friends , and foes , one in anothers neck , till at length , having found the body of his slain master , hee lift him up from the ground with his trunk , and carrying him upon his two tushes , returned back with great fury , treading all under feet whom hee found in his way . plut. in vita pyrri . the lion hath the jackall for his usher , which is a little black , shag-haired beast , of the bigness of a spaniel , which when the evening comes , hunts for his prey , and comming on the foot , follows the scent with open crye : to which the lion as chief hunt gives diligent ear , following for his advantage : if the jackall set up his chase before the lion comes in , hee howles out mainly , and then the lion seizeth on it , making a grumbling noise , whilst his servant stands by barking , and when the lyon hath done , the jackall feeds on the relicks . idem . p. . see more afterwards . example seventeen . the panther hath a very sweet smell , so that other beasts are much taken therewith , but they are terrified with the ugly deformity of his face , and therefore as hee goes hee hides that part between his legs , and will not look towards them till hee hath gotten them within his compasse , which when hee hath done , hee devours them without mercy : so deals the devil with wicked men , strewing their way to hell with variety of worldly delights , and profits ( the thorns of afflictions must not touch their flesh , nor hells terrors come within their thoughts ) till hee hath made them past feeling , than hee devours them . plin. nat . hist. l. c. . the rhynoceros is so called because of the horn in his nose : hee is a large beast , as big as our fairest oxe in england : his skin lyeth plated , and as it were in wrinkles upon his back : their horn , teeth , claws , yea flesh , and blood , are good against poyson , which as is conceived , proceeds from the herbs which they feed on in bengala , where are most store of them . the camelopardalus is the highest of beasts , so that a man on horseback may ride upright under his belly , his neck is long , so that hee usually feedeth upon the leaves of trees : his colour is white and speckled , his hinder legs are shorter than his former , so that he cannot graze but with difficulty . p. pil. p. . he is also called a jaraff . in india is a certain beast called a buffelo , which is very large , hath a thick and smooth skin , but without hair : she gives good milk , and her flesh is like beefe . idem . p. . in the same country also are certain wild goats , whose horns are good against poison . pur. pil. p. . in the country of indostan in the east-indies , are large white apes , as big as our grey-hounds , which will eat young birds , whereupon nature hath taught their dams this subtilty : they build their nests on the utmost boughs at the end of slender twigs : where they hang them like purse-nets , to which the apes cannot possibly come : yet many times with their hands they will shake those boughs til the nests break , and fall down , and then they will devour them . pur. pilgrimag . p. . the camelion is of the shape , and bigness of a lizzard , it is a deformed lean , and crooked creature , having a long and slender tail , like a mouse , and is of a slow pace . it lives only upon flys . it changeth colours according to the variety of places where it comes . it is a great enemy to venemous serpents , for when it sees any lye sleeping under a tree , it gets upon a bough just over the serpents head , and voideth out of its mouth , as it were a long thred of spittle , with a round drop hanging at the end , which falling on the serpents head , immediately kills him . p. pil. p. . there was lately found in catalunia , in the mountains of cerdania , a certain monster , that had humane shape as far as the waste , and downwards it was like a satyre : hee had many heads , arms , and eyes , and a mouth of extraordinary bignesse , wherewith hee made a noise like a bull : his picture was sent by don john of austria ( now governour of the low countryes ) to the king of spain , and afterwards many coppies thereof . were drawn , and sent abroad by ambassadors , and other persons to several princes , and states in europe . hist. of this iron age . in brasile is a certain beast called a tamandua , or ant-bear , of the bignesse of a great dog , more round than long , and the tail above twice so long as the body , and so full of hair that under it hee shelters himself from raine , heat , cold , and wind . his head is small ; and hath a thin snout : his mouth round , with a tongue three quarters of a yard long : hee is diligent in seeking ant-hills , which hee teareth with his claws , and then thrusts in his long tongue , upon which the ants run , and when it is full hee licks them in , and this is all his food . pur. pil. v. . p. . the armadillo is of the bignesse of a pig , and of a white colour : it hath a long snout , and the body is covered with shels like plates , wherwith they are armed : for they are so hard that no arrow will pierce them except in the flanks , where they are softer : their flesh is good to eat , they dig holes in the ground with their snouts , in which they lye . idem . the porcupine hath bristles , or quils , white and black , of a span and an half long , which they can cast : and they have this quality , that where one of these bristles enters into the flesh , if it bee not pulled out presently , it will work it self quite through , they are of a good flesh , and taste . the civet cat exceeds the castor for bignesse , her head is little , her eyes cleer ; hath a long muzzle ; sharp , and offensive teeth . her hair is parti-coloured , harsh , and bristley , yellow above , and whiter downwards ; the pocket wherein the civet is bred is neer the genitory , which is taken forth with a spoon or stick ; but when shee is wild , shee casts it forth of her own accord , and by the sent it is found by the passengers . the lyons in affrick , are more fierce than in colder countryes ; here was one of their skins brought into england , which from the snout to the top of the tail , contained one and twenty foot in length . they engender backwards as do camels , elephants , rhinoceroses , ounces , and tygers . they spare such men as prostrate themselves to them , and prey rather upon men than women , and not at all on infants except compelled by hunger . his tail is his scepter , by which hee expresses his passion . hee shrinks not at danger , except some covert of woods hides him from witnesses , and then he will take the benefit of flight , which otherwise he seems to disdain . the hyaena hath no joints in her neck , and therefore stirrs not her neck , but with the bending of her whole body . shee hath one continued tooth through her whole mouth . in africk are many wild asles , whereof one male hath many females , & he ●s so jealous , that he bites off the stones of the young males , if the suspicious female , prevent him not by bringing forth in a close place . the dabuh is a simple creature , like to a wolf , but that his legs and feet are like to a mans , they which know his haunt , with a taber , and singing will bring him out of his den , and captivate his ears with their musick , whilst another captivateth his legs with a rope . the zebra is a very beautiful creature , resembling a curiously shaped horse , but not all out so swift , all overlaid with party coloured lades , and guards from head to tail . in sofala there is a certain creature called inhazaras , as big as a hog , and somewhat like , with thin and black hair , having on his hinder feet five fingers like unto a mans , and four on his forefeet ; they live meerly upon ants , by thrusting their tongues which are two spans and an half long into an ant-hill , whereon the ants running , they pull them into their mouths , and so eat them : some call them ant-bears , pur. pil. there is in affrica a certain monster called pongo , in the whole proportion like unto a man , but that it is bigger . it hath a mans face , hollow eyes , long hair upon the brows , his face and ears being without hair : but his body is all hairy of a dunish colour , &c. hee differs from a man only in his legs which have no calves : hee goes always upright upon his legs , and carries his hands clasped in the nape of his neck , when hee walkes upon the ground : they use to sleep in trees , and live upon fruits and nuts , idem . v. . p. . in congo there is a strange creature as big as a ram , that hath wings like a dragon , a long tail , and great chaps , with diverse rows of teeth : they feed upon raw flesh . idem . p. . in affrica there is a beast called a dabuk , in bignesse , and shape resembling a wolf , saving that his legs and feet are like a mans . hee useth to rake dead men out of their graves , and eat them . idem . p. . in the kingdome of mexico there are kine , with bunches on their backs , about the bignesse of our bulls , having little horns , and more hair on their foreparts than behind , which is like wooll : on the back bone they have manes like horses , and long hair from their knees downward , with much long hair on their throats : they are meat , drink , shooes , houses , fire , vessels , and their masters whole substance . other creatures there are as big as horses , which the spaniards for their fine wooll call sheep : one of their horns usually weigheth fifty pounds . p. pil. v. . p. . in virginia is a beast called a possown , the female whereof hath a bag under her belly , from whence shee letteth forth her young ones , and taketh them in again at her pleasure . idem . p. . in socotera are sheep , whose tails weigh twenty eight pounds a peece , which therefore are usually cut off from the ewes , least they should hinder their breeding . in the great mogols countrey there are asses with horns , whereof they make diverse sorts of drinking cups , of excellent vertue . some judging them to be the right unicorns horn . idem . p. . most certain it is that the irish cows , will not give down their milk , unlesse their own calves be set by their sides , either alive , or else the skin of the dead calf must bee stuffed with straw , and set by them . camb. brit. of ireland . p. . in the island of orknay the ewes are of such fecundity , that they bring forth constantly two , and many times three lambs a peece ; there bee neither ravenous , nor venemous creatures there , nor if transported thither , will they live in that island . description of scotland . there are three sorts of camels : the first sort are gross , and tall of stature : these will usually carry one thousand pound weight a peece , when they are to bee loaden , being beaten on the knees , and neck with a cudgel , they will kneel down , and when they feel their load sufficient , they will rise up again of themselves . the second sort of them have two bunches on their backs , and are fit either for burthen , or to ride on . the third sort are of a slender , and low stature , called dromedaries , unfit for burthens , but they excel in swiftness , so that in the space of one day they will travel one hundred miles , and will so continue for eight , or ten dayes together , with very litle provender ; and they will abstain from drink eight , ten , and sometimes fifteen dayes together , without any inconvenience , as they travel through the deserts . musk is taken from a little reddish beast , that they beat with many blows in one place , that so the blood may gather into it : and when the skin is by this means swolne , and full of blood , they binde it strait , that the blood may not issue forth , and being put into one , or more bladders , its dryed on the beasts back , till the bladder fall off of it self ; and so that blood after a month becomes excellent musk . pur. pil. v. . p. . amongst the blackmoores , there is a strange beast called a carbuncle , which is seen only by night , having a stone in his forehead that shineth incredibly , and giving him light whereby to feed : but when hee hears the least noise , hee presently lets fall over it a skin , which hee hath as a natural covering , least his splendor should betray him . pur. pil. v. . p. . in abassia are kine with horns like unto harts horns : others there bee that have but one horn in the midst of their foreheads of about a span and an half long , turning upward . pur. pil. v. . p. . there is in the country of mexico a kinde of sheep , which all things considered is a beast of the greatest profit , and least charge that is : for from them they draw meat and cloathing : they use them also to carry all their burthens , having need neither of shooes nor saddles , nor yet of oats , so that they serve their masters for nought , feeding only on grass which they finde in the fields ; there are two kindes of these creatures , the one bearing wooll , the other are bare , which are the better for burthen ; they are bigger than great sheep , and less than calves ; they have long necks like a cammel . they are of divers colours , some white , some black , and others grey , or spotted ; their flesh is good meat , but that of their lambs is best : of their wooll the indians make cloath some courser , other finer like half silk ; they also make carpets , and coverings , and other exquisite works of it , which last long , and have a very good gloss ; they die it into sundry colours : upon these the spaniards carry their bars of silver ; one of these sheep carrying about an hundred and fifty pound weight . in the stomach , or belly of this beast , is found the bezar's stone ; sometimes one alone , sometimes two , three , or four : they are different in form , greatness , and colour ; some like filbirds , others like walnuts : some as big as pigeons eggs , some as big as hens eggs : in form some are round , some oval , and of other forms . for their colour , some are black , some white , some grey , dark green , and some as if they had been gilded : they are all made of divers filmes , and skins one upon another . p. pil. v. . p. . there is in italy the tarantula ( a kinde of serpent ) the venome whereof hath such an operation , that whosoever is stung with it , falleth a dancing , and capering , and nothing can allay it but musick . raimunds mercu. ital. examples of dogs love to their masters . when the athenians quit their city , and betook themselves to sea , upon xerxes his invasion of greece , xantippus , the father of pericles had a dog , which for sorrow that his master had left him behinde him , cast himself after him into the sea , swimming still by the gallies side wherein his master was , till hee came to the. isle of salamina , where so soon as the poor cur landed , his breath failed him , and hee dyed presently . plut. in vita themist . chap. vii . admirable works done by the art of man. protogenes the rhodian , an exquisite painter , bestowed seven years in drawing a most curious picture , which when apelles beheld , hee stood amazed at the excellency of the workmanship , so that for a while hee could not speak , but afterwards hee said , this is an admirable work , and of huge labour , yet hee wants an orator to extol his workmanship to the skies . when king demetrius besiedged the city of rhodes , hee took the suburbs , and in them this picture , whereupon the citizens sent on him , requesting him not to deface it ; to whom hee answered , that hee would sooner burn the picture of his father , than hurt a peece of such admirable workmanship . diod. sic. plut. glasses malleable . anno christi . amongst other rare presents sent from the sophy of persia , to the king of spain , were six drinking glasses so exquisitely tempered , that they could not bee broken . turk . hist. p. . stone-henge described . about six miles from salisbury , upon the plains , is to bee seen a huge , and monstrous peece of work , such as cicero calleth insanam substructionem . for within the circuit of a ditch there are erected in the manner of a crown , in three ranks , or courses one within another , certain mighty , and unwrought stones , whereof some are twenty eight foot high , and seven broad ; upon the heads of which , others like overtwhart peeces do bear , and rest cross-wise with tenents , and mortesses , so as the whole frame seemeth to hang , whereof it s commonly called stone-henge . camb. brit. in westmerland , hard by shape , there bee huge stones in form of pyramids , some of them nine foot high , and fourteen foot thick , ranged directly as it were in a row for a mile in length , with equal distance almost between them . camb. brit. p. . mausolus his tombe described . artimesia queen of halicarnassus , when her husband mausolus dyed , built him a stately tomb , accounted for the rare workmanship , and costly magnificence one of the worlds wonders . it was five and twenty cubits high , and supported with six and thirty curious pillars , of which martial thus writeth . aere nam vacuo pendentia mausolaea , laudibus immodicis cares ad astra ferunt . the mausolaea hanging in the skie , the men of caria's praises deifie . when sir. thomas row was ambassador there , the great mogul built a stately monument for his father : it was about twenty years in building , and three thousand men working daily at it : it was built square , three quarters of a mile in compass : it was made with seven heights one above another , and each narrower than other , till you come to the top where the herse is : at the outward gate is a most stately palace , and gardens walled about , at least three miles in compass ; all built at a vast charge . pur. pil. p. . mr. herbert , who saw it afterwards , thus describes it . it consists ( saith hee ) of four large squares , each about three hundred paces long , the matter is freestone polished , having at each angle , a small tower of party coloured marble . ten foot higher is another tarras , on each side beautified with three such towers . the third gallery hath two towers , on each side . the fourth , one . the fifth half , and a small square gallery mounting to a royall pyree , within which is the mummy of ecbar ; bedded in a coffin of pure gold. the whole structure is built in the middest of a spatious and curious garden , surrounded with a wall of red stone , and planted with beautiful and odoriferous flowers . porsennah's tomb described . porsenna king of hetruria , not far from the city of clusium , built for himself a monument of square stone , each side of it was three hundred foot broad , and fifty foot high ; within which square basis there was an inextricable labyrinth , into which whosoever adventured without a clue , could finde no passage out . upon this square hee erected five pyramids , four in the corners , and one in the middest ; in the bottom they were seventy five foot broad , and each of them one hundred and fifty foot high , on the top was one brasse circle , and covering for them all , from which there hung bells fastened with chains , which being moved with the winde gave a sound a far off : upon this brazen circle stood other four pyramids , each of them one hundred foot high ; and upon them ( being covered with another plain ) were again erected five other pyramids , the height whereof my author was ashamed to name : so foolishly did hee waste the wealth of his kingdome ▪ that in the end the commendation of the artificer should bee the greatest . pliny out of varro ; and greaves out of him . in the great moguls country , from agra to lahor ( which are the two chief cities in this empire ) is about four hundred english miles : the countrey in all that distance being even without mountains or hills : and the high-way betwixt them is planted on both sides with trees , like unto a delicate walk . p. pil. v. . p. . the trees are mulberry trees . and in all this way , ever and anon , are inns built by several kings , and great men , for the entertainment of strangers : in which you may have a chamber for your self , room for your horse , and horse-meat , but little for your servant : when a man hath taken up his lodging , no other may dispossesse him . in the morning about break a day , all make ready to depart , at which time the gates are opened , and none suffered to depart sooner for fear of theeves . p. . the first invention of printing . laurence jans , a rich citizen of harlem in the low-countrys , walking forth one day into the neighbouring woods for recreation , began to cut in peices of wood the letters of his name , printing them on the back of his hand ; which pleasing him well , hee cut three or four lines which hee beat with ink , and printed them upon paper , wherewith hee much joyed , and determined to find out another kind of ink more fastening , and holding , and so with his kinsman thomas peterse , found out another way to print whole sheets , but of one side only , which are yet to bee seen in the said town : afterwards hee changed his letters of wood into lead , and after that into tin , and so by degrees this famous art of printing grew to perfection . belg. common-wealth . p. . some say that john guttenberg of strasburg , was the first inventer of it , anno christi . in which city he first practised it , and removing from thence to mentz , there perfected it . they say that tullies offices was the first book that ever was printed . p. ramus schol. math. l. . it doth with wonderful celerity convey learning from one country , and age , to another . imprimit ille die , quantum vix scribitur anno . the most famous printers were . aldus manutius , and after him paulus his son in venice . in france crispinus , henry stevens , father to charles ; and charles to robert ; robert to henry , and henry to paul , all printers . christopher plantine of antwerp , was a most famous and learned printer . frobenius , that was erasmus his faithful printer . daniel bombergus , an excellent printer of the hebrew bible , and many other hebrew books , &c. the first invention of guns . a german fryer of the order of st. francis , called bertholdus swart , being very studious of chymistry , as hee was one evening ( for the finding out of some experiment ) very busy in tempering brimstone , sulphureous powder of dryed earth , and certain other ingredients in a morter , which hee covered with a stone : when it grew dark , hee took his tinder-box to light him a candle , a spark whereof by chance flying into the mortar , caught hold of the brimstone , and salt-peter , and firing , with a sudden flash blew up the stone . the cunning chymist guessing what it was which wrought this effect , never left till hee found out the certainty , and then taking an iron pipe , hee crammed it full of the said ingredient , together with some stones , and so putting fire to it , hee saw that with great fury , and noise it discharged it self : soon after which , hee communicated this his invention to the venetians , who , having been often vanquished by the genowayes , did by the help of these bombards , or guns , give them a notable discomfiture . anno christi . bucholtz . at middleburg in zealand , in the steeple of the abby-church , there is a bell of eighteen thousand weight to strike the houres on , and twenty four small ones which serve for the chymes . belg. common-wealth . p. . a description of the situation of utrecht in the low-countries . utrecht in the low-countries , is so situated , that one may go to what town hee please of fifty , that lye round about it , in one day . and in a summers day , if one go early from utrecht , he may dine at any one of twenty six towns , where he pleaseth , and return to his own house to supper . idem . p. . trajan built a bridge over the river ister , or danow , containing twenty arches , each arch being one hundred and fifty foot high , sixty thick , and one hundred and seventy foot distant one from another : so that the whole length of it was four thousand seven hundred and seventy feet , which was almost a mile long . the river was very deep , and swift , and the bottome not firm ground , neither could the stream be diverted any other way ; all which made the work farre more difficult , and admirable . ancus martius , the fourth king of rome , built a woodden bridge over the river tybur , yet without nails , or pins , so that in times of war it might be taken down : afterwards aemilius the consul built it of stone : and lastly antoninus pius the emperor built it of marble . finis . soli deo gloria . a table of the principal things contained in the geographical part of this book . a general description of asia . page . a more particular description of it . page . cappadocia described . page . galatia described . page . pontus and bithinia described . page . paphlagonia described . page . asia propria described . page . phrygia major described . page . phrygia minor described . page . jonia described . page . doris described . page . pamphilia described . page . armenia minor described . page . canaan described . page . galilee described . page . samaria described . page . syria described . page . persian empire described . page . armenia major described . page . media described . page . parthia described . page . hircania described . page . arabia described . page . tartaria described . page . cyprus described . page . rhodes described . page . malabar described . page . zeilan described . page . coromandel described . page . socotera described . page . narsinga described . page . malacca described . page . siam described . page . pegu described . page . sumatra described . page . java major described . page . celebes islands described . page . molucco islands . bandaneza's islands . borneo . japan . page . china described . page . industan described . page . bengala described . page . cambaia described . page . philippine islands described . page . mauritius island described . page . a general description of affrica . page . affrican islands described . page . a more particular description of affrica . page . egypt described . page . barbary described . page . tunis described . page . algier described . page . fesse and morocco described . page . numidia and libia described . page . land of negroes described . page . country of the mandingos described . page . aethiopia inferior described . page . aian . described . zandzibar described . cafraria . described . page . cape of good hope described . page . sofala described . page . monomopata described . page . congo , or manicongo described . page . loango described . page . aethiopia superior described . page . islands in the red-sea described . page . madagascar described . page . mohelia described . page . st. hellens island described . page . st. thomas island described . page . princes island described . page . cape verde described . page . maio island described . page . canary islands described . page . malta described . page . . a general description of europe . page . the islands in europe described . page . samothracia described . lemnos described . page . lesbos . described . chios . described . euboea . described . sporades . described . cyclades . described . crete . described . page . cythera . described . strophades . described . zant. described . echidnades . described . cephalenia . described . corfu . described . scicily . described . page . corsica . described . sardinia . described . page . majorca . described . minorca . described . cales . described . page . england described . page . wales described . page . scotland described . page . ireland described . page . isle of man described . page . azores islands described . page . spain described . page . portugal described . page . pirenean mountaines described . page . france described . page . the alps described . page . italy described , page . the roman triumphs described . page . belgia or the netherlands described . page . germany described . page . switzerland described . page . bohemia described . page . denmark described . page . norway described . page . swethland described . page . muscovy described . page . the state of the emperor described . page . the permians and samoeds described . page . lapland described . page . poland described . page . hungary described . page . dacia described . page . sclavonia described . page . greece described . page . peloponesus described . page . achaia described . page . epirus . described . albania , described . macedonia . described . thessaly . described . page . migdonia . described . thracia . described . page . the turkish empire described . page . america described page . mexico , or new spain described . page . quivira . described . nova albion . described . florida . described . virginia . described . page . florida more fully described . page . peruana , and the countryes therein described . page . magellanick streights described . page . american islands described . page . jamica . described . cuba . described . bermudae . described . page . hispaniola described . page . newfound-land described . page . new-scotland described . page . groenland described . page . spaniards cruelty to the poor indians . page . examples of the wonderful works of god in the creatures . page . of strange stones . page . a moving hill . page . ex . . merlins cave . page . ex . . earth turning wood into stone . page . ex . . wood , and stones with lozenges in them . page . ex . . stones with stars in them ▪ page . ex . . . burning mountains . page . ex . . of a city petrified . page . of strange trees , hearbs , plants , and gums . page . of strange fountains , rivers , and waters . page . of strange fishes . page . of strange fowls , and birds . page . of strange beasts and serpents . page . of strange , costly , and stupendious works done by the art of man. page . the chiefest cities in the world , mentioned and described . cities in asia . nice , where the council was held . page . nicomedia . page . apamia , now bursa . page · chalcedon , where a council was held page . troy described page · cyzicus page · halicarnassus page · the chief cities in canaan page · hierusalem described . page . nineve described page . babylon described . page . tower of babylon described . page . bagdat described . page . antioch described . damascus described . aleppo described . tripolis described . page . scandaroon now alexandretta page . lar described . page . shyraz described . page . persepolis described . spahawn described . page . casbine described . page . tauris described . derbent described . hyspaan described . page . casan described . page . callecut described . page . negapatan described . page . goa described . amadavar described . page . ormus described . bisnagar described . mesulipatan described . page . malacca described . patania described . page . pegu described . page . bantam described . page . meacco described . page . fucata described . page . pequin described . nanquin described . page . quinsay described . page . lahore described . page . brampore described . fettipore described . candahor described . mandow described . page . surat described . agra described . asmeere described . page . grand cairo described . page . alexandria described . page . rosetto described . page . chanca described . page . tropolis in tunis page . tunis constantina page bugia page . algier described . page . fesse described . page . sella described . morocco described . page . teffet page . suaquen described . page . amara in aethiopia described . page . saba , &c. described . page . sues described . page . bernice described . page . siracuse described . page . london described . page . westminster described . page . salisbury described . page . bristow described . page . wel●s described . page . bath described . page . excester described . winchester described . chichester described . page . canterbury described . rochester described . gloucester described . page . oxford described . page . eli described . lincolne described . norwich . described . page . coventry described . worcester described . page . lichfield described . westchester described . page . hereford described . york described . page . durham described . page . carlile described . page . cities in scotland . page . cities in ireland . page . sivil described . page . granata described . page . toledo described . page . escurial described . page . lisbon described . page . paris described . page . geneva described . page . ferrara described . page . rome described . page , . mantua described . page . genoa described . page . venice described . page . padua described . page . millan described . page . naples described . page . florence described . page . leige● described . page . lovaine described . page . bruxels described . antwerp described . page . leiden described . machlin described . page . the cities in germany described . page , &c. prague described . page . mosco described . page . constantinople described . page . the turks seraglio described . page . caxamalca described . page . stones , precious-stones , minerals . diamonds where gotten page . . gold how gotten : page . pearls where gotten : page . . strange stones : page . amber how it grows : page . ex . . whence all sorts of precious stones come : page . ex . . trees , hearbs , plants , and gums , strange . a famous pine-tree . page . cedars of libanus : page . a strange walk with trees : page . ebony where it grows : page . sensitive trees : page . resurrection trees : page . a very profitable tree : page . strange fig-trees : page . of date-trees : page . ex . . balm tree : page . ex . . cotton trees : page . ex . . cynamon trees : page . ex . . arbore de ray's : page . ex . . arbore triste . page . ex . . herba sentida : page . ex . . pepper : ginger : cloves : page . ex . , , . nutmegs : gum-lack : amber-greese : page . ex . , , . addad : palm-trees : frankincense : manna : mastick : page . ex . , , ( &c. spunges how gotten . page . ex . . resurrection tree : page . ex . . an oak yeilding water . page . ex . . aloes : indico : page . ex . , . a tree whose root is a worm . page . ex . . saffron : palm-trees : basilisco : assa-faetida : page . ex· , &c. benjamin . page . coquo trees admirable : page . plantane-trees : cedars : palmita trees : manguy : page . tunals and cochenille : jack , or giack : ananas : duroyen : arec tree : page . palmeto trees : page . hawthorn tree : papyri : page . sergasso : page . coxscomb : page . alimos : page . frankincense : page . aloes socotrina : page . fountains strange . a fountain that makes drunk . page . lake of maeris described . page . fountains hot . page . . . . salt how made . page . bituminous fountain . page , . hell kettles . page . fountains turning wood into stone . page p. . ex . . p. . ex . . p. . ex . . fountains that ebb , and flow . page p. . e. , . p. . ex . . p. . e. , . fountains hurtful to beasts . page . ex . . fountains hot . page p. . ex . . . p. . ex . . water turned into stone . page . ex . . strange meers . page . e. , . p. . e. . fountain of oil. fountain of pitch . page . e. , . fountain that makes oxen white . page ▪ e. . river that makes sheep black . page . e. . fountain of jupiter . page . e. . fountain of the sun. page . e. . sabbatical river . page . e. . fountain of job . page . e. . water that causeth black milk . page . e. . a swelling lake . a fountain like vinegar . fountains like wine . page . e. , , , . other strange fountains . page . river hot . page . e. . a river that breeds flyes . page . e. . a fountain like milk. page . e. . bone-well . page . e. . a strange noise in the water . page . e. . fountain chymaera . flax that is purified by fire . two rivers that mix not . page . e. . ( &c. strange fishes . a man fish. page . e. . a woman fish. page . e. . meer-maids . page . e. . . meer-men . page . e. . . fishes like children . page . e. . torpedo . page . e. . p. . e. . river horses . a very strange fish. toad fishes . cuttle fishes . flying fishes . page . e. , , , , . of the vvhale , swordfish , and thresher . page . e. . shark . sea tortoise . eagle fish. sea unicorn . page . e. , , . sea-cow . page . e , ● . sea-spider . page . e. . of the briese , or trade wind . page . e. ● . oxe fishes . page . e. . shining flyes . page . e. . shining sea , page . e. . fowls , and birds strange . the stalker . page . in brasile . page . cholca . page . e. . claik-geese . page . e. . storks . page . e. , . awaken birds . ostriches . strange bats . cantharides . a huge fowl. page . , , , , . vulturs : penguins : puffins : dodos : dotterels : page . e. , , , , . soland geese : strange birds : mingas : page . ex . , , . beasts strange . jackals : page . crocodiles : page . elephants : page . baboons : page . horse tails highly prized . page . a strange beast in congo . page . musoli : page . a very profitable beast . a strange hare page . a strange beast in virginia . page . a strange beast in peru. page . the beast pigritia . page . elks described : page . strange boars : described acuti : described pacas : described carague : described armadillo : described page . a beast like a squirrel of a delicate furr : page . elephants : page . ex . , , , . lyons : page . ex . , . panthers : rhynoceros : camelopardalus : bufelo's : page . ex . , , , . wild goats : white apes : camelions : page . ex . , , . a strange monster : page . ex . . ant-bears : page . ex . , . armadillo's : porcupines : civit-cats : hyaena's : page . ex . , , , . asses : page . ex . dabub : zebra : pongoes : a strange beast : strange kine : strange sheep : possowns : asses with horns : page . ex . , , , , , , , , sheep with great tails : page . ex . . irish cows : page . ex . . fruitful ews : camels . musk : carbuncles : page . ex . ● , , , , kine with harts-horns . page . ex . . strange sheep . page . ex . bezar stones : tarantula's : a dogs love to his master . page . ex . , admirable works made by man. famous temples . bellona's temple : page jupiters temple : page diana's temple described . page hierusalems temple described . page priapus temple : page jupitur belus's temple : page temples in pegu. page temples in japan . page temples of china : page temple in fesse : page temple of the sun : page obelisks , pillars , and pyramids . obelisk of semiramis : page a strange pillar of heads : page colossus at rhodes described . page egyptian pharos described . page egyptian pyramids described . page egyptian mummies described . page stones like pyramids : page . ex . . strange , and stupendious works made by the art of man. the fortress of cusco . page . admirable high ways in peru : page . the incas garden . page . a rare picture : page . e. . glasses malleable : stone-heng described . mausolu's tomb : moguls tomb : page . e. , , , , . porsennahs tomb : admirable walk : printing when , and how invented : page . e. , , ● . most famous printers : guns , when and how invented . page . e. . a huge bell. page ●● . e. . strange bridges . page . e. , . judgements strange . cities swallowed by earthquakes ▪ page . people plagued by sparrows , mice , frogs , fleas , grashoppers , &c. page . plague by conies . page . plague by lemmers like mice . page . plague by ants. page . plague by an hurricane . page . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e when alexander took it , hee h●d in i● two hundred thousand talents of gold. . . christian good-fellowship, or, love and good works held forth in a sermon preached at michael's cornhill london before the gentlemen natives of warwickshire at their feast november the , / by samuell clarke. clarke, samuel, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing c ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) christian good-fellowship, or, love and good works held forth in a sermon preached at michael's cornhill london before the gentlemen natives of warwickshire at their feast november the , / by samuell clarke. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for thomas underhill, london : . reproduction of original in the cambridge university library. eng bible. -- n.t. -- hebrews x, -- sermons. love -- religious aspects -- sermons. sermons, english -- th century. a r (wing c ). civilwar no christian good-fellowship: or, love, and good vvorks, held forth in a sermon preached at michael's cornhill london, before the gentlemen, na clarke, samuel c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion christian good-fellowship : or , love , and good vvorks , held forth in a sermon preached at michael's cornhill london , before the gentlemen , natives of warwickshire , at their feast , november the . . by samuell clarke pastor of the church in bennet fink london . manus pauperum gazophylacium christi . who so stoppeth his eares at the cry of the poore , he also shall cry himselfe , but shall not be heard . prov. . . london , printed for thomas underhill at the anchor in pauls church-yard . . to the right worshipfull sir iohn burgoin , sir richard temple , &c. and to the rest of his dearly beloved country-men , citizens of london , but borne in warwickshire . sirs , when your steward 's made choice of me to this service , i laboured to find out , and pitch upon such a subject , as might through gods blessing , bring most glory to him , edification to your souls , and advantage to our native country and whereby you might be minded of the principall ends of your meeting : and as the lord was pleased to direct me to this ensuing subject , so did he of his infinite mercy appear so far in his own ordinance , that there generally appeared in you a readinesse to concur in advancing those good works which were proposed to your christian considerations : it was intended that after dinner a generall subscription should have been promoted amongst you : but by reason of the shortnesse of time , and multiplicity of other businesses wherewith your stewards were taken up , it was not carried on amongst a fifth part then present : yet was there more done by those few , then hath been done by any one county of england in their late meetings : and amongst the rest of you , mr. john howkins ( whose name i cannot but mention with honour , though he is unknown by face to me ) subscribed four score pounds , towards the placing of poor boies born in rugbie , apprentices in london . it's pitty so good a foundation should want its superstructure , and therefore at the request of your stewards ( though i never thought any sermon of mine worthy the presse ) i have adventured to publish this , hoping that the same goood word of god that so warmed your hearts in hearing , may by the same blessing , revive , and quicken your affections in reading , so as to perfect what was then so well begun amongst you . the names of the stewards ( who are to have the oversight in disposing of your monies ) i thought fit to , set down at the end of this epistle : men , i hope without exceptions , whose prudence , and fidelity you need not to suspect in the ordering of it . amongst them col. thomas clark at the kings head within algate , is chosen treasurer , to whom if you please to send in what it shall please god to move your hearts to contribute to so good a work , i doubt not but as many shall have the benefit , so your own soules will find the comfort of it hereafter . let not any one say that this sermon might have been preached in rome , or spain where good works are in such request whilst they hope to merit heaven by them . no , it will rather vindicate our doctrine from their fowl , and false aspertions whilst they call us solifidians , and charge us as if we preached onely faith , without good works : whereas on the contrary we still call upon our hearers to shew their faith by their fruits , and tell them that faith without works is dead , and can minister no true comfort , and therefore exhort them to grow up to fruitfulnesse which will sweetly seal up their calling to glory , and virtue , as the budding of aarons rod did his calling to the priesthood , yea , we tell them , that if they be new creatures , they are created in christ jesus unto good works , which god hath before ordained that they should walk in them ; and that if christ be their redeemer , he hath redeemed them from all iniquity , and purifieth them to himselfe a peculiar people , zealous of good works : but i fear to exceed my limits , and therefore my prayer for you all is , that the god of hope wil fil you with all joy , and peace in believing : and make all grace abound towards you , that ye alwaies having all sufficiencie in all things , may abound to every good work . amen . from my study in thridneedle street . dec. . . i rest sirs yours in the service of your faith , and to further your comfort and joy , samuel clark . old stwards . col. tho. clark treasurer mr. nicholas enos . mr. william hickocks . mr. tho. barnhurst . mr. tho. ashby . mr. iohn norris . mr. edw. iohnson : m. tho. underhil . new stewards . col. iames drax. mr. tho. hopkins . mr. laurence warkman . l. col. tho. randall . mr. rich. chandler : maior raph tasker . mr. rich. smith . mr. william bridges . heb. . . let us consider one another , to provoke unto love , and to good works . these meetings of country-men are no new thing , though of late years they have been interrupted by reason of the sad calamities , and distracted times , which our sins had plunged us into . they have formerly , and may again be improved to a twofold benefit , and advantage . first , that by acquaintance , and society of country-men , love might be bred , nourished , and encreased amongst them . secondly , that upon consideration of gods goodnesse , bounty , and mercy to our selves here in this city , we may take occasion to remember the place of our nativity , and provoke one another to think upon , and do some good works which may conduce , and tend to the publik benefit of the same . now these being the principall ends of our present meeting , give me leave ( dear country-men ) to bespeake you , as our apostle doth his country-men here in my text . let us consider one another to provoke unto love , and to good works . but that we may better understand the occasion of these words , we must look back to what went before : and wee shall find that the principall scope of the apostle in the former part of this epistle is to prove that christ by his priestly office , and offering up himself a sacrifice to his father , hath fulfilled , and also abolished all the legall sacrifices ; and purchased eternall redemption for his people : in the former part of this chapter he sums up this doctrine in few words , and then tells us what sweet use may be made of the same . as first , that therefore we should be constant in the faith of christ . ver. . let us ( saith he ) hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering . ly . that we should be sincere in mutual love in our private conversing together . ver. . let us consider one another to provoke unto love . . at unity in publick church-assemblies . ver. . not forsaking the assembling of our selves together , as the manner of some is . . patient under the crosse of christ , from ver. . to the end of the chapter . verse . he had exhorted them to draw near unto god with a true heart in full assurance of faith , and ver. . to adhere unto , and avow the doctrine of christ , and that in times of tryall , and persecution upon this ground , because he is faithfull that hath promised , and thereupon in this verse of my text hee shewes how they may be furthered therein . viz. if they would consider one another to provoke unto love , and to good works . wherein we have . . the duty pointed out : let us consider one another . . the end of the duty . to provoke unto love , and to good works . let us consider one another : the words in the originall are , {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} , observemus : let us observe one another ; it doth not barely signifie to look into , or consider , sed magno studio mentem in rem intendere . but to bend the mind with the greatest study , and diligence that can be to find out a matter . to provoke : {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} : which word is taken two waies in scripture . . in a bad sence , for a sharp contention : as act. . . where speaking of the difference which arose between paul , and barnabas about taking john mark along with them , the text saith , the contention was so sharp between them , that they departed asunder one from the other . or such a provoking as makes al the body to tremble , or that sets the teeth on edge : of {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} and {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} . acetum , vineger ; but here secondly : it 's used in a good sence for stirring up , or quickning one another to a necessary duty . from the context , as this verse looks back to the two and twentieth , we may gather this proposition . that there is no true faith which is not accompanied with love , and good works . the apostle james : chap. . tells us of a twofold faith : a dead faith , and a living faith : a dead faith is that which consists in words and profession onely without good works . ver. . what ( saith he ) doth it profit , my brethren , though a man saith he hath faith ; and hath not workes ? can faith save him ? hee meanes , such a livelesse , saplesse faith : for ( saith he ) ver. . faith if it hath not works , is dead being alone : for ( according to the usuall maxim ) as faith justifies our persons , so works justifie our faith : and paul writing to titus , chargeth him to teach this doctrine to his hearers , : this is a faithfull saying , and these things i will that thou affirm constantly , that they which have believed in god might be carefull to maintain good works . this therefore cashieres from the number of true believers all those rough , and rugged esau's , who , salamander-like , love to live in the fire of contention , and are never well but when they are embroiled in quarrells . or that instead of provoking to love , do all that they can to make nationall , and church divisions by distinctive names , and titles seeking to divide , and subdivide us till they have crumbled us all to pieces . a most diabolicall sin , who is the author of division , and among the vulgar is known by his cloven foot : whereas god is the god of peace : jesus christ the prince of peace : the gospell , the gospell of peace : christs ministers the ambassadors of peace : and therefore all his people should cry with david : i am for peace . psal. . . secondly , all such solifidians , as boast much of their faith , but are not carefull to maintain good works . these are barren figtrees that bear fair leaves of profession without any fruit at all : but when christ shall come with his basket and turn up their fair leaves , and find no fruit , he will set down his basket , and take up his axe : as mat. . . now also is the axe laid unto the root of the trees therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit , is hewen : down , and cast into the fire . or else he will curse them for their barrennesse , as he did that tree . mar. . . no man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever . let us consider one another : hence observe . that christians should with much seriousnesse , and diligence consider , and acquaint themselves each with other . quest . but what is it that they are to observe each in other ? answ. . their gifts , graces , experiences , and virtues to draw them forth for their mutuall benefit . . their wants , and weaknesse to pitty , cover , and heal them . . their dispositions , and temper , that we may know the better how to deal with them : according to that of jud. verse . . of some have compassion , making a difference : and others save with fear , pulling them out of the fire . therefore when we meet together we should not squander away our pretious time in frothy , and idle discourses , or in vain , and fruitless impertinences : but according to the apostles counsell here : we should consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works . and this brings me to the principall point , for which i made choise of this text . viz. that it 's the duty of all christians to provoke one another to love , and to good works ; which point you see consists of two branches : first , that we should provoke one another to love ; so did abraham speaking to lot . gen. . . let there be no strife i pray thee , between me and thee , and between my herdsmen , and thy herdsmen , for we be bretheren . and joseph speaking to his brethren . gen. . . see that yee fall not out by the way . and peter speaking to all christians , saith , love the brotherhood . pet. . . quest . what is this love that we must provoke one another to ? answ. it 's a christian virtue , or grace infused into us by the holy ghost , whereby we sincerely love god for himself , and our brethren for gods sake . i call it a christian virtue , or grace to distinguish it from the naturall affection of love which we bring into the world with us . and from that morall virtue which may be acquired by our own diligence , and industry : whereas this is the work of gods spirit in us , and an evidence of our future salvation . ioh. . . for we know that we have passed from death to life , because we love the brethren , & he that loveth not his brother ( with this holy love ) abideth in death . this love you see hath a two fold objection . god , and man : the latter i conceive is principally meant in this text , & therfore i shal speak to that , & it is an uniting , and cementing grace , that soders mens hearts one to another , as jonathans to david . sam. . . the soul of jonathan was knit with the soul of david , and he loved him as his own soul . and this is that which the apostle exhorts us to . eph. . . . — forbearing one another in love , endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace . and col. . . that their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love . and this is that for which the primitive christians were so famous . act. . . the multitude of them that believed were of one heart , and of one soul , &c. quest . what arguments may we use to provoke one another to love ? answ. . propter praeceptum : because of the command of god , and were there no other reason for it , this should be instar omnium , instead of all : because god will have it so : indeed i may say of this as david doth of goliaths sword . there is none to that : we see how peremptorily our apostle requires it here . provoke unto love , and our saviour christ is not lesse urgent . joh. . . a new commandement i give unto you , that yee love one another : and this precept he backs with the best president : as i have loved you that ye also love one another . and that beloved disciple that seems to be wholly composed of love , doth often inculcate it . ioh. . . he would have our love so ardent , as to lay down our lives for the brethren , and ver. . let us not love in word , neither in tongue ( onely ) but in deed and in truth ▪ and ver . . this is his commandement — that we love one another ▪ and chap. . . let us love one another : for love is of god , and every one that loves is born of god , and knows god , and verse . if god so loved us , we ought also to love one another . and ver. . if we love one another , god dwelleth in us , and his love is perfected in us : and in diverse other places of his epistles . but to this , diverse other arguments may be added . as . propter unitatem : because of that unity , and onenesse that is amongst us : we are all men ; therefore of the same kind : and the apostle tells us . act. . . that god hath made of one blood all nations of men , for to dwell on all the face of the earth . yea more : we are all christians , and therefore should love one another . yet more : we are all english men , and therefore should love one another . once again : we are all the same county , warwickshire men , and therefore should love one another : to all which unities may be added one more , if we are the same in truth , as we are in profession , we are all members of the same mysticall body whereof christ is the head . rom. . . we being many , are one body in christ , and every one members one of another . . propter bonitatem , & pulchritudinem : because of the goodness , and comlinesse of it . love is an amiable grace , as afterwards i shall shew . it 's lovely in the eyes both of god & man : yea , they which want it themselves , yet admire , and love it in others . psa. . . david set's an ecce before it . ecce quam bonum , &c. behold how good , and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . . propter firmitatem . because it strengthens us against adversaries : the old maxim is , divide , & impera : they are easie to be ridden by every usurper , who are first divided amongst themselves : hence it was that micypsa lying on his death-bead called all his sons together , and caused them to write this sentence in golden letters . concordiâ parvae res crescunt ; discordiâ magnae dilabuntur : by concord small things are encreased , and strengthned : but by discord the greatest are overthrown . and you know the story of scillurus , who likewise calling for his eighty sons upon his death-bed , told them that whilst they continued knit together in brotherly love , like a bundle of darts , or sheaf of arrows , they would be altogether invincible , but if once disjoyned , or severed by ▪ hatred , they would quickly become a prey to their adversaries . . propter similitudinem : because of that likenesse that is amongst us : and , similitudo gignit amorem : likenes breeds love . we see it in all tame , and profitable creatures , who loving each other in regard of likenesse , feed and flock together : similis gaudet simili , like loves his like . and truly we are more brutish then they , if this moves us not to love one another . indeed it 's the property of wild beasts , as of lions , bears , tygres , &c. to love solitude in howling wildernesses , and to walk abroad alone , and if they meet to intertear one another : but though the great tyrants of the world joyne house to house , and field to field that they may dwell alone . yet seeing god hath made us sociable creatures , and religion hath made us christians : let us provoke one another to love . . propter propinquitatem . because of that near alliance , and kindred that is amongst us : if we be reall as well as nominall christians ? we have all one father : god : one mother : the church : one redeemer : jesus christ : one sanctifier : the holy ghost . are nourished at the same breasts : the sincere milk of gods word : are heirs to the same kingdom . the kingdome of heaven , and are often told by gods word , that we are all brethren . hence the apostle peter inferrs that we should love as brethren . pet. . . . because it is the best ornament that we can put upon us : better then a chain to the neck , or a ring to the finger . yea , we should cloath our selves with love as with a garment . col. . . above all put on charity , which is the bond of perfectnesse . but alas ! it 's now almost out of fashion : many talke indeed of love , but shew no fruits of it : as some boast of costly garments in their wardrobes , or chests , but wear them not , whereas god hath given us this garment of love to wear ; neither need we fear wearing of it out , as we may other garments : for it 's the better for using , as gold is for rubbing that shines the brighter : yet , as we are not born with cloths on our back , nor with chaines about our neck : so neither are wee borne with this grace of love in our hearts , but are by nature hateful , and hating one another . tit. . . . the sacred scriptures heap up many motives to stir us up to love : as . it will prove us to be true disciples of our lord and master jesus christ , not spurious , nor bastards . ioh. . . by this shall all men know that you are my disciples , if ye have love one to another . . it will be a great ornament to our profession , and will beautifie the gospell of jesus christ : tertullian tells us , that in his time the mutuall love amongst christians was so eminent , and remarkable , that the heathens taking notice of it , could say , ecce quam invicem se diligunt christiani : behold how loving the christians are one to another . . it will declare , and demonstrate the truth of our faith . gal. . for in jesus christ neither circumcision availeth any thing , nor uncircumcision , but faith which worketh by love . . it shewes that we are translated from death to life . ioh. . . and hereby we may know that we are so . yea , fifthly , love is the life of god , angells , and heaven : of god , for god is love . john . . of the blessed angels : for there is nothing but love , and concord amongst them . of heaven : for that wil perfect ▪ our love , & put an end to all the differences which are too rife even amongst gods own people in this world : when holy grynaeus lay upon his death-bead , he told a friend that came to visit him , that he was going to that place , ubi luthero cum zuinglio optime ▪ convenit , where luther , and zuinglius agreed well , though they could never agree upon earth . . in regard of the eternity of this grace it is that the apostle cor. . . tells us , that charity never fails ; and in this regard prefers it before faith , and hope . verse . now abides faith , hope , and charity , but the greatest of these is charirity . . it 's a signe we walke by the light of gods word , and spirit . ioh. . . he that loveth his brother abideth in the light , and there is no occasion of stumbling in him . . this grace is of god , and sheweth that we are born of god . ioh. . . let us love one another , for love is of god , and every one that loveth is born of god . . without this grace of love no duty is accepted though never so difficult , or specious in the eyes of the world ▪ cor. . . though i bestow all my goods to feed the poor , and though i give my body to be burned , and have not charity , it profiteth me nothing . . love will draw love from others : cos amoris amor love is the whetstone , or load stone rather of love ; ut ameris ama : if you would be beloved of others , you must love others . love is a coin that must be returned in its own kind : the excellent properties of it are further set forth by the apostle paul . cor. . . . &c. charity suffereth long , and is kind , &c. but we must remember ( as was said before ) that love comes from god , and therefore must be begged of god ▪ ioh. . . all these things considered , will furnish you with arguments enough wherewith to provoke both your selves and one another to love . especially if on the contrary we do but remember what evills are attributed by the spirit of god to the contrary vice of hatred . ioh. . . he that hates his brother is in darknesse , and walks in darknesse . . john . . who soever hateth his brother is a murderer , and we know that no murderer hath eternall life abiding in him . john . . . if any man say , i love god and hateth his brother , he is a liar : for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen , how can he love god whom he hath not seen ? and thus i have opened , and proved the first part of my doctrine , i am come now to the second . that it 's the duty of all christians to provoke one another to good works . now in the prosecution of this thesis , or position , we shall dispatch three things . first , to speak something by way of explication . secondly , by way of confirmation . thirdly , by way of application . first , for explication , we shall answer severall queries . as quest . what work may be called good ? answ. there are three ingredients required to make up good works . . they must be good materialiter , or in the matter of them : they must be such things as are either commanded , or at least approved of by god . else he will say unto us , who hath required these things at your hands ? there are indeed many actions which glister much in the eyes of the world , and yet are an abomination in the eyes of god . as the popish fastings , pilgrimages , bead-prayers , giving their prayers to god by number , not by weight ; of which i may say as the apostle . col. . . which things indeed have a shew of wisdom in will-worship , and humility , and neglecting of the body , and yet the lord abhors them . . they must be good quoad fontem , they must proceed from a right principle : a good heart , a pure conscience , and faith unfeigned . tim. . . now the end of the commandement ( saith the apostle ) is charity out of a pure heart , &c. charity we know is a work commended by god : and yet it 's not accepted except it come from a good fountain , a good heart , and a pure conscience . for the same apostle tells us . tit. . . unto the pure all things are pure : but unto them that are defiled , and unbelieving is nothing pure : because their mind , and conscience is defiled . he tells us also , heb. . . that without faith it is impossible to please god ; and therefore all works , though materially good , if done by unbelievers , they are but splendida peccata , as the father said : but specious and glittering sins . . they must be good , quoad finem : they must tend to a right end . viz. the glory of god in our own , and the salvation of others . christus opera nostra non tam actibus , quam finibus pensat : saith zanchy : god doth not so much judhe of , and weigh our works by the actions as by the ends : the want of a right end made cain's sacrifice , and 〈◊〉 zeal , and the pharisees fastings , and prayers , and almes abomination to the lord , who searcheth the heart , and tryeth the reins , and knows all our thoughts a far of . wee must therefore look well to our end in all our works , and see , that as the sun puts out the light of the fire , so the glory of god puts out all other selfish ends whatsoever . quest . but what good works should we provoke one another to upon this occasion . answ. the most seasonable is at this our feast to remember the place of our nativity , the country where we were born , and to doe some good for that . i shall humbly propose these good works to your christian considerations . first , laying down this position : that the chiefest work of mercy is that which tends to the benefiting and enriching of other mens souls : the gospel indeed hath ( through gods mercy ) been preached , and professed in warwickshire ever since the first reformation in king edward the sixth his daies of glorious memory , and many blessed martyrs suffered there for the truth under that marian persecution which followed : as sincere sanders , gracious glover , and many others . i could also name unto you many famous lights set up in the candlestick of warwickshire in the reign of our three late soveraignes : besides such as are now there living ; so that that country hath been a goshen , when many other parts of the nation have been in a cymerian , and egyptian darknesse ; yea , give me leave to tell you that which it may be you have not formerly taken notice of , that in warwickshire about the yeare of our lord . the little park by coventry was perfumed with the odours of six of the saints bodies burned in it upon one day for their profession , and perseverance in the truth : besides diverse others which suffered not long after : so that it appears , that before the name of luther was heard of in the christian world , religion was propagated in our native country . yet . are there not some blind , and barren places in the same overspread with popery , and profanesse , where the people perish for lack of knowledge , and that for want of a godly , able , and faithfull ministry : and that for want of meanes to maintain such amongst them ? and may we not some way or other be instrumentall this day to help them to the bread of life , where we first drew in our breath of life ? . is there not a great want of schools in some parts of the county , whereby the poorer sort of inhabitants , who cannot maintain their children abroad at publick schools , are disabled to breed them up in knowledge , and learning as otherwise they might , and would do ? . are there not many widdowes , and orphans of godly ministers , and christians , whose husbands , and parents have been ruined , and undone in the late plundering times , ( warwickshire having born as great a share therein as most counties in england ) and whose present , and pressing necessities cry aloud unto us for reliefe , and pitty ? . are there not many hopefull youths whose parents are unable to send , and place them in this city , who might be far more serviceable to god , and their country , ( as your own experience manifesteth ) and may there not be some stock of monies raised for the taking of , and placing forth such , and when they come out of their time to lend unto them gratis upon good security for a certain time , which might enable them to live comfortably all their life after ? christian friends , i take not upon me to prescribe which ▪ or how many of these shall be taken into your consideration : but surely to further such good works will be very acceptable to god , and worthy our present meeting : let us therefore according to the words of my text , provoke one another to love , and to good works . quest . but who are they that must do such good works ? answ. . it 's a duty that most especially is incumbent upon rich men , the scripture every where calling upon them to be rich in good works , as tim. . , . charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high minded , nor trust in uncertain riches , but in the living god , who giveth us richly all things to enjoy : that they do good , that they be rich in good works , ready to distribute , willing to communicate : for god gives them not riches to hoard up , and to lie by them , but to do good with them : and for this cause there are poor alwaies with us , that rich men might never want objects of their charity , and liberality , whereas the earth being the lords , and the fulnesse thereof , he could make all rich , but he will not do it : as mar. . . our saviour christ tells us . the poor ye have alwaies with you , and whensoever you will , you may do them good . yea , we must do good unto them , and if we have any love to god , wee cannot but expresse it by shewing our love this way to his poor members . for iohn . . who so hath this worlds good , and seeth his brother hath need , and shuteth up his bowels of compassion from him , how dwelleth the love of god in him ? by which interrogation is implyed a more vehement negation : viz. that certainly the love of god dwelleth not in such a man . yea , the apostle james thundereth against such mercilesse , and hardhearted rich men , as are nothing affected with the miseries , and wants of their poor brethren . jam. . . he shall have judgement without mercy that sheweth no mercy . as we see in the example of the rich man in hell that was denyed a drop of water , because he had denied to relieve poor lazarus : non habuit guttam , quia non dedit micam , saith saint augustine : he had not a drop of water , because he had denyed a crumb of bread . what good then will all your riches do you , whilst gaining the world you lose your own soules ▪ yea , i desire covetous rich men often to read that flaming text . iam. . , , . go to now yee rich men , weep , and howl for the miseries which shall come upon you : your riches are corrupted , and your garments motheaten : your gold , and silver is cankred , and the rust of them will be a witnesse against you , and shall eat your flesh as it were fire , ye have heaped up treasure together for the last daies . . yet the poorer sort also must give something out of their poverty : for there are none of us here present that are so poor but there are others poorer , and in such a case we must remember the widdow . mar. . . who cast in two mites , which make a farthing : and see how gratefull this was unto christ , who did not onely take notice of it , and commend it to his disciples ; but hath left it upon record to her everlasting credit , that she of her want did cast in all she had , even {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} all her life , or livelyhood . how also doth the holy apostle paul commend the poor macedonians for their bounty to their poor brethren in judeah . cor . , . that in a great triall of affliction , the abundance of their joy , and their deep poverty , abounded unto the riches of their liberallity . for to their power ( i bear record ) and beyond their power they were willing of themselves : where we see their poverty was no hindrance to their liberallity towards those that were poorer then themselves : and though such persons have little to give , yet let them give a little of that little , and they shall not lose their reward . mat. . . whosoever shall give to drink , to one of these little ones a cup of cold water onely , in the name of a disciple , verily i say unto you ( saith christ ) he shall in no wise lose his reward . ye know how the lord blessed the poor widdow of sarepta for relieving the prophet elijah in his wants king. . . . but suppose thou hast nothing to give ( though it can hardly be supposed ) yet look upon the wants of thy native country , and contribute prayers for those that are in misery there . this will cost thee nothing out of thy purse : yea bleed over their necessities , and let the bowels of thy compassion erne over them . et si nihil al●ud habes , da lachrymulam : magnum enlm solatium afflicto est in sericordia : saith gregory nazianzen . if thou hast nothing else , give a tribute of tears : for it 's a great comfort for those that are in misery to be commiserated , and pittied : look upon the blind places of the country which are overgrown with popery and profanesse , and doe as thy master christ commands : mat. . . . the harvest truly is plenteous , but the labourers are few : pray ye therefore the lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest . look also upon their bodily wants , and if thou hast not wherewithall to supply them , be active in perswading others to liberality . it was the great commendations of ephrem syrus , that when he had nothing himselfe to give to the poor , by his sweet , and attractive sermons , he stirred up the hearts of others to relieve them . the like we read of saint basil , that in the time of a famine he sold his lands , and all his other goods to relieve the poor , and stirred up other rich merchants by scripture and sweet speeches to contribute to their necessities . thus having answered such objections as might lie in the way to obstruct , and hinder your bounty , and liberality at this your meeting : i am come in the next place to give you some motives , and arguments why you should take this present opportunity of provoking one another to good works for the publick benefit of our country . . consider how much it may tend to the advancement of gods glory , when thanksgivings are returned by many unto god in your behalf . the italians boast that italy is the garden of the world , and tuscany the garden of italy : how much trulier may i say that england is the garden of the world ? for if italy abounds with superfluities ? i am sure that england much more abounds with all manner of necessaries for the life of man : it being a land ( as palestine ) flowing with milk and hony , which is the glory of all lands : and wherein god feeds us with the fat of the kidneies of wheat : or if italy abounds , or exceeds us in temporalls ! i am sure england far exceeds in spiritualls , being a goshen , whist the other is an egypt : a land wherein ( through gods infinite mercy ) we enjoy the light of the glorious gospell of jesus christ , whilst italy sits in darknesse , and in the region , and shadow of death : and as they call tuscany the garden of italy , i may call warwickshire the garden of england , or england epitomized in the woodland , and fielden parts of it : the one abounding with flourishing , and fruitfull pastures , for dairies : the other with rich , and fertill arable land for corn . yet this garden in some places of it wants weeding , and some tender plants want nourishment , and if god shall please to make you this day instrumentall for the promoting of either , or both these works , i may say with the apostle paul . cor. . . the administration of this service will not onely supply the wants of the saints ; but will be abundant also by many thanksgivings unto god in your behalf : give me leave therefore to bespeak you in the words of cyprian , ne dormiat in thesauris tuis , quod pauperi prodesse potest : let not that sleep , & rust in thy treasury , which may be profitable to the poor . and again , quod aliquando de necessitate amittendum est , sponte pro divina remuneratione distribuendum est . that which a man must sometime necessarily part with : its wisdom for him to distribute it so , that god may everlastingly reward him . . consider how exceeding advantagious your liberality in this kind wil be to your selves , seeing hereby you make god your debtor . pro. . . he that gives to the poor , lendeth to the lord . yea , faeneratur domino , he lends upon usury , and the lord binds himself to repay it : and in that text gives him security under his owne hand for it . that which he hath given will he repay him again . the hebrew word implies that he will do it fully , and abundantly : mostly in this world , but infallably in the world to come . quest . but how doth the lord use to repay such mercy , and good works ? answ. . with spirituall blessings : those that for conscience sake , and in obedience unto god do such good works , he will make them to abound in every grace . observe ( i beseech you ) what god by solomon hath promised . pro. . . the liberall soul shall be made fat , and he that watereth , shall be watered also himself . and what the prophet esay c. . , . if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry , and satisfiest the afflicted soul : then shall thy light arise in obscurity , and thy darknesse be as the noon day : and the lord shall guide thee continually , and satisfie thy soul in drought , and make fat thy bones : and thou shall be like a watered garden , like a spring of water whose waters fail not . and what by the prophet david . psal. . . he hath dispersed , he hath given to the poor , his righteousnesse endureth for ever : his horne shall be exalted with honor . . with variety of temporall blessings : for god usually blesseth such . . in their outward estate , encreasing that . pro. . . there is that scattereth , and yet encreaseth : and there is that withholdeth more then is meet , but it tendeth to poverty . bounty ( saith one ) is the most compendious way to plenty ; neither is getting , but giving the best way to thrift . for in works of mercy , and charity , our scattering is increasing , no spending , but a lending , no laying out but a laying up . pro. . . the emperor tiberius the second , being a valiant , godly , and liberall prince , the more bountifull that he was to the poor , the more his riches encreased ; so that hee had such quantities of gold , silver , and pretious things as none of his predecessors ever attained the like . i suppose you are not strangers to that story , of a certain godly , and charitable bishop of millain , who journeying with his servant , was met by some poor people that begged an almes of him : the bishop commanded his man to give them all that little mony that he had , which was three crowns : but his servant thinking to be a better husband for his master , gave them but two crowns , reserving the third for their expences at night . soon after certain noble men meeting the bishop , and knowing him to be a good man , and liberall to the poor , commanded two hundred crowns to be delivered to the bishops servant for his masters use : the man having received the mony , ran with great joy , and told his master of it : ah , said the bishop , what wrong hast thou done both to me , and thy selfe ? si enim tres dedisses , trecent as accepisses : if thou hadst given those three crowns as i appointed thee , thou shouldst have received three hundred : as melancthon relates the story . and indeed such open-handed , and openhearted christians have more then once gods word of promise for such an ample retribution . deut. . . if there be among you a poor man of any of thy brethren , thou shalt not harden thy heart , nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother : ver. . but shalt open thine hand wide unto him . ver. . thou shalt surely give him , and thy heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him : because that for this thing the lord thy god shall blesse thee in all thy works ; and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto . and psal. . . the lord promiseth such a mercifull man that he shall be blssed upon the earth : he shall not onely have the upper ( as before ) but the nether springs : hee shall be blessed with the dew of heaven , and with the fatnesse of the earth . and psal. . . wealth , and riches shall be in his house . and pro. , , . honor the lord with thy substance , and with the first fruits of all thine encrease . so shall thy barnes be filled with plenty , and thy presses shal burst out with new wine , . the lord hath promised them safety , and protection in perilous , and dangerous times . ps. . , . blessed is he that considereth the poor : the lord will deliver him in time of trouble : the lord will preserve , and keep him alive , and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies . again , isa. . . the glory of the lord shall be his rereward , for his safety , and defence against dangers . paulinus bishop of nola having consumed all his estate , in redeeming poor christian captives : at length having nothing left , pawned himself for a certain widdowes son : but the barbarians ( moved with his goodnesse , and charity ) returned him home , and many captives with him freely . the lord will support , and comfort such with divine consolations upon their bed of sicknesse , when all worldly , and creature comforts fail them ; and when such soul-ravishing comforts are more worth then all the world . psa. . . the lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing , thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness . ps. . . unto such there ariseth light in darknesse : v. . he shall not be affraid of evil tidings : his heart is fixed trusting in the lord . yea , see that sweet promise . isa. . . then shalt thou call and the lord shall answer ; thou shalt cry , and he shall say , here i am . . you may hereby make god your debtor at death to send his blessed angels to guard , and transport your soules through the territories , and regions of the prince of the aier into abrahams bosom . according to the counsell of our saviour christ . luk. . . make to your selves friends of the mammon of unrighteousnesse , that when you fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations . hereby indeed we shall do as the blessed apostle paul adviseth us . tim. . . lay up in store for our selves a good foundation against the time to come that ye may lay hold on eternall life . and for our further encouragement , let us remember what wise solomon tells us . eccles. . . cast thy bread up on the waters : for thou shalt find it after many daies . . yea , such liberall-hearted persons after death leave a blessed memoriall behind them : and solomon tells us . eccles. . . that a good name is better then pretious ointment : yet that will leave a sweet sent in the room when it is removed : how much more shall the name of such mercifull men be continued ? see it in the example of good obadiah , who took the lords prophets , and hid them by fifty in a cave , and fed them with bread and water . how sweet is the memoriall of that mercifull proselit cornelius ? whose prayers , and almes as they were had in remembrance before god , so are they recorded in the sacred scriptures to his everlasting commendations . the like may be said of dorcas , and many others . our own histories likewise furnish us with plentifull examples of this kind : as of master bradford , georg wiseheart , giles of bruxels , doctor tailor , master fox , master hooper ; and of later time , the young lord harrington , mr. wheatley of banhury , &c. . lastly , god is made a debtor to such to blesse their posterities after them : to such saith the lord . is. . . they that shall be of thee shall build the old wast places : thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations : and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach : and psa. . . his seed shall be mighty upon earth : the generation of the upright shall be blessed : neither do we want examples of gods faithfull performance of this promise : how well did mephibosheth fare for the mercy which his father jonathan shewed to david ? and what said david to old barzillai , who had mercifully fed him , and his wearied men when he fled from absolon ? sam. . . the king answered , chimham ( thy son ) shall go over with me , and i wil do to him that which shall seem good unto thee : and whatsoever thou shalt require of me , that will i do . i shall onely adde one famous example of our own : queen ann bullen , wife to king henry the eighth , was a very charitable woman , she used to carry a little purse about her for the poor , thinking no day well spent , wherein some had not fared the better at her hand : she also kept her maids , and such as were about her in working , and sowing garments for the poor ; and see how the lord dealt with her , in her onely child our renowned qu. eliz. whom the lord wonderfully delivered from death in the reign of her sister qu. mary , and after advanced her to the throne , preserved her from the rage of rome , spain , and the devill , giving her a long life , and glorious reign to the comfort of her friends , and terror of her enemies . and thus i have shewed you how by your charity , and liberality you make god your debtor , though , non ex merito , yet ex promisso , not out of merit ( as the papists teach ) yet by vertue of his promise , which ( we use to say ) is due debt : now i proceed to give you some further motives and arguments to quicken you to this duty . . wee should therefore take the present opportunity of doing some publick good for our country , because we know not how little a while we may enjoy our estates : we have of late seen civill warr , and plundering times wherein many of plentifull means have been suddenly brought to poverty : and sure i am , that the same sins which brought down those judgements are still common . yea , i fear , i may truly say , that instead of amendment we wax worse , and worse , and our provocations are greater then formerly : why may we not then expect some sweeping , and desolating judgement to be impendent over our heads ? and should we by a generall , or some particular hand of god be emptied of that fulnesse which we now enjoy , we shall then be disabled to do such good works though we would : but me thinks i hear some objecting , and saying , that because we know not how little a while we shall enjoy what we have , it s therefore good to make much of it whilst we have it , and to lay up against a rainy day ? to which i answer , that the spirit of god which is much wiser then we , hath made the contrary inference . eccl. . . give a portion to seaven , and also to eight , for thou knowest not what evill shall be upon the earth : and the apostle paul . gal. . . bids us whilst we have opportunity to doe good to all men : but especially to the houshold offaith . . it 's the readiest , and surest way to obtain mercy from god in our need , if we carefully , and conscienciously relieve others in their needs : we have christs own testimony for this . mat. . . blessed are the merciful , for they shall obtain mercy : and the same is largely held forth by the prophet isa. . from . to . as before . . it will afford much inward peace , and comfort : for as light and influence accompanieth the sun : and as heat goes along with the fire : and as every flower hath its peculiar sweetnesse : so every good work carries meat in the mouth , comfort in the performance . pro. . . it's joy to the just to doe judgement . the like may bee said of works of mercy : it will afford joy to them that doe them : whereas cruelty , and unmercifullnesse shall be a sting in the consciences , and a dagger at the heart of those that are guilty thereof . . god expects that like the tree of life mentioned . rev. . . we should bring forth fruit every moneth . that wee should be like the lemon tree that ever and anon sends forth young lemons , so soon as the other fal off through ripenesse . or like the egyptian figtree , which solinus speaks of , which beareth fruit seven times in the year . or , more perennis aquae : like fountaines which continually send forth fresh streames of water . but alas ! most christians on the contrary are like unto the cypresse tree that is fair , and tall , but altogether fruitlesse : or like that figtree mentioned in the parable , luk. . , . a certain man ( said christ ) had a figtree planted in his vineyard , and he came , and sought fruit thereon but found none . then said he to the dresser of his vineyard , ( mark the doom of such ) behold these three years came i seeking fruit on this figtree , and find none ; cut it down : why cumbreth it the ground ? . lastly , god will make honorable mention of such merciful , and liberall persons at the day of judgement where your labour of love shewed to the poor members of jesus christ shall not be forgotten . mat. . , . come yee blessed of my father , inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world : for i was an hungred and yee gave me meat : i was therstie and yee gave me drink : i was a stranger , and ye took me in : naked and yee clothed me : i was sick , and ye visited me : i was in prison , and ye came unto me : — verse . in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren , ye have done it unto me . therefore it exhorts us all here present to improve this our meeting , as the apostle adviseth us here , to provoke one another unto love , and to good works . but many think that it will be time enough for them to think of doing good works when they come to make their wills before their death . truly i will not discourage men from this duty at any time : but give me leave to tell you in the words of a reverend divine : good works ( saith he ) done at a mans death are like a dark-lanthome that gives light only to those that come after it : but good works done in a mans life , are like a torch that equally gives light both to those that go before , and to those that follow after it . yea , defer it not till another year , as some would perswade , for you know not whether ye may live till an other year . yea , what saith the apostle , i am . . . ye know not what shall be on the morrow : for what is your life ? it is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time , and then vanisheth away . take therfore the present opportunity : as paul exhorts you . gal. . . non semper estas erit : summer will not last alwaies : post est occasio calva : a pretious opportunity once lost , may never be recovered again . bis dat qui cito dat . he that gives speedily , gives twice . remember solomons advice . pro. . . say not to thy neighbour , goe , and come again , and to morrow i will give , when thou hast it by thee . remember how gratefull a sacrifice it is to god . heb. . . to do good and to distribute forget not ; for with such sacrifices god is well pleased . hence cyprian , qui pauperi eleemosynam dat , deo suavitatis odorem sacrificat , he that give an almes to the poor , offers a sweet smelling sacrifice unto god , and the same father tells us , that dives sine eleemosyna , arich man without alms is one of the great absurdities in the life of man : and saith gregory nyssen : there is no excuse for hardheartednesse : for where can a rich man cast his eyes , but he may behold objects for his charity . as the husbandman casts some of his corn into a fruitfull soil , whereby in due time he reaps with advantage . so do you with your worldly blessings , sow them in the bowells , and on the backs of your poor country-men , members of christ , and in the day of harvest you shall find a great encrease . onely by way of caution let me give you this advice : sow not sparingly . for cor. . . he which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly ; and he that soweth bountifully ; shall reap bountifully . and pro. . . he that hath a bountiful eie shal be blessed : for he giveth of his bread to the poor . hence eccl. . . give a portion to seven , and also to eight , and verse . in the morning sow thy seed , and in the evening withhold not thy hand . but especially remember the words of our saviour christ . luk. . . give and it shall be given unto you , good measure , pressed down , shaken together , and running over shall men give into your bosom ▪ for with the same measure you mete withall , it shall be measured to you again . again give not grudgingly : every man ( saith the apostle . cor. . . ) according as he purposeth in his heart , so let him given ●ot grudgingly , or ofnecessity : for god loveth a cheerful giver . rom. . . he that sheweth mercy must do it with chearfulness . they must be ready to distribute , willing to communicate : and for your further encouragement herein , i am requested to give you notice , that what god shall stir up your hearts to contribute at this time , shall be faithfully imployed to good uses by your stewards , who will be accountable to you for the same at the next feast . consider what hath been spoken , and the lord stirre up your hearts to provoke one another unto love , and to good works . amen . errata pag. . l. . r. goliah's for goliaths . p. . l. . r. we are all of the same county . p. . l. . r. judge , for judhe . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- eph. . . tit. . . rom. . , notes for div a e- doct. use . doct. use . doct. est ignis ab igne spiritus accensus pros. isa. . . aa . . . mat. . . &c. see my english martyrologie . pag. . isa. . . see his life in my first part of lives . p. . eodem p. . cor. ● . . see my mirrour in charity . paulus diaconus . ps. . . . king. . . act. . act. . . see my mirrour p. . &c see her life in my d . part of lives . object . answ. use . tim. . the marrow of ecclesiastical history contained in the lives of one hundred forty eight fathers, schoolmen, first reformers and modern divines which have flourished in the church since christ's time to this present age : faithfully collected and orderly disposed according to the centuries wherein they lived, together with the lively effigies of most of the eminentest of them cut in copper / by samuel clark. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the marrow of ecclesiastical history contained in the lives of one hundred forty eight fathers, schoolmen, first reformers and modern divines which have flourished in the church since christ's time to this present age : faithfully collected and orderly disposed according to the centuries wherein they lived, together with the lively effigies of most of the eminentest of them cut in copper / by samuel clark. clarke, samuel, - . the second edition enlarged in most of the lives, with the addition of nine lives which were not in the former. [ ], p. : ports. printed for t.v. and are to be sold by william roybould, london : . reproduction of original in the university of illinois (urbana-champaign campus). library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng christian biography. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the marrow of ecclesiastical history , contained in the lives of one hundred forty eight fathers , schoolmen , first reformers , and modern divines which have flourished in the church since christ's time to this present age : faithfully collected , and orderly disposed according to the centuries wherein they lived : together with the lively effigies of most of the eminentest of them cut in copper . the second edition enlarged in most of the lives , with the addition of nine lives which were not in the former . by samuel clark pastor of bennet fink , london . vt qui praeceptis non accendimur , saltem exemplis incitemur , atque in appetitu rectitudinis , nil sibi mens nostra difficile astimet quod perfectè peragi ab aliis videt greg. mag. l. . c . wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses , let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race which is set before us , heb. . . london , printed for t. v. and are to be sold by william roybould at the vnicorn in pauls-church-yard , . to the christian reader . christian reader , the nature of man is more apt to be guided by examples then by precepts ; especially by the the examples of men eminently learned , and of great repute for pietie and godliness . such men are as looking-glasses to the places where they live , by which most people dress themselves , and when they fall into sin , they fall like men in a croud , many falling with them . the bodies of men are not so subject to be infected by the illness of the ayr , as the souls of men by the ill examples of godly learned ministers . when peter at antioch dissembled , many of the jews dissembled likewise with him , and barn●ibas was brought into their dissimulation also . it is very remarkable that this example of peter is said to be a constraining of the gentiles to judaize ; why constrainest thou the gentiles to do as the jews ? gal. . there is a compulsive power in the ill examples of godly men to constrain others to do the evil that they do ; and therefore let godly ministers ( especially in these days ) take heed least by any wicked compliance they build men up in sin , and bring destruction upon themselves , as the two sons of old ely did , who by their wicked examples made the people of israel to transgress , and thereby brought ruine upon their old father and themselves . sam. . . and so on the contrary , there is a heavenly power and efficacy , in the good examples of men eminent in place and godliness , to draw others to pietie and holiness . as long as joshua lived , and the elders that had seen all the great works of the lord that he did for israel , the children of israel served the lord. the religious cariage of theodosius the emperour in his family , made , not only his family , but his whole court to be a nourcery of religion . pezel . mel hist. in vita theodo . . but this is most especially seen in the godly lives of godly and learned ministers . herod the king reverenced john baptist , observed him , and when he heard him , did many things , and heard him gladly ; not so much for the love of his doctrine , as because he was a just and holy man , and ( as jesus christ saith of him ) a burning and shining light ; burning in holy zeal for god , as well as shining in orthodox doctrine . he is called by the prophet , the voyce of him that cryeth in the wilderness . and as nazianzen saith of him , he cryed louder by the holiness of his life , then the sincerity of his doctrine ; he was tota vox , all voyce ; his apparel , his diet , and his conversation , did preach holiness , as well as his doctrine . mar. ▪ . john . . isay . . and therefore is cannot but be a work very profitable to the church of christ , for any man to write a history of the lives of the eminently learned , and godly ministers of former times , as a fair copy for posterity to write after , and a patten for them to imitate . this reverend , religious , and learned author hath undertaken this work in this ensuing treatise , and effected it so well , as that i thought it not sufficient to give a naked imprimatur unto it , without this additional commendation both of the author and of his work . the apostle having in the eleventh chapter to the hebrews given us a little●book of martyrs , in the beginning of the twelfth chapter , he calls them a cloud of witnesses . such a cloud of witnesses is contained in this book . and as the childreu of israel were directed in their journeys by the pillar of a cloud , that went before them , as long as they were in the wilderness , so let us make this cloud of witnesses ( so far as it followeth christ ) a pillar of cloud to guide us , while we are in the wilderness of this world , till we come to enjoy that unexpressible happiness of which they are now made partakers . so prayeth your servant in christ jesus , edmund calamy . to the christian reader . christian reader , the right improvement of good examples , doth reach the highest ends of man , ( viz. ) gods honor , and the souls welfare . it was an honor unto king david , to have so many men of valor under his command . and doubtless the wisdom , faith , love , zeal , courage , and humility , which gods faithful servants in the several ages of the church have expressed in their attendance upon him , do publish the high praises of his blessed majesty . for if there appear so much worth in small drops , what is there in the seas of divine al-sufficiencie ? he that seeth the sun-beams bright , will see cause to admire the brightness of the sun it self . the luster left upon moses his face , by the reflection of the glory of gods back parts , was a full demonstration of the incomparable infinite glory of his face . when we read of me raised above the world , despising promises , and scorning threatnings , whereby they have been assaulted to desert the truth of the gospel , and to make shipwrack of a good conscience ; how can we do less then glorifie god in them ? for can any power , on this side omnipotencie , enable sinful men to deny themselves , their dearest relations , and the greatest earthly advantages for jesus christ ? how much of deity shines in their lives , who could trample upon preferments , laugh at imprisonment and banishment , yea with smiles and joys embrace stakes , and endure flames , in love unto the lord jesus ? oh what abundant occasion is administred of adoring the most high god , in his rich perfections , faithfulness and unchangeableness , when we consider , how even to admiration , he hath furnished many of his ambassadors with raised parts and graces to defend his cause and edifie his church , in the several corners of the world from generation to generation ! histories hold forth the acknowledgements extorted from heathens to the honor of the true god , upon the notice taken of christians gracious carriage , both in life and death : when you be informed of their unwearyed industrie in services , and their undaunted magnanimitie in sufferings for christ their lord , then conceive , that you hear themselves thus speaking unto you with a loud voice ; why look you thus upon us ? not unto us , not unto us , but unto the name of god give glory . and as our gracious god is advanced , so may our selves be very much advantaged by a due consideration of those things , which have been exemplary in the lives and deaths of choise men , champions for scripture truths , and patriots for the power of godliness . for as gods laws are the good mans rules ; so good examples are his motives and encouragements . the holy scriptures do hint the prevalency hereof for saving conversion . and it is reported that justin martyr by observing the pious lives and patient deaths of the martyrs , was brought to christ. men likewise may be fast riveted , and more strongly rooted in the truth received , by reflecting upon the sound judgements and spotless lives of them who have published and maintained it . in which respect pauls speech unto young timothy is very remarkable ; but continue thou in the things which thou hast learned , and hast been assured of , knowing of whom thou hast learned them . such are witnesses with a witness , there are none such . the common people are more apt to enquire what ministers do , then what they say . and the eye is more operative and affecting then the ear . neither is this only true , in regard of gods worthies who live with us , but also in reference unto them who have lived long before us . the apostle writing to the hebrews concerning abels faith , he tels them , that by it , though he be dead , he yet speaketh . upon which phrase famous master perkins , hath this note . abels faith , is a never dying preacher . it is the pleasure of almighty god , that we should walk in the way of good men , and keep the path of the righteous . walk so as you have us for an example . the apostle paul draws their observation and imitation , upon those who were really and eminently good . and the apostle james , inculcates the same thing . take , my brethren , the prophets , who have spoken in the name of the lord , for an example . in examples there should be excellencie and conspicuitie ; as the stamps upon coyns which make them current . it is most true that wise solomon sends sluggish man unto school , to learn of the pismire . and therefore , grant that christians should imitate heathens in their virtues : how much rather then , ought we to make practical improvement of the epitomized lives of these many eminent servants of christ , who are presented to our view in this book ? these fair copies we should spread before our eyes , and write after them , till our writing , our living be like them . frequent meditation upon the wise savorie speeches , and holy gratious practices of these renowned worthies , will be a special means to mould us ( even us ) into the same similitude . peter martyr , perswading the improvement of good examples , tell 's a storie of a deformed man , marryed unto an uncomely woman , who , being desirous of comely children , bought many beautiful pictures , and desired his wife daily to look upon them , by means whereof their children were handsome and lovely . and doubtless , brave christian qualifications might be begotten in our bosoms by filling our heads and hearts frequently with the commendable conversation of these holy men of god , who have been burning and shining lights in the churches of christ , in their respective ages . but whilst we are moving imitation , we must not forget to give in some few cautions to prevent miscarrying . . do not so idolize any man in respect of his place , parts , or graces , as to make him your pattern in every particular . the apostle gives in a good item to the corinthians , which concerns all christians , be followers of me , as i am of christ. christians are not bound ( as master latimer expresseth himself ) to be the saints apes , laboring to be like them in every thing : it 's christs peculiar honor , to be imitated in all morals absolutely . this caveat is necessary in these man-admiring times , wherein many pin their faith and consciences upon some mens sleeves . here it might seasonably be remembred , that the opinion and practice of the apostle peter did once lead many out of the right way . when mens parts are high , their graces shining , or their power great , we are in danger either to be dazzelled with their brightness , or biassed by their greatness . therefore before you adventure to follow men , weigh the chiefest of them in the ballance of the sanctuary , and try their most specious notions and actions by the touchstone of the temple . . beware on the other hand , lest you so pry into and peer upon the weaknesses of gods worthies , as not to value and imitate those virtues which did break forth brightly in their conversations . you must give good gold all its allowance , and not throw it aside , because it wants some grains and hath a crack . the snow-like swan hath black legs , and in many things we offend all . and though some of these pretious servants of jesus christ , who are justly commended in this book , had their blemishes in judgement , or in some actions : yet how much did they in many particulars exceed the most famous professors of our times ? . when you meet with that in their lives which was not onely truly , but eminently good , sit not down satisfied till you have attained their measure . be followers of me , &c. ( saith the apostle ) for our conversation is in heaven . follow the forwardest christians with a desire to overtake them . his speech savored more of wit then grace , who counselled his friend not to come too nigh unto truth , lest his teeth should be beaten out with its heels . dwell upon the exemplarie lives of these transcendent saints , till you be changed into the same image ; their love to christ , his truth and people should enlarge your hearts : their zeal should enflame you . their magnanimity should encourage you . their humility should abase you . their patience should calm you . their labors should quicken your diligence . their temperance should moderate you in the use of all sensual contentments . their confidence should confirm your fiducial dependance upon gospel-promises . their contempt of the world should call you off yet farther from all empty sublunaries . their high estimation of the holy scriptures should heighten your reverent respect of them . their many assaults from satan and sufferings from men , in estate , liberty , credit , and body , should embolden and arm you in evil times . their experiences of support under grievances , of supplies in necessaries , of comfort in crosses , of deliverance in streights , of success in services , and of triumphing perseverance , notwithstanding all oppositions from within and from without , should hold up your faint hopes , unweariedly to wait for the full accomplishment of all the pretious promises of covenant-grace in jesus christ. . confine not your desires , designs , endeavors , to any degree of spiritual goodness attained by the fairest saint on this side heaven . for no example ( christ's onely excepted ) did ever reach that rule , according to which we are always obliged to order our hearts and lives . a man may fully fall in with the forwardest follower of jesus christ , and yet fall far short of conformity to gods commandements . that blessed apostle who propounds himself a pattern for imitation , having his conversation in heaven , yet he speaks thus of himself , not as though i was already perfect . and that beloved disciple john tels us , that every one who hath a well-grounded , lively hope of heaven , purgeth himself , as christ is pure . if according to this counsel , with these directions , you shall improve the manifold pretious examples , which are here presented unto your perusal , then shall you have good cause to bless almighty god for bringing this book unto your hands . the godly and reverend author , our antient friend and fellow-pupil with one of us ( under the tuition of master thoms hooker in emanuel colledge , who for his eminent abilities , and glorious services , both in this and in the other england , deserves a place in the first rank of them who are here recorded ) hath in this collection imitated the lord , who hath a book of remembrance , wherein he registers the gratious speeches and actions of his zealous servants in cvil times . hereby also he is instrumental in the accomplishment of gods promise , who hath said , the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance . an instance whereof the apostle gives in abel ( the proto-martyr ) who , for his faith and righteousness , is yet spoken off ( as some render the phrase ) though long since dead . that which the apostle affirms , upon the reveiw of his catalogue of believers , recorded in the eleventh chapter of his epistle to the hebrews , i may apply to this book ; we are compassed about with a clowd of witnesses : for which way can we look , or to what condition and concernment of life can we turn our selves , wherein some example propounded in this book , will not aptly suit with our estates for guidance , comfort , encouragement ? and although the labor of our author , hath been in this collection very great , yet he resolves ( if god give life and health ) to add a second part unto this now published : wherein , if any one will be pleased to furnish him , with full and faithful relations , of the godly life and death of any their christian friends ( whether ministers or others ) who have been eminent in their days , their names may hereby be perpetuated unto the service of posterity . here we might have given in a true , though short character of some pretious servants and messengers of christ , whose graces were admired whilst they lived , and whose mem●ry their surviving friends do much honor : viz. doctor preston , sibs , tailor , stoughton , &c. mr. rogers , stock , culverwel , pemble , &c. as also mr. hildersham , dod , pierson , herring , ball , nicols , hind , and rathband , who for their christian graces , and ministerial abilities , for their services and sufferings , do deserve an honourable memorial in the church of christ : the later of these ( though they lived and dyed non-conformists ) yet they always kept a due distance from brownistical separation , and were zealously affected towards the presbyterial government of the church , as the works of some of them do sufficiently witness . through gods grace , their judgments were never tainted with the noisom errors of these declining times , neither were their lives stained with any such scandals , for which too many who pretend to an higher pitch of purity and saintship , are justly reproached . but now we will not discourse any further of them , because we hope that the next part of this book ( which before we intimated ) may bring to light the excellencies of some of them ( at least ) which call for remembrance and imitation . and now ( christian reader ! ) craving pardon for our tediosness , whereby thou hast been thus long detained out of this pleasant garden , we desire that gods direction and blessing may accompany thy passage through it : that whilst thou seest thy self surrounded with sweet and fragrant flowers , thou mayst adore the inexhaust fulness of jesus christ , from whom all graces and consolations do continually flow . and because an inward supernatural principle is necessary to the right improvement of such helps , ( as the bee by an innate quality , which other creatures want , maketh honey out of flowers ) we commend thee to the god of all grace , that by the abilities of his spirit , thou mayst be abundantly benefited in spiritual respects , by thy serious survaying of this useful book . london , decemb. th . . thine , in the service of jesus christ simeon ash . john wall . the avthors epistle to the christian reader . christian reader ! the holy apostle tels us , that when christ ascended on high , he gave gifts unto men , some apostles , some prophets , some evangelists , some pastors and teachers , for the perfecting of the saints , for the work of the ministry , for the edifying of the body of christ , till we all come into the uaity of the faith , and of the knowledge of the son of god unto a perfect man , unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of christ : the accomplishment hereof will in part appear by these examples following , wherein we shall see how the lord jesus christ hath in all ages raised up , and sent pastors after his own heart for the ends before mentioned : and because that old subtile serpent the divel knows , that the chiefest way to hinder the success of the ministry is to breed in mens hearts an undervaluing , and disesteem of the ministers ; therefore we may take notice what titles christ jesus in the new testament is pleased to honor them withall ; he calls them angels : rev. . , , , &c. stars : rev. ult . ambassadors of christ : cor. . . builders : cor. . . gods stewards : tit. . . lights of the world. matth. . . the glory of christ : cor. . . nurses : thes. . . spiritual fathers : cor. . . and such as stand in christs stead : cor. . . and such indeed have most of these worthies been , whose lives are recorded in this book : yet least any should run into the contrary extreme , and judge of them above that which is meet , the scriptures tell us also , that they are earthen vessels , cor. . . and men subject to the like passions with others : james . . acts . . this you shall finde evidenced in the narratives of some of these lives , who , though they were men of god , yet were they sons of adam also ; and i could have given you in a catalogue of the naevi , and blemishes of the antient fathers , as well as of the modern divines , that so we might be convinced that our faith ought not to stand in the wisdom of men , but in the power of god : but most men are too apt to espie motes upon a black coate , and therefore i forbear them . what excellent use may be made of these lives will appear if we consider , first , the divine and comfortable speeches which have proceeded from these holy men of god , worthy to be written in letters of gold , and to be engraven , not upon the tables of stone , but upon the fleshly table of our hearts . secondly , the industry , diligence , and faithfulness which they shewed in their general and particular callings , worthy our best imitation . thirdly , their behaviour and deportment in times of persecution , and how ready the lord was to support , encourage , and strengthen them therein , which may help our faith and dependance upon god in the like times , and upon the like occasions . fourthly , their zeal , patience , and perseverance in the truth , not loving their lives unto the death , so they might fulfil their ministry with joy ; which should teach us to be followers of them , who through faith and patience do now inherit the promises . what benefit this collection of mine may afford to the learned , and to ministers , i leave it to their own prudence who can best judge of it : yet thus much i dare say , that here they shall finde gathered into one book those things which before lay scattered in many : here they shall see in what centuries , ages , and places the famousest lights of the church , both antient and modern , have flourished . here they shall have contracted into one little volume the substance of that , which if it had been translated , or transcribed according to the originals , would have filled many such books as this and yet ( as i suppose ) nothing of worth or weight omitted . and if together with this , they shall please to make use of my two martyrologies , and my mirror , or looking-glass both for saints and sinners , i presume they may be stored with examples , almost for every subject which they shall preach upon : and how grateful and useful to the auditors such examples are , i conceive none can be ignorant . but to conclude , i hope ( through gods blessing ) these my weak and unworthy endeavors will prove seasonable and sutable to the times ; pleasant and profitable to the readers , and some way or other instrumental to gods glory , which is the serious and earnest desire of thy unfeigned friend to serve thee , samuel clark . from my study in threed-needle-street , decemb . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . thomas dugard . a. m. rector barfordiae . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . idem . to his reverend friend mr. samuel clark. samuel clark anagram a cull-markes : or , cull's a marke . false lights to error now our souls betray ; thou art a cull-markes to direct our way . from white of truth we rove as in the dark , thy book 's our marks-man , and cull's out a mark. we sail in troublous seas midst rocks and shelves , thou set'st up sea-marks least we lose our selves : mercurial statues here rais'd out of clay , whose faith , zeal , patience guide us heavens way : thy life , name , works so well in one agree , i wish me follower of these lives with thee . jo. fuller , minister of gods word at botolphs-bishops-gate . others by the same . storie 's a light of time for after ages , this book 's a lanthorn which this light incage's : no fatal comet 's here with fear to dread us , but pole-stars all from christ to christ to lead us . and should the witnesses not yet be slain , thou mak'st us see they may be rais'd again . if teachers be as stars , then sure thy book doth as an heavenly constellation look : if they be seasoning salt , this book of thine may well be nam'd a rich salt peter-mine . if watchmen , witnesses , he 's not misled calls it a mizpah and a galeed . a sacred sampler drawn to th' life in storie , legend of saints , indeed a directorie . and whilst that some snuff out lights of our age , thou trim'st , and set'st such here in equipage : spirits once rais'd , imploy'd not , vanish soon , when these lives guide us , then thy book is done . joh. fuller . to my reverend and learned friend , upon his book called the lives , &c. like jacob's rods thy lives thou laist in view ; his rods were pill'd , thy lives are pickt ; their hew ( reader ) is thy exemplar ; look on , love , buy , read , yea live their lives , and then t will prove that when you have enquir'd what bargain 's best , a purchase made for lives is gainfullest : could but one life be bought , who would not trade ? who buys thy book , buyes many lives : i 'le wade one step more in thy praise ; how th' faces fit i judge not , sure thy lives to th' life are writ . guilielm . ienkyn , ecclesiae christi apud londinenses pastor . vpon the book of the lives of the fathers , &c. made by the reverend , his dear father mr. samuel clark. lo here the quintessence of more then croesus ever saw before . gold , silver , diamonds , these are , compar'd to this , not half so rare , contracted worth ! much in a little space : 't is homer's iliads in a nut-shel case . rare chymistrie ! how could you make so pure elixar ? did you take these worthies ashes so divine , as matter fit for your design ? such sacred reliques , whereso ' ere enshrin'd , make the vrn pretious to a pious minde . of several stars our sophies say , vnited's made the milkie-way : the ignes fatui cannot be exalted to such dignitie . no wandring stars are here . these fixed are ; a constellation in heaven's highest sphere . then sure this book , if read , will please ; who will not choose to be with these deceased heroes ? this bliss to th' reader here imparted is . here 's many saints ; one book : thus schools do tell ten thousand angels in one point may dwell . sam. clark , a. m. aul. pembr . soc. to his reverend and much honored father , mr. samuel clark , concerning his book called the lives , &c. how ! lives ! they 're dead . no : death they did evade by their good lives , which them immortal made . death could not take their lives away , you finde he took their bodies , left their lives behinde ; which here assembled shew themselves so well , as though they strove each other to excell . 't is a choise synod , o! who would not be present , their acts , and orders for to see ! like cyrus court with good men 't is so stor'd , that wink and choose , it will good choice afford . then since good lives are in this book so rife , i make no doubt to call 't a book of life . jo. clark fellow of pemb. hall , camb. a table of the names of those persons whose lives are contained in this book , according to the several centuries wherein they lived . cent. , and .   pag. ignatius polycarpus dionysius areopagita justin martyr irenaeus cent. .     tertullian clemens alexand. flourished origen cyprian cent. .     arnobius eusebius lactantius athanasius hilary cyril cent. .     ephrem syrus basil flourished gregory nazianzen flourished epiphanius flourished ambrose gregory nissen flourished theodoret flourished hierom chrysostom flourished augustine flourished cyril of alexandria flourished peter chrysologus flourished prosper cent. .     fulgentius cent. .     gregorius magnus isidore beda damascen cent. .     theophylact flourished cent. .     anselm flourished cent. .     nicephorus bernard peter lombard flourished cent. .     alexander of hales bonaventure thomas aquinas cent. .     iohn wickliff cent. .     iohn huss hierom of prague cent. .     martin luther flourished cent. .     zuinglius oecolampadius iohn frith thomas bilney william tindal bertholdus hallerus urbanus regius andrew bodenstein caralostad . walfgang fabricius capito leo iudae george spalatinus frederick myconius john diazius gasper cruciger mathias zellius ● v●●us theodorus paulus fagius martin bucer gasper hedio oswald myconius georg p. of anhalt justus jonas john rogers laurence sanders john hooper rowland tailor john bradford nicholas ridley hugh latimer john philpot thomas cranmer conradus pellican iohn bugenhagius philip melancthon iohn a lasco augustine marlorat peter martyr amsdorsius musculus hyperius iohn calvin william farellus verge lus strigelius iohn brentius peter viretus iohn iuel zegedine iohn knox peter ramus mathew parker henry bullinger edward deering flacius illericus iosias simler emanuel tremelius peter boquine edmund grindal bernard gilpin zacharie ursin abraham bucholizer martin chemnisius rodolphus gualter ludovicus lavater gaspar olevian iohn wigandus iohn fox george sohnius laurence humfreid iames andreas hierom zanchius anthony sadeel william whitaker lambert danaeus robert rollock nicholas hemingius iames heerbrand david chytraeus cent. .     alexander nowel daniel tossanus william perkins francis iunius luke trelcatius iohn whitgift theodore beza iohn rainolds ioseph scaliger amandus polanus thomas holland iohn drusius iohn iames grynaeus robert abbat william cowper andrew willet david pareus thomas erpenius abraham scultecus iohn piscator robert bolton william whately anthony wallaeus henry altingius friderick spanhemius a table of the persons whose lives are contained in this book , set down alphabetically . a abbat pag. alexander of hales altingius ambrose ampsdorsius andraeas anselm aquinas arnobius athanasius augustinus b basil beda bernard pag. beza bilney bolton bonaventure boquinus bradford brentius bucer bucholtzer bugenhage bullinger c calvin capito caralostadius chemnisius chrysologus chrysostom chytraeus clemens alexandrinus cowper cranmer cruciger cyprian cyril cyril of alexandria d damascen danaeus deering dionysius areopagita diazius drusius e ephrem syrus epiphanius erpenius eusebius f fagius farellus flacius illyricus fox frith fulgentius g george prince of anhalt gilpin gregory nazianzen gregory nyssen gregorius magnus grindal grinaeus gualter h hallerus hedio heerbrand hemingius hillary hierom hierom of prague holland hooper humphred huss hyperius i ignatius jonas irenaeus isydore juell junius justin martyr k knox l lactantius lascus latimer lavater leo judae lombard luther m marlorat p. martyr melancthon musculus f. myconius o. myconius n nicephorus nowell o oecolampadius olerian origen p paraeus parker pelican perkins philpot piscator polanus polycarpus prosper r rainolds ramus u. regius ridley rogers rollock s sadeel sanders scaliger scultetus simler sohnius spalatinus spahemius strigelius t tailor tertullian theodoret u. theodorus theophylact tindal tossanus trelcatius tremelius u vergerius viretus ursin w wallaeus whately whitaker whitgift wickliff wigandus willet z zanchy zegedine zellius zuinglius if to the●● two parts of lives the reader shall please to add the two martyrologies lately published by this author , he may finde a compendium of the history of the church from the beginning of the world , especially from the apostles times to our present age ; together with the various dispensations of god towards the same . in this first part , besides what was remarkable in the lives and deaths of these worthies , he may finde the rise , reign , and ruine of most of the hereticks and heresies which have molested the peace of the church from christs to our present times : in the second part , he may see what eminent emperours , kings , and princes god hath raised up in sundry ages and places , for the defence of the church and gospel of christ jesus : in the two martyrologies he may finde the torments and triumphs , the conflicts and conquests of the worthies of christ in all places where the gospel hath come , who have found that scripture fulfilled upon themselves , tim. . . all that will live godly in christ iesus shall suffer persecution . there is also now coming forth the second impression of his mirror , or looking-glass , much enlarged , containing almost all the heads in divinity , together with the texts of scripture concerning them : and under each , first scriptural examples , and then examples out of the best approved authors , both sacred and profane . reader , i pray thee correct these few faults with thy pen , and for other mistakes of the printer in letters or points , they are easily discerned and amended . page . line . read valiant for violent , p. . l. . r. wives for ways , p. . l. . r. that by for with , p. . l. ult . r. lyes for evils , p. . l. . r. years for days , p. . l. . r. whence for which , p. . l. . r. verbo for verbi , p. . l. . r. conciones for consciones . mend the figures in the pages from to . the lives of the fathers and other learned and famous divines , from christ's time to this present age. ignativs the life of ignatius , who dyed anno christi . ignatius saw christ in the flesh , being about years old at his crucifixion : the occasion of his apprehension was this , trajan returning from the parthian war , commanded gratulatory sacrifices to be offered in every city ; and himself comming to antioch , ignatius was required to be present at those sacrifices ; but he before trajans face did justly and sharply reprove their idolatry , for which cause he was delivered to ten souldiers to be carried to rome . he was pastor at the church at antioch next after the apostle peter . as he passed through asia strictly guarded with that troop of souldiers , he confirmed the congregations through every city where he came , preaching the word of god to them , and giving them wholsome exhortations ; especially charging them to avoid the heresies lately sprung up , and at that time overflowing the church : requiring them stedfastly to cleave to the traditions of the apostles , and to their doctrine . when he came to smy●na where polycarp was bishop , he wrote an epistle to the church at ephesus , making mention of onesimus their pastor ; and another he wrote to the church of magnesia on the river meander , wherein he forgetteth not doema their bishop : another he wrote to the church at trallis whose pastor at that time he mentioneth to be polybius , to which epistle he prefixed an exhortation to them not to refuse martyrdom , least thereby they should lose the hope that was laid up for them : for which end he useth these expressions , from syria saith he , even till i came to rome , i had a battel with beasts , as well by sea as by land , night and day , being bound amongst ten cruel leopards , ( so he called the souldiers that guarded him ) which , the more benefits they received at my hands , became so much the worse to me : but i being exercised , and now well acquainted with their injuries , am taught every day more and more to bear the cross , yet hereby am i not justified . would to god i were once come to the beasts that are prepared for me , which i wish also to fall upon me with all their violence : whom also i will provoke , that without delay they may devour me , and not abstain from me , as they have from some others whom for fear they have left untouched : and if they be unwilling to it , i will compel them to fall upon me : pardon me i pray , i know well how much this will avail me . now do i begin to be a disciple of my master christ , i neither regard things visible , nor invisible , so i may gain christ , ignis , crux , bestiarum conflictationes , ossium destractiones , &c. i. e. let fire , cross , breaking of my bones , quartering of my members , crushing my body , and all the torments that man and the divel can invent fall upon me , so i may enjoy my lord jesus christ , &c. writing to polycarp , whom he knew to be a holy man , he commends to him the congregation at antioch , praying him to be careful of the business there , and especially for the election of a godly bishop in his room , thereby proving himself to be a sincere and right pastor , taking such care of his flock , not only whilest he lived , but even after his death . when his martyrdom approached , he said , frumentum dei sum ; dentibus ferarum molar , & mundus dei panis inveniar : i am god's corn ; when the wilde beasts have ground me to powder with their teeth , i shall be his white-bread . he was so humble , that he disdained not to learn of any : he suffered martyrdom the eleventh year of trajan at rome , anno christi , iii. his usual saying was a , mor meus crucifixus est : my love is crucified , meaning either christ the object of his love : or that his affections were crucified to the world , as gal. . . nicephorus reports that when ignatius was a child , our saviour would take him up in his arm , and shew him to his disciples . it may be he was one of those little children that were brought to christ that he should touch them ; or that little child whom jesus took , and set in the midst of his disciples to learn them humility : he saw christ after his resurrection , as himself writes in one of his epistles , ego vero , & post resurrectionem in carne eum vidi &c. truly i did see him after his resurrection in the flesh ; and do beleive that it is he , &c. he used to say , nihil praestantius est pace bonae conscientiae : that there is nothing better then the peace of a good conscience . that good and wicked men are like true and counterfeit mony , the ones seems to be good , and is not , the other both seems and is good . that the lyons teeth are but like a ●●ll , which though it bruiseth , yet wasteth not the good wheat , only prepares and fits it to be made pure bread : let me ( saith he ) be broken by them , so i may be made pure manchet for heaven . parents ought to afford these three things to their children ; correction , admonition , and instruction , both in humane arts , and gods word : all which preserves them from idleness and folly , gives them wisdom , and learns them subjection and obedience to their superiours . other graces are but parts of a christians armour : as the shield of faith , the sword of the spirit , &c. but patience is the panoply or whole armour of the man of god : the enemy foils us without it : but we foil him by it . grace slowing from the blessed spirit of god , makes the soul like a fountain whose water is pure , wholesom and clear : for grace beautifies , cleanseth , and so saveth the whole man. he wrote divers epistles : to st. john : to the ephesians : to the magnesians : to the trallians : to the romanes : to the philadelphians : to polycarp , &c. concerning which the learned scultetus saith : inter dubia & incerta numero epistolas ignatii , & polycarpi . nondum enim inter orthodoxos convenit sintne epistolae istae celeberrimorum martyrum ignatii & polycarpi , an aliorum : for which he gives his reasons . polycarpvs the life of polycarp , who dyed anno chr. polycarpus was disciple to s john , and bishop of smyrna : he going with s. john to a bath at ephosus , and espying cerinthus the heretick in it , said , fugiamus ocyùs , &c. let us depart speedily , for fear least the bath wherein the lord's adversary is , do fall upon us : as one of the fathers made haste out of the house of a wicked man , which soon after fell to the ground . the history of his martyrdom is excellently set forth in an epistle written by his own church at smyrna , to the brethren of pontus , out of which , so much as concerns this matter , i shall transcribe . the congregation which is at smyrna , to the congregation which is at philomilium , and to all the congregations throughout pontus ; mercy to you , peace , and the love of god the father , and of our lord jesus christ be multiplyed , amen . we have written unto you ( brethren ) of those men which have suffered martyrdom ; and particularly of blessed polycarp , who by sheding his blood , hath ( through gods mercy ) put an end to this persecution , the manner whereof we shall now relate to you : this holy man hearing of the cruel persecution abroad , was therewith nothing terrified , but retained the inmovable tranquility of his minde , and continued still in the city , till at length he was perswaded through the importunity of his friends , to betake himself to a certain farm-place , not far from the city : where he remained with a few , exercising himself night and day in prayer , making humble supplications , as his usual manner was , for the peace , and tranquility of all the churches in the world . having been in prayer , three days before his apprehension , and now faln asleep , he saw in a vision by night the pillow under his head set on fire , and suddenly consumed to ashes , which when he awaked , he interpreted to them that were present , to fore-signifie that his life was neer an end , and that his body should be burned for the testimony of christ. when the searchers were now at hand , and all the people cryed out , quaeratur polycarpus : let us search out polycarp ; at the earnest entreaty of his friends , he removed to another village , unto which the searchers coming , caught two boys , and scourged them till one of them confessed and led them to polycarps lodging : yet might he easily have escaped ; but he would not , saying , the will of the lord be fulfilled : and so coming to them , he communed with them very cheerfully , so that it was wonderful to see ; those which a little before knew not the man , now beholding and viewing his comey age , and his grave and constant countenance , lamented that they had so imployed themselves for the apprehension of so worthy a person : but he on the contrary commanded that the table should be presently spred for them , intreating them to eat , and dine well , requesting but one hours space to make his prayers unto god in , which they assenting to , he arose , and went to prayer , and being replenished with the grace of god , he so poured out his soul , that all that heard him praying , were astonished at it , yea many of his enemies were sorry that so holy , honest , and aged a man should be put to death . the hour being now come wherein he was to set forwards , they set him upon an ass , and brought him to the city of smyrna upon a solemn feast day , and there met him herod the justice of peace , and his father nicetes , who receiving him into their chariot , said unto him , what harm is it to say , lord caesar , to sacrifice , and so to be saved ? at first he answered nothing , but when again they urged him , he said , i will not do according to your counsel : they perceiving that he would not be perswaded , gave him very rough language , and at last tumbled him out of their chariot , whereby he brake his shins : but he , as though he had received no injury , nor hurt at all , went bolt upright , cheerfully and apace towards the theater : and being come thither , a voice came down from heaven ( though by reason of the great tumult few heard it ) be of good cheer , o polycarp , and play the man : the speaker no man saw , but the voice was heard by many of us . the multitude was in a rage , and the proconsul demanded of him whether he were that polycarp ? yet withal beckoning to him to deny it , said , have respect unto thine age : tender thy self : swear by the fortune of caesar : repent of what is past , and say , remove the wicked . but polycarp looking about upon the multitude with a stedfast countenance , and casting up his eyes towards heaven , said , remove o lord these wicked . yet the proconsul urged him again , saying , swear , and i will let thee go : blaspheme , and defie christ , and thou shalt be safe : to whom polycarp answered , octoginta sex annos illijam inservivi &c. fourscore , and six years have i served christ , neither hath he ever offended me in any thing , and how then can i revile my king that hath thus kept me ? the proconsul still urged , and said , swear by the fortune of caesar ; polycarp replyed , if thou requirest of me this vain glory , that i should protest the fortune of caesar , pretending that thou knowest not what i am ? know then that i am a christian : and if thou desirest to know the doctrine of christianity , appoint a day , and thou shalt hear it . perswade the people unto this , said the proconsul . truly said polycarp , i thought it my part to make this tender unto you , because we are commanded of god to give unto governours and powers whom he hath ordained , the honour , and obedience which is due unto them , and not hurtful unto us : but as for these people , i deem them not competent judges , and therefore will not purge my self before them : then said the proconsul , i have wild beasts to devour thee , unless thou repent . polycarp answered , bring them forth : for we have determined with our selves not to repent , nor to turn from the better to the worse : it s more convenient for you to turn from evill to that which is good , and just . i will , said the proconsul , tame thee with fire , if thou set naught by the wild beasts , and wilt not repent : to which polycarp answered , you threaten me with sire which shall last but an hour , and is quickly quenched ; but thou art ignorant of the everlasting fire at the day of judgment , and of those endless torments which are reserved for the wicked . but why make you all these delays ? appoint me to what death you please . whilest he spake these things , he was replenished with joy , and boldness , and his countenance appeared so full of grace , and gravity , that it was evident , that he was nothing troubled with the cruel threats of the proconsul : but on the contrary the proconsul himself began to be amazed , and sent for the cryer , commanding him in the midst of the theater to cry three times : polycarp hath confessed himself to be a christian . hereupon the multitude both of jews , and gentiles , inhabiting smyrna cryed out in a great rage , iste asiae doctor , &c. this is that doctor of asia , the father of the christians , the overthrower of our gods , who hath taught many that our gods are not to be adored : and thereupon they cryed to the proconsul , that a lyon might be let loose to devour him : but he told them that he might not do it , for that the game of beasts was now finished : then they cryed with one voice that polycarp should be burned alive : to which when the proconsul had assented , the multitude forthwith carryed logs , and wood out of their shops and booths ; especially the jews , after their wonted manner , were very forward herein . the pile being prepared , polycarp put off his apparrel , the faithful assisting , and contending amongst themselves who should touch his body at his farewell : being thus made ready , when they would have nailed him to the stake , he said ; nay suffer me even as i am : for he that , hath given me strength to come to this fire , will also give me patience to persevere therein without your fastning of my body with nails ; then they bound his hands behind him , which done , he prayed thus . o father of thy wel. beloved and blessed son jesus christ , through whom we have known thee , o god of angels , powers , and of every living creature , and of just men which live in thy presence : i thank thee that thou hast graciously vouchsafed this day , and this hour to allot me a portions amongst the number of martyrs , to drink of the cup of christ , unto the resurrection of everlasting life , both of body and soul , through the operation of the holy spirit , amongst whom i shall this day be received into thy sight for an acceptable sacrifice ; and as thou hast prepared , and revealed this before hand , so thou hast now accomplished and fulfilled the same , o thou most true god , which canst not lye ; wherefore for all these things i praise thee , i bless thee , i glorifie thee , through the everlasting bishop and shepherd of our souls christ jesus : to whom with thee , and the holy ghost be all honour , and glory , world without end : amen . having ended his prayer , the tormentors kindled the fire . the flame vehemently flashed about ; which was terrible to the beholders : but the slame framing it self after the manner of a vault , or sail of a ship , with the blustering blasts of wind , touched not the holy martyrs body , which sent forth a fragrant , and sweet smell like unto frankincense , or such like pretious perfume : but the cruel persecutors perceiving that the fire touched not his body , called for a tormentor , charging him to thrust him into the side with a spear ; which being done , there issued our such abundance of blood as quenched the fire , to the great astonishment of the beholders . then did the jews stir up nicetes the father of herod , and his brother dalces to move the proconsul , that his body might not be delivered to the christians ; least ( say they ) leaving christ , they fall to worship him : this they said through their ignorance , not knowing that we can never forsake christ , which dyed for our salvation , to worship any other . for we worship christ as the son of god : the martyrs we love as the disciples , and followers of the lord , and that worthily , for the invincible love which they bear to their king and master , &c. hereupon the proconsul caused his body ( to satisfie the jews ) to be laid upon a pile of wood , and burned . irenaeus being young , was acquainted with him , and writeth of him , that anicetus being bishop of rome , polycarp went thither , and questioned with him about the celebration of easter . he saith also , that there is extant an epistle of polycarps unto the philippians , very profitable for such as are careful for their salvation : where they may know the true character of faith , and the right rule of doctrine . it is said of him , that he was testis fidelis , constansque veritatis : a faithful and constant witness to the truth : nay , by his wisdom , zeal , and piety , he recalled many from heresies , and errors he so detested hereticks , that when marcion ( of his former acquaintance ) met him at rome , and wondering that he took no notice of him , said , dost thou not know me polycarp ? yea , said he , i know thee wel , thou art the eldest son to the divel . his manner was to stop his ears if at any time he heard the wicked speeches of hereticks , and to shun those very places where such speeches had been uttered . he suffered martyrdom in the seventh year of verus , anno christi , . of his age . in the midst of the flames he made this excellent prayer . o god the father of thy beloved son jesus christ , through whom we have received the knowledge of thee : o god the creator of all things , upon thee i call , thee i confess to be the true god : thee i glorifie . o lord receive me , and make me a companion of the resurrection of thy saints , through the merits of our great high priest , thy beloved son jesus christ ; to whom with the father and god the holy ghost be honour , and glory for ever , amen . he was a bishop about years . herom writing of him , saith , that he was in great esteem through all asia , for that he was scholar to the apostles , and to them that did see and were conversant with christ himself ; and therefore his authority was of great credit , not only with his own church , but with all other churches about him . there is extant an epistle of his to the philippians , but scultetus judgeth it spurious . the life of dionysius areopagita , who dyed anno christi . dionysius areopagita was born at athens of eminent parents , he was very studious : he travelled into egypt to get skill in astronomie : at the age of years at heliopolis , whilest he lived with apollophanes the philosopher , he saw that general eclipse of the sun at our saviours passion , and as one amazed , said , aut deus naturae patitur , aut mundi machina dissolvetur : either the god of nature now suffers , or the frame of the world shall be dissolved : and to another , ignotus in carne patitur deus , &c. god , unknown in the flesh , doth suffer , for whose sake the universe is covered with this thick darkness . saint paul coming to athens , act. . and espying an altar there with this inscription , ignoto deo , took occasion from thence to preach of the true god , of the resurrection , and judgement to come : whereupon by the great philosophers of that city , he was accounted a wicked , and sacrilegious person , for which he was carryed by them to mars his hill , where the court of the areopagites sat which was the chiefest judicatory in that city : but before those judges he preached with such divine eloquence , and forcible arguments , that through gods mercy he converted this dionysius , the chief president of the judges , with damaris his wife , who used paul very courteously , and were instructed by him in the knowledg of our lord jesus christ. at which the whole city was much amazed : for all men accounted dionysius a very wise and judicious man ; but now he was not ashamed of a master to become a scholar : so that within years space , he became an admirable instrument to propagate the gospel of our saviour jesus christ. then was he by paul ordained pastor of the church at athens , where for a good while he preached the word of god with great wisdom , zeal and diligence ; and as a wife harvest-man brought in many sheaves of corn into gods barn. afterwards he went to ephesus to visit s. john , and s. paul : by whose perswasion ( leaving one publius to look to his flock at athens ) he went to rome , at which time clemens governed that church . and having conversed a while with clemens , he intreated him to go into france to preach the gospel there , and to give knowledge of salvation to that nation : this he willingly undertook ; and judging paris to be the fittest place to reside in , he so laboured amongst them , that in a short space , through gods blessing , he brought many sheep into the fold of christ , and that not only of the meaner sort , but many rich , noble , and great persons , who overthrowing the temples of their false gods , erected new places for the service of the true god. but this progress of the gospel being envied by satan , the enemie of christs church : he stirred up the idolatrous priests , who suborned many to dispatch dionysius : but there was such a gracious lustre , and radiancy in his countenance , that when they beheld him , some of their hearts failed them : others were so affrighted , that they fled away . shortly after , sisinius the praefect gave command that dionysius , with his fellows , should be apprehended ; and when he was brought before him , he sharply reproved him , for that he had preached against the worship of their gods , who , by reason of his sermons , had lost their former honour and esteem : he therefore required him to confess his error , and to stop up that breach which he had made , leaving off those novelties , and unheard of doctrines , that by his recantation the people might see how vainly they had been seduced , and so return to their antient rites and customs again . to this dionysius with great zeal , wisdom , and eloquence , answered : that they were no gods whom they worshipped , but idols , and the works of mens hands , and that it was through meer ignorance , folly , and idolatry that they adored them : adding , that there was but one true god , according as he had preached : at which words sisinius was exceedingly incensed , commanding him to be laid upon an hurdle , and a gentle fire to be made under him to roast him . some others relate , that he was thrown to hungry wild beasts , which yet would not tear him : then that he was put into an hot oven , which would not burn him . whereupon he was the second time brought before sisinius , who caused him publikely to be beaten with many , and cruel blows by his officers : and when this prevailed not , he standing up , said : seeing thou hast contemned our gods , derided the emperors edicts , and by magick hast wrought many miracles to delude the people , whereby thou hast seduced them from the obedience of the emperor i will therefore that thou shalt be forthwith beheaded . dionysius nothing terrified herewith , told him that he worshipped such gods as would perish like dung upon the earth ; but as for my self ( said he ) come life , come death , i will worship none but the god of heaven and earth . this so enraged the praefect , that he commanded him presently to be executed ▪ whereupon he was haled out of the city to the top of an high mountain , and delivered to the officers to be tormented , which was accomplished with all the cruelty that could be : then lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven he said , o lord god almighty , thou only begotten son , and holy spirit : o sacred trinty , which art without beginning , and in whom is no division : receive the soul of thy servant in peace , who is put to death for th● cause and gospel : which prayer being ended , he was beheaded with a sword which was made dull on purpose that his pain might be the greater . he suffered martyrdom in the reign of hadrianus , anno christi . and of his own age . he used to say , that he desired these two things of god , first that be might know the truth himself : secondly , that he might preach it as he ought unto others . he wrote sundry epistles , ( as some affirm ) and some other works : all which scultetus for very good reasons rendred by him , judgeth to be spurious . jvstin martyr the life of justin martyr , who dyed anno christi . ivstin martyr was born at neapolis in the country of palestine : his father was priscus bachius , by whom in his youth he was set to schole , where he profited so much , that in time he became a famous philosopher : for being exceedingly inflamed with a desire of knowledge , he would not be satisfied in his minde , till he had gotten instructors singularly seen in all kinds of philosophy . first he applyed himself to be a scholar to a certain stoick : but finding that by his help he nothing profited in divine knowledge , after a time he left him , and went to one of the sect of the peripateticks : with whom after he had been a while , he demanded of him a stipend for his teaching : whereupon justin accounting him no philosopher , left him , and departed . and being not yet satisfied in minde , but desirous to hear of further learning , he adjoined himself to one that professed the pythagorean sect , a man of great ●ame , and one that highly esteemed of himself : whom after he had followed a time , his master asked him , whether he had any skill in musick , astronomy , and geometry , without the knowledge whereof he said , he could not be apt to receive the knowledge of virtue and felicity : for that his minde must be drawn from the knowledge of sensible matters , to the contemplation of things intelligible . he spake much in commendation of these sciences , how profitable and necessary they were : and because justin declared himself to have no skill therein , he turned him away ; which much grieved justin , who considering with himself , what time was requisite for the learning of these sciences , and purposing to defer it no longer , betook himself to the sect of the platonists for the great fame that ran of them : wherefore choosing to himself a singularly learned man of that sect , that was lately come into those parts , he remained with him , profiting not a little in contemplation of supernatural things , and invisible forms : insomuch as he hoped ere long through the sharpness of his wit to attain to the comprehension and contemplation of god , which is the end of plato's philosophy . and thus he imployed his youth : but afterwards being grown to riper years , he was converted to the knowledge and profession of christianity by this means : beholding the constancy , courage , and patience of the christians in their torments , and sufferings , he was wonderfully moved therewith , which made him thus to reason ; that it was impossible for that kinde of people to be subject to any vice , or carnality , which would certainly disable them to sustain such sharp adversity , and much more the bitterness of death . hereupon ( naturally affecting knowledge ) he began to love and embrace the christian religion . this himself testifies in the end of his first apologie ; telling us moreover , that being afflicted in minde about finding out the truth , he resolved for more privacy to retire himself unto a grange neer the sea-side , where he might be free from the concourse of people , whither as he went , there met him a grave ancient father , of a comly visage , and gentle behaviour , who began to reason with him ; and after long disputation , told him plainly that there was no knowledge of the truth amongst the philosophers , who neither knew god , nor were directed by the holy ghost : he also further reasoned with him of the immortality of the soul , of the reward of the godly , and of the punishment of the wicked : so that justin being convinced by his arguments , voluntarily assented to him , and demanded of him by what means he might attain to the knowledge of the true god ? the old man counselled him to read , and search the word of god ; and to adjoin prayer thereto . but what man ( quoth justin ) shall i use for my instructor therein ? and who shall be able to help me , if these philosophers ( as you say ) lack the truth , and are void of the same ? to which the old father answered : there have been ( saith he ) before these philosophers others more ancient then they , who were just men , and beloved of god : and who spake by the spirit of god : fore-seeing , and fore-prophesying of those things which we now see are come to pass , and therefore they are called prophets . these only have known the truth , and revealed it to men , neither fearing , nor respecting the persons of any . they were seduced with no opinions of mans invention , but only spake , and taught those things which themselves both heard , and saw , being inspired with the holy spirit of god , whose writings , and books are extant , out of which the reader may receive great profit , and knowledge of many things : as of the first creation of the world , and of the end of the same , with all other things that are necessary for us to know . neither in their teachings do they use any demonstrations : the things taught being of themselves more certain then that they need any such demonstration : the accomplishment of their prophesies which we see fulfilled , constraining us of necessity to believe the words , and doctrine which they have taught : their doctrine also hath been confirmed by wonders and miracles , which induce us to give credit to it . they preached of god the creator , and maker of all things : they prophesied also before of christ the son of god sent to be the redeemer of the world , which the false prophets , seduced by false and wicked spirits did not , but only took upon them to work certain prodigious wonders , for men to gaze at , that thereby they might gain belief to their false and unclean opinions : but remember before all things to make thy prayers to almighty god , that he will open a gate of light to thee : for otherwise the knowledge of these things cannot be attained to by every man , but they are revealed only to such to whom god and his christ give understanding . the old father having declared these , and many other things to justine , departed from him , exhorting him carefully to follow those things which he had spoken : after which he saw him no more . but justine was presently wonderfully inflamed in his minde to know and study the prophets , in comparison of which all other philosophy now seemed vain , and unprofitable to him , and so in time he became a christian , and was baptized . after this ●e became an earnest defender of the truth , travelling up and down , and disputing against all those which were enemies , and opposers of it , fearing neither peril of life , nor danger of death , so that he might maintain the doctrine of christ against the malitious blasphemers of the same , and also increase the number of christian believers , as may appear by his vehement disputations against the heathen philosophers , and by the long disputation of his at ephesus against tripho , and also by his confutations of hereticks : yea and by his apologies which with great zeal and courage he exhibited to the emperour and magistrates against the persecutors of the christians , and in their just defence all which do sufficiently testifie the same . the first apologie which he wrote , was to the senate of rome , in which he wrote with great liberty , telling them , that of necessity he was compelled thus to utter his minde unto them : for that in persecuting the christians they neglected their duty , and highly offended god , of which they had need to be admonished : this apology he also sent to antoninus pius the emperour : writing also to vrbicius , leiutenant of the city , he told him , that he put men to torments , and death , for no offence committed , but only for the confession of the name of christ ; which proceedings ( saith he ) neither becometh the emperour nor his son , nor the senate . in the same apology he also defended , and purged the christians from those crimes which were falsely charged upon them by the ethnicks . in his second apology writing to antoninus the emperour , and his successors , with like gravity , and freedom of speech , he declareth unto them how they had the name and repute of vertuous philosophers , maintainers of justice , lovers of learning , &c. but whether they were so indeed , their acts declared . as for himself he professeth that neither for flattery , nor for favour he wrote unto them : but that he was constrained to sue unto them for righteousness in their judgements , and sentences : for ( saith he ) it becomes princes to follow uprightness , and piety in their judgements , not tyranny , and violence : he also in plain words chargeth as well the emperour as the senate with manifest wrong ; for that they did not grant to the christians that which was not denyed to all other malefactors , but judged them to death , not convicted ; but out of an hatred to their name . other men ( saith he ) which are appeached in judgement , are not condemned till they are first convicted : but for us , you take the name for a sufficient crime ; whereas indeed you ought to see justice done rather upon our accusers . so that if a christian that is accused , deny his name , him you release , being not able to charge him with any other offence : but if he stand to his name , you condemn him : whereas it were your duty rather to examine their manner of life , and so according to their demerits to see justice done upon them . and in another place : you examine not the causes , but hurried on with rash affections , as with the spur of fury , you slay and murther the innocent without any respect of justice : and if any will say , some of them have been taken in evil doings : i answer , that you use not to enquire after those things , but condemn them before due examination of their offences , for the cause above mentioned : hereby it appears that you degenerate from the goodness of your predecessors , whose examples you follow not : for your father adrian , of famous memory , caused to be proclaimed , that christians accused before the judge should not be condemned , unless they were found guilty of some notorious crime , &c. in the same apologie he also proves , by firm and strong arguments , that christians ought not at the sole will and command of the emperor and senate to offer sacrifice to idols , for which if they be condemned , they suffer open wrong : he affirms moreover , that the only true religion , is the religion of christians , whose doctrine and conversation hath no fault . and although by these , and such like perswasions he could not prevail with the emperour to love their religion , and to become a christian ; yet thus much he obtained , that the emperour wrote to his officers in asia in the behalf of the christians , requiring and commanding them , that those christians only that were found guilty of other crimes , should suffer , and that none for the bare name of a christian should be punished , as hitherto they had been . by this it is apparent with what zeal , and ●aith justine strove against the persecutors of his time , who ( as he used to say ) could kill , but could not hurt . at last he went to rome , where he had many open disputations , and publique conferences with some philosophers , especially with one crescens , who was of the sect of the c●nikes , from whom he alwayes bore away the bell , which tended to the shortning of his life , as himself foresaw , and foretold in these words . i look for no other end then this , that i be betrayed by some one of them called philosophers : or knocked on the head with a club by crescens , no philosopher indeed , but a proud boaster . for it is not meet to call him a philosopher , which ignorantly reporteth that the christians are impious , and irreligious , to the end that he may flatter , and please such as are over-shadowed with the mist of error , and ignorance . for if he impugn the doctrine of the christians , having never read , nor known the same , then is he full of malice , and far worse then idiots , that sometimes fear to reason of unknown matters , least they speak falsely : or if he hath read them , yet he understands not the mysterie , and majestical meaning thereof : or if in any thing he understands them , yet is he afraid to confess the truth , least he should be taken for one of them , and then he is far more wicked , and malitious , yea the bondslave of vain glory , and brutish fear . i desire that you may understand the truth , i have proposed certain questions and interrogatories to him , whereby i have found that he knows nothing : so that if you knew what i propounded , and what answer he made thereto , you would certainly give sentence that he is altogether ignorant in our doctrine , &c. and according to this his prediction , he was slain by the procurement of crescens : being beheaded , an. christi . suffering martyrdom with much cheerfulness under verus the emperor : or as epiphanius saith , under adrian . tatianus , a learned man , writeth thus of it ; crescens ( saith he ) being in rome , passed all men in that filthy and unnatural sin of sodomie , defiling himself with mankinde ; inferiour also he was to no man in covetousness . he taught , that death was not to be feared , yet himself was so extreamly fearful of it , that he procured justins death , as it were for a great evill : because that he preaching the truth , reprehended the philosophers as gluttonous and deceitful persons . he confuted marcion the heretick ; and the valentinians : he complain'd to the emperor antoninus pius of the cruelty of the proconsul in asia against the christians , who forbad them to read any books that spake of christ. his usual saying was , that which the soul is in the body , that are christians in the world : for as the soul is in , but not of the body : so christians are in , but no part of the world. also , it is best of all not to sin : and next to that to amend upon the punishment . again , that it is the greatest slavery in the world to be subject to ones own passions . he was one that did not only suffer in his saviours cause : but took great pains in defending it against all oppositions in his times . he gat much repute for his constant zeal against idolatry , and superstition , and perswading the gentiles to leave it , as a vain and unprofitable service : declaring unto them the excellency and benefit of the true worship of god : so that he was a blessed instrument to bring many out of that miserable condition , cheerfully to imbrace the faith of christ crucified . his works are these : a dialogue with triphon the jew : an apology to the senate of rome : another to antoninus pius : an oration to the gentiles , with some epistles : one ad zenam , & serenum : altera ad diognetum ▪ paraenetica oratio ad graecos . irenaevs the life of irenaeus , who dyed an. chrsti . . irenaeus was born in asia , of greek parents , as both his name and writings do declare . in his younger years he was scholar to , and a constant hearer of polycarp , bishop of smyrna . in his riper years he went into france , and was ordained minister by photinus bishop of lyons , and some other presbyters . at this time the church of christ was in great trouble , both by reason of the persecution raised by foraign enemies , but especially by reason of errors , and sects which then sprung up in that time , against which he diligently laboured , and wrote much . his nature did well agree with his name for he was a great lover of peace , and endeavoured to the uttermost to procure unity when controversies arose in the church : and therefore when the great controversie about keeping easter day was renewed , and victor the bishop of rome would have excommunicated the eastern churches as schismaticks for disagreeing with him therein : irenaeus with other brethren of the french church , being sorry to see contentions amongst brethren for such a trifle , met together in a councel , and by common consent wrote letters unto victor , subscribed with their names , intreating him to alter his purpose , and not to proceed to excommunicate his brethren for that matter ; and although themselves agreed with him in observing the same time , yet by many strong arguments and reasons , they exhorted him not to deal so rigorously with those who followed the custom of their country in observing another day . he wrote also diverse other letters abroad concerning the same contention , declaring the excommunication of victor to be of none effect . after the martyrdom of photinus , he was made bishop of lyons where he continued about the space of years : by his frequent , faithful , and powerful preaching , and by his holiness of life , he brought most of that city from gentilism to the knowledge and service of the true god. but the common enemy of mankinde envying the progress of the gospel , and the salvation of so many souls , beside the publick persecution , stirred up a spirit of error , and falsehood in some hereticks : as montanus , theodosius , alcibiades , and maximilla , whereby he greatly disturbed the peace of the church . hereupon irenaeus , and his fellow-laborers , to shew their care of the brethren , sent abroad large epistles of things done amongst them : they sent also the tenets of montanus into asia with their judgements upon them . they wrote likewise letters to eleutherius , then bishop of rome , desiring him heartily to endeavour to keep the church in unity ; and when they could finde no fitter a person for so weighty a business , they made choice of irenaeus for his holiness gravity , and sincerity , whom they knew to be willing to undergo all travel , danger , and labour for christs cause , and the churches good : him therefore they sent to rome , writing by him in this manner . father eleutherius ▪ we with you health in all things , and always in god : we have requested irenaeus our brother , and fellow laborer , to deliver these letters , whom we pray you to accept of as a zealous follower of the will of christ , &c. this irenaeus wrote five books against the heresies of his times , which are yet extant ; in the first of which dilating upon the infinite profundity of matter invented by valentinus , mixed with many errors , he discloseth openly the malice of the heretick , being clo●ked , and concealed , as it were a serpent hid in his den : for revealing their profane ceremonies , and detestable mysteries , he writeth thus : some ( saith he ) prepare their wedding chamber , and accomplish the service to be said over them that are to be consecrated with charmed words : and having thus done , they call it a spiritual marriage , conformable to the caelestial copulation . some bring them to the water , and in baptising say thus : in the name of the unknown father of all things , in the truth , mother of all things , and in him which descended upon jesus . some others pronounce hebrew words , to the end that young converts might be the more amazed . and in his third book , he wrote that valentinus came to rome , in the time of hyginus , ninth bishop in succession after the apostles : and also cerdon another heretick , who sometimes protested the true faith , and privily taught the contrary : afterward he confessed his error , and yet again being reprehended for the corrupt doctrin which he had taught , he refrained the company of the brethren : he taught that god preached in the law , and prophets , was not the father of our lord jesus christ. that christ was known , but the father of christ was unknown , &c. after him succeeded marcion of pontus , a shameless blasphemer , which encreased this doctrine . he tels us also in his second book that the working of miracles was frequent in his time . some of the brethren ( saith he ) and sometimes the whole church of some certain place , by reason of some urgent cause , by fasting , and prayer , have brought to pass that the spirits of the dead have returned into their bodies ; and so by the earnest prayers of the saints , they have been restored again to life , and have lived with us many years . some by the like means have expelled devils , so that they which were delivered from evill spirits , have embraced the faith , and were received into the church ▪ others have the spirit of prophesie to fore-know things to come : they see divine dreams , and prophetical visions : others cure the sick , and diseased , and by laying on of their hands restore them to health . for the gratious gifts of the holy ghost are innumerable , which the church dispersed through the whole world , having received , dispenseth daily in the name of jesus christ , crucified under pontus pilat , to the benefit of the gentiles , &c. whilst he was bishop of lyons , the state of the church was very unquiet , troublesome and full of danger , because the romane emperour had not called in the edicts of the fourth persecution : but in this dangerous time , irendus was valiant , laboured exceedingly by prayer , preaching , disputing , instructing , and reproving with patience and wisdom : seeking the lost ; strengthening the weak ; recalling the wandring ; binding up the broken-hearted , and confirming those that were strong : whereupon tertullian saith , tanta vitae integritate , & doctrine sinceritate gregi is praesidet , &c. he governed the flock of christ with such integrity of life , and sincerity of doctrine , that he was loved exceedingly by his own , and feared by others : but in the latter end of marcus antoninus verus , god sent peace to his church , so that the christians lived securely : held councels , and did preach freely : as also in the raign of commodus , who succeeded him : but in the raign of severus the next emperor , he being a bloody and cruel man , was raised the fifth persecution against the church , to the martyrdom of many thousands : but especially it raged at lyons , in so much as the blood of the slaughtered christians ran down the streets ; and at last this blessed saint , with many other of his flock were carried between two hils , where was a cross on the one hand , and an idol of the other , where they were put to their choice , to go either to the cross to suffer , or to the idol to live ; but they chose the cross , where they all constantly suffered martyrdom , about the year . irenaeus being about the age of years ; or as some say . he used to compare the hereticks and schismaticks of his time to aesops dog , that lost the substance of religion , whilst they gaped too earnestly after the shadow . considering the vanity of all earthly things , he said , what profit is there in that honour which is so short-lived , as that perchance it was not yesterday , neither will be to morrow ? and such men as labor so much for it , are but like froth , which though it be uppermost , yet is unprofitablest . erasmus thinks that he wrote in latin : but hierom reckons him amongst the greek fathers : and even till this day some of his works are extant in greek , which shews him to be a grecian . varia scripsit , sed soli qainque libri adversus haereses eodie supersunt . tertvllian the life of tertullian who dyed an. christ. . tertullian was born in carthage , his father was a centurion of the proconsular order . he was carefully educated in all manner of learning , wherein he profited so much , that lactantius saith of him , he was in omni genere doctrine peritus , skilled in all kinde of learning : hierom saith that his works contained cunctam seculi doctrinam , all sorts of learning vincentius lyrinensis saith , inter latinos omnes hic facile princeps judicandus , that amongst the latine fathers he was of chiefest account . his works which he hath left to us , shew that he was excellently versed in physicks , mathematicks , and history . he was eminent for his study of , and knowledge in the civil law. afterward falling to the study of divinity , he attained to such excellent skill therein , that at rome he was made a presbyter , where he remained to the middle of his age . he flourished under the emperor severus , anno christi . and burning in holy zeal , he became a great opposite to the hereticks of those times , marcion , valentinian praxea , hermogenes , &c. he was very expert both in greek and latin , and had great acuteness in disputing , and writing eloquently , as his books do sufficiently declare : so that vincentius lyrinensis saith , that the force of his arguments was such , that whom he could not perswade , them he compelled to consent to him . god raised him in the time of great persecution to be as a pillar or stay to his poor afflicted church : for when the christians were vexed with wrongs , and falsly accused by the gentiles , tertullian taking their cause in hand , defended them against their persecutors , and their slanderous accusations , shewing that they never intended a●● stirs , or rebellions either against the empire , or emperors of rome , for so much as the manner of christians was to pray for the prosperous estate of their governors . and whereas they were falsely accused to be enemies to mankinde , how can that be ( saith he ) when as the proper office of christians is to pray for all men , to love their enemies , never requiting evil for evil , whereas all others do profess only to love their friends ; and starcely them ? and as touching the horrible slander of murthering infants , how can that be true ( saith he ) in the christians , whose custom is to abstain from all blood , and things strangled , so that it is not lawful for them when they feed at their tables to meddle with the blood of any beast ? and as for filthy copulations , no sort of men are more free then they who have ever been the greatest observers of chastily , and if they could , have chosen to live in perpetual virginity all their lives long ; if they could not , their manner is to contract matrimony for the avoiding all whoredom , and fornication . neither can it be proved , that the christians do worship the sun ; which false surmise ( saith he ) ariseth only from this , because they use to pray towards the east . much less was there any of them so mad as to worship an asses head , the occasion of which slander arose from the jews worshipping the jaw bone of an ass , from the story of sampson , which therefore was falsely and wrongfully charged upon the christians . likewise against all other lyes and slanders raised by the heathen against the christians , he clearly purgeth them , and evidently proves that they were persecuted not for any deserts of theirs , but only out of an hatred to their name and profession . he sheweth also that by those grievous persecutions , the religion or number of christians was nothing impaired , but increased rather . the more ( saith he ) we are mown down by you , the more we rise up . the blood of the christians proves the seed of the church . for what man ( saith he ) beholding the painful torments , and the perfect patience of the christians , will not search and enquire into the cause ? and when he hath found it out , will not consent , and agree to both ? and when he agreeth to it , who will not be willing , and desirous to suffer for it ? so that this profession can never be extirpated , seeing the more it is cut down , the more it encreaseth . for every man seeing , and wondering at the sufferings of the saints , is moved thereby the more to search into the cause , and in searching he finds it , and in finding , he follows it . and as tertullian thus bestirred himself in defending the innocency of the christians , so he compiled many excellent and fruitful works , whereof some are extant , others are not to be found . by these excellent apologies of his he perswaded the emperor severus to savour the christians , who prayed for his prosperity , and imputed the slaughter of his subjects at byzartium , as a just judgement upon them for the effusion of so much christian blood . having written excellently against the hereticks of his time , in the end of his book , he made a catalogue of all the hereticks that then tore the bowels of the church : yea he continued these labours when the persecution was at the hottest , not hiding his head , though the times were so dangerous . once in great triumph , all the emperour severus his souldiers , for the greater pomp , were to put on crowns of bayes ; but one christian souldier there was amongst them , who wore it on his arm ; and being demanded the reason , he boldly answered , non decet christianum in hac vita coronari , that a christian ought not to wear his crown in this life : upon which occasion tertullian wrote his book de corona militis . cyprian when he would read tertullian , used to say , da magistrum , give me my master . his manner was constantly to pray thrice a day , at the third , sixth , and ninth hours . writing de quatuor novissimis , of death , judgment , heaven , and hell , he saith , haec nos aliquando risimus , cum de vobis fuimus : fiunt , non nascuntur christiani . i sometimes scoffed at these things when i was a heathen ; i now perceive that we are not born , but made christians . he was converted by reading the scriptures , and the labours of other learned and holy men . in reading the scriptures , he found them full of majesty , and truth : and saith he , quicquid agitur , praenunciabatur : whatsoever is done , was in them foretold ; and after his conversion , he was taken up night & day in the reading of them , and did with great pains get much of them by heart , and that so exactly that he knew each period . he highly commended severus , for that knowing many noble men and women to be christians , he did not only not punish them , but greatly praised them , and did publickly withstand such as were their enemies . yet notwithstanding the great learning , and famous vertues of this worthy man , through envy ( as it is conceived ) at the roman clergy , he fell into the error of montanus : so that , though the glory of some of his writings was darkned by his errors : yet his learning shewed in those very writings is admired by all posterities , insomuch as cyprian , that excellent martyr , would let no day pass without reading some part of him . he dyed in peace about the year of his age , anno christi . some of his usual sayings were these , if thou beest backward in thoughts of repentance , be forwards in thoughts of hell , the burning flames whereof only the tears of a penitent eye can extinguish . if the devils without christs leave had no power over the gadarens swine , much less have they power over gods own sheep . we should not try mens faith by their persons , but their persons by their faith . it s in vain to come to the god of peace , without peace ; or to pray for the remission of our own sins , without for giving others . we must not come to make an attonement with god at his altar , before we have made attonement with our brother in our hearts . his works are contained in several tomes , quaedam enim in usum ecclesiae ; & pro ecclesia , quaedam contra ecclesiam scripta sunt : primi generis sunt , de patientia , lib. . de carne christi , l. . de resurrectione carnis , l. . de praescriptionibus adversus haereticos , l. . adversus judeos , l. . adversus marcionem , l. . adversus hermoginem , l. . adversus praxeam , l. . de corona militis , l. . ad martyres , l. . de virginibus velandis , l. . de habitu muliebri , l. . de cultu faeminarum , l. . ad uxorem , l. . ad scapulam , l. . de pallio , l. . de testimonio animae , l. . de anima , l. . de spectaculis , l. . de baptismo , l. . contra gnosticos , l. . de idololatria , l. . de judaicis cibis epistola . de oratione . apologeticus . alterius generis . de fuga in persecutione . de exhortatione castitatis . de monogamia , de pudicitia . de jejunio . the life of clemens alexandrinus , who flourished , anno christi , . scultetus saith , that the parentage , country , birth , breeding , and manner of conversion of clemens are uncertain , some would have him to be born at athens : but certain it is , that he was the disciple of pontenus , who moderated in the catechistical school at alexandria , and after his death clemens succeeded in that office , whence he was called alexandrinus . he most flourished about the year of christ ▪ . he was endowed with all manner of polite learning & was ordained presbyter in alexandria , where , by his servent zeal and piety he much propagated the christian faith , phot●nus speaking of his writings , saith thus of them ; dictio est florida , quaeque assurgit in majestatem cum suavitate conjuncta , in quibus etiam est eruditio multa , & decens . that the language is flourishing , and ariseth into a certain majesty joined with sweetness , wherein is much learning in a comly manner adorned and set forth . he was an excellent historian , and a zealous confuter of the heresies of his times . he wrote many works , most of which are perished with time , to the great prejudice of the church , and grief of the learned : only three remain , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad gentes : pedagogus : & stromata . in the first , he exhorts the gentiles and heathens to embrace the christian faith. in the second he informs those which were newly converted how to carry themselves . in the third , he directs grown christians in the doctrines which were fit for them in that estate . he complains much of the decay of zeal , and of the want of the power of godliness amongst professors in his time . he was master to origen , who also succeeded him in his place in alexandria . he was excellently versed in the holy scriptures , and very careful to preserve the doctrines which he had received from his predecessors in purity ; whereupon in his first book entituled stromatôn , he thus writeth : this present tract of mine is not made for any ostentation , but these monuments are laid up as helps against weakness of memory in my old age , that it may be to me a plain image and portracture of that effectual and lively doctrine which i was thought worthy to hear , &c. the time and manner of his death is uncertain . he used to say , that such as adorn themselves with gold , and think themselves bettered thereby , are worse then gold , and not lords of it , as all that have it ought to be . out of the depth and bowels of the earth hath god discovered and shewed gold unto men , and they have made it the occasion of all mischief and wickedness . gold to many men is much dearer then their faith and honesty : and the love of it makes many so covetous , as if they were to live here for ever . avarice is not the vice of gold , but of men which use it wickedly . scripsit non pauca : ex quibus ad nos pervenerunt tria opuscula . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad gentes , paedagogus . stromata . origen the life of origen , who dyed anno christi . origen was born anno christi . his father , grand-father , and great grand-father were christians . he was by his father leonides trained up from his infancy in the christian religion , and other good literature , but especially in the knowledge of the sacred scriptures , who demanded of him daily a certain task , and caused him to rehearse the same : and he ( though a childe ) rested not in the bare words of the scripture , but sought farther into the profound sence , and meaning of them , so that divers times he would gravel his father in the questions which he propounded to him : for this his father checked him to his face , admonishing him not to search beyond the capacity of his years , nor beyond that the plain letter gave to understand : yet inwardly he rejoiced greatly , yielding unto god hearty thanks , who had made him the father of such a son : yea , he many times uncovered the breast of his son as he lay asleep , and kissed it , as the temple wherein the holy ghost had taken up his residence : he was called origen adamantius : the first name was given him for his sublime and divine speculations , who by sweet and mellifluous allegories , carries his readers affections from terrene to heavenly meditations and contemplations : the second name he had from the nature of the adamant , whose lustre and hardness giveth it renown : for such was this mans noble and generous minde , that he was not daunted , nor affrighted with any dangers , or afllictions whatsoever . when he was but seventeen years old , his father being carried to prison , he had such a fervent minde to suffer martyrdom with him , that he would have thrust himself into the persecutors hands , had it not been for his mother , who in the night time privily stole away his clothes , and his very shirt also : whereupon more for shame to be seen naked , then for fear to die , he was constrained to remain at home : yet when he could do no more , he wrote a letter to his father in prison , in which he exhorted him thus , vide ●ater , ne quid meâ causâ secus facias : see , o father , that you do not change your resolution for my sake . after the death of his father , and the confiscation of all his goods to the emperor , he with his poor mother and six brethren were brought to such extream poverty , that he was forced to sustain himself and them by teaching a grammar school , till at length being weary of that profession , he wholly betook himself to the study of the scriptures and divinity : he also studied the languages , and profited very much in the knowledge of hebrew , and other tongues , comparing the hebrew text with the septuagint , as also with other translations of aquila , symachus , and theo●osion : and thus casting himself upon the divine providence for his subsistence , it pleased god , that he was entertained by a religious and rich matron , together with his mother , and brethren : this gentlewoman had also in her house at the same time a certain man of antioch , a notable heretick , who so plausibly demeaned himself , that she entertained him as her dear friend and son : origen being by this means necessitated to frequent his company , shewed forth manifest proof of his cleaving to the right and true faith : for when as a great multitude not only of hereticks , but of the orthodox also frequented the lectures of this 〈◊〉 ( for so was his name ) being counted a wise and profound man , yet origen would never be perswaded to join with him in prayer , detesting his heretical doctrines . during this time he applyed himself to the study of rhetorick , and other humane learning , wherein he profited exceedingly : and so being wel accomplished with learning , and the catechist-school at alexandria being void at that time , every one being forced away by the thunderbolt of persecution , he set upon preaching there , being now about years old . unto his lectures many of the gentiles resorted , and were by gods blessing upon his ministry converted , as one plutarch , who was afterwards crowned with martyrdom , and heracles his brother , who afterward succeeded demetrius in the bishoprick of alexandria , and many others . in this imployment he prospered exceedingly , and purchased to himself a famous name amongst all the faithful , in that he cheerfully imbraced and incouraged all the martyrs , not only of his acquaintance , but even such as were unknown unto him . he visited such as were in deep dungeons and close imprisonment , encouraged them when they were to receive their last sentence , and after their sentence pronounced yea he accompanyed them to the place of execution , putting himself often into great danger thereby : he boldly imbraced , and kissed them at their farewel , so that once the heathens in their furious rage had stoned him to death , if the divine power of god had not marvellously delivered him . and the same divine power and providence of god did at many other times protect and defend him , even so oft as cannot be told , being assaulted by the adversaries for his prompt minde , and invincible courage in publishing the doctrine of christ. yea , so extreamly was he hated by the infidels , that souldiers were oft fain to be hired to watch about his house by the multitudes of those that repaired to him to be instructed in the christian faith ; and the enemies rage was so vehemently bent against him for this cause , that he could not pass safely in the streets of alexandria ; he was also forced oft to change his lodging , thereby to prevent the pursuers . as he taught , so he lived ; and as he lived , so he taught : and gods grace working exceedingly with and by him , multitudes were converted to the christian faith by his ministry : hereupon demetrius the bishop divolved the whole charge and care of the school upon him alone , and he judging the reading of humanity to be out of season , wholly applyed himself to divinity-lectures : and afterwards ( his necessities being urgent ) upon the advice of his friends he sold all his authors of humanity , which he had diligently perused , and now lay by him , to one , upon condition that he should allow him two pence a day for his maintenance , wherewith he contented himself : and to cut off all occasions of youthly concupiscence , all the day long he spent in the forenamed exercises , and a great part of the night he spent in meditating upon the holy scriptures , taking his rest only for a few hours , and that not in his bed , but on the bare ground : he used also fasting often , and expounding the saying of our saviour literally , would not wear two coats , neither shooes , but went barefoot , not taking care for the time to come with a greedy or covetous desire . he in●ired himself to cold and nakedness , and abstinence from wine , even to the amazement of his familiar friends , and to the offence of many who would willingly have relieved his necessities : by these means he was in great danger ( through weakness of limbs , and faintness of body ) to have destroyed and cast away himself : yet this his strict course of life won many , not of the common people only , but of the wise , learned and rich , to become zealous followers of his doctrine , many of which in those times of persecution suffered for the same , as you may see more at large in my general martyrologie . having many matrons and virgins , who upon sundry occasions resorted to him , to prevent temptations to uncleanness , mistaking those words of our saviour christ , there are some that make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven sake : he gelded himself , the rather to prevent such slanderous reports as might be raised of him , to the scandal of the gospel . the church of achaia being at this time vexed with divers heresies , origen was singled out , and being furnished with letters testimonial from the church , was sent to confute them . as he passed through palestine , he was by the bishops ordained a presbyter , that thereby he might be armed with the more authority against the hereticks : wherein he did not run before he was sent . but his life and doctrine grew so renowned and eminent , as stirred up envie in the hearts of some against him , especially in demetrius the bishop , who had formerly loved and preferred him : so that now on the contrary , he did all he could to darken and obscure his fame : hereupon he ript up origens faults , and by his writings published them to the world ▪ upbraiding him especially with that rash and inconsiderate act of dismembring himself , for which he judged him unfit for the ministerial office : thus in the height of origens fame these things were divulged , and his adversary was potent , and thereupon he was forced to give way to the storm , and to yield to the importunity of his enviers , and so left alexandria , yet always retained his constancy and courage , preaching the gospel with all diligence and painfulness , striving to convert many to christ , not troubling the church with schism , nor yet requiting his adversary with ill language , but on the contrray , speaking well of his slanderers . the principal place wherein he taught was ●aesarea of palestine , where he instructed many in the faith , and saw the fruits of his labours in the conversion of many to god , which afterwards proved famous in the church of christ. mammaea also the mother of alexander severus the emperour hearing of his fame , sent for him to antioch . and after she had been instructed by him in the christian faith , dismissed him honourably . after this he wrote a learned epistle to philip the emperour , who was deemed the first christian king of the romans . he reclaimed ambrose from the heresie of the marcionites . he never affected wealth , but contented himself in a low condition , whereas having so many and great friends , he might have abounded in wealth if he had pleased . afterwards he returned to alexandria again , and laboured hard in the affairs of the church , so that he continued above the space of years , in teaching , writing , confuting , exhorting , and expounding the scriptures , even to the time of decius and gallus divers and great persecutions he sustained , and sometimes was so eagerly pursued , that scarce any shifting of place or country could preserve him . in the reign of decius for the doctrine of christ he under-went bands and torments in his body , rackings with bars of irons , dungeons , besides terrible threats of death and burning , and divers and sundry other torments which he manfully and constantly suffered for christ. at length hearing that some christians were carried to an idol-temple to force them to sacrifice , he out of his zeal ran thither to encourage and disswade them from it . this was the opportunity which his adversaries expected , and therefore letting go the other , they laid hold upon him , putting him to his choice , whether he would offer incense to the idol , or have his body defiled with a fowl and ugly black-more , which they had prepared for the purpose . origen being in a miserable straight , at last chose rather to offer incense then to have his chast body polluted by so filthy a creature ; then did they presently put incense into his trembling hands , and whilest he demurred upon it , they took his hands and caused him to throw it into the fire : whereupon they presently cryed out , origen hath sacrificed , origen hath sacrificed . after which fact he was excommunicated by the church ; and so being filled with shame and sorrow , he left alexandria and went into judea , and when he came to jerusalem , being well known for his learned expositions , and gift of utterance , he was intreated by the ministers to bestow a sermon upon the people in the church and open assembly , and after much importunity , being in a manner constrained thereto , he stood up , took his bible , opened it , and the first place that he cast his eye upon was this portion of scripture ; vnto the wicked saith god why dost thous preach my laws , and takest my covenant into thy mouth which text so soon as he had read , he clapsed the book , sat down , and burst out into abundance of tears , the whole congregation weeping with him also , so that he was unable to say any more unto them . after this he wandred up and down in great greif and torment of conscience , and wrote this lamentation : in the bitterness and grief of mind , i go about t● speak unto them which hereafter shall read this confused writing . but how can i speak when my tongue is tyed up , and my lips dare not once move or wag ? my tongue doth not his office , my throat is dryed up , and all my senses and instruments are polluted with iniquity . but i will proceed , and first i will fall to the ground on my bare knees , and make my humble supplication unto the saints that they will help me , filthy wretch , which by reason of my sins dare not crave ought at the hands of god. o ye saints and blessed of god , with waterish eyes , and wet cheeks soaked in dolour and pain , i beseech you to fall down before the seat of almighty god , for me miserable sinner . wo is me because of the sorrow of my heart : wo is me that my soul is thus afflicted , wo is me that i am compassed thus on every side , and shut up in my sin , so that there is no health in me . wo is me my mother that ever thou broughtest me forth , for a skilful lawyer to be overthrown in his unrighteous dealing : for a religious man to fall into extream impiety . wo is me my mother that broughtest me forth , a righteous man to be conversant in unrighteousness ; an heir of the kingdom of god to be now an inheritor of the kingdom of the devil : a minister to be found wallowing in impiety : a man beautified with honour and dignity , to be in the end blemished with shame and ignominy , yea beset with many evils , and choaked with infamous doings . wo is me my mother that broughtest me forth a lofty turret , yet suddenly thrown to the ground : a fruitful tree , yet quickly withered ; a burning light , yet forthwith darkened : a running fountain , yet by and by dryed up . wo is me that ever i was decked with gifts and graces , and now seem pityfully deprived of all : but who will minister moisture to my head ? and who will give streams of tears unto mine eyes , that i may bewail my self in this my sorrowful plight ? alass o my ministry , how shall i lament thee ? o all ye my friends tender my case , and pitty my person that am so dangerously wounded ? pity me o ye all my friends ▪ who am now become an abject person . pity me o ye my friends , for that i am now with sorrow come to naught . pity me o ye my friends , for that i have now trodden under foot the seal and cognizance of my profession , and joined in league with the devil . pity me o ye my friends , for that i am rejected , and cast away from before the face of god : it is for my lewd life that i am thus polluted and branded with open shame the lord hath made and engrafted me into a fruitful vine ; but instead of pleasant clusters i have brought forth pricking thorns , instead of grapes i have brought forth brambles . but let the wel-springs of tears be stirred up , and let my cheeks be watered : let them flow upon the earth and moisten it , for that i am born in iniquity , and souked in sin &c. alas what have i felt , and how am i faln ? alas how am i thus come to naught ? there is no sorrow comparable to my sorrow ; there is no affliction that exceedeth my affliction ; no bitterness that passeth my bitterness : no lamentation more lamentable then mine ; neither is there any sin greater then my sin , and there is no salve for me . where is that good sipherd of souls ? where is he that went down from jerusalem to jericho , which salved and cured him which was wounded by the theives ? seek me out o lord , that am faln from the higher ▪ jerusalem : which have broken the vow i made in baptism : which have prophaned my cognisance in that i dealt injuriously with thy blessed name . al●ss that ever i was doctor , and now occupie not the room of a disciple ! thou knowest o lord , that i fell against my will : whereas i went about to enlighten others , i darkened my self : when i endeavoured to bring others from death to life , i brought my self from life to death . when i minded to present others before god , presented my self before the devil . when i desired to be found a friend and favourer of godliness , i was found a foe and furtherer of iniquity ; when i set my self against the assemblies of the wicked , and reproved their doings , there found i shame , and the most pestilent wound of the devil . some promised me to be baptized : but after that i departed from them , the devil the same night transformed himself into an angel of light , and said into me : when thou art up in the morning , go on , and perswade them , and bring them to god : but the devil going before me prepared the way by whetting their wits to devise mischief against me , silly-wretch , sowing in their mindes hypocrisie , dissimulation and deceit . but i ( o unhappy creature ) skipping out of my bed at the dawning of the day , could not finish my wonted devotion neither accomplish my usual prayers , desiring that all men might be saved , and come to the knowledge of the truth , whilest in the mean time i wrapped my self in the snares of the devil . i gat me to those wicked men ; i required of them to perform the covenant made the night before , i silly soul not knowing their subtilty , and we came to the baptism . o blinded heart , how didst thou not remember ? o foolish minde , how didst thou not bethink thy self ? o witless brain , how didst thou not understand ? but it was the devil that lulled thee asleep , and in the end slew thy unhappy and wretched soul. he bound my power and might , and so wounded me . i answered but in a word , and became reproachfully defamed . i spake without malice , yet felt i spite . the devil raised an assembly about me , and prononnced against me that unjust sentence , origen hath sacrificed . o thou devil , what hast thou done unto me ? how hast thou wounded me ? i bewailed sometimes the fall of sampson , but now have i faln worse my self : i bewailed formerly the fall of solomon , but now have i faln far worse my self : i have bewailed formerly the state of all sinners , yet now am i plunged into sin my self : sampson had his hair cut off ; but the crown of glory is faln off my head . sampson lost the carnal eyes of his body ; but my spiritual eyes are put out . it was the williness of a woman that brought confusion upon him : but it was my tongue that brought me into this sinful condition : and as he afterwards wanted the comfort of his earthly possessions : so my tongue by this wickedness hath deprived me of those spiritual gifts , which sometimes have flowen into me with heavenly riches . and as he endured those things by leaving the israelites , and cleaving unto forreiners . so i going about to save notorious sinners , made my self captive to captives , and a bondslave unto sin . alass my church liveth , yet i am a widdower . my sons be alive , yet i am barren : every creature rejoyceth , and i alone am desolate and sorrowfull , &c. bewail me o ye blessed people of god , who am banished from god : bewail me who am deprived of all goodness bewail me who am deprived of the holy ghost . bewail me who am thrust out of the wedding chamber of christ. bewail me who was once thought worthy the kingdom of god , but am now altogether unworthy . bewail me who am abhorred of the angels , and severed from the saints of god. bewail me for that i am condemned to eternal punishments . bewail me for that i am here on earth , and yet am tormented with the prick of conscience . i do fear death for that i am wicked . i do fear the dreadfull day of judgment for that i am damned for ever . i do fear the punishment , for that it is eternal . i do fear the evil angels that oversee the punishment because they are void of mercy . i do fear out of measure all the torments ; and what i shall do i wot not , being thus on every side beset with misery . if there be any man that can , i beseech him now to assist me with his earnest prayers and sorrowfull tears . for now it behoveth me to shed infinite tears for my great sin : who knoweth whether the lord will have mercy upon me , and whether he will pitty my fall ? whether he will tender my person ? whether he will be moved with my desolation ? whether he will shew mercy unto me ? whether he will have respect to my humiliation , and incline his tender compassions towards me ? i will prostrate my self before the threshold and porch of his church , that i may intreat all people both small and great , saying unto them , trample and tread me under foot who am the unsavory salt ; tread upon me who have no taste nor savour of god : tread upon me which am fit for nothing . now let the elders mourn , for that the staff whereon they leaned is broken . now let the young men mourn , for that their schoolmaster is fallen . now let the virgins mourn , for that the advancer of virginity is defiled . now let the ministers mourn , for that their patron and defender is shamefully fallen . wo is me that i fell so lewdly : wo is me that i fell most dangerously , and cannot rise again . assist me o holy spirit , and give me grace to repent . let the fountains of tears be opened , and gush out into streams , to see if that peradventure i may have the grace worthily & throughly to repent , and to wipe out of the book of my conscience the accusations printed therein against me . but thou o lord , think not upon my polluted lips , neither weigh thou the tongue that hath uttered lewd things : but accept of my repentance , affliction , and bitter tears , the dolour of my heart and heaviness of my soul , and have mercy upon me , and raise me up out of the mire of corruption , for the puddle thereof hath even choaked me up . wo is me , that was sometimes a pearl glistering in the golden garland of glory , but now am thrown into the dust , and trodden in the mire of contempt . wo is me that the salt of god now lieth on the dunghill . but how great streams of lamentations shall cleanse and purifie my humble heart ? now i will address my self , and turn my talk unto god ; why hast thou lifted me up and cast me down ? for as thou hast : exalted me with the divine word of thy heavenly wisdom , so me thinks i stick in the depth of sin which my self hath wrought . i had not committed this impiety , unless thou hadst withdrawn thine hand from me . but it is thy pleasure o lord which art good to do all things graciously , and i on the other side being a fool have foolishly fallen . but why , o lord , hast thou shut my mouth by thy holy prophet david ? ha●e i been the first that sinned ? or am i the first that fell ? why hast thou thus forsaken me being desolate , and rejected and banished me from amongst thy saints , and astonished me when i should preach thy laws ? what man is he that is born of woman , that sinneth not ? what man is he that was ever conversant here on earth , and did no iniquity ? thus i say , because thou hast forsaken me . david himself who hath shut up my mouth , sinned too bad in thy sight , yet upon his repentance thou receivedst him to mercy . peter that was a pillar , after his fall , wiped it away with salt tears , not continuing long in the puddle of his infidelity . but they in favour were thought worthy of mercy . wo is me that i fell most wickedly . wo is me that my adventure in this thing proved so unfortunate : but now i humbly beseech thee o lord , call me back for that i tread a most perilous and destructive way . grant me that good guid and instructer , the holy ghost , that i be not made a pricking hedge-hog , and become an habitation of devils : but that i may tread under foot the devil that trod upon me , & overcoming his sleights , may be again restored to the joys of thy salvation . remember not , o lord , the iniquity of thine humble suiter . remember not , o lord , mine iniquity , who made answer with wicked language . now all ye which behold my wound , tremble for fear , and take heed that ye slumber not , nor fall into the like crime : but rather let us assemble together and rendour hearts , and provoke streams of tears to gush out of our heads ; for when these run and flow upon the earth , there will follow remission of sins ; the pains will be avoided , and the torments shall not be felt . i mourn and am sorry from the heart-root , o ye my friends , that ever i so fell : i am fallen and am bruised , so that there is no health in me : let the angels lament over me because of this my dangerous fall . let the assemblies of the saints lament over me , for that i am severed from their blessed societies . let the holy church lament over me , for that i am wofully declined . let all the people lament over me , for that i have my deaths wound . i see the clouds in the skie shadowing the light from me , and the sun hiding his bright beams : you all do now see that the prophet david hath shut my mouth . i was constrained by the bishops to speak some words of exhortation , and taking the book of psalms into my hands , i prayed and opened the book ; and i lighted upon this sentence which i am ashamed to repeat , yet compelled to pronounce , unto the wicked , saith god , why dost thou preach my laws , and takest my covenant in thy mouth ? but bewail me , and lament this my bitter sorrow : bewail me that am in the like case with the reprobate jews ; for that which was said unto them by the prophet , now soundeth alike in mine ears . what shall i do that am thus beset with manifold mischiefs ? alas o death , why dost thou linger ? herein thou doest spite and bear me malice . o satan , what mischief hast thou wrought unto me ? how hast thou pierced my breast with thy poysonous dart ? thinkst thou that my ruine will avail thee any thing at all ? thinkst thou to procure to thy self any ease or rest whilst that i am grievously tormented ? who is able to signifie unto thee whether my sins be not wiped and done away ? whether i have not escaped the pains which i grievously feared ? who is able to signifie unto thee whether i shall not again be coupled with and made a companion to the saints ? o lord , i fall down before thy mercy-seat , have mercy upon me who mourn thus out of measure , because i have greatly offended : i shed many salt and bitter tears , and every living creature hath lamented my miserable condition . why hast thou broken down my hedge and strong holds ? the wild boar out of the wood hath destroyed me , and the wild beasts of the field have eaten me up . rid my soul , o lord , from the roaring lion. the assembly of the saints doth make intercession for me who am an unprofitable servant . shew mercy , o lord , to thy wandring sheep which is subject to the rending teeth of the ravenous wolf : save me , o lord , out of his mouth ; suffer me not to become the sacrifice of sin ; but send down upon me thy holy spirit , that with his fiery countenance he may put to flight the crooked fiend of hell , that i may be brought home again by thy wisdom , that the bill of sin written against me may be blotted out , that my lamentation may cease in the evening , and that i may receive joy in the morning . let my sackcloth be rent asunder , and gird me with joy and gladness . let me be received again into the joy of my god : let me be thought worthy of his kingdom through the earnest petitions of the church , which sorroweth over me , and humbleth her self to jesus christ in my behalf : to whom with the father , and the holy ghost be all glory and honour for ever and ever . amen . whilst origen was a catechist at alexandria , finding himself not sufficient , neither able alone to search out the profound mysteries of the holy scripture , neither the interpretation and right sense thereof , because of the multitude that frequented his school from morning till night in several companies , one succeeding another , so that he wanted leisure for his private studies , he ordained heraclas his familiar friend , who was expert in the holy scripture and a profound philosopher , to be his fellow-helper , committing to him the instruction of the inferior sort which were lately come to the faith ; reserving to himself the teaching of those that were farther & better entred . having also a great desire to search out the deep mysteries of the holy scriptures , he studied the hebrew tongue and bought copies that were used amongst the jews : he searched out also other translations besides the vulgar , as that of aquila , of symachus , and of theodosion : these being compacted together in one volume , and the pages divided into several columns , setting each copy against other , and adding the hebrew to them , he published the fame , and intituled it hexapla . when the rumour was now every where spread abroad of the same of origen , many learned men came to try the truth of his doctrine , and to have experience of his utterance in preaching ; yea many hereticks and famous philosophers resorted to him , and were converted by him . origen was the first that wrote commentaries upon the sacred scriptures , being earnestly sollicited thereto by ambrose , who for his encouragement made him large allowance for his necessary expences , furnishing him with above seven swift notaries , who wrote that which he dictated to them . whilest he continued at alexandria , there came a souldier with letters from the governour of arabia to demerius the bishop of that sea , and to the lieutenant of egypt , desiring them with all speed to send origen to him , which might communicate to him some part of his doctrine ; hereupon he took his voyage into arabia , and instructed the governour thereof ; and hearing that beryllus bishop of bostra in● arabia taught that our lord and saviour jesus christ , before his incarnation had no being , and that he had no proper divinity but only his fathers divinity dwelling in him ( about which heresie many bishops had dealt with him by conference and disputation , and yet could not reclaim him ) origen was sent for , who conferred with him at first to finde the ground of his opinion , after which , perceiving him not to believe aright , he rebuked him , perswaded him with reasons , convinced him by manifest proofs , and so restored him to the truth . he wrote . tomes upon the gospel of st. john , , . upon genesis , five upon the lamentations of ieremy : annotations upon the first five and twenty psalms ; two books of the resurrection ; one of principal beginnings ; ten called stromateis . he wrote also commentaries upon isaiah in . tomes ; upon ezekiel in . tomes ; upon the canticks in ten books , &c. whilst origen executed his pastoral office at caesarea ( which was after he had left alexandria ) many flocked to his ministry , not only men of that countrey , but also infinite forreiners , who forsaking their native soil came to be his disciples : amongst whom were theodorus and athenodorus two brethren , who after they had continued with him five years , profited so much in the holy scripture , that they were ordained bishops in pontus . and now origen being above sixty years old , and much worn and wasted by reason of his incessant studies and painfull exercises , at length permitted that those things which he had publickly preached and disputed of , should by his notaries be copied out , which before he would not suffer to be done . about the same time also he wrote his book against celsus the epicure , intituled the word of truth . then . tracts upon the gospel of st. matthew ; and upon the minor prophets ; he wrote also above an hundred epistles . about this time there arose some hereticks in arabia , who taught that the soul dyeth together with the body , and that in the general resurrection they should arise together , and be restored to life again for which cause a synod was congregated , and origen was sent for , who so strenuously disputed against these hereticks , that he withdrew their seduced minds from this foul errour . decius succeeding thilip in the roman empire , raised a persecution against the church : wherein , amongst others , origen suffered grievous things : the spitefull devil deadly pursuing him with his whole troop , striving against him with all the might and sleight that could be possibly invented , so that for the doctrine of christ , he sustained imprisonments , torments of body , scourging at iron stakes , stench of dark and loathsom dungeons , and for many days his feet lay stretched four spaces asunder in the stocks , all which he patiently endured , together with the terrible threats of fire , and all that the enemie could invent against him . after all which he died under gallus and volusianus , being . years old , anno christi . it is to be wondred at , what pious ejaculations , comfortable prayers and zealous exhortations he made , and gave to the christians in the extremity of his sufferings , retaining his valour and constancy to the giving up of his ghost . one saith of him , origeni nulla pars aetatis periit à studiis : that origens whole life was a continued study . and another saith , origenis ingenium sufficiebat ad omnia perdiscenda ; that he had such pregnancy of wit that he could learn any thing : that he had a wonderfull faculty in expressing himself ex tempore , and that he was wondrous quick and able to explicate obscure places of scripture . jerome stiles him magistrum ecclesiarum post apostolos . another saith , quis ex scriptoribus qui post origenem vixe●● , non ●●●gniter ab eo est adjutus ; who of all the writers that lived after origen , that was not singularly holpen by his labours ? he used to say , that gods providence hath ordained all things for some end and purpose . he made not malice , and though be can restrain it , yet he will not . for if malice were not , vertue should not have a contrary , and so could not shine so clear . for the malice of josephs brethren was the means whereby god brought about many admirable works of his providence as the story sheweth . opera origenis tomis duobus basiliae . apud frobenium sunt edita . ciprian the life of cyprian , who dyed anno christi . cyprian was an african , born in the ancient city of carthage , and being educated in the study of the liberal arts , he profited so much therein , that whilest he was young he was chosen professor of rhetorick . yet was he at first a gentile , and idolator , loose and profane in his practise , and much addicted to the study of magical arts : but it pleased god , who had chosen him to be a vessel of mercy for his own glory , to convert him by the means and ministry of cecilius , a godly presbyter of carthage , ( whose name he ever afterwards bore ; ) and through the occasion of hearing him preach upon the history of the prophet jonas ; immediatly upon his conversion , he distributed all his goods amongst the poor : and the carthagenians perceiving in him a very great zeal and ardour for the propagation of the christian religion , they prevailed with him to be ordained a presbyter , in which office he so worthily demeaned himself , that not long after he was made the bishop of the church of carthage ; and therein gave an excellent example of modesty , humility , charity , greatness of mind and fidelity . his modesty appeared , in that in all great and weighty businesses he would never determin or act any thing of himself , but by the common consent and advice of his presbyters , yea he many times called in the help and assistance of the whole church ; his humility appeared , in that he was never tenacious , nor wilfull in his own judgement , but what was wholsomly advised and counselled by his brethren and collegues , that he willingly assented to . his charity was notably seen , in that he did not only commend the care of the poor to his presbyters ; but himself also , according to his ability , was alwayes forward in ministring to them . the greatness of his mind appeared in this speech of his , si qui sunt , &c. if there be any , saith he , that think to adjoyn themselves to the church , not by their prayers , but by their threats ; not by their humiliation and satisfaction when they have scandalized the brethren , but by their great words and menaces : let all such know , that the church of the lord will oppose them , and that the tents of christ will prove immovable , and not to be conquered by them . his fidelity will notably appear by his epistles , wherein he excellently comforts the afflicted , recalls such as were faln ; or commends the care of them to other bishops of the church , vigorously opposeth the hereticks and schismaticks . neither was he only a spectator of the martyrdom of others ; but suffered himself to be proscribed , yea chose death rather then to betray the truth of the gospel , or to approve of the least defection to the impious worship of the gentiles . by these means his fame increased so exceedingly that he was not so much the bishop of carthage , as of all africk , yea of spain , the east , west and northern churches . yea , he was judged the father of all christians . and to the further setting forth ( to the praise of gods grace ) of his glorious vertues wherewith he was endued , appearing as well in his own works , as described by other worthy writers : he was courteous and gentle , loving and full of patience , and therewithal severe and impartial in his office. furthermore he was most affable and kinde towards his brethren , and took much pains in helping and releiving the martyrs : yea , he wrote letters to the elders and deacons of his bishopwrick , that with all study and endeavour they should gently entertain , and do all the offices of love that possibly they could to the martyrs in his absence . he was very prudent and circumspect : of a marvellous liberal disposition towards the brethren that fled for refuge from other countries : and so often as he had cause of absence , he committed the care of those poor men to his fellow officers , writing to them , that of their own proper goods they should help their banished brethren to that which was necessary for them . he had also great skill in the fore-knowledge of future events . he was of so communicative a disposition that he concealed nothing which he knew , but with meekness and willingness uttered it to others . he maintained ecclesiastical peace and concord with those that differed from him in smaller matters . lastly , he neither circumvented , nor did prejudice to any man : but did that which always seemed good in his judgement . he much addicted himself to reading , and would let no day pass wherein he read not some part of tertullians works , and when he called for him , he used to say , da magistrum , give me my master . he chiefly studied to keep his body continent , and clean from fleshly lusts , saying , that then his heart would be truly sit to attain to the full capacity and understanding of the truth , if once he could trample down concupiscence . a great persecution being raised against the church of christ by aemilianus president of egypt , paternus , and galerius maximus , proconsuls of africk , cyprian sheweth the true causes thereof in his fourth book , epist , the fourth , in these words , we ( saith he ) must acknowledge and confess , that this turbulent oppression and calamity which hath wasted for the most part all our church , and doth dayly more and more consume it , ariseth chiefly from our own wickedness and sins , whilst we walk not in the way of the lord , nor observe his precepts left unto us for our instruction . our lord christ observed the will of his father in all points ; but we observe not the will of the lord having all our minde and study set upon lucre and possessions : we are given to pride : full of emulation and dissention : void of simplicity and faithful dealing : renouncing this world in word only , but not in deed ; every man pleasing himself , and displeasing all others ; and therefore are we thus scourged and that worthily ; for what stripes and scourges do we not deserve , when as the confessors themselves who formerly enaured the trial of their faith , and ought to be an example to the rest in well doing , do now observe no discipline ? and therefore for their sakes who proudly brag with swelling words of their former confession and sufferings , these torments come , even such as do not easily send us to the crown , except by the mercy of god , some being taken away by a quick death , do prevent the tediousnes of punishment . these things do we suffer for our sins and deserts , as by the lords threatning we have been forewarned , where he saith , if they shall forsake my law , and will not walk in my judgements , if they shall prophane my institutions , and will not observe my precepts , i will visit their iniquities with the rod , and their transgressions with scourges . these rods and scourges we justly feel who neither please god with our good deeds , nor repent of the evil ; wherefore ( saith he ) let us pray from the bottom of our hearts , and with our whole minde , and let us intreat his mercy who promiseth that his loving kindness shall not be wholly taken away . let us ask and we shall obtain ; and though we be delayed , yet seeing we have grievously offended , let us continue knocking ; for he hath promised that to them that knock it shall be opened : therefore with our prayers , sighs and tears let us still knock , and we shall be sure to speed , &c. and in another part of his epistle , he shews what vices were principally reigning amongst the christians , viz. grievous divisions and dissentions amongst the brethren . for when these words were spoken to them in a vision , petite & impetrabitis : pray , and ye shall obtain : afterwards when it was required of the congregation to direct their prayers unto god in the behalf of certain persons assigned to them by name , they could not agree about the persons that were to be prayed for , but disagreed in their petitions , which thing did greatly displease god , that spake unto them , pray , and ye shall obtain , because they were not uniform in voice and heart , neither was there one joint consent amongst the brethren . upon which occasion cyprian moveth them to prayer with mutual agreement . for ( saith he ) if it be promised in the gospel , that whatsoever two or three shall agree upon to ask upon earth , it shall be granted in heaven , what shall then be done when the whole church agree together ? or what if this unanimity were amongst the whole fraternity ? which unanimity if it had been amongst the brethren , non venissent fratribus haec mala , si in unum fraternitas fuisset animata , i. e. these evils had not befaln the brethren , if they had joined together in brotherly unanimity . cyprian having thus described the causes of this persecution , sets down a vision , wherein was shewed unto him by the lord before the presecution came , what should happen : the vision ( saith he ) was this ; there was a certain aged father sitting , at whose right hand sat a young man very sad , and pensive , as one that with indignation is sorrowful , with his hand upon his breast , and an heavie countenance . on the other hand sat a person having a net in his hand , wherewith he threatned to catch the people that stood about ; and as cyprian marvelled hereat , it was said unto him ; the young man whom thou seest sit on the right hand is sad and sorrowful , because his precepts are not observed : but he on the left hand danceth and is merry , for that occasion is hence given to him to get power from the ancient father to afflict men . this vision was seen long before this tempest of persecution happened , wherein was declared , that the sins of the christians were the cause why satan in this and in all other persecutions , did then , and still doth get such power , with his net of destruction to rage against the blood of christian men : and all ( saith cyprian ) because we neglect praying , and are not so vigilant therein as we should be : wherefore the lord , because he loveth us , corrects us : corrects us to amend us : amends us to save us , &c. and further speaking about this vision , he saith ; to the least of his servants , both sinful and unworthy , hath god of his tender goodness vouchsafed to reveal these things : and tell him , said god , that he be quiet , and of good comfort , for peace will come , albeit there be a little stay for a while , for that some remain yet to be proved and tryed . he had also another vision , wherein he was admonished to use a spare dyet , and to be sober in his drink , least his minde given to heavenly meditations , might be drawn away with worldly allurements , or oppressed with too much surfeting upon meats and drinks , and thereby should be less apt and able to prayer and spiritual exercises . furthermore , whereas the christians were charged by the heathens as the causes of all publike calamities ; he tels them that it was long before prophesied of by christ , that towards the end of the world there should be famine , wars and pestilences , which was rather to be imputed to their impious idolatry , and contempt of the ture god , then to christians : which evils ( saith he ) are increased by the wickedness of men : for , famens majorem facit rapacitas , juàm siccitas . famine comes more by the avarice of men then by the drought of the ayr : but the special cause thereof proceeds from the sheding of so much christian blood . and whereas the christians were condemned for not worshipping their idols : he shewed that those idols were no true gods , but images of certain dead kings , which could neither save themselves from death , nor such as worshiped and trusted in them . in the beginning of this persecution , cyprian went into voluntary banishment , least ( as himself saith ) he should do more hurt then good to the congregation : and from the desolate places of his abode , where yet he was often sought after , he wrote to the churches , shewing thereby the beseeming vertue of a faithful pastor in that he took no less care of his flock in his absence then when he was present . after the death of the emperour decius he returned to his place , but not long after he was again banished by paternus , the proconsul of africa , into the city of thurben . but when paternus the proconsul was dead , he came back again , and galienus maximus succeeding in the office of paternus , found cyprian in a garden , whereupon he caused him to be apprehended by his sergeants , and to be carried before the idols to offer sacrifice ; which when he would not do , the proconsul brake forth into these words , saying , long hast thou lived in a sacrilegious minde , and hast gathered together men of a wicked conspiracy and hast shewed thy self an enemy to the gods of the romans , and to their holy laws , neither could the sacred emperours valerianus and galienus revoke thee to the sect of their ceremonies ; wherefore i condemn thee to have thy head cut-off ; to this he answered joyfully ; do fully what belongs to your office : and thereupon putting off his apparel , he gave it to his deacons , wishing them to give his executioner peices of gold in testimony of his love to him , and so kneeling down he covered his eyes , and willingly submitted his neck to the stroke of the sword , suffering martyrdom , anno christi , . he was undaunted in the time of persecution , so that neither his wives disswasions , nor the worlds frowns , nor the malice of his adversaries could affright him : he never turned widdow emptie from him : he was the blinde mans eyes , the lame mans legs , the naked mans garment : he called cecilius that converted him , novae vitae parentem , the father of his christian life : his carriage was such , as it was hard to say whether he was more loved or feared : he tels that the church having enjoyed long peace , all men studied their private wealth , so that devotion , religion , and good discipline were quite neglected , and all estates were fearfully corrupted : ergò sivit hoc flagellum deus , therefore ( saith he ) god suffered this scourge of persecution to reform it : in the time of a pestilence he shewed much piety and charity , comforting some , administring to the wants of others , and stirring up others to do the like : he suffered under valerianus and galienus . some of his usual sayings were these ; ne dormiat in thesauris tuis quod pauperi prodesse potest . let not that sleep in thy treasury that may be profitable to the poor . duo nunquam veteras●unt in homine , cor semper novas cogitationes machinando ; lingua vanas cordis conceptiones proferendo . two things never wax old in man : the heart ever imagining new cogitations ; the tongue ever uttering the vain conceptions of the heart . quod al ▪ quando de necessitate amittendum est , sponte pro divina remuneratione distribuendum est . that which a man must necessarily sometime part with , it 's wisdom for a man to distribute it so that god may everlastingly reward him . integritas ibi nulla esse potest ubi qui improbos damnent desunt , & soli qui damnentur occurru●t . there can be no integrity , whereas they which should condemn the wicked are ever wanting , and they only which should be condemned are ever present . s●rioum & purpuram indutae , christum induere non possunt : women that pride themselves in putting on silk and purple , cannot lightly put on the lord jesus christ. faminae crines suos malo praesagio inficiunt : capillos enim sib : flammeos auspicati non metuunt : they which colour their locks with yellow and red , begin betimes to prognosticate of what e●lour their hair shall be in hell. qui se pingunt in hoc seculo aliter quàm creavit deus , metuant ne cum venerit resurrectionis dies , artifex creaturam suam non recognoscat . they which love to paint themselves in this world , otherwise then god created them , may justly fear that at the resurrection their creator will not know them . qui pauperi elemosynam dat , deo suavitatis odorem sacrificat , he that gives an alms to the poor , offers a sweet smelling sacrifice unto god. contemnenda est omnis injuria praesentium malorum , fiducia futurorum bonorum : all injurie of evils present is to be neglected , for the hope of good things to come . nihil prodest verbis proferre virtutem , & factis destruere : to set out vertue in words , and by deeds to destroy the same , is nothing worth . cyprian in another book mentioneth twelve absurdities in the life of man , which are these ; sapiens sine operibus : a wise man without good works . senex sine religione : an old man without religion . adolescens sine obedientia : a young man without obedience . dives sine elemosyna : a rich man without alms. famina sine pudicitia : a woman without shamefastness . dominus sine virtute : a guide without vertue . christianus contentiosus : a contentious christian. pauper superbus : a poor man that is proud . rex inîquns : a king that is unjust . episcopus negligens : a bishop that is negligent . plebs sine disciplina : people without discipline . populus sine lege : subjects without law. his works are four books , containing epistles ; besides , tractatus contra demetrianum . de habitu virginum , de simplicitate praelatorum . de idolorum vanitate . sermo de ele emosyna . de zelo & livore . de bono patientiae . de mortalitate . de lapsis . de oratione dominica . liber de exhortatione martyris . the life of arnobius , who flourished anno christi . arnobius was a famous professor of rhetorick in a city of africk , called sicca ; about the year . being converted to the christian religion , he came to some bishops , earnestly desiring to be admitted into the church , and baptized ; but they suspecting , nè vir seculari eloquentiâ tumens , &c. lest a man swelling , and puffed up with secular wisdom , and who had always hitherto opposed christian religion , should make a mock both of them and it , therefore they rejected him ; whereupon he offered unto them those seven excellent volumes of his disputations against his former gentilism , which they seeing , with great joy received him : he was master to lactantius ; he used to say , that persecution brings death in one hand , and life in the other : for while it kils the body , it crowns the soul : he flourished under dioclesian between anno christi . & . learned scultetus in his medulla patrum , holds all the works that go under the name of this arnobius to be spurious , but only those seven books which he wrote against the gentiles : wherein ( saith he ) eruditè , & quidem tumido elatoque ; orationis genere contra gentes disputat . the life of eusebius , who dyed anno chri. . the life of eusebius was written by acatius , his disciple , and successor in the bishoprick of caesarea , which being lost , i can meet with no author , that gives us any account either of his parents , masters , or his first course of life : but eusebius is commended to the christian world , not for his parents and masters sake , but for his excellent wit , and great variety of learning : so that s. basil saith of him , eusebius palaestinus est fide dignus propter multiplicem experientiam . eusebius of palestine is worthy to be credited for his great experience . s. hierom saith , eusebius in divinis scripturis studiosissimus , & bibliothecae divinae cum pamphilo martyre diligentissimus pervestigator , eusebius was a great student of the sacred scriptures , and together with pamphilus the martyr a most diligent seacher of the divine library . evagrius saith , eusebius vir sanè cùm in aliis rebus disertissimus , tùm in scribendo tantum pollens , ut possit lectores suorum librorum etsi non efficere perfectos christianos , ita tamen persuadendo impellere ut christianam religionem lubenter colant . eusebius truly was a man , as in other things most eloquent , so in writing of such prevalency , that though he could not make the readers of his books perfect christians , yet he could inforce them by his perswasions willingly to embrace the christian religion . he was bishop of caesarea palestina , and for his great love to pamphilus , sir-named pamphilus : a most learned man , of whom constantine the great used to say , that he was worthy to be bishop not of one only city , but of the whole world : and for his eloquence , hierom stiled him romani eloquii tubam : the trumpet of roman elocution . about this time eustathius bishop of antioch was deposed from his bishoprick as some say for the sabellian heresie , whereupon there was kindled in antioch such a fierie flame of sedition , that in a manner the whole city was therewith turned upside down amongst the common sort of people some cleaved to this side , some to that ; the garrison souldiers also were so divided , and set one against the other , that if god , and the allegiance they owed to the good emperour constantine the great , had not been called to remembrance , they had lamentably murthered one another . but the emperour by his letters appeased the tumult , and sedition that was raised amongst them : the cause whereof was this ; one party of them chose eusebius pamphilus for their bishop , and would bring him in ▪ the other party would have their former bishop eustathius again : but eusebius refused to come to them , whereupon the emperour constantine highly commended him for his wisdom and moderation . afterwards a synod being gathered at tyre , to determine the controversies which were sprung up amongst the bishops , constantine sent eusebius thither to take cognizance of their differences , where this memorable thing fell out , potamon ( one of the bishops ) seeing eusebius to rit as a judge , and athanasius standing , and pleading his cause before him , being overcome with sorrow , and weeping for those things which he saw the professors of the truth to suffer , with a loud voice he inveighed against eusebius , saying : thou sittest there eusebius , and innocent athanasius stands to be judged by thee : who can endure such things ? tell me eusebius , was thou not in prison with me in the time of persecution ? and i truly lost one of my eyes for the truth sake , but thou hast nothing mutilated in thy body , neither didst thou give any testimony for thy confession ; thou livest and hast had no member cut off . how gatest thou out of prison , but because thou either madest a promise of submission to our persecutors , or else didst that which was abominable ? eusebius hearing these things , grew into great choller , and dissolved the assembly , saying , if you come hither , and now speak such things against us , surely your accusers speak nothing but the truth . for if you go about to exercise a tyranny here , much more will you do it in your own country . there is much contest amongst divines both ancient and modern what eusebius faith was about the person of the son of god : some charge him with arianism for denying the deity of christ : but athanasius saith that he recanted it in the nicaene council . eustathius of antioch accused him for innovating the nicaene creed , when as himself professed that he rested satisfied therewith . hierom nameth him for an open defender of the arian impiety . on the contrary socrates out of eusebius his writings endeavours to vindicate him from that charge . learned scultetus thus reconciles them , aries ( saith he ) denyed two things : the eternity of the son of god , & his co-equality with the father . eusebius doth every where profess the eternity of christ : but his co-equality he never seriously believed . he used to say , that moses wrote the old law in dead tables of stone : but christ did write the perfect documents of the new testament in living souls : he flourished under constantinus magnus and constantius . his ecclesiastical history is well known , besides which he wrote some other books as libri praeparationis evangelicae . libri demonstrationis evangelicae decem , and some others which are lost . the life of lactantius , who flourished an. chri. . lucius caelius was an italian by birth , and from his country firmia was called firmtanus , & d lacteo dicendi genere was called lactantius ; he sometime lived at rome , where he was scholar to arnobius , under whom he profited exceedingly , and became so famous for his eloquence , that he far surpassed his master therein . wimphelingus contends to have him a german by birth , and saith that there is till this day a famous family of the firmiani in germany , who boast themselves to be the progenie of lactantius . having perfected his studies at rome , he went into bythinia , where he taught oratory under the raign of dioclesian and constantine ; and when he saw the christian religion to want some eloquent defenders of it , he took pen in hand , and besides divers others writings which are perished , he wrote his seven books of institutions against the gentiles ; a book de ira dei , of the anger of god : and another of gods workmanship : also an epitome of the divine institutions . other things that are fathered upon him are spurious , saith the learned scultetus . about the nineteenth year of dioclesian there was an horrible persecution raised against the church of christ , wherein the christian churches were demolished , the sacred scriptures , and other godly books were burnt , the christians themselves were dragged to most inhumane tortures and torments ; yea , where any were found that constantly adhered unto christ , they were cruelly martyred ; yet it pleased god to hide lactantius in this great storm , though he retained his piety , fearing no torments , but resolved both in life and death to cleave close unto christ. he dedicated most of his works to constantin . magn. hierom faith of him , lactantius quasi quid●m fluvius tullianae eloquentis : lactantius flowed with eloquence , yea , as abounding as tullie himself , &c. in his old age for his rare parts he was appointed tutor to constantine's son : he was so far from seeking after riches , that he died very poor . he used to say , that godliness alwayes enriches the possessor : he flourished under dioclesian anno christi . athanativs the life of athanasius , who dyed anno christi . athanasius was born in alexandria , and by the care of his parents was brought up in all sorts of learning both humane aud divine : being a boy , upon a solemn sestival day , he was playing amongst other boys , who would needs imitate the church in her sacred offices , and for that end they chose athanasius for their bishop , who acted his part well , examining other boys about the principles of religion to prepare them for baptism . it fell out that whilest they were at their sport , came by alexander , the bishop of alexandria , and observing the manner of their past-time , he called them before him , examining every boy what part he had acted , thereby gathering their dispositions for future imployments : then did he cause them all to be carefully educated in good learning : but above all he took a love to , and was exceeding careful of the education of athanasius , for his ingenuity , diligence , and towardliness : and when he came to ripeness of years he made him deacon , and finding him a nimble , and good disputant , he took him with him to the council of nice , summoned by constantine the great against the arians , to aid and assist him in his disputations , which procured him much hatred and trouble from the arians , as afterwards we shall hear . alexander having by long familiarity with him , gained experience of his piety , parts and zeal in defending the truth against the hereticks of those times , when he lay upon his death bed , was directed by god to choose athanasius for his successor in his bishop●ick ; which athanasius having intelligence of , hid himself , that he could not be found . yet did alexander call for him and when he came not , being now near death , he said , o athanasius , thou thinkest that thou canst escape , yet shalt thou not escape this office . after the death of alexander he was searched out , and made his successor . this so irritated the arians ( who had now crept into favour with the old emperor ) that they sought by all means to cast him out of alexandria , and for that end they accused him to the emperour as the author of much sedition , and of many tumults in the church ; they charged him with keeping many out of the church which desired to return into the unity of it , by which means peace and concord was prevented : they procured many bishops and presbyters to attest the truth of these things to the emperour , professing themselves to be orthodox , and accusing athanasius and the bishops that adhered to him , to be the authors of the murthers , bonds , unjust stripes , wounds , and burnings in the church : athanasius on the contrary wrote to the emperour , that those arians were the authors of unlawful ordinations , and of innovating the decrees of the council of nice , of corrupting the faith , of seditions , and of prosecuting the orthodox with unjust contumelies and reproaches . the good old emperour in these various informations , knew not whom to believe : but the arians being about him , having his ear at command , they procured the emperour to write to athanasius , to require him to prohibit none from entring into the church , and if he should do otherwise , he threatned to drive him out of alexandria , and to place another bishop in his room . hereupon athanasius wrote back to the emperour , labouring to convince him , that the arians ought not to be admitted to communicate with the catholick church . eusebius ( one of the chiefest of these arians ) perceiving that he could not this way prevail against athanasius , intended secretly to make him away , but not finding how to effect it , he spake with the miletians ( other hereticks ) promising that if they would accuse athanasius to the emperour , he would so far prevail with him and some other great persons about him , that their cause should be heard : hereupon they put in a charge against athanasius , that he had imposed a tribute of linnen garments upon the egyptians , affirming that he had also gathered the same . but it pleased god that by chance there were present alippius and macarius , two presbyters of alexandria , who easily refelled and wiped off this false charge : yet they so far prevailed , that athanasius was sent for , and then they charged him with sending a sum of gold to one philumenus , to make away the empeperour . but athanasius easily cleared himself from this aspersion also : whereupon the emperour suffered him to return home again in peace . he wrote also by him to the people of alexandria , assuring them of the singular modesty , and sound faith of athanasius , with whom he had had much comfortable conference , and found him to be a truly divine man , and one that had been accused by his adversaries out of envy , and not for any just cause that they had against him . yet for all this the miletian hereticks , because they were frustrated in their former endeavours , invented two other grievous accusations against athanasius ; first , that he had broken the holy chalice . secondly , that one arsenius being slain , he had cut off his arm , and kept it to practice magick withall . this arsenius was a presbyter , who having committed a great fault , hid himself , fearing least his bishop athanasius should call him to an account , and punish him for it : which the miletians having intelligence of , they diligently sought him out , and having found him , they spake him fair , promised him much favour and security , perswading him to retire himself to one prines , a friend of theirs , and a presbyter of a certain monastery , and prevailing with him they hid him there : then did they everywhere disperse rumors in the streets , and at the meetings of the magistrates , that athanasius had privily murthered . arsenius : yea they suborned a certain monk called john to charge athanasius with this grievous crime : hereupon the rumor of this abominable fact being spred abroad , came at last to the ears of the emperour constantine . athanasius perceiving that though happily he might defend himself against so false an accusation , yet that it would be a difficult thing for him to answer for himself before the judges whose mindes were prepossessed with those false rumors , therefore for the full clearing of himself before all , he endeavoured that the truth might not be concealed : yet withall , he judged it almost impossible to defend and clear himself , so long as arsenius could not be found : and thereupon he imployed one of his deacons , a most faithful man , to search out arsenius . this deacon going into thebais , by conferring with certain monks , learned where arsenius was hid . but when he came to prines , arsenius could not be found : for prines having had intelligence before hand of the deacons comming , had sent him away into the lower egypt : hereupon the deacon seized upon prines , and together with him upon one helias , his intimate friend , who was said to have conveyed away arsenius , and carried them along with him to alexandria : when they came thither they were carried before the governour of the egyptian souldiers , unto whom upon examination they confessed that arsenius was alive , that he had formerly been hid with them , and that now he was hidden in egypt : this confession of theirs athanasius desired to be sent to the emperour , and obtained it ; whereupon the emperour wrote back to him , that he should go on diligently in his office , that he should be careful in instructing the people , and promoting piety amongst them ; and that he should not at all value the snares of the miletians : for ( saith he ) i know sufficiently , that being stirred up by envy , they have invented these false and forged accusations against you , and thereby raised tumults in the church ; i have therefore decreed that such wickedness shall not go unpunished , but that judgment shall be executed according to the civil laws , and that except they be quiet they shall be severely punished , as such as lay snares to entrap the innocent , as disturbers of the peace , and right order of the church , and as destroyers of true piety . this his epistle he commanded to be publikley read before all the congregation , whereby all the people might be informed of his minde . hereupon the miletians being stricken with fear , carried themselves peaceable , being very fearfull of the emperours displeasure . and the whole church of egypt being quieted and governed by so worthy a bishop , flourished exceedingly , and daily increased , many of the gentiles and of other sectaries being converted to the true faith. yet not long after , his restless adversaries began again by cuning and subtile devises to disturb his peace , to carry new complaints against him to the emperour , and to suborn such a multitude of accusers , that the good emperour by their importunity was forced to call a council at casarea palestinae : to which athanasius was summoned to appear ; but when he heard that eusebius bishop of that city , and eusebius of nicomedia , and other arian bishops his adversaries ruled all the rost there , he refused to appear , fearing that he should have no equal dealings at their hands . they again and again sent for him , greatly urged his coming , yet he deferred it about months space : but afterwards when they still urged his appearing , he went to tyrus , where many of the oriental bishops were met , who commanded him to answer to the crimes objected against him . for callinicus a bishop , and ischirion ( an arian ) had accused him for breaking the holy chalice , for overthrowing the seat , and for that he had often imprisoned this ischirion , being a presbyter . as also for that he had falsely accused him to hyginus the praefect of egypt , for throwing stones against the images of the emperour , whereupon he had been bound with chains . furthermore , for that he had removed callinicus the bishop of pelusium , and had committed the government of the church to one mark , a presbyter of the same , causing callinicus to be kept by souldiers , to be beaten , and brought before the judgement seat : some other of the arian bishops accused him also for causing them to be beaten . in brief , all of them objected against him , that he had obtained his bishoprick by the perjury of certain men , whereas all the bishops had protested that none ought to be ordained to the office before he had cleared himself from such crimes as were objected against him ; for which causes they had refused to communicate with him , and yet instead of clearing himself from the crimes wherewith he was charged , he fought by force of bonds and imprisonment to compel men to join with him . to these things , they renewed also the charge against him about the matter of arsenius , and as commonly it fals out where snares are purposely laid to entrap a man , on a sudden some that formerly seemed to be his friends , stood up to be his accusers : letters also were produced , and read , that the people of alexandria had made many out-cries against him , and for his sake had refused to come to the publike assemblies of the church . athanasius being commanded to answer for himself , often came into judgement , easily wiping off some of these charges , and requiring some time for the clearing himself from the rest . yet he was very doubtful what to do , when he saw his accusers wholly to frame themselves to the will and beck of his judges : as also that they had gotten many witnesses against him , partly of the arians , and partly of the miletians , which grievously calumniated him , though the crimes objected were false , and he had easily refuted them ; yet the false accusers went away with impunity : especially in the great business about arsenius , whose arm they said he had cut off to practise magick with : they accused him also for giving gifts to a certain woman , that he might satisfie his iust upon her ; vea that one night he had lien with her against her will : both which accusations were plainly ridiculous and full of falsehood : for whereas they brought the woman into the council before them to justifie this charge , timothy a certain presbyter of alexandria standing by athanasius ( according to their former agreement ) spake thus to the woman : did i lie with you by force ? yes , said she , did you not ? and withal told them the time and place where it was done . athanasius also produced arsenius in the midst of them , and shewed them both his arms safe and sound , requiring with all that his accusers should shew the arm that was cut off . for it pleased god that arsenius being again hidden by them , hearing that the good bishop was in danger by reason of him , stole away in the night , and hasted to tyrus , and came to athanasius two days before he was to be judged for that cause . by these means athanasius was so clear from both the crimes wherewith he was charged , that he thought he needed not any other purgation . in the records of the council there is no mention made of the first of these charges , the business being so fowl and ridiculous that they were ashamed to make mention of it : put for the latter , his accusers thought it sufficient to say that plusianus , one of the bishops that was under athanasius , by the command of athanasius had set arsenius his house on fire , bound him to a pillar , and whipt him , and afterwards shut him up in his house , but arsenius escaping out at a window had hid himself for his own security , and he no where appearing , it gave just cause of suspition that he was murthered ; for which cause the arian bishops pretended that they had diligently sought after him as a worthy person and confessor , and when they could not finde him , had brought his cause before the magistrate . athanasius perceiving their violence , began to be afraid , and justly to suspect , least his adversaries should watch an opportunity privily to murther him . the council having many meetings after this , and all things being filled with tumult , athanasius his adversaries still crying out against him , that he was a jugler , a violent man , a man that was unworthy of his ministry , and worthy to be punished with death , they which were appointed by constantine to see businesses regularly managed in this council , began greatly to fear , least a tumult being raised ( which they had just cause to suspect ) athanasius should be murthered amongst them ; whereupon they secretly conveyed him out of the council . athanasius also finding certainly that he could not safely remain at tyrus , and that it was not possible for him to contend with such a multitude of accusers before such judges as were his professed enemies , he fled to constantinople : hereupon the council without rendring any reason , condemn him , cast him out of his bishoprick , and decree that he shall no more return to alexandria , least ( say they ) by his presence there , he stir up and occasion seditions and tumults , and withall they absolve the arians , and all others which had been censured by him , as if he had done them much wrong therein , whereupon they did not only restore them to communion again ; but to all those places and offices from whence they had been justly ejected . they also signified these decrees to the emperor , and wrote to all other bishops that they should hold no communion with athanasius ; that they should by no means write to him , nor receive any letters from him : because ( say they ) having sundry great crimes proved against him before us , partly by his flight , and partly by refusing to plead his cause before us , he hath declared himself to be guilty . furthermore they declared that they proceeded to pass such a sentence upon him , because when the emperour the former year had called together the bishops of the east to meet in a council at caesarea for the hearing of his cause , he never came at them , and thereby had tired the council , and despised the emperours command : and when many bishops were met together at tyrus , he came to them with a great multitude of persons , raising tumults in the council , one while refusing to answer before them , another while loading the bishops with reproaches : sometimes when he was called before them , he refused to hear them , and others sometimes refusing to stand to their judgment : as also because it plainly appeared to them that he had broken the holy chalice : for witness whereof they had produced theognis bishop of n●ce : mars bishop of chalcedon : theodore bishop of heraclea ; besides valence , vrsacius and maced●nius , whom ( said they ) we have sent into egypt to examine the matter , and when they came into a certain village , they found the chalice broken . by such cunning and flie allegations they sought to traduce athanasius ; yet there were many presbyters present in that council , who altogether disliked their proceedings as unjust : whereupon 〈◊〉 a confessor took maximus bishop of haerusalem by the hand , saying , come let us rise , and be gone hence ; for it doth not become us that have lost our eyes , and have been lamed for the truth of christ , to be present , or to communicate with such wicked men in their sins . but athanasius ( as we said before ) being gone to constantinople , complained to the emperour of the unjust judgement that the bishops had passed against him ; whereupon the emperour sent for them to appear before him , to give an account of their proceedings : who as soon as they came , perceiving that their false and unworthy dealings were fully discovered , leaving those former fictions , they now accuse athanasius to the emperour for threatning to restrain the coming of corn out of egypt to constantinople , as it used to do ; to which accusations the too credulous emperour giving heed , was so much incensed against athanasius , that he banished him to triver in france . presently after his departure , arius with his complices returned to alexandria ▪ where he made such factions and divisions , that he cast the whole city into disorder and tumults : the people of alexandria being much grieved and offended , that arius with his companions had that liberty granted them of returning thither ; but especially because they understood that their godly reverend bishop was driven into exile by their means . but when the emperour understood of the perverse minde , and unquiet behaviour of arius , he sent for him to constantinople , to give an account of the tumults and seditions that he had raised at alexandria . at this time there was one alexander , a godly and worthy man , bishop of constantinople . he in the dimication which arose about arius , shewed himself a very prudent and pious man : for as soon as arius came to constantinople , he presently raised divisions amongst the people there also , so that great tumults ensued whilest one part of the people stood for the faith confirmed by the nicene council : another part of them said that the opinion of arius was most consonant and agreeable to reason : hereupon alexander fell into a great perplexity , especially because eusebius bishop of nicomedia , often and grievously threatned him , that he would depose him from his bishoprick , if he would not receive arius and his companions into communion with him . but alexander was not so solicitous about his own deposition , as he was careful for to maintain the nicene faith , and the doctrine established by that council . for esteeming himself bound to be a patron of the decrees of that council , he thought that it was his duty to the uttermost of his power to see that they might not be broken , nor made invalid : being therefore ingaged in this contestation , he laid aside humane arguments , and betook himself to the help and assistance of god ; and thereupon shutting himself up in the church , he fell to fasting and prayer , and night and day with tears he begged of god , that if the opinion of arius was true , he might never see the day appointed for the trial , but if his own faith were the truth , that then god would inflict some visible judgement upon arius , the author of all those mischiefs . in the mean time the emperour , desirous to finde out the opinion of arius , sent for him to his pallace , and asked him whether he did agree to the decrees of the council of nice ? he without delay willingly and chearfully subscribed them : whereas in the mean time he cunningly and fallaciously evaded those things which were determined about matters of faith. the emperour wondering at it , required him to swear to them , which he also did , but with the like fraud as he had before subscribed them . for having writren privately his own opinion , he put it into his bosom ; and then swore that he did truly , and from his heart believe according as he had written . the good emperour giving credit to his subscription and oath , commanded alexander the bishop of constantinople to receive him into communion . this was on the saturday , and arius expected the next day to be admitted into the communion of the church , but god prevented it . for arius going out of the pallace with eusebius , and a great number of his followers in great pomp and pride , as having gotten the victory of his adversaries : he no sooner came to the chief market place in the city , but his conscience began to accuse and terrifie him for all his deceit and wickedness : through the violence whereof his belly was loosened , whereupon he asked whether the jakes was not nere , and being informed that they were hard by , he turned aside into them , and whilest he was casing nature , first his fundament came forth , then abundance of blood , and at last he voided his bowels , with his spleen , and his liver , whereupon he immediately dyed . some of his company thinking him long , went in to see the cause , and found him dead in this miserable manner . hereupo● eusebius and all his rout were stricken with a wonderful terror : the fame of arius his accursed death presently flew all over the city , yea almost over all the world : every one as they went by , pointed at the place where he made this wretched end , and shunned the use of it : yet his associates gave it out that his adversaries by the help of magick had thus destroyed him . and whereas many resorted to see the place of his death , whereby it became very infamous ; at length a certain rich citizen that was an arian , bought it , and pulling down the jakes , built an house in the room of it , that so the thing in process of time might be wholly forgotten . athanasius being throughly informed of these things , writes thus of them , arius ( saith he ) the prince and author of his sect , and the companion of eusebius , was by the art and industry of the eusebian faction sent for to constantinople by the emperour of blessed memory , who commanded him to write his faith : and this cunning fox wrote it indeed : but ( after the manner of the devil in quoting scripture ) he craftily suppressed , and left out the impudent words of his impiety . and when constantine urged him , that if he had no other opinion which he kept secret in his minde , he should subscribe , and swear to the truth ; withal , telling him , that if he forswore himself , god would finde him out , and plague him for it : this miserable wretch swore that he held no other opinion , nor thought otherwise then he had written : whereupon ( saith he ) going forth from the emperour , gods hand presently fell upon him , and like judas , dying , he burst in sunder , and his bowels came forth . and though death be common to all men , so that no man , no not our enemy is to be reproached after death : yet the death of arius being so strange , and differing from the death of other men , is not to be passed over in silence . for when eusebius and his followers , threatned to bring arius the very next morning into the congregation , and alexander by prayer had sought unto god to prevent it . it pleased god , who was now made the judge , that very day , to bring him to such a fearful end . constantine being informed hereof , wondred at it , assuring himself that arius had been guilty of perjury . but shortly after it pleased god to take away that good emperour : after whose death eusebius bishop of n●comedia , and theognis bishop of nice , supposing that now they had gotten a fit time , endeavoured by all means possible to take away the nicene creed out of the church , wherein was the clause of one substance , and in the room thereof to settle the detestable heresie of arius : but this they knew they could never effect , if athanasius returned from exile to alexandria : wherefore they made use of a certain arian priest to carry the last will and testament of constantine to constantius his son , together with the legacies bequeathed him . constantius finding in the will that which he greatly desired , viz. that the empire of the east was left to him , made very much of the priest , granted him great liberty , charged him to use his pallace freely and boldly at his pleasure . hereupon this cunning seducer insinuated into acquaintance with the empress , and with her eunuchs and chamberlains : and whereas one eusebius was chief of the eunuchs through the perswasions of this lewd priest , he became an arian , and infected the other eunuchs of his company : yea the empress also by the enticements of this priest , and her eunuchs fell into the pestilent heresie of arius . yea a while after the emperour himself began to favour that opinion , and so by little and little it was spread everywhere ; first , the emperours guard took it up : then it busied the mindes of the multitude in the city : the emperours chamberlains in the very pallace began to contend with women about it : and this woful effect followed the countenancing of this heresie , that in every house and family through the city they brawled and went together by the ears about it . yea this infection spread it self quickly through other regions and countries , and the controversie much like a spark of fire , kindled the mindes of the hearers with the fiery flame of discord and dissention . for every one that desired to know why they made tumults , by and by had occasion given him to reason : and every one was not satisfied with questioning , but contentiously would argue thereof : by these means the peaceable and quiet state of the church was turned upside down : but in the interim it pleased god , that this flame kept in the east , whilest the western church injoyed peace and quietness ▪ for by no means would they suffer the canons of the nicene council to be violated or made null . after the heat of contention was blown abroad , and burned more and more , the faction of eusebius doubted not but it would turn to their great advantage : for they hoped that it would come to pass that some bishop would be chosen of alexandria that would favour and advance their opinion . but at the very same time athanasius returned unto alexandria , carrying along with him letters from constantine the younger , who was one of the emperours ; the tenour whereof was this : constantine caesar to the people of the catholick church of alexandria sendeth greeting : i hope it is not unknown to your discreet wisdoms , that athanasius the professor of sacred divinity , was for a time banished into france : least that through the mischievous dealing of lewd men ( for blood suckers and cruel beasts sought to bereave him of his life ) he should privily be slain : wherefore that he might be sheltred from the malice of those despiteful men , he was taken out of their jaws , and was commanded to live under my dominion , where i took care that he might be fully furnished with all things needful , as if he had been in the city where formerly he lived . and when as our lord and father of famous memory constantine the emperour , had intended to restore him to his bishoprick again , he was prevented by death before he could accomplish his desires ; i thought it my part and duty , therefore to execute the intent of so godly an emperour : with what estimation and reverence i have entertained the man , he shall report with his own mouth at his return to you : neither is there any marvel that i shewed him such courtesie : for me thought that i saw in him the great longing ye had for him , and i beheld also the fatherly reverence and gravity of the man himself , all which moved me not a little thereunto . god of his goodness ( wel-beloved brethren ) have you in his tuition . athanasius upon the confidence of these letters returned unto alexandria , whom the people received with most willing mindes : but such in that city as were infected with the leprosie of arianism , conspired against him , so that many tumults and skirmishes were raised , which gave occasion to the confederates of eusebius to accuse athanasius falsely to the emperour , that of his own private spirit , without the consent of the assembly of the bishops , he had setled himself in that church : this odious accusation so far incensed the emperour constantius , that he sent one gregory an arian to be bishop of alexandria , and with him syrianus a captain , with souldiers to drive out athanasius , and to settle gregory in his room ; the arians which were in the city joined themselves with them to help them : it was then even-tide , and the people were assembled in the church to prepare themselves for the sacrament , which was the next day to be administred . the captain drew nigh , set his souldiers in battail array , and beset the church , athanasius understanding the danger , devised how the people might take no harm for his sake : whereupon he commanded his deacon to read the collects to the people , and after that to sing a psalm : and as the psalm was sweetly and harmoniously sung , all the people went out at one of the church doors , and it pleased god that the souldiers had no power to meddle with them , and athanasius in the midst of the singers escaped also without any harm : and gregory took possession of the church ; whilest athanasius being thus ( through gods mercy ) delivered , went in all hast to rome . about this time constantine the younger was slain by the souldiers , and constance the youngest of the three emperours , remained emperour of the west . athanasius coming to rome , complained to the bishop julius of the great wrong which was done to him : the like did divers others of the eastern bishops , who were unjustly thrust out by the arians : hereupon julius wrote freely unto the bishops of the east , requiring them to restore those bishops to their places again , sharply rebuking such as had ra●hly and unjustly procured their deposition . the wronged bishops trusting to julius his letter , returned every man to his own church , conveying the letters unto whom they were written : who when the letters came to their hands , took it very hainously that julius should interpose in that cause , and thereupon summoned a council at antioch . in the mean time athanasius being come to alexandria , there was great stir , and many tumults were raised by gregory , and the arians against him : they also forged and divulged this slander , viz. that whereas constantine the great had given certain grain for alms to relieve the poor of the church of alexandria ; this ( say they ) athanasius had sold , and converts it to his own private lucre : the emperour takes this slanderous report for truth , and threatneth him with death , which athanasius hearing of , fled , and hid himself in a secret and obscure place : at length julius bishop of rome being informed where he lay hid , sent for him , and when he was come to rome , he acquainted the emperour constance with all the injuries which were done to him : this good emperour being much affected with that sad relation , wrote to his brother in the east , requesting him to send to him three men that would justifie the accusations against athanasius . accordingly there were sent narcissus the cilician , theodore the thracian , ●aris the calcedonian , and marcus the syrian : but when they came to rome they would by no means reason with athanasius , only they exhibited to the emperour a certain form of faith , and so took their leave without reasoning of any other matter . not long after the western bishops assembled in a council at sardis , where athanasius was acquit from the crimes charged upon him , and thereupon constance wrote to his brother to acquaint him therewith , and to request him that athanasius might be restored to his bishoprick : but when constantius deferred from day to day to answer his desire , constance wrote to him the second time , giving him in choise either to restore athanasius , and so account of him as his friend , or else to hear the proclamation of open war , and so finde him his deadly foe the emperour of the east hearing this , was wondeful sad and pensive ; and calling together many of the eastern bishops , layeth before them the choise his brother had given him : demandeth of them what was best in this case to be done : they answered , that it was far better to restore athanasius , then to make that an occasion of mortal and deadly wars : hereupon the emperour wrote this letter unto him : constantius the puissant and noble emperour , unto athanasius the bishop sendeth greeting . our singular and wonted clemency will no longer suffer thy fatherhood to be turmoiled and tossed with the surging waves of the seas ; the piety which we have always in great price , will no longer permit thy holiness now banished out of thy native soil , bereaved of thy substance , barred of all prosperity , to wander through crooked and cross ways , through desarts and dangerous countreys . although we have lingred now a great while from sending our letters , whereby we might signifie unto thee the concealed secresie of our minde , hoping that of thine own accord thou wouldst repair unto us , and with humble sute crave remedy and redress of thine injuries : yet nevertheless ( fear peradventure hindering thee of thy purpose ) we sent presently our gracious letters unto thy grave wisdom , that with all celerity thou come unto us , whereby thou shalt satisfie longing desires , thou shalt have trial of our wonted clemency , and be restored to thine own sea , and nativeo s●l . for to this end i have entreated my lord and brother constance the puissant and noble emperour , that he would license thee to return unto us , whereby thou mightest by the means of us both enjoy thy country , and have this token for trial of our singul●r clemency ▪ and good will towards thee . but whilest athanasius doubted and feared to go unto constantius , by reason of the false and slanderous reports that were raised of him , and the implacable malice of his enemies , constantius wrote this second letter to him . constantius the puissant and noble emperour , unto athanasius the bishop sendeth greeting . although by our former letters we have signified to thy wisdom after the plainest manner , that with secure minde and safe conduct , thou shouldst come unto our court , because we were fully determined to restore thee to thy former dignities : we have notwithstanding sent these letters also to thy holiness , that thou hire a common wagon , and removing all timorous thoughts from thy distrustful minde , thou speedily repair unto us , to the end thou mayest the sooner enjoy thy long wished desires . presently after he wrote again this third letter for his further satisfaction . constantius the puissant and noble emperour , unto athanasius the bishop sendeth greeting : being lately at edessa ▪ where also were some of thy presbyters then present , it seemed good unto us , to send one of them unto thee , that thou shouldst hasten unto our court , and after thy coming into our presence , without delay return unto alexandria : and forasmuch as it is now a great while ago since thou receivedst our letters , and hast deferred thy journey , therefore now also we thought good to put thee in remembrance , that without delay thou come unto us , and so thou shalt possess the liberty of thy country , and thy long wished ease and quietness . and that thou mightest fully perswade thy self of all the promises , we have sent unto thee achetas the deacon , by whom thou shalt unde● stand , both what our purpose is , and also how that thy hearts desire shall prevail . athanasius being at aquil●ia when he received these letters , immediately posted to rome , and shewed them to bishop julius ; whereby the church of rome rejoyced much , conceiving that constantius the eastern emperour was of the same faith and opinion with themselves , whereupon julius wrote this letter to the people of alexandria in the behalf of athanasius . julius bishop of rome , unto the presbyters , deacons , and wel-beloved brethren of alexandria , sendeth greeting in the lord : i do greatly rejoyce with you ( wel-beloved brethren ) that henceforth you may behold with your eyes the fruit of your faith : for that is to be seen in my brother and fellow bishop athanasius , whom god hath restored unto you partly for 〈◊〉 sincere and godly life , and partly also by the means of your prayers . hereby it may be easily conjectured what pure and fervent prayers you have always poured out unto god ; for when you called to minde the heavenly promises , and the intire affection which you bare unto them , all which you learned of my foresaid brother , you understood plainly , and through the right faith ingrafted into your mindes you were fully perswaded that athanasius , ( whom in your godly mindes you beheld as present ) should not be always severed from you : wherefore i need not to use many words unto you , for whatsoever i can say , the same hath your faith prevented : and whatsoever you all heartily desired , the same ( through the grace of god ) is now fully come to pass . and that i may repeat the same again , i do greatly rejoyce with you , that you have continued so firm and stedfast in the faith , that by no means you could be withdrawn from it . moreover i do no less rejoyce for my brother athanasius , who notwithstanding the manifold calamities , and sundry miseries which he endured , yet remembred almost every hour your intire love , and great longing for him : and though for a season he seemed to be absent from you in body , yet lived he always as present with you in the spirit . i think verily ( wel-beloved brethren ) that all the temptations and pains which he indured are not void of their commendations or profit : for by this means both his faith and yours have been made manifest to the whole world. if he had not been tried with such great and lamentable temptations , who would ever have thought , or known that your minds had been so unmovably fixed upon so worthy a bishop ; or that he was the man that excelled in such rare gifts , by means whereof he is made partaker of the hope that is laid up for him in heaven : wherefore he hath attained to a notable testimony of his faith , not only in this life , but of that which is to come : for by his patient suffering of much adversity both by sea and land , he bath trampled and trod under foot all the malitious treacheries of his arian adversaries : oft-times by reason of their spite , he stood in great hazard of his life , yet made ●e no account of death ; but through the grace of almighty god , and power of our lord jesus christ he escaped their hands , whereby he conceived good hope that in the end he should quit him of his adversaries , and be restored to the comfort of you all , and bear away together with you the victorious garland of wel-doing , in that he is already famous even to the ends of the world : highly commended for his good life : renowned for his free and constant perseverance in the defence of the christian and heavenly faith , and registred by the censure of you all to immortal memory , for the singular love and affection he shewed towards you ; wherefore he is returned unto you bedecked with greater excellency and renown then before his departure . if the purity of fine and pretious mettal , as of gold and silver be exquisitely tried in the fire ; what can be spoken of so excellent a man in respect of his worthiness , who after the quenching of so many flaming fires of sedition : after the recovering of so many dangerous perils , and grievous downfals , is now restored to you , and found innocent , not only by our determination , but by the decree and censure of the whole council ? entertain therefore ( wel-beloved brethren ) your bishop athanasius , and also such as have been partakers of his afflictions , with all reverence , joy and gladness : rejoyce in that you have obtained your desires : in that you have ( as it were ) fed and quenched the thirst of your shepheard , hungring and thirsting in his absence after your godly zeal : for thereby , during his abode i● forreign and far countrys , you comforted him not a little , and whilest he was tossed to and fro with the storms of persecution , and intangled with the snares of his malicious adversaries , you mitigated his grief and sorrow by sending to him tokens of your faithful and fervent mindes towards him ; when that i think with my self , and cast in my minde the conceived joy of you all at his return : the flocking multitude full of religion and godliness : the solemn feast of sage persons assembled together : what kinde of day the return of my brother unto you is like to be , i cannot but conceive with wonderful joy ; especially because the schism and discord which reigned heretofore will then be plucked up by the roots : for that his honorable return according to your own hearts desires , hath replenished you with incredible joy and gladness : so that the joy for the greatness thereof hath reached unto us , to whom it is given from above to have acquaintance and familiarity with so excellent a man. it seemeth good that we end our epistle with a prayer ; god almighty , and his son our saviour jesus christ , give you always of his grace , and grant you of his mercy the reward of so noble a faith which you have shewed towards your bishop , with so worthy a testimony : that both you and yours may not only in this world , but also in the life to come enjoy far more excellent gifts , which neither eye hath seen , nor ear hath heard , neither the heart of man conceived the things which god hath prepared for them that love him through our lord jesus christ , to whom with almighty god be glory for ever and ever . amen . god have you in his tuition , wel-beloved brethren . athanasius having received these letters went into the east , and though the emperour constantius at that time received him not unwillingly , yet giving ear to the crafty sleights of the despiteful arians , he thus reasoned with him . although that art restored to thy bishoprick by the decree of the council , and our determination : yet because there are in alexandria certain people differing in opinion from thine , and severing themselves from thy communion , my request is , that thou permit them one church by themselves : athanasius made answer to this request very wittily , and said , o emperour it lieth in thee to do as pleaseth thee best : to command , and execute the commandment : i also will crave of thee another thing by way of recompence , and my humble request is , that thou grant it me : and when the emperour answered that with most willing minde he would condescend thereunto : athanasius immediately said : my humble sute is , that i may obtaint that which thou wouldst have at my hand , viz. that thou wouldst grant one church through every city for such as will not communicate with the arians . the arians perceiving that the request of athanasius was not unreasonable , made answer , that they would defer the answer unto another time , and consider better of it ; that they hindred not the emperour , but suffered him to do what pleased him best : wherefore the emperour restored athanasius to his bishoprick again , writing letters to the bishops , clergy , and people of alexandria , that they should receive him lovingly and willingly : the tenor whereof was as followeth ; constantius the mighty , noble , and puissant emperour , unto the bishops and presbyters of the catholick church , sendeth greeting : it appeareth evidently that athanasius the reverend bishop was not destitute of the grace and goodness of god , but though by the judgement and censure of men he was dealt injuriously withall , and unjustly condemned for a little while : yet the divine providence of almighty god , the beholder of all things , pronounced for him the just sentence of innocency , so that by the will of god , and our decree , he recovered both his native soil and proper church , where the holy ghost hath assigned him governor . he is to receive at your hands such things as our clemency , being led by right and reason , shall think convenient for him : so that all , whatsoever hath been heretofore decreed against such as communicated with him , be henceforth quite forgotten , that all suspition raised of him be henceforth removed , and that his clergy ( reason so requiring ) may enjoy such liberty , freedom , and priviledge as they have done in times past . moreover of our soverraign benignity towards him , we have thought good to add this also , that as many as are allotted to the sacred senate of the clergy may understand of truth , that we have granted safety and good leave to as many as cleave unto him , be they bishops , or of what other degree soever of the clergy . every ones firm and sure consent in this behalf , shall be a sufficient sign or token of his faithful minde and purpose : we have commanded that such as embrace his communion , addicting themselves to the sounder opinion and better sentence , all alike now by our permission , as heretofore by the providence of god , may enjoy the benefits bestowed upon them from above . he wrote also to the governor this epistle . constantius the puissant and noble emperour , unto nestorius sendeth greeting . if any thing be found decreed and recorded to the prejudice , hurt , or damage of such as communicate with athaniaius the bishop , our will is that the same be wholly abrogated and disanulled . our pleasure is moreover , that his clergy shall enjoy their like franchises and liberty as in times past : we will have this commandment put in ure , that as athanasius the bishop is restored to his sea , so all the clergy of his communion may recover , and possess the like liberty with other ecclesiastical persons , that so they may live at hearts ease . athanasius having received these letters , passed through syria , and came to palestinee : and arriving at hierusalem , he opened unto maximus the ●ishop , both the decrees of the council of sardis , and also the emperour constantinus his agreement and consent therein , and procured a synod of bishops to be assembled there : which being gathered together , maximus gave to athanasius the communion , and assigned to him his dignity , and the council signified by their letters to the people of alexandria , and to the bishops of egypt and lybia , all their decrees and canons touching athanasius , and so dissolved . hereupon all the adversaries of athanasius cryed out against maximus , because that aforetime he had subscribed to his deposition ; but now repenting of his folly , he became of his faith , and awarded to him both the communion and his dignity . when vrsacius and valence , who formerly had been earnest followers of arius , heard of these things , they condemned their former doings , and gat them to rome , there to exhibit their recantation to julius the bishop , subscribing also the creed that contained the clause of one substance : writing also to athanasius , that thenceforth they would communicate with him . athanasius travelling through palestine towards alexandria , preached in every city where he came , exhorting them to eschew the arians , and to embrace such as confessed the faith of one substance ; and in divers of the churches also he ordained ministers , which gave occasion to his adversaries to accuse him again for presuming to make ministers in other mens provinces . not long after it pleased god , that constance the emperour of the west dyed , and constantius made challenge unto all the dominions of his brethren , and being proclaimed emperour of the west , he made an expedition against magnentius and bretanion , two tyrants that had usurped the government there . the adversaries of athanasius supposing that now they had gotten a fit opportunity , invent , and charge him with new hainous offences : informing the emperour that he had perverted all egypt and lybia : they urged against him his late ordination of ministers in other mens diocess . athanasius in the mean time came to alexandria , convened divers councils of the bishops of egypt , where they agreed to the decrees of the council of sardis , and of that held at jerusalem . the emperour upon this occasion , who aforetime was addicted to the arian heresie , wrested all things that he had lately decreed on the contrary part ; and first he banished paulus the bishop of constantinople , whom the guides that were to conduct him into exile , very lewdly stifled at cacusum in cappadocia . marcellus was expulsed . lucius bishop of adrianople was clapt up into prison , and there choaked with stink . but above all , the emperour was most incensed against athanasius , giving commandment , that he should be executed whereever he could be taken : he charged also that theodulus , and olympius , bishops of thrace should be put to death , and arians were placed in all these bishops rooms . but it pleased god that athanasius was made privy to these bloody decrees of the emperour ; whereupon he fled from alexandria , and escaped the danger . this the arians rejoiced at , and grievously traduced him for it : which athanasius hearing of , apologized for himself , making relation of the horrible practises committed at alexandria by georgius the arian . there came ( saith he ) to alexandria certain persons that sought us out to execution : the souldiers unawares beset the church , and instead of devout serving of god , took in hand their bloody sword ; georgius also joined with them : then were the virgins haled , and clapt up into prison : the bishops were bound , and led away by bands of souldiers : the fatherless and widows were dispossessed of their houses : whole families were rifled : the true christians were violently trailed and lugged out of their habitations : their doors were nailed up : the clergy mens brethren were in great danger for their brethrens sake : these things were very grievous , but that which followed was far worse . the week after whitsontide the people did fast , and met in the church-yard to pray , because they abhorred the communion of georgius : but when this passing lewd man heard of it , he stirred up against them one sebastian , a captain , who also was a manichee . he immediately with a great troop of souldiers , all in armour , and with naked swords in their hands , and bows and arrows prepared , ran upon the people as they were praying upon the sabbath , and finding there but a few , ( for the hour being past , the greater part was gone home ) he committed such hainous acts as very well became his person . he set on fire a great company of faggots , he made the virgins stand nigh the burning flame to scorch them : he endeavoured thereby to enforce them to confess the arian faith : but when he perceived that they would not , and that they despised the burning heat of the raging fire : he stripped them stark naked : buffetted them about the head and face , so that for a long time after they were scarce known of their own friends . he also took forty persons , and plagued them with a new kinde of torment , never heard of before : he took palm-twigs newly plucked off from the trees , and stripping them , scourged them therewith , and the twigs having on their pricking knobs , so rent them , that by reason of the stumps sticking in their flesh , they were fain to repair to chirurgeons to be dressed of their wounds : others of them not being able to endure such terrible pains , dyed of their wounds : and such men and virgins as remained alive , he sent away by the souldiers into exile . the dead carkasses not yet fully cold , were denyed to their friends , being thrown here and there , and lying unburyed ( for that liked them best ) the souldiers insulting over then , as though they had not been faulty in committing such horrible crimes : this did they , having their mindes besotted with the furious rage of frantick heresie . and when as the dear and familiar friends of the dead rejoyeed at the bold and constant protestation of their faith , yet mourned , because that their corpses were not covered with earth : the savage impiety and beastly cruelty of these souldiers revealed it self with greater shame and infamy . moreover , they banished forthwith sundry bishops of egypt and lybia , and some of the presbyters : and having bereaved them of their native soil , they used them so mercilesly , that some of them dyed by the way , and others in exile . they put to death also above thirty bishops . they followed the steps of wicked ahab , imploying all their art and industry to root out the truth from off the face of the earth . constantius his armies having overcome and slain the tyrants , he presently removed to rome , there to celebrate the triumphs for his victories : and hoping that he might by one means or other draw the chief dissenting bishops to an agreement in the faith , he summoned a council to meet in italy : about which time julius the bishop of rome dyed , having been bishop years , and liberius succeeded him . whereupon those bishops which were against the nicene faith , perswading themselves that they had gotten a fit time to disperse their calumnies against the orthodox , laboured by all means with the emperour , that all those orthodox bishops , whom they had deposed , might not be again restored to their churches , both because they maintained a form of faith contrary to theirs , as also for that in the life time of constance , they had endeavoured to sow the seeds of contention betwixt the two emperours . and this odious suggestion they made , because of constance his letters formerly mentioned in the behalf of athanasius ; but their chiefest spleen was against athanasius : whereupon about thirty of these arian bishops meeting together at antioch , they wrote to all other bishops that athanasius had returned to alexandria against all the laws of the church : not by the decree of a council , but by the contention of some that were of his own opinion : whereupon they commanded that none should communicate with him , neither write to him , but that they should hold communion with bishop georgius whom they had ordained . but athanasius little esteemed these their doings , expecting to meet with far greater afflictions afterwards . for constanstantius being now the sole emperour of rome , laboured by all means to draw the western bishops to agree with them that denyed christ to be consubstantial with the eather : yet at first he attempted not this by force , but sought rather to effect it by fraud , and fair means , endeavouring to perswade them to agree with the fastern bishops in that sentence which they had pronounced against athanasius : assuring himself , that if by this means he could but remove athanasius out of the way , he could compose matters of religion according to his own minde . a council therefore being called to meet at millain , few of the eastern bishops came to it , some being hindred by sickness , and others by the length of the journey : but of the western bishops there appeared above . the eastern bishops which were there , required that athanasius might be condemned , and deposed from his bishoprick : and of the western bishops , some ( through fear , ) others being circumvented by fraud , and another part being ignorant of former proceedings , assented to it : only dionysius bishop of alba , eusebius bishop of the verselle , paulinus bishop of trevir , and rhodanus and lucifer protested against such proceedings ; for ( say they ) if such things be suffered , their evill will not rest here , but the decrees which are rightly and truly established concerning god , and the nicene faith will be utterly subverted ; and we discern that all the care of the emperour and of the arians is to bring this to pass : but because these men spake so freely in the council , they were all of them banished : and the event shewed that they did not miss the mark . for shortly after there was another council gathered at ariminum , and another at seleucia , both which laboured to introduce new things against the decrees of the council of nice . in the mean time athanasius perceiving that snares were laid for him in the emperours pallace , and that he could not come thither without apparent danger , he appointed five bishops of egypt , amongst whom serapion was one , a man eminent for piety , and holiness of life , and also very eloquent , to go to the emperor , who was yet in the west : and with them he sent three of his own presbyters to see if by any means they could reconcile the emperor to him , and vindicate him from the calumnies which his enemies had cast upon him , as also to transact other businesses which much concerned the good both of him and his church . but as soon as they were gone from alexandria , he received letters from the emperour , requiring his present coming to the court. this much troubled athanasius and all his people , much doubting what the issue might be : for they knew that he could neither safely assent to the emperour , who defended a contrary faith , neither yet could he without apparent danger cross him therein . hereupon athanasius resolved to abide at alexandria , and sent him back who had brought the emperours letters . the summer after came another messenger from the emperour , who with the assistance of the governors of egypt forced athanasius to depart out of alexandria , and grievously molested the clergy of his church : but when the messenger saw the people to be extreamly offended with these proceedings , and that they betook themselves to their weapons , he went his ways without effecting what he came about . shortly after the forces which were called the latine legions , were commanded to assemble out of egypt and lybia , and to go to alexandria , and the captain of them being informed that athanasius lay hid in one of the churches , he took a company of souldiers , and hilarius that brought the emperours command , and going to the church , they environed it , and brake in at the windows , searching every corner , yet found not athanasius . for it had pleased god by a divine revelation to warn him of his dangers , ( as in many other straits he had formerly done ) : whereupon he had a little before conveyed himself out of the church , and thereby escaped . the like also had happened once before , when being grievously threatned by constantius , in the life time of constance , he had retired himself to a friend , and there lay hid in a cave , that formerly used to be full of water : in that place he continued long , and a certain maid used to minister to his necessities : but the arians making diligent enquiry after him , had by their large promises corrupted this maid to betray him : but god discovering the danger to him , a little before they came to apprehend him , he had conveyed himself to another place . the like also happened at another time ; for athanasius being forced to fly from alexandria , he entred into a pinnace , and went up the river nilus , which his adversaries being informed of , sent a captain and souldiers in another ship to pursue , which being revealed to him by god , he required the master of his pinnace to turn again towards alexandria , and so having the stream with him , he swibvftly passed by his pursuers , and returning to alexandria , he hid himself in his friends houses , and by reason of the multitude of people was easily concealed , thereby escaping the danger . for these , and such like miraculous escapes , his adversaries , the arians and gentiles accused him for dealing in the magical art. athanasius being thus ( as we said before ) escaped , his clergy and people enjoyed the liberty of his churches , for a short time , viz. till the governour of egypt and the captain of the souldiers cast all that adhered to athanasius out of the same , and delivered those churches to such as longed for the return of georgius the arian : who shortly after came to alexandria , and carryed himself very sternly towards all , but cruelly towards all the friends of athanasius , casting both men and women into bonds , and cruelly scourging them , so that every one looked upon him as a tyrant : yea he grew into such hatred of the multitude , that on a time they rose up against him whilst he was in the church , and he hardly escaped being torn in peices by them : which so affrighted him , that he immediately fled to the emperour : hereupon the friends of athanasius recovered their churches again ; but they kept them but a while ; for the praefect of the egyptian souldiers drave them out , and restored the churches to the followers of georgius : the emperour also sending his secretary to alexandria , he grievously punished many of the people , whipping and scourging them in a cruel manner : and shortly after him came georgius , and for the aforementioned causes was far more terrible to them then formerly he had been : which procured him their implacable hatred , both for incensing the emperour against them , and for his heretical opinions , and cruel usage of them . but not long after in a tumult raised by the gentiles , georgius was pulled out of the church by the ears , tyed to a camel , torn in peices , and burned to ashes together with the beast : constantius the emperour also dyed , and julian the apostate succeeded him : about which time athanasius returned to alexandria , and was lovingly and chearfully entertained by his people : the arians were banished , and the church was restored to the government of athanasius . but the arians took occasion from his former flight exceedingly to reproach , and traduce him , whereupon he made this apology . behold ( saith athanasius ) the lewd practises of wicked persons : although they are privy to the hainous offences committed against me , yet are they nothing ashamed of them : but charge me with a foul spot ( in their opinion ) and blemish of infamy for escaping the hands of cut-throats and blood-suckers ; yea they beshrew themselves that they dispatched me not out of the way : moreover , that they may stain my credit and estimation , they fall to accuse me of faint-heartedness , and a timorous disposition , being forgetful , that whilest they blaze these things to my dispraise , they cause the shame to light upon their own pates . for if it be a discredit to fly the hands of a tyrant , how much more for them to persecute a man to death ? he that flyeth , seeks means to save his life : but he that persecuteth , goeth about to procure anothers death . that we should fly in such cases the scripture doth warrant us : but in thirsting after the blood of our brother , the command is broken , and the author thereof is found the chief cause of the flight . if they blame me for giving them the slipt , they are worthy of far greater shame , and reprehension themselves : for let them cease from persecuting , and threatning with death , and then will i cease from running away . but their spite and malice hath no end : they do nought else but devise snares to bring men to destruction : yea , though they know full well that the slight of the persecuted is a foul shame to the persecutors . for no man flieth from the gentle and meek : but from the cruel and wicked man. they that were far indebted to others gave saul the slip , and fled unto david . wherefore these men go about to dispatch such as convey themselves out of their way , least the lewdness of their bishops should be manifestly known . herein also they seem to be stark blinde : for look how evident the slight is , far more apparent wil their slaughter and banishment seem unto the world. if they murther men , death no doubt lifteth up her voice , and soundeth out their cruelty . if they banish them , therein they set up monuments for the remembrance of their wicked doings . had they been in their right wits , they might have perceived their own folly , and seen themselves overthrown in their own devices . if they reproachfully charge them with hiding themselves from such as seek their lives , and accuse them for flying from the hands of their persecutors ; what have they to say , when they read that jacob fled from the face of his brother esau ? and that moses for fear of pharaoh conveyed himself to madian ? what have these contentious quarrellers to say unto david who fled from saul , which sent some of his guard to slay him , who hid himself in a cave , counterfeited his person untill he had subtilly past abimelech the priest , and avoided their laying of wait for him ? what answer can these rash bablers give , when they see that the great prophet elias , who so devoutly called upon the name of god , and raised the dead , was fain to flie from , and hide himself from ahab , and run away because of the threats of jezebel ? the sons of the prophets also in those days being sought for , hid themselves , and through the help of good obadiah , were sustained in caves . have they not read these ancient stories ? are they ignorant also of what the evangelists have written ? for the disciples fearing the jews fled , and were scattered abroad in divers countries . paul also being at damascus , and sought for by the governor of that country , was let down over the wall in a basket , and so escaped the danger . the scripture therefore having shewed us these things , what colour can they finde to cloak their impudent cavils ? if they charge them with timerousness and fear ; the fault recoils , and lights upon their own distempered brains . if they say it is contrary to the will of god , then are they found altogether ignorant of the word of god : for it s commanded in the law , that sanctuaries and cities of refuge should be appointed for such as were pursued to death where they might live in safety . yea , what saith christ , when they shall persecute you in one city , fly into another ; and again , ( saith christ ) when you shall see the abomination of desolation , mentioned by the prophet daniel , standing in the holy place , then let them that be in judaea , flie into the mountains : he that is on the house top , let him not come down to take ought out of the house : and let not him that is in the field return home for his rayment . holy men having learned these things , framed their lives thereafter . yea the word of god being made man , sticked not to hide himself , as we commonly do , when he was sought for ; he fled to avoid the conspiracies of herod , and afterwards of the pharisees which persecuted him . for as by his patient suffering of hunger and thirst , and such miseries , he shewed himself to be true man , so also by flying away from the face of his adversaries . and as in his childhood he fled into egypt from herod , so when he heard that archelaus reigned in his fathers stead , it pleased him to go aside into the parts of nazareth . afterwards when he manifested himself to be god , and healed the withered hand , the pharisees went out , and took counsel how they might dispatch him , but jesus perceiving their conspiracy , conveyed himself from amongst them . again , when he restored lazarus to life , they took counsel how they might put him to death : jesus therefore after that time shewed himself no more openly amongst the jews , but departed into a solitary place neer to the wilderness . again , when our saviour avouched , before abraham was , i am , the jews took up stones to throw at him : but our lord hid himself , and went out of the temple , and passing through the midst of the throng , escaped away . when they see these examples , and bethink themselves of these presidents , are they not inwardly pricked in their consciences , when they presume thus to sit in judgement upon the sayings and doings of our saviour ? so also when jesus heard of the beheading of john the baptist , the text saith , that he took shipping , and went aside into a desert place . i would to god that these men would now at length be ashamed of their doings , and presently cease from slandering true professors , and proceed no further in their furious dealings , charging even our saviour himself with timerousness and fear thereby blaspheming the majesty of his blessed name . but no man can away with such persons as are wholly given over to all manner of ungracious behaviour . it may easily be proved , that they are altogether ignorant of what the evangelists have left us in writing : the cause that moved our saviour to fly and go aside , ( being laid down in the gospel ) was most agreeable unto reason : and was therefore an example for all his saints : for whatsoever things are written to have happened unto him after the manner of men , the same is to be referred unto all mankinde , insomuch as he took our nature upon him , and lively expressed in himself the humane affections of our frail constitutions : he suffered not himself to be taken before his hour came , neither yet hid himself when his hour was come , but yielded himself to the enemy . in like sort the blessed martyrs in the great heat and troublesome storms of persecution , which often fell out , being pursued by men , sted away , and hid themselves in secret and solitary places : but being taken , they valiantly encountred with their adversaries , and ended the combat with martyrdom . though this violent champion of christ athanasius , in the begining of julians reign returned to alexandria , yet long could he not rest in quiet : for his adversaries forged salfe accusations against him , complaining unto the emperour that he had subverted egypt , and the whole city of alexandria , so that it stood with the emperours interest to banish him the city : upon these suggestions the emperour wrote to the governor of egypt , and greatly incensed him against athanasius , which he being informed of , said to some of his familiar friends ; my friends , let us go aside for a season , nubecula est , & cito transibit , this is but a little cloud , which will quickly vanish away ; and accordingly taking ship , he fled away into other parts of egypt : the enemy hearing of it , made haste to overtake him : but when they approached ( god revealing the danger to him , as was said before ) his friends in the ship gave him counsel to haste to the shore , and to fly into the desart ; but he on the contrary required the pilot to sail back to alexandria , and when they met the pursuers , they enquired of them if they had not seen athanasius ; to whom the other answered , that if they made haste they might overtake him , and so let them go : but athanasius returning to alexandria , hid himself amongst his friends till the storm of persecution was blown over : and indeed most of that time he lay hid in the house of a most beautiful , chaste , and godly virgin , who was very careful to supply him with all necessaries , and to borrow such books for him as he stood in need of : and when news came of julians death , athanasius that very night appeared in his church , to the great rejoycing of his friends , and the astonishment of his adversaries , who wondred how he could so suddenly be there , when he had been so diligently sought after by the magistrates , and could not be found . not long after , hearing that jovianus the christian emperour was come to antioch , athanasius consulting with his friends , thought good to visit him : some say that this good emperour sent for him , craving his advice for the establishing of the true orthodox religion , which when he had done , he was to return to alexandria : but euzoius the arian bishop of antioch , joining with him probatius an arian eunuch , and some others of that faction , went to the emperour , and made grievous complaints against athanasius , as that all the time since he was made a bishop , he lay under great scandals , for which by the former emperours he had been often condemned and exiled : as also that he had been the author of much discord in religion , and of great tumults amongst the people ; whereupon they prayed that another bishop might be appointed for alexandria . but the good emperour knowing that these were malicious forgeries , would by no means hearken to them , commanding probatius and the rest , as they loved their own ease and good , to give over such malicious proceedings , adding threatnings in case they obeyed not : and as for athanasius , whom he highly esteemed for that worth which he found in him , he sent him back into egypt , bidding him govern his church as he saw best . commending him highly for the vertue , piety , and prudence which he found in him . not long after it pleased god to take away this good emperour by an immature death in bythinia , as he was going to constantinople , having reigned only eight moneths : and the army coming to nice in bithynia , chose valentinian a good and worthy man for their emperour , who when he came to constantinople , chose his brother valence for his companion in the empire . these , though they were brethren , yet did they differ in their religion : for valentinian was orthodox , and valence an arian . valence raigning in the east , sent his mandate to the magistrates , that such bishops as had been deposed in the time of constantius , and returned to their seats under julian , should be again banished and expelled from their churches . hereupon the magistrates of egypt took occasion to endeavour the expulsion of athanasius out of alexandria . for the emperours letters grievously threatned such magistrates with great mulcts and corporal punishments , that should neglect to observe them . but the multitude of christians meeting together in alexandria , desired the president that he should not rashly nor inconsiderately go about to drive away their bishop athanasius from them ; but rather seriously to consider what the scope of the emperours letter was : for ( say they ) they extend only to such as were banished by constantius , and returned under julian : but athanasius though he was banished by constantius ; yet was he by him called back again , and restored to his place : and julian whereas he called from exile all the other bishops , yet athanasius alone was by him driven into exile , whom jovian again restored to his seat. when the president would not be perswaded by these arguments , the people resisted him , and would not suffer their bishop to have any violence done to him : hereupon the people being assembled from all parts , a great tumult was raised , so that every one expected a sedition to ensue : the president sent presently to the emperour to acquaint him with these proceedings , and in the mean time suffered athanasius to remain in the city . many days after , when the sedition was well appeased , athanasius privily stole out of the city , and went and hid himself in a certain secret place . the night after the president and colonel of the souldiers went to his house which joined to the church , and there sought every corner for him , but not finding him , they lost their labours : for they thought that now the people were quieted , and feared no such matter , they might easily apprehend him , and so execute the emperours command : but when athanasius could not be found , every one much wondered at it , believing that god had discovered the danger to him , and thereby preserved him from it . others say , that athanasius mistrusting the heady and rash motion of the common people , fearing that if any mischief were wrought by them , it would be laid to his charge , retired privily and hid himself for the space of four months in his fathers monument . but in the mean time the emperour valence considering how many friends athanasius had : which by reason of his absence might happily raise commotions , to the great prejudice of the empire : and withall considering that valentinian , who was an earnest defender of the nicene faith might take the banishment of athanasius very hainously ; hereupon he wrote very loving letters to the people of alexandria , signifying that his pleasure was , that athanasius should quietly , according to their hearts desire enjoy his bishoprick . yet in other places a great persecution was raised against the orthodox , who were driven out of their churches , and arians placed in their rooms , only the churches of egypt enjoyed peace all the life time of athanasius , whose death fell out not long after , when having endured many skirmishes in the quarrel of the church , and having been bishop years , in which time he had often been in great hazard of his life , yet at the length through the goodness and mercy of god , he dyed in peace in his own city of alexandria , leaving behinde him peter , a godly and zealous man to succeed him anno christi . it was said of him , non solùm episcopi , &c. not only bishops , but emperours , kingdoms , nations and armies opposed him : whereupon he used to say : though an army should encamp about me , yet would i not fear . in the time of julian the apostate , ( who made much use of conjurers ) the magicians and southsayers in alexandria cryed out , that they could do nothing in their art , except athanasius were removed out of the city . it was said of him , vnus athanasius contra totum mundum : one athanasius stood firm against all the world . gregory nazianzen stiles him tubam ingentem , & columnam ecclesiae : the great trumpet and pillar of the church . theodoret stiles him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the bulwark of truth . his works are commonly printed in two tomes , which scultetus distinguisheth into germana , dubia , & supposita . germana sunt oratio adversus gentes . oratio de incarnatione verbi , expositio fides . respons . ad liberium . epistola de fide ad jovinianum . sermo de incarnatione , orationes quinque contra arianos : tractat , in illud dictum , omnia mihi sunt tradita à patre . epistolae , and adelphinum fratrem : and maximum philosophum : de sententia dionysii . refutatio hypocriseos miletii , eusebii , & pauli samosetani . sermo de humana natura suscepta . epistolae ad epictetum ; de incarnatione christi contra apolinarium . oratio contra apolinarium . oratio contra gregales sabellii . epistolae duae ad scrapionem de spiritu sancto , epistola de incarnatione verbi dei. apologiae ad imperatorem constantinum . de fuga sua prima , & secunda . ad africànos . narratio de concilio nicaeno : epistola catholica . epistolae ad antiochenses : ad serapionem de morte arii : ad omnes solitariam vitam agentes . de synodis arimini , & seleuciae : ad omnes ubique orthodoxos : ad joan. & antiochum . ad palladium : ad dracontium : ad ruffianum . de sabbato , & circumcisione . de peccato in s. sanctum . synopsis scripturae sanctae : dubia sunt , orationes de semente : de ascensione christi : symbolum athanasii . epistola ad aremùn , fragmentum epistolae festalis . vita s. antonii . de virginitate , sive de meditatione . omnia reliqua sunt supposititia . the life of hilarie , who flourished an. chri. . hilarie bishop of poictiers , was nobly descended , and of excellent gifts : he was frequent in preaching , exemplary in life : a great opposer of the arian heresie : whereupon the bishops , valence and vrsacius procured the emperour to banish him into ph●ygia : afterwards the emperour commanding many bishops to assemble at seleucia to give their opinions about the arian heresie , hilarie carried himself so well there , that he was restored to poictiers . after which he travelled over italy and france , diligently instructing the bishops of both those countries in the canons of the catholick faith : he was a very eloquent man , and wrote many things in the latine tongue , amongst which he wrote books of the trinity , expounded the canon containing the clause of one substance , proved it sufficiently , and confuted the arguments of the arians . he was a very heavenly man both in his life and doctrine , and by his means especially , the faith confirmed in the nicene council , was propagated and defended in these western parts of the world all his life time . he wrote also against the emperour constantius one book ▪ two books to the emperour against auxentius the arian . commentaries on matthew : epistles to s. augustine , &c. he dyed in peace under valentinian and valence . cyril the life of cyril , who dyed anno christi . cyrillus , bishop of jerusalem , was at the first an arian , and therefore by that faction was made bishop of hierusalem : but shortly after he was accused in a council for certain hainous crimes , by whom he was deposed from his bishoprick , and being often called by them to purge himself from those crimes , he still absented himself for the space of years , thinking thereby to escape , and the crime to be forgotten ; as soon as he was deposed he sent an appellation in writing to his deposers , appealing from them to the judges of the higher court. constantius the emperour admitted his appellation , so that cyril was the first and the only man that brought in this president , so prejudicial to the ecclesiastical constitutions . at length he came to seleucia to have his cause heard , where his deposition was confirmed for his communicating with certain heretical bishops : and herennius was substituted in his room bishop of hierusalem , and after him heraclius , and after him hilarius ; these continued the government of that church , till the reign of theodosius senior : at which time cyril having reformed his former miscarriages , was again placed in the bishoprick of hierusalem by that good emperour , and he proved an eminent instrument of gods glory and his churches good : insomuch as one saith of him , that he was magnae sanctimoniae vir , a man of great sanctity , learning and wisdom ; he endured many heavy things for the testimony of faith and a good conscience , being often forced to forsake his place by the rage of the arians : he was very charitable , insomuch that in a great famine many poor people resorting to him for relief , he gave them all he had , and that not sufficing , he took the vessels , and church ornaments , and sold them to relieve their wants : when julian the emperour had given command to re-edifie the temple at jerusalem in his time one night there was such a terrible earthquake , that it parted the very stones of the foundation , and so all the upper buildings fell down ; and when many jews came together to behold what was done , suddenly there came fire from heaven that consumed all the tools and instruments of the workmen . epiphanius gives him this testimony : he not only not feared to encounter acrcius the arian , but did christianly and faithfully oppose divers other heretical bishops . hierom also saith thus of him ; cyril that valiant souldier and combatant for jesus christ , that most constant maintainer of the orthodox faith , for many years together strove for the propagation of divine truth , suffered various and heavy persecutions : being exercised in such dangers from almost the beginning of constantius his reign , to the reign of theodosius ; yet all this while in the midst of these manifold afflictions he kept his first resolution , and dyed in the faith at last , anno christi . he used to say , some come to the church to see fashions , others to meet their friends ; yet it s better to come so then not at all : in the mean time the net is cast out , and they which intended nothing less , are drawn in to christ , who catches them , not to destroy them , but that being dead , he may bring them to life eternal . he wrote divers treatises , which are called his catechisms upon the principal heads of divinity . the life of ephrem syrus , who dyed anno christi . ephrem syrus was born in nisiba , and by the care of his parents was educated in learning , in the study whereof he was exceeding industrious , insomuch that without the help of an instructer he attained to excellent skill in the syriack tongue : he was also a great philosopher , and a very good orator , so that he far excelled most of the greek writers . basil bishop of caesarea in cappadocia did wonderfully admire and commend him for his learning . he is said to have written three hundred thousand verses , which were much esteemed in those times , many endeavouring to imitate his learing therein ; amongst whom were abbas , zenobias , abraham meras , and symeon , all of them famous amongst the syrians , and amongst all such as diligently study that language . but besides his exquisite learning , he also gat great honour and commendations for his many good works , and exact course of life . he was very grave and severe in his carriage , and living a single life , that he might prevent all calumnies and scandals , he shunned the sight of a woman : for the report goes , that a certain woman dissolute in life and manners , and of an impudent face , either on purpose to tempt the man , or else being hired thereto by some others , on purpose met him in the city gate , and earnestly stared in his face : ephrem taking notice of it , sharply rebuked her , and bade her look down upon the ground : but the woman answered , how can i do that , who am not made out of the earth , but of thee ? it s more meet that thou shouldst look upon the ground from whence thou hadst thy original , but that i should look upon thee , from whom i was procreated , ephrem wondering at the woman , went his ways , and wrote a book of these passages betwixt them , which the learned in the syrian tongue do much esteem , it s also recorded of him , that though by nature he was very cholerick , and all his youth , could not bridle his anger ; yet after he entred into this strict course of life , he was never seen to be angry with any man. having fasted divers days , one of his servants that was bringing him his supper , let the earthen pitcher fall wherein it was , and brake it , and ephrem seeing him overwhelmed with fear and shame , said to him : be of good cheer , let us go to our supper , since it will not come to us , and so sitting down by the fragments of the pot , did eat his supper . he was very humble , full of self-denyal , and a great enemy to vain-glory , as will notably appear by this example . upon a time he was voted to an episcopacy , and they that had chosen and designed him thereto , sought him out to bring him to the place where he was to be created bishop , which as soon as he understood , he ran into the market place , and there by sundry signs made shew as if he was crack-brained ; so that they that came for him , thinking him to be besides himself , took further counsel what to do : by which means he having gained time , fled privily away , and concealed himself , till he had heard that they had chosen another bishop to that place . another notable example of his charitable disposition will appear by this instance : upon a time there was a very great famine in edessa , whereupon ephrem coming out of his house , and calling many rich men together , he grievously accused , and complained of them , that the poor were almost starved , whilest they in a covetous manner kept their riches by them , which ( saith he ) will in the end turn to your own great loss , and to the torment of your souls , whereas you ought to prefer the wealth of your souls not only before all your riches , but before your very bodies themselves : they hearing this , were much affected with his words , and said thus unto him : truly we care not much for our riches , but we know not whom to commit them to , to be faithfully distributed amongst the poor , seeing that almost every man is infected with the desire of lucre and gain , and they use to make merchandise and advantage to themselves upon such occasions : then said ephrem to them , what do you judge of me ? to whom they answered , we judge you to be a very faithful , good , and upright dealing man , as every man esteems you to be . well ( said he ) and for your sakes i will undertake this great and trouble some work ; and so receiving their money , he caused three hundred beds to be provided , and laid in the cloisters , placing in them such as were sick by reason of the terrible famine , for whom he made convenient provision , and not only for them , but also for strangers , and for all such as were driven by the famine out of the villages to seek relief in the city . and thus he continued till the famine being ceased , he returned into his retired house again , and not long after he quietly slept in the lord , anno christi . he was a great opposer of sabellius , arius , apollinarius , and other hereticks : so chaste , that he repelled the shameless behaviour of a lewd woman , which being instigated by the devil , thought to have enticed him to lust ; but with his grave exhortations , admonitions , and divine speeches he caught and overcame the tempter : so that by his fatherly advice she proved a grave , modest , and religious matron : in his will he commanded that they should sing no verses in his commendation , bury him in no fine linnens , nor with ointments , raise no monuments for him : for ( saich he ) i am a stranger and so journey , &c. he was very merciful to the poor , as in part we have heard before , and having not of his own to give , by his sweet and attractive sermons , he stirred up the hearts of others to relieve them . he used to say , that the resolute traveller knows that his journey is long , and the may dirty , yet goes on in hope to come to his house : so let a christian , ( though the way to heaven be narrow , though it be set with troubles and persecutions ) yet let him go on till be bath finished his course with joy , for heaven is his home . and again , he that feasts his body and starves his soul , is like him that feasts his slave and starves his wife , he dyed under valence . his works are contained in three tomes upon several subjects . basil the life of basil , who flourished an. chr. . basil was born in pontus , of noble and religious parents : his grand-father , and great grand-father suffered martyrdom under galerius maximus . he was called basilius magnus , for as one saith of him , he was great in wit , great in eloquence , great in wisdom , great in defending , great in propagating gods glory , great in convincing hereticks , &c. when he was grown up to years of discretion , he went to caesarea of cappadocia , which was then the most famous city of asia for learning : in which place in a short time he made such a proficiency in his studies , that he excelled all his equals in all sorts of learning : from thence he went to constantinople , where having studyed a while , he went to athens , where he heard those famous rhetoricians hymerius and proaeresius : at which place also he fell into acquaintance with gregory nazianzen , and joining studies together , they continued in firm amity all their life after : he was of an excellent constitution , but by much watching , praying , fasting , reading , and spare dyet , he much weakned his body . afterwards he went to antioch in syria , where he frequented the school of libanius , and became an excellent orator . so that he was thought worthy to deliver to the world the precepts of philosophy , and was much solicited thereunto by many excellent men : others perswaded him to become an orator : but neither of these imployments suted with his purpose : wherefore having sufficiently profited in philosophy under libanius , he provided for himself the commentaries of origen ( who then was famous throughout the world ) and learned out of them to interpret and expound the sacred scriptures : then did he valiantly encounter with the arians , and when as they alleadged origens books for the confirmation of their heretical opinions , he refuted their ignorance , and shewed by plain demonstrations , that they understood not the minde and meaning of origen . yea eunomius a favourer of that sect , and as many arians as were of greatest reputation , and accounted the profoundest scholars , when they disputed with him and gregory nazianzen , proved themselves fools and unlearned persons . he was at first ordained deacon by aliletius bishop of antioch , afterwards bishop of caesarea in cappadocia ▪ where he was born : after which he gave himself wholly to benefit and profit the church : and when he greatly feared that the new device of arius his brain would creep throughout the province of pontus , in all haste he gat him into those parts , instructing the ignorant , and confirming the wavering minds of weaklings in the faith. a little before , some difference arose betwixt eusebius bishop of caesarea , and basil , about their different opinions , which valence the arian emperour hearing of , hasted thitherward , and when he came into cappadocia , according to his usual manner , he grievously afflicted the orthodox , thrusting them out of their churches , and placing arians in their rooms : and he hoped easily to do the like when he came to caesarea , because of the enmity that was betwixt eusebius and basil , but it fell out far otherwaies ; for basil in pontus hearing of the emperours proceedings in cappadocia , hasted to caesarea , and presently was reconciled to eusebius , and by his ministry seasonably strengthen the church : so that when valence came thither , finding his hopes frustrated , he returned without effecting what he came about . not long after eusebius dyed , and basil was chosen and ordained bishop in his room ; where he performed the office of a worthy shepheard to his flock , as well by duly and truly feeding them with the sincere milk of gods word , as by driving away all hereticks , that like wolves sought to devour his sheep . at last came back the emperour valence into cappadocia , fully purposing to drive basil out of caesarea : but the lord prevented him by this means . the very night after he attempted this wickedness , his wife was grievously troubled with dreadful dreams about him , and his only son gallates fell sick of a sharp and violent feaver , so that the physitians despairing of his recovery , gave him up for dead : his wife also told him of those ugly shapes , and fearful visions of devils and wicked spirits which she had seen in her sleep : adding , that their childe also was visited with that sickness , because of the evil and mischief which he had purposed against basil. the emperour marking diligently the words of his wife , and musing with himself , cast in his minde what to do , and at length resolved to send for basil , and when he came , spake thus unto him ; if thy faith and opinion be true , pray that my son dye not of this disease . to whom basil answered ; if thou wilt promise me to believe as i do , and if thou wilt bring the church into unity and concord , thy childe no doubt shall live : but the emperour would by no means agree unto this : then said basil , let the lord deal with the childe as pleaseth him , and so departed , and immediately after the childe dyed . he was very charitable , insomuch as in a great famine , he sold his lands and all his other goods to relieve the poor , and stirred up other rich merchants by scripture , and sweet speeches , to contribute to their necessities : he was also careful to see the sick provided for : and caused publick places to be erected for their maintenance , and would often not only visit them , but also administer to them . julian the emperour having formerly known him at athens , sent , and desired him to write to him , which he refused to do , because of his apostasie : nay valence the emperour , when he persecuted the orthodox , and had put eighty presbyters into a vessel , thinking to have burnt them at sea , yet meeting basil , he spake him fair , and sent also to him by many messengers to win him to that heresie ; yet neither threats , nor promises could once move him ; for when the messenger gave him good language , and promised him great preferment , he answered , alas sir , these speeches are fit to catch little children that look after such things : but we that are taught , and nourished by the holy scriptures , are readier to suffer a thousand deaths , then to suffer one syllable , or tittle of the scriptures to be altered : and when modestus the praefect asked him , know ye not who we are that command it ? no body ( said basil ) whilst you command such things : know ye not ( said the praefect ) that we have honours to bestow upon you ? to which he answered , they are but changeable , like your selves : hereupon in a rage he threatned to confiscate his goods , to torment him , to banish or kill him : to which he answered , he need not fear confiscation that hath nothing to lose ; nor banishment , to whom heaven only is a country : nor torments , when his body would be dasht with own blow : nor death , which is the only way to set him at liberty : the praefect told him that he was mad ; to whom he replyed , opto me in aeternum sic deliràre , i wish that i may for ever be thus mad : yet the praefect gave him that night to resolve what to do ; but he was the same next morning : whereupon the praefect related all to the emperour , who went to church with intentions to have disturbed him in his holy duties ; but seeing his reverend carriage , he was so convinced that he made a large offering , which basil refused , as coming from an heretick . at another time the praefect sending for him , commanded him to comply with the emperour in his opinion , or else threatned him with death : whereupon basil unfeignedly and freely spake his minde about the emperours opinion , withall highly commending the faith of one substance : and whereas ( saith he ) you threaten me with death , would it would fall out so well on my side , that i might lay down this carkase of mine in the quarrel of christ , and in the defence of his truth , who is my head , and captain . then said the praefect : be not so rash in thy answer : second thoughts may prove better , and therefore i give thee this day and night to consider further of it , and to morrow i will expect thy answer , desiring that thou mayst not wilfully cast away thy self : whereupon basil replyed ; i have no need to take further counsel about this matter : look what i am to day , the same thou shalt finde me to morrow ; but i pray god that thou change not thy minde : for since i am a creature my self , i can never be perswaded to worship one that is like me , and to acknowledge him for god ; or to conform my self to thine , and the emperours religion . for though you be illustrious persons , and command a great part of the world , yet must not i submit to your wils , being but men , nor obey you , with the neglect of my faith in god , which god assisting , i will never betray , though you confiscate my goods , though you banish me , or torment me to death : seeing none of these things will trouble me at all . as for riches , truly i have none besides my torn garments , and a few books , and i so dwell here in this world , as one that is always ready to leave it : and as for my body , it is so weak , that one only blow will make it insensible both of grief and torments . this resolute answer caused the praefect to dismiss him . yet after this the arians prevailed again for his banishment ; but when the writing was brought to valence to be confirmed , the pens would not write the least title , being often tried ; and when the emperour being mad with rage , still endeavoured to confirm the edict for his banishment , he was struck in his right hand with a great trembling : so that at last being terrisied with these judgements of god he tore the paper in pieces . so having been bishop at caesarea and cappadocia eight years and an half , he departed this life with these words , into thine hands , o lord , i commend my spirit . he used to say , to know thy self is very difficult : for as the eye can see all things but it self ; so some can discern all faults but their own : and again , divine love is a never failing treasure : he that hath it , is rich ; and he that wanteth it , is poor : when he had read the bible over , he faid , it 's a physitians shop of preservatives against poysonous heresies : a pattern of profitable laws against rebellious spirits : a treasury of most costly jewels , against beggerly elements : and a fountain of most pure water , springing up to eternal life . erasmus saith , that he rather deserved the name of maximus , then of magnus : concerning whose eloquence ( saith he ) i take it to be a great disgrace to him , if i should compare him with any of those whom the graecians most admired , and endeavoured to imitate . for which of all those great orators did so excel in eloquence , wherein something was not either wanting or offensive ? did perycles thunder and lighten in his orations ? yet it was without art. lysias was frozen in his attick subtlety . phalereus had much sweetness , but wanted gravity . isocrates was but the shadow of an orator . demosthenes , whom tully maketh the compleat example of an exquisite orator , yet wanted affections , and urbanity in his orations : but s. basil was an incomparable man , in whom was wanting neither nature nor art , nor exercise : he was not only an excellent orator , but a great philosopher , and exactly skilled in all kinde of learning . but as i said before , it s a disgrace to compare such a christian with any of the heathens : it s fitter therefore to compare him with christians , like himself , and truly that age produced many excellent men famous both for their learning and piety ; as athanasius , gregory nazianzen , john chrysostom , and gregory nissen . and each of these excelled in their several gifts : athanasius for excellent teaching : nazianzen for his florid and acute orations : chrysostome , though he answered his sir-name by reason of his golden mouth , yet he hath many superfluous words , and was immoderate in his digressions . nissen was content with his pious simplicity . but i know not what the most critical reader can desire more then he shall finde in basil . he shall finde in him a simple and natural form of speech flowing from his most holy breast , drained of all humane passions : whatsoever art can do , is to be found in him , yet without the appearance of art. there thou mayst finde the knowledge of mundane philosophy , without the least ostentation of it : there thou mayst discern his skill of the liberal sciences , and amongst them of the mathematicks ; and yet he makes them all handmaids to piety . in his discourses he doth exquisitely mingle divine testimonies of scripture , that they are like to precious stones not sowed to , but bred in purple clothes . his works are these ; in opificium sex dierum . hom. . in psalmos . hom. . variorum argumentorum . hom. . de virginitate . de paradiso . contra apologeticum eunomii . contra sabellianos , & arium . de s. sancto . de libero arbitrio . de baptismate . exercitamenta per aliquot sermones . praefatio de judicio dei. de fidei confessione . moralium summae . questiones diffusè explicatae , aliae compendio explicatae . constitutiones exercitatoriae . epistolae . explicationes in psalmos davidis . all printed at basil by froben . anno christi , . gregori nazianzen the life of gregory nazianzen , who flourished anno christi . gregory nazianzen was first bishop of sasima , then of nazianzum in cappad●cia , and lastly , of constantinople : he was a living library of philosophy and divinity : exceeding eloquent : a defender of the poor and oppressed ; and a comforter of the afflicted . in his younger days he became acquainted with basil , and joined studies with him : so that with him at athens he heard those famous rhetoricians hymerius and proaeresius . at antioch in syria he frequented the school of libanius , and by these means he became an excellent orator . by reading the commentaries of origen , he learned to expound , and interpret the sacred scriprures . in disputation he foiled and overthrew the most learned amongst the arians : and fearing least those errors should infect the churches of cappadocia ; he gat him thither to oppose them , where he was made bishop of nazianzum , a mean city of cappadocia , whereof his father had been bishop before him . what insight he had into mens dispositions by their physiognomies , may appear by that which he wrote concerning julian the apostate , in his second oration against the gentiles , where he thus writeth ; i foresaw ( saith he ) long ago in julian that which is now come to pass , when i knew him at athens : for he came thither when the empress had procured license of the emperour for his voyage , and when his brother gallus had conspired the death of the emperour constantius . there were two causes that moved him to repair to athens : the first was tolerable ; the second had small honesty in it : the first was to see greece , and the schools that flourished therein : the second ( which was more secret , and was known unto few ) was to consult with southsayers , and sacrificers , about his affairs in time to come , because it was not permitted openly for the authors of such impiety to practise such divellish inventions . and i my self in conjecturing of him at that time , ( although i am not of the number of prophets ) yet was not much deceived : for his wavering minde and frantick disposition made me prophet good enough . i saw not one sign in him that gave me any hope that ever he would become an honest man. he had a running head : his shoulders did never leave waging : he had winking eyes that continually rouled in his head : his countenance was staring : he had a sliding and limping pace : his visage was scornful . he had a fleering face of his own , the which , his immoderate laughter , and continual scorning did declare . his manner was without all honesty , to say and unsay : his words came tumbling out with vehemency and stops , the sentence broken in the midst : his questions and objections were rash and foolish : his answers were little better , which oftentimes followed one after another , and as there was little hold of them , so were they proposed without order . but what need i to run over all particulars ? i foresaw in him before he was created emperour , that which afterwards proved to be most true . if there were any of my familiar friends present which heard me thus divining of him , i am sure they would testifie this to be no otherwise then i do report it : in whose hearing also at the foresight of these things , i uttered these words ; o good god , what a monster the empire of rome doth nourish ? when i had uttered these words , i desired of god , that in this matter i might be found a lyer . for that had been far better , then that the whole world should have been visited with so many mischiefs , or then that such a monster should have been seen amongst men , the like unto whom had never been remembred before : for in his time happened many deluges , and flouds over-flowing the countries , the which both young and old do at this time remember : besides great losses by fire , terrible earthquakes and gapings of the ground : men also of a strange shape were born into the world , of mixt and compound natures , being half men , half beasts : but he purchased to himself such an end as his frantick disposition justly deserved : these things did gregory report of julian . not long after , in the reign of theodosius , senior , gregory was translated from the city nazianzum to govern a little church within the wals of constantinople ; unto which the emperour afterwards annexed a goodly temple , called the resurrection : but gregory being a famous man , and excelling in vertue and godliness all that flourished in his time , when he perceived that some murmured , and objected to him that he was a stranger and foreigner , although he rejoyced at the emperours coming , yet utterly refused to continue any longer at constantinople . he had such a dexterity of wit , that which way soever he turned himself he could happily effect it : in opening the mysteries of the sacred scriptures he was an exellent teacher , diligent , cautious , plain , and without offering violence to the text. nature seemed to have framed him for panegyrick orations , yet did he so temper his speeches therein to the mindes and ears of the multitude , that he was very plain to the ignorant , and yet at the same time to be admired by the learned . in his disputations against eunomius , he shewed admirable acuteness , yet never receded from perspicuity of speech : and so contained himself within bounds of defence of the catholick truth , that he never brake forth into reproaches extravagant from the cause . neither was he unlike himself in his work to amphilocus about the holy ghost . but what argument soever he handled , wholsome and pleasing speeches were never wanting to him , and those not acquired , but natural . according to his name in all his works there appears a certain kingly majesty , mixed with admirable humanity . he so inveighed against the evil manners of men , that they could not but love him whilest he child them . and look what his doctrine was , such was his life . by this dexterity of his wit , when eusebius bishop of caesarea , by his ambition stirred up sedition , of an aemulus he made him his very good friend . by this he so contented modestus , the emperours praefect , that he drew that wicked man by the shining of his vertue to admire him . by this when the emperour valence himself entred into his church , he first astonished him , and afterwards by his discreet conference , deterred him from his cruelty , year reclaimed him from the faction of the arians , though afterwards those wicked men prevailed to bring him over to them again . he had always a minde so prepared for martyrdom , that he desired it as a great favour . in all his writings there is such a peculiar grace and excellency , that he never tires his reader : but always dismisseth him with a thirst after more . one saith of him , that the true beauty of his soul did shine forth in his eloquence , rhetorick being both his companion and servant . hierom was his scholar : he was of such authority in the greek churches , that whosoever durst oppose his testimony , was suspected for an heretick . he so loved solitude , that when for his excellent learning and sanctity , he should first have been made a bishop , he retired himself into obscurity ; but being discovered , the people chose him for their bishop . at last , growing old and unfit for his publick imployment , he constituted another bishop , and returned to his former solitude . he flourished under theodosius . he used to say , that in a great multitude of people of several ages and conditions , who are like an harp with many strings , it is hard to give every one such a touch in preaching , as may please all , and off end none . he wrote divers works both in prose and verse . the life of epiphanius , who flourished anno christi . epiphanius bishop of salamine in cyprus , was born in palestine , in an obscure town called besanduces , of poor and obscure parents ; his father dying when he was young , he was adopted , and brought up by one tryphon a jew , whereby he attained to an excellent knowledge in the hebrew : he was converted to the christian faith by one lucianus , famous for his learning and vertue : lucianus put him to h●arion to learn , under whom he profited exceedingly : whilest he was a boy , certain hereticks , called the gnosticks , cunningly sought to invegle him , and to draw him over to their opinions : but it pleased god to preserve him from the temptation , and to keep him in the truth . in his riper years he was famous in the church for his piety , holiness of life , and for the sincerity of his doctrine , and elegancy of his stile , as his books witness , which shew their author to be a man of great reading , skilful in the tongues , well acquainted with controversies , prudent in asserting the truth , and acute in confuting errors ; whereupon melancthon saith of him ; we have no fuller an history of those ancient affairs of the church then the writings of epiphanius do contain , in which whilest he intends the confutation of heresies , he inserts many historical passages : so that out of this author may be collected almost a continued history of the ancient church , if any would with prudence join his narrations together : and i wish that some prince would take care to see such a work done . he was of a very liberal and charitable disposition , insomuch as he spent all his estate in relieving the poor . being afterwards chosen bishop of salamine in cyprus , he at first modestly refused that dignity , but importunity prevaling with him , he so lived that vitam doctrinâ , doctrinam vitâ comprobaret , his doctrine approved his life , and his life desended his doctrine : he was semper hereticorum acerrimus oppugnator , always a sharp opposer of hereticks : he purged all cy●rus , defiled and slurried with divers heresies : and having gained an edict from theodosius the emperour , he cast all the hereticks out of the island . about this time theophilus bishop of alexandria having upon some false surmises conceived displeasure against john chrysostom bishop of constantinople , he sought cunningly to thrust him out of his bishoprick : whereupon he sent letters to the bishops throughout every city , concealing his principal drift , and only pretending that he misliked the books of origen : epiphanius also being at this time very old , theophilus wrought upon his weakness , and prevailed with him to call a council in cyprus : in which council the bishops decreed that thenceforth none should read the works of origen : and by the instigation of theophilus , they wrote also to chrysostom , exhorting him to abstain from the perusing of those books , and requesting him to summon a council at constantinople , and to ratifie that decree with the uniform consent of all . after this epiphanius went to constantinople , and contrary to the canons of the church , ordained some ministers there , and administred the sacrament : yet chrysostom honoured him highly , went with the rest of his clergy to welcome him to the city ; invited him to lodge at his own house , and to make use of his church during his abode there : but epiphanius being prepossessed with prejudice , answered that he would neither lodge in his house , nor join with him in prayer , except he would condemn the books of origen , and drive away dioscorus with his associates from him , who were favourers of origen . but chrysostom answered , that it would be great injustice to condemn men before their cause was heard ; especially considering that the time for administration of the sacrament was now near , and with this answer he left him . presently after the enemies of chrysostom came to epiphanius , and perswaded him publickly before all the people to condemn the books of origen , and also dioscorus and his followers , and withall to tax the bishop of the city for favouring these persons : epiphanius being of too facile a disposition , went out the next day to perform these things , which chrysostom hearing of , sent serapion , who met him not far from the church , and protested , that if he did these things , he would do that which was neither just nor equal , nor convenient for himself : for that hereby he might bring himself into danger , if any tumult should be raised amongst the people . hereupon he desisted ; yet privately he called together some bishops that stayed in the city , and shewed them the decrees which condemned the books of origen , and drew some of them to assent to the same : but the greatest part refused , and theotymnus bishop of scythia blamed him to his face for it , and told him that it was altogether unlawful thus to calumniate and asperse a man that was dead long since , especially being of so great worth , and his writings approved of by their predecessours , &c. at last he resolved to return into cyprus , and for a farewel to chrysostom , he said , i hope that thou wilt not dye a bishop : to which chrysostom replyed , and i hope thou wilt never return into thy own country : both which came to pass : for a while after chrysostom was cast out of his bishoprick : and epiphanius dyed upon the sea : and when he found himself mortally sick , he called his friends , and said to them , salvi estote filii , &c. god bless you my children , for epiphanius shall see your faces no more in this life ; and ●hortly after he dyed , aged years , having been bishop years , his loss was exceedingly lamented at salamine . he used to say , that he never let his adversary sleep ; not that he disturbed him in his sleep ; but because he agreed with him presently , and would not let the sun go down upon his wrath . his works are printed together , being most of them against the heresies of his time , the names are ; opus contra octuaginta haereses . panarium appellatum . compendium fidei christianae . anchoratus , docens de fide christiana . anacephalaeosis , sive summa totius operis panarii appellatum . libellus de mensuris & ponderibus . historia de prophetarum vita , & interitu . epistola ad johannem . episc : constantinopolitanum . ambrose the life of ambrose , who dyed an. christi . a mbrose bishop of millain , his father was a praefect in france : when ambrose was an infant , a swarm of bees ( as he lay in his cradle ) setled on his face , and flew away without hurting of him , whereupon his father said , si vixerit infantulus iste , aliquid magni erit , if this childe live , he will be some great man. afterwards he went to rome , and gained great knowledge in the liberal arts , and was excellently accomplished with eloquence , and sweet behaviour , whereupon he was made governor of insubria , and so went to millain , where he was made lieutenant , and being made lieutenant thereof , about the same time this strange act happened ; when auxentius whom the arians had chosen to be bishop of that sea , dyed , all was there on an uprore about the election of another bishop , and great strife there was , whilst some would prefer this man , and some others that man unto the bishoprick . the tumult being raised , ambrose the lieutenant of the city , who also was a consul , fearing greatly lest that schism would breed mischief in the city , came purposely into the church to appease the sedition : and his presence prevailing very much with the people , after he had given them many notable exhortations , and thereby mitigated the rage of the heady and rash multitude ; all on a sudden with one voice , and as it were with one mouth nominated ambrose for their bishop , hoping hereby that all things would be reconciled , and that all would embrace one faith and opinion . the bishops that were present thought verily that the uniform voice of the people was the voice of god himself : wherefore without any further deliberation they took ambrose ( who was but a catechumenist ) and baptized him , purposing also to enstal him in the bishoprick : ambrose came willingly to baptism , yet denyed utterly to be a bishop ; whereupon the bishops made the emperour valentinian privy to their doings : he wondering at the consent and agreement of the people , judged that which was done to be the work of god himself : he signified therefore to the bishops , that they should obey the will of god , and create ambrose bishop , saying , that god rather then men preferred him to this dignity . thus ambrose being made bishop , the citizens of millain , who aforetime were at discord amongst themselves , thenceforth imbraced peace and unity . whereupon the good emperour publickly returned thanks unto god in these words ; i give thee humble thanks o omnipotent god , and our saviour jesus christ , that whereas i had committed the government of their bodies to this man , thou hast also committed their souls to his care , and thereby hast declared that my sentence was just in appointing him to such a place . not long after ambrose spake very freely to the emperour , complaining of divers things which were ill administred by sundry of the magistrates : to whom that worthy emperour answered ; i knew long ago that thou wast a free-spoken man , for which cause i was so far from resisting thine ordination to the bishoprick , as that i gave my free and full consent to it ; wherefore according to the rule of gods holy word , do thou prepare a medicine for our erring mindes . this good emperour a while after dying , justina his wife , being infected with the ●ilth of arianism , yet whilest her husband lived , she could no kinde of way molest those that embraced the faith of one substance : but after his decease removing to millain , together with her young son , she raised such tumults against ambrose the bishop , that in the end she prevailed for his banishment : but the people , who bore singular love and affection to ambrose , withstood her act , and hindred their force that went about to convey him into exile ; and it pleased god , that just at the same time news came that maximus a britain had rebelled , and that gratian the emperour was slain in france by and●agathius the captain of maximus : which news so cooled the heat of justina's spleen , that she was content to let ambrose alone . yet did she proceed to work upon the tender and flexible minde of her young son valentinian junior , and to instil into him the principles of arianism ; and the young man deceived by the enticements of his mother , too greedily drank in the poison thereof , whereupon at length he began to communicate his minde to ambrose , supposing that if he could but draw him to his opinion , he could easily overcome the rest : but ambrose began to minde him of the piety and sincerity of his father , exhorting him to defend the truth which he had received from him , as he would defend his empire : he also opened to him the difference between those two opinions , shewing him how that of the arians was directly contrary to the doctrine of christ , and his holy apostles , and that of the orthodox was most consonant thereunto : but the young man , as a young man that was blinded with the error of his mother , was so far from hearkening to the good counsel of ambrose , that on the contrary , being inflamed with wrath , he compassed the church where ambrose was , with a great number of armed souldiers , thinking thereby to terrifie him . but when he saw that this valiant champion and souldier of christ was no whit affrighted , he grew into such a rage , that he commanded him to come forth of the temple : to whom ambrose answered : that will i never willingly do , neither will i betray the sheepfold of my sheep to the wolves , nor deliver up this temple of god to the authors of blasphemy : but if thou pleasest to kill me , here is my breast , peirce it either with thy sword or spear as thou pleasest , for i desire and am willing to embrace such a death : this his resolute answer made the emperour to withdraw . about this time theodosius the great , reigning in the east , there fell out a great sedition in the city of thessalonica , which some of the magistrates coming to quiet , by the furious people they were not only greatly reproached , but stoned to death : the news hereof being carried to theodosius , he was so grievously incensed against the citizens of thessalonica , that he sent an army against them , and slew seven thousand of them , even the innocent amongst the guilty , without ever examining the fact , and proceeding judicially against the nocent : and presently after he went into the west against the tyrant maximus , whereof you may read the story in my second part of the marrow of ecclesiastical history , in the life of theod. senior . and having obtained a wonderful victory , he went to millain ; but as he was about to enter into the church , ambrose met him at the door , and said unto him : it s very likely o emperour that you know not the greatness of that murther that was committed by you , neither after your anger was appeased , did you by reason weigh the greatness of your crime . for it may be the greatness of your imperial dignity would not suffer you to acknowledge your sin : but your power blindes your reason : for you ought to consider the weakness and frailty of our humane nature , and to bend your eyes upon our mother earth , from which you had your original , and into which you must return : neither ought you by reason of the splendor of your purple garments , to be ignorant of the weakness of that body which is shrowded in them : consider further that you rule over those who are partakers of the same nature with you ▪ and therefore are your fellow-servants . for god the creator of the universe , is lord and king of all men : with what eyes then can you behold his temple who is lord of all ? with what feet can you tread in his courts ? how dare you ( i pray you ) stretch forth before him those hands which are defiled with murther , and unjust bloodshed , and with the same receive the holy sacrament of christs body ? or how dare you put his holy blood into your mouth , which being inflamed with anger , commanded unjustly the spilling of so much blood ? depart therefore , and do not increase your former sin by adding a new one to it , but embrace that bond which the lord of all doth from heaven impose upon you : which bond truly hath force to cure you of the disease of your soul , and of restoring you to health . the godly emperour willingly submitted to him ( for having been religiously trained up , he knew full well what was the duty of gods ministers , and what was proper for kings to do in such cases ) and accordingly returned to his palace full of sighs and tears . and about eight moneths after , the feast of christs nativity being to be celebrated , the emperour sate still in his palace , giving himself to lamentations , and pouring out abundance of tears : which ruffinus the master of his hall taking notice of , being very dear unto the emperour , went to him , and asked him the cause of his weeping : then the emperour mourning more bitterly , and pouring out more abundance of tears , said ; surely ruffinus thou dost but mock me ! or knowest not with how great misery i am afflicted : for i sigh and bewail my calamity , whilst i consider in my minde how open the church is to my servants , yea to beggars , who have free leave to pour out their prayers before god : but not only that place , but even heaven it self is shut up against me : for that saying of our saviour comes into my minde , whose sins you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven : to this ruffinus answered , therefore if it please you , i will run to the bishop , i will intreat , beseech , and perswade him to free you from this bond . but i fear ( said the emperour ) that he will not hearken to you . for i know that ambrose's sentence is so just and equal , that he will not violate the law of god for fear of the imperial power . but when ruffin was not yet satisfied , promising that he would prevail with ambrose , the emperour bade him run quickly : and himself hoping that ruffin might prevail , immediately followed him . but as soon as ambrose saw ruffin , he said unto him : thou seemest unto me ( ruffin ) to imitate the impudency of dogs : for although by thy perswasion that cruel slaughter was committed , yet thou hast so steeled thy face that thou art not ashamed , neither art thou grieved that by so great madness thou ragedst against the image of god : but when ruffin had earnestly entreated him to be pacified , and told him that the emperour would presently be there , ambrose being kindled with an holy zeal , said , i profess , ruffin , that i will forbid him entrance into the church , and if he will turn his power into tyranny , i am willing to be slain by him . ruffin hearing these things , presently sent a messenger to the emperour , intreating him to stay in his palace . the emperour meeting with this message in the market place , said , yet i will go that i may undergo his just reproofs which are due to me : and when he came to the church door , he entred not , but went to the bishop , desiring him to absolve him from his excommunication . but ambrose told him , that his coming was tyrannical ; and that he was enraged against god , and trampled his laws under his feet ▪ to whom the emperour answered : i do not oppose those laws with an obstinate minde , neither do i desire wickedly to enter into the church , but i intreat thee to absolve me , and to set before thine eyes the clemency of him who is lord of all things : neither shut thou those doors against me which he opens to all that truly repent of their sins . to which ambrose answered : what repentance dost thou shew after so grievous a sin committed ? what medicines hast thou applyed for the healing of such great wounds ? it is thy part ( said the emperour ) to prepare the medicine , to apply it , and when the wound is cured , to remove it : it 's my part to follow thy directions . then said ambrose ; because thou gavest way to thy anger , and didst not temper it with reason , but pronouncedst sentence with an inflamed minde , i desire that thou make a law , that all sentences pronounced in anger shall be void : and that in all causes which concern death , or confiscation of goods , thirty days intervene between the sentence and execution , that so if there be just cause , the sentence may be revoked : and that at the end of the thirty days , they which writ thy sentence , shew it thee , that so laying aside all anger , thou mayst weigh the cause with judgement , and so either establish it or make it void . the emperour judging this most prudent counsel , willingly imbraced it , and presently commanded a law to be enacted , which he confirmed by his subscription : which being done , ambrose absolved him ; and the emperour presently entring the church , sell prostrate , pronouncing that verse of the psalm ; my soul cleaveth to the dust , quicken me according to the word ; and then with many tears and testimonies of sorrow he begged pardon , and afterwards was made partaker of the sacrament of the lords supper . upon a time a certain witch sent his spirits to kill ambrose ; but they returned answer , that god had hedged him in as he did job : another came with a sword to his bedside to have killed him ; but he could not stir his hand , till repenting , he was by the prayer of ambrose restored to the use of his hands again : when eugenius was emperour , flavianus the praefect desired leave of him to build the altar of victory at millain , which ambrose hearing of , departed from thence to bononia ; but after a while ( eugenius and flavianus going to war against theodosius ) he returned to millain again : but before they went , they sent word , that when they returned conquerours , they would make the great church in millain a stable for horses : but god prevented them : for eugenius was slain by his own souldiers , and theodosius got the victory . this ambrose was very abstinent , full of watchings and prayer , diligent in writing , never dining but on the sabbaths : he was very couragious for the truth , and merciful to the poor , and captives : he would weep when he heard of the death of any godly minister : falling sick , he appointed simplicianus a godly old man to succeed him , and continuing instant in prayer , he departed this life the third year after theodosius , anno christi . he used to say , when gold is offered to thee , thou usest not to say , i will come again to morrow and take it , but art glad of present possession : but salvation being profered to our souls , few men haste to embrace it : and again , it is not so much to be enquired how much thou givest , as with what heart : it 's not liberality , when thou takest by oppression from one , and givest it to another : and again , a clear conscience should not regard slanderous speeches ; nor think that they have more power to condemn him , then his own conscience hath to clear him : and again , death is the burial of all vices ; for it is the progress and accomplishment of the full mortification of all our earthly members , wherein that filthy flux of sin is dryed up in an instant : it is a voluntary sacrificing of the whole man , soul and body to the lord , the greatest and highest service we can do him on earth . his works are printed in five tomes . the life of gregory nissen , who flourished anno christi . gregory was sirnamed nissenus from the city whereof he was bishop ; he was born in cappadocia in the fourth age after christ. his fathers name was basil , his mothers emmelia : his brothers names were basil bishop of caesarea , and peter bishop of sebastia . he had a sister called macrina . from his childhood he was much affected with the study of rhetorick , wherein he grew as famous as any of the ancient fathers . he affected not that solitary life which his brother basil did , but imployed himself in instructing others . first he was a professor in a school of rhetorick : afterwards he became a reader of divinity in the church : yet after a while returning to his rhetorick school again , he was reduced to his former work of reading divinity by gregory nazianzen , suidas saith , that he was vir insignis , omnique doctrina exuberans ; a famous man abounding with all manner of learning : neither was he less signal for his piety and holiness of life , as nicephorus testifies . for his great worth he was preferred to the bishoprick of nyssa , a chief city in cappadocia . he was banished by the arian emperour valence , and from the seventh to the fifteenth year of his reign , he wandred up and down ; yet still went to such places where the necessity of the church required his presence , and where he might do most good ; in which godly imployment he was much encouraged by gregory nazianzen . he lived under constantius , julian , jovian , valentinian , and valence , gratian , and theodosius the great : and in his time , together with gregory nazianzen , was president in the universal council of constontiple against the macedonian hereticks , anno christi . when hierom wrote his catalogue of illustrious men , he was alive ; but the year of his death is not expressed by any author . he was admired for his eloquence , and one calleth him pervigilem antistitem , the faithful and vigilant prelate : he used to read the scriptures with all diligence , reverence and strictness , having a special regard to the genuine sense of them : he was a strong opposer of eunomius his heresie : by the oecumenical council of constantinople he was appointed as a man most fit to visit the churches planted in arabia . after the decease of his brother basil he finished his commentaries which he had left imperfect upon the six days works . he also preached at constantinople a funeral sermon upon the death of miletius bishop of antioch . he wrote an admirable book against eunomius , and another no less famous of the creation of man , besides many excellent sermons which he made : but the treatise of the soul , which he wrote to his sister macrina , deserves the praise of learned men in all succeeding ages . many things are fathered upon him : but judicious scultetus owneth only these ; exegetica scripta in ecclesiasten . in cantica canticorum . in psalmos . de occursu domini . de deo & trinitate . de creatione . de providentia . de christo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . de baptismo , de cultus dei in genere . de cultu dei in specie . viz. de peregrinatione ad loca sancta : de oratione . de pauperum amore. de beatitudinibus , de fornicatione fugienda . de iis qui aegrè ferunt reprehensiones . de iis qui temerè alios damnant . de vsurariis , funebres orationes sive de morte piorum , de resurrectione mortuorum . de theologia vniversa in oratione catechetica magna . he compared the vsurer to a man giving water to one in a burning-feaver , which doth him no good , but a great deal of mischief : so the vsurer , though he seem for the present to relieve his brothers want , yet afterwards he doth greatly torment him : he gave this character of an vsurer , he loves no labour but a sedentary life : the pen is his plough : parchment his field : ink his seed : time is the rain to ripen his greedy desires : his sickle is calling in of forfeitures ; his house the barn where he winnows the fortunes of his clients : he follows his debtors as eagles and vultures do armies , to prey upon the dead corps : and again , men come to vsurers as birds to an heap of corn ; they desire the corn , but are destroyed in the nets : and again , there is no excuse for hard-heartedness ; for where can a rich man cast his eyes but he may behold objects of his charity ? &c. he dyed under valentinian and valence . the life of theodoret , who flourished anno christi . theodoret bishop of cyrus was born at antioch of noble and religious parents : his mother before she had him was much grieved in minde , because she was barren , and without hope of issue to inherit their large possessions , whereupon she with her husband resolved to bequeath all their revenues to the maintenance of poor christians : yet at last god was pleased to answer her requests , giving her a son which she named theodoret , the gift of god : he proved of great acuteness , and in a short time profited so in piety , and in letters , that he was made a bishop whilest he was yet a young man : and shortly after he set forth that excellent work which he called the history of the lovers of god : he was a great opposer of hereticks , and wrote much against them , and reduced many round about him that were marcionites , even to the hazard of his life : he was wondrous charitable , visiting and refreshing the bowels of the poor : he was a careful imitator of chrysostom , whom he always proposed as a worthy pattern for his stile in his writings : and by this means he proved very fluent and eloquent , which his learned works do plainly declare : his commentaries upon the scriptures are very excellent , wherein he resolved many of the hardest questions in the old testament . he shewed much learning in his divine treatise of gods providence : he very strongly opened and confuted the fond conceits of abundance of hereticks : as of simon magus , menander , basilides , carpocrates , &c. a synod being appointed at ephesus to stop the heresie of nestorius , and cyril coming first thither , ( not knowing that the bishops of syria were coming also ) he of himself condemned nestorius , which afterward caused much contention , especially between theodoret and cyril : but theodosius junior calling them together to constantinople , by his eare and wisdom healed this breach , and theodoret and cyril were wondrous loving each to other ever after . in that famous council of chalcedon , wherein were above six hundred bishops , he was stiled by their unanimous consent , catholicus & orthodoxus ecclesiae pastor , & doctor sincerus . a catholick and orthodox pastor of the church , and a sincere teacher of the truth . gennadius testifieth of his writings that they were strengthened with impregnable and undeniable arguments , by which with reasons and testimonies of scripture , he proves and confirms that christ was truly incarnate of the virgin mary . bellarmine stiles him viram plane doctissimum , an absolute learned man. he wrote an ecclesiastical history which is of great use to the church : he dyed in the reign of theodosius junior , being not very old ; but rather spent with labors and studies then with age . he used to say , that the delights of the soul are to know her maker , to consider his works , and to know her own estate . his works were printed in two tomes , at collen anno christi . which besides his ecclesiastical history , contain expositions upon many portions both of the old and new testament . jerom the life of hierom , who dyed anno christi . hierom was born in a town called stridon in the confines of dalmatia and pannonia , anno christi . his fathers name was eusebius , a pious and godly man , who before his country was overrun and sacked by the barbarous goths , ( who about this time laid all waste before them ) was a man of a middle and competent estate , and very careful of the education of this his son : his mother also was a religious woman ; and therefore from his infancy he was trained up ( like another timothy ) in the knowledge of christ and of the sacred scriptures ; and as he grew in years , so did he also in learning ; and when he was a boy , he was by his parents sent to rome , at that time the most famous place both for piety and religion , in the west , where he was brought up in the study of the liberal sciences . for they seemed to foresee that they had begotten a son for the good of the world , and therefore in his education they did not indulge their private affections , but sought to promote the publick good : he quickly by reason of his ingenuity became very expert both in the greek and latine tongues : then he became a very good grammarian and rhetorician , having an excellent wit , and being of an indefatigable disposition . and it was his hap to have excellent schoolmasters : donatus for the grammer , and victorinus for rhetorick , who were at that time famous men in rome . afterwards being grown riper in years , he fell to the study of philosophy of all sorts , as aristotles , platos , the stoicks , &c. yet he spent not too much time herein , but proceeded to the study of history , cosmography , and antiquities : because he perceived that even to that time amongst the latines , theology was but an infant , whereupon many ahhorred reading of divinity books , and therefore he thought that if a man could attain to set forth the dignity of theology with excellency of speech , it would come more into request : besides he thought by this means to stop the mouths of the ethnicks , who reproached christians as barren and barbarous persons . he had for his fellow students , pammachius of noble parentage , a man of such i earning and integrity , that he was solicited to be bishop of rome : bonosus , who also proved very famous : heliodorus whose vertue advanced him to a bishoprick . having now sufficiently profited in the knowledge of humane arts , he proceeded to more grave and weighty studies , and after the example of other worthy men , for the further polishing of his minde with wisdom and experience , he travelled all over france , procuring the acquaintance of , and familiarity with the most worthy men of that country : bonosus also was his companion in these travels : he was very diligent in searching the libraries in every place where he came : and at trevir he wrote out with his own hand a great volume of hilary de synodis ; and having much profited himself , not only in learning , but religion also , after a long time , he returned to visit his countries , both where he was born , and where he was new born [ 〈◊〉 ] . then did he begin to consider what course of 〈…〉 , take himself to , and in what place to fix his habitation ; 〈◊〉 that it would much conduce to his comfort , if he 〈…〉 such a course with judgement as was most sutable to his 〈◊〉 . he seriously considered that rome was as yet over spread with paganism , and that it was not safe for a young man to be in a place of so much pleasure , which himself sometimes called babylon : he also considered , that his own country was cerrupted with barbarous pleasures , as himself somewhere notes in one of his epistles : whereupon he consulted with some of his intimate friends , resolving to depart to some place where he might with more privacy follow the study of divinity , and wholly dedicate himself to christ. it was also a great trouble to his minde , to consider how christians and pagans were intermixed together , whence it necessarily came to pass , that many who professed christ , were christians rather in name then in truth . he considered further , that in marriage , besides other incumbrances , he should lose his freedom ; and that in the life of ministers and bishops there was a great deal of danger ; that will he , nill he , he must be intangled with riches , honours , and cares of the world , and thereby be cast upon many temptations : besides , the lives of many of them displeased him seeing the ancient piety of the ministry to begin to degenerate into pride and tyranny . all these things seriously considered , he began to be in love with a monastick life , which in those times did far differ from their lives in future ages , which was afterwards intangled with ceremonies and superstitions . for in those times they had liberty to change their condition when they pleased , to go whither they pleased ; they had a great deal of freedom to attend their studies , betaking themselves to fasting and prayer , they were not bound under any humane constitutions . their apparel was mean , yet not enjoyned , but left to every ones free will , not which was noted for prodigious novelty , so that every one might point at them with the finger , but which was most agreeable with christian simplicity ; they were tyed by no vows but such as every true christian ought to be subject to . having resolved upon this course of life , his next endeavour was to associate some companions to him therein : but pammachius , who hitherto had been his chamber-fellow , and fellow-student , for his course of life was wholly of another disposition : the greatest freedom was most pleasing to hierom , and a married life to pammachius . bonosus having setled his affairs , forsaking his country , parents and friends , and only accompanyed with his books , was departed into a solitary island ; and therein had out-run hierom , extricating himself from the snares of the world to enjoy more freedom in the service of christ. not long after hierom having setled his affairs , and provided things necessary for his journey , especially a fair library , he sailed into syria , having heliodorus for his companion , who having remained a while with him in syria , disliking that course of life , left him . yet did not hierom at all break off his good esteem of him for the same . then did hierom go to hierusalem , veiwing all the observable places about that once famous city : but shortly after by reason of the change of ayr and country , he fell into a grievous sickness , at which time evagrius entertained him into his house , and shewed much kindeness to him . having recovered his health , he was inflamed with an earnest desire of prosecuting his former resolution for the manner of his life , and thereupon retiring himself into a desart between the syrians and saracens , he had no company besides wilde beasts and serpents , and here and there a monks cell that had betaken himself to the same course of life , as hierom now did . but before his fixing in this wilderness , he spent some time in antiochia , which yet he stayed not long in , partly by reason of the celebrity of the place , and partly because of a schism that was in the church : neither could he stay long in chalcis , because of the neighbourhood of some arians , which molested him : and indeed this holy man was grievously vexed by their wicked practises , who daily cited him before them to give an account of his faith. in brief , he met with so many molestations , that many times he repented his coming into syria . and thereupon at length he shut up himself far from the commerce of men in that forenamed desart , thinking it far better to live amongst thieves , and wilde beasts , then amongst such christians . and continuing there four years together , he only conversed with christ , and his books , seriously busying himself according to his former purpose . and having in his youth fallen into some loosness , the first thing he did was with showres of tears to bewail his sins , and to endeavour to make his peace with god ; then by abstinence , watchings , and incredible austeritty of life to beat down his body , and to bring it into subjection to his spirit , that so he might be freed from all temptations to fleshly lusts : and left his carnal affections should impede his heavenly life , he prescribed and exacted of himself a daily task wherein he was imployed . he distributed his time into two parts , one for his studies , the other for meditation and prayer , wherein also he spent a good part of the night : he allowed himself the least part for sleep , less for his food ; and none for idleness : when he was aweary of study , he betook himself to prayer , or singing of a psalm : and then presently returned to his studies again . he read over all his library , and then rubbed up his old studies : he learned most of the scripture by heart . he meditated much upon the prophets , labouring to finde out the mysteries of their prophesies : he extracted christian wisdom out of the evangelists and apostolical writings , as out of most pure fountains . for it is the first step to piety , to acquaint our selves with the truths of god. then he read over the works of such as had commented thereon with great judgement , not pretermitting the works of ethnicks and hereticks . for he knew how to gather gold out of a dunghil , and honey out of weeds , leaving the poyson to spiders : then did he collect what he could out of the egyptian writers , endeavouring to beautifie the house of god by the spoils of his enemies : and for the help of his memory , and to make him more prompt , he digested all that he read into certain heads and common places . ●ut especially he read over origens works , whom he called suum , his own : and some of whose homilies whilest he was a young man , he had turned into latin : his reading also he mixed with writing . about this time he interpreted the prophesie of obadiah allegorically , because he knew not the history , as himself afterwards confessed in his preface to his second interpretation of that prophesie , in which he makes amends for his former youthly precipitation . in brief , he pretermitted nothing that might make him an admirable doctor of the church , and a most accomplished divine : that nothing might be wanting in his learning : nothing amiss in his life , which might any whit tend to the diminishing of the credit of his doctrine . afterwards also finding by experience , that many secrets could not be understood , nor handled as they ought to be , without learning those languages wherein they were first written , and taught , by hard study and industry he overcame the difficulties which are in the hebrew tongue ; yea , he did not only labour for the knowledge of it , but to give the right sound and pronuntiation to some barbarous and strange languages which he studied . and for his perfecting in the hebrew , he did with great charges hire the most learned of the jews to instruct him ; emptying his purse to enrich his soul with learning . he also learned the chalde , because the books of job , daniel , and some other portions of the old testament , though they were written in hebrew , yet much use of the chaldean language is made therein . he studyed also the syriack , because through their commerce with the helrews their speech was nere of kin to it . in these holy labours , though he spent some years , as also in his rigorous course of life , yet he professeth that he took much pleasure therein : for that which at first seemed difficult and troublesome , by degrees became easie and familiar to him ; and that which was best in its own nature , became most pleasant also . yea , he was so far from prizing and desiring the delights of rome , that living in a wilderne●s , he seemed to converse with angels . sometimes his friends visited him , and sometimes himself visited his neighbour monks , and by intercourse of letters he enjoyed the society of his absent friends . and though he could have desired all his life long to enjoy this pleasing retiredness , yet it much conduced to gods glory , and the good of the church , that this champion of christ should at last appear in publick , and that this excellent light should no longer be hid under a bushel : and therefore though he seemed unwilling thereto , yet divine providence so ordered it , that at last he was drawn back to rome , and that by the means of epiphanius bishop of salamine in cyprus , and paulinus bishop of antiochia , by whom he was formerly ordained a presbyter . at rome he became acquainted with some noble matrons , and amongst the rest with marcella : all whom he inflamed with the desire of studying the sacred scriptures , yea himself became an interpreter thereof unto them , especially to marcella , who so profited under him , that afterwards when any controversie arose about the testimony of scripture in such and such points , they repaired to her to be a judge therein . by these means the fame of hierom grew so great , that every one judged him worthy to succeed damasus in the bishoprick of rome . but as there is never a shadow but when the light is present , so the eminency of this holy man wanted not envy . there were not some wanting who calumniated him for his first departure into syria , and in his absence wounded him with the darts of their viru●ent tongues : notwithstanding which he was very dear to , and highly prized by damasus the present romane bishop , and living three years in strict friendship with him , and paula a noble matron , he procured the greater envy to himself thereby , which at length brake forth into open burning . for certain of the arian faction were closely crept into rome , who the better to conceal themselves , had taken upon them the name of origenists ; these men that they might the better strengthen themselves , screwed themselves into familiar acquaintance with sundry noble matrons , amongst whom they secretly spred the poyson of their doctrines : and because hierom was much taken with origens wit , and had highly commended him , they sought to make him a partner of their faction : being so much the more dangerous by how much under a pretence of friendship they plotted his ruine , so that he began to consult about leaving rome , of which himself in a certain place speaks thus . i was accounted a scandalous person , a turncoat and inconstant , a lyar , and one that deceived by satans artifice . they kissed my hands , whilest like vipers they detracted me behinde my back ▪ they seemed to grieve for me with their lips , whilest in their hearts they rejoyced at my hurt . one jeared at my gate , another at my laughter , another under my simplicity seemed to fear some mischief . he had many reasons to induce him to leave rome : the remembrance of his former ease and freedom from the troubles and distractions of the city ; then the troublesome celebrity of the city , the more troublesome delights , together with the pride and luxury which attended the same . for about this time the riches of the church increasing , christian simplicity began to decrease : also the malice and envy of the origenists against him grew daily more violent : especially ruffinus living in the city at this time , who as he never was a sincere friend to him , so now he was a secret , yet pestilent adversary against him . upon these and such like reasons hierom left rome , and went back to syria : concerning which journey himself , thus writes ; when ( saith he ) i touched at cyprus , i was entertained lovingly by the venerable bishop epip●anius when i came to antiochia i enjoyed the society of that excellent confessor paulinus , and departing from him in the midst of winter , the weather being extream cold , i came to hierusalem , where i veiwed all things , and saw those places with mine eyes which i had only read , or heard of before . from thence i went into egypt , where i saw asps lurking in the monks cels : lastly , i returned to bethlehem . i saw also the famous lake : neither did i indulge my self , but by travelling up and down , learned many things which before i knew not . in this journey he grew acquainted with gregory nazianzen , whom he cals his master , and prosesseth , that he learned much out of the scriptures by his assistance . he also often heard apollinarius at antioch , and had much familiar society with him : by whose perswasion he went to alexandria , and there compleated his studies in divinity by the help of didymus . lastly , by the help of barhanina a jew , he perfected his studies of the hebrew tongue . thus by long experience having got much wisdom , and by the society of many learned and excellent men , having attained to a great measure of learning , he buckled himself to the handling of divinity . undertaking the office of a divine : setling himself at bethlehem , which place by his vertues and writings , he made famous all over the world ; and in which place he lived a very quiet and comfortable life in the company of some godly , learned , and faithful friends , spending his time in singing psalms , translating the bible , and preaching to his auditors . very many resorted to him out of all countries , all whom according to his ability he entertained lovingly and bountifully , driving none from his house but such as were branded for heresie : he wrote much against the heresies of those times , so that there was no chief heretick but looked upon hierom as his great adversary : and indeed there were never any times more full of sedition , and confusion then those , wherein the hereticks had so diffused their errors , that it was a peice of great art to be orthodox . especially the arians by their writings , weapons , and countenance of the emperours , had not only disturbed the peace of the east , but almost of all the world : and when that heresie was in some measure ●ulled asleep , it revived in the origenists , who were crept into rome it self , and there secretly and cunningly spread abroad the poyson of their doctrines : the captain of whom was ruffinus of aquileia , who in his childehood had been very intimate with hierom : but afterwards these great friends became great enemies : though the first breach betwixt them was pieced up by the prudence of h●erom , who saw , and yet connived at his secret devices and clancular detractations : but when ruffin began to charge the truth with heresie , and to make hierom a partner in his impious opinions , the holy man could bear no longer , but breaking the bands of friendship , they wrote most bitterly one against another ; hierom thinking that all forbearance towards a heretick was impiety , not a vertue . many were stirred up by ruffinus means to write against hierom , and to charge him with many and foul aspersions both in his life and doctrine ; but he , like to an old and well rooted oke , brake the windes that assaulted him on every side : he remained in all these storms unbroken , and unconquered , and was so far from departing from that which was honest : that the more his enemies barked against him , the more he was provoked to the study of piety , and against the violence and fraud of hereticks , he was somewhat holpen by epiphanius and theophilus bishops of alexandria : at rome , he had pammatius and chromatius to take his part . by reason of these troubles his life was a continual martyrdom : he spent whole years in the study of the sacred scriptures and divinity , and to extream old age continued in teaching and writing : he was of a very weak constitution , and conflicted with many painful diseases , before old age came upon him : which diseases he procured by the great austerity of life , and his nightly studies : but especially by his indefatigable labours in writing so many great volumes , for which cause it was that sometimes he was forced to make use of notaries : and at last having worn out himself with his great pains , and continual labours , he quietly slept in the lord in the ninty first year of his age , anno christi , . honorius and constantine being emperours . his holy life and his books stuffed with so much learning and eloquence , procured him so much credit and authority , that learned greece which used to undervalue the learning of all nations but their own , took care that his commentaries should be translated into greek . he was so famous in his life time , that if any difficulty did occur in expounding scriptures , all men had recourse to him as to the oracle of the christian world. frequent letters and messengers were sent to him out of italy , spain , france , germany , and africa : he was consulted with by bishops , by noble men , by matrons , and by the chiefest of all sorts : many from all parts repaired to bethlehem ; not so much for religion sake , as to see and confer with hierom. augustine held a strict bond of friendship with him , and was willing to learn of him as of his master . paulus orosius the historiographer learned many things by conference with him . his industry was admirable , whence erasmus saith of him ; minima pars vitae dabatur somno , minor cibo , nulla otio . et sacras literas ad verbum ediscebat . his usual prayer was ; lord , let me know my self , that i may the better know thee the saviour of the world. he used this excellent saying , if my father stood weeping on his knees before me , and my mother hanging on my neck behinde , and all my brethren , sisters , children , and kinsfolk bowling on every side to retain me in a sinful life , i would fling my mother to the ground , run over my father , despise all my kinred , and tread them under my feet that i might run to christ. erasmus saith of him , quis docet aptiùs ? quis delectat urbani ùs , &c. who teacheth more distinctly ? who delights more modestly ? who moves more effectually ? who praises more candidly ? who perswades more gravely ? and who exhorts more ardently ? trithemius saith , vir in secularibus valdè eruditus , &c. he was a man well seen in secular learning , but in divinity he was inferiour to none of the doctors of the church , and famous for his skill in the languages : a rooter out of hereticks , and a defender of the truth . he used to say , dead flesh is to be cut off for fear of a gangrene : arius at first was but a spark , but being not suppressed betimes , he proved the incendiarie of the whole church : and again , you must be a dove , and a serpent : one , not to do hurt to others ; the other , not to be hurt by others : and again , that woman is truly chaste , that hath liberty and opportunity to sin , and will not . what ever he did , he still thought that that voice was in his ears , surgite mortui , & venite ad judicium , arise you dead , and come to judgement : and again , all vertues are so linked together , that he that hath one , hath all ; and he that wants one , wants all . he translated the bible out of the originals into latine . his works were printed in nine tomes at paris , anno christi . with erasmus his scholia upon them : where he also shews which of them are genuine , which doubtful , and which spurious . chrysostom the life of chrysostom , who flourished anno christi . iohn chrysostom was born in antioch , a city of caelosyria ; his father was called secundus , his mother was anthusa : he descended of the noble race of senators : he was the disciple of libanius the sophist , and the auditor of androgathius the philosopher : his first purpose was to apply himself to the study and practice of the law , and to handle the publick affairs of the common-wealth : but when he perceived how lewd and unrighteous a trade of life they led which busied themselves therein , he left that troublesome and dangerous course , and betook himself to a quiet and more retired manner of life : and so changing both his habit and behaviour , he addicted himself wholly to the study of the sacred scriptures , devising with himself how he might be most useful and profitable to the church of christ. he perswaded theodorus and maximus his fellow-students , who together with him had frequented the school of libanius , to forsake that trade of life , which was wholly set on lucre and gain , and to follow that which was contented with a little . he also associated himself with basil , and was a partner in his studies ; after which he was made reader in the church of antioch by zeno bishop of hierusalem , and a while after was made deacon by meletius , and afterwards for three years space he lived a retired life , severed from all the troublesome affairs of the world : at the end whereof he was made a presbyter by evagrius , then bishop of antioch . he was a man of marvellous great temperance , very austere in life , and rather harsh then curteous in his deportment : he had no great forecast , made no account of the world , and because of his plain and simple meaning , was soon deceived : he was very copious and free of speech with all such as had any conference with him . in his ministry he was very diligent and painful , endeavoring all that possibly he could to reform the lives and manners of his auditors : and he had an excellent faculty in perswading , wherein he excelled most men of that age . he was very frequent and earnest in reproving sin , not only in his publick ministry , but by going to the houses of such as were scandalous , and dealing privately and plainly with them , laying to heart the dishonour done unto god , as if himself had been personally wronged by them : by this means he became very grateful to the common people : but most ungrateful to great and rich men , who usually take most liberty in sinning . hereupon his fame spread all over the roman empire : such as knew him , prized his great experience ; such as knew him not , were drawn by the fame of his great learning : insomuch as the bishoprick of constantinople being void , he of all others was thought most worthy to succeed therein : and thereupon he was unanimously chosen both by the clergy and laity , the emperour himself approving well of their choice , and sending some messengers to fetch him . in the mean time also the emperour convocated a synod , that by that means his ordination to the bishoprick might be better approved of . asterius the praefect of the east , having received the emperours letters , sent to antioch for john , as if he meant to confer with him about something : but as soon as he came , taking him up in his coach , he carryed him to pagra , where he delivered him to the emperours messengers : and this he did because he knew the tumultuous disposition of the antiochians , who would have raised some sedition rather then have parted with him , and would never but by force have suffered him to have gone from them . when he came to constantinople , the clergy were called together : but theophilus bishop of alexandria opposed his ordination , endeavouring to prefer to that place one of his own presbyters called isidore , who had been his instrument in an action very prejudicial to the emperour . but when eutropius one of the courtiers had told him that except he consented with the rest for the choice of john , he should be questioned for that former fact , he also gave his suffrage for him . thus john being setled in the bishoprick of constantinople , his first study and care was to reform the lives of his clergy , and making a diligent inquisition into their conversation , their dyet , and other carriages , he reproved , corrected , yea and cast some of them out of the church . for john being of a cholerick and hasty nature , and now armed with authority , would not indulge their faults , but laboured throughly to reform them : and this he did not only to the clergy of his own church , but being of a great spirit , and inflamed with zeal , he endeavoured the reformation of all within his jurisdiction : and finding also a great rent and schism between the eastern and western churches , he did all that possibly he could for the healing and making up of the same , and prevailed somewhattherein , though he could not perfectly attain his desire . his gouernment and ministry ( through gods mercy ) proved very effectuall in constantinople , so that he converted many pagans to christianity , and reduced many hereticks from their errors . many flocked dayly to him , some for the profit and benefit which they got by his doctrine ; others for the tempting of him , all whom he held captive , and prevailed with them to agree with him in matters of religion . so great a confluence of people resorted to his sermons , with an insatiable desire after them , that they were ready to stifle one another whilest every one crowded to come neerest to him . about this time chrysostom was informed that the churches in asia were generally governed by unworthy bishops , who either for affection or bribes preferred unfit persons to the ministry , whereupon he went to ephesus , and examining these things , he deposed thirteen bishops , some in lycia , some in phrygia , and the rest in asia , placing more fit persons in their rooms . at ephesus finding the bishop to be lately dead , he placed heraclides , born in cyprus , and sometimes a disciple of evagrius . but upon the removal of these bishops , they with their adherents raised many slanders against chrysostom , accusing him every where as a violator of their country laws : and amongst others they stirred up eutropius , an eunuch in the emperours court against him , who was in great favour , and was esteemed as the father of the emperour , and made one of the consuls of the city . this eutropius procured a law to be enacted , that malefactors taking sanctuary in the church , should be drawn thence and punished according to their demerits . shortly after himself was accused for using the emperours wife unworthily , whereupon he fled to the church , and there lay under the communion-table , chrysostom being to preach the next day , took occasion to speak against the pride and insolency of great men , and to shew the vanities and uncertaintie of all worldly glory : and eutropius according to his own law was fetched out of the church and beheaded . about the same time also the arians , who by the emperour theodosius were driven out of all the churches within constantinople , held their conventicles in the suburbs , where first they met together in the night-time , and made certain songs and responsories in favour of their own heresies , and in disgrace of the catholicks , and at last they grew so bold , that they went about the streets every morning , especially on the first and last days of the week , singing them as they went ▪ john chysostom suspecting least some of his people might be seduced by these means , stirred them up to the like practice : whereupon the hereticks being enraged , fell upon the orthodox , so that some of both sides were slain ; which so incensed the emperour against them , that he forbad all the conventicles of the arians : by which means the people were more in love with john , both for his prudence and profitable preaching . yet many of the great , rich men , and of the clergy hated him , because he was so free and impartial in his reproofs : for as oft as any of his clergy offended , he punished them : and such as abused their riches to pride , luxury , and dishonest pleasures , he laboured by all means to reduce them to virtue . some of the clergy joyning with some monks reproached him as a cholerick and implacable man ; and endeavoured to alienate the affections of the people from him by suggesting that he was unsociable , never inviting any man to his table , nor going to any feast when he was invited : whereas the reason of it was because of his great temperance , and by reason of his hard studies he was troubled with rhumes and head-ach , which made him shun such meetings . about this time there arose a great contention amongst the monks in egypt , whilest some of the more ignorant and illiterate held god to have a body like unto man ; others denyed it : theophilus bishop of alexandria held with , and favoured the former , laying snares to entrap some of the latter , who thereupon went to constantinople to complain of him to the emperour , and to john : these he received very courteously , and admitted them to the prayers of the church , but not to the sacrament till their cause was heard before the emperour . but a rumour being spread in alexandria , that he had admitted them to the sacrament , theophilus was extreamly offended with him , and sought to put him out of his bishoprick : whilest he meditated these things , he wrote to all the bishops thereabouts that they should condemn the books of origen : and considering that it would much advance his affairs , if he could draw epiphanius bishop of salamine in cyprus , a man famous for his life and learning , to side with him , he wrote very flattering letters to him , whereby he made him his friend ; then did he perswade him to call a synod in cyprus to condemn the works of origen : which the good man too easily affented to : and calling a council they condemned them : then did epiphanius write to constantinople to john , to call a council and to condemn them likewise there . theophilus in the mean time considering that he might safely do what such a famous man as epiphanius had done , he also summoned a council of all the egyptian bishops , where they also condemned the books of origen . but john thought that this business did not deserve the calling of a council , and therefore neglected it , shewing to his friends the letters sent him by theophilus and epiphanius : hereupon the clergy , and the rich and great men who were angry with him for the reasons aforesaid , perceiving that the purpose of theophilus was to remove john from his bishoprick , they studyed how they might promote the same , and so far prevailed with the emperour , that a very great council was summoned to meet at constantinople , which theophilus much rejoycing at , presently commanded all the bishops of egypt to repair thither : he wrote also to epiphanius , and to all the eastern bishops that they should hasten to constantinople , himself following them . epiphanius was the first that arrived , and in a town near to constantinople he went into the church , where he made publike prayers : from thence going to the city , john with all his clergy met him with all the respect that might be : but epiphanius shewed by his carriage that the calumnies raised against john , had made too deep an impression in him : for when he was invited to the bishops house , he refued to go in , and shunned to have any society with john : yea moreover●calling privately together such bishops as were at constantinople , he shewed what they had decreed against the books of origen , and prevailed with some to give their suffrage to the same , though the greater part protracted the doing of it . and theotinus●ishop ●ishop of ●ythia blamed him to his face for it , saying that it was altogether unlawful thus to condemn a man that was dead so many years before ; and that it was not without blasphemy thus to calumniate the judgement of our ancestors , and to reject those things which they had decreed : and withall plucking forth a certain book of origens , he reads part of it , and shews how useful and profitable it was for the church : saying further , they that discommend these things , shew their great folly , and it s to be feared that in time they may condemn the scripture it self , about which these books are written . notwithstanding these things , john did much reverence epiphanius , intreating him to partake with him both in his house and table ; yea and in the church too : but he returned answer , that he would neither come into his house , nor communicate with him at church , except he would condemn the books of origen , and drive away dioscorus with the rest of the monks his companions : john thought this very unequal thus to drive them away before their cause was heard , the rather because he had appointed a sacrament in the apostles church . then did the enemies of john suborn epiphanius , that he should come forth in publick , and before all the people condemn the books of origen with dioscorus and his companions for holding the same opinions , and that withall he should tax the bishop john for favouring of them : the design of these men which thus set him on was to alienate the affections of the people from their bishop . accordingly two days after epiphanius went to the church to accomplish these things : at which time john hearing of his purpose , sent scrapion , one of his presbyters to meet him , and to protest to him that he was going about that which was neither just nor safe for himself : for that hereby he might bring himself into danger if any tumult or sedition should arise amongst the people , where of he would be judged the author : this cooled his heat , and made him desist from his purpose . about this time a young son of the emperours fell sick , whereupon the empress sent to epiphanius , requesting him to pray for him ▪ epiphanius answered , that the childe should live , and do well , if she would forsake dioscorus and his heretical associates . but ( said the emperess ) i leave my childe in the hands of god ; let him do with him as he pleaseth ; he gave him me , and he may take him away again ; but for thy part , if thou canst raise the dead , why didst thou suffer thy arch-deacon crispion to dye , who was so dear unto thee ? shortly after epiphanius departed towards cyprus , and as he went down to the haven to take shipping , he said to john , i hope thou shalt never dye a bishop : and john answered him again , i hope thou shalt never come alive into thy country : both which came to pass : epiphanius dying by the way in the ship , and john being deposed and banished , as afterwards we shall hear . after the departure of epiphanius , theophilus came to constantinople ; but none of the city clergy went to meet and entertain him , because they knew that he was an enemy to their bishop ; yet some mariners of alexandria which were then at constantinople , met him , singing songs in his praise , and so he went to the emperours palace , where a lodging was provided for him : he also cunningly found out many which hated john , and were ready to accuse him , whereupon he went to quercus , a suburb of chalcedon , where he gathered a council , and there again condemned the books of origen . the council also sent to constantinople to summon john , and some of his presbyters to appear before them , and to answer to such things as should be objected against them . john answered , that he refused not to come to his trial , if first he might know his accusers , and the crime objected against him , and be brought before a free council : but ( said he ) i am not such a fool as to appear before such bishops as are my professed enemies , and to suffer them to be my judges : most of the bishops were much incensed at this answer ; only demer●ius and some few that favoured john departed out of the council : then did the rest cause john to be called four times , and because he appeared not , but had appealed to an oecumenical council , they deposed him . when tidings hereof was brought to constantinople , the whole city was on an uproar , and they watched his house all night , lest he should be thrust out of the city : they cryed out also that he should have been heard before a fuller synod : but the emperours command was that he should be carryed into exile : hereupon john the third day after his deposition about noon , unknown to the people , ( for he was loth there should be any ado for his sake ) yeelded himself into the hands of his adversaries , and so privately went away ; this being known , the people were all in a sedition , and many that hated him before , changing their minds pittied his case : yea some that before desired to see his deprivation , now cryed out that he was falsly accused , and craftily dealt withall . many cryed out against the emperour , but more against the council , and most of all against theophilus , whom they knew to be the author of all this mischief . hereupon in all hast , the emperour caused john to be sent for again ; the messenger was an eunuch of the emperesses , who found him at prenetum , a mart town over against nicomedia , and brought him to constantinople : yet john though he was thus brought back from exile , resolved not to enter into the city till his innocency was cleared , and he were acquitted by the sentence of higher judges , and thereupon he stayed in the suburb called mariana : but because he returned not into the city the people fell a rayling upon the magistrates , which necessitated him to come home . as he came into the city multitudes of people met him , brought him to the church with great rreverence , requested him to continue their bishop , and thence forward after the usual manner to pray for the peace and prosperous estate of the church of god. shortly after a silver picture of eudoxia the empress was made and erected upon a marble pillar near to the church called wisdom , and common plays and shews were celebrated at the same time : and john believing that these things were very scandalous and dishonourable to the christian religion , not forgetting his wonted audacity and liberty of speech , sharply reproved the authors and abettors of such vanities : whereupon the empress applying these things to her self , and supposing that they were spoken in disgrace and reproach of her , she caused another council of bishops to be called together against him . iohn being informed hereof , in his sermon used these expressions ; herodias rageth afresh , stomacketh anew , danceth again , seeketh the head of john in a platter , which sermon more enraged the empress against him . then did divers bishops meet together , as leontius bishop of ancyra in galatia , ammonius bishop of laodicea , briso bishop of philippi , acatius bishop of beraea , &c. who called the late accusers of iohn before them , to accuse him again : iohn trusting to their just dealing , requested only that the accusations against him might be equally and indifferently examined : in the mean time the emperor sent iohn word that he would not communicate with him before he had cleared himself from the crimes laid to his charge : but the accusers being stricken with shame , could prove nothing ; so that the bishops then present , affirmed that they ought not to examine any other offence , saving whether after his deposition he had not of himself assumed his bishoprick again of himself without the admission of a council ? to this iohn answered , that he had the consent of fifty bishops which communicated with him . leontius replayed that there were more against him . again , iohn said that that canon belonged not to their church , for that it was made by the arians at antioch against athanasius : but they making no account of this answer , proceeded to pass sentence against him , not considering that they which were authors of this canon , were also deposers of athanasius . upon this the emperour sent iohn word that he had no authority to go into the church , for that he was deposed , whereupon he kept himself in his house ; till by the emperours command he was carryed into exile : but god suffered not this wickedness to go long unpunished ; for cyrinus bishop of chalcedon , who had railed upon him , had a sore brake forth in his leg , so that he was forced to saw it off , yet then did the sore grow in his other leg , which he was forced to cut off also : and presently after so great a hail fell in the suburbs of constantinople , as the like was never seen ; and four days after dyed the empress : iohn was carryed to cucusus in armenia : and divers ministers that adhered to him were carryed to chalcedon , and there cast into bonds : and his enemies going about constantinople , sought out as many as were favourers of him , dragging them to prison , and forcing them to curse ioh● whilest he was at cucusus in armenia grew very famous ; for having much money sent him by his friends , he wholly imployed it for the redemption of captives , and for the relief of the poor : he also by his ministry gat him many friends , so that he had great resort to him , not only of the armeniant , but out of syria and cilicia ; which so incensed his enemies at constantinople , that they gat a new order from the emperour to carry him to far remoter parts ; which also they put in practice : but by the way , he being grown weak , and not able to endure the scorching of the sun in those hot countries , made an end of his earthly pilgrimage , to receive his crown in heaven . chrysostom was so stiled ob venustatem eloquii , for his graceful eloquence : he was disciple to eusebius : of an admirable wit in framing his homilies ; beloved and reverenced of all men : sophronius testifies numquam eum mentitum fuisse , &c. that he never told lye , never cursed any , never spake any scurrilous matter , and never admitted of vain sports : his style was neither too lofty , nor too mean , but fitted to the profit of the hearers : holiness and scholarship are joined in one , his works throughout : he studyed not aures titillare , but corda pungere , to tickle the ears of his hearers , but to prick and ravish their hearts : he used to tell his auditors , that they were not only to learn , but exercise themselves in practising and searching the scriptures , to avoid idleness . he contemned riches , and hated vices : was full of sweet similitudes : theodoret styles him , eximium orbis terrarum luminare , the eminentest light of the whole world . by authority from the emperour , he imployed some to throw down and demolish all the idols , and their temples throughout all phenice ; and reformed all the churches in asia , stirring up the ministers to the study of piety : he sent many ministers and deacons into scythia , which was over-run by the arian herefsie , reducing many thereby to the orthodox faith. hearing also that the scythian nomades by the river isther thirsted after the knowledge of christ , he sent some to bring the glad tidings of the gospel to them : and whereas some of the marcionites had infected the parts about ancyra with their errors , he procured an edict from the emperour , which he sent to the bishop of ancyra , to expel them out of their places : also , whereas one gainas a great man in scytia , of an insolent and tyrannical spirit , had importuned the emperour for a church for himself and his followers being arians ; the emperour acquainted chrysostom with it , telling him that he durst not say him nay : he desired to speak with this gainas before the emperour , where in his presence he so daunted the proud tyrant with his stout and resolute speeches , that he caused him to be ashamed of his request , and to be content without it : yea , he afterwards so prevailed with gainas , that when he had invaded some parts of the empire , he brought him not only to make peace with the emperour arcadius , but also to set his prisoners free . he stoutly told eudoxia the empress , that for her covetousness she would be called a second jezabel : she thereupon sent him a threatning message , to which he answered , go tell her , nil● nisi peccatum timeo , i fear nothing but sin : yet when she , confederating with some others his enemies , had procured his banishment into hieron , as he went forth of the city , he said , none of these things trouble me ; but i said within my self , if the queen will , let her banish me ; the earth is the lords and the fulness thereof : if she will , let her saw me a sunder ; isaiah suffered the same : if she will , let her cast me into the sea , i will remember ionah : if she will , let her cast me into a burning fiery fornace , or amongst wilde beasts ; the three children and daniel were so dealt with : if she will , let her stone me , or cut off my head ; i have s. steven and the baptist my blessed companions : if she will , let her take away all my substance ; naked came i out of my mothers womb , and naked shall i return thither again . he was so beloved , that on a time when he was like to be silenced , the people cryed out , satius est ut sol non luceat , quàm ut non doceat chrysostomus , we had better want the shining of the sun , then the preaching of chrysostom . he used to say , as a great showr of rain extinguisheth the force of fire : so meditation of gods word puts out the fire of lust in the soul : and as a boat over-laden sinks : so much wealth drowns men in perdition . and a bulwark of adamant is not more impregnable , then the love of brethrer . and as a rock , though windes and waves beat against it , is unmovable ; so faith grounded on the rock christ , holds out in all temptations , and spiritual combats . and the divels first assault is violent ; resist that , and his second will be weaker : and that being resisted , he proves a coward . his works were printed very acurately in greek by sir henry savill at eaton colledge , anno christi , . in eight volumes . avgvstinvs the life of augustine , who dyed an. christi . avgustine was an african by birth of thagasta , of pious parents , patricius and monica , who by breeding their son in learning much weakned their estate : he attained to singular skill in the liberal arts , wherein he was much holpen by the bountiful contribution of romanian , a noble gentleman : in his youth , he was vitious in manners , and erroneous in judgement ; tainted with the error of the manichees . he first taught grammer in his own city where he was born : then rhetorick in the regal city of carthage ; afterwards he went to rome , and from thence to millain , where he was tutor to valentinian the fifth ; and by the doctrine and wisdom of ambrose , he was reduced from his error , and baptized : after which , he wholly set his heart to seek the lord , regarding neither honour nor riches , being then about thirty years old : this much rejoyced monica his mother , then a widdow , who was more glad that her son devoted himself to the service of god , then she would have been of having grand-children by him : he also gave over reading of rhetorick , leaving his scholars to seek them a new master . after this he returned into africa , spent his time in watchings , fastings , and prayer , serveing god both day and night , and at last was chosen minister in hippo , where he preached both by life and doctrine diligently . but before this it fell out that a certain great man at hippo , hearing the fame of augustine , both for his life and learning , was very desirous to see and speak with him , promising to himself that he should easily be perswaded to forsake the world with the allurements of it , and all the lusts of the flesh , if he could but once hear the word of god taught by him : which when augustine was informed of by faithful witnesses , being desirous to deliver a soul from the perils of this life , and eternal death hereafter , he hasted to hippo , where he visited and often preached to the man , exhorting him to remember his promise , and to perform his vows to god ; yet he deferred the performance of it from day to day ; neither did augustine at that time see his desires accomplished . at this time one valerius was bishop of hippo , who ( the necessity of the church requiring it ) was very solicitous to procure a minister for that place : whereupon when the congregation was assembled , he exhorted and perswaded them , seeing they now had experience of the life and doctrine of augustine , to make choice of him : augustine not suspecting any such matter , was present amongst them . hereupon the people laid hold of him , and presented him to the bishop , all of them with one heart and , mouth earnestly desirng that he might be their minister . at this augustine wept very much , which some of them misinterpreting , laboured to comfort him , saying , that though he deserved a better place , yet being called to the ministry , he was in the next degree to a bishop ; whereas indeed the cause of his weeping was , because he foresaw how many and great perils hung over his head by undertaking the government of that church : thus being made a presbyter for that place , he associated to himself some others which might live with him according to the example of the primitive church , having all things in common . valerius the bishop being a very godly man , rejoyced exceedingly , and gave thanks to god for answering his prayers , by such a special providence sending him one so able by his doctrine to edifie the church of christ : and this he did the rather , because himself being by nation a grecian , was not so fit nor able to instruct that people as was augustine ; and contrary to the use and custom of the african churches , he permitted , yea urged augustine often to preach in his own presence ; for which some other bishops reproached him : but this venerable and good man , knowing that it was usual in the eastern churches , and seeking the glory of god and the good of the people , regarded not the reproaches of evil tongues , whilest his minister did that which himself was less apt and fit to do : by this means augustine like a bright candle set in a candlestick , gave light to all that were in the house . the fame of this thing flying abroad , was the occasion that many presbyters being allowed by their bsishops , preached the good word of god to the people in the bishops presence . at this time the manichaean heresie had infected many , both citizens and strangers in the city of hippo , being deceived by a certain pestilent heretick , by name fortunatus , a presbyter , remaining in that city : hereupon many of those citizens and strangers , both catholicks and donatists come to augustine , requesting him to confer and dispute with this manichaean presbyter ( whom they judged a learned man ) about his opinions : who willingly imbraced the motion , being ready to render a reason of the faith , and hope that was in him , to every one that should ask it : as also not only to exhort with wholesome word of sound doctrine ; but to convince the gainsayers : but he enquired whether fortunatus , was willing to do the like ? hereupon they hasted to fortunatus , exhorting , perswading , and earnestly intreating him to imbrace the motion . but truly fortunatus was very fearful to encounter with augustine , whom he had formerly known at carthage infected with the same error . but being overcome by their importunity , and ashamed to decline the encounter , he promised to give augustine a meeting , and to dispute with him . the time and place being appointed , multitudes flocked to it ; publick notaries were appointed to write down what passed ; the disputation continued two days : the event was that this master of the manichees was neither able to overthrow the catholick faith , nor to defend his own erroneous opinions : and so wanting an answer , he which before was accounted a great and learned man , was now judged of no value nor ability to defend his errors ; which did so fill him with confusion and shame , that presently after he forsook hippo , and never after returned again . and so , through the blessing of god upon augustines labors , many who before were infected with that error , were reclaimed , and imbraced the true catholick faith. augustine continued to preach the word of truth frequently , both in the church and from house to house , confuting the heresies of the times , especially the donatists , manichees , and pelagians : the same also he did by his writings , the christians wonderfully admiring and rejoycing in it : so that through gods blessing the catholick church in africk began to lift up her head , which formerly had been wonderfully corrupted and dejected by reason of hereticks , especially through the rebaptizings of the donatists , whereby they had infected and seduced many . augustines books also and tractates being dispersed , filled with learning and the authority of the holy scriptures , so prevailed through the grace of god , that not only the catholicks , but many hereticks flocked to hippo to hear him : and every one that could write , or get others to do it for them , wrote forth his notes for their future benefit : so that the sweet smell of the doctrine of chirst was by this means dispersed all over africk , which the churches beyond-sea hearing of much rejoyced therein : for as when one member suffers , all the members suffer with it ; so when one member is honoured , all the members rejoyce with it . at the same time the african bishops holding a synod at hippo , by their command augustine being yet but a presbyter disputed before them of faith , and the creed , which he performed to the joy of them all , especially of the good old bishop valerius , who gave much thanks to god for his mercy vouchsafed to him therein : and fearing least some other city which wanted a bishop should choose augustine , and so get him away from him ( which indeed had come to pass unless valerius hearing of it , had caused augustine to go to another place , and there hide himself , so that when they sought him he could not be found ) wherefore this good old man , fearing the like again , and finding himself much weakned by age , wrote privately to the primate of carthage , alleadging the weakness of his body , and the infirmities of his old age , and therefore desired that augustine might be made his coadjutor in the bishoprick of hippo , which by his importunity he also obtained : so that the primate coming to visit the church of hippo , and bringing some other bishops with him , valerius before them all , and before all the people which were assembled together , declared publickly his desire ; which they all approved very well of , and the people earnestly desired that it might be effected : but augustine refused the bishoprick , being contrary to the custom of the church whilest his own bishop lived . but many perswaded him that it was not such an unusual thing , producing many examples both of the forreign and african churches for it , so that he was forced to yeeld his consent , and was ordained to the charge of the bishoprick . and when he was thus ordained a bishop he preached the word of life more frequently , fervently , and with greater authority then he did before , and that not only in his own city and country , but in all places where he was requested , whereby the church of god exceedingly encreased : many also of the donatists frequented his sermons , took notes , and carryed them to their bishops , which when they had read , they used to contradict ; but they that carryed them , either answered them themselves , or else carryed their answers to augustine who with much meekness and gentleness confirmed the truth , and reselled their errors . he also wrote many private letters to the bishops and many principal laymen of the donatists , admonishing and exhorting them that they would either reform their errors , or come to a publick disputation : but they , distrusting their own cause , would never write back to him again , but being enraged with anger , used to exclaim against , and both publickly and privately to rail upon augustine as a deceiver of souls , and that as a wolf he ought to be slain in defence of the flock , and without all shame , neither fearing god nor men , they proclaimed that whosoever would murther him should without all doubt have all their sins remitted unto them . these donatists had in their churches a perverse and violent kinde of men , who went up and down under the pretence of chastity , who were called circumcelliones ; and there were very great numbers of these who were dispersed through all the regions of africk : these being instructed by evill teachers , were so inflamed with pride , and grew to such audacious boldness , that many times they neither spared their own nor other men , requiring them to do things against all right and reason ; and if any one opposed them , he was sure either to be soundly beaten , or basely murthered by them , they being usually armed with sundry weapons , raging up and down through villages and countries , having no fear to shed blood . but whilst the word of god was diligently preached , and peace was endeavoured to be held with these haters of peace , they committed many acts of hostility : and whilst the truth was made known against their erroneous opinions , they which were lovers of truth shunned their society , and endeavoured to preserve the unity of truth in the bond of peace . hence it came to pass that these men , seeing their number to be deminished , and envying the encrease of the church , being incensed with extream anger , raised intolerable persecutions against the true members of jesus christ , often setting upon the godly ministers both by night and day , and many times robbing them of all they had ; and not contented therewith they often murthered them : and often threw lime and vinegar into their eyes to blinde them : for which cause these rebaptizing donatists grew hateful to their own disciples : so that ( through gods mercy ) the word of god prevailed the more in hippo by the ministry of augustine and his colleagues : and the fame thereof spreading abroad , many cities sent to chuse their bishops out of that society , which exceeding●y conduced towards the furtherance of the peace of the church . he preached and writ also very learnedly against the donatists , pelagians , and other hereticks , whereby the african churches recovered their ancient splendor . he went not so willingly to a feast as to a conference to reduce any that erred . he would not receive gifts to the church from those which had poor kindred of their own . augustines books also being dispersed , and some of them translated into greek , and sent beyond-sea into the eastern churches , were means of very much good . but these things so much the more enraged the circumcellions , insomuch as when augustine went abroad to preach to and visit his churches , which he frequently used to do , they often lay in wait for him by the way to have murthered him , and had certainly one time effected it , but that the person who was his guide , by a special providence of god mistook his way , and so led him by a by-way to the place , whereby he escaped their hands , as afterwards came to his knowledge , for which he praised god as his only deliverer : but these men in the mean time neither spared ministers nor lay-men . one notable example we have of their wickedness which is not be passed over in silence : one of augustines society being called to be bishop at calamen , was very careful to propagate the truth , and to beat down heresies : but whilst he was going from town to town about this business , he fell into the hands of the rebaptizing donatists who lay in wait for him ; these men took away the beasts both from him and his company , and all their necessaries , beating the bishop very cruelly : hereupon the proconsul being made acquainted with it , sent for crispin the bishop of the donatists in that place , and set a fine upon him according to the wholesom laws made against hereticks . but crispin denyed himself to be an heretick ; whereupon a disputation was appointed at carthage between these two bishops , which was to be in the presence of augustine , and the eyes of all africk were fixed upon the event of it : to be brief , the bishops met , and after three days disputation crispin was overthrown , and by the proconsul was adjudged and condemned for an heretick : but he not standing to this sentence , appealed to the emperour , who patiently heard all the cause , and at last concluded that the donatists were hereticks , that they ought not to be suffered in any publick places , and that the laws against hereticks should be put in execution against them : whereupon crispin was fined in two pounds of gold : but the catholick bishops , and especially augustine so prevailed with the godly emperour that the rigour of his sentence was taken from them : which piety and charity of theirs much conduced to the encrease of the church . not long after there was a council held at carthage by the appointment of the good emperour honorius , who sent thither a tribune and a publick notary to supply his own place : this council consisted of the bishops both catholicks and donatists : wherein the donatists being heard to the full whatsoever they could say for the defence of their opinions , were fully confuted by the catholicks , and condemned for their errors , and by the emperours judge were declared to be hereticks : their persecutions also against the catholicks were declared even to the cutting off their members , and taking away of their lives to the great disturbance of the peace of the church : but after this council was dissolved , many of their friends reported that they were not suffered to speak all they could for themselves and their cause , because that the judge appointed by the emperour was too favourable to the catholicks : which yet appeared to be but a poor shift to excuse the weakness of their cause , seeing that they knew him to be a catholick before the disputation began , and yet never excepted against him . not long after there was another council assembled at caesarea , a chief city in mauritania , for the setling of other affairs of the church . in this city was emeritas the bishop of the donatists , a chief defender of his sect , and one whom they most relyed upon : him therefore augustine singled out , and in the publick congregation challenged him , desiring him now to produce what he had further to say for his opinions , seeing his friends gave out that formerly he could not be suffered to do it at carthage ; but now he had full liberty and security being in his own city , and environed with his friends ; notwithstanding which , neither by this exhortation of augustine , neither by the instant request of his parents and friends could he be perswaded to it , though they told him that they would all be of his communion , though they lost their estates , or underwent any other temporal punishment , if he could overthrow the catholick assertions : yet nothing would prevail with him , having indeed nothing to say more then he had spoken before : which distrust of his cause , through gods mercy , turned to the great advantage of the church , which was much encreased and confirmed hereby . at another time at carthage many manichees being brought before him , of those whom they called elect men , and elect women , augustine who had formerly known that execrable sect , produced their damnable blasphemies out of their own books , and at length brought them to an acknowledgement of their blasphemies : and those elect women also confessed what filthy things had been ( according to their customs ) committed amongst them : all which things exceedingly redounded to the benefit of the church , and to the securing of the flock against such thieves . there was also a certain noble man called pascentius an arian , by whose authority the tribute was exacted with much rigour , the catholick faith was much opposed , and many godly ministers were much molested and troubled ; augustine coming to carthage where he was , profered to dispute with him in the presence of many noble men : but this heretick , though he accepted the challenge , would by no means suffer any thing to be written which passed betwixt them : his pretence was , least that which was written might be made use of against him to his prejudice because of the law : hereupon augustine consented privately to dispute with him without notaries ; yet withall foretelling that after the disputation every one would take liberty to make what reports they pleased of things never spoken , because there was nothing set down in writing to refel them . augustine in the conference declared his faith and judgement , requiring an account of the same from the other ; by arguments and authority of the scriptures he confirmed his own , and refelled the errors of the other ; which so enraged him that he brake up the conference , and when he was departed , he falsly reported that he had overcome augustine , and scattered abroad many such lyes ; which coming to the ears of augustine , he was compelled to write to pascontius , and therein to set down all the passages of the conference , which if he should deny , he was able to produce many witnesses for the proof thereof both worthy and honorable men , who were then present : but he being thus twice written to by augustine scarce returned a single answer , wherein also he rather railed , then asserted his opinions . also when the goths came into africk , there came along with them one maximus an arian bishop , who coming to hippo , at the earnest request of many godly and eminent men , and in their presence augustine entred into the lists with him , having notaries to write down all that passed betwixt them : his adversary shewed more subtilty then solidity , but the truth prevailed : yet this impudent heretick when he was returned to carthage amongst his own sectaries , lyingly boasted that he came away with the victory : whereupon augustine was enforced to publish in writing a narrative of the whole disputation with all the objections and answers , withall shewing wherein maximus failed , and to what arguments he was able to give no answer . he took great pains also by the space of ten years against the pelagians , who were subtle disputants , publishing their heresies by a very cunning way , and endeavouring to propagate them not only in publick but from house to house : against these augustine wrote many books , and often disputed with them in the congregation , both to reduce them , and preserve others from the infection of their errors . he was the author also of calling many councils in africk against them , who wrote to the bishop of rome that that heresie was abominable , and to be condemned by all that adhered to the catholick faith : whereupon the godly emperour honorius taking cognizance of it , condemned it by his laws , and appointed the holders of it to be reckoned amongst the hereticks ; whereby many of them forsaking their errors , returned to the true church again . thus was this holy man of god augustine very solicitous about , and careful of the safety of the whole church ; and truly god gave him much comfort and occasion of rejoycing in the fruit of his labors even in this life : first in hippo and the country thereabouts , which was more immediately under his charge , the churches thereof enjoying much unity and peace : then in other more remote parts of africk , which either by his labors , or by the labors of such of his society as were called forth to be bishops and ministers in other places , were very much established in the truth ; many manichees , donatists , pelagians , and pagans being converted from their errors , and rejoycing that they were now made members of the true church . he was very patient towards all men : he bore with the infirmities of the weak , mourned for the sins of the wicked , both of such as were within and without the church , rejoycing when any were gained to the lord , and weeping when any were lost . so many things were dictated and published by him , so many disputations held in the church , so many things written against hereticks , and so many books of sacred scripture expounded by him for the edification of the godly , that a studious man all his life long can scarcely know and read over . and knowing the duty imposed by saint paul , cor. . , &c. of endeavouring to decide controversies , he was very forward whensoever he was requested either by christians , or by men of any other sect to compromise and decide their controversies , with much patience and prudence hearing both parties , that so he might pass a righteous sentence ; and that he might the more fully take cognizance of the cause , he used sometime to spend a whole day fasting to hear the same , always taking advantage thereby to do what possible good he could to their souls , like a good steward preaching the word in season , out of season , exhorting , instructing and reproving with all long suffering and doctrine , endeavouring to instruct the ignorant , and to quicken those that were remiss in the way to heaven . many letters he wrote to such as sought to him for counsel and direction in their secular affairs : but this he thought a trouble to him , and hinderance from better imployments , and therefore he always thought best of those who would either write or speak to him about heavenly businesses . he seldom was absent from the councils which were often held in divers provinces , yet always seeking therein the things which were of god , and not his own advantage : his endeavour was that the faith of the holy catholick church might be preserved inviolate : that such ministers as were unjustly excommunicate might be absolved : that such as were wicked and obstinate might be cast out . in the ordination of ministers he always judged that the consent of the godly should concur in it , and that the custom of the church should not be violated . upon a time augustine , forgetting the argument which he first proposed to pro●ecute , fell upon a confutation of the manichees : and one firmus a rich merchant , and a manichee , hearing him , was so convinced , that he came to him after , and with tears , on his knees , confessed his errors , and promised reformation . also one felix a manichee , coming to hippo to spread his heresie , in a disputation with augustine after the third time , was so convinced , that he recanted his errors , and was joined to the church . he was termed hereticorum malleus , the hammer against hereticks . he won also many pagans to embrace the truth . he took much pains in ending disferences . his apparel was neither sumptuous nor sordid : his diet usually was broth and roots , ( he used to say , non ego immunditiam obsonii timeo , sed immunditiam cupid●tatis . scio enim noe omne genus carnis quod cibo esset usui m●nducare permissum , & heliam cibo carnis refectum , &c ) though for his guests and sick-folks , he had better : his dishes for his meat were of earth or wood , or marble : his table rather for discourse and disputation then for rich banqueting , and it had ingraven upon it , quisquis amat dictis absentem rodere famam , hanc mensam indictam noverit esse sibi . he that doth love an absent friend to jeer , may hence depart , no room is for him heer . which rule some of his fellow bishops upon a time forgetting , he sharply reprehended them for it , and told them that he must either blot those verses out of his table , or arise from dinner , and go to his chamber . he would never buy either house or land : but any thing that was given to the church he would not refuse it : yet he often refused inheritances , when dying persons would have given them to the church ; not but that he thought the● might be profitable to the poor : but because he judged it fit and equal that their children , parents , or kindred should rather inherit them : often saying , that it was fitter that legacies should be left to the church then inheritances , which are troublesome , and sometimes chargeable ; yet those legacies he would have freely given , and not begged or extorted from men . he was almost wholly taken up with heavenly affairs , wherein he labored both day and night , with mary , choosing the better part , which could not be taken from him . he was very careful of the poor , and in case of great want would ●ell the ornaments of the church for their relief . and when the church stock was spent , he used to declare to the people , that he had nothing left wherewith to relieve the poor , that thereby he might stir up their charity to contribute to so good a work . all his presbyters lived with him in the same house , fed with him at the same table , and were maintained and clothed out of the common purse . he always judged it fit that ministers should be present at marriages , both to testifie the mutual consents and compromises , and to bestow his benediction upon the married persons . he always kept scholars in his house , whom he fed and clothed . he was so severe against oaths , that he abated of their allowance to those that swore . he never admitted women into his house , though of his own kindred ; no not his own sister when she was a widdow , and had wholly devoted her self to the service of god ; nor his uncles daughter ; nor his brothers daughter ; saying , that though they might dwell in his house without suspition ; yet they could not be without maids , or other women would come to visit them , which could not be without offence and scandal ; and when any women sent to him , being desirous to see or speak with him , he would always have some of his ministers present , and would never speak with them alone . he praised one , who when he was sick said ; i have not lived so , that i am ashamed to live longer ; nor do i fear to dye , having so good a master to go to . in his latter days he looked over all his books : those which he wrote at his first conversion whilst he was a lay-man , and those which he wrote when he was a minister ; and lastly , those which he wrote when he was a bishop ; and whatsoever he found in them less agreeing with the word of god , and the ecclesiastical constitutions , he corrected , or retracted : of which he wrote two volumes , which he called his retractations . he complained also that some ministers had gotten and divulged some of his books , before he had perfected them , though afterwards he amended them . yet being prevented by death he left some of his books unperfected . and being desirous to profit all , knowing that many were desirous to read much , which yet for want of time they could not do , out of the old and new testament he collected such precepts as concerned the rule of a christian life ; and such things as were forbidden in the same ; which he composed into a book , adding a preface to it , that so every one which pleased might read it , and thereby discern how obedient or disobedient he was unto god ; and this he called a looking-glass . but shortly after brake out ( by the permission of god ) that hideous inundation of goths and vandals , and other northern people , who were ensis dei , gods sword to punish the pride of the romane empire . these sailing out of spain arrived in africk , over-running the whole country of mauritania and other african provinces and countries , laying all waste before them , and destroying all they could with barbarous cruelty and inhumanity , filling all places with torments of all sorts , murthers , burnings , and with innumerable and abominable depopulations , sparing neither sex nor age ; no not the ministers of jesus christ : the churches ornaments they plundered , the churches themselves they demolished , and like incarnate devils made havock of all . this holy man of god lived to see these grievous calamities , and was not affected with them only as other men were : but considering them more deeply and profoundly , and in them foreseeing the great danger of souls , he poured forth prayers and tears day and night . for he saw cities subverted , villages destroyed ; the inhabitants being either slain or driven away : churches destitute of ministers : holy virgins defloured ; some of them dying under their torments ; some slain with the sword ; some led into captivity , in danger of having their souls infected with error and heresie , and their bodies enslaved under a cruel enemy . he saw the psalms of thanksgiving ceased in the congregations : the temples burned : and the solemn assemblies to be given over : the sacraments either not to be sought after ; or none to dispense them to those that desired them : and for those which fled into mountains , woods , desarts , caves of the earth , or to any other places of refuge , they were either hunted out and slain , or perished with famine and drought . the bishops and ministers of churches , ( which had by the goodness of ●od ) escaped their bloody hands , being spoiled of all things , went about begging their bread . he scarce saw of all the innumerable churches of africk , three remaining , viz. carthage , hippo , and circe , which through gods mercy yet remained in some safety : though not long after his death hippo being sorsaken of her inhabitants , was burned by the enemy . these things this good man much bewailed ; and that which much encreased his sorrow was , that just now the enemies were coming to besiege hippo , the governor whereof was one earl boniface . this siege lasted fourteen moneths , wherein augustine with his fellow bishops that were fled thither for refuge , and his presbyters , exercised themselves wholly in prayers and tears , intreating the father of mercies to be merciful to them , and to preserve his church from the rage of the adversaries . and one day as they sate at dinner together , augustine said to them ; you know brethren , that from the beginning of this siege , my daily prayers have been , that god would either free us from it , or give his servants patience and courage to undergo what he imposeth , or to take me out of this present evil world ; and i believe that god will answer my desire , and indeed accordingly in the third moneth of the siege he fell sick of a feaver , which proved his last sickness ; neither would god defraud his servant of the fruit of his prayers ; and indeed he was very powerful in prayers , so that sometimes thereby he hath cast out devils , and restored sick men to their health . his feaver proved so violent , that he dyed in the same third moneth of the siege . in his sickness he breathed forth most pious ejaculations : he made no will , having nothing to bestow , but only books upon several libraries . he dyed aged . anno christi . having been a minister years . it 's written of him , that after his first conversion to the faith he was grievously vexed with inward conflicts against his corrupt affections , complaining of his inward , hereditary , habitual , inveterate vices ; and after long strugling with them by purposes , vows , strong resolutions , watching , fasting , self-revenge , and other good means , finding still his own weakness , and the encreasing violence of his corruptions , as he was intentively musing and meditating what to do more , he heard a voice saying , in te stas , & non stas ; whereupon rightly apprehending that his own strength of wit , carnal reason , and other powers and helps of nature could not serve the turn for the effecting of that which was the proper and peculiar work of grace , he betook himself to his saviour by humble , faithful , and fervent prayer ; and at last found such assistance from the holy spirit of grace , as strengthned him to stand and make good his resolutions with more comfort then before . his usual with was , that christ when he came might finde him aut precantem , aut praedicantem , either praying , or preaching . when the donatists upbraided him unworthily with the impiety and impurity of his former life , look ( said he ) how much they blame my former fault , by so much the more i commend and praise my physitian . he used to say , holy marriage is better then proud virginity . and again , prayer that is pure , and holy , pierceth heaven , and returns not empty . it 's a shelter to the soul , a sacrifice to god , and a scourge to the divel . and again , there is nothing that more abateth sin , then the frequent meditation of death : he cannot die ill that lived well ; aud seldom doth he die well that lived ill . a christian at home in his house must think himself a stranger ; and that his country is above where he shall be no stranger . and again , if men want wealth , it is not to be unjustly gotten : if they have it , they ought by good works to lay it up in heaven . he that hath tasted the sweetness of divine love , will not care for temporal sweetness . the reasonable soul made in the likeness of god , may here finde much careful distraction , but no full satisfaction ; for it being capable of god , can be satisfied with nothing but god. not to be without affliction , but to overcome affliction is blessedness . love is strong as death ; for as death kils the body , so love of eternal life kils worldly desires and affections . he called ingratitude the devils sponge , wherewith he wipes out all the favors of the almighty . he so admired and loved the seven penitential psalms , that he caused them to be written in great letters , and hung within the curtains of his death-bed , that so he might give up the ghost in the contemplation and meditation of them . his prayer was , lord , give first what thou requirest , and then require of me what thou wilt . and , he that prays well , cannot chuse but live well . his works are printed in nine tomes at basil by froben . the life of cyril of alexandria , who flourished , anno christi . theophilus bishop of alexandria falling into a lethargy , shortly after dyed ; whereupon a great contention arose about the election of a new bishop : some standing for timotheus the archdeacon , and others for cyrillus : abudatius the captain of the garrison laboured all that he could to prefer timothy : but the other party prevailed , and so cyril was chosen and setled in the bishoprick : about this time nestorius the heretick vented his blasphemous opinions against the deitie of our saviour christ , whom cyril answered and confuted : upon this the emperour theodosius minor summoned a council at ephesus , in which cyril was chosen president , and where with much learning and judgement he confuted nestorius and pelagius . so that the council after serious examination and deliberation , pronounced this sentence ; to omit the other abominable wickednesses of nestorius , because being sent for by us , he hath refused to appear , neither would he receive those godly and religious bishops whom we sent to confer with him : being therefore forced by necessity , we proceeded to the examniation of his wicked opinions , and finding partly by the epistles and books that he hath written ; and partly by his words which in this famous city he hath lately spoken , which by sufficient witness have been proved before us , that he holds and publisheth heretical opinions contrary to the word of god and the canons of the holy councils ; we therefore not without many tears are forced to pass this severe sentence against him : and our lord and saviour jesus christ , whom he hath so grosly and grievously blasphemed , doth by us decree that nestorious be deposed from his rishoprick and excommunicated from the holy assemblies of the ministers of god. which sentence the emperour theodosius did also approve of and confirm , and withall banished him to oasis , and god to shew the severity of his justice against blasphemers , strake him with an incurable disease whereby his tongue rotted , and breeding many worms was devoured by them , so that he ended his wretched life after a most miserable manner . this cyril was by birth a grecian , and as one testifies of him , was vir doctus & sanctus , a learned and holy man : he was president in the council at ephesus , where with much learning and judgement he confuted nestorius and pelagius : he was admirably experienced in the holy scriptures : flourished under theodosius junior : he was so famous for piety , eloquence , and wit , that the grecian bishops gat some of his homilies by heart , and recited them to their people . after twenty two years labor in the government of that church , he quietly yeelded up his spirit unto god , anno christi . under theodosius junior . he used to say , it 's the best way for a rich man to make the bellies of the poor his barn , to succour the fatherless and needy , and thereby to lay up treasure in heaven , that he may be received into everlasting habitations . and , where the scripture wants a tongue of expression , we need not lend an ear of attention , we may safely knock at the council door of gods secrets ; but if we go further , we may be more bold then welcome . and again , the devil runs with open mouth upon gods children to devour them : they manfully resist him : he thinks to weaken their faith , and they , by his assaults are made the stronger : he fights against them , but they get ground upon him ; and so what he intended for their destruction , full sore against his will , makes for their advantage . he was called the champion of the catholick faith. his works were printed in two tomes at paris , anno christi . the life of peter chrysologus , who flourished anno christi , . petrus chrysologus , so called because of his golden eloquence , was born at imola in france , of honest parents , bred under cornelius bishop of that city , whose care it was not only to instruct him in good manners and learning , but to fit him for the work of the ministry , that he might bring glory to god in the service of his church : and not long after he was made archbishop of ravenna . he excelled in learning , vertue , and all prais-worthy qualities . he was present at the councils , the one at ravenna , the other at rome : and sent letters full of learning to the synod of chalcedon against eutiches the heretick . he was powerful in eloquence , especially in his sermons to the people , and very holy in conversation , by both which he won many to the truth . always before he penned any thing , he would with great ardency and humility set himself to prayer to seek unto god for direction therein . he lived long , having been bishop about years , flourished under martian the emperour , and dyed anno christi . he used to say , let not thy care be to have thy hands full , whilst the poors are empty : for the only way to have full barns is to have charitable hands : and , god had rather men should love him then fear him : to be called father then master : he wins by mercy , that he may not punish by justice : if thou wilt be like thy father , do likewise . and , neither in the flint alone , nor in the steel alone any fire is to be seen , nor extracted but by conjunction , and collision : so , nor by faith alone , nor by good works alone is salvation attained , but by joining both together , and , as the clouds darken heaven , so intemperate banquetting the minde : as the violence of windes and waves sinks a ship ; so drunkenness and gluttony , our souls and bodies in the depth of hell . and , virtues separated , are annihilated : equity without goodness is severitie ; and justice without piety cruelty . and , some that lived commendably before they attained to dignity , being set in the candlestick of the church , turn their light into darkness : it had been better for such lights still to have been hidden under a bushel , &c. he was a man of an excellent wit , and by his ministry , and example won many to a love of the truth . he wrote . homilies : lib. ad eutychen , & epistoles alias . prosper the life of prosper , who dyed anno christi . prosper was born in aquitane , and preferred to be bishop of rhegium in france ; he was scholar to s. augustine , famous for learning and piety ; learnedly confuted the pelagian heresie : he was assiduous in reading , especially of the scripture : he usually had the four evangelists in his hands : he distributed his goods freely to the poor : his special care was to take away all strife and contentions from amongst his people . he was a father to all ages and sexes that were in the city : he much addicted himself to watching , fasting , prayer , and meditation . he continued bishop there twenty years : flourished under martianus . upon his death-bed , speaking to many of his people that wept sore , he said , the life which i have enjoyed was but given me , upon condition to render it up again , not grutchingly , but gladly : for me to have stayed longer here , might seem better for you , but for me it is better to be dissolved , &c. and so praying and lifting up his hands to god before them all , he departed anno christi . he was excellently versed in the sacred scriptures : and no less famous in humane learning : he was a very good poet , and an eloquent orator : of a profound judgement , subtile wit , a nervous writer , and holy liver . his works are all printed in octavo at cullen , anno christi . he used to say , thou shalt neither hate the man for his vice ; nor love the vice for the mans sake . and , thou boastest of thy wealth , honour , strength , beauty , &c. consider what thou ar● by sin , and shalt be in the grave , and thy plumes will fall : for every proud man forgets himself . and , as the soul is the life of the body , so the life of the soul is god : when the soul departs the body dies , and when god departs the soul dies . and , those things which god would have searched into , are not to be neglected ; but those which god would have hidden , are not to be searched into : by the later we become unlawfully curious , and by the neglect of the former , damnably ingrateful . and , the envious man hath so many tortures , as the envied hath praisers : it s the justice of envy to kill and torment the envious . and , the life to come is blessed eternity , and eternal blessedness : there is certain security , secure quietness , quiet joyfulness , happy eternity , eternal felicity . the life of fulgentius , who dyed an. chri. . hvnerick the arian , king of the vandals , having subdued carthage , banished all the senators thereof into italy , amongst whom was gordian grandfather to fulgentius : and after the decease of gordian , claudius his son returned unto carthage ; and though his house was given to an ●rian priest , he recovered a great part of his inheritance by some favour which he found at the kings hands , and so departing to lepte , he there setled his habitation : but shortly after dying , he left his son fulgentius to the care of his mother mariana , who was very careful to train him up in learning , causing him to be instructed in the greek tongue , before he learned latine , that thereby he might attain to the greater perfection in that language : and as his years encreased , so did he highly profit in all sorts of learning , to the great joy of his mother , who exceedingly rejoyced to see his wisdom and towardness , which also much refreshed her after the loss of her dear husband : yea she was so well satisfied with his prudence , that she committed to his care the government of her whole house : and he so well behaved himself therein , that he pleased his friends , silenced his il-willers , and both by direction and correction procured an awful respect from the servants : he was also very careful to preserve his patrimony . by this his deportment he gat so much credit and esteem , that he was made the kings collector , and required to be rigorous in exacting the rated payments : but after a while it pleased god , that this multiplicity and burden of worldly businesses began to be very heavy to his soul ; and the vain flattering selicity of the world yeelding disgust , by little and little the love of spiritual life seemed to take root in his heart , and this begat in him a desire frequently to pray , and to read , and study the holy scriptures : then did he often resort to such men as sequestred themselves from worldly businesses , and betook themselves to monasteries , where he learned by experience the sweet conversation of gods servants , those places being not yet degenerated into such superstition and profaness as afterwards they were . amongst them he perceived that as they had no worldly solace , so had they no weariness in their present condition : as they had no temporal joyes , so neither had they that vexation of spirit which other men were subject to by reason of their worldly businesses : whereupon with himself he brake out into these words , why travel i in the world , which can yeeld me no future nor durable reward inswerable to my pains ? though it be better to weep well then joy ill : yet if to joy be our desire , how much excelleth their joy who have a good conscience before god ; who dread nothing but sin : study to do nothing but to accomplish the precepts of christ ? now therefore let me change my trade ; and as before i endeavoured amongst my noble friends to prove more noble , so now let my care and imployment be amongst the humble and poor servants of the highest , to become more poor and humble then they , and like s. matthew let me turn from a publican to a disciple . thus being resolved to renounce all terrene and worldly delights , and to make himself a partaker of that kinde of life which upon mature deliberation and examination his judgement approved as most excellent : yet withall , wisely considering that sudden changes might breed some distemperature either in body or minde , or both , he began by degrees to accustom himself to fasting , to avoid the company and accustomed complements of his old acquaintance and familiar friends , addicting himself to solitariness , much reading and prayer hereupon all that knew him were stricken with great wonder and amazement at this sudden and unexpected change : imputing this strict demeanor in a man so delicately brought up to proceed from necessity , and privy poverty : but he having thus made some proof of such things , wherein he conceived difficulties might occur , and now finding by experience that nothing was hard to a willing minde , as also lighting upon , and reading that divine treatise of st. augustine upon the psalm , his love to and longing after that more retired course of life much encreased in him , so that he resolved without any further delay to put his former purposes into practise , and accordingly going to faustus , who was one of those bishops whom the arian tyrant hunerick had confined to a certain place not far from his own country , he beseeched him to admit him into his monastery . the prudent bishop wel knowing the worldly conversation of the young man in times past , gave no credit to his speech , nor comfort to his request , but willed him first to learn to live less delicately before he entred upon so strict a course of life : but he humbly kissing the bishops hand , earnestly requested him that he would not reject him , but graciously admit him for one of his disciples ; and so by importunity declaring his sincere affections , he procured admittance ; the fame of this thing spreading abroad , some dispaired of his perseverance because of his former delicate life ; others considering the excellency of his wit were raised in expectation of some notable and worthy consequence . divers of his familiars excited by his example , betook themselves to the like course of life : only his inconsiderate and worldly-minded mother grew exceedingly discontented at it , as if her fulgentius were already dead , and so , impatiently running to the bishop , the brawled with him , crying out ; restore the son to his mother , the master to his servants and houshold : it becomes you to comfort such disconsolate widdows , not to destroy my forlorn house . the bishop mildly reprehended her , but wisely concealed her son ; wherefore she filled the ayr with her exclamations , ever calling upon the name of fulgentius : this violent temptation did he meet with at his first entrance into this strict kinde of life ; but having his heart fixed in heaven , he gave no ear to her exclamations : so that his mother verily thinking that he had not been there , sorrowfully departed : the bishop having hereby had experience of the valour of his young disciple , judged that he that could thus overcome his natural affections , no labour would be hard , nor conquest difficult for the time to come . whilst he continued in this place , he wholly abstained from wine and oil , and was so rigorous in fasting that it much debilitated his body , and procured some diseases : but his heart being wholly set upon the working forth of his salvation with fear and trembling , he committed himself to god , saying , the daintiest feeders avoid not sickness : and after he had a while been habituated to this course , he through gods mercy recovered his health and pristine beauty . his inheritance ( though he had a younger brother called claudius ) he wholly left it to his mother , that at her decease she might leave it to claudius , if he deserved well of her ; by which means his brother ( for the living-sake ) was made more dutiful and submiss , and his mother by this gift received no small consolation to counterpoise the sorrow of his absence . shortly after the arians renewing their persecution ( which for a space they had discontinued under a pretence of more moderation ) bishop faustus was constrained by frequent removes from one place to another to hide himself , and fulgentius had no better shift then to flee to another little monastery governed by one felix , who having sufficiently heard of his learning and vertue , would have resigned the government thereof to fulgentius ; but he constantly refused it : yet at the great importunity of the brethren , he was enforced to take part of the government upon him : so that these two holy men equal in their love to god and their neighbors , equal in vertue , and like in conditions , mutually governed the place , each fearful of offending the other ; each vigilantly attending the good of the society . but the perfecution growing more hot , they , together with their disciples , were forced to remove into more remote and unknown parts of africa : and at last setled in the territories of sicca , where they exceedingly profited the people , and gained many souls to christ : but the old enemy of mankinde envying their godly labours , stirred up an arian priest called faeix , who , not far off , had corrupted many with his heretical opinions , to molest and trouble them . this fellow , great in power and authority , but greater in malice , fearing lest by the means of fulgentius ( whose learning now grew famous ) many of his seduced disciples should be reclaimed to the truth , he caused all the ways to be beset by which these two fathers used to go to instruct the people ; and it pleased god , that as these two walked by the way , they fell into these watchmens hands , who presently loaded them with irons , and carried them to the arian priest. faelix when he saw that he was like to be apprehended , threw away some money into a bush , which he happened to have about him for the brethrens sustenance . the arian priest when they came before him used them very roughly , demanding of them why they came out of their own country to subvert his christian hearers ? and as they were about to answer , he would not hear them , but first commanded them to be scourged : whereupon faelix requested that his brother fulgentius might be spared : for ( saith he ) he cannot endure the extremity of the torment , but in all likelihood will breath forth his innocent soul under your hands . but 〈…〉 let your wrath be wholly wreaked upon me , who am most guilty of that which you charge us with : faelix therefore was mostcruelly beaten : but not that fulgentius should be spared , who being of noble parentage was of a tender constitution , and so the blows with the staves were the more grieveous to him , whereupon he earnestly desired to be heard having somewhat to say ; and so the stripes and bastinadoes being intermitted , he began with his eloquent mouth to relate the cause of their travel into those parts , causing his very adversaries to wonder at his eloquence and flowing language so that the priest had almost forgotten his cruelty , and shame of the injury was ready to embrace his obdurate heart : yet least he should appear to be overcome with his words , he cryed out ; lay him on lustily , and multiplying your blows ren● this pratler . what ? thinks he by his words to seduce me also ? hereupon he was again beaten most mercilesly : then were both of them shaven deformedly , their clothes pulled off , and so they were sent packing all naked . forth then from the arians house they departed no otherwise then as from a glorious combat , and as crowned with lawrels of victory : in their return they found the money which faelix had hidden , which was a great refreshing to them . the fame of this detestable fact gave great offence to many , and in particular to the arian bishop of the diocess , who had a good opinion of fulgentius , and much favoured him , and would have punished the priest , if fulgentius had desired it of him : and indeed many urged him to seek revenge ; but he gave them this humble denyal , saying , it is not lawful for a christian to meditate revenge : our lora christ well knoweth how to repay the injuries inflicted on his servants . if my case be avenged , then lose i the reward of my patience ; especially seeing it might scandalize many little ones if i a catholick should require judgement at an arians hand . a while after fulgentius having heard and read much of the strict lives of the monks in egypt , had a great minde to see the same , and so leaving his monastery , he took shipping for egypt : but a storm meeting him by the way , he was driven into the haven of syracuse , the chief city of sicily : at this time eusalius was bishop there , who very curteously entertained fulgentiu , and upon converse , finding his sufficiency , enquired the cause of his voyage , and understanding by him the cause , he much disswaded him from it , and perswaded him to continue at syracuse that winter : which when he consented to , he maintained him all that time , and fulgentius out of that little allowed him , carefully ministred somewhat to the necessities of others . summer being come , he failed to rome , where beholding the glory of the romane nobility , the triumphant pomp of king theodorick , and the universal splendor and joy of the city , he was so far from being taken with such worldly toys and delights , that it raised up his desires after heavenly joys , saying thus to some of his friends that accompanied him ; how beautiful may the caelestial hierusalem be , when terrestial rome so glittereth ? if such honour be given to lovers of vanity , what glory shall be imparted to the saints who are lovers and followers of truth ? then did he return into africa to the incredible joy of his brethren ; but after a while , finding the distractions which necessarily attended his abode there , partly by reason of his care in government , and partly by reason of much resort of noble men , and others that dayly repaired to him ( his fame being now spread abroad ) he privily stole away , and went to another monastery far off , amidst the shelly rocks of the sea , destitute in a manner of all humane solace and necessaries , where being with all courtesie received , as much as he excelled others in learning and eloquence , so far subjected he himself to all in humility and obedience . many books he there copied out fair with his own hands , and for his recreation made many necessary implements for the house of palm-leaves : but at last his old society gained knowledge of the place of his abode , and presently sent to request his return : hereupon great contention arose between the two houses , whilst one sought to retain , the other to regain him . the controversie at last came before bishop faustus , who decreed his return to his first place ; and that he might be imployed for the publick good , he ordained him a presbyter : at which time sundry cities wanting pastors ( for the king had forbidden the ordination of any more bishops ) many of them sought and sued to fulgentius to undertake that charge , and some proceeded to elect him outright ; yet thought he himself secure by reason of the kings prohibition , till at last the persecuted bishops , who yet survived , resolved rather to incur the displeasure of the king then to suffer the people any longer to want bishops ; and thereupon meeting together , they decreed that bishops should be ordained for all the vacant places ; and forthwith ( least the arian king hearing of it , should prevent them ) they sought out godly presbyters whom they might appoint to this office , but then fulgentius , who was most of all sought for , could no where be found ; for he had hid himself to avoid that imployment , and so continued till all the solemnities were over passed , and then returned hoping now to live in quiet . but it pleased god otherwise to dispole of it : for it so fell out that the city of ruspa remained as yet unfurnished , the citizens whereof getting inkling that fulgentius was discovered , they came unto him , laid hold upon him , carryed him with them , and not request , but constrain him to be their bishop : yet in this dignity he nothing forget his former integrity : he still used mean and simple attire , went many times barefoot , wholly abstained from flesh , wine , and oil , and always kept about him some of his former associates : but he , with his fellow bishops enjoyed not long their places : for that fell out which was easily foreseen to be a likely consequent , yet was contemned in respect of the churches necessity and want , which was that the arian king enraged by this act , banished about bishops into sardinia , amongst whom fulgentius was one , who joyfully ascended the ship , being heartily glad that he had a share in such a glorious confession : divers of his clergy and friends followed him , and being arrived at calaris in sardinia , he there lived with them at the same table , and by his sermons converted many . not long after king thrasamund amongst the crafty fetches , and persecutory drifts whereby he endeavoured to allure the catholicks to the arian heresie , used this policy : he feigned a desire to become a catholick , and setting down divers captious and deceitful questions , pretended that he could not finde any that could sufficiently answer those questions , whereupon hearing the fame of fulgentius , he hastily sent for him : who with an undaunted courage came to carthage , and not being presently called to the king , endeavoured seriously to confirm the catholicks in their faith ; and with much curtesie and affability answered all questions , rejecting no man ; whereby he reclaimed many from their errors , admonishing them to repent of , and to bewail their fall : others he exhorted not to hazard the damnation of their souls for temporal advantages : and whom he saw in danger of perdition , with milde , yet effectual words he stayed and encouraged to a noble and generous resolution , animating them to suffer any dangers or torments rather then to deny the truth : and it pleased god so to bless his labors , that some who before were staggering , were now by his means imboldned plainly to reprove the weak-grounded impudence of the arian party : and thus the omnipotent god turned the enemies device to the advancement of his own glory . then did the king send for him , and questioned with him , and met with such solid and judicious answers , that he was forced to acknowledge that he found him every way to answer the report which he had heard of his wisdom and learning , and withall he proposed sundry difficult questions to which he required his answer in writing , fulgentius having drawn up his answer , communicated it to the most learned catholicks , and after their approbation , to the people , before it was delivered to the king , thrasamund having with great diligence perused it , praised his wisdom , wondred at his eloquence , commended his humility ; yet had his heart so hardened that he could not understand and submit to the truth . fulgentius could not be suffered to stay long at carthage , for the arians with their clamors incensed the king , complaining that he had already gained from them some of their ministers , and that the people fell apace to him , so that their whole religion stood in great hazard by his means : then the king to quiet them , sent him back into sardinia . late in the night was he carryed aboard the ship , that his departure might be the better concealed from the people : but it pleased god by contrary windes long to detain the ship in the harbor , so that for many days almost the whole city flocked to him to take their farewel , and many communicated at his hands : and when great lamentation was made for his departure , he took one juliates ( a very godly man ) apart , and told him he should shortly again return , and that the church should enjoy peace ; which also came to pass : when he was requested to pray for any that were sick or in misery , he commonly used this petition : thou ( o lord ) knowest best what will make for our souls health : grant of thy mercy a supply unto our necessities , so far forth as shall not hinder our spiritual profit : and when god graciously answed his prayers in their behalf , he used to say , that god did it for their sakes , not for his : he commonly said that miracles make not a man just or righteous , but famous . when he was come back to sardinia , he returned to his former strict course of life , with his associates , who had all things in common ; and when he distributed more to one then to another by reason of sickness or weakness , he used thus to say to them ; who taketh of the common so much , becometh debtor to all , which debt he can only pay by humility . it was very pleasing to him when any of the brethren proposed any hard question ; and gladly he hearkened to the doubts of any though they were never so simple ; neither would he through weariness or tediousness cease to give them answers , until they confessed them selves to be satisfied : though he was sometimes severe towards the obstinate , yet he remained even when he seemed most displeased and angry , nothing at all in minde troubled or disquieted . thrasamund the king being shortly after taken away by death , hilderick succeeded him , who restored peace and liberty to the catholicks , recalling their bishops from exile , and amongst the rest fulgentius , who was received with great devotion by the africans , no less in every city then if he had been their peculiar bishop : everywhere they met him with tokens of joy , with whom now rejoycing he rejoyced , as before with them lamenting he had lamented : yea , their love was so great to him , that a showre of rain falling , they held their garments over his head to keep him dry . then did he return to his proper seat , where he would do nothing without the advice of his clergy . in the council of vincensa , he was by the common suffrage of the bishops chosen president : though bishop quodvultdeus claimed that preheminence as belonging to his sea : and though fulgentius for the present would not oppose this choice , yet at the next sessions , he procured that the bishop quodvultdeus was restored to his right . a year before his death he retired with some brethren into the island of circina , and there lived a most strict life : but the necessities of his people requiring , and their importunity prevailing , he returned to them , and shortly after fell into grievous pangs of sickness , wherein he continued sixty days , often crying out , o lord give me patience and pardon . physitians perswading him to make use of a bath , he answered ; can baths make that man who hath accomplished the course of nature that he shall not dye ? why then do you go about to perswade me now at my last end to remit of that rigor which i have always used ? lastly , calling together the brethren about him , he thus spake to them ; dear brethren , having been careful of your souls health , perhaps i have been austere and harsh towards you : if any one be offended , i beseech him to pardon me : and if my severity have possibly passed measure , and due moderation , pray ye to god that he may impute it not to me . they all kneeling down acknowledged him to have been always loving , gentle , and milde towards them . then did he pray for his people , that god would provide for them a pastor after his own heart : after this he called for a sum of money , which as a faithful steward he daily used to distribute amongst the poor , willing it all to be presently divided ; and reciting by name the widdows , orphans , and poor , he allotted to every one his portion . soon after in the midst of his prayers dyed this blessed servant of god , and famous doctor of the church , in the . year of his age , anno christi . having been bishop about years . he was very powerful in prayer , as may appear by this example : some time before his death the moores invaded the territories of ruspa , filling all places with rapines , murthers , burnings , and devastations , not sparing the churches themselves , but murthering such as fled to them for refuge : but yet so long as fulgentius lived , the city of ruspa remained in safety , and when all the rest of the province was under miserable captivity , that city alone enjoyed an happy peace . he wrote many excellent treatises against hereticks , besides sundry sermons and epistles : his moving and affectionate eloquence was such , as that the bishop of carthage hearing him preach two days together in his church , could not refrain from tears ; rejoycing that god had given to his church in those afflicted and comfortless times such a worthy instrument of his glory . he used to say , christ dyed for men , and angels ; for men , that they might rise from sin : and for angels , that they might not fall into sin . and , if they go to hell that do not feed the hungry , cloath the naked , &c. what will become of them that take away bread from the hungry , cloaths from the naked ? &c. if want of charity be tormented in hell , what will become of covetousnass ? his mother having committed the charge of her house to him in his youth , he so mannaged it that he gat this testimony that he was matri praefidium , domesticis solatium , &c. a safeguard to his mother , a comfort to the family , and to all with whom he conversed , a rare example . in the midst of his greatest sufferings he used to say , plura pro christo toleranda : we must suffer more then this for christ. his works are printed at lyons , anno christi . gregory y e great the life of gregory the great , who dyed anno christi , . gregory the great was born in rome : his father was a senator , by name gordianus ; his mothers name was sylvia , a woman noble by birth , but both of them more noble for their piety . our gregory in his tender years was carefully educated by his parents , being instructed both in religion and literature ; and as he grew in years , so he encreased in learning , which he retained with a firm memory , whereby he was enabled afterwards to make good use of it for the profit and benefit of the church of god : having gone through the study of other arts , he spent two years in reading of pythagoras ; but finding little satisfaction therein , he at last with much diligence breathed after more divine studies : and after his fathers death , having more freedom in disposing of himself , and his estate , he gave all his riches towards the relief of the poor , and betook himself to a monastical life , first under hillarion , and afterwards under maximianus , who both of them were famous for their piety and learning . he was very abstemious in his dyet , frequent in fasting and prayer , and so studious of the sacred srriptures , that he could scarse finde leasure to eat his food till necessity urged him thereunto : and indeed his abstinence was so great that he much impaired his health thereby : yet would he not give over his imployments , spending all his time in prayer , reading , writing , or dictating to others . his humility was very exemplary ; for though he came of noble parents , yet had he so little respect to his discent , that with tears he would often say , that all earthly glory was miserable , if the owner of it did not seek after the glory of god : he was very exact in spending his time , saying , that he was to give an account of it unto god : neither was he less charitable to the souls of others : for on a time when many merchants were met to sell their commodities at rome , it happened that gregory passed by them , and saw many young boys with white bodies , fair faces , beautiful countenances and lovely hair set forth to sail , whereupon going to the merchant , their owner , he asked him from what country he brought them ? the merchant answered from britain where the inhabitants were generally so beautiful : then said gregory ; are they christians , or heathens ? heathens replyed the other : whereupon gregory deeply sighing said , alass for grief ! that such fair faces should be under the power of the prince of darkness , and that such beautiful bodies should have their souls void of the grace of god ; then did he again ask the merchant by what name that people were called ? he answered angli : truly said he , they may be called angli , quasi angeli , for they have angles countenances , and its fit they were made fellow-citizens with the angels . again he asked , what was the name of the province whence they came ? the merchant answered , deiri ; well may they be of deiri , for its fit they should be pulled de ira dei [ from under the wrath of god ] and called into the grace of christ. again he asked him , what was the name of their king ? the merchant answered alle ; whereupon gregory alluding to his name , said well is their king called alle , for its fit that alleluja to their creator should be sung in those parts : and so going strait to benedict , who was bishop of rome at that time , he earnestly requested him to send some ministers into britain for the conversion of the inhabitants thereof ; and when none could be found that would undertake that journey , himself would have gone if the bishop would have permitted it : and indeed at the length , by his importunity he prevailed for leave , and set forwards on his journey : but within three days the people of rome so complained to benedict of the loss of gregory , that he sent for him back , which occasioned his return ( though with much sorrow ) that he was hindered in so good a work . not long after he was sent upon some ecclesiastical affairs to the emperour at constantinople , where though the splendor of the court was troublesome to him , yet intermitted he not his private studies and devotion , and during his abode there , at the request of a bishop who was embassador for the visigoths , he wrote a comment upon the book of job . also whereas eutychius bishop of constantinople , had taught and writ that our bodies at the resurrection should be impalpable more subtle then the air : gregory confuted that error both by reason , and by the example of christs body after his resurrection : whereupon ensued an hot disputation betwixt them : this the emperour tiberius hearing of , sent for them both to him , heard the cause on both sides , read over diligently the book writ by eutychius , and being convinced of the error by that which he had heard from gregory , he adjudged the book to be burned . shortly after eutychius fell very sick , and a little before his death , retracted his error , and acknowledged the resurrection of our flesh . gregory having dispatched the business about which he was sent to constantinople , returned to rome , about which time the river tiber swelled to such an unmeasurable height that it ran over the wals of the city , and drowned a great part of it , and break into many great houses overthrew divers ancient monuments ; it overthrew also the granaries belonging to the church , and carried away many thousand measures of wheat : presently after which inundation of tiber , there came down the river an innumerable company of serpents , with one monstrous great one , as big as a beam , which when they had swum into the sea , were there choaked , and their carkasses being all cast upon the shore there rotted , which caused such an infection of the ayr , that presently a great plague followed in rome , so that many thousands dyed of it : yea , arrows were visibly seen to be shot from heaven , and whosoever was stricken with them , presently dyed , amongst whom pelagius bishop of rome was one : and this judgement so raged in the city , that many houses were emptyed of their inhabitants . after the death of pelagius , the clergy , senate , and people of rome made choice of gregory to be their bishop , though he opposed it all that possibly he could ; crying out that he was altogether unworthy of such honour , fearing least the splendor of worldly glory , which he had formerly layd aside , should in such an office creep upon , and infect him . but the importunity of the people being so great , he seemed to consent to them : but privately under-hand wrote to the emperour mauritius , earnestly requesting him that he would not consent to the election , but that by his authority he would free him from it : but germanus the praefect of the city meeting with the messenger , took his letters from him , and reading them , detained them , sending word to the emperour of the unanimous consent of all in the election of gregory : whereupon the emperour returning thanks to god for that they had made so good a choice , confirmed the election , so that gregory could no longer evade it . in the mean time the pestilence raging exceedingly , gregory called the people together , and shewed them the justice of god in his judgements , who used not to punish till by sin he is provoked thereunto : telling them that they might read the greatness of their sins in the greatness of the plague ; and thereupon exhorted them to repentance by the precepts of god , and by the example of nin●veh , appointing them to lay all their worldly businesses aside , and to meet together the next day to spend it in fasting and prayer ; which accordingly they did : yet whilst they were together gods hand was out against them , so that fourscore of them fell down dead in the place : but gregory being not discouraged hereby , continued his sermon , telling them that god would at length be found of them , if they would forsake their wicked ways , and turn unto him with all their hearts , and with all their souls : and accordingly not long after the pestilence ceased . gregory observing that many customs were lately crept into the church which were not warranted by the holy apostles , he first extirpated them out of the church of rome , and then calling a council of many bishops , he endeavoured to root them out of the whole church . then removing from about him all secular persons , he chose presbyters and other learned men in their stead , whereby learning was much advanced in his days . he was very charitable , and much given to hospitality , insomuch as when very many inhabitants from divers parts ( flying from the barbarous cruelty of the longobards ) came to him , he entertained and relieved them , inviting dayly to his house many of those exiles . he made also large distributions unto others , giving them corn , wine , flesh , fish , cheese , and many other refreshings in their several seasons . many times also he sent large relief to the sick , lame , and impotent persons , not only in rome , but in many other towns and villages round about , insomuch as all that he had , seemed to be the common granary of the church . in the fourth year of his bishoprick having in some good measure setled the affairs of the church , he now began to think how he might advance the conversion of the english , which he had formerly been so sollicitous for , & had never since been forgotten by him ; for which end he sent austin and some other ministers from about him , to preach the gospel unto them : but they had not gone many days journey before they began to be a weary of undertaking so difficult and dangerous a task , as to go to preach to a fierce , barbarous , and unbelieving nation , whole language they did not understand , whereupon they stopped , and sent austin back to gregory , desiring that they might have leave to return , that they might be freed from so laborious , difficult and dangerous a work . gregory having received this message , wrote thus back to them again : beloved brethren , seeing it had been better that you had never begun a good work , then that you should recede from it , it behoves you through the assistance of almighty god to go forwards with it : neither let the labor of the journey , nor the tongues of wicked men deterre you from it : i have sent back austin whom i would have you to obey , knowing that he will counsel you nothing but what shall be for the good of your souls . almighty god give you his grace , and grant that i may see of the fruit of your labors , though i cannot join with you therein . with this exhortation austin did so encourage his companions , that passing through france , where they found kinde entertainment by the good bishops in every place , they at last arrived in britain , and came to ethelburg , the king of kent , where through gods mercy they did not only obtain leave to preach , but had habitations and maintenance allowed them in canterbury his chief city . whosoever desires to see the success of this business , may read it in my english martyrologie , pag. . &c. gregory dyed anno christi . having been bishop of rome years , moneths , and days . he lived under the emperour mauritius , and dyed in the second year of phocas . johannes trithemius gives him this testimony ; gregorius , vir in divinis scripturis eruditissimus , & in secularibus literis utique doctissimus : theologorum princeps : splendor philosophorum , & rhetorum lumen ; vita & conversatione integer , atque sanctissimus . he was of an acute wit , whereby he overthrew eutiches , pelagius , ( who dyed in his time of the plague at rome ) and divers other hereticks . he severely reproved the bishop of constantinople , who would have been called universal , which he cals nomen istud blasphemia , that name of blasphemy . he used to say , he is poor whose soul is void of grace , not whose coffers are emptie of money : contented poverty is true riches : and again , god is never absent , though the wicked have him not in their thoughts : where he is not by favour , he is by punishment and terrour . he could never read those words , son , remember in thy life time thou receivedst good things , without horror and astonishment ; least having such dignities and honors as he had , he should be excluded from his portion in heaven . it is said of him , that he was the worst romane bishop of all those that were before him : and the best of all those that followed him . he wrote expositions upon the greatest part of the bible . his works are contained in tome . the life of isidore , who dyed anno christi . isidorus hispalensis , by birth a spaniard , carefully educated by his parents , of a quick wit , and able memory , admired for his learning and eloquence , was chosen bishop of sivil under mauritius the emperour , wherein he was very painful , and could accommodate his speech fitly both to the ignorant and learned : he was full of mercy and good fruits . he was had in great honor , his fame spreading abroad far and wide , both for his life and learning : he so macerated his body with labors , and enriched his soul with divine learning and contemplations , that he seemed to live an angels life upon earth . he dyed in the reign of heraclius the emperour , about the year . he used to say , knowledge and a good life are both profitable : yet if both cannot be obtained a good life is to be sought rather then much knowledge . and , as the viper is killed by the young ones in her belly ; so are we betrayed and killed by our own thoughts , nourished in our bosomes , which consume and poison the soul. and , all things may be shunned , but a mans own heart : a man cannot run from himself : a guiltie conscience will not forsake him wheresoever he goes : and , the divels have a threefold prescience : . by natural subtiltie . . by experience . . by supernatural revelation . and , he that begins to grow better , let him beware least he grow proud : least vain-glory give him a greater overthrow then his former vices . bede the life of bede , who dyed anno christi . . venerable bede , an english saxon , was born anno christi . near to the monastery of s. peter and s. paul in wyrimunda . his parents dying when he was but seven years old , he was bred up in that monasterie , under two abbots , bennet and ceolfride , men famous in those times for religion and learning ; under whom he was trained up , and from his childhood accustomed to virtue and piety . he proved very learned in philosophie , astronomie , musick , and poetrie ; in greek , rhetorick , arithmetick , and historie : but especially he was very studious of the holy scriptures : three things were familiar to him in his whole life ; to pray , write , and preach . he was made deacon at nineteen years old , and a presbyter at thirty : after which time he wholly devoted himself to the meditation of the holy scriptures . he was so famous for learning and piety , that he was sent for to rome by pope sergius , to help to settle the churches peace : he was very modest , never hunting after preferments , so devout in reading the scriptures , that he would often shed tears , and after he ended reading , conclude with prayers . he hated idleness , and would oft say , that there was so much work to do for a divine in so little time , that he ought not to lose any of it . and for pleasures we must deal with them ( said he ) as we do with honey , onely touch it with the tip of the finger , not with the whole hand , for fear of surfeit . he finished his works anno christi . and dyed about . and of his age . he used to say , he is a sluggard that would reign with god , and not labor for god : in the promised rewad he takes delight : but the commanded 〈◊〉 do affright him . and , anger doth languish by 〈◊〉 , but flames higher by expressing . he wrote on all the liberal arts sundry excellent treatises . though he lived in the uttermost corner of the world , yet neglected he not the body of the greek and hebrew tongues : he had many excellent scholars , whom by his counsel and example he drew to an inestimable love of the holy scriptures , endeavouring to make them as famous for their religion and piety as they were for their learning . he was of a very bountiful disposition , venerable for his knowledge and integrity of life ; full of charity , devotion , and chastity . he was of a comly stature , grave pace , clear voice , eloquent tongue , amiable countenance , which seemed to be composed of gravity and mildness . he was very affable to such as were good : a terror to such as were proud and wicked : yet milde and humble to his fraternity . what he learned out of gods word by study and meditation , he communicated it to others without envy : he had scholars that flockt to him but of all parts of england , desiring to be trained up in learning and manners under such a master : for his conversation was a rule of religion and honesty to all about him . anno christi . and of his age . he finished the catalogue of his writings which are many , and that upon most books in the old and new testament , besides epistles , histories of the saints , the history of his own abbey , the ecclesiastical history of his own nation in five books , a martyrologie , a book of hymns , and many others , which are all printed at collen , anno christi . in his sickness he comforted himself with that of the apostle , heb. . . whom the lord loveth he chastneth , and scourgeth every for whom he receiveth . when his scholars were weeping about him , he said in the words of s. ambrose , non sic vixi ut pudeat me inter vos vivere , sed nec mori timeo , quiah onum dominum habemus . the time is come if my creator pleaseth , that being freed from the flesh , i shall go to him , who made me when i was not , out of nothing : i have lived long , and the time of my dissolution is approaching : and my soul desireth to see my saviour christ in his glory . after his death one of his scholars was very desirous to have made an epitaph : haec sunt in fossa bede sancti , or presbyteri , ossa . yet he could not make up the verse with those words : but in the morning this was found on his tomb : hâc sunt in fossa bedae venerabilis ossa . here lies intombed in these stones of venerable bead the bones . the life of john damascen , who flourished anno christi . iohn damascen was born in damascus , of religious parents , who carefully brought him up in learning , wherein he profited exceedingly , so that he attained to the knowledg of all the liberal sciences ; after which going to jerusalem , he studied the scripture and divinity , where he was made a presbyter , preached diligently , and much propagated the faith by his sermons and writings : a great opposer of hereticks he was : he flourished under leo ▪ and dyed in peace . he was a very eloquent man , and second to none of that age in learning : he wrote three books of parallels of the sacred scriptures , four books of the orthodox faith , besides many other works which are printed at paris , anno christi . the life of theophylact , who flourished anno christi . theophylact born in constantinople , and afterwards archbishop of the same , was much imployed in visiting and reforming the churches in bulgarie , and when he had proved himself a painful laborer in the dangerous persecutions there , he yielded up his spirit to his maker . he used to say , be not troubled if this man lives in tranquillity , and thou in tribulation , god will have it so : he puts thee into the combat , thou must therefore sweat hard before thou com'st off with the victory : whereas he that comes forward in the world , goes back in grace : his estate is miserable that goes laughing to destruction , as a fool to the stocks for correction . he wrote in greek commentaries upon the four evangelists which are translated into latine by charles morell , and printed at paris anno christi . the life of anselm , who flourished anno christi . anselm , archbishop of canterbury , was born at aosta , or augusta praetoriana , at the foot of the alps in italy , and therefore as an italian , he always favoured the cause of the romane bishop . he was carefully brought up in learning by his mother ermerburga , till he was fourteen years old ; when she dying , he gave himself awhile to vain pleasures , and his father being severe to him , he resolved to travel , in which he met with wants , spent three years in burgundie and france , and then became scholar to lanfrancus abbot of beck , where being held hard to his study , he entred into a monasterie , and by his strict carriage there , his fame spread abroad , and the old abbot dying , he succeeded him , and after the death of lanfrank , he was chosen archbishop of canterbury : he received such honours and uncouragements from pope vrbane , as never bishop received greater from a pope . for at the council of barum in apulia , the pope placed him at his right foot above al others , which was ever since the place of the archbishops of canterbury in all general councils much contention was between william rufus king of england , and him , which caused him to leave the kingdom till henry the first his time , when he was reinvested again , but lived not long after his return into england before he dyed , which was anno christi . and in the . year of the reign of king henry the first , and of his age . he was indeed the popes factor in england for denyal of investures to the king , and marriages to the ministers : but otherwise he was found in the main points of our religion ; and taught many things contrary to the corrupt tenents of the church of rome . he used to say , that if he should see the shame of sin on the one hand , and the pains of hell on the other , and must of necessitie chuse one , he would rather be thrust into hell withoute sin , then go into heaven with sin . and again , o durus casus ▪ &c. oh hard-hap ! alas , what did man lost ? what did he finde ? he lost the blessedness to which he was made ; and found death to which he was not made . the life of nicephorus , who flourished anno christi . nicephorus , a man of profound judgment and learning , both in humanity and divinity , flourished under andrenicus senior the emperour , anno christi . he was a great light , when the world was in great darkness , and both by his life and doctrine illuminated many . he wrote his ecclesiastical history in eighteen books in greek , and dedicated them to the emperour andronicus , and not long after exchanged this life for eternal glory . he said , god beholds , and moderates our actions , using the scourge of affliction for our castigation , and conversion : and after due correction , shews his fatherly affection to those that trust in h●m for salvation . and , christ asked peter three times if he loved him : not for his own information , but that by his threefold profession , he might help and heal his threefold negation of him . bernard the life of bernard , who dyed an. christi . bernard was born in burgundie in the town of fontane : his fathers name was tecelinus , of an ancient family , and a brave souldier : but that which most commended him was that he feared god , and loved justice , and following the counsel of john the baptist , he did wrong to no man , and was content with his wages . his mothers name was aleth , of the castle called mont-barr , a woman eminent for piety , chastity , and charity , bringing up her children in the fear of god : she had seven children , six sons , and one daughter , all which she nursed with her own breasts . bernard was her third son , whom from his infancy ( with hannah ) she devoted to the service of god , and therefore brought him not up tenderly and delicately , but inured him to course fare , and hardship , and as soon as he was of capacity , instilled into him the knowledge of the sacred scriptures , and instructed him in the principles of religion : and finding him to be of an acute wit , ready apprehension , firm memory , comly feature , courteous and meek deportment , and much addicted to learning , she set him to schole betimes to castillion , under the care and tuition of able scholemasters : and the boy being piously addicted , studious , & of a quick apprehension , easily answered his mothers desire and expectation , profiting in learning above his age , and out-stripping all his school-fellows , and shewed withall a great contempt of all earthly things ; and indeed he was very simple in all worldly affairs : he shunned company , and affected retiredness ; was much in meditation : obedient to his parents : grateful and curteous to all : he was exceeding shamefac't and modest ; loved not to speak much : towards god very devout , that he might keep himself pure in his childhood : and amongst other learning , he was frequent in reading the holy scriptures , that from thence he might learn to know and serve god : so that it cannot be imagined how much he profited in a short time . whilst he was yet a boy , he was much troubled with a pain in his head , and lying upon his bed , there was brought to him a woman who had undertaken to cure him with certain verses and charms : but as soon as he heard her begin to utter her verses , wherewith she used to deceive the simple , he cryed out with great indignation to have her taken away from him , saying , that he had rather endure the hand of god , then to be cured by the power of the devil : and god had respect to the zeal of the boy ; for presently after he was freed from his pain . what money was given him whilst he was thus young , he privately gave it away to the poor . when he was grown to be a young man , his mother having seen him to exceed her expectation , falling sick , quietly resigned up her spirit unto god : and bernard began now to grow famous for his strict course of life , elegancy of feature , sweet manners , sharp wit , and eloquent tongue ; so that many opportunities were put into his hand whereby he might have attained to great dignity in the world : hereupon the devil who watcheth all opportunities to do mischief , laid his snares for him , seeking to draw him to uncleanness , and presenting an object , whilst bernard for a time fixed his eyes too firmly upon her , he began to feel the burnings of his youthly lusts to stir in him : but quickly coming to himself he blushed for shame , and purposing revenge , he presently ran into a pool ( the weather being cold ) up to the neck , where he continued till he was almost starved , thereby quenching that inward flame which before scorched him : and withall studying how to avoid such snares and temptations for the time to come , he resolved to enter into a monastery of the cistercians , which was the strictest order of friers , perswading himself that there he might live retired from the world , and enjoy the freer communion with god : but this purpose of his coming to the ears of his brethren and friends , they laboured by all means to disswade him , exhorting him rather to continue in his studies of humane learning , which might bring him to preferment in the world : this tentation had almost prevailed with him , till the remembrance of his mothers purpose and care to set him apart for the service of god came into his minde : and then retiring into a private place , he poured out his prayers well watered with tears unto god , seeking unto him for direction and counsel , and from that day forward he was confirmed in his resolution , and could by no means be removed from the same : yea , his zeal was such , that he rested not till he had perswaded four of his brethren to leave the world , and all their worldly preferments , and to join with him in the same course of life : and when they had taken their leave of their father , and were going towards the monastery , they saw their youngest brother [ nivard ] a boy playing amongst boys , to whom guido the elder brother said , farewel brother nivard , behold we leave to you all our earthly possessions : but he presently answered , you will take heaven , and leave me the earth , this is no equal division : and so going home to his father , after a while he resolved to leave all , and to enter into the same course of life with his brethren , which he did accordingly . these brethren being thus entred into the monastery , lived under the government of one steven , who was their abbot , which was anno christi . . and in the year of bernards age . when bernard entred into this course of life , he intended wholly to sequester himself from the world ; but god intended otherwise , who had prepared him to be a vessel of honour for his own glory : this bernard knew not , and therefore lived privately in his cell ; spending his time in study , meditation , and prayer , often saying to himself , bernard , bernard , remember for what end thou camest hither ? he allowed himself very little time for sleep , often complaining that all that time was lost ; and indeed in so sparing a dyet as he used , there was need of the less sleep : for he never indulged himself in either , neither eating nor sleeping to saciety . yea , by his rigid abstinence he so weakned his stomach , that he was scarce able to retain food when he had eaten it , and that little which he did retain served rather to retard death , then to prolong his life : yet all this while be remitted nothing of his studies and labors : insomuch as he equalled the other monks in digging of the ground , felling of wood , and carrying it home upon his shoulders : and when his strength failed , he busied himself about meaner services : and whensoever he had any intermission he spent his time in prayer , and reading the sacred scriptures , which afterwards in the midst of his bodily labors he meditated over again . he read also the best expositors , yet took far more delight in the fountain , then in these streams , whereby he became very mighty in the scriptures , which stood him in great use , when afterwards he became a preacher . shortly after steven sent forth some of these brethren to build the monastery of claraeval , appointing bernard to be their abbot . the place was in the territory of the lingones , not far from the river alba , where they lived in penury , hunger , thirst , cold , watchings , and prayer , and bernard understanding that the ministry of the word was much wanting in that country , burning with a zeal to save souls , resolved to set upon that work , and seeking one by whom he might be ordained minister , he pitched upon the bishop of catalonia , to whom when he came , and had conversed a while with him , there grew a very strict bond of friendship betwixt them : after his ordination he was very frequent and fervent in preaching the word of god wheresoever he came , whereby he grew very famous . yet otho bishop shop of frising , who was his contemporary , blameth him for three things : . for his jealousie , which carryed him away with wrong conceits . . for credulity , or lightness of belief , giving ear to tale-bearers and lyars with too much facility , which made him so earnest against the gospellers , who were better men then himslef . . for prejudice , especially against learned men , who by the help of art soared alost like eagles beyond the pitch of his capacity : for though himslef had an excellent natural wit , yet he was little studied in the arts and sciences , and whosoever went not in the rode way of learning , submitting his reason to the dictates and pharses of the roman church , him would bernard suspectior an heretick . anno christi . he fell sick , and wrote this letter to arnold abbot of boneval , who desired to know how he did in his sickness . we received your love in love ( faith he ) and not in pleasure : for what pleasure can there be where pain and bitterness challengeth all unto it self ? only it s a little delightful to me to eat nothing . sleep hath departed from me , that sorrow and pain may never depart from me , by the benefit of my senses lulled asleep . the want of a stomach is almost all that i suffer ; only it requireth often both day and night to be comforted with a very little liquor what soever it be : but if at any time i admit of a little more , it s most grievous to me : my feet and thighes be swoln as theirs who are troubled with a dropsie . and in all these things ( that i may conceal nothing from my friend who desires to know the state of his friend ) the spirit is willing , but the flesh is weak . pray unto my saviour who desireth not the death of a sinner , not that he will defer , but that he will guard my departure by his blessed angels . take ye care that my heel , which is naked of merits , be strengthened and defended by your prayers : that he which lyeth in wait may not finde where to fasten his tooth , and inslict a wound . farewel . a little before his death all the monks came and asked him whether he did not take pity on them , and their monastery ? to which he answered , that he was in a great straight , not knowing which to choose , life , or death : but left all to the will of god : for ( faith he ) my fatherly love moves me to pity you my children , so as to desire to remain here : but on the other side my desire to be with christ , draws me to long to depart hence . his humility was such that he called himself an unprofitable servant : a dry tree , from whom no good had come either to himself or others . he dyed aug. . anno christi . and in the year of his age . he accompanyed the bishop of hostin [ the popes legat ] to tholouse purposely to root out those whom he called hereticks , but indeed were the true servants of christ : and being too facile and misinsormed himself , he misreported their opinions and doctrines : shewing himself the grand factor for two popes , viz. innocent the second , and eugenius the third . one adm , a canon regular made this epitaph on him ; clare sunt valles , sed claris vallibus abbas clarior , his clarum women in orbe deait . clarus avis , clarus meritis , & clarus honore , clarnt ingenio , ●t religione magis . mors est clars , cius clarus , clarumg , sepulchrum , clarior exutat spirtus ante deum . he had many opinions differing from the church of rome : as that there were but two sacraments : denyed transubslantiation . that the wicked receive not christs flesh. that we are justified by the imputation of christs righteousness . that mans righteousness justifieth not before god. that we might be assured of our salvation . denyed works of supererogation , i ree-will . would not have traditions obstinately defended , nor superstitiously observed . complained that popes and bishops were the greatest perfecutors of christ , &c. he used to say , ambtion is a gilded miserie , a secret poyson , a hidden plague , the eagineer of diccit , the mother of hypocrisie , the parent of envy , the original of vices , the moth of holiness , the blinder of hearts , turning medicines into maladies and remedies into diseases . ever when he came to the church-door , he used to say thus to himself , stay here all my worldly thoughts , and all vanity , that i may entertain he wents meditations . his works are well known being bound up together in one volume . the life of peter lombard , who flourished anno christi . peter lombard was born at navaria , afterwards made bishop of paris , was contemporary with gratian ; and as gratian gathered canons , and was master of the canons , so this peter collected sentences out of ambrose , hilarie , augustine , cassiodore , and remigius , and out of them , with some addition of his own , compiled his books . he wrote commentaries on the psalms , and pauls epistles : but the chiefest of his works were four books of sentences : the first concerning the trinity and unity of god : the second of the creation of the world , especially of angles and men , and of the grace of god : the third of the incarnation of the word , and of vertues and vices : the fourth of the sacraments , of the resurrection and judgement , for which he was called the master of sentences . some of his sayings were , there can no good dwell in us that cannot will good : nor can we perfect good that cannot desire good . there are in us evill concupiscences and desires , which are the divels weapons , whereby when god forsakes us , he over-throws us , and gives our souls a deadly wound . god condemns none before he sins , nor crowns any before he overcomes . let none glory in the gifts of preachers , in that they edisie more by them : for they are not authors of grace , but ministers . the instruction of words is not so powerful , as the exhortation of works : for if they that teach well , neglect to do well , they shall hardly profit their audience . the life of alexander hales , who dyed anno christi . alexander of hales was born at hales in gloucester shire , carefully educated , of an excllent wit , and very industrious , he travelled into other countries : read a long time in paris : he made there the sum of divinity , divided into four parts : a great school-divine , and was called docter irresragabilis . he was master to bonaventure , and thomas aquinas : he writ a most copious and notable sum of theology by the command of pope innocent the fourth . he wrote marginal notes upon the old and new testament , and commented on most of the bible . his life was full of charity and labor . he dyed anno christi . his sayings , a soul patient when wrongs we offered , is like a man with a sword in one hand , and salve in the other ; could wound , but will bed . what the eye is to the body , faith is to soul● it 's good for direction if it be kept well ; and as flies hurt the eye , so little sins and ill thoughts the soul. cov●tousness deserves the hate of all , for six reasons : . it 's a sin against nature , making the soul terrene , which should be celestial . . for the many curses against it in the word , wo to them that join house to house , &c. . for the many evils it subjects us to : it 's the root of all evil . . it makes a man a fool : o fool this night , &c. . it causes strise● : from whence are strifes &c. . it brings men into snares which drown in perdition . every lye is odious , but that most which is against points of faith : as to say christ was not born of the virgin , &c. faith must be defended , not opposed . an humble man is like a good tree , the more full of fruits the branches are , the lower they bend themselves . the life of bonaventure , who dyed anno christi , . bonaventure , born in etruria in italie , of noble and devout parents , was of a winning countenance , very studious , and a great follower of alexender hales . he engraved in his study that saying of our lord , learn of me , for i am meek , &c. and to keep his minde from swelling , he would sweep rooms , wash vessels , make beds , &c. he was very cheerful in ministring to the poor : and when he met with any persons that were troubled in minde , he would not leave them till they found comfort . he was much in meditation and prayer : in preaching he sought to inflame the hearts of his hearers : his words were not inslantia , but inslammantia , not high-swelling , but inflaming . he hated idleness : read over the whole body of the fathers , and out of them made that famous piece that he cals his pharetra . he wrote two bibles out with his own hand , and had most of them by heart . after three years study in paris he was chosen divinity-reader there . he was called doctor seraphicus , was present at the council of lions , where having spent himself in pious actions and painful studies , he dyed anno christi . and of his age . tho : aqvinas the life of thomas aquinas , who dyed anno christi . thomas aquinas was born in italy not far from naples , anno christi . and was bred in the monasterie of cassine : he was humble , modelt , grave , industrious , and witty : zealous , and frequent in prayer . he afterwards taught the sciences in paris , rome , bononia , and naples . he was always either at his book , disputations , or meditations : insomuch that supping at court with lewis the french king , whilst others were discoursing of pleasant matters , he was so deep in his meditation , that forgetting himself , he stroke the table with his hand , saying , jam contra manicheos conclusum est , that now the manichees were foiled . he was a great contemner of worldly honors , and wealth : when promotions were offered , his usual answer was , chrysostomi commentarium in matthaum mallem , i had rather have chrysostoms commentary on matthew . inteaching , he framed his speech to the peoples capacity : in reproofs , he hated the vice , but spared the person . he dyed as he was going from naples to a council at lyons , being called thither by pope gregory the tenth , anno christi . the fiftieth year of his age. he was called doctor angelicus . he used to say , that a day will come when fair dealing shall be found a jewel : when a good conscience shall be better then a good purse ; for then the judg will not be put off with fair words , nor drawn aside with hope of reward ; and , make much of time , especially in that meighty matter of salvation . o how much would be that now lies frying in hell rejoyce if he might have but the least moment of time wherein be might get gods favour ! and , the young man bath death at his back , the old man before his eyes : and that 's the more dangerous enemie that pursues thee , then that which marches up towards thy face : remember that though god promise forgiveness to represtant sinners , yet he doth not promise that they shall have to morrow to repent in . his works are many , which are well known . john wickliff . the life of john wicklief , who dyed anno christi . iohn wicklief an english man born , famous both for life and learning , under king ed ward the third , anno christ . was brought up in merton colledge in oxford , profited exceedingly in the knowledge of the arts , and school-divinity , every one admiring both his carriage and abilities . he was divinity-reader in oxford , and also preferred to a pastoral charge there , in which he took great pains , and protested that his chief end and purpose , was to call back the church from her idolatry , especially in the matter of the sacrament . after he had now a long time prosessed divinity in oxford , perceiving the true doctrine of christs gospel to be adulterated , and defiled with so many filthy inventions of bishops , sects of monks , and errors , with many secret sighes bewailing the general ignorance of the christian world , he could no longer suffer , nor endure the same , whereupon he resolved to do his utmost endeavor for the reformation there of : but withall foreseeing how dangerous this attempt would be , for that such things as by long use and custom had been rooted in mens minds , could not suddenly be eradicated and pulled out , he judged it fittest to attempt the same by little and little . where upon he first affailed his adversaries by logical and metaphysical questions , and having made way hereby , he at length came to the matter of the sacraments , and other abuses of the church . but this bile could not be touched without great grief and pain to the whole world : for first the rabble of monks and begging fryars were enraged against him , who ( as so many hornets ) assaulted him on every side : after them the priests , and lastly the archbishop simon sudbury took him in hand , who deprived him from his benefice which he had in oxford : yet being befriended and supported by the king he remained there still till about the year . but the king growing old and infirm , and his son called edward the black prince being now dead , a parliament was convened , wherein twelve sage and discreet lords and peers were chosen to manage the affairs of the state ( fix at one time , and fix at another ) who remained for a certain space in that employment : but they afterwards being removed , the whole government of the realm under the king was devolved upon iohn of gaunt duke of lancaster . this john was a great friend to wicklief : whereupon to disgrace him , the bishop of winchester reported that the said john was not king edwards son ; nor of the queen , who being in travel at gaunt , had no son , but a daughter , which was overlaid by the mother in bed : whereupon the queen , fearing the kings displeasure , caused a man-childe of a woman of flanders , born the same day with her own , to be secretly brought to her , whom she brought up , and is now called duke of lancaster ; and this ( as the bishop affirmed ) the queen told him upon her death-bed under the seal of consession ; yet withall enjoying him if the kingdom were like to fall to him , to reveal it , so that a false heir might not be king ; which slanderous report of the wicked bishop , as it savoured of a contumelious lye ; so many apprehended that it proceeded from his zeal to uphold his popish religion ; the foresaid duke favouring wicklief , thereby declared himself to be a professed enemy to their superstitious practises . the duke being justly incensed against the bishop for this soul slairder , so perseceuted him in parliament , that he was condemned , and deprived of all his temporal goods : he was also inhibited from coming within twenty miles of the court : but shortly after the clergy made great suit in the parliament in his behalf : and when a subsidie was asked in the kings name of the clergy , the bishops complained grievously for the lack of their brother of winchester , and enforced the archbishop to send for him from winchester , to appear at the convocation of the clergy , which he gladly did , and was joyfully received by the bishops ; and by means of one alice perris , a wicked harlot , which had bewitched the kings heart , he was restored to his temporalties again . in the mean time the duke of lancaster sent for wicklief from oxford , who had now proceeded so far as to teach , that in the sacrament of the lords supper the accidents of bread and wine remained not without the substance : proving his assertion by the authority of scriptures and the ancient fathers , and withall rejecting such as had written upon that argument since anno , saying that after that time satan was loosed , and men were led into many errors . these things the bishops hated him for exceedingly ; yet by the favor of the duke of lancaster , and of henry lord percy , he was preserved from their rage and sury , till anno christi . at which time they had prevailed with their archibishop simon sudbury , who had before deprived him , and prohibited him to meddle any more in those matters , to send forth his citation to have him brought before them . the duke having notice hereof , and fearing that he being but one , should be too weak for such a multitude , sent for four batchelors of divinity to joyn with him ; and for more surety , when the day of his appearance was come , himself with the lord percy , marshal of england went along with him . as they went along , they enconraged him not to fear the faces of the bishops , who ( say they ) are all unlearned in comparison of you , neither be you troubled at the concourse of the people , for we will defend you from them . being thus encouraged , wicklief approached pauls church , where multitudes of persons were assembled to hear what should be spoken and done , insomuch as the lord marshal could searce make way in the crowd : whereupon courtney the bishop of london seeing what stir he made amongst the people , said to him , if i had known what masteries you would have plaid amongst the people , i would have kept you out of this place : at which speech the duke being offended , said that he would keep such mastery there , though he said nay . when they came to the place where the archbishop and bishops sate , wicklief presented himself before them to know what should be laid to his charge . then the lord percie speaking to him , bade him sit down , for that having many things to answer to , he had need have a soft seat : whereupon the bishop of london growing into a great fume , said , he should not sit there , neither said he , is it according to law or reason , that he that is cited to appear before his ordinary should sit down during the time of his answer , but should stand : this kindled such a fire betwixt them , the one rating and reviling the other , that the people began all to be on a hurry : then the duke taking the lord percies part , gave some hasty words to the bishop ; but neither did the bishop spare him one jot , returning rebukes for rebukes , so that the duke was ashamed that the bishop should out-rail him , telling him that he would take a course to bring down his pride , and of all the prelates in england : hereupon the londoners cryed out , that they would rather lose their lives then suffer their bishop to be abused : so that all things being in a confusion , the assembly was dissolved for that time : and the duke with the lord pertie returning to the parliament , that day a bill was put up in the name of the king by the lord thomas of woodstock , [ another of the kings sons ] and the lord percie , that london should be no more governed by a major , but by a captain , a formerly it had been , and that the marshal of england should have all the power in taking the arrests in the city , as he had in other cities . this bill one john philpot , a burgess for london , stoutly opposed ; and the next day the londoners assembled themselves together in council to consider what to do about it : and whilst they were in consultation , came in two lords , the lord fitz-walter , and the lord guy brian , whom the vulgar sort taking to be spies , were ready to flye upon them , till they were enforced to swear that they came for no harm towards them ; and that if it proved otherwise they would be content to forfeit all their goods and possessions in the city . then did the lord fitz-walter tell them of his love to them , and of his care to preserve their liberties , which said he , if you do not speedily look to , and prevent , you will lose the same : for at this time the lord marshal hath one of your citizens in prison in his house , &c. this was no sooner spoken , but the rash citizens ran to their houses , armed themselves , and going to the lord percies house , brake open his gates , rescued the prisoner , took the stocks and burned them in the midst of the city , searched and ransaked his house for the lord himself : whom if they had found , they would certainly have slain : and when they found him not , they tore and cut his rich beds and hangings in pieces ; and then supposing him to be with the duke , they ran to the savoy , where though they were disappointed of their cruel purpose , yet they took the dukes arms , and hung them up in a reproachful manner in the midst of the city , as if he had been a traitor : they also so wounded a priest that spake in his defence , that he dyed within a few days after , and meeting one of the dukes men with his arms hanging in a plate on his breast , they pulled him off his horse , pulled the arms from him , and had slain the man but that he was speedily rescued by the maior . but these out rages created much trouble to the londoners , which being beside my purpose , i shall leave the reader to search them out in the chronicles of those times . shortly after the old king edward dyed , and his grand-son richard the second succeeded him : upon which change the bishops taking notice that the duke and the lord percie had given over their offices , living privately at their own houses without medling with state affairs , they thought it a fit time to revenge themselves upon john wicklief ; whereupon they caused these articles to be gathered and drawn up out of his sermons against him . . that the holy eucharist after the consecration is not the very body and blood of christ , but figuratively . . that the church of rome is not the head of all other churches in the world : nor that peter had any more power given him by christ , then any other of the apostles . . that the pope of rome hath no more power of the keys then any 〈…〉 . . that the lords tomporal may lawfully take away the temporalties of the church men offending habitualiter . . that the gospel is of it self a sufficient rule both of faith and manners without any other rule . . that neither the pope , nor any other prelate ought to have prisons of their own wherein to punish offenders &c. these with some others the bishops gathered out of his sermons and writings , which they sent to pope gregory , who condemned them for heretical and erroneous by twenty three cardinals ; and withall sent his bull to oxford , rebuking them sharply for suffering wickliefs doctrine so long to take root amongst them , and not wholly eradicating the same ; which bull being exhibited by the popes messenger to the proctors and masters of the university , they deliberated long amongst themselves whether they should receive it with honor , or reject it with contempt . the pope also at the same time sent letters to the archbishop sudbury , and bishop courtney of london , commanding them to apprehend and imprison wicklief , and to admonish the king and nobles of england , that they should not give any credit to john wicklief or his doctrine in any wise . he wrote also at the same time to the king , desiring him to assist the bishops in the apprehension and imprisonment of john wicklief . these letters so encouraged the bishops , that they resolved to proceed against him in their provincial council , all fear or favor set apart , and that no person neither high nor low should hinder them , neither would they be induced to favor him neither by intreaty , threatnings , nor reward : but that they would proceed roundly with him , though it should be to the hazard of their lives . but it pleased god by a small matter to confound and overthrow their devices , notwithstanding all their proud brags and policies : for the day of examination being come , there came in a courtier amongst them called lewis clifford , a m a of no great birth , and commanded them that they should not proceed to any definitive sentence against john wicklief , wherewith the bishops were so amazed and crest-faln , that they became as mute ment , not having one word to answer : and thus it pleased god by his providence thus once more to deliver mr. wicklief out of their cruel hands : and one that writes this story saith further , that whilst the bishops were sitting in the chappel at lambeth upon john wicklief , not only the citizens of london , but ( saith he ) the vile abjects of the city were so bold as to intreat for him , and to stop the bishops in their proceedings . and thus was wicklief dismissed , the bishops charging him that he should preach no more such doctrine to the offence and hurt of the lay people : yet being departed , he ceased not to proceed in his godly purpose , going up and down bare-footed , and in a frize gown , endeavouring by his ministry still to edifie and profit the church as formerly he had done . and gods providence so ordered it , that about the same time pope gregory the th dyed : whereupon ensued such a schism in the church of rome between two popes , and others succeeding after them , that it continued . years , even to the council of constance . about the same time also , or shortly after , there arose a cruel commotion of the commons under jack straw , where the rude multitude taking simon sudbury archbishop of canterbury beheaded him , whom william courtney bishop of london succeeded , who was very zealous and diligent against the heresies of wicklief , ( as he called them ) . also in the year . william barton being vicechancellour of oxford , called together eight monastical doctors , and four others , and having the consent of others of that fraternity , set forth an edict under the common seal , threatning all under a grievous penalty , if they should be so hardy as to associate themselves with any of the fautors of wicklief : and to wicklief himself he threatned the greater excommunication and imprisonment both to him and his favorers , unless within three days after canonical warning they repented and amended . wicklief understanding this , resolved to forsake the pope , and all his clergy , and to appeal to the king : but the duke of lancaster being now inveagled by the bishops , interposed , forbidding him not to attempt any such thing , but rather to submit to his ordinary : wicklief finding himself hereby in this great strait , was forced to make a confession of his doctrine , and therein to qualifie his assertions after such a sort that thereby he asswaged the rigor of his enemies . anno . archbishop courtney appointed a convocation to be held at london , principally against wicklief , wherein this memorable accident fell out : when they were all gathered together at the gray-fryers in london , just at the very instant when they were beginning their business against wicklief , there fell out a wonderful and terrible earthquake through all england , whereupon divers of the suffragans being frighted with the terror of it , thought good to leave off their further proceeding therein : yet did the archbishop carry on his design , declaring some of wickliefs doctrines to be heretical , others erroneous , and other irreligious and seditious , and not consonant to the doctrine of the church of rome : and not content herewith , he so prevailed with the young king , that he procured letters patents to be directed from the king to himself , wherein are these words ; forasmuch as the archbishop of canterbury hath made his supplication to us for the coertion , and due castigation of all such as shall hence forth obstinately preach and maintain any of those conclusions which in the late convocation have been adjudged heretical , &c. requesting that we would vouchsafe to put to the arm and helping hand of our kingly power : we therefore moved by the zeal of the catholick faith , whereof we are , and will be defenders , and being unwilling that any such heresies should spring up within our dominions : give , and grant license and authority by these presents unto the aforesaid archbishop and his suffragans , to arrest , and imprison either in their own prisons , or elsewhere , all and every such person and persons as shall either privily , or openly preach , or maintain the aforesaid conclusions , &c. further , charging and commanding all our leigh-men , ministers and subjects , upon their fidelity and allegiance neither to favor , counsel nor help such preachers or maintainers of the aforesaid conclusions , upon pain of forfeiting all that they have ; but to obey , and humbly to attend upon the archbishop and his suffragans in the execution of these presents , &c. the like letter the king wrote also to the vice-chancellor of the university of oxford , requiring him to give notice , that none should be so bold as to entertain mr. john wiclief , or any of his followers into their houses , or to communicate with them , which if any did that he should banish them the university and town of oxford , till they should prove their innocency before the archbishop of canterbury ; yea , this young king , pressed by the violent importunity of the archbishop , wrote another letter to the vicechancellor and proctors of the university , straightly charging and commanding them to make a general inquisition through the whole university , as well for wicklief and his followers , as for all others which were suspected to be maintainers , receivers or defenders of those persons , or their opinions any manner of way , and all such to apprehend and expell the university , and to send them up to the archbishop of canterbury , to be further proceeded against by him : as also to attach and seize upon all their books , and to send them to the said archbishop : and this to do as they would avoid the forfeiting of all the liberties and priviledges of the university , &c. john wicklief was hereupon either banished or retired for a while to some secret place ; but ere long he returned to his parsonage of lutterworth in leicestershire , where after all these storms , he at last dyed in peace , anno christi , . he wrote very many books , many of which were burned at oxford , anno christi . aeneas sylvius writes that subincus archbishop of prague burnt two hundred volumes of his , excellently written , richly covered and adorned with bosses of gold : one that had all his works , wrote that they were as big as the works of st. augustine . mr. wicklief received his first knowledge of the truth from one fryar rainard lollard , who brought the doctrine of the waldenses into england , and from whom his disciples were called lollards . mr. wicklief was an eloquent man , and so profound a scholar , that he drew the hearts of many noble personages to affect and favor him ; whereby he was sheltred from the rage of the popish clergy , till pope gregory the . raised up a persecution by the monks inquisitors against him . all his books were commanded to be burnt ; but he had before enlightned so great a number , who kept his books carefully , maugre all the diligence of his adversaries , so that they could never wholly deprive the church of them . for the more they laboured by horrible threats , and death it self , to hinder the knowledge and reading of them , the more were many kindled in their affections to read them with ardency . he wrote above a hundred volumes against antichrist and the church of rome . multos praeterea in philosophia , multos quibus s. scripturam interpretatus est , edidit : quorum catalogum videre est apud balaeum in suis centuriis . transtulit etiam wiclevus in anglicum sermonem biblia , adhibitis praefationibus , & argumentis cuique , libro suis. vertit & libros . clementis , lanthoniensis ecclesiae praesbyteri , de concordia evangelistarum , cum multis veterum doctorum tractatibus . he was a great enemy to the swarms of begging fryars , with whom it was harder to make war then with the pope himself . he denyed the pope to be the head of the church , and pronounced him to be antichrist : he confuted and condemned his doctrine about buls , indulgences , masses , &c. he affirmed the scripture to be the supreme judge of controversies , condemned transubstantiation , &c. he was a painful and faithful preacher under king edward the third , who always favored and protected him against the rage of his adversaries : by his means the pope lost in england his power of ordaining bishops , the tenth of benefices , and peter-pence ; whereupon polidore virgil cals him an infamous heretick . he was buryed at his parsonage of lutterworth in leicester-shire . his dead body being digged up years after : viz. . by the command of pope martin the fifth , and the council of s●ne , was burned : and thus he suffered their cruelty after death , whose cruelty he had preached against in his life . he wrote above two hundred volumes , most of which were burned by the archbishop of prague . john hvs the life of john huss , who dyed anno christi . iohn huss was born at a little town called hussinets about . miles from prague in bohemia under the hercynian wood , of mean but religious parents , who carefully trained him up in religion and learning , and having profited much at schole , he went to the university of prague : and whilst he was a student there , he met with our wickliefs books , from whence he first took light and courage to profess the truth . anno christi . he commenced batchelor of arts with good approbation of the whole university : and an. . the commenced master of arts , about which time two godly noble men of prague built the church of bethlehem ; and anno ● . mr. huss was chosen pastor thereof , who fed his people with the bread of life , and not with the popes decrees , and other humane inventions . the year after he was chosen dean of the university , and anno . by the consent of the whole university he was chosen rector of it . he continued in the exercise of his ministry with admirable zeal and diligence , and faithfulness about the space of . years , preaching and instructing his people in the principles of divinity , which he confirmed by the holy scriptures , and adorned by an exemplary and blameless life . he vigorously opposed the popes proceedings , whereupon the devil envying the peace and progress of the gospel , stirred up pope alexander the fifth against him , who cited him to rome to answer to such articles as should be laid in against him : whereupon huss sent his procters to rome , who appeared for him answered the charge , and cleared his innocency ; yet did the pope and his cardinals condemn him for an heretick , and excommunicate him ; which caused the popish clergy , and some of the barons of bohemia to oppose huss , being thus excommunicated ; and king winceslaus banished him , but he was entertained in the country , and protected by the lord of the soil 〈◊〉 hussinets , where he preached in the parish church , and some places adjacent , confuting the popish doctrine of merit of works , and against the pride , idleness , cruelty and avarice of the roman court and clergy , multitudes of persons resorting to his ministry : sometimes also he repaired to his church of bethlehem , and preached there . but upon the popes death , the cardinals being divided , chose three popes , whereupon there was a council called at constance , anno christi . unto which council the emperour sigismund commanded huss to come , giving him his safe conduct for his coming , and return . and master huss relying upon the goodness of his cause , the clearness of his conscience , and the emperours safe conduct , with a cheerful minde and undaunted spirit went to constance , and in his journey set up writings in every city , the tenor whereof was this ; mr. john huss batchelor of divinity , goeth now to the council of constance , there to declare his faith which he hath hitherto holden , and even at this present doth hold , and by gods grace will hold , and defend even to the death : therefore even as he hath manifested through all the kingdom of bohemia by his letters and intimations , willing before his departure thence to have satisfied and given an account of his faith unto every man which should object or lay any thing against him in the general convocation held in the archbishop of pragues court : so also he doth manifest and signifie , that if there be any man in this noble and imperial city that can impute any error or heresie to him , that he would prepare himself to come unto the council ; for as much as the said mr. john huss is ready to satisfie every man at the said council which shall lay any thing to his charge , as touching his faith. in all cities as he passed by , especially when he entred into germany , a great number of people resorted to him , and he was everywhere kindly entertained , especially by the citizens and burgesses , that he confessed in a certain epistle that he found in no place so great enemies as in bohemia : and when he came to noremberg , certain merchants that went before having given notice of his coming , almost all the priests that were in the city came to him , desiring him that they might talk with him in private , to whom he answered that he desired rather to declare his minde openly then in hugger mugger , and so from dinner time till night he spake before the priests , senators , and many citizens , insomuch that they all had him in singular estimation and reverence . one of his great adversaries stanis●aus znoma , a bohemian , as he was going towards constance to accuse him , was stricken by god with a great impostume whereof he dyed . when mr. huss came to constance , he was sent for to appear before some cardinals to give an account of his doctrine , but he told them that he came to do it before all the council , yet if they would force him to do it before them , he doubted not but christ would strengthen him to chuse death for his glories sake , rather then to deny the truth , which he had learned out of the holy scriptures : after examination they committed him to a filthy prison , where , by reason of the stink , he fell sick and was like to die : in the mean time his adversaries preferred articles against him , wherein they had forged many things of their own heads , wresting , and perverting his godly and orthodox sayings to a sinister sense that they might have whereof to accuse him : and thereupon desired of the council that he might he condemned . mr. huss hearing of these their malicious proceedings , moved that he might have an advocate , but that was denyed him . whilst he lay there in prison , when he had in some measure regained his health , he wrote sundry books . from that prison he was removed by the bishop of constance to a castle on the other side of the rhene , where in the day time he was so laden with fetters on his legs that he could scarce go : and every night he was fastned by the hands up to a rack against the wall : hereupon many noble men of bohemia petitioned for his release , at least upon bail , but that was denyed . the sum of the nobles petition was this ; that whereas mr. john huss is freely of his own accord come to constance under the emperors safe conduct , against all right and reason he is grievously imprisoned before he is heard , and at this present is tormented miserably with hunger , thirst , and fetters : though formerly at the council of pisa , held anno christi . the hereticks which were condemned , were suffered to remain at their liberty , and to depart home freely : but mr. john huss , neither convicted , nor condemned , no nor so much as once heard , is taken and imprisoned , when as neither king nor any prince elector , nor any ambassador ▪ from any university is yet come or present : and though the lord our king , together with the nobles and lords here present have most instantly required and desired that his safe conduct might not be violated , and that the said mr. john huss might be openly heard , being ready to render a reason of his faith : and if he be convicted obstinately to affirm or maintain any thing against truth and the holy scriptures , that he is ready to amend the same : yet could be never obtain this : but the said mr. john huss , notwithstanding all this , is most grievously oppressed with fetters and irons , and so weakned with hunger and thirst , that it is to be feared that be will die in prison . and although the lords of bohemia here present are greatly scandalized with the trouble and torments of mr. john huss , contrary to the kings safe conduct : yet hitherto they have forborn to complain to the king that he might see his safe conduct better observed , and the reproach and dishonor that is done to the kindgom of bohemia thereby , vindicated : and indeed they suffer these things patiently , least by any means trouble or vexation should arise to this sacred council by reason thereof : wherefore we most earnestly desire and require your fatherhoods , that for the honor of the safe conduct granted by the king , and for the preservation and encrease of the worthy fame and renown of the kingdom of bohemia , and your own also , you will hasten the dispatch of mr. john huss his business , seeing he is in great danger by reason of his strait imprisonment if you delay him any longer . and whereas we the nobles of bohemia are informed that many slanderous reports are raised by back-biters against the famous kingdom of bohemia , as that the sacrament is carryed up and down in vessels unhallowed , that coblers do administer it , and hear confessions , &c. we therefore require and desire you that you will give no heed to such tale-bearers , who herein report untruths : also we require that such back-biters may be made known , and we doubt not easily to refell the false and trivolous slanders of these naughty persons , that hereafter they shall be ashamed to appear before the lord king and your reverences . but notwithstanding this , they which were appointed for his judges , in his absence heard his enemies , examined witnesses against him : judged his doctrine not by the true touch-stone of gods word , but by the popish canons . yet when the council would have condemned him without hearing , the emperour interposed , requiring that he should be first heard ; but when he was brought before them , they made such a confused noise , railing upon him , that he could not speak one word . the next day when he was brought before them again , there fell out so great an eclipse that the sun was almost wholly darkned : but when huss saw that he was like to meet with no justice there , he appealed from them to the pope , and from him to christ , for which they derided him : but when he saw the cruelty of his judges , the malice of his accusers , the falsehood of his witnesses , and the rage of all the council against him , that breathed forth nothing but fire and fagots , he kneeled down , and commended his righteous cause to the lord jesus christ , begging forgiveness for his very enemies : yet he earnestly requested even with tears the council that they would convince him of any error by the word of god , and he would willingly retract it : but nothing prevailing , they proceeded to condemn and degrade him ; whereupon kneeling down , he said , lord jesus christ , forgive mine enemies , by whom thou knowest that i am falsly accused ; forgive them i say for thy great mercies sake . in degrading him they pared off the crown of his head , and the skin with a pair of shears : and to justifie their proceedings against him , because the emperour had given him his safe conduct , the council made a decree , that faith was not to be kept with hereticks . the roman agents persecuted him with such eagerness , that his works were condemned to be burnt with him . when he was brought forth to be burned , they put on his head a tripple crown of paper , painted over with ugly divels : but when he saw it , he said , my lord jesus christ for my sake did wear a crown of thorns ; why should not i then for his sake were this light crown , be it never so ignominious ? truly i will do it , and that willingly . when it was set upon his head , the bishops said , now we commit thy soul unto the divel : but i , said john huss , ( lifting up his eyes towards heaven ) do commit my spirit into thy hands o lord jesus christ , unto thee i commend my spirit which thou hast redeemed . as he was going to execution , they burned his books before his face , at which he smiled , and said unto the people , think not good people that i die for any heresie , or error , but only for the hatred and ill-will of my adversaries . when he came to the place of execution , he kneeled down , and with his eyes towards heaven he prayed and repeated certain psalms , and with a merry and chearful countenance cryed often , into thy hands o lord i commend my spirit . as he listed up his head in prayer , the crown of paper fell off ; but a souldier taking it up , said , let us put it on again , that he may be burned with his masters the divels , whom he hath served . when he rose from his knees he said , lord jesus christ , assist and help me , that with a constant and patient minde , by thy most gracious help , i may bear and suffer this cruel and ignominious death , whereunto i am condemned for the preaching of thy most holy gospel . and as they tyed his neck with a chain to the stake , smiling he said , that he would willingly receive the same chain for jesus christ's sake , who he knew was bound with a far worse chain . when the fire was kindled , he began to sing with a loud voice , jesus christ the son of the living god have mercy upon me ; and at the third time that he repeated it , the winde drove the flame so into his face , that it choaked him . the heart that was found amongst his bowels , being well beaten with staves and clubs , was at last prick't upon a sharp stake , and rosted at a fire till it was consumed . his ashes were diligently gathered up , and thrown into the river rhene . he suffered martyrdom , anno christi . he told them at his death , that out of the ashes of the goose ( for so huss in the bohemian language signifies ) an hundred years after god would raise up a swan in germany , whose singing would affright all those vultures : which was exactly fulfilled in luther , just an hundred years after . upon his death the bohemians under ziska rose in arms , and had admirable success against the emperour and the papists . and this pompous act of theirs had a very tragical event , the bohemians maintaining war against the emperour sigismund for . years after , wherein he spent abundance of treasure , lost many brave armies , and gallant men : and during these wars a thousand monasteries were overthrown , many castles demolished , and cities burnt : all which was a just revenging hand upon him for his perfidiousness and cruelty . before his going to constance , mr. huss set up this epistle upon the gate of the kings palace . unto the kings majesty , the queen , and to all such as are of his council , and to all other nobles and magistrates which are now in the kings court , i john huss do signifie and publish , that being certainly informed that letter●s are come from the pope to the kings majesty , the contents whereof are these : that the king should extirpate all such hereticks as are lately sprung up in his kingdom and dominions : but i trust in god , that this fame is blown abroad without any desert : and it shall be our part to foresee and take heed that neither the kings majesty nor the noble kingdom of bohemia shall suffer any trouble or reproach and slander for my sake . wherefore now of late i have sent my letters to and fro , which with great labor an● diligence i 〈◊〉 caused to be set up openly , with this intent , that ●●ight thereby cause the archbishop of prague to be careful and diligent about the matter , signifying openly , that if there were any man in bohemia , which did know me to be a follower of any falle or 〈◊〉 doctrine , he should appear in the archbishops court and there declare what he thought . and forasmuch as there would none be found , or come forth which would accuse me , the archbishop commanded me and my procters to depart in peace . wherefore i require and desire the kings majesty , which is the defender of the truth , also the queen and their counsellers , and all other nobles and magistrates , that they would give me a true testimonial of this matter : forasmuch as i have oftentimes willed and attempted this , and no man bath either accused or molested me . i do it moreover to be known to all bohemia , and all nations , that i will with the first be present at the council of constance , in the presence of the pope , and of all others that will come to that famous place : and that whosoever hath any suspition of me , that i have either taught or defended any thing contrary unto the faith of christ , let him come thither also , and declare before the pope and all the doctors of divinity , what erroneous or false doctrine i have at any time maintained or holden . and if he shall convince me of any error , or prove that i have taught any thing contrary to the christian faith , i will not refuse to suffer whatsoever punishment shall be due to an heretick : but i hope and trust even from the bottom of my heart that god will not give the victory to unfaithful and unbelieving men which willingly kick and spurn against the truth . at the same time also mr. huss sent his proctor to the bishop of nazareth , who was ordained by the pope , inquisitor for heresies in the city and diocese of prague , requiring him that if he had found any error in him , he would declare it openly : but the said bishop in a publick assembly answered that he had often talken with john huss , and that he never found any thing in him but such as becometh a godly and faithful man , which also he attested by his letters in writing . shortly after also all the barons of bohemia being assembled in the abby of st. james , the archbishop of prague being present also , john huss presented a supplication to them , wherein he most humbly desired the barons to request the archbishop , that if he did suspect him for any error or heresie , he should declare it openly : for that he was ready to suffer correction for the same at the archbishops hands : and that if he had found no such thing in him , that then he would give him a testimonial thereof , that being armed therewith he might the more freely go unto the council : hereupon the archbishop did openly confess before all the assembly that he knew not the said john huss was guilty of any such thing . johannis hussi opera , quae extant omnia , impressa sunt novimb●rgae in officina montani & neuberi , anno christi . jerom of pragve the life of hierom of prague who dyed , an. christi . hierom of pague , a bohemian born , a man famous for courage , comliness , virtue , learning , and eloquence : when he understood that the publick faith was violated , his country slandered , and huss burnt , he travelled to constance , april the . anno christi . but no sooner came he thither , but he understood that watch was laid for him to apprehend him , whereupon the next day he went to iberling a city of the empire , and a mile from constance . from thence he sent to sigismund king of hungary , and his barons , but especially to the council , most earnestly requesting that they would give him a safe conduct freely to come and go , and then he would come in open audience to answer every man , if any would appear to charge him with any crime : but this was denyed him both by the king and council , whereupon the next day he wrote sundry intimations and sent them to constance , causing them to be set upon the gates of the citie , upon the doores of churches , monasteries , of the houses of the cardinals , and other noble personages , the tenor whereof was this : unto the noble emperour , &c. i jerom of prague , master of arts of the university of paris , cullen , heidleberg and prague , by these my letters do notifie to the king and council , and to all others , that because of many crafty slanderers , back-biters , and accusers , i am ready of mine own free will to come unto constance , there to declare openly before all the council the purity and sincerity of my faith and mine innocency : but this i will not do in corners , secretly before any private or particular person : wherefore if there be any of my slanderers of what nation soever , that will charge me with error or heresie , let them come forth openly before the council , and in their own names object against me , and i wil be ready to answer them : and if i shall be found guilty of any error or heresie , i will not refuse openly to suffer such punishment as shall be meet for an heretick : wherefore i humbly desire a safe conduct as afore : but if ( seeing i offer such equal terms ) before any fault be proved against me , i shall be arrested , imprisoned , or have any violence done to me , that then it may be manifest unto all the world that this council doth not proceed according to the rules of equity and justice , the rather seeing that i am come hither freely , and of my own accord , &c. but notwithstanding all this , no safe conduct would be granted him : wherefore the lords of bohemia gave him their letters patents under their seals to testifie the truth of the premises : with the which letters he returned again towards bohemia : but by the treachery and subtilty of his enemies he was apprehended by the way in hirsaw , and by the officers was carryed before the duke : who presently after carryed him bound to constance ; and for a greater disgrace they put a bolt of iron upon his wrists with a long iron chain at it , by which they led him through the city to the cloister of the fryer minors , where all the priests , scribes and pharisees were met together , and when he came before them , some of the bishops said to him : hierom , why didst thou fly and run away , and not appear when thou wast cited ? to which he answered , because i could get no safe conduct neither from you , nor the king ; and perceiving that i had many bitter enemies in the council , i would not be the author of mine own peril : but had i known of your citation , assuredly though i had been in bohemia , i would have appeared : then a great rable of priests cryed out against him , and gerson the chancellor of paris , and the chancellor of cullen , and the chancellor of heidleberg charged him with errors delivered in those universities : to which he answered , that what he had delivered there , he would justifie now ; yet if any could convince him of error therein , he would willingly be informed : hereupon some cryed out , let him be burned , let him be burned ; then was he delivered bound to the officers to be put into prison ; assoon as he came thither , one called to him at his window , saying , mr. hierom , be constant and fear not to suffer death for the truths sake , of which when you were at liberty you did preach much good : to whom he answered , truly brother , i do not fear death , &c. but the prison-keeper coming to the man drove him away with strokes from the window : presently after the bishop of rigen sent for hierom , strongly bound with chains , both by the hands and neck , and sent him to a tower , where they tyed him fast to a great block , and his feet in the stocks , his hands being also made fast upon them , the block being so high that he could by no means sit thereon but his head must hang downwards : where also they allowed him nothing but bread and water : but within eleven days , hanging so by the heels , he fell very sick ; yet thus they kept him in prison a year wanting seven days , and then sent for him , requiring him to recant , and to subscribe that john huss was justly put to death , which he did , partly for fear of death , and hoping thereby to escape their hands : after which they sent him back to prison , and kept him guarded with souldiers , yet not so strictly chained as before . afterwards they sent to examine him again , but he refused to answer in private , except he might be brought before the council ; and they ( supposing that he would openly confirm his former recantation ) sent for him thither , may the . . suborning false witnesses to accuse him ; but he so learnedly cleared himself , and refelled his adversaries , that they were astonished at his oration , and with shame enough were put to silence : he also concluded his oration with this , that all such articles as wicklief and huss had written against the enormities , pomp , and disorder of the prelates , he would firmly hold and defend , even unto the death ; and that all the sins that he had committed , did not so much gnaw and trouble his conscience , as did that most pestiferous act of his in recanting what he had justly spoken , and in consenting to the wicked condemnation of huss , and that he repented with his whole heart that ever he did it : this so enraged them that they proceeded to condemn him ; whereupon he said : i after my death , will leave a remorse in your conscience , and a nail in your hearts ; et cito vos omnes at respondeatis mihi coram altissimo , & justissimo judice post centum annos : i here cite you all to answer to me before the most high and just judge within a hundred years . when he was brought forth to execution , they prepared a great and long paper painted about with red divels , which when he beheld throwing away his hood , he took the miter , and put it on his head , saying , our lord jesus christ , when he suffered death for me ●ost ●wretched sinner , did wear a crown of thorns upon his head : and i , for his sake , will willingly wear this cap. as he went to the place of execution , he sung some hymns ; and coming to the place of execution , where john huss was burned , he kneeled down , and prayed fervently . he was bound to the image of john huss , and so fire was set to him , which he endured with admirable valor : for standing at the stake bound , and the executioner kindling the fire behinde him , he bade him kindle it before his face ; for ( said he ) if i had been afraid of is , i had not come to this place having had so many opportunities offered to me to escape it . the whole city of constance admired his constancie , and christian magnanimity in fuffering death . at the giving up the ghost he said , hanc animam in flammis offero christe tibi : this soul of mine in slames of fire o christ i offer thee . an aliquid ab hieronymo pragensi scriptum sit , posterisque relictum , ignoro : credibile verum est , virum tam doctum , ac eloquentem quaedam scripsisse , orationes quas in academiis illu strioribus habuit , tum themata quae proposuit , forte in lucem edita , suppressa fuare , & extincta ab iis qui , more suo , lucem ferre nequeunt . martin lvther the life of martin luther , who flourished anno christi . martin luther was born at at isleben in the earldom of mansfield , anino christ . of good parents . his fathers name was john luther , who first lived at isleben , and afterwards removed to manfield , where he had some metal mines , and was chosen a magistrate , and was grateful to all for the integrity of his life . his mothers name was margaret lindeman , who was adorned with such virtues as became an honest matron , but especially she was eminent for chastity , the fear of god , and often calling upon his name . assoon as this their son was capable of learning , they first trained him up in the knowledge and fear of god , and in the exercise of other virtues under their own wings : then their care was to educate him in humane learning , for which end they set him to school to george aemilius : and though at this time the darkness of popery had much obscured the light of truth , yet it pleased god to preserve in the schools the catechisms containing the principles of religion , the use of singing psalms , and some forms of prayer . at fourteen years of age , he went to magdeburg , where he lived a poor scholar one year : from thence he was removed by his parents to isenach , where was a famous school , and where he first tasted the sweetness of learning , and so after a while went thence to the university of erford , anno christi . there he profited so much in the knowledge of logick , and other learning , that the whole university admired his wit. at twenty years old , he was made master of arts , and professor of physicks , ethicks , and other parts of philosophy . then he betook himself to the study of the law : but at the age of twenty one ( being affrighted at the violent death of a faithful companion of his whom he dearly loved ) he betook himself into the augustine monks colledge in erford , writing to his parents the reason why he changed the course of his life . in the library of that colledge he met with a copy of a latine bible , which he had never seen before and with admiration , observed that there were more portions of holy scripture , then were read in the churches , which made him wish that he had the like book : and it pleased god that not long after he obtained his desire , and fell close to the study thereof , some sickness and fear also whening him on in those studies . afterwards falling into a violent disease which threatned death , an old priest came to him , saying , sir , be of good courage , your disease is not mortal : god will raise you up to afford comfort to many others : which also came to pass , and he was much cheared up by conference with that priest , who largely discoursed with him about justification by faith , and explained the articles of the creed to him . then did luther read over augustines works , where he found the same doctrine of justification by faith frequently confirmed . he read over the school-men also , especially occam , and in these studies he spent five years in that collegde . anno christi . he was made presbyter : and john staupicius endeavouring to promote the university of wittenberg ( then lately begun ) knowing the wit and learning of luther , removed him thither , anno christi . when he was but years old , where by his labors he did much good ; three years after he was sent to rome in the behalf of his convent , where he saw the pope , and the manner of the roman clergy , concerning which he saith ; at rome i heard them say mass in such a manner as i detest them : for at the communion table i heard curtisans laugh and boast of their wickedness , and others concerning the bread and wine of the altar , saying , bread thou art , and bread thou shalt remain ; wine thou art , and wine thou shalt remain . upon his return from rome , he was made doctor in divinity at the charge of duke frederick , elector of saxonie , who heard him preach , and admired the foundness of his invention , the strength of his arguments , and the excellency of the things which he delivered . soon after he began to explain the epistle to the romans , and some psalms , where he shewed the difference between the law and gospel ; refuted justification by works , &c. and his demeanor agreed with his doctrine ; his speech seemed to come from his heart , not from his lips only . then he betook himself to the study of the greek and hebrew . this year . was by the account of scultetus the . from the reformation of religion in france by the waldenses : the . from the first confutation of popish errors in england by john wicklief . the . from the first year of the ministry of john huss , who opposed the errors of popery in bohemia . the . year from the condemnation of dr. wessalia , who taught at worms the same doctrine before luther was born , that luther did afterwards . anno christi . john tecelius brought indulgences into germany to be sold , averring that he had so large a commission from the pope , that though a man had deflroured the blessed virgin , yet for money he could pardon his sin : luther's zeal being inflamed herewith , it caused him to set forth some propositions against indulgences , which so enraged tecelius , that wheresoever he came he declamed against luther , and set forth contrary positions , and not content therewith , he burned openly luthers propositions , and the sermon which he wrote about indulgences : this caused the students at wittenberg to burn his positions also . the propositions which luther set up , were in number : after which he made this protestation ; i martin luther , doctor of the order of the eremites at wittenberg , would have it publickly testified that , i have set forth certain propositions against the popes indulgences as they call them ; but albeit neither the famous and worthy school of ours , nor the civil nor ecclesiastical power hath hitherto condemned me : yet ( as i hear ) there are certain men of a violent and bold wit , who dare to pronounce me an heretick , as if they well understood and throughly knew the whole matter : but i beseech every one , as i have often done before , so now by the christian faith , that they either shew me a better way if it be revealed by god to any of them , or else let them submit their sentence to god and his churches judgment . for neither am i so rash that i would have my opinion alone to be preferred before all others , neither am i so doltish that i would have the word of god to be placed after fables devised by humane reason . anno christi . andrew bodenstein , from his native place called caralostadius , with many other divines of wittenberg defended luthers doctrine by their writings . also the elector of saxony of his own accord , without intreaty , took upon him the patronage of luther , neither would he suffer that he should be drawn to rome . also about the same time luther ( contrary to the advice of his friends ) went to the chapter of the angustine fryars held at heidleberg to defend his doctrine , and shew his obedience to their summons . he was honorably entertained by the bishop of wurstburg , and at heidleberg by wolfgang the count palatine . amongst the fryers there he disputed of paradoxes which he propounded out of st. pauls epistles concerning justification by faith without works . bucer being present , and taking notes at this disputation , wrote thus of it to beatus rhenanus . his sweetness in answering ( saith he ) was admirable , his patience in hearing was incomparable : you might have seen the acuteness of saint paul in resolving doubts , so that he brought them all into admiration of him , by reason of his short and pithy answers , and those taken out of the storehouse of gods holy scriptures . in his return when he was at erford , he wrote to jodocus , a divine of isenach , who had been his master , wherein he thus expresseth himself : the whole vniversity of wittenberg is of my minde concerning the doctrine of faith and works except one licenciat , and also the duke of saxony : the bishop of brandenburg ( who is my ordinary ) and many prelates , and the more ingenuous citizens say with one mouth that they never knew christ and the gospel before . august following , maximilian the emperor , hearing of these controversies between luther & others , presently wrote to the pope to provide timely remedies against those spreading evils ( as he called them ) promising , that whatever he should decree about the same , he would see that it should take place through all the provinces of the empire . hereupon pope leo citeth luther to rome , which he also signified to his legat cardinal cajetan in these words , hearing that luther defendeth certain ungodly opinions , estranged from those of the church of rome , which is the mistris of faith and religion , out of my fatherly affection desiring to repress his rashness , i have commanded the bishop of aeculan to cite him to rome to answer those accusations that are laid against him . this the said bishop hath done , yet luther is so far from returning to soundness , that being stubborn in his heresie , he hath set out writings much worse then the former , to my great grief and perturbation , &c. then he proceeds to require the cardinal to see that luther were brought to auspurg , and that he should implore the emperour and princes to set a guard upon him , and carry him to rome : yet withall if he should repent , and voluntarily confess his fault , he bade the cardinal pardon him , otherwise to interdict him from holy services , &c. the pope also wrote to the duke of saxony , in which letter after a few flatteries , he tels him that he heareth many and grievous complaints against luther , ( an undone man ) who forgetting his order and profession doth many things very sawcily against the church of god with great confidence : braging that he is defended with the favor of his prince , and that he fears the authority of no man : which thing he presumes to be false and scandalous to the prince : yet ( saith he ) i am willing to write to you , to admonish you to be mindeful of the dignity and splendor of your ancestors , flying not only the fault , but also suspition of it , &c. after which he tels him that it properly belonged to the church of rome to judge in these causes of religion , and therefore requires him at the request of his legat to see that luther be sent to rome , that there he might be either censured or pardoned according to his deserts . the pope wrote also to the master of the augustine monks , exhorting him by his authority to endeavour to recal luther from his undertakings , and to sollicit him earnestly thereto both by letters and learned men : withall telling him that this must be done speedily , whereby he might quench the flame that was but lately risen , whereas by delays it was to be feared that the danger would grow greater and greater ; for the timely suppressing whereof he required him to use all his study , care , and diligence . when luther saw that he was called to rome , he earnestly sollicited that his cause might be heard in germany , before fit judges appointed thereto , and in a place least subject unto danger . the university also of wittenberg wrote to the pope , giving a notable testimony unto luther both for his life and learning : they said also that in regard of his sickliness , and the danger of the way , he could not go to rome : they beseeched the pope that he would think no otherwise of him then of a good man : that certain things indeed were propounded by him only for disputation sake , not to define them : that his adversaries interpreted him in the worse sense , and thereby much exasperated him : beseeching him to give credit to this their testimony . they wrote also to charles miltitius , a germane , who was chamberlain to the pope , highly commending luther , and desiring him to procure of the pope that indifferent judges might be appointed to hear his cause in germany : presuming that he being a german , would favour his country-man who was oppressed with slanders , and in danger of his life in an honest cause . prince frederick also the elector of saxony , treated with cardinal cajetan , and so prevailed with him , that luther should be called to auspurg , there to plead his cause before the cardinal . about this time the bohemians sent a book to him written by john huss , encouraging him to constancy and patience , confesting that what he taught was sound and right . in a letter to spalatinus he thus writes ; in what matter soever i have not so roughly dealt with the romanists , let them not ascribe it to my modesty , nor to their deserts , but to my respect to my prince and his authority , and to the common good of the students of wittenberg : as for my self , contemptus à me est romanus & favor , & furor : i contemn romes favour and fury : let them censure and burn all my books , i will do the like by theirs , and will put an end to all my humble observance of them , which doth but incense them more and more . the elector of saxony telling erasmus that he wondred at the monks and popes extreme hatred of luther : erasmus answered , your highness needs not wonder at it , seeing he deals against the monks bellies and the popes crown . and the same erasmus being profered a great bishoprick if he would write against luther , answered , that luther was too great a man for him to deal with , and that he learned more from one short page of luthers writings , then from all thomas aquinas ' s great books . erasmus also in a letter to the archbishop of mentz , saith , that many things were in the books of luther condemned by monks and divines for heresie , which in the books of bernard and augustine are reputed sound and godly . about the same time margaret , caesars aunt , who governed the low-countries , when the masters of lovan complained to her that the writings of luther overthrew the whole christian common-wealth ; she asked them , what kinde of man that luther was ? to whom they answered , an unlearned monk : whereupon she replyed : therefore do you who are many learned men , write against that one unlearned fellow : for sure the world will sooner beleive many learned , before one unlearned man. luther being cited , as we said before , to appear before cardinal cajetan at auspurg , went thither , and having obtained a safe conduct from the emperour maximilian , he appeared before the cardinal , where he justified his doctrine , and profered to maintain the same either by disputation or writing : the cardinal being much offended with him for his bold speech , would not suffer him to come before him any more : hereupon luther , after five or six days stay , when he heard no more from him , appealeth to the pope , and so departeth home . but the cardinal wrote after him to the duke of saxony , that as he tendered his own honor and safety , he should expel luther out of his dominions : this letter the duke sent to luther , who wrote back again , that rather then he would any way indanger his prince , he would depart thence , and go whitheresoever it should please the lord to lead him . but the whole university of wittenberg ( seeing the cause of god in danger by this means to decline ) wrote to the prince , humbly beseeching him , that of his princely honor , he would not suffer innocency to be thus oppressed by meer violence : but that the error might first be shewed , and luther be convicted of it , before he be pronounced guilty : hereupon the duke hearing luther sermons , and reading his books with more diligence , began to favour his quarrel more then he did before , and thereupon wrote back to the cardinal to this purpose : that whereas he had promised that luther should come to ausparg that being done , he could do no more : that the legat had also promised him that he would dismiss luther in a friendly manner : but that it seemed a wonder to him that he would have forced luther to a recantation before he had pleaded his cause : that there were many not only in his jurisdiction , but in other places also that were learned and vertuous persons which did not condemn luthers doctrine , but they which opposed him were men drawn thereto through filthy covetousness : but if they would shew him his error , he would then do therein the office of a christian prince , as one that respected the glory of god , and desired to provide for the peace of his conscience ; and that whereas ( beyond his expectation ) he wrote that luther should be prosecuted at rome , and therefore required that either he should be sent to rome , or banished his dominions : he answered that he could not agree thereto : first , because his error is not yet shewed him : secondly , because it would be an intolerable loss to the university of wittenberg , which he had lately founded , wherein were many students and learned men which loved luther exceedingly , who had deserved so well of them ; that luther is still willing to come to a disputation in a place not suspected , and to submit to the judgements of such as can bring any thing more right , or to answer by writing ; that he thinketh it just that this be granted him , and requesteth that it may be so done , that so it may appear why he is counted an heretick , and what himself ought chiefly to follow , assuring him that he will maintain no error : and as he is unwilling to depart from the observance of the church of rome , so neither can he condemn luther , till his errors and crimes be detected . after the death of maximilian , and the coronation of charles the fifth , the pope sent to the duke of saxony by some cardinals , requesting him , that he would cause all luthers books to be burnt ; and that he would see luther either to be executed in saxony , or else that he would secure him , and send him to rome ; to which the duke answered , that he was ready to shew his obedience to the pope , but yet he could not send luther to him , till his cause was heard before the emperour , and till he was convicted of error ; and then if he recanted not , he should finde no favour at his hands . about this time , many adversaries being risen up against luther , there was a disputation appointed a lipsick , to which luther came accompanyed with phil. melancthon , who was come to wittenberg the year before : on the adverse party came john eckius , a bold and confident divine : this disputation lasted fourteen days , which was after published in print by luther and petrus mossellanus . presently after , the fryars grievously charged the pope with neglect of his duty , in that minding his pleasures so much ( whereunto he was wondrously addicted ) he in the mean time neglected the care of the church , in not timely suppressing the doctrine of luther : the bishops also of germany having condemned the doctrine of luther , wrote earnestly to the pope against him , whereupon the pope calling together the cardinals , bishops , divines , and canonists , referred the business wholly to their pleasures , who after much contention and wrangling amongst themselves , at last concluded that a certain day should be appointed for luthers appearing , and that his books should be burnt openly . the court of saxony hearing these things , was somewhat troubled , which when luther perceived , he began to bethink himself of retiring into bohemia : which being taken notice of , sir francis of sickingen , sir vlrick of hutten , and silvester of scavenberg , a noble franconian , offered him both entertainment and patronage ; intreating him not to go into bohemia , but to come into franconia , if the romans curses did prevail , promising him an hundred noble horse-men of franconia for his guard . hereupon luthers courage encreaseth , and he giveth notice to the cardinal of saint george , that if the popes curses drave him out of wittenberg , they should get nothing by it , seeing there were now , not only in bohemia , but in the midst of germany such as were able and willing to defend him against the popes power : and then ( saith he ) being safe guarded by these protectors , i shall more cruelly inveigh against the romanists then if you let me alone in peace under my prince . yet june . the pope publisheth his bull against luther , and all his partakers : forbidding upon pain of excommunication , the reading or keeping any of his books : commanding all men to apprehend him , and bring him to rome : and interdicting all places where he should come . this bull in many places of germany was opposed and torn in peices : and sir vlrick hutten published it with interlineary glosses , and marginal notes , to their great disgrace . but before this came abroad luther had published his book de captivitate babylonica , wherein he professed that he was daily made more learned , wishing that his books about indulgences were burned , and that instead thereof this position were set forth , indulgences are the wickednesses of the flatterers of rome . and when the popes bull came forth , luther excommunicated the bull it self and the authors of it ; he also published a defence of all the articles condemned by the pope , appealing from the pope to a council . after this the cardinals , according to the their commission , told the duke , that they could doe no less then burn luthers books ; which accordingly they did : but luther hearing of it , being accompanyed with all the university , he also openly burnt the popes decrees , and his bull lately sent out against him . at which time he added these words , because thou hast troubled the holy one of the lord , eternal fire shall trouble thee . a while after the emperour charles the fifth coming into germany , prince frederick of saxony accompanyed him to worms , from whence he wrote to luther that he had obtained of the emperour to hear him openly at the diet : to which luther answered , that it was very welcome news to him that the emperor would take to himself the hearing of his cause , promising to do all which he could with a safe conscience , and not wronging the cause of christ. march the sixth , the emperour sent for him , and withall sent him a safe conduct , requiring his repair thither within days : but many of his friends disswaded him from going , to whom he answered , that these discouragements were cast into his way by satan ▪ who knew that by his profession of the truth in so illustrious a place , his kingdom would be shaken , and therefore if he knew that there were as many divels in worms as tiles on the houses , yet would he go thither , &c. april the sixteenth , luther came to worms : whereupon some perswaded the emperor to deal with him as the council of constance had dealt with john huss : but the emperour said , that the publik faith was not to be violated . the next day luther appeared before the emperour , and a frequent assembly of the princes , at which time eccius , a lawyer , at the command of the emperour , made a speech , in the end whereof he asked him whether he would recant and retract his works ? to which luther after deliberation , answered , of my books ( saith he ) some tend to faith and piety ; to these my adversaries give an ample testimony : others are against the pope and his doctrine ; should i revoke these , i should confirm his tyranny : others are against private men who defend his cause ; in these i confess , i have been too vehement , yet i cannot revoke them , unless i will set open a gap to the impudency of many . but eccius told him that the emperour was not satisfied with this answer , but required his recantation . to which luther answered , i beseech you , give me leave to maintain the peace of my own conscience , which , if i should consent to you , i cannot do . for unless my adversaries can convince me by sound arguments taken out of the holy scriptures , i cannot satisfie my conscience . for i can plainly prove that both popes and councils have often erred grievously : and therefore it would be an ungodly thing for me to assent to them , and to depart from the holy scriptures which is plain and only cannot err . and so he departed at that time . but the next day the emperour sent his letter to the assembly of the princes , wherein he wrote that his ancestors had always professed the christian religion , and had observed the church of rome , which seeing luther now opposed , and flood stifly to his opinion , it behoved him to proscribe him and his companions , and to provide fit remedies to quench that flame . yet that he would keep the publick faith given him , so that he might return safe to his own home . the princes were divided in their opinions ; but the major part held that he was not rashly to be condemned , because the emperour being a young man , was instigated against him by the pope and his ministers . a few days after the bishop of trevers appointed luther to come unto him , with whom also some other of the princes were assembled : at which time they used many arguments to draw him to a recantation , and concluded that they perceived that if he refused , the emperours purpose was to banish him out of the bounds of the empire , and therefore they exhorted him seriously to think upon the same . luther answered that he was very thankful to them that so great princes would take so much pains for his sake who was so mean , and unworthy a person : yet he told them that he would rather lose his life then depart from the manifest truth of the word of god , seeing its better to obey god then man , &c. then was he commanded to withdraw : and there came to him one ●aeus a lawyer ; who perswaded him to submit his writings to the judgement of caesar and the princes : to whom he answered , that he would not decline the judgement of caesar , and the orders of the empire if they would be guided by the word of god which ( saith he ) makes so plain for me , that unless they convince me of an error , i cannot depart from mine opinion . shortly after the emperor sent to him to depart home , giving him days for his return , commanding him neither by writing nor word to declare any thing to the people by the way . and after his departure the emperour proscribed him . after the publication whereof , prince frederick appointed certain noble men , whom he most confided in , to convey him to a secret place thereby to avoid the danger , who accordingly conveyed him privately to wartsburg , which he called his patmos , where he continued ten moneths , and wrote divers useful treatises . the papists imployed wizards to descrie him , but they could not certainly design the place where he was . in luthers absence , the university of wittenberg sollicited prince frederick to abolish the mass out of his jurisdiction , shewing him the impiety of the same , and that it was invented but about years before for the popes profit , to which the prince gave them a very prudent and pious answer . anno christi . luther wrote to melancthon , to provide him a lodging at wittenberg : for ( saith he ) the translation of the bible will urge me to return . for having translated much of the bible into dutch in his patmos , it was necessary for him to confer with learned men , and to have their help and assistance about the same . in his absence , justus jonas , caralostad , phil. melancthon , ampsdorfius , &c. had removed private mass , images , auricular confession , prayer to saints , &c. march the sixth , luther came back to wittenberg , and preached every day , taxing the reformers in one of his sermons , as if they had erred in abolishing the mass : not ( saith he ) because it 's sinful to do it , but because they have not done it in a right order , &c. and as touching the pulling down of images he said , if any worship images , they are to be abolished ; otherwise they are to be endured : yet i wish they were all taken away because of the abuse of them , which we cannot dissemble . caralostadius was much netled with these and other such like speeches , who was the chief doer in these matters , saying that luther would have all men enslaved to his authority , and would suffer no man to do or write any thing whereof himself was not the first author . presently after luther excused himself by letters to prince frederick for returning to wittenberg without his leave , and concludes that he returned to wittenberg under a stronger protection then the elector could give him ; for saith he , god alone can order and promote the truth without any mans excessive care , and helping hand : therefore in this cause , he that most strongly trusts to gods assistance , he most surely defends himself and others . anno christi . he printed the new testament ( translated by him in his patmos ) into the germane tongue , and revised by melancthon , whereat our king henry the eighth , and george duke of saxony were much troubled . about this time thomas muncer , an anabaptist , wrote a fanatick book against him and his doctrine , and the boors seduced by him , rose in arms , publishing their demands , whereof these were some : that they might choose their own ministers : that they might pay no tithes , but of corn only , which also might be distributed partly to the ministers , partly to the poor , and other common uses . that they should not be used as servants , who were made free by the blood of christ , &c. to these proposals luther wrote an answer , that indeed princes grievously offend by forbidding the sincere preaching of the gospel , and for overburdening of their subjects : but yet for these things the subjects may not take arms against their magistrates : that there was no reason why they should place their hope in the multitude , seeing god can easily destroy them : that they abused the name of god , pretending it for their sedition , as if they desired to promote the sincere glory of god , the doctrine of the gospel , justice and equity , whereas indeed they go about to take from the magistrate the power that god hath given him , and whom god hath commanded them to obey . afterwards he proceeded to examine their demands , shewing that the most of them were contrary to the law of nature and equity , telling them also how great their confusion would be , should they be granted . and for the rest , which seemed to be grounded upon any equity , he referred them to be examined by the lawyers . lastly , he exhorted them lovingly and brotherly to lay down their arms , and to obey their magistrates : telling them that they might remove from those places where the preaching of the gospel is forbidden : but they may not oppose themselves violently against their magistrates . but when this admonition prevailed nothing , he wrote another treatise , wherein he exhorted all men to join together for the utter subversion of these theevish incendiaries , as for the quenching of a common fire . thomas muncer ( a phanatical preacher ) sowed the seeds of this sedition , and was holpen much by one pseiffer : these vented their dreams , and told their followers that they should kill their enemies as mice in a barn. hereupon some of the princes assembled their forces , and pitying this wretched seduced multitude , offered them peace if they would lay down their arms , and depart home : but muncer told his followers , that the princes were afraid , and that by a divine revelation he could assure them of victory : hereupon they came to a battel , wherein of them were slain , and the rest fled to francusium : but the princes pursuing them , took the city , put more to death : and muncer being taken , was brought before the princes , who chid him for his proceedings , and then racked him to confess his complices : upon the wrack he cryed out grievously , whereupon prince george of saxony said , but think upon the slaughter of the poor wretches , who being deceived by you , perished yesterday : upon this muncer laughed out right , and said , why ? they would be deceived . when he was to be beheaded , he was so faint-hearted that he could not rehearse the apostles creed : with him also was beheaded pseiffer , and some others : and shortly after was finished that mournful war of the clowns , whereinin several places were slain above fifty thousand , some say one hundred thousand . anno christi . luther marryed catherine a bore● , who had formerly been a nun. this luthers freinds disliked very much , that he should marry at so unseasonable a time , when germany weltred in the blood of the clowns , and saxony mourned for the death of frederick their prince : but phil. melancthon wrote thus to camerarius . perhaps some will wonder that luther should marry in these unhappy times , as if he cared not for those mischiefs which are before our eyes : but i think this was the occasion of it : you know well enough his course of life , that he is none of those that shun meetings ; i think better to leave you to think the rest , then that i should write it : if any undecent thing be reported by the people of him , it 's alye and a calumny . i judge also that nature compelled him to become as husband . if any thing seem unseasonable and unadvised , it must not trouble us too much : perhaps there is some hidden and divine matter in it , into which it becometh not us curiously to search , and because i see him sorrowful for the change of his condition , i labor to comfort him all that i can . anno . he fell sick of a congealing of blood about his heart ; but by the drinking of the water of carduus benedictus , he recovered . presently after ( on a sabbath day ) he endured a spiritual temptation , which he called the buffeting of satan : it seemed to him that swelling surges of the sea did sound aloud at his left ear , and that so violently , that dye he must , except they presently grew calm : afterwards when the noise came within his head , he fell down as one dead , and was so cold in each part , ut nec calor , nec sanguis , nec sensus , nec vox superesset : that he had remaining neither heat , nor blood , nor sense , nor voice ; but when his face was sprinkled with cold water by justus jonas , he came to himself , and prayed most earnestly , and made a confession of his faith , saying , that he was unworthy to suffer martyrdom , which by his proceedings he might seem to run upon . he often mentions this tentation in his letters to his friends , and was confirmed in his faith by receiving absolution from a minister , and the use of the sacrament . melancthon knowing the rage of the papists , and caesars threats to subvert the gospel , was much troubled at it , and gave himself wholly up to grief , sighs and tears ; whereupon luther wrote to him : in private conflicts i am weak , and you are strong ; but in publick conflicts , you are found weak , and i stronger ; because i am assured that our cause is just and true : if we fall , christ , the l●rd and ruler of the world falleth with us ▪ and suppose he fall , mallem ruere cum christo , quàm regnare cum caesare , i had rather fall with christ then stand with caesar : i extremely dislike your excessive cares , with which you say , that you are almost consumed : that these reign so much in your heart , it is not from the greatness of the danger , but the greatness of your incredulity . si piam , & justam causam defendimus , cur dei promistis non confidimus ? praeter vitam hanc misellam satanas , & mundus nobis eripere nihil potest . at vivit , & in sempiternum regnat christus , in cujus tutela consistit veritas : is nobis aderit : is etiam causam hanc , quae non nostra , sed ipsius est , ad optatum producet finem . if the cause be bad , let us revoke it , and flie back : if it be good , why do we make god a lyer ? who hath made us so great promises : cast thy care upon the lord , &c. be of good comfort , i have overcome the world . if christ be the conquerour of the world , why should we fear it as if it would overcome us ? a man would fetch such sentences as these upon his knees , from rome or hierusalem . nolite igitur timere , estote fortes , & laeti , nihil solliciti , dominus propè adest : be not afraid ; be couragious and cheerful : solicitous for nothing the lord is at hand to help us . and in another place when our king henry the eighth had written bitterly against him : agant quicquid possunt henrici , episcopi , atque adeò turca , & ipse satan , nos filii sumus regni , &c. let the henries , the bishops , the turk , and the divel himself do what they can ; we are the children of the kingdom , worshipping , and waiting for that saviour , whom they , and such as they , spit upon and crucifie . concerning this his answer , erasmus thus writes , if ( saith he ) luther commending the kings good intention , had proceeded by strong arguments , without violating the kingly majesty , in my judgement , he had taken a better course for the defence of his cause . for what made luther in his book to the king of england , to use these words , come hither my lord henry , and i will teach you ? truly the kings book was written in latine , and that not unlearnedly : but luther thus excuseth himself , if any man ( saith he ) be offended at my sharpness against the king , let him know that in that book i dealt with senseless monsters , who contemned my best and most modest writings , and by my humility and modesty were more hardned in their errors : besides i abstained from bitterness and lies , with which the kings book was stuffed . neither is it any wonder , if i contemn and bite an earthly king , when as he feared not at all in his writings to blaspheme the king of heaven , and to profane his truth with virulent lyes . anno christi . a diet was held at norinberg in the absence of caesar , wherein the edict of worms was made null : of this the popes legat complained to the princes , saying , that luther was not punished according to the emperours edict ; to which the princes answered : that the court of rome neglected reformation : that germany was so far inlightned by the sermons and writings of luther , that if they should go about to put the edict in execution , great tumults would arise , and the people would be ready to think that they went about to oppress the truth , and to put out the light of the gospel , that so they might the better defend those manifest vices which could be no longer concealed . the same year luther published his book of the dignity and office of the civil magistrate . he wrote also to the waldenses about the adoration of the sacrament . he published the pentat●uch in the german tougue . he wrote to the senate of prague his book de instituendis ministris ecclesiae , and another about the avoiding the doctrines of men : besides divers others . what was judged of him for his constancy and resolution , may appear by this . upon a time a motion was made in the consistory at rome , that a great sum of mony should be profered to him to buy him off from opposing popery ; but one wiser then the rest , cryed out , hem ! germana illa bestia non curat aurum sed auram : that beast of germany cares for no money , but seeks vain-glory . anno christi . he set forth both his catechisms : the lesser , in january , the greater in october following . the year after the emperour summoned a diet at auspurg , giving the publick faith for the security of all men that would come to the diet to set forth the form of their belief . hereupon the prince elector of saxony to be the better prepared against this diet , appointed luther , justus jonas , pomeran and melancthon , to set down the form of doctrine which the saxon churches , and those which accorded with them , did profess . luther comprehended the sum of his doctrine in seventeen articles , which being revised by phil. melancthon , and put into a better form , was afterwards called the confession of auspurg . and whereas it was given out that the emperour when he came into germany would tread the gospellers under his feet , the protestant princes met , and consulted together whether it were better to go to the diet , or to meet the emperour in arms before he should pass the alps. luther ( who was always a counsellor of peace ) disswaded them from taking arms under the pretence of religion , perswading them rather by faith and prayer to beg , and look for help from god , whose cause ( saith he ) himself will defend . upon this advice the princes went to auspurg , yet left luther not far of in coburg castle to be nere at hand , but out danger , that his advice might be had in time of need . and when the diet was met , the elector of saxony sent to him to know whether the cause of religion should be referred to the judgement of the emperour ? this luther would by no means have done : for ( saith he ) this honor is to be given to the word of god only to be judge of holy controversies . anno christi . the landgrave of hess sent for bucer and melancthon to casells , to reconcile them together about the business of the sacrament , where after much conference melancthon mitigated the rigor of his opinion about christs presence : and at his return to wittenberg he carryed with him bucers declaration concerning that point , which when luther had considered of , he began to hearken to an agreement with zuinglius , writing most friendly to the divines of strasborough and to others that there might be a meeting appointed , wherein after deliberation , the desired concord might be confirmed . and accordingly anno christi . bucer and divers other divines of germany came to wittenberg , where a form of concord was drawn up by bucer , and subscribed by both parties : but bucer therein striving to please both parties , pleased neither : for the helvetian divines rejected it ; and luther understanding of bucers various exposition of it , was very wroth with him , and would no more reckon him amongst his friends : and so all hope of concord was taken away . an. chr. . the protestants being met at smalcald drew up , and set forth the sum of their religion and practice in a book called articuli smalcaldici , unto which luther prefixed this preface . whereas pope paul the third summoned a council the last year , which was to meet at mantua , and a little after adjourned it again without nominating time or place , so that it is not certain whether he will or can call it ; and we also hoped that we should have been called to it : or else it was to be feared that we should be condemned not called : it was injoyned to me that i should gather and write the articles of our doctrine , that if perhaps the matter went on , it might be known what , and how far we would and could yeild to the papists , and in what points we would constantly persevere : i have therefore written these articles , and delivered them to our party , who have perused and received them with one consent , that they might be publickly presented , and explain the confession of our faith in the council , if any one shall at length be assembled and held by the pope and popelings without lyes and deceit in a true , lawful and christian manner . but seeing the court of rome doth so fear a christian and free council and most fouly flyeth the light , so that all hopes of seeing such a council is utterly taken away even from the papists themselves , to the great offence of many of them , taking ill the negligence of the pope herein : yea they easily from hence gather that the pope had rather see the destruction of all christianity , and the damnation of all souls , then to suffer a reformation of himself and courtiers , and the restraint of his tyranny . i thought fit therefore to publish these articles , that if i be taken out of this life before a council be called ( which i trust and hope shall so come to pass ) seeing these wicked flyers of the light labor so much to drive of and hinder a council ) that they i say , which live after me , should have my confession and testimony , and may adjoin and publish it with the confession which i have formerly set forth , wherein i have hitherto persevered , and will ( by gods grace ) persevere unto the end . what shall i say ? how shall i begin my complaint ? for being yet alive , i preach and read to others publickly and dayly ; and yet not only my virulent adversaries , but my false brethren that say that they agree with us in opinion , dare bring and alleadge my own doctrine and writings against me , whilest i am alive , and see it and hear it , albeit they know that i teach otherwise ; and they go about to adorn their own poyson with my labors , so to deceive and seduce the simple with my name : good god , what then will be done after my decease ? i should answer to all things whilst i am alive : but how i pray you , can i alone stop all the months of the devil ? especially of them who being so full of poyson , will neither hear nor heed what i write : but wholly imploy themselves wickedly to pervert and deprave my words even in the least letters : let the devil and gods wrath answer them as they deserve . i oftentimes remember good gerson , who oft doubted whether any thing that is good might be brought to light by writing . if writing be omitted , many souls are neglected which might have been delivered ; and if it be done , presently the devil is at hand with plaguy tongues full of slanders which corrupt all things , and fill them with poyson , that the profit of the writings may be hindred thereby . yet what commodity they receive by this their malice , is manifest ; for whereas by loading us with lyes they seek to draw away the simple from us , god so ordereth it by his providence for the promoting of his own work , that their company decreaseth , and ours increaseth daily : for god hath confounded , and still will confound them and their lyes . lately there came a doctor out of france to wittenberg , who told us openly that his king was made to believe that we had no true church amongst us , no magistrates , no mariages , but that we all live promiscuously together like brute beasts . with what face will these false informers look upon us before the tribunal seat of christ in his last judgement , who have so oft told their king such false and prodigious lyes ? christ who is the lord and judge of us all knows that they be lye us . god convert them that are to be converted that they may repent , and overwhelm the rest with eternal woe . but to return to the matter : i could wish with all my heart , that a free and christian council were assembled , that provision might be made for many things that are amiss . not that we have need of a council ; for our churches are so enlightned , taught , and confirmed by the grace of god , with the pure word of god and true use of the sacraments , that we need not a council , neither can a council shew us a truer or better way : but there is need of one in many other regards : in many bishopricks divers parishes are destitute of spiritual food : yet the bishops and canons regard not the life of those poor men , for whom yet christ dyed , so that they cannot hear the true shepherd speaking to his sheep : i fear christ for this will call a council of angels to destroy germany as he destroyed sodom and gomorrah . besides these affairs of the church many things need reformation in the civil state : great discords are amongst princes : usury and covetousness overflow like a deluge : wantonness , pride , riot , garishness in apparrel , bellycheer , dicing , pomp , malice , stubornness of subjects , oppression , &c. so over-flow that they cannot be amended by ten councils , and twenty diets , &c. our sins weigh us down , and suffer not god to be gracious to us , because instead of repenting we defend our abominations . o lord iesus christ , do thou summon and hold a council , and redeem thy servants by thy glorious coming : the pope and pop●lings are p●st cure : therefore help us poor and distressed men who groan unto thee , and seek thee with our hearts , according to the grace that thou hast given us by thy holy spirit , which liveth and reigneth with thee and the father for ever , amen . luther , least he should seem to have yeilded any thing to the temperament of bucer , which we spake of before , wrote to albert of brandenburg duke of borussia , exhorting him to shun the sacramentaries and their doctrine , and not to suffer it to cr●ep anywhere into his dominions , least he should thereby so burthen his conscience with so great wickedness , that perhaps he should never be able to pacific it again . they of zurick took this very ill , and they wrote also to the duke of borussia , requesting him not to decree any thing against the professors of their faith. a while after luther wrote an epistle to the aldermen of francfurt , wherein he called the zinglians , archdevils , and said they were to be driven out of pulpits , and cast out of the country . he used to be very fervent in prayer : vitus theodorus thus writeth of him , no day passeth wherein luther spendeth not three hours at least in prayer . once it fell out ( saith he ) that i heard him : good god! what a spirit , what a confidence was in his very expression ? with such a reverence he sueth for any thing , as one begging of god ; and yet with such hope and assurance , as if he spake with a loving father , or friend , &c. when the papists charged him for a lyer , a promise-breaker , and an apostate : luther denying the former , yielded himself to be an apostate , but a blessed and holy one , who had not kept his promise made to the devil ; saying , that he was no otherwise a revolter then a mamaluke turning christian , or a magician renouncing his covenant made with the devil , and betaking himself to christ. when philip duke of pomerania marryed mary daughter to the elector of saxony , luther being present , prayed for a blessing , and taking philip by the hand , said , the lord god be with you , and keep your posterity from failing ; but his wife continuing barren four years , all his male-stock was like to be extinct ; yet at length , by gods blessing , according to luthers prayer , he had seven sons by her , which wonderfully enlarged that noble family . luther falling sick of the stone , made his will , in which he bequeathed his detestation of popery to his friends and to the pastors of the church . he also beforehand made this verse , pestis eram vivus ; moriens ero mors tua papa : i living stopt romes breath : and dead , will be romes death . yet it pleased god in a short space to give him ease , and to restore him to his former health , which brought great joy to all his friends , and especially to melancthon , who in an epistle to him congratulated his recovery . anno christi . the pope appointed a council at vincentia for reforming the church , of which luther wrote a book , and by a picture in the frontispiece shewed the argument of it : wherein the pope was pictured sitting in a high throne , with some cardinals standing by , with fox-tails on the end of long poles , as with brushes pretending to sweep the room , but presently after the dust setled again as before . about this time the new sect of the antinomians did start up : the chief ring-leader was joannes agricola of isleben , a familiar friend of luthers : they held that repentance was not to be taught from the decalogue : they opposed such as taught , that the gospel was not to be preached to any but to such as were humbled by the law : and they taught that whatsoever a mans life was , though impure , &c. yet he was justified , so that he beleived the gospel : luther confuted these . anno christi . there was a meeting appointed at haganaw upon the rhine , where the divines were to meet , and in a friendly manner to debate their differences : but as melancthon was going thitherward , he fell sick at vinaria , made his will , and prepared for death ; whereupon luther and cruciger by long journeys hastened to him : and as soon as luther saw how miserably he was wasted with his disease , with sighes and tears ; he brake out into this speech , alass ! how pretious and profitable an instrument of the church is miserably weakened , and ready to perish ! and there withall falling upon his knees he prayed most earnestly for him : and melancthon confessed , that if luther had not come , he had dyed . anno christi . luther wrote a consolatory letter to frederick myconius , almost quite spent with a consumption , affirming that he could have no joy to live if he dyed , and therefore wished that himself might first lay down his earthly tabernacle : concluding , that he was verily perswaded that his prayers should be granted , as indeed it came to pass ; for myconius out-lived him fix years , and would often say , that luther obtained this for him by his prayers . luther afterwards wrote his minde concerning ceremonies , ( which he desired might be few , and tending to edification ) and excommunication , which he wished might be brought into the church as a profitable discipline , but could scarce hope to see it . anno christi . novemb. . he finished his explication of genesis , which was his last publick reading in the university , which he thus concluded : thus end i my explication of genesis ; god grant that others may more rightly expound it then i have done : i cannot proceed further , my strength faileth ; pray for me , that i may have a quiet and comfortable departure out of this life . this year in italy was spread a most impudent lye about luthers death : which they called horrendum , & in●ud tum miraculum , quod in aeternum laudandus d●us in foedam●te mart. lutheri & corpore & anima damnati , exhibuit , in gloriam jesu christi , atque in emendationem & consolationem piorum . the substance of it was this : that when he saw he must die , he requested that his body should be set upon the altar , and worshipped with divine worship : but when his body was laid in the grave , suddainly so great a stir and terror arose , as if the foundations of the earth were shaken together : whereupon all that were present , trembling , and astonished , lift up their eyes , and saw the sacred host appear in the air ; whereupon they placed that upon the altar : but the night following a loud noise and ratling , shriller then the former , was heard about luthers sepulchre , which terrified all the city , and almost killed them with astonishment : in the morning when they opened the sepulchre , they found neither bodie , bones , nor clothes , but a sulphureous stink came out thereof , which almost overcame the standers by , &c. this lye coming printed into germany , luther subscribed with his own hand , i martin luther do profess , and witness under my own hand , that receiving this figment full of anger and fury concerning my death , i read it with a joyful mind and cheerful countenance : and , but that i detest the blasphemy , which ascribeth an impudent lye to the divine majesty ; for the other passages , i cannot but laugh at satans , the popes and their complices hatred against me . god turn their hearts from their diabolical malice ; but if he decree not to hear my prayer for their sin unto death , then god grant that they may fill up the measure of their sins , and solace themselves with their libels , full fraught with such like lyes . anno christi . luther ( taking melancthon and some others along with him ) went into his own country , and returned in safety to wittenberg again . and not long after he was sent for back by the counts of mansfield to compose a difference amongst them about the borders of their countries , and their inheritances . luther did not use to meddle with such businesses , having all his life been accustomed only to deal in ecclesiastical affairs : yet because he was born in that country he would not be wanting to promote the peace of it . and therefore having preached his last sermon at wittenberg , january the . upon the . day he began his journey : and at hall in saxony , he lodged at justus jonas his house : and passing over the river with jonas , and his own three sons , they were in danger of drowning : whereupon he said to justus jonas , think you not that it would rejoyce the devil very much , if i and you , and my three sons should be drowned ? he was honorably entertained by the earl of mansfield , who sent an hundred horse that conveyed him to isleben , being very weak , whereupon he said , that he never undertook any great business , but he was attended with such sickness : yet after the use of some fomentations he was pretily well , and attended the business about which he came , from the . of ianuary to the . of february ; during which time he preached some times in the church , and twice administred the lords supper , and ordained two to the work of the ministry : at his table he used holy conference , and was dayly very fervent in his prayers . the day before his death he dined and supped with his friends , discoursing of divers matters , and amongst the rest gave his opinion that in heaven we shall know one another , because adam knew eve at first sight , &c. after supper his pain in his breast increasing , he went aside and prayed ; then went to bed and slept ; but about midnight , being awakened with the pain , and perceiving that his life was at an end , he said , i pray god to preserve the doctrine of his gospel amongst us : for the pope and the council of trent have grievous things in hand : after which he thus prayed , o heavenly father , my gracious god , and father of our lord iesus christ , thou god of all consolation , i give thee hearty thanks that thou hast revealed unto me thy son iesus christ , whom i believe , whom i profess , whom i love , whom i glorifie , whom the pope and the rout of the wicked persecute and dishonour : i beseech thee lord iesus christ receive my soul : o my heavenly father , though i be taken out of this life , and must lay down this frail body ; yet i certainly know that i shall live with thee eternally , and that i cannot be taken out of thy hands : god so loved the world ▪ &c. lord , i render up my spirit into thy hands , and come to thee : and again , lord into thy hands i commend my spirit , thou o god of truth hast redeemed me : and so , as one falling asleep , and without any bodily pain that could be discerned , he departed this life february . anno . and in the great clima●terial year of his life . this was the will which he made concerning his wife with childe , and his young son : o lord god , i thank thee that thou wouldst have me live a poor and indigent person upon earth ; i have neither house nor land , nor possessions , nor money to leave : thou lord hast given me wife and children : them lord i give back to thee ; nourish , instruct , and keep them ( o thou the father of orphans , and iudge of the widow ) as thou hast done to me , so do to them . when he was ready to dye , iustus ionas and caelius said to him , o reverend father , do you dye in the constant confession of that doctrine of christ which you have hitherto preached ? to which he answered yea , which was the last word that he spake . he was ever constant in the known truth , from the confession whereof he could never be removed neither by promises nor threats . in the dismal wars which followed , when wittenberg was yeilded to the emperour charles , and he came to see luthers tomb , some of his spaniards perswaded him that the body of luther should be taken up and burned ; the emperour said , suffer him to rest till the day of the resurrection and iudgement of all men . when he was fitting himself for his journey to isleben , he confessed to melancthon that he had gone too far in the sacramentary controversie : hereupon melancthon perswaded him to explicate his minde by publishing some book : but he answered , hereby i shall bring a suspition upon all my doctrine as faulty , but when i am dead you may do as you see cause . he was full of affections towards his children , gave them liberal education by keeping a schoolmaster in his house to train them up in learning and godliness . when he saw his daughter magdalen ready to dye , he read to her isay . . thy dead men shall live ; together with my dead body shall they arise , &c. adding , my daughter enter thou into thy chamber in peace : i shall ere long be with thee . for god will not permit me to see the punishment which hangs over the head of germany , whereupon he wept plentifully : but when he followed the corps , he so restrained his affection that he shed not a tear . he used to say , that three things make a divine : meditation , prayer , tentation : and that three things were to be done by a minister : . to read the bible over and over . . to pray earnestly . . always to be a learner . and that they were the best preachers , who spake as to babes in christ , in an ordinary strain , popularly , and most plainly . he said , that in the cause of god , he was content , totius mundi odium & impetum sustinere , to undergo the hatred and violence of the whole world . he was very liberal to the poor : a poor student asking him some money , he bade his wife give him some : but she pleading penury , he took up a silver cup , and gave it him . also a friend sending him two hundred angels of gold , he bestowed them all on poor students : and when the elector gave him a new gown , he said , that he mas made too much of : for ( saith he ) if here we receive a full recompence of our labors , we shall hope for none in another life . and again he said , turning my self to god , valdè protestatus sum , me nolle sic satiari ab eo , i said flatly that god should not put me off with these low things . and having a vein of metal offered him , he refused it , least he should incur the temptation of the devil , who is lord of treasure under the earth . he never took any thing of printers for his copies . on a time one brought him a stone that was found in the mines in mansfield , which had upon it the image of the pope with his tripple crown : whereupon he said , hem , oportet papam revelari etiam per metalla , & metallicos . the pope must be revealed even by metals and metal-diggers . his private life was very exemplary : at dinner and supper-time he used often to dictate sermons unto others : sometimes to correct sheets from the press : sometimes with musick to refresh his friends : he was very temperate both in meat and drink : sometimes he used to fast four days together : and other sometimes to eat only a little bread , and an herring . as much as he could he avoided feasts , that he might not spend time . in his converse with his friends he was pleasant , courteous and sociable mixed with gravity . he sometimes used recreations , and amongst the rest , turning in a lathe he would never be idle . he was very loving to and tender of his children , maintaining a schoolmaster in his house to instruct them in piety and learning . he was very passionate , but soon appeased : melancthon seeing him once in a passion said : vince animos iramque tuam qui caetera vincis : whereupon he smiling , said , we will no longer dispute of these matters , and so he discoursed pleasantly of other things . he foretold ▪ many things which afterwards came to pass . he was very healthful , but that sometimes he was troubled with the headach , especially towards his latter end , whereupon he feared an apoplexy : and when his head was so out of order he used to say : feri , domine , fer●●lementer : ego paratus sum : quia verbo tuo à peccatis absolutus , & corpore & sarguine tuo pastus . he was troubled with frequent tentations , whereupon he used to write , valemus omnes praeter lutherum ipsum , qui corpore sanus , foris a toto mundo , intus à diabolo patitur , & omnibus angelis ejus . he was big of stature , strong , and had such a sharp sight , that few could endure stedfastly to look upon him . upon a time one was sent under pretence of private conference , to pistol him : luther entertained him friendly , but withall , stedfastly looking upon him , the man was so terrified , that he took care for nothing but how he might run away : he had a gentle and clear voice . he lived chastly and holily in wedlock above twenty years , and after his death left three sons , and his widdow who lived seven years after him : who was much grieved that she was absent at his death , whereby she could not perform her last duty of love to him as she desired . presently after his death the wars breaking forth , she wandred up and down with her children as an exile through many difficulties and dangers , and besides the inconveniences of her widdowhood which were many , she met with great ingratitude from many , from whom she expected better , considering how much her husband had deserved from the church . at length being returned to wittenberg , after a while the plague brake forth ; wherefore removing with her children to fergaw , as she was passing in a wagon , the horses affrighted at some thing , ran away , whereupon leaping out of the wagon she bruised her self , and falling into a lake of water she caught a disease , whereof she dyed three months after , anno christi . one saith of him , that luther a poor fryar should be able to stand against the pope , was a great miracle : that he should prevail against the pope , was a greater : and after all , to die in peace , having so many enemies , was the greatest of all . again , it was no less miraculous that he should escape so many dangers : for when a certain jew was suborned to kill him by poyson , luther had warning of it before hand , and the picture of the jew sent him , whereby he knew him , and avoided the danger : concerning which himself thus writes : there is ( saith he ) here with us a certain polonish jew , that is hired with two thousand crowns to poyson me : this is discovered to me by letters from my friends : he is a doctor of physick , and one that dare undertake , and is ready to perform any villany , of incredible subtilty and dexterity . one a time as luther was walking in his garden , the devil appeared to him in the shape of a black boar , but he slighted him , after which he vanished . another time as he was sitting in a certain place on his stool , there was a great stone over his head in the vault , which being stayed up miraculously so long as he sate there , so soon as he was up , immediately it fell upon the place where he sate , being able to have crushed him in peices , if it had light upon him . and again , a young man about wittenberg , being kept bare and needy by his father , was tempted by the devil to yeild himself body and soul to him upon condition to have his wish sastisfied with money , and thereupon an obligation was made by the young man , written with his own blood , and delivered to the devil . but presently after , the man began to decay in his health , so that ( the thing being suspected , ) he was brought to luther , who examined him about it : but he , through fear and shame , long denyed to confess any thing , yet at last through gods mercy he revealed the whole matter to him : where●●●n luther much pitying his lamentable condition , called the whole congregation together , where he prayed with so much earnestness and affection , that the devil was at last compelled to throw in his obligation at the window . and as he was mighty in prayer , so in his sermons , god giving him such a grace , that when he preached , they which heard him , thought every one his own temptations severally to be noted and touched , whereupon some of his friends asking him the cause of it : mine own manifold temptations and experiences ( said he ) are the cause of it . wellerus also a disciple of luthers recordeth , that he oft heard his master thus report of himself , that he had been often assaulted and vexed with all kinde of temptations , save only unto the sin of c●vetousness . lutherus multa latino , & vernaculo sermone scripsit , quae diversis locis & temporibus separatim primum edita , & postea collecta , & in plures tomos distributa . there is also lately printed in english his colloquia mensalia , of which one thus writes : praestitisset hos sermones convivales in lucem nunquam emissos : fortè adversariis procurantibus illi editi . sin minus , videant ii qui lutheranorum nomine superbiun● , quomodo modestiam , judicium , existimationem , & authoritatem lutheri defendere queant . sunt enim in iis , non dico multa , sed plurima , quae piae , castigataeque aures non solùm in conviviis theologorum , sedetiam in lndis , atque theatris comicorum non ferrent , &c. concerning his works he thus writes , above all things i request the pious reader , and beseech him for our lord christ jesus sake , that he read my books with judgement , yea with much pitty ; and let him remember that i was sometime a fryar , and a mad papist , and when i first undertook this cause so drunken and drowned in popish doctrines , that i was ready , if i could , to have killed all men , or to have assisted others in doing of it , who withdrew their obedience from the pope but in one syllable : such a saul was i , as there are many at this day : neither was i so cold and frigid in defending the pope as eccius and some like him are ; who seem to me to defend the papacy rather for their bellies sake , then in good earnest : yea , like epicures they seem to me to deride the pope , whereas i was serious in his cause , as one that trembled at the thoughts of the day of judgement , and from my very heart desired to be saved . he would by no means endure that any should be called after his name : for ( saith he ) the doctrine which i teach is none of mine , neither did i dye for any man : neither would paul cor. . , &c. endure such terms : besides we are all christians , and profess the doctrine of christ : and lastly , because the papists use to do so , calling themselves pontificians , whom we ought not to imitate . melancthon gave this testimony of him ; pomeran ( saith he ) is a grammar●an , and explains the force of the words : i am a logician shewing the context and arguments of things : justus jonas is an orator , and speaks copiously and eloquently ; but luther is all , even a miracle amongst men : whatsoever he saith , whatsoveer he writes , peirceth into the soul , and leaveth wonderful stings in the hearts of men . many epitaphs were made of him , amongst which these were some . roma orbem domuit ; romam sibi papa subegit : viribus illasuis , fraudibus ist● s●is . quantò isto major lutherus , major & illâ , istum , illamque uno qui dom●it calamo ! i nunc ! alciden memorato graecia mendax : lutheri ad calamum ferrea clava nihil . theod. beza . lutherus decimum confecit strage leonem : de clava noli quaerere , penna fuit . jo. major . he used often to say , that , through gods goodness , there should be no wars in germany in his life time : but ( saith he ) let the survivors look to it after my death . concerning the doctrine of the gospel he used to say that three things would destroy christian religion : first , forgetfulness of the blessings received by the gospel . secondly , security which reigns everywhere . lastly , worldly wisdom , which will seek to bring all things into order , and to support the publick peace by wicked counsels . he was of a sharp and quick wit : of a great and invincible minde : constant in the known truth , from the confession whereof he could not be withdrawn either by threats or promises . many false reports were raised of him by the papists , insomuch as king ferdinands ambassador went to see what a manner of man he was , telling him that it was reported in his kings court , that he never went abroad but armed and attended with his guard : that he spent all his time with whores at dice and taverns : but ( saith he ) i am well accustomed to such lyes . he had a very sharp and satyrical stile ; so that eralmus used to say , deus dedit h●ic postremae aetati propter morborum magnitudinem acrem medicum : god hath given to this latter age , by reason of the greatness of its diseases , a sharp physitian : and charles the emperour used to say , si sacrificuli frugi essent , nullo indigerent luthero : if priests were not so dissolute , they would not need a luther . when this emperour had taken wittenberg , some of his spanish souldiers would have digged up luthers body , and burned it : but he said to them , sinite ipsum quiescere , usque ad diem resurrectionis , & judicii omnium : let him rest till the day of resurrection and of the judgement of all things . hvlri . zvinglivs the life of zuinglius , who dyed anno christi . hvldericus zuinglius was born in switzerland of godly parents , and by them brought up in learning : being about ten years old , was sent to school to basil to george bintzlius , where he profited so much , that in all disputations he went away with the victory : he excelled all in musick . from basil he was sent to bern , to henry lupulus , a most learned man , and an excellent poet , under whom he learned rhetorick , and became a good poet. after two years he went to vienna in austria , where he studyed philosophy , and pro●itted much therein : after a while he was called back into his own country , and at basil he taught others what himself had learned , where also he commenced master of arts , and fell to the study of school-divinity ; and being called to a pastoral charge , he entred into the ministry , and studied divinity very hard ; and to furnish himself with examples , he gat valerius maximus by heart : he especially addicted himself to the study of the bible : and finding his defect in the knowledge of the tongues , he learnt greek : wrote out s. pauls epistles , and gat them by heart , and grew so perfect , that he understood greek better then latine : and reading in s. peter that no scripture is of private interpretation , he betook himself by earnest prayer to god for the spirit of truth to be his teacher : and least he should be misled by a false spirit , he compared scripture with scripture , and expounded obscure texts by those which were more clear . in his ministry he set himself much against the sins of the times , especially against pensions which the switzers used to receive of princes to serve as mercenaries in their armies , which procured him much hatred . after a while he was chosen to a place called our lords hermitage , by theobaldus guolzeggius the baron thereof ; to which place there was great resort of people from all countries , who came on pilgrimage , which much moved him to embrace that cal , that he might have opportunity to disperse the knowledg of the truth into several parts : about this time one of the chief ministers dying at zurick , they much desired zuinglius to succeed him , and he coming accidentally to that place , was chosen pastor there , an. chr. . and began to preach unto them the history of christ out of matthew . presently after there came one sampson a franciscan fryar , and a preacher of indulgences , who was sent by the pope into switzerland to get money : zuinglius strongly opposed himself against him , shewing him to be an impostor : the bishop also of constance wrote to zuinglius to keep this sampson out of zurick , because he had not acquainted him with his authority : yet when this impostor came to zurick , because he was kept out , he went to badena , setting forth the popes buls to sale : often crying out , behold they flie , behold they flie , as if he had seen with his eyes the souls which he had delivered out of purgatory flying into heaven . zuinglius also caused the pope to be admonished by his commissary not to excommunicate luther , for that he foresaw the germanes would despise both him and his excommunication , which also came to pass . anno christi . the senate of zurick by the council of zuinglius , commanded the preachers of their jurisdiction freely to teach whatsoever might be proved by the authority of the prophets and apostles , passing by the inventions of men . hereupon the bishop of constance by publick proclamation forbad those of zurick to innovate any thing , willing them to remain in the faith of the church of rome , till a council might be convened : but zuinglius defended them and his writings : and the magistrates of zurick entreated the bishop to come to a synod where learned men might confer together , and determine what the people ought to believe . yet the bishop wrote again to them , shewing them what complaints he had heard of zuinglius , which he could not but take notice of , the city belonging to his jurisdiction : but zuinglius going to the bench of aldermen , defended his doctrine , and satisfied them . anno christi . the bishop wrote again to the college of canons at zurick , exhorting them to take heed to themselves , for that pope leo and the emperour by their proclamations had condemned those doctrines : he put them in minde therefore to obey those decrees , and not to innovate any thing in religion , till those whom it concerned had by common-council set down somewhat . hereupon zuinglius wrote back to the bishop that he understood by whose setting on he did these things , but he wished him not to follow their counsel : for ( saith he ) the truth is invincible , and will not be resisted . and afterwards some others joyning with him , they wrote to the bishop , entreating him to decree nothing against the doctrine of the gospel , and that he would no longer endure the filthy and infamous life of the priests , but that he would suffer them to marry . zuinglius wrote also to the helvetians that they should not hinder the course of the gospel : that they would not trouble ministers for marrying , for that the command for their living without wives was the doctrine of satan . he exhorted them also , whereas their manner was in their pages , or parishes , when they admitted a priest , to command him to take a concubine , least he should attempt the chastity of other women , that instead thereof they should command them to take lawful ways . about this time luthers books coming abroad , though himself abstained from reading of them , yet he perswaded his people to buy , and read them : which he did , that they might see the agreement that was in their doctrine , being both taught by the same spirit : there also he studyed hebrew , and gat the senate to erect a school for latine , greek and hebrew : and associating to himself leo judae , he gat such skill in the hebrew , that he began to explain isaiah and jeremiah . shortly after there came to zurick franciscus lambertus , and disputed with zuinglius about the intercession of the saints , and the sacrifice of the mass ; but being non-plus'd , he left his error , and gave praise to god. zuinglius began also to write about this time ; and pope adrian wrote to him with great promises to oblige him to the papal-sea ; but all in vain . shortly after he perswaded the senate to restrain the exorbitant number of priests and fryars , yet withall to allow them a competent subsistence for their life time ; which was done accordingly ; and their revenues were imployed for the maintenance of the ministry , for advancement of learning and for the poor : he pressed also the taking away of images , the abolishing of the mass , and the restoring of the lords supper ; which the senate assented to , and performed not only in the city of zurick , but through all the places within their jurisdiction . anno christi . when the senators of zurick understood that the doctrine of zuinglius was traduced everywhere , as being wicked and ungodly , they commanded all the ministers of their jurisdiction to meet together on the . of january about the differences of religion , promising that every one should be fully heard : they beseeched also the bishop of constance that he would either come himself or send thither some of his divines . at the day appointed many met together , john faber the bishops vicar being also present , who pleaded hard that this place was unfit to handle such causes , but that they were to be referred to a general council . but zuinglius urged him that if he had any thing against his doctrine which he had published in positions , he should produce it , and he should be answered either by word of mouth or writing , which when faber would not consent to , the magistrates dismissed the assembly , and proclaimed throughout their jurisdiction that the gospel should be purely taught out of the books of the old and new testament , the traditions of men being laid aside ; and in february following leo judae was made preacher in s. peters church in zurick , and he marryed a wife , and the like did other ministers . anno christi . the magistrates of zurick forbad processions , removed the martyrs tombs out of the chief churches in the city , took down the idols and images , and burned them publickly ; the like they did in all places as far as their jurisdiction extended . also katharine cimmerin the abbess delivered up her nunnery into the hands of the major , marryed an husband , and was by the magistrates endowed with a large estate of yearly revenues : converting the nunnery and the revenues of it to the education of youths under a good master . this year also zuinglius marryed ann rembart the widdow of the noble john mouer . anno christi . the mass was abolished at zurick , as images had been the year before : concerning which zuinglius thus telleth the story ; when ( saith he ) we dealt before the bench of senators consisting of two hundred about the abolishment of the mass , a certain scribe or notary stood up and spake thus ; o ye fathers , i am not of that rank to speak before you when any cause of the common-wealth is handled : but when matters of salvation are treated of , and the faith it self is in danger , it concerns every man to speak what he thinks ; i therefore profess that i am of opinion that the true flesh and blood of christ is received in the sacrament , and i hope that you will by no means force me to the opinion of zuinglius . to this zuinglius answered , that no man at zurick had been compelled to the faith : that he used no sophistical interpretation , when he expounded this is my body . for this signifies my body : and so he went on to confirm his own opinion , and to refell the others . then henry engelhard , formerly a popish doctor , but now a disciple of christ , said , i shall prove by scripture that the bread cannot be the body of christ , for it s neither the natural , nor glorified , nor mystical body of christ , therefore not his body , &c. after this conflict was ended , the aldermen appointed that after dinner four of them should confer with zuinglius and his brethren , that so weighty a business might be gravely discussed for the better satisfying of some that still doubted . when they were met together , the business was variously debated , and in the end resolved that it should again be referred to the hearing of the bench of aldermen . and the next day when they were again met together , zuinglius and his brethren still desired that the mass might wholly be abolished : whereupon the scribe stood up again , and told zuinglius that he had said indeed with these words , this is my body , christ meant , this signifies my body , but had not sufficiently proved it by testimonies of scripture , for saith he ; whereas you have instanced , the seed is the word : the field is the world : the enemy is the devil , &c. these make not to the purpose ; for there christ spake parabolically , but this is no parable when he saith this is my body . to this zuinglius answered , that though he spake not parabolicaly , yet the spake tropically . upon this the aldermen decreed that hereafter the eucharist should be celebrated according to christs institution , and that the mass should be no more used amongst them . at this the whole church much rejoyced ; only a few of the ruder sort repined , urging that the protestant ministers should produce some example out of the scripture : wherein the words ought to be in the like manner expounded : hereupon they began to revolve all things , yet no example came into their mindes : but a few nights after zuinglius dreamed that he contended again with the scribe till he was aweary , and at last was so dumb that he could not speak : whereupon he was exceedingly troubled : but after awhile a monitor came to him from above , who said , o thou sluggard , why dost thou not answer him with that which is written in the . of exodus , this is the passeover of the lord ? immediately he awakened , and leaping out of his bed , examined the text : and the next day disputed it before the whole assembly , which was entertained with such approbation that all were well satisfied : and ( saith he ) the three next days we had the greatest sacraments that ever i saw : and the number of those that looked back to the garlick and flesh-pots of egypt , was far less then men thought they would have been . anno christi . the other pages of the helvetians had often sent to zuric● to cast off their new religion , and to return to the old . the senators answered that they would obey if they might be convinced of error ; whereupon the helvetians invite eccius to dispute with zuinglius , and eccius himself wrote a bitter letter to the ambassadors of zurick , met at baden , wherein he accused zuinglius of heresie , requiring them to appoint a time and place whither he might come to prove it . zuinglius hearing of it , wrote an apology for himself to the ambassadors , saying , that eccius dealt both inhumanely and ungodly with him : for ( saith he ) if i be an heretick , eccius should have admonished me either by letters , or face to face to convince me of heresie , and not have traduced me to the magistrates before i was heard : he wrote also that he was ready to dispute with eccius before his own auditors , not admitting any other judge then the word of god. eccius replyeth to this epistle , interweaning many slanders , and desiring that the place for disputation might be either lucern or baden . zuinglius answered that if eccius refused to come to zurick , he had much more reason to refuse those places where he was already condemned of heresie , and where his death and destruction was sought after . then did the senators of zurick write to eccius , to come thither upo● the publick faith : but eccius refused , now accusing oecolamp●dus also . at length the twelve pages decreed that they must needs dispute , and after much contest the meeting was at zu●ick : the disputants were eccius and oecolamp●dus : but no good issue came of it : so that the nine pages concluded that zuinglius the chief man of the new religion must be excommunicated , and all others that had not been reformed by this conference . the year after they of bern appointed a disputation , which the popish pages opposed , but they proceeded in it , and the issue was that ( the disputation being ended ) by publick consent they decreed that masses , altars , images , and all superstitions brought in contrary to the word of god should be at once taken away out of their city and large territories . monasteries and nunneries they turned into schools . then they renounced the league of the french king , forbidding him to leavy any mercenaries in their dominions , contenting themselves only with that pay● which he giveth to every page for friendship , as they of zurick had also done . lastly , they write the day and year of their abolishing the popish religion upon a pillar in golden letters , that an everlasting memorial might remain there to future posterities . the like reformation was effected at basil. not long after quarrels arose between the popish and protestant cantons of the switzers , and armies were raised on both sides : they of zurick publishing the causes why they took arms : as first that the popish switzers beat their men when they came to require their debts . then that the vnderwalds hung the arms of bern , basil and strasborough upon the gallows . then that they had made a league with their ancient enemy king ferdinand to oppress their religion ; whereby they violate not only the law of nature , but also their own covenants : but when the armies drew neer , by the mediation of their neighbors the differences were composed , and arms laid down for the present . anno christi . philip landgrave of hess endeavoured to reconcile the differences between the saxon and helvetian divines concerning the eucharist : for which end he called from wittenberg , luther , justus jonas , and melancthon : from helvetia , zuinglius and oecolampadius . from norenberg , osiander : from hall , john brentius : from strasborough , bucer , and hedio . at their coming all were courteously entertained by the landgrave : after dinner oecolampadius and bucer went to salute luther , who spake friendly to oecolampadius ; but being saluted by bucer , he answered , you are naught , and a knave : the disputation continued many days , but in the beginning of it luther told them that he would not depart an hairs bredth from his opinion ; and when they could not agree , yet the helvetians desired luther that he would account of them as of brethren : which he would by no means assent unto : then did zuinglius , oecolampadius , and bucer protest before the whole assembly that luther had not defended his opinion by the word of god , that his error had been clearly shewed him , and that the truth of their cause had been abundantly demonstrated both out of the word of god and the most ancient fathers : and so ( the sweating sickness breaking out ) the disputation ended , and they returned home . yet it pleased god , that this fruit the conference had , that they agreed in thirteen other articles , and promised mutual love each to other , and to join in prayer to god to discover his truth to them . the landgrave of hess also was converted to the true opinion hereby : so that he was hardly drawn to subscribe the augustine confession , protesting that he was not satisfied about the tenth article . also francis lambert his preacher , who had formerly been much addicted to luther , being now overcome with the truth of gods word , changed his opinion about the sacrament , signifying his opinion to the whole church by a confession which he wrote , and delivered it to the ministers of strasborough when he lay upon his death-bed , who after published it . about that time there arose up the cata-baptists , which denyed the baptism of infants , and re-baptized themselves : and fell also into many other abominable errors and heresies : with these zuinglius at first dealt very mildly and brotherly ; but when they began to asperse him with lyes , to seduce his hearers , and make a schism in the church , he was forced to oppose them more strongly in his publick ministry and by disputations : but though he had silenced them , they raged the more against him : whereupon the senate imprisoned some , proscribed others , and ( for falsifying their faith ) put some to death : the first father of them was bal●hasar hucm●rus , an apostate , and one that for zuinglius his kindeness , loaded him with lyes and reproaches . the monks and fryars being cast out of their houses , and brought to pensions , sought to ensnare him ; and for that end , suborned sometime some to seize upon him , and to carry him away , others to kill him ; so that he could not stir abroad in safety in the night , whereupon his friends guarded him when he was abroad at supper , and the senate were fain to appoint a guard about his house in the night time . anno christi . they of zurick and bern stopped provision from being carryed to the five popish pages , and withall set out this declaration : that being compelled by the wrongs of the five cities , they had barred them from provision , and because they refused the conditions of peace which were propounded by the intercessors , violating the covenants of the former years , by which order was taken that no mans religion should be prejudicial to him : wherefore ( say they ) it is lawful for us to deny them food ; and if any contest should arise about it , it ought to be imputed to them who desire nothing but dissentions . but when by reason hereof those five cities were pinched with want , they levyed troops , and came forth with banners displayed , and sooner then was expected entred into the bounds of them of zurick , where was a garrison of above one thousand men placed : this garrison discerning its own weakness , sent messenger after messenger into the town to hasten help to them : but such was the speed of the enemy that the succors came late : yet when they came to the top of the mountain , they saw their souldiers fighting , and in present danger , whereupon exhorting and encouraging one another , they ran down the hill with all speed : but the passage was so narrow that they could go but single , so that wanting time to ranck themselves , they were oppressed with multitude : about three hundred and eighty of them were slain , and the rest escaped by flight . zuinglius was in this battel ; for it is the custom of the switzers that their chief minister goeth out with them to battel : and zuinglius being wise , couragious , and valiant , considered with himself that if he should stay at home , and the battel prove ill , he should be exposed to much envy , as if he had encouraged others before danger approached , and then proved faint-hearted himself . the truth is , he never approved this cutting off provision from the five pages ; and when he saw the magistrates would needs do it , he went to them and craved leave to depart from zurick , because his counsel was not obeyed : but they being troubled at this motion , sent certain choice men to him to request that he would not forsake their church , which at last he assented to , though ( said he ) it be to the danger of my life . about fourteen days before the fight , in a sermon he foretold his own death : and a comet appearing about that time , he told a friend privately that the comet was fatal to him , and one other , meaning as was supposed oecolampadius . zuinglius in the battel was overthrown thrice , and yet still gat up again : the fourth time being wounded with a spear , he fell on his knees , and said well , they can kill the body , but they cannot kill the soul. as the souldiers were spoiling the slain , zuinglius was found alive lying upon his back , his arms folded , and his eyes lift up to heaven , whereupon they asked him whether he would have a priest to confess to , which he denyed ; then they willed him to call upon s. mary , which he also refused , ever looking up to heaven , whereupon one gave him his deaths wound : and when his body was known , the enemies condemned him to be cut into four parts and burned . this fell out anno christi , and of his age . after he had been pastor at zurick twelve years . three days after his death , some of friends coming to the place , found his heart untouched by the fire . he began to preach at glarona anno christi . against many of the popish errors and abuses , before the name of luther was so much as heard of in those parts . beza made this epitaph on him , zuinglius arderet gemino cùm sanctus amore , nempe dei imprimis deinde suae patriae : dicitur in solidum se dev●v ●sse duobus , nempe deo imprimis , deinde suae patriae . quam bene persolvit simul istis vot● duobus , pro patra examinis , pro pietate c●nis ! he had a wit fitted for great matters , honest , candid , sound , and vehement , yet not cruel , or bloody , but heroical and cheerfull . his doctrine and judgment were sound : his study of piety , and reforming religion from popish superstitions is seen in his works . in his sermons he was very methodical , teaching the truth with great perspicuity : he was very sharp in reproving vices , especially the pentions of the switzers , oppression of the poor , and prodigality . he used to say that it was a wicked warfare , and nothing more hateful to god then for the hire of forreign princes to spill blood : when he thundred most against sin , least the innocent should be affrighted , he used to say , bone vir , haec te non moveant , nihil ad te quad dico ; ne cures igitur : honest man , be not affrighted at these things , i speak not to thee , therefore care not for it . he used to study standing , and tyed himself to certain hours , which he would not omit except necessity compelled him . from his first rising till ten a clock he imployed himself in reading , writing , interpreting the scripture , and making his sermons : after dinner till two a clock , he conferred with his friends , or gave counsel to such as sought it : and so to his study till supper : after which ( having walked awhile ) he busied himself in writing letters , which many times held him till midnight . monumenta ingenii & eruditionis reliquit multa , quae in quatuor tomos digesta typisque excusa extant . john oecvlampadivs the life of oecolampadius , who dyed anno christi . oecolampadius was born at winsperg , anno christi . of rich and religious parents ; especially his mother , for wisdom , charity , and sanctity , was very eminent in the place where she lived : they brought up this their son in religion and learning : his father intending to make him a merchant , but his mother by her earnest entreaties prevailed with him still to keep him at school , where he profited exceedingly . at twelve years of age he was sent to the university of heidleberg , and so profited there , that at two years end he was made batchelor of art : in that place he continued till he was master of arts ; and then , went by the will of his father to bononia to study the law ; but the ayr of italy not argeeing with him , he quickly returned to heidleberg , and betook himself to the study of divinity , read the school-men , and profited much thereby . he grew so famous both for piety and learning , that philip prince elector palatine chose him for a tutor to his sons : but growing weary of a court-life , he left that charge , and returned to the study of divinity . not long after , his parents having no other childe , gave all their estate for the maintenance of a minister in their own town , and chose this their son to be the first that should undertake that charge , which caused his return from heidleberg to his own country ; but finding himself as yet not throughly furnished for such a work , he quickly left it , and went to tubing , and from thence to stutgard ; where under john capnio he studyed greek , and from thence he went to heidleberg , where he began to study hebrew : and being by this means better furnished , he returned into his own country to his former charge ; and became a severe preacher , and very grave in his carriage : he associated himself but with a few , and those the best : but especially he contracted a strict bond of love with capito , which continued betwixt them so long as they lived . from this place he was at last called to be a preacher at basil , and there also he commenced doctor in divinity , about which time erasmus roteradamus coming thither to print his annotations on the new testament , he chose oecolampadius as his assistant in that work , and confessed that he was much holpen by him . shortly after he was called to auspurg to be a preacher there ; but finding some timorousness in himself in so great a work , he thought that a retired life , wherein he might betake himself to prayer and study , would be better for him for the present , and therefore he entred into a monastery near to that city ; in which also he thought to continue ; but all his friends , especially capito , disswaded him from it , which advice he at last hearkning unto , and taking occasion to declare his judgement in several things against the popish doctrine , he began to be much hated , and threatned with prison and death ; yet he ( daily encreasing in courage ) contemned their threats : but after awhile the danger growing greater ( at the importunity of his friends ) he departed , and not long after came to basil to print some works , which in his retiredness he had made . during his abode there , having no other means of subsistence , he was maintained by andrew cratander the printer , where also to finde himself imployment he translated chrysostom upon genesis , and preached christ freely to some that resorted to him . anno christi . sir francis sickengen sent for him ; concerning which himself thus writeth : because ( saith he ) sir francis sickengen , that most famous knight of germany , and captain of the emperours army hath sent for me to instruct his family , yea rather to feed it with spiritual sermons , being long since instructed ; i thought it my duty to endeavor that the law of god should be made familiar in it , whereby it might grow in the true and sincere study of christianity : whereupon i dayly read the gospel , and expounded it to those that were present , familiarly exhorting them to the study of piety ; and whereas they had been accustomed to hear sermons only upon the sabbaths , and to have masses all the week after , i so prevailed that masses were laid aside , and some part of the epistles and gospels was read and expounded every day to them . shortly after the senate of basil chose him to be a professor of divinity in that city , ( though the popish party sought by all means to oppose it ) where he read on the prophet isaiah ; and after awhile he was called to a pastoral charge in that city , to the great regret of the papists , anno christi . in that city he caused infants to be baptized in the dutch tongue : he administred the lords supper in both kindes by the consent of the magistrates . he confuted by the holy scriptures the sacrifice of the mass , purgatory , and other popish traditions of the like kinde , whereupon by little and little they vanished away : upon this john ●ochlaeus sent letters to him from stutgard , full of great promises , thereby endeavouring to withdraw him from the truth , and the mass priests thundred against him and his companions , saying that they deserved the punishment of the worst hereticks . but the magistrates of basil commanded all the preachers within their jurisdiction to preach to the people the word of god and not of men , and to abstain from railing and evill speeches , threatning severe punishments to those that offended against their proclamation : so that not long after there was a general reformation of religion , not only in basil , but in the parts adjacent : a decree being made by the senate , that as well within the city of basil as without , throughout all their jurisdiction , the mass with all idols should be abandoned : and the ash-wednesday following , all the wooden images were distributed amongst the poor of the city to serve them for fire-wood ; but when they could not agree upon the dividing of them , it was decreed that all the said images should be burnt together : so that in nine great heaps all the stocks and idols were the same day burnt to ashes before the great church door . oecolampadius also ( like a faithful minister of jesus christ ) was careful to restore christs discipline , and brought in the censure of excommunication : and presently after being sent for to vlm , together with blaurerus and bucer , he carryed on the work of reformation there . at marpurg ( by the invitation of the lantgrave of hess ) there was a disputation for three days between luther , jonas , and melancthon on the one part , and oecolampadius , zuinglius , and others on the other , about the controversie concerning christs presence in the sacrament ; but the sweating sickness breaking out there , put an end to it , yet they agreed about all other fundamentals in religion , and parted in a brotherly manner . oecolampadius returning to basil , spent the remainder of his days in preaching , reading , writing , publishing of books , visiting the sick , &c. anno christi . and of his age . he fell sick ( about the same time that zuinglius was so unhappily slain , the grief of whose death much aggravated his weakness ) yet intermitted he not his labors , till an ulcer breaking forth about his os sacrum , he was forced to keep his bed : and though his friends , physitians , and chyrurgeons used all means for his cure , yet he told them that his disease was mortal . he spent his time in divine meditations , and comforting his friends : and sending for the ministers of the churches to him , he spake to this purpose : o my brethren , the lord is come , he is come , he is now calling me away , &c. i desired to speak with you to encourage you to continue faithful followers of christ , to persevere in purity of doctrine , in lives conformable to the word of god ; christ will take care for the defence of his church : therefore , let your light so shine forth before men , that they may see your good works , &c. continue in love unfeigned : walk as in gods presence : adorn your doctrine with holiness of life : a cloud is arising , atempest is coming , and some will fall off : but it becomes you to stand f●st , and god will assist you , &c. for my self , i pass not the aspersions that are cast upon me . i bless god i shall with a clear conscience stand before the tribunal of christ : i have not seduced the church of christ ( as some affirm ) but leave you all witnesses that at my last gasp i am the same that formerly i was . he had nothing to give , and therefore made no will : the fifteenth day of his sickness he called for his children , took them by the hand , strok't them on the head ; and though the eldest was but three years old , yet he said unto them , go to my three children , see that you love god : then speaking to his wife and kindred , he desired them to take care that his children might be brought up in the fear of god , and then commanded them to be taken away . the ministers continued with him that night , and a certain friend coming to him , oecolampadius asked him what news ? his friend answered , none : but ( saith he ) i 'le tell you some news , i shall presently be with my lord christ : and some asking him whether the light offended him : he putting his hand to his heart , said , here 〈◊〉 abundance of light : in the morning , he prayed earnestly with the words of david in the . psalm , which he repeated from the beginning to the end : and presently after said , o christ , save me , and so he fell asleep in the lord. the papists spread many lyes abroad of his death : some said that in dispair he slew himself ; others , that he was murthered , or poysoned , &c. he dyed anno christi . and of his age . erasmus wrote to his friends concerning his book about the sacrament , oecolampadium emisisse libellum tam accuratè scriptum , tot machinis argumentorum , tótque testimoniis instructum ▪ ut posset vel electos in errorem pertrahere . in the beginning of reformation he was another doctor in helvetia ; of a milde and quiet wit : somewhat slow in dispatching businesses , but very circumspect : he took pleasure in nothing so much as in reading and writing commentaries ; wherein he wrote upon genesis , psalms , job , isaiah , jeremie , ezekiel , daniel , and most of the small prophets , as also upon the books of the new testament : before his conversion he was superstitiously religious . so oft as he read the words of institution of the lords supper , he thought that some spiritual sense was included in them , and yet still drave out those thoughts with this , wilt thou be wiser then other men ? you should believe as others believe : but it pleased god at last to inlighten him with his truth , which he submitted to . he was most studious of the peace and concord of the church . he excelled in the knowledge of the latine , greek and hebrew : and was very skilful in ecclesiastical antiquities . he was older then martin luther by one year . scripta ejus vel sunt exegetica , vel didascalica , vel apologetica , vel conversa è graeco . multa praeterea ab ejus amicis edita : multa ab hedione , & aliis germanicè conversa . multa & a gastione collecta , quae non sunt impressa . haec omnia vir magnae doctrinae , pietatis , & laboris , in ipso quasi aetatis vigore hinc discedens nobis reliquit . the life of john frith , who dyed anno christi . iohn frith was born at westram in kent , and had from his childehood a marvellous love to learning ; a wonderful promptness of wit , and was of a ready capacity to receive and understand any thing : neither was there any diligence wanting in him , equal to that worthy disposition that god had given him . he was first a student in cambridge , where he profited exceedingly in the knowledge both of the arts and tongues , where it pleased god he fell into acquaintance with william tindal , through whose instructions , he first received into his heart the seed of the gospel , and sincere godliness . about the same time cardinal wolsie undertaking to build a stately college in oxford , sought out the most learned men to be fellows in the same , and amongst others john frith ( though but batchelor of arts ) was appointed for one : but when divers of them were persecuted for religion , and accused of heresie : he , together with some others , who were chosen with him out of cambridge , was committed to prison , in a dark cave where salt fish was then kept , the savor whereof infected them all , so that some of them dyed : but mr. frith , by gods providence , escaped the danger , in the same year wherein queen elizabeth was born , having been dismissed out of his former prison by means of cardinal wolsies letter , whereupon he went beyond sea to avoid the storm : but after two years , he came back , and having some business in reading , he was there taken for a vagabond , and set in the stocks : where they suffered him to sit till he was almost pined with hunger ; at last he desired to speak with the schoolmaster of the town , who when he came to him , frith in latine bewailed his captivity : the schoolmaster being overcome with his eloquence , began exceedingly to affect and pity him , the rather when he spake in greek to him also , and repeated divers verses out of hom●r : upon this the schoolmaster repaired speedily to the magistrates , and procured his enlargement : yet neither then was he in safety ; for sir thomas moor ( the then lord chancellor ) persecuted him both by land and sea , promising great rewards to those that could bring any news of him : frith , to avoid this storm , changed place and apparrel often ; yet at last he was betrayed by one william holt ▪ a taylor , who judas-like pretended great friendship to him , aud so was sent to the tower , where he had many conflicts with the bishops , but especially in writing with sir thomas moor : and in his disputations he used such strength of reason , and evidence of scripture , that doctor canner archbishop of canterbury , never gave more credit to any author then to john frith , and at friths candle he lighted his lamp ; also he converted rastal to his part , who was moors son in law . during his imprisonment in the tower it happened that doctor curreine , chaplain in ordinary to king henry the eight , preached a sermon in kent before his majesty , wherein he inveighed bitterly against the sacramentaries , as they then were called , which denyed the real presence : and he proceeded so far herein , as that he said , it 's no marvel though this abominable heresie doth so much prevail amongst us , seeing there is now one in the tower which is so bold as to write in the defence of it , and yet no man goeth about his reformation , &c. this doctor was set on work by gardiner bishop of winchester , on purpose to procure the destruction of mr. frith : they also suggested to the king that he was kept in the tower rather for his safeguard then for his punishment by súch as favoured him , as by the lord cromwel and others : hereupon the king called to him the archbishop of canterbury , and the lord cromwel , willing them forthwith to call frith to examination , that so he might either be compelled to recant , or to suffer condign punishment : but when as they delayed time , the king took it so hainously , that he sent a commission to the archbishop , to stokesly bishop of london , and some others , without further delay to proceed to examination of him : and that there should be no concourse of citizens at the said examination ; the archbishop removed to croydon , whither stokesly and the rest of the commissioners resorted . but before the day for his examination came , the archbishop send one of his gentlemen and one of his porters to fetch frith from the tower to croydon . this gentleman had the archbishops letter , and the kings ring to the lord fitz-williams constable of the tower for the delivery of the prisoner ; the lord fitz-williams lodging then at westminster , understanding for what end they were come , fel a cursing and banning frith , and all other hereticks , saying , take your heretick with you , i am glad that i am rid of him . frith being delivered to these two men , as they went in a wherry towards lambeth , the gentleman being very sorry for his condition , said to him : consider the state wherein you are , a man altogether cast away in this world if you do not the more wisely behave your self : but though your case be very dangerous , yet may you help your self by giving way for a time , and somewhat relenting of your opinion , which hereafter when occasion and opportunity shall serve , you may promote again . you have many friends which will stand for you , so far as they are able and dare do . it 's great pitty that one which hath such singul●r knowledge in greek and latine , and is so ready and ripe in all ●inde of learning , as well in the scriptures as in the antient fathers , should now suddenly suffer all those excellent gifts to perish , with little profit to the world , and less comfort to your wife , children , and kindred . and as for your opinion about the sacrament , it 's so unseasonably vented at this time in england , that it 's like to do more hurt then good : therefore be ruled by good counsel till a ●itter opportunity may serve . this i am sure of , that my lord cromwel , and my lord of canterbury much favour you , knowing you to be an eloquent and learned youngman , young in years , but old in knowledge , and likely to be a profitable instrument of much good in this realm : and therefore they will never suffer you to sustain any open shame if you will be advised by their counsel : but if you stand stiffe in your opinion , it 's not possible for them to save your life ; for as you have good friends , so you have mortal foes . i most heartily thank you sir ( said mr. frith ) for your good will and counsel , whereby i see your love to me : yet my cause and conscience is such , that in no wise i either may , or can for any worldly respect without danger of damnation start aside , and fly from the truth whereof i am convinced , and which i have published concerning the lords supper : so that if i be asked what my judgement is about it , i mu●t needs declare my knowledge and conscience therein , as i have formerly written , though i were sure to lose twenty lives if i had so many ▪ and further , you shall understand ▪ that i am furnished with scriptures , fathers , schoolmen , and others , for the proving of it , so that if i may be i● differently heard , i am sure my adversaries can neither justly condemn me no● mine assertion , but that with me they must condemn saint augustine , and most of the ancient writers ; yea the very bishops of rome of ancient time speak for me , and defend my cause . yea marry ( quoth the gentleman ) you say well , if you might be indifferently heard : but i much doubt thereof , for that our master christ was not indifferently heard , nor should i think , if he were now present in the world , especially in this your opinion , the same being now so odious in the world , and we so far from the true knowledge thereof . well ( said mr. frith ) i know assuredly that this doctrine of the sacrament is very hard meat to be digested both of the clergy and l●ity : but this i will say to you , that if you live but twenty years more , whatsoever shall become of me , you shall see this whole realm of mine opinion , though happily some particular persons shall not be fully perswaded therein ; and if this come not to pass , then count me the vainest man that ever you heard speak with a tongue . and whereas you say my death would be very grievous to my friends , i grant that for a small time it would be so : but if i should so moderate my cause that i should only be kept in prison , that would not only be a longer grief unto me , but would breed no small disquietness to my friends both in body and minde : therefore all things well considered , my death in this cause shall be b●tter to me and all my relations , then life in continual bondage and penury : and almighty god knoweth what he hath to do with his poor servant , whose cause i now defend , and not mine own : from the which ( through gods grace ) i never intend to start , nor otherwise to give place so long as god will give me life . when they were landed at lambeth , after they had refreshed themselves with victuals , they all three went on foot towards croydon : the gentleman still with himself lamenting the per●l that frith was in , and therefore he devised with himself by what means he might deliver him out of the bishops hands ; and having in minde contrived the way , he walked with the porter , and privately imparted his thoughts to him , and finding him forward to join with him therein , he went again to mr. frith , and told him that the business which he had undertaken , to lead him as a sheep to the slaughter , so grieved him , that he was overwhelmed with cares and sorrows , whereupon he was resolved , what danger soever he incurred , to find out a way to deliver him out of the lyons mouth : and yet said he , yonder good fellow and i have contrived a means whereby you may easily escape from this immine●● danger , and we also be cleared from any vehement suspition : for when we come to yonder 's hill , called bristow-causway , where are woods on each hand , you shall turn into that on the left hand which leads into kent , and so by the help of your friends convay your self away , and we will so order the matter that they shall never seek that way for you , &c. mr. frith having diligently hearkened to his speech , said with a smiling countenance , and is this the effect of your secret consultation all this while ? surely , surely you have lost more labor formerly , and so you are like to do this also : for if you should both leave me here , and go to croydon , declaring to the bishops that you had lost frith , i would surely follow after as fast as i could , & bring them news that i had found and brought frith again : do you think that i am afraid to declare mine opinion before the bishops in so manifest a truth ? you are a fond man ( quoth the gentleman ) thus to talk ; do you think ▪ that your reasoning with the bishops will do any good ? but i much marvel you were so willing to fly the realm before you were taken , and now so unwilling to save your self when you may . marry ( quoth frith ) there is a great difference between escaping then and now : for then i desired to escape because i was at liberty , and not yet attached , which liberty i would fain have enjoyed for the improvement of my studies beyond-sea , where i was reader of the greek tongue : but now being taken by the higher powers , and that by almighty gods permission and providence i am faln into the bishops hands only for religions-sake , and for such doctrine as i am bound in con●cience under pain of damnation to maintain , if i should now start aside and run away , i should run from my god , and from the testimony of his word , whereby i should deserve a thousand hels . and therefore i most heartily thank you both for your good wills towards me , beseeching you to bring me where i was appointed to be brought , or else i will go thither all alone . and so with a cheerful and merry countenance he went with them , spending the time with pleasant and godly communication till they came to croydon , where for that ●ight he was well entertained in the porters lodge . on the morrow he was called before the bishops to be examined , at which time he shewed himself exceeding ripe and ready to answer all objections , even beyond all mens expectations : and his allegations out of s. augustine and other ancient fathers were such , as some of them much doubted of s. augustines authority in that case : a●d when they had done , doctor heath in private confessed to the archbishop of canterbury , that no man could avoid his allegations out of s. augustine ; yet after this , without any regard to his piety , learning , or merit , he was turned over to stokesley bishop of london , who would not hear what s. augustine or any other said for his opinion : but calling him into his con●istory , after he had witnessed there a good confession , he condemned him , and so delivered him over to the major and sheriffs of london to be burned . when he came into smithfield where he was to suffer , he shewed much constancy and courage : and being tyed to the stake , and the fire kindled , he willingly embraced the same : but the winde blowing away the flame , made his death somewhat the longer : yet ( through gods grace ) he bore it with such patience even as though he felt no pain in that long torment , and so at last quietly re●igned up his spirit unto god , anno christi . wh●lst mr. frith was beyond the seas , he much holp mr. tindal in the translation of the new testament . at the time of his burning , one doctor cook ( a parson in london ) admonished the people that they should no more pray for him then they would pray for a dog ; whereupon john frith smiling , prayed god to forgive him : this speech of the doctor much moved the people to anger , and this milde answer of the martyr sunk deeply into their mindes . the books that were written by this blessed martyr were many , and much sought after in king henry the eighth , and in queen maries reign , to be burned : and in the times of king edward the sixth , and queen elizabeth , for the instruction and comfort of the godly . but it pleased god by a marvellous occasion to cause three or four of his most useful treatises to be reprinted of late , which was this . on midsummer eve anno christi ▪ a codfish being brought into the market in cambridge , and there cut up for sale , in the maw of the fish was found wrapt up in canvas a book in decimo sexto containing three treatises of mr. friths : the fish was caught about the coast of lin , called lin-deeps , by one william skinner : when the fish was cut open , the garbish was thrown by , which a woman looking upon , espied the canvas , and taking it up , found the book wrapped up in it , being much soiled and covered over with a kinde of slime and congealed matter . this was beheld with great admiration , and by benjamin prime , the batchelors beadle ( who was present at the opening of the fish ) was carryed to the vicechancellor , who took speciall notice of it , examining the particulars before mentioned . by daniel boys ( a book-binder ) the leaves were carefully opened and cleansed : the treatises contained in it were , a preparation to the cross. a preparation to death . the treasure of knowledge . a mirrour , or glass to know thy self . a brief instruction to teach one willingly to dye , and not to fear death . how useful the reviving of these treatises by such a special providence hath been , may easily be discerned by such as have lived since those times . the life of ▪ thomas bilney , who dyed anno christi . thomas bilney was born in england , and brought up at the university of cambridge , where he profited exceedingly in all the liberal sciences , was chosen fellow of trinity hall , and commenced batchelor of both laws ; but , betaking himself to the study of divinity , he was wonderfully enflamed with the love of true religion and godliness . he was requested to preach at a poor cure belonging to the hall ; he converted many of his fellows to the knowledge of the gospel , and amongst others , hugh latimer , who was cross-keeper at cambridge , and used to carry it before the procession : bilney afterwards forsaking the university , went into many places teaching and preaching everywhere , and sharply reproving the pomp , pride , and insolency of the clergy : whereupon cardinal wolsey caused him to be apprehended an. chr. . and to be examined before him : and sundry articles to be drawn up against him : amongst which these were some ▪ that in the church of willesdon he had exhorted the people to put away their gods of silver and gold , and to leave offering to them , for that it was known that such things as they had offered to them were many times spent upon whores and stews : and that the jews and saracens would have been christians long ago , had it not been for the idolatry of christians , and their offering to stocks and stones . that christ is our only mediator , and that therefore we should not seek to saints . that man is so imperfect in himself that he cannot merit by his own deeds . that it was a great blasphemy to say , that to be buryed in saint francis cowl would take away four parts of penance , seeing the blood of christ taketh away the sins of the world. that it was great folly to go on pilgrimage . that miracles done at walsingam , canterbury , &c. were done by the devil through gods permission to blinde the poor people : that the pope hath not the keys that peter had , except he follow peter in his life . that for these years there hath been no good pope , and that of all since christs time we read but of fifty that were good . lastly , that he had prophesied that there would come others besides him that would preach to the people the same faith and manner of living that he did : which ( said he ) is the very true gospel of christ , and agreeable to the mindes of the holy fathers , &c. for these and such like things , the cardinal being himself busied in the affairs of the kingdom , turned him over to tonstal bishop of london , who , after examination of witnesses against him , urged him to recant ; but he stifly refused three several days , still saying , fiat justitia , & judicium in nomine domini ; and haec est dies quam fecit dominus , exultemus & laetemur in ea . then the bishop after deliberation putting off his cap , said , in nomine patris , & filii , & spiritus sancti , amen , exurgat deus , & dissipentur inimici ejus ; and so making a cross on his forehead and breast , he said , i , by the consent and counsel of my brethren here present , do pronounce and declare thee thomas bilney to be convict of heresie , and for the rest of the sentence we will take deliberation till to morrow . at which time the bishops being again assembled , london asked him if he would yet return to the unity of the church , and revoke his error ? mr. bilney answered , that he would not be a slander to the gospel , trusting that he was not separated from the church , and that if multitude of witnesses might be credited , he could have thirty men of honest life of his part for one on the contrary brought in against him : the bishop told him it was too late , they could admit no witness , and therefore exhorted him to abjure : this contest continued between the bishops and him for divers days , they still urging and he refusing to recant : yet at last through humane frailty he told them that he was perswaded by mr. dancaster to abjure , and so reading his abjuration , he subscribed it , and for penance was enjoyned to abide in prison till he was released by the cardinal , and that the next day he should go bare-headed before the procession , carrying a fagot on his shoulder , and so stand at pauls cross during all the sermon . in the time of his imprisonment before this he wrote to cuthbert tonstall bishop of london several letters ; and in one of them he compares the priests and fryars that accused him , to jannes and jambres , to elymas , to d●metrius , to the pythoniss , to baalam , cain , ishmael , &c. adding further , these are those physitians upon whom the woman vexed twelve years with a bloody issue , spent all that she had , and found no help , but was still worse and worse , till at last she came to christ , and was healed by him : oh the mighty power of the most high ! which i also miserable sinner have often tasted and felt : whereas before i had spent all that i had upon these ignorant physitians , so that i had little strength left in me , less money , and least wit and understanding : but at last i heard speak of jesus , even then when the new testament was translated by erasmus , which when i understood to be eloquently done , i bought it , being allured thereto rather by the elegant latine , then the word of god ( for at that time i knew not what it meant ) and looking into it , by gods special providence i met with those words of the apostle s. paul , this is a true saying , and worthy of all acceptation , that jesus christ came into the world to save sinners , whereof i am the chief . o most sweet and comfortable sentence to my soul ! this one sentence , through gods instruction and inward working , did so exhilarate my heart , which before was wounded with the guilt of my sins , and being almost in despair , that immediately i found marvellous comfort and quietness in my soul , so that my bruised bones did leap for joy . after this the scripture began to be more sweet unto me then the hony and the honycomb : whereby i learned that all my travels , fastings , watchings , redemption of masses and pardons , without faith in christ , were but as s. augustine cals them , an hasty and swift running out of the right way : and as the fig-leaves which could not cover adams nakedness . neither could i ever obtain quietness and rest , or be eased of the sharp stings and bitings of my sin● till i was taught of god that lesson , joh. . , . as moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness , even so must the son of man be lifted up , that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have eternal life : assoon as ( according to the measure of grace given unto me by god ) i began to taste and rellish this heavenly lesson , which none can teach but god only , i desired the lord to encrease my faith : and at last desired nothing more then that i being so comforted by him , might be enabled by his holy spirit and grace from above to teach the wicked his ways , which are all mercy and truth , that so sinners might be converted to him by me . i did with my whole power teach that all men should first acknowledge their sins , and condemn them , and afterwards hunger and thirst for that righteousness which is by faith in christ , &c. for these things i have been cryed out of , attached , and am now cast into prison , though i exhorted all men not so to cleave to outward ceremonies , as to be satisfied therewith , and so to loath and wax weary of christ , &c. yet at last through infirmity , rather then by conviction , he was drawn to abjure and submit himself , anno christi . after mr. bilneys abjuration ( which we mentioned before ) he fell into such terrors of conscience , that he was near the point of utter despair , and returning to cambridge , he continued under such terrors , that his friends were fain to be with him night and day , endeavoring to comfort him , but all in vain ; this continued a whole year : he was in such anguish that nothing did him good , neither eating nor drinking , &c. yea he thought that all the word of god was against him , and sounded his condemnation : but anno christi . he began , through gods mercy , to feel some comfort , being resolved to lay down his life for that truth which before he had renounced : whereupon , taking his leave of his friends , he went into norfolk , preaching first in private to confirm the brethren , afterwards in the fields , confessing his fact , and intreating all to beware by him , and never to trust to their fleshly friends in the cause of religion : at norwich he was apprehended , and by the bishop cast into prison : whither dr. cole and dr. stoaks were sent to dispute with him ; but bilneys doctrine , and good life so prevailed with cole , that he was somewhat reclaimed , and brought to favor the gospel . also whilst he was at ipswich , there came one fryar brusierd to reason with him about those things which he had taught : at which time mr. bilney told him that the signs and lying wonders attributed by s. paul to the pope , were those wonders which were dayly wrought in the church , not by the power of god , but by the illusions of satan whereby he labors to draw men to put their faith in our lady and other saints , and not in god alone , as we are commanded in the holy scriptures : this free speech so incensed the fryar that he spake thus to him ; but that i believe and know , that god and all his saints will take everlasting revenge upon thee , i would surely with these nails of mine be thy death for this horrible and enormous injury against the pretious blood of christ. for whereas god saith , i desire not the death of a sinner , but rather that he should convert and live : thou blasphemest him as though he should lay privy snares for us to betray us : which were it true , we might say with hugo de sancta victoria , if it be an error , it is of thee , o god , that we are deceived ; for these be confirmed with such signs and wonders which cannot be done but by thee alone : but i see you rest the scriptures to a reprobate sense , so that i am scarce able to hold mine eyes from tears , hearing these words from you ; therefore farewel . during his latter imprisonment they used many means to have withdrawn him from his stedfastness , which not prevailing , he was condemned to death . the day before his execution , some friends finding him eating heartily , with much cheerfulness , and a quiet minde , said , that they were glad to see him at that time so heartily to refresh himself : o , said he , i imitate those who having a ●uinous house to dwel in , yet bestow cost as long as they may to hold it up : discoursing further with them for their edification , some put him in minde of the heat of the fire , yet told him withal that the comforts of gods spirit should cool it to his everlasting refreshing : whereupon he putting his finger into the flame of the candle ( as also he did at divers other times ) i feel ( said he ) by experience that fire is hot , yet i am perswaded by gods holy word , and by the experience of some spoken of in it , that in the flame they felt no heat , and in the fire no consumption : and i believe , that though the stubble of my body be wasted , yet my soul shall be purged thereby , and after short pain , will be joy unspeakable , alleaging that text isai. . , . the next morning , the officers fetching him to execution , a certain friend intreated him to be constant , and to take his death patiently : to whom he said , i am sailing with the marriner through a boisterous sea , but shortly shall be in the haven , &c. help me with your prayers . by the way as he went , he gave much alms , and at the place of execution he spake to the people confessing his faith , by rehearsing the articles of the creed : and afterwards prayed privately with earnest elevation of his eyes and hands to heaven : being tyed to the stake , the fryars desired him to declare his charity to them , by assuring the people that they were not the causers of his death ; for , said they , they think that we have procured it , and thereupon will withdraw their charitable alms from us : whereupon he said , i pray you good people be never the worse to these men for my sake , for they were not the authors of my death . the fire being kindled , the winde drove away the flame from him , so that he was the longer a burning , holding up his hands , crying sometimes jesus , sometimes credo , and so at last yeelded up his spirit unto god , anno christi . william tindall the life of william tindal , who dyed anno christi ▪ william tindal was born about the borders of wales , and brought up from a childe in the university of oxford , where he grew up and encreased in the knowledge of the tongues and the liberal arts , but especially in the scriptures , whereunto his minde was singularly addicted : insomuch as being in magdalen-hall , he read privately to some fellows and students some parts of divinity , instructing them in the knowledge and truth of the scriptures : his ●ife also was so blameless , that he acquired much love and esteem thereby . after he had profited exceedingly , and taken his degrees there , he remoued to cambridge , and being well ripened in the knowledge of gods word , he went to live with one mr. welch in glocestershire , where he was tutor to his children : and many abbots and doctors resorting thither , mr. tindal discoursing with them of luther , erasmus , &c. shewed them plainly his judgement in religion , proving the same by the word of god , and confuting their errors ; which caused them to bear a secret grudge in their hearts against him . not long after it happened that some of these great doctors invited master welch and his lady to a banquet , where they had talk at will , uttering their blinde superstitions without gainsaying ▪ then master welch and his lady coming home , and calling for master tindal , began to reason with him about those matters whereof they had talked before with the priests . mr. tindal answering by the scriptures maintained the truth and confuted their errors , whereupon the ●ady welch said , there was such a doctor as may expend l. per annum , and such an one as may spend l. per annum , and such another as may spend l. per annum , and is it reason think you that we should believe you before them ? mr. tindal gave her no answer at that time , and talked but little afterwards of those matters , because he saw it was in vain : but fell upon translating a book called enchiridion mili●s christiani , and having finished it , he gave it to the knight and his lady , who after they had well read and perused the same , did not more so often invite the doctorly prelates to their house as before , neither had they that chear and countenance when they came as formerly , which they well perceiving , supposed that it was by the means of mr. tindal , whereupon they utterly withdrew themselves and came no more thither . then did the country priests cluster together , storming and railing against mr. tindal in their alehouse-meetings , concerning whom himself writes thus : i was ( saith he ) in that country much molested by a company of unlearnnd priests that had never seen more latine then in their portesses and missals , which yet many of them can ●carcely read : and if they be but sorrily learned , they get albertus magnus de secretis mulierum , which they pore night and day upon , making notes therein &c. these men railed and raged against him , affirming that he held heretical opinions , and thereupon accused him to the bishop and chancellor , whereupon the chancellor appointed those priests and mr. tindal also to appear before him ; and mr. tindal suspecting the matter , as he went , prayed heartily unto god to give him strength to stand fast to the truth : when he came , the chancellor threatned him grievously , reviling and rating him , as though he had been a dog , accusing him of many things whereof no proof could be brought , and so dismissed him for the present . not long after mr. tindal happening into the company of one that was esteemed a learned doctor , in disputing with him he drave him to that issue that the doctor burst out into these blasphemous words , we had better be without gods laws , then the popes . mr. tindal hearing this , full of godly zeal , replyed , i defie the pope and all his laws ; and if god spare me life , ere many years i will cause a boy that drives the plough to know more of the scripture then you do . the rage of the priests encreasing , mr. tindal told mr. welch , that he well perceived that he could stay there no longer with safety , and that his stay might be prejudicial to his family ; and therefore with his good leave he departed and went to london , where he preached a while , as he had done in the country before : and then hearing a great commendation of cuthbert tonstal , bishop of london , he endeavored to get into his service , but the lord saw that it was not good for him , and therefore he found little favor in the bishops sight . remaining thus in london about the space of a year , and being desirous for the good of his country to translate the new testament into english , he found that there was no place for him to do it in england , and therefore being assisted by master humphry manmouth , a godly citizen , and other good men , he left the land , and went into germany ; where this good man being inflamed with a tender care of and zeal for his country , refused no travel nor pains , if by any means possible he might reduce his brethren and countrymen of england to the same taste and understanding of gods holy word and truth which the lord had endued him withall : then conferring with master john frith he thought in his minde that no way would more conduce thereunto , then if the scriptures were translated into their vulgar language , that so the people might fee the plain text before them ; for he well perceived that one great cause of error was , because the knowledge of the scriptures was hidden from the peoples eyes ; upon these considerations he there set upon this work : translating the new testament anno christi . and then setting upon the old , he finished the five books of moses , with sundry most learned and godly prologues prefixed before every one of them : the like also he did upon the new testament : besides divers other godly treatises which he wrote there ; which being published , and sent over into england , became exceeding profitable to the whole english nation . at his first going over into germany , he went into saxony , and had much conference with luther , and other learned men in those quarters : and then returning into the netherlands , made his greatest aboad at antwerp : he wrote also divers other books under sundry titles , amongst which is that most worthy monument of his called the obedience of a christian man , with divers other treatises , as the wicked mammon , the practice of prelates , with divers expositions upon sundry portions of scripture : as also some answers to sir thomas moore , and other adversaries of the truth , no less delectable then right fruitful to be read : these books being sent over and dispersed in england , it cannot be imagined what a dore of light they opened to the eyes of all the nation , which for a long time had been shut up in darkness . he wrote also one book of the declaration of the sacrament and against the mass , but he kept it by him , and did not print it , considering how the people for the present were held under their gross idolatry ; and therefore judging that it would be odious to them to hear these things at the first , he waited a fitter time for the publication of it . these godly books , but especially his translation of the new testament coming abroad , as they brought singular profit to the godly : so the ungodly clergy disdaining and envying that the people should be wiser then they , and withall fearing least by the shining beams of the truth , their hypocrisie and works of darkness should be unmasked , they began to make a great stir : but especially the devil envying the progress of the gospel , sought by all means to hinder the blessed travels of this worthy man : for when he had finished his translation of deuteronomy , minding to print it at hamborough , he sailed thitherward . but by the way upon the coast of holland he suffered shipwrack , by which he lost all his books and writings , and so was compelled to begin all again to his great hinderance and doubling of his labors . thus having by that shipwrack lost all his mony , copies and time , yet ( through gods mercy ) he was not discouraged , but taking the opportunity of another ship , he went to hamborough , where he met with mr. coverdal , who assisted him in the translation of the five books of moses , the sweating sickness being in that town all the while , which was anno chri. . and during their imployment in that work , they were entertained by a religious widow , mistress margaret van emerson . when his english testament came abroad , satans and the popes instruments raged exceedingly , some saying that there were a thousand heresies in it : others that it was impossible to translate the scriptures into english : others , that it was not lawful for the laye people to have it in their own language , &c. and at last the bishops and priests procured of king henry the eight a proclamation prohibiting the buying or reading of it , anno christ ▪ . yet not satisfied herewith , they suborned one henry philip● to go over to antwerp to betray him : who , when he came thither , insinuated himself into mr. tindal● company , and pretended great friendship to him : and having learned where his abode was , he went to bruxels , and there prevailed so far , that he brought with him the emperours atturney to antwerp , and pretending to visit mr. tindal , he betrayed him to two catchpoles , which presently carryed him to the atturney : who , after examination , sent him to prison in the castle of filford , miles of , and withall they seized upon all his writings , and what else he had at his lodging the english merchants at antwerp , who loved tindal very well , did what they could to procure his release ; also letters were sent by the lord cromwel and others out of england in his behalf : but philips so bestirred himself , that all their endeavours came to nothing : and tindal was at last brought to his answer , and after much reasoning , although he deserved not death , yet they condemned him to dye . when he was brought forth to the place of execution , whilst he was tying to the stake , he cryed with a fervent and loud voyce , lord , open the king of englands eyes . and so he was first strangled by the hangman , and then burnt , anno christi . the power of his doctrine , and the sincerity of his life was such , that during his imprisonment ( which was about a year and an half ) he converted his keeper and his daughter , and some others of his houshold : and philips that betrayed him , long enjoyed not the price of innocent blood , but by gods just judgement was devoured by lice . the emperors atturney that prosecuted against him , left this testimony of him , that he was vir doctus , pius , & bonus , a learned , pious , and godly man : whilst mr. tindal was prisoner in the castle , there was much writing , and great disputations betwixt him and them of the university of lovain ( which was but nine or ten miles from thence ) so that they had all enough of him , not knowing how to answer the authorities and testimonies of scriptures , whereupon he grounded his doctrine . on a time the company of english merchants being a supper together at antwerp , there was a jugler amongst them who by his magical art could fetch all kinde of dainty dishes , and wine , from any place they pleased , and set it on the table incontinent before them , with many other such like things : this being much talked of abroad , mr. tindal hearing of it , desired of some of the merchants that he might be present at supper to see the jugler play his pranks . accordingly supper was appointed and mr. tindal with the merchants went to it : and the jugler being requested to play his pranks , and to shew his cunning , he after his wonted boldness began to utter all that he could do : but all was in vain : so that at last after all his sweating , toiling and labor , when he saw that nothing would go forwards , but that all his enchantments were void , he openly confessed that there was some man present at supper which disturbed and hindred all his doings . concerning his translation of the new testament which was so vilifyed by his adversaries , he thus writes in an epistle to john frith : i call god to record against the day we shall appear before our lord jesus , to give up reckoning of our doings , that i never altered one syllable of gods word against my conscience , nor would do it for all that is in the earth , whether honour , pleasure , or profit &c. most of his works are mentioned before in his life . the life of bertholdus hallerus , who dyed anno christi . berthold haller was born in helvetia anno christi . and from his childhood was much addicted to learning , and therefore after he had been trained up at school , he went to collen , where he applyed himself to the study of the arts and tongues , and afterwards betook himself to the study of divinity , and commenced batchelor in divinity . then returned he into his own country , and at bern was chosen first a canon , and after that a publick preacher : for indeed he excelled all his colleagues in piety , learning and eloquence . about this time hulderick zuinglius began to preach at glorana , and afterwards at zurick , the gospel of christ purely , by whose ministry it pleased god to enlighten our haller , , who not consulting with flesh and blood , presently adjoined himself to zuinglius , and endeavoured to propagate the truth both publickly and privately . anno christi . the twelve pages of the helvetians appointed a disputation at baden about matters of religion , whither when zuinglius could not go with safety , oecolampadius and haller went thither , where they had a great dispute with john eccius , the pontificians champion . the year after , the bernates ( which is the most potent canton of the switzers ) desired a copy of that disputation ; and when they could not obtain it and the differences about religion began to encrease , by a publick writing set forth decemb. the seventeenth , they appointed another disputation in their city , to which they invited their neighbor bishops , intreating them also to bring their divines along with them : which if they refused , they threatened to lay a fine upon their possessions which were within their jurisdiction : they also invited any other divines out of other parts to come to the disputation , promising them safety upon the publick faith : they also agreed upon laws for the disputation , and published the questions which were to be handled : which were , that the church hath but one head , viz. christ ; and that she knows not the voice of any other . that the church can make no laws besides the word of god ; and therefore no man is bound by traditions . that christ hath satisfied for the sins of the world : and therefore they which seek out any other way of salvation or expiating their sins , deny christ. that the body and blood of christ are not received corporally in the sacrament of the lords supper . that the mass wherein christ is offered up to his father for the quick and dead , is blasphemy and an abomination before god. that christ alone is our mediator and advocate to his father : and that no other is to be sought out or invocated . that after this life there is no purgatory . that images are not to be worshipped : and therefore that all that are set up in churches for that end , ought to be taken away . that matrimony is not prohibited to any order of men . january the seventh , anno christi . this disputation was held , and the issue of it was the most were satisfied in all these points , so that presently after popery was cast out of the city and all the large territories of the bernates by the unanimous consent of all , ( though the pontificians did all that possibly they could to hinder it ) and by their example some of their neighbors did the like , and in particular the city of geneva . when thus our haller had been a great instrument of reformation in this country , and had set things in good order in the church , so that his fame began much to spread abroad , it pleased god to take him away by an immature death , anno christi . and of his age . to the great grief of all his friends . the life of urbanus regius , who dyed anno christi . vrbanus regius was born in argalonga , in the territories of count montfort , of honest parents , who bred him up in learning , and when his childhood was over , they sent him to lindau , where was a school famous both for the masters and store of scholars ; here he profited much in grammer learning , so that from thence he was sent to friburg , where he was a diligent auditor of sundry men excelling in all kinde of learning . then was he entertained in the house of zasius , an excellent lawyer , who loved him dearly for his diligence and industry ; zasius also allowed him the use of his library : in which regius did ( as it were ) hide himself , diligently reading over all such authors as were fit for his studies : and therein especially observed such notes as zasius in his younger days had written in the margins of them : which notes regius in the night time used to write out : so that when zasius arose sometimes in the night , because he could not sleep , he still found regius writing out those annotations , whereupon he used softly to pull him by the ear , saying , thou wilt get all my art and learning from me . and when at any time he had found him asleep with his head leaning on the table , he used to lay one or two great law-books upon his shoulders , and so leave him till he waked . zasius loved him as his son , both for the sweetness of his nature and carriage , as also for his diligence and industrie in his studies . when thus at friburg he had informed his judgement , and stored his minde with learning , he went to basil ▪ that by hearing the professors of the arts and tongues , he might enrich himself with more polite learning . at this time of all the universities of germany ▪ ingolstade was the most famous , which was governed by john eccius , a most learned man in philosophy : whose fame coming to the ears of regius , he left basil , and went to ingolst ade . in that place where there was a great confluence of students , besides the publick lectures , there were many which read privately : amongst whom regius also set to reading private lectures , having many that resorted to hear him : at last divers noblemen sent their sons to him to be educated , desiring him to furnish their children with books , and all other necessaries , for which they would take care to pay him again quarterly : but when he had run into debt for them , they neglected to return their money , which caused him to think of departing , being tired out with the importunity of his creditors ; and having an opportunity , he listed himself a souldier under a captain that went against the turks , leaving his books and other furniture to be divided amongst the creditors . being now amongst the souldiers , it happened that john eccius ( who was governor of the university ) coming forth to see the souldiers , espyed regius amongst them , and enquiring the cause of his so sudden a change , he told him how those noble men had served him ; whereupon eccius got him released from his captain , and by his authority procured the debts to be paid by the parents of those youths which had been with him ; whereupon he returned to his studies again ; and growing famous for his wit and learning , maximilian the emperour passing through ingolstade , made him his laureat-poet and orator . after the departure of maximilian , he grew so grateful to ernest , duke of bavaria , and leonard eccius , a noble man , that he was made one of the professors in the university of ingolstade . and anno christi , by the order of his prince , he dealt effectually with erasmus roterodamus to draw him to ingolstade : and though he could not prevail , yet he had this testimony given him by erasmus , that he was vir candidus , prudens , facundus , eruditus ; in summa omnibus omnium gratiarum ac musarum dotibus praeditus . a candid , wise , eloquent and learned man , &c. then regius falling to the study of divinity , preferred that before all other learning : applying himself wholly to the searching out of the divine mysteries therein contained ; and a while after the controversie growing hot between luther and eccius , regius favouring luthers doctrine , because he would not offend eccius to whom he was many ways bound , left ingolstade , and went to auspurg , and there at the importunity of the magistrates and citizens , he undertook the government of the church , and being offended at the gross idolatry of the papists , he joyned with luther , and preached against the same : and having written to zuinglius to know his judgement about the sacrament and original sin , he received such satisfaction , that he joined in opinion with him about the same . at that time the anabaptists crept into auspurg , and held private conventicles to the disturbance of the publick peace , for which the magistrates imprisoned the chiefest of them . amongst which there was a woman of good quality cast into prison : who boasted that she could defend her opinion against regius , if she might but have liberty to confer with him : hereupon she was called before the senate , where regius also was appointed to meet with her : there she produced divers texts of scripture to confirm her errors : but regius did so clearly and fully open the genuine sense of them , that every one which was not wilfully blinde might easily discern the truth : but this wilful woman was so far from submitting to it , that she impudently spake thus unto regius , egregia enimvero , vrbane frater , haec disputandi ratio inter me , & te . tu ●n molli culcitra ad later ▪ consulum adsidens , quasi ex apollinis ●●ipode proloqueris : ego misera humi prostrata , ●ex duris vinculis causam dic●re cogor . ●o this vrbanus answered , nec vero in●urin , so●or : ut quae se●el è servitute diaboli per christum in libertatem adserta , tua sp●●te iterum cervicem turpi jugo submisisti ; & isti● te ornamentis ●esanus ostentat genius ali● i● exemplum . the senate perceiving that they labored in vain whilst they sought to reclaim them , by a decree banished them the city . regius preaching against purgatory and indulgences , the malice and cruelty of the papists prevailed at length to the driving him out of that city : but after a while , by the earnest prayer of the citizens , he was called back again to his former charge , where also he marryed a wife ▪ by whom he had thirteen children . about the same time eccius came thither , and sought by all means to turn him from the truth ; but in vain : he sent also f●ber and cochlaeus with flatteries and large promises , who prevailed as little as the other . anno christi . when the d●et was held at auspurg , for quieting the controversies about religion , the duke of brunswick coming thither , by importunity prevailed with regius to go to luneburg in his country , to take care of the church there : in which journey at coburg he met with luther , and spent a whole day in familiar conference with him , about matters ▪ of great moment , of which himself writes , that he never had a more comfortable day in his life . as these words of his in a letter to one of his friends in auspurg do testifie , wherein he writes thus , cum saxoniam peterem , coburgi integrum diem solus cum luthero , viro dei , transegeram , quo die nullus mihi in vita fuit jucundior . talis enim & tantus est theologus lutherus , ut nulla secula habuerint similem . semper mihi magnus fuit lutherus , at jam mihi maximus est . vidi enim praesens , & audivi , quae nullo calamo tradi possunt absentibus . ernestus duke of brunswick loved him dearly , and esteemed him as his father , insomuch as when the city of auspurg , anno christi . sent to the duke , desiring him to return regius to them again , he answered , that be would as soon part with his eyes as with him : also at his return from auspurg , when divers of his nobles asked him what new and pretious ware , after the example of other princes , he had brought home with him ? he answered that he had brought home incomparable treasure for the good of his whole dukedom , which he preferred before all his delights : and presently after he made him bishop and over-seer of all the churches in his country , with an ample salary for the same . afterwards going with his prince to a meeting at haganaw , he had a humor fell into his right leg , which arising in a pustle , brake , and caused an issue , which the physitians advised to keep still open : but not long after he stopped the same , whereupon many presaged his death , whereof indeed this was a cause : for when on the sabbath day , he had been at church , and received the sacrament , in the evening rubbing his forehead , he complained of some obstructions and pain in his head : yet was he still cheerful and not troubled at it : and so went to bed with his wife , and slept till almost day , when rising out of his bed , he fell along in the floor , and with the fall awaked his wife , who leaping our of her bed , cryed out , and endeavoured to lift him into his bed again ; but all in vain till help came to her : a while after seeing his wife and friends heavy and mourning , he com●orted them , and commended himself wholly unto god , and so about two or three hours after , quietly and comfortably resigned up his soul into the hands of his heavenly father , anno christi . and may the . he often desired god that he might dye a sudden and easie death , wherein god answered his desires . he was of an excellent wit , holy of life , and painful in the work of the lord. his son ernest collected all his works together , and digested them into several tomes , printed them at norinberg . afterwards came forth another book , called loci theologici ex patribus , & scholasticis , neotericisque collecti per v. regium . the life of caralostadius , who dyed anno christi . andreas bodenstein caralostadius was born in france , in a town called caralostadium , by which he received his name : he was brought up at school there : and for the improvement of his learning he went ●o divers countries , and publick schools , such as those times afforded : at last he went to rome to study divinity , such as was then taught there : and having spent some time in those studies , he went into germany , and there setled himself at wittenberg , where he commenced doctor in divinity , and was a publick professor anno christi . afterwards he became an earnest assertor of luthers doctrine , and a defender of it against eccius , both by disputation and writing : at the disputation held at lipsich , anno christi . ( of which you may read in luthers life ) caral●stadius and eccius first began it . there was a great dissimilitude between these two persons . for caralostadius shewed the modesty of a divine in his voice , countenance , gesture , and proceedings : disputing , not for glory and victory , but to search out the truth ; wherefore he affirmed nothing but what he soundly proved : nor admitted any quotations brought by the adverse party till he had gathered the meaning of the anthor by the words that went before and followed after : by this his diligence he commended himself to the learned ; but the unlearned interpreted it to be du●ness and fear . but eccius on the other hand appeared fierce by his outcryes , his stern countenance , his theatrical gesture , and his impetuous proceedings : which outward gestures of the body shewed a minde little theological : he often boasted of himself so highly and impudently , that he lost his reputation amongst wise men . he most constantly affirmed those things which were false , and as shamelesly denyed those things which were true : their disputation was about freewill ; the fruit whereof as luther writes , was not the searching out of truth , but temporis perditio , the loss of time . at his return to wittenberg he published trecentas & septuaginta conclusiones apologeticas , & defensionem adversus monomachiam d. johannis ecc●i , cum epitome de impii justificatione . the year after he set forth his theses against the papacy . anno christi . at the time of luthers being in his pathmos , caralostadius obtained or the elector the abolishing of private mass , auricular confession , images , &c. at wittenberg , about which time he marryed a wife , concerning which luther writing to amsdorfius , saith thus : caralostadii nuptiae mirè placent : novi puellam : conforte● cum dominus in bonum exemplum inhibendae & minuendae papisticae libidinis , amen . but luther hearing of that reformation in wittenberg , and being offended at it , returned presently thither , anno christi . and preached eagerly against that alteration ; whereupon caralostadius ( who in luthers absence was the principal man in wittenberg ) being netled with those sharp sermons of luther , wrote in justification of it , which was the first beginning of greater differences betwixt them about the sacrament , whereupon he left wittenberg , anno christi . and went to orlamund , being called to a pastoral charge there : but after a while he was called back to his place in wittenberg ; yet before he went , luther being s●nt by the elector to jene , and orlamund , in a sermon where caralostadius was present , inveighed bitterly against the anabaptists , and said withall , that the same spirit reigned in the image haters and sacramentaries ; whereupon caralostadius , being much offended , went to his lodging to confer with him about it : afterwards luther coming again to orlamund went not to salute caralostadius , but in his sermon quarrelled with their abolishing of idols : and shortly after he procured the elector to banish caralostadius ; whereof caralostadius afterwards complained in a letter to his people in wittenberg , that unheard and unconvicted he was banished by luthers procurement . from thence he went to basil , where he printed some books that he had written about the lords supper , for which the magistrates ( being offended with the novelty of the doctrine ) cast the printers into prison , and the senate of zurick forbade their people to read those books : but zuinglius in his sermon exhorted them first to read , and then to pass judgement on them , saying , that caralostadius knew the truth , but had not well expressed it : afterwards whilst caralostad●us was wandring up and down in upper germany , the sedition of the boorish anabaptists brake out , ( unto which they were stirred up by muncer ) for which many of them , especially of their ministers , were brought to punishment , and caralostadius also escaped very narrowly , being let down in a basket , over the wals of rottenburg : thus being in great straits , he wrote to luther , and purged himself from having any hand in those uproars , entreating him to print his book , and undertake his defence , which also luther did , desiring the magistrates that he might be brought to his just trial , before he was condemned : caralostadius wrote again to him a letter , wherein he said , that for his opinion about the sacrament , he rather proposed it for disputation sake , then that he positively affirmed any thing , which many imputed to him for levity : but luther thereupon procured his return into saxony : yet he finding little content there , went to zurick anno christi . and taught in that place till the death of zuinglius , and then he went to basil , where he taught ten years ; and anno christi . he dyed there of the plague , and was very honorably buryed . what esteem luther had sometimes of him , may appear by this superscription of a letter which he wrote to him . erudit●ssimo viro , & praestantissimo d. andreae bo●enstein ▪ ca●alostadio , syncerioris theologiae asscrtor● facile primario , archidiacono wittenbergensi , praeceptori ac majori suo in christo jesu . the life of capito , who dyed an. chri. . wolfgangus fabricius capito was born at hagenaw in alsatia , anno christi . his father was of the senatorian ranck , who bred him in learning , and sent him to basil , where he studyed the liberal arts and tongues , and by his singular diligence profited very much therein . afterwards when he applyed himself to the study of divinity , his father , who abhorred the unholy life of those which professed holiness , took him off from those studies , and set him in a way of studying physick , wherein he made such a progress , that anno christi : he commenced doctor of physick : but his father being dead , he returned to the study of divinity being religiously inclined , and profited much in it : then he went to friburg , where he studyed school divinity : but after a while growing weary thereof , because he found in the schoolmen much subtilty , but little utility , he was ordained a presbyter ; and then fell to the study of the law , being for four years space a hearer of z●sius : but above all things he admired and esteemed the doctrine of the gospel , and was a great lover and admirer of godly ministers : at heidleberg he grew into acquaintance with oecol●mpadius , and there was a near tye of friendship betwixt them all their lives after ; with him also he studyed hebrew , being therein assisted by matthew adrian ▪ a converted jew . from thence being sent for by the senate , he went to basil , where he was preacher in the chief church for some years , and laid the foundation of a blessed reformation in that city : there also he commenced doctor anno christi . anno christi . through the favor of sir vlrick hutten he was called to ments by the archbishop thereof to be the preacher and counsellor to the prince : at which time also gasper hedeo was made preacher and chief governor over the highest church in ments . capito did the more willingly embrace this call , that he might plant the reformed religion in ments . concerning his commencing doctor , he thus writes in an epistle to hutten ; juris pontificii , ut vocant , doctoratum suscepi ; propter authoritatem videlicet comparandam ; scopam subolescis : licet interim sint aliqui , qui vitio vertunt theologum esse & unà simul civilem ; quasi theologus necesse habet omnem exuere humanitatem . anno christi . tecelius the merchant of indulgences being dead , by the order of the archbishop of ments , letters patents for the renewing of them were set to sale at hale in saxony , whereupon luther wrote to the archbishop , and melancthon to capito his counsellor , to disswade them from such merchandize . capito therefore secretly favouring the gospel , so far prevailed with his master , that he wrote mildly and humbly to luther : and capito also wrote to him , to advise him that in writing against the vices of prelates , he should not name them . for , saith he , exasperantur potius animi insectatione , quàm curantur : mens mindes by such bitterness are rather exasperated then cured . capito thus continuing with the elector of ments , was very dear unto him for his rare wisdom joined with piety , his happy eloquence , and mild nature , so that by him he was sent upon many embassies : and february the . anno christi . he was by the emperour charles the fifth endowed for himself and posterity with the ensignes of nobility under the imperial seal . but not much esteeming these things , when he saw that he could not accomplish his purpose at ments , to the wonder of the archbishop and astonishment of the courtiers , he left it , and followed bucer to strasborough , where he was called to a pastoral charge . the fame of capito and bucer did so spred abroad , that james faber stapulensis , and gerard ru●us came privily out of france to them , being sent by margaret queen of navar , and sister to francis king of france , where they discoursed largely with them of all the heads of divinity : so that france oweth the beginning of her embracing the reformed religion , as to other godly ministers , so especially to capito and bucer . capito was a very prudent and eloquent man , a good h●brician , and studious of peace ▪ concerning the sacrament he said , mittendas esse contentiones , & cogitandum de usu ipsius coenae : & fidem nostram pane , & vino domini , per memoriam carnis , & sanguinis illìus , pascendam , anno he was called into his own country , where he instructed his brethren in the doctrine of the gospel , preached and administred the lords supper to his own citizens , and baptized without the popish ceremonies ; and whereas in helvetia many seemed to incline to the reformed religion , capito often went amongst them , confirming them in the faith. and in a disputation at bern in helvetia , anno christi . capito with many other divines was present at it , defending the truth against the adversaries , so that he with the rest prevailed for the abolishing of the mass , and setting up a faithful ministry in that place . the rest of his time he spent in preaching at strasborough , and giving wholsome counsel to the churches . anno christi . when a diet was appointed at ratisbone , especially for the cause of religion , capito amongst other divines , was sent by the protestants to it , where he gave an excellent demonstration of his wit and judgement : but when nothing could be effected , returning home in a great and general infection he dyed of the plague anno christi . of his age . he was a man of an excellent wit and judgement , constant in religion . a great lover of the schools and learning : wherefore he exhorted to the repairing of schools , and keeping up scholastical titles , that the studious might be distinguished from the slothful ; the seniors from the juniors : and that diligence might be spurred on by hope of honest glory . when erasmus halted between two opinions , he continually called upon him to put off that nicodemus-like temper . his first wife was agnes , a learned woman , after whose death he marryed the widdow of oecolampadius his intire friend . he left to posterity these excellent works , institutionum hebraicarum libriduo , enarrationes in habacuc & hoseans prophetas . vita johannis oecolampadii . de formando puro theologo . explicatio doctissima in hexameron opus dei. leo jvdae the life of leo iudae , who dyed an. chri. . leo judae was born an. chr. . his fathers name was john judae , his mothers name was elizabeth : by the care of his father he was brought up at school in slestadia , where having learned grammer , he went to basil , an. chr. . there he joined in study with zuinglius , was an hearer of dr. wittenbash , by whom he was instructed in the knowledg of the gospel : there also he continued in his studies till he commenced master of arts , anno christi . after which he was made a deacon , and from thence he was called into helvetia ; where he set himself to the study of the oriental tongues , and to read the fathers , especially hierom and augustine ; as also he read diligently the books of luther , erasmus , and capito ▪ at length being called to a pastoral charge at zurick , he opposed the popish doctrine and ceremonies , both in the pulpit and press , so that his fame spread far and near : there he continned eighteen years , and spent much of it in expounding the old testament out of the hebrew , wherein ( being grown very skilful ) he set upon ( at the importunity of his brethren of the ministry ) the translation of the old testament out of the hebrew , wherein also he was much holpen by the industry of other learned men : his care was to get the most exact hebrew copy that he could , which also he compared with others ; neither did he neglect to examine the greek and latine versions , that by all he might the better finde out the genuine signification of the words and minde of the holy ghost . but this work proving very great , he was so wasted with labor and old age that he dyed before he finished it , anno christi . and of his age . leaving undone job , the forty last psalms , proverbs , ecclesiastes , canticles , and the eight last chapters of ezekiel , which he commended to theodore bibliander to finish , who accordingly did it : and he left all to conradus pellican to peruse and put to the press , which he carefully performed . four days before his death , sending for the pastors and professors of zurick , he made before them a confession of his faith , concerning god , the scriptures , the person and offices of christ , concluding , huic jesu christo domino , & liberatori meo , &c. to this my lord and saviour jesus christ , my hope , and my salvation , i wholly offer up my soul and body ; i cast my self wholly upon his mercy and grace , &c. after which he added an hearty thanksgiving unto god for all the blessings and benefits that he had received from him : prayed earnestly to him for the pardon of all his sins : made an exhortation to his brethren : and with hearty affections commended to god , the senate and people of zurick , together with his wife and children , entreating them to be an husband to the widdow , and a father to the fatherless . he left to posterity , annotationes in genesin , & exodum , ex ore zuinglii exceptas : item in evangelistas quatuor : passionis dominicae historiam : ac in epistolas pauli ad romanos , corinthios , philippenses , collossenses , thessalonicenses , & sancti iacobi . praeterea opus conclusionum zuinglii , atque catechismum majorem & minorem conscripsit . the life of george spalatinus , who dyed anno christi . george spalatine was born at noricum , an. chri. . and being brought up in learning profited so much , especially in the knowledge of the humane arts , that frederick the third , elector of saxony , took a great liking to him , and made him one of his privy counsel , and preferred him to some other offices under him : yet did not he neglect the study of divinity ; but profited so much therein that he was ordained a minister . he was also an excellent historian , insomuch as his prince imployed him in writing a chronicle from the beginning of the world to his time : what favour he was in with his prince , may appear by this , in that pope leo the tenth , endevouring to suppress luthers doctrine in the bud , wrote to the duke of saxony , and to our spalatine , to promote his business with the duke for the destroying of luther . when he first applyed himself to the study of divinity , he wrote to luther , intreating directions from him for the method of his studies : luther advised him to read hierom , augustine , and ambrose , as they were published by erasmus : he also advised him always to begin his studies with prayer : for ( saith he ) there is no master that can instruct us in divine matters but the author of them . he further perswaded him to read over the whole bible diligently , adjoining augustine to it ▪ and ( said he ) if you will have my advice , begin with that part which is de spiritu & litera , which our carolostad ( a man of incomparable diligence ) hath expounded and published . afterwards he named to him other parts of augustine and of ambrose . after this the elector of saxony made him his court preacher , and whithersoever he went took him along in his train with him , as he did when he went to the diet at worms , anno christi . whence he wrote to luther , that there was so much favour shewed to the gospel but then appearing , that he perswaded himself that luther should not be condemned before he was heard . nine years after this he was at auspurg when the confession of faith which was written by melancthon was presented unto the emperour . and indeed in all the controversies of religion he always stood of luthers side . he had many thoughts of leaving his ministry , had not luther earnestly opposed him : amongst other things writing thus to him , those temptations which persue you to desert your ministry , either overcome them , or slight them : christ hath called you to that office , yield to him , and obey him according to his will. what you are doing , you know not for the present , but you shall know hereafter . this is a diabolical tentation , and you know not now , why you are afflicted with it : we which are spectators know it better : therefore you ought rather to trust us then your self , who in the lord , before the lord , yea the lord by us doth exhort and comfort you : for we look after nothing else herein then the will of god and his glory . and indeed this is a certain sign that your ministry is neither ingrateful to god , nor unprofitable to the church , in that you are troubled with these tentations : for if it were unpleasing to god , you would rather long after it , as they do which run before they be sent : they speak when they have nothing commanded them of god : whereas satan when he findes such as are truly sent by god and pleasing to him , he makes them aweary of their work : but those which are unpleasing to god , he fils them with a violent hunting after the work . you have no reason to give over your ministry which is so earnestly desired and embraced , &c. upon these perswasions of luther he continued in his office unto the end of his life , which fell out anno christi . and of his age . he was a man that lived in great esteem with princes and nobles , and most of the learned men of his time . erasmus wrote often to him , acknowledging him not only his dear friend , but his patron also : and luther wrote six hundred epistles to him . he wrote the chronicle before mentioned : turned erasmus his book de institutione principis into dutch with some others . the life of myconius , who dyed anno christi . fridericus myconius was born in franconia , of religious parents , an. chr. . decemb. . and bred up at school till he was years old , and then he was sent to annaeberg where he studyed till he was . and then entred into a monastery of the franciscan fryars there , without the knowledg of his parents : and this he did , not that he might live in ease , fill his belly , and follow his pleasures : but that he might serve god , pray for the pardon of his own and other mens sins , and that he might live an holy and innocent life : for so men judged in those days : the first night after his entry , he had a dream , which proved prophetical . in that monastery he almost killed himself with watchings , fastings , praying , and performing other bodily exercises wherein they thought all holiness to consist : and in the night time when other monks were asleep , he macerated and weakned himself with reading peter lombard , alexander hales , bonaventure , gabriel biel , augustine , and other like authors , and being made reader at meal-times , for seven years together every dinner and supper he read the bible with lyra's notes upon it , which he turned over so often that he had almost gotten it by heart , but yet without understanding and judgement : only he retained in his memory the sacred histories . but despairing of attaining to learning under such masters , he left his studies , and fell to mechanical arts : about which time tecelius brought his indulgences into germany , boasting of the virtue of them , and exhorting all as they loved their own and their dead friends salvation , that they should buy them , &c. and withall threatning that if they came not speedily to buy , he would lay down the cross , shut heaven gates that now stood wide open : that he would extinguish the light and splendor of the sun : and that ere long he would cause that so pretious ware should not be sold at so easie a rate : and that whilst the world stood , germany should not have such liberality profered to them from rome again : and therefore he exhorted them seriously to have respect to their own and their deceased friends salvation : for ( saith he ) now is the acceptable time , now is the day of salvation : and except ye buy these indulgences , no man can absolve you from your sins . he also told the citizens of annaeberg that if they would freely part with their mony , their metal mines which were about the town of s. anne should abound with pure silver . by these means this cunning hucster procured such honor to his indulgences , that when he came to any town , the popes bull was carryed before him wrapped either in silk or cloth of gold , and was met with a long and pompous procession ; so that probably had god himself come in a visible shape , he should not have been entertained with so much magnificence . myconius had been taught by his father the lords prayer , the creed , the decalogue , and to pray often : and that the blood of christ only could cleanse us from sin : and that pardon of sin and eternal life could not be bought with mony , &c. which caused him to be much troubled whether he should believe his father or the priests ; but understanding that there was a clause in the indulgences that they should be given freely to the poor , he went to tecelius , entreated him to give him one , for that he was a poor sinner , and one that needed a free remission of his sins , and a participation of the merits of christ : tecelius admired that he could speak latine so well ( which few priests could do in those days ) and therefore he advised with his colleagues , who perswaded him to give myconius one : but after much debate he returned him answer , that the pope wanted mony , without which he could not part with an indulgence : myconius urged the aforenamed clause in the indulgences which were publickly posted up , wherein the pope had inserted these words , ut pauperibus gratis darentur propter deum : whereupon tecelius his colleagues pressed again that he might have one given him , pleading his learning , ingenuity , poverty , &c. and that it would be a dishonour both to god and the pope to deny him one : but still tecelius refused : whereupon some of them whispered myconius in the ear to give a little money , which he refused to do , and they fearing the event , one of them profered to give him some to buy one with , which he still refused , saying , that he would not have bought indulgences , and that if he pleased , he could sell a book to buy one , but he desired one for gods sake , which if they denyed him , he wished them to consider how they could answer it to god , &c. but prevailing nothing , he went away rejoicing that there was yet a god in heaven to pardon sinners freely , &c. according to that promise , as live ( saith the lord ) i desire not the death of a sinner , &c. not long after he entred into orders at vinaria , and read privately luthers books , which the other fryars took very hainously , and threatned him for it . from thence he was called to be a preacher at vinaria ▪ where at first he mixed some popish errors with the truth ; but by the illumination of gods spirit , and by his reading luther , he at last began to preach against popery , and to hold forth the truth clearly in thuringia ; which spied so swiftly in one months space , and was so greedily imbraced not only through saxony , but through all countries , as if the angels had been the carriers of it . anno christi . when luther , was going to auspurg , he lodged in the monastery where myconius was at vinaria : at which time myconius first saw him , but was not suffered to speak with him ▪ afterwards he was called to ●otha to teach and govern the thuringian churches , where he lived with his colleagues twenty years in much peace and concord ; of which himself faith , cucurri●aus , certa●●m●● , ●●●●ravimus , pugnavimus , vicimus & vixim●s semper con●u●●et●ssimè , &c. anno. christi ● . in the tumult of the anabaptistical boors , myconius took much pains to pacifie their mindes , and to keep them quiet : yea , he so quieted with an oration some that were pulling down some noble-mens houses , that they went away in peace . that year also he marryed a wife called marguet , the daughter of an honest citizen of gotha , by whom through gods blessing , he had a numerous posterity . and though myconius was by gods providence called to the government of the church in gotha , yet the most illustrious elector of ●axo●y imployed him in many other businesses . he also took him along with him thrice into the low-countries , as also into cullen , jul●ers , and divers other places . at dusseldo●p he preached the gospel sincerely and purely , though to the hazard of his life ; and at cullen he maintained a publick disputation with the fryars , which was afterwards printed . with the like constancy and faithfulness he preached the doctrine of the gospel in brunswick , in cella of saxony , and in other parts of westphalia . also in divers publick conventions at smalcald , francfurt , and noremberg , his counsel being asked , with much courage and zeal he handled the affairs of religion , seeking to promote the glory of god , and profit and welfare of the church . an. chr. . henry the eighth king of england , fell out with the pope , for not divorcing him from his wife katharine of spain , sister to charles the fifth , by reason of whose greatness the pope durst not do it : whereupon the king of england sent over to the germane princes ( especially to the duke of saxony ) to confederate against the pope , and to join with them in an agreement about religion ; upon which occasion myconius was sent over into england , partly about matters of religion , but especially about a match between henry the eighth , and anne of cleve : but coming thither , he discovered the kings hypocrisie about religion , not only by the six articles about that time established , but also by his imprisoning of latimer , and cutting off the lord cromwels head , and burning of mr. barnes , &c. and by his seizing upon all the abbey-lands : whereupon he left england , and being come home , anno christi . he was called by henry of saxony to visit and reform the churches of misnia , together with luther , jonas , cruciger , &c. which fell out upon this occasion . george duke of saxony , lying on his death-bed , sent to his brother henry ( all his own sons being dead before ) desiring him , that succeeding him , he should innovate nothing in religion , and withall promised him golden mountains by his ambassadors if he would assent thereto : to whom henry answered , this embassie of yours is just like to the devils dealing with christ , when he promised him al the world if he would fal down and worship him : but for my own part i am resolved not to depart from the truth which god hath revealed unto me : but before the return of the ambassadour , duke george was dead : whereupon this henry ( notwithstanding all the opposition of the papists ) made this reformation in the churches : which work being finished , myconius visited all the churches in thuringia , and with the help of melancthon and some other , he provided them pastors and schoolmasters , and procured stipends to be setled upon them for their maintenance . the rest of his life he spent in preaching , praying , and writing of letters : many great persons in universities , and the chief churches holding correspondence with him ; amongst whom were luther , melancthon , cruciger , menius , basilius , monerus , john langus , mechlerus , john marcellus , matthew ratzenbergerus , &c. anno christi . he fell into a consumption , whereof he wrote to luther , that he was sick not to death , but to life : which gloss upon the text pleased luther excellently well , unto whom he wrote back : i pray christ our lord , our salvation , our health , &c. that i may not live to see thee and some others of our colleagues to dye , and go to heaven , and to leave me hear amongst the devils alone . i pray god that i may first lay down this dry , exhausted , and unprofitable tabernacle : farewel , and god forbid that i should hear of thy death whil'st i live : sed te superstitem faciat mihi deus : hoc peto & volo , & fiat voluntas mea , amen ; quia haec voluntas gloriam nominis dei , certè non meam voluptatem , nec copiam quaerit . a while after myconius recovered according to this prayer , though his disease seemed to be desperate , and out-lived it fix years : even till after luthers death , whereupon justus jonas , speaking of luther , saith of him , iste vir potuit quodvoluit , that man could have of god what he pleased . a little before myconius his death , he wrote an excellent epistle to joan. frederick elector of saxony , wherein he praiseth god for raising up three successively in that family , viz. frederick , john , and john frederick , to undertake the patronage of luther , &c. he was a man of singular piety , of solid learning of a dextrous judgement , of a burning zeal , and of admirable candor and gravity . he dyed of a relapse into his former disease , anno christi . and of his age . his works were these : expositio in evan. marci . enarrationes in psalmum . expositiones in evan. secundum matthaeum , lucam , & johannem . commentaria in jesaiam , jeremiam , & jonam . narratio de vita & morte zuinglii . sermo de liberis recte educandis : de crapula , & ebrietate : de faenore & usura , &c. iohn stigetias made this epitaph upon him ; quo duce gotha tibi monstrata est gratia christi , haec pia m●conii contegit ossa lapis . doctrina & vitae tibi moribus ille reliquit exemplum : hoc ingens ( gotha ) tuere decus . the life of john diazius , who dyed anno christi . iohn diazius was born in spain , and brought up at school ; afterwards he went to par● to study the arts , where he continued thirteen years ; but it pleased god that whilst he read over the holy scriptures , and some of luthers books , and other protestant divines , he began to see and abominate the errors of popery : and therefore to further himself in the knowledge and study of the truth , he went to geneva , where he spake with calvin , and was very dear unto him : from thence he went to trasborough , where martia bu●er observing his learning , piety , and diligence in his study , obtained of the senate that he should be joined with him to go to the disputation at ratisbone : and when he came thither , he went to peter malvenda , a spaniard , the popes agent in germany , who when he knew that he came in the company of buc●r and the other protestant divines , he was much astonished , and admired how he was so much changed from that which he knew him to be at paris : and withall he fretted exceedingly that they had gotten a spaniard amongst them , presuming that they would triumph more in him then in many germanes : whereupon he left no means untryed to draw him back again to the church of rome : sometimes making large profers and promises to him , other-sometimes threatning severe punishments , and mixing both with earnest entreaties : he also advised him by no means to stay at ratisbon till the emperours coming ; for ( saith he ) that cannot be without great danger to you ; rather haste to his court and beg your pardon . also at another conference malvenda asked him wherefore he was to ratisbone ? diazius answered that he was sent thither by the senate of strasborough , that he might join his prayers with the prayers of the church , and in the publick conference might endeavor reconcilement as much as he could in those articles which were to be disputed of . then ( said malvenda ) you are come hither in vain , for nothing will be concluded at this conference : but if you would do good , you should rather go to the council that the pope hath begun at trent . but when by no means he could prevail to divert him from the truth , he sent for his brother alphonsus diazius one of the popes lawyers , from rome ; who hearing that his brother was turned protestant , came speedily into germany , bringing a notorious cut-throat with him , resolving either to divert or destroy him : when he came to ratisbone , diazius was departed to neoburg about the printing of bucers book : which alphonsus hearing of , followed him thither , carrying with him letters to iohn diazius from malvenda , wherein he wished him to obey his brother alphonsus who would give him good counsel . when alphonsus came to neoburg , his brother iohn wondred to see him there , asking him the cause of his so unlooked for presence : after some other excuses , at length he told him that he had undertook that long and dangerous journey to recall him into the bosome of the church : hereupon they had much conference about matters of religion , and at length alphonsus told him that he had five hundred ducats per annum in church revenues , all which he would make over to him if he would go with him to rome : but when by no means he could prevail with him , fetching a deep sigh he said , brother , i perceive the constancy of your faith ●nd your unmoveablness in adhering to the doctrine of the gospel to be so great , that you have almost drawn me unto your opinion : yea upon further discourse he seemed to be in love with the doctrine of the gospel , and thereupon perswaded iohn to leave germany which abounded with learned men , and where there was less use of him , and to go with him into italy , rome , and naples , there to spread his doctrine privately , whereby also he might have the better opportunity of spreading it in spain : but ( said he ) we will first go to trent , where are many excellently learned men , and from thence into italy : i beseech you therefore brother go with me , and i will furnish you with all things necessary for your journey . john diazius being glad of this , presently wrote to bucer , and others at ratisbone for their advice what he should do : they counselled him by no means to stir or go with his brother . then alphonsus being frustrate of his hope , intreated him at least to bear him company to auspurg : but in the interim bucer coming to neoburg would not suffer him to stir a foot , neither would leave him till his brother alphonsus was gone . alphonsus hereupon three days after came to take his leave of his brother , where he had much conference with him , exhorting him to charity and constancy in the profession of the true religion , and at last would needs thrust fourteen crowns into his brothers hand , willing him therewith to buy new cloths , and so they parted not without tears . next morning the wagon being ready to depart wherein alphonsus and his cut-throte were to pass to auspurg , the two brothers again took their leaves with tears , and so alphonsus set forward and came to auspurg ; but privately the next day , he and his cut-throte returned to neoburg , and by the way they bought an hatchet of a carpenter , and so stayed all night at a village near neoburg , and the next morning very early went thither disguised that they might not be known , and leaving one to hold their horses under an hedge , they entered into the city , so soon as the gates were open , and going strait to the ministers house where iohn lodged , the executioner knocked at the door , and when a youth came , he asked him for iohn drazius ; the youth answered that he was in bed : go ( said this villain ) and tell him that i have brought him letters from his brother : iohn hearing this ( being in bed with senarcleus his intimate friend ) presently leaped up , cast a cloke a bout him , and so went into a stove which was over against his chamber door , then calling for the messenger ; he went in to him , leaving alphonsus at the stair-foot , and presented the letters to him ; the effect whereof was the assoon as he came to auspurg , he understood that he was in great danger , and therefore out of his brotherly love to him to advised him to beware of malvenda & such as he , who being enemies to christ went about to shed his blood , &c. iohn being busie in reading these letters , the executioner that stood at his back , plucked forth his hatchet , and stroke it into the temple of this holy man in the right side of his head , even to the helve , which in a moment so deprived him of sense that he made no noise , and least the fall of his body should make a noise this villain caught it in his arms , and laid it own , and so went down the stairs softly to his master alphonsus , and both of them immediately repaired to their horses and fled . they of neoburg hearing of this horrible fact , sent out certain horsemen to pursue the murtherers : who coming to auspurg , and hearing that hey were passed the city , being out of hope to overtake them , returned : only one , more zealous then the rest , would not return but pursued them still , and in the city of oenopont , caused them to be apprehended , and cast into prison . and otto the palatine being informed of all these passages , sent to the magistrates , requiring judgement against them : the magistrates at first seemed very forward : but in conclusion , through the practice of the papists , and crafty lawyers suborned by them , judgement was deferred from day to day , till the emperours letters came in post haste to stop their further proceedings , pretending to reserve the cause to his own hearing . and thus this terrible murther of cain and his fellow was slipped over by man : yea this unnatural act was highly commended by the papists : but the lord would not suffer such an unnatural villany to go unpunished ; for not longer after , he was so dogged , and haunted by the furies of his own conscience , that being at trent , when the council was held there ; he hanged himself about the neck of his own mule , fix years after the murther was committed , viz. an. christi . , gasper crvciger the life of cruciger , who dyed an. chri. . gasper cruciger was born at lipsich in misnia , an. . his fathers name was george , a man who was endowed with many virtues , but especially to be commended for that in those perillous times he did not onely embrace the celestial truth himself , but brought up this his son in the knowledge and study of it to the great benefit of the church . his mother also was eminent for piety . this gasper was melancholy by nature , and of a retired disposition : much in meditation , and of few words . being principled in the latine , he learned greek , and profited much therein , and so went to the university of wittenberg , that having studied divinity there , he might be the more useful to the church : he studied also the hebrew tongue , and grew very exquisite therein : from thence he was called to govern the school at magdeburg , where he taught with much profit , and applause to anno christi . in somuch as many of riper years , yea some clerks came to be his hearers , so that his school growing too little for his auditory , he was removed into a larger . but after a while he was called back to wittenberg , where he preached , and expounded the scriptures with so much dexterity , the he was graced with the degree of a doctor ; in that university he studyed and practised physick also , and was so much delighted therewith , and he endeavoured to know the nature of herbs and plats , and what diseases they were good for : whereupon he planted two gardens with his own hands , which with singular industry he furnished with variety of simples , and made many excellent medicines which did much good . by reason of his learning , and candid nature he was very dear to luther , and was very helpful to him in his translation of the bible . he wrote so swiftly , that he was chosen scribe at the disputation at worms , anno christi . and yet withall suggested to melancthon many things for answer to eccius his subtilties , insomuch that glanvel ( who supplyed the emperours room ) said of him , that the lutherans has a scribe that was more learned then all the pontificians . hee took by characters a great part of luthers lectures and sermons , which afterwards he wrote out a large , and faithfully printed them after luthers death . he published also some commentaries of his own upon the psalms , and the gospel of saint iohn , which are of excellent use to the learned . he was a fine and smooth orator , and always abhorred the vain phancies of phanatick persons , cleaving to the truth without deviation . he shunned in his sermons strange and uncouth expressions by which erroneous persons oft disturb the peace of the church . he always opposed the anabaptistical errors , and was very careful to preserve the truth from corruptions . he often contemplated the footsteps of god in nature , saying with paul , that god was so near unto us , that he might almost be felt with our hands . he studyed the mathematicks in his latter time , and grew so skilful therein that few excelled him : he was excellent also in the opticks : but with his excessive pains , and incessant studies night and day , he contracted to himself a mortal disease , whereby he wasted away , and yet his intellectuals decayed not : he lay sick for above three months , all which time he gave forth clear and notable demonstrations of his faith , patience and piety . he called up his two young daughters , and caused them to repete their prayers before him , and then himself prayd with great fervency for himself , the church , and those his orphans , concluding , invoco te quanquam languidâ & imbecillâ fide , sed fide tamen ; credo promissioni tuae , quam sanguine tuo & resurrectione obsignasti , &c. i call upon thee with a weak , yet with a true faith , i believe thy promises which thou hast sealed to me with thy blood and resurrection , &c. in his sickness he intermitted not his studies ; for during the same , he turned into latine luthers books concerning the last words of david : he read he psalms , and other authors : his ordinary discourse with his friends was about the principles of religion , the admirable government of the church , immortality , and our sweet communion in heaven . upon the sixth of november there was a great chasm , or opening in the heavens , and in some places fire fell to the earth , and flew up into the ayr again : this cruciger saw , as he lay in his bed in the night , and thereupon much bewayled the great commotions and dissipations in the church , with he forelaw by this prodigie : he spent the few days which remained , in prayer and repentance , and so quietly ended his days . nov. . anno christi . and of his age . considering the mutability of all earthly things , he used often to say , omnia praetereunt , praeter amare deum . besides gods love nothing is sure , and that for ever doth endure . he was a man of an excellent wit , whose daily and indefatigable labors were not only very useful to the university of wittenberg , but even to forraign nations and churches . he had a plentiful knowledge of the celestial doctrine , which by his ardent piety and assistance of the holy ghost was daily encreased in him . he was so exact and ready in the hebrew tongue , that he easily excelled all others that joined with him in the translation of the bible . in his sermons and speeches he had a sound judgement joyned with an eloquent tongue . he shewed the greatness of his minde by his exact knowledge and skill in the mathematicks , wherein he was deservedly accounted inferiour to none . and these gifts he adorned with many other excellent vertues , with gravity , constancy , and moderation in every condition , with bounty toward strangers , and hearty love to his friends : he published sundry commentaries upon the psalms , iohn , and the first epistle of paul to timothy . lectures upon two articles of the nicene creed . he turned many of luthers lectures and sermons out of dutch into latine , and others out of latine into dutch. the life of matthias zellius , who dyed anno christi . matthias zellius was born in alsatia , in a town called keisersberg , anno christi . and was trained up in learning by his parents from his childhood , and afterwards set to the publick schools : from whence he went to the university , where his proficiency was very exemplary : and being well grounded in the arts , he commenced master of arts ; and then applyed himself to the study of divinity . not long after he went to strasborough , where he was ordained a minister ; and anno christi . he was made pastor of s. lawrence church : at which time luthers doctrine spreading abroad , zellius compared it with the doctrine of his adversaries the papists ; and upon mature deliberation and examination , imbraced that of luther , whereupon he began publickly to defend it , perswading the citizens of strasborough to entertain it . assoon as the bishop heard hereof , he cited him to appear in his court , and caused twenty four articles to be drawn up against him , amongst which these were some : that he taught iustification by faith : that be defended luther : that he preached against the mass : held the marriage of priests lawful : denyed the primacy of the bishop of rome , and humane traditions : hereupon zellius an. chr. . published a book wherein he answered this charge , justified his doctrine , and shewed reasons why he appeared not before the bishop . from this time forward he was much hated by the popish clergy , and went through many dangers for asserting the truth yet ( through gods mercy ) he , with some others , so far prevailed , that the magistrates of strasborough cast our popery , and embraced the reformed religion , anno christi . zellius therefore was the first preacher of the truth in te church of strasborough : to whom after a good while , symphorianus , an ancient pastor of s. martins church adjoined himself , who formerly had been very loose in his carriage , and therefore the people did the more admire this great change in him ; yea some of his former acquaintance , led by his example , did shake off popery , and embraced the truth : and truly these two were rather popular preachers then learned : yet zellius was a man of singular piety : and not long after anthony firnius , minister of s. thomas church , joined himself to them , and was the first minister in that city that marryed a wife : yea after a while there came thither martin bucer , capito , and d. gaspar hedio , learned and eminent men , who more strongly carryed on the work of reformation in strasborough , viz. an. chr. . zellius continued a faithful and painful pastor in his church till the year . and of his age . at which time it pleased god to translate him from earth to heaven , after he had been a preacher in strasborough about years . he was a man famous , not for learning only , but for other christian vertues , especially modesty , temperance , and charity : he had a good wit , was of an innocent and blameless life : preached the truth purely , and was free from pride . not only a theoretick , but a practical divine : what he taught , he first practised himself , and had a special care of the poor . being on a time invited to supper by one of his colleagues , he found much plate set upon his cupboard , at which he was so offended , that he went away without his supper : and afterwards in private so far prevailed with him , that he sold his plate , and was more open-handed to the poor . he wrote many things , but , not seeking his own honour , would never suffer them to he printed : yet afterwards some few were published : as his catechism in dutch : an explication of certain heads in divinity : a defence of the christian religion . an oration wherein he defended the marriage of ministers . as also of the decalogue , lords prayer , and belief . the life of vitus theodorus , who dyed anno christi . vitus theodorus was born at norinberg , one of the most famous cities in germany : and after he had been trained up in his country school , he went to wittenberg , where he continued many years , applying himself hard to his studies , and by his diligence , and attending upon the lectures both publick and private , he made such a progress in learning , that he commenced master of arts , with the good approbation of the university : after which he betook himself to the study of divinity , and attained to an excellent measure of knowledge therein : so that he was very dear to luther both for the eminent gifts of his minde , and for the holiness of his life , as also to melancthon : both whose lectures he daily attended upon , and heard with much diligence , and by his good will would never be from their sides : he went with luther , an. chr. . to coburg in the confines of franconia , during the diet at auspurg : he was also often present at the imperial diets which met about religion , where he disputed wit the adversaries about the principal heads of the controversies . he was called to be a pastor at norinberg , his own country , where he preached the gospel of jesus christ with great zeal and eloquence , to the great profit of his hearers , and that for many years together in the church of sebald , till it pleased god to put an end to his labors , by translating him out of this vale of tears into his everlasting kingdom , anno christi . scripsit annotationes breves into tota biblia germanica : utilem ecclesiae operam navavit lutheri colligendis expoliendisque commentariis in prophetam micheam , & in priora undecem geneseos capita . the life of paulus fagius , who dyed an. ch. . paulus fagius was born in the palatinate , an. chr. . of mean parents : his father was peter buchlin , who was schoolmaster of taberna rhenana , the town where this paul was born . his mothers name was margaret . his father brought him up in his own school till he was eleven years old , and then sent him to heidleberg , where he was educated under john brentius and martin frechtus till he was about years old , and then he went to strasborough , where he taught school to supply his necessities for some years : and the study of the tongues beginning about this time to be in request , he applyed himself thereto , and became familiar with the most eminent therein , as capito , hedio , bucer , zellius , &c. who also were happy reformers of the church of christ at that time . anno christi . having attained some competent knowledge in the languages , and other learning ; being compelled by poverty , he removed to isna , where also he taught school , and by his diligence , and virtuous carriage , approved himself to all : there also he married a wife , and growing more famous he was called to the ministry , and to a pastoral charge : but the studie of the tongues flourishing most at strasborough , whither many exiles resorted for that end , he returned thither again , and read hebrew to some with good success . and yet in the mean time he so followed the study of divintiy , and applyed himself to preaching , that after two years space he returned with his family to his friends more learned and better accommodated with outward things . anno christi . he was recalled to isna to a pastoral charge , which he discharged with good credit for about five years ; spending his spare-time in the study of the hebrew , wherein he profited to a miracle , so that it was believed that those later ages never produced a more learned man in the hebrew then fagius : he made use also of a learned iew , called elias levita , whom he sent for to him from venice : and amongst his other friends there was one senator of isna most dear unto him , called peter bufler , by whose assistance he set up a press , and published some books for the publick good : and when he was faln into want , the said bufler was very bountifull to him : but finding that place not so fit for his purpose , he thought of changing his seat again . whilst he was at isna , anno christi . a great plague brake forth , which caused many ( especially the richer sort ) to leave the place : yet before their departure , by his zealous and fervent sermons and exhortations , he prevailed with some to stay , and with others to leave their alms behinde them for the relief of the indigent . he prevailed also with the senate , upon the publick purse to hire fit persons to take care of the sick : and fagius himself all the time of the infection went up and down night and day to comfort those that were visited , refusing none , no not the poorest ; so all acknowledged it no less then a miracle ▪ that he was preserved in so contagious a time . about the same time the plague raged much at strasborough , and amongst others snatched away wolfgang capito , whose place continued void for a year after , viz. to the year . whereupon the commonwealth of constance , which was associated with them of strasborough in religion , by their prayers and messengers prevailed to get him to strasborough , first for two years , and afterwards for two years more : though before this philip prince of hassia had designed him for a professor in his university of marpurg . about the beginning of the german● war , frederick the second prince elector palatine , purposing to reform the churches within his dominion , made choice of fagius ( who was famous for his eloquence and doctrine ) for that work ; whereupon he sent for him to heidleberg to be a preacher there . during his abode at heidleberg he published divers books which were very useful for those that studyed the hebrew tongue : whereupon it seemed good to bucer , martyr , and h●dio , who were the ordinary professors of divinity in that university , that each other week he should read an extraordinary divinity lecture : and that when any of them were hindred by business or sickness , he should supply their rooms . anno christi . caesar having prevailed in the war against the protesta●● , the progress of religion was hindred in the palatinate , and the interim began to be pressed with great violence : and it was resolved that the godly ministers should be banished , especially such as by reason of their great imployments stood as a brazen wall in the way of antichrist : amongst whom fagius was one , who notwithstanding all the threats of the papists , continued constant and unmoveable in the truth . the sufferings of these godly divines grew famous in forreign nations , whereupon bucer and fagius were sent for by cranmer into england , where they arrived anno christi . and were honorably entertained by doctor cranmer , in his own house , where they were instrumental to the great encrease of religion . also by cranmer they were set upon the translation of the bible , with brief notes : to which they added an enucleation of hard texts , and a reconciliation of seeming contradictions in scr●pture . in this work fagius undertook the old testament , and bucer the new : but the work was hindred by the sickness of them both , and the death of fagius , who being taken with a feaver about the end of the dog-days , for change of ayr was carryed to cambridge , where the . of november , he ended his days joyfully , an. chri. . and of his age . but not without the suspition of poyson , and was there honorably buryed : yet afterwards in queen maries time an. chr. . he was condemned of heresie , his bones digged up and burned to ashes . he was tall of stature , of a swarthy complexion under a severe countenance , full of curtesie , and very eloquent in his ministry . he translated out of hebrew , thisbites heliae ▪ apothegmata patrum ; sententias morales ben syr● : precationes hebraicas : a little tractate written by a iew that turned christian. expositionem dictionum hebraicarum in quatuor capita geneseos , ●ui ad●icitur paraphrasis chaldaica onkel . comment . r. david kimbi in decem primos psalmos , targum . i. e. paraphrasis onkeli chaldaica in libros mosis , with divers others . martin bvcer the life of martin bucer , who dyed anno christi . martin bucer was born at selestade in alsatia , anno christi . being of an excellent wit , he entred very young into the monastery of the dominicans there , and afterwards by consent of the prior , he went to heidleberg for the encrease of learning ; and having gone through other arts , he studied divinity , together with the greek and hebrew tongues : whilst he was there he met with and read erasmus and luthers works , whereupon he began to dis-rellish popery ; and frederick prince elector palatine being much pleased with his eloquence , and singular humanity , as also with his clear and strong voice , and freedom in reproving the vices of men , by the instigation of sir francis sickengen chose him to be his minister , so that he preached often in heidleberg and elsewhere . during his abode in that place luther came thither , whom he heard disputing against free will , which kindled in his breast the first sparks of the divine truth , which by his conversing with luther were further encreased . afterwards going with his prince into the low-countries , he preached freely against the superstitions and sins of the times , and began to bethink himself of leaving his order , whereupon the monks lay in wait to take away his life : but escaping thence , he went to sir francis sickengen , who sheltered him from danger , ( till the controversies about religion were determined ) in his castle at naustall ; and when luther was sent for to the diet at worms , he went along with him , and after some converse , he embraced and defended his cause : not long after war arising between sickengen , and trevir , bucer finding that he could not follow his studies in the midst of those tumults , craved leave to depart , and obtained it : but a neighbor pastor of wissenburg intreated him to preach in his charge , which he did till by the unhappy fall of sickengen , they were both driven thence by the prevailing power , so that he fell into great danger . about this time the seeds of the reformed religion began to be sown in strasborough by matthew zellius , and gasper hedio , sigismund count of hohenl● favoring them : to whom therefore bucer went , and was curteously entertained , and anno christi . was appointed publick preacher in the church , and to read divinity in the schools . these colleagues excelling in wit , eloquence and zeal , did propa●●te the gospel of christ notably in that city , and the year after published in print the reasons why they changed the mass into the lords supper , &c. which book they dedicated to frederick the elector palatine . this book was subscribed by capito , hedio , zellius , pollio , niger , john latomus , f●rn , hag , and bucer : hereupon the senate of strasborough by a general vote reformed their city , casting out popery , and establishing the pure gospel of christ. an. chr . when the gospellers agreed not in all things amongst themselves , a conference was appointed at marpurg , between luther and zuinglius , whereupon bucer with hedio , went thither , and had much discourse with them , wherein they agreed upon all points of divinity , except about the sacrament of the lords supper , and so parted friendly , resolving ab omni contentione in posterum abstinendum utrinque esse : deumque orandum ut spiritu suo erudiat ducatque : that both sides should abstain from contention , &c. the year following at auspurg he disputed with the papists , and had a large testimony for his learning , and modesty , hearing his adversaries patiently , rather seeking truth then victory , and answering them mildly , yet strongly : he took much pains to reconcile the difference between luther and zuinglius about the lords supper , fore-seeing the great mischief that that difference would bring upon the church . an. chr. . the citizens of vlm sent for him to reform their churches , where he with oecolampadius performed the trust put in him with much prudence and faithfulness . he was so studious of peace , that some said he complyed too much with luther in that doctrine , against which he had formerly both preached and written . whereupon in the moneth of may anno chr●sti . he went to zurick , and there in an assembly of the ministers of the church , he purged himself from the suspition of revolt , shewing that he did still retain the same doctrine concerning the supper of the lord which he had formerly professed , and had defended in the disputation at bern against the adversaries thereof , and that by the grace of god he would continue therein to his lives end : but yet that it seemed to him that luther dissented from zuinglius rather in words then in doctrine and very deed : he requested also the ministers of zurick that they would not attempt , nor write any thing more bitterly against luther , by reason of that epistle which he had sent to the magistrates of franckford . to this they of zurick answered , that they admitted his excuse : yet withall shewed him out of that epistle what luther seemed to think of the supper of the lord , and what was to be expected of them hereafter , withall telling him that they were determined with gods help to remain in that doctrine which they had taught hitherto in the church of zurick , till they were otherwise convinced out of the holy scriptures ▪ and in the mean time they would do what might conduce to peace , so that the truth was not wronged , and so they dismissed bucer lovingly and honorably . anno christi . he encouraged the senate of strasborough to erect a school , in which himself taught . he was present at many disputations and conferences , wherein he carryed himself with singular prudence : he was one of the disputants at ratisbone against eccius , and others of the popish party : in which he grew acquainted with john gropper , who , at his return , commended him so much to herman archbishop of collen , that he sent for bucer to assist him in the reformation of his churches , yet afterwards that gropper became a deadly enemy to bucer , and the honest archbishop was first excommunicated by the pope , and then thrust out of his government by the emperour . anno christi . the emperour with the consent of the princes chose some moderate men to write a form for amendment of the doctrine and discipline of the church ; the persons imployed therein were , julius pslug , michael helding , iohn agricola , phil. melancthon , and iohn brentius , these wrote a book which was called the interim . hereupon the elector of brandenburg wrote to the senate of strasborough , entreating them to send martin bucer to him : for ( saith he ) the emperour seeing how loth the pope is to have a council , hath thought of another way , so that good men hope there will be an amendment of things in the church . bucer comming to auspurg , lodged with the elector of brandenburg , who shewed him the book , and told him that it was written with as great moderation as could be , and therefore perswaded him to approve thereof : but when bucer had perused it , he refused to allow it , for that there were many popish doctrines contained therein : at this the elector was very angry , and the lord of granvel was very earnest with him to subscribe it , but he would by no means be drawn thereto , and so he returned home with great danger of his life , going through the country of wittenberg , which was full of spanish souldiers . shortly after his return to strasborough , the interim was by the emperour obtruded upon them : and the protestant divines were everywhere in great danger ; some being dragged unto prison , and others driven into exile : and it so fell out by gods providence that the fame of bucers suffering with his colleagues flew into england , where the reformation of religion was begun under edward the sixth : whereupon thomas cranmer archbishop of ●anterbury by his letters earnestly sollicited bucer with p. fagius to come into england ; and when they saw no hope of recovering their liberty in germany , they assented , and went over anno christi . by the consent of the senate of strasborough , and at their arrival were kindely entertained , especially by the archbishop , who shortly after provided them houses at cambridge , that there they might be imployed in the interpretation of the sacred scriptures : bucer had also a stipend of crowns per annum setled upon him , that with his family he might live comfortably amongst strangers : he was also imployed in interpreting the new testament , wherein he began with the gospel of john : he had such a dexterity in reconciling seeming contradictions in scriptures , as was a wonder to his auditors . the english much admired , as his learning , so his integrity of life , simplicity of apparrel , modesty , and sobriety in his food , his tolerance of labors , and great patience in several diseases . shortly after with the change of ayr he fell into a fit of sickness , which was a pain in his bowels , the stone , a nausea●ing in his stomach , costiveness , and a violent catarh , upon which diseases he lay sick for some moneths : yet would he never be idle , for when he could not go to the publick schools ▪ he read his lectures in his own house : yet in january following he read again in the schools , though he continued crasie : he had great authority in teaching , his doctrine was excellent , his life blameless , his wisdom great , his voice strong , agreeing with the matter he delivered : he used a modest freedom in noting mens manners ; and as he abhorred idleness himself , so neither would he suffer others about him to be idle : thus exercising himself indefatigably for thirty days together , he fell into a relapse ; yet being a little recovered , he commenced doctor in divinity : but relapsing a second time , he imployed himself wholly in heavenly meditations , and prayed god to keep england from those sins which had brought upon germany so much misery ; and that that form of discipline which he had written to king edward the sixth might be here established . mr. john bradford going to preach , told him that he would remember him in his prayers , whereupon bucer weeping , said , cast me not off ( o my god ) in my old age , now when my strength faileth me : withall adding . he hath afflicted me sore , but he will never , never cast me off . and being admonished to arm himself against the temptations of satan , he answered , i am wholly christs ; and the devil hath nothing to do with me ; and god forbid that i should not now have experience of the sweet consolations in christ ; and so with sweet and heavenly ejaculations he resigned up his spirit into the hands of god , at cambridge , february the . anno . of his age . and had about three thousand persons attending him to his grave : walter haddon and dr. parker preached his funeral sermons . anno . in queen maries days he was condemned of heresie , his body digged up , and , together with his books , burned . cardinal contarene returning out of germany from the disputation at ratisbone , being asked his judgement of the germane divines , answered , habent germani martin . bucerum qui eâ ubertate doctrinae theologicae & philosophicae , eâ ctiam in disputando subtilitate , & felicitate est insti●uctus , ut unus ille nostris omnibus doctoribus possit opponi : they have amongst others martin bucer , endowed with that excellency of learning both in theologie and philosophie , and besides of that subtilty and happiness in disputation , that he only may be set against all our learned men . omnia hujus viri opera latina , & germanica si in unum conjungerentur , justa magnitudinis tomos efficerent : ex quibus cognoscere licebit quanta in bucero eruditio , cura , vigilantia , peritia , quanta fuerit in agendo dexteritas , in reformandis , conciliandisque ecclesiis authoritas , atque felicitas . the life of gaspar hedio , who dyed anno christi . gaspar hedio was born at etling , in the marquisat of baden , of honest parents , and educated in learning at friburg , where also he commenced master of arts ; and from thence went to basil , where he studyed divinity , and commenced doctor anno christi . about which time the glorious gospel of jesus christ beginning to appear in germany , hedio embraced and made a profession of the same , whereupon being called to preach in the chief church of ments , he taught the truth plainly and powerfully , which when the tender and delicate ears of many would not endure , a persecution was raised up against him , especially by the popish clergy , which caused him to leave ments , and go to strasborough , an. chr. . where he was a great assistant to capito and bucer in reforming religion by the command of the senate , though the papists gnashed their teeth at it : for the same year the senate commanded their preachers that they should teach the gospel freely and publickly , and that they should instil into their hearers the love of god and their neighbors , yet withall , that they should abstain from reproaching the contrary opinions , and from scandalous provoking the people against them . anno christi . hedio marryed a wife , and though the papists raised a great persecution in that city against him , yet he preached boldly against masses , indulgences , auricular confession , &c. and wrote against them also . and when the senators of strasborough the year after set forth in print the reasons , grounded upon scripture , why they made that alteration in religion , hedio with his colleagues subscribed it : and withall , they published certain propositions , wherein they strongly defended their doctrine to be grounded upon the word of god. anno christi . when herman archbishop of collen began a reformation , he sent for bucer and hedio to assist him therein , knowing them to be men of very quiet dispositions , and very fit to instruct the people : but awhile after when caesar came to bonna , they were in great danger by reason of his spanish souldiers , and at last by the command of caesar they were dismissed from ments , and through many difficulties and dangers they returned to strasborough . what time he could spare from his ministerial imployment , he spent in writing commentaries and histories , of which a great part afterwards were published in print , whereby he deserved excellently of the church ; and so continued preaching and writing till the year . at which time it pleased god to put an end to his labors on earth , and to translate him to his heavenly kingdom : concerning whom one made this epigram . argentina , tuis hedio pia dogmata templis sincerâ docuit religione dei. cumque tibi pietas sit , priscaque gloria cordi , non poteris tanti non meminisse viri . he published a sermon about tithes . an historical synopsis , wherein he enlarged sabellicus to the year . he corrected chronicon abbatis vspergensis : adding many remarkable matters from the year to . he wrote chronicon germanicum : besides a great many histories and other books which he translated into dutch. as he maintained peace and friendship with his colleagues , so he held correspondence with most of the learned men of that age. and amongst others nicholas gerbeline thus writes , mira mihi est cum hedione familiaritas : hebraica & graeca studia communia : ingeniorum rara quaedam aequalitas : deus faxit ne malus aliquis discordiam interserat : scis enim nihil iniquiùs ferre daemonem quam sinceras amicitias . the life of oswald myconius , who dyed anno christi . oswald myconius was born at lucern in helvetia , anno christi . and was first trained up in his country school : after which he went to basil , and there betook himself to the study of the arts and tongues , which he prosecuted with great diligence , and was much delighted with the works of erasmus , and of his country-man henry glarianus , with both of which he was well acquainted , and was highly prized by them both for the excellency of his wit , and for his singular learning : this was about the year . his learning being taken notice of , he was by the magistrates of basil made chief master of saint theodores school , and awhile after of saint peters school , in both which he trained up many young men , and made them very fine scholars . after some years he was called from basil to zurick to moderate a school there , where he took great pains in training up youth for three years space ; at the end whereof he was called into his own country of lucern , and set over the chief school there : about which time the doctrine of the gospel began to shine out in all places , and our myconius did not only willingly and readily embrace it himself , but was zealous to propagate it , and for that end endevoured to instill it into the hearts of his scholars , which were very many , insomuch as the popish party taking notice of it , turned him out of his school , anno christi . from thence therefore he went back to zurick , where he was kindely entertained , and made chief schoolmaster again , where he continued till after zuinglius was slain in the war , at which time learning and the esteem of learned men began to decay in zurick , whereupon he returned to basil , and giving over the troublesome office of a schoolmaster , he was made deacon of the church of s. alban , where he preached diligently till the death of john oecolampadius , and then he took up his divinity lecture , and began to expound the gospel of s. mark , which he performed so well , that very many auditors frequented his lectures . about this time the magistrates of basil consulted about surrogating one in the pastoral office of oecolampadius : and ( beyond his expectation ) myconius was nominated and appointed thereto , and so was made the chief pastor in basil , having but a little while supplyed the office of a deacon . in this his pastoral office he continued for about twenty years with great fidelity and diligence , and both by his lectures and ministry was very grateful to his hearers : and the rather because his courteous carriage was very pleasing , his learning more then ordinary , and his eloquence very popular . when the great controversie about the manner of christs presence in the sacrament sprang up , myconius inclined to the opinion of luther , and often rendered his reasons for it to his friends in private : but when , for this some grudges were raised up against him in the university , he voluntarily laid down his divinity lectures , and wholly applyed himself to his pastoral office , wherein he continued to the end of his life , which fell out anno christi . and of his age . he wrote a learned and pious exposition upon the gospel of s. mark : sermons upon psalm . he translated oecolampadius his catechism out of dutch into latine : he published commentaries upon matthew , luke , and iohn , as also upon the prophets isaiah , ieremiah , and ionas , besides some other theological and philological works . georg prince of anhalt the life of george prince of anhalt , who died a no christi . george prince of anhalt was born anno christi . of a very ancient and honourable family . his father was prince ernest. then by the advice of that grave , prudent man , adolphus , prince of anhalt , bishop of mersburg , he was set to the study of the law , wherein he shewed such industry , that he was quickly acquainted with the principles of it , and being of a generous nature , he loved the truth , and hated evils ; often using that proverbe of solomon , that , lying lips become not a prince . amongst all law-books , he was most versed in panormitan . having thus prepared his wit by these studies , an. chr. , he was by cardinal albert , elector of mentz , and bishop of magdeburg , chosen to be one of his counsellors , whereby he was versed in the weighty affairs of state , finding the use and benefit of his knowledge of the law therein ; and being eloquent by nature , the cardinal often made use of him to open his mind to others ; so that his judgement was encreased and confirmed by his industry and employments . but the controversies about religion waxing hot at this time , and luther's books coming abroad , he fell to reading of them , especially de discrimine legis , & evangelii . de vera paenitentia . de gratia . de fide . de vera invocatione . de usu sacramentorum . de discrimine legum divinarum , & humanarum . de discrimine ministerii evangelici , & politicae potestatis . yet withall suspecting his own injudiciousness , he would often pray with teares to god to incline his heart to the truth , saying , deal with thy servant according to thy mercy , and instruct me in thy right eousnesse . he was frequent in reading the scriptures , ecclesiastical histories , augustine , hierom , and lombard , having george forcheme both for an helper , and copartner with him in those studies . he studied also greek and hebrew , and was so perfect in the hebrew that few excelled him . he discoursed with learned men about the controversies ; and so at length , having long weighed the opinions of all , he concluded , that the confession of the reformed churches did agree with the ancient catholick church of god , instructed by the writing● of the prophets , and apostles : and though he knew what hatred and danger he exposed himself to , yet he made a publique profession of the truth ; giving over to joyn with the papists in their counsels , and idolatrous services ; giving himself wholly to prayer , and reading the scriptures , and other good books : assisting his brethren ( with whom he lived in perfect peace and love ) exceedingly in their governments . and first of all , by their joint consents , he reformed the churches in his own country , setting fit pastors over them , commanding them to teach the word of truth to their people . he abolished the popish ceremonies , erected schooles , allowed competent stipends to the ministers : so that all things were reformed without any dissention or tumult ; and many were drawn to embrace the truth ; others were confirmed therein by the judgements and examples of their pious princes : and then he was very profitable to his country by the faithful administration of justice to them an christi he was called to the government of the churches in the diocesse of mersburg , and for that end he sent for phil. melancthon , and divers other godly ministers , who ordained him by the imposition of hands , and gave him a testimonial thereof august the third . concerning which melancthon thus writeth ; nos convocati , quia certe sciebamus hunc illustrissimum ! rincipem georgium rectè intelligere , & constanter amplecti puram evangelii doctrinam , quam ecclesiae harum regionum ●navoce , & uno spirit● cum catholica ecclesia dei profitentur , & eximiam ejus esse virtutem , & sanctitatem : testimonium nostrum de eo , ritu apostolico , impositione manuum , declaravimus , &c. he lived very continently in a single life , without any defilement : his chamber was a temple , academy , and a court ; for he used daily in the same to pray , read , write , and deliberate about government . he never wronged any man willingly . he did good both privately and publickly to many . he was a great promoter of peace among princes . he ended many controversies . he abhorred all seditious and turbulent counsels . he was far from ambition . no anger , hatred , or desire of revenge could ever draw him to goe against the rules of justice , or to act any thing against the common good . many , and great injuries he bore with a great minde , and pardoned them for the publick peace sake : and with the same moderation of minde he bore other griefs , so that it might easily appeare that he was supported by prayer to , and resting himself upon god ; and as a learned man , he kn●w the difference between divine , and humane consolations , and often repeated this saying , subditus esto deo , & ora eum , &c. submit thy self to god , and pray unto him ; for he is near to those that are of a contrite heart , and will save the humble in spirit . he employed his time so wel , so that he left none for pleasures ; and used to say , that nothing refreshed him more in his sorrows , then conference with learned and godly men . about all controversies in law he used to conferre with the excellentest lawyers who were wise and virtuous men : about the nature of mans body , the causes and remedies of diseases , with the most skilful physitians : about the doctrine of the church , and ecclesiastical affairs , with luther , justus jonas , john bugenhag , &c. and many of their disputations , ful of learning and piety , were heard to the profit of many . he conferred with joachim camerarius about the histories of all ages , the mutation of empires , their period , and the causes thereof ; about the motions of the heavens , and the effects of the stars . the last act of this princes life shewed his piety , and gods presence with him : for falling sick of a most troublesome disease , he was frequent in holy prayer for himself , for all the princes of that family , for his country , and for germany . he had some portions of holy scripture daily read to him . he made his will , wherein he set downe the confession of his faith , and commended the defense of his churches to his brother . he added something to the stipends of all the godly ministers under his charge . he often ruminated upon those texts , god so loved the world , that he gave &c. no man shal take my sheep out of my hand . come unto me all yee that are weary , &c. and so in holy meditations and prayer he resigned up his spirit unto god anno christi , and of his age , . amongst other parts of his ecclesiastical administrations , every year he held two synods , wherein all the pastors of his diocesse met together , where they had very profitable sermons preached . he was made superintendent of those churches of mersburg by augustus duke of saxony , brother to maurice , anno christi . his works which he left behind him were these ; a consolatory sermon upon that speech of our saviour , none can take my sheep out of my hand . a nuptial sermon preached at to●gau at the mariage of the duke of saxony to anne the king of denmarks daughter . four sermons about the sacrament . a consolation to his brother wolphgang in his sicknesse . two sermons against false prophets . sermons containing an assertion of the true doctrine in the reformed churches . a tractate about the apostolical rite of ordination used in the reformed churches . his opinion about the controverted articles published by selneccerus . he was of such constancy of life and manners , that it might truly be said of him which dion said of the emperor marcus antonniuus , in omni vitâ sui similis , nec ullâ unquam in re mutatus fuit . itaque verè fuit vir bonus , nec fictum , aut simulatum quicquam habuit . the life of justus jonas , who died a no christi . justus jonas was born at northusa anno christi , where his father was a senator , who falling sick of the plague , having applyed an onion to the soar , and taken it off , he layd it by him ; presently after , this little jonas coming , took the onion and eat it up , yet without any prejudice to himself ; god miraculously preserving him from that danger . he was at first brought up at school in his own country . afterwards being sent to a publick school , he studied law , and made a good progress therein : but upon better thoughts , he studied divinity , and proceeded doctor , and embraced the reformed religion , and was called an . christi to a pastoral charge in wittenberg : and when sundry controversies arose , especially about abrogating private masse , and the prince elector of saxony feared lest the abolishing of it should cause great tumults , jonas with his colleagues went to him , and rendred such reasons for it , that the prince acquiesced therein . he was present at most of the disputations about religion , where he defended the truth strenuously ▪ and endeavoured to promote peace . he was also made a professor in that university , where he publickly read divinity lectures , and bore all offices in the schooles . anno christi he created sundry doctors of divinity , as gasper cruciger , john bugenhag pom●ranus , and john aepinus , pastor of the church of ha●borough : at which commencement john frederick elector of saxony was present , and was much delighted with the eloquent speeches made by justus jonas . anno christi , when henry duke of saxony , who had embraced the reformed religion , and was admitted into the league of smalcald , succeeded his brother george in the government of misnia and thuringia , he presently by the advice of luther and his colleagues , reformed his churches , luther himself beginning that reformation ; but the carrying on , and perfecting that work , was left to the care of justus jonas , with spalatine and ampersdorf . from thence he was called unto hale in saxony , where he preached and promoted religion exceedingly : and whilst he was imployed there , he was not only very useful to those churches , but was sent to from divers others for advice and counsel , and being a man of a publick spirit , he was never wanting to those that craved his help . luther sometimes resorted thither to him , and took him along with him in his last journey to is●eben , anno christi , where he dyed : after whose death he remained a while in the duke of saxony's court , and was a constant companion of frederick's sonnes in all their afflictions . and lastly , he was set over the church in eisfield , and was made superintendent of the franconian churches within the principality of coburg , where he ended his daies in much peace and comfort , anno christi , and of his age . he was a man of an excellent wit , of great industry , of much integrity of life , joyned with piety . whilst luther lived he was his faithful friend , and most dear to him . most of the famous men of that age were his great friends . on a time luther coming to his house , drank to him out of a curious glass , adding this distich ex tempore , dat vitrum vitr●● jonae vitrum ipse lutherus : ut vitro fragili similem se noscat uterque . being once under temptations , and in great agony , he shewed much despondencie , but his servant , partly by comforting him , & partly by chiding him , cheared him up , and at last , through god's mercy , the spirit prevailed against the flesh . he published a defence of the mariage of ministers against john faber the patron of whoredoms : an oration about the study of divinity . annotations upon the acts : about privat masse , and the unction of priests . he turned some of luthers works into latin. the life of john rogers , who died a no christi . john rogers was born in england , and brought up at the universitie of cambridg , where he profited very much in good learning , and from thence was chosen by the merchant adventurers to be their chaplain at antwerp , to whom hee preached many years , and there falling into acquaintance with will tindal , and miles coverdal ( who were fled thither from persecution in england ) he , by heir means , profited much in the knowledg of jesus christ , and joyned with them in that painful and profitable work of translating the bible into english , and being much enlightened thereby in the saveing knowledge of jesus christ , he cast off the heavy yoake of popery , perceiving it to be impure , and filthy idolatry . there he married a wife ▪ and from thence he went to wittenberg , where he much profited in learning , and grew so skilfull in the dutch-tongue , that he was chosen pastor to a congregation and discharged his office with diligence , and faithfulness for many years : but in king edward's time , hee was sent for home by bishop ridley , and was made a prebend of pauls , and the deane and chapter chose him to read a divinity lecture in that church , in which place hee preached faithfully till queen mart's dayes ; and in the beginning of her reign , in a sermon at paul's cross , he exhorted the people constantly to adhere to tha● doctrine which they had been taught : and to beware of pestilent poperie , idolatrie , and superstition , for which he was called before the lords of the council , where he made a stout , wittie , and godly answer , yet withall carried himself so prudently , that for that time he was dismissed : but after the queen's proclamation against true preaching came forth , he was again called ( the bishops thirsting for his blood ) and committed prisoner to his own house , whence he might have escaped ; and had many motives , as his wife , and ten children , his friends in germanie , where he could not want preferment , &c. but being once called to answer in christ's cause , he would not depart , though to the hazard of his life . from his owne house , he was removed by bonner to newgate amongst thieves , and murtherers for a great space . at length he was againe carried before the lords of the councill , where the lord chancellor [ steven gardener ] taunted , reviled , and checked him , not suffering him to speak his mind , and so remanded him to prison : whereupon he wrote thus : i was compelled to leave off what i would have most gladly spoken , and therefore i desire the most hearty , and unfeigned prayers of all christs true members , the true imps of the true catholique church : that the lord god of all consolation will now be my comfort , aid , strength , buckler , and shield : as also of all my brethren who are in the same case , and distresse ; that i , and you all may despise all manner of threats , and cruelty , and even the bitter burning fire , and the dreadfull dart of death , and stick like true soldiers to our deare , and loving captaine christ , our onely redeemer , and saviour ▪ and the onely true head of the church ; that doth all in us all ; that we doe not traiterously run out of his tents , or rather out of the plaine field from him in the heat of the battell : but that we may persevere in the fight ( if he please not otherwise to deliver us ) till we be most cruelly slaine of his enemies . for this i most heartily , and even with teares most instantly , and earnestly desire you all to pray : and if i dye , to be good to my poore , and most honest-wife , being a poore stranger , and to all my little soules , her , and my children , &c. the next day he was brought before the councell againe , and the third day also , where he met with the like usage , and when by no means they could remove him from his constancy , steven gardener read his sentence of condemnation , degraded him , and so delivered him over to the secular power ; declaring that he was under the great curse , and that it was a vengeable dangerous matter to eat , or drink with him , or to give him any thing : for that all that did so should be partakers of the same curse . then said mr rogers : well my lord , here i stand before god and you , and all this honorable audience , and take him to witnesse , that i never wittingly , and willingly taught any false doctrine , and therefore have i a good conscience before god and all good men . i am sure that you , and i shall come before a righteous judge , before whom i shall be as good a man as you : and i nothing doubt but i shall be found then a true member of jesus christ , and everlastingly saved . and as for your false church you needed not to have excommunicated me out of it , for i have not lived in it these twenty yeares , the lord be thanked for it . then he desired that his wife ( to whom he had been married eighteen years , and by whom he had ten children , and the being a stranger ) might be admitted to come to him whil'd he lived : but steven gardner , the then lord chancellor , would by no means suffer it . febr. th , anno christi . he was warned suddenly by the keepers wife of newgate to prepare himselfe for the fire , who then being sound asleep could scarce be awaked with much jogging : at length being awaked , and raised , he was bid to make hast : if it be so , said he , i need not tie my points , and so he was presently had away to bonner to be degraded , of whom he earnestly requested to be admitted to speak with his wife , but could not prevaile ; from thence he was carried into smithfield , where scarce being permitted to speak to the people , he briefly persuaded them to perseverance in that truth which he had taught them , which also he was now ready to seal with his blood . then was a pardon profered to him if he would recant , but he utterly refused it . his wife , with nine small children , and the tenth sucking at her brest came to him , but this sorrowfull sight nothing moved him , but in the flames he washed his hand and with wonderfull patience took his death , all the people exceedingly rejoycing at his constancie , and praising god for it . he was the proto-martyr in queen marie's dayes . the sabbath before his death he drank to mr hooper , who lay in a chamber beneath him , bidding the messenger to commend him to him , and to tell him , that there was never little fellow that would better stick to a man , then he would to him ; supposing they should be both burn'd together , although it happened otherwise . during the time of his imprisonment strait search was made in his chamber for his writings , and papers , yet nothing was found : but after his death his wife , and one of his sons going to his chamber to look after them , could find nothing , till being ready to depart , the boy espyed a black thing lying in a corner under a blind paire of staires , which indeed proved the book they looked for , containing a narration of his examination , and answers , whereunto were added these predictions . if ( said he ) god look not mercifully upon england , the seeds of utter destruction are sown in it already by these hypocritical tyrants , and antichristian prelats , double traytors to their native countrey . and yet they speak of mercy , of blessing , of unity , of the catholike church , &c. but this double dissimulation will be discovered one day , when the plague comes , which undoubtedly will fall upon those crown-shorne captains , and that shortly , what soever the godly , and the poore realme suffer in the meane time by gods permission , and will : for the dispersed english flock shall be brought againe unto their former state , or a better ( i trust in the lord god ) then it was in innocent king edwards days ; and our bloody babylonian bishops , with their whole crown shorne company shal b● brought to utter shame , rebuke , ruine , and destruction . for god cannot , and undoubtedly will not for ever suffer their abominable , lying , false doctrine , their hypocrisy , bloodthirstinesse , whoredoms , idlenesse , their pestilent lives pamperd in all kinds of delights , their thrasonical boasting pride , their malitious , envious , and poysonfull stomacks which they beare towards his poore afflicted flock . some shall have their punishment here in this world , and they that escape here shall not escape everlasting damnation . this shall be your sawce , o yee wicked papists , make yee merry as long as yee may . also an honest printer being his prison fellow , mr. rogers said to him . thou shalt live to see the alteration of religion , and the gospell to be freely preached againe , and therefore have me commended to my brethren , as well in exile , as others ; and bid them be circumspect it displacing papists , and putting good ministers into the churches , or else their end will be worse then ours . whilst he lay in the prison of newgate ( which was above a yeare ) he was very merry , and earnest in all he went about : to the prisoners very charitable , and liberall ; for whose sake he made an agreement with his fellows , that they should eat but one meale a day , yet paying for two , which overplus should be given to them that lacked on the other side of the prison . the life of laurence saunders , who dyed a no christi . laurence saunders was borne of worshipfull parents , brought up in learning at eaton school , and from thence chosen to king's college in cambridg , where he continued three years , and profited in learning very much ; then by hi● mother ▪ ( who was very rich ) he was bound to a marchant in london , called s ir william chester . but almighty god who hath his secret workings in all things , provided better imployment for his servant : for he no way liked that cours of life : so that when his other fellows were busily imployed about their worldly affaires , he would secretly withdraw himself into some privat corner , and there fall into his solitary lamentations . and it fell out that his master ( being a good man ) one day heard him in his secret prayers bewayling his condition , whereupon questioning with him , he found that he did not fansie that kind of life ; but that his mind was wholly bent to his book , and spirituall contemplations : upon this occasion his master acquainting his friends with it , gave him back his indentures , and released him from his service : and laurence saunders being ravished with the love of learning , especially with reading gods word , shortly after returned to cambridg , where also he studied greek and hebrew , but especially the holy scriptures , to fit himself for the work of the ministry : he was frequent , and very fervent in prayer , and when assaulted by temptations , he still found much support , and comfort in prayer , whereby he gained such experience , that he became a great comforter of others with the same consolations which himself had found from god. he commenced master of arts and stayed long after in the universitie . in the beginning of king edward's reign he began to preach ( being first ordained a minister ) and that with such generall approbation , that he was chosen to read a divinity lecture at fotheringaie , where by his doctrine and life he edified many , and drew many ignorant persons to god , and stopped the mouths of the adversaries . about this time hee married a wife : and from thence was removed to the minster of liechfield , where also he , by his life and doctrine , gat a good report even from his adversaries for his learning and godlines . from thence he was removed to church langton in leicestershire , where he taught diligently , and kept a bountifull house , and from thence to alhollows in breadstreet-london ; and after his admission there , he went back into the countrey to resigne his benefice , which fell out when queen mary raised stirs to get the crown , by reason whereof hee could not accomplish his purpose . in his journey he preach'd at northampton , not medling with the state , but boldly delivering his conscience against popish doctrine , and errors ; which ( said he ) are like to spring up again , as a just plague for the litle love which england hath born to the true word of god , so plentifully offered to them . some of the queens men which were there , and heard him , were highly displeased with him for his sermon , and for it kept him prisoner amongst them for a time : but partly out of respect to his brethren and friends which were chief sticklers for the queen ; and partly because there was no law broken by his preaching , they at length dismissed him . and he seeing the dreadfull day approaching , inflamed with godly zeall , preached faithfully at both his benefices , not having opportunitie to resign either , but into the hands of papists : and , notwithstanding the proclamation to the contrary , he taught diligently the truth , at his countrie place where he then was , confirming the people , and arming them against fals-doctrine , till he was not onely commanded to cease , but by force was resisted . some counselled him to flie out of the kingdom , which he refused ; and being hindred there from preaching , he travelled toward london , to visit his flock in that place . but coming near london , master mordant , one of the queen's councill , overtook him , asking him whither he went ? i have ( said mr saunders ) a pastorall charge in london , whither i am going to instruct my people according to the truth . if you wil follow my counsel ( quoth mordant ) let them alone , and come not at them : but said mr saunders , how then shall i be discharged before god ? if any be sick , and desire consolation : or if any want good counsell , and want instruction , or if any should slip into error , and receive false doctrine . then did mordant ask him if he did not preach such a time in breadstreet ? hee said , yea : and will you , said mordant , preach so againe ? yes , said he , to morrow you may heare me there , where i will confirme by god's word , all that i then preached . i would counsell you ( said the other ) to forbeare . saunders said , if you will forbid me by lawfull authority , i must then forbear : nay , said mordant , i will not forbid you , and so they parted . mordant went presently to bishop bonner , and informed him of master saunders his purpose to preach the next day : which accordingly he did : and at his lodging being somewhat troubled in his thoughts , a friend of his asked him how he did ? truly said he , i am in prison , till i be in prison . the text which he preached upon in the forenoon was cor. . . i am jealous over you with godly jealousy , for i have espoused you to one husband that i may present you as a chast virgin to christ : but i feare least by any meanes as the serpent beguiled eve through his subtilty , so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in christ. in the afternoon he prepared himself to preach againe , but bonner sent an officer for him , who carried him to the bishop , where he found mordant . the bishop charged him with treason for breaking the queen's proclamation ; and with heresy and sedition , for his sermon ; an heretick he would prove him to be ; because he taught that the administration of the sacraments , and all orders of the church were most pure , which came neerest to the order of the primitive church : for ( said bonner ) the church was then in her infancy , and could not abide that perfection , which afterwards it grew to by ceremonies . m. saunders answered out of st. augustine , that ceremonies were given to the infirme , and weak ▪ and that therefore it was a signe of the great perfection of the primitive church that it had few ceremonies , whereas the popish church had many , and those partly blasphemous , partly unsavory , and unprofitable . after much other discourse the bishop required him to write his judgment about transubstantiation , which he did , saying , you seek my blood , and you shall have it : i pray god you may be so baptized in it , that you may hereafter loath blood-sucking , and become a better man. then bonner sent him to gardiner , where he waited foure houres , in the bishops absence , in a roome , where the bishops chaplaine , and many of his servants were merrily playing at tables : at last came the bishop from the court , and after he had dispatched many sutors , being informed of master saunders , and his cause , he sent for him in : master saunders kneeling at the end of the table : gardiner said to him ▪ how happened it that notwithstanding the queens proclamation you dared to preach ? saunders . seing the perilous time now at hand , i did but according to my duty exhort my flock to persevere and stand stedfast in the doctrine that they had learned ; i also remembred those words of the apostle ; that its better to obey god then man ; and what i did , i was moved thereto by my conscience . gardiner . a goodly conscience surely . this your conscience could make our queen a bastard : would it not ? saunders . we declare no such matter : but for that let them care whose writings are yet abroad to testify the same , not without the great shame , and reproach of the author . this he said , because gardiner to curry favor with king henry the eighth , had published a book , wherin he had openly declared queene mary to be a bastard , and so going forward , he said ; we onely professe , and teach the sincerity , and purity of gods word ; which albeit it be now forbidden us to publish with our mouths , yet i doubt not but it shall be sealed with our blood . the bishop being vexed at this free speech said . carry away this frensie foole to prison ; to whom he said , i thanke god that at last he hath given me a place of rest , where i may pray for your conversion . hee continued in prison one year , and three months . in a letter to his wife he thus writes ; i am merry , and i trust i shall be merry , maugre the teeth of all the divels in hells riches i have none to endow you with , but that treasure of tasting how sweet christ is to hungry consciences ( whereof i thanke my christ , i doe feel part ) that i bequeath unto you , and to the rest of my beloved in christ , &c. he was so zealous in the defence of the truth that he forbad his wife to sue for his delivery , and when other of his friends had by suit almost obtained it , he so discouraged them that they ceased from following their suit . being at last brought againe to examination , and life being promised if he would recant ; he answered . i love my life and liberty , if i could enjoy them without the hurt of my own conscience : but by god's grace i will abide the most extretremity that man can do against mee , rather then do any thing against my conscience : and when gardiner threatned him with death , he said welcome be it , whatsoever the will of the lord be , either life or death : and i tell you truly , i have learned to dye : but i exhort you to beware of shedding innocent blood : truly it will cry aloud against you . being excommunicated , degraded and condemned , he was sent to coventry to be burned . when he came near the place of execution , he went cheerfully to the stake , kissing it , and saying , welcome the cross of christ , welcome everlasting life . the fire by his cruell enemies was made of green wood , and other smothering matter , which would not burne , whereby he was put to grievous torments ; but the grace , and plentifull consolation of christ , which never forsakes his servants , gave him admirable strength and patience , so that in all , he stood quietly , and at last sweetly slept in the lord. during his imprisonment he wrote many excellent letters , and after his condemnation in a letter to his wife , and friends , he thus writes . oh what worthy thanks can be given to our gracious god for his unmeasurable mercies plentifully , 〈◊〉 upon us : and i , most unworthy wretch , cannot but bewail my great ingratitude towards so gracious a god , and loving father ? i beseech you all , as for my other many sins , so especially for my sin of unthankfulness , crave pardon for me is your earnest prayers . to number gods mercies in particular , were to number the drops of water in the sea , the sands on the sh●re , or the stars in heaven . o my dear wife and friends , rejoyce with me , i say rejoyce with thanksgiving , for this my present promotion , in that i am made worthy to magnifie my god , not onely in my life by my slow mouth , and uncircumcised lips , bearing witness to his truth , but also by my blood to seal the same to the glory of my god , and confirming of his true church : i profess to you that as yet the comfort of my sweet christ doth drive from me the fear of death . but if my dear husband christ doe for my tryall leave me a little to my selfe , alas i know in what case i shall then be : but if he doe , yet i know that he will not be long , nor far absent from me , though he stand behind the wall , yet he will peep in at a cr●vise . he is a tender-hearted joseph , though he speak roughly to his brethren , and threaten bondage to his best beloved benjamin ▪ yet can be not containe himself from weeping upon us , and with us , with falling on our necks , and sweetly kissing us . such , such a brother is our christ unto all his , wherefore hasten to goe unto him , as jacob did with his sons and family , leaving their countrey and acquaintance . yea this our joseph hath obtained for us , that pharaoh the infidel , shall provide us chariots whereby with ease we may be carried to him . our very adversaries do help us to our everlasting blisse , by their speedy dispatch , blessed be our god. fear not bugbears which lye in the way ; fear rather the everlasting fire , &c. my dear wife , and fellow heirs of the everlasting kingdom , always remember the lord ; rejoyce in hope , be patient in tribulation , continue instant in prayer , and pray for us appointed for the slaughter , that we may be unto our heavenly father a fat offering , and an acceptable sacrifice , &c. farowel all in christ , in hope to be joyned with you in everlasting joy ; amen , amen , amen . pray , pray . doctor pendleton , and this mr ▪ saunders meeting together in the beginning of queen maries reign , and speaking of the persecution that was like to ensue , about which master saunders shewed much weaknes , and many fears ; pendleton said to him , what man ? there is much more cause for me to fear , than for you , forasmuch as i have a bigge and fat body , yet will i see the utmost drop of this grease of mine molten away , and the last gobbet of this flesh of mins consumed to ashes , before i will forsake iesus christ , and his truth which i have professed : yet not long after , upon trial , poor , feeble , saint-hearted saunders , by the power and goodness of god , sealed the truth with his blood : whereas proud pendleton played the apostate , and turned papist . the life of john hooper , who died anno christi . john hooper was a student and graduate in the university of oxford , where having abundantly profited in the study of other sciences , he was stirred up with a fervent desire to the love , and knowledge of the scriptures , in which study he joyned earnest prayers to his diligence , for the better understanding of the same ; neither was the grace of the holy-ghost wanting to satisfie his desire , and to open to him the light of true divinity . thus mr. hooper growing more and more in ripeness of spiritual understanding , and shewing withall some sparks of his fervent spirit , being about the time when the six articles came out , he was so hated by some , especially by doctor smith , that he was compelled to leave the university , and went to live with sir thomas arundel , and was his steward til sir thomas a●undel ( having intelligence of his opinions , which he by no means liked , yet exceedingly loving the conditions of the man ) found meanes to send him on a message to the bishop of winchester , writing privately to the bishop by his learned conference to to doe some good upon him , yet requiring him in any case to send him his servant home again . winchester had much conference with him four or five dayes together ; but when he could doe no good of him , he sent him back to sir thomas arundel according to his request , much commending his wit and learning , but ever after bearing a secret grudg in his stomack against him ; so that shortly after m. hooper was warned by some private friends to provide for his own safetie ; for that there were underhand workings to apprehend him : whereupon he left the kingdome , and went to paris : yet after a while he returned again , and liv'd with one mr. sentlow : but understanding that snares were again layd for him , with much difficulty and danger he escaped the second time into france , and from thence traveled into germany , where he gained acquaintance with many learned men , and of them was friendly and lovingly entertained both at basill and zurich , especiall by m. bullinger , who became his especial friend . there he studied hebrew , and married a wife being a burgonian : and at least hearing that king edward the sixt was come to the crown , he amongst many other english exiles , was desirous to return into england , and when he took his leave of those his worthy friends , mr. bullinger said to him ; mr. hooper , though we are sorry to part with your company for our own sake , yet we have much more cause to rejoyce both for yours , and the cause of christs sake , that you shall now return out of long banishment into your native country again , where you may not only enjoy your own liberty , but may , and we doubt not will be very useful for the promoting the good of christs church : we also rejoice not onely because you shall remove out of exile into liberty ; but you shall here leave a barren and unpleasant country , rude , and savage , to goe into a land flowing with milk and honey , replenished with all pleasures and fertility ; yet with this our joy , our fear , and care is , left when you are so far distant , and long absent in the midst of your friends , wealth , and felicity ( for peradventure you will be a bishop ) you should forget us your friends and wel-willers ; yet though you should do it , we assure you that we will not forget our old friend and fellow mr. hooper ; and if you will please not to forget us , then pray you let us hear from you . to this master hooper answered ; first giving most hearty thanks to master bullinger , and all the rest for their singular good will , and undeserved affection , which they had at all times shewed toward him : then declaring that it was not the barrennes of that country which occasioned his remove ; for that he could be content to live all his life there , as soon as in any part of the world , or in his own country , were it not that he took himselfe bound in conscience to endeavour the advancement of religion in his native soil : and therefore ( said he ) though i cannot deny that god hath blessed our country of england with many great commodities : yet neither they , nor new friends , nor any thing else shall cause me to forget such friends , and benefactors as you have been , unto whom i am so much bound : and therefore you shall be sure from time to time to heare from me , and i will send you word how it goeth with me : but , saith , he , the last newes of all i shall not be able to write , for where i shall take most paines , there shall you hear of me to be burned to ashes : thus taking his leave of them , he returned to london , where he preached twice , but at least once everie daie . the people so flock't to him , that the churches could not contein them . in his doctrine and ministry he was earnest , and zealous : in language eloquent : in the scriptures perfect , and ready : and in paines indefatigable . in this pains-taking he continued to his lives-end , neither did his labor break him , nor promotion change him , nor dainty fare corrupt him : he was of a strong bodie , sound health , pregnant wit , and of invincible patience : spare of diet , sparer of words , and sparest of time : a liberall hous-keeper , and very grave in his carriage . being at length called to preach before king edward , h● made him first bishop of glocester , where he was bishop two years ; then of worcester , where he carried himselfe ●o uprightly , and inoffensively , that his enemies had nothing to say against him : he used to goe about from towne to towne , and from village to village to preach unto the people : he governed his house so , that in every corner of ●t there was some smel of virtue , good example , honest conversation , and reading of the scriptures : in his hall there was daily a table spread with good store of victuals , and be set with poor folk of the city of worcester by turnes , who were served by four at a messe , with whole and wholsom● meat : and when they were served ( being before examine● by himselfe or his deputies , of the lord's praier , creed , an ten commandements ) then he himselfe sate down to dinner , and not before . in the beginning of queene marie's daies , he was sent for by a pursivant to london : and though hee had opportunity , and was perswaded by his friends to flie , yet hee refused , saying , once i did flie , but now being called to this place , and vocation , i am resolved to stay , and to live , and die with my sheep . by winchester when he came to london he was railed upon , and committed to prison : afterwards also at his examination , they called him beast , hypocrite , &c. which he bore without answering again : in the fleet where he was prisoner , he had nothing but a pad of straw for a bed , and a ●otten covering , till good people sent him a bed to lie on : of one side his chamber was the sinke and filth of the house , on the other the town-ditch , enough to have choaked him : after he had laien thus a while , falling sick , the doors , bars , hasps , and chaines being all made last , he both mourned , called , and cryed for help : yet the warden hearing , would suffer none to goe to him , saying , let him alone , if he die , it were a good riddance of him , &c. concerning his base usage , himself thus writes : i paid alwaies ( saith he ) to the warden of the fleet as a baron paid , as well in fees , as for my board : viz. s. per week , till i was wrongfully deprived of my bishoprick , and after that time i paide as the best gentleman in the house , yet he alwaies used me worse , and more vilely then a very slave : thus i suffered inprisonment almost eighteen monthes , my goods , living , friends , and comforts taken from me : ●he queen owing me above pound , yet hath she cast me into pr●so● & al●owes me nothing , neither are any suffered to come at me , whereby i may be relieved . i am under a wicked man , and woman , and see no remedy but in gods help : but i commit my just cause to him whose will be done whether it be by life or death when he was brought to examination before winchester , and the other commissioners , there was such a tumult whensoever he began to speak , that he was forced to keep silence : yet did they proceed to degrade , and condemne him , and so delivered him over to the secular power . as they were leading him from the counter in southwark to newgate , one of the sheriffe said to him . i wonder that you was so hasty , and quick with my lord chancellor , and used no more patience to him ? to which he answered : mr. sheriffe , i was nothing at all impatient , though i was earnest in my masters cause , and it stands me in hand so to be : for it goeth upon life , and death , not in this world onely , but in the world to come . sixe daies he lay close prisoner in newgate , none being suffered to come to him , during which time , bonner , harpsfield , and diverse others came to him , leaving no meanes untried to reduce him to their antichristian church , sometimes making many great profers , and promises to him of worldly riches , and promotion , other sometimes using grievous threatnings to affright him : but they found him alwaies the same man , steadfast , and unmoveable . february the th . at night , his keeper gave him some inkling that he should be sent to gloucester to be burned , which he rejoiced very much at , lifting up his eyes , and hands to heaven , and praising god for sending him amongst his people over whom he had been pastor , there to confirme with his blood the truth that before he had taught unto them , not doubting but the lord would give him strength to perform it to his glory : and immediately he sent for his boots , spurrs , and cloke , that he might be ready to ride when they should call for him . the day following he was delivered to some of the queens guard , who conveied him to glocester , and when he came neer the city , much people met him , who cryed , and bewailed his condition exceedingly . the night before his heath , he did eat● his meat quietly , and slept soundly : after his first sleepe , ●ee spent the rest of the night in praier . the next day sr anthonie kingston coming to him , told him that life was sw●ete , and death bitter ; to which he answered , the death to come is more bitter , and the life to come more sweet : i am come hi●her to end this life , and suffer death , because i will not gainesay the former truth that i have here taught unto you . also a blinde boie coming to him , after he had examined him in the grounds of religion , he said , ah poor boy , god h●th taken from thee thy outward sight , but hath given thee anot●er sight much more pretious , having endued thy soul with the eie of knowledge , and faith : god give thee grace continually to pray u●to him that thou lose not that sight , for then shouldest thou ●e blind both in body and soul. being delivered to the sheriffe , he said to him , my request to you master sheriffe , is onely that there may be a quick fire , shortly to make an end of me , and in the mean time i will be as obedient to you as you can desire : if you think i doe amisse in any thing , hold up your finger , and i have done : i might have had my life , with much worldly gaine , but i am willing to offer up my life for the truth , and trust to die a faithfull servant to god , and a true subject to the queen . when he saw the sheriff's men with so many weapons , he said , this is more then needs ; if you had willed me , i would have gone alone to the stake , and have troubled none of you all : as hee went to the stake he was forbid to speak to the people . hee looked chearfully , and with a more ruddy countenance then ordinary . being come to the place of execution , hee prayed about halfe an hour , whereof this was a part . lord ( said he ) i am hell , but thou art heaven : i am swill and a sinke of sinne , but thou art a gracious , and mercifull redeemer : have mercy therfore upon me most miserable , & wretched offender after thy great mercy , and according to thine inestimable goodnesse : thou art ascended into heaven , receive me hell to be partaker of thy joyes , where thou sittest in equall glory with thy father . for will knowest thou lord wherefore i am come hither to suffer , and why the wicked doe persecute thy poor servant : not for my sins , and transgressions committed against thee , but because i will not allow their wicked doings to the contaminating of thy blood , and to the deniall of the knowledge of thy truth , wherewith it did please thee by thy holy spirit to instruct me : with as much diligence as a poor wretch might ( being thereto called ) i have set forth thy glory . thou well seest , o lord my god , what terrible torments , and cruell paines are prepared for thy poor creature : even such lord as without thy strength none is able to beare , or patiently to passe : but that which is impossible with man is possible with thee : therefore strengthen me of thy goodnes that in the fire i break not the rules of patience : or else asswage the terror of the paines as shall seeme fittest to thy glory . having a box with a pardon set before him , he cried , if you love my soul away with it , if you love my soul away with it . three irons being prepared to fasten him to the stake , he onely put on an iron-hoop about his middle , bidding them take away the rest , saying , i doubt not but god will give me strength to abide the extremity of the fire without binding . when reedes were cast to him , he embraced and kissed them , putting them under his arme , where he had bags of gun-powder also : when fire was first put to him , the fagots being green , and the winde blowing away the flame , he was but scorched : more faggots being laied to him , the fire was so supprest , that his nether-parts were burn'd , his upper being scarce touched : he praied mildly as one that felt no paine , o jesus the sonne of david have mercie upon me , and receive my soul : and wipeing his eies with his hands , he said , for god's love let me have more fire : a third fire being kindled , it burn'd more violently , yet was he alive a great while in it , the last words which he uttered being , lord jesus have mercy on me , lord jesus receive my spirit . and so he slept in the lord. in one of his letters he wrote , imprisonment is painfull , but libertie upon evill conditions is worse : the prison stink's , yet not so much as sweet houses where the fear of god is wanting : i must be alone , and solitarie , it 's better so to be , and have god with me , then to be in company with the wicked : losse of goods is great but losse of grace and god's favor is greater : i cannot tell how to answer before great and learned men : yet it is better to do that , then stand naked before god's tribunal : i shall die by the hands of cru●ll men , he is blessed that loseth his life , and fi●de's life ete●nal : there is neither fel● city , nor adversity of this world that is great , if it be weighed with the joyes , and p●ines of the world to come . and in the conclusion of the letter he writes thus . i am a precious jewell now , and daintily kept , never so daintily before : for neither mine owne man , nor any of the servants of the house may come to me , but my keeper onely , who is a simple , rude fellow : but i am not troubled thereat . in the time of king edward when he was made bishop , much controversie was betweene him , and doctor cranmer , and doctor ridley about the cappe , rochet , &c. but when in queene maries daies , they were all in prison for the cause of religion ; doctor ridley wrote thus to him : my dear brother , forasmuch as i understand by your works , which i have but superficially seene , that we throughly agree in those things which are the grounds , and substantial points of our religion , against which the world so furiously rageth in these daies , however formerly in certain by matters , and circumstances of religion , your wisdome and my simplicity hath a little jarred , each of us following the abundance of his owne sence , and judgement : now i say be you assured that even with my whole heart ( god is my witness ) in the bowels of christ i love you in the truth , and for the truths sake which abideth in us , and shall by the grace of god abide for ever . he was above three-quarters of an hour in the fire before he dyed , yet even as a lambe he patiently abode the extremity thereof , neither moving forwards , backwards , or to any side ; but having his nether parts burned , and his bowels faln out , he dyed as quietly as a child in his bed , an . christi , . the life of rowland tailor , who died a no. christi . rowland taylor was doctor of both laws , and rector of hadley in suffolk , where master thomas bilney had formerly been a preacher of the word , and in which place there were few , either men or women , that were not well learned in the holy scriptures , many having read over the whole bible , and could say a great part of paul's epistles by heart . here this d. taylor preached constantly on sabbaths , holy-days , and at other times when he could get the people together . so soon as he was called to this place , he left the family of doct. cranmer a. b. of canterbury , with whom he had formerly lived , & like a good shepherd , constantly abode with his flock , and gave himself wholly to the study of the sacred scriptures , most faithfully endeavouring to fulfill the precept of christ to peter ; lovest thou me ? feed my sheep . his life also , and conversation was very exemplary , and full of holiness : he was meek , and humble , yet would stoutly rebuke sinne in the greatest : he was very mild , void of all rancor and malice , ready to do good to all mer , forgiving his enemies , and far from doing the least wrong . to the poor , blinde , lame , sick , bed-rid , or that had many children , he was a father , causing the parishioners to make good provision for them , besides what of his own bounty he gave them . he brought up his own children in the fear of god , & good learning : and thus he continued as a good sheepherd amongst his flock , feeding , governing , and leading them through the wilderness of this wicked world , all the days of holy king edward the sixth : but in the beginning of queen marie's reigne , two popish persons suborned a priest to come and say mass in his church ; hee being at his study , and hearing the bell to toll , went to church , and finding this priest , guarded with drawn swords , in his popish robes ready to begin the mass , he said unto him , thou divel , who made thee so bold to enter into this church , to profane and defile it with this abominable idolatry , i command thee thou popish-wolfe , in the name of god to avoid hence , and not to presume thus to poyson christ's flock . then said one foster ( the ringleader in this business ) to doctor tailor , thou traitor , what dost thou here , to let and disturbe the queens proceedings ? doctor tailor answered , i am no traitor , but the shepherd which god , and my lord christ hath appointed to feed this his flock ; and therefore i have good authority to be here . then said foster , wilt thou traiterous heretick make a commotion , and resist violently the queens proceedings ? doctor tailor answered , i make no commotion ; it s you papists that make commotions and tumults ; i resist onely with gods word against your popish idolatries , which are contrary to the same , and tend to the dishonour of the queen , and the utter subversion of this realme ; then did foster with his armed men carry doctor tailor out of the church , and so the priest went on with his mass. doctor tailors wife , who had followed her husband to the church , when she saw their violent proceedings , kneeled down , and holding up her hands , with a loud voice , said , i beseech god , the righteous judge to avenge this injury , which this popish idolater doth this day to the blood of christ ; then did they thrust her out of the church also : and presently after foster wrote a complaint against doct. tailor to steven gardiner , who sent his letters missive for doctor tailor : whereupon his friends earnestly entreated him to fly , telling him that he could neither expect justice , nor favor , but imprisonment , and cruel death : to whom he answered , i know my cause to be so good , and righteous , and the truth so strong upon my side , that i will by gods grace appear before them , and to their beards resist their false doings , for i beleeve that i shal never be able to doe god so good service as now , and that i shal never have so glorious a calling , nor so great mercy of god profferd me as i have now ; wherefore pray for mee , and i doubt not but god will give mee strength , and his holy spirit , that all my adversaries shal be asham'd of their doings . then said his friends , master dr. we think it not best so to do ; you have sufficiently done your duty , and borne witness to the truth , both in your sermons , and in resisting this popish priest , and therfore seeing our savior christ bids us when we are persecuted in one city to flee to another ; we think that by flying at this time you should doe best , reserving your selfe for better times . o ( said d. tailor ) i am now old , and have already lived too long to see these terrible and wicked dayes . you may doe as your consciences serve you , but i am resolved not to fly : god shall hereafter raise up teachers , which shall with much more diligence and fruit teach then i have done ; for god will not forsake his church , though for a time he tryeth and correcteth us , and that not without just cause . his friends seeing his constancy and resolution , with weeping eyes commended him to god ; and so preparing himself , he went to london , and presented himself to steven gardiner , lord chancellor of england ; who railed upon him , calling him knave , traitor , heretick , asking him if he knew him not ? &c. to whom he answered , yea , i know you , and all your greatness , yet● you are but a mortall man : and if i should be affraid of your lordly looks , why fear you not god the lord of us all ? how dare you for shame look any christian in the face , seeing you have forsaken the truth , denyed our saviour christ , and his word , & done contrary to your own oath , and writing ? with what countenance can you appear before the judgement seat of christ , and answer for your oath , first made to king henry the eighth , and afterwards to king edward the sixth ? gardiner . tush , tush , that was herods oath , unlawfull , and therefore fit to be broken ; i did well in breaking it , and thanke god that i am come home to our mother the church of rome , and so i would thou shouldest doe . tailor . should i forsake the church of christ , which is founded upon the true foundation of the prophets and apostles ? to approve those lyes , errors , superstitions and idolatries that are approved of most blasphemously by you ? god forbid . remember that you wrote truly against the pope , and were sworne against him : gardin . i tell thee that was herods oath , and our holy father the pope hath discharged me of it . tailor . but you shall not be so discharged before christ , who doubtlesse will require it at your hands as a lawful oath made to your king , from which no man can assoile you . gardiner . i see that thou art an arrogant knave , and a very fool . tailor . my lord leave your railing , which is unseemly in one that is in your place . i am a christian man , and you know that he that call's his brother fool , is in danger of hell fire . gardiner . yee are false , and liers all the sort of you . tailor . we are true men , and know that god will destroy all them that speak lies , and therefore we abide by the truth of gods word , which ye , contrary to your own consciences , deny , and forsake . gardiner . thou art a married man. tailor . yea , and i thanke god that i am , and have had nine children and all in lawfu● matrimony , and blessed be god that ordained matrimo●y , and commanded that all that had not the gift of continency should marry , and not live in whoredom and a dultery . after some other discourse the bishop called hi men , commanding them to carry him to the kings bench , requiring his keeper to keep him strictly : then docto● tailor kneeling down , and holding up his hands , said , good lord i thanke thee , and from the tyranny of the bishop of rome and all his detestable errors and abominations , good lord deliver us . so they carried him away to prison , where he lay almost two years . in prison he spent his time in praier , reading the scriptures , preaching to the prisoners , and to other that resorted to him : and it pleased god that he found in that prison holy master bradford , whom he began to exhort to faith , strength , and patience , and to persevere constantly unto the end . master bradford hearing this , thanked god who had provided him so comfortable a prison-fellow , and so they both together praised god , and continued in praier , reading and exhorting one another : insomuch as doctor tailor told his friends that god had provided graciously for him to send him to that prison where he found such an angell of god to be in his company to comfort him . he was diverse times examined of his faith , and witnessed a good confession before his adversaries , for which at last he was condemned to die . when his sentence was read , he told them that god , the righteous judge , would require his blood at their hands , and that the proudest of them all should repent their receiving againe of antichrist , and their tyranny against the flock of christ. he also thus wrote to his friends . god be praised , since my condemnation i was never affraid to die ▪ gods will be done . if i shrinke from gods truth , i am sure of an other manner of death then had judge hales . but god be praised even from the bottome of my heart , i am unmovably setled upon the rock , nothing doubting but that my dear god will performe and finish the work that he hath begun in me , and others . to him be all honor both now , and ever through christ our onely saviour , amen . after his condemnation , bishop bonner came to the prison to degrade him , bringing all the massing garments with him , which he commanded him to put on . no , quoth doctor tailor , i will not . bonner . wilt thou not ? i shall make thee ere i go . tailor . you shall not , by the grace of god. bonner . i charge thee on thy obedience to do it . tailor . i will not . then the bishop bad his owne man to put them on his back , which when it was done , setting his hands by his side , he walked up and down , and said , how say you my lord , am i not a goodly fool ? if i were in cheap-side , would not all the boies laugh at these apishtoies ? the bishop having dispoiled him of all , would have given him a stroke on his breast with his crosier : but his chaplain said , my lord strike him not , for he will sure strike again . yea by saint peter will i , quoth doctor tailor : the cause is christs , and i were no good christian if i would not fight in my masters quarrell . then the bishop cursed him , but durst not strike him . to whom doctor tailor answered , though you curse , yet god doth blesse me . the next night his wife , son , and servant came to him , where before supper they kneeled down , and praied , saying the letany . he was sent down to hadley to be burn'd , and all the way as he went , he was very merry as one that went to a banquet , or bridal . in his journey the sheriffe of essex perswaded him much to returne to the popish religion , &c. to whom at last he answered , i well perceive now that i have been deceived my self , and shall deceive many in hadley of their exspectation : when the sheriffe desired him to explain his meaning , hoping that he would recant , he said , i am a man of a very great carkass , which i had hoped should have been buried in hadley - churchyard , but i see i am deceived , and there are a great number of wormes there , which should have had ●olly feeding upon this carrion , but now both i , and they shall be deceived of our expectation . when he came within two miles of hadley , he desired to alight , and being down he leap't , and fet a frisk , or two , saying , god be praised i am now almost at home , and have not past two stiles to go over , and i am even at my father's house . at hadley towns-end , a poore man with his five children met him crying , o dear father , and good shepherd , god helpe and succour thee , as thou hast many a time succour'd me , and my poor children : the streetes were ful of people weeping and bewailing their losse , saying , ah good god there goes our good shepherd from us that hath so faithfull● taught , so fatherly cared for us , and so godly governed us : 〈◊〉 mercifull ▪ od , what shall we poor scatt●red lambs doe ? what sh●ll b●come of this most wicked world ? good lord strengthen hi● , and comfort him . to whom he said , i have preached to ●u god's word , and truth , and am come now to seal it with ●y blood . he gave all his money to the poor , for whem he w●s wont thus to provide formerly : once a fortnight at least 〈◊〉 used to call upon sir henrie doile , and other rich clo●l●ers to go with him to the alms-houses to see what the poor lacked in meat , drink , apparel , bedding , and other nece●●ries : withall exhorting , comforting , and rebuking as ●ee saw occasion . comming to the place of execution , he was not suffered to speak to the people , who much lamented his death , yet he was very cheerfull , saying , thanks be to god , i am even at home , and when he had praied , and made himself ready , he went to the stake and kissed it . he would seigne have spoken to the people , but one thrust in a tipstaffe into his mouth , another stroke him on the head , and an other threw a fagot at him , which broke his face that the blood ranne down : to whom doctor tailor said , o friend , i have harme enough , what need that ? when he was saying the miserere in english , sir john shelton stroke him on the lips , saying , you knave , i will make thee speak latin. the fire being kindled , he held up his hands , calling upon god , and saying , merciful father of heaven , for jesus christ my saviour's sake receive my soul into thy hands , and so stood still without moving , till one with an halberd strook out his brains . anno christi ▪ john bradford the life of john bradford , who died a no christi . john bradford was born at manchester in lancashire , and by his parents brought up in learning : and afterwards he served sir john harrington , a man much employed under hen. the th , and edward the th : in which place he had opportunity of much advantaging himself : for his master found him so active , and fit for his imployments , that above all others he made most use of his faithfull service : and thus he continued with him for certain years : but god intending him for better employment , having given up a just account to his master , with his good approbation ▪ he went to cambridge , where by his diligence in studie , he profited so much in knowlege , and so pleased all by his godly , and blameless conversation , that after one years ab●de in the university he was made master of arts , and chosen fellow into pembroke-hall . there master bucer falling into acquaintance with him , highly priz'd , and perswaded him to enter into the ministrie , which he modestly excused for want of learning : to whom bucer said , if thou have not fine manchet , yet give the peopl● barlie-bread or such as thou hast . being thus perswaded to enter into the ministrie , bishop ridley made him a prebend in st pauls , where he continued preaching three yeares faithfully , reproving sin 〈◊〉 , yet sweetly preaching christ crucified , and pithily i●●●yning errors , and heresies , and perswading to a ●odli● life . in the beginning of queen marie's reign . bourn , bishop of bath made a leditious sermon at paul's-crosse , which ●o moved the people to indignation , that they were ready to pull him out of the pulpit , and one throw a dagger at him : whereupon bourn requested master br●dford ( who was behind him ) to stand in his place , and to quiet the people which according●y he did● whom when the people saw , they cried , bradford , bradford , 〈◊〉 save thy life bradford ; bourn not yet thinking himselfe safe , requested master bradford to conveie him into the school-master's house , which accordingly he did , going at his 〈◊〉 , and shel●ering him from the people : whereupon one said to him . ah bradford , bradford , thou savest him that will help to burn thee . in the afternoon master bradford preached at bow-church , and sharply reproved the people for their seditious carriage : yet within three daies after , he was sent for before the council , and charged with sedition for this act , and by them was sent prisoner , first to the tower : then from thence they removed him to the kings bench in ●outhwark , and after his condemnation , he was sent to the●●ounter in the poultry : in which places for the time that he remained prisoner he preached twice a day , unlesse sicknesse hindred , and often administred the sacrament : preaching , reading , and praier was his whole life : he eat but one meal a day , and that a spare one too , and his continual study was upon his knees : in the mid'st of dinner he used to meditate with his hat in his eyes , from which flowed plenty of teares dropping on his trencher . he was in such credit with his keeper in southwark , that at an evening he would give him leave upon his bare word to go into london , to visit a sick friend , and he was so mindfull of his promise , that he used to returne to prison again , rather preventing his hour , then breaking his fidelity . he was of person somewhat tall , and slender , spare of body , of a faint sanguine colour , with ●n awberne beard . hee ●lept not above four hours in ●he night , and till sl●ep came , his book went not out of his ●and . his recreation was honest companie , and christian discourse a litte after dinner , and so to praier , and his book again . he counted that hour ill spent wherein he did not some good , either with his pen , studie , or exhorting others , &c. he was no niggard of his purse , but would liberally communicate what he had to his fellow-prisoners . once a week he visited the thieves on the other side the prison , giving them godly exhortations , and distributing some mony amongst them . an intimate friend of his asked him if hee should procure his liberty , what he would doe , and whither he would goe ? to whom he answered , that he cared not ●hether he were delivered out of prison or no ; but if he should , that then he would marry , and abide secretly in england , and teach the people as the time would suffer him . he was had in great reverence and admiration of all good men : so that many which knew him not but by fame onely , much lamented his death , yea many papists wished heartily that he might live . few daies passed wherein he shed not some teares before he went to bed : nor was there any prisoner with him , but receiv'd some profit by him . he had many opportunities of escaping , but would not embrace them . the night before he was carried to newgate , he dreamed that chaines were brought for him to the counter , and that the day following , he should be carried to newgate , and that the next daie he should be burn'd in smithfield , which accordingly came to pass : for that day in the afternoon , the keepers wife came running into his chamber , saying , o mr. bradford , i bring you heavy news , for to morrow you must be burned , your chain is now a buying , and presently you must go to newgate . with that mr bradford put off his cap , lift up his eyes to heaven , and said , i thank god for it : i have looked for this a long time , it comes not now to me suddenly , but as a thing waited for every day and hour : the lord make me worthy thereof . he spent the rest of the evening in prayers , well watered with tears , whereby he ravished the mindes of the hearers . the morning before he should be burn'd , as he was putting on a clean shirt , in which he was to suffer , he made such a prayer of the wedding garment , that some present were in such great admiration , that their eyes were as throughly occupied in looking on him , as their ears were attentive to hear his prayer . at his departing out of his chamber he prayed earnestly , and gave money to every servant and officer in the house , exhorting them to fear and serve god continually , labouring to eschew all manner of evill . then turning to the wall he prayed vehemently , that his words might not be spoken to them in vain , but that the lord would work it effectually in them for his christs sake . the prisoners with weeping tears took their farewel of him whilst he remained a prisoner , he was oft examined before the bishops , and proffered life if he would recent ; to whom he answered , life with gods displeasure is worse than death ; and death in his true favour is true life . when he came into smithfield , ( where another young man was to suffer with him ) he fell flat on his face and prayed ; then caking a faggot in his hand , he kissed it , and the stake also ; then putting off his raiment , hee stood by the stake , and lifting up his hands and eyes to heaven , said , o england , england , repent of thy sinnes , repent of thy sinnes : beware of idolatry , beware of false antichrists , take heed they doe not deceive thee : and turning his head to the young man , he said , be of good comfort brother , for we shall have a merry supper with the lord this night ; and then embracing the reeds , he said : strait is the way , and narrow is the gate that leadeth to eternall salvation , and few there be that finde it ; and so he slept in the lo●d . he was very charitable , in so much as in a hard time he sold his chaines , rings , and jewels to relieve those that were in want . he was so humble from the sense of his corruptions , that he subscribed some of his letters out of ●rison thus , the most miserable , hard-hearted , unthankfull sinner john bradfo●d . a very painted hyp●crite john bradford . miserrimus peccator joh. bradford ; the sinfull john bradford , &c. he suffered martyrdome anno christi . in his examination before the bishop of winchester , hee often told him , that he had sworn six times never to admit of the authority of the bishop of rome ; and therefore ( said he ) i dare not answer you , if you examine me as a delegate from him , lest i should b●eake my oath . to which gardiner answered , that he pretended stoutly to defend the doctrine taught in king edward's dayes ; yet ( said he ) thou darest not answer me . bradford . ] that all men may know that i am not afraid , saving mine oath , ask me what you will , and i will plainly answer by gods grace , although i see my life lieth thereon . but , oh lord , into thy hands i commend it , come what will , onely sanctifie thy name in me , as in an instrument of thy grace . now ask me what you will. gardiner . ] what say you to the blessed sacrament ? doe you not believe christs reall presence there in his naturall body ? bradf . ] my lord , i do not believe that christ is corporally present in the sacrament ; but that he is present there to the faith of the due receiver . as for transubstantiation , i plainly and flatly beleive it not . at another time one of the earle of darby's men came to him saying , ah master bradford , consider your mother , sister , friends , kinsfolk , and country , what a great discomfort will it be to them to see you die as an heretick ? to whom he answered , i have learned to forsake father , mother , brother , sister , friends , and all that ever i have ; yea , and my own self ; for else i cannot be christs disciple . and in a letter to his mother and brethren , hee thus writes ; i am now in prison , sure enough from starting , and i thank god i am ready with my life and blood to seale those truths which i have preached unto you , if god shall account me worthy of that honour ; for its a sp●ciall benefit of god to suffer for his name and gospel , as now i doe , i heartily thanke him for it , and am sure that i shall be partaker of his glory : if we suffer with him , we shall also reign with him , as st. paul speaks . therefore be not faint-hearted , but rather rejoice , at least for my sake , who am now in the highway to heaven , for thorough many afflictions we must enter into that kingdome . now will god make known who are his : when the winde doth not blow , we cannot discerne the wheat from the chaffe ; but when the blast comes , the wheat remains , but the chaffe flyes away , and the wheat is so far from being hurt by the winde , that its more cleansed , and known to be wheat . gold , when it s cast into the fire , is made more precious , so are gods children by the crosse of afflictions . gods children are now chastised here , that they may not be condemned with the world : but sure great plagues from god hang over this realm for it . and no marvell if gods hand lies so heavy upon us ; for lately as there was never more knowledge , so never lesse godly living . it was counted a foolish thing to serve our god truly ; and fervent prayer was not passed upon . preaching was but a pastime ; the communion was counted too common ; fasting to subdue the flesh was far out of use ; almes were almost nothi●g . ma●ice , covetousness and uncleanness were common every where , with swearing , drunkenness , and idlenesse ; and therefore all this evill is come upon us , &c. yea i my selfe loved not his truth as i should , therefore god thus punisheth me , nay in punishing blesseth mee : and i thanke him more for this prison than for any parlour ▪ yea than for any pleasure that ever i had ; for in it i finde god , my sweet , good god alwaies . and in another place . let us repent , and be heartily sorry that wee have so carnally , so hypocritically , so covetously , so vain-gloriously professed the gospel : let the anger , and plagues of god , most iustly fallen upon us , bee applied ●o our 〈◊〉 , that from the bottome of our hearts every one of us may say . it 's ● lord that have sinned against thee ; it 's my hypocrisie , my vain-glory , my covetousnesse , uncleanness , carnality , security , idlenesse , unthankfulnesse ▪ self love , &c. that hath deserved the taking away our good king , ●of thy word and true religion , of thy good ministers by exile , imprisonment , and death . it 's my wickednesse that cause h●●ccesse , and encrase of authority , and peace to thine enemies . o be mercifull , be mercifull unto us , &c. nichol : ridley the life of nicolas ridley , who died a no christi . nicholas ridley was borne in northumberland of worshipfull parents , and bred at school in newcastle , and from thence sent to cambridge , where he grew so famous for his learning , that after diverse other offices whereunto he was called in the university , hee was chosen master of pembroke-hall , and made doctor in divinity . from thence he was called by arch-bishop cranmer to be vicar of herne in east-kent , where he was a fruitfull and painful preacher , at which time it pleased god to reveal to him the true doctrine concerning the lords supper ; and amongst others to convert by his ministry the lady phines , who proved an eminent instrument of gods glory . after a while he was made a prebend of the cathedral church of canterbury ; but not liking his society there , he travelled into france , and at his returne was made chaplaine to king henry the eighth , and bishop of rochester , and from thence ( in edward the sixth dayes ) he was removed to be bishop of london ; in which places hee took so great pains in preaching , that he was dearly beloved of his flock , to whom also he was singularly exemplary in his life ; so that his very enemies had nothing to say against him . every sabbath , and holiday he preached in one place , or other , except extraordinary occasions hindred him ; and to his sermons multitudes of people resorted , swarming about him like bees to gather the sweet flowers , and wholsom juice of his fruitfull doctrine . he was passingly well learned , and of such reading , that he deserved to be numbred amongst the greatest schollars that these latter ages produced , as appeared by his notable works , pithie sermons , and sundry disputations in bo● universities , which drew an acknowledgment of his learning from his very adversaries . he was of a strong memory and of great reading , of a deep wit , very judicious , an● very mercifull . he was of person right comely , and well proportioned in all points , both in complexion and line●ments of his body ; he was free from malice , and soon forgat all injuries and offences done against him ; very kinde to his kindred ; yet withall telling them , that if they did evill , they should look for nothing from him , bu● should be as strangers to him . he used all meanes to mortifie his flesh ; being much in prayer , and contemplation ; was sober in discourse , and sometimes merry at meals , after which he used to play at chess about an hour , and then returned to his study till five a clock at night , when coming down , he had prayers in his family , then went to supper , then plaid a game at chess , and so returned to his study till eleven a clock at night . his manner was daily to read a lecture to his family at prayer-time , giving to every one that could read a new testament , and hiring them with mony to learn chapters by heart , being marvellous carefull that his family might give an example of godliness and virtue to others . he called bishop bonners mother , his mother , and when he was at fulham , had her constantly at meals with him , setting her at the upper-end of the table , who ever was present . and as he was godly himself , so nothing appeared in his family , but vertue , and godliness . he was first converted by reading bertrams book of the sacrament , and much confirmed by conference with d. cranmer , & peter martyr . in the beginning of q. marie's days , he was imprisoned with the first , first in the tower , and from thence he was sent to oxford with cranmer , and latimer , and there kept in the common goal , till at length being severed from his brethren , he was committed to the custodie of one irish , with whom he remained till the day of his death , which was octob. . an . christi . writing to latimer in prison he saith , i pray you good father , let me have something more from you to comfort my stomach , for except the lord assist me in his service , i shall p●ay but the part of a white-liver'd knight ; but he can make a coward in his cause to fight like a man. in a leter to m. bradford he saith , as far as london is from oxford , yet thence we have received both meat , mony , and shirts , not onely from our acquaintance , but from some strangers also . i know for whole sake they doe it , &c. and again ▪ ever since i heard of our dear brother rogers his stout confession ▪ and departing ( blessed be god for it ) i never felt any ●●mpish heavines in my heart , as sometimes i did before . and again , sir , blessed be god , notwithstanding our hard restraint , and the evil reports raised of us , we are m●rry in god , and all our care is , and shall be ( by gods grace to please and serve him , from whom w● expect , after these temporary , and moment any miseries , to have eter●al ●oy , and perpetual felicity ▪ with abraham , isaac , and jacob , &c. as yet never a learned man , scholer or other , hath visited us since our coming to bocardo , which now may be called the colledge of quond●ms ; for we be no fewer then three , and i dare say every one well contented with his portion , which is our heavenly fathers good and gracious gift . farewell , we shall by the grace of god one day meet and be merry together ; which day assuredly approacheth , the lord grant it may shortly come . writing to master grindal , who was now in exile , he thus gives him an account of his condition . i was ( saith he ) about two months close priso●er in the tower , after that without ( my s●eking ) i had the liberty of the tower granted me , and so i continued about halfe a year , till refusing to be present at mass , i was shut up close prisoner again . the last lent but one , by reason of the rising in kent , the tower was so full of prisoners , that my lord arch bish. of canterbury , master latimer , master bradford , and my selfe , were all put into one prison , where we remained till almost easter , and then doctor cranmer , master latimer , and my selfe , were sent down to oxford , and were suffered to have nothing with us , but what we carried upon us . a●bout whitsuntide following was our disputations at oxford , after which we had pen , ink , and all things taken from us , yea , and our own servants were removed from us , and strangers set in their steads , and all of us kept apart , as we are unto this da● god be blessed we are all three in health , and of good cheer , and have looked long agoe to have been dispatched ; for within a 〈◊〉 or two after our disputations we w●re condemned for heretic●s : the lords wil be fulfilled in us . &c when he was brought before the popes d●legate [ the bishop of lincoln ] in the divinity school in oxford , whilst the commission was reading , he stood ●are till he heard the cardinall named , and the popes holiness , and then he put on his cap , and being , a●monished by the bishop to pull it off , he answered , i do not put it on in contempt to your lordship , &c. but that by this my behaviour , i may make it appear that i acknowledg in 〈◊〉 point the usurped supremacy of rome , and therfore i utterl● contemne and despise all authority coming from the pope then the bishop commanding the bedle to pull off his cap he bowing his head , suffered him quietly to do it . after diverse examinations , he was at last degraded , condemned , and delivered to the bailisss to be kept till the n●xt day , when he should be burned . the night before he suffered he caused his beard to be shaven , and his feet washed , and bad his hostess , and the rest at the board to his wedding : he asked his brother also whether his sister could finde in her he●r to b●e present at it ? yea , said hee , i dare say with all her heart . his hostess ( mistris irish ) weeping , he said , o mistris irish , i see now that you love me not ; for in that you weep , it appears that you will not be at my marriage , nor are therewith content : i see you are not so much my friend as i thought ; but quiet your self , though my break-fast be somewhat sharpe , and pain●ull , yet i am sure my supper shall be more pleasant and sweet . his brother proffering to watch with him he refused it , saying , i intend to goe to bed , and sleep as quietly as ever i did in my life . in the morning he came forth in a fair black gowne , faced with foins , and tippet of velvet , &c. and looking behind him , he spied master latimer coming after , to whom he said , o! bee you there ? yea , said latimer , have-after as fast as i can follow . coming to the stake , he lift up his hands and eyes stedfastly to heaven , and espying master latimer , he ran with a cheerfull countenance to him , embraced , and kissed him , and comforted him , saying , be of good heart brother , for god will either asswage the fury of the flame , or give us strength to abide it . so he went to the stake , kneeled by it , kissed it , and prayed earnestly , and being about to speak to the people , some ran to him , and stopped his mouth with their hands . afterwards being stripped , he stood upon a stone by the stake , saying . o heavenly father , i give thee hearty thanks , for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee even unto death , i beseech thee lord god have mercy upon this realm of england , and deliver it from all its enemies . as a smith was knocking in the staple which held the chain , he said to him , good fellow knock it in hard , for the flesh will have his course . then his brother brought a bag of gunpowder , and would have tyed it about his neck . doctor ridley asked what it was ? his brother answered , gunpowder ; then said he , i take it as being sent of god , therefore i will receive it as sent from him . and when he saw the flame a coming up to him , he cryed with a loud voice , in manus tuas , &c. into thy hands , lord , i commend my spirit , lord receive my soul : but the fire being kept down by the wood , he desired them for christs sake to let the fire come to him , which his brother in law mis-understanding , still heaped on faggots , whereby his nether parts were burned , before his upper parts were touched . at last his upper parts fell down into the fire also , and so he slept in the lord. bishop ridley upon a time crossing the thames , there rose on a sudden such a tempest , that all in the boat were astonished , looking for nothing but to be drowned : take heart , said he , for this boat carrieth a bishop that must be burned , and not drowned . he suffered martyrdome anno christi , . he was a man so reverenced for his learning , and knowledge in the sacred scriptures , that his very enemies were enforced to acknowledge that he was an excellent clerk , and if his life might have been redeemed with monie , the lord dacres of the north , being his kinsman , would have given l . for the same , rather then that he should be burned . but so unmercifull and cruel was q. mary , that notwithstanding d. ridleys gentleness towards her in king edward the sixth days , she would by no intreaties , nor other means be perswaded to spare his life . the tender mercies of the wicked are cruelty . in a letter which he wrote to his friends , he hath this passage : i warne you my friends , that ye be not astonished at the manner of my dissolution , for i assure you i think it the greatest honor that ever i was called to in all my life ; and therefore i thank the lord god heartily for it , that it hath pleased him of his great mercy to cal me to this high honor , to suffer death willingly for his sake , and in his cause ; wherefore all you that be my true lovers and friends , rejoyce , and rejoyce with me again , and render with me hearty thanks to god , our heavenly father , that for his sons sake my saviour and redeemer christ , he hath vouchsafed to call me , being else without his gracious goodness , in my selfe but a sinful and vile wretch , to cal me ( i say ) to this high dignity of his true prophets , faithfull apostles , and of his holy and chosen martyrs to dye , and to spend this temporall life in the defence , and maintenance of his eternall and everlasting truth . whist he was mr. of pembrook-hall , he used to walk much in the orchard , where he learned without book almost all pauls epistles , and the epistles of james , peter john and jude , concerning which himself said , though in time i did forget much of them againe , yet the sweet smel thereof i trust i shall carry with me into heaven , and the profit thereof i have felt in all my life time hitherto . hvgh latimer the life of hugh latimer , who dyed a no christi . hugh latimer , born at thirkesson in the county of leicester , being of a prompt and sharp wit , was by his parents brought up in learning , and at the age of fourteene he went to cambridge , where , after he had profited in other studies , he gave himself to the study of school-divinity , commenced batchelor in divinity , and was a very zealous papist , made an oration against philip melancthon : railed against master stafford ; divinity-lecturer , and willed the scholars in no wise to believe him . he was so zealous in his popish religion , and therewith so scrupilous , that being a priest , and using to say mass , he was so servile an observer of the romish decrees , that he thought he had never sufficiently mixed his massing-wine with water , and that he should never be damned if once he were a professed frier , he used to carry the crosse before the procession . master thomas bilney , seeing mr. latimer to have a zeal in his wayes ( although without knowledge ) was stricken with a brotherly pitty towards him , thinking by what meanes he might best win this ignorantly zealous brother to the true knowledge of christ ▪ and thereupon going to his study , he desired him to hear him make a confession of his faith , which latimer consenting to , was so touched thereby , that he gave over school divinity , and studied more orthodox divines . so that whereas before he was an enemy , and almost a persecutor of christ , he was now a zealous seeker after him ; changing his old manner of cavilling and railing , into diligent conferring with mr. bilney and others . and asked mr. stafford forgivenesse before he died . being thus wonne to christ , he was not satisfied with his own conversion , but pittying the misery of others , he became a powerfull publick preacher ; and an instructor of many in private also ; whereupon the devill raised up many doctors and fryers against him , and the bishop of ely forbade him to preach , anno christi : yet he continued three years preaching with much applause ; yea the bishop himself hearing him upon a time , commended him , and wished that he had the like gifts himself . he used often to visit the prisoners , to relieve the needy , and feed the hungry . amongst the adversaries which the devill raised against him , one was doctor ●edman , who wrote to him to divert him from the truth : to which he mad● this short answer ; reverend mr. redman , it 's enough for me that christs sh●ep hear no mans voice but christs ; and as for you , you have no voice of christ against me ; whereas for my part i have an heart ready to hearken to any voice of christ that you can produce . thus fare you well , and trouble me no more from talking with the lord my god. but shortly after , complaint was made against him to the cardinal , who sent for him ; but by the meanes of dr. buts the kings physitian , a favourer of good men , he was chosen into the number of those which laboured in the cause of the kings supremacy ; whereupon he went to the court , and lodged in doctor buts his chamber , preaching many times in london . at last being weary of the court by the lord cromwel's means he had a living given him in wiltshire , whither he presently removed ; the place was called west-kingstone , near sarum , where with much diligence he instructed his flock , and preached zealously many times abroad in the country . whereupon some popish priests drew up articles against him ; and he was much molested by the bishop of london , and warham , archbish●p of canterburie , by whom he was cited to appear before him , and the bishop of london . these malicious persons detained him for a long space from his cure at home , calling him three times every week before them , which much troubled him , seeing they would neither preach themselves , nor suffer him to doe his duty : hereupon hee wrote to the archbishop , expostulating with him , for so detaining him from his charge , and that for no just cause , but onely for preaching the truth against sundry abuses which were crept into the church . yet this nothing prevailed till the king rescued him out of their hands , and at the request of the lord cromwell made him bishop of worcester . in which place he busily employed himself in instructing his flock ▪ and giving them a good example by his holy life . he spent all his time in study , teaching , preaching , exhorting , visiting , correcting , and reforming to the utmost of his power , and as the times could bear ▪ and though he could not utterly extinguish the reliques of popery , yet he so wrought that they should be used with as little hurt , and with as much profit as might be . yet neither there was he quiet ; for one of great place accused him to the king for preaching sedition , but the king rested satisfi'd with his answer . at new-years-tide the bishops us'd to present the king with a new-years gift , and bishop latimer , amongst the rest , presented him with the new testament , wrapped up in a napkin , with this posie about it , fornicatores , & adulteros judicabit dominus : whoremongers and adulterers god will judge . but the six articles coming out , and he seeing that he could not retain his office with a good conscience , of his own accord he resigned his bishoprick : and when he put off his rochet in his chamber amongst his friends , he gave a skip in the floor for joy , feeling his shoulders lighter , and being ( as he said ) discharged of so heavy a burthen . this was anno christi , after which he betooke himself again to his mean parsonage at west-kingston in vviltshire , not farre from bristow : yet by the malice of certain popish priests who slandered his doctrine , he was much endangered ; whereupon he had recourse to mr. ralph morrice , who was doctor cranmers right hand , by whose intreatie the archbishop so prevailed with the king for him , that for the present he was freed out of his troubles ; yet neither then would the bishops suffer him to be quiet , till he was layd up in the tower , where he remained till edward the sixth's reign . at which time being restored to his liberty , he continued a faithfull and painfull preacher all that kings dayes ; preaching twice every sabbath , though yeares of age . he rose to his study winter , and summer , at two a clock in the morning . he evidently fore-saw , and fore-told a●l those plagues which england afterwards felt under queen mary ; and fore-told concerning himself , that his preaching of the gospel would cost him his life ; and that winchester was kept in the tower for the same purpose , which afterwards proved so . in the beginning of queen maries reign he was sent for up by a pursuivant , whereof he had notice six houres before he came to his house , yet instead of flying , he prepared himself for his journey . and when the pursuivant came , he said to him ; my friend , you are welcome ; i goe as willingly to london to give an account of my faith , as ever i went to any place in the world ; and i doubt not but as god hath made me worthy formerly to preach his word before two excellent princes , so he will enable me to bear witnesse to the truth b●fore the third , either to her eternal comfort , or discomfort . the pursuivant having delivered his letter , told him , that he was commanded not to stay for him , and so immediately departed : his adversaries hopine that he would have fled ; but latimer hasted after to london , and as he rode through smithfield , he said , that smithfield had groaned for him a long time . coming before the council , after many mocks and scornes , he was ●ent to the tower , where the lord gave him such a valiant spirit , that he did not onely bear the terriblenesse of imprisonment , but derided and laughed to scorn the doings of his enemies . this aged father being kept in the cold winter without a fire , bade the lieutenant's man to tell his master , that if he did not look better to him , perchance he would dec●i●e him . the lieutenant , thinking that he intend●d to make an escape , charged him with his words ; to whom he answered , you think i shall burn , but except you let mee have a fire , i shall deceive your expectation ; for i am here like to starve with cold . thus he continued a long time in the tower , with as much patience as a man in his case could possibly doe ; and at last from thence he was carried to oxford , with cranmer and ridley where t●ey spent their time in brotherly conference , fervent prayer , and fruitfull writing . yea , many time he continued so long in fervent prayer that he was not able to get up without help . three things be more especially prayed for : . that as god had appointed him to be a preacher of his word , so that he would give him grace to stand to his doctrine , that hee might give his hearts-blood for the same . . that god of his mercy would restore his gospel to england once againe , once againe , which he often inculcated in his prayer , and that with so much ardour , as though he had seen god before him , and spoken to him face to face . . that the lord would preserve queen elizabeth , and make her a comfort to this comfortle●s realm of england , the lord most graciously answering all those his requests . at last he was condemned , and with doctor ridley was carried to be burned . when he came to the stake , he lift up his eyes with an amiable and comfortable countenance , saying , fidelis est deus , &c , god is faithfull , who will not suffer us to to be tempted above that which we are able , &c. when the fire was brought , he said to doctor ridley , be of good comfort brother , and play the man , we shall this day light such a candle by gods grace in england , as i trust shall never be put out . when hee was stripped into his shroud , he seemed a very comply person to all that were present : and whereas in his cloaths he appeared a withered , and crooked , silly old man , he now stood bolt-upright , as comly a father as one might likely behold . as he was burning , his blood ranne out of his heart in such abundance , as if all the blood in his body had been gathered thither , to the great astonishment of the beholders , according to his former request , that he might be so happy as to shed his hearts-blood for the truth . when the fire was first kindled , he cried , o father of heaven receive my soul : and so receiving the flame , and , as it were embracing it , having stroaked his face with his hands , and bathed them a little in the fire , he soon died with very little pain , or none at all , anno christi . in a letter to king henry the eighth , he thus concludes wherefore , gracious king , remember your self , have pitty upon your soul , and think that the day is even at hand when you shall give an account for your office , and of the blood that hath been shed with your sword : in the which day that your grace m●● stand stedfast , and may have your quietus est sealed with the blood of our saviour christ , which will onely serve at that day , is my daily prayer , &c. the life of john philpot , who died a no christi . john philpot was a knight's son , and born in hampshire , brought up at schoole , and sent from thence to new-colledge in oxford , where he studied the liberal arts , and the tongues , and afterwards the civil-law , for six or seven years space . he was of a pregnant wit , and singular courage , fervent in spirit , zealous in religion , of nature apert , and far from flattery , hypocrisie , and dissimulation . from oxford he travelled into italy , where he was in some danger for his religion : in king edward the sixth's dayes he returned into england again , and had many conflicts with bishop gardiner . he did much good in hampshire , being archdeacon of winchester all king edward's dayes . anno christi ( which was the first year of queen mary ) a convocation was assembled , wherein doctor weston was prolocutor , in the beginning whereof a disputation was begunne between the papists and protestants ; wherein mr. philpot was so earnest , that doctor vveston commanded him to hold his peace , whereto he replyed , you perceive that i have stuffe enough for you , whereby i am able to withstand your false positions , and therefore you command me silence . if you will not give place ( quoth the prolocutor ) i will send you to prison . this is not ( replyed mr. philpot ) according to your promise made at first in this house ; nor yet according to your brag made at paul's crosse , when you said , that men should be answered in this disputation , to whatsoever they could say , and now of a dozen arguments that i have , you will not suffer me to prosecute one : but i see that a sort of you here , which hitherto have lurked in corners , and dissembled with god and man , are now gathered together to suppresse the sincere truth of gods v vord , and to set forth your false devices , which by the sacred scriptures you are not able to maintain . but six daies after came a mandate from the queen to break up the disputation ; whereupon doctor vveston , who all along had used many unseemly checks and taunts to the protestants , thus concluded : it is not the queens pleasure that we should spend any longer time here ; and ye are all well enough , for you have the word , and we have the sword. and shortly after mr. philpot was cast into prison , where he lay a yeare and a half before he was examined . then he was sent for by doctor storie , and after some captious questions proposed to him , was committed prisoner to the bishop of london's cole-house , unto which was adjoyned a little blinde-house , with a great pair of stocks , both for hand and foot , but thankes be to god , saith he , i have not played of those organs yet . there he found a godly minister of essex , who , desiring to speak with him , did greatly lament his infirmity ; for through extremity of imprisonment , he had yeelded to the bishop of london , and was set at liberty ; whereupon he felt such an hell in his conscience , that he could scarce refrain from destroying himself ; and could have no peace , till going to the bishops register , and desiring to see his recantation , he tore it in peeces ; whereupon the bishop sending for him , buffeted him , pluckt off a great part of his beard , and sent him to this cole-house , where mr. philpot found him very joyfull under the crosse. philpot being afterwards sent for to the bishop , he asked him , amongst other things , why they were so merry in prison , singing and rejoycing , as the prophet saith , exultantes in rebus pessimis , rejoycing in your naughtinesse . you do not well ( said the bishop ) herein , you should rather lament and be sorry . to whom he answered ; my lord , the mirth which we make , is but in singing certain psalms , as we are commanded by saint paul , to rejoice in the lord , singing together in hymns and psalms ; for we are in a darke comfortlesse place , and therefore we solace our selves with singing of psalmes ; lest as solomon saith , sorrowfulness eat up our heart : therefore i trust your lordship will not be angry , seeing the apostle saith , if any man be of an upright mind , let him sing ; and we , to declare that we are of an upright minde to god , though we be in misery , do solace ourselves with singing . then did he ask him what his judgement was about the sacrament of the altar ? to whom he answered , my lord , saint ambrose saith , that the disputation about matters of faith ought to be in the congregation in the hearing of the people , and that i am not bound to render an accou●t of 〈◊〉 to every man privately , unlesse it be to edifie . but now i cannot shew you my mind , but i must runne upon the pikes , and endanger my life : therefore , as st. ambrose said to valentinian the emperour , so say i unto you , tolle legem , & fiet certamen ; take away the law , and i shall reason with you . and yet if i come in open judgement , where i am bound by the law to answer , i trust i shall answer according to my conscience , as freely as any that hath come before you . after other discourse ( saith he ) i was carried to my lords ▪ cole-house again , where i , with my six fellow-prisoners , do rouse together in the straw as chearfully , we thank god , as others doe in their beds of down . a few dayes after he was called before bonner , with the bishops of bath , worcester , and gloucester , at which conference the bishop of worcester said : before we begin to speak to him , it 's best that he call to god for grace , and to pray that god would open his heart , that he may conceive the truth . hereupon mr. philpot kneeling down said , almighty god , who are the giver of all wisdome , and understanding , i beseech thee of thine infinite goodnesse and mercy in jesus christ , to give me ( most vile sinner ) in thy sight , the spirit of wisdome to speak , and make answer in thy cause , that it may be to the contentation of the hearers before whom i stand , also to my better understanding , if i be deceived in any thing . nay my lord of worcester ( quoth bonner ) you did not well to exhort him to make any prayer : for this is the thing they have a singular pride in , that they can often make their vain prayers , in which they glory much : for in this point they are like to certain arrant hereticks of which pliny speaks , that they daily sung antelucanos hymnos , praises to god before the dawning of the day . then said mr. philpot , my lord god make me , and all you here present , such hereticks as they were : for they were godly christians , with whom the tyrants of the world were offended for their christian practises and well doing . but all their conference proved to no purpose ; for the bishops would not dispute , and mr. philpot would not take their words without scripture and arguments , so he was returned to his cole-house again . and in another conference with doctor morgan , the doctor asked him , how he knew he had the spirit of god , and not they ? phil. by the faith of christ which is in me . morgan . ah , by faith , doe you so ? i ween it to be the spirit of the buttery which your fellows had , which have been burned before you who were drunk the night before they went to their death , and i ween went drunken to it . phil. it appeareth by your speeches , that you are better acquainted with the spirit of the buttery then with the spirit of god : wherefore i must now tell thee , thou painted wall , and hypocrite , in the name of the living lord , whose truth i have told thee , that god shall rain fire and brimstone upon such scorners of his word , and blasphemers of his people as thou art . morgan . what , you rage now ? phil. thy foolish blasphemics have compelled the spirit of god which is in me to speak that which i have said to thee , thou enemy of all righteousnesse . morgan . why doe you judge me so ? phil. by thy own wicked words i judge of thee , thou blinde and blasphemous doctor ; for as it is written , by thy words thou shalt be justified , and by thy words thou shalt be condemned . i have spoken on gods behalf , and now i have done with thee . morg. why then i tell thee philpot thou art an heretick , and shalt be burned , and afterwards goe to hell fire . phil. i tell thee thou hypocrite , that i passe not a rush for thy fire and faggots ; neither , i thank my lord god , doe stand in fear of the same . but for the hell fire which thou threatnest me as my portion , it 's prepared for thee , unlesse thou speedily repent , and for such hypocrites as thou art . after sundry other examinations he was by the bishop set in the stocks , in a house alone , of which he writes : god bee praised that hee thought use worthy so suffer any thing for his names sake : letter it is to sit in the stocks in this world , then to sit in the stocks of a damnable conscience . at last he was condemned for an heretick : whereupon he said , i thank god i am an heretick out of your cursed church , but i am no heretick , before god. being sent to newgate , he spake to the people as he went , saying , ah good people , blessed be god for this day : having notice given on the over-night that the next day he should be burn'd , he said i am ready , god grant me strength , and a joyfull resurrection ; and so he went to his chamber , pouring out his spirit unto the lord in p●ayer , and giving him most hearty thanks for accounting him worthy to suffer for his truth , going into smithfield , the way was very foul , whereupon two officers took him up to bear him to the stake : then ●e said merrily , wh●t , will you make me pope ? comming into smithfield , he kneeled down , saying , i will pay my vows in thee o smithfield : he kissed the stake , saying , shall i disdaine to suffer at this stake , when my lord and saviour refused not to suffer a most vile death for me ? when the fire was kindled , with much meekness and comfort he resigned up his spirit unto god , anno christi . in a letter which he wrote to john carelesse then prisoner in the kings-bench , he thus writes : indeed , my dear carelesse , i am in this world in hell , and in the shadow of death ; but he that for my deserts hath brought me down into hell , shall shortly lift me up unto heaven , where i shall look continually for your comming , and others of my faithful brethren in the kings-bench . and though i tell you that i am in hell in the judgement of the world , yet assuredly i feel in the same the consolation of heaven , i praise god : and this lothsome and horrible prison is as pleasant to me as the walks in the garden of the kings-bench . and in a letter that he wrote to his sister , he thus concludes : my dissolution i look for daily , but the lord knoweth how unworthy i am of so high an honour , as to die for the testimony of his truth . pray that god would vouchsafe to make me worthy , as he hath done of long imprisonment . pray , and look for the coming of the lord &c. in another letter he writes thus , commend me to mr. elsing and his wife , and thank them for providing me some ease in prison ; and tell them that though my lords cole house be but very black , yet it is more to be desired of the faithfull then the queens palace . the world wondereth how we can be merry in such extream miseries but our god is omnipotent , which turneth misery into felicity : beleeve me there is no such ●oy in the world as the people of christ have under the crosse : i speak by ex●rence , therefore believe me , and fear nothing that the world can doe unto you , for when they imprison our bodies , they set our souls at liberty with god ; when they cast us down , they life us up ; yea when they kill us , then doe they send us to everlasting life ; and what greater glory can there be then to be made confo●mable to our head christ which is done by afflictions ? o good god what am i , upon whom thou shoulde bestow so great a mercy ? this is the day which the lord hath made , let us rejoyce and be glad in the same ; this is the way though it be but narrow , which is full of the peace of god , and leadeth to eternall blisse . oh how my heart leapeth for joy that i am so near the apprehension thereof . god forgive me my unthankfulness and unworthiness of so great glory . i h●ve so much joy , that though i be in a place of darknesse and mourning , yet i cannot lament , but both night and day am so joyfull , as if i were under no crosse at all yea in all the daies of my life i was never so merry , the name of the lord be praised for ever , and ever ; and the lord pardon my unth●nkfulness . our enemies do fret , fume , and grash their teeth to see , and hear , that we under this grievous affliction can be so merry . pray instantly that this joy may never be taken from us , for it passeth all the delights of this world , this is the peace of god which passeth all understanding : this peace , the more his chosen be afflicted , the more they feel ; and therefore cannot faint neither for fire , nor water . whilst mr. philpot was prisoner in newgate , a dertaine friend of his that scrupled the baptizing of infants , wrote to him for his judgement about it , to whom he wrote a large and learned answer , proving by scripture , by arguments , by testimony of the fathers , and by the constant practise of the primitive church , from the apostles daies , the lawfulnesse and necessity of the same , which you may read in the book of martyrs vol. . pag. . &c. tho. cranmer the life of thomas cranmer , who died anno christi . thomas cranmer was a gentleman by birth , of a very ancient family , born at arselacton in nottinghamshirte , brought up at school , and from thence sent to cambridge , where profiting much in learning , he was chosen fellow in jesus colledge . after which he married a wife , and thereby loosing his fellow-ship , he was chosen divinity-reader in buckingham-colledge , but not long after his wife dying in child-bed , the master and fellows chose him again fellow into jesus colledge . after which he commenced doctor in divinity . from thence hee was chosen a fellow in the foundation of cardinal wolsey's colledge in oxford , but fore-seeing the danger which after followed , he refused that place . whilst he was in cambridge , the question arose about king henries divorce from his brothers widdow ; and the plague breaking forth at cambridge , doctor cranmer retired to waltham-abbey . at which time this fell out . the king to recreate himselfe , and to take private counsell with those in whom he most consided , who were the dukes of norfolke and suffolk , and some others , went on hunting to waltham , at which time he signified his minde to steven gardiner his secretary , and to fox his almoner , willing them to search what was most expedient for him to doe ; to end well that controversie about his marriage : and as god would have it , these two men lodged in the house of one master cressie at waltham , where also doctor cranmer was , having left cambridge upon the forementioned occasion . ●nd being tutor to master cressies two sons . gardiner and fox thus meeting with him , and knowing him to be famous for learning , and piety , invited him to their good cheer , and asked his advice concerning the kings cause . dr. cranmer was at fi●st very loath to deliver his judgement , but being much importun●d by them , he at last ●aid : i cannot say much on the sudden in so weighty a businesse without study and meditation , but in my opinion , seeing the king is in so great trouble of mind and conscience , nothing can more encrease it then so great delaies , and wandring in romish suites , inwhich whosoever are once entangled , can source ever extrica●e themselves out of the snares . i think it better therefore , that lay●ing aside all delayes , and court suites , wherein the king hath been too long tossed with great affliction of mind , the judgement of divines , hath in our owne and forraign universities be searched out , which may be strengthned with the law of god , and as they shall by gods word prove it lawfull or unlawfull , so let the king proceed , and have the cause then determined in his owne country , whereby he may live in lawfull matrimony , with a cheerfull minde and quiet conscience , which is much to be desired by all his faithfull sub●ects . when he had thus spoken with great gravity , and wisedome ; gardiner and fox resenting that excellent counsell , as given from god , wished that the king had had such counsell given him before he ever sent to rome . the day after when they c●●me to the king , he asked them what was done in his business : whereupon fox told him of their meeting , and conference had with doctor cranmer : but proud gardiner seeking to invest himselfe in the praise which was due unto another , would have made himself the author of that counsell , but the king neglecting his speech , asked fox if cranmer were at waltham still ? and being told that he was , he presently ordered him to be sent for , saying , i judge his counsell right , if i had knowne it two dayes agoe , i had saved infinite charges , and had lived with a more safe and quiet conscience . when doctor cranmer came to him hee much excused himselfe , as insufficient to be engaged in so great a matter , yet besought him to commit the tryall of it to the best learned men in both vniversities : which advice the king liked well , yet required him to write his judgement upon it also , and commanded the earl of vviltshire to provide him retired lodgings books , and whatever else was necessary for so great a work : which task being finished , and confirmed by scriptures , councils and fathers , he presented it to the king : who ( having read it ) asked him whether he would justifie it before the pope ? d. cran. professing his willingness , the king hastened his dispatch to rome and sent other learned men abroad to forraign vniversities to dispute this question amongst the divines there ; where it was concluded , that no such matrimony was lawfull by the word of god. when the kings ambassadors came to rome , the pope proffering them his foot to kiss , the earl of vviltshire's spaniel caught his great toe in his mouth , whereupon the ambassadors scorned to kiss after the dog , and the pope pulled in his foot again . there cranmer and the rest proffered to defend , that , jure divino , the brother ought not to marry the brothers wife ; but none appearing against them , the pope made doctor cranmer his penitentiarie , and so dismissed them . from thence doctor cranmer travelled to the emperors court at vienna , proffering to dispute with his divines upon the said question : but cornelius agrippa in private conference receiving full satisfaction from him thereupon easily perswaded other learned men that were in the emperors court not to contend with cranmer , who ( as he said ) was in the truth , so that no man contradicting him , cranmer departed from the emperor , and having travelled all over germany , he brought home with him into england the opinions and sentences of the most learned men that lived in the vniversities , and courts of princes . and in the mean season others sent from the king , passing through all the vniversities of italy and france , brought home likewise their determinations in that point confirmed with their publick and authentick seales , agreeing with those that cranmer had brought out of germany . in this journey to and fro he learned all the new testament by heart . august . anno christi . william warham arch-bi . of cante●bury died , and the king resolved to place doctor cranmer in his room , who was at this time in germany about the kings business , and was loath to take upon him an office of such high dignity in the church : for he knew that there was an oath to be taken to the pope of rome before he could be installed in that place . he feared also what issue the kings divorce might have , and was not ignorant of the kings violent disposition . he kn●w that sudden and great changes were dangerous , and that the court , to which he was not accustomed , was full of deceipts , and counterfeitings . that he must in all things obey the kings will ; and that if he tripped in any thing never so little , there would be some , who out of envy at his felicity , would tumble him downe headlong when he began to fall . he also having buried his first wife , was now falne in love with a young maid , that was neece to osianders wife , whom he determined to marry , though he knew it was forbidden b● law for a priest to marry , o● for a man to be made a priest who had married a second wife . weighing these things seriously with himselfe , when he was sent for by the king to return home so soon as he could , he stayed in germany six whole months , framing one excuse or other , hoping that in the mean time , some or other would get the arch-bishoprick ▪ ●ut such were the times then , that every man feared the slipperiness of that place , and therefore declined it . at last doctor cranmer privately marrying his wife at norimberg , returned home , and was made arch-bishop though against his will ; for he refused the dignity offered him ; because he was to be tyed to the pope , against all right and equity , and therefore he gave the popes bull into the kings hands saying , that he wou●d never receive a bishoprick of england , but from him who was the head of england , nor take an oath that was derogatory to the kings authority . and thus being made arch bishop , he carried himselfe as formerly he had done , rising every morning at five a clock to his study , and never being idle all the day . after dinner , if he had no s●iters , he spent an hour at chess , and so to his study again . he was by nature very charitable , and gentle , so prone to forgive , and forget wrongs , that it grew into a proverb , doe my lord of canterbury a shrewd tur● , and ●e will be your friend as long as you live . hee stoutly opposed the six bloody articles , and yet with such humility and modesty , that the king could not be offended with him for it . he was so free from passion , that he never miscalled the meanest of his servants . he was just in paying all men , so that when he was cast into prison he owed no man a ●arthing . he relieved many that were in want : the whole weight of reforming religion lay upon his hands , so that for sixteen years together his house was never empty of learned men to assist in deciding ecclesiasticall controversies . his charity to the poor was very great , for whom he provided lodgings , being sick lame , wounded , &c. and appointed an almoner , physician , and chirurgion to attend them , having daily hot broth and meant sent them from his own kitchin. he had many and great enemies of the papists , especially wily vvinchester and his companions , who layed a traine to take away his life , at least his arch-bishoprick by bringing him within the compass of the six articles : which by doctor parker , the first arch-bishop of canterbury in queen el●zabeths dayes , is thus related . doctor cranmer ( saith he ) being in great heaviness for the death of the lord cromwel , was accused by the papists , and much threatned by them , and though he knew that he was not safe for one moment of time , yet he changed not the cheerfullness of his countenance , because as yet he kept the kings right in the defence of the gospel , by his singular wisdom , gravity and modesty : but the king being soon entangled by conversing with winchester , and his popish party , they daily so deafned him with their continuall complaints against the arch-bishop , that through wearisomness he was almost constrained to grant unto them the life of that most innocent man : yet by gods speciall providence he was so rooted in his heart , that when the papists most presumed , and the godly most feared his ruine , the king resolved to provide for his safety and welfare . in the mean time , proud and malicious gardiner , whose favour and authority was thought to be greatest with the king , provoked him often to disputations about points of divinity in the presence of the king ; in the which the king observed that cranmer never departed from his innate gravity and modesty , whereas gardiner always rather affected a little glory then the truth . and when gardiner , that h● might lessen the authority of the scriptures , had by many sophistical arguments endeavoured to prove that those called the apostles canons were of equall validity , and authority with the sacred scriptures ; cranmer so enervated the force of all his arguments in the kings hearing by his solid calm ▪ and moderate answers , that the king said in the presence of many unto gardiner , that cranmer was an old weather-beaten souldier in divinity , and was not to be encountred by such fresh-water souldiers as himselfe . for this gardiner swelling with pride , stirred up as many against cranmer as possibly he could , judging that nothing could hinder their counsels , and purposes , if he were taken out of the way . at canterbury , and all over kent , by the procurement of gardiner , many were suborned to accuse cranmer of heresie . in the parliament one goswick a knight for bedfordshire said openly , that all hereticall s●dition flowed from the arch-bishop of canterbury and his family . some great men about the king , hereupon laboured much to perswade him , that by reason of these imputations , cranmer should be excluded from the council-board , and committed to the tower of london till inquiry could be made concerning the truth of those reports ; for ( said they ) so long as he sits in counsell , for fear , men will conceal that which they know , not daring to utter or reveal it . they also dispersed ●umors that cranmer was already condemned in the judgement of the king , and should be shortly beheaded as cromwel had been a little before . all this while cranmer , though he set a good face on 't , yet privately amongst his friends much bewailed the condition of those evill times , rather then his owne . but the king diligently searched out all these treacherous designs of the papists , and marked whereunto they tended . once for recreations sake , after supper , the king would goe in his barge upon the thames , and being there , commanded his barge-men to land him at lambeth staires ; some of the arch-bishops servants observing that he drew thitherward , presently informed their master , who hasted to the bridge , either to salute the king as he passed by , or to entertain him into his house . the king seeing him , bid him come into his barge , and setting him by him , had much private conference with him , the barge-men in the mean season rowing hither and thither . in this conference the king feigningly complained , that since the death of cromwel , england was much troubled with hereticall factions and parties , that it was to be feared , that if these wranglings about religion were nourished , more grievous mischiefs and civil wars would arise , and therfore that the dissentions about religion were to be appeased ; for which end , by the advice of his bishops and nobles , he would endeavour to finde out the arch-heretick who was the author of this mischief , and whom being found , he intended severely to punish , yea , cruelly to burn him , thereby to prevent further disorders . cranmer ( though he was somewhat affrighted ) yet answered with a mild countenance , that he liked the counsell as wholsome , that the whole flock of hereticks was to be restrained by the death of the arch-heretick ● but hee admonished the king with fatherly gravity and modesty , that hee would not judge them hereticks , who relied wholly upon the word of god , and not to the traditions or laws of men . well ( quoth the king ) to deal plainly , we are told by many , that you are the arch-heretick of our kingdome , and that in kent , and all your province you hinder the faith established in parliament by the six articles from being received by our people , and therefore tell us plainly both what you think , and what you have done concerning them ? to this the archbishop stoutly replyed , that he was still of the same opinion that he had expressed in parliament when that law was made ; and that yet he had not offended against that law since it was made . then the king by little and little moderating the severity of his speech , asked him pleasantly , whether his private bed-chamber was free from the breach of the articles . cranmer ( though he understood by the six articles that it was a capital ●ff●nce for a priest to be married , and that the king knew well that he was a married man , yet ) answered , that though he had married a wife , yet it was in germany before he took upon him the archbishop●ick ; but for all that , he had done nothing against that severe law : for ( saith he ) when the law was once made , i never touched my wife , but sent her into germany to her kindred and friends . by this plain answer without dawbing , cranmer bega● in the kings minde such an opinion of his learning , and honesty , that he cheared him up , telling him that those art●●cles were not ordained for his sake ; and shewing him what were the chief accusations laid in against him ; which cranmer knowing to be false , and forged by the envy and malice of his popish adversaries , intreated the king to appoint inquisitors , whereby the truth might be sifted out : for ( saith he ) i am not afraid to undergoe the hazzard of a judgement . the king , trusting to his ingenuity , b●d him search , and try out his own cause himself . but cranmer replied , that it would seem unequall to his adversaries , that he should be made censor of his own acts , and the●efore still desired another judge . but the king still affirmed that hee would make none other the inquisitor of his life , having p●t so much trust and confidence in him alone , knowing that he would certainly , and fully relate the truth without a lye , of his own deeds , whether they were good or bad : after which words the king dismissed him . presently after doctor cranmer sent doctor cox , his vicar generall , and mr. anthony hussey , his secretary , with ample commission to search out the plots which were contrived against him by the papists of canterbury , who spent a moneth or two , and yet did little , being persons that favoured the popelings . in the mean time his adversaries at court urged much that he might be imprisoned , and might then be examined of the heresies laid to his charge , presuming that if once he were removed out of the kings sight , they might easily overwhelm him with feigned crimes , and so work his destruction . and the king being tired with their daily importunities , granted that if he was manifestly convinced of any crimes either against church or state , hee should be carried to prison . hereupon gardiner and his associates resolved the next day to send him prisoner to the tower , and the king concealed his purpose , that he might see how far their malice would extend , and yet resolved to secure him : for about midnight he sent mr. denny , one of his bed-chamber , whom hee most consided in , as not liking the popelings , to lambeth for doctor cranmer , who being roused out of his sleep , came presently to the king , who in these words told him what he would have him doe . almost all my counsellors ( saith he ) are urgent to have you imprisoned , because almost all england is defiled with heresies , which , they say , proceeds from you , and certain learned strangers whom you keep in your house , and therefore they would have you under custody , whilst the cause is enquired after , without which they cannot finde out the original ; and to morrow is the day appointed for your commitment , and therefore consider whether it be well done or no. doctor cranmer heartily thanked the king for giving him this warning , saying that he refused not to goe to prison , nor to stand in judgement , trusting to his innocency , and clear conscience , affirming that he would rather hazard a just judgement , than lie under unjust suspitions . onely he desired that since his doctrine and faith were called into question , he might have learned and equall judges to heare the same . but the king pittying the plain simplicity of the man , who would thus expose himself to the malice of his mortall enemies , said to him ; are you so foolish ? for if you be once led away from your dignitie , and from the light and sight of men , many false and perjured witnesses will arise against you , which otherwise durst not come into your presence ? wherefore seeing you neither provide for your dignity nor safety , i will give you counsell , that you be not overwhelmed by your spightfu●l adversaries . to morrow they will send for you ; they will object against you the crimes of heresie , and commit you to prison ; then doe you request them , that since you are one of my privy-counsell , they would deale with you as they would be dealt by in the like case , viz. that they would produce your accusers in open judgement , whom if you be not able to answer , you will patiently endure imprisonment . but if they regard not this your just and equall request , but will proceed to imprison you , appeale to my presence , and audience , by delivering this token to them to supersede their decree , with which words he drew off his ring from his finger , and delivered it to cranmer , and so dismissed him . the next morning gardiner and his complices met in the counsel-chamber , sent to lambeth for cranmer , but when he came , would not let him in . the nobles and courtiers that passed by , marvelled much thus to see the primate of all england , and the most inward counsellor of the king , thus shut out , & siting amongst serving-men that waited for their masters . this being told to doctor buts the kings physitian , being moved with the indignity of the fact , he went presently to drive away the gazers , and to honour the presence of so worthy a father . but presently dr. buts was sent for to the king , and when he came to him , he said ; i have seen an unusual matter , and such a thing as was never before heard of . what 's that ( quoth the king ? ) cranmer ( said hee ) the primate of the kingdome , is become some bodies serving-man , and hath stood almost this hour before the door of the counsel-chamber waiting upon some master . ha! ( said the king ) doe my counsellors so disgracefully use the primate ? and being moved with the indignity of the thing , he presently sent a command that cranmer should be admitted into the counsell-chamber . when he was entered , it was declared to him , that the king and his counsellors were informed , that all england was turned from the catholick faith , and depraved with heresie , which proceeded from him and his family , and that therefore he must be committed to the tower , whilst a speedy inquisition was made to know whether those things were true or no. cranmer desired that his accusers , witnesses , and proofes that they had against him might be produced , and that it might be lawfull for him to answer presently , and thereby to defend himself , alledging that it was very unequall that the primate of england , and a counsellor , whose faith was never doubted of , nor came into question , should be thus disgracefully thrust into prison upon bare suspitions , to the prejudice of his cause : urging many other reasons why they should deale more gently , and mildly with him . but when neither intreaties , nor arguments could prevaile , but that needs to prison he must goe , cranmer said , that he was very sorry that they forced him to appeale to the king from themselves , with whom hee had so often communicated in counsell , and from whom he expected equall dealing upon all occasions ; and thereupon delivering the kings ring to them hee commanded them to suspend their decree , and to present themselves before the king. then said the lord russel ( afterwards earl of bedford ) did not i tell you that the king would never suffer him to be imprisoned , unlesse he were guilty of high treason against his majesty ? and so they went with cranmer to the king. the king sharply rebuked them , telling them that hee looked for more wisdom , and gravity amongst them , then to keep cranmer out of the counsell-chamber , to force him to stand at the door amongst serving-men : asking them whether any of themselves would endure such a disgrace ? and withall swore ( striking himself upon the breast ) that hee was more beholding to cranmer then to any man whatsoever , and that he had tried him , and knew that no prelate could exceed him in his fidelity to his king ; and therefore that all that loved him , should hold cranmer in highest price and estimation . the king speaking thus , when all others held their peace through fear , the duke of norfolk answered , it was not our purpose to hurt the archbishop at all , but that keeping him in custody whilst the inquisition depended , his innocencie being known , he might come out with greater credit . but ( said the king ) i will not have cranmer so handled , nor any that are dear to me . but i perceive some crooked , and cankred hearts raise these tragedies , which unlesse they bee quiet , i will interpose my authority to restrain them and so he departed in a chafe , and all the counsellors shook hands with cranmer , desiring to be reconciled to him : and hee being of a most sweet , and mild disposition , easily forgave all offences , blotting them utterly out of his mind ; and from that time forward he lived secure from all treacheries , being in such high favour with the king. but when doctor cox , and hussey lay loitering at canterbury ( not without suspition ) and did nothing in the inquisition , the king secretly sent doctor lee to search out what was done in cranmers behalf ; who going speedily to canterbury , acquainted himself with some godly persons by whose directions he searched the houses of some popish priests at midnight , where hee found letters written from gardiner , which opened the whole plot against cranmer . these he immediately carryed to the king , who viewing of them , from that time forwards began to withdraw his affections from those popelings ; and withall acquainted cranmer with those letters , bidding him beware of his enemies , now hee knew them . amongst the letters that were found in kent , one was written by the suffragan of dover , another by doctor barber , a civilian , which two men were well esteemed of by the archbishop , and promoted by him , and he alwayes shewed them great favour . when the archbishop had their letters , he called these two men into his study , and said unto them , you two are men in whom i have alwaies put most confidence , and to whom i have alwaies communicated all my secrets , you must now give me some good counsell ; for i am shamefully abused by one or two whom i have trusted as my self ; but these persons have not onely disclosed my secrets , but also have taken upon them to accuse me of heresie , and are become witnesses against me : i require you therefore to give me faithfull advice how i shall behave my self towards them , &c. marry ( quoth doctor barber ) such villains and knaves deserve to be presently hanged without further tryall . hanging is too good ( saith the suffragan ) and if there want an executioner , i would be the hangman my self . at these words the archbishop , lifting up his eyes to heaven , said ; o lord , and most mercifull god , whom may a man trust in these dayes ? it 's true which is said , cursed be he that trusts in man , and makes flesh his arme . there was never man used as i am ; but lord thou hast evermore defended me , and lent mee one good master ( meaning the king ) without whose protection i could not be safe for one day . i praise thy holy name for it . then did he pull out of his bosome those two letters , saying , know you these letters my masters ? with that they fell down on their knees , asking forgivenesse with many tears . well ( said the gentle archbishop ) god make you both good men , i never deserved this at your ha●ds : but ask god forgivenesse , against whom you have highly offended . thus we see how his enemies from time to time endeavou●ed by all mean● to have brought him into displeasure with the king : yet it pleased god so to over-rule the king's heart , that hee would never be alienated from him ; which favour the king continued to him so long as he lived , and in king edward the sixth's daies he continued in his place , and much holp forward the work of reformation . but in the beginning of queen maries reign , he was a principal man whom she maligned . — manet altâment● repôstum judicium cleri , spretaeque injuria matris . her mothers wrong was déeply laid to heart , and clergies doo● , for which they now must smart . and therefore she appointed commissioners to examin him , who commanded him to bring to them an inventory of all his goods , which they seized upon , and shortly after he was sent prisoner to the tower , for treason ( as was pretended ) but for religion indeed . before he was committed to the tower , some of his friends perswaded him to fly , and to reserve himself for better times ; but he answered stoutly , if i were accused of theft , murther , or any other wickedness perhaps i could more easily be perswaded to fly ; but now i ●ee that i must be questioned not for my faithfulnesse towards men , but for my faith towards god , and concerning the truth of the holy scriptures , against papists , and therefore i will rather lose my life in the defence of the truth , then by flying out of the kingdome , to desert such a cause . from thence he was removed to oxford ; where again he was called before the pope's delegate , and the queens commissioners ; to the latter he did obeisance , but to the pope's delegate hee would doe none . before them he made a worthy confession of his faith. when they proceeded to degrade him , he pull'd forth an appeale from the pope to the next general councill ; but his death being determined , his appeal was rejected , and he degraded . when he came back into prison , he desired to eat ; for he had eaten nothing that day before ; for , said he , i was before somewhat troubled , but now , i thank god , my heart is quiet . he had not one penny in his purse to help himself , but the lord stirred up a gentleman's heart to give him some mony , for which he had like to have come into great trouble . he was kept in prison almost three years , and the doctors in oxford laboured by many subtle tricks to draw him to a recantation ; removing him to the dean's house of christ-church , where hee had dainty fare , recreations , and what else might entice him from christ to the world : they promised him life , the queens favour , his former dignity , and what not , if hee would but with his hands subscribe to a few words by way of recantation , which if he refused , there was no hope of pardon . with many such provocations , and flatteries , they at last prevailed with him to subscribe it . after which hee neither had inward quietnesse in his own conscience , nor any outward help from his adversities : for the queen being glad of his recantation , yet presently resolved his death , appointed the time ( when he least expected it ) and the persons that should see it performed . he had no notice of his death , till the very morning a little before he was to suffer . at which time there was a great concourse of people , some expecting that he should make his publick recantation at his death , others hoping better of him . from prison he was brought to st. maries church , where doctor cole ( by the queens order ) preached , and in his sermon affirmed , that god was so incensed for the slaughter of sir thomas moore , and doctor fisher , bishop of rochester , ( who were beheaded in the reign of k. henry the . ) that he could not be appeased by any other means , but by the sacrificing of cranmer . during his sermon , cranmer was set on a stage before him ; which sad spectacle much affected many , to see him , who had lived in so great honour and favour , to stand there in a ragged gown , ill-favour'd clothes , an old cap , and exposed to the contempt of all men . cole , in his sermon , shewed for what doctor cranmer was condemned , encouraged him to take his death patiently , and rejoiced in his conversion to popery . but that joy lasted not long . the sermon being ended , doctor cranmer entreated the people to pray for him , that god would pardon his sin , especially his recantation , which most of all troubled his conscience , which he said was contrary to the truth which he thought in his heart , and written for feare of death , and upon the hope of life . and , said he , that hand of mine which hath written contrary to my heart , shall first be punished . at these words the doctors beganne to rage and fume , and caused him to be pulled down from the stage , and his mouth to be stopped that he should not speak to the people . the place appointed for his martyrdome was the same where doctor ridley , and master latimer had before suffered ; and when he was brought to it , he kneeled down , and prayed ; and so put off his cloaths . when the fire was kindled and came neer him , he stretched out his right hand , which had subscribed , holding it so stedfast , and immoveable in the fire ( saving that once he wiped his face with it ) that all might see his hand burned before his body was touched : when the fire came to his body , he endured it patiently , standing stedfast alwaies in one place , moving no more then the stake which he was bound to : so long as he could speak , he repeated , lord jesus receive my spirit : and so in the flames he gave up the ghost , anno christi , . and of his age , . doctor cranmers workes were these . he corrected the english translation of the bible in many places . he wrote catechismum doctrinae christianae . ordinationes ecclesiae reformatae . de ministris ordinandis . de eucharistia . jura ecclesiastica . contra gardineri concionem . contra transubstantiationis errorem . quomodo christus adsit in caena : de esu c●nae dominicae . de oblatione christi . homilia christiana . common-places . a confutation of unwritten verities . against the popes primacy . against purgatory . about justification . diverse letters to learned men . the life of conrade pellican . , who died a no christi . conrade pellican was born of godly and honest parents , at rubeac a towne of suevia , neer the hyrcinian wood , anno christi , and being carefully educated by his parents , anno christi , was by them set to school to steven kleger of zurick , who using him gently , brought him in love with learning . at thirteen years of age he went to heidleberg , and after sixteen months study there , returned home , and his parents being poor he became an usher in the grammer school , many times going to a neighbour monastery to borrow some books , the fryers solicited him to become one of their fraternity , and when he was but . years old he assented to it , his parents not opposing , because they had not wherewithall to maintain him . so that anno christi , he took upon him the habit of the frier-minors , to the great joy of all that society , who used him very kindly , and brought him up in all the ceremonies belonging to their worship . his unkle jodicus gallus coming from heidleberg to rubeac , was much troubled that his nephew was become a fryer , and therefore perswaded him if he did not like that course of life , to leave it whilst he was a novice ; but our conrade thinking that it would be a great disgrace to him to fall from his purpose , refused , saying , that he would serve god in that course of life , wherein he thought he should please god , and whereby he hoped to attain eternall life . at the end of the year he fell sick of the plague , but being ●et blood , it pleased god beyond all expectation to restore him to health . anno . he went to tubing , where he studied the liberall arts , and was much admired in that university for his quick wit. he studied also school-divinity and cosmography , wherein he profited exceedingly ; and meeting with a converted jew , he borrowed of him an hebrew book of the prophets , and by his extraordinary pains , found out first the letters , then the reading and signification of them , and being a little assisted by ●●●nio , the judge of the impetiall chamber at wormes , he grew very perfect in it : and hearing that there was a certain priest at ulme which had bought some hebrew books of a poor jew , he went to him , and amongst them met with part of a grammer , about the coniugations of verbs , and transmutation of the letters , which he wrote out , and it proved a great help to him , for he had spoken before with many jews at worms , frankefurt , ratisbone , &c. and none of them could ever resolve him in any one question of grammer . it fell out by gods providence , that the year the book-seller of tubing had bought an hebrew bible compleat , of a very small print , which therefore none cared for . this pellican hearing of , intreated him to let him look into it , for some few dayes : the bookseller was content , telling him that for a florence and a halfe he might buy it : pellican much rejoyced to hear this , intreating his father guardian to be his surety , and so having obtained it , he thought himselfe a richer man then ever was croesus , and presently wrote to his unkle at spires , beseeching him to bestow two florences upon him , which he much needed for the buying of a certain book . this his unkle sent him , wherupon he fel close to reading of the bible , and as he went along made a concordance , gathering the roots , and setting downe all those words which were seldome found : and thus he went over the whole bible from the midst of july , to the end of october : then carrying to capnio a specimen of his works , he was ama●●d at so much worke in so short a time . anno christi . being twenty three years old , he was ordained a presbyter , and the same year the plague waxing hot at rubeac , his father and brother ●●ed of it , leaving none but this our conrade and his sister : therefore to solace himself in his sorrows , he wrote out the seven penetentiall psalmes , in hebrew , greek and latine , adding some prayers to be used upon that occasion . anno christi . he was made divinity-reader in the convent at basil. about the same time john amerback began to print saint augustines workes , wherein pellican was very helpfull to him , for which cause amerbach , and john froben were ever after his great friends , and would never suffer him to want any good book . then at the instance of cardinal raymund the popes legate , he was made first licentiat , then d of divinity , and afterwards the popes legat took him with him towards rome , being affected with his learning , but falling sick of a fever by the way , he returned to basil. whilst he thus continued a frier , hee was of great esteem amongst them , because of his learning and integrity . but it pleased god at last , that by reading luthers bookes , and conference with learned and godly men , hee began to dis-rellish the popish errors , and so far to declare his dislike of them , that he was much hated , and persecuted for a lutheran . but about the same time the senate of basil chose him lecturer in divinity in that city , together with oecolampadius ; where he began to read first upon genesis , then on proverbs , and ecclesiastes . anno christi . he was by the means of zuinglius sent for to zurick , and being come , was most courteously entertained by him . there he laid downe his monks coul , and married a wife , by whom he had a son , which he named samuel , being then preaching upon the history of samuel . that wife dying he married again , but had no children by his second wife . he was present at the disputation at bern about religion . after zuinglius his death , there were chosen into his room henry bullinger for pastor , and theodore bibliander for divinity-reader , who was an excellent linguist , and began to read upon isaie , to the great astonishment of his hearers , for that he was not above years old . pellican at the earnest request of learned men , printed all his lectures and annotations , which were upon the whole bible , excepting ●nely the revelations , which portion of scripture he not intending to write upon , caused the commentary of sebastian meyer upon it , to be bound with his , to make the work complete . he translated many books out of hebrew , which were printed by robert stevens , as also the chaldee bible he translated into latine . he wrote also an exposition in dutch upon the ●eutateuch , joshua , judges , ruth , samuel , kings , isay , and jeremy , to convice the jews ; for which end also he translated the learned disputation of ludovicus vives with the jewes into dutch ; as also many books of aristotle , and tully ; that so ingenious persons might learne philosophy in their own language , as the grecians and romans in former times were wont to doe . he judged it also necessary to learne the turkish language , who were now growne their neer neighbours , that by the helpe thereof he might be the better able to bring them to the christian faith. then with extraordinary labour hee made indexes to divers books . he also compared the bible of munster printed at zurick , and that other of leo judae , and bibliander , with the hebrew text word by word , lest any thing should be omitted . and thus having been hebrew professor at zurick for the space of thirty years , wherein he was most acceptable to all , not onely in regard of his excellent learning , and indefatigable pains , but also in regard of his sweet , and holy conversation : at last falling into the pain of the stone , and other diseases , he departed this life upon the day of christs resurrection , anno christi , and of his age . lavater saith , that he heard this conrade pellican often say , that when he first beganne to study the tongues , there was not one greek testament to be gotten in all germany , and that the first which hee saw was brought out of italy ; and that though a man would have given a great sum of gold for a coppy of it , it could not be obtained . how happy are we in these latter ages , that have them at so easie rates ! he was a candid , sincere , and upright man , free from falshood , and ostentation . the life of john bugenhagius , who died a no christi . john bugenhagius was born at julin , near to stetin in pomerania , anno christi . his parents were of the rank of senators , who bred him up carefully in learning , till he had learned the grammar and musick : instructing him also in the principles of religion , and so sent him to the university of grypswald , where he profited in the study of the arts , and the greek tongue . being twenty years old , he taught school at trepta , and by his learning and diligence made the school famous , and had many scholars , to whom also hee read daily some portion of scripture , and prayed with them : and meeting with erasmus his book against the histrionical carriage of the friars , and the idolatry of the times , he gat so much light thereby , that he was stirred up to instruct others therein , and for that end in his schoole he read matthew , the epistles to timothy , and the psalmes , to which he added catechising , and also expounded the creed , and the ten commandements ; unto which exercises many gentlemen , citizens , and priests reforced . from the school he was called to preach in the church , and was admitted into the colledge of presbyters : many resorted to his sermons of all ranks , and his same spread abroad : insomuch as bogeslans , the prince of that country , employed him in writing an history of the same , and furnished him with money , books , and records for the enabling him thereto : which history he compleated in two years , with much judgement and integrity . anno christi one of the citizens of trepta , called otho slutovius , having luther's book of the babylonish captivity sent him , gave it to bugenhagius , as he was at dinner with his colleagues , who looking over some leaves of it , told them that many hereticks had disquieted the peace of the church since christ's time , yet there was never a more pestilent heretick then the author of that book ; shewing in divers particulars how hee dissented from the received doctrine of the church . but after some few daies , having read it with more diligence , and attention , hee made this publick r●cantation before them all : what shall i say of luther ? all the world hath been blinde , and in ●immerian darknesse , only this one man hath found out the truth . and further disputing of those questions with them , he brought most of his colleagues to be of his judgement therein : insomuch as the abba● , two antient pastors of the church , and some other of the friers , began zealously to discover the deceits of the papacy , and to preach against the superstitions , and abuses of humane traditions , and to perswade their auditors wholly to trust to the merits of christ. after this bugenhagius read luther's other works diligently , whereby he learned the difference between the law and the gospel , justification by faith , &c. and taught these things also to his hearers , perceiving that the opinions of augustine and luther agreed together about all those matters . but the devill envying the successe of the gospel , alienated the minde of the prince from them , and stirred up the bishop to persecute many of the ministers , citizens , and students of trepta , for speaking against the masse-priest , and privily removing the images out of the church , some of which he cast into prison , and caused others to fly away ; insomuch as bugenhagius also being not safe , and desi●ous to be acquainted , and to confer with luther , the rather being invited thereto by letters from peter suavenius , a man excellently learned , who signified to him , that his converse with luther would be exceeding profitable to him , he left ●repta , and went to wittenberg anno christi , and of his age : and came there a little before luther's going to the diet at worms , with whom he had presently some converse , and began to make himself known by reading the psalter privately in the schooles . in luthers absence bertho●mew bernhard , pastor of kemberg married a wife , whereupon much controversie arose , whether the marriage of ministers was forbidden onely by the popes law , and how farre the monks vows of chastity did binde . luther hereupon being sent to for his judgement , easily cut insunder the snares of those laws , and of the impious vows , as alexander did the gordian knot with his sword . at this time suavenius and bugenhag sojou●ned with melancthon , whereupon when those propositions o● luther were sent to him , bugenhag . read them with much diligence , and afterwards having seriously thought of them , ●e said , this businesse will cause a great mutation in the publick state of things . about the same ● time also carolastadius●ai●ed ●ai●ed a controversie● about bringing in the judicials of moses into the civill state , and removing images out of the churches . against these bugenhag with some others opposed themselves , declaring , that the overthrowing of images was s●ditious , and that christian commonwealths ought not to be governed by the jewish judicials . whereupon at luthers returne out of his pathmos , by the suffrages both of the university and senate , bugenhag was chosen pastor of the church of wittenberg , which he taught and governed with much ●elicity , and in many changes of affaires , for the p●ce of thirty six years , never leaving his station , neither for war , nor pestilence ; and when he was proffered riches , and preferment , both in denmark by the good king , and in pomeren by the good prince , yet he would never leave his charge , though he lived but poorly in it . anno christi he was sent for to hamburg , where hee prescribed to them a form both of doctrine , ceremonies , and calling of ministers , where he erected a school also in the monastery of st. john , which afterwards grew very famous . and anno christi being sent for to lubec , hee prescribed to them also an order both for preaching , and discipline , and set up a school in the monastery of st kathe●●ne . anno christi he was sent for by christian king of denmark , and duke of holsatia , to reform religion in his dominions , and to erect schooles ; at which time he set forth a book about the ordination of ministers , formerly agreed upon by luther and his colleagues , to which he added some prayers , and a form or directory for holy administrations . and about fourteen daies after the coronation of king christian , bugenhag instead of the seven bishops of denmark ordained seven superintendents , who for the time to come should supply the office of the bishops , and should take care of all ecclesiastical affaires : these he ordained in the presence of the king and his councill , in the chief church of hafnia . he also prescribed what lectures should be read in the hafnian academy . he appointed ministers in the kingdomes of denmark , and norway , to the number of four and twenty thousand . anno christi ▪ henry duke of brunswick being expelled his country by the elector of saxony , and the confederate princes , imployed bugenhag , anthony corvinus , and martin gorlicius , adding some of the nobility to them , to visit the churches and monasteries in that dukedome , and to see them reformed . at which time they set forth a form of ordination for the country . the year following , the senate of hildesia sent for him to reform● their churches , where he , with corvinus , and henrie winckle , wrote them a form of ordination ▪ and placed pastors and ministers in their six churches , the oversight of whom was committed to iodicus iferman ; and the church of the canons was shut up . anno christi he proceeded doctor , at the instigation of john friderik ▪ elector of saxonie , himself with his counsellors being present to hear the publick disputations of luther , cruciger , bugenhag , and aepine . the questions were , de justitia . de ecclesia . de discrimine ministerii evangelici , & potestatis politicae ; and bugenhag making an oration about the last of these , the prince was exceedingly well pleased with it . thus far we have the happier part of bugenhags life ; but shortly after followed many confusions , and warres both of the princes and divines ; in which the princes were taken prisoners , wittenberg was besieged , and other miseries and mischiefs of war brought exceeding much grief to this good old man , as the death of that godly king josiah did to the prophet jeremiah , yet did he not give way to despondencie , so as either to fly or change his mind ; but he kept up his spirits by fervent , and frequent prayer to god , which yeelded him great consolation ▪ the rather considering that in so great tempests , the poor ship of christ's church was not swallowed up and devoured : for prince maurice , who was made elector of saxony , changed nothing in religion , as so●e feared , and others hoped that hee would ; but sending f●● melancthon , bugenhag , and crucigir from wittenberg to l●●s●●h , he desired them to take care of the church and univ●rsity , and so gratifying them bountifully , dismissed them . the controversies and quarrels which sprung up in ●●e church by flacius illericus , were the greatest grief to h●m : for it was well known , that he neither in the time of war , nor afterwards , altered any thing either in the doctrine 〈◊〉 discipline of the church , often urging that text , gi●● to caesar the things that are caesars , and to god the things that are gods. he was alwaies very averse to seditious counsels , and most constant in retaining the true doctrine of christ , and though many aspersions were cast abroad of him , yet would he never omit the necessary labours belonging to his office. the last act of his life , through gods goodness , was quiet , and peaceable ; for when his strength was so wasted , that hee could no longer preach , yet he resorted daily to church , where he poured forth fervent praiers both for himself , and the afflicted condition of the church of god at that time . afterwards fall●ng sick ( though without much pain ) he continued instant in prayer , and holy conference with his friends , and drawing near to his end , he often repeated , this is life eternall , to know thee the onely true god , and him whom thou hast sent , jesus christ : and so quietly d●parted in the lord , anno christ ▪ and of his age . he was a faithfull p●stor , just , merciful● to the poor : severe , and stout in reproofs ; an earnest defendor of the truth against errors ; ardent in prayer , &c. he joyned with luther in the translation of the bible : which being finished , every year upon that day , he inv●ted his friends , and made a feast , which he called the feast of the translation of the bible . he was alwaies well content with his station and condition at wittenberg , and would never remove though hee was earnestly pressed to have removed to places of more honour , power , and profit . he attended his charge with great fidelity , admirable assiduity , and extraordinary pains . in his sermons he was very modest , and so devout , that sometimes , forgetting himself , he would spend some hours in preaching . he wrote a commentary upon the psalmes ; annotations upon the epistles to gal. ephes. phil. collos. thess. & . to timothy . & . to titus , philemon , hebr. also annotations upon samuel , jonah , and denter ▪ besides some . epistles to sundry friends . p. melancthon the life of philip melancthon , who dyed a no christi . philip melancthon was born at bretta in the lower palatinate , anno christi . of honest parents , of a middle rank , by whom he was set to school to learne grammer of john hungarus , a learned and honest man ; and to learne greek of george simler ; and afterwards they sent him to heidleberg at twelve years of age , where he had logick and physicks read to him , and attaining ability to make a verse , he fell to reading poetry and history . there also , being very young , be instructed the sons of count leonstein , and commenced bachelor of arts anno christi . and of his age fourteen , with generall approbation . after three years study there , the air not agreeing with him , and being denyed his degree of master of arts , by reason of his youth , removed to tubinge , anno . he alwayes used to carry his bible about with him , reading often in it both at church and elsewhere , yet was he carried away with the common errors of the times , of which himselfe saith , i ●remble to think with what blind devotion i went to images , whilst i was a papist . he pivately at tubinge taught the law , and read over very diligently all the books of gallen , and with oecolampadius read over hesiod . he stayed in that university four years , where he profited so much in the arts , tongues , and philosophy , that he read publick lectures in the schools out of virgil , terence , and tully , and was imployed in overseeing the presse . he studied the mathematicks , law , and physick , in all which he profited much . there he commenced master of arts , anno christi . and of his age , seventeen . luther about that time beginning to oppose the pope . in august . philip melancthon was sent for from tubinge by frederick duke of saxony , to the university of wittenberge , to teach the greek tongue . he consulted with ●apnio , who advised him to imbrace the invitation , whereupon august . he came to wittenberg . about which time erasmus wrote thus of him . philip melancthon , is a most learned , and exoe ne●t greci●●● he is a youth and stripling , if ye consider his age ; but one of us if ye look upon his variety of knowledge , almost in all books . he is very exquisite in the learning of both the tongues . i pray christ this young man may live long amongst us ; he wil quite obscu●e erasmus . four dayes after he came to wittenberg , he made a most earned , and polite oration in the university , with so much grace as was admirable . he came to wittenberg when he was but years old : there he began to expound pauls epistle to titus , ●ut of greek , to the great admiration of his hearers , which flock● exceedingly to his lectures , and ●uther also was exceedingly taken with the same , as himself professeth in a letter to spalatmus , saying , philippum graecissimum , eruditissimum , humanissimum habe commendatissimum : auditorium habet refertum auditoribus , imprimis omnes theologos summos , cum mediis & infimis , studiosos facit graecitatis . when he first began to teach , he found the precepts of arts either false , or obscure , or out of order , and therefore taking the labour upon him , he made learned systemes almost of all arts , cutting off what was false , illustrating what was obscure , and rightly placing what was out of order , so that anno . he published his rhetorick , the year after his logick , and shortly after his grammer , with other arts in order . anno : he went with luther to lipswich , where he disputed with eccius , and though eccius contemned him for his youth , and called him saccum distinctionum , yet he got himselfe much credit , and gave some experience of his abilities in controversies . anno christi . . he expounded the epistle to the romans , which commentary luther printed without the privity of melancthon . the year after , when the divines of paris had condemned luthers doctrine , and books , he wrote an apology for him , against their furious decree . anno christi , . he printed his common-places ; and his commentaries on both the epistles to the corinthians . anno . he published his annotations upon genesis , with some other books . the year after taking joac . camerarius along with him , he went to visit his friends , and at his return at the request of the lantgrave of hesse , he wrote an epitome of the ecclesiasticall doctrine renewed , and a treatise of the difference between the righteousnes of the world , and of christ. he turned into latine the proverbs of solomon , and wrote prefaces to the psalms and lamentations . an. . in the wars of the boorish anabaptists , he confuted their articles , whereby they sought to justifie their rebellion , and in the end of that yeare hee was sent for to norimberg , to direct the senate in the erecting of a school . anno . he was imployed in visiting the churches in saxonie . anno christi . the elector of saxonie took him with him to the convention at spire , where by the consent of the protestant princes , he drew up a confession of faith with great pains , and exactnesse , which by them was presented to the emperor charls the fifth . anno christi . henry the eighth , king of england , sent to invite him into england with promise of courteous entertainment , and good preferment , hoping by his meanes to draw the protestant princes of germany into a league with him against the pope . but melancthon refused to goe , rendring the reason in a letter that he wrote to camerarius , wherin is this passage ; perhaps many things are reported amongst you concerning england , that it lyeth open now for the religion of the purer doctrine ▪ but i have intelligence from a good hand , that the king hath no great care of the affairs of the church , onely this good comes of his rejecting the popes authority , that for the present no crue●ty is used towards those that are desirous of better doctrine . anno christi . he went abroad to visit , and refresh himselfe with his friends , where falling off a ladder he hurt his back-bone , which put him to great pain , but through gods mercy he recovered : and the year after he went to the convention at smalcald , where ( by reason of luthers sickness ) almost the whole burthen lay upon him of managing the business about religion . a while after he went to hagenaw to meet the protestant divines there , and fore-seeing that he should fall into a mortall disease , he made his will and left it with cruciger , saying , viximus in synodis , & jam m●riemur in illis . imploi'd in synods , living , oft was i : now in a synod i am like to die . accordingly in his journey he fell very sick , yet through god's mercy , and the care and skill of the physician , he recovered againe , his health being much furthered by the earnest praiers of luther , and cruciger . in his disputation with eccius , eccius brought a very subtil argument , which he being not able suddenly to answer , said , cras tibi respondebo , i 'le answer you to morrow ; to whom eccius replyed , that is little for your credit if you cannot answer it presently : whereupon he said ; sir , i seek not mine owne glory in this businesse but the truth . to morrow ( god willing ) you shall hear further . when the wars for religion brake out in germany , he foresaw in a dream the captivity of the elector of saxonie , and the lantgrave of hesse , fifteen daies before they were taken . and when melancthon did justly bewaile those sad times , he was accused to the emperor as an enemy to his affairs ; whereupon the emperor sent to maurice the elector to send him to him , which he refused to do . he was sent also to the council of trent , but whilst he stayed at no●inberg for the publick faith , the warre brake out betwixt maurice of saxonie , and the emperour about the lantgrave of hesse ; whereupon he returned to wittenberg again : and shortly after the plague breaking out there , the university was removed to tergaw : but he said , he feared not that plague , but a far worse plague , which threatned the ruine of the common-wealth . whilst he was with the palatine at heidleberg , he had news brought him of the death of his wife , who had lived piously , and lovingly with him in wedlock years : at the hearing whereof he expressed himself thus , farewell kate , i shall follow thee ere long . he had many contentions with the popish party both by disputations , and writing : the last lecture that he read was upon that text in isa. lord , who hath beli●ved our report ? he was very carefull before hand to prepare himself for death , having this distich in his mouth , sic ego quotidiè de lecto surgo , precando , lit mens ad mortem sit duce laeta deo. march the . before his death he was sent for by the elector of saxony to lipsich for the examination of those which were maintained by the elector there for the study of divinity , which examination he had held many years : there he continued in that employment til april , at which time he returned to wittenberg . april the th . his sicknes seised upon him whereof he died . it was a feaver , which caused him that he could scarce sleep that night . hereupon doctor peucer , his son-in-law , intended to send for camerarius , between whom and melancthon there had been a very strong bond of friendship for the space of years . seven daies before he died , many persons , worthy of credit , betwixt nine and ten a clock at night , saw in the clouds over the town of wittenberg , five rods bound together , after which two vanishing , the other three appeared severed in divers places , the branches of the rods turning towards the north , the handles towards the south ; of which prodigy when philip was informed , he said , herein gods fatherly punishments are not swords , but rods , which parents use to correct their children withall : and i fear a dearth . the night following he slept pretty well , and waking about three a clock in the morning , he sang sweetly , and rose out of his bed . april . to make an end of his writing which he was to propose on easter day , he followed his study hard that morning , which was the last thing that he wrote for his publick reading . on easter eve he carried it to the printing-house , after which he went to church , and in the afternoon went againe to the printing-house , to see how the work went forward ; which was his last going abroad . about four a clock that evening he sate upon the staires which went up into his study , leaning upon his elbow ; at which time joachim camerarius came from lipsich to visit him , and entering into his house , found him in that posture : they saluted each other wich great familiarity , and about five a clock that evening his feaver seised on him ; so that that night he had a very grievous fit , yet in the morning hee had a little sleep , being april . easter day . after which he rose out of his bed , and though he was scarce able to goe , yet he would have read his lecture publickly , which his friends disswaded him from , considering his great weaknesse . april the before dinner , he professed his desire to depart hence , saying , i desire to be dissolved , and to be with christ. april the camerarius was minded to return home , but as they sate at breakfast together , on a sudden such a weaknesse came upon melancthon , that he desired to goe to bed , so that camerarius layed aside his purpose of departure . april the , camerarius took his leave of him , commending him to god ; whereupon philip said , jesus christ the son of god , that sitteth at the right hand of his father , and giveth gifts unto men , preserve you , and yours , and us all . this night he was very sick , and in his prayers cryed out , o lord make amend . april the his water was very troublesome , and he was much pained with the stone . about eight a clock that morning the pastors of the church visited him , to whom he said ▪ by the goodnesse of god i have no domesticall grief to disquiet me , although my nephewes and neeces stand here before me , whom i love very dearly . yet this is my comfort , they have godly parents , who take care of them as i have done so long as i was able . but publick matters affect me , especially the troubles of the church in this evil and sophisticall age : but through gods goodnesse our doctrine is sufficiently explained , and confirmed . then speaking to the eldest daughter of his son-in-law , doctor peucer , he said , i have loved thee , my daughter , see that thou honour thy parents , be dutifull to them , and fear god , and he will never forsake thee : i beseech him to defend thee , and keep thee . about nine a clock he spake to his son-in-law , who was his physitian , saying ; what think you of my disease ? have you any hope ? speak plaine . the physitian answered , god is your life , and the length of your daies , to whom we commend you ; but if we look at naturall causes , your disease is dangerous ; for your weaknesse is great , and encreaseth every moment . i think the same ( quoth he ) and an sensible of my weaknesse . a while after he made them search for some sheets of paper , wherein he had begunne to write his will , purposing to declare his judgement about all the heads of religion , and to testifie it to posterity , which was the chief use of testaments amongst the antient fathers ; but they could not be found , whereupon he beganne to frame it a new , sitting at a table , but through weakness was not able to proceed therein . onely he wrote , that he had twice formerly set down a confession of his faith , and a thanksgiving to god , and to our lord jesus christ : but ( saith he ) my papers are intercepted , and therefore i will have my confession to be my answers concerning the bavarian articles against papists , anabapists , flacians , &c. his minde was sincere and sound to his last gasp , his brain never more firm . then he conferred with his son-in-law about the affairs of the university . about six a clock letters were brought him from his friends at frankford mart , concerning the persecution of some godly men in france , whereupon he said , that his bodily disease was not comparable to the grief of his mind for his godly friends , and for the miseries of the church . that night he had very lit●le rest . about two a clock in the morning , he raised himself up in his bed , saying , that god had brought into his minde againe that speech of paul , if god be for us , who can be against us ? after which he returned to his former complaints of the calamities of the church : yet ( saith he ) my hopes are very great , for the doctrine of our church is explained . and so he proceeded to earnest prayers and groanings for the church , and then betook himself to some rest . about eight in the morning in the presence of divers pastors , and deacons , he made three prayers , whereof this was one . o almighty , eternall , ever-living , and true god , creator of heaven a dearth , together with thy co●t●rnall son , our lord jesus christ , crucified for us , and raised again , together with thy holy spirit , &c. who hast faid , thou de firest not the death of a sinner , but that he may be converted and l●ve . as also call upon me in the day of trouble , and i will deliver thee . i confess unto thee that i am a most miserable sinne● ▪ that i have many sinnes , and have been faulty many waies . but i am sorry with all my heart that i have offended thee . i pray thee for our lord jesus christs sake , who was crucified , and rose again for us , to have pitty upon me , and to forgive all my sinnes , and to justifi● me by and through jesus christ thy sonne , thine eternall word and image , whom , by thy unspeakable counsell , and unmeasurable wisdome and goodnesse thou wouldst have to be for us a sacrifice , mediator , and intercesso● ▪ sanctifie me also by thy holy , lively , and true ●pirit that i may truly acknowledge thee , firmly believe in thee , truly obey thee , give thanks unto thee rightly invocate thy name , serve thee , and see thee gracious to all eternity , and the almighty true god ▪ creator of heaven and earth , and men , the eternall father of our lord jesus christ , and jesus christ thy son , thy eternall word and image , and the holy ghost the comforter . in thee o lord have i trusted , let me never be confounded . thou hast redeemed me o lord god of truth . keep o lord , and governe our church , and common wealths , and this school , and give them wholsom peace , and wholsom goverment . rule and defend our princes ; nourish thy church , gather and preserve thy church in these countries , and sanctifie it and conjoyne it with thy holy spirit , that it may be one in thee , in the knowledge and invocation of thy son jesus christ , by , and for the sake of this thine eternal son , our lord jesus christ , &c. after this he rested a while . then the pastors and deacons by turnes read unto him , psalme , , . isa. . john . rom. . and divers other psalmes , and chapters . after which he said , i often thinke upon that saying of st. john , the world received him not , but to those ●hat received him , to them he gave power to be made the sons of god , even them that belieeve in his name . after this he seemed to pray secretly , for a quarter of an hour , yea , for an hoar or two he seemed to doe little other then pray , and being at length asked by his son in law , whether he would have any thing ? he answered , nothing but heaven , therefor● trouble me no more with speaking to me . then the pastor prayed with him , and the others ●ead again , and so about ha●f an hour after six he quietly and peaceably gave up the gh●st , having lived . yeares , . dayes : after hee had spent in preaching and writing years , anno christi . he was buried close by luther ; they having been faithfull and intimate friends in their lives . he took much pains in the vniversitie of wittenberg , reading three or four lectures every day , unto which many resorted . he was never id●e , but spent all his time in reading , writing , disputing , or giving counsell he neither sought after great titles ▪ nor rich●● . he could not be perswaded to take the degree of a doctor saying , that such honour was a great burden ▪ he had many and great enemies who often th●eatned to banish him germany , of which himselfe writes , ● go jam sum hic , dei beneficio , quadraginta an●os , & nunquam potuidicere , aut certus esse me per unam 〈◊〉 mansurum esse . i have through gods mercy been here the●e fourty years , and yet i could never say , or besure that i should remain here one week to an end . a little before his death , he said , cupio ex hac vita migrare prop●er duas causas ; primum ut fruar desiderato conspectu filii dei , & coelestis ecclesiae : deinde ut liberer ab immanibus , & implacabilibus theologorum odiis . amongst all his writings and disputations , he would never meddle with the controversie about the sacrament , leaving that to luther , and being loth publickly to manifest his dissent from him : yet it is certaine , that as they went to the colloquie of ratisbon together anno . he communicated his opinion to luther , confirmed by the testimonies of the ancient fathers , both greek and latine ; and when luther had made some annotations upon those sentences which contradicted his opinion , melancthon said , mr. dr. i could make the like annotations , but sure they are not strong enough . after all his great labours in the church and vniversity , he carried away the usuall reward of the world , reproof , accusations , injuries , and reproaches . anno christi . a tumult being raised amongst the students , he went forth to perswade them to peace , when one of them ran at him with his drawne sword , and if god by a speciall providence had not prevented , had slaine him . the flacians especially , continually railed upon , and threatned him , whereupon he said , avide , & tranquillo animo expecto exilia , sicut & ad principes scripsi , dixerunt adversarii , se perfecturos esse , ut non sim habiturus vestigium , ubi pedem collocare possem in germania . utinam hoc cito perficiant , ut filius dei ad judam dicit : erit mihi vel in caelo morienti vestigium : vel si vivam in hoc corpore , apud honestos , & doctos viros , vel in germania , vel alibi . at stultitiam inimicorum miror : qui sese dominos germaniae esse existimant , & me his minis terreri . he was somewhat sickly , being sometimes troubled with the cholick , and hypocondriacall winde . he had a strong braine , without which it had not been possible for him to have gone through so many , and great businesses for so many years together . in his diet he was content with a little . he was modest in all his life : in his apparel he had respect to his health . he was liberall to all ; affable and courteous . one george sabine travelling to italy , and rome , for the improvement of his learning ; a certain cardinall discoursing with him about wittenberg , asked him what stipend they allowed to melancthon ? sabine answered , three hundred florences by the year . then said the cardinal , o ungratefull germany , who makest no more account of the many , and great labours of so eminent a man. on a time prince maurice , elector of saxony , asked melancthon if he wanted any thing for the supplie of his necessities ? he told him ; no. then did the elector bid him ask what he would , to which he answered , that he had his stipen●● , with which he was well content ; yet the elector bid him again , ask , to which he answered , since your excellency will have me to ask something , i crave leave to be dismissed from my place , and imployments . whereupon the elector intreated him to continue in them still , wondring at his contentedness with so small means . when he was first himselfe converted , he thought it impossible for his hearers to withstand the evidence of the truth in the ministry of the gospel : but after he had been a preacher a while , he complained that old adam was too hard for young melancthon . he is called by one , phoenix germaniae , & alter elizaeus he used to say that there were three labours very difficult , regentis , doc●ntis , parturientis , of magistrates , ministers , and women in travel . he made his own epitaph : iste brevis tumulus miseri tenet ossa philippi : qui qualis fuerit nescio , talis erat . here lies i● terred in these stones much afflicted philips bones : for alwayes such 〈◊〉 life was her ; i know not what in death heel hee . scripsit melancthon volumina insinita , variis in locis impressa : cu●us tamen lucubrationes editas usque ad annum . hervagius excudit basiliae tomis quinque , anno christi . but afterwards there were many more of his works published , the catalogue whereof you may find in verheiden . jo : alasco the life of iohn lascus , who died a no christi . john lascus was borne of a noble family in poland , and brought up in learning : afterwards travelling to zurick in helvetiad he was by zuinglius perswaded to betake himself to the study of divinity , and having thereby imbraced that religion , which hath its foundation upon the word of god , he was very desirous to increase in holiness . he had a very great love to christ , and his people ; a great hatred to popery and superstition , and a great contempt of the world : so that whereas he might have been preferred to great honour in his own countrey , such was his , love to christ and his church , and such his hatred to popery , that he chose with moses to suffer affliction with the people of god , rather then to live in worldly honour and peace amongst his friends . coming into frisland , anno christi . he was called to be a pastor at embden , where he fed , and ruled his flock with great diligence . the year after , he was sent for by anne , the widow of count oldenburg to reform the churches in east-frisland ; and the next year after by albert duke of prussia , but when he agreed not with him in judgement about the lords supper , the work remained unperfected . he remained in frisland about ten years , at the end whereof the emperor persecuting the protestants ) he was sent for by king edwa●d the sixth ( upon crammer's motion ) into england , where he gathered , preached unto , and governed the dutch-church , which remains to this day . in the dayes of queen mary , anno christi . he obtained leave to return beyond s●a , and went with a good part of his congregation into denmark , to the royal city of coppenhagew : but noviomagus the court preacher and a lutheran , took occasion in a sermon to impugne the error ( as he called it ) of the sacramentaries : hereupon lascus set forth a writing wherein he asserted the truth , and confuted the error of consubstantia i●n : this occasioned a conference between noviomagus and him , where lascus and his church did not dissemble their opinion : but asserted the truth ; which the k. of denmark [ christian ] being informed of , made a decree that they should not stay in his kingdom , except they would follow the doctrine of luther , and use the ceremonies ordained by him . lascus and his church refused this , yet intreated that the 〈◊〉 might be d●ferred , which the king would be no means permit , but commanded them presently to depart his kingdom . by this means they were forced in a most cold winter season , with their wives great with child , & their children to depart out of denmark & the hanse-towns refused to receive them : the churches of saxony also rejected them , not suffering them to live amongst them upon like reason : at length that poor congregation found entertainment in frisland under the lady ann oldenburg , and setled at embden . anno christi , he went thence to francford upon main , where : with the consent of the senate , he gathered a church of strangers , especially out of belgia . from thence the year after he wrote a letter to the king of poland , and his council , vindicating his doctrine from some aspersions cast upon it by westphalus , timan , and pomeran , shewing that their doctrine about consubstantiation was contrary to the sense of the scripture , to the analogie of faith , and to the generall judgement of the churches of christ , and that it could not be retained without contumely to christ : he complained also that his doctrine about the sacrament was onely condemned by reason of prejudice : that his adversaries dealt with him after the manner of the papists , who carry their business not by scripture and arguments , but by force ; accusing all for hereticks which close not with them in all things . about the same time many enemies rose up against him , and his congregation , for differing from them about christ's presence in the sacrament , especially one westphalus , who wrote bitterly against them , calling them zuinglians , and affirming that all those which had suffered about that point in belgia , england , or france were the divels martyrs . at last lascus returned into his owne country , from which he had been absent twenty years : there he found gods harvest to be great , and the labourers to be very ●ew . his coming was very unwelcom to the popish clergy , who sought by all means to destroy him , or to get him banished , and therefore they accused him to the king for an heretick , beseeching him not to suffer him to stay in the kingdom ; to whom the king answered , that though they pronounced him an heretick , yet the states of the kingdom did not so esteem him , and that he was ready to clear himselfe from those aspersions . when they thus prevailed not , they cast abroad reproaches , and all manner of lies , as if hee would stir up a civil war in the kingdom : but it pleased god when he had spent a little time in instructing his friends , that he sickned and dyed , an chr. . he was of an excellent wit and judgement , and tooke much paines to have composed that difference in the churches about christ's presence in the sacrament , though it succeeded not . the king of poland had him in such esteeme , that hee made use of his advice , and help in many great and difficult businesses . his works are these . liber de coena domini . epistola continens summam controversiae de coena domini breviter explicatam , confessio de nostra cum christo communione , & corporis sui in coena exhibitione epistola ad bremensis ecclesiae ministros . ●ontra mennonem , catabaptistarum principem . de recta ecclesiarum instituendarum ratione epistolae tres . epistolae ad sigismundum regem poloniae , purgatio ministrorum in ecclesus peregrinis francofurti . forma , & ratio totius ecclesiastici ministerii edvardi sexti in peregrinorum , maxime germanorum ecclesia . the life of augustine marlorat , who died a no christi . augustine marlorat was born in lorrain , anno . his parents dying whilst he was young , and his kindred gaping after his estate , thrust him at eight years old into a monastery of augustine friars , by which means ( god so ordering it ) he was brought up in learning , and became a preache● , and being addicted to the study of the tongues , and the reformed religion , he would no longer live amongst those idle drones , and slow-bellies ; but leaving them , went to the university of lausanna in the country of bern , where he profited much in learning , and came to the knowledge of the truth , and from thence was chosen to be the pastor at vivia , near to the lake of leman : and from thence hee was called to roan , where was a populous church , which he instructed and taught so holily , and with such prudence , that his honesty protected him against the rage , and malice of his adversaries . anno christi he was present at the conferenc at possy between the cardinal of lorrain , and the●dore beza , where he acquitted himself with much courage , appearing on the protestants side against the papists . the year following , when the civil wars brake forth in france , the city of roan was besieged , and after a hard siege was taken by storm , at which time this august . marlorat , the chief minister of the city was taken also , and carried before monmorency the constable of france , who grievously chid him , and cast him into a streight prison ; and the next morning the constable and the duke of guise went to the prison , and calling for marlorat , the constable said to him , you are he who hath seduced the people . marl. if i have seduced them , it 's god that hath done it rather then i : for i have preached nothing to them but divine truths . const. you are a seditious person , and the cause of the ruin of this great city . marl. as for that imputation , i referre my self to all that have heard me preach , be they papists or protestants , whether i ever medled with matters of the politick state or no ; but contrariwise i have according to my ability laboured to instruct them out of the holy scriptures . to this the constable with an oath replyed , that he , and his abettors plotted together to make the prince of condie king , the admirall coligni , duke of normandy , and andelot , duke of britaine . to this marlorat answered , professing his own innocency , and the innocency of those noble personages . but the constable swearing a great oath , said , we shall see within a few daies whether thy god can deliver thee out of my hand , or no , and so departed in a great rage . not long after at the instance of bigot , advocate for the king , an indictment was drawn up against him , and some others , whereupon they were condemned for high treason , for that he had been ( as they said ) the author of the great assemblies , which were the cause of rebellion , and civill warres , and therefore as a punishment to satisfie the law for these things , the court adjudged and condemned the said marlorat to be drawn upon a sled , and to be hanged upon a gibbe● before our ladies church in roan . this done , his head to bee stricken off from his body , and set upon a pole upon the bridge of the same city , his goods and inheritance to be confiscated to the kings use ; and shortly after this sentence was executed , viz. anno christi , and of his age . hee was excellently learned , and of a most unblameable life , and had the testimony even of the papists themselves that heard him , that in his sermons he never uttered ought that tended to sedition or rebellion . yet his malitious adversaries were not content onely to see him drawn upon an hurdle , but the constable also loaded him with a thousand disgraces and outrages , as also a sonne of his called monbrun , who shortly after was slaine in the battel of dreux . one villebon also gave him a switch with a wand , adding many reproachfull speeches thereto : but this meek ●amb bare all those indignities with admirable patience and meekness . when he was come to the place where he should suffer , he made an excellent speech , as the time then permitted him ; exhorting two that were to suffer with him to stand stedfast to the end , which they also did . when he was now dead , yet the rage of his adversaries ceased not there , but one of the souldiers with his sword struck at his legges . yet gods judgments found out his adversaries very speedily : for the captain that apprehended marlorat was slaine within three weeks , by one of the basest souldiers in all his company . two of his judges also died very strangely soon after ; viz. the president of the parliament by a flux of blood , which could be by no means stanched : the other being a counsellor , voyding his urine by his fundament , with such an intollerable stink that none could come near him . the aforenamed villebon also , that switcht him , escaped no better : for a while after the marshall vielle ville coming to roan about publick affairs , invited villebon to dinner , and after dinner lamenting the miseries of that city , he exhorted villebon to endeavour the redress of many abuses , being the kings leiutenant there ; which villebon took so ill , that hee said , if any man dare to taxe me for not carrying my self as i ought in my place , i would tel him to his face , that hee lyed ; which words he repeated so often over , that the marshall being urged very much therewith , strake with his sword at him with such violence , that had he not received the blow with his hand , his head had been cleft to his teeth ; so that for the present he escaped with the losse of his hand wherewith hee had so dishonourably smitten aug. marlorat at the place of execution . marlorat collected out of the best writers of his time , adding the names of the authors , and sometimes inserting his own opinions ; commentaries upon all the new testament : as also upon genesis , psalmes , canticles , isaiah . he left also a thesaurus of the doctrine of the prophets and apostles ; i. e. totius canonicae scripturae , in locos communes , dogmatum , & phrasium ordine alphabetico digestum . p. martyr the life of peter martyr , who died anno christi . peter martyr was born at vermile in florence , anno christi , of an antient and honourable family . his parents were very sollicitous and carefull for his education , and his mother being well skilled in latine , trained him up in it from his childhood , and read terence his comedies to him . afterwards they placed him forth under the choicest schoolmasters , and he being of a pregnant wit , and ingeniout disposition , gave great hopes in his minority of excelling in future times . he was exceeding studious and painfull , spending no time idle . and finding that in the rich and flourishing city of florence hee met with many tentations to luxury and riot , at sixteen yeares old he entered into a monastery of regular cannons of saint augustine in fessula hard by florence . this action of his much displeased and grieved his father , well knowing that the seeming holyness of those fryars was but meer hypocrisie . and besides , having no other son , he much desired that this peter by marriage should have preserved and propagated his name and family : but that which moved peter martyr to choose this course of life , was , that he might have leisure to serve god , to follow his study , and to benefit himself , by the full , and famous library which was in that monastery . there he spent three yeares in the study of the arts , and holy scriptures , part whereof he learned by heart . then he went to padua , where entering into a monastery of the same order , he continued there almost eight years , in which time he almost wholly employed himself in the study of philosophy , spending both night and day in meditating thereupon , in reading , writing , and disputations . there hee heard also the daily lectures of famous philosophers which were professors in that university , as branda , genua , confalionerius , &c. and finding that aristotle was in many places not appositly translated into latine , hee resolved to study the greek tongue , which accordingly he did with great pains , wanting fit masters to assist him therein , spending whole nights in the library of the monastery , with benedict cusanus , the companion of all his studies . by which diligence of his , he attained to such readinesse , that he was able without help to understand the greek orators , philosophers , and poets also , who differed in their dialect from the former . during his abode there , he also heard the constant lectures of three divines . when he was yeares old , the fraternity of that monastery called him to the office of preaching , whereby he might put in practice his former private studies , be serviceable to them , and make himself famous ; and upon triall , his learning , and abilities appeared to be such , that he was honoured with the degree of a doctor . he beganne first to preach in the church of brixia , and afterwards in the most famous cities of italy : in rome , bononia , firmum , pisa , venice , mantua , bergomum , and montferrat . and all the time which hee could gaine from preaching , he spent in the study of philosophy and divinity . he preached also privately , and read lectures in the colledges at padua , ravenna , bononia , and vercellis . hitherto he had mostly applyed himself to the study of the schoolmen , yet had spent some time in reading of the fathers , but now he began to spend most of his time in searching the fountains , the old and new testament ; and finding that to enable him thereto , the knowledge of the hebrew was very necessary , whilst he was vicar to the prior in bononia , he gat him one isaac a jew for his master , and applyed himself to the study of that language ; and though hee had little help from his master , yet by his singular diligence and industry , hee attained good skill in the hebrew : and his name grew very famous in the chief cities of italy ; whereupon the superiours of his order approving his diligence , resolved to advance him to some greater dignity , and so by the consent of all he was made abbat of spoleta ; which office when he had once undertaken , he carried himself so excellen●ly therein , that he was admired of all , considering that hitherto he had been onely employed in his studies , and yet now shewed such admirable wisdome and dexterity in managing the affairs of his monastery . his prudence appeared notably in these two examples . there were in spoleta two nunneries , and one monastery of augustinian cannons regular , where martyr resided . these houses , through the negligence of former abbats , were so corrupted with luxury and uncleannesse ▪ that they were extreamely hated by all men . doctor martyr seeing this , by the authority of his office reduced them quickly into order , by teaching , admonishing , exhorting , and sometimes by using severe castigation ▪ so that he procured great credit to himself , and love to his order . the other example was this : the common-wealth of spoleta , as most others in italy , was divided into factions and feuds , whereupon not onely quarrels , but mu●ther often ensued ; and though the former abbats had endeavoured , yet could they never reconcile these differences . our martyr was not ignorant hereof , and yet looking upon it as his duty , resolved rather to hazard the loss of his life , then to suffer christians thus to intertear one another ; and it pleased god so farre to blesse his labours , that all the time of his living in that city , his authority , prudence , and eloquence so farre prevailed , that there was neither fight nor murther ; no nor the least footsteps of faction appearing amongst the people . at spoleta he continued three years , at the end whereof , by a publique convention of the superiours of the order , he was made governour of the colledge at naples , which for the amaenity of the place , and profits belonging to it , was of great esteem . in that city , it pleased god , that he began to attain to more light , and knowledge of the truth then formerly he had : for by his study of the scriptures , through the illumination of the holy ghost , he began to take notice of the errours and abuses which were crept into the church ; whereupon ( god enclining his heart thereto ) he began to read some protestant authors , and gat bucers commentaries upon the evangelists , and his annotations upon the psalmes ; as also zuinglius de vera & falsa religione : & de providentia dei , &c. by which , he confessed afterwards , that he profited very much . he daily also conferred with some friends which were addicted to the study of the reformed religion , to the mutuall edification of both parties : the chief of these were benedict cusanus , his old friend : anthony flaminius , and john valdesius , a noble spaniard , made a knight by charles the fifth , who after he had embraced the truth in the love of it , spent his time in italy , especially in naples ; where by his life and doctrine he had gained many to christ , and amongst those divers of the nobility and learned men , and some noble women , as the lady isabella manricha , who was afterwards banished for christs cause , &c. as also the noble galleacius caracciolus , marquesse of vico. a church being thus , by gods providence , gathered in naples , peter martyr joyned himself to it , and being desirous to impart that light to others which god had revealed to him , he began to expound the first epistle to the corinthians , and that with great fruit : for not onely the fellows of his colledge resorted to it , but many bishops and noblemen : but when he came to the words of saint paul in cor. , , . every mans work shall be made manifest , for the day shall declare it , because it shall be revealed by fire , &c. and had interpreted them contrary to the received opinion , he stirred up many adversaries against him : for it 's commonly thought that these words imply a purgatory , whereas martyr shewed out of the antient fathers , that these words could not be so understood . but such as were addicted to the pope , and their bellies , could by no means endure this interpretation of his ; knowing that if purgatory were overthrown , a great part of their profits by masses , indulgences , &c. would presently cease : whereupon they accused martyr , and so far prevailed , that his lecture was put down ; but martyr refused to obey this sentence as unjust ; and trusting to the goodness of his cause , appealed to the pope , and at rome , by the assistance of his friends he overcame his adversaries : for at that time he had there potent friends , as cardinall gonzaga , gasper contarone , re●nold poole , peter bembus , and frederick fregosius , all learned men , and gracious with the pope ; who also acknowledged that the church needed some reformation . by these mens assistance he took off the interdict , and was restored to his former liberty of preaching , which yet he● could not long enjoy : for before he had been three year●● at naples , he fell into a grievous and mortall disease , togegether with his old fellow student , benedict cusanus , who also died there . but martyr , by the goodnesse of god , and the diligence of his physitians , was ( though with much difficulty ) cured . whereupon the superiours of his order , seeing that the air of naples did not agree with him , in a publick convention made him generall visitor of their order . in which office he so demeaned himself , that good men much commended his integrity , constancy , and gravity ; and others feared him , not daring to discover their hatred against him . not long after in a publick convention of the superiours of his order , he was made prior of a monastery in luca : some out of love preferred him to this place ; others thinking that it would bee his ruine ; for there was an ancient grudge between florence and luca ; the latter suspecting that the florentines sought to enslave them . but martyr by his excellent learning and vertue , did so binde the hearts of those of luca to him , that contrary to the expectation of his adversaries , himself being a florentine , was no lesse esteemed at luca then if he had been born amongst them . whereupon they earnestly desired the superiours of his order , that by no means he might be removed from them . martyr thus continuing at luca , had in his colledge many learned men , and many hopefull youths , amongst whom he setled such a discipline as might most advance holinesse of life , religion , and learning . hee took care also that the younger sort should be instructed in the three languages ; for which end he had paul lacisius of verona to read latine ; celsus , of the noble family of the martinengi , to read greek ; & immanuel tremelius , hebrew to them ; and that the younger sort together with the greek might suck in divinity , himself daily expounded paul's epistles to them ; and afterwards required them to read over the same ; and every night before supper , hee publickly expounded one of david's psalms : very many out of the city resorted to his lectures of the nobility and senators . and that he might the better plant religion in that commonwealth , he preached to them every sabbath day : and what fruit his ministry had , may be discerned by this , that in one years space after his departure out of italy , eighteen fellowes of that colledge left their places , and the papacy , betaking themselves to the reformed churches ; amongst whom was celsus martinengus ( afterwards pastor of the italian church in geneva ) zanchy , tremelius , &c. many citizens also of luca went into voluntary exile , where they might enjoy the gospel with peace and safety . whilst peter martyr was at luca , there met in that city the emperour charles the fifth , the pope paul the third , and cardinal contarene , coming legate out of germany ; who for old acquaintance sake quartered with peter martyr , and had daily much conference with him about religion . most men thought that martyr would be in no small danger , by reason of the presence of the pope ; because that his envious enemies would suggest something to the suspicious old man , which might turne to martyrs great trouble . but because he was strengthned with his own authority and learning , and had much room in the hearts of the people , having also great friends , they stirred not for the present , but waited a fitter opportunity , intending rather secretly to set upon him : and that they might he better try the patience of the people of luca , they ( by the popes command ) seized upon a fryer of his colledge , and cast him into prison , accusing him for violation of their religion ; which thing some noblemen of luca taking grievously , who knew the piety & innocency of the man , breaking open the prison , took him out , and conveighed him forth of the city , and bad him fly for his life : but it pleased god that by a fall he brake his legg , whereby being again apprehended , he was sent prisoner to rome . this business succeeding answerable to their desires , they intended presently to fal upon martyr , whereupon they laid wait for him in every place : they put in an accusation against him at rome , and in all the colledges of his order they stirred up his old enemies against him , telling them , that now the time was come wherein they might recover their former liberty ( so they called lientiousness ) ●nd to be revenged on pet. martyr : so that by these mens instigations they met at genoa , not as usually , the superiours of the order , but those especially that bore the greatest hate to martyr , or envied him most . these men summon martyr presently to appear as genoa : but he being informed of the snares that were laid for him , which his enemies ( being blinded with malice ) could not conceal : and also being admonished by his friends to take heed to himself , there being many that sought his life ; resolved not to goe to this assembly , but rather to convey himselfe else-whither , where he might be safe from the power and malice of his adversaries . hereupon first of all hee conveyed part of his library to christopher brent , a godly senator of luca , who should take care to send it to him into germany ; the other part he gave to the colledge : and so setting all things in order in the colledge , he privily departed out of the city , onely with three companions , paul lacis of verona , who was afterwards greek professor at strasborough , theodosius trebell , and julius terentian , with whom he continued faithfull unto the death . departing from luca , purposing to visit his owne country , he went to pisa , where to some noble men he administred the lords supper ; and meeting there with some faithful messengers , he wrote to cardinal pool , and to some of his friends at luca. in these letters he shewed what great errors and abuses were in the popish religion , and in the monasticall life , with whom he could no longer communicate with a safe conscience he also shewed the other causes of his departure , viz. the hatred and snares laid for him by his enmies . he signified also what pains and care he had taken for their instruction , and what a grief it was to him that he could not more plainely and openly instruct them in the christian faith . the ring also , which was the ensigne of his dignity , he sent back , shewing that he would not imploy any of the colledge goods to his private use . coming to florence , he met there with a godly and learned man [ bernardin ochine ] who being cited to rome , was going thitherward , but being warned of the danger by his friends , he consulted with martyr , and upon deliberation , both of them resolved to leave italy , and to go into germany . and accordingly first ochine departed and went to geneva , and from thence to ausburg , and two dayes after peter martyr followed , going first to bononia , then to ferrara , then to verona , where being courteously entertained by his old friends , he went thence over the alps into helvetia . in this journey , when he came to zurick , he was very kindly entertained by bullinger , pellicane , and gualter , and by the other ministers belonging to that city , to whom he proffered his service , if they needed it ; but having at this time no place void in the schools , they told him that they much desired his company , and pains , but for the present they had no imployment for him , yet would they gratefully remember his kind profer to them . he often used to say , that as soon as he came to zurick , he fell in love with that city , desiring of god that it might be a refuge to him in this his banishment : which prayer was afterwards granted , though in the interim god pleased to make use of his labours in other places and nations for his own glory , and the good of many . from thence he went to basil , where after he had abode about a month , he , with paul lacis was called to strasborough ▪ by the means of martin bucer . in which place he was , made professor of divinity , and lacis of the greek tongue . there he continued five years , in which time he interpreted most of the bible ; and what his excellency in teaching was may be hence collected , in that being joyned with martin bucer , a great divine , and eminent for learning , yet martyr was not accounted inferiour to him ; he was very skilful in hebrew , greek , and lati●e . he had an admirable dexterity in interpreting scripture ; was a very acute disputant , and used always to express himselfe very clearly , knowing that ambiguity of words is the cause of much contention . he lived in most intire friendship with his collegue master bucer . at strasborough being unmarried , he lived with his friends that came with him out of italy , being contented with a very small stipend , which yet afterwards was augmented : for having forsaken his country , his honors and riches for the testimony of christ , he thought it unfit to be solicitous , or to trouble any about the increase of his stipend ; the rather because he was of a frugall disposition , so that his stipend did not onely suffice , but he spared something out of that little towards the support of his friends . but finding some inconvenience of living single , by the advice of his friends , he married an honest and noble virgin , katherine damo-martin , who afterwards dyed in england , without issue , having lived with him eight years . she was one that feared god , was loving to her husband , prudent in administring houshold affairs ; liberal to the poo● , and in the whole course of her life , pious , modest , and sober . after her death by the command of cardinal poole , her body was digged up and buried in a dunghill ; and when he could finde no other cause for it , he pretended that it was because she was buried too near to st. frideswide , for though this cardinall had formerly loved martyr very well , yet when he once forsooke italy , he did not onely give over loving him , but shaking off his study of the true religion , which for a time ●e had seemed to like , hee became a great hater of martyr , and a bitter prosecutor of the professors of the truth , which occasioned him to deale so with martyrs wife , seeing that he could not burn her husband as he desired . but in queen elizabeths daies , her body was again taken up , and with great solemnity buried in the chiefe place of the church ; and to prevent the popish malice for the time to come , her bones were mingled with the bone● of st. frideswide ; that they should not be distinguished asunder . the occasion of peter martyrs going into england was this ▪ king henry the eighth being dead , and his son edward the sixth succeeding ; by the advice of the protector , edward duke of somerset , and doctor cranmer , archbishop of canterbury , he abolished the popish religion , and reformed the church according to the word of god : for which end he thought best ( that a godly ministry might proceed from the same ) to reform the universities . and peter martyr being at this time famous for his learning , and skill in affairs , was judged most fit for this employment ; whereupon the archbishop by the command of the king sent for him over ; and an. christi , by the consent of the senate of strasborough , he went into england , ber ▪ ochine accompanying him , who also was sent for by the said archbishop . at their arrival the archbishop entertained them for a time in his house , using them with all curtesie and humanity ; but after a while the king sent martyr to oxford , to be professor of divinity , where he first began to expound the first epistle to the corinthians , because therein were many heads laid down which concerned the controversies of those times . the papists , ( whereof as yet there were many at oxford ) at first patiently bore martyrs teaching , and frequented his lectures , and indeed seemed to admire him for his learning : but some others of them , especially the heads of houses , laboured to restrain the students from going to his lectures ; but yet proceeded no further . but when he came to declare his judgement about the sacrament , they could bear it no longer ; and therefore that they might not only procure him envy , but bring him into danger , they first beganne to load him with their usuall accusations amongst the vulgar , that he taught contrary to the doctrine of their fore-fathers ; that he would extirpate their wholsome , and decent ceremonies ; that he prophaned the sacrament of the altar , and did ( as it were ) trample it under his feet . then ( without acquainting him with it ) they affixed papers upon all their church doors in english , declaring that tomorrow there should be a publick disputation against the reall presence of christ in the sacrament . by this means the day after they filled the schooles , they disposed their party in every place , commanding them to make a noise , to raise tumults , and if need were , to fight with any that should oppose them . many ran to this sight , not onely of the scholars , but of the townsmen , some to see the event of this business , others to assist their friends , in case they should fall together by the ears . martyr in the mean time being wholly ignorant of all this , was in his house preparing himself after his usual manner to read his lecture , till some of his friends ( observing the unusuall concourse of people ) went to him , opened the whole businesse to him , entreating him to keep home , and not to expose himself to perill , seeing that his adversaries were so prepared , that they seemed rather with armes , then with arguments to oppose him . he answered , that he could not neglect his office , that he was never the author of any tumults , whereof themselves were witnesses ; neither would he now give his adversaries any occasion of raising a tumult , for that he would onely read according to his usuall custome : for ( saith he ) there are many amongst them that expect the lecture , to whom i may not be wanting . and so going towards the schooles , accompanied with his most faithfull friends , there met him doctor smiths boy , which smith was one of the principall sticklers in this tragedy . this boy gave him a letter from his master , wherein he challenged him to a disputation . then did martyrs friends againe earnestly sollicite him to returne home , telling him of the danger he was running into . but he was still resolute , and so going to the schooles , when his adversaries provoked him , he endeavoured by a modest speech to quiet them , saying , that he refused not to dispute , onely disliked the time , for that he came to read his lecture ; and so having somewhat quieted them , he went on with his lecture to the great admiration of all . for they which before admired him for his singular learning and eloquence , now much more admired him for his admirable constancy . for that , notwithstanding the murmures of the people , and the rage of his adversaries , he went on without the least change of his colour , or hesitation in his voice , or titubation of his tongue , or trembling of his members , or any thing else that might imply the least fear . having ended his lecture , his adversaries beganne againe with great clamour to provoke him to a disputation , nor would they accept of his modest excuse , when hee told them that he would dispute , but at another time , that hee was not now prepared for it , they having concealed their questions from him , without setting them up in publick as they used to doe . to this they replyed , that hee which had read his lectures about the lords supper , could not be unprovided to dispute upon the same subject . to which he again answered , that hee durst not undertake such a worke without acquainting the king with it , especially seeing the thing tended to sedition . he told them also , that to a lawfull disputation was required , that the questions should bee agreed on ; that moderators should be appointed , by whose judgement all things should be determined ; and lastly , that they should have notaries to write the arguments on both sides : whereas ( saith he ) none of these things bee ready , and besides the night draws on , that we shall want time to discusse so great a controversie . his adversaries would not bee satisfied with these his most just reasons , but all were like to fall together by the eares : whereupon the vice-chancellor interposed his authority , requiring peter martyr , and smith , to meet at his house with their friends on both sides , where they should agree upon the questions , and the time , and order of disputing ; and in the meane time he commanded the beadles to dissolve the assembly ; and so taking peter martyr by the hand , he led him forth , and safely conducted him to his own house . martyr being delivered from this danger , yet least he should seem to decline the disputation , being accompanied with some of his friends , at the hour appointed went to the vice-chancellors house with doctor sidall , and curtop , who at that time were zealous defenders of the truth , though afterwards in queen maries daies they deserted it . smith did the like , bringing with him doctor cole , and oglethorp , and three other doctors of divinity . long they contended about the laws of the disputation ; but at length the questions were agreed upon , and time , and place appointed for the disputation , and so they parted ; and in the meane time by their mutuall consents , the king was made acquainted with it , who against the day , sent downe his delegates to order the disputation aright . but smith being conscious to the raising the former tumult , before the day came , fled first into scotland , and from thence to lovane in brabant . yet at the day appointed the kings delegates came , the bishop of lincoln , doctor cox , doctor hide , mr. richard morrison , and doctor nenyson . in the presence of these , peter martyr disputed four daies with three of the popish doctors , tresham , chad , and morgan , wherein he shewed excellent learning ; and because the adversaries scattered abroad many false reports , martyr afterwards printed the whole disputation . not long after the commons in devonshire and oxfordshire rose up in armes , amongst whom many threatned the death of martyr , so that he could neither read his lectures , nor safely remain in the city , whereupon by his friends hee was safely conveied to london , which the king much rejoyced at ; and when his wife and family could not with safety remain at his house , his friends hid them , till as the seditious multitude were departed out of the city . for the kings raising two armies , quickly suppressed them , punishing with death the ring-leaders of those rebellions , and martyr thereupon returned to oxford to his wonted labours . but his restlesse popish adversaries , who had been formerly beaten by arguments , and durst not again returne to armes , yet to shew their spi●e , often raised tumults before his house in the night , throwing stones at his door , and breaking his windows : wherefore the king being carefull to provide for his safety , made him deane of christs-church , alotting to him a fine house , and pleasant garden ; and so , though he had formerly taken the degree of a doct. amongst the pontificians , yet he took it again according to the rights of that university . he was much prized by the godly king , highly esteemed by cranmer , ridley , latimer , hooper , and all that loved the truth in the university . cranmer made much use of him , and his advice about reforming the church , and setling the government of it : but when those bloody marian dayes came , wherein religion was eradicated , the church laid waste , and holy men shut up in prisons , martyr also was forbidden the exercise of his place ; and commanded not to set a foot out of his own doors , nor to carry any thing thence : whereupon he presently wrote to his friends , shewing what danger he was in , pleading the publick faith given to him when he was sent for by king edward the sixth , and by this means , leave being given him , he came from oxford to london , repairing immediately to arch-bishop cranmer , his intire , and old friend : about which time a report was spread that cramner wavered , and was ready to change his religion : which he hearing of , set forth a writing , wherein he professed himselfe ready to maintain the doctrine of religion which was authorized by king edward , to be agreable to the word of god , and the doctrine of the apostles : and herein he was incouraged by peter martyr , whom the arch-bishop chose to joyne with him in defending the same against all opposers ; but this was denyed , and the arch-bish . presently sent to the tower. it was also debated in the queen's councel , whether peter martyr should be imprisoned . because ( as some said ) hee had done much hurt to their religion : but after debate , it was concluded , that because he came into england upon the publick faith , he should be safely dismissed . whereupon sending him publick letters , signed with the queens own hand , he , an bernardine ochine went first to antwerp , from thence to cologne , and lastly to strasborough from whence he came . yet when he first took ship , his adversaries ( vexing at his escape ) urged , that it was fit he should bee drawn out of the ship , and cast into prison , as a publick enemy to the pope : yet it pleased god , that the master of the ship ( being a godly man ) hid him at his house fourteen daies , till his adversaries had given over seeking for him , and then conveied him safely to antwerp ; from whence as we heard before , he went to strasborough , where he was entertained with much joy by his old friends , and restored to his former place . yet there the divel also raised him up some enemies , who suggested to the senate that he differed in judgement from the augustane-confession about christ's presence in the sacrament of the lords-supper , which might cause much trouble in the church , and that he refused to subscribe the articles of agreement between luther and bucer about this matter : whereupon he wrote to the senate , that there was nothing in the augustane-confession rightly understood which he did not concur with , and that if his text at any time should lead him to speak of that subject , he would doe it with such modesty that it should be offensive to none , and that his not subscribing to the agreement between luther , and bucer ( wherein amongst other things they had set downe , that they which wanted true faith , did yet nevertheless eat the bodie of christ ) ought not to be objected to him , for that he could not assent thereto , but he must give offence to the helvetian , english , and french churches , and to them at geneva also : yea , and that bucer himself in england had taught far otherwise . with this answer the senate was well satisfied ; and hee , and zanchie taught diligently both divinity , and philosophie in that city , yet his restless adversaries did nothing but assperse him , and seek his disgrace ; first , more privily , and then more openly , which made him to think upon a remove ; and god in his wise providence so ordered it , that about that time pellican dying at zurick , the senate there chose martyr in his room , and presently sent to him to come to them , and to the senate at strasborough to give way to it : which they did , though very unwillingly , martyr himselfe being desirous to imbrace that call , in regard of the opposition which he met with at strasborough , so that anno christi , . ( to the great grief of his friends , who loved him very dearly ) he departed to zurick j●●n jewel ( afterwards bishop of sarum ) accompanying him . there he was entertained with much joy , both by the senate , schools , ministers , and all good men : and he at first resided for a while with his old friend bullinger , with whom he lived with much intire friendship , which continued to their death . also by his sweet and holy carriage , he won the love of 〈◊〉 in somuch that the senate , to shew how highly they esteemed him , made him free of their common-wealth , that he might not live as a stranger , but as a citizen amongst them . he had buried his wife in england , at oxford , ( whose body the bloody bishops afterwards caus●d obe●●igged up under queen mary , and to be buried in a dunghill ) whereupon , at the desire of his friends , and to obtaine issue , six years after the death of his former , he married againe one catherine merenda , who for religion had left her own country , and lived at geneva , and had a good testimony of the whole church there . as he was highly prized by them of zurick , so he loved them exceedingly , as may appear by two notable examples . celsus the pastor of the italian church at geveva being dead , many of that congregation having been martyrs old disciples , and very dear to him , chose him to be their pastor , and sent to request his coming to them , many also of his old english friends that lived as exiles there , much pressed it : yea , and calvin also wrote to him , desiring him to imbrace the call. martyr being thus importunately pressed to remove thither , and having many engagements to incline him that way , yet referred the whole matter to be determined by the senate and ministers at zurick , and they , understanding that there were other able , and fit men to be placed over the italian congregation , denying their consents to part with him , he resolved to stay , notwithstanding all solicitations to the contrary : and afterwards , when in queen elizabeths dayes , he was much importuned to return into england , and had large proffers made him from the queen , yet he would not leave his flock till his death . and how ready he was to be serviceable to other churches , may appear by this example : the year before his death the king of france had appointed a meeting of the bishops , and nobility at possy , whereupon they of the reformed religion in france , thought that it was a very seasonable time to procure a conference about religion , which might much tend to the peace and liberty of the church : upon this the churches chose certaine delegates , which in that parliament should move for the liberty of religion : and they chose also many learned men who should dispute with their adversaries about the same ; and because the singular learning , and incomparable dexterity of peter martyr in disputing was sufficiently knowne , they in the first place made choice of him for one , and sent one claudius bradella , with theodore beza to zurick to try his willingness to accept of that imployment : and when he had declared his readiness , shortly after came letters from the king , the queen mother , the king of navar , the prince of conde , and the admirall coligni to the senate of zurick , to desire them to send martyr , withall sending him a safe conduct ; whereupon he undertook the journey , and when he came to possy , he made an oration to the queen , exhorting her to seek not onely the quiet of france , but of other churches , by promoting true religion , shewing also what a blessing she might expect from god thereby ▪ the queen entertained him kindly , and so did the king of navar , the prince of conde , and the admirall of france : but the cardinall of lorrain sought to hinder the disputation all that possibly he could ; yet when he could not prevail , five of each party were chosen out to dispute the business about the lords supper in private , having onely two notaries present , and after severall days disputation , something was drawn up as the result of all , which ( with some explanations ) beza , marlorat , martyr , spina and the lord of sole subscribed unto ; but when the same was presented to the cardinal , and popish bishops , they complained of their disputants as having consented to that which was heresie ; and so by their authority they brake off the disputation , and departed : whereupon martyr addressed himself to the queen , seeing that he was like to do no good there , desiring license to depart , which she consented to , and he returned to zurick with a large testimony of his worthy carriage , and a guard from the prince of conde , and the admiral for his safety . thus having worn out himself with his indefatigable labours , and having his spirits much exhausted with grief for the afflicted condition of the churches of france , he fell sick of a feaver , made his will , and to his friends that visited him , he spake chearfully and comfortably , telling them that his body was weak , but inwardly he enjoyed much peace and comfort . he made before them an excellent confession of his faith , concluding thus , this is my faith , and they that teach otherwise to the withdrawing men from god , god will destroy them . he gave them his hand , and bid them farewel , and commending his soul to god , he slept in the lord , and was buried honourably anno christi , and of his age . opera haec ab ipso edita sunt . symboli expositio . comment . in cor. . comment . in lib. judicum , & epist. ad rom. defensio doctrinae de eucharistiae sacramento contra s. gardiner . disputatio de eucharistiae sacramento habita oxon. defensio ad duos libellos rich. smithaei . post obitum hi libri editi sunt . comment . in sam. . & . reg. . & in capita priora reg. . comment . in librum mosis precum ex psalmis libellus , epitome defensionis adversus s. gardinerum . confessio de coena domini ad senat. argento . sententia de praesentia corporis christi in eucharistia , proposita in collo● . possiaco . epistola de causa eucharistiae . loci communes . conciones , quaestiones , & responsa , epistolae . comment . in exod. in prophetas aliquot minores . in tres priores libros ethicorum aristotelis . beza made this epigram of him . tuscia te pepulit , germania , & anglia fovit , martyr : quem extinctum nunc tegit helvetia . dicere quae si vera volent , re , & nomine dicent , hic fidus christi ( credite ) martyr erat . utque istae taceaut , satis hoc tua scripta loquuntur : plus satis hoc italis expr●brat exilium . the life of amsdorfius , who died a no christi . nicolas amsdorfius was born in misnia , of noble parents , anno christi ● , and brought up in learning . anno christi from schoole he went to the university of wittenberg about that time that luther began to preach against indulgences : and contrary to the custome of the nobility of those times , he applied his minde to the study of theology , and contemplation of heavenly things . in an. christi he commenced master of arts , and afterwards licentiate in divinitie . he timely embraced the truth that brake forth in those times , and not consulting with flesh●and blood , preached it to others . he accompanied luther to wormes , anno christi , when he was called to give an account of his faith before caesar , and the states of the empire . in the time of luther's recesse into his pathmos ; he , with melancthon , justus jonas , and john dulcius , being sent to by the elector of saxony for their judgements about the mass , declared that it was an horrible prophanation of the lords supper ; whence ensued the abolishing of it out of all churches in wittenberg . anno christi , he wrote in a book dedicacated to the elector of saxony , that the pope was antichrist . anno christi luther being sent for to magdeburg , went thither , and having preached to them , commended to them , and afterwards sent amsdorfius to gather and instruct the churches there , who faithfully laboured eighteen years in that place . during his abode there , the senate of goslaria sent for him to reform their churches , and he at his coming setled the same form of doctrine and discipline amongst them as was used at wittenberg , and magdeburg . he also made john amandus superintendent of those churches , and michael volmetius master of their school . anno christi he was sent by the elector of saxonie to govern the church at naumberg in the palatinate ; where also the year after he was ordained bishop by luther , three other pastors also imposing their hands upon him , who were , nicholas medler , pastor of naoburg , george spalatine , pastor of aldenburg , and ●olphgang steinius , pastor of leucopetra . but six years after he was driven away from thence by the emperour charles the sift , whence he fled to magdeburg , which at that time was the common place of refuge for the godly , who fled from the indignation of caesar. anno christi , amsdorf , amongst others , opposed himself in that sad controversie about things indifferent , which continued for whole tenne yeares ; and when anno christi madgeburg was besieged , amsdorf yet remained there ; and the year after george major having published this proposition ; that good works were necessary to salvation ; amsdorfius in heat of contention wrote , that good works were hurtfull and dangerous to salvation . in the midst of these digladiations amongst divines , amsdorf came to his old age , having now attained to eighty years , at which time he quietly slept in the lord , anno christi . scripsit de sacra coena . epitomen chronicorum naucleri de paparum perfidia in romanos imperatores . novi anni votum , principibus viris oblatum . subscriptionem censurae , & sententiae saxo. ecclesiarum , adversus g. majoris doctrinam . item contra tilemannum heshufium . w. mvscvlvs the life of musculus , who dyed a no christi . wolfgangus musculus was born at dusa in lorrain , an. christi , of honest parents , who seeing his aptness to learning , bred him at school . when he was young he fell sick of the plague , but it pleased god to restore him . he had an exceeding prompt wit , and had such an ardent desire to his book , that he was never a weary of reading , and writing , so that he rather needed a bridle , than spurs , never departing from school , and his book , till he was forced . when he was grown up to some bignes , his parents sent him abroad into other countries with slender provision , that by singing at doors ( as the manner of those times was ) he might get his living , and thereby learn patience , temperance , and humility , and might follow his book the better . being thus sent from his parents , he came to rapersvil in alsatia , where a certain widdow entertained him , and in which place hee went to school , but met with much hunger , and want , till as by his honest and modest deportment , he became known to the noble earl of rapersvil , from whom he received many favours . from thence after a while he went to slestade , and gat into the school ; and being naturally much addicted to poetry , he spent his time in reading such authors : and thus he continued till he was fifteen years old , about which time he returned to visit his parents , and going into the monastery of lexheim by the way at the time of their even-song , hee joyned with them in singing , and the prior taking notice of him , and liking his ingenious countenance and voice , followed him out of the church when all was ended , and enquir'd of him what he was ? and whether he liked to live in a monastery ? and withall proffered ( if he would accept of it ) to admit him into that monastery , to cloath him , and provide other necessaries for him at his own cost . he being very glad of this proffer , went to his parents , acquainted them with it , and they ( looking upon it as a great mercy ) went presently with him to the monastery , where the prior , according to his promise , entertained him as his own sonne , and afterwards sent him to the bishop for orders . there he lived till he was thirty yeares old , and when others were drinking , and playing , he , with a book in his hand , would walk into a grove to study : for though in his youth he was of a chearfull , and merry disposition , and much ▪ delighted in liberall exercises both of body and mind , yet he disliked the illiberall contests of his fellows , who spent their time in dice , and drinking , and such like practises . but in the mean time he had a great want of books , that monastery having no library belonging to it ; yet at last he found a great heap of parchments , at the roof of the house , amongst which he met with some of tullies works , and all ovids : these therefore he read over , especially ovid , being so much addicted to poetry , that many times he made verses in his sleep ; and could make a verse upon every thing he met with , and grew so perfect therein , that with ovid he could say ; sponte sua carmen numeros veniebat in aptos : quicquid conabar dicere , versus erat . and together with his poetry , hee applyed himself to musick , which the prior taking notice of , caused him to be taught to play on the organs . at twenty years of age hee studied divinity , and excelling all the other monks in learning , and eloquence , was presently chosen a publick preacher ; and being often told by an old man in that house , si vis fieri bonus concionator , da operam ut sis bonus biblicus : if you will be a good preacher , study to be well acquainted with the scripture : hee betook himself night and day to reading , and meditation upon the bible . he first preached in the church of lixh●im , and in three other churches belonging to that monastery ; but his zeal and eloquence making him famous , he was requested to preach in divers other places . about the year luthers books began to come abroad into the world , and musculus having some of them sent him , read them with much seriousness , and delight ; and god thereby revealing the truth to him , he became a zealous maintainer of it , not onely in the monastery by conference , and disputation , but in his publick sermons also , so that he was commonly called the lutherane monk ; and whereas luth●r was charged by some with heresie , he stoutly defended him , saying : it may be luther may erre in some things , which is common to the nature of man , yet he is not therefore to be accounted an heretick : according to th● saying of saint augustine , errare possum , haereticus esse nolo , i may erre , but i will not be an heretick . and his labours proved not fruitlesse : for ( through gods blessing upon them ) he converted many of that fraternity , who afterwards left their abbey , and became zealous professors of the truth unto death . and divers others also abroad were converted by him , and amongst them a certaine nobleman , called reinhard of rotenburg , who was captaine of the castle at lutzelsteine , and protector of that colledge , a man of much account with the palatine ; by whom he was protected from many dangers and snares that were laid for him , especially by the bishop , and some old monks that were more obdurate in wickednesse , and therefore more opposite to the truth . he was often in great perill of his life , and yet by special providences preserved : so that perceiving that in that place he could neither enjoy safety nor freedome in the service of god , as he desired , he resolved to leave the monastery , and to goe elswhere : which resolutions he communicated to some of his friends . but in the mean time the prior died , and he , by common consent of all , was chosen to succeed him . musculus looked upon this as a designe of the devill by these baits of honour , pleasure , and profit , to withdraw him from his zealous purposes of propagating the truth , and to tie him to that kind of life that he was resolved against : and thereupon he refused the choice , and put it upon another . he also married a wife , called margaret bart , an honest , and vertuous virgin. at his departure , the new prior gave him a supper , after which he bade him , and the rest of the friers farewell , who were now but six , three also of which shortly after followed him . at this time he had but four florences , to which the prior added four more , and so about midnight ( that he might the more safely escape his enemies ) he departed , being accompanied with a kinsman called nicholas wagner , directing his course to strasborough , whether also he came anno christi , and of his age thirty , and was entertained by the minister , theobald niger , who also made him a wedding-feast . but his money waxing short , and seeing little hopes to be called to the work of the ministery , he placed his wife forth as a servant to mr. theobald niger , and agreed with a weaver to teach him his trade : comsorting himself in the mean time with this distich , est deus in coelo , qui providus omnia oura● ; credentes nusquam deseruisse potest . a god there is , whose providence doth take , care for his saints , whom he will not forsake . but it fell out that this weaver was an anabaptist , and kept one of their teachers in his house , who according to their usual custome , laboured not at all , but spent his time in eating , drinking , and sleeping : with him musculus could not agree , but often objected that of the apostle to him . he that will not labour , ought not to eat . this occasioned his master to fall out with him , and having paid him his wages at two months end , he turn'd him out of doors , contrary to his former bargain : musculus now not knowing how to supply his wants , it fell out that at that time the senate at strasborough were mending their fortifications about the city : thither he went , and was hired to labour in that work amongst oth r●b●t the same nightgoing to set his wife , she told him that an officer had been there to request him to come to the great church , where the consul , and bucer would speak with him . he not knowing the occasion , was much troubled at it , yet went to the place appointed , and when he came thither , the consul commanded him to goe to the village of dorlitzheim , and there to preach every sabbath , and to teach the people ( who were prone to sedition ) peace and obedience . musculus with joy taking this as a call from god , went every sabbath thither , being but three miles off , and preached to them ; and all the w●ek lived with bucer ( who writing so bad a hand , that the princers could not read it , yea many times himselfe could scarce read what he had written ) imployed musculus to transcribe his comments on lephany which were then in printing . after certain months preaching in that village , and hi● wife growing near the time of her travel , 〈◊〉 magistrats sent him and his wife to live there , where his bearers entertained him kindly , and provided necessaries for his family ; on●ly himself was fain to lie upon the ground in a little straw whilst his wife lay in . thus this man of god wa● willing to suffer poverty for christ's cause , who amongst the papists might have lived in much plenty . in that town he preached a whole year without receiving anything for his pains ; but afterward the senate at strasborough allowed him a stipend out of the publick treasury for the supply of his wants . there also he began to teach school ; wherein he carried himselfe with so much industry , and affability , that he won much love . not far off there was a monastery , in which one a year there was a feast , and a sermon , to which ( at the request of his neighbours ) musculus went. the fryer that preached chose this text , without faith it 's impossible to please god. in his sermon he inveighed bitterly against the lutherans , and in particular against them of strasborough , as apostates , &c. wherewith many of his hearers were much pleased . the sermon being ended , and the fryer coming downe out of the pulpit , musculus called to him , saying , thou wicked wretch , hear me a little , and i 'le make thy wickedness appear to all the congregation . and going up into the pulpit he took the same text , opened the words , and preached excellently of the nature and benefit of saving faith , and vindicated them of strasborough from those aspersions which the fryer had cast upon them : wherewith the people were much pleased , but the fryers shrunk away . then came the steward of the monastery running in , and interrupted him , saying , sirrah , give over , who set you upto preach in this place ? to whom he answered , who gave you authority to set up a lying fryer , to preach , and traduce the senate , and people of strasborough , whom i am bound to defend and vindicate from such false aspersions ? and so he went on in his sermon , but then the steward began to entreat him to give over , least he caused a tumult ; but he ●ad him hold his peace , and entreated the people to be quiet , and so went on to the end of his sermon without any distraction . the fame of this action begat him much credit amongst all good men at strasborough , so that at the years end he was sent for to strasborough , and made a deacon , though he in modesty would have refused it , as judging himself unfit , and unworthy of it ; and thus he continued two years longer in that place : and whereas in dosna , a village belonging to strasborough , the people would by no means suffer the mass to be abolished , hee , by one sermon there so wrought upon them , that presently they cast it out of their church , together with all the popish trumpery . at strasborough , whil'st he was a deacon , he was a constant hearer of capito and bucer , and finding his own defect for want of hebrew , fell to the study of it , wrote out a lexicon with his own hand , and profited so much therein , that he did not onely understand the bible , but the rabbins also . anno christ . the citizens of ausburg sent to strasborough to request the senate to send them musculus to be their pastor . this request he himself opposed with all his might , as judging himself unfit , & unable thereunto ; had not bucer , and the senate , interposed their authority to require his acceptance . when he came thither he preached six years before the dregs of popery where wholly purged out of that city ; yea the state of it was very troublesome , not onely by reason of the popish partie , who with all their might opposed the reformation ; but also by reason of some anabaptists , who like serpents had crept in to disturbe the growth of the gospel , and the peace of the church : yea , they carried themselves very impudently , and tumultuously , coming into the church at sermon-time , stepping up into the pulpit , and labouring to diffuse their errors , and to poyson the people therewith , insomuch as the magistrates were forced for the publick peace sake to cast them into prison : thither musculus went daily to them , and though they called him a viper , a false prophet , a wolfe in sheep's cloathing , &c. yet he bore all with patience , and carried them food , and other necessaries , not speaking a word about their opinions till he had so far insinuated into their affections that they began to love him exceedingly . then began he to confer familiarly with them , to hear them with patience , and with solid arguments to convince their errors , whereupon by degrees , he converted them all , and brought them to make publick recantations , which by more rugged dealings they would never have yeelded to . he had also many conflicts with the popish party , and wrought so far with the senate , that anno christi . they cast out the mass , and idolatry out of most of the churches , onely allowing to the papists eight to say mass , but not to preach in . and afterwards , anno christi . he so prevailed , that popery was cast out of those churches also , and the city wholly imbraced the reformed religion . there he studied the greek tongue , and profited so much therein , that he translated diverse parts of chrysostome , basil , cyril , athanasius , &c. at that time also by his owne indust●y he learned arabick , not having so much as a grammer to help him ; onely by observing the proper names ( which are the same in all languages ) he found out the letters , and so attained to the reading , and understanding of that tongue . he taught at ausburg eighteen years with much diligence , and profit . his sermons were very piercing like a two-edged sword , both in comforting the afflicted , and convincing the obstinate . anno christi . there was a synod appointed at isenac in thuringia , to which luther , and many other divines out of upper and lower germany resorted , about composing the difference concerning the lords supper , to which musculus was sent by the senate of strasborough ; as also to a diet at wormes and ratisbone , where he was scribe at the disputation between melancthon , and eccius , which afterwards he published . anno christi , . the inhabitants of donavert embracing the gospel , sent to the senate at ausburg for one their ministers to assist , and further them in their reformation , who thereupon sent musculus to them , and when he came thither , he preached every day for a quarter of a year together , and so returned to ausburg . anno christi . charls the fifth having ended the smalcaldian war , called a diet at auspurg , whither himself , his brother ferdinand , the electors , cardinals and bishops came : then was musculus put out of his church ; yet did he not cease to preach in another , during that diet , with as much zeal and freedom of speech as formerly , which procured him much hatred from the popish party , who set spies to intrap him . they also accused him to the emperor as one that stirred up the people against the clergie ; by reason whereof he was in such danger , that the senate was fain to appoint three men to guard him to , and from the pulpit . tumults were raised before his door , his windows broken , and himself rail'd upon ; yet he bore all with a stout courage , and sent the senate word , that if they would stick close to the cause of god , he would venture his life with them . the year after the senate embraced the interim , which he wrote , and preached boldly against ; insomuch that he was hated , and lived in great danger ; hereupon he resolved to leave the city , and acquainting the consul with his purpose , one evening , with one only citizen in his company , he left his wife , and eight children , and departed out of the city , and changing his apparel at a friend's house that he might pass unknown ; he went to zurick , where he stayed a while with bullinger , and from thence to busil , his , wife and children following him within a few days ; but they staying at constance , he went thither to them , and the sabbath following he preached to the citizens of constance upon that text ; joh. . , , , . from that time many of his disciples went back , and walked no more with him , &c. out of which words he shewed how grievously those cities had sinned , which to please men , had basely deserted the gospel of christ. then he exhorted them of constance , not to follow such examples , but rather after the examples of the apostles in this text , constantly to adhere unto christ , who onely hath the words of eternall life . the very next day the spaniards coming to besiege constance , he with his family removed to zurick : thither cranmer sent for him to come into england , but being grown aged , and his wife sickly , he excused his going thither . after six months stay there he was called to berne to be the divinity professor in their schools , whither he went , and where he discharged his place for fourt●en years together with much diligence and praise . he printed many works , all which he wrote out with his own hands wherby his great labour , and sedulity may easi●y be discerned . he so loved his present imployment , and place of habitation , that though he had many invitations to places of more eminency and profit , yet he wou●d never imbrace the same , but continued at bern till his death . he lived in much peace and concord with his fellow ministers , and professors , and was very loving to his wife and children ; in domestical troubles most patient ; very mercifull to the poor , especially to exiles and strangers ; of a sparing , and temperate dier , whereby he lived in health to his latter end . he used much walking , and holy meditation therein . he went very upright , had a fresh colour , sharp sight , admirable strong teeth ; and lastly his hands and feet well performing their office . but the year before his death he beganne to be crasie ; partly by reason of his great age , but especially being worne out with infinite cares , and labours ; as also by reason of a great cough which of a long time had been troublesome to him . by these means he had many fits of sicknesse that year , out of which , through gods mercy , and the care of his physicians , he somewhat recovered , yet himself discerned that his end approached , and therefore he daily prepared himself for it , laying aside all worldly cares and businesses , that he might the better meditate upon his approaching death , as may appear by these verses which he made a little before his death . nil superest vitae , frigus praecordia captat : sed tu christo mihi vita perennis ades . quid trepidas anima ? ad sedes abitura quietis , en tibi ductor adest angelus ille tuus . peccasti ? scio : sed christus credentibus in se peccata expurgat sanguine cuncta suo . horribilis mors est ? fateor : sed proxima vita est , ad quam te christi gratia certa vocat . praesto est de satana , peccato , & morte triumphans christus : adhuc igitur lata , alacrisque mig●a . august the twenty second , being the lordsday in the morning , musculus , feeling no distemper , went to church to hear the sermon , and about the midst of it , he was seised with a violent feaver ; yet continuing to the end of the sermon , he went home , and sat down to dinner , supping a little broth , but waxing worse , he was led to a bed in his study , from which he never rose afterwards . so soon as he was laid , he grew extreame hot and burning , whereupon by the advice of his physician , he was let blood : he had also some physick given him , which yet staied not with him . musculus , perceiving his end to draw near , caused his sons to be sent for , whom he saluted , and blessed , after which he never seemed to mind either wife or children . john haller ( one of the ministers ) asking him of the state of his soul , and how he would dispose of his outward estate ? hee answered , i thank god , i have nothing that troubles my conscience . and as concerning my doctrine , as i taught , so i thought , doe think , and will think to the end . as for my wife and family , i commend them to your , and your colleagues care , desiring you to be fathers and protectors to them . haller in his own , and his brethrens name , promising to satisfie his desire , he thanked them , and never after made mention of any wordly thing : and so shortly after he quietly resigned up his spirit unto god in the presence of the ministers , and professors of the university , who were come to visit him . the day after he was honourably buried , anno christi , and of his age . this epitaph was set upon the wall , near to his grave . musculus hic situs est , doctrina clarus , & ingens : nomen in orbe manet , spiritus astra tenet . his works are these . comment . in genesim . in psalm . mat. joh. ad romanos , & corinthios , ad phil. col. thess. tim. loci communes . explicatio decalogi . contra missam . anti-chochlaeus . de concilio tridentin● . quatenus ferenda sit injuria . contra impurum catechismum . de juramento . de bello germanico . besides many of the greek fathers , and other bookes , which he turned out of greek into latine . the life of hyperius , who died a no christi . andreas gerardus hyperius was born at ipres in flanders an christi . his father was a counsellor famous in that city . his mother was katherine coets , of a noble family . these set their son to school be-ti●es , and being reasonable well grounded in grammer , at eleven years old they placed him with james pap , a good poet , to be trained up by him . when he was thirteen years old he ●rave●●●d through the islands of flanders . then was under the t●ition of john lacteus , where he learned the french tongue . his fathers desire was that he should not only be brought up in learning , but also in good manners and vertue . but whereas , by reason of the wars between charls the fifth , and the king of france , he could not send him to paris , he kept him at home to write amongst his clerks . an. chri. , his father fell sick , and dyed , charging his wife , that as soon as ever the wars were ended , she should send his sonne andre● to be brought up in learning at paris ; and anno christi , peace being made between the emperour and king , hyperius was accordingly sent to paris , and commended to the tuition of anthony helhuctus ( who was a senator of the parliament at this time ) and of john de campis , a licentiat in divinity . the former was to supply him with necessaries ▪ and the latter to forward him in his studies . hyperius sojourned long in the house of de camp●● , and heard also the logick lecture in the colledge of calviac . in that colledge one of the lecturers was joachim ringleberg , a very learned man , with whom hyperius had contracted a very strict bond of friendship : and by his help , besides logick , he learned rhetorick and physick . at the end of three years he returned into his own country to visit his friends , and to see whether any of his patrimony remained ; and finding that there was yet enough to maintain him , anno christi . he returned to paris , purposing now to betake himself to the study of divinity : and accordingly he frequented the divinity-schooles : sometimes also he heard the physick lectures , which naturally he was much affected with . he frequented likewise the lectures of the professors of the tongues , as cleonard , sturmius , and latomus . then he had an earnest desire to travell thorough france both to learn the language more perfectly , and the better to acquaint himself with their manners . whereupon every year in january , february , and march , when the lectures ceased , taking some of his fellow students along with him , he went into sundry provinces , and visited the most famous universities : so that at the times forementioned , in three yeares space he had travelled through the greatest part of france , and italy . anno christi he returned into his own country , and presently went to lovane , where having remained a while , he travelled through the low-countries , as gelderland , friesland , holland , zealand , &c. and anno , and of his age , he travelled into upper germany to visit the universities , and acquaint himself with the famous men therein . for which end he went to colen , marpurg , erford , lipsich , and wittenberg , and so returning into his country he was earnestly importuned by his friends to take some cure upon him , that having now spent his patrimony , hee might live the more quietly amongst his friends ; and unknown to him , they had procured from the pope a patent , whereby he was enabled to receive large revenues out of certaine monasteries : only they wanted a confirmation from the emperors chancellor , the archbishop of palermo : but it fell out by gods providence , that the archb. denied his consent , being informed by hyperius his competitors , that hyperius had been in upper germany , which then was accounted a great crime . hereupon hyperius , not willing to be a burden to his friends , by the advice of some learned and godly men , resolved again to travell ; first intending for italy ; but being hindred by reason of the wars , he sailed into england , where hee might easily hear from his friends if any preferment fell in his own country . in england his care was to acquaint himself with such men as were most famous for learning . upon which occasion he fell into the company of charles montjoy , son to william lord montjoy , whom erasmus had made famous by his writings . he used hyperius very courteously , and conferred with him about many things , and finding his excellent wit , he invited him to his house , proffering him a large stipend . this offer he embraced , and lived most sweetly with him four years , imploying himself in his studies all that while . anno christi , at the charges of montjoy , he visited the university of cambridge , about which time the lord cromwell was beheaded , and also doctor barnes was burned for religion , with some others ; and on the other side some others suffered death for adhering to the pope , and denying the kings supremacy . there was also published a dangerous edict against strangers . hereupon hyperius resolved to returne into germany ; but before he went , he visited the university of oxford , and from thence went to london , where he bade farewel to montjoy , who would have kept him longer , and sailed to antwerp ; from which going into his own country , he remained a while quietly with his friends : but hearing the fame of the university of strasborough , and of bucer in particular , he was very desirous to goe into those part● and so taking leave of his friends , he went to marpurg , intending to get letters of commendation from gerard noviomag ( to whom he was formerly known ) to the learned men at strasborough . this was anno christi , and of his age . his coming was very acceptable to noviomag who presently sollicited him earnestly to stay at marpurg , assuring him of a professors place , and a liberall stipend . and shortly after he dealt with john ficinus , the princes chancellor , to substitute hyperius in his own room , pleading his age , and infirmities , which made him unfit to undergoe the burden of his place . ●icinus disliked not the motion , and therefore sending for hyperius to him , he requested him to stay at marpurg , and to give them some taste of his learning , telling him , that if he was liked , he might have a good stipend setled on him : and shortly after noviomag dying , hyperius was chosen into his professors place , and so read upon paul's epistles , where noviomag had left . and thus continuing unmarried years , he at last purposed to marry , and accordingly , anno christi , he married katharine orthea , a vertuous widdow of good parentage , who had two children . her he alwayes loved dearly , and had by her six sons , and four daughthers . in that place he lived two and twenty years , performing the duty of his place with admirable fidelity , diligence , and zeal , to promote religion , and learning : and besides his daily task , he took somtimes other opportunities to teach the people . he set up an order of preaching in the schools with much labour and trouble ; himself appointing what subjects should be handled : looking over the young students sermons , and hearing them in private , before they preached them in publick , correcting what was amiss either in their voice or gesture : such as did well , he commended , such as did ill , he blamed , and endeavoured to reform . he instituted also once in two yeares an examination of the students in divinity ; as also a dissertation , wherein some question being proposed , every one was to give in his judgement upon the same . these exercises he set up , and diligently promoted them , though he had no reward for his pains . in his private studies he was very indefatigable , alwaies writing , reading , or meditating , whereby he much impaired his health . he much desired to call back the hassians to the example of the primitive churches , and abolishing the popish fooleries out of the service of god , to establish a holy scripturall , ecclesiasticall discipline . and in these employments , having worne out himself , he fell into a great catarrh , and cough , complaining also of the pains of his head , breast , and sides , which often were so great , as made him sweat , as if he had been seised upon with a feaver . in his sicknesse he conferred much with divines that came to visit him , especially with wigand orthius , about the university , the study of divinity , and reforming the church . january the thirtieth , being the lordsday , when the sacrament was administred , he desired it to be brought to him also , receiving it with the rest of his family . the day after feeling himself worse , he directed his wife what to do after his death ; as also his children , whom he exhorted to feare god , honour their mother , and to carry themselves justly , and honestly towards all men . when many came to visit him , he made before them a confession of his faith , professing his constancy in that doctrine which he had taught them , and so taking his leave of them , he quietly slept in the lord , anno christi , . and of his age . he was very learned in the tongues , better in the liberall arts , and philosophy , best of all in divinity , and the ecclesiasticall histories . he had an excellent faculty both in teaching , and disputing . his labours were such as tended to the shortning of his life . in life and manners he was very exemplary ; in food and apparel alwayes temperate ; in feasts modest. in his conference and conversation just , and courteous . and how dear he was to all , both in city and university appeared by those many tears which were shed at his funerall . his workes were these : de ratione studii ; dialectica , rhetorica , arithmetica , geometrica , cosmographica , optica , astronomica , physica , : in ethica aristotelis scholia , de studiosorum vita , & moribus : de ratione studii theologi●i : de formandis concionibus : de theologo : de quotidiana lectione , & meditatione sac . literarum : de catechesi : de publica in paupere● beneficentia de schol●s ecclesiasticis : de coni●gio ministrorum : de providentia dei , &c. which are particularly set downe by ve●heiden . jo : calvin the life of john calvin , who died anno christi . master john calvin was borne at noviodune , a famous city of france , june the sixth , anno . his fathers name was gerard calvin , his mothers joan franc● , both of good repute , of a competent estate . gerard was a very prudent man , and therefore well esteemed of both by the nobility , and others of the country : he gave his son john very liberall education from his childhood . from the grammer-school , he sent him to paris , and placed him with maturinus corderius , a man well esteemed both for his probity , and learning , of chiefest account amongst all the school-masters in france for his training up of youth . from thence john calvin was translated to the school at montacute , where he had hispanus for his master , under whom , by reason of his sharp wit , he profited so much , that from the grammer he proceeded to the study of logick , and other arts . his father from the beginning designed him to the study of divinity , which he judged him to be very much inclined to , being religiously addicted from his childhood , and a severe reprover of his school-fellows faults . and being thus resolved , he procured a benefice of the bishop for him , in the cathedrall church of noviodune , as also a cure in a neighbour village , called bishops-bridge , where himself was borne , though afterwards he removed to the city of noviodune , in which place our john before his ordination preached divers sermons to the people . but this purpose of his ( both their minds changing ) was afterwards altred ; for his father seing that the study of the law was a certainer step to riches and honour , altered his mind upon that account , and his son growing into acquaintance with a certain kinsman of his , called peter robert olevitane , was by him instructed in the true reformed religion , whereupon he addicted himself to the study of the sacred scriptures , and beganne to abominate and withdraw himselfe from the superstitious services in the popish church : upon this occasion hee went to orleans , where peter stella the most famous lawyer in france , read his lectures , whose auditor john calvin was , and in a short space wonderfully profited in that study : so that many times , occasionally supplying his masters room , he rather seemed a doctor , then a learner of the law : and when he was about to depart , all the professors in that university , proffered freely to bestow the degree of a doctor upon him as having so well deserved of the university . but all this while he neglected not the study of the sacred scriptures , and divinity ; insomuch as few in that city , that were addicted to the reformed religion , but they came to him to be satisfied in their doubts , and went away admiring his learning and zeal . and some that were intimately acquainted with him at that time , testified that his manner was constantly to continue his studies till midnight , and in the morning so soon as he wakened , to ruminate what he had read over night , whereby he fixed it in his memory , neither would he suffer himself to be disturbed during the time of his meditation : and the better to fit him for his studies , he alwaies supped very sparingly . by which practise he attained to excellent learning , and a very good memory : yet withall hereby he contracted such weaknesse of stomack , as brought upon him many diseases ▪ and at last an immature death . about this time the university of biturg grew famous , for that they had procured out of italy the eminentest lawyer of his time , andrew alciat , whom our john also would needs be a hearer of : thither therefore he went , and during his abode there , he grew into familiar acquaintance with melchior wolmarus , a german , the publick professor of greek in that university , a man famous for religion , and lea●ning . under him he studied the greek tongue , for which benefit he so much prized him , that afterwards he dedicated to him his comment upon the second epistle to the corinthians . whilst he was imployed in these studies , he neglected not that of divinity , so that he preached divers sermons in a neighbour towne called liveria . but whilst hee was thus bu●ied , news came to him of his fathers death which called him back into his own country : and having setled his affaires there , hee went back to paris , being now about four and twenty years old , at which time he wrote that excellent commentary upon seneca de clementia , being much affected with that author , whom he used to say agreed very well with his genius . after a few moneths stay at paris , he grew acquainted with all that professed the reformed religion ; and amongst the r●st with stephen forgeus , a famous merchant , who afterwards sealed the truth with his blood . from hence forward at the earnest request of all the godly that held their private meetings in paris he layd aside all other studies , and wholly applyed himself to that of divinity , wherein also he found the speciall assistance of god. at this time nicholas cope was rector of the university at paris , who being to make an oration upon the kalends of november , at which time the pontificians used to celebrate ●heir all-saints day , at the instigation of john calvin , hee spake of religion more purely and clearly then they used to doe . this the sorbonists could not bear , and the parliament of paris was angry it , insomuch as they cited him to appear before them , which accordingly he was about to submit to ; but as he went , some of his friends advised him to take heed of his adversaries ; whereupon he returned home , and immediately after left france , and went to basil , where his father was a professor of physick . the officers sent by the parliament , searching for cope , went into master calvins house , who by chance not being at home , they ransacked his study , and amongst his papers found many of his friends letters , which had like to have endangered the lives of many . so bitterly were the enemies of the church at that time enraged against the people of god , especially one john morinus , whose abhominable cruelty is infamous till this day . but it pleased god to divert that storm by the prudent , and pious diligence of the queen of navar , the onely sister of king francis , a woman of an admirable wit , and exceeding tender of the welfare of the professors of the reformed religion . she also sent for mr. calvin into her court , used him very honourably , and heard him gladly . but mr. calvin finding pais too hot for his abode , went to xantone , where sojourning with a friend , at his request he drew up short christian admonitions , which were dispersed amongst certaine priests to be taught to their people , that so their people might by li●tle and little be drawn to searching out of the truth . shortly a●ter he went to nerac , a city of aquitane , where he visited that good old man james faber stapulensis , who being formerly a professor of the mathematicks , and philosophy in paris , was per●ecuted for the trutly by the scybomsts , but by the friendly help of the queen of navar was delivered and sent to this town of her jurisdiction : this good old man received young mr. calvin with very fatherly affections , prophesying that in time to come he would prove a famous instrument for the building up of the french church . from thence mr. calvin went again to paris , being called thereto by the speciall providence of god : for at this time that wicked servetus was come thither , dispersing his poyson against the sacred trinity ; who hearing of calvin , pretended that he was desirous to confer with him ; and a time and place was appointed for their meeting , whither calvin went , not without perill of his life , who was faine to hide himselfe from the rage of his enemies ; but when he had waited long for him , servetus came not , being indeed afraid of the very sight of master calvin : this was anno christi . infamous for the abominable cruelty exercised against the poor saints of god , especially against gerard ruffus , a master of art of sorban , and caroldus an augustinian monk , who under the protection of the queen of navar , had for a yeare or two very much propagated the truth , which the divel envying , now stirred up his instruments to pul them out of the pulpit , and to cast them into prison : yea , king francis himself was so irritated , by reason of certaine papers against the mass , scattered about the city , and fixed to his chamber door , that he presently commanded a publick procession , wherein himselfe and his three children assisted , with a bare head , carrying a torch in his hand to expiate that wickedness , and commanded eight of the saints of god to be burned alive , in four principall parts of the city ; swearing publickly , that he would not spare his own children if he knew th●m to be infected with those damnable he esies . calvin beholding these sad spectacles , went presently af●er to orleans , where he published his famous book which he called ps●chopannychia , against that error long before broached , and now again revived , of them which held the soules sleeping after they were s●vered from the bodies : and so purposing to bid adien to france , he associated to him his old friend with whom he had sojourned at xantone , and travelling through ●orrain , went towards basil : but being not far from the city of meton , they fell into great straits , for one of their servants who had gotten all their money , being mounted upon a lusty horse , ran away from them , and could by no means be overtaken , so they were f●in to send their other servant to borrow ten crowns , which with much adoe carried them to strasborough , and from thence to basill . there mr. calvin quickly became an intimate friend to those famous men simon grynaeus , and wolfgang capito : he studied also the hebrew tongue , and though he endeavoured by all means to conceal himself , yet was he forced to publish his institutions , which he called but the foundation of a far greater work . the protestant princes in germany hearing of this bloody act of king francis , were much provoked by it , yet did the king at this time seek their friendship , and to excuse his cruelty , by the advice of william bellaius langaeus , he sent them word that he had onely punished certain anabaptists , who set up their fanatick spirits instead of scripture , and shewed themselves contemners of all magistrates . which disgrace put upon the true religion , mr. calvin not enduring took occasion from thence to publish that his incomparable book , prefixing a preface to king francis , which surely he never read , or else it would have provoked him to have given a great wound to the babylonish whore : for that king ( therein not like his successors ) was a great weigher of matters , had a good judgement to discern the truth , was a favourer of learned men , and not altogether estranged from the professors of the gospel . but neither he , nor the people of france either saw , or heard those things , the sinnes of the king and people hastning gods wrath against them . mr. calvin having published this book , & performed that office of duty to his country , had a great desire to visit the dutchess of ferrara , the daughter of lewis the twelfth of france , a woman famous for her piety , and thereby also to have a sight of italy . to her therefore he went , and endeavoured to confirm her in the truth , so that she loved him dearly all his life after , yea even after his death honoured his memory . returning out of italy ( into whose borders , hee used to say , that he went , that he might return again ) he came into france , where setling his affairs , and taking along with him his onely brother , anthony calvin , he intended to returne to basill or strasborough ; but all other waies being stopped , by reason of wars , he went to geneva , without any purpose of staying there . yet presently after it appeared , that it was so ordered by divine providence : for a little before , the gospel of christ was almost miraculously brought into that city by the labour and industry of two excellent men , william farell of the delphinate , sometimes a scholar of faber stapulensis , and peter viret , a bernate , whose labours god afterwards wonderfully blessed and prospered . calvin hearing of these worthy men ( as the manner is amongst the godly ) went to visit them , to whom mr. farel ( being a man indued with an heroicall spirit ) spake much to perswade him rather to stay with them at geneva , then to goe any further . but when he saw that perswasions wou●d not prevail , he said thus unto him ; i protest unto thee in the name of the omnipotent god , that if thou thus proceedest to frame excuses , and wilt not joyn with us in this work of the lord , that the lord will curse thee , as seeking thy own , rather then the things of jesus christ. calvin being terrified with this terrible threatning , submitted to the judgement of the presbytery , and of the magistrates , by whose suffraes , together with the consent of the people he was chosen not onely their preacher , but also professor of divinity : the first he refused , the second he accepted of , anno christi , in the moneth of august . this year became famous by a stricter league between the bernates , and the city of geneva , as also by the entertainment of the gospel at lausanna , where a free disputation was held between the pontificians and the protestants , at which mr. calvin was present . then did mr. calvin publish a certain form of christian doctrine , fitted for the church of geneva , as yet scarce crept out of the pollutions of popery . he added also a catechism , not that which we have by way of question and answer but one much shorter , containing the chief heads of religion . then did he , together with mr. farell , and caroldus ( most of their colleagues through fear forsaking them ) attempt to form a church amongst the citizens : for which end hee proposed , that all the people being gathered together , shou'd publickly forswear popery , and withall should swear to observe the christian religion , and discipline contained in a few heads ; which thing ( through gods mercy ) was effected anno christi , though many of the citizens refused , the city being yet scarce free from the snares of the duke of savoy , and the dregs of popery , and many being much enclined to factions : yet a publick scribe reading them , the senate and people of geneva swore together to those heads of christian religion and discipline . the devill being much enraged at this excellent work , having tried a thousand wayes by open enemies to overthrow it , and not prevailing by those waies , he sought under the pretence of piety to destroy it : stirring up first the anabaptists , and then peter carole , not onely to disgrace it , but as much as in them lay , utterly to have subverted it . but the lord was wiser , and stronger then sathan , as the event shewed : for calvin with his colleagues in a publick , and free disputation , did with that gravity out of the word of god , confute the anabaptists , march the , that ( which is seldome seen ) from that time forwards there never appeared any of them in that church . but the other disturber of their churches peace , peter caroli , caused greater , and longer troubles , where of this is a brief account . this impudent sophister was bred in the colledge of sorbon , from whence at last he was cast out for an heretick , whereupon he went fi●st to geneva , then to lausanna , and from thence to neocom , but so infected , and inflamed by the devill , that wheresoever be came , be left an impression of his foul spirit : and when he saw himself opposed by the protestants , he went to the papists , and from them to the protestants again : and at last brake forth into open railing against mr. farell , viret , and calvin , as if they held some corrupt opinions about the sacred trinity . hereupon there was a full synod assembled at berne , in which peter caroli was condemned for his calumny , and thereupon removed . but shortly alter he went to mediomatrice , that he might hinder the work of the lord happily there begun by mr. farell : from thence writing an epistle , he railed upon the godly , giving hope to the papists that he would return to them againe : yet was hee sent to rome , that he might give satisfaction to the pope himself . there he was received with scorn , and being opperessed with poverty , and infected with the french-pox , at last with much adoe he gat into an hospital , where shortly after he died miserably ; and this truly was his unhappy end . about the same time mr. calvin observing that there were many in france that knew , and were convinced of the truth , and yet indulged themselves , as if it were enough that they reserved their hearts for christ , though they were present at the popish services , published two elegant epistles : one to exhort the flying of idolatry , directed to gerard russus , whom we mentioned before : the other of the popish priesthood , directed to the same man , who was now made a bishop , and was fallen from his former zeal . but whilst mr. calvin was thus employed , he met with grievous seditions at home . the gospel indeed was entertained , and popery abjured in geneva ; but many were not reformed of the prophane and scandalous courses in which they had been indulged , and which they had learned of the impare popish clergy : and those ancient feuds which had sprung up by reason of the savoyan warrs amongst the chiefest familes , were not yet layd aside . these at first were gently admonished , and when that prevailed not , more sharply reprehended ; and when yet they continued to be stubborn , and refractory , and that the city by the factious of certaine private persons was divided into parties , so that by no means they would endur●● to be brought into that order to which they had been swo●n , mr. farel , calvin , and caroldus , inspired with an heroicall spirit , did openly professe that they could by no meanes administer the holy sacrament of the lords supper to persons who were at such bitter enmity amongst themselves , and so utterly averse to all ecclesiastical discipline . another evill that fell out was this ; a difference there was in some ecclesiastical rites between the bernates and the genevians ; the genevians using common bread at the sacrament , and a different sort of fonts ; they also abolished all holy daies but the lord day , whereupon the bernates assembling a synod at lausanna , decreed , that waters should be used in the sacrament , and required that in geneva the same practise should be observed : but the colledg of ministers at geneva desired that first they might be heard ; and for this end appointed a synod at zurick . upon this occasion the syndics which were chosen for that year at geneva ( who for the time are the chiefest magistrates ) assembling the captains of the seditious persons , so farr prevailed ( though mr. calvin and his colleagues interposed , and desired first to be heard ) the greater part overcoming the better , that these three worthy servants of christ were commanded within two daies to depart the city , because ( as was alledged ) they refused to administer the sacrament of the lords supper . when this decree was brought to mr. calvin , he said , truly if i had served men , i should have had but an ill reward ; but it s well that i have served him who doth alwaies perform to his servants what he hath once promised . who would not now have thought , that this business must needs have brought destruction upon the church of geneva ? but the event shewed the wonderfull wisdom of god in turning it to good ; partly by employing the labours of these his servants elswhere , by variety of experiences to fit them for greater employments : partly that the seditious persons in geneva overthrowing themselves by their own violence , that church might be purged from many pollutions . so wonderfull doth god shew himself in all his waies , especially in the admirable government of his church . at the time appointed , these three worthy fathers ( to the great grief of all good men ) left geneva , and went to zurick , where gathering a synod of the helvetian churches , the synod decreed , and by the intercession of the bernates , tyred the mindes of the genevians for their re-admission ; but when that prevailed not , calvin went to basil , and from thence to strasborough ; where , by the desire of the senate , and the importunity of those bright stars which at that time shined in that church , bucer , hedio , capito , niger , and their colleagues , he was designed to be the professor of divinity , with a competent salary allowed ; which place he discharged with the great applause of learned men ; and by the consent of the senate he planted the french church there , and setled discipline in it . thus was the expectation of sathan frustrated , calvin setled in another place , and a new church erected for the former subverted . yet in the mean time did not the devil cease to endeavour wholly to eradicate the church of geneva : for which end he stirred up some wicked men , yet under the pretence of piety , to bring in that decree of changing common bread into wafers ; indeed onely to stirre up new controversies : wherein also sathan failed not of his purpose , many godly men upon this occasion abstaining from the sacrament , till mr. calvin by his holy letters had perswaded them not to contend for a thing so indifferent in it self . by this means unleavened bread was again brought into use in the genevian church : concerning which , calvin being afterwards restored , would never contend , and yet withall did not dissemble his judgement about the same . but behold ! presently after fell out a farre greater evill , anno christi , which yet by the prudent diligence of mr. calvin was quickly extinguished , which was this ; there was the bishop of carpentoratum , called james sadolet , a man of great eloquence , which yet he abused to the subversion of the truth , for which cause he was made a cardinall . this man seeing the flock deprived of such able and vigilant shepherds ; thought it a fit time to ensnare them ; for which end he wrote letters under the pretence of his neighbourhood , directed to his dear friends ( as he called them ) the senate councell , and people of geneva , in which he omitted no arguments whereby he might perswade them to return into the bosome of the romish church . and at this time there was no man in geneva that would undertake to answer the same so that probably they would have done much mischief , but that they were written in a forraign language . but whe● mr. calvin at strasborough had read them , forgetting all the wrongs which had been done him , he returned an answer so speedily , truly , and eloquently , that the cardinall despairing of accomplishing his end , wholly gave over his design . neither indeed did mr. calvin deferre till this time the manifesting of his pastorall bowels , which he yet retained to the genevians , especially to those that suffered with him in the same cause , as may appeare by those excellent epistles which he wrote to them the same year wherin he was banished . wherein his principall scope was to exhort them to repentance , to bear with the wicked , to maintain peace with their pastors , and to bee frequent in calling upon god ; as also to stirre them up to expect light after those deadly mists of darknesse , which he told them would follow , as also the event ere long made to appear . about the same time also hee published his institutions much enlarged , and his commentarie upon the romans , dedicated to simon grynaeus his dear friend , and that golden book of his concerning the lords supper , which he made for the use of his french church , which galasius afterwards turned in latin. in which he handled the doctrine of the sacrament so dextrously , and learnedly , that it served to determine the unhappy controversies about it , to the satisfaction of all good and learned men . neither was his happinesse lesse in reclaiming many anabaptists from their errors , amongst whom were these two principall men , paul volsius , who afterwards was a pastor in the church of strasborough : the other was john storder , who afterwards dying of the plagne , mr calvin by the advice of bucer married his widdow , called idellita , a very grave and honest matron . in these studies and labours did mr. calvin continue at strasborough to the year . in the which year the emperour charles the fifth assembled two diets , the one at worms , the other at ratisbone , for compounding the differences about religion : at both which , by the desire of the divines of strasborough , mr. calvin was present ; o the great advantage of the churches , especially of his own french congregation , and where he was most lovingly entertained , and highly prised by philip melancthon , and gasper cruciger , so that philip called him his divine . hee also had much private conference with them about the sacrament of the lords supper , and they could not but very well appove of his opinion therein . but now the time was come wherein the lord purposed to shew mercy to his poor church at geneva : for one of the syndics , who had promoted the decree for their banishment , did so misdemeane himself in his office , that being found guilty of sedition , whilst he thought to escape out at a window , being a fat man , he fell down , so bruised himself , that within a few daies after he died . another of them had his head cut off for a murther ; the other two having done the commonwealth much disservice in an ambassy wherein they were employed , were faign to fly their country , and were condemned in their absence . these evill instruments being thus removed , the city of geneva beganne to call for their farell and calvin ; but when by no means they could recover farell from neocom , where he was now setled , they used all their endeavours to procure calvin ; and for that end they sent ambassadors to strasborough , using also the intercession of those of zurick , to request that mr. calvin might be sent back to them . the senate of strasborough were exceeding unwilling to hearken to it . calvin himself , although he had not changed his mind towards the genevians for the miscarriages of some wicked men , yet abhorring to enter into new troubles , but especially because he found the lord blessing his ministery at strastborough , did absolutely refuse to return . besides bucer , and the other pastors , did professe their great unwillingnesse to to part with him . but the genevians still pressing hard for him , bucer at last thought that their requests should be condescended to , at least for a time ; which yet was not granted by mr. calvin himself , til they had urged him with the judgment of god in case he refused , and with the example of johah . but this falling out just at the time when calvin , with bucer was going to visit the diet at ratisbone , his return was delayed for a time ; and in the mean time the genevians obtained of the bernates that peter viret should go from lausanna to geneva ; and indeed this made mr. calvin farre more willing to return to geneva , when he saw that he was to have such a colleague , by whose labours and counsels he might be much furthered in reforming that church . so after some moneths mr. calvin went to geneva , sept. , anno christi , being singularly welcomed by the people , and especially by the senate , who acknowledged the wonderfull mercy and goodnesse of god towards them , in restoring him to them again . and whereas the senate of strasborough had decreed that after a time he should returne to them againe , they of geneva would never give over till they had reversed that decree , which at last was yeelded to by them of strasborough , yet with this proviso , that that pension which they had setled upon him should still be continued to him ; but mr. calvin could never be perswaded to receive it , caring for nothing lesse then for riches . mr. calvin being thus restored to his church , and perceiving that the city needed such bridles , he professed that he could not comfortably exercise his ministry amongst them , except together with the doctrine of the gospel , they would embrace the presbyterian government , for the well regulating of the church . hereupon elders were chosen , & a model of the presbyterial government was drawn up consonant to the word of god , and gratefull to the citizens , which the devill afterwards sought by all his artifices to destroy , but all in vaine . hee wrote also a catechism in french and latine , not much different from the former , but much larger , divided into questions and answers , which indeed was an admirable peece , and found such approbation and entertainment abroad , that it was turned into high-dutch , english , scottish , low-dutch , spanish , yea and immanuel tremelius turned it into hebrew , and henry stevens turned it into greek also . his ordinary labours were these . every other sabbath he preached twice , munday , tuesday , and wednesday , he read his divinity lectures . every thursday he assisted in the consistory for the exercise of ecclesiasticall discipline . on fridaies he read a lecture for the clearing of some hard places of scripture . besides which , he wrote many commentaries upon the scriptures : answered many adversaries to the truth ; wrote many letters to sundry places , of advice , and direction , in weighty businesses . so that we have cause to wonder how it was possible for one man to undergoe so many businesses . he made very much use of farel and viret , and yet himself contributed much more to them . and truly their familiarity as it was much envyed by the wicked , so it was very gratefull to all good men . and it was a very pleasant sight to behold these three men , so famous in the church , and all agreeing in the work of the lord , and yet so excelling in severall gifts of the spirit . farell exceeded in a certain greatnesse of mind , whose thundering sermons could not be heard without trembling , and whose ardent prayers would lift a man up into heaven . viret did so excell in sweet eloquence , that he chained his hearers to his lips . calvin , look how many words he spake , with so many grave and pithy sentences he filled the minds of his hearers : so that ( saith mr. beza ) i often thought that the gifts of these three men meeting in one , would make up a compleat pastor . besides the ●orementioned labours of mr. calvin , he had also the charge and businesse of a family to look after 〈◊〉 besides many forraign businesses ; for god so blessed his minister , that from all parts of the christian world hee was sought to , partly for advice in matters of religion , and partly to hear him pr●ach : so that at the same time there was an italian church , an english church , and a spanish church , besides the church of geneva , that that city seemed too ●●t●le to entertaine all that came to it for his sake . thus , though he was loved of the good , and feared of the wicked ; and things were excellently setled ; yet hee did meet with many oppositions for the exercise of his graces : for as soon as he returned to geneva being mindful of that saying of our saviour , seek first the kingdom of god , ●nd his righteousnesse , and all other things shall be added unto you ; his first , and chiefest care was by the consent of the senate to settle such an ecclesiasticall polity as was most consonant to the word of god : from which afterwards it should not bee lawfull either for the ministers or people to recede . but before proof was made of it , not onely some of the common people , but even of the chief men that had cast off popery , and given their names onely to christ , shewed their hatred against it . yea some of those ministers which continued there when these good men were cast out ( though the chiefest of them afterward left their stations ) being found guilty of sundry wickednesses ) although ( being convinced in their consciences , they du●st not oppose it , yet ) underhand they manifested their dislike of it , and would by no meanes be brought into order : and that pretending the example of other churches , wherein no excommunication was used . yea some of them cryed out that it would introduce the popish tyranny again . but mr. calvin overcame these diffi●ulties by his const●ncy , joyned with singular moderation ; shewing that not onely the true doctrine , but ecclesiasticall discipline was also to be fetched out of the word of god , and that his had the approbation of the most learned men ( of that age , as oecolampadius , zuinglius , zuichius , melanthon , bucer , cap●to , and myconius , which he proved out of their writings : withall telling them that other christian churches were not to be condemned which had not proceeded so far , not those pastors which found that their people needed not such a bridle : and lastly shewing what a vast difference there was between the popish tyranny , and the easie yoak of the lord : so that he at last obtained that his discipline was written , read , and confirmed by the suffrages of the people , and generally received , novemb. the twentieth . but though these things were so happily carried on , yet mr. calvin , considering that he was like to meet with some difficulties in the exercise of it , did his utmost endeavour that viret , who was only lent them by the bernates for a time , and farel , who was now setled at neocom , might be joyned with him as his perpetuall fellow-pastors ; but he could not possibly effect it : viret presently after returning to lausan●● , and farell remaining at neocome , so that the whole praise of se●●ing the genevian church is due to mr. calvin alone . the year following , viz. , mr. calvin met with many afflictions , some at home , but especially by the enflamed fury of the adversaries of the truth abroad , in france and italy , whence they d●●ve away many professors of the gospel , for the comforting of whom , he layd out himself excedingly , writing many encouraging letters every way , both to those that were escaped , and to those also that yet remained within the reach of the lions jaws . the same year also there fell out two other great evils , 〈◊〉 and pestitence its usuall companion ; and at this time the custom of geneva was , that such as were infected with the pestilence , should bee removed into an hospitall out of the city , where , being in need of a constant and sedulous pastor , when , by reason of the danger most men refused it , there were three that offered themselves , viz. calvin , sebastian castali● , and blanchet ; and lots being cast between these three , it fell upon castalio , who notwithstanding his former forwardnesse , now shamefully drew back , and refused it ; and when calvin would have cast lots again , the senate , and blanchet ( who now took this work upon him ) would not suffer it . about this time also other mischiefs fell out ; for peter tossanus , the pastor of montbelgard , was much troubled about the controversie of the lords supper ; and at basill , where the foundation of church government was scarce layd ( do myconius what he could to the contrary ) it was by some evill affected persons subverted ; and both these men had recourse to mr. calvin for his counsel . and at neocome , though mr. farel laboured with good successe , yet the work of the lord was much obstructed , partly by open force , and partly by that apostate peter caroli , of whom we spake before ; about which businesse we may discern mr. calvins labours , partly by his printed letters , and partly by the testimony of such as were eye-witnesses of it . but there was a farre more audacious act of the sorbonists at this time , who neither having authority from god nor man , yet dared to impose sundry articles of christian religion , as they called them , but such indeed as were stuffed with so many errors , and fooleries , wherein that society of men did abound , as that it is a wonder how any man that had the use of reason should assent thereunto ; yet many , partly through fear , and partly through ignorance , subscribed them . wherefore mr. calvin answered them , learnedly confuting their errors by solid arguments , and so set forth their fooleries , that every man which was not wilfully blind might easily discern the same . thus ended this year , to which the next succeeded , no whit mi●der ▪ either in regard of the famine or pestilence , which infested all savoy ; and master calvin proceeding according to his accustomed manner , confirmed his owne at home , and strongly opposed the adversaries abroad ; publishing his four books about free-will , which he dedicated to phil. melancthon , against albert pighius , the greatest sophister of his age , and who had singled out calvin for his antagonist , being promised a cardinals hat if he could carry away the victory from him . but being frustrated of his labour , he gat that which the enemies of the truth only deserve , viz. that he stanke amongst learned and good men , himself being deceived by the divel . how much melancthon esteemed of those books of master calvin , himself testifies in his epistles which are in print . master calvin also the same year wrote to the church at montbelgard , whereby the mouths of calumniators may be stopped , who accuse him of too much rigidness in the exercise of ecclesiasticall discipline . the year following , which was anno christi , . master calvin declared his opinion about the purpose of the church of neocome in ecclesiasticall censures ; and at home sebastian castalio , whom we mentioned before , being a light man , and very ambitious , having translated the new testament into french , was exceedingly displeased that master calvin did not approve of it ; yea , he grew so angry , that he vented divers errors , and not consent therewith , he publikely preached that the canticles of solomon was an impure and obscaene song , and therefore would needs have if expunged out of the sacred canon ; and because the ministers opposed him , he railed exceedingly against them ; which they judging unfit for them to bear called him before the senate , where being heard with much patience , he was at last condemned of slanders , and commanded to depart out of the city . from thence he went to basil , where being at last admitted . what his carriage was there , is besides my purpose . the year before the emperor charles the fifth being to war against the king of france , had promised the germans that they should not be molested for their religion , till a generall councill should be called , which as he told them , he would take care to be effected . this the pope paul the third was much incensed at , and published an harsh expostulation against the emperor , because he had equalized the hereticks with the catholicks , and had thrust his sickle into another ●●●ans harvest : the emperour answered , that which he thought to be reason : but master calvin , because he saw in the popes letters , that the truth of the gospel did suffer , together with the innocency of good men , took him up very roundly , and repressed his impudence . at this time a diet was assembled at spires , upon which occasion calvin published the book of the necessity of reforming the church , then which that age produced not a book of that subject , that was more weighty and nervous . the same year also master calvin in two books did so confute the anabaptists and libertines ( who had revived the monstrous heresies of former ages ) that whosoever read them , except he was willing to it , could not be deceived by them , and they which had been formerly deceived could not but be reclaimed to the truth yet the queen of navar was offended with his book against the libertines , being so bewitched with two of the chief patrons of that heresie ; quintinus and pocquetus , whom calvin had noted by name , that though she was not otherwise tainted with their errors , yet she had a great opinion that they were good men , and therefore took her selfe to be wounded through their sides : which when master calvin understood , he wrote to her with admirable moderation , as not unmindfull of her dignity , nor of all the good she had done for the church of god , and yet withall as became a faithfull servant of jesus christ ; he reprehended her imprudence for admitting such men , and asserted the authority of his ministry , and he so far prevailed , that the men of that abominable sect of libertines , which began apace to flock into france , afterwards kept themselves in holland and the countries adjacent . the labours of this year being finish●d , the succeeding year being , brought new and greater labours with it : for the plague increasing in the city , and neighbour villages , seemed as if it would devour all before it , and coveteousness so prevailed with the poor people , who were imployed to attend the rich in their sickness , and to cleanse their houses , that by an horrible conspiracy amongst themselves , with a pestilentious ointment , they anointed the posts , thresholds and doors of many houses , whereby a more grievous pestilence ensued ; and these wicked instruments of the divel had bound themselves to sathan by an oath , that by no torments they shou●d confess their wickedness : yet many of them being taken in the city and villages , were punished according to their deserts . it s almost incredible what envy and reproach this act brought upon geneva , and especial●y upon master calvin , as if the divel should rule there altogether , where he was most opposed . this year was also infamous by that abominable and cruel edict which the parliament of aquitane set forth against the poor waldenses of merindol , cabriers , and those parts , whereby most unheard-of cruelties were exercised , not against some few , but against all of them , without any distinction of ages or sex , yea to the very burning of their towns. some of these that escaped flying to geneva , master calvin was the more afflicted for them , and carefull of them , because a little before he had written consolatory letters to them , and sent them faithfull pastors for the instructing of them purely out of the gospel , and had also ( where they were in danger before ) preserved them by his intercession to the germane princes , and helvetians . the unhappy controversie also of the lords supper sprange up again ; osiander , a man of a proud and monstrous wit , reviving it out of the ashes : for the quenching of which flame master calvin did what possibly he could , as may appear by his letters which he wrote to melancthon about the same . but the intemperancy of osiander was such , that he would by no means hearken to the wholsome counsell that was given him by those two men . in the mean while the plague still raging in the city , took away many good men : whereupon master calvin out of the pulpit thundred against many wickednesses , especially against whoredom , which was not laid aside , notwithstanding that judgement of god amongst them . good men assented to this which master calvin spake , but some there were of the great men of the city , which hindred the reformation hereof , till at last they ruined themselves thereby : and to all these evils this was added to compleat them , that now ( though very unseasonable ) the controversie about the priviledges of the city sprang up , neither could the faithfull pastors be suffered to dispose of the ecclesiasticall goods taken from the pontificians , as they ought to be . about this business were many clamours , many complaints , and much pains taken by writing , and conference , but they proved all in vain ; whereupon master calvin did publickly profess , that he could not endure so many sacriledges which he knew would at the length be severely punished by god , yet withall , he acknowledged the justice of god , in that the goods which were formerly so unjustly gotten by the mas●-priests , god would not suffer them to be brought into the churches treasury . master calvin yet met with two more things which did afflict him this year . a wicked fellow was returned to geneva , his own country , who for a time had lived as an hermite in france . this man pretending to the reformed religion , master calvin ( who was very acute in prying into mens minds , and manners ) taking notice of him , admonished him first gently , and afterwards more freely , and at last reproved him for carrying himselfe more proudly in the congregation then beseemed him . the man not bearing this , easily found out such as had been reproved for their wickedness by master calvin , by whose favour and help he might be assisted ; so that a pastor being to bee chosen in the room of one that was dead , this man by the help of his companions , sought the place ▪ and so far prevailed that the senate commanded that in the election regard should be had of him . master calvin with his colleagues opposed it , shewing how far this his seeking to intrude himself was dissonant from the word of god , and at length obtained of the senate , that they should proceed in their election according to the ecclesiasticall constitutions so merly agreed on . at this same time also there were many in france , who being falne at first through sear of persecution , began at last to please themselves with this conceit , that it was no sin to be present with their bodies at the popish services , so they kept the true religion in their hearts . this pernicious error was long since condemned by the fathers : against these master calvin wrote , and confuted that error ; and because these persons thought him too rigid , he adjoyned to his own , the opinions of these learned and godly divines , philip melancthon , bucer , peter martyr , and the church of zurick , so that the name of these nicodemites stark amongst all good men , for so were they called who cloaked their errors with his example . the next year , being . proved nothing milder then the former . for frequent intelligence came of the preparations of the emperor , and the popes frauds against the protestants : wherefore mr. calvin judged it necessary to confirm the mindes of the citizens against the terrour of these reports , especially considering the impudency of many wicked men , who were so farre from being curbed by all the bridles of ecclesiasticall discipline , that on the contrary they raged the more , and sought to break them all in sunder . these men having gotten one amedius perrinus , a vain , bold , and ambitious man , for their captaine ; ( for indeed he had long before procured to be chosen the captaine general by the suffrages of the people , ) this man supposing ( as the truth was ) that neither he , nor such like himselfe could stand whilst the ecclesiasticall laws were in force , and especially whilst mr. calvin did so thunder against their lasciviousnesse , beganne now to discover what he , and his associates had been long contriving ; which being taken notice of , and speedily prevented by the authority of the senate , hee indeed held his peace , but the contrived wickednesse presently brake out more openly . for shortly after one of the senators in a publick assembly of the people blamed calvin as one that taught false doctrine ; sub●●ned ( as was supposed ) hereunto privately by two of the colledge of pastors , both of them being drunkards and therefore no whit lesse fearing the severity of the laws then the others forementioned . but mr. calvin made little account of this barking . yet this man that thus accused him , was called before the senate and his cause being heard , was condemned for slander , and those two drunken ministers which had set him on , were removed out of their places being forbidden going into taverns : whereby we see , that the wickedness of the wicked returns upon his own pate . the troubles of this year being thus ended , the next year , which was , proved far world , indeed that age saw not a more calamitous time then that was ; the churches of germany seeming utterly subverted , the protest in princes taken , and cities yeelding up themselves , after so gr●at labour used , and so great difficulties passed through in planting the gospel amongst them , with what great grief the godly soul of mr. calvin was afflicted for the desolations of the churches is not easie to express , especially if we consider that great affection which he bore to them , though farre remote from him , which indeed was no other then if he had bore them all upon his shoulders . and indeed he was wonderfully grieved when he heard of those holy men , his worthy friends philip melancthon , bucer , peter martyr , &c. in so great danger that they seemed nearer death than life . but yet , that mr. calvin bore up with a valiant mind in this tempest appeares both by his writings and by his carriage , for being much vexed at home by sundry wicked men , yet would he not start at all from his fixed course . to speak somewhat of his domestick troubles , mr. calvin wholly imploying himself to shew , that the life of christianity did not so much consist in vain speculation as in practise , he necessarily met with those enemies which did not onely oppose all piety , and honesty , but threatened warre to their own country : the chief of these was that perrinus before mentioned , who with his companions had brought themselves into this condition , that they must needs use extremity ; for which end they appealed from the presbytery to the senate . the presbytery on the contrary pleaded their ecclesiastical constitutions , agreeable to the word of god , and setled by authority ; and therefore they desired the senate that their priviledges might not be infringed . the senate concluded that the ecclesiastical laws being established , ought not to be violated . but when this audacious fellow would not otherwise be ruled , the senate decreed that he should be deposed from his oaptainship , and live a private life . though all these things were transacted before the senate , yet was mr. calvin wonderfully afflicted by them ; for once upon a publick hearing ; there was such a tumult raised , that they were very neare imbruing their hands each in others blood ; which sedition calvin with his colleagues hearing of , interposed themselves , though it was with the perill of his life ( the faction of the wicked being most against him ) and stopped it . yet these men proceeding in their wickednesse , hated him the more for it . so that mr. calvin sharply reproved them for it in his sermons ; and gods judgements threatned by him proved not in vain : for one of them writing an infamous libel , and affixing it to his pulpit , wherein were contained many railings against the sacred ministery , and particularly against mr. calvin , that he deserved to be thrown into the river of rhodanus : this man being apprehended and convicted of these , and many other horrid blasphemies , had hi● head cut off . and after his death there was another libell found written by his owne hand , containing blaspemies against moses , and christ himself , with which impiety there was no doubt but that he had infected others at this very very time , and in the middest of these troubles , mr. calvin wrote his antidote against the seven sessions of the councell of trent . he also sending letters to the church of christ in roan , confirmed them against the fraud of a certain f●anciscan fryer , who had spread the poysonsom doctrines of the libertines and carpocratians amongst them . the year following , which was , the evill of the aforenamed faction in ( eneva brake forth againe : the devill ( which is almost incredible ) abusing those persons to be instruments thereof , who indeed were the greatest enemies to it , viz. farel , and viret . these men comming to geneva made o grave oration in the senate about composing their differences . mr. calvin requiring nothing but that those men should mend their manners , and perrinus with his associates pro●si●ng any thing , so he might be restored to his former place . for perrinus being restored to his place , he , and his wicked companions grew so impudent , that they cut their cloathes crosse on their breasts that they might know each other ; others of them called their dogs by the name of calvin : others instead of calvin called him cain : others out of an hatred to mr. calvin , professed that they would not come to the sacrament of the lords supper . all which mr. calvin and his colleagues did boldly , and faithfully reprove , and when they were called before the senate , the innocency of the good men easily carried away the victory . so that the amnestie [ or forgetfulnesse of wrongs ] was solemnly sworn to decemb. but it afterwards appeared that all this was done thorough dissimulation , and that perrin sought nothing thereby , but to be chosen a syndic , that he , and his might by that meanes have the more liberty to act all their wickednesse , as the event declared . mr. calvin in the midst of these broils , was so farre from giving over his accustomed labours , that ( as if nothing had molested him ) hee wrote learned commentaries upon six of pauls epistles ; as also by weighty arguments confuted the interim , which was published for the destruction of the german churches , shewing withall the right course for the restoring of those churches . he discovered also in a book the vanity , and falshood of judiciall astrology , which many beganne now to give too much heed to ; and being saluted by letter from brentius , now in exile he wrote consolatory letters to him , in which friendship it had been happy if brentius had continued . bucer also being a banished man in england at this time , calvin wrote to him to declare and open his mind more fully about the sacrament of the lords supper , and comforted him in a most friendly manner . he also wrote letters of advice to the duke of sommerset , now protector of england ( who afterwards suffered an unworthy death ) about such matters , as if his counsell had been hearkened to , it had been happy for england , and perhaps the church there had happily avoyded many of those storms which afterwards befell it . in the midst of these contencions the church of geneva did wonderfully encrease , which did exceedingly torment the devill and his instruments , and mr. calvin was very solicitous to entertain , and provide for such as were banished for the name of christ : which care of his it pleased god to bless the year following , that the fury of those wicked men , though it was not quite extinct , yet for the present it was layd asleep : and truly hee had need of such a truce , being grievously afflicted with a domestick accident : for at this time he lost his dear wife , a very choice woman ; yet did he bear this accident with such constancy , that therein he gave an excellent example of fortitude to the whole church . the same year there arose a great contention in the saxon church about things indifferent : whereupon sending to mr. calvin for his judgement , he freely declared his opinion to them . he also admonished melancthon of his duty , whom some accused for too much softnes in this point ; but master calvin afterwards found it to be a false charge . for at this time , it was unknowne with what minde and spirit the whole troop of flaccians were carried , which afterwards raised such great troubles to the church , and were acted with such fury and impudence , as if they had been hired by the pope of rome , to carry on his cause . but it pleased god to compensate this wound inflicted upon the churches of germany , by a great blessing upon the helvetians : for farel aud calvin going to zurick , when many thought that master calvin did too much favour the doctrine of consubstantiation , in a synod of all the helvetian and rhetian churches , he shewed his agreement with them ; and indeed there was no great difficulty to bring good men and lovers of the truth into an harmonious concord . this agreement of the helvetian and rhetians churches was written , which did more and more unite bullinger and calvin , and the church of zurick with that of geneva . master calvin also about this time wrote two learned epistles to laelius socinus , the poyson of whose opinions did not appear till after his death ; for in his life time , going through the churches , he had deceived melancthon , calvin and camerarius ; but afterwards it appeared , that he had much favoured servetus , castellio , and ochin , and their mad opinions : for his commentary upon the first chapter of john coming forth , shewed that he went beyond the impiety of all those hereticks , which had corrupted the most divine portion of scripture . anno christi succeeding , the church of christ enjoyed peace , and then it was decreed in geneva , that the ministers , not onely in their sermons , which many neglected , and others heard with small profit ; but from house to house at many seasons of the year should divide the city amongst them , and require of every family an account of their faith ; by which means its scarce credible what profit came to the people thereby . another decree for the abolishing of christmas-day , and that no holy day should be observed but the sabbath onely : which did so offend some loose persons , that they bruited abroad that master calvin had abolished the sabbaths , to bring the greater odium upon him . this offence taken by some , occasion●● calvin to write his book of scandals , dedicated to lauren●● normendius his intimate friend . anno christi . . great contentions brake out in the church , and this year was begun with the death of bucer , to the great grief of the whole church , and of master calvin especially , who alwayes highly prised him . about the same time dyed joachim vadian , a senator of geneva , a man endowed with singular learning and piety ; whereupon the wickedness of the factious persons brake forth again , which had slept a great while . these men would by no means suffer the exiles which fled thither for religion , to injoy the priviledges of the city ; and not content therewith , mast. calvin having been forth to preach beyond the rhodanus , as he came home , they entertained him with scorns , and one raimund his colleague having occasion one evening to pass the bridge over the rhodanus , they had almost cast him into the river ; and lastly they raised a great tumult in the church of saint gervase , because a child being brought to be baptized , the minister refused to give him the name of balthazar ( which name had beenf , or some reason , forbidden by their law. ) neither could master calvin tel how to cure these evils , but by his invincible patience . about the same time another mischief invaded the church of geneva , which was occasioned by one jerome bolsec , a frier carmelite of paris , who had indeed laid aside his coul , but not his monkish mind . this man first fled to the dutchess of ferrara , whom he deceived , till being found out he was driven from thence . then pretending to be a physician he came to geneva , but the learned physicians there rejecting him ; that he might manifest himselfe a divine , he vented some false and absurd opinions about predestination , first in private , and then in the publick congregation : him therefore did master calvin confute , first with a moderate reproof only , then sending for him to him , he laboured to instruct him better ; but he either puffed up with his monkish pride , or provoked by the seditious persons , seeking by him to provoke master calvin , took the boldness upon the sixteenth of october to preach upon this text , he that is of god , heareth the words of god , and they which hear them not , are not of god ; whence he took occasion to preach up freewill , and that predestination was out of works foreseen , withall reproaching the true doctrine , and shewing himself seditiously proud ; and he became the more bold , because seeing master calvins seat empty , he judged him to be absent : but indeed master calvin coming late , sate behind some others ; and when the frier had done , master calvin suddenly standing up , though he had thought of no such thing before , then truly , if at any time , he shewed what a man he was ; confuting the frier with so many testimonies of scripture , with so many places out of saint augustine , and lastly , with so many weighty arguments , that all were ashamed of what he had taught , but only the impudent fellow himself : insomuch that one of the magistrates of the city apprehended him , and committed him to prison for a seditious person , and after hearing and examining his cause , the judgement of the senat of the helvetian churches being also requested , upon the th . day of decemb. he was publickly condemned for sedition , and pelagianisme and banished the city , being rhreatned with severe punishment , if he were afterwards found either in the city , or territories belonging to it . after this , going into a neighbour town , he was the cause of many and great stirs there , till he was twice expelled the country of the bernates . from thence going into france , he sought to get into the ministry in the reformed churches , which he found in a peaceable condition ; first in paris , then in orleans , pretending great penetency for his former miscarriages , and of his own accord seeking reconciliation with the church at geneva : but presently after when he saw the churches under affliction , he fell back to his popery , loading the reformed churches with many reproaches . at the same time the colledge of ministers at geneva , in a publick meeting asserted the true doctrine of predestination , which calvin put into writing : so that all the divel gat by these contentions was , that that head of christian religion which before which was very obscure , was now very clearly opened to the understanding of all that were not contentious . the year following ; which was . it further appeared what a flame this wicked varlet had kindled , though condemned by the common judgement of so many chu●ches . for the difficulty of the question having not been sufficiently explicated by the ancients , did stir up especially curious wits , to make inquiry into the same . by which means the factious persons ( supposing that they had gotten an excellent advantage against master calvin ) thought that by removing him they might subvert all things : so that it cannot be imagined what stirs arose , not onely in the city , but also in other places , as if the divell had set all his engines on work to raise contentions . for though there was a sweet agreement amongst the chief pastors of the churches , yet there were not some wanting in the country of the bernates which accused calvin as if he had made god the author of sin ; being forgetful how far he had professedly opposed that cursed tenet , when he had confuted the libertines . at basil , castalio , a good and simple man , though he did all things closely , yet it was discerned that he defended pelagianisme , and melanc●●hon had so b●gun to write of these things , that though he had formerly subscribed calvins book against pighius , yet he seemed to brand the genevians , as if th●y held the fate of the stoicks . the pontificians also , though they had been a thousand times confuted , yet renewed their old slanders . these things did much trouble master calvins mind , and so much the rather , because the efficacy of error was so great at this time , that th● mouth of truth in some places seemed to be stopt by publick authority . neither was this a controversie of a few years . this same year that good hermite , whom we mentioned before , appeared publickly to dispute with calvin , who had suffered a repulse when some years before he had sought t● creep into the ministry ; whereupon he turned lawyer , and the patron of the factious persons . their cause came to be heard before the senate , with a great contention on both sides ; the first fighting with impud●ncy , and the favour of the wicked ; but m calvin defending his doctrine only with the authority of truth . and the truth prevailed , m. calvins writings being judged pious and orthodox by his very adversaries . but the repentance of this his adversary is not to be passed over in silence ; for a few years after , when he lay upon his death-bed , he professed that he could have no peace of conscience till m. calvin had forgiven him , which he not onely did speedily , but comforted and confirmed him to his last hour . anno christi . the malice of the factious brake out so impetuously , that not onely the church , but even the common-wealth , was brought into extream hazard thereby ; for they proceeded so far by their clamours and threats , and by their number oppressing the liberty of good men , that the ancient edicts about constituting of senators was by them dissolved ; and pretending that they were afraid of the forreign exiles , they took from them all their weapons and swords ( except when they travelled abroad ) so that nothing seemed remaining , but when they had got all the power into their own hands , that they should then effect what they had often aimed at . the divel also then ministred another occasion of troubles , for the ancient enemy of the sacred trinity , and of the true god , michael servetus , a very monster , composed of many ancient and prodigious heresies , having gone about a long time as a physician , and spread his blasphemies under the name of michael villanovanus , at last published a great book at vienna , belonging to geneva , the printer whereof was arnollet of lions , the corrector to the press william guerotius , long agoe addicted to the factious genevistes , but a few moneths before being like to be punished for his whoredomes , and other wickednesses , was fled from geneva to lions . this servetus having published his book , stuffed with blasphemies , was at vienna cast into prison for the same , but making an escape he came ( by a secret providence ) to geneva , thinking to pass further , but ( as god would have it ) being discovered , and master calvin acquainting the magistrates with it , they cast him into prison : much means was used to bring him to a sight of his wickedness , and to repentance for the same ; but when this desperate wretch ( encouraged by some of the chief of the factious persons ) would not be brought to a recantation of his abominable blasphemies , by the common consent of all the helvetian churches , he was condemned to death , and upon the seven and twentieth of october , without any signe of repentance , was burned alive . the same year master farell being very sick , master calvin went to neocome to visit him ; but his disease prevailing , he left him for dead ; yet it pleased god wonderfully beyond expectation to raise him up again , to the great joy of the church . whilst the businesses of servetus were in agitation , there rose up one amongst the factious , one bertelerius , a most impudent man , who for many wickednesses was suspended from the sacrament by the presbytery ; whereupon he went to the senate , desiring by them to be absolved , which being effected , there was no doubt but the raines of ecclesiasticall discipline being let loose , all things would grow into confusion ; therefore master calvin in the name of the presbytery opposed it , shewing that the christian magistrate ought to preserve , not to destroy the ecclesiasticall constitutions : yet the false clamours of the adversa●●es prevailed , who said that the presbytery encroached upon the authority of the magistrate , so that in a meeting of the common-counsell it was decreed , that the last appeal ought to be to the senate , who might absolve whom they thought fit . after which the senate not much minding the business , suffered this bertelerius surreptitiously to get letters of absolution from them , confirmed by the seal of the common-wealth . but perinus and his companions , hoped that one of these two things would follow , viz. that either calvin would not obey this mandat of the senate , and so he would be oppressed by the people in a tumult ; or else that he would obey it , and then it would be easie for them to dissolve the decrees of the presbytery , and so open a door to all licentiousness . but m. calvin ( though he had notice of this but two days before the sacrament was to be administred , in the moneth of september ) in the time of his sermon , lifting up his voice , and stretching forth his hand , spake much against the contemners and profaners of those sacred mysteries : but i ( saith he ) following chrysostome , will rather suffer my selfe ▪ to be slaine , then this hand of mine shall reach the holy elements to those that have been judged contemners of god. this speech ( which is wonderfull to observe ) did so far prevaile with them ( who otherwise were head-strong enough ) that perinus sent privately to bertlerius , commanding him not to obtrude himself upon the sacrament , and so ( through gods mercie ) the sacrament was peaceably administred , and received with a certain trembling , as if god himselfe had been present in their sight . in the afternoon master calvin preached upon that text in the acts , wherein paul took his leave of the church of ephesus , wherein he professed that he was not the man that would himselfe oppose , or teach others to oppose the decree of the magistrate , exhorting the congregation to persevere in that doctrine wherein they had been taught , as if he had taken his last farewell of geneva . and seeing ( saith he ) things are come to this pass , give me leave ( brethren ) to use the words of the apostle to you , i commend you to god , and the words of his grace ; which words as they wonderfully daunted the wicked , so they prevailed much more with the godly party , to put them in mind of their duty . the day after mr. calvin with his colleagues , and the whole presbytery intreated the senate , and the common-councell that they might be heard before the people , whilst they should give in reasons for the abrogating of that fore named law. this was easily assented to , their minds being wonderfully changed ; and it was decreed , that that law should be suspended , and that the judgement of the foure helvetian cities should be desired therein ; and that nothing in the meane time should be acted that was prejudiciall to the laws formerly established . thus this tempest was rather dispersed then wholly quieted , which beyond hope , being diverted from mr. calvin , the factious sought to bring it upon the head of mr. farell : for mr. farell , as soon as he was recovered of his great sicknesse , came to geneva , and there in a sermon sharply reproved the factious , partly relying upon the justnesse of the cause , and partly upon his age , and that ancient authority which he had amongst them . but they , complaining that he had done them much wrong , when he was returned to neocome , appointed him a day to answer it before the senate , and withall sent to the senate at neocome that he might appear at the day appointed . he came therefore again to geneva , yet not without danger , whilst the factious cryed out that he deserved to be thrown into the river of rhodanus : but an honest young man of the citizens advised perinus , that mr. farell , the common father of the city , might be no way wronged ; joyning also with himself another honest young man , they gave notice to the well-affected citizens , that they should stand by mr. farell at the day of hearing , which also they did ; so that his adversaries being astonished and deterred hereat , of their own accord craved pardon , and mr. farell was dismissed . about this time a grievous calamity befell the church of england by the immature death of that godly prince , king edward the sixth , which was a grievous wound to all the reformed churches . yet at this same time mr. calvin wrote his learn-commentaries upon the gospel of st. john. geneva ( as we heard before ) having inflicted deserved punishment upon servetus , not as upon a sectary , but as upon a monster for his horrible impieties and blasphemies , by which for thirty years space he had infected the christian world both by his teaching and writings : it cannot be imagined how this stirred up the rage of sathan , such a flame arising from hence as set poland first , then transsylvania and hungary all on a fire , which himself seemed to foretell by the spirit of sathan , when in the beginning of his book he set this sentence out of the revelation , there was a great battle in heaven michael , and his angels fighting with the dragon ▪ for his ashes being scarce cold , a great controversie sprung up about the punishing of hereticks : some holding that they ought to be restrained , but not to be punished with death . others thinking that it could not be clearly stated out of gods word , what was heresie ; thereupon said , that it was lawfull to hold either part in all the heads of religion , and that all men ( though holding a wrong opinion ) were to be left to the judgement of god. this latter opinion some good men inclined to , fearing that the contrary tenet might kindle the cruelty of tyrants against the godly . the principall of these were sebastian castalio , and laelius socinus , therein pleading their own cause : the former indeed more closely , and the latter more openly , as one that studyed to vindicate the clear authority of the scripture , in a certain preface , to the perverting of the holy bible ; and in his annotations upon the first epistle of paul to the corinthians , had endeavoured to draw men from the written word of god , as an imperfect rule , as if paul had taught to some of his disciples that were more perfect then the rest , a certain more hidden divinity then that which he had committed to writing . hereupon mr. calvin anno christi , set forth a copious confutation of all the doctrine of servetus , which was subscribed by all his colleagues : adding many reasons why , and how farre a magistrate might proceed in punishing such an one as was lawfully convicted of heresie . the adversaries on the contrary published a rapsody , collected partly out of the writings of the ancient fathers , which they perverted to their own ends , and partly out of the writings of certain unknown fanaticks , and under the name of martin bellius , which indeed was castalio , though afterwards he forswore it , and falsifying also the name of the city , in which they falsly pretended that it was published . to this book , swarming with many other errors and blasphemies , mr. beza answered , thereby to free mr. calvin from that labour , who was now busie in writing his learned commentaries upon genesis , and in diverting other dangers from the church : for the factious went on to innovate things in the city , and though the amnestie was again renewed before the senate upon the second of february yet they daily grew worse and worse , so that master calvin was much busied both in blaming and reproving them for their wickedness , and in endeavouring to strengthen the godly against the poison of their impiety ; for they had proceeded to such a height of wickedness , that they turned part of the sacred scriptures into obscaene songs , and used to beat strangers whom they met in the night , and sometimes also to rob them . they also privately used the books of bolsecus , castalio , and other corrupt men , that they might renew the controversie about predestination ; yea , they proceeded to scatter abroad a false and scandalous libell , wherein they grievously aspersed that worthy servant of christ master calvin . castalio also sent another latine book to be privately printed at paris , to which master beza answered , and master calvin also confuted some of the fooleries of the same kind . about this time the care of the english exiles lay heavy upon him , some of which were come to vesalia ; others to embden , and others to franckford , all sending to master calvin for advice and counsel : neither was he a little troubled for the andaciousness of some of the pastors ( encouraged by the secret favour of others ) of the french-church , long since planted by him at strasborough : and in short how great pains he took this year for severall churches , may appear by the multitude of epistles wrote by him , by which he stirred up many noble-men to imbrace the gospel , and strengthned many of the brethren , some of which were in extream danger , and others already cast into bonds . we spake before of the sweet harmony that was between the helvetian and rhetian churches , about the doctrine of the sacrament . this concord did exceedingly displease the spirit of error ; therefore he easily found out one that might easily reinkindle the fire which before was extinguished , viz. joachim westphalus , who was seconded by heshusius , then a minister of the word , but afterwards a bishop , of whom wee shall speak more afterwards : hereupon master calvin published an explication of that agreement , which , by how much it imbittered their spirits , by so much the more it satisfied all good men that were lovers of the truth . the year following , viz. . by the speciall mercy of god , brought peace along with it to the church of geneva , which was now quiet from its domestick stirs ; for the factious ruined themselves : god discovering their horrible treason to the state , by the means of one of the conspirators , who in his drunken fit discovered it ; whereupon some of them were beheaded , others of them were banished , who though a while after they vexed the city , yet perished shamefully in the end , leaving an example of the just judgement of god upon such persons , though it may be deferred for a time . thus the commonwealth was freed from these pests . to which another mercy was added by the answer of the four helvetian cities , to whom the question about the discipline ( which we spake of before ) had been proposed , who unanimously confirmed the ecclesiasticall polity as it had been before settled , contrary to the expectation of the factious . yet something was not wanting whereby mr. calvin might be further exercised : for he took great pains in constituting the church in polonia by the will of the king : in comforting the afflicted in england , who were much troubled by reason of the cruell burning of those three bishops and martyrs , incomparable for piety , viz. nicholas ridley , john hooper , and hugh latimer , who suffered amongst many other worthy men , and shortly after that great cranmer , archbishop of canterbury : as also in comforting the imprisoned brethren in france , especially those five valiant martyrs who this year were burned at camerac . but at home the errors of servetus beganne to spring up againe , whose blasphemies mattheus gribaldus was observed to favour , a lawyer of some note , and the lord of a town not farre from geneva : this man comming to geneva , was brought to mr. calvin by some italians who had been his scholars when he taught at padoa ; but mr. calvin refused to give him his hand , till they could agree about some of the chief heads of divinity , viz. about the sacred trinity , and divinitie of christ , till when he would by no meanes bee perswaded to doe it ; and because hee refused , mr. calvin told him that an heavy judgement of god hung over his head for his pertinacious impiety , which shortly after came to passe : being first forced to fly to tubing , where he was entertained by the favour of vergerius , and being afterwards taken at berne , upon a feigned submission was dismissed : but returning to his old course , and entertaining and favouring gentilus ( of whom we shall speak anon ) god found him out , and prevented his punishment by man , by striking him with the plague whereof he died . about this time also mr : calvin met with another tryall : for certain neighbour ministers , who were underhand encouraged by bolsecus , thinking to get themselves a name by opposing so great a man , and indeed they lay under many other scandals , railed exceedingly against mr. calvin , as if he made god the author of sinne , because he would exclude nothing from the eternall foresight and ordination of god. mr. calvin being little moved with these calumnies , was yet at last provoked by their importunities , so that he obtained of the senate leave to goe with their ambassadors to berne , there to defend himself and the truth before the bernates , which accordingly he did , and so prevailed , that one sebastian was branded with infamy , and banished : b●lsecus also was commanded to depart out of their coasts : so all these calumnies ended in smoak : and one andreas zebedaeus , who had been his most bitter accuser , after mr. calvins death , himself also lying upon his death-bed at nevidune , a towne four miles distant from geneva , sending for some of the chief citizens , did of his own accord confesse the truth which before hee had opposed , and detesting his former actions caused all his papers to bee burnt before his , and their faces . the next year , viz. , a tertian ague seised upon m. calvin as he was preaching , which handled him so roughly , that it made him come downe from the pulpit : hereupon many false rumours were spread abroad , which were so gratefull , especially to the papists , that at noviodune , his own country , the priest had returned publick , and solemn thanks for the death of calvin : but the prayers of good men prevailed for his health , and he was so farre from dying of that disease , that rather being increased in his strength , hee undertook a longer journey then he was used to doe , viz. to frankford , being invited thither to pacifie some controversies , which were sprung up in the french church there . at length returning home , though something impaired in his health , yet remitted he nothing of his daily labours , publishing the next year his very learned commentaries upon the psalmes , to which hee prefixed a very precious preface . the rest of the year being very full of tumults by reason of some factious ministers , and god sending a famine also , yet mr. calvin spent it in defending the truth against joachim westphalus ; and when notwithstanding westphalus continued his prattle , mr. beza answered him , and stopped his mouth . then also mr. calvin , and beza , both confuted the calumnies of castalio against the eternall predestination of god which he had spread abroad , yet concealing his name . at this time a grievous persecution rising at paris against the godly , it was a great affliction to mr. calvin ; many being taken when they were assembled in saint james his street for the celebration of the lords supper , being about eighty in number ( the rest escaping by the benefit of the dark night ) who the next morning were led to prison , loaden with scornes and reproaches , though some of them were noble women of good account . against these sheep of christ the kings anger was enflamed , not onely by those about him , but by the very occasion of the times : for this fell out at the same time when the kings army had received such a notable defeat at saint quintan : besides these godly persons were forced to meet in the night , because they could not do it in the day , which further irritated him : hereupon also those old lying scandals were raised against them , especially by one democarus a doctor of sorben , who charged the christians as the cause of all the evils which befel the kingdom . there were also some false witnesses suborned against them , which the credulous multitude was too apt to beleeve ; there were therefore seven of them brought forth to be burned , amongst whom there was a noble woman , who with six others shewed admirable patience : and whereas they were accused for promiscuous whoredomes at their meetings , especially by the sorbonists , who thought the more to incense the king thereby , a godly and learned man , who had lately been their pastor , easily confuted those lies , and the german princes interceding in their behalf ( which mr. calvin procured with admirable celerity ) the tempest was in a good measure blown over . the next year being , proved very happy to the commonwealth of geneva , by reason of that strict league made betwixt them and the bernates . but a grievous persecution brake out against the church of christ in france againe ; and at home the heresies of servetus were revived by valentine gentilis , mentioned before . to stop the former , mr. calvin sent letters to the german princes , which opened to them the great calamities which the churches groaned under , requesting them to intercede for them , and in the meane time himself endeavoured by his daily letters to support them under their afflictions . and for gentilis , who was a man of an unhappy , but sagacious , and subtill wit , presently after the burning of servetus , he gat his book , and calvins confutation of it , and not weighing the truth in the ballance of the sanctuary , but of carnall wisdome and reason , he concludes that the father was the onely one god of himself , who propagated essence to the other two persons ; so that he beganne to professe that there were three gods , three eternals , omnipotent , and immense gods : and to prove it , he wrested not only the sacred scriptures , but the councill of nice also , and rejected athanasius his creed , as also the testimonies of all the ancients , viz. of ignatius , tertullian , iraeneus , and lactantius , by a certaine unheard-of impudence ; yea did not onely reject all the orthodox writers which followed the nicene councel , but reproached them as wicked men . other blasphemies also followed this about the hypostaticall union . he first vented these things in private ( as hee pretended , for disputation sake ) to some of the italian congregation ; whereupon an assembly being called on purpose , mr. calvin , before some choice senators , and all the ministers , and elders , having patiently heard them , confuted them so fully out of the word of god , that all the italians presently subscribed to the orthodox faith , except onely six , who afterwards being called one by one , subscribed with their hands , but not with their hearts , as time made to appeare . gentilis therefore returning to his old course , and going on to spread his former blasphemies , is apprehended , dissembles not his opinion , being heard as much , and as long as he would . at length , seeming to be convinced by mr. calvin , he feigned incredible repentance , and gave in a recantation signed under his own hand . hereupon he was dismissed , first taking an oath that he would not goe forth of the gates of the city ; but presently , contrary to the same , he flyes into savoy to matthew gribaldus , and presently after two of his disciples , alciat and blandatra followed him , who afterwards proved the infectors of transylvania , and the countries adjacent : but gods judgement hanging over the head of gentilis , he staied with gribaldus ( both of them casting off the other two as illiterate fellows ) and there he wrote a book against athanasius and calvin , and so going to lions , he there printed it , dedicating it to gaiensis a praefect , who was altogether ignorant of the blasph● mies contained in it . whilst he was at lions he was apprehended by the papists , but when he shewed them that hee had written a booke against calvin , he was dismissed , as one that had deserved wel of their church . from thence he went into transylvania to ●landatra , alciat , and their companions ; but they having now sucked in the heresies of samosatenus , and he not well agreeing with them therein , christ indeed drawing him forth to condigne punishment , he returned into savoy to his friend gribaldus ; but gods plague had now swept away that pest , and mr. calvin also was dead at geneva . hereupon gentilis , either infatuated by god , or thinking that there was none left at geneva that could answer him , went strait to gaiensis , who was justly offended with him ; who there fore presently apprehending him , by the just judgement of god , sent him to berne , there to be tried ; where being convicted both of perjury & many manifest impieties , after many wayes were used to bring him to repentance , but in vain he had his head cut off , thereby suffering a just reward for all his impieties . towards the latter end of this year , in october , mr. calvin was taken with a quartane ague , which physicians say , is deadly to old persons , which though it held him but eight mon●ths , yet it so debil●tated his lean , and overworne body with his in●●ssant lab●urs , that he never throughly recovered his health again : yet all this time , though his physicians warned him , and his friends disswaded him from his preaching , and lectures , yet did he continually busie himself night and day in dictating , and writing letters every way , often saying , that nothing was more troublesome to him then an idle life . at this time also he published the last edition of his institutions in french and latine , and his learned commentary upon isa●ah . the yeare following , viz. , was famous for the league entered into between the two most potent kings of spain and france , which was strengthned by a●linity betwixt them , which was likely to prove fatall to geneva , but that the counsell of the pontificians , who abused the simplicity of king henry of france , hindered it . for king henry published most severe decrees , and cast some of his senators into prison , who had declared their judgements freely , that he ought to proceed gently in matters of religion , till a generall councell could bee called ; having this in his eye principally , to restore the duke of savoy to his country , that by his help hee might utterly destroy geneva . in the meane time master calvin ( though sickly ) laboured hard 〈◊〉 gen●va , comforting and confirming the afflicted churches and brethren ; as also by his frequent and servent prayers craving help of god. and behold the wonderfull work of god ● whilst all things were ful of terror , the king of france in the great marriage solemnity which was made for the confirmation of the peace , in his running at tilt , received his deaths wound , and that by the hand of the captaine of his guard , by whom a little before he had apprehended and imprisoned the aforesaid senators . this death of the king was expiated ( as he thought ) by the cardinall of lorraine , who upon the one and twentieth of december , caused that learned lawyer , faithfull counsellor , and holy martyr of christ , annas du bourg , to be unjustly and cruelly burned . but by the singular blessing of god , in the midst of these calamitous times , the hearts of the genevians were so raised up , and confirmed , that in the very same yeare , and almost moment of time in which two such potent kings had contri●ed their destruction , by the encouragement of mr. calvin they laid the foundation , and built a famous schoole , adorning it with eight masters for boyes , as also with hebrew , greek , philosophy , and divinity professors ; which being finished to the honour of god omnipotent , mr. calvin in a great assembly in the chiefest church , read , and declared those things which conduced to the perpetuall establishment of so holy and profitable a foundation , whereby he did as it were solemnly consecrate it . the year after , which was . master calvin was by some loaden with much envy , as if he had stirred up an assembly against francis the second , the heir of his fathers kingdom ; which assembly was called , the tumult of amboise ; whereas indeed master calvin never understood what it was , as also both by word of mouth , and by his letters to friends , he disliked it . this year one sancarus of mantua ( italy being fatall to the polonians ) began to teach , that christ was mediator onely according to his humane nature ; accusing all of arianisme , that should say that he was mediator also according to his deity , as if thereby they made the son lesse then the father . this calumny , and all his other doctrine was notably confuted , as by philip melancton , and peter martyr , so also master calvin , at the request of the polonians , did briefly , but strongly confute the same ; and foreseeing what shortly after came to pass , that whilst some more unskilful persons would take upon them to confute sancarus , if they took not heed , would fall into the error of them which held three gods : he eloquently admonished them , that taking heed of blandatra , and his followers , they should so assert christ to be our mediator according to both his natures , that in the mean time they should not multiply deities : but this labour of his was vaine towards them that were to perish . about this time the bohemian waldenses sent two of their brethren to master calvin to desire his judgment about some matters of religion , whom he lovingly satisfied , exhorting them also that they would enter into a neerer conjunction with other reformed churches . at the same time also q. mary being dead , and queen elizabeth succeeding , many of the godly french relying upon her piety and humanity , fled for refuge into england , with the consent of tha reverend man , edmund grindal , bishop of london , they craved leave of her that one might be sent from geneva to plant a french church there : whereupon galacius was sent . towards the latter end of this yeare king francis of france dyed suddenly , and that in such a juncture of time , when all things seemed so desperate , that they could not be cured but by god himself ; and king charls the ninth , a child , was searce entred into his kindom , when by a herald letters subscribed with his name were brought to geneva , wherein he complained that many were sent out from thence , that infected his kingdom , desiring that they might be presently called back , threatning that otherwise he would not let passe the revenging of that injury . mast. calvin being hereupon sent for by the senate , answered in his owne , and in his colleagues names that at the request of the churches of france , they had exhorted certain men that were sound in the faith , and of an holy life , whom they judged fit for the work , that they should not be wanting to lend their help to their country in so holy a cause , especially the churches craving assistance from them for their further edification : and that this they had done , not to disturb the kingdome , but that the people might be taught the gospel of peace ; and if they were accused for any thing further then this , that they were ready to answer their accusers before the king : so this business went no further . the same year master calvin and master beza , answered the impudent book of tileman hushusius . master calvin also confuted those blasphemies which gentilis had published at lions against him , and athanasius : he published also his lectures upon daniel , which he dedicated to the french churches ; and as he interpreted that prophet , so in his praeface he was himselfe a prophet , so etelling the tempest that hung over them . at which time also francis balduinus , afterwards called ecebolius , because he had changed his religion three or four time , being suborned by the cardinall of lorrain , by evill means reconciled to the king of navar , dispersed a certain book up and down the court , written either by himself , or ( as some rather thought ) by cassander , wherein he stiled himself a pious and moderate man , which book was worse then the emperors interim , for that under the specious pretence of restoring moderation , he sought to bring in all the popish corruptions . master calvin being informed hereof published an answer to this book , to which some other answers were shortly after added , which made a full discovery of , the wit and purpose of balduinus , which this railer could by no means digest , whereupon he never gave over to brand calvin and beza with his impudent reproaches ; till the year after being growne odious both to god and men , of both religions whom he had so often deceived by his turning , whilst he was following a suit of law at paris , he wore away , and ended his wretched life . in the year . god gave peace and liberty to the french churches , by a publick edict of the kings : but not long after , the king of navar being suborned by popish subtilty , presently after the duke of guise had committted that abominable massacre at vassy , began that civil , war which continued many years after , to the miserable devastation of france ; and it cannot be spoken how much master calvin was affected and afflicted therewith , which so far increased his disease , that it was easie to divine , that it would not be long before he was translated to a better life ; yet did he not desist from exhorting and comforting every one , no nor from preaching and reading his ordinary lectures . and the same yeare he published that excellent confession of faith , which was sent to the states of the empire met together at franckeford , in the name of the prince of conde , and of all the godly in france , who besides the injuries which they sustained by an unjust war , were unworthly traduced to the germans , as if they held many false and monstrous opinions . one thing also is not to be pretermitted , that on the nineteenth of decem. master calvin lying in bed sick of the gout , being the sabbath day , and the north-wind having blowne two dayes strongly , said to many that were present , truly i know not what is the matter , but i thought this night i heard warlick drums beating very loud , and i could not perswade my selfe but it was so : let us therefore goe to prayers , for surely some great businesse is in hand . and this very day there was a great battail fought between the guisians and the protestants not far from paris , news whereof came unto geneva within a few days after . the year after , which was . master calvins disease did so far increase , that it was almost incredible that so weak a body , exhausted with so many labours , and worne out with so many diseases , should yet retaine so valiant and generous a mind : so that even then he could not be perswaded to favour himself , and if at any time he abstained from his publick labours ( which yet he never did but when by necessity he was enforced thereto ) yet he was busie at home , either in giving counsell to those that sought it , or in dictating to his scribes ; the witnesses whereof are those two serious admonitions to the polomans , to take heed of those blasphemous persons which denyed the sacred trinity . the answers which he returned to the brethrens messengers , who were now met in a synod at lions ; his commentaries upon the foure books of moses , which himselfe turned out of latin into french. and lastly his commentary upon joshua , which he now began , and finished a little before his death . in the year . feb. the sixth , master calvin being short-winded by reason of a stopping in his lungs , preached his last sermon , and from thence forward he spake little , onely now and then he would be carried to the congregation , the last time being march the last ; his diseases ( being contracted by the incredible labours both of his mind and body ) were very many : for ( besides that naturally he was but of a weak body , leane , and inclinable to a consumption ) he slept little , & spent a great part of the year in preaching , teaching and dictating . for at least ten years together he abstained from dinners , taking no food at all till supper ; so that it was a wonder how he could escape a ptisick so long . he was often troubled with the head-ach , which his abstinence onely could cure , whereupon he sometimes fasted thirty six hours together . but partly through straining his voice , and partly through his too frequent use of aloe● ( which was taken notice of too late ) he was first trouble● with the hemorrhoids , which at length proved ulcerous , and then five years before his death he did many times spit blood : and when his quartan ague left him , the gout took him in his right leg , then the collick , and lastly the stone , which yet he never discerned till a few months before his death . the physicians applyed what remedies possibly they could , neither was there ever man that was more observant of their rules : but in respect of the labours of his mind , he was extreame negligent of his health , so that the violent paines of headach could never restraine him from preaching . and though he was tormented with so many and violent diseases , yet did never any man hear him utter one word that did unbeseem a valiant or christian man. onely lifting up his eyes to heaven , he used to say , how long lord ? for he often used this motto in his health , when he spake of the calamities of his brethren ( which always more afflicted him then his own . ) when as his colleagues admonished and earnestly increated him , that in his sicknesse he would abstaine from dictating , but especially from writing himself : he answered , what ? would you have me idle when my lord comes ? march the tenth when al the ministers came to him , they found him cloathed , and sitting at his little table where he used to write and meditate ; he beholding them ( when he had rubbed his forehead a while with his hand , as he used to doe when he meditated ) with a cheerfull countenance , said , i give you hearty thanks ( my dear brethren ) for the great care you have of me , and i hope within these fifteen dayes ( which was the time that they were to meet about church censures ) i shall be present at your consistory . for then i beleeve god will declare what he will determine concerning me , and that he will receive me to himselfe : accordingly he was present that day , which was march the four and twentieth , and when all their businesses were quietly dispatched , he told them that god had given him some further delay , and so taking a french testament in his hand , he read some of the annotations upon it , and asked the ministers judgements about the same , because he had a purpose to amend them . the day after he was somewhat worse , as being tyred with the former dayes labour . march the sever ▪ and twentieth he caused himself to bee carried in his chair to the senate door , and then leaning upon two , he walked into the court , and there presented to the senate a new rector for the school , and with a bare head , he returned them thanks for all their former favours , and in particular for the great care they had of him in his sicknesse : for i perceive ( saith hee ) that this is the last time that i shall come into this place : which words hee could scarce utter , his voice failing him , and so with many teares on both sides , hee bade them farewell . april the second , which was easter-day , though hee was very weak , yet he caused himself to be carried to the church in his chaire , where after sermon hee received the sacrament of the lords supper at mr. beza's hands , and with a chearfull countenance , though weak voice , sang the psalme with the rest of the congregation , shewing , though in a dying countenance , signes of much inward joy . april the ●ive and twentieth he made his will in this form ; in the name of god amen , anno christi , april the five and twentieth , i peter chenalat , citizen , and notarie of geneva doe witnesse , and professe , that being sent for by that reverend man john calvin minister of the word of god in the church of geneva , and a free denizon of the same city , who then truly was sick in body , but sound in mind , told me that his purpose was to make his testament , and to declare his last will , desiring me to write it down as he should dictate unto me with his tongue , which i professe i did presently word by word as he told me , neither did i adde , or diminish any thing from that which h● spake , but have followed the very form suggested by him● whic● was this . in the name of the lord amen , i john calvin , minister of the word of god in the church of geneva , oppre●●ed and afflicted with divers diseases , so that i easily think that the lord god hath appointed shortly to lead me out of this world , i therefore have determined to make my testament , and to co●mit to writing my last will in this form following . first i give thanks to god , that taking pitty on me whom he created and placed in this world , hath delivered mee out of the deep darknesse of idolatry into which i was plunged , and that he brought me into the light of his gospel , and made me a partaker of the doctrine of salvation , whereof i was most unworthy : neither hath he onely gently and graciously born with my fault● , and sinnes , for which yet i deserved to be rejected by him , and driven out ; but hath used towards me so great meck●esse and mildnesse , that he hath vouchsafed to use my labours in preaching and publishing the truth of his gospell . and i witnesse and professe , that i intend to passe the remainder of my life in the same faith and religion which he hath delivered to mee by his gospell , and not to seek any other aid or refuge for salvation then his free adoption , in which alone salvation resteth . and with all my heart i embrace the mercy which he hath used towards me for jesus christ his sake , recompensing my faults with the merit of his death and passion , that satisfaction may be made by this meanes for all my sins and crimes , and the remembrance of them may be blotted out . i witnesse also , and professe that i humbly begge of him , that being washed and cleansed in the blood of that highest redeemer shed for the sinnes of mankinde , i may stand at his judgement seat under the image of my redeemer . also i professe that i have diligently done my endeavour according to the measure of grace received , and bounty which god hath used towards me , that i might preach his word holily ●nd purely both in sermons , writings , and commentaries , and interpret his holy scripture faithfully . i also witnesse and professe that i have used no●uglings , no evill and sophisticall arts in my controversies and disputations which i have held with the enemies of the gospel , but i have been conversant candidly , and sincerely in maintaining the truth . but ( out alasse ) that study , and zeal of mine ( if it be worthy so to be called ) hath been so remisse and languishing , that i confesse innumerable things have been wanting to me to the well performing of my duty , and unlesse the immeasurable bounty of god had been present , my studies had been vaine , and vanishing away . moreover i acknowledge that unlesse the same bounty had been present unto me , the goods of the minde which god hath given me , would have made me guilty of the greater sinne , and slothfulnesse before his judgement seat . for which causes i witnesse , and profess , that i hope for no other help for salvation but this onely , that seeing god is a father of mercy , hee shewed himself a father unto me , who acknowledge my self a miserable sinner . as for other things ; after my departure out of this life , i would have my body committed to the earth in that order and man●er which is usuall in this church and city , till the blessed day of resurrection cometh . as touching that slender patrimony which god hath given me , concerning which i have determined thus to dispose . let anthony calvin my most dear brother be mine heire ; but , only for honour sake , let him take before hand , and have to himself the silver charger which was given me by varannius for a gift , wherewith i desire him to be contented : for whatsoever things remaine in mine ●●heritance , i request , and commit them to his faith , that he returne them to his children when he shall dye . i bequeath tenne g●●den scutes to the school of boyes from the same my brother , and heire . also so much to poore strangers . so much to joane the daughter of charles costan , and of my kinswoman . but to samuel and john , the sonnes of my said brother , i desire to have given to them forty golden scutes by mine heir when he dieth . to anne , sus●● , and dorothy , his daughters , thirty scutes of gold : but to david their brother , because of his lightnesse and miscarriages , but five and twenty scutes of gold . this is the summe of the whole patrimony and goods which god hath given me , so neare as i can estimate it , setting a price upon my library , my moveables , and all my houshold goods , with all other my faculties . if there bee found any thing above , i would have it to be distributed to all those children , the sons and daughters of my brother : neither doe i exclude that david , if hee prove a good husband . if there shall be any surplusage above that summe , i beleeve there will be no great matter , especially when my debts are paid , the care whereof i have committed to my said brother , upon whose love and fide●ity i relye : for which cause i will and appoint him to be the executor of my testament , and together with him the worshipfull man laurence normendie , giving them power to take an inventory of my goods without any more accurate diligence of the court. i also permit them to sell my moveables , that out of the money made thereof , they may execute my will above written . dated this . of april , anno christi . when this will was made and confirmed , mr. calvin sent to the four syndi●s , and all the aldermen , desiring to speak with them all yet once more in the court before his death , whither he hoped to be carried the next day . the senators answered , that they would rather come to him , d●siring him to have a regard to his 〈◊〉 : and the day after when they came all to him from 〈◊〉 court , after mutuall salutations , and pardon craved for their comming to him , whereas he rather would have come to them , and p●ofessing that he had long desired to speak with them , though he had deferred it till now , even till he found the approaching of his departure out of this world , he said : honoured masters , i give you great thanks , that ye have honoured me thus far , having not deserved it from you , and for that you have so often borne with mine infirmities ; which to me hath alwaies been an argument of your singular good will towards me : and albeit in performance of mine office it could not be but that i must undergoe many bickerings , and divers assaults , because every good man must be exercised therewith ; yet i know , and acknowledge that none of these things have falne out through your default ; and i earnestly beseech you , that if i have not alwaies done that which behoved me , you rather would have regard of my will then of my ability . for i can truly testifie that i have been heartily studious of the welfare of your commonwealth ; and howsoever i have not fully performed mine office , yet surely i have studied the publick good according to mine ability , and except i should acknowledge that the lord hath used my service sometimes not unprofitably , i could not avoyd the crime of dissembling . but this i requst of you again and again , that i may be excused by you for that the things are so little , that i have publickly and privately performed in comparison of those things which it behoved me to have done . certainly of mine own accord i acknowledge that i am much indebted to you for this cause also , that yee have patiently born with my too much vehemencie sometimes ; which sinne also i trust god that he hath forgiven me . but as touching the doctrin that you have heard from me , i take god to witness that i have not rashly and uncertainly , but purely and sincerely taught the word of god intrusted unto me , whose wrath i should otherwise have felt now hanging over me , as i am certainly assured that my labours in teaching it hath not been displeasing to him . and i testifie this the more willingly both before god and you , because i doubt not but that the devill ( according to his custom ) wil raise wicked , light , and giddy-headed people to corrupt the sincere doctrine which you have heard from me . then considering the unmeasurable benefits which god had conferred on that city , hee said ; i am a very good witnesse out of how many great dangers the hand of the great and best god hath delivered you . mor●over you see in what estate you now are ; therefore whether your affairs be prosperous or adverse , let that be alwaies conversant before your eyes , that god is he alone that establisheth kingdomes , and cities , and therefore will be wo●ship●ed by mortall men . remember what that great david doth testifie , that when he enjoyed a deep peace he fell soulest , and should never have risen again if god of his singular goodnesse had not reached out his hand to him . what then shall become of such punies , if he fell being so strong and powerfull a man ? yee had need of great humility of mind , that yee may walk circumspectly , and with great reverence before god , and trust upon him onely , being sure that it will alwaies be , as ye have often found , that by his aid you may stand sure , although your safety and welfare may be hung , as it were● upon a very slender thread , wherefore if prosperity befall you , take heed i pray you that yee be not pussed up with pride like p●ophane persons , but rather give thanks to god with lowliness of mind . but if adversitie shall happen unto you , and death shall stand before you on every side , yet trust in him that raiseth up the dead ; yea then especially think that ye are stirred up by god , that ye may more and more trust in him alone . and if ye desire that this your commonwealth may be preserved in a firm estate , see that you be not defiled with any filthiness . for he is onely the highest god , king of kings , and lord of lords , he will honour those that honour him , and cast down those that despise him . honour him therefore according to his own precepts , and daily thin● of this , that we are farre from doing that which is required of us . i know the dispositions and conversations of every one of you , and i know that you have need of exhortation . there is none of those that excell most , unto whom many things are not wanting ; therefore let every man look about him and let him ask of the lord those things which he understands himself to stand in need of . we see what vices reign in the greatest councels in the world ; some are stark cold , and neglect the publick , taking care onely for their own private affairs : others are indulgent to their private affections : others use not the excellent gifts god hath bestowed upon them as they ought : others proudly boast of 〈◊〉 own parts , and upon a certain confidence therein , expect that every man should subscribe to their opinions . i exhort old men that they envy not the younger , whom they finde adorned with excellent gifts from god : i admonish the younger , that they carry themselves modestly without arrogance ; and let not one molest another . avoyd contentions , and all that bitterness of spirit which diverts many from the right way in the government of the commonwealth . and ye shall the better avoyd these things , if every man contain himself within his own spheare and all administer that part of the commonwealth faithfully which is committed to him . i pray you for gods sake , let there bee no place for favour or hatred in the judgement of civill causes . let none pervert right by subtill and cunning tricks . let no man hinder the laws from prevailing . let no man depart from that which is just and equall . if sinister affections shall beginne to arise , let him resist them constantly , looking upon h●m that hath placed him in his throne , and begge of him his holy spirit . to conclude , i begge of you again that you pardon mine infirmities , which i acknowledge and confess before god , angels , and your worshipfull selves . having thus spoken , he prayed unto god to multiply his gifts and blessings upon them more and more , and to governe them by his holy spirit for the safety and good of the commonwealth . and giving his hand to every of them , he dismissed them all , who departed full of sorrow and heavinesse , as from their common father , with many tears . april the eight and twentieth , the ministers of geneva being come to him , he spake thus unto them . brethren , after my decease stand fast in this work of the lord , and be not discou●aged : for the lord will preserve this church & commonwealth against the threatnings of the enemies . i pray god keep you from dissentions : embrace one ano●her with mutuall charity . think again , and again what you owe to this church where in the lord hath placed you , and let nothing divert you from your duty : otherwise it will be easie for such as seek them to finde out ●●●sions ; but such shall finde that god cannot be deceived . a so●n as i came to this city , the gospel indeed was preached , but the affaires were very troublesome , man● conceiting that christianity was nothing else but to overthrow images : and there were not a few wicked persons from whom i suffered many most unworthy things : but the lord our god so confirmed and strengthened mee ( though by nature was not bold ) that i gave not place to any of their endeavours . afterwards when i returned hither from strasborough , i followed this vocation with an unwilling mind , because it seemed to me that it would prove unfruitfull , for i knew not what the lord had determined , and the matter was full of many and great difficulties : but going on , at last i found that god had much blessed my labours . stand fast therefore in this your vocation : retaine that order that is begun , and doe your uttermost endeavours that the people may be kept in subjection to your wholsome doctrine : for some are wicked and stubborn . things as you see are through gods mercy well setled , and therefore ye shall be left without excuse before god , if through your s●thfulness they be unsetled again . i profess , brethren , that i have lived with you con●oyned in true love , and sincere charity , and that i now so depart from you . if you have found me any whit pettish in this my disease . i crave pardon of you , and give you very great thanks , that y● have sustained the burthen imposed upon me , during the time o● my sicknesse . having thus spoken , he gave his hand to each of them ▪ who departed from him with much sorrow , and weeping . a while after master calvin , understanding by letters from mr. farel to mr. viret , who was now an old man of eighty years old and sickly , was yet determined to visit him , and was now onward of his journey ; he wrote thus to him to stay him . farewell my best and sincerest brother , and seeing god will have you to out live me in this world , live mindful of our friendship , which as it hath been profitable for the church of god here , so the fruit thereof tarrieth for us in heaven . i would not have you weary your self for my sake . i hardly draw my breath , and i expect daily when it will wholly fail me . it is enough that i live and die to christ , who is gaine to his both in life and death . again farewell . may . anno christi . yet for all this letter the good old man came to geneva , and having fully conferred with mr. calvin , returned back to neocom . the rest of his dayes , even till his departure , mr. calvin spent almost in perpetuall prayer , with his eyes fixed upon heaven , and his voice full of sighes , by reason of his short breath . may the seven and twentieth , being the day whereon hee departed , he seemed to speak more strongly , and with lesse difficulty ; but this was but a lightning before death . in the evening about eight a clock , on the sudden certain signes of present death appeared ; at which time mr. beza being newly departed from him , some ran to acquaint him therewith ; whereupon he presently returned , but found him to have yeelded up his spirit into the hands of god , without the least strugling , yea not so much ascending forth one groan , having had his understanding , memory , and voice even to the last gasp , being much more like to one that was faln asleep then dead . so that that day at sun-setting , that great bright light was taken out of this world . that night , and the day following , there was great weeping and wailing all over the city . many citizens and strangers desired to see him after he was dead , and amongst the rest queen elizabeths ambassadors , who being sent into france , were then there . the next day after being the sabbath , his body was coffined ; and in the afternoon hee was carried forth , the senators , pastors , and professors of the school , and almost the whole city following the corse , not without abundance of tears : he was buried in the common church-yard , without much pomp , no tombstone being added , as himself had commanded ; whereupon master beza made these verses . romae ruentis terror ille maximus , quem mo●tuum lugem boni , horr scunt mali , ipsa à quo potuit virtutem discere virtus ; cur ad●o exi●●io , ignot o● , in cespite clausus calvinus 〈◊〉 ●ogas ? calvi●●n assidue comitat ! modestia vivum , hoc turmulo mamb●s cendid● ipsa suis. ote beatum cespitem tanto hospite ! o cu● invidere possunt cuncta marmora ! he was a man of an incredible and most ready memory , in the middest of almost infinite distractions , and of a most exact judgement . he was very regardless of means , and preferment , even when it was often offered : he eat little meat , took very little sleep , was wholly compounded of sweetness and gravity : discreet and mild he was in bearing with mens infirmities ; yet would he severely without dissimulation reprove their vices , which freedom he alwayes used from a child : such a preacher he was , that like another or pheus , he drew england , spain and italy to him , filling geneva with strangers . such a voluminous writer , that ( as it was said of saint augustine ) he wrote more then another can well read . his writings were so eagerly received , that as most rare and precious peeces they were forthwith translated into all languages . what shall i speak of his indefatigable industry , even beyond the power of nature , which being parallelled with our loitring , i feare will exceed all creedit ? and may be a true object of admiration , how his leane , worne , spent , and wearyish body could possibly hold out . he read every week in the year three divinity lectures , and every other week over and above he preached every day , so that ( as erasmus saith of chrysostome ) i doe not know whether more to admire the indefatigableness of the man , or his hearers . yea , some have reckoned up that his lectures were year●ly one hundred eighty six , his sermons two hundred eighty six , besides every thursday he sat in the presbytery . every friday when the ministers met in conference to expound hard texts , he made as good as a lecture . yea , besides there was scarce a day , wherein he spent not some part either by word or writing , in answering the questions and doubts of sundry pastors , and churches that sought unto him for advice and c●●●sell : over and above which there was no year passed wherin came not forth from him some great volume or other in folio , so that in few years ( besides many golden tractats , and sundry exquisite answers , which upon short warning he made to principall adversaries ) his huge explications upon the five books of moses , joshua , job , psalms , all the prophets , and upon the whole new testament , came forth into the world fuller of pithy sententious matter then of paper . these things considered what breathing time could he find for idleness , or loose thoughts ? in his last grievous sickness , procured by his intollerable labours , he could scarce be compelled by his friends to pretermit his daily task of preaching , and reading his divinity lectures , and at home , when he could not goe abroad , he rather wearied others with continuall dictating to them , then himself . nothing was more frequent in his mouth then this , of all things an idle life is most irkesome to me ; and when his friends used all their endeavours to perswade him to favour and respect himself : why ( saith he ) will yee have god to finde me idle at his coming ? yea , such conscience did he make of mispending a minute , that he was loath to detaine the ministers that came to visit him from their publick exercises . what wonder then is it , that he scarce attained to the age of . yea , rather its a wonder that he lived so long . indeed he lived but . years ten months and seventeen dayes , the half of which time he spent in the holy ministry of the gospel . many slanders were cast upon him , as that he was ambitious . but how could that be , whereas he preferred his abode in the common-wealth , and church of geneva , before all other places , which he called the shop of poverty . others charge him that he studied to heap up riches , whereas his last testament shews that he was a very poor man ; for all his goods , yea and his library being sold very dear ( saith master beza ) scarcely amounted to three hundred crowns : and calvin himself in his life time hearing of this impudent slander , answered : if i cannot perswade men whilst i am alive that i am no great monied man , yet my death will shew it . and the senat at geneva can testifie that his stipend being very small , he was so far from being not contented therewith , that when they offered to enlarge his pensions , he utterly refused the same : and by the small estate which he left at his death it appears also , that either his gifts were not great , or else that he spent as god sent . some reproached him for his brother a. calvin because he was divorced from his wife , who was proved an adulteresse : what would these men have said , if he had kept an adulteresse in his house ? may they not as well reproach jacob , david , yea , and christ himselfe , for that one of his disciples was a divel , as himselfe told them ? some said that he was given to delights and luxury : his many great books easily confute this slander . some gave out impudently that he ruled in geneva both in church and common-wealth , so that he sometimes face upon the tribunall ? but for these things neither they which knew him , nor ensuing ages who may collect his manners out of his writing , will give any credit to them . but it s far more easie to calumniate then to imitate him . omnia calvini opera quae diversis chartarum formis edita , si uno formae genere imprimerentur , justae magnitudinis tomos . in folio efficerent . most of them are mentioned particularly in his life . the life of william farellus , who died a no christi . william farellus was borne in the delphinate , of a noble family , anno christi . and sent to paris to be brought up in learning , and was one of the first that made a publick profession of the gospel in france . but when persecution arose , he fled into helvetia , the better to propagate the gospel , where he grew into familiarity with zuinglius , occolampadius , bartholdus , and hallerus . anno christi . he went to basil , where he profered a publick disputation with the popish divines of that place , but the masters of the universitie would not suffer it , saying , that his theses savoured of the new doctrine ; till the senate being informed hereof , gave him free liberty of disputing , and then farellus set up his theses publickly in the colledge , which were these . christus nobis perfectam vivendi regulam praescripsit . christi mandata sunt observanda : in quibus iis qui continentiae donum non habent , matrimonium praecipitur . alienum est evangelii luce , & judaicum , discrimen vestitus , ciborum & aliarum ceremonia●um observare . periculosae sunt preces mu●torum verborum , contra christi mandatum . christi mandata non sunt in consilia convertenda , n●c contra . soli deo sacrificia offerenda , quae spiritus dictat , &c. when these positions were divulged , the bishops vicar , the rector , and governours of the university forbade all under them , upon pain of excommunication , either to dispute or to harken to them . the senate on the contrary thinking that this command derogated from their authority , commanded their parish ministers , and students of the university that they should be present , and if they did otherwise , they forbad them the use of their mills , furnaces and merchandize . hereupon a disputation ensued in a great assembly of the clergy and citizens . but shortly after the bishops vicar , and the rector of the university , and their popish faction drove him by force from basil , their darknesse not enduring the light . neither was the servant greater then his master . from thence he went to mont-bellicard and to some other places , where he preached the gospel with so much fervour and zeal , that it was evident unto all , that he was called of god thereunto . anno christi , . he went to a certain towne called aelin , where he preached the gospel , and was admonished by occolampadius to mingle prudence with his z●al . anno . he went to aquileta amongst the bernates , where he preached christ , and undauntedly opposed antichrist ; disputing also with divers at bern , whereupon ensued a wonderfull change in ecclesiasticall affaires . anno christi . he with v●ret went to geneva , where they planted the church , and propagated the gospel , and many of the citizens imbraced it ; yet at first not so much out of love to the truth as out of hatred to popish tyranny . long he had not been there before the bishops officers drew him into the bishops count , which two of the studies much disliked , the rather because farell promised them that he would prove all his doctrine out of the holy scriptures ; so that they accompanied him into the bishops court , that they might see all things to proceed in judgement lawfully : but it fell out otherwise : for the judge of the court would by no means endure a disputation , saying , if that be suffered , all our mystery will be destroyed ; and withall railing upon farell , he said , thou most wicked devill , why camest thou to this city to trouble us ? i am not ( answered farel ) as you call me , but i preach jesus christ who was crucified for our sins , and rose againe , and he that beleeveth in his name shall bee saved : this is the summe of my arrant : i am a debtor unto all that are ready to hear , and obey the gospel , desiring this onely , that the obedience of faith may flourish every where ; and i came into this city to see if there were any that would lend me he hearing , and i wilrender an account of my faith and hope every where ; and will confirm my doctrine with my blood if need be . then cryed out one of the court in latine ; he hath blasphemed , what need we any more witnesses ? he is guilty of death . hurle him into rhodanus : hurle him into the rhodanus ; its better this one lutheran should be put to death , then that further troubles should be raised . farel answered ; do not utter the words of caiphas , but of god. then one strake him on the mouth with his fist , and hee was commanded to stand aside as if they would consult , and in the interim he was shot at with a gunne by the vicars serving-man , but it hit him not , god defending his servant . and though one of the syndics favoured him , yet now the other shrunk from him , so that the bishops councell prevailed that he should be driven out of the city . and thus being accompanyed with some citizens , hee , and his partner anthony salner were expelled the city , but god turned it to the great good of others , for they sowed the seed of the word in the neighbouring country , by the side of the lake lemannus , viz. at orba and granson . neither yet ( through gods power and goodnesse ) was the work interrupted at geneva : for just at the same time came a young man of the delphinate , called anthony frumentius , who entering into the city taught a publick school , & together with the rudiments of grammer , he most happily layd the foundation of christian religion in the hearts and mindes of his scholars , which were not a few . anno christi , master farel went to metis , and preached in the church-yard of the dominicans ; the friers , when they could not otherwise hinder him , rang their bells : but he having a strong voice , did so strain it , that he went on audibly to the end of his sermon . the day after there came about three thousand persons together to hear the word of god ; but some that favoured the gospel , intreated mr. farel so long to forbear , as till he might preach without a tumult . then was he questioned by the magistrates , by what authority , or by whose request he preached . to which hee answered , by the command of christ , and at the request of his members : gravely discoursing both of his own authority , and of the excellency of the gospel ; telling the magistrate what his duty was in reference thereunto . but shortly after , by the command of the emperour , the citizens of metis were forbidden to hear any man preach who was not licensed by the bishop , and some others . whereupon mr. farel went from thence to neocome , where he wholly employed himself in the service of the church , performing the office of a faithfull pastor to extreame old age , with admirable zeale and diligence . when he heard of calvin's sicknesse in the year , hee could not satisfie himself , though he was seventy years old , but he must goe to geneva to visit him . he survived calvin one year , and odde moneths , and died aged years , anno christi . anno christi , the genevians ( though they owed themselves wholly to him ) yet were carried on with such fury , that they would have condemned farel to death ; and did such things against him , that calvin wished hee might might have expiated their anger with his blood . this was that farel who ( discouraged by no difficulties , deterred with no threatnings , reproaches , or stripes ) gained to christ multitudes in montbelgard , aquileia , lausanna , geneva , and neocome . there was in him , besides piety , learning , innocency of life , and exemplary modesty , a certain singular presence of mind , sharp wit , and vehemency of speech , so that he rather seemed to thunder then speak ; and lastly such admirable fervency in his prayers , that he seemed to carry his hearers into heaven with him . farellus concionibus magis quam scriptionibus operam dedit : edidit tamen themata quaedam disputanda basiliae , excusa latinè & germanicè . disputationem bernae habitam latinè anno . beza made these verses of him . gallica mirata est calvinum ecclesia semper , quo nemo docuit doctius . est quoque te semper mirata , farelle , tonantem , quo nemo tonuit fortius . pet : pav : vergerivs the life of vergerius , who died anno christi . peter paul vergerius , was a man excellently learned both in the law and popish divinity , wherein hee attained the highest degrees . anno christi , at which time that famous convention at augsburg was appointed , hee was sent by pope clement the seventh as his legate into germany , to improve his uttermost abilities to hinder a national council , and accordingly he bestirred himselfe to hinder and endamage the lutherans ; and that he might the better encourage the popish divines , viz. faber , eccius , cochlaeus , and nausea , to play the men in their masters cause , he bestowed sundry favours and gifts upon them . he also , by his legantine power , made eccius cannon of ratisbone . anno christi , paul the third sent for him to rome to give an account of the state of affairs in germany , which when he had done , the pope deliberated with his cardinals what course was fittest to be taken to prevent a nationall council , till as caesar and the other kings could be stirred up to war by their secret instigations ; and so after a while he sent back vergerius into germany , to promise the princes , that a general council should be held at mantua ; but withall to prescribe such rules about comming to it , as he knew the protestant divines would not accept of . he had in charge also to stirre up the prince's mindes against the king of england , and to profer his kingdom to whosoever would conquer it , and to try if by any meanes he could take off luther and melancthon from prosecuting what they had begunne . there were also nine cardinals and bishops chosen out ( the better to delude the germans ) who were to consider of , and to prescribe a form of reforming the church , which accordingly they did . hereupon anno christi , he went back from rome into germany , to king ferdinand , where he met with the lantgrave of hesse , and opened to him the popes purpose of calling a councill : after which he went to the rest of the princes to impart the same to them also . then went hee to luther at wittenberg , where with better diligence then successe , hee prosecuted what hee had in commission to him . about the end of that year the princes by their writing returned answer to vergerius . and the year after when caesar went to naples , vergerius was called home by the pope , to whom he shewed the success of his affairs , viz. that the protestants required a free and christian councill to be convened within the borders of germany , as the emperour had promised . that there was no hope of gaining luther , and his associates , but by their destruction : that the protestant princes would not hearken to any thing about england , and that the other princes were very cold also in that cause ; and that george duke of saxony had told him , that there was great danger from the lutherans , which could by no other means be prevented , except the emperour and pope would make war with them . hereupon the pope commanded him to make all the haste he could to naples , to acquaint the emperour herewith , especially to excite him all hee could to take up armes against the lutherans : but when caesar came to rome , anno christi , he pressed the pope for a generall councill , desiring to carry back with him into germany the patent for it . the pope denyed not his request , but told him that hee would chuse a city in italy for it , and that he would prescribe such rules for it as were most necessary for the roman church . caesar answered , that if he would call a councill , he much cared not where it was , presuming that he could bring the greatest part of the germans along with him to it . then did the pope with his assistants draw up a patent for it ; at which time he made vergerius first bishop of modrusium , and shortly after of justinople . anno christi , the pope intending to send another legate into germany , commanded vergerius to acquaint him with the state of the country , and how he should deport himself amongst them ; but both master and scholar lost their labour with the german princes . anno christi , vergerius was again sent into germany , to the convention at worms , in the name indeed of the king of france , but in truth , that under that pretence he might the better promote the popes affairs ; at which time he wrote his book de unitate & pace ecclesiae : the scope whereof was to take off the germans from thinking of a national council . thus vergerius for a long time had been serviceable to the popes , and had promoted their interest ; he had also ●●ttained great favour with princes and kings ; and king ferdinand did so highly esteem him , that he made him godfather to his daughter katherine : yet at last he fell off from the pope by this wonderfull occasion . after the convention at wormes he was called back to rome , and the pope being to make some cardinals , intended to make vergerius one ; but some suggested that he had been so long in germany , that he smelled of a lutheran , which made the pope to alter his purpose ; which when vergerius was informed of by cardinal ginucius , to whom the pope had told it , he was wonderfully astonished , and that he might purge himself , went into his own country , purposing to write a booke with this title , against the apostate germans . but it pleased god , that whilst he read over his adversaries books , with an intent to confute them , himself was converted by them : whereupon casting off all desires of a cardinalship , he retired himself to his brother , john baptista , bishop of pola , and communicating his thoughts to him , asked his advice . his brother at first was much astonished , and bewailed his condition ; but after a while was perswaded by him to read , and study the scriptures , especially in the point of justification by faith , wherby it pleased god that he also saw the popish doctrines to be false , and so they both became zealous preachers of christ to the people of istria , diligently inculcating the wonderful benefits which we have by christ , and shewing what workes they be that god requires of us , that hereby they might reduce the people to the pure worship of god but the devill stirred up many adversaries against them , ●work● specially the friars , who accused them to the inquisitors ; amongst whom was hannibal grisonius , and his companion hierom mutius , who afterwards writ an invective against vergerius , traducing also germany it self , in a book which 〈◊〉 set out in hatred of religion . grisonius upon this information went to pola , and justinple rushing into the houses of the citizens , searching for forbidden bookes . he preached also , and sent forth the popes . thunderbolt against such as would not accuse others that were suspected for lutheranism ; by which means he enforced one friend to accuse another , yea children to accuse their own parents . in the chief church of justinople he sang mass in a glorious cope , & told the people that god had plagued them for divers years with severall calamities ; one yeare ( saith he ) in your olive-trees , and another yeare in your corn , and a third in your vines and cattle , and your bishops are the causes of all these mischiefs , neither can you expect to be freed from these judgements except they be driven away . hereupon vergerius went to mantua to his old friend cardinal gonzaga , to whom he was familiarly known : but john casus the popes ambassador to the venetians , hearing of it , urged gonzaga both by letters and messengers not to entertain such a man any longer . upon this verg rius went to trent , where the councill then was , to clear himself ; but when the pope knew it , though he could willingly have imprisoned him , yet least any suspition should have risen , especially in germany , that the councill was not free , hee wrote to his legate not to suffer him to bee heard in the councill , but to command him to goe somewhither else . then he went to venice , where casus the popes legate meeting with him , exhorted him by all means to go to rome ; but vergerius knowing wel his danger if he should so do , refused . then did casus a few daies after command him in the popes name to goe no more to justinople : whereupon hee betooke himself to padua , where he was a spectator of the miserable condition of francis spira ; which so wrought upon him , that he resolved to leave his country , and all his outward comforts , and go into voluntary exile , where he might freely professe christ , and accordingly hee went into rhetia , where he preached the gospel sincerely , till hee was called from thence to tubing , by christopher duke of wirtemburg , where he ended his daies , anno christi . his brother being dead before him , not without the suspition of poyson . he published many workes , which are particularly set down by verheiden . the life of strigelius , who died a no christi . victorine strigelius was born at kaufbira , an imperiall city in su●via , not farre from the foot of the alpes , anno christi . his father was doctor of physick , who died in his sonnes infancy . when this strigelius was fit for it , his friends finding him of a prompt and ready wit , set him to school in his own country , where he quickly drunk in the first rudiments of learning , and so an● christi , he was sent to the university of friburg , in which place the popish religion was kept up ; but yet by the care of erasmus , the knowledge of the arts and tongues much flourished . there he heard the philosophical lectures of john z●nckius , a famous physi●ian : and afterwards travelling into the saxon universities , when he heard melancthon ask a child what was god ? and , what was meant by the word in the first of john ? he wondered to hear such answers from a child , as the popish doctors were ignorant of . upon this occasion in the eighteenth year of his age , and in the year of christ , he went to wittenberg , where he was inflamed by god with an ardent desire to know the doctrine of the reformed churches : for which end he diligently attended on luther's and melancthon's lectures , and wholly framed himself to the imitation of melancthon . anno christi . he commenced master of arts , and by the perswasion of melancthon he taught a private school at wittenberg where he did much good , and gat himself great repute : but when the wars in germany waxed hot , he left wittenberg , and went to magdeburg , and from thence to erphurd , where he published some orations , being about two and twenty years old . anno christi he went thence to jenes , and there he preached , and the year after married a wife , barbara , the daughter of that excellent man francis burcard ; which lived with him but two years . anno christi he married againe , blandina , the daughter of snepsius , who lived with him till his death . an. christi was a meeting at isenac about the controversie raised by major , concerning the necessity of good works ; where by the consent of the divines , strigelius was appointed in a friendly manner to concerre with menius about that controversie , & to conclude it not out of humane writings , but by the word of god. the end of which conference was , that menius did solemnly promise before frederick duke of saxony , and all the ministers present , that he would not recede from those propositions which were then agreed upon out of gods word . anno christi , there fell out a new controversie betwixt facius and him , which brought on the disputation at vinaria , wherein these two questions were handled ; whether in regeneration the qualities onely are changed without the substance , or whether together with the qualities there be a creation of a new substance ? strigelius held , that there was onely a change of the qualities ; his adversary said there was a change in both . the other question was about the manner of working ; de modo agendi . anno christi , he , together with aquila , pastor of jenes , was carried away to prison , the markes whereof hee carried to his grave ; the reason of it was , because they refused to consent to a book which they of jenes had published against the divines of wittenberg . in prison he fell very sick , insomuch as the prince suffered him to go to his own house , but yet made him a prisoner there . then did christopher , duke of wirtemberg , and philip , lantgrave of hesse , mediate for his release , and yet could not obtain it ; but at last the emperour maximilian ( interposing his authority ) procured it , after he had been a prisoner above three years ; and so for a while hee returned to his former labours in the schooles . but perceiving that he could not be in safety in that place , he resolved to depart , which the university understanding , wrote to him , earnestly importuning his stay : to whom he returned thankes for their love , but told them withall , that his life was in continuall danger by reason of false brethren , and therefore he was resolved to goe where he might do more good . and accordingly from thence he went to lipsich , where he spent his time in writing upon the psalmes ; and afterwards having it left to his choice whether to stay at lipsich , or to goe to wittenberg ( being sent for thither ) he chose to stay where he was , and was chosen professor of divinity in that university : where he continued his lectures till anno christi . at which time he came to deliver his judgement about the lords supper . whereupon by the command of the rector of the university , the doors of the colledge were shut against him , and he not suffered to read any more : yet they would have restored him to his place , if he would have promised to meddle with that point no more : but he refused to make any such promise , and withall complained to the elector of saxonie of the wrong done unto him ; from whom he received a sharpe answer , and therefore leaving lipsich , he went to amberg in the upper palatinate , where , after a short stay , he received letters from the elector palatine , and the university ; inviting him to heidleberg , whether he presently went , and was made professor of ethicks . in which place he took very great paines , both in reading his lectures ; and writing : but his body having contracted some diseases by his former imprisonment , an. christi . he fell very sick , whereupon he said , sperare se finem vita suae adesse , &c. that he hoped that his life was at an end , whereby he should be delivered from the fraud and miseries of this evill world , and injoy the blessed presence of god , and his saints to all eternity ; and accordingly presently after he quietly departed in the lord , anno christi , . and of his age . having taught the churches both by voice and writing , in many great changes , above twenty three years , attaining that which he had often desired , viz. that he might not dye a lingring death . he was an excellent divine , and philosopher , eloquent , and framed by nature to train up youth . scripsit commentarios in varias philosophiae partes . orationum & epistolarum libros . hypom●emata in utriusque testamenti libros . jo : brentivs the life of iohn brentius , who died a no christi . john brentius was borne at wile in the imperiall snevia , anno christi , . his father was major of that city twenty four years , who carefully brought up his son in learning : and at eleven years old sent him to heidleberg to school , and at thirteen years old he was admitted into the universitie : and at years old he commenced bachelor . there also he studied greek and hebrew , and was so studious , that he usually rose at midnight to his book , whereby he contracted such a habit , that he could never after whilst he lived sleep longer then till midnight ; the rest of the night he spent in holy meditations , and in his old age he had a candle by his bed-side , and deceived the time by writing , and meditation . partly by his diligence , and partly by his acute wit , and strong memory he profited so much both in the arts and tongues , that at eighteen years old he was made master of arts. about this time luthers books coming abroad , brentius by reading of them , came to the knowledge of the truth , which he willingly imbraced : and being desirous to propagate it to others , he began to read upon matthew , first to som friends of his own colledges , but his auditors increasing out of other colledges , he was fain to read in the publick schools ; for which the divines hated him , because he grew so popular , saying , that neither was the place fit for divinity lectures , nor he fit for such a work , being not yet in orders : wherefore to take away that objection , he entred into orders , and preached often for other men to the great delight of his hearers . from thence he was called to be a pastor at hale in sweveland , where his gravity , gesture , phrase , voice , and doctrine did so please the senat , that though he was but twenty three years old , yet they chose him to that place ; and he carried himself with such gravity , holiness of life , integrity of manners , and diligence in his calling , that none could contemn his youth : and the lord so blessed his labours there , that many were converted to the truth , yea , amongst the very popish priests , some of them were converted , others left their places for shame , and went elsewhere . he used much modesty , and wisedome in his sermons , and when ( in the beginning of his preaching there ) the popish priests railed exceedingly upon him , and his doctrine , and the people exspected that he would answer them accordingly ; he contrariwise , went on in teaching the fundamentall points of religion , and as he had occasion , confuted their errors without bitterness from clear scripture arguments , whereby in time he so wrought upon them , that he brought them to a sight of their errors , and to a detestation of their idolatry . about this time muncer , and his companions rose up , and stirred almost all the boors in germany to take arms against the magistrates and rich men , abusing scripture to justifie their proceedings ; whereupon brentius was in great danger , for many cryed out that his opposing popery , and casting out the old ceremonies was the cause of these tumults ; yet when as the boors in hale were risen up , and threatned to besiege the city of hale , and the magistrates and citizens were in such fear that they were ready to fly , or to joyne with the boors ; brentius encouraged them , and told them that if they would take arms , and defend their city , god would assist them , &c. and so it came to passe ; for six hundred citizens beat away four thousand of those boors . he also published a booke in confutation of their wicked opinions , and shewed how dissonant they were to the word of god. presently after rose up that unhappy contention between luther and zuinglius about christs presence in the sacrament , which continued divers years , to the great disturbance of the church , scandal of the reformed religion , and hinderance of the success of the gospel : and when a conference was appointed for the composing of that difference , luther , brentius and some others met with zuinglius , and some of his friends , but after much debate they departed , without an agreement . anno . was the diet held at auspurg , unto which the protestant princes brought their divines with them , and amongst others brentius ; at which time george marquesse of brandenburg told the emperor , that he would rather shed his blood , and lose his life , or lay downe his neck to the headsman , then alter his religion . here the divines drew up that famous confession of faith , which from the place is called the augustane confession . brentius at his return home married a wife , margaret graetenna , famous for her chastity , modesty , and piety , by whom he had six children . ulricus prince of wirtemberg , intending to reform religion in his dominions , thought it the best way first to reform the universitie of tubing , and considering where he might have a fit man for so great and difficult a work , he at last resolved upon brentius , whom he sent for , and who , with much diligence , prudence , and fidelity , accomplished that work . anno christi , the emperor with his army comming to hale , brentius ( who was now returned thither ) hoped to prevaile with the captain that no souldiers should be quartered in his house ; but when hee came home , hee found the souldiers beating at his door , and ready to break it down ; and when they perceived that brentius was master of that house , one of them set an halbert to his breast , threatning to kill him if the door was not presently opened : whereupon they were let in , and he caused meat and drink to be prepared for them , and in the mean time conveighed away all his papers ; and when he saw the fury and rage of the souldiers , he conveighed himself and his family out at a back-door . the next day came a spanish bishop with his train , and putting forth the souldiers , quartered in brentius his house , searched his study , looked over his papers , and letters , and finding some letters to his friends , wherein he justified the protestant princes in taking armes against the emperor , he presently carried them to the emperor , whereby brentius was in great danger , and was fain to hide himself in a very high tower , and not being safe there , he changed his apparrel , left his wife and children , and with one onely companion passed through the spaniards safely , and wandred up and down the fields all that night . but when the emperor was removed with his army , he returned to hale again . anno christi , when caesar had published his booke called the interim , the protestant princes and magistrates required the judgements of their divines upon it : and the magistrates of hale desired frentius to tell them his judgement ; who when he had considered it , told them , that it was a wicked book , and altogether contrary to the scriptures , and that he would lose his life before he would assent to it . this coming to caesar's eares , hee sent a commissarie to hale , charging him to bring brentius to him , either alive , or dead : when the commissarie came thither , he insinuated himself into brentius's acquaintance , invited him to his table , perswaded him to walke abroad with him , having prepared horses to carry him away : but that succeeding not , he called the senate together , and having sworn them to keep private what he should tell them , he imparted his commission , telling them how acceptable it would be to the emperor , if they would send brentius to him , but if they refused , the emperor would destroy their city , &c. it pleased god that whilst he was thus perswading the magistrates , there came in one of the magistrates later then his fellows , and the commissarie not minding it , did not tender the oath to him . so when they were dismissed , this man wrote to brentius , fuge , fuge , brenti , cito , citius , citissime ; which note was brought to him as he sate at supper . having read it , he told his family that he must goe forth upon businesse , but he would returne ere long . as he was going out of the city , he met the commissary , who asked him whither he went ? he answered ? to a sick friend in the subu●bs who had sent for him : wel ( said the commissary ) to morrow you must dine with me . hee replyed , god willing ; and so they parted . being thus escaped , he hid himself in a thick wood , and for some weekes together he lay in the wood all day , and every night came into a village to a friends house where he lodged . he wrote also to the magistrates of hale , that if they could , and would protect him , he was ready to come back , and not to forsake his flock ; but if they could not , he did not d●sire that they should endanger themselves for his sake . they answered , that they could not protect him , and therefore left him free to goe whither he pleased . presently after ulricus prince of wirtemberg invited him to him , and ordered him to be so private , that he himself might not know where hee was , that if he was asked , hee might safely deny his knowledge of him : yet upon suspition , his castle was searched , but brentius was in another place , where in his retirement he wrote a comment upon the ninety third psalm . afterwards he went to basil , as to a safer place , where his wife died of a consumption . from thence he removed to the castle of horrenburg in the h●rcinian wood , where he changed his name , and gave out that he was the keeper of the castle ; and whilst hee was there , hee frequented the sermons in a neighbour town , where the minister used to spin out his sermons to a great length : whereupon brentius took occasion modestly to tell him of it ; to whom the minister answered , you castle-keepers think all time too long at church , but no time too long that you spend in drinking . brentius smiling at it , said no more . whilst he was there , he perfected his comment upon isaiah , and some other works . afterwards hee had great proffers made him by the citizens of madgeburg , by edw. the sixth k. of england ; and by the duke of borussia , who proffered him large stipends and kingly gifts , but he refused them all ; and thus continued in banishment for the space of two years . anno christi , ulricus duke of wirtemberg died , and his sonne christopher succeeding , resolved to restore the ministers which were driven away by the interim to their charges within his dominions , and to perfect the work of reformation : and for that end , sent for brentius , and kept him in his castle of stutgard , that he might have his advice and assistance , in carrying on that work. neither was he discouraged by the admonition of the princes , and bishops , nor by the threats of the garrisons that were about him . he caused brentius to write a confession of faith , and of the doctrine of christian religion , and about the chief poin● in controversie , which he intended to send to the council of trent , and accordingly he did sent it by ambassadors , and an. ch. , brentius , with other divines went after , eith●● publickly in the council to defend that confession , or ●o refute such decrees as should be made against it : but no answer could be extorted from those fathers , neither could these ●ivines be heard , nor were once called into the council ; whereupon after a while they returned home , not without great danger . about that time brentius married again , one f●th . isenman , a choice woman , who was a great comfort to ●im all the rest of his life ; by whom also he had twelve children . the year after the pastor of stutgard dying , brentius was chosen into his room . in which place he continued all his life , and carried himself with much sedulity , pioty and prudence in the same , alwaies maintaining love and concord with his colleagues . and in his sermons he preached over the pentateuch , and the gospels of matthew and mark. and whereas one peter a soto , a spaniard , wrote a confession of the roman faith , and made some annotations upon the forementioned confession of wirtemburg , labouring to bespatter , and traduce it , brentius answered this out of the scriptures and fathers , defending the doctrine of the protestants against the opinions of the papists , and the decrees of the councill of trent , which he confuted , so that a blind man might perceive the idolatries of the romanists to be condemned by the word of god. anno christi he was sent by his prince to the conference at worms , which came to nothing , because the popish party would not suffer that the scripture should be the judg of their controversies . in his old age hee wrote upon the psalmes : and whereas there were many monasteries in wirtemburg , out of which the friars were driven , he perswaded his prince to turne them to schooles for the training up of youth in learning , which was accordingly done ; and once in two years brentius visited those schools , and took notice how the scholars profited in learning , and encouraged them to make a daily progresse therein . he had almost finished his comment upon the psalms , when as his old age , worn out with studies and labours , put a period unto the same , and his end was hastned by grief for the immature death of his prince , for whom he professed that he would willingly have sacrificed all his estate , & his own life also . falling into a feaver , whereby he perceived that his end approached , he made his will , wherein he set down a confession of his faith : and sending for the ministers of stutgard ▪ hee caused his sonne to read it to them , and requested them to subscribe their hands as witnesses to it . he also received the sacrament , and exhorted them to unity in doctrine , and love amongst themselves . he was exceeding patient in all his sickness , neither by word , nor gesture shewing the least impatience ; alwaies saying , that he longed for a better , even an eternall life . the night before his death , he slept sweetly , and when he awaked , the minister repeated the apostles creed , and asked him whether he dyed in that faith : to whom he answered , yea ; which was his last word , and so he quietly resigned up his spirit unto god , anno christi , and of his age seventy one . he was buried with much honour , and had this epitaph . voce , stylo , pietate , fide , candore probatus johannes tali brentius ore fuit . with voice , stile , piety , faith , and candor grac'd , in outward shape , john brentius was thus fac'd . he was of a bigge stature , of a sirm health , in which hee continued to his old age , had strong fides , a clear , and full voice ; had many excellent virtues , went through many great dangers , with an undaunted spirit . his piety to his parents was very singular , and his love to god and his church exemplary . he wrote many things , which are printed in nine tomes : most of which are mentioned before in his life . the life of peter viretus , who died a no christi . peter viretus was born at orba in the country of the bernates , brought up in learning at paris , where he beganne to be acquainted with farel , whom afterwards he helpt much in setling the churches in those parts ; but principally the church of lausanna , where he spent many years in the ministry , and writing books to his great praise . and when calvin was sent to the conference at worms an. chr. , and from thence to ratisbone , he obtained of the senate of lausanna , that virete should supply his place at geneva till his return : and when he came back he much importuned that virete might still continue there , affirming that it would much conduce to the good of the church at geneva to enjoy his labours ; but he would needs return to lausanna to his former charge . afterwards , at the earnest entreaty of the french-churches he went to lions , where , in the middest of the civill warrs , and the pestilence which followed , he , with his colleagues , governed the church with much prudence ; till , by the jesuits means , anno , there was a proclamation sent abroad , that none but such as were native french , should be preachers in the protestant churches , upon which occasion many forraign ministers were driven out of france , and amongst the rest master virete . then at the earnest request of the queen of navarre he went to bern , where hee continued untill his death , which was anno christi , and of his age sixty . he was much bewailed of all good men . whilst he lived he was of a very weak constitution , and the rather by reason of poyson which a priest had given to him at geneva ; as also because of some wounds that he had received from a priest that lay in wait for him in another place , where he was left for dead . he was very learned , of a sweet disposition , and so exceeding eloquent , that he drew many to be his hearers , which were no friends to religion ; and they were so chained to his lips , that they never thought the time long wherein he preached , but alwaies wished his sermons longer . at lions , which was a populous city , he preached in an open place , and turned some thousands to the truth , and faith in christ ; yea some that passed by , with no purpose to hear his sermon , yet did he so work upon them , that they neglected their other businesse to hearken to him . at that time france enjoyed those three excellent preachers , calvin , farel , and virete : calvin was famous for his learning , farell for his earnestnesse , and viret for his eloquence : whereupon baza made these verses : gallica mirata est calvinum ecclesia nuper : quo nemo docuit doctius . est quoque te nuper mirata , farelle , tonantem : quo nemo tonuit fortius . et miratur adhuc fundentem mella viretum : quo nemo fatur dulciùs . scilicet aut tribus his servabere testibus olim : aut interibis , gallia . scripta viretus reliquit . commentarios in acta apost . de origine novae , & veteris idololatriae , lib. . qua imagines , & reliquiae verae , aut falsa sint . quis verus mediator . de origine , continuatione , usu , authoritate , atque praestantia ministerii verbi dei , & sacrament orum , &c. de vero verbi dei , sacramentorum , & eccl●siae ministerio , lib. . de adulterinis sacramentis . de theatrica missae saltatione , &c. de usu salutationis augelicae , &c. epistola ad fideles agentes inter papistas . epistolae consolatoriae , de officio hominis , & necessitate inquirendi de voluntate dei ex ejus verbo , &c. physicae papalis dialogi . christianarum disputationum dialogi . instructio christiana , &c. dialogi de confusione mundi . de communicatione fidelium . expositio orationis dominicae . de natura & varietate v●torum , atque legum divinarum . disputationes de statu defunctorum , &c. j. jvel the life of john juel , who dyed a no christi . john juel was born at buden , in devonshire , anno christi . his father was a gentleman that carefully trained him up in piety , and learning . his singular promptnesse of wit and industry , accompanied with ingenuity , and modesty , procured him much love from his master . at thirteen years old he was sent to oxford , and admitted into merton colledge , under the tuition of master ●arkhurst , who was as carefull to season him with pure religion , as with other learning : afterwards he removed to corpus christi colledg , where his proficiency in learning was so remarkable that he took his degree of bachelor with much applause , and shortly after was chosen ( before many his seniors ) to read the humanity lecture , which he performed with such accuratenesse , diligence and excellency , that many came from other c●lledges to hear him , and amongst others master parkhurst his former tutor , who ( the lecture being ended ) saluted him thus , olim discipulus mihi , chare juelle , fuisti , nunc ero discipulus , terenuente , tuus . dear juel , thou a scholar wast of mine ; hereafter , though unwilling , i le be thine . he was very studious , and his onely recreations from hi● studies , was reading to his scholars , disputing with others , and ruminating what he had before read : his life was such , that the dean of the colledge ( though a papist ) thus said , i should love thee juel if thou wert not a zuinglian : in thy faith i hold thee an heretick , but surely in thy life thou art an angel● thou art very good and honest , but a luther●n . in the end of king henry the eighth's reigne , he commenced master of arts , but he flourished much more under edward the sixth , at which time peter martyr being the divinity professor in oxford , juel observed his art ; copied ou● his sermons and lectures , and became most intimate with him : he preached at sunningwell , and was famous for his latine sermons ad clerum : he ever loved eloquence , b●t not effeminatam , sed virilem : prudentibus viris non place●● phalerata , sed fortia : but about the beginning of quee● maries reign , the popish party of that colledge prevailing , they expelled him the house for his religion ; after which he ●arried a while at broadgates-hall , where the same of his learning drew many scholars to him , and the university chose him for her orator : there he stayed so long till the inquisition caught him , urging upon him subscription , under pain of proscription , and horrible tortures . now was he brought into such straights , that consulting with flesh and blood hee set his name to the paper , whereby he approved some articles of popery . this much obscured the glory of his after sufferings , and nothing promoted his safety ; for snares being laid for him , he had certainly been caught , had he not , by gods speciall providence , gone that very night that he was sought for accidentally a wrong way to london ; and to by going out of the way , he found the safest way ; but afterwards he repented of this publick subscription , by publick confession , and contrition . as he travelled on foot in a snowie winters night toward london , he was found in the way by master latimers servant starved with cold , and faint with wearinesse , lying on the ground , panting , and labouring for life , or for death rather , by whose means he was preserved ; yet when he came to london he found no safety , looking every hour to be delivered up to that cruel butcher bonner , and to be slaughtered at his shambles : whereupon he fled from his native-soyl , and wandring beyond sea , was disappointed of all his friends , and means to procure him so much as a nights lodging ; yet through gods mercy he came safe to franckefurt , where , presently after he made an excellent sermon , and in the end of it , openly confessed his fall in these words , it was my abject , and cowardly minde , and faint heart that made my weak hand commit this wickednesse , which confession was mixed with hearty sighs , and tears , and concluded with earnest supplication ; first , to almighty god whom he had offended , and then to his church which he had scandalized ; and there was none in that congregation but ever after imbraced him as a dear brother , yea , as an angel of god. from thence he was often invited by kinde letters from peter martyr to strasborough , whether at last he went , and where he found many divines , knights and gentlemen , who were fled from england , having left their estates , honors , kindred and dearest friends for the testimony of the gospel of jesus christ. when he came to strasborough , martyr invited him to his common-table , and used his help in compiling of his commentary upon judges , and afterwards when martyr was sent for by the senate of zurick to succeed pellican in the hebrew lecture , and exposition of scripture , he took juel with him , being accompanied also with many other english exiles , who for a while were maintained by the charity of some londoners ; till steven gardiner having notice of it , by imprisoning and impoverishing their benefactors , stopped the current of their bounty ; yet in this extremity , the lord raised up christopher , prince of wirtemberg , bountifully to relieve them . the senators of zurick also , at the request of bullinger , opened the treasury of their liberality to them : also calvin , zuinglius , melancthon , pellican , lavater , gesner , and all the greatest ornaments of religion and learning in all reformed churches were very kinde to the english exiles . juel spent most of the time of his banishment in peter martyrs house , bettering him , and being bettered by him : he took much paines also in composing the differences and contentions amongst his brethren , arising from the difference of opinion concerning ceremonies , and church-discipline : and those which groaned most under the burthen of affliction , he perswaded them to patience in bearing their part of christs crosse , shutting up all with that sweet close often repeated by him , haec non durabunt aetatem : bear a while , these miseries will not endure an age ; which words proved a prophesie ; for it pleased god in mercy to his church shortly after to cut off that bloody queen mary who lived not out half her daies , and to set up queen elizabeth to be a nursing mother to his church . in the beginning of whose reign those exiles returned home , and juel amongst the rest . presently after his return , he with some others were appointed to dispute at westminster with some of the popish party ; but the papists declining the disputation , it came to nothing . shortly after the queen imployed him into the west to visit the churches , to root out superstition , and to plant true religion , where he took much pains in breaking the bread of life , where he first drew the breath of life . after this he was made bishop of salisbury , though with much reluctancy , looking upon it as a great burthen . in that office he took much paines both by preaching and governing , and was very careful in providing faithfull pastors , and in reforming abuses . anno christi , he was called to preach at pauls cross , where he took that text cor. . . for i received of the lord that which also i delivered unto you , &c. in which sermon he confirmed largely the protestants doctrine concerning the sacrament of the lords supper by scriptures and fathers , adding this solemn protestation , that if any learned man of all our adversaries , or if all the learned men that be alive , are able to shew any one sufficient sentence out of any old catholick doctor or father , or out of any old generall council , or out of the holy scriptures of god , or any one example of the primitive church , whereby it may be clearly and plainly proved , that there was any private masses in the world at that time for the space of six hundred years after christ ; or that the sacrament of the lords supper was ever administred to the people under one kind ; or that the people then had their common prayers in a strange tongue that they understood not ; or that the bishop of rome was then called a universall bishop , or the head of the universall church ; or that the people were taught to beleeve that christs body is really , substantially , corporeally , carnally , or naturally in the sacrament ; or that his body is , or may be in above a thousand places at one time ; or that the priest did then hold up the sacrament over his head ; or that the people did then fall down and worship it with divine honour ; or that then the sacrament was hanged up under a canopy ; or that in the sacrament after the words of consecration , there remained onely the accidents or shews , without the substance of bread and wine ; or that the priest then divided the sacrament in three parts , and after received all alone himself ; or that whosoever had then said that the sacrament is a figure , pledge , token , or remembrance of christs body , had therefore been judged for an heretick ; or that it was then lawfull to have thirty , twenty , fifteen , or five masses said in one church in one day ; or that images were then set up in churches , that the people might worship them ; or that the lay-people were then forbidden to read the word of god in their own language . if any man alive can prove any one of these articles , by any one clear or plain clause , or sentence of scripture , ancient fathers , or any one generall councill , or any example of the primitive church , i here promise that i will give over my opinion and subscribe to him . yea i further promise , that if any of all our adversaries be able clearly , and plainly to prove in manner aforesaid , that it was then lawfull for a priest to pronounce the words of consecration closely , and in silence to himself ; or that the priest had then authority to offer up christ unto his father ; or to receive the sacrament for another , as they now do ; or apply the virtue of christs death and passion to any man by means of the mass , or that then it was thought a sound doctrine to teach the people that the mass ex opere operato is able to remove our sinnes ; or that any christian man called the sacrament his lord and god ; or that the people were then taught to beleeve that the body of christ remaineth in the sacranent so long as that bread remaineth without corruption ; or that a mouse , worm , or other creature may eat the body of christ ; or that ignorance is the mother of devotion . as i said before , so say i new again , if any of them can clearly prove any of these things in the manner aforesaid , i promise to yeeld , and subscribe unto him . indeed they have long boasted of antiquity , &c. but when they are put to their proofs , they can produce nothing . i speake not this out of arrogancy ( thou lord knowest it , that knowest all things ) but because it is in the cause of god , and for asserting his truth , i should doe god great injury if i should conceal it . he was very bountifull in relieving the poor , and wise in composing litigious strifes . besides his publick employments he read much , and wrote much ; scarce any yeare in all the time of his bishoprick passed , wherein he published not some famous work or other : diu vixit , licet non di● fuit , he lived long in that short scantling of his life . at meales , a chapter being first read , he recreated himself with scholastical combats between young scholars whom he maintained at his table ; the conquerors were bountifully rewarded . after meals , his doors and eares were open to all suits and causes ; and then he retired to his study . at nine a clock at night he called all his servants to an account how they had spent that day , and after prayer , admonished them accordingly : then he returned to his study , where often he sate till after midnight . when he was layd in bed , one that waited upon him , read some part of an author to him : which done , commending himself to the protection of his saviour , he took his rest . his memory was raised by art to the highest pitch of humane possibility ; for he could readily repeat any thing that he had penned after once reading it : and therefore usually at the ringing of the bell , he beganne to commit his sermons to heart ; and kept what he learned so firmely , that he used to say , that if he were to make a speech premeditated , before a thousand auditors shouting of fighting all the while , yet could he say all that he had provided to speak . many barbarous , and hard names out of a callender , and forty strange words , vvelsh , irish , &c. after once , or twice reading at the most , and short meditation , he could repeat both forwards , and backwards without hesitation . and sir francis bacon reading onely to him the last clauses of tenne lines in erasmus his paraphrase in a confused and dismembred manner ; he sitting silent a while , on a sudden rehearsed all those broken parcels of sentences the right way , and the contrary , without stumbling . long before his sickness he fore-told the approaching , and in his sicknesse , the precise day of his death : and hee was so farre from declining it , that by fasting , labour , and watching , he seemed rather to accelerate it , that he might be the readier to entertain death , and meet his saviour . being very weak , as he was going to preach at lacock in wiltsh●re , a gentleman meeting him , friendly admonished him to returne home for his healths sake , telling him that it was better the people should want one sermon , then be altogether deprived of such a preacher . to whom he replyed , that it best became a bishop to die preaching in a pulpit ; alluding to that of vespasian , oportet imperatorem stantem mori . and thinking upon that of his master , happy art thou my servant , if when i come i find thee so doing . his text whereon he preached at lacock , was , walk in the spirit ; and presently after sermon his disease growing more and more upon him , hee was forced to take his bed . in the beginning of his sicknesse he made his will , and gave most of his estate to his servants , to scholars , and to the poor of sarum . the saturday following , calling all his houshold about him , he expounded the lords prayer , cantater ●ygnus funeris ipse sui : wherein hee said , it hath alwaies been my desire that i might glorifie god , and honour his name by sacrificing my life unto death for the defence of his truth : but seeing god hath not granted my desire , yet i rejoice that my body is exhausted , and worn away in the labours of my holy calling , &c. and now that my hour is at hand i earnestly desire you to pray for me , and to help me with the ardencie of your affections , when you perceive me , through the infirmitie of the ●esh , to languish in my prayers : hitherto i have taught you , but now the time is come wherein i may , and desire to be taught and strengthened by every one of you . then hee desired them to sing the psalm , himself also joyning as well as he could , somtimes also interposing some words of particular application to himself , & in the end he said , lord now let thy servant depart in peace : break off all delaies : lord receive my spirit , &c. then one standing by , prayed with tears , that if the lord pleased , he would restore him to his former health : juel over-hearing him , seemed to be offended , and said , i have not lived so , that i am ashamed to live longer , neither do i fear to die , because we have a mercifull lord. a crown of righteousness is laid up for me : christ is my righteousnesse . father , let thy will be done , thy will i say , and not mine , which is imperfect and depraved . this day quickly let me see the lord jesus , &c. and so after a few fervent inward prayers and sighs of longing desire , the soul returned to him that gave it , anno christi ; and of his age . concerning his apology for the church of england , peter martyr thus wrote to him . tua apologia , frater charissimè , non tantùm mihi omnibus modis , & numeris satisfecit : verùm etiam bulingero , ejusque filiis , & generis , nec non gualthero , & wolphio ; tam sapiens , mirabilis , & eloquens vis● est , ut ejus laudandae nullum modum faciant , nec arbitrantu● quicquam ▪ hoc tempore perfectius editum fuisse , &c. i. e. thy apology , dear brother , hath not onely fully satisfied mee but it seems also so wise , admirable , and eloquent to bullinger , and his sonnes ; as also to gualter , and wolphius , that they can never make an end of praising it ; and they believe that there hath not been so compleate a book published in this age , &c. the life of zegedine , who died a no christi . steven kis , sirnamed zegedine , from the place where hee was born , which was a town in the lower pannonia , was born anno christi , brought up in learning , first in the school of zegedine , under the eye of his parents ; then was sent to lippain , and after a while to julia , in all which places he made an excellent progresse in learning , and profited to admiration : and his parents being dead , he betooke himself to teaching a school , and for his admirable dexterity therein , he procured to himselfe great favour , and authority amongst all sorts of persons . about which time ( hearing the fame of luther and melancthon ) he had a great mind to goe to wittenberg ; but wanting opportunity in sundry regards , he went to the university at cracovia , where having studied a while , he was made a reader to others , and grew very famous ; and having gotten some money there , anno christi hee went to wittenberg , where hee studied logick and divinity three years , being a diligent hearer of the lectures of luther and melancthon all that while ; and so at the end of that terme , returned into his own country , where hee was received by the hungarian youths with great applause in every place . and being hired in the city of thasniadine , he not only instructed youth in the knowledge of the arts , but he preached jesus christ also to the people , before unknown unto them . this comming to the ears of the kings treasurer , he sent for him , fell upon him , beat him , and drove him out of the city . there he lost two hundred books , and was so barbarously kicked by this tyrant with his iron spurs , that he was almost slain . thus wandring up and down as an exile , anno christi , hee was called to julia , where he was made governour of an illustrious schoole , and hee began to live comfortably ; but on a sudden came news to him of the death of luther , which was a very great grief to him . the year after hee was sent for to cegledine , where he was hired to preach publickly in the church , and with the leave of the schoolmaster he read melancthons common places in the schooles , discovering many of the popish errors to his hearers ; and god was pleased so to blesse his labours , that many learned young men went out of those schooles . having continued there about two yeares and an half , anno christi hee married his first wife called ursula ; after which leaving cegledine , hee was earnestly sent for by the governour of temeswert to govern the school there , which indeed was the most famous school in all those parts ; where he not onely performed the office wherewith he was intrusted , but preached weekely to the people : but that governour dying , there succeeded him one that was of a most rugged disposition , being a souldier , and a strong papist , who drove zegedine from thence , togegether with divers other protestants . being again an exile , he wandered up and down till hee was called to govern the school at thurin , where he was received with great honour , anno christi , and according to his former custome preached to the people , who eagerly embraced the truth , and loved him exceedingly . from thence , anno christi , he was called to bekenese , where he preached to the people , and read lectures in the schools . whilst he was there , some italian souldiers were commanded by their captain to kill zegedine , out of an hatred to his religion ; but it pleased god that a country man , who heard the command , running hastily to zegedine , said to him , sir , what doe you here , when there are some souldiers comming upon you to slay you ? therefore flie hence speedily if you will save your life , and if you have any thing of worth , commit it to my custodie , who promise faithfully to keep it for you . whilst he was speaking , the noise of the souldiers was heard without , whereupon zegedine slipt into his chamber , and taking a bag of mony , gave it to the man out of his window , intreating him to keep it safe . presently after the souldiers rushing into his chamber , plundered him of all he had , together with his books , and binding him , carried him away with them to the captain . but behold the gracious providence of god. amongst those bloodie souldiers there was one that favoured him , and conveighed him away , so that swimming over a river , he escaped , & returned home again , when the souldiers were departed out of the country . in his bedstraw hee had left another bagge of money , which some women , searching his chamber after his departure , had found , and now honestly restored to him againe : but that man to whom he had given the bagge out of the window , could never after bee heard of . shortly after , his fame spreading abroad , he was called to tholna to govern the school ; wherefore taking onely one servant along with him , hee went thither . anno christi , where he spent most of his time in teaching schoole : but afterwards at the importunity of the minister , he first began on holydayes , and after on sabbath daies to preach to the people . and his former wife being dead , he married another , one elizabeth , a woman no less vertuous then beautifull . and not long after he was chosen to lascovia to be their pastor ; and was ordained minister by the imposition of hands , anno christi : and being now about fifty years old , he was made doctor , and superintendent of all that baronrie : but hee had such an earnest desire to breed up youth in religion and learning , that notwithstanding his other weighty imployments , he read not only in the schools , but privately also in his own house to many ; many ignorant priests round about resorting to his lectures : neither did he intermit his pains , no not in sicknesse , if hee had but strength to speak that his voice might bee heard . and thus he continned four years at lascovia , where he had three children born , anne , sarah , and isaac ; and was often made use of by a noble lord called mark horvat , governour of a castle hard by , sometimes to preach , and othersome times to decide the most intricate controversies . anno christi he was removed thence by the authority of some governours of neighbouring castles to calmantsem , though much against his will : and anno christi the greatest misery and mischief that ever befell zegedine in his life , by gods permission now came upon him ; the occasion whereof was this . preaching upon circumcision day , he spake much of the signification of names , and amongst others of ●rsula , that it signified , a young bear : whereupon a violent woman of that name , wife to albert turia , made a grievous complaint to her husband , that zegedine had on purpose mentioned that name to disgrace her before all the congregation , and that it deserved to be taken notice of : in the mean time comes into those parts one mamhuts beg , a turish captain , that was governour of quinque ecclesia , whom the citizens of calmantsem entertained , and gave presents to : whereupon he advised them to present his captaine the vayvod of coppeswar with four or five els of cloth of gold , or silver , which was imposed upon them as a tribute to be paid to him ; but whilst they neglected to doe it , the vayvod being angry , came upon them as they were at a sermon , and took many of them prisoners , together with zegedine , and carried them away to copesware . the rest that escaped , gathering the tribute , carried it presently to the vayvod , entreating his pardon , and the restitution of the prisoners , especially of zegedine , but hee told them , that hee had now written to the beg ( or lord ) of quinqueecclesia , that he had taken some prisoners , to whom therefore , if they would have them restored to liberty , they must goe and petition for their release . this they did , and things began to succeed according to their mind , so that the captives were commanded to be restored : but the citizens of calmantsem having been many wayes wronged by the vayvod , sought to the beg to have him removed out of his place ; but the crafty vayvod by greater bribes , perswaded the beg that all their accusations were false : whereupon the beg said to them , i will have some of your grave citizens , together with your minister brought unto me , by whom i may be informed of the truth of these things . but when zegedine came , he picked a quarrell with him , and cast him into prison : whereupon his people , by rich presents , endeavoured to procure his release ; and when they had almost obtained their request , one whispered the beg in his ear , and told him , that hee might have a thousand florens for his ransome : upon this suggestion the covetous turk still detained him , and told them that he would not release him till they had paid him a thousand florens : and when the money came in slower then he expected , the barbarous tyrant chid zegedins keeper for using him too gently , which ( as he said ) was the cause that his ransom was not yet paid : whereupon his keeper bound and whipt him with th●ngs til he was bloody all over , and almost kill'd him : afterwards the beg promised that if they would procure the release of the daughter of the major of tolne , who was prisoner with the hungarians , and bring her unto him , hee would release zegedine . her , therefore , zegedines people of calmantsem redeemed for three hundred florens , and presented her to the beg , yet the infidell falsified his promise , and kept him still prisoner . then the prince of transi●vania sent ambassadors , and a rich present to the beg , requesting the release of zegedine , yet nothing could prevail . many passengers that went that way , hearing of his miserable captivity , came to visit him , and gave him money , but his cruel keeper extorted most of it from him , having a command from the beg that he should bee kept with short commons : but he found that of saint paul performed to him , that all things shall work together for good to them that love god : for being bound with heavy and great chains , the barbarous turk , at the importunitie of some of the citizens , was the easier prevailed with , to give him leave to goe to some of their houses , faithfully promising to returne him to prison before night ; and so having these opportunities he preached to the christians , who earnestly flocked to heare him . and it pleased god at last to encline the hearts of some of the courtiers to favour zegedine , who were grieved to see him waste away with the filth and stink of the prison , and thereupon advised the best way they could for his release . during his imprisonment , the beg used all means both by threats and promises , to draw him to abjure the christian religion , and to turn turk ; but hee alwaies answered him stoutly , that such arguments might prevail with children , but could not with him . having leave at last , through bribes , to lie amongst the other captives in a more open and cleanly place , he wonderfully refreshed , and comforted them by his godly exhortations , and consolations drawn from the scriptures , whereby they were much confirmed in the christian faith : and whereas before they were almost pined through want of food , god so stirred up the hearts of some to bring relief to zegedine , that all the rest of the prisoners were provided for plentifully thereby . remaining thus in prison he was not idle , but wrote there his common-places and some other works ; and his citizens having tried all means , and used the intercession of all their friends for his release , began now almost to despair of obtaining it . and to adde to his affliction , it pleased god in the time of his imprisonment ( which was above a year ) three of his children died , which added much to his affliction . but when all hopes failed , let us see by what means ( through gods mercy ) he obtained his liberty . it pleased god that a noble baron and his lady passing by that way , saw this worthy man of god in so miserable a plight that the lady much pittyed him ; and afterwards being in child-bed , and ready to dye , she requested her lord ( who loved her dearly ) for her sake to improve all his interest in the beg to procure zegedines liberty ; which he with an oath promised to perform , and accordingly engaged himself to the turk that he should pay florens for his ransom ; upon which he was released , and went about to divers cities to gather his ransom , and god so enlarged mens hearts towards him , that in a short time he carried florens to this baron , and so returned to his people at calmantsem . the year after being , as he was going by coach to buda , when the horses came near the river danubius , being very hot , and dry , they ran violently into the river : but behold the admirable providence of god : when they had swam some twenty paces in the river , they turned back again of their own accord , and drew the coach and him safely to the shore . the same year by imposition of hands , he ordained three excellent men ministers abo●● that time there came a bragging friar , and challenged him to a disputation ; which he willingly accepting of , the great church was appointed for the place , and many of both sides resorted thither ; and the friar came with much confidence , hi● servants carrying a great sack of book● 〈◊〉 . but in the disputation , zegedine did so baffle him , that 〈…〉 shrunk away with shame , a●d he frier , with his great 〈◊〉 was left all alone , so that himself was faine to take it on his own shoulders , and go his way . about that time the vayvod , who had before betrayed him , coming to the place where zegedine was , desired to speake with him , and requested him to forgive him , professing that he could rest neither night nor day , he was so haunted with apparitions , and the furies of his own conscience ; which zegedine easily assented unto . an. christi , zegedine being very hot , invited a friend to go with him to the river of danubius to bathe themselves ; but as they were swimming , his friend looking about him , saw not zegedine , and wondering what was become of him so suddenly , at last spied his hoary hairs appearing above water ; and swimming swiftly to him , zegedine was sunk , whereupon he diving to the bottom of the river , caught hold of him , and drew him forth , carrying him to a mill that was not far off , where he laid him to bed : about midnight zegedine , coming to himselfe , enquired how he came there , and who drew him out of the river ; his friend told him the whole story , and kept him carefully till he recovered . anno christi he fell into a lingring disease , in which he loathed meat , slept little , was much troubled with rheume , complained of head-ach , and could find no ease , either sitting , standing , or lying ; yet he drank much milk ; and thought that if he could procure some sleep , hee might easily recover his former health ; whereupon he sent for a chirurgion , who gave him a bitter potion , which caused him to fall asleep ; but after a little while he quietly breathed forth his last , being years old , anno christi . he was a zealous assertor of the truth against arianism , mahometism , and papism , with all which heresies hungary at that time was much infected . his writings were these . adsertio de trinitate contra quorundam deliramenta , in quibusdam hungariae partibus exorta . speculum romanorum pontificum . loci communes theologicae . tabulae analyticae de fide christiana . j. knox the life of john knox , who died a no christi . john knox was born at gifford in lothaine in scotland , anno . of honest parentage : brought up first at school , then sent to the university of saint andrews to study under mr. jo. mair , who was famous for learning in those dayes , and under whom in a short time he profited exceedingly in philosophy , and school-divinity , and tooke his degrees , and afterwards was admitted very young into orders : then he betook himself to the reading of the fathers , especially augustines and hieroms works , and lastly to the earnest study of the holy scriptures , by which being , through gods mercy , informed of the truth , he willingly embraced it , and freely professed it , and imparted it to others . but the bishops and friers could by no means endure that light which discovered their darknesse , and therefore presently raised up a persecution against him ; especially david beton , archbishop and cardinal , who caused him to be apprehended and cast into prison , purposing to have sacrificed him in the flames : but it pleased god by a special providence that he was delivered , and therefore presently fled to berwick to the english , where he preached the truth of the gospel with great fruit , and defended it against the popish party , so that his fame spread abroad exceedingly . hee preached also at newcastle , london , and in some other places . so that k. edw ▪ the sixth taking notice of him , profered him a bishoprick , which he rejected , as having aliquid commune cum antichristo : something in it common with antichrist . king edward being dead , the persecution raised by queen mary made him leave england , and goe to franckfort upon maine , where for a time he preached the gospel to the english congregation : but meeting with opposition there , both from papists and false brethren , he went to geneva , where also he preached to an english congregation , and was very intimate with master ralvin , continuing there some years . anno christi , and of his age , the nobility of scotland , with some others , beginning the reformation of religion , sent for him home ; and at his coming to edenborough he was lodged in the house of that worthy main james sime , where he beganne privately to instruct such as resorted to him , amongst whom was the laird of dun , david forresse , and elizabeth adamson , the wife of james baranne , burgesse of edenborough , and some others . after a while master knox perceiving that divers , who willingly entertained the doctrine of christ , yet made no scruple to goe to masse , and to communicate in the abused sacraments after the papisticall manner , he beganne as well in private conference , as in his ministery , to shew the impiety of the masse , and the great danger of communicating with idolatry , wherewith some being terrified in conscience , the businesse beganne to be agitated from one to another . hereupon the laird of dun invited master knox to supper , where were present david forresse , master kobert lockart , john willock , and william matland ; at which meeting the question was proposed and debated , and mr. knox did so fully , and learnedly answer whatsoever was objected against his doctrine , that william matland concluded in these words , i see very well that all our shifts will serve nothing before god , seeing they stand us in so small stead before men . after these reasonings the mass beganne to be abhorred , and mr. knox at the request of the laird of dun went with him to dun , where he remained a moneth , preaching every day to the people , the principall men of that country resorting to his ministery . at the moneths end he went to calder , whether resorted to him the lord erskin ( afterwards earl of argile ) lord james the prior of st. andrews ( afterwards earl of murrey ) where they heard , and so approved his ministry , that they wished it had been more publick . a while after the earl of glencarne sent for master knox to his place of finlaston , where after he had preached to them , he administred the sacrament of the lords supper to the earl , his lady , two of his sons , and some others , and so he went back to calder ; to which place many resorted to him from edenborough , and the country round about , not onely to hear his doctrine , but also to partake of the holy sacrament which before they had never received . from thence he departed the second time to the laird of duns , where he preached the gospel with more liberty and boldnesse then he had before , and many of the gentlemen of the country after they had heard his doctrine , desired also to be made partakers of the sacrament of the lords supper , and ( through gods mercy ) his min●stry had such an impression upon their hearts , that they presently refused all society with idolatry , and bent themselves to the uttermost of their powers to maintain the truth of christ. this so vexed the friers , that from all quarters they flocked to their bishops to complain of master knox , so that he was summoned to appear in the black-fryers church in edenborough the fifteenth of may following , and accordingly he appeared ; thither came also iohn erskin of dun , with divers other gentlemen , which the bishops taking notice of , durst not proceed against him : insomuch that master knox the same day that he should have appeared before them , preached in edenborough in a greater audience then ever he had before . the place where he preached was in the bishop of dunkellins great lodging , in which place he preached ten days together , both forenoon and afternoon . then did the earl of glencarne solicit the earl marshall to hear master knox , which he with his counsellor drummo●d did , and so liked his doctrine , that he willed master knox to write unto the queen regent somewhat that might move her to hear the word of god. this m. knox was willing to do , and wrote that which was afterwards printed , called , a letter to the queen dowager , which was delivered by the earl of glencarne into her own hands : the queen after she had read the letter , delivered it to that proud prelate becon , bishop of glascow , saying , in scorne , please you my lord to read a pasquill ? whilst master knox was thus occupied in scotland there came a letter to him from the english congregation which was setled at geneva , anno christi . being separated from the contentious and superstitious company at frankefort , requiring him in the name of god , that as he was their chosen pastor , so he should repair to them for their comfort . upon this he took his leave in every congregation where before he had preached , exhorting them to fervent prayer , frequent reading o● the scriptures , and mutuall conference , till god should give them greater liberty ; and then he sent before him to diep his mother in law elizabeth bowes , and his wife ; but himselfe by the importunity of robert campbel stayed a while in scotland , going to the earl of argile , then in campbel castle , where he taught certain dayes , the laird of glenurquaire being one of his auditors , who intreated the earl of argile to retain him in scotland : but he was resolved upon his journey , and would by no means stay at that time , yet promising , that if the lord blessed those small beginnings , whensoever they pleased to command him , they should find him obedient to their call . shortly after he passed over into france , and from thence went to geneva , whereupon the bishops of scotland summoned him , and for non-appearance , condemned him , and burnt his effigies at the crosse at edenborough . from which unjust sentence , when master knox heard of it , he ●ent an appellation , which he directed to the nobility and commons of scotland . march the tenth , anno christi , . certain of the nobility of scotland . sent this ensuing letter to master knox at geneva . grace , mercy and peace for salvation . dearly b●loved in the lord the faithfull that are of your acquaintance in these parts ( thanks be to god ) are stedfast in the beliefe wherein you left them , and have a godly thirst and desire from day to day to injoy your presence againe , which if god so move your heart , and give you life , we desire you in the name of the lord that you returne to us again into this place , where you shall finde all faithfull that you left behind you ; who will not only be glad to hear your doctrine , but ready to jeopard their estates for the setting forth of the glory of god , as he will permit time . and albeit the magistrates of this country be as yet but in the state you left them ; yet at the writing hereof we have no experience of any more cruelty used then was before ; but rather beleeve that god will augment his flock , because we see daily the friers ( enemies to christs gospel ) in lesse estimation both with the queens grace and the rest of the nobility of the realme . this in few words is the mind of the faithfull here present , and of others absent . the rest of our minds this faithfull messenger wil shew you , when he comes to you . fare you well in the lord. subscribed glencarne . erskin . argile james steward . master knox upon the receipt of this letter advised with master calvin , and other ministers , who upon mature deliberation , told him that he could not refuse this call , unlesse he would shew himselfe rebellious against god , and unmercifull to his country : whereupon he returned answer , that he would come to them so soon as he could settle the affairs of that dear flock that was committed to his charge . shortly after he began his journy , and arrived in scotland that very day whereon the bishops ended their provinciall councill ; and hearing that the brethren were met at dundee , he went to them , and earnestly requested that he and his brethren might joyne together to make a confession of their faith ; which being assented to , he went to st. johnstons to them , where also he preached to the people ; but presently came a summons that the preachers should appear before the queen regent at striveling , which being known abroad , the protestants repaired in a peaceable manner to st. johnstons to accompany their preachers to the queen ; and least such a multitude should affright her , the laird of dun , a zealous godly and prudent man , went before to striveling , to acquaint the queen that the cause of their meeting was onely with their preachers to give in a confession of their faith , and to assist them in their just defence . the queen very craftily solicited him to stay the multitude , and the preachers also , promising to take some good order about their affairs : yet when the preachers appeared not upon the day appointed , she put them to the horne , prohibiting all men upon pain of rebellion , to assist , comfort , relieve or receive any of them ; which treacherous dealing of hers so inflamed the multitude , that neither the exhortation of the preachers , nor the command of the magistrates could restraine them , but that they pulled down the images , and all other monuments of idolatry in st. johnstons . this being told to the queen , she was so much enraged at it , that she vowed to destroy man , woman , and child in that place , then utterly to burn the towne , and to sow it with salt for a perpetuall desolation . the protestant congregation hearing hereof , presently wrote a letter to the queen , and caused it to be laid on her cushion where she sat at mass , wherein they declared , that except she moderated her wrath , and stayed her intended cruelty , they should be compelled to take the sword in their just defence against all that should pursue them for matters of religion , and for their conscience sake , which ought not to be subject to any mortal creature , farther then gods word doth command , &c. they further requested that she would permit them to live in that peace and liberty which christ had purchased for them by his blood ; that they might have his word truly preached , and the holy sacraments rightly administred to them , for that they had rather expose their bodies to a thousand deaths , then to hazard their soules to perpetuall damnation by denying christ , and his manifest truth , &c. they wrote also another letter to the nobility of scotland , which coming abroad , the brethren in cunningam and kile met together at the church of craggy , where alexander earl of glencarne , said to them , let every man doe as his conscience shall direct him , i will by gods grace see my b●ethren at st. johnstons , yea though never a man will goe along with me though i have but a pike on my shoulder ; for i had rather die with that company , then live after them . this speech so encouraged the rest , that they all resolved to go forward . in the meane time the queen sent her french forces , and the bishops and priests their bands against saint johnstones ; whereupon the brethren repaired thither from all quarters for their relief ; which the queen hearing of , sent the earle of argile , and the prior of saint andrews to them to know the cause of that great meeting ? they answered , that it was onely to resist the cruell tyranny decreed against them , and to protect the town from ruin . the lords answered , that they were farre otherwise informed . then master knox spake thus unto them : the present troubles ( honourable lords ) ought to move the hearts of all the true servants of god , and of such as bear any true love to their country , and country men , deeply to consider what will be the end of this intended tyranny . the rage of sathan seeks the destruction of all those in this realm that professe the name of christ. therefore i most humbly require you , my lords , in my name to tell the queen , that we , whom she in her blind rage doth thus persecute , are faithfull servants to god , and obedient subjects to the authority of the realm , whereas that religion which she maintains by fire , & sword , is not the religion of jesus christ , but expresly contrary to the same , a superstition devised by mans brain , which i offer my self to prove against all men in scotland which will maintain the contrary , gods word being admitted for judge . tell her also from me that this her enterprise shall not prosperously succeed in the end , and that herein she fights against god. the lords promised to deliver his message ; yet did the queen straitway send her herauld to them , to command them presently to depart the towne upon pain of treason . but when she perceived their number to increase , and their resolutions , fearing the event of a battel , she upon a parley and large promises , prevailed with them to depart home . but before their departure master knox preached a sermon wherin he exhorted them to constancy , adding , i am perswaded that this promise shall be no longer kept , then till the queen and her frenchmen can get the upper hand . which shortly after sell out accordingly ; for when she , was entred . st. johnstons , she , contrary to promise , garrisoned it , saying , that she was not bound to keep promise with hereticks . this was so distastefull to the earl of argile and the prior of st. andrews , that they forsook the queen , and went toward st. andrews , sending to the laird of dun and some others to meet him there , which accordingly they performed , taking master knox along with them , who in the way preached in carrel one day , in anstruddor the second , intending the third day to preach at st. ●ndrews . the bishop of st. ●ndrews hearing hereof , presently raised a spearmen , and went thither on the saturday , whereas the lords had none but their houshold servants about them ; and at the same time the queen and her frenchmen lay at faikland miles from st. andrews . the bishop sent word to the lords , that if john knox offered to preach the next day , he should be saluted with a dozen of calivers , whereof the most part should light on his nose . the lords after long deliberation sent for m. knox , to hear his opinion herein ; 〈◊〉 with●ll advised him to forbear for his owne safety , and not to 〈◊〉 that day in contempt of the bishop ; to which 〈◊〉 knox answered , god is my witnesse that i never preached christ jesus in contempt of any man , neither doe i now intend to present my self in that place with respect to my own commodity , or for the hurt of any creature : but to forbear preaching to morrow , except i be violently withholden , i cannot out of conscience consent to it : for in this town and church god was pleased first to call me to the honour and office of a preacher , from which i was driven by the tyranny of the french , and procurement of the bishop , as ye all know well enough . how long i continued prisoner , what torments i sustained in the french gallies , and what were the sobs of my heart is now no time to relate : this onely i cannot conceal , which many heard me speak when my body was far from scotland , that i certainly hoped in open audience to preach in st. andrews before i departed this life . and therefore , my lords , ( saith he ) seeing god above the expectation of many hath brought me to this place where first i was called to the office of a preacher , and from which i was most unjustly removed , i beseech your honours not to hinder me from presenting my self to my brethren : and as for the fear of danger that may come to me thereby , let no man bee sollicitous ; for my life is in the custody of him whose glory i seek , and therefore i cannot so fear their boasts and tyranny , as thereby to be deterred from d●ing my duty when god of his mercy offereth me such an occasion . i desire the hand and weapon of no man to defend me , onely i crave audience ; which if it be denied me here at this time , i must seek further where i may have it . upon this speech the lords were fully content that hee should supply the place , which accordingly he did without interruption ; and his sermon so wrought upon the magistrates and people , that presently after sermon they removed all the monuments of superstition and idolatry out of that church . the bishop advertised hereof , presently departed to the queen , who with her french souldiers lay within twelve miles ; and by his grievous complaints did so farre incense her , that it was resolved without delay to assault s. andrews and the two lords , who were but slenderly accompanied : and accordingly order was given immediately to provide quarters for the queen and her army at cowper , six miles from st. andrews . the lords being informed hereof , resolved to meet them before they came to cowper , and withall gave spe●dy advertisement to all the brethren to repair towards them with all possible expedition ; which also they did with such diligence , that gods wonderfull work appeared therein : for when at night the lords came to cowper , there were not a hundred horse , and some few foot ; and before the next day at noon , their number was above three thousand ; and that number did so continually encrease , as if men had rained from the clouds : but the enemies being not informed hereof , assured themselves of the victory , and therefore hasted away in the night ; yet when by their scouts they were informed of the number and order of the protestants , who were ready to receive them , their hearts failed , and intercessors were sent to make an agreement , and a truce was taken for eight daies , till an agreement might be finished . but all this was done but in policy by the queen , that she might gaine time to draw off her ordnance , and to make a handsome retreat over the water of forth . the protestants finding themselves thus deluded , tooke counsell now they were together , to free st. johnstons from the french garrison , that their exiled brethren might return home , and accordingly they sent a trumpet to summon the towne ; but the captaines answered , that they would keep and defend it according to their promise made to the queen ; yet as soon as they were besieged , they required a truce for twelve houres , at the end whereof they delivered it up to the lords ; and the same day being sabbath , thankes were publickly returned unto god , and presently the monuments of idolatry were demolished , and the rude multitude set fire to the abbey , though master knox would have prevented it . a poor old woman seeing the five rage so furiously , and run so swiftly , said , i see that ●ods judgements are just , and no man is able to save where he will destroy ; ever since my remembrance this place hath been nothing but a den of whoremongers : it is incredible to beleeve how many wives have been adulterated , and virgins deflowred by those filthy beasts , and especially by that wicked man called the bishop . if all men knew as much as i , they would praise god for this destruction . the queen hearing of these proceedings , fearing what might follow , resolved to send some french bands to striveling , to hinder their coming over the forth ; which the lords having intelligence of , privately in the night with great expedition possessed themselves of the town before the french came , whereupon the queen and her party presently left edenborough , and went to dunbar . then did the protestants march to edenborough , where also the monuments of idolatry were demolished by the rude multitude . coming thither they wrote to the q desiring that they might enjoy libertie of their consciences ; that jesus christ might be truly preached , and the sacraments duly administered , and that scandalous , and unable ministers might be removed : but shee returning no answer , the protestants returned home , the lords onely staying , who were now called , the lords of the congregation . in the meane time the french being informed hereof , and presuming that they should meet with no resistance , hastened to edenborough ; which the lords hearing of , called upon god for assistance in that strait . it is true , they might have retired themselves , but then they had exposed the brethren of edenborough to danger , and therefore they rather resolved to hazard the uttermost extremity . the french first marched to leith , and as the lords were advancing for their assistance , the townsmen surrendered the town to the french , without making any resistance ; whereupon the lords retreated to cragingate , there to oppose the enemy . divers mediators passed to and fro in the meane time to have setled peace , and at last sundry article were agreed upon , and the duke of castleherald , and the earl of huntley promised the lords , that if the queen brake any one of her articles , they would forsake her party , and joyn with them . the next day the lords left edenborough , and when it was judged dangerous for master knox still to abide minister at edenborough , the brethren requested mr. jo. willock to remain with them , to which hee gladly assented , desiring to make it appear , that he preferred the comfort of the brethren before his own life . shortly after open warre brake forth between the queen regent , and the protestants ; and the queen having more french forces , with money , and ordnance sent her , the scottish nobility were faigne to send to queen elizabeth for aid , and till it came , to retire themselves towards the highlands for their safety . in the mean time the queen regent with her french men went from place to place , plundering , spoyling , and making havock of all without resistance ; which so puffed her up with pride , that she boastingly said ? where is now john knox his god ? my god is now stronger then his , yea even in fife . but her brags lasted not long : for the earle of arrane , and the lord james , went to desert , having not above five hundred horse , and a hundred foot ; whereas the french were above four thousand , besides such scots as adhered to them ; and yet the protestants skirmished daily with them , sometimes from morning till night , and ever went away with the better , killing four for one ; which continued for one and twenty dayes together , during all which time they never put off either clothes or boots : and at the end of that time came into edenborough frith a fleet of the english to assist the protestants , which filled their hearts with joy , and the french with rage and madnesse . thither came also some forces by land under the command of the lord grey : and after an agreement made with the scottish lords , some of the english and scots attempted to take leith by storm , and in a cruell conflict some of them gat upon the walls , but the scaling-ladders proving too short , they were not seconded by their fellows , and so after divers hours sight were forced to retire ; which the queen regent beholding from edenborough castle walls , burst out into a great laughter , saying , now wil i go to masse and praise god for that which mine eyes have seen . and when the french had stripped the slaine , and layd their naked bodyes along their walls , the queen looking on them said , yonder are the fairest tapestries that ever mine eyes beheld ; i would that the whole fields which are betwixt leith and this place were all strewed with the same stuffe . but this joy lasted not long ; for a fire kindling in leith , many houses , and much of their provision was consumed thereby ; and the queen regent falling sick , shortly after died ; whereupon the king of france sent ambassadors to queen eliz. to conclude a peace , which was effected , and the english and french armies were drawn out of scotland , to the great joy of that nation , insomuch that thanksgivings for their great deliverance by the help of the english were inserted into their liturgie . and presently after some commissioners of the scottish nobility were appointed to settle ministers in their places , by whom master knox was setled at edenborough , where he preached many excellent sermons . anno christi the earl of murray being slaine on the saturday , knox preaching at edenborough the next day , amongst the papers given in of those that desired the prayers of the church , he found one with these words , take up the man whom ye accounted another god. at the end of his sermon he bemoaned the losse which the church and state had by the death of that virtuous man , adding further , there is one in this companie that makes this horrible murther the subject of his mirth , for which all good men should be sorry , but i tell him hee shall dye where there shall be none to lament him : the man that had written those words was one thomas metellan , a young gentleman of excellent parts , but bearing small affection to the earle of murray : he hearing this commination of john knox , went home to his sister and said , that john knox was raving , to speak of he knew not whom . his sister replyed with tears , if you had taken my advice , you had not written those words ; saying further , that none of john knox his threatnings fell to the ground without effect ; and so indeed this came to passe ; for shortly after this gentleman going to travel , died in italy , having none to assist , much lesse to lament him . towards master knox his latter end , his body became very infirm ; and his voice so weak that people could not hear him in the ordinary place , wherefore he chose another place wherein he preached upon the history of christs passion , with which , he said , it was his desire to close his ministry . finding his end near , he importuned the council of the city to provide themselves a worthy man to succeed in his place : master iames lawson professor in aberdene was the man pitched upon , and commissioners were sent from the church of edenborough , to request him to accept of the place . iohn knox also subscribed that request , adding , accelera mifrater , alioqui sero venies : hast my brother , otherwise you will come too late : this made master lawson to hasten his journey , and when he was come , he preached twice to the good liking of the people , whereupon order was taken by the rulers of the church for his admission , at which time iohn knox would needs preach , though very we●k , which also he performed with such servency of spirit , that he was never before heard to preach with such great power , or more content to the hearers . in the end of his sermon he called god to witnesse , that he had walked in a good conscience with them , not seeking to please men , nor serving either his own , or other mens affections , but in all sincerity and truth had preached the gospel of christ. he exhorted them in most grave and pithy words to stand fast in the faith they had received ; and so having prayed zealously for gods blessing upon them , and the multiplying of gods spirit upon their new pastor , hee gave them his last farewell . being conveyed to his lodging , that afternoone he was forced to betake himself to his bed ; and was visited by all sorts of persons in his sickness , to whom he spake most comfortably : amongst others the earl of morton came to see him , to whom hee said , my lord , god hath given you many blessings , wisdom , honour , nobility , riches , many good and great friends , and he is now about to prefer you to the government of of the realm ( the earl of marr , the late regent , being newly dead ) . in his name i charge you , use these blessings better then formerly you have done , seeking first the glory of god , the furtherance of his gospel , the maintenance of his church , and ministry , and then be carefull of the king to procure his good , and the welfare of the realm . if you doe thus , god will be with you , and honour you : if otherwise he will deprive you of all these benefits , and your end shall be shame , and ignominy . these speeches the earl called to mind about nine years after , at the time of his execution , saying , that he had found john knox to be a prophet . a day or two before knox ' s death , he sent for master david lindsey , mr. lawson , and the elders and deacons of the church , to whom he said , the time is approaching , which i have long thirsted for , wherein i shall be released from all my cares , and be with my saviour christ for ever . and now god is my witnesse whom i have served with my spirit in the gospel of his son , that i have taught nothing but the true , and sincere word of god ; and that the end that i proposed in my ministry was , to instruct the ignorant , to confirm the weak , to comfort their consciences who were humbled under the sense of their sins , and born down with the threatings of gods judgements . i am not ignorant that many have , and doe blame my too great rigour , and severity ; but god knoweth that in my heart i never hated those against whom i thundered gods judgements ; i did onely hate their sins , and laboured according to my power to gain them to christ. that i did forbear none of what condition soever , i did it out of the fear of my god , who hath placed me in the function of his ministry , and i know will bring me to an account . now brethren for your selves , i have no more to say , but to warn you that you take heed of the flock over which god hath placed you over-seers , which he hath redeemed by the blood of his onely begotten son. and you mr. lawson sight a good fight , do the worke of the lord with courage , and with a willing mind , and god from heaven blesse you , and the church whereof you have the charge against it ( so long as it continues in the doctrine of the truth ) the gates of hell shall not prevail . having thus spoken , and the elders and deacons being dismissed , he called the two preachers to him , and said , there is one thing that grieveth me exceedingly , you have sometimes seen the courage , and constancy of the laird of grang in the cause of god ; and now that unhappy man is casting himselfe away ; i pray you goe to him from me , and tell him , that unlesse he forsake that wicked course that he is in , the rock wherein he confideth shall not defend him , nor the carnall wisdom of that man whom he counteth halfe a god [ which was young leshington ] shall yeeld him help ; but he shall be shamefully pulled out of that nest , and his carcass hung before the sun ( meaning the castle , which he kept against the kings authority ) for his soul it is dear to me , and if it were possible , i would faine have him saved . accordingly they went to him , conferred with him , but could by no means divert him from his course ; but as knox had foretold , so the year after his castle was taken , and his body was publickly there hanged before the sun : yet at his death he did express serious repentance . the next day m. knox gave order for the making of his coffin , continuing all the day ( as he did also through all his sicknesse ) in fervent prayer , crying , come lord jesus , sweet jesus into thy hands i commend my spirit . being asked whether his pains were great ? he answered , that he did not esteem that a pain which would be to him the end of all troubles , and the beginning of eternall joys . oft after some deep meditation he used to say , oh serve the lord in fear , and death shall not be trouble some to you ; blessed is the death of those that have part in the death of jesus . the night before his death , he slept some hours with great unquietnesse , often sighing and groaning , whereupon when he awakened , the standers by asked him how he did , and what it was that made him mourn so heavily ? to whom he answered , in my life time i have been assulted with temptations from sathan , and he hath oft cast my sins into my teeth to drive me to despair , yet god gave me strength to overcome all his temptations : but now the subtill serpent takes another course , and seeks to perswade me , that all my labours in the ministry , and the fidelity that i have shewed in that service hath merited heaven and immortality : but blessed be god that brought to my minde these scriptures , what hast thou that thou hast not received ? and , not i , but the grace of god in me ; with which he is gone away ashamed , and shall no more return : and now i am sure that my battel is at an end , and that without pain of body , or trouble of spirit , i shall shortly change this mortall , and miserable life , with that happy and immortall life that shall never have an end . after which one praying by his bed , having made an end , asked him , if he heard the prayer ? yea , said he , and would to god that all present had heard it with such an ear and heart as i have done : adding , lord jesus receive my spirit : with which words , without any motion of hands or feet , as one falling asleep rather then dying , he ended his life . never was man more observant of the ture and just authority of church-rulers according to the word of god , and the practise of the purest primitive times : he alwayes pressed due obedience from the people to the faithfull pastors , and elders of the church . he died anno christi . and of his age . men of all ranks were present at his buriall : the earl of murray , when the corps was put into the ground , said , here lies the body of him who in his life time never feared the face of any man. script a reliquit , ad londinenses , & alios . ad evangeli● professores . qualiter sit orandum . in psalmum ad matrem . contra missam papisticam . doctrinale missaticum . de fide eucharistiae . ad ecclesias afflictas . ad scotiae reginam mariam . consilium in angustiis . buccinae afflatum primum . appellationem a sententia cleri . ad populares scotiae , in genesin consciones , et alia quaedam . he was a man not lesse learned then endued with vertue ; a constant preacher of the truth , and a valiant defendor of the same through his whole life . his zeal ▪ learning and courage did notably appeare in this example . anno christi he was called before tonstal bishop of durham , and his doctors to give an account of his opinion about the masse , where preaching before them , he did so sharply taxe their idolatries , and blasphemies , and by such solid arguments confute the same , that his adversaries were silenced , and had not wherewithall to reply against him . p. ramvs the life of peter ramus , who died a no christi . peter ramus was born in france anno christi . his grandfather was a nobleman , who ( having his estate plundered by charls duke of burgundy , generall under the emperor charls the fifth ) was forced to leave his country , and to betake himselfe to the poor and painfull life of an husbandman : and his father being left very poor by him , was fain to live by making of charcoal . ramus being from his childhood of an excellent wit , of an industrious nature , and much addicted to learning , was compelled for his subsistence to live as a servant with one of his unkles ; but finding ( that by reason of his many imployments ) he had no time to follow his book there , he thought it better to betake himselfe to the service of some learned man. so going to paris , and being admitted into the colledg of navar , he laboured hard all day for his masters , and spent a great part of the night in study , so that in a short time he was made master of arts , and laureat poet. and the professors in that colledge every one taking much delight in his diligence , each strove to forward him in learning , and lent him such books as he needed . then he betook himselfe to instructing others , and to exercise himselfe in private lectures , till thereby he had fitted himselfe for more publick imployments ; which when he had done , he was appointed publickly to read logick , and when he was twenty one years old , he published his logick , with some animadversions upon aristotle . this procured him much love , every one admiring such ripe parts in so young a man ; and envy being the usuall concomitant of vertue , he had also many that envied , and aspersed him ; especially the s●rbone doctors , who accused him of heresie in philosophie ; for that he being but a novice , durst take upon him to correct aristotle , the prince of philosophers ; and by their authority they so far prevailed , that ramus was forbidden to read , or write any more of philosophy . this being very grievous to him , it pleased god to stir up the heart of the governour of another colledge to send for him to assist him in restoring of that colledge , which was now empty ; the students being all fled by reason of the infection of the plague : and it came to pass that in a short time ( ramus being so famous a man ) the colledge was better stored with students then ever it had been before . the s●rbonists much raged at this , and laboured to sow division between the governour of the colledge and him ; yet ramus carried himself with so much candor and ingenuity that they lived together with much concord . at last that governour dying , ramus succeeded him , & by the cardinall of lorrains means ( who was a great favourer of learning ) he was made the regius professor of rhetorick and philosophy anno christi , and of his age . his fame spreading into all the universities of christendome , there were may princes that strove to get him out of france , profering him large stipends if hee would come to them ; but he being now famous in france , preferred his own country before all others ; and therefore rejected all their offers . in paris he had so great esteem , that ( though his enemies strongly opposed it ) yet he was made dean of the whole university : and so having obtained a more quiet kind of life , hee betooke himselfe to the studie of the mathematicks , wherein he grew very exquisite . but when the civill warrs brake forth in france for religion , and that none could safely enjoy themselves , or any thing that they had , whilst under pretence of religion , every one revenged his own private quarrels upon others , ramus , to free himself from this tempest , left paris , and went to fountanblew , where the kings library was , yet neither there could he be in safety ; so that at last hee was compelled to betake himselfe to the camp of the prince of conde : but when he saw that france was no fit place for him for the present to reside in , hee resolved to travell into germany , till god should restore peace to his country again : and accordingly he went to strasborough , basil , lausanna , zurick , heidleberg , norenberg , and augsburg , and was entertained in all these universities with great applause , and with much joy by all learned men . when the civill war was ended in france , he returned to paris again . where he remained in his former imployment , as the kings professor in logick , till that horrible massacre happened on st. bartholmews day , wherein so many thousands perished by the cruel hands of bloody papists . at which time he was in the colledge of priests , and the colledge gates being fast shut , he locked himselfe up in his owne house till those furious papists brake open his doores , and finding him , ranne him thorow , and being half dead , threw him out of his window , so that his bowels issued out on the stones ; and not being satisfied therewith , they cut off his head , dragged his body about the streets in the channels , and some young scholars were set on by their popish tutors to whip it in a most contemptuous manner , and at last it was thrown into the river of sein , anno christi , and of his age . after which also they seized upon his goods , library , and writings ▪ whereby many excellent commentaries , and other works ( not fully compleat ) perished , to the great loss of learned men . he wrote a grammer , rhetorick , logick , of mathematicks , and divers other excellent works . the life of matthew parker , who died anno christi . matthew parker was born in the city of norwich , anno christi , and having spent some years at school , went to cambridge , where he was admitted into corpns christi [ bennet ] colledge , in which place he profited so much , that he was chosen fellow , and grew so famous , that queen an●● bullen ( mother to queen elizabeth ) made him her chaplain , whereupon he commenced doctor in divinity : and after her death king henry the eighth , and after his death , king edward the sixth , made him their chaplains , and preferred him to be master of bennet colledge : besides other ecclesiasticall dignities which they advanced him to : but in queen maries daies he was dispoyled of all , and was compelled to live a poor and private life . but so soon as queen elizabeth came to the crown , shee made choice of this dr. parker , for his admirable learning and piety , to be the archbishop of canterbury , anno christi . for decemb. , the dean and chapter of the church of canterbury having received their congedelier from the queen , and proceeding in their election according to the ancient and laudible custome of the aforesaid church , chose dr. parker for their archbishop , whereof they made a returne to the queens majesty for her confirmation ; whereupon the queen sent her letters patents to seven bishops ( six whereof were lately returned from their voluntary exile ) for his consecration the bishops were anthony bishop of landaffe , william barlow bishop of bath and wells , john scory bishop of h●reford , miles coverdale late bishop of exet●r , john suffragan of bedford , john suffragan of thetford , and john bale bishop of os●ry in ireland , and accordingly he was consecrated by them , and lived in that place with great commendation for above fifteene years . his works of charity were very eminent . he gave to the corporation of norwich , where he was born , a bason and ewr double gilt weighing ounces ; as also fifty shillings a yeare for ever to be distributed amongst the poore of that city : and six anniversarie sermons in several places of norfolk : to bennet colledge he gave thirty scholarships , built them a library , and bestowed many excellent bookes , and ancient manuscripts upon it , besides ounces of silver and gilt-plate ; and the perpetual patronage of st. mary-abchurch , london . hee carefully collected , and caused to be printed divers ancient histories of england , which probably had otherwise been lost . he died in peace anno christi , and of his age . h. bvllinger the life of henry bullinger , who dyed a●● christi . henry bullinger was born at bremogart in h●lvetia , anno christi ; of an ancient and honourable family , which had flourished in that town for about two hundred years : twice in his childhood he escaped death very narrowly : first being sick of the plague , his funerall was prepared , yet it pleased god that beyond expectation he recovered . secondly , playing on a pipe , as hee was running , hee fell down and struck the pipe so far into his throat that hee was taken up for dead , and for five daies could eat nothing ; yet the lord againe restored him . his father being learned himself , was a great lover of it , and therefore very careful to breed up this his son in learning : so that at five years old he ●et him to school in that place where he was born , and this young boy quickly discovered an excellent wit ; but his master being himself but a weak scholar , he made not such a progresse in learning as otherwise hee might have done . hereupon anno christi , when he was twelve years old , his father sent him to embric , where under severall schoolmasters , he was instructed in grammar , and other elements of learning ; was kept under a strict government for his 〈◊〉 , and was trained up in the knowledge and feare of god. thi● strict discipline was not grievous to bullinger ; for having been formerly brought up by his parents religiously , and being endued with a virtuous disposition , he did those things willingly , which others were forced to by stripes : yea he was then of such an austere car●iage , that of himself he beganne to entertaine thoughts of entering into a monastery of the carthusians , which of all others was accounted the strictest sect , yet would he doe nothing rashly therein till he had first cousulted with his parents , and procured their consents . having thus continued three years at embric , he went to collen , anno christi , being but slenderly provided for by his father , so that ( according to the custome of those times ) he procured victuals by singing , and begging from door to door ; not that his father wanted wherewith to supply his necessities , or that he withheld it from him out of a covetous mind , but he did it that he might enure his son to patience and hardship , and that he might make him more meercifull ●o those that were in want all his life after . a● callen he studied logick , and ●ommen●ed batchelor of arts at sixteen years old . afterwards betaking himself to the study of divinity ▪ there being at this time many theological controversies , he had recourse to his tutors for direction what to study ▪ and peter lombard being at this time most in request , they advised him to the study thereof ▪ but meeting with many quotations out of the ancient fathers , he thought fit to read the authors themselves : and the monastery of the frier predicants having a good library belonging to it , he by some friends gat leave to make use of it , where lighting upon chrysostomes homilies upon matthew , he read them over , together with divers parts of augustine , origen , and ambrose ; and in the meane time read privately at home , luther , de captivitate babylonica , and de bonis operibus : yet could he not for the present deliver himself from the errors of the times , though hee saw that luther came nearer to the opinions of the antients then lombard did : hee observed also , that whereas the schoolmen quoted the fathers , the fathers they quoted the scriptures . hereupon he betook himself to the reading of the scriptures , especially of the new testament , with st. hierom , and some other commentaries upon it . by which at the last ( through gods mercy ) he beganne to abhorre the popish errors , laying aside his former thoughts of turning carthusian , & diligently applyed himself to read over melancthons common-places , wherewith hee was wonderfully delighted . anno christi hee commenced master of arts , and so returning home lived a year in his fathers house , wholly imploying himself in his studies and private exercises . the year after he was called by wolfgang joner , abbat of capella , near zurick , to teach a schoole , where hee was to instruct some friers , and other young men both in divine , and humane learning . there he read to them in dutch , by reason of many that resorted to his lectures , some peeces of erasmus , melancthons common-places , and a great part of the new testament , and some other authors ; and so hee spent six years , partly in his private studies , and partly in instructing others . anno christi , hee was sent by his abbat to zurick , where for five moneths space he heard zuinglius preaching , and reading his lectures in the schools ; and by the help of pellican , he began to study hebrew , and to perfect his knowledge in the greek : there also he gained acquaintance with sundry learned men , and wrote many things , some whereof were afterwards printed . he also by his preaching at the monastery of capella , so far prevailed with the abbat and friers , that the masse and other superstitions were cast out , and the lords supper truly administred , and such friers as were unfit for the ministry , betooke themselves to other trades . anno christi , he went with zuinglius to the disputation at bern. anno christi he was called to his native place of bremogart , where god so prospered his ministry , that presently after his comming , the magistrates banished popery , and set out a severe decree against adultery and drunkennesse ; and being chosen pastor of that place , he preached every sabbath in the afternoon , and the three daies following in the morning : besides every day at the time of evening prayers , hee expounded a part of the new testament . but the divell raised up some anabaptists which disturbed the peace of that church : with these bullinger disputed publickly , and thereby in a great measure restrained them . he wrote also in the defence of tythes , which as those anabaptists , said should be abolished under the new testament . and when afterwards the number of anabaptists did exceedingly increase in germany , he set forth books against ●hem , wherein he shewed the originall , progress , the various sects , and the chiefe opinions of the anabaptists , which also hee confuted . anno christi , there arose great commotions in helvetia , and the bernates sent some souldiers to bremogart ; and for the composing of the differences , there was a meeting of the chiefest persons at bremogart , where bullinger preached , at whose sermons , not only the protestants , but many of the papists were present to hear what , and how he taught : and indeed both sides commended his study of peace : for he exhorted them to compose their differences not by arms , nor mutuall slaughters ▪ but by the disputations of their divines . but god would not suffer his wholsome counsell to take effect at that time : for they came to a battell , wherein the popish party prevailed , and thereupon bullinger , together with his father , brother , and colleague gervase , were commanded to depart , except they would undergoe the present hazard of their lives . whereupon beginning their journey in the night , through gods providence , they escaped the snares which were layd for them by their adversaries , and came safely to zurick , anno chr●● , and three daies after ▪ at the request of leo judae with his colleagues , bullinger preached in the chiefe church , and was entertained by one werner steiner , his ancient friend , that was fled to zurick for religion . anno christi . the church of basill wanting a pastor by the death of oecolampadius , desired bullinger , and at the same time also the bernates sent for him thither : but the senate of zurick would by no means part with him , choosing him pastor in the room of zuinglius , who was slaine in the late battell , and who had desired before he went into the field with the army , that if any thing befell him otherwise then well bullinger might succeed him in his office . he being thus called to this work in a dangerous time , did his endeavour to comfort , and rais up the hearts of gods people under those great afflictions . and whereas the popish adversaries boasted that their religion was false , because they of zurick were beaten , and zuinglius slain : he wrote , that the truth of religion was not to be judged by the prosperity or adversitie of the professors of it . he took care also to have synods twice a year , to maintain concord , and unity in doctrine and discipline , as zuinglius had begun before him : and finding a great defect of godly ministers in the jurisdiction of the tigurins , he tooke care that so many should bee trained up in religion and learning as might supply that defect ; and where there was a want of maintainance , he prevailed with the senate of zurick to make up a competency out of the publick treasury . he caused the publick library of that city to be set in order by pellican , and by buying zuinglius his books , to be encreased . and having gotten bibliander for his colleague , he wholly applyed himself to his publick ministry , and to writing commentaries at home . anno christi , bucer endeavoured a union between luther and his followers , and the divines of zurick ; perswading them that their differences consisted rather in words then in reality : at which time the tigurins shewed themselves to bee desirous of peace , so that it was joyned wi●h truth . about this time bullingers father died , being years old , who at his death exhorted his sonne to constancy in doctrine and faith , which ( saith he ) is the onely way to salvation . anno christi bullinger wrote a confession of faith in the name of the tigurian churches , which was sent to bucer , and to the synod of the churches of suevia , then met at constance , and was approved by them . about the same time he wrote a tractate of the covenant of god , against some that denied all testimonies out of the old testament . as also another , wherein he asserted the twofold nature in christ against claudius allobrog , servetus his emissary , of whose poyson the helvetian churches were at that time in some danger . and when there was a meeting at basil for to unite luther and the helvetian churches in their difference about the manner of christs presence in the sacrament , bullinger was there , and took much pains for the promoting of it . the magistrates also of zurick , by the perswasion of bullinger , erected a new colledge , anno christi , which hee had a great care of all his life after . also by his perswasion the senate of zurick erected another school in a place where formerly there had been a nunnery , in which fifteen youths were trained up under a good master , having food , raiment , books , and all other necessaries plentifully provided for them ; and bullinger took great care to see their proficiency all his life after . about this time schwenfield , a noble man of silesia , taught , that christ's humane nature being received into heaven , was so farre deified , that it remained a creature no longer , and this error beginning to spread into swevia , bullinger , joining with some others , confuted it with much modesty . anno christi the plague brake forth in zurick , of which bullingers son , and mother died . anno christi leo judae's version of the bible being finished , and printed ; the printer sent one of them to luther fair bound up , but luther wrote back to him that hee should send him no more of the tigurine ministers bookes ; for hee would have nothing to doe with them , nor read any of their bookes : for ( said he ) the church of god can hold no communion with them ; and whereas they have taken much pains , all is in vain ; for themselves are damned , and they lead many miserable men to hell with them . adding that he would have no communion with their damnable and blasphemous doctrine , and that so long as he lived hee would with his prayers and books oppose them . anno christi , luther set forth his annotations on genesis , in which he inveighed bitterly against the sacramentarians ( as he called them ) saying , that zuinglius , oecolampadius , and their disciples were hereticks , and eternally damned melancthon would fain have hindered it , but could not , whereupon he wrote to bullinger , telling him how much hee was grieved at this violent proceeding of luther , which he knew was so pleasing to their common adversaries the papists . when this book of luthers came forth , there was much dispute whether it should be answered : bucer was against it , because luther was grown old , and had deserved well of the church ; but others thought that it would bee a betraying of the truth not to answer it : wherefore bullinger was appointed to that work , which he accordingly performed with much judgement . anno christi luther dyed , and the german warre beganne betwixt the emperour and the protestants ; at which time many accused the tigurines by reason of bullingers book , as if they had insulted over luther after his death , and gloryed that he dyed of grief because he could not answer that book . hereupon philip , lantgrave of hesse , acquainted bullinger with these reports ; which when bullinger had read , advising with his colleagues , he returned this answer . first giving him thanks for his zeale in endeavouring the peace of the church , and for acquainting him with these rumours ; then he told him how much he was grieved for that some turbulent spirits sought by such reports to bring an odium upon the helvetians , and to alienate the princes affections from them : whereas ( saith he ) it is not the manner of the helvetian divines to reproach any , either in their sermons or lectures , much lesse luther , who had deserved so well of the church : and although luther in the controversie about the sacrament had used much reproachfull language against them , yet they never made mention of him but with honour . whereas they were certainly informed that many of the saxon ministers used divers reproachfull speeches against them , calling them sacramentarians , image haters , blasphemers , &c. yea that in his own university of marpurg , theobald thammer in his publick lectures had greatly aspersed them ; wherefore he earnestly requested him to consider their innocency , and to enjoyn silence to such intemperate spirits , &c. for ( saith he ) we cannot with luther confesse the bread to bee the naturall body of christ , and that judas , and other wicked men received his body as well as peter and the saints , which are luthers owne words . yet are we ready to preserve peace , so that it be not urged upon us to yeeld to those things which neither our selves can understand , nor can wee teach them to others , in all other things you shall finde us as peaceable men , ready to give an account of our faith , whensoever it shall be required of us . the lantgrave was well satisfied with this answer , bearing a great love to the helvetians , and to bullinger in particular , to whom ( after the warre was begunne ) hee often wrote out of his camp , desiring also the protestant cantons to send some auxiliaries to them . but upon serious deliberation they denied this request : for ( say they ) if we shall send you aid , the popish cantons will also aide the emperour , which hitherto ( moved by our example ) they have refused , though they have been earnestly ; solicited both by the pope and emperour thereto . in the mean time our ministers cease not daily to pray for the peace of germany , and we have had publick fasts for that end . the same yeare came john hooper ( afterwards bishop of gloucester ) to zurick , and lived familiarly with bullinger , by whom he was informed of their opinion about the sacrament , and fully concurred with them . anno christi came forth that accursed interim , tending to the overthrow of true religion , which calvin and bucer answered , though the printer for fear of the emperour durst not publish it : and the bitter fruit which followed it , was the expulsion of many ministers out of their places , divers of which resorted to zurick , and were kindly entertained by bullinger , and his colleagues , and commended to divers protestant cities in helvetia , though they knew that formerly they had been very violent against them . and indeed after their returne into their own countries ( forgetting their courtesies ) they proved so again . anno christi , . calvin being suspected too much to favour consubstantiation , associating to him master farel of neocom , came to zurick , where he conferred with bullinger , and the other ministers about that question , and there was a sweet agreement amongst them : which also was published by calvin and bullinger , and subscribed by all the helvetian and rhetian ministers : by which act the churches of christ were more strictly united , many that were doubtfull were confirmed in the truth : and the adversaries took occasion from hence to write more bitterly against them . francis king of france being dead , and henry succeeding , he sent to the helvetians to renew his league with them : but bullinger who was in great authority amongst them ; did altogether disswade the tigurines from it ; teaching them that it was neither just nor lawfull for a man to suffer himselfe to be hired to shed another mans blood , who usually was innocent , and from whom himselfe had never received any injury , &c. and hereupon the tigurines resolved to abstaine from such leagues . anno christi , , bullinger published his decades sermonum , some of which he dedicated to king edward the sixth , and a reformation being now begun in england , he wrote upon that occasion to many of our nobility , bishops and ministers of our church . anno christi , the helvetians were summoned by a bull from the pope to appear at the councill of trent , by sending their ministers thither , &c. hereupon master bullinger consulting with his fellow-ministers , published a book , wherein he declared , that the councill of trent was gathered for the suppressing of the truth , and that the helvetians owed no subjection to the pope , from under whose yoak they had long since withdrawn their necks . about this time there sprange up a contention in the church of geneva , by reason of one hierome bolsecus , a physician , who publickly opposed the doctrine of master calvin about election , and boasted that divers other ministers , and particularly master bullinger was of his opinion . calvin answered him , confuting his error by testimonies of scripture , and out of saint augustine ; but when he would not be satisfied , the senate and brethren of geneva sent to zurick to ask their judgements , whereupon bullinger with his brethren did so declare themselves , that all might see that they which made election depend upon faith foreseen , and faith upon mans free-will , as much as upon the divine inspiration , did maliciously abuse the tigurine ministers , &c. and indeed there was a sweet harmony between calvin , bullinger and peter martyr about this point . anno christi , the war waxing hot in germany , and zurick being afflicted with a famine , bullinger wrote much for the comforting the afflicted , and to stir them up to unfained repentance for their fins , whereby they had provoked god against them . anno christi . a persecution being raised by queen mary in england , many nobles , and famously learned men fled into germany , and came to zurick , where they erected a colledg , and were by master bullinger much holpen therein . in the following years , viz. , , and . bullinger had divers conflicts with westphalus , heshusius and others . about which time the league amongst the helvetians being to be renued , the popish pages would have the oath to be , by god , and by all his saints , which the protestant pages refused , and ( though some politick men pleaded for the lawfulnesse of it , or at least that there should be no contention about so small a matter ) bullinger with his colleagues shewed , that an oath being part of gods worship , was onely to be made in the name of the true god , who alone was to be called upon , and that all appearance of false worship was to be avoided . anno christi , there arose up one francis stancarus , who taught , that christ was mediator onely according to his humane nature : him , with some other such hereticks , calvin and bullinger confuted ; as also blandrata , who taught , that christ our saviour was a meer man ; and bernard ochin , who held polygamie lawfull . anno christi . blandrata being gone into polonia , began to discover himself more clearly , and to accuse bullinger , and calvin ; whereupon nicholas radzivil , palatine of vilna , sent martin secovitius with his letters to bullinger about blandrata's business ; to which bullinger answered , that when blandrata came to zurick , he onely spake once with him , yet at that time he easily discerned that he was corrupt in his judgement about the son of god ; as also that he threatned to write against calvin : whereunto he answered , that there were contentions already too many in the church , which if he increased , god would be avenged on him for it : yet he departed cursing and threatning grievous things . that such men should be taken heed of , who laboured to revive arianisme and other heresies , and cunningly to sow them abroad . calvin also wrote the history of blandrata , and sent it to the polonian church , but his hypocrisie had so far prevailed with them , that it did no good : but afterward both in poland and transilvania he taught openly , that christ our saviour was a meer man. about the same time came forth brentius his book about the personall union of two natures in christ , &c. wherein he laboured to prove the substantiall presence of christs body in the supper . and whereas bullinger had published a tractat upon those words , in my fathers house are many mansions , brentius published another book , wherein he manifested his dislike of bullingers book , saying , that his conscience urged him to declare it . this many marveiled at , that he should quarrell with bullinger , being not provoked by him . bullinger least he should betray the truth answered him , and brentius again replyed , charging the tigurines with debasing the majesty of christ , and denying the omnipotency of god. anno . the helvetians ministers were again summoned to the councill of trent , having the publick faith sent them ; but bullinger againe wrote the reasons of their refusall . anno christi bullinger answered the book of brentius de christi majestate . about which time ber. ochin was banished by the senat of zurick , for writing in defence of polygamy , contrary to his promise , and oath , and refusing to retract it . before his departure he desired master bull. to give him letters testimoniall , which he told him that he could not doe with a safe conscience , yet was grieved for him , and his children . from thence ochin went to basil , but finding no entertainment there , he went into poland , where he publickly denyed the deity of the holy-ghost ; but not staying long there , he went into moravia , where he joyned himself to the conventicles of the anabaptists , and shortly after dyed . anno christi . a great plague brake out in zurick , of which bullinger fell so sick that all despaired of his life , and himself also ; whereupon he sent for the ministers of the church , and took his leave of them : but it pleased god at the earnest prayers of the church , to restore him to health againe ; yet his wife and one of his daughters dyed of it . and the year after ( the plague continuing ) two other of his daughters dyed also , and himselfe began to be exceedingly tormented with the stone , yet did not he intermit his labours , but preached constantly , and finished his homilies upon daniel . anno christi . when some turbulent spirits published that the helvetian churches were divided amongst themselves , and held many unfound doctrines , bullinger published . confession of faith , which was consented to , and subscribed by the church of geneva , berne , scaphusen , neocom , st. galli , mulhusen , and bipennium , attested by the english , scottish and french churches , the hungarian brethren also detesting and disclaiming the blasphemies of blandrata and of francis david , published their assent to it . anno christi . bullinger published his homilies upon isay , and the year after he confuted osius , who denyed the deity of christ , and the holy ghost . anno christi , a great persecution arising in france , many godly persons fled to geneva and helvetia , who being in great want , bullinger took much paines to raise money by collections for them . he was much troubled with the sciatica , and the stone ; yet in the midst of those pains he wrote the lives of the popes , and a confutation of the popes bull , whereby he had excommunicated our queen elizabeth , and absolved her subjects from the oath of allegiance ; which was afterwards translated into english. anno chr. there was a synod of the french churches held at rochel , to which because the helvetians could not send delegates , they wrote letters , signifying their agreement with them in doctrine , and their good will to them . anno christi , by reason of the extreame hard winter , there was a very great dearth , in which bullinger , and the other ministers obtained of the senate that there should bee frequent fasting , and prayer in publick , and that provision should bee made for the poor , which was done accordingly . anno christi was that bloody massacre at paris , and in other places of france ; whereupon bullinger the year after wrote his book of persecution , and god's judgements upon the persecutors , and to exhort the persecuted to patience , and constancie . that new starre also in cassiopeia appeared at that time . anno christi bullinger fell into a grievous disease which much tormented him from october to december , at which time it pleased god to give him ease ; whereupon he exercised his publick ministry again . the year after he relapsed into his disease , and though the pain was almost intolerable , yet he never brake forth either in word or gesture into the least impatience , but prayed the more fervently ; and when he had any ease , he used to discourse pleasantly with his friends , saying , if the lord will make any further use of me and my ministry in his church , i will willingly obey him ; ●t if he please ( as i much desire ) to take me out of this miserble life , i shall exceedingly rejoyce , that he pleases to take meut of this wretched and corrupt age to goe to my saviour chri. socraters was glad when his death approached , because , as he thought , he should goe to homer , hesiod , and other learned men , whom he thought he should meet with in the other world : how much more doe i joy who am sure that i shall see my saviour christ , the saints , patriarks , prophets , apostles , and all the holy men which have lived from the beginning of the world . these ( i say ) when i am sure to see them , and to partake of their joyes , why should i not willingly dye , to enjoy their perpetual society and glory ? when he found some ease , he sent for all the ministers and professors of the universitie to him into his study , to whom he gave thanks for their coming to him , took his farewell of them with tears , which he said proceeded not from his fear of death , but ( as paul's ) from his great love to them . hee made before them a confession of his faith , forgave his enemies , exhorted them to concord ; admonished them especially to take heed of drunkennesse , which was so common amongst the germans ; and lastly that they should be very observant to the senate , which had so excellently maintained religion . he wrote also his fare well to the magistrates , exhorting them to continue their care of the church , and schooles ; thanked them for their kindnesse to him , and entreated them to chuse ralph gualter to be his successor . the day of his death he continued in prayer , repeating the one and fiftieth , the sixteenth , and the forty second psalms , and the lords prayer ; and so gave up his soul unto god , an. chr. , and of his age . he was one of the chiefest of the helvetian divines , and after zuinglius , and oecolampadius , a strong assertor of their confession of faith , of a mild nature ; clear in his ministry , and one that hated crabbed and unprofitable questions , which many delighted in to shew their wit ; affable in speech , courteous of behaviour both towards his own and strangers . an excellent governour of the church ; frugall and tem●rate in his diet ; merry and pleasant with those that lived w●●h him . he was so industrious , that he would never be idle he had one wife , by whom he had six sonnes and five daughters , of whom he married one to zuinglius , another to lavate , and a third to simler , all ministers in zurick . he wrote commentaries upon all the new testament : his workes are contained in tenne tomes ; besides which hee wrote contra anabaptistas lib. . de annuis reditibus . de hebdomadibus danielis : de sacramentis . the life of edward deering , who died a no christi . edward deering was borne of a very ancient family in kent , and carefully brought up both in religion , and learning . from school he went to cambridge , and was admitted into christs colledge , where he profited exceedingly , and became a very famous preacher , as may appear by his most learned , and holy sermons , and tractates full of heavenly consolation : he never affected , nor sought after great titles , or preferments , and therefore rested content with his fellowship in that colledge ; and onely commenced batchelor of divinity ; yet afterwards hee was made a preacher in saint paul's church in london ; and having worn out himself with his labours in the work of the lord , hee fell sick , and discerning his approaching death , hee said , in the presence of his friends that came to visit him , the good lord pardon my great negligence , that ( whilst i had time ) i used not his precious gifts to the advancement of his glory as i might have done : yet i blesse god withall , that i have not abused these gifts to ambition and vain studies : when i am once dead , my enemies shall be reconciled to me , except they be such as either knew me not , or have no sence of goodnesse in them ; for i have faithfully , and with a good conscience served the lord my god. a minister standing by , said unto him , it 's a great happinesse to you that you die in peace , and thereby are freed from those troubles which many of your brethren are like to meet with . to whom he answered . if god hath decreed that i shall sup together with the saints in heaven , why doe i not goe to them ? but if there be any doubt or hesitation resting upon my spirit , the lord will reveal the truth unto me . when he had layen still a while , a friend said unto him , that hee hoped that his minde was employed in holy meditation whilst hee lay so silent : to whom he answered , poor wretch , and miserable man that i am , the least of all saints , and the greatest of sinners , yet by the eye of faith i beleeve in , and look upon christ my saviour . yet a little while , and we shall see our hope . the end of the world is come upon us , and we shall quickly receive the end of our hope which we have so much looked for . afflictions , diseases , sicknesse grief , are nothing but part of that portion which god hath allotted to us in this world . it s not enough to beginne for a little while , except we persevere in the fear of the lord all the daies of our lives , for in a moment we shall be taken away . take heed therefore that you doe not make a pastime of , nor dis-esteem the word of god : blessed are they that whilst they have tongues , use them to gods glory . when he drew near to his end , being set up in his bed , some of his friends requested him to speake something to them that might bee for their edification , and comfort : whereupon , the sun shining in his face , hee tooke occasion from thence to say thus unto them ; there is but one sunne in the world , nor but one righteousnesse , one communion of saints , if i were the most excellent of all creatures in the world : if i were equall in righteousnesse to abraham , isaac , and jacob , yet had i reason to conf●sse my selfe to bee a sinner , and that i could expect no salvation but in the righteousnesse of jesus christ : for we all stand in need of the grace of god : and as for my death , i blesse god i feel , and finde so much inward joy and comfort in my soul , that if i were put to my choice whether to dye , or live , i would a thousand times rather choose death then life , if it may stand with the holy will of god : and accordingly shortly after he slept in the lord , anno christi . the life of flacius illiricus , who died a no christi . matthias flacius illiricus was borne in albona in sclavonia , anno christi , of an ancient and numerous family . his father being learned himself , and discerning a good ingeny in his sonne , began in his tender years to instill into him the first rudiments of learning . but after his death , his masters so neglected him , that he almost forgot all . yet when he began to have discretion , he desired much to attaine to learning , and returned to his studies , and to further him therein , went to venice , and after some progress made , at seventeen years old hee beganne to study divinity : but wanting means to maintaine him in the university , he profered halfe his estate to be admitted into a monastery , either at bononia , or padua ; but a friend , called baldus , a godly man , who afterwards suffered martyrdom for the truth , disswaded him from that kinde of life , and advised him rather to goe into germany , where were store of learned men . hereupon , having read over some of the protestants bookes , and liking baldus his advice , hee went into germany , which he had never before seen ; and first staying at basil , he studied under simon grynaeus , who did not only entertain him , being very poor , but provided for him , and instructed him in the truth , which was an. . and about the end of the ear he went from thence to tubing , where also he studied a while under matthias garbicius , & then went to wittenberg , an. chr. , where he privately taught greek and hebrew for his maintenance , and heard luther and melancthon . he was much troubled there with temptations about sinne , gods wrath , and predestination : but by the good counsel of pomerane and luther , and the publick praiers of the church , it pleased god that he overcame them . melancthon loved him much for his wit and learning , and maintained him at his own charges : and when flacius was reasonable well grounded in the greek , he fel to the study of the hebrew , and commenced mr. of arts. he also married a wife , and had a stipend allowed him by the prince elector , anno . but when by reason of the wars , that university was dissipated , he went to brunswick , being invited thither by medler , where he got much credit by his publlck teaching . the warres being ended , he returned to wittenberg , anno . but when the interim came forth , and melancthon thought that for peace-sake somthing should be yeelded to in things indifferent , flacius , with the divines of lubec , lunenburg , hamborough , and madgeburg strongly opposed it , as opening a gap to the return of popery . hereupon shortly after he removed to madgeburg , where he strongly opposed popery , the interim , and whatsoever was contrarie to the augustane confession . there also he assisted gallus , wigand , and judex , in writing the madgeburgenses centuries ; confuted the opinion of osiander about the justification of a man before god , and the fond conceits of schwensield . and when the duke of saxonie had erected an university at jeans , hee sent for him thither , anno christi . but after five years a great contention arising between strigelius and him about free will , he left that place and went to ratisbone ; and anno christi the citizens of antwerp , having procured liberty for the free exercise of the reformed religion , sent for flacins amongst others thither ; but religion being quickly expelled thence , he went to strasborough , where he published his glosse upon the new testament . and from thence to franckfurt upon the main , where after a while falling out with the ministers about the essence of originall sin , he fell into great disgrace , and not long after died , anno christi , and of his age . he was of an unquiet wit , alwaies contending with some or other , and brought much grief to melancthon ; yet wrote some excellent workes for the benefit of the church ; and amongst others , his catalogus testium veritatis : his clavis sacrae scripturae : his martyrologie , with many others set down by verheiden in his praestantium theologorum effigies . the life of josias simlerus , who died a no christi . josias simlerus was born at capella in helvetia , an. ch. . his fathers name was peter , who was a godly , learned , and prudent man ; by whom he was carefully brought up in learning in the school of capella , and at fourteene yeares of age was sent to zurick , anno christi , where he lived in bullingers family ( who was his godfather ) almost two yeares , and in which place he demeaned himself so piously , modestly , and diligently , and made so eminent a progresse in learning , that he was exceedingly beloved of all . from thence he went to the university of basil , anno christi , where he studied the arts and tongues one year , and from thence he went to strasborough , in which place there flourished at that time sturmius , martyr , bucer , fagius , herlinus , sevenus , dasypodius , hedio , niger , with some others : some of these he heard , and spent two years in the further study of the arts and tongues . and so at the end of three years he returned home , to the great joy of his father and bullinger . neither did he now spend his time in pleasures , and idlenesse , but partly in learning , partly in preaching in neighbouring villages , and partly in teaching a school ; so that being not above twenty yeares old , he was very serviceable both in the church and schoole . and whereas gesner was exceeding full of imployments , hee many times supplyed his publick lectures , one while reading astronomie , another while geometrie , and other whiles arithmetick lectures for him . anno christi he was appointed publickly to expound the new testament in zurick , being but two and twenty years old ; and he beganne with matthew , and shewed such diligence and abilities , that he was not only admired be his own countrymen , but by strangers , especially the english , who lived as exiles there at that time . four years after . an. chr. he was made deacon , and went on in his former worke with admiration , so that he was highly prized by all , and judged fit for better preferment . bibliander being grown very old , simler supplied his place , and was colleague to peter martyr , who highly prised him , and foretold that simler would prove a great ornament to the church ; and when he died , expressed much joy that he should have so able a man to succeed him . and accordingly after his death , simler was chosen into his place by the unanimous votes both of the doctors and senate of zurick , which was in the year , and had for his colleague john wolffius , a very learned , and godly man. simler , besides his publick labours , instructed many in private , and amongst them some noblemen , both in sacred , and humane learning . his lectures publick , and private , ordinary , and extraordinary were sufficient witnesses of his diligence , industry , piety , learning , eloquence , judgement , and memory . he had such an acute wit , and strong memory , that he was able ex tempore to speak of any subject , and to answer his friends questions out of any author , and to give an account of their writings , to the great admiration of the hearers . and though in reading of books he seemed to run over them very superficially , yet when he had done , he was able to give an exact account of any thing that was contained in them . being so troubled with the gout that many times he was confined to his bed , and had the use of none of his members but his tongue onely ; yet in the midst of his pains , he used to dictate to his amanuensis such things as were presently printed , to the great admiration of learned men . besides the gout , he was much troubled with the stone , so that the pains of these diseases , together with his excessive labours in his ministry , hastned his immature death ; which he also foresaw , yet without any consternation , or fear , but by his frequent and fervent prayers to god , endeavoured to fit himselfe for it : and accordingly anno christi he resigned up his spirit unto god , being five and forty years old , and was buried in peter martyrs tomb. hee was of a very loving , and gentle nature , free from passion ; very charitable , spending all his patrimony upon the poore , and strangers . and such as came thither to study , he entertained them in his house , and often feasted his friends , with whom he would be very merry ; otherwise he was very sparing of speech . he delighted much in history . he had two wives , the first of which was bullingers daughter , who died without issue ; by the second , who was gualters daughter , he had three sons and one daughter . he was tall of stature , fat , fair , and strong , but that he was somewhat weakned by the gout . he had such an amiable face , that his sweet manners might bee seen in his countenance as in a glass . in his habit and diet he was neither too sumptuous , nor too fordid ; best liking cleanlinesse , and neatness . scripsit praelectiones in exodum . de aeterno dei filio , adversus arianos , tritheitas , & samosetaninos . adversus eosdem de s. sancto . narrationem veterum controversiarum de una ●erson● , & duabus naturis christi , &c. cum multis aliis . the particulars you may find in verheiden . the life of immanuel tremelius , who died a no christi . immanuel tremelius was born in ferrara , having a jew to his father , who so educated him , that hee was very skilfull in the hebrew tongue : hee was converted by petermartyr , and went with him to lucca , where he taught hebrew . from thence he went with him to strasborough , and from thence into england under king edward the sixth , after whose death he returned into germany : and in the school of hornback , under the duke of b●●●●t , he taught hebrew . from thence he was called to heidleberg under frederick the third , elector palatine , where he was professor of the hebrew tongue , and translated the syriack testament into latine : there also he set upon the translation of the bible out of hebrew , & associated to himself in that work fr. junius , who after the death of tremelius , perused the whole work , and by adding many things , rather made it larger then better , in some mens judgement . in his old age he left heidleberg , and by the duke of bulloin was called to be hebrew professor in his new university of sedan , where he dyed , anno christi , and of his age seventy . he wrote a chalde and syriack grammer ; hee published the new testament in latine and syriack : an exposition upon the prophet hosea . together with junius he translated the hebrew bible , adding short annotations . and lastly bucers lectures upon the epistle to the ephesians . the life of peter boquine , who died anno christi . peter boquinus was borne in aquitane , and being in his youth brought up in learning , he entred into a monastery at biturg , where he was made the prior , and was very much beloved of all the convent . but it pleased god in the midst of all his riches and honours to discover the truth to him , and thereupon , after the example of luther , bucer , oecolampadius and peter martyr , he resolved to leave all , and to follow christ ; whose example divers of the friers also followed ; from thence he went toward wittenberg , being very desirous to be acquainted with luther , and melancthon , whose fame was very great , and some of whose works he had met with , and read ; and so travelling through germany he came to basil , where he wintered by reason of the plague , very rife at that time in many countries . there he diligently heard the lectures of myconius , caralostadius , and sebastian munster . anno christi , from thence he went to lipsich , where he stayed three weeks , and so went to wittenberg ; coming hither he had some converse with luther , but more with melancthon : and whilst he was there , bucer sent to melancthon to request him , to send an able man to strasborough to supply calvins place , who was now gone back to geneva ; whereupon melancthon requested boquine to goe thither , which he accordingly did , and began to read upon the epistle to the galatians . shortly after peter martyr came thither also . but bucer being sent for by the arch-bishop of collen , to assist him in the reformation of his churches , boquine finding that the ecclesiasticall and scholasticall affaires went but slowly forward in his absence , upon the request of his brother who was a doctor of divinity , and not altogether estranged from the reformed religion , he resolved to goe back into france , and so taking basil in his way , he went to geneva , where he heard calvin preach , and had some speech with him , and from thence to biturg , where he lived with his brother , the doctor mentioned before ; and when some hope began to appear that the churches of france would be reformed , at the instigation of his brother , he began publickly to read hebrew , and to expound the scriptures . about that time francis king of france being dead , the queen of navar came into those parts about the marriage of her daughter , to whom boquine went , and presented her with a book written with his own hand , about the necessity and use of the holy scriptures , and her daughter with another , concerning our spiritual husband jesus christ ; whereupon she took him into her patronage , and allowed him a yearly stipend out of her treasury , appointing him to preach a publick lecture in the great church in biturg ; whereunto also the arch-bishop consented . shortly after the queen of navar dying , there succeeded to her king henries sister , as in name and stock , so also in doctrine and piety not unlike her : whereupon boquine went and presented her with a book which he had written , de homine perfecto , which she took so gratefully , that she confirmed his former stipend to him ; and he made use of that favour so long as he thought his labours were not unprofitable to the church ; but when he saw that there was no hope of any further reformation in france , and that his enemies lay in wait for his life , he gave it over of his own accord . at that time he underwent the bitter hatred of some friers , and other enemies of the truth , by whom his life was in great danger ; for he was summoned to appear before the parliament of paris , and then before the arch-bishop of biturg , where his life was sought ; but god raised up some men to stand for him , whereby he was delivered from the present danger . then did he resolve to fly into england ; but hearing of king edwards death , he altered his purpose , and by the perswasion of a friend he resolved to returne to his people in germany , and so accordingly , accompanied with two young men , he went to strasborough ; and when he had scarce been there a month , it so fell out that the french church in that place wanted a pastor , and chose him to that office ; yet for sundry reasons he refused to accept of it , till by the perswasion of john sturmius , and some other friends , he was content to preach to them till they could provide them another . that place he discharged for about the space of four months , conflicting with many difficulties , and meeting with much trouble , by reason of the improbity and perfidiousnesse of some : at the end of which time the senat with the consent of the church , appointed peter alexander to be their pastor , and so boquine was freed . anno christi . he went from thence to heidleberg , being sent for by otho henry , prince elector palatine , who was about to reforme his churches . there hee was made the publick professor of theologie , and met with much opposition , and manifold contentions in that alteration , which yet he bore with much prudence . anno christi . there was a disputation appointed at malbourn for composing the great controversie about the ubiquity of christs body : this was appointed by frederick the third , elector palatine , and christopher duke of wertemberg . to this meeting the elector sent boquine , diller , olevian , dathen and ursin ; but very little fruit appeared of their labours , as the event shewed . boquin continued in heidleberg about twenty years , under otho and frederick the third . but after that princes death , an. christi , by reason of the prevalency of the hetorodox party , he , with other professorr , and divines , was driven thence : and it pleased god that immediately hee was called to lausanna , where he performed the part of a faithfull pastor , so long as he lived . anno christi on a lords day he preached twice , and in the evening heard another sermon , then supped chearfully , and after supper refreshed himself by walking abroad ; then went to visit a sick friend , and whll'st he was conforting of him , he found his spirits to begin to sink in him , and running to his servant , he said unto him pray ; adding further , lord receive my soul , and so he quietly departed in the lord , anno christi , . the workes which he left behind him were these : defensio ad calumnias doctoris cujusdam avii in evangelii professores . examen libri quem heshusius inscripsit , de praesentia corporis christi in caena domini . theses de coena domini . exegesis divinae communicationis . adsertio veteris , ac veri christianismi adversus novum , & fictum jesuitismum . notatio praecipuarum causarum diuturnitatis controversiae de coena domini . adsertio ritus frangendi & in manus sumendi panis eucharistici . e. grindall the life of edmund grindall , who dyed a no christi . edmund grindal was borne in cumberland anno christi . and carefully brought up in learning , first at school , and then in the university of cambridg , where being admitted into pembrook hall , he profited so exceedingly , that he was chosen first fellow , and afterward master of that house : and bishop ridley taking notice of his piety and learning , made him his chaplain , and commended him to that pious prince king edward the sixth , who intended to prefer him , but that he was prevented by an immature death . in the bloody daies of queen mary , grindal , amongst many others , fled into germany , where he continued all her reigne : but comming back in the beginning of queen elisabeth , she preferred him to that dignity which her brother king edward intended him to , making him bishop of london , wherein hee carried himself worthily for about eleven years . anno christi hee was removed by the queen to the archbishoprick of york , where he continued about six years ; and then for his piety and learning she made him archbishop of canterbury , wherein he lived about seven years more , and then falling sick at croidon , hee resigned up his spirit unto god that gave it , anno christi , and of his age , sixtie four . both in his life , and at his death he did many excellent works of charity : at st. beighs in cumberland , where he was born , he erected a free-schoole , and endowed it with thirty pound per annum for ever . to pembroke hall in cambridge , where he was educated , he gave twenty two pounds a yeare in lands for the maintaining of a greek lecturer , one fellow , and two scholars , to be chosen out of the aforesaid school of st. beighs . he gave also much mony to the said colledge . to magdalen colledge in cambridge , hee gave lands for the maintainance of one fellow from the said school . to christs colledge in cambridge he gave forty five pounds . to queens colledge in oxford he gave twenty pound per annum in lands to maintain one fellow , and two scholars out of the aforesaid schoole : and at his death he gave his library , which was a very great , and good one , to that colledge ; besides a great sum of money . to eight alms-houses in croidon he gave fifty pounds per annum ; and to canterbury he gave an hundred pounds to set the poor on work . the life of bernard gilpin , who died a no christi . bernard gilpin was born at kentmire in the county of westmoreland anno christi , of an ancient and honourable family . when he was but a child , a friar , pretending to be a zealous preacher , came on a saturday night to his fathers house , and at supper eat like a glutton , and drunke himself drunk , yet the next morning in his sermon sharply reproved the sinne of drunkennesse : whereupon young gilpin , sitting near his mother , cryed out , oh mother ! doe you hear how this fellow dares speak against drunkenness , and yet himself was drunken last night ? but his mother stopped his mouth with her hand , that he might speake no further , it being a mortall sinne in those times to speak against these men . his parents perceiving his aptnesse , were carefull to make him a scholar ; and when hee had with great approbation passed his time in the grammar-school , they sent him to oxford anno christi , where he was admitted into queens colledge , and profited wondrously in humane learning . hee was very conversant also in the writings of erasmus , which were in much esteem at that time : and to the studie of logick , and philosophie , hee added that of greek and hebrew ; yea after some few years spent in these studies , hee grew so famous , that there was no place of preferment for a scholar whereof the eminency of his virtues had not rendered him worthy : whereupon he was one of the first that was chosen a member of christ-church by cardinall wolsey . at that time he was not fully instructed in the true religion , but held disputations against john hooper , afterwards bishop of worcester ; as also against peter martyr , who was then divinity lecturer at oxford , upon the occasion of which dispute , that he might defend his cause the better , he examined the scriptures & ancient fathers : but by how much the more he studied to defend his cause , the lesse confidence hee began to have therein ; and so whilst he was searching zealously for truth , he beganne to discern● his own errors . peter martyr used to say , that he cared not for his other adversaries , but ( saith he ) i am troubled for gilpin ; for he doth , and speaketh all things with an upright heart ; and therefore he often prayed , that god would be pleased at last to convert to the truth the heart of gilpin , being so inclinable to honesty : and the lord answered his prayer ; for presently gilpin resolved more earnestly to apply himself , both by study , and praier to search out the truth : and it pleased god accordingly to reveal it unto him ; as also the many errors in popery , and the necessity of separating from that apostatical church . in the mean while cuthbert tunstal , bishop of durham , being his uncle , resolved to send him beyond-sea to visit the churches in forrein parts , and to allow him meanes for his travel : but before his going , he was called to preach before king edward the sixth , which he performed with good approbation . whilst he was resolving upon his journy , he had a parsonage given him , which tunstal perswaded him to keep to maintaine him in his travels ; but he , sending for a friend whom he knew to be learned , and religious , resign'd his parsonage to him : for which , when it came to the knowledge of tunstal , he chid him sharply , and told him , that he would die a begger ; but he excused it , saying , that he could not keep it with the peace of his conscience . but ( said the bishop ) thou shalt have a dispensation . to whom gilpin answered , that he feared when he came to stand before christs tribunal , it would not serve his turn to plead a dispensation , &c. when he came beyond sea he went to lovan , antwerp , and paris . and after a while tunstal sent again to perswade him to accept of a parsonage , which he would conferre upon him : to whom he wrote back that he had discussed the question with all the learned , especially with the prophets and best writers since christ's time , so that he was fully resolved not to burthen his conscience by accepting of a charge which he could not live upon , &c. whilst he was at paris , tunstal sent him over a book which himself had written , about the presence of christ in the sacrament to be printed there , which gilpin performed faithfully . he returned into england after three years , in queen maries reign , and beheld ( to his great griefe ) the church oppressed with blood and fire ; and being placed by tunstal in the rectory of essingdon , he began sharply to tax the vices which then reigned in the church , and propounded the doctrine of salvation plainly , and soundly ; which procured him many enemies , especially of the clergy , who accused him often to the bishop for an heretick : but tunstal could not endure to shed blood , and therefore dealt mildly with him . at a certaine time the bishops chaplains discoursed with him about luther , and the sacrament of the altar ; whom he answered so judiciously , that the bishop hearing their discourse , said to his chaplains , let him alone , for he hath more learning then you all . the archdeaconry of durham being annexed to the parsonage of essingdon , master gilpin for a time supplied both places , but after a while hee wrote to the bishop , desiring that he might have his good will to resigne one of them , which the bishop was very angry at , saying ; i told thee thou wouldst die a beggar . not long after the bishop conferred upon him instead of them , the rectory of houghton , which was a great parish , and a very fine seat . hee took great care to perform the duties of the ministry amongst his people ; and seeing the miserable condition of many places in those parts ; where the tithes being impropriated , the souls of the people were starved , hee preached often abroad also : and once a year he took a journey into northumberland , riddesdale , and tindale , usually about christmasse , because of the opportunnity of so many holy-daies ; where he gat himselfe much esteem by his preaching to those barbarous people , and distributing mony to the poore . sometimes he was forced to lodge in the snow all night in that journey , at which times hee made his man to trot his horses up and down , whilst he bestirred himself that he might not perish with the cold . once as he returned home , a husbandman , as he was ploughing , had a horse in his team that fell down and died , for which he made great moan ; whereupon master gilpin caused his man to alight and take off his saddle and bridle , and so to carry them to the next town , and gave his horse to this husbandman . and when by chance he met with any naked poor people , he would pull off some of his own clothes and give them . in the towne of houghton there was a street of poore people , for whose reliefe every thursday he caused a great pot of meat to be boyled , and distributed amongst them ; yea , his charity was such , that hee was commonly called , the father of the poor . yet had hee many enemies , who often accused him to bishop tunstal , but he abhorring to shed blood , was still a sweet defence to him . at last they accused him to bonner , who sent a messenger to apprehend him , whereof hee had notice before hand , and therefore prepared himself for martyrdom , commanding his steward to provide him a long garment to goe to the stake in , but it pleased god that by the sudden death of queen mary he was freed from this danger . in the beginning of queen elizabeths reign mr. gilpin was exceeding studious to do all the good that possibly he could , whereupon he erected a grammar-school , allowing maintenance for a master and usher ; divers of the scholars hee also instructed himself , so that in that school were bred many that were exceedingly profitable to the church afterwards● for there was great resort to it , some of which he tabled in his own house , others in the town ; yea , upon many poor mens sons he bestowed both meat , drink , apparel , and teaching out of this school were sent daily many to the universities , to divers of which he allowed maintenance ; whereby his name was renowned , and the earl of bedford much esteemed him , and procured of the queen the bishoprick of carlile for him , and sent him his congedeslier ; but master gilpin returned it back with many thanks , alledging his own insufficiency for the discharge of so great a place . not ●ong after also hee was much importuned to take upon him the provosts place of queens colledge in oxford , but hee refused it , being wholly unwilling to remove from the place where god had set him . he was much given unto hospitality , insomuch as william cecil lord burghley returning out of scotland , drawn with the fame of master gilpin , came to houghton , where hee was entertained with all due respect : and when hee had well observed master gilpin , and the diligence of his servants , and abundance of all things , with so compleat service in the entertainment of so great , and unlooked for a guest , hee said at his parting , that he had heard much of master gilpin , but what he had now seen , and tried , was much more then the report . and thereupon when he took his leave of master gilpin , he requested him if he had any occasion or suit at the court , that hee would make use of him to intercede for him . he still continued his yearely visit of riddesdale , and tindale , where he was esteemed a prophet , and little lesse then adored by that barbarous people . being once amongst them , one had stoln his horses , whereupon hue and cry was sent abroad for master gilpin's horses . the fellow that had stoln them , hearing that they were master gilpin's , fell a trembling and presently carried them back again , humbly craving pardon , and the benediction of father gilpin , protesting that he feared that he should be thrust into hell if he should doe him any wrong . also being to preach at a town called rothburte , there was a deadly fend between the inhabitants , so that the men of both sides never met at church without blood-shed , and therefore when one party came , the other used to stay away : but master gilpin being in the pulpit , both parties came to church , one party going into the chancel , and the other into the body of the church , armed with swords and javelins ; master gilpin , though somwhat moved with this uncouth spectacle , yet went on in his sermon ; but when their weapons beganne to make a clashing sound , and the one side drew near to the other , master gilpin came down from the pulpit , and stepping to the ringleaders of either faction , laboured to establish a peace ; and when hee could not prevail in that , yet he got a promise from them to continue the peace whilst he was in the church , and afterwards , whilst he was in those quarters ; and so going up againe , he spent the rest of the time in disgracing that barbarous , and bloody custome . at another time master gilpin coming to a church in those parts , before the people assembled , and walking up , and down , spied a glove hanging up in the church , whereupon he enquired of the sexton the meaning of it , who told him that it was a glove of one of the parish who had hung it up as a challenge to his enemy , with whom he would fight hand to hand , or with any that durst take it down . master gilpin requested the sexton to take it downe ; who replyed , that hee durst not . then said master gilpin , bring me a staffe and i will take it down ; which accordingly he did , and put it into his bosome , and in his sermon he took occasion to reprove these inhumane challenges , and reproved him in particular that had hung up the glove , shewing them that he had taken it down , and that such practis●s were unbeseeming christians , and therefore he perswaded them to love , and mutuall charity amongst themselves : after sermon he distributed money amongst the poore , and as his manner was , visited the prisoners , gave them money , and preached to them , and brought many of them to repentance , and for some that were condemned to die he procured pardon , and saved their lives . not long after a rebellion was raised in the north by the earls of northumberland and cumberland ; he suspended him , which master gilpin having intelligence of , resolved to retire himself from his house for a time , and making a speech to the master and scholars to demean themselves carefully and peaceably in his absence , hee went to oxford , till the queens army , commanded by the earl of sussex , had dissipated the rebels . but before that armie came , the rebels having seized upon durham . some of them flew as farre as houghton , and finding master gilpins barns full of corn , young cattel fatted , and many things , provided for hospitality , they made spoyl of all , the chiefest of which plunderers was a knave whom mr. gilpin had saved from the gallows . but when those rebels were overthrowne , master gilpin returned home , and begged the lives of many of the simpler sort whom he knew to bee drawn into that rebellion through ignorance . after the death of bishop pilkington , who was master gilpin's faithfull friend , there succeeded in the bishoprick of durham , one richard barns , who was offended with him upon some false suggestions , which came thus about . master gilpins custome was sometimes to goe to oxford , and once as he was upon his way , hee espied a young before him sometime walking , and sometimes running . master gilpin demanded of him what hee was , and whence he came , and whither hee was going ? hee answered , that hee came out of wales , and was bound for oxford to bee a scholar . master gilpin thereupon examined him , and finding him a prompt scholar for the latine , and that hee had a smattering in the greek , asked him if he would goe with him , and he would provide for him ; the youth was contented : whereupon hee took him with him to oxford , and afterwards to houghton , where he profited exceedingly both in greek and hebrew , whom master gilpin at last sent to cambridge ; and this was that famous hugh broughton , who afterwards required evill for good , by stirring up the bishop of durham against master gilpin . now the bishop sent to master gilpin to preach at a visitation , appointing him time , and place : but it fell out to be just at that time when master gilpin was going his northern journey into riddesdale , &c. whereupon he sent his man to the bishop , desiring him to appoint some other to preach the visitation-sermon , for that hee might have many to doe that service , but none would goe amongst the borderers if he did it not . when his man had delivered his message to the bishop , the bishop held his peace which being related to master gilpin , he said , silence argues consent , and so went on in his journey . but so soon as the bishop heard of it , which master gilpin at his returne much wondred at . shortly after the bishop sent to him to warm him to meet him , and the rest of the clergy at chester ; whither master gilpin went : and when the bishop and the clergy were all met in the church , he said to master gilpin , sir , i must have you preach to day : master gilpin desired to be excused , because he was unprovided , and for that he was suspended . but ( saith the bishop ) i free you from that suspension . yet master gilpin replied , that he durst not go up into the pulpit unprovided . you are never unprovided ( saith the bishop ) you have such an habit of preaching . master gilpin stil stiffly refused , saying , that god was not so to be tempted , &c. whereupon the bishop commanded him to goe into the pulpit forthwith . well sir ( said master gilpin ) since it must be so , your lordships wil be done ; and so after a little pause , went up , and began his sermon , and though he saw some extraordinarily prepared to write this sermon , yet hee proceeded in his application to reprove the enormities in that diocesse . and now ( saith hee ) reverend father , my speech must be directed unto you ; god hath exalted you , and will require an account of your government ; a reformation of what 's amisse in the church is required at your hands , &c. neither can you henceforth plead ignorance , for behold i bring these things to your knowledge this day , and therefore what evils you shall ei●ther doe your self , or suffer by your connivance hereafter , you make it your own , &c. his friends hearing him thunder out these things , much feared what would become of him : and after sermon , some of them told him with tears , that now the bishop had that advantage against him which hee had long looked for , &c. to whom he answered , be not affraid , the lord god over-ruleth all , and if god may bee glorified , and his truth propagated , gods will be done concerning me . after they had dined together ( all men expecting the issue of this businesse ) master gilpin went to take his leave of the bishop . nay ( said the bishop ) i will bring you home , and so went along with him to his house , and walking there together in a parlour , the bishop took him by the hand , saying father gilpin . i acknowledge you are fitter to be bishop of durham , then my self to be parson of your church : i ask forgiveness for errors past : forgive me , father , i know you have hatched up some chickens that now seek to pick out your eyes ; but be sure so long as i am bishop of durham , no man shall injure you : master gilpin , and his friends , much rejoyced that god had so over-ruled things , that that which was purposed for his disgrace , should turn to his greater credit . his body being quite worn out with pains-taking , at last feeling before hand the approach of death , hee commanded , the poor to be called together , unto whom he made a speech , and tooke his leave of them . he did the like also to others , made many exhortations to the scholars , to his servants , and to divers others , and so at the last he fell asleep in the lord , march the fourth , anno christi . and of his age , sixty six . hee was tall of stature , slender , and hawk-nosed ; his clothes not costly , but frugall in things that belonged to his own body ; bountifull in things that tended to the good of others , especially , of the poor , and scholars . his doores were still open to the poor and strangers : he boorded and kept in his owne house four and twenty scholars , most of them poor mens sonnes , upon whom hee bestowed meat , drink , apparel , and learning . having a great parish , he entertained them at his table by course euery sabbath from michaelmasse to easten . he bestowed upon his school , and for stipends upon the school masters , the full sum of pound , out of which school he supplied the church of england with great store of learned men . hee was carefull not onely to avoyd evil , but the least appearance of it : being full of faith unfeigned , and of good works ; hee was at last put into his grave , as an heap of wheat in due time put into the garner . hallelujah . the life of zacharie ursin , who died a no christi . zacharie vrsus was borne in vratislavia , the metropolis of silesia , an. christ. . of honest parents . his fathers name was gasper , a minister in vratislavia , who set him to school in the same city , where he quickly shewed an excellent wit , by which he easily outwent all his schoolfellows , and so having perfected his schol-learning by that he was . yeares old , having an ample , testimony from his master [ andrew winckle ] he was sent to wittenberg , an. chr. , where he heard melancthon with great diligence two years , at the end of which time the plague breaking forth there ; he retired with melancthon to tergaw ; and after a while having an ample testimony from him . he went thence into his own country for all that winter ; but in the spring hee returned to wittenberg , where he spent five years more in the study of the arts , tongues , and divinity . he was very familiar with melancthon , and much esteemed by many learned men , who flocked to that university out of all countries , with whom also afterwards hee kept correspondencie . anno , he went with melancthon to the conference at wormes about religion ; and from thence he travelled to marpurg , strasbor●ugh , basil , lansanna , and geneva , where he grew into familiar acquaintance with many learned men , especially with calvin , who gave him such bookes as he had printed . from geneva he went into france to lions , orleance , and paris , where he perfected his skill in the hebrew under the learned mercerus . in his return he went to zurick , where hee acquainted himself with the learned men , and so to tubing , ulme , nerinberg , and from thence to his old master melancthon . anno hee was sent for by the senate of uratislave ( which was his native place ) to govern the school in that city , where , besides his lectures in the arts and tongues , he was employed in the explication of melancthons book of the ordination of ministers ; upon which occasion he declared his judgement about the sacrament , and thereupon he was cried out against for a sacramentarian . this caused him to give a publick account of his faith about the doctrine of the sacraments , in certain strong , and accurate propositions melancthon hearing of the opposition which hee met with , wrote to him to stand firmely to the truth , and if he enjoyed not peace in that place , to returne to him again ; and to reserve himself for better times . and accordingly ursin , who naturally abhorred brawles , and in his judgement could not endure ecclesiasticall contentions , chose rather to leave the place , and therefore requested of the senate that he might be dismissed , and obtained his desire , upon condition that whensoever his country and the church there had need of him , he should be willing to return home to them again . this fell out seven daies after the death of melancthon , anno christi . ursin had a reverend man to his uncle , called albert roth , who asked him whither hee would goe ? to whom he answered thus , truly i doe not goe unwillingly out of my own country , seeing they will not admit of my confession of the truth , which with a good conscience i could not omit . and if my worthy master melancthon were now living , i would goe to none but him : but since he is dead , i will goe to zurick ; which though it be not esteemed here , yet in other churches it is very famous ; for there are such godly , learned , and eminent men , that they cannot be obseured by our preachers , and with them ( through gods mercy ) i hope to live with much comfort . and thus hee left his country , to the great grief of the godly , whom he had instructed and confirmed in the orthodox truth . from uratislavia hee went to wittenberg , where he was received by the professors with great joy , and who would have chosen him into their number ; but hee refused , and so went to zurick , anno , being invited thither by martyr , bullinger , simler , lavater , gualter , gesner , and frisius , who much desired his company , and wrote for him . with these worthy men he lived pleasantly and comfortably , addicting himselfe to the profit of the church , and being a diligent attender upon peter martyrs lectures , whereby hee much encreased his knowledge in divinity . anno christi there came letters to zurick from thomas erastus , signifying that there wanted a divinity professor at heidleberg , and that they desired supply from thence : whereupon the aforenamed divines knowing ursines fitnesse , presently sent him with their letters of ample commendation both to the elector palatine , and to the university : where he was made governour of the colledge of sapience ; and by his diligence , faithfulnesse , and ability , got such credit , that at twenty eight years of age they graced him with the title of a doctor in divinity , and so hee supplyed the place of publick professor to the year , at which time zanchy succeeded him . he had for his colleagues peter boquin , and immanuel tremelius ; the latter professor of the old testament , and the former of the new. five years ursin continued reading upon his common places , and certain●y if he had finished it , it had been exceeding usefull to the church . and besides his ordinary lectures both in the university and colledge , the godly prince otho frederick , seeing severall ministers using severall catechisms to the prejudice of the church , he employed ursin in the writing a catechism for the palatinate ; which might be of general use , and accordingly he did , to the great satisfaction of all . anno , there brake forth a grievous pestilence that scattered both the court and university ; yet ursin remained at home , and wrote his tractates of mortality , and christian consolations for the benefit of gods people . the same year presently after ursins catechism was printed , flacius illiricus , heshusius , and some others , beganne to quarrel at some passages in it about the ascension of christ , his presence in the sacrament , &c. as also to traduce the reformation carried on in the palatinate ; but at the command of the palatine , ursin did excellently justifie his catechism , and defend the truth to the great satisfaction of all that read it . anno christi hee was sent by the elector to malbrun to dispute with brentius and smidlin about the ubiquity of christs body , which he confuted with such clear and strong arguments , as that many both papists and lutherans were converted thereby . he was so dear to the elector palatine , that when the bernates , anno , sent aretius to heidleberg , to crave leave that ursine might goe to lausanna to be the divinity professor there , he would by no means part with him , but for his ease and encouragement to stay , gave him leave to choose an assistant , that so his body might not bee worne out with his daily and excessive labours . anno christi he married a wife , by whom he had one sonne , that was afterwards a minister , and inherited his fathers virtues . anno christi , at the command of the elector frederick , he made a confession of faith about god , the person of christ , and the supper of the lord , which was to stop the mouths of some malitious wicked men , who had scattered abroad , that in heidleberg they had sowed the seeds of arianism , from which error both the elector , and the church under him were most free . in these employments was ursin busied , and both religion and learning prospered exceedingly under him , so that he sent forth many excellent men , who proved admirable instruments of gods glory , and the chuches good ; and this continued till the year , at which time it pleased god to take away that excellent prince frederick , whereupon ensued that unhappy change , when none were suffered to stay in the palatinate except they held the opinions of luther in all things . so that ursin with his colleague kimedontius were forced to leave the university . but hee could not live a private life long , for hee was sent for by prince john cassimire , sonne to frederick , who knew how usefull and profitable he would be both to himself , and the churches under him . about the same time also the senate of berne sent impor●unately for him to succeed a etius , or basil ●arquard in their university . hee was also earnestly solicited by musculus , gualter , lavater , and hortinus to accept of this call ; but prince cassimire would by no meanes part with him , having erected a university at newstad , and chosen ursin and zanchy to be the divinity professors thereof . whilst hee was thus employed , by his excessive studies , and neglect of exercise , he fell into a sicknesse which held him above a year together . after which he returned to his labours again , and besides his divinity lectures , read logick in the schools : desiring his auditors to give him what doubts and objections they met with , which upon study at his next lecture hee returned answers to : but his continual watchings , care , meditations , and writings , cast him into a consumption , and other diseases , yet would he not be perswaded to intermit his imployments , till at last he was confined to his bed : yet therein also he was never idle , but alwayes dictating something , that might conduce to the publick good of the church . the hour of death being come , his friends standing by , he quietly slept in the lord , anno christi , and of his age fifty one . he was very pious , and grave in his carriage , and one that sought not after great things in this world , refusing many gifts from princes , and himself was liberall according to his ability . he was alwaies like himself , very sparing of time● as appeared by these verses set over his study door . amice , quisquis huc venis : aut agito paucis , aut abi : aut me laborantem adjuva . he wrote commentarium do mortalitate , & consolationibus christianis . admonitionem neustadianam : epigrammata ad jo. frisium after his death his son , and doctor pareus , and quirinus his scholars , published divers other of his workes , which are printed in three tomes . the life of abraham bucholtzer , who died a no christi . abraham bucholtzer was born at schovavium , of a very ancient and honourable family , anno christi , and from his infancy was brought up by his parents in religion and learning . when he was first set forth to school , he profited to admiration , outstripping all his schoolfellowes by his acute wit and industry . and being well principled at school , he went to the universities , first of franckfurt , then of wittenberg : accounting it his great happinesse , that he was born after the light of the gospel brake forth , and bred up under melancthon , upon whose lectures he attended diligently , and sucked in from him not onely the principles of learning , but of religion also . he was exceeding industrious in seeking learning , attent in hearing lectures , diligent and swift in writing what was spoken by melancthon . about that time there sprang up many errors , and much contention was raised in the church of god about things indifferent , the necessity of good works , essentiall righteousness &c. but by the help of melanethon he was able both to discover and confute them . there also he studied greek and hebrew . when hee was six and twenty years of age ( being now well grounded in the knowledge of the arts and tongues ) hee went from thence into silesia to visit his friends , and to see the chiefest cities , and whilst hee was there , the senate of grunberg consulted about the erecting of a school in that city , and for the advancement of the same , they chose bucholtzer to bee the master thereof , and sent to him by luke cunon , who was their pastor , desiring him to undertake that office . hereupon hee asked melancthons advice , who much encouraged him to accept of the place , saying , quantum solatium est pio paedagogo , assidentibus castis angelis , sedere in coetu incontaminato juniorum qui deo placent , & docere tenera ingenia ut rectè agnoscant , & invocent deum , ut deinde organa fiant utilia ecclesiae , & suis animabus ? upon his advice therefore hee went thither anno christi , and by his excellent abilities and diligence quickly made that place ( which before was obscure ) to become famous : scholars resorting to him from all parts , whom hee bred up both in religion , and learning , and fitted them so excellently for the universitie , that melancthon never questioned any that came from his school , saying , hoc se persuasum sibi habere , rudes & impolitos esse non posse , qui à politissimi judicii homine abrahamo bucholtzero essent informati : that he was verily perswaded that they could not be rude , or unfitted for the university that came from under the tuition of abraham bucholtzer , who himself was a man of so polite a judgement . anno christi , hee married a wife , who proved a great comfort to him , and by whom hee had many children , whom hee tendered exceedingly , and educated them in the feare of god from their very infancy : hee grew so famous all over silesia , that many desired to have him for their pastor : and at last sprottavia enjoyed him , where hee continued , doing much good , to anno ; at which time katharine , the relict of henrie duke of brunswick , sent for him to her court , to whom hee went , partly by reason of his great engagements to that family , but especially because hee enjoyed not his health in sprottavia . the yeare after this pious lady dyed ; and then hee was called to eleutheropolis by euphemia , the wife of sir fabian belloquert : hee preached there in the great church , to which the citizens flocked exceedingly , insomuch as when that pious and illustrious ernest , prince of anhalt sent for him , and profered him an honourable stipend , he refused to leave his place . hee had an excellent sweetness and dexterity in preaching , was of a sound judgement and holy life : his sermons were so piercing , that he never preached , but hee wrought wonderfully upon the affections of his hearers . if any were cast downe under the sence of sinne , and wrath , hee exceedingly comforted them . if any were troubled with tentations and afflictions , he raised them up , &c. hee had a lively voice , lively eye , lively hand , and such were all his gestures . his ministrie was so gratefull , that his hearers were never wearie , or thought his sermons too long . he was full of self-denyall , insomuch as that excellent lady , katherine of brandenburg used to say , that whereas all the rest of her courtlers and family were alwaies craving something of her , bucholtzer on the contrary never asked her for the worth of a farthing ; yea that he refused gifts when they were prefered to him , preferring kindnesse before the gift , and the fruit of his ministry before the reward of it . he was so humble , that when his friends blamed him for living in so obscure a place whilst he taught schoole , hee told them that hee preferred it before a kingdome . hee could never endure to heare himselfe commended ; and if his friends in their letters had written any thing to his praise , hee could not read it with patience ; sed terreri so laudationibus illis tanquam fulminibus dicebat , qui nihil in se magni videret , &c. his candor was such , that hee never spake or wrote any thing but from his heart . hee never read , or heard any thing from others , but hee made a candid construction of it . his care in his publick ministry was to avoid those questions that doe but gender unto strife , and to instruct his auditors how to live well , and die well . some blamed him of cowardise , for that being endowed by god with such excellent abilities , yet would he never enter into the lists with the frantick adversaries of those times : but the true reason was , because hee alwaies affected peace , having no delight in wrangling , which caused him to say to a friend , desis disputare , coepi supputare : quoniam illud dissipationem , hoc collectionem significat . besides , hee saw that the greatest antagonists to the churches peace , had not so much as one spark of grace in them : and that there came no profit , but much hunt to the church of christ by those continual quarrels amongst divines . hee spent his spare hours in reading ecclesiasticall , and prophane histories ; and profited so much thereby , that one affirmed in writing , universam antiquitatem in bucholtzeri p●ctuscul● latuisse recenditam ; that all antiquity lay hid in his breast . he finding some great errors in funcclus his chronology , set himself to write one , which with indefatigable paines hee brought to perfection . whilst he thus publickly , and privately busied himself ; he fell into a grievous disease , and just about the same time he lost his faithful , and beloved yoake-fellow , that was the mother of nine children ; but upon his recovery hee married another , with whom hee lived not long before the lord put an end to all his labours , and sorrows , anno christi , and of his age , fifty five . he used often to meditate upon death , and writing to a friend in his old age , he had this expression , it hath alwaies formerly bee my care in what corner soever i have been , to bee ready when god called , to say with abraham , behold my lord here i am : but now above all other things i should be most willing so to answer , if he would please to call me out of this miserable life into his glorious kingdome ; for truly i desire nothing so much , as the happy and blessed hour of death , &c. he made his own epitaph to be set upon his tomb , which was this . hic pie christe , tuo recubas quasita cruere , inque tuo gremio parvula dermit ovis . reddidit hac animam balanti v●ce fidelem : huic pastor dicas , intret ●vile meum . in his sicknesse he caused himself to be carried to church , where he preached his last sermon , about the blessed departure of a faithfull man out of this life ; which he performed with such excellent words , and soul-ravishing affections , that the auditors said , bucholtzer had wont to exceed our other preachers , but now hee hath exceeded himself . he wrote chronologicam isagogen . indicem chronologicum , quem scultetus auxit . catalogum consulum romanorum , & alia opuscula . item de consolatione decumbentium . de idea boni pastoris . de concionibus funebribus . m. chemnicivs the life of martin chemnisius , who died a no christi . martin chemnisius was born at britza in old march , anno christi , of honest , but mean parents , so that his father being poor , he met with many impediments to discourage , and hinder him in learning , yet bearing a great love to it , by his exceeding industry he overcame all difficulties , and after some progresse at home , he went to magdeburg , where he studied the tongues , and arts. and from thence to frankfurt upon oder , where he studied philosophy under his kinsman george sabin● , and after hee had spent some time there , he went to wittenberg , where he prosecuted his former studies together with the mathematicks , under melancthou , and other professors . from thence he went to sabinum in borussia , where he taught school , and commenced master of arts , and anno christi he was made the princes library-keeper , and had a competent subsistence in the court. at that time he wholly applied himself to the study of divinity . by reason of his knowledge and skill in the mathematicks and astronomy , he was very dear to the duke of borussia , and for the same cause john marquesse of brandenburg favoured him very much : yea by his modest and sincere carriage hee procured much favour from the courtiers . anno christi , chemnistus being desirous after three years stay in the court to return to the universities for the perfecting of his studies , was rewarded by prince albert with ample letters of commendation , and so dismissed . after which he went again to wittenberg , where he sojourned with melancthon , and was imployed by him publickly to read common places . from thence after a while he was sent to brunople in saxonie by the senate , and made pastor ; which place he discharged with singular fidelity and approbation for the space of thirty years , partly as pastor , and partly as superintendent , and commenced doctor in divinity at rostoch , serving the church with great faithfulness and commendations both by preaching and reading lectures . many princes and commonwealths made use of his advice and assistance in ecclesiastical affairs . he took great pains in asserting the truth against the adversaries of it ; as his excellent exame● of the tridentine council shews . at last being worn out with study , writing , preaching , &c. he resigned up his spirit unto god anno christi , and of his age . he is said by one to be philosophus summus , theologus profundissimus , neque veritatis , bonarumque artium studio , neque laude officit facile cuiquam secundus . his workes are these . de origine jesuitarum . theologiae jesuitarum praecipua capita . explicatio doctrinae de duabus in christo naturis . fundamenta sanae doctrinae enchiridion de praecipuis caelestis doctrinae capitibus , de peccato origin contra manichaeos , examen decretorum concilii tridentini . concio de baptismo . harmonia evangelica . the life of rodolphus gualter , who died anno christi . rodolphus gualter was born in zurick an. christi . when he first applyed his mind to the study of humane arts and tongue , hee had such an happy wit , that he was inferiour to none of his fellows in poetry and oratory ; and being afterwards admitted into the university ; he became famous , first for his knowledge in the arts , and afterwards of divinity . he was chosen pastor in that city where first he drew his vitall breath ; neither were which chose him deceived in their expectation ; for he proved an admirable instrument of gods glory , and their good , discharging his place with fingular industry , diligence , and fidelity , not onely by his frequent publick preaching , but by his learned private writings , as his homilies upon much of the old , and new testament do sufficiently declare . and having governed , and sed that church for above forty years together , he died in a good old age , anno christi , and of his life seventie four . scripsit homilias in johannis epistolas . in can●cum zachariae . de nativitate , pueritia , & educatione domini . de servitnte peccati , & libertate fidelium . de origine , prastantia , & authoritate s. scripturae . in prophetas minores . in ma●thaum , marcum , lucam , johannem , acta apostol . epist. ad romanes , ad corinthios , ad galatas . in esaiam . with many other works , set down by verheiden . the life of ludovicus lavater , who died a no christi . ludovicus lavator was born in zurick , a famous city of the helvetians ; and having drunk in the first rudiments of learning , became famous by his diligence in the schooles , and his excellent wit , insomuch as bullinger gave his daughter in marriage to him . and ( though a prophet be not without honour but in his own country , yet ) was he chosen a pastor in that city , and made a lecturer in the schooles , and hee taught and illustrated both faithfully by his ministry and writings . he published manys his father-in-law bullingers works : and having spent himelf in the work of the lord , and service of his church , he quietly resigned up his spirit into the hands of his heavenly father , anno christi . he wrote commentaries upon joshuah , both books of the chronicles , ruth , ester , job , proverbs , and ezekiel : besides his historia de ortu , & progressu controversiae sacramentariae , & tractatus de spectris , lemuribus , fragoribus , variisque , praesagitionibus , quae plerumque obitum hominum , & magnas clades praecedunt . with divers others mentioned in particular by verheiden . gas. olevian . the life of gaspar olevian , who died a no christi . gaspar olevian was born in trevir anno christi , . his fathers name was gerhard , a baker in that city , and master of his company ; but this gasper was carefully brought up in learning by his grandfather , who set him to severall schooles in that city , and at thirteen years old hee was sent to paris to study the civill law ; from thence also hee went to the universities of orleance and biturg , where hee heard the most famous lawyers of those times . he joyned himself also to the congregation of protestants which met privately together in both those cities . in biturg he was admitted into the order of lawyers , after the solemn manner of the university , being made doctor anno christi . about which time there studyed in that universitie under nicholas judex , the young prince palatine , sonne to frederick the third , afterwards elector : and olevian being very intimate with judex , went one day after dinner to the river lieg hard by the city , together with him , and the young prince ; and when they came thither , they found some young noble germans that were students there , going into a boat , who desired the prince and his tutor to goe over the river with them : but olevian perceiving that they had drunk too freely , diswaded them from venturing themselves amongst them ; which counsell the prince and his tutor neglecting , went into the boat , and putting from the bank , the drunken young men beganne so to thrust and justle one another , that at last they overthrew the boat , where they were all drowned . but judex being skilfull in swimming caught the young prince , hoping to save him , but being unable to draw him with him , they both sunk . olevian standing on the bank , and seeing this sad spectacle , leapt into the water to try if he could help them ; but at first he stuck in the mud and water up to the chin , where he despaired of his owne life . in that danger he prayed unto god , and vowed , that if god would deliver him , he would preach the gospel to his own citizens , if he should be called thereunto . at which time it pleased god , that a footman of one of the noblemens , coming to the river side , and seeing olevian , caught him by the head ( thinking that it had been his own master ) and drew him out : whereupon olevian being delivered by such a speciall providence , together with the law studied divinity , especially reading over the sacred scriptures with calvins commentaries upon them . after a while returning to trevir , he was reteined to plead causes at law ; but seeing the great deceit in that calling , and the frequent perverting of justice , he gave it over ; and that he might performe his vow , wholly set himself to the study of divinity ; and went to geneva , and after to zurick , where he sojourned with bullinger , and was much holpen by martyr and bullinger in his studies , before whom also he used privately to preach for his exercise . but before this as he was going to geneva , taking ship at lausanna , mr. farrel hapned to be with him in the ship , who in discourse asked him , whether ever he had preached in his owne country ? olevian told him that he had not ; then did master farrell perswade him to doe it so soon as he could ; and he accordingly promised that he would . whilst he was busying himself in his studies at geneva , the church of metis wanting a minister , applyed themselves to the presbytery of geneva for a supply . the presbytery nominated two , olevian , and peter colonius : but olevian excused himself , partly because he had engaged himself by vow to the service of the church in his owne country , and partly because he had faithfully promised farrel to doe the same . master calvin was satisfied with this answer , exhorting him to performe what he had thus resolved on . therefore anno christi . he returned to trevir , where he was exceeding kindly entertained by the senators , his kinsmen , friends , and by his brother frederick a doctor of physick : and the consull and senators presently requested him to undertake the worke of teaching a school in that city , and for his encouragement allowed him a stipend . accordingly he applyed himselfe to explicating the precepts of melancthons logick , illustrated by many theologicall examples , whereby he gott opportunity of opening the sound doctrine of the gospel to his hearers : which as soon as the canons heard of , they first suspended him from the office of teaching , and afterwards shut up the school against him . then the senate appointed him to preach in an hospitall , where after he had preached a while , his adversaries suborned a priest to step up into the pulpit before him ; but as soon as the people saw the priest , they called to him to come down , for that they would not hear him . olevian desired them to hear him , promising that so soon as he had done his sermon he wou'd preach himself : yet they would not endure it ; but made a great stir , so that the poor priest thought that he should have been pulled in pieces by them : but olevian comforted him , and entreating the people to be quiet , took the priest by the hand , and led him forth safely ; and going into the pulpit himselfe , he asked the auditory , whether for fear of further danger they would have him to intermit that sermon , or whether he should go forward according to his former course ? the people lifting up their hands , cryed to him , yea , yea , wee desire thee for gods sake to preach unto us . for this cause the arch-bishop of trevir imprisoned the two consuls , and eight more of the senators for ten weeks space , who desired olevian to come to them to instruct and comfort them , which accordingly he did . then were they commanded to appear in judgement , where their charge consisted of many heads ; whereupon they requested fourteen days time to put in their answer , but that was denyed , and onely two daies assigned . in which time they sent privily to frederick elector palatine , to wolphgang duke of bip●nt , and to the senate of strasborough , acquainting them with their case , and entreating their seasonable assistance . they therefore immediately sent post to forbid the further proceedings at law ; and at last obtained that they were all set at liberty . and the ambassadors for the palatine invited olevian to goe along with them , and accordingly took him to heidleberg , anno christ● . as soon as hee came thither the elector made him master of the colledg of sapience , which he underwent for about a year and a half . about this time he married a wife , and commenced doctor in divinity , and was made professor of divinity in that university . also at the importunity of the counsellors of state he was chosen to the work of the ministry first in peters church , and afterwards in the church of the holy ghost ; which places he carefully and holily discharged , til the death of the elector frederick the third , which was anno christi . a few daies after whose death hee was called to berleburg by lodowick count witgenstein , where he preached , and instructed some noble mens sonns in the principles of divinity , and in the arts and tongues . anno christi he was called by john of nassau to herborn , where he preached and taught a school three yeares , which was erected by the perswasion and counsell of olevian . anno christi hee fell into a mortal sickness , which ( notwithstanding all meanes of cure ) daily grew upon him , and so weakned him , that at last hee quietly resigned up his spirit unto god. in his sicknesse he made his will , and by pious and holy meditations prepared himself for death . being visited by l●dowick witgenstein , and john of nassau , he told them , that by that sickness he had learned to know the greatnesse of sin , and the greatness of gods majesty more then ever he did before . and a while after when the counts two sons , john and george came to visit him , he exhorted them carefully to preserve brotherly love , to carry on and perfect the business about the school , to be liberal and mercifull to the poor , and obedient to their father . the next day john piscator coming to visit him , hee told him , that the day before for four hours together he was filled with ineffable joy , so that he wondred why his wife should ask him whether he were not something better , whereas indeed hee could never be better : for ( said he ) i thought that i was in a most pleasant meddow , in which as i walked up and down , me thought that i was besprinkled with a heavenly dew , and that not sparingly , but plentifully powred down , whereby both my body and soul were filled with ineffable joy : to whom piscator said , that good shepherd iesus christ led thee into fresh pastures . yea , said olevian , to the springs of living waters . afterwards having repeated some sentences full of comfort out of psalm . isa. , and matth. . and other places of scripture ; hee often repeated , i would not have my journey to god long deferred . i desire to be dissolved , and to be with my christ. he commended to the senate the care of the poor by his deacon iames alstede ; giving directions what he would have done with his writings after his death . and then he gave his hand & farewel to his colleagues , and friends ; and when he was in the agony of death , alstedius asking him , whether he was sure of his salvation in christ , &c. he answered , most sure ; and so he gave up the ghost , anno christi , and of his age . his works are these : concio de abrahami fide , & obedientia . de coena domini . admonitio de eucharistia . tabula de ministerio verbi dei & sacramentis . expositio symboli apostolici . epitome institutionum calvini . notae in epist. ad galatas . notae in evangelia . dialect . lib. . bezae in epist. ad rom. gal. phil. & col. notae ex oleviani concionibus excerptae . the life of john wigandus , who died a no christi . john wigandus was born in mansfield anno christi , of honest parents of a middle rank , who carefully brought him up in learning , which naturally he was much addicted unto ; having an excellent wit , and firm memorie , so that having profited much at school , he went to the university of wittenberg , where he continued about three yeares ; which time hee spent in the study of the arts and tongues , which night and day he imploied himselfe in . in that place he had excellent and faithfull masters , who were professors of all the arts. and for divinity he attended the lectures of luther , heard his disputations and sermons , as also melancthons , who was both an excellent divine and philosopher . he contracted friendship with cruciger ; heard the sermons of j. jo●as ; attended the greek lectures of dr vitus . he had for his private instructor joh marcellus , a godly , and learned man. he frequented also the lectures of law and physick . anno christi , by the advice of his tutors and friends , he went to norinberg , where hee was made master of saint laurences school , and for three yeares exercised himselfe with much diligence in instructing youth , in which time he heard the excellent sermons of andreas osiander , vitus , theodorus , and thomas venatorius , very learned , and eloquent divines . but having an earnest desire to perfect his own studies , he returned to wittenberg again , luther being yet living . there he commenced master of arts before hee was two and twenty years old , and applyed himselfe wholly to the study of divinity : but the wars waxing hot , the emperour placed a garrison in the castle and town of wittenberg , and the students were driven away from thence . at which time wigand was called to mansfield ( his own country ) to bee an assistant to their ancient pastor , martin seligman ; where also he was ordained minister by prayer , and imposition of hands , by john spangenberg the superintendent ; which was the first ordination in that place after the banishing of popery , and their embracing the truth of the gospel . that function hee discharged with much fidelity and industry ; and knowing the schooles to bee the seminaries both of the church and state , he read logick and philosophy to the youth . during which time , at the request of the superintendent spangenberg , he wrote a confutation of the popish catechism of ments , written by michael sidonius , which answer was afterwards printed in latine and dutch. he wrote also a confutation of george major , who held that a man by faith only is justified , but not saved , &c. he delighted exceedingly in a garden , and in observing the wisdome of god in the nature , shape , and various colours of hearbs and flowers for which end he gat the greatest variety of them that possibly he could into his garden . h●e was one of those that strongly opposed the interim . anno christi hee was chosen by them of madgeburg to be their superintendent , but the earl of mansfield and the people , strongly opposed his remove from them ; yet at last by the means of the prince of anhalt , they consented unto it . at magdeburg he tooke excessive pains in reading , writing , meditating and preaching , whereby hee converted many popish priests in those parts to the truth . he also took great pains in writing the magdeburgenses centuries , which he , together with mathew judex , flacius illiricns , basil faber , andrew corvinus , and thomas holthuterus finished to the great benefit of the church : of which booke sturmius gave this testimony , that it was necessary , and profitable , and had these four virtues in it , viz veritatem , diligentiam , ordinem , perspicuitatem : truth , diligence , ord●r , and perspicuity . anno christi , the elector of saxonie having begunne a university at jenes , sent earnestly to wigand to come thither to be the divinity professor , which for weighty reasons hee assented unto , and performed that office with much acceptance of all that heard him ; yet by the subtilty and malice of one stosselius he was dismissed from that place , and so returned to madgeburg again : but not staying there , hee was chosen to bee the superintendent at wismare , anno christi , where hee imployed himself wholly in preaching , disputing , expounding scripture , and governing the church . anno christi hee commenced doctor of divinity in the university of rostoch . he stayed at wismare seven yeares , at the end whereof , john william , duke of saxony , sent for him again to jenes ; but the duke of megapole would by no meanes part with him ; yet at last , after severall embassies , the duke of saxonie prevailed that he should come for one year to jenes : his people parted with him very unwillingly , with many sighs and teares , and at the yeares end sent for him back again , but could by no means obtaine his returne . he was not only made the professor of divinity at jenes , but the superintendent also . anno christi he went with his prince to the diet at spire , and at his return to jenes was received with great joy : but after five years duke john william dying , he was againe driven from thence , and went to the duke of brunswick , who entertained him kindly : but presently after hee was called into borussia , to bee the divinity professor in the university of regiomontanum , and after two years was chosen to be bishop there . anno christi , he fell sick , especially upon grief , conceived for the afflicted condition of the church in poland , and the death of his deare friend john wedman , an excellent divine . this disease encreasing , and his strength decaying , he prepared himselfe for death . he made his owne epitaph . in christo vixi , morior , vivoque wigandus : do sordes morti : cae●era , christe , tibi . in christ i liv'd , and dy'd , through him i live again : what 's ●ad to death i give : my soul with christ shall reigne . and so in the midst of fervent prayers , and assured hope of eternall life , hee resigned up his spirit into the hands of god that gave it ; anno christi , and of his age sixty four . hee was a man of an excellent wit and learning ; and exemplary in his life . familiar ; gently answering to every ones question : he was very courteous , and grave ; liberall to the poor ; insomuch as when he was bishop , and the poor begged of him either money or corn , he would command his steward to give them as much as they needed . hee used to catechise his family , and to require of them an account of the sermons every lords day . he wrote many works : explicationes in tria priora capita geneseos : comment . in psalmos graduum , & poenitentiales , &c. annotationes in isaiam , in danielem , in prophetas minores , in mattheum , johannem , in epistolas ad romanos , galatas , ephesios , ad timotheum & , ad coloss. histor. patefactionis divina , cum multis aliis . i. fox the life of john fox , who dyed a no christi . john fox was born at boston in lincolnshire , anno christi . his father died when he was young , and his mother married again : yet his father in law and mother seeing his towardliness and aptness to learning , brought him up at school , and afterwards sent him to brasen-nose colledge in oxford , where he was chamber-fellow with doctor nowell , and being of a sharp wit , and very indu●trious withall , hee profited so much , that in a short time hee gat the admiration of all , and the love of many , whereupon he was chosen fellow of magdalen colledge . hee much affected poetry , and wrote some latine comedies of the histories of the bible in a copious and gracefull stile in his youth . but afterwards betook himself more seriously to the study of divinity , and discovered himself to favour the reformation then in hand , when king henry the eighth abolished the popes supremacie . the first thing that caused him to question the popish religion , was the contradictions in it , divers things , in their own natures most repugnant , being thrust upon men at one time , both of them to be beleeved : hereupon he set himself to study the ancient and moderne history of the church , which he performed with such diligence , that before he was thirty years old , he had read over all that either the greek or latine fathers had written of it : as also the schoolmens disputation ; the councils acts , and the consistories decrees ; and acquired no mean skil in the hebrew tongue : besides his dayes study , he bestowed all , or a great part of the night in these labours , and many times in the dead of the night he chose a solitary grove near the colledge to walk in for his meditationss ; and in them he suffered many combats and wrestlings , yea many heavy sighs , with teares , and prayers he poured out to almighty god in them : but hereupon grew suspition of him that hee beganne to dislike the popish religion , and snares were layd for him ; and at last being examined , he was by the colledge convicted , condemned for an heretick , and expelled the house . his father-in-law also took this occasion to manifest his dislikes against him , that he might the better cheat him of his estate which of right belongad to 〈◊〉 from his own father . being thus left destitute of all humane help and comfort , god tooke care for him , being sent for into warwick shine by sir thomas i●ucie to live in his house , and teach his children : where also he married a wife , and continued till : the feare of the popish inquisitors drove him thence . his case was now more hard again , having a wife to provide for , and whither to goe hee knew not : at last hee resolved to goe to her father , who was a citizen of coventrie , and in the mean time by : letters to try whether his father-in-law , that married his mother , would receive him , or not : whose answer was , that if he would alter his opinion ( being condemned for a capital offence ) he should be welcome , otherwise it would be dangerous for him to entertain him long : but his mother under-hand wrote to him to come ; and so it pleased god that hee found better entertainment and security in both places then hee exspected ; for being sometimes with his wives father , and sometimes with his father in law , he deceiv'd their diligence who enquired after him , and neither of his fathers grew weary of his company . afterwards he went to london towards the end of king henry the eights reign ; but having quickly spent there what his friends had bestowed on him , and what he had acquired by his own diligence , he beganne to bee in want again . but behold gods providence . as he one day sate in pauls church , spent with long fasting , his countenance thinne , and his eyes hollow , after the gastfull manner of dying men , every one shunning a spectacle of so much horrour , there came one to him whom he had never seen before , and thrust an untold sum of money into his hand , bidding him be of good chear , and to accept that small gift in good part from his country-man , which common courtesie had enforced him to offer ; and that he should goe and make much of himself ; for that within a few daies new hopes were at hand , and a more certaine condition of livelihood . master fox could never learn who this was , but three daies after the dutchesse of richmond sent for him to live in her house , and to be tutor to the earl of surrey's children now under her care ; and the two young lords profited so much under him , that afterwards the elder [ thomas ] seemed to deserve more then the kingdom could give him ; and the younger [ henry ] was able to measure his fortunes , not by the opinion of others , but by his own satiety : and the young lady jane profited so much both in greek and latine , that she might well stand in competition with the most learned men of that age . in that family he continued the remainder of king henries reign , and all king edwards , till the beginning of queen maries : when a storme of persecution arising , master fox was sheltered from it by the duke his scholar . but when he saw all sorts of men troubled for religions sake , so that there was nothing but flight , slaughter , and gibbets , and that gardiner bishop of winchester was his enemy , hee beganne to thinke of some speedy way for his departure thence ; which so soon as the duke knew , he disswaded him from it , affirming that it was neither agreeable to honour , nor modesty for him to suffer his tutor , so well deserving at his hands , to bee taken from him . he told him that in flying , no kind of misery would be wanting ; banishment , poverty , contempt , &c. and that though these were lesse evils then death , yet was it not come to such extremity , neither would hee suffer that it should , saying , that hee had yet wealth , and favour , and friends , and the fortune of his house ; and if the mischance prevailed further , that himselfe would partake of the danger , and make the destruction common : that he remembred with what instructions he had fortified his younger years , neither had he with more attention hearkened thereto , then he would with constancy put them in practise : yet when the duke afterward perceived that he could no longer shelter him from the malice of winchester , he provided all things necessary for his departure , sending to ipswich to hire a bark , and whilst all things were making ready , hee sent him to a farm-house of one of his servants , with his wife , the companion of his travels , then great with child , who yet would not be perswaded to stay behind him . he had in this bark scarce weighed anchor , when suddenly a rough wind troubled the sea with so great violence , that the stoutest mariners beganne to tremble ; then followed a dark night , with such hail , and raine , that hindred the sea-mens work , and tooke away all possibility of steering any longer by the compass : yet the next day towards evening with much difficulty they arrived again in the same haven from whence they set forth . in the meane time a pursivant with a warrant from the bishop of winchester , had searched the farm , and pursued him to ipswitch , but finding the bark already gone , was returned towards london . this master fox being informed of as soon as he came to shoare , he presently took horse as if he would have left the towne , but the same night returning , he bargained with the master of the ship with the first winde to set sayle againe , and the pilot loosed in the nights silence , as soon as the tide turned , though the sea was rough , and the winds blustring , and two daies after ( through the mercy of god ) landed him safely at newport haven & after some few daies refreshing himself at newport , and those that were with him , they went to antwerp , and from thence to basil , which was a common refuge to many english in those times , most of which maintained themselves by over-seeing the presse , and correcting faults therein . to these master fox joyned himself , and having in his youth been accustomed to hardship , he was able to suffer want , sit up late , and to fare hardly : and during his abode there , notwithstanding he was so full of imployment , yet he began his history of the acts and monuments of the church , which afterward he compleated in his own country : first hee wrote it in latine , and sent it to basil to be printed , where it was much esteemed ; and afterwards wrote it in english , to gratifie the unlearned . not long after queen mary dyed , about which time master fox , preaching to comfort the english exiles , did with confidence tell them , that now was the time come for their returne into england ; and that hee brought that news by command from god : for which words the graver divines did sharply reprove him for the present ; but afterwards excused him by the event , when it appeared that queen mary died but the day before he so spake to them . master fox , understanding happy news in england , that queen elizabeth reigned , religion was altered , and so like to continue , in the end of that year he returned into england with his wife , and two children which were born there ; and instead of seeking preferment by his great friends , and own deserts , he lived retiredly in his study , prosecuting his work begun at basil of writing the acts and monuments . the papists foreseeing how much this worke would tend to their disparagement , and disadvantage , charged the author with falshood , and feigned some cavils against him , to lessen his credit & authority ; which he , by heaping together testimonies for the confirmation of what hee had writ , endeavoured to take away . this elaborate work , with infinite pains , he finished in years , never using the help of any other man but wrote , & searched all the records himself : but by these excessive pains leaving no time free from study , nor affording to himselfe seasonably , what nature required , hee was brought to that passe , that his natural vigour being spent , neither his friends nor kindred could by sight remember , or know him . yea it caused in him withered leannesse of body , yet would he by no means be perswaded to lessen his accustomed labours . from this time he was much spoken of for a good historian ; but shortly after his other excellent endowments began to appear . he was very charitable , and had an excellent ability in comforting afflicted consciences , so that there resorted to him noblemen , strangers , citizens , and others also , seeking salves to their wounded consciences . he preached often abroad , and went to visit such as could not come to him , and what spare time he had , he bestowed in prayer , and study ; and for his vehement prayers mingled with groanes , he made use of the nights silence for the greater secre●ie . there was in him a deliberate , and resolved contempt of all earthly things , especially of pleasures , and for this end hee declined the friendship of illustrious and noble persons : the money which rich men sometimes offered him , hee accepted , but returned it back to the poor : many things did he foretell by occasion of comforting the afflicted , or terrifying those that were stubborn . the lady anne henage lying sick of a violent feaver , and the physitians deeming it mortall , master fox was sent for to be present at her ending , and after by prayer and instructions hee had prepared her for death , he told her that she had done well in sitting her selfe for death , but that yet she should not dye of that sicknesse . a knight , her son in law , being by , told him in private , that he had not done well to disquiet her minde with hopes of life , when the physitians had given her up for dead ; to whom he answered , that he said no more then was commanded him , for it seemed good to god that she should recover ; which also came to passe . also mistris honiwood , who had lain sick of a consumption almost twenty years through melancholy , to whom many excellent physitians , and grave divines had resorted to cure her body , & comfort her mind , but all in vain at last m. fox being sent for , when he came into her chamber , found a most sad house all about her sitting like statues of mourning in humane likenesse : but after he had prayed with her , and therein endeavoured both to comfort her , and those about her , he told her that she should not onely recover of her disease , but also live to an exceeding great age : at which words , earnestly beholding him , she said , you might as well have said , that if i should throw this glass against the wall , i might beleeve it would not break to pieces : and having a glasse in her hand , she threw it forth , the glasse falling first on a chest , and then on the ground , yet neither brake , nor crackt : and the event fell out accordingly ; for the gentlewoman being then sixty years of age , lived in much felicitie till she was above ninetie years old , and could reckon above three hundrd and sixtie of her children , and childrens children . also , one day going to see the earl of arundel , sonne to the duke of norfolk , at his house in the straud , when he was going away from him , the earl walked with him to the end of his garden , where he was to take boat ; but the river being very boysterous , the earl counselled him not to trust himself in so great atempest ; to whom master fox answered . so ( my lord ) let these water deal with me , as i have in truth and sincerity delivered unto you all that i have spoken : and therewithall entering into the boat , before they could put off from the bridge , the wind ceased , and the river ran with a smooth stream . he had many great friends to whom he was very dear , and of whose bounty he tasted liberally , whereby he was enabled to be so bountiful to the poor : he had much familiarity with many learned , and godly men . at length having in such actions and such behaviours spent his time , being now full of years , he foresaw his own end , and would not suffer his sonnes to be present at his death , though he entirely loved them ; but sending them from home , ere their return he quietly resigned up his spirit to god , an. christi , and of his age seventie . he never denyed to give to any one tha asked for jesus sake . and one asking him whither he knew a certain poor man whom he used to relieve ; yea ( said he ) i remember him well , and i tell you , i forget lords and ladies to remember such . as he was going along london streets , a woman of his acquaintance met him , and as they discoursed together , shee pulled out a bible , telling him she was going to hear a sermon ; whereupon he said to her , if you will be advised by me , go home again : but ( said she ) when shall i then go to church ? to whom he answered , when you tell no body of it . one of his sonnes had a great mind to travel beyond sea , which his father could by no means disswade him from : after some years travell he returned back in an out-landish habit ; and coming to his father , the old man asked him who hee was ? to whom he answered , sir , i am your sonne samuel : whereupon hee replyed , oh my sonne , who hath taught thee to make thy self so ridiculous , by coming home in so strange and uncoth an habit ? the life of george sohnius , who died a no christi . george sohnius was born at friburg in the wetteraw , anno christi , of honest parents , and of good esteem , who brought him up from his childhood in the knowledge of the principles of divinity and grammar , and afterwards set him to school in fridberg , where he continued till he was well grounded in school-learning , which he drank in with such eagernesse , that he soon outstripped all his fellows ; and so anno christi he was sent to the university of marpurg at fifteen years old : where he profited so exceedingly in logick and philosophy , that he was made batchelor of arts at the years end . and being exceeding desirous to see other countries , for the improving both of his learning and carriage , anno christi , he went to wittenberg , where he studied philosophy , law , and divinity with incredible pains night and day ; so that at three years end with the approbation of the whole university he was made master of arts. he intended at first the study of law ; but it pleased god on a sudden so to divert his heart from it , and to encline him to the study of divinitie , that he could have no rest in himselfe till he had resolved upon it ; concerning which he thus writes to his father : what hath so soon altered my opinion i shall briefly declare unto you , that you may know , and approve the reason thereof , and give thanks to god for his mercy to us . when upon the one and twentieth of july i was hearing tuberus his lecture of the law , before halfe an hour was past , as i was writing what hee spake , i fell into very serious cogitations : for on a sudden the excellency , and majesty of divinity came into my mind , which suddenly did so delight me , and beganne to stirre up in my minde such love to it , that i could not but resolve to give over the law , and wholly to apply my self to the study of divinity : and this thought did more and more sink deeply into my mind , and was so urgent upon me , that i could no longer hearken to the law lecture , neither could i write out what i had begunne : so that i knew not what doe ▪ yea these thoughts did so follow me , that i was not onely averse to read any more law , but i abhorred the thoughts of it . and thus not knowing what to doe , i betook my self with sighs and teares unto god , intreating him to restore to me my former love to , and delight in the law : but if not , that i was ready to follow his call in any thing . but so often as i returned to reading the law my heart did beat , my eyes abhorred the letters , and neither was my minde or will any more delighted with that study : whereupon consulting with two of my godly and loving friends , they judged that i was called by god to the study of divinity ; and therefore giving thanks to god , i wholly applyed my self thereto . anno christi he returned to marpurg , and studied hebrew ; and the year after he read the arts to many students privately , and became tutor to three noblemen . at twenty three years old he was so famous , that by the consent of all the divines of that university , he was chosen into the number , and order of professors of divinity . the year after he married a wife , christian , daughter to conrade matthew , one of the professors , a choice maid , by whom he had three sons and two daughters . the same yeare also he was chosen the professor of the hebrew tongue in that universitie . anno christi he was made doctor in divinity , and falling sick not long after , he made an excellent confession of his faith : but it pleased god that he recovered , and was not onely a constant preacher of the truth , but a strong defender of it against errors , confuting the ubiquitarians , and that so boldly , that he chose rather to hazard banishment then to connive at errors . his fame spread abroad exceedingly , so that many sought for him , especially john of nassau , and john cassimire , the elector palatine . the first desired him to come , and begin his university at herborn , where he should have had greater honour , and a larger stipend . the other desired him to heidleberg to bee the divinity professor in that place : his answer was , that he was born rather for labours , then honours , and therefore chose to goe to heidleberg , being thirty three years old , anno christi , and was intertained lovingly by the prince , who made him governour of the colledge of sapience , and professor of divinity . his coming was most grateful to the university , where he took exceeding great pains , and was eminent for piety , humility , gravity , prudence , patience , and industry ; so that anno christi , he was chosen into the number of the ecclesiasticall senators for the government of the church . he had great skill in the tongues : greater in the liberal arts and philosophy ; but greatest in the knowledge of divinity , and ecclesiasticall history . he was famous for eloquence , faithfulness , and diligence in his place , and holiness , and integrity in his life . anno christi he fell sick , for which , and his change , he had been carefully fitting himself beforehand , and therefore bore it with much patience , and with fervent prayer often repeated , o christ thou art my redeemer , and i know that thou hast redeemed me : i wholly depend upon thy providence and mercie ; from the very bottome of my heart i commend my spirit into thy hands , and so he slept in the lord anno christi , and of his age . hee published not many books , but those which hee did were very polite and choice ones ; ut sunt de verbo dei , & ejus tractatione lib. . after his death his works were published in three tomes . calvin preached his funeral sermon . the life of laurence humfreid , who died a no christi . laurence humfreid was born in the county of buckingham , and brought up , first at school , and then sent to oxford , where he was admitted into the colledge of mary magdalen , and followed his studies hard all the daies of king edward the sixth . but in the beginning of those bloody marian dayes , wherein so many were forced to forsake their native soyl , he ( amongst the rest ) went beyond sea into germany , where he continued till the beginning of queen elizabeths reign , whom god raised up to be a nursing mother to his church . at which time he came back , and returned to oxford , where he was very famous both for his learning , and preaching . then also he commenced doctor in divinity , and by reason of his excellent parts was very instrumentall in the advancement of gods glory . and whereas that wicked sect of the jesuits was lately risen up , he , by his learned writings , did both from scripture and antiquity discover their impostures , and popish deceits . afterwards he was made the master of magdalen colledge , and the regius professor ; which places hee discharged with singular commendations for many yeares together , and at last quietly resigned up his spirit into the hands of god , anno christi . the life of james andreas , who died a no christi . james andreas was born in waibling in the dukedome of wittemberg , anno . and when his father had kept him three years at school ( being unable to maintaine him any longer ) he intended to have placed him with a carpenter ; but being disswaded by sebastian mader , the consul , he sent him to stutgard to erhard snepfius , who was superintendent of the wirtembergian churches , intreating him to grant him an exhibition out of the churches stock for the breeding of him at school . snepfius examining the boy , who was now ten years old , found him of an excellent wit ; but withall perceived that hee had been neglected at school : whereupon he agreed to allow him part of his maintenance , and his father to make up the rest , and so placed him in the school at stutgard , under a choice schoolmaster , with whom ( in two years space ) he learned the latine and greek grammar and rhetorick , and so an. chr. he went to tubing , where he so profited , that at the end of two years he was made batchelor of arts , and two years after that , mr. of arts. there also he studied hebrew & divinity . and an. ch. , and of his age , he was made deacon , and for trial , preached in the chief church of stutgard in a great auditory , and did so well perform that work , that his fame spread abroad , and at last came to the ears of ulrick duke of wirtemberg , who sent for him to preach before him in his castle , which hee did with much applause ; so that after sermon , the duke said ; whence soever this chicken came , i know that he was hatched and bred up under snepfius . the same year at tubing he married a wife , by whom hee had eighteen children , nine sonne , and nine daughters . about that time brake forth that fatall warre betwixt charles the fifth and the protestant princes , wherein the emperour being conquerour , hee seised upon the dukedome of wirtemberg , by reason whereof the church was in a sad condition , yet andreas , with his wife remained in stutgard , and by gods speciall providence was preserved in the midst of spanish souldiers , and yet preached constantly , and faithfully all the while . and so hee continued till anno christi , at which time that accursed interim came forth , which brought so much mischief to the church of god. andreas , amongst other godly ministers that opposed it , was driven from his place : yet it pleased god that the year after he was chosen again to be deacon at tubing , where by catechising he did very much good . anno christi ulrick dying , his son christopher succeeded him in the government of wirtemberg , and affected andreas exceedingly , and would needs have him commense doctor ; which degree ( having performed all his exercises ) he took the twenty fifth year of his age , and was chosen pastor of the church of gompping , and was made superintendant of those parts . about the same time he was sent for by lodwick count of oeting to assist him in the reforming of the churches within his jurisdiction , & when he took his leave of his own prince christopher , he charged him , and gave it him in writing , that if count lodwick set upon that reformation , that under pretence of religion he might robbe the church , and seise upon the revenues of the monasteries , and turn them to his private use , that he should presently leave him , and come back again . he assisted also in the reformation of the churches in helfenstein , anno christi . about that time , hearing of a jew that for theft was hanged by the heels with his head downward in a village hard by , having not seen that kind of punishment , he went to the place , where he found him hanging between two dogs , that were alwaies snatching at him , tearing and eating his flesh : the poor wretch repeated in hebrew some verses of the psalms , wherein hee cried to god for mercy ; whereupon andreas went nearer to him , and instructed him in the principles of the christian religion , about christ the messiah , &c. and exhorted him to believe in him ; and it pleased god so to blesse his exhortation to him , that the dogs gave over tearing of his flesh , and the poor jew desired him to procure that he might be taken down , and baptised , and hung by the neck for the quicker dispatch , which was done accordingly . the same year charles , marquesse of baden , beganne a reformation of the churches within his dominions , and to assist him therein he sent for divers divines , and amongst the rest , for dr andreas , by whose help he cast out the popish religion and ceremonies , and established the true religion according to the augustane confession : the like he did in brugoia . about the same time also doctor andreas was sent for by the senate of the imperiall city of rottenburg , because the pastors in their jurisdiction used divers ceremonies , so that they feared least contentions should arise about the substantials in divinity , whereupon by the advice of andreas , they were united in one confession of faith consonant to the word of god , and certain ceremonies were agreed on , which all the ministers should unanimously use for the time to come . yea he was of such esteem , that he was sent for by divers princes to reform the churches in their jurisdictions . hee was present at divers synods and disputations about religion . hee travelled many thousands of miles , being usually attended but with one servant , yet it pleased god that in all his journyes he never met with any affront . anno christi , the chancellors place in the university of tubing was voyd by the death of beurlin , whereupon prince christopher , consulting with the heads of the university , made doctor andreas chancellor in his stead . about which time he was sent into thuringia to compose the difference between the divines of jenes , flacius illiricus , aud strigelius , about the power of free-will . anno christi came forth the book of concord , which was approved and subscribed by three electors , twenty one princes , twenty two counts , four barons , thirty five imperiall cities , and eight thousand ministers . this was set on foot by the elector of saxony , but carried on by the excessive labours of doctor andreas , who carried it from one to another , resolving all doubts , and answering all objections till he had got all those subscriptions . the year before his death , hee used often to say , that hee should not live long ; that hee was weary of this life , and much desired to be dissolved , and to be with christ which was best of all . falling sick , he sent for james herbrand , saying , i exspect that after my death many adversaries will rise up to asperse me , and therefore i sent for thee to hear the confession of my faith , that so thou mayst testifie for me when i am dead and gone , that i died in the true faith. the same confession also he made afterwards before the pastors and deacons of tubing . the night before his death he slept , partly upon his bed , and partly in his chair : when the clock struck fix in the morning , he said , my hour draws near . he gave thanks to god for bestowing christ , for revealing his will in his word , for giving him faith , and the like benefits ; and when he was ready to depart , he said , lord into thy hands i commend my spirit , and so he fell asleep in the lord anno christi , and of his age . in the discharge of his office he never spared any labour ; hee never shrunk under any trouble . he wrote many epistles to severall men upon several arguments . a learned , and rich man of tubing after doctor andreas his death , said , that he had in his library fifteen hundred bookes of his writing upon severall arguments . h. zanchy the life of hierom zanchius , who dyed a no christi . hierom zanchius was born at atzanum in italy , anno . his father was a lawyer , who brought him up at school ; and when zanchy was but twelve years old his father died of the plague anno christi ; at which time zanchy was at school , where he was instructed in the liberall sciences : when he came to the age of fifteen years , being now deprived of both his parents , observing that divers of his kindred were of the order of canons regular , amongst whom he judged that there were divers learned men , being exceeding desirous of learning , he entered into that order , where hee lived about twenty years , and studied arts and school-divinity , together with the tongues . he was very familiar with celsus martiningus , joyning studies with him , was a diligent hearer of peter martyrs publick lectures at luca upon the epistle to the romans , and of his private lectures upon the psalmes , which he read to his canons . this drew his mind to an earnest study of the scriptures . he read also the fathers , especially st. augustine , with the most learned interpreters of the word of god : and thereupon he preached the gospel for some years in the purest manner that the time and place would suffer . and when peter martyr left italy , so that his godly disciples could no longer live in safety there , much lesse have liberty of preaching , about twenty of them in the space of one year left their station , and followed their master into germany , amongst whom za●chy was one . being thus ( as he used to say ) delivered out of the babylonish captivity , anno christi . he went , first into rhetia , where he staied about eight moneths , and from thence to geneva , and after nine moneths stay there , he was sent for by peter martyr into england , but when he came to strasborough , he staid there to supply hedio's room newly dead , who read divinity in the schooles , which was in the yeare . he lived , and taught divinity in that city about yeares ; sometimes also reading aristotle in the schools ; yet not without opposition , old james sturmius , the father of that university being dead : yea his adversaries proceeded so far as to tell zanchy , that if hee would continue to read there , he must subscribe the augusta●e confession , to which hee yeelded for peace-sake , with this proviso , modò orthodox●e intelligatur ; declaring his judgement also about christs presence in the sacrament , wherewith they were satisfied . and thus he continued to the year , being very acceptable to the good , and a shunner of strife , and a lover of concord . at the end whereof the divines and professors there , accused him for differing from them in some points about the lords supper , the ubiquity of christs body , the use of images in the churches , predestination , and the perseverance of the saints : about these things they raised contentions , which were partly occasioned by the book of heshufius , printed at this time at strasborough , about the lords supper ; and it came to this pass , that they put zanchy to his choice either to depart of himself , or else they would remove him from his place . and though many waies were tried for the composing of this difference , yet could it not be effected . but it pleased god that about this time there came a messenger to signifie to him that the pastor of the church of clavenna , in the borders of italy , being dead , he was chosen pastor in his room ; wherefore obtaining a dismission from the senate of strasborough , he went thither , and after he had preached about two moneths , the pestilence brake forth in that town so violently , that in seven moneths space there dyed twelve hundred men ; yet he continued there so long as he had any auditors ; but when most of the citizens had removed their families into an high mountain not farre off , he went thither also , and spent above three moneths in preaching meditation , and prayer , and when the plague was stayed , hee returned into the city again . and thus he continued in that place almost four years to the great profit of many , but not without afflictions to himself . anno christi hee was sent for by frederick the third , elector palatine , to heidleberg to be professor , and was entertained with all love and respect , where he succeeded ursin , and at his entrance made an excellent oration about the preserving , and adhering to the meer word of god alone . the same year he was made doctor in divinity . about which time that excellent prince frederick , who was a zealous promoter of the doctrine of the prophets and apostles , required him to explicate the doctrine of one god , and three persons , to confirme it , and to confute the doctrine of those which at that time denyed the deity of christ and the holy ghost in poland and transilvania , and to answer their arguments ; whereupon he wrote those learned tractates , de dei naturâ , de tribus elohim , &c. in which book the whole orthodox doctrine about that great mystery is so unfolded and confirmed , that all adversaries may for ever be ashamed which goe about to contradict the same laelius socinus , and other of his complices that defended the heresies of servetus , tried by divers waies , and reasons to have drawn him to their opinion : but when they found him wholly estranged from them , and a zealous defendor of the truth against their blasphemies , they renounced all friendship with him , and left him ; for which he gave hearty thanks unto god , and our lord jesus christ. he taught in that university tenne yeares till the death of prince frederick . then by prince john cassimire he was removed to his new university at neostade , where he spent above seven years in reading divinity . though in the year he had been earnestly solicited to come to the university of leiden , then newly begunne ; as also the yeare after the citizens of antwerp called him to be their pastor , yet the prince would by no means part with him , knowing that hee could not bee missed in his university . the prince elector palatine , lodwick , being dead , and prince cassimire being for the time made administrator of his estate , the university was returned from neostad to heidleberg , and zanchy being now grown old , had a liberal stipend setled upon him by prince cassimire ; whereupon going to heidleberg to visit his friends , he fell sick , and quietly departed in the lord anno christi , and of his age seventie five . he was excellently versed in the writings of the ancient fathers and philosophers , he was of singular modesty , and very studious to promote the peace of the church . his workes are well known , being usually bound up in three volumes . his commentaries are upon hosea , ephes. phil. col. thess. and john : his other works are miscellanea theologica . de tribus elohim . de natura dei. de operibus dei. de incarnatione filii dei. de sacra scriptura ▪ compendium praecipuorum capitum doctrinae christianae . de religione christiana , &c. the life of anthony sadeel , who died a no christi . anthony sadeel was born at cabot upon the confines of savoy and france , not far from geneva , anno christi , and his father dying whilst he was young , his mother brought him up in learning , and sent him to paris , where he was educated under mathias granian , from whom also he first received the seeds of true religion . from thence after a while he removed to tholous , where falling into the society of some godly students of the law. it pleased god that by degrees he attained to the knowledge of the truth , and began to abstain from the defilements of popery ; whereupon hee went to geneva , where he was further instructed in the truth , and was much holpen , and encouraged by calvin and beza . but after a while his uncle dying , and leaving a large inheritance , some contention arose about it , whereupon sadeel was sent for home , and went to paris about that businesse . at which time a private congregation was gathered by john riparius ( who shortly after suffered martyrdom ) into which number at his request sadeel was admitted , in whom there shon forth a great ingenuity , with an incredible love to the holy scriptures . and when afterwards that church was encreased , they sent to geneva for a pastor , who sent them collongius , a man famous for piety and wisdom ; who when he was come , calling together the young men , he exhorted them to apply themselves to the study of divinity , which afterwards turned to the great good of the french churches , and amongst others sadeel faithfully promised to apply himselfe thereto . and collongius beganne to frame and fashion the minds of those young men by private exercises : amongst whom sadeel most excelled , there appearing no light , or unbeseeming carriage in him : yea in those his young years he gave signs of au excellent mind that was fit to undertake great things . in so much as being scarce twenty yeares old , he was by approbation of the whole church , chosen one of the pastors . and though in regard of his great parentage , hee was not without hope of attaining to great riches and dignity ; whereas entering into this course of life , he exposed himself to labours , dangers , banishment , and grievous death in those bloody times , yet none of these hindered , but that he chearfully undertook the office he was chosen to , which was to be pastor of the church in paris . the year after fell out that horrid violence offered to this church when they were met together to hear the word , and receive the sacrament , where above of them were laid hold of , and cast into prison , but by a miracle of gods mercy the pastors escaped . to make the prisoners more odious the friars in all their sermons gave out that the protestants met together for no other end but to feast and junket , after which ( putting out the candles ) they fell to all promiscuous uncleannesses ; and the cardinall of lorrain buzed such things into the king● head ; and though the judges upon enquiry found all these things false ; yet the church thought fit by an epistle to the king and a book to the people , to vindicate and clear themselves , which work was committed to sadeel , who performed it so excellently , that some good effects followed thereupon . the year after sadeel was delivered from a great danger , for at midnight many apparitors brake into his house s●arching every corner , and at last brake into his chamber ▪ ●eized on his books and his papers , crying out they were h●retical ▪ and so laid hold upon him , and carried him to prison 〈◊〉 it pleased god that anthony of burbon , king of navar who knew him , and had often heard him ) hearing of his ●mprisonment , sent to the officers to release him as being one of his train ; and when they refused to do it , he went himself to the prison , complaining of the wrong that was done him by imprisoning one that belonged to him , being neither a murtherer nor thief ; and withall b●●e sadeel follow 〈◊〉 , and so took him away with him : wherupon the day after he publickly before the king gave thanks to god for his deliverance , expounding the psalm . then it being judged the safest for him to absent himself for a while , hee went to visit the churches in other parts of the kingdome , and at orleance he continued some moneths preaching to many citizens , and students in the night time , to their great advantage . a while after he returned to paris , and the number of churches increasing in france , there was a synod held at paris of ministers and elders ( the first that ever was there ) who assembled to draw up a confession of their faith , unto which sadeel prefixed an epistle , and which afterwards was presented to the king by the admiral col●gnie : but the king shortly after dying , the queen mother , and the guises drew all the government of the kingdome into their hands , and raised a great persecution against the church , drawing many of all ranks to prisons and punishments ; yet sadeel intermitted not his office , but was wholly imployed in preaching to his flock , comforting the dejected , confirming the weak , &c. till the danger encreasing , it was thought fit that the care of the church should be committed to one macardus , a man lesse known , and that sadeel should retire himself : and so hee went into severall parts of the kingdom , and thereby much propagated the true faith. the yeare after , the persecution not being so violent at paris , sadeel could not refrain from going to his flock which he loved so dearly . anno christi he fell sick of a quartan ague , and by the advice of his physitians and friends he was perswaded to goe into his own country ; yet neither there did he live idle , but preached up and down to the spirituall advantage of many . from thence he was called to be the moderator in a synod at orleance , where the opinion was discussed , and confuted , of some that held , that the government of the church should not be in the eldership , but in the body of the congregation ; and sadeel took so much paines in this point , that the first author of that schism was confuted , and converted , and publickly in writing confessed , and recanted his error . being returned to paris , the persecution began to grow so hot there again , that he was perswaded to retire himself from the same , after which he never could return to his flock that so loved , and was beloved of him . after his departure he was present at , and moderated in many synods of the french churches ; but withall hee was so hated of the wicked , that at last hee was driven from thence to lausanna where hee preached for a time , and from thence he went to geneva , where for divers years he was a pastor . but the church in france having some peace , he returned thither again , and at lions and burgundy edified the churches exceedingly . afterwards he was sent for by henry the fourth , king of navarr , to whom he went very unwillingly , not liking a court life ; yet by the advice of his friends , he went to him , & for three years space in all his troubles was with him , comforting , and encouraging him very much ; and at the battle of courtrass , a little before it began , he stood in the head of the army , and prayed earnestly for successe , which much encouraged all the souldiers ; and when they had gotten the victory , he also gave publick , and solemn thanks unto god for the same . but by reason of sickness and weakness , being unable to follow that kind of life any longer ▪ he was with much unwillingness dismissed by the king , & went through his enemies countries in much danger till hee came to his wife and children at geneva . shortly after hee was sent by order from the king of navar into germany , upon an ambassie to the protestant princes , where not onely the universities , but the princes also received him in a very honourable manner , especially prince cassimire , and the lantgrave of hesse . anno christi he returned to geneva , where in the middest of many troubles he continued in the worke of his ministry to the end of his life : and when the city was besieged by the spaniards , and others , he oft went out with the citizens to the fights , so encouraging them , that , through gods mercy , a few of them put thousands of the enemies to flight many times . at last hee fell sick of a plurisie , and though the physitians apprehended no danger , yet hee foretold that it would be mortal ; and retiring himself from the world , he wholly conversed with god. praiers were made daily for him in the congregations , and beza and the other ministers visited him often , with prayers and tears begging his recovery . he enjoyed much inward peace and comfort in his sickness , and at last slept in the lord anno christi , and of his age . his losse was much bewailed by the whole city , his preaching was not too curious , and yet not void of art and eloquence : so that his ministry was alwaies most gratefull to the people . he was very holy and exemplary in his life , and had most of the learned men of those times for his special friends . he was tall , and slender of his body , had a pale face , red haire , sharp sight , a countenance composed of gravity , and courtesie . he was very sickly , so that except he had been very careful of himselfe , he could not possibly have endured such labours and studyes as he was exercised in . in his sermons his profitable matter was adorned with eloquence ; his brevity caused not obscurity , nor his prolixity tediousness : his pronounciation and gestures were modest and comly . hee used no bitterness of speech , nor expressions that favoured of anger . he was very powerfull in prayer . his writings were mixed with much learning ; and though he was admired for his excellent parts , and put upon many , and great imployments , yet was he far from vain-glory . he disesteemed all earthly things , and breathed after nothing but christ. his liberality was wel known in the churches of paris , orleance , lions , and in many other places . lastly , he was of a very innocent , and exemplay life . his workes are published in four tomes . w. whitaker the life of william whitaker , who died a no christi . william whitaker was born at holme in the parish of bournley in lancashire , of an ancient family . his father was one who by his industry increased the ancient inheritance of the whitakers . his mother came of the two worshipfull familes of the townlies and nowels . in his childhood he was educated under his parents wings , and brought up in the school of bournley : but when he was thirteen years old , he was sent for up to london by his uncle alexander nowel , dean of pauls , either because he saw he was brought up in the popish religion , or because he discerned the boy to be of an excellent wit , or out of a desire to exercise his charity , and to deserve well of his kindred : and when he came , he kept him in his own house , and placed him in pauls school , where he profited so much , that at eighteen years old he was sent to cambridge to trinity colledge under the tuition of one master west , where , by his diligence and proficience in his studyes , he procured such love and esteem , that hee was chosen first scholar , and then fellow of the house ; by which meanes being taken more notice of , the excellency of his wit and learning did more appear : for in all his disputations either in the colledge or schooles , he still carried away the bell : and so with the generall approbation , and applause of all , he took his degrees of batchelor , and master of arts , which when he had done , he did not ( as many ) neglect his studies , as if he had need to make no further progress , but with greater alacrity and diligence he still pressed on towards perfection , and to shew his gratitude and proficiency to his uncle doctor nowel , he turned his elegant and learned latine catechism into greek very acurately , and so presented it to him ; and that hee might bee usefull to the church , he turned the english liturgie into latine , hereby declaring what an excellent ornament he was likely to prove to the whole commonwealth of england : yea he adventured upon a more difficult work , which hee performed to his great commendation , of turning bishop jewels disputations against harding into latine , which redounded to the great benefit of all christian churches , and to the propagation of the orthodox faith. by these works he procured much respect in the university , so that the heads of the houses when the commencement drew on , choose him , being yet young , to bee father of many sonnes , whom he was not only to instruct and encourage in their studies , and to quicken to further diligence and industry ; but also to handle philosophicall questions , and to defend them against learned and acute opponents ; which ta●k was by so much the more difficult , by how much hee had but short warning , yet did hee perform it with such strength and prudence , that hee raised in the mindes of all his auditors an admiration of his singular learning and eloquence . a while after leaving plato and aristotle , he became a diligent reader of the sacred scriptures , to which , as every christian ought , he alwaies attributed the chiefest authority , not onely to build our faith upon , but to determine all doubts , and controversies by . he turned over also diligently all the principal modern commentators who were faithfull interpreters of the word of god. and being of an incredible industry , enduring heat and cold , in a few years space he read over most of the fathers both greek and latine , and if by any occasion of friends visits , or otherwise , he was interrupted in his studies , he would gain so much time out of his sleep in the night , as to finish his task which he had imposed upon him-self but as by these his labours and watchings he much encreased his learning , so he much impaired the health of his body , which he never recovered all his life after . he was very temperate in his diet from his very childhood ; hee drank very little wine , and in summer mixed it with water : he never overloaded his stomack with meat , no not in the greatest feasts , but alwaies used a sparing and moderate diet . he somtimes recreated himself , for his healths sake , either by shooting or angling , and in the winter time when he could do neither of them , he sometimes refreshed himself by playing at the ingenions game at chesse : in which recreations he used to be merry , and pleasant , without heat or wrangling , so that it might be easily discerned , that he only sought the refreshing of his mind , and the health of his body in them . doctor whitgift , the then regius professor , took so great a liking of him , and love to him , that he esteemed him as his son all his life after : when he common-placed , or catechised in the chaphel , his labours favoured both of learning and piety : when hee tooke the degree of batchelor in divinity , he performed his exercises so , that his auditors knew not whether he shewed himself the better christian or divine . when he read in the philosophy or rhetorick schools , he seemed another basil , when he catchised another origen . when he preached his concio ad clerum at his commencement anno christi , it abounded both with sanctitie , and all manner of learning , and when the commencement came , he handled two theological questions very copiously , and strongly , and after defended them acutely , and appositly , as became a good disputant ; after which he obtained his degree of batchelor of divinity with the approbation of all , to whom he had given abundance of satisfaction . and when this work was over he lived quietly for a while in the colledge , being never less idle then when idle , nor lesse alone then when alone : for when hee was free from publick businesses , hee prepared himself by studying controversies for publick work , as it were thereby presaging what afterwards came to passe . for it fell out by gods providence that shortly after doctor chaderton , the master of queens colledge and the regius professor was made a bishop , and though whitaker was but young for such a place , yet considering his great learning , he was unanimously chosen to be his successor in the professorship , though some were much vexed to see such a young man preferred before an old , whom they judged unable to undertake so great a task . but when hee began to read his lectures , he performed them to the abundant satisfaction of all his hearers , nothing being found wanting which could be required in the best divine , and most accomplished professor : for hee shewed much reading , a sharp judgement , a pure and easie stile , with sound and solid learning , so that his fame spreading abroad ; abundance resorted to his lectures , and reaped much profit thereby . the first that he began with in his lectures was to expound the three first chapters of luke : after which he went over the epistle to the galathians , the first to timothy , and the canticles . afterwards he betook himself to the controversies between the papists and us , anno christi . about that time there came into england a proud and vain-glorious jesuit called edmund campian , an english man , who set forth ten arguments whereby he boasted that he had utterly overthrown the protestant religion . to these whitaker answered so fully and learnedly , that all the jesuits brags vanished into smoak . but shortly after there rose up durie a scottish jesuit , who undertook to answer whitaker , and to vindicate campian . and whereas campian had set forth his arguments with a great deal of ostentation , and youthly confidence : durie on the other side prosecuted the cause with dog-like barking , and railing , and scurrility . whitaker gave him the preheminence in that , but did so solidly answer all his arguments , and discover his fallacies , that the truth in those points was never more fully cleared by any man. then rose up nicolas sanders , an english jesuit , who wrote about the person of antichrist , boasting that by forty demonstrative arguments he had proved that the pope was not antichrist . these arguments whitaker examined , & answered learnedly , and solidly , truly retorting many of them upon himself . then rainolds , a divine of remes , another english apostate , pretended a reply , but subtilly and maliciously presented the english divines differing amongst themselves ; that by their differences he might expose their religion to the greater hatred , and obloquy . but vvhitaker perceived , and plainly discovered his craftie fetches , and lies ; yet withall declared that he judged his book so vain , and foolish , that he scarce thought him worthy of an answer . about this time hee married a wife , a prudent , pious , chaste , and charitable woman . after whose death at the end of two years , he married another , a grave matron , the widdow of dudley fenner , by these he had eight children , whom he educated religiously . upon this occasion the crabbed old man , stapleton , who had neither learned to teach the truth , nor to speak well , nor to thinke chastly of others , wrote a book against him , objecting his marriage as a great reproach ; but surely this man had not read the words of christ , mat. . . nor of paul cor. . . tim. . . nor what the council of nice decreed concerning the marriage of presbyters upon the motion of paphnutius ; nor what augustine , and others of the fathers had written about that point : or else he was of ho●●aeus the jesuits mind , one of the popes counsellors , who declared openly , that priests sinned lesse by committing adultery , then by marrying wives . vvhitaker never had his catamites , as many of the popish priests , jesuits , cardinals , yea and some of the popes themselves had . but to leave him , and return to our matter . doctor vvhitaker was shortly after chosen master of saint johns colledge in cambridge , which though at first some of the fellows and students out of self-ends disliked , and opposed , yet , within a little space , by his clemency , equitie , and goodnesse , he so overcame their exulcerated mindes , that he turned them into love , and admiration of him : yea he alwaies governed the colledge with much prudence and moderation , not seeking his own profit but the publick good , as appeared not onely by the testimony of those which lived with him , but by his frugality , wherein yet his gaines exceeded not his expences . in choosing scholars and fellows , he alwayes carryed himself unblameably and unpartially , so as hee would never suffer any corruption to creep into the election ; and if he found any who by bribes had sought to buy suffrages , he of all others ( though otherwise never so deserving ) should not be chosen . lellarmine about this time growing famous , and being looked upon by his own party as an invinicible champion , him whitaker undertakes , and cuts off his head with his own weapons : first in the controversie about the scriptures , published anno christi . then about the church , councils , bishop of rome , the minister , saints departed , the church triumphant , the sacraments , baptism , and the lords supper ; though hee had not leisure to print them all . in all which controversies , he dealt not with his adversarie with taunts , reproaches , and passion , but as one that indeed sought out the truth . hereupon that superstitious old man , thomas stapleton , professor of lovane , perceiving that bellarmine held his peace , undertook to answer whitaker in that third question of his first part , about the scriptures , which he performed in a volume large enough , but as formerly , in a scurrilous , and railing language . therefore whitaker , lest the testy old man should seeme wise in his own eyes , answered him in somewhat a tarter language then he used to doe . the week before he dyed he performed an excellent work , not only for the university of cambridge , but for the whole english church , for whose peace and unity he alwaies studied in truth , by undertaking to compose some differences which sprang up about some ●●ads of religion ; for which end he went toward london in the midst of winter , in the company of doctor tyndal , master of queens colledge : but what with his journey , and want of sleep ( being too intent upon his business ) he fel sick by the way , which made him return to cambridge again ; and finding his disease to encrease , he sent for the physitians , who , after debate , resolved to let him blood , which yet was neglected for two daies : the third day when they went about it , he was unfit , by reason of a continual sweat that he was in , yet that night he seemed to sleep quietly ; and the next morning a friend asking him how he did ? he answered , o happy night ▪ i have not taken so sweet a sleep since my disease seised upon me : but his friend finding him all in a cold sweat , told him , that signes of death appeared on him . to whom he answered , life or death is welcome to me , which god pleaseth ; for death shall be an advantage to me ▪ and after a while he sayd , i desire not to live , but onely so farre as i may doe god and his church service : and so shortly after he quietly departed in the lord , anno christi , and of his age forty seven ; having been professor sixteen years . cardinal bellarmine procured his picture out of england , and hung it up in his study , much admiring him for his singular learning ; and being asked by a jesuit , why he would suffer the picture of that heretick to hang there , he answered , quòd quamvis haereticus , & adversarius esset , esset tamen doctus adversarius , that though hee was an heretick , and his adversary , yet he was a learned adversary . in the whole course of his disease , which was a fever , hee demeaned himself quietly and mildly , acknowledging god to be the author of his disease , to whose will hee willingly submitted himself , without the least sign of impatiency , saying with job , lord my god , though thou kill me , yet i am sure that with these eyes i shall see thee ; for in thee do i hope . in his habit countenance , and in the whole course of his life he● shewed forth piety and holynesse ; and in his private family where he most discovered himself , he was the same man. hee was most patient in injuries , which he quickly forgat , & was easily reconciled to those which deserved worst of him . hee was very charitable and liberal to the poor , according to his estate , which yet he alwaies carried privately , that others might not take notice of it ; but especially he was most bountiful to such poor as were modest , godly , and industrious , and yet more especially to such poor students as were ingenious , & painful . these he would often secretly furnish with mony , and prefer them to places as far as by the statutes of the colledge he could . in passing judgement upon other mens lives and actions he was alwaies very modest and moderate . those whom he saw doe well , he would encourage and commend : for those that brake out into inordinate practises , he would grieve , and mourn . in his converse with his friends , he was very courteous , apert , and pleasant : faithfull in keeping secrets ; prudent and grave in serious matters : alwaies most prompt , and ready to assist his friends in every condition , either with counsel , comfort , or money . his piety towards his parents was singular , towards whom he was very dutyfull , and whom he supported being faln into decay through ill husbandry : and that which added a lustre to his learning , virtue , and graces , was , that they were accompanied with moses-like meekness , and almost incredible humility . for although hee was endued with a most sharp wit , happy memory , variety of reading , excellent eloquence as ever was in any divine , and lastly with a most learned , and polite judgement , so that he was the oracle of the university , and miracle of the world , yet did he not hold any singular , or private opinion , but what was agreeable to the sound doctrine of the word of god , and the peace of the church ; yea he was so humble , that he despised not his inferiours , but carried himself as a child that is weaned from his mothers breasts . besides what works are mentioned before in his life , and are printed , he left divers others , as , conciones ad clerum . breves determinationes questionum theologicarum . determinationes aliae pleniores . libollus contra thomam stapletonum de originali peccato . l. danaevs the life of lambert danaeus , who died a no christi . lambaert daneus was born at orleance in france anno chr. . he was of an acute wit , and wonderfully addicted to learning , so that by his diligence , and extraordinary pains he attained to a great measure of knowledge , and skill in all the liberall sciences : which he adorned by adding to the knowledge of them , the study of the sacred scriptures . in his younger years he studied the civill law four yeares at orleance , under that worthy , and godly man annas burgius , who being afterwards for his worth made one of the parliament of paris , in the year ; for his constant defence and confession of the truth was first strangled , and then burnt . danaeus being stirred up by this rare example of his masters piety , changing his former purpose , betook himself to the study of divinity , and ( embracing the reformed religion ) hee thereupon went to geneva , an. christi , where he wholly applyed himself to attain the knowledge of the truth , and by his extraordinary diligence , reading over almost infinite authors , and by his wonderfull memory , he easily attained to be esteemed one of the greatest divines that lived in that age . hee was so versed in the fathers and school-divines , that none excelled him , and few attained to the like exactnesse therein ; whence one saith of him , marum est , homuncionis unius ingenium , tot , & tam diversas scientias haurire , & retinere potuisse . at geneva he was admitted into the number of doctors , and pastors , and by his learned labours was exceeding usefull both to the church and university ; eruditus enim animus semper aliquid ex se promit , quod tum alios doceat delecte●ve ; tum seipsum laudibus illustret . he alwaies employed himself in writing something whereby he might approve himself a godly divine , and excellent scholar to all learned men . from geneva hee was called to the university of leiden , where hee was received with much joy , and was exceedingly admired for his learning , acutenesse of wit , promptnesse , and strength of memory in alledging , and reciting the sentences of the fathers , schoolmen , canonisks , and prophane writers . from thence , after a years ●●ay , he was called to gaunt , anno christi , where hee taught not many yeares : for when he perceived the city to bee so divided , and full of tumults , foreseeing the storm that was coming upon it , hee left it , and , being sent for , went into navar , where , by his teaching , and writing , he made the university of orthesia , near to spain , famous : and at last , having by his extraordinary paines , profited the church , and the commonwealth of learning , and by his admirable fruitfull wit published very many bookes , hee there laid down his earthly tabernacle anno christi , and of his age sixty six . his works are these : elenchi haereticorum . ethices christianae lib. tres . tractat. de amicitia christiana . de ludo aleae . physices christianae partes duae . de venificis . methodus sacrae scripturae utiliter tractandae . comment . in epist. ad timotheum priorem . in mat. in mar. orationis dominicae explicatio . tractatus de antichristo . in pet. lombardi lib. . sententiarum . responsio ad novas genebrardi calumnias . examen libri de duabus in christo naturis chemnitii . vera , & orthodoxa orthodoxae patrum sententiae defensio , &c. antosiander . ad insidiosum osiandri scriptum , &c. de tribus gravissimis quaestionibus , &c. ad steph. gerlacium . elenchus sophismatum ejusdem . ad selnecceri librum . loci communes . responsio ad bellarmini disputationes . tabulae in salomonis proverb . & eccles. geographiae poeticae . aphorismi politici . politices christianae lib. . vetustissimarum primi mundi antiquitatum lib. . tum ex sacris , tum aliis authoribus , &c. the life of robert rollock , who died anno christi . robert rollock was born in scotland of the ancient family of the levingstons , anno christi , of parents of good quality and credit . his father , david rollock , being reasonable well learned himself , and therefore knowing the worth of learning , was very careful to bring up his son in the study of the liberall sciences , and for that end sent him to sterline , and placed him under thomas bucanan , under whom he manifested an excellent wit , joyned with such modesty & sweetnesse of nature , that hee needed no severe discipline , and by which he drew bucanans affections to him exceedingly , who could not but love him for his attractive qual●ties ; which love continued with encrease to his lives end . after at this school he was fully fitted , he went thence to the university of saint andrews , where he spent four yeares in the study of the arts : and those virtues which before did but sparkle , now shon bright ; and he did ascend to such an height in those studies , as scarce any of his fellows attained to , but none excelled ; so that at four years end , his excellent abilities being taken notice of , he was chosen a professor of philosophy ; which office he performed with great commendation for four yeares space , adorning and illustrating it with his industry , and piety , none of his colleagues equalizing him therein . anno christi the magistrates of edenborough began to think of erecting a university in that city , which they did at the instigation of that worthy man , master james luson , their chief pastor ; the reason was , because it was the metropolis of the kingdome , and they could not send their sonnes to saint andrews , or other universities , without great trouble and charge ; and besides they found that divers through poverty were not able to maintain their children abroad , whereby many excellent wits were imployed in mechanick trades ; upon which considerations when they had resolved to erect an academy , they in the next place considered where they might find a fit man to beginne , carry on , and perfect so great a work ; and because they could not otherwise do it , they resolved to send one or two to saint andrews , who by diligent enquiry should find out such a person : who accordingly going thither , found that by the generall vote of all , there was none thought so fit for this worke as robert rollock , which the magistrates of edenborough being informed of , presently sent for him , intreating that he would undertake a work which was like to prove so exceeding advantageous both to church and state ; using also other arguments , which so far prevailed , that he promised to come to them . and accordingly in the same year he went to edenborough , where by the magistrates he was entertained courteously , and in the beginning of winter hee set upon the work . and as soon as it was spread abroad that a university was begun at edenborough , young students flockt thither a pace from all parts of the kingdom ; whom he instructed in the arts , and governed with severity mixed with clemencie , and so educated them in religion , that god blessed his labours exceedingly amongst them : for indeed he laboured in this above all things , that his scholars should have the marks of true holyness appearing in them . neither did god frustrate his expectations ; for by his exhortations , and divinity lectures , be so far prevailed even with the looser sort of youths , that he soon brought them into very good order . after four years he examined them strictly , and finding their proficiency , made them masters of art. then four professors of philosophy were by the magistrates substituted under him to share in the pains , which were chosen out of the ablest of those that had commenced masters of art. these insisting in the footsteps of the doctrine and discipline of rollock , performed that trust which was committed to them with great faithfulnesse and industry . in the meane time rollock underwent the whole charge and care of the university : for it was his office to look over the severall classes , to observe every ones sedulity , and progresse in his studies : if any discords arose , to compose them by his wisdom , and to keep every one in the carefull discharge of his duty . every morning calling the students together , he prayed fervently with them , and , one day in the week , expounded some portion of scripture to them , from whence hee raised doctrines , exhortations , and comminations , not painted with humane eloquence , but grave , and weighty , such as might most work upon the minds and hearts of young men : and this he did , not that he wanted eloquence , but because he despised such a kind of affected speech in holy things . by these kind of lectures he did more restraine , and reforme the young men , then by his discipline ; and indeed it brought great profit both to master and scholars . yet after every lecture , he took notice which of them had committed any faults that week , whom hee would so reprove , and lay the wrath of god before their eyes , and withall affect them with shame , that he much reformed them thereby . yea such as would neither have been reformed with words , or stripes from others , were so wrought upon by his applying the threatnings of gods wrath , and opening the sweet promises of mercy to them , that usually they brake out into sighs and tears . he took also extraordinary paines to fit such for the work of the ministery as were grown up to it ; so that the church received very much benefit from thence , having so many able pastors sent forth into it . how much trouble , care , and pains he bestowed in these employments is not possibly to be conceived : for he spent the whole day , e●●ept dinner time , either in the contemplation of the chiefest points of religion , or in searching out the sence of hard places of scripture , or in confuting the errors of the romanists . besides this , he preached every lords day in the church , and that with such fervencie , and evident demonstration of the spirit , that he was the instrument of converting very many unto god. he wrote also many commentaries upon the scriptures , which being printed , and going abroad into other countries , beza meeting with that upon the romans and ephesians , wrote to a friend concerning them , that hee had gotten a treasure of incomparable value , and that he had not met with the like before , for brevity , elegancy , and judiciousnesse : whereupon he thus concludes , i pray god to preserve the author , and daily to encrease his gifts in him , especially in these times wherein the vineyard of the lord hath so few labourers . thus we see how famous rollock was with all sorts of persons , for his learning , virtue , and piety ; yea by his curtesie and candor he drew the love of all men . he was so humble , that , though he excelled them , yet he preferred all others before himself , and laboured after privacy from publick businesse , that he might the better apply himselfe to his studies . yet , contrary to his mind , he was often called forth to publick businesses , which he alwaies dispatched with admirable prudence . in the two last years of his life he was so involved in publick affairs , that it much weakned his health . he was greatly tormented with the stone , and troubled with weaknesse of stomach , yet did he not intermit his labours and care of the church . in the synod of taodu● ( where the king himself was present ) rollock , by the suffrages of all , was chosen moderator , where the too severe articles of perth were qualified ; and when the king moved that the synod should choose some commissioners to take care of the church in the intervall of national assemblies , it was readily assented to , and rollock was one of the first that was assigned that office . anno christi , his disease so encreased upon him that he was confined to his house ; but after a while his intimate friend , william scot , perswaded him to go into the country , where was a thinner , and more healthfull air : which accordingly he did , and seemed at first to be better , but presently his disease returned with more violence , so that he was forced to keep his bed ; whereupon he set his house in order , and his wife ( after ten years barrennesse , being with child ) he commended to the care of his friends . two noblemen , patrick galloway , and david lindsey , coming to visit him , he professed to them the hearty love which he had alwaies born to the king , withall requesting them from him to go to him , and to entreat him in his name to take care of religion , and to persevere in it to the end , as hitherto he had done , not suffering himself to be diverted from it , either under the hope of enlarging his dominions , or by any other subtill device of wicked men ; and that he would reverence & esteem the pastors of the church as it was meet : for ( saith he ) that ministry of christ , though in the judgement of man it seem low and base , yet at length it shall shine with great glory . when the pastors of edenborough came to him , he made an excellent exhortation to them , and profession of his sincerity , and integrity in his place that god had called him to . when the night grew on , his death also seemed to approach , which he perceiving made such a divine and heavenly speech as astonished the hearers . and when the physitians were preparing physick for him , he said ; tu deus medeberis mihi , thou lord wilt heal me : then he prayed fervently that god would pardon his sins for christs sake ; professing that all other things , how great soever they seemed to others , yet he accounted them all but dung and drosse in comparison of the excellency of christs crosse : praying further , that he might have an happy departure , and enjoy gods presence , which he had often breathed after , saying , i have hitherto seen but darkly in the glasse of thy word , o lord , grant that i may enjoy the eternall fruition of thy countenance , which i have so much desired , and longed for . then did he make such an admirable speech about the resurrection , and life eternal , as if so be he already been translated into heaven : then giving his hand to all that were present , like old jacob , he blessed them all , adding to his benediction exhortations according to every mans quality , or office : yet that night after he slept better then was expected . the day after when the city magistrates came to see him , he spake to them to be very careful of the university , desiring to choose into his room henry charter , a man every way fit for that employment . he commended to their care also his wife , professing that he had not laid up one penny of his stipend , and therefore hee hoped they would provide for her . to these requests the magistrates assented , promising faithfully to perform them . then did he intreat the professors of philosophy , that they would be carefull , and diligent in the performance of their duty , and that they would be obedient to his successor ; after which he said , i blesse god , i have all my senses entire , but my heart is in heaven : and , lord jesus , why shouldst not thou have it ? it hath been my care all my life long to dedicate it to thee , i pray thee take it that it may live with thee for ever . when he had thus spoken , he fell into a slumber , out of which when he awaked , he breathed earnestly to be dissolved , and to be with christ , saying , come lord jesus , put an end to this miserable life ; hast lord , and tarry not ; christ hath redeemed me , not unto a frail and momentary , but unto eternall life . come lord jesus , and give mee that life for which thou hast redeemed me . then some of the standers by bewaile their condition when he should be taken away : to whom he said , i have gone through all the degrees of this life , and now am come to my end , why should i goe back againe ? o lord help me that i may go through this last degree with thy assistance : lead me to that glory which i have seen as through a glass : o that i were with thee ! and when some told him that the next day was the sabbath , he said , thy sabbath , o lord , shall begin my eternall sabbath : my eternall sabbath shall take its beginning from thy sabbath . the next morning feeling his approaching death , he sent for master belcanqual to pray with him , who in his prayer desired the lord , if he pleased , to prolong his life for the good of his church ; whereupon he said , i am weary of this life , all my desire is that i may enjoy that celestiall life that is hid with christ in god. and a while after he prayed again , saying , hast lord , and doe not tarry : i am a weary both of nights and daies : come lord jesus , that i may come to thee : break these eye-strings , and give me others : i desire to be dissolved , and to be with thee : hast lord iesus , and defer no longer : go forth my weak life , and let a better succeed : o lord jesus thrust thy hand into my body , and take my soul to thy self : o my sweet lord , set this soul of mine free , that it may enjoy her husband . and when one of the standers by said , sir , let nothing trouble you ; for now your lord makes hast ; he said , o welcome message , would to god my funerals might be to morrow . and thus continued he in such heavenly prayers and speeches , til he quietly resigned up his spirit unto god , anno christi , and of his age . reliquit commentarios in aliquot psalmos selectos . in danielem , in s. johannem , eum ejus harmonia in passionem , & victoriam dominicam . in epist. ad ephesios , coloss. thess. galat. scripsit & analysin in epist. ad romanos , & ad heb. tractaum de vocatione efficaci , &c. the life of nicolas hemingius , who died a no christi . nicolas hemingius was born at loland in denmark , anno christi , of obscure , but honest parents ; but his father dying when he was young , his uncle , who was a black-smith , brought him up carefully in learning , placing him in the school at nystadia , where he continued ten yeares : then in the school of naschovia , where he remained three years : from thence he removed to nykopin , where also he remained three years : and from thence to a school in zealand , where likewise hee continued three years . at last hee came to roschildia , where hearing there was one benedict , a famous learned man , and a good grecian , that read at lunden , he went thither , and was under him three yeares . and benedict , perceiving his excellent wit , his diligence , and modesty , was very helpfull to him . then had hemingius an ardent desire to goe to w●ttenb●rg , which was made famous by philips melancthons lectures , and having gotten some little money in his purse , he travelled thitherward ; but by the way s●me theeves met him , and stripped him of all that he had ; yet when he came to wittenb●rg , he found the people very charitable to him , especially melancthon . there he remained five years , and by his writing for , and attending upon richer students , and teaching some privately , he maintained himself . when he returned home , he had an ample testimony from melancthon for his excellent wit and learning . a while after his return he was intertained by olaus nicholas to teach his daughters . and from thence he was chosen to be pastor at hafnia , and accordingly ordained to it ; which place he discharged with much diligence , and faithfulnesse . and when many young students resorted to him , he read privately to them : and by his extraordinary paines gat so much credit , that shortly after he was chosen hebrew professor in that university . in which place he read hebrew and logick , to the great benefit of many . and about the same time he printed that excellent book de methodo , which he dedicated to christian the third , king of denmark , who bountifully rewarded him for the same . anno christi he was made doctor in divinity , and performed the office of a divinity professor with admirable diligence and paines for six and twenty years together ; as appeares by those many excellent bookes published by him in that time . anno christi , when hee was grown old , and exhausted with his daily labours , frederick the second , king of denmark , gave him a liberall pension , upon which he lied contentedly and comfortably all the remainder of his daies : yet neither then was he idle , but imployed his time in writing , and publishing books . some years before his death he grew blind , and was troubled with several diseases , desiring nothing more then that he might be dissolved , and be with christ. a little before his death he expounded the psalm , with so much fervor , efficacy , and power of the holy ghost , that all that heard him wondred at it , and shortly after resigned up his spirit unto god , anno , and of his age . scripta ejus sunt varia , exegetica , didactica , & polemica . the life of james heerbrand , who died a no christi . james heerbrand was born at noricum , anno christi , of an ancient family . his father was one of luther's disciples , and seeing the towardlinesse and promptnesse of his son , was carefull to bring him up in religion and learning . at seven years old he set him to school ; and yet had a watchfull eye over him , to carry on the work of piety , requiring him to repeat every sermon that hee heard . at twelve years old hi● father bought him a fair bible , which he diligently read over , and used all his life after . his father also perceiving that naturally he was much inclined to musick , he would not suf●er him to learn it , lest it should be an impediment to him in his other studies . and so when he had been sufficiently grounded in grammar-learning , he was sent to ulm , where the colloquies of erasmus were publickly rea● ; but pope paul , suspecting that that book might do much h●●t amongst youth , because it discovered many errors and vices of the papists , forbade the use of it ; yet this caused it more to be read , especially by heerbrand , who gat much good by it . at ulm also he studied the arts and tongues , and a seventeen years old his father sent him to wittenberg , to hear luther , and melancthon , in the year , which year● was famous for divers things : for then the kingdome of denmark embraced the gospel ; the emperour and king of france met together to treat of peace : the bible was printed in english at paris : the university of strasborou●h was erected : the sect of the antinomians was detected : the marquess of brandenburg imbraced the augustan● confession : and the sea by the kingdom of naples was wholly dry for eight miles together , out of which place ●ire , and ashes brake forth so abundantly , that many places were miserably destroyed thereby . in the university of wittenberg , heerbrand studied the arts with great diligence , and was so sparing of his time , that he would not intermit one hour from his studies ; insomuch that other students called him suevicam n●ctuam , the swevian night-crow . he heard luther and melancthons lectures with ●uch diligence , as also bugenhag reading upon deuteronomie , cruciger sen. upon saint john , george major reading private lectures upon genesis : besides which hee attended the publick sermons of these famous men , which he wrote , repeated , meditated on , and laboured to rivet in his memory . an. christi he commenced master of arts. he preached also abroad in the villages on the sabbath dayes . and thus having spent five yeares in his studies , he returned home with an ample testimony from melancthon , and the university . when he came home , the pastors of the church appointed him to preach , which he performed with great approbation , and commendation of all . his parents rejoycing much at his proficiency , would needs have him employ his talent in his own country ; and at stutgard , snepfius ( being superintendent ) examined him , and finding his abilities , said , dominus te mihi obtulit , the lord hath offered thee unto me . being but twenty two years old he was made deacon at tubing . in which employment he continued six yeares , and followed his studies in that university . he also privately read mathematick lectures to many ; and sometimes preached in the castle of tubing , before prince ulrick ; who loved him very well , and told his courtiers that he would prove a great divine . the year was fatall by the death of luther ; and the war of the emperour began against the duke of saxony , and the lantgrave of hesse . anno christi , heerbrand married a wife , margaret , the daughter of conrade stamler , consul of tubing , by whom he had eight sons , and three daughters . an. christi came forth that accursed interim , at which time heerbrand , amongst other ministers that rejected it , was banished from tubing : and being out of employment , hee studyed hebrew , till prince ulrick being dead , his son christopher , who succeeded him , called back the ministers , and heerbrand amongst them , to their former places . hee also made him pastor of herrenberg . anno christi he commenced doctor in divinity , and the councill of trent beginning about this time , heerbrand perceiving with what weapons he was to sight with the popish doctors , applyed himself to the study of the fathers , and spent four years and a half therein , gathering their opinions about all the points of divinity , which he digested into common places , that they might be the readier for his use . anno christi he was sent for by charles , marquess of baden , to reform religion in his dominions , where also he prescribed a form for ordination of ministers . he had scarce continued there two moneths , when he was chosen to be the divinity professor at tubing , and expounded the pentateuch in his lectures , and preached constantly : besides which publick imployments , he wrote a large answer to peter a soto , de ecclesia , patribus , & conciliis , which was afterwards printed . anno christi , which was two years after he came to tubing , he was chosen rector of the university , a place , as of great honour , so of great pains : after which he was chosen chancellor of the university , and the pastor and superintendent of the church . an. christi , his fame spreading abroad , he was sent for by the duke of saxony to be the professor at jenes , who profered to allow him the stipend of a thousand florens per an . but he refused it , continuing at tubing , where he had much honour and respect . and having been thus invited by three several princes , all which he refused , and resolving to spend his daies at tubing , his prince christopher , to encourage him , gave him some land , on which he built a neat house , and having other family businesses , he committed all to the care and diligence of his wife , who was a constant help to him . anno christi , heerbrand being now seventy years old , had as much honour heaped upon him as the dukedome of wirtemberg could afford : for he was made counsellor to the duke , superintendent of the church , chancellor of the university , and overseer of the new colledge ; all which places he discharged with admirable prudence , diligence , and fidelity . his wife having lived with him fifty years and a half , died , who was the staffe of his old age , and therefore he was much afflicted with her loss , and began to grow weaker and weaker ; which caused him anno to resign his office , and thereupon had a stipend allowed him by his prince . his next care was to prepare himself for death he was much troubled with the gout , which he bore with much patience , often using that saying of the apostle , godlinesse is profitable to all things , having the promise of this life , and that which is to come . at last he fel into a lethargy , and so died anno christi , and of his age . he was was exceeding studious all his life long , having his books , ink , and paper at his beds head , so that as soon as his first sleep was over , he applyed himself to them for some houres . and though he had great honours , yet they never puft up his heart with pride , but hee still carried himselfe very humbly : he lived in the fear of god , was very charitable , and open handed to the poor , and to exiles , especially to poor students . he was very careful to assist other churches , so that princes , earls , barons , and other nobles out of austria , styria , carinthia , carniola , and hungary were continually sending to him for advice in their difficult affairs . his father in law having bestowed a farm upon him , he was a neat husband upon it , planting orchards , vineyards , and such other things as might make it most pleasant and profitable . he was very carefull in the education of his children , bringing them up in religion and learning , and keeping them under a severe discipline . he was of a very healthfull constitution , never being troubled with any sickness till towards his latter end . scripsit compendium theologiae . contra gregorium de valentia . concordiae librum in latinum transtulit . besides divers funerall sermons , orations , and disputations . the life of david chytraeus , who died a no christi . david chytraeus was born in ingelsing in sweveland , anno christi , of godly and religious parents , who seeing his towardliness , and ingenuous nature , were carefull to educate him in religion and learning ; the principles whereof he drunk in with such celerity , that his father took much pleasure in him , and became an earnest and frequent suiter unto god , that his son might be sitted for , and imployed in the work of the ministerie ; and for this end , when he was scarce seven years old he sent him to school to gemminga , and after two years stay there he removed him to tubing , where he was educated under excellent schoolmasters , and afterwards admitted into that university , and whilst he was very young hee commenced batchelor of arts , studied the languages , arts , and divinitie under snepfius : in all which he profited so exceedingly that at fifteen years old hee commenced master of arts , with the generall approbation of the vniversity : and presently after ( having a large allowance from a worthy knight , sir peter mezingen ) hee travelled to wittenberg , where hee was entertained by philip melancthon into his family ; so that hee did not onely gaine much profit by his publick lectures , but by private converse with him ; which happiness hee so esteemed , that all his life after , he acknowledged , that next under god he was bound to philip melancthon for his proficiency in learning . when he came first to melancthon , and delivered some letters of commendation to him in his behalf , melancthon finding in them that he was mr of arts , looking upon him wondred at it , saying , are you a master of arts ? yea , said chytraeus , it pleased the university of tubing to grace me with that degree : can you , said melancthon , understand greek ? which he affirming , he gave him thucydides to read , and bade him construe a peece of it ; which when chytraeus had done , melancthon enquiring his age , and admiring his forwardness , said unto him , thou doest worthily deserve thy degree , and hereafter thou shalt be as a son unto me . whilst he was there , he heard luthers lectures upon the tenne last chapters of genefis : and as plato , when he was ready to die praised god for three things , first that god had made him a man ; secondly , that he was born in greece ; thirdly , that hee lived in the time of socrates : so did chytraeus also acknowledge it as a singular mercy ; first , that god had made him a man ; secondly , a christian ; thirdly , that hee had his education under those excellent lights of the church , luther and melancthon . hee was very diligent in attending upon melancthon , studyed in his study , heard all his discourses publick , and private , about matters of the weightiest concernment ; followed him when he walked abroad , and endeavoured wholly to fashion his life by his example : and melancthon looked upon him as his own son , and used to call him suum davidem , his david . presently after luthers death , the warres in germany breaking forth under charles the fifth , the universitie of wittenberg was dissipated by reason of the same ; whereupon chytraeus went to heidleberg , where he studied hebrew , and from thence went to tubing , where hee applyed himselfe to the study of the mathematicks : but when prince maurice of saxonie had restored the universitie , and called back melancthon , hee presently returned to wittenberg , where he buckled close to his former studyes , fearing the like interruption againe : and anno christi hee beganne privately to read to young students , by which means having gotten some money in his purse , hee resolved to travell into italie , and other parts , that so hee might see those famous places , which hee had often read of , and grow into acquaintance with the eminent men of those times : for which end ( having gotten him a faithful companion [ andrew martin of rostoch ] he travelled through most parts of italy : and being returned to wittenberg , melancthon was requested to send two learned men to rostoch for the advancement of that university , whereupon he commended john aurifaber , and chytraeus to them , who accordingly went thither , ●nd beganne their lectures to the great satisfaction of the auditors , and in a short time chytraeus grew so famous for his learning , virtue , diligence , and excellent dexterity in teaching , that first christian king of denmark , and afterward the senate of auspurg sent for him to come to them . he was desired also by the university of strasborough to succeed hedio lately dead : also frederick the second , prince elector palatine , sent earnestly for him to come to heidleberg ; but his prince , john albert , would by no means part with him . two yeares after he travelled into frisland , brabant , flanders , and other of the belgick provinces . upon his returne the elector palatine , otho henry , sent again for him to come to heidleberg ; and the king of denmark profered to double his stipend if hee would come to him ; but his answer to them both was , that his prince had dealt so friendly with him that hee could by no meanes leave him . some yeares after the nobilitie of madgeburg sent to request his presence and assistance in reforming religion , and ejecting popery from amongst them ; but when he could not go himself , he wrote his mind fully to them about the same . about that time he commenced doctor in divinity at the charges of his prince . anno christi the senate of stralsund sent for him to be their superintendent , and the king of sweden also desired him to come thither , but nothing would prevail to get him from rostoch . the year after his prince took him with him to the diet at auspurg , where matters of religion were to be debated . at which time ambassadors came to him again from strasborough to request his remove thither , and he gave them some hope of assenting , if his princes good will could be procured ; but he would by no means part with him , and to express his love , he profered to enlarge his stipend , but chytraeus refused the same . two yeares after hee was sent for into austria to assist them in the reformation which they intended ; whither he went , and gave them such full satisfaction , that they sent him back with an ample testimony of his abilities , and integrity . when he had finished his business in austria , he tooke a journey into hungarie , where he visited many of the chiefe cities in that kingdom . anno christi his prince made him the chief visitor of all the churches in his dominions . hee assisted also in the work of reformation at berline . then the marquesse of brandenburg sent for him to be the divinity professor at franckfurt upon order , but could not obtain him . two years after the states of stiria sent for him to help them in reforming their churches , whither he went for half a year , and was exceeding useful to them in that work . at this return he was sent for by the elector of saxonie , and the university of wittenberg to be a professor there ; but they could not prevaile . the yeare after the duke of brunswick being to erect an vniversity at juliers , sent to him to assist in making laws for the university , in choosing of professors , &c. which he dispatched to his great content . shortly after hee went to divers meetings of divines in severall places , about procuring , and setling the peace of the churches of christ. whilst he was at rostoch he went over in his lectures the greatest part of the old , and new testament ; and wrote divers other learned books . when he grew into yeares he began to be diseased , and sometimes was confined to his bed ; yet neither there would he be idle , but upon the least intermission of his pain , went on with his exposition of the two and thirtieth psalm , which he had begun before : and after that , in commenting upon the epistle to the romans . but his disease increasing ( whereby he discerned the approaching of his end ) hee made a confession of his faith , received the sacrament of the lords supper , and not long after quietly slept in the lord , anno christi , and of his age seventy . whilst he lay sick in his bed , if any present had discoursed about a controversal point , raising himself up , he would call to them to speake out , saying that hee should dye with the more comfort , if he could learn any new thing before his departure . he was a truly good man , who directed all his employment not to his private gain and glory , but to the glory of god , and to the furtherance of the salvation of others souls . he obtained of his princes of megapoll to bestow crowns of yearly revenues upon the university of rostoch . he was alwaies ready to assist with his counsell any that repaired to him . he was very courteous and affable ; exceeding patient under great afflictions , and perswaded others for peace-sake to put up many wrongs . he often turned a deaf eare to calumnies and lies , using to say , qui nescit ferre calumnias , obtrectationes , convitia , injurias , ille vivere nescit . he knows not how to live that knows not how to bear wrongs , &c. he had these wishes often in his mouth , utinam ambitio , & avaritia ex animis hominum radicitùs tolleretur ! utinam publicae tranquilitatis causa magni viri remitterent invicem simultates ! utinam reges ac potentes rerum domini majorem eclesiae , ac scholarum curam susciperent , &c. in difficult matters he was never rash to declare his judgement . his private life was very exemplary by reason of his indefatigable studies , his diligence in his office , his piety , modesty , sobriety , chastity , liberality , and other virtues . he was of a melancholly temper , and most desirous of learning . scripsit multa theologica , philologica , & historica , quae hic recensere nimis longum foret . some of his works are mentioned before . the life of alexander nowel , who died a no christi . alexander nowel was born in the county of lancaster , anno christi , of an ancient , and worshipfull family , and at thirteen years old was sent to oxford , and admitted a member of brasennose colledge , where hee studied thirteen years , and grew very famous both for religion and learning . in queen maries daies , he , amongst many others , left the kingdom , that he might enjoy his conscience , and returning when queen elizabeth , of blessed memory , came to the crown , she made him dean of pauls , where he was a frequent and faithfull preacher . by his writings he defended the truth against some english popish renegadoes . for thirty years together he preached the first and last sermons in lent before the queen , wherein he dealt plainly , and faithfully with her . he was a great benefactor to brasen-nose colledge , where hee had his first education . hee was the enlarger of pauls school , made the threefold catechism which was much used long after . he was very charitable to the poor , especially to poor scholars : a great comforter of afflicted consciences . he lived till he was ninetie years old , and yet neither the eies of his mind , nor body , waxed dim : and dyed peaceably in the lord anno christi . d. tossanvs the life of daniel tossanus , who dyed a no christi . daniel tossanus was born at mombelgart in wirtemberg , anno christi . his father was minister in that town about six and thirty yeares , who carefully brought up this his son in learning , and 〈◊〉 fourteen years old sent him to the university of basil , where he continued two years , and then he commenced batchelor of arts : from thence anno christi he went to tubing , and was there main●ain●d to his studyes for two yeares more by the bounty of 〈◊〉 ch●istopher , who did it for his fathers sake , who for many years had deserved so well of the church of mombelgart . our daniel whilst he was at t●bing applyed himself to the study of humane arts and philosophy , in which he profited so eminently in a short space , that at the end of two years he was made master of arts , and then was sent for ●ack by his father to mombelga●t , where hee preached for a while , and then went to paris to learne the french tongue , and to proceed in his other studies . anno christi he went from paris to orleance , where he read hebrew publickly , and after a while was made deacon in that church , and two years after minister , an. christi and of his age twenty one , which place he undertook there rather than in his own country , partly because of the great want of pastors in the french churches , as also because he agreed with them in his judgement about the manner of christs presence in the sacrament . at this time there was the most flourishing church in all france in orleance , consisting of above seven thousand persons , that had excellent pastors over them : into the number of which our daniel being admitted , not long after hee resolved to marry , and accordingly , viz. hee married mary covet of paris , whose father had been advocate to the queen mother in the parliament of paris , and whose mother being a widdow , and having embraced the reformed religion , transplanted her self with her two daughters to orleance , for the freer exercise of her religion . whilst he was there , the civil wars brake out between the papists and protestants ; and francis duke of guise besieged the city of orleance , where monsieur de andelot , brother to the admiral of france , commanded in chief : tossan continued there all the time of the siege , and took extraordinary pains in instructing , exhorting , and encouraging both citizens and souldiers ; and when the city was in great danger to be lost , one poltrot , who had devoted his life for his countries safety , went out , and slew the duke of guise under the walls , whereupon the siege was raised , and the church there preserved almost miraculously from ruin . anno christi , there brake out a second civill war ; at which time the papists in orleance conspired together to destroy all the protestants , so that they were every hour in danger of being butchered ; but it pleased god seasonably to send monsieur novie with a small party of souldiers , who entring the city , and joyning with the protestants , drave out some of the papists , and disarmed the rest . but after that famous battel at saint denis , wherein so many of both sides were slain and wounded , peace was againe concluded : yet did the papists quickly break it , and a great company of souldiers entering into orleance , beganne to breath forth threatnings against the church of christ , especially against the ministers of it . hereupon tossan was in great danger , insomuch that when he went into the church to preach , he knew not whether he should returne alive ; and that which most troubled him was , the fear that he had of his wife and two small children . besides he never went to the congregation , but some threw stones , others shot bullets at him ; and their rage grew so great , that they burned down the barn wherein the church used to meet together ; and every day he heard of one or other of their members that were slain , so that he was compelled severall times to change his lodging : yet one day the souldiers caught him , and pretended that they would carry him out of the city , but indeed intended to have murthered him , whereupon his wife , great with child , ranne to the governour , and with much importunity prevailed with him that her husband might stay in the city . and not long after brake out the third civill war , at which time the popish souldiers that besieged orleance were so enraged , that they burned all the places where the church used to meet , and barbarously slew above eighty of the faithfull servants of christ in them , yet it pleased god miraculously to preserve the ministers in that great danger ; and tossan with his colleagues , by the help of some of the faithfull , was conveighed privately away out of the city in the night , but whilst hee sought to hid chim in a wood , he fel into an ambush , and was taken , and carried prisoner into a castle not far off from orleance . his wife , which stayed behind in the city , hearing this sad news , left no means untried for his delivery ; and at last , for a great summe of money , shee procured his release , whereupon he went to agrimont ; and his wife , putting her self into the habit of a maid-servant , went towards agrimont after him , where renata , the daughter of lewis the twelfth of france , and dowager of ferrara , lived in a very strong castle , and was a great friend to the protestants , entertaining many that fled to her for succour : but as his wife was going thitherward after him , she was taken by some souldiers , and carried back to the governour of orleaence , but it pleased god to stir up the governours wife and daughters to intercede for her , by whose importunity she was set free , and had leave to goe to agrimont , whither it pleased god to carry her in safety through a thousand dangers , and where she found her husband . and whilst she was there , she was brought to bed of a daughter , to which the dutchesse was godmother : but the king of france hearing that his aunt the dutchesse had sheltered many of the protestants , sent to her to turn them all out of her castle , or else he would presently besiege it , and slay them all . upon which message , tossan , with his wife and three children , went presently to sancerra , which was the nearest place of safetie . there went also a long with him two or three hundred waggons loaden with children , and in their passage there lay many troops of the enemies , especially at a river over which they were to passe , purposing to destroy them ; but it pleased god to stir up some protestants thereabouts to horse , and arm themselves , and to proffer themselves as a guard to these waggons , who fought often with their enemies , and by gods special providence conducted them all in safety to sancerra . there tossan continued a year , and then , with his wife , and one or two of his children , he went to mombelgart to visit his father and friends ; and because ( the wars being but lately ended in france ) the church of orleance could not suddenly gather themselves together , he continued , and preached in his fathers place , who was now grown old , for a year : but some ministers of stutgard accused him for preaching calvinism and zuinglinism , and would have him to revoke , and recant the same , or else he must preach no more in publick . they also summoned him to appear at stutgard to give an account of his opinions , and by conference with them to reform the same , framing himself wholly to their mindes , upon which onely condition they would let him live in his own country , and preach therein . hereupon he wrote an apology to the senate at stutgard , shewing the reasons why at that time he could not goe thither ; and anno christi when it had pleased god after those terrible storms to restore peace to the church at orleance , he was called back thither : yet the times were not so peaceable that he could preach there , but he preached to his people in a castle not far from it , which belonged to hierom groslotius , a most godly noble man , and there repaired to hear him out of the city , a very great multitude of people , whom the popish party at their return home received with many scornes and reproaches , threatning ere long to fire the castle and all that were in it ; yet did the faithfull overcome all dangers with their constancy , and tossan living with that nobleman , performed his pastoral office with all diligence , and fidelity , though at that time he was very sickly . anno christi brake forth that abhominable massacre at paris , wherein charles the ninth , falsifying his faith , caused the admirall of france , with many noblemen , and gentlemen , doctors , pastors , advocates , and professors to be so inhumanely butchered , that a more horrid villany was never heard of in the world before it : at which time amongst others this hieronimus groslotius was also murthered . the newes of this massacre comming to orleance , the papists rejoyced and sung , seeking to murther and destroy all the protestants that were in , and about that city : tossan at this time was in the castle with the wife of groslotius , who heard 〈◊〉 the massacre , and the murther of her husband at paris ; and it pleased god so to order it , that a certaine popish nobleman , as he was travelling towards paris , was turned aside into this castle to enquire after news , just at the same time when this sad news was brought thither : but he , supposing that it was impossible that the protestants which were so numerous there , could be so easily suppressed , and thinking rather that they stood upon their defence , resolved to return home again , and took with him this lady , with tossan , and his wife , and children . thus it pleased god that he was delivered from certain destruction by the humanitie , and industry of a papist : for the very next morning the inhabitants of orleance came to that castle , brake open the gates , slew some maids that were left to keep it , plundered all , and amongst the rest , tossans goods , and library , raging extreamely that they had missed their prey which they most sought after . this noblemans house , that carried them with him , was near to argimont : but tossan apprehending himself not safe there , with his wife , and children removed to another place where he was acquainted , and presently after the dutches of ferrara sent for him , and his family , his wife being again great with childe , and hid them in a turret in her castle , and sustained , and sed them there . and when the rage of the papists was somewhat abated , hee , with his wife , and children travelled through many dangers into germany , and shortly after was sent for by that pious prince frederick the third , elector palatine , to come to him to heidleberg , whither he went with his family , and where he found so much love , and bounty from the prince and his courtiers , and the academicks , that he almost forgot his former miseries . all the while that he lived in heidleberg , he was preacher to the elector , shewing such faithfullnesse , diligence , candour , and other virtues as became a faithfull minister of jesus christ , whereby he was very deare to the elector , who often consulted with him about the waitiest matters of religion : and anno christi he sent him with some other of his faithfull counsellors to amberg to visit the churches , and to compose some controversies which were sprung up amongst them about matters of religion , which trust he performed with singular zeale , and diligence . but the world being unworthy of such a prince , it pleased god to take him away anno christi , four years after tossan came thither . and his son lodwick a lutherane succeeding him , tossan amongst some others , was dismissed : but prince cassimire [ lodwicks brother ] who knew the impostures of the vbiquitarians better then his brother , and who had undertaken to defend that faith whereof his father had made a confession in his will , called him to neostade , and placed him over the churches there : and after ursins death , made him professor in that university . in which place he interpreted the holy scripture : he also undertook the ca●e of the church , which was collected of the exiles , who wanted a father ; and preached to them in the french tongue . anno christi . he wa● moderator in a synod at neostade : and prince cassimire did alwaies esteem so highly of his advise , and counsell , that he sent for him often , neither would determine any thing in ecclesiasticall affaires without his assent : and when prin●e and ambassadors came to neostade , being moved with his same , they would alwaies visit him , and received such abun●dant satisfaction by converse with him , that ever after they held corespondence with him . shortly after lodwick the elector palatine dying , ca●imire was made guardian to his son during his minority , whereupon he sent for tossan to heidleberg , that by his advise , and counsell he might reform the churches : but when he came thither , his adversaries loured exceedingly upon him , and raised many false reports , but he remembred that of ●eneca , vir bonus , quod honestè se facturum put averit , faciet , etiam si periculosum sit : ab honesto null● re dete●rebitur : ad turpia nulla spe invitabitur . an honest man will do that which he judges right , though it be dangerous : he will not be deterred from that which is honest , by any meanes ; hee will be allured to that which is dishonest , by no means . his adversaries in their pulpits daily cryed out of strange heresies that he and his party held . but prince casimire first sent for them to argue the case before him , and then appointed a publick disputation , wherein they could prove none of those things which they charged them with ; whereupon the prince required them to abstain from such accusations for the time to come , and to study peace . but nothing would prevail to allay their spleene , till they were removed into other countries . the care of choosing pastors to the churches , tutors to the young prince , schoolmasters , and professors to the university was divolved upon tossan ; all which he discharged with much fidelity . anno christi . james grynaeus , the chiefe professor in heidleberg was called home to basil , in whose roome tossanus ( though very unwilling ) was substituted : and therefore to satisfie the statutes of the university , he commenced doctor in divinity . but as his cares , and paines increased , so his sorrow also , partly by reason of an unhappy quarrel that fell out between the students , and citizens of heidleberg , partly by the death of his dear wife with whom he had lived twenty two years in wedlock , which fell out in the year . and therefore anno christi he married again , and disposed of his daughters also in marriage to godly , and learned men . not long after prince casimire died , which much renewed his griefe : but frederick the fourth , beeing now come to his age , was admitted into the number of the electors , and was very carefull of the good , both of the church , and university . anno christi tossan was chosen rector of the university of heidleberg , and the year after there brake out a greivous pestilence in that citie , which drove away the students . but tossan remained preaching comfortably to his people , and expounding the penitentiall psalmes to those few students that yet remained . anno christi hee being grown very old , and infirme , laid down his professors place , though the university much opposed , and earnestly sollicited him to retaine it still , but god purposed to give him a better rest after all his labors , and sorrows : for having in his lectures expounded the book of job to the end of the thirtie one chapter , he concluded with those words ; the words of job are ended . presently after falling sicke , hee comforted himself with these texts of scripture , i have fought the good fight of faith , &c. bee thou faithfull unto the death , and i will give thee the crown of life : wee have a city not made with hands , eternall in the heavens , and many other such like . hee also made his will , and set down therein a good confession of his faith , and so departed quietly in the lord an. christi , and of his age sixty one . he was a very holy man , exemplary in his life : had an excellent wit ; strong memorie : eloquent in speech , was very charitable and chearfull in his conversation , and kept correspondence with all the choisest divines in those times . he wrote many things which were afterwards digested into tomes : and some of his works were published after his death by his sonne . i. whitgift the life of william perkins , who died a no christi . william perkins was born at marston in warwickshire , anno , and brought up at school ; from which he went to christ's colledge in cambridg , where he profited so much in his studies , that having got the grounds of all the liberall arts , he was chosen fellow of that colledge in the th year of queen elisabeth . he was very wild in his youth , but the lord in mercie was pleased to reclaim him , that he might be an eminent instrument of good in his church . when he first entred into the minist●●e , beeing moved with pittie towards their souls , he prevailed with the jaylor to bring the prisoners ( fettered as they were ) to the shirchouse hard by the prison , where he preached every lord's daie to them ; and it pleased god so to prosper and succeed his labors amongst them , that he was the happy ▪ instrument of converting many of them unto god : freeing them thereby from the captivity of sin , which was their worst bondage . this his practice being once known , many resorted to that place out of the neighbor-parishes to hear him : so that from thence he was chosen to saint andrews parish in cambridge , where he preached all his life after . his sermons were not so plain , but the piously learned did admire them ; nor so learned , but the plain did understand them . hee brought the schools into the pulpit , and unshelling their controversies out of their hard school-tearms , made thereof plain and wholsom meat for his people . he was an excellent chirurgion at the jointing of a broken soul , and at stating of a doubtfull conscience , so that the afflicted in spirit came far and near to him , and received much satisfaction , and comfort by him . in his sermons he used to pronounce the word damn with such an emphasis , as left a dolefull echo in his auditors ears a good while after : and when hee was catechist in christ's colledge , in expounding the commandements , he applied them so home to the conscience , as was able to make his hearers hearts fall down , and their haires almost to stand upright . but in his old age he was more mi●d● , often professing that to preach mercy was the proper office of the ministers of the gospel . in his life he was so 〈◊〉 , and spotlesse , that malice was afraid to bite at his credit , into which she knew that her teeth could not enter . he had a rare felicity in reading of books , and as it were but turning them over , would give an exact account of all that was considerable therein : he perused books so speedily that one would think he read nothing , and yet so acurately that one would think he read all . hee was of a cheerfull nature , and pleasant disposition : somewhat reserved to strangers , but when once acquainted , very familiar . besides his frequent preaching , he wrote many excellent books , both treatises and commentaries , which for their worth were many of them translated into latine , and sent beyond sea , where to this day they are highly prized , and much set by , yea some of them are translated into french , high-dutch , and low-dutch ; and his reformed catholick was translated into spanish also , yet no spaniard ever since durst take up the gantlet of defiance cast down by this champion : he died in the forty fourth year of his age of a violent fit of the stone , anno christi , being born the first , and dying the last year of queen elizabeth . he was of a ruddy complexion , fat , and corpulent : lame of his right hand , yet this ehud with a left-handed pen did stab the romish cause ; as one saith , dextera quantumvis fuerat tibi manca , docendi pollebas mirâ dexteritate tamen . though nature thee of thy right hand bereft , right-well thou writest with thy hand that 's left . he was buried with great solemnity at the sole charges of christs colledge , the university and town striving which should expresse more sorrow at his funeral ; doctor montague preached his funeral sermon upon that text , moses my servant is dead . master perkins his manner was to go with the prisoners to the pla●● of execution when they were condemned , and what 〈◊〉 his labours were crowned with , may appeare by this example . a young lusty fellow going up the ladder discovered an extraordinary lumpishnesse , and dejection of spirit , and when he turned himselfe at the upper round to speak to the people , he looked with a rueful and heavy countenance , as if he had been half dead already : whereupon master perkins laboured to chear up his spirits , and finding him still in an agony , and distresse of minde , he said unto him , what man ? what is the matter with thee ? art thou afraid of death ? ah no ( said the prisoner , shaking his head ) but of a worser thing : saist thou so ? ( said master perkins ) come down again man , and thou shalt see what gods grace will doe to strengthen thee : whereupon the prisoner coming down , master perkins took him by the hand , & made him kneel down with himself at the ladder foot hand in hand , when that blessed man of god made such an effectuall prayer in confession of sinnes , and aggravating thereof in all circumstances , with the horrible and eternal punishment due to the same by gods justice , as made the poor prisoner burst out into abundance of tears ; and master perkins finding that he had brought him low enough , even to hell gates , he proceeded to the second part of his prayer , and therein to shew him the lord jesus ( the saviour of all penitent , and believing sinners ) stretching forth his blessed hand of mercy , and power to save him in that distressed estate , and to deliver him from all the powers of darkness ; which he did so sweetly press with such heavenly art , and powerfull words of grace upon the soul of the poor prisoner , as cheared him up again to look beyond death , with the eyes of faith , to see how the black lines of all his sinnes were crossed , and cancelled with the red lines of his crucified saviours precious blood ; so graciously applying it to his wounded conscience , as made him break out into new showres of tears for joy of the inward consolation which he found , and gave such expression of it to the beholders , as made them life up their hands , and praise god to see such a blessed change in him ; who ( the prayer being ended ) rose from his knees chearfully , and went up the ladder again so comforted , and tooke his death with such patience , and alacrity , as if he actually saw himself delivered from the hell which he feared before , and heaven opened for the receiving of his soul , to the great rejoycing of the beholders . his works are printed in three volumes . f. jvnivs the life of francis junius , who died a no christi . francis junius was born in france of a noble family an. christi . his grandfather was william lord of boffardineria , who for his valiant service in the wars of navar was rewarded by king lewis the twelfth with that honour . his father was denis , who in his youth studied law in the most famous universities of france . his mother was jacoba hugalda which bore nine children , four sons , and five daughters ; amongst which this our francis was born in biturg . his mother being sickly , the child was very weak , not likely to live one hou● , and therefore was hastily baptised . and during his childhood this weakness continued , which falling into his left legge , caused a soare which was difficultly healed . when hee was five yeares old his father beganne to teach him to read as his leisure would permit . at six yeares old he began to write , and to discover his ingenuity , being of a pleasant disposition , very desirous of honour , quickly angry , and for his age of a grave judgement . hee did eat his meat eagerly , was very shame-fac'd , which continued with him all his life after . hee had the publick schoolmasters for his instructers , besides others that privately taught him at home . at twelve years old he attended the publick lectures , and began to study the civill law , and his father much encouraged and assisted him therein . yet one thing much impeded him in his first studies : for being put forth to school hee met with harsh and severe masters which used to beat him in a most cruel and barbarous manner , yet his love to learning made him conceal it from his friends . when he had studied law about two years , he was sent to lions to have gone with the french ambassador to constantinople , but coming too late , after the ambassadors departure , he staid , and studied there , turning over many bookes , whereof in that place were great plenty . but there he met with great temptations to evill ; a woman , and a young mayd labouring upon every opportunity to draw him to lewdnesse . this much troubled him , having been brought up religiously by his parents , whereupon he thought of returning home , but his fathers authority ( who commanded his stay there ) altered those thoughts , and so , through gods assistance , he resisted that temptation ! but presently fell into another : for as he was reading over tully de legibus , there came a certain man to him using the words of the epicure , nihil cur are deum , nec alieni ; that god cares for nothing : and he so pressed it with such subtile arguments , that hee prevailed with him to suck in that damnable principle , and so he gave up himself to vile pleasures for a year , and somewhat more . but the lord suffered him not to continue longer therein : for first in a tumult in lions the lord wonderfully delivered him from imminent death , so that he was compelled to acknowledge a divine providence therein : and his father hearing the dangerous waies that his son was misled into sent for him home , where he carefully , and holily instructed him , and caused him to read over the new testament , of wich himselfe writes thus , novum testamentum aperio , exhibet se mihi adspectu primo augustissimum illud caput . in principio erat verbum , &c. when i opened the new testament , i first light upon johns first chapter : in the beginning was the word , &c. i read part of the chapter , and was suddenly convinced that the divinity of the argument , and the majesty , and authority of the writing , did exceedingly excel all the eloquebce of humane writings my body trembled , my mind was astonished , and i was so affected all that daie , that i knew not where , and what i was . thou wast mindfull of me , o my god , according to the multitude of thy mercies ; and calledst home thy lost sheep into thy foid . and from that day forward he fervently bent himself to the study and practise of piety , to the great joy , and comfort of his father : who presently after sent him to geneva , giving him onely so much money as would bear his charges , intending to sent more after him . but the civill wars presently beginning in france , he was hindred of his purpose : so that junius when he came to geneva , had onely so much money left as would buy him fourbooks , a bible , calvins institutions , beza's confessions , and an hebrew grammer , which for a year together he studied with much diligence . at the end whereof he was sollicited by some of his chamberfellowes to travell with them into helvetia , which he assented to , and went with them , having but little mony remaining . in this jorney he spent three weeks , and at bern saluted musculus , and hallerus . at zurick , martyr , bullinger , and gualter : and at neocom , farrel & so returned to geneva again . not long after hee began to be pinched with want , and thereupon resolved each other day to dig in the town-ditch to supply his necessities withall . but it so fell out by gods providence that a young man , a tailor , whose mother had formerly lived over against junius his mothers house in france , and had often been relieved by her , profered him both mony , and lodging in his house . with him therefore he lived almost seven months ( yet with much inconvenience to his studies ) till a peace being made in france , his father sent mony to him . whilst he lived with his hest , to prevent his being burthensom to him , for four moneths together he fasted from his dinners , spending that time in walking , meditation , and prayer : and at supper he never eat but two eggs . but by this abstinence , he so weakned , and dried up his body , that his strength was much decaied , till by the advice of his friends , changing his custome , and mending his commons , he by degrees recovered it again . his father not willing that he should study divinity , sent for him home ; but he wrote to him desiring that for the improvement of his studies hee would be pleased to allow him a longer stay . but before his letter came , his father was cruelly murthered : which sad newes coming to him , he wrote to his mother not to be sollicitous for him , for that he would maintain himself by his own labors : and thereupon hee taught latine , oreek and hebrew to some youths , and so followed his studies besides , that he brought his bodie into a dangerous distemper . it fell out also that about that time the head-school master of geneva dying , the minister of noso●om was sent for to supply his room , and junius was profered to preach in his place , which he refused , excusing himselfe for that as yet hee had not so fitted himselfe by his studies for the work of the ministry as he desired . shortly after there came a messenger from antwerp , desiring that a minister might be sent to the french church that was gathered there , and junius being judged fit for that service , he was sent thither , which fell out to be just at that time when the navie went from thence to fetch a bride for alexander farnesius prince of parma , by which meanes there was great expectation of good both in flanders , and brabant ; but it proved far otherwise , for the navy shortly after returning , brought together with the bride , the king of spaines letters patents for the setling of the spa●sh inquisition in the belgick provinces . for the preventing of which yoke , some of the nobility met together at bruxels , sending for junius to come to them , who coming , found but about twenty men together , to whom he preached , and prayed that they might be delivered from that cruell yoke ; after which they entred into consultation how they might free ●emselves frmo it , which was anno christi . this first meeting was in the house of two noblemen [ brothers ] for which two yeares after they lost their heads , and their house was pulled down to the ground . junius was afterwards sought for at his lodging in antwerp , but it pleased god that just at that time he was gone to breda to visit the church there , by which meanes god delivered him from that danger . yet the enemies laid another snare for him , pretending a disputation at a certain city in flanders , at which junius was requested to be present ; but he was no sooner come thither , and gone into his inne , but a townsman came running to him to tell him , that the officers were coming to seize upon him : whereupon he was conducted out at a back door , and led from one place to another , by which meanes he escaped the unjust violence of his adversaries . afterwards at gaunt he was in like danger , yet the lord wonderfully delivered him , so that he got to antwerp in safetie . when hee came backe to antwerp he was not suffered to continue in his pastoral office : whereupon , by the advice of the brethren , he went to limburg , leaving his clothes , and library behind him , all which he there lost : yet neither was he there in safety , but so many snares were laid for him , that he escaped death very narrowly several times , the almighty lord still protecting him . there was near that place an old woman , having manie children , that for thirteen years together had conflicted with grievous despair , crying out that shee , and all her children were damned ; the priests had often by their exorcisms sought her cure : the neighbours had bound her in chaines , and beaten her yet all in vain : for she brake the chaines , and run into the woods hiding her self from the society of all men , insomuch that she was thought to be possessed with the divill . shee being brought to junius , he examined her in private of the cause of her distemper : shee told him that all her neighbours said that she was damned , because she had come so seldome to mass , whereas indeed she was hindred from it by the care of her many small children ; junius hereupon informed her out of gods word that she had not sinned at all therein ; for that it was according to gods will , that shee should take care of her children , who preferr's mercy before sacrifice : and also that the mass was not the service of god , &c. by which meanes she was quieted in her conscience , and went away satisfied , to the great astonishment of all her neighbors . about this time the peace of the church at l●mburg was much disturbed by the anabaptists , and papists : junius went often to the anabaptists and reasoned with them peaceably , and calmly , whereupon they quickly decreased , both in their number , and credit . but the papists cast aspersions upon him to make him odious , and amongst the rest , that he was a monster , and had cloven feet ; they came also to church to disturb him in his sermons , but notwithhanding all their endeavours his auditory stil increased . and when they had challenged him to disputations , they allwaies pretended one excuse or other when the time came , to evade the same . but from secret plots , they brake out into open violence ; where upon the magistrates perswaded him to retire himself from the danger , and in a dark rainy night they conveyed him ●●t of the city , and so he went to heidleberg , where he was courteously entertained by prince frederick the third , and afterward chosen pastor of the church of schaenavia which was near unto that city . but the year after , the pestilence greatly afflicting ●hat church , he was sent ( though against his will ) to the camp of the prince of orange , who was going into the low-countries , and ( when meeting with many inconveniencies in that employment ) he would have returned into germany , the pr. of orange would not consent , but detained him to preach still to him ; yet at last he returned to heidleberg , and endeavoured to compose some differences that in his absence were sprung up in the church of schaenavìa . the prince elector palatine often perswaded him to goe back to the prince of orange , and he as often excused it ; but at last he commanded him peremptorily to goe ; but it so fell out that as he was going over the bridge of heidleberg , he was grievously bitten in his right leg by a dog , and so he obtained leave to stay . he continued there to the year , and assisted tremelius in translating the bible out of hebrew . the elector being dead , hee was sent for by prince cassimire to neostade ; and afterwards was sent for by the same cassimire ( being guardian to the young prince ) to heidleberg again . yet not long after , with the consent of the prince , hee left heidleberg to goe into his own country : but when with his family he came to leiden , he was much importuned both by the magistrates and the university to stay there ; and though he would fain have excused it , yet at last they prevailed , and made him the professor of divinity in that university , which place he discharged with much diligence , and commendation for ten yeares space . at the end of which , a great plague spreading all over holland , he fell sick of it , and quietly resigned up his spirit unto god , anno chr. , and of his age . when gomarus , his colleague , came to visit him in his sickness , and had spoken comfortably to him , junius told him , that he quieted himself in god , who would doe for him that which was most for his glory , and his own good . his works are these . commentarius in danielem . in psal. . in apocalypsin . in jonam prophetam . with many others set down by verheiden . the life of luke trelcatius , who died a no christi . luke yrelcatius was born at erinum anno christi , and brought up by his aunt , who was abbesse of a nunnery . his first education was in the school at doway , where ( being of an acute wit ) he profited exceedingly in the knowledge of the humane arts : from thence he went to paris , and whilst he studied there , it pleased god that he fell into acquaintance with john mercer the hebrew professor , and with peter ramus , by converse with whom hee was exceedingly affected with the love of the reformed religion , so that he forsooke his aunt , and was maintained by the bounty of some merchants of flanders . from thence he went to orleance , and from thence to sancerra in the th yeare of his age ; and being driven from thence by the tempest of civill wars , he came into england ; and at london he taught a school , by which he maintained himselfe eight yeares . then was hee called by some merchants into flanders to be their pastor ; but enjoying little peace there , he went to bruxels , where hee continued in the exercise of the ministry six years , and then meeting with opposition , he went to antwerp , and that city being presently after besieged , he was forced to stay there for eight moneths . after which , being sent for to divers places , at length he was , by the consent of his brethren in the ministry , fixt at leiden , where hee was made pastor of the french church , which place he supplied faithfully for the space of seventeen years . he had scarce been there two yeares , when for his cellent parts and learning hee was chosen divinity-professor in that university also ; and at last , having acquired much honour in both his offices , hee dyed of the plague , anno christi , and of his age . w. perkins the life of john whitgift , who dyed a no christi . john whitgift came of the ancient family of the whitgifts of whitgift in yorkshire , his father was a merchant of great grimsby in lincolnshire . he was born anno christi . his uncle robert whitgift was abbat of the monastery of wellow in the county of lincoln , who would often tell him when he was a boy , that neither he , nor his religion could stand long , for that he had often searched the scriptures , but could never find there that his religion was of divine institution ; and therefore , according to christs speech , every plant which his heavenly father had not planted must be rooted up ; which also came to pass shortly after , when king henry the eighth demolished the abbeyes . by this uncle he was trained up in learning in his childhood , who finding him of a prompt , and acute wit , sent him to london to saint anthonyes school in bennet fink parish , & when he had made a good progresse in learning there , he went to cambridge , and studied a while in queens colledge ; but not liking that house , he removed to pembrok-hall , where nicolas ridley was the master , and master bradford was his tutor ; who informing doctor ridley of the ingenuity , diligence , and piety of this young whitgift , he procured for him a scholarship . anno christi , he was chosen fellow of peter-house , where doctor andrew pearn was master , who favoured him exceedingly , and sheltered him from danger all queen maries daies . he took all his degrees , of batchelor of arts , master of arts , batchelor of divinity , and doctor of divinity with great approbation . when he commenced doctor , hee disputed upon this question , papa est ille antichristus ; the pope is that antichrist . he was also a famous preacher , and when doctor hutton was preferred to the archbishoprick of york , he was chosen master of pembrok-hall in his room , and doctor cox bishop of elie made him his chaplain : afterwards he was chosen the margaret-professor , which place he discharged with such high commendations , that not long after he was made the queens professor ; and preaching before queen elizabeth , she liked him so well that she made him her chaplain , and master of trinity-colledge in cambridge , anno christi . in which place he remained for ten years with the good approbation of all men . the queen also made him dean of lincoln . he had many noblemen which were his pupils , and bred up also many learned men , which afterwards proved famous lights in the church . anno christi the queen made him bishop of worcester , and after the death of gr●ndal anno christi , she removed him to the archbishoprick of canterburie . shee had alwaies a very high esteem of him , and used him so familiarly , that she called him her black husband . he was present with , and a great comfort to her at her death . and when king james came to the crown , he also much reverenced archbishop whitgift . but he had laid the death of queen elizabeth so deeply to heart , that within some few moneths hee fell sick ; which when king james heard of , he went to him , and laboured to chear him up , but within a few daies after hee quietly departed in the lord , anno christi , and of his age seventy three , having been archbishop about twenty years . he did many , and great works of charity wheresoever he lived , viz. at lincoln , worcester , wales , kent , and surrey . one act of justice done by him is scarce to be parallel'd , and may be read at large in the life of mr. hugh clark at the end of my generall martyrologie . much controversie there was between mr. tho. cartwright and him about ceremonies , as appears by the books extant betwixt them . t. beza the life of theodore beza , who died a no christi . theodore beza was born at veselia anno christi . his father was peter beza , praefect of that town , his mother was mary burdolet , both of them nobly born . as soon as he was weaned , he was sent for by his uncle nicolas beza to paris , who was a counsellor in the parliament , and by him was tenderly and carefully educated , and at five years old he placed him with wolmarus , a famous schoolmaster at orleance , with whom he lived seven years , and in that time learned latine , greek , and all the liberal arts , so that there was no worthy author either in greek or latine , which hee had not turned over : yea wolmarus had also read law to him . but that which was principal , he instructed him in the true religion , drawn out of the fountain of gods word . afterwards , when wolmarus was returned into his native country of germany , by the advice of his friends , beza was placed in orleance to study the civil law , but disliking their baibarous language , he left those , and betook himself to more polite studies . he also affected poetry very much , and made all his poems before he was twenty years old ; and imitating catullus and ovid therein , he writ more wantonly then afterwards he approved of ; and indeed endeavoured to have suppressed his poems , but the papists hating him for his religion , often printed them , seeking thereby his disgrace all that possibly they could . anno christi he went to paris , where he was entertain'd by his kindred and friends with all the expressions of love and respect that might be , but above all hee was most welcome to another of his uncles ( for the former was now dead ) who was abbat of frigidmont , and who designed him for his successor , the profits of which place were worth above five thousand crowns per●in . besides two benefices belonging to the same , worth seven hundred crowns more . beza by this uncles means , abounding with ease , money , and all things , but good counsell , began to find himself compassed about with infinite snares of sathan : for though he hated those vices which discovered open impiety , and were disgracefull , yet hee squandred away precious houres in pastimes , and began to be puffed up with that applause which he gat by his forementioned poems , and by his hopes of the great preferments which his uncle reserved for him . yet it pleased god that those seeds of piety that were sown in him in his childhood , began to appear afresh , so that discerning his danger , and the snares of satan , he made a vow to renounce the errors of popery , and lest hee should be overcome by fleshly lusts , he privately married a wife , having only two of his fast friends present at his marriage ; yet at the same time he faithfully promised that within a certain space of time , breaking through all impediments , he would have her to the true church of god , and there publickly confirm the marriage , and that in the mean time he would take none of the popish orders : both which he religiously performed afterwards . and yet the world heaping more honours and profits upon him by the death of his elder brother , and the abbat his uncle giving him all his goods , hee was long in resolving what to do , and slower in performing his vow then he should have been : but whilst he thus delayed , the lord struck him with a sore disease that he almost despaired of life ; and it continuing long upon him , he was at last humbled by it , and abhorred himself for his delayes , and with many tears begged pardon of god for the same , saying , lord bring my soul out of prison that i may praise thy name : and the lord heard , and restored him . and as soon as ever he had recovered his health , according to his former engagements , he took his wife , and leaving friends , honours , riches , and country , hee went to geneva anno christi , where according to his former vow , he publickly solemnized his marriage . about the same time also there came to geneva one john crispin , an antient and intimate friend of beza's , and so both of them consulted together what course of life to betake themselves to , purposing to set upon the art of printing , which their excellent learning and industry did much fit them for . but god had appointed beza to another imployment ; for before they could bring their purpose to maturity , beza would needs take a journey to tubing , where his old master wolmarus lived , being now a counsellor to the prince of wirtemberg ; and as soon as hee was returned to geneva , dreaming of no such matter , he was called to be the greek professor in the university of lausanna , and by the senate of bern , admitting that election , was brought into that society . beza therefore looking upon it as a call from god , embraced it , and went to lausanna . in which place hee found many excellent men , as peter viret the pastor , john ribbit the divinity professor , john raimund merlin the hebrew professor , &c. by all whom he was kindly entertained , and so dearly beloved , that each seemed to live in the other . at his first coming to that university , that he might the better arme himselfe against those manifold perturbations which all men , especially the godly are molested withall , he often , and seriously meditated upon the history of abraham . and as often as he had any leisure , he went to geneva to converse with calvin , by whom he was much quickned to improve his parts for gods glory and the churches good . and upon this he undertook that truly golden work , begun by marot , but finished by him , of turning the psalms into french metre , which hee finished anno christi , and which were often printed in sundry parts of france . about this time many godly men and women flocked out of france to lausanna , which occasion beza taking as sent from god , expounded to them the epistle to the romans , and afterwards the two epistles to peter , which were the foundation of that excellent work which afterwards he compleated , of turning the new testament into latine , with annotations upon the same . about that time the plague waxing hot in lausanna , beza fell sick of it , but christ ( who intended him as an instrument of his glory in his churches good ) restored him to health again . shortly after which he wrote a book de haereticis à magistratu puniendis , occasioned by the aspersions raised by laelius socinus against calvin , and the magistrates of geneva for burning servetus for his heresie and blasphemy . he also wrote an explication of christianity out of the doctrine of eternall predestination . he also answered joachim westphalus about the sacrament of the lords supper ; and afterwards published two learned dialogues upon the same argument . he answered sebastian castalio , who sought to overthrow eternall election . anno christi when the sorbonists in paris had raised that persecution against the church of christ , wherein four hundred of them being met together in the night to hear the word , and receive the lords supper , seven of them were afterwards burnt in the fire , and the rest cast into chains and prisons . the best means thought on to procure their release was , by obtaining the protestant german princes to become intercessors for them to henry the d of france . and thereupon beza with some others were sent to the german princes to engage them herein , which also he obtained from them , though it proved to little purpose , in regard of the implacable malice of the french courtiers against the servants of christ. in that journey hee grew acquainted with melancthon , and they took much delight in the society of each other . having spent ten years at lausanna , as the greek professor , with the good leave of the senate of bern , he went to geneva anno christi , and lived with calvin , from whose side he seldom parted , and was his great assistant both in matters of doctrine and discipline● and that in the mean time he might not be wanting to the schools , he publickly interpreted demosthenes orations , and part of aristotle to the young students . and not long after upon the death of claudius pontanus , he was chosen pastor into his room . he was also chosen the first rector of the school in geneva , at which time he made an excellent and eloquent oration in commendation of learning , in the presence of many grave and learned men , both to encourage youths to the love of it , and the senators of geneva to make a further progresse in the advancement of it . for whereas the city of geneva did at this time conflict with innumerable difficulties both at home and abroad which did almost swallow it up , yet by the perswasion of tha● great calvin , it took so much courage , that in that ver● juncture of time , the senate founded , and endowed tha● publick school which was a great ornament to the city , and out of which issued abundance of godly and learned men , to the great benefit of the churches of god. shortly after , at the request of certain noblemen of france beza was invited to visit anthony king of navar , who at this time was at nerac in aquitane , to conferre with him about some weighty matters , but especially , if it were possible , through gods mercy , to confirm his mind in the true religion : for it was hoped that if that king , who was the principall man of the royall blood , and like to govern the affairs of state in the minority of king francis the second , could be confirmed in the truth , it would much conduce to the peace of the churches , and to the preservation of the lives of many who were cruelly burned by the papists in sunday parts of the kingdome . neither did this design want effect : for anno christi , the king of france dying at orleance , the king of navar joyning with the prince of conde , the admirall coligni , d' andelot , and other noblemen ▪ caused the popish party to give over the butcheries , and executions which they had formerly done upon many of christs faithfull servants . charles the ninth coming to the crown , there were various actings about religion , whilst the pontificians would advance their own , and root out the refo●med ; and on the contrary they of the reformed religion contended with all their might to promote their own ; and therefore lest these severall parties should cause commotions , there were edicts published in the kings name , requiring all upon severe penalty to abstain from arms , and to keep the peace , till certain select persons of each party at a certain time , and place nominated , should meet together to consider of the fittest way , and means to preserve the publick peace ; many not onely of the common people , but of the nobility inclining to the reformed religion . hereupon the king of navar sent letters and messengers to the senate of geneva , requesting that beza might be sent to that great meeting where such weighty matters should be transacted . the prince of conde also requested the same . beza upon this , set forward , and came to paris , august the twentieth . and the queen mother wrote also to the same purpose to the senate of zurick to send peter martyr to her , which accordingly they did , and martyr came to paris . the chief of the pontificians also repaired to this meeting , though they had declared that such as had been long agoe condemned for heresie , ought not to be conferred withall . there came also many ministers of the reformed churches in france , as nich. gallasius , august . marlorat , jo. raimund merlin , francis sampaulius , francis morellus , jo. malotius , jo. spinaeus , claudius bossierus , nich. folius , mat. virellus , john tornaeus , and n. barbastus : for they had the publick faith given them for their safe coming , stay , and return at their pleasures . august the three and twentieth , they met together at saint germans , where the protestants d●bating who shou'd speake for them , they unanimously chose beza , as a man every way fitted for that employment ; and in the evening he was had into the king of navars chamber , where were present the queen mother , the prince of conde , the cardinals of bourbon and lorrain , with many of the nobility . beza briefly declared the cause of his coming ( though it was not unknown unto them ) and the queen chearfully answered , that she much desired that the publick peace might be principally promoted : and the cardinal of lorrain exhorted him to study the wayes of peace , and concord : for ( saith he ) in your absence you have been the author of many stirs , and tumults , therefore it beseems you by your presence to endeavour to compose them , which is that which we all desire . to this beza replyed , that he was too mean and obscure a person to raise commotions in so large and potent a kingdom : that he was alwaies an enemy to tumults , and that his studies and endevours should alwaies be bent to promote the glory of god , and the happinesse of his king and country . then did the queen ask him if he had ever published any thing in french ? nothing ( said he ) besides the psalmes , and a short writing opposed to the confession of the duke of summerset . upon this occasion lorrain said , that he had read in a book published in beza's name , that christ was in the same manner to be sought in his supper , as he was before he was born of the blessed virgin : and that christ was so in his supper as he is in the dung . to this beza answered , that this latter speech was blasphemy , and that he thought that no christian had ever spoken or written any such thing . as for the former speech ( saith he ) if it be taken in a good sence , its true ; for the church hath alwaies been congregated by one mediator , christ , god-man , therefore the communion of the faithfull with christ , is not to be confined to the time of his incarnation , for the force and efficacy thereof was alwaies present to the eye of faith : for abraham saw his day , and rejoyced : the fathers did eat of the same spirituall and drank of the same spirituall rock , viz. christ ; and that he was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world . to which the cardinal assented . then was there another question started about the sence of those words , this is my body . whereunto beza answered learnedly and briefly , lay●ng down the reformed opinion , and against transubstantiation . whereunto the cardinal answered , that for his part he would not contend about transubstantiation , being of beza's mind ; and withall told the queen that beza had given him great satisfaction in that point , and that he hoped their conference would come to a good issue if things were handled peaceably , and with right reason . when the company was departed , the cardinall spake very lovingly to beza , saying , now that i have heard you speak ▪ i rejoice , and invite you to the conference by the immortall god , hoping that weighing the reasons on both sides , some way may be found out for the setling of a firm peace . beza returned him hearty thanks , intreating him to persevere in the study , and endeavour of procuring publick concord : professing for his own part , that according to the abilities god had given him , he would promote it . septemb. the fourth they met together in the large hall of the monastery at possy ▪ where were present the king , the queen mother , the duke of orleance the kings brother , margaret the kings sister , the king and queen of navar , the prince of conde , and the rest of the nobility , and states of france . on the popish party were the cardinals , archbishops , and bishops , to the number of fifty , accompanyed with many doctors of sorbon , and canonists . for the reformed churches were the ministers before named . after the king had in a few words opened the causes why he had called them together , and michael hospitalius , the great chancellor of france , had opened them more largly , beza in the name of all the protestants made an excellent oration , which he pronounced with such a grace , as drew the attention , and caused admiration in all that were present . in it he comprised the sum of the pure religion , which was professed in the reformed churches of france ; only this is to be noted by the way , that when beza in his speech sayd , that christ was as far from the sacrament as the highest heavens are from the earth , the popish doctors made a great murmur , which at last being over , he went on to the end of his speech . then turnovius , ●ean of the colledge , being in a great passion against the ministers , whom he called new professors , made some objections , and exhorted the king that hee would not suffer himself by any perswasions to be withdrawn from his old religion , and that he would suspend his assent til he had heard the answers which the prelates would give to that which had been spoken ; for then he should be able to discern a difference between the truth and lies . then did beza humbly present to the king a confession of faith in the name , and with the consent of all the reformed churches , which had been drawn up in the year . but when the ministers perceived that the minds of the pontificians were exasperated , they resolved that beza should write his private letters to the queen , wherein he should explaine things more fully then he was suffered to doe the day before , which accordingly he did . september the sixteenth , the conference began again in the presence of the said great personages . and the cardinall of lorrain made a tedious speech , wherein he defended the popish religion , perswading that nothing should be altered in the same . and when he had done , beza humbly entreated the king , that hee might have liberty to answer ex tempore : for the protestants feared that after this day they should be suffered to meet no more : for there was a constant report that the ponti●icians after that day would have no more to doe with the protestants , but would presently excommunicate them . besides , there was some fear that the crafty prelates would evade any further disputation by setting the french and dutch churches together by the ears about the matter of the sacrament : but he could obtain nothing that day , the conference being adjorned to another , and procrastinated by many delaies . yet at last , upon an humble supplication to the king from the protestants , they obtained that the conference should goe on . and accordingly , september the twentie fourth , it was again begun in the same audience , and lorrain protested that this meeting was appointted , that so the protestants , if they had a minde to it , might freely answer to what had formerly been spoken by him . then did beza discourse excellently , and clearly about the church , and the supper of the lord , which two heads were principally insisted on by lorrain . then espensaeus , a sorbonist , being appointed by the cardinall , took up beza , begining about the vocation of ministers both ordinary , and extraordinary , and so proceeding to traditions , and the lords supper . beza was about to answer him , but another sorbonist [ sanctaesius ] rising up , and repeating sowerly what espensaeus had said , interrupted him . he insisted principally upon traditions , which he affirmed to be certainer then the holy scriptures , quoting something out of tertullian : but beza shewed that this froward speech of the sorbonist made little towards setling the peace of the church , and therefore intreated the queen that such unreasonable clamours might hereafter be restrained . after which hee answered espensaeus about the calling of ministers , and traditions : whereupon sanctaesius beginning again his clamours , would have thrust in divers other questions ; but lorrain fearing that the queen would be offended at it , put an end to that question , and propounded a new one about the supper of the lord , which unlesse it were determined , he protested for himself , and his associates , that he would not change another word with the ministers ; and thereupon hee asked them if they were all ready to subscribe the augustane confession ? beza replyed , and are you all ready to joyn with us therein ? but the cardinal , instead of an answer , produced a writing of the opinions of some german divines , which he said was lately sent to him , importunately urging the ministers that they also would set down their opinions . this was craftily done of him , that if the ministers should refuse to doe it , he might set them , and the germans at variance ; and if they should doe it , he might insult over them as a conquerour . beza therefore to shun this rock said , that he , and his colleagues were come thither to defend the confession of faith published by their churches , and that they had nothing else in command ; and that the disputation was to be continued about the points contained therein , as the likeliest way to come to an happy issue : and that the best method was , to beginne with such things as were most easie ; and that since the sacraments d●pended upon the doctrine , that it was fittest to beginne with the doctrine . but when the cardinall would by no meanes alter his former resolution , the ministers suspecting that if they wholly resisted him , he would thence take occasion to dissolve the conference , and to transfer the fault upon them , they desired that the writing mi●ht be produced , and tha● they might have time to consider of it , which being granted , the meeting was dissolved for that day . september the six and twentieth the conference began again , and beza again di●●ou●sed of the calling of the pastors of the church , and then of the lords supper : but lorra●n being ne●ed about some expressions which beza used about the vitious calling of their ecclesiasticks , cried out , that the ma●esty of the king was violated . then beza replyed , that he had said nothing which might be justly blamed , for that kings had therefore drawn the choice of ecclesiasticks in●o their own power , because it had been so long abused . l●r●●in , passing by that subject , asked the ministers why they refused to subscribe the augustane confession ? to which it was answered , that if the pontificians also would admit it , there were hopes that ere long they might agree : but ( saith beza ) if you refuse to assent to this confession , its unequall that wee should bee pressed every way to approve of it . then the speech of the lords supper being again renewed , espensaeus quoted a speech of calvin , that we receive the substance of christs body : to which was answered , that by substance we are not to understand the fleshly eating of christ ; but it signifies the spirituall , and true feeding upon him , as opposed to the imaginary , and phantasticall : upon which occasion peter martyr , because he could not speak french , produced many things in italian . though lorrain often interrupted him ; saying that he would not dispute with men of a strange language . yet had peter martyr for this speech the testimony of espensaeus , that of all the divines of that age , none had handled that question about the lords supper so fully , and clearly as he . whilst the ministers were preparing to answer espensaeus , a certain spaniard , that was generall of the jesuits , standing up , for an hour together declamed in italian , calling the ministers dissemblers , apes , foxes , &c. saying , that they were not to be heard there , but to be commanded to the council of trent : and so proceeding to the question about the lords supper : he said that christ was present as a prince , who having gotten a victory , will have the memory of it to be continued by some anniversary playes , which himself would be over : and so by an unusall impudence he laboured to stir up the queen against the ministers , till he provoked some to laughter , others to indignation . but beza advised him to keep his reproaches to himself . told him that the queen had no need of the counsell of a fryar , who would wisely govern affairs according to the custom of the kingdom ; and that he spake of the lords supper as if it were a stage-play , wherein christ should act the first part : and so leaving him , he turned to espensaeus , saying ; as it s said , this is my body , so it s sayd , this is the cup of the new testament , which cannot be understood without a figure : for sacraments should not be sacraments , if they should not resemble those things whereof they are sacraments , and signs , as st. augustine teacheth . but ( said espensaeus ) if our sacraments should be signs , they would not much differ from the jewish sacraments , and they would be signs of signs , which is absurd . but beza shewed that there was no absurdity when the apostle compared circumcision with baptism , &c. then said a sorbonist ; in this proposition , this is my body , what doth this signifie ? beza answered , it signifies both the bread , and christs body . the sorbonist replyed , that it was against the rules of grammer , that hoc , this , should bee applyed to the bread ; but that it was individuum vagum . beza took away this answer , and told him that his individuum vagum was unknown to all learned antiquity . then one of the sorbon doctors holding up his finger to beza , in a threatning manner said , oh , if we could once catch thee within the walls of sorbon , thou shouldst not get out again . thus the day being spent , the conference was dissolved . and seeing nothing could be effected this way , some thought of another , which was that john monluc , bishop of valentia , and espensaeus , who were counted middle , and moderate men , should transact these businesses privately with beza , and galasius , which being assented to , they met september the seventeenth at saint germans in a private house , being commanded by the queen , that if it were possible they should agree upon some form about the lords supper , which might give content to both parts , which after much debate they did , and the form was this . confitemur jesum christum in coenâ nobis offerre , dare , & verè exhibere substantiam sui corporis , & sanguinis , operante spiritu sancto : nos● recipere , & edere spiritualiter , & per fidem verum illud corpus quod pro nobis mortuum est , ut simus ossa de ossibus ejus , & caro de carne ejus ; ut eo vivificemur , & eaquae ad salutem nostram necessaria sunt , percipiamus . et quoniam fides innixa verbo dei res perceptas facit praesentes ; per illam verum , & naturale corpus , & sanguinem jesu christi per virtutem spiritus sancti comedi , & bibi fatemur , eoque respectu praesentiam corporis , & sanguinis christi in s. coenâ agnoscimus . both parties had agreed that not a word of this writing should be divulged till it was communicated to the great personages at possie ; but contrary thereto , divers coppies were immediately dispersed through the court , and were received with much applause , as if now both parties were agreed in the chiefest point of the controversie . and the queen sending for beza , thanked him , and told him that what they had agreed on was very gratefull to her . she also with joy shewed it to the cardinall of lorrain , who when he had read it , said , that he never beleeved otherwise ; and that he hoped all the rest of the great ones at possie would readily embrace the same . but it fell out far otherwise ; for when on the fourth of october it was exhibited to them , they rejected , and damned it , reproaching espensaeus for consenting to it , and lorraine for not opposing it . and thereupon presently drew up another form , which if beza and his associates should defer to subscribe , they declared that it was a great wickedness to treat with them any further , and that as incorrigible , they were to be excommunicated , and punished by the king. this was the issue of that great conference at possie , so famous all over europe , which yet answered not mens expectations : and so every one returned to his own place : onely the queen stayed beza , saying , since you are a frenchman , france desires your help to stop future troubles as much as may be . but beza tho he foresaw the seeds of those factions which shortly after brake out , and his singular love to geneva continually put him upon a desire of return , where also he was earnestly desired , and much longed for , yet was hee necessitated to stay there whether he would or no. from that day forward there was a wonderfull encrease of the gospellers in france , and sermons began to be preached publickly every where , yea in some places they took away churches from the papists , till by the kings command , and their ministers intreaty , they restored them again . beza in the mean time preached often , sometimes in the queen of navars house , sometimes in the prince of condies , and other sometime in the suburbs of paris . and in january following there was an edict procured , that the protestants might freely meet together for the service of god in the suburbs of all cities . this provoked the guisian faction , who by all means sought the hinderance of it : but the first thing they attempted , was to draw the king of navar to their party ; which beza suspecting , and finding him wavering , endeavoured by all means to confirme , and keep him in the true religion , to whom the king answered , quod pelago se non ità commissurus esset , quin quando liberet , pedem referre possit , that he would not launch so far into the sea , but that when he pleased he might return safe to the shore again . and accordingly he fell off from the protestants , and beza went to him no more . another disputation was appointed by the queen mother about images , the result of which was , that the popish doctors condemned the making of the images of the trinity , or of the father , or holy ghost ; and agreed that all images should be removed out of the churches but that of the cross ; and that no images should be worshiped . but presently after the civil war began to break forth , which was occasioned by this means . whereas many protestants were met together at vassi to hear the word preached , the duke of guise with a pa●ty of souldiers , set upon them , ●lew forty five of them , and wounded many more . hereof beza made complaint , but without any redress ; whereupon both parties betake themselves to arms , and the prince of conde by his importunity prevailed with beza to stay with him in those dangerous times . beza's earnest longings to be with his people at geneva , disswaded him ; but the importunate desires of so godly a prince prevailed , so that he stayed with him all those first civil wars : at which time orleance was the chiefest place of the protestants refuge ; and for the better regulating of ecclesiastical discipline in those troublesome times , a synod was called in that city , at which beza was present . shortly after the pestilence waxed hot in oreleance , whereof many dyed , and amongst the rest conrade badius , a pastor in orleance , who from his very childhood had been most dear to beza ; yet did not beza intermit his publick preaching , nor private visiting of the sick . a few moneths after fell out that memorable battel in druiden fields where beza was present , and by his prayers and exhortations did much encourage the souldiers , yet they lost the day , and the prince of conde was taken prisoner , whom beza by his letters much comforted , and exhorted the rest not to give way to despondency , but to persevere in the defence of the cause , and to commit the success of it unto god. not long after peace ensuing , beza got leave to goe back to geneva , from which he had been absent moneths , in which time he had gone through many troubles , and dangers both of body and mind . at his return to geneva he fell upon his former employment in the schools and church : calvin undergoing the burthen one week , and he the other , and they continued in those mutual labours , till calvins death , and then hee had nicolas collodonius for his colleague , and after him lambertus danaeus , and after him anthony faius . presently after his return , in the first sermon that he preached to the people , hee ●illed the mindes of the hearers with incredible sorrow and grief , by relating to them the miserable condition of the churches of france , whereof himself had been an eye-witness , and which therefore he painted out to the life ; which he did for this end , to stir up all to commiserate , and heartily to pray for their brethren that suffered such great afflictions . shortly after he wrote an answer to sebastian castellio , who had inveighed against his translation of the new testament into latine . he also published an answer to the railings of francis balduinus , who followed the steps of ecebolius , both of them teaching that men might change their religion as the state changed . then did he confute the errors of brentius , and james andreas , who held the omnipresence of the body of christ : after this he published an excellent catechism . anno christi , the civil wars breaking out again in france , he was much affected with it , and by writing , admonishing , and exhorting both at home and abroad , endeavoured to assist with his counsell whom he could not by his presence . also anno christi , that war waxing hot , many out of sundry parts of france fled to geneva as to a safe harbour , amongst whom was nicolas beza , praefect of vezelia , brother to beza by the fathers side , who living a while in beza's house , shortly after dyed of the plague . and not long after beza's wife fell sick of it , yet it pleased god to restore her to health again . the same year , in the midst of many troubles , he wrote his books of polygamie , and divorces , against bernard ochin , who a little before had published his dialogues upon these subjects , stuffed with errors . he wrote also against flacius illiricus . anno christi , peace being setled , he was sent for by the queen of navar , the admiral , and the general vote of the churches of france to rochell to a synod , where he was made the moderator , and at which , the confession of faith of the french-churches was confirmed , and subscribed by the queen of navar , her sonne [ afterwards king henry the th . ] and the prince of conde . and the year after he was sent for to namures to another synod , where the book of the french church-discipline was established . anno christi , after that bloody massacre at paris , many of the godly that escaped fled to geneva , amongst whom were the pastors of fiftie churches that were wholly dispersed . these being stript of all , and in great want , beza , by his letters into germany and england , procured such reliefe for them , that for three years space in which they lived there , they were plentifully and comfortably provided for . in that massacre god was pleased wonderfully to preserve hen. of burbon , son to the great lodwick prince of conde , who thereupon retired into germany for shelter , and staying a while at strasborough , he sent for beza , and employed him to prince cassimire , the administrator of the palatinate . and afterwards as this prince returned into france , hee went by geneva , where he conferred with beza about many weighty matters . beza went on indefatigably in his publick employments , revised his translation and annotations upon the new testament , and enlarged them ; wrote against pappus about the hypostaticall union ; against the railings of holderus ; against the calumnies of andreas : made his harmony of the law out the books of moses . he wrote also of the notes , and authority of the catholick church , &c. shortly after the plague breaking forth in geneva , beza was much afflicted for the sad condition of the common-wealth , yet he cheared up himself much with the hearty and sincere love , and societie which he had with all the pastors thereof , whose unity ▪ and unanimity was a great means under god to preserve the happiness of geneva . about the same time five anabaptists [ mechanicks ] began privately to sow the seed of their errors in geneva , whereupon beza , john pinaldus , charles perrot , and anthony faius , were chosen to confer with them , and after confutation of their errors , they recanted , and reformed ; onely ●ne of them left the city , and was heard of no more . anno christi there was a disputation appointed at mombelgard between the german and helvetian divines about the difference betwixt them in some points , unto which beza was sent for , and the whole dispute was betwixt dr. andreas and him ; but in conclusion nothing was effected by it ; yet they parted lovingly without bitternesse . this was after published by beza . the year after his wife dyed , with whom hee had lived with much comfort forty years , which was a great griefe to him ; yet afterwards by the advice of his friends he married another , one katharine plania , a godly matron , who was a great comfort to him all his life after . about the same time he was called to a synod held at bern , wherein divers controversies were debated , and the errors of alberius , who said , that we are justified at gods tribunal by inherent righteousness ; also of huberus , about predestination , and eternall election , were condemned . shortly after he wrote about the sacraments against hoffman ; published in french his sermons about the passion of christ ; also on the canticles , which he turned into lyrick verse ; answered genebrards calumnies , and revised his translation of the new testament . anno christi , france being full of b●oils , geneva also was molested by the same ; whereupon publick prayers were appointed twice a week extraordinary , which burthen beza willingly took upon himself ; whereupon the other pastors freed him from his daily sermon● which he used to preach before ; only he preached once on sabbath mornings betwixt eight and nine a clock . not long after he began to be troubled with a dissiness in his head , insomuch as being to preach on whitsonday anno christi before the sacrament , as soon as he had made confession of sins after their usuall manner , he was fain to give over , and come out of the pulpit , whose place faius presently supplyed . the like happened to him the week following also , whereupon he gave over publick preaching , only now , and then praying publickly , yet would he not bee idle , but went on teaching daily in the schooles ; yet at last because of his dulness of hearing , he abstained from the publick disputations , and consistorial meetings . and to satisfie some noblemen , germans , bohemians , and polonians , who would needs hear him read some lectures ; he began a briefe analysis upon the epistle to the romans , but after he had done it twice , he was fain to leave off . yet did he not wholly desist from preaching till the year , when he preached his last sermon in january , being eighty one years old , upon the third petition of the lords prayer , thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven he had often in his mouth that saying of vespafian , imperatorem decet stantem mort . not long after being present at a consistory , he invited all his brethren to supper , but they at first refused , because there was to be a publick fast that week , and the magistrates had forbidden all feasting ; but he told them , that he would get leave of the magistrates , and that he intended not a feast , but a frugal supper , rather to feast their minds with their mutual love and society , then their bodies with dainties : then they all assented , and were entertained by him with all the expressions of brotherly love that could be . many noblemen and others that came from other countries to study at geneva , would alwaies desire to sojourne with him , that they might enjoy his societie . that year there was a rumor spread abroad all over europe by the jesuits , that beza was dead , and that he turned papist before his death ; which lye the pastors of geneva , and himself also by publick writings confuted : and discoursing with his friends of it he said , that the jesuits , and hee had both one desire , but not for the same end : the jesuits ( said he ) wish my end but for an evill end : i wish for it also , but that by death i may passe to eternall life , purchased for me by the merits of christ. anno the king of france and the king of navar lying in siege before the castle of saint katharines in savoy near to geneva , beza went to visit them , and was entertain'd with abundance of courtesie by them , and being asked by the king of france if he had any request to make to him , he answered , that he had nothing , but to commend his sacred majesty to the blessing of the great god , and to pray that his majesty might govern his people in peace . only he requested , that seeing the church at lions had not yet enjoyed the benefit of his majesties edict , that he would be pleased to think of them , which the king promised , and upon their petition , granted their desire . about the time of his return , he began to be much troubled with want of sleep , but lying awake in the nights , hee deceived the time with holy meditations . and speaking to his friends of it , he used that speech psal. . v. , . my reins also instruct me in the night season . i have set the lord alwa●es before me , in whose favour is life . and that of psal. my soul is filled as with marrow and fatnesse , when i remember thee upon my bed , and meditate on thee in the night watches . many came out of the kings camp to geneva to see the city which was now so famous , but especially to see beza ; all whom he courteously entertained with holy and savoury discourses , and so dismissed them well pleased . anno christi maurice the lantgrave of hesse came to geneva to see him , but disguised , for which beza was very sorry after that he had not known him . finding himself to draw near to his end , he revised his will , and so easing his mind of all worldly thoughts , he wholly betook himself to exspect the time of his departure , which he much longed for . he often used that saying of the apostle , we are his workmanship , created in christ jesus to good works . and that of st. augustine , diu vixi , diu peccavi , fit nomen domini benedictum : i have lived long , i have sinned long , blessed be the name of the lord. and that also , domine , quod coepisti , perfice , nè in portu naufragium accidat , lord perfect that which thou hast begun , that i suffer not shipwrack in the haven ; and that of bernard , domine , sequemur te , per te , ad te : te , quia veritas ; per te , quia via ; ad te , quia vita : lord , we follow thee , by thee , to thee : thee , because thou art the truth : by thee , because thou art the way : to thee , because thou art the life . anno there came some noble , and learned men from borussia to see him , with whose society he was much pleased . but diseases encreasing upon him , the pastors of geneva agreed amongst themselves , that every day two of them should visit him by turns , and sometimes all of them came together , and pr●ied most fervently with him . octob. , being the sabbath-day , he rose in the morning , and prayed with his family , and then desiring to goe to bed again , he sate him down on the side of his bed , and asked if all things were quiet in the city : they answered him yea ; but perceiving that he was near to his end , they ranne for a minister , who immediately coming , whilst he was praying with him , without the least pain or groaning , he quietly yeelded up his spirit unto god , anno christi , and of his age , and of his ministry . james lectius made this epigram of him . vezelii genuêre , piae tenuêre gebennae ; astratenent : vixi non mihi , sed populis . aliud . si qua fides famae , proles mihi defuit omnis : at varia , & vera prole beatus ego . me populi , & mystae , & reges dixere parentem : multa virûm genui millia , christe , tibi quin populi , & mystae , reges nascentur & ex me christe tibi , & toto dum legar orbe frequens . he was a thick set man , and of a strong constitution , insomuch that he used to say , that he never knew what it was to have his head ake : he was of an excellent wit , an accurate judgement , a firm memory , very eloquent , affable , and courteous ; so that he was called the phoenix of his time . in his testament he gave thanks . that god at sixteen years old had called him to the knowledge of the truth , though for a while he walked not answerable to it , till the lord in mercy brought him home , and carried him to geneva , where under that great calvin he learned christ more fully . . that being infected with the plague at lausanna , and aspersed with grievous calumnies , the lord had delivered him from them both . . that coming back to geneva , he was there chosen pastor , when as he deserved not to have been one of the sheep . . that not long after he was made colleague to that excellent man john calvin in reading divinity . . that being called into france in the first civill war , and tossed there up and down for twenty two moneths , god had preserved him from six hundred dangers , &c. a papist objecting to him his youthly poems ; this man ( saith he ) vexeth himself because christ hath vouchsafed to me his grace . though there was so great worth in this man , and his labours were extraordinary ; yet he had but florens per an . for his stipend , which amount but to seven or eight and fifty pounds sterling by the year , besides coups of corn , and his house . his works were these . n. testamenti nova versio , cum annotationibus . confessio christianae fidei . de haereticis à civili magistratu puniendis . summa totius christianismi . de coena domini . de hypostatica duarum in christo naturarum unione . de unitate essentiae divina , & tribus subsistentibus personis . tractatio de polygamia , & divortio . epistolae theologicae . with many others set down particularly by verheiden ; and mentioned in this narrative of his life . d. rainolds the life of john rainolds , who dyed a no christi . john rainolds was born in devonshire , anno christi , and brought up in corpus christi colledge in oxford , and for his excellent learning was chosen a fellow of that house , and afterwards commenced doctor in divinity . hee had divers brothers that were all papists , which procured him much sorrow , especially his elder brother [ william rainolds ] who wrote seditious and pestilent books against that renowned queen elizabeth , and her flourishing kingdome : he was so eminent for piety , and for his knowledge in the more mysterious parts of divinity , that one saith of him , that he was , acad miae lumen : europae decus : divinae gloriae buccinator : sanctitatis eximium exemplar , & diligentissimus in pontificios scriptor : the light of the university : the glory of europe ▪ the trumpeter of gods glory : an admirable example of holyness , and a diligent writer against the papists . indeed what he wrote against them is altogether unanswerable . he was withall so humble , that he would never accept of any great preferment in the church , only ( being much importuned ) he took the deanry of lincoln , which he quickly grew weary of , and therefore passed it away to another . he was chosen president of corpus christi co●ledge , and made the professor of divinity , which places he discharged with admirable learning , and sedulity to the end of his life . gods great providence in watching over him doth excellently appear by this example . being at london an. christi , he desired to refresh himself by walking abroad into the open air , and for that end , went into finsbury fields , where many archers were shooting with their long bows , and it so fell out that one of their arrows met him , and stroke him upon the very breast , which in all probability would have pierced through his body ; but behold the admirable providence of god ▪ the arrow piercing the outside , stopped against the quilted lining , and so leaped back without doing him the least hurt . but the ingratefull world being unworthy of such a star , it pleased god that he fell sick , and was taken away by an immature death anno christi , and of his age . when the heads of the houses in oxford came to visit him in his last sickness , which he had contracted meerly by his exceeding great pains in his study ( whereby hee brought his body to be a very sceleton ) they earnestly perswaded him ●hat he would not perdere substantiam propter accidentia , lose his life for learning : he with a smile answered them with this verse of the poet , nec propter vitam vivendi perdere causas . jos : scaliger the life of joseph scaliger , who died a no christi . joseph scaliger the son of julius caesar scaliger was born at aginum anno christi , and at nine years old was sent by his father to school at burdeaux ; but after three years stay there , the plague breaking forth , he returned to his father again , who set him every day to make an oration , whereby hee attained to such an exactness in the latine tongue , that not long after he composed that excellent tragedy of oedipus , which caused his friends to admire such ripeness of wit in such tender years . at nineteen years old ( his father being dead ) he went to paris to learn the greeke tongue ; where for two moneths space , he applyed himselfe to the lectures of that learned man adrian turneby , but wanting other helps , he lost most of that time ; which caused him to shut himself up in his study , and there by extraordinary diligence , joyned with his naturall aptness , hee began to suck in the first rudiments of the greek tongue ; and before he had well learned all the conjugations , he gat him an homer , and in one and twenty dayes he learned it all over ; framed for himself a greek grammar , and never used the help of any other . he learned the other greek poets in four moneths more . having thus bestowed two years in the study of the greek , he grew very desirous to adde the knowledge of the hebrew to it ; and though he knew not one letter of it , yet he attained to the knowledge of it without any other help : he wrote much in verse in both those languages , but to avoid the repute of ambition , would not suffer them to be printed . hee read over many hebrew and greek authors , and spent much time in interpreting them , and clearing of them from errors . anno christi he began to travel into divers countries , and made little stay any where till he was called to the university of leiden anno christi to be professor there , in which place he spent sixteen years , making the place famous both by his lectures and writings , and at last dyed of a dropsie anno christi , and of his age sixty nine . the aforementioned turneby , who was an excellently learned man himself , called this scaliger , portentosi ingenii juvenem ; a young man of a stupendious wit. the life of amandus polanus , who died a no christi . amandus polanus was born at oppavia in silesia ▪ of honest parents , an. chr. . in his childhood he was brought up by the care of his parents in the free-school belonging to that place , where he learned the grounds of the liberal arts : and from thence , anno christi , he was sent to uratislavia , where he spent six years , and where his ingenuity , and excellent wit quickly discovered themselves , to the great satisfaction of his masters : and then for his farther instruction , he went to tubing , and reaped much benefit by the lectures of theod. snepsius : but afterwards in a publick disputation , wherein doctor andreas was moderator , being invited to confer about election , he constantly adhered to that of the apostle rom. . . the children being not yet born , neither having done any good , or evil , that the purpose of god according to election might stand , not of works , but of him that calleth , &c. and afterwards being conferred with in private about it , adhering to his former opinion , many began to bee angry , and to withdraw themselves from him : whereupon by the advice of a doctor of physick , his special friend , he left tubing , and went to basil , carrying letters of commendation from that doctor to james grynaeus , an. chr. : where , being admitted into the university , he wholly applyed himself to the study of divinity . and after a while he visited geneva , and heidleberg ; and in moravia , and some other places he was tutor to divers young noblemen , especially to one zerotinius . anno christi , at the importunity of some noblemen , he commenced doctor in divinity at basil , and six years after he was made professor for interpreting the old testament in that university , which place he faithfully discharged for fourteen years space , expounding daniel , ezekiel , and a good part of the psalms , besides his extraordinary lectures which he read every thursday and saturday , and his publick disputations , and other exercises . thus polanus was an excellent ornament to the university of basil , adding a great lustre to it by his wit and writings . afterwards falling sick of a feaver , he wholly resigned up himself to the will of god , comforted himself with divers pregnant texts of scriptures , and so departed quietly in the lord anno , and of his age . there met in this man true piety and solid learning . he had both a good wit and sound judgement : was well skilled both in the tongues , and ecclesiastical antiquities . in his office he was very diligens . he twice bore the chiefest office in the university of basil , and that to his own credit , and the profit of the schooles . he kept correspondence with the chiefest divines of those times , who were his special friends , as beza , dan. tossanus , george sohnius , will stuckius , pareus , pitiscus , &c. he had two wives , the first was mary , the daughter of james grynaeus , who dyed in childbed ; the other was salome wasser●unia , who died the same year with himself . scripsit commentarium in danielem contra bellarminum . analysin hosea , cum orationibus historicis , & dialecticis . de morte christi , pro quibus eam subierit . de quatuor manarchiis ●pud danielem . analysin malachiae . partitiones theologicas . syntagma theologiae , &c. the life of thomas holland , who died a no christi . thomas holland was born in shropshire anno christi , and brought up in exceter colledge in oxford , where he took his degrees with much applause . afterwards he commenced dr. in divinity , was chosen master of the colledge , and for his excellent learning was preferred to be the regius professor , or doctor of the chair , wherein he succeeded dr. humphred , and so deported himself in the same , that he gat the approbation , and admiration both of that of oxford , and of forreign unive●sities also . he was like apollos , a man mighty in the scriptures , and as one saith of him , adeò cum patribus familiaris , ac si ipse ▪ pater , & cum scholasticis , ac si seraphicus doctor : i. e. he was so familiarly acquainted with the fathers , as if himself had been one of them ; and so vers'd in the schoolmen , as if hee were the seraphick doctor . he was also a faithfull preacher of the truth , and one that adorned it by his holy life and conversation ; a zealous defender of the true religion , and a great hater of superstition and idolatry : insomuch that when he went any journey , calling the fellows of the colledge together , he used to say to them , commendo vos dilectioni dei , & ●dio papatûs , & superstitionis : i commend you to the love of god , and to the hatred of popery , and superstition . he continued doctor of the chair twenty years , and was every way as famous for his religion , and holyness of life , as he was for his learning . when in his old age he grow weak , and sickly , he spent all his time in fervent prayers , and heavenly meditations , and when his end approached , he often sighed out , come , o come lord jesus , thou morning star : come lord jesus , i desire to be dissolved , and to be with thee : and so he quietly departed in the lord anno christi , and of his age . i. drvsivs the life of john drusius , who died a no christi . john drusius was born at aldenard anno christi , and first brought up to school in the ●ity of gaunt , and from thence went to the university of lovain : but whilst hee was following his study hard there , his father was proscribed for religion , and thereby deprived of all his estate , which caused him to fly into england , taking this his son along with him : when he came to london he met with cevalerius , lately come thither , that was exceeding skilfull in the hebrew : his lectures therefore he attended upon both in publick and private ; and when cevalerius was sent to cambridge to be the professor there , drusius went along with him , applying himself especially to the study of greek . afterwards when cevalerius was called back into france , drusius still accompanyed him , and fell hard to the study of the hebrew : he also privately read the same to two young english gent●emen . after a while he returned to london again , and when hee was purposed to goe back into france , he h●ard of that bloody massacre at paris , which made him alter his minde : and having preferment profered to him , either in oxford , or cambridge , he chose oxford , where , for the space of four yeares , he read hebrew , chalde , and syriack with great commendation . after which time he went back to lovain ; but not long enjoying peace there , he returned to london again ; where he continued till the peace was concluded at gaunt , and then went over into flanders , and from thence into zeland , where the states of holland chose him to be the professor in hebrew , chalde , and syriack in the university of leiden , anno christi . during his abode there he married a wife , and the states of frisland having newly erected a university at franequer , they called him thither : in which place he continued taking great paines for the space of thirty one yeares ; and at length resigned up his spirit unto god , anno christi , and of his age sixty and six . the life of john james grynaeus , who died a no christi . john james grynaeus was born at berne in helvetia anno christi . his father was first a professor in basil , and afterwards removed to a pastoral charge at raetela , who died of the plague anno christi . his mother was adelheida stuberina , both of them godly persons . his father took the care of his first learning , educating him under his own wings ; and afterwards anno christi , hee was sent to school to basil under thomas plater , an excellent schoolmaster , with whom he profited so much , that anno christi , upon examination he was admitted into the university under boniface amerbachius , & the very next year the plague being hot in basil , he fell sick of the plague , but it pleased god to restore him again , and he followed his study hard . he heard his own father reading greek and latine , huld . coccius reading logick , and john nisaeus reading poetry and rhetorick . anno christi , his father was called to a pastoral charge at raetela , but our james stayed still at basil , joyning the study of divinity with that of philosophy . one of the professors of divinity at that time was simon sulcerus , who being an ubiquitarian misled our grynaeus into the same error , as himself confesseth ; adding that he continued in it for ten years , and misled others likewise , till at length , through gods mercy , he was brought into the way of truth . anno christi he began to preach , and was ordained deacon by sulcerus , who was the superintendent of those churches ; which office he supplyed till the year , at which time by the advice of his father and friends he went to tubing for the further improvement of his learning , though himself had rather have gone to wittenberg , where charlet marquess of baden having heard him preach , and being taken with him , had profered him an exhibition of an hundred florens per annum . when he came to tubing he delivered his letters of commendation to doctor andreas , and so was admitted into that university , where he heard andreas , heerbrand , snepfius , and brentius for divinity , samuel hailand for philosophy , and others for the other arts ; and it pleased god that he met with william stuckius of zurich , whom he had formerly known , and who now became a partner in his studies , and remained his intimate friend ever after . anno christi , when by the advice of their friends these two persons were minded to leave tubing , doctor andreas stayed them , and put them upon a disputation upon certain theses about the ubiquity , & eucharist , endeavouring to draw grynaeus to his own opinion ; but in the disputation grynaeus was so b●ffled by stuckius , that he was almost non-plust , and was driven to doubt of that opinion . having in this disputation given reasonable satisfaction to the divines of tubing , he was put upon reading lectures upon daniel , and so a while after was made doctor in divinity . anno christi his father dyed of the plague , and he was chosen by charles marquess of baden to succeed in the pastoral charge at raetela , where besides his ordinary labours he read privately to the deacons twice a week , and god blessed his labours exceedingly . anno christi he married a wife , with whom he lived contentedly years , and had by her seven children . about that time the form of concord being much pressed , he fel hard to the study of the scriptures , and of antient and modern divines , whereby it pleased god that light began to appear to him , for hitherto he had been a lutheran : and modestly declaring his judgement about the ubiquity of christs body , he began to be hated of many . yet during his abode there at the request of the printers he corrected for the press , eusebius , origen , irenaeus , erasmus his adagies , and other books . anno christi he was sent for to basil to be a professor in interpreting the old testament , and with the consent of the marquess , he removed thither with his family after he had been ten years pastor at raetela ; yet before his going the marquess conditioned with him that he should be overseer of his churches , and that his brother should succeed him in his charge at raetela , and withall he assigned him a stipend of twenty florences per annum . when he was come to basil he made an oration of the difculty of the work whereunto he was called . he began with the explication of genesis , but before he had gone through it , at the request of his auditors he left it , and fel upon the psalms , and some of the minor prophets . he also voluntarily read some history lectures . he met with some reproaches from the lutherans , because he taught otherwise then they would have had him about the lords supper ; but the lord saw it good thus to exercise him , whose labo● is yet both in publick and private he blessed exceedingly , and made him an happy instrument of closing up , and healing some breaches that had been between the churches of zurick and basil. he maintained friendship with erastus , amerbach , plater , zuinger , urstisius , and others . he had many noblemen , gentlemen , citizens , doctors , and other learned young men that came out of other countries to sojourn with him . anno christi , lodwick prince elector palatine dying , prince cassimire succeeded as administrator in the minority of the young prince , whose care was to reform the churches of the palatinate , and the university of heidleberg , and advising with dan. tossanus , and other godly divines about the same , he was directed by them to chuse grynaeus for one of the professors . and accordingly anno christi he sent to basil for him , whereupon ( with the consent of the senat ) he removed to heidleberg , where for two years space he read divinity and history , taking care both of the church , school , and university . he met with many oppositions from the lutheran faction , had many disputations with them , whereof that was the most famous which was held in the presence of the prince an. christi , and wherein grynaeus was moderator , the issue whereof was this , that those divines and scholars which would not be convinced and reformed , but continued to make factions and divisions in the university , were gently dismissed : after which the orthodox doctrine of the person of christ , and the sacraments was quietly preached in the palatinate . anno christi , sulcer being dead , by the earnest desire of the godly he was called back to basil to undertake the government of that church , and thereupon anno christi he removed to basil , and was entertained with the great ●pplause of the whole church , and having preached twice , ●e went back to heidleberg , to take his leave of the prince , church , and academy : after which he was courteously dismissed by the prince , who provided for the carriage of his houshold , and gave him his effigies in gold , as a remembrance of his love . he continued in the faithfull discharge of his office a basil , all the remainder of his life , promoting the honour and profit of the church , school , and university by his care , diligence , and industry . in the church he was a faithful pastor , feeding his people with the bread of life , comforting the afflicted , visiting the sick , and diligently removing whatsoever might hinder the progress of the gospel : for which end , anno christi he visited all the churches in his diocess , endeavouring to preserve , and nourish love amongst brethren , and reforming what was amiss . in the grammar school , he with some others , were careful to provide fit schoolmasters , examined the proficiency of the scholars , and helpt to maintain such as were poor . in the university he went through the greatest honors and labours . anno christi he was twice sent to mulhusen , first to settle an able ministry , and then to be present in a synod . the same year he went to bern to a conference for composing the controversies in religion . at length he began to grow weak and sickly , and his eye-sight waxed very dim , and in the year of his age he was almost quite blind , yet his intellectuals and memory continued very good . he lost also most of his friends , with his brothers , sisters , wife , and children ( all but one daughter , and his son in law polanus ) whom he much desired to follow . he was oft tormented with the collick , yet bore all with admirable patience ; and in the midst of his pains , he said ut munc triste mori est , sic dulec resurgere quondam , christus ut in vita , sic quoque morte lucrum est interris labor est , requies sed suavis in urna , in summo venient gaudia summa die . as death's sweet , so to rise is sweet much more , christ as in life , so he in death is store : on earth are troubles , sweet rest in the grave : i' th last day we the lasting'st joyes shall have . after that he was eased of the collick and stone , hee fell sick of a feaver , which alm●st took away his senses , but hee betook himself wholly to prayer , and tasted the joyes of heaven in his soul , continually wishing that he might be dissolved , and be with christ ; which desire god shortly after satisfied ; when he had lived seventy seven years , anno christi . the ministers of basil carried his corps to the grave . a little before his death he professed to doctor meier that he dyed in the same faith that he had taught others ; that he had earnestly besought god to provide his people of an able and faithful pastor , &c. concluding , o praeclarum illum diem , cùm ad illud animarum concilium , coelumque proficiscar , & cùm ex hac turba , & colluvione discedam : o happy day when i may depart out of this troublesom and sinfull world , and go to heaven to those blessed soules before departed . he used to say , pontifici romano erasmum plus nocuisse jocando , quàm lutherum stomachando : writing to chytraeus , he said , si non amplius in his terris te visurus sum , ibi tamen conveniemus , ubi luthero cum zuinglio optimè jam convenit : if we never see one another again in this world , yet wee shall meet in that place where luther and zuinglius agree very well together . he used to be up at his study winter and summer before sun-rising , and spent all the day in prayer , writing , reading , and visiting of the sick . he was so famous that many princes , noblemen , and young gentlemen came from forreign countries to see , and hear him . he was very dutifull to his parents , liberal to a poor brother which he had : temperate in food and apparel all his life long : courteous and affable to every man ; respectfull to all degrees ; studious of love and concord amongst the good , especially scholars , as his many epistles shew . many desired to sojourn with him , whose bodies he fed with food , and minds with pleasant and profitable discourses , and sage apothegmes . in bearing wrongs hee was very patient , never seeking reveng . scripsit epitomen bibliorum . charact. christianorum . enarrationes aliquot psalmorum , & prophetarum , ut haggai , jonae , habacuc , obadiae , malachiae , danielis priorum cap. explanationem mat. exeg . epistolae a● romanos , col. heb. joh. historiam ecclesiasticam . chron. historiae evangelicae . r. abbat the life of robert abbat , who died a no christi . robert abbat was born at guilford in the countie of surrey anno christi , of honest parents , who carefully educated him in learning , and when he was fit , they sent him to oxford , where he was admitted into baliol colledge , in which place he followed his studies very hard , took all his degrees till he commenced doctor in divinity , and for his excellent learning , and exemplary life , he was chosen first master of the colledge ; and afterwards the regius professor , in which place he succeeded doctor thomas holland ; and for five years space performed his office so excellently , that anno chr. he was by king james preferred to the bishoprick of salisbury . whilst he was there he made that learned and solid work de gratia , & perseverantia sanctorum : he was also very diligent , and faithful in the execution of his office : but partly by reason of the burthen and care of his place , partly by his sedentary life , being so hard a student , he had a stone bred in his kidneys , which put him to intollerable pain , yet hee bore the same with invincible patience : till finding his end to approach , he called his family together , and began to make before them a confession of his faith , yet with some pauses by reason of his pains and faintness , whereupon some of his friends told him that he need not put himself to that trouble , having so fully declared the same in his learned and orthodox writings . this counsel he approved , and therefore said to them , that faith which i haue published , and defended in my writings , is the truth of god , and therein i die , and so presently after he yeelded up his soul to god anno christo , and of his age . the life of william cowper , who died a no christi . william cowper was born in edenborough , and at eight years old was sent by his father to dunbar-school , where in four years he learn'd the whole course of grammar , and profited above his equals , and at that time did god begin to reveal himself to him . many times when he was in the school he used to ●ift up his heart unto god , begging of him knowledge and understanding ; and alwaies as he went to church , he sent up this ejaculation to heaven , lord bow nine ear that i may hear thy word . at his entry into his thirteenth year , his father sent for him home to edenburgh , and presently after he went to saint andrews , where he continued to his sixteenth year in the study of philosophy , but made no great progress therein ; yet the seed of grace was stil working in him , inclining him to a careful hearing and penning of sermons , and other theological lectures . during his abode at saint andrews , sathan , working upon corrupt nature , sought oft to trap him in his snares , but as himself testifies , the lord in mercy forgave the vanities , and ignorances of his youth , and preserved him from such falls , as might have made him a 〈◊〉 to the saints , and a reproach to his enemies . at the age of sixteen years , he returned to his parents at edenburgh , who propos'd to him sundry courses of life ; but his heart was stil enclined to the study of the holy scriptures , whereupon he resolved to goe into england , and the lord provided him a place at hoddesdon , eighteen miles from london ( just as he had spent all his money which he brought with him out of scotland ) where he was entertained by one mr. gutherie a scotchman to assist him in teaching of a school . there he remained three quarters of a year , and then having occasion to goe to london , he was unexspectedly called to the service of master hugh broughton , with whom he continued a year and a half , and daily exercised himself in the study of divinity . at nineteen years old he returned again to edenburgh , where he lived with his elder brother [ then one of the ministers in that city ] who much furthered him in his former studies ; and at last he was required to give a proof of his gifts privately , which he did in the new church before master robert pont , and master robert rollock , and som● others , by whom he was commanded to preach in publick also . being twenty years old he was sent by the authority of the general assembly , which then was met at edenburgh , to be the pastor at bothkenner in sterlingshire ; but when he came thither , he found in the church , besides ruinous wals , neither roof , nor doors , nor pulpit , nor seats , nor windows , yet it pleased god to give such a blessing to his ministry , that within half a year the parishioners of their own accord , built , and adorned the church in as good a quality as any round about it . there he continued seven or eight years , yet subject to great bodily infirmities , by reason of the wetnesse of the soil , and the moistness of the air ; and in that time d●d god begin to acquaint him with his terrors , and with inward tentations , so that his life was almost wasted with heaviness , yet thereby he learned more , and more to know christ jesus . about that time there was a general assembly of the church at perth , unto which some that lived in the north of scotland sent to desire that a minister might be sent unto them ; whereupon the assembly appointed master cowper for that place , and accordingly wrote to him by master patrick simpson , who coming to sterling , delivered to him the letters from the assembly , and those from the town , containing his calling to the work of the ministry in that place : and so shortly after the town sent their commissioners to transport him and his family thither . in that place he continued doing the work of the lord for ninteen years together , where he was a comfort to the best , and a wound to the worser sort . besides the sabbath dayes , he chose thrice a week to convene the people together in the evenings , viz. wednesdayes , fridayes , and saturdayes , for a preparation to the sabbath ; upon which daies they had no preaching in the morning ; concerning which meetings himself writes , that it would have done a christians heart good , to have seen those glorious , and joyfull assemblies , to have heard the zealous cryings to god amongst that people , with sighings and tears , and melting hearts , and mourning eyes : and concerning himself he saith , my witnsse is in heaven , that the love of jesus and his people , made continual preaching my pleasure , and i had no such joy as in doing his work . and besides that he preached five times a week , he penned also whatsoever hee preached , many of which holy and godly sermons are extant in print . all the time of his abode there ( except some little intermissions , and breathing times ) the lord still exercised him with inward tentation , and great variety of spiritual combats , the end of all which ( through gods mercy ) was ioy unspeakable , as himself testifies . yea once ( saith he ) in greatest extreamitie of horror , and anguish of spirit , when i had utterly given over , and looked for nothing but confusion , suddenly there did shine , in the very twinkling of an eye , the bright , and lightsome countenance of god , proclaming peace , and confirming it with invincible reasons : o what a change was there in a moment ? the silly soul that was even now at the brink of the pit , looking for nothing but to be swallowed up , was instantly raised up to heaven to have fellowship with god in christ jesus , and from this day forward my soul was never troubled with such extremity of terrors : this confirmation was given unto me on a saturday in the morning ; there found i the power of religion , the certaintie of the word , there was i touched with such a lively sense of a divinitie , and power of a godhead , in mercy reconciled with man , and with me in christ , as i trust my soul shall never forget : glory , glory , glory be to the joyfull deliverer of my soul out of all adversities for ever . in the middest of these wrestlings with god he wanted not combats with wicked men also , but the greatnesse of his inward conflicts , made him lightly regard all their outward contradictions , and to esteem them but as the bitings of a flea . it was no marvel to see satan stir up his wicked instruments to molest him , since he professed himself a disquieter of him , and his kingdom . yet this much supported him , that he never had a controversie with any of them but for their sins : and the lord assisting him , the power of the word did so hammer down their pride , that they were all of them at last brought to an acknowledgement of their evil wayes . but at length ( as god turned the heart of pharoah , and his people from the israelites , when the time drew on for their remove ) so by little and little did the zeal and love of most of that people fall away , so that his last conflict was , not with the prophane , but with justitiaries , and such as were unrebukeable in their lives . these men were stuffed with such pride , self-conceit , disdain , and intolerable contempt , that thereby they were carried further from their duty then any of the former ; and they which should have been his greatest comfort , were his greatest cross . presently hereupon god called him to the government of the churches in galloway , in the south-west parts of the kingdom , being chosen by the assembly , and presented by the king thereunto . this was done without his privity , or ambitious us seeking after it ; yea , he was so far from it , that eighteen weeks passed betwixt the kings presentation , and his acceptation of ●t . in that place he was very carefull to advance the gospel , and to adorn his ministery : concerning the frame of his spirit thus he writes , my soul is alway in my hand , ready to be offered to my god : where , or what kind of death god hath prepared for me , i know not : but sure i am there can no evil death befall him that lives in christ , nor sudden death to a christian pilgrim , who ( with job ) waits very hour for his change . yea ( saith he ) many a daie have i sought it with tea●es , not out of impatience , distrust , or perturbation , ●ut because i am weary of sin , and fearful to fall into it . this faithful servant of god who had alwaies been faithful and painful in his ministery , when sickness grew daily upon him , was no way deficient in the duty of his ordinary preaching : taking great pains also to perfect his work upon the revelations , which he desired greatly to finish before his death . he had also much grief by reason of some that disturb'd the peace of the church , which he alwaies sought to procure ; so that his infirmity encreasing , he was compelled to keep home ; yet as his weakness permitted , he applyed himself to revise his writings , and to dispose of his worldly estate , that he might be ready for his passage , which every day he exspected ; & some ten daies before his decease , he manifested to his friends , what great contentment he had in his approaching death . many repaired to him in his sickness , whom he entertained with most holy , and divine conferences , expressing a great willingnesse to exchange this life for a better ; and at last feeling his strength and spirits to decay ( after he had conceived a most heavenly prayer in the company of those that were by ) he desired to you to bed , in which also , after he had most devoutly commended himself unto almighty god , hee tooke som● 〈◊〉 rest . after which time he spake not many words , 〈…〉 failing , though his memory and understanding 〈…〉 and so about seven a clock at night he rendred 〈…〉 most quiet and peaceable manner an ▪ christi . some of his private meditations were these . now my soul be glad ; for at all parts of this prison the lord hath set to his pioners to loose thee : head , feet , milt , and liver are fast failing ; yea , the middle strength of the whole body , the stomach , is weakned long ago . arise , make ready , shake off thy fetters , mount up from the body , and goe thy way . i saw not my children when they were in the womb , yet there the lord fed them without my knowledge ; i shall not see them when i goe out of the body , yet shall they not want a father . death is somwhat drierie , and the streams of that jordan between us and our canaan run furiously , but they stand stil when the ark comes . let your anchor be cast within the vail , and fastned on the rock jesus . let the end of the threefold cord be buckled to the heart , so shall ye goe thorough . his works are bound up together in one volume . soli deo gloria . a. willet the life of andrew willet , who dyed a no christi . andrew willet was born in ely in cambridgshire anno christi . his father was a minister , who carefully brought him up in the school of that city , where by his extraordinary pa●ns and diligence he profited so much , that at fourteen years old he went to cambridge , and was admitted into peter-house ; yet not long after was transplanted to christ's collegde , where doctor downham , and master william perkins were of his own standing . there he applyed himself so seriously to his studies , that in short time he gained a good measure of knowledge in the learned tongues , and arts ; yea hee attained to such a measure of perfection therein , that at twenty two years old he published his book , de animae natura , & viribus , wherein he did philosophically theologize in five subtil , and abstrase questions . about that time also he was made minister , and began sometimes to preach , being furnished with piety , learning , and gravity beyond his years : insomuch as an accident befalling a proctor of that colledge , hee suddenly undertook his place at the commencement , and so well , and dexterously perf●rmed it , that thereby he gained the applause , yea the admiration of all his auditors . having thus spent thirteen years in the university , by the favour of queen elizabeth , he was made a prebend in ely , where also he married a wife , by whom he had eleven sons , and seven daughters . but his wife being a carefull yoak-fellow , his houshold affairs troubled him not , so that he pursued his old course of study , which was his delight , and of which he never was weary : his manne : was to rise early in a morning , and to get half way on his journey ere others could set out . at the hour of prayer he came down , and took his wife and family with him to church , where he had publick prayers , to the great comfort of his parishioners : prayers being ended , he returned to his study till near dinner time , when his manne● was to recreate himself either upon a little organ , which he had in his house , singing to it ; or sporting with his young children : sometimes also he would cleave wood for his health-sake . at his meals he used pleasant discourse , seasoned with some profitable application : after dinner he used to sit and discourse a while , or walk abroad , and then to his study again , so that ( without extraordinary avocations ) he spent eight houres a day in his study : by which means he read over the fathers , councels , ecclesiastick histories , a great part of the civil and canon law : polemick controversies between rome and us ; and most commentaries upon the holy scriptures ; in his papers he had couched the whole substance of his reading : so that he might say , exiguis patres ●rctantur pellibus omnes , quos mea non totos bibliotheca capit . lo here few leaves th' old fathers all infold , whom whole at once my study ne'r could hold . he improved his talent for the publick good , so that every year he either published a new book , or reprinted some old , with a new edition . he is one of those concerning whom doctor hall saith , stupor mundi clerus britannicus : the english clergie is the worlds wonder . in his younger time he preached the lecture for three years together in the cathedral church of ely : and for one year in saint paul's at london , in both with a most singular approbation of a frequent auditory . sometimes he preached in cambridge , and therein discovered himself the man , quem rus non infuscavit , whom the country had not stained . when hee was once called to a pastorall charge at burley in herfordshire , he was alwaies constant in preaching , instructing his people in a plain familiar way , applying himself to their capacity . he would also sometimes sharpen his stile , and cut them up roundly for their sin : but when he spake words of consolation , he was wholly composed of sweetnesse : in denunciations of judgements , he would put on the bowels of compassion , and the spirit of meeknesse , sugaring every bitter pill that it might goe down more pleasantly . his very presence was powerful and perswasive ( mildnesse mixed with gravity sitting in his countenance ) insomuch as one word from him was able to effect more then thousands from some others . but especially his godly conversation , exemplifying what he gave in charge out of gods word , did most of all convince his peoples judgements , and subdue their affections to obedience , so that the lord blessed his labours much to them . his house was a little modell of a church , and house of god : here morning and evening sacrifices were offered to god daily : his children after supper read some part of holy scripture , and he required of every one present , that they should remember some sentence or other , and afterwards he would repeat the same , adding some exposition , and sometimes something of application to them : yea he made himself an exact pattern and example to all his family . his charity will eminently appear , if we consider quantum ex quantillo , how much out of how little means he freely gave to the poor and needy . he maintained two of his near a●lies ( being faln into want ) many years at his own table ; and maintained , for the most part , a son of either of them at the university ; and though his many children might have restrained his bounty ; yet he was of cyprian's mind , the more children , the more charitie . he gave a dole of bread to the poor , on the coronation and powder-treason daies : at christmass he gave corn to some , money to others , and to the rest of his neighbours liberal and loving entertainment . in the harvest he would say to the poor , as boaz did to ruth , go not to glean in another field , &c. and when at any time himself came into the field , he would scatter of his heaps with a ful hand ; so that the poor would be ready to leap for joy at his coming . when he set any on work , he payd freely , and speedily : when the poor bought corn of him , they were sure to gain both in price and measure ; and yet as wels drawn spring more freely , so his substance encreased with his bounty . hee took much pains in composing the differences amongst his neighbours . he was especially carefull to doe good to poor ministers , his fellow-labourers . some that lived near him tasted of his bounty oft , to whom he sent wheat , or malt , in no scant proportion . he was much given to hospitality , and strangers out of other nations , hearing his fame , resorted to him for his acquaintance . about december , anno christi , having been at london , as he was returning home , his horse by the way stumbling , threw him down , & in the fal brake his leg , but being holpen up , he rode to a town called hodsdon , where in an inn , hee sent for a bonesetter , by whom , after his leg was set , he was directed to keep his bed ten dayes , which he willingly submitted to . as he lay he imployed one of his sons who waited on him , to write from his mouth some heavenly meditations upon the song of hezekiah , when he had been sick , and recovered of his sicknesse , isaiah , , especially upon the , , , and verses . thus he continued to the tenth of december , when early in the morning , being awakened by the tolling of a passing bell ( which probably occasioned in him a strong apprehension of his own approaching death ) he fell into a discourse with his wife ( who lay in the chamber by him since that accident first befel him ) concerning death , and our blessed hopes expected after death : and amongst other things , touching the mutual knowledge that the saints have one of another in glory : which comfortable discourse being ended , they began to sing an hymn ( of his own composing ) giving thanks to god for their rest that night , and praying for a blessing upon them and theirs in the day ensuing : and then having repeated one verse of the psalm , he presently brake out into these words , oh this a most sweet psalm ; and so went on , but pausing at the end of every staff , he delivered a short paraphrase upon it ; and coming to these words , ver . , . and loose the fetters strong ; and the lame to limbs restore ; he applyed both to himself , calling the splints upon his legge his fetters , and comforting himself with this , that god would restore him from his lamenesse ; but having occasion for som ease to stir himself , he suddenly fetched a deep groan , and so fell into a trance : his wife crying out , and some coming in , they used means , and he began to rouse himself a little , and to look about : and uttered these his last words ; let me alone , i shall do well : lord jesus — and so gave up his soul to god , anno christi , and of his age : his works are , synopsis papismi . a sixfold commentarie upon genesis , exodus , leviticus , samuel & , daniel . romans . ecclesia triumphans , thesaurus ecclesiae . a comment upon the epistle of jude . the protestants diet. d. parevs the life of david pareus , who died a no christi . david pareus was born in silesia , anno christi . his parents were citizens of good rank ; when he was about three years old , he fel sick of the small pox , whereof he was like to die , and though it pleased god that he recovered , yet he had thereby a blemish in one of his eyes , which continued so long as he lived . about that time his mother died . when he grew up to riper yeares , his father , perceiving a natural promptnesse in him to learning , set him to school in his own city , where one of his masters was very rigid , and severe in his carriage unto him , and there he learned grammar , musick , and arithmatick : but when he was fourteene years old ( by the instigation of his step-mother ) his father placed him with an apothecary at uratislavia ; which course of life he could not well rellish , and therefore after a moneths stay , hee returned home againe , which his step mother was much offended with , yet his tender father resolved to keep him at school , and when he disliked the severity of his former master , he sent him to hirschberg , to one christopher schillingus , who was much affected with his ingenuity and towardlinesse . the chief magistrate also of that city took a great liking to him , for some verses which he made at his sons funeral , so that he gave him his diet in his family . when he had been there about two yeares , the pastor of that place , who was a lutherane , fell out with his schoolmaster , for that , in catechising of his scholars , he had taught them , that christs body being ascended into heaven was there to remain till his coming to judgement , and that in the sacrament wee feed upon it onely spiritually by faith , &c. and his spleene was so great , that he would not be satisfied till he had driven him away from the city . pareus , having to his great grief lost his master , returned home ; yet neither there was hee in quiet , some talebearers suggesting to his father , that his schoolmaster had infected him with his errors , and so far they prevailed , that his father intended to disinherit him . hereupon pareus resolved to go into the palatinate , which his father much disliked , & sought by all means to hinder ; yet at last , through gods mercy , by importunity , he got his fathers consent , who sent him away with little money in his purse . thus forsaking his friends and fathers house , he went to hirschberg , where hee met with his master , and some of his school-fellows , and so they travelled together towards the palatinate , through bohemia . by the way , his money failing , he went to a monastery to beg an alms , and the abbat pittying him , relieved him . going from thence to another monastery , he met with an ignorant friar , and asking an alms of him in latine , he returned this answer ; nos pauperifratres , nos nihil habemus ; an piscimus , an caro , an panis , an misoricordia habemus . yet at length it pleased god to bring them safely to amberg in the upper palatinate . there his schoolmaster stayed , and sent pareus , with ten more of his scholars , to heidleberg , where they were admitted into the colledge of sapience : there he was a diligent hearer of ursin , boquin , tremelius , zanchy , and the other professors , under whom he profited both in the arts and tongues to admiration . then he betook himself to the study of divinity , and having fitted himself for the work of the ministry , he was chosen by the elector to preach in a village within his jurisdiction , which he was then about to reform . not long after he was called back to heidleberg , and made a publick-lecturer , where he continued till the death of frederick the third , and then by the heterodox party , he with the other professors was driven from thence ; but most of them were entertained by prince casimire , who erected a universitie at neostade , appointing ursin , zanchy , tossan , junius , pisca●or , and others to be the professors in it . he appointed also a synod therein , to consider how to provide for the other exiles . tossan was chosen moderator , and pareus the scribe of it . in that synod pareus gat leave to goe visit his country and friends , and so in three weeks space came safely to them , where he was received with much joy , and at the request of the senate , he preached the sabbath following upon john . . and that with great applause , and general approbation . his father also was so well pleased with him , that presently after the sermon , he cancelled the writing whereby he had disinherited him . the senate also desired him to undertake a pastoral charge in that place ; but he chose rather to return into the palatinate again ; and coming to neostad , he was appointed to preach in a village hard by , where he continued til prince casimire ( as guardian to the young prince elector palatine ) sent for him to be a preacher in the great church in heidleberg , and not long after he was made master of the colledge of sapience in that university . anno christi according to the statutes of the colledge he commenced master of arts , and a fterwards , by the perswasion of his friends , doctor of divinitie also . anno christi at a convention of states at ratisbone , the divines of the palatinate were accused by the lutherans , as holding opinions neither consonant to the scriptures , augustane confession , nor to their own catechi●m . but pareus , at he appointment of the palatine , easily wiped off those aspersions , and vindicated the innocencie of them . anno christi there brake forth a great plague in the university of heidleberg , whereof the learned james kimedontius ( pareus his intimate friend ) died , and some other professors also ; and the students by reason of it were driven away , yet pareus stayd , and it pleased god to preserve his colledge free from the infection . not long after he was chosen professor of the old testament in the room of kimedontius , and presently after rector of the whole university . anno christi he was extremely troubled with a catarrh , insomuch as he despaired of life , yet it pleased god after a while to restore him . anno christi , upon the death of daniel tossan , he was made professor of the new testament ; and grew so famous , that many resorted out of hungarie , borussia , france , england , scotland , ireland , and germany to see , and hear him . anno christi his wife sicken'd , and died , which was a great grief to him . an chr. , the low-countries being exceedingly indangered by the growth of arminianism , the states appointed a synod at dort , for the curing of that disease ; and amongst other famous divines , pareus was chosen by the elector palatine to goe to it , but he being grown very old , and infirm , desired to be excused , and so paul tossan was sent in his room . february the second , anno christi , as pareus was coming out of his study , the steps being slippery with the frost , his foot slipt , and he fell down sixteen steps , and yet it pleased god by a wonderful providence , that ●he light upon his feet , and received no hurt by the fall ; which made him think of that promise psal. , he will give his angels charge over thee , &c. by his doctrine , and counsel he was admirably advantageous to the church of god in many places . he strongly asserted the truth of god against its adversaries . he was a great studier , and promoter of the churches peace ; labouring that they which agree in the fundamentals , should not jar about matters of an inferiour nature . he wrote many excellent works , whereof some were printed by himself , others remained with his son philip pareus , who hath since published them to the great benefit of the church . about that time the spaniards came into the palatinate with their army , which brought great miseries upon that poor country , which pareus foresaw , both by prodigies and dreams . then did his friends both in heidleberg and other places , perswade him to retire himself to some other place of safety ; to whom he yeelded , that so he might not fall into the hands of those bloody papists , whom he had irritated by his writings against them . at his departure , hee cried out , o heidleberg ! o heidleberg ! but it 's better to fall into the hands of god , then of men , whose tender mercies are cruelty . he went to anvilla where he spent his time in prayer , study , and meditation , waiting , and longing for the time of his change . there also he wrote his corpus doctrinae , which when he had finished , he said , lord , now let thy servant depart in peace because he hath finished that which he desired . presently after he felt his strength much to decay , and he fell into a feaver ; and finding that the air in that place agreed not with him , he went thence to neapolis ; earnestly begging of god , that if it were his holy will , he might yet returne to heidleberg , and lay his bones there . he made his will also , finding his former catarrh to return upon him again ; yet , through gods mercy , and by the help of physicians , he recovered , whereupon he resolved to goe to heidleberg , and taking his grand-son , young daniel pareus with him , whom he loved dearly , he came safely to heidleberg , where hee was received with wonderfull acclamations of joy ; about which time prince frederick came thither also from his exile ; and the sabbath following they received the sacrament of the lords supper together with much comfort : but three dayes after , his former disease returning , he was sensible of his approaching death . the professors , and ministers resorted to him , much bewailing their own loss , amongst whom was henry alting , to whom he freely opened his mind both concerning gods house , and his own , and presently after quietly departed in the lord , anno christi , and of his age . his works are bound up together in three volumes . the life of thomas erpenius , who died a no christi . thomas erpenius was born at g●rcome in the low countries , anno christi , of honest parents . in his childhood he was bred in the school of leiden , and admitted into that university at eighteen years old , and in the twenty fifth year of his age , he commenced master of arts. then he fel to the studies of divinity , and of the oriental languages under joseph scaliger , who , observing his ingenuity , and promptnesse , often foretold what an eminent man he would prove in time to come . from thence he travelled into england , france , italy , and germany , in which peregrinations he profited exceedingly both in learning , and prudence . at paris he became intimately acquainted with isaac causabon , and went with him to samure , where he fel hard to the study of arabick , and profited so exceedingly therein , that causabone had him in great admiration , and estimation for the same : from thence he went to venice , where by the help of some learned jews and t●rks , he learned the turkish , persian , and aethiopick language● , whereby he gat so great esteem in italy that he was profered a pension of five hundred duckats by the year to imploy himself in the version of some arabick books into latine . he spent four years in travel , and was famous every where for his learning . at paris , and some other places he bought many arabick books , and so returned to leiden anno christi . about which time there was a purpose to have called him into england , and to have allowed him an honourable stipend , but the year after he was chosen professor of the oriental languages in leiden ; and presently after he set up ( though with extraordinary charges ) a press for those languages , whereby he published many antient monuments both of his own , and other mens . anno christi he married a wife , by whom he left three children surviving him . anno christi he was made professo● of the hebrew also , and though he had so many , and great employments , yet he went through each of them with so great exactnesse , as if he had nothing else to attend upon . anno christi , he was sent by the prince of orange , and the states of holland into france , to procure peter moulin , or andrew rivet to come to leiden to be the divinity professor , and though he prevailed not at that journey , yet they sent him again the year after to andr. rivet , and the french-church to obtain of them their consents for his comming , which businesse he transacted with so great prudence , that he brought andrew rivet along with him to leiden erpenius his fame was so great , that the king of spain wrote to him , making him exceeding great promises if he would come into spain , to interpret some antient writings , which never man yet could doe . the king of morocco also did so exceedingly admire the purity of his arabick stile in some of his epistles , that he shewed them to his nobles , and other learned men , as some great miracle . he was also highly esteemed of by the prince of orange , and the states of holland , who often made use of his labours in translating the letters which they received from princes in asia , and africa out of arabick , or other languages : but whilst he was thus busily imployed in publick , and private , it pleased god that he fell sick of the plague , whereof he dyed , anno christi , and of his age forty . a. scvltetvs the life of abraham scultetus , who dyed a no christi . abraham scultetus was born at grunberg in silesia , anno christi . his parents were of good rank , who carefully brought him up at school , where he profited exceedingly ; and anno christi he went to uratislavia , where he had for his fellow-students pitiscus , polanus , and pelargus , men who after proved eminent in the church of god : having studied there some time , he went thence to freistade to hear melancthon , buc●lzer , and some others : but his active spirit could not long be contained within the bounds of his own country , and therefore being assisted by the bounty of a noble knight , he went to wittenberg , and from thence to dessavia , to acquaint himself with peter martyr , and caspar pucer . anno christi he went to heidleberg , where hee heard d●niel tossan , and francis junius : there also he read lectures of logick , oratory , and astronomy to divers young noblemen , and the year after commenced master of arts. then he betook himself to the study of divinity , thereby to fit himself for the ministry , which from his childhood he had devoted himself to : and preaching before the elector palatine , he so flowed with eloquence and sweetnesse of speech , that the prince , and all his courtiers were much delighted in him ; which caused the elector to make him visitor both of the schools and churches : yea many other princes made use of his help in reforming their churches in juliers : brandenburg , and hannovia : he was also sent to the synod of dort. anno christi the prince elector palatine tooke him into england with him , where he was much esteemed , and respected by king james , and other learned men . at his retu●n to heidleberg he was made professor in the university , and doctor in divinity anno christi : but about that time , grievous wars breaking forth ( the miseries whereof were dispersed afterwards over all germany ) he was forced to leave heidleberg , and travelled into bohemia ; yet there also he met with many afflictions , and dangers , so that having been long tossed up and down in several countries , the lord at last provided him a quiet station at embden , where he was chosen a preacher of the gospel : but being thus worn out with travels , sorrows , and pains in the work of the ministry , hee quietly there slept in the lord , anno christi , and of his age . what admirable endowments he had , his works do sufficiently declare , especially his medulla patrum , which is so much esteemed by learned men . the life of john piscator , who died a no christi . john piscator was born at strasborough , anno christi , at which time germany was on fire with civill wars : yet that hindred not , but he followed his studies very hard , and profited exceedingly in learning . when he came to the study of logick , with great felicity he joyned ramus and aristotle together : and afterwards having made a good progresse in the study of divinity , he was called to herborn to be the professor there , and his labours were so gratefull to young students , that many flocked thither out of germany , france , hungary , poland , and other northern countries . he wrote many things with great diligence , and labour , scarce affording any rest to himself . he translated the whole bible with great pains , and faithfulnesse into the german tongue ; besides his logical , and theological analysis of the greatest part of it . he died at herborn anno christi , and of his age . r bolton the life of robert bolton , who died a no christi . robert bolton was born at blackborn in lancashire , anno christi . his parents finding in him a great promp●nesse to learning , though they had no great means , yet they intended him for a scholar , the rather having an opportunity of a good schoolmaster in the town , where he profited exceedingly , and at twenty years old he went to lincoln colledge in oxford , and was master randal's pupil ( afterwards a famous preacher ) there in a short time ( being wel grounded before , and industrious ) he became an excellent logician , and philosopher . but about that time his father dying , and his meanes failing , hee took excessive paines , and wanting bookes , he borrowed of his tutor , and others , read them over , and abridged them ; and to perfect his knowledge in the greek , he wrote out all homer with intollerable pains , so that he could with as much facility dispute in the schools in greek , as in latine , or english. from thence he removed to brasen-nose colledge , because the fellowships in that house belonged to lancashire , and cheshire men ; yet for want of acquaintance , he stayed long without a fellowship , which made him to languish through want ; but his deserts being known , dr. bret , and some others , together with some small stipends he had for his lectures in that house , supported him , till he gat a fellowship , about the thirtieth year of his age ; then also he commenced master of arts , and being chosen lecturer , he performed it with such exactness , that he grew very famous . his disputations in the university were performed with such acuteness of wit , and profound learning , that he was chosen by the vice-chancellor ( at king james his first coming to the university ) to be one of the disputants before him ; and to read natural philosophy in the publick schools : he was also well studied in metaphysicks , mathematicks , and school divinity ; yet all this while he had nothing in him for religion , he loved stage-playes , cards , dice , was a horrible swearer , sabbath-breaker , and boon-companion ; he neither loved goodness , nor good men . yet hearing the fame of master perkins , he went to cambridge at a cōmencement that he might hear him preach , and having heard him , said , that he was a barren empty fellow , and a passing mean scholar ; but when god changed his heart , he changed his tune , and said , that master perkins was as learned , and godly a divine as our church hath in many yeares enjoyed in so young a man. he had familiar acquaintance with one master anderton , a good scholar , his countriman , and formerly his schoolfellow , but a strong papist , yea a priest ; this man knowing mr. bolton's good parts , and outward wants , took that advantage to perswade him to go over with him to the english seminarie at rome , where he should be furnished with all necessaries , and have gold enough . this motion he accepted of , and a day , and place was appointed in lancashire , to take shipping from thence , and be gone : thither mr. bolton repaired at the time prefixed , but anderton came not , whereby escaping that snare , he returned to oxford , where he fell into acquaintance with mr. peacock , a learned and godly man , whereby it pleased god to bring him to repentance , but by such a way as the lord seldom useth , but upon such strong vessels , as he intendeth for strong encounters , and rare employments , for the lord ranne upon him as a gian , taking him by the neck , and shaking him to pieces , as he did ●ob ▪ beating him to the ground as he did p●ul , by laying before him the ugly visage of his su● , which lay so heavy upon him that he roared for anguish of heart ; yea , it so affrighted him , that he rose somtimes out of his bed in the night , for very anguish of spirit ; and to augment his spiritual misery . hee was assaulted with foul temptations , horribili 〈◊〉 deo , te●ribilia de side , which luther called colaphum satanae this continued for many moneths , but god at last gave a b●essed issue , and these grievous pangs in his new-birth produced two admirable effects in him : an invincible courage in the cause of god ; and a singular dexterity in comforting afflicted spirits . hereupon he resolved to enter into the ministry , and was accordingly ordained the thirty fifth year of his age ; and about two years after , the parsonage of broughton in northamptonshire falling v●yd , serjeant nicols the p●tron , preferred him to it . about the fortieth year of his age he married mistris anne bois of an antient family in kent , and to her care committed the ordering of his outward estate , and applied himself wholly to his studies , and the work of the ministry , and for twenty years together preached twice every lords day , and catechised ; and on every holyday , and friday before the sacrament , he expounded a chapter , whereby he went over most of the historical books of the old , and new testament ; and therein prepared nothing for his people , but what might have se●ved a very learned auditory . in all his preaching , next after gods glor● , he ●imed at the conversion of souls , and god crowned his labours by making him an instrument to beget many sons , and daughters unto righteousnesse . he had an excellent art in relieving afflicted consciences , so that he was sought to far , and near ; yea divers that lived beyond sea desired his resolution in divers cases of conscience . though in his preaching he was a son of thunder , yet to those that mourned in spirit , he was a sweet son of consolation , with a tender heart pouring the oyl of mercy into their bleeding wounds . he had a singular skill in discovering satans sleights , and in battering down his kingdom . in all his sermons he used to discover the filthinesse of sin , and to presse hard upon the conscience the duties of sanctification ; yea , he would spare none , great or small in their sins ; yet in reproving sin , he never personated any man to put him to shame . his life was so blamelesse that he could not justly be taxed by any , of any scandalous sin . he prayed constantly six times a day ; twice with his family , twice with his wife , and twice in secret . he kept many daies of private humiliation ; alwaies before the sacrament , and upon the occasions of the miseries of the church at home , and abroad , which he performed with much ardency of spirit ; and being advised by physicians , for his healths sake , to break off the strong intentions of his studies , he rejected their counsel , accounting it greater riches to enjoy christ , by those fervent intentions of his mind , then to remit them for his healths sake . he was of a comely presence , his countenance was so mixed with gravity , and austerity , that it commanded respect from others . he oft refused preferment , that he might not be divorced from that country where his ministry found such entertainment , and effect . he was universally bountiful ; but especially he exceeded in those publick distresses of germany , france , bohemia , &c. he alwaies spent all the revenues of his living ( which was of good value ) in the maintainance of his family , hospitality , and charity . he fell sick of a quartane ague in september , anno christi , whereupon finding his disease to get strength , and his vigor to grow weaker , he revised his will , and then wholly retired himself from the world , and solaced his soul with the meditation of the joyes of heaven ; and having compiled a discourse de quatuor novissimis ; of death , judgment , hell , and heaven ; having preached over the three former , he told his people , that the next day he would preach of heaven , but the saturday before he fell so sick that he never preached after . though his sicknesse was long and sharp , yet he bore it with admirable patience ; often breathing forth these speeches , oh when will this good hour come ! when shall i be dissolved ! when shall i be with christ ? being told that it was better for the church ( if god would ) for him to stay here , he answered , if i shall find favour in the eyes of god he will bring me again , and shew me both it , and his habitation , and if otherwise , lo here i am , let him do what seemeth good in his eyes , sam. . , . and being asked of another , if he could be content to live if god would grant it him ; he said , i grant that life is a great blessing of god ; neither will i neglect any means that may preserve it , and do heartily desire to submit to gods will , but of the two i infinitely more desire to be dissolved , and to be with christ. to those that came to visit him in his sicknesse , he gave very godly , and wise exhortations . he thanked god for his wonderful mercy in pulling him out of hell , in sealing his ministry by the conversion of souls , which he wholy ascribed to his glory . a week before his death he called for his wife , and desired her to bear his dissolution with a christian fortitude ; and turning to his children , he told them , that they should not now expect that in regard of his weaknesse he should say any thing to them ; he had formerly told them enough , and hoped they would remember it , and hee verily beleeved that none of them durst think to meet him at the great tribunal of christ , in an unregenerate state . some of his neighbours moved , that as he had in his ministry discovered to them the exceeding comforts that were in christ , so he would now tel them what he felt in his soul : alass ! sayd he ; doe you looke for that now from me , that want breath and power to speake ? i have told you enough in my ministry ; yet to satisfie you , i am , by the wonderful mercies of god , as full of comfort as my heart can hold , and feel nothing in my soul but christ , with whom i heartily desire to be . then seeing some weeping , he said , oh what a deal ado there is before one can dye ? when the very pangs of death were upon him , some of his dear friends coming to take their leave of him , he caused himself to be raised up , and after a few gapings for breath , he said to them , i am now drawing on a pace to my dissolution ; hold out faith , and patience , your work will quickly be at an end . then shaking them by the hand , he desired them to make sure of heaven , and to remember what hee had formerly taught them , protesting that it was the truth of god , as he should answer it at the tribunal of christ , before whom he should shortly appeare : and a dear friend taking him by the hand , aske him if hee felt not much pain : truly no ( said he ) the greatest i feel , is your cold hand ; and then being laid down againe , not long after he yeelded up his spirit unto god , anno christi , and of his age . he was one of a thousand for piety and courage , which were so excellently mixed with wisdom , that they who imagined mischief against his ministry , were never able by all their plottings to doe him any more hurt , then only to shew their teeth . he wrote a discourse of true happiness . directions for a comfortable walking with god. ins●●utions for comforting afflicted consciences . a threefold treatise , of the world , sacrament of the lords supper , and fasting , de quatuor novissimis . laus deo. w. whatelie the life of william whately , who died a no christi . william whately was born at banbury in oxfordshire , anno christi , of godly and religious parents : his father master thomas whatelie was oft major of that town . his mother mistris joyce whately carefully bred him up in the knowledge of the scriptures from a child . he was also trained up in learning in the best schools in those parts , and being of a quick apprehension , a clear judgement , and a most happy memory ; he profited so much both in latine , greek , and hebrew , that at fourteen yeares old he went to christs colledge in cambridge . there he was an hard student , and quickly became a good logician , and philosopher , a strong disputant , and an excellent orator . he studied also poetrie , and mathematicks . he was a constant hearer of doctor chaderton , and master perkins : and his tutor calling his pupills to an account what they had learned , when any was at a stand , he would say , whately , what say you ? and he would repeat as readily as if he had preached the sermon himself . being batechelor of arts , his father tooke him home , yet there also he followed his study . afterwards he married a wife , the daughter of master george hunt , an eminent preacher , who perswaded him to enter into the ministry ; and therefore going to oxford , he commenced master of arts , and presently after hee was called to be a lecturer at banbury , which he performed with good approbation for foure yeares , and then was called to the pastoral charge there , in which place he continued untill his death . he was of a quick understanding , of a clear , and deep judgement , of a most firme memory ; and of a lively spirit . hee was naturally eloquent , and had words at will : he was of an able body , and sound lungs , and of a strong and audible voice . and according to his matter in hand , he was a boa●erges , a sonne of thunder ; and yet upon occasion , a barnabas , a sonne of sweet consolation ; and which was the crowne of all , god gave him an heart , sincerely to seek his glory , and to aime at the saving of all their soules that heard him . his speech and praching was not in the inticing words of mans wisdom● but in the demonstration of the spirit and power : he was an apollos , eloquent , and mighty in the scriptures , he catechized , and preached twice every lords day , and a weakly lecture besides , yet what he preached was before well studyed and premeditated . he usually penned his sermons at large ; and if he had but so much time as to read over what he had written , and to gather it up into short heads , he was able to deliver it well near in the same words . his sermons were plaine , yet very scriptural , according to the rules of art , and right reason . hee made use of his grammar learning in greek and hebrew to examine his text by : then of rhetorick to discover what formes of speech in his text were genuine , and used in their proper signification , and what was elegantly clothed in tropes and figures that hee might unfold them . then by a logicall examining of the context , he searched out the true scope of the holy ghost in the words . his doctrines which hee insisted on were naturall , not forced . these he first proved by scriptures , then by other arguments , and reasons ; and in his applications , he either confirmed some profitable truth which might be questioned , or convinced men of some error , or reproved some vice , or exhorted to some duty , or resolved some doubt , or case of conscience ; or comforted such as needed consolation : and if his reproof , or exhortation needed pressing home upon the conscience , he would enlarge himselfe , by shewing motives to urge the duty ; or disswasives from the vice , taking his arguments from duty to god , decency , or shamefulnesse , pleasure , or paine , gaine or losse . sometimes also hee would shew the effectuall meanes of attaining the grace , or power to performe the duty exhorted to . as also the remedies against vices : and when hee fell upon any common place , or head of divinity , hee used to prosecute it very judiciously , and profitably . so that by all this it appeares that hee made good use of his learning , yet without affectation . he used to read books most swiftly , and yet not cursorily ; being able , when he had done , to give an account of the substance , and most remarkable passages of what he had read . though he preached often , yet what he preached was before-hand well studied , and premeditated . and it pleased god to put a seal to his ministry , in the converting , confirming , and building up many thousands in the course of his ministry . hee was a diligent visitor of the sick under his charge , without respect of persons . hee was a great peace-maker amongst any of his flock that were at variance . hee had an heavenly gift in prayer , both for aptnesse , and fulnesse of confessions , petitions , supplications , intercessions , and praises , together with fervencie of spirit to pour them out to god in the name of christ. when he had read a psalm , or chapter in his family , in his prayer hee would discover the scope , meaning , and chiefe notes of observation , and their use , so that his prayer was an excellent commentary thereupon ; and this , not onely in the plainer , but ●n the harder texts of scripture also . in his prayers also after sermon he could collect into a short summe all that hee had delivered to his hearers , and make it the matter of his prayer unto god , that they might bee inwardly taught of god , and become believers and doers of what was taught them . his constant practice was , besides family-prayer twice a day , and sometimes catechizing , to pray also with his wife , and alone , both morning and evening . he set a part private daies of humiliation for his family upon special occasions , and oft for their preparation to the lords supper ; at which times he would exceed himself in pouring out his soul to god with many tears . he was much in daies of private fasting , and humbling himself alone before god , which impaired his health , but made much for the health of his soul. he was very able , and very ready to confer with , and to resolve the doubts of such as came to him . he bare such a tender love to that great people over which god had set him , that , though his means was small , and he had many offers of great preferment in the church , yet hee would not leave them . hee was daily inquisitive after the affaires of gods church , and sympathized with gods people both in their weale and woe . he was much grieved when he saw that difference in opinions bred strangenesse amongst christians , that agreed in the same fundamentall truths . he was judiciously charitable to such as shewed the power of godlinesse in their lives , though they were not of his judgement in all things . he was glad when any of the righteous smote him , and would take it well , not from his superiours onely , but from his equals , and far inferiours ; and would really shew more testimonies of his love to such afterwards then ever he did before . hee abounded in workes of mercy , he was a truly liberal man , one that studyed liberall things , seeking out to finde objects of his mercie , rather then staying till they were offered : he did set apart , and expend for many yeares together for good uses the tenth part of his yearly commings in , both out of his temporall , and ecclesiasticall meanes of maintenance . he entertained some poor widdows , or nece●●itous persons , weekly at the least , at his table ; and his estate prospered the better after hee took this course ; and in his sicknesse he comforted himself with that promise , psal. . , . blessed is he that considereth the poor , the lor● will deliver him in the time of trouble , the lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing , &c. the truth of grace in his heart was discovered by nothing more then by his slips and strong tentations : for hereby hee was made more watchfull over himselfe , more humble , and more to loath his originall corruption , and sinfull nature ; and so to cry out with the apostle , o wretched man that i am , who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? yea this made him more earnest in his prayers unto god , and more pittifull unto others : and hee was alwayes the first espier of his own faults when the world could not , or did not take notice of them , enjoying no rest in himselfe till he had sought , and regained pardon , and peace with god. his last daies were his best dayes , for then hee grew exceedingly in humility , and in heavenly-mindednesse . and a good while before his latter end , god gave him victory over his greatest corruptions , which for a long time kept him in continuall exercise . about eight weeks before his death , he was much troubled with a cough , and shortnesse of breath , which much weakned him , yet hee preached divers times , till his encreasing weaknesse disabled him . in his sicknesse he gave heavenly and wholsom counsel to his people , neighbours , and friends that came to visit him , exhorting them to labour to redeem the time , to be much in reading , hearing , and meditating upon the word of god , much in praier , brotherly love , and communion of saints , and that they would be careful to hold that fast that he had taught them out of the word of truth , and that wai●st the means of salvation was to bee had , they would neither spare paines nor cost to enjoy it . his pains towards his end were very great , yet hee bore them patiently . he was much in ejaculations , and lifting up his heart to god in behalf of the church and state , and for himself also , wherein he was most frequent and earnest . a little before his death , a godly friend and minister praying with him , that if his time were not expired , god would bee pleased to restore him for the good of his church , or , if otherwise , that he would put an end to his pains , if hee saw good ; he lifting up his eyes stedfastly towards heaven , and one of his hands , in the close of that prayer gave up the ghost , shutting his eyes himself , as if he were fallen into a sweet sleep , anno , and of his age . god took him away a little before the civill warres began , and before the sad desolations that fell upon the town of banbury in particular . he wrote prototypes . god husbandry . a treatise of the new birth . the redemption of time . a care cloth . the bride bush , &c. the life of anthony wallaeus , who died anno christi . anthony wallaeus was descended of the ancient family de wale in the city of gaunt , where his predecessors had born sundry offices from the year to that present time ; his father was james wallaeus , who was brought up in the family of count egmond , who lost his head by the spanish tyranny . his mother was margaret wagenaer , a beautifull and pious matron , of an illustrious family , and powerfull kindred . our anthony was born octob. . anno chr. , in the city of gaunt , just at the same time when the duke de alva ( after all his cruelties exercised in the low countryes ) returned into spain . his mother in his childhood was very carefull to traine him up in the rudiments of piety , and good manners , and his father was as careful to give him liberall education : for which end , when he could read , and write reasonable well , at eight years old he committed him to the care of titus ab edingen , a minister , to be taught the latine tongue . the boy was very beautifull , of a ruddy colour , of a sweet , and pleasing conversation , and therefore his master loved him above all his other scholars . not long after this titus of edingen was called into holland to be minister at saint hildegond near to harlem , whereupon our anthony was necessitated to return to his parents at gaunt , and was by his father committed to the care of samuel lansberg , a minister in that city , to be by him further instructed in the latine tongue . about this time the city of gaunt was full of factions , and divisions , so that his father ( for favouring the prince of orange ) was clapt up in prison ; whereupon our anthony returned home to his mother , and by his prompt obedience , sweet manners , & childish blandishments , was a great comfort to her during the time of her husbands close imprisonment : but at last his father was set free , who considering the troublesom state of the city , and not knowing what might be the issue , sent away all his most precious moveables to delph in holland . shortly after gaunt was besieged by the prince of parma , which being foreseen by jam. wallaeus , he had made such provision before hand , that he lived quietly , and comfortably during all the siege : but at last the city was to be surrendred upon articles , amongst which this was one , that six such citizens should be delivered up to the prince , as he should nominate ; james wallaeus , upon good grounds , suspecting that he should be one of the six , a few dayes before the surrender , privately stole out of the city , and went to walochrta : his wife margaret staying at gaunt to dispose of her goods , was so vexed , and abused by the citizens , that she resolved rather to leave part of them , and goe her wayes , then to stay there any longer ; and because all were forbidden to depart from the city , taking her son anthony , who was now tenne years old , and her two daughtets , they stole away in the night , and went on foot to philippine . and shortly after not onely the citizens of gaunt , but of all the neighbouring places did so molest , and abuse the protestants , that they forced them to leave their habitations , and to seeke for refuge in other countries , most of which went into zeland , which of all other places shewed the most humanity , bounty , and hospitality to these p●o● exiles . yet lest under pretence of flight the enemies should mingle themselves amongst the protestants , and so make some ate●pt upon the isles of zeland , the zelander● sent some ships of war to philippine under the conduct of james wallaeus , with a special charge that none should be brought out of flanders into zeland , but such as he should approve of . in the mean time margaret , and our anthony went to delph in holland , to fetch away their goods which formerly were sent thither ; but their friend to whom they had sent them , denyed that great part of them ever came to his hands , and they wanting sufficient proof , were faign to take such as he acknowledged , and so they returned to middleborough . james wallaeus had so well demeaned himself in the aforementioned imployment , that the president of zeland , who had formerly known him at gaunt , committed to his care the custody of the magazine for provision , and ammunition ; and because he would not wholly trust his servants in so weighty a businesse , he imployed his son anthony to have an oversight of them , who , though he was but . years old , yet was serious and prudent above his age. his place was to see such things as his father bought , laid up the publick granary and armory ; as also to see them delivered out and divided to the several cities as he was appointed , and to acquaint his father where there was any want : and thus he was imployed for two years , at the end whereof his father resolved to settle him with his mother at middleborough , that he might be fitted for some honest course of life ▪ but having lost much of his estate by his exile , and his family being encreased by the birth of two sons , he durst not think of training him up in learning , as formerly he had determined : wherefore that he might be fitter for any future imployment , he placed him with jodocus larenus , a publick notary , a man of much experience , of a great judgement , and of unspotted honesty , with whom by his daily practise he attained to much swiftness in writing : and as things were related to him , he could readily apprehend , fitly word them , and draw them into a publick instrument in good order : which some merchants taking notice of , each of them strove to get him into his family , profering him good pay for his pains : but our anthony being not yet resolved what course of life to follow , continued three years with larenus . at the end whereof lying one night with his father on the straw , he had a sudden instinct that god had designed him for the work of the ministry , and these thoughts did so follow him night and day wheresoever , and about whatsoever he was , that he could not blot them out of his memory . hereupon at last he resolved to dedicate himself to his studies ; and having gotten leave of his father , he went to the grammer school in middleborough , the chief master whereof was iames gruter , a painful man , and well versed both in greek and latine : he had also for his assistant iohn murdison , who was an acute and solid philosopher . this murdison lived with gruter , who being desirous to finde out the ingenie of our anthony , he placed him at gruters table ; yet least he should be drawn aside by rude lads , his parents would have him daily to come home to supper . with these masters hee lived six years , and profited so much under them that he could make elegant verses , and pronounce orations publickly , which gruter thought fit both for his own and his scholars credit to publish in print : neither did he profit less in the greek tongue , so that he made excellent greek verses which also were printed : he laid solid foundations also of philosophy , so that his masters caused him to keep publick disputations about sundry controversies in philosophy : he was so studious , that that time which other boys spent in play , he refreshed himself by variety of studies . his masters now finding him fit , resolved to send him to the university , where he might better be instructed in the arts then he could be in that school . for which end he went to leiden in april , anno christi . and sojourned in the house of thomas spranckhusius , minister of leiden : and presently began to consider how he might best imploy himself for the advancement of his studies , whereas other boys used to spend the first year in looking about them : and he resolved to go on in this method : first to perfect his knowledge in the tongues , then of philosophy , and at last to proceed to the study of divinity : and that he might perfect his skill in the greek , he resolved to read over the poets , who best express the genius of the language , and amongst them he made choice of homer , because he useth every dialect , his speech flows pleasingly , and he makes his reader more wise : and that he might better pierce into the profundity of that language , upon every occasion he consults with joseph scaliger , a man of stupendious learning , to whom wallaeus was always very dear , and he was much delighted with his wit. afterwards from greek he proceeded to the study of hebrew , wherein he was assisted by francis rapbelingius , a very courteous man : but he shortly after dying , and francis iunius being chosen into his room , our wallaeus profited so much under him , that he could understand the books of the old testament without an interpreter : he proceeded not to the study of the rabbins , because he judged that they that bestow much time in the study of the tongues , are very seldom good artists . for mans minde cannot contain all things : the knowledge of the tongues will take up the whole man : and therefore our wallaeus whilst he studyed the languages laid aside all other studies ; only sometimes for recreation-sake he would read over some old latine authors , historians , poets , and orators . when he was well furnished with the tongues , he went to the study of philosophy ; but finding that leiden at that time was not well furnished with philosophers , he attended the lectures of raph snel , the mathematick professor , under whom he learned geometry , astronomy , and the opticks , which proved very useful to his future studies . in his study of logick he made use of keckerman , to whom he added zabarel , monlor , and some others : in physicks he used tolet , zabarel , picholhomini : in ethicks he was most taken with accioalus : yet he read picholhomini , magirus , muret , quarsius metaphysicks : he read over also thomas and scotus , after which he proceeded to plato and aristotle , whom he read in their own language wherein they are most perfect . to these he added plotinus , ficinus , simplicius , aphrodisaeus , and averrhoes : and in these studies he could the better proceed without help , because he had been well grounded in all the parts of philosophy by his master murdison ; and indeed he made such a progress therein that he exceeded all his contemporaries , so that in his disputations he often gravelled the moderators themselves : for he was prompt and subtile in invention , clear in explication , and sharp in pressing home his arguments . the chiefest scope which he proposed to himself in the study of philosophy was to further him in divinity , and therefore judging it necessary to have the advice and assistance of some able divine , with the good leave of spranckhusius , he removed to the table of francis gomarus , hiring a chamber in the next house , till he could get a lodging in gomarus his house , which fell out within some few moneths after . at this time francis junius was made professor of divinity , a divine of profound learning , grave , and of a deep judgment : as also luke tralcatius , the father , a solid divine : and francis gomarus a man of much learning and servent piety : but wallaeus preferred iunius above all , and therefore endevoured to follow his example . yet taking gomarus his counsel , he did not begin his study of divinity by reading common places , least being led with other mens opinions , and thereby prepossessed with prejudice , he should be led aside from the truth : but he first read the several forms of concord of the reformed churches , the catechism of heidleberg and the belgick confession of faith , and so wholly betook himself to the reading of the sacred scriptures , which he read with great attention and assiduity , getting the chiefest heads of doctrine by heart : so that when he was old he could repeat without book the epistle to the romans , the second to the corinthians , to the galathians , ephesians , and philippians : but he read them all in the originals , so that in his sermons he was very ready in the words of scripture . yet finding that by reading the scripture alone , he could hardly comprehend in his minde the whole body of doctrine , being now well versed in the scriptures , he betook himself to the theological institutions of bucanus , that so he might at once see into the whole compendium of divinity : yet did he not stay long upon a compendium , but proceeded to the study of calvins institutions , and peter martyrs common places : yet was he best pleased with martyr , because he handled the whole doctrine plainly , discoursed largely of controversies , and answered them solidly . whilst he was thus busied , luke tralcatius first , and after him francis gomarus began privately to read common places , whom he resolved to hear , because in private they handled all thing more familiarly and largely then in publick : yet especially he attended the publick lectures , because they were more accurate and learned ; and if after the lectures he doubted of any thing , he repaired to them in private for further satisfaction . when he had profited well in the study of common places , he proceeded to the reading of commentaries upon the sacred scriptures : and first be read over piscators analysis , whereby he might get the whole context of each part of scripture into his minde : then for the sense of the scripture he read calvin , whom he used to call a divine interpreter . to whom in his reading of the new testament he adjoyned beza : and in reading of the old testament , mercer , and arias montanus , whereby he might attain to the knowledge of the governments and rites amongst the iews , without the knowledge whereof it is impossible to attain to the sense of many texts of scripture . wallaeus having now read much , and heard long , began to prepare himself for action , and disputed publickly three times : de vera theologia , de mysterio trinitatis , et de christi mediatoris officio : by which disputations he procured to himself much admiration : for being excellently versed in philosophy , he answered to the terms appositly : and being very ready in the sacred scriptures , he always closed up his answer with some sutable tex● , which was very grateful to the hearers : he also sometimes preached in private , being directed therein by luke tralcatius , an eloquent preacher : and the first publick sermon which he preached was at voorschoten , in a great concourse of people , who expected no ordinary thing from him . and so wallaeus was now judged fit by his masters to enter into the ministry : but though he abundantly satisfied others , yet could he not satisfie himself : whereupon he resolved before he undertook that great and difficult work , that he would consult with other learned men , and visit forreign universities , and see into the government of other churches , especially of geneva and helvetia , whence reformation at first proceeded ; and therefore getting one apollonius schot for his companion , who was the consuls son of middleborough , anno christi . he sailed from flushing into france , where he visited roan , and some other cities , and so came to paris : in which city he made some stay , inquiring into the government of france , and wondered that the king could exercise such an absolute jurisdiction , and yet have so much love from his people . but especially he attended to their philosophical and thealogical lectures , which yet he disliked , because they followed the schoolmen so much , though contrary to the sacred scripture's to sound reason and sense . after some little stay here , he went to orleance , biturg , lyons , and vienna : at which place he visited the pastors , and found that through the commendations of iunius , he was better known there then he expected : for some of the neighbor churches much importuned his stay amongst them , profering him a good stipend , and a coadjutor if he would read philosophy and divinity amongst them : but wallaeus considering their propinquity to geneva and lausanna , thought that there was no great need of his imployment there : besides he thought that amongst strangers he should be exposed to envy , where he could not have the assistance of his friends ; and his desire was to have some such imployment in his own country , and therefore leaving them ( his mony beginning to fail him ) he went to gratianople , and so to geneva . at geneva he sought out such a place to sojourn in where he might best advance his studies , and therefore made choice of charles parrots house , who was a minister of the word , and also professor of divinity . whilst he abode there , his first care was to perfect himself in the french tongue , which he attained to by converse with the citizens , and reading french writers , so that he many times preached in french. at this time the divinity professors in geneva were theodore beza , anthony faius , and charles perrot : beza was now above years old , and had given over reading : fajus had good learning , but was neither a good expositor , nor quick disputant . perrot was very learned , and had more in him then he promised : yet each of these scarce read one lecture in a week : therefore he spent most of his time in hearing sermons , which were more frequent in geneva then in other places : but above all he most admired beza's sermons , who though he was so old , yet excelled in vigor of minde , profound learning , sharp judgement , and manlike eloquence , for which the world much wondred at him . he profited also very much by their friday-meetings , wherein one of the ministers explained some texts of scripture ; and when he had done , the other ministers ( if it needed ) either gave further explanations , restrictions , or emendations : only when it came to beza's turn to begin , the other ministers reverenced what he had said by their silence : he also profited exceedingly by his frequent conferences with beza . his converse with perrot , by how much it was more frequent and familiar , by so much the more grateful was it to him ; for he did not endeavor so much to seem as to be truly godly and learned . he never held much correspondence by letters with learned men , judging that course to tend more to ostentation then to edification . he liked the government of the church of geneva very well , where neither wives nor widows were shut up in their houses , but dayly attended the publick prayers and sermons : and where vices were not only punished , but the occasions of them taken away , by removing luxury and rigor . at this time there lived a divine in geneva that excelled all the rest in the knowledg of the hebrew ; who perswaded wallaeus that he attained to his skill in a very short time by the art of memory ; whereupon he applyed himself to him , and in six weeks space learned by heart the whole epitome of pagnine , with such excellent success that thereby he was enabled well to interpret any place of the holy scriptures , and to give a fit reason of it : but for some reasons disliking this way of learning , he laid it aside , and made little further use of it . about this time henry steven dyed , and being in debt , his books were publickly sold for a little to satisfie his creditors , upon which occasion wallaeus bought a whole library of greek authors , in reading whereof he much refreshed his minde after his more serious studies . not far from geneva is the mountain of jura , whose top is much above the clouds , whereupon wallaeus had a great desire to go to the top of it to see what was done in the other region of the ayr : therefore joyning to himself the company of charles perrot , the city secretary , and a third friend , in the longest days in may , they went to the foot of this hill where they lodged all night : and very early next morning , two shepheards leading them by the hands , they began to climbe up the mountain , and about noon began to enter into the middle region of the ayr , where they found it extream cold , and the mountain was covered with great hils of ice , only on the south side some paths appeared , by which they ascended , and towards the evening came to the top ; which contained about ten acres of land : the precipice was so great that they were afraid to look down , but when they lay along upon the ground , from whence the villages seemed no bigger then wals , and other mountains seemed like molehils : in this top there was neither ice or snow : the ayr was very cold , yet thin and pure : and being all musical , they began to sing , which sounded far more sweetly then in any part of the lower world. at last as on one side they beheld france , and on the other side italy , they observed vapors to ascend out of the lake of leman which stayed about the mountain , then gathered together , and at last became a thick cloud , so that it wholly took away their sight of the earth : and when night was come they began to descend , and after a while entred into the cloud , where they could wash their hands ; and when they had passed this cloud , it was dissolved into rain , which wet them through , and so at last they came to the shepheards coats , where they rested , and the night following came to the bottom of the mountain ; for they could not go so fast down as they went up . not long after wallaeus taking along with him adrian mammaker , who was afterwards president of zeland , went to swim in the lake of leman ; and as he was swiming he observed a stranger that was swiming a good way off , suddenly to sink , and ready to be drowned : whereupon ( being very tender-hearted ) he hasted to him , drew him out of the water , and carryed him to the shore : by whom ( after he was recovered ) he understood that he was a cobler of holland ; who as he was swiming fell into this disaster . after a while having attained his end for which he went to geneva , he removed to lausanna anno christi . and finding nothing there that might occasion his stay , he went to bern , from whence he went to zurick , and schaphusen , where he saw the cataracts of the river rheine , like to the cataracts of nilus . at zurick the magistrates being informed by their ministers of the excellent learning of wallaeus , to shew their respects to him , invited him to a great feast . whilst he was at bern , he grew into familiar acquaintance with zendererus the cheif praefect of the colledge , who gave him great hopes of preferment if he would stay there : but wallaeus having dispatched his business there , hasted to basil , where james grynaeus and amandus polanus were professors of divinity : grynaeus was a very wary and prudent man , and of excellent learning , but one that much addicted himself to civil affairs , so that basil seemed wholly to be governed at his discretion . he read history lectures which he had brought down to his own time . polanus was a very learned man , and at that time was reading upon the doctrine of predestination . but wallaeus mostly applyed himself to the lectures of john buxtorf , who was hebrew professor , and was most skilful of the genius of that language , and in the antiquities of the jews : at this time he was expounding the commentaries of the rabbins upon the twelve minor prophets . wallaeus observing that he was often frustrated in his expectation , finding every thing less then he hoped for , he resolved to adventure to do something publickly himself , which he rather chose to do abroad then at home , because in case there should be any miscarriage , it might not blemish his credit , nor hinder his future promotion . and he chose basil to perform it in , because scarce in any other university were students suffered to supply the place of professors . therefore to give them some taste of his learning , he made some verses and published them : he made also some theses about the providence of god , framed of scripture phrases , concerning which he disputed publickly with polanus : in which he did so orderly repeat , appositely answer , and solidly prove , that by the paw they might easily know the lyon ; whereupon he had the professors chair allotted to him , out of it publickly to dispute himself , and to moderate at the disputations of others : which also he frequently performed , in somuch as when polanus or grynaeus had any other business , they presently had recourse to wallaeus to dispute in their rooms : whereby he procured so much love and esteem both from the professors and students , that when he went away , they would needs signifie the same to the belgick churches under the seal of their university . wallaeus his course in his travels was this ; in the summer time he used to go through countries , veiw cities , fields , rivers , mountains , and to enquire what in nature or by art was observable in them . in winter time he fixed himself in some city , where he might promote his study of divinity , and learn the government of the province : and accordingly having satisfied himself at b●sil , when the spring came , he went to strasborough , spire , and heidleberg , at which place he considered whether it was better to make his abode that summer , or to travel through germany . the fame of that university perswaded him to the former , which was accounted equal with that of leiden : but above all the library of manuscripts perswaded his stay there , into which he had free access by the curtesie of janus gruter his countryman : there were also professors of divinity deservedly famous , viz. daniel tossanus , and david paraeus : the former interpreted the new testament , who being grown old lived but a few months after : and pareus interpreted the prophet hosea , of which scripture he had a little before heard buxtorf . he observed also that the government of the palatinate was unfit for the low-countries : the power of ecclesiastical affairs under the prince was in the hand of eight civil and eight ecclesiastical senators : these chose ministers , placed them both in cities and villages , removed them from one place to another , and set bounds to all theological controversies : whereby they provided well to uphold the authority of the prince , and to preserve the peace of the church ; but little to the comfort of souls , when many times they had ministers imposed upon them against their liking , and always such as they had no knowledge of . leaving heidleberg he went to franckfurt upon main , where he stayed awhile , and then went to hessen , remaining awhile in the lantgraves court , who often conferred courteously with him , and so to marpurg , and from thence to brunswick and bremen : and having thus travelled tbrough forreign countries , he resolved to be no stranger in his own ; wherefore from thence he went into frisland , gelderland , vtrich , overisle , and so at last came to leiden to the house of gomarus his old host. but before he setled himself to his study there , he went to middleborough to visit his aged parents , having been now three years from them , who received him with all the joy that might be : yet after a short stay he returned to leiden , where he found the face of the university somewhat changed . for joseph scaliger would needs have the precedency of all the professors : but all the professors opposed him , because the place did indeed belong to junius , and the states of holland interposed their authority ; for though they esteemed well of scaliger , yet they would not have junius offended , nor others who were of more solid learning , and more useful then himself ; wherefore the place was conferred upon junius , and instead of reading hebrew lectures , he was appointed to write against bellarmine . wallaeus now was not so diligent in attending lectures as formerly : but weighed every part of divinity , and observed how far he had pierced into the more abstruse parts of it , and where he was defective , he searches authors , meditates , and by conference with junius and gomarus satisfies himself , and being weary of reading modern authors , wherein he found some things meanly handled , and othersome foolishly , and withall considering that they carryed no authority with them , he betook himself to the reading of the ancient fathers , especially augustine , whom he found more nervous and quick in disputing then the rest : and in the mean time he exercised himself in preaching , sometimes in leiden , and sometimes in the neighbor villages , which he performed with such a grace , that he was called to a pastoral charge in leiden . this call being so unexpected , troubled him so much the more : he thought it a great honour to be at first called to a place in so eminent a city , where also he had the benefit of the university for the promoting of his learning : but yet he judged it a very hard burden to govern a great church who had not yet learned to govern a little one : hereupon he betook himself by his ardent prayers unto god for direction , and at last resolved to refer the business wholly to the judgement of his parents : they , by gomarus , returned thanks to the presbytery , and make many excuses why he could not accept of the call : but the truth is , their principal reason was , because they would have their son ( the staffe of their old age ) neerer to them . and indeed they were not satisfied till leaving the university , he came home to them , which was in the spring , anno christi . the whole course of his life from his childhood , both in the university , in his travels , and hitherto , had been very blameless , pious , modest , free from luxury and wantonness ; and his care was that as he grew in years he might grow in goodness : he never minded trifles : yet was not his conversation austere and froward , but mild and pleasing . he was unwearyed in his studies , spending not only the days , but half the nights therein , that going cold to bed sometimes he rose out of it before he was well warm ; so that once whilst he was at leiden he fell into a quartain ague which held him fourteen moneths , which was accompanyed with a cough , notwithstanding which he would not desist from the course of his studies ; whereby he contracted a weakness of stomach , accompanyed with crudities and a stopping in his head , from which he was never free all his life after . being thus come to middleborough , he submitted himself to examination in order to his ordination , and his examiner was james cornelii , one of the ministers ; but being inferior in learning to wallaeus , not wallaeus but ●ornelii was examined . after his examination he was to preach monethly before the ministers , to make him more prompt and ready in it : he was also admitted to be weekly present at their presbyteries , that he might be acquainted with their way of government before he undertook it himself . in all which exercises and conferences in the presbyteries , they observed that young wallaeus was of an acute wit , composed judgement , and profound learning . about this time a pastoral charge was void at caletus , and the ministers of middleborough would fain have sent wallaeus thither : but his parents took it very ill that when they had refused a place in leiden which was in the heart of the low-countries , he should now be sent into a corner , which is exposed to the injuries both of the french and spaniards , whereupon they sharply opposed themselves against it , and wallaeus himself disliked it : but when some ministers shewed themselves very violent , the magistrates ( to gratifie his parents ) put an end to the controversie . this also happened at the same time : there was neer to middleborough a village called koukerk which wanting a pastor , chose wallaeus for their minister , which he accepted of , and so undertook the charge in n●vemb . an. chri. . accounting it a great honour that god was pleased thus to admit him into his service ; and withall considering the greatness of the burthen in procuring the welfare of souls , wherein the least miscarriage is a great sin against god , he not only now , but all his life after never undertook any thing , till he had first craved the assistance of god , begging of him wisdom and ability to mannage it a right . at koukerk he attained to a promptness and habit of preaching , he learned to govern a church , to comfort the afflicted , to resist the obstinate and sectaries , with whom he so far prevailed that they adjoined themselves to the church , and ever after reverenced wallaeus as their father . his sermons were so famous that when grave moris besieged sluce anno christi . . the wallachrian classis made choice of wallaeus to be joined to john vtenbogard the court preacher , to be chaplain to the army . this vtenbogard was an eloquent preacher , one that sought to ingratiate himself with the great ones : whereas wallaeus sought to please god rather then men ; and indeed at his first coming , what by prayers , and what by admonition , he prevailed with the colonels and captains to banish swearing from amongst them . vtenbogard made too much account of socinus , and still carryed about him a new testament , having annotations every where written in it by socinus his own hand . but wallaeus abhorred his opinions . sluce being taken , wallaeus returned to koukerk , setling all his affairs , as if he meant to live there all his life ; and having a competent estate , he desired not an encrease of his stipend : he had a full congregation , yet not burdensome : so that besides his ministerial employments he had sufficient time for his private studies : he was well beloved of his people , and had good societie with his elders and deacons : his town was not above an hours walk from middleborough and flushing : fruitful of pastures , had good store of corn-ground , and pleasant orchards it was neer to that sea by which greater ships go into the havens of zeland : he had a large house , a spacious garden , which he kept very neat and orderly . at this time middleborough had but three churches , and the auditories grew too big for them , whereupon they petition the magistrate for a fourth church , and a eighth minister to have a stipend allowed him . the church was appointed neer to the fish-market , and by the presbytery wallaeus was appointed for the minister . truly wallaeus desired to stay at koukerk , and not mingling himself with the troubles of the world , to serve god and his people in that place : yet durst he not resist this call , having thereby an opportunity of more service . his two years stay at koukerk had much changed the course of his life : for having in the first year dispatched the work of his sermons and catechising , he began to bethink himself of entring into a marryed condition : and having found out paschaesia of isenhout , a pious , prudent , and well-bred maid , he consulted with his parents for their consent : and so all things concurring to his , and their mindes , he marryed her aug. the seventh , anno christi . but presently after he lost his parents , first his mother , and then his father , who survived her but a little time . in the whole time of their sickness our wallaeus attended upon them , and comforted them with divine consolations out of gods word : wherefore at the hour of death they both of them blessed him , and gave him this testimony , that he had never offended them in all his life . wallaeus laid their death exceedingly to heart , so that for a years space no day passed wherein he did not with grief think on them , nor night wherein he did not dream of them : but it pleased god that in december the . he had a son born whom he called john ; this somewhat mitigated his sorrows . before this , the citizens of middleborough had much importuned him to remove his habitation to their city : but he would not consent to it till his wife was brought to bed , least he should seem to contemn his people at koukerk , who had shewed themselves so honest and loving to him : but when she was up again , he then removed , and was entertained both by the people and magistrates with great applause , being received with more favour then ordinary , which stirred up envy in some of the ministers of middleborough ; who thereupon would have had him confined to a little church that was in the outmost part of the city ; but the presbytery would not suffer it : yea it returned to the glory of wallaeus that these ancient ministers feared least he should get their auditories from them : but after a while he moderated their passions by his modesty , courtesie , and readiness to do any offices of love to them , so that he lived very friendly with them . in his ministry he thought that he did not sufficiently discharge his duty by preaching and governing ; and therefore every sabbath day at five a clock he catechized , wherein he explained all the common places in divinity , and whereby he made his people very ready in the knowledge of the scriptures , so that some of them were fitted for the work of the ministry in the indies . he was diligent in visiting his parishoners , whereby he reformed many which were given to vitiousness , giving them counsel how they might shun those sins which naturally they were addicted to . he satisfied doubting consciences , and extricated them out of the snares of satan : he raised up and comforted those that were cast down at the apprehension of gods wrath for their sins . in these his visitations he ministred relief to widows , orphans , and such as were destitute of all humane help : he encouraged such as were weak and sick to persevere in faith , and prepared them for death : and such as were neer death he comforted them against the terrors thereof , and wrought in them a desire to be with christ ; yea he did not only visit such as owned him for their minister , but sectaries also , papists , and anabaptists ; which he did with such sweetness , that his company was never grievous to them ; and he carryed himself so justly that many times even they repaired to him for advice in cases of conscience about matrimony , and always went well satisfied from him . this much troubled a popish priest called curio , who knowing how powerful wall●us was in reproving sin , to deter his disciples from conference with wallaeus , or hearing his sermons , told them that the devil always sate upon his shoulders , and as he was preaching suggested to him what he should say . but god turned his malice and lyes to good : for many papists either drawn by curiosity , or by the fame of the man , or upon the occasion of baptisms into his church , when they heard nothing that was diabolical to proceed out of his mouth , they began to esteem their curio a slanderer , to doubt of the truth of his other sayings , to perceive that they learned more , and received more comfort by wallaeus his sermons then by his , and so by degrees fell off to the reformed religion . wallaeus his colleagues left to him , yea appointed him as the most learned man amongst them , to take care that their religion received no detriment , and to defend the same against all adversaries , wherein like another hercules he subdued many monsters . there was one abraham beckman that of a long time had disturbed the peace of the church of middleborough : a man of a sharp wit and blameless life ; he reproved the ministers for baptizing such children whose parents were not members of the church ; and he had drawn some hundreds of the church membrs to his party : to these wallaeus opened the doctrine of truth more plainly ; by conference and disputations he overthrew the pertinacious , convinced most of them by writing , and so brought them to an acknowledgement of their errors . but wallaeus thought it not sufficient to conquer them , but he would also gain them to the church , which he effected by procuring that beckman should be chosen one of the presbytery , whereby he was quieted , and afterwards did good service to the church . sectaries are never better quieted , then whilst they pretend for god , they may have riches , or honours conferred upon them . shortly after there was one gedeon vanden bogard , a noble man of flanders , who being inticed with great promises , was resolved to turn over to the king of spains party , and therefore also must change his religion : for which end he gives out that the popish religion was truer then the reformed , and that in the point of transubstantiation , which he undertook to prove by the assistance of father gauda a jesuite of antwerp , who was grown to that height of impudency and impiety , that he published in print that he would pawn his soul to god to expiate all the errors that were in the romane church : to whom therefore wallaeus presently answers , and shews that the pontificians themselves could not otherwise understand the words of institution in the lords supper but figuratively : and that the body of christ ●ould not be in infinite places at the same time , for that then it should cease to be a body , which is always circumscribed within its own limits , so that gauda held his peace . presently after , a certain stranger coming to middleborough , ( for zeland brings forth no such monsters ) preached that christ had excellently taught reverence to god , and love to our neighbors : but that his doctrine might have the more we●ght , h●d affirmed himself to be the son of god by a certain pious fraud , saying that he was god , when indeed he was not . and not content to divulg these blasphemies in private , he preached them in publick . vvallaeus judged this man the more dangerous , by how much he seemed to be very religious , and that he would not speak without commending christ , whenas indeed he sought to destroy him : wherefore setting upon him in a publick assembly , he proved that in the nativity , life , and death of christ all things did concur , which were foretold of the messias in the old testament , and therefore that he could not but be god , which was required in the messias : that christ , whom he confessed to teach piety , must express it in his life , and therefore could not begin his doctrine with a lye , who must not do evill that good might come of it . neither was it worth the while for him to suffer persecutions , stripes , and the cross to maintain a lye . that the apostles who continually accompanyed him , would not have conspired in the same lye , and for it have suffered banishment , torments , and death . that god would not have suffered such things as he foretold to have come to pass about his death , resurrection , and the destruction of hierusalem , if he had endeavoured to obtrude a false god upon the people . that he would not have granted him the power of working miracles , of healing the sick , restoring the lame , curing the blinde , and raising the dead . that his religion in a few years , by fisher men , without any humane strength , should have been dispersed through the whole world , which god would not have suffered if he had brought a strange god and idolatry with him . this villain being overcome by these arguments , his followers left him , and he hid his head in a corner . but these were but small velitations in comparison of those continual bickerings which he had with the remonstrants all his life long : which that we may the better understand , take it thus ; when reformation began in the low-countries , all that opposed popery were not of one minde : and nothing so united them together as their hatred of popery : but least the unsound protestants should mingle themselves with the sound , the orthodox party anno christi . published a confession of their faith , which afterwards was called the belg●ck confession ; and to prevent infection from those which were heterodox , in a full synod at embden , anno christi . it was ordained that none should be admitted for a minister , till he had been examined , and had subscribed this confession , and the catechism of heidleberg : which decree was confirmed in all the ensuing synods , anno christi . and . and approved of by the states of holland , and accordingly practised . yet in the beginning , considering the great want of pastors , this examination could not be very strict , by which means many crept into the ministry who privately taught contrary things ; as gasper garlhasius at leiden , herman herbert at gouda , gerard blackhoven at vtrich and cornelius wiggerus at horn , who differed in many things amongst themselves , and all of them in the point of predestination from the rest : but whilst these opinions were confined within the bounds of their own churches , all things were reasonable quiet . only theodor cornhertius opposed himself against all the reformed churches , who having been formerly of councel to the states of holland , for fear of danger had deserted his place . but it easily appeared that he was no great divine , and that choler which he durst not vent against the states , he now discharged against the churches , whereupon he was restrained by the publick authority of the states . yet could not the contentions be so composed , but they left doubts in some mens mindes , whether all points held by the reformed were equally certain : and some were inclined to embrace novelties , especially about the doctrine of predestination . and thus james arminius found them when he was called to be divinity professor at leiden anno christi . this arminius had formerly been a servant in a publick inn , where many guests admired his prompt wit , so that some took him from thence , and set him to school , where he was maintained out of the publick treasury of amsterdam hereupon in process of time the magistrates of that city favouring their own nurcling , called him to the work of the ministry amongst them , and he so shined by the excellency of his gifts , that every one judged him worthy a professors place : for he was of a subtil wit , solid learning , and composed carriage . to this election of his gomarus opposed himself , because he had written something that was unsound to francis junius , yea and had publickly preached it at amsterdam : but when he denyed some things wherewith he was charged , and extenuated others , some thought that gomarus opposed him out of envy , least he should excel him , which promoted the election of arminius , and laid the foundation to future dissentions . arminius being thus setled , thought to advance his credit by drawing a great auditory to himself , and this he thought to do by venting some new things in his lectures , which accordingly he did , especially about predestination ; yet in publick he did it sparingly and slenderly , least he should offend the churches , remembring that by their authority coolhase and wigger had been removed out of their places : but in private he labored tooth and nail to instil them into his auditors , whereby he might gain disciples , and that he might the better secure himself against the ministers , by the means of vtenbogard the preacher at hague , he procured john of oldenbarnevelt to be his patron , who was a man of great authority , being syndic of all holland , to curry favour with whom he extolled the authority of magistrates in ecclesiastical affairs . barnevelds design was to bring the reformation in the low-countries nearer to the lutherans , whereby they might hope to draw auxiliaries out of germany the better to resist the king of spain , or at least to make the better terms of agreement with him : and whereas the states in the beginning of the wars had need of the multitude , and these could not be better gained then by the help of the ministers , they therefore at first granted great authority to the pastors of the church : now barne●li seeking to undermine this authority , he nourished such dissentions as rose up in the church ; and by the power of the magistrates hindred their censures against the refractory . he also rendred suspected the authority of the prince of orange : and whereas it was only grievous to himself , he would perswade the states that it was dangerous to them wherefore knowing that he had offended the ministers , and therefore could expect no support from them , he willingly undertook the patronage of arminius , by whose followers he sought to ●rop up himself . yet at first he carryed this very privately , whilst his faction was small , and might have been easily quashed : whence also it was that arminius long concealed his opinions till the year . at which time gomarus accused him to the states of holland , and discovered that he dissented from the reformed churches , about justification , predestination , grace , free-will , and perseverance of the saints . yet arminius was not so long concealed from wallaeus , who knowing all the sculking holes of sectaeries , by his path wherein he walked easily discovered whereunto he tended , and therefore from the year . he had labored to bring him into the right way again , which also he did all the year following by his frequent letters to him : to which arminius sometimes answered : but at last would answer no longer . the same things that arminius taught , did corvinus teach about twenty years after , and was silenced with the same argument by wallaeus . arminius being thus discovered , began to fear that he should be ruined by the ministers ; for barnevelt durst not as yet publickly undertake his patronage ; neither durst arminius undertake the alteration of religion with an heroical spirit , such as was in our reformers , who wholly minding the glory of god , rested secure whatsoever should befall themselves , whereas arminius being seized upon with sorrow , and overwhelmed with grief fell sick and dyed anno christi . arminius being dead , amongst all his followers , vtenbogard shewed himself the ring-leader ; for though he was far inferior to arminius in learning , yet in the government of the church and state he was well seen : and indeed by his wit did more hurt to the church then arminius did by his disputations . this bogard that he might make the magistrates of holland displeased with other ministers , and more to favour himself , wrote a book of the authority of magistrates in church-affairs , wherein he allowed the magistrate not only to order the external government of the church , but to determine controversies in religion , whereby he got great favour to his own party . in these stirs the ministers knew not what better remedy to finde then in a national synod of all the reformed churches , which they earnestly solicited the states general for : and indeed the states of gelderland , zeland , frisland , groning , and six cities of holland were for it , who desired no innovations in religion , and dispaired of any union with the lutherans : and said that the ecclesiastical government was no way grievous , but a remedy against oligarchie . that the power of the prince of orange was not dangerous , but rather a means to unite and tye them together : but on the contrary , the nobility of holland , and the other twelve cities , as also the states of vtrick and overisle , though they did not openly deny a synod , yet by ●ergiversations and procrastinations sought to evade it . in the mean time the ministers neglected not the remedy which was in their power : viz. to discover those errors to their people , and to confirm their mindes against them both by preaching and writing : and such as were to be admitted to the ministry , they examined them more strictly : and such as they discovered to be already in the ministry , they censured and cast out . vtenbogard and his companions strongly opposed themselves to these proceedings both by word and writing , and promoted to the ministry such as were of their own opinions : yet were they inferior to the other party both in number and in the affections of the people : fearing therefore that they should be overcome , they framed a remonstrance ▪ ( whence they were called remonstrants ) to the states of holland , wherein they request to be taken into their protection ; who did not only do it , but presently commanded that none should meddle with these controversies either by word or writing , neither should examine candidates upon these points , or censure any that differed in judgement about them ; which truly was to set up a party , when as the remonstrant ministers were scarce forty , and the contra-remonstrants were fifty . yet the remonstrants thought that they could not continue long , except new ones of their own opinion could be brought in as the other dyed , and these must be first formed in the university ; wherefore to supply arminius his place in leiden , vvallaeus and others that were desired by honest and learned men were rejected , and vtenbogard was sought for . but he knowing himself unfit for such a work , wrought by the curators of those parts , who were of kin to barnevelt , that conradus vorstius should be brought from steinfurt to leiden : who in the year . had been convicted by the university of heidleberg for favouring socinus and his opinions . to the choice of this man the ministers presently opposed themselves , and such magistrates as favoured them : yet had it been impossible to have hindred his election , the remonstrants did so prevail , but that james king of great britane frequently admonished and urged the states not do to it , yea he condemned him of heresie , and burnt his books publickly . at last certain laws were obtruded upon the church , which barnevelt had framed twenty years before , but till now the states would never endure them , much less bring them in practice , in which the choice of deacons , elders and pastors was almost wholly given to the magistrates . the censuring of pastors or members offending , was taken away from the ministers . the curators of the university , and the magistrates of leiden did execute the decree for restraining of controversies with mote rigor then any other : by this they hindred gomarus both from defending himself and his religion : at which being offended he prepared to depart : by this his departure seeing the students of divinity should thereby want a professor of the reformed religion , the churches of gelderland and curators of the illustrious school there , sent anthony thisius professor of theology at harderwick , and the churches of zeland and magistrates of middleborough sent vvallaeus to leiden , by all means to perswade his stay : but gomarus was resolved to depart , whereupon they both of them invited him to make his abode with them , and vvallaeus prevailed , so that he went to middleborough , anno christi . the states of zeland were resolved long ago , and this calamity of leiden now hastened it , to erect an illustrious school in zeland : but as yet they could not agree about the place : but they of middleborough seeking thereby to get advantage , resolved to make the grammer school more famous : for gruter the schoolmaster being dead an. chr. . they sought out another who might with credit bear the rule in an illustrious school , and therefore called vvallaeus to the place : but vvallaeus would by no means accept of it , knowing what a tedious thing it was to govern boys , and how subject he should be to calumnies in dieting them . wherefore the care of both was devolved upon giles bursius pastor of middleborough , and the instructing them was committed to justus lyraeus afterwards professor at vtrich : yet vvallaeus undertook the care of the school , and to read lectures of greek and philosophy to them . in these lectures he explained homer , hesiod , and other authors : in philosophy he read ethicks , physicks , astronomy , and opticks : and now gomarus being come to them , they prepared all things that belonged to an illustrious school : the place was appointed in the quire of the new church , and gomarus was to read and interpret the sacred scriptures , and to discuss the common places in his publick disputations : james meivartius was to read philosophy : so that the fame of the school began to spread abroad : and the magistrates of middleborough profered to vvallaeus the place which was reserved ●or him , viz. to be professor of divinity common places . at this gomarus ( who too much indulged his passions ) was displeased , opposed himself , and accused vvallaeus of heresie , for that when he was a student at leiden , he stifly defended that there were three souls in man. the magistrates were more offended this opposition then was vvallaeus : for vvallaeus presently disclaimed the choice , who having never in his life sought after any place , was now much more content with his present condition , and would not so far offend his old master , as against his will to be chosen for his colleague . no injury did ever so disturb the mind of vvallaeus as to discompose it , or make him unlike himself . but in the mean time the people were very angry that their beloved minister was thus disgraced by him who formerly by his publick testimony had attested the purity of his doctrine . but it so fell out about that time 〈◊〉 lord of plessi● called vvallaeus to salmur , who getting leave to depart went thither anno christi but stayed not long . upon this occasion they of 〈◊〉 , being stirred up by hugh grotius , would not suffer the city of 〈◊〉 to have an illustrious school , so that it was nipt in the bud , and meivartius returned to his grammer school again : only the magistrates of middleborough requested wallaeus that some times he would read greek and philosophical lectures , and would go on with his common places , that so they might still keep up the face of an illustrious school : which accordingly he did , and yet neglected not his work in the ministry . shortly after at the command and request of the churches of zeland , and at the importunity of some of the chief ministers of holland , he answered vtenbogard , wherein he shewed that the authority which was granted by the magistrates to the belgick church was agreeable to the sacred scriptures , and the custom of the primitive church . by this book wallaeus everywhere gat the name of a very learned man , and of one that deserved well of the church , because he had thereby freed the church from that aspersion cast upon it by the remonstrants that it was disobedient to magistracy . he deserved also thanks from many polititians because he took away from some of their society that pretence whereby they oppressed the churches . vtenbogard himself could not but acknowledge that the book was learned and full of modesty , yet he pretended that he would return a speedy answer , for which cause he gate leave of the deputies of the states to write again : but though he easily obtained leave , yet wrote he not : only about thirty years after , and seven years after the death of wallaeus , he would seem to return an answer , though it contained nothing in it but glorious promises and empty performances . wallaeus was not content to have thus taken away the chiefest pillar to the dissention , but endeavoured also to quiet the people , and to moderate the magistrates of holland : whereupon he set forth a treatise shewing the people how they should demean themselves when any difference sprang up amongst the pastors about religion : the magistrates he sought to reconcile to the ministers by the means of hugh grotius , a man very familiar with him because of his learning : who from an hope of succeeding b●●nevelt in his dignity , was looked upon as his right hand . from him he extorted this speech , that he saw no better means to compose the difference then by a national synod , which if it was denyed , god would punish them for it . in the mean time the dissentions increased dayly in holland , and threatned the ruine of one , if not of both parties : six of the cities of holland did openly oppose themselves against the decrees concerning the vocation of pastors , and of tolerating the controversies of religion on both sides : the ministers also refused to obey them , yea the remonstrants themselves , especially those which were framed by hugh grotius at the instigation of vtenbogard that set bounds to the ministers , from which in handling controversies it was not lawful for them to deviate . yet the magistrates would have them obeyed ; and such pastors as refused , were forbidden the exercise of their ministry ; and such as were more pertinacious , were cast out of their cities : and such citizens as most favoured them were banished : and though they were restored again by the presidents of justice who judged it to be not a correction but a faction , yet the magistrates would not suffer them to come into the cities : whereupon they were filled with animosities on both sides : and at last the magistrates not daring to trust their citizens , gathered souldiers . but this dissention was no where more conspicuous , nor hotter then at the hague . vtenbogard , who had sometimes stirred up his hearers to use all extremity , would now seem moderate , having gotten so much power in the church , which that he might hold , he perswaded them to yeeld something to the contra-remonstrants : but some sharp sights perceived that this was but a trick to deceive the pastors , and seduce the people , whereupon henry rosaeus an eloquent and couragious man took heart to discover the fraud to the people , shewing that poyson lay under this honey : upon this the magistrates forbade him the use of his ministry : but the people who now saw the fraud , would not hear vtenbogard any longer , but resorted to sermons in the neighbor village of ri●wick : this the magistrates sought to hinder : on the contrary the people urged that either rosaeus , or some other preacher of the reformed religion ( for which they had spent so much treasure and blood ) should be allowed them : against this vtenbogard opposed himself , and laying aside his pretence of moderation , sought by all means to hinder the gratifying of the people in their request . prince morice observing that not so much the ministers as himself was aimed at , and that by his connivence the power of barnevelt and his adversaries was increased , he began penly to favour the contra-remonstrants , and requested the states of holland that they might have a church and minister allowed them : but the nobles and the twelve cities much opposed it : yet still the prince urged it , and seeing the contra-remonstrants desired but reason , he procured the english church at the hague to be allowed them : which when it would not receive all the auditors , they took another church , brought in henry rosaeus , and frequented his sermons . barnevelt and his associates were much troubled at this , as if violence was profered to their authority : but seeing that the contra-remonstrants had no more granted them but what was equal , they suffered that which they knew not how to prevent . by this example the contra-remonstrants everywhere took courage , and the people sided with them , seeing the prince to favour them , who was so beloved and esteemed of them . but the contra-remonstrants of the hague thought it not enough to have a church and preacher , but in so illustrious a place they must make it appear that their opinions and doctrine was better then that of the remonstrants : but when vtenbogard excelled rosaeus in learning , and daily provoked him to disputation , some other must be sent for that might cool his boasting : for which end none was judged fitter then our wallaeus , and therefore anno christi . deputies were sent from the church of hague and the prince of orange , with the consent of the magistrates , to fetch him from middleborough for a time to be a pastor of the church at hague . as soon as he was come thither , he began in his sermons to set down the state of the controversie , to weigh the arguments of both sides ; to answer those of the remonstrants , and to vindicate those of the contra-remonstrants ; and so fully to instruct the people in these controversies . then did vtenbogard give over his talk of disputing , who well knew the learning of wallaeus . but his followers who did not know waellaeus so well , sometimes set upon him . and first of all la ha●e , a preacher of the remonstrants as soon as the sermon was ended before the auditory was dissolved , began to contend with him about the perseverance of saints : but vvallaeus dealt so modestly with him , equally considering his arguments , solidly and clearly answering them , and urging others with such acuteness and judgement , that the man having nothing to answer , shrunk away with shame . the remonstrants thinking to repair this disgrace , challenged vvallaeus to a new disputation , wherein an eloquent and nimble lawyer was appointed to assist la haye : but this disputation was to be in a private house where should be present only two elders for witnesses : vvallaeus refused it not : and when they were met , the lawyer began very contentiously to propound the point of predestination ; vvallaeus answered mildly , but solidly , whereby he tamed the fierceness of his adversary : but when some hundreds of both parts pressed into the house to hear , the remonstrants fearing the like event of this disputation as was of the former , would proceed no further , saying , that such a conference should not be where so many were present . vvallaeus not content with this , often invited vtenbogard to a conference , especially by the lady alice coligni , the widdow of vvilliam prince of orang● , because vtenbogard had by her formerly challenged rosaeus to a publick dispute : but vtenbogard always by excuses evaded it : by which means the doctrine of the contra-remonstrants began to flourish again at the hague . the cause of the contra-remonstrants was especially defended by john becius of dort , henry vander leyden of delph , fest●us hommius of leiden , peter plantius , and james triglandius of amsterdam , learned and wise men , who were much esteemed by the people : these men formerly in all weighty matters used still to consult with vvallaeus , and now they were wholly guided by him : the magistrates of amsterdam , who were the chief of those that defended the contra-remonstrants , continually by their deputies consulted with vvallaeus : and when they had any business of weight , they earnestly importuned him to be present both in their presbytery and city-council to assist with his advice : and the prince of orange ( of whom it was wittily said that when he sate on horseback , he had all his counsellors with him , yet ) had vvallaeus for his intimate counsellor in all things which either concerned religion , or this controversie . so that no day passed wherein he did not require his counsel , and sometime spent whole nights in deliberating with him , that he might conclude upon such matters as he was to dispatch the next day . for indeed he much esteemed vvallaeus , because though he was very prudent , yet would he never dissemble , and all his counsels were free from craft . for this candor he was respected by the remonstrants themselves ; for they knew which ways his counsels tended , that though he would have the contra-remonstrants setled , yet he would not have the remonstrants destroyed , perswading himself that if the contentions were once composed , and men could with a more calm minde weigh things indifferently , many of them would return to the truth : he also maintained familiarity with grotius and others of the remonstrants as formerly he had done , and would have taken them off from barnevelt , but that ( as they used to say ) a greater humane power hindred them . by these means vvallaeus was a chief instrument of bringing the whole controversie to the decision of a national synod , and took care that due preparation should be made for the same , which when he had effected , he left the hague : indeed the prince of orange endeavoured to hinder his departure , and chose him for his court-preacher : but vvallaeus wholly disliked that course of life , as prejudicial to his studies , and dangerous , seeing he must either flatter , or hazard the loss of great mens favour , and incur their frowns . anno christi . he returned to middleborough where he found the great love of the people to him ; whilst many came to meet him : his colleagues and the magistrates visited him with many expressions of their great love . the controversies between the remonstrants and contra-remonstrants was not now confined within the bounds of holland , but it spread into vtrich , overisle , gelderland ; yea as far as sedan ; where daniel tilenus , an eloquent man , but no deep scholar , by degrees began to vent the remonstrants doctrines , and drew in aur●tus a minister , and a better man then himself , though not so learned . but ramboursius the cout-preacher discovered him , so that by the duke of bovillian he was forced to leave his professors place and depart . for the supply of which place , and to build up what tilenus had pulled down , vvallaeus was again called to sedan : and all means were used to prevail for his remove . the messenger was francis arsenius , a man famous for such employments , and vvallaeus his old friend , then whom that age had not a man of more learning , judgement and experience . the conditions were very large , and indeed better then the other professors did obtain : the dukes invitation was serious , frequent , and friendly : yet could not vvallaeus get away from his wife and friends : and for those large conditions which were profered him , the middleburgians would have doubled his stipend rather then part with him : besides , it seemed grievous to him who was now forty five years old to change his country and customs , and leaving his old and intimate friends to go to strangers : wherefore returning humble and hearty thanks to the duke , he told him that he thought he should never leave middleborough . in the mean time the states of the united provinces ( observing that the factions in holland tended to the dissolution of the league , and to the indangering the ruine of all the provinces ) seriously thought of a way of cure : and by the advice of reiner pavias a consul of amsterdam , a man of great authority , and by the instigation of grave moris , they decreed and called a national synod : and withall required the prince of orange to disband those souldiers which the magistrate of vtri●h had raised , and to put the magistrate out of his office , and to substitute another in his room . to these things barnevelt openly opposed himself by the nobility , and twelve cities of holland : and with all his endeavour sought to impede the synod by sending to forreign kings and princes , by provoking them of vtrich ( who began to quail ) profering them help to prevent the putting down of their magistrate , and disbanding their souldiers . whereupon the states of the united provinces required the prince of orange to imprison the heads of the contrary faction , viz. barnevelt , rombert hagerbetius , hugh grotius , giles ledenbergius , and to disband the rest of the souldiery that was collected in holland : to purge the cities of disaffected magistrates , and to substitute better in their rooms . all which were effected without any tumult or effusion of blood , so displeasing were those mastrates to the citizens : after which all the other magistrates consented to the synod appointed at dort. in this synod the flower of all the reformed churches met together , and amongst them our wallaeus who had a place assigned him amongst the low-country professors , and was appointed one of the directors of the synod , but that the pastors had in private agreed amongst themselves to chuse only such as were professors . it was the unhappiness of the remonstrants that they had simon episcopius for their president , who was a hot , imprudent , and cholerick man , by whose advice it was that the remonstrants would not submit to the laws of the synod : wherefore the work of the synod was to finde out the state of the controversie by the writings of the remonstrants , and accurately to propound it in the fundamentals themselves : to examine them by the word of god , and to see of what weight they were . in the government of the whole synod , john bogerman excelled , being prolocutor in it ; and indeed a more fit man could not have been chosen . festus hommius was imployed in proposing the state of the controversie , who often conferred with wallaeus about it : but in weighing the controversies , strengthening , or enervating arguments , and in vindicating them from exceptions , wallaeus excelled : whereupon when any difficulty arose , as the explication of the epistle to the romanes , &c. it was committed to wallaeus ; if any thing was to be accurately and prudently defined , it was committed to waellaeus : and he was chosen for one of those that drew up the canons of the synod , and set down reasons why the doctrine of the remonstrants was rejected : and it was judged that the wisdom of wallaeus prevailed much to procure the unanimous consent of the synod thereunto . wherefore of the politicians and strangers , who had no cause of envy , he was much esteemed : yea he so demeaned himself that giles bursius his aemulus acknowledged that wallaeus excelled all in the synod , who made this acknowledgement to the wallacrian classis from whom he was delegated . god so blessed the labors of all in this synod , that the remonstrants themselves had no cause to complain . controversies were so decided , difficulties so expedited , that all godly and learned men were abundantly satisfied ; and from thence forwards the roots of remonstrancy were so cut off , that presently it began to wither : and all things were managed with that modesty , all things dispatched with that unanimous consent , that never was the like from the primitive times . all controversies being now determined , and the cause of the remonstrants judged , the chief patrons of the remonstrants were condemned of treason by the delegates of the states of the united provinces . the persons condemned were barnevelt , hogerbetius , grotius , and ledenburgius : this last by killing himself prevented the punishment . and james schot consul of middleborough , one of those delegates , was sent by the states to dort to fetch wallaeus to the hague , who accordingly brought him thither , may the . privily , that so the people might have no suspition of the punishment intended to the remonstrants : by the way he told wallaeus that the states sent for him to prepare the prisoners for death , they judging that by his prudence and perswasions he might best of all other men effect it . vvallaeus when he saw that he could not avoid the employment , yet desired that he might not be the first messenger of death to them : that he might be spared from dealing at all with grotius in regard of his former friendship contracted with him ; and that he might not be present at their death , which he could not bear without much trouble of minde . being come to the hague , in the evening , ●chot went to the deputies and judges to acquaint them that vvallaeus was come , and to tell them what request he had made to him . whereupon the advocates fiscal were sent to barnevelt to tell him that the next day he was to be judged and put to death : and schot in the mean time went to vvallaeus to tell him that his requests were granted , that hogerbetius and g●otius , though they were condemned , should not be executed , but kept in perpetual prison : that the advocates fiscal were sent to barnevelt to acquaint him that the next day he was to dye , and that therefore the delegates and judges requested him to make haste to him , and so about six a clock vvallaeus was conducted to the prison to barnevelt . when he came into his chamber he found him full of perplexity , writing to his wife and children to acquaint them with the message of his death : and at first he was unwilling to have any speech with wallaeus : but after a while he became more calm , yet complained of the hard measure that he met with from the states whom he had served for forty three years : he would feign have taken some rest that night , but could not : the next morning when he had heard his sentence read , he was had to the place of execution ; at which time he told the people , that he dyed not a traitor , but a patriot . at the place of execution he asked his man whether no man came ? belike expecting a pardon : but when his servant told him that there was none , kneeling down , his head was cut off . the day following wallaeus returned to dort , and attended upon the affairs of the synod till the end of may ; at which time he had some money given him ; and with the rest was invited to a publick feast : and afterwards with some principal men , he was privately feasted by the states delegates , and so was dismissed honorably . these things being dispatched , the states of holland , least the commotions now suppressed , should break forth again , thought fit in the first place to take care of the university of leiden , which was the seminary both of their church and state ; and for that end they resolved to add to john poliander the divinity professor , andrew rivet , anthony wallaeus , and anthony thysius : to rivet they sent thomas erpenius the arabick professor : to thysius , adrian pavius syn●ic of amsterdam : and to wallaeus , rochus honartius senator of the supream court , and peter deiman chief consul of leiden , who came to him to middleborough in the midst of july to acquaint him with his election , and to urge him to accept of it : they also presented him with the letters of prince maurice requesting the same of him . yet did vvallaeus desire that he might have time to consider of it , telling them that he would seek unto god by prayer , and advise with his friends with the church and magistrate . in the mean time the delegates earnestly sollicited the presbyterie and magistrates to give their consents , which at last with much ado they obtained ; because he was to go to leiden where he might take care of theirs as well as of the holland youths . his friends stuck somewhat at it because he had as good a stipend at middleborough as he was to have at lei●en ; and though at leiden he might bring up his sons at the university , yet being so far from his friends , he could not place them forth as well to honest callings as at middleborough : ●o satisfie these therefore , he had also a pastors place in leiden profered him . wallaeus thought that he might not resist this call , because he was not so much to form one church by it , as to prepare pastors for many : nor so much to govern one church , as to assist with his counsels all the belgick churches . september the tenth he preached his farewel sermon , which filled his people with sighs and tears : so that it seemed rather that children were to part with their father , then people with their pastor . during his abode at middleborough he much wanted his health , being troubled with rheumes , collick , feavers and other diseases : sometimes also having an intermitting pulse , the cause whereof was partly hereditary from his mother , and partly by reason of studying so soon after meals , scarce affording any rest to his minde , or food for the refreshing of his body : yet a healthful and diligent wife much cheered him up he had seven children , five daughters and two sons , whereof two dyed very young ; the other he took much pleasure and delight in september the nineteenth he removed with all his family to leiden : where he was entertained honor●bly with a public● feast by the magistrate , with much congratulation by th● university , and very heartily by his old friends . at le●den he was presently graced with the degree of a doctor , without any examination , which is used at other times . october the . being to begin his professorship , he made an oratios about the right regulating the study of divinity : which was received by a great auditory , with the great applause of all : yet it presently displeased himself , because he observed that many things are excellently conceived which cannot be brought into practise . presently after came anthony thysius , and not long after him andrew rivet out of france , to adorn the profession of divinity : who as they were all men of great note , so by their excellent parts they made that faculty far more famous . each of them had his several gifts wherein he excelled : thysius in memory ; and wallaeus and rivet in judgement ; and polyander in dexterity of performance . in actions thysius was fervent ; wallaeus full of vigor : rivet was somewhat slower , and polyander very calm , &c. the first care of these men was to prevent all discord in matters of divinity ; wherefore they testified their mutual agreement by subscribing the catechism of heidleberg , and the belgick confession of faith. they resolved that none of them would pass his judgement about any controversie in divinity , about the government of the church , and in cases of conscience apart , but by mutual consulting each with other : that no theses should be publickly disputed of , till all had seen and approved them . that no book should be printed till all had examined and consented thereto . the like care they took to train up young students to the same unanimity in religion : for which end they agreed upon one rule and method by which all their studies should be directed : and because these controversies with the remonstrants had occasioned the fuller clearing of many points in divinity , and had taught them to speak more cautiously in many things : therefore in their publick disputations they went over the whole body of divinity , out of which they published their book which they called synopsis purioris theolog●● . having thus setled the affairs of the university in good order : they began to consider what enemies they had abroad , against whom the truth was to be defended : and they found that they must answer john arnoldi corvinus , who had written a great volume against peter du moulin . they must answer the remonstrants also , who in a book called acta synodalia remonstrantium , had inserted such things as might confirm their own opinions , and invalidate the opinions of the contra-remonstrants . and this task they all agreed wallaeus should undertake ; who afterwards published an answer to both those books , whereby he gat very great credit , not only amongst his own , but amongst the french , english and scots , and for a long time silenced the remonstrants . in the mean time these worthy men neglected not to make their professors places very famous . the old testament was expounded by rivet and thysius ; the new by polyander : but wallaeus was imployed in reading common places , which was accounted the more grateful and more worthy imployment . in these common places he did not cull out here and there one head ; but went over the whole body of divinity : handling each head fully , but principally insisting upon those controversies or difficulties wherewith the church was most molested : yet stood he not upon answering all arguments of the adversaries ; but chose out those which had most weight in them , by answering whereof , the other fell of themselves : but he was most copious and acurate in the modern controversies ; as de deo against vorstius , de sabbatho , de praedestinatione : of the authority of magistrates in ecclesiastical affairs , and such like : concluding all , not so much by the strength of humane reason , as by the clear word of god ▪ whereupon the greatest confluence of auditors attended upon wallaeus . and one of his colleagues thinking that he had so many auditors because he read common places : he also fell upon the same subject ; but when he saw that he labored in vain , he gave it over again . but seeing it was not enough for them thus to instruct their auditors in the knowledge of divinity , except also they prepared the candidates for the ministry , enabling them rightly to defend the truth , and to enervate the adversaries arguments : this therefore they effected by disputations , wherein all were very diligent , but especially wallaeus and p●lyander . wallaeus would not suffer those things to be propounded for disputation , wherein the reformed might freely differ amongst themselves . he would not suffer the opponents to object vain things which were unprofitable : he would not suffer them to oppose immodestly , to the scandal of the hearers : but he would have the defendant clearly repeat the opponents argument , and then not only to give a bare answer , but to demonstrate the solidity of it : truly wallaeus in his lectures deserved great praise ; but in disputations he deserved a triumph . because these candidates in divinity could not be sufficiently exercised in publick , he did twice a week in private explain to them his enchiridion of the reformed religion : he examined it , and appointed them to dispute upon it : yea he set up divers private lectures wherein he confuted the anabaptists , socinians and papists . he caused these candidates also often to preach in private , wherein he directed them to the most profitable subjects , and taught them how they should prosecute the same : neither would he ever take any thing for these his private imployments . this course of training up young students he continued for twenty years , even till his death , so that innumerable pastors were sent forth by him into the church , amongst which many were admirable lights , which were a great comfort and rejoycing to him . in the government of the university he neither made nor nourished parties : but when any differences arose , he always sought to compose them : as he did betwixt polyander and thysius : between cunaeus and burgersditius , amongst whom some emulation was sprung up . wallaeus himself had no enemy but only daniel heinsius , who was also a gantois , and seemed somewhat to emulate him . yet would not wallaeus do any thing that might offend heinsius ; neither would he mingle himself in the contention between salmatius and heinsius about precedency . wallaeus his next care was that all the honors of the university ( so far as might be ) should be equally divided amongst his colleagues , that so they might live together the more sweetly , and might labor together in their several imployments with the better concord : so that when he should have been chosen rector of the university , he sought it for his colleague : but honour followed him whilst he fled from it : so that he was often deputy of the university , and thrice rector . he would never give to candidates his testimony for their lives , and proficiency in their studies of divinity , except they deserved it : judging it better to offend them and their friends , then to deceive the church by advancing unworthy persons to the ministry : which faithfulness of his was taken notice of , so that many were rejected till they could get the testimony of wallaeus . he with his colleagues would never prefer any to the title of doctors , except they were conspicuous for their piety , and eminent for learning . he had more books brought to him to license then he could possibly read over : for which cause he sent many of them to the classes of pastors to be read over by them , reserving to himself only such as handled controversies of greater moment . these professors would meddle with no cases of conscience , but such as concerned matrimony ; as for all others that came to them , they sent them to their own pastors , whereby they much eased themselves , and took off people from undervaluing their own ministers . and in cases of matrimony , they always determined them with such sound judgement , that so long as wallaeus lived , there was never any church or magistrate that had cause to alter what they had determined . he was dayly sought to for advice in cases of conscience : in controversies of religion , and about church government , by churches , classes , synods , cities , states , and princes , to all whom he freely imparted his counsel . the states general and the states of holland would never suffer any divinity book to be dedicated to them till wallaeus had perused , and set his ●merimatur to it . they would never suffer any petitions about controversies in religion , or about reforming the peoples lives to be presented to them , till he had approved of them . frederick king of bohemia would give no answer to the great ●urk , who proffered him assistance against the emperour , till he had consulted with wallaeus . the prince of orange in giving laws to cities conquered by him would always consult with these men . he called polyander and wallaeus to compose a difference between the magistrates and ministers of roterdam , that had tired three synods , and fifteen classes . wallaeus with his colleagues were appointed to publish the acts of the synod of dort : because it was very necessary for all the reformed churches , yea for all the world to know in what way and order the cause of the remonstrants had been examined , and what seemed good to any , and what was concluded by all the fathers in that assembly : and herein they were much holpen by festus hommius , who was the scribe of the synod . presently after the publication of these synodal acts , the remonstrants set forth another , wherein in some particulars they sought to invalidate those acts : but their cheif design was to confirm their own opinion by arguments ; the confuting whereof was committed to vvallaeus , who presently answered their acts , and corvinus , though he pretended a reply , yet quickly gave over and was silent . but presently a quarrel sprang up between the remonstrants themselves : for vtenbogard , corvinus , and the greatest part of the remonstrants adhered to arminius , and would depart no further from the orthodox . episcopius and his followers joined with the socinians : error is fruitful , and is ever declining from bad to worse . shortly after this some rose up that endeavoured a union between the contra-remonstrants and the remonstrants : on the contra-remonstrants side were cornelius dunganus of vtrich , godschalcus arlius of arnheim , and james testardus pastor of blesa : on the remonstrants side was only anthony hornhovius , who yet lurked amongst the orthodox pastors : but it was impossible to unite those that held such contrary opinions . there was more hope of an attempt made between wallaeus and vtenbogardus , which was to consider how the remonstrants might be admitted into the reformed churches , and how far forth they might be tolerated therein . and it was concluded that such of them might be admitted as members , as were free from the socinian errors , and would acknowledge that all spiritual and saving gifts were of the free grace of god through christ , if they would promise that in other things they would not disturb the peace of the church : the greatest difficulty was about their pastors , who would not be quiet , except they might exercise their ministry , and enjoy their stipends : neither would they be tyed to silence in controversies : but the remonstrants setting forth a confession of their faith brake all in sunder : for thereby it appeared that they differed from the reformed not only in five articles , but in many other things . whilst wallaeus was at middleborough , he had read ethicks in the schools , and had begun to make a compendium of it for the use of his scholars , but finished it not by reason of his remove to leiden : wherefore now the curators of the school prevailed with him to compleat that work , and to publish it for the use of that school : and it found such acceptance abroad , that it was often printed , and by theod. schrevel●us , master of the school of 〈◊〉 , it was turned into jambick verse . assoon as walleu● came to le●●●m , the magistrates chose him for one of the curators of their school : in which office he continued all his life , and by his advice the school was quite turned into another order , whereby it became far more famous then before . the states of holland observing that in their cities there were some masters of schools which either wanted ability or prudence in regulating their schools for the best advantage of the boys : they therefore made choice of anthony wallaeus , anthony ●●sius , peter 〈◊〉 , daniel heinsius , ge●●ard v●ssius , 〈…〉 , all of them professors in leiden , to frame laws whereby all the schoolmasters in holland should be regulated in teaching both the tongues and liberal arts , which accordingly were finished and printed anno chri●● . the states of zeland observing that their young students began to fall into some loose courses , made choice of wallaeus , for overseer of all in zelamd , with a command that all their youth should be wholly guided in their studies by him : where by there was a great reformation , not one of 〈◊〉 proving wicked in his life . the 〈…〉 also growing solicitous for the salvation of the poor ●adius , and observing that they could get no ministers go thither but such as could get no places in the low-countries . which many times were either insufficient , or scandalous : they resolved therefore to erect a seminary , from whence at their pleasures they might draw forth pastors for those parts : for which end they consulted with the professors at leiden , and observing that wallaeus was more zealous then the rest in promoting it , they chose him to be overseer of that sem●narie : but he judging himself unable to undergo so many offices , refused it ; yet at the importunity of the curators of the university of leiden , and by the perswasion of his colleagues , he was at last prevailed with , and undertook it . whereupon the students for india were brought into his family , where they were dieted , and directed in their studies , and found so much content that they never complained either of their diet or government . and besides their other studies he caused them every day to construe to him a chapter out of the hebrew bible , and another out of the greek testament , whereby they became skilful in the languages , and familiarly acquainted with the sacred scriptures . twice also in the week he caused them to read in and dispute of his enchirdion of the reformed religion , and directed them in the making of their sermons : and the forwardest of them he directed how they might infuse the principles of the reformed christian religion into the heathens , by reasons drawn from nature , how they should instruct them , gather a church , and govern the same . out of this seminary in a few years were sent forth twelve ministers famous for learning and piety , to whom india oweth almost all her knowledge which she hath in the reformed religion . then did the magistrates of leiden by their consul importune wallaeus to give them leave to choose him into their ecclesiastical consi●ory ; but his wife and children disswaded him from it , perceiving that he would sink under the burthen of so many imployments . about this time there brake forth a great contention in zeland between telingius and bursius . telingius was very careful to promote piety , whereupon he sharply reproved the sins of the times : and observing much prophanation of the sabbath , by a book which he published , he endeavoured the reformation of the same . upon this occasion bursius his son wrote a complaint in verse , wherein the church bemoaned her self , as if she had lost her liberty , and therein he endeavoured to confute ●elingius about the institution of the lords day : gomarus also , who was very intimate with bursius , supplyed him with arguments . telingius his friends were much offended at this , so that there was great danger least the church should be divided into parties and factions . voetius also published a youthly writing , wherein he sought more to jerk his adversaries , then to edifie the church . hereupon wallaeus resumed those things which he had formerly read over , and drew them into a larger treatise about the sabbath , which also he printed , to the great joy of the churches : who as they highly prized his learning , so now had cause to admire his wisdom . and this work of his was so approved of , that by silvius pastor of amsterdam it was turned into dutch , their native language : and it pleased god by this means to put an end to the aforenamed contentions . only gomarus thinking it dishonorable to be silent , published a little book . de investigatione sabbathi : which rivet answered : and when gomarus replyed , rivet answered again . and though gomarus found few or no followers , yet to prevent the worst , wallaeus in his publick lectures answered such things as seemed to be new in gomarus . at the first reformation of religion in the low-countries , there was a certain elder of the church of embdea , a godly man that turned luthers translation of the bible into low-dutch : but being skilful neither in the hebrew nor greek , nor well acquainted with the high-dutch , there were many errors in it : whereupon the ministers of the law-countries , so soon as they were setled in their l●berties from under the spanish yoak , began to think upon translating the bible out of the originals : and the states to promote so good a work , made choice of phili● 〈◊〉 of saint aldegun● to go to leiden , and there wholly to employ himself in this work , which he willingly undertook , and prosecuted to the year . at which time he dyed , having begun many books of the old testament , but had only finished job , psalms , and proverbs : hereupon arnold cornelius , pastor of delph , and warner helmichius , pastor of amsterdam , were appointed to finish what marnixius had begun ; they accordingly prosecuted that work , but being much hindered by their pastoral office , they dyed before they could finish it : and presently after , the controversies of the remonstrants springing up , caused that work to cease till the synod at dort. at which time the remonstrants being cited to appear before the synod at a certain day , they appeared not : whereupon the moderator considering what the synod should fall upon till they appeared , propounded the version of the bible into the belgick tongue : and so they unanimously agreed to carry on that work , and set down rules which the translators were to follow . the translators also were chosen , and least by the death of any of them the work should be impeded , they substituted some to succeed such as should die . anno christi . ( the synod being before dissolved ) the deputies of the provincial synods requested the states general that the version of the bible might now be carryed on , which they easily assented to , and appointed wallaeus and testus hommius to deal with the magistrates and churches , that the translators might ( during the continuance of that work ) 〈◊〉 be freed from their pastoral employments . by the authority and perswasions of these two men the thing was granted , so that anno christi the interpreters of the old testament repaired to leiden , who were john bogerman , william b●udartius , and gerson bucer . the year after they met together who were to translate the new testament and the apochrypha , and these were anthony w●llaeus , festus h●mmius , and james rol●●dus . these men set upon the work with unwearyed labor : and that which they aimed at was to make a new and accurate version out of the originals , and as much as the geniu● of the language would permit , to translate it word for word : and whereas in the original any word might admit of a various interpretation , they endeavoured to finde out some dutch word that might answer to it : and where any thing seemed obscure , they labored to explain it by marginal notes ; and where any thing was doubtful , to resolve it : whereby they often gave a reason of their version ; they added also parallel scriptures . when the translators of the new testament had proceeded to the end of the acts of the apostles , james rowland dyed , in whose room jodicus hoingius succeeded : and when the translators of the old testament had proceeded to the beginning of ezekiel , bucer dyed , in whose room anthony thysius was substituted . assoon as they had finished any book , and imparted it each to other , they printed it , and sent it to certain supervisors in every province appointed thereunto , to be by them again examined . when the whole version was thus finished an. chri. . by the order of the states general all the supervisors met together at leiden , who were anthony thysius , john polyander , abdias witmarius , jodocus larenus , arnoldus teeckmannus , bernard fullenius , james revius , and francis gomarus . not long after also the supervisors of the new testament met there , who were s●bastian dammannus , john arnoldi , lindanus , william nieuhusius , charles demaet , lodowick gerhardus , bernard fullenius , gasper sibelius , and henry altingius . these supervisors being met together , chose their moderarators , assessors , and scribes , and then at their daily meetings , ( having first implored the presence and assistance of almighty god ) they were demanded whether they had found any thing in the translation that needed change : and what the translators and supervisors agreed upon , that was concluded . and so this great work was compleated anno christi . and this was very observable : that the same year a great plague raged in the low-countries , and especially in leiden , wherein there dyed twenty thousand persons , and yet through gods mercy not one of the translators or supervisors was touched with it , no nor was ever sick all that while . all being thus finished , the supervisors returned to their several imployments , but the translators committed the work to the press , and themselves were the overseers to see to the correcting of it : at the same time printing it with and without notes in folio , which was finished anno christi . at which time they presented it to the states , who liked it excellent well , and presently gave order that no other bible should be used , either in churches or schools , which was accordingly followed . the remonstrants appointed four of their greatest scholars to examine this translation , for fear of partiality : but when they found how candidly and faithfully the translators had dealt , they also accepted of it , and it is judged the most exquisite translation that is extant . in the version of luther there is not so much skill shewed in the language ; in the french they do not so much tie themselves to the words as to the sence : and the english seems to favour episcopacy too much , whereas no remarkable defect can be observed in this ; and indeed the translators did by their excessive and defatigable pains so wear out themselves that all of them dyed within three years after . after he had concluded this great and tiresome work , he attended his professorship , thinking to ease his minde , and repair his decayed strength : but he scarce had rested two moneths , when he fell upon his cases of conscience : for he found that the pontificians in their books whilst they pretended to reprove sin , did but teach it : and the reformed divines in many things filled the minds of the readers with too many scruples : whereas that only ought to be condemned which the scripture accounts a sin , and that therein also some cautions were necessary : for we ought not so much to reprove those that are bad , as to seek their amendment . but before he had well begun this work , he was again made magnifique rector of the university ; which place , as it was of the greatest dignity in the city of leiden , so of the greatest care . in the midsts of these imployments he found his memory to begin to decay , and his strength to fail , so that he was forced to write his lectures more largely then he was wont to do , which he carryed on till he came to the head concerning the holy ghost , at which time death prevented his further progress . thus much for his publick life : now for his private . he was not splendid abroad , and sordid at home ; but always equal like himself . he studyed no delights , and was far from all lasciviousness : his only recreation was to adorn his orchard . he was free from covetousness , seldom looking after his outward estate , and at length wholly divolved that burthen upon his eldest son , called john. he affected not vain-glory : his habit was not costly , yet therein he was rather negligent then sordid . he had always a large house , which was rather commodious then sumptuous . in converse he was no boaster either of his learning , judgement , or wit : he never either extolled himself , or debased others , no not his adversaries . he never inserted reproaches into his publick writings . he never chose any subject to write on for ostentation , but only such as might be most profitable to the church . he never sought for , nor took great titles : it was always his glory rather to be , then to seem he never affected ease . he was always much grieved for the afflictions of the church : and endeavoured in all things to keep a good and a clear conscience . he would never to gratifie friends , give any other counsel then such as beseemed him , either to the church or magistrate : neither did he ever request any for his children or kindred of which they were not worthy , or might any way tend to the detriment of others . when as the magistrates of leiden had often proffered him the house wherein arminius dwelt , and wherein now his widdow and children remained , he would never accept of it till as , when they saw that they could stay in it no longer , themselves came to him , and requested him to take it , thanking him that he had deferred it so long . he never hunted after the favour of great men , thereby to enrich himself : he only desired their favour so far as might be fit for him , and advantagious to the church : if any thing was spoken in his presence which he judged prejudicial to the church , he always strongly opposed himself against it not fearing therein the displeasure of great men : yea in the court amongst the princes of orange he would not suffer the name of god to be taken in vain . in his carriage he was affable to all : to every one he willingly imparted counsel : he was so sollicitous for the good of the church , that upon occasion he would declare which persons in the university were most deserving , themselves being ignorant of it . he admitted but few into his familiarity , judging that thereby their friendship would be the stronger , by how much the more united . he loved his colleagues as his own brethren : next them his kindred : and after them his fellow students and fellow travellers . he would never dissemble , no not amongst his friends . and to those his friends , his house and table was always open : which liberality some taking notice of , often abused it . he was not easily provoked by injuries to cast off his friends : as this instance will shew ; when rivet was called to live in the court of the prince of orange , wallaeus commended his old master gomarus to the curators of the university for to succeed in the professorship ; whereupon gomarus acknowledged in the presence of many , that wallaeus had overcome him in kindeness , and withall asked him forgiveness , for that he had opposed his professorship at middleborough , which ( saith he ) i did at the instigation of giles bursius . he lived most lovingly with his wife ; they never brake forth into anger , or mutual brawling : their mutual care was to please each other , and by deeds to prevent each others desires : neither did wallaeus fear any thing more then that his dear wife should dye before him : for he used her not only for the government of his family , but for his constant companion . whatsoever befel him in the commonwealth , church , or civil converse , he acquainted her with it , asked , and often followed her advice , for she was a modest and prudent woman . they were both careful in the education of their children , and their first care was to train them up in piety and good manners : for which end he daily read some chapters , and made some application thereof unto them : his next care was , that they might be brought up in learning : neither would he wholly trust their masters therein , but many times examined them himself to see their proficiency . neither would he train them up to science , but also to prudence : for which cause when they were come to years of discretion , he used to impart to them the affairs and condition of church and state , asking their judgements about each of them . he sought not to advance his children to high places , knowing the danger thereof , but rather desired a middle and competent estate for them , wherein they might live honestly and more comfortably , and according to his desire , he lived to see his eldest son iohn a doctor of physick , and professor thereof : and imployed by the states into france to fetch that miracle of the world of learning , claudius salmasius to leiden . his daughter margaret marryed to john of breda , doctor of both laws : his daughter katherine marryed to anthony clement , a learned and godly divine : his son anthony a lawyer ▪ his son balwin a student of divinity : only his youngest daughter susannae remained at home to be a solace to her aged mother . wall us enjoyed better health at leiden then he had done at middleborough ; only that tormentor of students seized upon him there [ the stone ] in the kidneys : which grievously tormented him , yet not often : once in four or five years : he was much troubled with hypochondriacal winde , which was occasioned by his studying so soon after meals , yet would he not be disswaded from that course . one of these fits brought him to his end . for iune the . anno christi . he found his appetite to decay , and his stomach would not bare food : he was grievously also tormented with winde : yet would he not intermit his labors in his professorship , in governing the university , and assisting in the synod of south holland , which was then met at leiden . july the . being sabbath , he went to church and gave thanks to god for all his mercies to himself , to his family , and to the church by his means , praying for gods blessing upon them for the time to come ; this being the last sermon that he intended to make . in reference to his disease such remedies as he had wont to finde ease by , would now do no good : his disease encreased , and his strength decreased : yet did 〈◊〉 bogard and some other ministers from the sy●●d continually importune him to come to their meeting on munday after for the great good of the church . some chief ministers had endeavoured of late years to renew the controversie about the power of the magistrate in ecclesiastical matters , whereupon they drew up a writing which they would have confirmed by all the synods : and those which sought to impede it could not procure this synod to reject it , because of the authority of the author : this was ●ike to breed a great fraction in the synod : and this munday was appointed for the debate about this business , which made them so importunate to have wallaeus present that day : and accordingly he came to them : at his presence all kept silence : and he perswaded them that in things which were not clearly determined by scripture , and were in some tolerable manner setled , there should be no questions moved : and told them that it was dangerous to contend with those men who could suppress them . this was wallaeus his last publick action , which if it had been written in some mens mindes , the church had enjoyed more peace , and the magistrates had been more favourable to it . the next day the pastors flocked to him to give him thanks , for that he had freed them from trouble , and the church from disturbance . all whom he exhorted to bear with those which differed in judgement from them , and still to love them : both parties being equally necessary for the good of the church . for the moderate would suffer all things to fall into confusion , were it not for the more zealous ; and the more zealous would disturb all things , were they not restrained by the moderate . the three next days his pain was tolerable , so long as he eat nothing , whereupon he conversed sweetly with his wife , children , and friends that came to visit him : and attended his other businesses , till at last ( at the importunity of his son iohn ) he desisted : yet his strength sensibly decayed : and on thursday night he fell into a sleep , out of which he would not be awakened till friday in the evening , when they set a cupping-glass to his neck : at which time his son iohn called his mother , brothers and sisters , fearing least he should presently fall asleep again : withall telling his father that his life was near an end , and therefore if he had any thing to say to them , he desired him to speak it : whereupon wallaeus exhorted them to sear god , to reverence their mother , so god would bless and provide for them : that every one should take care of all the rest , but especially that every one should take care of himself ; then he bade his son iohn to have a speciall care of his mother , and so kissing them , took his leave of them all : and then turning his face from them , he again fell asleep , out of which he never awaked ; only sometimes when his pains came upon him , he stirred a little : and so on the sabbath about eleven a clock he quietly resigned up his spirit unto god that gave it , an. christi . and of his age . how excellent a divine he was , his common places testifie : how orthodox and solid a disputer he was , his fourteen disputations shew in the synopsis purioris theologiae . how strong a defender of the truth against error , will appear by his answer to corvinus in defence of du mollines anatomy of arminianism . as also his censura confessionis remonstrantium . how careful he was of order both civil and sacred , is manifest by his tractate de authoritate magistratus in rebus ecclesiasticis . how a religious observer of the sabbath , his dissertation de sabbatho declares . how desirous he was to reform the ethnick practical philosophy , appears by his compendium ethicae aristotelicae ad normam veritatis christianae revocatum . his countenance was mixed with gravity : his pronunciation was modest and masculine : free from dissimulation : not without elegancy : neither by brevity did he procure obscurity , nor by prolixity tediousness . sometimes he was more vehement , when the zeal of gods glory , the love of the truth , or the heat of disputation excited him . against the adversaries of the truth he contended not by reproaches or railings , but by strong arguments drawn out of the sacred scriptures . as oft as he was called by the prince of orange , or the states to compose ecclesiastical differences , he never spared his pains therein . as oft as he was sent either by magistrate or presbyterie to the camp , or about any other difficult businesses , no trouble nor danger made him decline the work . his conversation both at home and abroad was holy and blameless . he was hospitable to his friends , charitable to the poor , pleasing to all : not given to wine , but sober , just , temperate , and free from covetousness . his works are named before , and are bound up together in one volume . the life of henry alting , who dyed anno christi . henry alting was born at embden in frisland , anno christi . of a very antient and honorable family : his father , menso alting , was pastor of embden ; his mother was mary biscof , a choice matron : in his childhood he was very sickly and weak , so that he was four years old before he could go . his parents devoted him to the service of god , and his church from the very womb , and therefore anno chri. . when he was seven years old , they set him to school in their own city of embden , where he quickly discovered a prompt and ready wit , so that in the space of seven years he went through all the forms in that school , and being fitted for it , at fourteen years old his father sent him to the university of groning , where he studyed the first year under buningius , and three other years under vbbo emmiu● , the first rector of that university ; a man famous through the world for his learning : by his diligence under such tutors he profited exceedingly , writing an excellent latine stile , and being well grounded in the knowledge of the arts. from thence his father sent him into germany for the advancement of his learning , and having saluted marpurg , he went to herborn , anno christi . where that famous divine iohn piscator was professor , under whom our henry applyed himself to his studyes , and by his great industry and excellency of his wit was so far approved of , that he was imployed in reading philosophical and theological lectures : so that after three years abode there , he began to think of entring into the ministry , for which end he resolved to go into helvetia and france , to receive orders in some of those churches : but god for the present intended him to another imployment : for upon the commendations of the professors of herborn , piscator , zepper , and martinius , he was appointed by count iohn of nassau to be tutor to three young counts , viz. william of nassau , conrade lodowick of solmes , and phil. ernest of isenburg , who at this time were students in the university of sedan , together with the young prince frederick , son to frederick the fourth , elector palatine , who afterwards was chosen king of bohemia . but before our henry went to sedan , he went to heidleberg . to iohn albert count of solmes , and from thence to friedelsheim to the prince elector himself , by whom he was courteously entertained ; and being furnished with letters and necessaries for his journey , he went to sedan , where he arrived in the beginning of september , an. christi . and undertook his office. he had continued but awhile in that place , before it was requisite for him to withdraw , with his charge from that city , for fear of a siege which was threatned by henry the fourth king of france : and therefore they all went to heidleberg , and our henry in the princes court attended his former imployments , having a fourth added to the former three noblemen , viz. iohn conrade , the rheingrave . yea the very same summer prince frederick himself was committed to his tuition , to be by him instructed in history and geography : and at last , viz. . he was wholly left to the instruction of our henry and zachary collius , who went back with him to sedan , the storm being now over , where he so carefully attended his charge all day , that he was fain to get time out of his sleep for the study of divinity . the university of sedan had at this time famous divines in it , as daniel talenus , and iames capellus , with whom he entred into a strict bond of familiarity . anno christi . the prince elector dying , he returned with the young prince to heidleberg , where he attended his daily imployment . anno christi ● . the prince elector being to go into england to marry the lady elizabeth daughter to king iames , would needs have our henry to go along in his train : in which journey he escaped death very narrowly , himself with scultetus , and some other of the princes company being surprized with a storm upon the lake of harlem , so that with great difficulty , and half drowned , they gat to the further shore . this was october the seventh in the afternoon , just at which time his father dyed , leaving this life for a better . alting having escaped this danger , with a better voyage arrived safely in england , where he was kindely entertained , and became familiar with george abbot archbishop of canterbury , john king bishop of london , and doctor hackwell tutor to the prince of wales : yea , and king james himself conferred familiarly with him . february following an. christi . the prince elector being marryed , sent henry alting with his scholars before him into the palatinate , who in their journey travelled through zeland , flanders , brabant , limburg , jul●ers , and collen , and so at last arrived at heidleberg in april : the new marryed couple being not long behinde them . about four moneths after our alting was called to be a professor of divinity , to read common places in the university of heidleberg : into which he was admitted august the . which was the princes birth day : and because by the statutes of the university none could be moderator of the disputations but a doctor , he was solemnly inaugurated into that degree , november the . by paraeus dean of the university , and bartholomew coppenius doctor of divinity . and this was very remarkable , that amongst all the tumults and pleasures of the court , his minde was never taken off from the study of divinity . but gods providence intended him to some further imployment then a professors place : for there was in heidleberg an excellent seminary of the church , endowed with large revenues called the colledge of wisdom : the prince therefore chose him master thereof , october the . an. chri. . together with two colleagues to instruct and train up young divines for the work of the ministry : and how much good he did therein , they are able to relate who gratefully acknowledge what profit they reaped by his care and culture . whilst he was thus laboring in his double imployment , coppenius another professor dyed , whose place was divolved upon our alting : but by a rare and great example of modesty , he chose rather to continue in his former imployments , and by his favour and authority in the princes court , prevailed that abraham scultetus should have that professors place transferred upon him . about this time a national synod was called at dort , for the composing of the differences in the belgick churches by reason of the arminians , and when grave , learned , and godly men were chosen out of all the reformed churches to be present at it , ( which was anno christi and ) our altingius , with two others , was sent from heidleberg to assist in that work : where he approved himself to all that were present both for his excellent learning in divinity , and his dexterity in explicating cases of greater difficulty . thus far we have heard the happier and more comfortable part of his life , now follows the more sad and afflicted part of it : for scarcely was the synod ended , wherein the arminians were condemned , and the orthodox truths established , but alting with his colleagues returned to heidleberg ; and at the same time the tumults in bohemia began : the prince elector is chosen king of bohemia and crowned : spinola breaks into the palatinate : the great battel was fought nere prague ; the bohemians are beaten , which was an. chri. . and the year following the university of heidleberg was dissipated , the students flying for fear , and the professors having liberty granted them to go whether they pleased . yet our alting sending his family into a place of safety , stays still in the colledge of wisdom , keeping the students in good order ; remaining unterrified in the midst of emminent dangers , whilst he was serviceable to the church , satisfied his own conscience , and the earnest desire of the king , who from the h●gue had written to him desiring him not to depart from heidleberg . an 〈…〉 in the moneth of ●●●gust heidleberg was besieged by 〈◊〉 , and ●eptember the . was taken by storm , at which time it suffered whatsoever military licent●ousness could inflict by plunderings , murthers , and ravishing of matrons and virgins , all being heightened by the hatred of religion , and the brutishness of the cro●●s . at this time our alting was in his study , who hearing of the surprize of the city , bolted his door , and betook himself to prayer , looking every moment when the bloudy souldiers would break in to sacrifice him to god : but the great arbiter of life and death took care for his safety : for monsieur behusius , rector of the school , and his dear friend hiring two souldiers , called him forth , and conveyed him through a back dore into the lord chancellors house , which tilly had commanded to be preserved from plundering by reason of the publick monuments of the commonwealth that were kept in that place . this house was commanded to be guarded by a lieutenant colonel that was under the count of hohenzollem , a man greedy of prey , who least he should lose his share in the booty by his attendance upon that place , sent forth his souldiers as it were a hunting , commanding them that if they met with any citizens of note , that under pretence of safe-guarding them , they should bring them to him , purposing by their ransom to enrich himself : to this man alting was brought , who with his naked sword reeking with blood , said to him : this day with this hand i have slain ten men , to whom doctor alting shall be added as the eleventh , if i knew where to finde him . but who art thou ? truly such a countenance , and such a speech in such a juncture of time might have affrighted the most constant minde : but our alting by a witty answer , neither denying himself to be alting , nor unseasonably discovering himself , answered ( as sometimes athanasius in the like case ) i was ( saith he ) a schoolmaster in the colle●ge of wisdom : hereupon the leiutenant colonel promised him safety , who if he had known him to be alting , would surely have slain him oh what a sad time had he that night , which he passed without sleep , hearing the continual shrikes and groans which filled the ayr of women ravished virgins defloured , men , some drawn to torments , others immediately slain : but when he saw that many fled to this house as to their only refuge , fearing lest he should be discovered by some of them , either through imprudence or malice , he retired into a cockloft : where , whilst he hid himself , this leiutenant colonel was by the authority of tilly presently commanded away , not giving him so much time as to seek out his schoolmaster , that the house might be resigned to the iesuites for whom it was appointed . yet under these new inhabitants our alting should not have been one jot safer , if god had not by a special providence provided for his safety . for the kitchin of this house was reserved for tillies own use , and one of the palatines cooks was appointed over it , who closely fed and maintained him , and whilst the iesuites were providing all things in a readiness in the church for the mass , he hired three bavarian souldiers that kept guards in the streets , to guard him to his own house . when he came thither he found all things broken , plundred and carryed away , and in his study he found a captain boasting that all things therein were his own : yet ( saith he to alting ) i give thee leave to take any one book , and to carry it away with thee . this proffer our generous alting refused , saying , sir , if all these things be yours , i pray god that you may enjoy them longer then their last master did : this was with iob , to say , the lord hath given , and the lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the lord. fortiter ille facit , qui miser esse potest . thu● returning to his former refuge , not without very great danger , three days after tilly ▪ ( who had taken up altings son in laws house for his quarters , was prevailed with to grant him a safe conduct to go to heilbron , to bring back his family from thence ▪ thus escaping out of heidleberg , he passed through a thousand dangers and deaths , till it pleased god at last to bring him safely to heilbron ; from whence after a short stay , he went to schomdorf , where he found his family : in which place he stayed till frebruary following , having obtained leave so to do of the duke of wirtemberg , by the mediation of his dutches , whom otherwise the lutheran divines would not have endured ; and indeed they fretted exceedingly at it , having no other reason for their spleen , but only because he was a professor of heidleberg . the year following being . the king of bohemia sent for him into the low-countries , and at last ( through gods mercy ) after a long , difficult , dangerous , and chargable journey both by water and land , he arrived safely with his family at embden , and after a short stay there went into holland , presenting himself to his king , who presently made him tutor to his eldest son frederick : neither would the king suffer him to imbrace a frequent call which he had to a pastora● charge in embden . yet neither did he pass over that year without great danger ; for as he was passing in a sled upon the ice nere purmerend , the ice breaking , he fell into the water , and was very neer drowning . but ( by gods mercy being pulled out , he fell into a dangerous disease , of which though he recovered , yet he felt a continual pain in his left shoulder all his life after . a while after taking all his family with him , he removed to leiden to oversee the kings sons in their studies . anno christi . sibrand lubbertus dying at franek●r , he was called by the states of frisland to supply that place , and they sent again and again to the king to desire his consent thereto : but the king not consenting , he modestly excused it . anno christi . he was called to groning to supply the place of ravens●erg , one of the professors of divinity lately dead ; and though the king would by no means at first hear of it , yet at the importunity of the senate and university , he at last consented , and furnishing him with necessaries dismissed him : so that he removed to groning , and the easter following began his work in the university anno christi . yet once a year he used to visit the king , who always highly prized him , and used him very familiarly . he supplyed that professors place at groning for the space of eighteen years with admirable fidelity , diligence , and industry , as not only his hearers but his works testifie ; as his body of divinity , his explication of vrsins catechism , and the belgick confession . his disputations and lectures against the manual of becanus : his tractates concerning the plague : predestination and the term of life . his vindication and explication of the canons of the synod of dort : besides some other of his works not yet printed . he was three times rector of the academy in groning . in the years . and . at all which times he brought some great profit or other to the university . in his first rectorship he procured an encrease of fellowships : for whereas there were but forty before , he encreased them to sixty . in his second rectorship he procured a great augmentation to the university library . in his third he obtained that one of the doctors was sent at the publick charge to leiden to buy the choicest books out of gomarus his library . he was seven years pastor of the church of groning . at the request of count benthemius he visited the county of steinfurt , purged it from socinianism , and setled peace in the churches : he , together with some other learned men , was imployed in perusing and correcting the new version of the new testament and the apocrypha books , wherein he attended it with great diligence and danger at leiden , the plague being very rife amongst them at the same time . he always had a singular care of the churches of germany , and especially of the pallatinate , improving his interest in procuring liberal contributions in all the reformed churches for their maintenance , that they might not perish through want . the collections which were made in england , were committed to his distribution with two others by the elector charles lodowick . the contribution of that noble and munisicent man lodowick de geer was put into his hand for the training up of young german students in divinity , which might ( when god should restore peace ) furnish the churches of the palatinate again : which trust he discharged with great diligence and fidelity . he refused the cals which he had to vtrick and leiden : for though he condescended to the latter , when it was brought him anno christi . by the syndic of leiden , yet it was upon condition that the provincial states of groning would give their consents : but he was too dear to them to be dismissed , though several requests were made to them by the states of holland for the obtaining thereof . he was once calle● back by the administrator of the palatinate , prince lodowick philip , to be professor of heidleberg , and to restore the churches in the palatinate : and for that end he went through many dangers as far as franckfurt : but by reason of the overthrow at norlingen , a new tempest hung over the palatinate ▪ which hindred his prosecution of that work . how much he watched over the good of the university of groning ; how careful he was for the choice of able professors in case of vacancy ; and how prevalent he was therein by reason of his favour and authority with the states , is known to all that were his contemporaries there . he was very careful for the training up of young students to the work of the ministry , that they should not be sent forth raw and unprovided to so great and difficult imployments : for which end he caused ecclesiastes bucani to be printed for their use . he marryed a wife whilst he was at heidleberg anno christi . a little before he was called to his professors place : not rashly ( as many do ) marrying and getting children before they have means to maintain them . she was a very religious matron [ susanna belieria ] the daughter of charles belierius , then consul of heidleberg : with whom he lived lovingly without domestick quarrels for the space of neer thirty years , by whom he had seven children . he was tall of stature and well set : he had quick eyes and lively senses : a loud and pleasing voice : a sound constitution , only by reason of his many occasions of grief , somewhat inclining to melancholy , so as he was prone to such diseases wherein that humor did abound . in his old age he was somewhat slow of gate , not through unwealdiness of body , but by reason of the speedy growth of old age upon him . he was very pious and learned , and adorned with all graces . if he set himself to reprove vice , he performed it with great gravity . if he comforted his friends , he did it with admirable dexterity . if he admonished any of their duty , he did it with much lenity . his ministry was full of majesty ; his stile eloquent ; his matter clear and solid . he was very sociable , pleasant , and loving in his converse with his friends . by his practice , converse , experience , and reading both of ancient and modern ecclesiastical histories , he attained to a great measure of wisdom . he was very zealous in defending the orthodox religion . very far from busying himself in other mens matters . could not endure strife and contentions : shunned those vain distinctions and fooleries of sophisters whereby they rather darken then explicate the mysteries of salvation . he could not endure novelties in divinity , holding that of tertullian , primum quodque verissimum , that which is most ancient is most true . his profession was without dissimulation ; his divinity solid and substantial , not that which is fetched out of the puddles of the schoolmen ( though he was no stranger to them ) but out of the pure fountain of the sacred scriptures . he was a constant studier of the peace of the church , yet always so as not to hazard the loss of truth which he ever preferred before the former . he was of a constant minde , always the same ; valiant in adversity , moderate in prosperity , having well learned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to sustain and abstain . in reproofs he was affectionate without bitterness : in admonishing and counselling prudent without passion : in choosing his friends of a quick judgement , and constant in retaining them : when he was to deliver his judgement either in the academical senate , or in the ecclesiastick presbyterie , he so went before others with his prudent counsel , as not to neglect to hear others judgements , neither would he take it ill if they dissented from him . if any question of great difficulty happened , he would never rest till he had searched out , and made plain the truth . if any resorted to him in private to ask his advice in sacred , civil , academical , or oeconomical affairs , his answer was instead of an oracle to them . his prudence did futher discover it self by the government of his family , where he kept all in peace , order , and concord ; and concerning which this only was known that no body kn●w what was done therein . anno christi . he buryed one of his daughters called mary , a beautiful and virtuous young maid , which caused so great grief to him that he fell into a quartane ague , which physitians hold to be mortal in old men ; and though at last he was cured of it , yet it lest ill reliques in his weakened bo●y , which in the year . brake forth into a far more grievous disease , viz. a leth●rgy , which threatned an apoplexie , and which the physitians did foretel to be fatal : yet neither by this sharp affliction could his stedfast minde be cast down : for after a while , contrary to all mens expectations , he began to recover strength , though indeed he was never perfectly cured . a third affliction which befel him , was the death of his dear wife , which fell out the year after upon october the ▪ the same day upon which formerly he had been chosen master of the college of wisdom . from that very time of the loss of his wife he was discerned to decay , his solitude encreasing his melancholy , which afterwards he could never get the mastery over . yea he often foretold that he should not long survive his wife : and though the easter after he went as far as ●●mbden to visit his friends , and recreate himself with their society , yet thereby he did but increase his destempers . for he was detained there for the space of twenty days by reason of a catharr and feaver ; after which he returned to groning , but much weakned and troubled with obstructions which physick could not remove ▪ nor any medicines cure . yet it pleased god that he had some lucid intervals , at which times he would attend upon his professorship , and the affairs of the university and his friends . august following , those obstructions so far prevailed that they took away his stomach , and thence ensued a sensible decay of his strength , which afterwards was accompanied with great pains in his back and loins , that caused often faintings . in his sickness doctor maretius visiting him , with a firm voice and friendly minde he congratulated him for that he was designed for his successor : for ( saith he ) it much rejoyceth me that i shall leave to the vniversity and church one that is studious of peace , orthodox in judgement , and averse from novelties ; and i require you that as you have ever maintained friendship with me , so do the like with mine whom i shall leave behinde me . the day before his death he sang the psalm with a sweet voice , and fervent zeal to the lord , and spent the rest of his time in hearty prayers and holy meditations . in the evening he blessed his children , and then commanded his son doctor james alting to pray with him , and in his prayers to remember the church and university . the next day which was sabbath day in the morning he found himself somewhat better , yet presently after he fell into a swound . after the morning exercise , his old friends doctor camerarius , and doctor strasbergerus , agents for the crown of sweden , came to visit him , by whose conference he was somewhat refreshed : but no sooner were they gone , when feeling that his disease had conquered nature , he told those about him that before sunset he should depart to the lord : and so acting his faith upon the death and merits of christ , upon the promises of the gospel , and cheared up with the comforts of the holy ghost , he expected death without fear , and presently after with a constant voice he bade them all farewel , as being ready to depart to christ , which he much longed for : then causing himself to be somewhat raised up , they perceived that he was ready to depart , wherefore hastily sending for the reverend pastor of the church wesselus emmius , his old friend , he prayed with him , and as long as he perceived that he understood him , he cheered him up with the sweet promises of the gospel , valiantly to go through that last combate ; and so about three a clock in the afternoon , in the presence of his friends , and the professors of the university , without the least strugling , he quietly slept in the lord , aug. . anno christi . his works are mentioned before in his life . the life of frederick spanhemius , who dyed anno christi . frederick spanhemius was born in january anno chri. . in amberg , the metropolis of the upper palatinate , which year was famous for many things , especially for that memorable battel of newport , wherein prince maurice overthrew the spanish forces : his father was wigand spanhemius , an honorable and most pious man , being doctor of divinity , and a counsellor to frederick king of bohemia in ecclesiastical affairs : for church businesses in the palatinate are not ordered by presbyteries and consistories , as in other reformed churches , but by certain ecclesiastical and civil persons chosen by the prince , to whom the whole care of ecclesiastical matters is committed . his mother was renata tossana , the daughter of that famous divine daniel tossanus , sometimes minister in orleance , afterwards pastor and professor of divinity in heidleberg : our frederick so soon as he began to speak , shewed such towardliness and ingenuity , that he gave hopes of excelling when he should come to riper years : his parents therefore , least so fruitful a field should lie untilled , took care that he should be trained up in religion and learning , first under their own wings till he was seven years old ; and then they procured him to be admitted into the elector school in that city , where , as he grew in years he increased both in learning and piety , so that when he was eleven years old , falling into a tertian ague , which held him long , he made a vow unto god , that if he pleased to restore him , he would ( so soon as he was fit ) apply himself to the study of divinity , whereby he might be able to do him service in his church all his life long . an chri. . the plague brake forth at amberg , which raging for seven or eight moneths together , dissipated that school , whereby his studies were hindred : yet did his father endeavor to make up that defect by his private instructing of him at home : so that the year following his father judging him fit for the university , sent him to heidleberg , which at that time was the common mart of learning , unto which students resorted out of all parts : when he came thither , he first sojourned in the house of his uncle paul tossan ; by whose converse and example he profited very much : but after a while being examined by the ecclesiastical senate , and judged fit , he was admitted into the colledge of sapience , where he spent four years and an half under those famous men , henry alting and conrade decker , to whom he approved himself both for his wit , diligence and progress in learning : for indeed he spent no time idly , imposing a task upon himself , whereby he did not only equal , but far exceed all his contemporaries : first drinking down those more pleasant studies of the arts : then betaking himself to the study of latine and greek out of the most classick authors : after which he proceeded to the hebrew , which he prosecuted with such fervor , that in four moneths space he read over the whole hebrew bible : he made also in that time three publick orations : first of the life and praises of saint ambrose ; secondly , of the authority of the laws prescribed to him by altingius ; and lastly of the four honorable offices belonging to the electoral family . he also kept a publick disputation de mundo under christopher jugnitius : after all which in january an. chri. . by the command of his superiors , he stood with five competitors , and underwent a private and publick examination in the hebrew , greek , and latine tongues : as also in logick , physicks , mathematicks , and ethick● , and made theams and verses in all those three languages : and disputed concerning judiciary astroligie with one of his competitors . examination being ended he was made master of arts , and so returned with honor to his parents ; with whom after he had staid a while he was by them sent to geneva , in regard of the eminency both of the teachers and city : for indeed that city was famous from the first reformation in which calvin and beza flourished , who derived the same excellent genius wherewith themselves were adorned to their successors . at his first coming thither he fell into acquaintance with vedelius the professor of philosophy , and heidanus , who afterwards made his funeral oration : these men found in him such qualifications as drew their affections to him : for they discerned him to be serious , contemplative , affable towards all , and of elegant manners : and abounding with profound speculations , which as he did not ambitiously discover , so neither did he conceal them where he might profitably make use of them : the greatest part of his time he spent in his private studies , and in learning the french tongue , with the elegancy whereof he was much taken , so that in a few moneths he attained to good skill in it : for the furtherance whereof they agreed amongst themselves at meals to give an account in french of what they had read that day . an. chri. . he publickly disputed with universal applause under turretine concerning the five articles controverted by the arminians : wherein he gave an essay what might afterwards be expected from him in that kinde . the year following things being in a deplorable condition in bohemia , and in the palatinate , he went to gratianople , that he might free his parents from further charge in his maintenance ; and from thence to ebrodune , an episcopal city in the upper dauphaunie ; where he was tutor to a noble mans sons for three years , during which time he conflicted with many diseases , especially with a dizziness in his head , for which by the advice of a physitian he had a fontinel made in his left arm , which wholly freed him from that disease . whilst he was in this city , he twice contested with the pontificians : first in the jesuites colledge with father hughes concerning justification , the authority of the scriptures , the church , &c. and afterwards with a franciscan fryar in the presence of the mayor of the city , a papist , and many popish lawyers concerning the sacrament of the lords supper : in both which he found ( as he professed ) the special assistance of god , so that though he was young , and not much versed in those controversies , yet he in the judgement of his very adversaries was not overcome . at the end of the three years , having with much difficulty obtained leave of the noble man , he returned to geneva : and after a while went from thence to paris , where he was most courteously entertained by samuel durant , the pastor of the reformed church , his kinsman , with whom he lived till the death of mr. durant , by whose advice he refused the professor of philosophies place at lausanna , to which he was invited by the magistrates of bern. during his abode at paris he grew into familiar acquaintance with the learned camero , who was so far affected with his sweet disposition , that though he differed from him in some points , especially about universal redemption , yet did he endeavour to carry him along with him to montalban , whither he was called to be the divinity professor , but prevailed not . he sometimes also visited tilenus and grotius , and had acquaintance with them . an. chri. . in april , by the approbation of mr. durant he came over into england , where he stayd four moneths , in which short time he took a survey of the kingdom , learned the language , gat acquaintance with the most learned men , and observed many things that were worthy notice : as the funeral of king james : the arrival of queen mary : the parliament : the convocation of the clergy : the act at oxford , and many other things . but the plague being at that time hot in oxford , ( according to his former engagement to his cosen durant ) he left england , and returned to paris , where he set upon the study of the chaldee and syriack languages , and read over the chaldee paraphrase of the prophets , and the evangelists and most of the epistles in syriack . these were his halcyon days , which were broken off by the death of mr. durant , who left unto him his whole library : after which he retired himself into the family of the noble arnold , counsellor and secretary of state , who entertained him at his own table , being much delighted with the variety of his learning and piety . and thus far he lived a private life : but in july an. chr. . he was called by his friends to geneva ; and indeed he delighted in that city above all others , wishing that there he might fix his station : whereupon he hasted thither upon this call , and often spake of the good providence of god to him therein : for when he came to lyons , being to pass over the river araris , he would needs go over in a boat : but by the violence of the stream his boat was split against an arch of the bridge , whereby with much difficulty he escaped drowning , and so ( through gods mercy ) coming at length to geneva , an. chri. . he found the professor of philosophies place to be void by the death of gasper alexius , and so by the unanimous vote of all , he was preferred before all his competitors to it , whereby after all his travels and troubles he aimed at a safe and quiet harbor : hereupon the better to bind himself to continuance in that place , the year after he resolved to marry , and pitching his affections upon carlot a portu , the daughter of the noble peter a portu , with the good liking of her friends , he marryed her , and ever after carryed a tender affection towards her ; and indeed she well deserved it in regard of her vertues , and innocency of manners , joyned with dovelike simplicity , free from fraud and guile . for she wholly depended upon her husband , and was willing to be governed in all things by his advice , which is the chief commendations of a wife , and so had all things common with him . and herein our spanheim admirably shewed his wisdom , who as he was famous abroad , so he took special care that no domestick jars should infelicitate his life : his endeavour also was not only to preserve , but to encrease his outward estate : well remembring that speech of the holy apostle , whereby he requires that a bishop should govern his house well , and keep his children in subjection with all honesty , for , saith he , if a man cannot govern his own family , how shall he take care of the church of god ? by this wife he had many children , whereof some dyed in their infancy , but he left seven behinde him , all of great towardness , especially his two eldest sons , who are like to inherit their fathers vertues . but it was not fit that his excellent parts should be shut up within the schools , nor his light put under a bushel , which ought so to shine that the church of god might be illuminated thereby ; whereupon the reverend presbyterie often advised him to apply his minde to the study of divinity , which also he willingly did , and so to the great rejoycing of all he was ordained a minister , and indeed so excelled , that he exceeded all mens hopes , both for his eloquence and doctrine : and it pleased god to call him forth to the constant exercise of it anno christi . at which time benedict turretain one of the professors , and his dear friend , dying , he was by the general consent of all chosen to succeed him , at which time he lay sick in bed , and dreamed of no such matter : this place he discharged for eleven years space with great applause : for then he discovered what was afterwards to be expected from him both by his lectures and disputations : so that that university was never in a better condition then when it was illustrated by the light of spanhemius . an. chri. . he was chosen rector of the university , at which time he made that excellent oration , which was published in the name of geneva reformed , being just an hundred years after that city first embraced the gospel . hereupon the bernates consulted about drawing him to lausanna , to succeed in the place of james à portu : they of groning edeavoured to get him to them : and the prince elector palatine sought also the same : but the miseries which at this time fell upon the palatinate , put an end to those desires : at last leiden obtained him , though with much difficulty , the magistrates and church of geneva much opposing it : yet the curators of leiden insisted with so much earnestness by their frequent letters , to which were added the request of the king of bohemia , of the illustrious states of holland and west-●risland , and lastly of the states general , that with much ado at length they extorted , rather then obtained his dismission from geneva : but its worth observation what means they used to retain him , with what grief and sorrow they parted with him , what a confluence of people brought him forth of the city , and with what sighs and tears they parted with him , as if in losing him , they had lost a principall member of their body . yet before he left geneva he went to basil to take the degree of doctor : for in geneva they use no such degree , and therefore whilst he was there he affected it not : but being to go to leiden where it was more necessary , he that had been for so many years a teacher of others , now submitted to examination , and so was created doctor : and this profit he gat thereby , that he veiwed helvetia , and became acquainted with many excellent and learned men , especially with z●●gerus and buxtorsius , whose names were now famous in the christian world. an. chri. . leaving geneva , he with his whole family and goods arrived safely in the moneth of october in leiden , just upon that festival day wherein they celebrated the memorial of their deliverance from the ●panish siege , and was most gratefully and heartily welcomed by them : and so soon as he came thither it was observed that there ensued a great alteration both in his stile , conceptions , phrases , and manner of life , so that he lived amongst the hollanders as if he had been born amongst them . in his oration which he made at his inauguration , he shewed himself a learned , pious , prudent and peaceable divine . in his disputations he was earnest , quick , and altogether insuperable , as one that knew all the lurking holes of s●ph●●iers , and withall knew how to overthrow them in their own artifices : he was so acute that at the first word he understood the meaning of his antagonists , and many times did so happily enucleate it , that expressing it better then themselves could , he taught them thereby : and when any difficulty arose , he could easily by the light of reason discuss and make it clear : but when he handled the cause of god , and was to assert his truth , and honor against the impudence of adversaries , you might have seen him go beyond himself : rising up with a great spirit and unusual zeal to dispel the objections of his adversaries . many times also in disputations , least they should be jejune and frigid , he would furnish the opp●nent with arguments , and arm him against himself , least an hour should pass without profit to the hearers . his care was not only to learn the first grounds of some of the arts , but he rested not till he had gained the exact knowledge of all the arts , and had dived into the profundity of philosophy : for it s the sign of an ignoble and slothful minde to retain and conclude it self with in narrow bounds : yet rested he not in the knowledge of humane arts , but only made them handmaids and servants to divinity : for that indeed he prized above all other studies , and therein he spent most of his time , endeavouring throughly to understand the sacred scriptures , and to vindicate the same from all the false glosses put upon them by hereticks : he , if ever any man , was studious of the truth : to the defence whereof he consecrated all his studies , and indeed was then in his paradice when he had attained to the knowledge of obscure truths , or had brought light to difficult texts , or had ●reed them from the wrestings or cavils of hereticks . he was truly a scribe taught to the kingdom of heaven , who out of his treasury brought forth things new and old : and although his minde was estranged from contentions , yet was he so great a lover of truth , that no bonds of friendship or acquaintance , nor fear could divert him from the defence thereof : he alwayes preferred the cause of god before all other relations and respects : and though he often professed that his chiefest desire was to grapple with the open adversaries of the church : yet withall , he declared that he could not be silent towards those brethren who through ignorance or infirmity sought to undermine the truth : for many times a little spark neglected at first , proves a dangerous fire when men have once undertaken the patronage of an opinion , they begin to cling close unto it , and the error of it being not timely discovered to them , begins to please them , and at last shame of detracting what they have published , makes them incorrigible . a great wit , sound judgement , and strong memory , seldom meet in one man , by reason of the different tempers whence they proceed ; but they did all so concur in our spanheim , that it was hard to say in which he most excelled . he was somewhat cholerick by nature , yet so suppressed the same , that he brake not forth at any time into sinful anger . he was a man so addicted to his study and the schools , that its a wonder how he could understand any thing else : but god had made him a man both for contemplation and action ; as may appear by the use which noble men and women made of him for advice in civil affairs : when he wrote of politicks , you would have thought that he had studyed nothing else in the whole course of his life : before he grew old , he was an old man for wisdom and intentness upon businesses . his whole life was an idaea of wisdom , whereby as occasion required , he could accommodate himself to affairs of all sorts . he was a wary estimator of humane affairs : in his friendships he observed this rule , that though he did not admit all promiscuously , yet did he admit not a few into his familiarity . he was very ready to do good to , and to deserve well of all ; and whereas many had daily occasion to make use of him , he rather numbred then weighed the good turns he did them . he had almost so many friends as acquaintance , especially of those that excelled in learning : in england , vsher , selden , prideaux , morton , and twisse , who a little before death would trust no body but our spanheim with sundry writings which he had prepared for the press . in france , besides many noble men who were in great places of dignity , he had molinaeus , tro●chinus , william rivet , garissolius , beaumontius , mestrezatius , drelincourtius , bouterovius● muratus , blondellus , ferrius , petitus , croius , vincentius , bochartus , almost all of them famous for their writings : i● germany he had zuingerus , vlricus , buxtorsius , crocius , with some others ; yea out of sweden , the queen her self the m●racle of her sexe , did lately salute him very kindely by her bishop , and by her letters signified how much she esteemed him , and how much she was delighted with his works . in transylvania , bisterfield , a very learned man , kept constant correspondence with him by frequent letters . but we must not forget andrew rivet , who was inferior to none of the divines that then lived , with whom he had a most strict bond of friendship , so that they seemed to have but one soul in two bodies , they willed and nilled the same thing , their opinions and judgements never differing : but as he was always an acute observer of wit and learning , so he never desired more intimacy with any then with such as by an unusual kinde of learning excelled all others , whereupon , seeing salmatius , as the bright sun obscuring all other stars , acknowledging the immensity of his learning , and the magnitude of his heroick motions , he often professed that he delighted in nothing more then in his friendship : and salmatius also willingly imbraced the same , insomuch as when spanheim lay sick , hearing that he desired to speak with him , though at that time he lay sick of the gout , salmatius hasted to him , where with many tears and sighs they imbraced each other , conferring of such things as became christians , and such great men to speak of , to their mutual satisfaction . he lived also most friendly with his other colleagues , weighing prudently what each of them deserved : but amongst all , observing bernard schot to excel for his skill in the law , and dexterity in dispatching businesses , as also for his obsequious minde towards him , he made choice of him especially to impart his secrets to , and to rest most upon his advice . he always , as he ought , much esteemed the singular good will of the prince of orange towards him , as also of the queen of bohemia , and other of the states , to whom deservedly he was most dear : as they testified by their extraordinary grief at his death . he always upon every occasion professed how much he was beholding to the curators and magistrates of leiden , for their singular good will towards him , whereby they often anticipated , and exceeded his modesty in conferring favors upon him . the most excellent princess of orange also , after his death , sent to his widdow and eldest son , professing that the loss of him was no less a grief to her , then if she had lost another husband , or dear son , so highly did she esteem of him . neither may any man wonder whence it came to pass that he had so many friends , if withall he do but consider the multitude of letters that he sent and received , so that his study seemed to be a compendium of all europe . but behold the mutability of all earthly things ! the truth is , his labors were so many and great , that if his body had been of oak , or iron , he could not have held out long : so that we may truly say , that the imployment of his soul destroyed its own habitation , which was worn out , and dissolved with too much exercise : for besides the publick labors which he underwent in the church and university , his private and domestical cares , his conferences with his friends , his frequent intercourse of letters , his various writings , and giving counsel to others , took up every moment in his life : and though he was often admonished by his friends to favour himself and moderate his pains , yet would he by no means be perswaded to it . hence it was observed that his strength began sensibly to decay , and he was troubled with great obstructions , so that himself began to complain of them , yet would he not diminish his daily task : and thus he continued all the winter afflicted with weakness , and pains at sundry seasons . his last sermon he preached at easter , upon those memorable words of saint paul , phil. . . who shall change our vile body , that it may be like his glorious body , &c. also after his last lecture , returning home , he complained of the decay of his strength , which was so great , that with much difficulty he went on to the end of his lecture , as many of his auditors observed . from thenceforth his health decayed , and his strength declined more and more , and which was an ill sign , his weakness was greater then his disease : yet notwithstanding he was delegated in the midst of april , by the church , to a synod of the french churches which met at harlem , whither he went , though the labor was too great for his weak body : and at his return he sensibly discerned that he was much worse , so that though no signs of death appeared outwardly , yet was his weakness such , that being taken off his legs , he was confined to his bed : hereupon he foresaw the approach of death , and wholly gave up himself to god , whom he continually invoked by ardent prayers , and sighs , which had been his constant practice in the whole course of his life : but yet april the . he thought himself better , and that there were some hopes of his recovery : whereupon in the afternoon he sate up at his study window : where he had not continued long before he was seized upon by a violent feaver , with a great trembling and shaking of his whole body , which at length ended in a burning , so that he lay all night as if he had been in the midst of a fire : whereupon seeing his end to approach , in the presence of his family he poured forth most ardent prayers to god ; profesting that he knew christ to be his redeemer in whom he believed , and with whom he knew that he should shortly be , and that he desired nothing so much as his happy dissolution , his soul still breathing after christ : only this by earnest prayers he begged of god , that he would give him strength to undergo whatsoever he should please to lay upon him , and that he would not suffer him to be tempted beyond what he was able to bear , that he might have a quiet and comfortable departure out of this miserable and sinful world : presently the famous physitian dr. stratenus was sent for from the hague , who was his special friend , to whom was adjoined dr. wallaeus , who performed all the offices of good physitians , and did what art could do : but their business was not so much with the disease , as with death , which refused all remedies . the citizens of leiden mourned exceedingly for his sickness ; the queen of bohemia , and the princess of orange shewed most tender affections towards him : his wife and family foreseeing their calamity in his loss , were dissolved into tears : but heidanus coming to visit him , he declared to him the inward peace of his soul , his hope of future glory , and his faith in christ , together with his earnest desire of leaving this miserable world : he also freely forgave all that had wronged him , desiring the like from others , if he had any way justly offended them : professing that whatsoever he had done , he did it out of his love to truth , and his care over the church . the night before his death dr. triglandius was sent for to him , whom he always loved and honoured as his dear friend , and colleague , who being come , prayed with him : and the next day dr. massisius pastor of the french church did tho like : and thus he spent all that week in prayers and holy exercises : on wednesday night he caused his son to read to him the . cha . of ezekiel and part of the epistle to the romans : after which he spake to his eldest son [ frederick ] exhorting him to the study of divinity , requiring him not to be withdrawn from it by any means whatsoever ; he thought that he could never speak enough of the tender love , care , and diligence of his wife shewed towards him . a little before his death , recollecting his spirits , in the presence of samuel riverius pastor of delph , with a clear and fervent voice , he prayed with such ardency of affections , as caused all to wonder . in his prayers he gave immortal thanks to god for all his blessings bestowed so plentifully upon him in the whole course of his life : and for that he had blessed him so much amongst strangers : acknowledging himself to be lesse then all those blessings , and that he had nothing to return to his majesty for them but his grateful heart : above other things he especially blessed him for bringing him forth in a reformed and orthodox church , and for that he had not suffered him to be infected with the popish religion , whose doctrine he professed to be erroneous and contrary to the gospel of christ , and the way of perdition : he prayed heartily to god to continue these blessings to his family for ever , and that he would never suffer any of them to be seduced to popery : he prayed also that in the pains of death he might with all his soul breath after god , and might before hand have some tast of the glory of heaven . this prayer being ended , his strength and voice failed him , and so about sun-setting he quietly slept in the lord , anno chri . and of his age . genevae rogatu regis sueciae , lingua gallica conscripsit militem suecicum : huic comitem addidit mercurium helveticum : commentarium vitae & mortis christopheri à dhona . leydae rogatu reginae bohemiae edidt memorias ludovice juleanae electricis palatinae . conciones tres ▪ thronum gratiae , thronum jud●cii , thronum gloriae . latinae scripsit genevae , genevam restitutam . prim●m , secundam , & tertiam dubiorum evangelicorum partem . chamierum item contractum . leydae , exercitationes de gratia universali . epistolam ad buchananum de controversiis anglicanis : item epistolam ad cottierium de conciliatione gratiae vniversalis . besides divers others which he began , but could not finish , being prevented by multitude of businesses , and death . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 finis . a table of all the principal things contained in this book . a abstinence , pag. . afflictions , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . afflictions sanctified , p. . anabaptists , p. . . . . . anabaptists confuted , p. . anabaptists wickedness , p. . . . . . . anger , the evils of it , p. . . prevented , . antinomians , p. . apologies for the christians , p. . . . . apostacy , p. . . . see falls of the saints . appeals , p. . arminians , see p. , &c. astrologers confuted , p. . atheism , p. b backsliding repented of , p. . bible translated , p. . . . . . . ● . . blasphemy , p. . . . c a cain , p. . censures rash , p. . charity to souls , p. . . . . . . . charity , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . chastity , p. . . . . . childrens education , p. . see family government . christ preferred before all , p. . . . . . christians are pilgrims , p. . comfort in afflictions p. . . . . . . . . confession of augsburg . p. . conscience , p. . . . . . . . . conscience guilty , p. . . . . . contentation , p. . . . . . . conversion , with the means of it , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . covetousness , p. . . . councils , p. . . . . . . . courage and constancy of the saints , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cruelty of persecutors , p. . . . d death , p. . . death desired , p. . . . . . . . . . . . death prepared for , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . death not feared , p. . . comfort at death , p. . . . diligence , p. . see industry . dissention amongst ministers , p. . divisions dangerous , p. . . dreams remarkable , p. . . . drunkenness , p. . punished by god , p. . e eloquence , p. . . envie dangerous , p. . . . . . excommunications . of origen , p. . of theodosius , . of nestorius , . of nuts , . of popes bull. f family government , p. . . . . . . faith , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . falls of gods saints , p. . . . . . . fidelity , p. . . . . flight in persecution , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . flight refused , p. . . . . . forgiveness , p. . fortitude , p. . see magnanimity . friendship , p. . . . . . . . . . . frugality . p. . g gluttony , p. . gospels swift progress , p. . grace , p. . gratitude , p. . h hatred cured , p. . heart tender , p. . . heavens glory , p. . hereticks punished with death , p. . . , &c. hereticks plagued by god , p. . . . . . . . hereticks seditious , p. . . hereticks profane , p. . malici●us , p. . . hereticks nominated , p. . hereticks reformed , p. . . . . . . . . . . . hereticks persecut●rs , p. . . . . . . . . hereticks subtile and false , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . cruel , . . . . see inconstant . heresie infectious , p. . . . . . hospitality , p. . . . humility , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i jews plagued by god , p. . ignorance , p. . . . . impatience , p. . inconstancy of heritecks , p. . independents confuted , p. . industry , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ingratitude , p. . . . . . . injustice , p. . . interim made , . the mischief of it , p. . . . joy unspeakable , p. . . . . judasses , p. . . justice , p. . l love , p. . . love to christ , p. . luthers pa●●onatness , p. . . . . ● lying abhorred , p. . m magnanimity , p. . . see fortitude . malice of the churches enemies , p. . . . . . malice of sathan , p. . . martyrdom desired , p. . . martyrs encouraged , p. . meditation , p. . . meekness , p. . . . . . ministers loved , p : . . . . see pastors . ministers ordination , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ministry successful , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ministers faithful , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ●● . . . . . . miracles , p. . . . . . how long they continued , p. . moderation , p. . modesty , p. . . . . . . money despised , p. . n nichodemites confuted , p. . o oaths , p. . origens fall and lamentation , p. , &c. origen the first that even commented on the scriptures , p. . p parents duty , p. . honoured , p. . pastors faithful , p. . see ministers . patience of the saints in afflictions , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . peace sought , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . perjury plagued by god , p. . persecutors welcomed , p. . persecutions great , . . . . persecution encreaseth religion , p. . . persecution advantagious , p. . persecutors plagued by god , p. . . . . . . . . . . . perseverance , p. . . plato praises god for three things , p. . pleasures dangerous , p. . popish lyes and slanders , p. . . . . . . . . . . popish malice , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . popish crueltie , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . popish treachery , p. . popish prophaness , p. . . . . popish subtilty , p. . . . popish blasphemy , p. . . . . popish uncleanness , p. . poverty of godly men & ministers , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . prayer frequent , p. . . . . . . . prayer prevalent , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . prayers at death , p. . . . . . . . . preaching difficult , p. . predictions , prophesies , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pride , p. . . prodigies , p. . . . . . . . . prophaness punished , p. . providences special and extraordinary , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ▪ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . prudence , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r repentance , p. . . . . repentance not to be delayed , p. . riches dangerous , p. . . s sacriledge abhorred , p. . . sathans malice , p. . . . . . . . . . schismati●ks what like , p. . malicious , p. . . scoffers punished by god , p. . scriptures studied , p. . . . . . . . self-denial , p. . . . . sin the fore-runner of persecution , p. . . . sin hateful , p. . . speeches excellent , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a new star , p. . studiousness , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . sufferings of the saints , p. . rejoyced in , p. . synods , p. . . . . . . . . the necessity of them , p. . . t temperance , p. . tentations , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . tentations resisted , . . . . . . . . . . . . thieves converted , p. . . . . time to be well imployed , p. treachery , p. . . . v vanity of all earthly things , p. . . visions , p. . . uncleanness prevented , p. . usury , p. . w witchcraft frustrated , p. . word of god how to be heard , p. . z zeal blind , p. . . zeal true , p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . zeal against hereticks , . . 〈◊〉 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . finis ▪ notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e sam. . exod. . . . . gal. . . . verè magnus est deus christianorum . acts . . psa● . . . pet. . & . . cor . . tim. . . ac●si diceret , satis corum testimoniis tam probatam esse fidem , ut non sit haesitandum . calv. in heb. . . le qu●e , ut te vide●m . sermo quidem viv●s , & efficax , exemplar est . bern. heb. . . cujus adhuc vis magna , & velut continua solicitatio . rivet . exerc. . in gen. prov. . . phil. . . . admonet non esse omnes promiscuèlmitandos . cal. in loc . jam . . prov. . . etsi exempla bonitatis dei ubique eluceant , &c. vide rivet . in psal. . loc. commu . part . . cap. . . cor. . . gal. . , , . non er●meranda suffia●ia , sed pe●pend●nda . august . . iam. . . phil. . . virtutes sanctorum sunt quasi testimonia , quae nos confirment , ut illis vel ducibus vel sociis freti , alacrius ad deum pergamus . cal ▪ in heb. . . . ioh. . . s. ash mal. . . psal. . . heb. . . heb. . . most of whose lives are since published by the author . notes for div a -e ephes . , &c. rev. . . heb. . . now much enlarged . notes for div a -e gen. . , . notes for div a -e his courage his zeal . his sufferings . his patience . his invincible courage . a faithful pastor . his humility . his sayings . he saw christ in the fl●sh . parents duty . his works , notes for div a -e his zeal against hereticks . gods judgement against hereticks . the history of his martyrdom . his courage . his slight . his vision foretelling his martyrdom . hight refused . he seasts his persecutors . his tentations . cruely . he is encouraged from heaven . his tentations . his courage . an excellent speech . his invincible courage . he fears not threatnings . the iews and gentiles rage against him . he 〈◊〉 to be nailed to the stake . his prayer . the fire will not burn him . he is slain . the iews malice . his body burned . his zeal against heresies . his prayer in the fire . his works . notes for div a -e his parentage and education . his speech at christs death . d●onysius converted . he is made pastor at athens . he goes to rome . and into france . the success of his ministry . satans mallice gods mercy . his apprehension . his zeal , and courage . miracles . persecutors cruelty . a brave speech . his prayer at death . his martyrdom . his saying . his works . notes for div a -e his parentage and education . his study of philosophy . his conversion , and the occasion of it . he is instructed by an old man. hi. conversion . his baptism . his zeal and courage . his apology for the christians to the senate . his apologie to the emperour . injustice used to the christians . he prevails for favour to the christians . he goes to rome . a prediction . his martyrdom . his zeal against heresies . his sayings . his zeal . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . ordained minister . his zeal against heresies . he was studious of peace . he is made bishop of ●y●ons in france . satans malice his zeal against heresies . he is sent to rome . his writings . the prophaneness of here●icks . the immutability of cerdon . miracles continued in the church . his courage and painfulness . a great persecution . his martyrdom . his sayings . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his excellent learning . he is ordained a presbyter . his zeal against heresies . he defends the christians . persecution increaseth religion . his learned , works . this was counted an unparalleld crime in mr. thomas edwards . a souldiers humility . his frequency in prayer . the manner of his conversion . his study of the scriptures . the danger of envy . his death . his sayings . his works . notes for div a -e his learning and ordination . his zeal against heresies . his writings . his sayings . his works . notes for div a -e his birrth . his parentage , and education . the reasons of his names . his early desire of martyrdom . he encourages his father . his studies . god provides for him . his hatred of heresie . his early preaching . he inconrageth the martyrs . gods providence over him . the gentiles hated him extreamly . the fruit of his ministry . his chastity . he gelded himself . he is ordained a presbyter . he is envyed by his great friend . he is forced to leave alexandria . he instructs the emperours mother . he reclaimed ambrose . his persecutions . he is ensnared . he is excommunicated . a special providence . psal. . . his torments of conscience . his lamentation . he means the living saints . his studiousness . his converts many . he wrote the first commentaries on the scriptures . he goeth into arabia . his works he reclaims hereticks . he is persecuted . his death . his sayings . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion . his charity . he is made bishop . his modesty . his humility . his charity . his magnanimity . his fidelity . his courage . his charity to exiles . his studiousness . his chastity . ●in the fore ●unner of persecution . the sins of professors . a vision . another vision . he vindicates the christians from scandals . he goes into exile . a faithful pastor . he is again banished . his apprehension . his martyrdom . his courage . his charity . his charity . his sayings . his works . notes for div a -e persecution . his works . notes for div a -e his commendations . constantines esteem of eusebius . a sedition in antioch . a synod . eusebius reproved . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his works . a great persecution . gods p●ovidence . his c●●tentati●n . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to the council of nice . his zeal against heresies . he is made bishop of alexandria . he is persecuted by the arians . he is accused to the emperour . he is cleared by constantine . he is again accused . the falsehood and subtilty of hereticks . his prudence . he is again cleared by the emperour . the church prospers under him . he is again accused , and cited to a council of arians . his charge . forgeries against him . his answer . gods providence . he goes from the council . he is unjustly deposed . and complained of to the emperour . dissenters in the council . athanasius banished by the emperour . seditions raised by arius . alexander prays against arius . arius his equl vocation and prejury . gods just judgement upon arius . his wretched death heretical lyes . athanasius his judgement of ari●●'s death . constantines death . heretical subtlety . the danger of suffering hereticks amongst great persons . the danger of heresie . athanasius returns to alexandria . constantines let●er to the people of alexandria . the arians raise tumults against athanasius . the cruelty of hereticks . a special providence . 〈◊〉 flies to 〈◊〉 ▪ his return to alexandria . hereticks fals●hood . 〈◊〉 flyeth . constance defendeth him . constantius his letter to athanasius . his second letter to athanasius . his third letter to athanasius . julius his letter in the behalf of athanasius . athanasius goeth into the east . his prudence . constantius his letter to the alexandrians in the behalf of athanasius . his letter to the governor of alexandria . athanasius is restored by a council . he is again accused by the a●ians . bishop paulus murthered . others persecuted . athanasius flyeth . his apology for it . their wicked practises of the arians . their cruetly against the orthodox . a council summoned in ●word . ● athanasius condemned by a conventicle . his prudence . he is sent for to the emperour . he is again banished . a special providence . the cruelty of the arians . georgius slain by the gentiles . athanasius 〈…〉 his return to alexandria . he is banished by julian . gods providence over him . athanasius in alexandria . he is again complained of to jovianus . he returns to alexandria . see the life of jovian in my second part. athanasius flyeth again . he is again restored . the cruelty of the arian hereticks . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his works . notes for div a -e he is deposed . his appeal . his reformation . his patience . his charity . gods judgement on the jews . testimonies of him . his death . his sayings . the benefit of hearing . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his excellent learning . his chastity . his patience . his humility . his charity . his care for the poor in a famine . his death . an enemy to hereticks . his chastity . his humility . his charity . his savings . the bought of perseverance . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . his zeal against heresie . a good pastor . a special providence . his zeal . his courage and constancy . his zeal . his courage . an excellent speech . his zeal . death desired for christs cause . his courage and constancy . a miracle . his death . his sayings . love. scriptures . erasmus his testinonie of basil. his works . notes for div a -e his character . his education his zeal against heresie . he is made bishop of nazianzum . his judgment on julian . a description of julian . his excellent parts . his modesty . his excellent gifts . his desire of martyrdom . eloquence . his saying preaching . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion . hereticks seek to ensnare him . his commendations . made bishop of salamine . preachers pattern . his zeal against heresies . epiphanius abused by theophilus . origens books condemned . epiphanius his weakness . his contests with chrysostom . two p●edictions . his death . his sayings . hatred cured . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . a prodigy . his education . a special providence . ambrose baptized . he is made bishop . his fidelity and courage . justina's malice . the people resist her . the emperour enraged against ambrose . his courage and constancy . a passionate act of theodosius . ambrose his speech to theodosius . he excommunicates theodosius . theodosius his humility . he seeks for absolution . the emperours m●dness . how to prevent sinful anger . theodosius absolved . special providences . profaness punished . his charity . his death . repentance not to be delayed . true charity . conscience . death . his works . notes for div a -e his parentage . his learning . he is made bishop . he is banished . his zeal to do good . scriptures . his works . his sayings . usury . notes for div a -e his parentage . his birth . his learning . his zeal against heresie . his charity . his works . theodisius his wisdom . his death . his saying . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . he goes to rome . his studies . his travels . 〈…〉 choose . hierom goes into syria . his sickness . his troubles by the arians . his retreat into the wilderness . his carriage there . his industry . his study of the scriptures . his study of the hebrew and other eastern languages . 〈…〉 his imployment . he is envyed by some . the subtilty of the arians . their dissimulation . his return into syria . his travels and studies . asphaltites . his labors at bethlehem his zeal against heresie . the increase of arianism . his great troubles . his death . his great esteem . his saying , christian fortitude . love of christ. the danger of heresie . chastity . iudgement . vertue . his works . notes for div a -e his parentage . his stud●es . his ordination . his diligence in his ministry . he is chosen bishop of constantinople . he reforms his clergy . he endeavours the peace of the church . the great success of his ministry . his 〈◊〉 . he is h●●ed for it . the subtilty of the arians . chysostom counter-plots them . the danger of riches . ignorant monks . epiphanius his weakness . a council called . origens books condemned . johns meekness . epiphanius reproved . two predictions . john condemned by the council unjustly . he is banished and recalled . his sharp reproof . a council summoned . he is condemned . banished . gods judgements on his 〈◊〉 . his charity . his death . why so called . lying abhorred . preachers pattern . his zeal . his zeal against heresie . his magnanimity . his courage . love to the ministry . his sayings . meditations . danger of riches . his love . his faith . his tenta●ion . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . he is reclaimed by ambrose . preachers pattern . his zeal . his humility . he is made a presbyter in hippo. his diligence . he disputes with a donatist . the success of it . his zeal against heresies . he disputes in a synod . he is made bishop of hippo. the malice of the schismaticks . the circumcellians . they persecute the orthodox , especially ministers . the malice of schismaticks . a special providence . the cruelty of schismaticks . the donatists condemned for hereticks . a council at carthage . a council at caesarea . manichees converted . the craft of an arian . hereticks , lyars . augustine con●utes an arian . his zeal aginst pelagians . the success of his ministry . his patience . his great labors . his humility . a special providence . his humility . his prudence . his charity . oaths . his retractations . his works . the coming of the goths into africk . their horrible cruelties . see more of it in my general martyrology . augustine dies before the taking of hippo. his faith . the power of his prayers . his death . his poverty . an excellent speech . his sayings . prayer . death . christians are pilgrims . ingratitude . his works . notes for div a -e he is chosen bishop of alexandria . a council . nestorius deposed and excommunicated . banished by the emperour . his fearful death . his knowledg in the scriptures . his learning . his death . his sayings . charity . modesty . tentation . notes for div a -e his birth and education . preachers pattern . prayer . his sayings , charity . mercy . faith and works . drunkeness and gluttony . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . scriptures delighted in . his charity . a peace-maker . his speech at death . his death . his character . his works . his sayings . pride . notes for div a -e his parentage . his education . his prudence in governing a family . his conversion . his speech . his prudence . he retires himself from the world . his mothers impatiency at it . tentation resisted . his abstinence . his sickness , and recovery . he gives away his inheritance . the arians renew their persecution . his remove to sicca . heretical mallice . cruelty of hereticks . he is cruelly beaten . rejoyceth in sufferings for christ. he seeks not revenge . he sails into sicily ▪ he goes to rome . heaven more glorious . his return into africk . he obscures himself . his great industry . he is ordained a presbyter . his humility . he is made a bishop . his moderation . he is banished . he converts many . hereticks subtilty . he comes to carthage . doth good . he is sent for to the king. he is envyed and complained of . is sent back into sardinia . he prophesies . his humility . his meekness . he is restored to his place . his humility . his sickness . his deportment . a good pastor . his charity . his death . prayer prev●lent . his works . his sayings . covecousness . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his charity . he turns monk. his studiousness . his humility . frugal of his time . his charity to souls . he desires to have england converted . he is sent to constantinople . he writes upon job . confutes heresies . his return to rome . gods judgements on rome . he is chosen bishop of rome . his humility . he is confirmed by the emperour . he appoints a fast to remove the judgments . he reforms the church . his charity . he sends austin and some others into england . encourages them by this letter . they arrive in england . his death . his character . his sayings . spiritual poverty . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his death . his sayings . holiness . sinful thoughts . guilty conscience . danger of pride . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he is made deacon . and presbyter . his humility . scriptures read with devotion . pleasures to be avoided . his death . his sayings . anger . his virtue . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and imployments . his death . his sayings . submission to gods will. his contentation . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . given to pleasures . his travels and want . enters into a monastery . is made archbishop of canterbury . his contention with our kings . his death . his sayings . sin hateful . mans fall . notes for div a -e his learning . his works . his death . his sayings . afflictions . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . his modesty . he refuses cure by a charm . his zeal . his charity . he is tempted to uncleanness . how he cures 〈◊〉 . he enters into a monastery with his brethren . heaven better then the earth . his diligence . his great labors . his love to the scriptures . is made abbot of claraval . his zeal . he is ordained a presbyter . what was blame worthy in him . his sickness . his letter to the abbot of ben●val . his death . his blinde zeal . his opinions differing from the church of rome . his sayings . how to hear . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his works . his sayings . sin inherent . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his sayings . patience . faith. covetousness . iyes . humility . notes for div a -e his birth . his humility . his charity . preachers pattern . his industry . his employment . notes for div a -e his birth and breeding . his character . his studiousness . meditation . his humility . preachers pattern . a good conscience . time to be well imployed . death . repentance . his works notes for div a -e his birth and education . his preferments in oxford . his zeal . his prudence . his adversaries . his friends . popish lyes and slanders . john of gaunt favers wicklies . the bishop banished . and restored . wicklies hated by the bishops . cited to appear before them . is encouraged by the duke . appears before the bishop . the bishops pride . great contention . a bill in parliament against the londoners . the citizens make a tumult . their rage . articles against wicklief . condemned at rome . persecuted . the bishops resolve to proceed against wicklief . a special providence . his zeal and diligence . other providences . wicklief again persecuted . his weakness . he is again persecuted . a great earthquake . the kings letters against him . the kings letter to oxford . wicklief returns to lutterworth . his death . his works . gods providence in preserving his books . his works . king edwayd the third favored him . his body condemned and burned . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to prague . chosen pastor of bethlehem . his faithfulness therein . he is cited to rome . is excommunicated . he is banished . gods mercy . a schism at rome . he is cited to the council . his intimations as he went. his kinde entertainment as he went. gods judgement on his adversary . his courage . popish cruelty . his writings in prison . popish cruelty . the nobles of bohemia petition in his behalf . the councils incivility . a prodigy . his appeal to christ. he is condemned . his charity . popish cruelty . a wicked decree . his works condemned . his ornaments . his patience . popish malice . his books burnt . his deportment at his death . his prayer . his martyrdom . inhumane cruelty . a prophesie . gods judgement on his persecutors . his petition to the king. his request to the bishop . and to the barons . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his zeal . his retreat to iberling . a safe conduct denyed him . his intimations set up at constance . his return towards bohemia . he is apprehended . carryed to constance . his answer to the bishops . he is accused . his answer . he is imprisoned . he is encouraged . popish cruelty . he fals sick . his weakness . he is brought before the council . he retracts his recantation . back-sliding repented of . his condemnation . his short answer . his ornaments . his deportment at death . his martyrdom . his courage . his last words . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his parentage . his education . gods providence . schola illustris . he goes to erford . his great proficiency . he is master of arts. means of his conversion . the ignorance of those times . his study of the scriptures . a prediction . his studiousness . his ordination . his remove to wittenberg . he goes to rome anno christi . popish profaneness . he is made doctor of divinity . an. chr . . he studies the languages . popish blasphemy . he opposeth indulgences . his protestation . many defend luthers doctrine . the emperor is against him . the pope against him . the pope writes to the duke of saxony . the pope further persecutes him . luther cited to rome . the university pleads for him . the bohemians encourage luther . luthers resolution . his courage . the cause why luther was so hated . erasmus's testimony of him . luther cited to ausburg . luther goes from ausburg . the university of wittenberg stands for him . the duke of saxony pleads for him . popes malice . the dukes answer . luther disputes at lipsick . fryars and bishops stir up the pope against him . luther intends a retreat . the popes bull against him . the bull answered . the bull excommunicated . luthers books burnt . he burns the bull. luther sent for to worms . his friends disswade him . his courage . he goes to worms . his answer to eccius . his constancy . the emperour intends to proscribe him . the princes divided about it . luther● courage . he is proscribed . and se●●way . his patmos . witchcraft frustrated . reformation in his absence . he translates the bible . his return to wittenberg . he is displeased with the reformation . his faith . the rising of the anabaptists . luther unmasks them . he deals more sharply with them . muncer and pseiffer the incendiaries . the anabaptists beaten . muncer and pseiffer beheaded . luthers marriage . melancthon excuses it . his sickness . his tentation . how he recovered . melancthons fears . luther encourageth him . an excellent speech . his faith . luthers courage . erasmus censures him . he defends his book against king henry the eighth . w●y luther was not punished . his writings . he will not be b●●bed . he publisheth his catechisms . the confession of auspurg . luther perswades to peace . a diet at auspurg . peace endeavoured between luther and zuinglius . yet frust●ated . luthers preface to the smalcaldian articles . his violence against the sacramentaries . his power in prayer . he justifies his turn from popery . power of prayer . luther fal● sick . his recovery . a council of the popes . what it was like . . antinomians . their opinions . he prays melancthon well . . he comforts myconius . power of prayer . . his judgment about ceremonies . his exposition upon genesis . . a popish lye about luthers death . luthers answer to it . he is sent for into his own country . he is in danger of drowning . he comes to isleben . his imployments . his last sickness . luthers last prayer . his fai●h . his 〈◊〉 . his last will. his last word . his constancy . he in part retracts consubstantiation . his daughters death . his sayings . his charity . his private life . his recreations . his care of his children . his diseases . his tentations . his character . his wifes afflictions . miracles . special providences . one gives himself to the devil . 〈…〉 〈…〉 his works . his speech about his works . he would have none called lutherans . melancthons testimony of him . a prediction . his character . his stile . not● . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his learning . he commenced master of arts. his study of the scrlptures . preachers pattern . he is chosen to a place . his zeal . he opposeth indulgences . popish impostures . a reformation in zurick . the bishop opposeth it . zuinglius admonisheth the bishop . he would have ministers marry . luthers books come abroad . he studies the hebrew . lambertus converted . his const●ncy . popery abolished . the revenues of monasteries turned to charitable uses . he presseth a further reformation . a disputation . a further reformation . an abbess converted . note . his marriage . a controversie about the mass. luk. . mat. . the mass abolished . he is instructed in a dream . eccius his rage . zuinglius defends himself . a disputation fruitless . reformation at bern. it s written in golden letters . quarels amongst the switzers . peace made . a disputation . luthers violence . the disputation ends . some good effects of it . catabaptists . their wickedness . they are punished . popish malice . he is in danger . new quarrels amongst the switzers . wars begun . they of zurick beaten . zuinglius dislikes the war. he is slain . popish cruelty . he preached against popery before luther . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he goes to heidleberg . then to bononia . his study of divinity . he enters into the ministry . he studies greek and hebrew . he is made a preacher . his friendship with capito . he is chosen to basil. he is chosen to auspurg . popish malice . his call to sir fr. sickengen . he is professor at basil. popish malice . reformation in basil. idols burnt . discipline erected . preachers pattern . vlm reformed . . a disputation . it s dissolved . his imployments his sickness . hi industry . he prepares for death . his speech to his colleagues . a prediction . his perseverance . his poverty . his care for his children . he foretels his death . joy unspeakable . his death . popish lyes . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his learning . his conversion . his imprisonment . his release . manifold afflictious . he is set in the stocks . his inlargement . popish malice . his imprisonment . rastal converted by him . popish malice . the king commands frith to be tryed . he is sent for to croydon . his conference with the bishops men . his courage and constancy ▪ a prophesie . his escape contrived . he refuseth to fly , and why . his examination ▪ and learning . his unjust condemnation . his patience . gods mercy . his death . popish malice . his works . a strange providence . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his zeal . mr. latimer converted by him . his zeal in preaching . popish malice his apprehension . the articles against him . a prophesie . his condemnation . his fall . his penance . his letter to tonstal . his first conversion . his inward joy . without faith nothing pleases god. his desire to convert others . the danger of apostacy . great comfort after great troubles . prevalency of the truth . his conference with a fryar . the fryars rage against him . his constancy . his comfort before death . an excellent speech . he puts his finger into the candle . his faith . an excellent speech . his charity . his martyrdom . his patience . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his zeal . his remove into glocestershire . blindeness of papists . mr. tindals wisdom . the fruits of it . popish malice and ignorance . he is accused . he prayeth for strength . he is railed at . popish blasphemy . mr. tindals zeal . he departs from master welch . gods providence . he goes into germany . his zeal . the bible translated first into english. his conference with luther . his excellent works . the benefit come by them . his prudence . satans malice against the truth . his great afflictions . mr. coverdal assists him . a widows charity . popish lyes . the bible prohibited to be read . popish malice . he is betra●●d . a judas . cast into prison . means used for his release . his martyrdom . a jalor converted . gods judgment on a persecutor . a conju●er prevented by mr. tindals presence . his sincerity . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his preferments . his conversion . a disputation . another disputation . the questions . a ref●rmation . his death . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . his studiousness . his remove to basil. and th●n to ingolstade . he is ill dealtxs with . he turns souldier . he is freed by ●●cius . he is made a professor in ingolstade . erasmus testimony of him . he goes to auspurg . he joins with zuinglius . anabaptists disturb the peace of the church he disputes with a she-anabaptist . he is driven away by papists . his return . his marriage . his constancy . his comfortable conference with luther . the dukes love unfeigned to him . he is made superintendent . his sickness . his death . he desired a sudden death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he settles at wittenberg . a disputation . he reforms wittenberg . his remove to orlamund . luthers infirmities . he is bannished by luthers means . his great afflictions . he writes to luther . his return into saxony . his death . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he studyes physick . and divinity . love unfeigned . he is chosen pastor at basil . he is chosen to ments . he favours the gospel . his advice to luther . he goes to strasborough . he is sent to by the queen of navar. he affects peace . a disputation at bern. his death . his character . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . his study of divinity . he is made pastor at zurick . he translates the bible . his death . the confession of his faith his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his preferments . luther directs him in his studies . his imployments . his tentations . luthers counsel therein . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he enters into a monastery . his bodily exercises . his diligence in reading . indulgences brought into germany . popish blasphemies . myconius well educated . popish covetousness . the means of his conversion . the gospels swift progress . love unfeigned . he endeavors 〈◊〉 quiet the anabaptists . his marriag● . his zeal in preaching . he is sent into england . king henry the eight his hypocrisie . his return into germany . an heroical resolution . reformation in misna and thuringia . luthers prayer for myconius . a prophetical prayer . his recovery . power of prayer . his character . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . his conversion . he goes to geneva . from thence to strasborough . so to ratisbone . he is tempted . his conference with malvenda . popish treachery . he is tempted . devillish hypocrisie he is advised not to go with his brother . he is basely murthered . the murtherers apprehended . escape unpunished . gods judgement upon alphonsus . notes for div a -e his birth . his fathers plety . his education . he studies hebrew . he is called back to wittenberg . his delight in simples . he assists in translating the bible . his learning . his works . the preachers pattern . he studyes the mathematicks . his last sickness . prayer of faith. his carriage in sickness . a wonder . his death . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he is ordained a minister and paster in strasborough . his conversion . articles against him . his constancy . reformation in strasborough . his assistants . his death . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he teaches school . he studies the tongues . his poverty . his diligence . he is made pastor at isna . he is an excellent hebrician . he sets up a press . his carriage in a plague-time . his remove to strasborough . his remove to heidleberg . religion goes to ruine . his constancy . the bible translated . his death . popish malice . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he is made preacher at heidleberg . his conversion . his zeal . popish malice . an. chr. . he goes with luther to worms . his troubles . he goes to strasborough . reformation in strasborough . a disputation at marpurg . he disputes with the papists . a blessed peace-maker . he reforms vlm. his apology at zurick . his imployments . hermannus sends for him . the interim made . bucer disowns it . a persecution about the interim . he is sent for into england . his imployment there . his sickness . his indefat●gableness . his sickness . his faith . his death . popish malice . the cardinals testimony of him . his works . notes for div a -e his birth ▪ and education . his conversion . he goes to strasborough . reformation at strasborough . his marriage . he is sent for to 〈◊〉 . his danger and return . his diligence . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he is made a schoolmaster . removes to zurick . from thence to lucern . his conversion . goes back to zurick . thence to basil . he is made a deacon . and a pastor . he adheres to luther . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . his first preferment . he professeth the reformed religion . he reforms his country . he is ordained his holy life . his industry . his prudence to improve his parts . synods . his works . his constancy . notes for div a -e his birth . a miracle of mercy . his conversion his call to wittenburg . his employment● in the school●● . he reforms some churches he is called to hale . his death . his character . his t●●tation . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to antwerp . his conversion . his mariage . he goes to wittenberg . his returm to england . his zeale , and courage . his courage and constancy . his usage before the councell . his condemnation . his speech upon i● . gardners cruelty . he is warned to pre●are for death . he is degraded ●is constancy . his patience , and martyrdom . 〈…〉 a speciall providence . his prophesies his cheerfulnes & charity . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he is bound an apprentice . he is released . his return to cambridg . frequent in prayer . he commenceth master of arts. he is ordained minister . the success of his ministry . he ma●ieth a wife . his remove to li●hfield . then into lecestershire . then to london . queen ma●ies coming in . his zeal ▪ he is taken prisoner . his faithfulnes . preacher's pattern . a faithful pastor . his courage & constancy . popish malice . bonner ign●●ance . his courage . his conference with gardiner holy charity . comfort in affliction . the best legacy . his zeal . a good conscience better then life . a brave speech his martyrd●●e . popish cruelty his admirable patience . his letter to his wife . doctor pendleton a turn-coat . proud presumption , 〈◊〉 notes for div a -e his education his conversion . he leaves the university . his conference with gardiner . flight in persecution . he flies into germany . his marriage . he returns to england . bullingers speech to him . his answer . a prophesie . his painful preaching . his constancie . his character . note . he is made a bishop . a painful bishop . his family government . his charity . he is sent for to london . a good shepheard . stephen gard●ner . popish malice . his patience . popish cruelty . popish rage . tentations resisted . gods providence . he is sent to glocester . the benefit of inward peace . benefit of a good conscience . constancie . note . his request to the sheriffe . his meeknesse and constancy . he goes cheerfully to the stake . his praier at the stake . he is tempted . his confidence in god. his cruel burning . his praier in the fire . his death . his heavenly speeches contention about ceremonies . they agree in prison . his admirable patience . notes for div a -e his imployment . scriptures well studied . preachers pattern . his character . his charity . the ma'ss brought into his church . his zeal . popish malice . he is accused , and sent for . he is perswaded to fly . flight refused . his courage . a prediction . he goes to s. gardiner . his stout answer . his conference with gardiner . his imprisonment . his holy employments in prison . he meeres with mr. bradford in prison . his examinations : his condemnation . his courage . death not feared . his conference with bishop bonner . he is sent to hadley . benefit of a good conscience . his courage and constancy . his comfort in affliction . his death bewailed . his charity . popish cruelty his martyrdome . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his fidelity . he goes to cambridge . his preferment in the vniversity . note . he enters into the ministry . he defends bourn from death . he is ill requi●ed for it . he preacheth in prison . a soft heart . his character . studious . note . his charity . he was well e●●●med of all . flight refused . a dream prophetical . he rejoyceth at the news of his death . his fervent praye●s . his departure out of newgate . tentation resisted . his behaviour at his death . note . his martyrdom . his charity . his humility . his conference with gardiner . his godly letters . sin the forerunner of persecution . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his preferment in cambridge . his remove into kent . his preferments . preachers pattern . his character . note . his recreation his family government . his conversion his imprisonment . he is sent to oxford . note . charity to christ's prisoners . note . in his letter to mr. grindall . his courage . his cond●mnation . his cheerful●ess ●efore his death . a good conscience a continual feast . his carriage at his martyrdome . his faith . his prayer at the stake . note . his cruel martyrdom . his death . his prophecy . q. maries unmercifulnesse . in a letter . he learned the scripturer by heart . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he went to cambridge . a zealous papist . mr bilny's prudent charity . his conversion . sathans malice . the fruit of grace . his charity . his letter to dr. redman . gods providence . he goes into wiltshire . popish mali●e he writes to the archbish. he is made bishop of worcester . a good bishop . sathans malice . his faithful boldness . whereof the king was very guilty . he resignes his bishoprick . note . he is againe troubled and freed by the king. his imprisonment in the tower. his painfulnes in his ministry . his studiousnes his prophesies steph. gardiner he is sent for . fligh● refused . his courage . he is tempted . a prediction . comf●rt in affliction . his imprisonment . he is sent to oxford . his fervent prayers . prayer ▪ he encourageth dr. ridley a special providence . his death . in a letter to king hen. . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his character . his travels . his return . a convocation . mr. philpots zeal . the queen dissolves the convocation . he is cast into prison . danger of apostacy . popish cruelty joy after sorrow . his conference with b. bonner . a prison a palace . his conference with the bishops . his prayer . popish ignorance . his conference with doctor morgan . popish prophanesse . mr. philpots zeal . he is set in the stocks . his condemnation . he prepa●●● for death . he is carried into●mit field . his martyrdom . his wonderful joy in prison . he defends infant baptsim notes for div a -e his birth and education . his marriage . he is again chosen fellow . his prudence . gods providence . d. cranmers advice about the kings divorce . s. gardiners prid● . he writes his judgement . he is sent to rome . an unmannerly dog . the pope● evasion . all learned men for the divorce . his industry . h●s prudence . his second marriage . his humility . he is made arch-bishop . his ●udiousness . his character . he opposed the articles . his charity . cranmer hated by the papists his disputati●n● with gardiner . popish malice . his conference with the king. his prudent answer . the kings great favour to him . he is betrayed by his own servant . a design to have committed him to the tower. the king reveals it to him . the king secures him . he is basely abused . the king is informed of it . he appeales to the king. the king checks his counsellors . he is reconciled to them . the king provides for his 〈◊〉 . two judasses . ex ore 〈◊〉 , &c. gods providence . he is h●●●d by queen mary . he is committed to the tower. he refuseth to fly . he is removed to oxford . he appeals . he is degraded a good conscience . his poverty . popish sub●iltie . his tentations . humane infirmity . the danger of apostacy . his death appointed . doctor cole preacheth . vanity of worldly glory . his apostasie repented of . he is pulled down rudely . holy revenge . his patienco . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he enters into a monastery . recovers of the plague . he goes to tubing . he studies the hebrew . he buyes an hebrew bible . his industry . he ordained a presbyter . he is preferred at basil. he goes towards rome . his conve●sion he is chosen lecturer at basill . he is sent for to zurick . he marrieth a wife . his second marriage . annotations on the bible . his works . his death . his character . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to the university . he teacheth school . his conversion he is made a presbyter . he is imployed in writing a history . a rash censure . his rec●ntation divers converted by him . he studies luther . sathans malice he removes to wittenberg . a good pastor . his humility . he is sent for to hamburg . and to lubeck and to denmark . he is sent into brunswick . he proceeds doctor . his constancy . h●● peaceable d●●position . his constancy in prayer . his death . preachers pattern . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to heidleberge . he goes to tubinge . his imployments . mr. of arts. he goes to wittenberg . his great learning . his lectures . luthers testimony of him . his great pains . his disputation with eccius . he defends luther . his works . he is sent for into england . he refuseth to goe . gods mercy . his great imployments . note . a prediction . power of prayer . his humility . a prophetical dream . his wife dieth . his patience . his sicknesse . a prodigy . his deportment in his sicknesse . note . his prayer . his death . his industry . his humili●y . his great afflictions . why he desired death . his opinion about the lords supper . he is in great danger . the flacians hate him . his character . his small means . his contentedness therewith . three difficulties . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he comes to zurick . his conversion christ best of all . chosen pastor at embden . reformation in east frisland . he is sent for into england . he goes into denmark . he is driven 〈◊〉 . his afflictions . he removes to frankford . he vindicates himselfe . lutheran censoriousness . popish malice . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . gods providence . he leaves his monastery . he goes to lusanna . his conversion he is called to roan . his zeal and courage . his conference with monmorency . blasp●emy . he is condemned of treason popish rage and malice . gods judgements on persecutors . his martyrdome . gods judgements on his enemie● . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his diligence . he enters into a monastery . the causes of it . his remove to padua . his imployment there . he studies greek . he is called to the ministry . he studies the scriptur●s ▪ ●nd the hebrew . removed to spoleta . his prudence . he is removed to naples . his conversion a church in naples . martyr teacheth . he is suspended . ●ppeales to 〈◊〉 pope . is restored . hee falls sick . he is made visitor generall . removed to luca. he is much beloved . he advanceth religion and learning . the fruits of his labours . his enemies policy . a godly frier imprisoned . and delivered . again apprehended and ●ent to rome . they proceed against martyr . he resolves to fly . his flight . his letters to luca. his retreat into germany . he comes to zurick . he goes to basil . he is chosen to strasborough . his excellent l●arning . his ●r●gality . his first marriage . his wives character . card. pools malice . cardinal pool's malice he is sent for into england . he goes into england . he is sent to oxford . popish malice . they combine against martyr . his friends 〈◊〉 ●wade him from going to the schooles . his answer . sm it●s challenge . martyr goes on his learning , and courage admired . he is again challenged . his answer . a tumult raised . qu●●ted by the vice-chancellor . a disputation agreed on . the king sends his delegates . smith flies . the disputation . a rebellion . martyr goes to london . the rebellion suppressed . martyr made dean of christs-church . he is much esteemed . in queen maries dayes martyr is in danger . he goes to london . he goes beyond sea. he goes beyond sea. gods mercy to him . his return to strasborough . satans malice . his prudence . he is again persecuted . gods mercy to him . his call to zurick . his friendship with bullinger . his high esteem . popish cruelty . his second marriage . his love to zurick . a faithfull pastor . he refuseth to goe into england . his readiness to do good . he goes into france . his speech to the q. mother . popish subtilty a disputation . it breaks off . his returne to zurick . his sicknesse . comfort at death . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion he opposeth the mass. he goes to madgeburg . and to goslaria . and to naumberg . he opposeth the adi●pho●ists . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . a special providence . he is sent abroad . gods providence . his studious●es he affects poetry & musick . he studies divinity . he studies the scriptures . his conversion he conver●● ma●y . gods providence . popish malice . tenta●ion resisted . his marriage . his poverty . anabaptists life . gods provid●nce . he preacheth 〈◊〉 dorlitzheim . ch●ist ●est of ●ll . he teaches school . heb. . . musculus his zeal . sata●s malice . his humility . power of the wo●d . he studies hebrew . he is sent for to ausburg . his humility . he goes to ausburg . anabaptists tr●u●le the church . their impud●nce . some of them imprisoned . his holy policy . he converts ●hem . reformation in ausburg . he studies greek . and arabick . his industry . preachers part●rn . he goes to donavert . a diet at ausburg . his zeal and courage . popish malice . his courage and constancy . his zeal . flight in persecut●on . he goes to zurick . he preaches at constance . he is sent for into england . he is chosen to bern. his industry . hi● self denyall . his amity with his collegues . his charity . his character . he prepares for death . his last sicknesse . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his fathers death . he goes to paris . he returns into his country . and back to paris . his travels through france . his return into his country . he travels into germany . and his return . gods providence . he goes into england . his imployment there . he goes into his own country . thence into germany . his entertainment at marpurg . his employment . his marriage . his great labours . his care to reform the church . his sicknesse . he exhorts his wife and children . his death . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he is designed to divinity . he is designed to the law. his conversion . he goes to orleance . he studies the scriptures . his studiousness . he goes to biturg he studies the greek . he preacheth . he goes to paris . his danger . is delivered by the queen of navar. he goes to xantone . thence to nerac . again to paris to confer with sevetus . . eigh● martyrs . he goes to orlens . his servants knavery . he goes to basil . studies nebrew . popish lies . he goes to the dutches of ferrara . he goes to geneva . is sltayed there . chosen divinity professor . . his prud●nce to reform geneva . . anabaptists hinder the reformation . peter carolian heretick . a synod at bern. gods judgment on hereticks . calvins care to reform others . a sedition at geneva . another evill . calvin is banis●ed . his holy speech . god above the lev●● . calvin goes to zurick , and so to strasborough . is made professor of divinity . unleavened bread brought into geneva . . sathans subtilty . calvin , care of geneva . anabaptists reclaimed . calvin matries . . he goes to two diets . gods judgements on his enemies . he is sent for to geneva . hardly obtained . his returne to geneva . . his self denyall . he settles the presbyterian government . his great labours . a compleat preacher . he is much sought to . the presbyter government kickt at . it s vindicated by him . . he comforts the persecuted . famine and pestilence . sathans malice popish impudence . he answers the sorbonists . . he answers pighius . . castali●'● errors . his punishment . he confutes the pope . he confutes the ●n●baptists and libertines . he pacifies the q. of navar . . the plague dipe●sed by wicked persons they are punished . popish cruelty against the waldenses . osianders errors . plague continued . he thunders against sin . he abhors sacriledge . a hermi●es wickedness . the nicodemites . . geneva in danger . perrins wickedness . calvin accused his enemies punished . . the german church n●● grea● danger . his tender affections to them . p●●ins wickednesse . he is punished . he writes against trent . . sa hans subtilty . calvin reproached . an amnesty . he confutes the interim . and astrologers . he writes into england . the church increas●th in troubles . . his wife dies . the flaccians . a sweet concord . he writes to l. socinus . . peace in the church . ministers pattern . holidayes ●bolished . wickedness discovered . a tumult . bolsec . confuted by calvin . bolse● punished . he fals back to popery . . new stirs . calvin falsly accused . cast●lio's er●●● . the her●ites w●ckedness . his repentance calvins charity to him . . geneva indangered . m. servetus . servetus imprisoned . he is burned . bertelerius his wickedness . the presbytery slandered . an unjust decree . calvins courage . the good successe . an unjust decree reversed . mr. farell in danger . yet delivered . king edwards death . a controversie about punishing hereticks . socinus his heresies . . calvin consutes them . castilio's heresies . conf●ted by beza . horrid impieties . calvin aspersed . the english exiles provided for by him . joa . westphalus . . gods judgements on the wicked . he conforts the english in persecution . and the persecuted french. gribaldus favours servetus . gods judgment on him . calvin accused b●●some ministers . they are punished for it . . he falls sick of an ague . he recovers . faction and famine . westphalus confuted . and castalio . persecution in paris . christians slandlered . lies confu●ed . calvins care for them . gentilis an heretick . he infects some . is confuted . transylvania infected . he is punished with death . calvin falls sick . he h●tes idlene●se . . a persecution in france . the king of france ●●●in . a school built at genev● ▪ sancarus his heresies . confuted . the bohemian waldenses . q. elizabeth in england . a french ch. erected in england . k. charls in france . geneva threatned . defended by calvin . heshusius answered . ecebolius . his errors . confu●ed . gods judgements on him . . civil war in france . a prodigy . . his sickness increaseth . his indefatigable pains . . his la●t sermon . the causes of his sickness . his great patience . he wil not intermit his labours . his speech to the ministers . he goes to the senate . he receives the sacrament . he makes his will. mr. calvins will. his speech to the senators . his speech to the ministers . hi● letter to m● . viret . viret comes to him . his death . pez●s verses on him . his character . 〈…〉 〈◊〉 admirable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sland●●s answered . his co●●entation . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . flight ●n persecutio● . he challengeth t●e papists . his theses . he is driven from basil. his labors . he goes to geneva . popish malice . popish rage . his zeal and courage . the high priests charge . popish malice . gods mercy . he is driven from geneva . a speciall providence . he goes to metis . he goes to neocome . his friendship his death . sathans malice the great effects of his ministery . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his great learning . sent legate into germany . his policy . he is sent for ●o rome . he is sent back in●o germany . popish subtilty he bestirs himselfe in germany . he gives an account to the pope . he is sent to the emperour . the emperor deals with the pope about a council . another legat in vain . he is well beloved . he is suspected for a lutheran . his wonderfull conversion . he retires to his brother . bishop of pola is converted . gods mercy . sathans malice . they are accused to the inquisitors . popish malice . a lying prophet . he goes to man●ua . and to trent . and to venice . spira is a warning to him . he goes into rhetia , his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he goes to friburg . and to wittenberg . he commenceth mr. of arts. he goes to madgeburg . and to jenes . his marriage . he disputes with menius . and with flacius . his imprisonment . his sickness . his release . his flight in times of danger he goes to lipsich . he is made professor of divinity . he is st●ut out of the schools . his courage . he goes to amberg . a●d to heidleberg . his sicknesse . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education his studiousnesse . his conversion his zeal . he is made minister . preachers patterne . power of the word . his prudence . anabaptists madnesse . sa●ans policy . gods mercy . another contention . division dangerous . brandenburgs courage and zeal . augustane confession . his marriage . he goes to tubing . his trouble at hale . unruly souldiers . his policy . popish malice . his ●●ight . gods mercy . the interim . his courage . his danger . a m●racle of mercy . his flight . a good pastor . he goes to wirtemberg . god preserves him . he goes to ●asil . a●d to hornburg . he is invited to severall places . the dukes courage . reformation . 〈◊〉 courage . he goes to trent . his second marriage . he is chosen to stutgard . he defends h●s confession of fai●h . he goes to worms . monasteries turned to schooles . his sickness . he makes his will. his patience . his death . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to lions . he goes to bern. his death . popish malice . his character . his eloquence . the great fruit of his ministry . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to oxford . he is chosen hu●anity lect●rer . his studiousnes his esteem of peter martyr . he is exp●l● t●e colledge . ●rought into the 〈◊〉 . humane infirmity . a speciall providence . his recan●ation . gods providence . flight in persecution . he goes to frankfurt . his repentance . he goes to strasborough . from thence to zurick . charity to the exiles . popish malice . gods mercy . a blessed peace-maker . a prediction . qu. mary dyes . qu. elizabeth succeed● . a disputation appointed . his paines in reforming the church . he is made bishop . he preach●s at pauls crosse. his challenge to the papists . hi● charity . his grea● pain● a good bishop his family government . he had heart of memory . his death foreseen by him . his preparation for death . preach●rs pattern . gal. . . hi● speech to his family in his sicknesse . death desired . ambrose . his faith . his death . martyrs testimony of his apology . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to wittenberg . his diligence and zeal . his first imployments . inhumane cruelty . he is called to julia. and to cegl●dine . he goes to temeswert . his many sold afflictions . he is called to thurin . and from thence to becknese . a speciall providence . he is taken prisoner . gods mercy . he is called to tholna . his second marriage . he is ordained his industry and zeal . he goes to calmantsem . he is taken prisoner . he is taken prisoner . turkish injustice . he is again imprisoned . barbarous cruelty . he is beaten cruelly . breach of promise . charity to him his keepers cruelty . gods providence . he is favoured by the courtiers . he is solicited to turn renegado . his courage . he encourageth the christian captives . gods mercy . what he wrote in prison . three of his children die . the meanes of his deliverance his release . a great danger . gods providence . foolish pride . the friar baffled . gods judgment on a persecutor his charity . another danger . gods providence . his death . his zeal against hereticks . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . 〈…〉 his conversion his zeal . sathans malice he flies to berwick . his humility . he goes to frankfort . and to geneva he is sent for into scotland . his zeal . the mass abhorred . the effect of his ministry . the papists rage against him . his great pains he writes to the queen . she scoffs at it . he is called back to geneva . he leaves scotland . he is condemned . his appeal . he is sent for into scotland his return into scotland . the ministers summon●d . the peoples zeal . they are proscribed . im●ges demolished . the queens malice . the protestants write to the queen . their zeal . the earl of glencarns courage and zeale . mr. knox his speech to the lord● the queens subtilty . her perfidiousnesse . the bisho● opposed k●ox 〈◊〉 a pre●iction . his courage . 〈◊〉 destroyed . the peoples zeal . the queens policy . st johnstons rescued . idols destroyed no●e . popish unc●eannesse . the qu. flies . they write to the queen . the french match to ed●nborough . mr. willock minister of edenborough . civil wars about religion . the queens blasphemy . qu. eliz. assists the protestants . the queens pride & cruelty a speciall providence . the qu. dies . peace concluded . m. knox setled at edneb . earl of murray slain . his losse bewailed . a prophesie . gods judgment on a scoffer . preachers pattern . m. lawson chosen to succeed him . his last sarmon . his sincerity . his last sicknes his speech to the lord of morton . a prophecy . his speech to the ministers and elders . death desired . his message to the laird of crang . a prophesy . his preparation for death . his sayings . his tentations . his faith . his death . his care for church-discipline . murrays speech . his works . his character . his courage . notes for div a -e his parentage . his pain . his poverty . he goes to paris . his industry . his diligence . his imployments . he is envied . he is forbidden philosophy . he is called to another colledge . he is preferred in the university . he is sought for by other princes . is ●ade dean of the university . flight in persecution . he goes to the camp of conde ▪ he travels into germany . his returne to paris . popish cruelty ▪ he is murthered . and basely abused . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he is made chaplain to the queen . and to two kings . and master of bennet colledge . ●is sufferings in queen maries time . he is made archbishop of canterbury . the bishops that consecrate● him . his charity . his 〈◊〉 ▪ notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . gods speciall providence over him . his education . he is sent to embric . his disposition . he goes to collen . he commendeth batchelor of arts. he studies the schoolmen . and fathers . and luther . his conversion . ●e commen●eth mr. of arts ▪ his paines in reading lectures . he studies the tongues . reformation in the monastery . power of the word . anabaptists . tithes defended . he confutes the anabaptists . his endeavours for peace . he is banished . he comes to zurick . he is chosen pastor . preachers pattern . synods preserve peace . he writes a confession of faith. he confu●es hereticks . a colledge erected . a school erected . schwenfield's error . confuted by bullinger . a plague . luthers violence . melancthon grieved for it . bullinger answereth luther his defence of the tigurines . why the helvetians refused to assist the protestants . mr. hooper lives with him . the interim . bullingers . curtesie . ingratitude . calvin concurs with the helvetian divines . hee withdraws them from being mercenaries . he encourageth the reformation in england . he writes against the council of trent . he disclaimes bolsecus . his holy zeal . he favours the english exil●s . his zeal . blandrata's heresies . the infection of heresie . brentius contest with bullinger . helvetiansagaine summoned to trent . ochines errors and heresies . and death . a plague . bullingers sicknesse . power of prayer . manisold afflictions . a confession of faith. persecution in france . his charity . his pains . a dearth . fasting and prayers . the massacre in france . . a new statre . his sicknesse . he patience . death desired . his faith. why he desired death . he taketh his farewel of the ministers . and of the magistrates . his death . his character . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his humility . his sicknesse . his ●●eech in his 〈◊〉 . an excellen● speech . comfort at death . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . he goes to venice . he goes to venice . his poverty . his tentation . his marriage . the interim opposed by him . he goes to magdeburg . and from thence to jeans . and to ratisbone . and to suasborough . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to basil. and strasborough . he is ma●e profe●●or in zu●●● . he is made 〈◊〉 he is dear to peter martyr . his industry . his excellent memory . his manner of reading . his excellent parts . his diseases . his death . his character . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion . his frequents remo●es . bible translated his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion christ best of all . he goes to basil. he comes to wittenburg . he goes to strasborough . his return● into france . he is made the q. of navars chaplain . popish malice . gods providence . his return to strasborough ; his troubles . he goes to heidleberg . his patience he is driven from thence . he is called to lausanna . his sudden death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his preferment in cambridge . flight in persecution . he is made bish. of lond. arch bishop of york . arch-bishop of canterbury . his death . his charity . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . he goes to oxford . his great proficiency , power of prayer . his conversion he preaches before the k. his piety . tender conscience . he goes beyond sea . his return into england . his faithfulnes he is accused . his great learning . made parson of houghton . his charity to souls . his journies into the north. his charity . his enemies . flight in persecution refused . gods providence . his con●inued charity . his humility . he refuse●h preserm●●t . his hospitality his esteem in the north. note . a barbarous custom . he converts theeves . a rebellion in the north. his house is plundered . inpratitude . h. b. oughton . ingratitude . the bishop suspends him . requires him to preach on a sudden . his modest answer . he preaches boldly . his zeal . his pions resolution . gods mercy . the bishop aske●h him forgiven●e , prepar●tion so death . his death . his character . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . he goes to wittenberg . a plague . his return to wittenberg . his travels . he is sent for into his own country . his enemies . melancthon encourages him he is dismissed . his resolution . he goes to zurick . he goes to heidleberg . he commencerh doctor . his imployment there a plague . his adversaries he defends the truth . the palatines great love to him . his marriage . he writes a confession of faith. a change in the palatinate . he is sent for by p. cassimite his imployment . his sicknesse . his industry . incessant labors his death . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to wittenberg . his travels . he goes to grunberg . he made excellent scholars . his marriage . he is chosen pastor of sprottavia . preachers pattern . his contentation . his humility . his excellent virtues . he is an enemy to contentions . he is a great histori●n . his sicknesse . his death . his great care to prepare for death . his last sermon . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his industry . he goes to wit●enberg . he is much beloved . he is made pastor in brunople . his zeal against he eticks his death . his commendation . his works . notes for div a -e his bir●h his proficiency . he is pastor in zurick . his diligence . his death . notes for div a -e his bir●h and education . he is chosen pastor in zurick . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he studies law. he is made doctor . a heavy judgement . a vow . gods mercy : hestudies divinity . he goes to zurick . his return to trevir . he is called to teach a school his faithfulnes . sathans malice . he preaches in an hospitall . the peoples zeal . the arch-bishops malice . the prisoners release . he goes to heidleberg . his marriage . he is chosen pastor . he is called to berleburg . and to herborn . his sicknesse . preparat●on for death . a sweat dream . ioy unspeakable . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to wittenberg . his diligence . he goes to no●enberg . his return to wit●enberg . he is called to mansfield . he is ordained minister . he answers a papist . his great pains he delights in a garden . his remove to madgeburg . conversion of priests . the authors of the madgeburgenses . his remove to jenes . his return to magdeburg . his remove to wismare . his commenceth doctor . peoples love to their pastor . he is called into borussia . his sicknesse . preparat●on for death . his death . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . he is chose● fellow . he studies the church history he is very studious . snares laid for him . he is expelled the colledge . gods : 〈◊〉 . his marriage . an harsh father in law. his poverty . a speciall providence . he is sent for by the dutchess of richmond . persecution in qu. maries daies . a notable resolution . stephen gardiner . flight in persecu●ion . a great storm . god providence . he arrives at newport . he goes to basil. a prophesie . his return into england . his humility . his indfatigable pains . his body weakned thereby . his excellent endow●e●ts . his fe●v●ncy in prayer . his charity . his prophesies mrs. honywood . a prophesie . a miracle . another observable story . his many friends . dea●h foreseen . his death . his charity . vain glory reproved . he reproves his son . notes for div a -e his bir●h and education . he goes to marpurg . his industry . he goes to wittenberg . he is master of arts. why he left the study of the law. a speciall providence . his return to marpurg . he is made a professor . his marriage . he is made doctor . preachers pattern . his humility . he goes to heidleberg . his sicknesse . preparation for death . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . flight in persecu●ion . his return to england . he confutes the lesuits . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his parents poverty : snep●ius provides for him . he goes to tubing . he is made deacon . he preaches before the duke . his marriage . gods providence . the accursed interim . he is deacon at tubing . he commenceth doctor . he is made superintendent . note . sacrilege abhorred . a strange story of a jew . he helps forward reformation . gods providence . he is made chancellour of the university . his great pains about the concord . death foretold , and desired . his ●icknesse . the confession of his faith. what he gives thanks for . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he becomes a fryar . his conversion he flies into germany . he stayes at strasborough . he meets with troubles . new opposition . gods providence . he goes to clavenna . a great pestilence . . he goes to heidleberg . he is made doctor . zeal against heresies . hereticks confuted & rejected . he goes to neostade . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . and education . he goes to paris . his conversion he goes to geneva . and to paris . he is chosen a pastor . christ preferred before all . popish cruelty . gods providence . the protestants slandered vindicated by sadeel . he is imprisoned . delivered by the king of nava● . his return to paris . a synod . a persecution rai●ed . sadeels faithfulne●●e . the church thrives by persecution . his sicknesse . his painfulnes . a synod . independents error confuted . he is againe driven from paris . he is driven out of france . his return into france . he goes to the k. of navar. gods providence . he goes to geneva . 〈◊〉 sent into germany . his sicknesse . death sore old . comfort in death . his death . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth a●d parentage . his education . he goes to cambridge . his preferment in the university . his gratitude . he is made father at the commencement . he studies divinity . his in●ustry . his temperance . he recreat●ons . his excellent parts . he is chosen professor . his lectures . he confutes the papists . as campian . dury . sanders . rainolds . his marriage . stapleton reproaches him for his marriage . he is chosen master of st. johns . he confutes bellarmine . his fidelity therein . stapleton tails . whitaker answereth . his sicknesse . his death . bellarmine admired him . his carriage in his sicknesse . his character . his great charity . his piety to his parents . his humility . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to geneva his admirable learning . he is called to leiden . from thence to gaunt . and thence to navar. his death . his works ▪ notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . he goes to st. andrews . a vniversity erected at edenborough . he is sent for to edenborough . he goes thither . he doth much good . four professors chosen . his piety and diligence . a l●rge increase of ministers . conversion wrought by his ministry . beza's testimony . his humility . his sicknesse . he moderates in a synod . preparation for death . his message to the king. his exhortation to the ministers . christ preferred before all things . death desired . his exhortation to the ministers . his poverty . his heavenly speech . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . he studies greek . he is robbed . charity . his industry . his return home . he is pastor of hafnia . he is hebrew professor . and doctor . death desired . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . he goes to ulm. 〈◊〉 to wit●enberg . m●rabilis 〈◊〉 . a predigy . his studiousnes he is master of arts. his return home . he is made deacon . his diligence . his marriage . he is banished . his return . he is doctor . reformation . his prefermen●s . 〈◊〉 self-denial . his wives death . his sicknesse . his patience . his death . his humility and charity . his prudence . a good father . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he is sent to tubing . his great proficiency . he goes to wittenberg . plato praises god for three things . he goes to heidleberg . his travels . he goes to rostoch . he is desi●ed in divers places . his travels ▪ he is doctor . he goes to augsburgh . his contentation . . he goes into austria . his travels . he goes into stiria . his sicknesse . his industry . preparation for death . his death . his character . injuries to be born . his wishes . ●is works . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . his flight in persecution . he is made dean of pauls . his charity . his works . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to basil. 〈…〉 tibing . he is master of arts. he goes to paris . thence to orleance . a famous church at orleance . his marriage . wars in france duke of guise slain . gods mercy . popish malice . popish malice . he is in great danger . a miracle of mercy . he is taken prisoner . his release . gods mercy . the k●●gs malice . he goes to sancerra . gods mercy . he goes to mombelgart . his new troubles . he preaches in a ca●●le . popish rage . the massacre at paris . a special providence . popish cruelty . gods mercy . he goes to the dutches of ferrara . he goes into the palatinate . his faithfulnesse . he is dismised . he is called to neostade . his painfulnesse . he is much esteemed . he is sent for to heid●eberg . his opposition . he is made professor . commenceth doctor . his manifold ●fflictions . p. casimire dyeth . a great plague his constancy . his weaknesse . his faith . his death . hi● character . his work● . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion he preaches to the prisoners . he converts many of them . he is chosen pastor . preachers pattern . his character . note . the powerfulnesse of his ministry . his 〈◊〉 in ●●●ding . his painfulnes . his death . he was same of his right hand . iosh. . . a thief converted at his death power of prayer . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his weaknes in his childhood . his education . his masters harshnesse . he goes to lions . his tentations . gods mercys he is drawn to atheism . gods mercy . iohn . he is reclaimed . he goes to geneva . his travels . his poverty . a speciall providence . he weakens his body by abstinence . his father murthered . his industry . he is chosen to antwerp . the inquisition brought into the ne herlands . popish malice . miracles of mercy to him . an other danger . he goes to limburg . strange tentations . a strange example . gods mercy . anabaptists disturb the church . popish malice . flight in pe●secution . he goes to heidleberg . a great plague . he returnes to heidleberg . bible translated . he is made professor in leiden . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to paris . he goes to orleance . he comes into england . his several imployment● . his death . notes for div a -e his parentage . his birth . a prediction . his education . he goes to ca●bridge . he is fellow of peter-house . the pope is antichrist . he is mr. of pembrok-hall . and margaret professor . his preferm●nts . his esteem with the qu. his sicknesse . his death . his charity . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . he studies the law. his poems . popish malice . his tentations . his conversion . his marriage . new ten●at●ons gods mercy to him by sicknes . affliction sanctified . he leaves all for christ. a speciall providence . his remove to lausanna . his prudence . he turnes the psalms in●o french metre . his exp●sitions . he falls sick of the plague . gods goodness . his works . persecution in france . popish malice . friendship . his remove to geneva . he is chosen pa●●or . ●earning advanced in troublesom● times . he deals with the king of navar. persecution stopped . a conf●rence about religion who repa●r to it . the french ministers . beza's speech . his conference cardinal of lorrains speech to beza . the first meeting . beza's oration a confession of faith presented to the king the second meeting . the third meeting . the several conferences . popish ●●●●lty beza's a●swer . the f●●rth me●ting . a way of reconciliation propounded . the form of the agreement . the form rejected by the pontificians . the conference ends . the church increaseth . carnal policy . the king of navar falls to the papists . 〈…〉 the protestants murdered beza stayes in france . a synod . a plague . the protetants beaten . beza comforts he prince . his return to geneva . his imployments . he relates the miseries of the french churches . he confutes hereticks and lutherans . civil wars in france . geneva a refuge to the godly . he is sent for into france . moderates in a synod . . the massacre at paris . he provides for the afflicted . charity . his great imployments . a plague . friendship amongst the pastors . anabaptists converted . a disputation . no good comes of it . his wife dyes . his second marriage . his great labours . prayer in danger . his weaknesse . his diligence . his last sermon he invites his colleagues . friendship amongst brethren . popish lyes confuted . death desired . he visits the kings . his request for the church at lions . his meditations . he is visited by many . preparation for death . ephes. . his sicknesse . his death . his character . thanksgiving for five things . his small means . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his brothers are papists . his excellent parts . his humility . his preferments . gods providence . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to paris . his industry . he studies hebrew . his humility . his travels : he is made professor at leiden . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to tubing . he goes to basil. he commenceth doctor in divinity . is made professor . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his preferments . his great learn●ng . his zeal . preparation for death . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes into england . he studies hebrew & greek . he goes into f●ance . he is professor in oxford . he is professor in leiden . his marriage . his death . notes for div a -e his birth , parentage and education . gods providence . he is ordained deacon . his remove to tubing . he doubts of the ubiquity . he is chosen pastor of raetela . his marriage . he denies the ubiquity . he is sent for to basil. his remove to basil. his friends . he removes to heidleberg . the lutherans removed . his return to basil. his grea●ains his imployments abroad . he grow● weak . his patienc● his sicknesses . prayer . death desired . his death . his speech to meier . his sayings . his diligence and indus●●y . his character . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his degrees . his works . his patience . his sicknesse . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion he goes to st. andrews . his tentations . gods mercy . he goes into england . gods providence . he serves mr. h. broughton . his return to edenborough . he preaches privately . his calling to the ministry . power of the word . he is sickly . assaulted with ●e●●ations . his remove . his painfulnes in the ministry the success of his ministry . his zeal . his works . his tentations joy unspeakable . his outward troubles . power of the word . the apostasie of his people . he is made bishop of ga●loway . his hum●lity . his desire of de●●h . death why desired . he grows sickly . preparation for death . his sicknesse . his death . a sweet speech his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to cambridge . his proficiency . he is ordained minister . he is prebend ●f ely his marriage . his studiousness . his piety . his recreations his great ●eading . his works . his ministry . he is made pastor . preachers pattern . his holy life . his family wel governed . his charity . his justice he was a peace maker . his hospitality he breaks his 〈◊〉 . his preparation for death . he faints . his death . notes for div a -e his birth , parentage , and education . hee is made a prentice . he returnes to school . his mas●er is driven away . malice . his poverty . he goes into the palatinate . he enters into the ministry . he is driven from heidleberg . he returns home . his return into the palatinate . his preferment there . he commenceth doctor in divinity . lutherans malice . a great plague . he is made professor . gods mercy . his fame . his wife dies . he is chosen to the synod at dort. gods providence . peace maker . his works . the spaniards come into the palatinate . he goes to anvilla . death desired . his sicknesse . his returne to heidleberg . his death . his workes . notes for div a -e his birth and ducation . he goes to leiden . his travels . his great learning . his returne to leiden . he is made professor at leiden . his marri●ge . dr. rivet brought to leiden . his great esteem . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education he goes to friestade . his travels . he studies divinity . his eloquence . his employments . he goes into england . he is made dr. and professor . his afflictions . he is called to embden . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he is professor at herborn . his works . bible translated . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . he goes to oxford . his poverty . his industry . he is made a fellow . his prophanesse . his judgement of mr. perkins . his tentation . a special providence . his conversion . his 〈◊〉 . his comfort . he is ordained minister . gods providence . his marriage . his great labours . the success of his ministry . preachers pattern . his holy life . his frequent prayers . christ preferred before health . his humility . his charity . his sicknesse . preparation for death . his patience . death desired . his submission to god. his thanksgiving . his admonition to his children . his joy unspeakable . his speech to his friends . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth , parentage , and education . he goes to cambridge . his excellent memory . his marriage . he is called to banbury . his character . his eloquence . preachers pa●te●n . his great labours . the method in sermons . his manner of reading . conversion wrought by him . peace-maker . his excellency in p●ayer . his family duties . his prudence . his fasting . his humility . his charity . he gained by his falls . his sicknesse . his exhortation to his friends . his patience . his death . note . his works . notes for div a -e his parentage . his birth . his education . a persecution in flanders . he goes to school . his proficiency . he goes to leiden . the method of his studies . the authors which he read . he studies divinity . he learns the scriptures by heart . he studies the body of divinity . he studies commentaries . his publick disputations . his first sermon . his travels into france . he goes to geneva . he studies the art of memory . the mountain of jura above the clouds . he goes up the mountain . their descent a special providence . his further travels . he goes to basil. his exercises at basil. his travels in germany . his travels in the low-countries . his return to leiden . he studies the fathers . he is called to the ministry . refuseth it . he returns home . his deportment . his industry . his ordination . he is called to another charge . refuseth it . he is chosen to koukerk . he is imployed in the army . his return . he is chosen to middleborough . his marriage . his parents dye . a good child . his first son . he is envyed . he wins his adversaries . his faithfulness in his ministry . his charity . a popish lye . he confutes his adversaries . note . he confutes a jesuite . he confutes a blasphemer . his contests with the remonstrants . their rise in the low-countries . arminius his education . he is chosen professor in leiden . arminius his policy . barnevelt his patron . did not our late parliament do so ? hereticks subtilty . waellaeus labors to regain him . arminius dies through fear and grief . his faction continues . a synod desired . preachers pattern . whence called remonstrants . king james opposeth vorstius . the ministers oppressed . gomarus leaves leiden . an illustrious school begun at middleborough . wallaeus his lectures . gomarus his ingratitude . wallaeus his modesty . h● is called to 〈◊〉 . returns ●o 〈◊〉 he answereth baga●d . bogards brag . wallaeus endeavors peace . remonstrants persecute the orthodox . bagards subtilty . rosaeus opposeth him . the people stand for the t●uth . prince morice sides with the ort●odox . they get a church in the hague . wallaeus sent for to the hague . his disputations . it s broken off . the truth prevailes . his prudence made much use of . his integrity . his candor . his return to middleborough . heresie like a gangrene . he is sent for to sedan . he refuses to go thither . division dangerous . a synod called . the remonstrants imprisoned . the synod begins . how the affairs of it were carryed on . wallaeus highly esteemed . the remonstrants condemned . wallaeus is s●nt to prepare them for death . he comes to barnevelt . barnevelt beheaded . wallaeus returns to middleborough . new professors at leiden . wallaeus sent for . he inclines to go . peoples love to their pastor . his dise●ses . his children . he comes to 〈◊〉 . he is made a doctor . his ora●ion . the other professors come . th●ir several excellencies . their prudence . their care to train up youth . their adversaries to be answered . wallaeus his part . his imployment in the university . his great aud●tory . his care of candidates . his great pains . he is a great peace-maker . his self denial . honors follow him . his ca●● in giving testimonials . he is much ●●ught to for advice . the acts of the synod of port. the remonstrants acts. wallaeus answers them . the remonstrants div●ded . an attempt for peace . another attempt . the 〈◊〉 confession of faith. he publishes his ethicks . he reforms the schooles . and the scho●ars in z●land . a 〈…〉 . wallaeus promotes it . contention about the sabbath . wallaeus puts an end to it . the translation of the bible . the bible begun . the synod carries it on . the translators . the supervisors . the translation finished . a special providence . the bible printed . it s excellency . wallaeus his further imployments . his strength decayes . his character . his humillty . his modesty . his zeal . his friends . his meekness . his love to his wife and children . his children well disposed of . he is troubled with the stone . his sickness . his last sermon . he s●●les peace in a synod . his prudent advice . his farewel to his family . his death . his works . his industry and fidelity . notes for div a -e his birth and parentage . his education . he goes to groning . his proficiency . he goes to herborn . he is made tutor to three noble men . he goes to sedan . returns to heidleberg . is made tutor to prince frederick . returns to sedan . returns to heidleberg . goes for england . escapes danger . his friends in england . his return to heidleberg . is made a professor ; and doctor in divinity ; and master of the colledge of wisdom . his modesty . the synod of dort. he is sent thither . his return to heidleberg . he stays in dangers . heidleberg taken by storm . he prepares for death . y●t is preserved . his prudence . a special providence . his house plundered . he gets a safe conduct . the lutherans spleen . he goes to embden . a special providence . he goes to leiden . he goes to groning . his works . his care of the university . his imployments . his care to provide for exiles . charity . his fidelity . his call to leiden . and into the palatinate . his care of the university . his marriage . his character . his zeal . he stud●es the churches peace . his prudence . his family government . his sickness . his wife dies . death foreseen . his disease encreas●th . a good pastor . his faith . his death . his works . notes for div a -e his birth . his parentage . his education . his sickness . his vow . a great plague . he goes to heidleberg . his industry . his proficiency . his disputations . he is made master of arts. goes to geneva . his disputations . he goes to ebrodune . he disputes with papists . he goes to paris . he is dear to camero . he comes to england . his return to paris . he is called to geneva . a special providence . he is chosen professor . his marriage . a good wife . family government . his children . his ordination . he is made professor of divinity . he is desired in several places . leyden obtains him . he commences doctor . he comes to leyden . his great learning . his study of the scriptures . his love to the truth . the danger of schism . his excellent parts . his prudence in civil affairs . his prudence in chusing friends . his many friends . his high esteem of salmatius . his great friends . his great correspondence . his great labours . his sickness . his last sermon and lecture . he goes to a synod . his preparation for death . his ardent prayer . his faith and hope . his commends his wife . what he gives thanks for . his death . his works . the life & death of alexander the great, the first founder of the grecian empire ... as also, the life and death of charles the great, commonly called charlemagne, the first founder of the french empire / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : - ) the life & death of alexander the great, the first founder of the grecian empire ... as also, the life and death of charles the great, commonly called charlemagne, the first founder of the french empire / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , [ ], - p. : port. printed for william miller ..., london : . each pt. has special t.p. reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual 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record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng alexander, -- the great, - b.c. charlemagne, -- emperor, - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - ben griffin sampled and proofread - ben griffin text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion all that thou sees't and readest is div●●● learning thus vs'd is water turn'd to win● well may wee then despaire to draw his 〈◊〉 view heere the case ; i th booke the jewell fin● p ▪ v. a. 〈…〉 the life & death of alexander the great , the first founder of the grecian empire represented by the brazen belly of that image ; dan. . . and by a leopard with four wings , dan. . . and by a he-goat , with a great horn between his eyes , dan. . . as also the life and death of charles the great , commonly called charlemagne , the first founder of the french empire . by sa . clarke , sometime minister in st bennet fink , london . london , printed for william miller at the gilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . . licensed to be printed , roger l'estrange . the life & death of alexander the great , the first founder of the grecian empire represented by the brazen belly of that image ; dan. . . and by a leopard with four wings , dan. . . and by a he-goat , with a great horn between his eyes , dan. . . by sa. clarke , sometime minister in st bennet fink , london . promotion comes neither from the east , nor from the west , nor from the south ; but god is the judge ; he putteth down one , and setteth up another , psal. . , . london , printed for william miller at the gilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . . the life , & death of alexander the great , king of macedonia . alexander , surnamed the great was the son of philip , king of macedonia , and of his queen olympias . he was born on the sixth day of our june , called by the macedonians , lous . upon the very same day that the temple of diana in ephesus was burned down ; whereupon the priests , magicians , and south-sayers ran about the city , crying , that some great plague and mischief to asia was surely born that day . three messengers came to king philip , presently after he had won the city of potidaea , upon the same day , who brought him great newes , the first , that parmenio his generall , had won a notable battel of the illyrians : the second that his horse had won the prize at the olympian games : and the third , that his wife olympias had brought him a son , that was named alexander , born at pella in macedonia . philip being marvellous glad to hear these newses , the southsayers much added to his joy ; assuring him , that his son that was thus born , should be invincible . he had naturally a very fair white colour , mingled with red , which chiefly appeared in his face and breast : his skin had a marvellous sweet savour , and his breath was very sweet , which shewed his excellent constitution . he was naturally hot and cholerick , which made him to be addicted to drink , and hasty , and yet was chast withall . his father was very carefull of his education , and therefore gat for him excellent tutors , as leonidas , which had the chiefest government of him . then lysimachus , an acarnanian : and aristotle , the best philosopher of his time , to whom philip allowed a very honourable stipend . he delighted much in hunting divers kinds of wilde beasts , and playing at the staff. on a time while he was young , ambassadors were sent to his father from the king of persia , and it fell out that philip was in some journey out of his kingdom . alexander therefore intertained them familiarly , not using any childish questions to them , nor enquiring about trifling , and triviall matters , but what distance it was from one place to another , and which way they went into the higher places of asia ; also about the king of persia himself , how he behaved himself towards his enemies , and what power he had , &c. insomuch as they were ravished with delight to hear him , judging him to be of great courage , and of a noble minde , and one that was like to attempt great enterprises . when at any time news was brought him that his father had taken some famous city , or had won some great battel , he was no whit glad to hear it , but would say to his play-fellows : sirs , my father will do all , i shall have nothing left me to conquer with you that will be ought worth . upon a time philonicus , a thessalian brought a brave horse , called bucephalus , to sell unto king philip , demanding thirteen talents for him , and they went into the field to try him : but the horse was found to be so unruly , and churlish , that they which should have ridden him , said , that he would never be made serviceable : for he would let no man get upon his back , nor abide any of the gentlemens voices that were about philip , but would yerk at them with his heels ; whereupon philip , being afraid , bad them take him away as a wilde , untamable , and unprofitable beast : which they had done accordingly , had not alexander , that stood by , said , o gods ! what a horse do they turn away for lack of skill , and courage to handle and break him ? philip heard what he said , but held his peace . alexander often repeating those words , and seeming sorry that the horse should be sent back , philip said , why doest thou controll them that have more skill and experience than thy self ; and that know better how to handle a horse than thou doest ; alexander answered , and yet me-thinks i could handle him better than all they have done . but if thou canst do no more than they ( replied philip ) what wilt thou forfeit for thy folly ? i am content ( said alexander ) to forfeit the price of the horse . every one laughed to hear his answer , and the match was made between the father and the son. then ran alexander to the horse , and took him by the bridle , and turned him towards the sun. it seems he had observed how mad the horse was to see his own shadow , which was before , always before his eyes as he stirred too and fro . then alexander speaking gently to the horse , and clapping him on the back with his hand , till he had left his fury and s●orting , softly let fall his cloke from him , and lightly leaped on his back , and so gat up without any danger , and holding the reins of the bridle hard , without striking or stirring the horse , made him to be gentle enough . and when he perceived that the fury of the horse was calmed , he put him forward , and began to gallop ; then he put him to his full carrier , spurring , and switching him . philip at first , seeing his sons confidence , began to fear lest he should catch any hurt : but when he saw him readily to turn the horse at the end of his carrier , and shewing bravery for what he had done , all the spectators gave a great shoot for joy : and the father fell a weeping for joy : and when alexander was allighted from the horse , his father went and kissed him , saying , o son ! thou must have a kingdom that is meet for thee ; for macedonia is not sufficient for thee : considering also that he was not to be rigorously dealt with , and that by gentle means and perswasions he could make him do what he would , he ever sought rather to perswade than to command him what he would have done . alexander in these his younger days was very mild , and of a patient disposition , insomuch as being told that some of his friends used in secret , to speak against him , he said , regium est malè audire cùm benefeceris . it s a kingly thing to hear ill , when one doth well . king philip being dead , his son alexander succeeded , being a prince no less valiant by nature than by education , being well instructed , & inriched with all sorts of learning . he began his reign in macedonia , four hundred and seventeen years after rome was built , being himself about twenty years old . upon this change of the king the neighbour nations , whom philip had oppressed , adventured to endeavour the recovery of their former liberty by force of arms , the young years of alexander giving some hope of prevailing , & his suspected severity encreasing the courage of others , who could easilier resolve to die , than to live in slavery : but alexander gave no respite to these discontented humours ; for after revenge taken upon the conspiratours against his father , whom he slew upon his tomb , and the celebration of his funerals , he first engaged his macedonians to him by freeing them from all exactions , and bodily slavery , other than his service in the wars , and to others that contemned his youth , he used such an sterity , and such clemency to the rest ; that having calmed these neerer discontents , he presently went into peloponnesus , and so insinuated himself amongst them , that by the council of the states of greece , he was chosen captain generall to mannage the war against the persians , as his father had been before him , who was so intent upon that war , that he had sent over into asia part of his army under the conduct of parmenio , and attalus , with order to take in some place which might secure the descent of the rest . upon this enterprise against the persians was alexander wholly busied , his restless thoughts both sleeping and waking , presenting to him the riches , honour , and large dominions which he hoped to attain thereby . yet was he again crossed , and retarded by the athenians , thebans , and lacedemonians , who had united themselves against him , hoping by the assistance of the persians , to recover their former liberty ; and they were to this , encouraged by demosthennes , whom the persian gold had bribed thereunto . this unexpected rub , and loss of time was very grievous to alexander , who was troubled that he should turn his sword from the base and effeminate persians , against the manly , and famous grecians , of whose assistance in his intended wars he had assured himself ; he therefore made such expedition against them , that himself , with his army at his heels , brought them the first news of his preparations . this celerity of his made them begin to stagger , and the athenians , as they were the first that moved , so were they the first that fainted , and by their ambassadours sought to pacifie him . alexander was not long in resolving , but admitted their excuses , and made peace . having now quieted his borderers on the south , he resolved also to assure himself of those nations which lay on the north of macedonia , viz. the thracians , triballes , poones , getes , agrians , and others , who by their frequent incursions had much molested his father ; and withall those , after he had given them divers overthrows , he made peace , or brought them into his subjection : and yet could he not find the way out of europe . the thebans , which had one thousand macedonians in garrison in their citadel , being impatient of slavery , endeavoured to force it ; which alexander being informed of , hastened to their succour with thirty thousand foot , all old souldiers , and three thousand horse , and presenting himself before their city , he gave the thebans time to resolve whether they would have peace or war , only demanding that they should deliver up to him the two chief incendiaries , phaenix , and prothytes , which they took in such scorn , that they demand philotas , and antipater , two of his chief captains . this so incensed alexander , that whilst he assailed the city before , the macedonian garrison did the like behind , and so breaking into the city , he slew ninty thousand of them , and sold thirty thousand more for slaves , and this he did for a terrour to the other grecians . many arguments were used by cleadas ( one of the prisoners ) to disswade him from destroying the city , of thebes but all proved fruitless ; for he razed the city , only out of his respect to learning , he pardoned all of the race of pindarus the poet , and set at liberty timoclea , the sister of theagines , who died in the defence of the liberty of greece against his father philip. this noble woman , being taken by a thracian , and ravished , he threatned to kill her unless she would discover her treasure to him : she led him to a well , and told him that she had cast it therein , and when he stooped to look into the well , she thrust him in , and stoned him to death . alexander shortly after at a common council of greece , being chosen general a second time against the persians , went to visit diogenes the philosopher , there . then returned into macedonia , where , in a town called dios , as he was wholly taken up with thoughts of subduing asia , there appeared to him in his sleep the resemblance of the high priest of jerusalem , who bad him be couragious and bold , and speedily with his army to put over into asia , promising that he would be his conducter in the conquest of the persian empire , as alexander himself reported . all being now quieted at home , alexander leaving the government of macedon , and greece to antipater , in the beginning of the spring he passed the hellespont , and being ready to dis-imbark , he threw a dart towards the asian shore , as a token of defiance , commanding his souldiers not to wast , and destroy the country , or to burn those buildings which themselves were presently , and in future to possess . then landed he his army consisting of thirty two thousand foot , and five thousand horse , all old souldiers , neer unto troy , where he offered a sacrifice upon the tomb of achilles , his maternall ancestor . but before he left his own country , he put to death , without any offence given him , all his mother in laws kinsmen , whom his father had greatly advanced , not sparing such of his own as he suspected , thinking by unjust cruelty to secure himself for the present , and future : yet the end fell out contrary to the policy which his ambition taught him , though well agreeing with the justice of god : for within a few years all that he had planted was rooted up ; those whom he most trusted were most traiterous : his mother , friends and children fell by such another merciless sword as his own , and all manner of confusion followed his dead body to the grave , and left him there . when darius , the king of persia , was informed that alexander was landed in asia , he so much scorned the macedonian army , and contemned alexander himself , that writing to him , he stiled him his servant , and reprehended him for his presumption , and disloyalty ( for darius intitled himself king of kings , and kinsman of the gods ) and withall , he wrote to his leiutenants in the lesser asia , that they should take alexander alive , whip him with rods , and then convey him to his presence ; that they should sink his ships , and send his macedonians prisoners beyond the red sea. notwithstanding these brags alexander soon discovered what manner of men the persians were : for two of darius his generals [ spithredates , and rhaesaces ] at the river of granick ( which severs the territories of troy from propontis ) with a huge army both of horse and foot , sought to stop his passage , taking the higher ground , and the bank of the river to defend , which alexander was forced to climb up unto from out of the channel , yet was his victory so easily , that the persians flying , he slew twenty thousand of the foot , and two thousand five hundred horsemen , with the loss of twelve of his own foot , and two and twenty of his horsemen , which shews that the persians were rather killed in their backs whilst they ran away , than hurt in their bosoms by resisting . it was wisely done of alexander to pass this river of granick in the face of the enemy , without seeking any other place , or means to convey his men over . for having beaten the asiaticks upon their own ground , he did thereby cut off no less of their reputation , than of their strength , leaving the partakers of such cowards without hope of succour . presently after this victory , he recovered sardis , ephesus , and the city of the trallians , and magnesia , all which were soon rendred to him , the inhabitants he received with great grace , suffering them to be governed by their own laws : and about the same time , by parmenio , he wan miletus , and by force took in halicarnassens , which because it resisted obstinately , he razed it to the ground . from thence he went into caria , were ada , the queen , who had been cast out of all that she held ( except the city of alinda ) by darius his leiutenants , presented her self to him , and adopted him for her son , and successour , which alexander took so kindly that he left the whole kingdom to her disposall . then entred he into lycia , and pamphilia , and assured to him all the sea-coasts , and subjecting to him pisidia , he steared his course towards darius , who ( as he was informed ) was marching towards him with a marvellous great army ) by the way of phrygia , and this he might the easilier do , for that his first victory had laid under his feet all the provinces of asia the less , which bordered upon the sea-coast . then gave he order for the se●l●ng and government of lycia , and pamphilia , and so marching towards the north , he entred celenas , seated on the river maeander , which was abandoned to him , only the castle held out , which yet after forty days , was surrendred to him also : for so long time he gave them to attend succout from darius . from celenas , he passed on thorow phrygia towards the euxine sea , till he came to the city of gordium , sometimes the regal city of king midas , where he found the gordian knot , which when he knew not how to undo , he cut it assunder with his sword : for there was an old prophesie which promised him that could unty it , the lordship of all asia : whereupon alexander , not respecting the manner so it were done , assumed to himself the fulfilling of the prophesie by hewing it in pieces . now before he left this part of asia to go to the east , he took care to clear the sea-coast on his back , and to thrust the persians out of the islands of lesbos , chio , and coos , the charge whereof he committed to two of his captains , giving them such directions as he judged most meet for that service , and delivering to them fifty talents for defraying the charges thereof : and withall , out of the spoil gotten by his first victory , he sent sixty talents more to antipater , whom he had left for the government of macedonia and greece . from celenas he went to ancira , standing on the same river of sanguarius , which runs through gordium : there he mustered his army , and so entred into paphlagonia , whose inhabitants submitted themselves to him , and thereby obtained freedom from tribute . there he left catus governour , with one regiment of macedonians newly come to him . here he heard of the death of memnon , darius's leiutenant , which much encouraged him to pass on towards him : for of this one commander he had more respect than of all the multitude assembled by darius , and of all the captains he had besides . then did he travell hastily towards cilicia , with a desire to recover the streights thereof before darius should arrive there . the governour of cilicia hearing of alexanders hasty march , left some companies to keep the streights , which were indeed very defensible , and now ( though too late ) began to prize , and put in execution the advise of memnon , who in the beginning of the wars , had counselled to wast all the provisions both for man , and horse that could not be conveyed into strong holds , and always to give ground to the invader , till he found some such notable advantage as might secure to him the victory . for the fury of an invading army is best broken by delays , change of diet , and want , and other inconveniences bringing , and breeding many diseases upon all nations out of their own country . and had darius kept the macedonians but a while without meat , and sleep , refusing to give or take battel , and had wearied them with his light horsemen ( as the parthians afterwards did the romans ) in all probability he might have saved both his life , and estate . for it was one of the greatest encouragements given by alexander to his macedonians before the third , and last fatall battel , that they were now to fight with all the strength of persi● at once . but where god hath a purpose to destroy , wise men are taken away , and the charge of things is committed unto such as either cannot see what is for their good , or that know not how to put in execution any sound advice ; the course which memnon had propounded , must in all liklyhood have brought the macedonians into great straits , and stopt them at those narrow passages of cilicia . for had cappadocia , and paphlegonia been wasted when alexander was far off , and the streights of cilicia been defended by arsenes with his best souldiers , hunger would not have suffered the enemy to stay the triall of all means for the forcing of that passage : or if the place could not have been defended , yet might cilieia at leasure have been throughly spoiled , that the heart of alexanders army should have been broken , whilst they sought out miseries by painfull travell . but arsenes leaving a small number to defend the streights , took the best of his army with him to wast and spoil the country ; or rather , as it seemed , to make himself some work , under which pretence he might with honesty run the further from alexander ; and in truth he so handled the matter , that he gave cause to the cicilians to wish for alexanders coming , and as great cause to the keepers of the passage not to hinder it . for cowards are wise in apprehending all forms of danger . these guardians of the streights , hearing that arsenes hasted to joyn himself with darius , burning down all as he went , as one despairing to defend it , began to think , that surely their generall ( who gave for lost the country behind their backs ) had exposed themselves to certain ruine , as men that were fit only to dull the swords of the macedonians ; wherefore , not being ambitious to die for their prince and country ( which honour they saw that arsenes himself could well forbear ) they presently followed the footsteps of their general , gleaning what he had left . and thus alexander without hazard , got , both the entrance into cilicia , abandoned by the cowardliness of his enemies , and also that whole province whose minds were now alienated from the persians through the imprudent carriage of arsenes . when alexander with great speed was come to tarsus , taking pleasure in the river cydnus , which ran through the city , all hot as he was , he threw off his armour , and leaped into the cold water , whereupon he grew instantly so benumbd in all the nerves of his body , that he lost the use of his tongue ; and so far was he from hope of recovery , that nothing was expected but present death : but one philip a physician , gave him a potion , which he took , and it cured him out of hand , though parmenio had forewarned him , that this philip was set on work to poison him . in the mean time darius approached , having gathered together an army of two hundred and ninty thousand men out of divers nations ( saith q. curtius ) or of three hundred thousand foot , and one hundred thousand horse , ( as justine numbers them ) or of six hundred thousand , as plutarch relates . the manner of his comming was rather like a masker , than a man of war ; and like one that took more care to shew his glory and riches , than to provide for his own safety . for before his army there was carried the holy fire , which the persians worshipped for their god ; attended by their priests , and after them three hundred sixty and five young men , answering to the days of the year , clothed in skarlet . then the chariot of jupiter , drawn with white horses , with their riders clothed in white , and carrying rods of gold in their hands . next after them came the horse of the sun , and after him ten sumptuous chariots inlay'd and garnished with god & silver : and then the vaunt guard of their horse , compounded of twelve severall nations , which , the better to avoid confusion , did hardly understand one anothers language , and these , marshalled in the head of the rest , being beaten , might serve very fitly to disorder all that followed them . in the tail of these , marched the regiment of foot stiled by the persians , immortall , because if any died , their place was presently supplied by others ; and these were armed with chains of gold , and their coats embroidered w th the same , having their sleeves garnished with pearl : baits fit either to entice the poor macedonians , or to perswade them that it were great incivillity to cut or deface such goodly garments . then marched after them fifteen thousand , more rich and glittering than the former , but apparelled like women , and these were honoured with the title of the kings kinsmen . then came darius himself with the gentlemen of his guard-robe , riding before his chariot , which was supported by the gods of his nation , cast and cut in pure gold : the head of this chariot was set with precious stones , with two golden idols , covered with an open winged eagle of the same mettal . the hinder part being raised high , whereon darius sat , had a covering of inestimable valew . this chariot of the kings was followed with ten thousand horsmen , having lances plated with silver , and their heads guilt . he had for the proper guard of his own person , two hundred of the blood royal : blood too royal , and precious to be spilt in any noble adventure , & these were backed with thirty thousand footmen , after whom again were led four hundred spare horses for the kings own use . then followed the rereward , being led by sisygambis , the kings mother , and by his wife , drawn in glorious , and glittering chariots , followed by a great train of ladies on horseback , with fifteen rich wagons of the kings children , and the wives of the nobility , waited upon by two hundred and fifty concubines , and a world of nurses , and eunuches most sumptuously apparrelled : between these , and a company of slight armed slaves , was the kings treasure , loaden on six hundred mules and three hundred camels . in this sort came this may-game king into the field , encombred with a most unnecessary train of sumpters , attended with troops of divers nations , speaking divers languages , impossible to be well marshalled by reason of their numbers , and for the most part so effeminate , and so rich in gold and costly garments , as the same could not but have encouraged the nakedst nation against them . when alexander met with these effeminate asiaticks , it may easily be guessed what a cheap victory he had over them . some say that he slew in this battel sixty thousand footmen , and ten thousand horsmen . q. curtius saith , an hundred thousand foot , with as many horsemen , and took forty thousand prisoners , whilest of alexanders army there miscarried but two hundred and eighty of all sorts , of which number some historians cut off almost one half . he took prisoners also darius his mother , wife , daughters , and other the kings children . darius by this time found it true , that charidemus , a banished grecian of athens , had told him when he made a view of his army about babylon , to wit , that the multitude which he had assembled of divers nations , richly attired but poorly armed , would be found more terrible to the countries through which they should pass , than to the macedonians whom they ment to assail , who being all old , and well-disciplined souldiers , imbattelled in gross squadrons , which they called their phalanx , well covered with armour for defence , and furnished with advantagious weapons for offence , would make so little account of his delicate persians , ill armed , and worse disciplin'd , that except he would ( having such abundance of treasure ) entertain a sufficient number of the same grecians , and so encounter the macedonians with men of equall courage , he would repent overlate , as taught by the miserable success like to follow . but so unpleasing was this discourse to darius , ( who used to hear nothing but his own praises ) that he caused this poor grecian to be presently slain , who whilst he was under the tormentors hand , said , to the king , that alexander , against whom he had given this good counsell , should certainly revenge his death , and deservedly punish darius for refusing this advise . darius likewise slighted the counsell given him by the grecian souldiers that served under him , who intreated him not to fight in those streight places where alexander could bring as many hands to fight as darius could : and these old blades , when darius was overthrown with all his cowardly , and confused rabble , under their captain amyntas , held firm , and made a brave retreat in despite of the vanquishers . these grecians also after their retreat , advised darius to draw back his army into the plains of mesopotamia , where he might have environed the macedonians on all sides with his multitudes ; they counselled him also to divide his huge army into parts , and not to cast his empire upon one battel , &c. but this advise was so contrary to the cowardly spirits of the persians , that they perswaded darius to environ these greeks with his army , and to cut them in pieces as traitors . but darius was so infatuated that he would needs fight with alexander in such a streight place , neer unto the city of issus , where he could bring no more hands to fight than alexander could ( who by the advice of parmeni● staid there as in a place of advantage ) whereby he was utterly overthrown , his treasure lost , his wife , mother , and children ( whom the grecians had perswaded him to leave in babylon ) taken prisoners , and all their train of ladies spoiled of their rich garments , jewels , and honour . indeed the queen , with her daughters , who had the good hap to be brought to alexanders presence , were intertained with all respect due unto them , their honours preserved , and their jewels , and rich garments restored ; and though the queen was a most beautifull lady ; and her daughters of excellent features , yet alexander mastered his affections towards them all : only he embraced the wife of the valiant memnon , who was lately dead , she being taken by parmenio , as she fled from damascus , at which time the daughters of ochus , who reigned before darius , and the wives and children of almost all the nobility of persia , fell into captivity , together with the treasure of darius ( not taken at issus ) was seized upon , amounting to six thousand and two hundred talents in ready coin , and in bullion , five hundred talents , with a world of riches besides . parmenio also in his letter to alexander sent him word , that amongst other things , he had taken at damascus three hundred twenty nine of the kings women , which were skilfull in musick ; forty six weavers , or knitters of crowns ; pastry women two hundred seventy seven ; cook maids twenty nine ; white-meat-makers thirteen ; makers of drinking cups seventeen ; wine-cellar men seventy ; apothecaries , and confectioners forty . thirty thousand men , and seven thousand camels . darius himself leaving his brother dead ( casting the crown from his head ) with divers others of his chief captains , hardly escaped by flight . after this overthrow given to darius , all phoenicia ( the city of tyre excepted ) yielded unto alexander , who made parmenio governour of it . also aradus , zidon , and biblos , which were maritine cities of great importance , of which one strato was king ( but hated of his people ) submitted unto alexander : yea , good success attended him every where . for antigonus , who was his lieutenant in asia the less , overthrew the cappadocians , paphlagonians , and others lately revolted . aristodemus also , who was darius his admiral , had his fleet partly taken , and partly drowned by the macedonians . likewise the lacedemonians , who rose up against antipater , were beaten : and four thousand of those greeks , that made so brave a retreat at the last battel , being led by amyntas into egypt , intending to hold it for themselves , were there slain : for the time to divide kingdoms was not yet come . alexander to honour his beloved ephestion , gave him power to dispose of the kingdom of zidon , and ephestion , to shew his gratitude , offered to bestow it upon his host with whom he quartered ; but the man , not being of the kingly race , refused it , saying , it is not our country-fashion , that any should be king , but such as are of the kingly line . and such an one ( saith he ) lives hard by , a good , and a wise man , but very poor , and one that lives by his hard labour . then did ephestion ( taking kingly apparrell along with him ) go to this poor man , and saluted him king , bidding him , wash off his dirt , and put off his rags , and put on that royall apparel ; the poor mans name was abdolominus , who thought he had been in a dream , but being by the standers by , washed , and adorned , ephestion led him into the pallace , saying , when thou sittest on thy throne , and hast power over the lives of all thy subjects , forget not thy former condition . alexander hearing of it , sent for him , and asked him , with what patience , he , being of so noble an extraction , could bear his former poverty ? to whom abdolominus answered ; i pray god that i may bear the kingdom with the same mind . for ( said he ) these hands have provided for my necessities , and as i had nothing , so i wanted nothing . while alexander staid in those parts , he received a letter from darius , wherein he desired to ransom his wife , mother , and children , with some other conditions of peace , but such as rather became a conqueror , than one who had been so shamefully beaten , not vouchsafeing in the endorsment to give alexander the title of king. alexander disdained his offers , and sent him word , that he was not only a king , but the king of darius himself . when alexander came neer the city of tyre , he received from them the present of a golden crown , and great store of victuals , with some other things , which he took very thankfully , sending them word , that he desired to offer a sacrifice to hercules , the protector of their city , from whom he was descended . the tyrians , not liking his presence within their walls , returned answer , that the temple of hercules , was seated where the old city stood ; but alexander was resolved to enter tyre by force , though in most mens judgements the city was impregnable ; for the island whereon it was built , was eight hundred furlongs from the land , yet with the labor of many hands , having great store of stone from old tyre , and timber sufficient from libanus , he stopped up the passage between the island and the main , being more than once carried away by storms , and sometimes fired by the tyrians , yet with the help of his navy , he overcame all difficulties , and prevailed , having spent seven moneths in that attempt . the tyrians in the beginning of the siege , hard barbarously drowned some messengers sent by alexander to perswade them to yield , in respect whereof , and of his great loss of time and men , he put eight thousand to the sword , and caused two thousand of those that had escaped the first fury , to be hanged on crosses upon the sea-shore , and reserved for slaves thirteen thousand , some say thirty thousand , and many more of them had died , if the zidonians , that served alexander , had not conveyed great numbers of them by shipping to their own city . alexander gave the government of this territory to philotas , the son of parmenio . ephestion had the charge of the fleet , and was commanded to meet alexander at gaza in the way to egypt . whilst alexander lay at the siege of tyrus , he sent to jaddus , the high priest at jerusalem , demanding of him supplies , and provisions for his army ; and withall , such tribute as they formerly paid to darius : but when jaddus answered , that he was tyed by a former oath of allegiance to darius , from which he could not be free so long as darius lived : alexander growing wroth at this answer , swore , that as soon as he had taken tyrus , he would march against jerusalem . at the same time also came sanballat , the cuthaean to alexander ; who , having forsaken darius , brought with him eight thousand men : him did alexander receive very graciously ; whereupon he asked leave of him to build a temple upon his own land , and to make high priest thereof , his son in law , manasses , who was brother to jaddus , the high priest at jerusalem ; and having obtained leave , because he now grew old , he fell presently to work , and built a temple , and made manasses high priest of it , thinking hereby to leave a great honour to the posterity of his daughter . in the mean while darius sends again to alexander , setting before him all difficulties he should meet with in his passing on to the east , laying the loss of the late battel to the streightness of the place : he bids him to consider how impossible it was for him to pass the rivers of euphrates , tygris , araxes , &c. with all such other dreadfull things as he thought might discourage him . moreover he profered to him all the kingdoms which lay between the river halis , and the hellespont , as a dower with his beloved daughter : but alexander rejected all , saying , that he proferred him nothing but what already was his own , and what victory , and his virtue had possessed him of . that he was in a capacity to give conditions , and not to receive any : and that having passed the sea it self , he disdained to think of resistance in transporting his army over rivers . indeed parmenio , who was now old , and full of honour and riches , told the king , that if he were alexander he would embrace the offers of darius ; to which alexander answered , that so would he if he were parmenio . then did alexander march on towards egypt , and when he came to gaza , getes the governour , a faithfull servant to darius , shut the gates against him , and defended the town with a noble resolution , at the siege whereof alexander received a wound in the shoulder which was dangerous , and a blow on his leg with a stone . he found better men in this place than he had done in the former battels : for he left so many of his macedonians buried in the sands of gaza , that he was fain to send for a new supply into greece . here it was that alexander began to shew his cruelty : for after he had taken gaza by assault , and getis the governour , who was weakened with divers wounds , and who never gave ground to the assailants , alexander caused holes to be bored through his feet , and himself to be dragged about the streets whilst he was yet alive , who being as valiant a man as himself , scorned to ask him either for life , or the mitigation of his torments . from gaza alexander led his army towards jerusalem , a city for the antiquity , and great fame thereof , well known unto him ; while he lay before tyre , he had sent for some supplies thither , which jaddus the high priest , being subject , and sworn to darius , had refused him . the jews therefore fearing revenge , and unable to resist , committed the care of their lives and estates to jaddus , who had recourse to god by supplications and sacrifices for the common safety ; and was by him warned in a dream that he should make holy-day in the city , and set the gates wide open , and that he and the rest of the priests , every one in his priestly raiment , and the people all clothed in white , should go forth and meet alexander ; and accordingly , he issued out of the city , arrayed in his pontificall robes , to wit , an upper garment of purple , embroidered with gold , with his mitre , and the plate of gold , wherein was engraved the name of god , the priests and levites also in their rich ornaments , and the people in white garments , in a manner so unusuall , stately , and grave , as alexander greatly admired it ; and when he came neer to the high priest , he fell to the ground before him , as reverencing the name of god , and when parmenio reproved him for it , alexander told him , that in dios , a city of macedonia , his mind being busied about the conquest of asia , he saw in his sleep such a person as jaddus , and so apparelled , by whom he was encouraged to pursue his purpose , with assurance of victory ; and now beholding with his bodily eyes him who before was onely represented to his fancy , he was so exceedingly pleased , and encouraged , as ( contrary to the expectation of the phaenicians , who hoped to have sackt , and destroyed jerusalem ) he gave the jews all , and more than all that they desired ; during his abode there , jaddus shewed him the prophesie of daniel , wherein he saw himself ; and his conquest of persia so directly pointed at , as that nothing from thenceforth could either affright , or discourage him therein . the next day alexander assembled the people , and bad them ask what they would of him : but they asked nothing but that they might live according to the laws of their own country , and that every seventh year ( wherein they were to have no harvest ) they might be exempted from paying any tribute , all which he granted . and when they asked further , that he would suffer the jews , which dwelt in the countries of babylon , and media , to live according to their own rites and laws , he answered , that he would satisfie their desires in that point also , so soon as he should get those countries into his power . and when he told them , that if any of them would follow him in his wars , they should use their own rites wheresoever they came , many listed themselves to serve him . from jerusalem alexander turned again towards egypt , and entring into it , astaces , who was darius's lieutenant , received him , and delivered into his hands , memphis , with eight hundred talents of treasure , & all other the kings riches ; and when alexander had set things in order in egypt , he began to affect a deity , at the temple of jupiter hammon , so foolish had prosperity made him . he was to pass over dangerous and dry sands , where , when the water which he brought on his cammels backs was spent , he must need have perished , had not an extraordinary showre of rain fallen , just when his army was in extream despair . indeed it never rains in egypt ; but the purposes of almighty god are secret , and he bringeth to pass whatsoever pleaseth him . it s said also that when he had lost his way in those vast desarts , a flight of crows flew before his army , making sometimes more , sometimes less hast , till they had guided him over those pathless sands to jupiters temple . when alexander came neer the place , he sent some of his parasites to corrupt the priests attending the oracle , that their answer might be given in all things according to his mad ambition , who affected to be accounted the son of jupiter : and accordingly , he was saluted jupiters son , by the devils prophet , for which he was richly rewarded , and presently a rumour was spread abroad , that jupiter had owned him for his childe : and the better to confirm his followers in the belief of his deity , he suborned the priests to give answer to such as consulted with the oracle , that it would be very pleasing to jupiter to honour alexander as his son. but this is certain , and very observable , that at christs coming , and the first preaching of the gospel , the devil in this , and in all other his oracles , became speechless . from the temple of hammon , alexander returned to memphis , where , among many other learned men , he heard the philosopher psammones , who understanding that he affected the title of jupiters son , told him , that god was the father king of all men : and , refining the pride of this haughty king , he brought him to acknowledge , that god was the father of all mortall men , but that he acknowledgeth none for his children , save good men . the charge of the severall provinces of egypt , alexander gave to severall governours , following thereing therein the rules of his master aristotle , that a great dominion should not be continued in the hands of any one man ; then gave he order for the building of alexandria upon the most westernly branch of nilus ; and thus having setled ( as he could ) the state of egypt , with the kingdoms of the lesser asia , phoenicia , and syria , he conducted his army towards euphrates , which passage ( though the same was committed to mazeus to be defended by him ) yet did he abandon it , and alexander without resistance , passed it . from thence he marched towards tygris , a river , for the swiftness thereof , called by the persians , the arrow : here might darius easily have repelled him ; for the violent course of the stream was such , as it drave before it many weighty stones , and those that moved not , but lay in the bottom , were so round , and smooth by continuall rolling , that no man was able to fight upon so slippery a standing : nor were the macedonian footmen able to wade through the river , otherwise than by joyning their hands , and interlacing their arms each in others , making thereby one entire , and weighty body to resist the impetuousness of the stream : and besides this , the channell was so deep towards the eastern shore , where darius should have opposed him , that the footmen were enforced to lift their bows , arrows , and darts over their heads to keep them from being made unservicable by the water . indeed it cannot be denied , that as all estates of the world , by the surfeit of misgovernment , have been subject to many grievous , and sometimes , mortall diseases : so had the empire of persia at this time brought it self into a burning feavour , and thereby became frantick , and without understanding , foreshewing manifestly the death , and dissolution thereof . but alexander had now recovered the eastern shore of tygris without any opposition but what the nature of the river made , were mazeus , who had the charge to defend the banks , both of euphrates , and it , presented himself to the macedonians , being attended with certain troops of horsemen , as if with uneven forces , he durst have charged them upon even ground , when as , with a multitude far exceeding them , he forsook those advantages which no valour of the enemy could easily have overcome . but it s commonly seen that timerous and cowardly persons do ever follow those ways , and counsels , whereof the opportunity is already lost . it s true , that he set all provisions on fire wherewith the macedonians might be assisted in their passage over tygris , thinking thereby greatly to have distrested them : but the execution of good counsel is fruitless , when unseasonable . for now was alexander so well furnished with carriages , that no conveniences were wanting to the army which he conducted . those things also which mazeus now sought to destroy , alexander being in sight , by his horsmen , saved and recovered them . this mazeus might have done some dayes before at good leasure ; yea , at this time he might have done it with so great a strength of horsmen , as the mecedonians might not have dared to pursue , leaving the body of their foot out of sight , and so far behind . darius , upon alexanders first return out of egypt , had assembled all those forces which the countries next to him could afford ; and now also were the arians , scythians , indians , and other nations come to him . nations ( saith curtius ) that rather served to make up a number , than to make resistance . some reckon them to amount to the number of ten hundred thousand foot , and four hundred thousand horse , besides armed chariots , and some few elephants . crutius numbers them but two hundred thousand foot , and about fifty thousand horse , which is more probable : and yet seeing darius had more confidence in the number , then in the valour of his souldiers , probably he had brought together some three or four hundred thousand of all sorts , with which , he hoped in those fair plains of assyria , to have overborn the small number of the invading army . but it s most true , that in every battel skill and practice do more to wards attaining the victory , than multitudes , and rude audacity . whilest alexander rested , and refreshed his army after their heard passage over tygris , there happened an eclipse of the moon , at which the macedonians ( being ignorant of the cause , and reason of it ) were much troubled ; taking it as a certain presage of their ruine and destruction , insomuch as they began not only to murmur , but to speak boldly , that to satisfie the ambition of one man , and of such an one as disdained philip for his father , and would needs be called the son of jupiter , they should all perish : for he enforced them , not onely to war against a world of enemies , but against rivers , mountains , and the heavens themselves . hereupon alaxander , who was now ready to advance , made an halt , and to quiet the minds of the multitude , he called before him the aegyptian astrologers , that by them the souldiers might be assured that this eclipse of the moon , was a sure persage of his good successe . but they never informed them that it came to pass by naturall causes , but reserved that as a secret fit to be kept amongst themselves . these astrologers gave no other reason for it than this , that the grecians were under the aspect of the sun , and the persians under that of the moon , and therefore the moon losing her light , did foreshew that the state of persia was now in danger of falling , and their glory of being obscured . this being noised through all the army , every man was satisfied , and quieted , and their courage redoubled . as alexander drew neer the persian army , certain letters were intercepted , written by darius to the grecians , proffering and promising them a great summe of money , if they would either kill , or betray alexander . but these , by the advice of parmonio , were suppressed . about this time also darius his beautifull wife , being oppressed with sorrow , and wearied with travel , died : which accident alexander seemed to bewaile no lesse than darius . who , upon the first report of it , suspected , that some dishonourable violence had been offered to her ; but being satisfied by an eunuch of his own that attended her , of alexanders kind , and kingly respect towards her from the very time of her being taken , he prayed the immortall gods , that if they had decreed to set a new master over the persian empire , that then it would please them to confer it on so just and chast an enemy as was alexander , to whom , once more before the last triall by battel , he offered these conditions of peace . that if he would marry his daughter , he would deliver , and resigne up to him all asia the lesse , with egypt , and all those kingdoms between the phaenician sea and the river euphrates . that he would pay him for the ransom of his mother , and other daughters , thirty thousand talents , and that for performance thereof he would leave his son ochus in hostage ; and they sought by sundry arguments to perswade alexander to accept hereof . alexander causing the ambassadors to withdraw , advised with his councel , yet heard no man speak but parmenio , who was the very right hand of his good fortune , and he perswaded him to accept of such fair conditions : he told him , that the empire between euphrates and the hellespont , was a large addition to macedonia : that the retaining of those persian prisoners was a great cumber to him ; and that the treasure offered for them was of far better use than their persons , with divers other arguments , yet alexander , rejected all ; though it was very probable , that if he had followed his advice , and set bounds to his ambition within those limits , he might have been as famous for his virtue , as he was for his great successes , and might have left a successor of fit age to have enjoyed his estate , which afterwards , indeed he much enlarged , rather to the greatning of others than himself , who to assure themselves of what they had usurped , left not one of his issue alive within a few years after . besides , alexander by going so far into the east , left behind him the reputation which he brought with him out of macedonia , of a just and prudent prince : a prince temperate , advised , and gratefull ; and learned by aboundance of prosperity , to be a lover of wine , of flatterers , and of extream cruelty . but the persian ambassadors waited for their answer , which was to this effect : that what curtesies soever he had bestowed upon the wife , and children of darius , proceded from his own naturall clemency , and magnanimity , without all respect to their master , but thanks to an enemy was improper : that he made no wars against adversity , but against those that resisted him : not against women , and children , but against armed enemies : and also that by the reiterated practices of darius , to corrupt his souldiers , and by great summes of money , to debauch his friends to attempt something against his person , he had reason to doubt whether the peace offered were really intended , yet could he not ( were it true and faithfull ) resolve in hast to accept of it , seeing darius had warred against him , not as a king , with royal and overt forces , but as a traitor , by secret , and base practices . besides , the territories which he offered him were already his own ; and if darius , could beat him back again over euphrates , he would then believe that he offered him somthing that was in his power to give : otherwise he propounded to himself , as a reward of his enterprizes , all those kingdoms which darius as yet had in his possession ; wherein , whether he was abused by his own hopes or no , the battell which he meant to fight the day following , should determine . and in conclusion , he told them , that he came into asia , to give kingdoms , and not to rer●ive them : that the heavens could not hold two suns , and therefore if darius could be content to acknowledge alexander his superiour , he might perchance be perswaded to give him condition fit for a second person , and an inferiour . the ambassadors being returned with this answer , darius prepares to fight , and sent mazeus to defend a pass , which yet he never dared so much as to hazzard . alexander consulting with his captains , parmeni● , perswaded him to force the camp of darius by night , that the multitudes of his enemies might not affright his macedonians , being comparitivly but a few . but alexander replied , that he s●orned to steal a victory , and resolved to bring with him daylight to witnesse his valour . indeed the successe commended alexanders resolution , though the counsel given by parmenio was more sound . yet when he came to view the multitude of his enemies , he began to stagger , and entrenched himself upon a ground of advantage , which foolishly the persians had abandoned . and when as darius , for fear of a camizado , had stood with his men in a●mour all the day , and forborne all sleep in the night ; alexander on the contrary , gave his men rest , and store of food , knowing , that souldiers do better stand to it in fight , if they have their bellies full of meat and drink : for hunger within , fights more eagerly than steel without . the numbers which alexander had , were about fourty thousand foot , and seven thousand horse , which were of the europaean army : and besides these , he had e●yptians , syrians , judaeans , and arabi●ns which followed him out of those countries . he used but a short speech to his soldiers to encourage them , neither need he ; for one victory begets another , and puts courage into the conquerours , and taketh away spirits from those that have been beaten . some make large descriptions of this battel , fought at gaugamela , but in conclusion they tell us but of three hundred of alexanders men that were slain , and some say lesse ; but of the persians there fell fourty thousand : but what can we judg of this great encounter , other than ( as in the two forme battels at granick , and in cilicia ) that the persians , upon the first charge , ran away , and that the macedonians pursued them . for if that every man whom darius brought into the field , had but cast a dart , or a stone , the macedonians could not have bought the empire of the east at so eas●y a rate , as six or seven hundred in three such notorious battels . certainly if darius had fought with alexander upon the banks of euphrates , and had armed but fifty or sixty thousand of this great multitude , onely with spades ( for most of his men were fit for no other weapon ) it had been impossible for alexander to have passed that river so easily , much less the river of tygris . but as a man , whose empire god was putting a period to , he abandoned all places of advantage , and suffered alexander to enter so far into the bowels of his kingdom , as all hope and possibility of escaping by retreat being taken from the macedonians , they were put to the choice , either to die or conquer , to which election darius could no way constrain his men , seeing they had many large regions to run into from their invaders . darius , after the rout of his army , fled to arbela that night , better attended in his flight than in the fight , and to them that fled with him , he propounded his purpose of retreating into media , perswading them that the ma●edonians , who were greedy of spoil and riches , would rather attempt babylon , susa , and other cities filled with treasure , than to pursue the vanquished . this miserable resolution his nobility rather obeyed , than approved . soon after the departure of darius , came alexander to arbela , which , with a great mass of treasure , and many princely ornaments , was surrendred to him . for the fear which accompanied darius , took nothing with it but shame , and dishonour . he that had been twice beaten before , should have sent his treasure into media rather than to have brought it to arbela , so neer the place where he intended to wait the coming of his enemy . if he had been victorious , he might have brought it back at leasure : but being overcome , he knew it impossible to drive mules and camels loaden with gold , from the pursuing enemy , seeing himself , at the overthrow which he had in cilicia , cast the crown from his head , to run away the lighter : but its easier to reprehend , than to amend what is past . from arbela , alexander marched towards babylon , where maz●u● , in whom darius had most confidence , rendred to him , himself , his children , and the city . also the captain of the castle where the treasure was kept ; strewed the streets with flowers , burnt frankincense upon the silver altars , as alexander passed by , and delivered to him whatsoever was committed to his trust . the magi also , who were the chaldean astrologers , followed this captain to entertain their new king : after these , came the babylonian horsemen , infinitly ▪ rich in attire , but exceeding poor in warlike furniture . between these and himself , alexander caused his macedonian footmen to march . when he entred the castle he admired the glory thereof , and the abundance of treasure which he found therein , amounting to fifty thousand talents of silver uncoined . in this city , rich in all things , but most of all in voluptuous pleasures , the king rested himself and his whole army thirty four days , spending that time in banquetting , and in all sorts of effeminate exercises , which so much softned the minds of the macedonians , not acquainted till now with such delicacies , as the severe discipline of war , which taught them to endure hunger and thirst , painfull travell , and hard lodging , began rather to be forgotten than neglected . alexander , as he was rowed upon a lake neer babylon in his gally , a sudden tempest arising blew off his hat , and crown fastened upon it , into the lake , whereupon one of the marriners , leaping into the water , swam , and fetched it to him , and to keep it the drier , he put it upon his own head . alexander rewarded him with a talent for saving his crown ; but withall , caused his head to be cut off , for presuming to put his crown upon it . during his abode here , alexander instituted those regiments consisting of a thousand souldiers , appointing collonels over them , who thereupon were called chiliarks . this new order alexander brought in , was to honour those captains , which were found by certain select judges , to have deserved best in the late war. while alexander was yet at babylon , there came to him a great supply out of europe . for antipater sent him six thousand foot , and five hundred horse out of macedonia ; and of the thracians three thousand foot , and as many horse , and out of greece four thousand , and four hundred horse , by which his army was greatly strengthened . for those that were infected with the pleasures of babylon , could hardly be brought again to change their soft beds for hard boards , and the cold ground . alexander left the city and castle of babylon , with the territories adjoyning , in charge with three of his own captains , aga●hon , minetus , and appolidorus , leaving a thousand talents to supply their wants : but to grace maz●us , who delivered up the city to him , he gave him the title of his lieutenant generall , and took along with him bagistines , who surrended the castle to him ; and having distributed to every souldier a part of the treasure , he left babylon and entred into the province of satrapene , marching from thence towards susa in persia , situated on the river euleus , which city was sometime governed by the prophet diniel . here abulites , the governour of this famous city , gave it up to the conquerour , with fifty thousand talents of silver in bullion , and twelve elephants for the war , with all other the treasure of darius there ; such as the persian kings had for a long time , heaped up together , leaving it from father to son ; all which in one hour came into his hands who had never cared for it . in this sort did those vassals of fortune ; those lovers of the kings prosperity , not of his person , purchase their own peace , and safety with their masters treasure ; and herein was alexander well advised , that whatsoever titles he gave to the persians , yet he left all places of importance in trust with his own captains , as babylon , susa , persepolis , with other cities , and provinces that were conquered by him : for had darius but beaten the macedonians in one battel , all the persian nobility would have turned again to their naturall lord. whilest alexander was ransacking arbela , mazeus might have furnished darius from babylon ; and whilest he stayed those thirty four dayes at babylon , abulites might have holpen him from susa : and whilest he was feasting , and frolicking there ; teridates from persepolis might fully have supplied him : for the chiefest bulk of his treasure was laid up in that city : but benefits bind not the ambitious but the honest ; for those that are selfish , do in all changes , consult only the conservation of their own greatness . the government of susa , with the castle and treasure , alexander committed to his own macedonians , making abulites , who rendred it to him , his lieutenant , as he had done mazeus before , giving them honourable titles , but neither trust nor power . for he left three thousand old souldiers to garrison that city , and with them , the mother , and children of darius to repose themselves there . from susa alexander marched with his army towards persepolis ; but when he sought to pass those mountains that ●under susiana and persia , he was soundly beaten by ariobarzanes , who defended those streights ▪ against him , called pylae persidis , and after the loss of many of his macedonians , he was forced to save himself by retreat , causing his foot to march close together , and to cover themselves with their targets from the stones that were tumbled upon them from the mountain-tops . yet in the end , he found out another passage , which was discovered to him by a lycian that lived in that country , and thereby , coming suddenly upon ariobarzanes , who now was enforced to fight ●pon even ground , he overthrew him , who from thence fled to persepolis : but the citizens refusing to admit him , he returned and gave a second charge upon the macedodonians , in which he was slain . many greeks ( for authors agree not upon their number ) having been taken prisoners by the persians , presented themselves here to alexander . these had the barbarians so maimed , by cuting off their hands , eares , noses , and other members , as that they could not have been known to their own country men , but by there language . to each of these alexander gave three hundred crowns , with new garments , and such lands as they liked to live upon . tiridates , one of darius his falshearted grandees , hearing of alexanders approach to persepolis , made him know that persepolis was ready to receive him , and intreated him to double his pace , because there was a determination amongst the people to plunder the kings treasury . this city was forsaken by many of her inhabitants upon alexanders arrivall , and they that staid , followed the worst counsel . for the city was given up to the liberty of the souldiers t o spoil , and kill at their pleasure . there was no place in the world at that time , which , if it had been lain in the ballance with persepolis , would have weighed it down , indeed , babylon , and susa were very rich ; but in persepolis lay the bulk , and greatest store of the riches of persia. for after the spoil that had been made , of money , curious plate , bullion , images of gold , and silver , and other jewels , there remained to alexander himself one hundred and twenty thousand talents , and as much other treasure as twenty thousand mules , and ten thousand camels could carry away , much whereof had been reserved there from the dayes of cyrus . here it was that alexander , setting himself down upon darius his throne , it was so high that his feet could not reach the ground , whereupon one of his attendants brought him a little table , and set it under his feet . one of darius's eunuchs standing by , sighed , and wept grievously , which alexander taking notice of , asked him the reason of it ? the eunuch answered , i weep to see a table that was so highly prized by my master darius , now to be made thy footstool . here he left the same number of three thousand macedonians , in persepolis , as he had done in susa , and gave the same formall honour to the traitor tiridates , as he had done to abulites ; but he committed the charge of the place to nicarides , a creature of his own . the body of his army he left here for thirty dayes , under the care of parmenio , and craterus , and with a thousand horse , and certain chosen bands of foot , he would needs view in the winter time , those parts of persia which now were covered with snow : a fruitless and foolish enterprise . some speak it in his praise , that when his souldiers cried out against him , because of the extream frost and snow , through which they could not make way but with great difficulty , that alexander forsook his horse , and marched on foot before them : but what can be more ridiculous than for a man to bring other men into extremity , thereby to shew how well him self can endure it ; being his walking on foot did no otherwise take off their wearinesse that followed him , than his sometime forbearing to drink , did quench their thirst that could lesse endure it . alexander being returned to persopolis , those historians that were most enamored of his virtues , complain , that the opinion of his valour , of his liberality , of his clemency towards the vanquished , and all other his noble conditions , were drowned in drink . that he smothered in his carousing cups all the reputation of his former actions , and that by descending as it were , from the awfull throne of the greatest king , into the company , and familiarity of the bastest harlots , he began to be despised both of his own , and of all other nations . for when he was enflamed with wine , and being perswaded by the infamous strumpet thais , he caused the most sumtuous , and goodly castle and city of persepolis to be consumed with fire , notwithstanding all the arguments that parmenio could use to the contrary , who told him , that it was a dishonour to destroy those things by the perswasion of others , which by his proper virtue , and force , he obtained : and that it would be a certain evidence to the asiaticks , to think hardly of him , and thereby alienate their hearts from him . for they might well believe , that he which demolished the goodliest ornaments they had , meant nothing lesse , than after such vastations , to hold the possession of them . about this time alexander received another supply of souldiers out of cilica , and advanced to find out darius in media . darius had there formed his fourth , and last army , which he meant to have encreased in bactria , had he not heard of alexanders comming on , with whom ( trusting to his present numbers , which yet were but thirty or fourty thousand ) he intended once again to try what he might doe against him . he therefore called together his captains , and commanders , and propounded his resolution to them , who desparing of good successe , stood for a while silent : but at last artabazus one of his eldest men of war , who had sometime lived with king philip the father of alexander , brake the silence , protesting that he could never be beaten by any adversity of the kings , from the faith that he had ever ought him , with firm confidence that all the rest were of the same mind , whereof they likewise assured darius , by the like protestation , and so they approved of the kings resolution . two onely , and they the greatest , to wit , naburzanes , and bessus , who was governor of bactria , had conspired against their master , and therefore advised the king to lay a new foundation for the war , and to pursue it for the present by some such person against whom neither the gods , nor fortune had in all things declared themselves to be an enemy . this preamble naburzanes used , and in conclusion advised the election of his fellow traitor bessus , with promise that when the war should be ended , the empire should be again restored to darius . the king , swolne with disdain , pressed towards naburzanes to have slain him ; but bessus , and the bactrians , whom he commanded , being more in number than the rest , with held him . hereupon nahurzanes withdrew himself and bessus followed him , making their quarters apart from the rest of the army . artabazus , the the kings faithfull servant , perswaded him to be advised , and to comply for the time , the rather because alexander was at hand , and that he would at lest make shew of forgeting the offence : which the king ( being of a gentle disposition ) easily yeilded to . then came bessus to the king and made his submission : but patron , who commanded a brigade of four thousand greeks , which had in all the former battels served darius faithfully , and had alwayes made their retreat in despit of the macedonians , offered himself to darius to guard his person , protesting against the treason of bessus . ( but god had otherwise determined of the empire , and therefore so far was the king infatuated , that he ever rejected their counsel from the begining of the war , who were most faithfull to him . ) and now hearkened to bessus , who told him , that the greeks , with patron their captain , were corrupted by alexander and practiced the division of his faithfull servants : yet , even this while , bessus had corrupted , and drawn to himself thirty thousand of the army , promising them all those things by which , the lovers of the world and themselves , are wont to be allured , to wit , riches , honour , and safety . now the day following darius plainly discovered the purposes of bessus , and being overcome with passion , as judging himself unable to make head against these ungratefull and unnatural traitors , he prayed artabazus , his faithfull servant , to depart from him , and to provide for his own safty . in like mannor he discharged the rest of his attendants , all save a few of his eunuchs . for his gaurds had voluntarily abandoned him . his persians , being most base cowards , durst not undertake his defence against the bactrians , though they had four thousand greeks to assist them , who of themselves were able to beat both the parties . but it s most true , that him that forsakes himself , will no man follow . it had been far more manlike , and king-like to have died in the head of those four thousand greeks , who offered him the disposall of their lives , ( to which artabazus also perswaded him ) than to have lain upon the ground bewailing himself , and suffering himself to be bound like a slave , by those ambitious monsters that laid violent hands on him ; whom neither the consideration of his former great estate , nor the honour he had conferred upon them , nor the trust he had reposed in them , nor the world of benefits he had bestowed on them , could move to pitty : no , nor his present adversity , which above all things should have prevailed with them , could pierce their viperous , and ingratefull hearts . darius , thus forsaken , was bound by them , and laid in a cart covered with hides of beasts , that he might not be discovered ; and to adde despite , and derision to his adversity , they bound him with chaines of gold , and so drew him amongst their ordinary carriages . for bessus , and naburzanes perswaded themselves that they might redeem their lives , and be setled in their provinces that they held , either by delivering him a prisoner to alexander , or if that hope failed , to make themselves kings by his murther , and then to defend themselves by force of armes . but their expectations were frustrate in both . for it was against the nature of god , who is most just , to suffer such villany to go unpunished , yea , though against an heathen king , and an idolator . alexander hearing that darius was retreated towards bactria , not daring to abide his coming , hastned after him by a violent march , and because he would not force his footmen beyond their strength , he mounted on horseback certain select companies of them , and those which were best armed , and with six thousand other horse , he rather ran than marched after darius . now such as hated the treason of bessus , secretly forsook him , and gave intelligence to alexander of all that had happened , informing him of the way that bessus took , and how neer he was unto him . hereupon alaxander again doubled his pace , and his vantguard being come within sight of bessus his reare , bessus brought a horse to the cart where darius lay bound , perswading him to mount thereon , and to save himself by flight . but the unfortunate king refusing to follow those that had betraied him , they cast darts at him , and gave him some mortall wounds : they wounded also the beasts that drew him , and slew two poor servants that attended his person . this done , they all fled that could , and left the rest to the mercy of the macedonians . polystratus , a macedonian , in his pursuit after bessus , being extream thirsty , as he was refreshing himself , with some water that he had found out , espied a cart drawn by wounded beasts , that were now scarce able to go , whereupon he searched it , and there found darius bathed in his own blood : and by a persian captain that polystratus had , he understood that it was darius , and was informed of that barbarous tragedy . darius also seemed greatly comforted ( if dying men , ignorant of the living god can be comforted ) that he vented not his last sorrowes unheard , but that by this macedonian , alexander might be informed of the truth , and take vengeance on those traitors , who had dealt no lesse unworthily ; than cruelly with him , recommending the revenge thereof to alexander by this messenger , beseeching him to pursue the traitors , not for darius , his sake , but for his own honour , and for the safety of all that did , or should hereafter weare crowns . he also having nothing else to present to alexander , rendred him thanks for his kingly grace , and favour used to his wife mother and children , desiring the immortall gods to subject to him the kingdom of the whole world. as he was thus speaking , importunate death pressing out his few remaining spirits , he desired a little water , which polystratus presented unto him , after which he lived but to tell him , that of all the good things which of late he was master of , he had nothing remaining but his last breath , wherewith to desire the gods to reward his compassion . the macedonians began now to hope that their travels were neer an end : and therefore every man was preparing for his return , whereof when alexander was informed , he was much troubled at it . for the bounded earth suffized not for his boundlesse ambition . many arguments he therefore used to draw on his army farther into the east : but that which prevailed most was , that bessus , a base traitor to his master darius , having at his devotion the hyrcanians , and bactrians , would in a short time , if the macedonians should now returne , make himself lord of the persian empire , and reap the fruit of all their former travels . in conclusion , alexander wan their consents to go on : which done , leaving craterus with certain regiments of foot , and amyntas with six thousand horse , in parthia , he entred ( not without some opposition ) into hyrcania . for the mardons , and other barbarous nations , defended certain passages for a while . but at last prevailing , he passed the river of zioberis , which , taking its rise in parthia , empties it self into the caspian sea. it runneth under the ledg of mountains which bound parthia , and hyrcania , where , hiding it self under ground for three hundred furlongs , it then riseth again , and follows its former course as is said before . in zadracarta the metropolis of hyrcania , alexander rested fifteen dayes , banquetting , and feasting therein . about this time phataphernes , one of darius his greatest commanders , with some others of his followers submitted themselves to alexander , and were restored to to their places , and government . but above all other , he graced artabazus most highly , for his approved and constant faith and loyalty to his master darius . artabazus brought along with him ten thousand and five hundred greeks , the remainder of all those that had served darius . he treated with alexander for their pardon before they came ; but in the end , they rendred themselves simply without promise or composition : alexander pardoned all but the lacedemonians , whom he imprisoned , their captain having slain himself : he was also prevailed with ( though to his great dishonour ) to pardon nabarzanes , that had joyned with bessus in the murther of darius . heere ( as some write ) thalestris , queen of the amazons came to visit him , and her suit was ( which she easily obtained ) that she might accompany him , till she proved with child by him : which done she refused to go along with him into india , but returned into her own country . now as alexander had begun to change his conditions after the taking of persepolis : so at this time prosperity had so much corrupted his virtue , that he accounted clemency to be but basenesse , and the temperance , which all his life before he had used , to be but a poor , and abject humour , rather becoming the instructers of his youth , than the condition , and state of so mighty a king , as the world could not equal . for he perswaded himself that he now represented the greatness of the gods ; and he was pleased when those that came before him , would fall on the ground and adore him . he wore the garments , and robes of the persians , and commanded his nobles to do the like . he entertained into his court , and camp , the same shamelesse rabble of curtizans , and catamite , ● as darius had done , whom he imitated in all the proud , voluptuous , and detested manners of the persians , whom he had vanquished , and became a more foul and fearfull monster than darius , from whose tyranny , he vaunted , to have delivered so many nations ; insomuch as they that were neerest and deerest to him , began to be ashamed of him , entertaining each other with this , or the like scornfull discourse . that alexander of macedonia was become one of darius licentious courtiers : that by his example , the macedonians , after so many , and tedious travels , were more impoverished in their virtues , than enriched by their victories , and that it was hard now to judge , whether the conqueres , or conquered were the baser slaves . neither were these things so whispered in corners , but that they came to alexanders ears : he therefore with great gifts sought to stop the mouthes of the better sort , and of such of whose judgments he was most jealous . then did he make it known to the army , that bessus had assumed the title of a king ; and called himself artaxerxes , and that he had compounded a great army of the bactrians and other nations , whereby he perswaded them to go on , to the end that all which they had already gotten , together with themselves ( so far engaged ) might not be cast away , and lost . and because they were pestered with the plunder of so many rich cities , that the whole army seemed but the guard of their carriages , he commanded that every mans fardel should be brought into the market place , which when it was done , he , together with his own , caused all to be consumed with fire . this , in probability , might have proved very dangerous unto him : for the common souldiers had more interest in that which they had purchased with their painfull travel , and with their blood , than in the kings ambition ; had not his happy temerity overcome all difficulties . as he was upon his march , news was brought that satribarzanes , whom he had established in his former government over the arians , was revolted ; whereupon , leaving the way of bactria , he sought the traytour out : but the rebel hearing of his coming , fled with two thousand horse to bessus : then marched alexander on against bessus , and by setting a great pile of wood on fire , with the advantage of a strong winde , he won a passage over an high , and unaccessible rock , which was desended against him by thirty thousand foot , the extremity of the fire , and smoak , forcing them to quit the place , which otherwise had been invincible : after which , he found no resistance till he came into aria , on the east of bactria , where the chief city of that province , called artacoana , was a while defended against him , by the revolt of satribarzanes ; but in the end , he received the inhabitants to mercy . at this place his army was recruited with a new supply of five thousand , and five hundred foot , and neer five hundred horse out of greece , thessaly , and other places . at this time it was that the treason of dimnus was discovered , of which philotas , the son of parmenio , was accused , at least as accessary if not principall . this dimnus , with some others , having conspired against the life of alexander , went about to draw nicomacus , a young man whom he loved , into the conspiracy ; the youth , although he was first bound by oath to secrecy , when he heard so foul a matter uttered , began to protest against it so vehemently , that his friend was like to have slain him , to secure his own life ; and so , constrained by fear , he made shew as if he had been won by perswasion , and by seeming at length , to like well of the business , he was told more at large who they were that had undertaken it . there were nine or ten of them , all men of rank , whose names dimnus ( the better to countenance the enterprize ) reckoned up to him . nicomacbus had no sooner freed himself from the company of this traytour dimnus , than he acquainted his own brother , c●ballinus , with the whole design , whereupon it was agreed between them , that ceballinus ( who might do it with the least suspition ) should go to the court , and utter all . ceballinus meeting with philotas , told him the whole business , requesting him to acquaint the king with it , which he promised to do , but yet did not . two days passed , and philotas never brake with the king about the matter , but still excused himself to ceballinus by the kings want of leasure . this his coldness bred suspition , and caused ceballinus to apply himself to one metron , keeper of the kings armory , who forthwith brought him to alexanders presence . alexander finding by examination what had passed between ceballinus , and philotas , fully perswaded himself that this concealment of the treason argued philotas to have a hand in it ; when dimnus therefore was brought before him , he asked him onely this question ; wherein have i so offended thee , that thou shouldst think philotas more worthy to be king than my self ? dimnus , when he was first apprehended , perceiving how the matter was like to go , had so wounded himself , that he lived no longer than to give his last groan in the kings presence . then was philotas sent for , and charged with the suspition which his silence might justly breed . his answer was , that when the treason was revealed to him by nicomachus , he judged it to be but frivolous , and therefore forbore to acquaint alexander with ir , till he could procure better information . this errour of his ( if it were but an errour ) though alexander , for the notable services done by his father parmenio , and his brother nicanor , lately dead , and by philotas himself , had freely pardoned him , and given him his hand for assurance : yet , by the instigation of craterus , he falsified his princely promise , and made the enemies of philotas his judges . craterus indeed perswaded himself , that he could never find a better occasion to oppress his private enemy , than by pretending piety , and duty to his prince . whence a poet saith , see how these great men clothe their private hate , in these fair colours of the publick good ; and to effect their ends , pretend the state , as if the state by their affection stood : and arm'd with power , and princes jealousies , will put the least conceit of discontent into the greatest rank of treacheries , that no one action shall seem innocent . yea , valour , honour , bounty shall be made as accessaries unto ends unjust : and even the service of the state must lade the needful'st undertaking with distrust , so that base vileness , idle luxury seem safer far than to do worthily . now the king , following the advice of craterus , had resolved the next day to put philotas to the torment , yet in the very evening of the same night in which he was apprehended , he called him to a banquet , and discoursed as familiarly with him as at any other time . but when in the dead of the night , philotas was taken in his lodging , and that they which hated him began to binde him , he cried out upon the king in these words : o alexander , the malice of mine enemies hath surmounted thy mercy , and their hatred is far more constant than the word of a king. many circumstances were urged against him by alexander himself ; and this was not the least ( not the least offence indeed against the kings humour , who desired to be adored as a god ) that when alexander wrote unto him concerning the title given him by jupiter hammon , he answered , that he could not but rejoyce that he was admitted into the sacred fellowship of the gods , and yet he could not but withall grieve for those which should live under such a one as would exceed the nature of man. this , said alexander , assured me that his heart was estranged , and that he despised my glory . philotas was brought before the multitude to hear the king● oration against him . he was brought forth in vile garments , and bound like a thief , where he heard himself , and his absent father , the greatest captain in the world , accused , and also his two other brothers , hector , and nicanor , who had lost their lives in these wars ; wherewith he was so overcome with grief , that , for a while , he could utter nothing for tears , and sorrow had so wasted his spirits , that he sank between those that led him . in the end , the king asked him in what language he would make his defence ? he answered , in the same wherein it had pleased the king to accuse him : which accordingly he did , to the end that the persians , as well as the macedonians , might understand him . but here of the king made this advantage , perswading the assembly that he disdained the language of his own country , and so , withdrawing himself , he left him to his merciless enemies . this proceeding of the kings , philotas greatly lamented , seeing the king , who had so sharply invieghed against him , would not vouchsafe to hear his answer . for hereby his enemies were emboldned against him , and all the rest , having discovered the kings mind , and resolution , contended amongst themselves , which of them should shew the greatest hatred towards him . amongst many arguments which he brought for his own defence , this was not the least , that when nicomachus desired to know of dimnus , of what quality , and power his partners in the conspiracy were , seeming unwilling to adventure himself amongst mean , and base companions , dimnus named unto him , demetrius , of the kings bed-chamber , nicanor , amyntas , and some others , but spake not a word of philotas , who , being master of the horse , would greatly have graced the cause , and encouraged nichomacus . and to make it more cleer that he knew nothing of their intents , there was not any one of the conspirators , that in their torments , would accuse him . yet at the last , himself being put to extream torments by the devise of his professed enemies ▪ craterus , cenus , ephestion , and others , philotas accused himself , hoping that they would have slain him immediatly : but he failed even in that miserable hope , and suffering all that could be inflicted on flesh and blood , he was forced to confess , not what was true , but what might best please them , who were far more merciless than death it self . cruelty is not a humane vice : it is unworthy of man : it s even a beastly rage to delight in blood and wounds , and casting away the nature of man , to become a savage monster . now whilst alexanders hands were yet died in blood , he commanded that lyncestes , son in law to antipater , who had been three years in prison , should be slain . the same dispatch had all those that were accused by nicomachus . but parmenio was yet living . parmenio , who had served with great fidelity , as well philip the kings father , as himself . parmenio that first opened alexanders way into asia : that had cast down attalus , the kings enemy : that had always , and in all hazards the leading of the kings vaunt-gard : that was no less prudent in counsell , then successfull in all his enterprises . a man , beloved of the men of war , and to say the truth , he that had purchased for the king the empire of the east , and of all the glory and fame which he had attained to . that he might not therefore revenge the death of his son , though not upon the king ( for it was unlikely that he would have stained his fidelity in his ●●●●ge , having now lived seventy years ) yet upon th●● , who by base flattery had possessed themselves of the kings affection , it was resolved that he should die also : and polydamus was imployed in this business , a man whom of all others parmenio trusted most , and loved best . who ( to be short ) finding him in media , and having cleander , and other murtheres with him , slew him as he was walking in his garden , and reading the kings letters . this was the end of parmenio ( saith curtius ) who had performed many notable things without the king ; but the king without him did never effect any thing worthy of praise . these things being ended , alexander marched on with his army , and subdued the araspitans , and made amenides ( sometime secretary to darius ) their governour . then he conquered the arachosians , and left menon to command over them . here the army ( that was sometime led by parmenio ) found him , which consisted of twelve thousand macedonians and greeks , with whom ( though with much difficulty ) he passed through some cold regions . at length he came to the foot of the mountain taurus , towards the east , where he built a city , which he honoured with his own name , and peopled it with seven thousand of his old macedonians , worn out with age , and the travels of war. the arians , who since he left them were revolted , he again subdued , by the industry , and valour of caranus , and erigius : and now he resolved to find out the new king bessus in bactria , who hearing of his coming , prepared to pass over the great river of oxus , which divides bactria from sogdiana . bessus having now abandoned bactria , alexander made artabazus governour of it , and himself marching forward with his army , they suffered great want of water , insomuch as when they came to the river oxus , there died more of them by immoderate drinking , than alexander had lost in any one battel against the persians . he found upon the banks of this great river no manner of timber , or other materials wherewith to make bridges , or boats , or rafts ▪ but was forced to sew together hides that covered his carriages , and stuffing them with straw , he was six days in passing over his army after that manner , which bessus might easily have distressed , if he had dared but to look the macedonians in the face . he had formerly complained of darius for neglecting to defend the banks of tygris , and other passes , and yet now , when this traiterous slave had stiled himself a king , he durst not perform anything worthy of a slave : and therefore they that were neerest to him , and whom he most trusted , to wit , spitamenes , dataphernes , catanes , and others , the commanders of his army , moved , both by the care of their own safety , and the remembrance of bessus his treason and cruelty against darius , bound him as he had done his master , only his chain was closed about his neck , like a mastiff dog , and so they dragged him a long to present him to alexander . in the mean time alexander was arrived at a certain town inhabited by greeks of miletum , brought thither by xerxes , when long before he returned out of greece , whose children had now almost forgoten their country language . these entertained him with great joy : but he most cruelly put them all to the sword , and destroyed their city . at this place he received bessus , and having rewarded spitamenes , and his associates , he delivered the traitor into the hands of oxatre , brother to darius , to be tormented by him . but now when he thought himself most secure , and out of danger , some twenty thousand mountainers assaulted his camp , in repelling whom , he received a shot in his legg , the arrow head sticking in the flesh , so that he was faign to be carried in a horslitter for some time after . shortly after he came unto maracanda , judged by some to be the same with samarcand , the imperiall city of the great tamerlan , which was in compasse seventy furlongs . heere he received the ambassadors of the seythians ( called avians ) who offered to serve him presently after , the bactrians , with the s●gdians , were again stirred up to rebellion by the seme spitamenes , and catanes , who had lately delivered bessus into alexanders hands . many cities were stoutly defended against him , all which , after he had subdued them , he utterly defaced , killing all therein . at the siege of one of these he received a blow in the neck , which struck him to the ground , and disabled him from action many dayes after : in the meane while spitamenes had recovered samareand , against whom he sent menedemus , with three thousand foot , and eight hundred horsmen . in the heat of these affairs , alexander marched to the river jaxartes , that runs between sogdiana , and scythia , which he pasted over while menedemus was imployed in the recovery of samarcand . upon the banks of this river he built an other alexandria , sixty furlongs in compasse , which he beautified with houses seventeen dayes after the walls were built : but the scythian king , perswading himself that this city was built on purpose to keep him under , made some attempts to hinder the erection of this new city ; but being naked of defensive armes , he was easily beaten-away , sixty of the macedonians are said to be slain in this conflict , and eleven hundred wounded , which might easily be done in passing a great river defended against them by good archers . of the scythian horses eighteen hundred were brought into the camp , and many prisoners . whilest alexander was securing himself against those scythians , bordering upon jaxartes , he received the ill newes that menedemus was slain by spitamenes , his army broken , and most of them killed , to wit , two thousand foot , and three hundred horse . he therefore intending revenge upon spitamenes , made all the hast he could , but spitamenes fled into bactria . whereupon alexander killed , burned , and laid wast all before him , not sparing the innocent children , and so departed , leaving a new governour in that province . to repaire this losse , he received a great supply of nineteen thousand men out of greece , li●ia , and syria , with all which , and his old army , he returned towards the south , and passed the river of oxus , on the south-side whereof he built six townes , neer each to other for their mutuall security . but he found a new up-start rebel , one arimazes ( a sogdian ) who was followed by thirty thousand souldiers , that defended against him a strong piece of ground on the top of an high and steep hill. alexander sought ( but in vain ) to winne him with fair words : wherefore he made choise of three hundred young men , and promised ten tallents to the first , nine to the second , and so proportionably to the rest , that could find a way to creep to the top thereof . this they performed with the losse of thirty two of their number , and then made a signe to alexander , that they had accomplished his commandment . hereupon he sent one cophes to perswade arimazes to yeild up the place , who , being shewed by cophes , that the macedonians were already gotten up , he yeilded simply to alexanders mercy , and was , with all his kindred , scourged , and crucified : which punishment they well deserved for keeping no better a watch in so dangerous a time . for the place might have been defended against any power . after these sogdian , and scythian wars , alexander committed the government of samarcand , and the country about it , to clytus whom yet he slew soon after , for preferring the virtue of philip the father , before that of alexander the son , or rather because he objected to the king the death of parmenio , and derided the oracle of hammon : for therein he touched him to the quick ; his speech being in publick , and at a drunken banquet . clytus , indeed , had deserved as much at the kings hand as any man living , having saved his life , which the king well remembred when he came to himself , and when it was too late to repent . as clytus in his cups , forgat whom he offended , so alexander in his drunkennesse forgat whom he slew , for griefe whereof , he afterward tore his face , and sorrowed so inordinately , that had he not been overperswaded by calisthenes , he would have slain himself . drunkenesse both kindles , and discovers every vice : it removes shame which gives impediment to bad attempts . where wine gets the mastery , all the evill , which before lay hidden , breaks out . drunkennesse indeed rather discovers vices than makes them . soon after this , spitamenes , who slew bessus , and had lately revolted from alexander , was murthered by his own wife , and his head was presented to : alexander , spitamenes being thus taken away , the dabans also seized upon his fellow conspirator , dataphernes , and delivered him up : so that alexander being now freed from all these petty rebels , and disposed of the provinces that he had quieted , marched on with his army into gabaza , where it suffered so much hunger , cold , lightning , thunder , and such storms , that in one of them he lost a thousand men . from hence he invaded the sacans , and destroyed their country . then came he into the territories of cohortanes , who submitted himself to him , and presented him with thirty beautifull virgins , amongst whom , roxane , afterwards his wife , was one ; which , although all the macedonians stomached , yet none of them durst use any freedom of speech after the death of clytus . from hence he directed his course towards india , having so encreased his numbers , as amounted to one hundred and twenty thousand armed men . in the mean while he would needs be honoured as a god , whereunto , that he might allure his macedonians , he implyed two of his parasites , hagis , and cleo , whom calisthenes opposed . for amongst many other honest arguments which he used in the assembly , he told cleo , that he thought that alexander would disdaine the title of a god from his vassels : that the opinion of sanctity , though it did sometimes follow the death of those , who in their life-time had done the greatest things , yet it never accompanied any one as yet living in the world : he said , that neither hercules , nor bacchus , were deified at a banquet , and upon drink ( fot this matter was propounded by cleo at a carousing feast ) but for the more than manly acts preformed by them in their life-time , for which they were in succeeding ages numbred amongst the gods. alexander stood behind a partitian , and heard all that was spoken , waiting but for an opportunity to be revenged on calisthenes , who being free of speech , honest , learned , and a lover of the kings honour , was yet shortly after tormented to death . for upon occasion of a conspiracy made against the king , by on hermolaus , and others , who confessed it , he caused calisthenes , without confession , accusation , or tryall , to he torne asunder upon the rack . this deed , unworthy of a king , is thus censured by seneca . this ( saith he ) is the eternal crime of alexander , which no virtue , or felicity of his in war shall ever be able to blot out . for as often as any man shall say , he slew many thousands of persians , it will be replyed , he did so , and he slew calisthenes too . when it shall be said , that he wan● all as far as to the very ocean , whereon also he adventured with unusuall navies , and extended his empire from a corner of thrace , to the utmost bounds of the east ; it shall be said withall ; but he killed calisthenes . let him have outgone all the antient examples of captains , and kings , none of all his acts make so much to his glory as the death of calisthenes to his roproach . with the army before mentioned , of one hundred twenty thousand foot and horse , alexander entred into the borders of india where such of the princes as submitted themselves to him , he entertained lovingly , the others he enforced , killing man , woman , and child , where they resisted . he then came before nisa , built by bacchus , which after a few dayes was rendred to him . from thence he removed to a hill at hand , which on the top had goodly gardens , filled with delicate fruits , and vines , dedicated to bacchus , to whom he made feasts for ten dayes together . and when he had drank his fill , went on to dedula , and from thence to acadera , countries spoiled and abandoned by the inhabitants , by reason whereof , victuals failing , he divided his army . ptolomy led one part , cenon an other , and himself the rest . these took in many towns , whereof that of greatest fame was muzage , which had in it three hundred thousand men , but after some resistance , it was yeilded to him by cleophe the queen , to whom he again restored it . at the siege of this city he received a wound in the legg . after this nola was taken by polisperchon ; and a rock of great strength by alexander himself : he wan also a passage from one eryx , who was slain by his own men and his head presented to alexander : this was the summe of his actions in those parts , before he came to the great river indus . and when he came thither , he found there ephestion , who ( being sent before ) had prepared boats for the transportation of his army , and before alexanders arrivall , had prevailed with omphis , king of that part of the country , to submit himself to this great conqueror . and hereupon soon after alexanders coming , omphis presented himself , with all the strength of his country , and fifty six elephants , unto him ; offering him his service , and assistance : he told alexander also that he was an enemy to the two next great kings of that part of india , named abiasares , and porus , where with alexaender was not a little pleased , hoping by this their disunion , to make his own victory by far the more easy . this omphis also presented alexander with a crown of gold , the like did the rest of his commanders , and with all , he gave him eight talents of silver coined , which alexander not only refused , but to shew that he coveted glory , not gold , he gave omphis a thousand talents of his own treasure , besides other persian rarities . abiasares being informed that alexander had received his enemy omphis into his protection , he resolved to make his own peace also . for , knowing that his own strength did but equall that of omphis , he thought it but an ill match , when alexander , who had already subdued all the greatest princes of asia , should make himself a party , and head of the quarrell . so then now alexander had none to stand in his way but porus , to whom he sent a command , that he should attend him at the borders of his kingdom , there to do him homage : but the gallant porus returned him this manly answer : that he would satisfie him in the first demand , which was , to attend him on his borders , and that well accompanied , but for any other acknowledgment , he was resolved to take counsel of his sword. to be short , alexander resolved to pas●e over the river of hydaspes , and to find out porus at his own home : but porus saved him that labour , attending him on the farther bank , with thirty thousand foot , ninety elephants , and three hundred armed chariots , and a great troop of horse . the river was half a mile broad , and withall , deep and swift , it had in it many islands , amongst which there was one much overgrown with wood , and of good capacity . alexander sent ptolomy , with a good part of the army up the river , shrowding the rest from the sight of porus under this island , by this devise , porus being drawn from the place of his first encamping , set himself down opposite to ptolomy , supposing that the whole army of alexander was there , intending to force their passage : but in the mean while alexander with his men , recovered the farther shore without resistance , and ordering his troops , he advanced towards porus , who at first imagined them to be abiasares his confederate , come over hydaspis to asist him : but finding it to be otherwise , he sent his brother hagis , with four thousand horse , and a hundred armed chariots to entertain him . each chariot had in it four to fight , and two to guid it : but they were at this time of little use , by reason that much raine having falne , the fields were so soul that the horses could hardly trot . in this fight the scythians , and dahans had alexanders vantgard , who so galled the indians , with their darts and arrows , that the horses brake their reines , and overturned the chariots , and those that were in them . perdiccas also charged the indian horsemen , who were by him forced to recoil . then did porus moove forward with the gross of his army , that his vantgard , who were scattered , might retreat into his reare . alexander being followed by ephestion , ptolomy , and perdiccas , charged the indian horsmen in the left wing , commanding cenon to set upon the right . he directed also antigonus , and leonatus to charge porus his battel of foot , strengthned with elephants , porus himself riding upon one of the biggest of them . by these beasts the macedonian foot received the greatest damage ; but the archers and darters being well guarded with the long , and strong pikes of the macedonians , so galled them , that the elephants being inraged , turned head , and ran over their own footmen that followed them . in the end , after a long and doubtfull fight , by the advantage of weapons , and the skill and courage of the macedonian captains , the victory fell to alexander , who also far exceeded porus in number of men . for besides the macedonians , and other eastern , and northen nations , alexander was assisted by porus his confederates , and country people : yet for his own person , he never gave ground , otherwise than with his sword towards his enemies , till being weakned by many wounds , and abandoned by his army , he became a prisoner to the conqueror , from whom again he received his kingdom , with a great enlargement , i forbear to mention other petty victories which alexander obtained after this , in his failing down the river of indus . the discription of places about the head , and branches thereof , are better known to us by reason of our late navigations , and discoveries , than they were in former times . the magnificence and rights of those indian kings we could in no sort be perswaded to believe , till our own experience had taught us , that there are many stranger things in the world than we see in our own country . alexander having by this time overwearied his army , he discovered the rest of india by fame . the indian kings whom he had subdued , informed him , that a king called aggrame●●s , ruled over many nations beyond the river gang●● , who was able to bring into the field two hundred thousand foot , twenty thousand horse , three thousand elephants , and two thousand armed chariots . with this report , though alexander was more enflamed than ever , to proceed in his discoveries and conquests , yet all his oratory could not prevaile with his souldiers to adventure over those wast desarts beyond indus , and ga●ges , which were more terrible to them , than the greatest army that the east could gather . yet at last they were overcome by many perswasions to follow him towards the south , to discover such parts of the ocean , as were neerer at hand , unto which the river indus was their infallible guid . alexander seeing it would be no otherwise , devised a pretty trick by which he hoped to beguil after-ages , and make himself seem greater than he was . for which end he enlarged his camp , made greater trenches , greater cabins for souldiers , greater hors-stalls , and higher mangers than horses could feed in . yea , he caused all furniture both for men , and horses , to be made larger than would serve for use , and scattered these armors and bridles about his camp , to be kept as reliques , and wondred at by those barbarous people . proportionable unto these he raised up twelve great altars to be monuments of his jorneyes end . this done , he returned again to the banks of asesines , and there determined to build his fleet , where ausines , and hydaspes meet ; and to testifie by a surer monument , how far he had passed towards the east , he built by those rivers , two cities : the one he called nicaea , and the other bucephalon , after the name of his beloved horse bucephalus . heere again he received a new supply of six thousand thracian horsemen , seven thousand foot , and from his leiutenant of babylon , twenty five thousand armours , garnished with silver , and gold , which he distributed amongst his souldiers . about these rivers he wan many towns , and committed great slaughter on those that resisted . it s said , that besieging a city of the oxidracans , he leaped from the top of the wall into it , and fought long against all the inhabitants , till his souldiers , forcing a gate , came in to his rescue . finally he passed down the river with his fleet , at which time news was brought him of a rebellion in bactria , and then of the arrivall of a hundred ambassadors from a king in india , who submitted himself to him . these ambassadors he feasted upon a hundred beds of gold , with all the sumptuousness that could be devised , who soon after their dispatch , returned again , and presented him with three hundred horses , and one hundred and thirty wagons , and in each of them four horses , a thousand targets , with many other things rare and rich . then sailed alexander towards the south , passing through many obscure nations , which all yielded to him , either quietly , or by force : amongst these , he built another alexandria . of the many places which he took in his passage , one was called samus , the inhabitants whereof fought against him with poisoned swords , with one of which , ptolomy ( afterwards king of egypt ) was wounded , and was cured by an herb which alexander dreamed he had seen in the mouth of a serpent . when he came neer to the out-let of indus ( being ignorant of the tides of the sea ) his gallies on a sudden were shuffled one against another by the coming of the flood , and in the ebb , they were left on the dry ground , and on the sandy banks in the river , wherewith the macedonians were much amazed : but after he had a few days observed the course of the sea , he passed out of the rivers mouth some few miles , and then offering sacrifice to neptune , he returned ; and the better to inform himself , he sent nearchus , and onesicritus to discover the coast towards the mouth of euphrates . neer the out-lets of this river , he spent some part of winter , and from thence in eighteen days march , he recovered gredosia , in which passage his army suffered such misery through the want of food , that of one hundred and twenty thousand foot , and twelve thousand horse , which he carried into india , not a fourth part returned alive . from gredosia , alexander led his army into caramania , and so drawing neer to persia , he gave himself wholly unto feasting and drinking , imitating the tryumphs of bacchus . and though this swinish vice be hateful enough in it self ; yet it always inflamed this king to cruelty for ( saith curtius ) the hangman followed the feast : for haspastes , one of his provincial governours , he commanded to be slain ; so as , neither did the excess of voluptuousness quallifie his cruelty , nor his cruelty at all hinder his voluptuousness . while he refreshed his army in these parts , there came a new supply to him of five thousand foot ; and a thousand horse , which were conducted to him by cleander and his fellows , that had been impolyed in the murther of parmenio . against these murtherers great complaints were made by the deputies of the provinces , in which they had commanded ; and their offences were proved to be so outragious , that alexander was perswaded , that , had they not altogether despaired of his return out of india , they durst not have committed them . all men were glad of the occasion , remembring the virtue of him whom they had slain . the end was , that cleander , and the other chief , together with six hundred souldiers , who had been the instruments of their ravages , were delivered over to the hangman ; every one rejoycing that the wrath of the king was at last powred out upon the ministers of his anger . nearchus , and onesicritus were now returned from searching the coast , and made report of an island they had discovered , rich in gold , and of other strange things ; whereupon they were commanded to make some farther discovery , after which they should come up euphrates , and meet the king at babylon . alexander drawing neer to babylon , went to visit the sepulchre of cyrus in pasagardes , where he was presented with many rich gifts by orsanes , one of the princes of persia , of the race of cyrus . but because bagoas , an eunuch , who was in speciall favour with the king , was neglected , he suborned some loose fellows to accuse orsanes for robbing cyrus his tomb , for which he was condemned to die , and bagoas assisted the hangman with his own hands to torment him . at this time also alexander caused phradites to be slain , suspecting his greatness hence ( saith curtius ) he began unreasonably to shed blood , and to believe false reports . indeed , he took the way to make all men weary of him , and his government , seeing tyranny is more dreadfull than all adventures that can be made against it . about this time calanus the philosopher burnt himself having lived seventy three years , and historians say , that before his death , he foresaw , and foreshewed the death of alexander , promising to meet him shortly after at babylon . from pasagardes , alexander went to susa , where he married statira , the eldest daughter of darius , giving her younger sister to his beloved ephestion , and eighty other persian ladies to other of his captains . to his wedding feast , he invited six thousand guests , to each of which he gave a cup of gold. unto this place came to him three thousand young souldiers out of his conquered provinces , whereat the macedonians greatly murmured . harpalus , his treasurer in babylon , having lavishly consumed the mony in his keeping , fled with five thousand talents , and six thousand hired souldiers ; but when he came into greece , he was there slain . alexander much rejoyced at the fidelity of the greeks , who would not be corrupted with harpalus his bribes : yet he sent a command to them , that they should receive their banished men again , whereunto they all for fear , yielded , except the athenians , though they saw that it was a manifest preparation to their bondage . after this there followed a marvellous discontent in his army , because he had resolved to send into macedonia all those old souldies which could no longer endure the travell of the war , and to keep the rest in asia . he made many orations to satisfie them , but all his words were in vain during the height of their fury ; yet when their first passions were evaporated , they became more tractable . and with such as were licenced to depart , he sent craterus , to whom he gave the lieutenantship of macedonia , thessaly , & thrace , which antipater had governed from the time of alexanders departure out of europe , who ( during that time ) had subdued the rebellious greeks , discharged the trust committed to him with great fidelity , and sent him from time to time so many strong supplies into asia . certainly if alexander had not taken counsell of his cups , he would have cast some better colour upon this alteration , and given antipater some stronger reasons of his remove , than to imploy him in conducting a new supply of men to babylon , the war being now at an end . for antipater could make no other construction of this remove , but that he had a purpose to send him after parmenio , and the rest . the truth is , the king notwithstanding his undantedness , had no great mind to grapple with antipater . alexander having thus sent for antipater , made a journey into media to settle things there , were ephestion whom he loved , and favoured above all others , died . the king greatly lamented his loss , hanged the physician that could not cure him , and built him a monument that cost twelve thousand talents . after which he returned to babylon . thither antipater came not , but sent , and that , not to excuse , but to free himself ; and if we may believe curtius , he suborned his sons cassander , philip , and jolla , who were alexanders cup-bearers , to give him poison ; thessalus ( who was one of the conspiracy ) having invited him to a drinking-feast for that purpose . others say that by his inordinate drinking , he fell into a feavour whereof he died . a little before his death , his friends about him , asked him to whom he would leave his empire ? he answered , to the most worthy man. then asked they him , when they should give him divine honors ? he answered , when they themselves were happy ; which were the last words that he spake , and so he died , having lived not all out thirty three years , nor reigned thirteen . as soon as he was dead , his great captains sought to inrich themselves by his spoils , and whilst they were sharing the world amongst themselves , his dead body lay many days in that hot countrey unburied , stinking above ground : a notable embleme of the vanity of all earthly things . besides this , his vast empire was divided amongst his great captains ; to ptolomaeus lagi was allotted egypt , and affrica ; to laomedon , syria , and phoenicia ; to python , media ; to eumenes , paphlagonia , and cappadocia ; to antigonus , pamphilia , lycia , and phrygia the greater ; to cassander , caria ; to menander , lydia ; to leonatus phrygia the less ; to lysimachus , thracia , with the neighbouring countries ; to antipater , macedonia , and the neighbouring nations . but these men , not contented with their shares , fell out amongst themselves , making war one upon another to their own destruction ; for perdiccas , warring upon egypt was slain by his own souldiers ; antipater died ; eumenes was betrayed by his own souldiers , and slain by antigonus ; olympias , the mother of alexander , was slain by cassander ; cleopatra , sister to alexander , was slain by the treachery of antigonus ; antigonus himself was slain in battel by cassander & lysimachus ; roxane , the beloved wife of alexander , together with her son alexander ; and barsine , another of his wives , which was daughter to darius , were all slain by cassander . and presently after the whole family of cassander was rooted out ; ptolomy died in egypt ; lysimachus was slain by seleucus ; and seleucus himself presently after by ptolomy . so that all the family of alexander , within a few years after his death , was wholly extirpated ; and all his friends , and great captains , by their ambition , and mutuall contentions , came most of them to untimely ends . when the dead body of alexander had layen seven days upon his throne , at last the chaldaeans , and egyptians were commanded from thenceforth to take the care of it ; but when they came about it , they durst not at first approach to touch it : but anon after , saying their prayers , that it might be no sin unto them being but mortals , to lay their hands upon so divine a body , they fell to work , and dissected it , the golden throne whereon he lay , being all stuffed with spices , and hung about with pennants , and banners , and other emblems of his high state , and honour . the care of his funerall , and of providing a chariot wherein to carry his body to the temple of jupiter hammon , was committed to aridaeus , who spent two whole years in making provision for it , which made olympias , his mother , ( seeing him lye so long unburied ) in great grief of heart to cry out , and say ; o my son ! thou that wouldst needs be accounted amongst the gods , and keptest such ado about it , canst not now have that which every poor man hath , a little earth , and buriall . long after when julius caesar had conquered pompey , and was idle in egypt , lucan tells us , that he visited the temples , and the cave , wherein the body of alexander the great lay , in these verses , — vultu semper celante timorem , intrepidus superum sedes , & templa vetusti numinis , &c. then with a look still hiding fear , goes he the stately temple of th' old god to see , which speaks the ancient macedonian greatness ; but there delighted with no objects sweetness , nor with their gold , nor gods majestick dress , nor lofty city walls ; with greediness into the burying vault goes caesar down , where macedonian philips mad-brain'd son , the prosperous thief , lies buried ; whom just fate slew in the worlds revenge . — alexander was very learned , and a great lover of learning and learned men , insomuch as he rewarded his master aristotle with eighty talents for his history of living creatures . he so prized homers iliads , that in all his wars , he carried it in his pocket , and laid it under his pillow anights . he loved his master aristotle as if he had been his father , and used to say , we have our being from our parents , but our well-being from our school-masters . his mother olympias was very severe and morose in her carriage ; and once antipater , his vice-roy in europe , wrote large letters of complaint to him against her ; to whom he returned this answer : knowest thou not that one little tear of my mothers , will blot out a thousand of thy letters of complaint ; when he heard the philosophers conclusion concerning the unity of the world , he wept , because there were no more worlds for him to conquer but one . an evident note of his great ambition : which also manifested it self hereby ; that when he came to the tomb of achilles , he fell a weeping , considering that achilles had a homer to sing his praises , and to perpetuate his memory , whereas he had no such poet to set forth his commendations . also he commanded that no man should draw his picture , but apelles , the most exquisite painter in the world , and that none should make his statue in brass but lycippus , the most excellent workman in that kind . alexander used to carry his head on one side inclining to the left , wherein his court-parasites ( to ingratiate themselves with him ) imitated him . one desiring to see his treasures , and his jewels , he bad his servants shew him , not his talents of gold , and silver , and such other precious things , but his friends . when he had overcome darius , and gotten possession of all his dominions , and treasures , he began to degenerate into the asian luxury . his chastity and moderation were turned into pride , and lust. he judged his country manners , and the discipline of the former macedonian kings too sordid and mean for him . he imitated the pride of the persian kings , he made him a crown and robs like unto darius . he grew so proud and insolent , that he suffered his souldiers to fall down and worship him like a god. yea , he comanded his servants , and slaves to do so . he clothed his captains and horse-men like unto the persians , which though they disliked they durst not refuse . he gat him three hundred sixty five concubines , of the beautifullest virgins that could be found in asia , after the manner of the persian kings , one of which lay with him every night . he had his troops of eunuches , with musicians , jesters , singing women &c. he spent whole dayes and nights in profuse feasting , and revelling all which was very offensive to his old captains , and souldiers . when he was a boy , he took both his hands full of perfumes , and cast them into the fire as he was sacrificing , whereupon leonidas , one of his schoolmasters said to him : o alexander , wben thou hast conquered those countries wherein these odors grow , then thou maist be so liberall , but in the mean time be more sparing . afterwards , when he had conquered arabia foelix , he sent to leonidas a hundred tallents of myrrhe , and five hundred of frankincense , bidding him to be hereafter more liberall in his service of the gods. he was of so bountifull a disposition , that it was a greater trouble to him not to be asked than not to give . he wrote to phocian , that he would make use of his friendship no more if he refused his gifts . serapion , a young boy that used to play at ball with him , gat nothing because he asked nothing ; whereupon the next time he played , he threw the ball to all but alexander , the king marvelling at it , asked him why he threw not the ball to him ? forsooth ( said serapion ) because you asked it not . alexander laughing at the jest , sent him a liberall gift . as he was travelling through the deserts of persia , himself and his army were in great straits for want of water : one of his souldiers having two sons ready to die of thirst , sought up and down , and at last found a little water , wherewith he filled a leather bottell , and was running with it to his sons : but meeting alexander by the way , he filled it out into a dish , and profered it to him . alexander asked him , whither he was carrying it the man told him that his two sons were ready to die with thirst : but ( said he ) pray you sir , do you drink it ; for if my sons die i can get more , but if you die , we shall not have such an other king. alexander hearing this , gave him the water again , and bid him carry it to his sons . alexander in his younger dayes was so moderate , and temperate , that he would often open his chests , and look upon his garments , to see if his mother had not provided him , either delicate or superfluous apparell . also when the queen of caria , to shew her great love to him , sent him daily variety of dishes and dainties , and at last sent her cooks , and bakers to him , he returned them back again , saying , that he had no need of their service ; for his master leonidas had provided him better cooks , by teaching bim to dine and sup frugally , and sparingly . also when he had any rare , and dainty fruits , or fishes sent him from the sea , he used to distribute them amongst his friends , reserving very little or none for his own use . one craving a small gift of him , he gave him a whole city , and when the poor man said , that it was too much for him to receive : yea ( said alexander ) but not for me to give . as he was advanceing to conquer a kingdom in india , taxilis , who was king thereof , came and met him , saying , o alexander , what need we fight , if thou comest not to take away my food and water , for which its only fit for wise men to fight ? if thou seekest after riches , if i have more than thou , i will give thee part of mine : if thou hast more than i , i will not refuse part of thine . alexander being much taken with his speech , said to him , go to , i will contend with thee in bounty , and so they mutually gave and received many gifts . at last alexander gave him a thousand tallents , which much grieved his friends , and rejoyced the barbarian . he shewed an admirable example of his chastity in the heat of his youth , when having taken the mother , wives , and daughters of darius , women of admirable beauty , yet , neither by word , nor deed did he profer them the least indignity , thinking it a greater honour to overcome himself than his adversaries : and when he looked upon other captive ladies that excelled in stature and beauty , he merrily said , persides oculorum dolores esse : that the persian women were a disease of the eyes , and yet he looked on them but as one so many statues . when he was informed that two of his captains under parmenio , had ravished two of the persian ladies , he wrote to him to enquire after the matter , and if he found it true , he should cut off their heads , as of beasts born for the hurt of mankind . he also sent him word , that himself was so far from contemplating the beaut● of darius his wife , that he would not so much as suffer her to be commended in his presence ; and that he was so carefull of their chastity , that they lived in his camp , shut up in their tent , as if they had been in a temple . at the death of ephestion , his favourite , he did not only clipp the haire of his horses , and mules , but plucked down also the battlements of the city walls , that they might seeme to mourne for his mi●ions death , shewing now deformity instead of their former beauty . porus , an indian king , fighting valiently against him , received many wounds , and at last , being overcome , and falling into his enemies hands , they brought him to alexander , who hearing of his coming , went forth , with some of his friends , to meet him , and asked him what he would have him to do for him , porus answered , my only desire is , that thou use me like a king : alexander , admiring his magnimity , replyed , this i will do for my own sake : but what wouldest thou have me doe for thine ? porus answered , that all was contained in his former demand of kingly usage : alexander was so pleased with this , that he restored him to his kingdom , and gave him an other bigger than his own . finis . the life & death of charles the great , king of france , and emperor of germany . by sa. clarke , sometime minister in st bennet finck , london . london , printed for william miller at the gilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . . the life & death of charles the great , king of france , and emperor of germany . pepin , sirnamed the short , the d . king of france ( a wise and valiant prince ) had two sons , charles and caroloman , and five daughters : birthe , who was maried to milon earl of mans , by whom she had great rowland : hiltrude , maried to rene earl of genes , by whom she had the renowned oliver ; rohard , adeline , idubergue , ode , and alix . pepin being toiled out with great wars , much broken with the care of publike affairs , and now grown old , that he might imploy his last dayes in the maintenance of justice and peace , the burden of war he laid upon his eldest son charles , a wise and a valiant young prince , of whose modesty and obedience he was well assured : and then retiring to paris , he was not long after surprised with sicknesse , in which he recommended his two sonnes to the estates of france , to give them portions at their pleasures , and so ended his dayes anno christi . he was a religious prince , wise , moderate , valiant , loving to his subjects and beloved of them , happy in his father , and his children , and in his government ; an excellent patterne for other princes , who by his example , hold it for an undoubted maxim , that the strongest fortress , and best security for a prince , is the love of his subjects , and the surest bond of his authority , a respect gotten , and preserved by virtue . pepin being dead , the estates of france assembled together , and by their joynt consents , divide the kingdom betwixt his two sons charles , and caroloman , by equal portions . brother 's these were of divers humors , who had certainly ruined each other by this equality of power , had not the death of caroloman , within three years after , divolved the goverment of the whole realm upon charles . charles was endowed with singular gifts both of body and mind , which were much improved by the sedulous care of his prudent father , manifested in the virtuous education of him : for which end he procured paul of pisa , a learned man , to instruct him in the greek and latin tongues , and one aymon to read to him philosophy , and the mathematicks : himself also trained him up in feates of armes , and warlike exercises . but above all , and as the ground of all virtues , he was carefull to have him trained up , and well instructed in religion , which all his life after he loved , and honored with great reverence the church and pastors thereof . he called the study of humane sciences his pastimes , and the companions of his sword , and did sometimes recreate himself therein . he loved learning and learned men by nature . he delighted in poesy , as some of his writings do shew ; but especially in history , wherein he was exceeding well read . charity , temperance , equity , care of justice to releive his subjects , to keep his faith and promise , both to friend and foe , and to use a victory modestly , were the notable effects of his excellent knowledge , as remarkable in him as in any prince that ever lived . the universities of paris , and pisa ( either founded , or endowed by him ) witnesse the great love and honour that he did bear to learning . during the life of his father pepin , he shewed how much he had profited in armes under so good a schoolmaster , having great commands under him , which he discharged with notable reputation ; and the improvement of his skill and ability after he came to his kingdom , shew plainly , that there was never any soldier that carried sword with more valour , nor great captain that commanded with more obedience , or that performed noble actions with greater successe , or that used his victories with more mildnesse , and judgment . neither did ever king or prince rule with more authority , nor was more reverently obeyed by his subjects and soldiers then our charles ; who therefore well deserved the name of charlemagne , or charles the great , by reason of his great virtues . he was of a lively disposition , quick , active , and vehement : quicquid egit , valdè egit : yet modesty , and wisdom did so season , and moderate his vivacity , and vehemency , as gave a great lustre to both , and kept them within their due bounds : and this mixture of divers humors so tempered with moderation , made him as admirable for his judgment , as venerable in his person and countenance . there appeared in him a grave , sweet majesty in a goodly personage : his body was large and strong : he was very patient of labour : had a quick spirit , was cleer and sound , both in apprehension , memory , and judgment : resolution never failed him in difficulties , nor a reply in discourses . terrible he was to some , amiable to others , according to the cause , persons , and occurents ; which virtues purchased him such great esteem , as that he was beloved , respected , and reverenced of all men , which effects the story of his raign will shew : for having received a great kingdom from his father , he enlarged it with wonderfull successe ; god having raised him up to be a bulwork to christians against the inundation and rage of barbarous nations in the decay and ruin of the empire . and in prosecuting the narrative hereof , i shall first set down his actions during the life of his brother caroloman , then what he did from the time of his death , till he was made emperor , and lastly what his deportment was from thence to his death . caroloman , being crowned king at soissons , as charles was at wormes , began to be extream jealous of his brothers greatnesse , whom , with grief , he saw to be beloved , honored , and obeyed by all the french , and that deservedly for his singular virtues and endowments both of body and mind . this jealousie ( too ordinary a concomitant of princes ) made him seek by all meanes to undermine , and overthrow the affairs of charlemagne , whose eyes were fixed upon italy , as the fittest , and most glorious theatre wherein to exercise his valour , and to maintain his authority and power amongst christians ; and caroloman did all that possibly he could to cross his designes therein . but before i bring him upon that stage , give me leave to shew you what at this time was the state of italy , and rome . rome ( sometimes the head of the world ) was of late become the chaos of all confusion , the randevouz of all barbarous nations , as if they had vowed the ruine thereof by turnes , having already sackt it three times . for under the empire of honorius , anno christi . the goths , under their king alaricus , after two years seige , took it , and sackt it , but did not dismantle it . forty five years after , during the empire of martian , anno christi . the vandales , under the conduct of genserick their king , took it again , sackt it , spoiled and disgraced it , leading the w●ddow of the emperor valentinian the third , away in triumph . and in the time of justinian the emperor , the goths , under the command of totila , having weakned it by a long seige , took it , sackt , and dismantled it . thus rome was no more rome , but a spectacle of horrid confusion : after so many devastations retaining nothing of her antient beauty , but only the traces of her old buildings , and the punishment of her idolatry and tyranny ; afterwards the longobards , or lombards held italy , for the space of two hundred years , till by our charlemagne they were subdued , and expelled . presently after the death of pepin , the church of rome fell into great confusions by the practices of didier king of lombardy , who having corrupted some of the clergy , caused constantine , brother to toton , duke of nepezo , to be chosen pope , which he persecuted with such violence , that he procured philippicus , who was already canonically chosen , to be deposed : but the better party , seeing themselves contemned by the lombards , assembled together , and by common consent , chose steven the third ( a sicilian by birth ) pope ; who being conscious to his own weaknesse , resolved to call in the king of france , and to oppose him against his too-powerfull enemies . charles being thus sollicited by the pope , sent twelve prelates speedily to rome , that he might strengthen the popes party against the other , intending in a greater need to apply a greater remedy ; and the matter succeeded according to his desire . for a councel being assembled at lateran , they confirmed steven , lawfully chosen , and deposed constantine , who was set up by disorder and violence . but didier would not rest satisfied with this affront , and seeing that force had succeeded no better , he resolved to try policy , intending to undermine steven with fair pretences : for which end he sent to congratulate his election , purged himself in reference to the anti-pope constantine , now degraded : accused both him and his brother toton of ambition , and protested to live with steven in amity ; and to manifest this his good meaning , he desired him to be pleased with his repair to rome , that there he might confer with him in private . the pope ( who never seeks to the french but in case of necessity ) was easily perswaded by didier , who came to rome , conferred with the pope , and made great protestations of his obedience to him . but these his faire shewes continued not long . there was at this time at rome a governour for the easterne emperor , called paul ephialte , him didier corrupted , and the administration of justice being in his hands , he made use of him so cunningly , as that in the presence of pope steven , he caused him to seize upon two of his cheif secretaries , christopher , & sergius ( whom didier accused of some pretended crimes ) and presently to hang them in an infamous manner . their greatest offence was , because they favored the french. neither did he rest here , but caused all the principal citizens to be banished , whom he observed to be of the french faction , that so , having removed all hinderances , he might be master of rome in despite of the pope . steven was not so dull but he discovered the lombards practice exceedingly to tend to his prejudice : whereupon he sent to charlemagne , beseeching him to prepare an army against didiers force . this charlemagne easily assented to , and fully resolved upon : but didier had provided a divertisment in france by the meanes of caroloman , to stop charles his passage into italy , making work for him in guienne , where there arose a perilous warre upon this occasion . though the country of guienne depended upon the crown of france , yet were there many tumults raised by the practices of some noblemen of the countrey , who frequently stirred up the people ( mutinous enough of themselves ) to rebellion . the cause of these troubles was , the abuse of the former kings clemency and bounty , who suffered such people as he conquered , to enjoy their priviledges and liberties . eudon ( a nobleman of guienne ) began first under martel , jeffery and hunult his children , and heirs of his discontent , had continued it under pepin ; and jeffery being now dead , hunalt succeeded him with the like hatred , which caroloman fomented , that he might imploy him against his brother charles . guienne was a part of charles his portion : but hunalts design was , to withdraw that country wholly from the crown of france , and for that end he pretended a title to the dukedom thereof , labouring to procure the people to elect him , having the promise , and assistance of caroloman to further him therein . indeed the countenance of caroloman could do much ; but the wisdome and courage of charlemagne prevailed more : for being advertised of hunalts practice , and of his brothers secret designes , he armed with such speed , as that he surprised the townes of poictiers , xante , and angoulesm , and all the country adjoyning , hunalt ( who had reckoned without charles ) finding himself thus prevented , fled to a noble man of that country called loup , whom he held , not only to be firme to his faction , but also his trusty and affectionate friend . charlemagne being informed hereof , sent presently to loup , requiring him to deliver hunalt into his hands , who was guilty of high treason ; and in the mean time he built a fort in the middest of the country , where the rivers of dordonne , and lisle do joyn , which he called fronsac , the better to secure his country against such invaders . loup , not daring to refuse , delivered up hunalt , and all his family into the hands of charles , who pardoned loup , and all that obeyed him ; thus ending a dangerous warre without blowes : and to hunalt he granted life , and liberty , and the enjoyment of his goods ; leaving a memorable example to all princes how to carry themselves in a civil war , preventing a mischief by prudence , and diligence , and not to thrust their vanquished subjects into despair by rigour . caroloman seeing his practices against his brother to succeed so ill , undertook a journy to rome , with an intent to cause some alterations there , which yet he covered with a pretence of devotion . he also took his mother berthe along with him , and in their passage , they were honourably entertained by didier king of the lombards , where berthe treated , and concluded a marriage between her son charlemagne , and theodora , sister , or daughter to this didier , who was one of the greatest enemies to her sons good fortune . yet charlemagne ( to please his mother ) received his wife , but soon after , put her away , as neither suiting with his affects , or affaires , and so , that which was intended as a cause of love , bred a greater hatred betwixt these two princes . caroloman having effected nothing at rome answerable to his desire , but only discovered his foolish , and malitious jealousie , too apparent under his feigned devotion , returned into france , and there soon after died . anno christi . leaving the intire kingdom to his brother , who had now no corival . charlemagne having put away his wife theodora upon suspition of incontinency , he married hildegard , or ildegrade , daughter to the duke of sueve , his vassall , by whom he had charles , pepin , and lewis , and three daughters , rotrude , b●rthe , and gille , who were the nursery of his noble family . but carolomans jealousie died not with him , but survived in his wife berthe , who ( being impatient of her present condition , and thrust headlong with a spirit of revenge against her brother in law , charles ) retired with her two sons to didier , king of lombardy , as to the most bitter , and irreconcilable enemy of her brother charles . didier intertained her and her children very curteously , hoping by them to promote his design : but it proved the leaven of his own destruction . his practice ( together with the widdows ) was to procure the present pope , who ( steven being dead ) was one adrian , a roman gentleman , to crown , and confirm the sons of caroloman for kings of france , wherein the lombard had two designs . first , by this meanes to bring the pope in disgrace with charlemagne , that he might the easilier suppresse him , being destitute of the french aides , whereon he chiefly relyed ; and secondly to set france in a flame , by setting up new kings in it . didier therefore earnestly besought the pope to grant this favour to the sons of caroloman for his sake : but adrian ( well acquainted with the lombards humour ) was so resolute in denying his request , as that they fell into open hatred . and didier being much displeased with this repulse , took armes , and with his forces entred into the exarchy , being a signory under the popes jurisdiction , and besieged ravenna , the chief city of the exarchie : whereupon the pope sent his nuncio to him , to expostulate the cause of this so sudden war against his subjects ; desiring him to restore what he had taken , and not to proceed in this hostile manner without any reasonable cause , and that upon the pain of excommunication . at the same time there fell out a great occasion to encrease the hatred between charlemagne and didier : for that hunalt ( who had bin before vanquished in guienne , and to whom charles had shew'd so much favor ) very ingratefully retir'd himself to didier , who did not only receive him courteously , but honored him by making him generall of his army which he had raised against the pope . and didier suffered himself to be so far abused by the insinuations , and perswasions of hunalt , touching the meanes to attempt something against the estates of charlemagne , that holding italy undoubtedly for his own , he plotted a war , and assured himself of a certain victory in france . thus ambition and covetousnesse hasten mens ruine . the pope having no other defence to secure his estate but his excommunication , which against didier proved but brutum fulmen , a meer scarecrow , he was forced to have recourse to charlemagne , as to his sacred anchor , or last hope , intreating speedy aide from him in this his great necessity . charlemagne had great reason to arme against didier , who had alwayes crossed his affairs ; fed and fomented his brothers jealousies , entertained his widdow , and children , and laboured to have them chosen kings of france , and all to trouble or ruin his estate . he had also received his rebellious subjects , and with their aid , practiced to make a war against him . the sollicitation , and request also of the roman church was a great incentive to induce him to arm , against him , who professed himself to be an open enemy to the christian religion , whereof the former kings of france had shewed themselves protectors , and guardians . but that he might not attempt any thing rashly , he first sent his ambassadors to the pope , to assure him of his good will , and promising not to ● wanting to him in his necessitie : yet withall , to tell him , that he thought it best , first to use mildnesse , before he attempted force against the lombard . he therefore sent also his ambassadors to didier to summon him to restore what he had taken from the pope , and to suffer him to live in peace . didier ( who relied much upon his policy ) gave good words to the ambassadors , promising them to perform all that charles required , but in effect , he would have the pope to accept of conditions of peace from him , and that the children of caroloman should be declared kings of france . these demands were judged so unreasonable , that the treaty was broken , and the french ambassadors returned home : and didier prosecutes his war against the church more eagerly then he did before ; and having spoiled all the territories of ravenna , he took faenza , ferrara , comachia , campagnia , and romandiola , towns of the six governments , or hexarchy . charlemagnes ambassadors , upon their return , inform their master , that the war with the lombard could not be avoided : and they found charles in a posture fit to invade italy : for he had levyed a goodly army to suppresse the rebellious saxons , who ( impatient of the french yoke ) revolted daily from his obedience , which army was now ready to be imployed against the lombard . yet was not charlemagne willing to attempt any thing in a matter of such importance without the advise of his estates , and therefore he presently summoned a parliament , and ( being loath to lose time ) in the mean season he caused his army to march , and to make there rendevouz at geneva , ( a town under his obedience , and in the way to italy ) and having divided his army into two parts , he seized upon the passages of mount - cenis , and st. bernard , which are the two entrances from france into italy . the estates at their meeting having found the causes of war against didier , king of lombardy , to be just , charlemagne caused his army to advance with all speed , and to joyn near to verceil . there didier attended him and gave him battel : but at the first encounter he was vanquished by charlemagne . after which , the lombard rallying , and reenforcing his army , fights him again , and was again beaten , and so shattered were his troops , that he was enforced to suffer his enemy to be master of the field ; which proved an infallible harbinger to his totall ruine . thus having tumultuously trussed up what he could in such haste , he sent his son aldegise to verona , with the widdow and children of caroloman : and cast himself into pavia , which he had diligently fortified , as the fortress , or dungeon rather of his last fortune . charlemagne pursues him at the heels , and with all his forces besieged him in pavia , resolving to have it at what price soever . and to make his resolution the more manifest , he sent for his wife and children into italy , to the end that the italians ( who hitherto were doubtfull to whom to adhere ) might know his mind , and without attending any new occurrents , might resolve to obey the victor . having thus cooped up didier in pavia , and seised upon all the avenues , he resolved to attempt verona also , which they held to be the strongest place in all lombardy . so leaving his uncle bernard to continue the siege of pavia , he marched with part of his army to verona . his beginnings being so succesfull , and this check given to didier , ( who was now , as it were , shut up in prison , ) gave a great alteration to the affaires of either party amongst these people of diverse humours . the spoletines , and reatines , and those of ancona , of fermo , and of ossino ( striving as it were , which should be first ) yielded to charlemagne , and detested the wretched , and forlorn estate of didier , as a worthy reward of his treachery , injustice , and violence . the venetians ( who were neuters , and spectators of this tragedy , and had never dealt in any sort with didier ) offered amity and succours to charlemagne , who desired them to keep the seas quiet , lest the emperor of constantinople should espouse didiers quarrel , and cause any new disturbance . charlemagne staid not long about verona before the city began to think of yielding : and berthe , the widdow of caroloman , was the chief instrument to draw them to a surrender , the french forces being ( as she said ) very formidable . aldegise , the son of didier , seeing the citizens so unanimous in their resolutions to open their gates to the conqueror , and being unable to relieve his father , he secretly stole away , and fled to the emperor of corstantinople . then did verona yeild to charlemagne upon composition , who received both the inhabitants , and berthe to mercy , keeping his agreement punctually with them ; upon berthe & her children , he inflicted no punishment ; but only blamed them for their uncivil rashness , and enjoyned them to return into france , there to do better , and to live more honorably . this being about easter , charlemagne took the oportunity to go to rome , where yet he staied only eight dayes to visit the most remarkable places , and to confet with pope adrian . the pope made charles a patrician of rome , which was a step to mount him to the empire . from thence he hasted , and came to pavia , which had now been besieged for the space of ten moneths : and being pressed by warre without , and by the famine , and pestilence within , it at last yeilded upon composition : and didier ( who had hated charles without cause , and attempted war rashly ) fell into his enemies hands , who yet shewed himself prudent in undertaking the war , and mild and modest in his use of the victory . thus charlemagne having begun the war justly , and ended it happily , ruined the kingdom of the lombards in italy , carrying didier prisoner with him to lions , or to le●g ; for authors agree not of the certain place . this was anno christi . a notable date to present the tragicall end of so great a kingdom , which had continued in italy for the space of two hundred and four years under princes of diverse dispositions . but pride , injustice and tyranny , had provoked the wrath of god against them , so as whilst they thought to take from another , they lost their own ; to usurp the liberties of others , they fell into ignominious slavery themselves ; and their subtilty proved the occasion , and hastener of their ruine . an excellent pattern for princes and great states not to attempt an unjust and unnecessary war , nor to usurp upon any other mans right , thinking to prevail over a good cause by craft and policy . charlemagne ( as was said before ) used his victory with great moderation towards the conquered nation , which gave great content to all the italians , who held it a gain to have lost their old master , & to be rightly made free by being subject to so wise a lord. for he left unto them their ancient liberties , and to particular princes ( such as were vassalls to didier ) their signeories . to aragise , son in law to didier , he left the marquisat of beneventum . he placed french governors in conquered lombardy , whom he ordered to treat these his new subjects with the like mildnesse , as he shewed to those of his antient patrimony left unto him by his predecessors . during the seige of pavia , pope adrian held a councel at rome , in favour to charlemagne , to give him honours answerable to his merits of the church , wherein it was declared , that the right to give all benefices throughout all christendom did belong to him . no sooner was charlemagne returned into france , but aldegise ( the son of didier ) sought to disquiet italy , being assisted by constantine , the emperor of constantinople , and the practises of rogand , to whom charlemagne had given friul , who now revolted from his obedience . but the vigilancy , and care of the governors whom charlemagne had set over his new-conquered subjects , soon put an end to these rebellions : and rogand being taken , suffered according to his demerits , being beheaded by the kings commandment . thus italy remaining quiet to him , and his , ( as conquered by a just war ) it was afterwards incorporated into the french monarchy in his posterity , being given in partage to the children of france , whilst the good government of the french kings maintained the dignity of the crown . but the end of this war proved the beginning of another in germany , whereof the saxons were the chief promoters , drawing other people of germany in to their assistance . this war continued the space of thirty years , yet not without some intermissions : the saxons having still a mind to oppose and cross charlemagne in his proceedings , especially when he was busied in other affaires of great consequence . these saxons were subject to the crown of france , especially under martel , and pepin his son. the motives of this war were diverse : the impatiency of a people desiring their antient liberty , and not able to bear subjection to a forreigner : the hatred & jealousie of a potent neighbour , threatning them with servitude : a controversie about the limits and bounds of their lands : but the greatest , and most important cause was , the diversity of religion : for the saxons were obstinate in retaining and cleaving to their pagan superstition , which they had received from their forefathers , and charlemagne urged them to forsake their paganisme , and idolatry , and to make open profession of the christian faith ; being moved with zeal to the general advancement of the truth , and the private duty of a prince to his subjects , to provide for their soules health . upon this controversie about religion the saxons fought eight times with charlemagne : especially taking advantage when they found him busied elsewhere , watching their oportunities either to cross him in his designes , or to frustrate his attempts . at such time as he was in italy against didier , they played rex , not only in rejecting the french command , but also in making war against those cities in germany which obeyed charlemagne . they had taken eresbourg from the crown of france even upon his return , and besieged sigisbourg , robbing , and spoiling all the country round about . charlemagne ( who would never undertake any weighty matter without good advise ) assembled a parliament at wormes , and by their counsel and assistance , levied a great army , to charge the saxons in diverse places at once . this resolution succeeded happily : for having vanquished the saxons twice in one moneth in a pitched field , he soon reduced them to their antient obedience : using his victories with much modesty and discretion ; desiring rather to shew them the power of his authority , then the rigour of his force . the chief amongst the saxons was widichind , and as religion was the chief motive of their frequent rebellions ; so charlemagne , seeking the establishment of the christian religion in saxony with great zeal , after much reluctance , happily effected it . for having vanquished this widichind , by reason and humanity , he brought him to the knowledge of the truth ; and by his grave and prudent conversation , he perswaded him without any violence , to leave and forsake his pagan superstition , which force of armes could never have effected in him , nor in the saxons . for mens soules are not be compelled with force of armes , but with reason . and by the meanes and endeavours of this widichine , the greatest part of the saxons were brought to the knowledge of the true god , and the obedience of the french monarchy : and the most obstinate were forced , either to submit , or to abandon their country . and indeed great numbers of saxons retired themselves into divers strange countryes . thus the war with the saxons was happily ended ( which had been long & dangerous ) and the conquered , by the truth were the true conquerors , by attaining to the knowledge of the true god. charlemagne was very carefull to have them well instructed in the truth : for which end he appointed godly and learned men in all places , and gave them honourable maintenance , whereby he shewed that his piety was not inferior to his valour , and happy successe ; and for a president to princes to make religion the soveraign end of their armes and authorities . this widichind was very eminent , both for wisdome , valour , and authority in his country ; and from him are descended many famous families : as the two henries , the one called the fowler , and the other of bamberg ; and the two othos , all of them emperors : as also the dukes of saxony , the marquesses of misnia , the dukes of savoy , and the famous race of hugh capet in france . from this war of saxony did spring up many others in the northen parts , of which we shall hear afterwards ; but because in the interim their fell out great wars in spain against the sarazins , which ( like a deluge ) threatned to over-run all christendom , i shall intermit the former , till i have spoken something of this latter , that i may proceed with the more clearness in the remainder of this history . the motive of the spanish war , was more upon pleasure then necessity : but zeal of religion gave a colour and shew of necessity to the heroical designes of charlemagne , who sought to enlarge the limits of the french monarchy by his armes . but this his spanish war , as it was undertaken upon lighter grounds , so was it , more painfull , more dangerous , and lesse successefull then that of italy , whereunto necessity and duty had drawn charlemagne ; yet did his wise and wary proceeding in the action , warrant him from all blame . the occasions wh●ch moved him to bend his forces against the sarazins in spain were , the assurance of good successe , the quiet and peace of his realme , that he might have opportunity to imploy his souldiery , the hate of the spaniards against the sarazins , and the generall fear of all christians , least these caterpillers should creep further into europe . this was the estate of spain at this time . the sarazins had conquered a great part of it , and were divided under diverse commands which had the title of kingdoms . yet these diverse kings ( being apprehensive of their common danger ) resolved to unite their forces against charlemagne , their common enemy ; and foreseeing the tempest , they sought to prevent it , and to cross the designes of charlemagne : for which end , they suborned king idnabala , a sarazin , being a very subtile , and crafty man , to insinuate himself into the acquaintance , and familiarity of charlemagne , which stratagem prevailed more then all their power and forces . charlemagne was much quickned to this war by alphonso , surnamed the chast , king of navar , & by the asturians , and gallizians ( christian people of spain ) who suggested to him that the war would be easie , profitable , and honourable , and therefore most worthy the valour , and fortune of charlemagne . this idnabala also ( under a shew of friendship ) laboured to hasten him to the execution of this enterprise , from which he knew well he could not divert him , that he might the better betray him by discovering his counsels to the sarazins . charlemagne being wel-affected of himself , and thus excited by others , assembled a parliament at noyon , and there concluded a war against the sarazins in spain . the army which he imployed in this action was very great , both for number of men , and valour of commanders , and cheiftaines , being the most choise and worthy captaines in all christendom : amongst whom , these were of chiefest note , milon earl of anger 's : rowland the son of milon , and berthe , sister to charlemagne ; renald of montaubon . the four sons of aymon : oger the dane : oliver , earl of geneva : arnold of belland : brabin , and many others . the valour of which persons hath been fabulously related by the writers of those dark times ( who for the most part were friers , concerning whom the proverb was , a fryer , a lyer , ) with the addition of a thousand ridiculous tales , so that the truth is hardly picked out from the midst of so much error : yet what is most probable , and can be gathered out of the most authentick authors shall be here set down . they say , that charlemagne , to make this undertaking more honourable in shew , did at this time institute the order of the twelve peers of france . charlemagne being entred into spain with his brave army , found no object for them whereon to exercise their valour : for the sarazins , resolving to make a defensive , rather then an offensive war , had withdrawn themselves into their cities , which they had fortified strongly . the most renowned of the sarazin kings at this time , were aigoland , bellingan , dmises , marsile , and idnabala : but this last , as was said before , made shew of much friendship to charlemagne , and of open hatred against the other sarazin kings ; with whom notwithstanding he held secret and strickt intelligence to betray charlemagne unto them . the first city that the french attempted was pampelune , in the kingdom of navarr , the which they took by force , but with much paines , danger , and losse . having sackt this city , and put all the sarazins in it to the sword , they marched to saragoce , which yielded to them upon composition , as did also many other small townes , being terrified with the example of pampelune . this prosperous beginning encouraged charlemagne to advance forward , relying on his wonted fortune and good successe : but as he passed thorow the provinces of spain , like a victorious prince , without any opposition , he divided his army , and gave part of it to be conducted by milon of anger 's , his brother in law , who in his march near unto bayon , was set upon by aigoland , the sarazin king , who in this common danger had thrust an army into the field , and now assaulted milon , and his troops , little expecting any enemy , and took him at such an advantage , as he defeated him . this losse was very great : for writers say that forty thousand of the french here lost their lives ; milon himselfe being also slain for a confirmation of the sarazins victory . charlemagne was at this time afar off , and so notable by any diligence to prevent the losse . yet he suppressed his grief and trouble , least he should discourage the whole army : and so hastning thitherward , he gathered up the remainder of those broken , and dispersed troops , withall , keeping the conquered cities , and such as were friends in their due obedience : but after this there fell out another accident . aigoland being puffed up with pride through his late victory , marched with his army into gascoine , and besieged agen , to divert charlemagne from his pursuit , and to draw him home to defend his own country . so as charlemagne , fearing least his own absence , and the sarazins late victory should cause any alteration in the minds of them of guienne , being then subjects of whom he had no great assurance , he returned into france . aigoland had now continued some moneths at the siege of agen , yet had prevailed little , but only in over-runing the country , which he did freely ( without any considerable resistance ) even unto xaintonge : the country-men in the mean time retiring into the walled townes , expected the return of charlemagne their king : aigolands army was very great , and puffed up with the remembrance of their late victory : so as charlemagne returning with his forces from spain well tired , he maintained his countries more through his authority , then by present force ; yet did he give life to the courage of his subjects with his presence , and bridled the proud sarazin , who could not be ignorant with whom he had to deal , nor where he was , being environed with the enemies on all sides , and in an enemies country . hereupon aigoland , pretending an inclination unto peace , gave charlemagne to understand that he had been the first invader , and that his own comming into france was only to draw his enemy out of spain , and to cause him to leave to the sarazins their conquered countries free : and therefore ( said he ) the treaty of an accord is easy , seeing all the question is only to leave to every man his own , and to suffer him to enjoy it quietly , the world being wide enough for us all . but to the end this treaty might take good effect , after many messages to and fro , they resolve to come to a parlee : and upon charlemagnes faith given , aigoland came to his camp. charlemagne , either really moved with a zeal for religion , or at least , making it the colour of his actions , gave the sarazin to understand , that he should have his friendship if he would leave his pagan superstition , be baptised , and make open profession of christianity . the sarazin , although he had a goodly army , yet not willing to hazard any thing , and content with his former revenge upon charlemagne , desired nothing more then to return quietly into spaine . and being now in the middest of his enemies camp , to maintain his reputation , he made no shew at all of fear , but talking to his own advantage ( as if no force , but only reason should move him ) he entred into a serious and cunning discourse with charlemagne , shewing , that unnecessary wars were the ruin of mankind , and that he was grieved to see so much blood spilt : that he had not begun , but followed , being urged by necessity to defend himself and his country against the forces of charlemagne : that he was not yet so dejected , nor his forces so weak as to refuse the battel : but for that it would be an infinite losse to hazard the lives of so many men , he desired rather to make tryal of the right by some troops , and they that vanquished should be deemed to have the right , and true religion on their side : protesting to yeild to that religion which should appear to be best upon this tryal . this proposal , and condition was accepted by charlemagne : the combate was fought , the proof made , and the christian troop vanquished that of the sarazin . then did aigoland protest openly , that he would become a christian , but in heart he had no such meaning , and therefore took this opportunity to fly from his promise . he gives charlemagne a visit , and finds him at the table , well accompanyed with his chief followers , ( for then it was the custome of kings not sit , and eat alone ) but , casting his eye aside , he saw twelve poor men ill apparelled , sitting upon the ground , near to the table of the noblemen ; and demandding what those poor , miserable creatures were which did there feed apart : one answered , that they were the servants of god : he then replyed , surely your god is of small account , whose servants are so miserable , and contemptible : and thereupon takes an occasion to retire himself , having lost nothing , but made great advantage by this treaty : having hereby qualified the force of charlemaegne , viewed his army , made shew of his own courage and dexterity , and all , without an ambassador . charlemagne on the other side , seeing himselfe thus deluded and affronted , was resolved to take revenge for so notable a loss of men , and so bold an attempt of the sarazin , so that withall speed he raised an army of a hundred and thirty thousand men , and being thus fraught with choller and indignation , he returned into spain . his first entry was prosperous : for in the encounter he defeated aigolands army near to pampelune , and for a seal of his victory , he carried ●●ay the head aigoland his enemy , who was slain by the hand of arnold of belange , a noble and valiant knight : but the sequel was not answerable to the beginning : for notwithstanding the overthrow of the sarazin troops , all the rest in spain were not vanquished , where there were more kings , and more men of war , who kept correspondence with amurath , king of babylon , which place was their nursery , and storehouse . marsile and belingand , two brethren , were the chief of the remainder of the sarazin army , wherein there was a great babylonian gyant , called ferragat , of an exceeding stature , him did rowland slay , who was nephew to charlemagne ; after which the sarazins gathered together the relicts of their brooken troops , and made a shew of resolute men , vowing to sell their lives at a dear rate to charl●magne , being favoured by many great , and good townes in the country . charlemagne makes a sudden stop and pursues not his victory , god reserving to himself a soveraign power over all mens designes , yea , over the greatest , and in matters of greatest consequence , to the end that all may learn to ask counsell and successe of him , and it was his will , and pleasure that the french forces should not conquer and possesse spain , the which he had reserved as a portion for another nation . thus charles , who should have prosecuted his late victory vigorously , grew remiss , which encouraged idnabala the sarazin ( who had free accesse into the camp ) to make a motion of peace . he was a good secretary of his own companions minds , what shew soever he made of speaking of himself . charlemagne ( finding by his late experience that the event of warre is uncertain and doubtfull , and that this war tended to the loss of his subjects , who imployed both their lives and goods for the purchass of an uncertain victory , and seeing himself overburdened with great affairs in his other estates , to the preservation whereof reason did summon him rather then to seek for new ) he seemed not unwilling to hearken to the motion of idnabala , who assured him that he found the sarazins affaires to be so desperate , that they would be glad to embrace his friendship at whatsoever rate they purchased it . the treaty hereupon began , and the cheif article was propounded , which was , that they should embrace the christian religion , and this charlemagne seemed to urge with great vehemency : but finding the sarazins obstinate in their refusall , he was content to grant them peace , paying him some great summs of money , as a token that they had been vanquished by him . and accordingly he sent a noble man of his court , named ganes , to treat with them , who ( being by bribes corrupted by marsile , and b●llingand ) undertook so to order businesses , that charlemagne should return into france , and by the way , should receive a notable disgrace : yet they seemed to make such a composition and agreement , which in shew , was very honorable for charlemagne : to whom they promised to pay ( as an homage , and acknowledgment for the peace he should grant them ) what sums of mony he would appoint , and that thereupon he should retire with his army into france ; yet leaving such forces in spaine as he pleased , to see the condition which should be agreed upon , performed . but ganes had discovered to them , that charlemagne upon other accounts , was necessitated to return , and therefore desired to leave the smallest forces that he could in spaine . the agreement being thus concluded , charlemagne departed with his army , attending a better opportunity to effect what he had designed : and he left his nephew rowland only with twenty thousand men , to see the conditions performed . and to make his passage into france the more easy , he commanded him to lodge in a place of advantage , in the pyrenean mountaines , called roncevaux : and so the french army marched backwards to france , under the conduct of charlemagne , who little dreamed of such an affront as he shortly after met with . whilst the french army were upon their retreat , marsile and bellingand slept not , but gathering together all the forces they could , they lodged them secretly in the hollow caves of those mountaines , being places inaccessible , and wholly unknown but only to the inhabitants of those countries . they had intelligence given them by ganes what number of men charlemagne had left in spaine , under the command of rowland , to whom the reputation of his uncle , and the good will of the people of spaine in the chiefest townes , was of more use then his twenty thousand men , although they were the choise of all the army . rowland had no fear of an enemy , when as returning to his garrison , he was suddenly set upon by the sarazins , who were far more in number then the french , who seing themselves thus treacherously assaulted , and compassed in , defended themselves valiantly against those miscreants : but still fresh troops of sarazins issued forth of these caves on every side in so great numbers as that in the end , the french ( tired and spent in so long and painfull a conflict ) were oppressed by the multitudes , rather then overcome by the valour of their enemies . rowland in so great and extreame a danger ( gathering together the pieces of his shipwrack ) performed both the duty of a good commander , and of a valiant , and resolute souldier , fighting gallantly , and having beaten ●●wn a great number where the enemies were thickest ; he at length came where king marsile was , whom he slew with his own hands . but belingand , holding the victory absolutely his own , pursued the french with great violence ; in so much as rowland ( not able to hold out any longer ) retired himself apart , and finding his death approaching , he endeavoured to break his good sword durandall , but his strength failing him , he dyed of thirst , through so long and difficult a combate in that hot country : and with him dyed oliver , oger the dane , renald of montaubon , arnald of belland , and other nobles personages , who are the subject of many fabulous stories : yet the fame of their singular virtues , and prowess is engraven in the originals of true histories , where it shall never be blotted out . charlemagne having intelligence brought him of this great and unexpected losse , returned suddenly to take his revenge upon the sarazins , of whom he killed an infinite number in severall places : and being informed of the treason of gaines , he caused him to be drawn in pieces by four horses , as the only author of this miserable defeat . and being transported with a just disdain , and indignation for this so base an affront , he had purposed to have passed on in spain to take further revenge . but the great and weighty affaires of his other estates called him back into france to attend upon them . and so ended his spanish wars with small successe , having troubled charlemagne at divers times , for the space of fourteen years . for god had appointed the limits of his designes , as reserving to himself a soveraign power over all mens enterprizes , even of the greatest . charlemagne made a tomb for his nephew rowland , and honoured the memory of those other worthy warriers ( who died in the bed of honor ) with monuments : after which he was necessitated to undertake divers other wars , both in italy and germany , in all which it pleased god to give him better successe . italy ( during charles his troubles in spain ) had rebelled , being provoked thereto by adalgise , duke of ●●eventum , who endeavoured to repossesse the race of didier : but that attempt was soon suppressed by charlemagne , to the cost of the lombard rebells : yet shortly after ensued another war in germany . the like occasion also bred a war in bavaria : for the king tassillon , who was son in law to didier , king of lombardy ( being eagerly pressed by his wife , and wonderfully discontented with charlemagne ) shaked off the yoke of subjection , and betook himself to armes : but charlemagne surprised him with such celerity , that tassillon was forced to sue for peace ; which charlemagne granted upon condition of his subjection , and loyalty : but again tassillon , not able to contain himself raised a new war in another place , as when we stop one breach , it finds ●ent by another . he stirred up the huns and avars ( a neighbouring people to austria , which was one of the estates of the french monarchy ) against charlemagne , who yet suppressed them with happy successe ; and tassillon himself being again vanquished by charlemagne , and found guilty of rebellion and treason , was condemned to lose his estate according to the salique law : and with him , the kingdom of bavaria ended , being now wholly incorporated into the crown of france . the huns and avars ( of whose names joyned together , the word hungary hath been made ) were also punished by charlemagne , and brought under the yoke of the french monarchy . they had formerly attempted by war to disquiet the country of austria , whom charlemagne had at divers times opposed by his forces , so that the war , at times ; had continued for the space of eight years , and the final issue was , that all the country obeyed him : the danes also , the sorabes , and abrodites , and the westphalians , ( who had all joyned in this war of hungary ) were also brought under the obedience of charlemagne . the limits of the northen kingdom called austrasia , were so enlarged , that it was divided into two kingdoms , and the realm of austria which joynes upon france , was called westriech , that is to say , the realme of the we●● and that which is towards danubius , was called ostrie●● 〈◊〉 that is the kingdom of the east , austria being then of a greater command then it is at this day . for it contained all hungary , valachia , bohemia , transilvania , denmark , and poland : then was the french monachy of a vast extent . but all these nations have since , either returned to their first beginning , or new lords have seized upon them . thus the french monarchy was greatly enlarged by the prowess and valour of charlemagne : and his children were grown up , as in age , so in knowledge & experience , through the carefull education which their prudent father gave them ; who framed them to the management of affairs , intending them to provide that they might first succeed him in his virtues , and afterwards in his kingdoms . but man purposeth and god disposeth , france , italy , germany , spain , and hungary made the roman empire in the west , and charlemagne being master of these goodly provinces , was in effect an emperor , but only wanted the title , and the soleme declaration of this dignity . and shortly after , the providence of god that gave him the former , ministred opportunity to him for the enjoyment of the latter , which came thus to passe . leo was at this time pope of rome , against whom there was strange sedition raised by syluester , and campul , men of great credit in the court of rome . these men ( with their adherents ) upon a solemn day of procession , seized upon leo before st. laurence church , whom they stripped of his pontifical robes , cast him unto the ground trod him under their feet , and bruised his face with their fists , and having dragged him ignominiously through the dirt , they cast him into prison : where yet he stayed not lo●g , being freed by a groom of his chamber called albin : and so having recovered st. peters church , he sent to vingise , duke of spoleto , intreating him to deliver him from this miserable captivity . vingise failed him not , but came to rome , and carried the pope along with him to spoleto ; where yet he stayed not long , but from thence went to charlemagne into fra●● whom he found full of troubles . he complained 〈…〉 of the romans sought to usurp his power into their han●● , and advised the king , to exact an oath of fidelity of them . paschalis was there soon after him , and accused the pope of adultery , and other grosse crimes . charlemagne dismissed them both , and promised to be at rome within a few moneths , and accordingly prepared for his journey . in december anno christi . charlemagne was received in rome with all shewes of honour , and within eight dayes he went into st. peters church , and in the presence of all the people and clergy , he asked , who had any thing to say against pope leo ? paschalis , or paschasires , and campulus had published the popes crimes by writ : but knowing how charlemagne stood affected towards both parties , they appeared not ; so none prosecuting these crimes against him , the pope was absolved upon his oath ; wherein he swore by god and the four evangelists , that all these things were false which they layed to his charge : whereupon the king declared him innocent , and condemned his accusers , and within few daies three hundred of them were beheaded in the lateran field for their presumption , and affectation of liberty , on the eighteenth of december ; and shortly after , charles was chosen emperor : but before i speak of that , i must represent you with a brief view of the present estate , and condition of the emperor of constantinople . the seat of the roman empire , since the time of constantine the great , remained at constantinople , a city of thrace , situated in a convenient place for the guard of the easterne provinces : after which , all the west being full of new guests , who had expelled the romanes , the name , authority and power of the empire remained in the east , where now the state was in a strange confusion , the mother being banded against her son , and the people amongst themselves . constantine the son of leo the fourth , was emperor at this time , who from his infancy was governed ( together with the empire ) by his mother irene : but being now come to the age of twenty years , he assumed the government into his own hands . there was then a great division in the east , which had been continued from father to son for fourscore yeares together , about bringing images into the churches . the bishops would needs bring them in : but the emperors together with the greatest part of the people opposed themselves against them . this contention had its beginning under philip bardanes , was continued under leo isaurus , and from him was derived to his son constantine , surnamed copronimus , and to leo the fourth , son to the said constantine . this filled all the east with infinite scandalls . the same fire of contention continued in the minority of our constantine , who was yet governed by his mother , a woman of a violent spirit , who had undertaken the protect ō of images , & held a councel of many bishops for the defence thereof : but the people growing into a mutiny , by force expelled them from constantinople , where their assembly was held . but irene , being resolved to carry on her design , assembled another councel at nicea , city of of bithinia , honored for having intertained the first general councel under constantine the great , the first of that name : where it was decreed , that images should be placed in churches for devotion . but charlemagne did not allow of this decree , and either him●●●● or some other by his command , did write a small treatie against this councel , the which beares this title , a treatise of charlemagne , touching images , against the greek synode . this crafty woman made choise of the city of nicea , that the name of the ancient first councel held there , might honour this new invention with the pretext of antiquity : for there are some that confound the first council of nicea with the second , and constantine the fourth with the first . constantine continued in the hereditary hatred of his father , and grandfather against images , so as being of age , and in absolute possession of his empire , he disannulled all these new decrees , and caused the images to be beaten down in all places : yet did he make all shews of respect to his mother , yeilding unto her a good part of his authority and command : which respect was the cause of an horrible tragedy . for this woman being transported for two causes ( both by reason of her new opinion , and for despight that she had not the whole government in her own power ) grew so unnatural , that she resolved to dispossess her son of the empire , and to seize up on it herself : and indeed the authority which her son had left her , and the free accesse which she had unto his person , gave her oportunity for the execution of her design . for having corrupted such as had the cheif forces of the empire at their command , and won them to her with her sons treasure , she seized on his person , put out his eyes , and sent him into exile ( where , shortly after , he died of grief ) and took possession of the empire . these unnatural and tragick furies were practised in the east , whiles that charlemagne , by his great valour built an empire in the west . irene , in her son constantines life time would have married him with the eldest daughter of charlemagne : but this accident crossed that design . after the death of constantine , irene sent to charlemagne to excuse herself of the murther , disavowing it , and laying the blame upon such as had done it ( as she pretended ) without her command . and to win the good liking of charlemagne , she caused him to be dealt withall about marr●●●● ( for at that time festrude was dead ) with promise to consent that he should be declared emperor of the west , and that she also would resign unto him the empire of the east : but charlemagne would not accept of her profers . the nobility and people of the greek empire did so hate irene , as having suffered her the space of three years , in the end , they resolved to dispossesse her . this woman , the unnatural murtheress of her own child , being thus publickly hated and detested , nicephorus , a great and nobleman of greece , assisted by the chiefest in the court , and with the good liking , and consent of the people , seized upon the empire , and took irene , whom yet he only banished , to give her oportunity and means to live better then she had done : and afterward he treated , and agreed with charlemagne , that the empire of the east continuing under his command , the other of the west should remain to charles . by this transaction of nicephorus , and the consent of the greeks , the possession of the empire was ratified and confirmed to charlemagne , and now began the division of the empire into the east and west . that of the west began in charlemagne , and continued in his posterity , whilest they were inheritors of their fathers virtues : but afterwards it was translated to the princes of germany , who yet acknowledge charlemagne to have risen from a german stock , being born at wormes , crowned at spire , and interred at aix , all cities of germany . hitherto we have represented , what charlemagne did whilest he was king of france only : now we are come to consider what hapned to him , worthy of memory , whilest he was emperor . the deeds of charlemagne after he came to the empire . the romanists do boast that the pope gave the empire of the west unto charlemagne : but the truth is , the popes had not yet come to that hight as to pretend to a power of disposing of empires and kingdoms at their own pleasure : but the right of charles came another way . for before he came to rome anno christi . he had all france under his government , together with franconia , and austrasia : he had subdued a great part of spaine unto the river iberus , from the sarazins : as also saxony , west phalia , dacia , hungary , istria , dalmatia . he had likewise subdued all italy , except magna graecia , and therefore he was entitled , charles by the grace of god king of the frenches , emperor of the lombards , and patricius of rome : so he stiles himself in his epistle to alcwin : and alcwin in an epistle to him stiles him , the glorious emperor [ gallicarum ] of france , and recto● & defensor ecclesiae : both which epistles are in the second part of alcwins works . his coronation was by the decree and prayers of the romane people . sigisbert in his chronicon , shewes the time , and cause , saying : the romanes , who in heart were long before falne from the emperors of constantinople : taking the oportunity that irene had picked out the eyes of her own son the emperor , with one general consent they resolved to proclaim king charles for their emperor , and to crown him by the hands of the pope : so on decemb. . anno christi . they crowned him by the hands of pope leo , as the emperors were wont to be crowned by the bishops of constantinople ; and the people cried thrice , c●●olo augusto , à deo coronato , magno & pacifico imperatori , vita & victoria , and the pope anointed him : as also his son pepin , whom charlemagne , by a solemn decree had made king of italy . and the pope knowing the dangers which had oft befaln himself and his predecessors , intreated the emperor that he would be protector of the church of rome . thus charlemagne , the king of france , was advanced to the empire , partly by inheritance , partly by the sword , by dedition , and the title was given him by the people , and the bishop of rome : yet nothing was proper to the bishop , but the coronation and other ceremonies , which he performed in the name of the people , according to the custom at constantinople . at the same time also it was agreed , that all the chief men of the city , as well ecclesiastical , as secular , should give their oath of fidelity unto the emperor . secondly , that the emperors missus should reside in the pallace of st. peter to decide pleas amongst the people : and that there should be allotted for his maintenance , a part of the former emperors patrimony . thirdly , that if any mans cause was perverted by the ordinary judges , and the wronged person should implore the aid of the missus , or emperors commissioner , for justice ; and the missus should adjure the judges , saying , by the faith ye owe unto my lord the emperor , i require you to do this man justice : then none should dare to decline , either to the right hand or to the left , although the wrong were done by any of the popes kinsmen . fourthly , that the mulcts which should be imposed upon any guilty person , should be equally divided between the emperors missus , and the popes missus . fifthly , that if any goods fell under escheat , they should appertain to the church , without an expresse gift of the emperor . continu . eutrop. catal. test. verit. yet all this right was not sufficient for charlemagne , nor did he enjoy the empire without contradiction . for he was forced to overcome the envy of this assumed title with great sums of mony ; especially the emperor of constantinople envyed it ; but charlemagne by his magnanimity prevailed against their contumacy , wherein he excelled the greeks : and he sent many ambassadors unto them : especially unto irene , not only to treat for peace , but about her marriage , that thereby he might the better confirme his title : but before his ambassadors came the second time to constantinople ( irene being sick ) the people had crowned nicephorus on the first of november anno christi . yet did nicephorus renew the league with charlemagne , which irene had before made with him : but ( as sigonius saith ) with expresse condition , that venice should be free betwixt the two empires . in the mean time nicephorus was molested by the sarazins , and was forced to agree with them upon hard conditions : he was also molested by the bulgarians , over whom he obtained one great victory ; but when he refused all conditions of peace , they assembled together again to fight for their lives and land , in which battel they overthrew , and killed nicephorus , and his son stauracius was wounded in the fight , and fled to adrianople , where he was afterward declared emperor . but after three months michael rangabis , his brother in law , shut him up in a monastery . then were mutual ambassadors sent between the two emperors , & a perpetual peace was concluded betwixt them . charles the great was crowned emperor in the thirty-third year of his raign , upon the th of december , and in the fifty eighth year of his age . he fought many battels and was always victorious . he had ( as was said before ) wars with the heathenish saxons , which , by times , lasted thirty years : he oft-times overcame them , and granted them liberty , upon condition that they would imbrace the christian faith ; but upon every oportunity their duke wedekin , shaked off both loyalty , and christianity . at several times when charlemagne had obtained a victory , his manner was to erect a new bishoprick : so that he erected seven bishopricks in that province , to which he annexed princely power , knowing well , that such fierce people might sooner be tamed by religion then by armes . the places where these were erected , were , breme , verda , minda , paterborne , osnabourg , hildesem , and halberstad . but though he gave the bishops power of governing , yet the nobles did not altogether loose the power of administring in publike affairs . at last , because the saxons revolted again , he removed ten thousand of them , with their wives and children , into brabant , and flanders , and sent some french to inhabit in their roomes . charlemagne lived fifteen years after that he had united the romane empire to the french monarchy ; yet not without many troubles . for grimoald , duke of beneventum sought to disturbe italy in the behalf of the lombards : but charles prevented it betimes , imploying against him his son pepin , a worthy and a valiant prince : and grimoald being vanquished , was entreated withall mildnesse , and being restored to his estate , he became afterwards a very affectionate , and obedient servant to charlemagne , who was a prudent conqueror , that knew as well how to use , as how to get a victory . after this it followed , that for some attempts made by the venetians against the empire of charlemagne , in the behalf of the emperor of constantinople : or ( as others say ) upon the false information of fortunatus , patriarch of grado , that charlemagne commanded his son pepin , king of italy , to make wars against them : which he accordingly began with great resolution , and took the cities and fortresses which the venetians held within the main land , and at length besieged the city of venice it self , both by sea and by land , to the relief whereof the greek emperor sent a fleet : about which authors agree not ; for some say , that pepin wholly took venice : others say , that he only took some islands thereof , and that the plac● 〈◊〉 is called rioalto defended it self : how ever it was , this war continued long , obeliers , and becur , two great personages , being the chief commanders for the venetians . at last peace was concluded betwixt them , and the venetians had liberty to live after their own lawes and customs , and the venetians won great reputation for being able to defend themselves against so potent and victorious an enemy . charlemagne would have the country which he had conquered from the lombards , to be called lombardy , that by retaining their name , he might somewhat sweeten their servile condition , in the ruin of their estate . but now charlemagne , finding himself old and broken , and his children valiant , wise , and obedient , he resolved to make his last will and testament , wherein he divided his kingdomes between his three legitimate sons , to wit , charles his eldest , pepin , and lewis : in which he made his eldest son charles king of the greatest , and best parts of france , and germany . to pepin he gave the kingdom of italy , and bavaria , with some other provinces . and to lewis he bequeathed provence , and that part of france which bordereth upon spaine , together with some other provinces . but all succeeded after an other manner then he intended , god the soveraign disposer of kingdoms , having decreed otherwise to dispose thereof . he endeavoured also to reduce all his kingdoms under one law , making choise of the roman laws above all others , both for the dignity of the empire , and because they seemed to him , to be most just and equal : but the french , being loath to alter any thing in their customary laws , desired , and obtained of him that they might be governed by the same : so as gaul , narbonne , ( which comprehends daulphine , languedoc , and provence ) do use the written laws ( as the ancient provinces of the romans ) and the rest of france observe their customary laws . it afterwards happened that a great fleet of infidels which inhabited spaine , with the aid , and assistance of some africans , invaded the isles of sardinia , and corsica in the mediterranean sea , for the 〈…〉 whereof , the emperor charlemagne sent commandment to his son pepin that he should send thither against them a valiant captain whose name was buoaredus , who took so good order as that he drove those infidels out of those islands , and slew five thousand of them in one battel . and with no lesse good successe , the emperor undertook an other war against the dukes of the bohemians , and polanders , which is a part of the ancient sarmatia , who infested the countries under his dominions , against whom he sent his son charles with great forces of burgonias , saxons , and germans : and this young charles , imitating his father , warred valiantly , and with discretion against them , and coming first to a battel with the bohemians , led by leo their duke , he overcame them , as he did also at other times , and at last slew leo their duke ; the like successe he had also against the polanders , so as at length they all became his fathers subjects . and for these victories of charlemagne he was so much feared , and renowned through the world , that a great king of the east ; and amurath , the greatest of all the mahomatists , sent their ambassadors , with rich presents unto him , desiring peace , and friendship : and the like did all christian kings . charlemagne thus living with honour , and in tranquillity , godfrey king of demark ( which was a dependance of the realm of germany , and part of charles his portion , as was hinted before ) made war against him . this godfrey was a mighty prince , and commanded over a large dominion , and with great forces came into friesland and saxony , where he did great harm . against whom , the emperor addressing himself ( though he was now old , and unweildy ) speedily departed with a great army : but by the way news was brought him that king godfrey was dead , and that his army was returned into their own country . and upon the same day news came also , that his son pepin ( who had raigned in italy in great prosperity ) was dead in the city of millan , which was an occasion of great grief to the old emperor . then did he return to the city of aken , or aix , unto which place ambassadors came to him from hermigius , who succeeded godfrey in the kingdom of denmark , humbly desiring peace . the like came also to him from the emperor of constantinople , and others also from ambulat , a king of the moors , who raigned in a great part of spaine ; to all which he returned gracious answers , and granted their petitions : withall , giving hearty thanks to god for that he was generally so well esteemed of . but after this sunshine , an other storme returned , as the clouds return after the raine : for it pleased god to take away an other of hs sons , called charles , who lay on the borders of germany for the defence thereof ; so as now his whole hope rested in his third son lewis . thus man purposeth and god disposeth . thus the sons die before the father . thus we see the greatest cannot free themselves from the common calamities of mankind . thus both great kings , and great kingdoms have their period . crownes have their compasse ; kingdoms have their date : fortune her frowns : felicity her fate . thus charlemagne lost his children , and his great empire her best support under god : for these two princes ( like stars of the greater magnitude ) did shine bright by inheriting their fathers virtues , and valor , leaving behind them lewis their brother , with large territories , and few vertues , to govern so great an estate . after the death of these two great princes , many enemies rose up against old charlemagne , who seemed ( as it were ) to have lost his two armes : as the sarazins in spaine , the sclavonians , and the normans in the northern regions : but he vanquished them all , and brought them into his obedience and subjection , old and broken as he was . charlemagne all his life time held the church in great reverence , and had imployed his authority to beautify it , and bountifully bestowed his treasure to enrich it : but this great plenty , joyned with so long and happy a peace , made the church-men to live losely . charlemagne ( being himself well instructed in religion ) knowing of what great importance it was , to have such as should instruct others to be sound in the faith , and holy and exemplary in their lives , he at sundry times , called five councels in sundry places of his dominions ( for as yet the popes had not challenged that power to belong to them ) for the reformation and good government of the church : as at mentz : at rheimes : at tours : at chaalons : and at arles : and by the advise of these ecclesiastical assemblies , he made and published many orders for the good of the church which were gathered together in a book called , capitula caroli magni . a worthy president for princes who seek true honour by virtue , whereof the care of piety is the cheifest foundation . in the preface to this book , he thus saith , that he had appointed these constitutions with the advice of his presbyters , and counsellers : and that herein he had followed the example of king josias , who endeavoured to bring the kingdom which god had given him , to the worship of the true god : some of his constitutions are these . he commanded to look to , and to try the learning and conversation of such as were admitted into the ministry . he forbad private masses , also the confusion of diocesses , requiring that no bishop should meddle in an others diocesse . he forbad that any books should be read publickly , but such as were approved by the councell of calcedon . he forbad the worshipping of saints . he commanded bishops not to suffer presbyters to teach the people other things then what are contained in , or according to the holy scriptures . and lib. . ch. . he saith , although the authority of the ecclesiasticall ministry may seem to stand in our person : yet by the authority of god , and ordinance of man , it s known to be so divided , that every one of you , in his own place and order , hath his own power and ministry : hence its manifest that i should admonish you all , and you all should further and help us . he admonished bishops especially , to teach both by life and doctrine , both by themselves , and the ministers that were under them , as they would answer the contrary in their accounts at the great day . he ordained that the bishop of the first see should not be called the prince of priests , or the highest priest , or have any such title , but only should be called , the bishop of the first see. that none can lay another foundation , then that which is laid , which is christ jesus , and that they which lay christ for their foundation , it s to be hoped that they will be careful to shew their faith , by bringing forth good workes . he held also a great councel in the city of frankfort , of the bishops of france , germany , and italy , which himself honoured with his own presence ; where , by generall consent the false synod of the greeks ( they are the words of the originall ) untruly called the seventh , was condemned , and rejected by all the bishops , who subscribed to the condemnation of it . this was that co●cel ( spoken of before ) called by irene at nice , wherein the bringing of images into churches for devotion , was established . in a word , if charlemagnes medling with italy , and his advancing the pope , for confirming that which he had taken , could be excused , he was unto all princes a patterne of magnificence , of zeal in religion , of learning , eloquence , temperance , prudence , moderation , &c. al●win saith of him , charles was a catholick in his faith , a king in power , a high priest in preaching , a judge in his equity , a philosopher in liberal studies , famous in manners , and excellent in all honesty . he was so temperat , that notwithstanding his great revenues , he was never served at the table with above four dishes at a meal , and those of such meat as best pleased his taste , which he used to the same end for which god created them , which was for sustenance , and to support his body , not for shew and pomp . his ordinary exercise was hunting when he was at leisure , in time of war : and in times of peace , he attended to such as read histories to him , and sometimes he heard musick , with which he was much delighted , having good skill therein himself : he was very charitable , and a bountifull almes-giver , and so carefull to provide for the poor christians , that in syria , in africa , and in aegypt , and in other provinces of the infidels , where christians lived , he found meanes to have almes houses , and hospitalls erected , and endowed for those that were poor . but there fell out a new accident , which drew our great charles again to armes in his old age , and that was this ; alphonso , king of navarr , surnamed the chast , by reason of his singular , and signall temperance in that kind , did inform , and advertise him , that there was now a very fit oportunity , and meanes offered for him utterly to subdue the sarazins in spain . charlemagne ( who infinitely desired to finish this work , which he had so often attempted with no great successe ) gave ear to the information and advice , whereupon he raises an army , and marches into spain , relying on the spaniards favour , and assistance , they being christians . indeed alphonso meant plainly , and sincerely , but so did not his courtiers , and nobles , nor associates , who feared charles his forces no less then they did the sarazins , & if charles prevailed , the most confident of alphonso's servants and officers doubted to be dispossessed of their places , and governments by a new master : and therefore they laboured to cross alphonso , and to countermand charles ; but the lot was cast , his army was in the field , and he was resolved to passe on : but when he was entred into spain , he encountered with so many difficulties , that being discouraged , he returned back into france , and so concluded , and put a period to all his warlie enterprises ; embracing again the care of the church , and of religion , as a fit subject for the remainder of his dayes . charlemagne was threescore and eight years old when he left the wars , after which he spent three whole years in his study , to prepare himself for death , in which time , he read much in the bible , and read over also st. augustines works , whom he loved and preferred before all the other doctors of the church : he resided also at paris , that he might have oportunity of conferring with learned men . there he erected a goodly university , which he furnished with as learned me● as those times could afford , and endowed it with great priviledges : for he had an exceeding great care to make it a nurcery for the holy ministry , that from thence the church might be supplyed with able teachers , whence also grew so many colleges of chan●ons , with sufficient revenues annexed thereunto . thus charlemagne spent three years happily in the only care of his soul , leaving an illustrious example to all princes , to moderate , and ennoble their greatnesse with piety , and so to enjoy their temporal estates , as in the mean time not to neglect their eternal concernments , and to think of their departure out of this life in time . foreseeing his death ( whereunto he prepared himself by these exercise ) he made his last will and testamont , leaving his son lewis the sole heir unto his great kingdoms , and bequeathed to the church much treasure . but all things and persons in this world have an end : his testament was but the harbinger to his death ; for presently after , he was taken with a pain in his side , or pluresie , and lay sick but eight dayes , and so yielded up his spirit unto god that gave it , anno christi . and of his age seventy one , and of his raign forty seven , including fifteen years of his empire : his body was interred in a sumptuous church which he had caused to be built in the city of aquisgrave , or aix la capelle , where he was born , and his memory was honored with a goodly epitaph . he was one of the greatest princes that ever lived : his vertues are a patterne to other monarchs , and his great successes the subject of their wishes . the greatnesse of his monarchy indeed was admirable : for he quietly enjoyed all france , germany , the greatest part of hungary , all italy ; and a good part of spain . at the time of his death he was in peace with the other kings of spain , as also with the kings of england , denmark , balgarie , with the emperor leo of constantinople , and withall the princes of that time . this noble prince was endued with so many excellent virtues that we read of very few in antient histories that excelled him , so that he may be justly compared with the best of them : for in martial discipline , in valour , in dexterity , in feats of armes , there are none that exceeded him . he obtained as many victories , fought as many battles , and subdued as many fierce and warlike nations as any one we read of , and that both before , and after that he was emperor . he was tall of stature , very well proportioned in all his members , passing strong : of a fair and grave countenance , valiant , mild , mercifull , a lover of justice , liberall , very affable , pleasant , well read in history , a great friend of arts and sciences , and sufficiently seen into them , and a man who above all , loved and rewarded learned men . he was very charitable in his kingdoms , yea , in his very court , he harboured and relieved many strangers , and pilgrims . in matters of faith and religion he was very zealous ; and most of the wars which he made , were to propagate and enlarge the christian faith. he ( being misled by the darknesse of the times wherein he lived ) superstitiously honoured , and obeyed the church of rome , and the pope that was bishop thereof , together with other bishops and prelates , commanding his subjects also to do the like . he was also very devout , and spent much of his time in prayer , hearing , and reading . in his diet he was very temperate , and a great enemy to riot and excesse ; and though he was rich and mighty , yet fed he his body with what was necessary and wholesome , not rare , costly , and strange . and yet his virtues were not without their blemishes ( as the greatest commonly are not without some notable vices ) for in his younger dayes , he was much given to women , adding concubines to his lawful wives , by whom he had divers children : but this was in the time of his youth : for afterwards he contented himself with his wife , and for a remedy of this imperfection , though he was three or four times a widdower , yet he ever maried again the daughter of some great prince or other . to conclude all , he was an excellent emperor , that loved and feared god , and dyed when he was very old , and full of honour , leaving lewis ( the weakest of his sons ) the sole heir of his great empire , but not of his virtues : so that this great building soon declined in his posterity . he had engraven upon his sword pro deo , & religione , for god , and religion : he used to set his crown upon the bible , as our canutus sometime put his crown upon the rood , both of them thereby intimating , that as all honour was due to god , so true religion was the best basis of government , and that piety was the best policy . the epitaph which i spake of , was this . sub hoc conditorio situm est corpus caroli magni , atque orthodoxi imperatoris , qui regnum francorum nobiliter ampliavit , & per annos quadraginta septem foelicite tenuit . decessit septuagenarius , anno domini . indictione . quinto calend. febru . under this tomb lieth the body of charles the great , and catholick emperor , who most nobly enlarged the kingdom of the french , and most happily ruled it for the space of forty and seaven years . he died in the seventy and one year of his age : in the year of our lord eight hundred and fourteen , the seventh indiction , on the fifth calends of february . he had five wives : the first was called galcena , the daughter of the king of galistria , by whom he had no children . the second was theodora , the sister ( or as others say ) the daughter of d●di●r , king of lomb●rdy ; whom he kept not long , but repudiated her for sundry reasons . the third was hildeb anda , daughter of the duke of suevia , whom he loved exceedingly , and had by her three sons , viz. charles his eldest , whom he made king of the greatest , and best part of france , and germany : pepin his second , whom he made king of italy , bavaria , &c. lewis his youngest , to whom he left the empire intire , his brothers being both dead , in their fathers life time . this lewis was surnamed debonaire , or the courteous . he had also three daughters ; the eldest was called rothruda : the second birtha ; and the youngest giselia who would never marry . his fourth wife he had out of germany , called fastrada : and his fifth and last , was also a german lady , called luithgranda , of the suevian race , by whom he had no children . he shewed his love to religion by having one , during his meale-times , that either read to him some part of the holy scriptures : or else some part of saint augustines books , especially that de civitate dei : or some history . he was also a great friend to learning , and therefore erected three universities : one was padua in italy ; another was that at boulognia : the third was that in paris , whereunto he was excited by our countryman al●win , who was his tutor . his sons he caused to be trained up in the study of the liberall arts : and his daughters to learne to sow , and practice good huswifery . he alwayes wore a short sword at his girdle , in the pummel whereof was engraven his coat of armes , with which he sealed all his lawes , &c. and used to say , behold the sword which shall defend my lawes , and that shall be drawn and imployed against those that break them . in the year eight hundred and four , the king of the scots entered into the first league which was between the two kingdoms of france , and scotland , which was confirmed by succeeding kings , which occasioned one of them to adde unto their coat of armes a double streak of gules with flower de lisses round their escutchion , to shew that their alliance with france conduced much to the support of their kingdome . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e his parentage . his birth . his education . his early wisdom . b●cephalus broken by alexander . his mildness . he comes to his kingdom . he slays his fathers murtherers . he in-tends war against persia. he subdues the grecians . and other nations . and the thebans . a brave example . his vision . he goes into asia . his cruelty . gods justice . darius his pride . his victory at granick . he wins many cities , and countries the queen of caria adopts him . he cuts the gordian knot . he conquers the islands . memnon dies . good counsel neglected . the streights of cilicia taken . darius his army . the manner of his march . his pride and folly. alexander beats darius . darius his cruelty , and folly. alexanders chastity . darius flies . alexanders great success . a notable example . darius desires peace , which alexander rejected . tyre attempted , and taken . alexanders rigor . darius his second message . rejected by alexander . gaza besieged , and taken . alexanders cruelty . he goes to jerusalem , and worships the high priest. his vision . his favor to the jews . egypt delivered to him . his journey to jupiter hammon . zach. . . his pride . the power of the gospel . alaxandria built . he passeth euphrates . and tygris . base cowardize . darius his new army . an eclipse frightens the macedonians . darius his wife died . proposals to alexander . alexanders answer . his ambition . his valour . they prepare to fight . a battel . darius beaten , and flyes . arbela taken and much treasure . babylon taken . base cruelty . susa taken gross folly . alexandor beaten . barbarous cruelty . persepolis taken . a foolish enterprise . alexander turns drunkard . persopolis burnt . darius his last army . the treason of bessus . the fidelity of the greeks . dariu● discharges his attendants . darius made a prisoner and abused . gods justice . alexander pursues him . darius is wounded . his last words . alexanders ambition . he goes into hyrcania . diverse submit to him . queen of the amazons comes to him . he affects a deity . for which he is scorned of his friends . he burns all the spoils . rebellion against him . treason against him . it s discovered to alexander philotus accused . alexanders dissimulation . philatas accused by the king. philotus condemned , and tortured to death . alexanders cruelty . parmenio murthered . alexander marches forward . builds a city . wants water . bessus taken . alexanders cruelty . bessus slain . he is wounded . he is wounded . 〈◊〉 . he builds a city . menedemus slain . a rebellion . clytus slain . the effect of drunknesse . dreadfull stormes . his ambition . calisthenes speaks against it . and is tormented to death . he marches into india . his feasts to bacchus . he conquers many countries . his prodigallity . he sends to porus. a battel . porus beaten . he is restored to his kingdom . his policy . he builds two cities . his conquests . he builds a city . he wants food . his debauchedness . he punishes his officers . he visits the sepulchre of ●●rus . his cruel●y . calanus burnt himself . his marriage , and ●easting harpalus slain . his army discontented . he sends for antipater . ephestion dies . alexander dies . his will. the vanity of all earthly things . the confusions after his death . gods justice . his character . his love to his mother . his ambition . flattery . he degenerated after his victories . his bounty . his temperance . his chastity . notes for div a -e king pepins children . pepins death . his character . charles made king. his education . his valour and other vertues . his endowments . carolomans envy . the state of rome . severall popes chosen . steven confirmed . didiers policy . the popes secretaries hanged . the pope sends for k. charles . troubles in guienne . charles subdues hunalt . charles his policy and clemency charles his marriage . carolomans death . c●arles his second mariage . pope adrian . didiers policy . he makes warre against the pope . hunalts ingratitude the pope sends to charles for aid . charles arms against didier . didier prospers in his wars . charles calls a parliament . enters italy , and beates didier . charles besieges pavia , & verona . the italians submit to him . verona taken , and pavia . didier taken prisoner . charles his moderation a councel at rome . new troubles in italy , but suppressed . charles his wars with the saxons . the cause of it . charles calls a parliament . the saxons overcome . and converted . charles his wars in spaine . charles circumven●ed . charles cal●s a parliament . his great preparations . his entry into spain . pampelune taken . milon defeated . aigoland entred france . charles returnes . aigolans policy . aigolands dissimulation . charles returnes into spain . aigoland overthrown and slain . the sarazins rally . ● gyant slain . a treaty of peace . a traytor . charles returns into france . rowland assaulted . his valor . his death . charles overcomes the sarazins returns into france . a rebellion in italy . his wars in bavaria his victories . his education of his children . a sedition in rome . the pope freed out of prison . flies to charles charles goes to rome . clears the pope upon his oath . the state of the easterne empire . contention about images . a counsel from them . c●arles against images . an unnatural mother . irene treats with charles . irene hated and deposed , nicephorus succeeds her . he treats with charles . his large dominions . his title to the empire . naucler . an agreement betwixt charles and the pope . charles is envied . zonar . nicephorus is slain . the saxons oft rebell . charles his prudence . crantz . in saxon. bishopricks erected . troubles in italy . war with the venetians . charles makes his will. he gives laws to his subjects . infidels beaten , and the bohemians , and polanders . his war with the king of denmarke . pepin dies , and charles . new enemies rise up . his love to the church . he called five councels . his ecclesiastical constitutions . a councel at frankfurt his temperance . his exercises . his charity . his last wars . his preparation for death . he makes his will. his virtues . his large dominions his character . his zeale . his blemishes . his epitaph . the time of his death . his wives and children . his devotion . his care of his children . his league with scotland . an item against sacriledge: or, sundry queries concerning tithes. wherein is held forth, the propriety and title that ministers have to them. the mischiefs which would ensue if tithes were brought into a common treasury, and ministers reduced to stipends. the danger of gratifying the petitioners against tithes, and all imposed maintenance. collected and composed by one that hath no propriety in tithes. clarke, samuel, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) an item against sacriledge: or, sundry queries concerning tithes. wherein is held forth, the propriety and title that ministers have to them. the mischiefs which would ensue if tithes were brought into a common treasury, and ministers reduced to stipends. the danger of gratifying the petitioners against tithes, and all imposed maintenance. collected and composed by one that hath no propriety in tithes. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed by abraham miller for thomas vnderhill at the anchor and bible in pauls church-yard, near the little north-door, london, : . one that hath no propriety in tithes = samuel clarke. annotation on thomason copy: "septem: st". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng tithes -- early works to . a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no an item against sacriledge: or, sundry queries concerning tithes.: wherein is held forth, the propriety and title that ministers have to th clarke, samuel d the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the d category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - angela berkley sampled and proofread - angela berkley text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an item against sacriledge : or , sundry queries concerning tithes . wherein is held forth , the propriety and title that ministers have to them . the mischiefs which would ensue if tithes were brought into a common treasury , and ministers reduced to stipends . the danger of gratifying the petitioners against tithes , and all imposed maintenance . collected , and composed by one that hath no propriety in tithes . rom. . . thou that abhorrest idols , doest thou commit sacriledge ? london , printed byabraham millerforthomas vnderhillat the anchor and bible inpaulschurch-yard , near the little north-door . . certain queries concerning the propriety and right of the ministry of england to tithes . . whether the ministry of england hath not as good a propriety in tithes , as noblemen , gentlemen and free-holders have in their lands ? the reasons of this query are , . because ethelwolph sonne of king egbert ( who had brought the saxon heptarchy into a monarchy ) had all the lands in england for his demesne , as is acknowledged by sr edward cook in his commentaries upon littletons tenures , and conferred the tithes of all the kingdom upon the church , by his royal charter dated anno . in these words , king ethelwolph by the consent of his prelates and princes which ruled in england under him in their several provinces , did enrich the church of england with the tithes of all his lands and goods by his charter royal , &c. adding in the end , that who so should encrease the gift , god would please to prosper , and increase his dayes ▪ but if any should presume to diminish the same , that he should be called to an account for it at gods judgement seat , &c. and this he did not only as lord paramount , but as proprietary of the whole land , the lords and great men at that time having no property or estates of permanency , but as accountants to the king , whose the whole land was , and yet they also gave their free consents , which the king required , that thereby they might be barred from pleading any tenant-right ; as also to oblige them to stand in maintenance of tithes against all pretenders . . because the people can have no right or propriety in them ; for they never bought or paid for them : neither could they come by inheritance ; for that which was not their fore-fathers could not descend to them : neither came they to them by donation , which they can never shew . . whether it be agreeable to piety , prudence , justice and equity to alienate tithes from the ministry , which have been so freely given by our own christian kings out of zeal to advance gods glory , confirmed by many acts of parliament , oft times renued , and reiterated , as by magna charta thirty times confirmed , and many other statutes since , yea by the text , and body of the common law , which affirms tithes to be due iure divine , as sr edw. cook testifies in the second part of his reports . . whether the inconveniences and evils can possibly be foreseen , which will ensue upon the alteration of such fundamental laws of this nation , as have continued in force through all changes for above a thousand years together ? tithes have been given to the church for maintenance of gods word and ministrs , with a curse to all such as should alienate them . . whether it is agreeable to piety and prudence , to pull them from god , to rend them from his church , to violate the dedication of our fathers , the oaths of our ancestors , the decrees of so many parliaments , and to expose our selves to those horrible curses which the body of the nation hath obliged it self to , in case they consented to the alienation of the same ? as nehem. . , &c. . whether it be not more then probable that the ministry hath had a propriety in the tithes in all christian churches , ever since christians had a propriety in their estates ; since origen and tertullian , who lived not much above two hundred years after christ , tell us , that the community amongst christians was not wholly ceased in their time , and yet where it was , the tithes were paid ? . whether it be not sacriledge to alienate tithes from the church , having been dedicated and consecrated unto god , either by the voluntary consent of churches , or by donation of princes ? seeing what is voluntarily consecrated by man , is confirmed by god , and may not be alienated , levit. . , &c. which law is the same under the gospel , as appears in the example of ananias , acts . . whom peter arraigns and god condemns , for this very sacriledge : why hast thou ( said peter ) kept back part of the price of the land ? whilst it remained ( viz. unsold ) was it not thine own ? and after it was sold , was it not in thine own power ? viz. to have consecrated or not consecrated it , ver. . and ananias hearing these words , sell down and gave up the ghost . . whether it is not against the light of nature , and custome of all nations , to disanull the will of the dead ? gal. . . brethren , i speak after the manner of men , though it be but a mans covenant ( or testament ) yet if it be confirmed ( viz. by the death of the testator ) no man disanulleth it , i. e. no man ought to disanull it . therefore tithes having been given by testament , confirmed by the death of the testators , is it not against the light of nature , and custom of all nations to alienate them , heb. . , . for a testament is of force after men are dead . . many impropriations having been restored to the church by godly noblemen and gentlemen , and others having been bought in and setled in the most legal way that could be devised upon the ministry ; is it not against all justice and equity to take them from the church again ? and will it not discourage all men for the future from works of piety and charity when they see them thus perverted ? . whether it be not more then probable that there was a positive precept given by god to the fathers for the giving to him the tenth part of their substance , as he had formerly required the seventh part of their time ? and whether do not the examples of abraham and iacob so readily giving their tenth , evince this ? or without such a precept , had it not been will-worship in them ? and do not such positive precepts ( if unrepealed ) binde all to the end of the world ? as we see in the case of the sabbath . . whether tithes , as an honouring of god be not enjoyned in the first commandment ? as they tend to preserve the publike worship of god , in the second and fourth commandment ? and as maintenance to the persors of ministers , in the fifth commandment ? being part of the honour due to spirituall parents . . whether tithes can be called antichristian , which were paid so long before antichrist time ? and when antichrist [ the popes of rome ] were the first that durst take upon them to alienate them from the church , by granting exemptions , appropriations , &c. thereby robbing the church and parish ministers to gratifie the monks and friers ? and whether alexander of hales and thomas of aquin ( who lived about four hundred years ago ) were not the first that pleaded for these alienations made by the pope ? and whether they were not the first that to justifie the popes proceedings , pleaded that tithes were jewish ? . whether these scriptures do not concern christians , as well as they did the iews ? prov. . , . honour the lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase : so shall thy barns be filled with plenty , and thy presses shall burst out with new wine . prov. ● . . it is a snare to devour that which is holy , and after the vow to make enquiry . prov. . , . remove not the old land mark , and enter not into the field of the fatherlesse : for their redeemer is mighty , and he shall plead their cause with thee . and sr edw. cook saith in his institutes , our law-books teach us , that the church is ever understood to be under age , and to be as a pupil and fatherlesse : and that it is not agreeable to law or right that such should be dis-inherited . mal. . , , , &c. will a man rob god ? yet ye have robbed me : but ye say . wherein have we robbed thee ? in tithes and in offerings ye are accursed with a curse : for ye have robbed me , even this whole nation . bring ye all the tythes into the ●●ore house , that there may be meat in mine house , and prove me new therewith , saith the lord of hests , if i will not open you the windows of heaven , and pour you out a bless●●g , that there shall not be room enough to receive it : and i will rebuke the devourer for your sakes , and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground , neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field , saith the lord of hefts : and all nations shall call you blessed : and ye shall be a delightsome land , saith the lord of hefts . . whether those texts in the new te●●●ment do not prove , that to gospel-ministers belongs as large , if not larger maintenance then to the levitical priesthood , as their ministry is more excellent , and the blessings conferred thereby are greater . luk. . . the labourer is worthy of his hire . cor ▪ . . have we not power to eat and to drink . ver. . &c. or i only and barnal as , have not we power to forbear working ? who goeth to warfare any time at his own charges ? who planeth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof ? or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock ? say i these things as a man ? or saith ●●t the law the same ? for it i● written in the law of moses , thou shall ne● muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn . doth god take care for oxen ! or saith he it altogether for our sakes ? for our sakes no doubt it is written : that he that pleweth should plew●●n hope : and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope . if we have sewn unto you spiritual things , is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things ? ver. . do ye not know that they which minister about holy things , live of the things of the temple ? and they which wait at the altar , are partakers with the altar ? even so hath the lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel . gal. ▪ . let him that is taught in the word , communicate to him that ●ea●keth in all good things . ●hil . . . not that i desire a gift , but i desire fruit that may abound to your account . tim. . , let the elders that rule well be countedworthy of double honour , especially they who labour in the word and doctrine . for the scripture saith , thou shall not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn : and the labourer is worthy of his reward ▪ . whether to speak of a sufficient maintenance without tithes , be not a meer fancy , that never was , nor ( as i believe ) ever will be brought into action ? and whether it would not trouble the wisest men that are , to name a stipend that would be sufficient at all times , as tithes are ; which proceeding from the wisdome of god , cannot be matched , much lesse bettered by mans wisdome ? . whether be not tithes the fittest maintenance for the ministry , seeing hereby they partake with the people in times of plenty , which will more inlarge their hearts in thankfulnesse ; and suffer with them in times of scarcity , which will more affect them with sense of gods judgements ? for that when natural affections concur with spiritual , they are more active and vigorous . . whether the practice of the heathens , which used to give a tenth to their gods , will not rise up in judgement against christians , if they rob god of the tenth vvhich their predecessors have given to him ? . whether the judgement of so many eminent divines as have held it sacriledge to alienate that from the church which was once consecrated to god , should not lay a restraint upon all men from practising that which is so hazardous and scandalous ? that it is sacriledge , is the judgement of calvin , polanus , kickerman , perkins , with many others . . whether all or most of the arguments bent against the morality of tithes , do not equally militate against the morality of the sabbath ? as dr sclater hath shevved in his parallel in the end of his book of tithes . certain queries concerning bringing tithes into a common treasury , and reducing ministers to stipends . . if tithes should be brought into a commoon treasury , and ministers paid out thence , whether would our country-men , that say tithes are such an intolerable burden , be any whit eased ? yea would they not be more burdened by how much their tithing would be looked more narrowly into ? . would not the trouble of ministers be far greater , being enforced to send or go from market to market for every bushel of corn or mault , &c. that he spends in his house ? . if a dearth come , would it not tend to the ruine of many ministers families , who will be forced to spend more in a quarter then they receive for their half years allowance ? . if things should rise in the price the next hundred of years as they have done the last , how shall ministers be then able to live upon these stipends ? . how many officers must there be imployed in every county to bring the tithes into a common treasury , all which , either in whole or in part , must be maintained out of them ? and how will this curtail the ministers share ? . what attendance must ministers give quarterly , or each half year , upon the trustees or treasurers in every county , till they have list or leisure to pay them ? what trouble , journeys and expences will this put them to ? how will they be enforced to bribe , and pay for expedition , or to be fobbed off with base and clipt money ? or to be forced to take wares for their money , if the treasurers be tradesmen ; as many have been served of late in the case of augmentations ? . will not ministers hereby be cast upon tentations , to speak onely pleasing things ( like trencher-chaplains ) lest their stipends should be taken from them ? . can it be expected that ministers can or will be so liberall to the poor , and given to hospitality when they buy all with the penny , as when they have it in tithes ? . will not such as bear the bag , and upon whom the ministers must depend for their subsistance , lord it over them with pride and contempt enough ? as bad , or worse then the bishops and their chancellors did ? . though such as are of the best repute in each county should be chosen out to be the treasurers , yet do we not see by daily experience , how men are mistaken in judging of the honesty of others ? and how many men fall from their former principles of honesty ? and that if neither of these should be so , yet how apt standing waters are to putrifie ? . if contentious suits have been betwixt ministers and people about tithes , hath it not for the most part arisen from the peoples covetousnesse , pretending c●stoms , prescriptions , or compositions , to defraud the ministers of their due ? . were not patrons at the first made choice of to defend the ministers right against the fraud and injustice of the people ? and may not the wisdome of the parliament finde out the same , or some such like course , whereby the minister shall neither be ingaged in contentions with his people , nor troubled with avocations from his study thereby ? . may there not arise as many or more quarrels in case tithes be brought into a common treasury , whilest some pretend conscience , and so will pay none at all ; others think themselves over rated ; others think that the tradesman , who gets more by his shop then they do by the plough , should bear an equal share in this common burden ? and who then shall take course to enforce such to pay ? if the treasurers in the country , surely they will prove but cold solicitors in anothers cause . but suppose they do stir , they must spend out of the common stock ; and such suits being like to be many , especially in such times as these , how will the ministers stipends be curtailed thereby ? besides , may it not be supposed , that they which spend of other mens purses , are like to cut large thongs out of others hides ? . if the countryman shall pay a rate in money for his tithes , will it not come far more hardly from him ? even like drops of bloud , money being usually very short with them . and will he not think it far easier to part with a cock of hay , or a sheaf of corn , or such a small thing , then to part with so much money as his whole tithes may come to , once or oftner in the year ? and how little will he think himself eased hereby ? . if tithes be brought into a common treasury , when a living is worth two , three , or perhaps four hundred pounds by the year , a great part of it will be disposed of to other places , and will it not certainly be a great grief to the people , that their tithes shall go to they know not whom ? certainly to such as neither feed their souls with the bread of life , nor their bodies with the staff of bread ? and will not their poor want that relief , and themselves that entertainment which they used to have at their ministers house , to the aggravation of their discontent ? certain qeries concerning our late petitioners against tithes , and an imposed maintenance . . vvhether have we not cause to suspect , that those persons which petition against tithes and an imposed maintenance , are acted by jesuites , who cunningly creep in amongst them , seeking hereby to overthrow the english ministry , which hath so strongly opposed them , both by word of mouth and writings ? and the rather , because of that scottish jesuite , who lately turned anabaptist , and upon examination at newcastle confessed that he was sent over for that end . besides some other like examples which might be easily produced . . whether can such petitioners be rightly stiled the godly and well-affected of the nation , who strive hereby to bring the greatest judgement upon the nation that ever did , or can possibly befall it ? viz. a famine of the word , amos . , &c. and the removing of our teachers into corners , isa. . . . whether have vve not cause to believe that the far greatest part of the gentry , yeomandry and commons of the land , that have tithes to pay , are desirous to have them continued to the ministry : seeing so many thousands of them out of a few counties petitioned the late parliament for the same : and no doubt but many thousands more out of every county would do the like , if they had the least encouragement thereunto . . whether if tithes were wholly taken away , would the generality of the people be at all eased , seeing both purchasers and tenants must pay so much the more for their land ? . whether can we imagine that the parliament , that hath so lately declared to the world , that they will be exceeding tender of every ones liberty and property , will now so soon after take away the propriety of all the ministry of england at one blow , to the ruine of so many thousand families for the present ; to the discouragement of parents from bringing up their children to the work of the ministry for time to come , and so to the indangering of the removall of the gospel from amongst us ? . whether would not these petitioners ( if tithes were removed ) cry out and complain as much of the tyrannicall oppression and burden of rents , as the anabaptists in germany did , and so never be quiet till they have levelled all things ? — si non prosunt singula multa juvant . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- see s. hen. spelmans councils . anno . orig hom. . in num. cypr. epist. . this also is justified by ●llar●● , decleric●● , l , ● , c. . instit. . c. . cor. . , &c. i have good information that there are lately come over . iesuites that have their frequent meeting in london to drive on this design . the lives & deaths of most of those eminent persons who by their virtue and valour obtained the sirnames of magni,or the great whereof divers of them give much light to the understanding of the prophecies in esay, jeremiah, ezekiel, and daniel, concerning the three first monarchies : and to other scriptures concerning the captivity, and restauration of the jews / by samuel clark ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the lives & deaths of most of those eminent persons who by their virtue and valour obtained the sirnames of magni,or the great whereof divers of them give much light to the understanding of the prophecies in esay, jeremiah, ezekiel, and daniel, concerning the three first monarchies : and to other scriptures concerning the captivity, and restauration of the jews / by samuel clark ... clarke, samuel, - . the second edition, corrected and enlarged. [ ], , [ ] p., [ ] leaf of plates : ports. printed by j.r. for w.b. and are to be sold by tho. sawbridge ... and by w. birch ..., london : . errata: p. 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng biography -- to . biography -- middle ages, - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion nebuchadnezzar . portrait cyrus . portrait artaxerxes . portrait alexander . portrait epaminondas . portrait herod . portrait hanibal . portrait pompey . portrait iulius caesar. portrait augustus portrait charlemain . portrait tamberlain . portrait the lives & deaths of most of those eminent persons who by their virtue and valour obtained the sirnames of magni , or the great . whereof divers of them give much light to the understanding of the prophecies in esay , jeremiah , ezekiel , and daniel , concerning the three first monarchies . and to other scriptures concerning the captivity , and restauration of the jews . the second edition , corrected and enlarged . by samuel clark , minister of the gospel . longum iter per pracepta , breve per exempl . hierom. london , printed by j. r. for w. b. and are to be sold by tho. sawbridge , at the three flower de luces in little britain , and by w. birch , at the peacock at the lower end of cheap-side . . the life and death of nebuchadnezzar the great , first emperour of the chaldeans . nebuchadonazar , or nebuchadnezzar , was the son of nebuchadonazar , or nabopolaser of babylon , who was made general of the army by saraco king of assyria and chaldea , after whose death nabopolaser took into his hands the kingdom of chaldea , which he held by the space of one and twenty years ; at the same time astyages was made governour of media by cyaxares his father ; and the better to strengthen themselves , they entred into affinity , by astyages his giving his daughter amytis to nebuchadnezzar , the son of nabopolaser , and thereupon joyning their forces together , they took ninive , together with seraco , the king thereof , placing a vice-roy in his stead . shortly after , the governour of coelosyria , and poenicia , revolting from nabopolaser , he sent against him his son nebuchadnezzar ( having first associated him with himself in the kingdom of babylon ) with a great army , which was in the latter end of the third , and the beginning of the fourth year of jehoiakim king of juda ; as appears dan. . . compated with jer. . . nebuchadnezzar was no sooner thus associated with his father in the kingdom , but the things which he was to act , were presently revealed to the prophet jeremy ; the first whereof was the overthrow of the egyptians ; first , at the river euphrates ; then in their own country , jer. . the first of these came to pass presently , pharaoh necho's forces , which he had left at carchemish , being cut off by nebuchadnezzar in the fourth year of jehojakim , jer. . . the second was not till after the taking of tyre , in the seventeenth year of the captivity of jechonia . ezek. . , , . in the third year of jehoiakim , nebuchadnezzar the second , his father being yet alive , entred iudaea with a great army , who , besieging , and forcing ierusalem , made iehoiakim his vassal , in despight of pharaoh necho , who had made him king , and took with him to babylon , for pledges , daniel , who was yet a child , with ananias , misael , and azarias . he took also part of the treasures belonging to the temple ; but stayed not to stayed not to search throughly for all . for necho hasted with his army to the relief of iehoiakim , hoping to find nebuchadnezzar in iudea . but this great babylonian had no mind to hazard himself and his army against the egyptian , iudaea being so ill affected towards him , and himself far from all succour , or sure place of retreat . if he had ( as may be supposed ) any great strength of scythian horsemen , it was wisely done of him to fall back out of that rough , mountanous , and hot country , into places that were more even and temperate . and besides these reasons , the death of his father happening at the same time , gave him just occasion to return home , and take possession of his own kingdom , before he proceeded in the second care , of adding more unto it . and this he did at reasonable good leisure . for the egyptian was not provided to follow him so far , and to bid him battel , until the new year came in , which was the fourth of iehoiakim , the first of nebuchadnezzar and the last of necho . in this year the babylonian , lying upon the banks of euphrates ( his own territories bounding it on the north-side ) attended the coming of necho : there , after a cruel battel fought betwixt them , necho was slain , and his army forced to save it self by a violent retreat , wherein it suffered great loss . this victory was so well pursued by nebuchadnezzar , that he recovered all syria , and whatsoever the egyptians held out of their proper territories towards the north. the egyptians being thus beaten , and altogether for the present discouraged , iehoiakim held himself quiet , as being in heart a friend to the egyptians , yet having made his peace with the chaldeans the year before , and mebuchadnezzar was contented with such profit as he could there readily make : he had forborn to lay any tribute upon the iews . but this cool reservedness of iehoiakim , was , on both sides , taken in ill part . whereupon the egyptian king psamnis , who succeeded necho , began to think of restoring iehoahaz ( who had been taken prisoner by his father , and carried into egypt ) and of setting him up , as a domestical enemy against his ungrateful brother . but to anticipate all such accidents , the iudaean had put in practice the usual remedy , which his fore-fathers used : for he had made his own son iechonia king with him long before ; in the second year of his own reign , when the boy was but eight years old . as for this rumour of iehoahaz his return , the prophet ieremy foretold , that it should prove a vain attempt , saying , he shall not return thither , but he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive , and shall see this land no more . jer. . , . the egyptians , having lost their mercenary forces , and received that heavy blow at carchemish , had more gold than sharp steel remaining , which is of small force without the others help . besides , the valour of necho was not in psamnis apries , who , reigning after psamnis , did indeed once adventure to shew his face in syria ; but after a big look , he was glad to retire , without adventuring the hazard of a battel . wherefore this declining nation , fought only with brave words , telling such frivolous tales , as men that mean to do nothing , use , boasting of their former glorious acts against iosias and iehoahaz . and truly in such a time and case , it was easie for iehoiakim to give them satisfaction , by letting them understand the sincerity of his affections towards them , which appeared in time following . but nebuchadnezzar went more roundly to work : for he sent a peremptory message to iehoiakim , requiring him not to stand upon any nice points , but presently to acknowledge himself his subject , and to pay him tribute ; adding thereunto such terrible threatnings , as made the poor iudaean lay aside all thoughts of adhering unto pharaoh ; and to yield to do , as the more powerful would have him . thus he continued in obedience to nebuchadnezzar three years : during which time the prophet jeremy , cryed out against the impiety of the jews , putting them in mind that he had now for three and twenty years exhorted them to repentance : but because they had stopped their ears against him , and the rest of the prophets , he now foretold that their captivity was at hand , and that they should bear the yoak of bondage for seventy years . the same calamity he threatned to all the neighbouring nations , to the egyptians , moabites , ammonites , idumaeans , and the rest ; foretelling that they should all drink out of the babylonian cup the wine of his fury , whom they had forsaken ; and that after the seventy years should be expired , the babylonians themselves should taste of the same cup , and be utterly subverted by the medes and persians , by which means the jews should be permitted to return into their own country , and cities . the first imprisonment of the prophet jeremy seems to have been in the fourth year of this jehoiakim , at which time , baruch the scribe , wrote all his prophecies from his mouth , whom he sent to read them unto the people , and afterwards to the princes , who presented them to the king : but fearing the kings fury , they had first set jeremy at liberty , and advised him , and baruch , to hide themselves , jeremy . , &c. jehoiakim having heard part of it read to him , and perceiving the ill news contained therein , he made no more ado , but cut the book in pieces , and cast it into the fire . all which , jeremy caused to be new written , with this addition , that the dead body of jehoiakim , should be cast out , being exposed in the day to the heat , and in the night to the frost , and that there should be none of his seed to sit upon the throne of david . time thus running on , jehoiakim thought himself secure from all danger , as being tributary to the babylonian , and yet withal , well thought on by the egyptian : about which time the mighty city of tyre , opposed it self against nebuchadnezzar : and upon just confidence of her own strength , despised all preparations that could be made against her . now for as much as the term of seventy years was prescribed for the desolation , as well of tyre , as of jerusalem , and other places , and countries , ' its apparent that they that refer the winning of this city to the ninteenth year of nebuchadnezzar , have good ground and warrant for it . for the siege thereof began in the seventh year of his reign , and lasted thirteen years . here it will not be amiss to insert a brief note concerning the beginning of this great princes rule ; the third year of jehoiakim , was the last of nabulasser , who being freed from other cares , and businesses , took notice of such as had revolted from him to pharaoh necho , and sent this noble prince , his son , with an army into syria to reclaim them . in this expedition was 〈◊〉 carried to babylon , who therefore makes mention of it , dan. . . the year next following , being the fourth of jehoiakim , was the first year of nebuchadnezzar , which jeremy affirmeth in express words , jer. . . and from this we must reckon all his time , and actions which follow to be spoken of . in his three and twentieth year he conquered egypt , and then began his great empire , there being none left that durst offend , or oppose him . the second from this year it was wherein daniel saw that vision of the image consisting of sundry mettals , which prefigured the succession of great kingdoms , that should rule the world before the coming of christ. but to return to the siege of tyre , which began in the seventh year of his reign . the stately city of tyre covered all the ground of an island , that was divided from the continent by a deep , and broad channel of the sea , the chaldaeans had no fleet of ships , neither were they seamen : the tyrians excelled all other nations in multitude of goodly ships , and skill to use them : and every wind , from one part or other , brought in all needful provisions to the city : wherefore neither force , nor famine could greatly hurt the place : whereof nevertheless , the judgments of god ( denounced against it by isay , jeremy , and ezekiel ) had threatned the destruction ; and the obstinate resolution of nebuchadnezzar had fully determined to accomplish it . this hauty king , impatient of resistance , undertook a vast piece of work , which was , to fill up that part of the sea which divided the island from the continent . the city of old tyre , that stood opposite to the new , upon the firm land , and the mountain of libanus near adjoyning , that was loaden with stately cedars , and abundance of other trees , furnished him with materials to effect it . thirteen years were spent in this difficult , and hopeless undertaking , which need not seem strange , if we consider , that alexander , working upon that foundation which was remaining of nebuchadnezzars peer , and being withal , assisted with a strong fleet , was yet seven months e're he could make way into the city . wherefore , if the raging of the sea was able to carry away that wherewith alexander laboured to cover a shelve , with much more violence could it overturn , and as it were , consume the work of nebuchadnezzar ; who laid his foundation in the bottom of the deep ; striving , as it were , to fill the empty belly of this greedy cormorant , whereas the macedonian did only stop the throat of it . all may know that god could easily have accomplished his own threatnings against this place ( though it had not pleased him to use , either a miracle , or such of his more immediate engins , as are earthquakes , &c. ) by making at least , the seas calm , and adding the favourable concurrence of all second helps . but so it pleaseth him oft-times , in chastising the pride of man , to use the hand of man , even the hand of man , striving , as it may seem , against all resistance of nature , and providence . so that by this excessive labour of the chaldeans , that scripture was fulfilled , that every head should be made bald , and every shoulder should be made bare , ezek. . . yet would not nebuchadnezzar give over till he was master of the town . when he was entred upon his desperate undertaking , whether it were by some losses received , or some mutiny in his army , or some glorious rumour of the egyptians strenth , his evil willers took courage to rebel against him ; and amongst them , jehoiakim , renounced his subjection , and began to hope for the contrary , which soon after fell out . for nebuchadnezzar gave him no leasure to do much hurt : but with part of his army , he marched strait into judaea ; where the amazed king made so little resistance ( the egyptians having left him , as it were in a dream ) that nebuchadnezzar entred jerusalem , laid hands on jehoiakim , whom at first he bound , intending to send him to babylon , but his mind changing , he caused him to be slain in that place , and gave him the burial of an ass , to be devoured by beasts , and ravinous birds , according to the former prophesie ; leaving in his place his son , jehoiakim , or jeconias ; whom yet after three months , and ten days , he deposed , and sent him prisoner to babylon , together with ezekiel , mordecay , and josedech , the high priest. the mother of jeconias , together with his servants , eunuchs , and all the ablest men , and best artificers in the land , were also then carried away captives . this jeconias , following the counsel of the prophet jeremy , made no resistance , but submitted himself to the kings will , wherein he both pleased god , and did that which was most profitable for himself , though at the present it might seem otherwise , to such as consider the evil that befel him , rather than the greater evil that he thereby avoided . this only particular act of his is recorded in scripture which was good : but it seems that he was at least a partaker in his fathers sins , if not a provoker , which was the cause , that though he submitted himself to gods will , yet did he not preserve his estate : for so it is said , that he did evil in the sight of the lord , according to all that his father had done . in his stead , nebuchadnezzar set up mattania , his uncle , making him king of iudaea , and called him zedechias . for like as necho king of egypt , had formerly displaced iehoahaz , after he had slain his father iosias , and set up iehoiakim , the son by another mother : so nebuchadnezzar slew iehoiakim , who depended on the egyptians , and , carrying his son ieconias prisoner to babylon , he gave the kingdom to this zedechias , who was whole brother to that iehoahaz , whom necho took with him into egypt , and from zedechias he required an oath for his loyalty , and faithful subjection , which zedechias gave him , and called the living god to witness in the same , that he would remain assured to the kings of chaldaea , chron. . . ezek. . , , . in the first year of zedechias , ieremy saw , and expounded the vision of the ripe , and rotten figs , the one signifying those that were already carried away captives , the other signifying those iews that yet remained , and were afterwards destroyed , ier. . . in the fourth year of zedechias , ieremy wrote in a book all the evil which should fall upon babylon , which book , or roul , he gave to seraiah , when he went with king zedechias to babylon , to visit nebuchadnezzar , willing him first to read it to the captive iews , and then to bind a stone to it , and cast it into euphrates , pronouncing these words ; thus shall babel be drowned , and shall not rise from the evil which i will bring upon her . this journey of zedechias to babylon is probably thought to be in a way of a visit , and to carry some presents to nebuchadnezzar ; but yet it is likely he had some suit to make , which his lordly master refused to grant , and sent him away discontented . for at his return , all the bordering princes sent messengers to him , inciting him ( as it seems ) to those unquiet courses from which the prophet ieremy dehorted both him and them . about which time the prophet , by gods appointment , made bonds and yokes , one of which he wore about his own neck , others he sent unto the five kings , of edom , moab , ammon , tyre , and zidon , by those messengers which came to visit zedechias , making them know , that if they , and the king of iuda continued in subjection to babylon , they should then possess , and enjoy their own countries ; if not , they should assuredly perish by the sword , by famine and by pestilence . he also foretold them , that those vessels which yet remained in ierusalem , should be carried after the other to babylon , yet at length should be restored again . the same year ananias , the false prophet , took off the wooden yoke which ieremy did wear , as a sign of the captivity of the iews , and brake it : vaunting , that in like manner after two years , god would break the strength of babel , and the yoke which he had laid on all nations : and that he would restore ieconias and all the iews , with the vessels , and riches of the temple , and put an end to all these troubles . but ieremy instead of his wooden yoke , wore a collar of iron ; and in sign that ananias had given a false , and deceitful hope to the people , he fore-told the death of this false prophet , which accordingly came to pass in the seventh moneth . after this , when zedechias had wavered long between faith and passion , in the eighth year of his reign , he practiced more seriously against nebuchadnezzar , with his neighbours , the edomites , ammonites , moabites , tyrians , and others , who were promised great aids by the egyptians , in confidence of whose assistance , he resolved to shake off the babylonian yoke ; whereof , when nebuschad chadnezzar was informed , he marched with his army in the dead of winter , towards ierusalem , and besieged it . jeremy perswaded zedechias to render the city and himself to him : but zedechias , being confident of help from egypt , and being perswaded by his princes and false prophets , that it was impossible that the kingdom of judah should be extirpated until the coming of shilo , according to jacobs prophesie , gen. . . he despised the counsel of jeremy , and imprisoned him , for jeremy had told the king , that the city should be taken and burnt ; that the king should not escape , but be taken prisoner , and brought to the presence of nebuchadnezzar : that he should not perish by the sword , but being carried to babel , should there dye a natural death . the following year , ierusalem was surrounded , and more strictly besieged by nebuchadnezzars army ; whereupon the king of egypt , pharaoh hophra , entred into iudaea with his army , to succour zedechias , of whose revolt he had been the principal author . but ieremy gave the iews faithful counsel , willing them not to have any trust in the succours of egypt : for he assured them that they should return back again , and in no sort relieve them . and it fell out accordingly . for when the chaldaeans removed from ierusalem to encounter the egyptians , these bragging patrons abandoned their enterprise ; and taking gaza in their way homewards , returned into egypt , as if they had already done enough , leaving the poor people in ierusalem to their destined miseries . ier. . , . in the mean while the iews , who in the time of their extremity , had released their hebrew bond-men , and bond-women , according to the law , in the year of iubile , and made them free , thereby to encourage them to fight , did now upon the breaking up of the chaldean army , repent of what they had done , and thinking that all danger had been past , they held them by force to their former slavery . but the chaldeans being returned to the siege , the prophet ieremy , when the state of ierusalem began now to grow to extremity , counselled zedechias to render himself to the babylonians , assuring him of his own life , and of the safety of the city if he would do so . but his obstinate heart led him on to that wretched end , which , his neglect of god , and his infidelity and perjury had provided for him . three and twenty moneths the chaldean army lay before ierusalem , and held it exceeding straitly besieged ; for they built forts against it round about , king. . . or , they surrounded the city with woodden towers , so as the besieged could neither sally out , nor receive into the city any supplies of men or victuals . iosephus saith , that they over-topped the walls with their high towers , which they erected upon mounts , from which , with their engines they did so beat upon the walls , that the defendants were forced to forsake their stations . and though the besieged also raised counter-buildings , like unto these , yet the great nebuchadnezzar , who commanded all the regions thereabouts , and had the woods and rivers at his command , found out means to disappoint and overthrow all the citizens endeavours , and to beat down their towers as fast as they raised them . for his own works were guarded by the walls of ierusalem , whereas theirs within lay open to his batteries . besides , both famine and pestilence ( which commonly accompany men straitly besieged ) grew fast upon them , whereby , when the number , strength , and courage of the iews failed , the chaldeans made a breach , and forcing an entry , their princes did seat themselves as lords of the town , in the middle gate , king. . , , . ier. . , . and , , &c. zedechias , beholding this uncomfortable sight , and finding no other means to escape the present danger , lost both his courage and his hope at once , and shifted himself , together with his wives , children , princes , and principal servants , out of the city , by a way under-ground , leaving his amazed , and now headless subjects , to the merciless swords of their enraged enemies . thus he , who when the prophet ieremy perswaded him to render himself , despised both the counsel of god , and the army and force of nebuchadnezzar , used now the remedy which one calls , a woful , shameful , and unfortunate shift . by this secret subterranean vault , zedechias stole away , and by the help of the dark night , recovered the plains , or desarts of iericho . but by reason of the train that followed him and his , ( every one leading with him those whom he loved best ) he was easily traced and pursued . how great soever the company was that attended him , yet certain it is , that they , on whose fidelity he most relied , no sooner beheld the chaldeans to draw near , but they all abandoned his defence , and shifted for themselves in the desarts , as they could . for , whom god had forsaken , no man regarded . and thus zedechias was taken by the ministers of gods vengeance , and being made a prisoner , together with his children , and princes , he was carried to riblah , in the tribe of nephthalim , where nebuchadnezzar then lay , as a place indifferent between ierusalem and tyre , with both which places he had at one time to do . now when nebuchadnezzar had laid before zedechias the many graces and favours which he had conferred upon him , together with the notable falshood and perjury wherewith he had requited him , he commanded his children , princes , and friends , to be slain before his face . this being done , to the end that so lamentable a spectacle should be the last that ever he should behold in this world , he caused his eyes to be put out , and so carried him like a slave to babylon , where he consumed the rest of his life in perpetual imprisonment . herein was that marvellous prophesie of ezekiel fulfilled : i will bring him to babylon , and he shall not see it , ezek. . . thus , in the eleventh , and last year of zedechias , which was the eighteenth of nebuchadnezzar , the chaldeans entred into ierusalem by force , where , sparing neither sex nor age , they put all to the sword that they found therein . in the next year following , nebuzaradan , the general of the babylonish army , burnt the kings palace , and the whole city of ierusalem , and after the fire had lasted from the seventh to the tenth day , he also burnt the temple of god to the ground , the richest and most magnificent place that ever the sun saw , when it had stood four hundred thirty and one years . after this , upon a second search , nebuzaradan ( not yet satiated with blood ) commanded seventy and two others to be slain , which had hidden themselves from the first fury , to wit , the chief and the second priest , two commanders of zedechias his men of war , five of his houshould servants , and some others ; carrying away to babylon the ablest of the people through all iudaea , and leaving the poorest labouring people , with some that followed the party of nebuchadnezzar , to till the ground , over whom he placed gedaliah , the nephew of that saphan , whom iosias had formerly imployed in the reformation of religion . this gedaliah , a iew by nation , left zedechias , as it seemeth , in the beginning of the war , and by ieremies desire to live with him , it 's probable that had embraced the same advice which the prophet gave to zedechias , which was , to submit himself to the babylonian king , who being ordained of god for them , as an instrument of his justice , was , therefore irresistable . the prophet ieremy being left to his own choice , to live where he pleased , made choice to go to gedaliah , to whom he was commended by nebuzaradan , and he , not only entertained him kindly , but comforted him , and all the other iews that were left under his charge , promising them favour and liberty , so long as they remained obedient subjects to nebuchadnezzar , by whom he was established provincial governour over his own nation . but e're the year was expired , a prince of the late kings family ( who , during the siege of ierusalem , had sheltred himself from the storm , with baalis , king of the ammonites ) being attended by ten other chosen men , whilst gedaliah feasted them in mitspah , the city of his residence , they trayterously slew him , together with divers chaldeans and iews that accompanied him . this done , they escaped , and in their way , encountring with eighty persons , repairing toward gedaliah with presents , they slew most of them , and onely spared some , who promised to discover to them some treasures that were hidden in the fields during the war. they took with them also a daughter of zedechias , committed to the care of gedaliah , by nebuchadnezzar : this treachery of ismael had been formerly discovered to gedaliah by iohanan , one of the captains of the few remaining iews , but he would not believe it . iudea being now without a governour ( for ismael durst not take it upon him , but fled as fast as he could to the ammonites ) the residue of the iews , fearing the revenge of the chaldeans , resolved to fly into egypt , and besought ieremy to ask counsel of god for them , who returned answer , that if they remained in iudea , god would provide for them , and shew them mercy ; but if they sought to save themselves in egypt , they should then undoubtedly perish . notwithstanding which advice , the iews held their determination , and despised the oracle of god ; and constraining ieremy and baruch to accompany them , they went into egypt , and by the permission of pharaoh , they dwelt in taphnes ; where , when ieremy often reproved them for their idolatry , foretelling the destruction of themselves , and the egyptians , he was , by these his own hard-hearted and ingrateful country-men , stoned to death , and by the egyptians , who greatly reverenced him , buried near the sepulchre of their kings , ier. . and . the nineteenth year of nebuchadnezzars reign it was , when destroying utterly the great and mighty city of ierusalem , he exceedingly enriched himself with the spoils of it and the temple , and by that dreadful example terrified all those that should dare to resist him . from that time forward , he , to his three and twentieth year , laboured in the conquest of those adjoyning countries , which god had exposed unto his sword , and commanded to wear his yoke , namely , the edomites , moabites , ammonites , tyrians , sidonians , and egyptians , though some of these were already become his followers , and served under him when ierusalem was taken and burnt . but the tyrians , whose city was built upon an island , and therefore secure from the invasion of any land-army , and whose fleet was so strong , that they needed not to fear any enemy at sea , were neither daunted with the fall of their neighbour city , nor with the obstinate resolution of this mighty king , imploying all his wit and power to work their subversion . that the city of tyre was rather well-pleased , than any way discouraged with the destruction of ierusalem , it appeareth by the words which ezekiel condemneth , as the common voice of tyrus , ezek. . . aha! the gate of the people is broken , it is turned unto me ; for seeing she is desolate , i shall be replenished . yet at length , that great work before mentioned , began to appear above water , and so to threaten them with inevitable mischief . nebuchadnezzar still follows his work hard , notwithstanding all discouragements , and in the thirteenth year of the siege , and the nineteenth of his reign , he had brought it to such perfection , that now the citizens despaired of holding out against him ; whereupon all the chiefest of them imbarked themselves , their families , and treasures in their fleet , and escaped to the isle of cyprus , but the poorer sort were left to the fury of the enemy ; who being inraged for being put to so much pains , slew with the sword , not only such people of type as dwelt on the continent ( who are called her daughters in the field ) but the like execution was done in the streets , into which , with excessive labour , the chaldeans made way for his horses and chariots . thus nebuchadnezzar made his army serve a great service , against tyrus , wherein every head was made bald , and every shoulder was made bare , yet had he no wages , nor his army , ezek. . . but was fain to rest contented with the honour of having destroyed that city , which in all mens judgments had been held invincible . the destruction of these two great , and powerful cities , having made the name of the chaldeans dreadful in the ears of all the nations round about , nebuchadnezzar used this advantage of that reputation which he had obtained by his victories already gotten , to the getting of more , and more profitable , with less pains . the kingdom of egypt was the mark which he chiefly aimed at . a country so abounding in riches and pleasures , that it might well have tempted any prince , finding himself strong enough to pick occasion of quarrel against it . besides , it was so far an enemy to the crown of babylon , that , had it been far poorer , yet it must have been subdued , or the conquest of syria could not have been secured . yet was it needful , that before he entred upon this business , the countries adjacent should be reduced into such tearms , that either they should wholly stand at his devotion , or at least , be able not to work him any displeasure . and herein the decree of god concurred ( as in all prosperous enterprises ) with reason of state. for the people of moab , ammon , edom , damascus , kedar , hazor , and other adjoyning regions , whom god for their sins had condemned to fall under the babylonian yoke , were such , as regarding only their own gain , had , some of them , like ravens , followed the chaldean army , to feed upon the carcasses that fell by the cruelty thereof . others taking advantage of their neighbours miseries , occupied the countries , which , by his victories , belonged to nebuchadnezzar , all of them thinking , that when the babylonian had satisfied his fury , he would be forced to forsake those desolated countries , and leave the possession of them to those who could first seize upon them . particularly , the edomites , and philistines , had shewed much malice against the iews when their city was taken , ezek. . , . whether they had done any good service to the chaldeans , it appears not ; if they did any , its like to have been in reference to their own advantage , wherein yet they were deceived . the ammonites were not contented to rejoyce only at the fall of jerusalem , but presently they entred upon the country of god , and took possession of it , as if , not the chaldeans , but they had subdued israel , ezek. . . jer. . . neither can it be imagined what other design baalis , king of the ammonites had , when he sent ismael , a prince of the blood of judah , to murther gedalia , whom the king of babel had made governour over those that remained in israel , and to carry captive into the ammonites country , the people that abode in mizpah , than a desire of entangling nebuchadnezzar with so many labours at once , as should force him to retire into his own country , and abandon those wasted lands , to himself , and others , for whom they lay conveniently . such , or the like policy , the moabites also did exercise , whose pride , and wrath were made frustrate by god , and their dissimulation condemned , as not doing aright , ver. . . & . . & . & , , &c , all these nations had the art of ravening , which is familiar to such as either live in , or that border upon desarts ; and now the time ministred occasion to them to shew the uttermost cunning of their thievish wits . but nebuchadnezzar made void all their devices by sharp , and sudden war upon them , overwhelming them with unexpected ruin , as it were in one night , according to the prophesies of isay , jeremy , and ezekiel , who all foretold , with little difference of words , the greatness and swiftness of the misery that should come upon them . it appears not with which of them he first began ; but it seems that moab was the last that felt his heavy hand : for so many interpret that prophesie of isay , threatning moab with destruction after three years , as having reference to the third year following the destruction of jerusalem : the next year after it , being spent in the egyptian expedition . this is evident that all the principal towns in these countries were burnt , and the people either slain , or made captives , few excepted , who saved themselves by flight , and had not the courage to return to their habitations too hastily , much less to attempt any thing against nebuchadnezzar : but lived as miserable out-laws , until the end of the seventy years which god had appointed for the desolation of their countries , as well as of the land of judaea . when by a long course of victory nebuchadnezzar had brought into subjection all the nations of syria , and the bordering arabians in such wise , as that no enemy to himself , or friend to the egyptian , was left at his back , that might either impede his proceedings , or take advantage of any misfortune that might befall him ; then did he forthwith apply himself to the conquest of egypt , upon which those other nations had formerly been dependants . of this expedition , and the victorious issue thereof , the three great prophets , isay , jeremy , and ezekiel have written so plainly , that it s altogether needless to seek after any other authority to confirm the same . long before it was prophesied by isay , that the king of assyria , or babylon , should lead away the egyptians prisoners , and the ethiopians captives , young , and old , naked and barefoot , even with their buttocks uncovered to the shame of egypt , isa. . . but ezekiel and jeremy , as their prophesies were neerer to the time of execution , so they handled this argument more plainly , and precisely . for esekiel tells us cleerly , that egypt should be given to nebuchadnezzar as wages for his great service which he had done against tyre , ezek. . , , . he recounteth also in particular all the chief cities in egypt , saying , that these by name should be destroyed , and go into captivity : yea , and that pharaoh , and all his army should be slain by the sword , ezek. . , , &c. chap. . , &c. and the prophet jeremy , saith thus , behold i will visit the common people of noe , and pharaoh , and egypt , with their gods , and their kings , even pharaoh and all that trust in him ; and i will deliver them into the hands of those that seek their lives , and into the hand of nebuchadnezzar king òf babel , and into the hands of his servants , jerem. . , . josephus accordingly saith , that nebuchadnezzar in three and twentieth year of his raign , and in the fifteenth year after the destruction of jerusalem , did conquer egypt , and kill the king thereof , appointing a vice-roy to govern it . and it is evident that his victories which followed his conquest of syria , were such as did more enlarge his dominions , than all his former wars had done . for ezekiel in his thirtieth chapter reckoneth up ( besides the whole country of egypt ) phut , and lud , with other nations that may seem to have reached as far as into mauritania , which were conquered by him , and added to his empire , and truly it is worth observation how pharaoh , king of egypt was infatuated by god , who thought himself most safe in his own country by reason of the well-defenced situation thereof , and therefore very unwisely suffered his enemies to make a cleer way to his own doors by the conquest of all his friends , and allyes in syria . for as the labour of this business did more harden than weary the chaldean army , so the confidence , and vain security of the egyptians , relying upon the difficulty of the passages which the enemy was to make through the arabian desarts , and the great advantage which the river nilus afforded , did little avail them , when the war came on ; yea , it did much astonish them ( as may justly be thought ) in the time of execution . it being usually seen , that the hearts of men fail , when those helps deceive them , in which they had reposed more confidence than in their own virtue , and valour . until this time , the kingdom of egypt had flourished under the rule and government of the pharaohs for above the space of one thousand , four hundred , and eighty years . but from this time forward , it remained forty years without a king under the subjection of the babylonians ; and then at lenghth it began to recover by little and little the former greatness : yet so , that it was never dreadful unto others as it had been , god having said of that people ; at the end of forty years i will gather the egyptians from the people whither they were scattered ; and i will bring again the captivity of egypt , and will cause them to return into the land of pathros , into the land of their habitation , and they shall be yet a base kingdom . it shall be the basest of the kingdoms , neither shall it exalt it self any more above the nations ; for i will diminish them that they shall no more rule over the nations , and it shall be no more the confidence of the house of israel , ezek. . , , , . for whereas it had been said of pharaoh , i am the son of the wise , the son of ancient kings , isa. . . and whereas they had vaunted , the river is mine , and i have made it , ezek. . . the princes of egypt , now became fools , the river failed them , the king himself was now taken and slain , and that ancient linage was quite extinguished . of any wars made by nebuchadnezzar after such time as he returned from the conquest of egypt , we read not , except that against ninive , the destruction whereof was foretold by the prophet . ninive indeed had been taken long before by merodoch , and together with the rest of assyria , made subject to babylon . yet was it left under a peculiar king , who rebelling against nebuchadnezzar , as jehoiakim , and zedechias , tributary kings of judah , had done , was made partaker also of the same ruin . that the destruction of ninive followed the conquest of egypt , is clear by the comparison which nahum the prophet made between this city that was to fall , and the city of noe in egypt which was fallen already ; nabum . , &c. art thou better than populous noe , that was situate amongst the rivers , that had the waters round about it ; whose rampire was the sea , and her wall was from the sea , ethiopia , and egypt were her strength , and it was infinite : put , and lubin were her helpers . yet was she carried away , she went into captivity ; her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets , and they cast lots for her honourable men , and all her great men were bound in chains . thou also shalt be drunken ; thou shalt be hid ; thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy , &c. this great monarch , having thus spent his younger days in inlarging his dominions , he betook himself to rest , that he might reap the fruit of his former labours ; and the first thing that he applied himself to , was to beautifie his imperial city of babylon , adding a new city to the old , which he compassed about with three walls , and made in them stately gates . and neer the former palace he built a new one , more stately than it , wherein he raised stone-works , like unto mountains , which he planted with all manner of trees . he made also pensile gardeus ( one of the worlds wonders ) born upon arches , foursquare , each square being four hundred foot long , filled above with earth , whereon grew all sorts of trees , and plants . the arches were built one above another in a convenient-heigth , still increasing as they ascended . the highest , which did bear the walls on the top , were fifty cubits high , so that they equalized the highest mountains . he made also aquaeducts for the watering of this garden , which seemed to hang in the air . this most sumptuous frame , which out-lasted all the remainder of the assyrian , and all the persian empire , is said to have been reared and finished in fifteen days . he erected also an image of gold in the plain of dura , sixty cubits high , and six broad , commanding all his servants , and subjects to fall down and worship it , dan. . , &c. but of all this , and other his magnificence , we find little else recorded , save that which indeed is most profitable for us to consider , to wit , his over-valewing of his own greatness , which abased him to a condition inferior to the poorest of men . for whereas god had honoured him , not only with many great , and glorious victories , and much happiness in his own life ; but with a rare discovery of things that were to come after him ; yea , and had manifested the certainty of his dreams , by the miraculous reducing of it into his memory , and given him the interpretation thereof by the prophet daniel : he notwithstanding became so forgetful of god , whose wonderful power he had seen , and acknowledged , that he caused that golden image to be set up , and worshipped , appointing a cruel death for them that should dare to disobey him , which was utterly unlawful , and repugnant to the law of him that is king of kings ; and thus he who so lately had worshipped daniel , the servant of god , as if he had been god himself : now commanded a statue to be erected unto himself , wherein himself might be worshipped as god : from this impiety it pleased god to recall and reclaim him , by the wonderful and miraculous delivery of those three blessed saints , out of the fiery furnace , who being thrown bound into the midst of it , for refusing to commit that abominable idolatry , were preserved from all hurt of the fire , loosened from their bonds , accompanied by an angel , and at last called out by the king , and restored to their former honour . nebuchadnezzar being amazed at the miracle , made a decree tending to the honour of god , whom by the erection of his image , he had dishonoured . yet was not this devotion so rooted in him , that it could bring forth fruit answerable to his hasty zeal : therefore was he fore-warned of god in a dream , of a terrible judgement which hung over his head , which daniel expounding , withall counselled him to break off his sin by righteousness , and his iniquities , by shewing mercy to the poor , that there might be a lengthening of his tranquility , dan. . . whence it seems , that injustice and cruelty were his faults , for which he was thus threatned : but neither did the dream , nor advice of daniel so prevail . for probably he believed it not , but looked upon it as an idle dream ; for that it seemed altogether unlikely that so great a monarch should be driven from amongst men , yea , compelled to dwell with the beasts of the field , and made to eat grass as the oxen , this was altogether incredible in mans judgment , and therefore giving so little heed to it , it s no marvel that he had forgotten it by the years end . one whole year was given to this haughty prince wherein to repent , which respiting of the execution , may seem to have bred in him forgetfulness of gods sentence . for at the end of twelve months , as he was walking in his royal palace in babel , he was so overjoyed , and transported with a vain contemplation of his own seeming happiness , that without all fear of gods heavy judgment pronounced against him , he uttered these proud words : is not this great babylon that i have built for the house of the kingdom , by the might of my power , and for the honour of my majesty ? but his proud speeches were not fully ended , when a voice from heaven told him , that his kingdom was departed from him , &c. and the same hour the thing was fulfilled upon nebuchadnezzar ; and he was driven from men , and did eat grass as oxen , and his body was wet with the dew of heaven , till his hair was grown like eagles feathers , and his nails like birds claws , dan. . , &c. this his punishment was singular , and unexpected . for he ran amongst beasts in the fields and woods , where , for seven years he lived , not only as a salvage man , but as a salvage beast : for a beast he thought himself to be , and therefore fed himself in the same manner , and with the same food that beasts do . not that he was changed in his external shape from a man to a beast . for as st. jerome well expounds it , when he saith , vers . . that his understanding was restored unto him , he shewed , that he had not lost his humane shape , but his understanding , being stricken with a frenzy , or deep melancholy , which made him think himself a beast . seven years being expired , nebuchadnezzar was restored both to his understanding , and to his kingdom : and ( saith he ) i blessed the most high , and i praised , and honoured him that liveth for ever , whose dominion is an everlasting dominion , and his kingdom is from generation to generation ; and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing , and he doth according to his will in the army of heaven , and amongst the inhabitants of the earth : and none can stay his hand , or say unto him , what dost thou ? at the same time my reason returned unto me ; and for the glory of my kingdom , mine honour , and brightness returned unto me , and my counsellors , and my lords sought unto me , and i was established in my kingdom , and excellent majesty was added unto me . now therefore i nebuchadnezzar praise , and extoll , and honour the king of heaven , all whose works are truth , and his way is judgement , and those that walk in pride he is able to abase , dan. . , , , . how long he lived after this is uncertain , but all agree that he reigned about twenty months co-partner with his father in the kingdom , and about three and forty years by himself alone . whilst nebuchadnezzar king of babylon reged in judaea , god prepared a worm , which in due time , should eat out this spreading tree ; by reason of the cry of his poor people , which entred into his ears : according to that of the psalmist , psal. . , . o daughter of babylon , who art to be destroyed : happy shall he be that rewardeth thee , as thou hast served us . happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones . for in this very year was cyrus , the perso-median born ; whose father was a persian , and his mother a mede ; of whom this very nebuchadnezzar , at the hour of his death , uttered this prophesie . there shall come a persian mule , who shall make use of your devils , as his fellow-souldiers , to bring you into bondage . he calls cyrus a mule , because he was to be born of a father and mother of two divers nations . the life and death of cyrus the great , the first founder of the persian empire . cyrus was the son of cambyses , king of persia , by mandanes the daughter of astyages , king of media ; he was so named by the prophet isay , almost two hundred years before he was born , isa. . , . thus saith the lord unto cyrus his anointed , &c. cyrus his first education was under his father cambyses , with whom he lived till he was twelve years old , and somewhat more ; at which time he was sent for , together with his mother mandanes , by his grandfather astyages , into media . in media he served astyages , first , as one of his halberdiers , and then as one of his armour-bearers , till he was called home into persia by his father cambyses , when as yet he had one year to spend at school ; and when he had spent seventeen years at school amongst boyes , he spent ten years more amongst youths . when cyrus was now almost sixteen years old , evilmerodach the king of assyria , being about to marry a wife called nicotris , made an in-rode , with a great army of horse and foot , into the borders of media , there to take his pleasure in hunting , and harrassing of the countrey : against whom , astyages , and cyaxares his son , and cyrus his grand-child , who then first began to bear arms , being but about fifteen or sixteen years old , marched out , met with him , and in a great battel overthrew him , and drave him out of his borders . indeed the death of nebuchadnezzar , the father of evilmerodach , gave courage to those that had found him a troublesome neighbour , to stand upon prouder terms with the babylonians , than in his flourishing estate they durst have used . but evilmerodach , being too proud to digest this loss which he had received by the medes , and their allies , the persians under cyrus , he drew unto his party the lydians , and all the people of the lesser asia , with great gifts and strong perswasions , hoping by their assistance to overwhelm his enemies with a strong invasion , whom in vain he had sought to weary out by a lingring war. the issue of these great preparations made by evilmerodach against the medes , was such as opened the way to the fulfilling divers prophesies which were many years before uttered against babel , by isay and jeremy . for the babylonians and their confederates , who , trusting in their numbers , thought to have buried the medes and persians under their thick showers of arrows and darts , were encountred with an army of stout and well trained men , weightily armed for close fight , by whom they were beaten in a great battel , wherein evilmerodach was slain . after which , that great empire that was raised and upheld by nebuchadnezzar , was grievously shaken and enfeibled under his unprosperous son , and left to be sustained by his grand-child belshazzar : a man more like to have overthrown it when it was greatest and strongest , than to repair it when it was in a way of falling . xenophon relates the matter thus , when the babylonian had enlarged his empire with many victories , and was become lord of all syria , and many other countreys , he began to hope , that if the medes could be brought under his subjection , there would not then be left any nation adjoyning able to make head against him . for the king of the medes was able to bring into the field sixty thousand foot , and ten thousand horse , to which the forces of persia being joyned , made an exceeding great army . considering therefore the strength of such a neighbour , he invited croesus , king of lydia , a prince very mighty both in men and treasure , and with him other lords of asia the less , to his assistance , alledging that those eastern nations were very powerfull , and so firmly conjoyned by league , and many alliances , that it would not be easie , no nor possible , for any one nation to resist them . with these suggestions , backed with rich presents , he drew to himself so many adherents , as he compounded an army of two hundred thousand foot , and sixty thousand horse : of which ten thousand horse , and forty thousand foot were brought by croesus , who had great cause of enmity against the medes , for that they had made great wars against his father allyattes . whereupon cyrus was by his father cambyses , and the council of the kingdom , made general of the persian army , and sent away into media with thirty thousand souldiers , and one thousand commanders , all of equal authority under him ; and when he came thither , he was also made by his uncle cyaxares , who had sent for him , general of the median forces , and the management of the war against the babylonian , was wholly committed to him : with this army he marched against evilmerodach , and his associates , and in a very bloody battel , overthrew them . in which defeat , evilmerodach , king of babylon , being slain , so many of his subjects revolted , that babylon it self could no longer be secured , but by the help of mercenaries , waged with great sums of money out of asia the less , egypt , and other countries , which new levied forces were also defeated , and scattered by cyrus , who following his advantage , possessed himself of a great part of the lesser asia . those persians which followed cyrus , and were by him levied , are reckoned to be thirty thousand foot , of which , one thousand were armed gentlemen ; the rest of the common sort were archers , and such as used the dart , or sling . croesus , notwithstanding the men lost , and the treasure spent in the quarrel of the babylonians , yet did he conquer aeolis , doris , and ionia , provinces possessed by the greeks in asia the less , adjoyning to his kingdom of lydia . he gave laws also to the phrygians , bithynians , carians , mysians , paphlagonians , and other nations . he also enforced the ephesians to acknowledge him for their lord ; he also obtained a signal victory against the sacaeans , a nation of the scythians ; all which he performed in fourteen years . and being now confident by reason of his good successes , and withall , envious at cyrus his fame and prosperity ; doubting also that his great victories might in the end grow perillous to himself , he consulted with the oracle of apollo , whom he presented with marvellous rich gifts , what success he might hope for in his undertakings against cyrus ; from whom he received this ambiguous answer , croesus , halym penetrans , magnam pervertet opum vim : croesus passing over the river halys , shall dissolve a great dominion : for the devil being doubtful of his success , gave him this riddle , which might be construed either way , to the ruine of persia , or of his own lydia . hereupon croesus ( interpreting it as he most desired ) resolved to stop the course of cyrus his progress , and therefore despised all the arguments used by sandanes to the contrary , who desired him to consider aforehand , that he provoked a nation inhabiting a barren and mountanous region ; a people not covered with the soft silk of worms , but with the hard skins of beasts ; not fed with meat to their fancies , but content with what they found ; drinkers of water , and not of wine ; and in a word , a nation warlike , patient , valiant , and prosperous , over whom , if he became victorious , he could thereby enrich himself in nothing but fame , in which he already excelled : and if by them he should be beaten and subdued , so great would his loss appear of all things , which the world makes account of , that the same could neither be hastily recounted , nor easily conceived . notwithstanding this solid , and seasonable counsel , croesus having prepared a powerful army , advanced with the same toward media : but in his passage he was retarded at pterium , a city in cappad●cia of great strength ; which whilst he attempted both by power and policy to take and conquer , cyrus came on , and found the lydians encamped before it . neither of these champions were inferior to other , either in strength or opinion . for out of doubt , croesus , as he excelled any prince of that age in riches and ability , so was he not inferiour unto any in territories and fame , that then lived . but kingdoms and commonwealths have their increase , and periods from divine ordinance . this time was the winter of croesus his prosperity , the leaves of his flourishing estate being ready to fall ; and that of cyrus but in the first spring and flower ; the god of all power had given a date to the one , and a beginning of glory to the other . when these two armies were in view each of other , after divers skirmishes had passed between them , the persians and lydians began to joyn together , and encounter each other in gross bodies ; and as either of them began to retreat , fresh supplies were sent in from both their kings . and as the persians had somewhat the better of the day , so when the dark vail of night had hidden each army from the others view , croesus doubting what success the rising sun might bring with it , quitted the field to cyrus , and with all speed possible , retreated towards his own countrey , and taking the next way thither , he recovered sardis , the first city of lydia , and his regal seat , without any pursuit made by cyrus to retard him ; where , being arrived , and nothing suspecting cyrus his approach , or any other war for that winter , he dismissed his army , and sent the troops of his sundry nations to their own provinces , appointing them to re-assemble at the end of five months , acquainting his commanders with his intent of renewing the war at the time appointed . the morning being come , cyrus finding that the lydians were departed , put his army in order to pursue after them , yet not so hastily , and at their heels , as to be discovered . but getting good intellegence of croesus his proceedings , he so ordered the matter , that he presented not himself before sardis , till such time as croesus had disposed of his army , and sent them to their winter quarters . his coming 〈◊〉 altogether unlooked for , and unfeared , he had opportunity enough to surround sardis with his army , wherein croesus had no other companies than the citizens , and his ordinary guards , insomuch as after fourteen days siege , cyrus took the city by storm , and put all to the sword that made resistance . croesus now having neither arms to fight , nor wings to fly , in this common calamity , he thrust himself into the heap , and multitude of his miserable subjects , and had undergone the same lot with the rest of the vanquished persons , had not a son of his , who had been dumb all his life before ( by the extremity of passion and fear ) cryed out to a common souldier , who was with a drawn sword pursuing his father , that he should not kill croesus . hereupon he was taken and imprisoned , and despoiled of all things , but only the expectation of death . shortly after he was bound with fetters , and placed upon a large and high pile of wood , to be burnt to ashes thereon . to which , when fire was set , and kindled , croesus remembring the discourse which long before he had with solon , the athenian lawgiver , he thrice cryed out , o solon , solon , solon , and being demanded what he meant by the invocation of solon , he at first used silence : but being urged again , he told them that now he found that true , which wise solon had long since told him ; that many men in the race and course of their lives might well be accounted fortunate , but no man could discern himself to be happy indeed till his end . of this his answer , cyrus being speedily informed , and thereby being put in mind of the mutability of fortune , and of his own mortality , he commanded his ministers of justice , speedily to withdraw the fire , and to save croesus , and bring him to his presence ; which being done , cyrus demanded of him , who it was that had perswaded him ? or what reason had instigated him to invade his territories , and to make him , of a friend , an enemy . to which croesus thus answered : it was thy prosperous , and my unprosperous destiny ( the grecian gods with all , flattering my ambition ) that were the inventers , and conducters of croesus war against cyrus . cyrus being much affected with this answer of croesus , and bewailing his estate , though he was victorious over him , did not only spare his life , but entertained him ever after as a king , and his companion ; thus herodotus relates it . but xenophon saith , that cyrus did entertain craesus friendly at the first sight , and makes no mention of any such cruel intent of burning him alive ; and this may seem the more probable , because crasus was his grandmothers brother , and it s very likely that neerness of alliance might withhold cyrus ( if he had been vicious , which he was not ) from so cruel a purpose as to have burnt him alive . when cyrus afterwards passed with his army over araxes into scythia , he left croesus to be a companion , and counseller to his son cambyses , whom he made governour over his empire in his absence , with whom he lived all the reign of cyrus , and did afterwards accompany cambyses in his expedition into egypt , where he hardly escaped his tyrannous hands . at this time the races of three of the greatest kings in that part of the world came to an end ; to wit , of the babylonians , medians , and lydians , in balthasar , xiaxares , or darius medus , and croesus . after this lydian war ensued the great conquest of babylon , which gave unto cyrus an empire so large , and mighty , that he was justly reputed the greatest monarch then living upon the earth . how long time the preparations for this great action took up , is uncertain , only it seems that ten whole years did pass between his taking of those two cities of sardis and babylon ; which time was not wholly spent in providing for the assyrian war , but much of it in setling the estates which he had already purchased ; ctesias also tells us , that during this time cyrus invaded scythia , and being victorious over that nation , he took amorges their king prisoner ; but being in a second battel overthrown by sparetha , the wife of amorges , himself was taken prisoner , and so one king was released for the other . gobrias about this time ( a nobleman , whose only son , the king of babylon , in his fathers life time , had in a hunting match , villainously slain ) together with his friends , revolted to cyrus . it s very probable also , that no small part of those troubles which sprang up in the lower asia , grew soon after cyrus his departure with his victorious army , before the conquest was fully established . for after cyrus was returned out of asia the less , many nations which were formerly conquered by croesus , and now by cyrus , revolted from him ; against whom he imployed pactias , and then harpagus , who first reduced the phocians under their former obedience ; and then the rest of the greeks that inhabited asia the less , as the jonians , carians , aeolians , and lycians , who , very resolutely ( according to the strength they had ) defended themselves ; but in the attempt upon babylon it self , it s not to be questioned but cyrus imployed all his forces , having taken order beforehand , that nothing should be able to divert him , or to raise that siege , or to frustrate that work upon which he did set all his rest . and great reason there was , that he should improve all his policy and strength unto the taking of that city , which , besides the fame and reputation that it held , as being the head of an empire , which depended thereupon , was so strongly fortified with a trebble wall of great heigth , and surrounded with the waters of euphrates , that were unfordable , and so plentifully victualled for many years , that the inhabitants were not only free from fear , and doubt of their estate , but through their confidence , they derided , and despised all the projects and power of their besiegers . for not long before , nicotris , the mother of belshazzar , a witty , and active woman , foreseeing the storm that was ready to fall upon babylon from the medes , to hinder their passing the river by boats into babylon , she turned the river euphrates , which before ran with a strait and swift course , drawing it through many winding channels , which she had cut for that purpose , whereby she made it to run more slowly than formerly it did : and then she raised a huge dam upon each side of the river ; and up the river from the city-ward , she digged a vast pond , which was every way three or four hundred furlongs wide , into which she turned the river , thereby leaving the old channel of the river dry ; which done , she fell to work , and fenced the banke within the city with brick-walls , and raised the water-gates , answerable in every point to the rest of the walls , which were made on the farther side of the channel , round about the city . she built also a stately , and magnificent bridge of stone in the midst of the city , which joyned to the kings houses , that stood on each side the river : and having finished all her works , and fortifications , she turned the river out of the pond into its right channel again . and now came cyrus to invade the country of babylon , and appeared before the walls of the city , and there challenged the king to a duel , or single combat , but he refused it . at this time gadatas , a noble man of babylon , whom belshazzar had gelt , upon a jealousie that he had of him with his wife , fell over to cyrus , in revenge whereof the babylonians sallied out , and fell upon his lands ; but cyrus set upon them , and routed them ; at which time the cadusii , whom cyrus had appointed to bring up the rear of his army , unknown to cyrus , set upon a country lying neer to the city ; but the king of babylon falling out upon them , cut them all off . yet cyrus quickly revenged the death of his men ; and then came to an agreement with belshazzar , to hold truce with the plough-men on both sides , and the war to go on between the souldiers only . after which , passing beyond the city , he took in three of their forts , and so returned into the confines of assyria , and media ; and thither , upon his invitation , came his uncle cyaxares , and was by him honourably received , and entertained in a pavilion , that had been the king of assyrias : and winter now approaching , they entred into consultation to provide things necessary to maintain the siege . the only hope of cyrus with his medes , and persians ( who despaired of carrying by assault a city so well , and strongly fortified , and manned ) was in cutting off all supplies of victuals , and other necessaries ; whereof , though the town was said to be stored sufficiently for more than twenty years , yet might it well be imagined , that amongst such a world of people as dwelt within those walls , one great want or other would soon appear amongst them , and vanquish the resolution of that unwarlike multitude . yet in expecting that success of this course , the besiegers were likely to endure much hardship , and travel , and that all in valn , if they did not keep strict watch , and sure guards upon all the avenues , and quarters of it . which that he might the better do , he caused presently a vast trench , both for bredth and depth to be cast round about the walls of the city , casting the earth ever towards his own army , and made store of bulworks all along upon it , for his guards to be upon : and then , dividing his whole army into twelve parts , he ordered that each of them should watch his moneth , by turn . and yet this was a very hard work , considering the vast circuit of those walls which they were to gird in , having neither men enough , nor yet sufficiently assured to their commander ; the consideration whereof ministred unto the babylonians matter of good pastime , when they saw lydians , phrygians , cappadocians , and others , quartered about their city to keep them in , who , having been their ancient friends , and allies , were more like to joyn with them , if occasion were offered , than to use much diligence on the behalf of cyrus , who had , as it were but yesterday ; laid upon their necks the galling yoke of servitude . whilst the besieged were thus pleasing themselves with this foolish-fansie , and vain mirth ( the ordinary forerunners of sudden calamity ) cyrus , who by god that set him on work , was made strong , valiant , constant , and inventive , devised , and by the labour of his men , digged so many channels as were capable of receiving the waters of euphrates , and so to draw the same from the walls of babylon , that thereby he might make his approaches the more facile , and assured , which , when by the labour of many hands he had performed , he waited for a fit time wherein to put in execution , what he had designed . for he had left in each of the trenches towards the river , certain banks , or heads uncut till he saw his opportunity . now belshazzar finding neither any want or weakness within the city , nor any possibility for his enemies without , to approach the walls by reason of the great river that surrounded them , he prepared an exceeding sumptuous feast , publick plays , and other pastimes , and thereto invited a thousand of his princes , or nobles , besides his wives , courtezans , and others of that trade . this he did , either to let the besiegers know that his provisions were sufficient , not only for all needful uses , but even for superfluity , and excess ; or because he hoped that his enemies by this time were discouraged , and even broken under their manifold disasters : or else he made this feast in honour of bell , his most adored idol : or lastly , because it was his birth , or coronation day : or for many , or most of these respects . yea , he was not contented to use , and shew such magnificence , as no prince else could equal , but he lifted up himself against the god of heaven , dan. . . for he , his princes , his wives , and his concubines , made carousing cups of the golden , and silver vessels which his grandfather nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was at jerusalem ; and in contempt of the lord of heaven , he praised his own puppets made of gold , and silver , and brass , and iron , and wood , and stone ; whilst belshazzar was thus triumphing , and had his brains well filled with vapours , he beheld a hand , which by divine power wrote upon the wall that was opposite to him , certain words which he understood not , wherewith , so great a fear , and amazement seized upon him , that the joynts of his loins were loosed , and his knees smote one against another ; which passion when he had in some measure recovered , he cryed aloud to bring in the astrologers , the chaldeans , and the southsayers , promising them great rewards , and the third place of honour in his kingdom , to him that could read , and expound the writing : but it exceeded their art , and skill . in this disturbance and astonishment the queen , hearing what had passed , came in , and observing what distraction the king was in , after reverence done , she used this speech ; o king live for ever ; let not thy thoughts trouble thee , nor let thy countenance be changed ; there is a man in thy kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods , and in the days of thy father light , and understanding , and wisdome like the wisdom of the gods was found in him , whom the king nebuchadnezzar thy father , the king i say , thy father made master of the magicians , the astrologers , the chaldeans , and the southsayers ; for as much as an excellent spirit , and knowledg , and understanding , in interpreting dreams , and shewing of hard sentences , and dissolving doubts were found in the same daniel , whom the king named belteshazzar . now let daniel be called , and he will shew the interpretation . this queen was either the grandmother , or the mother of belshazzar ; for it appears that she was not any of the kings wives , because she was absent from the feast , and in regard of her age , past banquetting , and dancing ; yet upon the report of the miracle , she came in to comfort , and cheer up the king ; and whereas daniel was forgotten , and neglected by others , of younger years , and latter times , this old queen remembred well , what daniel had done in the days of nebuchadnezzar ; grandfather to this belshazzar , and kept in mind , both his religion , and divine gifts . when daniel was brought into the kings presence , he said unto him : art thou that daniel , which art of the children of the captivity of judah ; whom the king my father brought out of jewry ? i have heard of thee that the spirit of the gods is in thee , and that light , and understanding , and excellent wisdom is found in thee ; and now the wise men and the astrologers have been brought in before me , that they should read this writing , and make known to me the interpretation thereof , but they could not do it : and i have heard of thee that thou canst make interpretations , and dissolve doubts : now if thou canst read the writing , and make known to me the interpretation thereof , thou shalt be clothed with scarlet , and have a chain of gold about thy neck , and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom . but daniel made answer in a far differing stile from that which he had used to his grandfather ; for the evil which he had foretold to nebuchadnezzar he wished that it might befal his enemies : but to this king ( whose contempt of god , and vicious life he hated ) he answered in these words ; let thy gifts be to thy self , and give thy rewards to another : yet i will read the writing to the king , and make known to him the interpretation : which yet before he did , he shewed him the cause of gods judgments against him , and the reason of this terrible sentence , whereof the king and all his wise men were utterly ignorant , the substance whereof is this ; that belshazzar , forgetting gods goodness to his father , whom all nations feared and obeyed , and yet for his pride , and neglect of those benefits , as he had deprived him of his estate and understanding ; so upon the acknowledgement of gods infinite power , he restored him to both again ; and thou his son ( said he ) o belshazzar , hast not humbled thy heart ; though thou knowest all this , but hast lifted up thy self against the lord of heaven , and they have brought thee vessels of his house before thee , and thou and thy lords , thy wives and thy concubines , have drunk wine in them , and thou hast praised the gods of silver , and gold , &c. and the god in whose hand thy ●reath is , and whose are all thy wayes , hast thou not glorified : then was the part of the band sent from him , and this writing was written , mene , mene , tekel , uphar●in , whereof this is the interpretation : mene , god hath numbred thy kingdom , and finished it : tekel , thou art weighed in the balances , and art found wanting : peres , thy kingdom is divided , and given to the medes and persians . the very evening , or night of this day , wherein belshazzar thus feasted , and wherein these things were done , cyrus , either by his espcials , or being inspired by god himself , whose ensign he followed in these wars , finding the time and opportunity fit for him , even whilst the kings head , and and the heads of his nobility , were no less distempered with the vapours of wine , than their hearts were with the fear of gods judgments , he caused all the banks , and heads of his trenches to be opened , and cut down with all speed and diligence , whereby that great river euphrates was quickly drawn dry , and himself , with his army , passing through the channel , which was now dry , without any opposition , they easily made their entrance into the city , finding none to disturb them ; invadunt urbem somno , vinoque sepultam : all the town lay buried in wine and sleep ; and such as came in the persians way , were put to the sword , unless they saved themselves by flight , as some did , who ran away crying , and filled the streets with an uncertain tumult . such of the assyrian lords as had formerly revolted from belshazzar to cyrus , did now conduct a selected company to the kings palace , which being easily forced by them , they rushed strait into the chamber where the king and his princes were banquetting , and there slew both him and them without mercy , who strove in vain to keep those lives which god had newly threatned to take away . now was that prophesie fulfilled , jer. . , , . the mighty men of babylon have forborn to fight ; they have remained in their holds ; their might hath failed ; they became as women ; they have burnt their dwelling-places ; her barrs are broken . one post shall run to meet another , and one messenger to meet another , to shew the king of babylon that his city is taken at one end . and that the passages are stopped ( viz. of the river euphrates ) and the reeds they have burnt with fire , and the men of war are affrighted . the prophet isay also , two hundred years before this subversion of babylon , in his forty seventh chapter , and elsewhere , describeth this destruction so feelingly and lively , as if he had been present , both at the terrible slaughter there committed , and had seen the great and unfeared change , and calamity of this great empire ; yea , and had also heard the sorrows and bewailings of every surviving soul , thereunto subject ; which prophesie he begins with these words ; come down , and sit in the dust , o virgin daughter of babylon , sit on the ground ; there is no throne ; o daughter of the chaldeans : for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate , &c. and though it cannot be doubted , that god used nebuchadnezzar and the chaldeans , as his instruments to punish the idolatry and wickedness of the iews , yet did he not forget that in the execution of gods judgments , they had used much rigour and extremity ; as we see , isa. . . i was wroth with my people ; i have polluted mine inheritance , and given them into thine hand ; thou didst shew them no mercy ; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid the yoke ; and again , i will rise up against them , saith the lord of hosts , and will cut off from babel the name , and the remnant , and the son , and the nephew : meaning evilmerodach and belshazzar . and again , isa. . , &c. every one that is found shall be thrust thorow ; and every one that is joyned to them shall be slain with the sword ; their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes , their houses shall be spoiled , and their wives ravished . behold , i will stir up the medes against them , which shall not regard silver , and as for gold , they shall not delight in it ; their bowes also shall dash the young men to pieces , and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb ; their eye shall not spare children . and babylon . the glory of kingdoms , and beauty of the chaldees excellency , shall be , as when god overthrew sodom , and gomorrah , &c. read also chapter fourteenth . no historian that was either present at this victory of cyrus , or that received the report from others truly as it was , could better describe , and leave the same to posterity after it was acted , than isay hath done in many parts of his prophesie , which were written two hundred years before any of these things were attempted . the greatness and magnificence of babylon , were it not by divers grave authors recorded , might seem altogether fabulous ; for it is reported for truth , that one part of the city knew not that the other was taken three dayes after ; which is not impossible , if we consider the vast circumference of it . diodorus siculus saith , that it was in compass three hundred and sixty furlongs , which make forty five miles . the walls were so thick , that six chariots might pass in front thereon , and they were three hundred sixty and five foot high , and were adorned , and beautified with one hundred and fifty towers . strabo gives a greater circuit , adding twenty five furlongs more to the former compass , reckoning it at three hundred eighty five furlongs , which makes forty eight miles and one furlong , herodetus finds the compass yet to be greater , namely , four hundred and eighty furlongs in circuit , the thickness of the wall he measures at fifty cubits , and the height at two hundred of the same regal cubits . for entrance , it had a hundred gates of brass , with posts and hooks to hang them on of the same metal ; and therefore did the prophet isay rightly intitle babylon , the princess , and glory of kingdoms , isa. . . & . . but when cyrus had won her , he stript her out of her princely robes , and made her a slave , dividing not onely her goodly houses , and her whole territory , with all the riches therein contained , amongst his souldiers ; but also bestowed the inhabitants themselves as bondslaves , upon those that had taken possession of their goods . cyrus having obtained this great , and signal victory , the glory of which was a reward for his service done for him who was the author of it , and of all goodness , and thereby translated the empire of the chaldeans to himself , according to the prophesies which went afore of him ; in this first year of his empire , he made a decree that the captive jews should return again into their own countrey of judea , and that they should build again the house of god in jerusalem , having now endured , and finished the seventy years captivity , foretold by the prophet jeremy , the tenour of which decree was thus ; thus saith cyrus king of persia ; the lord god of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth , and hath charged me to build him an house at jerusalem , which is in judah . who is there among you , of all his people ? let his god be with him , and let him go up to jerusalem , which is in judah , and build the house of the lord god of israel ( he is god ) which is at jerusalem : and whosoevèr remaineth in any place where he ●●journeth , let the men of his place help him with silver , and with gold , and with goods , and with beasts , besides the free-will offering for the house of god that is in jerusalem , ezra . . , , . he also brought forth , and restored the vessels of the house of the lord , which nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of the temple at jerusalem , and had put them into the house of his gods ; these were brought forth and numbred unto sheshhazzar the prince of judah ; and this is the number of them ; thirty chargers of gold , a thousand chargers of silver , nine and twenty knives , thirty basins of gold , silver basins of a second sort , four hundred and ten , and of other vessels a thousand ; all the vessels of gold and silver were five thousand and four hundred . the number of jews that then returned out of chaldea , under their leader zorobabel , the son of salathiel , and nephew to king jeconias , and joshua the son of josedech , the high priest , were about fifty thousand : and as soon as they arrived at jerusalem , they built an altar to the living god , and sacrificed thereon according to their law , and afterwards bethought themselves how to prepare materials for the building of the temple . cyrus having set all things in order at babylon , returned , through media , into persia , to his father cambyses , and his mother mandanes , who were yet living ; and from thence returning again into media , he married the only daughter and heir of cyaxares , and for dowry , had the whole kingdom of media given him with her ; and when the marriage was finished , he presently went his way , and took her with him ; and coming to babylon , from thence he sent governours into all his dominions ; into arabia he sent megabyzus ; into phrygia the greater , artacaman ; into lydia and ionia , chrysantas ; into caria , adusius ; into phrygia helle spontiaca , or the less , pharmicas ; but into cilicia and cyprus , and paphlagonia , he sent no persians to govern them , because they voluntarily , and of their own accord , took his part against the king of babylon ; yet he caused even them also to pay him tribute . cyrus having spent one whole year with his wife in babylon , gathered thither his whole army , consisting of one hundred and twenty thousand horse , and two thousand iron chariots , and six hundred thousand footmen ; and having furnished himself with all necessary provisions , he undertook that journey wherein he subdued all the nations inhabiting from syria to the red sea. the time that cyrus enjoyed in rest and pleasure after these great victories , and the attainment of his empire , is generally agreed upon by all chronologers to have lasted only seven years ; in which time he made such laws and constitutions , as differ little from the ordinances of all wise kings , that are desirous to establish a royal power to themselves and their posterity , which are recorded by xenophon . the last war , and the end of this great king cyrus , is diversly written by historians : herodotus and justin say , that after these conquests , cyrus invaded the massagets , a very warlike nation of the scythians , governed by tomyris , their queen : and that in an encounter between the persians , and these northern nomades , tomyris lost her army , together with her son spargapises , that was the general of it . in revenge whereof , this queen making new levies of men of war , and prosecuting the war against cyrus , in a second sore battel , the persians were beaten , and cyrus was taken prisoner , and that tomyris cut off his head from his body , and threw it into a bowl of blood , using these words ; thou that hast all thy time thirsted for blood , now drink thy fill , and satiate thy self with it . this war which metasthenes calls tomyrique , lasted about six years . but more probably , this scythian war was that which is mentioned before , which cyrus made against the scythians , after the conquest of lydia , according to ctesias , who calleth tomyris , sparetha , and makes the end of it otherwise , as you may see before . the same ctesias also recordeth , that the last war which cyrus made , was against amarhaeus , king of the derbitians , another nation of the scythians , whom , though he overcame in battel , yet there he received a wound whereof he died three dayes after . strabo also affirmeth , that he was buried in his own city of pesagardes , which himself had built , and where his epitaph was to be read in strabo's time , which he saith was this ; o vir , quicunque es , & undecunque advenis , neque enim te adventurum ignoravi : ego sum cyrus , qui persis imperium constitui ; pusillum hoc terrae , quo meum tegitur corpus , mihi ne invideas . o thou man , whosoever thou art , and whensoever thou comest , for i was not ignorant that thou shouldst come : i am cyrus that founded the persian empire : do not envy me this little earth with which my body is covered . when alexander the great returned from his indian conquests , he visited pesagardes , and caused this tomb of cyrus to be opened , either upon hope of great treasure supposed to have been buried with him , or upon a desire to honour his dead body with certain ceremonies ; when the sepulchre was opened , there was found nothing in it , save an old rotten target , two scythian bows , and a sword. the coffin wherein his body lay , alexander caused to be covered with his own garment , and a crown of gold to be set upon it . cyrus finding in himself that he could not long enjoy the world , he called unto him his nobility , with his two sons , cambyses and smerdis , and after a long oration , wherein he assured himself , and taught others , about the immortality of the soul , and of the punishments and rewards following the ill , and good deservings of every man in this life ; he exhorted his sons , by the strongest arguments he had , to a perpetual concord and agreement , many other things he uttered , which makes it probable , that he received the knowledge of the true god from daniel , whilst he governed susa in persia ; and that cyrus himself had read the prophesie of isay , wherein he was expresly named , and by god pre-ordained for the delivery of his people out of captivity ; which act of delivering the jews , and of restoring of the holy temple , and the city of jerusalem , was in true consideration the noblest work that ever cyrus performed . for in other actions he was an instrument of gods power , used for the chastising of many nations , and the establishing of a government in those parts of the world , which yet was not to continue long : but herein he had the favour to be an instrument of gods goodness , and a willing advancer of his kingdom upon earth , which must last for ever . cyrus had issue two sons , cambyses and smerdis , and three daughters , atossa , meroe , and artistona . at his death he bequeathed his empire to his eldest son cambyses , appointing smerdis , his younger son , to be satrapa , or lieutenant of media , armenia , and cadusia . he reigned about one and thirty years , and died aged . the greek historians wholly ascribe the conquest of babylon to cyrus , because that he commanded the army in chief ; yet the scriptures attribute it to darius , king of the medes , whose general cyrus was : for when babylon was taken , and belshazzar slain ; it 's said , dan. . . that darius the median took the kingdom , being about sixty two years old . it was darius also that placed officers over the several provinces thereof , as we read , dan. , , . it pleased darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes , which should be over the whole kingdom , and over these , three presidents , of whom daniel was the first , &c. and thus was it prophesied by isay long before ; behold ! i will stir up the medes against them , &c. and by the prophet jeremy ; the lord hath raised up the spirit of the king of the medes : for his device is against babylon , &c. jer. . . and again , verse . prepare against her the nations , with the kings of the medes , the captains thereof , and all the rulers thereof , and all the land of his dominion . but certain it is , that the honour of that great victory over babylon , was wholly given to cyrus , who was the instrument pre-ordained , and forenamed by god himself : not onely for this action ; but also for the delivery of his church : yet daniel makes it plain , that himself , not onely lived a great officer under king darius , but that he continued in that estate to the first year of cyrus , which was not long after , which also was the year of daniels death . as for the age of cyrus , we are beholding to tully for it ; who , in his first book de divinatione , cites it out of one dionysius , a persian writer , in this manner . the sun ( saith dionysius ) appeared unto cyrus in his sleep , standing at his feet ; which , when cyrus thrice endeavoured to take in his hands , the sun still turned aside , and went away : and the magi , who were the most learned men amongst the persians , said , that by his thrice offering to take hold of the sun , was portended to him that he should reign thirty years ; which came to pass accordingly : for he lived to the age of seventy years , and began not to reign till he was forty . in the first year of belshazzar , daniel had the vision shewed him of the four beasts , signifying the four monarchies ; and of god delivering over all power and sovereignty to the son of man , dan. . in the third year of belshazzar , the vision of the ram and goat , fore●●ewing the destruction of the persian monarchy by alexander the great , and the great misery which antiochus should bring upon the people of god , was shewed to daniel , living then at susa , in the province of elam , upon the bank of the river ulai , which environed the castle of susa , and parted the provinces of susa and elemais , dan. . whence we may collect , that at that time the province of susa was not in the hands of the medes and persians , but of the babylonians , under whom daniel then lived . darius the mede , son of cyaxares , or ahasuerus the son of astyages , took upon him the kingdom , which was delivered over to him by cyrus , the conqueror , dan. . . and . . the angel , in this first year of his reign , is said to have confirmed , and strengthened him in his kingdom , dan. . . after which he reigned two years . towards the end of the first year of darius the mede , the seventy years of the babylonish captivity expired , which began under jehoiakim , in the first year of nebuchadnezzar , at which time god promised that they should return into their own countrey , jer. . . thus saith the lord , that after seventy years be accomplished at babylon , i will visit you , and perform my good word towards you , in causing you to return to this place . upon consideration of which very time , now so near approaching , it was , that daniel poured out that most fervent prayer for the remission of his own sins , and of his peoples ; and for that promised deliverance out of their captivity : whereupon the angel gabriel brought him an answer , not only concerning this , but also for the spiritual deliverance of the church , to be wrought at last by the death of the messias , uttering that most famous , and memorable prophesie of the seventy weeks , dan. . , &c. the samaritans , by the means of some courtiers about cyrus , whom they had bribed for that purpose , disturbed the jews in their building of the temple , ezra . . whence proceeded that three weeks mourning of the prophet daniel , which fast he begun about the third day of the first moneth , in the third year of cyrus , dan. . , . after which , upon the four and twentieth day of the first moneth , that vision of the kings of persia , of alexander the great , and his successours , and their kingdoms , was shewed and revealed unto daniel , as he stood upon the bank of hiddikel , or tygris ; all which is contained in the three last chapters of daniel ; which ( as may be collected out of the close thereof ) was the last vision that ever he had , and that but a little before his death . the life and death of artaxerxes mnemon , one of the great monarchs of persia . there were two artaxerxes's that were monarchs of persia ; the first was called artaxerxes longimanus , or long-hand , because his right hand was longer than his left . the second ( whole life we are now setting forth ) was called artaxerxes mnemon , from his excellent memory . this artaxerxes was the son of darius ochus , begotten by him on the body of parysatis , before he came to be king : and parysatis was the daughter of the first artaxerxes . darius had by his wife parysatis four sons , of the which the eldest was this ataxerxes , the second was called cyrus , the two younger ostanes , and oxathres . this artaxerxes before he came to the kingdom , was called arsaces , but after he came to the kingdom he assumed the name of artaxerxes : darius ochus raigned nineteen years , and dyed at babylon . when he lay on his death-bed , his son artaxerxes asked him by what wisdom and policy he had maintained his state so long , to the end ( said he ) that having learned by you , i may follow your steps therein ? to whom darius answered , that he had done it , by doing right to god and man. cyrus from his childhood was of an hot stirring disposition , and artaxerxes on the contrary was alwayes mild and gentle . wherefore parysatis always loved her son cyrus more than the elder , and therefore often urged her husband darius ochus to follow the example of darius hystaspes , to leave him to succeed in the kingdom , who was first born , after he came to be king , and not him who was born before . this indeed did help xerxes to the kingdom : wherefore she urged this example to induce her husband to leave the kingdom to cyrus , who was born after his father was crowned king , and not unto arsaces , who was born before : yet could she never prevail . for darius , by his last will , gave the kingdom to his eldest son artaxerxes , and made cyrus governour of lydiae , and the king leiutenant general of all the lower countries of asia , next to the sea side . shortly after the death of darius , the new king artaxerxes went unto pasargades , there to be consecrated , and a●ointed king by the priests of persia . at this place was a temple dedicated to minerva , where the new kings must be consecrated , after this manner : when he came into the temple he must put off his own gown , and put on that which the first and great cyrus wore before he was king then he must eat of a certain tart or fricacy made of figs with turpentine . then he must take a drink made with vinegar and milk , besides some other secret ceremonies , which none knew but the priests themselves . now when artaxerxes was ready to enter into the temple , tisaphernes came to him , and brought him one of the priests ; who had been schoolmaster to cyrus in his youth , who informed him that cyrus had conspired treason against him , and that he meant traiterously to kill him in the temple when he should put off his gown . upon this accusation cyrus was apprehended , and condemned : but as he was going to execution , his mother took him in her armes , and wound the hair of her head about his neck , wherewith she tyed him fast to her , and withall , she wept so bitterly , and made such pittiful mone to the king her son , that at her intercession , he granted to cyrus his life , and sent him again to his government in the lesser asia . yet cyrus was not satisfied with this , but shortly after entered into open rebellion against the king his brother ; for which end he kept souldiers in pay in divers places , not bringing them altogether into one army , because he desired to conceal his enterprise . he had also friends , and servants that levied him men in divers places , and under divers pretences . he had his mother alwayes about the king that cleared all suspitions conceived against him . himself also whilst he made these preparations , wrote very humbly to his brother ; one while craving somthing of him , and another while accusing tisaphernes , to delude the king , and make him believe that he bent all his malice against the said tisaphernes . artaxerxes at his first coming to the crown , followed and imitated the goodness , and curtesie of the first artaxerxes , giving easie audience unto suitors , and more honourably rewarding those that had deserved well of him : and he used such moderation in punishing offenders , that he made it appear that he punished not out of any malicious mind , or desire of revenge , nor yet out of a will to hurt any man. when he had any thing given him he took it very thankfully , and did as willingly and frankly give to them again : for how small a thing soever was offered him , he took it well . one romises upon a time presenting him with a marvellous fair pomgranate : by the sun ( said he ) this man in a short time of a little town would make a great city , if he were made governour of it . at another time a poor labourer seeing every man give the king a present , he having nothing to give , ran to the river side and took both his hands full of water , and came and offered it to the king , who took it so kindly , that in a cup of massey gold , he sent him a thousand daricks , which were pieces of gold so called , because the image of darius was stamped upon them . and when one euclidas a lacedemonian , presumed to give him bold words , he answered by one of his captains , thou maist say what thou listest , and i , as king may say and do what i list . another time as he was hunting , tiribazus shewed the king his gown that was all tattered : well ( said the king ) what wouldst thou have me do ? i pray your grace ( said tiribazus ) take you another and give me that you have on . the king did so , adding , tiribazus , i give thee my gown , but i command thee not to wear it : but tiribazus being a foolish , light-headed fellow , not caring for the kings commandment , did strait put on the gown , and besides , set on many jewels which kings only used to wear , whereupon every one in the court murmured at him , because it was a presumption , directly against the laws of persia : yet the king did but laugh at it , saying , i give thee leave tiribazus to wear those women gawds as a woman , and the kings robe as a fool. it was the manner in persia , that no person sat at the kings table but his mother ( which sat uppermost ) and his wife which sat lowermost , but artaxerxes made his two younger brethren , ostanes and oxathres to sit with him , which much pleased the persians , but especially , because he was contented that his wife statira should sit openly in her chariot , that she might be seen and reverenced by the other ladies of the court , and country . but some that hated peace and desired innovations , said , that the realm of persia , needed such a prince as cyrus , that was bountiful , given to arms , and that liberally rewarded his servants . at this time all the cities of jonia , except miletus , which were under the government of tisaphernes , fell from him to cyrus : and cyrus sent to artaxerxes , praying him that he would be pleased to trust him , being his brother , with those cities , rather than tisaphernes , and in this suit his mother also sticked hard for him : all this while the king discerned not the treason intended against him ; but thought that cyrus kept his army about him to strengthen him against tisaphernes , and he was well content that they two should try it out between themselves ; for cyrus did daily send the king the tribute of those cities , which tisaphernes formerly held . but in the mean time cyrus sent to lacedemon , praying them , that as he had hitherto supported them with men and money against the athenians , so now they would send him some men , boasting if they sent him foot , he would give them horses , if horsemen , he would give them coaches . if they had lands he would give them townships : if towns , he would give them cities for their rewards : and for their wages , they should have it , not by tale , but by weight , and paid down presently . hereupon the lacedemonians jndging his request but equal , and that this war would tend to their advantage , they decreed him aid , and the ephori sent presently to their admiral at samos , to do whatsoever cyrus required of him : he therefore with his ships put over to ephesus , where he met with tamos the aegyptian , who was admiral with cyrus , and offered him his service , joyning his fleet to his : and so they both sailed round about the coast of jonia , unto cania , whereby they prevented syenesis ( who governed there ) that he could not stir to hinder cyrus in his march against his brother . cyrus having now his army in readiness , resolved to march into upper asia , giving out , that he went against the pisidians , who ( as he said ) made often inrodes into his government : he sent for clearchus of lacedemonia , aristippus of thessaly , xenes of arcadia , those which were banished from miletus , and the army that lay before that city : proxenus also a booetian , with all the power he could make , both of grecians and others , to repair speedily to him to sardis . but tisaphernes seeing greater preparations made than a bare going against the pisidians could require , taking with him five hundred horse , made all the speed that possibly he could to artaxerxes , informing him of his danger , who thereupon presently prepared for the wars . cyrus in the mean time left some trusty persians , his friends , to look to lydia , and tamos , his admital , to take care of the cities of jonia and eolia in his absence , and himself with his army marched towards caria , and pisidia , still giving it out , that some persons in those parts were grown unruly . he had in his army a great number of his own , besides thirteen thousand grecians ; when news of his approach was brought to the court , all was strait in an uproar . many accused the queen-mother as having a hand in it , and all her servants were vehemently suspected : but that which troubled parysatis most , was queen statyra , her daughter in law , who stormed exceedingly when she saw this war begun against her husband , and cryed out on the queen-mother for it : parysatis hereupon , being a cruel and malicious woman , so hated her hence forwards , that she sought her death by all means . cyrus in the mean time came on ( without resistance ) even to the city of babylon : and whereas artaxerxes had determined to retire into the farthest parts of persia , tiribazus was the first that durst tell him that he should not shun the fight , lerving to his enemies the kingdomes of media , babylon , and susa , considering that he had a greater army than cyrus , and far more skilful captains : which words made the king to alter his mind , and to resolve to give battel so soon as he could . cyrus coming with his army to the river cayster , received money from epiaxa , wife to syenesis , the king of cilicia , wherewith he paid his army full four months wages : and by her perswasion her husband syenesis gave him also a vast summ of money towards the maintenance of his army : and like a wise man , at the same time he supplied artaxerxes with necessaries for the war : and having two sons , he sent one of them to cyrus , with a competent number of men for his service , and the other he sent privily away to artaxerxes , to let him know , that having such an army come upon him , he durst not but keep fair with cyrus , nevertheless that he continued a true servant in heart to artaxerxes , and would fall to him so soon as he had opportunity . at tarsus the grecians ( who were eleven thousand corselets , and two thousand targateers ) told cyrus plainly , that they would march no farther ; but by the wisdom of clearchus they were perswaded to go on , and so they came to issus , the utmost city of cilicia : where cyrus's fleet met him , bringing great supplies to him , and the straights of syria being abandoned , cyrus marched without any stop to the place where the fight shortly after was . cyrus , besides the grecians before mentioned , had in his army one hundred thousand fighting men , and two hundred hooked chariots . of artaxerxes his part there were four hundred thousand men , and fifteen hundred hooked chariots : the place where the fight was , was called cyanaxa , five hundred furlongs from babylon . cyrus his men were marvelously astonished when they saw the army of artaxerxes in such excellent good order , whereas themselves were dispersed here and there , stragling without any order , and ill armed , trusting too much to themselves and dispising their enemies : so that cyrus had much ado to set his men in battel array , and yet was it with great noise , and tumult . but of all others the grecians wondred most , when they saw the kings army march in so good order of battel without any noise : for they thought to have seen them in great disorder , and confusion , and supposed that they would have made such a noise as one could not have heard another : whereas artaxerxes had marshalled his army excellent well . he had placed before his battel his best chariots armed with sithes , and drawn by the strongest and biggest horses he had , hoping by their fierceness and fury to disorder the ranks of his enemies . before the battel began , clearchus ( general of the grecians ) advised cyrus to keep behind his squadron , and not to hazard his person amongst his own men : to whom cyrus answered : what saist thou clearchus ? what wouldst thou have me who strive to be a king , to shew my self unworthy to be a king ? but clearchus himself committed as great , if not a worse fault , whenas he would not order his men directly against the battel of the enemy where artaxerxes was , but pent them up by the rivers side , for fear least they should be compassed in behind , whereas , if the grecians had been set in opposition to the king , he had never been able to endure their charge , but had either been slain or forced to fly , wherefore if artaxerxes would have chosen or wished a place where the grecians might have done him less hurt , he could not have devised a fitter place that was so far from him , and from whence the grecians could neither see nor hear what was done in the place where he was , as afterwards appeared . cyrus being mounted upon an hot , and hard mouthed horse , the governour of the province of the caducians spyed him afar off , and clapping spurs to his horse , he came with a full career to him , crying out , o traytor and most unfaithful man ! thou dishonourest the name of cyrus , for that thou hast brought such valiant grecians upon so wicked an enterprise , to spoil the persians goods , and to destroy thy soveraign lord and only brother , who hath an infinite number of slaves , and servants that are honester men than thy self , and that thou shalt presently know by experience , for thou shalt die before thou seest the kings face , and therewithall he threw his dart at him with all his force : but the armour of cyrus was so good that it pierced not , yet the blow made him stagger on his horse back . artagerses having given him this blow , presently wheeled about : but cyrus threw a dart at him so happily that he slew him , the head of his dart passing quite through his neck . cyrus hereupon presently slew upon those that were neerest to the kings person , and came so near the king that he flew his horse under him : but tiribazus presently mounted the king upon another horse , and cyrus , clapping spurs to his horse , threw another dart at the king and hit him : but at the third charge artaxerxes told them about him that he could not abide this , and that he had rather die than suffer it , and thereupon he spurred his horse to charge cyrus , ( who also came fiercely against him ) and threw his dart at him , as also did all those that were about the king , and so was cyrus slain in this conflict . now after cyrus was dead , artasyras , one of the kings eunuchs , passing by , found his dead body , whereupon he gallopped apace to the king , and with a smiling countenance told him the news . artaxerxes was so joyful that he would needs go to the place to see it : but he was advised not to go in person ; for fear of the grecians , who carried all before them , and were killing those that had fled before them . upon this advice the king stayed ; and sent thirty men with torches in their hands to seek him out . the king was very ill , both by reason of the great thirst he suffered ; as also by reason of a wound that he had received in his breast by cyrus : one of his eunuchs therefore , called satribarzenes ran up and down to see if he could get any water for him : and as he ran here and there , he met with same poor slaves of the caunians , amongst which , one had in an old ragged goats skin about eight glasful of stinking naughty water : this he presently carried to the king , who drank it up every whit , and his eunuch asking him afterwards if that naughty water did him no hurt ? the king swore by the gods , that he never drank better wine , nor sweeter water than that was , nor that pleased him better : and therefore ( said he ) i beseech the gods , if it be not my hap to meet with this man that gave thee this water , to reward him , that yet it will please them to send him good fortune . as the king was thus talking with the eunuches , the thirty men with torches returned , who assured him of the death of cyrus : multitudes also of his souldiers gathered about him , so that he began to be couragious and with an infinite number of torches and lights about him , he went to the place where the body of cyrus lay , and caused his head and right hand to be stricken off , and taking the head by the hair , he shewed it to his men , who were yet flying : they taking courage hereby , so flocked about the king , that in a short time he had seventy thousand souldiers about him , with whom he returned again towards the camp of cyrus , which he rifled , and there met with a concubine of cyrus , a woman famous for wit and beauty : she was a phocaean , born in ionia : her name at first was mitto , but cyrus called her aspasia : she was brought bound to the king , for which he was so angry , that he imprisoned those that bound her , and ever after esteemed her above all the harlots he kept ( who were in number three hundred and sixty , all choice beauties ) and most doted on her . the brigade of grecians , not knowing what had befallen cyrus , kept on fighting still , and had beaten tisaphernes and all his power . but the king coming with the main of his army to the relief of tisaphernes , fell upon the grecians camp , and rifled it , yet when they returned from the pursuit , they recovered it , and beat the king out again , and lodged supperless in it that night , as well as dinnerless the day before . artaxerxes after this battel sent rich gifts unto the son of artagerses , whom cyrus had slain with his own hands . he caused also the poor caunian slave that had given him the stinking water , to be sought out , and of a poor wretch , and unknown before , he made him a rich nobleman . he punished such severely as had offended against martial discipline . and one arbaces a median , who at the first ran over to cyrus , and after his death he returned to artaxerxes again , for punishment , he compelled him to carry a whore on his back , stark naked all day long about the market place : and for one who had yielded himself to his enemies , and yet falsly boasted that he had slain two , he caused his tongue to be boared through in three places . artaxerxes thinking that himself had slain cyrus , and being desirous that all others should think so too , he sent presents to mithridates , who had first hurt him in the fore-head , commanding the messenger to tell him from the king , the king sends thee these presents , because thou didst first find the caparisons of cyrus his horse , and broughtest them to the king. the carian likewise that had cut cyrus his hamm , which made him fall to the ground , asked his reward also , which the king gave him , and bad the messenger tell him , the king gives thee this , because thou wast the second person that brought him the good news of the death of cyrus . now mithridates , though he was not well pleased with the message , said nothing for the present , but the unhappy carian , in a foolish vain , being overjoyed with the rich presents , said , that he would not take them as a reward for bringing the news , but called the gods to witness , that he was the man , and the onely man that slew cyrus , and that he did him great wrong to take that honour from him . the king was so incensed hereby , that he commanded some presently to strike off his head : but parysatis ( the queen-mother ) said , let me alone with the villain , i will chastise him well enough : and withall she sent serjeants , who hung him in chains for ten dayes together , then caused his eyes to be pulled out of his head ; and lastly , poured molten lead into his ears , and so killed him . not long after , mithridates was invited to a fcast , where many of the kings and queen-mothers eunuchs were , and mithridates fat in the golden gown which the king had sent him : and after supper , as they were drinking freely , one of the queen-mothers eunuchs said to him , mithridates , the king hath given thee a rich gown , goodly chains , and carckenets of gold , and every rich , so that every one thinks thee a happy man with them . mithridates answered ; what meanest thou by this , sparamixes ? i deserved better than these when the battel was fought . why ? ( said sparamixes ) what so valiant an act was it to take up a caparison of a horse that fell to the ground , and to carry it to the king : mithridates being a cholerick man , and his brain heat with wine , answered : you may talk as long as you list of a caparison of a horse , but i tell you plainly that cyrus was slain with my own hands , and with no mans else . for i hit him not in vain , as artagerses did , but full in the forehead , hardby the eye , which pierced through his head , of which blow he died . the envious eunuch at his departure told this to parysatis , who went presently and told it to the king. he was marvellously angry to lose the thing that was most honourable ; and that best pleased him in his victory . for he desired that all the world should believe , that though his brother hurt him , yet he slew his brother with his own hand : he therefore commanded that mithridates should suffer the death by boats , which was thus ; they took two boats of equal size , and laying the offender in one of them upon his back , they covered him with the other , and fastned both boats together , that his feet , hands , and head came out at holes made on purpose : then they gave him meat as much as he would eat , which if refused , they thrust awls into his eyes to force him : and when he had eaten , they gave him honey and milk to drink , pouring it also all over his face , and turned his face full into the sun , which was covered over with flyes sucking at it . in his excrements also that came from him , worms did breed , which devoured his flesh : and when they see the man is dead , they take off the upper boat , and find all his flesh devoured to his very intrails . mithridates thus miserably languished for seventeen dayes together , and then died , with much torment . now parysatis , to satisfie her revenge , had only mesabates to r●ak her teen on , who was one of the kings eunuchs , who , at his command , had cut off cyrus his head and hand : but he was so wary , that she could get no advantage against him , wherefore she invented this device . she was very skilful in playing at cards and dice , and finding the king one day at leisure , she enticed him to play at dice with her for a thousand daricks , and was contented willingly to lose them , and paid them down . then she prayed him to play with her for one of his eunuchs : the king was contented , but they agreed that each of them should name five of the chiefest whom they would except , and then the loser should presently deliver to the winner the choice of all the other eunuchs they had . now did she play so warily and cunningly , that she wan the game , and then required mesabates to be delivered to her , being none of those whom the king excepted . and when she had him , she delivered him to the hangman , commanding him to flea him alive , and then to nail him to a cross , and crucifie him , and to hang his skin by him , which was done accordingly . the king was marvellously angry when he knew it , and was grievously offended with his mother . but queen statyra spared not to tell the queen-mother plainly , that it was wickedly done of her to put the kings true and faithful servant to so cruel a death , for cyrus sake . yet parysatis laughed it out , saying to her son , indeed it becomes thee well to be angry for an old gelded villain , whereas i lost a thousand daricks , and said never a word for it . in brief , she would never be out of her sons sight , but as little as might be , and would let his wife statyra have as little time with him as possible , that she might govern him as she would ; because she hated her of all creatures living , as also for that she would bear the greatest sway and credit about him . tisaphernes having deceived clearchus , and the other captains of the greeks , by falsifying his word and promise given to them , he sent them bound to the king , who cast them into prison : and though parysatis was an earnest suitor to the king her son for them , yet at the perswasion of his wife statyra , he put them all to death but menon . parysatis had for a long time born implacable and inveterate hatred against statyra , for that she had more love and respect from the king than her self , so that she determined , that either her self or her daughter in law must dye . now statyra had a maid called gingis , or gigis , who was very gracious with her , and whom parysatis made use of in poysoning statyra . there is a little bird in persia called rhindaces , that hath no excrements at all , but all her guts are stuffed full with fat : one of these birds , as she sat at table with statyra , she ( or one of her maids ) took and cut in two , with a knife that was poysoned on the one side , and so gave that half which was towards that poisoned side to her daughter , and did eat the other her self ; shortly after which , the queen died in extream torments : and the king presently suspected his mother for it , knowing her cruel and implacable disposition ; and he caused her servants and carvers to be examined , and wracked about it : but parysatis kept gingis a long time in her own chamber , and though the king required her , yet would she not give her up to justice ; till at last gingis her self desiring to steal to her own lodging in the night , she was apprehended , and punished as a poysoner . as for his mother , the king neither did , nor said any hurt unto her : but when she desired to retire her self to babylon , the king gave it her , but withall , swore to her , that while she lived , he would not come thither . artaxerxes , for his good service in the war , gave to tisaphernes all the governments which his brother cyrus had held , besides what he had before : he heaped also many other large gifts and favours upon him ; and above all , gave him his own daughter to wife , and ever after used him as his most confident friend and servant . now artaxerxes having done the utmost he could to overcome those grecians whom his brother cyrus had brought into the heart of his dominions , yet could he never prevail against them : for though they had lost cyrus who entertained them , and all their captains that led them ; yet did they choose other captains , whereof xenophon was one , and made their retreat in spite of all the power of persia : whereupon all the other grecians waxed bold , and despised those barbarous people : and the lacedemonians thought it a great shame to them , if they did not deliver the grecians that dwelt in asia from the slavery and bondage of the persians : for which end , they sent thither their king agesilaus , who passing into asia with his ships , began presently to make hot war against the persians , and in the first conflict he overthrew tisaphernes , and caused most of the cities of the greeks in those parts to rebell against him . artaxerxes being informed hereof , considered seriously how he might prevent this mischief , and at last resolved upon this as his only course . he sent into greece , one hermocrates , a rhodian , with a very great sum of gold and silver , which he was bountifully to bestow amongst the nobility , and chief rulers of the cities of greece , to provoke them to rise up against the lacedemonians . this hermocrates so wisely managed his business ; that he made the chiefest cities of greece to rebell against the lacedemonians ; so that all peloponnesus being in arms , the ephori at lacedaemon were enforced to send for agesilaus home again . agesilaus being sorry that he lef asia , said unto his friends : that the king of persia had driven him out of his dominions with thirty thousand archers : and this he said , because the persian coin was stamped on the reverse with an archer , having a bow in his hand . artaxerxes also drave out the lacedemonians from all their jurisdiction by sea , by the help of conon the athenian admiral , whom pharnabazus ( one of his lieutenants ) had procured to take his part . this conon having been overthrown in a battel at a place called the goats river , kept ever after in the isle of cyprus , as being the meetest place to slay in , till the wars of greece were ended . he knowing that himself lacked power , and that artaxerxes wanted a man of judgment to be employed , he wrote letters to him , wherein he advised him what to do . these letters were delivered to artaxerxes by ctesias , who was presently sent to assist conon . and it fell out , that after artaxerxes had , through the conduct of conon and pharnebazus , won the battel by sea , near to the isle of gnidus , and thereby had driven the lacedemonians from their lordship of the sea , all greece had him in marvellous great estimation , so that he gave to the grecians such conditions as he pleased , whereupon that famous peace , called antalcid as peace , was concluded . this antalcidas was a citizen of sparta , who , favouring the affairs of artaxerxes , procured by this treaty of peace , that the lacedemonians should leave to artaxerxes all the grecian cities in asia , and all the isles belonging thereunto , and to cause them to pay him tribute at his pleasure . this peace being concluded with the grecians , king artaxerxes , though he extreamly hated the lacedemonians , yet he loved antalcidas very well , and entertained him honourably , when he came to him into persia. one day the king took a garland of flowers , and wet it in the most precious and sweetest oyl of perfume , that was prepared for the feast , and sent it to antalcidas : indeed he was a meet man to follow the vanity and curiosity of the persians . shortly after , the lacedemonians lost the battel at leuctres , and therewith the principality which they had kept so long over all greece . when sparta flourished most , and was chief of all the other grecian cities , so long did artaxerxes continue to make much of antalcidas , and called him his friend : but when the lacedemonians had lost the battel at leuctres , having received so great a blow , and wanting money , they sent agesilaus into egypt , and antalcidas into persia , to king artaxerxes to pray him to aid and assist the lacedemonians : but he made so small account of him , and disdained him so much , denying his request , that he returned to sparta with shame and dishonour : and there also , seeing that his enemies did mock him , and fearing that the ephori would commit him to prison , he killed himself with famine . about the same time , the thebans , having under epaminondas won the battel at leuctres , sent ismenias and pelopidas into persia to king artaxerxes , where pelopidas did nothing unworthy himself : but ismenias , being commanded to kneel to the king , let fall his ring at his feet , and stooped to take it up , whereby some thought that he did it to kneel to the king. at another time , artaxerxes , liking well a secret advertisement sent him from timagoras the athenian , he gave him ten thousand daricks by his secretary belluris : and because he had a sickly body , and was forced to drink cows milk to restore him ; the king therefore sent him eighty milch kine , that he might have fresh milk every day . he sent him also a bed , with all things belonging thereto , and grooms of his chamber to make his bed , saying , that the grecians knew not how to make it . he also sent him men to carry him upon their arms to the sea-side , because he was sick : and whilst he was at court , he entertained him very honourably , and bountifully . but the athenians afterward condemned timagoras to dye , because he had taken bribes of the king of persia. but artaxerxes , though he had in many other things vexed the grecians , yet he did one thing that pleased them exceeding well , when he did put tisaphernes to death , who was the greatest enemy they had . parisatis , the kings mother , did help to bring this to pass ; aggravating the accusations which were brought against tisaphernes , out of the hatred which she did bear him for her son cyrus his sake : for the king did not keep his anger long against her , but sent for her from babylon , knowing that she had an excellent wit , and was fit to govern a kingdom : besides , there was nothing now to hinder their coming together , his wife being dead . and now parysatis applyed her self to feed the kings humour in every thing , seeming to mislike nothing that he did : by this means she grew into so great credit with him , that he denied nothing that she asked . she perceiving that the king was extreamly in love with one of his own daughters called atossa , which hitherto he had dissembled , chiefly for fear of her ; parysatis having found out this , began to make more of his daughter than she did before ; and in her fathers presence , sometimes she praised her beauty , another time her grace and good carriage , saying , that she was like a queen , and noble princess ; so that at length she perswaded him to marry her openly ( though before he had her maidenhead ) not passing for the laws and opinions of the grecians , considering that he was to establish laws to the persians , to determine of right , and wrong , good and bad . hereupon he married atossa , and loved her very intirely , insomuch as though she had a grievous disease that ran all over her body , yet he loved her not the less for it , and prayed continually for her to the goddess juno , and fell on his knees before her image , and sent to her so many offerings , that all the way from the court gates to juno's temple ( which was sixteen furlongs off ) was full of gold , silver , rich purple , silks , and horses , which were sent thither . about this time , artaxerxes made war against aegypt , by pharnabazus , and iphicrates the athenian ; but they did no good , because they fell out betwixt themselves ; wherefore himself went in person against the caducians , with three hundred thousand foot , and ten thousand horse . their country was very rude , which he invaded , alwayes dark and cloudy : the earth brought forth nothing that was sowed by man , and the inhabitants lived upon pears and apples , and such like fruit , yet the men were strong and lusty . when he was entred far into this country , his army fell into great straits for want of victuals ; for his souldiers found nothing that was fit to eat , neither could they come by victuals from any other place , because of the naughty , and craggy wayes , so that they were forced to live upon their own beasts , and that was sold very dear ; for an asses head was sold for sixty silver drams . yea , the famine was so great , that the king himself wanted food , and now there were but few horses left . now tiribazus , though he was at this time out of favour with the king , yet he invented this stratagem ▪ whereby he saved the king and all his men . in this countrey , there were two kings with their armies in the field , and each of them camped apart from the other . tiribazus , after he had imparted his project to the king , himself went to one of these kings , and at the same time sent his son to the other , and told either of them , that the other had sent ambassadours unto king artaxerxes , to make peace with him , unwitting to his companion : and therefore he counselled them , if they were wise , one of them to seek to prevent the other , with all the speed that possible he could . both the one and the other kings believed these words , either of them mistrusting the other ; so that speedily the one sent his ambassadours to artaxerxes with tiribazus , and the other also his ambassadours with his son. but tiribazus tarrying somewhat long in the journey , artaxerxes began somewhat to suspect him : his enemies also accused him in his absence , and the king grew angry , and was sorry that he had trusted him so far . but at length he returned , and his son also , and either of them brought with him the ambassadours of the cadusians , and so peace was concluded with them both . then was tiribazus highly in favour again , and so departed with the king. artaxerxes at this time made it evident , that cowardliness doth not always proceed from pomp and curiosity , which some think to effeminate mens hearts , but rather from a base and abject mind , that commonly follows evil , and the worst counsel . for neither the jewels of gold , nor kingly robe , not other sumptuous ornaments which the king ever wore about him , valued at twelve thousand talents , did hinder him at that time to travel , and to take as much pains as any man in all his army . for he himself marched on foot the fore-most man , carrying his knapsack in a scarf upon his shoulders , and his target on his arm , with which he travelled over high stony mountains , so that his souldiers seeing the kings courage , and the pains that he took , they marched so nimbly , as if they had wings , about two hundred furlongs a day . at length the king by hard travel , came to one of his own houses , where were stately arbours and parks , with goodly trees curiously planted , but all the countrey beside , was naked and barren , having no other trees near , and the weather was very cold : the king therefore suffered his souldiers to hew down the goodly pines , and cypress trees in his parks , and to embolden them , he himself took an axe in his hand , and began to hew the goodliest tree of them all : the souldiers seeing that , fell every man to work , so that in a short time they had wood enough , and the parks were filled with fires , by which the souldiers sat all night . in this expedition artaxerxes lost many valiant men , and most of his horses , wherefore , thinking that his men would mock him for his miscarriage , he grew distrustfull of all , and suspected the chiefest nobles about him , so that in a rage he put many of them to death , and yet was not satisfied therewith . for there is nothing more cruel , nor a greater bloud-sucker , than a cowardly tyrant : as on the contrary , there is nothing more courteous and less suspicious than a valiant and couragious man. after this , king artaxerxes being grown very old , heard that there were great contentions between his sons , which of them should inherit the kingdome after his death , and that the same was diffused amongst his kindred and nobles . the wisest of them desired , that as he himself came to the kingdom , as his fathers eldest son , so that he also should leave it to his eldest son called darius . but the younger , who was called ochus , being valiant , and of a stirring nature , had some in the court that took his part , and himself hoped to obtain the crown by the means of his sister atossa , whom he much loved , and promised to marry her , and to make her queen , if he came to the kingdom after his fathers death . now artaxerxes , because he would put ochus out of all hope to succeed him , lest his expectation might put him to go about to practice that which cyrus did , and by this means , his realm should fall into factions and civil wars , he proclaimed his son darius , ( who was now fifty years old ) king after his death , and gave him leave from henceforth to wear the point of his hat upright , as the persian kings used to do . moreover , the custome in persia was , that when any came to be proclaimed heir apparent to the crown , that he should request a gift of him that proclaimed him his successor , which the other grants whatsoever it be if it be possible . darius then asked his father , for his concubine aspasia , who was first concubine to cyrus , but now the king kept her for his own use . she was born in ionia of free parents , and was brought up virtuously , and amongst other beauties , she was brought one night to cyrus as he was at supper ; those others , without making nice of it , sat down by him , and were glad when cybegan to play and be merry with them , answering him pleasantly again : but aspasia stood on her feet by the table , and spake never a word , and though cyrus called her , yet would she not come at him : and when one of the grooms would have forced her to him , the first ( said she ) that shall lay hands on me , shall repent it ; whereupon all that were present said , she was a foolish thing , and meanly brought up , and knew not what belonged to courtship : but cyrus being glad of it , passed it over with laughter , and said to him that brought them to him , dost thou not see that of all those that thou hast brought me , there is not an honest woman but she ? after this , cyrus made much of , and loved her very well , and called her aspasia the wise . she was taken in the camp of cyrus , amongst his spoils , after his overthrow ; and now darius begged her of his father , who was very angry in his mind for it . for the persians , of all other things , were very jealous of their women , and he was to be punished with death that durst but speak to , or touch any concubine of the kings , though but in sport : yea , if they come near them , or near their coaches , as they went abroad . the kings daughter atossa , whom he had married against the law , was yet living , and besides her , he had three hundred and sixty beautiful concubines and yet , when darius asked aspasia of him , the king answered , that she was a free-woman born , and if she would , he was content that he should have her , but if she was unwilling , he would not by any means have him to force her . so aspasia was called , and she was asked with which of them she would choose to be ? she answered , with darius : this was contrary to the expectation of artaxerxes , who , both by custome and law , was forced to let him have her . but shortly after , he took her from him again , saying , that he would place her in a nunnery of diana , in the country of ecbatane , there to serve the goddess , and to live chaste all her dayes . darius took this very impatiently , either for that he was deeply in love with her , or because he thought that his father mocked him . tiribazus perceiving it , he laboured to aggravate darius his anger , and he every day buzzed it in his ears , that it was in vain for him to wear his hat upright , if his affairs also went not right forward , and that he deceived himself much , if he did not know that his brother ( by means of the women he kept ) secretly aspired to the crown : and that his father being so inconstant as he was , he must not expect to succeed him in the kingdom . for ( said he ) he that for a grecian woman hath broken and violated the holiest law that was in persia , thou must not think he will perform promise with thee : he perswaded him also , that it was not a like repulse to ochus to be denied that which he looked for , as it was for him to be turned out of all that ever he had gotten . for ( said he ) if it please ochus to live as a private man , he might do it safely , and no man will trouble him ; but for you who are already proclaimed king , you must of necessity make your self king , or else you cannot live . now besides these perswasions , the largeness of the empire , and the fear darius stood in of his brother ochus , much prevailed with him , infomuch that he flatly conspired against his father artaxerxes , together with tiribazus , and both of them drew many conspirators to joyn with them . but one of the kings eunuchs smelling it out , ran presently and told the king all , and how they had determined suddenly to assail him , and to kill him in his bed in the night . artaxerxes having received this intelligence , thought it not safe to be careless in a matter of so great importance as was his life ; and yet that it would savour of too great lightness , so suddenly to believe the eunuch , without better proof of the matter : he therefore commanded the eunuch to keep company still with the conspirators , and to follow them whithersoever they went , and in the mean time he caused the wall behind his bed to be beaten down , making a door in the place , and tapestry hangings to be put up before it . when the time was come , as the eunuch had advertized the king , that the conspirators intended to execute their design , artaxerxes being laid on his bed , rose not up till he had seen every traytor in the face that came to kill him : but when he saw them coming towards him , with their swords drawn , he suddenly slip't under the hangings into the inner chamber , and shut the door after him , crying murther , murther . the traytors hereupon fled the same way that they came , failing of their purpose , and bad tiribazus save himself , because he was known : so they dispersed themselves and fled . but tiribazus was taken , and after he had slain many of the kings guard , fighting valiantly , yet at last one with a dart afar off , slew him . darius also was taken , and together with his sons , was brought prisoner before the king. the king referred him to be judged by his peers : and withall , he commanded his secretaries to set down all the tryal in writing , together with the opinion and sentence of every one of the judges , and to bring it to him . in conclusion , they all cast him , and condemned him to dye . then the officers laid hold on him , and led him into a chamber of the prison , where the hang-man came with a razor in his hand , with which he used to cut mens throats who were so condemned : but when he came into the chamber , he saw it was darius ; whereupon his heart so failed , that he durst not lay hands on him , but went out again : the judges that were without , bad him go in and do it , unless he would have his own throat cut : then went he in again , and took darius by the hair , and made him hold down his head , and so cut his neck with the rasor . artaxerxes being informed hereof , went and worshipped the sun , and then turning to his lords that were about him , he said unto them : my lords , god be with you , and be merry at home in your houses , and tell them that were not here , that the great god oromazes hath taken revenge upon those that practised treason against me . now darius being dead , ochus stood in good hope to be next heir to the crown , and the rather , through the means and assistance of his sister atossa : but of his legitimate brethren , he most feared ariaspes , who was only left of all that were legitimate , and of his bastard brethren he feared arsames : not for that ariaspes was elder than he , but because ( he being of a soft and plain name ) the persians desired that he might be their king. and for arsames , he was wise and valiant , and ochus saw that his father loved him dearly . now ochus being subtle and malicious , first shewed cruelty upon arsames , and then his malice upon ariaspes , his legitimate brother . for knowing him to be simple and plain , he daily sent some of the kings eunuchs to him , who carried him threatning messages , as from the king , telling him , that he determined to put him to a cruel and shameful death . these things being daily buzzed into his ears , as great secrets , did so terrifie poor ariaspes , as that being put in despair of his life , he prepared a poison , and drank it to prevent a worse death . king artaxerxes being informed of his death , took it very heavily , and began to suspect the cause that made him thus destroy himself , yet , being grown very old , he neglected to search it out . but the death of ariaspes made him to love arsames the better , making it to appear that he had a better opinion of him than he had of ochus , and therefore made him privy to all his affairs . ochus seeing this , could no longer defer his revenge , and he therefore suborned harpaces , the son of tiribazus , to murther his brother arsames , which accordingly he accomplished . now artaxerxes being almost spent with age , when he heard that his dearly beloved son arsames was murthered , was not able to bear it any longer , but took it so to heart , that he died of grief , having lived fourscore and fourteen years , and reigned threescore and two . when he was dead , the persians found that he had been a good and a gracious prince , and one that loved his people and subjects , especially when they came to have tryal of his successor ochus , that passed all men living in cruelty . for when his father was dead , he dealt so with the chiliarchs and eunuchs that were about him , that his death was concealed for ten months together ; in which time he dispatched away letters signed with the kings seal , into all parts of the empire , commanding them to receive ochus for their king : and when all men had acknowledged him , and sworn fealty to him , he then made known his fathers death , and commanded a publick mourning to be made for him , after the persian manner , and assumed his fathers name , artaxerxes : and then filled , and fouled his court with the bloud of his kindred and nobles , without respect of age or sex : amongst whom , he caused his own sister whose daughter he had married , to be buried alive , with her heels upward : he also caused an unkle of his , with above a hundred of his children and grand-children descended out of his loyns ; to be put into a court , and there shot to death with arrows . this artaxerxes following herein the example of cambyses , caused certain unjust judges to be flead alive , and their skins to be hung up over the judgment-seats , that they which sat therein , seeing what hung over their heads , might be the more careful to do justice to his people . he also it was , who intending to make war upon egypt , that he might have the more assistance therein from the grecians , he sent his ambassadours into greece , to induce them to make a general peace among themselves , upon these terms , that every city should from thenceforth live according to their own laws , and should have no garrisons amongst them . this motion all the cities of greece embraced , save only the thebans , as you may see in the life of epaminondas . the life and death of alexander the great ▪ king , of macedonia . a lexander , surnamed the great was the son of philip , king of macedonia , and of his queen olympias . he was born on the sixth day of our june , called by the macedonians lous . upon the very same day that the temple of diana in ephesus was burned down ; whereupon the priests , magicians , and south-sayers ran about the city , crying , that some great plague and mischief to asia was surely born that day . three messengers came to king philip , presently after he had won the city of potidaea , upon the same day , who brought him great news , the first , that parmenio his general , had won a notable battel of the illyrians : the second that his horse had won the prize at the olympian games : and the third , that his wife olympias had brought him a son , that was named alexander , born at pella in macedonia . philip being marvellous glad to hear these newses , the south-sayers much added to his joy ; assuring him , that his son that was thus born , should be invincible . he had naturally a very fair white colour mingled with red , which chiefly appeared in his face and breast : his skin had a marvellous sweet savour , and his breath was very sweet , which sheweth his excellent constitution . he was naturally hot and cholerick , which made him to be addicted to drink , and hasty , and yet was chast withall . his father was very careful of his education , and therefote gat for him excellent tutors , as leonidas , which had the chiefest government of him . then lysimachus , an acarnanian : and aristotle , the best philosopher of his time , to whom philip allowed a very honourable stipend . he delighted much in hunting divers kind of wild beasts , and playing at the staff. on a time while he was young , ambassadors were sent to his father from the king of persia , and it fell out that philip was in some journey out of his kingdom . alexander therefore intertained them familiarly , not using any childish questions to them , nor enquiring about trifling , and trivial matters , but what distance it was from one place to another , and which way they went into the higher places of asia ; also about the king of persia himself , how he behaved himself towards his enemies , and what power he had , &c. insomuch as they were ravished with delight to hear him , judging him to be of great courage , and of a noble mind , and one that was like to attempt great enterprises . when at any time news was brought him that his father had taken some famous city , or had won some great battel , he was no whit glad to hear it , but would say to his play-fellows : sirs , my father will do all , i shall have nothing left me to conquer with you that will be ought worth . upon a time philonicus , a thessalian brought a brave horse , called bucephalus , to sell unto king philip , demanding thirteen talents for him , and they went into the field to try him : but the horse was found to be so unruly , and churlish , that they which should have ridden him , said , that he would never be made serviceable : for he would let no man get upon his back , nor abide any of the gentlemens voices that were about philip , but would yerk at them with his heels ; whereupon philip , being afraid , bad them take him away as a wild , untamable , and unprofitable beast : which they had done accordingly , had not alexander , that stood by , said , o gods ! what a horse do they turn away for lack of skill , and courage to handle and break him ? philip heard what he said , but held his peace . alexander often repeating those words , and seeming sorry that the horse should be sent back , philip said , why doest thou control them that have more skill and experience than thy self ; and that know better how to handle a horse than thou doest ; alexander answered , and yet me-thinks i could handle him better than all they have done . but if thou canst do no more than they ( replied philip ) what wilt thou forfet for thy folly ? i am content ( said alexander ) to forfeit the price of the horse . every one laughed to hear his answer , and the match was made between the father and the son. then ran alexander to the horse , and took him by the bridle , and turned him towards the sun. it seems he had observed how mad the horse was to see his own shadow , which was before , always before his eyes as he sturred too and fro . then alexander speaking gently to the horse , and clapping him on the back with his hand , till he had left his fury and snorting , softly let fall his cloak from him , and lightly leaped on his back , and so gat up without any danger , and holding the reins of the bridle hard , without striking or stirring the horse , made him to be gentle enough . and when he perceived that the fury of the horse was calmed , he put him forward , and began to gallop ; then he put him to his full carrier , spurring , and switching him . philip at first , seeing his sons confidence , began to fear lest he should catch any hurt . but when he saw him readily to turn the horse at the end of his carrier , and shewing bravery for what he had done , all the spectators gave a great shoot for joy : and the father fell a weeping for joy : and when alexander was alighted from the horse , his father went and kissed him , saying , o son ! thou must have a kingdom that is meet for thee ; for macedonia is not sufficient for thee : considering also that he was not to be rigorously dealt with , and that by gentle means and perswasions he could make him do what he would , he ever sought rather to perswade than to command him what he would have done . alexander in these his younger days was very mild , and of a patient disposition , insomuch as being told that some of his friends used in secret , to speak against him , he said , regium est malè audire c●m benefeceris . it s a kingly thing to hear ill , when one doth well . king philip being dead , his son alexander succeeded , being a prince no less valiant by nature than by education , being well instructed , and inriched with all sorts of learning . he began his reign in macedonia , four hundred and seventeen years after rome was built , being himself about twenty years old . upon this change of the king the neighbour nations , whom philip had oppressed , adventured to endeavour the recovery of their former liberty by force of arms , the young years of alexander giving some hope of prevailing , and his suspected severity encreasing the courage of others , who could easilier resolve to die , than to live in slavery : but alexander gave no respite to these discontented humours ; for after revenge taken upon the conspiratours against his father , whom he slew upon his tomb , and the celebration of his funerals , he first engaged his macedonians to him by freeing them from all exactions , and bodily slavery , other than his service in the wars , and to others that contemned his youth , he used such austerity , and such clemency to the rest ; that having calmed these neerer discontents , he presently went into peloponnesus , and so insinuated himself amongst them , that by the council of the states of greece , he was chosen captain general to manage the war against the persians , as his father had been before him , who was so intent upon that war , that he had sent over into asia part of his army under the conduct of parmenio , and attalus , with order to take in some place which might secure the descent of the rest . upon this enterprise against the persians was alexander wholly busied , his restless thoughts both sleeping and waking , presenting to him the riches , honour , and large dominions which he hoped to attain thereby . yet was he again crossed , and retarded by the athenians , thebans , and lacedemonians , who had united themselves against him , hoping by the assistance of the persians , to recover their former liberty ; and they were to this , encouraged by demosthenes , whom the persian gold had bribed thereunto . this unexpected rub , and loss of time was very grievous to alexander , who was troubled that he should turn his sword from the base and effeminate persians , against the manly , and famous grecians , of whose assistance in his intended wars he had assured himself ; he therefore made such expedition against them , that himself , with his army at his heels , brought them the first news of his preparations . this celerity of his made them begin to stagger , and the athenians , as they were the first that moved , so were they the first that fainted , and by their ambassadours sought to pacifie him . alexander was not long in resolving , but admitted their excuses , and made peace . having now quieted his borderers on the south , he resolved also to assure himself of those nations which lay on the north of macedonia , viz. the thracians , triballes , peones , getes , agrians , and others , who by their frequent incursions had much molested his father ; and withal those , after he had given then divers overthrows , he made peace , or brought them into his subjection : and yet could he not find the way out of europe . the thebans , which had one thousand macedonians in garrison in their citadel , being impatient of slavery , endeavoured to force it ; which alexander being informed of , hastened to their succour with thirty thousand foot , all old souldiers , and three thousand horse , and presenting himself before their city , he gave the thebans time to resolve whether they would have peace or war , only demanding that they should deliver up to him the two chief incendiaries , phoenix and prothytes , which they took in such scorn , that they demand philotas , and antipater , two of his chief captains . this so incensed alexander , that whilst he assailed the city before , the macedonian garrison did the like behind , and so breaking into the city , he slew ninety thousand of them , and sold thirty thousand more for slaves , and this he did for a terrour to the other grecians . many arguments were used by cleadas ( one of the prisoners ) to disswade him from destroying the city of thebes , but all proved fruitless ; for he razed the city , only out of his respect to learning , he pardoned all of the race of pindarus the poet , and set at liberty timoclea , the sister of theagines , who died in the defence of the liberty of greece against his father philip. this noble woman , being taken by a thracian , and ravished , he threatned to kill her unless she would discover her treasure to him : she led him to a well , and told him that she had cast it therein , and when he stooped to look into the well , she thrust him in , and stoned him to death . alexander shortly after at a common council of greece , being chosen general a second time against the persians , went to visit diogenes the philosopher , there . then returned into macedonia , where , in a town called dios , as he was wholly taken up with thoughts of subduing asia , there appeared to him in his sleep the resemblance of the high priest of jerusalem , who bad him be couragious and bold , and speedily with his army to put over into asia , promising that he would be his conductor in the conquest of the persian empire , as alexander himself reported . all being now quieted at home , alexander leaving the government of macedon , and greece to antipater , in the beginning of the spring he passed the hellespont , and being ready to dis-imbark , he threw a dart towards the asian shore , as a token of defiance , commanding his souldiers not to wast , and destroy the country , or to burn those buildings which themselves were presently , and in future to possess . then landed he his army consisting of thirty two thousand foot , and five thousand horse , all old souldiers , neer unto troy , where he offered a sacrifice upon the tomb of achilles , his maternal ancestor . but before he left his own country , he put to death , without an offence given him , all his mother in laws kinsmen , whom his father had greatly advanced , not sparing such of his own as he suspected , thinking by unjust cruelty to secure himself for the present , and future : yet the end fell out contrary to the policy which his ambition taught him , though well agreeing with the justice of god : for within a few years all that he had planted was rooted up ; those whom he most trusted were most traiterous : his mother , friends and children fell by such another merciless sword as his own , and all manner of confusion followed his dead body to the grave , and left him there . when darius , the king of persia , was informed that alexander was landed in asia , he so much scorned the macedonian army , and contemned alexander himself , that writing to him , he stiled him his servant , and reprehended him for his presumption , and disloyalty ( for darius intitled himself king of kings , and kinsman of the gods ) and withal , he wrote to his lieutenants in the lesser asia , that they should take alexander alive , whip him with rods , and then convey him to his presence ; that they should sink his ships , and send his macedonians prisoners beyond the red sea. notwithstanding these brags alexander soon discovered what manner of men the persians were : for two of darius his generals [ spithredates and rhaesaces ] at the river of granick ( which severs the territories of troy from propontis ) with a huge army both of horfe and foot , sought to stop his passage , taking the higher ground , and the bank of the river to defend , which alexander was forced to climb up unto from out of the channel , yet was his victory so easie , that the persians flying , he slew twenty thousand of the foot , and two thousand five hundred horsemen , with the loss of twelve of his own foot , and two and twenty of his horsemen , which shews that the persians were rather killed in their backs whilst they ran away , than hurt in their bosoms by resisting . it was wisely done of alexander to pass this river of granick in the face of the enemy , without seeking any other place , or means to convey his men over . for having beaten the asiaticks upon their own ground , he did thereby cut off no less of their reputation , than of their strength , leaving the partakers of such cowards without hope of succour . presently after this victory , he recovered sardis ; ephesus , and the city of the trallians , and magnesia , all which were soon rendred to him , the inhabitants he received with great grace , suffering them to be governed by their own laws : and about the same time , by parmenio , he wan miletus , and by force took in halicarnasseus , which because it resisted obstinately , he razed it to the ground . from thence he went into caria , where ada , the queen , who had been cast out of all that she held ( except the city of alinda ) by darius his leiutenants , presented her self to him , and adopted him for her son , and successour , which alexander took so kindly that he left the whole kingdom to her disposal . then entred he into lycia , and pamphilia , and assured to him all the sea-coasts , and subjecting to him pisidia , he steared his course towards darius vvho ( as he was informed ) vvas marching towards him with a marvellous great army ) by the vvay of phrygia , and this he might the easilier do , for that his first victory had laid under his feet all the provinces of asia the less , which bordered upon the sea-coast . then gave he order for the setling and government of lycia , and pamphilia , and so marching towards the north , he entred celenas , seated on the river meander , which was abandoned to him , only the castle held out , which yet after forty days , vvas surrendred to him also : for so long time he gave them to attend succour from darius . from celenas , he passed on thorow phrygia towards the euxine sea , till he came to the city of gordium , somtimes the regal city of king midas , vvhere he found the gordian knot , which when he knew not hovv to undo , he cut it asunder vvith his svvord : for there vvas an old prophesie vvhich promised him that could unty it , the lordship of all asia : vvhereupon alexander , not respecting the manner so it vvere done , assumed to himself the fulfilling of the prophesie by hevving it in pieces . novv before he left this part of asia to go to the east , he took care to clear the sea-coast on his back , and to thrust the persians out of the islands of lesbos , chio , and coos , the charge vvhereof he committed to tvvo of his captains , giving them such directions as he judged most meet for that service , and delivering to them fifty talents for defraying the charges thereof : and vvithal , out of the spoil gotten by his first victory , he sent sixty talents more to antipater , vvhom he had left for the government of macedonia and greece . from celenas he vvent to ancira , standing on the same river of sanguarius , vvhich runs through gordium : there he mustered his army , and so entred into paphlagonia , vvhose inhabitants submitted themselves to him , and thereby obtained freedom from tribute . there he left catus governour vvith one regiment of macedonians newly come to him . here he heard of the death of memnon , darius's lieutenant , which much encouraged him to pass on towards him : for of this one commander he had more respect than of all the multitude assembled by darius , and of all the captains he had besides . then did he travel hastily towards cilicia , with a desire to recover the streights thereof before darius should arrive there . the governour of cilicia hearing of alexanders hasty march , left some companies to keep the streights , which were indeed very defensible , and now ( though too late ) began to prize , and put in execution the advice of memnon , who in the beginning of the wars , had counselled to wast all the provisions both for man , and horse that could not be conveyed into strong holds , and always to give ground to the invader , till he found some such notable advantage as might secure to him the victory . for the fury of an invading army is best broken by delays , change of diet , and want , and other inconveniences bringing , and breeding many diseases upon all nations out of their own country . and had darius kept the macedonians but a while without meat , and sleep , refusing to give or take battel , and had wearied them with his light horsemen ( as the parthians afterwards did the romans ) in all probability he might have saved both his life , and estate . for it was one of the greatest encouragements given by alexander to his macedonians before the third , and last fatal battel , that they were now to fight with all the strength of persia at once . but where god hath a purpose to destroy , wise men are taken away , and the charge of things is committed unto such as either cannot see what is for their good , or that know not how to put in execution any sound advice ; the courte which memnon had propounded , must in all liklyhood have brought the macedonians into great straits , and stopt them at those narrow passages of cilicia . for had cappadocia , and paphlagonia being wasted when alexander was far off , and the streights of cilicia been defended by arsenes with his best souldiers , hunger would not have suffered the enemy to stay the tryal of all means for the forcing of that passage : or if the place could not have been defended , yet might cilicia at leasure have been throughly spoiled , that the heart of alexanders army should have been broken , whilest they sought out miseries by painful travel . but arsenes leaving a small number to defend the streights , took the best of his army with him to wast and spoil the country ; or rather , as it seemed , to make himself some work , under which pretence he might with honesty run the further from alexander ; and in truth he so handled the matter , that he gave cause to the cicilians to wish for alexanders coming , and as great cause to the keepers of the passage not to hinder it . for cowards are wise in apprehending all forms of danger . these guardians of the streights , hearing that arsenes hasted to joyn himself with darius , burning down all as he went , as one despairing to defend it , began to think , that surely their general ( who gave for lost the country behind their backs ) had exposed themselves to certain ruin , as men that were fit only to dull the swords of the macedonians ; wherefore , not being ambitious to die for their prince and country ( which honour they saw that arsenes himself could well forbear ) they presently followed the footsteps of their general , gleaning what he had left . and thus alexander without hazard , got , both the entrance into cilicia , abandoned by the cowardliness of his enemies , and also that whole province whose minds were now alienated from the persians through the imprudent carriage of arsenes . when alexander with great speed was come to tarsus , taking pleasure in the river cydnus , which ran through the city , all hot as he was , he threw off his armour , and leaped into the cold water , whereupon he grew instantly so benumb in all the nerves of his body , that he lost the use of his tongue ; and so far was he from hope of recovery , that nothing was expected but present death : but one philip a physician , gave him a potion , which he took , and it cured him out of hand , though parmenio had forewarned him , that this philip was set on work to poison him . in the mean time darius approached , having gathered together an army of two hundred and ninety thousand men of divers nations ( saith q. curtius ) or of three hundred thousand foot , and one hundred thousand horse , ( as justine numbers them , ) or of six hundred thousand , as plutarch relates . the manner of his coming was rather like a masker , than a man of war ; and like one that took more care to shew his glory and riches , than to provide for his own safety . for before his army there were carried the holy fire , which the persians worshipped for their god ; attended by their priests , and after them three hundred sixty and five young men , answering to the days of the year , clothed in skarlet . then the chariot of jupiter , drawn with white horses , with their riders clothed in white , and carrying rods of gold in their hands . next after them came the horse of the sun , and after him ten sumptuous chariots inlay'd and garnished with gold and silver : and then the vaunt guard of their horse , compounded of twelve several nations , which , the better to avoid confusion , did hardly understand one anothers language , and these , marshelled in the head of the rest , being beaten , might serve very fitly to disorder all that followed them . in the tail of these , marched the regiment of foot stiled by the persians , immortal ; because if any died , their place was presently supplied by others ; and these were armed with chains of gold , and theit coats embroidered with the same , having their sleeves garnished with pearl : baits fit either to intice the poor macedonians , or to perswade them that it were great incivility to cut or deface such goodly garments . then marched after them fifteen thousand , more rich and glittering than the former , but apparelled like women , and these were honoured with the title of the kings kinsmen . then came darius himself with the gentlemen of his guard-robe , riding before his chariot , which was supported by the gods of his nation , cast and cut in pure gold : the head of this chariot was set with precious stones , with two golden idols , covered with an open winged eagle of the same mettal . the hinder part being raised high , whereon darius sat , had a covering of inestimable valew . this chariot of the kings was followed with ten thousand horsemen , having lances plated with silver , and their heads guilt . he had for the proper guard of his own person , two hundred of the blood royal : blood too royal , and precius to be spilt in any noble adventure , and these were backed with thirty thousand footmen , after whom again were led four hundred spare horses for the kings own use . then followed the rereward , being led by sisygambis , the kings mother , and by his wife , drawn in glorious , and glittering chariots , followed by a great train of ladies on horseback , with fifteen rich wagons of the kings children , and the wives of the nobility , waited upon by two hundred and fifty concubines , and a world of nurses , and eunuches most sumptuously apparelled : between these , and a company of slight armed slaves , was the kings treasure , loaden on six hundred mules and three hundred camels . in this sort came this may-game king into the field , encumbred with a most unnecessary train of sumpters , attended with troops of divers nations , speaking divers languages , impossible to be well marshalled by reason of their numbers , and for the most part so effeminate , and so rich in gold and costly garments , as the same could not but have encouraged the nakedst nation against them . when alexander met with these effeminate asiaticks , it may easily be guessed what a cheap victory he had over them . some say that he slew in this battel sixty thousand footmen , and ten thousand horsemen . , q. curtius saith , an hundred thousand foot , with as many horsemen , and took forty thousand prisoners , whilest of alexanders army there miscarried but two hundred and eighty of all sorts , of which number some historians cut off almost one half . he took prisoners also darius his mother , wife , daughters , and other the kings children . darius by this time found it true , that charidemus , a banished grecian of athens , had told him when he made a view of his army about babylon , to wit , that the multitude which he had assembled of divers nations , richly attired but poorly armed , would be found more terrible to the countries through which they should pass , than to the macedonians whom they went to assail , who being all old , well-disciplined souldiers , imbattelled in gross squadrons , which they called their phalanx , well covered with armour for defence , and furnished with advantagious weapons for offence , would make so little account of his delicate persians , ill armed , and worse disciplin'd , that except he would ( having such abundance of treasure ) entertain a sufficient number of the same grecians , and so encounter the macedonians with men of equal courage , he would repent overlate , as taught by the miserable success like to follow . but so unpleasing was this discourse to darius , ( who used to hear nothing but his own praises ) that he caused this poor grecian to be presently slain , who whilst he was under the tormentors hand , said , to the king , that alexander , against whom he had given this good counsel , should certainly revenge his death , and deservedly punish darius for refusing this advise . darius likewise slighted the counsel given him by the grecian souldiers that served under him , who intreated him not to fight in those streight places where alexander could bring as many hands to fight as darius could : and these old blades , when darius was overthrown with all his cowardly , and confused rabble , under their captain amyntas , held firm , and made a brave retreat in despite of the vanquishers . these grecians also after their retreat , advised darius to draw back his army into the plains of mesopotamia , where he might have environed the macedonians on all sides with his multitudes ; they counselled him also to divide his huge army into parts , and not to cast his empire upon one battel , &c. but this advise was so contrary to the cowardly spirits of the persians , that they perswaded darius to environ these greeks with his army , and to cut them in pieces as traitors . but darius was so infatuated that he would needs fight with alexander in such a streight place , neer unto the city of issus , where he could bring no more hands to fight than alexander could ( who by the advice of parmenio staid there as in a place of advantage ) whereby he was utterly overthrown , his treasure lost , his wife , mother , and children ( whom the grecians had perswaded him to leave in babylon ) taken prisoners , and all their train of ladies spoiled of their rich garments , jewels , and honour . indeed the queen , with her daughters , who had the good hap to be brought to alexanders presence , were entertained with all respect due unto them , their honours preserved , and their jewels , and rich garments restored ; and though the queen was a most beautiful lady , and her daughters of excellent features , yet alexander mastered his affections towards them all : only he embraced the wife of the valiant memnon , who was lately dead , she being taken by parmenio , as she fled from damascus , at which time the daughters of ochus , who reigned before darius , and the wives and children of almost all the nobility of persia , fell into captivity , together with the treasure of darius ( not taken at issus ) was seized upon , amounting to six thousand and two hundred talents in ready coin , and in bullion , five hundred talents , with a world of riches besides . parmenio also in his letter to alexander sent him word , that amongst other things , he had taken at damascus three hundred twenty nine of the kings women , which were skilful in musick ; forty six weavers , or knitters of crowns ; pastry women two hundred seventy seven ; cook maids twenty nine ; white-meat-makers thirteen ; makers of drinking cups seventeen ; wine-cellar men seventy ; apothecaries , and confectioners forty . thirty thousand men , and seven thousand camels . darius himself leaving his brother dead ( casting the crown from his head ) with divers others of his chief captains , hardly escaped by flight . after this overthrow given to darius , all phoenicia ( the city of tyre excepted ) yielded unto alexander , who made permenio governour of it . also aradus , zidon , and biblos , which were maritine cities of great importance , of which one strato was king ( but hated of his people ) submitted unto alexander : yea , good success attended him every where . for antigonus , who was his lieutenant in asia the less , overthew the cappadocians , paphlagonians , and others lately revolted . aristodemus also , who was darius his admiral , had his fleet partly taken , and partly drowned by the macedonians . likewise the lacedemonians , who rose up against antipater , were beaten : and four thousand of those greeks , that made so brave a retreat at the last battel , being led by amyntas into egypt , intending to hold it for themselves , were there slain : for the time to divide kingdoms was not yet come . alexander to honour his beloved ephestion , gave him power to dispose of the kingdom of zidon , and ephestion , to shew his gratitude , offered to bestow it upon his host with whom he quartered ; but the man , not being of the kingly race , refused it , saying , it is not our country fashion , that any should be king , but such as are of the kingly line , and such an one ( saith he ) lives hard by , a good , and a wise man , but very poor , and one that lives by his hard labour . then did ephestion ( taking kingly apparrel along with him ) go to this poor man , and saluted him king , bidding him , wash off his dirt , and put off his rags , and put on that royal apparel ; the poor mans name was abdolominus , who thought he had been in a dream , but being by the standers by , washed , and adorned , ephestion led him into the pallace , saying , when thou sittest on thy throne , and hast power over the lives of all thy subjects , forget not thy former condition . alexander hearing of it , sent for him , and asked him , with what pacience , he , being of so noble an extraction , could bear his former poverty ? to whom abdolominus answered ; i pray god that i may bear the kingdom with the same mind . for ( said he ) these hands have provided for my necessities , and as i had nothing , so i wanted nothing . while alexander staid in those parts , he received a letter from darius , wherein he desired to ransom his mother , wife , and children , with some other conditions of peace , but such as rather became a conqueror , than one who had been so shamefully beaten , not vouchsafing in the endorsement to give alexander the title of king. alexander disdained his offers , and sent him word , that he was not only a king , but the king of darius himself . when alexander came neer the city of tyre , he received from them the present of a golden crown , and great store of victuals , with some other things , which he took very thankfully , sending them word , that he desired to offer a sacrifice to hercules , the protector of their city , from whom he was descended . the tyrians , not liking his presence within their walls , returned answer , that the temple of hercules , was seated where the old city stood ; but alexander was resolved to enter tyre by force , though in most mens judgments the city was impregnable ; for the island whereon it was built , was eight hundred furlongs from the land , yet with the labor of many hands , having great store of stone from old tyre , and timber sufficient from libanus , he stopped up the passage between the island and the main , being more than once carried away by storms , and sometimes fired by the tyrians , yet with the help of his navy , he overcame all difficulties , and prevailed , having spent seven moneths in that attempt . the tyrians in the beginning of the siege , had barbarously drowned some messengers sent by alexander to perswade them to yield , in respect whereof , and of his great loss of time and men , he put eight thousand to the sword , and caused two thousand of those that had escaped the first fury , to be hanged on crosses upon the sea-shore , and reserved for slaves thirteen thousand , some say thirty thousand , and many more of them had died , if the zidonians , that served alexander , had not conveyed great numbers of them by shipping to their own city . alexander gave the government of this territory to philotas , the son of parmenio , ephestion had the charge of the fleet , and was commanded to meet alexander at gaza in the way to egypt . whilst alexander lay at the siege of tyrus , he sent to jaddus , the high priest at jerusalem , demanding of him supplies , and provisions for his army ; and withal , such tribute as they formerly paid to darius : but when jaddus answered , that he was tyed by a former oath of allegiance to darius , from which he could not be free so long as darius lived : alexander growing wroth at this answer , swore , that as soon as he had taken tyrus , he would march against jerusalem . at the same time also came sanballat , the cuthaean to alexander ; who , haing forsaken darius , brought with him eight thousand men : him did alexander receive very graciously ; whereupon he asked leave of him to build a temple upon his own land , and to make high priest thereof , his son in law , manasses , who was brother to jaddus , the high prist at jerusalem ; and having obtained leave , because he now grew old , he fell presently to work , and built a temple , and made manasses high priest of it , thinking hereby to leave a great honour to the posterity of his daughter . in the mean while darius sends again to alexander , setting before him all difficulties he should meet with in his passing on to the east , laying the loss of the late battel to the streightness of the place : he bids him to consider how impossible it was for him to pass the rivers of euphrates , tygris , araxes , &c. with all such other dreadful things as he thought might discourage him . moreover he profered to him all the kingdoms which lay between the river halis , and the hellespont , as a dower with his beloveed daughter : but alexander rejected all , saying , that he proferred him nothing but what already was his own , and what victory , and his virtue had possessed him of . that he was in a capacity to give conditions , and not to receive any : and that having passed the sea it self , he disdained to think of resistance in transporting his army over rivers . indeed parmenio , who was now old , and full of honour and riches , told the king , that if he were alexander he would embrace the offers of darius ; to which alexander answered , that so would he if he were parmenio . then did alexander march on towards egypt , and when he came to gaza getes , the governour , a faithful servant to darius , shut the gates against him , and defended the town with a noble resolution , at the siege whereof alexander received a wound in the shoulder which was dangerous , and a blow on his leg with a stone . he found better men in this place than he had done in the former battels : for he left so many of his macedonians buried in the sands of gaza , that he was fain to send for a new supply into greece . here it was that alexander began to shew his cruelty : for after he had taken gaza by assault , and getes the governour , who was weakened with divers wounds , and who never gave ground to the assailants , alexander caused holes to be bored through his feet , and himself to be dragged about the streets whilst he was yet alive , who being as valiant a man as himself , scorned to ask him either for life , or the mitigation of his torments . from gaza alexander led his army towards jerusalem , a city for the antiquity , and great fame thereof , well known unto him ; while he lay before tyre , he had sent for some supplies thither , which jaddus the high priest , being subject , and sworn to darius , had refused him . the jews therefore fearing revenge , and unable to resist , committed the care of their lives and estates to jaddus , who had recourse to god by supplications and sacrifices for the common safety ; and was by him warned in a dream that he should make holy-day in the city , and set the gates wide open , and that he and the rest of the priests , every one in his priestly raiment , and the people all clothed in white , should go forth and meet alexander ; and accordingly he issued out of the city , arrayed in his pontifical robes , to wit , an upper garment of purple , embroidered with gold , with his mitre , and the plate of gold , wherein was engraved the name of god , the priests and levites also in their rich ornaments , and the people in white garments , in a manner so unusual , stately , and grave , as alexander greatly admired it ; and when he came neer to the high priest , he fell to the ground before him , as reverencing the name of god , and when parmenio reproved him for it , alexander told him , that in dios , a city of macedonia , his mind being busied about the conquest of asia , he saw in his sleep such a person as jaddus , and so apparelled , by whom he was encouraged to pursue his purpose , with assurance of victory ; and now beholding with his bodily eyes him who before was only represented to his fancy , he was so exceedingly pleased , and encouraged , as ( contrary to the expectation of the phaenicians , who hoped to have sackt , and destroyed jerusalem ) he gave the jews all , and more than all that they desired ; during his abode there , jaddus shewed him the prophesie of daniel , wherein he saw himself ; and his conquest of persia so directly pointed at , as that nothing from thenceforth could either affright , or discourage him therein . the next day alexander assembled the people , and bad them ask what they would of him : but they asked nothing but that they might live according to the laws of their own country , and that every seventh year ( vvherein they were to have no harvest ) they might be exempted from paying any tribute , all which he granted . and when they asked further , that he would suffer the jews , vvhich dwelt in the countries of babylon , and media , to live according to their own rites and laws , he answered that he vvould satisfie their desires in that point also , so soon as he should get those countries into his power . and vvhen he told them , that if any of them vvould follovv him in his wars , they should use their own rites vvheresoever they came , many listed themselves to serve him . from jerusalem alexander turned again towards egypt , and entring into it , astaces , vvho vvas darius's lieutenant , received him , and delivered into his hands , memphis , vvith eight hundred talents of treasure , and all other the kings riches ; and vvhen alexander had set things in order in egypt , he began to affect a deity , at the temple of jupiter hammon , so foolish had prosperity made him . he vvas to pass over dangerous and dry sands , vvhere , vvhen the water vvhich he brought on his camels backs vvas spent , he must needs have perished , had not an extraordinary shower of rain fallen , just vvhen his army vvas in extream despair . indeed it nevever rains in egypt ; but the purposes of almighty god are secret , and he bringeth to pass vvhatsoever pleaseth him . it s said also that vvhen he had lost his vvay in those vast desarts , a flight of crows flew before his army , making sometimes more , sometimes less hast , till they had guided him over those pathless sands to jupiters temple . when alexander came neer the place , he sent some of his parasites to corrupt the priests attending the oracle , that their answer might be given in all things according to his mad ambition , vvho affected to be accounted the son of jupiter : and accordingly he was saluted jupiters son , by the devils prophet , for which he was richly rewarded , and presently a rumour was spread abroad , that jupiter had owned him for his child : and the better to confirm his followers in the belief of his deity , he suborned the priests to give answer to such as consulted with the oracle , that it would be very pleasing to jupiter to honour alexander as his son. but this is certain , and very observable , that at christs coming , and at the first preaching of the gospel , the devil in this , and in all other his oracles became speechless . from the temple of hammon , alexander returned to memphis , where among many other learned men , he heard the philosopher psammones , who understanding that he affected the title of jupiters son , told him , that god was the father king of all men : and , refining the pride of this haughty king , he brought him to acknowledg , that god was the father of all mortal men , but that he acknowledgeth none for his children , save good men . the charge of the several provinces of egypt , alexander gave to several governours , following therein the rules of his master aristotle , that a great dominion should not be continued in the hands of any one man ; then gave he order for the building of alexandria upon the most westernly branch of nilus ; and thus having setled ( as he could ) the state of egypt , with the kingdoms of the lesser asia , phoenicia , and syria , he conducted his army towards euphrates . which passage ( though the same was committed to mazeus to be defended by him ) yet did he abandon it , and alexander without resistance , passed it . from thence he marched towards tygris , a river , for the swiftness thereof , called by the persians , the arrow : here might darius easily have repelled him ; for the violent course of the stream was such , as it drave before it many weighty stones , and those that moved not , but lay in the bottom were so round , and smooth by continual rolling , that no man was able to fight upon so slippery a standing : nor were the macedonian footmen able to wade through the river , otherwise than by joyning their hands , and interlacing their arms each in others , making thereby one intire , and weighty body to resist the impetuousness of the stream ; and besides this ; the channel was so deep towards the eastern shore , where darius should have opposed him , that the footmen were enforced to lift their bows , arrows , and darts over their heads to keep them from being made unserviceable by the water . indeed it cannot be denied , that as all estates of the world , by the surfeit of misgovernment , have been subject to many grievous , and sometimes , mortal diseases : so had the empire of persia at this time brought it self into a burning feavour , and thereby became frantick , and without understanding , foreshewing manifestly the death , and dissolution thereof . but alexander had now recovered the eastern shore of tygris without any opposition but what the nature of the river made , where mazeus , who had the charge to defend the banks , both of euphrates , and it , presented himself to the macedonians , being attended with certain troops of horsemen , as if with uneven forces , he durst have charged them upon even ground , when as with a multitude far exceeding them he forsook those advantages which no valour of the enemy could easily have overcome . but it s commonly seen that timorous and cowardly persons do ever follow those ways , and counsels , whereof the opportunity is already lost . it s true , that he sets all provisions on fire wherewith the macedonians might be assisted in their passage over tygris , thinking thereby greatly to have distressed them : but the execution of good counsel is fruitless , when unseasonable . for now was alexander so well furnished with carriages , that no conveniences were wanting to the army which he conducted . those things also which mazeus now sought to destroy , alexander being in sight , by his horsemen , saved and recovered them . this mazeus might have done some days before at good leasure ; yea , at this time he might have done it with so great a strength of horsemen , as the macedonians might not have dared to pursue , leaving the body of their foot out of sight , and so far behind . darius upon alexanders first return out of egypt , had assembled all those forces which the countries next to him could afford ; and now also were the arians , scythians , indians , and other nations come to him . nations ( saith curtius ) that rather served to make up a number , than to make resistance . some reckon them to amount to the number of ten hundred thousand foot , and four hundred thousand horse , besides armed chariots , and some few elephants . curtius numbers them but two hundred thousand foot , and about fifty thousand horse , which is more probable : and yet seeing darius had more confidence in the number , than in the valour of his souldiers , probably he had brought together some three or four hundred thousand of all sorts , with which , he hoped in those fair plains of assyria , to have overborn the small number of the invading army . but it s most true , that in every battel skil and practice do more towards attaining the victory , than multitudes , and rude audacity . whilest alexander rested , and refreshed his army after their hard passage over tygris , their happened an eclipse of the moon , at which the macedonians ( being ignorant of the cause , and reason of it ) were much troubled ; taking it as a certain presage of their ruin and destruction , insomuch as they began not only to murmur , but to speak boldly , that to satisfie the ambition of one man , and of such a one as disdained philip for his father , and would needs be called the son of jupiter , they should all perish : for he enforced them , not only to war against a world of enemies , but against rivers , mountains , and the heavens themselves . hereupon alexander , who was now ready to advance , made an halt , and to quiet the minds of the multitude , he led before him the aegyptian astrologers , that by them the souldiers might be assured that this eclipse of the moon , was a sure presage of his good success . but they never informed them that it came to pass by natural causes , but reserved that as a secret fit to be kept among themselves . these astrologers gave no other reason for it than this , that the grecians were under the aspect of the sun , and the persians under that of the moon , and therefore the moon losing her light , did foreshew that the state of persia was now in danger of falling , and their glory of being obscured . this being noised through all the army , every man was satisfied , and quieted , and their courage redoubled . as alexander drew near the persian army , certain letters were intercepted , written by darius to the grecians , proffering and promising them a great sum of money , if they would either kill or betray alexander . but these , by the advice of parmenio , were suppressed . about this time also darius his beautiful wife , being oppressed with sorrow , and wearied with travel , died : which accident alexander seemed to bewail no less then darius : who , upon the first report of it , suspected , that some dishonorable violence had been offered to her ; but being satisfied by an eunuch of his own that attended her , of alexanders kind , and kingly respect towards her from the very time of her being taken , he prayed the immortal gods , that if they had decreed to set a new master over the persian empire , that then it would please them to confer it on so just & chast an enemy as was alexander , to whom , once more before the last tryal by battel , he offered these conditions of peace . that if he would marry his daughter , he would deliver , and resign up to him all asia the less , with egypt , and all those kingdoms between the phaenician sea and the river euphrates . that he would pay him for the ransom of his mother , and other daughters , thirty thousand talents , and that for performance thereof he would leave his son ochus in hostage ; and they sought by sundry arguments to perswade alexander to accept hereof . alexander causing the ambassadors to withdraw , advised with his councel , yet heard no man speak but parmenio , who was the very right hand of his good fortune , and he perswaded him to accept of such fair conditions : he told him , that the empire between euphrates and the hellespont , was a large addition to macedonia : that the retaining of those persian prisoners was a great cumber to him ; and that the treasure offered for them was of far better use than their persons , with divers other arguments , yet alexander , rejected all ; though it was very probable , that if he had followed his advice , and set bounds to his ambition within those limits , he might have been as famous for his virtue , as he was for his great successes , and might have left a successor of fit age to have enjoyed his estate , which afterwards , indeed he much enlarged , rather to the greatning of others than himself , who to assure themselves of what they had usurped , left not one of his issue alive within a few years after . besides , alexander by going so far into the east , left behind him the reputation which he brought with him out of macedonia , of a just and prudent prince : a prince temperate , advised , and grateful ; and learned by abundance of prosperity , to be a lover of wine , of flatterers , and of extream cruelty . but the persian ambassadors waited for their answer , which was to this effect : that what curtesies soever he had bestowed upon the wife , and children of darius , proceeded from his own natural clemency , and magnanimity , without all respect to their master , but thanks to an enemy was improper : that he made no wars against adversity , but against those that resisted him : not against women , and children , but against armed enemies : and also that by the reiterated practices of darius , to corrupt his souldiers , and by great sums of money , to debauch his friends to attempt something against his person , he had reason to doubt whether the peace offered were really intended , yet could he not ( were it true and faithful ) resolve in hast to accept of it , seeing darius had warred against him , not as a king , vvith royal and over forces , but as a traytor , by secret , and base practices . besides , the territories which he offered him were already his own ; and if darius , could beat him back again over euphrates , he would then believe that he offered him something that was in his power to give : otherwise he propounded to himself , as a reward of his enterprizes , all those kingdoms which darius as yet had in his possession ; wherein , vvhether he was abused by his own hopes or no , the battel vvhich he meant to fight the day following , should determine . and in conclusion , he told them , that he came into asia , to give kingdoms , and not to receive them : that the heavens could not hold two suns , and therefore if darius could be content to acknowledg alexander his superiour , he might perchance be perswaded to give him condition fit for a second person , and an inferiour . the ambassaders being returned with this answer , darius prepares to fight , and sent mazeus to defend a pass , which yet he never dared so much as to hazzard . alexander consulting with his captains , parmenio , perswaded him to force the camp of darius by night , that the multitudes of his enemies might not affright his macedonians , being comparatively but a few . but alexander replied , that he scorned to steal a victory , and resolved to bring with him daylight to witness his valour . indeed the success commended alexanders resolution , though the counsel given by parmenio was more sound . yet when he came to view the multitude of his enemies , he began to stagger , and entrenched himself upon a ground of advantage , which foolishly the persians had abandoned . and when as darius , for fear of a camizado , had stood with his men in armour all the day , and forborn all sleep in the night ; alexander on the contrary , gave his men rest , and store of food , knowing , that souldiers do better stand to it in fight , if they have their bellies full of meat and drink : for hunger within , fights more eagerly than steel without . the numbers which alexander had , were about forty thousand foot , and seven thousand horse , which were of the europaean army : and besides these , he had aegyptians , syrians , judaeans , and arabians which followed him out of those countries . he used but a short speech to his souldiers to encourage them , neither need he ; for one victory begets another , and puts courage into the conquerors , and taketh away spirits from those that have been beaten . some make large descriptions of this battel , fought at gaugamela , but in conclusion they tell us but of three hundred of alexanders men that were slain , and some say less ; but of the persians there fell forty thousand : but what can we judg of this great encounter , other than ( as in the two former battels at granick , and in cilicia ) that the persians , upon the first charge , ran away , and that the macedonians pursued them . for if that every man whom darius brought into the field , had but cast a dart , or a stone , the macedonians could not have bought the empire of the east at so easie a rate , as six or seven hundred in three such notorious battels . certainly if darius had fought with alexander upon the banks of euphrates , and had armed but fifty or sixty thousand of this great multitude , only with spades ( for most of his men were fit for no other weapon ) it had been impossible for alexander to have passed that river so easily , much less the river of tygris . but as a man , whose empire god was putting a period to , he abandoned all places of advantage , and suffered alexander to enter so far into the bowels of his kingdom , as all hope and possibility of escaping by retreat being taken from the macedonians , they were put to the choise , either to die or conquer , to which election darius could no way constrain his men , seeing they had many large regions to run into from their invaders . darius , after the rout of his army , fled to arbela that night , better attended in his flight than in the fight , and to them that fled with him , he propounded his purpose of retreating into media , perswading them that the macedonians , who were greedy of spoil and riches , would rather attempt babylon , susa , and other cities filled with treasure , than to pursue the vanquished . this miserable resolution his nobility rather obeyed , than approved . soon after the departure of darius , came alexander to arbela , vvhich , with a great mass of treasure , and many princely ornaments , was surrendred to him . for the fear which accompanied darius , took nothing with it but shame , and dishonour . he that had been twice beaten before , should have sent his treasure into media rather than to have brought it to arbela , so neer the place where he intended to wait the coming of his enemy . if he had been victorious , he might have brought it back at leasure : but being overcome , he knew it impossible to drive mules and camels loaden with gold , from the pursuing enemy , seeing himself , at the overthrow which he had in cilicia , cast the crown from his head , to run away the lighter : but its easier to reprehend , than to amend what is past . from arbela , alexander marched towards babylon , where mazeus , in whom darius had most confidence , rendred to him , himself , his children , and the city . also the captain of the castle where the treasure was kept ; strewed the streets with flowers , burnt frankincense upon the silver altars , as alexander passed by , and delivered to him whatsoever was committed to his trust . the magi also , who were the chaldean astrologers , followed this captain to entertain their new king : after these , came the babylonian horsemen , infinitely rich in attire , but exceeding poor in warlike furniture . between these and himself , alexander caused his macedonian footmen to march . when he entred the castle he admired the glory thereof , and the abundance of treasure which he found therein , amounting to fifty thousand talents of silver uncoined . in this city , rich in all things , but most of all in voluptuous pleasures , the king rested himself and his vvhole army thirty four days , spending that time in banquetting , and in all sorts of effeminate exercises , which so much softned the minds of the macedonians , not acquainted till now with such delicacies , as the severe discipline of war , which taught them to endure hunger and thirst , painful travel , and hard lodging , began rather to be forgotten than neglected . alexander , as he was rowed upon a lake neer babylon in his gally , a sudden tempest arising blew off his hat , and crown fastened upon it , into the lake , whereupon one of the marriners , leaping into the vvater , swam , and fetched it to him , and to keep it the drier , he put it upon his own head . alexander rewarded him with a talent for saving his crown ; but vvithal , caused his head to be cut off , for presuming to put his crown upon it . during his abode here , alexander instituted those regiments consisting of a thousand souldiers , appointing colonels over them , who thereupon were called chiliarks . this new order alexander brought in , vvas to honour those captains , which were found by certain judges , to have deserved best in the late war. while alexander vvas yet at babylon , there came to him a great supply out of europe . for antipater sent him six thousand foot , and five hundred hore out of macedonia ; and of the thracians three thousand foot , and as many horse , and out of greece four thousand , and four hundred horse , by vvhich his army vvas greatly strengthened . for those that were infected with the pleasures of babylon , could hardly be brought again to change their soft beds for hard boards , and the cold ground . alexander left the city and castle of babylon , with the territories adjoyning , in charge with three of his own captains , agathon , minetus , and apolidorus , leaving a thousand talents to supply their wants : but to grace mazeus , who delivered up the city to him , he gave him the title of his lieutenant general , and took along with him bagistines , who surrendred the castle to him ; and having distributed to every souldier a part of the treasure , he left babylon and entred into the province of satrapene , marching from thence towards susa in persia , situated on the river euleus , which city vvas sometime governed by the prophet daniel . here abulites , the governour of this famous city , gave it up to the conquerour , with fifty thousand talents of silver in bullion , and twelve elephants for the war , with all other the treasure of darius there ; such as the persian kings had for a long time heaped up together , leaving it from father to son ; all which in one hour came into his hands who never cared for it . in this sort did those vassals of fortune ; those lovers of the kings prosperity , not of his person , purchase their own peace , and safety with their masters treasure ; and herein was alexander well advised , that whatsoever titles he gave to the persians , yet he left all places of importance in trust vvith his own captains , as babylon , susa , persepolis , with other cities , and provinces that were conquered by him : for had darius but beaten the macedonians in one battel , all the persian nobility would have turned again to their natural lord. whilest alexander was ransacking arbela , mazeus might have furnished darius from babylon ; and whilest he stayed those thirty four days at babylon , abulites might have holpen him from susa : and whilest he was feasting , and frolicking there ; teridates from persepolis might fully have supplied him : for the chiefest bulk of his treasure was laid up in that city : but benefits bind not the ambitious but the honest ; for those that are selfish , do in all changes , consult only the conservation of their own greatness . the government of susa , with the castle and treasure , alexander committed to his own macedonians , making abulites , who rendred it to him , his lieutenant , as he had done mazeus before , giving them honourable titles , but neither trust nor power . for he left three thousand old souldiers to garrison that city , and with them , the mother and children of darius to repose themselves there . from susa alexander marched with his army towards persepolis ; but when he sought to pass those mountains that sunder susiana and persia , he was soundly beaten by ariobarzanes , who defended those streights against him , called pilae persidis , and after the loss of many of his macedonians , he was forced to save himself by retreat , causing his foot to march close together , and to cover themselves with their targets , from the stones that were tumbled upon them from the mountain-tops . yet in the end , he found out another passage , which was discovered to him by a lycian that lived in that countrey , and thereby , coming suddenly upon ariobarzanes , who now was enforced to fight upon even ground , he overthrew him , who from thence fled to persepolis : but the citizens refusing to admit him , he returned , and gave a second charge upon the macedonians , in which he was slain . many greeks ( for authors agree not upon their number ) having been taken prisoners by the persians , presented themselves here to alexander . these had the barbarians so maimed , by cutting off their hands , ears , noses , and other members , as that they could not have been known to their own countrey men , but by their language . to each of these alexander gave three hundred crowns , with new garments , and such lands as they liked to live upon . tiridates , one of darius his false hearted grandees , hearing of alexander's approach to persepolis , made him know that persepolis was ready to receive him , and intreated him to double his pace , because there was a determination amongst the people to plunder the kings treasury . this city was forsaken by many of her inhabitants upon alexanders arrival , and they that staid , followed the worst counsel . for the city was given up to the liberty of the souldiers , to spoil and kill at their pleasure . there was no place in the world at that time , which , if it had been lain in the balance with persepolis , would have weighed it down . indeed , babylon and susa were very rich , but in persepolis lay the bulk , and greatest store of the riches of persia. for after the spoil that had been made , of money , curious plate , bullion , images of gold and silver , and other jewels , there remained to alexander himself , one hundred and twenty thousand talents , and as much other treasure as twenty thousand mules , and ten thousand camels could carry away ; much whereof had been reserved there from the dayes of cyrus . here it was that alexander , setting himself down upon darius his throne , it was so high that his feet could not reach the ground ; whereupon one of his attendants brought him a little table , and set it under his feet . one of darius's eunuchs standing by , sighed , and wept grievously , which alexander taking notice of , asked him the reason of it ? the eunuch answered , i weep to see a table that was so highly prized by my master darius , now to be made thy foot-stool . here he left the same number of three thousand macedonians , in persepolis , as he had done in susa , and gave the same formal honour to the traitor tiridates , as he had done to abulites ; but he committed the charge of the place to nicarides , a creature of his own . the body of his army he left there for thirty dayes , and the care of parmenio and craterus , and with a thousand horse , and certain chosen bands of foot , he would needs view in the winter time , those parts of persia which now were covered with snow : a fruitless and foolish enterprize . some speak it in his praise , that when his souldiers cryed out against him , because of the extrem frost and snow , through which they could not make way but with great difficulty , that alexander forsook his horse , and marched on foot before them : but what can be more ridiculous , than for a man to bring other men into extremity , thereby to shew how well himself can endure it ; being his walking on foot did no oherwise take off their weariness that followed him , than his sometime forbearing to drink , did quench their thirst that could less endure it . alexander being returned to persepolis , those historians that were most enamoured of his virtues , complain , that the opinion of his valour , of his liberality , of his clemency towards the vanquished , and all other his noble conditions , were drowned in drink . that he smothered in his carousing cups all the reputation of his former actions , and that by descending as it were frow the awful throne of the greatest king , into the company and familiarity of the basest harlots ; he began to be despised both of his own , and of all other nations . for when he was enflamed with wine , and being perswaded by the infamous strumpet thais , he caused the most sumptuous , and goodly castle and city of persepolis to be consumed with fire , notwithstanding all the arguments that parmenio could use to the contrary , who told him , that it was a dishonour to destroy those things by the perswasion of others , which by his proper virtue and force he obtained : and that it would be a certain evidence to the asiaticks , to think hardly of him , and thereby alienate their hearts from him . for they might well believe , that he which demolished the goodliest ornaments they had , meant nothing less , than after such vastations , to hold the possession of them . about this time alexander received another supply of souldiers out of cilica , and advanced to find out darius in media . darius had there formed his fourth , and last army , which he meant to have encreased in bactria , had he not heard of alexander's coming on , with whom ( trusting to his present numbers , which yet were but thirty or forty thousand ) he intended once again to try what he might do against him . he therefore called together his captains and commanders , and propounded his resolution to them , who , despairing of good success , stood for a while silent : but at last artabazus , one of his eldest men of war , who had sometime lived with king philip the father of alexander , brake the silence , protesting that he could never be beaten by any adversity of the kings , from the faith that he had ever ought him , with firm confidence that all the rest were of the same mind , whereof they likewise assured darius , by the like protestation , and so they approved of the kings resolution . two onely , and they the greatest , to wit , naburzanes , and bessus , who was governour of bactria , had conspired against their master , and therefore advised the king to lay a new foundation for the war , and to pursue it for the present by some such person against whom , neither the gods , nor fortune had in all things declared themselves to be an enemy . this preamble naburzanes used , and in conclusion , advised the election of his fellow traitor bessus , with promise that when the war should be ended , the empire should be again restored to darius . the king , swoln with disdain , pressed towards naburzanes , to have slain him ; but bessus and the bactrians , whom he commanded , being more in number than the rest , with-held him . hereupon naburzanes withdrew himself , and bessus followed him , making their quarters apart from the rest of the army . artabazus , the kings faithful servant , perswaded him to be advised , and to comply for the time , the rather because alexander was at hand , and that he would at least make shew of forgetting the offence : which the king ( being of a gentle disposition ) easily yielded to . then came bessus to the king , and made his submission : but patron , who commanded a brigade of four thousand greeks , which had in all the former battels served darius faithfully , and had alwayes made their retreat in despite of the macedonians , offered himself to darius , to guard his person , protesting against the treason of bessus , ( but god had otherwise determined of the empire , and therefore so sar was the king infatuated , that be ever rejected their counsel from the beginning of the war , who were most faithful to him . ) and now hearkened to bessus , who told him , that the greeks , with patron their captain , were corrupted by alexander , and practiced the division of his faithful servants : yet , even this while , bessus had corrupted , and drawn to himself thirty thousand of the army , promising them all those things by which , the lovers of the world and themselves , are wont to be allured , to wit , riches , honour , and safety . now the day following , darius plainly discovered the purposes of bessus , and being overcome with passion , as judging himself unable to make head against these ungrateful and unnatural traitors , he prayed artabazus , his faithful servant , to depart from him , and to provide for his own safety . in like manner he discharged the rest of his attendants , all save a few of his eunuchs . for his guards had voluntarily abandoned him . his persians , being most base cowards , durst not undertake his defence against the bactrians , though they had four thousand greeks to assist them , who of themselves were able to beat both the parties . but it 's most true , that him that forsakes himself , will no man follow . it had been far more man-like , and king-like , to have dyed in the head of those four thousand greeks , who offered him the disposal of their lives , ( to which artabazus also perswaded him ) than to have lain upon the ground bewailing himself , and suffering himself to be bound like a slave , by those ambitious monsters that laid violent hands on him ; whom , neither the consideration of his former great estate , nor the honour he had conferred upon them , nor the trust he had reposed in them , nor the world of benefits he had bestowed on them , could move to pity : no , nor his present adversity , which above all things should have prevailed with them , could pierce their viperous and ingrateful hearts . darius , thus forsaken , was bound by them , and laid in a cart covered with hides of beasts , that he might not be discovered ; and to add despite and derision to his adversity , they bound him with chains of gold , and so drew him amongst their ordinary carriages . for bessus and naburzanes perswaded themselves that they might redeem their lives , and be setled in their provinces that they held , either by delivering him prisoner to alexander , of if that hope failed , to make themselves kings by his murther , and then to defend themselves by force of armes . but their expectations were frustrate in both . for it was against the nature of god , who is most just , to suffer such villany to go unpunsihed , yea , though against an heathen king , and an idolator . alexander hearing that darius was retreated towards bactria , not daring to abide his coming , hastned after him by a violent march , and because he would not force his footmen beyond their strength , he mounted on horseback certain select companies of them , and those which were best armed , and with six thousand other horse , he rather ran than marched after darius . now such as hated the treason of bessus , secretly forsook him , and gave intelligence to alexander of all that had happened , informing him of the way that bessus took , and how near he was unto him . hereupon alexander again doubled his pace , and his vant-guard being come within sight of bessus his rear , bessus brought a horse to the cart where darius lay bound , perswading him to mount thereon , and to save himself by flight . but the unfortunate king refusing to follow those that had betrayed him , they cast darts at him , and gave him some mortal wounds : they wounded also the beasts that drew him , and slew two poor servants that attended his person . this done , they all fled that could , and left the rest to the mercy of the macedonians . polystratus , a macedonian , in his pursuit after bessus , being extream thirsty , as he was refreshing himself with some water that he had found out , espied a cart drawn by wounded beasts , that were now scarce able to go , whereupon he searched it , and there found darius bathed in his own bloud : and by a persian captain that polystratus had , he understood that it was darius , and was informed of that barbarous tragedy . darius also seemed greatly comforted ( if dying men , ignorant of the living god can be comforted ) that he vented not his last sorrows unheard ; but that by this macedonian , alexander might be informed of the truth , and take vengeance on those traitors , who had dealt no less unworthily , than cruelly with him , recommending the revenge thereof to alexander by this messenger , beseeching him to pursue the traytors , not for darius his sake , but for his own honour , and for the safety of all that did , or should hereafter wear crowns . he also having nothing else to present to alexander , rendred him thanks for his kingly grace and favour used to his wife , mother , and children ; desiring the immortal gods to subject to him the kingdom of the whole world. as he was thus speaking , importunate death pressing out his few remaining spirits , he desired a little water , which polystratus presented unto him ; after which , he lived but to tell him , that of all the good things which of late he was master of , he had nothing remaining but his last breath , wherewith to desire the gods to reward his compassion . the macedonians began now to hope that their travels were near an end ; and therefore every man was preparing for his return : whereof , when alexander was informed , he was much troubled at it . for the bounded earth sufficed not for his boundless ambition . many arguments he therefore used to draw on his army farther into the east : but that which prevailed most was , that bessus , a base traitor to his master darius , having at his devotion the hircanians and bactrians , would in a short time , if the macedonians should now return , make himself lord of the persian empire , and reap the fruit of all their former travels . in conclusion , alexander won their consents to go on : which done , leaving craterus with certain regiments of foot , and amyntas with six thousand horse in parthia , he entred ( not without some opposition ) into hyrcania . for the mardons and other barbarous nations , defended certain passages for a while . but at last prevailing , he passed the river of zioberis , which , taking its rise in parthia , empties it self into the caspian sea. it runneth under the ledge of mountains which bound parthia and hyrcania , where , hiding it self under ground for three hundred furlongs , it then riseth again , and follows its former course , as is said before . in zadracarta , the metropolis of hircania , alexander rested fifteen dayes , banquetting , and feasting therein . about this time pataphernes , one of darius his greatest commanders , with some others of his followers , submitted themselves to alexander , and were restored to their places and government . but above all other , he graced artabazus most highly , for his approved and constant faith and loyalty to his master darius . artabazus brought along with him ten thousand and five hundred greeks , the remainder of all those that had served darius . he treated with alexander for their pardon before they came ; but in the end , they rendred themselves simply without promise or compostion : alexander pardoned all but the lacedemonians , whom he imprisoned , their captain having slain himself . he was also prevailed with ( though to his great dishonour ) to pardon nabarzanes , that had joyned with bessus in the murther of darius . here ( as some write ) thalestris , queen of the amazons come to visit him , and her suit was , ( which she easily obtained ) that she might accompany him , till she proved with child by him : which done , she refused to go along with him into india , but returned into her own country . now as alexander had begun to change his conditions after the taking of persepolis ; so at this time prosperity had so much corrupted his virtue , that he accounted clemency to be but baseness , and the temperance , which all his life before he had used , to be but a poor and abject humour , rather becoming the instructers of his youth , than the condition and state of so mighty a king as the world could not equal . for he perswaded himself , that he now represented the greatness of the gods ; and he was pleased when those that came before him , would fall down on the ground and adore him . he wore the garments and robes of the persians , and commanded his nobles to do the like . he entertained into his court and camp the same shameless rabble of curtizans and catamites , as darius had done , whom he imitated , in all the proud , voluptuous , and detested manners of the persians , whom he had vanquished , and became a more foul and fearful monster than darius , from whose tyranny , he vaunted , to have delivered so many nations ; insomuch as they that were nearest and dearest to him , began to be ashamed of him , entertaining each other with this , or the like scornful discourse ; that alexander of macedonia was become one of darius's licentious courtiers : that by his example , the macedonians , after so many , and tedious travels , were more impoverished in their virtues , than enriched by their victories ; and that it was hard now to judge , whether the conquerors or conquered were the baser slaves . neither were these things so whispered in corners , but that they came to alexanders ears : he therefore with great gifts sought to stop the mouthes of the better sort , and of such , of whose judgments he was most jealous . then did he make it known to the army , that bessus had assumed the title of a king , and called himself artaxerxes ; and that he had compounded a great army of the bactrians and other nations , whereby he perswaded them to go on ; to the end , that all which they had already gotten , together with themselves ( so far engaged ) might not be cast away and lost . and because they were pestered with the plunder of so many rich cities , that the whole army seemed but the guard of their carriages , he commanded that every mans fardel should be brought into the market place ; which , when it was done , he , together with his own , caused all to be consumed with fire . this , in probability , might have proved very dangerous unto him : for the common souldiers had more interest in that which they had purchased with their painful travel , and with their blood , than in the kings ambition ; had not this happy temerity overcome all difficulties . as he was upon his march , news was brought that satribarzanes , whom he had established in his former government over the arians , was revolted ; whereupon , leaving the way of bactria , he sought the traytor out : but the rebell hearing of his coming , fled with two thousand horse to bessus . then marched alexander on against bessus , and by setting a great pile of wood on fire , with the advantage of a strong wind , he won a passage over an high an unaccessible rock , which was defended against him by thirty thousand foot , the extremity of the fire and smoke forcing them to quit the place , which otherwise had been invincible : after which , he found no resistance , till he came into aria , on the east of bactria , where the chief city of that province , called artacoana , was a while defended against him , by the revolt of satribarzanes ; but in the end , he received the inhabitants to mercy . at this place his army was recruited with a new supply of five thousand , and five hundred foot , and near five hundred horse , out of greece , thessaly , and other places . at this time it was , that the treason of dimnus was discovered , of which , philotas the son of parmenio was accused , at least as accessary , if not principal . this dimnus , with some others , having conspired against the life of alexander , went about to draw nicomacus , a young man whom he loved , into the conspiracy : the youth , although he was first bound by oath to secresie , when he heard so foul a matter uttered , began to protest against it so vehemently , that his friend was like to have slain him , to secure his own life ; and so constrained by fear , he made shew as if he had been won by perswasion , and by seeming at length to like well of the business , he was told more at large who they were that had undertaken it . there were nine or ten of them , all men of rank , whose names dimnus ( the better to countenance the enterprize ) reckoned up to him , nicomachus had no sooner freed himself from the company of this traytor dimnus , than he acquainted his own brother , ceballinus , with the whole design ; whereupon it was agreed between them , that ceballinus , ( who might do it with the least suspition ) should go to the court , and utter all . ceballinus meeting with philotas , told him the whole business , requesting him to acquaint the king with it , which he promised to do , but yet did not . two dayes passed , and philotas never brake with the king about the matter , but still excused himself to ceballinus , by the kings want of leisure . this his coldness bred suspition , and caused ceballinus to apply himself to one metron , keeper of the kings armory , who forthwith brought him to alexanders presence . alexander finding by examination what had passed between ceballinus and philotas , fully perswaded himself , that this concealment of the treason argued philotas to have a hand in it ; when dimnus therefore was brought before him , he asked him only this question ; wherein have i so offended thee , that thou shouldst think philotas more worthy to be king than my self ? dimnus , when he was first apprehended , perceiving how the matter was like to go , had so wounded himself , that he lived no longer than to give his last groan in the kings presence . then was philotas sent for , and charged with the suspition which his silence might justly breed . his answer was , that when the treason was revealed to him by nicomachus , he judged it to be but frivolous , and therefore forbore to acquaint alexander with it , till he could procure better information . this errour of his ( if it were but an errour ) though alexander , for the notable services done by his father parmenio , and his brother nicanor , lately dead , and by philotas himself , had freely pardoned him , and given him his hand for assurance : yet , by the instigation of craterus , he falsified his princely promise , and made the enemies of philotas his judges . craterus indeed perswaded himself , that he could never find a better occasion to oppress his private enemy , than by pretending piety , and duty to his prince . whence a poet saith , see how these great men cloath their private hate in these fair colours of the publick good ; and to effect their ends , pretend the state , as if the state by their affection stood : and arm'd with power , and princes jealousies , will put the least conceit of discontent into the greatest rank of treacheries , that no one action shall seem innocent . uea , valour , honour , bounty shall be made as accessaries unto ends unjust : and even the service of the state must lade the needful'st undertaking with distrust , so that base vileness , idle luxury , seem safer far than to do worthily . now the king , following the advice of craterus , had resolved the next day to put philotas to the torment , yet in the very evening of the same night , in which he was apprehended , he called him to a banquet , and discoursed as familiarly with him as at any other time . but , when in the dead of the night , philotas was taken in his lodging , and that they which hated him , began to bind him , he cried out upon the king , in these words : o alexander , the malice of mine enemies hath surmounted thy mercy , and their hatred is far more constant than the word of a king. many circumstances were urged against him by alexander himself ; and this was not the least ( not the least offence indeed against the kings humour , who desired to be adored as a god ) that when alexander wrote unto him concerning the title given him by jupiter hammon , he answered , that he could not but rejoyce that he was admitted into the sacred fellowship of the gods , and yet he could not but withall grieve for those which should live under such a one as would exceed the nature of man. this , said alexander , assured me that his heart was estranged , and that he despised my glory . philotas was brought before the multitude , to hear the kings oration against him . he was brought forth in vile garments , and bound like a thief , where he heard himself , and his absent father , the greatest captain in the world , accused , and also his two other brothers , hector and nicanor , who had lost their lives in these wars ; wherewith he was so overcome with grief , that , for a while , he could utter nothing for tears ; and sorrow had so wasted his spirits , that he sank between those that led him . in the end , the king asked him , in what language he would make his defence ? he answered , in the same wherein it had pleased the king to accuse him : which accordingly he did , to the end that the persians as well as the macedonians might understand him . but hereof the king made this advantage , perswading the assembly , that he disdained the language of his own countrey , and so withdrawing himself , he left him to his merciless enemies . this proceeding of the kings , philotas greatly lamented , seeing the king , who had so sharply inveighed against him , would not vouchsafe to hear his answer . for hereby his enemies were emboldned against him , and all the rest , having discovered the kings mind and resolution , contended amongst themselves , which of them should shew the greatest hatred towards him . amongst many arguments which he brought for his own defence , this was not the least , that when nicomachus desired to know of dimnus , of what quality and power his partners in the conspiracy were , seeming unwilling to adventure himself amongst mean and base companions , dimnus named unto him demetrius , of the kings bed-chamber , nicanor , amyntas , and some others , but spake not a word of philotas , who , being master of the horse , would greatly have graced the cause , and encouraged nicomachus . and to make it more clear that he knew nothing of their intents , there was not any one of the conspirators that in their torments would accuse him . yet at the last , himself being put to extream torments , by the device of his professed enemies , craterus , cenus , ephestion , and others , philotas accused himself , hoping that they would have slain him immediately : but he failed even in that miserable hope , and suffering all that could be inflicted on flesh and blood , he was forced to confess , not what was true , but what might best please them , who were far more merciless than death it self . cruelty is not a humane vice : it is unworthy of man : it 's even a boasting rage to delight in bloud and wounds , and casting away the nature of man , to become a savage monster . now whilst alexanders hands were yet died in blood , he commanded that lyncestes , son in law to antipater , who had been three years in prison , should be slain . the same dispatch had all those that were accused by nicomachus . but parmenio was yet living . parmenio , who had served with great fidelity , as well philip , the kings father , as himself . parmenio that first opened alexanders way into asia : that had cast down attalus the kings enemy : that had alwayes , and in all hazards , the leading of the kings vaunt-guard : that was no less prudent in counsel , than successful in all his enterprizes . a man , beloved of the men of war , and to say the truth , he that had purchased for the king the empire of the east , and of all the glory and fame which he had attained to . that he might not therefore revenge the death of his son , though not upon the king ( for it was unlikely that he would have stained his fidelity in his old age , having now lived seventy years ) yet upon those who by base flattery had possessed themselves of the kings affection ; it was resolved that he should dye also : and polydamus was employed in this business , a man , whom of all others , parmenio trusted most , and loved best . who ( to be short ) finding him in media , and having cleander , and other murtherers with him , slew him as he was walking in his garden , and reading the kings letters . this was the end of parmenio ( saith curtius ) who had performed many notable things without the king ; but the king without him did never effect any thing worthy of praise . these things being ended , alexander marched on with his army , and subdued the araspitans , and made amenides ( sometime secretary to darius ) their governour . then he conquered the arachosians , and left menon to command over them . here the army ( that was sometime led by parmenio ) found him , which consisted of twelve thousand macedonians and greeks , with whom ( though with much difficulty ) he passed through some cold regions . at length , he came to the foot of the mountain taurus , towards the east , where he built a city , which he honoured with his own name , and peopled it with seven thousand of his old macedonians , worn out with age , and the travels of war. the arians , who since he left them , were revolted , he again subdued , by the industry and valour of caranus and erigius : and now he resolved to find out the new king bessus in bactria ; who hearing of his coming , prepared to pass over the great river of oxus , which divides bactria from sogdiana . bessus having now abandoned bactria , alexander made artabazus governour of it , and himself marching forward with his army , they suffered great want of water , insomuch as when they came to the river oxus , there died more of them by immoderate drinking , than alexander had lost in any one battel against the persians . he found upon the banks of this great river , no manner of timber , or other materials wherewith to make bridges , or boats , or rafts , but was forced to sew together hides that covered his carriages , and stuffing them with straw , he was six dayes in passing over his army after that manner , which bessus might easily have distressed , if he had dared but to look the macedonians in the face . he had formerly complained of darius for neglecting to defend the banks of tigris , and other passes ; and yet now , when this traiterous slave had stiled himself a king , he durst not perform any thing worthy of a slave : and therefore they that were nearest to him , and whom he most trusted , to wit , spicamenes , dataphernes , cantanes , and others , the commanders of his army , moved , both by the care of their own safety , and the remembrance of bessus his treason and cruelty against darius , bound him , as he had done his master , only his chain was closed about his neck , like a mastiff dog , and so they dragged him along to present him to alexander . in the mean time , alexander was arrived at a certain town inhabited by greeks of miletum , brought thither by xerxes , when long before he returned out of greece , whose children had now almost forgotten their countrey language . these entertained him with great joy : but he most cruelly put them all to the sword , and destroyed their city . at this place he received bessus , and having rewarded spitamenes , and his associates , he delivered the traitor into the hands of oxatre , brother to darius , to be tormented by him . but now when he thought himself most secure , and out of danger , some twenty thousand mountainers assaulted his camp , in repelling whom , he received a shot in his leg , the arrow head sticking in the flesh , so that he was fain to be carried in a horse-litter for some time after . shortly after he came unto maracanda , judged by some to be the same with samarcand , the imperial city of the great tamerlain , which was in compass seventy furlongs . here he received the ambassadors of the scythians ( called avians ) who offered to serve him . presently after , the bactrians , with the sogdians , were again stirred up to rebellion , by the same spitamenes , and catanes , who had lately delivered bessus into alexanders hands . many cities were stoutly defended against him , all which , after he had subdued them , he utterly defaced , killing all therein . at the siege of one of these he received a blow in the neck , which struck him to the ground , and disabled him from action many dayes after : in the mean while , spitamenes had recovered samarcand , against whom he sent menedemus , with three thousand foot , and eight hundred horsemen . in the heat of these affairs , alexander marched to the river jaxartes , that runs between sogdiana and scythia , which he passed over , while menedemus was employed in the recovery of samarcand . upon the banks of this river he built another alexandria , sixty furlongs in compass , which he beautified with houses seventeen dayes after the walls were built : but the scythian king , perswading himself that this city was built on purpose to keep him under , made some attempts to hinder the erection of this new city ; but being naked of defensive arms , he was easily beaten away . sixty of the macedonians are said to be slain in this conflict , and eleven hundred wounded , which might easily be done in passing a great river , defended against them by good archer . of the scythian horses , eighteen hundred were brought into the camp , and many prisoners . whilst alexander was securing himself against those scythians , bordering upon jaxartes , he received the ill news that menedemus was slain by spitamenes , his army broken , and most of them killed ; to wit , two thousand foot , and three hundred horse . he therefore , intending revenge upon spitamenes , made all the haste he could , but spitamenes fled into bactria . whereupon alexander killed , burned , and laid waste all before him , not sparing the innocent children , and so departed , leaving a new governour in that province . to repair this loss , he received a great supply of nineteen thousand men out of greece , lycia , and syria , with all which , and his old army , he returned towards the south , and passed the river of oxus on the south-side whereof he built six towns , near each to other , for their mutual security . but he found a new upstart rebell , one arimazes , ( a sogdian ) who was followed by thirty thousand souldiers , that defended against him a strong piece of ground on the top of an high and steep hill. alexander sought ( but in vain ) to win him with fair words : wherefore he made choice of three hundred young men , and promised ten talents to the first , nine to the second , and so proportionably to the rest , that could find a way to creep to the top thereof . this they performed with the loss of thirty two of their number , and then made a sign to alexander that they had accomplished his commandment . hereupon he sent one cophes to perswade arimazes to yield up the place ; who , being shewed 〈◊〉 cophes that the macedonians were already gotten up , he yielded simply to alexanders mercy , and was , with all his kindred , scourged , and crucified : which punishment they well deserved , for keeping no better a watch in so dangerous a time . for the place might have been defended against any power . after these sogdian and scythian wars , alexander committed the government of samarcand , and the country about it , to clytus , whom yet he slew soon after , for preferring the virtue of philip the father , before that of alexander the son ; or rather , because he objected to the king the death of parmenio , and derided the oracle of hammon : for therein he touched him to the quick ; his speech being in publick , and at a drunken banquet . clytus , indeed , had deserved as much at the kings hand as any man living , having saved his life ; which the king well remembred , when he came to himself , and when it was too late to repent . as clytus in his cups , forgat whom he offended , so alexander in his drunkenness forgat whom he slew ; for grief whereof , he afterward tore his face , and sorrowed so inordinately , that had he not been over-perswaded by calisthenes , he would have slain himself . drunkenness both kindles and discovers every vice : it removes shame , which gives impediment to bad attempts . where wine gets the mastery , all the evil which before lay hidden , breaks out . drunkenness indeed rather discovers vices than makes them . soon after this , spitamenes , who slew bessus , and had lately revolted from alexander , was murthered by his own wife , and his head was presented to alexander . spitamenes being thus taken away , the dahans also seized upon his fellow conspirator , dataphernes , and delivered him up : so that alexander being now freed from all those petty rebels , and disposed of the provinces that he had quieted , marched on with his army into gabaza , where it suffered so much hunger , cold , lightning , thunder , and such storms , that in one of them he lost a thousand men . from hence he invaded the sacans , and destroyed their country . then came he into the territories of cohortanes , who submitted himself to him , and presented him with thirty beautiful virgins ; amongst whom , roxane , afterwards his wife , was one ; which , although all the macedonians stomached , yet none of them durst use any freedome of speech after the death of clytus . from hence he directed his course towards india , having so increased his numbers , as amounted to one hundred and twenty thousand armed men . in the mean while , he would needs be honoured as a god , whereunto , that he might allure his macedonians , he implyed two of his parasites , hagis and cleo , whom calisthenes opposed . for amongst many other honest arguments which he used in the assembly , he told cleo , that he thought that alexander would disdain the title of a god from his vassals : that the opinion of sanctity , though it did sometimes follow the death of those , who in their life-time had done the greatest things , yet it never accompanied any one as yet living in the world : he said , that neither hercules , nor bacchus , were deified at a banquet , and upon drink , ( for this matter was propounded by cleo at a carousing feast ) but for the more than manly acts performed by them in their life-time , for which they were in succeeding ages numbred amongst the gods. alexander stood behind a partition , and heard all that was spoken , waiting but for an opportunity to be revenged on calisthenes , who , being free of speech , honest , learned , and a lover of the kings honour , was yet shortly after tormented to death . for upon occasion of a conspiracy made against the king , by one hermelaus , and others , who confessed it , he caused calisthenes , without confession , accusation , or tryal to be torn asunder upon the rack . this deed , unworthy of a king , is thus censured by seneca . thus ( saith he ) is the eternal crime of alexander , which no virtue , or felicity of his in war , shall ever be able to blot out . for as often as any man shall say , he slew many thousands of persians , it will be replied , he did so , and he slew calisthenes too . when it shall be said that he won all as far as to the very ocean , whereon also he adventured with unusual navies , and extended his empire from a corner of thrace , to the utmost bounds of the east ; it shall be said withall ; but he killed calisthenes . let him have out-gone all the ancient examples of captains and kings , none of all his acts make so much to his glory , as the death of calisthenes to his reproach . with the army before mentioned , of one hundred and twenty thousand foot and horse , alexander entred into the borders of india , where , such of the princes as submitted themselves to him , he entertained lovingly , the others he enforced , killing man , woman , and child , where they resisted . he then came before nisa , built by bacchus , which , after a ●ew dayes , was rendred to him . from thence he removed to a hill at hand , which on the top had goodly gardens , filled with delicate fruits and vines , dedicated to bacchus , to whom he made feasts for ten dayes together . and when he had drank his fill , went on to dedula , and from thence to acadera , countries spoiled , and abandoned by the inhabitants ; by reason whereof , victuals failing , he divided his army . ptolomy led one part , cenon another , and himself the rest . these took in many towns , whereof , that of greatest fame was muzage , which had in it three hundred thousand men , but after some resistance , it was yielded to him by cleophe the queen , to whom he again restored it . at the siege of this city he received a wound in the leg . after this , nola was taken by polisperchon ; and a rock of great strength by alexander himself : he won also a passage from one eryx , who was slain by his own men , and his head presented to alexander : this was the sum of his actions in those parts , before he came to the great river indus . and when he came thither , he found there ephestion , who ( being sent before ) had prepared boats for the transportation of his army , and before alexanders arrival , had prevailed with omphis , king of that part of the country , to submit himself to this great conquerour . and hereupon , soon after alexanders coming , omphis presented himself , with all the strength of his country , and fifty six elephants , unto him ; offering him his service and assistance : he told alexander also , that he was an enemy to the two next great kings of that part of india , named abiasares , and porus ; wherewith alexander was not a little pleased , hoping by this their disunion , to make his own victory be the far more easie . this omphis also presented alexander with a crown of gold , the like did the rest of his commanders ; and withall he gave him eight talents of silver , coined ; which alexander not only refused , but to shew that he coveted glory , not gold , he gave omphis a thousand talents of his own treasure , besides other persian rarities . abiasares being informed that alexander had received his enemy omphis into his protection , he resolved to make his own peace also . for , knowing that his own strength did but equal that of omphis , he thought it but an ill match , when alexander , who had already subdued all the greatest princes of asia , should make himself a party , and head of the quarrell . so then now alexander had none to stand in his way , but porus , to whom he sent a command , that he should attend him at the borders of his kingdom , there to do him homage : but the gallant porus returned him this manly answer : that he would satisfie him in the first demand , which was , to attend him on his borders , and that well accompanied ; but for any other acknowledgment , he was resolved to take counsel of his sword. to be short , alexander resolved to pass over the river of hydaspes , and to find out porus at his own home : but porus saved him that labour , attending him on the farther bank , with thirty thousand foot , ninety elephants , and three hundred armed chariots , and a great troop of horse . the river was half a mile broad , and withal , deep and swift . it had in it many islands , amongst which there was one much overgrown with wood , and of good capacity . alexander sent ptolomy , with a good part of the army up the river , shrowding the rest from the sight of porus under this island , by this devise , porus being drawn from the place of his first encamping , set himself down opposite to ptolomy , supposing that the whole army of alexander was there , intending to force their passage : but in the mean while alexander with his men , recovered the the farther shore without resistance , and ordering his troops , he advanced towards porus , who at first imagined them to be abiasares his confederate , come over hydaspis to assist him : but finding it to be otherwise , he sent his brother hagis with four thousand horse , and a hundred armed chariots to entertain him . each chariot had in it four to ●ight , and two to guide it : but they were at this time of little use , by reason that much rain having fallen , the fields were so foul that the horses could hardly trot . in this fight the scythians and dahans had alexanders vantguard , who so galled the indians with their darts and arrows , that the horses brake their reins , and overturned the chariots , and those that were in them . perdiccas also charged the indian horsemen , who were by him forced to recoil . then did porus move forward with the gross of his army , that his vantguard , who were scattered , might retreat into his rear . alexander , being followed by ephestion , ptolomy , and perdiccas , charged the indian horsemen in the left wing , commanding cenon to set upon the right . he directed also antigonus and leonatus to charge porus his battel of foot , strengthened with elephants , porus himself riding upon one of the biggest of them . by these beasts the macedonian foot received the greatest dammage ; but the archers and darters being well guarded with the long and strong pikes of the macedonians , so galled them , that the elephants being inraged , turned head , and ran over their own footmen that followed them . in the end , after a long and doubtful fight , by the advantage of weapons , and the skill and courage of the macedonian captains , the victory fell to alexander , who also far exceeded porus in number of men . for , besides the macedonians , and other eastern and northern nations , alexander was assisted by porus his confederates , and country people : yet , for his own person , he never gave ground , otherwise than with his sword towards his enemies , till , being weakned by many wounds , and abandoned by his army , he became a prisoner to the conquerour , from whom again he received his kingdom , with a great enlargement . i forbear to mention other petty victories which alexander obtained after this , in his sailing down the river of indus . the description of places about the head , and branches thereof , are better known to us by reason of our late navigations and discoveries , than they were in former times . the magnificence and rights of those indian kings , we could in no sort be perswaded to believe , till our own experience had taught us , that there are many stranger things in the world than we see in our own countrey . alexander , having by this time over-wearied his army , he discovered the rest of india by fame . the indian kings whom he had subdued , informed him , that a king called aggramenes , ruled over many nations beyond the river ganges , who was able to bring into the field two hundred thousand foot , twenty thousand horse , three thousand elephants , and two thousand armed chariots . with this report , though alexander was more enflamed than ever , to proceed in his discoveries and conquests , yet all his oratory could not prevail with his souldiers to adventure over those waste desarts beyond indus and ganges , which were more terrible to them , than the greatest army that the east could gather . yet at last they were overcome by many perswasions to follow him towards the south , to discover such parts of the ocean as were nearer at hand , unto which the river indus was their infallible guide . alexander seeing it would be no otherwise , devised a pretty trick , by which he hoped to beguile after-ages , and make himself seem greater than he was . for which end , he enlarged his camp , made greater trenches , greater cabins for souldiers , greater horse-stalls , and higher mangers than horses could seed in . yea , he caused all furniture both for men and horses , to be made larger than would serve for use , and scattered these armours and bridles about his camp , to be kept as reliques , and wondred at by those barbarous people . proportionable unto these , he raised up twelve great altars , to be monuments of his journeys end . this done , he returned again to the banks of asesines , and there determined to build his fleet , where ausines and hydaspes meet ; and to testifie by a surer monument , how far he had passed towards the east , he built by those rivers two cities : the one he called nicaea , and the other bucephalon , after the name of his beloved horse bucephalus . here again he received a new supply of six thousand thracian horse-men , seven thousand foot , and from his lieutenant of babylon , twenty five thousand armours , garnished with silver and gold , which he distributed amongst his souldiers . about these rivers he won many towns , and committed great slaughter on those that resisted . it 's said , that besieging a city of the oxidracans , he leaped from the top of the wall into it , and fought long against all the inhabitants , till his souldiers , forcing a gate , came in to his rescue . finally , he passed down the river with his fleet , at which time news was brought him of a rebellion in bactria , and then of the arrival of a hundred ambassadours from a king in india , who submitted himself to him . these ambassadours he feasted upon a hundred beds of gold , with all the sumptuousness that could be devised ; who , soon after their dispatch , returned again , and presented him with three hundred horses , and one hundred and thirty wagons , and in each of them four horses , a thousand targets , with many other things rare and rich . then sailed alexander towards the south , passing through many obscure nations , which all yielded to him , either quietly , or by force : amongst these , he built another alexandria . of the many places which he took in his passage , one was called samus , the inhabitants whereof fought against him with poysoned swords ; with one of which , ptolomy ( afterwards king of egypt , ) was wounded , and was cured by an herb which alexander dreamed he had seen in the mouth of a serpent . when he came near to the out-let of indus , ( being ignorant of the tides of the sea ) his gallies on a sudden were shuffled one against another , by the coming of the flood , and in the ebb , they were left on the dry ground , and on the sandy banks in the river , wherewith the macedonians were much amazed : but after he had a few dayes observed the course of the sea , he passed out of the rivers mouth some few miles , and then offering sacrifice to neptune , he returned ; and the better to inform himself , he sent nearchus and onesicritus to discover the coast towards the mouth of euphrates . near the out-lets of this river , he spent some part of winter , and from thence , in eighteen dayes march , he recovered gredosia , in which passage his army suffered such misery through the want of food , that of one hundred and twenty thousand foot , and twelve thousand horse , which he carried into india , not a fourth part returned alive . from gredosia , alexander led his army into caramania , and so drawing near to persia , he gave himself wholly unto feasting and drinking , imitating the triumphs of bacchus . and though this swinish vice be hateful enough in it self ; yet it alwayes inflamed this king to cruelty . for ( saith curtius ) the hangman followed the feast : for haspastes , one of his provincial governours , he commanded to be slain ; so as , neither did the excess of voluptuousness qualifie his cruelty , nor his cruelty at all hinder his voluptuousness . while he refreshed his army in these parts , there came a new supply to him of five thousand foot , and a thousand horse , which were conducted to him by cleander and his fellows , that had been employed in the murther of parmenio . against these murtherers great complaints were made by the deputies of the provinces , in which they had commanded ; and their offences were proved to be so outragious , that alexander was perswaded , that , had they not altogether despaired of his return out of india , they durst not have committed them . all men were glad of the occasion , remembring the virtue of him whom they had slain . the end was , that cleander and the other chief , together with six hundred souldiers , who had been the instruments of their ravages , were delivered over to the hangman ; every one rejoycing that the wrath of the king was at last poured out upon the ministers of his anger . nearchus and onesicritus were now returned from searching the coast , and made report of an island they had discovered , rich in gold , and of other strange things ; whereupon they were commanded to make some farther discovery , after which they should come up euphrates , and meet the king at babylon . alexander drawing near to babylon , went to visit the sepulchre of cyrus in pesagardes , where he was presented with many rich gifts by orsanes , one of the princes of persia , of the race of cyrus . but because bagoas , an eunuch , who was in special favour with the king , was neglected , he suborned some loose fellows to accuse orsanes for robbing cyrus his tomb ; for which he was condemned to dye , and bagoas assisted the hangman with his own hands to torment him . at this time also alexander caused phradites to be slain , suspecting his greatness . hence ( saith curtius ) he began unreasonably to shed blood , and to believe false reports . indeed he took the way to make all men weary of him , and his government , seeing tyranny is more dreadful than all adventures that can be made against it . about this time , calanus the philosopher burnt himself , having lived seventy three years ; and historians say , that before his death he foresaw , and foreshewed the death of alexander , promising to meet him shortly after at babylon . from pesagardes , alexander went to susa , where he married statyra , the eldest daughter of darius , giving her younger sister to his beloved ephestion , and eighty other persian ladies to other of his captains . to his wedding feast he invited six thousand guests , to each of which he gave a cup of gold. unto this place came to him three thousand young souldiers out of his conquered provinces , whereat the macedonians greatly murmured . harpalus , his treasurer in babylon , having lavishly consumed the money in his keeping , fled with five thousand talents , and six thousand hired souldiers ; but when he came into greece , he was there slain . alexander much rejoyced at the fidelity of the greeks , who would not be corrupted with harpalus his bribes : yet he sent a command to them , that they should receive their banished men again ; whereunto they all for fear yielded , except the athenians , though they saw that it was a manifest preparation to their bondage . after this , there followed a marvellous discontent in his army , because he had resolved to send into macedonia all those old souldiers which could no longer endure the travell of the war , and to keep the rest in asia . he made many orations to satisfie them , but all his words were in vain , during the heigth of their fury ; yet , when their first passions were evaporated , they became more tractable . and with such as were licenced to depart , he sent craterus , to whom he gave the lieutenantship of macedonia , thessaly , and thrace , which antipater had governed from the time of alexanders departure out of europe , who ( during that time ) had subdued the rebellious greeks , discharged the trust committed to him with great fidelity , and sent him from time to time so many strong supplies into asia . certainly , if alexander had not taken counsel of his cups , he would have cast some better colour upon this alteration , and given antipater some stronger reasons of his remove , than to employ him in conducting a new supply of men to babylon , the war being now at an end . for antipater could make no other construction of this remove , but that he had a purpose to send him after parmenio , and the rest . the truth is , the king , notwithstanding his undauntedness , had no great mind to grapple with antipater . alexander having thus sent for antipater , made a journey into media , to settle things there , where ephestion , whom he loved and favoured above all others , died . the king greatly lamented his loss , hanged the physician that could not cure him , and built him a monument that cost twelve thousand talents . after which he returned to babylon . thither antipater came not , but sent , and that , not to excuse , but to free himself ; and if we may believe curtius , he suborned his sons , cassander , philip , and jolla , who were alexander cup-bearers , to give him poyson ; thessalus ( who was one of the conspiracy ) having invited him to a drinking-feast for that purpose . others say , that by his inordinate drinking he fell into a fever , whereof he died . a little before his death , his friends about him asked him , to whom he would leave his empire ? he answered , to the most worthy man. then asked they him , when they should give him divine honours ? he answered , when they themselves were happy ; which were the last words that he spake , and so he died , having lived not all out thirty three years , nor reigned thirteen . as soon as he was dead , his great captains sought to inrich themselves by his spoils , and whilst they were sharing the world amongst themselves , his dead body lay many dayes in that hot countrey unburied , stinking above ground : a notable emblem of the vanity of all earthly things . besides this , his vast empire was divided amongst his great captains ; to ptolomaeus lagi was allotted egypt and africa ; to laomedon , syria and phoenicia ; to python , media ; to eumenes , paphlagonia and cappadocia ; to antigonus , pamphilia , lycia , and phrygia the greater ; to cassander , caria ; to menander , lydia ; to leonatus , phrygia the less ; to lysimachus , thracia , with the neighbouring countries ; to antipater , macedonia , and the neighbouring nations . but these men , not contented with their shares , fell out amongst themselves , making war one upon another to their own destruction ; for , perdiccas , warring upon egypt , was slain by his own souldiers ; antipater died ; eumenes was betrayed by his own souldiers , and slain by antigonus ; olympias , the mother of alexander , was slain by cassander ; cleopatra , sister to alexander , was slain by the treachery of antigonus ; antigonus himself was slain in battel by cassander and lysimachus ; roxane , the beloved wife of alexander , together with her son alexander , and barsine , another of his wives , which was daughter to darius , were all slain by cassander . and presently after , the whole family of cassander was rooted out ; ptolomy died in egypt ; lysimachus was slain by seleuchus ; and seleuchus himself presently after by ptolomy . so that all the family of alexander , within a few years after his death , was wholly extirpated ; and all his friends and great captains , by their ambition and mutual contentions , came most of them to untimely ends . when the dead body of alexander had lain seven dayes upon his throne , at last the chaldeans and egyptians were commanded from thenceforth to take the care of it ; but when they came about it , they durst not at first approach to touch it : but anon after , saying their prayers , that it might be no sin unto them , being but mortals , to lay their hands upon so divine a body , they fell to work , and dissected it ; the golden throne whereon he lay , being all stuffed with spices , and hung about with pendants and banners , and other emblems of his high state and honour . the care of his funeral , and of providing a chariot wherein to carry his body to the temple of jupiter hammon , was committed to aridaeus , who spent two whole years in making provision for it ; which made olympias , his mother , ( seeing him lye so long unburied ) in great grief of heart to cry out , and say , o my son ! thou that wouldst needs be accounted amongst the gods , and keptest such adoe about it , canst not now have that which every poor man hath , a little earth , and burial . long after , when julius caesar had conquered pompey , and was idle in egypt , lucan tells us , that he visited the temples , and the cave wherein the body of alexander the great lay , in these verses ; — vultu semper celante timorem , intrepidus superum sedes , & templa vetusti numinis , &c. then with a look still hiding fear , goes he the stately temple of th' old god to see , which speaks the ancient macedonian greatness ; but there delighted with no objects sweetness , nor with their gold , nor gods majestick dress , nor lofty city walls ; with greediness into the burying vault goes coesar down , where macedonian philip's mad-brain'd son , the prosperous thief , lies buried ; whom just fate slew in the worlds revenge . — alexander was very learned , and a great lover of learning , and learned men , insomuch as he rewarded his master aristotle with eighty talents , for his history of living creatures . he so prized homers iliads , that in all his wars he carried it in his pocket , and laid it under his pillow a nights . he loved his master aristotle as if he had been his father , and used to say , we have our being from our parents , but our well-being from our school-masters . his mother olympias was very severe and morose in her carriage ; and once antipater , his vice-roy in europe , wrote large letters of complaint to him , against her ; to whom he returned this answer : knowst thou not that one little tear of my mothers , will blot out a thousand of thy letters of complaint ? when he heard the philosophers conclusion concerning the unity of the world , he wept , because there were no more worlds for him to conquer but one . an evident note of his great ambition : which also manifested it self hereby ; that when he came to the tomb of achilles , he fell as weeping , considering that achilles had a homer to sing his praises , and to perpetuate his memory , whereas he had no such poet to set forth his commendations . also he commanded , that no man should draw his picture , but apelles , the most exquisite painter in the world , and that none should make his statue in brass but lycippus , the most excellent workman in that kind . alexander used to carry his head on one side , inclining to the left , wherein his court-parasites ( to ingratiate themselves with him ) imitated him . one desiring to see his treasures , and his jewels , he bad his servants sh●w him , not his talents of gold and silver , and such other precious things , but his friends . when he had overcome darius , and gotten possession of all his dominions and treasures , he began to degenerate into the asian luxury . his chastity and moderation were turned into pride and lust. he judged his country manners , and the discipline of the former macedonian kings , too sordid and mean for him . he imitated the pride of the persian kings , he made him a crown , and robes like unto darius . he grew so proud and insolent , that he suffered his souldiers to fall down and worship him like a god. yea , he commanded his servants , and slaves to do so . he cloathed his captains and horse-men like unto the persians , which though they disliked they durst not refuse . he gat him three hundred sixty five concubines , of the beautifullest virgins that could be found in asia , after the manner of the persian kings , one of which lay with him every night . he had his troops of eunuchs , with musicians , jesters , singing women , &c. he spent whole days and nights in profuse feasting , and revelling . all which was very offensive to his old captains , and souldiers . when he was a boy , he took both his hands full of perfumes , and cast them into the fire as he was sacrificing , whereupon leonidas , one of his school-masters said to him : o alexander , when thou hast conquered those countries wherein these odors grow , then thou maist be so liberal , but in the mean time be more sparing . afterwards , when he had conquered arabia foelix , he sent to leonidas a hundred tallents of myrrhe , and five hundred of frankincense , bidding him to be hereafter more liberal in his service of the gods. he was of so bountiful a disposition , that it was a greater trouble to him not to be asked than not to give . he wrote to phocian , that he would make use of his friendship no more if he refused his gifts . serapion , a young boy that used to play at ball with him , gat nothing because he asked nothing ; whereupon the next time he played , he threw the ball to all but alexander , the king marvelling at it , asked him why he threw not the ball to him ? forsooth ( said serapion ) because you asked it not . alexander laughing at the jest , sent him a liberal gift . as he was travelling through the desarts of persia , himself and his army were in great straits for want of water : one of his souldiers having two sons ready to dye of thirst , sought up and down , and at last found a little water , wherewith he filled a leather bottel , and was running with it to his sons : but meeting alexander by the way , he filled it out into a dish , and profered it to him . alexander asked him , whither he was carrying it ? the man told him that his two sons were ready to die with thirst : but ( said he ) pray you sir , do you drink it ; for if my sons die i can get more , but if you die we shall not have such an other king. alexander hearing this , gave him the water again , and bid him carry it to his sons . alexander in his younger days was so moderate , and temperate , that he would often open his chests , and look upon his garments , to see if his mother had not provided him , either delicate or superfluous apparel . also when the queen of caria , to shew her great love to him , sent him dayly variety of dishes and dainties , and at last sent her cooks , and bakers to him , he returned them back again , saying , that he had no need of their service ; for his master leonidas had provided him better cooks , by teaching him to dine and sup frugally , and sparingly . also when he had any rare , and dainty fruits , or fishes sent him from the sea , he used to distribute them amongst his friends , reserving very little or none for his own use . one craving a small gift of him , he gave him a whole city , and when the poor man said , that it was too much for him to receive : yea ( said alexander ) but not for me to give . as he was advanceing to conquer a kingdom in india , taxilis , who was king thereof , came and met him , saying , o alexander , what need we fight , if thou comest not to take away my food and water , for which its only fit for wise men to ●ight ? if thou seekest after riches , if i have more than thou , i will give thee part of mine : if thou hast more than i , i will not refuse part of thine . alexander being much taken with his speech , said to him , go to , i will contend with thee in bounty , and so they mutually gave and received many gifts . at last alexander gave him a thousand tallents , which much grieved his friends , and rejoyced the barbarian . he shewed an admirable example of his chastity in the heat of his youth , when having taken the mother , wives , and daughters of darius , women of admirable beauty , yet , neither by word , nor deed did he profer them the least indignity , thinking it a greater honour to overcome himself than his adversaries : and when he looked upon other captive ladies that excelled in stature and beauty , he merrily said , persides oculorum dolores esse : that the persian women were a disease of the eyes , and yet he looked on them but as on so many statues . when he was informed that two of his captains under permenio , had ravished two of the persian ladies , he wrote to him to enquire after the matter , and if he found it true , he should cut off their heads , as of beasts born for the hurt of mankind . he also sent him word , that himself was so far from contemplating the beauty of darius his wife , that he would not so much as suffer her to be commended in his presence ; and that he was so careful of their chastity , that they lived in his camp , shut up in their tent , as if they had been in a temple . at the death of ephestion , his favorite , he did not only clip the haire of his horses , and mules , but plucked down also the battlements of the city walls , that they might seem to mourn for his minions death , shewing now deformity instead of their former beauty . porus , an indian king , fighting valiantly against him , receiving many wounds , and at last , being overcome , and falling into his enemies hands , they brought him to alexander , who hearing of his coming , went forth , with some of his friends , to meet him , and asked him what he would have him to do for him , porus answered , my only desire is , that thou use me like a king : alexander , admiring his magnanimity , replyed , this i will do for my own sake : but what wouldest thou have me do for thine ? porus answered , that all was contained in his former demand of kingly usage : alexander was so pleased with this , that he restored him to his kingdom , and gave him another bigger than his own . alexander the great ( saith plutarch ) built seventy cities , he brought many barbarous nations to civility . he taught the people hircani the use of marriage : and the arachosians , tillage and husbandry : the sogdians , that they should nourish and cherish their aged parents , and not kill them : the persians , to honour their mothers , and not to use them for their wives : the scythians , that they should not eat their dead , but bury them in the earth . &c. his clemency to those whom he conquered , was very exemplary . the same day that he took , he restored again the kingdom to porus king of india . darius his mother he entertained honourably , as a queen . darius his wife , and beautiful daughters , he would not so much as see , as careful to preserve their chastity . his liberality and magnificence exceeded all his other virtues . he gave at one time three and twenty thousand talents among his souldiers , to pay their debts . at his marriage , he invited ten thousand guests , and gave to every one of them a cup of gold. to one that asked something of him , he gave a city ; and when the party would have refufed it , as too great a gift for him , alexander said , non quaero quid te decet accipere , sed quid me decet dare : i regard not what is meet for thee to take , but what is meet for me to give . whereupon plutarch saith , that those virtues for the which severally sundry worthy men have been commended , did all concur and meet in him : as the valour of achilles : the chastity of agamemnon : the piety of diomedes : the courage of cyrus : the policy of themistocles : the boldness of brassida : and the prudence of his father philip. his military virt●es were remarkable : as , his courage , in that with thirty thousand footmen , and five thousand horsemen ( for he had no more when he first passed over into asia ) he durst bid defiance to all the world. his patience , in enduring hunger and thirst , heat and cold. his dexterity , and celerity , in omitting no opportunity of advantage to his affairs , so that in seven years he accomplished all his great conquests : and to these may be added , his singular success ; for he never besieged any city , but he took it . but after he had glutted himself with the pleasures of asia , the vices that he fell into were not inferiour to his afore-named virtues . among the rest , these four notable vices were apparent in him . first , drunkenness : for he would drink so excessively , that he would lie two or three dayes senseless , till he had slept out his drink . secondly , in his drunkenness he was cruel and outragious : in one of those fits he slew his dear friend clitus , whose loss he greatly bewailed afterwards . thirdly , he was much given to wantonness , and fleshly lusts. fourthly , at length he grew so intolerably proud , that he would needs be accounted the son of jupiter , and commanded calisthenes ( one of his great commanders , ) to be slain , because he would not worship him . he accounted achilles happy , because he had such a man as homer to set forth his praises : but himself had many worthy men to register his acts ; as ptolomy , king of egypt : hecataeus : aristobulus : calisthenes : onesicratus : diodorus siculus : trogus pompeius : justin : quintus curtius : with divers others . lycippus the painter , made alexanders picture looking up to heaven , with this motto , jupiter , asserui terram mihi , tu assere coelum . o jupiter , i have taken the earth to my self ; take thou heaven : with which alexander was so well pleased , that he published a proclamation , that none should draw his picture but lycippus . apelles drew alexander's picture with a thunderbolt in his hand , to shew his admirable celerity , and unresistableness in his conquests . this bloudy man lived not out half his dayes , and not long after his death all his posterity was rooted out . his posterity and kindred that he left behind him , were ; his mother olymtias ; his unkle pyrrhus , king of epirus : his brother arideus , and his sister cleopatra : his two wives , with their two sons ; roxane with alexander , and bursines with hercules ▪ olympias caused arideus to be killed : cassander thereupon took occasion to put olympias to death , being almost fourscore years old : and then he poysoned both alexanders sons , [ alexander and hercules ] with roxane alexanders wife . cleopatra , alexanders sister , the governour of the sardians , who was base brother to philip , alexanders father , procured her to be killed , therein thinking to gratifie antigonus : and last of all , pyrrhus was vanquished by antigonus , the son of demetrius , by whom his head was cut off . the life and death of epaminondas , the great captain of the thebans . the father of epaminondas was polymnis , who was descended of one of the most ancient , and renowned families amongst the thebans , the most part of which noble linage had upon their bodies for a natural birth-mark , the resemblance of a snake . this polymnis had two only sons , caphisias , and epaminondas , whom he educated very carefully , and had them very carefully , and had them very well instructed in all the liberal arts , and honest sciences : especially epaminondas , who had the more stayed wit , and was most inclined to virtue , desirous to learn , humble , obedient , and wonderful docible : and of one dyonisius he learned to be very skilful in singing , and musick . and for philosophy it happened well for him that he fell into an excellent masters hands by this means . the colleges of the pythagorian phylosophers that were dispersed through the cities of italy , were banished by the faction of the cylonians , yet such as still kept together , met in a councel at metapont to consider of their affairs : but some seditious persons rose up against them , and set the house wherein they were on fire , and burnt them all ; only phylolaus and lysis , being lusty young men , escaped through the fire . phylolaus fled into the country of the lucanians , and resided there with his friends : but lysis got to thebes , where polymnis intertained him , intreating him to undertake the tuition of his son , epaminondas , who , though he was but a young boy , yet was he of good capacity , and of very good hopes , this phylosopher accordingly applied himself to manure this noble and quick wit of epaminondas , and in a short time made him perfect in all sciences and virtue , so that it was hard to find a more wise , grave , and virtuous person than he was . when he was but fifteen years of age , he gave himself to all manner of exercises of the body , as to run , wrestle , use his weapons , and all feats of arms : and having quickly attained to skill in these , he applied himself to his book , he was naturally silent , fearful to speak , but never a weary to hear and learn ; whereupon spintharus , the tarentine , being familiarly acquainted with him in thebes , used to say , that he never knew any man that knew so much , and spake so little as epaminondas , if he fell into any company that discoursed of philosophy , or of state matters , he would never leave them , till the matter propounded was at an end . he was of a pleasant disposition , and so witty that he could break a jest as well as any man. lysis after he had lived long in thebes , died , and was honourably buried by his scholar epaminondas . not long after , theanor , one of the pythagorians in sicily , was sent to bring lysis thither , but when he came to thebes , he found him dead and buried , therefore going to epaminondas , after salutations , he told him that his companions , who were rich , willed him to give polymnis , and his chidren , a good sum of mony in recompence of that curteous entertainment which they had given to lysis : epaminondas , after pleasant excuses made , told him that none could be received , saying further jason , a captain of the thessalians thought that i gave him a rude and uncivil answer , when he , having earnestly entreated me to receive a good sum of gold , i sent him word that he did me wrong , and began to make war with me : for that he , aspiring to make himself a lord , would corrupt me with mony , who am a plain citizen of a free town , and living under the law , but for thee theanor , i commend thy good will , because its honest and virtuous , but i tell thee thou bringest physick to them that are not sick . admit that thou , hearing we had been in wars , hadst brought us arms to defend us , and when on the contrary thou hadst found us quiet , and at peace with all our neighbours , thou wouldst not have thought fit to bestow these arms , and leave them with those that had no need of them . even so , thou art come to relieve our poverty as though it were a burden to us , whereas on the contrary , it s an easie and pleasant thing to us to carry , and we are glad we have it in our houses amongst us , and therefore we have no need of arms , or mony against that which doth us no hurt at all . but tell thy brethren that they use their goods very honestly : and also that they have friends here which use their poverty as well : and as for the intertainment , and burial of lysis , he hath himself fully recompenced us , having taught us , amongst many other good lessons , not to be afraid of poverty , nor to be grieved to see it amongst us . theanor having made some reply about the good and evil of riches , and told him that as poverty was not evil in it self , so neither was riches to be had in contempt and dispised : no truly ( said epaminondas ) yet considering with my self that we have a world of covetous desires , some natural that are born with us , and bred in our flesh by the lusts pertaining to it : others strange to us , grounded upon vain opinions , which taking setling , and becoming an habit in us by tract of time , and long use through evil education , oftentimes do draw us down , and weigh our souls with more force and violence , than those that be connatural to us . for reason , through daily exercise of virtue , and practice thereof , is a means to free us from many of those things that are born , and bred with us . yet we must use continual force and opposition against our concupiscences which are strangers to us , to quench them , and by all possible means to repress , and subdue them in us . and when this is done , there is also ( said he ) an exercise of justice against greedy covetousness , and a desire of getting , which is not , not to go rob our neighbours houses , nor , not to rob men by the high way , nor not to betray our friends , or country for mony : for such an one opposeth , not covetousness , but possibility , its law , or fear that bridleth his covetous desire to offend : but that man that oftimes willingly abstains from just gains , he it is that by exercise keeps himself far from unjust , and unlawful taking of mony . for it is impossible in great pleasures that are wicked and dangerous , the soul should contain it self from lusting after them , unless formerly , being oft at his choise to use them , he had contemned them . it s not easite to overcome them , nor to refuse great riches when they are offered , unless a man long before hath killed in him this covetous desire of getting , the which , besides many other habits and actions , is still greedily bent shamefully to gain , pleasing himself in the pursuit of injustice , hardly forbearing to wrong an other so he may benefit himself . but that man that disdaines to receive gifts from his friends , and refuseth presents offered him by kings , and that hath rejected the bounty of fortune , putting by all covetous desires of glistering treasures laid before him , he shall never be tempted to do that which is unjust , nor shall his mind be troubled , but he will content himself quietly to do any thing that is honest , having an upright heart , finding nothing in it but that which is good and commendable . yet was the life of epaminondas far more excellent than his discourse , as will appear by that which follows . diomedon , the cizicenian , at the request of artaxerxes , king of persia , promised to win epaminondas to take the persians part . to effect this , he came to thebes , and brought a great mass of gold with him , and with three thousand crowns of it , he bribed a young man called mycethus , who was greatly beloved by epaminondas . this young man went to him and told him the occasion of the other mans coming to thebes : but diomedon being present , epaminondas said to him , i have no need of mony : if the king of persia wish well to the thebans , i am at his service without taking one penny : if he hath any other meaning , he hath not gold nor silver eno●gh wherewith to corrupt me : for i will not sell the love which i bear to my country for all the gold in the world : and as for thee that dost now tempt me , not knowing me , but judging me like unto thy self , i pardon thee for this time , but get thee quickly out of the city lest thou corrupt others , having failed to prevail over me : and for thee mycethus , deliver him his mony again , which if thou dost not presently , i will send thee before a justice . hereupon diomedon besought him that he would let him go away in safety , and carry that with him which he brought thither : yea ( said epaminondas ) but it shall not be for thy sake , but for my honour-sake , lest thy gold and silver being taken from thee , some man should accuse me that i had a share in that privately which i had refused openly . saying further , whither wouldst thou that i should cause thee to be conveyed ? to athens , said diomedon : this was done accordingly , and he had a strong convoy sent with him , and that he might not be troubled by the way , betwixt the gates of thebes and the haven wherein he was to imbark himself , epaminondas gave chabrias the athenian charge of him , that he should see him safe at his journeys end . though epaminondas was very poor , yet would he never take any thing of his citizens or friends : and being so inured to poverty , he was enabled to bear it the more patiently by his study of philosophy , for on a time , having the leading of an army of the thebans into the country of peloponnesus , he borrowed five crowns of a citizen for the defraying of his necessary charges in that journey . pelopidas being a man of great wealth and his very good friend , could never possibly force upon him any part of his goods , but he rather learned of him to love poverty . for epaminondas taught him to think it an honour to go plainly in his apparrel , to eat moderately , to take pains willingly , and in war to fight lustily . yet when he had occasion to relieve others , he would make bold with his friends goods , which in such cases were common to him , if any of his citizens were taken prisoners by the enemy , or if any friend of his had a daughter to be married , and was not able to bestow her , he used to call his friends together , and to assess every one of them at a certain sum , after which he brought him before them who was to receive the mony , and told him how much every one had bestowed upon him , that he might return thanks to them all . but once he went far beyond this : for he sent a poor friend of his to a rich citizen of thebes to ask of him six hundred crowns , and to tell him that epaminondas desired him to let him have them . the citizen being amazed at his demand , went to epaminondas to know what he meant to charge him so deeply , as to make him to give six hundred crowns to the other ? it is ( said epaminondas ) because this man , being an honest man , is poor , and thou who hast robbed the commonwealth of much , art rich . he lived so soberly , and was such an enemy to all superfluity and excess , that being on a time invited to supper to one of his neighbours , when he saw great preparation of dainty meats , made dishes , and perfumes , he said unto him , i thought thou hadst made a sacrifice by this excess and superfluity , and so immediatly went his way . the like also he spake of his own table , saying , that such an ordinary , was never guilty of traitors , and treason . on a time being at a feast with some of his companions , he drank vinegar , and when they asked him what he meant by it , and whether he drank it for his health or no ? i know not ( said he ) but this i am sure of , it puts me in remembrance how i live at home . now it was not that his stomach was an enemy to dainty meats , or that he lived so penuriously at home , for he was marvelous noble minded : but he did it , that by his strict and unreprovable life , he might bridle and restrain many insolencies and disorders which then raigned amongst the thebans , and to reduce them to the former temperance of their ancestors . upon a time , a cook giving up an account to him and his fellows of their ordinary expences for certain days , he could find fault with nothing but the quantity of oyl that was spent : which his companions marvelling at ; tush ( said he ) it is not the expence which offends me , but because we have poured in so much oyl into our bodies . the city of thebes upon an occasion made a publick feast , where they were very merry , and jolly : but on the contrary , epaminondas went up and down without oyl and perfumes , or decked with brave apparel , seeming very sad : some of his familiar friends meeting him in this posture , and wondering at him , asked him why he walked so alone , and ill apparelled through the city ? because ( said he ) you may in the mean time freely and safely drink your selves drunk , and make merry , taking thought for nothing . his modesty also was such , that it would in no wise suffer him to seek advancement , but on the contrary he withdrew himself from government , that he might with the more quiet apply himself to the study of philosophy . it happened upon a time that the lacedemonians intreated aid of the thebans , who at that time were in league with them , and accordingly they sent them certain foot companies : at which time epaminondas being about thirty five years old , armed himself and went along with them . at this time it was , that that intimate friendship began betwixt pelopidas and him , which continued even to the end of their lives . these two being in a battel the one by the other against the arcatians , whom they had in front against them in the plains of mantinea , it fell out that one of the points of the battel of the lacedemonians in which they were , retired , and many fled : but these two resolved rather to die than flie , and accordingly they stood to it gallantly , till pelopid is being wounded in seven places , fell down upon a heap of dead bodies . then did epaminondas ( though he took him for dead ) step resolutely before him to defend his body and arms , he alone sighting against many , resolving rather to die in the place than to leave pelopidas amongst the dead men , until that himself being thrust into the breast with a pike , and wounded in the arm with a sword , was ready to faint : at which time providence so ordered it , that king agesipolis came on with the other point of the battel , and saved them both . not long after the lacedemonians by a stratagem , won the strong castle of thebes called cadmaea , and put a strong garrison into it , and gave the government of thebes unto archias , philippus , and leontidas , authors of all the mischief : whereupon , to avoid their tyranny , pelopidas , and many others were fain to save themselves by flight , upon which they were banished by sound of trumpet . but as for epaminondas they as yet said nothing to him , but let him alone in the city : for he was contemned as a man of no account , because he was so much given to his book : and if he should have any mind to stir against them , yet they judged he could do nothing because of his poverty . whilest pelopida and his companions were at athens , they laid a plot to free thebes from those tyrants : but epaminondas not making a shew of any thing , had devised another way to effect it , by raising the hearts and courages of the young men of the city . for when they went out to play , and exercise themselves , he always found out a way to make them wrestle with the lacedemonians ; and when he saw the lacedemonians throw them , and give them shrewd falls , they being the stronger , he would privately rebuke the thebans and tell them , that it was a shame for them to suffer the lacedemonians to set their feet upon their throats for want of courage , who yet were not half so strong , and boisterous as themselves were . all this while pelopidas and his followers went on in their plot , and had such good success , that one night they got privily into the city of thebes and met at charons house about forty eight in number . epaminondas knew all this well enough , and at night some took him aside and endeavoured to perswade him to joyn with them in delivering their city from those tyrants , to whom he answered , that he had taken order with his friends , and gorgidas , to put themselves into a readiness upon any such occasion , but for his own part he would not have a hand in putting any of his citizens to death , unless they were legally condemned : yet ( said he ) if you will make an attempt for the delivery of the city so as that it be without murther or blood-shed , i vvill joyn with you vvith all my heart : but if you will persevere in your former determination , pray you let me alone , pure , and not defiled vvith the blood of my citizens , that being blameless i may take hold of another occasion vvhich may tend more to the good of the common-wealth . for the murthers that vvill be committed in this vvay , cannot be contained vvithin any reasonable bounds . i know indeed that pherecides , and pelopidas vvill especially set upon the authors of the tyranny : but eumolpidas , and samiadas , being fierce and cholerick men , taking the liberty of the night , will never sheath their swords , till they have filled the whole city with murther , and slain many of the chief citizens . besides , it s very convenient for the people of thebes , that some be left free , and blameless of these murthers , and guiltless of all that should be done in the fury of this action . notwithstanding all that vvas said , the enterprise vvas executed , and the tyrants put to death , the city was restored to her ancient liberty , the castle of cadmaea was rendred up by composition , and lysandradas , the lacedemonian , and other commanders that were in it , vvere suffered safely to depart , with their goods and souldiers . this vvas the occasion of the long wars which followed between the lacedemonians and thebans , vvith vvhom the athenians joyned in league . epaminondas still applied himself to his book : yet at last he vvas put forvvards by pammenes , a chief man amongst the thebans , and he began to follovv the wars very eagerly , and in divers encounters gave good proof of his prudence , hardiness , and valour , insomuch as by degrees he attained to the highest charges of government in the commonvvealth : and his citizens , vvho before made small account of him till he vvas forty years old , after , vvhen they knevv him better , they trusted him vvith their armies , and he saved the city of thebes , that vvas like to be undone , yea , and freed all greece from the servitude of the lacedemonians , making his virtue , as in a cleer light , to shine vvith glory , shevving the effects vvhen time served . upon a time agesilaus , king of lacedemon entered into boeotia vvith an army of tvventy thousand foot , and five thousand horse , vvherewith he harrased and spoiled all the plain country , and presented battel to the thebans in the open fields , which yet they would not accept of , finding themselves the weaker : howbeit , they defended themselves so well by the assistance of the athenians , and the wi●e conduct of epaminondas and pelopidas , that they caused agesilaus to return home with his army . but when he was gone , the thebans went with their companies before the city of thespies , which they surprized , and put to the sword two hundred of the garrison , and afterwards returned back with their army to thebes ; and phaebidas , the lacedemonian , who was then governour of that city , sallied out of the town , and charged upon the thebans in their retreat , who intertained him so hotly , that he lost five hundred of his men , and himself was slain in the fight . not long after , the lacedemonians returned with their former army to make war with the thebans , who having seized upon certain straights , and places of advantage , so blocked up the way , that they could not over run the country , and spoil it as they had done before ; yet did agesilaus so molest , and trouble them , that at last it came to a main battel that held long , and was very cruel : and though at the first agesilaus had the better , yet the thebans charged him so furiously , that at the length he himself was wounded and forced to retire , being well paid for teaching the thebans military discipline . and this was the first time that the thebans knew themselves to be as strong and lusty as the lacedemonians , whereupon they triumphed in sign of victory , and from that time forward , they grew more couragious to make head against the enemy , and to present them battel . but that which most encouraged them , was , the presence of epaminondas , who counselled , commanded , and executed very wisely , valiantly , and with great success . at another time they went with a great number of chosen men before the city of orchomene , where yet they prevailed not , because there was a strong garrison of the lacedemonians that sallied out upon them , and the fight was very sharp between them : yet , though the lacedemonians were far more in number , the thebans gave them the overthrow , which never happened to them before . for all other nations thought that they had done excellent well , if with a far greater number they had overcome a small number of the lacedemonians . but this victory , and an other , which fell out shortly after under the conduct of pelopidas , did so lift up and encourage the thebans , that they became more famous than ever they were before . the year following , artaxerxes king of persia , intending to make war against aegypt , and therein to intertain diverse strangers , laboured to make peace amongst the grecians , in hope that they , being at peace amongst themselves would be the more willing to have souldiers lcavied amongst them . for which end he sent ambassadours to all the towns of greece , to perswade and intreat them to be at peace amongst themselves . the greeks were very willing to harken hereto , being wearied on all sides with such long wars , and so were easily drawn to make peace ; wherein it was especially agreed , and concluded , that all the cities of greece should be free , and use their own laws : and commissioners were sent abroad to withdraw all the garrisons where any were kept . unto this the thebans only refused to agree , that every town should severally capitulate for it , requesting that the towns in the country of boeotia should be comprehended under the city of thebes : but the athenians mightily opposed themselves against this , and calistratus , one of their orators , made a notable oration about it before all the states of greece . epaminondas on the contrary , made an excellent and vehement speech in defence of the right of the thebans , insomuch as this controversie was left undecided , and the treaty of peace was universally agreed to amongst all the other grecians , the thebans only excepted , who were not comprised in it . at this time the athenians , and lacedemonians , who had long contended amongst themselves about the principality of greece , now agreed , that the one should command by sea , and the other by land : and therefore they could not endure that the thebans should aspire to be chief , which made them seek to dismember the other towns of boeotia from them , the rather , for that the thebans , being strong and lusty of body , and much encouraged by their late victories over the lacedemonians , would now contend with them for their superiority , having a wonderful confidence in the wisdom and prowess of their captains , especially of epaminondas . matters resting thus doubtful , the citizens of plataees , a town of boeotia , were desirous , to enter into league with the athenians , promising that if they would send them souldiers , they would put the town into their hands : but the governours of boeotia having intelligence of it , and being desirous to prevent the athenians , brought a party of souldiers against it , who came before plataees before the citizens heard any news of them , so that part of them were surprised in the field by the horsemen , and the rest fled into the town : where having no aid , they were faign to accept of such tearms as it pleased the thebans to grant them , which were presently to depart the town with bag and baggage , and never to return again into the country of boeotia . then did they raze the city to the ground , and sacked the town of thespies which also was at enmity with them . the ambassadours of persia again solicited the greeks to a general peace , and commissioners from every town were to meet at sparta about it . epaminondas was yet scarce known , having laboured to conceal himself , and in all his exploits of war , had ever preferred the advancement of his great friend , and companion in arms , pelopidas , before himself . he was now chosen by the thebans to go to sparta , where , finding that the other commissioners did much comply with agesilaus , he spake boldly , and plainly , not only in behalf of the thebans , but for all greece also : making it evident to all , that war still encreased the greatness of sparta only , which kept all the other towns of greece under . he therefore advised them to establish a firm peace , which would last the longer , when all comprized in it , should be equals . agesilaus perceiving all the commissioners to be very attentive to and well pleased with this speech , he asked him a loud , if he thought it just , and equal , that all boeotia should be set at liberty . epaminondas presently , and boldly asked him , if he thought it not also just and reasonable that all laconia should be set at liberty ? thereupon agesilaus , in great anger , stood up , and commanded him to answer plainly , if they should not restore all the towns in boeotia to their liberty ? and epaminondas answered him as before . this so displeased agesilaus ( who had an old grudg to the thebans ) that immediately he put their name out of the list of those that should be comprized within the treaty of peace , and proclaimed open war against them , and now there was no remedy but the thebans must bear the whole brunt alone , for there was no one town that durst send them any aid , because they were all sworn to the peace , insomuch as all judged them to be utterly undone . friends pittied there estate , and there enemies rejoyced , verily believing that they could never stand before the lacedemonians . then did the lacedemonians send king cleombrotus with an army towards thebes , who being come near to chaeronea with ten thousand foot , and a thousand horse , he pitched his camp there staying for his allies . the thebans being informed of the approach of the enemy , chose epaminondas to be their captain general , giving him the charge of this war , with six other counsellers to be assisting to him . now there came oracles to thebes from all parts ; some promising victory , and others threatning their overthrow ; and epaminondas commanded them to set those on the right hand of the chair for orations , that promised victory , and the other on the left hand , which being so disposed of , he gat up into the chair , and said to his citizens , if you will be obedient to your captains , and valiant against your enemies , these oracles on the right hand belong to you : but if through faintness of heart , ye refuse dangers , those on the left hand shall be your portion . then did he list the names of all the thebans which were able to bear arms , and chose out of some parts of boeotia , such as he thought fittest for the wars . his presence exceedingly cheered up his army , and all the the time that he was captain , the thebans never saw in their camp any of those which they call sudden fears . he used to say , that there was no death more honest and desirable than to die in the wars , and that the body of a souldier should be hardened to endure any labour or pains . he could not abide fat men , and therefore cashired a whole company of them as unprofitable burdens in his army . he had in all , but six thousand fighting men : and as they marched forwards , they met with some unlucky signs , as many esteemed them : but he valued them not , thinking that a resolution to fight in a good cause , ought to be much stronger , and of more force to raise in him good hope , than these evil signs that appeared , to make him fear the worst . as he was marching towards the lacedemonians , they heard it thunder , and they that were neer him , asked him what that meant , he answered , that it betokened that the enemies brains were troubled , and beclouded , who , having places of advantage hard by them , yet encamped in the plaines . indeed the lacedemonians waited there for their allies , who yet failed them . for all of them , having at leasure considered of the speech of epaminondas at sparta , began to distast the ambition of the lacedemonians . epaminondas seeing his advantage , caused his army to march with speed , and wan the straights by the city of coronea , and encamped there : cleombrotus under● standing that the thebans had possessed themselves of that pass , despairing to recover it , he made his army to march a great compass about the country of phocide , going along the sea coast through a dangerous , and troublesome way , and so at the last he entered into the country of boeotia : and as he went , he took in some little towns , and certain gallies that lay upon the coast , and at the last arrived at leuctres , and there sat down to refresh his men , who were overwearied with their tedious march . then did epaminondas presently advance that way to meet them , and having passed over some little mountains , he discovered them in the plain of leuctres , where his men were much amazed to see so great an army of their enemies . the six counsellers came together to consider whether they should go forward and fight , few against many , or else retreat , waiting for some better advantage . in this councel , their opinions fell out to be equal . three judged it best to retreat , the other , whereof epaminondas was one , thought it best to fight , and with these three , pelopidas , who was captain of the sacred band , joyned , whereupon they all agreed to give them battel . epaminondas seeing his souldiers somewhat affrighted at the former ill signs , to put courage into them , he suborned some that were newly come from thebes , to scatter a report , that no man could tell at thebes what was become of the arms that hung up in the temple of hercules ; but it was commonly said , that the demigods , their ancestors , had taken them away , to aid their posterity , at this present time . he caused another also , who was newly come from trophonius hole , to report ; that the god which gives his oracles therein , commanded him to tell the boeotians that when they had overcome their enemies in the plain of leuctres , they should celebrate yearly plays to the honour of jupiter : and to gain the more credit to these devices , leandridas , a spartan , that was banished out of his own country , and now was assisting the boeotians , being brought before the souldiers , he encouraged them to fight valiantly that day : for he swore unto them , that the lacedemonians had many oracles , bidding them to beware of leuctres . epaminondas also , assembling his army , encouraged them with strong , and lively reasons , to shew their valour , so that at last the souldiers being freed from their superstitious fears , longed for nothing more than to come to blows . epaminondas ever concluded his orations to them with these words : o worthy men , embrace sacred death : advance your selves to a most honorable , and famous fight for your country , for the tombs of your ancestors , and for your holy things . just at this very time there came to the thebans an aid of five hundred horse , and fifteen hundred foot , all thessalians , conducted by jason . this jason endeavored to have made peace with both parties , but could not prevail . also as cleombrotus retired with his army out of boeotia , he met a great supply of lacedemonians , and their allies , brought to him by archidamus , the son of agesilaus , these he sent before , thinking to daunt the courage of the thebans with the sight of them , and himself with the rest of his army suddenly returned into the plain of leuctres , being fully resolved to fight : and the boeotians for their part shrunk not an inch back , and so on both sides they set their men in battel array . epaminondas ordered his battel after a new fashion never practised by any captain : for having chosen out of his army the best , and most valiant souldiers , he placed them together in one of the points of his battel , where himself meant to fight in person , seconded by pelopidas , and his three hundred chosen men , called the holy band : in the other point he placed his weaker men , commanding them expresly not to abide the charge of their enemies that should assail them in front , but fair , and softly retire when they saw them come near them : and it fell out as he wished : and he hoped to determine the battel by the virtue , and prowess of those where he had placed all the flower , and choice of his army . now the sign of battel being given , the lacedemonians advanced with the two horns of their battel , ordered in the form of a crescent . on the contrary , one of the wings of the battel of the boeotians began to give back , and the other with great fury ran to charge the enemy in the flank , and soon they were come to the swords point , at the first , because either side fought desperately , the victory for a time stood doubtful , but at last epaminondas his troop brake in amongst the lacedemonians , and slew most of those that were about cleombrotus . yet while the king was alive , he kept back the thebans from the victory , being accompanied with all the flower of his army , who fought very valiantly about him : but after he fell dead to the ground , having received and given an infinite number of wounds , then thronged they together on all sides , and there was a bloody and cruel fight about his body , where were heaps of men slain one upon another , and though epaminondas did all that possibly he could , yet the lacedemonians made such resistance , that at last they forced the thebans somewhat to give back , whereby they conveyed the body of the king out of the press : but this continued not long : for epaminondas both by his words and example , did so raise up and encourage the hearts of his men , that they fought like lions , and gave so fierce a second charge upon their enemies , that they wholly routed them and made them flie for life , and epaminondas fiercely pusuing the flying enemy , made a great slaughter of them , and obtained the most glorious victory that ever captain won , having in a pitched field overcome the most noble , and warlike nation of all greece , and that with a far smaller number of men than his enemies had . he also rejoyced more in this , than in all his other victories , because it happened to him in his fathers life-time : and he often used to say , that of all the honest and happy fortunes that befel him , nothing joyed his heart more , than that he vanquished the lacedemonians at leuctres , his father and mother living to see it : and indeed , he that day , did not only preserve their lives , but of all his citizens besides , the lacedemonians having fully resolved utterly to destroy the thebans . epaminondas used at all other times to come abroad fine and neat , and with a pleasant countenance : but the next day after this battel , he came out very sad , heavy , and pensive , and when his friends asked him , whether he had heard any ill news which occasioned this posture , he said , no : but ( said he ) i perceive by my self yesterday , that being overjoyed with the victory i obtained , my heart was more elvated than it ought , and therefore to day i correct that joy , which yesterday exceeded its due bounds . he knowing that it was the manner of the spartans , as much as possible , to conceal their losses , he suffered them not to carry away all their dead bodies together , but every city one after another , by which it appeared that there were four thousand of them slain : but of the boeotians there were not found above three hundred dead . this battel was fought in the beginning of the second year of the hundred and second olympiade . the lacedemonians having by this overthrow lost the greatest part of their honour , which they had maintained so long , yet lost not their courage ; but to keep their youth still in heart , and to take away all fear from such as had escaped , they sent agesilaus , with an army into arcadia , who was contented to take a few small towns of the mantineans , and so to return home again . some say that lycomedes , captain of the arcadians , making an inrode neer to orchomene , slew in an encounter , politropus , captain of the lacedemonians , and two hundred spartans with him , which provoked the lacedemonians against them : and thereupon the arcadians , finding themselves too weak for them , they sought alliance and aid from the thebans . sure it is that these two states were now at enmity , which occasioned the arcadians and thebans to joyn together , who , with their allies being led by epaminondas entred into laconia , with an army of forty thousand men , besides thirty thousand others that followed the camp. at this time the athenians sent captian iphecrates , with twelve thousand men , to aid the lacedemonians : but before their coming , epaminondas was entered into laconia , and had sacked all the country which had not been wasted by any enemy for six hundred years before . the spartans seeing their country thus plundred , and destroyed , were desirous to have gone out with such forces as they had , but agesilaus would not suffer them , telling them how dangerous it was for them to leave their city , and to set upon such a potent , and numerous enemy . this made them quiet , and epaminondas in the mean time marched with his army towards the river eurotas , which at that time was risen very high , because of the winter rains . he endeavoured all he could , to draw forth agesilaus to a battel , who beholding epaminondas a great while , marching with his army in battel aray along the river side at the head of his troops , he wondered at his boldness , and valour , but would by no means adventure out of his fort : so that when this army had plundred all laconia , epaminondas led them back again with a very rich booty . and though agesilaus was commended for preserving his city in safety ; yet epaminondas had by this inrode , and especially by his victory at leuctres , so impoverished the country , that sparta could never after recover that loss , nor grow into that reputation and power which it had before . yea , notwithstanding the aid sent by the athenians , and the skill and experience of iphecrates , epaminondas returned with his army intire as he came . epaminondas that he might keep the lacedemonians still underfoot , and heap new troubles upon them , gave counsel to the arcadians , and their allies , to reedifie , and replenish with people the city of messina , which the lacedemonians had long before destroyed , and when all the whole councel had given their consents to it , he forthwith , by diligent enquiry sought out all that had been ancient inhabitants in that city , and in the space of eighty five days , having repaired the ruined houses , he raised again one of the most noble , and ancient cities of greece , and left there a strong garrison for their security . this gat him as much , if not more love and honour than any other service which he had ever done . the lacedemonians being freed from a great fear by his departure , made an agreement with the athenians , leaving to them the chief command by sea , and reserving to themselves that by land. and afterwards , by the assistance of the athenians and that aid which came to them out of sicily , by little and little they recovered their towns again . the arcadians , to stop their proceedings , assaulted the city of pallene in laconia , and taking it by storm , put all the garrison therein to the sword , and then razed the town , and plundred all the country there abouts . and expecting that the lacedemonians would seek revenge , they sent for aid to the thebans , who sent epaminondas and the other counsellers to assist them with six thousand foot , and five hundred horse . the athenians having intelligence hereof , sent their army under the conduct of chabrias , who marched directly to corinth , where he met with a good supply of souldiers from the megarians , pallenians , and corinthians , so that now he had a brigade of ten thousand men . these intended to fortifie and stop all the passages and entrances into the country of peloponnesus . the lacedemonians and their allies joyning also with them , made up an army of twenty thousand men : and accordingly , beginning at the city of cencrees , unto the haven of lecheum , they blocked all the ways from one sea to another with mighty great pieces of timber laid across , and with a marvellous deep diteh : and this great work was followed with such speed , both by reason of the great multitude of labourers , as also through the frowardness of them that prosecuted it with such earnestness , that they had quite finished it before the boeotians could arrive there . epaminondas when he came thither , viewing this fortification , perceiving that the easiest place to storm it , was that which the lacedemonians themselves guarded , he sent to give them defiance though they were thrice as many in number as he was , yet for all this they durst not come out , but kept close under their fortification : notwithstanding he assaulted them in it , and at last drave them out . in the heat of the fight every one doing his best , some assailing , others defending , epaminondas chose out the valiantest men in all his army , and bravely charging the lacedemonians , he forced them to give back , and in dispite of them , he entered into peloponnesus , which of all other his noble exploits , was the most wonderful and memorable action . from thence he marched to the cities of epidaure , and trozen , and so pillaged all the country : but he stayed not to take any of the towns , because they had strong garrisons in them : yet he put sicyone , phuente , and some other towns into such fear , that they yielded themselves to him . this being done , he went to corinth , and overcame the corinthians in a set battel , and beat them home , even to the gates of their city : yea some of his men were so unadvised , trusting to their own valour , that they entered the gates of their city pel mel with those that fled , which put the corinthians into such a terrible fear , that they ran with all speed possible to shelter themselves in their houses : but chabrias making head , beat them out again , and slew some , whereupon he caused a token of triumph to be set up , as if he had given the thebans an overthrow , for which epaminondas laughed him to scorn . the boeotians brought their army as neer unto corinth as they could , and chabrias with his army encamped without the walls in a very strong place of advantage , and there were many skirmishes betwixt them , in which chabrias behaved himself with such valour that he gained great reputation even of epaminondas himself , who upon a time being asked , whom he thought to be the greatest captain , himself , chabrias , or iphecrates ? it s hard ( said he ) to judg whilst we are all alive , news was brought to him that the athenians had again sent an army into peloponnesus , furnished with new armor : indeed this army consisted of ten thousand spaniards and gauls , whom dyonisius the tyrant , sent out of sicily to aid the lacedemonians , having paid them for five months : they did some reasonable service in this war , and at the end of summer returned home again . it fell out in these last encounters that epaminondas having forced the lacedemonians that guarded the fortification before mentioned , had many of them in his power to have slain them : but he contented himself only with this glory , that in dispite of them , he had entered into peloponnesus , seeking to do them no more hurt ; which gave occasion to those that envied his glory , to blame him , and to accuse him of treason , as having willingly spared the enemies , because they should in particular thank him only : but here it will not be improper to take notice how he behaved himself amongst his citizens , and how wisely he defended his own integrity . amongst all those that envied his glory and virtue , there was one meneclides , an orator , and an eloquent man , but withall , most wicked , and very malicious . he finding that e●aminondas won so much honour by the wars , never left perswading the thebans to embrace peace ; and prefer it before war , and that because hereby they should not always live under the obedience , and command of one man. but epaminondas one day told him in the open counsel : thou wilt ( said he ) deceive the thebans whilst thou advisest them to leave the wars : and highly commended ease and peace , thou goest about to put iron bolts upon their feet . for war begets peace , which yet cannot hold long but amongst them that know how to maintain it with the sword. then turning himself to the citizens , he said , if you will have the principality and command of all greece , you must shroud your selves in your tents , and lie in your pavillions in the open fields , and not follow sports and pastimes here at home . for he knew well enough that the boeotians undid themselves by ease and idleness , which made him endeavour continually to keep them in exercise and war. upon a time when the thebans were to choose captains , they went about to choose epaminondas , one of the six counsellours : whereupon he said to them : my masters , pray you consider of it now you are at leasure before you choose me : for i tell you plainly , if i be chosen your captain , you must to the wars . he used to call the country of boeotia , which was a plain , and champion country , the stage of war , saying , that it was impossible to keep it , unless the inhabitants had their targets on their arms , and their swords in their hands : and this was not , because he did not love peace , and privacy to study philosophy , or that he was not more careful of them that were under his charge than he was of himself , using always to watch and forbear his meat , when the thebans were at their banquets , and feasts , giving themselves over to their pleasures : but because he knew them well enough , and was never more careful of any thing than to keep his army from idleness . upon a time the arcadians desired him that some of his companions might come into one of their towns to lie dry and warm there , all the winter , but he would by no means yield to it . for ( said he to his souldiers ) now they see you exercising your selves in arms , they wonder at you as brave and valiant men ; but if they should see you at the fire side parching of beans , they would esteem no better of you than of themselves . neither could he endure covetuousness : for if at sometimes he gave his men leave to go a free booting , his meaning was , that whatsoever they got , should be bestowed in furnishing them with good arms : and if any went about to fill his purse with money , he judged him unworthy to be a souldier . upon a time he understood that his target-bearer had received a great sum of money for the ransom of a prisoner , whereupon he said to him : give me my target , and go thy ways home , and buy thee a tavern wherein to spend the rest of thy life : for i perceive thou wilt no more , like an honest man , put thy self in danger in the wars , as formerly thou hast done , because now thou art grown rich and wealthy . though epaminondas was thus virtuous , and unblameable in his life , yet the aforementioned meneclides would never cease contending , and reproaching of him : and one day he went so far as to upbraid him because he had no children , and was not married , and that he magnified himself more than ever king agamemnon had done . to this epaminondas answered , thou hast nothing to do to counsel me to marry , and in this respect , there is never a man here whose advise i would less make use of than thine , ( and this he spake because the other was taken notice of to be an adulterer , ) and whereas thou thinkest that i envy the fame and renown of agamemnon , thou art fouly deceived . yet let me tell thee , that whereas he was ten years in winning one city , i on the contrary , by putting the lacedemonians to flight in one day , have delivered not only our own city , but all greece from their slavery , but thanks be to you ? my lords thebans ( speaking to all the assembly ) by your assistance i did it , and thereby overthrew the power and government of our insulting enemies . yet after all his brave deeds , both he and pelopidas : were ill rewarded for all their good service , by their ingrateful citizens : for at their return from laconia , they , with some other of the six counsellers , were accused , that after the time that their government was expired , they retained their power four months after the time appointed by the law. with much ado pelopidas was quitted : but epaminondas willed all his other companions to lay the fault upon him , who by his authority forced them to it ; and instead of excusing himself , he told them all the brave exploits which he had done at that time : adding withal , that he was willing and ready to die , if they so pleased , provided that they wrote upon his tomb , that epaminondas was put to death , because he had compelled the thebans against their wills to burn the country of laconia , which in five hundred years before had never been plundered . that he had repeopled the city of messina with inhabitants , two hundred and thirty years after it had been laid wast by the lacedemonians . that he had brought all the people and towns of arcadia to be as one body , in league together , and had set all the greeks at liberty : and all these things ( said he ) we did in that journey . the judges when they heard this worthy and true defence , they all arose from their seats , and laughed heartily , and would not take up their balls to ballot against him . but for the second accusation , to wit , that he had shewed favour to the lacedemonians for his own particular honour , he would make no particular answer to it before the people , but rising out of the theater , he passed through the assembly and went into the park of exercises . upon this the people being incensed against him , refused to chuse him into office as they had wont to do , though there was a great need of him , and created other counsellers to go into thessaly : and the more ( as they thought ) to despite him , they commanded him to go that expedition as a private souldier , which he refused not , but went very willingly . pelopidas being sent a second time into thessaly to make peace between the people and alexander the tyrant of pheres , was by this tyrant ( not regarding that he was an ambassadour , and a theban ) committed to prison , together with ismenias . upon this , the thebans being justly offended , sent an army of eight thousand foot and five hundred horse against him , howbeit under the conduct of unskilful captains , who , wanting judgment to use their advantages , thought good to return home without doing any thing : but as they went back , alexander , being stronger in horse than they , pressed hard upon their reer , killing some , and wounding others ; so that the thebans knowing neither how to go forward nor backward , were in great distress ; and that which aggravated their misery was , that their victuals were almost spent . being thus almost out of hope ever to get home in safety , epaminondas being at that time a common souldier among the foot , both the captains and souldiers earnestly intreated him to help to redress this disorder . he thereupon chose certain footmen that were light armed , and all the horsemen , and with these putting himself into the rere of the army , he so lustily repulsed the enemy , that the rest of the army afterwards marched in great safety , and still making head , as occasion served , and keeping his troops in good order , he at last brought them all well home . this brave act crowned him with new glory , confounded his enemies , and made him well spoken of every where , and by it he obtained the love and good will of the citizens , who set great fines upon the heads of those captains who had behaved themselves so unworthily in that expedition . and now the people seeing that by so many worthy deeds he had stopped the slanderous mouths , and confuted the accusations of his ill willers , they chose him again their captain general to conduct a new army into thessaly : at his coming all the country wonderfully rejoyced , only the tyrant with his captains , and friends were exceedingly dejected , and possessed with fear , being thunderstruck with the fame of so noble a captain , and his subjects had a good mind to rise up against him , hoping that they should shortly see the tyrant fully recompenced for all the wicked and cursed deeds that he had done amongst them . epaminondas when he came into thessaly , preferred the safety and deliverance of his friend pelopidas before his own honour and glory , and fearing lest alexander when he should see himself and his state in danger to be overthrown , should in his rage revenge himself upon pelopidas , he therefore purposely drew this war out in length , marching often about him , but never setting upon him in good earnest , often seeming to make preparations , and yet still delaying : and this he did , to mollifie the heart of this tyrant , and not to provoke ( to the danger of his friend ) the inhumane and unbridled passion of this cruel bloud-sucker . yet he being a monster compounded of cruelty , and cowardliness , was so afraid of the very name and reputation of epaminondas , that he presently sent some to him to excuse his fact , and to crave peace . but epaminondas was not willing that his thebans should make peace and alliance with so wicked a man , only he was content to grant him a truce for thirty days , upon the delivering to him pelopidas and ismenias . so with them he returned back to thebes , and always continued a faithful friend to pelopidas so long as they lived together : yet would he never share with him in his riches , but did still persevere in his former strict poverty and discipline . he was very bold , and yet it was mingled with a winning sweetness , and a lively grace , as may appear in sundry examples . besides his bold speech to agesilaus , mentioned before : at another time the argians having made a league with the thebans , the athenians sent their ambassadors into arcad●a , to see if they could gain the arcadians to be their friends , and these ambassadors began roundly and hotly to charge and accuse both the one and the other , and callistratus speaking for them , reproached them with orestes , and oedipus : epaminondas being present at that assembly , stood up , and said , my lords , we confess that in times past we had a man that killed his father , and in argos , one that killed his mother , but as for us now , we have banished all such wicked murtherers out of our country , and the athenians have intertained them . at another time when the spartans had laid many great and grievous imputations to the charge of the thebans , he said , if they have done nothing else , my lords of sparta , yet at least they have made you forget to speak little . but that which was most excellent , and observable in epaminondas , and which indeed did stop the mouth of envy it self was his moderation , and temperance , knowing how to use any state or condition , and never to rage either against himself or others , always , bearing this mind , that howsoever they took him , and in what place soever they set him , he was well contented , so that he might but advance the good of his country : as may appear by this example : on a time his evil-willers , thinking to bring him into disgrace , and meerly out of spite , made him superintendant or overseer of all the customs , whilst others of his inferiors , unworthy to be compared with him , were placed in the most honourable offices : yet despised he not this mean office , but discharged it very faithfully : for ( said he ) the office or authority shews not only what the man is , but also the man what the office is . shortly after epaminondas was returned out of thessaly , the arcadians were overcome by archidamus and the lacedemonians , who in the fight lost not a man , and therefore they called this journey the tearless battel : and epaminondas foreseeing that the arcadians would yet have another storm , he gave them counsel to fortifie their towns , which they did accordingly , and built that city which afterwards was called megalopolis , situated in a very convenient place . whilst the thebans made war with the elians , their neighbours , the mind of epaminondas was always lifted up to high enterprizes for the good of his country , wherefore in an oration which he made to his citizens , he perswaded them to make themselves strong by sea , and to endeavour to get the principality , and to make themselves the lords thereof . this oration was full of lively reason , whereby he shewed and proved unto them , that the enterprize was both honourable , and profitable , which he made out by sundry arguments , telling them that it was an easie thing for them , who were now the stronger by land , to make themselves also the stronger by sea : and the rather , for that the athenians in the war against xerxes , though they had armed and set forth two hundred gallies , armed and well appointed with men , yet they willingly submitted themselves to the lacedemonians . he alleadged many other reasons , whereby he prevailed so far , that the thebans were willing to undertake the enterprize , and thereupon gave present order to build an hundred gallies , and an arsenal with so many rooms that they might lay them under covert in the dock : they ordered also to send to them of rhodes , and of chio , and of byzantium , to desire their furtherance in this enterprize : for which end epaminondas was sent with an army unto these cities : in his passage he met with leches , a captain of the athenians , with a number of ships in his fleet , who was set on purpose to hinder this design of the thebans : yet epaminondas so affrighted him , that he made him retire back again , and holding on his course he brought the aforenamed cities to enter into league with the thebans . shortly after the thebans fell out with the city of orchomene , which had done them great hurt , and mischief , and having won it by assault , slew all the men that were able to bear arms , and made all the women and children slaves . some time after the death of pelopidas , certain private persons of mantinea , fearing to be called to an account for their bad behaviours , and robberies which they had committed , if the arcadians and elians should agree , they so brought it about , that they raised a new quarrel in the country , which was divided into two factons , whereof the mantineans were the chief on the one side , and the tageates on the other . this quarrel went so far , that the parties would needs try it by arms. the tageates sent to request aid of the thebans , who accordingly chose epaminondas their captain general , and sent him with a good number of men of war to aid the tageates . the mantineans being terrified with this aid that came out of boeotia to their enemies , and at the reputation of their captain , they immediately sent to the athenians , and lacedemonians , the greatest enemies of the boeotians , for their assistance , which both the cities granted . upon this there fell out many and great skirmishes in divers parts of peloponnesus : and epaminondas being not far off from mantinea , understood by some of the country men , that agesilaus , and his lacedemonians , were come into the field , and that they wasted all the territories of the tageates ; whereupon , judging that there were but few men left in the city of sparta to defend it , he undertook a great exploit , and dangerous , and had certainly effected it , if the marvelous good fortune of sparta had not hindred it . his design was this : he departed from tegea , by night , the mantineans knowing nothing of it , and taking a by way , he had certainly surprised sparta without striking a stroak , had not a post of candia speedily carried word of it to agesilaus , who immediately dispatched away an horse-man to give intelligence to them of sparta to stand upon their guard , and he himself speedily hasted after , and arrived there a little before the coming of the thebans , who being very near the city a little before day , they gave an assault to them that defended it . this made agesilaus to bestir himself wonderfully , even beyond the strength of so old a man : but his son archidamus , and isadas , the son of phoebidas fought valiantly on all parts . epaminondas seeing how prepared the spartans were to oppose him , began then to suspect that his design was discovered ; yet notwithstanding he left not off to force them all he could , though he fought with great disadvantage , considering the places wherein he was : yea , he continued fighting courageously , till the army of the lacedemonians came on , and till the night approached , whereupon he sounded a retreat . then being informed that the mantineans came on also with their forces , he withdrew his atmy somewhat father off from the town , and there camped . after which he caused his men to refresh themselves with victuals , and leaving certain horsemen in the camp , he commanded them to make fires in the moring , and in the mean time himfelf with the rest of his men , went to surprize mantinea before any should discover that he was departed . yet herein also he failed of his purpose , the prosperity of the thebans being come to its height , and the course of epaminondas his life drawing neer to an end , whereby greece was deprived of this noble and famous captain , from whom was taken a most notable victory , and that twice , by strange accidents . for at the second time , when he was come neer to mantinea that was left without guard and defence , just then , on the other side of the town there arrived six thousand athenians , conducted by their captain hegelecus , who having put sufficient force into the town , ordered the rest of his army in battel array without the walls , and immediately also came the mantineans , and lacedemonians together , who prepared to put all to the hazard of a battel , and therefore sent for their allies from all parts : and when they were come together they were in all twenty five thousand foot , and two thousand horse . the arcadians , boeotians , and their partakers were thirty thousand foot , and three thousand horse . when they came to the battel , first the horse charged with great fury , and the horsemen of the athenians encountering with the thebans , proved too weak for them , not because they were less valiant , or hardy than the other , but because they had not so good chieftains , and had few archers amongst their troops . the thebans on the other side were all excellently well appointed , and had thessalians amongst them , men very skilful in their bows , who so plied the athenians that they wholly brake them , and put them to the rout , yet in their flight they did not run amongst their foot-men , which made them somewhat recover their honour which they had lost by running away . on the contrary part , as they fled , they met with some companies of negropont , whom the arcadians had sent to take in certain hills hard by the plain where the battel was fought , whom they put all to the sword. the men at arms of the thebans seeing them turn their backs , did not pursue them at all , but presently gave charge upon a great battalion of foot-men , forcing them all they could to break , and run through them . so the fight was very cruel and sharp , yet in the end the athenians were forced to quit the place : whereupon a collonel of horsemen of the elians , who stood as a reserve to guard the rere , defended them , and encountering with the boeotians , he resisted them , and made them give back , which reinforced the fault of the left point of their army . but in the right point , after the horse-men had charged one another , the fight was soon determined : for by reason of the great number of men at armes of the thebans , and thessalians , the mantineans and their partakers were soon put to rout , and having lost a great number of their men , they sheltered themselves under the battalion of their foot-men , and this was the issue of the fight between the horse-men , as for the infantry , after they came once to the sword , it was a marvellous bloody , and cruel fight . for never before that time was there so many greeks in the field one against another , nor so great and expert captains , nor such valiant souldiers as were now . the two nations that at that time bare the name to be the bravest footmen in all the world , to wit , the thebans , and lacedemonians , were now set in front one against the other , and they began to charge , neither sparing life nor limb. the first charge they gave was with their pikes , which being soon broken with the huge blows they gave each other , then they came to it with their swords , and lustily laying about them , body to body , death raged in every place , and there was a mighty carnage made : for neither part shrunk back , or gave over with weariness , but stood to it like undaunted men . and so continued this dangerous fight for a long time , by reason of the valiantness of either party , the victory stood doubtful for a great while , and it could not be judged which side was like to have the upper hand , for every one that fought , had this resolution in his heart , not to fear death whatsoever befel them : but rather desiring to make proof of their utmost valour , they willingly parted with their lives to lye in the bed of honour . by reason whereof , though the fight was sharp and cruel , yet the event remained for a long space so uncertain , that it could not be discerned to which side the victory should fall . but at last , epaminondas seeing no other remedy , but that the issue of this doubtful fight depended upon his own virtue and valour , he resolved with himself to adventure his life upon it : and presenty gathering about him all the best , and choisest men of his army , and of them having compounded a company of stout and resolute blades , he ran with great fury into the thickest , and greatest press of all his enemies , marching himsels the foremost man in all his troop , with a spear in his hand , with the which at the first blow he gave , he slew the captain of the lacedemonians , and straightway the rest of his company began to assail their enemies . but epaminondas laying about him like a lion , slew so many in the place where he stood with his own hands , that at last he opened the battel of the lacedemonians , whom he pursued and laid on them so lustily , that they being unable any longer to defend themselves against the irresistable fury of himself and his followers , were enforced to give back and leave the place to the boeotians , who yet followed them at their heels , beating them down so eagerly , that in a short space the whole field was covered with dead bodies , lying on heaps one upon another . but in the end , the lacedomonians seeing that they could no way save themselves , gathered courage out of despair , and a company of them joyning together , all set upon epaminondas throwing an infinte number of darts at him , of which some he avoided , others he received upon his target , but yet there were many that stuck in his body which he pulled out , and fought with the same weapons against those that had thrown them at him . at last , when he had done more than a man , and beyond all humane strength , thereby to win honour to his country by gaining them the victory , a certain laconian called anticrates , thrust him into the breast with a dart with such force , as breaking the wood , he left the iron head sticking in his body . having received this deadly wound he fell immediately to the ground : but then was there a more cruel fight about him than ever there was before , which occasioned great slaughter on both sides , till the thebans by fine force made their enemies to flie for their lives , and when they had pursued them a while , they returned back to their camp that they might keep the dead bodies in their power , which was a certain sign that the victory was theirs , and then they sounded a retreat , and so the battel ended . both sides challenged the victory and made triumphs for it . the lacedemonians did it , because the athenians had slain those of negropont that were sent to seize upon the hills before mentioned , and kept their bodies in their power . the thebans on the other side having overcome the spartans , had the bodies of them that were slain in the battel , in their power , which was by far the greater number , wherefore they said , that they were the victors , thus both standing upon their tearms , it was a good while before either would send a trumpet or herauld to the other for leave to bury their dead . yet at last the lacedemonians sent first , and then they all betook themselves to give the dead an honourable burial . and as for him that had killed epaminondas , he was highly esteemed and honoured for his valiant act , and the lacedemonians gave him many rich presents , and made him and his posterity free from all publick taxes and contributions in the common-wealth . as for epaminondas he was brought yet alive into his tent ; howbeit his physitians , and surgeons being called together to dress his wounds : they all concluded that so soon as they plucked the head of the dart out of his body , he must needs die . and truly he made a most noble and worthy end . for first he called for his target-bearer , who was always at his hand in the battel , and asked him : is my target safe ? he brought it straight . then he asked , who had the victory ? the boeotians answered , the target-bearer . then he commanded them to bring to him diophantus and jolidas : they told him they were both dead : upon this he advised his citizens to make peace with their enemies , for that they had not any captain of skill to lead them to the wars . and now ( said he ) it is time for me to die , and therefore pluck the dart head out of my body . at this word all his friends that were about him fetched grievous sighs , and even cryed out for sorrow : and one of them weeping , said unto him : alas epaminondas ! thou diest now and leavest no children behind thee : yea ( said he ) that i do : for i leave two fair daughters behind me , whereof the one is the victory at leuctres , and the other this of mantinea . so they pulled out the dart , and immediately he gave up the ghost , without shewing any sign that he was at all troubled at it . he used often to say , that war is the bed of honour , and that it is a sweet death to dye for ones country . he was one of the bravest captains that ever we read of : for whereas others excelled in some one or two virtues by which they made their fame great and glorious , he excelled in all the vertues and good parts that could be desired in a grave , politick and great captain , to make him compleat in all things that could be expected in an heathen . in his time he advanced his country to the principality of all greece . but after his death they soon lost it : and not long after alexander the great , utterly brake them in pieces , made slaves of those that survived , and razed their city to the very ground . as in his life time he had always detested covetousness , so after his death the thebans were faign to bury him at the common charge of the city , because they found no mony in his house to defray the least part of the funeral expences . the wicked life and woful death of herod the great , in whose time our lord christ was born. herod , sirnamed the great , was the son of antipas , or antipater , an idumaean , a prime man , both for birth and wealth , amongst them : his mothers name was cyprus , born at an eminent place amongst the arabians , so that when this herod acquired the kingdom of judea , that prophesie of old jacob was fulfilled , gen. . . the scepter shall not depart from judah , nor a law-giver from between his feet , until shiloh come . this antipater , riding his circuit about the province of judea , whereof julius caesar had made him governour , repressed them who were desirous of innovation , both by threats and counsel , telling them , that if they would be content with their prince hyrcanus , ( whom caesar also had confirmed in the high-priesthood ) they might live happily in their own possessions : but if they promised themselves new hopes , and thought that they should gain much by innovations , they should have him a master instead of a governour , and hyrcanus a tyrant instead of a king : and caesar , and the romans , bitter enemies instead of princes ; for that they would by no means suffer any thing to be altered from what they had setled . but antipater perceiving hyrcanus to be dull and idle , he settled the state of the province as himself pleased , making his elder son , phasaelus , governour of jerusalem , and the countries adjoyning ; and to herod his second son , being then a very young man , he committed the care of galilee . herod being praefect of galilee , there was one esekias , a jew , who , associating to himself many other lewd persons , exercised thievery , and used to make incursions into syria in troops : these herod pursued , and having taken esekias , he put him to death ; which fact of his , gat him much favour with the syrians , which province also was then under his government . the violence , and bold nature of herod , who was desirous of the tyranny , much terrified the princes of the jews , wherefore they addressed themselves to hyrcanus , and openly accused antipater ; but especially they complained of herod , for that he had put to death esekias , with many others , without any commission from hyrcanus , in contempt of their laws , by which , no man ought to suffer , though never so wicked , unless he were first condemned by the judges . the mothers also of them that were killed , ceased not daily in the temple to weary both the king and the people with their continual exclamations , desiring that herod might be made to give an account of these his doings before the sanhedrim : whereupon hyrcanus , moved herewith , commanded herod to be called before the council , and to plead his own cause . herod , having ordered the affairs of galilee , as he thought best for his own advantage , being fore-warned by his father , that he should not come into the council as a private person , he took with him a moderate , but yet a sufficient guard : not too great , lest he should terrifie hyrcanus , nor too little , lest he should expose himself to danger from the judgment . when herod therefore presented himself before the sanhedrim in his royal robes , and his guard in arms , they were all astonished , neither durst any one of them that accused him in his absence , now speak a word against him ; but all of them kept silence , not knowing what to do . then one of the council , called sameas , a just man , being not at all distracted with fear , rose up , and not only accused herod of presumption and violence , but laid the fault upon the judges , and king himself , who had granted him so great a liberty , and told them , that afterwards , by the just judgment of god , they should be punished by herod himself ; and the event made him a true prophet . for the judges of that council , and hyrcanus himself , were afterwards put to death by herod , when he came to be king. but hyrcanus perceiving that the judges were inclining to pass sentence of death upon herod , put off the business till the next day , and privately advised him to shift for himself ; and so he departed to damascus , as if he fled from the king , and presenting himself before sextus caesar , and having secured his own affairs , he professed openly , that if he were again cited by the judges , he would not appear ; which they took in great disdain , and endeavoured to perswade hyrcanus that all these things tended to his destruction . herod , to increase his power , gave a great sum of money to sextus caesar , who thereupon made him governour of caelosyria : he , being elated with this advancement , and taking it impatiently that he had been called before the council , raised an army , and went against hyrcanus : but his father antipater , and brother phasaelus meeting him , by their intreaties prevailed , that he should not go against jerusalem , but be content to have affrighted them , adding that it would be dishonourable for him , if he should attempt any thing farther against him that had advanced him to his dignity ; hereupon he desisted , judging it sufficient for his future hopes , that he had shewed to that nation of what power he was . cassius and marcus , two roman generals , coming into syria , after the death of julius caesar , confirmed herod in his government of caelosyria , and delivered to him great forces both of horse and foot , and ships at sea , promising him also the kingdom of judea , after the war should be ended , which they were waging with m. anthony and young caesar. not long after , antipater ( the father of herod ) was feasted at hyrcanus his house , at which time , one malichus , corrupting the kings butler , poysoned antipater , and presently raising a band of souldiers , seized upon the government of the city of jerusalem . phasaelus and herod being grievously offended hereat , charged malichus with their fathers death , which he stifly denied : but herod had a great mind presently to revenge the murther , and to raise an army for that purpose , had not phasaelus interposed , who judged it more meet to circumvent malichus by policy , lest they should seem to be the beginners of a civil war , and accordingly phasaelus made as though he accepted of malichus his justification , and believed that he was not guilty of his fathers death , and so busied himself in building a stately monument for him . in the mean while , herod coming to samaria , and finding it in a desperate estate , by reason of their civil dissentions , he appeased the discords amongst the inhabitants , and restored it to peace : and not long after , the feast of pentecost approaching , he went to jerusalem , accompanied with some souldiers , of whom malichus being afraid , perswaded hyrcanus not to suffer him to enter ; which hyrcanus accordingly did , alledging that amongst the holy people that came to the feast , it was not lawful to bring in a mix'd multitude of prophane men . but herod making small account of the prohibition , entred the city by night , and thereby mightily terrified malichus ; who , thereupon , according to his wonted dissimulations , openly bewailed with tears the death of antipater , as of his dear friend : and it was judged meet by herods friends , that he should take no notice of this dissimulation , but courteously again entertain malichus . herod , by letters , certified cassius of his fathers death , who , very well knowing the temper of malichus , wrote back unto herod to revenge the same , and secretly also gave order to the tribunes that were at tyre , to be aiding to herod in his so just undertaking . cassius afterwar , having taken the city of laodicea , governours came from every place , bringing crowns and presents to him : and here herod , expecting that malichus should do the like , intended to have him punished for the murther of his father : but malichus had another design on foot , purposing , that whilest cassius was busie in prosecuting the war against m. anthony , to stir up the nation of the jews to revolt from the romans , and to depose hyrcanus , and get the kingdom to himself ; but herod , being politick , and understanding of the treachery , invited him and hyrcanus , with some other of their companions , to supper : at which time he sent one of his servants , under pretence of providing for the banquet , whereas indeed he sent him to the tribunes , to desire them to set upon malichus with their weapons , who , being mindful of the commands of cassius , finding malichus , they ran him through , and slew him ; at which , hyrcanus being astonished , fell into a swoun , and being scarcely come to himself , he asked who had slain malichus , and when one of the tribunes answered , that it was done by the command of cassius , he said , truly cassius hath preserved me and my country , in killing him who was a traitor to both ; but whether herein he spake as he thought , or that through fear only he seemed to approve the fact , is uncertain . after cassius was gone out of syria , there arose a sedition at jerusalem . for faelix , who was left there by cassius with souldiers , in revenge of the death of malichus , set upon phasaelus , and the people betook themselves to their arms. at which time , herod was with fabius , the governour of damascus , and had a mind to help his brother , but was hindred by a sudden sickness : yet did phasaelus get the better of faelix , forcing him into the town , and afterwards agreeing upon quarter , suffered him to go out : but he was very angry with hyrcanus , that after the receipt of so many favours from him , he yet favoured faelix , and suffered the brother of malichus to seize upon some castles , and amongst the rest , of the castle of massada , which was a most strong piece . as soon as herod was recovered , he went against the brother of malichus , and took from him all the castles that he had seized upon , and massada also , where he took him prisoner , yet afterwards set him at liberty upon composition . he also recovered three castles that were seized upon by masion , the tyrant of the tyrians in galilee , but gave quarter to all the souldiers , and sent them home well rewarded ; by which means he procured the love of the citizens , but the greater hatred of the tyrant . shortly after , antigonus , the son of aristobulus , brother to hyrcanus , invaded judea , being assisted by ptolomei , the son of menaeus , and fabius the governour of damascus , and masion , the tyrant of the tyrians , who adhered to him for the hatred that he bore to herod , whom herod meeting , when they had scarce entred the borders of judea , overcame them in battel , and drave them thence ; whereupon hyrcanus honoured him with crowns , as soon as he returned to jerusalem : for he was already accounted as one of the family of hyrcanus , being to marry mariamne , or mary , the daughter of alexander , the son of aristobulus , the brother of hyrcanus , and of alexandra , the daughter of hyrcanus . m. anthony having overcome brutus and cassius , there met him ambassies from all nations in bythinia , and amongst the rest , some of the rulers of the jews , to accuse phasaelus and herod , alledging that hyrcanus ruled only in shew , but in truth , all the power was in the two brothers : yet anthony highly honoured herod , who was come thither to wipe of all those objections , whereby it came to pass , that his adversaries were not so much as admitted to speak with anthony : and this herod had obtained by his bribes . yet not long after , there came an hundred of the most honourable amongst the jews , to daphne , near antioch , in syria , to anthony , to accuse phasaelus and herod , having chosen out of their whole number the most eloquent , to manage their business : but messala undertook the defence of the two brothers , with whom also hyrcanus joyned , who had betrothed his grand-daughter to herod . both parties being heard , anthony asked hyrcanus , whether of the two parties were fittest to govern a commonwealth ? who , speaking for the young men , anthony that loved them for their fathers sake , his old friend , he made them both tetrarchs , leaving to them the government of all judea , writing his letters to the same purpose , and clapped fifteen of their adversaries into prison , and would have put them to death , had not herod intreated for them . but when the people did nothing but rail upon herod , anthony in displeasure slew them all . antigonus the son of aristobulus hired the parthians to translate the kingdom from hyrcanus to himself and to kill herod , who coming along with him , and some jews also joyning themselves to him , he came to jerusalem , and they set upon the kings house : but phasaelus and herod defended it against them ; and in the market place , overcoming them in a fight , forced them to fly into the temple , where they shut them in , and placed sixty men in some adjoyning houses , to prevent their flight : but the people hating the two brethren , set fire on those houses , and burnt the men in them , which so inraged herod , that he slew many of the people : and each laying wait for the other , every day some were murdered . the day of pentecost being come , many thousands of men , as well armed as unarmed , gathered together about the temple , from all parts of the country , and seized upon the temple , and city , all but the kings house , which herod kept with a few souldiers , as phasaelus did the walls . these brothers assisting each other , assaulted their enemies , in the suburbs forced many thousands of them to flie , some into the city , and some into the temple , and others into a rampire that was near the city . hereupon antigonus desired that pacorus , the general of the parthians might be admitted to make peace between them : which phasaelus assented to , and pacorus perswaded him to go with him as an ambassador to barzapharnes ( another general of the parthians ) laying an ambush for him by the way : phasaelus assented , though much against the mind of his brother herod , and was willing to go with pacorus , and took hyrcanus along with him . pacorus leaving two hundred horsemen with herod , and ten whom they called eleutheri , went along with the ambassadors . and as soon as they were come into galile , barzapharnes entertained them with a cheerful countenance , and bestowed gifts upon them , but watched an opportunity to intrap them : and so phasaelus was brought with his company to a place near the sea-side called ecdippon ; where ophellus , a rich syrian , understanding of the treachery intended against them , offered phasaelus some ships to carry him away : but he unwilling to leave hyrcanus , and his brother herod in danger , expostulated with barzapharnes about the injury offered to them who were ambassadors , who swore that these things were not true , and presently went to pacorus . no sooner was he gon , but hyrcanus and phasaelus were clapped up in prison , much detesting the perfidiousness of the parthians : and an eunuch also was sent to herod with a command to surprize him if he could get him out of jerusalem . herod having intelligence what had happened to his brother , taking with him such forces as he had in readiness , and his mother cybele , his sister salome , his wife mariamne , and his wives mother alexandra , the daughter of hyrcanus , and his yougest brother pheroras , with their servants , he privately by night took his flight into idumaea . in their journey , his mother , by the overthrow of her coach , was in great danger of death , and herod , fearing least the enemies should overtake them whilest they stayed there , drew forth his sword , thinking to kill himself : but being restrained by those which stood by , he went towards massada , a very strong place , which is seated in arabia , and palestine , by the nearest way that he could possible : the parthians first , and also the jews pursuing him by that he was sixty furlongs from the city , but he repelled them both in fight . the next day after herod had fled from jerusalem , the parthians plundered the city , and the kings house ; only the treasure of hyrcanus which was three hundred talents , remained untouched . a great part also of herods substance which he had not carried away with him , they siezed upon ; and not satisfied therewith , they harrized all the country also , and razed the rich city of marissa . antigonus being thus setled in judaea by the parthians , he received into his custody hyrcanus , and phasaelus , who were prisoners : yet he was much grieved that the women were got away , whom he had intended to deliver to the parthians , together with the money which he had promised to give them . being afraid also lest hyrcanus should again by the favour of the people be restored to his kingdom and priest-hood , he cut off his ears , thereby rendring him unfit for the priest-hood , the law forbidding that any one who wanted a member should approach to the altar . lev. . , &c. phasaelus knowing that his death was determined sought to lay violent hands upon himself , but being hindred by reason of his chains , he dashed out his brains against a stone : yet before he was quite dead , hearing by a woman that his brother herod was escaped , he greatly rejoyced that there was one left to revenge his death . the parthians , though they missed of the women , which they most of all desired , yet having setled all things at jerusalem with antigonus , when they departed , took hyrcanus along with them prisoner into parthia . herod not hearing of his brother phasaelius his death , went to malchus , the king of the arabians [ nabathaeans ] who were obliged to him by many favours he had done them , purposing so soon as possibly he could to redeem his brother for three hundred talents from the enemy : for which cause he carried along with him young phasaelus , his brothers son , about seven years old , to leave him for a pledg with the arabians : but there met him some that were sent from malchus , to command him to depart from the bounds of his kingdom , for so the parthians had required : yet he pretended that he did it by the request of his noble men , purposing to cozen him of that great treasure which his father antipater had committed to his trust . herod taking this very heavily , turned aside into a certain temple , where he had left many of his followers : but the next day , when he came to rhinocorura he heard of his brothers death . malchus , upon second thoughts , repenting of his ingratitude , sent in all hast after to herod : but the messengers could not overtake him : for he was gon far on his journey towards pelusium , where the marriners that were sailing to alexandria , refused to take him in . there , by the magistrates of the city he was honourably intertained , and brought to cleopatra , the queen , who could not prevail with him to stay at that time , because he was hastening to rome , though the sea was very tempestuous , and as then the affairs in italy were in no very good condition . as he sailed from alexandria towards pamphilia ; he met with a very great storm , which made him cast overboard much of his substance , and scarcely got he to rhodes . at rhodes two of his greatest friends met him , sappinas , and ptolomaeus , and finding that the city had suffered much in the war against cassius , he could not be restrained , no not by his present poverty , but that he would do something for it , even beyond his ability : after which he caused a frigot to be built , and embarking himself with his friends in it , he arrived at brundusium in italy , and fom thence went to rome , declaring unto m. anthony those things that had happened to himself and his family , and that thorough many tempests , and dangers he had retired unto him , as his only refuge , in whom all his hope lay . this narration moved compassion in anthony ; remembring also his fathers friendship towards him , but that which prevailed most , was the promise of a great sum of mony if he would help him to the kingdom : anthony also hated antigonus as a man of a turbulent spirit , and an enemy to the romans . caesar also partly for that antipater [ herods father ] had been fellow souldier with his father in aegypt , and for other curtesies which he had shewed him , and partly to gratifie anthony , whom he saw to be well affected to herod , was willing to promote his designs : whereupon the senate being assembled , messala , and atpatinus , brought in herod , and after they had praised him , reckoning up the love , and services that both he , and his father had done for the romans , and accusing antigonus both for former crimes , and for that newly he had received the kingdom of the jews from the parthians in contempt of the romans : and when anthony also had declared to the senate how much conducing it was to the parthian war , then in hand , that herod should be made king : antigonus was declared an enemy , and the kingly title was devolved upon herod by their general suffrage . whilest these things were transacting at rome , ventidius , the roman general easily recovered palestine , antigonus , the king thereof , being much afraid of him , and he exacted great sums of money from all men , but especially from antigonus , who in herods absence had besieged his family in massada , which place , though it abounded with all other kinds of provision , yet it wanted water , so that joseph , herods brother , who commanded in chief there , with two hundred of his friends intented to flie to the arabians ; for that he heard that malchus now repented him of his former ingratitude towards herod : but the very night a great shore of rain falling filled their cisterns , which made him change his purpose , and the next morning , making a gallant salley forth , they killed many of antigonus his men . ventidius encamped near to jerusalem , and drew from antigonus a sufficient sum of money , and to the intent that his fraudulent dealing should not be discovered , he left one silo there , with part of his forces under a pretence of helping joseph , who also was to be seed by antigonus , lest he should raise him some new troubles ; which antigonus submitted to , hoping that the parthians would shortly come to his aid . after the senate was dismissed , anthony , and caesar went out , leading herod between them , who also accompanied with the consuls , and other magistrates , and so they went all together up into the capitol , to sacrifice to the gods , and to place there the decree of the senate : and the new king , the first day of his reign , was feasted by anthony , and within seven days after he was by anthony dismissed out of italy , honoured with this unexpected felicity . shortly after anthony being to go to the parthian war , had all his acts , as well past as to come , confirmed by the senate , whereupon he sent to some kings by his own authority to pay certain tributes to him , and he made herod king both of the idumaeans , and samaritans . herod being returned out of italy to ptolemais , quickly gathered store of souldiers , both of such as he hired , as also of his own countrymen , passing through galile against antigonus : being aided by silo , and ventidius , who were commanded by anthony to conduct him into his kingdom ; and as he went on , his forces daily increased , and all galile , except a few , sided with him . as herod was marching towards massada , where he was necessarily to relieve his kindred , joppa would not let him pass , wherefore he was to reduce it , lest he should leave so strong a place behind him in his passage to jerusalem : which occasion silo taking hold on ( for he was not yet come to herod ) dislodged his army from about jerusalem , whom the jews pursued , but herod meeting him with a small party saved silo , who fought very cowardly . after he had taken joppa , he hasted to massada to raise the siege , and his army encreased daily , many of the country people joyning with him : and having relieved his friends in massada , he hasted towards jerusalem ; and though antigonus had laid ambushments for him in divers places , yet he drew near to the city , silo following , and the jews being terrified with his power . when he had encamped on the west side of the city , they upon the walls shot at him with darts and arrows : others also sallying out in troops , beat up some of his quarters . then did herod by an herald proclaim round about the walls , that he came for the publick good , and to preserve the city from ruin , and withal , he promised pardon for all former actings . on the other side antigonus , directing his speech to silo , and the romans , told them , that it was unjustly done of the senate to give the kingdom to herod , a private man , and an idumaean , and so but an half-jew , whereas by custom it was to be given to one of the high-priests line . his men also shooting valiantly from the towers , drave the enemy from the walls : and silo ( who was beforehand bribed by antigonus ) suborned some of his souldiers to demand of herod more provisions , and larger pay , and to be withdrawn into commodious winter-quarters . the army being thus troubled , and beginning to dislodg , herod intreated the captains , and souldiers of silo's army , that they would not now forsake him , he being sent both by anthony , caesar , and the senate , to take possession of the kingdom ; and withal he sent into all the country , and brought in such store of provisions , that there was no occasion for silo , and his army to complain . he commanded his friends also that inhabited about samaria , that they should bring to jericho corn , wine , oyl , cattle , and other necessaries , that the souldiers for the future might have plenty . antigonus having intelligence hereof , sent forth some to intercept the victualers : but herod taking with him some cohorts , viz. five of the romans and as many of the jews , with some forreign souldiers , and a few horse mixed with them , flew out to jericho , and found the city forsaken of the inhabitants , and five hundred families of them were fled to the tops of the hills , whom he took , and dismissed in safety : but the romans entring the city , plundered it , where they found all sorts of precious movables . herod leaving a garrison there , returned to his camp before jerusalem , and then dismissed the romans , sending them into winter-quarters in idumaea , samaria , and galile , which countries were lately surrendred to them : but antigonus by bribes obtained of silo , that part of the roman army should he quartered in lydda , currying thereby favour with anthony : and thus the romans lived in plenty , and without bearing arms. but herod could not be idle : for sending his brother joseph into idumaea , with a thousand foot , and four hundred horse , himself went into samaria , and there setled his mother , and the rest of his kindred , whom he had drawn out of massada : then did he march into galile , where he surprized some places which were yet held by antigonus his garrisons : and when he came to sephorus in snowy weather , antigonus his men fled away , and there he found great store of necessaries . from thence he sent a troop of horse , and three companies of foot against some thieves that dwelt in caves , not far from the village arbela , by which means he kept them from doing mischief . then he marched with his whole army , whom the enemy met , and encountred resolutely , inso much as herods left wing began to waver , till himself coming on with the main body , encouraged his own men to stand their ground , and caused the enemy to flee , whom he followed as far as jordan : by which victory he brought all galile into his subjection , except those that dwelt in the caves : and so giving to every one of his souldiers a hundred and fifty drachmes , and more to his captains , he dismissed them into their winter-quarters . there came silo to him with his captains who had wintered with antigonus , and who now would maintain , them no longer , commanding the inhabitants thereabout to spoil the country of all victuals , and to retire to the mountains that the romans might perish through famine : but herod committed the charge of provisions to his brother pheroras , and withal , commanded him to rebuild alexandrium , who in a short time furnished the souldiers with abundance of all necessaries , and built again alexandrium that had formerly been dismantled . ventidius in syria sent for silo to assist him against the parthians , but commanded him first to assist herod , and to bring herod , and the rest of the auxiliaries of those provinces along with him : but herod sending silo to him , went himself with his souldiers against the thieves that lived in caves ; and in the mean time made ptolomy governour of the country , which fell out ill for him ; for being set upon by those who had formerly disturbed the country , he was slain by them , after which they retired into fens , and inaccessible places , infesting with their inrodes , and robberies all the country : but when herod returned , he made them pay dear for their thieveries : for some of them he killed , others flying to their fortified places he pursued , and having taken them , put them to death , and razed their strong holds , and sined the cities in an hundred talents . about this time anthony commanded ventidius to send machaeras to aid herod with two legions , and a thousand horse ; but when he came , being corrupted by antigonus with money , he would needs go to him , against herods mind , under a colour of observing his actions : but antigonus suspecting him , denied him admittance , and drave him away with slings , whereby he found that herod had given him good counsel , and blamed himself for not following of it : whereupon he retired to emmaus , and in his march killed all the jews that came to hand , without distinction of friend or foe , being provoked by antigonus his dealing : at which cruelty herod was much grieved , intending to go to anthony , and saying , that he needed other manner of men than those who did him more hurt than his enemies , whereas of himself he was able to subdue antigonus : but machaeras overtaking him , intreated him to stay , or if he was resolved to go on , yet at least that he would leave with him his brother joseph , that with their united forces they might make war upon antigonus . thus , after much intreaty , he was reconciled to machaeras , and so leaving his brother joseph with his army , he commanded him in his absence , that he should not put all to the hazard of a battel ; but himself hasted to anthony , whom he found besieging samosata , a city near to the river euphrates , and carried along with him some auxiliaries both of horse and foot. anthony entertained him very honourably , and much praised him for his valour . joseph , unmindful of his brothers command , taking with him his own forces , and five roman cohorts that were given him by machaeras , went towards jericho , purposing to reap the enemies corn , now that it was ripe , and encamped in the mountains , because the roman cohorts were raw souldiers , most of them being lately taken up in syria : yet there he was circumvented by the enemy , in the midst of those fastnesses , and having lost six cohorts , he himself valiantly fighting , was slain : antigonus being in a rage , caused the dead body of joseph to be whipped , though pheroras , his brother , offered fifty talents to have redeemed it : after this loss , the galileans revolting from their governours , drowned those that were of herods party in the lake : in idumaea also there were many innovations . anthony having made peace with his enemy , commanded caius sosius to assist herod against antigonus , with two cohorts : when herod came to daphne , the suburbs of antioch , he heard of his brother josephs deah , which caused him to hasten his journey , and coming to mount libanus , he took thence with him eight hundred men , and one cohort of the romans , and so came to ptolemais , from whence in the night he passed with his army through galilee : here his enemies met him , whom he overcame in fight , and forced them into the castle , from whence they had issued the day before : them he assaulted , but was compelled to desist , by reason of the extremity of the weather , and to retreat into some neighbouring villages : but upon the coming of another cohort from anthony , they in the castle were so affrighted , that they forsook the same by night : herod then hastned to jericho , purposing to revenge his brothers death : and being come thither , he feasted his nobles , and the feast being ended , and his guests dismissed , he retired into his chamber , and presently the room wherein they had supped , being now empty of company fell down without hurting any , which made many to think , that surely herod was beloved of god , who had so miraculously preserved him . the next day , six thousand of the enemies came down from the mountains to fight with him , and their forlorn-hope with darts and stones so terrified the romans , and some of herods souldiers , that they fled , and herod himself received a wound in his side . antigonus , desiring to have his strength seem greater than it was , sent one of his captains , named pappus , with some forces into samaria , whilst himself went against machaeras . in the mean time herod took in five towns , and therein put two thousand of the garrison souldiers to the sword ; and setting the towns on fire , he went against pappus , and was strengthened by many that came to him out of jericho and judea : yet was the enemy so confident , that he would joyn battel with him ; but in fight , herod overcame them ; and being inflamed with a desire to revenge his brothers death , he pursued them that fled , slew many of them , and followed them into a village , and there slew many more of them , who retreated into houses , the rest fled : after which victory , herod had presently gone to jerusalem , and put an end to the war , had not the sharpness of the winter hindred him ; for now antigonus bethought himself to leave the city , and fly elsewhere for safety . herod in the evening , when he had dismissed his friends to refresh themselves , as yet hot in his armour , went into a chamber , attended with one only servant , to wash himself , wherein some of his enemies armed , whom fear had forced thither , were hidden ; and whilst he was naked , and washing himself , first one , and then a second , and a third , ran out armed with naked swords in their hands , so astonished , that they were glad to save themselves , without profering the least hurt to the king. the next day , herod , amongst others , cut off pappus his head , and sent it by way of revenge for his brothers death , to his brother pheroras ; for it was pappus that with his own hand had slain joseph . herod , in the beginning of the third year after he had been declared king at rome , coming with an army to jerusalem , encamped near the city , and from thence removing to that place where the walls were fittest to be assaulted , he pitched his tents before the temple , intending to attempt them , as pompey had done in times past : and having encompassed the place with three bulworks , by the help of many workmen he raised his batteries ; fetching materials from all places thereabouts , and appointing fit men to oversee the work ; and then himself went to samaria to solemnize his marriage with mariamne , the daughter of alexander , the son of aristobulus , who was formerly betrothed to him . the marriage ceremony being over , sosius came with an army of horse and foot , being sent by anthony to the aid of herod , and herod also took a great party with him from samaria to jerusalem ; so that the whole army being come together , consisted of eleven legions of foot , and six thousand horse , besides the syrian auxiliaries , which were very many , and so they pitched on the north-side of the city . over this great army were two generals , sosius and herod , who purposed to displace antigonus , as an enemy to the people of rome , and to establish herod in the kingdom , according to the decree of the senate . the jews being gathered together ▪ out of the whole countrey , and shut up within the walls , made a valiant resistance , boasting much of the temple of the lord , and saying , that the lord would not forsake his people in the time of danger . by secret sallies also they burnt up , and spoiled all provision without the city both for man and horse , whereby the besiegers began to be pinched : but herod provided against their excursions , by placing ambushments in convenient places , and sending parties to fetch in provision from afar off , so that in a short time the army was well furnished with all necessaries . by reason of the multitude of workmen , the three bulworks were soon finished , it being summer time , so that no untemperateness of weather hindred them : and with his engines herod often battered the walls , and left nothing unassayed : but the besieged fought valiantly , and were every way as active and subtile to make void his endeavours ; often sallying forth , and firing their works , both those that were finished , and others that were but begun , and coming to handistrokes with the romans , they were nothing inferiour to them , but only in martial skill . the sabbatical year now coming , brought a famine upon the besieged jews , notwithstanding which , they built a new wall within that which was beaten down by the battering rams , and so countermined the enemies mines , that many times they came to handystrokes under ground , and making use of despair instead of courage , they held it out unto the last , though pollio , the pharisee , and samias his disciple , advised them to receive herod into the city , saying , that they could not avoid his being their king by reason of their sins . they held out the siege for five moneths space , though there was so great an army before the city : but at length twenty of herods choicest souldiers got upon the wall , and after them the centurions of sosius . so that the first wall was taken on the forti'th day , and the second on the fiftieth , and some galleries about the temple were burnt down , which herod charged ( though falsly ) upon antigonus , thereby to bring him into hatred with the people . when the outward part of the temple was taken , and the lower city , the jews fled into the inward part of the temple , and the upper city : and fearing lest they should be hindred from offering their daily sacrifices unto god , they sent ambassadours unto herod , to desire leave , that such beasts only might be brought in which were to be sacrificed : this request herod easily granted , hoping that by this means they would leave their obstinacy , and submit to him . but perceiving that this courtesie prevailed not , and that they were still resolute to continue the sovereignty in antigonus , he gave a general assault and won the city , on the kalends of january , on the second moneth , cislu , being the day on which the jews were wont to celebrate a fast in commemoration of the holy rowl that was burnt by jehoiakim . the city being taken by assault , all places were filled with murthers : the romans being incensed against the jews for holding out so long ; and the herodian jews endeavouring to extirpate the contrary faction ; so that there were continual slaughters in the porches and houses ; yea , the reverence of the temple , not saving the suppliants : they spared neither age nor sex , nor so much as the little children : and though the conquerour herod besought , and intreated them to forbear , yet none would hear , or obey him , but as if they had been mad , they proceeded in their cruelty . antigonus coming down from the upper city , fell at sosius his feet , who nothing pittying his miserable condition , insulting over him , calling him madam antigonuus , and withall cast him into prison , and set keepers about him . and whereas a multitude of strangers , that herod had hired , came rushing in , not into the temple only , but even into the sanctuary , some he thought to restrain by intreaty , others by threats , and some by force , judging his victory worse than if he had been overthrown , if any of those things which were not lawful to be seen , were exposed to the view of the prophane multitude . he restrained also the plundering of the city , as much as in him lay ; intreating sosius to do the like , asking , if the romans would make him king of a wilderness , the city being so wasted by rapines and murthers : sosius answered , that the souldiers desired the plunder of the city , in regard of their hard service in the siege : to which herod replied , that he would recompence every man out of his own treasury ; and making good his promise , he freed the city from further misery : for he bestowed gifts liberally upon the souldiers , and proportionably upon the commanders , and bountifully upon sosius : whereupon , sosius offering a crown of gold unto god , withdrew out of the city , leading antigonus a prisoner along with him to anthony . herod being thus setled in jerusalem , he advanced those of his own faction , and daily put to death them of the contrary : amongst whom , he slew all those of the sanhedrim , who had accused him of a capital crime , before he was king , sparing only pollio the pharisee , and samias , his disciple , whom he highly honoured . then did he gather together all the regal ornaments , and much silver and gold , which he exacted from rich men , all which he gave to anthony and his souldiers . he put to death also forty and five of antigonus his chief noble men , setting watches at their doors , that none of them might be carried out under pretence of being dead : and what gold or silver soever was found , was all carried to herod , so that there was no end of the peoples miseries , the covetousness of the needy conquerours consuming all their estates . the fields also lay untilled , because it was the sabbatical year , in which it was unlawful to sow the ground . of these miserable times , amongst others , were spectators , zacharias the priest , with his wife elizabeth : of the relicts of davids stock , hely and joseph : anna also the prophetess of the tribe of aser , and simeon the just , who received an answer from the holy ghost , that he should not see death , till he had seen the lord christ. luk. . . anthony being thus possessed of antigonus , intended to keep him prisoner to adorn his triumph ; but herod feared , that if antigonus was brought to rome by anthony , he might there contend with him before the senate for the kingdom : considering also how the nation of the jews hated him , and favoured antigonus ; he thereupon gave great sums of money to anthony , to cut off his head , which accordingly he did at antioch : antigonus being the first king that was thus put to death by the romans : and in him ended the principality of the hasmonaeans : it being from the captainship of judas maccabaeus to the death of antigonus , an hundred twenty six years , and two or three moneths ; and by this means , herod , a stranger , got the kingdom , and was totally freed from his fears . hyrcanus , ( as we heard before ) being carried prisoner to phraates king of the parthians ; he intreated him courteously for the nobility of his descent , and after a time , freeing him from prison , he suffered him to live in babylon , where were great store of jews , who honoured him no less than as their king and high-priest : and not only they of babylon , but all the rest of the nation of the iews did the like ; who in old time had been carried captive beyond the river euphrates , by the assyrians , of whom there were many millions . but hyrcanus hearing that herod was made king of the iews , he began to cast his hopes that wayes , expecting favour from herod , whose life he had saved , when he was called in question before the sanhedrim . he consulted therefore with the iews that came to visit him , about his return into iudea , who by all means disswaded him from it , yet could they not prevail with him . besides , herod desired by all means to get the poor old man into his clutches , and thereupon wrote to him to get leave of phraates and the iews , that he might return , and that they would not envy him the joynt rule with his son in law , the time being now come , wherein he could requite the favours that hyrcanus had shewed him , in being his nourisher and preserver . he sent also his ambassadour to phraates with great presents , intreating him that he would not hinder him from being thankful to him that had deserved so well of him . hyrcanus being forward of himself , dismissed by the parthians , and honourably furnished by the iews for the expences of his journey , he came at last to herod , who entertained him with all honour , gave him the upper hand in all assemblies , and the more honourable place at all feasts , calling him father , hereby to delude him , lest he should suspect any treachery . herod providing that none of the nobility should be created high-priest , sent to babylon for a priest of base parentage , whom formerly he had been acquainted with , of the race of those priests that had been carried away beyond euphrates , whose name was ananelius , or hananeel , and to him he gave the high-priesthood . this alexandra the daughter of hyrcanus , the wife of alexander , the son of aristobulus , and mother-in-law of herod , took in ill part ; for that aristobulus her son , and brother of mariamne , was neglected , and another from a strange place should be made high-priest : whereupon she wrote to cleopatra queen of egypt , and anthonies darling , that she would procure the high-priesthood of anthony for her son. cleopatra neglected her request ; but shortly after , dellius , a friend of anthonies , coming into iudea , perswaded her to send the pictures of her son aristobulus , and of her daughter mariamne to anthony , who then would deny her nothing : this she assented to , and sent them by dellius , who told anthony , that they seemed rather to be of a divine , than of a humane race . anthony was much inflamed herewith , yet thought it undecent to send for a lady that was married to herod , shunning also the jealousie of cleopatra : whereupon he wrote to alexandra , to send her son to him , under some honest pretence : but these things coming to the ears of herod , he thought it not safe that aristobulus , now in the flower of his age , being but sixteen , should be sent to anthony , the most potent man amongst the romans , and very much given to his lusts. wherefore he wrote back , that if the youth did but step out of the kingdom , all the country would be up in arms ; the iews hoping for some innovations under a new king , and by this means he satisfied anthony . herod being continually molested with the intreaties of his wife mariamne , that he would give the high-priesthood to her brother aristobulus , it being his right , he called a council of his friends , to whom he inveighed against his mother-in-law alexandra , as if she had privately wrought treason against his kingdom , and had endeavoured by cleopatra's means to translate it to young aristobulus ; yet , lest he should seem to neglect both his piety to her , and the rest of that kindred , he told them , he would now restore the priesthood to her son , which hitherto ananelius had supplied , by reason of the young mans tender years : alexandra being herewith overjoyed , and withall grieved that she was suspected , fell a weeping , clearing her self of those accusations , and gave him many thanks for her sons honour , promising that hereafter she would be most obedient unto him . and thus herod , in the life-time of ananelius , gave the high-priesthood to aristobulus , being then but seventeen years old . yet herod , fearing lest his mother-in-law alexandra should seek occasion to raise new troubles , confined her to the palace , and commanded her to do nothing by her own authority : yea , he set so strict a guard over her , that nothing was concealed from him of all she did , to the very expences of her table . this she took very heavily , and wrote to cleopatra , complaining of her hard condition , and desired her to yield her assistance : cleopatra advised her with her son to fly to her into egypt , which she liked , and therefore provided two coffins , the one for her self , the other for her son , commanding her servants , that were privy to the plot , to carry them out by night , and to convey them to a ship that was ready prepared to carry them into egypt . this business aesopus , one of her servants , blabbed to sabbation , a friend of alexanders , supposing that he had known all before ? which , as soon as sabbation knew , though hitherto he was an enenmy of herods , as being suspected to have been in the plot of poysoning his father antipater , he took this occasion of being reconciled to the king , by discovering the matter , herod being thus informed of the plot , dissembled the matter till it was in execution , and then surprized her in her flight , and brought her back : yet did he pardon her fault , not indeed daring to punish her , lest thereby he should discontent cleopatra , that was willing to take any occasion against him : wherefore , under a colour of a magnanimous spirit , he made shew as if he pardoned her out of meer clemency . the feast of tabernacles being now come , the new high-priest aristobulus , being just past seventeen years old , was to offer sacrifice according to the law , and being clad in his pontifical attire , he came to the altar , and performed the ceremony with all decency , whose excellent beauty and stature , being higher than was usual for his age , and carrying in his countenance the honour of his lineage , drew the eyes , and love of all the multitude upon him ; every one calling to mind the worthy and memorable actions of his grand-father aristobulus ; and therefore , as overcome with affections towards him , they were so over-joyed , that they could not contain themselves , but openly prayed for him , and wished him all joy , and that more freely than was meet in those jealous times , under such a king , proclaiming openly , both the memory , and thanks they owed to the family , for all the benefits they had received from it . as soon as the feast was ended , aristobulus was entertained at a banquet by his mother alexandra : herod also pretended favour to him , and enticed him into a convenient place to sport with him after the manner of young men , and when they were hot and weary , and left their sport , they walked out to the fish-ponds , which were near the court , to take the fresh air , where also they beheld some of the servants that were swimming : at last , by the perswasion of herod , aristobulus undrest himself , and went in amongst them : then they , who were suborned by herod , as it were in sport and jest , ducked him as he was swimming , holding him under water , and never left off till they had drowned him . this was the end of aristobulus , in the eighteenth year of his age , and in the first year of his high-priesthood , which immediately returned to ananelus . the report of these things coming to the women , they were all on an uprore , and did nothing but weep , and howl over the body of the young man : yea , sorrow overspread the whole city , every one bewailing the calamity , as if it had been his own : but herod endeavoured by all means to make the people believe , as if it had faln out by chance , without his privity , not only feigning sorrow , but tears and grief also : and that he might the more comfort the women , he buried the body in a most magnificent manner , being liberal in prodigality , in adorning his monument , and in perfumes , and other precious things . but his mother alexandra knowing the treason , though she was oft ready to lay violent hands upon her self , yet repressed her passion , seeming not to be suspicious , till an opportunity of revenge might offer it self . and shortly after , she wrote to cleopatra of the treachery of herod , and of the lamentable death of her son. cleopatra pitying her misfortune , took a particular care of this business , as if it had been her own , and never rested from perswading anthony to revenge the young mans death ; telling him that it was an unpardonable crime , that he , who by his help , enjoyed a kingdom that was anothers right , should rage so insolently against the family of the lawful kings . anthony being prevailed with hereby , when he came to laodicea in syria , sent for herod to come before him , to answer what should be objected against him about the death of aristobulus . herod , during the time of his absence , committed the care of his kingdom to his unkle ioseph , privately commanding him , that if anthony should do him any mischief , he should presently put his wife mariamne to death ; pretending that he so loved her , that he should esteem it a great wrong , if any but himself should enjoy her beauty , yea , though it was after his death . when herod came to anthony , he so appeased him with rich presents , that he brought on purpose with him from ierusalem , and by his frequent conferences with him , that afterwards cleopatra's instigations prevailed little : for anthony said , that it was not fit that a king should be accountable for his actions , otherwise he would cease to be a king : for having once given him the honour , the free exercise of his kingly power was to be admitted unto him . he told cleopatra also , that it was not fit for her too much to meddle with other mens matters . during herods absence , ioseph governing the kingdom , he had occasion many times to converse with mariamne , partly upon business , and partly to do her honour ; and in their discourses there was often mention made how much herod loved her , which discourse was laughed at by the ladies , especially by alexandra ; but he was carried on with such a desire of provoking the kings love to them , that he told them what private command the king had given him , supposing this was an infallible argument of his love , because he could neither endure to live without her , nor in death to be disjoyned from her : but the ladies were not of his mind , rather abhorring the tyranny of herod , who , though he were dead , yet would he seek their lives . presently after , a rumour was spread about the city , that anthony had put herod to death , which much troubled all the court , especially the ladies : whereupon alexandra perswaded ioseph , that , taking them along with him , he should fly to the roman legions that lay before the city , under the command of the tribune iulius , so that if any trouble arose in the city , they might be secured by the romans ; adding , that she hoped if mariamne came but once to the sight of anthony , she might obtain any thing of him , yea , even the kingdom , with whatsoever belonged to the royal family . whilst these things were under debate , there came letters from herod , which dashed all , signifying how anthony had honoured him , both in the publick assemblies , and inviting him to his feasts , and that , during the accusations of cleopatra : so that he feared her not for the time to come , but hoped shortly to return to them , anthony having given coelosyria unto cleopatra instead of iudea , upon condition that she should not hereafter demand iudea , nor trouble him any further about that business . as soon as these letters were received , the speech about flying to the romans vanished , but yet their debate about it was not hid : for as soon as herod had brought anthony part of his way against the parthians , he returned into iudea , and immediately his sister salome , and his mother cyprus told him what alexandra's counsel was ; neither was she herewith contented , but she accused her husband ioseph , as if he had been too familiar with mariamne : and this she did out of an old grudge , because the queen ( a woman of an high spirit ) in their womanly brabbles , had upbraided her with her obscure birth . mariamne by her oath assured herod of her chastity , who told her again , how much he loved her ; but she replied , that it was not the part of a lover , to command that if he died , she should be put to death also . herod judging that this secret could never be known , except she had committed adultery with ioseph , had much ado to refrain from killing her immediately : but love overcoming his passion , he refrained ; yed did he command ioseph to be put to death , without suffering him to plead for himself , alexandra also he cast into prison , as the cause of all these evils . cleopatra having brought anthony part of his way towards parthia , returned towards egypt , and by the way , was entertained by herod , who assured unto her that part of arabia which was granted unto her by anthony , to which he added the revenues of iericho , where are great store of the best date trees , and where balsom grows , which being a precious oyntment only grows there , in two gardens , both which are the kings , the one of twenty acres , the other of less . by this means herod grew into great familiarity with cleopatra , who sought to allure him to her lust , either through her great intemperance , or because she sought by this means to betray him ; but though she pretended love to him , yet herod refused , and held a consultation with his friends about killing her , who disswaded him from it , and therefore having appeased her by great presents , and all manner of obsequiousness , he accompanied her as far as pelusium : yet fearing both her , and the people of the jews , he reserved the castle as a refuge for himself , laying in as many arms there , as were sufficient for ten thousand men . herod payed duely to cleopatra the tributes of judea and arabia , which anthony had given to her , not thinking it safe to give her any occasion of disgust against him . herod being now free from troubles , and having taken hyrcanium , a town which hitherto a sister of antigonus had kept , the actian war brake forth , between augustus caesar and mark anthony , whereupon herod made great preparation for the assisting of anthony , but he freed him from the trouble , telling him that he needed them not , and so dismissing him , herod returned home with a well-furnished army , wherewith he invaded arabia , going as far as diospolis , at which place the arabians met him , and after a fierce conflict , the jews got the victory . after this , herod made many inrodes into arabia , in the seventh year of his reign , after the death of antigonus , at which time the actian war being begun , judea was shaken with such an earthquake as never was the like before , in which ten thousand men were overwhelmed , by the ruins of the houses , yet the souldiers received no dammage , because they lay in the open fields . this being much aggravated by report , so emboldened the arabians , that they laid hold on the ambassadours of the iews , who , in this their affliction came to demand peace , and slew them , and presently prepared for war with all earnestness . herod hearing hereof , encouraged his men , offered sacrifice according to the custome , and so in all haste marched with his army over iordan , and having incamped at philadelphia , there the fight began , about the taking of a castle that lay between him and the arabians , in which the iews got the better , and after continual skirmishes , forced the arabians to flight , who in their haste , treading upon one another , they lost in all five thousand men : the rest were besieged in their camp , and extreamly wanting water , they sent ambassadours to herod , who would not admit of them , and was more eager upon them , for offering but fifty talents for their freedom : they being parched with continual thirst , came out of their camp by great companies , offering themselves to the iews , by which means they took five thousand of them in five dayes ; and at last , the rest in the camp came out to fight ; but despairing of any good success , there fell of them in the first conflict about seven thousand more . by this overthrow the courage of the arabians was tamed , and herod was declared governour of that nation , and so returned home with great glory . the actian war being finished , wherein caesar finally overthrew anthony , alexandra hoped that herod should be severely punished by caesar , for assisting anthony against him ; whereupon she sollicited her father hyrcanus , not any longer to suffer the affliction of their family , but rather to reserve himself for better times : for which end she advised him to seek for protection and entertainment of malchus the king of arabia . these sollicitations her father at first repulsed , but at last being overcome by her womanish importunity , he sent letters to malchus , by one dositheus a friend of his , desiring him to send some horsemen to convey him to the lake asphaltitis , which is distant from ierusalem about three hundred furlongs . this dositheus was kinsman to joseph , whom herod had put to death , yet , to curry favour with the king , he shewed him the letters : herod thanked him , and withal desired one curtesie more , that he would seal up the letters , and give them to malchus , and bring his answer to him . this he did , and the arabian sent back word , that he was ready to entertain hyrcanus and his family , and all the jews that were of his party , and that he would send a band of souldiers to conduct them in safety , who should be obedient to hyrcanus in all things . herod having received this answer , called hyrcanus and asked him if he had any confederacy with malchus ? who denying it , he produced the letters in the councel of the sanhedrim , and commaded him to be put to death . herod having thus dispatched hyrcanus , resolved to post unto caesar , and expecting no good from him , because of his great friendship to anthony , he was very jealous of alexandra , lest , taking this opportunity , she should stir up the people to rebel , and so fill the kingdom with domestical seditions . wherefore committing the care of his kingdom to his brother pheroras , he left his mother cyprus , and his sister salome , and all his kindred in the strong castle of massada : and commanded his brother , that if any thing befel him otherwise than well , he should retain the government of the kingdom in his own hands : and because his wife mariamne , by reason of some differences , could not live with his mother , he placed her with her mother alexandra in alexandrion , committing the custody of them to his treasurer joseph , and to sohemus , an iturian , under a colour of doing them honour , but yet he gave them this command , that if they should certainly know that any sinister hap befel him , they should presently put both the ladies to death , and to the uttermost of their power , keep the kingdom for his children , and his brother pheroras . herod having thus setled his affairs at home , posted to rhodes to meet with caesar there , whither when he was come , laying only his crown aside , but retaining other his princely ornaments , he was admitted into caesars presence , where , with great constancy , and magnanimity of spirit , he freely confessed the love he bore to anthony , as also the supplies he had sent him of corn , and money : adding moreover that he was ready with the same faith to keep friendship with caesar. this caesar exhorted him to , and restoring his crown to him , exceedingly honoured him . thus beyond all expectation , is herod again confirmed in his kingdom , both by the free gift of caesar , and also by a decree of the senate , which caesar procured for him : and herod gave great presents both to caesar himself , and to all his friends about him , even above his ability , to shew the greatness of his mind . during his absence , his wife mariamne , and his mother alexandra , took it very ill that they were shut up in that castle as in a prison , so that they could neither enjoy their own , nor make use of other mens goods : especially when by their feminine flatteries they had fished out of sohemus , what herod had commanded concerning them : she then began to wish that he might never return home , supposing that she should live a most intollerable life with him : all which she afterwards dissembled not , but openly confessed what it was that did afflict her . for herod returning beyond all expectation , and relating to mariamne what successes he had , she seemed not to regard them , and at all the carasses that he made her , she would sigh , so that herod plainly perceived the hatred of his wife against him , insomuch that himself was wavering between love , and hatred towards her . not long after caesar passing through syria towards egypt , herod intertained him with all royal magnificence at ptolemais , and shewed all hospitality towards his army , giving them plenty of all sorts of victuals , by which means he was counted one of caesars chiefest friends , and used to ride about with him when he mustred his army . he presented him also and his friends with a hundred and fifty men , all clad in most sumptuous , and rich apparel , yea , he suffered them to want nothing in their march to pelusium , through barren places , and such as wanted water , yet did he provide plentifully for them , with which the souldiers were much delighted . he also presented caesar with eight hundred talents : yea , he gave such satisfaction to all , that they confessed that it was greater than the kingdom could afford . herod wavering between love and hatred towards his wife mariamne , was continually incensed against her by the false accusations of his sister salome , and his mother cypros , who laboured to kindle his hatred and jealousie against her : whereupon , probably he had proceeded rigorously with her , but that news came seasonably that anthony and cleopatra were both dead , and that caesar had won egypt , and was coming back , whom in all hast he went to meet , and so left his family as it was . at his departure he commended sohemus to mariamne , professing that he owed him much respect for the care he had had of her : and gave to him also the government of a part of iudea . herod meeting with caesar before he was come out of egypt , in confidence of his friendship , spake freely to him , and was highly honoured by him : for he bestowed upon him the four hundred galatians , who were formerly of cleopatra's guard , to be his guard , and restored to him that part of his country which cleopatra had seized upon , and added to his kingdom gadara , and hippon , and samaria ; and by the sea-side , gaza , and anthedon , and ioppa , and the tower of straton , which added much splendour to his kingdom . in caesars return through syria , herod conducted him as far as antioch . at his return , for the space of a whole year , suspicions increased daily between him and his wife mariamne , she neglecting his carasses , and oft upbraiding him either with the death of her grand-father hyrcanus , or her father aristobulus , so that herod could scarce refrain from striking her , and salome by the noise , perceiving that herod was much moved , she sent in the butler , whom long before she had suborned for that end , who told herod that he was solicited by mariamne to deliver him a love potion , which he had by him , but what it was he knew not . herod hereupon examined the most faithful servant of mariamne by torture , being assured that she would attempt nothing without his privity , who not enduring the torments , confessed that she was offended for something that sohemus had declared unto her , which when the king heard , he cryed out , that sohemus had declared unto her , which when the king heard , he cryed out , that sohemus , who had ever been most faithful both to him , and the kingdom , would never have spoken of these things , had there not been some more secret familiarity between them than was fitting ; and thereupon he commanded sohemus to be apprehended and put to death ; and having called his friends to counsel , he accused his wife for practising to poyson him , which he so aggravated , that all that were present perceived that he had a mind that she should be condemned , which was accordingly done by the general consent of them all : and whereas they thought that the execution should not be over speedy , but rather that she should be secured in some of the kings castles , salome exceedingly urged the king that she should presently be put to death , for fear lest there should be some commotion among the people she being alive and in prison : and thus was mariamne brought to her death . when her mother alexandra saw her going to execution , and considered that she must look for the same at herods hands , that she might not seem to be guilty of the same crime , she began to upbraid her daughter as being wicked and ingrateful towards her husband , saying , that she deserved death who durst attempt so hainous an act . whilst she counterfeited these things , and made as if she would have pulled her daughter by the hair , they that were present condemned her hypocrisie ; but she that was led to death returned her no answer , but refelled the false accusation , with a resolute countenance , and mind , and underwent her death without fear . she being dead , herod began to be more inflamed with love towards her , often calling upon her name , and lamenting her death beyond decency ; and although he sought to divert his grief by pleasures , feastings , and drinking , yet all availed nothing . whereupon he cast off the care of his kingdom , and so far gave up himself to sorrow , that he would bid his servants call mariamne , as though she were yet living . as herod was thus tormenting himself , there came a great plague , which swept away a great part both of the nobility , and commons , every one judging that this plague was sent by god for the unjust death of the queen . the kings discontents being increased hereby , he at last hid himself in a solitary wilderness under a pretence of hunting ; where still afflicting himself , he fell into a great sickness , which was accompanied with an inflammation and great pain in his neck , so that he began to rave ; neither could any applications ease him , but rather made the disease more painful , so that those about him began to despair of his life : and his physicians , partly because of the stubborness of the disease , and partly because in so great danger there was not any free election of diet , they gave him leave to eat whatsoever he would . herod lying thus sick in samaria , and alexandra being at jerusalem , she endeavoured to get the two castles of the city into her hands , the one adjoyning to the temple , the other situate in the city : for which end she sollicited the governours of them to deliver them up unto her , and to the children of her and mariamne , lest that herod being dead , they should be seized upon by others : but they who had ever been faithful to herod , were now much more diligent in their office , both out of an hatred of alexandra , and because they thought it a great offence to despair of the recovery of their prince . hereupon they presently sent messengers to herod , to acquaint him with alexandra's attempt , who thereupon commanded her to be slain . at length overcoming his disease , he recovered his strength both of body and mind , but grew so cruel , that upon the least occasion he was ready to put any one to death . salome , herods sister , having been married to cossaborus an idumean , a difference now arising betwixt them , she , contrary to the custom of the iews , sent him a bill of divorce , and came away to her brother herod , telling him that she preferred his love before her tye to her husband : the reason which she pretended was , that cossaborus had practised some innovations with lysimachus , antipater , and dositheus , confirming it from this , because he had privily kept in his country the children of bebas , now for the space of twelve years from herods taking of ierusalem : as soon as herod heard this , he sent some to their hiding places , and killed them , with many others , to the intent that none should remain of the kindred of hyrcanus : he also took out of the way all such as excelled in any dignity , that he might do whatsoever seemed him good , there being none to resist him . herod by these practises growing more secure , he began to degenerate more and more from his country fashions , violating them by forreign inventions . for first he instituted wrestlings every fifth year in the honour of caesar , for the exhibiting of which , he began to build a theatre in ierusalem , and an amphitheatre in the plain , both of them very sumptuous for the workmanship , but clean contrary to the iewish customs : yea he would have this solemnity to be inrolled , and to be proclaimed in the neighbouring countries , and to remoter nations , and by propounding greater rewards , he invited , not only those those were skilful wrestlers , but also excellent musicians , and such as played on several instruments . yet that which above all troubled the iews , were the trophees , which being covered with armour , they thought to be images , forbidden by their law ; but herod to satisfie them , commanded the armour to be taken off , and shewed them that they were meer stocks of wood , whereupon all their anger was turned into laughter . herod having many ways provoked the jews , ten citizens of jerusalem made a conspiracy against him , amongst whom one was blind , who made one , not because he could do any thing , but to shew how ready he was to suffer with those that defended their country rights : herod had appointed secret spies to discover such plots , one of which had fished this matter out , and acquainted herod with it , who caused them to be apprehended , and when they were brought before him , with undaunted countenances they drew out their weapons from under their garments , protesting , that , not out of any private respect , but in the behalf of the publick weal , they had undertaken this conspiracy . then were they led away , and put to death with all manner of tortures . not long after , their accuser being hated of all men , was slain by some , and being cut in pieces , was thrown to the dogs . yet were the authors hereof concealed , till after long , and wearisome inquisitions , it was by torture wrung out from some silly women who were privy to it . when herod had thus found out the authors , he punished them with death , and their whole families . herod the better to secure himself from the seditions of the tumultuous people , in the thirteenth year of his reign , began to fortifie samaria , which was a days journey from jerusalem , and called it sebaste ( or angusta , ) the circuit of it was twenty furlongs , in the midst whereof he built a temple of a furlong and an half , which he wonderfully adorned , and so ordered , that many of the souldiers , and of the neighbouring nations came and dwelt there . herod also built another cidadel to be as a bridle to the whole nation , namely the tower of straton : also in the great plain he built a castle , and chose of his horsemen by lot , to keep it . another he built in galile , and one in peraea : which castles being so conveniently disposed in several parts of the country , took away from the people all opportunity of rebellion . about this time very grievous calamities befel the nation of the jews . first there was a long drought , after which followed a famine : after the famine , by reason of their ill diet , there came divers sicknesses , and the plague ; and herod , having not wherewithal to supply the publick wants , was forced to melt the gold and silver that was in his pallace , not sparing any thing for the curiosity of the workmanship : no not so much as the vessels which were for his own daily use . these being turned into money , he sent to buy provisions into aegypt , where petronius was governour under caesar , who though he was pestered with multitudes that repaired to him upon the like necessity , yet being herods friend , he gave his servants leave to export corn , and was assisting to them , both in the buying , and carriage of it . when the corn was brought to herod , he was very careful to see it divided , first to such as had most need , and then because there were many who by reason of old age , or some other weakness , were unable to dress it themselves , he appointed them certain bakers to provide their food for them : by this means he procured the good will of the people , and the praise of a prudent and provident prince . he provided also for his subjects against the sharpness of the winter , taking care that none should want clothing , their cattel being dead , and wool , and other materials failing . and when he had made provision for his own people , he took care also for the neighbouring cities of the syrians , to whom he allowed seed for sowing of their ground : and the castles , and cities ; and those of the common people , who had great families , coming to him for succour , he found a remedy for them also : insomuch that he gave to those that were not his subjects ten thousand cores of corn , each core containing ten athenian bushels . as soon as the corn was ripe for harvest , herod dismissed fifty thousand men , whom he had fed in the time of famine , into their own countries : by which diligence he restored the almost ruined estate of his own subjects , and did not a little relieve his neighbours , who groaned under the same calamities . at the same time also he sent aid to caesar. to wit , five hundred chosen men of his own guard , whom aelius gallus led into the arabian wars , where they did most excellent service . herod also built himself a pallace in sidon , in which he built two very large and stately houses , with which the temple it self could in no wise compare , and called one of them by the name of caesar , and the other by the name of agrippa . herod having removed from the priesthood jesus the son of phales , made simon ( a priest of jerusalem ; the son of boethus of alexandria ) priest in his room , and took also his daughter mariamne to wife , that was the most beautiful virgin of that age . the marriage solemnities being over , he began to build another new pallace , unto which he adjoyned a town , which he called herodian , in a place distant from jerusalem , about sixty furlongs towards arabia , in the place where he had overcome the jews when he was thrust out by the arms of antigonus . he built also sebaste , and having finished that , he began to build another most magnificent city in a place by the sea-side , where straton stood , which he called caesaria , and added to it an haven of admirable work , equal in bigness to the haven piraetus : all which he finished in twelve years space , sparing neither labour nor cost about them . then did he send his two sons , alexander , and aristobulus , ( whom he had by mariamne the asmonaean ) to rome to caesar , to be there educated under him , for whom lodgings were prepared at the house of pollio , herods great friend . caesar intertained the young men very courteously , and gave herod power to make which of his sons he pleased the heir of his kingdom : he added also to his government trachonitis , batunaea , and auranitis . when herod had received trachonitis , he took guides , and went to the den of the thieves , restraining their villanies , whereby the people lived in quiet : but zenodorus , the former governour , being moved , partly thorough envy , and partly with the loss of his government , went to rome , to accuse herod , but could effect nothing . about this time herod went to mytelene , to salute his chiefest friend agrippa , and so returned into judaea : and presently after some citizens of gadara went to agrippa to accuse herod , whom he vouchsafed not so much as to hear , but sent them bound to herod : yet did he spare them : for though he was inexorable towards his own people , yet did he willingly contemn , and forgive injuries received from strangers . zenodorus had solemnly sworn to the gadarens , that he would do his utmost with caesar to get them freed from the jurisdiction of herod , and to be annexed to the province of caesar : many of themselves also exclaimed against herod , calling him cruel tyrant , complaining to caesar of his violence and rapines , and for rasing , and robbing their temple : yet was herod nothing herewith terrified , being ready to answer for himself : but caesar used him curteously , and was nothing alienated from him for all these tumultuous complaints : the gadarens therefore perceiving the inclination of caesar and his friends towards herod , despairing of good success , and fearing to be delivered into herods hands , some of them cut their own throats , others fearing torments brake their own necks , or drowned themselves in the river , and thus , seeming to forejudg themselves , caesar absolved herod from all their accusations . zenodorus also having his bowels burst , through much blood that came from him , ended his life at antioch in syria ; whereupon augustus caesar gave his tetrarchy to herod : he made him also one of the governours of syria , commanding the rest of the governours of that province , to do nothing without his advice . herod bestowed upon his brother pheroras a hundred talents out of the revenues of his kingdom , and begged a tetrarchy for him of caesar , to the intent that if himself should happen to die , pheroras estate might be secure , and not subject to herods children . caesar coming into the east , having setled his affairs there , herod conducted him to the sea-side , and so returned into his own kingdom , where he built a goodly temple in honour of caesar , all of white marble , near to panion , at the foot of which mountain were the spring-heads of jordan : he also remitted to his subjects some part of their tribute , under pretence that he would ease them after the great dearth , but indeed to appease the minds of his subjects , who were offended at his vast works , which seemed to tend to the destruction of religion and good manners , as was commonly talked . as also to prevent these reports , he forbad all private meetings in the city , and to frequent feastings : he had spies also who would mingle themselves in all companies , and mark what people said : yea himself would go about in the night in the habit of a private person , and mingle himself in the company of people to hear what they thought of him : and such as peremptorily disliked his doings , he would punish without all mercy : the rest of the multitude he bound to him by oath , requiring that they should not depart from their fidelity , and duty : yea he required this oath of many of the pharisees , as of pollio , and sameas , &c. which though he could not get them to take , yet did he not punish them as he did others , in regard of that respect that he bore to pollio : neither did he impose it upon the esseans , whom he much esteemed for one manaherus sake , who was a prophet , and when herod was but a boy , he saluted him king of the jews , and foretold that he should reign above thirty years . herod in the eighteenth year of his reign , propounded to the jews his building the temple at jerusalem , whom when he saw troubled least , when he had pulled down the old , he should not be able to finish a new one , he told them , that the old temple should remain whole as it was , till all the materials necessary for the new fabrick , should be fully prepared : neither did he deceive them for he provided a thousand wagons to carry stones , and he chose out of all the artificers ten thousand that were the most exquisite work-men , and a thousand priests , clothed in their priestly garments at his cost , who were not altogether ignorant of the masons , and carpenters art , to oversee them . all necessary materials for this stately work being provided in the space of two years , herod began to build the temple at jerusalem , forty six years before the first passover of the ministry of christ and therefore that text , joh. . . should be thus translated , this temple hath been built forty six years hitherto : so the learned primate of ireland , and our country-man lydiat , read it . indeed the building of the temple under zorobabel began in the first year of the monarchy of cyrus , and after some interruptions , was finished in twenty years space , viz. in the sixth year of darius hystaspes : but the magnificent building of it , begun by herod at this time was finished in nine years space and an half : and truly the riches of herod alone , were not sufficient to perfect so magnificent a structure , but all the holy treasures of many ages , that were sent to them from all the parts of the world to jerusalem , were spent about it . not long after herod set sail for italy , to salute caesar , and to see his children at rome , and as he passed through greece , he was , not only present at , but judg of the olympick exercises , where , observing that they did not answer the resort that was to them , through the poverty of the elienses , he bestowed towards them a yearly revenew , that so their sacrifices might be made the more splendid , as also other things that tended to the gracing of so great a meeting : for which bounty he was declared perpetual judg of those exercises . when he came to rome , caesar intertained him courteously , and delivered to him his sons sufficiently instructed in the liberal sciences , and so from thence he went into galatia . at jerusalem , by the diligence of the priests , the building of the temple properly so called , that contained the holy , and the holy of holies , was finished in a year and a half ; during which time , it is reported that it never rained in the day time , but only in the nights : and in the eight years following , the porches , the ranges , and the rest of the buildings about the temple were all finished . when alexander , and aristobulus were returned into judea , and had gained all mens love , salome the sister of herod , and her faction , fearing that at some time or other they would revenge their mothers death , cast out a rumour amongst the people , that they hated their father , because he had caused their mother to be slain : but herod as yet suspecting no ill , used them with all honour , as they deserved : and because they were now grown to mens estate , he provided them wives : for alexander , bernice , the daughter of salome , and for aristobulus , glaphira , the daughter of archelaus , the king of the cappadocians . then herod hearing that agrippa was again come into asia , he went to him , and begged of him that he would come into his kingdom as to his friend , and guest ; and as he came , he entertained him in all the cities that he had newly built , shewing him the publick buildings , and presenting , both to himself and friends all kind of delights which might set forth his magnificence , at sebaste , and the port of caesarea , and in the castles of alexandrion , herodion , and hyrcania . he brought him also into the city of jerusalem , where all the people met him in their best , and festival attire , and with acclamations of joy : agrippa also sacrificed an hecatombe to god , and feasted the people ; and though he would willingly have stayed longer there , yet , fearing storms , the winter no● drawing on , he hasted to sail into jonia , both he and his friends having been honoured with great presents by herod . as soon as the spring came , herod hearing that agrippa was going with an army to bosphorus , made hast to meet him , and taking his way by rhodes , and chios , he came to lesbos , thinking there to find him : but agrippa being driven back by contrary north-winds herod stayed at chios , to whom many came privately to salute him , upon whom he bestowed many princely gifts , and when he perceived that the gate of the city that was thrown down in the war against methridates , as yet lay buryed in its ruins , and that by reason of the poverty of the inhabitants , it could not by them be restored to its former beauty and greatness , he bestowed upon them so much mony as would abundantly suffice to finish it , and exhorted them to hasten the restoring of their city to its former beauty , and grandure . as soon , as the wind served , he left chios , and sailed to mytilene , and from thence to byzantium , and there understanding that agrippa had already passed the cyanian rock , he followed him with all speed , and overtook him at sinopi , a city in pontus , where , beyond agrippa's expectation , he arrived with his navy : his coming was yery grateful to him , and they embraced each other with singular affection , agrippa looking upon it as an evident argument of his fidelity and friendship , that leaving his manifold occasions , he would come to him in so seasonable a time . wherefore herod still abode with him in the army , was companion with him in his labours , and partaker of his counsels : he was also present with him when he went to be merry , and was the only man that he used in difficult matters , for the love that he bore unto him . agrippa having forced the bosphorans to lay down their arms , in his whole journey thorough many countries and cities , he gratified herod in many things , and at his intreaty , relieved the necessities of many : if any one needed an intercessor to agrippa , herod was the only man , by whom he could obtain his suit , and assisted many in whatsoever they had need of . when they were come into jonia , a great multitude of iews that inhabited that country , complained of the great injuries that they suffered from the jonians , who would not permit them to live after their own laws , but that upon their festival days , they haled them before their tribunals , and forbad them to send holy money to ierusalem , which also they perverted to secular affairs , contrary to the priviledges granted them by the romans : herod took care that agrippa should hear their complaints , and allowed them nicholas damascene , one of his friends , to plead their cause , which when he had largely performed before agrippa ( many honourable romans , and some kings and princes being present ) the grecians denyed the thing , excusing themselves that the iews were troublesom to them : but they on the contrary proved that they were free-born citizens , and that they lived according to their own laws without injuring of any ; wherefore agrippa answered that both for his friend herod's sake , as also because that which they demanded was just , he would gratifie them therein : he ordered therefore that the priviledges which were formerly granted them , should remain inviolable , and that none should molest them for living after their country laws . then herod rose up , and gave him thanks in the name of them all : and so after mutual embraces , they took their leave each of other , and departed from lesbos . herod in a few days after , having a prosperous gale , arrived at caesarea , and from thence went to ierusalem , where , calling all the people together , he gave them an account of his journey , and told them what immunities he had procured for the jews in asia ; and to win them the more to his friendship , he professed that he would remit to them the fourth part of his tribute ; with which bounty they being exceedingly taken , wished him all happiness , and departed with great joy . presently after his return , he was greatly incensed by the false accusations and artifices of his sister salome , and his brother pheroras , against his two sons that he had by mariamne , alexander , and aristobulus : whereupon to take down their spirits , he began to use them more hardly , and publickly he put hopes of the kingdom into his son antipater , whom he begat when he was a private man , his mother also being a woman of mean parentage , whom formerly he had banished the city in favour to his two other sons , and writing often unto caesar for him privately , he gave him great commendations : and at the intreaties of antipater , he recalled also his mother doris , whom he had put away when he married mariamne . agrippa after his ten years government in asia , being now to depart , herod sailed to salute him ; taking with him of all his sons only antipater , whom he delivered to agrippa with many gifts , to be carried to rome , and to be brought into caesars favour . antipater was much honoured at rome , being commended to all his friends by his fathers letters : and though he was absent , yet desisted he not by writing to incense his father against the sons of mariamne , pretending his great care of his fathers safety , but in truth , to make way for his succession in the kingdom . about this time agrippa died , and being brought into the market-place of rome , augustus commended him in a funeral oration . herod being now incensed against his sons , alexander and aristobulus , he sailed with them to rome to accuse them before augustus , and not finding him there , he followed him as far as aquileia , before whom he accused them of treachery against him ; but the young men satisfied all that were present by their apology for themselves mixed with prayers and tears , so that they were reconciled to their father : after which , giving thanks unto caesar , they departed together , and with them antipater also , who pretended much joy that they were received into favour again . a few days after herod gave caesar three hundred talents , and again caesar gave him half the revenues of the mettal mines in cyprus , and the other half also he committed to his oversight , and having honoured him with other gifts of hospitality , he gave him leave to choose which of his sons he pleased to be his successor , or if he liked it better to divide his kingdom amongst them , which when he vvas about to do , caesar told him that he vvould not suffer but that he should have his kingdom during his life in his ovvn povver , as vvell as his sons . in herods absence there vvas a rumour spread in judea that he vvas dead , vvhereupon the trachonites revolting , fell to their old trade of thieving ; but by the diligence of his captains that he had left in his kingdom , they vvere subdued , and forty of the chief of them , being terrified by the punishment of those that vvere taken , left their country and fled into arabia nabathaea , vvhere they vvere entertained by silaeus ( vvho vvas an enemy to herod , because he had denyed him his sister salome to wife ) vvho gave them a place to dvvell in that vvas vvell fortified . herod and his sons sailing homvvard , arrived at sebaste in cilicia , vvhere they met vvith archelaus king of cappadocia , vvho courteously entertained herod , much rejoycing that his sons vvere reconciled to him , and that alexander had fairly ansvvered the crimes that vvere objected against him : and so giving royal gifts each to other they parted . herod being returned into iudea , called the people together , and told them what he had done in his voyage , and declared to them , that his sons should reign after him , first , antipater , and then alexander and aristobulus , that he had by mariamne . about this time , in the year of the world , agrippa , the first king of the iews of that name , was born , who dyed when he was fifty four years old , being struck by an angel , act. . . also that lame man was now born , who being above forty years old , was healed , by peter , at the beautiful gate of the temple , act. . . herod having finished caesarea stratonis , in the twenty eighth year of his reign , he dedicated it with great solemnity , and many sports and pastimes : after which , he began to build another town in a field called capharsala , which he called antipatris , after his fathers name ; and a castle also , which he called cyprus , after his mothers name . in honour also of his dead brother , he built in ierusalem a very fair tower , not inferiour to the egyptian pharos , and called it phasaelus : and afterwards he built a town of the same name in the valley of iericho , from whence the countrey thereabouts is called phasalus . herod , having wasted his wealth by his great prodigality , and now wanting mony , after the example of john hyrcanus , in the night , without the knowledg of the people , he opened davids sepulchre , where , though he found no money , yet he found great store of precious things , and ornaments of gold , which he took away : for the expiation of which fact , he afterwards built a most sumptuous monument of white marble at the entrance of the sepulchre . antipater , suborning other men falsly to accuse his brethren , alexander and aristobulus , takes upon him their defence , that making a shew of good will to them , he might the easier oppress them : and by these subtilties he so wrought upon his father , that he thought him to be his only preserver . hereupon herod commended his steward ptolomy unto antipater , and communicated all his counsels with his mother doris , so that all things were done as they pleased , and still the king was imbittered against those , whom it was their profit that he should be angry with . about this time pheroras ( herods brother ) fell so madly in love with his own servant , that he refused marriage with cypros , the kings daughter , that was offered him by his brother : he also accused herod to his son alexander , as if he had been greatly in love with his wife glaphyra : for both which , herod was highly displeased with him . in the year of the world , he began to be diseased , who , lying at the pool of bethesda , was , after thirty eight years , restored to health by christ , joh. . . alexander , by the subtilties of his adversaries , being even driven to desperation , was at this time reconciled to his father , by archelaus , king of the cappadocians , who came to jerusalem to visit herod , and being accounted one of herods chief friends , received great gifts from him , and when he departed , herod brought him as far as antioch . not long after , herod went a third time to rome to visit caesar , in whose absence those thieves of trachonis , whom sylloeus had entertained , with their inrodes infested not only judaea , but all coelosyria ; syllaeus affording them both impunity and security . herod being returned from rome , celebrated the dedication of the temple , re-edified by him in the space of nine years and a half , on the very birth-day of his kingdom , which he was wont to celebrate with great joy , at which time he sacrificed unto god three hundred oxen , and other of the people offered an innumerable company of sacrifices , every one according to his ability . herod finding that in his absence his people had sustained much dammage by those thieves of trachonis , and seeing he could not subdue them , being under the protection of the arabian , he therefore entred trachonis , and destroyed their families , which yet did but incense them the more ; so that contemning all dangers , they molested herods countries with continual excursions , driving , and carrying away the peoples goods . herod , hereupon sent to the presidents of syria , saturninus and volumnius , desiring that he might have the punishing of the thieves of trachonis , who by their incursions had often wasted his country . they , when they heard hereof , being increased to the number of a thousand , began to waste both fields and villages , cutting the throats of all that fell into their hands ; wherefore herod demanded those thieves to be delivered over to him , and withall , required the sixty talents that he had lent obodas , upon syllaeus his security , who had thrust obodas from the government , and now ruled all himself : but syllaeus denied that the thieves were in arabia , and deferred also to pay the money ; whereupon the business was debated before saturninus and volumnius , and in conclusion it was determined by them ; that within thirty dayes space , both the money should be repaid , and the runawayes of both countries should be delivered up , and syllaeus swore by the fortune of caesar , before the presidents of syria , that he would perform what was enjoyned . but when the time was expired , syllaeus being unwilling to stand to the agreement , went to rome : and in the mean time herod , by the permission of saturninus and volumnius , to punish those obstinate people , raised an army , entred arabia , and marched as far in three dayes as they used to do in seven ; and when he came to the castle where the thieves kept , he took it at the first assault , and demolished a fortress also called raeptu : and when a captain of the arabians came to their aid , they joyned battel , in which few of the herodians were slain , but there dyed twenty five of the arabians , together with their captain , whereupon the rest ●led . being thus revenged of the thieves , he brought three thousand idumaeans into trachona , to restrain the thieveries committed there , and certified the roman generals , that he had only used that power which they had granted , against those obstimate arabians , which , upon enquiry , they found to be true . there were letters posted away to rome , to syllaeus , that related matters far otherwise , aggravating every thing after their manner , by which lyes caesar was so much incensed against herod , that he wrote threatning letters to him , because he had marched with an army out of his own kingdom without his leave : and he was so far provoked , that he would not hear his ambassadours , but dismissed them without an answer . the trachonites and arabians taking hold of this occasion , molested the garison of the idumaeans , that herod had set over them ; but herod being affrighted with caesars anger , was fain to connive at it . about this time obodas , king of arabia nabathaea , dyed , and one aeneas succeeded him , who changed his name into aretas ; which syllaeus hearing of at rome , endeavoured by false accusations to have him thrust from the kingdom , and to get it to himself , bestowing much money upon the courtiers , and promising great things unto caesar , whom he knew to be offended with aretas , for assuming the kingdom without his consent . in the mean while , aretas sent letters , and rich presents unto caesar , and amongst them , a crown worth many talents : but caesar would not hear his ambassadours , and scorned his presents , and dismissed them without any thing done . herod , being continually vexed with the insolencies of the arabians , sent nicholas damascene to rome , to see , if by the mediation of his friends , he could get justice from caesar : but in the mean time the discord with his sons that he had by mariamne , was greatly heightned by the artifices of eurichus a lacedemonian , which occasioned herod , to find out their supposed treachery , to put to death by various torments , many both of his own , and of his sons friends , yet could he find no other evil by them ; but some too free complaints of improvident young men , concerning their fathers immoderate cruelty , and his too easie hearkning to base pick-thanks , of the wicked deceits of their brother antipater , and of the faction that was combined against them , and that , to free themselves from these mischiefs , they were said to think of flying to archelaus , king of cappadocia , which thing indeed they did not deny : hereupon herod cast them into prison , as if they had been convicted of treason against their father , resolving to punish them according as his affairs went at rome : and concerning this business he sent letters to caesar by volumnius the roman general , and olympius , his friend . at rome , nicholas damascene joyned himself to the arabians , that came to accuse syllaeus , professing that he was his accuser also before augustus , and not herods defender , and this he did , lest he should be repulsed as others had been before him . when by this means he had gotten access into caesars presence , he indeed laid open many of syllaeus his crimes , and withall added , that caesar was circumvented with his lyes in the cause of herod , which he confirmed by certain authentick records : this so prevailed with caesar , that he condemned syllaeus , and remanded him into the province , that when he had satisfied the debt he might be punished . from this time augustus was reconciled to aretas , and herod , and then received the presents that before he had so often rejected , and confirmed the kingdom of the arabians to aretas . he advised herod also by his letters , to call a council of his friends at berytus , and joyning the presidents of syria with archelaus the king of cappadocia , by their joynt advice to determine of the business about his sons . about this time the angel gabriel ( who long before had foretold to daniel the coming of the messias by a certain number of weeks ) appeared at the right side of the altar of incense to zachary the priest , of the course of abia , telling him , that there should be born to him now in his old age , his wise elizabeth also being well stricken in years , and barren , a son called john , a nazarite , and the forerunner of the lord , in the spirit and power of elias : which he not believing , was made dumb , luke . . . . herod having received augustus his letters , rejoyced exceedingly , both because he was returned into his favour , and for that he had granted him power to do what he would with his sons , and hereupon he convened by messengers all those that caesar had appointed , to berythus , except only archelaus , and kept his sons not far from the place , in a city of the sidonians : and the case being opened , saturninus , one that had been consul , delivered his opinion , but moderated with circumstances , that herods sons were to be condemned , but not to be put to death : after him , his three sons that were his lieutenants , delivered their opinions to the same purpose : but voluminus pronounced , that they were to be punished with death , whose opinion the major part followed : and so the council being ended , herod took his sons with him , and meeting with nicholas damascene at tyrus , they went together to caesarea . here , whenas a certain old souldier named tyro , had smartly reprehended herod for his wickedness determined against his sons , and told him that three hundred more of his captains were of the same opinion , herod commanded him to be cast into prison : trypho the kings barber , taking this occasion , accused tyro for that he had often sollicited him to cut the kings throat with his razor , as he was trimming him , and immediatly both tyro and his son , and the barber were tortured : and herod bringing those three hundred captains , and tyro and his son , and the barber , accused them before the people , against whom the people throwing any thing that came next to hand , slew them every one . then were alexander and aristobulus led to sebaste , and there strangled by their fathers command , and their bodies were buried in the castle of alexandrion , where alexander , their grandfather by the mothers side , and many of their progenitors had been buried . antipater , when his brethren were now dead , intended to remove his father also out of the way : and knowing that he was hated by many in the kingdom , he endeavoured by bribes to get the good will of his fathers friends , both at rome and in judea ; but especially of saturninus , the president of syria , and of pheroras , and salome , the brother and sister of herod . at this time herod sent home glaphira , the widow of his son alexander , to her father archelaus the king of cappadocia , and gave her a dowry out of his treasury , lest some controversie should arise concerning it , and withall , he took great care of the young children of alexander and aristobulus , which antipater took very heavily , fearing , lest when they should come to age , they would hinder his designs : he sought therefore their destruction : and he so overcame herod by his flatteries , that he suffered him to marry the daughter of aristobulus , and his son to marry the daughter of his unkle pheroras . about this time herod invited zamaris , a babylonian jew , and gave him a countrey in trachonis to inhabit , and this he did , that he might be a guard to that countrey against thieves : and zamaris coming with five hundred horse , and an hundred of his kinsmen , erected castles in divers places of that country , by which means he secured the jews that came from babylon to the feasts at jerusalem , from the thieves , antipater working treason against his father , drew in his unkle pheroras and some of the kings women , that were most addicted to the sect of the pharisees , except salome , who constantly adhered to her brother herod . these pharisees were a crafty people , arrogant , and enemies to kings , and they only of the whole nation of the jews , refused to swear allegiance to herod and caesar , and were about six thousand . for which cause herod fined them , and the wife of pheroras paid their fine for them , to whom , by way of requital , they foretold that the kingdom should be taken from herod and his children , and be transferred upon her husband , and her , and their children : these things salome made known to herod , who , examining the business , put some of the pharisees to death , and with them , the eunuch dagoas , and his darling carus , who was commended to him for his handsomness ; and besides these , all the rest of his family whom he found to have conspired with the pharisees . herod having punished the pharisees , called a council of his friends , and before them began an accusation against the wife of his brother pheroras , and when pheroras , though to gratifie his brother , would not forsake her , he forbad antipater pheroras his company : and antipater , that he might remove all suspition from himself , procured by his friends , that his father should send him immediately to augustus : and accordingly herod sent him with great presents , and his will , in which he declared , that antipater should succeed him in the kingdom : but if he died before him , then his son that he had by mariamne , the daughter of simon the high priest. in the sixth moneth after john was conceived , the angel gabriel was sent to nazareth in galilee , to the blessed virgin mary betrothed to joseph , of the same tribe with her : viz. of the stock of david , and declared to her that she should bring forth the son of god , and call his name jesus , and she being more fully taught of his admirable conception by the power of the holy ghost overshadowing her , with great faith , said , be it to the handmaid of the lord according to thy word , luk. . , . and presently after she went into the hill-countrey , into a city of judah , ( viz. hebron , a city of the priests , scituated in the mountains of judea , josh. . , . ) where , when she entred into the house of zachary , and saluted her cousin elizabeth , the babe sprang in her womb , and she , being filled with the holy ghost , declared that mary was blessed , &c. luk. . , . herod banished his brother pheroras into his tetrarchy , because he would not part with his wife , who swore that he would never return till he heard of herods death , so that a little after , herod falling sick , and often sending for him to receive some private instructions , he refuled to come for his oathsfake . when elizabeths time was come , she brought forth a son , who was called john , and zacharies speech being restored to him , he prophesied , saying , blessed be the lord god of israel , &c. luk. . , . and joseph finding his betrothed wife to be with child , thought of putting her away privily , but being warned by god in a dream , he took her to wife , mat. . . pheroras falling sick , and herod , beyond expectation , being recovered , went to visit him , and very kindly sought help for him , but he died within a few dayes after , whose body was brought to jerusalem , and interred by herod , who honoured him with publick mourning . at this time , two of pheroras's freed men declared to herod , how he was killed by poyson , given him by doris , the mother of antipater , which , whilst herod enquired into , by little and little he found out greater villanies , and the manifest treasons of his son antipater ; who , when he went to rome , had delivered a deadly poyson to pheroras , that was sent him out of egypt from his unkle theodore , the brother of doris , wherewithall to make away his father , that so the suspition of the parricide should not lye upon him , being so far absent . hereupon , herod put doris out of the palace , and took from her jewels that were worth many talents : he also put from him his wife mariamne , the daughter of the high priest , as a partner of all these secrets , and blotted her son out of his will , and deprived her father of the high priesthood , and substituted in his room matthias , the son of theophilus , that was born at jerusalem . presently after came bathillus , antipaters freed man , from rome , who being tortured , confessed , that formerly he had brought poyson , and given it to doris and pheroras , that if the first proved too weak , they should be sure to dispatch herod with the second . there came also letters from his friends at rome , to the king , written by the entreaty of antipater , in which archelaus and philip , herods sons , were accused , for often complaining of the death of alexander and aristobulus , pitying the misfortune of their murthered brethren : for these young men were studying at rome , and their father had now commanded their return : whereupon antipater by great gifts corrupted those friends , that by their letters they might make the young men suspected to their father , who , if they lived , might be an hindrance to his hopes . about this time , augustus taxing all the roman world , our lord christ was born , luk. . , . shortly after , there came wise men from the east , the star being their guide , to herod at jerusalem , and there , being taught that the birth-place of christ was bethlehem of judea , thither they went , and entring into the house , which was shewed them by the star that stood over it , they found the child , and fell down and worshipped him , &c. mat. . . . after the angel of the lord appeared unto joseph in a dream , warning him to fly into egypt , where he remained till the death of herod , mat. . , , . herod thinking that the child was still at bethlehem , that he might destroy him amongst the rest , killed all the children which were in bethlehem , and in all the coasts thereof , from two years old and under , according to the time ( of the star first seen in the east ) that he had enquired of the wise men , mat. . . herod receiving letters from antipater from rome , in which he signified , that having dispatched all his business according to his own mind , he would shortly return into his own countrey ; he wrote back to him again , dissembling his anger , that he should make haste , lest any thing should befall him in his absence , that he should not like of ; and also gently complaining of his mother , he promised that he would remit all differences at his return . antipater heard uo news all this while either of the death of pheroras , or of those things that were on foot against him , though there were seven months space between the wickedness proved against him , and his return . for in his journey , at tarentum he met with a letter of the death of pheroras , and in cilicia , those letters of his father that called him back so hastily ; and when he came to celenderis , a town of cilicia , he began to doubt of his return , hearing of , and being extream sorrowful for the disgrace of his mother , yet failing forwards , he came to sebaste , a port of caesarea , where , being saluted by none , he went to jerusalem . it happened that quintilius varus was the same time at jerusalem , being sent as successor to saturninus into syria , and then called thither by herod to assist him with his counsel in those his weighty affairs . as they were sitting both together , in comes antipater , not knowing any thing , and in his purple garment that he used to wear , entring the palace ; but himself being entred , the guards suffered none of his followers to come in with him : as he was coming near , his father thrust him from him , reproaching him with the murther of his brethren , and his intention of poysoning his father , telling him that the next day varus should hear , and determine all things betwixt them ; and accordingly the next day , varus and the king sitting in judgment , his father himself first began the accusation , and left the prosecution and confirmation thereof , to his old friend nicholas damascene , one that knew all the business ; and when antipater could not clear himself from the crimes objected against him , varus commanded the poyson that he had prepared for his father to be brought forth , which being given to a condemned main , killed him immediately : after which , varus rose from the council , and the next day went to antiochia : but herod cast his son into prison , and signified so much by letters to caesar : sending also messengers , who by word of mouth might acquaint him with the cursed treason of antipater . as these messengers were posting to rome , herod fell sick , and made his will , leaving his kingdom to his youngest son , herod antipas , being exasperated against his two elder sons , archelaus and philip , by the false accusations of antipater . judas the son of sariphaeus , and matthias the son of margalothus , two of the most learned of the jews , and best interpreters of the law , knowing that the kings sickness was incurable , perswaded some young men , that were their scholars , to throw down the golden eagle that was set up by herod , over the great gate of the temple ; who accordingly , going up at noon day , pulled , and hewed down with their axes , the eagle , a great multitude being in the temple , and beholding it : which , as soon as it was told the captain , he came with a strong band of souldiers , and laid hold upon some forty of the young men , together with their masters , and brought them to herod : these constantly defending what they had done , herod commanded them to be bound , and sent them to jericho : then calling for the rulers of the jews , into whose assembly he was brought in a litter , by reason of his weakness , he complained to them , not so much of the injury done to himself , as to god ( as he said . ) these denying that it was done by their order , somewhat pacified him , only he took away the high-priesthood from matthias , whom he suspected not to be a stranger to that fact , and made his successor jazer , the brother of his wife mariamne , the daughter of simon the high priest ; but he burned alive the other matthias , that was the author of this sedition , and his companions . herods disease began now to grow worse : for he was burned with a slow fire , which was not perceived so much by the outward touch , as by the inward effects of it , which burnt up his very bowels : he had also the disease called the bulemia , or dog-like appetite , which provoked him to a continual desire of eating , and yet nothing would satisfie him : he was also continually tormented with ulcers in his bowels , and pains of the cholick : his feet swelled with a moist phlegm , and his thighs also : his members rotted , and were full of worms , which occasioned an intolerable stink : he was no less troubled with a priapisme : and moreover was vexed with grievous convulsions , and difficulty of breathing . and though he was so grievously tormented , that every one judged that he could not be able to endure it long , yet he hoped that he should break through it , being very careful to send for the ablest physicians , and sought medicines from every place : he went also beyond jordan , to the hot baths at callirhoe , which run into the asphaltite lake , which , beside the medicinal virtue , are pleasant , and good to be drunk : there being , by the advice of his physicians , set into a bathing tub of oyl , he seemed to them to be giving up the ghost , yet by the sudden crying out , and lamentations of his friends , he came to himself again , and now seeing no hope of recovery , he commanded fifty drachmaes to be given to every souldier , and having shewed much liberality to his captains and friends , he returned again to iericho . augustus being told , that amongst the children which herod had caused to be slain at bethlehem , there was a son also of his own slain , he said , that it was better to be herods hog than his son. herod an edict called together to iericho all the most noble of the iews , and when they came , he shut them all up together in a place called the hippodrome , giving command to his sister salome , and her husband alexus , that as soon as he was dead , they should cause his souldiers to slay them all , that so the people might have cause of sorrow , who otherwise ( he feared ) would rejoyce at his death . at this time letters came from rome , from the ambassadours whom he had sent to caesar , wherein they certified him , that the emperour left antipater to his fathers pleasure , either to banish , or to put him to death . herod hearing this , was a little cheared : but presently his torments returning , and being greedy of meat , he called for an apple , and a knife to pare it , intending with the knife to have stabbed himself , which also he attempted : but archelaus , his nephew , prevented him , and holding his right hand , called for help . this accident caused much sorrow , fear , and tumult through the whole palace , as if herod had been dead . antipater perceiving the noise , thought verily that his father was dead , and thereupon began to tamper with his keeper about letting him out , promising him great rewards , both for the present , and for the future , when it would lye in his power amply to reward him : this his practice the keeper told to the king , who , for indignation cryed , and though he was so near death yet did he raise up himself on his bed , and commanded one of his guard to go presently and kill antipater , and to bury him in the castle of hyrcanion , without any honour , which was done accordingly . then did he make a new testament : for antipas , whom before he had made successor to his kingdom , he made tetrarch of galilee and petrea : to his son philip he assigned the regions of gaulanitis , trachonitis , batanaea and pancada , the name of a tetrarchy , but he gave the kingdom to his son archelaus : to his sister salome he gave jamnia , azotus , and thasaelis , with five hundred thousand drachmaes : to the rest of his kindred he gave money and yearly pensions . to caesar he gave ten millions of drachmaes of silver , and all his plate , as well of gold as of silver , and a great quantity of precious moveables : and to livia , caesars wife , and some certain friends , he gave five millions of drachmaes . having thus ordered these things , five dayes after antipater was put to death , he dyed himself , having enjoyed the kingdom years after the death of antigonus : but from the time that he was declared king by the romans years , about the th of our november , in the year of the world , and after the birth of christ , about two years . the life and death of hannibal the great , hannibal , the son of amilcar was about twenty six years old , when he was chosen general of the carthaginian forces in spain . he was elected by the army as soon as asdrabal ( their late general ) was dead , and the election was approved , and confirmed by the senate or carthage , wherewith hanno , and his faction was nothing pleased . this was now the third of the barchine family ( so called of amilcar , whose surname was barcas ) that commanded in chief over the men of war. hanno therefore and his partizans , being neither able to tax the virtue of their enemies , nor to perform the like services to the common-wealth , had nothing left whereby to value themselves , excepting the general reprehensions of war , and cautelous advise of not provoking the romans : but they were little regarded . for the carthaginians saw apparently , that the oath of the romans to the articles of peace , was like to hold no longer , than till the romans could find some good advantage to renew the war. it was therefore rather desired by the carthaginians , that whilst they were in a fit condition , the war should begin , rather than in some unhappy time of famine or pestilence , or after some great loss in their army or fleet , they should be driven to yield to the impudent demands of their insulting enemies . this disposition of his citizens hannibal well enough understood . neither was he ignorant that in making war with the romans it was no small advantage to get the start of them . could he but bring his army into italy , he hoped to find friends and assistance , even from those people , that helped to encrease the armies of the romans . but his design must be carried privately , or else it would be prevented . he resolved therefore to lay siege to saguntum in spain , where he now was with his army , which might seem not greatly to concern the romans , and would highly please the carthaginians . having resolved hereupon , nevertheless he went orderly to work , beginning with those that lay next in his way . first therefore he entered into the territory of the olcades , and besieging althaea , in a few days he became master , not only of it , but of all the other towns in their country ; and the winter coming on , he rest his army in new carthage , or carthagena , imparting liberally to his souldiers of the spoils that he had gotten in his late conquests . in the spring he made war upon the vaccaei , and with little difficulty wan , first salamanca , and after it arbucala , though not without a long siege and much difficulty : but in his return he was put to the height both of his valour , and prudence . for all such of the vaccaei that could bear arms , being made desperate by the spoil of their country , with divers others that had escaped in the late overthrow , joyning with the toletans , made up an army of one hundred thousand able men , waiting for hannibal on the banks of the river tagus . they knew that he was very adventurous , and had never turned his back upon any enemy , and therefore hoped , that having him at such an advantage , they should easily have foiled him . but at this time our great man of war , knew as well how to dissemble his courage , as at other times to make good use of it . for he withdrew himself from the river side , as seeming fearful to pass over it , aiming thereby to draw over that great multitude from their banks of advantage . the spaniards , as hannibal expected and desired , thinking that he retreated out of fear , thrust themselves in a disordered manner into the river , to pursue him . but when hannibal saw them well near over , he turned back his elephants to entertain them at their landing , and thrust his horsemen , both above and beneath them into the river , who by the advantage of their weapons slew almost all of those in the river without resistance , and then pursued the rest , who being amazed , fled , and so he made a very great slaughter of them . the saguntines perceiving the strom drawing near to them , hastened their ambassadours to rome , who complained that they were like to be undone , only for their friendship to the romans . this so moved the senate , that some would have war presently proclaimed , both by sea , and land , and the consuls sent with armies , one into spain , the other into africk : but others went more soberly to work ( according to the roman gravity ) whereby it was concluded , that ambassadours should be sent into spain , to view the state of their confederates . these ambassadours found hannibal at carthagena , where they had conference with him , who carried himself so reservedly , that they departed , as doubtful as they came . but whilst they were passing to and fro , hannibal prepared , not only his forces , but some roman pretences against saguntum . for the tudetani , who were neighbours to the saguntines , complained to him of sundry wrongs that they had received from them of saguntum : probably hannibal himself had hatched some of them . having therefore such an occasion , he sat down with his whole army before saguntum . the romans were glad of the quarrel , as hoping that carthage , with all belonging thereto , would in short space become their own . yet were they not hasty to threaten before they were ready to strike ; but meant to temporize until they had an army in readiness to be sent into spain , where they intended to make saguntum , the seat of war. in the beginning of hannibals siege , his carthaginians were much discouraged by reason of the brave sallies which the saguntines made upon them , in one of which hannibal himself received a dangerus wound in the thigh that made him unable to stir for many days . yet in the mean time he was not unmindful of his business , but gave order to build certain movable towers that might equal those upon the city walls , and to prepare to batter the curtains , and to make a breach . these being sinished and applied , had soon wrought their desired effect . a large breach was made by the fall of some towers , whereat a hot assault was given : but it was so gallantly defended by the besieged , that the carthaginians were not only beaten from the breach , and out of some ground within the city , which in the first fury they had wan , but they were pursued even to their own trenches and camp. yet at length the carthaginian army ( wherein were one hundred and fifty thousand men ) did so tire out the townsmen by their continual allarms , that at length it gat into the town , and had been masters of it , but that they were hindred by some counter-works which the besieged had raised . in this extremity there was one alcon , that came out of the city to treat with hannibal , who would give no other terms but these hard ones , that they should deliver up to him all the gold , silver , and plate , and other riches which they had in the city ; that the citizens should leave the city , and take up such other habitations as he should appoint them ; neither should they carry any more out with them , save the cloaths on their back . these terms seemed so unreasonable to alcon , that he durst not return into the city to propound them to the citizens . yet might they far better have submitted thereto , how hard soever , because thereby they might have saved their lives , and the honour of their wives and daughters , whereas , the city being shortly after taken by storm , they saw their wives and daughters defloured before their faces , and all put to the sword that were above fourteen years of age . the treasures found in saguntum , which were very great , hannibal reserved , therewith to pay his army . the slaves , and other booty , he divided amongst his souldiers , reserving some choise things , wherewith to present his friends at carthage , to encourage them to the war. this news exceedingly vexed the romans , being angry at their own slowness to send help to saguntum , which held out eight months , looking still for succour but in vain . then did the romans send ambassadors to carthage , to demand whether this act were done by their done by their consents , or whether it were hannibals presumption alone ? if they granted the former , they were to give them defiance . answer was made them in the senate of carthage by one of the senators , to this effect . that by this message the commonwealth of carthage , was urged to plead guilty , or nor guilty : that it belonged to them to call their own commanders in question , and to punish them according to their faults ; but to the romans to challenge them if they had done any thing contrary to their late league and covenant . it s true ( said this speaker ) that in our negotiations with luctatius your ambassador , the allies of both nations were comprehended , but the sanguntines were not then your allies , and therefore no parties to the peace then made : for of your allies for the future , or of ours , there was no question : as for the last agreement between you and asdrubal , wherein you will say that the saguntines were comprehended , it s you that have taught us how to answer that particular . for whatsoever you found in the treaty between us and luctatius , to your disadvantage , you said it was his presumption , as promising those things for which he had not commission from your senate : if then it be lawful for you to disavow the actions of your ambassadors and commanders , concluding any thing without precise warrant from you ; the same liberty may we also assume , and hold our selves no way bound in honour to perform the contract that asdrubal made for us , without our command , and consent . in conclusion , the carthaginian senate moved the romane ambassadors to tell them plainly the purposes of those that sent them ? whereupon q. fabius , gathering up the skirt of his gown , as if something had been in the hallow thereof , made this short reply , i have here in my gown-skirt both peace and war ; make you ( my masters of the senate ) election which you will have . all answered , even which of them you have a fancy to offer us . then ( quoth fabius ) take war , and share it amongst you . which all the assembly willingly accepted . war being thus proclaimed , hannibal resolved not to put up his sword which he had drawn against the saguntines , till he had therewith opened his passage to the gates of rome . so began the second punick war ; indeed second to none that ever the people of rome met with . hannibal wintered at carthagena , giving license to his spanish souldiers to visit their friends , and refresh themselves against the spring . in the mean while he gave instructions to his brother asdrubal for the government of spain in his absence . he also took order to send many troops of spaniards into africk , to supply the rooms of those africans which he had drawn into spain , as also that the one nation might remain as pledges for the other . he selected also four thousand foot , all young men , and persons of quallity , out of the best cities of spain , which were to be garrisoned in carthage it self , not so much to strengthen it , as that they might serve for hostages . he also left with his brother , to guard the coasts , and ports , fifty seven gallies , whereof thirty seven were ready armed . of africans and other nations , strangers , he left with him above twelve thousand foot , and two thousand horse , besides one and twenty elephants . having thus taken order for the defence of spain and africk , he sent some to discover the passages of the pyrenaean mountains that part spain from france ; and of the alps , that part france from italy . he sent ambassadors to the inhabitants of the pyrenes , and to the gauls to obtain a quiet passage , that he might bring his army intire into italy . these being returned with good satisfaction : in the beginning of the spring he passed over the river of iberus with an army of ninety thousand foot , and twelve thousand horse . all those parts of spain which had not before been entered , he now subdued ; and appointed one hanno to govern spain on the east side of iberus , with whom he left ten thousand foot , and one thousand horse . when he came to the borders of spain , some of his spanish souldiers returned home without asking leave ; which , that others also might not attempt , he courteously dismissed such as were willing to be gone : hereby the journey seemed the less tedious to such as accompanied him voluntarily . with the rest of his army , consisting now but of fifty thousand foot , and nine thousand horse , he passed the pyrenes , and entered into gaul ( now france : ) but he found the gauls bounding upon spain ready in arms , to forbid his entrance into their country : but with gentle speech , and rich presents , which he sent to their leaders , he wan them to favour his expedition . so without any other molestation , he came to the banks of rhodanus , where dwelt on each side of the river a people called volcae . these being unacquainted with the cause of his coming , sought to stop his passage over the water : but he was greatly assisted by those of vivarets , and lionois : for though many of them had transported themselves , and their goods into daulphine , thinking to defend the banks against him ; yet such as remained , being willing to free their countrey from such unwelcome guests , they helped him to make boats : informed him of a better passage higher up the river , and sent him guides . when his boats were ready , he sent hanno the son of bomilcar , up the river , to the ford , and himself in the mean time made a shew of entring the ford below , that hanno charging the gauls on their own side , and himself at the same time passing the river in their faces , might win the further bank , which was done accordingly , though with some difficulty , and thereby the enemies were dispersed . having passed this first brunt , and overcome both the rage of the river , and those that defended it , he was visited by the princes of the cisalpine-gauls , that inhabited piemout and milan , who had lately revolted from the romans . these informed him that the passage over the alps was not so difficult as report made it , and gave him guides , with many other encouragements . yet found he himself extremly incumbred by the savoyards , and lost more of his carriages and carthaginians than he could well spare . for he was twice strongly assaulted by them before he could recover the plains on the other side . he was fifteen dayes passing over the alps , wherein , besides the trouble of his enemies , he was much assaulted by foul weather , and snow , it being now the beginning of winter . but the fair and fertile plains which they now were entring into , with the assistance and encouragement of the cisalpine gauls , gave them much comfort , having nothing else of difficulty remaining , but that which from the beginning they made account to overcome by their proper valour and resolution , namely , the roman armies and resistance . the roman ambassadours who had denounced war at carthage , in their return homewards , took spain in their way , with a purpose to draw into their alliance as many cities and princes as they could . the first that they attempted were the volcians , from whom they received this answer : that they would never joyn with them who had forsaken the saguntines in their greatest need ; and that themselves had found the carthaginians such good neighbours , that they meant still to adhere to them . from spain the ambassadours passed through gaul , perswading them not to suffer hannibal to pass through their countrey , and gloried much in their own strength : but the gauls laughed them to scorn , and had scarce patience to hear them speak : telling them that they meant not to set their own houses on fire , to save the romans from burning ; that the carthaginians had never offended them as the romans had done , who had already forced some of them out of their habitations , and made others tributaries , who were as free as themselves . with these unpleasing answers the ambassadours returned home ; carrying no good news of friends like to help them , but rather that the gauls intended to take part with their enemies . and accordingly when the cisalpine-gauls heard that the carthaginians had passed iberus , and were marching towards rome , the boij , and insubrians rose up against the romans : their quarrel was the late planting of roman colonies at cremona , and placentia , within territories . relying therefore upon the carthaginian succour , which they thought to be at hand , laying aside all regard of those hostages , that they had lately given to the romans , they fell upon those colonies . the towns they could not win , but they forced the roman commissioners which were abroad , to fly into modena , where they besieged them . but the gauls , having little skill in besieging cities , grew weary , and were desirous of peace : this they did on purpose to draw on some meeting , that laying hands on the roman deputies , they might with them redeem their hostages ; and it fell out in part according to their wish : for ambassadours coming to them from rome to treat with them , they made them prisoners . manlius the praetor hearing of this outrage , marched with his army to relieve the besieged . but the gauls laid an ambush in his way , that falling upon him , utterly routed him , and slew most of his army , except a few that escaped into a defensible place upon the river po. this being heard of at rome , c. atilius , the other praetor , hasted with another army to relieve the besieged . but as the gauls were too hastly , so the romans were too slow in the beginning of this war. for they could not believe that carthage , which had almost servilely endured so many indignities from them in the late peace , durst be so bold on a sudden , as to attempt the conquest of italy it self . wherefore they appointed one of their consuls to make war in spain , and the other in africk . titus sempronius went into africk with one hundred and sixty gallies of five to an oar , which preparations seemed to threaten carthage her self . p. cornelius scipio , the other consul , hasted towards spain , and by the way , touching at massilia , he was there informed , that hannibal had passed the river rhodanus , whom he had thought to have found busie in spain . hannibal also heard of the consuls arrival , with whom he meant to have nothing to do . yet both sent forth scouts , hannibal sent out five hundred numidians , and scipio three hundred of his best horse . they met , and fought , and the romans had the better of it . but when scipio drew near , thinking to have met with the carthaginians , he found that they were gone three dayes before , with an intent to see the walls of rome . scipio hereupon sent his brother cn. cornelius scipio into spain , with the greatest part of the army , against asdrubal , and himself with the choicest returned back , and landing at pisa , he marched through tuscany and lumbardy , where he drew together the broken bands of manlius and atilius , who were lately beaten by the gauls , intending therewith to oppose the enemy , thinking to find them tired with their long journey . five moneths hannibal had spent in that tedious march from carthagena . when he had passed rhodanus , he had in his army but thirty eight thousand foot , and eight thousand horse , the rest having perished with diseases , enemies , rivers , and mountains . having newly passed the alps , and scarce refreshed his wearied army in piemont , he sought the friendship of the taurini , who being at this time in war with the insubrians , ( his good friends ) the taurini refused it ; whereupon he besieged their chief town , and in three dayes wan it , the spoil whereof did much encourage his army , and the othere calamity terrified their neighbours . most of those parts would willingly have joyned with hannibal , but when the consul scipio came amongst them , they began to be better advised . this wavering affection amongst the people , made the generals to hasten to a battel . their meeting was at ticinum [ now pavia ] where each of them wondred at the others expedition . the senate at rome were much amazed at hannibals arrival in italy : wherefore they sent presently to sempronius and the other consul , now in sicily , to give him notice of it , and to require him speedily to return with his army for the safeguard of italy , which accordingly he did . scipio and hannibal were now so near , that fight they must e're they could part , and therefore each of them encouraged their souldiers by the best arguments they had : hannibal assuring his men , that there was no mean betwixt victory and death . when the armies approached near each to other , scipio sent forth his horsemen of the gauls to begin the fight , lining them with his darters for their assistance ; himself , with his men at arms followed slowly in good order . the gauls , being in their generals sight , behaved themselves gallantly , and were as bravely opposed ; but their darters at the very first , ran cowardly away without casting a dart , for fear of being trodden down by the enemies horse . yet did the gauls maintain it stoutly , and did more hurt than they received : neither was scipio unmindful to relieve them ; wherefore he adventured him self so far , that he received a dangerous wound , and had there perished , if his son ( afterwards called africanus ) had not brought him off . whilst the romans were busie in helping their consul , an unexpected storm assailed them at their backs : hannibal had appointed his numidian horsemen to charge the romans in their flank , so and to compass them about , whilst he , with his men at arms , sustained their charge , and met them in the face . the numidians performed it well , cutting in pieces the scattered foot that ran away at the first encounter , and then falling on the backs of those that charged hannibal , by this impression the romans were shuffled together , and routed , betaking themselves to their heels , and leaving to their enemies the honour of the day . scipio perceiving how things were like to go , almost stole the retreat with most of his footmen yet unbroken , and recovered the bridge over ticinus : but notwithstanding his hast , he lost six hundred of his men which brought up his rear , and should have broken down the bridge . it was two dayes after , e're hannibal could pass the river ; scipio in the mean time refreshing his men , and easing himself of his wound in placentia : but when hannibal presented them battel again , and they durst not accept of it ; the gauls which before assisted the romans out of fear , took courage , and left them ; and thinking that now the time was come for the recovery of their liberty , that night they fell upon the roman camp , wounded , and slew many , especially of those that kept the guard , with whose heads in their hands they fled over to the carthaginians , and presented their service : hannibal received them exceeding courteously , and sent them to their own homes , that they might perswade the rest of the nation to become his confederates . the same night the consul stole a retreat , as he had done before , but not with the like success : for hannibal had an eye upon him , and e're he was gone far , he sent his numidians after him , and himself followed with the body of his army . then had the romans received a great blow , but the numidians , greedy of prey , fell to ransacking their camp , and thereby gave them liberty of escaping , only some in the rear were either slain , or taken prisoners . scipio being unable to travel by reason of his wound , and judging it meet to stay for the coming of his fellow consul , intrenched himself strongly upon the banks of the river trebia ; which so diminished his reputation , that every day more of the gauls fell to hannibal ; amongst whom came in the boij , that brought with them the roman commissioners : hitherto they had kept them as pledges , wherewith to recover their own hostages ; but now they delivered them to hannibal as tokens of their affection to him . hannibal being in great want of victuals he attempted the taking of clastidium , wherein the romans had laid all their store and ammunition , and a brundusian that had the keeping of it , surrendred it to him for a little money . the news of these disasters coming to rome , filled the senate and people with a desire of revenge , their foot wherein their greatest strength lay , being yet entire : they therefore hasted away sempronius with his army , who , by speedy marches came to scipio , upon the banks of trebia . the consuls took counsel what was fittest to be done , now that their armies were conjoyned : sempronius was eager to fight before scipio recovered of his wound , that he might get the whole glory of the victory : he also feared the election of new consuls , his time being almost expired : but scipio perswaded the contrary , by many arguments : yet would not sempronius be taken off , wherewith hannibal was exceedingly pleased , who feared nothing so much as delays . to further the desire of sempronius , the gauls that inhabited near to trebia , complained of injuries done to them by the carthaginians . indeed they neglected to supply hannibal with necessaries , and therefore he was bold to be his own carver . hereupon sempronius sent forth a thousand horse , which coming unlooked for upon hannibals forragers , who were heavy laden , they cut many of them in pieces , and chased the rest even to their camp. this indignity made the carthaginians to sally out , who caused them to retire faster than they came : sempronius relieved his own men , and hannibal did the like : so that at length the roman army was drawn forth , and battel offered , if the carthaginians had not refused it . this victory ( for so the consul would name it ) made the romans very desirous to try it out in open field , notwithstanding scipios diswasion from it . this hannibal was informed of by the gauls that were in the roman camp : therefore he resolved to secure the victory by adding a stratagem to his forces . he found in a hallow place overgrown with reeds , a fit trench to cover an ambush : therein he cast his brother mago with a thousand choise horse , and as many foot. the rest of his army , when he had well fed , and refreshed them , he led into the field and marched towards the consuls . early in the morning he had sent over the river some numidian horsemen to brave the enemy , and draw him forth to a bad dinner before he had broken his fast. sempronius readily embraced the opportunity of fighting , and forthwith sent over the river in a miserable cold day , his footmen , who were almost to the arm-holes , which together with the want of food , did much enfeeble them : the romans were stoing in foot , having in all thirty six thousand : the mass of those were ranged in a gross battalion , guarded on the flanks with three thousand horse , thrusting their light armed and darters in loose companies before the rest in the nature of a vaunt-guard . the carthaginians equalled them in foot , and exceeded them in horse : when therefore the roman horse were broken by the numidians : when their foot were charged , both in front and flank , by the spaniards , gauls , and elephants , and when all were pressed in the rear by mago and his men out of the ambush , then fell the romans by heaps under their enemies swords , and were beaten down as well fighting as flying , so that of thirty six thousand , there escaped no more than ten thousand of all sorts . the remainder of this broken army was collected by scipio , who got therewith into placentia , stealing away the same night , which was very rainy . sempronius escaped with great danger , and fled to rome , where he did his office in choosing new consuls for the year following , and then returned to his province with a fresh supply against hannibal . the winter proved very sharp , and unfit for service , which well pleased the romans , who lay warm in placentia , and cremona . yet did not hannibal suffer them to lie very quiet , but vexed them with continual alarms , assaulting divers places , and taking some . he also wan the lygurians to him , who , to testifie their faithful love , presented him with two roman questors , [ treasurers , ] two collonels , and five young gentlemen ; the sons of senators . these and all his other prisoners , hannibal held in streight places , loaden with irons , and miserably fed . but there followers he intreated courteously , and sent them to their own countries without ransome , protesting that he undertook the war in italy to free them from the oppression of the romans . by these means he drew many to his party , and assistance . but some of the gauls , fearing that their country should be made the seat of war , conspired against his life : others discovered the danger to him , who yet , soon after , were ready to practice the same ; which enforced hannibal to use perukes and false beards the better to conceal himself from them . at length when summer was come , he resolved to leave these giddy companions and so passed the appenine hills that he might approach nearer to rome . so away he went having his army much recruted with ligurians and gauls ; and to prevent the obstructions in the ordinary way , he chose to travel through the fennes of tuscany . in those marshes and bogs he lost all his elephants save one , with one of his own eyes , through the moistness of the air , and by lodging on the cold ground : yet at last with much ado , he recovered the firm and fertile plains , and quartered about arretium , where he somewhat refreshed his weary army , and heard news of the roman consuls . c. flaminius and cn. servilius , were newly chosen consuls for this year : the first a tractable man , wholly governed by the senate ; the other a hot-headed man , who fearing some obstruction , gat him out of the city before the day of election , that he might , as soon as he was chosen , take possession of his office : fearing lest he should lose his honour , which he hoped to gain in the war. the senators were so displeased at this , that they sent for him back ; but he neglected their command , and hasted to meet with the carthaginians , whom he found at arretium . hannibal was well pleased with the fiery disposition of this consul , and therefore provoked him by many indignities , hoping thereby to draw him to fight , ere servilius came with the rest of the army . for which end he put to fire and sword all the country round about him , even under the consuls nose . by this flaminius thought his honour to be much impaired , and therefore advanced towards the enemy . many advised him to stay for his colleague , but he would not be perswaded : then he commanded the army to march . all the territory of cortona as far as to the lake of thrasymene was on a light fire , which , whilst flaminius thought to quench with his enemies blood , he pursued hannibal so unadvisedly , that he fell , with his whole army into an ambush : from thence he was charged unaware from all sides , so that he knew not which way to turn , nor how to make resistance . there was he slain in that place , accompanied with the carcasses of fifteen thousand of his countrymen : about six thousand of his vantguard took courage out of desparation , and breaking through their enemies , they recovered the tops of the mountains : but being discovered there , maharbal was sent after them , who overtook them by night in a village , and surrounded them with his horse , and so they yielded , rendring up their arms upon promise of life and liberty . this accord hannibal refused to confirm , and so made them all prisoners . at this time he had about fifteen thousand prisoners : all that were not romans he set free without ransome , still protesting , that for their sakes he came into italy : but the romans he kept in streight prison , and held them to hard meat . presently after the battel of thrasymene , c. sempronius , with four thousand horse came neer to hannibals camp. he was sent from ariminum by servilius , the other consul , to encrease the strength of flaminius , but coming too late , he only encreased the misadventure . hannibal sent out maharbal to intercept him , who finding them amazed at the ill news of the late loss , charged , and brake them , killing almost half of them , and drew the rest simply to yield to mercy . servilius hearing of the overthrow and death of his colleague , hasted to rome for the defence of it . greatly were the romans amazed at these disasters , and their approaching danger . wherefore they had recourse to a remedy which had been long out of use , and that was , to choose a dictator , whose power was above the consuls , and scarcely subject to the control of the whole city : and now they chose q. fabius maximus , the best reputed man of war in the city , and fabius chose m. minutius rufus , master of the horse , who was as the dictators lieutenant . the first act of fabius was the reformation of somewhat that was amiss in matter of religion : then were the walls and towers of rome repaired , and fortified , the bridges upon rivers were broken down , and all care taken for the defence of rome it self . four legions the dictator raised in hast , and from ariminum he received the army which servilius had conducted thither . with these he marched apace after hannibal , not to fight , but to affront him . he always lodged upon high grounds , and of hard access , knowing that the roman horse were far inferiour to the numidians . hannibal in the mean while pursued his victory , and ranged over all the countries , using all manner of cruelty towards the inhabitants , especially those of the roman nation , of whom he put all to the sword that were able to bear arms. passing by spoletum , and ancona , he encamped upon the adriatick shores , refreshing his diseased and over travelled army : and armed his africans , after the roman manner , and made his dispatches for carthage , presenting his friends , ( which were very many ) with part of the spoils that he had gotten . having refreshed his army , cured his wounded , and fed his horses , he followed the course of the adriatick shore towards apulia , a northern province of the kingdom of naples , spoiling all that lay in his way . yet took he not one city in all those countries . indeed he assaied spoletum , but finding it well defended , he presently gave it over . all his care was to weaken the romans in force and reputation ; knowing that when he was absolute master of the field , if would not be long before the walled cities would open their gates to him . to this end he presented fabius with battel , and provoked him with all manner of bravado's ; but fabius would not bite : his design was to attend the carthaginians so neer as to keep them from stragling , and to preserve the country from utter spoil . thus by degrees he inured his men to dangers , and brought them first to look on the lion afar off , that at length they might adventure to sit on his tail . but minutius had a contrary disposition , and was as fiery as flaminius , taxing fabius with cowardliness and fear ; yet nothing moved this wary dictator : he suffered hannibal to cross the apennine mountains , and to fall upon the rich and pleasant territories of campania : fabius still keeping upon the hills , and fast grounds . when hannibal saw that he could by no means draw him to fight , and that the winter drew on , he resolved to rest his army that was loaden with spoil , in some safe and plentiful country till the spring came again . but before he could do this , he must pass along by the dictators camp , that hung over his head : for there was no other way for him to get out of this fertile country which he had already wasted . but by the errour of his guide he was brought ( as it were ) into a pinfold . now began the wisdom of fabius to be admired , and applauded , as if he had caught the carthaginians in a trap . but hannibal freed himself by a fine invention : he had gotten about two thousand kine , upon whose horns he tyed dry fagots , and in the dark night setting them on fire , he caused them to be driven up the hill. the sight was strange and terrible to the romans , and fabius himself thinking it to be a devise to circumvent him , kept within his trenches . so hannibal and his army escaped the danger , and gat into a safe country . then did he make semblance of marching towards rome , the dictator coasting him after the wonted manner ; and keeping still on the high grounds betwixt him and the city , whilst the carthaginians wasted all the plain countries , and taking geryon in apulia , he turned it into barns and storehouses for the winter , and encamped under the broken walls . thus little was done till the dictator was called home to rome about some business of religion ; and when he went , he left the army in charge with minutius , the master of the horse . minutius was glad of this opportunity to shew his sufficiency . he was perswaded that the romans in plain field would beat the carthaginians , who had got the former victories by subtilty , and ambushes . all the army was of his opinion , and therefore they preferred his forwardness before the cold wariness of fabius : hereupon he resolved to fight , though he had been peremtorily forbidden by the dictator , and the breach of whose command was death : but minutius thought that the honour of the victory , and love of the army , would secure him . hannibal on the other side was very glad that he should play with a more adventurous gamster : therefore he drew neer , and provoked the romans , sending forth a third part of his army to wast the country . there was a piece of high and advantageous ground between the two armies : hannibal sent two thousand horse to seize upon it : but minutius by fine force , won it from them , and encamped upon it , whereby he became a nearer neighbour to hannibal . minutius for many days not stirring , hannibal sent forth many of his men to fetch in harvest . this advantage minutius wisely espied , and therefore drawing forth his army , presented battel to hannibal , but he was not now in case to accept of it ; wherefere minutius sent out some against the forragers , who were scattered all over the fields , and loaden with booty , and so were easily overthrown . it angred hannibal that he was not able to help them , but it angred him worse when the romans took heart to assault his trenches . but in the heat of this business asdrubal came from geryon with four thousand horse , which emboldned hannibal to issue forth against the romans , to whom he did not so much hurt as he had received . for this piece of service minutius was highly honoured by the army , and more cryed up by the people at rome , all judging him more worthy of command than fabius . but the dictator was not so joyful of the news , as angry that minutius had disobeyed his command . he said , that he knew his own place , and that he would teach the master of the horse to know it also ; and that he would make him give an account for what he had done in his absence . the people much disliked these his speeches , and made an act , that minutius should be joyned in equal authority with the dictator . before this business was effected , fabius seeing how things were like to go , dispatched the election of a new consul in the room of flaminius , and having finished his business , went out of the city towards his army . but the news of minutius his advancement was at the camp as soon as he , so that his lieutenant treated with him now as his colleague , asking him how they should divide their authority : fabius briefly told him , that seeing the citizens had made the master of the horse equal with the dictator , he would divide the legions with him by lot , according to the custom : minutius was ill pleased with this , for with half the army he could not work such wonders as he hoped for . yet meant he to do his best : and so taking half the army , he encamped about a mile and a half from fabius . it behoved the master of the horse to make good the opinion which had thus advanced him ; therefore he sought good occasion to fight , to which hannibal , was as forward as he . the country between them was open and bare , yet hannibal found means to lay an ambush in it : for the sides of the valley had many spacious caves , and hannibal in the night , thrust into them five hundred horse , and five thousand foot : and least they should be discovered , he made offer betimes in the morning to seize upon a piece of ground that lay on the other side from the caves , thereby turning all their eyes that way . minutius hoping to increase his honour as he had gotten it , sent first his light armuture , then his horse , and at length he followed in person with the legions . he was soon caught , and so invironed on all hands , that he neither knew how to make resistance , nor a safe retreat . in this dangerous case , whilst the romans defended themselves , they lost many of their best men . but fabius drew neer in good order to relieve them , and doing therein the office of a good citizen , regarding more the good of his country , than the disgrace which he had wrongfully sustained . upon fabius his approach , hannibal retired : fearing ( as he said ) to be well wet with the cloud that had hung so long upon the hill-tops . minutius forthwith submitted himself to fabius , by whose favour he acknowledged , that his life was preserved . thence forward the war went on slowly whilst fabius his dictatorship lasted , and the year following also when he had delivered up his charge to to the consuls , that followed his instructions . with little pleasure did they of the poorer sort in rome hear the great commendations which were given to fabius by the principal citizens , because the war was not finished , nor much done tending thereto : and this affection was very helpful to terentius varro in his suit for the consulship ; and farther to help him , he had a kinsman , bibius herennius , tribune of the people : he boldly affirmed that hannibal was drawn into italy , and suffered there to range at his pleasure by the noblemen ; that without a plebeian consul the war would never be ended , &c. by which perswasions the multitude were won to be wholly for terentius , to the great vexation of the nobles , who could not endure such an upstart : but nothing could hinder the choise of terentius : wherefore the nobles , ( to ballast this hot-headed man ) set up l. aemilius paulus , a gallant man and a brave captain , to stand for the other consuls place , and he easily carried it . these new consuls , varro , and paulus , omitted no diligence in preparing for the war , wherein , though varro made the greatest noife , boasting what wonders he would do if he could but once see hannibal , yet the care , and prudence of paulus did tend much more towards the effecting of it . he wrote to the two old consuls to forbear fighting , and yet to ply the carthaginians with daily skirmishes , and so to weaken them by degrees , that when he and his fellow consul came with the new army , they might find the four old legions well accustomed to the enemy , and the enemy well weakened . these new consuls raised an army of above eighty thousand foot , and six thousand horse . hannibal all this while lay at geryon , where all his provision , and store was . the romans , to be neer him , lodged about canusium , laying up most of their provisions in the castle of cannae . this place hannibal wan , and thereby not only furnished himself , but compelled his enemies to want many necessaries : hereby he also enabled himself to stay in that open country , fit for the service of the horse . of this mishap when servilius had informed the senate , it then seemed needful to them to 〈◊〉 battel with the carthaginian , rather than to suffer him thus to roo● himself in italy . when all things vvere ready in the city , and the season of the year commodious , the two consuls , with their army set forward against hannibal . this was done with great solemnity : sacrifices and solemn vows were made to jupiter , and the other gods , for good success and victory : and the generals were accompanied with a great number that brought them out of the city , and dismissed them with friendly leave-taking , and good wishes . these new generals arriving at the camp , dismissed m. atilius , one of the last years consuls , because of his age , and retained servilius with them , as their assistant . aemilius laboured to encourage his men , telling them , that the enemy had stole all the former victories by his ambushes ; that otherwise the romans were far beyond them in valour &c. and therefore he exhorted them to play the men and do their best . this set them on fire to be dealing with the carthagiuians , and herein varro concurred with them , longing for an opportunity to get the honour which he promised to himself , having now such a numerous army . by this means the romans fell into a great inconvenience by the disagreement of their generals ; varro would fight , and aemilius would not for the present , hoping for better advantage ere long , when the enemy should be forced to dislodg out of the plain country . the consuls command in turns every day . aemilius lodged six miles from hannibal where the ground was uneven . terentius the next day descended into the plains , his colleague beseeching him to stay , but could not prevail . he sat down neer to the carthaginian , who yet gave him but a rude vvelcome , and entertainment . the carthaginian horse , and light armature fell upon the roman vaunt-courriers , and put the whole army into a tumult , whilst it was yet in its march ; but the carthaginians were beaten off ; though not without loss . the next day aemilius , who could not securely draw back the army , encamped upon the river aufidus , sending part of his forces over the river where they encamped themselves , with the rest he fortified and kept within his trenches . varro was perswaded that it concerned him in honour to make good his word to the people of rome . when therefore it was his turn to command , at the break of day he began to pass the river , without staying to bid his colleague good morrow : but paulus came to him , labouring by all means to disswade him . terentius had norhing to answer but that his honour was engaged . hannibal had twice or thrice braved them , which must not be endured . when aemilius perceived that he could not prevail , he was careful that what must be done , might be done well . ten thousand foot he caused to be left behind in the camp , opposite to the carthaginians , to the intent that hannibal might be forced to do the like , or else when they were in fight , these might fall upon his camp , and take it , with all the wealth therein , which would much distract the carthaginians . this done the consuls drew forth their army over the water , and ranged them in order of battel . this hannibal was very glad of , and therefore without any delay , passed over the river also , leaving in his own camp enow to defend it , and no more . to encourage his men , he told them how fit the ground was wherein they were to fight ; and that therefore they were to thank the gods who had so infatuated the enemies as to choose such a place where the stronger in horse was sure to prevail . besides ( said he ) these are the men whom you have beaten as often as you have seen them : and now you are to fight for their cities , and all the riches that are in them , and ere many hours pass ye shall be lords of all that the romans enjoy . this set his men 〈◊〉 to be it ; and at the same time came his brother mago , whom he had sent to view the countenance of the enemy , to whom he said , what news ? what works are we like to have ? work enough , answered mago , for they are a horrible company ; as horrible a many as they be , said hannibal , i tell thee that amongst them all , there is not one man whose name is mago , and therewith he fell a laughing , which all the souldiers also took for a good omen . in this great day the carthaginian excelled himself , expressing abundance of military skill , and of greatness of spirit , and courage . he so marshalled his army , that all hands were brought to fight , where every one might do the best service . his darters , and slingers he sent before to encounter the roman velites : his africans armed after the roman manner , made the two wings , very deep in file . between these he ranged the gauls and spaniards armed , the first vvith broad swords , and the other vvith short and vvell-pointed blades . the gauls vvere strong of body , and furious in giving the charge , but soon vvearied , spending their violence at the first brunt . the spaniards vvere less eager but more wary . these hannibal caused to advance , leaving void the place wherein they had stood , and into vvhich they might fall back , if they vvere overhardly pressed . between the left batallion by the river side , vvere the gauls and spanish horse under asdrubal : on the right wing vvas maharbal vvith the numidian horse . hannibal himself vvith his brother mago , led the rear . his army this day vvas ten thousand horse , and forty thousand foot : his enemies had two to one against him in foot , and he five to three against them in horse . the roman army vvas marshelled after their usual manner . on the right hand vvere the roman horsemen under the consul paulus : on the left wing vvas varro with the rest of the horse vvich were of the latines and other associates , and servilius had the leading of the battel . the sun was newly ri●en , and offended neither part , the carthaginians having their faces northward , and the romans southward . after some light skirmirshes betvveen the tvvo forlorns , asdrubal brake in upon the consul paulus , and after a rough charge , and much execution done , the roman horse vvere overborn , and driven by plain force to a staggering recoil . when the battels came to joyning , the roman legionaries found vvork enough , and more than enough to break that body upon vvhich at first they fell : yet at last hannibals men vvere forced to a hasty retreat . but vvhilst the legions , follovving their supposed victory , rushed on upon those that stood before them , and thereby engaged themselves deeply vvithin the principal strength of the enemy , the two african battalions on either side , advanced so far , that getting beyond the rear of them , they almost vvholly inclosed them . asdrubal having broken the troops of the roman horse , follovved them along upon the river side , beating dovvn , and killing most of them vvithout regard of taking prisoners . the consul paulus left his horse , and cast himself amongst the legions , as hoping by them to make good the day . but he failed of his expectation : yet did he cheer up his men as vvell as he could both by words , and example , slaying many vvith his ovvn hands . the like did hannibal amongst his carthaginians in the same part of the battel , but vvith better success . for the consul received a blovv from a sling that vvounded him much , and though a troop of roman gentlemen did their best to save him from further harm , yet vvas he so hardly laid at , that by vvounds and vveakness he vvas compelled to forsake his horse : vvhereupon all his company also allighted . hannibal being near , and seeing this , said , pleasantly , i had rather he would have delivered them to me bound , hand and foot , meaning , that he had them almost as safe as if they had been so bound . all this vvhile varro , vvith his associates in the left wing , vvas marvellously troubled with maharbal , and his numidians ; who beating up and down upon the great sandy plain , raised a foul dust , which by a strong south wind , was driven into the eyes and mouths of the romans . these using the advantage both of their number and lightness , wearied the consul and his followers exceedingly , neither giving nor sustaining any charge , but continually making offers and then wheeling about . yet at the first , they seemed to promise him a happy day of it . for when the battels were even ready to joyn , five hundred of these numidians came pricking away from their fellows , with their shields on their backs , as was the manner of those which yielded , and throwing down their arms , yielded themselves , varro had no leasure then to examine them , but bad them to rest quietly behind his army till all was done . these crafty marchants did as he bad them for a while , till they had opportunity to put their design in execution . under their jackets they had short swords and poniards , with which and other weapons that they gathered up of those that were slain , they flew upon the hindmost of the romans , whilst all eyes were bent another way , where they did much mischief , and raised great terrour . thus hannibal in a plain ground found means to lay an ambush at the back of his enemies . the last blow that put an end to all , was given by the same hand that gave the first . asdrubal having routed and slain all the roman horse , save the company of a milius that joyned themselves to the foot , did not stay to charge upon the face of the legions , but , fetching a compass , he came up to the numidi● ns with whom he joyned , and gave upon terentius . this fearful cloud prognosticated a dismal storm ; wherefore terentius his followers , having wearied themselves much in doing little , and seeing more work towards then they were like to sustain , thought it their saffest way to secure themselves by present flight . the consul also was as careful to provide for his own security as were they . now he found that it was one thing to talk of hannibal at rome , and another to encounter him . close at the heels of him and his flying troops were numidians , appointed by asdrubal to the pursute as fittest for that service . asdrubal himself with his gauls and spanish horse , fetching a compass , fell upon the backs of the romans , who were almost surrounded , and much distressed before . here began a miserable slaughter , the vanquished multitude thronging each other , not finding which way to turn . aemilius , who could not sit his horse before , whilst the spaces were open by which he might have withdrawn himself , was now unable to fly , his way being stopt by a throng of his miserable followers , and heaps of bodies , that fell apace in that great carnage . in this terrible overthrow dyed all the roman foot , save two or three thousand , who escaped into their lesser camp ; and the night following about four thousand foot and two hundred horse fled into canusium . the camps were both yielded to hannibal by those who yet remained in them . terentius the consul recovered venusia with seventy at most in his company ; the rest of his troops were scattered over the fields , and gathered up by the numidians and made prisoners . there died in this great battel of cannae , besides the consul paulus , two of the roman questors , twenty one collonels , eighty senators , or such as had born office ; amongst whom was servilius , the last years consul , and minutius , late master of the horse , and about eight thousand were taken prisoners . hannibal lost about four thousand gauls : fifteen hundred spaniards and africans , and about two hundred horse . a loss not sensible in the joy of so great a victory ; which if he had pursued , as maharbal advised him , and forthwith marched against rome , probably the war had presently been at an end . but hannibal knew how to get , not how to use a victory : and god had otherwise determined . when hannibal had sacked the roman camps , and trused up the spoils , he dislodged and marched away to samnium , finding a disposition in many people thereabouts to forsake the romans , and to make aliance with him . the first town that opened their gates to him , was cossag , where he laid up his baggage ; and leaving his brother mago to take in other places , he hastened into campania . he dismissed all his prisoners that were nor romans , without ransom ; whereby he won the affections of most of the common people in italy , to incline to him . he also gave leave to his roman prisoners to sent to rome to procure their ransom , with whom he sent carthalo , the general of his horse , to see how rome stood affected to peace . the senate commanded carthalo to depart out of their territories , and refused to redeem their prisoners ; probably , because they wanted mony wherewithal to do it . campania is a most pleasant and fruitful country , and capua , the chief city in it , rich and wealthy , the citizens despised now the unfortunate virtue of the romans , and sent ambassadours to hannibal with whom these articles were agreed upon : that the campans should be absolutely free , and governed by their own laws : that no citizens of theirs should be subject to any carthaginian magistrate in war or peace ; and that hannibal should deliver to the campans three hundred roman prisoners , such as themselves should choose , whom they might exchange for their gentlemen that were hostages with the romans . then did hannibal hasten towards capua , leaving naples that he had thought to take in by scalado , but found the walls too high , and himself not fully furnished for a siege . at capua he was intertained with great solemnity and pomp ; all the town being so earnestly in love with their new guests that they murthered all the romans that at present they could come by . the same course with these of capua , ran the other cities thereabout , except nola , nuceria , naples , cassiline , and acenae , which yet stood out for the romans . rome it self was in great fear of hannibals coming at the first report of the overthrow at cannae ; and the grief of that loss was so general , and immoderate , that it much hindred their provision against apparent danger . all the senators found work enough to quiet the peoples lamentations . courriers were sent forth to bring them certain tidings how things went , whereof when letters from the consul varro had fully informed them , they were so amazed , that they ran into barbarous superstition , and by the advice of their southsayers , they buried two men , and two women alive in the ox-market . ambassadours also were sent to the oracle at delphi , to enquire with what prayers and supplications they might pacifie the gods , and obtain an end of their calamities . in the midst of these extremities they called home their consul terentius that he might name a dictator , and all sorts of people went forth to meet him , and welcome him home , which was done to hold up their reputation . m. junius was chosen for the dictator , and t. sempronius master of the horse . these fell presently to the mustring of forces , and raised four legions and a thousand horse , yet were they faign to take some that were very boys , and they encreased their number by adding to them eight thousand sturdy slaves , to whom liberty was promised if they would deserve it by their manly service : the dictator also proclaimed , that whosoever were in debt and could not pay it , or that had committed any capital offence , should be pardoned if they would serve in the war : and to arm these they were faign to take down out of their temples the spoils of their enemies that had been there hung up . the dictator having dispatched all needful businesses in the city , took the field with twenty five thousand men , with whom he marched into campania , and did little more then to keep hannibal from spoiling the country . marcellus , one of the roman praetors , lying at ostia with a legion and fifteen hundred souldiers newly taken up , with whom he should have gone into sicily , hearing of the overthrow at cannae , sent his new levied men to rome for the defence of it , and with his legion marched to nola to help the citizens there : hannibal had many friends in nola amongst the common people , and therefore brought his army thither ; and on a day seeing the walls unmanned , he bad his souldiers bring the ladders and scale them : but whilst they did it , and were in confusion . marcellus with his men , issued out at three several gates , and set upon the carthaginians , expecting no such thing , and did such execution amongst them , that this was accounted a victory , and reputed the bravect act in all those wars , from whence they concluded that hannibal might be overcome . from thence hannibal went to acerrae , where being refused entrance , he laid siege to it on every side , wherewith the citizens being terrified , before his works were finished , they stole out by night , and left the town empty ; which hannibal sackt and burnt , then hearing that the dictator was about cassiline , thither vvent he , but found him not ; only many companies of the roman confederats vvere gotten into the town , and kept it : the citizens vvere affected to hannibal , and vvould faign have been free from there guests , vvho finding their intent , in a night slew all the citizens , and fortified a part of the city against the enemy . hannibal gave divers assaults to it , but vvas still repelled vvith loss , and may sallies they made vvith variable success : hannibal mined , and they countermined , so that he vvas driven to enclose them , that he might vvin it by famine . t. sempronius gracchus , master of the horse lay up the river vvith the roman army , and vvould faign have relieved the besieged , but durst not venture . barrels of corn he sent floating down the river to relieve them , which , being discovered , came into hannibals hands . gracchus cost abundance of nuts into the stream , vvhich faintly sustained the besieged . at length vvhen all their food vvas spent , and vvhatsoever green thing grevv under the walls , the carthaginians plovved up the ground , and the besieged presently sovved it vvith rape-seed . hannibal admired their patience , and said , that he meant not to stay there till the rapes were grown , and therefore , vvhereas he had intended to have made them an example for their obstinacy , he vvas novv content to grant them their lives upon an easie ransom , and so quietly dismissed them . the time of the year novv being come , hannibal retired into capua , vvhere he vvintered , and vvhere ( as some say ) his army vvas corrupted vvith the pleasures and plenty there , and made more effeminate than before . about this time hannibal sent his brother mago to carthage vvith the joyful nevvs of this great victory . he told the carthaginian senate , vvith hovv many roman generals his brother had fought , hovv many consuls he had chased , vvounded , or slain . hovv the romans , vvho never used to shun a battel , vvere novv grown so cold that they thought their dictator fabius the only good captain . that not vvithout reason their spirits were thus abated , since hannibal had slain above two hundred and six thousand of them , and taken above fifty thousand prisoners . he told them how many states in italy followed the fortune of those great victories . he told them that the war was even at an end , if they vvould follovv it close and give the romans no time of breathing . he wished them to consider that the war was carried into an enemies country , that so many battels had diminished his brothers army , that the souldiers that had deserved so well , ought to be well rewarded , and that it was not good to burden their new italian friends with exactions of mony , corn , &c. but that these must be sent from carthage . lastly he caused the gold rings , taken from the fingers of the roman knights that were slain , to be powred out before them , which being measured , filled three bushels . this errand of mago for the present found extraordinary good welcome ; and large supplies vvere voted to be sent to him : but his old enemy hanno , obstructed them , and the too much parsimony , of the citizens was the cause that there was very little done , and that which was done came too late . however , mago brings the news of the great supply which was decreed to be sent ; which much rejoyced hannibal and his new confederates . the spring drew on vvhen the supply was expected , but there came no more than a few elephants , and hannibal was forced to rest contented with them . then did he take the field , and sought to make himself master of some good haven town that might serve to intertain the carthaginian fleet when it should arrive with the supplies . for this end he sent himilco , who by the help of his good friends the brusians , won petilia ; he won also concentia and crotan , and the city of locri , and many other places ; only the town of rhegium , over against sicily , held out against him . the romans at this time were in such a case , that hannibal vvith a little help from carthage , might have reduced them to great extremity . but his own citizens suffered him to languish with expectation of their promised supplies , which being still deferred from year to year , caused as great opportunities to be lost , as a conqueror could have desired . but whatsoever hannibal thought , he was faign to apply himself to his italian friends , and to feed them with hopes , and to trifle way his time about nola , naples , cumae , &c. being loath to weaken his army by a hard siege ; that was to be reserved for a vvork of more importance . many offers he made upon nola , but always vvith bad success . once mercellus fought a battel with him there , under the walls of the city , having the citizens to assist him , vvherein hannibal lost a thousand men ; which was no great marvail ; his forces being then divided , and imployed in sundry parts of italy at once . at this time t. sempronius gracchus , and q. fabius maximus , the late famous dictator , were chosen consuls . but fabius was detained at rome about matters of religion , or superstition rather , vvherewith the city vvas commonly , especially in the times of danger , very much troubled , so gracchus alone , vvith a consular army , waited upon hannibal amongst the campanes , not able to meet him in the field , yet attentive to all occasions that should be presented . the slaves , that lately had been armed , were a great part of his followers . these and the rest of his men gracchus continnally trained , and had not a greater care to make his army skilful in the exercises of war , than in keeping it from quarrels that might arise by their upbrading one another vvith their base condition . gracchus at this time had a bickering vvith the capuans , upon whom he came at unawares , and slew above two thousand of them , and took their camp , but staid not long to rif●le it for fear of hannibal , that lay not far off . by this his providence he escaped a greater loss , than he brought upon the capuans : for vvhen hannibal heard hovv things vvent , he presently marched thither , hoping to find these young souldiers and slaves busied in loading themselves vvith the booty : but they were all gotten safe into cumae , which so angred hannibal , that at the earnest request of the capuans , he assailed it the next day . much labour , and vvith ill success he spent about this town . he raised a woodden tower , & brought it close to the walls thereby to assault it , but they vvithin built a higher tower , vvhence they made resistance , and found means to set hannibals tower on fire , and vvhilst the carthaginians were busie in quenching the fire , they issued out , charged them valiantly and drove them to their trenches . the consul vvisely sounded a retreat in time , or hannibal had requited them . the day following , hannibal presented battel to them , but gracchus refused it : seeing therefore no likelyhood to prevail , he raised his siege and departed . about this time fabius , the other consul , took the field , and recovered some small towns that hannibal had taken , and punished the inhabitants severely for their revolt , the carthaginians army vvas too small to garrison all the towns that had yielded to them , and withall , to abide ( as it must do ) strong in the field . wherefore hannibal , attending the supply from carthage that would enable him to strike at rome it self , vvas driven in the mean time to alter his course of war ; and instead of making ( as he had formerly done ) a general invasion upon the vvhole country , he vvas faign to vvait upon occasions , that grevv daily more commodious to the enemy , than to him . when hannibal vvas gone to winter into apulia , marcellus vvasted the country of the hirpines , and samnites : the like did fabius in campania . the people of rome vvere very intentive upon the work they had in hand , they continued fabius in his consulship , and joyned vvith him cladius marcellus . of these two , fabius vvas called the shield , and marcellus the roman sword. the great name of these consuls , and the great preparations which they made , put the campans in fear that capua it self should be besieged , wherefore at their earnest request hannibal came from arpi , and having comforted his friends , on a sudden he fell upon puteoli , a sea-town of campania , about vvhich he spent three days in vain , there being six thousand in garrison , vvherefore he left it , and marched to tarentum , vvherein he had great intelligence . in the mean time hanno made a journy against beneventum , where t. gracchus met him . hanno had vvith him about seventeen thousand foot , brutians , and lucans , besides twelve hundred horse , most of them numidians and moors . four hours he held the romans vvork ere it could be perceived to vvhich side victory would incline . but gracchus his souldiers , which were most of them slaves , had received from him a peremptory denunciation , that this day or never they must purchase their liberty , by bringing every man an enemies head. the sweet reward of liberty vvas so desireable , that they feared no danger in earning it , though the cutting off their enemies heads troubled them exceedingly , vvhich gracchus perceiving , proclaimed that they should cast away the heads , assuring them that they should have their liberty presently after the battel , if they wan the day . this made them run headlong upon the enemy , vvhom their desperate fury had soon overthrown , if the roman horse could have made their party good against the numidians . but though hanno did vvhat he could , and pressed so hard upon the roman battel , that four thousand of the slaves retired to a ground of strength , yet was he glad at length to save himself by flight vvith two thousand horse , all the rest being either slain or taken . gracchus performed his promise to the slaves , making them free : only on those four thousand , that vvent aside in the battel , he inflicted this slight punishment , that as long as they served in the wars , they should eat standing , unless sickness forced them to break this order . so gracchus vvith his army returned into beneventum , vvhere the newly-enfranchised souldiers , were feasted in publike by the townsmen , some sitting , some standing and all vvith their heads covered , as the manner of such was , vvith vvhite caps . this vvas the first battel vvorthy of note , that the carthaginians lost since the coming of hannibal into italy . thus the romans by degrees began to get heart , and repair their breaches , only their treasury was very empty , vvhereupon the people vvere called together , and vvere plainly told , that in this exigent , there must be no taking of mony for victuals , weapons , apparel , or other necessaries for the souldiers , but that they must trust the common-vvealth with the loan of these things till the wars vvere ended . this vvas vvillingly assented to , and the armies vvere vvell supplyed both at home and abroad . in the mean time the roman generals omitted no part of industry in seeking to recover what had been lost . cassiline was besieged by fabius , unto whose assistance marcellus came ; the town was well defended by a carthaginian garrison for a long time , but at length , the inhabitants grew fearful , craved a parlee , and agreed to deliver it up , so as all might have liberty to depart whither they pleased . this was consented to , yet as they were issuing out , marcellus seizing upon a gate , entred with his army and put all to the sword : only about fifty that had gotten out , ran to fabius , who saved them , and sent them to capua . hannibal was this while about terentum , but after long expectation of having it delivered to him , he was faign to depart without it . so he went to salapia , which he intended to make his wintring place , and began to victual it . the new consuls chosen at rome , were q. fabius , the son of the present consul , and t. sempronius gracchus the second time . the old fabius became lieutenant to his son ; and on a time when the old man came to the camp , his son rode out to meet him . eleven of the twelve lictiors , let him pass by on horse-back , which was against the custom ; but the son perceiving this , bad the last of the lictiors to take notice of it , who thereupon bad old fabius alight , and come to the consul on foot : the father cheerfully did so , saying , it was my mind , son , to make tryal , whether thou didst understand thy self to be consul . altinius a wealthy citizen of arpi , came to fabius and offered to deliver the town into his hands . hannibal hearing of it , was glad , and sent for the wife and children of altinius into his camp , he examined them by torment , and being assured of the treason , he commanded them to be burnt , and seized upon all altinius his wealth . fabius shortly after came to arpi , which he took by scalado in a stormy night . five thousand of hannibals souldiers lay in the town , and of the arpines there were about three thousand . these were thrust formest by the carthaginian garrison , who suspected them , and therefore thought it no wisdom to trust them at their backs . but after some little resistance , the arpines gave over the sight , and parlied with the romans , and the arpine pretor , going to the roman consul , received his faith for the security of the town , wherefore they presently made head against the garrison , yet did the carthaginians make stout resistance , till it was agreed that they should pass safely , and return to hannibal . about this time cliternum was taken by sempronius tuditanus , one of the roman praetors . also one hundred and twelve gentlemen of capua offered their service to c. fulvius , the other praetor , only upon condition to have their goods restored to them : which shewed that their affections were turned from hannibal to the romans . the consentines also and the thurines , which had yielded to hannibal , when there was no appearance of those great succours which were promised from carthage , returned to their old allegiance again . others would have done the like , but that at this time hanno met with , and slew l. pomponius , and a great multitude that followed him . hannibal in the mean time had all his care about tarentum , which if he could take , it would be very commodious for the landing of the supplies , which he yet expected . long he waited for an opportunity , and at last by the help of his friends within it , he one night entered at the two gates that were opened for him , and presently made to the market●place ; which the governour perceiving , fled to the port , and taking boat , got into the citadel that stood at the mouth of the haven . hannibal having gotten the spoil of the roman soldiers goods , he addressed himself against the citadel , which stood upon a poninsula , and was joyned to the town by a causway , which was fortified with a wall and a ditch . against this hannibal raised some works , hoping in a short time to take it , but whilst he was thus busied , there came in a strong supply by sea to them , which made his attempt hopeless . the tarentins fleet lay in the haven and could not go forth by reason of the citadel , whereby the citizens were likely in a short time to suffer want : to help this , hannibal caused their ships to be drawn up , and carried through the streets , which were long and plain , and lanched them into the sea without ; which done , they so cut off all supplies , that the citadel began to suffer want . now this while the roman forces grew strong , and q. fulvius flaccus , with appius claudius , the new consuls , prepared to besiege the great city of capua , having now armed twenty three legions , though to fill them up , they had listed many boyes , and they made a law for their encouragement , that their years should go on from that time , as if they had been of lawful age . before the roman army drew near , the capuans , through their own wretchlesness , began to feel want of victuals , they sent therefore to hannibal , desiring him to succour them before they were closed up , and he sent hanno with an army to supply their wants . hanno appointed them a day to bring store of carriages to convey in the provisions which he should make , but when the day came , they brought only fourty waggons , with a few pack-horses . hanno was much vexed at it , and appointed them another day when they should come better provided : but in the mean while q. fulvius the consul , came privately to beneventum , and having heard that hanno was gone abroad a forraging , he marched all night , and by the break a day , assaulted his camp , which for a long time was gallantly defended , but at last , though with great loss , he won it , in which six thousand were slain , seven thousand taken prisoners , besides a great booty that hanno had lately gotten from the roman confederates . this misadventure , and the neer approach of the roman consuls , made them of capua to send a pitiful message to hannibal , intreating him to hasten to their relief , considering how faithful they had been to him . hannibal answered them with fair promises , and sent away two thousand horse to keep their lands from spoil , whilst himself was intent about taking the citadel , and some other towns in those parts . the consuls , fortifying beneventum , to secure their backs , addressed themselves to the siege of capua . many disasters befell the romans in the beginning of this great enterprise . gracchus , a brave souldier , and lately twice consul , was slain . he was honourably interred by hannibal , some of whose straglers had slain him , the manumissed slaves that served under him , took this opportunity to go every man whither he pleased , so that it was long ere they could be got together again . yet the consuls proceed in their work . mago and the citizens gave them but bad welcome , sallying out , and slaying fifteen hundred of their men . neither was it long ere hannibal himself came , fought with them , and caused them to dislodge . they removed by night and went several vvays : fulvius , towards cannae , and claudius into lucania . hannibal follovved claudius , but could not reach him . yet by the way he met with one penula , a stout man that had the charge of neer sixteen thousand men , with him he fought , and slew him , and almost all his men , scarce a thousand of them escaping . then was hannibal informed that cneus fulvius , a roman praetor , was in apulia with about eighteen thousand men . coming to fulvius , so forward he was , that needs he would have fought with him that night . hannibal set mago with three thousand men in an ambush , then offering battel to fulvius , he soon had him in the trap , whence he was glad to escape himself , leaving all , save two thousand of his men , dead behind him . these two great blows much astonished the romans . yet when they had gathered the remainders of those armies , the consuls fell hard again to the siege of capua . at the first sitting down of the consuls they proclaimed , that whosoever would come out of capua by such a day , should be pardoned , and enjoy his estate , if not , no grace was to be expected : the capuans relying on their own strength , and the assistance of hannibal rejected this offer with scorn : and before they were wholly closed up , they sent to hannibal requesting his help : he gave them good words , and dismissed them . but he , thinking that they were well able to hold out for a long time , staid to dispatch his business , before he went , by which means the consuls had time enough to entrench and secure themselves . when the consulship of claudius and fulvius was expired , they were continued in their charge of the army as proconsuls , and their design was to take capua by famine . but hannibal came before he was expected by the romans , and took one of their forts , and fell upon their camp ; the capuans also at the same time sallyed out but were beaten in again ; yet did claudius in pursuing them , receive a wound , that ere long brought him to his grave . hannibal followed his business better and had almost taken the camp , yet at length was repelled . this extreamly angred hannibal and made him entertain a haughty resolution , even to set upon rome , which accordingly he pursued , and because that work must be done with celerity , he caused his men to provide victuals for ten days , and so marched forward . this news coming to rome , they sent to acquaint their generals with it , wishing them to do what they judged best for the safety of the city . and thereupon q. fulvius took fifteen thousand choise foot , and a thousand horse , and with them hasted towards rome . as hannibal drew neer , making woful havock as he went , all the streets and temples in rome were filled with women , crying , and praying , rubbing the altars with their hair , the senators were all in the great market place , ready to give advice upon all emergencies . but fulvius and hannibal arrived at rome neer together . the consuls and fulvius encamped without the gate of rome , attending hannibal , who coming within three miles of the city , advanced with two thousand horse , and rode along a great way under the walls , viewing , and considering how he might best approach them . yet went he back without doing or receiving any hurt . many tumults were at this time raised in the city , and the multitude were so affrighted , that they would have run out of the gates if they could have done it with safety . the day following hannibal brought up his army and presented battel to the romans , who would have accepted it , had not a terrible shower of rain caused both the armies to return into their camps ; and this happened two days together , and the weather cleered up presently after . but hannibal , who had brought but ten days provision with him , could not stay any longer , he therefore made all the spoil he could in the roman territories , passing like a tempest over the country , and run towards the eastern sea so fast , that he had almost taken regium before his arrival was suspected . as for capua he gave it for lost , and cursed the faction of hanno , which thus disabled him to relieve that fair city . fulvius returned back to the siege of capua , which now began to suffer want . and faign they would have sent again to hannibal but that all ways were intercepted . the truth is , hannibal had already done his best , and now began to faint under the burden of that war , wherein ( as he afterwards protested ) he was vanquished by hanno and his partizans in the senate of carthage , rather than by any force of the romans . capua being novv brought to extremity , the multitude forced the senators to consult about the delivering of it up to the romans : the bravest of the senators foresavv what the issue vvould be , and therefore one of them invited the rest home to supper , telling them that vvhen they had feasted themselves he vvould begin to them such a health as should for ever free them from the malice of their enemies , the romans : tvventy seven of the senators imbraced the motion , and vvhen they had supped , drank poyson , vvhereof they died : the rest , hoping for mercy , yielded to discretion . so a gate vvas opened whereat a roman legion entred , disarmed the citizens , and made the carthaginians prisoners ; the senators vvere laid in irons ; and presently after , fulvius caused all the campane prisoners to be bound to stakes , and scourged a good vvhile vvith rods , after which he struck off their heads . the like rigor fulvius used to all the towns of the campanians : most of the inhabitants , with their wives and children he sold for slaves , the rest were banished ; after which the glory of hannibal began to shine more dim , and most of italy by the terrible example of the capuans , had a general inclination , upon good conditions , to return to the roman side . marcellus and levinus being chosen consuls , levinus went into sicily , and marcellus was to make war vvith hannibal : they vvere busy in raising soldiers , but wanted mony extreamly ; many ways were proposed how to supply that want . at last the consuls said , that no perswasions would be so effectual with the people , as good examples ; wherefore they propounded and it was presently resolved , that every one should bring and put into the treasury all the mony , jewels , and plate that they had , and none reserve more than one salt , and a bowle wherewith to make their offerings to the gods : as also a ring for himself : and some other small ornaments for his wife and children ; and this was accordingly done by all , with much cheerfulness . then went forth marcellus against hannibal , whose army was now greatly diminished by long and hard service . his credit also amongst his italian friends was much weakned by the loss of capua : this put him upon pillaging those towns which he could not keep , thinking that the best way both to enrich himself , and to preserve it from his enemies : but this farther alienated them from him , whereupon salapia yielded to marcellus , and betrayed to him a gallant regiment of numidians , the very best that hannibal had . after this the consul took two cities of the samnites , wherein he slew above three thousand of hannibals men ; which hannibal could not prevent , the romans being grown stronger in the field than he . but now came news that massanissa was at carthage , with five thousand horse , ready to set sail for spain , whither , when he came , he was to accompany asdrubal , the brother of hannibal into italy . this did not more comfort hannibal and his followers , than it terrified the romans . at this time hannibal was informed that cn. fulvius , a roman praetor , lay neer to herdonea , to get the town by practice : hannibal made great marches thitherward , and when he came , offered battel to fulvius , who readily embraced it . the roman legions made good resistance a vvhile , till they vvere compassed round vvith the carthaginian horse : then fell they to rout , and a great slaughter was made of them ; fulvius , with twelve collonels , and about thirteen thousand were slain , and hannibal set herdonea on fire because it was appointed to be delivered up to the romans . marcellus hearing this , hasted thither : at venusia they met , and fought a battel from morning till the night parted them , and ended with uncertain victory . many more skirmishes they had , but none of importance . then q. fabius maximus , and q. fulvius were again chosen consuls : and fabius resolved to besiege tarentum , which if he could win , like it was that scarce any one good city would remain true to hannibal , and in the mean time he desired fulvius , and marcellus , with their army , to press hannibal so hard that he might have no leisure to help tarentum . marcellus was glad of this opportunity , judging that no roman was so fit to deal with hannibal as himself : he followed him therefore from place to place , desiring ever to come to battel , but upon unequal terms . hannibal only entertained him with skirmishes , meaning to keep his army intire , till asdrubal came to him . but marcellus was so importunate , that he could not be rid of him , wherefore hannibal bad his men to beat soundly this hotspur roman captain of whom he could not be rid till he had let him blood . then followed a battel wherein hannibal had the victory , took six ensigns and slew about three thousand of the romans . marcellus rated his men exceedingly , and called them cowards , which did so shame them , that they asked pardon , and desired him to lead them forth again against the enemy . hannibal was angry to see that nothing would make them quiet , and so they fought again , and though the romans had the better of it , fighting very desperately , yet they lost so many men that they had little cause to boast of the victory : only this advantage they had , that hereby fabius got time to prosecute his siege at tarentum without disturbance . fulvius the other consul this vvhile took in diverse towns of the hirpines , lucans , and volscentes , that vvillingly rendred themselves and betrayed hannibals garrisons to him . fabius , by the treason of a brusian captain in tarentum had the town delivered into his hands , and yet vvhen he vvas entered he put all to the sword , brutians as vvell as others , vvhereby his credit vvas much impaired . all the riches of the town he sought out , vvhich vvas very great , and sent it to the treasury at rome vvhere there vvas much need of it . hannibal having gotten cleer of marcellus , fell upon those that besieged caulonia , all vvhom he slew or took prisoners , and then he hasted to relieve tarentum ; but vvhen he came vvithin five miles , he heard that it vvas lost . this grieved him , yet he said no more than this , the romans have also their hannibal : we have lost tarentum in like sort as we got it . but lest he should seem to retreat out of fear , he encamped there four or five days , and thence departing to metapont , he bethought himself how to take fabius in a trap. he caused the chief of metapont to write to fabius ; offering to betray it into his hand . these letters were sent by two young men of the city , who did thir errand so well , that the consul wrote back , and appointed the day when they should expect him . hannibal being glad of this , at leasure made ready his ambushes for the wary fabius ; but something hindred him from coming , and so all was frustrated . m. claudius marcellus , and t. quintus crispinus were chosen consuls , who had a strong desire to make war upon hannibal , assuring themselves of victory . crispinus had also a desire to make his consulship famous by taking some good town , as fulvius and fabius had done by taking of capua , and tarentum : wherefore he went and besieged locri , the best city in italy that held for the carthaginian , bringing all sorts of engins to promote the work . but hannibal was not slow to relieve the city , at whose approach , crispinus rose and retreated to his fellow consul . thither followed hannibal , to whom the consuls offered battel : he refused it , yet dayly entertained them with skirmishes , waiting for some advantage , and reserved his army to a time of greater imployment when his brother asdrubal should come into italy . marcellus was not well pleased with this , and therefore sought to force him to fight ; for which end he commanded a navy by sea , and the garrison of tarentum again to besiege locri : but hannibal had an eye behind him , and by the way , laid an ambush for those of tarentum , slew three thousand of them , and made the rest to fly back into tarentum . as for the consuls , hannibals desire was to wast them by little , and little . betwixt him and them was a little hill , overgrown with bushes , amongst them he hid some numidians , willing them to attend every advantage . to this hill the consuls thought fit to remove their camp ; thither therefore they rode to view the place , taking with them the son of marcellus , a few collonels , and other principal men , and about two hundred horse . the numidian centinel gave warning of their approach , and the other discovered not themselves till they had surrounded the consuls and their company . the consuls defended themselves hoping to be quickly relieved from the camp that was neer at hand : but all their horse save four , forsook them and fled . marcellus was slain with a lance ; crispinus had his deaths wound , and young marcellus was wounded , yet got to the camp , the rest were all slain . hannibal gave an honourable funeral to marcellus , bestowing his ashes in a silver pot , covered with a crown of gold , and sent it to his son to be interred where he pleased . then licinius the roman admiral laid hard siege to locri , wherefore hannibal went thither again , but as soon as his vant-couriers appeared , the romans ran in confused heaps to their ships , leaving all their engins , and whatsoever was in their camp to hannibal . c. claudius nero , and m. livius were chosen consuls , at which time asdrubal was already come into france , and was approaching towards italy . livius would not stir against him , but with a considerable army , and those of the choisest men : and claudius with another army , was sent against hannibal . by this time news came that asdrubal was passing the alps , and that the ligurians , and those about genoa were ready to joyn with him . when all was ordered according to the consuls minds , they went forth of the city , each his several way . the citizens were full of fears , there being another son of amilcar come into italy , and one that in this expedition seemed to be of more sufficiency than hannibal . for whereas in that long and dangerous march through so many barbarous nations , over great rivers , and mountains , hannibal had lost a great part of his army , asdrubal in the same journey had increased his , descended from the alps like a rowling snowball , far greater than when he came over the pyrenes . this made the people wait upon their consuls out a town , like a pensive train of mourners . asdrubal at his first coming into italy set upon placentia ; but there he lost a great deal of time , and yet was faign at last to leave it , whereby he gave the roman consuls leasure to make ready for him , and caused his brother hannibal to make no hast to meet him , knowing that placentia would not be taken in hast . nero made what speed he could to meet with hannibal , and stop him from joyning with his brother . he had with him fourty thousand foot , besides horse , with which he oft offered hannibal battel , and in diverse skirmishes had the better of him . at grumentum hannibal fought with him , but was worsted , yet gat he off and marched away to venusia , vvith nero still at his heels . thence he vvent to canusium , and sat dovvn there near the place where he had obtained his most memorable victory . there also nero sat down by him , thinking it enough to hinder him from joyning with his succours . there was he advertised of asdrubals approach by letters that were going to hannibal which he intercepted : wherefore he resolved that it was better to run some desperate adventure than to suffer them to joyn together . he therefore took six thousand foot and a thousand horse , all of his choisest men , and away he posted as fast as he could to assist his fellow consul . livy at that time lay encamped neer to serea gallica , and asdrubal within half a mile of him . in six days nero finished his journy thither , and by the way his company was encreased by some voluntaries . the next day after his coming , they consulted together , and resolved to fight the enemy , asdrubal perceiving that both the consuls were now together , and thereupon feared that hannibal was slain , and though before he was forward to fight , yet now he thought it no shame to retreat farther from them . so he dislodged secretly by night , intending to get over the river metaurus : but being misled by his guides , he had not gone far before nero was at his heels with all the horse , which hindred him from going any farther , and the other consuls followed with the legions in order of battel . asdrubal , seeing a necessity to fight , omitted no care , or circumspection . his gauls he placed in the left wing upon a hill , which the enemy could not ascend without much difficulty . in the right wing he stood himself , with his africans and spaniards : his lygurians he placed in the midst , and his elephants in the front of the battel . on the romans side nero had the right wing , livius the left , and portius led the battel , livy and portius found strong opposition , and with great slaughter on both sides , prevailed little of nothing . nero laboured much in vain against the steep hill , where the gauls stood out of his reach : wherefore taking part of his forces , he led them round behind livy and portius , and charged asdrubal in the flank , which made the victory incline to the romans : for nero ran all along the depth of asdrubals battel , and put it to rout . of the spaniards and africans the greatest part were slain : the ligurians and gauls saved themselves by flight : of the elephants only four were taken alive : the rest were slain , most by their riders , the guide having in readiness a mallet and a chissel wherewith he gave a stroak between the ears in the joynt next the head , wherewith he killed the beast upon a sudden . asdrubal strove with great patience and against many difficulties , and performed all the duties of a worthy general , and stout souldier , and when he saw the loss irreparable , he rode manfully into the thickest of the enemies , where fighting bravely , he was slain . the number of the slain on both sides is variously reported , the camp and all the riches in it fell into the hands of the romans . when it was known at rome how nero had left his army , they were much amazed and full of fears : the people filled the market place , the women ran to the temple with vows and prayers , and all were filled with melancholly : therefore the news of this victory was intertained with exceeding joy , as if hannibal were already driven out of italy . nero returning to his camp , threw the head of asdrubal before the carthaginians and brought forth his african prisoners bound , sending two of them to give hannibal notice what had happened . hannibal having in this unhappy fight , lost , besides his worthy brother , all hope that had so long sustained him in italy , withdrew himself into the country of the brusians , and thither he caused all the lucans , his friends , to remove , as likewise all that dwelt in metapontum . for he wanted men to defend so many places as he held , lying so far asunder . wherefore he drew them all into a lesser compass in the utmost cornet of italy ; it being a country of much fastness , and the people exceedingly devoted unto his service . this was in the thirteenth year after his coming into italy ; and from thence to the eighteenth year wherein he departed , there was no memorable thing done . for hannibal wanted strength wherewith to make any great attempt , the romans had little mind to provoke him , but thought it well that he was quiet . this commendation is given him by the roman historians themselves . that making war upon a people , of all others the most warlike , he obtained so many victories by his own good conduct : and that leading an army compounded of so many sundry nations africans , spaniards , gauls , carthaginians , italians , and greeks , which were neither in language , laws , conditions , or any other thing , one like to another , yet he held them all in such good order , that they never fell to sedition amongst themselves , or against their general . and here we must leave him till he be drawn into africk by scipio . p. cornelius scipio having conquered spain , returned home to rome , where he made suit for the honour of a triumph , which was denied him , because he only had the place of a proconsul : yet to make him amends , they chose him consul , together with p. licinius crassus , who being high priest also , might not go ar from the city , as being to attend the matters of their superstition : which made well for scipio , who was desirous to be sent into africk , to trasfer the war thither . some there were of the senators , especially q. fabius maximus , that opposed him therein : yet at length he obtained to have the isle of sicily for his province , with leave to pass into africk if he found it expedient . the treasury at rome being extremely exhausted , no mony was given to scipio , neither was he allowed to press souldiers for his african voyage : but the people made up the backwardness of the senate with their forwardness : for besides his roman souldiers , he had about seven thousand voluntaries that came to him from sundry parts of italy . several towns also furnished him , with corn , iron , handmills , and all other necessaries , so that having his navy in readiness , he transported his army into sicily , where he found , besides other forces , two gallant legions of old souldiers that had served at cannae . for encreasing his number of horse , he pressed three hundred young and rich gentlemen of sicily , and then discharged them again , upon condition that they should deliver their horse and arms to as many roman gentlemen whom he had brought along with him for the same purpose . then did scipio imploy laelius into africk , rather to make discover than to do any thing , who yet took a great booty , and struck no little terrour into the carthaginians , who saw their affairs now to be upon the terms of change . he also procured king massanissa to revolt from the carthaginians and to joyn with the romans . then did scipio embark his army for africk , where he landed neer the faire promontory , and presently after encamped before utica . the carthaginians at this time had no captain of note in their city , nor a better army than of raw souldiers that were levied in hast . asdrubal the son of gesco , that was lately chased out of spain by scipio , was their best man of war. but before he was ready to take the field , scipio had beaten the troop of carthaginian horse that were sent to impead his landing , and slain hanno their captain ; he had also sacked one of their towns , and taken eight thousand prisoners , and sent them into sicily . he took also salva which he fortified . then passed he to utica and besieged it forty days with all sorts of engines , but prevailed not . by this time asdrubal had gotten thirty thousand foot , and three thousand horse , but all raw souldiers , and king syphax brought to their help fifty thousand foot and ten thousand horse , with which they marched bravely towards scipio , who thereupon lest the siege , and encamped upon the shore in a place of advantage which he strongly fortified , and winter drawing on , massanissa , brought in great store of corn , cattel , and other provisions to him . asdrubal and syphax encamped neer unto him : their souldiers covered their huts with mats and reeds , and dry boughs , and being held in hand about a treaty of peace , they grew remiss , and careless in keeping their guard , which scipio being informed of , took his opportunity in the night to set their camps on fire , and in the confusion slew , and took prisoners most of them . yet did the carthaginians make shift to raise another army of neer thirty thousand , reckoning in syphax , and his men , and four thousand spaniards , mercenaries , that were lately come to them : scipio went to meet them , and another battel was fought , and the victory easily obtained by scipio against those raw and untrained men . thus scipio became master of the field , and took in divers cities , and sent massanissa and laelius after syphax into his kingdom , whom they beat again , took him prisoner , and partly by fair means , and partly by soul , became masters of most of his kingdom , which scipio bestowed upon massanissa . and this was the first time that the romans took upon them to make kings . the carthaginians were extremely dismayed , when they heard this news , and for the calamity which had befaln their good friend syphax , and when they understood that massanissa , their immortal enemy , had gotten possession of his kingdom . this made them send forth ambassadours to scipio to make suit for peace . when these came into scipios presence , they basely prostrated themselves on the ground , and kissed his feet , and made as unworthy a speech , beseeching him to pass by their offences , and to grant them peace . scipio knew well in what a poor case rome then was , and how unable to defray the charge of the war if it should be continued , and therefore he was willing to grant them peace upon these conditions : that they should render up all the prisoners , and all their renigadoes , and slaves ; that they should withdraw their armies out of italy and gaul : that they should not meddle with spain , nor with any islands betwixt italy and africk : that they should deliver up all their ships of war , save twenty : that they should pay him a great sum of money , with some hundred thousand bushels of wheat and barley : all these they assented to , whereupon he granted them a truce that they might send their ambassadors to the senate of rome . but the truth was , they desired only to get time till hannibal might come back , in whom they reposed all their confidence : and therefore they took occasion to pick new quarrels with the romans , which they were the rather encouraged to , hearing news that hannibal was already landed in africk , by whose means they hoped either to drive the romans out of africk , or to procure better tearms of peace . hannibal departed out of italy no less passionate then men are wont to be , when they leave their own countries to go into exile : he looked back to the shore , accusing both gods and men , and cursing his own dulness in that he had not led his army from cannae , hot and bloodied as it was , to the walls of rome . arriving in africk he disembarked his army at leptis , almost one hundred miles from carthage . he was ill provided of horse , which he could not easily transport out of italy . from thence he passed through the inland country , gathering friends by the way . tychaeus , a numidian prince that had the best horses , he allured to joyn with him : and one mazetallus , another prince brought him a thousand horse . the carthaginians in the mean time neglected to make those preparations that would have secured the victory , and yet they sent to hannibal , requiring him without delay to do what he could . hannibal answered , that they were his lords , and therefore might dispose of him and his army , but since he was general of their forces , he desired that he might have leave to make choise of his own time . yet to please them , he made long marches to zama , and there encamped . from zama he sent forth his scouts to learn where the romans lay , and what they were doing . some of these were taken and brought to scipio , who shewed them all his camp and so dismissed them . hannibal admired at his generosity , and had a very great desire of an interview that he might talk with him : and this he signified by a messenger . scipio imbraced the motion and sent him word when and where he might meet with him . accordingly the two generals rode forth , with each of them a troop of horse till they met , and then their men were bid to stand off : each of them had his enterpreter , and when they met they stood silent for a while , viewing one the other with mutual admiration . then began hannibal to salute the roman to this effect . that it had been better for carthage and rome , if they could have contained their ambition within the shoars of africk and italy : for that the countries of sicily and spain , were no suffic●ent recompence for so many fleets as had been lost , and so much blood as had been shed , in making those costly purchases : but since what was past could not be recalled , he said , that it was time for them at the length to put an end to those contentions , and to pray the gods to endue them with more wisdom for hereafter . to which peaceable disposition his own years , and long tryal of fortune , both good and bad , made him inclinable : but he feared that scipio , for want of such experiences , would rather fix his mind upon uncertain hopes , than upon the contemplation of that mutability , whereunto all humane affairs are subject : yet ( said he ) my own example may peradventure teach thee moderation . for i am that same hannibal that after my victory at cannae , wan the greatest part of italy , and devised what i should do with your city of rome which i hoped verily to have taken . once i brought my army to your walls , as thou hast since brought thine to ours of carthage : but see the change , i now stand here intreating thee for peace . this may teach thee fortunes instability . i fought with thy father scipio . he was the first roman general i met with in the field : i did then little think that the time would come when i should have such business with his son : and thou maist have experience of the like in thy self , who knows how soon ? what saist thou ? canst thou be content that we leave to you spain , and all the islands between italy and africk ? by effecting this thou shalt have glory enough , and the romans may well be glad of such a bargain : and we will be faithful in observing the peace with you . if thou refusest this , consider what an hazzard thou must run to get a little more ? if thou stayest but till tomorrow night , thou must take such fortune as the gods shall allot . the issue of battels is uncertain , and oft beguiles expectation . let us therefore without more ado make peace . say not that some false-hearted citizens of ours , dealt fraudulently of late in the like treaty . it s i hannibal that now desire peace , which i would never do but that i think it expedient for our country : and judging it expedient i will always maintain it . to this scipio answered , that he was not ignorant of the mutability of fortune : that without any note of insolence he might well refuse the conditions offered : but ( said he ) if thy citizens can be contented , besides what i proposed and they formerly assented to , to make such reparation for these late injuries as i shall require , then i will further advise what answer to give you , otherwise prepare for war , and expect the issue . hereupon they brake off , and each returned to his own camp , bidding ther souldiers to prepare for battel , wherein should be decided the quarrel between rome and carthage . the next morning at broak of day they issued into the field , each of them ordering their men as they judged most convenient after which scipio rode up and down his army , bidding them remember what they had atchieved since they came into africk . he told them , that if they wan the day , the war was at an end , and this victory would make them lords of all the world , for after this , none should be able to resist them : but if they were beaten , there was no possibility of escaping ; they must either conquer or die , or be miserable slaves under most merciless enemies . hannibal was far the weaker in horse and a great part of his army were raw souldiers , yet his lords of carthage would brook no delay . he encouraged therefore his men as was most furtable to their qualities . to the mercenaries he promised bountiful rewards . the carthaginians he threatned with inevitable servitude if they lost the day : but especially he animated his old fellow souldiers by the many victories which they had gotten over those that far exceeded them in number . he bad them look on their enemies and see whether they were not by far fewer than that huge army they had ●laughtered at cannae . he bad them remember that it was the father of this scipio whom they had made to run away , &c. wherefore he intreated them , upon whose virtue he meant wholly to repose himself , that they would strive that day to make good their honour , and to purchase the fame of men invincible . when the armies drew neer , the numidian horse-men on both sides began to skirmish : the trumpets , and other instruments sounded to battel . hannibals elephants ( which were always an uncertain kind of help ) were to break upon the romans : but some of them ran back upon their own horse , which they so disordered , that massanissa , taking the advantage , before they could re-ally , charged them , and drave them quite out of the field . the rest of these beasts , made a great spoil amongst the roman velites , but being wounded , they ran back upon the right point of their own battel , and disordered the carthaginian horse that were in the wing ; vvhich gave such advantage to the roman horse , that charging them vvhen they vvere in disorder , they drave them away likewise . then did the battels of foot advance , and ran one at the other , and the mercenaries at the first seemed to have the better of the romans : but at length the roman discipline prevailed against boisterous strength . and whereas the romans , were seconded by their friends , these mercenaries received no help from those that should have seconded them . for the new raised africans , when they saw the mercenaries give back , they retired also , which made the hired souldiers think themselves , betrayed , whereupon they declined the fight . the carthaginian battel was herewith more terrified than before , so that refusing to give way to the mercenaries they fell out amongst themselves , and forbore to make head against their enemies . thus were many of them beaten down and slain through their own indiscretion : and this gave the romans such advantage that they made a great slaughter both of the carthaginians and mercenaries , who could neither sight nor easily flie . such as could , ran towards hannibal , who kept his ground and would not stir to help these run-aways . then did scipio advance against hannibal who intertained him after another manner than ever he had been received in his life before . all the former days work , seemed but a pastime in comparison of this . the romans were encouraged because they had prevailed all the day before ; they were also far more in number : but hannibals old blades were fresh and the better men . they fought with such obstinate resolution that no man gave back one foot , but rather chose to die than to lose their ground , so that for a long time the victory was uncertain : but the return of massanissa and laeli is with the horse from the pursute of the enemies , was to the romans most happy and in a needful time . these upon a suddain , charging hannibal upon the reer , overbore them with meer violence and put them to rout . hannibal with a few horse saved himself by flight , and staid not till he came to carthage ; where , coming into the senate , he told them plainly , that there was no other way left but to make such a peace as could be procured . amongst other things it was agreed , that the carthaginians should pay to the romans two hundred talents a year for fifty years together . which mony , when it came to be collected , there was pitious lamentation amonst the people , the roman yoak beginning to pinch them already , that some of the senators could not forbear weeping ; but hannibal could not refrain from laughter : for which asdrubal haedus ( one of hanno's faction ) checked him , saying , that it ill becommed him to laugh , since he had been the cause why all others did weep . he answered , that laughter did not always proceed from joy , but sometimes from indignation . yet ( said he ) my laughter is more seasonable , and less obsurd , than your tears . for you should have wept when you gave up your ships and elephants , and when you bound up your hands from use of arms without the good leave of the romans . this miserable condition keeps us under , and holds us in assured servitude . but of these things you had no feeling : now when a little mony is wrung from you , you are very sensible of that . god grant that the time come not , wherein you shall acknowledg , that it was the least part of your misery for which you have shed these teares . afterwards hannibal in the civil administration of the city , gave an overthrow or two , to the judges which at that time bore all the sway in carthage , having all the lives , goods , and fame of the rest in their power . shortly after hannibal was chosen praetor , by virtue of which office , he was superiour to them for that year . he sent upon an occasion for one of the treasurers to come to him , but he proudly refused , whereupon hannibal sent a pursevant for him , and brought him in judgment before the people , accusing not only him , but the rest of the judges for their insolency , and unbridled power , withall , propounding a law that the judges should be chosen from year to year . he found also that they had robbed the treasury , which caused the taxes to be laid upon the common people , whereof he made such plain demonstration , that they were compelled to restore with shame what they had gotten by knavery . this so irritated his enemies , who were of the roman faction , that they complained to the roman senate that the barchine faction grew strong again , and that hannibal would shortly be in arms : for he was like a wild beast that could never be tamed : that he held secret intelligence with king antiochus , who was an enemy to the romans , &c. hereupon the senate sent three ambassadors to carthage to demand hannibal , but he kept such good espial upon the romans that he was informed of their intentions , against which he was never unprepared : and therefore when night was come , he stole out of the city , accompanied with two friends whom he could trust , and having horses in a readiness , he rode all night , and came to a tower of his own by the sea side , and having provided a ship in a readiness , he bad africk , farewel , lamenting the misfortune of his country more than his own , and shaped his course to tyre which was the mother city of carthage : there he was intertained royally , in whose worth and honour the tyrians thought themselves to have interest because of the affinity between the cities , thence went he to antiochus , who was exceeding glad of his coming , intending war against the romans . to him hannibal gave excellent advice how he might carry on his war against the romans , vvith best advantage ; but antiochus hearkned more to his courtiers than to him , and so was shamefully beaten by the romans : at vvhich time he admired hannibal as a wise man , yea as a prophet , who long before had foreseen , and foretold him vvhat novv vvas come to pass , and vvhen it vvas too late , wished that he had followed his counsel . to be brief , antiochus vvas forced by the romans to sue for peace , which at last the romans yielded to : provided amongst other things , that hannibal might be delivered into their hands . hannibal getting an incling of this , fled to gortina in creet , vvhere he lived a long time very quietly , but at length he fell into the envy of many by reason of his great wealth , vvhereupon he filled certain great chests vvith lead , and deposited them in the temple of diana there , as if he kept the treasure for a dead lift : and thereupon the people , having such a pledg as that of him , looked less after him : but he in the mean time stole avvay to prusias , king of bythinia , having first molten his gold , and povvered it into some hollovv statues of brass , vvhich he carried avvay vvith him . shortly after there fell a war betvveen prusias , and eumenes , king of pergamus , prusias being encouraged to break his league and to make war upon him , by his considence in hannibal , whom he had their to manage his war for him . the war therefore grew hot betwixt them , both by land and sea. but eumenes , by the assistance of the romans , overpowred prusias in both : and whereas prusias was but weak of himself , hannibal procured him the assistance of some other kings and states , and those of very warlike nations : and amongst them the aid of philip , king of macedonia , who sent him philocles his general , with a very considerable army to help him . when prusias had received an overthrow from eumenes by land , he sought to try his fortune by sea , wherein yet he was too weak for him : wherefore hannibal advised him to try whether he could not do that by policy , which by plain force he was not able to effect . he put therefore a multitude of all sorts of serpents into earthen pitchers , to be hurled aboard the enemies ships when they were in sight : giving order to the souldiers and sea-men to set all upon the ship wherein eumenes himself was , and to defend themselves from the rest as vvell as they could : and that he might the more certainly know in vvhich ship eumenes was , he sent an herauld beforehand with a letter , containing nothing but a meer flout to eumenes , and full of abuses to his person . whenas therefore prus●●is his men came to it , they fought neither against great nor small , but only against the ship wherein eumenes was , whereupon he was faign to seek his safety by flight ; yet had he perished had he not trust in upon the next shore , where he had placed , for a relief upon all occasions , a company of his men . as for eumenes his other ships , when they pressed hard upon the enemy , they let flie amongst them their earthern pitchers full of snakes , which at first se●med to them a ridiculous thing : but when the pitchers , falling upon the deeks , brake in pieces , out flew the snakes , so that they could stir no where in the ships by reason of the serpents , whereby they found themselves no less annoied by their stings , than with the arrows of their enemies , which caused them to give over fighting , and to flie to their camp which was upon the shoar . thus hannibal by this trick , got the better of eumenes in that fight . nor then only , but also in sundry other encounters ; and by one stratagem or other , he ever put eumenes to the worst . and once when he advised prusias to fight , and he durst not , because the entrails of the beast ( said he ) forbid me . what ( said hannibal ) will you rely more upon a little piece of flesh in a calf , than upon the judgment of an old experienced captain in the field ? now as soon as news of these things came to the senate at rome , they sent t. quintius flaminius ambassador to prusias , not so much to withdraw him from prosecuting the war against eumenes , as to intreat him to deliver to them hannibal , the most spiteful enemy they had in all the world. prusias , to gratifie the romans resolved either to kill hannibal , or to deliver him alive into the hands of flaminius , for which end he sent a troop of souldiers to inviron the lodging where hannibal lay . but hannibal having before found cause to suspect the faith of prusias , had made some secret sallies under ground to save himself from any treasonable , or sudden assault . but finding now that all passages were shut up against him , he had recourse to his last remedy , which he was constrained to put in practice as well to frustrate his enemies from their triumphing over him , as to save himself from their torture and merciless hands , who , as he well knew , would neither respect his famous enterprises , his honour , nor his age. when therefore he saw no other way of escaping he took the poyson , which he always had in readiness for such an exigent , and being ready to swallow it down , he uttered these words . i will now ( said he ) deliver the romans from that fear which hath so long possessed them : that fear which makes them impatient of attending the death of an old man. this victory of flaminius over me , which am disarmed , and betrayed into his hands , shall never be numbred in the rest of his heroical deeds . no : it shall make it manifest to all the nations of the world , how far the antient roman virtue is degenerated , and corrupted . for such was the nobleness of their fore-fathers , as when king pyrrhus invaded them in italy , and was ready to give them battel at their own doors , they gave him intelligence of the treason intended against him by poyson : whenas these of a latter race , have imployed flaminius , a man who heretofore had been one of their consuls , to practice with prusias , contrary to the honour of a king , contrary to his faith given for my safety , and contrary to the laws of hospitality , to slay , or deliver up his own guest . then drank he off that poyson , and died . p. scipio africanus in a discourse which he had with hannibal , asked him , which of all the famous captains that ever lived , he judged most worthy ? hannibal gave to alexander the great , the first place : to pyrrhus the second : and the third he challenged to himself . but scipio , who thought his own title better , than that it ought to be forgotten , asked yet further , what then wouldest thou have said , hannibal , if thou hadst vanquished me ? the carthaginian replied , then would i not have given the first place to alexander , but have claimed it as due unto my self . when the conditions of peace granted by the romdns to the carthaginians were reported to the citizens , they were very unpleasing , whereupon one gesco , stood up to speak against them , perswading the people not to yield to such intollerable demands : but hannibal observing what favourable audience was given to this vain orator , by the unquiet , yet unwarlike multitude , he was bold to pull him down from his standing by plain force : hereat all the people murmured , as if their common liberty were too much wronged by such insolence of this presumptuous captain : which hannibal perceiving , rose up and spake unto them , saying ; that they ought to pardon him if he had done otherwise than the customs of the city would allow , for a● much as he had been thence absent ever since he was a boy of nine years old , until he was now a man of five and forty . having thus excused himself , he exhorted them to embrace the peace , as wanting ability to defend themselves , had the demands of the enemy been y●● more rigorous . his father amilcar , at what time he did sacrifice , being ready to take his journey into spain , called his son hannibal , being than but nine years old , caused him to lay his hand upon the altar , and to swear , that being come to mans estate , he should pursue the romans with immortal hatred , and that he should work them all the mischief that possible he could . the life and death of pompey the great . strabo , the father of pompey was much hated by the people of rome , who feared his greatness obtained by arms ( for he was a noble captain ) and to shew their distast , when he was slain by a thunderbolt , as his body was carrying to burial , the people seized upon it , and did great despite unto it : but on the contrary , never any other roman ; besides pompey , had the love of the people so soon , nor that continued constanter , both in prosperity , and adversity , than it did to him : and that which procured their love , and good liking , was his temperance in life , aptness to arms , eloquence of speech , faithfulness of his word , and courtesie in his behaviour . he gave without disdain , and received with great honour : being but a child , he had a certain grace in his look , that wan mens good wills before he spake . his countenance was amiable mixed with gravity ; and when he come to mans estate , there appeared in his gesture , and behaviour , a grave , and princely majesty . his hair stood a little upright , and the sweet cast , and motion of his eyes made him very graceful . he was sober , and temperate in his diet , contenting himself with common meats ; and when once in his sickness , his physicians advised him to eat a thrush , and none could be gotten , a friend told him , that lucullus ( a certain great man ) kept them all the year , where he should be sure not to fail ; he replied , what then ? if lucullus were not , should not pompey live ? and therewithall , letting his physicians counsel alone , he bad them dress him such meat as was easie to be had . pompey being a young man , and in the field with his father , who was in arms against cinna , there lay with him in his tent a companion of his , called lucius terentius , who being corrupted with money , promised cinna to slay pompey , and other of his confederates had promised to set their generals tent on fire . this conspiracy was discovered to pompey as he sat at supper , which nothing amazed him , but he drank freely , and was merrier with terentius than ordinary : but when it was bed-time , he stole out of his own tent , and went into his fathers . in the night terentius went into pompey's tent , and with his sword gave many a thrust into the matteress : presently also the whole camp was in an uprore , and the souldiers , out of hatred to their general , would needs in all hast have gone , and submitted to the enemy : and strabo durst not go out of his tent to speak to them , but pompey ran amongst these mutineers , and with tears in his eyes besought them not to betray their general : he went also and threw himself flat on the ground athwart the gate of the camp , and told them that they should march over him if they had such a desire to be gone : whereupon , the souldiers being ashamed of their treachery , returned to their lodgings . presently after his fathers death , pompey being his heir , he was accused for robbing the common treasury , and in particular for taking certain toils , and cords of hunters nets : he confessed the having of them , and that his father gave him them when the city of asculum was taken ; but that he had since lost them , when cinna came to rome with his army , at which time the unruly souldiers , breaking into his house , plundered him of all that he had . this matter had many days of hearing before it was determined , in which time pompey shewed so much courage , and prudence in managing of it , that he wan such credit , and favour by it , that antistius , vvho at that time was praetor , and judg of the cause , fell into such a likeing of him , that secretly he offered him his daughter in marriage , and pompey liked so well of the match , that the parties were privately made sure each to other : and not long after , through the care , and pains of antistius , when the judges came to pass sentence , pompey was cleered . this business being over , pompey married antistia : after which going into cinna's camp , he was wrongfully accused of some misdemeanours ; whereupon , being afraid of the tyrant , he secretly stole away ; and when he could not be found in cinna's camp , there went a rumour abroad that cinna had murthered him , which so irritated some , vvho of a long time had hated cinna , that upon this occasion , they rose up against him : but he thinking to save himself by flight , was pursued by a captain with a drawn sword ; cinna seeing him , fell down on his knees to him , and profered him his signet ring , vvhich vvas of great price , to spare his life : tush ( said the captain ) i come not to seal any covenant , but to be revenged upon a villain , and cruel tyrant , and vvithall ran him through and slevv him . cinna being thus dispatched , carbo took upon him the govenment , a more cruel tyrant than the former : and after him , sylla succeeded ; and at this time the romans , being grievously oppressed by one tyrant after another , thought themselves happy in the change of governours . for their city vvas brought into such misery , as hoping no more to see rome recover her lost liberty , they desired yet a more tollerable bondage . in sylla's time , pompey vvas at a place in italy called picenum , in the marches of anconae , vvhere he had certain lands , but much more the love and favour of the citizens for his fathers sake . he seeing that the most noble men of rome forsook their houses , and estates to repair to the camp of sylla , as unto a place of safety , he also resolved to go thither , yet not in a base manner , like a fugitive , but purposed to raise an army , and to go in an honourable manner as one that could do sylla good service . so he made tryal of the good will of the picentines , who readily joyned with him , and whereas there was amongst them one vindius , who opposed pompey , saying , that a boy that came from school but the other day , must now in hast be a captain , the rest of the citizens were so incensed against him , that they ran upon him and slew him . thus pompey being but twenty three years old , not tarrying for commission from any man , took upon himself authority , and causing a tribunal to be set up in the midst of the market place of auximum , a great , and populous city , he commanded the two brethren , called the ventidians ( the chiefest men of the city , but his enemies ) presently to avoid the city : then began he to leavy men to constitute captains , lieutenants , sergeants , and such other officers as appertain to an army . and from thence he went to the other neighbouring cities , where he did the like , so that in a short space he had gotten three compleat legions together , as also ammunition , carts , and all other necessaries for them . in this sort did pompey advance towards sylla ; not in hast , as a man that was afraid to be met with by the way , but by small journeys , lodging still where he might have the best advantage against an enemy , causing the cities wheresoever he came to declare against carbo , and for sylla . yet three captains who adhered to carbo , carinna , caelius , and brutus , did in three several places compass him in on every side , thinking to have destroyed him . pompey was nothing amazed hereat , but marshalling his army , he first set upon brutus , having placed his horsemen ( amongst whom himself was in person ) before the battel of his footmen , and when the men at arms of his enemy ( who were gauls ) came to charge upon him , he singled out the chiefest amongst them , and ran him through with his spear , and slew him . the other gauls seeing their champion slain , turned their backs , and in their flight , over ran their own footmen ; so that at last they all fled for their lives . then the cities round about , being terrified with this overthrow , came in and yielded themselves to pompey : afterwards scipio also the consul , coming against pompey to fight him , when the battels were ready to joyn , before they threw their darts , scipio's souldiers saluted pompey , and went over to his side , whereupon scipio was faign to fly . and lastly carbo himself sending divers troops of horse against him by the riuer arsis , pompey charged them so furiously , and drave them into such a place of disadvantage , that being neither able to fight nor fly , they delivered up themselves with their horses , arms , and all to his mercy . sylla all this while heard nothing of these overthrows which pompey had given to his enemies , but understanding his danger , being environed with so many arms , fearing lest he should miscarry , he made hast , and marched to his relief . pompey being informed of sylla's approach , commanded his captains to arm themselves and to set their army in good array , that their general sylla might see how bravely they were appointed . for he expected that sylla would do him great honour , as indeed he did , even beyond his expectation : for when sylla saw him afar off , coming towards him , and his army marshelled in such good order of battel , and his men so bravely advancing themselves , being elated with their late victories , he allighted from his horse ; and when pompey came to do his duty to him , and called him emperour , or soveraign prince , sylla resaluted him with the same title , which made all that were present to wonder that he would give so honourable a name to so young a man as pompey was , who as yet was not made a senator : considering also that sylla himself did now contend for that title , and dignity with marius , and scipio . the intertainment also that sylla gave him afterwards , was every way answerable to the first kindness that he shewed him . for when pompey at any time came to him , he would rise up , and put off his cap to him , which he did not to any other noble man that was about him : yet was not pompey puffed up with all this , nor the prouder for it . shortly after sylla would have sent pompey into gaul ( now france ) because that metellus , the roman general there , was thought to have done no exploit worthy of so great an army as he had with him : but pompey answered , that there was no reason to displace an ancient captain that was of greater fame , and experience then himself , yet ( said he ) if metellus himself be contented , and will desire it of me , i will willingingly go , and help him to end this war. metellus being informed hereof , wrote for him to come . p●mpey then entering gaul , did of himself wonderful exploits , and so revived the courage , and valour of old metellus , that the war prospered exceedingly in their hands : but these were but pompey's first beginnings , and were wholly obscured by the luster of those many wars , and great battels which he fought afterwards . when sylla had overcome all italy , and was proclaimed dictator , he rewarded all the great captains , and lieutenants that had taken his part , and advanced them to honourable places , and dignities in the commonwealth , freely granting whatsoever they requested of him ; but for pompey , highly esteeming him for his valour , and thinking that he would be a great support to him in all his wars , he sought by some means to ally him to himself , metella , his wife being also of the same opinion , they both perswaded him to put away his wife antistia , and to marry aemilia , who was daughter to metella by a former husband , though she was married to another , and now with child by him . these marriages were wicked , and tyrannical , fitter for sylla's time , than agreeable to pompey's nature , and condition . and truly it was a shameful thing for pompey to forsake his wife antistia , who for his sake , a little before had lost her father , that was murthered in the very senate house upon suspition that he took part with sylla for his son pompey's sake : and to take aemilia from her lawful husband , by whom she was great vvith child , and to vvhom she had been married not long before : vvhich also caused the mother of antistia to lay violent hands upon her self , seeing her daughter to receive such open and notorious wrong . but god who hates such injustice , and cruelty , followed pompey vvith this judgment , that his wife aemilia died miserably presently after in childbirth in his house . about this time news was brought to sylla , that perpenna was gotten into sicily , and had brought all that island into subjection to him , where he might safely intertain all sylla's enemies : that carbo also kept the seas thereabouts with a certain number of ships : that domitius was gone into africk , to whom resorted many other noblemen who were escaped from the proscriptions and outlaries of sylla . against all these was pompey sent by his father in law with a great army , who no sooner was arrived in sicily but perpenna fled , and left the island to him . then did pompey deal friendly and favourably with all the citizens vvhich before had endured great troubles and misery , and set them again at liberty , the mamertines only excepted , who dwelt in messina : they despising his jurisdiction and government , pleaded the ancient priviledges of the romans which had been formerly granted unto them . but pompey ansvvered them angerly , what do you prating to us of your law that have our swords by our sides ? he dealt also too cruelly vvith carbo in his misery ; for he might have killed him in hot blood when he first fell into his hands with less blame : but pompey , when he was taken , caused him to be brought before him , though he had been thrice consul , and to be publickly examined , sitting himself in his tribunal , and condemned him to dye in the presence of them all , to the great distast , and offence of all that were present : yet he bad them take him away to execution , which was done accordingly . pompey dealt as cruelly also with quintus valerius , a man of rare parts , and excellent learning , who being brought to pompey , he took him aside , and walked a few turns with him , and when he had learned what he could of him , he commanded his guard to take him away and dispatch him . pompey indeed was compelled to make away all sylla's enemies that fell into his hands : but for the rest , all that he could suffer secretly to steal away , he willingly connived at it , and would not take notice of it , yea , himself did help many to save themselves by flight . pompey had determined to have taken sharp revenge of the city of the himerians , who had stoutly taken the enemies part : but sthenes , one of the governours of the city , craved audience of pompey , told him boldly , that he should do great injustice if he should pardon him , who was the only offender , and destroyed them who were not guilty . pompey then asking him who he was that durst take upon himself the offence of them all ? sthenes answered , that it was himself who had perswaded his friends , and compelled his enemies to do what was done : pompey being much pleased to hear the frank speech , and boldness of the man , he forgave both him , and all the citizens . after this pompey being informed that his soldiers did kill divers in the high-ways , he caused all their swords to be sealed up , and whose seal soever was broken , he punished them soundly for it . pompey being busy about these matters in sicily , he received instructions , and a commission from sylla , and the senate at rome , to depart thence immediately into africk , with all his power to make war against domitius , who had a very great army . pompey accordingly speedily prepared to take the seas , leaving memmius , his sisters husband , to govern sicily , and so imbarking in sixscore gallies and eight hundred other ships , wherein he transported his victuals , ammunition , money , engines for battery , and all other his warlike provision , he hoised sail , and landed one part of his army at utica , and the other at carthage , and presently after his landing , there came to him seven thousand soldiers from his enemies to take his part , besides seven whole legions that he brought with him . against him came domitius with his army in battel array ; but before him there was a quagmire , that ran with a very swift stream , very hard to get over ; besides , it had rained exceedingly all that morning , so that domitius judging it impossible then to fight , bad his men truss up and be gone , pompey on the other side , spying this advantage , caused his men to advance , and coming upon the enemy , who was now out of order , had a cheap victory over them , wherein he slew about seventeen thousand of them , whereupon he was by his souldiers saluted with the name imperator , or emperour , but he told them he would not accept of that honourable title , so long as he saw his enemies camp yet standing , whereupon they ran presently and assaulted it , and took it by force , and slew domitius therein . after this overthrow , all the cities in that country , came and submitted to pompey , and those that refused were taken by force . they took also king jarbas , who had sided with domitius , and gave his kingdom to heimpsal . but pompey being desirous further to imploy his army , he went many days journey into the main land , conquering all wheresoever he came , making the power of the romans dreadful to those barbarous nations , who before made small account of them . he caused also the wild beasts of africk to feel his force , bestowing some days in hunting of lyons , and elephants : and in fourty days he conquered his enemies , subdued africk , and setled the affaires of the kings , and kingdoms of that part of the country , being then but twenty four years old . pompey being returned to utica , he received letters from sylla , willing him to discharge his army , and to retain only one legion with himself till the coming of another captain that was to succeed him in the government of that country . this grieved him not a little , though he made no shew of it at all : but the souldiers were much offended at it , and when pompey prayed them to depart , they gave out broad speeches against sylla , and told him directly that they were resolved not to leave him whatsoever became of them , and that they would not leave him to trust to a tyrant . pompey , seeing that he could not prevail with them , rose out of his seat , and went into his tent weeping : but the souldiers followed him , and brought him again to his chair of state , intreating him to remain there , and command them , and he desired them to obey sylla , and to leave their mutinies . in fine , he seeing they were resolved to press him , swore that he would kill himself rather then they should compel him , yet scarce did they leave him thus . hereupon it was reported to sylla that pompey was rebelled against him ; which when he heard , he said to his friends , well , i see then that it is my destiny in my old age to fight with children . this he said , because of marius the younger , who had done him much mischief , and had greatly endangered him . but afterwards , understanding the truth , and hearing that all generally in rome would go to meet pompey , and receive him with all the honour they could , he resolved to go beyond them all in shew of good will : wherefore going out of his house to meet him , he embraced him with great affection , and welcomed him home , calling him magnus , that is great , and commanded all that were present to give him that name also . after this pompey required the honour of a triumph , which sylla opposed , affirming that this honour should be granted to none but to such as had been consuls , or at least praetors : he told him also , that if he should stand for it he would oppose him . pompey was not discouraged herewith , but boldly told him , that all men did honour , not the setting , but the rising sun. sylla heard not well what he said , and therefore enquired , and when it was told him , he wondred at the confidence of so young a man , and cryed out twice , let him then triumph on gods name . yet many were offended at it , but pompey to anger them more , would be brought in his triumphant chariot drawn by four elephants , many of which beasts he had taken from the kings , and princes whom he had subdued : howbeit the city gates being to narrow for them , he was faign to leave his elephants , and to be drawn in with horses . now his souldiers that had not all they looked for , nor that was promised to them , sought to hinder his triumph , which being reported to him , he said . that he would rather lose all his preparations , than be forced to flatter them : he might have been made a senator if he had sought after it , but in that he did not , being so young , it pleased the people exceedingly , especially when after his triumph they saw him still amongst the roman knights : on the other side sylla was much vexed to see him come so fast forward , and so soon to rise to so great credit : yet being ashamed to hinder him , he suppressed it , till pompey , contrary to his mind , brought in lepidus to be consul , through the good will of the people that furthered his desire . hereupon sylla seeing pompey returning cross the market place after the election , with a great train of followers , he said to him , o young man ! i see thou art glad of this victory , and so thou hast cause : for questionless it s a brave thing that through the favour of the people thou hast brought in lepidus ( the vilest person of all other ) to be consul , before catulus the honestest man in the city : but let me advise thee to look well to thy self , for thou hast advanced one that will be a dangerous enemy to thee . sylla also discovered his ill will to pompey , in that when he made his will , he gave legacies to every one of his friends , and left pompey wholly out : yet did pompey take it well enough , and whereas lepidus , with some others , after sylla's death , would have kept his body from being buried in the field of mars , and from funeral solemnities , pompey prevailed to bury him honourably . shortly after sylla's death , his prophecy to pompey concerning lepidus proved true ; for lepidus openly usurping the power which sylla had , raised an army of those of marius his faction , whom sylla had hitherto suppressed , which put pompey upon his best skill , and experience ; for which end he presently took part with the nobility , and the honester part of the people , by whom he was imployed to raise an army against lepidus , who had already the greatest part of italy , and by the help of brutus , kept gaul on this side the mountains : the rest , pompey easily subjected to himself , only he was somewhat long in besieging brutus in modena . during which time , lepidus brought his army to the gates of rome , demanding his second consulship , which much affrighted the people : but they were soon comforted by a letter which pompey sent , wherein he informed them that he had ended his wars without bloodshed . for brutus had yielded himself to pompey who had slain him . shortly after , lepidus was driven out of italy into sardinia , where he fell sick , and died . at this time sertorius was in spain , who kept the romans in great awe , being a valiant captain , and one to whom all the fugitives resorted . he had already overthrown many inferiour captains , and was now grapling with metellus pius , who in his youth had been a noble souldier , but now being old , and too wary , he neglected many opportunities , which sertorius , by his dexterity took out of his hands . hereupon pompey keeping his army together , endeavoured , by the help of his friends , to be sent into spain , as an assistant to metellus : and at last , by the endeavour of lucius philippicus , he obtained the government of that country . when pompey was arrived in spain , sertorius gave out bitter jeers against him , saying , that he would use no other weapons against the young boy but rods : and that , if he were not afraid of the old woman , meaning metellus , much less was he afraid of him . yet for all these brags , he stood better upon his guard , and went stronger to fight than he did before , being afraid of pompey . in this war the success was very various , yet nothing grieved pompey more than sertorius his winning the city lauron . yet shortly after in a set battel , near the city of valentia , he slew herennius , and perpena , both gallant souldiers , and lieutenants to sertorius , with ten thousand of their men . this victory so encouraged pompey , that he hasted to fight with sertorius himself before metellus came to him , that he might have the sole glory of the conquest . so they both met by the river of sucron in the evening , both fearing the comming of metellus , the one that he might fight alone , the other that he might fight with one alone . but when it came to trial , the victory fell out doubtful , for either of their wings had the upper hand : sertorius wa● great honour in this battel , bearing all before him wheresoever he went : and pompey encountering a great man at armes , cut off one of his hands , yet he escaped by turning up his horse with very rich caparisons amongst pompey's followers , and whilst they were contending about the horse , he escaped . the next morning very early , both the generals brought their armies again into the field , to confirm the victory , which either of them supposed that he had gotten : but metellus , coming to pompey at that present , sertorius retreated , and dispersed his army . pompey going to meet metellus ; when they came near , he commanded his sergeants , and officers to put down their bundles of rods , and axes which they carried before him , to honour metellus the more , being a better man than himself : but metellus would not suffer it , but in every thing made pompey his equal , only when they camped together , metellus gave the watch word to all the army . sertorius with a running army , cut them short of victuals , spoiling the country , and keeping the sea-side , so that they were forced to divide themselves and to go into other places for provision . pompey in the mean time having spent most of his estate in this war , sent to rome for mony to pay his souldiers , threatning that if they would send him no money , he would return with his army into italy . lucullus being now consul , though he was pompey's enemy , yet procured the money for him , that himself might the better prevail to be sent against king methridates : for he feared that if pompey returned into italy , he would procure to have that imployment . in the men time sertorius died , and perpenna , who was chiefest man about him , supplied his room . but though he had the same army , the same means , and the same power , yet had he not the same wit , and skill to use it . pompey therefore marching directly against him , quickly discovered his insufficiency , and laid a bait for him , sending ten troops to prey in the fields , commanding them to disperse themselves abroad , which accordingly they did , and perpenna , took the opportunity , and charged upon them , and had them in chase , but pompey tarrying for them at a foord , was ready with his army in good order , gave them battel , and obtained the victory , and thus ended all the war : for most of the captains were slain , and perpenna himself taken prisoner , whom he presently put to death . perpenna shewed to pompey letters from the greatest noblemen of rome , who were desirous of change of government , willing him to return into italy . but pompey fearing that they might occasion great commotions in rome , put perpenna presently to death , and burned all the writings , not so much as reading any one of them . pompey after this , remained in spain till he had pacified all tumults , and then went with his army back into italy , and arrived just when the war of the bondmen and fencers , led by spartacus , was in the greatest fury . upon pompey's coming , crassus being sent general against them , made hast to give them battel , wherein he overcame them and slew twelve thousand and three hundred of these fugitive slaves . yet fortune intending to give pompey some part of the honour , five thousand of these bondmen , who escaped from the battel , fell into his hands , whom he overcame , and wrote to the senate at rome , that perpenna had overcome the fencers in battel , and that he had plucked up this war by the roots . the romans receiving these letters , were very glad of the news for the love which they bore to him . yet for all the great honour and love they did bear to him , they suspected , and were afraid of him , because he did not disband his army , fearing that he would follow sylla's steps , and rule over them by force : hereupon as many went forth to meet him out of fear , as out of good will. but when he told them , that he would disband his army so soon as he had triumphed , then his ill-willers could blame him for nothing , but that he inclined more to the people than to the nobles ; and because he desired to restore the tribuneship to the people , which sylla had put down . indeed the common people at rome never longed for any thing more than they did to see the office of the tribunes set up again : and pompey was very glad that he had such an opportunity , thereby to ingratiate himself with them , and to requite the love which they had shewed to him . this was the second triumph , and the first consulship which the senate decreed to pompey , which made him neither the greater , nor the better man , yet was it such an honour , as crassus ( the richest , greatest , and eloquentest man in rome ) durst not demand before he had requested pompey's good will therein : and truely pompey was very glad of the request , having of a long time sought an opportunity whereby to gratifie him , and therefore he made earnest suit to the people for him , assuring them that he would as much thank them for making crassus his fellow-consul , and colleage , as he would for making himself consul . yet when pompey had obtained his request , and they were both created consuls , they were in all things contrary one to the other , and never agreed in any one thing whilst they ruled together : crassus had the more authority with the senate , and pompey with the people : for he restored to them the office of tribunes , and passed by edict , that the knights of rome should have power again to judge in causes both civil and criminal . this wonderfully pleased the people , when himself came in person to the censors , and pray'd that he might be dispensed with for going into the wars . at this time gellius and lentulus were the censors , who being honourably set in their tribunal seats , taking a view of all the roman knights that mustered before them , they marvelled when they saw pompey comming , with all the ensigns of a consul born before him , and himself ( as other knights did ) leading his horse by the bridle : and when he came near , he commanded the sergeants that carried the axes before him , to make room for him to pass by the barrs with his horse , where the censors sate . this made the people to flock about him , wondring and rejoycing with great silence : the censors themselves also ▪ were marvellous glad to see him so obedient to the law , and did him great reverence . then did the elder of the censors examine him thus ; pompey the great , i pray thee tell me , if thous didst serve so long in the war as the law doth appoint ? pompey answered aloud , yes verily have i done , and that under no captain but my self . the people hearing this , shouted aloud for joy , and the censors themselves came down from their seats , and accompanied pompey to his house , to please the great multitude that followed him , clapping their hands for joy . at the end of their consulship , grudges growing higher between crassus , and pompey , there was one gaius aurelius , a knight , who till then had never spoken in the publick assembly : he getting up into the pulpit for orations , told the people openly , that that night jupiter had appeared to him , and commanded him to tell both the consuls from him , that they should not leave their office before they were reconciled together : yet for all this pompey stirred not : but crassus took him by the hand , and spake thus before the people ; my lords ! i think it no dishonour to me to give place to pompey , sith you your selves have thought him worthy to be called the great , befor he had any hair on his face , and to whom you granted the honour of two triumphs before he came to be a senator . having thus spoken , they were reconciled together , and so gave up thier office. crassus after this , retired to his former manner of life , and pompey , as much as he could , avoided pleading mens causes in publick , and by degrees withdrew himself from frequenting the market-place , and came seldom abroad , but when he did , he had always a great train following him . it was a rare thing to see him to be familiar with any one , or to come abroad but with a great company of attendants . the power of the pirats upon the seas began in cilicia , of which at first there was no great account made , till they grew bold and venturous in king methridates wars , being hired to serve him : and when the romans engaged in civil wars at home , they neglected looking after them , which made them more audacious . for they did not only rob and spoil all merchants by sea , but plundred islands , and citics upon the sea-coast , insomuch as men of great nobility , and wealth joyned with them , and they set up store-houses in divers places , and had beacons to give warning by fire all along the sea-coasts , which were well watched : they had also great fleets of ships well furnished , with excellent galliots , skilful pilots , and marriners : their ships were swift of sail , and pinnaces for discovery . all the sea-coast over there was musick , singing , and rioting amongst them : prizes were daily brought in , persons of quality taken prisoners , and put to great ransom . their ships were a thousand in number , and they had taken four hundred towns. they had spoiled and destroyed many temples that had never heen profained before . they had many strange sacrifices and ceremonies of religion amongst them , and besides all other insolences and injuries whcih they did the romans by sea , they often went on land , and plundred and destroyed their country houses ; and once they took two roman praetors in their purple robes , with their sergeants and officers , and carried them quite away . at another time they surprised the daughter of antonius ( a man that had the honour of a triumph ) as she was vvalking in the fields , and put her to a great ransom . and further to dispite the romans , when they had taken any of them , and they told them that they were citizens of rome , they would cloath them like romans , and putting out the ship-ladder they vvould bid them be gon to rome , and if they refused they vvould throw them overboard , and drown them . these pirats had all the mediterranean seas at their command , that a merchant durst scarce look out , or traffick any whether . this moved the romans ( fearing a famine by their means ) to send pompey to recove● the dominion of the seas from them . the first man that moved that pompey might not only be made admiral at sea , but have absolute power to command all persons whatsoever without giving any account of his doings , was gabinius , pompey's friend : which was done accordingly , and absolute authority was given unto him , not only of the seas , but for the space of four hundred furlongs from the sea , within which compass were many great nations , and mighty kings . it gave him power also to choose out of the senate fifteen lieutenants , and to give to every one of them several provinces in charge , and also to take mony out of the treasury to defray the charges of a fleet of two hundred sail , with full power besides to leavy what men of war he thought good , and as many galliots , and marriners as he pleased . this law was confirmed by the people . yet the nobility , and chief senators thought that this authority did exceed , not only all envy , but that it gave them apparent cause of fear to give such unlimited power to a single person : whereupon they were all against it but caesar , who promoted it , not so much to favour pompey , as to ingratiate himself with the people , but the noblemen fell out with pompey , and one of the consuls was very hot with him , told him that he sought to follow romulus his steps , but peradventure he would come short of that end he made : this so provoked the people that they had thought to have killed him : but catulus , a worthy man , spake also against this edict , yet spake much in the praise of pompey , and in conclusion , advised the people not to adventure a man of so great account in such dangerous wars ; for ( said he ) if you chance to lose him , whom have ye then to put in his place ? the people cryed out , your self . after this , seeing how the people were bent , he spake on more . next after him rosoius would have perswaded them to have sent another with pompey as his colleague , but the people made such an outcry against him , that a crow flying over the market place fell to the ground . upon the day when the decree was to be fully passed , pompey went forth of the city , and when he understood that it was confirmed , he returned the same night privately , to avoid the envy they would have born him if the people should have flocked in multitudes to have waited on him home . the next morning he came abroad , and sacrificed to the gods , and audience being given him in a publick meeting , he so handled the matter that they much inlarged his power , almost doubling the preparations , which were at first decreed to him . for it was ordained that he should have five hundred ships , one hundred and twenty thousand footmen , and five thousand horsemen . he chose also twenty four senators , all of them having been generals of armies , and two general treasurers . whilest these things were preparing , the price of victuals fell , which rejoyced the people much , and they said openly , that the very name of pompey had almost ended the war already . pompey divided all the sea into thirteen divisions , and in each of them he appointed a certain number of ships , and a lieutenant over each of them : and by thus dispersing his navy all abroad , he brought all the pirats ships that were in a fleet within his danger , and when he had taken them , he brought them all into an harbour . but such of them as could escape , fled into cilicia , as the surest place of retreat : these pompey would needs follow in his own person with sixty of his best ships : yet went he not till he had scowred the tuscan seas , with the coast of libia , sardinia , sicily , and corsica , of all those thieves that had wont to keep thereabouts , and this he did within the space of forty days , taking infinite pains , both himself and his lieutenants . piso , one of the consuls , did all he could to hinder pompey's preparations , and supplies o●●men , out of envy to his prosperity . pompey being informed of it , sent his ships to brundusium , himself in the mean time passing through tuscany came to rome ; where so soon as his coming was known , the people ran out to meet him , as if he had been a long time absent ; and that which made them more joyful was , that now victuals came in freely out of all parts , the seas being cleared from pirates . pompey could have had piso put out of his consulship , but would not . so having setled all things in quiet according to his desire , he hasted to his navy at brundusium , and hoising sail , passed to athens , where he landed and sacrificed to the gods , and so returned to his ships . at his going out of the city there were two writings in his praise affixed to the gate . that within was this , the humbler that thou dost thy self as man behave , the more thou dost deserve the name of god to have . that on the outside of the gate was this , we wisht for thee , we wait for thee , we worship thee , we wait on thee . now pompey having taken many of these pirots , upon their submission spared their lives , which so encouraged the rest , that flying from his captains , and lieutenants , they came and delivered up themselves with their wives and children into his hands . pompey pardoned all that thus came to him , and by that means came to have knowledg of the rest , whom he pursued , and in the end took . the most and richest of them had convaied their wives , children and goods into strong castles and towns upon mount taurus , and they that were fit for service , imbarked , and lay before a city of corasesium , where they tarried for pompey , and gave him battel by sea , and after endured a siege by land : yet after a while , they besought him to receive them to mercy , yielding themselves , their towns , and islands , which they had strongly fortified , into his hands . thus was this war ended , and all the pirats , within less than three months space , driven out of the seas . pompey won also a great number of ships , and ninety gallies armed with copper spurs . as for those whom he had taken ( who were in number about twenty thousand lusty men and good souldiers ) he would not put them to death , but planted them in inland countries in certain small towns of the cilicians , that were scarce inhabited , who were very glad of them and gave them lands to maintain them : and whereas the city of the solians had not long before been destroyed by tygranes , king of armenia , he replenished it again by placing many of them there . he bestowed others of them in the city of dyma in the country of achaia , which lacked inhabitants , and had great store of good land belonging to it , though many of his enemies greatly blamed him for it . before pompey was chosen general against the pirats , young metellus was sent praetor into creet , who finding it to be a den of these thieves , he took many of them , and put them to death : the rest that escaped , being straightly besieged by him , sent unto pompey , craving pardon , and desiring him to receive them to mercy : pompey accordingly pardoned them , and wrote to metellus , requiring him to give over that war , commanding the cities also that they should not obey metellus . he sent also lucius octavius , one of his lieutenants , who entered into the towns besieged by metellus , and sought against him in the behalf of the pirats . this act of pompey procured him much ill will , for that he fought for the common enemies of the world , who had neither god nor law , and that only to deprive a roman praetor of his triumph , who had done such good service against them . yet metellus left not off his wars for pompey's letters , but having taken the pirats , he put them to death . when the news came to rome that the piratick war was ended , and that pompey had no more to do , but to go from city to city to visit them , one manlius a tribune of the people , brought in another law , that pompey , taking the army from lucullus , and all the provinces under his government , with all bythinia , which glabrio kept , should go and war upon tygranes , and methridates ; and yet reserve in his hands all his jurisdiction , and army by sea in as royal a manner as he had it before , which was to make him an absolute monarch over all the roman empire . the senate stuck not so much at the injury offered to lucullus , depriving him of the honour of his doings , and giving it to another , but that which most grived them was , to see pompey's power established into a plain tyranny : hereupon they encouraged one another to oppose it to the uttermost : yet when the day came for the passing of this law , they all drew back for fear of angring the people , and none durst oppose it : only catulus inveied against it a long time together : but say what he could , the decree passed by the voices of the tribes . and thus was pompey in his absence , made lord of all that which sylla , with much effusion of blood had attained to with great difficulty . when pompey by letters from rome was informed what law the people had past in his behalf , he seemed to be much grieved that such great offices , and charges should be laid upon him one in the neck of another , and clapping his hands on his thigh , he said , o gods ! shall i never see an end of these troubles ? had it not been better for me to have been a mean man , and unknown , than thus continually to be ingaged in war ? what! shall i never see the time , that breaking the neck of spite , and envy against me , i may yet once in my life live quietly at hone in my country with my wife and children . his friends that were about him were much displeased with this his deep dissimulation , knowing that his ambitious desire to rule , made him glad at heart to be thus imployed , the rather because of the contention between him and lucullus , which his deeds forthwith discovered . hereupon he sent forth his preceps into all quarters , requiring all souldiers immediately to repare to him , and caused all the kings , and princes within his jurisdiction to attend him , and so , going through all the countries , he changed all that lucullus had before established , he also released the penalties that were imposed upon them , and took from them all the favours that lucullus had granted them . lucullus finding himself so hardly dealt with , friends on both sides mediated a meeting betwixt them , that they might talk together , and accordingly they met in galatia , having their sergeants , and officers with rods wreathed about vvith lawrel carried before them , vvhich shevved that pompey came to take lucullus's honour from him . indeed lucullus had been consul before pompey , and was the older man , yet pompey exceeded him in dignity having triumphed twice . at their first meeting they discoursed very courteously , each commending the others deeds , and each rejoycing at the others good success : but at parting they fell to hot words ; pompey upbraiding lucullus's covetousness , and lucullus pompey's ambition , so that their friends had much ado to part them . lucullus when he was gone , divided the lands in galatia which he had conquered , and bestowed other gifts upon them . pompey on the other side , camping hard by him , commanded the people every where not to obey him : he took his souldiers also from him , leaving him only sixteen hundred , choosing out such as he thought would do him small service . he blemished his glory also , telling every one that lucullus had fought only with the shadow and pomp of those two kings , and that he had left him to fight with all their force , and power . lucullus on the other side said , that pompey went only to fight with such as himself had subdued , and that he sought the honour of triumph over armenia and pontus , as he had formerly practised to triumph for overcoming a few slaves and fugitives . lucullus being now gone , pompey sent strong garrisons into all the sea coast from phoenicia to the bosphorus , and then marched towards methridates , who had in his camp thirty thousand footmen , and two thousand horsemen , yet durst he not fight , but encamped upon an high mountain till he was forced to leave it for lack of water . he was no sooner gone but pompey seized upon the place , and setting his souldiers to dig , he found water enough for all his army . then he encamped round about methridates besieging him in his own camp : methridates endured it forty five days , and then slaying all the sick and impotent in his camp , with the choise of his army he escaped by night . another time pompey found him by the river euphrates , and lodged hard by him : methridates prepared , suspecting that pompey would that night storm his camp ; but pompey thought it not safe to fight in the dark , and therefore resolved rather to encompass him that he might not fly , and to fight him in the morning : but pompey's old captains would needs fight presently , which pompey at last consented to , and the romans ran upon them with great cries , which so affrighted their enemies , that they presently turned their backs and fled , so that the romans slew ten thousand of them , and took their camp. methridates himself with eight hundred horse-men , made a lane through the romans and so escaped : yet as soon as they were passed , his men dispersed , some one way , some another , that himself was left but with three persons only , whereof hypsicratea , a manlike woman was one , who never left him , but always looked to his horse , being armed after the persian manner , till he came to a strong castle called inora , where was store of gold , and silver , and the kings chiefest treasure . here methridates divided all his richest apparel amongst his friends , and to each of them a mortal poyson to carry about them , whereby they might prevent falling into their enemies hands alive . pompey built a city in the place where he gained this victory betwixt the rivers of euphrates , and araxes , situate in armenia the less , which he called nicopolis . this city he gave by the consent of his souldiers , to such of them as were old , lame , sick , wounded , or disbanded : to whom many of the neighbours afterwards repairing , the nicopolitans lived after the manner of the cappadocians . from hence methridates had intended to have gone into armenia , but king tigranes prohibited it , and promised an hundred tallents to him that could kill him : passing therefore by the head of euphrates , he fled through the country of colchide : in the mean time pompey invaded armenia , being solicited thereto by tigranes the younger , who rebelled against his father , and met pompey at the river of araxes , which falleth into the caspian sea. then did pompey and he march forward , taking in such towns as yielded unto them . tigranes , who had been much weakned by lucullus , understanding that pompey was of a mild and gentle nature , he put his souldiers into garrisons , and himself with his friends , and kinsman went to meet pompey . when he came near his camp , being on horseback , there came two sergeants to him commanding him to alight , which he did accordingly , and put off his sword and gave it them , and when he came before pompey he shamefully fell upon the ground , and imbraced his knees ; but pompey took him by the hand , raised him up , and made him sit down by him on the one side , and his son on the other , saying to them both , as for your former losses you may thank lucullus for them , who hath taken from you syria , phoenicia , cilicia , galatia , and sophena , but for what you have left till my coming , you shall enjoy it , paying to the romans six thousand tallents , for the wrong you have done them : provided also that your son shall have sophena for his part . tigranes accepted of the conditions , whereupon the romans saluted him king , and he gave great sums of money amongst the army : but his son was much discontented , and when pompey sent for him to come to sup with him , he refused , wherefore pompey imprisoned him , and kept him to be led in his triumph at rome . shortly after phraates , king of parthia , sent ambassadors to desire this young prince who was his son in law , and to tell pompey that euphrates must be the uttermost bounds of his conquest . pompey answered , that tygranes had more right to his son than phraates , and as for limiting his borders , he would do it with justice . so leaving afranius to keep armenia , he passed by other nations that inhabited about the mountain of caucasus , having methridates in chase . two of the chiefest of these nations were the iberians , and the albanians , near to the caspian sea. these , upon his request , suffered him to pass through their countries . but winter hasting on apace , these barbarous people raised an army of fourty thousand fighting men , and passed over the river of cyrnus . pompey could have hindred their passage , but yet let them come over , and then fought with them , and overcame them , and slew multitudes of them in the field , whereupon they submitted , and made peace with him . then pompey went against the iberians , who took part with methridates . they were more and better souldiers than the albanians : they were never subject to the medes , and persians , nor to alexander the great . these pompey overcame also in a bloody fight , and slew nine thousand of them , and took ten thousand prisoners . from thence he went into the country of colchide , where servilius met him by the river of phasis ▪ with his fleet with which he kept the pontick sea : he found it a hard work to pursue methridates any further , who had hid himself amongst a people that bordered upon the lake of maeotis . he heard also that the albanians had rebelled , wherefore he went back to be revenged on them , passing over the river of cyrnus again , yet with much difficulty , because the barbarous people had made a defence on the further side , by felling , and laying many trees across all along the bank of the river : and when he was got over , he was to travel through a dry country a great way before he came to any water , whereupon he caused ten thousand goats skins to be filled with water , and so marched over it . at the river abas he met with his enemies , who had now an army of one hundred and twenty thousand footmen , and ten thousand horsemen , but armed only in beast skins . there general was cosis , the kings brother . in the battel this cosis flew upon pompey , and throwing a dart at him , wounded him in the flank ; but pompey ran him through with a lance and slew him . some say that some amazons assisted this people against pompey . after this battel pompey going back to invade the country of hyrcania , as far as the caspian sea , was forced to retreat by reason of an infinite number of deadly serpents that he met withal , wherefore he went back into armenia the less , to which place he had many rich presents sent him from the kings of the elymians , and the medes , to whom he returned courteous answers . yet he sent afranius with part of his army , against the king of parthia , who had much harrased and plundred the country of tygranes , and he drave him out . at this time the concubines of methridates were brought to him , but he would not touch any one of them , but sent them all home again to their parents , and friends , being most of them the daughters of princes , and other noble captains , only stratonice whom methridates loved above all the rest , with whom he had left the custody of his castle where lay all his treasures of gold and silver , was but a singers daughter . she delivered the castle into pompey's hands , and besides , offered him rich and goodly presents , all which he refused , saving such as might serve to adorn the temples of the gods , and that might beautifie his triumph , leaving the rest to stratonice to dispose of as she pleased . the king also of the iberians sent him a bedstead , table , and chair , all of pure gold , praying him to accept it as a token of his love , he delivered them into the treasurers hands to be accountable for them to the state. from hence pompey went to the city of amisus , where he did such things as he had before condemned in lucullus , taking upon him to establish laws , to give gifts , and to distribute such honours , as victorious generals used to do when they had ended all their wars . and this he did to gratifie twelve barbarous kings , and princes , and captains that came to him thither . writing also to the king of parthia , he gave him not that title which others used to do , who stiled him king of kings . he had also a wonderful desire to win syria , and to pass through arabia even to the red sea , that he might enlarge his victories every way , even to the great ocean . as he did when he conquered lybia , and in spain had enlarged the roman empire to the atlantick sea ; and in pursuit of the albanians he went almost to the hyrcanian sea. as he passed on towards the red sea , he commanded his souldiers , with a sufficient number of ships to wait for the merchants that sailed to bosphorus ; and to seize upon the victuals , and other merchandize that they carried thither : and so passing on with the greatest part of his army , he came to the place where he found the bodies of the romans that were slain by methridates under their captain trierius , which he caused to be honourably buried , which thing lucullus had neglected to do , which made his souldiers hate him . pompey having now by afranius conquered the albanians dwelling about mount amanus , he marched into syria , and conquered it , making it a roman province : he conquered also all judaea , where he took king aristobulus : he built certain cities there , and delivered others from bondage , sharply punishing the tyrants in them . he also spent much of his time there , in deciding controversies , and in pacifying the contentions which fell out betwixt free cities , princes , and kings . and truly if pompey's fame , and renown was great , so was his vertue , justice , and liberality , which covered many faults which his familiar friends about him did commit . for he was of such a gentle nature , that he could neither keep them from offending , nor punish them when they had offended . whilst pompey was in judaea , being angry with aristobulus , he marched against him , hyrcanus ( the brother of aristobulus , who contended with him for the kingdom ) provoking him thereunto . pompey understanding that aristobulus was fled into alexandrion , a strong and stately castle , seated upon a high hill , he sent and summoned him to come unto him , and aristobulus being advised not to make war against the romans , he came to pompey : and after he had debated his title to the kingdom , with his brother hyrcanus , by pompey's permission he retired into the castle again . this he did two or three times , always flattering pompey out of hope to prevail in his suit . yet pompey required that he should deliver up his castles into his hands , which he was fain to do , though he was much discontentedat it , and therefore he went to jerusalem with a purpose to prepare for war. pompey not thinking it fit to give him any time for preparation , followed him immediately , and first encamped at jericho , where were most excellent dates , and balsom , the most precious of all other ointments , and from thence he marched towards jerusalem . aristobulus repenting what he had done , came and met him , promising him mony , and that he would yield up , both himself and the city in a peacable way . pompey pardoned him , and sent gabinius with a party of souldiers to receive the mony : yet were they faign to return without it : for aristobulus's souldiers would not stand to what he had promised . pompey being much provoked hereby committed aristobulus into custody , and presently marched against jerusalem . the citizens being at this time divided amongst themselves , they that stood for hyrcanus were willing to open the gates to pompey : but the faction of aristobulus refused , and prepared for war , becausey pompey kept their king prisoner : and accordingly they seized upon the temple , and cut down the bridg which led into the city . hyrcanus and his friends , let in the army , and delivered over to them , both the city , and the kings pallace , the custody of both which , pompey committed to piso , who fortified the houses and buildings that were neer the temple , first offering to the besieged conditions of peace , and when they refused , he prepared to give a general assault , being assisted by hyrcanus with all things needful . on the north side of the city pompey encamped , which was the easiest to be assaulted : yet were there high towers , and a deep ditch made with hands , besides a deep valley which begirt the temple , and towards the city , the place was very steep when the bridg was taken away . to overcome these difficulties , the romans raised mounts , cutting down trees round about , and filling up the trench with materials which the souldies brought . this work proved very difficult , considering the vast depth of the trench , and the resistance of the jews , made from above . but when pompey observed that the jews rested every seventh day ( for though they would defend themselves from an assailing enemy , yet they held it unlawful on that day to hinder any work that the enemy did ) he chose those days especially wherein to carry on his work : so that in time the trench was filled , and the tower fitted upon the mount , and the engins planted , which shot huge stones wherewith they battered the temple , yet was it long before those strong and stately towers yielded to the assaults of the besiegers . the romans being much tired , pompey wondered at the obstinacy of the jews , especially considering that all this while they never intermitted their daily sacrifices , which the priests every morning and evening offered upon the altar , not omitting the same in their greatest extremities . in the third month of the siege , the greatest tower , being shaken by the battering rams , at last fell , and brake down a great piece of the wall , at which breach many of the romans rushed into the temple . these running up and down , while some of the jews sought to hide themselves , and others made small resistance , slew them all . many of the priests , though they saw the enemies rushing in with their drawn swords , yet being nothing at all dismaied , continued their sacrifices and were slain at the very altar , preferring the duty which they owed to their religion before their own lives . all places were full of slaughters . some of the jews were slain by the romans , others by their own countrymen that were of the contrary faction . many threw themselves down headlong from the rocks : others setting their houses on fire , burnt themselves , not enduring to behold those things that were done by the enemy . here fell twelve thousand of the jews , whereas of the romans there were but few slain , though many wounded . amongst the captives that were taken , was absolon , the uncle and father in law of aristobulus , the son of john hyrcanus . upon the same day and in the same month was the temple taken by pompey , as it had been taken by nebuchadnezzar five hundred and forty three years before : and it fell out also to be on their sabbath , about the twenty eight day of our december , pompey , entered into the temple , and many others with him , and there beheld those things which were not lawful to be seen by any , but the high priests only . and whereas there were in the temple , the table and candlesticks with the lamps , all vessels for sacrifice , and the censers all of pure gold , and a huge heap of spices , and in the treasuries of sacred mony above two thousand talents , yet pompey medled not with any of these , but the next day he commanded them which had the charge of the temple , to purifie , and cleanse it , and to offer their solemn sacrifices unto god. pompey then restored the high priesthood to hyrcanus , both because he had shewed himself so forward all the time of the siege , as also for that he hindred the jews that were in all the country from joyning with aristobulus : and together with the priesthood he gave him the principality also , only forbidding him to wear a crown . then did he put to death those that were the chiefest cause of the war , and made the jews tributaries to the romans and the cities which they had formerly conquered in caelosyria , he took from them , commanding them to obey their own governours : and the whole nation of the jews , formerly advanced through prosperity , he contracted within their ancient bounds . the king of the arabians that dwelt at the castle of petra , that never before made any account of the romans , was now greatly afraid , and wrote to pompey that he was at his devotion to do what he commanded . pompey to try him , brought his army before his castle of petra , and lodged them for that day , and fell to riding , and mannaging his horse up and down the camp : in the mean time posts came riding from the realm of pontus with letters of good news , as appeared by their javelins wreathed about with lawrel : the souldiers seeing that , flocked about the place to hear the news , but pompey would make an end of his riding before he would read the letters , whereupon many cryed to him to alight , which he did : but then he wanted a high place to stand upon , and the souldiers were so impatient to hear the news that they would not stay to make one , they heaped saddles one upon another , and pompey getting up upon them , told them , that methridates was dead , having killed himself because his son pharnaces rebelled against him , and had wan all which his father possessed , writing to him that he kept it for himself and the romans . upon this news all the camp rejoyced wonderfully , and sacrificed to the gods with great mirth . pompey finding this troublesome war to be so easily ended , presently left arabia , and by speedy marches he came to the city of amisus . there he met with great presents which were sent him from pharnaces , and many dead bodies of the kings kindred , and the body of methridates himself , who was known by certain scars in his face . pompey would by no means see him , but to avoid envy he sent him away to the city of sinope . he much wondered at his rich apparel , and weapons : the scabbard of his sword cost four hundred talents : his hat also was of wondrous workmanship . pompey having here ordered all things according to his mind , he went homewards with great pomp and glory . coming to mytylene , he eased the city of all taxes for theophanes his sake , and was present at certain plays , the subjects whereof were the great acts of pompey he so liked the theater where these plays were made , that he drew a moddle of it to make a statelier than it in rome . as he passed by the city of rhodes , he heard the rhetoricians dispute , and gave each of them a talent . the like he did at athens unto the philosophers there , and towards the beautifying of the city he gave them fifty talents . at his return into italy he expected to have been received very honourably , and longed to see his wife , and children , thinking also that they longed as much to see him : but god so ordered it , that in his own house he met with occasion of sorrow : for his wife mutia in his absence had played the harlot . yet whilst he was a far off , he made no account of the reports which were made to him of her : but when he drew neer to italy , he was more attentive to them , whereupon he sent her word he would own her no more for his wife . there were also rumours spread abroad in rome which much troubled him ; it being given out that he would bring his army strait to rome , and make himself absolute lord of the empire . crassus hereupon , to give more credit to the report , and to procure the greater envy against pompey , conveyed himself , family , and goods out of rome . but when pompey came to italy , calling his souldiers together , he made an oration to them as the time and occasion required , and then commanded them to disband , and every one to return to his own home , and to follow his business till the time of his triumph . as he passed , such was the love of the people to him , that multitudes of them accompanied him to rome whether he would or no , and that with a greater power than he brought with him into italy , so that if he had been disposed to have made innovation , he needed not the assistance of his army therein . at this time there was a law that no man should enter into rome before his triumph , wherefore pompey sent to the senate , requesting them to defer the choise of consuls for a few days , that he might further piso , who sued for the consulship that year : but through caetoes means they denyed his request . pompey marvelling to hear of his boldness and free speech , was very desirous to make him his friend . so cato having two neeces , he desired to marry one himself , and to have the other for his son ; but cato flatly denied him , though his wife , and sister were angry that he refused to make alliance with pompey the great . after this , pompey being desirous to prefer afranius to be consul , he caused mony to be given to the tribes of the people , which being reported abroad , made every man speak evil of him , as having put the consulship to sale for money , whereas himself had purchased it by his noble and valiant deeds . the time for his triumph being come , the stateliness , and magnificence was such , that though he had two days to shew it , yet lacked he time to produce all . for there were many things prepared for the shew which were not seen , and would have set forth another triumph . first the tables were carried wherein were written the names of the nations for which he triumphed : as the kingdoms of pontus , armenia , cappadocia , paphlagonia , media , colchis , iberia , albania , syria , cilicia , and mesopotamia : as also the people that dwell in phoenicia , palestina , judaea , and arabia : and all the pirats that he had overcome by sea , and land. in all these countries he had taken a thousand castles , and neer nine hundred towns , and cities . of pirats ships eight hundred . moreover he had replenished with inhabitants thirty nine desolate towns. these tables also declared , that the revenue of rome , before these his conquests , arose but to five thousand myriads , but now he had improved them to eight thousand , and five hundred myriads . besides , he now brought into the treasury to the value of twenty thousand talents in silver , gold , plate , and jewels , besides what had been distributed already among the souldiers , of which he that had least , had fifteen hundred drachma's for his share . the prisoners that were led in this triumph , were the son of tygranes , king of armenia , with his wife , and daughter : the wife of king tygranes himself , called zozime : aristobulus king of judaea . the sister of methridates , with her five sons : and some ladies of scythia . the hostages of the iberians and albanians , as also the kings of the commagenians : besides a great number of marks of triumph which himself and his lieutenants had won in several battels . but the greatest honour that ever he wan , and which no other of the consuls ever attained to , was , that his three triumphs were of the three parts of the world , to wit , his first of africk : his second of europe : and his third asia ; and all this before he was forty yeards old . but from this time forward pompey began to decline , till ( with his life ) he had lost all his honour . lucullus at his return out of asia , was well received by the senate , and much more after pompey was come to rome . for the senate cncouraged him to deal in affairs of state , being of himself slow , and much given to his ease and pleasure , because of his great riches . so when pompey was come , he began to speak against him , and through catoes assistance , gat all things confirmed which he had done in asia , and which had been undone by pompey . pompey , having such an afront put upon him by the senate , had recourse to the tribunes of the people , the vilest of whom was clodius , who closed with him , and had pompey ever at his elbow , ready to second what motion soever he had to make to the people : he also desired pompey to forsake cicero , his ancient friend , but clodius his utter enemy . by this means cicero was brought into danger , and when he required pompey's assistance , he shut the door against him , and went out at a back-door ; whereupon cicero was forced to forsake rome . at this time julius caesar returning from his praetorship out of spain , laid such a plot as quickly brought himself into favour , but tended to the ruin of pompey . he was now to sue for his first consulship , and considering the enmity between pompey and crassus , he considered that if he joyned with one , he made the other his enemy , he therefore made them friends , which indeed undid the commonwealth . for by this means caesar was chosen consul , who strait fell to flattering of the people , and made laws for their advantage , distributing to them lands , which embased the majesty of the chief majestrate , and made a consulship no better than the tribuneship of the people . bibulus , his fellow consul , opposed him what he could , and cato also , till caesar brought pompey into the pulpit for orations , where he asked him whether he consented to the decree which he had set forth ? pompey answered that he did : und that he would defend it with the sword. this gat him much ill will. not many days after , pompey married julia the daughter of caesar , formerly betrothed to servilius caepio : and to pacifie caepio , pompey gave him his own daughter in marriage , whom yet he had promised to faustus , the son of sylla . caesar also married calphurnia , the daughter of piso. afterwards pompey filling rame with souldiers , carried all by force . for as bibulus came to the market place accompanied with cato and lucullus , they were basely abused , and many were wounded , and when they were driven away , they passed the act for dividing of the lands as they pleased . the people being encouraged hereby , never stuck at any matter that pompey and caesar would have done . and by this means all pompey's former acts were confirmed , though lucullus opposed what he could . caesar also was appointed to the government of both gauls with four whole legions . then were chosen consuls , piso , father in law to caesar , and gabinius , pompey's great flatterer . pompey now so doted on his young wife , that he suffered himself wholly to be ruled by her , and leaving all publick affairs , he went with her to country houses , and places of pleasure , which encouraged clodius , a tribune of the people to despise him , and to enter into seditious attempts . for when he had driven cicero out of rome , and sent away cato to make war in cyprus , and caesar was occupied in gaul , finding that the people were at his beck , because he flattered them , he then attempted to undo some things that pompey had established . amongst others he took young tygranes out of prison , and carried him up and down with him , and continually picked quarrels against pompey's friends . pompey coming abroad one day to hear how a matter of his was handled , this clodius having gotten a company of desperate ruffians about him , gat up into a high place , and asked aloud , who is the most licentious captain in all the city ? they answered , pompey . and who ( said he ) is he that scratched his head with one finger ? they again answered , pompey , clapping their hands with great scorn . this went to pompey's heart , who never used to be thus abused , and he was yet more vexed , when he saw that the senate was well pleased with this his disgrace , because he had forsaken , and betrayed cicero . upon this a great uprore was made in the market place , and many were hurt , whereupon pompey would come no more abroad whilst clodius was tribune , but advised with his friends how he might ingratiate himself with the senate : they advised him to put away his wife julia , to renounce caesars friendship , and to stick again to the senate . some of these things he disliked , yet was content to call home cicero , who was clodius his mortal enemy , and in great favour with the senate . hereupon pompey brought cicero's brother into the market place to move the matter to the people , with many men about him , and they fell to blows , so that many were slain , yet he overcome clodius , and cicero was called home by the decree of the people , who also brought pompey into favour with the senate , and caused a law to be made whereby to enable pompey to bring corn to rome ; and thus by cicero's means pompey had once again power given him both by sea and land over all the roman territories . for all the havens , marts , and fairs , and all store-houses , and merchandizes , yea , and tillage , came into his hand . for this clodius accused him , saying , that the senate had made this law , not because of a dearth of victuals , but that they made a dearth that so the law might pass for restoring pompey's power , which was almost come to nothing . pompey having now full authority to cause corn to be brought to rome , he sent his friends , and lieutenants abroad , and himself went into sicily ; and when he was ready to return again , there arose such a storm , that the mariners feared to weigh their anchors ; but he commanded them to do it , saying , it s necessary that the people should have corn , but it s not necessary that i should live . thus by his prudence and courage he filled all the markets with corn , and the seas with ships , and so great plenty of provision was brought in , as fully furnished , not only rome , but all italy . about this time caesars great conquests in gaul wan him much credit . but whilst they thought him to be warring afar off , he appeared in the midst of the people at rome , and much opposed pompey in the weightiest matter of the commonwealth . for he had the power of an army which he hardened with pains , and continual exercise , not only to fight against the barbarous people , but to make himself invincible , and dreadful to the world. moreover , by that infinite quantity of gold , and silver , and other treasures that he gat from the enemy , he purchased many friends to himself , sending great presents to rome , to the aediles , praetors , consuls , and their wives ; therefore when he was come back over the alps , and wintered in the city of luca , multitudes of the people , yea , two hundred of the senate themselves , amongst whom were crassus and pompey , went out of rome unto him . all these caesar returned back again , some with store of mony , others with good words : but with pompey and crassus he agreed , that they two should sue to be consuls , and that himself would send good store of voices upon the day of election : and that if they were chosen they should get a decree of the people , that they should have some new provinces , and armies assigned to them , and withal , that they should procure his government to continue for five years longer . this plot being discovered , and spread abroad , gave great distast to honest men , and many who had intended to sue for the consulship , gave it over . only lucius domitius , being encouraged by cato , stood for it . for ( said he ) thou doest not contend for the consulship , but to defend the liberty of thy country against two tyrants . pompey fearing catoes faction , thought it not safe to let domitius come into the market place : he sent therefore armed men against him , who slew the torch-bearer that came before him , and made all the rest to flie , amongst whom cato was the last man that retired , who , whilst he defended domitius , was wounded in the elbow . thus pompey and crassus came to be consuls , wherein they carried themselves very dishonestly . for the people being about to choose cato , praetor : pompey perceiving of it , brake up the assembly , falsly alleadging that he had certain ill signs , and afterwards , corrupting the tribes , they chose antias , and vatinias , praetors , and then by trebonius , a tribune of the people , they published an edict that caesar should hold his government five years longer : unto crassus they appointed the province of syria , and to make war against the parthians . unto pompey they allotted africk and both the spains , with four whole legions , of the which , at caesars request , he sent him two , to assist him in his wars in gaul . crassus , at the going out of his consulship , departed into syria , and pompey remained in rome to dedicate the theater which he had built , where he caused many goodly plays to be made , and caused wild beasts to be baited , and hunted , amongst which , five hundred lions were killed : but the most terrible fight of all , was amongst his elephants . this he did to gratifi● the people , though to his very great cost , and he procured much love to himself thereby . but he got more envy from others by committing the government of his provinces , and legions , unto his lieutenants , whilst himself with his wife took their pleasure up and down italy . at an election of the a●diles , on a sudden there was a great hurly-burly , swords were drawn and many were slain about pompey , so that he was saign to send home his garments that were sprinkled with their blood and to fetch others . his young wife that was great with child , seeing his clothes bloody , was so frighted that she fell into a swound , that they had much ado to recover her . at another time , being with child again , she fell in labour , and died in childbirth : and as pompey was carrying her into the country to bury her neer unto the city of alba at his country house , the people took her corps , and carrying it into the field of mars , buried it there : and this they did more for caesar , than for pompey's sake . this alliance between pompey and caesar being thus broken , which rather covered than bridled their ambition to rule , there arose a new stir in rome , and every mans mouth was full of seditious words : about which time news came that crassus was overcome and slain in parthia , who was the only bar to hinder these two from civil war : for they both feared him , and therefore kept themselves quiet . yet they thought the empire of rome was too little for them . pompey thinking that caesar would not disband his army , sought to strengthen himself against him by procuring offices in the city : and when he could not procure them , the people being bribed by caesar , he left the city without a magistrate , so that there were none to command , or whom the people might obey . hereupon a rumour was spread that a dictator must be chosen , and that pompey must be the man : this cato opposed with all his power : bnt when pompey's friends excused him , saying , that he neither sought , nor would accept of it , then cato highly commended him , and pray'd him to see good order kept in the commonwealth , which accordingly he undertook . then were domitius and massala chosen consuls , but after a while one of them died , vvhereupon many vvere earnestly bent to have a dictator , and cato fearing great disorders , was willing that pompey should have some office to keep him from that vvhich was more tyrannical . bibulus a chief man in the senate , and pompey's enemy , was the first man that moved that pompey might be chosen consul alone : for ( said he ) by this means the common-vvealth shall be rid of present trouble , or it shall be in bondage to an honest man. it vvas expected that cato vvould have opposed this motion ; but rising up , he told them , that he vvould not first have made this motion , but seeing it vvas propounded by another , he thought it meet , and reasonable to be follovved . for ( said he ) its better to have an officer to command , whatsoever he be , than to have none at all , and that there was none so sit to command in so troublesome a time as pompey . all the senate consented hereto , and ordained that pompey only should be consul , and that if he savv it needful to have the assistance of an other , he might name whom he saw good , yet not till two months vvere past . pompey being thus made consul alone , he carried it very friendly unto cato , and thanked him for the honour he had done him , intreating his assistance in the execution of his office. cato replied that he had no reason to thank him ; for what he had done , he had not done it for his sake , but out of his respect to the publick good : and that if he asked his counsel in any thing , he would give it him privately , if not , that he would openly speak that which he thought best , pompey then married cornelia , the daughter of metellus scipio , the late wife of young publius crassus , slain with his father in parthia . this lady was of excellent beauty , and gifts , well learned , skilful in musick , geometry , and philosophy ; she was modest , and sober , free from brawling , or foollish curiosity . her father was noble both by birth , and deportment . yet many disliked pompey's marrying so young a wife , and giving himself to feasting and jollity , when he should have looked to his consulship in so troublesome a time . pompey proceeded sharply against those that by bribery , and indirect means came to their offices . he made laws , and ordinances for the administration of justice , and himself dealt uprightly in all things , and took order that judgment should be administred with silence , safety , and gravity . but when his father in law was accused , he sent for three hundred and sixty judges home to his house , praying them to help him , which the accuser of scipio understanding , let fall his suit , plancus also being accused , pompey ( contrary to the law ) spake in his commendation ; whereupon cato , who was one of the judges , stopped his ears , saying , that he would not hear an offender praised , being contrary to the law : plancus was condemned by all the judges to the great shame of pompey , yet otherwise he set all things in good order , and chose his father scipio for his fellow consul for the five last months . then he caused the government of his provinces to be assigned to him for four years more , with commission to take out of the treasury a thousand talents yearly , for to defray the charges of his wars . caesars friends seeing this , moved that some consideration might be had of him also , who made great wars for the commonvvealth , and by his good service had deserved either to be chosen consul again , or else that they should prolong his charge , and goverment , that no other successor might reap the fruit of his labours ; much stir arose about this matter : but pompey said , that he had received letters from caesar , by which he requested a successor , and to be discharged of this war : adding that he thought it fit they should grant him the priviledg to demand the second consulship though he was absent . this cato stoutly withstood , saying , that leaving his army he must return home as a private man , and in his own person crave recompence of his country . pompey replying nothing hereto , made many think he bore no great good vvill to caesar ; the rather because he had sent to him for the two legions which he had lent him under colour of his war against the parthians . though caesar smelt his design , yet he sent his souldiers , and rewarded them liberally . about this time pompey fell dangerously sick at naples , whereof he yet recovered again , and the neapolitans sacrificed to the gods , for his recovery ; the like also did their neighbours round about , and it ran so generally through italy , that there was no city or town wherein they did not make open feasting , and rejoyced for many days together . the infinite number of people also which went to meet him out of all places was such , that there was not room enough for them all , but the high-ways , cities , towns , and ports were full of people , feasting and sacrificing to the gods for his recovery . divers also went to meet him that were crowned with garlands , casting nosegays , and flowers upon him . yet some thought that this was the cause of the civil wars that ensued . for hereupon he grew so proud to see himself thus honoured , that forgetting his former government , he began to despise caesar , thinking that he could easily overcome him when he pleased , besides , appius that brought him his two legions from caesar out of gaul , reproached much his doings there , and gave out many foul words against caesar. for he said that pompey knew not his own strength , who might overcome caesar with his own legions , for that when they saw pompey they would forsake caesar and turn to him . these flattering speeches made pompey so secure , that he laughed them to scorn who were afraid of war ; and such as said that if caesar came to rome , they knew not how his power could be resisted , he smilingly bad them take no thought , for if he did but stamp on the ground , he could fill italy with armies both of horse and foot out of all places . in the mean time caesar increased his army , and drew neer to italy , and sent some of his souldiers daily to rome to be present at the election of magistrates , and many of those that were in office he wan with mony : amongst whom was paulus , one of the consuls , whom he drew to his side by giving him fifteen hundred talents , the like he did to curio , a tribune of the people by paying his vast debts , and he gained thereby mark anthony , who was engaged for a great part of curio's debt . a captain also sent from caesar , being at the senate door , and understanding that they would not prolong caesars government as he desired , clapping his hand on his sword , he said , well! this shall give it him . curio requested in the behalf of caesar , that they would either cause pompey to disband his army , or else licence caesar to have his army as well as he . for ( said he ) being private men they will either agree between themselves , or both being of like strength , neither will seek any alteration for fear of the other . but marcellus the consul , opposed this hotly , calling caesar thief , and saying that he would proclaim him an open enemy to rome if he did not disperse his army . yet curio , anthony , and piso procured that the senate should decide the matter , saying , all they that would have caesar disband his army , and pomey to keep his , let them go to the one side of the house , and such as would have them both to disband , let them stand on the other : by this means it was carried against pompey . curio much rejoyced at the victory , and going into the market place , he was there received by his faction with shouts of joy , and clapping of hands , and nosegays of flowers thrown upon him . pompey was not present to see the good will of the senators to him : but marcellus stood up and said , that he would not stand trifling , and hearing oration , when he knew that ten legions were already passed over the alps , intending to come in arms against them , and that he would send a man that should defend their country well enough . and so going through the market place unto pompey , being followed by all the senators , he said openly : pompey , i command thee to help thy country with that army thou hast already , and also to leavy more to aid thee . lentulus also used the same speech to him , who was chosen for the year following . when pompey went to leavy souldiers in rome , some would not obey him , and others went very unwillingly , the most part of them crying out peace , peace . anthony also , against the senators minds , read a letter to the people sent from caesar , vvherein he seemed to make reasonable requests to draw the affections of the common people to him . for he moved that both pompey and he should resign their governments , and dismiss their armies , referring themselves wholly to the judgments of the people , and to deliver up unto them an account of their doings . cicero , vvho was lately returned from cilicia , endeavoured to bring them to an agreement , propounding that caesar that should leave the goverment of gaul , and his army , reserving only two legions , and the government of illyria , attending his second consulship . pompey liked not this motion , and so all treaty of peace was cut off . in the mean time news came to rome that caesar had won ariminum , a large and strong city in italy , and that he came directly to rome with a great power : but the truth was he came but with three thousand horse , and five thousand foot , and would not stay for the rest of his army that was not yet come over the alps , but hasted rather to suprise his enemies on the sudden , who were all in a hurly-burly , not expecting him so soon , than to stay till they were fully ready to fight with him . when he came to the river of rubicon ( which was the utmost bound of the province which he had the charge of in italy ) he made an alt , pondring with himself the great enterprise he took in hand : at last he cryed out to them that were by , jacta est alea , let the die be cast : or let us put all to the hazard , and so passed on with his army . news hereof coming to rome , never was there such a consternation and fear seen amongst them . for all the senate ran immediately to pompey , together with all the rest of the city magistrates , and tullus asked him , what power he had in readiness to resist caesar ? he answered ( but something faulteringly ) that he had his two legions that came from caesar , and with those that he had levied in hast , he thought he should make up thirty thousand fighting men . then tullus cryed out , ah! thou hast mocked us pompey ; and thereupon ordered ambassadours to be sent to caesar. phaonius also , a bold man , said , stamp now with thy foot upon the ground , pompey , and make those armies come which thou hast promised . pompey patiently bore this mock . then cato thought good that they should make pompey lieutenant general of rome , with full and absolute power to command all , saying , they that knew how to do the greatest mischief , know best how to remedy the same . and so immediately he departed to his government in sicily . also all the other senators went to the provinces whereunto they were appointed . thus all italy being in arms , no man knew what was best to be done : for such as were out of rome came flying thither out of all parts , and such as were in rome , fled out as fast , where all things were in disorder . they which were willing to obey were very few , and they who by disobedience did hurt , were too many , neither would they suffer pompey to order things as he would , because every one followed his own fancy , yea , in one day they were in divers minds . all this while pompey could here no certainty of his enemies , the reports being so various ; and when he saw the tumult , and confusion so great at rome that there was no possibility of pacifying it , he commandéd all the senators to follow him , declaring all such as staid behind to be caesars friends . the two consuls fled also without sacrificing to the gods , as their manner was when they went to make war : and pompey in his greatest danger and trouble had great cause to think himself happy , because he had every mans good will. shortly after pompey was gone out of the city , caesar came into it , who spake very friendly to all whom he found there , labouring to quiet their fears : only he threatened metellus , one of the tribunes , because he would not suffer him to take any of the treasure of the commonwealth , saying , that it was not so hard a thing for him to kill him as to speak it . thus having put by metellus , and taken what he pleased out of the treasury , he prepared to follow pompey , intending to drive him out of italy before his army should come to him , out of spain . pompey in the mean time took brundusium , and having gotten some ships together , he caused the two consuls presently to embark , with thirty compays of footmen , which he sent before to dyrrachium . he sent also his father in law scipio , and his son cneius pompeyius into syria to provide him ships . then did he fortifie brundusium , and guarded the walls with souldiers , commanding the citizens not to stir out of their houses . he cast up trenches also within the city at the end of all the streets , saving those two which led to the haven , and filled those trenches with sharp pointed stakes , and when at leasure he had imbarked all the rest of his souldiers , he by a sign , called off those vvhich guarded the walls , and having received them into his ships , he hoisted sails and departed . caesar finding the walls of brundusium unguarded , presently suspected that pompey was fled , and rushing into the city , he had certainly faln into the pits , but that the brundusians gave him warning of them , whereupon he fetched a compass about to go to the haven , and coming thither , he found all the ships under sail save two , vvherein were a few souldiers . some judged this departure of pompeys the best stratagem of war that ever he used : but caesar marvelled that being in so strong a city , and expecting his army out of spain , and being master of the seas besides , he vvould so easily forsake italy . thus caesar vvithin threescore days became lord of all italy vvithout bloodshed . he was very desirous speedily to have followed pompey , but having no ships ready , he was forced to stay . then did he hasten into spain to joyn pompey's army with his own . pompey in the mean space had gotten a marvellous great power together both by sea , and land. by sea he had five hundred good ships of war , besides multitudes of galliots , foists , and pinnaces , by land he had all the flower of the horsemen of rome , and of all italy to the number of seven thousand valiant men , and of great houses : but his footmen were raw and untrained souldiers , whom pompey continually exercised at the city of beraea , taking as much pains therein as if he had been in his youth . it was great encouragement to others to see pompey , being fifty eight years old , fighting on foot compleatly armed , and then speedily to mount on horseback , and in his full career to draw , and put up his sword , to cast his dart , with as much agility and strength , and point blank , that few young men could do the like . to pompey there came divers kings , princes , and lords of great countries : and of roman captains , who had born office , to the number of a vvhole senate . amongst these , there came also labienus , who formerly had been caesars great friend , and an assistant to him in his wars in gaul . there came also to him brutus , a very valiant man , vvho had never before spoken unto pompey , because he thought him guilty of his fathers murther , but novv he vvillingly joyned with him as a defender of the roman liberties . cicero himself also , vvho had written , and given counsel for peace , thought it a shame not to be amongst the number of those vvho would hazard their lives in the defence of their country . there came also didius sextus , though he was an old man , and lame of one of his legs , vvhom when pompey savv coming ( though others laughed him to scorn , yet ) he rose up and vvent to meet him , judging it a sign of much love vvhen such old men chose rather to accompany him in danger , than to remain at home in safety . the chief of pompey's army , sitting in counsel , decreed that no citizen of rome should be put to death , but such as fell in battel : that no city subject to the empire of rome should be sackt , vvhich made pompey's part liked the better : and most judged those , enemies both to the gods , and men , that did not vvish him the victory . caesar also shevved himself very courteous , and merciful ; for having taken all pompey's army in spain , he set all the captains at liberty , and only reserved the souldiers to himself : then coming over the alps again , he passed through all italy , and came to brundusium in the winter time , and from thence , passing over the sea he came to the city of oricum : and having vibius , one of pompey's familiar friends with him , whom he had taken prisoner , he sent him to pompey again to desire that they might meet , and both of them disband their armies within three days , and being reconciled , and having given their faith each to other , to return into italy like good friends together . but pompey durst not trust to these fair words , judging them but snares to entrap him . he therefore suddenly removed to the sea coast , and took all the places of strength neer to the sea side , safely to lodg his camp in , and all the ports , harbours , and creeks , fit for ships to lie in , so that whatsoever wind blew , it served his turn to bring him either men , victuals , or mony . caesar , on the other hand was so distressed both by sea and land , that he was driven to hasten to a battel , and to assail pompey even in his own strength , to force him to fight with him , and for the most part he always had the better in most skirmishes , saving one , wherein he was in danger to have lost all his army . for pompey had valiantly repulsed all his men , and made them flie , and had slain two thosand of them in the field , but he durst not enter pell mell with them into their camp when they fled : which made caesar say to his friends , that his enemy had won the victory that day if he had known how to overcome . this victory did so encourage pompeys men , that they would needs hazard a battel . but pompey , though he wrote to many of his friends and confederates as if he had already beaten caesar , yet was he not willing to adventure all upon a battel , thinking it better , by protracting time and cutting his enemy short of victuals , to overcome him . for this end pompey perswaded his men to be quiet , and not to stir : but when caesar , after this last bickering , being scanted of victuals , raised his camp , and departed to go into thessaly , through the country of the athamaneans , then he could no longer bridle their courage , who cryed out , caesar is fled , let us follow him : and others said let us return home into italy . and some sent their friends , and servants to rome to hire them houses near the market place , intending at their return , to sue for offices . some in a jollity would needs sail to lesbos , where pompey had left his wife cornelia , to carry her the good news that the war was endeed . pompey calling a counsel , affricanus thought it best to go into italy , and to win that , as being the chiefest mark they shot at in this war : for whosoever had that , was sure of all sicily , sardinia , corsica , spain , and gaul : he said also , that it was a dishonour to pompey ( who should be very tender of his credit ) to suffer their country to be in such bondage , and subjection to slaves , and base flatterers of a tyrant , when as it offered it self as it were , into their hands . but pompey thought it dishonourable for him to flie from caesar , and to make him follow him , since he now had him in chase , nor lawful before the gods now to forsake his father in law scipio , and many others , who had been consuls , and who were dispersed up and down greece , and thessaly , who by this means would certainly fall into caesars hands , together with their riches , and armies . he said also , that they had care enough for the city of rome by drawing their armies farthest from it , so as they remaing safe and quiet at home , not feeling the miseries of war , might joyfully welcome him home that remained conquerour . with this determination he followed caesar , not intending to give him battel , but to besiege him and so to cut him short of victuals : but whilst he pursued him fair and softly , his men cryed out of him , that he intended not to war against caesar , but against his own country , that he might still keep the authority in his hand . phaonius also mocked him , and went crying up and down , my masters , i give you notice that you are like to eat no tusculan figs this year . with these and many other such lewd speeches , they compelled pompey to submit to their rash and giddy desires , contrary to his more prudent purpose , and determination , which yet a general over so many nations , and armies , should not have done . these little considered that he with whom he was to sight , was caesar , who had taken a thousand towns , and cities by assault , had subdued above three hundred several nations , had won infinite battels of the germans and gauls , and was never overcome : had also taken a million of men prisoners , and had slain as many in divers battels . yet pompeys men still vexing him with their importunity , when they were come into the fields of pharsalia , caused him to call a counsel . there labienus the general of the horsemen , swore before them all , that he would not return from the battel till he had driven his enemies out of the field : and the like oath did all the rest of the commanders take . the night before the fatal battel there were heard sudden and fearful noises in pompeys camp , which awaked all the souldiers . at the changing of the fourth watch , there was seen a great light over caesar camp , like unto a burning torch which came and fell in pompeys camp. in the morning caesar intending to raise his camp , and to remove to the city of scotusa , whilst his souldiers were busy in sending away their bag , and baggage , some brought caesar word that they saw much armour , and many weapons carryed too and fro in thier enemies camp , and heard a great noise and bustling , as of men that were preparing to fight . his scouts also brought him word that pompeys van was already set in battel array . caesar much rejoyced when he heard this , saying , now the day is come that we shall no longer sight with hunger , and want , but with men , and thereupon gave order that they should presently put out the red coat of arms upon his tent , which was the sign used amongst the romans when they were to fight . the souldiers when they saw that , left their tents , carriages and all , and with great shouts of joy , ran to arm themselves , and so without noise or tumult they were by their captains put into battel array . pompey himself led the right wing of his battel against anthony . the middle battle he gave to scipio his father in law which was right against domitius calvinus : his left wing was led by lucius domitius aenobarlius , which was guarded by the men at arms ; for all the horsemen were placed there , to distress caesar if possibly they could , and to overthrow the tenth legion , which contained the valiantest souldiers that caesar had ; and amongst whom himself always used to fight in person . caesar seeing the lest wing of his enemies so strong with the guard of horsemen , brought six company 's of foot for a reserve , and placed them behind the tenth legion , commanding them to stand close , that they might not be discovered by the enemy : and commanded them when the horsemen should charge upon them , that they should not throw their darts strait forward but upwards at their faces : for ( said he ) these brave fellows and fine dancers , will not endure to have their faces marred . pompey being on horse-back rode up and dovvn to observe hovv both armies vvere marshelled , and perceiving that his enemies stood still in their ranks , expecting the signal of battel , and that his ovvn battel vvaved up and dovvn disorderly , as men unskilful in the wars , he feared that they would flie before they were charged . therefore he commanded his van to stand steadily in their ranks , and to defend themselves in a close fight when the enemy should assault them . but caesar disliked this devise : for thereby ( said he ) the force of their blows was lessened , and by with-holding them from giving the charge , that courage was taken away which the assailant carrieth with him when he comes on with fury , it made them also more fainthearted in receiving the enemies charge . in caesars army there were about twenty two thousand fighting men , and in pompeys above twice so many . when the signal of battel was given on either side , and the trumpets sounded an alarm , every man began to look to himself . but a few of the chiefest of the romans , and some grecians that were amongst them , that yet were not entred into the battel , perceiving the eminent danger , began to bethink themselves to what a sad pass the ambition , and contention between these two great persons had brought the state of rome unto , where were kinsmen against kinsmen , and brethren against brethren imbrewing their hands each in others blood . whereas , if they could have been contented quietly to govern what they had conquered , the roman empire was big enough for them both . or if that could not have quenched their insatiable desires and thirst after glory , they had occasion enough offered them against the germans , and parthians : or else they might have proceeded to conquer scythia , and india . for what scythian horsemen , or parthian arrows , or indian riches , could have withstood the power of seventy thousand roman souldiers , especially being led by two such captains as were pompey and caesar , whose names were famous through the world. now when the fields of pharsalia , were covered over with horse and men in arms , after the signal was given , the first man of caesars army that advanced forward to give the charge , was caius crassinius , a captain of one hundred twenty and five men : and this he did to make good his promise to ceasar , who having asked him that morning what he thought of the event of the battel ? he said , oh caesar ! thine is the victory , and this day thou shalt commend me either alive or dead . thereupon he brake out of his rank ( many others also followed him ) and ran into the midst of his enemies , making a great slaughter ; but as he still pressed forward , one ran him through the neck and slew him . pompey did not make his left wing to advance over suddenly , but staid to see what his horsemen would do , who had already divided themselves , intending to compass in caesar , and to force his horsemen ( who were fewer in number ) to give back upon his squadron of footmen , and thereby to disorder them . but on the other side , caesars horsemen gave back a little , and the six companies of footmen that he had placed secretly behind them ( being three thousand in number ) ran suddenly to charge the enemy in the flank , and coming neer to pompeys horsemen , they threw their darts ( as caesar had appointed them ) full in their faces . the young gentlemen , being raw souldiers , and little expecting such a manner of fight , had not the hearts to defend themselves , nor could abide to be hurt in their faces , but turning their heads , and clapping their hands on their faces , they fled shamefully . they being thus routed , caesars men made no account to follow them , but went presently and charged his infantry , and especially where they had no guard of horsemen , by which means they might be the easiler compassed about . thus they being charged by these in the flank and in the van also by the tenth legion , finding themselves ( contrary to their expectation ) compassed about by their enemies , whereas they thought to have environed them , they could no longer make resistance , but were put to the rout also . when pompey saw the dust flying up in the air , and thereby conjectured the flight of his horsemen , he was like a man amazed , and at his wits end , forgetting that he was pompey the great , and so retiring into his camp , he fat silent for a good while , till such time as his enemies entered pell mell into it , together with his men that fled : and then he said no more , but , what! into our camp ? and so rising up , he put on a gown fit for his sad condition , and secretly stole out of the camp : his other legions also fled , and caesars men made a huge slaughter of the tent keepers , and of their servants that guarded the camp : there were slain about six thousand . but at the taking of the camp caesars souldiers plainly saw the madness and folly of pompeys men : for their pavillions and tents were full of nosegays , and garlands of mirtle , and their couches covered with flowers , their tables full of bowls of wine , as men prepared to sacrifice for joy , rather than to arm themselves to fight . when pompey was gone a little way from his camp , he forsook his horse , having very few with him , and perceiving that none pursued him , he walked fair and softly on foot , having his head full of thoughts . for he , for thirty four years together used always to be victorious , and therefore now it was strange to him to flie : he now law how in one hours space , he had lost all that glory and riches which he had purchased by so many great victories . he , that not long before was followed and obeyed by so many thousand men of war , by so many nations , and horsemen ; by such a great fleet upon the sea , was now faln into a low and poor estate , with so small a train , that his very enemies who sought him , knew him not . when he had thus passed the city of larissa , he came into the valley of tempe , where being a thirst he fell down on his belly , and drank of the river , then rising up , he went , and came to the sea side , and lay all night in a fishers cottage . the next morning by break a day he went into a little boat upon the river , having some freemen with him , and as for his slaves he dismissed them , and bad them go boldly unto caesar , and not to be afraid . thus rowing up and down the shore side in this little boat , he espied a great ship in the sea lying at anchor , which was ready to sail away : the master of the ship was one peticius , a roman , who , though he was not acquainted with pompey , yet he knew him well by sight . some of the marriners told peticius that they saw a little boat coming towards them , wherein were some men that held up their hands , and made signs to them : peticius looking , knew pompey , and commanded his marriners to let down the boat , wherewith giving pompey his hand , he received him into the ship , and those that were with him , and then hoised sail. with pompey their were both the lentuli , and faonius . presently after they espied king dejotarus coming in a boat towards them , and making signs to be taken in , which accordingly they did . at supper time the master made ready such meat as he had aboard . and faonius seeing pompey for want of attendants , washing himself , he ran to him , and anointed him , and ever after waited upon him , doing such offices as servants do to their masters , washing his feet , and preparing his food for him . pompey then passing by the city of amphipolis , sailed to the isle of lesbos to fetch his wife cornelia , and his son , who were at mitilene , and having there cast anchor in the rode , he sent a servant into the city to his wife , whose message did not answer her expectation . for she had still been put in hope by letters of her husbands good success , and that the war was well ended : the messenger finding her thus confident , thought not fit to salute her , but rather by his tears discovered the great misfortune of pompey ; and at last told her , that she must dispatch quickly if she would see her husband , with one ship only , and that not his own , but borrowed : the young lady hearing this , fell down in a swound before him , but after she was come to her self , remembring that it was now no time to weep and lament , she went speedily through the city to the sea side . there pompey meeting her , took her in his arms and embraced her : but she finking under him , fell down , and at last said : out alas ? wo worth my hard fortune , not thine , good husband , who now see thee with one poor ship , who before thou marriedst me the unfortunate cornelia , was wont to sail in these seas attended with five hundred . alas ! why art thou come to see me , and didst not rather leave me to my accursed destiny , seeing my self am the cause of this thy evil ? alas ! how happy had i been if i had died before i heard of the death of my first husband publius crassus , slain in the parthian war ? and how wise had i been if ( according to my determination ) i then had slain my self , whereas i yet live to bring this misfortune upon pompey the great ? to this pompey answered : peradventure ( my cornelia ) thou hast known a better fortune which hath also deceived thee , because she hath continued longer with me than her manner is . but since we are born men , we must patiently bear these troubles , and once more try what she will do . for it is not impossible for us again to change this adversity for prosperity , no more than it was to fall from our late prosperity into this calamity . when cornelia heard him say so , she sent into the city for her houshould stuff , and family : the metilenians also came to salute pompey , praying him to come and refresh himself in their city : but pompey refused , and advised them to obey the conquerour ; for ( said he ) caesar is of a just , and curteous nature . then pompey turning to cratippus the philosopher , who came amongst the citizens to visit him , made his complaint to him , and reasoned a little with him about divine providence . then taking his wife and friends he hoised sail and departed , staying no where but to take in fresh provision and water . the first city that he touched at , was atalia in the country of pamphilia . thither came to him some gallies out of cilicia , and many of his friends and souldiers , insomuch as he had now sixty senators in his company . then understanding that his army by sea was yet whole , and that cato had gathered together a great number of his souldiers after the overthrow , whem he had transported with him into africk , he complained to his friends for that they had compelled him to fight by land , and not suffered him to make use of his fleet , wherein he was the stronger , and that he kept not his army neer to the sea , that in case he miscarried at land , he might presently have repaired to his fleet at sea , and thereby have resisted his enemy . thus pompey being driven to attempt somewhat according to his small ability , to some cities he sent ambassadours , to others he went himself to gather mony , wherewith he armed and manned some ships . but fearing the sudden approach of his enemy , before he could be in readiness to resist him , he bethought himself to what place he might retire for his better safety , and resolved that there was never a province of the romans that was able to secure him , and for other strange nations , he thought none safer for him to retire into than parthia , which was able to aid and help him . some advised him to go into africk unto king juba . but theophanes the lesbian said , that it was great folly to decline egypt that was but three days sail from thence , and where ptolomy was , who was lately come to mans estate , and was infinitely bound to pompey for the late favours which he shewed to his father , and not put himself into the hands of the parthians , the most unfaithful nation in the world. he thought it also an ill part for him to carry his young wife of the noble family of scipio , amongst such barbarous people , who care not how basely they abuse any strangers . the speech altered pompeys mind , and made him resolve to flie into egypt : and so with his wife cornelia , he departed from cyprus in a galley of seleucia . the rest of his train , imbarked also , some in gallies , other in merchant ships , and so passed the sea vvithout danger . when pompey heard that king ptolomy was in the city of pelusium with his army , vvarring against his sister , he steered that way , and sent a messenger before to the king , to certifie him of his arrival ; and to entreat him to give him entertainment : king ptolomy was at this time but a young man , and under him , the whole realm was governed by one photinus . he therefore assembled a councel of the chiefest , and wisest of his court , and when they were met , photinus in the kings name commanded every man to declare his judgment about the reception of pompey whether they should intertain him or not ; and truly it was a sad thing that photinus an eunuch , and theodotus of chio , vvho was the kings schoolmaster for rhetorick , and achillas an egyptian , should consult amongst themselves what they should do vvith pompey the great . all this vvhile pompey rode at anchor near to the shore , expecting the resolution of this councel , amongst vvhom their opinions vvere various , some were for , others against his reception ; but theodotus the rhetorician , to shevv his eloquence , perswaded them that neither the one , nor the other was to be done . for ( said he ) if we receive him , we shall make caesar our enemy , and pompey our lord : if we receive him not , pompey will blame us , and caesar also for not keeping him . our safest way therefore is to kill him : for thereby we shall win the good will of the one , and not sear the displeasure of the other : adding that mortui non mordent , a dead man bites not . this they all resolved upon , and accordingly gave achillas commission to do it . this being concluded , achill as took vvith him septimius ( vvho had sometimes served under pompey ) and salvius a centurion , and two or three other souldiers , and so made to wards pompeys galley , about vvhom there were at this time the chiefest of his train to see vvhat vvould be the issue of this matter . but vvhen they favv vvhat intertainment he was like to have , and that they came not in that princely manner , answerable to the hopes that theophanes had put them in , seeing so few men coming tovvards him in a fisherboat , they began to mistrust the sequel , and advised pompey to turn back , and to launch again into the sea , vvhilst he was yet out of the reach of their darts . in the mean time the fisherboat drevv near , and septimius rose up and saluted pompey in the roman tongue by the name of imperator , or emperor . achillas also spake to him in greek , vvishing him to come into his boat , the shore being full of mud , and sand banks , so that his galley could not carry him to the shore . at this time they saw afar off divers of the kings gallies which were arming vvith all speed possible , and all the shore vvas full of souldiers , so that though pompey and his friends vvould have altered their minds , yet they could not tell hovv to escape , and if they had diseovered their mistrust of them , they had given the murtherers a cloak for their cruelty . pompey therefore taking his leave of his wife cornelia , vvho lamented his death before his end , he commanded tvvo of his centurions to go dovvn before him into the boat , and took vvith him only philip , one of his slaves enfranchised , vvith another slave called scynes . when achilles reaching out his hand to receive pompey into his boat , he turned him to his wife , and son , and repeated these verses of sophocles : the man that into court comes free , must there in state of bondage be . these were the last words which he spake to them . the land being far off , when he saw never a man in the boat speak friendly to him , he said unto septimius , methinks , my friend , i should know thee , for thou hast served under me heretofore : the other nodded with his head , but gave him no answer . pompey observing these things , took a little book into his hand , wherein he had written an oration that he ment to make to king ptolomy , and began to read it . as they approached to the shore , cornelia , with her friends about her , stood up in great fear , to see what would become of pompey , and she hoped well when she saw many of the kings people on the shore , coming towards pompey , as it were to receive , and honour him at his landing . but even as pompey took philip by the hand to rise more easily , septimius came behind him , and thrust him through with his sword : salvius , and achillas also made at him with their swords . pompey did no more but took up his gown , with which he covered his face , and took the wounds in a manly manner , only sighing a little . thus ended he is life the very next day after his birth , being fifty nine years old . they which rode at anchor in their ships , when they saw him thus murthered , gave such a fearful cry that it was heard to the shore : and weighing their anchors with speed , they hoised sail and departed , having a lusty gale of wind to help them . the aegyptians had thought to pursue them , but when they saw they were past their reach , they let them go . then striking off pompeys head they threw his body overboard , where it was a miserable spectacle to all that desired to behold it . philip , his infranchised bondman , stirred not from it till the aegyptians had glutted themselves with looking upon it . then having vvashed it with salt water , and wrapped it up in an old shirt of his own , he sought about the sands , and at last found a piece of an old fisher-boat , scarce enough to burn all the body : and as he was gathering the pieces of this boat together , there came to him an old roman , who in his youth had served under pompey , saying , o friend , what art thou that preparest the funerals of pompey the great ? philip answered , that he was a bondman of his infranchised . well ( said he ) thou shalt not have all this honour alone , pray thee let me accompany thee in this devout deed , that i may not altogether repent me that i have dwelt so long in a strange country , where i have endured much misery ; but to recompence me , let me have this good hap to touch pompeys body , and to help to bury this most famous captain of the romans . the next day lucius lentulus , not knowing what had happened , coming out of cyprus , sailed by the shore side , and perceiving a funeral fire , and philip standing by it , he asked him whose funeral it was ? but straight fetching a great sigh , alas ( said he ) perhaps it is pompeys the great . then he landed a little , and was presently slain . this was the deplorable end of pompey the great . caesar not long after came into aegypt , where there were great wars , at which time pompeys head was presented to him , but he turned aside and would not see it , abhorring him that brought it as a detestable murtherer . then looking on his signet ring whereon was engraven a lion holding a sword , he burst out a weeeping . achillas and photinus he put to death . king ptolomy being overthrown in battel by the river nilus , vanished away and was never after heard of . theodotus escaped caesars hands , and wondred up and down aegypt in great misery , dispised of every man. and afterwards marchus-brutus ( who slew caesar ) when he conquered asia , met with this theodotus by chance , and putting him to all the torments he could possibly devise , he at last slew him . the ashes of pompeys body were afterwards brought to his wife cornelia , who buried them in a town of hers near the city of alba. the life and death of julius caesar the first founder of the roman empire . julius caesar by the fathers side was of a very noble and ancient family , and by the mothers side he descended from the kings of rome , who were extracted from the trojan aeneas . when he was a youg man , sylla having gotten the lordship of rome , would have had him put away his wife cornelia , who was the daughter of cinna , the dictator , but he could not prevail with him , either by promises or threats to do it , whereupon he took away her joynter from him . sylla being very busie in putting to death many of his enemies , yet passed by caesar whom he contemned for his youth . and caesar was not contented to retire in safety in those stormy times , but came and made suit to the people for the priesthood which was then void , when he had scant any hair on his face : but by syll●s means he suffered a repulse , who was so irritated hereby , that he determined to have killed him ; and when some of syllas friends told him , that it was to no purpose to put so young a man to death , he answered , that they did not consider that there were many marius 's in that one boy . caesar being informed of his danger , secretly fled from rome , and hid himself a long time amongst the sabines , wandering from one place to another , yet at length he fell into the hands of a party of syllas souldiers who sought for him , but he bribed their captain with two talents , and so escaped . then went he unto the sea side , and taking ship , he passed into bythinia unto king nicomedes . and after a while , he took sea again , and fell into the hands of some pirates , who at that time kept all the sea-coast , with a great fleet. they asked him twenty talents for his ransom , caesar laughed them to scorn , as not knowing what a man they had taken , and of himself promised them fifty talents , and sent some of his men to get him this mony , so that he was almost left alone amongst these thieves , which were the cruellest butchers in the world , having only one of his friends and two slaves with him . thus he continued thirty eight days amongst them , not as a prisoner , but rather waited upon as a prince by them : for he boldly exercised himself amongst them in their sports : he would make orations and call them together to hear them , and if they seemed not to understand or regard them , he would call them blockheads and beasts , and laughing would threaten to hang them , and they took all in good part , thinking that it proceeded from his boyish simplicity . when his ransome was come , he paid it them and so was dismissed ; and presently arming and manning some ships out of the haven of miletum , he followed these thieves , and finding them yet at anchor , he took most of them , and got a great booty , and carryed their persons to the city of pergamus , and there imprisoned them , whilst himself went to jumus , the governour of asia , to whom the execution of these pirats did belong . but he desiring to get the mony , because there was good store of it , said , that he would consider of the●e prisoners at better leasure . caesar hereupon returned back to pergamus , and there hung up all the thieves openly upon the cross , as he often had threatened that he would do , when they thought that he was but in jest . when syllas power began to decay , caesars friends wrote to him to return to rome : but he first went to rhodes to study there for a time , under the tuition of apollonius , an honest man and excellent rhetorician , whose schollar also cicero had been . caesar had an excellent gift to speak well naturally , which was much holpen by his studies , so that he was very eloquent , and might have been second to none , but that he applied himself rather to follow the wars , and to mannage great matters than to pleading of causes . when he was returned again to rome , he immediately wan the good will of the people by his eloquence , and courteous speaking to every man , being more ceremonious in his deportment than could be expected from one of his years . besides , he ever kept a good table , and fared well , and was very liberal , which much encreased his estimation with the people . and his enemies , presuming that when he could not hold out that charge and expence , the favour of the people would quickly decay , they suffered him to go on , till by degree he was grown very great , and powerful . so that though some of them foresaw that his power would at last turn to the destruction of the commonwealth of rome , yet now they knew not how to prevent it . indeed cicero was the first man , who mistrusting his dealings , found out his subtilty and malice , which he cunningly cloaked under a shew of courtesie , and familiarity : yet ( said he ) when i consider how finely he combeth his fair bush of hair , and how smooth it lyeth , and that i see him scratch his head with one finger , my mind gives me then , that such a man should not be so wicked as to design the ruin of the commonwealth . the first time that he made proof of the good will of the people was , when he stood in competition with pompey to be chosen a collonel of a thousand foot souldiers , and carryed it against him ; but a more manifest proof of it was at the death of his aunt julia , the wife of marius the elder . for then he solemnly made an oration in her commendations in the market place , and at her burial , did boldly shew forth the images of marius , which was the first time that they were seen after syllas victory over him , at which time marius and all his partakers had been proclaimed traytors and enemies to the commonwealth . and whereas some cryed out upon caesar for doing it , the people on the other side applauded and thanked him for it . and whereas there was an ancient custom that the romans used to make funeral orations in commendation of old ladys , but not of young women . caesar was the first that praised his own wife in an oration at her funeral , which much engaged the people to him , seeing him of so kind , and loving a nature . shortly after he was made treasurer under antistius vetus , the praetor , for which he ever after honoured him , so that when he himself came to be praetor , he made his son treasurer under him , and when he came out of that office , he married his third wife , whom was pompeia and married his daughter cornelia which he had by his first wife , to pompey the great . he further ingratiated himself with the people by disbursing a great sum of his own mony in mending the appian way , vvhen he was made overseer thereof : as also for that , vvhen he was chosen an aedile , he shewed the people the pastime of three hundred and twenty couple of sword players , and exceeded all others in the sumptuousness of his feasts and sports vvhich he made for the delight of the people , vvhich made them daily to give him new offices by way of requital . not long after the high priest metellus died , and isauricus and catulus , two of the chiefest men , and of the greatest authority in rome , contended for the place : caesar also presented himself to the people and sued for it , and catulus fearing the event , sent a great sum of money to caesar , to procure him to leave off his suit : caesar sent him word , that he vvould disburse a greater sum than that to maintain the suit against him : and vvhen the day of election came , his mother bringing him to the door , caesar vveeping kissed her , and said , mother , this day thou shalt see thy son chief bishop of rome , or banished from rome ; and accordingly he carried it by the suffrages of the people , insomuch as the senate and noble men vvere all affraid of him , judging that from henceforth he vvould make the people do vvhat he pleased . afterwards caesar going into the senate to cleer himself of some accusations that vvere brought against him , the senate keeping him somewhat longer than ordinary , the people come to the door and called for him , bidding them let him out . whereupon cato fearing an insurrection of the poor and needy persons , who put all their hopes in caesar , moved , that a frank distribution of corn for a month should be made amongst them , vvhich indeed put the commonvvealth to the charge of fifty five hundred myriads , but it quenched the present danger , and did haply scatter the best part of caesars strength , and that at such a time vvhen he was made praetor , and had thereby opportunity of doing much mischief . yet all the the time of that office , he never attempted to make alteration in the common-vvealth . about this time clodius vvas suspected of too much familiarity vvith pompeia , vvherefore caesar put her avvay . the government of spain being faln unto caesar as he vvas praetor , his creditors came with great importunity calling for their debts : but he being unable to satisfie them ; went to crassus , the richest man in rome ; who stood in need of caesars bloldness and courage to withstand pompeys greatness , who became his surety to his greadiest creditors , for eight hundred and thirty talents , whereupon he was suffered to depart to his province . as he passed over the alps he came to a little poor village , where his friends that did accompany him , asked him merrily if there were any contending for offices in that town , and whether there were any strife amongst the noble-men for honour ? caesar answered , i cannot tell : but for my part , i had rather be the chiefest man here , than the second person in rome . another time in spain reading the history of alexander he was sorrowful a good while after , and at last burst out into weeping . his friends marvelling at it , asked him what was the cause of his sorrow ? he answered , do you not think that i have good cause to be sorry , when alexander ( being no older than my self ) had conquered so many nations and countries , whereas hitherto i have done nothing worthy of my self . when he first came into spain he followed his business close , and in a short time had joyned ten new ensigns of foot souldiers , unto the other twenty which he had before . then marching against the gallicians , and lusitanians , he conquered all before him as far as to the atlantick ocean , subduing those people which before knew not the romans for their lords ; and then did as wisely take order for the establishing of peace . for he reconciled the cities together , made them friends : but especially he pacified all suits of law betwixt debtors and creditors which arose by usury : ordaining that the creditors should take yearly two parts of the revenew of their debtors , till such time as they had paid themselves , and that the debtors should have the other third part to live upon . by this he won great estimation to himself , and returned from his government very wealthy , his souldiers also were full of rich spoils . the romans had a custom , that such as desired the honour of triumph , should stay without the city , whereas they that sued for the consulship must of necessity be there in person . caesar coming home just at that time when consuls were to be chosen , he sent to request the senate that he might be permitted to sue for the consulship by his friends : against this cato at first did vehemently invey , alleadging that it was contrary to an express law. but when he perceived that many of the senators ( being caesars friends ) favoured his request , he cunningly sought all he could to prevent them : whereupon caesar resolved rather to give over his suit , for the triumph , than to lose the consulship : so he came into the city , and outwitted all but cato . his device was this . pompey and crassus were the two greatest persons in rome , and at jar between themselves : caesar affecting to make himself greater than either of them , sought to make them friends , and thereby to get the power of them both : for indeed , they both affected his friendship , that by his help they might supplant one another . and in the end , by his endeavours , a peace was concluded betwixt them : yet being still jealous one of another , and fearing to lose caesar , they both sought to gratifie him , and by this means he made himself equal to either of them : and that power which they two had formerly usurped , was now divided between three , and in the end caesar hereby got the sole command . this league being made betwixt them , caesar demanded the consulship , being brought into the assembly for the election betwixt these two noble persons and was there chosen consul , together with calphurnius bibulus , without the contradiction of any : and when he was entered into his office , he began to put forth laws meeter for a sedicious tribune than for a consul , because by them he preferred the division of lands , and distributing corn to every citizen gratis , and all to please the people : and vvhen the senators opposed it , he took the advantage , protesting that the senate by their austerity drave him against his will to cleave to the people , and thereupon he asked crassus and pompey in the open assembly , if they gave their consents to his laws ? they answered , yea . then he prayed them to stand by him against those that threatned to oppose him with the sword : crassus said he would , and pompey did the like , adding , that he would come with his sword and target both against such ; which gave great offence to the senate , but the common people much rejoyced . caesar to oblige pompey more to him , gave him his daughter julia in marriage , who was made sure before to servilius caepio , promising him in her stead pompeys daughter , who also was made sure unto faustus , the son of sylla . and shortly after caesar himself married calphurnia , the daughter of piso , whom he caused to succeed him in the consulship . cato then cryed out , and called the gods to witness , that it was a shameful thing that they should make such havock in the commonwealth by such horribly bawdy matches , hereby dividing amongst themselves the government of provinces , and great armies . and bibulus perceiving that he did but contend in vain , caesar being too potent for him , and that his life was in danger for opposing these laws , he kept his house all the rest of his consulship . pompey having married julia , he filled the market-place with souldiers , and by open force authorised the laws which caesar had made in favour of the people : he procured also that caesar had both the gauls , and all illyria , with four legions , granted him for five years : and when cato stood up to speak against it , caesar bad his officers to lay hold on him , and carry him to prison , thinking that he would have appealed to the tribunes , but cato said no more , but went his way . and caesar seeing that not only the nobility , but the commons also were offended at it , out of respect to cato's virtues , he secretly prayed one of the tribunes that he would take cato from his officers , which was done accordingy . many of the senators refused to be present in the senate under him , but left the city , because they could not endure his doings ; whereupon one considius , an old man told him , that the senators durst not meet because of his souldiers . why then ( said caesar ) dost not thou also keep home out of the same fear ? because ( said he ) my age takes away my fear from me , for having so short a time to live , i care not to prolong it further . caesar preferred clodius , a base fellow , to be tribune , who sought the office for no other end but to destroy cicero , who had discovered his villanies , and caesar would not go to his province till he had set them two together by the ears , and driven cicero out of italy . yet did he deserve the name of as brave a general as any that went before him , if we consider the hard countries which he adjoyned to the empire of rome : the multitude and power of the enemies whom he overcame : the rudeness and valour of the men with whom he had to do , whose manners yet he molli●ied , and civilized : his courtesie , and clemency to those whom he overcame : his great bounty and liberallity to those that served under him : as also if we consider the number of battels that he fought , and the multitude of enemies that were slain by him . for in less then ten years , he took by assault above eight hundred towns : he conquered three hundred nations : and having at several times above thirty hundred thousand souldiers against him , he slew a million of them , and took as many more prisoners . he was so intirely loved of his souldiers , that to do him service , and to advance his honour , they were invincible : as appears by the example of acilius , who in a sea-fight before the city of marseiles , boarding one of the enemies ships , had his right hand cut off , and yet he ran upon his enemies , thrusting them in their faces with his target on his left hand , and so prevailed that he took their ship. one cassius scaeva also in a fight before the city of dyrrhacium , having an eye put out with an arrow , his shoulder stricken through with a dart , and his thigh with another , having received thirty arrows upon his shield , called to his enemies as if he would yield to them : but when two of them came running to him , he cut off one of their armes by the shoulder , and wounded the other in the face , and made them give back till he was fetched off by some of his fellows . in brittain also when some of his captains were driven into a bog full of mire and dirt , the enemies fiercely assaulting them there , caesar viewing the battel , he saw a private souldier thrust in amongst the captains , where he fought so valiantly that at length he forced the barbarous people to fly , and thereby saved the captains , who otherwise had perished there : and then this souldier being the hindmost of all the captains , marched through the bog , sometimes swimming , and sometimes on foot , till he gat to the farther side , only he lost his target . caesar wondring at his valour , ran and imbraced him : but the poor souldier , hanging down his head , with tears in his eyes , fell at caesars feet , begging pardon for leaving his target behind him . in africk also , scipio having taken one of caesars ships , slew all that were in it , save petronius , a treasurer , to whom he profered life : but petronius answered him , that caesars souldiers used to give others their lives , and not to have their lives given them , and thereupon slew himself with his own sword. now caesar bred this courage in them by rewarding them bountifully , and honouring them . he also gave them a good example by adventuring himself upon manifest dangers , and putting his body to extream pains when there was occasion , which filled them with admiration . as for his constitution he was lean , white , and soft skin'd , and often troubled with the head-ach , and sometimes with the falling sickness , yet yielded he not to his sickness , but rather took pains as a medicine to cure it , travelling continually , living soberly , and commonly lying abroad in the fields . most nights he slept in his coach , and in the days travelled up and down to see cities , castles , and strong-holds . he had always a secretary with him in his coach , who writ as they went by the way , and a souldier behind him that carryed his sword. he made such speed when he had gotten his office at rome , that in eight days he came to the river of rhone . he was an excellent rider from his youth : for holding his hands behind him , he would run his horse upon the spur. in his wars in gaul , or france , he used to exercise himself in inditing letters by the way , wherein he was so nimble that he imployed two secretaries , or more at one time . he made very little account of his diet , supping one night in millane with his friend valerius leo , there was served at table some sperage with some perfumed oyl instead of sallet oyl , he eat it , and found no fault , blaming his friends who were offended at the mistake , saying , that if they liked it not they should have let it alone , and that it was not good manners hereby to shame their friend . at another time in his journey he was forced by foul weather to shelter himself in a poor cottage that had but one cabbin , and that so narrow that one could scarce lye in it , whereupon he said to his friends , the greatest rooms , are fittest for the greatest men , and beds for sick persons , and so caused oppius that was sick to lye there , and himself with the rest of his friends , lay without doors . the first war that caesar made in gaul , was against the helvetians , or swissers , and the tigurines , who having set fire of their own cities and houses , came to invade that part of gaul which was subject to the romans . these were a very war-like and valiant people , and in all they were three hundred thousand souls , whereof there were one hundred and ninety thousand fighting men : yet were they overthrown by labienus , caesars lieutenant at the river arax . and when the heluetians afterwards came suddenly to set upon caesar , he made hast to get into some place of strength , and there ordered his battel against them , and when one brought him his charging horse , he said , when i have overcome mine enemies , then i will get upon him , to pursue them , and so marching against th●m on foot , he fiercely charged them : the battel continued long before he could make them fly : yet had he more ado to take their camp , and to break the strength that they had made with their carts . for not only those that were fled into it , made head again , but their wives and children also fought stoutly for their lives , till they were all slain , and the battel was scarce ended by midnight . presently after , above one hundred thousand of those that had escaped from this batt●l , were forced by caesar to return into their own country again , and to the towns which they had burnt ; and this he did lest the germans should come over the rhine , and settle themselves in that country being void . the next war that caesar made was in defence of the gauls against the germans , though himself had before admitted ariovistus their king to be received as a confederate of the romans : notwithstanding which , they were grown very unquiet neighbours , watching but an opportunity to possess themselves of the rest of gaul . caesar perceiving that some of his captains much feared them , especially the young gentlemen of noble families , who went along with him as to some pastimes , he commanded all that were afraid to return home , and not endanger themselves against their wills . but for himself he said , he would set upon those barbarous people , though he had left him but the tenth legion only . upon this the tenth legion sent their officers to thank him for the good opinion he had of them : and all the other legions blamed their captains for their backwardness , and followed him cheerfully till they came within two hundred furlongs of the enemies camp. ariovistus his courage was well cooled when he saw caesar so near , whereas they thought that the romans were afraid of them : his army also was in a great amaze . but that which discouraged them most , was the prophesies of some foolish women , who observing the terrible noise which the water in the river made , advised the germans by no means to fight , and they being possessed with a superstitious fear , sought to avoid the fight : yet caesar skirmished with them every day and sometime followed them to their forts , and little hills where they lay , whereby he so provoked them that at last they came down with great fury to fight . in this battel he overcame them , and pursued them very eagerly , making a great slaughter of them even to the river of rhine , filling all the fields with dead bodies , and spoiles . ariovistus himself flying speedily got over the river , and escaped with some few of his men : at this battel there were slain about eighty thousand germans . after this battel caesar left his army to winter amongst the sequanes , and himself thinking of the affairs of rome , returned over the alps to a place about the river po : whilst he lay there he laboured to make friends at rome : and when many came to visit him there , he granted all their suits , and sent them back , some with liberal rewards , and others with large promises , whereby he engaged them to him . during all the time of caesars great conquests in gaul , pompey did not consider how caesar conquered the gauls with the roman weapons , and wan the romans with the riches of the gauls . at this time caesar being informed that the belgae who were the most war-like nation of all the gauls , were all up in arms and had raised a very great power , he presently made towards them with all possible speed ; and found them overrunning and plundering the neighbour countries and confederates of the romans , wherefore he gave them battel , and overthrew their chiefest army , and slew so many of them that the lakes and rivers were died with their blood , and filled with their dead bodies , that the romans passed over on foot upon them : after this overthrow , such of them as dwelt near the sea yielded themselves : and from thence he conducted his army against the nervians , the stoutest souldiers of all the belgae . these dwelling in a woody country , had conveyed their wives , children and goods into a very great forrest , remote from their enemies , and being above eighty thousand fighting men , they watching their opportunity , set upon caesar when his army was out of order , and little expecting them . at the first charge they brake the roman horsemen , and encompassing the seventh and twelfth legions , they slew all the captains , and had not caesar himself with his shield on his arme , run amongst them , making a lane as he went , and the tenth legion , seeing him in that danger , followed him with all speed , there had not a roman escaped alive that day . but looking upon caesars valour , his men fought desperately , even beyond their abilities , and yet could they not make the nervi fly , but they fought it out bravely till most of them were slain in the field , five hundred only of them escaping . yet was it a bloody battel to the romans , for that of four hundred gentlemen , and counsellers of rome , there were but three saved . the senate of rome made great signs of joy for these victories , by sacrificing to the gods , plays , &c. and as caesars fame was encreased hereby , so he wan upon the peoples love : and always , when his affairs would permit , he used to winter by the river po , to give direction about his affairs at rome . and truly not only such as sued for offices at rome , obtained them by caesars money , and therefore imployed all their power to promote his interest , but the chiefest also of the nobility , went to luke unto him , insomuch as at one time there have been seen before his gates , one hundred and twenty sergeants carrying rods and axes before the magistrates that have waited upon him , and two hundred senators besides . here they held a councel , wherein it was agreed , that pompey and crassus should again be chosen consuls for the year following : and that caesar should have more money delivered him to pay his army , and that his government should be prorogued for five years longer . then caesar returning into gaul to his army , found there a great war begun for two potent nations of the germans , having passed over the river of rhine to conquer new lands , caesar fought with them , which himself thus discribeth : these barbarous people ( saith he ) after they had sent ambassadours to me to desire peace , contrary to the law of armes , came and set upon me as i travelled by the way , insomuch as eight hundred of their men overthrew five thousand of my horse-men , who nothing at all expected their comming , and going on to describe their farther proceedings , he saith , that they again sent ambassadours to him to mock him , whom he kept prisoners , and then setting upon the enemies , who were about four hundred thousand persons , he slew most of them , saying a few that flying gat back over the river of rhine and so escaped . caesar , taking this occasion , and being ambitious to have the honour of being the first roman that ever passed this river with an army , he built a bridg over it , though the river were very broad , and ran with a violent stream , and especially there where he built the bridg : and the barbarians casting great trees into the river , they were carried down with such violence that by their great blows they did sore shake the posts of the bridg , to prevent which , and to abate the fury of the stream , caesar caused a pile to be made a good way above the bridg , which was forcibly rammed into the bottom of the river , so that in ten days space he had finished his bridg of goodly carpenters work : a very rare invention as could be possibly devised . then passing his army over this bridg , he found none that durst fight with him : for the suevians who were the most war-like people of the germans , had retired themselves and goods into great valleys , bogs , woods , and forrests . caesar therefore having burnt up the enemies country , and confirmed the league with the confederates of the romans , he returned back into gaul . about this time also he made a journey into england , being the first that sailed the western ocean with an army , and that passed through the atlantick sea to make war in this great and famous island , and was the first that enlarged the roman empire beyond the habitable earth . for he twice passed the seas out of france into england , where he fought many battels with the brittans , in which he did more hurt to the enemies , than enrich his own men : therefore this war had not such success as he expected , which made him only to take pledges of the king and to impose a yearly tribute upon him , and so returned back into gaul . he was no sooner landed there , but he met with letters which advertised from rome of the death of his daughter , the wife of pompey , for which they both of them were very sorrowful : and by this means the league betwixt pompey and caesar was broken , to the great prejudice of the common-wealth . caesars army being very great , he sent it into several garrisons for their winter quarters , and returned into italy , as he used to do . during which time all gaul rebelled again , and had raised great armies , who were led by one ambiorix . these did first set upon the garrisons of catta , and titurius , whom they slew together with all their men . then they went with sixty thousand men , and besieged the garrison which quintus cicero had in charge , and had almost taken it by storm , ciceroes souldiers being all wounded , yet they shewed such valour that they did more than men in their own defence . this news comming to caesar , who was far off , he returned with all possible speed , and levying seven thousand souldiers , he hasted to relieve cicero that was in great distress . the gauls that besieged him , hearing of caesars comming , arose , and went to meet him , making little account of his small number : caesar to entrap them , still drew back , making as though he fled from them , but still lodging in places of safety , and commanded his men that they should not stir out to skirmish with them , but rather to raise the ramparts of his camp , and to fortifie the gates , as men affraid , that their enemies might the less esteem them : but at length , he took the opportunity when the enemies came in a disordered manner to assault his camp , and then sallying out , he routed , and slew a great number of them . this act suppressed all the rebellions of the gauls in those parts : himself also went in the midst of winter in those places where they did rebel : for now he had a new supply out of italy of three whole legions to fill up the rooms of those that were slain , of which pompey lent him two , and the other legion was raised about the river po. shortly after there brake out the greatest and most dangerous war that ever he had in gaul , which had been long designed by the chiefest and most war-like people in all that country , who had a very great army , leavying multitudes of men , and much treasure to fortifie their strong holds : the country where they were was very hard to come into , especially then in the winter when the rivers were high , and the woods and forrests covered with snow , the meddows drowned with floods , and the snow so deep that no ways could be discerned , all which might have discouraged caesar from setting upon them ; the rather , because many nations joyned in this conspiracy , of whom the chief were the vernians , and the carnutes , who had chosed vercingentorix for their captain . he divided his army into divers places , under divers captains , and drawn into his assistance all the nations as far as to the adriatick sea : so that if he had tarried a little longer till caesar had been ingaged in his wars with pompey , he had put all italy into great fear and danger . but caesar , who knew his advantages , and how to take the best opportunities , as soon as he heard of this rebellion , he hasted towards them , intending to let them know , that they had to do with an army that was invincible , and which they could not possibly withstand , seeing they had marched with such speed in so hard a winter . this made them wonder when they saw him burning and destroying their country , when they thought him far off . such towns and strong forts as yielded to him , he received to mercy . but the hedui , who used to be stiled the brethren of the romans , taking arms against him , much discouraged his men : wherefore caesar went through the country of the lingones to enter into burgundy , who were consederates with the romans . thither the enemies followed him , endeavouring to compass him in on every side . caesar tarried their coming , and then fighting with them a long time , he at last overcame them . of those which fled , most of them together with their king got into the city of alexia , which caesar presently besieged , though it seemed inexpugnable , both in regard of the hight of the walls , and the many hands to defend them . during this siege caesar fell into a very great danger : for three hundred thousand of the best souldiers amongst the gauls came against him , besides those within the city , who were seventy thousand fighting men , so that finding himself to be shut in between two such mighty armies , he was faign to fortifie himself with two walls : one against those within alexia , and the other against those without . and truly the battel which he wan at this place , gat him more honour than any other that ever he fought before . for in this extream danger he shewed more valour and wisdom , and courage than in any other . and this was wonderful , that they within the city never heard of their friends that came to assist them , till caesar had overcome them : yea , caesars own men that guarded the wall against the city , knew nothing of the battel till they heard the cries and lamentations of those in the city , when they saw the romans bring into their camp such a number of shields glistering with gold and silver , such store of bloody corslets , and armour , such a deal of plate , and movables , and such a number of tents , and pavilions of the gauls which the romans had gotten of their spoils . thus the greatest part of this huge army were slain : and as for those within the city , when they had done and received much hurt , they at last yielded , and vercingentorix , went out of the city richly armed , and his horse furnished with brave , and glittering caparisons , and rode about caesar who sat in his chair of state. then allighting , he took off the caparisons , and stript himself of his armour , and prostrated himself on the ground , and then went and sat down at caesars feet , speaking never a word . caesar after a while committed him to prison to be led in his triumph at rome . now caesar had long since projected the distruction of pompey , as pompey had done the like for him . nothing kept caesar from being the greatest person but pompey the great , and nothing kept pompey from being supream but caesar. hitherto pompey had set light by caesar , thinking that he could crush him when he pleased : but caesar went more cunningly to work : for to attain his end , he procured to be sent into gaul , where he exercised and and hardened his army , and by his valiant deeds purchased fame and honour : so that now he lacked nothing but an occasion to put his design in practice , which pompey partly gave him , and the iniquity of the times much furthered it . for such as sued for honours and offices , bought the voices of the people shamefully , who therefore came to the market-place , not to give their voices , but with bows , and slings , and swords : and the assembly seldom brake up , but the pulpit for orations was besprinkled with the blood of the slain , so that many wise men believed , that there was no other cure of these evils but by putting the supream authority into one mans hand ; and many wished that pompey were the man : but he seemed to decline it , though cunningly underhand he laboured to be chosen dictator . cato smelling his drift , perswaded the senate rather to make him sole consul , thereby to satisfy his ambition : this was done accordingly , and the time also for the government of his provinces was prorogued : they allowed him also a thousand talents yearly out of the publick treasury wherewith to pay his souldiers . hereupon caesar took occasion to send his men to rome , to sue in his name for the consulship , and for the prolonging of his government . this was too indiscreetly opposed by marcellus and lentulus , and many things were spoken in his disgrace . they took away also the freedom from the collonies which caesar had granted them . and when marcellus was consul , he caused one of those senators to be whipt , saying , that he gave him those marks , that he might be known to be no citizen of rome ; and bad him go and tell caesar of it . shortly after caesar opened his treasures which he had got in gaul , and gave it freely among the magistrates of rome . he set curio the tribune , cleer out of debt : he gave to the consul paul fifteen hundred talents , wherewith he built a stately theater . pompey now beginning to fear , laboured to have a successour sent to caesar , and withal sent for his two legions , which caesar returned to him , bountifully rewarding every souldier : and they which brought these legions back , disgraced caesar all they could , and told pompey that if caesars souldiers did but once see him , they would all forsake caesar and cleave to him . this made pompey more secure , that neglected to prepare for war. one of caesars captains coming to rome , and moving the senate to have his government prorogued , they delaying their answer , he laid his hand upon his sword , and said , sith you will not grant it him , this shall give it him . caesar seemed to be very reasonable in what he requested , for he said , that whilst they required him to lay down arms for fear of a tyranny , and yet permitted pompey to keep his , they went about to establish a tyranny . curio in the name of caesar moved before all the people , that both should be commanded to lay down arms , which motion was entertained with great joy and clapping of hands by the people , who threw nose-gays , and flowers upon him for it . then anthony one of the tribunes , brought a letter from caesar , and read it before the people in spite of the consuls , wherein he desired that they would grant him gaul on this side the alps , and illyria with two legions only , and then he would desire no more : but scipio the father in law of pompey , moved in the senate , that if caesar did not dismiss 〈◊〉 army by a day appointed , that then he should be proclaimed an enemy to rome , marcellus also added , that they must use force of arms and not arguments against a thief ; whereupon the senate rose without determining any thing , and every one put on his mourning apparel as in the time of a common calamity . cicero being newly come from his government in cilicia , took much pains to reconcile them together , and perswaded pompey all he could , who told him that he would yield to whatsoever he desired , so he would let him alone with his army : but lentulus the consul shamefully drave curio and anthony out of the senate , who were in such danger that they were faign to flie out of rome to caesar , disguised in a carriers coat . this gave caesar great advantage , and much incensed his men , when they saw and heard how his friends were abused . caesar at this time had about him but five thousand foot , and three thousand horse , having left the rest of his army on the other side of the alps , to be brought after him by his lieutenants : judging it better suddenly to steal upon them at rome , then to assail them with his whole army , which would require time , and give his enemies opportunity to strengthen themselves against him . he therefore commanded his captains to go before , and to take in the city of ariminum ( a great city on this side the alps ) with as little bloodshed as might be . then committing the rest of those souldiers which he had with him , to hortensius , he spent a whole day in seeing the sword players exercise before him . at night he went unto his lodging , where having bathed himself a little , he came into the hall , and made merry with those whom he had bidden to supper . then rising from the table , he prayed his guests to be merry , and he would come again to them presently : howbeit he had secretly before directed his most trusty friends to follow him : not all together , but some on way , and some another . himself in the mean time took a coach that he had hired , and pretending at first to go another way , he suddenly turned towards ariminum . but when he came to the river of rubicorn , which divides the hither gaul from italy , he suddenly made a stop ( for if he once passed that , there could be no hope of peace ) considering with himself of what importance this passage was , and what miseries would ensue upon it . some say that he spake thus to his friends : doubtless if i forbear to pass over this river , it will be the beginning of my ruin ; if i pass it , the ruin will be general : then turning towards the river . he said , it is yet in our power to turn back , but if we pass the river we must make our way with our weapons . some say , that caesar standing thus doubtful , he was encouraged by the apparition of a man of very great stature , piping upon a reed , whereupon many of the souldiers and some trumpeters went neer to hear him , and that he catching one of their trumpets , leaped into the river , sounding to the battel with a mighty blast , and so passed on to the farther side of the river : whereupon caesar , with a furious resolution , cryed out , let us go whether the gods , and the injurious dealing of our enemies do call us . the dice are cast . i have set up my rest , come what will of it : after which he set spurs to his horse , and passed the river his army following him . caesar having passed the river and drawn his army together , he made an oration to them , shedding some tears , and tearing his garment down the breast , laying before them the equity of his cause , and craving their assistance . to whom , having with a general applause and consent made answer ; that they were ready to obey his will , he presently marched on and came the next day to ariminum , upon which he seized . the like he did to all the towns and castles as he passed on , till he came to corfinium which was held by domitius , who in a factious tumult had been nominated for his successour in the government of gaul . this being taken , he pardoned the souldiers , and inhabitants , and used domitius kindly , giving him leave to depart ( who went straight to pompey ) by which clemency he purchased to himself much honour . these thirty cohorts he kept with him . caesars resolution being known at rome , it troubled pompey , amazed the senate , and terrified the common people . pompey now found himself deceived , who before could not believe that caesar would thrust himself into so great danger , or that he could be able to raise sufficient forces to resist him : but the success proved otherwise . for though pompey had authority from the consuls and senate to leavy souldiers , to call home his legions , and to send captains for the defence of those cities in italy by which caesar should pass , yet all this was not sufficient to resist his fury ; and the power that he brought with him . the fame of caesars coming increasing daily , pompey , with the whole senate left rome , going to capua , and from thence to brundusium , a sea town seated at the mouth of the gulph of venice , where he ordered the consuls to pass to dyrrhachium , ( now durazzo ) a sea town of macedonia , there to unite all their forces , being out of hope to resist caesar in italy , who had already taken corfinium , where , having drawn domitius's thirty cohorts to serve him , he marched on , and hearing that pompey and the consuls were at brundusium , he hasted towards them with his legions with all possible speed . but pompey , though he had fortified the town sufficiently for his defence , yet when caesar began to invest the town , he imbarked himself and his men in the night time , and so passed over to dyrrachium , to the consuls . thus caesar injoyed italy without opposition , yet was he doubtful what to resolve on : he would gladly have followed pompey but wanted shipping , and it being winter , he knew that ships could not be procured so soon as was requisite : and considering with all , that it was not safe to leave an enemy behind him , which might cause an alteration in france , or italy ; he resolved first to go into spain , which held for pompey , and where he had his best legions under the command of petreius and afranius , saying to his friends , let us go against an army which wants a captain , and afterwards we will go against a captain that wants an army . for pompeys souldiers in spain were very valiant , and had been long exercised in armes , but their commanders were neither politick , nor expert in war. but on the contrary , pompey was a most wise and valiant captain , but his souldiers were newly levyed , and of small experience . caesar returning from brundusium , in sixty days space became lord of all italy , and when he came to rome , the people were in great fear , remembring the miseries they had suffered under sylla : but caesar using his accustomed clemency , hurt no man , high nor low : he called the senators together which remained there , comforting them with mild and good words ; and laying the whole fault upon pompey , he sought to justifie his own cause , declaring how much he desired peace , with all , requesting that ambassadours might be sent to pompey to procure the same : and causing himself present to be chosen consul , he opened the treasury , though metellus , one of the tribunes of the people , opposed him , and the treasure which he took from thence , which was very great , he distributed amongst his souldiers . then was he desirous to go into spain , first taking order for the civil government : and making choice of the legions which should go with him , he left the rest in brundusium , and otranto , and other strong places upon the sea coast , to keep pompey from landing if he should attempt to retùrn into italy . he also made hortensius , and dolabella his captains to provide shipping to be brought into the port of brundusium , there to be in a readiness against his return from spain : quintus valerius he sent with a legion into sardinia against marcus cotta which held the same for pompey . to sicily he sent curius , and marcus cato , with direction that having taken the same , he should pass over into africk . lepidus he sent to rome , as prefect thereof , and mark anthony he made governour of all italy : and resolving to leave lucinius crassus in france , with his accustomed celerity he went on his journey , finding no resistance , neither in italy nor france , till he came to marcelleis , which held for pompey , this city he besieged , and to avoid loss of time , left decius brutus , and caius trebonius with sufficient forces , who indured much in the siege : himself hasted into spain , where , being expected , afranius and petreius attended him with four roman legions , and the aid of their friends , between whom , and caesar the war continued for some while , chiefly about the city of lerida . at first caesar was in great danger and much distressed chiefly for want of victuals , as also for that the winter was come on , which troubled him with the swelling of rivers , before and after which , there passed many great skirmishes between the two armies . and caesar , watching his opportunities , at last brought his adversaries to such distress that they perished with hunger , and were forced to come to a composition , which was , that the legions should have liberty to go whither they pleased : and so part of them took pay of caesar , the rest departed , and petreius , and afranius went to pompey . this war being ended , and the spring come , caesar , that he might leave no enemy behind him , marched into the province of betica ( now andaluzia ) with part of his forces , commanding the rest to march whither he had appointed , and there to stay for him , because marcus varro held that province for pompey against caesar with one good legion : but he , not daring to oppose caesar , delivered up the legion to him , together with that country , and all was pacified there . from thence caesar went to cordova , where he called a parliament of all the states of that province , in which he highly commended them , and those of sivil for taking his part , and so marching forward , he came to the isle of cadez , where having gotten ships in readiness , he left quintus cassius with four legions in that province , and so embarking , he went to taragona , commanding his legions to march by land thither , where having settled his affairs , he advanced with his army towards narbona , and from thence to marcelleis , which now yielded to him , having endured many calamities during the siege : caesar respecting the antiquity and fame of this city , would not destroy it , nor the inhabitants , but leaving a strong garrison in it , he ordered his legions to march for italy , and himself , with a sufficient guard , and some of his friends took passage by sea to rome . though all things succeeded thus well with caesar , yet some of his captains had ill success . for caius antonius , whom he left with dolabella for to command his navy , was overthrown and taken prisoner in the gulph of venice by octavius , lieutenant to pompey . in which overthrow this was very remarkable : anthony was faign to put his men into long boats for want of ships , which were taken by a strategem as in a toil , by the pompeians , with ropes under the water . one of them which had in it a thousand valiant young men , being thus ensnared , was assaulted by the enemies whole army , against which they defended themselves bravely from morning till night , and in the end being oppressed with the multitude , by the perswasion of valteius , their collonel , they all slew one another , rather than they would fall into the enemies hand . dolabella was likewise overthrown near to the island of corcyra ( now corfu : ) and curius , who went with his two legions into africk , though at first he had good success , yet afterwards he was overthrown , and most of his men slain by juba , king of mauritania , pompeys friend . caesar being come to rome and made dictator , new consuls were chosen , whereof he being one , layed aside his dictatorship , and provided praetors for the provinces as himself pleased . he sent marcus lepidus into spain : aulus albinus into sicily : sextus peduceius into sardinia ; and decius brutus into france ; and taking such further order as he thought good , he departed from rome in december towards brundusium , whither he commanded all his forces to march , there to take passage for macedonia , where he knew that pompey staid with his army : who all that whole year that caesar spent in his journey to spain , busied himself to provide a navy wherein to return into italy , and in gathering treasure , and levying souldiers , having made an exceeding great provision of all things . for there came unto him , ships , money , and men from sundry kingdoms and provinces both of asia , and greece : as from syria , pontus , bithynia , cilicia , phoenicia , cappadocia , pomphilia , armenia minor , aegypt , greece , thessaly , baeotia , achaia , epirus , athens , lacedemonia , the isles of creet , and rhodes , and from many other countries . there came also to his aid king deiotarus , and aribarzanes , of all which together with those which he brought with him from italy , he compounded a very great army by land , and a very great fleet of ships and gallies by sea. it being now the depth of winter , pompey presuming it improbable , if not impossible for caesar to pass the seas to him ; having also intelligence that caesar was in rome , he disposed of his army to their winter quarters in macedonia and thessaly ; and himself retired farther from the sea , commanding his sea-captains ( of whom marcus bibulus was chief ) to guard the sea-coast . but caesar knowing that in the speedy execution consisted his greatest hopes of victory , and that occasion once lost could hardly be recovered , he departed from rome , and came to brundusium , though all his legions were not as yet come to him . there he embarked seven of his best legions in such ships as were ready , sending a command to the rest which were coming , to hasten to brundusium , whither he would send for them with all possible speed . and so departing , he crossed the seas with a prosperous gale of wind , and the third day after arrived upon the coast of macedonia , before pompey had any intelligence of his embarking . there he safely landing his men in dispite of pompeys captains , and commanded his ships and gallies presently to return to brundisium to fetch the rest of his army . presently after his first landing , he seized upon the cities of appallonia , and erico , driving from thence lucius torquatus , and lucius straberius , who held them for pompey . pompey hearing of caesars arrival , sent for his troops which were neerest hand with all speed possible , with whom he marched towards dirrachium , where his victuals , ammunition , and other provisions for the war lay , lest caesar should go and surprise them , which indeed he attempted but in vain , the situation of the place making it inexpugnable . pompey being come , their camps were lodged within a few furlongs each of other , where he passed many adventurous skirmished , and also some treaties of peace , offered by caesar , but rejected by pompey , so consident he was of his own power . in the interim caesar daily expected the coming of the other legions , who staying longer than he expected , he resolved in person , with three confident servants , secretly to embark himself in a brigandine , and to pass that streight of the sea and to fetch them , hoping to perform the same without the knowledg of any . and accordingly , passing down the river to the sea , he found it so troublesome and tempestuous that the master of his brigandine ( not knowing whom he carried ) durst not adventure forth , but would have returned . then caesar discovering his face , said , perge avdactèr : caesarum enim fers , & fortunam caesaris : bear up bravely , and boldly against the winds and waves : for thou carriest caesar , and all his fortunes . the master herewith encouraged , strove all that possibly he could to proceed in his voyage : but the force of the tempest was so great , and the wind so contrary , that do what possibly they could , they were driven back again . when caesars army heard of these passages , they much wondred , grieved and were troubled at it : commending him more for his valour , than for his wisdom : but within few days after m. anthony arrived with four of those legions which were left behind in italy , presently returning the ships back for the rest . anthony after some adventures , joyned with caesars army near to dirrachium where we lately left him . frequent skirmishes still continued between the two armies , and many were slain on both sides , and one day the skirmish was so hot , supplies being sent from both sides , that it almost came to a just battel , wherein caesars men were so beaten , that they fled before the enemies , and could not be made to stand by any intreaties , or menaces , till they were come into their camp , which they had strongly fortified : yet many durst not trust to that , but fled out of it : but pompey either because he imagined their flight to be faigned to draw him into an ambush , or because he thought there needed no more to be done , and that caesar could no more resist him , he neglected to prosecute his victory , causing a retreat to be sounded without assaulting caesars camp , which , probably , he might have taken , and made an end of the war that day . whereupon caesar said to his friends : truly this day had ended the war , if our enemies had had a captain that had known how to overcome . at this time caesar lost a great number of his men , amongst whom were four hundred roman knights , ten tribunes ( or collonels ) and thirty two centurions ( or captains ) and his enemies took from him thirty two ensigns . upon this victory pompey sent news thereof to divers parts of the world , holding himself for an absolute conquerour . caesar much blamed some of his captains and ensign beàrers for their cowardize , and his army were so grieved and ashamed , that they much importuned him to lead them forth again to battel : but he thought it not fit so soon to lead them forth against a victorious army . he therefore sent his sick and wounded men to the city of apolonia , and departed by night with as great silence as could be from the place where he was , and marched towards thessaly , intending there to refresh and encourage his army , and to draw his enemies farther from the sea coast , where their chief strength lay , and where their camp was well fortified , and victualled , or at least he intended to attempt the overthrow of scipio , who ( as he heard ) was coming to joyn with pompey . pompey finding caesar was departed , followed him for some few days ; and then taking councel what to do , he resolved to leave a lufficient navy to guard the seas , and with the rest to return into italy , and to seize upon it , together with france and spain , and afterwads to go against caesar : but the roman lords that were with him , and the importunity of his unskilful captains and souldiers , forced him to alter his determination , and presently to pursue caesar , who made an alt in the fields of pharsalia , which are in thessaly , making his retreat with so much prudence , and in so good order , that upon all occasions that were offered he ever had the better ; till at length seeing his men full of resolution and courage , he resolved no longer to defer the fight . concerning which battel : the ordering , and event of it : the flight of pompey into egypt , and how basely , and barbarously he was murthered there , see it before in the life of pompey the great . julius caesar having obtained this great and glorious victory , used therein his accustomed clemency , not suffering any roman either to be slain or hurt after the battel was ended , but pardoned all those that were either taken in the fight , or found in the camp , amongst whom was marcus tullius cicero . after which , being informed which way pompey was fled , he pursued him with the lightest , and swiftest of his army , and in the way subduing all the cities , he at last came to the sea side , where he gathered together all the ships and gallies that possibly he could , together with those whom cassius had brought , he therein shipped as many of his men as they could contain , and passed into the lesser asia , where , being advertised that pompey had been in cyprus , he presumed that he was gone into aegypt ; wherefore he steered the same course , taking with him two legions of old souldiers only . when he arrived at alexandria , he understood that pompey presuming upon the many benefits , and good entertainment which the father of this king ptolomy had received in his house , had sent to this ptolomy to harbour and assist him : which accordingly the king promised , and pompey coming upon his safe conduct , in a small boat , was by the false kings commandment basely murthered , thinking thereby to win the favour of caesar. he understood likewise that cornelia the wife of pompey , and his son sextus pompeius were fled from thence in the same ship wherein they came . caesar being landed , and received into the city , they brought him for a present the head of the great pompey ; but he turned away and would not see it , and when they brought him pompeys ring with his seal of arms , he wept , considering the end and success of the great adventures and properties of pompey , who with such honour and fame had triumphed three times , and been so many times consul in rome : and had obtained so many victories abroad . when caesar was landed in aegypt , he found the country imbroiled in civil wars : there being great discord between young king ptolomy , and his sister cleopatra , about the division and inheritance of that kingdom , wherein julius caesar ( as being a roman consul ) took upon him to be an arbitrator . for which cause , or because their guilty consciences accused them for the treacherous murther of pompey , fotinus the eunuch , who had contrived the said murther , and achillas , who had been the actor of it , fearing that caesar inclined to favour cleopatra , sent for the kings army that lay near the city , consisting of twenty thousand good souldiers , purposing to do by caesar as they had done by pompey , so that within a few days , there began between caesar and his small army , both in the city , and in the harbour where the ships and gallies lay , the most cruel , and dangerous encounter that ever caesar met with : for he was often forced to fight in his own person , both within the city ( whereof the enemies held the greater part ) and also in the harbour with his ships , and was sometimes in so great peril and danger , that he was forced to leap out of the boat into the water , and by swimming to get one of the gallies ; at which time he held his commentaries in one hand above water , and carry his robe in his teeth , and to swim with the other hand . but when his other forces were come to him from asia , and other parts , he at the end of nine months ( for so long these wars lasted ) became victorious , as in all other his enterprises he had been , and the young king ptolomy was slain in fight . in this war caesar did such exploits , and behaved himself so gallantly , that for the same only he well deserved the fame and name of a brave captain . the pride of the aegyptians being thus tamed , caesar put to death the murtherers of pompey , and established the fair cleopatra , the queen and governess of aegypt , whom , during his stay there , he intertained for his friend , and had a son by her called caesarion . and when he had quitted and settled all things in aegypt , he departed thence into asia , and travelled through syria ( now soria ) being informed , that during his troubles in aegypt , king pharnaces , the son of that mighty king methridates , thought it a fit time , whilst the romans were embroiled in civil wars , to recover what his father had lost : for which end having overthrown domitius , whom caesar had sent to govern those parts , and having taken by force of arms the provinces of bithynia , and cappadocia , expelling thence king ariobarzanes ( a friend and subject of rome ) and beginning to do the like in armenia the less , which king deiotarus had subjected to the romans : caesar ( i say ) being informed hereof , went with his army sooner than pharnaces imagined , though he expected him , and had intelligence of his appproach ; so that in few days they came to a battel , in which the king was soon overthrown , and put to slight , with great slaughter of his people , yet himself escaped . caesar was very joyful for this victory , because of his earnest desire to return to rome ; where he knew that many scandals were raised , and many insolencies were committed for want of his presence : he knew also that pompeys eldest son had seized upon a great part of spain , and had raised great forces of those which marcus varro had left there , and of his fathers troops . he also understood , that in africa many principal romans , who had escaped from the battel of pharsalia , were gathered together , whereof m. cato ( surnamed uticensis ) was the chief , and scipio , pompeys father in law , and that these went thither with the greatest part of the ships and galleys which belonged to pompey , and with the greatest power that they were able to leavy ; and that joyning with juba king of mauritania , they had subdued all that country , and had a great army in a readiness to oppose him , having chosen scipio for their general , because that cato would not take that office upon him , and for that the name of scipio had been so fortunate in africa . caesar having intelligence of all these things , within the space of a few days , with great celerity and diligence recovered all that pharnaces had usurped , and chasing him out of portus he regained all those countries : and so leaving celius minucius for general , with two legions to guard that province , pacifying the controversies and contentions in the rest , and rewarding the kings , and tetrachs which continued firm in their leagues and amity with the romans , without any longer aboad , he departed out of asia , and in a short space arrived in italy , and so passed to rome , within little more than a year after he went thence , which was a very short time for the performance of so great matters , and so long a journey . presently after his comming to rome , he caused himself to be chosen consul the third time , and reforming ( so much as the time and his leasure would permit ) all disorders in rome , being troubled and not able to endure that his enemies should possess africk , with great expedition he prepared all things necessary , and from rome took his way towards africk , commanding his army to follow him . first he went into italy , from whence taking ship , he passed over into africk , and though neither his navy , nor his army arrived with him , trusting to the valour of those that he had with him , and his own good fortune , he landed with small forces , near to the city of adrumentum , and from thence marched to another city called leptis , into which he was received , and after some conflicts that passed , his legions being come to him , and certain other troops of horse , and companies of foot , he began the war which continued four months . he first began with petreius and lubienus ; and then with scipio and king ju●a , who brought to those wars eight thousand men , the one half whereof were horse . in this war were many encounters and battels , in which caesar was in great danger : but at last ( his good fortune , still attending him ) he overcame them in a great battel , wherein there were slain of the enemies ten thousand , and caesar remained master of the field , and in a short time after , subjected all the country to him . scipio , and all the chief captains , with him died sundry deaths , and juba escaping by flight from the battel , finding no place of security , afranius and he resolved to dye fighting one against the other , in which combate , king juba being the stronger man , slew asranius , and then commanded one of his salves to kill him , and so he died desperately . marcus cato , who was in the city of utica , hearing that caesar was marching thitherward , though he knew that he would not put him to death , but but rather had a desire to pardon him and to do him honour ; yet , resolving neither to receive life nor honour from his enemy , he slew himself : in whose death there passed many remarkable accidents recorded by historians : florus saith thus of it . cato ( saith he ) hearing of the death of his partners , he dallyed not at all , but joyfully hastened his end : for after he had embraced his son , and his friends and bad them good night , and then rested a while upon his bed , having first perused plato's book of the immortality of the soul : then about the relieving of the first watch he got up , drew his sword , and therewith thrust himself through : after which the phisicians applied plaisters to his wounds , which he indured whilst they were in the room , but then he pulled them away , and the blood following abundantly , he left his dying hand even in the wound . scipio , who had been general in this war , escaped also from the battel by flight , entered into some gallies , which being met with by caesar navy , that he might not fall into his enemies hand , after he had given himself some wounds , he threw himself into the sea , and so vvas drowned . caesar having obtained so great and absolute a victory , spent some few days in settling and ordering the provinces of africa , making the kingdom of juba a province , and then marched to utica , vvhere he imbarked june the third , and came to the isle of sardinia , and after some short stay there , he arrived at rome the tvventy fifth day of july . at his comming thither there vvere granted unto him four triumphs : first for his conquests and victories in france , in vvhich vvere carried the portraictures of the rivers of rhodanus , and the rhine vvrought in gold. the second triumph vvas for the conquest of aegypt , and of king ptolomy , vvhere vvere set the river of nilus , and the pharus burning . the third vvas for the conquest of pontus , and of king pharnaces , vvherein , in regard of his speedy victory , vvas placed a vvriting vvith these vvords , veni , vidi , vici : i come , i savv , i overcame . the fourth triumph vvas for the province of africa , vvherein king jubas son vvas led captive : and in this triumph vvere given jevvels , and armes to octavius , caesars nephevv , vvho succeeded him in the empire . as for the battel vvherein he conquered pompey , he vvould not triumph , because it vvas against a citizen of rome . these triumphs being ended , he gave great revvards to his souldiers , and entertained the people vvith feasts , and bountiful gifts , and then caused himself to be chosen the fourth time , consul . and so , to the end that there should be left no place wherein he would not be obeyed , he resolved to go for spain , hearing that gneius pompeius , the son of pompey , was retired with the rest of the army which had escaped out of africk , to go to his brother sextus pompeius , who was in possession of a great part of spain , as we heard before , together with the famous cities of sivil , and cordova , and many others of those parts : many spaniards also comming to their aid . caesar in this journey carryed with him his most valiant , and most experienced souldiers , and made so good speed , that in few days space he arrived in spain , in which journey his nephew octavius followed him . entering into spain he came to the province of betica ( now andaluzia ) where were sextus pompeius , with his brother gneius , and such legions and souldiers as they had gotten together ; and there began betwixt caesar and them a most cruel and bloody war , the end whereof was , that neer to the city of munda , caesar , and gneius pompeius ( for sextus was then at cordova ) joyned battel , which was one of the most obstinate , and most cruel fights that ever was in the world. for caesar being a most excellent captain , and the souldiers which he brought with him most brave and valiant men , and fleshed with so many victories , held it out with great resolution ; and on the other side , the bravery and courage of young pompey and his men was such , and they fought in such manner , as caesars squadrons began to give ground , and were ready to forsake the field , and at the very point to have been wholly overthrown : and the matter came to this issue , that caesar was about to have slain himself because he would not see himself overcome . yet taking a target from one of his souldiers , he rushed into the midst of his enemres , saying with a loud voice , if ye be not ashamed , leave me and deliver me into the hands of these boyes ; for this shall be the last day of my life and of your honour : with which words , and his example , his souldiers took heart in such manner , that recovering the ground which they had lost , the battel became equal , which lasted almost a whole day without any sign of victory to either party , sometimes seeming to incline to the one , sometimes to the other side ; until at the length caesar and his men did so great exploits , as that the evening being come , his enemies began to faint , and fly , and the victory was apparently caesars . there died of the enemies above thirty thousand in this battel , and caesar lost above a thousand men of account besides common souldiers . caesar esteemed so much of this victory , and so gloried in the danger which he had escaped , that ever after he used to say , that in all other battels he had fought for honour and victory , and only that day he fought for his life . young pompey , after he had performed all the offices of a prudent general and valiant souldier , was foreed to fly , and wandering through many places , was at last taken and slain by some of caesars friends , who carried his head to caesar. his other brother sextus pompeius , fled from cordova , and afterwards forsook spain : caesar recovered sivil , and cordova , and all the rest of the country ; after which , ordering his affaires in spain after his pleasure , he returned to rome , and triumphed for these victories , which was his fifth and last triumph . caesar now came to be the most mighty , the most redoubted , and the most highly esteemed man in the world , having conquered and subdued the greatest part thereof , in as little time , as it might seem that another man might be able to travel through those countries by reasonable journeys . he then made himself perpetual dictator , and so without opposition , he finished the making of himself the soveraign lord , and monarch of the empire of rome , within less than five years after he first attempted the same . and this was the original and beginning of the roman emperours . for julius caesar would not be called king ( that name being odious to the romans above all things , ever since kings were first driven from rome ) but contented himself to be called perpetual dictator , and emperour , which title was usually given to the roman generals upon their obtaining any signal victory . but after julius caesar , all his successors took that title , glorying to be called emperour , which hath ever since been held for the highest title , and dignity in the world. caesar having now attained to that absolute power which he had so ambitiously sought after , he shewed in all his deportment much clemency , and magnanimity , honouring and rewarding his friends , and easily forgiving , and very cheerfully pardoning all those that had been his adversaries : thus he pardoned brutus , cassius , cicero , marcellus , and many others : yea , some of them he admitted to his company , and private familiarity , and to offices and dignities ; and amongst the many virtues wherewith he was endued , his clemency and liberality were most glorious . but all this prevailed not with the romans to quench their desires after the recovery of their lost liberty , neither to asswage the hatred and malice conceived against him by his adversaries , as aft●rwards appeared . and notwithstanding many were discontented , yet some for love , others for fear , and out of dissimulation , both senate and people , yea all in general gave him names , preheminences and titles of honour , such as never had been given to any other man before him , neither ought to have been accepted by him ; and many were the more offended , because they knew that he affected and desired them . they gave him the name of emperour , father , restorer , and preserver of his country . they made him perpetual dictator , and consul for ten years : and perpetual censor of their manners . his statue was erected and set up amongst the kings of rome : and a chair , and throne of ivory was set up for him in the temple , and in the senate house , and an high throne in the theater , and in the place where the senators did use to sit . his pictures and statues were set up in the temples , and in all publick places . some titles they gave him , and he accepted of , which were peculiar to the gods. the month formerly called quintile , they called julius after his name . they also built , and consecrated temples to him , as they did to jupiter and the other gods , and gave him certain honours which they held proper for their gods , and did him many other honours exceeding all measure . julius caesar enjoying such honour and power , so that he had no equal , no second in the world with whom he might contend , it seemed that he would contend with himself , and attempt something wherein he might excel himself : for he was not contented with all the victories which he had obtained , neither to have fought fifty several battels , in all which he was victorious , save in that one at dyrrachium against pompey : neither to have slain in the wars and battels which he fought a million , ninety , and odd thousands of men , besides those that were slain in the civil wars . but being of a most haughty mind , he sought to do greater matters , if greater could be . for first he resolved to pass into the east , there to conquer and subdue the fierce nations of the parthians , and to revenge the death of marcus crassus ; and from thence to pass through hyrcania , and other countries till he should come to the caspian sea , and so through all the parts of scithia , asiatica ; and passing the river tanais , to return through scithia into europe , and in his retreat to come into germany , and other conntries bordering thereupon , conquering and subjecting all to the roman empire . for which end he presently caused to be levied in several places ten thousand horsemen , and sixteen legions of chosen footmen , and appointing the time wherein he intended to begin his journey , he commanded them to repair to their rendevouz . he sought also not only to subdue all nations , but to correct and reform even nature it self : for he purposed to have made an island of peloponnesus ( now called morea ) by cutting the neck of land between the egaean , and the jonian seas . he purposed also to have altered the courses of the river tiber , and anian , and to have made their new channels , capable of bearing great ships . he ordered the digging down and levelling many high hills and mountains , in italy , and to dry up and drain great lakes and marishes therein . he corrected the computation of the year , reforming it according to the course of the sun , and brought it into that order wherein it now is . he did the like about the course of the moon , and her conjunctions and oppositions to the sun : and this was attributed to him for tyranny by those that hated him . many others things caesar did , which were very remarkable , in reforming the laws , customs , and offices . he re-edified the ruined city of carthage , in africk , and sent thither colonies , and roman citizens to inhabit it : the like he did by corinth . but all these works with his high conceits and undertakings , were prevented , by his unexpected , and immature death , which within a few days after ensued . a few men , and those unarmed bereft him of his life , whom no former forces could resist . for five months only he lived as soveraign lord in peace ; when those in whom he reposed greatest trust conspired his death . some say that caesar was counselled to have a guard about him alwayes ; to which he answered , that he would have none : for that he had rather die once , than live continually in fear . they which conspired his death , were stirred up thereto , either out of hatred to his person , or desire of liberty , accounting him for a tyrant : or out of suspition that he would have made himself a king , a thing in the highest degree hateful to the romans : and lastly , because he began to contemn others : for he used to say , that the commonwealth was but a voice and name without a body , or substance ; and that sylla was a fool for resigning his perpetual dictatorship . all the whole senate coming one day to the temple of venus where he was , he sat still , and rose not up as formerly he used to do . his friends also and favourites began to report , that in the books of the sybils ( which in rome were had in great veneration ) it was written , that the parthians could never be overcome but by a man that should have the title of a king , and therefore he laboured that caesar should take upon him that title before his parthian war ; and though he seemed to be displeased at it , yet they suspected the contrary ; and their suspition was encreased , for that , whereas the tribunes of the people had caused a man to be imprisoned , who had set a crown upon the head of one of caesars statues , he was so incensed against the tribunes that did it , that he deposed them from their office : and not long after , when mark anthony ( who was his great favourite , and that year his fellow consul ) being at some publick games , came to caesar , and put a crown upon his head ; though he threw it down , yet they all imagined , that mark anthony would not have presumed to have done it without his good liking ; and that he did it but to prove the people how they would like it ; these , and such like passages , gave them occasion to desire and design his death . they were also father encouraged hereunto , for that in sundry publick places , certain writings were set up , which did intice and animate them to conspire against him : as upon the statue of brutus , who in ancient times did chase the kings out of rome , were written these words , would to god thou wert now living , brutus . and upon the image of marcus brutus , who then was praetor , and descended from the former brutus , were these words : thou sleepest long , brutus . truly , thou art not brutus . and again , thou art dead , brutus : would to god thou wert living , thou art unworthy of the succession from the brute . surely thou art not descended from the good brutus : and such like other writings were set upon these statues . so as for these , and such like reasons , there were seventy of the most eminent men in rome that conspired to murther caesar : of which the principal were decius , marcus brutus , caius cassius , gaius casca , attilius cimber , servius galba , quintus ligarius , marcus spurius , &c. who , after divers consultations , concluded to kill him upon the ides of march , which was the fifteenth day of that moneth , in the temple where the senators were to sit that day : yet brutus was held to be caesars son , and had received great honours , and many favours from him . this conspiracy was kept so secret , notwithstanding the great number of them , that there was not any one found that discovered the same . but there were so many signes and prodigies , and to himself there happened so many fore-warnings , that ( without knowing any cause ) all men were of opinion that caesars death was near at hand . spurina also , who was his southsayer , forewarned him , to look to himself till the ides of march were past : for that his life was in great danger . and caesars own wife intreated him upon her knees , that he would not that day go to the senate ; for she had dreamed that he lay dead in her lap . these and such like warnings prevailed so far with him , that he was about to send to mark anthony to make his excuse , and to put off the senate to another day . but what god hath determined must come to pass ; and therefore brutus being present , advised him by no means to discover any such fear , and so he resolved to go . caesar made small account of death , and said , that as for himself he had won power and fame , and glory enough , and that at no time he could die with greater honour . and some discoursing the night before he was slain , what death was best , even that ( quoth he ) which is sudden , and least prepensed . the fifteenth of march being come , he went from his house in a litter , towards the senate ; and as he passed along the street , there was a petition delivered to him , wherein was set down in writing all that was concluded in this conspiracy ; and he which gave it , prayed him to read it presently , which he began to do : but there came so many to speak to him , that he could make no farther progress , and this paper was found in his hand when he was dead . as he passed on , he met with spurina the southsayer , and pleasantly jesting , he said to him , dost thou not know spurina , that the ides of march are come ? yea ( answered spurina ) and i know that they are not yet past . when he came to the temple where the senators met , he alighted from his litter and went in , and having first done sacrifice ( according to the custome ) which all that saw presaged to be fatal and infortunate , he sat him down in his chair , and brutus albinus entertaining mark anthony at the door with discourse , one of the conspirators , whose name was celer , came to caesar , under a pretence to intrcat him to release a brother of his from banishment , and presently all the rest of the conspirators drew near to his chair ; which when caesar saw , thinking that they had all come for the same purpose , he said unto them , what force is this ? and at that instant one of them whose name was casca , beginning , they all drew their poyniards , and swords which they had privately under their gowns , and began to wound him . the first blow he received , casca gave him in the throat ; at which caesar said aloud , what dost thou traitor casca ? and wresting the poyniard out of his hand , he arose and stabbed casca through the arm , and being about to strike him again , he was prevented by the many wounds which the others gave him , whilst with great force and courage he leaped from one side to the other to defend himself : but when he saw marcus brutus with his drawn sword in his hand , wherewith he had already wounded him in the thigh , he was much amazed , and said in the greek tongue , why how now son brutus ? and thou also ? and having so said , seeing so many weapons bent against him , and that no body came to his rescue , he remembred to keep the honour of his person , with his right hand he covered his head with part of his robe , and with his left hand girt himself , and settled his clothes about him , and being so covered , he fell down to the ground , having received three and twenty wounds ; and it happened that his fall was at the foot of the seat on which pompeys statue stood . so in this manner died one of the most mighty , worthy , valiant , wise , and most successful princes and captains that ever was in the world. for , his excellencies , abilities , invincible mind , incomparable courage , the battels which he fought , and victories which he obtained ; the provinces , kings , and nations which he subdued ; his counsels , policies , and stratagems , and bold attempts : his magnanimity , clemency , and bounty , both to the conquered and conquerors ; the great designs which he proposed to himself a little before he was slain , being all weighed and considered , it will plainly appear , that in none of those things aforesaid , nor in any other that may be said of him , there hath been any heathen king or captain that ever excelled him . and setting apart his ambition and desire of rule , he was onely noted , and blamed for being too much given to women . caesar was thus slain in the fifty sixth year of his age , a little more than four years after the death of pompey , in the seven hundred and tenth year after the building of rome , and about forty and two years before the incarnation of our blessed lord and saviour jesus christ. caesar left behind him neither son nor daughter legitimate at that time of his death : for though he had been four several times married , yet he had but one only daughter , named julia , that was married to pompey , and died before him . wherefore by his last will , he adopted for his son , and made his heir in the dodrant , that is , in nine parts of twelve of his goods , his nephew octavius caesar , afterwards called octavianus augustus , who was the son of acia , his neece , and of octavius praetor of macedonia , which octavius at this time , was , by the commandment of his uncle , in the city of apollonia , in the province of epirus , where he applied himself to his studies , staying for him there , thence to go with him to the parthian war , being now about seventeen years of age . caesar being thus slain , the news of it ran presently all over the city , and the tumult therein was so great , that no man knew what to do or say . all offices ceased , the temples were all shut up , and every man was amazed . caesars friends were afraid of those that slew him , and they as much feared his friends , brutus , cassius , and the other conspirators , and others that joyned with them , seeing the great tumult , durst not go to their houses , nor prosecute their other designs , for fear of mark anthony and lepidus , whereof the one was consul , and the other general of the horsemen , but presently from thence they went to seize upon the capitol , crying by the way as they went , liberty , liberty , and imploring the favour , and assistance of the people . the rest of that day , and all next night , mark anthony , and lepidus ( who took caesars part ) were in arms , and there passed sundry messages , and treaties between them and the conspirators : at last it was agreed that the senate should sit , whither brutus , and cassius came , m. anthonies sons ( by the perswasion of cicero , a great lover of liberty ) remaining as hostages for them . in the senate they treated of peace and concord , and that all that was past should be buried in perpetual oblivion ; whereunto , anthony who was consul , and the whole senate agreed : and the provinces being divided , there was a great likelihood of peace . for the senate approved , and commended the murther , and the people dissembled their thoughts : for on the one side the authority of brutus and cassius , and the name of liberty , seemed to give them some content : and on the other side , the hainousness of the fact , and the love they bare to caesar , did move , and excite them to hate the murtherers , and so all was quiet for the present . but mark anthony ( who affected the tyranny ) took every opportunity to incense the people against them : and caesars testament being opened , wherein ( besides the adopting of his nephew octavius , and making him his heir ) besides other bequests , he bequeathed to the people of rome , certain gardens , and lands near to the river of tiber , and to every citizen of rome , certain gardens , and lands neer to the sum of mony to be divided amongst them , which being known , much encreased their love to caesar , and made his death more grievous to them . caesars funeral being agreed upon , his body was burnt with great solemnity in the field of mars , and mark anthony made the funeral oration in his praise , and took the robe wherein caesar was slain , being all bloody , and shewed it to the people , using such speeches as provoked them both to wrath , and commiseration , so as before the funeral solemnity was fully finished , they all depart in great fury , taking brands in their hands from the fire wherein caesar was burned , and went to burn the houses of brutus , and cassius , and if they could have found them , and the rest of the conspirators , they would certainly have slain them ; and in their fury they unadvisedly slew elius cinna , by mistaking him for cornelius cinna , who was one of the conspirators . this tumult put brutus , and cassius , and their confederates , into such fear , that they all sled from rome into several parts : and though the senate ( having appeased the tumult ) inflisted punishment upon some of the seditious , and had already committed some of them to prison , yet brutus , and cassius durst not return to rome , but after a while went into greece , to govern those provinces which caesar in his life time had allotted unto them , which were , macedonia to brutus , and syria to cassius . and truly this was very remarkable , that within the space of three years all the conspirators died , and not one of them a natural death . caesar in his fifth and last consulship made an edict , that thanks should be returned to hyrcanus , the high-priest and prince of the jews , and to the nation of the jews , for their affection to himself and the people of rome . and decreed also , that the said hyrcanus , should have the city of jerusalem , and repair the walls of it which pompey had beaten down , and should govern it as he pleased himself . he also granted to the jews , that every second year there should an abatement be made out of their rents , and that they should be free from impositions , and tributes . his name of caesar was so honourable , that all his successors to this present day , have assumed it into their title , and esteemed it an honour to be called caesars . the life and death of octavianus augustus in whose raign our lord christ was born . octavius caesar , who was afterwards called octavianus augustus , was by the fathers side descended of the antient family of the octavij , which was of great account in rome even from the time of tarquin their king : by the mothers side he was descended from the regal line : his mother was accia the daughter of accius balbus , and julia , the sister of julius caesar , which accia was married to the father of octavius . he was born in the year of the consulshp of cicero , and caius antonius . he was but four years old when his father dyed : and at twelve years old he made an oration at the funeral of his grand-mother julia. when his uncle julius caesar , was warring in spain against the sons of pompey , octavius ( though he was but young ) followed him thither through many and great dangers : and when that war was ended , julius caesar intending to take him with him to the parthian war , sent him before to the city of apollonia , where he plyed his book very diligently ; and on a time having a mind to see theogenes , a learned astronomer , he calculated his nativity , and promised him great matters , which made octavius conceive great hopes of himself , and in memory thereof he caused certain medals to be coined , and would often boast of what theogenes had told him . octavius in the sixth month after he went to apollonia , having intelligence from his mother of the death of his uncle julius caesar , he hasted out of epirus to brundusium , where he was received by the army that went to meet him as the adopted son of caesar , and without any further delay he assumed the name of caesar , and took upon him to be his heir , and that so much the rather , because he had brought with him good store of mony , and great forces that were sent him by his uncle : and so at brundusium , adopting himself into the julian family , he called himself caius julius caesar octavius . to this very name , as though he had been his true son , there came great store of , partly of his friends , partly of freed-men , slaves , and souldiers , by whom being more strengthened and imboldned by the multitude of them that flocked to him , and by the authority of the caesarian name , which with the common people was in great reputation , he took his journey towards rome with a great train , which daily increased like a floud . on the fourteenth kalends of may he entered into naples , where he gave cicero a visit . from thence as he was going to rome there met him a vast company of his friends , and as he entered the city , the globe of the sun seemed to compass his head round like unto a bow , as it were , putting a crown upon his head , who afterward was to be so great a man : and at night , calling together his friends , he commanded them to be ready the next morning , with good store of followers , to meet him in the market-place , which was done accordingly ; and he going to caius , the city praetor , and brother to anthony , he told him that he did accept of the adoption . for it was the roman custom in adoptions to interpose the authority of the praetor : which acceptance being registred by the scribes , from thence he presently went to mark anthony the consul , who behaved himself proudly towards him , and scarcely admitting him into pompeys gardens , gave him time to speak with him . octavianus had a great mind to revege the death of julius caesar ; but by his mother , and philip his father in law he was advised to conceal his purpose for a time , both because the senate had approved his death , and because mark anthony , who was principally to assist him therein , did not shew himself very friendly to him . octavianus understanding that mark anthony had in his custody all the treasure that was left by julius caesar , he desired him to command it to be delivered to him , therewith to pay his debts , and to distribute it as caesar had appointed in his will : but anthony with greater pride than octavianus could well bear , not only refused what he demanded , but reproved him for desiring it ; whereupon discords presently arose betwixt them : and octavianus strengthened himself with the counsel of cicero , a great enemy to anthony , and one whose authority at that time , by reason of his wisdom and eloquence , was very great . anthony being overseer of those things which caesar had commanded to be done , what by corrupting the notes , and changing them at his pleasure , did what himself listed , as if it had been the appointment of caesar ; by this means , gratifying cities and governours , and heaping vast sums of money to himself , selling not only fields and tributes , but freedoms and immunities even of the city of rome , and that not only to particular persons , but to whole provinces , and of these things there were tables hung up all over the capitol . octavianus being nineteen years old , at his own charges gathered an army , and sought the favour of the people , and prepared forces against anthony for his own and the commonwealths safety . he allo stirred up the old souldiers , who by julius caesar had been planted in colonies : so that anthony being afraid of him , by the mediation of friends , had a conference with him in the capitol , and they were for the present reconciled , but within a few days , through the whisperings of some , their enmity brake out again , and anthony , not thinking himself strong enough , and knowing that the legions of macedonia were the best souldiers , and six in number , with whom also were many archers , light harnessed men , and horsemen , these he sought to draw to himself , who , because of their neerness , might presently be brought into italy : and thereupon he caused a rumour to be spread , that the getae wasted macedonia by their inrodes ; and upon that occasion he demanded an army of the senate , saying , that the macedonian army was raised by caesar against the getae , before he intended the parthian war , whereupon he was chosen general of those forces , and he obtained a law for the change of provinces , whereby his brother caius anthony challenged macedonia , which before by lot fell to marcus brutus . on the seventh of the ides of october anthony went to brundusium , there to meet four of the macedonian legions , whom he thought to draw to himself by money . thither also octavianus sent his friends with money to hire these souldiers for himself , and himself posted into campania , to engage those souldiers which were in colonies to take his part ; and first he drew to him the old souldiers of galatia , then those of casilinum on both sides of capua , giving to each man five hundred pence , by which means he gat together about ten thousand men , who marched with him under one ensign as a guard . in the mean while the four legions of macedonia , accusing anthony for his delays in revenging caesars death , without any acclamations conducted him to the tribunal , as it were , to hear an account of this matter , and there continued silent . anthony taking this ill , upbraded them with their ingratitude , and complained that they had not brought to him some disturbers of the peace , who were sent from that malapert young man ( for so he called octavian ) and to ingratiate himself with them , he promised an hundred pence to each of them , which niggardly promise was intertained with laughter , which he took so ill , that being returned to his quarters , in the presence of his most covetous , and most cruel wife fulvia , he put to death some centurions out of the martian legion . when those of caesars party , that were sent to corrupt the souldiers , saw that they were more exasperated by this deed , they scattered libels about the army , wherein they disgraced anthony , and extolled the liberality of caesar . and when some sided with octavian , and others with anthony , the army , as if it had been set to sale at an outcry , addicted themselves to him that would give most . and because that decius brutus , who commanded gallia cisalpirea ( now lombardy ) opposed anthony , he went to besiege him in the city of mutina ( now modena ) which being known in rome , cicero his authority and credit in the senate was such , that mark anthony was declared an enemy to the state , and the new consuls , hircius and pansa were sent against him , and with them was octavian sent with ensigns of a consul , and title of a pro-praetor , having been first admitted into the senate though so young , which was done by the procurement of cicero , though he afterwards requited him ill for it . octavian with the consuls , drew neer to mark anthony , cicero remaining to command in chief in all matters at rome : and between the two armies there passed many skirmishes and encounters , and at last they came to battel , wherein the consuls and caesar had the victory , but hircius was slain in the battel , and pansa was so wounded , that he died within few days after , and both the armies of the slain consuls obeyed caesar. by this means d. brutus was freed from his siege , and anthony was forced to forsake italy by a dishonourable flight , leaving his baggage behind him . in this service octavian made marvellous proof of himself , being but twenty years old , performing the office , not only of a good captain , but also of a stout souldier : for seeing the standard-bearer sore wounded and ready to fall , octavian took from him the eagle , and bare it a great while till he had lodged it in safety . mark anthony after the battel , gathering the remainders of his army , passed tho alps and went into france , solliciting the friendship of lepidus , who was there with an army ever since the death of julius caesar , whom after some treaties he made his friend : and octavian after the victory obtained , presently sent to the senate to require a triumph for his victory , as also the consulship for the remainder of the year in the roome of the dead consuls , with their succession in their charge , and command of the army . but the answer of the senate was not according to his desire : for the friends and kinsmen of those that had murthered caesar began to fear him , and to suspect his power , wherefore they prevailed to delay that which he required , and in the end they resolved to assign the army to decius brutus , and temporizing with octavian , they granted him a triumph , but denied him the consulship , whereat he was much discontented , and therefore secretly treated of friendship with mark anthony , and having drawn to himself the affection of the army , he therewith marched towards rome , and approaching near to the city , in dispite of the senate , he caused himself to be chosen consul being not fully twenty years old . then did he cause accusations to be exhibited against brutus , and cassius , and the rest of the conspirators ; and in their absence , having none that durst defend their cause , they were condemned . after this was done he left the city , and with his army marched toward anthony , and lepidus , who were already entred into italy . decius brutus hearing of the treaties and league that was made between octavian , lepidus and mark anthony , not daring to stay in that country , departed with his army , which soon forsook him , some going to caesar , others to mark anthony , whereupon he fled , but being at last taken , he was brought to mark anthony , who caused his head to be cut off . the armies of these captains drawing near together , to whom affinius pollio , and planeus , with their legions were joyned , these three octavian caesar , mark anthony , and lepidus , meeting , after three days debate , they concluded their accursed peace ; and these fire-brands of sedition entered into a tiumvirate , with several intents and designs . lepidus was covetous , and sought riches by troubling the state. anthony was by nature an enemy to peace , and to the commonwealth , desiring an opportunity to be revenged of those who had declared him an enemy to the state. and octavian sought revenge upon brutus , and cassius , and those who had slain his adopted father . and to bring these things to pass , octavian put away his wife who was daughter to servilius , and contracted himself to claudia , daughter in law to anthony by his wife fulvia , who was now a child , and from whom he was afterward divorced by reason of the discord that arose between anthony and him . in this league which they made , besides dividing the provinces amongst themselves , they agreed to proscribe and kill each of them his enemies , and the one delivered them into the others hands , having more respect to be revenged upon an enemy than to save a friend ; and so there was made the most cruel and inhumane proscription , and butchery that ever was before heard of , giving and exchanging friends , and kinsmen for enemies . for mark anthony gave up his fathers brother : and lepidus his own brother , lucius paulus : and octavian , m. t. cicero , whom he called father , and who had intreated and honoured him as a son. and besides these , they proscribed and condemned to die three hundred other principal men of rome , amongst whom were about one hundred and fourty senators , besides two thousand romans of the order of knighthood . this agreement being made , they all three went to rome , where they took upon them the government of the commonwealth by the name of triumvirat , the time being limited to five years , though they never meant to leave the same . and presently after , those who were condemned and proscribed , were by their commandment put to death , being sought out in all parts and places ; their houses were ransacked , and their goods confiscated . cicero understanding that his name was in the catalogue amongst the proscripts , only because he had been a lover of roman liberty , he fled to the sea , where he embarked himself , but so hard was his hap , that by contrary winds he was driven back to the shore , whereupon , returning to some possessions of his near capua , not far from the sea , as he lay sleeping there , he was awakened by some crowes which with their bills pluckt his cloaths from his back . his servants being moved with this ill presage , put him into his litter , and again carried him towards the sea : but being overtaken by the murtherers , he put his neck but of his litter , and they cut off his head , and his right hand , wherewith he had written his orations against mark anthony called philippicks : and thus was he slain by one whom he had defended , and delivered from death . anthony joyfully received his ●and , and caused it to be nailed up in the place where he was wont to plead , to which all the people repaired to behold so woful and miserable a spectacle , of whom there was not any one but was heartily sorry for the death of so great a personage , and so fervent a lover of his country . salvius otho , a tribune of the people , invited his friends to his last supper , and as they were sitting , in came a centurion , and in the presence of them all , strake off his head. minutius the praetor was slain , sitting in his seat of judgment . l. villius annalis , who had been consul , flying from the murtherers , hid himself in the suburbs in a little house of one of his clients , but his own son betrayed him to the murtherers , who slew him there ; but shortly after this particle being drunken , quarrelling with the same souldiers , was slain by them . c. terentius also being betrayed by his own son , was slain , who in a few days having consumed his patrimony , was condemned for theft , and banished into a place where he died miserably . quintus ▪ cicero was hid by his son , whom they could never make to confess by any torments where his father was ; but the old man , not being able any longer to endure that they should torment so vertuous a son , came and presented himself to the murtherers : whereupon the son entreated them to kill him first , but they killed them both together . the egnaces ; the father and son , embracing one the other were both run through and slain . c. hosidius geta , was put into a grave by his son as dead , who sustained and kept him till the danger was over . aruntius , after he had comforted his son , delivered up himself to the murtherers , but his son for grief famished himself . some other children carefully hid , and preserved their parents . tanusia was such an importunate suitor to caesar for her husband t. junius that she preserved his life : he was in the interim hidden by philopoemen , his bondmen enfranchised , whom caesar afterwards knighted for his fidelity to his master . q. ligurius having been concealed by his wife , was discovered by a slave , and killed , whereupon his wife pined her self to death . lucretius vespilio , having passed many dangers whilst he sought to hide himself here and there , at last came to his wife shuria , who hid him between the cieling and the top of the house , till she had begged his life of the triumvirs . apuleius was saved by his wife , who fled away with him . antius his wife wrapped him up in coverlets , and caused him to be carried to the sea side , as a pack of stuff , where he embarked , and sailed into sicily . coponius was saved by his wife , who lent her body to anthony for one night , to save him whom she preferred before her honour . but the wife of septimius , having shamefully given her body to one of anthonies familiars , caused her husband to be put into the number of the poscripts , that she might the more freely continue her adulteries , and her husband was slain by her means . q. vettius salussus was hidden in a very secret place , but acquainting his wife with it , she betrayed him to the murtherers . fulvius was discovered by one of his slaves and his concubine , though he had made her free , and given her goods wherewithall to maintain her self . p. naso was betrayed by his slave enfranchised , with whom he had been too familiar , but he revenged himself upon his slave , whom he killed , and then held forth his neek to the cut throats . l. lucceius had put into the hands of two of his freed men , as much as would have relieved him in his banishment , but they ran away with all ; whereupon he delivered himself to the murtherers . haterius , who had hid himself in a very secret place , was sold and betrayed by his slave , and killed . cassius varus , who was betrayed by a slave made free , had his head struck off . caius plotius was hidden by his slaves , but being given to perfumes , the scent thereof discovered him ; yet when the souldiers could not find him , they cruelly tormented his servants to make them confess where he was , which yet they would not do : but the master pittying his faithful servants , came out of his secret place , and delivered himself to the murtherers . appius claudius changed his gown with his slave , who in that habit presented himself to the murtherers , and was slain by them instead of his master . another slave of menius did the like : for he went into his masters litter , and offered his neck to the murtherers , who cut off his head , and so his master escaped into sicily . the slave of urbinus panopio , hearing that the murtherers were coming to his masters house , took off his gown and his ring , and gave him his own apparel , and put him out at a back door : then he went up and lay upon his masters bed , where he boldly attended them that killed him for panopio . the slave of antius restio , though his master had soundly beaten him a few dayes before for some knavish tricks , yet to save his master , meeting an old man by the way , he struck off his head , and shewing that , with his whippings to the murtherers , he made them believe that thus he had revenged himself of his master , with whom he shortly after fled into sicily . the slaves of martius censorinus kept their master secretly , till he had opportunity to escape into sicily , to sextus pompeius . q. oppius , an honourable old man , being very near taking , was rescued by his son , who conveying him out of rome , carried him upon his shoulders , and sent him into sicily , vvhere all the poor distressed romans were courteously entertained by s. pompeius , who sent forth ships and galleys to lye upon the coast of italy , ready to receive all them that fled to him ; doubly rewarding those that saved any that was proscribed : he gave also honourable offices to all that had been consuls , and comforting the rest with singular courtesie . many others fled into macedonia , to brutus and cassius : others into africk to cornisicius . statius samnis , an honourable senator , being about eighty years old , that those thieves might have no part of his goods , he gave them for a prey to whomsoever would take them ; then setting his house on fire , he burnt himself in it . aponius having been long concealed by his slave , grew weary of that confinement , came out into the market-place , and yielded his neck to the murtherers . cestius being in the like condition , caused his slaves to make a great fire , threw himself into it , and died : sulpitus rufus , who had been consul , was murthered , because he would not sell an isle of his to fulvia : also ampius balbus was slain , because he would not give her a pleasant place of his . m. anthony put into the number of proscripts , a senator called nonius struma , onely to get from him an emerald esteemed worth fifty thousand crowns : but nonius found a means to escape with his emerald , to the great grief of anthony . some valiantly defended themselves , as atteius capito , who killed many souldiers , who came rudely running upon him , but being at last oppressed with multitudes , he was slain . vetulinus , assisted by his son , valiantly repulsed the murtherers , but at last was slain . sicilias coranas hoping to escape , put himself amongst the mourners that followed a dead corps , but being discovered , was slain . the triumviri caused the goods of the proscripts to be sold by the drum , at such prizes as the souldiers pleased , yet most part of them was spoiled , and given away . they promised also to widows their joyntures , and to sons , the tenth part of their fathers patrimony , and to daughters the twentieth part ; but few or none had any benefit by this promise : yea , on the contrary , they sacked many of them that demanded these rights . they exacted great sums of money in rome , and all over italy ; and to encourage the souldiers , they gave them unmeasurable gifts , and granted them daily new pillage . the legions they wintered in the richest cities upon free quarter . to be short , men by fear and custome were so inured to slavery , that they became more slaves than the tyrants would have had them . these three men having done what they would in rome , and knowing that brutus and cassius had a very great army in greece , who called themselves the deliverers of their countrey saying , that they would go and set rome at liberty from oppression : cassius having overthrown and slain dolabella in syria : and being informed , that by the assistance of their friends , they had gotten together eighteen legions ; hereupon mark anthony and octavian resolved to go against them wich the greatest army that they could possibly make , of old souldiers , and that lepidus should stay to guard rome : and accordingly they departed , and arrived in greece , and marching on , they drew near to the place where brutus and cassius were encamped , which was in macedonia in the philippick fields . before they came to joyn battel , there were sundry prodigies : for fowls of prey hovered about the camp of brutus , as if it had been their own already : and as they marched out to battel , a blackmoor met them , which they accounted an ill omen . brutus being alone in his tent at night , a man sad and gastly appeared to him , and being asked what he was , he answered , i am thy evil genius , and so vanished : but on the contrary , birds and beasts promised good success to caesar. these armies lying so near together , had frequent skirmishes , and at last came to a battel , where the victory was strangely divided : for brutus on the one side of the field , did beat octavian , and put his battalion to rout , pursuing them into the camp , where many of them were slain ; and while brutus was following his victory , his partner cassius was overthrown by mark anthony , though he did all that was possible to encourage his men , and by reason of the clouds of dust , knew nothing of brutus his victory , whereupon , retiring to an high ground , he there pitched his tent : and so standing and looking about , he saw brutus his troops coming to his aid , and to relieve him ; but he imagining that they came flying before their enemies , commanded a slave of his , whom he had made free , to kill him , who did it accordingly . octavians men that escaped by flight , retired to mark anthonies camp , and had not brutus his men busied themselves in ransacking octavians camp , they had that day obtained an entire victory : for they might in due time have rescued , and relieved cassius , and both of them being joyned together , might easily have overthrown mark anthony : but god had otherwise determined . the victory being thus divided , the generals of either party gathered their forces together , and of brutus side were slain eight thousand men , and of the enemies side a far greater number . brutus did his best to encourage and comfort his souldiers , and the gentlemen which followed cassius : and the next day , though both armies were put in battel array , yet they fought not ; but a few dayes after , brutus , by his souldiers , was forced to come to another battel , who was of himself willing rather to delay and prolong the war , knowing that his enemies wanted victuals , and many other necessaries , and because he reposed no great trust in the forces of cassius : for he found that they were fearful , and hard to be commanded , because of their late overthrow . when they came to the second encounter , brutus did all the offices of an able general , and of a valiant knight , yet in the end his men were broken , and overthrown by the enemy . brutus having gathered his scattered troops together , found himself unable to make any farther resistance , and being advised by some of his friends to fly , he told them , that so he would , yet not with his feet , but with his hands ; and thereupon , taking a sword from a servant of his called stratus , he slew himself . thus octavian and mark anthony remained victors , and masters of the field , and all things succeeded according to caesars desire , for whom , god in his secret counsel had reserved the monarchy of the whole world , which for the present was divided between three . these wars being ended , and the legions of brutus and cassius reduced to the obedience of the conquerours , octavian and mark anthony agreed , and resolved , that anthony should remain to govern greece , and asia , that lepidus should go into africk , and that octavian should return to rome : and accordingly mark anthony went into asia , where he gave himself up to sensuality and delights , with the fair , but wanton cleopatra , queen of aegypt , and octavian , though with some hindrances , by reason of his health , at last came to rome . not long after , there arose new wars and troubles , for though octavian was at peace with lepidus , who was now in africk , octavian having under his command , spain , france , part of germany , italy , and illyricum , yet lucius antonius , who at this time was consul , being provoked thereto by his sister in law fulvia , wife to mark anthony , began to oppose himself against lepidus and octavian , seeking to overthrow the triumvirat ; which contention brake out about the division of fields which caesar had made to the souldiers which had served him in his wars . some say that fulvia made this stir , that she might procure the return of mark anthony to her , of whom she was jealous , hearing of his familiarity with cleopatra . the discord in rome grew to that height , that they came to arms ; and lucius antonius went from the city , and levied an army against octavian , who also marched towards him with his forces . but lucius not daring to joyn battel , shut himself up in perugia , where caesar immediately besieged him , and divorced himself from claudia the daughter of fulvia , and was married to his third wife scribonia , by whom he had one onely daughter . octavian being about twenty three years old , so strictly besieged perugia , that lucius and his men were brought to such straits for want of victuals , that he was forced to yield up himself to octavian , who pardoned him , and used him kindly ; and thus this war was ended without bloudshed . and so octavian returned to rome , of which he was now sole lord : and from hence some reckon the beginning of his empire , which was about four years after the death of julius caesar , and about thirty eight years before the incarnation of our blessed lord and saviour jesus christ. caesar being now in quiet , fulvia , by letters , and false informations , sought to stir up her husband mark anthony against octavian , with which resolution she left italy , and went towards him ; and at the same time mark anthony departed from alexandria in aegypt , and came to the isle of rhodes , where he was informed of all that had happened to his brother lucius . from thence he went into greece , and at athens he found his wife fulvia sick , yet vehemently inveighing against octavian : wherefore leaving her there , he went with two hundred gallies into italy , and landed at brundusium , where the wars began between him and the forces of octavian , who was yet at rome . but news coming of fulvia's death , some friends interposed to reconcile them , and at last it was agreed , that arbitrators should be chosen to compose their differences . octavian chose mecoenas , and for mark anthony was asinius pollio , and these brought it to this issue , that mark anthony should have all the east from italy , beginning from the jonian sea , which is the entry into the venetian gulph , unto the river of euphrates , wherein were included all the provinces of graecia and asia , with all the islands within these limits . to octavian was allotted from the said jonian sea to the western or spanish sea , wherein were contained spain , france , italy , germany , and britain . to lepidus was confirmed africa , where he then was , with all the provinces thereof . and for the strengthening of this league , mark anthony , now a widower , was to marry with octavia , the sister of octavian by the fathers side , formerly married to marcus marcellus , by whom she had one son , called also marcellus , whom octavian adopted . and this marriage was dispensed with by the senate , because in rome widows were not permitted to marry , till they had lived ten months in widowhood , which she had not done . this being concluded , octavian and mark anthony went to rome , where the wedding was solemnized , and they were seemingly good friends ; but their peace was disquieted by the neighbourhood of sextus pompeius , who commanded the seas from sicily where he lived , and with his ships and pyrates he disquieted caesars friends , who thereupon resolved to ruine him : but at the request of the senate , and of mark anthony , he hearkened to peace , and by the mediation of friends , it was agreed , that all matters past should be forgotten , and that they should live like good neighbours and friends , and that sextus pompey should enjoy sicily , sardinia , and corsica , which he had in possession , and that he should clear the seas from pyrates , that merchants and passengers might pass safely , and that he should furnish rome yearly with a certain quantity of corn. this being concluded , they agreed upon a meeting of all three upon the sea side in the straight of messina , in a fortress built for that purpose , which reached into the water , whither sextus pompey might come with his galleys and be in safety : which accordingly was performed with great joy and solemnity ; and sextus pompey feasted them in his galleys , and they likewise him by land. from hence sextus pompey returned into sicily , and octavian and mark anthony to rome , where for a while they remained in great familiarity : and then mark anthony preparing for his journey into the east , sent venditius before him with a great army against the parthians , wherein he had so good success , that he overcame and defeated pacorus , the parthian kings son , and slew twenty thousand of his men , and thereby sufficiently revenged the death of marcus crassus , for which he afterwards triumphed at rome . mark anthony departed from rome with his new wife , and wintered with her in athens . octavian in the mean time in rome growing mighty , and in high esteem , was yet very pensive , being troubled at the neighbourhood of sextus pompey in sicily , attending an occasion to war against him : for which purpose he prepared a great fleet , pretending that sextus with his ships , and gallies hindred the coming of corn into italy . these sicilian wars continued for some years : in the beginning whereof octavian had ill success , yet more from storms and tempests than from the force of his enemies : and if sextus pompey had been as prudent and able to offend his enemy as he was to defend himself : and as he was valiant , if he had been as wise and politick , he might have greatly distressed octavian in all matters concerning italy : yet the matter was so handled , that at octavians request mark anthony came twice out of the east into italy to assist him in these wars . the first time he came to brundusium , where , not finding octavian according to appointment , he returned without seeing him , upon some jealousies which grew betwixt them . but octavian having lost most of his fleet in a storm , he sent his intire friend mecenas to mark anthony , at whose intreaty he returned into italy with three hundred ships and gallies , giving it out that he came to caesars aid . and though there were some difference between them , yet octavia so laboured between her husband and brother , that she reconciled them , and so they met in the mouth of the river near tarentum , where mark anthony gave to octavian one hundred and twenty of his gallies for his wars , and octavian gave to him some of the italian souldiers , and they renewed their triumvirat for other five years . which done , mark anthony returned to the east to prosecute his wars against the parthians , his wife octavia and her children remaining in rome . anthony being gone , octavian resolving to prosecute the wars against sextus pompey with all his forces , armed two navies , whereof agrippa was the admiral of the one , and himself of the other : he sent also to lepidus intreating his aid , who accordingly came and brought with him a thousand ships , little and great , and eighty gallies , wherein he transported five thousand horse , and twelve legions of foot souldiers . sextus pompey hearing what great preparations were made against him , did strongly fortifie all the sea-coasts of sicily , and on the frontiers of africk , near to lilibaeum , he placed plinius , a good captain with good companies of souldiers , and his whole fleet by sea he drew into the port of messina , purposing to mannage his wars by sea , having neither experience , nor power to do it by land , and so he attended the coming of his enemies . lepidus loosing with his whole fleet from africk , was encountered with a tempest , wherein with the loss of a great part of his navy , he , with the rest landed at lilybaeum , and took in certain places thereabout , but having small judgment , and experience in the wars , he made a greater noise then did hurt to pompey . octavius also being at sea in a tempest , lost thirty of his gallies , besides small ships , and with much difficulty returned to italy : and taurus , who commanded the gallies which anthony left , landed at tarentum , though with great loss and danger . octavian was so grieved at these losses , that he had thoughts of giving over the war for that year : but changing his mind , he repaired his fleets , and ordered agrippa , with one of them to pass into sicily , and there to make war both by sea and land : and himself following with the other fleet did the like . about this time octavian divorced himself from scribonia , though he had a daughter by her called livia , and then he married livia drusilla , wife to tiberius nero , by whom she had a son called also tiberius ; hereupon tiberius was forced to leave her to please octavian , though at this time she was with child of a son. this livia he loved dearly , and continued with her till his death . agrippa assaulted and took in some places in sicily , which pompey hearing of , departed from messina with one hundred and seventy five gallies , to relieve them , and agrippa being advertised of his coming , prepared to meet him , his gallies being almost equal in number , and so they joyned battel , which for a time seemed to be equal , but at last agrippa prevailed , and pompey retreated in time , his gallies and foists withdrawing themselves into some rivers near at hand , whither agrippa with his bigger vessels could not follow them . in this fight pompey lost thirty of his gallies . agrippa the next day went to a city called tindaria , thinking to surprise it by reason of intelligence which he had with the citizens : and pompey in the night gave secret order to his whole fleet to retire to messina . octavian in the mean time imbarked a great part of his army , which he landed in sicily , and set them on shore under the command of cornificius , little thinking that pompey had been so near , who if he had taken this opportunity , might have defeated octavian . but loosing it , octavian imbarking again , intended to determine the quarrel by a battel at sea , leaving cornificius with his men fortified on the land. then did pompey sail out of messina with his whole fleet , and neither parties refusing it , they came to a battel , in which octavian was overcome , and all his great fleet scattered and lost , and himself driven to flie into italy in a brigandine , where through many dangers , he at last came to the army , whereof mesalla was general , and being nothing discouraged with this loss , he presently took order for all that was needful . to rome he sent his intire friend mecenas , to take order that this news should breed no alteration there , and then presently sent to agrippa , the admiral of his other fleet , that he should with all speed succour cornificius and his army in sicily , and to lepidus he sent to desire him to make his present repair to the isle of lippari , which is between sicily , and calabria . his diligence and good order about these affairs was such , that in a short time , by the help of lepidus , and agrippa , in dispite of pompey , he landed all his forces in sicily , and joyning with lepidus , he encamped near to messina , where began a most cruel war both by sea , and land , wherein the power and sufficiency of pompey did wonderfully appear , in that he was able to grapple with so potent adversaries . yet seeing himself oppressed , he sent a challenge to octavian , that to avoid the further effusion of blood , he would try it out with him in a naval fight , so many ships and gallies against so many . octavian delayed him at the first , but afterwards they agreed that with three hundred ships and galleys on either side , they would meet in such a place , and there fight it out , and accordingly they prepared for the battel . octavian leaving lepidus with his land army , embarked himself in his fleet , and pompey did the like , and so they joyned battel , which was one of the cruellest that ever was , considering the commanders and the strength on either side , where pompey , after he had performed all the offices of a good and valiant captain , and after the slaughter of multitudes on both sides , was overcome by octavian , and all his fleet was burnt and sunk , or taken , saving sixteen sail which escaped by flight , and he in one of them , and these entered into the haven of messina . and though the city was sufficiently fortified , and pompey knew that plinius , his general was coming to his rescue , yet in a dark night he imbarked , and with those sixteen ships which had escaped , he fled into the east to mark anthony , hoping to find relief from him : but after much toil , and many accidents which happened to him , he was slain by one titius at the command of mark anthony , and in him failed the house and memory of his father pompey the great . in this war octavian escaped many dangers . for having transported part of his army into sicily , and sailing back to fetch the rest , he was suddenly surprised by demochares , and apolaphanes , two of pompeys captains , from whom he escaped with much difficulty with one only ship. then travelling by land to rhegium , he saw some of pompeys gallies near to the shore , and supposing them to be his own , he went down to the sea side , where he had like to have been taken by them ; and then seeking to escape by unknown passages , he met with a slave of aemilius paulus , who remembring that he had proscribed his master paulus , father to this aemilius , he attempted to kill him . octavian having obtained this great victory aforesaid , though with very great loss , he went to land with the remainder of his ships and army , commanding agrippa to joyn with lepidus , and to go to messina , whither pliny , pompeys general had retired himself . but not thinking good to stand upon his defence , now that his master was fled , he yielded himself to lepidus with all his legions : this made lepidus so proud , that affecting to have sicily to himself , he contended with octavian about it : and entering into the city of messina , he placed a garrison in it , to hold it for his own use : the like he did in many other places of the island : and when octavian came , he desired to speak with him , greatly complaining of his proceedings . but in rule , and dominion equallity is intollerable , whilst either of them coveted this isle for himself they fell at variance , and octavian made his navy to draw neer to the shore : so that both armies began to stand upon their guard , the one against the other , and many messages passed between them , yet could they not agree . but octavian was far better beloved and esteemed by the men of war , for his many vertues , and nobility , and for his name-sake [ julius caesar , ] then the other , and the souldiers began to lay all the fault upon lepidus . octavian understanding this , laboured secretly to corrupt lepidus his souldiers , to draw them to himself : and one day , with a great troop of horse , he rode neer to lepidus his camp , and parlying with his souldiers , justified himself and laid all the fault upon lepidus , insomuch that many of them began to come over to his side . lepidus , being informed hereof , caused an alarm to be given , and commanded his men to sally out against octavian , but when they came forth , most of them joyned with him : so that lepidus seeing himself in danger of being forsaken of his whole army , yielded himself unto caesar , and putting off his generals robe , he went to his tent , and submitted to him . octavian received him as if he had never offended , very courteously , and honourably , but restored him neither to his state nor power , and sent him with a good company to rome , without any office but the high priesthood , which he had held ever since the death of julius caesar : and so this difference was ended without bloodshed . octavian now retaining sicily to himself , and having devested lepidus of the triumvirat , he appropriated to himself the province of africk , and remained general of the three armies , to wit , of lepidus , of pompey , and of his own ; wherein were forty five legions of footmen , and twenty five thousand horse , all well armed , besides many other numidians . he had also upon the sea , six hundred gallies and many ships , and brigandines . and now waited only for an opportunity to fall out with mark anthony that he might make himself lord of all . yet for the present he paid his souldiers as well as he could , and gave coronets , honours , and arms to those who had deserved well in these wars . he then dispersed his armies , sending them to their own homes , loaden with many fair promises . he also left , and sent praetors and governours into sicily and africk , and so hasted towards rome , where he was received with ovation ( which was little less than a triumph ) with incredible joy and honour : and was so exceedingly beloved , that in many places they erected temples and altars to him , as to their gods : and he reformed such things as by reason of the wars were grown out of order . at this time mark anthony , who was in the east , though he had no great success in his parthian war , yet was he still of great power , very rich , and well obeyed in the provinces of greece , asia , and aegypt , and in the rest of his governments . but he was so besotted with the love , and company of cleopatra , the queen of aegypt , that he thought of nothing but how to saitsfie her humour , in the mean time neglecting , and forgetting his wife octavia , the sister of octavian , who in beauty and wisdom was nothing inferiour to cleopatra , and in virtue and goodness did far excel her . the monarchy of the world being thus divided between these two , the one in the east , the other in the west , yet , as though each of them had not enough , they studied each of them to supplant , and destroy the other chiefly octavian , who seeing that anthony neglected his sister , and did not send for her , he continually advised , and urged her to go to her husband , that he might have a fair occasion to fall out with him if she were not well intertained : but she , not well understanding his design , that she might prevent all controversies between her brother and her husband , departed from rome , carrying with her many jewels , and presents which she had gotten together therewith to present mark anthony . but he , having fixed his heart upon cleopatra , wrote to her by the way that she should go into greece , and stay at athens , till he returned from the parthian war , yet did he never go against them , cleopatra hindering him . notwithstanding octavia sent all those things which she had brought , to her husband , and all this not prevailing to procure her acceptance , she went full of grief to rome . then did octavian begin openly to complain of mark anthony , and to declare himself his enemy , and mark anthony , entered into a league with the king of the medes , the better to strengthen himself , causing cleopatra ( besides the title of aegypt ) to be called queen of syria , lybia , and cyprus , and joyntly with her , a son of hers called caesarion , of whom julius caesar left her with child when he was in aegypt : and to two sons which himself had by her , called ptolomy , and alexander , he gave the title of kings , to alexander , of armenia , and parthia : and to ptolomy , of cilicia , and phoenicia ; hereupon the enmity between octavian and him greatly encreased : yet was the war deferred because of other wars which octavian had in illyricum , and dalmatia . the people of these countries , seeing the romans engaged in civil wars , rebelled , together with those of austria , hungary , and bavaria , who joyned with them . this war octavian undertook in his own person , which was very cruel and dangerous : wherein he was twice wounded , and gave great proof both of his wisdom and valour : yet in the end , he not only subdued and tamed illyricum , but both the panonnia's , and all the neighbouring nations with had joyned with them . then did octavian return victorious to rome , and though a triumph was granted him , yet would he not triumph as then , so great was his desire to make war against mark anthony , who was no better affected towards him . for he levied souldiers , procured friends , and armies against him , and promised cleopatra to bring her triumphing into rome . yea , she requested of him , the rule and empire of rome , and he promised it her . matters standing upon these tearms , mark anthony sent his wife octavia a bill of divorce , according to the custom of those times , commanding her to go out of his house , wherein she dwelt in rome . this , and other indignities octavian imparted to the senate , complaining against anthony , and in his orations to the people , he accused him for that ( the second five years of his triumvirat and league being expired ) yet came he not to rome , neither respecting the authority of the senate , nor of the people , but held his place , and kept possession of the east and of greece : and by such suggestions he incensed the people against him . mark anthony , on the other side by letters and messengers , complained that octavian had often broken the peace , and had cast sextus pmpey out of sicily , retaining that , and other places which he held to himself : and that therein he had no respect of him , nor had given him any part thereof : and that he detained the gallies which he had lent him for that war. as also that he had deprived lepidus of his government , and kept all those provinces , and all the legions which were his , without imparting any share thereof to him : and that he had divided all the lands in italy to his own souldiers , not assigning any part thereof to his . thus the one accused the othet , either pretending that they were forced to undertake the war ; whereas the truth is , it was their ambition , and insatiable desire to rule that pricked them forward to it . hereupon they called divers nations to their aid , so as the whole world in a manner , either of one side or other , was in arms. those in the west for octavian , and those in the east for anthony : at least , the best and choisest men of them all . anthony was first in the field , and came with a great army to the famous city of ephesus in jonia , a province of asia the less , whither he had sent for his navy to transport him into europe . and he had in readiness eight hundred gallies and ships of burthen : two hundred whereof cleopatra gave him , together with all the ammunition , and victuals necessary for the fleet : he also took her along with him , contrary to the advise of all those which were of his counsel . then sailed he to the isle of samos , to which he had appointed all the kings , tetrarchs , and people which served under him in this war , to come by a day prefixed . the kings that met him there , were tarcondemus , king of the upper cilicia : archalaus , of cappadocia : philodelphus , of paphlagonia ; methridates , of comagena , and others : besides those which sent there forces , as herod , king of judaea : amyntas , of lycaonia : and the kings of arabia : of the medes : and palemon , king of pontus with some others . so that he had one hundred thousand well trained footmen , and twenty two thousand horse , besides his navy by sea , which consisted of five hundred gallies , besides ships of burden which carried his ammunition , and victuals . if anthony , thus furnished , had presently passed into italy , he had put octavian into great hazard : for then he had not sufficient forces to have withstood him , nor other necessary provision for the wars . but mark anthony , delaying the time at athens , let slip the opportunity , and gave octavian leasure to provide all things necessary from italy , france , spain , and all other his provinces , from whence he levied eighty thousand choise souldiers , and above twenty thousand good horse : and seeing that anthony stayed so long , he sent him word , that seeing he had ships , and other fit provision , he should come for italy , where he staid in the field to give him battel , promising to afford him good ports and havens , where he might safely land without interruption . to this anthony answered , that it would be more honourable if he would determine this quarrel in person against him , body to body , which he would willingly accept , though he was now old and crazed , and the other young and lusty : and if he liked not of this challenge , he would stay for him with his army in the fields of pharsalia , in the same place where julius caesar fought with cneius pompey . these messages passing between them without effect , anthony drew his army by land , and his navy by sea towards italy , and octavian , imbarked his legions at brundusium , and crossed the sea to a place called torma , in the province of epire ( now called romania ) and after some notable exploits performed , the two armies drew neer together , as also did the navies . octavians navy consisted of two hundred and fifty gallies , but better armed , and swifter than were mark anthonies , though his were more in number . and mark anthony , being perswaded by cleopatra ( who in this also was the cause of his ruin , thereby to have the better means to fly if the battel should be lost ) would needs try his fortune in a sea fight , though his army by land had a great advantage over the other . anthony chose twenty thousand out of his army and put them aboard his fleet , and octavian , who refused not the sea-fight , made his provision also , and so shipping himfelf in his gallies , he committed the charge of his land army to taurus , and anthony left his land forces with canidius : and in the sight of both the armies , these two brave captains , with the best navies in the world , took the seas where they fought , for no less than the empire of the world. yet was the fight deferred for three days in dispite of both parties , the seas rising so high that they could not govern their vessels . the fourth day they came to an encounter at a cape called accius , in epire , not far from the place where their land armies stood . the battel was one of the most cruellest that ever was heard of , and lasted ten hours before octavian obtained the victory , though mark anthony staid not so long in the fight . for cleopatra in the greatest fury of the battel , fled away in her galley , whom seventy of her other galleys followed : and unfortunate mark anthony , who all his life time hitherto had been a valiant and brave captain , seeing cleopatra fly , on whom he had fixed his eyes and heart , shifting out of his own galley into a lighter , followed her , without regard of his armies either by sea or land , and overtaking her , went aboard her galley , wherein he sailed three days without either seeing or speaking with her , being confounded with shame for shewing so much weekness , and at last they arrived in the port of alexandria in aegypt . his navy which he left fighting , though now headless and without a captain , yet continued to make gallant resistance till five thousand of them were slain : and at last they were overcome , rather for want of a commander then through any force of an enemy , though octavians light and swift galleys were a great help to him : and so he remained conquerour , and granted life , and pardon to the conquered , getting into his hands three hundred of their galleys . in anthonys army by land there wanted neither courage nor constancy to theit general , though he had so unworthily deserted them : and therefore they continued seven days in their camp , ready to give battel , without accepting any composition from the enemy , and they would have staid longer , had not canidius their captain abused his trust , flying secretly from the camp to seek anthony , whereupon , the army being destitute of a general , yielded to the enemy ; who admitted them into his own army , being nineteen legions of foot , and twelve thousand horse . the senators , knights , and noble men , that had served anthony , many of them he fined in great sums of money , many he put to death , and some he pardoned . then did caesar sail to athens , and being pacified with the greeks , he distributed the corn that was left in the war , to the cities that were afflicted with famine , and that were dispoiled of their money , servants , and horses . and anthony being arrived in aegypt , chose out one good ship of good burden , and fraught with store of treasure , and rich plate of gold and silver , and gave it to his friends , intreating them to divide it amongst them and to shift for themselves , and he wrote to theophilus , the governour of corinth , that he would provide them an hiding place till they might make their peace with caesar. and caesar , of the spoils of the enemy dedicated ten ships to apollo actius . anthony being come into africk went into a desart place , wandering up and down , only accompanied with two friends ; and after a while he sent to the general of the army which he had formerly raised for the defence of aegypt , but he slew his messengers , and said that he would not obey anthony , whereupon he had thought to have killed himself , but being hindered by his friends , he went to alexandria , and after a while he built him an house in the sea by the isle of pharos , and there lived from the company of all men , saying , that he would live the life of timon the man-hater , because he was abused by his friends , and had experience of their ingratitude , and he called this house timonion . yet at length he left this place , and went to the pallace , where he spent his time in feasting and jollity . and cleopatra got together divers sorts of deadly poysons of poysonsome creatures , whereof she made tryal upon many condemned persons , and amongst all , she liked the biting of the aspe best : for it brought a sleepiness without any contraction of the members , or groaning , only causing a gentle sweating of the face , and a languishing stupidity of the senses . at rome many things were decreed in honour of caesar for this victory at sea : first a triumph was granted him for cleopatra : and a triumphal arch was erected at brundusium , and another at rome . the base of the julian temple was adorned with the beaks of the ships he had taken : there were plays decreed to be kept every fifth year in honour of him : processions were always to be made on his birth day , and on the day wherein the news of his victory was first brought . that the vestal virgins , the senate , with their wives and children should go and meet him at his return : that all the ornaments of anthony should be demolished & cast down : that his birth day should be accounted unlucky : and that none of his family should ever have the forename of marcus. about this time anthony and cleopatra sent ambassadours to caesar into asia . cleopatra demanded the kingdom of aegypt for her children , and without anthonies knowledg , sent him a scepter , crown , and chair , all of gold , as it were , delivering her kingdom over to him : and anthony demanded that he might live a private life at athens if he might not continue in aegypt . caesar accepted of cleopatra's gifts , accounting them as good omens : but he would afford no answer to anthony ; and privately he promised impunity and her kingdom to cleopatra if she would kill anthony . they sent also a second ambassage to caesar , and cleopatra promised him a huge mass of money ; and anthony minded him of the former friendship and alliance that was between them , and what acts they had done together : he delivered also to him terullius , a senator , and one of caesars murtherers , whom he put to death : he proffered also to kill himself to obtain security for cleopatra , yet caesar would give him no answer . anthony and cleopatra hereupon prepare for war , and caesar at last marched against them , and sent cornelius gallus before with four legions , who suddenly seized upon paraetonium , the prime city of aegypt , toward lybia . anthony being informed hereof , marched towards paraetonium , hoping to draw gallus his souldiers to own him , but when on the contrary he had received great loss both by sea and land , he returned to alexandria . presently after caesar took pelusium , by the treachery of cleopatra , who caused selucus the governour to deliver it up to him , hoping to draw his love to her , yet did she disown it to anthony . cleopatra had store-houses , and monuments , admirable both for sumptuousness and highth , which she had built by the temple of isis , and thither she had brought the most precious things of all her royal treasure , as gold , silver , emeralds , pearls , ebony , ivory , and cinnamon , as also store of lamps , and flax : whereupon caesar fearing that she would set fire of them , whereby he should lose such treasures , he , to prevent despair , gave her hopes of favour , whilst he marched towards the city , and she privately forbad the citizens of alexandria to sally out against him ; whereas openly she seemed to encourage them to oppose him . caesar being come before the city , anthony sallied out , and fought valiantly with him , and routed his horse , and drave them to the very camp , of which , at his return , he boasted to cleopatra , and she to reward him , gave him an headpiece , and armour all of gold. the next day anthony dispersed tickets amongst caesars souldiers , promising them fifteen hundred drachmaes a piece , if they would come over to him : these caesar read to his souldiers , rendring anthony more hateful to them thereby , and they being exceeding angry that their fidelity was tempted , fought so valiantly at the next encounter , that anthony was driven back out of the field . after this , anthony challenged caesar to a single duel , who answered , that anthony had more wayes to die . he therefore considering that he could not die any way more honourably than in battel , resolved to set upon caesar both by sea and land. many prodigies fore-ran the bondage of aegypt . in some places it rained bloud . armies appeared in the air. a huge dragon was seen amongst the aegyptians , which hissed horribly . a comet appeared , and the images of the dead . the statues seemed to mourn : and apis lowing heavily , shed some tears . on the kalends of august , anthony , early in the morning , went down to the haven , to order his fleet. but cleopatra caused them to revolt from him , and to joyn with caesars fleet : whilst anthony beheld this , he was also forsaken by all his horsemen , who revolted to caesar , and his foot were beaten back into the city : whereupon he cryed out , that he was betrayed by cleopatra . she fearing his anger , fled to her monument , with one eunuch , and two maids , and sent anthony word that she was dead : this he believing , desired his faithful servant erotes , according to his former promise , to kill him : erotes drew out his sword , as if he vvould do it , but anthonies back being towards him , he slew himself ; who falling at his feet , anthony said , noble erotes , thou hast taught me what to do , but couldst not endure to do it thy self ; so taking the sword , he thrust it into his belly : yet after a while , the bloud stopping , he desired those about him to dispatch him , but they all fled , which caused a great tumult . cleopatra from the top of the monument perceiving it , ( for the gate was so made , that being shut it could not be again opened ) she sent her secretary to bring him into the monument to her : anthony was carried to the foot of the monument , and being tyed in a pulley , vvas vvith great pains drawn up by cleopatra and her two maids . it was a sad sight to see him thus drawn up , besmeared with bloud , and ready to give up the ghost . when he came to the top , he stretched forth his hands to cleopatra , who receiving him in , laid him on a bed , tearing her head tire , breast and face with her own hands , so that she was all gore bloud : he laboured to comfort her , and advised her to look to her affairs , and to save her life , if she could do it without dishonour , and that amongst all caesars friends , she should most trust proculeius , and so gave up the ghost . in the mean time dercetaeus , one of anthonies guard , stole his bloudy sword , and ran away with it to caesar , telling him what had happened : caesar then going into the inmost room of his tent , much bewailed anthony , his kinsman , and colleague , and who had been his companion in many battels , and in the government of the empire . then sending for proculeius , he commanded him , by all means , if it were possible , to save cleopatra alive , fearing to lose her treasures , and that she might adorn his triumph . proculeius , and one epaphroditus , coming to the monument , laboured to perswade cleopatra to come forth : and at last by a wile , proculeius seized upon her , yet granted her some dayes to embalm anthonies body , after which they brought her into the palace , diminishing nothing either of her wonted train , or honour , that so she might do no mischief to her self . caesar having conquered alexandria , ascended into a tribunal , and calling the citizens before him , who for fear fell upon their knees , he told them that he freely pardoned them for their great god serapis his sake . he also pardoned the rest of the aegyptians , being unwilling to put so many men to death , which formerly had done so good service for the romans . of those that favoured anthony , some he put to death , and others he pardoned , either of his own good will , or at the intercession of friends . and whereas anthony had with him many children of kings , some as hostages , others upon false accusations , some of them caesar sent home , others he joyned together in marriage , and some he kept by him . coming to view the tomb of alexander the great ( which as strabo reporteth , was of glass ) caesar put a crown upon it , and strewed flowers over it , and worshipped it : and being asked whether he would see the bodies of the ptolomies ? he answered , that he would see a king , not the dead . neither would he go to see their god apis , saying , that he used to worship gods , not oxen. many great kings and captains desired to bury the body of anthony , but caesar would not take it from cleopatra , who buried it splendidly and magnificently , and caesar suffered her to take what treasures she would for his funerals . cleopatra , through her much sorrow , fell into a fever , and her breast was troubled with inflammations and ulcers , through the blowes which she had given her self , yet by the care of caesar , and the skill of her physician , she was recovered : after which she delivered to caesar an inventory of all her treasures : and when scleucus , one of her treasurers , accused her for concealing some things , she leaped up , and taking him by the hair , she buffetted him soundly ; at which caesar smiling , reproved her ; to whom she answered , is it not a great matter , o caesar , seeing thou pleasest to come and visit me in this condition that i am in , that i should be accused by my own servant ? if i have reserved some jewels , not for my self , poor wretch , but that i might present octavia , and thy lyria , that by their intercessions i might find the more favour with thee , i hope it 's no fault . caesar was glad at this , hoping that now she had a mind to live , but she deceived him . shortly after she wrote a letter , and sealing it up , she sent it by epaphroditus to caesar , wherein she desired to be buried with anthony : then adorning her self in her best apparel , she set an asp to her left arm , by the biting of which , she presently died , as in a slumber . as soon as caesar had read her letter , he sent some in all haste to her to see what was done , who when they came , found cleopatra dead upon a bed of gold , in all her royal robes , and her two waiting maids dead at her feet . caesar being informed hereof , admired , and pitied her , and grieved that he was deprived of the chief honour of his triumph ; and buried her in the same sepulchre with anthony , finishing the tomb which she had begun : and her waiting women by his command were buried honourably : she lived thirty nine years , and reigned twenty two . caesar having setled his affairs in aegypt , passed through syria into asia , and from thence into greece , and so to rome , where he triumphed three dayes , first for his dalmatian , secondly , for his accian , and thirdly , for his aegyptian victory , which was the most sumptuous , and set forth with the greatest preparations , wherein was carried in a bed the image of cleopatra , and an asp biting her arm. after which , caesar enriched the temple of his father julius with the aegyptian spoyls : he also consecrated many things to jupiter capitolinus , juno , and minerva : he brought into the cell of jupiter capitolinus sixteen thousand pound weight of gold , beside pearls and precious stones , valued at fifty millions of sesterces , and rome was so enriched with the riches of alexandria , that the prizes of every thing were doubled , and interest fell from ten to four per cent. thus caesar , in the space of about sixteen years , erected the monarchy , which his uncle julius had begun , and though the means whereby he obtained it are not justifiable , yet afterwards he governed it justly , and wisely , and was one of the best princes in the world : gentle , just , merciful , liberal , valiant , and endued with many other virtues ; happy and successful in his affairs , and much beloved of all : and the people and senate of rome gave him a new name , which before that time was never heard of , calling him caesar augustus , a name which they held for holy , venerable , and of great majesty , and which appertained to the gods and their temples , concerning which ovid thus writes , sed tamen humanis celebrantur honoribus omnes , hic socium summo cum jove nomen habet , &c. fastorum . all common persons have their common fame , but he with jove enjoyes an equal name , of old most sacred things augusta were ▪ temples that name , and hallowed things do bear : yea , auguri depends upon this word , and whatsoever more jove doth afford : let it inlarge his rule and life , let all our coast be guarded with a fenced wall. the senate also by oath approved all his acts , freed him from all tye of laws , and that he should have as absolute power as the laws , and that he might do all things , or not do them , according to his pleasure . and now , because the books of the sybils through age were worn out , augustus gave charge to the priests , with their own hands to write them out , and that no other should read them . caesar augustus ( for so now we must call him ) seeing himself in quiet , and without war , caused the temple of janus to be shut , whereas they religiously observed , that during the time of war it should stand open : it had never before been shut since the foundation of rome but twice : once in the time of numa pompilius , the second king thereof , and the other after the second punick war , when titus manlius was consul . augustus shut this temple three times , whereof this was the first : and now living in peace and prosperity , he omitted no part of his care in the government of the roman commonwealth , and the provinces thereof : sending thither praetors , pro-consuls , and other governours , which were excellent men , and fit for those dignities : and himself gave direction , and was very diligent in all things touching justice , customes , religion , and publick buildings , so as in all things his reign was happy , peaceable , and quiet , during all his life . yet in this so happy a time , some people and nations still affecting liberty , laboured to shake off the roman yoke , and thereby molested , and disquieted the empire , as the spaniards , the inhabitants of illyricum , and the pannonians . in spain , the cantabrians , the asturians , and part of gallicia , passing their bounds , began a war against the empire . augustus being informed hereof , judging it to be a doubtful war , and of importance , commanded the temple of janus to be opened : and determined to go against them in person , and to send other captains to follow his other wars . and accordingly augustus went into spain , and with three armies made war against the people aforementioned , which proved very doubtful and desperate , and lasted five years : and though he suppressed the cantabrians , and asturians , and drave them to their rocks and mountains , yet before he could wholly subdue them , he was fain to bring a great navy upon the coast of france , to invade the sea coasts of cantabria and galizia , by which means he drave them to such extremities by land , that they were at last forced to submit to his obedience . augustus his great favourite agrippa served him faithfully in this war , whom therefore he married to his daughter julia , who was the widow of his nephew marcellus , the son of his sister octavia . and thus he brought all spain into subjection to him , above two hundred years after the comans began to make their first wars there . so as no province cost rome more treasure , more bloud , nor more time than spain . this long and doubtful war being so happily finished , augustus was so pleased with it ; that he gave commandment that the temple of janus should again be shut , and came to rome in great triumph . but this temple continued not long shut , for some nations of the germans rebelled , so that it was again opened . these were the inhabitants of noricum ( now bavaria ) and the pannonia's , ( now austria and hungary ) and the two missia's , ( now bulgary and servia ) as also illyricum , ( now sclavonia ) and the province of dacia , ( now transylvania and walachia ) and some others , though at several times . against these , augustus sent his generals and armies , amongst which were his sons in law , the sons of livia , tiberius nero , who succeeded him in the empire , and his brother drusus nero , of whom livia was with child when octavian married her : and these two brothers ( though the war lasted somewhat long ) vanquished those nations , and obtained great victories in germany , and the confines thereof : especially tiberius , who in three years space subdued the pannonia's , illyricum , and dalmatia ; for which victories he afterwards entred into rome in an ovation triumph with great pomp and honour . marcus crassus also overcame and put to flight the missians , a people who had never seen the romans before . and when they were ready to give battel , they said , tell us who you are that seek to molest and disquiet us ? we are ( said they ) romans , the lords of nations ; whereupon they replied ; it shall be so if you overcome us ; which fell out accordingly . but augustus obtained not these victories without some crosses . for in these wars died his son in law drusus , who was highly esteemed for his noble acts , and great victories ; for the loss of whom , both augustus and livia were much afflicted : but yet his grief was greater for the mishap which befell quintilius varro , who was general of three legions in germany , and being careless , was surprized by the almans , and himself , his legions , and all his auxiliaries were slain , and two standards with the imperial eagles taken ; for which he was so immoderately grieved , that he knocked his head against the wall , and cryed out unadvisedly , quintilius varro , give me my legions again : for certain months also , he suffered the hair of his head and beard to grow carelesly . and the very day of this unhappy accident , he did every year observe mournfully , with sorrow and lamentation . of his son in law drusus there remained two sons , germanicus and claudius , which he had by antonia , augustus his neece , and daughter of his sister octavia and mark anthony ; of which claudius was emperour : and germanicus married agrippina the daughter of julia , augustus his daughter , by whom he had caius caligula , who also was afterwards emperour . augustus after many notable victories , compelled his enemies at length to sue for peace , whereupon again he commanded the temple of janus to be shut up , and from thenceforth all things succeeded prosperously with him . the subjects of the empire were now very obedient to him , and all other sent their ambassadours seeking his favour and friendship . the indians in the remotest parts of the east , and the scythians that inhabited the north : and the parthians , an untamed people , sent their ambassadours to him , giving security to keep the peace , and restoring to him the standards and eagles which were taken when marcus crassus was slain . there came also kings , who were friends and subjects to the roman empire , to do him homage , laying aside their ensignes , and royal robes : and many of them bult cities to his name , and for his honour , calling them caesaria . so did herod the great in palestine , king juba in mauritania , and others . the world being thus at peace and quietness , forty and two years being expired since that augustus , after the death of julius caesar , came to rome ; in the time of this general peace , was the prince of peace , our blessed lord and saviour jesus christ born in bethlem , of the virgin mary , herod being king of judea , placed there by the romans , of whose blessed life and bitter death , as also of the order of his ministry , and miracles , see his life , published by me , anno christi . at which time there came forth a command from caesar angustus , that all the roman world should be taxed , which taxing was first made , when cyrenius was governour of syria , luk. . . out of which , a little book was made by augustus , in which all the publick riches were contained : as also how many citizens , and allies in arms : what navies : how many kingdomes and provinces : what tribute and customes there were : what necessary charges and pensions went out . shortly after , augustus was called lord by the people , but he did not only refuse that title , but forbad it by a publick edict . augustus enjoying so great prosperity , was yet nothing altered in his qualities and behaviour , as often it happens in other princes ; but rather became more mild , just , and affable , more courteous , liberal , and temperate . he established very good laws and orders for the reformation and abuses , and evil customes . he erected both within and without rome many stately and sumptuous edifices , which made him to boast concerning rome , latericiam inveni , marmoream reliqui : i found it built with brick , and left it built with marble . he bestowed great gifts and favours upon all sorts of people . he delighted the people with feasts , and playes of sundry kinds , going himself in person to honour them : he sent colonies into sundry parts and provinces : he made excellent good orders for the governours and government of the whole empire : the like he did also for the wars , and martial discipline . he shewed himself loving and sociable to his friends and familiars , whom he honoured and loved much , some conspiracies against him which were discovered , he punished without rigour , being more prone to pardon than to punish . of murmurings and defamatory libels , he never desired to know the authors ; but answered them with gravity , giving satisfaction , and purging himself from those things which were charged upon him . he was much addicted to , and affected with learning , and himself was very learned and eloquent , and compiled some notable books . he much honoured and rewarded wise and learned men : yet he escaped not the tainture of some vices , growing through humane frailty , and his great liberty : especially he was much given to women , though in his diet , apparel , and ornaments , he was very sparing and modest . he gave himself also excessively to play at dice , and other games then in use . thus , though in many things he was very happy , yet , besides his troubles and dangers , he was very unhappy in his children and successours . for by his four wives to whom he was married , he had only one daughter called julia , by his third wife scribonia , and she proved exceeding wanton , and unchaste , yea , she left nothing undone in luxury and lust , that was possible for a woman to do or suffer , accounting every thing lawful that pleased her . yea , she came to that height of lasciviousness , that she kept her feasting even in the courts of justice , abusing those very places with lascivious acts , in which her father had made laws against adulterers . hereupon her father was so enraged , that he could not contain his anger within his own house , but published these things , yea , and communicated them to the lords of the senate . he kept himself also a long time from company , for very shame : he had thoughts of putting his daughter to death ; but at last he banished her into pandataria , an island of campania , her mother scribonia , of her own accord , accompanying her in her banishment . julia being at this time thirty eight years old . for want of sons to succeed him , augustus first adopted his nephew marcellus , the son of his sister octavia , to whom he first married his daughter julia : and marcellus dying without issue , he then married her to his favourite agrippa : who also left her a widow , but yet he had by her three sons , and two daughters : two of these sons having been adopted by augustus , died before him : whereupon he adopted the third , who bore his fathers name , agrippa , the which adoption he afterwards revoked , for some displeasure conceived against him : and lastly , he adopted his son in law tiberius nero , and made him his heir , whom also he married to his daughter julia , the widow of agrippa : yet this he did more through the importunity of his mother , than for any good liking that he had of him , being sorry that such an one should succeed him . not long after , the first letter of his name , that was upon the inscription of his statue that was set up in the capitol , fell down , being struck with a flash of lightning ; whereupon the southsayers foretold that he should live only one hundred dayes after , which was denoted by the letter c. and that he should be canonized for a god , because aesar , which remained of his name , in the hetruscan tongue , signified a god. hereupon he wrote a catalogue of his doings , which he appointed to be engraven in tables of brass , and to be set over his tomb. things being thus done , caesar augustus being now seventy six years old , and odd dayes , having reigned above fifty six , and being the best beloved , and the best obeyed prince in the world , death overtook him , which was occasioned by a flux , which held him for some dayes : and so augustus died at nolla in campania , in the same house and chamber wherein his father octavius died , being the nineteenth day of august , upon which day he was first made consul : and in the fifteenth year after the birth of our saviour jesus christ. he was generally lamented , and there was a universal sorrow and heaviness over the whole empire for him . for he did wisely and uprightly govern that monarchy which he had gotten by force and fraud . he was of a mean stature , of a very good shape and proportion of body , of an exceeding fair face , mixed with modesty and gravity : his eyes were very clear and bright : he was very advised in his speeches , and loved to speak quick , and briefly . his last will and testament was written a year and four moneths before he died , and left in the custody of the vestal virgins . in his life time he vvas very desirous to reform abuses in rome , and in the first place he corrected some disorders in the senate , vvhom he reduced to the number of six hundred . he reformed vvhat vvas amiss in their playes and games , in the knights , and in their manner of suing for publick offices . he set fines upon their heads that vvould not marry , and bestovved much upon those that had wives and children . he gave unto hortensius tvventy five thousand crovvns , to procure him to marry , that he might raise up issue to that noble family of the hortenses . he ordained that maids should be at least twelve years old before they married : and suffered them to kill adulterers , that were taken in the fact , and condemned the sodomites without pardon . he gave order that none should be put in nomination for offices , but such as were vertuous , and of good repute . he tied not himself to any certain hours for his meals , but used to eat when he was hungry , and that which he fed upon was neither dainty nor delicate , and he drank little wine : instead of a looking-glass , he used to read or write whilst his barber was trimming him . he never spake to the senate or people , or to his souldiers , but what he had first written and premeditated , though he had words at command . he delighted to read good authors , but gathered nothing more than sentences teaching good manners , and having written them out word for word , he gave copies thereof to his familiar friends , and sent them about to the governours of provinces , and to the magistrates of rome . he was too much addicted to divinations , and was marvellously afraid of thunder and lightning . our saviour christ being born , all the devils oracles ceased , and the oracle of delphos was fain to confess it , and ever after remained dumb : whereupon augustus being astonished , caused a great altar to be set up in the capitol , with an inscription , signifying , that it was the altar of the god first born . to prevent the great abuse of usury , which undid many families , he put into the exchequer twenty five hundred thousand crowns , and suffered private men to take of it for three years , without interest , putting in good security for the paying back of the principal : and condemned such usurers as had taken more than the law allowed , to pay four times as much to those who had been oppressed by them . the life and death of tamerlane the great , who florished anno christi . tamerlane was born at samercand , the chief city of the zagatajan tartars ; his father was called zain-cham , or , as others will , og , prince of the zagatajans , of the country sachithays ( sometimes part of the famous kingdom of parthia ) third in descent from zingis , the great and successful captain of the tartars ; which og being a prince of a peaceable nature ( accounting it no less honour quietly to keep the countries left him by his father , than with much trouble and no less hazard to seek how to enlarge the same ) long lived in most happy peace with his subjects , no less happy therein than himself ; not so much seeking after the hoording up of gold and silver ( things of that nation not regarded nor valued ) as contenting himself with the encrease and profit of his sheep and herds of cattel , then , and yet also the principal revenues of the tartar kings and princes ; which happily gave occasion to some , ignorant of the manner and customs of those northern nations and countries , to account them all for shepherds and herdsmen , and so also to have reported of this mighty prince , as if he had been a shepherds son , or herdsman himself , vainly measuring his nobility by the homely course of life of his people and subjects , and not by the honour of his house , and heroical vertues , hardly to be paralelled by any prince of that , or the former ages . his peaceable father now well stricken in years , and weary of the world , delivered up his kingdom to this his son ( not yet past fifteen years old ) joyning unto him two of his most faithful councellours , odmar and ally , to assist him in the government of his state , whom tamerlane dearly loved whilst they lived , and much honoured the remembrance of them being dead . the first proof of tamerlanes fortune and valour , was against the great duke of mosco , or emperour of russia , for spoiling of a city which had put it self under his protection , and for entring his country , and proclaiming war against him : whom he in a great battel overthrew , having slain twenty seven thousand of the muscovites footmen , and between fifteen and sixteen thousand horsemen , with the loss of scarce eight thousand horsemen , and four thousand footmen of his own . after which battel tamerlane beholding so many thousands of men lying dead upon the ground , was so far from rejoycing thereat , that turning himself to one of his familiar friends , he lamented the condition of such as command● over great armies , commending his fathers quiet course of life , accounting him happy in seeking for rest , and such most unhappy , which by the destruction of their own kind , sought to procure their own glory , protesting himself even from his heart to be grieved to see such sad tokens of his victory . alhacen in his arabick history of tamerlane , makes this narrative of the battel . the muscovites ( saith he ) had a great army , which he had gathered together out of sundry nations : and tamerlane intending not to put up such wrongs and indignities , assembled all his forces , and those of his allies . the muscovites forces were such as had been well trained up in the wars : for having lately concluded a peace with the king of poland , he had from thence ten thousand very good horsemen : there were also with him many hungarian gentlemen , under the conduct of one uladislaus , who brought with him more than eight thousand horse ; so that he had in his army about eighty thousand horse , and one hundred thousand footmen . tamerlane had in his army about one hundred and twenty thousand horse , and one hundred and fifty thousand foot , but not so good souldiers as the muscovites ; for his subjects had been long trained up in peace under his peaceable father ; and though they had been sometimes exercised , yet they wanted the practical part of war. tamerlanes order in his march was this , he caused all his army to be divided into squadrons , each consisting of six thousand horse , save his own , which consisted of ten thousand ; so that he made eighteen squadrons besides his own . the avantguard was conducted by odmar , who led eight squadrons which were flanked by forty thousand footmen , divided on the right and left sides , who shot an infinite number of arrows . the battel was conducted by tamerlane , who , with his own , led ten squadrons , and fifty thousand footmen , the best and choicest souldiers of his whole army . the prince of thanais , his kinsman , led the arereward with six squadrons of horse , and forty thousand foot ; his forlorn hope consisted of some three thousand horse , adventurers . the muscovites fought by double ranks with lances , and they seemed to be a greater number than tamerlanes , making a great noise : but tamerlanes skill and multitude at length overcame the force and valour of the muscovites , the victory bending to the parthians side , which they pursued hotly . in this battel tamerlane was hurt on the side of the left eye , and had two horses slain under him : and indeed that day odmar was the safeguard of the prince , but he lost ally , who was slain with an arrow . the battle being ended , tamerlane returned thanks to god publickly for his victory , and the next day reviewing his army , he found that he had lost between seven and eight thousand horsemen , and between three and four thousand footmen . the muscovites lost about twenty seven thousand foot , and fifteen or sixteen thousand horse . the prince slacked no time after so great a victory , but marching on , came into the borders of the muscovites , whom he enforced this agreement . that they should become his tributaries , paying yearly one hundred thousand duckats : that the great duke should defray all the charges of the wars , amounting to three hundred thousand duckats : that he should withdraw his army , and send back all the prisoners : and that for the performance hereof , he should give pledges ; which should be changed every year : all which being agreed to , he returned with great content and glory to his father . shortly after , the great cham of tartary ( his fathers brother ) being grown old , and out of hope of having any more children ; moved with the fame of his nephew after this victory , sent him divers presents ; and withal , offering him his only daughter in marriage , sent him word that he would proclaim him heir apparent to his empire , as indeed in right he was , being his brothers son , and the daughters not using to succeed in those empires : which so great an offer tamerlane gladly accepted , and so the marriage was afterwards with great triumph at the old emperours court solemnized , and consummated , and our tamerlane according to his uncles promise , and his own right was proclaimed heir apparent of that great empire . thus was tamerlane made great , being ever after this marriage , by the old emperour his uncle and now his father in law , so long as he lived , notably supported , and after his death he succeeded him in that so vast , and mighty an empire . before his marriage tamerlane would needs be crowned , to the intent that none should think that the crown came to him by the right of his wife , but by his own right ; and during his abode in the city of quavicai , where the old emperour was , he was entertained with all kind of triumphs , wherein he always carried away the bell , whether in shooting in the bow , in changing of horses in the middest of their courses , in tiltings , and in all other exercises which required agility or strength ; and so after two months he returned with his wife to samercand ; in which city he delighted exceedingly to remain , because the situation thereof was fair , and being watered with a great river , was a place of great traffick , whereby it was made richer than any other in that country : and whensoever be received intelligence from the emperour his uncle , he still imparted the same to odmar , whom he used at his right hand in all his great affairs : there was also in his court a christian whom he loved much , and every one greatly respected , called axalla , a genovois by birth , brought up from his youth about his person , for he countenanced all that worshipped one only god that was the creator of all things . and about this time the old emperour sent to him to stir him up to war against the great king of china , who stiled himself , lord of the world , and son of the sun , who had exceeded his bounds , and incroached upon the tartarian empire : this was no small enterprise , and therefore before he would begin the same , he sent ambassadours to the king of china to demand restitution of his lands , and the passages of a river called tachii , which were within the tartarian border , and on this side that stupendious wall builded on purpose by the kings of china for the defence of their country against the incursions of the tartars : and whilst he attended for the return of his ambassadours , expecting a negative answer , he caused his forces to be assembled together from all parts , appointing their rendezvous to be in the horda of baschir : the old emperour also assembled for his aid , two hundred thousand fighting men , wherein were all the brave men of his court that were accustomed to the wars : for this emperour had greatly encreased his limits , and conquered a great country , so as all these men were well trained up in the wars , and had been accustomed to travel and pains ; these were to joyn with tamerlanes army in the desarts of ergimul at a certain day . in the mean time ambassadours which were sent , return and inform the prince that this proud king of china wondering how any durst denounce war against him , making this lofty answer : that tamerlane should content himself with that which he had left him , which also he might have taken from him , &c. this answer being heard , our prince marched directly to his army , gave orders for conveiance of victuals from all parts , sent to hasten forwards his confederates , imparted the answer to the old emperour , caused the insolence of the king of china to be published , that all the world might know the justness of his cause ; yet before his departure , he went to take leave of his own father , who endued with a singular and fatherly affection , kissed him a thousand times , made solemn prayers for his prosperity , drew off his imperial ring , and gave it him , telling him that he should never see him again , for that he was hasting to his last rest ; and calling odmar , bad him farewel , requiring his faithfulness to his son. the prince having performed this duty , returned to samercand , where the empress his wife remained , whom he took along with him in this journey , as the manner of that country is , and so presently departed , committing the charge and care of his kingdom in his absence to one samay , a man well practised in state affairs , who also had had the charge of our prince in his youth . these things being dispatched , he marched forwards in the middest of his army , which consisted of fifty thousand horse , and a hundred thousand footmen , relying principally on the forces of the great cham his uncle : yet he left order that the rest of his forces should be ready to advance upon the first command , as soon as he should be joyned with his uncles army . in his march he was stayed by the way in regard some distemper of his body , contracted by reason of his change of the air , yet the forces which catiles , captain of the army of the great cham conducted , went daily forwards . now the news of his distemperature was bruted abroad in all places , yet did he not neglect ot send to the great cham , and often to advertise him of the state of his health , to the end that the same should not cause any alteration which might arise in that great empire whereunto he was lately advanced : for he was very suspicious of a great lord , named calix , who was discontented with his advancement , and had not yet acknowledged him , as all other his subjects had : and indeed it was not without cause that he suspected him , for calix being informed that the forces of the great cham were advanced beyond the mountains , having passed the river of meau , and were encamped at bouprou , and that tamerlane was sick , he thought it a fit time for his enterprize , and thereupon assembling the greatest part of his most faithful followers , he told them that now was the time for them to shake off the yoak of the parthians , who otherwise would enslave them ; and seeing that now their prince was so badly minded as to translate the empire to tamerlane of his own mind , without calling them to council which had interest in the election , that this was the only means to assure their liberty , which otherwise was like to be lost : he caused also a remour to be spread , that tamerlane was very sick , the emperour old and crazy , and that his forces were far separated from him ; yet like cunning traytors , they dispatched away a messenger to the great cham , to assure him that they bended not their forces against him , but were his faithful and obedient subjects ; and they only armed themselves because they would not be governed by the parthians , their ancient enemies . as soon as our prince was advertised of the pretences of calix , he marched one days journey forward , to the end that he might approach unto calibes , who , what face soever he set on the matter , yet hearkened what would become of calix , that he might likewise make some commotion . this calibes was by tamerlane made commander of his avantguard , which consisted of parthians , yet he had joyned with him the prince of thanais , without whom he could not do any thing . tamerlane also gave special commandment , that the passages ( which were not many ) should be diligently guarded , to the end that the king of china should not be advertised of these tumults : and so giving to odmar the leading of his avantguard , he hasted forwards ; and surely it was high time for him so to do , or else all had been revolted : for calix having assembled a hundred thousand fighting men , presented himself before the great city of cambalu , chief of the province of cathai , the inhabitants whereof came out to meet him , receiving him with all the joy that might be . tamerlane in his march went to caindu , and from thence to calatia , where he expected to meet with the forces of his native country of sachetai , yet did he not neglect to send forward his army towards cambalu , which caused the inhabitants , to their great terrour , to think that all his forces were already on their neck . calix perceiving that the citizens began already to repent his entertainment , thought it not safe to remain amongst them , and therefore , withdrawing himself , he sent for his forces from all parts , resolving to meet tamerlane in the field , and to put all upon the event and hazard of a battel . he drew out of cambalu fifty thousand men , whereof twenty thousand were citizens , the other thirty thousand were the garrison-souldiers , placed there by the old emperour , calix having corrupted their leaders , and so procured them to joyn with him in this revolt . in short , having assembled all his forces , his army consisted of fourscore thousand horse , and one hundred thousand footmen , which he gathered from all parts . in the mean time tamerlanes army marching forward , his scouts , which were two thousand horse , had news of the army of calix , which came forward directly towards them , of which they speedily advertised the emperour , who thereupon presently sent two thousand horse more , to the end that they should keep the passages of a certain river called brore , by which river victuals were conveyed to his army : as also to win time , the prince well knowing that the motions of a civil war are furious at the beginning , and that therefore it 's best to resist slowly , always drawing them out at length , if it be possible . for when means , money , and victuals fail , the people use to be sensible of their faults , and to return home . the old emperour sent to him to adventure all upon a battel , delivering up into his hands the safety of his life and estate , that thereby he might end his days in peace : by this means forces came to tamerlane on all hands , whose army daily encreased ; whereas on the contrary the enemies army was then in its chiefest force , and began to feel the want of victuals . calix was about forty years old , a captain renowned with the great cham , and one of the chiefest in dignity and place about him , so that many of the tartars had always respected him as a person most worthy of the empire , if the glory of tamerlane and his reputation had not so far exceeded . the armies began to be in view one of another about eight a clock in the morning , and many skirmishes began betwixt them before they came to the main battel , the place wherein they met at that time , was a great plain , with like advantage on either part . odmar led the avantguard , wherein were forty thousand horse , and eighty thousand foot , which he divided into three squadrons ; the first whereof he sent before him to begin the battel . tamerlane marched in the same order , but his squadrons were much stronger . the footmen of both made the right and left wings . tamerlane had drawn out six thousand parthian horsemen , and two thousand tartarians for his arearguard , which he committed to his faithful servant axalla ; a man of great judgment , quick of conceit , and in great esteem amongst the souldiers , although , he being a christian , worshipped god in another manner than they did ; and he had many other christians with him , whom he had drawn from the georgians , and the euxine sea , who fought with great agility . calix on the other side , who was a well spoken man , was exhorting and encouraging his souldiers to fight for his fortune , and the liberty of their nation ; he divided his army into three main battels , himself remaining in the midst , encompassed with his footmen , and so the battels joyned , where , after a terrible fight , calix fell into axalla's hands , being taken fighting valiantly , which axalla caused to be presently proclaimed through the army , to the overthrow of the courage of all the adversaries , who hereupon immediately fled . calix was kept till the next day , and then by a council of war was adjudged to death ; whereupon tamerlane caused his head to be stricken off , the which he sent as a present to the inhabitants of cambalu : the like he caused to be done to all the chief leaders , not out of a cruel disposition , but enforced thereto by necessity , knowing very well that the way to cut off the foot of civil war , is to punish the heads of the same , which , as hydra's , grow up too fast . after this , tamerlane with his army marched into the kingdom of cathay , a country rich in grass , and all kind of pastures , abounding with great quantity of beasts and people , which knew not what war meant , and the prince gave command that they should not be used as enemies , but as his good subjects ; and whereas divers cities had adhered to calix , they came now and humbled themselves before him , craving pardon , which he gave them , enjoyning them only to provide victuals for his army , which also they willingly did . this example of lenity of was no small importance for the appeasing of others , which had put all their hope in extremity , resolving to sell their lives dear , and especially the inhabitants of cambalu had taken this resolution , but being informed of the emperours clemency , they changed their purpose : yet as the army daily approached nearer , their fears encreased , but tamerlane was daily informed by his friends in the city , that the inhabitants resolved to obey the conquerour , and therefore leaving his army at gonsa , he only sent thirty thousand to the city , which was the ordinary garrison , and within two hours after , entred the city himself , where he was received with great magnificence : yet would he not pronounce their pardon , but referred all to the old emperour , and to the ordinary course of justice : for which end he sent one of his favourites to the old emperour , to certifie him of his victory , of the death of calix , and that the chief of his faction remained prisoners with him ; as also to know what justice he would appoint to be inflicted upon those citizens which were the authors of the revolt of this city , and so after eight days he departed , and not many days after , he had intelligence that the great cham , his uncle , had caused justice to be done on the chief movers of sedition in cambalu , so that the people complained of the old emperours cruelty , but commended the mercy of tamerlane . when he came back to his army , he was received of all his souldiers with loud acclamations , calling him , most great emperour , and most victorious . amongst his captains he discoursed of the beauty and greatne●s of the city of cambalu , and afterwards asked odmars advise whether it were not best for him to visit the old emperour , and with his emperess to spend the winter with him at quinsay ? odmar , remembring the honour which he had received there , easily perceived his inclination to that journy , yet by all means disswaded him from it : to which tamerlane answered , that he had always found his fidelity and love to him , which he was sorry that he could not recompence to the full ; but ( saith he ) whereas i had thought to give my self some ease : i perceive that instead of the delicacies , and pleasures of quinsay , i must make the desarts of cipribit my resting place after my travels in this new victory : yet a rumour being spread that the prince intended to visit the emperour , every man began to desire to return into his own country , hoping to enjoy the sweetness of his native soil : which tamerlane being informed of , calling his army to a rendevouz , he thus spake unto them , we have ( my faithful souldiers ) begun an enterprise against the king of china , who hath of late repulsed even beyond the mountains , the tartarian name , but were hindred to our great grief by the foolish rashness of calix , and were driven to turn the bridle to punish him , wherein you have all assisted me . it grieves me that i cannot as well boast of the fresh spoils of a stranger , as i may ( by the means of your weapons ) of those of our unfaithful subjects , and as in times past of the fierce muscovites , against whom , with your assistance , i made trial of my first arms : but for this last victory being against our own subjects , i cannot speak of it without shedding tears ; desiring to bury such victories in oblivion , together with all the glory and honour gotten thereby . neither do i recount these things to you , but to shew that i forget not your faithfulness , and the great travel you have endured for my sake : we must not therefore be weary , but must turn our weapons against those which imagine us to be full of troubles , whereas we are indeed victorious : our companions , and all our amunition is advanced near to our enemy already , we must in that place ( my souldiers , and friendly followers ) pass over the rest of winter ; our companions look for us ; our enemies are secure , and look not for us at this season of the year , and know that our army that is already there , is not sufficient for offence , but only for defence . you shall receive double pay , the better to furnish you against the injury of cold ; and as we shall be apparelled with double garments , so i hope we shall be cloathed with double glory . having thus spoken , his souldiers all cryed , one god in heaven , and one emperour on earth , shewing their willingness to obey his commands . the prince after this , remained there eight days longer , sending back zamai with twenty five thousand horse , and fifty thousand foot to sachethay , for the safety of his estate in those parts : and so after solemn and publick prayers , the army began to march forwards : he forgat not likewise to dispatch away a messenger to the great cham , to acquaint him with all his purposes , which he approved very well of : by the same messenger he also beseeched him in the spring to send him fifty thousand men to recruit his army , and some moneys for the payment of his souldiers , which also he granted ; sending also good store of warlike munition , and plenty of victuals , knowing how much the success of the war would advance the tartarian greatness and profit . the army being upon their march , in thirty eight days came to cipribit , yet met with many inconveniences by the way . there they had news of calibes , who was glad to hear how businesses had passed , and came to visit the prince , who entertained him very courteously , acquainting him with his purpose , and also understood by him how all things passed in the kingdom of china . the next day the prince came to pazanfou , where calibes forces were , who had often fought with , and tried the valour of the chinois , but found it much inferiour to their own : there the prince took a general muster of all his army , caused them to be paid , took notice of their countenances , whilst they all cryed out , god save the victorious and invincible emperour , according to their custom . the prince of thanais , who commanded the army with calibes , had diligently viewed the wall , and the ways by which he might forcibly enter into china , and had sent many spies by certain ways through the mountains into that country , by whom he was advertised of all their proceedings : he had also gained by his courtesie , a lord of those mountains , called the lord of vauchefu , that commanded over a great countrey , who being desirous of a new master , and to submit to tamerlane , had told the prince of thanais , that he was able to do emperour good service , and to help him much in his wars against the chinois : this the prince of thanais discovered to tamerlane , who was very desirous to speak with this lord ; whereupon a day was appointed , and tamerlane without moving of his army , went to the tents of the prince of thanais , where this aforesaid lord met him ; and the emperour having heaped upon him many gifts of fair horses , and rich furs , and other rare things ; this lord spake thus unto him , know , my lord , that it is but lost labour for you to think that with your armies you shall be able to force this wall , made by the chinois to hinder the incursion of your subjects : the defendants have too much advantage therein ; i doubt not of your souldiers valour and courage , i know you have conquered many nations with them , and that whatsoever you command them , they will effect it , or die in the enterprise : i know that you have great and wise captains with you , and that you , of all persons in the world , are most worthy to command them : but all this will be but in vain against the wall of the chinois , where , i assure you , are fifty thousand men to keep it ; neither can you stay there so short a time , but there will come fifty thousand more to assist them , led by one xianxi , who had already received such a commandment : the king of china will himself follow , who will give you battel with two hundred thousand horsemen , and as many foot ; and though happily your fortune , and valour may carry away the victory , yet i believe it will cost you dear : but to shew you how much the reputation and courtesies of your servants have prevailed with me , i will direct you in a way whereby fifty thousand of your men may go into china , whom i my self will conduct , and they shall come upon those which guard the wall , in a manner before they are discovered . in the mean time you shall lead your army to a place which i will direct you to , where you may win easily a mountain which will give you great advantage against the chinois . for i assure my self , that when they shall perceive your men to be passed ; they will lose their courage , so that you may easily win the passage to assist your army , which shall be led by me amongst them ; and to assure you of my fidelity , i will deliver into your hands my wife , my only son , and two little daughters . i have also one brother , who , i assure my self , will follow me to do you service . the emperour having heard this , much rejoyced at it , hoping that his affairs would succeed happily , and kept this very secret , no revealing it to the prince of thanais himself , none being present at the discourse but the lord and his interpreter , and so heaping new favours upon him , he was conducted back by the prince of thanais with all the honour that might be . then the emperour returned to his quarters , and the next day imparted the whole matter unto odmar ; and then calling calibes , he asked what he had learn'd concerning china during his abode there : to which calibes made this answer , know , my lord , that i am your slave to obey you ; but seeing you command me to give you an account of all i know concerning the kingdom of china , for that i have remained these six moneths upon the borders ; i can assure you , that the king of china who now reigneth , is of great reputation , and hath encreased the limits of his kingdom more than any of his predecessors : his strength consisteth in this wall , opposed against us , which he hath made to prevent the inrodes of our nation : i believe there are above fifty thousand to defend it , and that of his best trained souldiers , and i know no good means to force this wall without much hazard , and great loss of your men . to this tamerlane answered , i hope that the great god , whose honour i will defend against those idolaters , will find out means to effect it ; and so dismissing calibes , he appointed his army to remove to a certain place , where he meant to chuse out fifty thousand men , whom he would deliver to the prince of thanais , and axalla ; which accordingly he did , and directed them to follow this chinois lord , who was now again come to him , and to do as they should be directed by him : in the mean time himself , with all the rest of the army approached the wall directly over against quaguifou . the army , led by the prince of thanais , having marched ten leagues by the conduct of the chinois lord , entred without resistance , and after a short repast , they marched directly towards those that guarded the wall , who suspected no such matter , but only had an eye to those which came to force the wall. but it fell our far otherwise , for just as tamerlane with his army came to the wall , they saw axalla with twenty thousand , being followed by the prince of thanais , with thirty thousand choice souldiers more , who , without any words , fell upon the chinois ; and odmar , who gave the first assault upon the wall , easily in that distraction brake through , and so the chinois were cut off between the two armies : and axalla , before the prince of thanais came up to him , had routed them ; great riches were gotten that day , and the king of china's cozen was taken prisoner ; much gold was found , as well on their arms , as on their horses furniture , but they shewed no great valour . the news of this overthrow being carried to the king of china , who was now at quantifou ; it brought great astonishment to him , for that he judged it impossible to have been effected , so that every one was filled with tears , fears , and lamentations for their friends . yet the king gathers forces from all parts , calling also the priests , and such as had the charge of his unholy holies , to come unto him , commanding them to offer sacrifices to their gods , whereof the sun is principal , requiring the same to be observed through all the cities ; and then that every one that was able to bear arms , should mount on horseback , and speedily repair to the king at paguinfou , whither he suspected that tamerlane would march , for that it was one of the cities nearest to the borders . in the mean time tamerlane beat down the wall , the better to assure his return , as also the forlresses upon all the passages , all which , upon his victory , were easily surrendred to him . he shewed himself very courteous to the people upon the mountains , and gave to the lord that had conducted his army , a country which bordered upon his , wherein were seven or eight good towns , who came and delivered the keyes to him : he gave him also the government of the frontier-province of xianxi , shewing himself to be a prince of his word , and reserved the rewarding of his brother till he had farther opportunity . whilst he was thus employed , news was brought him , that the king of china had assembled his forces , and was marching forward , himself being there in person ; as also that he had strengthened the garrisons in all his cities , which of themselves were well fortified . upon his intelligence , tamerlane called a council of war , and having heard the opinions of all his captains , he resolved to take in some famous city , that thereby his army might be better provided for , and then to give the king of china battel in the field . for the effecting of the first , he resolved to assault paguinfou , which was a great city , strongly fortified , and well replenished with people ; and for this end , he sent odmar with forty thousand horse to summon it , and to prevent the farther victualling of it , and to hinder the driving away of the cattel out of the champion-countrey about it , which might nourish his army : he also caused the lord axalla ( whom now he had made lieutenant general of all his foot ) to follow odmar vvith all his foot , which vvere near a hundred and fifty thousand men , well trained , and expert in war , himself marching immediately after vvith all his horsemen , artillery , engines , and other ammunitions belonging to the war , directly to paguinfou . odmar made such haste that he arrived unexpected by the citizens , vvho rather looked for their king than for an enemy : and having taken much cattel , vvherevvith that countrey abounded , he pitched his tents on the farther side of the city : there he continued two or three dayes , giving the city many alarms , till the infantry , led by that brave christian genuois , shewed themselves in the plain of paguinfou : then was the city summoned , but they returnd ansvver , that they were resolved to live and die in the service of their prince . by the way you must understand , that about forty years before , the father of this present king of china had conquered this city and countrey from the tartars , and had so planted the same with new colonies , that but few of the tartarians remained , except only in the flat countrey , and some small walled towns , who all came with their keys , and willingly submitted to tamerlane , whereby he had great plenty of victuals in his army , which made him hope for good success ; there being nothing that doth sooner overthrow great armies , than the want thereof . thus was paguinfou besieged round , the footmen lying within a flight-shoot the walls , the citizens and souldiers using their best endeavour for their defence , and tamerlane doing the like for their offence . axalla having viewed a great suburb , which was in length almost half a league , supposed that the citizens kept no watch there , and therefore acquainting the emperour with his purpose , in the first watch of the night , his men being all ready with scaling ladders , he assaulted the same in sundry places , and after a great fight entred , and cut in pieces at least eight thousand men , which were within the same ; yet on one side , where they expected to be assaulted , he lost many of his men . the taking of this suburb did greatly astonish the citizens , who observing the valour of the tartarians , began to suspect their own safety : by this suburb there ran a river , which being now under the command of axalla , he stopt all provision from going to the city . in the mean time the king of china's army approached , which was very great ; whereupon the emperour determined to go in person , and meet him , with the greatest part of his horsemen , but to leave most of his foot to continue the siege , being very desirous to take the city ; for the accelerating whereof , he caused his engines for battery to approach , as rams , and such like ; so that the city was assaulted on two sides very couragiously , and in the end , through the valour of axalla , who gave an assault with twenty thousand of his best souldiers , he won the wall , and at the command of the emperour lodged there , who desired rather to have the city by treaty than storm , the city being great and rich , and the enemy but thirty leagues from thence , and therefore he feared lest his army should be found in disorder , and knowing also that rich souldiers never fight well . besides , he intended to draw out of that wealthy city such things as he stood in need of , and to make it his magazine for the time to come . yet though the wall was won , the enemies wanted not heart to defend themselves valiantly , hearing that their king was coming for their relief : but it so happened , that an engine shooting a bullet , slew the governour ; whereupon the citizens were so discouraged , that they resolved to yield , saving their lives , and the souldiers to march away with horse and arms. the conditions were admitted , and there came out of the city eighteen thousand souldiers , almost all the inhabitants remaining behind : this siege had lasted two months , and the city had in it at first , thirty thousand souldiers . axalla had the honour of winning this city , and therefore was made governour of it , and all the country belonging to it , but he beseeched the emperour to bestow it upon some other person , reserving for himself the hope of his master , in whose fortune he would take part : this gave great content to tamerlane , who much desired the service of axalla ; and upon his refusal , the charge was conferred upon the prince of thanais , with the title of vice-roy : then did tamerlane give notice of his affairs to the old emperour , and having paid his souldiers , and setled all things in the best manner he could , he marched forward ; and taking a general muster of his whole army , horse and foot , he found them to be diminished ten thousand men only . and so with his army he spent one whole day in prayer , calling upon the immortal , invisible , invincible , and incomprehensible god , and then went directly to meet the enemy , who was at sintehu with all his own and the forces of his allies , and as soon as he received news that tamerlanes army was advanced over the river of chulifu , the king of china marched directly towards them with great magnificence : there was nothing to be seen in his army , but gold and precious stones : he himself usually rode in a chariot whereof every part shone with gold , pearls , rubies , and diamonds . he was of the age of about three and thirty , and had been brought up in pleasures , and not under the bloody ensigns of mars : so that he was very insolent in threatnings , brava ▪ does , and defying to the battel : he often accused tamerlane for surprizing him before he was ready , not giving him warning , &c. the rumours of his riches so fired the spirits of the tartarians , that they longed to be at the battel : and so both sides hasted forwards , and in the way , there was a city , called tunichevoy , surrendred to tamerlane , which afforded him much refreshing for his army : and thus the two armies drawing near together , tamerlane made choice of a place in his judgment most advantageous for the battel ; and having set down to odmar the order which he would have to be observed , he longed to see his enemy ; then did he send before him five or six thousand horse , as scouts , under calibes , and himself went with them , and having viewed the great confused army of his enemies , which came continually forward , he commanded calibes to retire himself so soon as they drew near to him . and bring ( saith he ) this great cloud to me , which i hope soon to disperse : and so retiring to his army , he encouraged them , assuring them of the victory . he placed all his foot-men , which were about a hundred and twenty thousand , along a mountain , planting great store of artillery for their guard ; many of his foot-souldiers were armed after the christian manner , who were all commanded by axalla : his horsemen were in a battalia in a great plain , who upon any disadvantage could retire to the assistance of the footmen : the horsemen were eighty thousand ; calibes with the scythians were in the avantguard , being thirty thousand horse , who were to receive odmar when he should retreat from the enemy , as he was commanded ; thirty thousand more were appointed for odmar , and tamerlane himself remained in the arrear at one of the wings of his footmen : his purpose was to let that sixty five thousand horse under two such gallant captains , to break the force of the enemy , hoping after them to have a good market , causing his foot to march forward , and reserving with himself twenty thousand of his best horse , who of themselves were able to make a new battel if any mischance should befal the former : for he understood that it was the custom of the kings of china to enclose themselves in the midst of their chariots with their footmen , and not to hazard their persons , but upon extremity . the chinois failed not to march directly unto calibes , the whole army following and setting upon him : calibes with his six thousand scythian horse , after their usual manner , in retreating gave many charges , giving and receiving hurt . the king of china marched with much gallantry with his army , which seemed to be twice so big as that of tamerlanes : he had very many armed chariots , wherein he put his principal trust ; they had much gold and silver , as well in the trappings of their horses , as on their armour , which gistred exceedingly against the sun , to the admiration of the tartars . tamerlane , who with a troop of horse beheld the chinois marching after calibes , commended greatly the drawing forth of their men to compel calibes to fight , endeavouring to discover and note with his eye the place whereabouts the kings person was , having by him the chinois lord to instruct him , who knew well the manner of their fight . they had no avantguard , but were all in a gross , commanded by the king , inclosed within his chariots , which being shewed to tamerlane by this lord , he turned to those captains that were near him ; and said , yet must we disperse this guilded cloud , and the king of china and my self must make a partition thereof . thus having sufficiently viewed the enemy , and observed their manner of marching , he thought it not convenient to suffer them to take breath , nor to rally , being something disordered in their march , whereupon he sent to calibes to will him to begin the fight ; and when those that were with him should be weary , to retreat to him : but assoon as his scythians heard this word fight , they required the first charge , with a young lord that commanded over them called ziochabanes , making it to appear to the chinois , to what end their former flight was , charging very furiously upon the formost of the enemies , which occasioned the first beginning of the battel : and indeed there could not be seen a more gallant onset , wherein the scythians desired to manifest the valour of their nation , and to procure honour to their prince . this fight endured a long hour before they had overthrown calibes : tamerlane beheld all patiently , saying , that the great multitude ( how disorderly soever they were ) would at length carry it away from the order and valour of his souldiers ; yet could there not be discerned any alteration of his countenance , adversity and prosperity being both alike so indifferent to him . calibes being wounded , retired himself near to the emperour , having with him two thousand horse that were rallied again , many more flocking to him : the emperour viewed his wound , causing him to be conducted behind his footmen , and care to be taken for the dressing of his wound , and of such others as were wounded with him . calibes with his thirty thousand scythians was not able to charge through the chinois , but when they retreated , odmar with his parthian horsemen advanced forward , and used them more roughly , for he ran clean through them , and returned by the right wing of the army , where he fought most valiantly , and having beaten them within the kings chariots , he thought he should not do wisely to attempt the breaking of such forces . the king of china coming forwards , and the horsemen that had been broken by odmar , joyning themselves to him , odmar sent to tamerlane , desiring him that the footmen and artillery might advance forward , sending him word that he might assure himself of the victory . hereupon tamerlane commanded axalla to advance with fifty thousand foot , and part of the artillery , requiring him to set upon the chariots , and to make an entrance . the artillery marching in the first place did greatly astonish the enemy ; for the governours of the horses belonging to the kings chariots could not rule them ; it made also a great spoil . axalla perceiving the disorder , hasted forwards till they came to hand-blows . the king of china had yet about his person a hundred and fifty thousand men : yet axalla , full of courage , fought so valiantly , that they never beheld any man to do more bravely . during this fight , odmar again charged the horsemen that were retired to the kings aid , and put them to flight . then did tamerlane himself march forward with the rest of the footmen for the aid of axalla , and brake through , even to the person of the king of china , who as yet was enclosed within a second rank of chariots , with about thirty or forty thousand men , and after he had fought two or three hours , the horse assisting the foot , and they principally whom the prince had kept as a reserve , the king at length remained wounded , in the power of tamerlane : the battel being won , and the enemies camp forced : the fight endured eight hours , and the night coming on , saved the lives of many of the chinois . there were slain two kings , allies to the king of china . inestimable riches were gotten in golden vessels , precious stones , and as fair and rich chariots as could possibly be seen . the emperour would not see the captive king till the next day : but being mounted on horseback , he rode about the field to stay the slaughter , and to rally his men , that the accustomed watch might be kept , whereof he gave the charge unto axalla , commanding him also to keep the king of china in the midst of his souldiers , who was dressed of the wound which he had received in his right arm . it was a strange sight to see the diversity of the enemies weapons , and the variety of their streamers and ensigns , which seemed afar off as beautiful , as the diversity of colours plentiful . the king of china's army was very great , consisting of a hundred and fifty thousand horse , and two hundred thousand footmen : but the greatest part of them were rude and barbarous people , far inferiour to tamerlan's in valour , who suffered themselves to be slain one upon another , not marking their advantages , and having little skill in warlike affairs . tamerlane continued on horseback till about two a clock in the morning , when as they brought him a tart , and his water , for he never drank wine , and then lying down upon a carpet , he passed the rest of the night until morning . after this so great a victory , there was never the least boasting or vaunting heard to proceed out of his mouth . the next day , after the burial of the dead , he publickly gave thanks to god for his victory . then caused he the wounded to be cured , and amongst others , calibes , who , more through the distemperature of the air , than from the danger of the wound , found himself very ill , yet would he not omit his duty in commanding the van , which was very grateful to tamerlane , for that he being a scythian , was greatly beloved of his nation . these things being dispatched , he sent unto axalla to bring forth his prisoner , the king of china ; and when he approached , the emperour issued out of his tent , and went to receive him . this king came with a very proud and haughty countenance , and approaching near to the emperour , he , by his interpreter , asked of axalla , which was he ? and being shewed him , he spake in an haughty language after this manner ; the gods whom i worship , being provoked against my nation and people , have conspired against my good fortune , and made me this day thy prisoner : but forasmuch as it is reported over all the world , that tamerlane maketh war for the honour of his nation , thou shouldst be content with this thy glory , that the lord of the world and child of the sun , is in thy power , to receive such laws as thou pleasest to subscribe unto him . this he spake in a brave manner , without any other humbling of himself : the emperour on the other side saluting him very courteously , led him into his tent. this king of china was a great prince , having two hundred famous cities within his kingdom ; which also is a fruitful and plentiful countrey , wherein are mines of gold and silver , much musk and rliubarb : it abounds in fish and fowl , and hath much silk and porclane , with cotton and linnen , &c. then did tamerlane assemble his captains to consult about the disposal of the king , and how the victory should be best improved . at the same time he received news by odmar , that the kings brother , who escaped out of the battel , was at quantou , which he had strongly fortified , and that great store of forces began to adjoyn themselves to him : hereupon he commanded two thousand parthian horse to convey the king to paguinfou , and from thence to burda , where he was to be kept carefully . then did he resolve upon the besieging of quantou , and if it were possible to shut up the kings brother therein , it being one of the principal seats that belonged to the king of china . it was forty leagues from the place where the battel was fought . thither therefore he sent a good party of his army under odmar , who pitched his tents about the city : but the kings brother was gone . the emperour in the mean time summoned , and took in many lesser cities , which yielded wholly to his mercy , making great lamentation for their captive king , yet the gentleness of the conquerour made them to take all their losses with patience , and the rather , because they heard that he used their king courteously . the kings brother also sent ambassadours to tamerlane , craving leave to see the king , and to know of his health , which the emperour willingly assented to . now the kings brother hearing of the estate of the besieged in quantou , he resolved either to relieve it , or to fight a battel , for which end , he advanced strait unto porchio , making a bridge of boats to pass over the river : but odmar being informed that about fifty thousand of his men were come over , he suddenly set upon them , being out of order , and not informed of their enemies approach ; also to prevent the coming over of the rest to their assistance , he sent a fire-boat down the stream , against their bridge of boats , which brake it in sunder , and where it was resisted , set all on fire ; and so in a great battel overthrew them ; the king of cauchin-china , who was amongst them , fighting valiantly , was slain . the kings brother , who was on the other side of the river ( not yet come over ) saw his men slain and drowned , and could not relieve them . this second overthrow was of no small importance , though it was but the third part of the kings brothers army . for the citizens of quantou hearing of it , and despairing of relief , sent out some proposals for their surrender . axalla which received them , presently dispatched away a faithful messenger to the emperour to know his pleasure therein : this was more welcome news to him , than the overthrow of his enemies ; wherefore he referred all to the sufficiency and fidelity of axalla : so that upon treaty , the city was surrendred to axalla , who caused the garrison to come out , and received the inhabitants into the emperours protection , and all that would might continue in it unarmed : afterwards he entred into it , and was received with great signs of joy by the inhabitants , who resolved to entertain the emperour with all the solemnity that might be . axalla put thirty thousand men into it for a garrison , injoyning the citizens to pay the emperours army four hundred and fifty thousand crowns : presently after he received a command from the emperour to stay in the city himself , and to send all the rest of his footmen unto him , which he commanded the rather , because he understood that ambassadours were coming to him from the kings brother to treat of peace , and he presumed the sight of all his army together ready to march , would strike such a terrour into them , as would cause them the readilier to assent to good terms . the ambassadours sent by the kings brother , were of their chiefest men , whom tamerlane entertained with all humanity , causing his greatness to appear to them , as also the activity of his horsemen , whereby they might discern that it would tend to the destruction of their country if they agreed not with him : then did the ambassadours deliver their message , which consisted of two branches : one was for the delivery of their king , the other , for the preservation of their countrey : the emperour answered , that they should deliver their message in writing , and he would give a speedy answer : their propositions were , that they would leave paguinfou , and all the country beyond it , with all the fortresses of the mountains in tamerlanes possession : that they would pay all the charges of his army from that day forward : and that they would give two millions of gold for the ransome of their king. to this the emperour answered , that he would keep that which he had conquered within the countrey , being his own , as taken by his arms : that he would have the river by which his army was now encamped , and so along to the sea , to be his frontiers : that the king of china should pay him yearly two hundred thousand crowns , which should be delivered at paguinfou , for acknowledgment of his submission to his empire : that he should pay five hundred thousand crowns in ready money for the charge of his army : that the king of china should be delivered , and that all the other chinois prisoners should pay ransomes to particular men that took them , except those which carried the names of kings , who should pay ten thousand crowns for their liberty and peace : and that no chinois should be kept for a slave , nor sold for such hereafter , being under the emperours obedience : that traffick and intercourse of merchants should be free between both the nations : that the king of china should deliver his brother , and two other called kings , with twelve principal men of the countrey , for hostages to secure the peace : these conditions , after they had consulted together , were accepted of , hoping that time would restore again their ancient liberty , and in the mean time they must bear the yoke of the conquerour . then did tamerlane send two thousand horse to fetch the king of china , that being at liberty , he might solemnly sweat to the peace ; which accordingly he did , delivered the hostages , and so went into his kingdom to perform the other articles , where he was almost worshipped as a god , and received with all the joy that might be . thus tamerlane , having setled his affairs , and provided for the assurance of his new conquest , left odmar to govern the same , leaving with him thirty thousand horse , and fifty thousand foot , to furnish all the fortresses and strong places , giving him in charge to make his chief residence at quantifou , to fortifie well the passages , and to build a new fort at dermio , the better to strengthen his borders : he also left him all necessaries , and commended to him the lord of the mountains , who had been so serviceable to him ; his brother he took with him , giving him large preferment in zachethay : he also carried along with him many of the new conquered people , to plant them in his own country , sending other colonies in their stead , which he did , because he found them a light people , and such as affected novelty . tamerlane sent to acquaint the old emperour with all these things , having two of the greatest and fairest cities in all china in his possession , and an hundred leagues of land , extending his borders to a river , by which he might go to the enemy , but they could not come to him without passing over the same : he desired also above all things , that all the idols which were within his conquest should be beaten down , and commanded the worshipping of one god. then did his army , wherein was much sickness , begin to march , and tamerlane hearing of more forces that were coming towards him out of tartary , he sent to stop them , commanding them to march to cambalu , whither himself also was going , hearing that the old emperour intended to meet him , and to entertain him with great magnificence in that city . odmar being thus severed from tamerlane's side , all his favour was turned to axalla , of whose prudence , valour , and fidelity , he had such large experience in these wars , so as the report of his valour did fly through all the empire . in the retreat calibes led the avantguard , and axalla was in the battel near to the emperour , who bestowed upon him two hundred thousand crowns yearly , to maintain his ordinary expences . and thus , after certain dayes journey , news was brought of the old emperours arrival at cambalu : wherefore tamerlane , leaving his army to winter in a fair and fertile countrey , and dismissing many of his souldiers , he hasted thitherwards , and when he was arrived within four leagues of cambalu , all the princes of the emperours court came to receive him there , together with all the chiefest citizens , to congratulate his admirable success : the prince received every one according to his wonted courtesie , yet retaining convenient majesty , and was beheld by all with great contentment : he had with him the empress his wife , who had not left him in all his journey : and the next day the old emperour honoured him so much as to come to meet him , with all the magnificence that might be . tamerlane presented him with all the richest chariots , and fairest horses that he had won : and the old emperour being very desirous to see his daughter , her chariot was uncovered , and he caused her to enter into his own : but the prince remained on horseback , whom the eyes of all the people could not be satisfied with admiring . tamerlane also presented calibes to the emperour , making a recital of all his faithfulness ; whereupon the emperour gave him an hundred thousand crowns for the increase of his pension : he also presented axalla to the emperour , who being informed of his valour , gave unto him a hundred thousand tartarines of gold in a principality , that he might declare how much he esteemed his fidelity . during tamerlane's abode at cambalu this winter , complaints came to him that bajazet the great turk had attempted to joyn the empire of greece to his own , resolving also upon the siege of constantinople , whereupon the emperour of greece sent to him to crave his aid . axalla , who was of kin to this emperour , paleologus , being desirous to maintain the christian religion in greece , stirred him up much to this war : whereupon he sent ambassadours to bajazet , to warn him in his name , not to molest the greek emperour , who was his confederate : but bajazet answered them very proudly , asking them what their master had to do therewith ? and that he should content himself with injoyning laws to his own subjects , and not to meddle with him who was none of them . this answer being returned , by axalla's means , was very ill taken , so that tamerlane resolved to hinder this enterprize of the ottomans : for which end , he obtained of the emperour his uncle , an hundred thousand footmen , and eighty thousand horsemen , hoping to have as many from his own countrey of sachetai , besides the lords who would accompany him to win glory , from whom he made account of fifty thousand men more that they would bring along with them . thus he departed from cambalu , taking his leave of the old emperour , his father in law , and of the princess his wife , ( then left behind him for the comfort of her aged father ) and departed towards samercand , the place of his birth , and seat of his empire , leaving the forces granted him by the emperour , to come after him to ozara , where he had appointed the general rendezvouz of his army . this his departure was very grievous to the old emperour , but more grievous on the princes part towards his wife , who had never left him since they were first married : but nothing could withhold this brave prince , where honour was to be purchased , or where he might be profitable to his oppressed friends , for he would often say , that he was born to this end , and that all his other employments were but by the by , god having appointed and called him to punish the pride of tyrants . he was accompanied with calibes , and made the prince of thanais collonel of all his footmen , which place axalla had left , whom now he made lieutenant general of all his army , with command to lead his avantguard , and calibes the arearward . forces came to him from all parts ; and the chinois lord , being licensed by odmar , marched towards him with twenty thousand men of his subjects newly conquered , being desirous to shew his forwardness to the emperour , as also to learn the manners and fashions of strange countries . when tamerlane came near samercand , zamay went to meet him , and near a million of people , blessing and praising him with all manner of songs : there he remained about a month ; in which space axalla had rendezvouzed his army at ozara , from whence also he advertised tamerlane of the proceedings of bajazet . then did tamerlane send for him to samercand , to confer with him about the setting forward of his army . for although he was still accompanied with renowned princes , and famous captains ; yet were they no body in comparison of axalla , whose sound judgment and counsel had won him such credit with his lord and master , as by his advice he did all things , and without him nothing , which his so great authority and favour with his prince wanted not the envy of the court ; but that his great vertues , and rare-found courtesie ( in so great fortune ) together with so many great services as he had done , supported him against the malice of the same . he upon this command from tamerlane , leaving the charge of the army at ozara with the prince of thanais , came to samercand , and there discoursed with him at large concerning the estate and order of his army ; and so , shortly after , they all departed to ozara , where a new consultation was held , by which way he should conduct his army : as whether it was better to lead them by the coast of the muscovite , directly towards capha , or on the other side of the calpian sea , by the skirts of persia ; and after much discourse and sundry opinions , with their reasons delivered , it was resolved , ( although the way were the longer ) to pass by the muscovite , so to come to the georgians , and to trepizond , and from thence to enter into the ottamans kingdom . this being resolved on , they marched forward , till at length they came to maranis , where he stayed three dayes , looking for the china forces , whereof they received news ; there also tamerlane mustered , and paid his army ; he had also news of fifteen thousand horsemen sent him by the muscovite , with a sum of money , with leave for him to pass through so much of his territories as should be necessary , being glad that he set upon others ; rather than on himself ; and that such great preparations should fall upon them , whose greatness was as dreadful and dangerous to him as any other . tamerlane caused a great quantity of victuals , and most part of the furniture of his army to be sent along the caspian sea , which was a great case and commodity to his men , which , marching by land , was of necessity to pass some twenty leagues through places destitute both of victuals and water ; himself all the way coasting along the sea-shore , passed his time in hunting and hawking , to make the journey less tedious , his army not coming near him by ten leagues , which was so great , that it extended it self full twenty leagues . coming to the river edel , he stayed at zarazich , whilst his army passed the river at mechet , and over two other bridges that he had caused to be made of boats for that purpose . now the circassians and georgians hearing of the approach of tamerlane with his huge army , by their ambassadors offered him all the help and assistance they could afford him in his journey , as he passed that way . these georgians were , and yet are christians , a great and warlike people , of long time tributaries to the greek emperours ; and afterwards sometime tributaries , and sometimes confederates to the persians ; but alvvayes enemies to the turks , and therefore glad they were of tamerlanes coming against them . of these warlike people axalla drew great numbers to the service of his prince , who not a little esteemed of them , being all tall men , very beautiful , of great strength and courage , and withall , most expert souldiers , as having many times resisted the power of the ottoman kings , by reason of the advantage of their country , which was rough , mountainous , and hard to come to . these people every where kindly entertained tamerlane , and plentifully relieved his army with all necessaries . in passing through which , and other countries , he took such order with his souldiers , that none of the people by whom they passed were any whit injured by them , insomuch that if a souldier had taken but an apple or any other trifle , he died for it . and one of his souldiers having taken a little milk from a countrey-woman , and she thereof complaining , he caused him presently to be hanged , and his stomack to be ript , where the milk that he had lately drank being found , he payed the woman for it , who had otherwise without mercy died for her false accusation : which his great severity was indeed the preservation of his army , being so great , as that it was thought impossible to provide it with victuals , whereof yet there was no want , nor of any other thing necessary for the relief of man : his camp being still as a most populous and well-governed city , stored with all manner of things , whereunto both artificers and merchants resorted from far countries with their commodities , as to some famous mart : and the country people from every place , without fear , brought in their country-commodities , for which they received present money , and so departed in peace . so marching on , he at length came to bachichich , where he stayed to refresh his army eight dayes , and there again took a general muster of them , finding , as some write , four hundred thousand horse , and six hundred thousand foot ; but others that were present with him , say , three hundred thousand horse , and five hundred thousand footmen of all nations : there also he generally payed them , and as his manner was , made an oration to them , informing them of such orders as he would have observed , with much other military discipline , whereof he was very curious with his captains . in the mean time , bajazet would not believe that tamerlane durst once look towards him , yea , so exceeding barbarous was he , that he would not so much as suffer any man to speak of him , or his army to him , by reason of his pride : he also strictly forbad all the bordering people to make any vows or prayers for tamerlanes prosperity : but he was soon after awakened out of this lethargy , as we shall presently hear . indeed tamerlane could hardly be perswaded , that bajazet , having subdued the greatest part of grecia , and much distressed the greek emperour , and having so great means to recover whatsoever he should lose in asia , would be so adventurous as to come over the streights out of europe , to try the fortune of a battel with him : but rather warily to protract the time , to weary him with wants , that in a strange country , drew such a world of people after him : wherein yet he found himself much deceived ; for when he had passed the georgian country , and was come to buisabuich , axalla ( whom he had not seen in eight dayes before , because he commanded the avantguard of the army ) came to him with such news as he knew would be most grateful to him : which was , that bajazet had raised his siege before constantinople , to come and defend his new conquests in asia , and that he was certainly resolved to come to a pitched battel with him , not so much trusting to the multitude of his men , as to the experience and valour of his souldiers , being long trained up in the wars . at which unexpected news tamerlane greatly rejoyced , yet without insolency and vaunting , but rather with the countenance of such an one as judged the event of battels to be alwayes doubtful ; saying sometimes , that a small number well conducted , did carry away the victory from the confused multitude . three dayes after he stayed at buisabuich , causing his souldiers continually to march forward , who , at two places , passed over the river euphrates , which he did the rather to maintain his army upon the spoil of the enemies countrey , chusing rather there to attend bajazets coming , then amongst his friends and allies . all the cities that yielded to him in the way as he marched , he favourably received ; the other that refused to submit themselves to his obedience , he used with all extremity , especially the great and strong city of sebastia , where certain of the forerunners of his army , were by the turks that kept garrison in it , cut off and slain , and to despite him the more , the city gates were set open in contempt of him : whereupon being justly offended , he sent out certain tartarian horsemen , charging them upon pain of his displeasure so to behave themselves against their enemies , that at his coming up to them he might find either the city taken , or at least the gates shut up against him : and he had his men at so great command ; that no danger was unto them more dreadful than his displeasure , neither did he punish any thing so severely as cowardize . now the turks in sebastia seeing these tartarian horsemen marching towards the city , making little account of them , because their number was not great , issued out to meet them , where they were so furiously charged by these few horsemen , that they were glad to retire , and for hast to shut the gates against some of their own men , lest the enemy should have entered pell mell with them , which turks were there slain at the gates of the city . shortly after came tamerlane with all the rest of his army , and sat down before the city , where he lay still seven days not making any shew of violence at all . the defendants , because the city was of great strength , thought that his purpose was by a long siege to distress the same : but about the eighth day , the towers , and walls being undermined in sundry places , suddenly fell down , leaving large breaches for the enemy to enter ; wherewith the turks being dismayed surrendred the city to tamerlane in hope so to have saved their lives , but he caused them all to be buried quick , and the city utterly to be razed : and then calling the governour , whose life he had spared for that end , he bade him go and tell his master what had happened to his strong city of sebastia , and what himself had seen there ; of which tragical action , when the governour had made report to bajazet , he demanded of him whether of the two armies he thought bigger or stronger ; for he had now assembled a mighty army of three hundred thousand horse , and two hundred thousand footmen ; whereunto the governour , having first craved pardon , answered : that it could not be in reason , but that tamerlane had the greater army , for that he commanded over far greater countries : wherewith proud bajazet being offended , replied in great choller ; out of doubt the sight of the tartarian hath so affrighted this coward , that he thinks every enemy to be two . as bajazet marched forward he heard a country shepherd merrily pleasing himself with his homely pipe as he sate on the side of a mountain feeding his small flock , whereupon he stood still , and listned to him to the admiration of many , and at last brake forth into these words , o happy shepherd , which hadst no sebastia to lose ! bewraying therein his own discontentment , and yet withal , shewing that worldly bliss consisted not so much in possessing of much , subject unto danger , as in enjoying content in a little , devoid of fears . the rest of the cities as tamerlane marched forwards , warned by the destruction of sebastia , yielded to him , the citizens whereof he used courteously , especially the christians , whom he set at liberty for the greek emperours sake , whom he sought therein to gratifie . but tamerlane had not gone far into the turks dominions before he was certainly informed that bajazet was coming against him with a mighty army , and was now within thirty leagues of him , which caused him from thence forward to march with his army more close together . axalla leading the van , sent forth chianson , prince of ciarchan , with four thousand parthian horsemen , to get knowledg of the turkish army , and where bajazet lay , as also what manner of countrey it was beyond sennas , and if he could learn any thing thereof , to make relation of it to him . this prince of ciarchan was tamerlanes near kinsman , a man of great reputation , and next to axalla , in whose absence he had the command of the avantguard , who also sent before him another parthian captain with five hundred horsemen : who having advanced about ten leagues and surprized sennas , was certainly informed there of the state of bajazets army , which was now at tataeia , and so marching forward ; which tamerlane being informed of , commanded him not to retire from that place till he saw the arrival of the enemy , and thereof to give him advertisement every hour , resolving himself to pass on no further , being encamped in a fair large plain , which was very advantageous for him , his army being bigger then bajazets , which made him make choise of those large plains . his army also being compounded of sundry nations , he considered that he was not to fight against the chinois , a soft effeminate people , as of late ; but against the turks , a most warlike nation and well acquainted with all manner of fights and warlike stratagems , and therefore he judged it necessary to proceed warily against them . upon this consideration he presently sent for axalla , with him to view the said place , and to have his opinion whether it would be advantageous for him to stay there or no ? axalla not misliking his choice of the place , yet withal advised him to keep sennas as long as possible he could : and accordingly he sent word to them at sennas , that when they could keep the place no longer , they should set fire on it , and so retreat , and this he did , that the enemy should have no desire to encamp there , but to march forward to those plains where tamerlane desired to fight , the rather because he was stronger in horse than bajazet . accordingly the prince of ciarchan sent out a hundred horse toward the turks ; then divided he the rest of his forces into two parts , commanding the former , that as soon as they perceived the enemy to pursue the hundred horse , whom he had commanded to fly disorderly before them , that they should receive them into their squadrons , and so retire altogether : he in the mean time with the other part stood close in a valley near unto a wood-side , wholly unseen ; where having suffered two thousand of the enemies horse ( the vant-curriers of the turks army ) to pass by him , he following them in the tail , charged them home , the other also which before retired , now turned again upon them ; so that the turks seeing themselves thus beset and hardly laid to both before and behind , as men discouraged , fled : but in their flight were most of them slain , the rest of them were taken prisoners . this was the first encounter between the turks and the parthians . all the prisoners taken were by the prince sent as a present to tamerlane , and amongst the rest , the bassa of natolia , who led those troops ; of whom tamerlane earnestly demanded what caused his master bajazet so little to esteem him , as to shew so great a contempt of his army : which ( saith he ) he shall find strong enough to abate his pride ? to this the bassa answered : that his lord was the sun upon earth , which could not endure any corrival : and that he rather was astonished to see how he , from so far a country , had undertaken so dangerous a journey to hinder the fortune of his lord , in whose favour the heavens ( as he said ) did bend themselves to further his greatness , and unto whom all the world subjected it self ; and that he commited great folly in going about to resist the same . unto this proud speech tamerlane replied , that he was sent from heaven to punish his insolency , and to teach him that the proud are hated of god , whose promise is to pull down the mighty , and to advance the lowly . as for thy self ( said he ) thou hast already felt ( though i pity thy mishap ) what the valour of my parthian horse is against thy turkish : and i have already caused thy master to raise his siege before constantinople , and to look to his affairs here in asia . he also asked him whether his master did come resolved to give him battel ? assure your self ( said he ) that there is nothing that he more desireth , and would to god that i might acknowledg your greatness in giving me leave to assist my lord in that battel ? good leave have thou ( said tamerlane ) go thy ways , and tell thy lord that thou hast seen me , and that in the battel he shall find me on horse-back , there where he shall see a green ensign displayed . the bassa thanked him , and swore that next unto his lord , he vowed unto him his service . and so returning , he related unto bajazet how he had seen tamerlane , and reported to him truly all that he had willed him to say , not forgetting above all , to praise his courtesie and bounty : who besides that he had frankly set him at liberty , had also given him a very fair horse , well furnished , although he well knew that he was to serve against himself : to this bajazet answered no more , but that he would shortly make trial of him , and that he doubted not but before he had done with him , he should make him acknowledg his folly . the next day the two armies drew neer together , and encamped within a league the one of the other ; where all the night long you might have heard a noise of horses which filled the heavens with their neighings , and the air with sounds ; and every man thought the night long that they might come to the trial of their valours , and the gaining of their desires . the scythians ( a people no less greedy , than needy ) talked of nothing but the spoil ; the proud parthians of attaining honour ; the poor christians of their deliverance from an insulting adversary ; all which was to be gained by the next days victory . every man , during the night-time , speaking according to his humour . all which tamerlane ( walking privately up and down in the camp ) heard , and much rejoyced to see the hope which his souldiers had already conceived of the victory : and so after the second watch , returning into his pavilion , and there casting himself upon a carpet , he purposed to sleep a while ; but his cares not suffering him so to do , he then ( as his manner was ) called for a book , wherein was contained the lives of his fathers and ancestors , and of other valiant worthies , which he used ordinarily to read in , as then also he did : not vainly to deceive the time , but to make use of it , by imitating that which by them was worthily done , and declinining such dangers as they by their rashness , or oversight fell into . after which , having slumbred a little , he commanded axalla to be sent for to him , who presently came , accompanied with divers other great lords and captains of the army , with whom after he had consulted a while about the order of the battel , himself presently mounted on horseback , and sent each of them to their charge to see their orders put in execution : at which very instant he received intelligence that the enemy was marching forwards , and come to chuse his ground for the battel , whose order of marching tamerlane was very desirous to see , that so he might marshal his own army accordingly . for ( said he ) i do not so much trust to the lions skin wherein i wrap mine arm , but that withall i will make use of the foxes , therein to wrap my head , which my grandfather neglected to his overthrow in a battel against the persians : for being in a place of advantage , he went out of it to seek his enemy that was lodged strongly , contrary to the advise of all his captains , which proved his ruin . then did he cause three thousand horsemen to advance forward , with charge to begin the skirmish , himself following after to lodg every part of his forces in such places as he had foreseen to be fittest for his advantage : and seeing the turkish janizaries marching in a square battel in the midst of the army , and upon the two frons , two great squadrons of horsemen , which seemed to be about thirty thousand , and another which advanced before , and covered the battalion of the janizaries , he thought this their order to be very good , and hard to be broken , and therefore turning himself to axalla , he said , i had thought this day to have fought on foot , but i see that it behoves me now to fight on horseback , to encourage my souldiers to open that great battalion of the enemies . and my will is that my men come forwards to me so soon as may be ; for i will advance forward with a hundred thousand footmen , fifty thousand upon each of my two wings , and in the midst of them , forty thousand of my best horsemen : and my pleasure is , that , after i have tried the force of these men , they come back into my avantguard , of whom i will dispose , and fifty thousand horsemen more in three bodies , whom thou shalt command , which i will assist with eighty thousand horse , wherein shall be mine own person , having an hundred thousand footmen behind me , who shall march in two squadrons : and for my arearward i appoint forty thousand horse , and fifty thousand footmen , who shall not march but to my aid : and i will make choise of ten thousand of my best horse , whom i will send into every place where i shall think needful within my army , for to impart my commands . over the first forty thousand horse , the prince of ciarchan commanded , over the formost footmen was the lord synopes , a genovois , kinsman to axalla and his lieutenant over the footmen , a captain of great estimation : the prince axalla's charge consisted of five squadrons of horsemen : bajazet's army also being fair and great , came bravely still on forwards towards their enemies , who stirred not a whit from the place which they had chosen for the battel , except certain light-horsemen , scythians , parthians , and muscovites , who being sent out as loose men , hotly skirmished between the two armies . tamerlane was informed by a spie , that bajazet was on foot in the midst of thirty thousand janizaries , his principal men of war , and greatest strength , amongst whom he ment that day to fight , and in whom he had repoled his greatest hope . his battel of horse was very fair , amounting to the number of one hundred and forty thousand , all old souldiers : the sultan of egypt also had sent to his aid thirty thousand mamelukes , all excellent good horsemen , with thirty thousand footmen ; so that his army marching all in a front , in the form of a half moon , seemed almost as great as tamerlanes : these turks , with infinite number of horrible cries , still advanced forwards , tamerlanes souldiers all the while standing still with great silence . never was there a more furious charge than the turks gave upon the prince of ciarchan , who was commanded not to fight till the enemy came unto him , neither could there have been chosen a fairer plain , and where the skilful choice of the place , gave less advantage either to the one or to other only tamerlane had a river on the left side of his army , serving him to some small advantage . now this young prince of ciarchan , with his forty thousand horse , was in the first encounter almost wholly overthrown ; yet having fought right valiantly , and entred even in the midst of the janizaries ( where the person of bajazet was ) putting them into disorder , he was himself there slain . about which time axalla set upon them with his squadrons , but not with the like danger : for having overthrown one of the enemies wings , and cut it all to pieces , and his footmen coming to joyn with him , as was appointed , he faced the battalion of the janizaries , who right valiantly behaved themselves for the safety of their prince . this furious fight continued an hour , and yet you could not have seen any scattered , but the one still resolutely fighting against the other . you might there have seen the horsemen like mountains rushing together , and infinite numbers of men dying , crying , lamenting , and threatning all at the same instant . tamerlane had patience all this while to see the event of this so mortal a fight : but perceiving his men at last to be begin to give ground , he sent ten thousand of his horse to joyn with the ten thousand appointed for the rereward , commanding them to assist him when they saw that he had need , and so himself gave a furious charge , and made them to give him room , causing the footmen also to charge , over whom the prince of thanais commanded , who gave a gallant charge upon the battalion of janizaries , wherein was yet the person of bajazet , who before had sustained a great burden . now bajazet had in his army a great number of mercinary tartars , called destenses , with many thousands of other souldiers taken up in the countries of the poor exiled mahometan princes , in whose just quarrel , and the greek emperours , tamerlane had chiefly undertaken that war. these tartarians and other souldiers , seeing , some their friends , and other some their natural and loving princes in tamerlanes army , stricken with the terrour of disloyalty , and abhorring the cruelty of the proud tyrant , in the heat of the battel , revolted from bajazet to their own princes , which much weakned bajazets forces : who nevertheless with his own men of war , especially the janizaries , and the help of the christian souldiers brought to his aid from servia , and other places of europe , with great courage maintained the fight : but the multitude rather than true valour prevailed ; for as much as might be done by valiant and couragious men , was by the janizaries , the mamelukes , and the rest performed , both for the preservation of their prince , and for gaining the victory : but in the end the horsemen with whom tamerlane himself was , giving a fresh charge , and his avantguard being rallied and joyning with him , he with much ado obtained the victory . bajazet himself being wounded , when he saw all desperate , mounted on horseback , thinking to have escaped : but falling into axalla's hands , he yielded himself to him , supposing him to have been tamerlane , neither did axalla for a while know him , but took him for some great commander in the turks army . musa , sirnamed zelabi , or the noble , one of bajazets sons , with divers other of his great captains were there taken also ; and amongst the rest , george , despot of servia , who , notwithstanding his misfortune had that day by his valour gained the reputation of a great and valiant captain , insomuch as tamerlane in the very heat of the battel marvelled to see him and his servians , and the other christians that he had brought to the aid of bajazet , to fight so valianty ; whereupon turning to some of his captains that were near him , he said , see how valiantly these religious fight , supposing them by their strange attire to have been some of the turks superstitious votaries . but the despot being now taken , and afterwards brought to tamerlane , he was by him courteously entertained ; yet withal reproved , for that he had assisted bajazet against him , who was come in favour to the christian emperour , and the other poor oppressed princes , such as the despot himself was : who thereupon boldly answered , that indeed it was not according to his profession , but according to the prosperity of bajazet , unto whom it seemed that all the world should bend , and that he did it for his own safety : whereupon tamerlane excused him , and without any more ado , gave him liberty at his own pleasure to depart . bajazet himself being afterwards brought to tamerlane as a prisoner , was by him courteously entertained , who never shewed any token of submission at all , but according to his proud nature , without respect of his present state , answered him presumptuously to whatever he demanded of him : wherewith tamerlane being somewhat moved , told him that it was in his power to take his life from him ; whereto he answered no more , but do it , for that loss will be my greatest happiness : then tamerlane demanded of him , what made him so proud as to enterprize to bring so noble a prince as the greek emperour into his subjection ? he answered , even the same cause which moved thee to invade me , namely the desire of glory and sovereignity . but wherefore then ( said tamerlane ) dost thou use such cruelty towards them whom thou overcomest , without respect of age or sex ? that did i ( said he ) to strike the greater terrour into mine enemies . then did tamerlane ask him if he had ever given thanks to god for making him so great an emperour ? no ( said he ) i never so much as thought upon any such thing . then said tamerlane , it s no wonder that so ungrateful a man should be made a spectacle of misery . for you ( saith he ) being blind of an eye , and i lame of a leg , was there any worth in us , that god should set us over two such great empires , to command so many men far more worthy than our selves ? but , said tamerlane , what would thou have done with me if it had been my lot to have fallen into thy hands , as thou art now in mine ? i would ( said bajazet ) have enclosed thee in a cage of iron , and so have carried thee up and down in triumph through my kingdom . even so ( said tamerlane ) shalt thou be served : and so causing him to be taken out of his presence , turning to his followers , he said , behold a proud and cruel man , who deserves to be chastised accordingly , and to be made an example to all the proud and cruel of the world , of the just wrath of god against them . i acknowledg that god this day hath delivered into my hands a great enemy , to whom therefore we must return thanks , which he also caused publickly to be performed the same day ; for the battel was ended about four a clock , and there were divers hours yet of day-light . the next day he caused the dead to be buried , where amongst the rest was found the body of the prince of ciarchan dead in the midst of the janizaries , where he lay enclosed with their dead bodies , shwing that he died not unrevenged , whose untimely death tamerlane much lamented , causing his dead body to be embalmed , and with two thousand horse , and divers turkish prisoners chained together , to be conveyed to samercand until his coming thither . all other dead bodies were , with all honour that might be , buried at sennas . this great bloody battel was fought in the year of our lord , . not far from mount stella ( where formerly the great king methridates was by pompey the great , in a great battel overthrown . ) it continued from seven a clock in the morning till four in the afternoon ; victory as it were all the while hovering with doubtful wings over both armies , as uncertain where to light , until at length the fortune of tamerlane prevailed : whose wisdom , next unto god , gave him the days victory ; for that the politick tiring of the strong forces of bajazet , was the safeguard of his own : whereas if he had gone unto the battel in one front , assuredly the multitude finding such strong opposition , had put it self into confusion ; but this successive manner of aiding his men , made them all unto him profitable . the number of the slain is variously reported . the turks themselves say , that bajazet lost there his noble son mustapha , with two hundred thousand of his men , and tamerlane not many fewer : others say , that the turks lost about sixty thousand , and tamerlane not past twenty thousand . but likely it is , that the carnage was very great in so long a fight between two such armies as probably never before met in a field together . by this days event is plainly seen the uncertainty of worldly things , and what small assurance even the greatest have in them . behold , bajazet the terrour of the world , and ( as he thought ) superiour to fortune , in an instant by the event of one battel thrown into the bottom of misery and despair , and that at such a time as he thought least of it , even in the midst of his greatest strength . it was three days before he could be pacified , but as a desperate man still sought after death , and called for it . neither did tamerlane after he had once spoken with him , at all afterwards use him courteously , but as of a proud and insolent man , made small account of him . and to manifest that he knew how to curb the haughty , he made him to be shackled in fetters and chains of gold , and so to be shut up in an iron cage , made like a grate , that he might be seen on every side , and so carried him up and down as he passed thorow asia , to be made a scorn and derision to his own people , over whom he had before tyrannized . and to his further disgrace , upon festival days he used him for a footstool to tread upon when he mounted on horseback , and at other times scornfully fed him , like a dog with fragments that fell from his table . a rare example of the uncertainty of worldly honours and greatness , that he , unto whose ambitious mind asia and europe , two great parts of the world , were too little , should now be carried up and down , cooped up in a little iron cage , like a dangerous wild beast : how might he have taken up that speech of hecuba in seneca ? quicunque regno fidit , & magna potens dominatur in aula , me videat . — non unquam tulit documenta fo rs majora quàm fragili loco starent superbi . tamerlane used this severity , not so much out of hatred to the man , as to manifest the just judgment of god against the arrogant folly of the proud . and when on a time he was requested by one of his nobles to remit some part of this rigour to so great a man , he answered , i do not use this rigour against him as a king , but rather to punish him as a proud amibitious tyrant , polluted with the bloud of his own brother , and many other innocents . this so great an overthrow brought such a fear upon all the countries possessed by bajazet in asia , that axalla being sent before tamerlane with forty thousand horse , and a hundred thousand foot , without carriages , to prosecute the victory , came without resistance to prusa , whither all the remainder of bajazets army was retired with bassa mustapha ; all places as he marched along still yielding to him : yea , the great bassa , with the rest , hearing of his coming , and not thinking themselves in safety in asia , fled over the streight of hellespont to callipolis , and so hadrianople . axalla coming to prusa , had the city without resistance yielded to him , which by his army was plundered , and there , with other of bajazet's wives and concubines , he took prisoner the fair despina , bajazet's best beloved wife , to the doubling of his grief . emanuel paleologus now hearing of tamerlane's coming to prusa , sent honourable ambassadours thither before to axalla , by whom they were entertained till the coming of tamerlane , who received them with all the honour that might be , shewing them all his magnificence , and the order of his camp , to their great admiration : for it resembled a most populous and well governed city , by reason of the order that was therein , which brought it plenty of victuals , and of all manner of merchandise , as well for delight as necessity . by these ambassadours the greek emperour yielded his empire , together with his person , unto tamerlane , as his most faithful subject and vassal : which ( as he said ) he was bound to do , for that he was by him delivered from the most cruel tyrant of the world ; as also for the long journey he had undertaken for his sake , and the discommodities he had endured , with the hazard of his person , and loss of his subjects , which could not be otherwise compensated , but with the offer of his own , and his subjects lives to him , which for ever he therefore dedicated to his service , with all the fidelity and loyalty that so great a benefit might deserve : besides , that his so many virtues , and rare endowments , which made him famous through the world , did oblige him the more hereunto , and that therefore he would attend him in his chief city , to deliver it into his hands , as his own , together with all the empire of greece . now these ambassadours expected no less than to fall into the bondage of tamerlane , judging that which they offered to be so great and delicate a morsel , as that it would not be refused , especially of such a victorious prince as was tamerlane ; and that the acceptance thereof in kindness and friendship was the best bargain they could make therein . but they received at answer from this worthy prince far beyond their expectation : for he with a mild countenance beholding them , answered thus ; that he was not come from so far a countrey , nor undertook such pains for the enlargement of his dominions , big enough already ( too base a thing for him to put himself into so great danger and hazard for ) but rather to win honour , and to make his name famous to future posterities : and that he would make it appear to the world , that he came to assist their master as his friend and ally at his request : and that his upright intentions therein were the greatest cause that god from above had favoured him , and made him instrumental to bruise the head of the greatest and fiercest enemy of mankind that was under heaven ; and therefore to get him an immortal name , his purpose was to make free so great and flourishing a city as was constantinople , governed by so noble and ancient a house as the emperours . that he had alwayes joyned faith to his courage , which should never suffer him to make so great a breach into his reputation , as that it should be reported of him , that in the colour of a friend , he should come to invade the dominions of his ally . that he desired no more , but that the service he had done for the greek emperour , might remain for ever engraven in the memory of his posterity , to the end they might for ever wish well to him and his successors , by the remembring the good he had done for them : that he wished , that long might the noble emperour live , happily to govern his estate , and that before his return , he would so well consider of the establishing of the same , as that he should not lightly fall into the same jeopardy . easie it is to judge what joy the ambassadours did conceive upon hearing this so gracious an answer from the mouth of tamerlane , who , rather than he would break his faith , refused an empire offered him , together with one of the stateliest and magnificentest cities in the world. after the testification of their joy and thankfulness , these ambassadours were by the command of tamerlane , royally feasted by axalla , having all the honour done to them that might be . and one of them being sent back to carry this unexpected news to the emperour , filled both him and all the city of constantinople with exceeding joy and gladness , which both he , and all his subjects testified , by making of bonefires , and other signs of joy and pleasure . and the emperour , the more to shew his gratitude , by the advice of his counsellours , passed over the streight into asia , to see tamerlane in prusa , and in person himself to give him thanks ; who hearing of his coming , and being glad thereof , presently sent prince axalla to meet him , and to certifie him of the joy he conceived to have the good hap to see him , as also to conduct him to prusa , where those two great princes with the greatest magnificence that might be , met , and so spent one whole day in conversing together ; and the greek emperor the next daytaking his leave , was by tamerlane with much honour conducted out of the city . now had tamerlane himself conceived a great desire to see the famous city of constantinople , from which he was not now far , yet would he not go thither as a conquerour , but as a private person : which by the means of axalla was accomplished , and he thereinto by the greek emperour privately received , and with all familiarity possible entertained : the emperour shewing unto him all the rare and excellent things that were contained therein ; and the other greek princes devising all the means they could to do him pleasure , and them that were with him , who were all in a manner cloathed after the greek fashion . the greek emperour was curious to shew him all the beautiful gardens along the sea-coast , and so privately conducting him about , spent five or six dayes with all the mirth that might be ; tamerlane by the way often saying , that he had never seen a fairer city ; and that of all others , considering the scituation of it , it was right worthy to command all the world. he wondred at the costly buildings of the temples , the fair engraven pillars , the high piramides , and the excellent gardens ; afterwards saying often , that it nothing repented him to have undertaken so long and dangerous a journey , if it had been only to preserve so notable a city from fire and sword . in the greek emperour he greatly commended his mild nature and courtesie , who knowing that above all things he took pleasure in fair serviceable horses , gave unto him thirty of the fairest , strongest , and readiest that were possibly to be gotten , all most richly furnished : he sent likewise great presents to all the princes , and great commanders of the army , and bountifully caused to be delivered to them all things which he thought necessary for the army : so after these great kindnesses , and a strict bond of friendship made , and by solemn oath confirmed by these two great princes , tamerlane with great contentment took leave of the emperour , and returned to his army at prusa , wherewith now at pleasure he spoiled and wasted all the dominions of bajazet in asia , no man daring to make head against him . the winter now drawing on , tamerlane dispersed his army into divers provinces of the lesser asia , expecting daily when some of bajazet's sons or great friends , should make suit to him for his deliverance ; but none came , most fearing the fierce nature of bajazet , who , if he had been delivered , was like enough to have taken severe revenge upon all that forsook him in the battel , and therefore they never interceeded for him . whereupon tamerlane one day passing by him , said , i marvel that none of thy sons nor friends either come to see thee , or to intreat for thee ; it must needs be that thou hast evil deserved of them , as thou hast of others . but what thinkest thou , if i should set thee at liberty , would they receive thee again as their lord and sovereign , or not ? to whom bajazet stoutly answered , were i at liberty , thou shouldest quickly see that i want neither courage nor means to revenge all my wrongs , and to make the disobedient to know their duties better . this proud answer made tamerlane to keep a stricter hand over him . in this great war , the sultan of egypt ( as we said before ) had aided bajazet , which tamerlane took in so evil part , that he resolved revenge : for as to his friends he was most kind and courteous , so to his enemies most terrible and dreadful . yet before his departure he restored to the poor mahometan princes that had fled to him for refuge , all their ancient inheritances , with something more out of bounty ; as also he did divers cities and countreys of natolia , to the greek emperour , for the yearly tribute of four hundred thousand ducats of gold , and eight hundred thousand franks of silver . and thus having enriched his army with the spoils of the ottoman empire , he turned his forces against the egyptian sultan , and so passing through caramania , he entred into syria , then part of the sultans kingdom ; where near unto aleppo ( before yielded to him ) there was fought between them a great and mortal battel , the sultan having in his army a hundred thousand foot , and seventy four thousand horse ; whereof there were thirty thousand mamelukes , accounted the best horsemen in the world. in which battel axalla , with the avantguard of tamerlane's army , was hardly distressed , and axalla himself taken , but presently rescued by tamerlane , who , had he not by his coming on with fresh forces speedily restored the battel , that day was like enough to have put a period to his fortunes : but victory , after a long and cruel fight ( wherein were eighty thousand of both sides slain ) inclining to tamerlane , the sultan fled , tamerlane pursuing him for the space of three leagues . after this victory , tamerlane dividing his army , sent axalla with forty thousand horse and fifty thousand foot to pursue the sultan along the sea-coast of arabia ; the sultan made divers alts with four thousand horse to have stopped axalla , who having the smallest forces , followed him the nearest , whilst tamerlane with sixty thousand horse , and two hundred thousand foot , marched along those coasts , having all the cities as he went surrendred to him : only the strong city of damasco refused to receive him , whereinto the sultan had put the prince zamudzen , with a strong garrison , who did what might be done to defend the same , but all in vain : for tamerlane having by battery overthrown a great part of the wall , took the city by storm , only the castle yet remained , which was accounted impregnable : but at the taking of the city , such a multitude pressed into it , as that it was not possible for them long to subsist ; therefore within a short time , being pinched with hunger , and many already dead , the rest , upon promise of their lives , offered to yield ; but tamerlane would not receive them to mercy , to make them sensible what it was to hold out against him : so that most of them dying of famine , the rest yielded at pleasure , and were most of them put to the sword for their obstinacy ; which severity of his , caused all the cities within the space of thirty leagues to bring their keyes to him in token of their submission , whom he no way molested , otherwise than in contributing to the charge of his army . from thence he turned directly towards jerusalem , at which time they of the city had turned out the sultans garrison , as had almost all they of judea , submitting themselves unto tamerlane : at chorazin was a garrison of six thousand , who at first pretended to defend the place : but when they perceived that tamerlane was resolved to have it , they submitted , and found mercy . there tamerlane left a garrison of his own to repress the mamelukes , who with frequent incursions troubled his army . himself with some of his horsemen rode to jerusalem , to visit the sepulchre so much reverenced of all nations : by the inhabitants he was joyfully received , and having sought out all the antiquities of that ancient city , he would be conducted to all the places where christ had preached ; and coming to the sepulchre , he gave there many rich gifts , to the great content of all , only the jews much blamed him for so doing , but he regarded them not , calling them the accursed of god : there had he news , that the sultan , having gathered together all his forces , was fortifying his cities in egypt , especially alexandria , and the grand caier ; whereupon tamerlane commanded his army to march towards egypt to damietta , which strong city he thought not good to leave behind him , though by some he was perswaded so to do , for that it was thought impregnable , both by reason of the strong castle , and great garrison placed therein by the sultan : but he , whose fortune nothing could hinder , would needs go thither : and having commanded axalla to attempt it , followed himself after with the rest of his army . now axalla , having summoned the city , declared to the inhabitants ( who were most of them christians ) the mildness , and courtesie of tamerlane , as also who himself , and of what religion he was ; causing many of his greek captains to speak to them , and to tell them , what misery they endured under the moors and mameluks , which so far prevailed with them , that they resolved to adventure their lives to put the mameluks out of the city ; and the night after , taking arms , made themselves masters of one quarter of the city , opening one of the gates to axalla , whereby he entring , put all the mameluks to the sword , or took them prisoners ; and so became master of that strong city : whereof tamerlane hearing , hoped by so prosperous a beginning , to find an happy end of his wars in egypt . for he knew that the haven of damietta might furnish him with victuals out of all parts of greece , as the emperour emmanuel had promised him , and wherein he nothing failed him . then did tamerlane enter the city , leaving therein a garrison of two thousand of the emperour of greece his souldiers , with a governour , of whom he took an oath for their obedience . and having staid a while at damietta , he caused his avantguard to march towards alexandria , and having passed over the river , he suddenly turned directly towards grand caire , to the great astonishment of the sultan , who provided for the defence of alexandria , as nearest to the enemy : but understanding this news , used such diligence , that he entred into caire , with forty thousand horse and sixty thousand foot , even as tamerlane's army approached to it . by this unexpected coming of the sultan , the great city , that before was ready to have revolted , was again confirmed in his obedience , to the great prejudice of tamerlanes affairs : for to remain long before it was impossible , through want of victuals for so great an army in an enemies countrey . yet this discouraged not tamerlane from approaching to it , and with all his army to encamp near unto the same , having caused a great trench to be made for the security of his horsemen , and therein to lodge his army more safely : during which time , he caused divers attempts to be made , as well to try the enemies confidence , as to see how the people of the city , especially the slaves ( which in that populous city are in great numbers ) were affected towards him , who indeed were glad to see the state of his army , and the proud mamelukes still put to the worst , but farther strirred not . during this siege , he thought good one day to draw forth his army before the city , to try whether the enemy had any mind to come to a battel ; as also to view his own forces , and so indeed to seek occasion to fight , hoping that if the sultan should come forth with his army , some revolt might happen at the same time in the city , as well by the slaves , unto whom by secret spies , he had promised liberty , as by the citizens themselves , who were much discontented with the insolency of the mamelukes , and by whom tamerlane by the same spies had made it known that he came not to hurt them , but to deliver them from the tyranny of his , and their enemies : but standing thus in battel array , none stirred out of the city , neither was there any tumult raised within , according as he expected : for the sultan being plentifully provided with all things in that rich city , resolved to weary out tamerlane by lying still , and not to put all to the hazard of a battel . tamerlane perceiving his design , yet resolved not to depart till he was victorious ; whereupon he thought fit also to attempt him in his greatest strength , and in the heart of his greatest city , though it could not be done without great hazard , such confidence had he in the valour , and multitude of his army . now his purpose was first to take one of the cities ( for caire is divided into three ) and therein encamping himself , by little and little to advance forwards , as he could find opportunity . upon this resolution , he commanded a strong assault to be given , and having conducted his footmen to the place chosen by him for the onset ( for the city was not walled , but only fortified with ditches and trenches ) he commanded the prince of thanais , with fifty thousand men , to begin the assault , even in the face of the enemy , which he most valiantly performed , which occasioned a great and terrible fight . axalla in the mean time deeming ( as the truth was ) that the sultan had drawn the greatest part to his forces to that place , fetched a compass about , and in another part of the city , with small resistance passed the trenches , where he presently left thirty thousand men to fill up the ditches , thereby to make way for the horsemens entrance , himself with the rest , advancing forwards against twenty thousand sent by the sultan to oppose his farther passage , the prince of thanais being at the same time almost beaten back by the mamelukes : but the ditches being presently levelled , ten thousand horsemen entred , who charged upon the backs of the mamelukes , where the sultan himself was ; there were likewise seconded by ten thousand more , sent in by tamerlane , himself following after with all his power : hereupon the sultan retreated into a second strength which he had made in the next city . this fight continued full seven hours , wherein were slain of the sultans men , above sixteen thousand , and of tamerlane's between seven and eight thousand . tamerlane being well contented that he had dislodged his enemy , and gained one of the cities , caused a retreat to be sounded , hoping the next day to win all the rest , as indeed he did . for the next morning the prince of thanais storming the trenches in one part , as axalla did in another , the sultan after a great fight , finding himself hardly pressed by the obstinate enemy , and unable longer to hold out , retreated , abandoning the city , and encamping himself along the river nilus , resolving to retire to the city of alexandria his second strength , and only refuge , which tamerlane suspecting , followed after him with his horsemen , ( who only were in order ) and some few foot hardly drawn from the city , which their fellows were in plundering , tamerlane promising them both to regard , and reward their good service . against these , the sultan , upon a narrow cawse-way , had opposed twelve or fifteen thousand men , to favour his passage , who being of his best souldiers , maintained their ground stoutly , the place being much for their advantage ; yet at length their enemies still increasing , and pressing hard upon them , they were forced to cast themselves into the great river , and made a most honourable retreat , every man having his weapon in one hand , and swimming with the other hand to the farther bank. the sultan flying with about eighteen thousand horse , ( the rest being either drowned or dispersed ) is said to have comforted his flying men , by telling them , they were not men , but gods that had vanquished them . divers of the mamelukes that were taken prisoners , being brought before tamerlane , were by him courteously used , and asked if they would be content to serve him , seeing their master was fled and gone ? this they all utterly refused , whom notwithstanding for their fidelity , tamerlane set at liberty to go again to their master , being no less desirous to be admired by his enemies for his goodness and bounty , than to be feared for his force and valour . the wonderful wealth of this so great and famous a city , became a prey to his souldiers , who for the space of twenty four hours , had the spoil thereof : at the end of which time , every man was straitly charged by open proclamation , to retire to his quarters . tamerlane would not suffer any of the citizens to be taken prisoners and such as were , he released , and so leaving ten thousand good souldiers , with many others that followed his camp , for the guard of the city , and taking with him all such persons as he thought might hurt him , he caused his army to pass over the river , and to follow the sultan to alexandria , that so his victory might be compleated . axalla hasted before with the avantguard , to hinder the sultan from gathering up his forces together : the rest of the army was conducted by the prince of thanais , tamerlane himself , with an infinte number of boats , and many souldiers to attend him , went by water , greatly delighting to behold that fair river of nilus , sometimes running with a swift course , other sometimes very calm , and scarce moved . the citizens of alexandria hearing of his coming , and fearing the issue , besought the sultan to compassionate their condition , and to withdraw himself into lybia ; whither tamerlane could not follow him , by reason of the barrenness of the countrey : resolving for their parts to submit to fortune , and to do as the time required ; yet promising in heart to remain his , and to make the same to appear to him , so soon as occasion should be offered . hereupon the sultan , seeing all things desperate , determined to retire , yet hoping that time might bring a change , for that tamerlanes numerous army could not long remain there : and so departing out of alexandria , with tears standing in his eyes , he often said , that god was angry with him and his people , so that he must of necessity suffer the fatal overthrow of his estate ; yet , for his own part , he had done as much as in him lay , according the duty of his place , and to satisfie the expectation that the world had of him , for the upholding of the same . notwithstanding he hoped to return again , and to deliver his people from that bondage , which for the present they were necessitated to submitto tamerlane coming to alexandria ( before yielded to axalla ) stayed there a great while , sending axalla to pursue the sultan , being much grieved that he could not get him into his hands , and therefore he still feared that some innovation would be raised by him after his departure , which made him to deal the more hardly with them whom he suspected to favour him . now the bruit of these victories , having with axalla , passed into lybia , brought such a fear , not only upon the countries adjoyning to these conquests , but also upon all africa , supposing ( that tamerlane followed with the rest of his army ) that twenty two of the moorish kings sent their ambassadours to offer their subjection , and obedience to him : o● the nearest of which kings tamerlane took hostages , but for such as were more remote , he contented himself with their faith given , and with other testimonies of their good wills . axalla having long followed the sultan , who like a man forsaken of fortune , still fled before him , seeing all his labour lost , returned to alexandria . and tamerlane , after his long travel and pains taken , was now more desirous than ever to return into his own countrey : the rather being moved thereunto by the earnest request of his wife , much longing for his return : he had news also of the sickness of the old emperour of tartary , his father in law ; and besides , age it self began to bring unto him a desire of rest . with his did the desires of the souldiers well agree , who were now weary of running so many and divers adventures . his only stay was , that he expected the coming of calibes , an old and faithful servant of his , whom for his good desert he made choice of to govern all these his new conquests in egypt and syria : a great honour indeed it was , but not too great for him that had so well deserved . and indeed tamerlane was alwayes so mindful of the good deserts of his faithful servant , that he needed not by others to be put in remembrance of them , were they never so far off , as now was calibes , who at this time was , with a third part of the army , making way for him along the river euphrates , for the conquest of mesopotamia and persia , whose coming was longed for with great devotion by the whole army , which was now very desirous to return ; but this expectation of theirs was not long delayed , for calibes being sent for , came speedily to alexandria , where the whole army was by tamerlane's command now rendezvouzed . upon the coming of calibes , tamerlane made the prince of zamalzan man of great reputation ) governour of that place , as lieutenant general under calibes , whom tamerlane ( as was said before ) had made his vice-roy over all egypt and syria , together with the countries newly conquered in lybia and barbary : he gave him also six thousand horse , and ten thousand foot to assist him therein : and so leaving alexandria , he took calibes along with him to the great city of caire , there taking the best order he could for the securing of his new conquests : he left with him forty thousand horse , and fifty thousand foot : and having sufficiently instructed him how he would have those kingdoms governed , dismissed him , not like a servant , but a companion , being very sorry to leave him destitute of his presence : so setting forwards with his army , conducted by the prince of thanais , tamerlane with a few of his train , turned again aside to jerusalem , where he daily visited the sepulchre of christ , ( whom he called the god of the christians ) viewing the ruines of solomon's temple , which he much admired , and at jerusalem , the seat of david's kingdom , and that of great solomon , grieving that he could not see them in their former beauty ; and to shew his devotion and favour to this city , he commanded it to be free from all garrisons and subsidies , and so giving great gifts to the monasteries , he departed from thence to damasco ; which great city , for that it was infected with the opinions of jezides , ( accounted an arch-heretick among the mussulmen ) as also evil-affected to his proceedings , he caused it to be razed , and the bones of jezides the false prophet to be digged up , and burnt , and his sepulchre ( which before by his disciples was much honoured , to be filled with dung ; and so marching on , and blasting the world before him , being victorious which way soever he turned , he at last passed over the river euphrates , where he conquered mesopotamia , with the great city of babylon , and all the kingdom of persia , and so at last laden with the spoiles of the world , and eternized for ever in his fame , he returned to samercand , the famous place of his birth , and glorious seat of his empire . now had bajazet ( a little before one of the greatest princes on earth , and now the scorn of fortune , and by-word to the world ) with great impatiency lain two years in most miserable thraldom , for the most part shut up in an iron cage , like a dangerous wild beast : and having no better means to end his loathed life , violently dashed out his brains against the bars of the iron grate wherein he was enclosed , and so died about the year of our lord . his dead body , at the request of his son mahomet , was by tamerlane sent to asprapolis , from which it was conveyed to prusa , and there lieth buried in a chappel built for the purpose without the city eastward : where also are interred the bodies of his best beloved wife despina , and of his eldest son erthogrul , and in another little chappel hard by , lieth buried his brother jacup , whom he had murdered in the beginning of his reign . this bajazet had some vertues , which were much obscured by his cholerick and wayward nature , which made him to exceed in cruelty and pride : he was also very covetous ; which qualities made him indeed much feared , but little beloved of his souldiers and men of war , by whom therefore in his greatest need he was forsaken . he used commonly to say , that his treasures were his childrens meat , and not his souldiers pay ; which , by way of reproach , was by a common souldier cast in his teeth , when he raged to see himself by them forsaken in that great battel against tamerlane , telling him as he fled , that he run not away , but went to seek his pay , wherewith to provide his children bread . tamerlane , as we said before , having conquered persia , used his victory so mildly , that as long as he lived , the people of that countrey were alwayes much affected to him ; which served him greatly , as well for the keeping of syria , as the sultan of egypts empire : in his own countrey he was received with all triumphs , and expressions of joy that might be ; the chiefest prisoners marching before him , and wheresoever he passed , the people assembled themselves by thousands , praising and singing his victories . the emperour having spent a month or two in feasts and triumphs , according to his accustomed devotion , he vowed a church and hospital unto god , the most magnificent that might be devised : and to beautifie his city of samercand , he searched out all sorts of handicrafts-men , intending to make it as large again as it was , and one of the stateliest cities in the world : he peopled it also with so many several nations as he had brought along with him , unto whom he gave liberty to build houses , distributing money unto them to do the same , giving them also all kind of priviledges and immunities for their encouragement therein : he caused also the streets to be plotted out , and in one corner of it he built his church and hospital . his next care was to preserve the good will and love of his famous souldiers , whose names he caused to be registred in a general muster-roll , which he kept by him , and daily conferred honours and rewards upon them ( they not thinking of it ) in recompence of their former good services ; thinking that day lost wherein he did not some good . then did he declare the death of the old emperour to his council , ( of which he had received private intelligence ) and forgat no ceremony due unto his honour , publickly expressing the grief he had conceived for his death . then did he , with his ordinary court , consisting of forty thousand horse , and sixty thousand foot , set forward towards quinsay , where his empress was . and when he came to cambalu , he had intelligence of a battel fought by odmar against the king of china's captain general , and how he had pursued his victory , having taken three or four great and rich cities , and that the chinois did again desire peace . hereupon he sent them these articles ; that the king of china should pay all the arrears of his tribute ; that he should come in person to do his homage , acknowledging himself a vassal of his empire ; that he should deliver up to him all his cities saving three , such as the emperour should nominate ; that he should pay all the charges of the war , because he had broken the peace ; which performed , things should be restored to the same state they were in before the war. and to gratifie odmar , he sent to him with all magnificence , one of his sisters to be his wife . when he first entred into cambalu , he was received with all the expressions of joy that might be , whereupon he restored to them their priviledges which he had taken from them , for their rebellion with calix . the empress being informed of his being there ( leaving prince axalla to govern at quinsay ) came to him : so that he remained there near two moneths , giving order for all his affairs ; the rather , because it was near to mount althay , where the scythian emperours use to be buried ; and so causing the body of the old emperour to be brought thither , himself conducted it with all pomp , honouring not only the body , but all that he had loved in the world ; and though it was not the custom for women to assist at funerals , yet he took his empress along with him , who went near unto the corps , till they came to the place where it was interred amongst his predecessors . after these ceremonies finished , he returned to cambalu , where he spent the winter in tilts , turnaments , hunting , and such like recreations : the rather , because this plac● was near to china , whereby he had the fitter opportunity to hear how affairs passed there , purposing to go thither in person the next winter , if odmar that summer did not make an end of the wars ; and if the king of china did not submit himself to his obedience . the mark he shot at now being only to keep that which by his valour he had won , desiring to spend the rest of his life in reaping the fruits of his hard travels , and former labours . now prince axalla governed at quinsay , as well to the great contentment of the souldiery , as of the inhabitants , who , out of their abundant love to the emperour , requested prince axalla to write importunately to him , that his son might be brought up amongst them , which at axalla's request he consented to , making him in the absence of his son , the governour of quinsay , from cambalu even to the sea , which countrey contained in it about three hundred cities , besides an infinite number of villages : all which was formerly under the government of the old emperour : he delivered also into his charge the government of his son. shortly after , the king of china came to his court , according to the covenants offered to him , where he once again swore obedience to the emperour , who shewed him his greatness , the more to make him stand ●awe : for he knew that this barbarian would keep no promise longer than ● should stand with his own interest . this king of china was astonished to b● hold so many souldiers , and the countrey so well replenished with people : and above all , that they used so little curiosity and riches in their apparel , especially wondring that the emperour himself was apparelled in mean cloth of one colour , without curiosity . shortly after , tamerlane went to quinsay , and by the way was met by prince axalla , and all the chief lords and citizens , who entertained him with all the magnificence that might be . this city of quinsay was the fairest , and one of the richest in the world , and of the most wonderful scituation , being divided by many channels of water , upon which are framed wonderful and stately buildings , having also an infinite number of bridges : it abounds with all kind of spices , and merchandizes in great quantity . the citizens presented the emperour with many rare things , judged to be worth two millions in gold , with great variety of strange and excellent things . then did the emperour call for his son that was there educated , who was now seven years old . he forbade that thenceforward they should suffer him to wear any thing on his head , and hung a bow about his neck , saying , that they which from their birth were called to sovereignty , should be used both to cold and heat , and should be exercised to arms betimes , and not be brought up idly and delicately : reprehending those which brought him up , for using him so tenderly , asking them , if they meant to make a woman of his son ? they replying , that he was tender . if he be not born ( said he ) to be strong and valiant , he will not be worthy to succeed me ; for he must not be an effeminate prince that must preserve the parthian empire . about this time his empress was brought to bed of another son at samercand , for joy whereof , he made feasts , with tiltings and pastimes fifteen dayes together . then did he visit all the sea-towns near to quinsay , hunting all manner of games : yet often saying , that the recreations which he used , were only helps to ease him in the pains of his publick affairs which god had called him to . and when prince axalla told him , that that city was a fit place for his abode ; o my friend ( said he ) it is not so : for it 's a maxime , that the lord of this great city must not come to it above once in ten years , and when he is here , he must temper his actions as if he were upon a stage , with gravity , and a good grace before the people , who are apt to receive good or evil impressions according as their princed eporteth himself . having setled his affairs in that part of his empire , he returned to samercand , where three times a week he administred justice publickly unto the meanest of his subjects , as well as to the greatest ; which made him much beloved of all over whom he did command . on other dayes he gave secret audience , and disposed of the affairs of his estate , which were concluded daily in his presence . in his council he used such severity that none durst deal untruly , or passionately in his presence . yet shewed he such courteousness in his conversation , that he was both beloved and feared of his people . he never changed his servants , except they committed some great faults against him . all the servants of the late emperour his uncle , he never changed one of them , but increased their pensions , making them sensible of his liberality in that change : the like bounty he used to strangers , thereby to oblige them to him . he drew great store of money yearly from the muscovite , by way of tribute , which yet he distributed in the same country to maintain his authority there , winning those to him , who otherwise might have hurt him . he had great care of his revenues , wherein he was so expedite , that in one hours space he could see his estate from three months to three months , together with his ordinary and extraordinary expences ; they were presented to him so well digested . but after all his publick affairs so well managed , and his private businesses so well ordered , sickness arrested , and death conquered this great conquerour , leaving his empire to sautochio his eldest son , now nineteen years old , who was proclaimed emperour within two hours after his fathers death . tamerlane , from his childhood , was well instructed in the arabian learning , wherein he was very studious , insomuch as when they thought him to be in the baths , wherein they are very curious in that contrey , being their chiefest delight , he was retired to the contemplation and study of heavenly things . he had within his eyes such a divine beauty , and radiancy full of majesty , that one could hardly endure the sight of them without closing of his eyes , so that some that talked with him , and beheld him , were stricken dumb for the present , which caused him with a comely modesty to abstain from looking upon them that talked with him . all the rest of his visage was courteous , and well-proportioned : he wore his hair long and curled , contrary to the custome of his countrey-men , who used to shave their heads : he went almost alwayes bare-headed , saying , that his mother came of the race of sampson , who therefore advised him to honour long hair . his hair was of a dusky colour , inclining somewhat to a violet , the most beautiful that any eye could behold . his stature was of a middle sort , somewhat narrow in his shoulders : he had a fair and strong leg ; his bodily strength and agility , was such , as none did surpass , and often on festival dayes , he made trial of them with the strongest ; yet did he it with such a grace mixt with humanity , that he whom he overcame held himself therein most happy , though it was a great disgrace amongst the tartarians to be thrown to the ground in wrestling . in the time of his wars against the turks , a souldier of his found buried in the ground a great pot of gold , which he brought to tamerlane , who asked him if it had his fathers stamp upon it ; but when he saw that it had the stamp of the romans , he would not own , nor meddle with it . the life and death of charles the great , king of france , and emperour of germany . pepin , sirnamed the short , the twenty third king of france , ( a wise and valiant prince ) had two sons , charles and caroloman , and five daughters : birthe , who was married to milon earl of mans , by whom she had great rowland : hiltrude , married to rene earl of genes , by whom she had the renowned oliver ; rohard , adeline , idubergue , ode , and alix . pepin being toiled out with great wars , much broken with the care of publick affairs , and now grown old , that he might imploy his last days in the maintenance of justice and peace , the burden of war he laid upon his eldest son charles , a wise and valiant young prince , of whose modesty and obedience he was well assured : and then retiring to paris , he was not long after surprised with sickness , in which he recommended his two sons to the estates of france , to give them portions at their pleasures , and so ended his days anno christi . he was a religious prince , wise , moderate , valiant , loving to his subjects and beloved of them , happy in his father , and his children , and in his government ; an excellent pattern for other princes , who by his example , hold it for an undoubted maxim , that the strongest fortress , and best security for a prince , is the love of his subjects , and the surest bond of his authority , a respect gotten , and preserved by virtue . pepin being dead , the estates of france assembled together , and by their joynt consents , divide the kingdom betwixt his two sons charles , and caroloman , by equal portions . brother 's these were of divers humours , who had certainly ruined each other by this equality of power , had not the death of caroloman , within three years after , divolved the government of the whole realm upon charles . charles was endowed with singular gifts both of body and mind , which were much improved by the sedulous care of his prudent father , manifested in the virtuous education of him : for which end he procured paul of pisa , a learned man , to instruct him in the greek and latin tongues , and one aymon to read to him philosophy , and the mathematicks : himself also trained him up in feates of arms , and warlike exercises . but above all , and as the ground of all virtues , he was careful to have him trained up , and well instructed in religion , which all his life after he loved , and honoured with great reverence the church and pastors thereof . he called the study of humane sciences his pastimes , and the companions of his sword , and did sometimes recreate himself therein . he loved learning and learned men by nature . he delighted in poesy , as some of his writings do shew ; but especially in history , wherein he was exceeding well read . charity , temperance , equity , care of justice to relieve his subjects , to keep his faith and promise , both to friend and foe , and to use a victory modestly , were the notable effects of his excellent knowledg , as remarkable in him as in any prince that ever lived . the universities of paris , and pisa ( either founded , or endowed by him ) witness the great love and honour that he did bear to learning . during the life of his father pepin , he shewed how much he had profited in arms under so good a schoolmaster , having great commands under him , which he discharged with notable reputation ; and the improvement of his skill and ability after he came to his kingdom , shew plainly , that there was never any souldier that carried sword with more valour , nor great captain that commanded with more obedience , or that performed noble actions with greater success , or that used his victories with more mildness , and judgment . neither did ever king or prince rule with more authority , nor was more reverently obeyed by this subjects and souldiers than our charles ; who therefore well deserved the name of charlemagne , or charles the great , by reason of his great virtues . he was of a lively disposition , quick , active , and vehement : quicquid egit , valdè egit : yet modesty , and wisdom did so season , and moderate his vivacity , and vehemency , as gave a great lustre to both , and kept them within their due bounds : and this mixture of divers humours so tempered with moderation , made him as admirable for his judgment , as venerable in his person and countenance . there appeared in him a grave , sweet majesty in a goodly personage : his body was large and strong : he was very patient of labour : had a quick spirit , was cleer and sound , both in apprehension , memory , and judgment : resolution never failed him in difficulties , nor a reply in discourses . terrible he was to some , amiable to others , according to the cause , persons , and occurrents : which virtues purchased him such great esteem , as that he was beloved , respected , and reverenced of all men , which effects the story of his raign will shew : for having received a great kingdom from his father , he enlarged it with wonderful success ; god having raised him up to be a bulwork to christians against the inundation and rage of barbarous nations in the decay and ruin of the empire . and in prosecuting the narrative hereof , i shall first set down his actions during the life of his brother caroloman , then what he did from the the time of his death , till he was made emperour , and lastly what his deportment was from thence to his death . caroloman , being crowned king at soissons , as charles was at wormes , began to be extream jealous of his brothers greatness , whom , with grief , he saw to be beloved , honoured , and obeyed by all the french , and that deservedly for his singular virtues and endowments both of body and mind . this jealousie ( too ordinary a concomitant of princes ) made him seek by all means to undermine , and overthrow the affairs of charlemagne , whose eyes were fixed upon italy , as the fittest , and most glorious theatre wherein to exercise his valour , and to maintain his authority and power amongst christians ; and caroloman did all that possibly he could to cross his designs therein . but before i bring him upon that stage , give me leave to shew you what at this time was the state of italy , and rome . rome ( sometimes the head of the world ) was of late become the chios of all confusion , the randevouz of all barbarous nations , as if they had vowed the ruin thereof by turns , having already sackt it three times . for under the empire of honorious , anno christi . the goths , under their king alaricus , after two years siege , took it , and sackt it , but did not dismantle it . forty five years after , during the empire of martian , anno christi . the vandales , under the conduct of genserick their king , took it again , sackt it , spoiled and disgraced it , leading the widow of the emperour valentinian the third , away in triumph . and in the time of justinian the emperour , the goths , under the command of totila , having weakned it by a long siege , took it , sackt , and dismantled it . thus rome was no more rome , but a spectacle of horrid confusion ; after so many devastations retaining nothing of her antient beauty , but only the traces of her old buildings , and the punishment of her idolatry and tyranny ; afterwards the longobards , or lombards held italy , for the space of two hundred years , till by our charlemagne they were subdued , and expelled . presently after the death of pepin , the church of rome fell into great confusions by the pactices of didier king of lombardy , who having corrupted some of the clergy , caused constantine , brother to toton , duke of nepezo , to be chosen pope , which he persecuted with such violence , that he procured philippicus , who ws already canonically chosen , to be deposed : but the better party , seeing themselves contemned by the lombards , assembled together , and by common consent , chose steven the third ( a sicilian by birth ) pope ; who being conscious to his own weakness , resolved to call in the king of france , and to oppose him against his too-powerful enemies . charles being thus sollicited by the pope , sent twelve prelates speedily to rome , that he might strengthen the popes party against the other , intending in a greater need to apply a greater remedy ; and the matter succeeded according to his desire . for a counsel being assembled at lateran , they confirmed steven , lawfully chosen , and deposed constantine , who was set up by disorder and violence . but didier would not rest satisfied with this affront , and seeing that force had succeeded no better , he rosolved to try policy , intending to undermine steven with fair pretences ; for which end he sent to congratulate his election , purged himself in reference to the anti-pope constantine , now degraded : accused both him and his brother toton of ambition , and protested to live with steven in amity ; and to manifest this his good meaning , he desired him to be pleased with his repair to rome , that there he might confer with him in private . the pope ( who never seeks to the french but in case of necessity ) was easily perswaded by didier , who came to rome , confered with the pope , and made great protestations of his obedience to him . but these his fair shews continued not long . there was at this time at rome a governour for the eastern emperour , called paul ephialte , him didier corrupted , and the administration of justice being in his hands , he made use of him so cunningly , as that in the presence of pope steven , he caused him to seize upon two of his chief secretaries , christopher , and sergius ( whom didier accused of some pretended crimes ) and presently to hang them in an infamous manner . their greatest offence was , because they favoured the french. neither did he rest here , but caused all the principal citizens to be banished , whom he observed to be of the french faction , that so , having removed all hinderances , he might be master of rome in despite of the pope . steven was not so dull but he discovered the lombards practice exceedingly to tend to his prejudice : whereupon he sent to charlemagne , beseeching him to prepare an army against didiers force . this charlemagne easily assented to , and fully resolved upon : but didier had provided a divertisement in france by the means of caroloman , to stop charles his passage into italy , making work for him in guienne , where there arose a perilous war upon this occasion . though the country of guienne depended upon the crown of france , yet were there many tumults raised by the practices of some noblemen of the country , who frequently stirred up the people ( mutinous enough of themselves ) to rebellion . the cause of these troubles , was the abuse of the former kings clemency and bounty , who suffered such people as he conquered , to enjoy their priviledges and liberties . eudon ( a nobleman of guienne ) began first under martel , jeffery and hunalt his children , and heirs of his discontent , had continued it under pepin ; and jeffery being now dead , hunalt succeeded him with the like hatred , which caroloman fomented , that he might imploy him against his brother charles . guienne was a part of charles his portion : but hunalts design was , to withdraw that country wholly from the crown of france , and for that end he pretended a title to the dukedom thereof , labouring to procure the people to elect him , having the promise , and assistance of caroloman to further him therein . indeed the countenance of caroloman could do much ; but the wisdom and courage of charlemagne prevailed more : for being advertised of hunalts practice , and of his brothers secret designs , he armed with such speed , as that he surprised the towns of poictiers , xante , and angoulesm , and all the country adjoyning , hunalt ( who had reckoned without charles ) finding himself thus prevented , fled to a noble man of that country called loup , whom he held , not only to be firm to his faction , but also his trusty and affectionate friend . charlemagne being informed hereof , sent presently to loup , requiring him to deliver hunalt into his hands , who was guilty of high treason ; and in the mean time he built a fort in the midst of the country , where the rivers of dordonne , and lisle do joyn , which he called fronsac , the better to secure his country against such invaders . loup , not daring to refuse , delivered up hunalt , and all his family into the hands of charles , who pardoned loup , and all that obeyed him ; thus ending a dangerous war without blows : and to hunalt he granted life , and liberty , and the enjoyment of his goods ; leaving a memorable example to all princes how to carry themselves in a civil war , preventing a mischief by prudence ; and diligence , and not to thrust their vanquished subjects into despair by rigour . caroloman seeing his practices against his brother to succeed so ill , undertook a journy to rome , with an intent to cause some alterations there , which yet he covered with a pretence of devotion . he also took his mother berthe along with him , and in their passage , they were hourably entertained by didier king of the lombards , where berthe treated , and concluded a marriage between her son charlemagne , and theodora , sister , or daughter to this didier , who was one of the greatest enemies to her sons good fortune . yet charlemagne ( to please his mother ) received his wife , but soon after , put her away , as neither suiting with his affects , or affairs , and so , that which was intended as a cause of love , bred a greater hatred betwixt these two princes . caroloman having affected nothing at rome answerable to his desire , but only discovered his foolish , and malicious jealousie , too apparent under his feigned devotion , returned into france , and there soon after died . anno christi . leaving the intire kingdom to his brother , who had how no corrival . charlemagne having put away his wife theadora upon suspition of incontinency , he married hildegard , or ildegrade , daughter to the duke of sueve , his vassal , by whom he had charles , pepin , and lewis , and three daughters , rotrude , berthe , and gille , who were the nursery of his noble family . but carolomans jealousie died not with him , but survived in his wife berthe , who ( being impatient of her present condition , and thrust headlong with a spirit of revenge against her brother in law , charles ) retired with her two sons to didier , king of lombardy , as to the most bitter , and irreconcilable enemy of her brother charles . didier intertained her and her children very courteously , hoping by them to promote his design : but it proved the leaven of his own destruction . his practice ( together with the widows ) was to procure the present pope , who ( steven being dead ) was one adrian , a roman gentleman , to crown , and confirm the sons of caroloman for kings of france , wherein the lombard had two designs . first , by this means to bring the pope in disgrace with charlemagne , that he might the easilier suppress him , being destitute of the french aides , whereon he chiefly relyed ; and secondly to set france in a flame , by setting up new kings in it . didier therefore earnestly besought the pope to grant this favour to the sons of caroloman for his sake : besought the pope to grant this favour to the sons of caroloman for his sake : but adrian ( well acquainted with the lombards humour ) was so resolute in denying his request , as that they fell into open hatred . and didier being much displeased with this repulse , took arms , and with his forces entred into the exarchy , being a signory under the popes jurisdiction , and besieged ravenna , the chief city of the exarchy : whereupon the pope sent his nuncio to him , to expostulate the cause of this so sudden war against his subjects ; desiring him to restore what he had taken , and not to procced in this hostile manner without any reasonable cause , and that upon the pain of excommunication . at the same time there fell out a great occasion to encrease the hatred between charlemagne and didier : for that hunalt ( who had been before vanquished in guienne , and to whom charles had shew'd so much favour ) very ingratefully retired himself to didier , who did not only receive him courteously , but honoured him by making him general of his army which he had raised against the pope . and didier suffered himself to be so far abused by the insinuations , and perswasions of hunalt , touching the means to attempt something against the estates of charlemagne , that holding italy undoubtedly for his own , he plotted a war , and assured himself of a certain victory in france . thus ambition and covetousness hastens mens ruin . the pope having no other defence to secure his estate but his excommunication , which against didier proved but brutum fulmen , a meer scare-crow , he was forced to have recourse to charlemagne , as to his sacred anchor , or last hope , intreating speedy aid from him in this his great necessity . charlemagne had great reason to arm against didier , who had always crossed his affairs ; fed and fomented his brothers jealousies , entertained his widow , and children , and laboured to have them chosen kings of france , and all to trouble or ruin his estate . he had also received his rebellious subjects , and with their aid , practice to make a war against him . the sollicitation , and request also of the roman church was a great incentive to induce him to arm , against him , who professed himself to be an open enemy to the christian religion , whereof the former kings of france had shewed themselves protectors , and guardians . but that he might not attempt any thing rashly , he first sent his ambassadours to the pope , to assure him of his good will , and promising not to be wanting to him in his necessity : yet withal , to tell him , that he thought it best , first to use mildness , before he attempted force against the lombard . he therefore sent also his ambassadours to didier to summon him to restore what he had taken from the pope , and to suffer him to live in peace . didier ( who relied much upon his policy ) gave good words to the ambassadours , promising them to perform all that charles required , but in effect , he would have the pope to accept of conditions of peace from him , and that the children of caroloman should be declared kings of france . these demands were judged so unreasonable , that the treaty was broken , and the french ambassadours returned home : and didier prosecutes his war against the church more eagerly than he did before ; and having spoiled all the territories of ravenna , he took faenza , ferrara , comachia , campagnia , and romandiola , towns of the six governments , or hexarchy . charlemagnes ambassadours , upon their return , inform their master , that the war with the lombard could not be avoided : and they found charles in a posture fit to invade italy : for he had levyed a goodly army to suppress the rebellious saxons , who ( impatient of the french yoke ) revolted daily from his obedience , which army was now ready to be imployed against the lombard . yet was not charlemagne willing to attempt any thing in a matter of such importance without the advise of his estates , and therefore he presently summoned a parliament , and ( being loath to lose time ) in the mean season he caused his army to march , and to make their rendevouz at geneva , ( a town under his obedinece , and in the way to italy ) and having divided his army into two parts , he seized upon the passages of mount - cenis , and st. bernard , which are the two entrances from france into italy . the estates at their meeting having found the causes of war against didier , king of lombardy , to be just , charlemagne caused his army to advance with all speed , and to adjoyn near to verceil . there didier attended him and gave him battel : but at the first encounter he was vanquished by charlemagne . after which , the lombard rallying , and re-enforcing his army , fights him again , and was again beaten , and so shattered were his troops , that he was enforced to suffer his enemy to be master of the field ; which proved an infallible harbinger to his total ruin . thus having tumultuously trussed up what he could in such haste , he sent his son aldegise to verona , with the widow and children of caroloman : and cast himself into pavia , which he had diligently fortified , as the fortress , or dungeon rather of his last fortune . charlemagne pursues him at the heels , and with all his forces besieged him in pavia , resolving to have it at what price soever . and to make his resolution the more manifest , he sent for his wife and children into italy , to the end that the italians ( who hitherto were doubtful to whom to adhere ) might know his mind , and without attending any new occurrents , might resolve to obey the victor . having thus cooped up didier in pavia , and seised upon all the avenues , he resolved to attempt verona also , which they held to be the strongest place in all lombardy . so leaving his uncle bernard to continue the siege of pavia , he marched with part of his army to verona . his beginnings being so successful , and this check given to didier , ( who was now , as it were , shut up in prison , ) gave a great alteration to the affairs of either party amongst these people of divers humours . the spoletines , and reatines , and those of ancona , of fermo , and of ossino ( striving as it were , which should be first ) yielded to charlemagne , and detested the wretched , and forelorn estate of didier , as a worthy reward of his treachery , injustice , and violence . the venetians ( who were neuters , and spectators of this tragedy , and had never dealt in any sort with didier ) offered amity and succours to charlemagne , who desired them to keep the seas quiet , lest the emperour of constantinople should espouse didiers quarrel , and cause any new disturbance . charlemagne staid not long about verona before the city began to think of yielding : and berthe , the widow of caroloman , was the chief instrument to draw them to a surrender , the french forces being ( as she said ) very formidable . aldegise , the son of didier , seeing the citizens so unanimous in their resolutions to open their gate to the conquerour , and being unable to relieve his father , he secretly stole away , and fled to the emperour of constantinople . then did ver●na yield to charlemagne upon composition , who received both the inhabitants , and berthe to mercy , keeping his agreement punctually with them ; upon berthe and her children , he inflicted no punishment ; but only blamed them for their uncivil rashness , and enjoyned them to return into france , there to do better , and to live more honourably . this being about eas●er , charlemagne took the opportunity to go to rome , where yet he stayed only eight days to visit the most remarkable places , and to confer with pope adrian . the pope made charles a patrician of rome , which was a step to mount him to the empire . from thence he hasted , and came to pavia , which had now been besieged for the space of then months : and being pressed by war without , and by the famine , and pestilence within , it at last yielded upon composition : and didier ( who had hated charles without cause , and attempted war rashly ) fell into his enemies hands , who yet shewed himself prudent in undertaking the war , and mild and modest in his use of the victory . thus charlemagne having begun the war justly , and ended it happily , ruined the kingdom of the lombards in italy , carrying didier prisoner with him to lions , or to leeg ; for authors agree not of the certain place . this was anno christi . a notable date to present the tragical end of so great a kingdom , which had continued in italy for the space of two hundred and four years under princes of divers dispositions . but pride , injustice and tyranny , had provoked the wrath of god against them , so as whilst they thought to take from another , they lost their own ; to usurp the liberties of others , they fell into ignominious slavery themselves ; and their subtily proved the occasion , and hastener of their ruin . an excellent pattern for princes and great states not to attempt an unjust and unnecessary war , nor to usurp upon any other mans right , thinking to prevail over a good cause by craft and policy . charlemagne ( as was said before ) used his victory with great moderation towards the conquered nation , which gave great content to all the italians , who held it a gain to have lost their old master , and to be rightly made free by being subject to so wise a lord. for he left unto them their ancient liberties , and to particular princes ( such as were vassals to didier ) their signiories . to aragise , son in law to didier , he left the marquisat of beneventum . he placed french governours in conquered lombardy , whom he ordered to treat these his new subjects with the like mildness , as he shewed to those of his antient patrimony left unto him by his predecessors . during the siege of pavia , pope adrian held a councel at rome , in favour to charlemagne , to give him honours answerable to his merits of the church , wherein it was declared , that the right to give all benefices throughout all christendom did belong to him . no sooner was charlemagne returned into france , but aldegise ( the son of didier ) sought to disquiet italy , being assisted by constantine , the emperour of constantinople , and the practices of rogand , to whom charlemagne had given friul , who now revolted from his obedience . but the vigilancy , and care of the governours whom charlemagne had set over his new-conquered subjects , soon put an end to these rebellions : and rogand being taken , suffered according to his demerits , being beheaded by the kings commandment . thus italy remaining quiet to him , and his , ( as conquered by a just war ) it was afterwards incorporated into the french , monarchy in his posterity , being given in partage to the children of france , whilst the good government of the french kings maintained the dignity of the crown . but the end of this war proved the beginning of another in germany , whereof the saxons were the chief promoters , drawing other people of germany into their assistance . this war continued the space of thirty yesrs , yet not without some intermissions : the saxons having still a mind to oppose and cross charlemagne in his proceedings , especially when he was busied in other affairs of great consequence . these saxons were subject to the crown of france , especially under martel , and pepin his son. the motives of this war were divers : the impatiency of a people desiring their antient liberty , and not able to bear subjection to a forreigner : the hatred and jealousie of a potent neighbour , threatning them with servitude : a controversie about the limits and bounds of their lands : but the greatest , and most important cause was , the diversity of religion : for the saxons were obstinate in retaining and cleaving to their pagan superstition , which they had received from their forefathers , and charlemagne urged them to forsake their paganism , and idolatry , and to make open profession of the christian faith ; being moved with zeal to the general advancement of the truth , and the private duty of a prince to his subjects , to provide for their souls health . upon this controversie about religion the saxons fought eight times with charlemagne : especially taking advantage when they found him busied elsewhere , watching their opportunities either to cross him in his designs , or to frustrate his attempts . at such time as he was in italy against didier , they played rex , not only in rejecting the french command , but also in making war against those cities in germany which obeyed charlemagne . they had taken eresbourg from the crown of france even upon his return , and besieged sigisbourg , robbing , and spoiling all the country round about . charlemagne ( who would never undertake any weighty matter without good advise ) assembled a parliament at wormes , and by their counsel and assistance , levied a great army , to charge the saxons in divers places at once . this resolution succeeded happily : for having vanquished the saxons twice in one month in a pitched field , he soon reduced them to their ancient obedience : using his victories with much modesty and discretion ; desiring rather to shew them the power of his authority , then the rigour of his force . the chief amongst the saxons was widichind , and as religion was the chief motive of their frequent rebellions ; so charlemagne , seeking the establishment of the christian religion in saxony with great zeal , after much reluctance , happily effected it . for having vanquished this widichind , by reason and humanity , he brought him to the knowledg of the truth ; and by his grave and prudent conversation , he perswaded him without any violence , to leave and forsake his pagan superstition , which force of armes could never have effected in him , nor in the saxons . for mens souls are not to be compelled with force of arms , but with reason . and by the means and endeavours of this widichine , the greatest part of the saxons were brought to the knowledg of the true god , and the obedience of the french monarch : and the most obstinate were forced , either to submit , or to abandon their country . and indeed great numbers of saxons retired themselves into divers strange countrys . thus the war with the saxons was happily ended ( which had been long and dangerous ) and the conquered , by the truth were the true conquerours , by attaining to the knowledg of the true god. charlemagne was very careful to have them well instructed in the truth : for which end he appointed godly and learned men in all places , and gave them honourable maintenance , whereby he shewed that his piety was not inferiour to his valour , and happy success ; and for a president to princes to make religion the soveraign end of their arms and authorities . this widichine was very eminent , both for wisdom , valour , and authority in his country ; and from him are descended many famous families : as the two henries , the one called the fowler , and the other of bamberg ; and the two othos , all of them emperours : as also the dukes of saxony , the marquesses of misnia , the dukes of savoy , and the famous race of hugh capet in france . from this war of saxony did spring up many others in the northern parts , of which we shall hear afterwards ; but because in the interim their fell out great wars in spain against the sarazins , which ( like a deluge ) threatned to over-run all christendom , i shall intermit the former , till i have spoken something of this latter , that i may proceed with the more clearness in the remainder of this history . the motive of the spanish war , was more upon pleasure than necessity : but zeal of religion gave a colour and shew of necessity to the heroical designs of charlemagne , who sought to enlarge the limits of the french monarchy by his arms. but this his spanish war , as it was undertaken upon lighter grounds , so was it more painful , more dangerous , and less successful then that of italy , whereunto necessity and duty had drawn charlemagne ; yet did his wise and wary proceeding in the action , warrant him from all blame . the occasions which moved him to bend his forces against the sarazins in spain were , the assurance of good success , the quiet and peace of his realm , that he might have opportunity to imploy his souldiery , the hate of the spaniards against the sarazins , and the general fear of all christians , least these caterpillars should creep further into europe . this was the estate of spain at this time . the sarazins had conquered a great part of it , and were divided under divers commands which had the title of kingdoms . yet these divers kings ( being apprehensive of their common danger ) resolved to unite their forces against charlemagne , their common enemy ; and foreseeing the tempest , they sought to prevent it , and to cross the designs of charlemagne : for which end , they suborned king idnabala , a sarazin , being a very subtile , and crafty man , to insinuate himself into the acquaintance , and familiarity of charlemagne , which stratagem prevailed more then all their power and forces . charlemagne was much quickned to this war by alphonso , surnamed the chast , king of navar , and by the a●turians , and gallizians ( christian people of spain ) who suggested to him that the war would be easie , profitable , and honourable , and therefore most worthy the valour , and fortune of charlemagne . this idnabala also ( under a shew of friendship ) laboured to hasten him to the execution of this enterprise , from which he knew well he could not divert him , that he might the better betray him by discovering his counsels to the sarazins . charlemagne being well-affected of himself , and thus excited by others , assembled a parliament at noyon , and there concluded a war against the sarazins in spain . the army which he employed in this action was very great , both for number of men , and valour of commanders , and chieftains , being the most choice and worthy captains in all christendome : amongst whom , these were of the chiefest note , milon earl of anger 's : rowland the son of milon , and berthe , sister to charlemagne , renald of montaubon . the four sons of aymon : oger the dane : oliver earl of geneva : arnold of belland : brabin , and many others . the valour of which persons , hath been fabulously related by the writers of those dark times ( who for the most part were friars , concerning whom the proverb was , a friar , a lyar ) with the addition of a thousand ridiculous tales , so that the truth is hardly picked out from the midst of so much errour : yet , what is most probable , and can be gathered out of the most authentick authors , shall here be set down . they say that charlemagne , to make this undertaking more honourable in shew , did at this time institute the order of the twelve peers of france . charlemagne being entred into spain with his brave army , found no object for them whereon to exercise their valour : for the sarazins , resolving to make a defensive , rather than an offensive war , had withdrawn themselves into their cities , which they had fortified strongly , the most renowned of the sarazin kings at this time , were aigoland , bellingan , denises , marsile , and idnabala : but this last , as was said before , made shew of much friendship to charlemagne , and of open hatred against the other sarazin kings ; with whom notwithstanding he held secret and strict intelligence to betray charlemagne unto them . the first city that the french attempted , was pampelune , in the kingdom of navarr , the which they took by force , but with much pains , danger , and loss . having sackt this city , and put all the sarazins in it to the sword , they marched to saragoce , which yielded to them upon composition , as did also many other small towns , being terrified with the example of pampelune . this prosperous beginning encouraged charlemagne to advance forward , relying on his wonted fortune , and good success : but as he passed through the provinces of spain , like a victorious prince , without any opposition , he divided his army , and gave part of it to be conducted by milon of anger 's , his brother in law , who in his march near unto bayon , was set upon by aigoland , the sarazin king , who in this common danger had thrust an army into the field , and now assaulted milon , and his troops , little expecting any enemy , and took him at such an advantage , as he defeated him . this loss was very great ; for writers say , that forty thousand of the french here lost their lives ; milon himself being also slain , for a confirmation of the sarazins victory . charlemagne was at this time afar off , and so not able by any diligence to prevent the loss . yet he suppressed his grief and trouble , least he should discourage the whole army : and so hastening thitherward , he gathered up the remainder of those broken , and dispersed troops , withall , keeping the conquered cities , and such as were friends , in their due obedience : but after this , there fell out another accident . aigoland being puffed up with pride through his late victory , marched with his army into gascoine , and besieged agen , to divert charlemagne from his pursuit , and to draw him home to defend his own country . so as charlemagne , fearing least his own absence , and the sarazins late victory should cause any alteration in the minds of them of guienne , being then subjects of whom he had no great assurance , he returned into france . aigoland had now continued some moneths at the siege of agen , yet had prevailed little , but only in over-running the country , which he did freely ( without any considerable resistance ) even unto xaintonge ; the country-men in the mean time retiring into the walled towns , expected the return of charlemagne their king : aigolands army was very great , and puffed up with the remembrance of their late victory : so as charlemagne returning with his forces from spain well tired , he maintained his countries more through his authority , than by present force ; yet did he give life to the courage of his subjects with his presence , and bridled the proud sarazin , who could not be ignorant with whom he had to deal , nor where he was , being environed with the enemies on all sides , and in an enemies country . hereupon aigoland , pretending an inclination to peace , gave charlemagne to understand that he had been the first invader , and that his own comming into france was only to draw his enemy out of spain , and to cause him to leave to the sarazins their conquered countries free : and therefore ( said he ) the treaty of an accord is easie , seeing all the question is only to leave to every man his own , and to suffer him to enjoy it quietly , the world being wide enough for us all . but to the end this treaty might take good effect , after many messages to and fro , they resolve to come to a parlee : and upon charlemagne's faith given , aigoland came to his camp. charlemagne , either really moved with a zeal for religion , or at least , making it the colour of his actions , gave the sarazin to understand , that he should have his friendship if he would leave his pagan superstition , be baptized , and make open profession of christianity . the sarazin , although he had a goodly army , yet not willing to hazard any thing , and content with his former revenge upon charlemagne , desired nothing more than to return quietly into spain . and being now in the midst of his enemies camp , to maintain his reputation , he made no shew at all of fear , but talking to his own advantage ( as if no force , but only reason should move him ) he entred into a serious and cunning discourse with charlemagne , shewing , that unnecessary wars were the ruin of mankind , and that he was grieved to see so much blood spilt : that he had not begun , but followed , being urged by necessity to defend himself and his countrey against the forces of charlemagne : that he was not yet so dejected , nor his forces so weak as to refuse the battel : but for that it would be an infinite loss to hazard the lives of so many men , he desired rather to make tryal of the right by some troops , and they that vanquished , should be deemed to have the right , and true religion on their side : protesting to yield to that religion , which should appear to be the best upon this tryal . this proposal and condition was accepted by charlemagne : the combate was fought , the proof made , and the christian troop vanquished that of the sarazin . then did aigoland protest openly , that he would become a christian , but in heart he had no such meaning , and therefore took this opportunity to fly from his promise . he gives charlemagne a visit , and finds him at the table , well accompanied with his chief followers , ( for then it was the custome of kings not to sit and eat alone ) but , casting his eye aside , he saw twelve poor men , ill apparelled , sitting upon the ground , near to the table of the noblemen , and demanded what those poor , miserable creatures were , which did there feed apart ? one answered , that they were the servants of god : he then replied , surely your god is of small account , whose servants are so miserable and contemptible : and thereupon takes an occasion to retire himself , having lost nothing , but made great advantage by this treaty : having hereby qualified the force of charlemagne , viewed his army , made shew of his own courage and dexterity , and all without an ambassadour . charlemagne on the other side , seeing himself thus deluded and affronted , was resolved to take revenge for so notable a loss of men , and so bold an attempt of the sarazin , so that with all speed he raised an army of a hundred and thirty thousand men , and being thus fraught with choler and indignation , he returned into spain . his first entry was prosperous : for in the encounter he defeated aigolands army near to pampelune , and for a seal of his victory , he carried away the head of aigoland his enemy , who was slain by the hand of arnold of belange , a noble and valiant knight : but the sequel was not answerable to the beginning : for notwithstanding the overthrow of the sarazin troops , all the rest in spain were not vanquished , where there were more kings , and more men of war , who kept correspondence with amurath king of babylon , which place was their nursery and store-house . marsile and belingand , two brethren , were the chief of thè remainder of the sarazin army , wherein there was a great babylonian gyant , called ferragat , of an exceeding stature , him did rowland slay , who was nephew to charlemagne ; after which , the sarazins gathered together the relicts of their broken troops , and made a shew of resolute men , vowing to sell their lives at a dear rate to charlemagne , being favoured by many great and good towns in the countrey . charlemagne makes a sudden stop , and pursues not his victory , god reserving to himself a sovereign power over all mens designes , yea , over the greatest , and in matters of greatest consequence , to the end that all may learn to ask counsel and success of him , and it was his will and pleasure that the french forces should not conquer and possess spain , the which he had reserved as a portion for another nation . thus charles , who should have prosecuted his late victory vigorously , grew remiss , which encouraged idnabala the sarazin ( who had free access into the camp ) to make a motion of peace . he was a good secretary of his own companions minds , what shew soever he made of speaking of himself . charlemagne ( finding by his late experience , that the event of war is uncertain and doubtful , and that this war tended to the loss of his subjects , who imployed both their lives and goods for the purchase of an uncertain victory , and seeing himself overburdened with great affairs in his other estates , to the preservation whereof , reason did summon him rather than to seek for new ) he seemed not unwilling to hearken to the motion of idnabala , who assured him , that he found the sarazins affairs to be so desperate , that they would be glad to embrace his friendship at whatsoever rate they purchased it . the treaty hereupon began , and the chief article was propounded , which was , that they should embrace the christian religion , and this charlemagne seemed to urge with great vehemency : but finding the sarazins obstinate in their refusal , he was content to grant them peace , paying him some great sums of money , as a token that they had been vanquished by him . and accordingly he sent a noble man of his court , named ganes , to treat with them , who ( being by bribes corrupted by marsile and belingand ) undertook so to order businesses , that charlemagne should return into france , and by the way , should receive a notable disgrace : yet they seemed to make such a composition and agreement , which in shew , was very honourable for charlemagne : to whom they promised to pay ( as an homage , and acknowledgment for the peace he should grant them ) what sums of money he would appoint , and that thereupon he should retire with his army into france ; yet leaving such forces in spain as he pleased , to see the condition which should be agreed upon , performed . but ganes had discovered to them , that charlemagne upon other accounts was necessitated to return , and therefore desired to leave the smallest forces that he could in spain . the agreement being thus concluded , charlemagne departed with his army , attending a better opportunity to effect what he had designed : and he left his nephew rowland only with twenty thousand men , to see the conditions performed . and to make his passage into france the more easie , he commanded him to lodge in a place of advantage in the pyrenean mountains , called ro●cevaux : and so the french army marched backwards to france , under the conduct of charlemagne , who little dreamed of such an affront as he shortly after met with . whilst the french army were upon their retreat , marsile and bellingand slept not , but gathering together all the forces they could , they lodged them secretly in the hollow caves of those mountains , being places inaccessible , and wholly unknown but only to the inhabitants of those countries . they had intelligence given them by ganes , what number of men charlemagne had left in spain , under the command of rowland , to whom the reputation of his uncle , and the good will of the people of spain in the chiefest towns , was of more use than his twenty thousand men , although they were the choice of all the army . rowland had no fear of an enemy , whenas returning to his garrison , he was suddenly set upon by the sarazins , who were far more in number than the french , who seeing themselves thus treacherously assaulted , and compassed in , defended themselves valiantly against those miscreants : but still fresh troops of sarazins issued forth of these caves , on every side , in so great numbers , as that in the end , the french ( tired and spent in so long and painful a conflict ) were oppressed by the multitudes , rather than overcome by the valour of their enemies . rowland in so great and extream a danger ( gathering together the pieces of his shipwrack ) performed both the duty of a good commander , and of a valiant and resolute souldier , fighting gallantly , and having beaten down a great number where the enemies were thickest , he at length came where king marsile was , whom he slew with his own hands . but belingand , holding the victory absolutely his own , pursued the french with great violence ; insomuch as rowland ( not able to hold out any longer ) retired himself apart ; and finding his death approaching , he endeavoured to break his good sword durandall , but his strength failing him , he died of thirst , through so long and difficult a combate in that hot country : and with him died oliver , oger the dane , renald of montaubon , arnald of belland , and other noble personages , who are the subject of many fabulous stories : yet the fame of their singular virtues and prowess , is engraven in the original of true histories , where it shall never be blotted out . charlemagne having intelligence brought him of this great and unexpected loss , returned suddenly , to take his revenge upon the sarazins , of whom ●he killed an infinite number in several places : and being informed of the treason of ganes , he caused him to be drawn in pieces by four horses , as the only author of this miserable defeat . and being transported with a just disdain and indignation for this so base an affront , he had purposed to have passed on in spain to take further revenge . but the great and weighty affairs of his other estates called him back into france , to attend upon them . and so ended his spanish wars , with small success , having troubled charlemagne at divers times , for the space of fourteen years . for god had appointed the limits of his designs , as reserving to himself a sovereign power over all mens enterprizes , even of the greatest . charlemagne made a tomb for his nephew rowland , and honoured the memory of those other worthy warriers ( who died in the bed of honour ) with monuments : after which he was necessitated to undertake divers other wars , both in italy and germany , in all which it pleased god to give him better success . italy ( during charles his troubles in spain ) had rebelled , being provoked thereto by adalgise duke of beneventum , who endeavoured to repossess the race of didier : but that attempt was soon suppressed by charlemagne , to the cost of the lombard rebells : yet shortly after ensued another war in germany . the like occasion also bred a war in bavaria : for the king tassillon , who was son in law to didier king of lombardy , ( being eagerly pressed by his wife , and wonderfully discontented with charlemagne ) shaked off the yoke of subjection , and betook himself to arms : but charlemagne surprized him with such celerity , that tassillon was forced to sue for peace ; which charlemagne granted upon condition of his subjection and loyalty : but again tassillon , not able to contain himself , raised a new war in another place , as when we stop one breach , it finds vent by another . he stirred up the huns and avars ( a neighbouring people to austria , which was one of the estates of the french monarchy ) against charlemagne , who yet suppressed them with happy success ; and tassillon himself being again vanquished by charlemagne , and found guilty of rebellion and treason , was condemned to lose his estate , according to the salique law : and with him , the kingdom of bavaria ended , being now wholly incorporated into the crown of france . the huns and avars ( of whose names joyned together , the word hungary hath been made ) were also punished by charlemagne , and brought under the yoke of the french monarchy . they had formerly attempted by war to disquiet the country of austria , whom charlemagne had at divers times opposed by his forces , so that the war , at times , had continued for the space of eight years , and the final issue was , that all the countrey obeyed him : the danes also , the sorabes , and abrodites , and the westphalians , ( who had all joyned in this war of hungary ) were also brought under the obedience of charlemagne . the limits of the northern kingdom , called austrasia , were so enlarged , that it was divided into two kingdoms , and the realm of austria which joyns upon france , was called westriech , that is to say , the realm of the west ; and that which is towards danubius , was called ostriech , that is , the kingdom of the east , austria being then of a greater command than at this day . for it contained all hungary , valachia , bohemia , transylvania , denmark and poland : then was the french monarchy of a vast extent . but all these nations have since , either returned to their first beginning , or new lords have seized upon them . thus the french monarchy was greatly enlarged by the prowess and valour of charlemagne : and his children were grown up , as in age , so in knowledge and experience , through the careful education which their prudent father gave them ; who framed them to the management of affairs , intending them to provide , that they might first succeed him in his virtues , and afterwards in his kingdoms . but man purposeth , and god disposeth , france , italy , germany , spain , and hungary , made the roman empire in the west , and charlemagne , being master of these goodly provinces , was in effect an emperour , but only wanted the title , and the solemn declaration of this dignity . and shortly after , the providence of god that gave him the former , ministred opportunity to him for the enjoyment of the latter , which came thus to pass . leo was at this time pope of rome , against whom there was strange sedition raised by sylvester and campul , men of great credit in the court of rome . these men ( with their adherents ) upon a solemn day of procession , seized upon leo before st. lawrence church , whom they stripped of his pontifical robes , cast him unto the ground , trod him under their feet , and bruised his face with their fists , and having dragged him ignominiously through the dirt , they cast him into prison , where yet he stayed not long , being freed by a groom of his chamber called albin : and so having recovered st. peters church , he sent to vingise duke of spoleto , intreating him to deliver him from this miserable captivity . vingise failed him not , but came to rome , and carried the pope along with him to spoleto ; where yet he stayed not long , but from thence went to charlemagne , into france , whom he found full of troubles . he complained that many of the romans sought to usurp his power into their hands , and advised the king to exact an oath of fidelity of them . paschalis was there soon after him , and accused the pope of adultery , and other gross crimes . charlemagne dismissed them both , and promised to be at rome within a few months , and accordingly prepared for his journey . in december , anno christi . charlemagne was received in rome with all shews of honour , and within eight dayes he went into st. peters church , and in the presence of all the people and clergy , he asked , who had any thing to say against pope leo ? paschalis , or paschasires , and campalus had published the popes crimes by writ : but knowing how charlemagne stood affected towards both parties , they appeared not ; so none prosecuting these crimes against him , the pope was absolved upon his oath ; wherein he swore by god and the four evangelists , that all these things were false which they layed to his charge : whereupon the king declared him innocent , and condemned his accusers , and within few dayes three hundred of them were beheaded in the lateran field for their presumption , and affectation of liberty , on the eighteenth of december ; and shortly after , charles was chosen emperour : but before i speak of that , i must represent you with a brief view of the present estate and condition of the emperour of constantinople . the seat of the roman empire , since the time of constantine the great , remained at constantinople , a city of thrace , situated in a convenient place for the guard of the eastern provinces : after which , all the west being full of new guests , who had expelled the romans , the name , authority and power of the empire remained in the east , where now the state was in a strange confusion , the mother being banded against her son , and the people amongst themselves . constantine the son of leo the fourth , was emperour at this time , who from his infancy was governed ( together with the empire ) by his mother irene : but being now come to the age of twenty years , he assumed the government into his own hands . there was then a great division in the east , which had been continued from father to son for fourscore years together , about bringing images into the churches . the bishops would needs bring them in : but the emperours , together with the greatest part of the people , opposed themselves against them . this contention had its beginning under philip bardanes , was continued under leo isaurus , and from him was derived to his son constantine , sirnamed copronimus , and to leo the fourth , son to the said constantine . this filled all the east with infinite scandals . the same fire of contention continued in the minority of our constantine , who was yet governed by his mother , a woman of a violent spirit , who had undertaken the protection of images , and held a counsel of many bishops for the defence thereof : but the people growing into a mutiny , by force expelled them from constantinople , where there assemhly was held . but irene , being resolved to carry on her design , assembled another councel at nicea , city of bithinia , honoured for having entertained the first general councel under constantine the great , the first of that name : where it was decreed , that images should be placed in churches for devotion . but charlemagne did not allow of this decree , and either himself , or some other by his command , did write a small treatise against this councel , the which bears this title , a treatise of charlemagne , touching images , against the greek synode . this crafty woman made choise of the city of nicea , that the name of the ancient first council held there , might honour this new invention with the pretext of antiquity : for there are some that confound the first council of nicea with the second , and constantine the fourth with the first . constantine continued in the hereditary hatred of his father , and grandfather against images , so as being of age , and in absolute possession of his empire , he disannulled all these new decrees , and caused the images to be beaten down in all places : yet did he make all shews of respect to his mother , yielding unto her a good part of his authority and command : which respect was the cause of an horrible tragedy . for this woman being transported for two causes ( both by reason of her new opinion , and for despight that she had not the whole government in her own power ) grew so unnatural , that she resolved to dispossess her son of the empire , and to seize upon it herself : and indeed the authority which her son had left her , and the free access which she had unto his person , gave her opportunity for the execution of her design . for having corrupted such as had the chief forces of the empire at their command , and won them to her with her sons treasure , she seized on his person , put out his eyes , and sent him into exile ( where , shortly after , he died of grief ) and took possession of the empire . these unnatural and tragick furies were practised in the east , whiles that charlemagne , by his great valour built an empire in the west . irene , in her son constantines life time would have married him with the eldest daughter of charlemagne : but this accident crossed that design . after the death of constantine , irene sent to charlemagne to excuse her self of the murther , disavowing it , and laying the blame upon such as had done it ( as she pretended ) without her command . and to win the good liking of charlemagne , she caused him to be dealt withall about marriage ( for at that time festrude was dead ) with promise to consent that he should be declared emperour of the west , and that she also would resign unto him the empire of the east : but charlemagne would not accept of her profers . the nobility and people of the greek empire did so hate irene , as having suffered her the space of three years , in the end , they resolved to dispossess her . this woman , the unnatural murtheress of her own child , being thus publickly hated and detested , nicephorus , a great and noble man of greece , assisted by the chiefest in the court , and with the good liking , and consent of the people , seized upon the empire , and took irene , whom yet he only banished , to give her opportunity and means to live better than she had done : and afterward he treated , and agreed with charlemagne , that the empire of the east continuing under his command , the other of the west should remain to charles . by this transaction of nicephorus , and the consent of the greeks , the possession of the empire was ratified and confirmed to charlemagne , and now began the division of the empire into the east and west . that of the west began in charlemagne , and continued in his posterity , whilest they were inheritors of their fathers virtues : but afterwards it was translated to the princes of germany , who yet acknowledg charlemagne to have risen from a german stock , being born at wormes , crowned at spire , and interred at aix , all cities of germany . hitherto we have represented , what charlemagne did whilest he was king of france only : now we are come to consider what hapned to him , worthy of memory , whilst he was emperour . the deeds of charlemagne after he came to the empire . the romanists do boast that the pope gave the empire of the west unto charlemagne : but the truth is , the popes had not yet come to that hight as to pretend to a power of disposing of empires and kingdoms at their own pleasure : but the right of charles came another way . for before he came to rome anno christi . he had all france under his government , together with franconia , and austrasia ; he had subdued a great part of spain unto the river iberus , from the sarazins : as also saxony , westphalia , dacia , hungary , istria , dalmatia . he had likewise subdued all italy , except magna graecia , and therefore he was entitled , charles by the grace of god king of the frenches , emperour of the lombards , and patricius of rome : so he stiles himself in his epistle to alcwin : and alcwin in an epistle to him , stiles him , the glorious emperour [ gallicarum ] of france , and rector & defensor ecclesiae : both which epistles are in the second part of alcwins works . his coronation was by the decree and prayers of the romane people . sigisbert in his chronicon , shews the time , and cause , saying : the romanes , who in heart were long before faln from the emperours of constantinople : taking the opportunity that irene had picked out the eyes of her own son the emperour , with one general consent they resolved to proclaim king charles for their emperour , and to crown him by the hands of the pope : so on decemb. . anno christi . they crowned him by the hands of pope leo , as the emperours were wont to be crowned by the bishops of constantinople ; and the people cryed thrice , carolo augusto , à deo coronato , magno & pacifico imperatori , vita & victoria , and the pope anointed him : as also his son pepin , whom charlemagne , by a solemn decree had made king of italy . and the pope knowing the dangers which had oft befaln himself and his predecessors , intreated the emperour that he would be protector of the church of rome . thus charlemagne , the king of france , was advanced to the empire , partly by inheritance , partly by the sword , by dedition , and the title was given him by the people , and the bishop of rome : yet nothing was proper to the bishop , but the coronation and other ceremonies , which he performed in the name of the people , according to the custom at constantinople . at the same time also it was agreed , that all the chief men of the city , as well ecclesiastical , as secular , should give their oath of fidelity unto the emperour . secondly , that the emperours missus should reside in the pallace of st. peter to decide pleas amongst the people : and that there should be allotted for his maintenance , a part of the former emperours patrimony . thirdly , that if any mans cause was perverted by the ordinary judges , and the wronged person should implore the aid of the missus , or emperours commissioner , for justice ; and the missus should adjure the judges , saying , by the faith you owe unto my lord the emperour , i require you to do this man justice : then none should dare to decline , either to the right hand or to the left , although the wrong were done by any of the popes kinsmen . fourthly , that the mulcts which should be imposed upon any guilty person , should be equally divided between the emperours missus , and the popes missus . fifthly , that if any goods fell under escheat , they should appertain to the church , without an express gift of the emperour . continu . eutrop. catal. test. verit. yet all this right was not sufficient for charlemagne , nor did he enjoy the empire without contradiction . for he was forced to overcome the envy of this assumed title with great sums of money ; especially the emperour of constantinople envyed it : but charlemagne by his magnanimity prevailed against their contumacy , wherein he excelled the greeks : and he sent many ambassadours unto them : especially unto irene , not only to treat for peace , but about her marriage , that thereby he might the better confirm his title : but before his ambassadours came the second time to constantinople ( irene being sick ) the people had crowned nicephorus on the first of november anno christi . yet did nicephorus renew the league with charlemagne , which irene had before made with him : but ( as sigonius saith ) with express condition , that venice should be free betwixt the two empires . in the mean time nicephorus was molested by the sarazins , and was forced to agree with them upon hard conditions : he was also molested by the bulgarians , over whom he obtained one great victory ; but when he refused all conditions of peace , they assembled together again to fight for their lives and land , in which battel they overthrew , and killed nicephorus , and his son stauracius was wounded in the fight , and fled to adrianople , where he was afterward declared emperour . but after three months michael rangabis , his brother in law , shut him up in a monastery . then were mutual ambassadours sent between the two emperours , and a perpetual peace was concluded betwixt them . charles the great was crowned emperour in the thirty third year of his raign , upon the the th of december , and in the fifty eighth year of his age. he fought many battels and was always victorious . he had ( as was said before ) wars with the heathenish saxons , which , by times , lasted thirty years : he oft-times overcame them , and granted them liberty , upon condition that they would imbrace the christian faith ; but upon every opportunity their duke wedekin , shaken off both loyalty , and christianity . at several times when charlemagne had obtained a victory , his manner was to erect a new bishoprick : so that he erected seven bishopricks in that province , to which he annexed princely power , knowing well , that such fierce people might sooner be tamed by religion then by armes . the places where these were erected , were , breme , verda , minda , paterborne , osnabourg , hildesem , and halberstad . but though he gave the bishops power of governing , yet the nobles did not altogether loose the power of administring in publick affairs . at last , because the saxons revolted again , he removed ten thousand of them , with their wives and children , into brabant , and flanders , and sent some french to inhabit their rooms . charlemagne lived fifteen years after that he had united the roman empire to the french monarchy ; yet not without many troubles . for grimoald , duke of beneventum sought to disturb italy in the behalf of the lombards : but charles prevented it betimes , imploying against him his son pepin , a worthy and valiant prince : and grimoald being vanquished , was entreated with all mildness , and being restored to his estate , he became afterwards a very affectionate , and obedient servant to charlemagne , who was a prudent conquerour , that knew as well how to use , as how to get a victory . after this it followed , that for some attempts made by the venetians against the empire of charlemagne , in the behalf of the emperour of constantinople : or ( as others say ) upon the false information of fortunatus , patriarch of grado , that charlemagne commanded his son pepin , king of italy , to make wars against them : which he acordingly began with great resolution , and took the cities and fortresses which the venetians held within the main land , and at length besieged the city of venice it self , both by sea and by land , to the relief whereof the greek emperour sent a fleet : about which authors agree not ; for some say that pepin wholly took venice : others say , that he only took some islands thereof , and that the place wich is called rioalte defended it self : how ever it was , this war continued long , obeliers , and becur , two great personages , being the chief commanders for the venetians . at last peace was concluded betwix them , and the venetians had liberty to live after their own laws and customs , and the venetians won great reputation for being able to defend themselves against so potent and victorious an enemy . charlemagne would have the country which he had conquered from the lombards , to be called lombardy , that by retaining their name , he might somewhat sweeten their servile condition , in the ruin of their estate . but now charlemagne , finding himself old and broken , and his children valiant , wise , and obedient , he resolved to make his last will and testament , wherein he divided his kingdoms between his three legitimate sons , to wit , charles his eldest , pepin and lewis : in which he made his eldest son charles king of the greatest , and best parts of france , and germany . to pepin he gave the kingdom of italy , and bavaria , with some other provinces . and to lewis he bequeathed provence , and that part of france which bordereth upon spain , together with some other provinces . but all succeeded after another manner than he attended , god the soveraign disposer of kingdoms , having decreed otherwise to dispose thereof . he endeavoured also to reduce all his kingdoms under one law , making choise of the roman laws above all others , both for the dignity of the empire , and because they seemed to him , to be most just and equal : but the french , being loath to alter any thing in their customary laws , desired , and obtained of him that they might be governed by the same : so as gaul , narbonne , ( which comprehends daulphine , languedoc , and provence ) do use the written laws ( as the ancient provinces of the romans ) and the rest of france observe their customary laws . it afterwards happened that a great fleet of infidels which inhabited spain , with the aid , and assistance of some africans , invaded the isles of sardinia , and corsica in the mediterranean sea , for the defence whereof , the emperour charlemagne sent commandment to his son pepin that he should send thither against them a valiant captain whose name was bucaredus , who took so good order as that he drove those infidels out of those islands , and slew five thousand of them in one battel . and with no less good success , the emperour undertook another war against the dukes of the bohemians , and polanders , which is a part of the ancient sarmatia , who infested the countries under his dominions , against whom he sent his son charles with great forces of burgonians , saxons , and germans : and this young charles , imitating his father , warred valiantly , and with discretion against them , and coming first to a battel with the bohemians , led by leo their duke , he overcame them , as he did also at other times , and at last he slew leo their duke ; the like success he had also against the polanders , so as at length they all became his fathers subjects . and for these victories of charlemagne he was so much feared , and renowned through the world , that a great king of the east ; and amurath , the greatest of all the mahomatists , sent their ambassadours , with rich presents unto him , desiring peace , and friendship : and the like did all christian kings . charlemagne thus living with honour , and in tranquillity , godfrey king of denmark ( which was a dependance of the realm of germany , and part of charles his portion , as was hinted before ) made war against him . this godfrey was a mighty prince , and commanded over a large mighty dominion , and with great forces came into friesland and saxony , where he did great harm . against whom , the emperour addressing himself ( though he was now old , and unweildy ) speedily departed with a great army : but by the way news was brought him that king godfrey was dead , and that his army was returned into their own country . and upon the same day news came also , that his son pepin ( who had raigned in italy in great prosperity ) was dead in the city of millan , which was an occasion of great grief to the old emperour . then did he return to the city of aken , or aix , unto which place ambassadours came to him from hermigius , who succeeded godfrey in the kingdom of denmark , humbly desiring peace . the like came also to him from the emperour of constantinople , and others also from ambulat , a king of the moors , who raigned in a great part of spain ; to all which he returned gracious answers , and granted their petitions : withall , giving hearty thanks to god for that he was generally so well esteemed of . but after this sunshine , another storm returned , as the clouds return after the rain : for it pleased god to take away another of his sons , called charles , who lay on the borders of germany for the defence thereof ; so as now his whole hope rested in his third son lewis . thus man purposeth and god disposeth . thus the sons die before the father . thus we see the greatest cannot free themselves from the common calamities of mankind . thus both great kings , and great kingdoms have their period . crowns have their compass ; kingdoms have their date : fortune her frowns : felicity her fate . thus charlemagne lost his children , and his great empire her best support under god : for these two princes ( like stars of the greater magnitude ) did shine bright by inheriting their fathers virtues , and valour , leaving behind them lewis their brother , with large territories , and few vertues , to govern so great an estate . after the death of these two great princes , many enemies rose up against old charlemagne , who seemed ( as it were ) to have lost his two arms : as the sarazins in spain , the sclavonians , and the normans in the northern regions : but he vanquished them all , and brought them into his obedience and subjection , old and broken as he was . charlemagne all his life time held the church in great reverence , and had imployed his authority to beautify it , and bountifully bestowed his treasure to enrich it : but this great plenty , joyned with so long and happy a peace , made the church-men to live losely . charlemagne ( being himself well instructed in religion ) knowing of what great importance it was , to have such as should instruct others to be sound in the faith , and holy and exemplary in their lives , he at sundry times , called five councels in sundry places of his dominions ( for as yet the popes had not challenged that power to belong to them ) for the reformation and good government of the church : as at mentz : at rheimes : at tours : at chaalons : and at arles : and by the advise of these ecclesiastical assemblies , he made and published many orders for the good of the church which were gathered together in a book called , capitula caroli magni . a worthy president for princes who seek true honour by virtue , whereof the care of piety is the chiefest foundation . in the preface to this book , he thus saith , that he had appointed these constitutions with the advice of his presbyters , and counsellers : and that herein he had followed the example of king josias , who endeavoured to bring the kingdom which god had given him , to the worship of the true god : some of his constitutions are these . he commanded to look to , and to try the learning and conversation of such as were admitted into the ministry . he forbad private masses , also the confusion of diocesses , requiring that no bishop should meddle in anothers diocess . he forbad that any books should be read publickly , but such as were approved by the councel of calcedon . he forbad the worshipping of saints . he commanded bishops not to suffer presbyters to teach the people other things then what are contained in , or according to the holy scriptures . and lib. . ch . . he saith , although the authority of the ecclesiastical ministry may seem to stand in our person : yet by the authority of god , and ordinance of man , it s known to be so divided , that every one of you , in his own place and order , hath his own power and ministry : hence its manifest that i should admonish you all ; and you all should further and help us . he admonished bishops especially , to teach both by life and doctrine , both by themselves , and the ministers that were under them , as they would answer the contrary in their accounts at the great day . he ordained that the bishop of the first see should not be called the prince of priests , or the highest priest , or have any such title , but only should be called , the bishop of the first see. that none can lay another foundation , then that which is laid , which is christ jesus , and that they which lay christ for their foundation , it s to be hoped that they will be careful to shew their faith , by bringing forth good works . he held also a great councel in the city of frankfort , of the bishops of france , germany , and italy , which himself honoured with his own presence ; where , by general consent the false synod of the greeks ( they are the words of the original ) untruly called the seventh , was condemned , and rejected by all the bishops , who subscribed to the condemnation of it . this was that counsel ( spoken of before ) called by irene at nice , wherein the bringing of images into churches for devotion , was established . in a word , if charlemagnes medling with italy , and his advancing the pope , for confirming that which he had taken , could be excused , he was unto all princes a pattern of magnificence , of zeal in religion , of learning , eloquence , temperance , prudence , moderation , &c. alcwin saith of him , charles was a catholick in his faith , a king in power , a high priest in preaching , a judg in his equity , a philosopher in liberal studies , famous in manners , and excellent in all honesty . he was so temperate , that notwithstanding his great revenues , he was never served at the table with above four dishes at a meal , and those of such meat as best pleased his taste , which he used to the same end for which god created them , which was for sustenance , and to support his body , not for shew and pomp . his ordinary exercise was hunting when he was at leisure , in time of war : and in times of peace , he attended to such as read histories to him , and sometimes he heard musick , with which he was much delighted , having good skill therein himself : he was very charitable , and a bountiful alms-giver , and so careful to provide for the poor cristians , that in syria , in africa , and in aegypt , and in other provinces of the infidels , where christians lived , he found means to have almes-houses and hospitals erected , and endowed for those thar were poor . but there fell out a new accident , which drew out great charles again to arms in his old age , and that was this ; alphonso , king of navarr , surnamed the chast , by reason of his singular , and signal temperance in that kind , did inform , and advertise him , that there was now a very fit opportunity , and means offered for him utterly to subdue the sarazins in spain . charlemagne ( who infinitely desired to finish this work , which he had so often attempted with no great success ) gave ear to the information and advice , whereupon he raises an army , and marches into spain , relying on the spaniards favour , and assistance , they being christians . indeed alphonso meant plainly , and sincerely , but so did not his courtiers , and nobles , nor associates , who feared charles his forces no less than they did the sarazins , and if charles prevailed , the most confident of alphonso's servants and officers doubted to be dispossessed of their places , and governments by a new master : and therefore they laboured to cross alphonso , and to countermand charles ; but the lot was cast , his army was in the field , and he was resolved to pass on : but when he was entred into spain , he encountered with so many difficulties , that being discouraged , he returned back into france , and so concluded , and put a period to all his warly enterprises ; embracing again the care of the church , and of religion , as a fit subject for the remainder of his days . charlemagne was threescore and eight years old when he left the wars , after which he spent three whole years in his study , to prepare himself for death , in which time , he read much in the bible , and read over also st. augustines works , whom he loved and preferred before all the other doctors of the church : he resided also at paris , that he might have opportunity of conferring with learned men . there he erected a goodly university , which he furnished with as learned men as those times could afford , and endowed it with great priviledges : for he had an exceeding great care to make it a nurcery for the holy ministry , that from thence the church might be supplied with able teachers , whence also grew so many colleges of cannons , with sufficient revenues annexed thereunto . thus charlemagne spent three years happily in the only care of his soul , leaving an illustrious example to all princes , to moderate , and ennoble their greatness with piety , and so to enjoy their temporal estates , as in the mean time not to neglect their eternal concernments , and to think of their departure out of this life in time . foreseeing his death ( whereunto he prepared himself by these exercises ) he made his last will and testament , leaving his son lewis the sole heir unto his great kingdoms , and bequeathed to the church much treasure . but all things and persons in this world have an end : his testament was but the harbinger to his death ; for presently after , he was taken with a pain in his side , or plurisie , and lay sick but eight days , and so yielded up his spirit unto god that gave it , anno christi . and of his age seventy one , and of his reign forty seven , including fifteen years of his empire : his body was interred in a sumptuous church which he had caused to be built in the city of aquisgrave , or aix la capelle , where he was born , and his memory was honoured with a goodly epitaph . he was one of the greatest princes that ever lived : his virtues are a pattern to other monarchs , and his great successes the subject of their wishes . the greatness of his monarchy indeed was admirable : for he quietly enjoyed all france , germany , the greatest part of hungary , all italy ; and a good part of spain . at the time of his death he was in peace with the other kings of spain , as also with the kings of england , denmark , bulgary , with the emperour leo of constantinople , and with all the princes of that time . this noble prince was endued with so many excellent virtues , that we read of very few in antient histories that excelled him , so that he may be justly compared with the best of them : for in martial discipline , in valour , in dexterity , in feats of arms , there are none that exceeded him . he obtained as many victories , fought as many battels , and subdued as many fierce and warlike nations , as any one we read of , and that both before , and after that he was emperour . he was tall of stature , very well proportioned in all his members , passing strong : of a fair and grave countenance , valiant , mild , merciful , a lover of justice , liberal , very affable , pleasant , well read in history , a great friend of arts and sciences , and sufficiently seen into them , and a man who above all , loved and rewarded learned men . he was very charitable in his kingdoms , yea , in his very court , he harboured and relieved many strangers and pilgrims . in matters of faith and religion he was very zealous ; and most of the wars which he made , were to propagate and enlarge the christian faith. he ( being mis-led by the darkness of the times wherein he lived ) superstitiously honoured and obeyed the church of rome , and the pope that was bishop thereof , together with other bishops and prelates , commanding his subjects also to do the like . he was also very devout , and spent much of his time in prayer , hearing and reading . in his diet he was very temperate , and a great enemy to riot and excess ; and though he was rich and mighty , yet fed he his body with what was necessary and wholesome , not rare , costly , and strange . and yet his virtues were not without their blemishes ( as the greatest commonly are not without some notable vices ) for in his younger dayes he was much given to women , adding concubines to his lawful wives , by whom he had divers children : but this was in the time of his youth : for afterwards he contented himself with his wife , and for a remedy of this imperfection , though he was three or four times a widower , yet he ever married again the daughter of some great prince or other . to conclude all , he was an excellent emperour , that loved and feared god , and died when he was very old , and full of honour , leaving lewis ( the weakest of his sons ) the sole heir of his great empire , but not of his virtues : so that this great building soon declined in his posterity . he had engraven upon his sword , pro deo & religione , for god and religion : he used to set his crown upon the bible , as our canutus sometime put his crown upon the rood , both of them thereby intimating , that as all honour was due to god , so true religion was the best basis of government , and that piety was the best policy . the epitaph which i spake of , was this ; sub hoc conditorio situm est corpus caroli magni , atque orthodoxi imperatorisqui regnum francorum nobiliter ampliavit , & per annos quadraginta septem foeliciter tenuit . decessit septuagenarius , anno domini . indicti , one . quinto calend. febr. under this tomb lieth the body of charles the great , and catholick emperour , who most nobly enlarged the kingdom of the french , and most happily ruled it for the space of forty and seven years . he died in the seventy and one year of his age ; in the year of our lord eight hundred and fourteen , the seventh indiction , on the fifth calend of february . he had five wives : the first was called galcena , the daughter of the king of galistria , by whom he had no children . the second was theodora , the sister , ( or as others say ) the daughter of didier king of lombardy ; whom he kept not long , but repudiated her for sundry reasons . the third was hildebranda , daughter of the duke of suevia , whom he loved exceedingly , and had by her three sons , viz. charles his eldest , whom he made king of the greatest , and best part of france and germany : pepin his second , whom he made king of italy , bavaria , &c. lewis his youngest , to whom he left the empire intire , his brothers being both dead in their fathers life time . this lewis was sirnamed debonaire , or the courteous . he had also three daughters ; the eldest was called rothruda ; the second birtha ; and the youngest giselia , who would never marry . his fourth wife he had out of germany , called fastrada : and his fifth and last was also a german lady , called luithgranda , of the suevian race , by whom he had no children . he shewed his love to religion , by having one , during his meal-times , that either read to him some part of the holy scriptures , or else some part of saint augustines books , especially that de civitate dei : or some history . he was also a great friend to learning , and therefore erected three universities : one was at padua in italy ; another was at boulognia ; the third was that in paris , whereunto he was excited by our countryman alcwin , who was his tutor . his sons he caused to be trained up in the study of liberal arts ; and his daughters to learn to sow , and practice good huswifry . he alwayes wore a short sword at his girdle , in the pummel whereof was engraven his coat of arms , with which he sealed all his laws , &c. and used to say , behold the sword which shall defend my laws , and that shall be drawn and imployed against those that break them . in the year eight hundred and four , the king of the scots entred into the first league which was between the two kingdoms of france and scotland , which was confirmed by succeeding kings , which occasioned one of them to add unto their coat of arms a double streak of gules , with flower de lisses round their escutcheon , to shew that their alliance with france conduced much to the support of their kingdom . finis . errata in the lives of the magni . page . line . read daniel for david . p. . l. . r. being for before . p. . l. . r. unto for and. p. . l. . put out and had them very carefully . p. . l. . r. proving for provoking . p. . l. the last , r. now for not . p. l. . r. of for oar. p. . l. , . r. a certain sum of money to be divided among them . p. . l. . r. of for and. p. . l. . put in from . p. . l. . r. chaos for chios . l. . r. prosecuted for persicuted . p. . l. . r. affections for affects . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e his parentage . ninive taken . nebuchadnezzar made king. prophecies of him . his first action . he conquers jehoiakim . his fathers death . he conquers pharaoh necho . he conquers syria . chron . . the weak estate of the egyptians . nebuchadnezzar layes a tribute upon jehoiakim . the captivity foretold . jer. . , &c. jer. . jer. . , &c. and their return . jeremy imprisoned . jehoiakim burns the roul . tyre rebellet● against nebuchadnezzar . tyre besieged . isay . jer. . ezek. . the difficulty of the work . jehoiakim rebels , and is taken , and slain . jer. . , . & . . jeconias made king and imprisoned . jer. . . kin. . . chron. . . jer. . . & . , . ezek . . zedekia● is made king. jer. . . king. . . jer. . . babylons destruction foretold . sundry prophesies of jeremy . jer. . . jer. . . ananias a false prophet . jer. . jer. . . zedechias rebells . ezek. . , . jerusalem besieged . jer. . & . jer. . egypt a broken staff . jer. . , . lev. . , , &c. jer. . jer. . jer. . jer. . . & . . jerusalem taken . zedechias flyes and is taken . and carried to babylon . jer. . , &c , king. . , . jer. . , . and . , . king. . . jer. . . with . . the temple and city burnt . king. . . jer. . , . and . , . chron. . , &c. poor people left under gedaliah , jer. . . jer. . . jeremy goes to them . jer. . . gedaliah slain . jer. . . king. . . jeremy's counsel rejected . jer. . he is carried into egypt , and stoned . nebuchadnezzar conquers divers nations . tyre is taken . the jews enemies threatned . they are destroyed by nebuchadnezzar . isa. . . egypt attempted by nebuchadnezzar . egypt conquered . carnal confidence . egypt never recovered its strength again . ninive destroyed . see before ▪ babylon beautified . pensile gardens . nebuchadnezzars golden image . dan. . , &c. his pride . a miracle . dan. . . &c. dan. . . he makes a decree to gods honour . his dream interpreted . he dwells with the beasts . his bodily shape not changed . he is restored to his kingdom . and gives glory to g●d . gods justice ▪ a prophesie ▪ notes for div a -e his parentage . his education . his first action in war. evilmerodach is slain . the strength of media . cyrus made general of the army . he overthrows the babylonians . cyrus his great victories . croesus his victories . the devlls subtilty . good counsel neglected . croesus marches against cyrus a great battel . croesus retreats . cyrus pursues him . 〈◊〉 and besieges him in sardis . sardis taken . croesus preserved . he should have been burr , but is saved . cyrus maks him his friend ▪ cyrus invad● scythia . his danger . the strength of babylon . babylon fortified by nicotris . cyrus lnvades babylon . cyrus besieges it . the babylonians vain hopes . cyru's stratagem . belshazzar● feast . his blasphemy . the writing on the wall. the kings distraction . the queen comforts him . daniel brought in . the kings speech to him . daniels answer . he reads and interprets the writing . cyrus drai● euphrates , babylon taken . belshazzar slain . prophesies fulfilled . the greatness of babylon , babylons miserable captivity . cyrus releases the jews . his decree for it . or zorobabel . he restor●s the vessels of the temple ▪ the jews come to jer●salem . his marriage . his governours . his great a●my and victories . cyrus his civil government . his last wars . his death . his epitaph . alexander opens his sepulchre . and honours his tomb. cyrus his last words . his issue . his age. some useful observations . notes for div a -e his parentage . a wise saying : he comes to the kingdom . ceremonies at his consecration . treason discovered . the traytor pardoned . cyrus his new treason . artaxerxes his virtues . his gratitude . his meekness . his prudence . cyrus his dissimulation ▪ the treason discovered . policy . their great armies . a 〈◊〉 . cyrus slain . note . aspasia . taken . the grecians valour . artaxerxes his gratitude . his justice . his vain-glory . horrid cruelty . cruelty . subtilty of parysatis . her cruelty . the grecian coptains betrayed . statyra poysoned . artaxerxes his gratitude . the grecians valour . artaxerxes his policy . peace betwixt him and the grecians . justice . malice . unnatural wickedness . he wars against egypt . and against the caducians . a famine in his army . a stratagem , his hard travel . his pity to his souldiers ▪ his cruelty . darius proclaimed king. he begs his fathers concubine . darius begs aspasia . she chooses him before his father . darius conspires against artaxerxes . artaxerxes deceives them tiribazu● slain . darius condemned . and executed . ochus his fears his craft ▪ ariaspes kill● himself . arsames murthered . artaxerxes dyes . ochus his cruelty . an excellent example . notes for div a -e his parentage . his birth . his education . his early wisdom . bucephalus broken by alexander . his mildness ▪ he comes t● his kingdom . he says his fathers murtherers . he intends war against persia. he subdues the grecians ▪ and other nations . and the tbebans . a brave example . his vision . he goes into asia . his cruelty . gods justice . darius his pride . his victory at granick . he wins many cities , and countries . the queen of caria adopts him . he cuts the gordian knot . he conquers the islands . memnon dies . good counsel neglected . the streights of cilicia taken . darius his army . the manner of his march. his pride and folly , alexander beats dartus . darius his cruelty . and folly. alexanders chastity . darius flies . alexanders great success . a notable example . darius desires peace , which alexander rejected . tyre attempted . and taken alexanders rigor . darius his second message . rejected by alexander . gaza besieged . and taken . alexanders cruelty . he goes to jerusalem . and worships the high priest. his vision . his favour to the jews . egypt delivered to him . zach. . . his pride . the power of the gospel . alexandria built . he passeth euphrates , and tygris . base cowardize . darius his new army . an eclipse frightens the macedonians . darius his wife died . proposals to alexander . alexanders . answer . his ambition . his valour . they prepare to fight . a battel . darius beaten . and flies . arbela taken and much treasure . babylon taken . base cruelty . susa taken . gross folly . alexander beaten . barbarons cruelty . persepolis taken . a foolish enterprize . alexander turns drunkard . persepolis burnt . darius his last army . the treason of bessus . the fidelity of the greeks . darius discharges his attendants . darius made a prisoner and abused . gods justice . alexander pursues him . darius is wounded . his last words . alexanders ambition . he goes into hircania . divers submit to him . queen of the amazons comes to him . he affects a deity . for which he is scorned of his friends . he burns all the spoils . rebellion against him . treason against him . it 's discovered to alexander . philotas accused . alexander's dissimulation . philotas accused by the king. philotas condemned and tortured to death . alexanders cruelty . parmenio mutthered . alexander marches forward . builds a city . wants water . bessus taken . alexanders 〈◊〉 . bessus slain . he is wounded . he is wounded again . he builds a city . menedemus slain . a rebellion . clytus slain . the effect of drunkenness . deadful storms . his ambition . calisthenes speaks against it . and is tormented to death . he marches into india . his feasts to bacchus . he conquers many countries . his pro●ligality . he sends to porus. a battel . porus beaten . he is restored to his kingdom . his policy . he builds two cities . his conquest ▪ he builds a city . he wants food . his debauchedness . he punishes his officers . he visits the sepulchre of cyrus . his cruelty . calanus burnt himself . his marriage and feasting . harpalus slain . his army discontented . he sends for antipater . ephestion dyes . alexander dyes . his will. the vanity of all earthly things . the confusions after his death . gods justice . his character . his love to his mother . his ambition . flattery . he degenerated after his victories . his bounty . his temperance . his chastity . notes for div a -e his parentage . education . his parts ▪ he exercises and studies . his discourse with a philosopher . his contempt of riches . his poverty . his charity . his sobriety . his vigilance . his valour ▪ tyrants in thebes . his prudence ▪ the tyrants slain . his modesty . he is advanced to honour . the spartans beaten . a bat●el , the spartans beaten . peace among the greeks . the thebans are excepted . plataees destroyed . his wisdom . his courage . his prudence . fat men cashired . his prudence . and policy . a battel . the spartans beaten . his humility . he plunders laconia , he bravos the spartans . messina reedified . pallene destroyed . peloponnesus fortified . he beats the spartans . his clemency . he is envied . his prudence . heis accused and abused . pelopidas imprisoned by a tyrant . his policy . his prudence . pelopidas released . his witty speeches . h●s humility . megalopolis built . the thebans build a navy . new wars . a notable attempt . another but frustrated . a battel . he is deadly wounded . the spartans beaten . his advice to the thebans . his death . his character . his poverty . notes for div a -e herods pedegree . herod is made governour of galilee . he puts esekias to death . he is cted before the sanhedrim . appears with his guard. sameas his boldness . a prediction . herod slyes . refused to appear when again cited . is made governour of calosyria . is confirmed in it . antipater poysoned . herod goes to jerusalem . he is excited to revenge his fathers death . malichus slain . a sedition at jerusalem . herod's valour . his policy . he overcomes antigonus . herod accused to anthony . but acquitted . war between antigonus and herod . herod prevails . the parthians falshhood . herod flies from jerusalem . he would have killed himself . jerusalem plundered . anigonu● made king of the jews . cuts off hyrcanus ears . phasaelus kills himself . herod flies to melchus king of arabia . is rejected by him . herod goes in to egypt . from thence into italy . he comes to rhodes . so into italy . anthony favours him . and caesar. the senate make him king. herods family besieged . a special providence . he returns homeward . herods kingdom enlarged . herod relieves silo. he takes joppa . besieges jerusalem . herod takes jericho . his activity . he pursues the thieves . subdues galile . alexandrium rebuilt . ptolomy slain . herod beats the thieves . machaeras his cruelty . herod goes to anthony . joseph is slain . herod overcomes his enemies . a special providence . herod beats his enemies . a special providence . pappus slain . herod besieges jerusalem . marries mariamne . herods great army . the jews fight valiantly . a famine in jerusalem . jerusalem taken by herod . cruelty . antigonus imprisoned . herod sayes the city . rewards the romans . herods cruelty . who were spectators of it . anthony slew antigonus . hyrcanus honoured in babylon . herods subtilty . hananeel made high-priest . alexandra takes it ill , anthony sends for aristobulus . aristobulus made high-priest . alexandra confined . she complains to cleopatra . she is surprized by herod . aristobulus highly honoured . he is drowned . herods subtilty . alexandra complains to cleopatra . herod questioned by anthony . but cleared by his bribes . herods return . ioseph put to death . gardens of balsom . herod prepares to assist anthony . a great earthquake . herod overcomes the arabians . alexandra's restlesness . herod goes to caesar. his cruel command . caesar honours him . his wife and mother are full of discontents . herods bounty to caesar , and his army . herod is jealous of his wife . he meets caesar . caesar enlarges his government . herods suspicions of his wife are enencreased . mariamne condemned to death . her mothers hypocrisie . mariamnes death . herods excessive grief for her . a great plague follows . herods melancholy and sickness . alexandra's treason and death . herod grows cruel . salome leaves her husband and comes to herod . herods cruelty . he instituted games to the discontent of the jews . a conspiracy against herod . the conspirators are put to death . herods cruelty . he fortified samaria , and built a temple there . he built several castles . plague , and famine . herods care to provide for the people . his bounty to strangers . he sends aid to caesar , he built himself a pallace . he makes a new high priest : and marries mariamne . he built another pallace . and sebaste , and a stately haven . he sent his sons to caesar. caesar enlarged his kingdom . he represented the thieves . he went to agrippa . 〈…〉 . caesar still enlarged his dominions . herod buil● a temple and eased his subjects . his jealousies . he rebuilt the temple at jerusalem . nine years it was in building . he goes into italy . his bounty . herods sons married . herod entertains agrippa . herods great bounty . his love to agrippa . agrippa's love to him . herods favour to the jews in jonia . herod ingratiates himself with the jews . he is incensed against his sons . he visits agrippa . antipaters subtility . herod accuseth his sons . caesars favours to herod . thieves subdued . herod returns with his sons , agrippa born . herods great bnildings . he robs davids sepulchre . antipaters s●btilty . alexander reconciled to his father . herod goes again to rome . he returns and dedicates the temple . thieves do much mischief . herod destroys th● thieves . caesar incensed aga●●st him . herod falls out with his sons , and imprisons them . caesar is reconciled to herod . an angel appears to zachary . herod procures his sons to be condemned . herods cruelty . herods sons strangled . antipaters treason , of the pharisees , herod slew some of them . herod sends his son to caesar. the angel appears to mary . herod banished his brother . john baptist is born . pheroras dieth . antipaters ' treason . antipaters craft . christ is born . joseph flyes into egypt . herod kills the children . herod ensnarers his son. antipaters return . antipater accused by his father . herods sickness . the golden eagle hewn down . herod puts them to death . his sickness encreaseth . all means of cure fall him . his cruelty . he attempts to murther himself . antipater slain . herods will. his death . notes for div a -e hannibal chosen general . he besieges , and takes many towns. his valour , and policy . his victory . he besieges saguntum . saguntum taken . roman ambassadors sent to carthage . the carthaginians answer . war denounced by the romans . hannibal prepares for italy . he conquers much of spain . his passage through france . he is opposed . his victory in france . some gauls incourage him . he passeth the alps. the gauls rise against the romans . they besiege modena . the romans send an army , into spain . hannibals losses in his march . hannibal prepares to fight . a battel . the romans beaten . the gauls forsake the romans . hannibal beats the consul . he wins clastidium . hannibals forrages beaten . another battel the romans beaten . hannibals policy . treacheries against him . his dangerous march . the romans beaten again . the romans beaten . great fear at rome . a dictator chosen . fabius his watiness . hannibals policy . fabius his wisdom . hannibals stratagem . hannibals forragers beaten . minutius made equal with fabius . a battel . the romans beaten . cannae castle taken . varro makes hast to figh● . they prepare to fight . the great battel at cannae . hannibals policy . the romans beaten . many towns intertain hannibal . capua intertains him . the romans mourn . their superstition . a dictator chosen . hannibal beaten . acerrae taken by hannibal . cassiline besieged . mago sent to carthage . large supplies promised to hannibal . divers cities taken . the promised supplies come not . gracchus his prudence . the capuans beaten . cum● besieed . the siege raised . hannibal delaies . a battel . the cartbaginians beaten . the romans poverty , how supplied . cassiline taken by the romans . arpi taken by the romans . the romans beaten . tarentum taken by hannibal . the carthaginians beaten . capua besieged by the consuls . the siege raised by hannibal . the romans beaten . another victory . capua besieged again . hannibal comes to relieve them . hannibal intends for rome and leaves it . capu● taken . the consuls cruelty . the publick wants supplied . salapia yielded to marcellus . the romans beaten . a battel . a battel . the romans beaten . tarentum taken . the romans beaten . loory besieged . the romans beaten . the consuls slain . the romans beaten . great fear at rome . asdrubal comes into italy . a battel . asdrubal slain . hannibal retires into brusia . his prudence . scipio comes from spain . is chosen consul . he goes into sicily . sends into africk . and goes himself . utica besieged . the carthaginians beaten . and a second time . they sue for peace . they dealt deceltfully ▪ hannibal leaves italy . comes into africk , an interview of the generals . hannibals speech to scipio replies ▪ they prepare to fight . a battel . hannibal beaten . he flies to carthage , and perswades them to seek peace . his civil imployment . he is complained of to the romans . he flies from carthage to tyre . he goes to antiochus . his counsel neglected . he flies to prusias . who betrays him . his last speech . he poysons himself . notes for div a -e his parentage . his towardliness . his abstinence . his courage and prudence . he is accuised and cleered . his marriage . cinna slain . carbo succeeds . and sylla . pompey raised an army . he goes towards sylla . his danger by the way . his victories . he meets sylla . sylla honours him . his modesty . his acts in gaul . his second marriage . tyrannical proceedings . he is sent into sicily . and conquer● it . his cruelty . his prudence . he passes into africk . his great victories there . he is commanded to disband his army . his souldiers love to him . his return into italy . sylla honours him . his first triumph . sylla envi●● him , the people love him . sylla's death . pompeys wars with lepidus . he goes into spain . his wars there . his victory . his prudence . his return into italy . his victory over the fencers . his favour with the people . his humility , his pride . the power of the pirats . pompey sent against them . his large commssion . his policy . his victories over the pirats . he comes privately to rome . his return to his navy . his clemency , and wisdom . his envy . his commission much enlarged . his dissimulation . his pride . he crosses lucullus . his wars with methridates . he build● a city . methridates flight . base flattery . his war with the albanians . and illyrians . his valour . serpents drive him back . his chastity . his self-denyal . his ambition . his charity . his acts in syria , and judaea . pompey's acts in judaea . he comes to jericho . he marches to jerusalem . the temple besieged . the temple taken . the jews slain . note the time when the temple was taken . hyrcanus made prince and priest. methridates death . his policy . his liberality . he returns in to italy . he divorceth his wife . he disband● his army . the people honour him . he seeks to win catio . his second triumph . cicero leaves rome . caesars policy ▪ he flatters the people ▪ pompey marries caesars daughter . he dotes on his young wife . pompey disgraced . cicero recalled . pompey sent for corn. note . caesar comes privately to rome . he bribes the officers . pompey chosen consul . provinces divided . pompey's theater dedicated . julia dieth . pompcy and caesar quarrel . pompey made consul . he marries cornelia , his justice , and injustice . he sends to caesar for his two legions . his sickness , and recovery . the people honour him . pompey's pride . note . the miseries of war. pompey made general against caesar. the fruits of division . wars between pompey and caesar , caesar passes rubicon . pompey reproached . the confusion in italy . pompey leaves rome . caesar enters rome . pompey at brundusium . he leaves italy . caesar pursues him . pompey's power by sea. his industry and activity . many came to him . caesars curtesie , and mildness , caesar wants victuals . caesar beaten , imprudence . folly. caesars great victories . prodigie● . the battel of pharsalia , valour . pompey beaten . he flies . vanity of all earthly enjoyments . humillity . pompey goes to his wife . their speeches each to other . he reasons about providence . pompey flies into egypt . he s●●ds to king ptolomy . a councel about pompey , base treachery and ingratitude . pompey takes his leave of his wife and son. pompey is slain . the murtherers justly punished . his burial . notes for div a -e caesars parentage . his danger by sylla . his flight . he is taken by pirates . his boldness . he is delivered . he crucifies the pirates . his return to rome . he grows popular . and is feared . his preferment . his ambition ▪ he is made high priest. his moderation he puts away his wife . his ambition . his victories in spain . his prudence . his subtilty . he is chosen consul . he marries his daughter to pompey . he is sent into gaul . he betrays cicero . his valour and great successes . his souldiers valour . his temperance . his activity . he overcomes the swissers . and the germans . and the gauls . his policy ▪ he overcomes the belgae . a battel . his policy . he overcomes the germans . he passes over the rhine . and went into england . julias death . he beats the french. the french rebel . caesar overcomes them . non vult caesarve priorem , pompeiusve parem . disorders at rome . pompey sole consul . pompey deluded . factions 〈◊〉 rome . caesar goes against pompey . he passes rubicon . pompey flies and the senate . caesar pursues him . he is lord of all italy , and went to rome . he went into spain . and conquered pompeys men . and other places . he takes marcelleis . his captains had ill success . pompey prepares for war. caesar goes against him . now brindez . skirmishes betwixt them . caesars rashness . caesar is beaten . caesars policy . pompeys good resolution . pompey beaten and slain . caesars clemency . he pursues pompey . he comes into aegypt . vanity of vanities . his wars i●● aegypt , his danger . his victory . he passes into asia . overcomes pharnaces . he comes to rome . he passes into africk . he overcomes scipio . cato kills himself . he returns to rome . his triumphs ▪ he goes into spain . a cruel battel . his victory . he returns to rome . his power . his clemency , and magnanimity . discontents arise . base flattery . his great projects . his pride . his dissimulation . a conspiracy against him . his death foretold . he is slain . his character . his will. peace concluded . a tumult . he favoured the jews . notes for div a -e his parentage . his first imployment . he comes into italy . many resor : to him . he comes to rome . m. anthony's pride , and falshood . caesar raises 〈…〉 anthony leaves rome . his parsimony . caesars policy . anthony declared an enemy . caesar overcomes him . he flies into france . caesar makes himself consul . a triumvirate efected . many proscribed . ingratitude . cicero flies . and is slain . horrid cruelty . sons unnatural . sons dutiful and good . wives good . wives bad . servants bad . servants good . a good son. a jezabel . base covetousness . valour . oppression . they go against brutus and cassius . prodigies . a spectrum . brutus beats caesar. m. anthony . beats cassius . brutus beaten . kills himself . anthony with cleopatra . troubles in rome . caesars victory . anthony comes into italy . peace made betwixt them . anthony marries octavia . they are reconciled with sextus pompey . the parthians beaten . caesar envies sextus pompey . wars against him . caesar marries livia . pompey beaten . caesar beaten . pompey beaten . and flies . and is slain . caesars dangers . he falls out with lepidus . caesars policy . lepidus overcome . caesar returns to rome . anthony besotted with cleopatra . caesar seeks a quarrel with him . caesars new troubles . quarrels betwixt them . preparations for war. anthony : imprudence . caesars message . anthonys answer . they meet . they prepare to fight . a battel . anthony flies . his mens fidelity . his army yields to caesar. anthony lives privately . casar highly honoured . anthony prepares for war. caesar pursues him into aegypt . prodigies . cleopatras treachery . anthony kills himself . caesar bewails his death . caesar pardons the a●gyptians . cleopatras passion . she kills her self . caesars triumpas . caesars commendations . flat●●ry . janus temple shut up . new troubles . spain subdued . augustus his crosses . many ambassadours come to him . our saviour christ born . his prudence and justice . his vices . his crosses . a prodigy . his death . his character . he was a friend to marriage . his temperance . his prudence . the devils oracles dumb . his charity . notes for div a -e his parentage . his fathers peaceable disposition . he resigns his kingdom to his son. tamerlanes war against the muscovites . his victory . his merciful disposition . his battel with the muscovites . his victory . he is wounded in the ba●tel . ally slain ▪ tamerlanes piety . the article● of peace . his marriage to the great chams daughter . his prudence ▪ his agility and strength . his piety . his justice . his preparations against the king of china . the king of china's pride . his piety towards his father . his sickness . his policy . the rebellion of calix . the rebels subtilty . tamerlanes prudence . his march against calix . calix leaves cambalu . the number of calix army . tamerlanes prudence . the battel between tamerlane and calix ▪ calix beaten and taken prisoner . calix condemned and executed . tamerlanes march into cathay . cambalu yielded to him . his departure from cambalu . his policy . odmars good counsel . tamerlanes speech to his army . his piety . his march towards china . a chinois lord comes to tamerlane . his speech to tamerlane . calibes speech to tamerlane . tamerlanes confidence of success . forces sent into chini , the wall forced . his first victory in china . the king of china's fear . the king of china's superstition . the wall beaten down . tamerlanes courtesie . his gratitude . his policy ▪ he besieges paguinfou . formerly taken from the tartars . a suburb taken by storm . the wall won . tamerlanes prudence . the city surrendred . axallas modesty . tamerlanes piety . the riches of the chinois . tamerlane prepares for the battel . the battel begins . the scythians charge the chinois tamerlanes constancy . calibes wounded retreats . the parthians chargethorow . the foot charge . axalla valour . tamerlane chargeth . the king of china beaten . tamerlanes temperance . his humility and modesty . his piety . the king of china brought before him . the king of china's proud speech . tamerlane's courtesie . the riches of china . quantou besieged . odmars policy . the king of china's brother overthrown . quantou surrendred . tamerlanes policy . the ambassadours proposals . tamerlane's proposals . peace concluded . the king of china delivered . odmar made governour . tamerlane's gratitude . his prudence . his possessions in china . his return into tartary . his liberality . his entertainment at cambalu . his presents to the old emperour . he is stirred up against bajazet . he sends ambassadors . bajazets proud answer . tamerlanes preparations against him . tamerlanes speech . his entertainment at samercand . envy attend● vertue . his march towards bajazet . his auxiliaries . his prudence . the georgians assist him . his strict discipline . his huge army . bajazets pride . bajazet advanced towards him . tamerlanes moderation . he passeth the river euphrates . turkish pride . turks beaten sebastia taken . bajazets arrogance . note . tamerlanes favour to the christians . bajazets approach . sennas surprized by tamerlane . his policy . an ambush . two thousand turks overthrown . the bassa of natolia taken . his speech to tamerlane tamerlanes reply . his release . he commend● tamerlane . preparations for the battel . tamerlanes prudent practice . his prudent speech . his direction for the battel . the battel begins . bajazets great army . the prince of ciarchan slain . a furious battel , tamerlane himself chargeth . many revolt to tamerlane . the turks overthrow . bajazet wounded . bajazet taken . the valour of the christians . the despot of service speech . tamerlane releaseth him . bajazets proud behaviour . leoncla , in edit . annal. turk . note . lex talionis . tamerlanes piety . the dead buried . tamerlanes policy . the number of the slain . the uncertainty of worldly greatness . bajazet kept in a cage . pride goeth before destruction . tamerlane prosecutes his victory . the turks fly . prusa taken . the greek emperour ●ends ambassadours . the greek empire yielded to tamerlane . it 's refused by him . tamerlanes fidelity . the ambassadours dismissed . the greek emperour comes to him . tamerlane goes to constantinople . he highly commended it . he sends his army to thei● 〈◊〉 quarters . bajazets pride . tamerlan's justice . he marche● towards egypt . his battel with the sultan . the sultan beaten , flyeth . damasco taken by storm . tamerlane goes to jerusalem . his piety . he marcheth into egypt . damietia taken . tamerlane marched to cair . caire besieged . tamerlanes policy . caire stormed . axalla enters . caire taken . the sultan ●lyeth . tamerlane pursueth . a brave retreat of the mamelukes . fidelity rewarded . caire plundered . tamerlane goes to alexandria . the sultan flyes . axalla pursues him . many kings submit to tamerlane . tamerlane desires to return home . he secures his new conquests . calibes made governour . tamerlane goes to jerusalem . bajazet's character . tamerlanes devotion . he enlargeth samercand . his love to his souldiers . he goeth towards quinsay . odmar's victory in china . tamerlane gives him his sister in marriage . the old emperour buried . his son brought up at quinsay . the king of china comes to him . tamerlane's ●lain apparel . quinsay described . it was one hundred miles in compass . his directions about the breeding of his son. his second son born . recreations rightly used . his prudence . his return to samercand . his justice . his love to his servants . his bounty . his frugality . his death . his character note . notes for div a -e pepins children . pepins death . his character . charles made king. his education . his valour and other vertues . his endowments . carolomans envy . the state of rome . several popes chosen . steven confirmed . didiers policy . the popes secretaries hanged . the pope sends for king charles . troubles in guienne . charles subdues hunalt . charles his policy and glemency . charles his marriage . carolomans death . charles his second marriage . pope adrian . didiers policy . he makes war against the pope . hunalts ingratitude . the pope sends to charles for aid . charles arms against didier . didier prospers in his wars . charles calls a parliament . enters italy , and heats didier . charles besieges pavia , and verona . the italians submit to him . verona● taken . and pavia . didier taken prisoner . charles his moderation . a counsel at rome . new troubles in italy . but suppresed . charles his wars with the saxons . the cause of it . charles calls a parliament , the saxons overcome . and converted . charles his wars in spain . charles circumvented . charles calls a parliament . his great preparations ▪ his entry into spain . pampelune taken . milon defeated . aigoland entred france ▪ charles returns . aigoland's policy . aigolands dissimulation . charles returns into spain . aigoland overthrown and slain . the sarazins rally . a gyant slain . a treaty of peace . a traytor . charles returns into france . rowland assaulted . his valour . his death . charles overcomes the sarazins . returns into france . a rebellion in italy . his wars in bavaria . his victories . his education of his children . a sedition in rome . the pope freed out of prison . flies to charles . charles goes to rome . clears the pope upon his oath . the state of the eastern empire . contention about images . a counsel from them . charles against images . an unnatural mother . irene trears with charles . irene hated and deposed . nicephorus succeeds her . he treats with charles . his large dominions . his title to the empire . naucler . an agreement betwixt charles and the pope . charles is envied . zonas . nicephorus is slain . the saxons oft rebell . charles his prudence . crantz . in saxon. bishopricks erected . troubles is italy . war with the venetians . charles makes his will. he gives laws to his subjects . infidels beaten . and the bohemians and polanders . his war with the king of denmark . pepin dies . and charles . new enemies rise up . his love to the church . he called five councels . his ecclesiastical constitutions . a counsel at frankfort . his temperance . his exercises . his charity . his last wars . his preparation for death . he makes his will. his virtues . his large dominions . his character . his zeal . his blemishes . his epitaph . the time of his death . his wives and children . his devotion . his care of his children . his league with scotland . a warning-piece to all drunkards and health-drinkers faithfully collected from the works of english and foreign learned authors of good esteem, mr. samuel ward and mr. samuel clark, and others ... approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a warning-piece to all drunkards and health-drinkers faithfully collected from the works of english and foreign learned authors of good esteem, mr. samuel ward and mr. samuel clark, and others ... ward, samuel, - . clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for the author : and are to be sold by langley curtis ..., london : . reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng alcoholism -- great britain -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a warning-piece to all drunkards and health-drinkers : faithfully collected from the works of english and foreign learned authors of good esteem , mr. samuel ward and mr. samuel clark , and others . with above one hundred and twenty sad and dreadful examples of gods severe judgements upon notorious drunkards : twelve of the chiefest are graved in copper-plates , to deterr others from the like provoking sins , and healths with a huzza . to which is added his majesties proclamation against vicious , debauched , prophane persons , and drinkers of his health . also some cautions of a learned doctor of physick , declaring how intemperate drinking destroyes our bodily health and strength . felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum . london , printed for the author , and are to be sold by langley curtis at the sign of sir edmundbury godfrey near fleet-bridge , . the preface . it was once the distressed case of those mariners in jonah , that by no means could save themselves from shipwrack , they rowed and they prayed , and they did what men could doe , and yet the sea wrought , and the angry waves beat upon them , till that sleepy jonah , for whose sake it was this evil came upon them , was thrown over-board into the sea. it were worth the while to sit down and think in this perilous season of delusion and division , whereby men are all in a tempest , the great god influencing the storms in his just indignation ; and though there are those that rowe hard and pray hard , no abatement of the danger , but the heavens are darker and darker over our heads : i say it were worth the while to enquire into the provocation , what the cause is of these swellings of jordan , and innundations of such seas that we never saw worse , nor more dangerous to destroy us all : like that tempest upon the adriatick sea , of which the apostle gave his opinion , that this voyage would be with hurt and much damage , not only of the lading and ship , but also of their lives , act. . it is readily confest of all hands amongst those that pretend to the least degree of wisdom , that sin in general is the cause of all this . they must assemble themselves amongst those that sit in the seat of scorners , and declare themselves to have taken the highest degree in atheism and defiance of a god , that will not yield us this point : they must arest the reins of providential government out of gods hands , and put them into the hands of blind chance and fortune , and then the world is like to be well governed ; and those of this belief may chance to get to heaven , if blind fortune do but know the way . but now the question will rise , for whose sins ? and for what sins ? for the first of these , it must necessarily be granted , that the sins of great men have more of the spirit of provocation in them , than the sins of men of low degree : and the sins of the priests are more full of bloody circumstances than the sins of the laity , and the epidemicalness of sin cryes for extirpation with a louder voice , than the sins of some few diseased persons that through incogitancy have made themselves out of frame . and further , the more mercies and deliverances men sin against , and the greater gospel-light , and the more sacred vows and resolutions they sin against , the more is their sin like to bring down such kind of judgments as shall not be prayed away : and these reflections will justifie god in the equality of his proceedings , if we all perish from off this good land. but if you ask me for what particular sin , or way of sinning it is that the lord is angry with us ; i would as soon lay the blame upon the drunkenness of the nation , as upon any one branch of that prophaneness that is gone abroad . and the reasons are these . . the bewitching , besotting nature of drunkenness : it doth not turn men into beasts , as some think , for a beast scorns it : i do n't know that ever i saw a beast drunk ( unless it were a swine ) in my life . but it turns them into fools and sots , dehominates them , turns them out of their own essences for the time , and so disfigures them , that god saith , non est haec imago mea , this is not my image ; and so cares not what judgments he le ts fall upon their heads : and this insatuation is more eminently seen in the poorer sort , that earn their money hardest , and pay most for their drink : for when others pay their money , these pay their time also , which is more than their money , besides the loss of trade and other possible advantages : that others drink sack cheaper than ▪ they pay for their beer and ale , all things considered ; and their poor wives and children by this means are in want of bread for their mouths ▪ and will not god be avenged upon such a sin as this ? their money burns in their pockets , but it will burn worse in their conscieces , if ever god shew them mercy . . drunkenness is the general rendezvouze of all sin , the common parent of the greatest provocations . even the worst of men when they are drunk , do that which if they were sober they would blush to be found guilty of . men naturally quiet , good humor'd , moderate in sinning , as one may say , when they are themselves ; are by drunkenness metamorphos'd into such extravagancies , you would not think them to be the same men : thus having their natural tempers well soaked in strong liquors , they are framable into any shape . satan calls for : would he have a swearer ? give him a provocation , and there he is : an adulterer ? bring him a temptation , and there he is : a persecutor , he swears by all that 's sacred , he will root all the professors out of the countrey . satan can mould him into any shape , and raise a devil out of a samuel by this artifice . and how can the sea but boyl , when all the foul spirits are blowing up a flame underneath ? nations must needs reel , when the inhabitants can't stand upon their feet ; and god must needs strike , when he hath an advantage given him to cut off all sorts of sins at one blow . . and as to health-drinking , it is an engine invented by the devil , to carry on the sin of drunkenness with the greater ease and infallibility , by which men must either be suspected of their loyalty to their sovereign , or respect to their friends ( neither of which any sober man can be defective in ) if they refuse it , though upon conscientious principles : and so it becomes a great snare to those that would be temperte : every man at all times hath not consideration enough to give him a convincing evidence , that loyalty and respect to others , is not proper to be shewn in so absurd a method ; and so this poysoned health goeth down ( right or wrong ) the throats of those that do n't think what they do . here the sin lies chiefly , though not only , upon the imposer ; as our saviour said , wo to the world because of offences , but wo be to him by whom the offence comes : wo to the imposers of healths , which commonly happens to be some ordinary fellow in the company , that hath nothing but that single ceremony to commend his love or loyalty to the world , who also having a tumor of pride in him , hath no way to overtop and command his superiours , but upon the advantage of the laws of drunkenness . moreover , it is a custom of sinning only proper for those that are upon the design of mortgaging their senses : for there is no sence in it or reason for it ? how can any man drink anothers health ? or by what new kind of transubstantiation can his health be converted into a glass of liquor ? or if so ! what 's the man the better , to have his health drank into my body , and then piss'd out again against the walls ? and why not eat his health , rather than drink it ? and so bring up a new fashion of eating of healths , to subserve the intemperances of the sin of gluttony . sometimes it is expressed by drinking a health to the confusion of , &c. and here 's nonsence upon the neck of nonsence , which is perfect foolery , as patch upon patch is plain beggery : a health to the confusion — if they mean a confusion to the health , as i think they do , why is it exprest quite contrary to what they mean ? unless it be to give us to understand , that men that will begin a health are enter'd upon speaking of nonsence , and may be lookt on as half drunk already . but laying all this aside , they say all these are modes and ceremonies in drinking ; and their meaning is no more , but only to pray for the health and prosperity of such and such ▪ which is the reason they are at it in a posture of prayer , standing up , standing bare , sometimes kneeling upon their knees , as supplicants do to god almighty : but will any rational man think these men at prayers ? are these praying postures ? did god ever command , or his people ever apply to the throne in this manner of address ? have men lived to this age , and cannot yet distinguish between drinking intemperately and praying fervently ? as if to pray were to drink , and to drink were to pray ! worse than pagan idolatry , to offer at the throne of the great god , with a glass of wine in our hand ! it may be praying to bacchus , but not to god. heaven must needs be shut against these prayings : and to what purpose is any mans health prayed for , by such kind of prayers , so circumstanced , as we are very sure that god will throw them back as dung in the faces of those that thus disorderly put them up ? what hast thou to do to take his name in thy mouth , when thou hatest to be reformed ? to see the postures of health-drinkers , singing , and roaring , hollowing and carousing , and huzzaing after a new fashion , sometimes quarrelling , and challenging , and duelling ; can any man that hath not his wits in his pocket , think these men at prayers ? now because we find by experience ; and from the nature of the thing , that these prodigious kind of offenders we now speak of , are under no likelihood to be perswaded out of their cursed way by arguments drawn from the love of christ , or hope of glory , which are things they do n't trouble their heads about ; or fear of hell , ( let them alone till that day ; ) the author of these collections hath very well and to good purpose gather'd up together out of several authors , several instances of the judgments of god taking these sinners in the very fact , and tacking them up as dreadful instances and examples of his great abomination of , and declared vengeance against this sort of sinners more specially ; that reading these histories we may prevent being made a history our selves : and though they are but collections , i do n't know why a good dish may not be twice set upon the table . there are several late instances of gods vengeance upon drunkards , thundred down upon the heads of many of them in our age ; the publication of which is forborn , out of a tender respect to their relations yet surviving : the next generation will be able to set forth remarkable stroaks from heaven upon some , ( and no mean ones neither . ) but least i transgress the bounds of a preface , no more , kind reader , but my love to thy soul remembred , with my earnest prayer to god for the health of sion , and all that love the lord jesus christ in sincerity . farewell . a collection of some part of a sermon long since preached by mr. samuel ward of ipswich , entituled , a wo to drunkards : he lived in the dayes of famous king james , and was like righteous lot , whose soul was vexed with the wicked conversation of the sodomites : he published divers other good sermons . his text was in prov . xxiii . vers. , . to whom is woe ? to whom is sorrow ? to whom is strife , & c ? in the end it will bite like a serpent , and sting like a cockatrice he begins thus : seer , art thou also blind ? watchman , art thou also drunk , or asleep ? or hath a spirit of slumber put out thine eyes ? up to thy watch-tower , what descriest thou ? ah lord ! what end or number is there of the vanities which mine eyes are weary of beholding ? but what seest thou ? i see men walking like the tops of trees shaken with the wind , like masts of ships reeling on the tempestuous seas : drunkenness i mean , that hatefull night-bird ; which was wont to wait for the twilight , to seek nooks and corners , to avoid the howling and wonderment of boyes and girles ; now as if it were some eaglet , to dare the sun-light , to fly abroad at high noon in every street , in open markets and fairs , without fear or shame , without controul or punishment , to the disgrace of the nation , the out-facing of magistracy and ministry , the utter undoing ( without timely prevention ) of health and wealth , piety and vertue , town and countrey , church and common-wealth . and doest thou like a dumb dog hold thy peace at these things ? dost thou with solomon's sluggard fold thine hands in thy bosom , and give thy self to ease and drowsiness , while the envious man causeth the noisomest and basest of weeds to over-run the choicest eden of god ? up and arise , lift up thy voice , spare not , and cry aloud ? what shall i cry ? cry , woe and woe again unto the crown of pride , the drunkards of ephraim . take up a parable , and tell them how it stingeth like the cockatrice ; declare unto them the deadly poyson of this odious sin. shew them also the soveraign antidote and cure of it , in the cup that was drunk off by him that was able to overcome it : cause them to behold the brazen serpent , and be healed . and what though some of these deaf adders will not be charmed nor cured ; yea though few or none of this swinish herd of habitual drunkards , accustomed to wallow in their mire ; yea , deeply and irrecoverably plunged by legions of devils into the dead sea of their filthiness ? what if not one of them will be washed and made clean , but turn again to their vomit , and trample the pearls of all admonition under feet ; yea , turn again and rend their reprovers with scoffs and scorns , making jests and songs on their ale-bench ? yet may some young ones be deterred , and some novices reclaimed , some parents and magistrates awakened to prevent and suppress the spreading of this gangrene : and god have his work in such as belong to his grace . and what is impossible to the work of his grace ? go to then now ye drunkards , listen , not what i or any ordinary hedge-priest ( as you style us ) but that most wise and experienced royal preacher hath to say unto you . and because you are a dull and thick eared generation , he first deals with you by way of question , a figure of force and impression : to whom is woe , & c ? you use to say , woe be to hypocrites ; it 's true , wo be to such and all other witting and willing sinners ; but there are no kind of offenders on whom woe doth so palpably , inevitably attend , as to you drunkards . you promise your selves mirth , pleasure , and jollity in your cups ; but for one drop of your mad mirth , be sure of gallons and tons of woe , gall , wormwood , and bitterness here and hereafter . other sinners shall taste of the cup , but you shall drink off the dregs of god's wrath and displeasure . to whom is strife ? you talk of good fellowship and friendship , but wine is a rager and tumultuous , a mocker , a make-bate , and sets you a quarrelling , and medling . when wit 's out of the head , and strength out of the body , it thrusts even cowards and dastards , unfenced and unarmed , into needless frayes and combats : and then to whom are wounds , broken heads , blew eyes , maimed limbs ? you have a drunken by-word , drunkards take no harm ; but how many are the mishaps and untimely misfortunes that betide such , which though they feel not in drink , they carry as marks and brands unto their grave . you pretend you drink healths , and for health ; but to whom are all kind of diseases , infirmities , deformities , pearled faces , palsies , dropsies , head-aches , if not to drunkards ? all interpreters agree , that he means some most virulent serpent , whose poyson is pleasant and deadly . all the woes he hath mentioned before , were but as the sting of some emmet , wasp or nettle , in comparison of this cockatrice , which is even unto death ; death speedy , death painful , and woful death , and that as naturally and inevitably as opium procureth sleep , as hellebore purgeth , or any poyson killeth . three forked is the sting , and threefold is the death it procureth to all that are stung therewith . the first is , the death of grace ; the second is , of the body ; the third is , of soul and body eternal . all sin is the poyson wherewithall the old serpent and red dragon envenomes the soul of man , but no sin ( except it be that which is unto death ) so mortal as this , which though not ever unpardonably , yet for the most part is also irrecoverably and inevitably unto death . seest thou one bitten with any other snake , there is hope and help ; as the father said of his son , when he had information of his gaming , of his prodigality , yea , of his whoring ; but when he heard that he was poysoned with drunkenness , he gave him for dead , his case for desperate and forlorn . the adulterer and usurer desire to enjoy their sin alone , but the chiefest pastime of a drunkard is to heat and overcome others with wine , that he may discover their nakedness , and glory in their foyl and folly . in a word , excess of wine , and the spirit of grace are opposites ; the former expells the latter out of the heart , as smoak doth bees out of the hive ; and makes the man a meer slave and prey to satan and his snares ; when , by this poyson he hath put out his eyes , and spoyled him of his strength , he useth him as the philistines did sampson , leads him in a string whither he pleaseth , like a very drudge , scorn and make-sport to himself and his imps ; makes him grind in the mill of all kind of sins and vices . and that i take to be the reason why drunkenness is not specially prohibited in any one of the ten commandments , because it is not the single breach of any one , but in effect the violation of all and every one : it is no one sin , but all sins , because it is the in let and sluce to all other sins . the devil having moistened and steeped him in his liquor , shapes him like soft clay , into what mould he pleaseth ; having shaken off his rudder and pilot , dashes his soul upon what rocks , sands , and syrts he listeth , and that with as much ease as a man may push down his body with the least thrust of his hand or finger . he that in his right wits and sober mood seems religious , modest , chast , courteous , secret ; in his drunken fits , swears , blasphemes , rages , strikes , talks filthily , blabs all secrets , commits folly , knows no difference of persons or sexes , becomes wholly at satans command , as a dead organ , to be enacted at his will and pleasure . oh that god would be pleased to open the eyes of some drunkard , to see what a dunghill and carrion his soul is become , and how loathsome effects follow upon thy spiritual death , and sting of this cockatrice , which is the fountain of the other two following , temporal and eternal death . how terrible a theater of god's judgments against drunkards , such as might make their hearts to bleed and relent , if not their ears to tingle ; to hear of a taste of some few such noted and remarkable examples of god's justice , as have come within the compass of mine own notice , and certain knowledge ; i think i should offend to conceal them from the world , whom they may happily keep from being the like to others themselves . here followeth above one hundred and twenty various , sad , and fearful examples of gods judgments on notorious drunkards and health-drinkers in england and foreign countreys , with the places they lived in ; twelve of the chief are graved on copper plates , to deterr all others from the like provoking sins , least the like judgments do befall them . . an alewife in kesgrave near to ipswich , who would needs force three serving-men ( that had been drinking in her house , and were taking their leaves ) to stay and drink the three ou ts first ; that is , wit out of the head , money out of the purse , ale out of the pot ; as she was coming towards them with the pot in her hand , was suddenly taken speechless and sick , her tongue swoln in her mouth , never recovered speech , the third day after died . this sir antheny felton , the next gentleman and justice , with divers other eye-witnesses of her sickness , related to me ; whereupon i went to the house with two or three witnesses , and inquired the truth of it . . two servants of a brewer in ipswich , drinking for a rump of a turkey , strugling in their drink for it , fell into a scalding cauldron backwards ; whereof the one died presently , the other lingringly and painfully , since my coming to ipswich . . anno . a miller in bromeswell coming home drunk from woodbridge , ( as he often did ) would needs go and swim in the mill-pond ; his wife and servants knowing he could not swim , disswaded him ; once by intreaty got him out of the water , but in he would needs go again , and there was drowned ; i was at the house to inquire of this , and found it to be true . . in barnwell near to cambridge , one at the sign of the plough , a lusty young man , with two of his neighbours and one woman in their company , agreed to drink a barrel of strong beer , they drank up the vessel ; three of them died within twenty four hours , the fourth hardly escaped after great sickness . this i have under a justice of peace his hand near dwelling , besides the common fame . . a butcher in hastingfield hearing the minister inveigh against drunkenness , being at his cups in the ale-house , fell a jesting and scoffing at the minister and his sermons ; and as he was drinking , the drink , or something in the cup quackled him , stuck so in his throat , that he could get it neither up nor down , but strangled him presently . . at tillingham in dengy hundred in essex , three young men meeting to drink strong-waters , fell by degrees to half pints : one fell dead in the room , and the other prevented by company coming in , escaped not without much sickness . . at bungey in norfolk , three coming out of an ale-house in a very dark evening , swore , they thought it was not darker in hell it self : one of them fell off the bridge into the water , and was drowned : the second fell off his horse , the third sleeping on the ground by the rivers-side , was frozen to death : this have i often heard , but have no certain ground for the truth of it . . a bayliff of hadly , upon the lords-day , being drunk at melford , would needs get upon his mare , to ride through the street , affirming ( as the report goes ) that his mare would carry him to the devil ; his mare casts him off , and broke his neck instantly . reported by sundry sufficient witnesses . . company drinking in an ale-house at harwich in the night , over against one master russels , and by him out of his window once or twice willed to depart ; at length he came down , and took one of them , and made as if he would carry him to prison , who drawing his knife , fled from him , and was three dayes after taken out of the sea with the knife in his hand . related to me by master russel himself , maior of the town . . at tenby in pembrokeshire , a drunkard being exceeding drunk , broke himself all to pieces off an high and steep rock , in a most fearful manner ; and yet the occasion and circumstances of his fall were so ridiculous , as i think not fit to relate , lest , in so serious a judgment , i should move laughter to the reader . . a glasier in chancery-lane in london , noted formerly for profession , fell to a common course of drinking , whereof being oft by his wife and many christian friends admonished , yet presuming much of gods mercy to himself , continued therein ; till upon a time , having surcharged his stomach with drink , he fell a vomiting , broke a vein , lay two dayes in extream pain of body , and distress of mind , till in the end recovering a little comfort , he died : both these examples related to me by a gentleman of worth upon his own knowledge . . four sundry instances of drunkards wallowing and tumbling in their drink , slain by carts ; i forbear to mention , because such examples are so common and ordinary . . a yeoman's son in northampton-shire , who being drunk at wellingborough on a market-day , would needs ride his horse in a bravery over the plowed-lands , fell from his horse , and brake his neck : reported to me by a kinsman of his own . . a knight notoriously given to drunkenness , carrying sometime payls of drink into the open field , to make people drunk withall ; being upon a time drinking with company , a woman comes in , delivering him a ring with this posie , drink and die ; saying to him , this is for you , which he took and wore , and within a week after came to his end by drinking : reported by sundry , and justified by a minister dwelling within a mile of the place . . two examples have i known of children that murthered their own mothers in drink ; and one notorious drunkard that attempted to kill his father ; of which being hindred , he fired his barn , and was afterward executed : one of these formerly in print . one drunk vomiting broke a vein after days great pain dyed . . being drunk were slain by carts . one drunk rideing over plowed - lands fell and broke his neck . a child that murthered his mother he being drunk . . in dengy hundred near mauldon , about the beginning of his majesties reign , there fell out an extraordinary judgment upon five or six that plotted a solemn drinking at one of their houses , laid in beer for the once , drunk healths in a strange manner , and died thereof within a few weeks , some sooner , and some later : witnessed to me by one that was with one of them on his death-bed , to demand a debt , and often spoken of by mr. heydon , late preacher of mauldon , in the hearing of many : the particular circumstances were exceeding remarkable , but having not sufficient proof for the particulars , i will not report them . . one of aylesham in norfolk , a notorious drunkard , was drowned in a shallow brook of water , with his horse by him . . whilest this was at the press , a man eighty five years old , or thereabout , in suffolk , overtaken with wine , ( though never in all his life before , as he himself said a little before his fall , seeming to bewail his present condition , and others that knew him , so say of him ) yet going down a pair of stairs ( against the perswasion of a woman sitting by him in his chamber ) fell , and was so dangerously hurt , as he died soon after , not being able to speak from the time of his fall to his death . the names of the parties thus punished , i forbear for the kindreds sake yet living . if conscionable ministers of all places of the land would give notice of such judgments , as come within the compass of their certain knowledge , it might be a great means to suppress this sin , which reigns every where to the scandal of our nation , and high displeasure of almighty god. these may suffice for a taste of gods judgments : easie were it to abound in sundry particular casualties , and fearful examples of this nature . drunkard , that which hath befallen any one of these , may befall thee , if thou wilt dally with this cockatrice ; whatever leagues thou makest with death , and dispensations thou givest thy self from the like . some of these were young , some were rich , some thought themselves as wise as thou ; none of them ever looked for such ignominious ends , more than thou , whoever thou art : if thou hatest such ends , god give thee grace to decline such courses . if thou beest yet insensate with wine , void of wit and fear , i know not what further to mind thee of , but of that third and worst sting of all the rest , which will ever be gnawing , and never dying : which if thou wilt not fear here , sure thou art to feel there , when the red dragon hath gotten thee into his den , and shall fill thy soul with the gall of scorpions , where thou shalt yell and howl for a drop of water to cool thy tongue withall , and shalt be denied so small a refreshing , and have no other liquor to allay thy thirst but that which the lake of brimstone shall afford thee : and that worthily , for that thou wouldest incurr the wrath of the lamb for so base and sordid a sin as drunkenness , of which thou mayest think as venially and slightly as thou wilt . but paul that knew the danger of it , gives thee fair warning , and bids thee not deceive thy self , expresly and by name mentioning it among the mortal sins , excluding from the kingdom of heaven . and the prophet esay tells thee , that for it hell hath enlarged it self , opened its mouth wide , and without measure ; and therefore shall the multitude and their pomp , and the jollyest among them descend into it . consider this , you that are strong to pour in drink , that love to drink sorrow and care away : and be you well assured , that there you shall drink enough for all , having for every drop of your former bousings , vials , yea , whole seas of god's wrath , never to be exhaust . now then i appeal from your selves in drink , to your selves in your sober fits . reason a little the case , and tell me calmly , would you for your own , or any mans pleasure , to gratifie friend or companion , if you knew there had been a toad in the wine-pot ( as twice i have known happened to the death of drinkers ? ) or did you think that some caesar borgia , or brasutus had tempered the cup ? or did you see but a spider in the glass , would you , or durst you carouse it off ? and are you so simple to fear the poyson that can kill the body , and not that which killeth the soul and body ever ; yea , for ever and ever , and if it were possible for more than for ever , for evermore ? oh thou vain fellow , what tellest thou me of friendship , or good fellowship ! wilt thou account him thy friend , or good fellow , that draws thee into his company , that he may poyson thee ? and never thinks he hath given thee right entertainment , or shewed thee kindness enough , till he hath killed thy soul with his kindness ; and with beer made thy body a carkass fit for the biere , a laughing and loathing-stock , not to boys and girls alone , but to men and angels ? why rather sayest thou not to such , what have i to do with you , ye sons of belial , ye poysonful generation of vipers , that hunt for the precious life of a man ? oh but there are few good wits , or great spirits now a days , but will pot it a little for company , what hear i ? oh base and low-spirited times , if that were true ! if we were fallen into such lees of time foretold of by seneca , in which all were so drowned in the dregs of vices , that it should be vertue and honour to bear most drink . but thanks be to god , who hath reserved many thousands of men ▪ and without all comparison more witty and valorous than such pot-wits , and spirits of the buttery , who never bared their knees to drink health , nor ever needed to whet their wits with wine ; or arm their courage with pot-harness . and if it were so , yet if no such wits or spirits shall ever enter into heaven without repentance , let my spirit never come and enter into their paradise ; ever abhor to partake of their bruitish pleasures , lest i partake of their endless woes . if young cyrus could refuse to drink wine , and tell astyages , he thought it to be poyson , for he saw it metamorphose men into beasts and carkases ; what would he have said , if he had known that which we may know , that the wine of drunkards is the wine of sodom and gomorrah ; their grapes , the grapes of gall ; their clusters , the clusters of bitterness , the juyce of dragons , and the venome of asps. scripture examples of drunkenness . the sin of drunkenness is a bewitching sin , hos. . . it steals away the heart from god and all goodness : it is an old sin , it began presently after the flood . it is a malignant sin , it drowns the brain , wastes the time , consumes the estate . and fills the body with as many diseases as hath an horse ; it is an epidemical sin , that hath almost drowned the whole world with another deluge : in these modern times it began in germany , whence grew that proverb , germani possunt cunctos tolerare labores : o utinam possint tam bene ferre sitim ! the germans can all labours undergo , would they as well could bear their thirst also . but since it hath infected all europe : it is grown into fashion , to quaff soul-sick healths till they make themselves like swine , and worse than beasts : whence one gives us this excellent rule : una salus sanis , nullam potare salutem : non est in pota vera salute salus . drinking no healths you drink your health they say : and drinking healths you drink your health away . scriptural examples . the odiousness and danger of this sin may further appear to us by these following scriptures and examples . drunkenness dangerous , prov. . . &c. who hath wo ? who hath sorrow ? who hath contentions ? who hath babling ? who hath wounds without cause ? who hath redness of eyes ? & . . it is not for kings , o lemuel , it is not for kings to drink wine : nor for princes , strong drink : deut. . . and they shall say unto the elders of his city , this our son is stubborn and rebellious , he will not obey our voice : he is a glutton , and a drunkard ; prov. . . wine is a mocker , strong drink is raging : and whosoever is deceived thereby , is not wise. hos. . . whoredom , and wine , and new wine take away the heart . nah. . . for while they be folden together as thorns , and while they are drunken as drunkards , they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry . cor. . . for in eating every one taketh before other , his own supper : and one is hungry , and another is drunken . threatened , isai. . , . wo unto them that rise up early in the morning , that they may follow strong drink , that continue untill night till wine inflame them . . woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine , and men of strength to mingle strong drink . amos . . that drink wine in bowls , and anoint themselves with the chief ointments : but they are not grieved for affliction of joseph . prov. . for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty : and drowsiness shall cloath a man with rags . isa. . . ▪ wo to the crown of pride , to the drunkards of ephraim : whose glorious beauty is as a fading flower , which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine . v. . the crown of pride , the drunkards of ephraim shall be troden under feet . joel . . awake ye drunkards , and weep and howl all ye drinkers of wine , because of the new wine , for it is cut off from your mouth . cor. . . nor thieves , nor covetous , nor drunkards , nor revilers , nor extortioners , shall inherit the kingdom of god. forbidden , cor. . . but now i have written unto you , not to keep company , if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator , or covetous , or an idolater , or a railer , or a drunkard , or an extortioner , with such an one , no not to eat . luke . . and he said , i tell thee , peter , the cock shall not crow this day , before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me . eph. . . and be not drunk with wine , wherein is excess : but be ye filled with the spirit : hab. . . wo unto him that giveth his neighbour drink : that puttest thy bottle to him ▪ and makest him drunken also , that thou mayest look on their nakedness . mat. . . and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants , and to eat and drink with the drunken : luke . . but and if that servant say in his heart , my lord delayeth his coming , and shall begin to beat the men-servants , and maidens , and to eat , and drink , and to be drunken , &c. rom. . . let us walk honestly as in the day , not in rioting and drunkenness , not in chambering and wantonness , not in strife and envying . staggering is a sign of a drunkard , job . . . they grope in the dark without light , and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. psal. . . they reel to and fro , and stagger like a drunken man ; and are at their wits end . isa. . . the lord hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof : and they have caused egypt to erre in every work thereof , as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit . lot , gen. . . come , let us make our father drink wine , and we will lie with him , that we may preserve seed of our father . noah , gen. . . and he drank of the wine , and was drunken , and he was uncovered within his tent . amalekites , sam. . . and when he had brought him down , behold they were spread abroad upon all the earth , eating , and drinking , and dancing , because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the philistines , and out of the land of judah . amnon , sam. . . now absolom had commanded his servants , saying , mark ye now when amnons heart is merry with wine , and when i say unto you , smite amnon , then kill him , fear not , have not i commanded you ? be couragious , and be valiant . benhadad , kings . . and it came to pass when benhadad heard this message , ( as he was drinking , he , and the kings in the pavilions ) that he said unto his servants , set your selves in aray . and they set themselves in aray against the city . david made uriah drunk , sam. . and when david had called him , he did eat and drink before him , and he made him drunk : and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord , but went not down to his house . belshazzar , dan. . . belshazzar whilest he tasted the wine , commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels , which his father nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in jerusalem , that the king and his princes , his wives and his concubines might drink therein . nabal , sam. . . and abigal came to nabal , and behold , he held a feast in his house like the feast of a king , and nabals heart was merry within him , for he was very drunken , wherefore she told him nothing , less or more , untill the morning light . more scriptural examples of drunkenness , and how that great sin hath been punished . the amalekites being drunk were destroyed , sam. . , v. to the . and when he had brought him down , behold , they were spread abroad upon all the earth , eating , and drinking , and dancing , because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the philistines , and out of the land of judah . and david smote them from the twilight , even unto the evening of the next day : and there escaped not a man of them save four hundred young men which rode upon camels and fled . and david recovered all that the amalekites had carried away : and david rescued his two wives . and there was nothing lacking to them , neither small nor great , neither sons nor daughters , neither spoil , nor any thing that they had taken to them : david recovered all . and david took all the flocks , and the herds , which they drave before those other cattel , and said , this is davids spoil . david recovered all the spoil he had taken at ziglag and his two wives : benhadad king of assiria being drunk , with thirty two kings more , is defeated ; kings . . to the . v. and they went out at noon : but benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions , he , and the kings , the thirty and two kings that helped him . . and the young men of the princes of the provinces , went out first , and benhadad sent out , and they told him , saying , there are men come out of samaria . . and he said , whether they be come out for peace , take them alive : or whether they be come out for war , take them alive . . so these young men of the princes of the provinces , came out of the city , and the army which followed them . . and they slew every one his man : and the syrians fled , and israel pursued them : and benhadad the king of syria escaped on an horse , with the horsemen . . and the king of israel went out , and smote the horses and chariots , and slew the syrians with a great slaughter . elah king of israel , being drunk , he is slain by zimri , kings . . to the . in the twentieth and sixth year of asa king of judah , began elah the son of baasha to reign over israel in tirzah two years . and his servant zimri ( captain of half his chariots ) conspired against him , as he was in tirzah , drinking himself drunk in the house of arza steward of his house in tirzah . and zimri went in , and smote him , and killed him , in the twenty and seventh year of asa king of judah , and reigned in his stead . belshazzar being drunk , was slain by god ; he praised the gods of gold , &c. and in the same hour came out the hand writing against him , dan. . mene , mene , tekel , upharsin . king herod being drunk , caused john baptist to be beheaded , mat. . . to the . but when herods birth-day was kept , the daughter of herodias danced before them , and pleased herod . whereupon he promised with an oath , to give her whatsoever she would ask . and she being before instructed of her mother , said , give me here john baptists head in a charger . and the king was sorry : nevertheless for the oaths sake , and them which sat with him at meat , he commanded it to be given her : and he sent and beheaded john in the prison : and his head was brought in a charger , and given to the damsel , and she brought it to her mother . titus . . teaching us that denying all ungodliness and wordly lusts , we should live soberly , righteously and godly in this present world. pet. . . . for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the gentiles , when we walked in lasciviousness , lusts , excess of wine , revellings , banquetings , and abominable idolatries . wherein they think it strange , that you run not with them to the same excess of riot , speaking evil of you . other examples forreign and domestick . . whilest the gaul's besieged the roman capitol , they sent out a great party to sack the countrey thereabouts , who being loaden with spoil were returning towards rome : and at night being full of wine , they laid them down to sleep , not fearing any enemy : at which time camillus with his men came upon them , all his souldiers giving a mighty shout , yet could the gauls hardly be awakened , they were so deadly drunk , so that they were easily all of them slain either upon the place , or by the horsemen in the pursuit : plutarch . . the tuscans besieging sturium , ( a city that was confederate with rome ) camillus marched privately with his army against them , and coming upon them found the tuscans secure , eating and drinking themselves drunken ; by which means he slew most of them without resistance : and thereby freed the city from danger . plutarch . . many dutch-men in joppa drinking themselves drunk upon st. martins-day ( their arch-saint , ) the turks came in suddenly upon them , and cut every ones throat , to the number of . and indeed they were quickly stabbed with the sword , who were cup-shot before . fullers holy war. . edgar king of england perceiving that his people had learned of the danes ( many of which were in this land at that time ) to drink excessively , whereupon ensued much drunkenness , together with many other vices : he ordained certain wooden cups with pins , or nails set in them , commonly used , making also a law , that whosoever drank past that mark at one draught , should forfeit a summe of money , one part to the informer , and the other to the judge or chief officer . sp. chron. . eschines commending philip king of macedon for a jovial man , that would drink freely ; demosthenes answered , that this was a good quality in a spunge , but not in a king. plut. in vit . demost. . alexander the great having taken persepolis , wherein was a stately pallace of the kings of persia , in a drunken fit , by the perswasion of lais the harlot , burned it down to the ground . diod. . a turk having in one of their great feasts drunk wine too freely ( which is a thing forbidden in their law ) being apprehended and carryed before the gand visier , and there found guilty , was adjudged to have boiling lead poured into his mouth and ears , which was accordingly executed . turk . hist. p. . . phocas a drunken , bloody and adulterous tyrant , was worthily slaughtered by heraclius , who cut off his hands and feet , and then his privy parts by piece-meal . . not long since a souldier in salisbury , in the midst of his health-drinking and carousing in a tavern , drank a health to the devil , saying , that if the devil would not come and pledge him , he would not believe that there was either god or devil . whereupon his companions strucken with horror , hastened out of the room ; and presently after hearing a hideous noise , and smelling a stinking favour , the vintner ran up into the chamber , and coming in he missed his guest ; and found the window broken , the iron bar in it bowed , and all bloody ; but the man was never heard of afterwards . . a young gentleman being drunk , as he rode homewards was thrown by his horse , and had his brains dashed out by the pomel of his sword. . anno christi . there was one t. w. a notorious blasphemer and drunkard , upon a small occasion being angry with his wife , not daring to proffer violence to her , drew his knife and stabbed himself . . the same year one j. b. of ely a gentlemans coachman , being exceedingly given to swearing and drunkenness , drinking himself drunk on a sabbath-day at sermon-time , fell from his coach-box , and was killed by his horses . . anno christi , . one r. b. of ely , who used to travel on the sabbath-dayes , seldom or never coming to church ; as he went to the market at st. ives being drunk , gods judgment overtook him ; for going up the river in his boat , he fell over into the water and was drowned . . anno christi . one t. a. of godmanchester , being a common drunkard , was intreated by a neighbour to unpitch a load of hay : and being at that time drunk , the pitchfork slipt out of his hand , which he stooping to take up again , fell from the cart with his head downward ; and the fork standing with the tines upward , he fell directly upon them , which striking to his heart killed him immediately . . anno christi . j. v. of godmanchester , a known drunkard and scoffer at religion , fell from the top of a pear ▪ tree and brake his neck . all these are attested by sundry godly ministers . . anno christi . in bohemia five drunkards were quaffing , and blaspheming the name of god : and the picture of the devil being painted upon the wall , they drank healths to him , who the night after paid them their wages ; for they were found dead with their necks broken and quashed to pieces , as if a wheel had gone over them the blood running out of their mouths , nostrils , and ears in a lamentable manner . fincelius . . a vintner that accustomed himself to swearing and drunkenness , as he was upon the lords day standing in his door with a pot in his hand to invite guests , there came suddenly such a violent whirlewind as carryed him up into the air , after which he was never more seen . . armitus and cinanippus , two syracusians , being drunk , committed incest with their two daughters . plut. the like did lot , gen. . , &c. . cleomenes king of laceaemonia , drinking himself drunken fell distracted , never recovering his wits again . . anacreon the poet , a notable drunkard , was choaked with the husk of a grape . . zeno the emperour was such a drunkard , that he would often lye as one dead for many hours , so that he grew odious to all , and to his own wife , who once sinding him in that case , caused him to be laid in a tomb , with a great stone on the top of it , where he was miserably pined to death : platina . . but a few years since in gloucester-shire , an horrid patricide was committed by another ungracious son , being drunken , upon his father , whom he desperately slew . . the like unnatural villany was committed by one purchas , an essex monster , upon the body of his mother , whom he slew for the same cause . . john maginus reports , that fliolmus king of the goths , was by his drunken servants thrown headlong into a great vessel of ale , and therein drowned . . plato , who elsewhere holds that men should be sober , and forbids drunkenness as an unseemly thing ; yet in the feasts celebrated to bacchus , he lets loose the reins to intemperancy , and thinks it then no fault at all to be drunk . . in the parish of castleterra in the county of cavan in ireland , a gentleman when he met with jovial comrades , used to drink healths , and to fling the glasses against the walls : he delighted also to contradict what ministers delivered in their sermons , and having heard one preach of the benefits and tryal of a justifying faith , after sermon he demanded of the preacher , whether he could remove mountains ? if i could see you do that , then ( said he ) i would believe you had faith , otherwise not ; for doth not the gospel say , if a man have faith but as a grain of mustard-seed , he shall say to mountains , be removed hence , and it shall be done ? but at length this gentleman was strucken with the small-pox , which got into his throat in such manner , that he could not swallow , nor let down a little beer to cool his excessive internal heat , wherewith being tormented he broke out into these expressions , to an honest man that stood by : o thomas , would i could now receive one of those glass-fulls of drink which formerly i have thrown against the walls in a frolick : and afterwards when he saw there was no remedy but die he must , he said again , o! that now i had faith like a grain of mustard-seed ! and a little after he deceased , in the fifty seventh year of his age . . we read of a drunkard who in the midst of his cups sold his soul to the devil for a tankard of wine : and the devil forthwith had his bargain . theat . hist. . the like of a woman , who at a whitson-ale fell a cursing god , having nothing but the devil in her mouth ; so long , till at last the devil came , and hoisting her up into the air , threw her down again in a place not for remote , where she was found dead . . acosta and benzo write of the west-indians , that they are exceedingly given to drunkenness , the people there for the most part delighting themselves beyond measure in intoxicating their brains in strong liquors ; in which mad and distempered fits they many times commit many salvage outrages , and unruly pranks one against another , and account it a matter of praise so to do : i saw ( saith acosta ) two men coming drunk out of a tavern , for a very trifle kill one another with the same sword. . alexander the great , when he was drunk , would hack , and hew , kill , and slay he cared not whom , and oft-times his very friends ; as he did clytus his dear friend , who had formerly saved his life , whom in a drunken mood he commanded presently to be slain : neither would he hearken to ptolomy and perdiccas , two of his great captains , who upon their knees would have begged one dayes respite for him : though the same alexander when he was sober , would have slain himself for having caused clytus to be slain . q. curt. . tenthio king of the illyrians , in his drunkenness slew his own brother pleuratus . polybius . . of bonosus the emperor it was said , that he was born , non ut vivat , sed ut bibat : not to live , but to drink : and when ( being overcome by probus ) he hanged himself ; it was said in scorn that a tankard hanged there , not a man. . what a beast was marcus antonius , that he wrote a book in commendation of his great strength to bear strong drink ? . philip king of macedon in his drunkenness once passing an unrighteous sentence , the woman concerned therein appealed from philip now drunk , to phiilp when he should be sober again . . the carthagenians made a law that no magistrate of theirs should drink wine . . the persians permitted their kings to be drunk but one day in a year . . solon made a law at athens , that drunkenness in a prince should be punished with death , prov. . , . . domitius the father of nero , slew liberius an honest roman because he refused to take off his cups as he commanded him . . amos . . that drink wine in bowls : not in cups , pots , or chalices , but in vessels of price , and largest receipt , that they may be accounted , and called ( as young cicero was ) tricongii , such as can drink whole ones , and no small ones neither . . diotimus of athens , for his excessive drinking was termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , tundish . . aeneas silvius tells us of one henry earl of goricia , who having two sons , drunkards both , was wont oft-times in the night to call upon them , and ask whether they were a thirsty ? and when they gave him no answer , he would himself carry wine unto them , pressing them to drink , and if by reason of sleepiness or late excess , they refused , he would return in a rage to his wife , and call her whore , saying they were bastards , and not his sons , who could sleep all night without being athirst . . vortigern king of the brittains , being well warmed with wine , was ensnared by the daughter of hengist the saxon , which proved the undoing of the brittish nation . pol. virg. hist. ang. . venter mero aestuante cito despumat in libidines : a belly or stomach boiling with wine , doth suddenly foam up into a scum of sinful lusts and foul affections : hierom. . bonzo relates of the indians of peru , that when they have drunk away that little reason wherewith they are endowed , they use to fall to immodest embracings , without respect had to mothers , daughters , brothers , sisters , or any other relations whatsoever . . saint jerom could not be perswaded that a drunkard could be a chast man. . a certain young man that had devoted himself to a pious and retired course of life , was much assaulted by the devil , by sundry temptations , and pressed to make choice of one of these three sins : once to be drunk , or to lye with his neighbours wife , or to kill his neighbour ; and the temptation so far prevailed , that at the last he chose the first ; ( viz. ) once to be drunk , as deeming it the least sin : but when the devil had drawn him to that , at the same time both the other sins were committed by him . . ad universa , vel crudelitatis , vel turpitudinis facinora perpetranda facilis invenitur via , cui nulla sobriae mentis ratio , sed ebrietas dominatur . a drunken man is easily drawn to commit any villany : bern. . pausanias makes mention of a company of young men in greece , who upon a time contrary to the command of their captain aristomenes , being drunk , offered violence to the chastity of certain young virgins ; and so violent they were therein , till the sword and death put an end to the same . . the cruel tyrant lucius being drunk , became like a mad horse ; and when he could not prevail to satisfie his lust upon the daughter of philodemus , he barbarously slew her flying for shelter into her fathers arms. plut. . what a beast was darius king of persia , who commanded this inscription to be set on his tomb : i was able to hunt lustily , to drink wine soundly , and to bear it bravely . strabo . . saint augustine in his confessions , tells us a story of his mother , who by sipping a little wine at first when she filled the cup , came by degrees to be a tippling gossip , and at last to drink off her whole cups . sin that is modest at first , afterwards growes shameless . . in lacedemon , crete and carthage , the name of a drunkard was so hateful and contemptible , that such as were found guilty of this sin were disabled to bear any publick office , and thrust out of the senate ( if they were magistrates ) with shame and ignominy . alex. ab alex. . levinus lemnius writes of the dutchmen , the high-germans especially , and that part of the low countries that borders upon them , that they never account that man worth whistling for , that will not strenuum se potatorem praebere ; upon all occasions prove himself strong to drink strong drink . . suetonius relates , that novellius torquatus was highly honoured amongst the romans , for that he could drink three gallons of wine at a draught without taking his breath : for that he fairly drank off his liquor and left no snuff behind ; and after he had drunk so much , he neither stammered in his speech , nor unburthened his stomach by vomiting ; for which he was preferred to be proconsul of syria . pliny . . also firmus who assumed the title of emperour in the absence of aurelian , when he had drunk off two buckets of wine , went forthwith to a banquet , and seemed as sober as if he had drunk none at all . vopiscus in vita firm. . flaccus and piso had dignities bestowed upon them , the one being made a proconsul , the other governour of the city of rome , for that they were strong to pour in strong drink : suet. . one hulderick a bohemian , told frederick the emperour , that he trained up his sons to drink great quantities of wine without disturbance : thou art wise , said the emperour , the same thing did mithidrates ; but if it happen that i have a son , if that son shall not hate excess of wine , i shall hate him . aeneas sil. . anno christi . london and york , donwick and doncaster , with many other places in this land were consumed with fire , ( saith the historian : ) if any one ask the cause , we can render none more probable than this , that it was a judgement of god upon them , for their gluttony and drunkenness . antiq. brit. p. . . anno christi . tir-owen the irish rebel , was such a drunkard , that when his body was immoderately inflamed with drinking strong drink and usque-bagh , he used many times to be set in the earth up to the chin to cool himself . camb. eliz. . luxury is ordinarily the companion of idolatry , as ex. . . cor. . . rev. . , . o monachi , vestri stomachi , &c. at paris and lovane , the best wine is called vinum theologicum , the divinity wine : it 's also called vinum cos : coloris , odoris , saporis optimi . . drunkenness is a detestable vice in any , but especially in men of place and power , prov. . . woe be to those drunken vice-gods ( as in the worst sence they may be best called : ) wo to the very crown of their pride in drinking down many , isa. . . as marcus antonius wrote , or rather spued out a book concerning his own abilities to bear strong drink ; darius also boasted of the same faculty in his very epitaph , as we saw before . . drunkenness in a king is a capital sin , and makes the land reel : witness belshazzar , carousing in the bowls of the sanctuary to the honour of shar his drunken god . . alexander the great drunk himself to death , and killed forty one more by excessive drinking , to get the crown of one hundred eighty pounds weight , which he had provided for him that drank most . plut. . tiberius the emperour , for his tipling was called biberius . . erasmus for the same cause called eccius , jeccius : for , as he lived a shameful drunkard , so being nonplust at ratisbon by melancton , he drank more than was fit that night , at the bishop of mundina's lodgings ( who had store of the best italian wines ; ) and so fell into a feaver , whereof he dyed : jo. man. l. com. . drunkenness is a flattering evil , a sweet poyson , a cunning circe that besots the soul , destroyes the body , dolores gignit in capite , in stomacho , in toto corpore acerrimos : breeds grievous diseases in the head , in the stomach , and in the whole man : at last it bites like a serpent , and stings like an adder , prov. . . the drunkard saith as the vine in jothams parable , non possum relinquere vinum meum . take away my liquor , you take away my life : but at last it proves like the wine mentioned by moses , deut. . . the poyson of dragons , and the cruel venom of asps. trap. . austin brings in the drunkard saying , malle se vitam quam vinum eripi : and ambrose tells us of one theotinus , who being told by his physicians , that much quaffing would make him blind ; vale lumen amicum , said he ; farewell sweet eyes , if ye will bear no wine , ye are not eyes for me : he had rather lose his sight than his sin ; his soul than his lust , pet. . . psal. . . woe unto them that rise up early in the morning that they may follow strong drink , that continue untill night till wine enflame them : isa. . . more forreign examples of drunkenness and drunkards . . john manlius , in his common-places , p. . tells us of three abominable drunkards , who drank so long till one of them fell down stark dead ; and yet the other two nothing terrified with such a dreadful example of divine vengeance , went on to drink , and poured the dead mans part into him as he lay by them . . darius boasted of the same faculty in his very epitaph . . the greeks , when they met at feasts or banquets , drink small draughts at first , which by degrees they increased till they came to the heighth of intemperancy . hence graecari , and as merry as a greek . . minos king of crete , ordered that his subjects should not drink one to another , unto drunkenness . . seneca calls drunkenness a voluntary madness ; another calls it a noon-day-devil . . cato that was a most severe censurer of other mens manners , had this objected against him ; quod nocturnis potationibus indulgeret : that by night he would drink soundly . . i was once with a drunkard ( saith mine author , a godly minister ) that lay a dying , and after i had prayed with him , in came one of his old companions in sin , and asked him , how he did ; at which he was ready to gnash his teeth ; and made to me this dreadful reflection concerning him : o that , that was the wicked wretch that drew me away ; if it had not been for him , i had not been in so lamentable a case upon my death-bed . . bonosus a britain , and bred up in spain , usurped the empire of rome in the reign of probus ; of whom it is written ▪ that he would drink so much wine , as ten great drinkers could not drink so much : and therewithall , he had two wonderful properties : the one was that how much soever he drank , he was never drunk : the other was , that when it pleased him , he could piss it out as fast as he poured it in , without retaining any jot within his body . being overcome by probus , he hang'd himself . the emperour aurelian was wont to say of him , that bonosus was not born to live , but to drink . imperial hist. page . . tiberus nero made novellus tricongius pro-consul , for that he could drink three pottles of wine together with one breath . . he also preferred lucius piso to the government of the city of rome , because he could sit drinking with him continually for two whole dayes and nights together . suetonius . . to prevent drunkenness , and the evil consequents of it , the carthaginians forbad their magistrates all use of wine . . solon punished drunkenness in a ruler with death . . anno christi . february . in the countrey of s●aben , about eight persons that were citizens and citizens sons ( whose names my author setteth down ) met together at a tavern , whereof the masters name was anthony huge , on a sabbath morning , where they drank themselves drunk , and then began to blaspheme god , and to scoff at the host ; who advised them to leave drinking , and to go to church to hear the word preached ; at which they not only continued to mock , but went on in their drinking ; when suddenly the devil came in among them in the habit of a cavalier , who drinking to them , set their mouths in such a fire , that these drunkards not only became amazed thereat , but also after a miserable manner were all strangled to death . stephen batemen , professor of divinity . . anno christi . in the town of st. gallus , in switzerland , there was one peter besler , who was born at rotmund , but was now a servant to a citizen , whose habitation was near unto st. gallus : this dissolute young man was much given to the beastly sin of drunkenness ; and upon trinity-sunday , which was may the st , he together with some of his companions went to the town of sangal , there to be merry : and when they had drunk freely , this young man began to rail at , and to quarrel with his companions ; and using many blasphemies against god , he added this execration also : if i serve my master any longer , i give my body and soul to the devil . when he had staid there all night , in the morning awaking , he began to think what words he had uttered the night before ; yet having no other means of subsistence , he resolved to return to his masters service ; but going out of the city , when he was now not far from his masters house , a man met him clad in black , and fearful to behold ; who said unto him , go to ( good fellow , ) i am now ready to take that which is my right , and which thou gavest me yesterday : which when he had said , taking the fellow by the hand , ( who was amazed with horror , and altogether astonished ) he threw him to the ground , and so vanished . not long after this , this miserable young man being found by some of the neighbours , had his hands and feet drawn together ; and being brought to a lodging , he had the use of all his limbs taken from him , and so continued till he dyed miserably . ibid. felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum . it 's good to be warned by other mens harms . healths drank one drinks off a pottle pot of sack and - dyes within two hours after . one drownd in a shallow brook of water being drunk , his horse standing by . . or . drank healths in a strange manner and dyed one after another in few weeks . an exceeding drunkard in pembrock shire being drunk , broke himself all to pieces from an high rock . more examples worthy of serious consideration . there is a very remarkable story published by mr. robert abbot minister some years since of cranebrook in kent , concerning one william rogers an apothecary there , that was exceeding much given to drinking , and sabbath breaking : he was in his general course , as he relates of him , a young man of a sweet and pleasing temper : it was reported , that the devil never abused a better nature ; and he was observed never to swear or curse in all his life , except once ; but was often admonished and perswaded by mr. abbot to come to the church on the sabbath-dayes ; at last he was prevailed with to come , though he had often promised , and failed : the lords day before in the morning , when as he said he was ready to come to church , he was taken sick , and betook himself to his bed ; it was but as a fit of an ague , which being over , he was the next morning in his old course again ; but about the middle of the week after , the messenger of death came , and mr. abbot forthwith addressed himself to him in his chamber , saying , oh how often have you deceived god , your own soul , and me ! and what is now to be done ? i fear you will dye , and then what will become of you ? his sickness so prevailed , that it emptied him of any hopes of life , and filled him with thoughts of his present guilt , and future judgment before the great god , who is a consuming fire : he apprehending his own misery , made it known to him and others ; there was too great a fire within to be smothered , it burned in his own soul , and it lightened from his heart and lips , into the ears and hearts of those friends that were about him . one while he cryes out of his sins , saying , i have been a fearful drunkard , pouring in one draught after another , till one draught could not keep down another ; i now would be glad if i could take the least of gods creatures which i have abused : i have neglected my patients , which have put their lives in my hands , and how many souls have i thus murthered ! i have wilfully neglected gods house , service and worship , and though i purposed to go , god strikes me thus before the day of my promise comes , because i am unworthy to come among gods people again . another while he falls to wishing , oh , that i might burn a long time in that fire , ( pointing to the fire before him ) so i might not burn in hell ! oh that god would grant me but one year or a month , that the world might see with what an heart i have promised to god my amendment ! oh that god would try me a little ! but i am unworthy . another while he speaks to his companions , praying all to be warned by him to forsake their wicked wayes , lest they go to hell , as he must do . he forgot not his servant that was young , calls him to him , and tells him , that he had been a wicked master to him ; but be warned by me , said he ; you have a friend that hath an iron furnace , which burns hot a long time , but if you give your self to my sins , you shall be burned in the furnace of hell , an hotter furnace , millions of millions of ages : therefore look to your self , and be warned by my example , who must be burned in hell for ever ; i must to the furnace of hell , millions of millions of ages . the minister offered to him the comforts of the gospel ▪ promises of the largest size , shewed him that god was delighted to save souls , and not to destroy them : but he cryed , it was too late , i must be burned in hell : he pressed him with tears not to cast away that soul for which christ died ; and told him , christ rejected none that did not reject him : he answered , he had cast off christ , and therefore he must go to hell. he often complained , that former counsels and prayers might have done him good , but now it was too late ; he was no swearer , whoremonger , thief , no scoffer at religion , no perjured wretch , nor wilful lier ; yet when conscience was awakened , and sate as judge on him , he confessed his being given to drunkenness , and neglect of mens bodies , and neglect of prayer and other dutyes , hearing the word , and keeping the sabbath-day : which caused him to pass this heavy doom on himself , and at last in idleness of thoughts and talk he ended his miserable life : and whatsoever god hath done with his soul , we are bound to hope the best ; this sad example is a warning-piece from heaven , to warn all young men to leave off their evil courses , lest a worse thing befall them . he desired others might be warned by his example . the relation of him the said william rogers was published by mr. abbot , called , the young mans warning piece . i shall here give you a short relation how nathaniel butler , who murthered his friend john knight in milk-street , london , august . ann. . behaved himself . nathaniel butler , declared that before this murther committed , he was addicted to divers sins , as drunkenness , &c. which he himself freely confessed . for instance : . he was a great company-keeper , and given to gameing very much ; whereby he gain'd money and several watches of young men , one whereof he restor'd to the owner after his conscience was awakened in prison . . he enticed some servants to purloin from their masters , and sell the goods ; then would he and they go together , and spend the money among themselves . . he lived in fornication , frequenting the company and the houses of harlots ; insomuch that ( as he himself under his own hand informed me ) he judged this very sin of whoredom did draw him on to that of shedding blood . concerning which fact i shall now speak , as also concerning his carriage in prison , and at his execution , being an eye and ear witness thereof . . this nathaniel butler , came from alten in hampshire , where he was born ; and at the time of his apprehension , was an apprentice with one mr. goodday , a drawer of cloth in carter-lane , london ; during which time he became acquainted with one john knight , and apprentice also in the same city . these two were much together , but especially when mr. worth ( john knight's master ) was gone to bristol-fair ; then did these two young men lye together several nights at mr. worth's house , at the rose in milk-street ; where in the shop , on wednesday morning being the sixth of august . nathaniel butler seeing some bags of money , he was thereupon tempted to take away the life of his friend and bed-fellow , that he might securely convey away the money which he had now seen in the till of the shop . after they had been abroad that day , at night they lay again together , the bloody design running still in the mind of bulter : he intending about the dead of the night ( for so he expressed himself to me ) to destroy the young man by cutting his throat : accordingly he took his knife in his hand , but his heart would not suffer him to do it ; then he laid down the knife again ; yea , he took up and laid down his knife several times ( so he told me ) before he acted his cruelty : but in the morning very early , he did indeed fall very violently and inhumanely on the youth , who lay harmlesly asleep upon the bed . the first wound not being mortal , awakened him , whereupon he struggled and made a noise ( not considerable enough ) which was heard into another room of the same house . then butler chopt his fist into the mouth of the young man , and so they two lay striving and tumbling very near half an hour , before the fatal blow was given ; but at length , he did most barbarously murder the young-man , giving him a very ghastly deadly wound cross the throat : and then he went down , taking away out of the shop a summ of money in two bags , being about one hundred and ten pounds : and so with his double guilt of robbery and murder , leaving his bloody shirt behind him , and a lock of his own hair in the hand of the dead young-man , which hair was pulled off in their striving together , one to commit , the other to prevent the fact ; after he had so done , he went to his masters house in carter-lane , where he privately laid the money in a new trunk that he bought with part of the money . this murderer abode for certain dayes , that is from ▪ thursday to saturday , at his masters house unsuspected , following his business at home , as formerly . . many thoughts and jealousies were working in men , who should be the murderer : and in a few dayes , one in milk-street ( the street where the murder was done ) knowing that butler used sometimes to be with the young man who was now murder'd , went to butlers masters house in carter-lane , and spake with him , by whose words and carriage , he supposed he might be guilty , and so caused him to be apprehended : but yet for some small time , the said butler denied the fact ; but at length confessed , that he , and he only did it . after his apprehension , he was brought before the lord mayor of london , to whom he declared the murder , and the circumstances of it , crying out for a little time for his soul , and much lamenting his sin. that night he was committed to newgate , and there lay exceedingly startled about the state of his soul , saying often , what will become of my poor soul ! what shall i do to be saved ! beginning now to see the sinfulness of sin . whom i may compare to manasses in three respects . . as to matter of fact ; for manasses shed much innocent blood , kings . . so did he shed ( too much ) innocent blood . . he something resembled manasses in his imprisonment , mentioned chr. . . as manasses was taken and bound with fetters , so was he clapt in the hole or dungeon of newgate , with heavy irons about his legs . . manasses and he were one and the same in this sense , that when they were in affliction , they besought the lord god , and humbled themselves greatly before the god of their fathers . for this great offendor could often say , he could never be humbled enough . upon the of august , when he was arraigned at the sessions in the old-baily , he pleaded guilty to the indictments , with very much shame , confusion of face and sorrow of heart : and on friday the of august , he demeaned himself very humbly before the bench , heartily submitting to the sentence of death that then passed upon him , saying , he had destroyed the image of the eternal god ; alluding ( as i verily believe ) to those words in gen. . . — for in the image of god , &c. after his sentence , he was conveyed back to prison ; penitently acknowledging , that he had neglected the good word of god , and therefore was the longer kept off ( through ignorance of the gospel ) from closing with christ jesus . but after a few dayes discourse with several ministers and others , who opened the scriptures to him , he began to understand ( through the grace of god ) the word of grace . and though he had many good books brought to him by divers visiting friends , yet he chiefly looked into the holy scriptures themselves , and found very much advantage , light and peace , by these following passages out of the old testament , viz. sam. . . where nathan spake sharply to david , for despising the commandment of the lord , to do evil in the sight of the lord , in killing uriah the hittite with the sword , vers . . david said to nathan , i have sinned against the lord ; and nathan said to david , the lord also hath put away thy sin . from hence he understood the readiness of god to forgive confessing , repenting sinners , though they are guilty of innocent blood . job . , , he ( the lord ) looketh upon men ( oh that men would look after the lord ! ) and if an t say , i have sinned and perverted that which was right , and it profited me not ; he ( that is the lord ) will deliver his soul from going into the pit , and his life shall see the light . isa. . , . — i said not unto the seed of jacob , seek ye me in vain ? isa. . . let the wicked forsake his way , and the unrighteous man his thoughts , and let him return to the lord , and he will abundantly pardon ; the word abundantly he used to pronounce with an emphasis ; for he saw ( his eyes being now anointed with spiritual eye salve ) that he had multiplied sins exceedingly , and that he stood in absolute need of the lords abundant multiplied pardons : whereof he had good hope through this good word of isaiah . ezek. . . have i any pleasure at all that the wicked should die , saith the lord god , and not that he should return from his wayes and live ? . — repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions ; so iniquity shall not be your ruine . . cast away from you all your transgressions , whereby ye have transgressed , and make you a new heart , and a new spirit ; for why will you die , o house of israel ? . for i have no pleasure in the death of him that dyeth , wherefore turn your selves , and live ye . ezek. . . say unto them , as i live , saith the lord , ( here the poor prisoner would note to his comfort , that a repenting sinner had not onely the word and promise of god for forgiveness , but the oath of god , to give such a sinner the greater assurance of pardon , ) i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked , but that the wicked turn from his wayes and live : turn ye , turn ye , ( see the importunity of god with poor sinners for the good of their souls ) from your evil wayes ; for why will ye die , o house of israel ? micah . . was a place pleasant to his soul. who is a god like unto thee , that pardoneth iniquity , and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage ? he retaineth not his anger for ever , because he delighteth in mercy , vers. . he will turn again , ( as one doth when his anger is gone ) he will have compassion upon us , he will subdue our iniquities , and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of the sea. now i shall give you a short list of some new-testament texts , whereby the lord conveyed counsel and consolation to this doubting , staggering , poor wretch . mat. . . — for the son of man is come to save that which was lost . joh. . , , . and as moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness , even so must the son of man be lifted up , that whosoever believeth in him , should not perish , but have eternal life ; for god so loved the world , that whosoever ( this word [ whosoever ] he spake with joy ) believeth in him , should not perish , but have everlasting life : now ( saith nathaniel butler ) i am one to whom this word speaketh ; and therefore god gave the lord jesus christ for my soul ; i believe in him , and therefore i trust to live eternally through him , according to the gracious terms of the gospel . john . . — and him that cometh to me i will in no wise ( here he would repeat and reiterate these words in no wise cast out , in no wise , in no wise ) cast out . tim. . . this is a faithful saying , and worthy of all acceptation , that christ jesus came into the world to save sinners , of whom i am chief . tim. . , . for there is one god , and one mediator between god and men , the man christ jesus , who gave himself a ransom for all , to be testified in due time . in hearing , reading , and conferring upon these ( and many more ) scriptures , he would often say to me and others , these are good scriptures , brave scriptures ; are they not brave scriptures ? he would make very diligent and frequent search into his soul , concerning the sincerity of his sorrow , and would not easily believe that his repentance was true , or that he had right to the precious promises of the gospel . but by much speaking to him by many good people , that he would apply christ , and also by seeking unto god for a spirit of faith for him , he did begin to act a faith of recumbency and adherence , being ( as he often said ) perswaded the lord jesus christ was able to save to the uttermost , and willing to save such as come unto god by him ; yet he could not come up to that full assurance of hope and confidence , as he desired ; and we also desired heartily on his behalf . yet for some certain dayes before his suffering death , it pleased the god of all comfort , to give him joy and consolation , and sometimes strong consolation , insomuch that he would at times express very great inward gladness , which all that knew his former mournings , were glad to see , and glorified god for giving him the joy of his salvation ; for he was so satisfied concerning the favour and mercy of god towards him in jesus christ , that he rather now desired death then feared it ; as seeing death through jesus christ without a sting . he was executed in cheapside against milk-street end , and died penitently : see more at large in the books of nathaniel butler and william rogers . here followeth a true relation of the wicked life , and shameful-happy death of thomas savage ; imprisoned , justly condemned , and twice executed at ratcliff , for his bloody fact in killing his fellow-servant , on wednesday , octob. . . thomas savage , born in the parish of giles in the fields , he was put out apprentice to mr. collins , vintner , at the ship-tavern in ratcliff , where he lived about the space of one year and three quarters : in which time he manifested himself to all that knew him , to be a meer monster in sin : in all that time he never once knew what it was to hear one whole sermon ; but used to go in at one door , and out at the other ; and accounted them fools that could spare so much time from sin , as two or three hours on a lords day , to spend in the lords service . he spent the sabbath commonly at the ale-house , or rather at a base house , with that vile strumpet hannah blay , which was the cause of his ruine ; he was by a young man ( now gone to sea ) first enticed to go drink there , and after that he went alone , and now and then used to bring her a bottle or two of wine , which satisfied not her wicked desires ; but she told him , if he would frequent her house , he must bring money with him : he told her often , he could bring none but his masters , and he never wronged his master of two-pence in his life : still she enticed him to take it privately : he replyed , he could not do it , because the maid was alwayes at home with him : hang her jade , saith this impudent slut , knock her brains out , and i will receive the money ; this she many times said ; and that day that he committed the murther , he was with her in the morning , and she made him drunk with burnt brandy , and he wanted one groat to pay of his reckoning : she then again perswaded him to knock the maid on the head , and she would receive the money : he going home between twelve and one of the clock ; his master standing at the street-door , did not dare to go in that way , but climbed over a back door , and cometh into the room where his fellow-servants were at dinner : o saith the maid to him , sirrah , you have been now at this bawdy-house , you will never leave till you are undone by them : he was much vexed at her ; and while he was at dinner , the devil entred so strong into him , that nothing would satisfie him but he must kill her ; and no other way , but with the hammer ; to which end , when his master was gone with all the rest of his family to church , leaving only the maid and this boy at home ; he goeth into the bar , fetcheth the hammer , and taketh the bellows in his hand , and sitteth down by the fire , and there knocketh the bellows with the hammer : the maid saith to him ; sure the boy is mad , sirrah , what do you make this noise for ? he said nothing , but went from the chair , and lay along in the kitchin window , and knocked with the hammer there ; and on a sudden threw the hammer with such force at the maid , that hitting her on the head she fell down presently , screeching out : then he taketh up the hammer three times , and did not dare to strike her any more , at last the devil was so great with him , that he taketh the hammer and striketh her many blows with all the force he could , and even rejoyced that he had got the victory over her : which done , he immediately taketh the hammer , and with it strikes at the cupboard-door in his masters chamber , which being but slit deal presently flew open , and thence he taketh out a bag of money , and putting it upon his arm , under his cloak , he went out at a back-door straightway to this base house again : when he came thither , the slut would fain have seen what he had under his cloak , and knowing what he had done , would very fain have had the money ; he gave her half a crown , and away he went without any remorse for what he had done . going over a stile , he sat down to rest himself , and then began to think with himself ; lord what have i done ! and he would have given ten thousand worlds he could have recalled the blow . after this , he was in so much horrour , that he went not one step but he thought every one he met came to take him . he got that night to greenwich , and lay there ; telling the people of the house that he was to go down to gravesend : that night he rose and walked about , and knew not what to do , conscience so flew in his face : the mistress of the house perceiving the lad to have money , and not sealed up , said , i wish this lad came by this money honestly . the next morning he going away towards woolliedge , the mistriss of the house could not be satisfied , but sent for him back , and told him , sweet heart , i fear you came not by this money honestly . yes , indeed mistris , saith he , i did ; for i am carrying of it down to gravesend to my master , a wine-cooper . we live upon london-bridge , and if you please to send any one to my mistris , i will leave my money with you . so there were some people going to london , and he writ a note to send to his mistris , and he left the money with the woman of the house , and went his way , wandring toward woolliedge , and there was in the ship-yard ; about which time news came to greenwich of the murther that was committed at ratcliff by a youth , upon his fellow-servant , and that a bag of money was taken away : the mistris of the house forthwith concluded that sure it was the same youth that was at her house , and that was the money : whereupon she sent men out presently to seek him : who found him in an ale-house , where he had called for one pot of beer , and was laid down with his head on the table and faln asleep : one of the men calling him by his name , tom , saith he , did you not live at ratcliff ? he said , yes : and did you not murther your fellow-servant ? he confessed it : and you took so much money from your master , he acknowledged all : then said they , you must go along with us : he said , yes , with all my heart . so they went forthwith to greenwich , to the house where he lay that night : where when he came , he met his master with some friends , and when his master spake to him of it , he was not much affected at first , but after a little while burst out into many tears : thence he was conveyed to the justice at ratcliff , where he fully confessed the fact again , and by him was committed close prisoner in the goal of newgate , where mr. h. b. ( who after some acquaintance with him , had this preceeding narrative from his own mouth ) came to see and speak with him : and he seemed but little sensible of what he had done . are you ( said he ) the person that committed the murther upon the maid at ratcliff ? he said , yes : o what think you of your condition ? what do you think will become of your precious soul ? you have by this sin not only brought your body to the grave , but your soul to hell , without gods infinite mercy : were you not troubled for the fact when you did it ? not for the present , sir , said he ; but soon after i was , when i began to think with my self what i had done . the next time he asked him , whether he were sorry for the fact ? he said , wringing his hands , and striking his breast , with tears in his eyes , yes , sir , for it cuts me to the heart to think that i should take away the life of a poor innocent creature ; and that is not all , but for any thing i know , i have sent her soul to hell : o how can i think to appear before gods bar , when she shall stand before me , and say , lord , this wretch took away my life , and gave me not the least space that i might turn to thee : he gave me no warning at all , lord : o then what will become of me ? soon after the imprisonment of this thomas savage , in newgate ; upon the desire of one of his friends , mr. r. f. and t. v. went to him in the prison , and had liberty , with much readiness from the keepers to discourse with him : they asked him , if he were the person that had murthered the maid ? he answered , that he was ; they did then open to him the hainous nature of that sin , endeavouring to set it home upon his conscience , telling him of the express law of god , thou shalt not kill , and the express threatnings , that whosoever sheddeth mans blood , by man shall his blood be shed . they spake to him of the law of the land , and the punishment of death which would certainly be inflicted upon him ; that he had but a few weeks more to live , and then he would be tryed , and condemned , and executed : but they told him , that the punishment of the temporal death was but small in comparison with the punishment of eternal death in hell , which he had deserved , and was exposed unto . they told him , that so soon as death should make a separation between his soul and body , that his soul must immediately appear before the dreadful tribunal of the sin-revenging god , and there receive its final doom , and be irreversibly sentenced to depart from the presence of the lord , into everlasting fire , if he were found under the guilt of this , or any other sin . they asked him if he knew what hell was ? telling him what a fearful thing it would be for him to fall into the hands of the living god ; how intolerable the immediate expressions of gods wrath would be upon his soul , what horrour and anguish he would there be filled withal , and how he would be bound up in chains of darkness until the judgment of the great day ; and then told him of the glorious appearance of the lord jesus christ to judgment : that soul and body should be then joyned together , and condemned together , and punished together with such exquisite torments as never entred into the heart of man to conceive ; declaring the extremity and the eternity of the torments of hell , which were the just demerit of his sins . then they asked him , whether he had any hopes of escaping this dreadful punishment of hell ? he answered , that he had : they enquired the grounds of his hopes ? he told them , that he repented of his fault , and hoped god would have mercy on his soul. they asked him , whether he thought his repentance could procure for him a pardon ? he knew no other way . they told him that god was just , and his justice must be satisfied : and there was no way for him to do it , but by undergoing the eternal torments of hell : and did he know no way of satisfying god's justice besides ? and pacifying his anger that was kindled against him ? no , he knew not any : and yet did he hope to be saved ? he answered , yes . they enquired whether ever he had experience of a gracious change wrought in him . herein he could give no account , and yet hoped to be saved . they told him his hopes were unsound , having no good foundation : and he would find himself disappointed : that it was not his repentance , his tears , and prayers ( though he ought to use them as means ) that would save him , if he fixed the anchor of his hope upon them . that if he hoped to be saved in the condition which for the present he was in , he would certainly be damned : that he must cast away all those groundless hopes he had conceived , and endeavour to despair in himself , that being pricked and pained at heart , through the apprehensions of the wrath of god ready to fall upon him , and seeing no possibility of flying and escaping , if he looked only to himself , he might cry out , what shall i do to be saved ? and enquire after a saviour . and then they spake to him of the lord jesus christ , and the way of salvation by him , which before he was sottishly ignorant of , as if he had been brought up in a countrey of infidels , and not of christians . the words spoken to him by these two ministers , seemed to take little impression upon him whilest they were present , yet after they were gone , the lord did begin to work , and he did acknowledge to mr. b. that two had been ▪ with him ( he knew not their names ) whose words were like arrows shot into his heart , and he did wish he had those words in writing , especially one expression of t. v. that he would not be in his condition for ten thousand worlds , did affect and so affright him , that he said it made his hair stand on end . mr. vincent , mr. francklin , mr. doolittle , mr. janeway , discoursed with him , and he suffered very penitently and chearfully at ratcliff near his masters house . we do not read of any more of all the drunkards and debauched persons , that were converted , but those two , nathaniel butler and thomas savage , whom god gave true repentance unto . a common drunkard , is the fittest man to make a debauched . health-drinker of , they are so near akin to one another , that there is little difference : you can hardly know one from another , and it is seldom seen , that a health is begun for his majesty , or his highness the duke of york , till the feasters are well entred in there glasses of wine first . this i can witness , that one evening this winter , two or three drunken companions met another drunken man in the street , and did ask him if he would drink the dukes health : he answered presently , yea , i 'le drink any mans health : is not the king and duke much beholden to such for their love , that can shew it in no better way ? we are commanded , and it s our duty , to fear god and to honour the king ; and he that truly doth so , will pray heartily to god to bless and preserve his majesty from the danger of all popish and sham-plots : and this way is better to shew their true love to the king , than in a sinful custom of healths , which provokes the king of kings to send judgments on the kingdom . read dr. stillingfleets text , of his fast-sermon before the house of commons , novem. . sam. . , . some audacious abominable health-drinkers were so wicked as to drink a health to the great prince of darkness , their father the devil ; and it is credibly . reported , he came boldly amongst them and carryed away some of them , as bold as he was . one being told , that unless he left off his drunkenness and whoring he would loose his sight : he answered thus , tum valeat lumen amicum , — then farewell sweet light. one was put to his choice , which of these sins he would choose to commit , either to be drunk , or to kill his father , or to lie with his mother : he refused the two last , and was drunk , and then committed the other two . at one great feast in the city since his majesties happy restoration , i heard they were so mad , in their frolick cups of wine and healths , as to drink down small live fishes , and make fish-ponds in there bellyes : it 's a wonderful mercy it proved not their last drinking . so to abuse themselves and gods creatures , by drunkenness and gluttony , it is the way to provoke god to send a famine on the land ; for such wanton excessive doings . remember the plague time . there died , in that one year of the plague , anno , . . in london and liberties . and let us not forget the lamentable fire time , the d septem . . as it was computed , there was consumed to ashes , thirteen thousand and two hundred houses , with a vast deal of goods and rich commodities , to the undoing of many thousands , besides the ghastly walls of eighty nine parish churches and stately houses and halls , with the royal exchange , which cost almost an hundred thousand pounds the new building it again . you can expect but a brief touch of things in this paper , but it may serve for a memento , and a caveat to take heed of sin , that is the plague ( or cause ) of all plagues and judgments in the world ; and it caused god to drown the old world , and to rain down fire and brimstone on sodom , five cities together ; and he is able to do the like again to any nation that provoke him . we may fear this immoderate rain and flood in the countrey ; and beyond the seas a while since , how many have been drowned , persons and estates by it ! it speaks aloud to england . god threatens to punish a people four seven times more , lev. . , , , . v. except they repent . and we ought to fear that great god , that is able easily to kill both body and soul , and cast them into hell-fire . drunkards are named amongst the greatest sinners that shall be shut out of heaven . ten several arguments to prove that drunkenness is a great , a dangerous and a woful sin. arg. . that drunkenness is expresly against the command of god. ( . ) drunkenness is plainly and expresly forbidden in gods word , eph. . . be not drunk with wine . luke . . take heed to your selves , lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting , and drunkenness . rom. . . let us walk honestly as in the day , not in rioting and drunkenness . the drunkard cannot plead ignorance , that he did not know drunkenness to be a sin ; he cannot plead for himself as peter did for the jews that put christ to death , act. . . i wot that through ignorance ye did it , as did also your rulers . cor. . . for had they known it , they would not have crucified the lord of glory . drunkards sin against light ; both against the light of nature , for nature teacheth us that it is a shameful thing for a man to be drunk : and against the light of gods word , and that is a great aggravation of sin , to sin against the light of gods word : sins of ignorance are as it were no sins , compared with sins against knowledge . joh. . . if i had not come and spoken to them they had not had sin , but now they have no cloak for their sin. drunkards cast gods word behind their backs , and trample his commandments under their feet : god saith , be not drunk with wine : take heed left your hearts be overcharged with drunkenness : but they say in effect , though not in words , we will not regard these commandments of god ; let god say and do what he will , we will take our fill of wine and strong drink : drunkards and other sinners that know gods will , and will not do it , contemn and dispise god. psal. . . wherefore doth the wicked contemn god ? drunkards are guilty of rebellion against god , who is king of kings and lord of lords : for sinning against the light of gods word , is accounted rebellion ; job . . they are of those that rebell against the light : and that is a hainous sin , to be stubborn and rebellious against the god of heaven . sam. . . rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft , and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry . arg. . it is a beastly sin. drunkennss is a beastly sin , in depriving a man of his reason , and makes him carry himself like a beast : it is a vile thing for a man to degrade , and make himself like a beast . job . . wherefore are we counted as beasts , and reputed as vile in your sight . bildàd thought himself and his friends wonderfully disparaged , when he thought they were counted as beasts ; but how do they vilifie and disparage themselves , who do in reality make themselves no better than bruit beasts by their drunkenness : yea this sin makes a man worse than a beast ; the ass is a silly beast , yet the ass will not drink to excess , they drink no more than will quench their thirst , psal. . . the wild asses quench their thirst : and therefore , as solomon sends the sluggard to the ant , prov . . go to the ant thou sluggard , consider her wayes and be wise ; so may i send the drunkard to the wild asses : go to the wild asses thou drunkard , and consider their wayes and be wise ; who having no guide , overseer or ruler , never drink any more than will quench their thirst , though they meet with the best and pleasantest springs , and purest fountains under heaven ; and wilt thou who hast had many instructors , that have taught thee the odiousness of this sin of drunkenness , be inticed by the pureness of the wine , or the pleasantness of this drink , to drink to excess ? toads and serpents which are hateful creatures , will not drink more than is suitable and convenient to their natures : and shall man who was made after the image of god , make himself worse than a toad or a serdent by drinking to excess ? arg. . it is a mischievous sin both to body , soul , and estate . drunkenness is a most mischievous sin , and brings a world of mischief along with it , both to soul and body , estate and good name . . it doth great mischief to the soul : for ( ) it besots and stupifies the soul , and estranges a mans heart from god , who is his chiefest good : hos. . . whoredom and wine , and new wine take away the heart : we may take heart here for the understanding ; as rom. . . their foolish heart was darkened : and so it is true , that wine takes away the heart ; that is , it stupisieth the mind , it blinds and darkens the understanding , and maketh men sottish ; as jeremiah complains of the jews , who were much addicted to drunkenness . jer. . . my people is foolish , they have not known me , they are sottish children , and have no understanding , they are wise to do evil , but to do good they have no knowledge : or we may take heart for the affections ; and so it is true , that wine takes away the heart , for drunkenness takes off the heart from god and all things that are good : drunkards have no love to god , no delight in god ; no desire of enjoying god , no fear of god , no heart to that which is good . drunkenness is a fleshly lust ; and fleshly lusts war against , and tend to the ruine of our precious souls . pet . . dearly beloved , i beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts , which war against the soul. . it brings great mischief to the body , by the painful diseases that it breeds in the body , and by the wounds and bruises men get by falls , when they have drunk so much they are not able to go , or to guide the horses they ride on ; and also by the wounds they get in quarrels and contentions with their companions when they are in their cups . prov. . , . who hath woe ? who hath sorrow ? who hath contentions ? who hath bablings ? who hath wounds without cause ? who hath redness of eyes ? they that tarry long at the wine : not only the eyes are made red , but the whole body is inflamed and greatly distempered by excessive drinking . isa. . . woe to them that follow strong drink , that continue till night , till wine enflame them . our bodies should be the temples of the holy ghost ; cor. . . what , know you not that your body is the temple of the holy ghost which is in you ? and it is dangerous defiling the temple of god with excess of wine or strong drink : cor. . . if any man defile the temple of god , him shall god destroy . . it brings ruine on a mans estate ; prov. . . the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty . many persons by their drunken and sottish courses waste fair estates , that were left them by their parents : others that have been brought up to callings , spend all they gain by their callings in excessive drinking , whereby it comes to pass that they make no provision for their families , but their wives and children are brought into great wants and straits ; such as these are as bad , yea worse than infidels ; tim. . . but if any provide not for his own , and especially for those of his own house , he hath denyed the faith , and is worse than an infidel . . it blasts a mans reputation ; it is a shame for a man to have the brand of a drunkard set upon him : even children will hout and deride a drunken ma● when they see him reel and stagger as he goeth in the street . arg. . drunkenness is the cause of many other sins . the greatness of the sin of drunkenness will appear from hence , that it disposeth a man to many other great and crying sins : as for instance , . drunkenness disposeth men to commit uncleanness ; prov. . , . look not upon the wine when it is red : — thine eyes shall behold strange women . when men are overcome with wine , they are easily drawn to commit the worst of uncleanness : lot though a righteous man , being overtaken with drunkenness , commited incest twice . eph. . . be not drunk with wine , wherein is excess . as beza observes , omnis profusio eaque summâ cum turpitudine conjuncta ; all excess of riot , even that which is joyned with the greatest filthiness : no filthiness comes amiss to a drunken man , who is shameless whilest he is overcome with strong drink . the jews , who were much addicted to drunkenness , were greatly addicted to whoredom also . hos. . , . whoredom and wine take away the heart : their drink is sowre , they have committed whoredom continually . their drink is sowre , some interpret of the sowre belches drunkards have after their cups : and another effect of immoderate drinking wine , besides the sowring of it in the stomach , is , that it provokes men to whoredom . hierom hath a smart passage to this effect , nunquam ego ebrium castum putabo ; i shall never think a drunkard can be a chaste man. . drunkards are easily perswaded to be idolaters ; for they making ▪ their belly their god , phil. . . will easily be perswaded to bow down their bodies to an idol , and comply with any religion which will suit best with their interest : hos. . . the children of israel who look to other gods , and love flagons of wine . dan. . . they drank wine , and praised the gods of gold , and of silver , and of brass , of iron , of wood , and of stone . . drunkenness is accompanied with abundance of vain bablings , and foolish and idle talk , which men have together when they are in their cups . prov. . , . who hath bablings ? they that tarry long at the wine . and if any think there is no great hurt in those bablings , and foolish talking that drunkards have when they sit together at inns or alehouses , let such consider , ( . ) that vain bablings hardens the heart , and dispose a man to ungodly practices . tim. . . but shun profane and vain bablings , for they will increase to more ungodliness . ( . ) though foolish talking and jesting is made light of , and accounted by many a matter of mirth , yet it is a sin brings down gods wrath . eph. . , . neither filthiness , nor foolish talking , nor jesting , which are not convenient : let no man deceive you with vain words ; for because of these things cometh the wrath of god upon the children of disobedience . ( . ) men must give an account for every idle word at the day of judgment , and without repentance they shall be condemned for their idle words , as well as their other sins : mat. . , . but i say unto you , that every idle word that men shall speak , they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment : for by thy words thou shalt be justified , and by thy words thou shalt be condemned . ( . ) there are few drunkards , but they will mock and scost and rail at the ministers and servants of christ , and sing songs of them , especially when they are in their cups : prov. . . wine is a mocker ; that is , it makes men mockers . mercer's note upon that text is , vini potor derisor dei hominumque esse solet : a drunkard is wont to be a derider of god and men. it hath been usual with drunkards in former , as well as these dayes , to sing songs of the people of god : psal. . . i am the song of drunkards . now this mocking the ministers and people of god is a grievous sin , it brings down wrath without remedy ; chron. . . they mocked the messengers of god , and despised his words , and misused his prophets , untill the wrath of the lord arose against his people , till there was no remedy . mockers bring upon themselves mighty and unavoidable judgments . isa. . . now therefore be ye not mockers , lest your bands be made stronger . forty two little children were torn in pieces by two she-bears , for mocking a prophet , and calling him bald-head , kin. . , . and if god was so offended with little children for this sin of mocking a prophet , that he sent two bears which tore in pieces forty two children , how offensive is it to the lord , to hear those that are come to mans estate , knowing and understanding men , mock and scoff at his servants ? though no judgment come upon them in this world for their sin , yet without repentance a worse thing will come unto them ; they shall be rent and torn , that is , they shall be tormented in the other world for ever by the devil , who is a roaring lyon , a far more dreadful enemy than the bears that tore the little children in pieces . ( . ) drunkards are usually swearers , and some of them will swear dreadful oaths , such as would make a man tremble to hear them : and swearing , profane swearing is an abominable sin , and brings a man in danger of hell fire : jam. . ● . but above all things , my brethren , swear not , neither by heaven , neither by the earth , neither by any other oath ; but let your yea be yea , and your nay be nay , lest you fall into condemnation . ( . ) drunkards are oftentimes persecutors , and smiters of their fellow servants : mat. . , . if that evil servant shall say in his heart , my lord delayeth his coming , and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants , and to eat and drink with the drunken . they are such which eat and drink with the drunken , that smite their fellow-servants ; and smiting and persecuting the servants of christ is a hainous sin : he takes it as ill when his servants are persecuted , as if he himself was persecuted : act. . . saul , saul , why persecutest thou me ? saul did not persecute christ in his own person , for he was in heaven , sitting at his fathers right hand : but he persecuted christs servants , and christ was as much offended at the persecuting of his members , as if he himself had been persecuted . ( . ) drunkenness casts men into a deep sleep , and maketh them dreadfully secure under those judgments that hang over their heads . prov. . . yea , thou shalt be as one that lyeth down in the midst of the sea , or as he that lyeth on the top of the mast. solomon speaking of such that tarry long at the wine , sets out their danger by one that lyeth on the top of the mast in the midst of the sea , who is in danger every moment of falling into the sea and to be drowned , yet fears nothing whilest he is asleep : such is the case of drunkards , they are in danger of falling into hell every day , and yet they fear nothing , till god awakens their consciences , and shews them their sin and misery . when the prophet calls , awake ye drunkards , joel . . it implies , they are in a deep sleep , and that it is no easie matter to awake them . ( . ) sometimes drunkards commit murder in their drunkenness , and quarrel with and kill their best friends . it is reported of alexander , that when he was drunk he killed his beloved friend clytus : yea , there is no sin so horrid , but a drunken man may ▪ fall into it , if he hath an occasion and temptation to commit it . arg. . drunkenness is such an abominable sin , that it brings down national judgments : whole nations are punished for this sin of drunkenness ; the earth is weary of bearing drunkards , and often spueth out its inhabitants : we read of the canaanites , that their land spued them out for their defiling it ; and the israelites are warned not to defile their land , lest they also be spued out ; lev. . . that the land spue not you out also when ye defile it , as it spued out the nations that were before you : and when the israelites did defile their land by drunkenness and others sins , they were a burthen to the land ; it was weary with bearing them , it spued them out , and they were carryed captive into a strange land : isa. . , . woe to them that rise up early to follow strong drink , and continue until night , till wine enslame them : therefore my people are gone into captivity . the lord threatned to send mighty adversaries against ephraim , for their pride , and drunkenness , which should come upon them as furiously as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm , and as a mighty flood of water , that should overflow all places , and bear down all before it . isa. . , . woe to the crown of pride , the drunkards of ephraim : so that drunkards are the plague of a nation , that bring down gods judgements on themselves , and the place where they live : and when an overflowing scourge comes on a nation , usually drunkards have the speediest and deepest share in the judgments of god. amos . , , , . wo to them that are at ease in zion : that put far away the evil day : that drink in bowls : therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive . when the king of assyria invaded the land of israel , the drunkards were trod under feet like mire in the streets ; isa. . , . behold the lord hath a mighty and strong one : the crown of pride , the drunkards of ephraim shall be trod under feet . arg. . drunkards oft-times dye in the act of sin. drunkenness appears to be a great sin , because oft-times it is punished with sudden death ; and sometimes drunkards are cut off in the very act of sin ; they are very frequently cut off suddenly and unexpectedly . nah. . . while they are drunken as drunkards , they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry : stubble that is fully dry , is devoured in a moment . luk. . , . if that servant shall begin to eat and to drink , and to be drunken , the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him , and at an hour when he is not aware , and will cut him asunder , and appoint him his portion with unbelievers : we see here the woful condition of drunkards , both in their death and after their death ; their death is oftentimes sudden and unexpected , they have not a day , not an hours warning , rev. . . elah a king in israel was cut off in the very act of sin , while he was drinking himself drunk in his stewards house , kings . , . as christ said to deterr us from looking back , remember lots wife ; so may i say , to deterre you from drunkenness , remember elah , who was kill'd whil'st he was drinking himself drunk : and if god did not spare a king in israel , take heed lest he do not spare you . besides elah's example , amnon one of davids sons , was killed whil'st his heart was merry with wine , sam. . . when belshazzar had been drinking wine with a thousand of his lords in the day time , he was slain in the night , dan. . , . besides these examples , we have known and heard of several others that have dyed dead drunk , and never came to life again ; others that have fallen off their horses in their drunkenness , and broke their necks ; others that have faln into the water and been drowned , and others cut off by other means . arg. . it unfits a man for the service of god. drunkenness makes a man unfit for any good work , unfit for the service of god and men , unfit for death and judgment : it makes a man unfit for prayer , and all other religious duties . pet. . . the end of all things is at hand , be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer : no men are fit for prayer , but sober men . it is probable nadab and abihu had distempered themselves with wine or strong drink , when they presumed to offer up strange fire , and fire went out from the lord and devoured them : for immediately after the relation of their sin and punishment , there is a strict charge given to aaron and his sons , that they should not drink wine or strong drink , when they went into the tabernacle of the congregation , on pain of death , lev. . , , , . it also unfits a man for the service of his generation , especially for a place of publick trust ; many armies have been ruined , towns and kingdoms lost by the drunkenness of commanders . a small army of the israelites , not exceeding seven thousand , setting upon the syrians , when benhadad their king was drinking himself drunk with his confederates , put the syrians to flight , and slew them with a great slaughter ; although besides his own great army he had thirty two kings that came to his assistance ; kings . , . and as this sin renders us unfit for the service of god and men , so also it makes us unfit for the day of death and judgment : luk. . . and take heed to your selves , lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness . arg. . it will exclude a man out of heaven . drunkenness is such an odious sin , that the lord hath told us expresly , that he will not admit any drunkards into the kingdom of heaven . cor. . , . know ye not , that the unrighteous shall not enter into the kingdom of god : be not deceived , neither fornicators , nor drunkards shall inherit the kingdom of god. gal. . , , . now the works of the flesh are manifest , which are these , adultery , fornications , uncleanness and lasciviousness , revellings and such like : of which i tell you before , as i have told you in times past , that they which do such things , shall not inherit the kingdom of god. it was a foolish act in esau , and argued him to be a profane man , to sell his birth-right for a morsel of meat . heb. . . lest there be any fornicator , or profane person , as esau , who for one morsel of meat sold his birth-right . drunkards are guilty of worse profaneness than esau , for they part with a better blessing than a birth-right , namely , the kingdom of heaven , for a pot of drink or cup of wine , which do them no good , but much hurt . arg. . it is a damnable sin. drunkenness is a damnable sin ; a sin for which men shall be condemned to the torments of hell for ever . the drunkard shall be cut asunder , and have his portion with unbelievers , luk. . , . there is scarce any sin fills hell like drunkenness ; following wine and strong drink send great multitudes to hell : the drunken gentleman and drunken prince , notwithstanding all their bravery shall descend into hell , as well as the drunken begger . they that inflame themselves with wine and strong drink , shall be tormented in flames of fire for ever ; and then they that drunk wine in boles , and filled themselves with strong drink , shall not with all their entreaties get so much as one drop of water to cool their tongues . arg. . it is a bewitching sin , very hardly left by those that are addicted to it . drunkenness is an enticing , bewitching sin , which is very hardly left by those that are addicted to it : neither the word nor rod of god prevaileth with men to leave this sin , but they go on sinning against light , sinning against the counsels , reproofs and tears of friends , against the checks of their own consciences ; though the lord afflict them in their bodies , estates , good names , yet still they persevere in this sin : though when upon sick beds they are under terrors of conscience , and feel as it were some flashes of hell-fire , and make great vows and solemn protestations , that if god will spare their lives , and raise them up again , they will leave off their drunkenness ; yet when they are restored to health ▪ they return to their old course again : prov. . . they have stricken me , shalt thou say , and i was not sick : they have beaten me , and i felt it not : when shall i awake ? i will seek it yet again : solomon speaks here of drunkards , who are not disheartened by all the difficulties , and troubles ▪ and blowes that they meet with in following after strong drink ; but resolve to seek it yet again , and to persist in their dissolute courses . drunkards are wont to encourage themselves , and one another , to persist in their drunken courses under all discouragements . isa. . . come ye , say they , i will fetch wine , and we will fill our selves with strong drink , and to morrow shall be as this day , and much more abundant . instead of desisting they grow more resolved in their way : and the reason why this sin is so hardly left , and so few recovered from it , may be partly from the strength this sinful habit gets in the soul by the many repeated acts of this sin , and also from the pleasingnesse of this sin to corrupt nature ; for the more pleasing any sin is , the more hardly it is left : and chiefly from the just and righteous judgment of god , who giveth up men who go on sinning against light , unto their own hearts lusts , saying to them , he that is filthy , let him be filthy still . drunkenness is called by some , vitium maximae adhaerentiae ; a sin that sticks closer and faster to a man than any other sin. these ten arguments against drunkennss were taken out of the sermons of mr. owen stockton of colchester , lately deceased , an able and worthy divine , in a larger discourse again that sin , well i worth the reading , sold by mr. thomas parkhurst at the bible and three crowns in cheapside : preached upon the occasion of a sad and dreadful providence , which lately befell a young man , who for some years was very hopefull for religion , a diligent attender upon god's ordinances , and well esteemed of among the people of god ; but afterwards being led away by temptation , he was sometime overtaken with the sin of drunkenness , and it seemed good to the holy and righteous god to cut him off in the act of sin , when he was ( as is generally reported ) so far overcome with strong drink , that he was not able to go , but was led , and laid upon a bed , and dyed in a few hours , without coming to himself again . his majesties proclamation against vicious , debauch'd , and prophane persons , and against drinking his health . charles , r. since it hath pleased the divine providence in so wonderful a manner , and by wayes and means no less miraculous , than those by which he did , heretofore , preserve and restore his own chosen people , to restore us , and our good subjects to each other , and to shew us a very hopeful prospect , if not to put us already into possession of that peace , happiness and security , with which this our kingdom hath been heretofore blessed ; it will become us all , in our several stations , to acknowledge this transcendent goodness of almighty god in so seasonable a conjuncture , with such a circumspection , integrity , and reformation in our lives , that we may not drive away that mercy which so near approacheth us , by making our selves ( wholly ) unworthy of it . and in order hereunto , we think it high time to shew our dislike of those ( against whom we have been ever enough offended , though we could not , in this manner declare it , ) who under pretence of affection to us and our service , assume to themselves the liberty of reviling , threatning and reproaching others ; and as much as in them lies , endeavour to stifle and divert their good inclinations to our service , and so to prevent that reconciliation and union of hearts and affections , which can only , with gods blessing , make us rejoyce in each other , and keep our enemies from rejoycing . there are likewise another sort of men , of whom we have heard much , and are sufficiently ashamed ; who spend their time in taverns , tipling-houses and debauches , giving no other evidence of their affection to us , but in drinking our health , and inveighing against all others , who are not of their own dissolute temper ; and who , in truth , have more discredited our cause , by the licence of their manners and lives , than they could ever advance it by their affection or courage . we hope that this extraordinary way of delivering us all , from all we feared , and almost bringing us to all we can reasonably hope for , hath and will work upon the hearts , even of these men to that degree , that they will cordially renounce all that licentiousness , prophaneness , and impiety , with which they have been corrupted , and endeavoured to corrupt others , and that they will hereafter , become examples of sobriety and uertue , and make it appear , that what is past , was rather the uice of the time , than of the persons , and the fitter to be forgotten together . and , because the fear of punishment , or apprehension of our displeasure , may have influence upon many , who will not be restrained by the conscience of their duty , we do declare , that we will not exercise just severity against any malefactors sooner , than against men of dissolute , debauch'd , and profane lives , with what parts soever they may be otherwise qualified and endowed ; and we hope , that all persons of honour , or in place and authority , will so far assist us , in discountenancing such men , that their discretion and shame will perswade them to reform what their conscience would not , and that the displeasure of good men towards them , may supply what the laws have not ; and , it may be , cannot well provide against , there being by the licence and corruption of the times , and the depraved nature of men , many enormities , scandals , and impieties , in practice and manners , which laws cannot well describe , and consequently not enough provide against , which may by the example and severity of uertuous men , be easily discountenanced , and by degrees suppressed . however , for the more effectual reforming these men , who are a discredit to the nation , and unto any cause they pretend to favour , and to wish well to ; we require all maiors , sheriffs , and justices of peace , to be very vigilant and strict in the discovery and prosecution of all dissolute and prophane persons , and such as blaspheme the name of god , by prophane swearing and cursing , or revile or disturb ministers , and despise the publick worship of god ; that being first bound to the good behaviour , they may be further proceeded against , and exposed to shame , in such a manner , as the laws of the land , and the just and necessary rules of government shall direct or permit . dated the twelfth year of our reign . see the dialogue between tory and timothy in the weekly pacquet of aug. . . this passage : tory. there are a thousand of my companions that are not capable to express their loyalty any way in the world , if they should be barr'd from drinking of healths , and huzzaing , as if bedlam were broken loose . tim. loyalty is the indispensable duty of every good subject , and signifies no more than an obedience and hearty serving of the king according to law ; and i am sure our most gracious soveraign will not be serv'd any otherwise . nor can i understand how a common drunkard , swearer , whoremonger , &c. ought to be accounted either loyal , or a son of the church of england , since thereby he violates daily the laws of god , nature , and the land , and for the same ought to stand excommunicated by the church . such as will not refrain from intemperate drinking , and be reclamed by scripture , arguments , and examples , let the regard of their bodily health move them : from these weighty reasons of doctor maynwaring's , shewing how it impairs their health many wayes . preservaton of health in the choice of drinks , and regular drinking . drink for necessity , not for bad fellowship ; especially soon after meat , which hinders due fermentation of the stomach , and washeth down before digestion be finished : but after the first concoction , if you have a hot stomach , a dry or costive body , you may drink more freely than others : or if thirst importunes you at any time , to satisfie ▪ with a moderate draught is better than to forbear . accustom youth and strong stomachs to small drink ; but stronger drink , and wine , to the infirm and aged : it chears the spirits , quickens the appetite , and helps digestion , moderately taken : but being used in excess , disturbs the course of nature , and procures many diseases : for corpulent gross and fat bodies , thin , hungry , abstersive , penetrating wines are best , as white-wine , rhenish , and such like . for lean thin bodies ; black , red and yellow wines , sweet , full bodied and fragrant , are more fit and agreeable ; as malaga , muscadel , tent , alicant and such like . for drink , whether it be wholsomer warmed than cold , is ▪ much controverted ; some stifly contending for the one , and some for the other : i shall rather chuse the middle way , with limitation and distinction , than impose it upon all as a rule to be observed under the penalty of forfeiting their health , the observations of the one or the other . there are three sorts of persons , one cannot drink cold beer , the other cannot drink warm , the third , either : you that cannot drink cold beer , to you it is hurtful , cools the stomach , and checks it much : therefore keep to warm drink as a wholsome custom : you that cannot drink warm beer , that is , find no refreshment , nor thirst satisfied by it , you may drink it cold , nor is it injurious to you : you that are indifferent and can drink either , drink yours cold , or warmed , as the company does , since your stomach makes no choice . that warm drink is no bad custom , but agreeable to nature in the generality ; first , because it comes the nearest to the natural temper of the body , and similia similibus conservantur , every thing is preserved by its like , and destroyed by its contrary . secondly , though i do not hold it the principal agent in digestion , yet it does excite , is auxiliary , and a necessary concomitant of a good digestion , ut signum & causa . thirdly , omne frigus per se , & pro viribus destruit ; cold in its own nature , and according to the graduation of its power , extinguisheth natural heat , and is destructive ; but per accidens , and as it is in gradu remisso , it may contemperate , allay , and refresh , where heat abounds , and is exalted . therefore as there is variety of palates , and stomachs liking and agreeing best with such kind of meats and drinks , which to others are utterly disgustful , disagreeing and injurious , though good in themselves : so is it in drink warmed or cold ; what one finds a benefit in , the other receives a prejudice ; at least does not find that satisfaction and refreshment , under such a qualification ; because of the various natures , particular appetitions , and idiosyncratical properties of several bodies , one thing will not agree with all : therefore he that cannot drink warm , let him take it cold , and it is well to him ; but he that drinks it warm , does better . and this is to be understood in winter , when the extremity of cold hath congelated and fixed the spirits of the liquor in a torpid inactivity ; which by a gentle warmth are unfettered , volatile and brisk ; whereby the drink is more agreeable and grateful to the stomachs fermenting heat , being so prepared , than to be made so by it . there are three sorts of drinkers : one drinks to satisfie nature , and to support his body ; without which he cannot well subsist , and requires it as necessary to his being . another drinks a degree beyond this man , and takes a larger dose , with this intention , to exhilerate and chear his mind , to banish cares and trouble , and help him to sleep the better ; and these two are lawful drinkers . a third drinks neither for the good of the body , or the mind , but to stupifie and drown both ; by exceeding the former bounds , and running into excess , frustrating those ends for which drink was appointed by nature ; converting this support of life and health , making it a procurer of sickness and untimely death . many such there are , who drink not to satisfie nature , but force it down many times contrary to natural inclination ; and when there is a reluctancy against it : as drunkards that pour in liquor , not for love of the drink , or that nature requires it by thirst , but onely to maintain the mad frolick , and keep the company from breaking up . some to excuse this intemperance , hold it as good physick to be drunk once a month , and plead for that liberty as a wholesom custom , and quote the authority of a famous physician for it . whether this opinion be allowable , and to be admitted in the due regiment for preservation of health , is fit to be examined . it is a canon established upon good reason ; that every thing exceeding its just bounds , and golden mediocrity , is hurtful to nature . the best of things are not excepted in this general rule ; but are restrained and limited here to a due proportion . the supports of life may prove the procurers of death , if not qualified and made wholsom by this corrective . meat and drink is no longer sustenance , but a load and overcharge , if they exceed the quantum due to each particular person ; and then they are not , what they are properly in themselves , and by the appointment of nature , the preservatives of life and health ; but the causes of sickness , and consequently of death . drink was not appointed man , to discompose and disorder him in all his faculties , but to supply , nourish , and strengthen them . drink exceeding its measure , is no longer a refreshment , to irrigate and water the thirsty body , but makes an inundation to drown and suffocate the vital powers . it puts a man out of the state of health , and represents him in such a degenerate condition both in respect of body and mind , that we may look upon the man , as going out of the world , because he is already gone out of himself , and strangely metamorphosed from what he was . i never knew sickness or a disease , to be good preventing physick ; and to be drunk , is no other than an unsound state , and the whole body out of frame by this great change . what difference is there between sickness and drunkenness ? truly i cannot distinguish them otherwise than as genus and species : drunkenness being a raging disease , denominated and distinguished from other sicknesses , by its procatarctick or procuring cause , drink . that drunkenness is a disease or sickness , will appear in that it hath all the requisites to constitute a disease , and is far distant from a state of health : for as health is the free and regular discharge of all the functions of the body and mind ; and sickness , when the functions are not performed , or weakly and depravedly : then ebriety may properly be said to be a disease or sickness , because it hath the symptoms and diagnostick signs of an acute and great disease : for , during the time of drunkenness , and some time after , few of the faculties perform rightly , but very depravedly and preternaturally : if we examine the intellectual faculties , we shall find the reason gone , the memory lost or much abated , and the will strangely perverted : if we look into the sensitive faculties , they are disordered , and their functions impedited or performed very deficiently : the eyes do not see well , nor the ears hear well , nor the palate rellish , &c. the speech faulters and is imperfect ; the stomach perhaps vomits or nauseates ; his legs fail : indeed if we look through the whole man , we shall see all the faculties depraved , and their functions either not executed , or very disorderly , and with much deficiency . now according to these symptoms in other sicknesses , we judge a man not likely to live long ; and that it is very hard he should recover ; the danger is so great from the many threatning symptoms that attend this sickness , and prognosticate a bad event : here is nothing appears salutary ; but from head to foot , the disease is prevalent in every part ; which being collated , the syndrom is lethal , and judgment to be given so . surely then drunkenness is a very great disease for the time ; but because it is not usually mortal , nor lasts long ; therefore it is slighted , and look't upon as a trivial matter that will cure it self . but now the question may be asked , why is not drunkenness usually mortal ; since the same signs in other diseases are accounted mortal , and the event proves it so ? to which i answer ; all the hopes we have that a man drunk should live , is ; first , from common experience that it is not deadly : secondly , from the nature of the primitive or procuring cause , strong drink or wine ; which although it rage , and strangely discompose the man for a time , yet it lasts not long , nor is mortal . the inebriating spirits of the liquor , flowing in so fast , and joyning with the spirits of mans body , make so high a tide , that overflows all the banks and bounds of order : for , the spirits of mans body , those agents in each faculty , act smoothly , regularly and constantly , with a moderate supply ; but being overcharged , and forced out of their natural course , and exercise of their duty , by the large addition of furious spirits ; spurs the functions into strange disorders , as if nature were conflicting with death and dissolution : but yet it proves not mortal . and this , first , because these adventitious spirits are amicable and friendly to our bodies in their own nature , and therefore not so deadly injurious , as that which is not so familiar or noxious . secondly , because they are very volatile , light and active ; nature therefore does much sooner recover her self , transpires and sends forth the overplus received ; than if the morbisick matter were more ponderous and fixed ; the gravamen from thence would be much worse and longer in removing : as an over-charge of meat , bread , fruit , or such like substances not spirituous ; but dull and heavy ( comparative ) is of more difficult digestion , and layes a greater and more dangerous load upon the faculties , having not such volatile brisk spirits to assist nature , nor of so liquid a fine substance , of quicker and easier digestion : so that the symptoms from thence are much more dangerous , than those peracute distempers arising from liquors . so likewise those bad symptoms in other diseases are more to be feared and accounted mortal ( than the like arising from drunkenness ) because those perhaps depend upon malignant causes ; or such as by time are radicated in the body ; or from the defection of some principal part : but the storm and discomposure arising from drunkenness , as it is suddenly raised , so commonly it soon falls , depending upon benign causes , and a spirituous matter , that layes not so great an oppression ; but inebriates the spirits , that they act very disorderly and unwontedly ; or by the soporiferous vertue , stupifies them for a time , until they recover their agility again . but all this while , i do not see , that to be drunk once a month should prove good physick : all i think that can be said in this behalf , is ; that by overcharging the stomach , vomiting is procured ; and so carries off something that was lodged there , which might breed diseases . this is a bad excuse for good fellows , and a poor plea for drunkenness : for the gaining of one supposed benefit ( which might be obtained otherwise ) you introduce twenty inconveniences by it . i do not like the preventing of one disease that may be , by procuring of one at the present certainly , and many hereafter most probably : and if the disease feared , or may be , could be prevented no otherwise , but by this drunken means ; then that might tolerate and allow it : but there are other wayes better and safer to cleanse the body either upwards or downwards , than by overcharging with strong drink , and making the man to unman himself ; the evil consequents of which are many , the benefit hoped for , but pretended ; or if any , but very small and inconsiderable . and although , as i said before , the drunken fit is not mortal , and the danger perhaps not great for the present ; yet those drunken bouts being repeated ; the relicts do accumulate , debilitate nature , and lay the foundation of many chronick diseases . nor can it be expected otherwise ; but you may justly conclude from the manifest irregular actions which appear to us externally , that the functions within also , and their motions are strangely disordered : for , the outward madness and unwonted actions , proceed from the internal impulses , and disordered motions of the faculties : which general disturbance and discomposure ( being frequent ) must needs subvert the oeconomy and government of humane nature ; and consequently ruine the fabrick of mans body . the ill effects , and more eminent products of ebriety , are ; first , a changing of the natural tone of the stomach , and alienating the digestive faculty ; that instead of a good transmutation of food , a degenerate chyle is produced . common experience tells , that after a drunken debauch , the stomach loseth its appetite , and acuteness of digestion ; as belching , thirst , disrelish , nauseating , do certainly testifie : yet to support nature , and continue the custom of eating , some food is received ; but we cannot expect from such a stomach that a good digestion should follow : and it is some dayes before the stomach recover its eucrasy , and perform its office well : and if these miscarriages happen but seldom , the injury is the less , and sooner recompenced ; but by the frequent repetition of these ruinous practices , the stomach is overthrown and alienated from its integrity . secondly , an unwholsom corpulency and cachectick plenitude of body does follow : or a degenerate macilency , and a decayed consumptive constitution . great drinkers that continue it long , few of them escape , but fall into one of these conditions and habit of body : for , if the stomach discharge not its office a right , the subsequent digestions will also be defective . so great a consent and dependance is there upon the stomach ; that other parts cannot perform their duty , if this leading principal part be perverted and debauched : nor can it be expected otherwise ; for , from this laboratory and prime office of digestion , all the parts must receive their supply ; which being not suitable , but depraved , are drawn into debanchery also , and a degenerate state ; & the whole body fed with vitious alimentary succus . now that different products or habits of body should arise from the same kind of debauchery , happens upon this score . as there are different properties and conditions of bodies ; so the result from the same procuring causes shall be much different and various : one puffs up , fills , and grows hydropical ; another pines away , and falls consumptive , from excess in drinking ; and this proceeds from the different disposition of parts : for , in some persons , although the stomach be vitiated , yet the strength of the subsequent digestions is so great , from the integrity and vigor of those parts destinated to such offices ; that they act strenuously , though their object matter be transmitted to them imperfect and degenerate : und therefore do keep the body plump and full , although the juyces be foul , and of a depraved nature . others è contra , whose parts are not so firm and vigorous ; that will not act upon any score , but with their proper object ; does not endeavour a transmutation of such aliene matter , but receiving it with a nice reluctance , transmits it to be evacuated and sent forth by the next convenient ducture , or emunctory : and from hence the body is frustrated of nu●●ition , and falls away : so that the pouring in of much liquor ( although it be good in sua natura ) does not beget much aliment , but washeth through the body , and is not assimilated . but here some may object and think ; that washing of the body through with good liquor , should cleanse the body , and make it fit for nourishment , and be like good physick for a foul body . but the effect proves the contrary ; and it is but reason it should be so : for , suppose the liquor ( whether wine , or other ) be pure and good ; yet when the spirit is drawn off from it , the remainder is but dead , flat , thick , and a muddy flegm . as we find in the distillation of wine , or other liquors ; so it is in mans body : the spirit is drawn off first , and all the parts of mans body are ready receivers , and do imbibe that limpid congenerous enlivener , freely and readily : but the remainder , of greatest proportion ; that heavy , dull , phlegmy part , and of a narcotick quality ; lies long fluctuating upon the digestions , and passeth but slowly ; turns sowre , and vitiates the crases of the parts : so that this great inundation , and supposed washing of the body , does but drown the faculties , stupifie or choak the spirits , and defile all the parts ; not purifie and cleanse . and although the more subtile and thinner portion , passeth away in some persons pretty freely by urine ; yet the grosser and worse part stayes behind , and clogs in the percolation . a third injury , and common , manifest prejudice from intemperate drinking , is ; an imbecillity of the nerves ; which is procured from the disorderly motions of the animal spirits ; being impulsed and agitated preternaturally by the inebriating spirits of strong liquors : which vibration being frequent , begets a habit , and causeth a trepidation of members . transcribed verbatim out of dr. maynwaring's treatise of long life . finis . are to be sold near the exchange and in popes-head-alley . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e primum crater ad sitim pertinere , secundum ad hilaritatem , tertium ad voluptatem , quartum ad insaniam dixit . apulius . omne nimium naturae est inimicum . a cacotrophy , or atrophy . the saints nosegay, or, a posie of spirituall flowers both fragrant and fruitfull, pleasant and profitable / collected and composed by samuel clark. clarke, samuel, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing c ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the saints nosegay, or, a posie of spirituall flowers both fragrant and fruitfull, pleasant and profitable / collected and composed by samuel clark. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed by i.d. for henry overton and are to be sold at his shop, london : . reproduction of original in the bodleian library. eng christian life. aphorisms and apothegms. a r (wing c ). civilwar no the saints nose-gay. or, a posie of . spirituall flowers. both fragrant and fruitfull, pleasant and profitable. collected and composed by clarke, samuel c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the saints nose-gay . or , a posie of . spirituall flowers . both fragrant and fruitfull , pleasant and profitable . collected and composed by samvel clark . pastor of the church in alcester . the preacher sought to find out acceptable words , and that which was written , was upright , even words of truth . the words of the wise are as goods , and as nailes fastned by the masters of the assemblies , which are given from one shepherd . eccles. . . london , printed by i. d. for henry overton , and are to be sold at his shop , entring into popes-head alley , out of lumbard-street , . to the right honovrable , the lady katherine brook , wife to right honourable , robert , lord brooke , baron of beuchampen-court . much honoured madam , king solomon , the wisest of men , having tyred himselfe in seeking to obtaine happinesse by the studies of learning , and knowledge , and at last , finding that hee that encreaseth knowledge , encreaseth sorrow , hee turnes himselfe another way , and seeing the knowledge of the creatures could doe him no good , he thought to try what delight the use of them could bring unto him ; in the pursuance whereof , hee gave not himselfe over to brutish , and unmanly pleasures , but to the free use of such creatures , as the lord hath bestowed upon the sonnes of men , for their refreshing and delight : amongst which hee reckons up gardens and orchards stored with all sorts of fruits , and flowers : these hee might have enjoyed with much profit , and comfort , if hee had used them aright , but seeking for happinesse in them , no such honey could be sucked out of the daintiest of those flowers ; no such wine out of the fruitfullest of those grapes : and therefore hee concludes , looking upon all the workes which his hands had wrought , that all was vanity and vexation of spirit . eccles. . . now as the lord afforded unto him such choise delights : so he hath bestowed upon your ladiship a confluence of outward felicities ; and amongst them gardens ( if i may guesse ) not farre inferiour to solomons : and those beautified , and inameld with variety of the choisest flowers , whose lively verdures , and fragrant smels ( if i mistake not ) your ladiship is much pleased with : yet herein i presume in a much different way from solomons , as not seeking happinesse in them ; but rather desiring by those objects to raise up your soule to such contemplations , as may truly further your eternall happinesse : and if your ladiship shall find such heavenly odours in those flowers , whose purest matter is the earth : and whose freshest beauty is so fading : what will you doe in a nose-gay of flowers , whose matter is divine ; and whose smell , and beauty will never decay : such anone i doe here humbly present unto your ladiship : you may use it summer and winter without feare of withering ; yea , herein are flowers both for food and physick : for meats , and medecine . length of time will no whit impaire , either the beauty or vertue of them , and therefore they doe most transcendently excell all earthly flowers whatsoever : indeed i must ingenuously confesse , that few of them grew upon mine owne soyle ; yet before i could bind them together in this handfull , my labour was not small in walking through so many gardens , out of which i have selected them : neither as i hope will it be offensive , or prejudiciall to the worthy planters , and owners of them ( some of which are with god , others now living ) that i thus disperse them abroad , themselves having first made them common : if your ladiship please to vouchsafe your favourable acceptance of them , i doubt not but they will take the better with others ; and if god may receive the glory , and his people benefit by these my labours , i shall have mine end , whose ambition it is to be esteemed . alcester . septem. . . your honours humble servant , and remembrancer at the throne of grace . samvel clarke . to the christian reader . christian reader , if ever that prophecie of habakkuk . . . was yet fulfilled , that the earth should bee filled with the knowledge of the glory of the lord , as the waters cover the sea . certainely , it is in our times , and nation ; wherin the bright sun-shine of the gospel hath enlightned our whole horizon ; and that not as at the first dawning of the day , but as risen up to his noone-point ; and our ministers , as bright starres , fixed in their severall orbs , and receiving light from it , doe communicate it to others , and if ever time , and place , since the apostles , might glory in a knowing , learned , godly , and painefull ministery , ours much more . a taste whereof this ensuing worke will afford unto thee , wherin thou shalt find a collection of such golden sentences , precious for matter , and beautifull for composure , as will shew the authors of them , to be men endowed with singular abilities , conferred upon them by god , for the edificatiō of his church , and that i may speake my mind freely , most of them are worthy to bee written in letters of gold upon pillars of marble , that they may remaine to all future posterities . indeed towards the latter end , i have inserted some flowers of humanity amongst those of divinity , dealing therein as most doe with their gardens ; in which here and there they afford some room for french flowers , in regard of their beauty to the eye , though the smell please little ; or as solomon in his proverbes , many of which are not only divine , but morrall , ethicall , politicall , &c. and howsoever the whole worke consists of sundry briefe sentences , yet thou shalt find them not altogether without method ; for that usually , such as might bee ranked under an head , are conjoyned togther ; as first , of sinne in generall , both originall ; and actuall , then of sundry particular sins , then of repentance , grace , faith , &c. and indeed , there are few heads in divinity , of which something may not be found herein : and towards the latter end there are many miscellanies , which could not be so well reduced to an head . in all , my aime hath beene to mixe profit and pleasure together , that such readers , as affect either , whiles they seeke for the one , might find the other ; also , which being done , i have mine end , which next after gods glory , was thy soules good ; and in recompence of my paines , desire thy prayers for him , who is , devoted to the service of thy faith , samvel clark . a poesie of spirituall flowers . the sinne of man , because he was lord and head of the world , was a spreading and infectious evill , which conveyed poyson into the whole frame of nature , and planted that seed of universall dissolution , which shall one day deface with darkenesse , and horrour , the beauty of that glorious frame which wee now admire . pride , ambition , rebellion , infidelity , ingratitude , idolatry , concupiscense , theft , apostacy , unnaturall affections , violation of the covenant , an universall renunciation of gods mercy promised , and the like , were those wofull ingredients of which the first sinne was compounded , in the committing whereof we were all sharers , because adams person was the fountaine of ours , and his will the representative of ours . sinne in the faculty , is poyson in the fountain , that sheds infection into every thing that proceeds from it . lust as its like fire in multiplying , so ' its like hel-fire in abiding , it needs not to be preserved by a supply of outward materials to foment , and cherish it , but it supports it selfe . as the water when ' it s stopt in ' its principall course , yet one where or other ( where it best may ) it will find a vent : even so lust in the heart , when the mind and faculties , and body , and members , are quite tyred out in the principall service , will make a shift to breake forth into some easier vent . a mans actuall sinnes are personal , and therefore intransient , they begin and end in himselfe : but originall sinne is naturall , and therefore with the nature it passeth over from a man to his posterity , being an entaile that can never bee cut off . originall sinne is left whole to every child of adam : all have it , and yet every one hath it all too . a godly mans trouble , is not only for the smart and sting of sinne , but for the filth and foulenesse of it , and the offence done to god by it , he accounts the greatest evill in sinne , as god himselfe doth . though our sinnes be exceeding great , yet we must labour to see an al-sufficiency in god , a largenesse of his mercy , which is able to swallow them up . a pure heart casts out sinne , as pure liquor doth scum . as when oyle and water are mixed together , the oyle will worke it selfe out , and purifie it selfe : so a regenerate man , though he sinne , hee doth not mingle with sinne , but hee workes it out by repentance . whilst fire and water contend , neither is overcome , but when one yeelds to the other , then ' it s overcome : so when there is a contestation betweene us and sinne , if we yeeld to it , wee are overcome of it ; and hee that is overcome of sinne cannot be in christ . as a medicine is applyed in vaine , so long as the arrow head is in the wound : so if but one sin , or failing be allowed , all the meanes of grace are in vaine to that person . the sinnes of gods people are sooner ripe , then the sinnes of the heathen which know him not : because they have the constant light , and heat of his word , to hasten their maturity . as there is chaffe about every corne in a field , saltnesse in every drop of the sea , and bitternesse in every branch of wormewood : so there is sinne in every faculty of man . sin cleaves not only to our members , but runs over with a prodigious exuberancy into our very excrements , and adjacents : absalon was proud of his haire : iezabel of her paint , herod of his roabs , &c. not to sinne is here only our law , but in heaven it shall be our reward . god suffers some sinne to remaine in his children , to draw them still to him , to cast them alwayes upon the hold , and use of their faith , that their prayers may still find something to aske , which hee may give , and there repentance something to confesse which hee may forgive . a lust may dog and pester , and overtake an holy man that hates it , and yet he hates it stil : and the word may fright , & drive a wicked man from the sin he loves , and yet hee loves it still . as the cloud which the prophets servant saw , was at first no bigger then an hand , after it grew to cover all the heavens : and the reason was , it rose out of a sea : so the sinne of a man wil continually grow , and over-flow all his life : and the reason is , it hath a sea of lust to supply it continually . lust is like a furious rider never weary of the way , though the poor beast , wch must serve the riders turne may quickly bee worne out . if we who are gods children doe our endeavour in mortifying our sinnes , the grace of christ in us wil weaken much the grace and favour of christ to us will forgive the rest , and the power of christ at last will anihilate all . the suggestions of sin quickly beget delight , and delight as easily growes into consent , and when the will ( like the master-fort ) is taken , the inferiour members can no longer stand out . sinne hath certaine maximes and principles of corrupted reason , which it takes for indubitable and secure , wherewith it countenances its tyrannicall commands . though the first allurements of sinne seeme modest , and moderate , yet if the serpent get in but his head , hee will easily wind in the rest of his body : or if hee should not , yet his sting is in his head . sinne loves not to be betrayed , or complayned of : mutuall confession of sinne , to those who will pray for a sinner , is a meanes to heale it . as sinne is a violation offer'd by man to the law : so punishment is a violation retorted from the law , to man . sin is in the will of a man , as a bias in a bowle , as a flame in smoke , or as sports in the body , to actuate , and determine it to its owne way , hee therefore cannot resist the will of sin who hath no more then a sinfull will to resist it by . the heart is a forge to contrive , and the members instruments to execute ; the heart a wombe to conceive , the members midwives to bring forth lust into act . the more tenderly and seriously any man is affected with the sense , and sorrow for the power of sin ; the more hee is deterred from it . a ship may in the midst of a calme by reason of a mist , and the marriners negligence to sound and discover the distances from land , split it selfe upon a rocke , as well as bee cast upon it by an irresistable storme : so the man who never fathomes his heart , nor searcheth how neere hee is to ruine , but goes leasurely , and vniformely on in his formall , and pharisaicall security , when he least thinketh on it , may perish as likely under the power of sinne , as he in whom the rage of it is most apparant . the heart of a man is like a beast that hath much filth , and garbage shut up under a faire skin , till the word like a sacrificing sword slit it open , and ( as it were ) unridge the conscience to discover it . as a small stone thrown with a strong arme will doe more hurt , then a far greater sent forth with a fainter impression : so a small sin committed with a high hand , with more security , presumption , and customariness then others , will more wast the conscience , then far greater out of infirmity , or sudden surprisall . if sin which cannot be avoided , be not lamented , it is vndoubtedly obeyed . as mad men must be bound before they can be cured ; so men in their lusts must be hampred by the law before the gospell , and the spirit of liberty will bee welcome to them . a hammer and a pillow is the best way to breake a flint : a prison and and a pardon , a scourge , and a salue , a curse and a saviour , is the best way to humble and convert a sinner . as a body in the grave is not pained , nor dis-affected with the weight and darknesse of the earth , the gnawing of wormes , the stinke of rottennesse , nor any violence of dissolution , because the principle of sense is departed : so though wicked men lie in rotten and noisome lusts , and have the guilt of many millions of sins lying on their soules , yet they feele nothing because they have no spirit of life in them . if gods grace prevent sinners before repentance , that they may returne ▪ shal it not much more preserve repenting sinners , that they may not perish ? as the sweetest wine in an aguish palate tasts of that bitter humour which it finds there : so lusts , and curses interweaving themselves in a wicked mans hands , take away the sence of their simple goodnesse , turne their table into a snare , and the things which should have bin for their good into an occasion of falling . as in vntilled ground there are ill weeds of all sorts , yet commonly some one that growes rifer , and ranker then all the rest ; so in the soule of man there are spirituall weeds of all sorts : yet usually some one pestilent humour more predominant then all the rest , which if once mastered in us , the other petty ones will bee the easilier subdued . every one ( say some ) hath his owne balsome in him ; but it s most sure that every one hath his owne bane in him . as the earth though but a center , or point to the heaven , yet is a huge body of it selfe : so there is no sin though but a mote in comparison of some other , yet is a beame in it selfe . though sinne in the godly bee plucked up by the root , yet it s not wholly pulled out : though dejected in regard of its regency : yet not ejected in regard of its inherence . as when wine is poured out of a cup , the sides are yet moist , but when it s rinsed , and wiped there remaines neither tast nor tincture : so that glimmering of divine light , left in a naturall man , is so put out by obstinacy in an evill course , that not the least sparkle thereof appeareth . as the spider sucks poison out of the most fragrant flowers , or as a foule stomacke turns good food into ill nourishment : so wicked men make ill conclusions of good promises and perverse application of wholsome precepts . all the dirt in the world cannot defile the sun : all the clouds that muffle it , it dispells them all , yet sin hath defiled the soule , that as farre passeth the sun in purenesse , as the sun doth a clod of earth : yea the least sinne defiles it in an instant , totally , eternally . the deluge of waters which overflowed all the world , washed away many sinners , but not one sin ; and the world shall be on fire , yet all that fire , and those flames in hell that follow , shall not purge one sin . though the old wals , and ruinous palace of the world stand to this day ; yet the beauty , the glosse , and glory is soiled , and marred with many imperfections , cast upon every creature by mans sin . all the evills in the world , serve but to answer and give names to sin : it s called poison : and sinners , serpents : it 's called a vomit , and sinners dogs : the stench of graves ▪ and they rotten sepulchers ; sin , mire ; and sinners , sows : sin , darknesse , blindnes , shame , nakednesse , folly , madnesse , death , whatsoever is filthy , defective , infective , or painfull . by how much the soule exceeds all other creatures in excellency , by so much sin which is the corruption , poison , sicknes and death of it , exceedeth all other evils . when eudoxia the empress threatned chrysostom , goe tell her , saith he , nil nisi peccatum timeo : i feare nothing but sinne . as bring one candle into a roome , the light spreads all over , and then another , and the light is all over more increased : so every sin in us by a miraculous multiplication inclineth our nature more to sin then it was before . all things in the world , if they bee great , then are but few : if many then are but small : the world is a big one indeed , but yet there is but one : the sands are innumerable , but yet small : but our sins exceed both in number and nature , infinite , and great . wicked men live upon the creame of sin , and having such plenty , then picke out none but the sweetest bits to nourish their hearts withall , iames . . as the killing of a king is amongst men a crime so hainous , that no tortures can exceed the desert of it : all torments are too little , any death too good for such a crime : so sin which is dei cidium a destroying of god , so much as in us lies is so hainous that none but god himselfe can give it a full punishment . as a cloth is the same when its white , and when died with a scarlet colour , yet then it hath a tincture given it , that is more worth then the cloth it selfe : so when a man sins not knowing the law , the sinne is the same for substance it would be , if he had knowne it , but that knowledge makes it of a scarlet colour , and so far greater and deeper in demerit , then the sinne it selfe . a sinne against knowledge is , when knowledge comes and examines a sin in , or before the committing of it , brings it to the law , contests against it , cōdemnes it , and yet a man approveth and consenteth to it . as nature elevated by grace riseth higher then it so being poisoned with sin , it is cast below it selfe . to sinne against mercy , of all other increaseth wrath ; for such must pay treasures for treasures spent : as lavishly they spend riches of mercy , so god will recover riches of glory out of them . gods servants are noble , and free , though fettered in chaines of iron , as the slaves of sinne are base prisoners , though frollicking it in chaines of gold . sinne is the spawne of the old serpent , the birth of hell , and the vomit of the devill . sinne is more hatefull to god then the devill : for hee hates the devill for sinnes sake , not sin for the devils sake . sinne is like a serpent in our bosoms , which cannot live , but by sucking out our life blood . hee that is under the dominion of his lusts , never yet resolved to part with them . one little hole in a ship will sinke it into the botome of the sea ; and the soule will be strangled by one little coard of vanity , as well as with all the cart roaps of iniquity . when a man dives under water , hee feeleth not the weight of it , though there bee many tuns of water over his head ; whereas halfe a tub of it taken out of its place , and set upon his head , would bee burthensom ; so whilst a man is over head , and eares in sinne , he is not sensible of , nor troubled with the weight of it : but when hee begins to come out of that state of sinne , then sin begins to hang heavy , and hee feeles the great weight of it . as a living member is no burthen , nor cumbersome to us , but a dead one is : so as long as sinne lives in the soule , ' it s nothing cumbersome : but when it s once mortified , it becomes a great burthen to us . as the out-rage of pirats will not cause two states at peace together to enter into warre , unlesse the one state consent to , and maintaine them in their rapine : so ' it s not the rising of lust in our hears , that breaks the peace betweene god , and us , unlesse they be consented to , approved of , and nourished with some presumption . as in a corne field , unlesse wee manure , and plow , and weed it , it will waxe fallow , and be overcome with weeds : so ' it s with our hearts , except we plow them , and weed them , and watch over them , they will soone bee over growne with lusts . puntoes , & formalities , and cuts , and fashions , and distances , and complements , which are now the darling sins of the upper end of the world , shall in the end prove nothing , but well acted vanities . the adulterating of wares , the counterfeiting of lights , the double weights , and false measures , and the courteous equivocations of men greedy of gaine ( which are almost woven into the very art of trading ) shall in the end prove the mysteries of iniquity , and selfe-deceivings . such as study play-bookes , pasquils , romanses , &c. which are the curious needle-worke of idle braines , doe but load their heads with apes and peacocks feathers , in stead of pearles , and precious stones . the conflict of the godly is with the unholinesse of sinne ; but the conflict of the wicked , is only with the guilt , and other sensuall commodities of sinne : the first hates sin , because it hath filth in it to pollute : the other feares sin because it hath fire in it to burne the soule . as a noble mans child stolne away , and brought up by some lewd begger , cannot conceive , or suspect the honour of his blood : so unable is corrupted nature , that hath beene borne in a wombe of ignorance , bred in a hel of uncleannesse , and enthralled from the beginning to the prince of darkenesse , to conceive or convince a man of that most holy , and pure condition , wherein he was first created . the best wit without heavenly wisedome makes us either the devils instruments to trudge upon his errands , to drudge in his service , or his implements to weare his coat to make him pastime . the workes of naturall men doe neither begin in god , nor looke towards god , nor tend to god ; god is neither the principall , nor the object , nor the end of them . the spirit opens sinne in the soule , as a chrirurgion doth a wound in a close roome , with fire , friends , and remedies about him : but the devill first drawes a man from christ , from the word , from the promises , and then strips the soule , and opens the wound thereof in the cold ayre only , to kill and torment , not to cure and releeve . it is as great a work of the spirit to forme christ in the heart of a sinner , as it was to fashion him in the wombe of a virgin . outward temptation , prevented inward corruption in our first parents ; but inward corruption prevents outward temptation in us . most carry themselves , as men to men , recompensing love with love againe : but as devils towards god , recompensing his love with hatred . we make god stay our leisure in turning from sinne ; therefore hee may well make us stay his leisure in pardoning of it . want of sorrow for sinne is a greater argument of want of love to god , then the sin it selfe . a glutton may fill his belly , but he cannot fill his lust : a covetous man may have his house full of money , but hee can never have his heart full of money : and an ambitious man may have titles enough to over-charge his memory , but never to fill his pride . water mingled with wine , doth not take away the substance of wine , but weakens it : so our smaller sins doe not take away the nature of good deeds ; but weaken them , and make them lesse perfect . blacke besprinkled upon white , takes not away the whole colour of white , but only darkens it : so our good workes are not rooted up by our infirmities , but onely defaced , and obscured . an unadvised practise comming from ignorance , is farre more tolerable , then wilfull disobedience , convicted , and condemned by knowledge in adam and christ no thoughts were misplaced ; but though they were as many as the stars , yet they kept their rankes , and marched in their courses : but ours as meteors , daunce up & downe in us . as in printing , let the letters be never so faire , yet if not placed in their order , and rightly composed , they marre the sense ; so are our best thoughts , if mistuned , or misplaced . our thoughts at best are like wanton spaniels , who though they go with , and accompany ther master , and come to their journies end with him ; yet do run after every bird , and wildly pursue every flock of sheepe they see . if wee would but looke over the coppies of our thoughts , which we write continually , wee should find as much non-sense in them , as we find in mad mens speeches . whereas men should draw crosse lines over their sinnes , and blot them out through faith in christs blood , they rather coppy and write them over againe in their thoughts , with the same contentment as they first acted them . thoughts are the first begotten , and eldest sons of originall sin ; yea , and the parents , and begetters of all other sins , their brethren ; the first contrivers , and achitophels of all the treasons , and rebellions of our hearts , and lives ; the bellowes , and incendiaries of all inordinate affections ; the panders to all our lusts , and the disturbers in all good duties . if we have not mine of precious truths hid in our hearts , no wonder if our thoughts coine nothing but drosse : frothy thoughts , for better materials , which should feed the mint , are wanting . as to prevent wind which ariseth from emptinesse , men use to take a good draught in the morning : so to prevent those vaine , & windy thoughts , which the heart naturally engenders , and which arise from emptinesse ; bee sure every morning first to fill thy heart with thoughts of god . heauen hath a pillory , whereon pia fraus her selfe shall be punished . he that surpriseth truth with an ambush of equivocation , is as bad an enemy , as he that fights against her , with a flat lye in open field . a lye once set on foot besides the first founder , meets with many benefactors , who contribute their charity thereunto . slender and leane slanders quickly consume themselves : but he that is branded with a great crime , though false , when the wound is cured , yet his credit will bee killed with the scarre . slanderers slay , no lesse then three at once with one blast of their breath : the person traduced , themselves , and the party they make report to : the first in his fame : themselves in their souls : and the last also in the like , by drawing him to communicate with them in their sin . covetousnesse doth so farre estrange a man from the power of the excellency of grace ; that it degrades him of all the sweetnesse of nature . the world hath set adultery in a white sheet , but god himselfe hath stamped a black brand on covetousnesse , calling it idolatry . the upper roofe of the mouth is called coelum ; but many men have no heaven in their mouths , no upper part , but all lower , never speaking but of these base , and low things . all vices are subtile , and sly , and can borrow habits , and dresse themselves in the attire of vertues . he that drives the trade of breaking promises , though he may for a time fairely spread his train , yet hee will moult his feathers soone after . none can be fledge in wickednesse at the first hatching . the devils last stratagem is , if hee cannot beat us downe to sinne , to blow us up with pride . corruption is apt to turne learning into leaven , to infect the heart with pride , which being armed , and seconded with wit , breakes forth into perverse disputes , and corrupts the mind . men testifie their pride in their lookes , and fashions , in their eyes and tongues ; ' it s the deepest , the closest , and yet one of the openest sins : as a great oake , that spreadeth much in sight , and yet is deep under ground too . ordinarily men would not be at such a distance in tenents , if they did not too much concur in the pride , and vaine glory of an opinionative mind . pride in a christian is like the spleene in the body , that groweth most , when other parts wast , and decay . pride , and selfe-conceit is a bastard often begotten betwixt a learned head , and an unsanctified heart , which being once conceived in the soule , causeth it to swell till it burst in sunder . its strange , yet true , that god sitting a loft in heaven , the higher that a man lifteth himselfe , the farther he is from him : and the lower that a man stoopeth , the nearer hee is to him : as appeareth in the pharisee and publican . as an whole city will soone be faire , if every one will sweepe but before his owne doore : so a whole state would soone be reformed , if every one would looke home , and mend one . as warre with the world procureth peace with god : so sorrow for sinne procureth joy in god : the way to joy is by griefe , as the way to health is by physick . a mans sorrow may be sincere , though hee can weepe more for the losse of some deare friend , then for his sinne ; because nature and grace concurre in the first ; whereas nature , and grace crosse in the second . nothing will make gods children so faire , as to wash themselves every morning in their teares . as wee see stars in cleare waters : so the stars of true joy appeare in the crystall water of repentant teares . repentance is the younger brother to innocency it selfe . without sound humiliation , sinne is not accounted the greatest evill , nor christ the greatest good . if god hath cured the stone in our hearts , dissolving it by gentle draughts , when hee hath bound others , cut them , and put them to much paine in taking it from them , we should remember , that we are engaged to the more thankfulnesse . repentance with man is a change of the will , but repentance with god is the willing of a change . aquin. comforts , and chastisements , joy and sorrow make checker-work in our lives ; sorrow bedewes our eyes with teares , and joy wipes them off againe . a christian in regard of that spirituall conflict , that is within him , may say , good is before me , the glory , the service , the wayes of god : i see it , but i cannot love it : i love it , but i cannot doe it . i doe it , but yet i cannot finish it : i will ; but yet i rebell : i follow , but yet , i fall : i presse forward , but yet i faint , & flag , i wrestle ▪ and yet i halt : i pray , and yet i sinne : i fight , and yet i am a captive ; i crucifie my lusts , and yet they revile me : i watch my heart , and yet it runs away from me . as true valour is more encreased by opposition ; so the more a child of god fals into sinne , the more grace is strengthened , and satan gets the lesse ground : for as water where it finds a stop , grows more violent ; so grace where it finds resistance , growes more strong and intent . the soule of a man naturally in regard of grace , and goodnesse , is in grace , and goodnesse , is instar codicis depravati , as a a booke blurred , blotted , and mis-printed , that must have much rased , and done out ; ere it can be well corrected . gods grace and good things in us , are like a dull sea coale fire ; which if it be not often blowne , and stirred up , though there be no want of fuell , yet wil of it selfe at length dye and goe out . it s a sure signe of grace to see no grace , and to see it with griefe . there may be spirituall life without sense of paine or griefe , as it is with the saints in heaven ; but there can bee no sense of paine , and spirituall griefe , where there is not some beginning of spirituall life . the greatest part of a christian mans perfection in this life , consisteth rather in will then in work , and in desire , and endeavour more then indeed . as hunger is a signe of health in the body , so is spirituall hunger of health in the soule . as the eye can see other things , but it cannot see it selfe ; so christians many times better see how others grow in grace , then how themselvs do , though they grow as fast , or faster then others . as a worke-man hath neither lost , nor lessened his skill , because hee either wants , and cannot worke ; or hath bad tools , and therefore cannot work so well as if he had better : so neither doth it follow , that grace is abated in the soule , because it s not so vigorous , able , and active , the body being by age , sicknesse , or feeblenesse decayed and disabled , as it was when the parts and functions of it were fresh and lively . as broths , meats , & medicines , though they delight not the taste of a sicke person , yet they may preserve life , and by degrees strengthen him : so holy actions , though performed weakly , yet with holy diligence , may much benefit the soule , though for the present it find little spirituall relish in them , or comfort by them . as a woman that hath felt her child stirre , concludes that shee hath conceived , though shee doth not alwayes feele it stirre : so if upon good grounds wee have found gods grace , and favour by the powerfull work of the spirit upon our souls , wee may be assured of spirituall life , though we find it not , so sensibly work in us at all times . as the starres shine but with a borrowed light from the sunne : so unlesse god shine secretly , and give light to our graces , they will neither appeare to comfort us , nor to bee a witnesse of gods favour to us . as the chaffe when the wheat is tossed in the sive comes up to the top : so in commotions , and winnowings of spirit , our corruptions float in our consciences , whilst the graces that are in us , lye covered under them out of sight . grace comes into the soule like light into the ayre , which before darke , is illuminated in all parts at once : or as heat into cold water that spreads it selfe through the whole substance . god brings not a paire of scales to weigh our graces , and if they be too light to refuse them : but he brings a touchstone to try them ; and if they be true gold , though never so little of it , it will passe currant with him . as fire by an anti-paristasis gathers heat , when it s compassed about with coldnesse : so the nature of true grace , is to gather strength by relapses . as the senses discerne betweene colour and colour ; between taste and taste : so there is an ability in those which are perfect to discerne betweene good and evill . heb. . ult. as in a combat betweene two , the stronger upon equall termes would get the victory , but his adversary getting upon a hill , and having the wind of him , overcomes him , and leadeth him captive : so the spirit , though upon equall terms it would alwaies get the better of the flesh ; yet when the flesh gets upon the hill of temptation , and by driving the smoake thereof into its eyes , blinds it , upon such a disadvantage it may be overcome . as the sun , when the beames of it are applyed to a fitly disposed matter , and rest thereon , it begins to beget life , and motion in it , and makes it a living creature : so the covenant of grace when it s applyed to the heart of a man , it begins to beget life in him , and to make him a new creature . when the lord writes his law in the heart , he doth not only knock off the old bias of sinfull lusts , but sets on a new bias that bowes , and bends it to the wayes of god ; so that besides the commandement , there is a strong inclination that carrieth it that way . knowledge is the oyle wherein the flame of the spirit lives : so that a man cannot have more grace , then he hath knowledge , though he may have much empty and unprofitable knowledge without grace . as the load-stone hath a lingring inclination after the iron , though it be pulled away a thousand times from it : such a disposition there is in gods servants to choose him for their lord and husband . as a graft in a grab-tree stock , changeth both sap , and fruit , and leeves , and all of another fashion : so when the life of grace is put into a naturall man , it changeth the whole frame of the soule , both the inward , and the outward man . as the earth may bring forth grasse , and common wild flowers of it selfe ; but it must bee plowed , and sowne before any choise plants can grow there : so our common natures may bring forth things that are morrally good , but they must bee plowed with contrition , and sowne with spirituall graces , before they can bring forth fruits of righteousnesse . as the members of the body are knit unto the head , but some nearer , some farther off : so in christs body , all draw grace from him ; yet in difference of grace , there is difference of hope . grace and merit fight like fire and water , the one puts ! out the other . christians should have such humble judgements , as to bee willing to learne any ( though unwelcome ) truth , to unlearne any , though darling error . all duties are so much the better performed , by how much the persons are more religious , from whose abilities the same proceed . there may bee a brason face , and much fool-hardinesse without grace , but never a brave mind indeed , and spirit of steele . when a weak servant goes about a businesse , though he doe it not so wel as a stronger ; yet a wise master will consider his weaknesse : so the lord considers the natural weaknesse of his servants , and deals mercifully with them in such a case . when a man is to use his horse , he suffers him not to run wildly up and downe in the pastures , but will have him under bridle ; so wee should keepe our hearts in frame , that they may be ready to do us service in holy duties , when we have need of them . no workes , signes , nor miracles are able to change the hardnesse of mans heart , but the grace of god only . as a man looking through a red glasse , every thing seemes red to him : so god looking upon his children , through the bleeding wounds of their blessed saviour , beholds them faire and ruddy , deeply died with an heavenly dye of acceptation and grace . the riper that the corne growes , the looser will the chaffe be ; and the more a man growes in grace , with the more ease will his corruption , bee severed and shaken off . men may bee enlightned , but not sanctified : as a false starre , or ignis fatuus may have light without influence , or heat . as in the body , there is required not onely beauty , but order and proportion : so in duties , an excellent worke must neither be misplaced , nor mistimed , nor attended with incongruous circumstances , otherwise it will rather prove a snare of satan , then a fruit of the spirit . as light continues not in the house , but by its dependance on the sunne ; shut out that , & all the light is presently gone : so wee can doe nothing , but by the constant supply of the spirit of christ , hee that begins must finish every good worke in us . when christians cannot doe duties with life , yet they should doe them with obedience ; when not in comfort , yet with feare and trembling ; when not as they were wont , yet as they are able , that what is wanting in strength , may bee made up in their humility . restrayning grace only charmes , and chaines up sinne : renewing grace crucifies , and weakens it ; that turnes the streame into another channell ; this keeps it in its bounds , that is contrary to the rage of sin only : this to the reigne of it . a naturall conscience only shewes the danger of sinne , and so makes a man feare it : but a spiritual conscience , shewes the pollution of sin , and so makes a man hate it . flesh and spirit are in a man , as light and darkenesse in the dawning of the day : as heat and cold in warme water , not severed in distinct parts ▪ but universally interweaved , and co-existent in all . every one hath two selfes ; a selfe of nature , and a selfe of sin , and both must bee denied for christ : this we must ever cast away as a snare ; and that wee must be ever ready to lay downe as a sacrifice , when christ is pleased to set himselfe in competition with it . god hath linked together with an indissoluble bond , happinesse and holinesse : raigning , and righteousnesse ; the one as the crowne , the other as the robe ; therefore the one cannot be had , or worne without the other . as it is an high impiety for a man to bee bad in a good age , and to continue unreformed in a generall reformation : so it is a speciall commendation for a man to bee good in a bad age , and to continue uncorrupted in times of generall corruption . there is no way to compasse contentment , or happinesse without god , and there is no way unto god , but by godlinesse . godlinesse may doe a man good without gaine , but gaine can doe a man no good without godlinesse . as the garments that we weare , must receive heat from the body , before they returne heat to it : so there must be matter of joy , and comfort from within , ere any sound joy , or comfort can accrew from any thing without . the godly are not heavy , because they are holy ; but they are heavy , because they are no more holy . as health freeth from all diseases , according to the degrees of it : so sanctifying grace freeth from all vices that are contrary thereunto , according to the measure and proportion of it . as the motion of the heart and lungs is alwayes stirring , wheresoever a man is , and without paine it cannot bee long hindered by holding the breath ; so it is a signe that godlinesse is growne to a kind of connaturalnesse , when religious dispositions continue with us in all places , and cannot without trouble be long interrupted , psal. ● . . . . a good christian is like a dye that fals alike every way : or like gold , cast it either into fire , or water , and it neither wasts with the one , nor rusts with the other ; but still retaines its owne purity . a child of god is like a peice of gold , though it want its full weight , yet give it its allowance , and it passeth currant . he is truly religious that converseth so with men in publike , as if god over-look'd him , and that communeth so with god in private , as if men overheard him . s. augustine saith , it is the very essence of righteousnesse , for a man to be willing to be righteous . holy men in their praise-worthy things are like the light side of the cloud , which conducted gods israel in their way to canaan ; but in their faults and faylings as the black of the cloud , which who so followeth ( with the egyptians ) is sure to be drowned in the red sea of perdition . as the philosophers stone turnes all mettall into gold : as the bee sucks honey out of every flowre ; and a good stomack sucks out some wholsome nourishment out of what it receives into it selfe : so doth an holy heart , so farre as it is sanctified , convert , and digest all into spirituall , and usefull thoughts . if wee try to wind up our soules at any time to holy meditations , wee shall find our minds ( like the pegs of an instrument ) slip betweene our fingers , as we are winding them up , and so fall downe againe before we be aware . as the clearest blood makes the best spirits , so a good life the greatest confidence ; the purest ayre breeds the greatest agility , and the purest life the fairest hope . a man may have a good colour from flushing or painting , though his body be unsound , and a man can never have an healthful body , but his complection is good . so the heart is never good , but it will appeare outwardly : leaves may be without fruit , but fruit cannot bee without leaves . as a man that sails to such a place , his compass stands stil right , though the wind carry him violently another way ; but the gust being over he returnes , and sayles to his intended haven : so the saints sayle by a right compasse , their intents are still good ; if they doe otherwise it s by accident , when they are over-borne by some temptation , which being once over , they returne into the right way againe . he that cuts downe a tree with an ill axe , cuts it downe in the end , though not so neatly : so a good man is still destroying the body of sinne by obedience , though it bee with some hacking and imperfection . science , and conscience , both joyned together , make up a perfect man in christ iesus . the nature of faith is to apprehend righteousnesse in the sense of sinne ; happinesse in the sense of misery , and favour in the sense of displeasure . the reason why a perspective glasse drawes remote objects close to the eye , is , because it multiplyes the species : so we by faith apprehending an infinite and everlasting glory , must needs conceive any thing through which wee looke upon it , to bee but short and vanishing . as every line in a circumference , though never so distant each from other , doth if it be followed carry a man at last to one , and the same center : so every promise by faith apprehended , carrieth a man to christ ; and to the consideration of our unity with him , in the right whereof wee have claime to them . as a bird with a little eye , and advantage of a wing to soare up withall , may see more then an oxe with a greater : so the righteous with a little estate joyned with faith , tranquillity , and devotion , may have more pleasure , feele more comfort , and see more of gods bounty , and mercy , then a man of vast possessions , whose heart cannot lift it selfe above the earth . a man cannot live without lively faith , and faith is not lively , without an holy life . faith in christ must bee seconded with faithfulnesse unto christ , as wee must have faith in him , so wee must keep faith unto him . as it s but an harlotry love , for a woman to love the gift more then the giver : so it s but an harlotry faith for us to trust gods pledge , or pawne , more then himselfe . faith will enable us to see the sweet sunshine of gods favour , even through the thickest clouds of gods wrath . it is the efficacy of faith to beleeve what wee see not : and it shall be the reward of faith , to see what wee beleeve . greg. faith is a miracle of miracles ; for it s founded as the earth upon meer nothing in it selfe , yet it bears the weight of sinnes , devils , yea of god himselfe . christs righteousnesse is as much ours , to save us trusting upon it , as his owne to glorifie him . as when all out-workes in a city are taken , the wals scaled , all fortification forsaken , then a tower holds out last , and is a refuge to fly to : so when the devill , and gods wrath beleaguers us round , and the comfort of all our graces is taken from us , and wee are driven to forsake all our holds of comfort , then we should fly unto the name of the lord , as to a strong tower . wayting on god is an act of faith : resting on him an act of hope : expecting helpe from him , an act of patience : the mind quietly contenting it selfe till god doth come : and of submission if he should not come . wee would so beleeve in god , as if we used no meanes , and yet as diligently use the meanes , even as if our confidence were to be in them . thistles are il weeds , but the ground is fat where they grow : so doubting in a child of god , is a thing that resists faith , it is bad , but it is a signe that the heart is good where it is . faith should bee in the soule , as the soule is in the body , which is not there in vaine , but is still stirring , and shewing it selfe by motion , and action . as wine which is turned to vineger , ceaseth to be wine : so ineffectuall faith hath the shaddow , and name of faith only , but it is not faith , and therefore not accepted of by god . as exercise begets health , and by health wee are made fit for exercise : so assurance grounded upon the promise , enableth , enlargeth , and encreaseth sanctification , and sanctification encreaseth assurance . the saints that ascend high in obedience , are like men gone up high upon ladder : the higher they are gone up , the faster they hold , and they are not without some passages of feare to slip downe . there is no darkenesse so desolate , no crosse so cutting , but the splendor of a sound faith , and cleare conscience is able to enlighten , and mollifie . in prayer it is faith that must make us successefull in the word , its faith must make us profitable : in obedience its faith must make us cheerfull : in afflictions , its faith must make us patient : in trials , its faith must make us resolute : in desertions , its faith must make us comfortable : in life , its faith which must make us fruitfull : and in death , its faith which must make us victorious . what we cannot beleeve by understanding we should labour to understand by beleeving . downewards a mans eye hath something immediatly to fix on ; all the beauty , and fruit of the earth being set on the outside of it , to shew how short , and narrow our affections should be toward it : but outward the eye scarse finds any thing to bound it , all being transparent , and diaphanous , to note how vaste our affections should be towards god , how endlesse our thoughts , and desires of his kingdome , and how present to our faith heavenly things should be , even at the greatest distance . as husbandmen cast some of their corne back into a fruitfull soyle , wherby in due time they receive it back again with encrease : so should wee doe with worldly blessings , sow them in the bowels , and backs of the poore members of christ , and in the day of harvest we shall find a great increase . charities eys , must be open as well as her hands , though she giveth away the branches , yet not to part with the root . almes in greeke comes from a word that signifies to piety , because they should proceed from a mercifull , and p●tifull heart , and in the hebrew and syriack , it s called righteousnesse , as being by right due to the poore , in workes of charity , our scattering is increasing : no spending , but a lending : no laying out , but a laying up , prov. . . pro . . nothing can more effectually deliver a man from need , then to be liberall to them that be in need . duties must be discharged , whatsoever difficulties wee meet withall . christs obedience was meritorious , for the redemption of his church ; ours only ministeriall , for the edificatiō of his church . luther said , that god loves curristas , not quaristas : wee must not reason , but run . wee bewray our love more by griefe , in parting with any good , then by our joy in partaking of it . reward hath an attractive , and punishment an impulsive , but love hath a compulsive faculty : reward drawes : punishment drives : but love hales a man forward to the discharge of his duty . love unto christ is an holy affection of the soule carrying of us with full desire to the enjoying of him , and making us to preferre our communion with him before all things in the world , that may challenge our dearest respect . if god write a law of love in our hearts , and shed abroad his owne love to joyne therewith , it will worke so strongly , that one graine of it , will have more force to purge out sinne , and to constraine and strengthen to obedience , then a whole pound of terrors . how can god but love them that love him , seeing he loved them , when they loved him not . there is no affection freer then love ; as there is nothing more forcible , so nothing that can bee lesse forced . as rackets at tennis make the ball live in a perpetuall motion ; so doe repulses in love , and reflect it stronger into one anothers bosome ; the best temper of it , is , that the communication of it , bee neither too forward to coole desire , nor too froward , least it cause despaire . god delights more in his countrey cottage of a godly heart , then in his courtly pallace of heaven . the triangular heart of man was intended for a mansion for the blessed trinity : and if wee could but looke into our owne heart , we should find chalked upon the doore , for god ; as the kings harbingers doe for the lodgings of the courtiers . nothing is difficult with god , for his word is his will , and his will is his worke . we can see no more then the back parts of god and live : wee need see no more that we may live . where god is absolute in threatning , he will be resolute in punishing . god is the most glorious , and most alluring object our minds can fasten on , and therefore the thoughts of him should swallow up all other , as not worthy to be seene the same day with him . gods power is as much seene in pardoning sinne , and over comming his wrath , as in making a world , num. . . . a poore soule is not contented with ease , pardon , knocking of his bolts , till hee enjoyes communion with god , and sees his face in his ordinances . as the sunne is the fountaine of all light , so that whatsoever the ayre hath , it s derived from the sunne : so whatsoever comfort is in the creature , it s derived from god . as the fire that makes any thing hot , must needs be hotter it selfe : so the lord ( since all that is in the creature is taken from him ) himselfe must needs have an al-sufficiency , he must be full of al things . an host may entertaine strangers with better food , then he gives his children , yet hee keeps the best portion for his children : so god may do much for those that are strangers to him , yet he keeps the best portiō for his children , which they shal have in the end , though they fare hard here . we must principally love god for his excellēcies not for our own advātages . when wee guid● our hearts to god , hee gives them backe to us againe ; much better then when hee received them ; as vapours that arise out of the earth , the heavens returne them againe in pure water , much better then they received them . hee that gives his heart to god , hath as much liberty , and as much power of his owne heart , as hee that followes lusts . let a thousand lines come to one point , every one hath the whole , yet there is but one that answereth all : so it is with the lord , though there be many thousands that the lord loves , yet every one hath god wholly . now as hee is to them alone , so he expects , that they should give themselves to him wholly . gods performance , and remembrance goe together , as the light , and the sunne : so that in giving helpe to man , it s enough that god remembers him , whose memory , and mercy are , as it were but one act . gods booke is not like a merchants booke , wherein is written both what is owing , and what he oweth himselfe : for god in mercy wipes out what we owe him , and writes onely that which hee owes us by promise . god shewes more mercy in saving some when hee might have condemned all : then justice in judging many , when he might have saved none . where god multiplies his mercies , and men multiply their sins , there god will multiply their miseries . the hebrewes observe , that all the letters in the name of god , are litterae quiescentes , letters of rest ▪ because god is the only center where there the soule may find rest . ther is no true godlines , where there is not contentment of mind , no true contentment of mind , where there is not godlines . the holier that men are , the happier they are ; and the more godly they are , the more true , and sound contentment , they are sure of . there can bee no cōtentment wher any want is , nor freedome from want , where sufficiency is not , as there is not in the creature . god alone is the chiefest good ; and the chiefest good is each ones utmost ayme , and therfore our desires cannot be staid , till wee come home unto him , beyond whom wee cannot possibly goe . as a stomack that hath beene enlarged to full diet lookes for it , and rises more hungry from a slender meale : so communion with god enlargeth the faculties , and makes them more capable of greater joyes ; and therefore the creature is lesse able to fill the hearts of such , then of others , which never had this communion with him . gods name is i am , because hee is all things to all men that they want . as noah , when the deluge of waters had defaced the great booke of nature , had a coppy of every kind of creature in that famous library of the arke , out of which all were reprinted to the world : so he that hath god hath the original coppy of all blessings , out of which if all were perished , all might easily bee restored . the heart is a pyramis inverted , large towards heaven , but contracted to a point towards the earth : let god raine a large influence of grace upon us , and we should be at a point for earthly things . as ayre lights not without the sun , nor wood heats without fire : so neither doth any condition cōfort a man without god . let our desires bee what they will , if that which wee have suite with them , its comfortable . when a woman marrieth a trades-man , or excellent artist , she thinkes it a good portion , and as good as if hee had much money : so they that have the lord for their portion , have enough , if they have nothing else . as hagar , when the bottle was spent , fell a crying she was undone ; she and her child should perish : there was a fountaine neer , but she saw it not , till god opened her eyes : so when our bottle is dryed up in such meanes as we depend upon , wee presently say , there is no hope , though the lord the fountaine is neere unto us , if wee had but our eys open to see him . as a dropsie man , after he is brought into health , is content with lesse drinke then hee was before : so godlinesse brings the soule into a good temper , removing lustful humours , giving him that content that before he wanted . as the bee , if it found honey enough in one flowre , would not fly to another : so the nature of man , if it found sweetnesse and contentment , and comfort enough in god , it would not turne from him to the creature . if the sunne bee wanting , it will bee night for all the stars : so if the light of gods countenance be wanting , a man may sit in the shaddow of death , for all the glyster of worldly contentments . as women , when they have good meat to eat , doe sometimes long after ashes and coals , and such things so when god compasseth a man about with mercies , if hee suffer an inordinate appetite to take hold of him , his soule may have blessings present , and yet receive no comfort from them . gods enemies may have abundance , but they are but land-flouds of comfort , they make a great shew , and have some reality of comfort in them for the present ; but like ponds , or land-flouds are quickly dryed up ; but the springs of comfort only belong to the saints , to whom they are renewed from day to day . as fire under water , the hotter it burnes , the sooner it is extinguished by the over-running of the water : so earthly things raise up such tumultuary , and disquiet thoughts in the minds of men , as at last extinguish all the heat and comfort which was expected from them . all those phantasticall felicities , which men build upon the creature , prove in the end to bee but the banquet of a dreaming man , nothing but lies , and vanities in the conclusion . though a man have riches , and thinke himselfe so sure of them , that they cannot be taken away : yet they are like a flock of birds in a mans ground , which he cannot promise to himselfe any certainty of , because they have wings , and may fly away , pro. . . the glory of this world is like a rotten post that shines indeed , but its only in the darke . if we lay our selves loaden with the utmost of all earthly excellencies , and felicities in the one scale of the ballance , and vanity in the other ; vanity wil weigh us downe . they which eagerly pursue the worlds vanities , are like children following butter-flies , which after all their paines they may misse , and if they catch , it s but a fly , that besmeares their hands . when the world cannot bring truth of happinesse for her champion to overthrow us , and draw us from god : shee will bee sure to deale with her old chapman , the falsehood of the flesh ; and so ( if wee take not heed ) will over-reach us ▪ in our bargaine . king henry the fourth of france , asked the duke d' alva , if hee had not observed the eclipses : no ( said he ) i have so much to doe upon earth , that i have no leisure to looke up to heaven : so its true with many christians , which are drawing lines in the dust ( with archimedes ) till destruction seaze upon them . as the lapwing hath a crowne upon the head , and yet feeds upon dung : so to be crowned with honour from god , and yet to feed upon the dung of the world , as basely as other men doe , is unseemly for a christian . earthly things must neither be sought , with the height of designe , nor height of desires ; which like a precious box of oyntment , must not bee powred out upon those things : nor with height of devoir , spinning out our soules ( as the spider to catch a fly ) nor spending the first borne of our thoughts upon them . there is a prodigious property in worldly things to obliterate all notions of god out of the heart of man , and to harden him to any abominations . christians should beware of plunging themselves into a confluence of many boisterous , and conflicting businesses ; as pauls ship , where two seas met , lest the lord give over their soules to suffer ship-wrack in them : or stripping of them of all their lading and tackling : breake their estate al to peices , and make them get to heaven upon a broken planck . too much eager love and attendance upon the world , robs many christians of golden opportunities , of encreasing the graces of their soules , with more noble and heavenly contemplations , on gods truth and promises : on his name , and attributes : on his word and worship ; of rouzing up their soules from the sleepe of sinne : of inflaming their spiritual gifts ; of enjoying communion with god : of mourning for their sinnes : of besiegeing and besetting heaven with their more ardent , and retyred prayers : of bewayling the calamities , the stones of syon : of deprecating , and repelling approaching judgements , and of glorifying god in all their wayes . a man comes to the world , as to a lottery , with an head full of hopes , and projects to get a prize , and returnes with an heart full of blanks , utterly deluded in his expectation . the world useth a man , as the ivie doth an oake , the closer it gets to the heart , the more it clings and twists about the affections , and though it seeme to promise & flatter much , yet it indeed doth but eate out his reall substance , and choake him in the embraces . he who lookes stedfastly upon the light of the sunne , will be able to see nothing below , when hee lookes downe againe : and the more a man is affected with heaven , the lesse will hee desire , or delight in the world . as a cloud exhaled by the sun , hides the light of the sun which drew it up : so the great estates , and temporall blessings of god to evi●l men , serve but to intercept the thoughts , and to blot out the notions , and remembrance of him that gave them . if there were no earth , there would bee no darkenesse ; for its the body of the earth that hides the sunne from our view ; and the light of gods word and graces would not bee eclipsed , if earthly affections did not interpose themselves . as boyes that steale into an orchard , stuffe their sleeves , and pockets with fruit , hoping to get out with it ; but when they come to the doore , meet with one that searcheth them , and sends them away empty : so many hoard up riches , and thinke long to enjoy them , but ere long goe hence , and meet with death which strips them , and suffers nothing to passe with them , but a sorry shirt , which yet they have no sense of , nor are better for it . when the body hath a wen , or a wolfe in it , al the nourishment is drawn to that , and the body growes leane and poor : so when a mans heart is taken up with the world , it eats up , and devoures all the good thoughts , and intentions of the mind : and the hidden man of the heart is starved , and pin'd in the meane time . gold can no more fill the heart of man , then grace his purse . when we see a servant follow two gentlemen , wee know not whose man he is , but their parting will discover to whom hee belongs : so when death shall sever the owner from the world , then will riches , revenues , &c. and all outward bravery cleave to the world , and leave him as poore a wretch , as when he first came into the world . worldlings houses are alwayes better ordered then their soules , and their temporall husbandry is alwayes better then their spirituall . the deeplier that the drowsie heart of a covetous man doth drink of the golden stream , the more furiously its inflamed with spirituall thirst . they do extreamly befoole themselves , which thinke to have two heavens : one in this world , and another in the world to come : or to weare two crownes of ioyes , whereas christ himselfe had the first of thorns . god puts money into earthen boxes ( covetous misers ) that have only one chinke to let in ; but none to let out , with purpose to breake them , when they are full . on the banks of the dead sea grow those hypocriticall apples , and well complectioned dust ( the true emblems of the false pleasures of the world ) which touched , fall to ashes . most men use their knowledge in divinity , as some doe artificiall teeth , more for shew then service : or as the athenians did their coine , to count and gingle with onely , striving rather to be able to talke of it , then to walke by it . in some christians the spring is too forward to hold ; and the speedy withering of their religion , argueth that it wanted root . hypocrites are like the egyptian temples , painted without , and spotted within , varnisht without , and vermine within . none are so mad , as to keepe their iewels in a sellar ; and their coales in a closet : and yet such is the profanenesse of wicked men , to keepe god in their lips only , and mammon in their hearts to make the earth their treasure , and heaven but an appendix , or accessary to it . as a peice of gold may be shaped into a vessell of dishonour for sordid uses : so a worke may be compounded of choise ingredients , the materials of it commanded by god , and yet serve for base purposes , and directed to our owne ends , it may stinke in the nostrils of god , and be jected . men that take upon them the name of christ , and a shew of religion , and yet deny the power therof , are not only lyers , in professing a false love , but theeves too in usurping an interest into christ , which indeed they have not . though nothing but the evangelicall vertue of the word , begets true , and spirituall obedience ; yet outward conformity may be fashioned by the terrour of the law : as in ahab . many who will not doe good obedientially with faith in the power , with submission to the will , with aime at the glory of him that commands it : will yet doe it rationally , out of the conviction , and evidence of their owne principles . an unfruitfull christian is the most unprofitable creature that is ; as a vine is either for fruit , or for fuell , and improper and unprofitable for all other uses . ezek. . . some come unto christ , as to a iesus for roome and shelter , to keepe them from the fire ; not as to a christ for grace , and government in his service . many deale with christ now in glory , as ioab did with abner , they kisse and flatter him in the outward profession of his name , and worship : when they stab , and persecute him in his members . as in flaying of a beast , the skin comes away with ease till you come to the head : so many are well enough content to conform to good courses , til it come to the master corruption , and head-sin , and then ther they stick . the pharisee in the gospell exults arrogantly in himselfe , insulting insolently over others , and deceiveth himselfe alone , whom alone hee excepteth , whiles he contemneth , and condemneth all besides himselfe . as inequality in the pulse , argues much distemper in the body : so unevenesse in christian walking , argueth little soundnesse in the soule . wicked men in affliction are like iron , which whiles in the fire it melts , but after it hath beene a while out , it groweth stiffe againe . he was never good indeed that desireth not to be better ; yea , hee is starke nought , that desireth not to be as good as the best . peace , and prosperity hide many a false heart , as the snow drift covers many a heape of dung . none are so desperatly evill , as they that may be good , and will not , or have beene good and are not . as our ordinary fire heats but the outward man , but it heats us not within : so common righteousnesse contents it selfe with bodily exercise , and a performance of duties publike , and private : but fire from heaven heats our hearts also . a woman may think that she is with child , but if she finds no stirring , nor motion , it s a signe that shee was deceived : so hee that thinkes hee hath faith in his heart , but finds no workes proceeding from it , it s an argument that hee was mistaken , for faith is operative a man that commits adultery with any thing in the world , hee would willingly bee freed from the service of god , were it not for the losse of heaven , and going to hell : but he that serves him out of love would not goe free if hee might . as a crasie body cannot indure the tryall of the weather ; nor a weake eye the light : so an unsound heart cannot endure searching , and examination . a merchant may cast out his goods , when in a storme he is in danger , and yet not hate his goods : so a man may cast away sinne , when it puts him in danger of sinking into hell , and yet not hate his sinne . as we deceive children , taking away gold , or silver , and giving them countets to quiet them : so satan quiets the consciences of many with bare formes of piety , who are not able to distinguish betweene precious duties , and the right performance of them , and formall , and empty performances . hypocrites may counterfeit all outward duties , and abstaine from sins , but they cannot counterfeit to love the lord . silla , surnamed faelix , accounted it not the least part of his happinesse , that metellus , sirnamed pius , was his friend : godlinesse is alwayes the best friend to happinesse . as the cardinal made his embleme a beech tree with this inscription : take off the top , and its the ruine of all the trees so its true of the purity of religion , tamper with , and take away that , and all other blessings will be gone . so materiall is the union of religion with justice , that wee may boldly deeme that there is neither , where both are not . it s better to leave religion to her native plainenesse , then to hang her eares with the counterfeit pearles of false miracles . religion dyed in fear never long keepes colour ; but this dayes converts , wil be to morrow's apostates . as tame foxes , if they breake loose , and turn wild , will doe ten times more mischiefe , then those which were wild from the beginning : so renegado christians rage more furiously against religion , then any pagans . some turne conscience into questions , and controversies ; so that whiles they are resolving what to doe , they doe just nothing . it s a blessed institution of younger yeares , when reason , and religion are together moulded , and fashioned in tender minds . as the very act fits a man for the exercise of any bodily labour : so the best preparation unto prayer , is the very duty it selfe . the duty of prayer is spirituall , and our hearts are carnall , and therefore it s no easie thing to bring spirituall duties , and carnall hearts together . a man in a ship plucketh a rocke , it seemes as if hee plucked the rocke nearer the ship , whereas the ship is plucked nearer the rocke : so when wee draw nearer to the lord in prayer , there is a spirituall disposition wrought in our hearts hereby , whereby we draw nearer to him , but his purposes alter not . naturall affections may adde wind to the saile of praier , and make it more importunate , though holinesse may guide the rudder , and keepe the course , and make the sterage . as an angler , when he hath throwne in his bait , if it stay long , and catch nothing , hee takes it up , and amends it , and then throwes it in againe , and waits patiently : so if wee pray , and pray long and obtaine not the thing we pray for , wee must looke to our prayers , see they be right , amend what is amisse , and so continue them till god heares . as the fisher draws away the bait , that the fish may follow it the more eagerly : so god with-holds blessings , that we might desire them more , pray more eagerly for them , and prize them more , when wee obtaine them . the husbandman looks not only to the grain that he hath in his garner , but to that also which he hath sowne ; yea , ( it may be ) as to the better of the two : so prayers sowne ( it may be many yeares agoe ) are such as will bring in a sure increase . as members that are benummed , by using them they get life and heat , and become in the end nimble : so when the heart is benummed , and thereby unfit for prayer , the very use of it will make it fit for the duty . as a physician puts many ingredients into a thing , but its owne principall ingredient that hee makes most account of to cure the disease : so we must use both prayer , and other lawfull means , yet we must know that prayer is the principall effecter of the thing : and therefore wee must put most confidence therein . the blood of sheep and swine are both alike , yet the blood of swine was not to be offered , because it was the blood of swine : so the prayer of an unregenerate man may bee as well fram'd , both for the petitions , and every thing that is required immediatly to a prayer , and yet not bee accepted , because of the heart , and person from whom it comes . though prayer bee the key that opens gods treasures , yet faith is the hand that turnes the key , without which it will doe no good . there is a two-fold faith required in prayer . faith in the providence of god , whereby wee beleeve that he is such a god , as is able to bring the things to passe . . faith in the promise of god , wherby we beleeve he is willing to bring it to passe . earnestnesse in prayer is a fruit of faith , and not a meere expression of naturall desires , when there is not only a sense of the thing we want , but also an hope of mercy , a ground to beleeve , that we shall have the thing granted , and out of this ground , an earnest , and importunate begging of it . the person must be righteous , and the prayer fervent , as indited by the helpe of gods spirit , or else it s no sacrifice fit for the lord . when there is no other way to escape a danger , a christian can goe by heaven , as daedalus ; restatiter coelo , coelo tentabimus ire . let papists number their beads , that give their prayers to god by number , not by zeale : but let saints tell their teares , till they be without number . tertullian saith , that wee should make prayers fat with fastings , which ordinarily are starved with formalities . gods children have the altar of christ to receive , the incense of christ to perfume , the name , & intercession of christ , to present their prayers to god by . gods children should proportion the vehemency of their prayers , to the violence , and urgency of their lusts , and temptations that trouble them , as . cor. . . gods promises to us must bee the ground of our prayers to him , when god makes a promise , wee must make a prayer : for all promises are of mercy , not of duty , or debt : therefore god is not bound to tender them to us , till we beg them . as promises are the rule of what wee may pray for in faith : so prayer is the ground of what wee may expect with comfort . a christian hath what hee will , because god gives him a will to desire nothing but that which is gods promise , and his own necessity . god will bee sought , that he may be found of us , and he will be found , that hee may bee farther sought of us . spirituall things , as they must be sought before they can bee found , in regard of their difficulty : so they may well bee sought , that they may be found , in regard of their dignity . it s the usuall manner of gods people to beginne their prayers to god , with thankefull commemorations of mercies formerly received gen. ● . . psal. . . & . . . these are alwayes three speciall faults in prayer , faintnesse , coldnesse , boldnesse . . there is a faint , a fearefull , and distrustfull prayer . . a cold , formall , and superficiall prayer . . a bold , a proud , a presumptuous prayer : this last is worst . as the wheele of the water-mill , the more violently the water drives it from it , the more strongly it returnes upon the streame : so the more violently that god seemeth to thrust us from him , the more eagerly should wee enforce our selves to presse upon him , exod. . . . god seemeth to sleep , to make us awake out of our sleepe , and cry the louder , to wake him out of his seeming sleepe . psal . . . god heares his children , when hee seemeth not to heare them , to their profit , though not to their pleasure : he is present , when hee delayeth them ; yea , he is present in that hee doth delay them , and that is better then present with them , that for the present is denied them : it s a point of mercy in that hee is not so forward to shew mercy . faithfull prayer is ordained of god to bee a meanes to obtaine what we desire , and pray for : and therefore is never put up in vaine , but shall have an answer . . iohn . . . for where god gives an heart to speake , hee hath an eare to heare . not the gifts but the graces in prayer are they that move the lord . as wee stick the letters of friends in our windowes , or carry them in our bosomes , that wee may remember to answer them ; so the petitions of gods people passe not out of his sight , till hee sends an answer . as a sermon is not done , when the preacher hath done , because it s not done till it be practised : so our prayers are not heard , when yet made , but wee must waite for , and attend an answer . when wee have put up a faithfull prayer , god is made our debtor by his promise , and wee are to take notice of his payment , and give him an acknowledgement of the receit of it , or else he looseth of his glory . when god intends not to heare , hee layes the key of prayer out of the way , as being loath that such precious breath , as that of prayer is , should be without its full , and direct successe . it s a good signe that god will heare our prayers , when himselfe shall indite our petitions . great blessings that are won with prayer , are worne with thankfulnesse . that which is a spirit of supplication in a man when hee prayeth , resteth upon him , as a spirit of obedience in his life ; so as that dependance hee hath upon god for the mercy hee seekes for , is a speciall motive , and means to keep him fearefull of offending , and diligent to behave himselfe as becomes a suitor , as well as to come and pray , as a suitor . as direct beames have more heat in them , then collaterall , & oblique ; so when our prayers are answered directly in the thing prayed for , it s more comfortable then when they are answered obliquely . as when sinnes are punished , miseries come then in , like armies in troops : so when prayers are answered , usually mercies come thick , and tumbling in . temporall things granted out of ordinary providence only , doe encrease our lusts , and are snares to us , but obtained by prayer , they are sanctified to us . prayer , and thanks are like the double motion of the lungs , the ayre that is sucked in by prayer , is breathed forth againe by thankes . things long deferred , and at last obtained by prayer , prove most comfortable , and stable blessings . as a wicked mans deliverance , and the granting his request laies a foundation , and is a reservation of him to a worse judgement : so the deniall of a godly mans prayer , is for his greater good , and is laid as a foundation of a greater mercy . as a man cannot expect a crop , if hee take not paines to plow and sow : no more can we expect an answer , if wee doe not take paines with our hearts in prayer . that ship doth al , wayes sayle the surest , which is driven with the breath of godly mens prayers . our comforts in prayer , in hearing , our joies , our earnest penies which we have laid up , may be all spent in a dearth ; yea our owne graces , and all promises made to them : our own hearts may ( being creatures use to ) fayle , but gods name , and his sonnes name rested on by us , will never faile us . as a fountain hath alwayes an aptnesse to powre forth water , but stones and mud may so stop it for a time , that it cannot breake out : so a regenerate man hath an aptnesse to prayer , though sometimes it bee hindered by carnall impediments , which being removed by the holy ghost , they poure out their spirituall prayers to god in christ . such prayers as are the expressions of our own spirit , have nothing but flesh in them , and therefore are not regarded by god . a man may be willing that another should passe through his ground , but hee will have leave asked that the property may be acknowledged : so god will have his children aske what they want , that they may acknowledge the property he hath in those gifts that hee bestowes upon them . as acquaintance growes among men by speaking , and conversing together : so when wee are frequent , and fervent in prayer to god we grow acquainted with him : as without it wee grow strangers . that which we win with prayer , we wear with thankefulnesse , as that wee got without prayer , wee spend unthankfully . as sleepe composeth drunkennesse ; so prayer composeth the affections , so that when a man is drunke with intemperate passions , hee may pray himselfe sober againe . hee that omits prayer altogether , is a profane man : he that performes it zealously , and to the purpose is an holy man : but an hypocrite goes between both , hee will doe something at it , but not throughly . god requires no other tribute from us for all that hee gives , but that wee attribute all to him . thanksgiving is the most effectuall forme of prayer , being as a little water powred into the pumpe when the spring is low , that brings up a great deale more with it . thankfulnesse ( as good seed ) being bred of gods blessings , doth not preserve only , but increase all that bred it . as children when they cannot have all they would , many times throw away that which they have : so when wee seeke to god for that which wee want , we are so intent upon that , that wee forget the mercies we have received , and returne not thanks for them . thankfulnesse is alwayes the badge of a good nature . as a shepherd sets his dogge upon his sheepe to bring them in , and that being done rates him off againe : so god sets on lusts , and sinne , and temptations upon his owne children , but its only to bring them in unto him , and then he removes them . god never puts his servants to suffer , but hee furnisheth them with spirituall sufficiency to goe through : like as a prudent commander makes not choise of white-liverd souldiers for hot service , and high attempts , but of those of greatest experience , and most approved valour : so god singles out his valiantest souldiers for the strongest encounters : his best schollers for the largest lessons : his choisest armour for the highest proofe : the most couragious christians for the sorest afflictions . christians should choose to arrive at heaven with tattard sayles , rather then to ruffle towards hell with cleopatra's silken tacklings . even good men and generous spirits are apt to shrinke and shrug when they are put upon dangerous services . humane infirmity is apt to be querulous when it is under danger , and therefore there may be true piety , where yet there is passion . the greatest adventure in gods service , is the best assurance : the boldest adventuring , the best assuring . there are more riches in persecutions ( much more in the promises and performances of god ) then in all the treasures of the world . gods children are like torches , that shew dim in the light , but burn cleare in the darke ; so they in prosperity and adversity . christians under persecution count that god gives them living enough , if he give them their lives . persecution is the bellowes of the gospel , blowing every sparke into a flame ; and martyrs ashes are the best compost to manure the church . if we be not encountred with the worlds opposition , we shall be the more encumbred with the fleshes corruption . heavy afflictions are benefactors to heavenly affections , & that for three respects . because it abaseth the lovelinesse of the world without , that might invite us . . because it abates the lustinesse of the flesh within , that might intice us to follow it . . because it abets the spirit in his quarrell to the two former , and quest of heavenly wisdome . . grace is hid in nature here , as sweet-water in rose leaves ; the fire of affliction must be put under to distill it out . the eagle tryes her young at the sun-beames : so if gods children can out-face the sunne of persecution , they are sincere . its part of gods husbandry , to dung his children with reproaches , that they may prove a richer soyle for grace . some christians are like tops that will not goe unlesse you whip them . christs head hath sanctified all thornes : his backe all furrowes : his hands , all nayles : his side , all speares : his heart all sorrowes that can come to any of his children . whosoever wil take christ truly , must take as well his yoke as his crown ; as well his sufferings , as his salvation : as well his grace , as his mercy : as well his spirit to lead , as his blood to redeeme . even in those afflictions which christ as the king over his people inflicteth upon them , yet as their head , and fellow-member , hee compassionateth , and ( as it were ) smarteth with them . as there is no larke without an heele : so no course of life without its crosse . as a father will sometimes crosse his child , to see his disposition : so god dealeth with his children , to see how they will take afflictions . as trees root themselves the more they are shaken : so comforts abound , the more sufferings abound . as it were to no purpose for the finer to put his gold into the fire , except it lie there till it be refined : so were it to small purpose for god to lay crosses on us : if so soone as we whine under his hand hee should remove them ▪ we not being better therby . as water pent in a pipe shooteth up higher then it would , if it had space to disperse it selfe abroad : so our thoughts , and desires being streightned by afflictions are carried higher heaven-ward , then otherwise they would be . impatience under affliction maketh it more grievous : as the snare is to the fowl , that by fluttering , and straining , makes the string straiter : or as a man in a feaver , that by tossing , and tumbling , exasperateth the disease , and encreaseth his owne griefe . god threatneth that he may not smite : he smiteth that he may not slay : yea , he slayeth some temporally , that others may not be destroyed eternally . cor. when god is angry with , and hides his face from his children , satan watcheth that houre of darkenesse , and joyneth his power of darknesse to their naturall darknesse , to cause ( if it were possible ) blacknesse of darkenesse , even utter despaire in them . when men goe about to extinguish , and darken the light of direction , which god hath put into their hearts to guide their paths by , hee putteth out the light of comfort , and leaves them to darkenesse . other afflictions are but the taking some stars of comfort out of the firmament , when others are left still to shine there : but when gods countenance is hid from the soule , the sun it selfe , the fountaine of light , is darkened to such , and so a generall darkenesse befals them . god in afflicting of his children , proportioneth the burthen to the back ; and the stroke to the strēgth of him that bears it . one sonne god had without sinne , but not without sorrow : for though christ his naturall son was sine corruptione , without corruption : yet not sine correctione , without correction : though hee was sine flàgitio , without crime , yet not sine flagello , without a scourge . as two peices of iron cannot bee foundly souldred together , but by beating , and heating them both together in the fire : so neither can christ and his brethren bee so nearly united , and fast affected , but by fellowship in his sufferings . god by affliction separateth the sinne that hee hates , from the sonne that hee loves ; and keepes him by these thornes , that hee breake not over into satans pleasant pastures , which would fat him indeed , but to the slaughter . a torch burnes after a while the better for beating : a young tree grows the faster , for shaking : gods vines beare the better for bleeding : his spices smell the sweeter for pounding : his gold lookes the brighter for scouring : god knowes that wee are best , when wee are worst , and live holiest when wee dye fastest ; and therefore frames his dealing to our disposition , seeking rather to profit , then to please us . as winds , and thunders cleare the ayre ▪ so doe afflictions the soule of a christian . good men are like glow-wormes , that shine most in the darke : like iuniper that smels sweetest in the fire , like spice which savoureth best when it is beate● like the pomander , which becomes most fragrant by chafing : like the palme tree , which proves the better for pressing : like cammomile , which the more you tread it , the more you spread it , and like the grape which comes not to the proofe , till it come to the ●resse . affliction like lots angels , will soone away when they have done their errand : like plaisters , when the sore is once whole they will fall off . hard knots must have hard wedges : strong affections must have strong afflictions , and great corruptions , great crosses to cure them . gods corrections are our instructions ; his lashes , our lessons : his scourges , our schoole-masters : and his chastisements our advisements . isa. . . the christians under the ten persecutions , lasting about one hundred and . yeares , had scarce a leape yeare of peace , in which some , as too ambitious of martyrdome , rather woed , then waited for their deaths . there is in christ erected an office of salvation ; an heavenly chancery of equity , and mercy not onely to moderate the rigour , but to reverse , and revoke the very acts of the law . though we be still bound to all the law , as much as ever , under the perill of sin : yet not under the paine of death , which is the rigour of the law . gods children are as fully bound to the obedience of the law , as adam was , though not under danger of incurring death ; yet under danger of contracting sinne . the law is spirituall , therefore , it s not a conformity to the letter barely , but to the spiritualnesse of the law , which makes our actions to be right before god . the law of it selfe is the cord of a iudge , which bindeth hand and foot , & shackleth unto condemnation : but by christ it s made the cord of a man , and the bond of love , by which he teacheth us to go , even as a nurse her infant . the law for the sanction is disjunctive , either do this , or dye : for the injunction its copulative , doe both this , and that too . gods children are not under the law for iustification of their persons , as adam was : no● for satisfaction of divine iustice , as those that perish , are but they are under it as a document of obedience , and a rule of living ▪ when the law was once promulgated to adam and put into his heart , as the common arke of mankind , though the tables be lost , yet our ignorance doth not make the law of none effect . they who seeke to put out the truth of gods word , by snuffing of it , make it burne the brighter . all like well to have gods word their comforter , but few take care to make it their counsellor . when wee reade the scriptures , if wee cannot sound the bottome , we should admire the depth , kisse the booke , and lay it downe ; weepe over our ignorance , and send one hearty wish to heaven , oh when shall i come to know as i am knowne . to alledge scripture in favour of sin , is to entitle god to that which he hates worse then the devill , and to make him a patron and patterne of wickednesse ; and his word , a sword for satan , his sworn enemy . plain places of scripture are for our nourishment : hard places for our exercise ; these are to bee masticated as meat for men : those to be drunke as milke for babes : by the former our hunger is staid : by the latter our loathings . as the lapidary brightens his hard diamond with the dust shaved from it selfe : so must wee cleare hard places of scripture , by parallell texts ; which like glasses set one against another cast a mutual light . when men are sick , though they cast up al they eate , yet we advise them to take something , for something will remaine behind in the stomack to preserve life : so we should heare the word , though wee forget almost all wee heare , for some secret strength is gotten by it . when the body is sick , we use to forbeare our appointed food : but when the soule is sick , there is more need of spirituall food then ever : for its both meat , and medicine , food , physick , cordials , and all . it s better to loose the sun of the firmament , then the sunne of the gospel . the glorious gospel of iesus christ , the sonne of righteousnesse , shining upon one that is dead in sinnes , causeth him to stinke the more hatefully , both before the face of god and man . ministers that have good parts , should labour to adorne the same by holinesse of life , without which the other are but as pearles in the head of a filthy toad , a pearle in the head , and the body all poyson . some deale with their ministers , as carriers doe with their horses , lay heavy burthens upon them , and exact worke enough , but afford them but easie commons , and then to recompense this , they shall have bels hung about their necks , they shall bee commended for able ministers , great pains-takers : but like ignoble , and hoggish gadarens , they will grumble at every penny expended for the maintenance of the divine candle , that wasteth it selfe to give light to them . as a little barke in a small river , may doe farre better service , then a greater ship : so a preacher that hath but meane gifts , may serve meane capacities , as well , or better , then one that hath greater . gods ministers are vines that bring forth grapes , but magistrates are the elms that underprop them . ministers defend the church with tongue , and pen , the magistrates with hand , and power : ministers are preachers of both tables ; magistrates the keepers : the executive power of the word , and sacraments belongs alone to ministers : but the directive , and coactive for the orderly , and well performance , belongs to the magistrate . a minister is to desire rather to enflame then enforme his auditors . iacob would not have misliked the corne , though the silver had not beene brought in the sacks mouth : so a sermon should not be misliked , if it bring corne to feed hunger , though the preachers mouth bring not gold to feed the humour of every wanton auditor . luther speaking of the clergy , sets a probatum est upon a most desperate conclusion , nunquam periclitatur religio nisi inter reverendissimos . it s better to loose the lights of heaven , then ministers which are lights to guide to heaven . he that makes use of the light of the ministery to worke by , its hard if hee cannot get so much by his worke , as will pay for his light . bishops should bee lamps to set up light in the church , not damps to put it out . paradise was the first parish that had a sermon in it , and adam was the first auditors that heard it ; and the fall of man was the first text : and god was the first preacher upon that text . solon , lycurgus , numa , in publishing their lawes , brought many things against the rule of reason ; but nothing above the reach of nature : but gods ministers in preaching the law of god , teach nothing against the rule of nature : but many things above the reach of reason when paul preached to faelix , the accused party triumphed , and the iudge trembled : but if touched with affecting words , he had turned to christ , faelix had beene happy indeed . the apostles were like fishermen , catching many at one draught : the succeeding ministers like hun●smen with much toile , & clamour , running up & down al day , scarse take one deer , or hare ere night the liveless letter forvivacity , & efficacy , comes far short of the living voice . as zenophon saith of cyrus court , that though a man should choose blindfold , hee could not misse of a good man ●here : so neither can one misse of a good text in the whole bible , wherein there is not a word , but it hath its weight , not a syllable , but its substāce . many which will give their physician leave to tell them of the distempers of their bodies : and their lawyer of the flawes in their deeds ; yet will not give their minister leave to tell them that their soules are bleeding to eternall death . many english ministers may preach of hospitality to their people , but cannot goe to the beast , to practise their own doctrine . those ministers that are informed ( or inflamed rather ) with the heavenly heat of zeale have a double property . positive , for the furtherance of gods glory , and the salvation of others . oppositive against al errour and corruption , both in doctrine , and practise , errores & mores . gods ministers must upon every opportunity , use importunity for the raising of sinners out of that dead lethargy , whereinto satan , and an evill custome hath cast them . ministers should be as the cedars of lybanus , tall , and that admit not of any worms ; yea , as the tree of paradise , sweet for tast , and faire to look upon . the ministers life , is the life of his ministery , and teachers sins , are the teachers of sins . though soules of men be light , because materiall , yet they will prove an heavy burthen to carelesse pastors , who must answer for them . as god is said to hold his peace , though hee doe speake when hee doth not punish , psal. . . so hee is said to preach , though he speake not , when hee doth punish , his judgements being reall sermons of reformation and repentance , mich. . . the church here is not in a state of perfection , but like the israelites in the wildernesse , the blackest night had a pillar of fire , and the brightest day had a pillar of cloud . the more the church is afflicted for christ , the more she is affected to christ . its wisdome for those that are but of the house of commons , to grant a subsidy of sighes ; for those that are but of the common councell , to take order for a presse of prayers ; for those that are but private subjects of the kingdome of grace , to contribute a benevolence of teares , towards the quenching of those flames , with which the church of god is on fire . as in a paire of ballances , when one scale is up , the other must needs bee downe , and when one is downe , the other is up : so if babell get aloft , ierusalem lyeth low : and if ierusalem rise , babell must fall . as the sonne of croesus , that never spake before , seeing one going about to kill his father , through vehemency of tender affection , cryed out , o man wilt thou kill croesus ? so when our mother the church is in danger , if we have beene dumbe all our life time before , yet then wee should have a mouth to open in prayer for her . the romans lost many a battell , and yet were conquerours in all their warres : so it is with gods church , she hath and may loose many a battell , but in the conclusion the church shall conquer . a man brought many bookes of the sybils to a king of the romans , and asking a great price for them , the king would not give it , then the man burnt one halfe of them , and asked double the rate for the rest , the king refused again ; and he did the like with halfe of those that remayned , and doubled the price againe : and then the king considering the valew of them , gave him the price he asked : so if we forbeare to bid prayers for the peace of the church , the time may come , that wee may be content to bid blood ▪ and our whole estates , and yet not to doe the church one quater so much good , as wee may now by our prayers . as the light of the sunne doth by reflection from the moone enlighten that part of the earth ; or by a glasse , that part of the roome from which it selfe is absent : so though the church bee here absent from the lord , yet his spirit by the word doth enlighten and governe it . if the people of god fall to remissenesse in life , with ely , and from thence to open profanenesse , with phineas , then icabod will follow , the glory is departed . as in a structure , the stones cannot subsist in the building by any qualities , or inherent vertues of their owne , but only by the direct and perpendicular dependence , & subsistance which they have upon the foundation : so in the church , no graces , nor inherent excellencies do hold men up , but onely the full and sole reliance , and subsistance of the soule upon christ . as god furnished cyrus with treasure , for the building of the temple : so hee furnished many of the heathen with much light of knowledge , and literature for the benefit of his church and children . the common-wealth is a ring , the church a diamond , both well set together receive and return lustre each to other . some cut off the flesh of the churches maintenance , under a pretence to cure her of a tympany of superfluities . whosoever hath not a pearle of prejudice in the eye of his judgement , must needs confesse it to be sacriledge to take away the dowry of the church , without assuring her any jointure in lieu of it . we should beseech god so to sanctifie his creatures to us , as that they may not be either theeves against him , to steale away his honour , or snares to us to entangle our soules . a man can never be brought to god , till hee forsake the creature ; nor can hee be brought to forsake the creature , till he see vanity in it . when any creature looseth any of its native , and created vigour , it s a manifest signe , that there is some secret sentence of death gnawing upon it . as pricks , and quavers & rests in musick commend the cunning of the artist , and delight the hearers , as well as more perfect notes : so the meanest of the creatures had so much goodnesse in them , as might set forth the glory of god , and minister content to the mind of man . as some promises are in our hand performed already , as rewards for our service past : so others are still before our eyes to call and allure us , as the price unto which we presse . gods promises are full of consolation , as a dugge is of milke : therefore when wee faint , wee should milke out consolation out of them , which will relieve , and stay our hearts . plausible and witty evasions to avoid perjury , are but the tying of a most artificiall knot in the halter , therewith to strangle ones owne conscience . an oath being the highest appeale , perjury must needs bee an hainous sinne . an oath is the strongest bond of conscience : the end of particular strife , the souldier of publike peace , the sole assurance of amity betwixt divers nations , made here below , but enrolled in his high court , whose glorious name doth signe it . a resolution is a free custody : but a vow is a kind of prison , which restrayned , nature hath the more desire to breake . as sampson was bound in vaine with any cords , so long as his haire grew into its full length : so in vaine doth any man bind himselfe with vowes , so long as he nourisheth his lusts within him . truth sometimes seekes corners , as fearing her iudge : though never as suspecting her cause . truth hath alwayes a good face , though often but bad cloaths . truth is like our first parents most beautifull when naked : it was sin that covered them , and its ignorance that hides this : or if shee doth appeare in rayment of needle worke , it s but for a more majesticke comelinesse , not gaudy gainesse . as those parts of the naile next to the flesh , which at first are softer then the rest , doe of themselves grow into that hardnesse , which is in the rest : so the consciences of all men have the seeds of that insensibility in them , which makes them at last deafe to every charme ; and secure against all the thunder which is threatned against them . some have sluces in their consciences , and can keepe them open , or shut them up at their pleasure . that is the best glasse that shewes the smallest spots , the brightest light that shewes the least motes : the finest flesh that is sensible of the least pricking : so that conscience that is sensible of the least sinne , or fayling , is the perfection of christianity , whereunto wee all should strive to attaine . lay an heavy burthen upon a whole shoulder , and it goes away with it well enough : so if the soule and spirit be sound , & god enable a man to beare it ; diseases , imprisonment , disgraces , &c. are easily born . the frame of the spirit in the voluptuous , ambitious , and riotous person , is like the lower part of the elementary region , ful of unquietnesse ; because the seat of winds , tempests , and earth-quakes : whilst the beleevers soule is like that part towards heaven , which is always peaceable , and still enjoying true rest and joy . as the operation of the sunne is strongest there , where it is not at all seene in the bowels of the earth : so the iudgements of god doe often lye heaviest there , where they are least perceiued , viz. in a hard heart . if a little stone falling from an high place , doth more hurt then a farre greater that is but gently laid on : how wofull must their case be , who shal have mill-stones and mountaines throwne with gods owne arme from heaven upon them ? as gods wrath is heavy , and so exceeds the strength of nature to overcome it : so its infinite also , and so excludes the hope of nature to escape it . warnings of gods iudgements are least feared by those whom they most concerne : and most feared by those whom they least concerne . men marked out by god for destruction , will runne their owne heads into the halter . as generals , when a generall fault is committed by their souldiers , cast lots , and pick out two or three , & put them to death , that the army may bee saved : so the lord takes here , and there one , and followes them with open and great judgements , and lets the generality alone , because hee would spare man-kind . man by meanes of propagation attaineth to a kind of immortality , and eternity , and in his posterity surviveth himselfe . children of beleeving parents , are by vertue of their parents coppy , and gods gracious entail , within the compasse of his covenant , gen. . . . . act. . . rom. . . i cor. . . many make an idoll of their posterity , and sacrifice themselves unto it . hee that chooseth rather to dye , then to deny christ , is once for all a martyr ; but he that chooseth to live a wretched life , little better ( if not worse ) then death , rather then to doe evill , is every day a martyr , cor. . . were it the punishment , not the cause that makes martyrdome , wee should bee best stored with confessors from iayles , and martyrs from the gallows . lawyers which oppose and wrangle against a good cause , or undertake the defence of a bad , are both equally most unworthy the very morall vertue of an honest heathen . he that brings himselfe into needlesse danger , dies the devils martyr . marriage is rather a fellowship of the dearest amity , then disordered love : and love and amity differ as much as the burning sick heat of a feavet from the naturall kindly heat of an healthfull body . we may often see a little golden glew to joyne fast in the dearest bonds of pearles and clay ; but noble miseries and golden fetters , are fit enough for such couples . they never want yeares to marry , who have a kingdome for their portion . some , as for childrens sake they marry once , so for childrens sake they will marry no more . man is a creature of the kind , not of those which love only , to flock , and feed , and live together as dawes , and stares doe : but of those which desire to combine and worke , and labour also together , as bees , and pismires doe . the rabbins observe , that if you take the letters of the name iehovah out of ish , and isha , man , and woman , there remains nothing but esh , esh , fire , fire : to note that where marriage is not in the feare of god , there is nothing in it but the fire of contention . man misseth his rib , and seekes to recover it againe by marriage : and the woman would be in her old place againe , under the mans , arme or wing , from which at first she was taken . it s the greatest judgement that can befall a man , to have that turned to his evill , that was at first ordained for his good , to have his table made a snare ; his bread , his bane : his raising , his ruine : his delights , his destruction : the wood of his house a gibbet to hang him on : and his wife which should bee the light of his eyes , the joy of his heart ; to be a continuall eye-sore , and a perpetuall heart-sore unto him . a good wife is to her husband , as a physician to tend him in his sicknesse : and as a musician to cheere him up in his heavinesse . as the trumpeters owne voice is nothing so loud , or strong of its selfe , as the sound that it yeeldeth , when it presseth through the trumpet : so every action in the family , gaines more weight , and procures more credit , when it passeth through the husbands hands , and comes from him . man , and wife are as those two branches in the prophets hand , enclosed in one barke , and so closing together , that they make but one peice , and the same fruit comes of either , ezek. . . he that i● free from a wife may frame his choise to his mind : but hee that hath chosen must frame his mind to his choise : before hee might conforme his actions to his affections , now hee must endeavour to frame his affection according to his action . among the heathen , the gall of that sacrifice which was lame , and offered at weddings , was throwne out of doores : to shew that married persons should be each to other like doves without gall . the pythagoreans set a note of infamy upon the number of two , because it was the first that durst depart from ●nity : for nothing is so diabolicall as division ▪ and therefore the devill among the vulgar is knowne by his cloven foot . there is a three fold vnity . of persons in one nature . of natures in one person . of natures and persons in one quality . in the first , is one god . in the second , is one christ . in the third , is one church . christ & his church being spiritually united to make up one mysticall body . honour is but the raising the rate , and value of a man , it carries nothing of substance necessarily along with it . great men are but the greater letters in the same volume , and the poor the smaller , though they take up more roome , yet they put no more matter , and worth into the word which they compound . every dignity hath some duty annexed to it , and it s no reason that they which refuse the latter , should expect the former ; yea , the greater the honour is , the greater is the dishonour , if the duty bee not done , that that honour exacteth . rising men shall still meet with more staires to raise them ; as those which are falling , with stumbling blocks to ruine them . corrivals in honour count themselves eclipsed by every beame of state which shines from their competitour . a godly froitfull life hath a fairer prospect towards honour , then all the advantages in the world besides . there is a divine and supernaturall nobility , wherein god is the top of the kin , and religion the root , in regard of which all other nobility is but a meere shadow . much hurt and mischiefe is usually done , when a wicked wit , and wide conscience weild the sword of authority . it is so soveraigne , that when authority countermands what god hath commanded , wee must refuse the will but still reverence the power of a lawfull magistrate . government is the prop and pillar of all states , and kingdoms , the cement and soule of humane affaires : the life of society and order ; the very vitall spirits , whereby so many millions of men doe breath the life of comfort , and peace , and the whole nature of things subsist . that state will never excell in vertue , in which there is an high price set upon riches . the ancients placed the statues of their princes by their fountaines , to shew that they were fountaines of the publike good . the very circle of the crowne upon a kings head , tels him , that his power is bounded , and that he must keepe his thoughts within compasse . ● regiment without righteousnesse degenerateth into tyrannie , it s but robbery with authority . the heathen subject serveth god for his prince : but the christian subject serveth his prince for god . it s the subjects shoulders that supporteth princes , as the lower stones in a wall doe those that lye aloft over them . tyrants corps have seldome any other balme at their buriall , then their own blood . the common-wealth may grow fat , but never healthfull by feeding on the churches goods . royall goodnesse is wont to make , or find loyall subjects of all noble spirits . the freest , and greatest liberty of ingenuous subjects , speaks their soueraigne the compleatest monarch , ruling not onely bodies with feare ; but soules with love . there is a time . when publike good calling for iustice , leaves no roome , nor place for any mercy ; but that only which some mis-call , severity . subjects should bee adjectives , not able to stand without ( much lesse against ) their princes , or else they will make but bad construction . though bookishnesse may unactive , yet learning doth accomplish a prince , & makes him sway his scepter the steadier . princes who make their subjects over great , whet a knife for their owne throats . iealousie if it be fire in private persons , it is wild-fire in princes , who seldom rase out their names , whom once they have written in their black bils . princes doe not love to see them , to whom they owe themselves , and their kingdomes , so unwelcome are those curtesies , which be above requitall . ruptures betwixt great ones , are alwayes dangerous , whose affections perchance by the mediation of friends may bee brought againe to meet , but never to unite and incorporate . princes , the manner of whose death is private , and obscure fame commonly conjures againe out of their graves , and they walke abroad in the tongues , and braines of many , who affirme and beleeve them to be still alive . royall goodnesse is much more prone to smile , then frowne ; yet yeelding to both in fittest seasons . alexander severus , a worthy and learned emperour , was wont to say , that hee would not feed his servants with the bowels of the common-wealth . generally active nations are strongest abroad and weakest at home . it is not the firmenesse of the stone , nor the fastnesse of the mortar , that maketh strong wals , but the integrity of the inhabitants . the genius of old kingdomes in time groweth weaker , and doteth at the last . as it was a signe , that sampson meant to pull downe the house upon the heads of the philistims , when he pulled downe the pillars that bare up the roofe : so its a shrewd signe that god is about to ruine a state , when he takes away those that are the pillars , and props of it . as hee is a strong man , whose joynts are well set , and knit together , not whom nature hath spunne out all in length , and never thickned him : so it is the united and well compacted kingdome entire in it selfe , which is strong ; not that which reacheth , and strideth the farthest . it s better to bee scripticall , then definitive in the causes of gods judgements . many men by surfeiting , digge their owne graves with their teeth . many wicked men are like hawks of great esteeme , whilst living , but afterwards nothing worth : the godly are like to tamer foules , which are husht forth , and little heeded whilst living , but after death are brought into the parlour . the wise man being asked , returned this as the most profitable observation as he could make upon the sight of rome flourishing , that even there also men died . there stands in one end of the library in dublin , a globe of the world , and a sceleton of a man at the other , which shews that though a man were lord of all the world , yet hee must dye . as it is not a losse , but a preferment and honour for a married woman to forsake her own kindred , and house to goe to an husband : so it s not a losse , but preferment for the soule for a time , to relinquish the body , that it may goe to christ , who hath married it to himselfe forever . good done at our end , is like a lanthorne borne after us , which directs them that come behind , but affordeth us very little light : whereas the good done in our life time , is like a lanthorne borne before us , that benefits both them , and us equally , imparting light to either . death is the greatest losse that can bee to the worldly man ; it is the greatest gaine that can be to the godly man . gods children , as by death they are rid of corruption : so after death they have no need of correction . death is the best physician to the godly , it cures them not of one disease , but of all , and of all at once : not for once only , but for ever ; yea , it cures them of death it selfe . a man may have a three-fold being : a being of nature : a well being of grace : and the best being of glory : our birth gives us the first : our new-birth the second , our death the third . it s no life but death that severs a man from christ whilst he liveth : and it s no death , but life that bringeth a man home to christ when he dieth . man is nothing but soule , and soile : or breath , and body : a puffe of wind the one : and a pile of dust the other . doe not that to day that thou mayest repent of to morrow : yea , doe not that to day , that it may bee too late to repent of to morrow . considering the frailty of our lives , it s no marvell , that death meets with us at length : it s rather marvell , that it misseth us so long . ● wee are sure to dye , not because we are sick , but because wee live : for a man may be sick , and not dye : but what man lives , and shall not see death . sinne and death , are as needle , and thread : the one entring before , is a meanes to draw on the other : nor would one follow , if the other went not before . none come into life , but by the perill of death : and some are carried from the wombe to the tombe : from birth to buriall . io● . . as for our lands , so for our lives wee are but gods tenants at will , mans life is as a day , dayes are not all of one length , neither is there lesse variety in the length , and size of mens lives . when wee have children at nurse or school , when trouble or danger is in those places where they make their aboad , wee send for them home , that they may be in safety : so god cals some of his children out of this world , thereby taking them away from eevill to come , isa. . . when our houses are in danger of firing wee remove our treasure , and iewels in the first place into places of more security : so where gods wrath like fire is breaking in upon a place , he removes his children to heaven , a place of greater safety . death will doe that all at once , which grace doth now by degrees . ambrose at the point of death , said to his people , i have not so lived among you , that i should be ashamed longer to live with you , nor am i affraid to die , because wee have a good master . death is the lady , and empresse of all the world ; her treasure is without surrender : and from her sentence there is no appeale . because god defers punishing , men deferre repenting ; and spend the most precious of their time and strength in sinning : and then thinke to give god the dregs , the bottome , the last sands , their dotage , which themselves , and friends are weary of . gods children are never better delivered out of their troubles , then when they seeme not to be delivered at all : when they are delivered out of them by death . a good mans death is like musicke , though it consist of sharpes , yet it ends in a diapason , and with a sweet close . when an ordinary man breakes ranke , and dies , there fals a vapour : but when a good man dies , ther fals a starre : when israel departed from egypt , they robbed the egyptians ; and when a good man shakes off the world , hee robs the world . as all the fresh rivers run into the salt sea ; so all the honour of the world ends in basenesse : all the pleasures of the world in bitternesse : all the treasures of the world in emptinesse : all the garments of the world in nakednesse : and all the dainties , and delicates of the world in loathsomnesse and rottennesse . the grammarian that can decline all nounes in every case , cannot decline death in any case . when adam and eve became subject to death , because of their sinne , god clothed them with the skins of dead beasts to mind them of their mortality . its hard for a man to thinke upon long life , and to thinke well . as a bird guideth her flight by her taile : so the life of man is best directed by a continuall recourse unto the end . the remembrance of death is like a strainour , all the thoughts , words , and actions , which come through it are cleansed and purified . an holy life empties it selfe into an honourable death . christians who live dying , and dye living loose nothing by death , but what may well be spared , sinne and sorrow . life is deaths seeds-time : death , lifes harvest ; as here we sow , so there we reape : as here wee set , so there wee gather of a blessed life , a death as blissefull . it s no death but life to be joyned to christ , as it s no life , but death to bee severed from him . sicknesse puts men in mind of their sins , conscience speaking lowdest , when men grow speechlesse . it s no true life that yeeldeth to death ; that tendeth to death , that endeth in death . it s true life that is eternall . life is a precious prey where god spares it , especially in publike calamities . with the papists , the ostentation of the prosperity of their estate , is the best demonstration of the sincerity of their religion . to inferre that romes faith is best for her latitude , and extent ; is falsely to conclude the finenesse of the cloath , from the largenesse of the measure . a great part of the popish religion consisting of errors , and false-hoods its sutable that accordingly it should bee kept up ▪ and maintained with forgeries and deceits . there is such an antipathy , betweene a protestant , and a papist , as is betweene the two birds in plutarch , the siskin , and the muskin , which will fight eagerly alive , and being dead , if you mixe their blood , it will runne apart ; and discociate : or like the two poles of heaven , which stand for ever directly , and diametrically opposite . many popish miracles are starke lies , without a rag of probability to hide their shame , where the beleever is as foolish , as the inventer , impudent . pictures have beene accounted lay mens books : but now they are found to be full of errataes , and never set forth by authority from the king of heaven to bee meanes , or workers of faith . the popes converting faculty , workes strongest at the greatest distance ; for the indians he turnes to his religion , and the iewes in italy he converts to his profit . the pope perswades men they are cleansed of their sins , when they are wiped of their money by his indulgences ; he hath the conscience to buy earth cheape , and sell heaven deare . one being accused , and cited to appeare at rome , found the popes doores shut against him , but he opened them with a golden key , and found their hands very soft towards him , whom formerly hee had greased in the fist . the pope is like that shepherd , that knowes no other way to bring home a wandring sheepe , then by worrying him to death . it hath alwayes bin the popes custome , to make the secular power little better then an hangman , to execute those whom hee condemnes . the pope will not dispence , that princes should hold plurality of temporall dominions in italy ; especially hee is so ticklish , hee cannot endure that the same prince should embrace him on both sides . men cannot bee canonized by the pope , without great sums of money , whereby it seemes that angels make saints at rome . as purgatory fire heats the popes kitchin , so the holy-water fils his pot , if not paies for all his second course . the papists by their holywater pretend to wash men from their profanenesse , whiles they profane them by their washing . covents got their best living by the dying , which made them ( contrary to all others ) most to worship the sun setting ▪ henry the eight , breaking the necks of al abbies in england , scattered abroad their very bones , past possibility of all recovering them . superstition not only taints the rind , but rots the very core of many actions . as its sacriledge to father gods immediate workes on naturall causes : so its superstition to entitle naturall events to bee miraculous . its just with god ▪ that those who will not have truth their king , and willingly obey it : should have false-hood their tyrant , to whom their judgements should be captivated , and enslaved . no opinion is so monstrous , but if it have a mother it will get a nurse . obstinacy is that dead flesh , which makes the greene wound of an errour fester by degrees , into the old sore of an heresie . in the westerne parts formerly , heresies like an angle caught single persons : which in asia , like a drag-net , caught whole provinces ; as alwayes errors grow the fastest in hot braines . the grecians had the statue of peace , with pluto the the god of riches in her armes ; and the romans with a cornu copia . hercules club was made of olive , the embleme of peace . a cheape olive branch of peace , is better then dear bayes of victory . the latines did but flourish , when they called war bellum : as the grecians flouted ; when they called the faries eumenides . peace is better then warre , as for other causes ; so because that in times of peace , usually children bury their parents , but in time of warre , parents are wont to bury their children . one comming to a generall for justice : what dost thou talke to me of justice ( saith he ) i cannot heare the noyse of law , and iustice for the sound of drums and guns , arma silent leges . war is a tragedy , which alwayes destroyes the stage , wheron it s acted . in suddaine alterations it cannot be expected , that all things should bee done by square , and compasse . the devill in his oracles used to earth himselfe in an homonymy : as a foxe in the ground , if hee be stopped at one hole , hee will get out at the other . custome and long continuance in slavery , doth so harden , and brawn mens shoulders , that the yoake thereof doth not paine them . vertue will quickly wither , where it is not watered with reward . modesty , being the case of chastity , it is to be feared , that where the case is broken , the iewell is lost . vnto a double apprehension of justice in god , there must answer a double act of righteousness in man , or in his surety for him : to gods punishing justice , a righteousnesse passive , whereby a man is rectus in curia againe , and to gods commanding justice , a righteousnesse active , whereby hee is reconciled , and made acceptable to god againe ▪ they which are most alone , should bee most in the company of good thoughts . hee that playes the unthrift with golden occasion , let him not hope for another to play the good husband with . passions , like heavy bodies downe steepe hils , move violently , being once in motion , and know no ground but the bottome . severity hot in the fourth degree , is little better then poyson , and becommeth cruelty it selfe . idlenesse disposeth men to all vices ; as standing waters are most subject to putrifie . an honourable foe is better then a treacherous friend . there is no end why such things should bee with danger determined , which without danger of sinne we may well be ignorant of . august . our quickest sight in the matter of the trinity , is but one degree above blindnesse . god useth to withdraw miracles , where hee affords meanes . gray haires are the silver crowne of age , and glory the golden crowne of immortality . a plentifull table to feed the body , without profitable discourse to feed the mind , is little better then a manger . wee take notice of the price of any good , carendo magis quam fruedo . contraries are the best commentaries upon one another , and their mutuall opposition , the best exposition . health is most esteemed , when it brings letters of commendation from sicknesse . the consolations of christs presence , are much enhanced by the desolations wee find in his absence . parisiensis said , that to excommunicate men for trifles , is as if a man should see a fly , or a flea upon ones fore-head , and should take a beetle , and knocke him on the head , to kill to fly . the earth since the curse , is a fond mother to dirty weeds ; a froward stepmother to dainty flowers . ( wee ) is sometimes the language of humility , when a man is urged to a necessary selfe prayse , for therein wee distribute the honour to many , that wee may not seeme to attribute too much to our selves ; then this plurall number , is a phrase of singular modesty . gods authority is sufficient security to undertake any difficulty . vaine hopes are the dreames of waking-men , as vaine dreames are all the wakings of sleeping , and carnall men , whose life is but a dreame . as to bow very low backwards , argues not weaknesse : but strength and activity : so to yeeld to weak brethren ( provided that it bee not so low as to sinne ) shewes neither infirmity , nor pusillanimity . when bucephalus came first to court , hee was like to have beene sent back , because none could backe him : alexander observing the mistake , that they all came on the sunny side , and so scarred the horse with their shadow ; backt him himselfe on the other : so many men might bee backt for gods use , if men did not goe on the wrong side , using meanes without discretion . it s a good course of wisedome , not to aggravate , but to take things as they are ; not to make them worse , but as candidly , to judge of them as the things will permit . man is a rationall creature , and must be mastered when he goes the wrong way , by mastering his reason , which must be , by strong and clear convincing . sharpe , and sweet reproving . sound , and grave instructing . seasonable , and necessary comforting . the mind in a man is as a strong fort in a citie , which being once gained , its easie to command the whole countrey . the rabbins rule is : cloath thy wife above thy estate , thy children according to thy estate , and thy selfe beneath thy estate . in his creation wee find man made after the similitude of god ; and in his restauration , wee find god made after the similitude of man : and man once againe after the similitude of god . ionah had beene drowned , if he had not bin devoured : the letter destruction was a deliverance from the former ; and the ravine of the fish , a refuge from the rage of the sea . where the treasure is , there the heart is ; and where the heart , there the happinesse ; and where the happinesse ▪ there the god . if god favour not our attempts , neither the plotting of our heads , nor the sollicitousnesse of our hearts , nor the druggery of our hands , nor the whole concurrence of our created strength , nor any other assistances that we can procure , will be able to effect the most obvious , and feasible events . what paines doe husbandmen take to keepe the earth from giving up the ghost ; in opening the veins thereof , in applying their soyl , and marle , as so many salves , and cordials , in laying of it asleep ( as it were ) when it lies fallow , that by any meanes they may preserve in it that life , which they see plainely approaching to its last gaspe . farre more precious to a man , is a chaine of iron , that drawes him out of a pit ; then a chaine of gold , which clogs him in a prison : a key of iron which lets him out of a dungeon , then a barre of gold which shuts him in . as all the good which christ hath done , is ours by reason of our communion with him : so all the evill we suffer , is christs ; by reason of his compassion with us . in this scribling age , many polemicall pamphlets come forth , with more teeth to bite , then arguments to convince . some things are so inherently good , that though they may bee done imperfectly , yet they cannot be done profanely : as to beleeve , feare , trust in god , &c. others so good with relation to god , that because they may bee done without relation to him , and such other conformities , as are required in them : ( as to give almes , fast ▪ pray , &c. ) therefore they may cease to be good at all . as the influence of the same sunne , ripeneth both the grape , and the crab : and yet though the grape hath sweetnesse from it , the crab still retaines the sowernesse , which it hath from it selfe : so the same spirit helpes the faithfull in their holy , and the wicked in their morrall workes , which yet retaine the quality , and sowernesse of the stocke , from whence they come . naturall impotency in good can give no excuse to wilfull neglect . when an action hath evill in its substance , it is to be omitted : but when in it selfe , it is the matter of a precept , and hath evill only externally cast upon it by the agent : the action is not to be omitted , but the agent reformed . as by the cable a man may draw his vessell to the ancher : so the soule being fixed by the anker of hope to christ , doth hale , and draw it selfe nearer and nearer to him . christ without any demerit of his , suffered our punishment , that we without any merit of our own , might obtaine his grace . as a prince in his inauguration openeth prisons , and unlooseth many which were there bound to honour his solemnity : so did christ to some of his saints at his resurrection , and in them gave assurance to all his of their conquest over the last enemy . those superiours which correct , and instruct not , are like those which snuffe the light oft , but put no oyle into the lampe . as it is no councell , but a conventicle , where truth is not aimed at : so it s no society , but a conspiracy , wherein right is not regarded . as the property of an ingenuous disposition in an inferiour , to acknowledge a fault sometimes , even where there is none : not by lying & dissembling , but by a patient bearing , and forbearing , being as ready to alter what is done , as if it had beene done otherwise then it ought . a few gray haires may be more worth , then many young locks ; and a few gray beards doe more then many greene heads . as for our lands , so for our lives ; we are but gods tenents at will . the most that any know is the least of that they know not . it s a double misery to be miserable : and yet not commiserated : to be in a pittifull plight , and yet not to be pittied . mans extremity is gods opportunity . deliverance is oft nearest , when destruction seemeth surest . professed hatred taketh away opportunity of revenge . it is our best , and surest security , for us never to secure . in the naturall body , paine in one member , causeth paine in all the rest : but in the spirituall body politicke , not the pain only , but the want of paine in one member , is a meanes of paine to the fellow members . some men neither hope in god , nor fear him : these neither regard his wrath , nor his mercy . some feare , but hope not , these regard his wrath , but not his mercy . some hope , but feare not ●hese regard his mercy , but not his wrath . some hope and feare , and these regard both his mercy , and his wrath : the feare of gods judgements now , is the only way to prevent the feeling of them hereafter . they that 〈◊〉 schollers to their own reason , are sure to have a foole to their master . councell is an act of the understanding , deliberating about meanes to an end : and directing to choose a particular means that tends to the end . kings may pardon traytors , but they cannot change their hearts : but christ pardons none , but hee makes them new creatures . socrates knowing that there was but one god , said in his apology for his life , that if they would give him his life , upon condition , to keepe that truth to himselfe , and not to teach it to others , hee would not accept life upon such a condition . as the light of the sunne , because its ordinary ; is not regarded : so ● continuall sun-shine of gods favour enjoyed , occasioneth but a common esteeme of it . gods attributes and christs righteousnesse doe sufficiently , fully , and adequately answer al wants , and doubts , all objections , and distresses wee can have , and can be in . a man may leave that estate to his children , which hee hath gotten by wisedome : but hee cannot leave them wisedome to guide that estate when they have it . he that keepes the right way , he goes the shortest way to happinesse . as a man may shew an object , and bring it to the light , but he cannot make a blind eye see it : so a man may propound arguments , but cannot make an unfitted heart capable of comfort from them . he that is most fearfull in sinne , is most bold in all things else . as weather-cocks and mils , when the wind ceaseth , or the waters faile , stand still : so men usually are carried to doe us good , or evill with by respects : so that when those respects fayle , they give over to doe either . as in warre , the chiefe strength of the souldiers lieth in their captain : so in spirituall conflicts , all a christians strength is in and from christ . no man can so see the riches of christ , as to be affected with them , without the helpe of the spirit . even as a good eye is the glory of the face : so a good intention aiming at gods glory , is the glory of the action . the crookednesse of our nature is such , that it feares not crosses till it feels them : nor sees mercies till they are out of sight : it being with the soule , as with the eye , that sees nothing that is not somewhat distant from it . heaven is such a place , wher there is nothing more then what should bee desired : nothing more that can be desired . they that are least fearefull before danger , are most basely fearfull in danger . no instrument was ever so perfectly in tune , in which the next hand that touched it did not mend something : nor is there any judgement so strong , and perspicacious , from which another will not in some things find ground of variance . spirituall joy is like fire upon the altar , it hath ever fuell to feed upon , though we doe not alwayes feare it . every of our senses in heaven shal be filled with its severall singularity , and excellency of all possible pleasure , and perfection . sathans insatiable malice is such , that he would have every sinfull thought to be a sin of sodomy : every idle word , a desperate blasphemy : every angry look , a bloody murther : every frailty , a crying sin : and every default , a damnable rebellion . adams fall hath made mans capacity very small . the iewes who had bought christ for thirty pence , were themselves sold thirty a penny , at the last destruction of ierusalem . the iewes bought leave on the tenth of august , ( the day on which their city was taken ) yearely to goe into it to bewayle it : so that they which bought christs blood , were after glad to buy their own tears . active men like mil-stones in motion , if they have no other grift to grind , will set fire on one another . though an argument fetched from successe , is but a cypher in it selfe , yet it encreaseth a number , when joyned with others . commonly , they who vow not to goe the high way of gods ordinances , doe haunt base , and unwarrantable by-paths . voluptuous persons make play their worke , and have their constant diet on the sawce of recreations . the saddle oft times is not set on the right horse , because his back is too high to be reached , & commonly the instruments are made skreens to save the face of the principall from scorching . favourites are usually the bridge by which all offices must passe , and there pay to●e . men breed in soft imployments , are presently foundred with hard labour . many mens gifts prevaile more to raise them , then their endowments . industry in action , is as importunity in speech ; by continuall inculcation , it forceth a yeelding beyond the strength of reason . though devotion be the naturall heat , yet discretion is the radicall moisture of an action , keeping it healthfull , prosperous , and long lived . some men are given over to damnable villanies , out of the road of humane corruption , and as far from mans nature , as gods law . vsually suspiciousnesse is as great an enemy to wisedome , as too much credulity : it doing oft times hurtfull wrong to friends , as the other doth receive wrongful hurt from dissemblers . the leprosie was most rife in our saviours time , god so ordering of it , that iudea was sickest , while her phisician was nearest . the turkes , which reape no benefit by christs death , receive much profit by his buriall , farming the sepulcher for a great rent to the friars . in some mens discourses , one cannot see matter for words , as in some others , scarce words for matter . a female was allowed in peace-offerings , to shew that a ready heart sets an high price with god upon a low present . the preservation of wicked men , is but a reservation : as sodome and her sisters , who were rescued from the foure kings , that god might raine down hell from heaven upon them . wicked men swim merrily downe the streame of prosperity , as the silly fishes doe downe the river iordan , till they perish in the dead sea : their merry dance ending in a miserable downfall . as the high heavens may be seene through a low lattice : so may a large heart sometimes in a little gift . it s a great slavery to make the mind a servant unto the tongue : and so to tye her up in fetters , that shee may not walke , but by number and measure . vsually they know not what they say , who so speak ; as that others know not what they meane . misty , and cloudy eloquence , serves onely to shadow an ignorant mind , or an ill meaning . some men had rather doe ill , and get a pardon for it , by an apology ; then to be faultlesse , and stand in need of neither , maluit excusare culpam , quam non committere . nothing can worke as god would have it , unlesse it be such as god made it gods children are sometimes too desirous to pitty themselves , and need no peter to stirre them up to it : the flesh of it selfe being prone enough to draw back and make excuses , to hinder the power of grace from its due operation in them . finis , the historian's guide, or, britain's remembrancer being a summary of all the actions, exploits, sieges, battels, designs, attempts, preferments, honours, changes &c. and whatever else is worthy notice that hath happen'd in his majesty's kingdoms from anno. dom. to this time : shewing the year, month and day of the month in which each action was done : with an alphabeticall table for the more easie finding any thing out. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing h d estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the historian's guide, or, britain's remembrancer being a summary of all the actions, exploits, sieges, battels, designs, attempts, preferments, honours, changes &c. and whatever else is worthy notice that hath happen'd in his majesty's kingdoms from anno. dom. to this time : shewing the year, month and day of the month in which each action was done : with an alphabeticall table for the more easie finding any thing out. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , [ ] p. : port. printed for w. crook, london : . attributed to samuel clarke by nuc pre- imprints. "to the reader" signed: w.c. [william crooke]. includes index. portrait of james ii on frontispiece. reproduction of the original in the harvard university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual 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record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng great britain -- history -- stuarts, - -- chronology. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion iacobus ii. ds d. g. angliae : scotiae : fran : et hiber . rex . printed for w crook at the green dragon w th out temple 〈◊〉 the historian's guide , or , britain's remembrancer . being a summary of all the actions , exploits , sieges , battels , designs , attempts , preferments , honours , changes , &c. and whatever else is worthy notice , that hath happen'd in his majesty's kingdoms , from anno dom. . to this time . shewing , the year , month , and day of the month , in which each action was done . with an alphabetical table for the more easie finding any thing out . london , printed for w. crook , at the green-dragon without temple bar , . to the reader . two impressions of this little book having already found a favourable acceptance , notwithstanding the many errors and omissions that were therein ; i am not now in the least sollicitous , what entertainment this third may find , presuming upon the pains and care which have been taken in correcting and continuing this history by several persons of known abilities , assisted by the opportunity of private minutes and journals , never yet in print : whereby this small tract is arrived to the perfection , whereof a book of this nature is capable . for , here is history with chronology , wherein not only memorable actions are mentioned , but the reader may be satisfied of the exact time , to a day , when these actions were performed , which all other books great and small put together cannot shew . if you enquire who the author or authors were , i do tell you , the very recital of their names would make no small addition to the book , but would afford very little benefit to the reader ; for , well nigh as many persons as there are leaves in the book , have lent a helping hand towards the composure of this manual . so that , if ( as hath been endeavoured ) you may find benefit and satisfaction herein , then hath he obtained his end , who is , your humble servant , w c. the historian's guide : or , brittains remembrancer . date novemb. the french k. married to the d. of florence his daughter . date nov. . k. charles the first , born at dunfernling in scotl. date feb. . earl of essex beheaded . the arch-duke defeated at newport by prince maurice of nassaw . died this year of the plague besides other diseases in london and the suburbs , . spaniards landed in ireland , but beaten off . date oct. . last parliament of qu. elizabeth began . date nov. . dissolved . date mar. . queen elizabeth died , and k. james vi. of scotl. proclaimed king. a great plague began at london . prince charles created duke of albany , marq. ormond , &c. date apr. . k. james began his journey out of scotland . date earl of southampton discharged out of the tower. date may . the k. arrived at the charter-house , london . date went thence to the tower. date jun. . one whipp'd through london , for going to court when his house was infected . date qu. anne with pr. henry came to york . date k. met them at erston in northamptonshire . they entred london . date jul. . king and queen crowned at westminster . cobham's conspiracy discovered . date aug. . a thanksgiving day for the king's escape from gowry's conspiracy . date nov. . lord cobham , lord grey , sir walter rawleigh and others condemned . clerk , brook and watson executed . a conference at hampton court about religion . date jan. . the millenaries petition for reformation . died this year in london , of all diseases . whereof of the plague . date may . a parliament assembled . date aug. . a treaty for peace with spain . date octob. pr. charles brought to windsor . date jan. . made knight of the bath . date created duke of york , and this year k. james styled king of great britain . date nov. . powder plot discovered . date parliament met at westminster . date jan. . conspirators of the powder plot , sir everard digby , i. grant , tho. bates , rob. winter , condemned . date executed at the west end of st. pauls . date guy faux , ambrose rockwood , &c. executed in the parliament-yard , westminster . oath of allegiance , first , administred . date may . h. garnet , another conspirator in the powder plot , executed in st. paul's church-yard . date parliament ended . date jul. . christianus k. of denmark came into england . date aug. . departed hence . earls of northumberland and the lords sturton and mordant censured in the star-chamber . date nov. . tyrone began a conspiracy in ireland . date mar. . the first stone laid to aldgate . an insurrection in northamptonshire , and the adjacent counties , whereof one captain pouch was the chief incendiary . date jun. . tho. garnet a jesuit executed at tyburn . a translation begun of the bible into english. date dec. . nineteen pyrates were executed at wappin . date apr. . st . edmunds bury burnt . date tho. e. of dorset , l. treasurer , died suddenly . virginia planted by the english. matthias arch-duke of austria made k. of hungary . date apr. . the new exchange , was first opened and named by k. james , britains burse . date may . fishing on the english coast forbid to forreigners without leave first had . allum brought to perfection , by sir i. bouchier . silk-worms brought to england . k. i. laid the foundation of chelsey colledge . league with france . date may. . the first provost of chelsey colledge ordered by king james . k. henry iv. of france murthered at paris by ra●illac . date prince henry created prince of wales . date oct. . began the fifteenth session of parliament . date mar. . sir robert carr made viscount rochester . landgrave of hessen came into england . barthol . legat condemned by the convocation for an arian heretick , was afterwards delivered by a significavit to the secular power . date sep. . sutton the founder of the charter-house hospital died . prince charles made knight of the garter . the new translation of the bible finished . date mar. . legat was burnt in smithfield for an arian . this year matthias arch-duke of austria , and k. of hungary was made k. of bohemia . date apr. . edward wightman of burton burnt at lichfield for an heretick . date jun. . the lord sanguire , a scot , for murthering turner executed . date oct. . frederick ; p. palatine of the rhine , arriv'd in eng. date dined at the guild-hall , london . date oct. . prince henry fell sick . date nov. . died at st. jameses . date dec. . interred at westminster . date feb. . lady eliz. wedded to frederick the v. prince elector palatine of the rhine , at whitehal . a marriage betwixt france and spain . plantations setled in ireland by some of the companies of london . date aug. . prince elector and princess , left england . date aug. . dorchester burnt . date nov. . viscount of rochester created earl of somerset . the lady frances howard divorced from the e. of essex , and married to the e. of somerset . the globe playhouse burnt . the artillery company revived . wadham college in oxon founded . a parliament suddenly called , and as suddenly dissolved . date jul. king of denmark came into england the second time . date aug. . departed homeward . stratford upon evon burnt . the new river brought to london by sir hugh middleton from ware. moorfields made into walks . lady arabella died in the tower. date sep. . sir thomas overbury poysoned : for which , e. of somerset and his lady , arraigned and condemned , and sir gervis elvis , lieutenant of the tower , mrs. turner and divers others , executed . peace concluded this year between the spaniard and the duke of savoy . date nov. . prince charles created prince of wales . date dec. . archbishop of spalato arrived in england . date mar. . king james his progress into scotland . date sep. . king james returned from scotland . date jan. . doctor william butler , the famous physician of cambridge , died . ferdinando the second , elected emperor . the destruction of the spanish army sent against the venetians . date oct. . sir walter rawleigh beheaded . date nov. . synod of dort began . date comet seen in engl. before the death of q. ann. date dec. . a declaration tolerating sports on the sabbath day . date apr. . synod of dort ended . date mar. . queen anne died at hampton court. p. charles of spain crowned king of portugal . the bohemians , austrians , and hungarians , rebel against the emperor . date jul. . bernard calvert of andover , went from southwark to callis this day , and back again the same . peace with france . palatine of the rhine styled king of bohemia . the french king's subjects rebel against him . date jan. . a parliament assembled , in which the lord chancellor bacon was outed and sent to the tower. g. abbot , archbishop of canterbury , casually killed a keeper in bramshil park . date mar. . archbishop of spalato commanded to leave the realm within twenty days . english treat with the spaniards , for the restitution of the palatinate . date feb. . prince charles embarks for spain . date may . arrived there . peace between his holiness and the king of spain , upon condition of restoring the valtolin to his holiness . date sep. . prince left spain . date octo. . arrived at portsmouth . date entred london . date the fatal vespers at black-fryers . date mar. . king james enters into a war for the recovery of the palatinate . this year pope gregory being dead , urban the viii . was chosen pope . the marriage with franoe accorded . count mansfield shipwracked . amboyna's bloody cruelty . the siege of bredah . date mar. . king james died at theobalds . king charles proclaimed . date a great plague at london , whereof died . king james removed to denham house . date may . a match concluded between our king and the daughter of france ; soon after which the lady henrietta maria sets forth on her journey towards england from paris to amiens . date jun. . king charles calls his first parliament . date king james intombed at westminster . date k. charles's royal consort lands at dover . date marriage consummated at canterbury . date marriage declared at whitehal . king and queen remove to hampton-court . doct. montague questioned by the parliament . date jul. . parliament adjourned to oxford . date aug. . met at oxford , house of commons in the divinity-school . date dissolved . michaelmas term adjourned to reading because of the plague . date oct. . cadiz voyage . date feb. . king charles the first crowned at westminster . date parliament meet at westminster . earl of arundel committed , but soon releas'd . a league with denmark , sweden , and the states , against spain . williams , bishop of lincoln , lord keeper of the great seal , displac't . date . . two conferences at york-house about arminian tenets . date mar. . duke of buckingham charged with high treason by the earl of bristol . date makes his defence , but was sequestred the lords house . sir john elliot and sir dudley diggs , committed to the tower , but soon released . date parliament dissolved . wars proclaimed by the french against the english. earl of arundel confined to his house . earl of bristol sent to the tower. date aug. . king of denmark routed by tilly. sir francis bacon visc. of st. albans died . date jun. . duke of buckingham imbarked for the isle of rhee , from portsmouth . date jul. . proclaimed his manifesto . date landed at the isle . date aug. st. martins fort besieged . date sep. . s. jo. burroughs slain by a shot . date oct. . s. martins fort relieved by marshal schomberg . duke raised the siege , defeated , and many noble englishmen slain . rochellers besieged by the duke of guise , crave aid of the english. date mar. . parliament convened at westminster , wherein the petition of right was granted by the king. date jul. . parliament adjourned till the twentieth of october , and by proclamation , to january the twentieth following . date may . earl of denbigh set sail for the relief of rochel , but failed . date charles-iames , the first son of king charles the first , born at greenwich . stoadt , an english garison , rendred to the imperialists . date jun. doctor lamb murthered in the streets of london . date the city fined for dr. lambs death l. date a remonstrance with a bill of subsidies , presented his majesty . date jul. . parliament prorogued till october the twentieth next . earl of marlborough removed from his office of lord treasurer , sir richard weston preferred . sir thomas wentworth created a baron . another fleet designed for rochel , commanded by the duke of buckingham . date aug. . duke of buckingham basely murthered at portsmouth by john felton , a discontented officer . date sep. . the fleet sail for rochel from portsmouth , commanded by the earl of lindsey . date duke of buckingham's funeral . date oct. . the relief of rochel attempted , but unsuccessful , by reason of contrary winds . rochel surrendred , and called borgo maria. date oct. . parliament adjourned till january the twentieth . date nov. . john felton hanged at tyburn , his body carried to portsmouth , and there hanged in chains for murthering the duke of buckingham . date jan. . the parliament adjourned till the second of march following . date mar. . dissolved . date prince charles-iames died . the marquess huntly and others proclaimed rebels in scotland , fly into england . william herbert earl of pembroke , lord steward of the kings houshold , dies . date apr. . peace with france concluded . date may . proclaimed . date july . an uproar in fleetstreet upon a rescue of one billingham , sometime a captain at the isle of rhee , from an arrest by certain templers . sir robert anstruther sent embassador to the emperour . date may . the kings second son born , at whose birth a remarkable star appear'd at noon-day . date jun. . baptis'd at st. james's by bishop laud by the name of charles , after k. ch. . dr. leighton a scot , for a seditious pamphlet intituled sions plea , censured to have his nose slit , his ears cropt , and his forehead branded , which soon after was inflicted . date nov. . peace with spain proclaim'd . date mar. . earl of essex married to mrs. elizabeth pawlet . prince charles committed to the care of the countess of dorset . date mar. . earl of castlehaven arraigned . beheaded on tower-hill . sir giles alington censured . lady mary born . sigismund k. of poland died . st. paul's church in london begun to be repair'd . the building of covent garden begun by the earl of bedford . date feb . a great fire on london-bridge . some broils begun in ireland , but soon appeas'd . date nov. . gustavus adolphus , king of sweden , slain at the battel of lutzen . date may . his majesty began a progress into scotland . date jun. . arrived at edenburgh . date was there crowned . date set forth from thence homewards . date aug. . abbot , archbishop of canterbury , died . date sep. . bishop laud succeeds him , being translated from the see of london to that of canterbury . date oct. . his majesties third son ( our present sovereign ) born . date baptised by the name of james , afterwards created duke of york . date feb. . the gentlemen of the four inns of court presented a masque to their majesties at white-hall . date the king and queen magnificently entertain'd by the city at the guild-hall . date nov. . frederic prince elector styled king of bohemia , died of the infection he took at mentz . the dispute begun of englands right to the soveraignty of the brittish seas , and defended by the learned selden against hugo grotius . date aug. . attorney general noy designed the raising ship-money . died. the scots begin their designs against the king. prince charles committed to the government of the earl of newcastle . his majesty set out a gallant fleet this summer , under the conduct of robert earl of lindsey . date sept. the earl of arundel went embassadour to the emperour . date nov. . thomas par reported to be aged years died . date dec. lady elizabeth born . date jan. . baptised . prince rupert arrived at london . commotions began about the ceremonies of the church . date mar. . dr. juxon , bishop of london , made lord treasurer . date dec. . ferdinand , king of hungary , elected king of the romans . date feb. . matthias , emperour of germany , died . date mar. . lady anne , the king 's third daughter , born . date jun. . burton , prin , and bastwick sentenc'd in the star-chamber . ship-money debated . date feb. . the judges gave their verdict for the legality of ship-money . date jun. . prince rupert set sail for holland . date jul. . the liturgy first read at edenburgh , which occasioned a great tumult . date oct. . the bishop of galloway assaulted . date the scots petition against the liturgy . date dec. . earl of roxborough sent into scotland . date feb. . tumultuous meetings forbidden there . the scots entred into covenant . john lilburn whipt at the carts tail . date may. . marquess ●amilton sent into scotland . date jun. . the king's declaration against any innovation in religion , sent to hamilton . date jul. . date sep. . proclaimed by him . date oct. . a declaration discharging the service-book in scotland . maria de medicis , queen mother , arrived in england . argile declares for the scots covenanters . marquess hamilton returned into england . covenanters began to arm , and chose lesly their general . sollicited france for aid . date mar. . his majesty went with an army against the scotch covenanters . date apr. . forbad the payment of any rents or debts due to any of them . date marched from york to newcastle . date may . parliament began in scotland . dissolved by his majesty . date the king incamped near barwick , in view of the scots army . marquess hamilton at forth with the english navy . date jun. . the scots treated with the king. date peace concluded . date both armies disbanded . the prince elector comes into england . date aug. . the king returned to theobalds , from the north. date thence to whitehal . earl traquare sent commissioner into scotland . lord deputy of ireland arrived at london , and created earl of strafford . date aug. . another parliament began in scotland . date sep. , . a fight in the downs between the spanish and dutch fleets . date dec. . king charles resolves to call another parliament , in case of the scotch rebellion . earl of strafford goes for ireland , and calls a parliament . date jan. . lord keeper coventry dies , after fifteen years prudent and faithful discharge of that office. date mar. earl of strafford returned for england . date apr. . parliament began in england . prince charles took his seat in this parliament . the convocation began . the scots letter to the french king , read in the house . earl of lowden accused for penning it . date may . the parliament dissolved , and some members imprisoned . date the convocation turned into a synod . date may . the petitioners of the county of surrey dispers'd . a paper set on the exchange , incouraging the rabble to assault the bishop of canterbury . date the synod ended . date jun. . the scotch parliament met again at edenburgh . date jul. . his majesties fourth son born , baptized by the name of henry , and afterwards created duke of glocester . date aug. . king charles set out towards the north , with prince charles . date newburn fight , and newcastle deserted . date possessed by the scots . durham the like . date sept. . the king sets up his standard at york . date the king summons his great council of peers to meet at york , where it was resolved a parliament should be call'd to sit on the third of novemb. following . commissioners consisting of eight earls , and eight barons to treat with the like number of scots , who met at rippon . date oct. . a cessation agreed . date the great council of peers dissolved . the bishop of lincoln released . date nov. . the fatal long parliament began , hor. . min. . post merid. date earl of strafford impeached of treason , and committed to the black rod. one hundred thousand pounds voted to the scots , and borrowed of the city . the lords denied the earl of strafford bail and council . date nov. . one john james stabbed mr. howard a justice of peace of westminster , in westminst . hall. date the earl of strafford committed to the tower. date prin and burton enter triumphantly into westminster , and followed by many thousands . date ship-money questioned by the parliament . prin and burton presented their petitions to the house of commons for damages against their prosecutors . date dec. . secretary windebank fled into france . date ship-money by the parliament voted an illegal tax . the judges questioned about it . date the lady anne died at richmond . date alderman pennington , and a rabble of people , petition the parliament against bishops . date archbish. laud , committed to the black rod. date jan. . a bill for a triennial parliament exhibited . date the commons vote prin , burton and bastwick to have been wrongfully prosecuted . date the charge against the e. of strafford read in the house of commons . date in the house of lords . date feb. . three hundred thousand pound voted to our dear brethren of scotland , for a supply of their losses . date a bill for a triennial parliament , passed both houses . date judge berkly voted guilty of high treason by the commons for having given his voice for ship-money . date arrested in his seat in the kings bench by the usher of the black rod , and sent away to prison . date signed by his majesty . the bill for a triennial parliament . date earl of strafford made his defence in the lords house , and remanded to the tower. date archbishop laud impeached of high treason . date mar. . committed to the tower. date bishops votes in parliament taken away . date earl of strafford's tryal began . prince charles is made at york captain of a guard of noblemen . date apr. . deans and chapters voted against in the house of commons . date apr. . earl of strafford's tryal ended ; after which the bill of attainder against him was debated by the house of commons , and he voted guilty of high treason . date prince of orange came to london . date earl of strafford voted the second time guilty of high treason . a bill against him read in the house of lords . date the lords voted him guilty of high treason . date may . the king declared himself unsatisfied about the earl of strafford . date the princess mary married to william of nassaw , the prince of orange , at whitehal . date a protestation fram'd by the house of commons , and the same day a rabble from the city clamouring for justice against the said earl. date the said protestation taken by both houses . date the earl of strafford voted the second time guilty by the lords . date two bills tendered to his majesty . . for the execution of the e. of strafford . . for continuation of the parliament , not to be dissolv'd without their own consent . date his majesty consulted the bishops and judges about them . the earl advised the king to sign the bill for his execution . some bishops advised him to pass the bill . date his majesty signed them . date earl of strafford beheaded . the earl of liecester declar'd lord leut. of ireland . date aug. . sunday the parliament sate from morning till night , but not to be brought into president . date the king sets forth for scotland . date sep. . the parliament adjourned till the twenieth of october next . the irish rebellion broke out , where were persons barbarously murthered . date nov. . the king returned from scotland . date the king went to hampton court. date , . tumults at westminster against the bishops . date dec. . twelve bishops accused of high treason . date jan. . the irish proclaimed rebels . date articles exhibited against the five members . the same day the house adjourned to grocers-hall in london . date the king going to demand the five members of the city , had a paper thrown into his coach , superscribed , to your tents , o israel , the people at the same time crying out , privilege of parliament . date the king , queen , prince and duke of york , retire to hampton court. date the king went to windsor . date the house of commons petition the king for the militia . date feb. . the king goes from windsor to hampton court. date to greenwich , date to rochester . date the king at canterbury . date thence to dover with the queen , and princess of orange . date queen and princess of orange imbarked for holland . date the king returned to canterbury . date to greenwich , whence he sent for the prince of wales and duke of york . date thence to theobalds . date mar. . to r●yst●n . date newmarket . date huntington . date stamford . date grantham . date newark . date doncaster . date york . date apr. . sir john hotham denied the king entrance into hull ; therefore proclaimed traytor . date hotham justified by the parliament . date may . voted by the parliament , that the king intended to levy war against them . date jun. . his majesties ship , called the providence , landed at kenningham creek near hull , with some powder and ammunition ; till which time the king had none . date july . the parliament voted the earl of essex to be their general of foot , and the earl of bedford of horse . date the king at beverley . hull besieged . date aug. . the earl of essex divided his army into two squadrons . date parliament declared themselves necessitated to take arms. date ● . of bedford routed by the marq. of hertford . date colonel hamden first in arms in chalgrove fields . date his majesty set up his standard in nottingham . date sep. bishops voted to have no more to do in church government as bishops . date the king marched from nottingham . date portsmouth besieged . lord viscount say came to oxford with his forces . date prince rupert defeated some of the parliaments forces at wickfield , near worcester . date oct. . colonel leg escaped from the gatehouse . date posts and chains ordered to be set up , in and about london . date edgehil fight , being on sunday , where was slain the noble earl of lindsey , general for his majesty , and lord aubigney , lord ber. stuart , &c. the same day the kings declaration to his loving subjects was publisht . prince charles committed to the care of the marquess hertford . date banbury and broughton-house surrendred to the k. the kings proclamation of pardon sent to the city of london . the king entred into oxon with one hundred and fifty colours taken in edgehil fight . date nov. . brainford fight , where the parliament had two of their regiments discomfited , and about five hundred taken prisoners . date a great alarm in london , upon fear of the king's approach . date ordered by the parliament , that the king and queens revenues in the exchecquer , be imployed for publick uses . date essex advanced from kingston , to pursue the k. the king made good his retreat and return'd to oxford . date dec. . marlborough taken by the lord wilmot . tadcaster by the earl of newcastle . date winchester delivered up to the rebels . date chichester surrendred to the rebels . date jan. . lord aubigney interred at oxford . date bodwin fight , and liscard taken for the king , by sir ralph hopton . date belvoir castle surprised for the k. by col. lucas . leeds taken by the rebels . date saltash taken by sir ralph hopton . date colonel hamden assaulted the brill , but beaten off by sir gil. gerrard , the governor . doncaster and wakefield quitted by the king. date feb. . yarum fight . date cirencester taken by prince rupert , by storm . date queen of england left the hague , and went to shieveling . shudley castle taken by massey . date imbarked for england . date landed at burlington key in yorkshire . date mar. . lord brook killed in assaulting saint chads church in litchfield . date the q. marched from burlington to norburton . date thence to malton . date to york date capuchin friars , belonging to somerset-house , banished by the parliament . date , . hopton-heath fight in northamptonshire , where the noble earl of northampton was slain . date malmsbury surrendred to the rebels . date the kings forces besieged litchfield-close . date grantham taken by col. cavendish , for the king , and demolished . date mar. . sir hugh cholmondley declared for the king , and scarborough delivered to his majesty . date sir tho. fairfax defeated at bramham moor. date apr. . burningham taken by prince rupert , at which the e. of denbigh received his deaths wound . date prince rupert entered litchfield . the moorelanders of staffordshire , got together in a body were taken up by col. gett , for the parliaments service , and call'd gett's brigade . date young hotham routed at ancaster by collon . cavendish . date the close at litchfield surrendred to p. rupert . date essex sat down with his army before reading . date the king marched from oxon to wallingford , for the relief of reading . date the skirmish at cavecham bridge . date reading surrendred to the earl of essex by col. feilding . date may . the forces of reading marcht out in warlike manner to oxford . date cheap-side cross pull'd down . date james earl of northampton , routed some of the parliament forces at middleton cheiny field near banbury . date warder castle surrendred to the rebels , monmouth the like . date the rebels defeated at stratton in devonshire by the lord hopton . date the king's forces defeated at wakefield . date master rob. yeomans and mr. george bouchier , citizens of bristol , executed at bristol for their loyalty , by col. nathan . fiennes . date a pretended plot against the cities of london and westminster discovered . date jun. the queen delivered at oxford of the lady catharine , who dyed soon after . date taunton and bridgewater delivered to the rebels . date the solemn league and covenant taken by the parliament . date the rebels defeated at dunington , by col. cavendish . date the solemn league , &c. taken throughout lond. date the queen came to newark . p. rupert beat up the parliaments quarters at postcomb and chinner in oxfordshire . date obtained a great victory in chalgrove field . in this fight , col. hampden , one of the five members , received his mortal wound , being the place he first drew up his men , to put the ordinance for the militia in execution . date howley house taken by the e. of newcastle . date tamworth castle yielded . date col. hampden died . date fairfax defeated on adderton heath , by the earl of newcastle . date july . middleton's horse and dragoons routed at padbury , near buckingham , by sir charles lucas , being accidentally discovered ( coming to surprise sir charles in his quarters ) by mr. paul terry , then a soldier , now an honest citizen of london . date bradford besieged by the earl of newcastle . bradford taken , and hallifax and denton-house quitted by the rebels . burton upon trent taken by the lord jermin . date master tompkins and chaloner executed for their loyalty to his majesty . lands-down hill fight , where sir bev. greenvill was slain . date the lord gray of wark mr. darley , and sir william armine , ordered by the parliament , to be sent to invite the scots to their assistance . date p. rupert met the q. at stratford upon avon . date the king and queen met at edgehil . lord wilmot and earl of carnarvan , gave a great defeat to sir william waller , on roundway down . date his highness p. r. sate down before bristol . date the outworks gained , city and castle surrendred to him . date sir william waller voted general of the flying army . date gainsborough surrendred to the rebels . date aug. . his majesty set out from oxford to bristol . date dorchester yielded to the earl of carnarvan . basing-house first attempted . date portland reduced . weymouth and melcomb submitted . date glocester besieged and summoned by the king's forces . date the king came back to oxford . date the king went to glocester . date aug. . the earls of holland and bedford return to the king. date an act of convocation in scotland , for putting that kingdom into a posture of defence . the covenant sent from scotland , and read in parliament . date beverly taken by the earl of newcastle . date sep. , . bidleford , appleford , and barnstaple , surrendred to the king. date exeter taken by prince maurice . date the king raised his siege at glocester . date organs and windows in windsor-chapel defaced . sir john hotham brought to the bar of the house of commons . young hotham brought to the bar of the house of commons . waller routed at winchester . date sep. . the siege of glocester rais'd by essex . date an ordinance for the excise , passed both houses . date cessation of arms in ireland . date lynne yielded to the earl of manchester . date prince rupert , with his majesties horse , gave a great defeat to the rebels , near auburn in wiltshire . date his majesty routed the rebels near newbury and emborne heath , in which action were slain , the most valiant earls of carnarvan , and sunderland , and lord visc. faulkland . date prince rupert in pursuit of them , fell upon their rear at theale , beat them into reading ; but staid not long there . date his majesty returned to oxford . the national covenant taken by the house of commons at st. margaret's westminster . earl of essex returned to london . date oct. . reading garrisoned by the king. date dartmouth surrendred to prince maurice . date house of lords took the covenant at the abbey in westminster . date the king's proclamation , prohibiting trade with london , and other places in arms against him . date the marquess of hertford installed chancellor of oxford . date nov. . an ordinance authorizing the new counterfeited great seal . date his majesty declared against it . sir william armin , &c. arrived at edenburgh , sent by the parliament to hasten the scots invasion of england . date daniel kniveton , put to death at london for serving his majesty's writ , one of his majesty's messengers . date dec. . hawarden castle yielded to the king. date arundel castle to the lord hopton . date beeston castle taken for the king. date lapely house likewise . date grafton house also . date crew house in cheshire , taken for the king. colonel nathanael fienes sentenced in a court of war to be hanged for a coward . date jan. . marq. hamilton sent prisoner to pendennis . date arundel castle yielded to sir will. waller . date the scots invaded england . date the members of parliament assembled at oxford , being summoned by the king. sir thomas byron died at oxford . the scots crossed tine . date sir thomas fairfax and mitton routed at drayton in shropshire , by prince rupert . date feb. . hopton castle taken for the king. date warder castle the like . date mar. . newark relieved by prince rupert and sir john meldrum with . men totally routed ; upon which , gainsborough , lincoln , and sleeford , were quitted by the rebels . date sturton surrendred to the king. date mar. . brandon or chericondown fight . date apr. . longford house in shropshire , surrendred to prince rupert . lord john stuart died at abbington . date interred at oxford . date tongue-castle surrendred to prince rupert . date queen began her journey from oxford to the west ; took her leave of the k. at abbington . date stutcomb taken by prince maurice . date may . reading dismantled by the king. date stopford in cheshire taken ; and date latham house relieved by prince rupert . date , . prince rupert stormed and took bolton in lancashire , in which were killed about eight hundred , and six hundred taken prisoners . date jun. . the king with his army , went from oxford towards worcester . date essex's army passed chatwel . date marched to chipping-norton . date returned to burford , and there deputed waller to pursue the king. date bristol house taken by colonel gage . date princess henrietta born at exeter . date colonel shuttleworth defeated at blackburn by prince rupert . date waller defeated at copredy bridge . date jul. , . york relieved by prince rupert , after which happened that fight on marstone moor. date queen arrived at brest in bretany . date york delivered to the rebels . date burleigh house near stamford , storm'd by oliver cromwel . date aug. . lesthithiel taken by the king. date sep. . essex fled in a cock-boat to plimouth . date his infantry submitted to the king. date basing relieved by col. gage . date sep. . the second fight at newbury . date octo. . a great fire in oxford . date newcastle , after a long siege surrendred to the scots . date banbury siege rais'd by the e. of northampton . date newbury second battle . date the king's army marched through oxford . date nov. . the king and prince charles to oxford . the lord macmahone having been tryed and found guilty of high treason , was executed at tyburn . the king rendezvouzed on burlington green. date dennington siege raised by the king. date the king marched to hungerford . date basing siege raised . three suns appeared in london . date the common-prayer book voted down . date the king returned to oxford . date dec. . sir john hotham and his son , sentenced to be beheaded . date sir alexander carey beheaded . date col. william legg made governor of oxford . date sir tho. fairfax voted general for the rebels the earl of essex cashiered . mr. l'estrange ( niw sir roger ) condemned to die for an attempt upon lyn regis . date jan. . hothams , the father and son , beheaded . date mr. l'estrange reprieved . date laud , archbishop of canterbury , beheaded . date a skirmish at cullom bridge , where sir h. gage was slain . date prince maurice set out from exeter towards worcester . date uxbridge treaty began . date feb. . fairfax with great formality receiv'd his commission from the house of commons . date macquire , an irish baron , having been try'd and found guilty of high treason , was hang'd at tyburn . date feb. . uxbridge treaty ended . shrewsbury surprized by the rebels . date col. rossiter defeated near melton mowbray . date mar. . pontefract relieved , and the rebels defeated by sir marmaduke langdale . date mar. . the scots come over the river tine . date prince charles sets out from oxford towards the west . date the parliament at oxford adjourned till october the tenth next . prince charles came to bristol . date the house of commons voted that the clause ( for the preservation of his majesties person ) should be left out in sir thomas fairfax's commission . date apr. . high archal siege raised . date col. massey defeated at ledbury by prince rupert . date blackington house delivered up to the rebels . date col. windebank sentenc'd for it . date may . col. windebank shot to death at oxford . date aldern battle in scotland won by montross . date the king marched from oxford . date oxford the first time besieged . date godstow house quitted . date feversham taken by the rebels . date leicester besieged by the king. date stormed and taken . date jun. . gaunt house yielded . date a salley made out of oxford , after which general fairfax raised his siege . date the fatal battle of naseby . date leicester and hougham garrison near grantham regained by the rebels . date highworth surrendred . date carlisle yielded to the scots upon honorable terms by sir thomas glenham . date jul. . the scotch army at tamworth . date the king's forces defeated at langport . date the scotch army sat down before hereford . date pontefract castle delivered to the rebels . date bridgewater also . date scarborough the like . date bath surrendred . date aug. . the club-men rooted on hamilton hill. date sherbourn castle taken by the rebels . montross defeated the scotch army at ketsith , near glascow in scotland . a marriage proposed betwixt prince charles and portugal . date huntington taken by the king. date general fairfax sate down before bristol . date the lord keeper littleton died . the king came to oxford . date the king marched to morton henmarsh . date sep. . the scots raised their siege from before hereford . date the parliament's quarters were beat up at tamworth . captain gardiner was slain there . date bristol surrendred to general fairfax . date montross defeated at philiphaugh in scotland . date the king's army routed at routon heath , and slain there the l. berty staart e of litchfield . date , . the devises of winchester taken by cromwel . date oct. . sandal castle surrendred to the rebels . date basing-house taken , and in it the noble marquess of winchester . date the l. digby defeated at sherbourn in dorsetshire . date nov. . the king returned to oxford . date bolton castle yielded to the rebels . date beeston castle the like . date dec. . latham house also . date hereford surprized . date jan. . wormleighton house burnt . date dartmouth stormed and taken by the rebels . date feb. . belvoir castle delivered to the rebels . westchester the like . date torrington stormed and taken by the rebels . date launceston quitted by the king. date saltash likewise . date lizzard also . date mar. . mount edgcomb yielded . foy quitted by the king. date earl of litchfield interred at oxford . date the lord hopton accepted ●f conditions for disbanding his army near stow. date sir jacob astley , who was the last hopes of the king's army , defeated near stow. date mar. . dennington surrendred to the rebels . date apr. . barnstable town surrendred to the rebels , and the fort some few days after . date apr. . ruthen castle delivered : corfe castle taken . date exeter delivered . date st. michaels mount yielded . date prince rupert's troops disbanded . dunster castle delivered . date woodstock surrendred . date the king went disguised from oxford . date may . oxford besieged the second time by general fairfax . date the k. came to the scotch army at southwel . date the magazine for provisions in oxford first opened . date banbury and newark surrendred . date the king carried to newcastle by the scots . dudley castle surrendred to sir will. brereton , by col. levison governour for the king. date a treaty began at oxford . date radnor surrendred . date the stream of isis , at oxford , turned into the old channel . date jun. . ca●narvan surrendred by the lord byron . date ludlow delivered . date berstal the like . date a cessation of arms at oxford . date the treaty there ended . date oxford and farrington surrendred . date jul. . the duke of york's servants discharged . date prince rupert went for france , and prince maurice for the hague . date 〈◊〉 close surrendred . date worcester the like . date the princess henrietta conveyed from oatlands by the lady dalkeith . date wallingford castle surrendred . date gothridge the like . pendennis yielded . conway taken by storm . date aug. . the true great seal of england broken and defaced . scots sold the king for l. date sir i. stowel committed prisoner to ely house . date ragland surrendred . date sep. . the earl of essex died at essex house . date scilly island and castle surrendred . date oct. . dunkirk surrendred to the french. date oct. . the earl of essex's funeral . date denbigh castle surrendred . date nov. . general fairfax triumphantly marched to london . date feb . the scotch army marched into scotland , having received their money for the king. date berwick quitted by the scots . date king charles brought prisoner to holmby . date mar. . the prince of orange , aged years , died of a fever . date may . montross commanded by the king to lay down arms till his majesties further pleasure . date jun. . the king taken from holmby , by cornet joyce , and carried to childersley . date thence to newmarket . date to royston . date jul. . to hatfield . date to windsor . date to caversham , where the prince elector visited him . date to maidenhead , where his royal highness the duke of york dined with him . date the town and castle of pembroke surrendred to cromwel upon articles . date to latimer . date thence to stoke . the city declared against the army . date aug. . the army marched into london , where the forts and outworks were slighted . date the king at oatlands . date the king dined at sion house . date thence to hampton court. date nov. . the king escaped into the isle of wight from hampton court , but was kept prisoner by col. hammond in carisbroke castle . date jan. . voted that no further addresses be made to the king. date feb. . captain burleigh murdered at winton . date judge jenkins brought to the bar , where he denied the power of the court. date apr. . a great rising of the apprentices of london in behalf of the king. date poyer shot to death as by his lot cast , betwixt powel and langhorn . date his royal highness , the duke of york , escaped from st. james's in womans apparel . date berwick surpriz'd by sir marmaduke langdale . date may . chepstow taken by surrender for the king. date the men of surrey petitioning for an accomodation with the king , are set upon by the soldiers , and many of them slain . date the kentish gentry rise for the king. date carlisle taken by sir philip musgrave . date part of the navy revolted from the parliament . tenby surrendred . date maidstone fight . date jun. . petitioners from kent serv'd as those of surrey . date pontefract castle surprized . date the l. goring at stratford-bow with his forces . date colchester , being-seized on by the king's friends , was summoned by fairfax . date votes for no further addresses to the king nulled . date jul. . francis l. villiers , brother to the present d. of bucks , slain at kingston upon thames . date aug. . tinmouth castle revolted to the king. date the scotch army under d. hamilton de●●ated . date colchester surrendred , and the inhabitants fined l. date sir charles lucas and sir george lisle were shot to death . date sep. . the treaty began in the isle of wight . date oct. . rainsborough slain . date nov. . the treaty in the isle of wight broken off . date dec. . the king taken away from the isle of weight , and carried to hurst castle . date the kings concessions voted satisfactory . date members imprisoned and secluded by the army . date the king brought to winton . date thence to farnham . to windsor . date major pitcher shot to death in st. paul's church-yard . date jan. . supream authority voted to be in the house of commons . date an ordinance engrossed and read for the king's tryal . date a pretended high-court of justice proclaim'd . voted that writs should no longer run in the king's name . date hillary term adjourned . date major general brown sent prisoner to windsor . the king brought from windsor to st. jameses . date the king brought before the pretended high-court of justice the first time . date the king brought the second time . date the third time . date sentenced to death by that bold traytor john bradshaw . date most barbarously murthered at his own door , about two a clock in the afternoon . charles the second began his reign from the same day . date feb. . the lord capel escaped from the tower. king charles ii's proclamation for king , dated feb. . . date the l. capel retaken and sent back . date charles the second proclaim'd in scotland . an act for the tryal of the l. capel , &c. date the house of lords voted useless and dangerous . date the kingly office voted unnecessary and burthensome . date the king's body removed to windsor . date there intombed . date humphrey marston slew three messengers , that were sent to apprehend him . the pretended high-court of justice sat at westminster in tryal of duke hamilton , &c. date feb. . a new stamp for coin. date a council of state erected . date the earl of holland sent for . mr. beaumont executed . date charles the second proclaim'd in ireland . date earl of warwick put by from his command of the navy . date mar. . d. hamilton , e. of holland , l. capel , l. goring , and sir j. owen sentenced to die . date earl of norwich , and sir j. owen reprieved . date duke hamilton , earl of holland and lord capel beheaded . date pontefract castle surrendred . date apr. . alderman reynolds imprison'd and put out of his mayoralty , for not proclaiming the act against kingly government . date lockier shot to death in st. paul's church-yard . date may. . dorislaus slain in holland . date the levellers surprized at burford , and col. thomson slain . date alderman andrews proclaimed the act for abolishing kingly government . date jun. . cromwel being made gen. marched into scotl. date jan. . the powder blow in tower street . date apr. . col . poyse shot to death in covent garden . date montross defeated in scotland . date may . taken prisoner by the laird of aston . date brought to edenborough , and sentenced . date barbarously murthered . date jun. king charles ii. landed in scotland . date the english advance towards scotland . date cromwel and the army came to barwick . date fairfax laid down his commission . date jul. . doctor levens suffered . date the king's children ordered to carisbroke castle . date aug. . the king's statue in the old exchange broken down by the usurpers . date sep. . the scots army routed at dunbar . date the princess eliz. died at carisbroke castle . date interred at newport in the isle of wight . edenborough castle deliver'd to the english by dundas the governour . date jun. . charles ii. crown'd at schoon in scotland . date mar. . sir henry hide beheaded . date brown bushel beheaded for delivering scarborough to the king. date jul. . mr. christopher love , a noted presbyterian minister , and mr. gibbons , beheaded on tower-hill , for a plot against the usurped government . date aug. . the scotch army entred into england . date the scotch army came to worcester . date sep. . were defeated at worcester . date the scotch prisoners brought to london , and five hundred pounds offered to any that would detect his majesty king charles the second . date oct. . k. charles ii. safely landed at new-haven in france . date the earl of darby beheaded at bolton . date sir timothy fetherstonhaugh beheaded at chester . date jersey island taken . date the isle of man surrendred . date nov. corn castle in guernsey surrendred . date jan. . barbado's the like . date jun. . a fight in the downs , between the english and dutch. date sept. . the french fleet beaten by the english. date dunkirk taken by the spaniard . date nov. . blake worsted by the dutch. date feb. , , . a terrible fight near the isles of wight and portland , and the dutch beaten . the english fleet in the levant , worsted by the dutch. date apr. . the rump parliament turned out by the army , that had sat twelve years , six months , and seventeen days . date jul. , . a third great fight betwixt the english and dutch. little convention began , commonly called barbones parliament . date aug. . john lilburn tryed and quitted . date an act set forth for marrying by justices of the peace . date dec. . the speaker and the most part leave the house , and surrender their power to oliver cromwel , who takes upon him the stile of protector . date feb. . protector so called , feasted at grocers-hall by the city . date lord gray of grooby prisoner to windsor castle . date mar. . an insurrection of the loyal party at salisbury , and other parts of the west of england dispers'd . date apr. . peace concluded with the hollander . date a fleet under the command of sir w. pen , sent by cromwel to the west-indies . date jul. . mr. vowel executed . date don patalcon sa of portugal , and col. gerrard beheaded on tower-hill . date mar. . james duke of lenox dies . archbishop of armagh dies . date apr. . major general hains slain before st. domingo . date may. . colonel penruddock and others executed . date the english fleet takes the island of jamaica from the spaniard . date mar. . miles sindercom one of o. cromwel's guard sentenced to die , for plotting his death . having poyson'd himself in the tower , w●● stak'd on tower-hill . date oct. . river of thames ebbed and flowed ●wice in three hours . date jun. . doctor harvey died . date oct. . mardike surrendred to the french , and put in the possession of the english. date jun. . dunkirk taken by the english. date july . sir henry slingsby and doctor h●wi● , beheaded on tower-hill . date sep. . the grand usurper cromwel died . date richard cromwel proclaimed protector . date nov. . oliver cromwel's pompous funeral . date jan. . a convention called dick's parliament , met at westminster . date apr. . a representation to richard cromwel , published by the officers of the army . date richard cromwel's party deserting him , he consented to dissolve his parliament . after which , himself had a quietus est . date the house of commons shut up , and entrance denied the members . date may . the rump sat again . date white-hall and somerset-house voted by them to be sold. date aug. . an insurrection in cheshire , headed by sir george booth , now lord de la mere. date lambert advances with his forces against sir george booth . desborough advances towards the west . date , . sir george booth routed and taken prisoner at newport pagnel . date sir george booth committed to the tower , and chrik castle surrendred . a proclamation against mr. i. mordant , since viscount mordant , and others , suspected to be ingaged with sir george booth . date oct. . an act so called , appointing seven commissioners for government of the army . date the rump parliament turned out again by lambert . date fleetwood nominated commander in chief by the army . date general monk signified his dislike of the armies proceedings , and advanced out of scotland towards england . date bradshaw , that bold villain and traytor died . date nov. . lambert advanced with his forces towards general monk. date dec. . tumults in london ( occasioned by the apprentices delivering a petition to the lord mayor , to use his endeavours for a free parliament ) wherein many were slain by col. hewsons soldiers . date the rump parliament re-admitted . date windsor castle surrendred to the rump parliament . date jan. . the rump parliament ordered an oath for the abjuration of the title of his majesty , and the whole line of king james . they proclaim pardon to lambert , and all others , that should submit to them by the . of jan. upon which his forces dispers'd themselves . general monk arriv'd at newcastle . date col. morley made lieutenant of the tower. date tho. scot and luke robinson ordered to meet general monk , and congratulate his arrival . date the old army quartered in the city . date three commissioners sent from the city to gen. monk. date feb. . gen. monk came to lond. with his army , being petitioned by all the counties which he march'd through , for a free-parliament . date general monk pulled down the gates and portcullisses of london , by order of the rump parliament . date general monk dissatisfied with the proceedings of the rump parliament , withdraws with his army into london . the city receives him with bone●ires , &c. date the secluded members restored . date mar. . the long parliament dissolved , and another called to be holden at westminster , apr. . . date date apr. . lambert escaped out of the tower. his majesty's gracious letters and declaration , dated from breda . date date lambert proclaimed traytor . date taken near daventry by col. ingolsby . date lambert brought to london , and committed to the tower. date the parliament met at westminster . date may . his majesty's gracious letters and declaration read in the house , presented by sir john greenvil . after which followed seveal resolves , in order to his majesty's speedy return to his people . the like gracious letters and declaration to general monk. date the like to the lord mayor and court of aldermen . date his majesty's letters and declaration to the fleet. upon the reading of which , the l. montague and the whole fleet submitted joyfully . easter-term adjourn'd till quinque pasch. being may . date charles the first his statue set up again in guild-hall-yard . date his majesty , king charles the second most joyfully proclaimed in london and westminster ; and afterwards all his dominions over . his majesty k. charles the second left breda . date came to the hague . date imbarked with the dukes of york and gloucester for england . date happily landed at dover , where the lord general monk and some part of the army attended him with several voluntier troops of the nobility and gentry . thence to canterbury . date to rochester . date made his magnificent entry through his city of london to his palace of white-hall . date jan. . william outred , that famous mathematician died . date sir john robinson made licutenant of the tower of london . date jul. . his majesty is magnificently entertained at guild-hall by the city . date general george monk for those signal and eminent services performed by him , for the king and kingdom , created duke of albemarle , &c. and knight of the most noble order of the garter . date albemarle took his place in the house of peers . henry earl of st. albans went ambassador into france . date col. edward montague , admiral at sea , for his good services created earl of sandwich , &c. and knight of the most noble order of the garter , and took his place in the house of peers . date the marquess of ormond the like , as earl of brecknock . date aug. an ambassador from denmark . date sep. . peace with spain proclaimed . date the parliament adjourned till november the sixth next , having passed an act for disbanding the army : as also an act of indemnity . the regicides excepted out of the pardon . the prince de ligne , ambassador from spain , came to london . henry duke of gloucester died . date his majesty and his royal highness , went to meet the princess royal of orange . date the princess royal came to london . date oct. . the regicides indicted at hicks's-hall . date their tryal began at the old-baily . date thomas harrison ( one of them ) hang'd , drawn , and quartered at charing cross. date john carew executed in the like manner , being another . date john cook and hugh peters two more , executed in the same manner . date thomas scot , gregory clement , adrian scroop , and jo. jones executed in the same place and manner . date daniel axtel , and francis hacker , only hang'd at tybourn . date his majesty went to meet his mother , the queens majesty . date nov. . his majesty returned with his royal mother , the princess henrietta , and prince edward of the rhine . date the lords and commons met again . date the princess royal of orange died . date the parliament dissolved , and the same day the princess of orange was interred in henry the seventh's chapel . date jan. . the parliament met in scotland . charles , the first son of the duke of york , born and christened , was created duke of cambridge . date the queen mother , with the princess henrietta , set forward for france . date venner and his party in arms , in the city of london dispersed . date they appear again , but are soon totally routed , divers of them slain , and venner their chief captain with several others taken . date venner , and nineteen of his confederates arraign'd . date venner and ho●gekins executed in coalman-street , prichard and oxmin at woodstreet end . date several others of them , about nine or ten , in other places . date the solemn league and covenant rescinded in scotland by the parliament . who declare the power of the militia in his majesty . the parliament in scotland pass an act for the attainder of the marquess of argile . the queen mother , and the princess henrietta imbarked for france . date the carcases of o. cromwel , h. ireton , and i. bradshaw , hang'd at tybourn , and buried under the gallows . their heads set on westminster-hall . date feb. . the earl of southampton sworn lord high treasurer of england . date argyle brought to his tryal . date the late army wholly disbanded . date mar. . the parliament in ireland dissolved . date the writs for summoning of a parliament in england to convene on may . . were sealed . date feb. . cardinal mazarine , that great minister of state in france , remov'd by death . date apr. . his majesty issued out writs for the assembling a convocation . date sixty eight knights of the bath , created to attend his majesty at his coronation according to custom . date the lord chancellor hide created earl of clarendon , arthur lord capel made earl of essex , with four earls more , and six new barons . date his majesty 's magnificent proceeding from the tower , through london to whitehal , towards his coronation . date charles the second crowned at westminster . date may . a general muster of the forces of the city of london in hide park , consisting of two regiments of horse , and twelve regiments of foot. date the parliament began at westminster , wherein the house of lords were restored to their antient privileges . the convocation likewise began . the parliament began in ireland . date the body of the noble marquess of montross taken up and interred in great state. date elizabeth , q. of bohemia , arrived at london . date the solemn league and covenant burnt in london and westminster , and afterwards all england over , by order of the parliament . date the marquess of argyle condemn'd in scotland for high treason , and sentenc'd to death . date beheaded at edenburgh . date the writing called the act for the tryal of his late majesty charles the first , burnt by order of parliament in westminster-hall . date jun. . the funerals of sir c. lucas and sir g. lisle solemnly celebrated at colchester . date july . lord mounson , sir h. mildmay , and mr. wallop sentenc'd by the house of commons to be drawn on sledges , from the tower to tyburn and back again , as a yearly penance , on the day of the late king's murther . date july . the liturgy of the church of england , first read in the french tongue , at the french church in the savoy . date the parliament adjourned till november the twentieth next . passed an act declaring the militia his majesty's . an act for the safety of his majesty's person , &c. date sep. . happened that remarkable encounter between the french ambassador , and the spanish for precedency , at the publick entry of count brohe , ambassador extraordinary from sweden to england , on tower-hill . date oct. . his majesty by proclamation established the council of the marches of wales , earl of carbery first president . date nov. . james duke of ormond , made lord lieutenant of ireland . date john james arraigned for treason . date the parliament sate again , wherein the lords spiritual were restored to their antient privileges . date dec. . the society of lincolns-inn , to renew the antient custom of that house , in the choice of a lord lieutenant , and prince of the grang. elected i. lort esquire , to that dignity . date charles coot , earl of montrath in ireland , died . date the parliament adjourned till january the seventh next . an act for purging of corporations , &c. date henry earl of st. albans returned from france , arrived at whitehall . date major wildman and several others committed to the tower for treasonable practices . date john james hang'd , drawn , and quartered at tyburn . date jan. . the parliament met again . frederick lord cornwallis died . date the council of the marches first sitting . date the earl of peterborough took possession of tangier . date feb. . elizabeth queen of bohemia died . date the high and prodigious wind , when the pageant in fleetstreet was blown down . date sir john stowel died . christopher lord hatton made governor of guernsey . date apr. . the lady catharine of portugal , now queen dowager , imbarked for england . date miles corbet , iohn okey , and john bar●stead , three regicides , hanged , drawn and q●artered at tyburn . date articles of peace concluded with argiers , by sir john lawson . date the dutchess of york delivered of a daughter at st. james's . date may . major fienes and his party cut off at tangier , by the moors . date his majesties royal spouse landed at portsmouth . date his majesty prorogued the parliament till febr. . next . date king charles the d . and donna catharina , infant of portugal , were married by gilbert , lord bishop of london , at portsmouth . date the king and queen came to hampton-court . date jun. . the lord mayor and aldermen of london present their duty to his majesty . date sir henry vane indicted , and found guilty of treason . date master john lambert the like . date both received their sentence , mr. lambert reprieved . date sir henry vane beheaded . date the english forces arrived at lisbon . date jul. . the queen mother landed at greenwich . date aug. . queen catharine came first to white-hall . date the act came in force for silencing all nonconformist ministers . date sep. . william lenthal speaker of the long parliament died . date oct. . cuba attack'd by his majesty's forces of jamaica . the spaniards routed , and some towns destroyed . sir henry bennet sworn one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state. date peace concluded with tunis , by sir john lawson . date and with tripoly . date nov. . his majesty set forth his proclamation , for setling a free port at tangier . date dec. . three ambassadors from the emperor of russia , were conducted to their audience with great state , carrying many presents in view from york house . date jan. . one hundred fifty and two slaves redeemed from argiers and thereabouts , by the charity of the right reverend the arch-bishops , bishops , and clergy . date archibal iohnson , laird warreston , brought over into england . date committed to the tower. date feb. . the parliament met according to prorogation at westminster . date apr. . the king and queen arrived at windsor . date the earl of tiveot set sail for to be governor of tangier . date jun. . a great conspiracy discovered in ireland , wherein colonel thomas scot , colonel edward warren , major h. jones , jephson lackey , and others concerned . date the earl of rothes made high commissioner of scotland . date william iuxon , arch-bishop of canterbury , departed this life . date doctor bramhal , lord primate of ireland died . date jul. . the earl of peterborough arrived at white-hall , from his government of tangier . date her royal highness brought to bed of a second son , date christened james . date laird warreston executed at edenburgh , according to sentence in parliament , on a gibbet two and twenty foot high . date the parliament prorogued till march . next . date apr. . his majesty and his royal consort began their progress to the bath ; the first night to maidenhead . date thence to reading , and thence to norberry . date thence to marlborough . date thence to the bath . date oct. . his majesty and the queen returned to white-hall . his majesty's judges , by a special commission of oyer and terminer , for the tryal of several persons concerned in a conspiracy in the north. date jan. . they arrived at york . date , . twenty one of which convicted of high treason . date sentenced . date one james turner , a notorious splitter of causes , was executed in leadenhall-street for burglary . date gibbons and baker two of the northern conspirators executed . date feb. . john twine was executed in smithfield , for printing a treasonable libel against his majesty , according to sentence against him in the old-baily sessions-house . date mar. . the parliament met according to the prorogation at westminster . date , . a notorious tumult in cheapside , london . date apr. . the house of lords adjourned till the eighteenth of april instant . date the house of commons the like . the parliament resolved to assist his majesty with their lives and fortunes against all opposers . date may . the earl of tiveot who succeeded the earl of peterborough in the government of tangier , and his party cut off by the moors , near the jews river at tangier . date the parliament prorogued till the twentieh of august next . date sir george downing arrived at london , from holland . date jun. . sir thomas moddiford arrived at jamaica , governor . date heer van goch ambassador from holland had audience . date jul. . a proclamation for proroguing the parliament from aug. . till novemb. . next . date aug. . the parliament met , and prorogued as by proclamation . date sept. . henry coventry esquire , sent envoy extraordinary to sweden . date a market proclaimed to be kept at st. james his fields for all sorts of provisions , every munday , wednesday and saturday ; and every munday and wednesday , for all sorts of cattle , in the hay-market in the parish of st. martins in the fields . date oct. . his majesty and his royal highness went down to give their last orders to the fleet , under the command of prince rupert , then designed for guiny . date sir john lawson arrived at portsmouth , from the streights . date prince rupert , with his squadron , came to the spithead . date the common council of london voted one hundred thousand pounds to be lent his majesty . date peace concluded with argiers , by sir thomas allen , admiral in the mediterranean . date nov. . his royal highness the duke of york , lord high admiral , set forth towards his charge at portsmouth . date sir william pen with part of his majesty's fleet , set sail from dover . date the parliament met according to their prorogation . date the honourable house of commons voted his majesty a supply of l. sterling . the fleet from the downs arrived at spithead . date his royal highness having been cruising since the twenty seventh , arrived at st. hellens road. date dec. . his royal highness returned to whitehall . date an order of council , giving letters of reprisals against the dutch. date the parliament adjourned to jan. . next . date a blazing star seen in england . date admiral allen took four prizes from the dutch in the streights . date his majesty's fleet off of portsmouth , took one hundred and twelve prizes small and great from the dutch ; most of which adjudged lawful prize . date jan. . major holmes committed to the tower. date the parliament met again according to their adjourning . date feb. . his majesty set forth his declaration , touching his proceedings for reparation from the dutch. date an impudent dutch impostor ( under the disguise of a swede , come from guiney ) who reported the utter destruction of the english there , by de ruyter , was this day whipt through the streets of london . date mar. . the parliament prorogued till june twenty first next following . war proclaimed against the dutch. date this day the london frigat was blown up . date admiral allen arrived from the streights . date his royal highness went towards the fleet. date the lord mayor and court of aldermen , move his majesty's leave to build another frigat , to supply the loss of the london ; which was graciously accepted , and to honour it with the epethite of loyal . date major holmes having fully cleared himself , is released of his imprisonment . date apr. . was observed a general fast , for a blessing upon his majesty's forces imployed against the dutch. date mounsieur vernevel , and mounsieur courtine , ambassadors extraordinary from france arrived at london . date lord bellasis governour of tangier , in the room of the earl of tiveot , arrived there . date young evertson taken after a sharp dispute , and three frigats , by the diamond and the mairmaid . date de ruyter attempted the barbado's with his fleet , but beaten off . date his royal highness set sail with the whole fleet. date came before the texel . date may . eight dutch prizes taken by his majesty's frigats . date the french ambassadors , with monsieur comings , make their entry . date had audience . a great plague began in london , in which year died . whereof of the plague . date an ancient monument of a curious frame , discovered in some fields three miles from bath . date the holland fleet about the dogger-sands . date his royal highness and the whole fleet , weighed from the gun-fleet . the parliament further prorogued by proclamation , from june . next , to a time which should be prefixed at their actual prorogation . hamburgh fleet fell into the possession of the dutch. date jun. . his royal highness anchors in southold-bay . date his royal highness within three leagues of the dutch fleet. date a glorious victory obtained by his majesty's fleet , under the conduct of his royal highness , against the whole dutch fleet ; wherein above thirty capital ships were taken and destroyed , and near eight thousand men killed and taken prisoners . persons of note of the english slain were the earls of falmouth , portland and marleborough , and the lord muskerry . date his royal highness with prince rupert arrived at white-hall . date two thousand sixty and three dutch prisoners brought to colchester , whereof thirteen commanders . date publick thanksgiving for the late victory , observed in london and westminster , and places adjacent . date the parliament met at westminster , and was prorogued to august the first , next . his majesty conferred the honour of knighthood upon captain christopher mings , and captain jeremy smith , for their good services in the late engagement . sir john lawson died of his wounds , received in the late engagement . date mr. willian coventry knighted by his majesty , and sworn of the privy council . date his majesty with his royal highness , prince rupert , &c. arrived at the buoy in the nore , with the queen mother going for france . his majesty taking his leave this night . his majesty went aboard the royal charles , and conferred the honour of knighthood on rear admiral tiddiman , captain jordan , captain spragge , and captain cutings . date jul. . his majesty returned to greenwich , from thence to hampton court. date a thanksgiving throughout england and wales for the late victory . date a part of the fleet set sail from soulbay towards holland . a general fast observed in london and westminster by occasion of the plague then raging there ; and the first wednesday in every month for the future , till it should please god to remove that judgment . date the king and queen remove towards salisbury . date their majesties parted at farnham castle , his majesty for portsmouth . date her majesty to salisbury . date his majesty in the isle of wight . date aug. . came to salisbury . the parliament again prorogued to october ninth next , to oxford . date their royal highnesses arrived at york . date the receipt of his majesty's exchequer ( being removed to nonsuch ) opened there . date his royal highness at hull . captain owen cox in the nathan frigat , cast away with all his men near yarmouth , his ship having split against a rock . the dutch smyrna , and streights men , de ruyters , and their east-india ships , attacked by rear-admiral tiddiman in the harbor of bergen in norway ; in which action was slain edward montague , son to the lord montague of boughton . date his majesty's fleet under the command of the earl of sandwich , set sail for the coast of holland . date a great storm at sea , which scattered upon the coast of norway . date sep. . four dutchmen of war. date two east-india ships , and several other merchantmen taken by the earl of sandwich , with the loss only of the hector . date fires continued in london in all the streets , &c. three days and nights to purifie the air. date the holland fleet joyned with the rest of their merchant-men . date some of his majesty's fleet encountring with . sail of hollanders , took the greatest part of them , whereof four dutch men of war , with above one thousand prisoners . date his majesty removed from salisbury to the lord ashleys . date thence to pool . date at luckworth castle in the isle of burbeck . date to weymouth . date to portland . date at dorchester , from thence back to the lord ashleys . date thence to salisbury . date his royal highness set out from york for oxon. date his majesty set out from salisbury to oxford , where he arrived , and met his royal highness this night . date the queen came to oxford . date octo. . her royal highness arrived at oxford . date the parliament met at oxford . date the two houses met , and attended his majesty at christ church , where his majesty made a gracious speech to them . date the parliament voted to his majesty and additional supply of l . part of michaelmas term from the first return thereof , called tres michaelis , to the fifth , called octabis s. martini . adjourned from westminster to oxford , by his majesty's proclamation . date the dutch fleet returned to harbor . date sir thomas bloodworth sworn lord major of london , at the outmost gate of the bulwark , by sir john robinson lieutenant of the tower , by vertue of his majesty's commission to him directed . the parliament prorogued from oxford to westminster , to sit february the twentieth next . date nov. . the several courts of justice sate in the schools at oxford . date the duke of albemarle went to oxford . date dec. . the duke of albemarle returned to london from oxford . date jan. . his majesty set out his proclamation for removing the receipt of his majesty's exchequer , from nonsuch to westminster . his majesty ordered the next term to be kept at windsor . the parliament prorogued from february the twentieth , to april three and twentieth next . date his majesty and royal highness returned to hampton court. the french king set out his declaration of war against england . date sir christopher mings set sail with the fleet under his command for the downs . date feb. . his majesty and his royal highness arrived at london , after so long absence , to the great joy of the inhabitants . date mings with his squadron in the downs . the lord major and sheriffs of london waited upon his majesty and royal highness , with the complement of the city in an humble welcome for their happy return . date his majesty issued out his writs , for re-adjourning the term from windsor , to be held on the ninth instant at london . date his majesty's fleet commanded by sir. christopher mings came to the downs , the dutch having sailed home . sir jeremy smith his majesty's admiral in the medite●ranean , passed this way by cadiz . date sir thomas clifford arrived at white-hall , from his ambassy in sweden . date the english fleet under the command of admiral mings chased the dutch into the weilings . date according to the writs of re-adjourments , the courts of justice sate in westminster-hall . date his majesty declared war against the french. mountjoy earl of newport , died at oxford . date her majesty arrived at white-hall from oxford . date the parliament met according to the prorogation , and further prorogued till april the three and twentieth next coming . sir christopher mings sailed out of the downs towards the coasts of flanders . date launched at harwich a third rate ship , named the rupert . date the earl of sandwich set forward on his ambassage extraordinary for spain . sir christopher mings with his fleet at the mouth of the elve . date a deputation from the french church in the savoy , attended his majesty with the humble thanks of that church , for his great protection and indulgence expressed towards them in his late declaration against the french. date mar. . his majesty and royal highness parted from white-hall for audley-end . date sir jeremy smith with his squadron at tangier . date launched at yarmouth a fifth rate frigat named the sweepstakes . date launched at deptford , a stout ship of sixty four guns , named the defiance , in the presence of his majesty , who conferred the honour of knighthood on captain robert holmes , designed to command her . date apr. . his majesty issued out his proclamation for further proroguing the parliament , from the three and twentieth instant , till september the eighteenth next following . date sir gilbert talbot , his majesty's envoy extraordinary late to denmark , arrived at whitehall from thence . date peace concluded by the states , with the bishop of munster . date his majesty set forth his proclamation commanding colonel john desborough , colonel thomas kelsey , and several others , officers in the late disbanded army , to return into england by the two and twentieth of july next , or else to stand guilty and be attainted of high treason . sir jeremy smith , with his squadron , arrived at plimouth from the streights . date prince pupert and the duke of albemarle , his majesty's generals at sea for this summers expedition , went this day towards the fleet , to enter upon their command . the parliament met , and were actually prorogued according to his majesty's proclamation , till september the eighteenth next . the foundation stone laid of a grammar-school at mere , in by thomas andrews esquire the builder and endower thereof . date this day were indicted and convicted at the old-baily , london , iohn rathbone , and some others , officers in the late disbanded army , for conspiring against the royal person of his majesty . in order to which , they had laid their plot for the surprise of the tower , the killing of the lord general ; and the better to effect their design , the city of london was to have been fired . the third of september next was pitched upon for the attempt , as being found by lilies almanack ( as they construed it ) to a lucky day . evidence against them , being very clear , they were found guilty of high treason , and hang'd , drawn and quarter'd at tyburn . date the french protestants of dublin , having the favour to have a church granted them in that city ; this day met in their first assembly , where my lord lieutenant honour'd them with his presence . the lord morley arraign'd at westminster by his peers , and found guilty of man-slaughter ( for the death of mr. hastings ) his lordship had the benefit of his clergy ; the lord chancellor hide was lord steward for the trial. date may. . his majesty and royal highness went to see the fleet in the buoy in the nore . date returned to white-hall . date the lord bellasis arrived at white-hall , from tangier . date prince rupert , and the duke of albemarle , with his majesty's fleet , under their command , set sail from the buoy in the nore , and arrived at the gun-fleet . date the lord hollis arrived at white-hall , from his ambassy in france . date , . the duke of albemarle , with that part under his command at the back of the goodwins , arrived in the downs . date the earl of sandwich , his majesty's ambassador extraordinary to the crown of spain , arrived at madrid . date the duke of albemarle set sail from the downs . date jun. . this day he discovered the whole dutch fleet , about ninety capital ships , near the coast of flanders , made up to them , and ingaged them . date prince rupert passed by dover towards the gun-fleet with his squadron to joyn with the duke of albemarle . date prince rupert joyned with the duke . the royal prince unhappily stranded on the galloper , and burnt by the dutch. the commander sir george aschough taken prisoner , and carried to holland . date the ingagement continued , in which sir fretchevile hollis lost his arm. date this day his majesty had the confirmation of a happy victory , obtained the fourth instant against the united naval force of the states general , by his majesty's fleet , under the command of his highness prince rupert , and the duke of albemarle , after a sharp ingagement of three days , in two of which the duke of albemarle maintained the fight with fifty ships , against eighty odd ships of the enemy . date the generals with the whole fleet , at the buoy in the nore : and this day died that valiant sea-man sir christopher mings . date lord douglass and his regiment arrived at rye , from france . there was launched at deptfort , the loyal london , carrying an hundred guns ; built at the charge of the city of london , for the service of his majesty . launched at blackwall , a ship named the warspight . date the earl of ossery sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy council . date his majesty and royal highness went to the buoy in the nore , to view his fleet. date henry coventry esquire , arrived at white-hall , from his ambassy to sweden . date died at madrid sir rich. fanshaw , ambassador in that court from the king of england . date the lord george flemming , the lord peter julius coyet , ambassadors extraordinary from the crown of sweden , made their publick entry through the city of london . date the dutch fleet hovering about the north foreland . date jul. . about the longsands . date her royal highness brought to bed of a son. date gayland utterly routed and defeated by taffaletta , near tangier . date the english fleet under the command of prince rupert , and duke of albemarle sailed from the buoy in the nore . date , . there was obtained by his majesty's fleet , under the command of prince rupert , and the duke of albemarle , a manifest and undoubted victory , against the whole dutch fleet , who were most shamefully chased into their harbours . the lord willoughby , governor of the caribbee islands for his majesty , was unfortunately lost in a hurricane near martineco . date aug. . the english fleet before the maes in scheveling . date before the texel . date the memorable action of sir robert holmes in burning and destroying above . sail of dutch ships in the fly , most of them richly laden . as also the town of bandaris upon the island of schelling , containing at least one thousand houses . date a solemn thanksgiving kept in london and westminster , for the late victory and successes against the dutch ; to be kept by the rest of the kingdom the . instant . date the whole english fleet arrived at southwould-bay , from the coast of holland . date sep. . the dutch fleet passed by dover , the english fleet making all the sail after them in sight . date about one of the clock this morning , a sudden and lamentable fire broke out in the city of london , beginning in a place called pudding-lane , near new-fishstreet , which burnt down and consumed , in the space of four days , the greatest part of that city . date the duke of albemarle arrived at whitehall , from the fleet , leaving his highness prince rupert the sole command of the fleet , in his absence . date the dutch fleet weighed from bulloign-road , and stood for their own coast. date prince pupert , in st. hellens road. his majesty set forth his declaration , shewing his princely care , and royal intention for the speedy restauration of the city of london . date the parliament met according to their prorogation . his majesty's fleet under prince rupert sailed by dover-road . three or four french men of war separated from the rest of their fleet , fell amongst some of our fleet ; of which we took one ship of fifty four brass guns , and captain de roche prisoner . the earl of ossery being called by his majesty's writ to the house of peers , this day took his place . date oct. . his highness prince rupert arrived at whitehall , having left his majesty's fleet at the buoy in the nore . date this day was kept very solemnly a day of fasting and humiliation in consideration of the late dreadful fire in the city of london . date the parliament voted another supply to his majesty of eighteen hundred thousand pounds sterling . date war declared against the king of denmark . date nov. . the vice-admiral of denmark , a ship of fifty two guns , was taken by some of his majesty's frigats on the coast of scotland . date a violent fire hapned in his majesty's horse guard-house , in the tiltyard ; but soon happily quenched . date this day was observed in the cities of london and westminster , a day of thanksgiving to god for asswaging the late contagion and plague in the said cities . date several rebellious people in scotland being got together , to the number of fifteen hundred , having committed several hostilities and rebellious pranks against his majesty's good subjects , were this day discomfitted and totally routed by his majesty's forces in that kingdom . date sir thomas clifford made comptroller of his majesty's houshold , and admitted of his majesty's most honourable privy-council , decemb. . date dec. . james duke of cambridge , eldest son of his royal highness , installed into the order of the garter . date ten of the late rebels in scotland , executed at edenbourgh . date robert earl of lindsey , lord high-chamberlain of england , sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . captain robinson with the squadron under his command , took and destroyed three dutch men of war near the texel . date feb. . the st. patrick taken by the dutch off of portsmouth , deserted by her own fireship . date this day his majesty went to the house of peers , and was graciously pleased to pass among others , . an act for the rebuilding of london . . an act for erecting a court of judicature for determining of differences arising touching houses burnt and demolished by reason of the late fire in london . after which the parliament was prorogued to october the tenth next . date the earl of bridgewater , sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date mar. . captain seely , captain of the fireship that deserted the patrick , was this day shot to death aboard his own vessel . date a proclamation issued for the apprehension of the duke of buckingham . date captain utbert arrived from the streights with the squadron under his command , and seven prizes , at plimouth . date died the earl of cleveland , captain of his majesty's band of pensioners , his charge conferred on the lord bellasis . date was launched in the forest of dean , a stout frigat , named the st. david , of sixty guns . date apr. . the commissioners impowered by a command under the great seal of england , according to his majesty's promise to both houses of parliament , for taking the account of the several sums of moneys assigned to his majesty , during the present important wars , sate this day the first time . date the ambassadors extraordinary from sweden , this day took their parting leave of his majesty . date the lord hollis and henry coventry esquire , ambassadors extraordinary , designed by his majesty for the treaty at breda , set forward on their ambassy . date several squadrons of dutch ships attempted burnt island in scotland , but beaten off with loss . date may . this evening died at his house in new southampton buildings , thomas earl of southampton , lord high-treasurer of england . date the most christian king sent his manifesto to all the princes his allies , declaring his pretensions to brabant , hainault , &c. date the lord hollis , and honourable henry coventry esquire , ambassadors extraordinary , made their entry into breda . date sir john duncomb admitted of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date died at st. james's the duke of kendal , second son to his royal highness . date jun. . his majesty by his commission under the great seal of england , constituted the duke of albemarle , the lord ashley , sir thomas clifford , sir william coventry , and sir john duncomb , his majesty's commissioners for executing the office of lord high-treasurer of england . date the dutch fleet , upward of seventy sail , came to an anchor in the gun-fleet . date some of his majesty's frigats took twelve dutch prizes , and sunk two upon the coast of norway , and this day the dutch fleet came up chatham river , where they lost two of their greatest ships . date died at richmond the duke of cambridge , first son to his royal highness . taken by some of his majesty's ships , and brought into scotland , a rich east-india dutch ship , outwards bound having seventy four brass guns in her hold. date this day sir john harman with sixteen sail of english men of war , engaged the french fleet , about thirty men of war , near martinego , and burnt and destroyed the most part of them . date the parliament standing prorogued till the tenth of october next , his majesty for divers urgent causes , issued out his proclamation to both houses of parliament , to sit and reassemble at westminster the twenty fifth of july next . eight dutch prizes laden with masts and deal , taken by his majesty's frigats , northward . date peace concluded at breda by his majesty , with france , denmark , and the states general . date jul. . arrived at whitehall his excellency henry coventry esquire , with an account of the late concluded peace at breda . date a squadron of the dutch appeared in sight of plimouth . date they made an attempt upon torbay , but beaten off . date , . a squadron of the dutch fleet , about twenty three in number , make up for the river of toames , and near the hope are encountred and fought with by sir edward spragge , with some frigats and fireships under his command ; at last were forced to draw off , being still pursued by our frigats , till out of the river . date the parliament met at westminster , in obedience to his majesty's proclamation of the twenty sixth of june last , and adjourned to the twenty ninth instant . date the whole squadron of the dutch came to an anchor in the gun-fleet . date the parliament met according to their adjournment of the twenty fifth , and were prorogued till the tenth of october next being the former prefixed prorogation . date his highness prince rupert returned to whitehall , from expediting the fortification at sheerness . date aug. . this day was buried in westminster abby , abraham cowley ( who died the twenty eighth past ) that excellent poet. date the ratification of the peace with holland , &c. was mutually interchanged by the several plenipotentiaries at breda , and solemnly proclaimed . date admiral de ruyter attempts the destroying of the virginia fleet , put into the harbour at foy , but successess . date six of his majesty's frigats cruising northwards , encountred a squadron of dutch ships , whereof they took three men of war , and one merchantman . peace with the states general , france and denmark , was this day proclaimed at london and westminster . date his majesty having taken the great seal of england from the earl of clarendon , the late lord-chancellor , was pleased this day to give it to sir orlando bridgeman , with the title of lord-keeper . date sep. . sir orlando bridgeman , lord-keeper , having the usual oaths administred to him , took his place at the council board . date arrived at whitehall , the lord hollis , and henry coventry esquire , from their ambassy from breda . date this morning her royal highness was happily brought to bed of a son at st. james's . date duke of buckingham admitted to his majesty's favour , and his place at the council table . date arrived at the spithead , from the streights , sir robert holmes with a squadron of his majesty's ships under his command . date his majesty having taken from the canary company their charter of incorporation , issued out his proclamation , declaring his pleasure ▪ that all his subjects might have a free trade into those islands as formerly . date arrived at st. hellens road , sir jeremy smith , with a squadron of his majesty's ships , with two rich east-india dutch ships outward bound , taken on the coast of ireland . date oct. . the court of judicature for determining of differences , touching houses burnt and demolished by reason of the late great fire in london , sate the first time at clifford's inn. date commissioner pett was this day brought to his examination before his majesty's council , about the late miscarriage at chatham . date the parliament met at westminster , according to the prorogation , and adjourned to the fourteenth instant . date this day his majesty was pleased to lay the first stone of the foundation of the first pillar of the royal exchange , with the usual ceremonies ; and afterwards to confer the honour of knighthood upon the sheriffs of london , denis gauden esq and thomas davis esq and bookseller . date his royal highness was pleased to lay the first stone of the foundation of a second pillar of the royal exchange likewise . date nov. . the heer borrel and heer merman , ambassadors extraordinary from the states general to his majesty , made their solemn entry through london . sir george ascough being returned from his severe restraint in holland , was this day admitted to the honour of kissing his majesty's hand . date several captains of fireships , and other seamen , were condemned in a council of war , to suffer punishments for their cowardice usual in such cases , during the late attempts of the dutch in the river of thames . date this day the ambassadors extraordinary from holland , had their publick audience from his majesty . date dec. . the notice of the retiring of the earl of clarendon this day being made publick , his majesty was pleased to declare , that he the said earl of clarendon be divested of his place of privy-councillor . date the woodmongers surrendred their charter to his majesty . date lauched at harwich , a third rate frigat named the resolution . date the parliament adjourned to the sixth of february next , and an act pass'd for the banishing of the earl of clarendon . date jan. . in pursuance of a late act of the parliament of england , for setling trade between the kingdoms of england and scotland . the commissioners of the kingdoms met this day in the star-chamber accordingly . william car stood in the pillory at westminster by order of the house of lords , for libellous papers publisht against the lord gerard of brandon . date the earl of sandwich , his majesty's ambassador extraordinary in the court of spain , arrived in the same quality at lisbon to that crown , to mediate a peace between portugal and spain . the duke of monmouth , arrived at paris from england . date his majesty was pleased to declare in council , for the better regulating of the affairs of his kingdom , that certain standing committees of his honourable privy-council for business , should be established ; . for foreign affairs . . for the admiralty and navy . . for trade , and his plantations beyond sea. . for grievances . date feb. . the parliament met according to their adjournment , and re-adjourned till the tenth instant . date the parliament met again according to their last adjournment . date the count de donah , ambassador extraordinary from sweden , made his publick entry . date this day was proclaimed in london and westminster , the late peace with spain , concluded at madrid , may the thirteenth last . date peace concluded between spain and portugal , by the mediation of the earl of sandwich , ambassador extraordinary from his majesty of england . date mar. . was happily launched at deptford , in presence of his majesty , a large ship , designed to carry one hundred and six guns , named charles the second . date this day in consideration of the humble address of the commons in parliament , his majesty issued out his proclamation for putting the laws in execution against recusants , and the unlawful assemblies of nonconformists . date several apprentices of the city of london , and other idle persons joyning , abusing the liberty given them these easter holidays , tumultuously got together under the notion of pulling down houses of ill fame about the suburbs , of which several were seized on and put in custody . date apr. . eight of those persons that were taken in that riot in the last easter holidays , were this day indicted of high treason and rebellion , at justice-hall in the old-bailey , and found guilty . date arrived in the downs sir john harman , with the squadron of his majesty's ships under his command , from the west-indies . date a sudden fire broke out in the bridge-town at the barbado's , which in short time consumed the most part of that town . date the duke of ormond , lord lieutenant of ireland , imbarked at dublin for england . date and this day the earl of ossory was sworn lord deputy of ireland during his absence . date may . the duke of ormond arrived at whitehall . date this day his majesty being present in the house of lords , was pleased to give his royal assent to several bills ; after which the parliament adjourned till the eleventh of august next coming . four of the persons concerned in the tumult in easter holidays last , being sentenced as traytors , were this day hanged , drawn and quartered at tyburn . date the ministers of the state of england , and of the states general of the united provinces , attended his most christian majesty at paris , with the ratification of the treaty concluded between that crown and spain , which was mutually exchanged by them . date sir john vaughan this day took his place in the common-pleas , at westminster-hall , as lord chief justice . date jun. . died at whitehall , charles viscount fitz-harding , treasurer of his majesty's houshold . arrived at whitehall , sir william temple , his majesty's ambassador extraordinary at aix la chappelle . date sir thomas clifford made treasurer of his majesty's houshold , and the right honourable the lord newport advanced to be comptroller of his majesty's houshold . date sir john trevor arrived from his ambassy in france . date his majesty , his royal highness , and prince rupert , went this day for sheerness , to view the fortifications there . date from thence his majesty and royal highness arrived in the downs this day , to take a view of his majesty's fleet riding there , under the command of sir thomas allen. date who this day with the fleet under his command sailed out of the downs to the westward . date his majesty and royal highness returned to whitehall . date jul. . this day francis lord newport , was sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date the earl of manchester had the honour to entertain his majesty , his royal highness , and prince rupert , at a dinner at his house at waltham . date from thence his majesty and royal highness , & c. went for hampton-court , and to london , the same day . his majesty issued forth his proclamation , declaring his pleasure , that the parliament should adjourn themselves from august the eleventh next , till nov. the tenth following . date his majesty accompanied with his royal highness , honoured the countess of devon , with his presence at dinner , at her house at rochampton . thence to hampton-court . date returned to whitehall . date was launched at bristol , a stout frigat of . tuns , named the edgar . date aug. . sir daniel harvey set forward on his ambussy for constantinople . date this day the parliament according to their adjournment of the ninth of may last , met at westminster , and re-adjourned themselves in pursuance of his majesty's proclamation till the tenth of november next . date mounsieur colbert , ambassador from his most christian majesty , made his publick entry . date sir thomas allen with his fleet under his conduct sailed by plimouth , towards the mediterranean . date his royal highness went for dover . date sep. . his majesty accompanied with his royal highness , his highness prince rupert departed for bagshot . date and this day they arrived at windsor , and back the same night to bagshot , having offered in st. george his church according to the statutes of the order . date his majesty and royal highness prince rupert , &c. from bagshot to portsmouth . and , date this day returned to whitehall . date the duke of monmouth , in hide-park , was placed by his majesty in the command of captain of his life guard of horse , void by the resignation of the lord gerrard of brandon . date seignior pietro moccenigo , ambassador from the state of venice , made his publick entry . date a proclamation signifying his majesty's pleasure , that the parliament should adjourn from the tenth of nov. next , till the first of march next coming . date the earl of sandwich came to portsmouth , from his ambassys extraordinary to spain and portugal . date sir john trevor , by the resignation of sir william morrice , was sworn one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state. sir thomas allen , with his majesty's fleet came before algiers . date his majesty accompanied with his royal highness , & c. went for new-market . date octo. . at ipswich on his way to harwich . date returned to ipswich , and the same day to new-market . date his royal highness returned to whitehall . date and this day his majesty returned to whitehall . date his majesty again to new-market . date nov. . returned to whitehall . date both houses of parliament met at westminster according to their adjournment , and in obedience to his majesty's proclamation of september eighteenth , adjourned till the first of march next coming . date dec. . his majesty set out his proclamation for the proroguing of the parliament , from the first of march next , the time of their adjournment , till octob. nineteenth next following . date was launched at portsmouth a frigat named the new nonsuch . date jan. . her royal highness was safely delivered of a daughter . date and this day christened by the name of henrietta . date mar. . the parliament met and were prorogued according to proclamation till october nineteenth next . date his majesty and royal highness , & c. went to new-market . date returned to whitehall . date apr. . came to st. hellens road , sir thomas allen from the streights . date this day arrived at london the prince of tuscany . date may . his highness the prince of tuscany arrived at cambridge . date thence to oxford . date this evening his majesty and his royal highness were entertained at supper by the prince of tuscany , at st. albans house in st. james's fields . date jun. . this day the prince of tuscany took his leave , and departed for holland . date and in his way was pleased to give a visit to the duke of albemarle at his house at newhall . date john earl of tweddel was admitted of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date jul. . the earl of winchelsea arrived from his ambassy at constantinople . date this day the university of oxford , with great solemnity , took the possession of that magnificent structure , the new theatre , being the benefaction of his grace gilbert sheldon , lord arch-bishop of canterbury . date the sea about weymouth was observed this day to ebb and flow seven times between six and nine in the morning . date died the earl of berkshire . date interred at westminster abby . prince george of denmark , having lately arrived in england , was this day conducted to his majesty . the lord roberts , lord lieutenant of ireland arrived at dublin . sir thomas allen set sail from portsmouth , with his squadron for the streights . date the lord howard , imbarqued at plimouth , on his ambassy from his majesty to the emperor of morocco . date his majesty with his highness , went down the river for sheerness . date aug. . returned to whitehall . date the university of oxford , upon the resignation of gilbert sheldon , lord arch-bishop of canterbury , elected the duke of ormond their chancellor . date the count guldenlack , ambassador extraordinary from denmark , made his publick entry . date had his publick audience . date his majesty accompanied with his royal highness , and prince rupert , &c. went for southampton . date died at colombe in france , henrietta maria , queen-mother of england . sir thomas allen arrived before algiers , with his majesty's fleet under his command , the algerines refusing satisfaction to his demands . date sept. . died at his house at horsley , in surry , sir edward nicholas , late one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state. date sir thomas allen declares war against the algerines . date his majesty and his royal highness , &c. returned from southampton to whitehall . date this day the merchants of london met for the first time , in the new built royal exchange . date was launched at portsmouth a stout and large ship , designed to carry one hundred guns , called the st. michael . date oct. . arrived at deal , the nonsuch ketch , having been endeavouring to find out a north-west passage . date this day both houses of parliament met at westminster , according to their prorogation . the earl of lauderdale , his majesty's commissioner for scotland , being arrived at edenburgh , this day rid in state to the parliament house . date nov. . was performed at st. dennis in france , the solemn funeral service for the queen-mother of england . date died at st. james's the lady henrietta , daughter to their royal highnesses . date was made publick in edenburgh , an act asserting his majesty's supremacy over all persons in all causes ecclesiastical , &c. date dec. . was likewise published in scotland , an act for the naturalization of strangers of the protestant religion , that should bring their estates , or set up new works and manufactures amongst them . date the parliament of england was prorogued by commission till the fourteenth of feb. next . date this night was taken by the head bailiff of westminster , that notorious highway robber , claude de val formerly proscribed . date jan. . this day died at his apartment in the cock-pit , the duke of albemarle , captain general of his majesty's forces . the sad news of which being brought , together with the garter , his majesty to express the great value he had for the memory , and incomparable merits of that great person , was pleased to return the garter to his son , the earl of torrington , now duke of albemarle , and to declare , that he should succeed his father in gentleman of the bed-chamber , and of the lord lieutenant of the country of devon. and that as the last mark of his majesty's gratitude to the memory of the deceased , his majesty would himself take care for his funeral to be celebrated with a solemnity , such as might become the glorious things he did in the service of the crown . date aubrey de vere , earl of oxford , sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date departed the lord viscount falconbridge on his ambassy extraordinary to the princes of italy . date this day was publickly executed at tyburn , claude du val , to the great grief of the women . date died at the cock-pit , the dutchess of albemarle . date feb. . the earl of lauderdale arrived at whitehall from scotland . serjeant littleton sworn one of the barons of the exchequer . date the parliament met again at westminster according to their prorogation . date this day was interred the body of the late dutchess of albemarle , in henry the seventh's chappel at westminster . date apr. . john lord berkley , lord lieutenant of ireland , began his journey towards his charge . date his majesty being present in his house of peers , was pleased to give his royal assent to several bills , whereof one was , an act against conventicles and nonconformists . after which the parliament adjourned till the twenty fourth of october next . date the lord berkley , lord lieutenant of ireland entred upon the possession of government . date the duke of monmouth , admitted of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date this day the solemn funeral of george duke of albemarle , set forward from somerset-house , towards the abby at westminster , with extraordinary order , pomp and magnificence . date may . this day his majesty and his royal highness parted from whitehall , and the next day came to dover . date and this morning landed there her royal highness the dutchess of orleance . date jun. . the right honourable henry earl of ogle , sworn of his majesty's most honourable council . date died at st. clou in france , her royal highness the dutchess of orleance , his majesty's sister . date jul. . mr. nower the herald painter burnt in his bed , at his house behind the exchange , with two children and two servants . date aug. . a signal victory obtained by captain beach , and some more of his majesty's ships near cape spartel , against the algerines , in which were destroyed six lusty ships of algiers . date sep. . peace concluded between england and spain , in america , was this day ratified at madrid . date captain pierce and his lieutenant , late captain of the sapphire , according to the sentence of a court martial , for losing the said ship cowardly , were executed aboard the dragon at deptford . date oct. . the two houses of parliament met again at westminster , according to their adjournment . date this day arrived at whitehall his highness the prince of orange . date nov. . sir thomas allen arrived from the streights in the plimouth , leaving the command of his majesty's fleet there to sir edward spragge . date the lord major , with the sheriffs and aldermen of london , complemented his highness the prince of orange , with his welcome to england . date dec. . his highness the prince was entertained by the lord major , and the city of london , at dinner at drapers-hall . a bold and barbarous attempt was made upon the person and life of his grace the duke of ormond , before clarendon house , by six persons mounted and armed , forcing him out of his coach , and endeavouring to have carried him away along with them . date the prince of orange went to windsor . date , . thence to oxford . where he was pleased to accept of a degree from that university . date returned to london . date a great fire at wapping . date feb. . her royal highness was brought to bed this day of a daughter . date the prince of orange parted from whitehall , in order to his return for holland . date mar. . his majesty being in the house of peers , was pleased to give the royal assent to several bills ; one was , an act to prevent malicious maiming and wounding . date the church of st. paul in shadwel , formerly belonging to the parish of stepney , being made lately parochial , was this day consecrated by john lord bishop of rochester , commissioned thereto by the lord bishop of london . date died at the palace of st. james's , after a long indisposition , her royal highness , ann dutchess of york . was launched at portsmouth , a stout and large frigat , of above one hundred guns , named the royal james . date apr. . his majesty returned to whitehall from new market , whither he went the twenty fourth past . date this evening was interred at westminster abbey , the corps of her highness ann dutchess of york , in a vault on the south-side of henry the seventh's chapel . date sailed out of the downs , for jamaica , two of his majesty's frigats , in one of which was imbarked sir thomas linch , his majesty's deputy-governour for that island . date his majesty being present in the house of peers , with the usual solemnities , gave his royal consent to several bills . after which , the parliament was prorogued till the sixteenth of april next . date this night hapned a violent fire in the city of oxford , in a street called grand pool , which consumed in few hours , above forty dwelling houses . date may . died at whitehall edward earl of manchester , lord-chamberlain of the houshold . date lieutenant col. blood and others attempted to carry away the royal crown out of the tower of london . date this day was performed by sir edward spragge , and his squadron , that gallant and successful enterprise , in destroying and burning ten ships of war of algiers , at bugia . date henry earl of st. albans , preferred to the dignity and office of lord-chamberlain to his majesty . date sir matthew hale , late lord chief-baron of the court of the exchequer , took his seat in the court of the kings bench , as lord chief-justice of that court , in the room of judge keeling lately deceas'd . date sir edward turner , late speaker of the honourable house of commons , was this day sworn lord chief-baron of the court of the exchequer . date a dreadful fire at st. chatharines nigh the tower. date his majesty parted from whitehall to windsor . date jun. . the university of cambridge having chosen the duke of buckingham their chancellor , this day the vice-chancellor , and the body of the university , attended his grace at york-house in the strand , and was presented with the statutes and patent of that university , and was admitted with the usual ceremonies . date died at richmond , edgar duke of cambridge , son to his royal highness the duke of york . date jul. . this day was the restitution of the english plantation of the island of st. christopher , taken by the french in the last war , to sir charles wheeler , his majesty's governour of the leeward islands . date his majesty and his royal highness , &c. arrived at portsmouth , from windsor . date from thence to the isle of wight . date thence to plimouth , his majesty having parted with his royal highness . date his majesty at exeter . date at wilton . date returned to whitehall . date his royal highness came to whitehall . date sep. . a proclamation for further proroguing the parliament from april sixteenth next , till october thirtieth , in the year one thousand six hundred seventy two . date his majesty accompanied with his royal highness and prince rupert , parted from whitehall for new market , where he arrived the same day . date thence to the earl of arlington's house at euston . date to yarmouth . date at norwich . date oct. . his majesty , &c. returned this day to new market . his majesty in consideration of that stout and memorable action performed by captain baddison , captain of the swallow , merchant of one hundred and fifty tuns , and twenty six men , fought against an algerine of thirty six guns , who having boarded the swallow several times , was forced at last shamefully to leave him and six of his men behind him , was pleased to order a gold chain and medal for him , this octob. . date his majesty at cambridge . and back again to new market . date returned to whitehall . date the city of london , having all its publick buildings recovered out of the late ruines , to a greater splendor and beauty than heretofore , made an humble invitation to his majesty , to honour their lord mayors feast with his presence , to which his majesty was pleased to consent ; and this day accordingly dined at their guildhall . date nov. . peace concluded with the city and kingdom of algiers , by sir edward spragge , his majesty's admiral in the mediterranean . date dec. . this day sir george downing parted from whitehall , on his ambassy to the states general of the united provinces , from his majesty . date died at whitehall the lady catharine , youngest daughter to his royal highness . date christ church in winchester park in southwark , being made parochial , was this day consecrated by john lord bishop of rochester , commissioned thereto by the lord bishop of winchester , in whose diocess it lies . date jan. . master montague , his majesty's late ambassador in the french court , was admitted of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date joseph williamson esquire , had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him . and was sworn one of the clerks of his majesty's council in ordinary . date feb. . this day arrived at whitehall sir george downing , his majesty's late ambassador to the states general . date committed to the tower. date sir robert car made chancellor of the dutchy of lancaster . date his majesty and royal highness , &c. were pleased to honour the society of lincolns-inn , with their presence at the readers feast , sir francis goodrich . date mar. . sir robert holmes with six of his majesty's ships , met the dutch smyrna , and streights fleet , convoyed by eight of their men of war off of portsmouth ; upon refusing to strike and lower their top-sails , fought them , and took five of the richest of them . date his majesty with the advice of his council was pleased to issue out his declaration of indulgence , in matters of religion for tender consciences . date this day was published his majesty's declaration of war against the states general of the united provinces . date came to whitehall sir edward spragge , his majesty's late admiral in the streights . date his majesty accompanied with his royal highness , and prince rupert , &c. went down the river for chatham . date this day his majesty's declaration of war was proclaimed against the states general of the united provinces . date apr. . the marquess del. fresno , ambassador extraordinary from his catholick majesty , made his publick entry . date the parliament met at westminster according to their adjournment , and was in pursuance of his majesty's proclamation , prorogued till october thirtieth next . date henry marquess of worcester , arthur earl of essex , thomas viscount falconbridge , and george viscount hallifax , were admitted and sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date this day was held at whitehall , a chapter of the knights company of the order of the garter , and the earl of lauderdale elected in the order . his majesty was pleased to create the earl of lauderdale , duke of lauderdale ; the lord arlington , earl of arlington ; the lord ashley , earl of shaftsbury ; and sir thomas clifford , baron clifford of chidley . date may . sir thomas osborn , treasurer of the navy , sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date his majesty being informed of the arrival of the count de estrees , with the french squadron at st. hellens road , parted this day for to take a view of them , to portsmouth . his royal highness with the english fleet passed by dover , in order to a conjunction with the french squadron . date this day the whole dutch fleet were riding in dover road. date his majesty having seen both the fleets joyned off of rye in sussex ; returned this day to whitehall . date the dutch fleet upon the winds v●ering to the south , weighed from dover road , and stood for calice . date his royal highness with the whole fleet , came this day in sight of dover , westward . date anchored near the falls . date dutch fleet off of alborough . date this evening his royal highness had sight of the dutch fleet , about eight leagues off of the gun-fleet . date his royal highness , the dutch wavering to fight , came with the fleet to anchor in southwold-bay . date there happened a violent fire at st. katharine's without the iron gate , near the tower of london , which consumed near a hundred houses . date his royal highness , this day engaged the whole dutch fleet off of southwold-bay . after a sharp dispute of about eight hours , the dutch fleet gave way and retreated . in this ingagement was unfortunately lost that noble and gallant sea-commander edward montague , earl of sandwich and vice-admiral of england : as also sir fretchevil hollis , captain digby , and sir john cox. died sir john trevor , one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state. date being the anniversary of his majesty's birth and restauration , a new conduit of a noble structure in the stocks market in london , erected at the sole charge of sir robert viner , citizen , was first opened , which continued running with wine for divers hour . the dutch fleet lost in a fog . at a chapter held at whitehall by the soveraign and company of the honourable order of the garter , were elected into that order , henry marquess of worcester , henry earl of st. albans , and william earl of bedford . date was interred at little st. bartholomew's , l●●don , the corps of sir john trevor , late one of his majesty's secretaries of state. date jun. . was interred at rochester , monsieur rabiniere tres le boys , reer admiral of the french squadron , dead of his wounds , received in the last ingagement . date the body of edward earl of sandwich slain in the last ingagement with the dutch , being found and taken up at sea , notice whereof being given to his majesty , his majesty out of his regard to the great deserts of the said earl , and his unexampled performance in this last act of his life , resolved , that at his charge he should receive the rites of funeral due to his great quality and merit . date henry earl of arlington , elected into the noble order of the garter . date his royal highness with the whole fleet came this day to an anchor near harwich . date this day set sail again towards the coasts of holland . date jul. . this day the solemn funeral of edward earl of sandwich set forward by water from deptsord , towards the abbey at westminster , with extraordinary pomp and grandeur , attended by the lord mayor of london , and numbers of the nobility in their mourning barges , and was interred in a vault on the northside of henry the seventh's chapel . henry coventry esq sworn one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state , being likewise together with sir robert long , admitted of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date this day arrived the duke of buckingham , the earl of arlington , the lord viscount hallifax , from their ambassies extraordinary in holland , having effected nothing with those states . date arthur earl of essex , began his journey for ireland , as lord lieutenant of that kingdom , in the room of the lord berkly . date aug. . henry earl of euston , afterwards duke of grafton , married to isabella the only daughter of the right honourable henry earl of arlington . date the earl of essex arrived at dublin , and entered upon his charge as lord lieutenant of that kingdom . date this day was that barbarous assassination committed on the two brothers , ruart van putten , and pensionary de wit , at the hague , by the multitude . date sep. . this day was interchanged the late treaty , concluded by his majesty's late plenipotentiaries in holland , with the french king at utrecht . date his majesty issued out his proclamation for further proroguing of the parliament , from october thirty next , till february the fourth next after . date his royal highness lord high-admiral , arrived at whitehall from the fleet. the earl of ossory , elected one of the knights of the honourable order of the garter . date nov. . the lord baron sparr , and the sieur ehensteyn , ambassadors extraordinary from the crown of sweden , were conducted in great state to their publick audience . sir orlando bridgeman , late lord keeper , having resigned , by reason of his great age , and a continual indisposition of body , the great seal into the hands of his majesty ; date his majesty was pleased to deliver the keeping of it to the right honourable anthony lord ashley , earl of shaftsbury , with the title of lord chancellor of england . date sir john duncomb , made chancellor of the exchequer . date his majesty was pleased to advance the right honourable thomas lord clifford , baron of chidley , to the office of lord high treasurer of england . the lord newport , succeeded to be treasurer of his majesty's houshold . the lord maynard comptroller . date dec. . died at elsynour , in denmark , charles , duke of richmond , his majesty's ambassador extraordinary to that crown . date his majesty set forth his declaration , to continue a farther stop of payment of any monies , now in his exchequer , or to be brought , till may first next following . date the island of tobaga in the west indies taken from the dutch , by the english. date the island of s. helena in the east-indies , surprised and taken by the hollander , from the english. date jan. . his majesty created the marquess of blankfort , captain of his royal highness horse-guard , a baron of england , by the title of lord dura● , baron of holdenby . date this day , being the first of the term , the earl of shaftsbury , lord chancellor of england , being attended , according to the ancient & laudable custom , with the judges , and officers of chancery , and the body of the law , went from his house in the strand , to westminster hall. date the earl of southampton , elected into the noble order of the garter . date feb. . the parliament met at westminster , according to the prorogation , and chose sir job charlton , chief justice of chester , for their speaker , in the room of sir edward turner . date sir job charlton by reason of an indisposition of health , desired his dismission from being speaker ; and this day was chosen in his place , edward seymour , esquire . date mar. . james earl of northampton , sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date this day was launched at portsmouth , a large first rate ship , named the royal charles . date his majesty being present in the house of peers , gave his royal assent to several bills , among others , an act for a supply to his majesty of l . sterl . an act for a free pardon , which done , both houses adjourned till october twentv , next coming . date apr. . this day was published a list of two hundred seventy four persons , redeemed from algiers , sally , &c. by the moneys raised in england and wales , by virtue of his majesty's letters patent to that purpose dated sept. . . date edward seymour esquire , speaker of the honourable house of commons , was sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date may . the duke of monmouth , was made by the most christian king , one of the lieutenant generals of his army , during this summers campaign . date his majesty having seen his fleet , commanded by his highness prince rupert , under sail , returned this day to whitehall . the whole dutch fleet upwards of seventy sail of capital ships , passed by alborough-bay . date the island of st. helena , in the east-indies , was this day regained by captain munday , with some other of his majesty's ships from the dutch , and three rich east-india dutch prizes taken in the harbor . date his majesty's fleet , under the command of prince rupert , passed by dover , in order to their conjunction with the french squadron . date the french squadron , under the command of the count de estres , sailed from portsmouth for the downs . his majesty and his royal highness , &c. went for rye , near which place both fleets intended to joyn . this day both the fleets came to a conjunction . date his majesty was pleased to make the earl of ossory , rear admiral of the blew squadron for the summers service . date his majesty and royal highness returned to whitehall . date the whole fleet , under the command of his highness prince rupert , weighed anchor from the northforeland , and stood for the coast of holland . date this day in sight of the dutch fleet , about five leagues off the wielings . date the english fleet engage with the dutch , and after a sharp dispute , forced the dutch to retreat and shelter among their shallows . date jun. . this day happ'ned a second ingagement with the dutch , upon their coast. date his majesty and his royal highness , went to the buoy in the nore to see the fleet. date returned to whitehall . date the lord clifford having resigned his staff , as lord high-treasurer , his majesty was pleased to deliver it to sir thomas osborne , who was also created viscount dumblayne , in the kingdom of scotland . date jul. . the duke of monmouth arrived at whitehall , from the french camp in flanders . date his majesty and his royal highness went to the buoy in the nore , to hasten the going out of the fleet. date his majesty 's whole fleet , under prince rupert , set sail from the buoy in the nore , being accompanied by his majesty as low as the middle-ground . date his majesty and royal highness returned to whitehall . date sir robert howard , made auditor of his majesty's exchequer , in the room of sir robert long deceased . date aug. . a third victory obtained against the dutch fleet , after a stout contest by his majesty's fleet , under the command of prince rupert , wherein that gallant seaman sir edward spragge was unhappily lost , near schonevelt . date the whole english fleet come to an anchor near harwich . date sep. . this day his majesty accompanied with his royal highness , &c. went down to woolwich , to see the working of two water engines , invented by sir samuel moreland . his majesty commanded the earl of ossory to take the command of his majesty's fleet now at the buoy in the nore , in the absence of prince rupert . date captain richard munday came into the river of thames , with five east-india english ships under his convoy , and three dutch east-india prizes , taken at the regaining of st. helena . date this day was interred charles duke of richmond ( who died at elsynour ) at westminster , in henry the seventh's chapel . date oct. . both houses of parliament met at westminster according to their adjournment , and were prorogued by commission , till the twenty seventh instant . date met again this day . date nov. . and farther prorogued till january seventh next . date his majesty was pleased to take the great seal of england , from the earl of shaftsbubury , lord chancellor , and deliver it to sir heneage finch , his majesty's attorney general , with the title of lord-keeper . date this evening arrived at dover , her royal highness , with ( the dutchess of modena ) her mother being at the same time met by his royal highness , the duke of york , in order to the consummation of their marriage . date his majesty went in his barge down the river of thames , to meet their royal highnesses , who together arrived at whitehall the same day . date dec. . his majesty was pleased to confer the honour of knighthood on captain richard munday for his good service in regaining st. helena . date likewise on captain robert robinson , captain of the monmouth frigat . date jan. . the parliament met again at westminster , according to their prorogation ; his majesty was pleased to be in the house of lords , and make a gracious speech to them . date feb. . the treaty of peace concluded between his majesty and the states general of the united provinces , was this day signed by his majesty's commissioners , and by the marquess del fresno , ambassador extraordinary from the crown of spain to his majesty , on the part of the said states , commissioned by them thereto . date the parliament was this day prorogued till the tenth of november next . date the peace with holland publickly proclaimed in london and westminster . date apr. . the earl of mulgrave , elected into the order of the garter . date launched at harwich a stout third rate frigat , named the harwich . date may . sir leoline ienkins , and sir joseph williamson , his majesty's late plenipotentiarys at cologne , arrived this day at whitehall , from thence . date the heer 's van reed , van beuninghan , and van haren , ambassadors extraordinary from the states general of the united provinces , to his majesty , made their entry through london . his majesty accompanied with his royal highness , &c. went for windsor with the whole court. date robert earl of sunderland , admitted of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date jun. . his majesty and his royal highness arrived at portsmouth from windsor . the battel of saniein between the french and the confederates . date jul. . the earl of peterborough sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date the duke of monmouth , upon the resignation of the duke of buckingham , was elected chancellor of cambridge . date aug. the battle of seneff , in which the prince of aurange remained master of the field . date sep. . his majesty and the whole court returned to whitehall from windsor . date henry earl of st. albans , having resigned into his majesty's hand the staff as lord chamberlain , his majesty was pleased to deliver it to henry earl of arlington . sir joseph williamson made one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state. date his majesty by his proclamation farther prorogued the parliament , from the tenth of november next , till april thirteenth next after . date nov. . the parliament met , and according to a proclamation of the two and twentieth of september , was prorogued to the thirteenth of april in the year insuing . date dec. . the earl of strafford admitted of his majesty's privy-council . date his majesty having been pleased , at his entertainment at guildhall in the city of london , the twenty ninth of october last , to accept of the freedom of the city , by the hands of sir thomas player , their chamberlain ; this day the lord mayor and court of aldermen waited upon his majesty at whitehall , and humbly presented him with the copy of the freedom of the city in a box of massie gold ; the seal thereof hanging in a golden box , set over with diamonds , to a considerable value . date jan. . her royal highness was happily brought to bed of a daughter , and christned by the name of catharina laura . date mar. . four tripoli men of war burnt in the port of tripoli by sir john narborough . date apr. . the parliament met again after the time of prorogation expir'd . date jun. . the parliament by reason of a difference between the two houses upon an appeal of dr. shirly to the house of lords against sir john fag , prorogued to the thirteenth of october following . date aug. . a hurricane at barbados , which destroy'd at sea eight ships and ketches , and at land houses , and above persons . date sep. . the whole town of northampton very near burnt down to the ground by an accidental fire . date oct. . the parliament met . date nov. . prorogued again till the fifteenth of february in the year following . date a proclamation for the trade of the plantations . date dec. . sir leolin ienkins his majesty's plenipotentiary for the treaty at nimegin took his leave in order to his journey . date heneage lord finch , baron of daventry , and lord-keeper of the great seal of england , delivering up the seal to his majesty , receiv'd it immediately back again with the title of lord high-chancellor of england . date dec. . two proclamations about the trade at algiers and sea-briefs . date dec. . a proclamation against coffee-houses . date jan. . news of a rising of the indians in virginia headed by one bacon . date a proclamation against libellers . date a proclamation for the continuance of coffee-houses till the th of june following . date henry lord bishop of london , sworn of his majesty's privy-council . date the lady mary and the lady ann , confirmed by the dean of the chapel at whitehall . date apr. . conde in flanders taken by the french king's forces . date may. . his excellency monsieur courtin arrived here in quality of ambassador extraordinary from the most christian king. date may . also buchain . date jun. . a naval victory gain'd by the duke of vivonne , before palermo over the spanish and dutch fleets . date sep. . philipsburg after a long siege by the imperialists surrendred upon articles to prince herman of baden . date feb. . both houses met according to their prorogation from the d of november last past . date the sieur de cross envoy extraordinary from the duke of sleswick holstein had his audience of his majesty . date mar. . valenciennes taken by the french. date apr. . the count de maurice , envoy extraordinary from the duke of savoy , had his audience . date an ingagement between the prince of orange , and the duke of orleans at mount cassel . the town of cambray taken by the french , and some few days after the cittadel , &c. also the town of st. omer . date the count de bergerick , envoy extraordinary from the king of spain , had audience of his majesty . date both houses after the signing of ten bills adjourned to the st of may following . date henry duke of newcastle , and thomas earl of danby , high-treasurer of england , elected into the most noble order of the garter . date may . a proclamation for the parliaments meeting in a full house at the time last appointed . date news of a sharp engagement between the french and the dutch at tabago . date both houses met . date the commons make an address to his majesty . his majesty answers the commons address . the parliament prorogued till july th next . date jun. . a proclamation against aaron smith for seditious words against the being of the present parliament . charles church wallistein envoy , extraordinary to the emperor , had audience of his majesty . date jul. . the time of adjournment expir'd , both houses of parliament met , and were adjourned till december the third next . date aug. . the duke of ormond constituted lord lieutenant of ireland , and began his journey thither . date aug. . his excellency monsieur barrillon arrived here , ambassador extraordinary from the most christian king. date the duke of ormond arrived at dublin . date octo. . the prince of orange arrived at harwich , came that morning to his majesty at new-market . date his majesty and royal highness , and prince of orange entertained at euston by the lord chamberlain . date octo. . a proclamation came out to adjourn the parliament from the third of december to the fourth of april next . date nov. . a marriage solemnized between the prince of orange and the lady mary at st. james's by the bishop of london . date her royal highness the dutchess of york brought to bed of a son. date the prince of orange with his princess departed for holland . date arrived at holland . date dec. . the parliament met to adjourn to the fourth of april , as his majesty's proclamation directed ; but his majesty was pleased to adjourn them for a shorter time , viz. but to january fifteenth next . date a proclamation requiring a full attendance of both houses on january fifteenth . date the young duke of cambridge dyed at st. james's . date stetin after a long siege surrendered on honourable terms to the elector of brandenburg . date jan. . the parliament met , and adjourned till the twenty eighth instant . date at this time the parliament met again . date feb. . the baron de serinschamp , envoy extraordinary from the duke of lorrain , had his audience . date the sieur de renter , envoy extraordinary from the prince of mechlenburg also had his audience . date mar. . the city of ghent surrendered to the french king. date the marshal de lorge sate down against ipre . date the french king came himself with his whole army to the siege . date the king gave his royal assent to the act for poll-mony , and to other acts at the same time . a disorder happened in bruges in flanders by the means of a dutch captain in a procession . in this month the english army went for flanders . date mar. . a proclamation for recalling sea-men from the service of foreign princes . date apr. . news of marshal de la fueillade quitting of messina , and the french coming away . date a proclamation for a general fast. date a woman brought to bed at swansie of a female child , which had two perfect heads and necks upon one body . date the sieur lindenaw chamberlain to the king of denmark , and envoy extraordinary , had his audience . date may . leeuwe surprised by the sieu de mellac. date monsieur spanheim envoy extraordinary from the prince elector palatine , had his audience . date a proclamation requiring the putting in execution the statutes made against the importation of wooll-cards and other manufactures of iron wyer . date the king gave his royal assent to some acts , and then prorogued the parliament till the twenty third instant . date according to the prorogation the parliament sate again . date jul. . james smith was indicted and convicted of felony for running away from his colours , and hang'd on hounsloheath . date his majesty having given his royal assent to nine publick acts , and twelve private , prorogued the parliament to the first of august . date aug. . the parliament meeting were adjourned to the twenty ninth instant , and next day a proclamation to require a full attendance at that time . the peace concluded at nimeguen , betwixt the french and dutch. date an account of count d'estrees losing of seven men of war , and five other french ships on the sands nigh the isle of birds , &c. date the prince of orange seconded by the english , forced the duke of luxemburg to quit the siege of mons. date sept. . t. otes , dr. tongue and kirkby contrive their villainous information at fox-hall . date dr. tonge is sent for before the king and council . date t. otes swears to his information before sr. edmondbury godfrey . date t. otes dr. tonge and kirkby examined before the privy council , they pretending to discover a plot against his majesty's person and government . sir george wakeman summoned before the king and council . date his accusation heard . dr. fogarthy , ireland , fenwick , grove , pickering , iohnson , smith , committed for high-treason . date oct. . mr. coleman's house searched , and his papers seized . hearing of an information against him , he forthwith surrenders himself to a secretary of state. date the king goes to new-market . date mr. coleman is sent to newgate , being accused of high-treason . date mr. rich. langhorn , councellor at law , committed to newgate on the same account . date mr. edward peters also committed to newgate . date sir edmundbury godfrey , having been missing three or four days , was found dead in a ditch nigh primrose-hill , with his sword run through his body . date a proclamation for the discovery of the murtherers of sir edmondbury godfrey . date the parliament met . date t. otes examined before the house of commons . date t. otes examined before the house of lords . date william earl of powis , william viscount stafford , henry lord arundel of warder , william lord petre , and john lord bellasis hearing that they were accused by these informants , did of their own accord , immediately surrender themselves . a proclamation for a general fast appointed to be the thirteenth of november . date a proclamation commanding all popish recusants to depart ten miles from london . mr. rich. langhorn jun. ordered into custody . the house of commons resolve , that there is a plot of the papists to murther the king and alter the government . date nov. . a proclamation that no papist should be officer or souldier in his majesty's guards . date mr. william bedlow ( formerly servant to the lord bellasis ) becomes another discoverer of the plot , and also of sir edmondbury godfrey's murther . date his majesty made a gratious speech to the parliament , thanking them for the care they took of his government and person . date a proclamation for confining catholicks within five miles of their own dwellings . date mr. charles price , two mr. vaughans , mr. thimbleby , captain spalding , mr. charles wintore , mr. james and mr. charles milbourn are all order'd into custody upon bedlow's oath . date a proclamation for apprehending mr. george conyers , le phair , pritchard , symonds , walsh and beeston . date a proclamation giving l. to any that shall apprehend a priest or jesuit . date nov. . mr. william stayley a goldsmith was tryed and condemned for treasonable words . date executed at tyburn , denying the fact for which he suffered . date edward coleman esq was convicted at the king's-bench-bar , and sentenced to dye . date a proclamation to give pardon and l. to any person concern'd in the plot , if he will come in before the twenty fifth of december and discover . date his majesty gave his royal assent to an act to disinable papists to sit in either house of parliament . date dec. . mr. rich. vaughan and mr. i. vaughan ordered to appear before the lords , and bedlow to be present . date mr. rich. vaughan committed to the king's-bench , and mr. i. vaughan discharged on bayl. edward coleman esq was executed at tyburn , avowing his innocence to the last . date sir ellis leighton being accused by otes , appears at the lords bar , where otes having little to say against him , he was discharged upon his recognisance . date mr. whitaker committed to newgate . date mr. nevil committed . a false alarum of the french landing in the isle of purbeck . date commission of lords went to examine mr. langhorn in newgate . mr. john thimbleby discharged by the lords . date mr. prance a silver-smith being accused ( by bedlow ) to be one of the murtherers of sir edmond . godfrey , is apprehended . date prance after some time owns himself guilty ( altho after he denys all again and accuses others as assassinates , whereof green , berry and hill are apprehended . date mr. dugdale ( formerly a servant to the lord aston ) sets up for another evidence , and gives in an information to the lords of strange things against his own lord , and several others . prance and bedlow fall out about sharing the l. reward for making the ( pretended ) discovery of sir edmondbury godfrey's murther . come in herefordshire discovered to be a colledge of jesuits . date the parliament prorogued to feb. the th . father beddingfield , one of the pretended plotters , died in newgate . date jan. . the earl of salisbury was sworn one of his majesty's privy council . date t. otes not content with ten pound a week , petitions for more . date the earl of clarendon , sworn of his majesty's privy council . date otes tells the lords in plain terms , that if they will not help him to more money he must be forc'd to help himself . date dugdale complains to the council , that one mr. fr. gage of staffordshire , had aspersed him by saying , he had run in debt in staffordshire , and play'd the knave , and now pretended to make a discovery of a plot to heal himself . mr. boyce acquaints the council , that being with prance in prison , he told him , in great disorder , that my lord shaftsbury had threatned , if he did not agree with bedlow in what concerned the murther of sir edmund-bury godfrey , he should be hang'd . date a proclamation against mr. evers , mr. gavan , mr. gifford , mr. levison , mr. broadstreet , all priests and jesuits ; with a reward of l. to take mr. evers , and l. any of the rest . date mr. adland condemned for a priest , but reprieved . pickering , ireland and grove , being brought to their tryal in the old-baily , and convicted of high treason , are sentenced to dye . date mr. arthur complains to the council , that his house being lately searcht by bedlow , there were five broad pieces , a silver seal , and a silver egg taken out of his counting-house . date otes desires the council to let him have all the names of the jesuits , that he may sue them to an outlawry . date ireland and grove , executed at tyburn , denying the fact for which they suffered . the king of sweden's natural brother came in at dartmouth . date the parliament dissolved by proclamation , and another to sit the sixth of march next . date a great fire in the temple . date mr. will. aston refusing to be examined about a wallet , said by dugdale to have been in mr. evers's closet , is sent for into custody . otes tells the council , he suspects the temple-fire was a contrivance , and that he hopes shortly to inform them further therein . date mr. foulk , the minister , was executed at tyburn . date feb. . the earl of sunderland was made secretary of state in the place of sir joseph williamson , who resigned . date robert green , henry berry , and lawrence hill , were brought to their trial for the death of sir edm. godfrey , and convicted . date green and hill were executed at tyburn , denying the fact to the last . date mar. . capt. richardson , the keeper of newgate , denys upon oath before the council , that he ever heard any of the three persons executed for the murther of sir edmondbury godfrey , confess the fact. date his majesty sent his royal highness a letter , to desire him to absent himself for some time , whereupon his royal highness goes for flanders . date the new parliament sit at westminster , and choose mr. seymour speaker . date the parliament was prorogued to the th instant . date the parliament met again , chose serjeant gregory speaker . date the commons send to the lords to desire , that thomas earl of danby may be commited to safe custody . date prance's examination read in the lords house . an address to the king by both houses for a fast. mr. hill and mr. edwin attended the house of commons bar. the house of commons desired his majesty , that mr. bedlow might have the five hundred pounds for the discovery of sir edm. godfrey's murther , well paid him . date his majesty acquaints the parliament of the removal of the earl of danby from his office of treasurer . date the house of commons address to his majesty concerning the earl of danby's pardon . date mar. . mr. ed. sackvile sent to the tower by the house of commons , upon a complaint of otes . mr. edward turner ordered to the gate-house . date a bill read in the house of commons to summon thomas earl of danby to render himself to justice . date mr. redwood and mr. glascock ordered into custody . date rich. tasborough esq ( under bail ) ordered into custody . date apr. . the house of commons ordered mr. sackvile to be released . date articles of impeachment of high treason drawn up by the house of commons against the five lords in the tower , viz. william earl of powis , william viscount stafford , henry lord arundel of warder , william lord petre , and john lord bellasis . mr. reading committed to custody by order of the house of commons . date voted that a bill be brought into the house of commons , to annex tangier to the crown of england . date the house of commons address to his majesty , for his proclamation for apprehending of thomas earl of danby . date a commission of oyer and terminer is granted for tryal of mr. reading . date a general fast throughout the kingdom of england . date elizabeth oxley fir'd her masters house , and afterward said one stubs prompted her to it . date the earl of danby rendred himself to the black rod. date brought before the lords bar , who committed him to the tower. date the house of commons ordered articles to be drawn up against the earl of danby , by a committee of ten members . date the king dissolved his privy-council , and made another consisting of only thirty . five commissioners for the treasury , and seven commissioners for the admiralty . date sir gilbert gerrard , sir thomas player , collonel birch , and collonel whitley are appointed commissioners to disband the army . date mr. reading is tryed at the king's-bench-bar upon bedlow's accusation , for endeavouring to corrupt the king's evidence ; is brought in guilty , sentenced to stand in the pillory , to pay a hundred pound fine , and to suffer a whole years imprisonment . date earl of danby put in his answer and plea to the impeachment of the commons against him . date the seditious commons vote the d. of york to be the ground of the papists designs . date sir william andrews sent to the tower a prisoner . date may . dr. sharp arch-bishop of st. andrews in scotland , was most barbarously murthered in his coach by twelve assassinates . date the commons vote the earl of danby's pardon illegal and void . his majesty sent to the house of commons to wish them to secure the fleet , proceed in the discovery of the plot , and trial of the lords in the tower. date the commons voted that an address be made to his majesty about the duke of lauderdale . date mr. harcourt the priest sent to newgate . date the commons appointed a committee to inquire into the fires about london and westminster . date the commons in an address to his majesty declare their resolution to stand by his majesty with their lives and fortunes . but notwithstanding this , most audaciously presume the same day to order a bill to be brought in , to disinherit his royal brother the duke of york . both houses agree upon a committee of twelve lords , and twenty four commoners , to consider of the methods and circumstances of the trial of the lords in the tower. date mr. pepis and sir anthony dean , committed to the tower by the house of commons . date the parliament prorogued to the fourteenth of august . date a rebellion broke out in the west of scotland , where they proclaimed the covenant , and put forth a declaration ; some of the chief were robert hamilton , patton , balfour , haxton , &c. some of which were the assassinates of the arch-bishop of st. andrews . date jun. . several priests sent back into the county , who were condemned to be executed . one mr. nevil lately come from portugal , was discovered by otes in whitehall , and thereupon committed to the gatehouse . date sir john narborough from the streights , arrives at plimouth with fifteen sail. date the marquis d' auronches ambassador from portugal , had his audience of the king at whitehall . date sir john narborough , arrived at the spithead . date mr. whitebread , fenwick , gaven , turner , and harcourt , tryed at the old baily , and brought in guilty . date mr. langhorn the counsellor , condemned likewise in the same place , and received sentence for execution with the aforesaid five , this day . date the duke of monmouth set out for scotland . date mr. whitebread , harcourt , gaven , turner , and fenwick , are executed at tyburn , but affirm their innocence to the very last . date the scotch rebells routed at bothwell bridge . date three algerein men of war seen off the coast of portland . date a fleet goes out from england to newfoundland . date jul. . a fleet goes out for tangier . date jul. . his majesty went to windsor . date the town of east-dearham , burnt down . date his majesty's proclamation in scotland against field-conventicles . date sir anthony dean and samuel pepys esq obtain their liberty upon bail. the earl of castlemain continued under bail. date a proclamation for the dissolving of the parliament in england , and calling another on tuesday the th of october following . a treaty betwixt the french king and duke of brandenburg . date don jaspar d' abreu de freitas , the portugal ambassador , had his audience at windsor . date mr. langhorn executed at tyburn , asserting his innocence of the crime for which he suffered . date sir thomas gascoign sent prisoner to the tower. date sir george wakeman , mr. william marshall , mr. william rumney and mr. john corker , were tryed in the old bailey for treason , and acquitted . date william plessington executed at chester , for exercising his function contrary to law. date george viscount hallifax , made earl of hallifax ; john lord roberts , earl of falmouth and viscount bodmin ; and charles lord gerrard , earl of newbury and viscount brandon . date captain george wingfield , captain william langley , captain william mathews and captain charles wingfield had commissions granted to raise four companies for tangier . captain john holmes came to the fleet at deal . date the earl of falmouth's title is changed to earl of radnor . the lord viscount yarmouth , made earl of yarmouth . john evans and william lloyd , two priests , were executed at cardiff in wales . date james morgan and john davies make their escape out of prison in caermarthen in wales . date aug. . a great number of hogsheads of wine staved , and a great quantity of french linen burnt at lime . date the count de mayan , envoy from the duke of savoy , had his audience . date sir john berry came to plymouth with his fleet. date an order of the lord mayor , and court of aldermen against hawkers selling books in london . date mr. william atkins and mr. andrew brumwich condemned at stafford for priests . date the earl of newbury's title is changed to earl of macklesfield . the lady ann and the lady isabella , embarqued in the greenwich frigat for flanders . date father lewis executed at uske in monmouthshire . date father johnson executed at worcester . date his majesty was indisposed of a cold at windsor . date his majesty had a fit , and was let blood ; the next day he rested pretty well ; on the th . in the morning he had another fit , but more gentle than the first , yet he remained indisposed to the d . of september . date sep. . his royal highness arrived at windsor from flanders . the streights fleet set sail from plymouth . date his majesty's proclamation for apprehending of several persons for high-treason . date the king takes from the duke of monmouth his commission of general . date the lord mayor of london , and the court of aldermen , go in their scarlet gowns to windsor to congratulate the king's recovery . date the king , with his royal brother , returns in perfect health to white-hall , to the great joy of all the loyal citizens . don juan of austria died . date the lieutenancy of london enter a declaration in their book , against sir thomas player's petition for doubling the city guards . george lord berkley , of berkley-castle , made viscount dursley , and earl of berkley in the county of glocester . date a proclamation to prorogue the parliament to the th of october . the duke of monmouth goes towards holland . date his royal highness imbarqued in the mary yacht , a second time for flanders . the king and queen went to new-market . date oct. . the vicechancellor , proctors , doctors , &c. of cambridge waited on his majesty at new-market . date his royal highness had leave to go into scotland . date at bridgwater , the tide rose so high , that it over-turned all the haycocks , and filled all the houses thereabouts , the fields and roads being like a sea. date their royal highnesses , with the lady ann and lady isabella , arrived at white-hall in their way to scotland . date their majesty's came from new-market to whitehall . date the parliament prorogued to the th of january next . the earl of shaftsbury removed from being president of the council . sir. thomas williams committed to the gate-house by order of council . date the lieutenancy of london came to congratulate his majesty's safe return from new-market . date the sieur morstein , chamberlain to the king of poland , had his audience . date mr. raymond and mr. lewis , sheriffs of london , were knighted . date the artillery company nobly entertain his royal highness at merchant taylors hall. date tho. dangerfield brought before the king and council upon the complaint of roderick mansel , about some papers said to be found in his lodgings . date dangerfield examined a second time in council , where the keeper of newgate affirmed , he never had a greater rogue in custody . date the earl of radnor made president of the council . sir creswell levins , made attorney general in sir william iones his place . date their royal highnesses and the lady ann set forward on their journey for scotland , lying this night at hatfield . dangerfield being further examined , is committed for treason . date their royal highnesses lodged at biggleswade . the lady ann returned to white-hall . date their royal highnesses lay at huntington . date a proclamation for the more speedy and effectual discovery of the plot. a proclamation against treasonable and seditious books . their royal highnesses set forth from stamford october th , and arrived safely at edenburgh in scotland november th . date nov. . the earl of castlemain is committed to the tower upon dangerfield's information . mris. celier , mr. gadbury , and mr. rigaut are also sent to several prisons upon his information . date the countess of powys is also sworn into the tower , by the same villain dangerfield . the earl of peterborough appears before the king and council , being accused by dangerfield . date mr. serjeant , a secular priest , had his pardon . a fight began by the english and moors at tangier , that lasted eleven days . date thomas dangerfield gets his pardon . the marquess de aronches , ambassador from portugal , had his audience on the marriage of the duke of savoy to the infanta . date a proclamation for discovery of jesuites , priests , &c. with a reward of l. for each brought in . date the pope in effigie , attended with the effigies of sir george jeffreys , mr. l' estrange , &c. is pompously brought through london , and carryed to temple-bar ; where they are all of them , together with a loud acclamation , thrown into a fire prepar'd for that purpose . henry sidney esq his majesty's envoy , went for holland . a great fish appeared at deal , and was struck with a hook , but got away . date five persons executed at edenburgh for the murther of the arch-bishop of st. andrews . date laurence hide esq made st commissioner of the treasury . an indictment preferred against t. oates for sodomy . mr. nappier committed to newgate for a priest. date the high-constable of waterford in ireland , killed by a sentinel . date the lord viscount conway , created earl of conway . date the duke of albemarle made captain of the king's life guards . mr. tasborough set at liberty upon his habeas corpus . the earl of mulgrave made governor of hull , and lord lieutenant of the east-riding of yorkshire . date the earl of chesterfield made warden , and lord chief justice in eyre , &c. on this side trent . date dec. . a proclamation , commanding all papists to go ten miles from london . the earl of tyrone committed prisoner to the castle in dublin . date francis guynne esq sworn clerk of the privy-council in the room of sir robert southwell , who had leave to surrender . the sieur abraham marin , the duke of courland's resident , had audience . date mr. plunket was committed to the castle at dublin . date a proclamation for proroguing the parliament to the th of november following . date a proclamation against tumultuous petitions . date mr. sheres , the surveyor of the mole at tangier , arrived at white-hall . date frank smith , the factious bookseller , committed to newgate . date mr. dryden assaulted in covent-garden . date sir edward wood his majesty's envoy to sweden , returned home . date the letters patents for making the duke of monmouth master of the horse , revoked . the earl of feversham made master of the horse to the queen . date a proclamation for the more effectual suppressing of popery . date their royal highnesses splendidly entertained by the city of edenburgh in their town-hall . date sir stephen fox , sir richard mason , sir nicholas armorer , thomas windham , and roger pope esquires , made commissioners for master of the horse . date jan. . mowbray and baldron pardoned . date edward deering esq knighted . mr. william bankes taken into custody on the complaint of baldron . date a great part of dover-cliff fell , about thirty yards in length , and as much in breadth . mr. gadbury the astrologer informs the king and council of what he heard sir robert payton say of a phanatical plot. date mris. celier accuses sir robert payton of the same thing before the king and council , whereupon he is committed to the tower. ordered that the garrisons at chepstow , dartmouth , chester-castle , holy-land , st. maws , and scarborough , be disbanded . the attorney general ordered to prosecute the authors and dispersers of false news . date the earl of sunderland , the earl of essex , and mr. secretary coventry , go to the tower to examine sir robert payton . date a petition presented by some persons for the sitting of a parliament , but the presenters severely checked for it . sir george carteret , vice-chamberlain to his majesty , died in the th year of his age. date somersetshire , wiltshire and essex grand-juries rejected the petition for sitting of a parliament . date the grand juries of middlesex , london , dorsetshire , hartfordshire and darbyshire rejected the petition for sitting of a parliament . seven persons arraigned for high-treason at the old bailey , on the statute of the elizab. and six of them convicted . date a proclamation for putting the laws in execution about prohibited goods . date oats and bedl●w's articles against sir william scroggs debated in council , and sir william cleared . date oxford canterbury and bridgwater grand-juries reject the petition for sitting of a parliament . date the parliament met at westminster . his majesty walked on foot to the parliament-house , and prorogued them to april th following . date the king declared in council , that he would send for his royal highness . the grand-jury of durham rejected the petition for sitting of a parliament . date about sixty carpenters made a tumult at bristol : and that day mr. row and mr. diley were sent prisoners from thence to london , for seditious words against the government . date the lord russel , lord cavendish , sir henry capel and mr. powel had leave to depart the council . his royal highness acquainted the lords of the council of scotland , that his majesty had sent for him . date feb. . ben. harris sentenced ( for publishing libels ) to pay l. and to stand in the pillory ; which last he suffered . date sir robert atkins had his quietus . francis smith and langley curtis found guilty at the guild-hall , for publishing scandalous libels . mr. baron raymond made judge in the common-pleas , sir richard weston made baron of the exchequer , and sir charles littleton made governor of sheerness . date mr. whitfield , &c. tried for tearing the petition for the sitting of a parliament , and acquitted of the indictment . date sir robert payton had his habeas corpus . the lord brunkard and sir thomas littleton added to the commissioners of the admiralty . date sir thomas gascoign had his tryal , and was acquitted . sir leoline ienkins sworn of the council , and secretary of state , in the room of mr. coventry . date the countess of powys bailed at the king's-bench-bar . mr. gadbury also appears at the king's-bench-bar , and is discharged . henry care indicted for scandalous reflections in his packet of advice . sir anthony dean and samuel pepys esquires discharged . their royal highnesses were treated by the earl of murray . date their royal highnesses went aboard the mary yacht in leith-road , for england . date sir robert southwell appointed envoy to the d. of brandenburg . a great fire in grays-inn , consuming near sixty chambers . sir francis pemberton , being a judge , had his quietus . date thomas dare of taunton , committed for dangerous words . philip bisse also committed for dangerous words . date sir palmes fairborne made lieutenant governor of tangier . date his majesty gave the earl of ossory leave to beat drums for the recruit of the regiments in the service of the states of holland . date a brief granted for redemption of slaves at argiers . date their royal highnesses arrived safely at white-hall . date john na●ler , and james baker indicted at the old bailey for priests . a list of papists returned into the house of commons , ordered by the king to be delivered to the judges in the circuits . a proclamation to give l. for any that takes a highway-man . date the lord bodmin goes ambassador to denmark . sir robert southwell goes ambassador to brandenburg . date sir gabriel sylvius goes envoy to the dukes of brunswick and lunenburg . date mar. . the lady tempest committed to prison . date his majesty and his royal highness went to see two frigats at black-wall , and dined with mr. henry johnson , whom the same day the king knighted . date his majesty and royal highness supped with sir robert clayton lord mayor of london , at his house in the old-iury , where the king was pleased to confer the honour of knighthood on william gulston esq date a proclamation declaring no person shall be pardoned that kills another in a duel . date his majesty and royal highness go to new-market . date the lady tempest , mr. thomas thwing , and mris. mary preswick , were arraigned at york , but their tryals put off till the next assizes . two serjeants found guilty of manslaughter at dublin , for killing a constable . date the vice-chancellor and university of cambridge , about in number , waited on the king at new-market , and complemented his royal highness on his return from scotland . the dutchess of modena arrived at st. james's . date his royal highness came to st. james s , where the lord mayor and sheriffs waited on him . tho. alsord committed to newgate for high treason . date mar. . tho . dare fined at taunton l. for seditious and dangerous words , &c. date their majesties and their royal highnesses came from new-market to white-hall , and the lord mayor and sheriffs of london came the same day to pay their duties to them . date apr. . the earl of rothes , chancellor of scotland , &c. came to white-hall . date the parliament prorogued to the th of may. the attorney general was ordered to prosecute will. barns●y esquire ( lately put out of the commission of peace ) mr. edward whitaker , mr. tudman , &c. for their illegal practices with phillip le mar relating to the duke of buckingham . date sir william waller put out of the commission of peace , for illegally taking hi●ky out of the gatehouse , and keeping him all night at a tavern . an order to forbid bonefires on the th of may next , or on any other festival , without permission . date john edwards of salop and richard dereham esquires , knighted . date hubert burk , and john macnemarra , two irish witnesses , ordered by the council to return to ireland . captain william dodson , of london , knighted . date count de mayon , envoy extraordinary from the duke of savoy , took his leave , and presented count de piertenge to succeed him . the parliament meet and are prorogued until may next . john arnold esquire pretended to be assaulted in bell-yard , nigh lincolns-inn-fields . date the earl of ossory took his place as privy-counsellor . date francis withens esquire , had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him . date his majesty went from white-hall to windsor . the marquess de bourgomeyne , envoy from the king of spain , took his leave , and left for his successor don pedro de ronquillo . date a reward of l. promised to him that shall discover any of the assaulters of mr. arnold . date several persons are taken upon suspicion for wounding mr. arnold . date sir leoline ienkins is sworn one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state. the lord shandois elected by his majesty to go ambassador for turky . sir gilbert gerrard sworn in council , and subscribed his name ; that he knew nothing of any contract 'twixt the king and the duke of monmouth's mother . date sir george jefferys is made cheif justice of chester , sir job charlton one of the judges of the common pleas , and justice raymund one of the judges of the kings bench. date may . his majesty and his royal highness came from new market to white-hall , supped the same night with sir jonathan raymund at skinners-hall , and next morning went to windsor . a messenger brought four priests from ireland to chester . date the judges gave their opinion that his majesty by law might prohibit the printing and publishing all pamphlets of news &c. a proclamation accordingly was ordered to be drawn up . date an indictment of high-treason ( upon dangerfield's evidence ) was preferred to the grand jury of middlesex against the countess of powys , but the jury brought it in ignoramus . mr. edgar sentenced for seditious words against the king , to pay a fine of marks . date sir george jeffreys , sir john keeling , sir francis manley , sir joh. beynton , sir rob. wright ; robert hampton , edward west , thomas walcot , edward bigland , william rawlinson , william rugby , esquires ; took the oaths of serjeants at the chancery court in westminster , and on the th made a splendid entertainment at serjeants-inn in fleetstreet . date his majesty had a fit of an ague , which indisposed him two or three days at windsor . date john moyer , edward marsey , james calighan , and daniel finan , were ordered to return into ireland . date a proclamation this day published to prohibit the printing and dispersing pamphlets of news , &c. date the parliament prorogued to the st of july next . date the lord aston , sir james symmonds , mr. heveningham , and mr. peters were indicted at westminster for high-treason , and pleaded not guilty . date richard tasborough of flixton in suffolk , esq indicted at westminster for high-treason and acquitted . date the lord stafford , moved the court for bail , but was refused . date sir henry tichburn , mr. rooper , and mr. carill , prisoners in the tower , were bailed . date sir miles stapleton and mr. robert howard , were arraigned at westminster for high-treason , and pleaded not guilty . mr. tasborough and mrs. price fined . the right honourable the countess of powys discharged . sir robert peyton and mr. bedingfield discharged . mr. ratcliff , mr. dormer , and mr. blundel bailed . date his majesty came from windsor to white-hall to the council , ( where was ordered foot and horse to be sent to tangier with speed ) and returned the same night to windsor . the earl of clarendon sworn of his majesty's privy council . john giles taken in monmouthshire upon suspicion for assassinating mr. arnold . date his majesty's birth-day was kept with great solemnity at edinburgh : among other things were old men in blew gowns , each of which had given him s. being the th year of his majesty's age. date jun. . the earl of rothes , lord chancellor of scotland , made duke of rothes and marquess of bambreick , earl of lesly , viscount of lugtown , lord achmuty and cascuberry . john giles ordered by the council to be brought to london . date his majesty published a declaration , that he had never contracted marriage with any but queen catharine , and caused the declaration to be entred in the council-book , and on the th of june it was inrolled in the chancery . don phillip de guarra , made the spanish consul at london . date news from tangier of the great fight with the moors , who took several forts at that time . date mrs. celier tryed at the king's bench for high-treason , and acquitted ; and dangerfield , a witness against her , committed . the earl of middleton appointed envoy extraordinary to the emperor . date the earl of mulgrave , with the earl of plimouth , the lord m●rdaunt , and lord lumley , imbarqued with the forces for tangier . date the earl of castlemain arraigned at the king's bench bar for high-treason , and pleaded not guilty . date news of a cessation of arms at tangier for four months . john culp●per was tryed at westminster for high-treason committed at carolina , and acquitted . date william dawson of azarly , in the county of york , esq was knighted . date the earl of castlemain was try'd at the king's bench bar for high-treason , oats , dangerfield , &c. being witnesses against him , but the jury not believing their evidence , his lordship was acquitted . his majesty declared in council , that he had concluded a defensive alliance with the king of spain , that more forces were to be sent to tangier , and that the parliament was prorogued to the . of july . date the l. aston , sir james symmonds , mr. heveningham , mr. howard , mr. peters , all set at liberty upon bail till the next term. mr. thomas blood , mr. edward christian , arthur o brian , &c. were indicted at the king's bench bar for a conspiracy against the duke of buckingham , and found guilty . date richard radley , convicted for scandalous words against the lord chief justice scroggs , was sentenced to stand an hour at each court at westminster with a paper on his breast signifying his offence , and the same for hours at brentwood in essex in market time , and to pay l. for a fine . date sir anthony dean and mr. pepys discharged out of the tower. sir john gage , mr. rooper , mr. howard , mr. heveningham , &c. are discharged from prison . the heer zitters , ambassador extraordinary from the states of holland , had audience . donald , cargile , hall , &c. apprehended at queens-ferry in scotland , for preaching against kingly government and prelacy , and disowning the king. date jul. . dr. howel's general history of the world , was first published in volumes fol. date the parliament prorogued to the d of august . date john giles being convicted at the old-baily for assassinating mr. arnold , was sentenced to stand times in the pillory , fined pounds , and to give sureties for his good behaviour for his life . a riot committed at the house of count de pertengue , envoy extraordinary from the duke of savoy , while he was at windsor with the king. date his majesty and royal highness supped at sir simon lewes's at fishmongers-hall , and next day went to windsor . date a rebellion of the field-conventiclers in scotland , led on by one cameron , is dispersed by coll. bruce , and cameron is slain . date the earl of mulgrave arrived at windsor from tangier . date died at white-hall that most honourable and loyal person , thomas earl of ossory , and next day carried privately to the abbey at westminster . date aug. . the lady tempest and mrs. preswick , were tryed at york-assizes , and acquitted ; but mr. thwing being tryed for a priest , was found guilty at the same time . date phineas pett esq made one of the commissioners of the navy , and knighted . date sir william temple , nominated ambassador extraordinary to spain . date jonas moore esq surveyor of the ordnance , knighted . date his majesty and royal highness went to chatham , and came back and dined at whitehall , and in the afternoon went to windsor . date william bedlow dy'd at bristol . the parliament ordered to be prorogued to the of october following . a proclamation accordingly came out august . a proclamation to give notice , that george carey esq had no letters patents for setting out a ship of reprizal against the united-provinces . date arrived at white-hall , his highness the electoral prince palatine . date mr. bethell , and mr. cornish , signed their bonds to serve for sheriffs of london . date a chapter of the garter was held at windsor , where , the sovereign being present , there was elected into the vacancies of that order , the duke of graston , and the earl of salisbury . date sept. . henry savile esq was sworn vice-chamberlain to the king in the place of sir george carteret deceased . date the earl of carlisle , governor of jamaica , arrived ( from jamaica ) at portsmouth . date the elector , prince palatine , was entertained at oxford . date the earl of feversham made lord chamberlain to the queen ▪ and the lord viscount lumley , master of the horse to her majesty . the l●d● d'a●●e ; ( mother to the countess of sussex ) created countess of sheppey . mrs. celier tryed at the old-baily , for publishing a book call'd , mal●●e defeated , &c. and found guilty . date the prince elector palatine dined at hamp●m-court ▪ and the same day came to white-hall . date mrs. celier sentenc'd to stand three times in the pillory , to pay l. and to continue in prison till all this be done . date a chapter of the garter was held at windsor , the sovereign being present , where the prince elector palatine was elected knight of that order . his royal highness dined with the artillery company at merchant-taylors hall. date their majesties and royal highness went to new-market . date the electoral prince palatine imbarqued in one of his majesty's yachts at greenwich , in order to his return home . news came , that vice-admiral herbert with several men of war lay before tangier . date their majesties , royal highnesses , and all the court went from new-market to euston , to the earl of arlington's . date sympson tonge committed to newgate upon oates his complaint . date octo. . a proclamation to command papists and reputed papists , to depart ten miles off london . date the king's ships ( by order ) conducted the prince of parma , governour of the spanish netherlands , to ostend . date mr. shipton fined at westminster l. for defaming oates , bedloe , and dugdale . his majesty and royal highness come from new-market to white-hall . date the heer van leeuwen , ambassador from the united provinces , had his audience . date sir robert carr , chancellor of the dutchy , sworn of the privy council . date their royal highnesses parted from white-hall for scotland , his majesty accompanying them to woolwich . date the count de tounn , envoy extraordinary from the emperor , had his audience . the parliament met at westminster , and chose william williams esq speaker to the house of commons . date their royal highnesses arrived in the frith . dangerfield gives his information in to the house of commons . date letters dated sept. . . from tangier , give an account of a great success the garris●● had against the moors . date order'd by the commons , that dr. tonge be recommended to his majesty for the first ecclesiastical preferment that shall fall in his gift . date a proclamation for the further discovery of the popish plot. mr. plunket on the th instant arrived at chester , being in custody of a pursuivant , and this day is brought to london , and committed to the tower. date nov. . mr. jenison gives his information in at the commons bar. date mr. thomson of bristol is order'd into custody . turbervil gives his information in at the commons bar. capt. ashby , and another captain , with two mates , the surge●n , and thirteen men , are drown'd in the james at kingsale . date don pedro de ronquillo ▪ ambassador from the king of spain , made his publick entrance . date don pedro , &c. had his publick audience in the banquetting-house . hetherington , murphey , and two fitz-geralds , give in to the commons their information of a plot in ireland . date hubert bourk , tho. samson , e●stace commyns , and joh. macnamarra , give their informations in to the house of commons . date the commons order an address to be drawn up to his majesty for the removal of sir george jeffreys from all offices . james skein , archibald steward , and john spruell , arch-rebels in scotland , being taken and examined , they justify'd cargile's excommunication of the king , and said , 't was just to kill him , his council , and soldiers , and burn his acts and proclamations : they justify'd the archbishop of st. andrew's murther , with other most horrid and bold-faced treasons . the earl of plymouth died of a bloody flux at tangier . date sir fr. withens struck out of the roll , and sir william waller put burgess for westminster . date the pope , attended with the effigies of sir george jeffreys and mr. l'estrange , &c. is carried about the city in procession , a great rabble attending , and are all burnt together at temple-bar . date will. lewis gives in his information to the commons bar. date capt. john wetwang knighted . alexander farnese , son to the prince of parma , arrived here . date a comet seen at falmouth for a week together , two hours every morning before day , the tail foot long , december . it appeared at portsmouth , dec. . at falmouth , dec. . at kingsale . date mrs. bedloe ( widow to the late notorious capt. will. bedloe , the pretended discoverer of a popish plot ) petitions the commons for a maintenance in consideration of her husband's services . date the commons order'd , that the loyal sir francis north , lord chief justice of the common-pleas , should have an impeachment drawn up against him . date order'd likewise by the commons , that upon articles exhibited , mr. seymour be impeached . date william ellys esq made by the dean and chapter , high bailiff of westminster . sir william waller by appointment of the commons added to a committee , for preparing evidence against the lords in the tower. date a most gracious message sent by his majesty to the commons : in answer whereto , they order an address to him about it . date william , viscount stafford , brought to his tryal at westminster-hall by his peers . date dec. . i. skein , a. steward , and john potter , executed at edenburgh for treason . date a proclamation for a fast. date the house of lords ordered , that all papists do depart from london and westminster . date w. viscount stafford , found guilty of high-treason , and sentence of death pass'd upon him . date the earl of tyrone committed to the gate-house . date the duke of graston arrived at falmouth from the straights , in the leopard , under the command of sir john berry , and the d at deal . date the commons order sir robert peyton to be expelled the house . date sir robert peyton , kneeling at the commons bar , is with an uncouth reproach turn'd out of the house . the commons address his majesty concerning tangier . the sheriffs of london petition , and the commons declare themselves contented , that the execution of william viscount stafford be performed by beheading . resolved by the commons unanimously , that all the judges be impeached . date capt. kirk arrived at white-hall from tangier and brought news of the morocco-ambassador coming over to conclude a peace . the prince of hanover arrived at white-hall . date william viscount stafford beheaded on tower-hill , insisting on his innocence to the very last . date resolved by the commons , that no member of that house shall accept of any office , or place of profit from the crown upon pain of being expelled the house . date jan. . edward seymour esq prefers an answer to the impeachment against him , and desires his tryal may be speedy . the king returns a gracious message to the commons in answer to their address about tangier . date a speech called , the noble peer's speech , was burnt by the common hangman at the royal exchange , and in the palace-yard in westminster . date the earl of tyrone's impeachment order'd . date his majesty went to the house of lords in his robes , and sent for the house of commons , and then he pass'd three acts , and prorogued the parliament to the th instant . date a proclamation for dissolving the parliament , and calling another at oxford , march . next . date charles count palatine of the rhine , and prince elector , being elected to the garter at white-hall , sept. . last , was this day installed at windsor in the th stall on the princes side by proxy and commission . date george treby esq recorder of london , was knighted . date at portsmouth was staved hogsheads of french wine , and burnt yards of french linen . date certain lords petition his majesty that a parliament may be called . sir robert peyton goes to mr. vvilliams , the late speaker's chamber , and challenges him . date the earl of oxford , the earl of chesterfield , and the earl of ailesbury , were sworn of his majesty's privy council . date robert napier junior esq high sheriff of dorsetshire , knighted . eliz. freeman , the maid of hatfield , pretends a vision . date mr. williams complains to the council , and sir robert peyton is sent to the tower. the depositions of the irish witnesses are carried to the council by mr. warcup . date feb. . the lords of the council at edenburgh , ( having order'd the college of edenburgh to be shut up for some misdemeanour of the students , did this day give leave to have it opened on conditions . date edward , earl of conway , made secretary of state. date about falmouth some persons having set fire to some furrs , caused a terror to a great many persons at a distance , thinking the earth was on fire . signior de vignola , resident of venice , had his audience . date sir creswell levins made judge of the common pleas. sir robert sawyer made attorney general . an order of council to encourage the plantation-trade . date the lord shandois ambassador for turkey , arrived at deal , and went on board the oxford frigat for his voyage , and sailed out of the downs the th instant with merchants ships under her convoy . date edw. fitz-harris esq is siezed by sir william waller , brought before the king and council , examined before them for writing a treasonable libel against the king , and committed to the gate-house for it . date mar. . edward fitz-harris removed from the gate-house to newgate , in order to his tryal . the lady elizabeth , youngest daughter to his royal-highness , died at st. james's . date the artillery company waited on his majesty to acquaint him with their choice of officers . date the earl of craven , sworn of his majesty's privy council . date the prince of hanover parted from england . date his majesty went to windsor . date their majesties went to oxford . date the english lost their factory of amoy in the east-indies . date the burgesses for london set out for oxford attended with a croud , having ribbands in their hats , with these words woven in them , no popery , no slavery . date the parliament meets at oxford , and the commons choose mr. williams for their speaker . his majesty is sollicited by the earl of shaftsbury and others , about mr. fitz-harris . date mar. . an information read in the house of commons against mr. fitz-harris , order'd to be printed ; and thereupon by them he is impeached of high-treason . date the impeachment of mr. fitz-harris sent up by the commons to the lords ; but they reject it . voted by the commons , that the lords throwing out the impeachment of mr. fitz-harris , is a denial of justice . date his majesty dissolves the parliament , and that night went to windsor . date his majesty and the queen came to white-hall . date apr. . at a chapter at white-hall , charles duke of richmond was elected knight of the garter ; and on the th instant was installed at windsor . date his majesty published his declaration touching the causes that moved him to dissolve the two last parliaments . date this day mr. l'estrange began to publish his observators , a work , in those difficult times altogether as perillous to himself as serviceable to the crown ; wherein , steering by the undoubted maxims of policy , he stemm'd the tide of a popular current , and kept mens loyalty steddy against all the blasts of a democratical hurricane : an irrefragable instance of what learning and parts are able to do , manag'd with an honest resolution . date francis smith , commonly known by the name of elephant smith , was by order of the council-board committed to newgate for high-treason . date tho. dereham esq resident at tuscany , was knighted . date the instalment of the duke of richmond knight of the garter . date titus oates had his pension cut short . date mr. edw. fitz-harris indicted at westminster for high-treason . date the right honourable laurence hide esq first commissioner of the treasury , was created visc. hide of kenilworth , and baron of wotton-basset . date his majesty and the whole court went to windsor . date mr. fitz-harris brought to his tryal at the king's bench westminster , and demurr'd to the jurisdiction of that court. date may . mr. fitz-harris at the second time of his tryal , produces a plea signed by council , whereto the attorney general demurr'd . date the demurrer was argued . date a motion by the attorney general for judgment upon the plea. date the attorney general 's demurrer held good ; mr. fitz-harris's plea over-rul'd ; who pleading not guilty , obtained time of the court to bring in his witnesses . date heneage lord finch , lord chancellor of england , created earl of nottingham . the earl of danoy mov'd for bail , but was deni'd . date a proclamation promising l. to any person that should apprehend any highway-man , to be paid days after conviction . an indictment of high-treason found against the earl of danby upon mr. fitz-harris's evidence . date tho. kirke esq made consul of genoua . date his majesty went to rochester and to chatham , to view the navy and the dock . richard may esq and capt. john farrington of chichester , knighted . date jun. . capt. langston arrived from tangier with the articles of peace , concluded by sir james lesly for years with the emperor of morocco . date mr. thomas ashenden , did publickly make his recantation in the cathedral church in peterborough , at the time of divine service , for writing an abuse on the lord's prayer , creed and ten commandments . date oliver plunket , titular archbishop of dublin , was found guilty of high-treason at the king's-bench bar at westminster . his majesty came from windsor to council at white-hall , and returned that night to windsor . date edward fitz-harris esq was found guilty of high-treason at the king's-bench bar at westminster . date william lord howard of escrick was committed to the tower on the information of high-treason against him . date at lime in dorsetshire was publickly staved several tuns of french wine , pursuant to the act. sentence of death passed on oliver plunket , and edward fitz-harris , at the king's-bench bar. date the grays-inn address presented to the king by young sir will. scroggs and mr. fairberd . date the lord howard of escrick denied by the court of king's-bench to be bailed . date the buckingham address presented by mr. charles blunt , &c. date his majesty sent a commission to scotland to his royal highness to represent his person , and bear his authority during the parliament . date a proclamation against ships going out without convoys . date john rouse , and stephen colledge were apprehended and committed to the tower for high-treason . date july . oliver plunket and edward fitz-harris , were drawn on sledges to tyburn , and there hanged and quartered . date anthony earl of shaftsbury was apprehended at his house in aldersgate-street , and brought before the council , who committed him to the tower for high-treason . date stephen colledge the joiner , return'd ignoramus at the old-bailey . edward whitaker , was apprehended and committed to the tower for high-treason . a motion made in court by the london grand-jury , that the condemned priests in newgate be speedily executed . date there came advice that sir richard dutton was safely arrived at barbadoes at his government . date the privy council order a committee to view the earl of shaftsbury's papers , siezed by mr. guynne , who find the wicked association among them . date the lady anne parted from white-hall to go to visit their royal highnesses in scotland . date stephen colledge was indicted at oxford for high-treason , and the grand-jury found the bill . date the lady anne arrived in scotland . date sir miles stapleton was tryed at york assizes for high-treason , and the jury brought him in not guilty . date his highness the prince of orange arrived at white-hall , and dined at sir stephen fox's , and then went to windsor . the th his highness came from windsor to arlington-house ; the th dined with the duke of albemarle , and the th return'd to windsor . aug. . came from windsor to arlington-house ; the th he went to new-hall , and on the th he went to harwich , in order to imbark for holland . date cargile , the great rebel at bothell-bridge , was hanged at edenburgh high-cross . date the parliament opened in scotland . date sir philip carteret created baron carteret of hawnes in the county of bedford . date aug. . the loyal london apprentices dined at sadlers-hall . his majesty sent them a brace of bucks . date christopher buckle of surrey , esq was knighted at windsor . date john wilmore , was apprehended for high-treason ; the th he was examined before the council , and sent to the tower. date the parliament of scotland passed two acts. stephen colledge sent from the tower to oxford , there to take his tryal . date stephen colledge ( commonly known by the name of the protestant joiner ) was tryed at oxford , and condemned for high-treason . date their majesties , and the whole court , came from windsor to white-hall . date titus oates for his impudence , is turn'd out of his lodgings at court , and forbid the council chamber . date colledge executed at oxford . date sep. . don joseph de faria , envoy from portugal , had his audience . date george rainsford of lincolns-inn esq was at white-hall knighted . date an order of the king in council , to assist distressed protestants that fly from their country for conscience sake . date their majesties went to new-market . date their majesties were entertained by the university at cambridge . mr. george witheridge was committed to the gate-house for high-treason . date sir john moore , ( after a long and tedious pole ) carried it by about votes for to be lord mayor of london , to the confusion of the factious party . date oct. . some papers delivered to the earl of shaftsbury , upon his petition to the king and council . date his royal highness undertook his journey to glascow and dumbarton . date mr. samuel wilson committed to the gate-house for high-treason . date john rouse was indicted at the old-baily for high-treason , where eight witnesses swore matter of fact positively against him , yet the jury would not find the bill . the french church in london and the savoy , returned his majesty thanks for his declaration in favour of the french protestants . date the moscovite ambassador came to plimouth . date sir john moore sworn lord mayor of london . date nov. . an account came that the james galley and adventure , had taken the half moon and the two lions and crown of algiers , two of their best ships . major george vernon , was knighted at whitehall . date a proclamation against exporting of great guns out of this kingdom . date francis smith was tryed at guildhall , and found guilty of printing of a seditious pamphlet , called , the noble peer's speech . date the earl of tyrone bail'd . date queen katharine's birth-day kept at court , where at night there was a mask . date mr. frederick harvey was committed to newgate for high-treason . a proclamation to restrain all but the east-india company , from trading to the east-indies . date the moscovite ambassador made his publick entrance through london , and on the d had his audience . date the earl of shaftsbury was this day indicted at the old-baily ; and tho there was full and clear proof of matter of fact against him , by eight or ten witnesses ; yet the grand-jury would not find the bill . date mr. firmin settles some french protestants at ipswich . date dec. . the lord mayor and aldermen of london , and the justices of middlesex , ordered to put the laws in execution against unlawful meetings , the king in council declaring this order to extend also to the country . date the duke of grafton chose by the by-corporation of trinity-house , to be one of their elder brothers . date turberville the evidence , dy'd of the small pox. date the earl of argile was tryed and found guilty of high-treason , but judgment was respited ; who presently after , made his escape out of the castle of edenburgh ( where he was a prisoner ) in a disguise : on the d sentence passed on him for execution for high-treason when he should be taken . date the duke of grafton constituted collonel of the first regiment of the foot guards , which was coll. russel's . date jan. . sympson tonge declares , that his own father ( dr. tonge ) and t. oates , were the contrivers of the popish plot. date the ambassador from the king of fez and morocco , made his publick entrance through the city of london ; had his publick audience on the th instant , and on the th he had a private audience of his majesty . date oates found out to be false in his evidence between the lord north , and the lady dowager grey , concerning mr. elliot's business . date his royal highness's picture in guild-hall , london , cut and spoil'd by the hand of some villain unknown . date the parliament of scotland adjourned to the th of april . date feb. . sir thomas linch , governour of jamaica , sailed from plimouth in the sweepstake for that island . richard basset of beaupre in glamorganshire esq was knighted at white-hall . the officers at alt●arr in lancashire siezed several goods of popish recusants , and were beaten , and the goods taken from them . date sir peter wiche , late resident at hamburgh , being returned , kissed his majesty's hand . date thomas thynne esq on sunday was most barbarously shot with a musketoon in his coach in the pall-mall , that he died on monday about six of the clock in the morning : l. offer'd to any that could take count coningsmark . date capt. christopher vratz , george borosky , and john stern , apprehended and sent to newgate for the murther of t. thynne esquire . date the ambassador from morocco to the french king departed thence on his return . date the lord mayor and court of aldermen made an order to give l. to any that should discover the person that did maliciously abuse his royal highness's picture in the guild-hall , london . date count coningsmark apprehended at gravesend in a seaman's habit . date count coningsmark sent to newgate by the lord chief justice . date capt. thomas cutler , was knighted in the bed-chamber at white-hall . date count pertengue , ambassador extraordinary from the duke of savoy , made his publick entry ; march d . he had his audience . date count coningsmark , christopher vratz , george borosky , and john stern , tryed at the old-baily for t. thynne esquire's murther ; of whom , the count was acquitted , and the other three , upon being found guilty , sentenced to death . date mar. . the honourable george legg esq sworn of his majesty's privy council . date their majesties went from white-hall to new-market . date the lord noel took possession of the government of portsmouth . date capt. vratz , george borosky , and john stern , were hanged in the pall-mall for the murther of thomas thynne esq and george borosky ( who did the murther ) was hung in chains a little beyond mile-end town , by his majesty's command . his royal highness landed at yarmouth , and lodged that evening at norwich , and went to new-market next day . date the marquis de grana arrived at white-hall from plimouth ; next day in the afternoon he embarked in the isabella yacht for flanders . date john knight esq one of the sheriffs of bristol , knighted . date the thames ebb'd and flow'd three times within four hours . date a treaty of peace signed betwixt the lords of the council appointed by his majesty , and the ambassador from the king of morocco . date april . the university of cambridge made choice of the duke of albemarle for their chancellor in the room of the duke of monmouth . his majesty and royal highness came from new-market to white-hall , the day before her majesty came . on the th the lord mayor of london , &c. came to white-hall to pay their duty to his majesty ; afterwards went to wait on his royal highness at st. james's , to congratulate his safe return into england . date don antonio de leyva , ambassador from the marquis de grana , came and complemented their majesties , and his royal highness upon his coming to that government . he had audience of his royal highness the th at night . date sir john reresby baronet , made governor of the garrison at york , in the place of the lord fretcheville , deceased . date nicholas iohnson esq being deceased , his majesty was pleased to confer the office of pay-master of his forces , upon charles fox , esq . date an illegal thanksgiving forbid by his majesty . date the feast of the artillery company of london , where his royal highness honoured them with his company . date their majesties , and their royal highnesses went to windsor . and the next day were waited on by the mayor , stewards , bailiffs , &c. of windsor . date arrived in the river of thames on board the london , eight bantam ambassadors , with a train of about or persons . date may . three seamen condemned to be hanged at dover , at a sessions of the admiralty , for robbing a dutch ship. date charles skrinshaw esq high sheriff of staffordshire , knighted . date his royal highness parted from windsor to white-hall , and the same day went down the river to embark in the glocester frigat for scotland . the bantam ambassadors landed at the tower. capt. aylmer arrived with the articles of peace made by admiral herbert on the th of the last month , with algiers . date the glocester frigat , run on the sand on the lemon-ore , and was lost . his royal highness escaped safe , and came to scotland the th instant . the duke of ormond , his dutchess , the earl of ossory , &c. arrived at chester from ireland , and came to white-hall on the th instant . date count de pertengue , ambassador extraordinary from the duke of savoy , had audience of leave at windsor . date the ambassadors from the king of bantam , made their publick entrance through london ; on the th went to windsor , and on the th had their audience there . date the university of cambridge , to the number of nigh , went from northumberland-house to albemarle-house , to install their new chancellor , the duke of albemarle . date his majesty constituted the laird haddo , president of the sessions , lord chancellor of the kingdom of scotland ; the earl of queensborough , lord treasurer ; and the earl of pearth , lord justice general . date a tryal was at the king's-bench bar at westminster against mr. wilmore , for kidnapping , and spiriting a little boy , and sending him to jamaica , who was found guilty . date his majesty came from windsor , and passed by white-hall in his barge down the river to meet his royal highness , who in the afternoon came to arlington-house ; and that afternoon their majesties went to windsor , and their royal highnesses to st. james's . date his majesty was taken with a feverish distemper , but it went off again . date the morocco ambassador entertained at oxford . date at lime the tide ebbed and flowed several times in half an hours time . date jun. . the bantam ambassador waited on his royal highness at st. james's . date the corporation of trinity-house of debtford-strond , chose the duke of graston their master . date sir richard how constituted alderman in the place of sir thomas bloodworth deceased . date monsieur raphael coots of bruge● , knighted . date the count de thun , envoy extraordinary from the emperor , had his audience at windsor , on the birth of the emperor's second son. date sir john berry had the command of the henrietta , a third rate frigat , given him , the king being satisfied it was not his fault the glocester frigat was lost . date mr. pilkington and mr. shute , the sheriffs of london , for making a riot ( in continuing a pole after the mayor had adjourned it ) at the election of sheriffs , were sent prisoners to the tower , and bailed out on the th . date at chatham was launched that brave ship called the britannia . date the earl of lindsey , great chamberlain of england , was sworn of his majesty's privy council . date jul. . aaron smith , tryed at the king's-bench , and found guilty of scandalous and seditious words and writinas , whereupon he fled ; but was after taken , and on the . of octob. fined l. and to stand twice in the pillory . the sheriffs of london continue a poll riotously . date mr. goodenough , the under-sheriff , fin'd l. for not altering the pannel of a jury , at the command of the bench at hicks's-hall . date the bantam ambassadors took leave at whitehall of his majesty , and the two chief of them were knighted , and the swords given them that they were knighted with ; they lay at deal the st instant . the loyal young men of london , address against the association . date the morocco ambassador was conducted to take his leave of his majesty ; and on the . jonas , his renegado , run from him ; was apprehended and brought him again the . went aboard his majesty 's yacht at woolwich the same day ; august . . at plimouth ; th he came ashore . date his majesty's order in council to the city of london , to begin the election of sheriffs anew ; and then was elected mr. box , and mr. north confirmed . date edward cranfield esq his majesty's governour for new hampshire in new england , embarqued in order to pass to his government . date aug. . a controversie between the duke of ormond and the earl of anglesey argued in council . date captain dyer accused of high-treason by one samuel winder , and sent for from new york to answer it here in england . date we have advice that here was seen a blazing star at falmouth , for two nights together about ten at night . date her royal highness was safely deliver'd of a daughter at st. james's ; next day his royal highness came from windsor ▪ to visit her , the . the young princess was christened ( by the bishop of london ) nam'd charlotte mary , the duke of ormond being god-father ; the countess of arundel , and the countess of clarendon god-mothers . date cornwall bradshaw esq knighted at windsor . the east-india company received news from beachy in sussex , that four of their ships passed by that way for the river . date the duke of lauderdale died . date the earl of hallifax made marquis of hallifax . date his majesty saw sir samuel morland's new engine play at windsor . date sept. . his majesty and royal highness went to winchester ; the second , came back to windsor ; the tenth , with the whole court , came to white-hall . date derby received its new charter . date the earl of sunderland re-admitted a privy councellor . the lady henrietta berkeley went away from her father , who promised l . as a reward to any that should give notice of her . date the duke of hamilton was elected knight of the garter , at a chapter held at white-hall . date mr. dudley north and mr. peter rich , sworn sheriffs of london and middlesex . date octo. . his majesty and his royal highness set forward from white-hall to new-market . date a testimonial from salamanca published , that oates never took a degree there . date the marquis hallifax made lord privy-seal . date maidstone in kent receives its new charter . date sir william pritchard was sworn ( before the barons of the exchequer ) lord mayor of london . date edward whitaker indicted at the king's-bench bar , for seditious words spoken at bath , and found guilty . date nov. . riots and bonfires forbid by the king's order , especially on the th ensuing . date his majesty's order to the lord mayor , and justices of peace for middlesex , to prevent bonefires , &c. and disorderly companies . date captain will. booth , commander of the adventure frigat , in the late war with argiers , knighted . date the envoy from the czars of moscovy had his audience . date a great fire in wapping broke out in cinnamon lane , and consumed many hundreds of houses . sir john bennet knight of the bath , made a baron of the realm , by the title of john lord ossulston . date mr. dockw●●y and others , cast in a trial about the penny-post . date ev●sh●m in worcestershire surrendred their charter to his majesty at white-hall . date richard gibbs esq master of the revels of grays-inn , knighted at white-hall . date the feast of the artillery company of london , at which his royal highness honoured them with his presence . date the duke of ormond of ireland , was created james duke of ormond of england . the marquis of worcester created duke of 〈◊〉 . the lord norris created earl of abbington . died of a fever and pl●uri●y at his house in the spring-garden , rupert , prince palatine of the rhine , &c. in the year of his age. date dec. . edward viscount cambden , made earl of gainsborough . coniers lord d'arcy , made earl of holdernesse . thomas lord windsor , made earl of plimouth . horatio lord townsend , made viscount townsend of raynham . sir thomas thinne baronet , made baron thinne of warmister , and viscount weymouth . coll. george legg , made baron of dartmouth . william lord allington , made baron of wimondley . coll. churchill , made lord churchill of aymouth in scotland . the duke of grafton made vice-admiral of england , vacant by pr. rupert's death . date henry earl of arundel , made constable of windsor , and lord lieutenant of the counties of berks and surrey ; and march . of norsolk . date prince rupert buried in henry the seventh's chappel in westminster , on the south side . date several apprentices were , at the sessions at the old-baily , fined marks a-piece , and to stand in the pillory ; for a riot committed nov. . date his majesty published an order of council against spiriting and seducing his subjects on shipboard , to transport them out of the kingdom . monsieur d' haxthausen , envoy extraordinary from the duke sleswick holstein , had his audience . date the earl of nottingham , lord chancellor of england , died at his house in queen-street , in the year of his age. date sir francis north , lord chief justice of the common-pleas , made lord keeper of the great seal . the lord chief justice of the king's-bench , sir francis pemberton , sworn one of his majesty's privy council . date jan. . the lord mayor , aldermen , and common council , gave sir john moore thanks for his good service last year , when mayor of london . date the earl of arundel took possession of his government of windsor castle . date humphrey mackworth , of the middle-temple , esq knighted . date sir edmund saunders made lord chief justice of the king's-bench in the room of sir francis pemberton , removed to be chief justice of the common-pleas , and made privy councellor . date monsieur de schmettau , envoy extraordinary from the elector palatine , had his audience . date the earl of sunderland made secretary of state in the room of the lord conway , and sworn the . date ralph stawell esq created a baron of england , by the name of lord stawell of somerton . date a proclamation against high-way-men . date feb. . dudley north esq one of the sheriffs of london , knighted . date theophilus earl of huntington , and henry earl of peterborough , were sworn of his majesty's privy council . date mar. . their majesty's and royal highnesses went to new-market . date nath. thompson committed to the gate-house , for printing and dispersing false , scandalous , &c. news . date thomas duppa esq made usher of the black rod , in the room of sir edward carteret , and was invested and knighted may . following , and henry bulstrode esq made one of the gentlemen ushers daily waiters . date a great fire broke out in a stable at new-market , which tho' it burnt half the town , yet was the happy means of preserving his majesty & royal highness from the horrid assassination intended against them by the rye-house conspirators . date mar. . their majesties and royal highnesses came from new-market to white-hall . date henry earl of arundel made lord lieutenant of the county of norfolk , in the room of the right honourable the earl of yarmouth . date apr. . the new charter for norwich , was brought to the city of norwich by the earl of yarmouth's brother . date their majesties and royal highnesses went to windsor . date a proclamation to give notice of passes for ships . date the lord mayor of london , the sheriffs , and several aldermen , arrested at the suits of mr. papillion and mr. du boise , the pretended sheriffs of london and middlesex date may . a patent granted to robert fitz-gerald , esq for making salt water fresh . date tho. pilkington , s. shute , esquires ; ford lord grey , henry cornish alderman , sir thomas player , slingsby bethell , and others , found guilty of a riot and assault on sir john moore , late lord mayor of london , and were all fined at the king's-bench bar , on june . date the common council of london disclaim their having any concern in the rude arrest lately made upon the lord mayor , sir william pritchard . the duke of albemarle mustered the militia of the county of devonshire , being above in the field . date mr. serjeant holloway knighted at windsor . date the count de zinzendorf , envoy extraordinary from the elector of saxony , had his audience ; and on the th of june had his audience of leave . date jan. . abraham jacob esq knighted at windsor . date the court of king's-bench gave judgment for the quo warranto against the city charter . on the th the city petition'd his majesty in council about the charter . then the lord keeper told the lord mayor his majesty's pleasure , what rules he would have observed . on the . the sheriffs waited on his majesty at windsor , to satisfie him they submitted to his rules , and had put off the election of sheriffs from june . to july th . this day mr. keeling made a discovery of that horrid and dismal conspiracy to assassinate the king and his royal highness at rye-house , as they came from new-market . date a proclamation for apprehending coll. john rumsey , richard rumbold , richard nelthrope , nathanael wade , richard goodenough , capt. walcot , william thompson , iames burton , and william hone , for high-treason . mr. robert west's examination concerning the horrid conspiracy , taken before sir leol . jenkins . date a proclamation for putting the laws in force about the excise . date colonel rumsey being examined concerning the horrid conspiracy , before the duke of albemarle and sir leol . jenkins , makes a large confession . date mr. turney , the pretended mayor of rye , fin'd marks for a riot . date mr. shepherd's information of the hellish conspiracy taken by the right honourable the earl of sunderland . date a proclamation for apprehending the duke of monmouth , ford lord gray , sir thomas armstrong , and robert ferguson . date july . mr. lee , a dyer in old-street , gives in his information concerning the horrid conspiracy . date a proclamation for the merchant adventurers . date the duke of grafton set sail from deal in the ship called the grafton , with men of war more . on the th . came to anchor at spithead . capt. tho. walcot , was tryed for high-treason at the old-baily , and found guilty : and on the th sentence of death passed on him . date william lord russel , william hone , and john rouse were tryed for high-treason at the old-baily , and found guilty : and on the th , sentence of death pass'd upon them . captain blague was also tryed , but acquitted . date the great city of vienna in germany besieged by the turks . date vice-admiral herbert arrived at deal from the streights . mr. rouse desires to be examin'd in newgate , declares the whole conspiracy , and accuses the lord shaftsbury and titus oates as the principal engines in it . prince george of denmark arrived at whitehall . date capt. walcot , william hone , and mr. rouse hanged and quartered at t●burn , and own themselves guilty of the fact for which they suffered . date william lord russel beheaded in lincolns-i●n fields . date the prince of denmark and the lady anne , were married at st. james's by the bishop of london . date edward wine esq chose , by the lord mayor and court of aldermen , steward of southwark . date aug. . their majesties and the whole court went from white-hall to windsor . date william halford of welham , and edward wigley esquires of leicestershire , receiv'd the honour of knighthood ●● windsor . date john radeliff esq sworn one of the grooms of his majesty's privy-chamber in ordinary . date his majesty and the court went to winchester from windsor . date a proclamation to inforce the laws about the post-office . date sept. . peter daniel and william dashwood esquires , made sheriffs of london , and deputy ailworth chamberlain . date the siege of vienna raised ( after the besieged had-lost men , and besiegers ) by the king of poland and duke of lorrain . date the count de kenitzki , envoy extraordinary from the king of poland , had his audience at winchester . date their majesties and the whole court came from winchester to white-hall . date sir francis north , lord keeper , made baron of guildford . date the chevalier de ballati , envoy extraordinary from the duke of hanover , had his audience : and octob. . had his audience of leave . date sept. . sir george jeffreys , knight and baronet , was sworn lord chief justice of the king's-bench , ( in the room of sir edm. saunders deceased ) and octob. . was sworn of his majesty's privy council . sir tho. jones made chief justice of the common-pleas , in the place of sir francis pembert●n , who had his quietus . sir richard holloway sworn one of the judges of the king's-bench , in the room of judge raymond , deceased . date octob. . sir william pritchard , lord mayor , and peter daniel and william dashwood esquires , sworn before his majesty in privy council to be lord mayor and scheriffs for london , and then received their commissions under the great seal from his majesty , to be held during his pleasure . thomas jenner of the inner-temple , esquire , made recorder of london , and knighted . date his majesty went to new-market , next day his royal highness and the prince went thither . date sir tho. walcot sworn one of the judges of the king's-bench . date the dutchess of graston brought to bed of a son at arlington-house , and christened by the name of charles — date nov. . algernon sidney esq was arraigned at the king's-bench bar , for high-treason ; on the . was brought to his tryal , and found guilty ; the th received sentence of death , and on dec. . beheaded on tower-hill . his majesty , on the dutch ambassador's complaint of being abused by squibbs in the streets , ordered that no bonfires , squibbs or fire-works , should be made in the streets of london , &c. date the artillery feast was at merchant-taylors-hall , where his royal highness and the prince of denmark honoured them with their company . date the news came , that on the th of october last , the lord dartmouth had declared at tangier , that it was his majesty's pleasure to demolish that place and to bring away all the inhabitants , &c. date mr. johnson was tryed at guild-hall , and found guilty of writing of a seditious book , called julian the apostate . date andrew makdougal esquire , received the honour of knighthood . date his majesty declared to the privy council , that the duke of monmouth had surrendred himself to secretary jenkins . the lord howard of effingham went to his government of virginia . date mr. hambden , mr. booth , lord brandon , mr. trenchard , mr. wildman , mr. charleton , prisoners in the tower , were bailed at the king's-bench bar : and jan. . mr. mildmay , mr. barbar , and mr. bateman , appeared at the king's-bench bar , and their recognizances were continued , and mr. hambden had notice of his tryal to be feb. . and feb. . they were all discharged . date the dauphiness of france was brought to bed of a son , whose title is the duke d'anj●u . date jan. . a chapter of the noble order of the garter was held at white-hall in the presence of the sovereign , where prince george of denmark was elected , and invested with the george and garrer : and on the th , the dukes of somerset and northumberland were elected and invested knights of the garter at white-hall also : and on april . . all three installed at windsor . date charles earl of burford , created duke of st. alban's . date the new charter came to wells in somersetshire . date at the chancery court in westminster-hall , were sworn serjeants at law. sir tho. jenner , jo. windham , edwin wyatt , edw. burch , henry bedingfield , esquires ; sir edw. nevile , sir paul barret , knights ; anthony farrington , iohn ieffrison , edward lutwiche , richard heath , henry selby , iohn millington , tho. powel , owen wynne , esquires , and sir geo. pudsey ; on the . they walked to westminster in the usual form . date mr. braddon and mr. speake ( who were imprisoned for spreading a false and scandalous report that the earl of essex was murdered by some persons about him , and for endeavouring to suborn witnesses to testifie the same ) had notice their tryal would be the first thursday in the next month. on feb. the . they had their tryals , and were cast. on the . of april ; braddon was fined l. and speake l. george cawdron , late steward to the earl of clare , and samuel packer , servant to rich. goodeno●gh , brought to their tryals . cawdron may . was fined l. and to stand in the pillory ; packer was fined the same day marks , and to stand three times in the pillory . this month was so hard a frost , that the river of thames was so frozen , that many hundred of booths were built thereon , coaches in term time went to and from the temple to westminster , and foot passengers as thick as in any street in london . there were shops of most sorts of trades . there were also several diversions , as bull-baiting , ninepin-playing , &c. and a whole oxe roasted on the ice against white-hall . date feb. . the earl of danby brought to westminster , but was returned again to the tower ; brought up the . and then bailed . his majesty constituted arthur herbert esq rear-admiral of england . date thomas archer esq of warwickshire , submitted himself to his majesty and council . date john hambden esq tryed for high-misdemeanor , and found guilty of the same , and the . fined l. to the king. date the earl of powys , the lord arundel of warder , the lord bellasis , the earl of tyrone , &c. were bailed . date sir sam. barnardiston try'd at the guild-hall , for writing seditious letters against the government , and was found guilty ; and on the . was fined l. langley curtis tryed at guild-hall for publishing a pamplet , called the night-walker of bloomsbury , and was fined apr. . and stood in the pillory . date the count anthoine nigreli , envoy extraordinary from the d. of modena , had his audience at white-hall . date mar. . his majesty went from white-hall to new-market . henry proger esquire , serjeant-porter , was knighted . date a proclamation about navigation : the . a further order of council about the same . date april . the lord dartmouth came with his majesty's ships to an anchor at st. helens road , and the th . came into the downs . date the court removed from white-hall to windsor . date a fire broke out in the castle in dublin , which lasted three hours very violent , and burnt a great part of the castle . date william bowes , of the county of durham , esq was knighted . date sir leoline ienkins resigned his place of principal secretary of state , and the king gave his place to sydney godolphin esq and on the . he was sworn . date william wright , alderman of oxford , was committed to the king's-bench prison , for publishing scandalous libels : and on the . was bailed . date james holloway , was sentenced at the king's-bench bar for high-treason , to be executed at tyburn : and on the th instant he was accordingly hanged and quartered . date may. . a tryal at the king's-bench against some gentlemen and aldermen of nottingham , for a riot there ; and they were found guilty . date john-dutton colt esq tryed at the king's-bench , in an action of scand magnat , a●ai●st ●is royal highness the duke of york , 〈…〉 l. date 〈…〉 the commission for 〈…〉 it to his royal highness date an order of 〈…〉 hicks-hail against 〈…〉 . date june . francis smith , ( 〈…〉 , elephant smith ) was tryed ●● guild-hall , for publishing a pamphlet called , the raree show , and found guilty . and on the . fined l. and to stand three times in the pillory , and find sureties for his good behaviour during his life . sir thomas armstrong , taken for high-treason at leyden in holland , was this day committed to newgate . on the . brought to the king's-bench bar , and a rule of court made for his execution at tyburn . and on the th . he was executed accordingly . date titus oates , assessed by a jury on a writ of enquiry , l. for a scandal . magnat . against his royal highness the duke of york . date his majesty gave the assessments of william sachererell , george gregory , charles hutchinson , esq &c. ( levied upon them for a riot committed at nottingham ) to the mayor , aldermen , and burgesses of the town . date the artillery company of london were exercised , and his royal highness ( as their captain-general ) did them the honour to lead them , accompanied with the prince of denmark , &c. date july . plimouth receive their new charter . date the city of durham surrendred their charter to the bishop , and his lordship gave them a new charter again , with some alterations . date the earl of murray , and earl of middleton , secretaries of scotland , sworn at hampton-court , of his majesty's privy council of england . date simon taylor , and john turner , esquires , and aldermen of lynn regis , knighted . date the duke of beaufort , in his visiting of north-wales , was conducted in great . splendor , from porshere to worcester , to ludlow ; . to welchpool , to powys-castle ; . to chi●k-castle ; . to holy-well , and so to mo●sten ; . to conway , to beaumorice ; . to gwidder ; . to rulas ; . to lloydyarth ; . to powys-castle , aug. . to ludlow ; all done with great ceremony , pomp , and respect ; and in august , his grace visited south-wales also , &c. date bedford received their new charter . date aug. . buckingham received their new charter . date the earl of rochester , made lord president of the council , ( in place of the earl of radnor , who had his quietus . ) mr. secretary godolphin , first commissioner of the treasury . the earl of middleton , secretary of state. date his majesty , and the court , went from windsor to winchester . date sep. . the buccaniers of america , about in number , with the assistance of some indians , came into the south seas , and made a bold attempt on the spaniards ; but were beaten off by the assistance of some forces sent by the governour of panama . date sidney godolphin , first commissioner of the treasury , made baron godolphin of rialton in cornwall . date the lord chief justice jeffreys waited upon his majesty at winchester , to deliver up the charter of lincoln , and charters of several other corporations in the northern circuit . date their majesties , and the whole court , came from winchester to white-hall . date his majesty appointed sir peter vandeput , and sir william gostlin , to be sheriffs of london . date oct. . the city of oxford received their new charter . date his majesty went to new-market . date the duke of grafton , sworn recorder of st. edmond's-bury . date dr. thomas witherley , one of his majesty's physicians in ordinary , and president of the college of physicians , londo● , was knighted . date baron street , made judge of the common-pleas , ( in place of mr. justice windham ) and sir robert wright , baron of the exchequer . date nov. . dr. spratt , dean of westminster , made bishop of rochester , dr. turner being removed from thence to ely , which was vacant by the death of dr. gunning . bom-bay in the east-indies , was surrendred to sir thomas grantham , for the use of the east-india company . date at the guild-hall in london , was sir william pritchard's tryal against mr. papillon ( mr. dubois being dead ) where the jury gave him l. damages . date exeter received their new charter . date canterbury received their new charter . a treasonous paper affixed on crosses of several towns , and the doors of several churches in scotland , denouncing war against the king , by the name of charles stuart . date mr. rosewell , indicted for high-treason uttered in a sermon preached in a conventicle in rotherhythe , and found guilty . date nottingham bridge over the river trent was finished ; it being broken down by the last years great frost . elias best , fin'd l. for scandalous and seditious words against the government : to stand in the pillory three times , and find security for his good behaviour during life . committed till the payment of the l. the rebels of scotland , about of them , came at night to swine-abbey , miles from edenburgh , and most inhumanely murthered two of the king's servants in their beds . a proclamation against foreign playing-cards . colchester , in essex , receive their new charter . date dr. mew , bishop of bathe and wells , translated to the bishoprick of winchester , on the death of dr. morley . date dalby and nicholson , two of titus oates's men , were convicted for speaking most scandalous and seditious words against his majesty and the government . date mr. butler , of northamptonshire , who was formerly convict for reading & presenting to the knights of the shire , a scandalous paper ; now fined marks , was to find sureties for his good behaviour during life , and committed till the money paid . date dec. . capt. john clarke of london , knighted . date the artillery company of london , dined at merchant-taylors-hall ; where his royal highness , and prince george , honoured them with their company . date the charters of towns and boroughs in the county of cornwall surrendred , all presented to his majesty by the earl of bathe ; and six towns in devonshire . date edmond warcup esq of northmore in oxfordshire , knighted . date leicester , received their new charter . date order of council to give incouragement for the discovery and apprehending of highway-men . date a vessel of tun , bound for vlessing in zealand , in the night ran over the francis pacquet-boat , betwixt dover and calais , sunk the boat , mails of letters , and some passengers . date robert bayly of jerraswood , was hanged and quartered ▪ at edenburgh , for high-treason . date kendall , received their new charter . date jan. . william creach , of new-castle upon tine , esq knighted ; being presented to his majesty by the duke of york . lincoln , received their new charter . date leeds , received their new charter . date an order for apprehending of coll. henry danvers , offering a reward of l. for any person that should apprehend him . carlisle , received their new charter . date lancaster , received their new charter . date john drummond esq one of the secretaries of state in scotland , was sworn of his majesty's privy council in england . date william bridgeman , and philip musgrave esquires , were sworn clerks of his majesty's privy council , in the place of sir tho. doleman knight , and francis gwynn , esq . date henry brabant of newcastle , esq knighted . date feb. . his majesty , k. charles the second , was seized with a violent fit of an apoplexy . date king charles the second died at white-hall . and the same day in the afternoon , king james the second was proclaimed at whitehall , temple-bar , and the royal exchange . date his royal highness prince george of denmark , sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy council . date gilbert staunton , fined at westminster-hall l. for carrying letters contrary to the statute . date king charles d . interred in henry the th's chapel at westminster . date duke of ormond , made lord steward ; earl of arlington , lord chamberlain ; viscount newport , treasurer ; the lord maynard , comptroller ; hen. savile esq vice-chamberlain of the houshold ; in which offices they respectively served king charles the second . date his majesty was pleased to constitute the earl of rochester ( who was then lord president of his council ) lord high-treasurer of england , and accordingly gave him the white staff ; and the th he took the usual oaths on that occasion before the lord keeper at westminster . date the marquis of hullifax , made president of the council ; earl of clarendon , privy seal ; the duke of beaufort , lord president of wales ; and the right honourable the lord g●dolphin , lord chamberlain to the queen . the same day , hen. bulkeley esq was appointed master of the houshold ; sir stephen fox , eldest clerk of the green-cloth ; sir william boreman , second clerk of the same ; sir winston churchill , eldest clerk comptroller ; and sir richard mason , youngest clerk comptroller ; in which places they served the late king. date the count sercl●es de tïlly , envoy from the marquis de grana , had his audience at white-hall . the second of march , had audience of the queen dowager , and mar. . had audience of leave . date mar. . william haman esq mayor of bristol , knighted . date the mareschal de lorge , and the marquis d' estampes , had audience of the prince of denmark . apr. . they had audience of leave . date monsieur d' ebrenschil , sent by the king of denmark to congratulate his majesty's accession to the crown ; and likewise to notifie the death of the queen mother of denmark , had audience of their majesties , and the queen dowager at white-hall : and april . . had audience of leave . date by order of king and council , a reward of ten pound , to be given to any that should apprehond a highway-man ; so as he might be brought to justice . date marmaduke dayrel esq , knighted . date mar. . the d. of queensborough , and the earl of perth in scotland , sworn of his majesty's privy council in england . date apr. . monsieur de laun●y , envoy extraordinary from the d. of zell , had his audience ; as also monsieur spanheim , envoy extraordinary from the elector of brandenburgh . date the count de la trinité , envoy extraordinary from the d. of sa●●y , had audience of his majesty . date the baron de 〈◊〉 , envoy extraordinary from the d. of brunswick w●●●embutt●● , ●●d audience of the king at white-hall . date monsieur de la rouere , envoy from the dutchess of modena , had audience of his majesty ; and , may . had his audience of leave . date the heer van duyvenvoorden , the heer van citters , and the heer dyckvelt , ambassadors extraordinary from the states general of the united provinces , had their audience of their majesties ; and the . of the q. dowager at somerset-house . and the th , had audience of their royal highnesses . date the earl of peterborough , sworn groom of the stole of his majesty . date this day , being the festival of st. george , the coronation of their sacred majesties , king james the second and queen mary , was perform'd at westminster . date his majesty was pleased to confer the honor of knighthood upon roger l'estrange esq in consideration of his eminent and un●●aken loyalty to the crown in all extremities ; and as a mark of the singular satisfaction his majesty had in his present as well as past services ; with repeated declarations of royal grace and bounty towards him . date may . the duke of norfolk , constituted knight of the garter , at a chapter held at whitehall . the same day , the baron de reek , envoy from the d. of hanover , had audience of the king ; the th of the queen , and the th of the queen dowager at white-hall . date this day titus oates , ( who under pretence of a popish plot , had sworn several persons out of their lives ) was tryed upon two several indictments for perjury , and upon a full and clear evidence , was convicted of perjury upon both the said indictments . date the baron de velbr●c●e , envoy from the d. of newburgh , and the baron de kettler , envoy from the ●antgrave of hesse-cassel , had audience of the queen , having had audience of the king the th , and the th had audience of the queen dowager . date prince george radzevil , envoy extraordinary from the king of poland , had audience of his majesty ; the . of the queen dowager , and their royal highnesses . the heer heynsius , the heer goes van abs●●ade , the heer vander heurel , and the heer borselle vander hoogen , deputies of the states-general of the united provinces ; the heer hooft , the heer van horn , the heer van blocquery , and the heer paetz , deputies of the dutch east-india company , had audience of his majesty . date titus oates being brought to the king's-bench bar , the court awarded judgment against him as follows , that he should be divested of his canonical habit for ever , that on monday following , he be carried round westminster-hall with a paper on his head declaring his offence in these words , titus oates , convicted upon full evidence for two horrid perjuries , and that afterwards he stand in the pillory before westminster-hall-gate , and on tuesday before the royal-exchange ; that on wednesday he be whip'd from aldgate to newgate by the common hangman , and on friday following from newgate to tyburn ; that he stand in the pillory every th of april during his life before tyburn , every th of august in the palace-yard at westminster , every th of aug. at charing-cross , every th of aug. at temple-bar , and every d . of sept. before the royal-exchange ; that he pay a fine of marks for each perjury , and that he suffer imprisonment during life . date the parliament met at westminster , and chose sir john trevors their speaker . date earl of argyle , landed at cample-town in scotland in an hostile manner . date jun. . the princess anne of denmark , deliver'd of a daughter at white-hall , named mary , christen'd by the lord bishop of london . date the marquis de cattaneo , envoy extraordinary from the d. of modena , had audience of his majesty . date the lord landsdown , return'd from his embassy to the k. of spain . date the count de martinitz , envoy extraordinary from the emperor , had audience of his majesty ; and the . had his audience of leave . date james , late duke of monmouth , landed at lime in dorsetshire , with about a hundred and fifty rebels . date a proclamation against spreading of a traiterous declaration , publish'd by james d. of monmouth . date the e. of argyle , is deserted by the rebels , and taken . date the earl of peterborow , elected knight of the garter . date the marquis augustin de pallavicini , envoy extraordinary from the republick of genoua , had audience of the king , and the . had audience of the queen , the queen dowager , and of the prince of denmark . date william disnie esq tryed for printing monmouth's declaration ; and found guilty at a commission of oyer and terminer in southwark . date rumbold the maltster , ( one of the rebels that landed with argyle ) tryed in scotland , found guilty , and executed the same day . date thomas dangerfield , being convicted upon an information for writing and publishing a most villainous and scandalous libel called his narrative , received judgment at the king's-bench bar , that he should stand in the pillory before westminster-hall-gate , and before the royal-exchange , that he should be whipt from aldgate to newgate , and from newgate to tyburn ; that he pay a fine of l. and find sureties for his good behaviour during his life . mr. rich. baxter , for writing and publishing scandalous and seditious annotations on the new testament , was fined marks , and to find sureties for his good behaviour during life . date the earl of argyle beheaded . arrived at gravesend , three scotch regiments from holland . date july . the parliament of england adjourn'd till the th of august next . date monmouth , and his rebels routed . date the lord grey taken . date the duke of monmouth taken . date john cotton of botreaux-castle in cornwall , knighted . date a proclamation for a solemn and publick thanksgiving throughout the kingdom , for his majesty's late victories over the rebels . date the d. of monmouth , the lord grey , and a german rebel sent to the tower. date the d. of monmouth was beheaded . date goodenough taken and brought to exeter . date a proclamation for the lord de la mere to surrender himself . date henry stere esq knighted at whitehall . date d. of norfolk , e. of peterborow , and the e. of rochester , installed knights of the garter at windsor . date the earl of mulgrave , sworn of the privy council . date was kept a general thanksgiving for the victory over the rebels . a proclamation to summon in george speke esq francis charleton esq john wildman esq col. danvers , and john trenchard , esq the e. of stamford , the lord brandon , and the lord de la mere , committed to the tower for high-treason . the baron d' ehrlenchamp , envoy extraordinary from the elector of mentz , had audience of their majesties . date the e. of arlington , dy'd at arlington-house , being in the . year of his ●ge . date the e. of aylesbury , constituted lord chamberlain of the houshold . date the earl of feversh●●n , elected knight of the garter ; and aug. . install'd at windsor . the same day the e. of berkely sworn of the privy-council . date aug. . the parliament met at westm. and were adjourn'd again till the th of novemb. next . the same day in the afternoon , his majesty went to windsor . date the mareschal d' humieres , sent by the most christian king , and the count de tonnerre , by the d. of orleans , to congratulate his majesty's victory over the rebels ; had audience of the k. at windsor , and the th of the queen , and the th of the queen dowager . date the marquis de velparaiso , envoy extraordinary from the k. of spain , had audience of the king at windsor , and the th of the queen ; and the th had audience of the queen dowager at white-hall , and sept. . of their royal highnesses at windsor . date sir richard bulstrode , sent ambassador to brussels . date sept. . the count de thun , envoy extraordinary from the emperor , had audience of leave of the king , and the d . of the queen at windsor ; and the th of the queen dowager at white-hall . the same day , don simon de souza de magethaens , envoy extraordinary from the king of portugal , had audience of the king , and the d. of the queen at windsor . date alicia lisle , executed at winchester for high-treason , in harbouring john hicks , a rebel . date the prince mourbach , envoy extraordinary from the elector of cologne , had audience of their majesties at windsor ; the had audience of leave of the king ; and the . of the queen and their royal highnesses at windsor . date francis lord guildford , lord-keeper of the great seal of england ; died at his house at wroxton in oxfordshire . date a proclamation , for apprehending the earl of macclesfield . a proclamation for the due execution of the acts of parliament , for erecting the post-office . a proclamation for quieting the post-master-general , his deputies , and assigns , in the execution of his office. date don joseph de faria , envoy extraordinary from the king of poland , had audience of leave of their majesties at windsor ; and the . of the q. dowager . date his majesty went from windsor to winchester ; and the . returned again to windsor . date sir leoline ienkins buried in the chapel of jesus-college in oxon. date the marquis de velparaiso , envoy extraordinary from the king of spain , had audience of leave of their majesties at windsor ; and the . of the q. dowager at white-hall . date his majesty taking into his royal consideration , the many eminent and faithful services , which the right honourable george lord jeffreys of wem , lord chief justice of england , had rendred the crown , as well in the late king's time , as since his majesty's accession to the crown ; was pleased to make him lord high chancellor of england . date octo. . their majesties return'd from windsor to white-hall . count hamilton , envoy extraordinary from the elector palatin , had audience of their majesties , the q. dowager , and their royal highnesses at white-hall . the same day the baron loe , envoy extraordinary from the elector of t●ier , had audience of their majesties , and the q. dowager ; the th of their royal highnesses . the . he had audience of leave of his majesty . date the heer van duyvenwoorden , the heer van citters , and the heer dyckvelt , had audience of leave of their majesties at white-hall ; the th of the q. dowager , and the th of their royal highnesses . date sir edw. herbert , made lord chief justice of the king's-bench ; his majesty having appointed sir edw. lutwich to succeed him in the place of chief justice of chester . sir robert wright , removed to the court of king's-bench , in the room of sir tho. walcot ; and sir edw. nevil made baron of the exchequer in his room . roger north , and oliver montague esquires , both of his majesty's council at law , made , the first attorney , the second sollicitor-general to the queen . a proclamation for the parliament to meet the ninth of november next . date sir e. herbert , lord chief justice of the king's-bench , sworn one of the privy-council . date hen. cornish esq william ring , iohn ferneley , and eliz. gaunt , found guilty of high-treason at the old-baily . date viscount preston , sworn of his majesty's privy-council . the same day paul ricaut esq was knighted . date the baron de blomberg , envoy from the d. of courland , had the . audience of the king ; the . of the queen , the . of the queen dowager , and this day of their royal highnesses . earl of mulgrave made lord chamberlain in the place of the earl of aylesbury , who died the th at ampthil in bedfordshire . henry cornish esq executed in cheapside over against kingstreet ; elizabeth gaunt , burnt at tyburn ; and edward lindsey , hanged on tower-hill , for running away from his colours . date the earl of plimouth , sworn one of the privy-council . richard nelthorp , executed before grays-inn ; and john ayloff , before the temple-gate , for high-treason . date nov. . an order prohibiting the making of bonfires or other fire-works , without particular permission . date this day the parliament met at westminster . date the parliament prorogued till feb. . following . date the lord brandon gerard , before found guilty of high-treason , had this day sentence pass'd upon him ; but was after pardon'd . date dec. . the e. of sunderland , principal secretary of state , made president of the council . date charles bateman found guilty of high-treason , had sentence pass'd upon him the th ; and the . executed at tyburn . date robert nightingall esq high-sheriff of norfolk , knighted . date the signior zeno , and signior giustiniani , envoys extraordinary from the republick of venice , made their entry ; and the th had audience of their majesties , the . of the q. dowager at somerset-house , and the . of their royal highnesses at white-hall . date the e. of clarendon set forward for ireland , being made lieutenant thereof . date viscount tiviot , col. rob. philips , and john evelyn , appointed to execute the office of privy-seal , during the earl of clarendon's absence . date theophilus e. of huntington , made lord chief justice and justice eyre of all his majesty's forests , chaces , parks and warrens on the south-side trent , in the room of the earl of chesterfield . date the bishop of durham , sworn dean of his majesty's chapel-royal ; and the bishop of rochester , sworn clerk of the closet . date john hambden try'd for high-treason , cast himself upon the king's mercy . date jan. . the marquis capponi , envoy extraordinary from the great duke of tuscany , had audience of their majesties ; the th of the queen dowager , and the . of her royal highness , and the th of his royal highness ; and feb. . had his audience of leave of their majesties . date the bishop of durham , sworn of the privy-council . the parliament prorogued by proclamation , till the th of may next . date the signior zeno , and signior giustiniani , had their audience of leave of their majesties & the queen dowager , the . of her royal highness , and the . of his royal highness . date the lord de la mere being try'd at westminster , for high-treason , ( the lord chancellor jeffreys , constituted lord high-steward for that purpose ) was acquitted ; the evidence against him appearing to be plainly perjur'd . date feb. . dr. edmand king , knighted by his majesty in his bed-chamber . date tho. e. of stamford , bail'd out of the tower. date tho. saxon found guilty of perjury , had his sentence the th . mr. philibert vernatti , attainted by utlawry , for the death of sir edmondbury godfrey , was acquitted . dr. edes of chichester , found guilty of high-misdemeanours , and committed to the king's-bench . the same day the parliament met at westminster , and was prorogued till the th of may next . date sir tho. genner , made one of the barons of the exchequer ; sir henry bedingfield , one of the justices of the common-pleas , in the place of judge levinz ; and john holt of of grays-inn esq knighted , and made recorder in the place of sir tho. genner . date john bucknall , of oxlie in hertf. knighted . date mar. . a proclamation for a general pardon . date major martin beckman , knighted . date apr. . date thomas earl of stamford , pardon'd . a proclamation for further proroguing the parliament , till the th of september next . date two of the king's mails from holland , robbed near ilford , by two horsmen . date a proclamation , giving leave to both natives and strangers to transport woollen manufactures to all places , excepting dort and hamburgh , till the th of decemb. next . date sir tho. jones , w. montague esq sir job charleton , and sir edward nevill , had their quietus : and sir h. bedingfield made l. c. j. of the common-pleas , sir edw. atkins sworn l. c. b. of the exchequer , sir edw. lutwich sworn one of the justices of the common-pleas , and rich. heath esq made a baron of the exchequer . sir job charleton , made chief justice of chester . a proclamation for john desbrough , and or more , to return into england by the . of july next . date sir i. holt , sir ambrose philips , christopher milton esq i. powel esq john tate esq william rawlinson esq will. killingworth esq hugh hodges esq thomas geers esq and george hutchins esq made sergeants at law ; the two first being made the king's sergeants at law. date the parliament met in order to their proroguing till the . of september next . date count satarar , envoy from the marquis de gastanaga , had his audience of their majesties at white-hall ; the . of the q. dowager , . of his royal highness , and may . had audience of leave of their majesties . date sir christopher milton , made a baron of the exchequer ; sir john powel , one of the justices of the common-pleas ; and sir thomas powys , sollicitor-general in place of heneage finch esq date may . sir james kennedy , made consul of rotterdam . date the french ambassador complain'd to the king of a scandalous book , intituled , les plaintes des protestants cruellement opprimes dans le royaume de france . date the princess ann of denmark deliver'd of a daughter , at windsor . date john lytcott esq knighted . date their majesties and the whole court went to windsor . the same day , miles prance ( one of the pretended discoverers of the murther of sir edmondbury godfrey ) was convict of perjury at westminster ; and june . received sentence . date a proclamation for transporting leather raw-hides , wheat , rye , barley , and other grain . date captain beville granville , knighted at the head of the earl of bath's regiment on hounsloc-heath . date jun. . sir w. soames , his majesty's ambassador to the grand signior , died of a fever at malta , in his voyage . date rich. alborough , oliver haley and john condon , tryed for robbing the holland mails , found guilty ; and the next day the two last receiv'd sentence . date the seur sarotti , resident of venice , had audience of the queen dowager , . of the princess ann , and the . of the prince of denmark . date july . thò . jeffreys esq his majesty's consul at alicant , knighted at windsor . date the earl of powys , lord arundel of wardour , lord bellasis , and the lord dover , sworn of the privy-council , at hampton-court . date aug. . tho. rawlinson , alderman of london , knighted at windsor . date sir nath. johnson , made captain-general of the leeward islands in america , in place of sir w. stapleton , deceased . date tho. montgomery esq knighted by the king at windsor . dr. cartwright was made bishop of chester , and dr. parker , bishop of oxford . date his majesty went from windsor in his progress towards the west ; and the . returned to windsor again . the famous fortress of buda , was this day taken by the imperialists ; which had been years in the possession of the turks . date his majesty came to bristol about five in the afternoon . date parted from bristol about in the morning , and arriv'd at bridgewater about after-noon . date a soldier of col. trelawney's regiment , hang'd at plimouth , for running away from his colours . date sept. . edward thornton , a soldier in the regiment of the right honourable the e. of huntington , was executed at tyburn , for running from his colours . date the honour of knighthood conferr'd upon tho. fowle esq by the king at windsor , one of the aldermen of the city of london . afterward he and sir thomas rawlinson , were constituted sheriffs of the city of london , for the year following . date octob. . his majesty return'd from windsor to whitehall . date the right honourable the earl of tyrconnil , sworn of his majesty's privy-council in england . a proclamation for proroguing the parliament till the day of february . date dr. lloyd , bishop of st. david's ; dr. parker , bishop of oxford ; and dr. cartwright , bishop of chester , were consecrated at lambeth , by the archbishop of canterbury , assisted by the bishops of durham , norwich , ely , and rochester . date queen dowager return'd from the path to somerset-house . date william bridgeman esq sworn one of the clerks in ordinary to his majesty's most honourable privy-council , in the place of sir philip lloyd , deceased . at the same time likewise was william blaithwayt esq constituted clerk of the same council , and sworn . richard allebon of grays-inn esq receiv'd the honour of knighthood ; and at the same time was constituted one of the king's counsel at law. date sir john peake , lord-mayor of the city of london for the ensuing year . sworn at westminster , before the barons of the exchequer . date nov. . sir tho. duppa , gentleman-usher , and daily waiter to his majesty and others ; having brought an action at westminster , against sir william stevens of the isle of wight for his knight fees ; the said sir william pleaded , that his knighthood was conferr'd on him without his consent : to which plea , the plaintiff demurr'd ; and it was this day argued at the common-bar , where the king's servants had judgment against him . date the letters patents for the licensing of pedlars and petty-chapmen repeal'd by the king in council at white-hall . date samuel johnson , being the last term convict of high-misdemeanours in publishing two seditious papers , had this day judgment against him as followeth ; viz. to stand in the pillory on monday following at westminster ; on wednesday , at charing-cross ; and the monday after that , at the royal-exchange : to pay a fine of marks , and to be whipp'd from newgate to tyburn . the th day he was degraded from performing his office , as minister of the gospel . the same day , mr. attorney-general obtain'd a fine of marks against edward whitaker , who was convicted in . for justifying the rebellion of forty one , and the murther of king charles the first . date the parliament met at westminster , and was prorogued till febr. . next . date george speke esq adjudged to pay a fine of marks , upon his being convicted of a riot , and rescuing john trenchard from his majesty's messengers . date richard neale esq constituted sheriff of the county of northumberland for the year . was knighted by the king at whitehall . date dec. . edmund gardiner esquire , deputy-recorder of the town of bedford , had the honor of knighthood conferred on him . date sir charles cottrell laid down his office of master of the ceremonies , by reason of his age ; and was succeeded by his son charles-lodowick cottrell esq his grandson john dormer esq being made assistant-master in his son's place . date dr. richard raines ( judge of the prerogative court ) made judge of his majesty's high-court of admiralty ; and at the same time knighted . date jan. . the heer franciscus knuydyt of rotterdam , knighted . date the french ambassador caused te deum to be sung in his chapel for the recovery of his master . date john lord bellasis , sidney lord godolphin , henry lord dover , sir john ernley chancellor of the exchequer , and sir stephen fox , made commissioners for executing the office of lord high-treasurer of england . date a proclamation for proroguing the parliament till the th of april . date james tillie of pillaton in the county of cornwall esq knighted . date the count de caunitz , envoy extraordinary from the emperor , had audience of his majesty ; and the d of the queen : feb. . of queen dowager . . of her royal highness the princess ann , and march . of his r. h. prince george of denmark . date sir tho. jeffreys constituted agent and consul general in the kingdoms of valencia and mursia , and the islands of majorca , minorca , ivica and sardinia . date feb. . the lady ann sophia , youngest daughter of their royal highnesses , prince george and princess ann of denmark , dyed this day in the afternoon , having been ill about a fortnight . date she was privately interr'd in the vault of the royal family , in henry the seventh's chapel at westminster . date his excellency the e. of tyrconnil arrived at dublin , appointed lord deputy of ireland by his majesty . date the lady mary , another daughter of their royal highnesses , prince george , and the princess ann of denmark , dyed about seven at night , having been ill about three weeks . date his majesty was pleased to constitute the right honourable the e. of yarmouth treasurer of his houshold , and the right honourable the lord waldegrave comptroller of the same . date ordered by his majesty in council , that the money which was collected for the redemption of such of his subjects as are slaves in barbary , be immediately paid in . date the e. of clarendon yields his place of lord lieutenant of ireland to the e. of tyrconnil , who was deputed thereto by his majesty . date the parliament met at westminster , and was prorogued till the th of april next . date his majesty was graciously pleased to confer the honour of knighthood upon charles cottrell , master of the ceremonies , and at the same time put about his neck a gold chain and medal , the mark of his office. date in the evening the heer van dyckvelt had private audience of the king in his bed-chamber . march . of her majesty . . of the queen dowager . . of her royal highness the princess ann of denmark , and . of his royal highness prince george of denmark . date mar. . ordered by his majesty in council , that the money which was collected for the relief of the distressed french protestants , be immediately paid into the chamber of london . date colonel james porter made vice-chamberlain of the king's houshold . date henry lord wardour sworn keeper of the privy seal . date mr. james fitz-iames , the king 's natural son , made duke of berwick , earl of tinmouth , and baron of bosworth . the same day his majesty was pleased to confer the stile and dignity of a marquiss of this kingdom upon the right honourable william earl of powys , by the title of marquis of powys . the lord tho. howard made master of his majesty's robes in the place of arthur herbert esquire . date a proclamation for proroguing the parliament till the . of november . date april . this day was publish'd his majesty's gracious declaration to all his loving subjects for liberty of conscience . date william grant , souldier in captain parson's company , hang'd in covent-garden , for running from his colours . date richard cane , of sir edward hales's regiment , was executed on tower-hill , for running from his colours . order'd a second time by his majesty in council , that the money which has been collected , be paid in for the relief of the french protestants . date his majesty constituted sir robert wright , one of the justices of the king's-bench , lord chief justice of the common-pleas ; and mr. justice powel was thereupon remov'd from the court of common-pleas to the court of king's-bench ; and mr. baron milton from the exchequer to the common-pleas . the same day died his grace george duke of buckingham , at his house in yorkshire . date his majesty thought fit to remove the lord chief justice herbert to the common-pleas , and the lord chief justice wright to the king's-bench : sir francis withens , one of the justices of the king's-bench , having his quietus . date the right honourable the earl of sunderland , lord president of the council , and one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state , was elected knight companion of the garter , a place being vacant by the death of his grace the late duke of buckingham . date the parliament met again at westminster , but was farther prorogued till the . of november next . the same day sir richard allebon , and charles inglesby esq call'd by the king 's writ to be serjeants at law , took their places . the same day also sir rich. allebon was sworn before my lord chancellor , one of the justices of the king's-bench ; and mr. se●jeant powel , one of the barons of the exchequer . date may . a proclamation for encouraging and better establishing the manufacture of white paper in england . date there having been formerly a verdict obtain'd upon an information of barretry , brought against samuel graunt esquire , by several of the pari●hioners of st. dunstan's , whom he had sued for tythes , his majesty upon his humble petition directed mr. attorney-general to consent to a new tryal , which was this day had , and the said samuel graunt acquitted . date his majesty went with the whole court to windsor . the same day the heer van dyckvelt had his audience of leave of the king and queen ; and may of the queen dowager . date the right honourable the earl of sunderland , install'd knight of the most noble order of the garter , in st. george's chapel at windsor . date his grace the duke of berwick took his leave of the king at windsor , and began his journey for hungary , intending to pass the summer in the imperial army ; edward vaudrey esquire , that waits upon his grace , being at the same time knighted . date june . his royal highness prince george of denmark , embarqued with his retinue , on board two of his majesty's yachts , appointed to attend him , in order to their passing to denmark , where he intended to stay about a month. date the holland mail robbed between colchester and harwich . date dr. watson , bishop elect of st. davids , was consecrated by the archbishop of canterbury ; being assisted by the lord bishop of rochester , and the lord bishop of chester , in the chapel of lambeth-house . date captain william phipps , knighted at windsor , for his good service in bringing home a very considerable treasure , after it had lain in the sea years ; he having been presented to the king by his grace the d. of albemarle . date july . a proclamation for dissolving the present parliament . date this day john sparrowe esq received the honour of knighthood at windsor . date his grace the duke of grafton , vice-admiral of england , went from london to the gunfleet , to take the command of his majesty's ships ; with which he was order'd to receive the queen of portugal at rotterdam , and conduct her to lisbon . date a proclamation for preventing the exportation of wool , wool-fells , &c. date there arriv'd at windsor an express from rome , that brought news of the death of the dutchess of modena , the queens mother of england . she died july . in the year of her age , after days sickness . the count de caunitz had his audience of leave of his majesty . date an order for preserving the king's game within miles of hampton-court . date aug. . the count de caunitz had audience of leave of her majesty at windsor ; as he likewise had of her royal highness , the princess of denmark , the th of july . date his royal highness prince george of denmark landed at harwich ; came to london the th after noon ; and went thence immediately for windsor . date the sieur zeulestein , sent from the prince of orange , to make the complements of condoleance in his highness's name upon the death of the late dutchess of modena , had his audience , and audience of leave , of their majesties , the queen dowager , and her royal highness , the princess of denmark , at windsor . date their majesties left windsor , the king going to portsmouth on his progress , and the queen towards the bath . the th his majesty arriv'd at portsmouth : the th about in the evening at bath ; and about an hour after , her majesty arriv'd also at that place . . about five in the afternoon his majesty arriv'd at glocester . . about six in the evening at worcester . . he came to ludlow . . about in the evening to shrewsbury . . to whitchurch . . about in the afternoon to chester . . to holy-well in flintshire . . to newport . . to litchfield . sept. . to coventry . . to banbury . . about in the evening he arriv'd at oxford . . about in the evening at cirencester ; the same day he came to bath , having met with very dutiful acknowledgments in all places where he came . the . their majesties dined at bristol . . the king went to winchester . . he return'd to windsor ; her majesty staying something longer at the bath , having found a benefit by it . date the lord spencer went envoy extraordinary to his highness the duke of modena , to make the complements of condoleance upon the dutchess her death , in their majesties names . the same day , sir francis ratcliffe of dilston in the county of northumberland , baronet , was dignify'd by his majesty with the title of an earl of this kingdom , by the name of baron of t●ndale , viscount ratcliffe and langley , and earl of darwentwater . date sep. . his grace the duke of albemarle set sail from spithead , in order to his voyage for the government of jamaica . date the marquis de torcy , envoy extraordinary from the king of france , had audience of the queen dowager at somerset-house . date don simon de souza de magelhaens , envoy from portugal , had audience of his majesty this day , to notify the consummation of that king's marriage , being conducted by sir charles cottrell , master of the ceremonies . date the marquis de torcy , envoy extraordinary from france , had audience of their royal highnesses prince george , and the princess ann of denmark ; being conducted by sir charles cottrell , master of the ceremonies . date the right honourable roger earl of castlemain , his majesty's late ambassador extraordinary at rome , was sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date oct. . the duke of albemarle set sail from plimouth for his government in the western islands , with several vessels in company . the duke of norfolk , earl marshal of england , &c. first held his court of chivalry in the painted chamber , according to the ancient custom and law of arms. date her majesty returned to windsor in very good health from the bath . date their majesties returned to white-hall with the whole court , from windsor . date the count valsassine , envoy extraordinary from the governor of flanders , had audience of their majesties , to make the complements of condoleance on the death of the late dutchess of modena . their royal highnesses prince george , and the princess ann of denmark , returned from hampton-court to white-hall . date his grace , william duke of hamilton , and sir nicholas butler , one of the commissioners of his majesty's customs , were sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy-council . date the count of valsassine , envoy extraordinary from the governour of flanders , had audience of the queen dowager . the marquis de torcy , envoy extraordinary from france , had his audience of leave this day of his majesty , and of the queen the th . don simon de souza de magelhaens , envoy from portugal , had audience of her majesty . date the marquis de torcy , envoy extraordinary from france , had this day audience of leave of the queen dowager , and the th of their royal highnesses prince george , and the princess ann of denmark . date the count valsassine , envoy extraordinary from the governor of flanders , had audience of his royal highness prince george , as he had yesterday of her royal highness the princess ann of denmark . date his majesty was this day pleased to confer the honour of knighthood on charles carteret , esq date the count de valsassine , envoy extraordinary from the governor of flanders , had his audience of leave of his majesty . date his majesty ( accompanied with his royal highness , prince george of denmark , the pope's nuncio , french ambassador , &c. and attended by the principal officers of the court ) was pleas'd to dine this day at the guild-hall , it being the anniversary festival of the entrance of the new lord mayor upon his office. date his majesty was pleas'd to confer the honour of knighthood upon john bawden , and william ashurst , esquires . finis . a catalogue of books printed and sold by william crooke bookseller , at the sign of the green dragon without temple-bar , nigh the passage into the temple by devereux-court , . divinity . . brevis demonstratio , being the truth of the christian religion , proved by reason , . price bound d. . chillingworth's book , called the protestant religion , a safe way to salvation , made more generally useful with some additions in . price s. d. . the doctrine of passive obedience , delivered in a sermon on the th of january , by i. ellesby vicar of chiswick , . price d. . mr. howel's visitation-sermon before the bishop of chichester , . price d. . dr. hascard's three sermons , one on the fifth of november , the other two before the lord mayors of london , both in . . mr. manningham's six sermons ; one before the lord-mayor , one at st. marie's in oxford , two at the rolls on the th of january , and the th of may , one at hampshire feast , the other at sir john norton's funeral ; in . . a sermon preached at the savoy-church in french , and since printed in french and english , . price bound d. . a modest plea for the clergy , wherein is considered the reasons why the clergy are so contemned and neglected . by l. a. d. d. and dean of litchfield . price s. d. . hugo grotius his catechism , greek , latin , and english , with a praxis of all the greek words therein contained . in . price bound s. . the spirit of prophecy , proving that christ and his apostles were prophets : written by the directions of , and recommended to the press , by the late peter gunning , then lord bishop of ely. in . price s. d. . the king-killing doctrine of the iesuites , in a sincere discourse to the french king : written by a roman catholick . in . price s. . justifying faith ; or the faith by which the just do live , together with the excellency of the common-prayer-book . in . price bound s. . mercy triumphant , or the kingdom of christ enlarged beyond the narrow bounds which have been wont to be set to it . by ed. lane , m. a. and rector of sparshalt . . du moulin's reflections reverberated , being a full answer to the damning doctrine of dr. lewis de moulin : also , a confutation of edmond hickeringill against the ecclesiastical courts . by e. lane , &c. in . s. d. . a discourse about conscience , relating to the present differences among us , in opposition to both extremes of popery and fanaticism . in . price d. . a thanksgiving-sermon for the discovery of the late fanatick plot septemb. . . by john harison , d. d. rector of pulborrow , . . an introduction to the sacrament : or , a short , plain , and safe way to the communion-table , being an instruction for the worthy receiving the lord's supper ; collected for , and familiarly addressed to every particular communicant . by l. addison , d. d. dean of litchfield . to which is added , the communicant's assistant , being a collection of devotions to be used , before , at , and after a continuation of the historian's guide , or , brittain's remembrancer , &c. date n. . the duke of albemarle arrived at barbadoes . date the new grand seignior took upon him the government at constantinople . date dec. a great inundation in ireland . date a proclamation of k. james ii. to prize canaries , to be sold at d . the quart. date tho. shaft● executed at wapping-dock , being condemned by the admiralty . date jan. . the marquess of bedmar , envoy from the king of spain , had audience . a proclamation against pyrats in america . date duke of berwick made governour of portsmouth . date f. . a proclamation against seditious books . date mar. . two proclamations to forbid the english entring into foreign service . date the commissioners sate at chelmsford to enquire after money levyed on dissenters . date the duke of grafton arrived in the downs . date exeter new charter brought down by the mayor . date apr. . a proclamation against exporting of wool , &c. date may . an order of council , signed by the clerk of the council , for ordering the king's declaration of tolleration to be read in churches on the th and th instant , being sundays . date the king went to chatham . date chester mail robbed nigh coventry . date captain froud arrived at plymouth from the west-indies . date the seir de lente , envoy from the king of denmark , had his audience of congé . date jun. . the archbishop of canterbury , and six bishops more , committed to the tower for petitioning the king not to reade the declaration of toleration in churches . date sir roger strickland with sail of men of war in the downs . date the archbishop of canterbury , bishops of st. asaph , ely , chichester , bath and wells , peterborough , and bristoll , were brought to the king's-bench bar , from the tower , ( where they were sent the th . ) and arraigned , tryed , and acquitted the th of may , instant . prince and princess of denmark came from the bath . date appointed a day of thanksgiving for the birth of the prince of wales , that was said to be born on trinity sunday , about of the clock in the morning . naples almost ruined by an earthquake . date seignior garstorf , envoy from the king of denmark , had audience . date marquess cattaneo , envoy from the duke of modena , had audience . seignior zeuglestin , envoy from the prince of orange , had audience . date a call of sergeants , viz. w. leffant , iohn rotheram , v. denn , sol. lovell , sir h. chancy , w. moses , h. t●inder , h. fuller , and w. tomson . date tho. jifford , mayor of exeter , knighted . date july . the lord mayor , and court of aldermen , went to kiss the hand of the young prince of wales , the recorder did present the marchioness of powis , his governerness , with a purse of gold. thomas elmes , esq knighted . date fire-works on the thames , for the birth of the prince of wales . date james , duke of ormond , dyed in the th year of his age , at kingston-hall in dorsetshire . date the king and queen went to windsor , and went the third of august to richmond , and on the ninth to whitehall . date aug. . the new charter was brought to newcastle upon tyne . date samuel gerrard , esq knighted . the mayor of scarbrough tossed in a blanket by a captain that quartered in the town . judge allybone dyed . date sep. . sir robert vyner dyed . date sir john shorter , lord mayor of london , dyed , and was buried the th at st. saviour's in southwark . date belgrade taken by storm by the german forces . date sir john eyles sworn lord mayor of london . date countess-dowager of feversham dyed at tunbridge . date lieutenant coll. beaumont , captain paston , and four captains of the d. of berwick's regiment , 〈◊〉 at a council of war at windsor cashier'd for not admitting of irishmen into their companies . date tho. lane , of st. lawrence lane , knighted . date prince and princess of denmark came from tunbridge . coll. bevile skelton , esq sent to the tower. date the king came from windsor to whitehall . date he went to chatham . date the queen and prince of wales came from windsor to whitehall . date the king's declaration about the parliament . sir tho. fitch , that made fleet-ditch , was buried at eltham . date came out the french king 's memorials against the pope , and against the emperour . date the king's proclamation came out against the dutch , and the same day came out the king 's general pardon . date the bishop of london was restored . date octob. . the charter of london restored by the lord chancellour , and sir w. pritchard desired to take the chair , but he refused it : the same day the general pardon came out again with alterations . date sir i. chapman sworn lord mayor of lond. date the prince of wales named at st. james's chapel , james-francis-edward . date a proclamation , and an order of council , came out , for restoring of charters , liberties , rights , and franchises to all corporations . the earl of derby made lord lieutenant of cheshire and lancashire . date the prince of orange set sail with capital men of war , ▪ smaller , fire ships , fly boats , pinks , &c. for england , but by a storm that night was driven back again . date the birth of the prince of wales was examined before the privy council . date the earl of sunderland put out of the council and secretary of state. date the lord viscount preston made secretary , &c. in his room . date nov. . the prince of orange set sail with the fleet that he had put out on the th of octob. with about small ships more than was then , so here was . date a proclamation against the prince of orange's manifesto . date the dutch fleet sailed by dover , and lost a small vessel of about men . date the prince of orange landed at torbay , nigh dartmouth , in devon , with the dutch army , about men . date the lord lovelace , and thirteen of his party , were taken at cyrencester , as they were going to the prince of orange . date dr. lamplugh , bishop of exeter , having lost exeter on the prince of orange's coming , came up to london , and k. james made him archbishop of york . date eighteen lords spiritual and temporal petition k. james for a parliament . date the king went to windsor in order to his journey to sarum . date k. james came from sarum to whitehall . coll. bevile skelton made lieutenant of the tower. date an order by k. james for a parliament to sit jan. . the french king's ordinance for a war with the dutch came out . date dec. . dyed at st. james's the countess dowager of ossory . date a false allarm of an irish massacre in and about london , which allarm spread over all england . the rabble up in several places for several days , pulling down mass houses , and papist's houses ; ( among others , ) great mischief done to the spanish ambassadour's : it ceased decemb . . the lord chancellour jeffreys taken in wapping , and sent prisoner to the tower of london . date the lords publish an order to keep london and middlesex quiet . the lords and citizens waited on the prince of orange at henley with an address . k. james stopped in a smack nigh feversham in kent ; with him , the earl of peterborough , sir ed. hales , &c. four coaches were sent for him , and on the th he came to whitehall ; on the th he left whitehall , and went to sir richard head's , nigh rochester ; on the d he withdrew for france . date the prince of orange came to windsor . the duke of grafton assaulted in the strand at the head of his regiment : the person shot dead that assaulted him . the lords publish an order for the quieting of the irish. date the prince of orange came to st. james's , and his forces to london . date the prince of orange visited the queen dowager at sommerset-house , and this day the prince and princess of denmark came to whitehall . date the aldermen and citizens of london waited on the prince of orange at st. james's . date the prince of orange published an order to return the arms into the publik store , and an order about quartering of soldiers . date the lords spiritual and temporal assembled at westminster , and ordered f. guine , esq to sign such orders as were made by them . date the prince of orange ordered the french ambassadour to leave england . date the peers present to the pr. of orange two addresses ; the first , of thanks , &c. and to desire his highness to accept the government till jan. . next ; the second , to issue out letters to the coroners to chuse convention-men , to sit jan. . date the aldermen and citizens of london agreed to the said address . date the prince of orange gave his answer to the said addresses . date the prince of orange put out his declaration , authorising sheriffs , justices , &c. to act ; the same day his highness received the sacrament at st. james's by the hands of the bishop of london . date jan. . the prince of orange published a declaration for the better collecting the revenue . date the lord dartmouth with the fleet came into the downs . date the prince of orange published an order for regular election of convention-men . the sedgmore frigot lost nigh plymouth . date dr. seth ward , bishop of sarum , dyed . date coll. john darcy , heir to the earl of holderness , dyed . date james howard , earl of suffolk , dyed . the prince of orange published a declaration for quartering of soldiers . date the countess of huntingdon was carried through london in order to her interrment . date scotland address the prince of orange to take their government upon him till march next . date the prince of orange's declaration for paying the seamen . date the prince of orange's order for paying and keeping the soldiers in order . date the convention met at westminster ; the marquess of hallifax made speaker of the lords house , and mr. powle of the commons : then they desired the prince of orange to take on him the administration of the government for a farther time ; also , ordered that a thanksgiving-day be kept jan. . at london , &c. and feb. . in all england . the prince of orange sent a letter to the house of lords about settling the government . date feb. . the order to forbid feb. . to be kept a thanksgiving-day . a great number of people go to westminster to desire the convention to crown the prince and princess of orange . date the lord mayor published an order to prevent the tumultuous meeting at westminster . date the prince of orange's proclamation to prevent the abuses in forests . date the lords in the convention agreed with the commons , that the throne was vacant , and that the prince and princess of orange ought to be king and queen , date the princess of orange landed at white-hall . date the prince and princess of orange proclaimed king and queen of england , france , and ireland , by the name of william and mary , at london ; on the th at rippon , beverly , lancaster , hartford , ware , royston , baldock , tri●● , st. albanes , stamford , alesbury , wendover , chesham , beaconsfield , rewsborrow , colebrook , burnham , ivingo , marlo , &c. the th at bath , cardigan , &c. the d at york , taunton , &c. march . at bridgewater , bristoll , &c. the th at sandwich , &c. date k. william put out a proclamation for the collecting of the revenue to continue as in december last . date k. william's order in council for alteration of the royal family's names in the common-prayer . date k. william made a speech to the lords and commons at westminster . date the bishop of london , and the clergy of the city , waited on k. william at white-hall . date k. william's declaration to order the irish to lay down their arms by april following . date k. william signed the act for the sitting , of the parliament , and after , the king and queen went to hampton-court . date sir john read's house was robbed at bracket-hall in hartfordshire . date a proclamation for the discovery of mr. brent . another for bringing in arms imbezelled . date mar. . serj. maynard , serj. rawlinson , and sir anthony keck , are made commissioners of the great seal of england . henry pollexfen , esq attorney general . sir geo. tre●y , sollicitor general . lord willoughby , chancellour of the dutchy . lord lovelace , captain of the band of pensioners . lord lucas , chief governour of the tower of london . date the earl of sandwich his funeral . date william harbord , esq sworn of the privy-council . the brandenburghs got a victory over the french at nuis . the lords and commons present an address to stand by k. william with their lives and fortunes . k. william desires their care of the dutch , ireland , and the fleet. arthur herbert , esq john earl of carbury , sir michael wharton , bart. sir tho. lee , bart. sir john chichesly , sir john lowther , bart. of white-haven , and william sacheveril , esq commissioners for the admiralty . date mar. . dr. gilbert burnet elected bishop of sarum , ( in the place of dr. s. ward , deceased ) and consecrated at fulham , by the bishops of london , winchester , lincoln , landaff , st. asaph , and carlile . date the city of london made an address to k. william . charles sedly , esq of southfleet , in kent , knighted . k. james ii. arrived at kingsale in ireland , and on the th entred dublin on horseback , and the next day published three proclamations . date k. william made a speech in the house of lords , and passed two acts. the parliament addressed the king to put his proclamation out against the soldiers that disserted . the sheriffs of all counties of england were appointed by k. william . a proclamation for crowning k. william and q. mary , and proclaimed at london on the th , for the coronation to be on the th of april next . the convention of scotland met , and chose duke hamilton speaker , and on the d sent their answer to k. william's letter , by the lord rosse . date sir john chapman , lord mayor of london dyed . date sir john berry came into the downs with a squadron of men of war. date the lord lieutenants of all the counties of england appointed by k. william . date alderman pilkington chose lord mayor of london for the remainder of the year . k. william signed the act for a present aid of l. date mar. . the lord coo● made treasurer and receiver general to q. mary . date being easter day , sir geo. lockhart was shot dead as he came from church at edenburgh ; he was lord president of the sessions of scotland . date apr. . a proclamation for bringing in of arms. date the convocation of scotland voted the throne vacant ; and on the th , voted to settle the crown on k. william and q. mary ; and on the th proclaimed them , and declared against bishops , and made a new oath of allegiance to k. william and q. mary . date k. william passed three acts of parliament at westminster . coll. cunningham and coll. richards shipt their regiments at liverpool , in lancashire , for ireland . duke frederick mareschal de schomberg , and william earl of devonshire , made knights of the garter ; dr. burnet , bishop of sarum , sworn chancellour of that order . date king william's declaration to secure all soldiers of english pay , though sent beyond seas . date the duke of ormond installed knight of the garter . admiral herbert sailed with his fleet from spithead . date monsr . d'avaux , the french ambassadour , made his publick entrance into dublin , and had his audience of k. james ii. at the castle . date the irish beat by a sally made by the protestants out of colerain . charles , viscount mordant , ( since earl of monmouth , ) henry lord de la mere , sidney lord godolphin , sir hen. capell , rich. hambden , sen. esq made commissioners of the treasury . date jonathan , lord bishop of bristol , elected bishop of exeter . k. william passed the act for the coronation oath , and acts more , dyed at rome queen christiana of sweedland . date prince george of denmark made baron of ockingham , earl of kendale , and duke of cumberland . the marquess of winchester made duke of bolton . william bentinek , esq made baron of cyrencester , viscount woodstock , and earl of portland . viscount faulconberg made earl of faulconberg . viscount mordant made earl of monmouth . lord mountague made viscount mounthermer , and earl of mountague . lord churchill made earl of marlborough . henry sidney , esq made baron milton , viscount sidney , of sheppy in kent . lord lumley made viscount lumley of lumley-castle in durham . lord cholmondly made baron of cholmondly , of wich malbanch , alias nantwich , in cheshire . tho. pilkington , esq lord mayor of london , knighted . sir geo. hewit made baron of james-town , and viscount goran in ireland . date k. william and q. mary crowned at westminster , by the bishop of london , and the day kept with great ceremony in most of the chief towns in england . date the house of commons walked on foot from westminster to white-hall , to congratulate their majesties on their coronations . date admiral herbert arrived at kingsale , in ireland . date george jeffereys , baron of wemm , and late lord chancellour of england , dved in the tower of london , and was buried in the tower privately the sunday night following , by an order his relations got from k. william . the sieur de schmittan , envoy extraordinary from the duke of brandenburgh had audience of the king and queen , at hampton-court . date george booth , esq sir richard temple , sir john worden , sir robert southwell , sir robert clayton , sir patience ward , made commissioners of the customs . date the lords address to k. william to support the church of england , and to call a convocation . sir henry fane , sir hen. ashurst , sir hum. edwin , tho. frankland , esq fran. parry , esq john danvers , esq and john wilcox , iun. esq made commissioners for the excise . date the earl of danby made marquess of caermarthen . k. william passed six acts of parliament . date an address of the house of commons to k william , for a war with france , and the king's answer to it . the baron de schutz , envoy extraordinary from the dukes of lunenburgh , &c. had audience of their majesties at hampton-court . two proclamations came out , . to incourage french protestants . . for prohibiting french goods . the estates of scotland named the earl of argyle , sir james montgomery , and sir john dalrimple , to go commissiones for england , to offer the crown of scotland . to k. william and q. mary , which was done accordingly , on the th of may , in great solemnity , in the banqueting house at whitehall , to which place the commissioners came by post. date arrived at portsmouth the wolf , from virginia , having on board the lord howard of effingham , governour of virginia . date k. william put out two proclamations for prohibiting seamen to serve foreign princes , &c. date may . k. william passed at westminster the poll act , and two more . a fight betwixt admiral herbert and the french at bantry bay in the n. w. of ireland . date the estates of scotland adjourned to the st instant . date a call of serjeants , viz. sir hen. pollexfen , nich. lechmore , tho. rookesby , iohn thurburn , will. wogan , will. pawlet , nath. bond , gyles eyres , hen. hatsell , iohn blencow , peyton ventris , iohn powell , roger bellwood , iohn tremain , iohn trenchard , and john turton , esqs ; the same day the judges were constituted , viz. sir john holt , ch. just. sir w. dolben , sir w. gregory , and gyles eyres , esq of the king 's . bench ; sir henry ●ollexsen , ch. just. sir john powell , tho rookeshy , and peyton ventris , esqs ; of the common pleas ; sir robert atkinson , ch. b●ron , sir ed. nevile , nich. lechmore , and john turton , esqs ; of the exchequer . john trenchard , esq ch. just. of chester . sir geo. treby , attorney general . john summers , esq sollicitor general . date the plate fleet arrived in the downs , richly laden . date a declaration of war against france came out . a proclamation against a libell called the history of the convention , offering l . reward to discover author or printer . date the thanksgiving-day was kept in scotland for their deliverance from popery and slavery . date k. william gave his royal assent to five acts at westminster . date a proclamation for appointing commissioners for the poll act , and another to prevent false musters . date k. william came to portsmouth , and on board the elizabeth frigot dined with admiral herbert , where he declared his royal intention to make admiral herbert an earl ; and there knighted capt. john ashby , and capt. clowdes . shovell , and the king returned that evening to hampton-court , after giving l . amongst the wounded , &c. seamen . a great sally by the protestants at londonderry , with success . george lord me●●ill made sole secretary of state in scotland . frederick count de schomberg made general of all his majesty's forces , master general of the ordinance , and of his majesty's privy council , baron of t●ys , earl of brantford , marquess of harwich , and duke of schomberg . date about seamen came voluntiers from norwich to serve his majesty , and about more went by land to portsmouth on the same account . robert casor , master of the advice , a cole ship , beat two french prizes . date sir robert wright , late lord chief justice , dyed in newgate . date the assistence frigot came into plymouth with the body of the late duke of albemarle . date k. william's declaration , with an order of council , for encouraging seamen . k. william's proclamation for a fast to be kept about london , on the fifth of june , on the th all england over . date k. william gave his royal assent to the act for toleration of dissenters , and two acts more . the estates of scotland read k. william's letter to make them a convention , which they acccepted with thanks , and adjourned to june . and ordered all their members to meet then . date the heer 's engelenburg , witsen , odyck , citters , and dyckvelt , ambassadours extraordinary from holland , made their publick entrance , and on the th had their publick audience at the banquetting house at whitehall . date k. william gave his royal assent to two acts of parliament . vice-admiral almonde arrived at portsmouth with part of the dutch fleet. the scanderoon fleet came to plymouth . date may . the dutchess of albemarle arrived at plymouth , from jamaica . the duke of somerset was installed chancellour of cambridge , at northumberland hou●e in the strand . date major general kirke set sail from high-lake , nigh leverpole , with his forces for london-derry . date june . admiral herbert created earl of torrington , and baron herbert of torbay . date the assistant frigat with fourteen merchant men from the west-indies , came into the downs . john ashburnham esq created baron ashburnham of ashburn-hall in sussex . the dutch ambassadours had audience . date the dutch fleet of thirty capital ships came to the spit-head . date edward mosely , esq of lancashire knighted . date edinburgh castle deliverd up , by the duke of gourdon . date his majesty set sail from the spit-head . date london-derry made another advantageous sally . major general kirke came to the lough before london-derry . date the fortress of keyseawreart surrendered by the french to the duke of brandenburgh . date above eighty of the clergy of london went in a body to take the oaths at westminster-hall . the parliament of scotland met , and passed an act to ascertain king william's authority . date king william went to the parliament at westminster , and passed ten acts. date king william's proclamation to offer one hundred pound to discover either sir adam blair , or doctor robert grey , for dispersing king james's declaration . date john studer was executed at kingston for deserting his majesty's service . date king william went to the house of lords and made a speech to the parliament . date king of sweden's envoy had audience . date july . an act passed in scotland to take away the supremacy over ecclesiastical affairs . date james ermendenger made master of their majesties hand-guns . a plot discovered to have fired edinburgh , and to have destroyed the estates , on the eight instant , on which discovery about forty persons were secured . date the earl of pembroke had audience of the states of holland . date there landed from three french men of war about eight hundred irish in argile-shire in scotland , from carrick fergus . date king william called by writ to sit as barons in the house of lords , charles lord dursley , and robert lord viscount lisle , who took their places . the protestants at inniskilling by a sally beat a convoy of four hundred , and took two firkins of money , and fifteen waggons of ammunition and provisions . date a proclamation to offer ten pound to discover any high-way man. robert serle esq appointed to be consul of leghorne . date duke schomberg left white-hall in order to his journey to chester , towards his relief of ireland . date duke schomberg came to chester , being received with great respect , next day viewed the ground where the camp was to be . date a french man of war brought in as a prize to plymouth , which came from ireland . date the act for abolishing the episcopacy in scotland , was touched with the sceptre . date the spanish ambassadour had his publick audience . date about four of the clock in the morning her royal highness princess anne of denmark was brought to bed of a son , and on the twenty seventh was christen'd by the name of william , by the bishop of london at hampton court , where his majesty declared him duke of glocester . date king william passed nine acts of parliament . date came out a proclamation against exporting of salt petre. date martin wiscomb made consul of cadiz , and saint maries . london-derry in ireland was relieved after it was brought to that extremity , that five hundred ninety one bombs had been shot into the town , and six thousand dyed for want of provisions , and five thousand fighting men left in it ; the same night the duke of berwick with king james's forces raised the siege , and went away burning all places they left behind . date aug. . a great fight in scotland betwixt general mackay , and the lord dundee , where the latter was killed . date the parliament of scotland adjourned to the eighth of october . pope innocent xi . dyed in the th year of his age , and was the sixth buried at saint peter's church at rome , after he had lain three days in the church for publick view . date the earl of torrington with the fleet nigh the isle of silly , designed for the coast of ireland . date four ships went with provisions from highlake to london-derry . date launceston in cornwall , did present an address to king william , being the first of any county of england . date duke schomberg set sail from highlake , and on the thirteenth landed at bangor ( in the north of ireland ) with the english forces . date a fight betwixt prince waldeck , with the english , and dutch forces , and mareschal d'humieres with the french , where near two thousand of the latter were killed . date the fight at dunkell in scotland . date william forester , and james forbes , esqs ; and clerks of the green-cloth , were knighted at hampton court. date francis blake of ford castle , knighted at hampton court. date carrick fergus in ireland surrendred to duke schomberg after four days siege . the north male robbed nigh newington ; in middlesex . date mr. walker , late governour of london-derry , waited on their majesties at hampton court , where the king presented him five thousand pound as a reward . the earl of levins is made governour of edinburgh castle . the earl of torrington with the fleet at torbay . date aug. . mr. walker late governour of london-derry , waited on king william at hampton court , and presented an address . date sept. . the chester male robbed betwixt highgate , and whe●stone . date a proclamation authorizing commissioners for the act of d. in the pound . date duke hamilton sworn of his majesty's privy council at white-hall . date edward smith esq appointed consul for the canary islands . date the east-land fleet of sail passed by weymouth . date parliament met and adjourned to october the th following . date the dutch ambassadours had their audience of leave . date sir john holt , lord chief justice of england , sworn of the privy council . date sir thomas pilkington continued lord mayor of london for the ensuing year . the king left white-hall towards his journey for new-market . date octo. . the fleet under the earl of torrington sailed out of torbay to the spit-head . date a proclamation to preserve the new river water . the university of cambridge waited on king william at new-market . the king din'd at new-market . date bonn taken by the duke of brandenburgh after days being blocked up , and days close siege . date date king william returned from cambridge , and new-market to hampton-court . date doctor stillingfleet , bishop of worcester , doctor patrick , bishop of chichester , doctor ironside bishop of bristol , were consecrated at the bishop of london's chapel at fulham , by the bishop of london , bishop of st. asaph , and bishop of rochester . date the parliament met at westminster , where king william made a speech to them . date queen of portugal was brought to bed of a son. date was kept in london by the irish protestants the anniversary for the deliverance from the massacre in . date king william was made free of the grocers company , and on the presenting his freedom ralph box esq was knighted . date sir george davis made consul of naples . date nov. . richard lord coot made earl of earles of bellomont in ireland . date was brought into falmouth a french vessel taken going to ireland , with armes , and powder , and officers . date a fleet of eighty sail with six thousand foot , and one thousand horse on board of danes , sailed by hull for scotland . date envoy from spanish flanders had his audience . date thomas kirke esq made consul of genoua . the danish forces arrived at hull . date a proclamation offering l. for apprehending of edmund ludlow . date lambert blackwell esq made consul of leghorne . date walter doleman esq made consul of alicant in spain . date an order of the lord mayor and aldermen offering l. to discover the person that offered an indignity to king william's picture in guild-hall . date dec. . thomas papillion , simon ma●ne , iohn agur , humphrey ayles , and james how were appointed commissioners for the victualing their majesties navy . finis . a table of persons , places , and things , &c. mentioned in the historians guide , &c. to this little book an alphabetical table was wanting : to prevent the swelling of the book , all contracting possible was to be used ; so that you have often but one word for place , and person ; and sometimes by name , othertimes by title : in the main i hope it will be usefull . a abbington , , . abbot , , . acts of parliament , , , , , , , , . adderton heath . . address , , , , , , . admiral , . admiral herbert , , , , , . admiral almonde , . admiralty , , , , . agur , . st. alban's , , , , . albemarle , , , , , , , , , , , , . aldermen , , . aldern , . aldgate , . alford , . alisbury , . allarm , . allegiance , , . allen , , , . allington , . allum , . allybone , . ambassadours , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . amboyna , . america , , . andrews , , . anglesey , . anjou , . annasophia , . queen anne , . l. anne , , , , , . anstruther , . appleby , . appleford , . apprentices , , , . l. arrabella , . argier , , , , , , , , , , , , . arlington , , , , . argyle , , , , , , , . argyle-shire , . armagh , . armin , . arminian , . arms , . armstrong , . army , , , , , , , , . arnold , . arthur , . artillery , , , , . arundel , , , , , , , . ascough , , . ashburnham , . ashby , . ashenden , . ashurst , . astly , . aston , . atkins , . attorney gen. , . aubig●ey , , . auburn , . ayles , . b. bacon , , . bail , , , ib. banbury , , , . bantam , , , , . bantry-bay , . barbadoes , , , ● . barbary , . barbones parliament , . barnardiston , . barnstable , , . basing , , . basing-house , . basset , . bastwick , , . bateman , . bath , , , , . bawden , . baxter , . beaufort , , , . beaumont , . beddingfield , . bedford , , . bedlow , , , , . beeston , , . belgrade , . bellasis , , , . bellingham , . belvoir , , . bennet , , . ber●ly , . berkley , , , , . berkshire , . berry , , , , . berty , . berwick , , , , , , , . best , . bethel , . beverley , , . bible engl. , . biddleford , . ●●●hops , , , , , , . . bisse , . black-friars , . black rod , , . blake , , . blazing-star , . blackwell , . blood , , . bodman , . bodwin , . bohemia , , , , . bolton , , , . bon●●ires , , . bonne , . booth , , . bowes , . box , . boyce , . brabant , . brackethall , . braddon , . bradford , . bradshaw , , , . bramhall , . brandenburgh , , . brandford , , . brandon , , , . bredah , , , , , . brent , . brereton , . brest , . bridgewater , , , . brill , . bristol , , , , , , , , , , . britain , , . british seas , . brook , , . brown , . bruges , . buccaniers , . buckingham , , , , , , , , , . buckle , . budah , . bulstrode , . burford , , . burleigh , , . burlington , . burnett , , . burningham , . burton , , , . bushel , . butler , , , . byron , , . c cadiz , , . caermarthen , . calvert , . cambrey , . cambridge , , , , , , , , , , . canary , . canterbury , . capel , , . cards , . care , . carey , , . cargile , . carickfergus , . carisbroke , . carlisle , , . carnarvan , , . carr , , , ● , . carribee , . carteret , , , . cartwright , . casor , . castell , . castlehaven , . castlemain , , , ● , . q. catharine , , . l. catharine , . catharine laura , . cavendish , . caversham , . cawdron , . celier , , , , , chalgrove , . chaloner , . chapel windsor , . chapman , , . k. charles i. , , , . k. charles ii. , , , . pr. charles-james , , . pr. charles , , , , , , , , , , . royal charles , . charleton , . charlotte mary , . charter , , , ● , , , , , . charter-house , . chatham , , , , . chatwell , . cheapside , . chelsey-college , . chepstow , . chester , , , ● . chesterfield , . chichester , . k's children , . chinner , . chipping-norton , . cholmondley , , . christ-church , . christian , . sr. christophers , . churchill , , . cirencester , , , . clarendon , , , , , , , , . clark , clayton , . cleaveland , . clergy of lond. , . clerk , . clifford , , , , . cobham , . coffee-house , . c●in new , . colchester , , . coleman , , . colerain , . colledge , , , . college jesuits , . cologne , . comet , , , . commissioners , , , , , , , . common-pleas , . commons , , common-prayer , . commotions about church ceremonies , . coude , . condon , . coningsmark , . consecration , . convention , , . convention-men , , . convocation , , . conway , , . coot , , . copredy , . corse , . cornish , , , cornwallis , . coronation , , . corporation , , cotterell , , . cotton , . covenant , , , . covenanters , . covent-garden , . coventry , , , , , , . council , , . privy-council , , , , . council of peers , . council of state , . courland , . court , , . h. court of justice , . court officers , . cowley , . craven , . creation of honours , . crew , . cromwell , , , . crown , . culpeper , . cumberland , . cunningham , . curtis , , . cuttings , . cutler , . d. dalrimple , . danby , , , , , , . danes , . dangerfield , , , . daniel , . danvors , . darcy , . dare , , . dartmouth , , , , . dashwood , . st. david , . davis , , . dawson , . dean , , , , . deans , &c. . declaration , , , , , , , , . deering , . d'estrees , , . defiance , . delamere , , . denbigh , , . denmark , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . dennington , , . derby , , . de roche , . desborough , , . devises , . devonshire , . de wi●t , . digby , . diggs , . disnie , . doleman , . doncaster , , . don john , . dorchester , , , dorislaus , . dorset , . dover , , . dover cliff , . douglas , . downs , , , . downing , , . drapers-hall , . drummond , . dryden , . dublin , , , . du bois , . dugdale , , . dudley , . dunbar , . duncomb , , . dundee , . dunkell , . dunkirk , , , . dunster , . duppa , . duras , . durham , , , . dursley , . dutch , , , . dutch-fight , . duttoncolt , . du vall , . e. earl marshal , . earthquake , . east-india , , , , , , . edes , . edgar , , . edgcomb mount , . edghill , . edinburgh , , , , , , , , , . effingham , . elizabeth , . q. eliz. . l. eliz. . pr. eliz. . elliot , , . ellis , , . elmes , . emperour , , , . episcop●cy , . ermendenger , . essex , , , , , , , , , , , , . estates scotland , , . evertson , . euston , . exchange , , , , , . exchequer , , . excise , , . ex●r●r , , , , , , , , . eyles , . f. fairfax , , , , , . falmouth , . fanshaw , . farnham , . farrington , , . fast , . faulconberg , , . ferdinando , . fetherstonhaugh , . feversham , , , , . fienes , . fight , . finsh , , . fire , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . fire-works , . fish great , . fishing , . fishmonger , . fitch , . fitzharding , . fitzharris , , , , , . flanders , . fleer , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . fleetwood , . florencce , . fly , . forbes , . forester , . foulk , . fox , . foy , . france , , , , , , , . freedom , . freeman , . french , , , , , , , , , , , . french k. . friars , . frost , . froud , . g. gadbury , , , . gage , , . gainsborough , , . gallaway , . game , . garrisons , . garter , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . gascoign , , . gauden , . gaunt , . gayland , . germany , . gerrard , , , . ghent , . gibbons , . gibbs , . giles , , , , . glascock , . glemham , . glocester , , , , , , . godfrey , . godolphin , , . godstow , . goodenough , , . goods prohib . . goran , . goring , , . gowry , . grana , , . grand seignior , . grafton , , , , , , , , , . grant , . grantham , , . gravesend , . gray , , . great seal , , . greenvill , . greenwich , , . gregory , . greencloth , ● . grocers-hall , . guernsey , . guild-hall , , , . guilford , . guinne , , . guinney , . gunfleet , , . guns , . h. hague , . haines , . hales , . halifax , , , , . hambden , , , , . hamilton , , , , , . hamilton hill , , , . hampton-court , , . hanover , , . harboard , . harcourt , . harman , , . harris , . hartfordshire , . harvey , , . harwich , , . hatton , . hawarden , . hawkers , . head , . st. hellens , , . henrietta , , , , . pr. henry , , . herbert , , , , . hereford , , . hertford , , . hewit , , . hewson , . hide , , . hide-park , . highway , , . highway-men , , . highworth , . hill , . holderness , . holland , , , , , , , , . hollaway , , , . hollis , , , , , . holmby , . holmes , , , , , , . holstein , . holt , . hone , . hopton , , , . mr. of the horse , . hotham , , , , . howard , , , , , , . howell , . howley , . hull , . hungarford , . hungary , . huntington , , , , . huntley , . hurst , . i. jamaica , , , . james , . k. james , i. , , , , , , . k. james , ii. , , . royal james , . st. james's , , . jeffereys , , , , , , , , , . jenkins , , , . jenner , . jerison , . jersey , . jesuits , , , , , , , , . jifford , . indempnity , . ingolsby , . inniskilling , . inns of court , . inundation , . johnson , , . joice , . jones , . jordan , . ipre , . ipswich , , . ireland , , , , , , , , , . irish , , , . ironside , . isabella , . isis , . isle of wight , , . judges , , , , , , , , , . julian , . juxon , , . k. keck , . keeling , . kelsey , . kendall , , . kennedy , . kent , . keysearweart , . king , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . doctor king , . kingsale , . king's-bench , , . kingstone , . kirk , , , . knight , , , . kniveton , . l. lamb , . lambert , , , . lampleugh , . landsdown , . landsdown-hill , . lane , . langdale , , . langhorn , , , , , . langport , . lapely , . latham , . latimer , . laud , , , . lauderdale , , , , . launceston , , . lawson , , . lee , . leeds , . legate , . legg , , , . leicester , , . leighton , , . lenox , . lenthall , . lesly , . lesthithiel , . l'estrange , , , . letter , , , . k's letter , . levins , , , . levison , . libellers , . liberty of conscience , . lord lieutenants , . lilbourn , , . lime , . linch , , . lincoln , . lindsey , , , , , . lisbon , . lisle , , , . litchfield , , , , . littleton , , , . liverpool , . lizzard , . lockhart , . lockier , . london , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . bishop london , . loyal london , . london-bridge , . london-derry , , , , . longford , . lords , , , , , , , . lorrain , . lort , . love , . lovelace , . lowdon , . lucas , , . ludlow , , . lumley , , ● . lynne , ● . lynne regis , . m. macclesfield , . macmahone , . macquire , . maldenhead , . maidstone , ● . maile , , , , , . malbanch , . malmsbury , . man , . manchester , , . manifesto , . mansfield , . marches of wales , , . mardike , . marlborough , , , , . marriage , , . martins-fort , . marston , . marston-moor , . mary , , , , . q. mary , , , , , . pr. mary , . lady mary , . massacre , , . massey , . pr. maurice , , , ● . may , . maynard , , . mayor , , , , , , , , . mazarine , . meclenburgh , . melvill , . members five , . memorials , . mere , . messina , . mew , . st. michael , . st. michael's mount , . middleton , , , . militia , . millenaries , . milton , . mings , , , , . modena , , , . monday , , , . monk , , , . monmouth , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . mons , . montague , , , , ▪ montgomery , . montross , , , , , . moor , , , , , . moorfields , . moorlanders , . mordant , , , . morland , . morley , , . morocco , , , , , . morton-henmarsh , . moseley , . mount edgcomb , . mounthermer , . mulgrave , , , , , , . munster , . musgrave , . n. napier , . n●ples , . 〈◊〉 , ● . 〈◊〉 , . 〈◊〉 ● . 〈◊〉 , . 〈◊〉 , , ●● . nevill , . newark , , , , . newberry , , , . new-castle , , , , , . new-england , . newgate , . new market , , . newport , , , , . news , . nicholas , . nimeguen , , . noel , . nonconformists , , , . nonsuch , , , . norfolk , , . north , , , , , , , . northampton , . northumberland , . north-west-passage , . norway , . norwich , , . nottingham , , , , , , . noy , . nuncio , . o. oath , , . oatland , ● . oates , , , , , , , , , , , , , . oates-men , . ockingham , . office kingly , . ogle , ● . old-baily , , , , , , , . st. omers , . pr. orange , , , , , , , , , , , , . order , ● , , , , , , . ordinance , . orleance , . ormond , ● , , , , , , , , , , . osl●rn , , , . ossory , , , , , , . overbury , . oughtred , . owen , . oxford , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . oxly , . p. packer , . packet-boat , . padbury , . pr. palatine , , , , , , . pamphlet , , , , , , , , , , , . paper , . papillion , , . papists , , , , . pardon , , , . paris , . parliament , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , parma , , . parre , . paston , . patrick , . st. patrick , . st. paul's , . payton , , , , , , . peak , . pedlars , , . peirce , . pemberton , , . pembroke , , , . pen , , . pendennis , . pennington , . penny-post , . penruddock , . pensioners , . pepys , , , . peterborough , , , , , , . petition , , , , , , . petitioners , . pett , , . philipsburgh , . phipps , . picture , . pilkington , , , ● ▪ pitcher , . plague , , , , , . plate-fleet , . player , . play-house , ● . plimouth , , , , , , , . plot , , , , , , , , , . poland , , . pollexfen , . pontefract , , , , . pope , , , , . portland , , , , . portsmouth , , , , , , . portugal , , , , , , . post-office , , . powle , . powys , , , . poyer , . prance , , , . president , . preston , , . prin , , . prince , . pritchard , , , . privy-seal , , . prizes french , , . proclamation , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . protestation , . purbeck , . purse , . pyrates , . q. queen , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . queen-mother , . q. dowager , . q. mary , , . q. christiana , . r. rabble , . radcliff , . radley , . radnor , , , . ragland , . rainsborough , . 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turbervile , , . turkey , , . turner , , , , . tuscany , . tweddell , . twine , . tyburn , , , , , , , . v. valentiennes , . vane , , . venetians , . venice , . venner , . vere , . vernatti , . vienna , , . villiers , . viner , , . virginia , , , , . vi●onne , . voluntiers , . votes , . vratz , , . usher , . utbert , . uxbridge , . w. wakefield , , . wakeman , , . walcot , , . wales , , , , . waller , , , , , . wallingford , . war , , . warcup , . ward , . warder , . warder castle , . warspight , . warwick , . wentworth , . west , ● . west-india , , . westminster , , . weston , . weymouth , . whitaker , , , , . whitehall , . whitfield , . wiche , , . wightman , . wildman , . k. william , , , , , , . williams , , , . williamson , , . willoughby , , . wilmore , , . wilson , . winchelsea , . winchester , . wind , . windebank , , , . windsor , , , , , , . windsor chapel , . wine , . winton , . wiscomb , . witherley , . witness , , , . wood , . woodmongers , . woodstock , , . wool , . woolcards , . woollen , . worchester , , , , . wormleyton , . wright , , , . writs , . wymondley , . y. yarmouth , , . yarum , . york , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ● , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . books lately printed . . britain's glory , and england's bravery : wherein is shewed the degrees of honour , from the prince to the peasant , with the honour of the nobles , and privilege of the commons ; the proper places , and the precedency of all persons from the throne to the bondman ; as also the honour of arms , the power of heraulds , significations of charges and coat armour , a dictionary explaining the terms of heraldry , and an account of the orders of knighthood all christendom over , &c. price bound , s . d . . a discourse of schism , for the use of humble christians . by thomas wight of little henden in berkshire , in . price d . . a discourse of prayer . by g. budgell , rector of symondbury in dorsetshire , in . price d . . peppa , a new novell , with the songs all exactly set to two voices , in . price bound s . d . . family herbal , or the treasure of health ; shewing how to preserve health , and long life , by the rules to be observed in eating and drinking , in . price bound s . d . . a modern view of such parts of europe that have lately been , and now are the places of great transactions , viz. italy , france , germany , lorrain , spain , &c. with curious remarks of antiquity , in . price bound s . d . . compendium geographicum , or a more exact , plain , and easie introduction to geography than any yet extant , after the latest discoveries , and alterations ; with an alphabetical table of the ancient names of places , and another of the modern . by p. chamberlain , of the inner-temple , price s . . the buccaniers of america , in volumes compleat , in . price s . finis . the history of the glorious life, reign, and death of the illustrious queen elizabeth containing an account by what means the reformation was promoted and established, and what obstructions it met with, the assistance she gave to all protestants abroad, the several attempts of the papists upon her life, the excommunications of rome, bishop jewel's challenge to the papists, the several victories she gained, and more particularly that in ... / by s. clark ; illustrated with pictures of some considerable matters, curiously ingraven in copper plates. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the history of the glorious life, reign, and death of the illustrious queen elizabeth containing an account by what means the reformation was promoted and established, and what obstructions it met with, the assistance she gave to all protestants abroad, the several attempts of the papists upon her life, the excommunications of rome, bishop jewel's challenge to the papists, the several victories she gained, and more particularly that in ... / by s. clark ; illustrated with pictures of some considerable matters, curiously ingraven in copper plates. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p., [ ] leaves of plates : ill., port. printed for henry rodes ..., london : . reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng elizabeth -- i, -- queen of england, - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - rachel losh sampled and proofread - rachel losh text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the history of the glorious life , reign , and death of the illustrious queen elizabeth . containing an account by what means the reformation was promoted and established , and what obstructions it met with : the assistance she gave to all protestants abroad ; the several attempts of the papists upon her life ; the excommunications of rome ; bishop jewel's challenge to the papists ; the several victories she gained ; and more particularly that in ; with all the other remarkable occurrences of that time . by s. clark . illustrated with pictures of some considerable matters , curiously ingraven in copper plates . london , printed for henry rodes , next door to the bear tavern , near bride lane , in fleet-street . . to the reader . reader , i here present thee with the glorious life and reign of the ever renowned queen elizabeth ; a piece as full of various occurrences and transactions , as can well be comprehended in so small a volume . thou hast here an account of the many persecutions she suffered both under the reign of her father , and that of her sister , from her mortal enemies , the blood-thirsty papists ; and how , after that , it had pleased god to shield her from all their execrable designs and attempts . being placed upon the throne of her ancestors , she introduced the reformed religion , regulating it according to the word of god , the general consent of the fathers , the practice of the primitive times , and the example of such churches as were freest from superstition and idolatry . here is likewise a relation of the several commotions in england , scotland , and ireland , and by what means raised and suppressed . thou art here also entertained with a faithful narrative of the supplies she gave to those of the reformed religion abroad , and the courses she took to defend and promote protestantism in the dominions of her neighbours ; the whole affair of the queen of scots is herein couched ; the several conspiracies of the papists against her life during her reign , inserted , and the utter defeat of the , so called , invincible armado in eighty eight , represented ; with all her other victories , both over the french and spaniard ; and an account of the veneration and respect that the great turk himself , and the most barbarous princes of that time , had for this illustrious queen ; with all the other material circumstances of her victorious life and reign : wherein , if thou meetest with that satisfaction i desire thee , i shall think my endeavours well bestowed . s. clark . the history of the life , and glorious reign of queen elizabeth . elizabeth , the youngest daughter of king henry the eighth , was born at greenwich on the th day of september . her mother being queen anne bollen , the eldest daughter of thomas bollen earl of wiltshire , and of elizabeth his wife , one of the daughters of thomas howard duke of norfolk , and earl marshal of england . now anne bollen , in her tender years , attending on mary the french queen , to the court of france , was , after that queens return , placed in the retinue of the dutchess of alanzon , where she got , in perfection , both the french language and air. she so abounded in all the gifts of nature , that she became the most celebrated beauty of that court ; and returned to her own countrey , with all those advantages that the french breeding can add to an english beauty . whereupon , being admitted amongst the queen's maids of honour , at the age of two and twenty years , king henry being thirty eight years old , and overcome with the excellency of her charms , and the gracefulness of her behaviour , endeavoured to make her his wife , in hopes of issue male. now some time before this ladie 's return from france , king henry , being , after seventeen years marriage , something disgusted with the bigottry , reservedness , and spanish gravity of queen katharine , he became very susceptible of the doubts and scruples that were insinuated by the ministers of the french king , concerning the lawfulness of his marriage with queen katharine , his brother arthur's wife . the like being started by those of the emperour , concerning the legitimation of the lady mary , and all these fomented by cardinal wolsey ; who being disappointed of the popedom , and the archbishoprick of toledo , both which the emperour had flattered his hopes with ; he resolved to promote a divorce , for the better effecting his revenge on the emperour ; and the measures he had taken with france , by proposing a match between henry and that king's sister , and concluding a league with the french , when they were at the lowest ebb of fortune . in consideration of which , the english remitted unto them a debt of crowns , partly accruing by some former contracts , and partly for the payment of the forfeiture incurred by charles the emperour , with which the french king had charged himself by the capitulations . hereupon , the king maketh it his request to the pope , that he would send delegates into england , to hear and examine this business : to which end , the pope appointed the cardinals , campeius and wolsey : but the pope did privily deliver a bull to campeius , wherein , seeming to be favourable to the king's request , he granted all things , in case it should happen that the marriage contracted with queen katharine were declared null , and no marriage . but this bull was either to be concealed or published , according to the success of the emperour's affairs in italy . now were questions every where started and handled , whether it were allowed of by god's law for the brother to take to wife the brother's widow ? and if this were forbidden by the law of god , whether it might not be made lawful by the pope's dispensation ? but when several of the universities of christendom , as likewise many of the learned men of that age , had asserted such a marriage to be repugnant to the sacred laws of both testaments , notwithstanding the pope's dispensation , the king became daily more charmed with anne bollen ; which being discovered by wolsey , it not only cooled his zeal in promoting the divorce , but made him endeavour , and procure of the bishop of rome , not to confirm the judgments of the universities ; by reason that anne bollen , being extremely addicted to the doctrine of the protestants , had conceived a great aversion against him for his pride and ambition . whereupon the pope , notwithstanding the supplications of the prelates , nobility , and clergy of england , for the confirming , by his apostolical authority , what the two universities of this land , that of paris , and several others , as well as divers just and learned men , had affirmed to be true , and were ready to maintain and defend , as well by word as writing ; i say , notwithstanding such manifold assertions , the cause being prolonged and delayed , both at rome and in england , without consideration had to the king 's having defended the apostolick see by his sword , pen , word and authority , the king grows exasperated at the court of rome , and resolves to make way through all obstacles which might stand betwixt him and the accomplishment of his desires ; wherefore he first sends back campeius , an alien born , then caused wolsey to be indicted and attainted in a 〈…〉 nire ; and not long after , by the counsel of thomas cromwel , ( who ●●d formerly sollicited the cardinal's business i● the legantine court ) involves the whole body of the clergy in the same crime with him . by the instigations and ●●●swasions of this man , he requires the clergy to acknowledge him for supreme head , on earth , of the church of england ; nor that any new canons or constitutions could be made or executed , otherwise than by his consent and allowance . thus , the king , being grown more confident in the equity and justice of his cause , by the determinations of most of the universities abroad , and his own clergy at home , and wanting no encouragement from the french king , for the promoting of his business ; he advanced anne bollen to the honour of marchioness of pembroke , took her to wife , and gave order for her being inaugurated queen . by this marriage , as we have already said , was born the lady elizabeth . and shortly after , the said marriage contracted with queen katharine , was , by the authority of the parliament , judged void and incestuous ; and this with queen anne , lawful , and agreeeable to the word of god , the crown to be entayled on the kings heirs males , to be begotten on her body , and for default o● such issue , on the princess elizabeth ; and queen katharine's daughter , the lady mary , was declared illegitimate : an oath was likewise devised in defence of the said succession , and some persons executed for the refusal of that oath . and pope paul the third , designing to renew his sentence against this marriage , the states of the realm , assembled in parliament , confirmed what the clergy had before declared , that is , that the king was supream head of the church of england , with all manner of authority to reform errors , heresies , and abuses in the same . however , she had scarce been fully married three years , than that , miscarrying of a son , the king grew extreamly discontented , looking upon it as an argument of gods displeasure , as being as much offended at this second marriage , as he was at the first ; and though she used all lawful arts of love and entertainment for the inflaming his passion , he grew as weary of her gay and merry humour , as he had been formerly at the gravity and reservedness of katharine . so that falling in love with jane ser 〈…〉 , one of the queens maids of honour , and a person of extraordinary pe●●●y , he put in practice all the cruel acts that his jealousie and aversion to the present queen could inspire him with ; and at length , to make way for his new passion , he caused queen ann to be brought to her tryal , as being accused of adultery and incest . and being condemned , though she made so good a defence as perswaded all the world of her innocenee ; she went to the sca●fold with great chearfulness , praying most fervently for the king , and asserting her innocence to the very last . the king , the very next day after , marryeth jane seymour , and causeth a solemn instrument to pass under the seal of the arch-bishop of canterbury , by which the marriage with anne bollen is declared null and void , and the lady elizabeth , the only issue of this marriage , to be illegitimate ; which sentence was pronounced at lambeth on the th of may following , in the presence of several of the principal ministers , nobility and clergy , and was afterwards confirmed by authority of parliament . queen jane fell in labour of pri 〈…〉 edward , and died presently after the prince was brought into the world ; who was cut out of her womb , and succeeded his father in his kingdom . the king being little concerned at his wives death , looks out for new amours both in france and italy , that he might thereby procure friends , and strengthen himself by alliances . for that he was grown fearful of the nobility , lest they , who had already influenced several commotions and rebellions at home , should likewise joyn with a foreign enemy ; for which reason , he caused several of them to be executed . he likewise put frequently to death religious men , for their stiff and resolute asserting the pope's authority , and causeth the great , as well as he had already done the small abbeys , to be demolished , and confiscated their wealth to his own use ; which he did by reason of vicious lives and dissolute courses they led in those religious houses ; and he likewise causeth the protestants to be burned as hereticks , by a law called the six articles , made against those who ●mpugned the doctrine of the church of rome , touching transubstantiation , one ●ind of the eucharist , the unmarried life of priests , vows , private mass , and auricular confession . by these means , being grown terrible to his own subjects , and being looked upon as tyrannical by foreigners ; he was both rejected by mary of lorrain , daughter to the duke of guise , whom he demanded in marriage , and was rival therein to james king of sootland , and likewise by christiana of denmark , dutchess of millain , neece to charles the th , who declared , that she would willingly give an arm , but was loth to purchase with her head the honour and happiness of being queen of england . at length , after much difficulty , he obtained anne of cleve to wife , while he made it his business to acquire the friendship of the protestants in germany . but she , far from being charming , was accused of certain female weaknesses , and having likewise formerly been betrothed to the duke of lorraine's son ; he put her away and married katharine howard daughter to edmund howard , and neece to the duke of norfolk : whom , within a year after , he caused to be beheaded as convicted of incontinency before marriage , and took to wife katharine parr , the daughter of a knight , whom he left a second time a widow . and now , finding that the intemperance of his youth had much decayed his body , and being inraged against the french , for that they had underhand given aid to the scots against the english , he made a league with the emperour charles , against the most christian king , thereupon designing to invade france ; and thought convenient to settle first the succession ; to which end , he proposed to the two houses of parliament , that if he and his son prince edward should decease without issue , first the lady . mary , and if she should fail of issue , then the lady elizabeth should succeed to the crown . but in case all these should die without issue , that then the crown of england should be devolved upon those , whom he should assign it to , either by his letters patents , or by his last will and testament , which was unanimously agreed to and enacted , upon pain of high treason . after his re●●●● home from the taking of bolloign , finding his exchequer drained by that expedition , and england distracted through the new opinions that daily arose , and the people dissatisfied , to see the wealth of the land exhausted to so little advantage ; their ancient structures demolished , the blood of the nobility and others , both papists and protestants , promiscuously spilt , and the countrey incumbred with a scottish war ; taking all these circumstances to heart , and being grown extraordinary corpulent , he died of a virulent inflammation in his leg , in the beginning of the year . he was succeeded by prince edward , his son , though not fully ten years old , of whose person the earl of hartford , his unkle , was made governour , and protector of the kingdom , until he should have attained the age of eighteen years ▪ and as such was proclaimed in all parts of london . it was under his happy government , that the english gained a great victory over the scots , whilst they were demanding , with sword in hand , the performance of a treaty touching a match between king edward and mary queen of scotland ; the severe law of the si● articles , and others , were repealed , that were made by henry the eighth against the protestants ; those for abolishing the pope's authority , are confirmed , the mass is abrogated , images are taken out of churches , the books of both testaments printed in english , divine service celebrated in the same tongue , and both kinds ministred in the sacraments . at which , the romanists being inraged , they put in practise all their arts for the making a stop to such fair beginnings , caused dissention to be sowed amongst the nobility , and thereby the loss of several considerable places both in france and scotland , promoted tumults , factions , debasing of money , and all other things that might stir up the people to rebellion , procured the protector to be accused , condemned , and beheaded , for felony , and at length removed the king himself , by an untimely death , whether by poyson or otherwise is uncertain , apprehending and hating him for his extraordinary virtues , which much surpassed what could have been expected from his tender years . during these sad occurrences , the duke of northumberland , being ●ound by the papists to be the fittest instrument for the effecting their designs , as being of their own religion , under a protestant mask , they made use of him for the bringing about their ends , by sowing distraction in the nation , by setting the protector and his brother thomas seymour at variance , which he effected , through a female emulation between the dutchess of somerset , the protector 's wife , and the queen dowager , the wife of thomas . and amongst other articles of high treason that were laid to thomas his charge , was that of intending to seize the king , and of taking the lady elizabeth , the king's sister , to wife . but she , being wholly ignorant of this business , and freeing her self from all suspicion , and advancing towards a mature age , she was not onely extremely beloved by the king her brother ( who never call'd her by any other name than his sweet sister temperance ) but likewise by the nobility , and the whole nation in general . king edward , by the practices of the duke of northumberland , having declared the lady jane gray for his successor , she was immediately after his decease publickly proclaimed queen of england : and for the maintaining her in that degree , pretensions were put forward ; as first , the invalidity of the lady mary's and elizabeth's mother's marriage ; both being made void by legal sentences of divorce , and those divorces ratified by acts of parliament , which acts of the lady mary's and lady elizabeth's illegitimation , were never duely repealed : ( notwithstanding that the king their father had by the same act declared , that they should succeed in order after edward the sixth , in case he failed of issue . ) secondly , it was pretended , that these two sisters , being but of half blood to the deceased king , ( admitting them to have been born in lawful wedlock ) were not in a capacity by the common law to be heirs unto him , or to succeed in any part of that inheritance , which came un-unto him by his father . now the lady jane's mother , being the lady frances , daughter , and one of the co-heirs of charles brandon , the late duke of suffolk , by mary his wife , queen dowager to lewis the twelfth of france , and youngest daughter to king henry the seventh , grand-father to king edward , now deceased : now , i say , the lady frances , her mother , might seem both by the law of nature and the right of succession , to have precedency in title before her ; yet she received no injury , because she was willing to pass by all her personal claims for the preferment of her daughter . it was also given out , that henry the eighth , by his last will and testament , conveyed the title of the crown to the lady jane gray : and moreover , politick reasons and pretexts were used , as that there was an unavoidable danger of reducing this kingdom under the vassalage and servitude of the bishop of rome , in case either of the king 's two sisters should marry with a foreign prince of that religion , or otherwise of themselves revoke the bishop of rome's authority , and subject the english to a popish yoke . but , through the extraordinary affection the nobility and commons had for the daughters of king henry the th , this great storm was dispersed within the space of twenty dayes , to the fatal end of the duke of northumberland , and the lady jane : and the lady mary was proclaimed queen throughout all england . and at her coming to london with an army , the lady elizabeth met her with five hundred horse , ( notwithstanding the offers that had been made her by the duke , of a vast sum of money , and certain lands , if she would resign her title to the crown ) lest she should fail her sister 's , and her own cause , which was then in hand . queen mary caused , in the first parliament that she held , all those acts to be repealed , that had been made against the marriage of queen katharine , her mother , and king henry the th , and the marriage was judged to be agreeable to the laws of god , and to all intents valid and available . the same form also of religion , and service of god , and administration of the sacraments , which had been in use at the death of henry the th , were re-established ; however , without any acknowledgment or mention at all of the pope's authority ; notwithstanding all the efforts of the queen and cardinal pool : for the parliament were very unwilling to admit and acknowledge the authority of the bishop of rome , which was now shaken off . neither would they suffer that the queen should lay down the title of supream head of the church of england , unto which most of the nobility , bishops , and commons , had sworn to henry the th , his heirs and successors . but the queen was very desirous to lay down this title , as believing that her pretensions to the crown had no better foundation than the authority of the bishop of rome ; who had maintained her cause , after that her father had procured her to be declared illegitimate . and indeed , at this time , the apprehensions of the english were so great of popery , and of being inslaved by it's means , and by the match that was concluded with phillip , to the yoke of spain , as that it caused some to break out into rebellion , as wyat and others . but notwithstanding the papists had got their will , by procuring , after much opposition , the roman religion to be established in the kingdom , by authority of parliament , and those acts to be repealed that had been made against the see of rome , in the time of henry the th , and edward the sixth ; yet there being no issue to be expected from the queen , seeing she was fourty years old , weak and infirm , they stood in fear of the lady elizabeth , who had gained the hearts of all the nation , by her loyal and prudent conduct , being the admiration of her age , both for her beauty , and the qualities of her mind , and was so indefatigable in study , that before she had attained to the age of seventeen years , she had acquired , to perfection , both greek , latin , and other ancient languages , and french , italian , and other modern tongues ; and had likewise gained all other accomplishments that are necessary to the composing a perfect princess . thus , being looked upon as a miracle of learning and prudence , as well by foreigners as the english , the papists were sensible , how much it was their interest to remove out of the way , a princess , who seemed threatning the fall of their superstitions here in england ; they used all their arts to dispose queen mary to take away her life ; which the queen refused to do , notwithstanding they would have perswaded her , that she was obliged to do every thing , though never so unjust , that was requisite and necessary for the promoting and settling the catholick religion . and sir thomas wyat , sir peter carew , and others , having stirred up some commotions , the papists , most maliciously , set rumours on foot , that the lady elizabeth did countenance , and was privy to , those tumults , and that she was to be marryed to the earl of devonshire . hereupon , they caused her to be put into prison , and notwithstanding , they would have forced several of the tumultuaries , by torture , to have declared her accessory to their rising ; yet , the rack was not able to make them wrong her innocence ; and , such as had seemingly accused her , in hopes of advantage , cleared her at the time of their execution . but , the papists having got that princess into prison , they were so far from putting an end to their persecutions , notwithstanding her innocence , that they used her with all the barbarity imaginable : insomuch , that the french and danish kings thought it convenient to comfort her , by making her great offers , promises of ▪ doing all that lay in their power , in her behalf . but this did but the more inflame the rage of her popish enemies , who were resolved to take away her life , either by accusing her of high treason , or of heresie ; hereupon , they forced her to hear divine service , after their superstitious manner , and to go likewise to confession ; yet , cardinal pool , bonner , and others of the bishops , were not satisfied with this severe and cruel treatment , but declared , that it was requisite she should dye , for the security of the catholick religion ; insomuch , that this harsh usage moved the spamard himself to pitty , and king philip , queen mary's husband , interceeded in her favour , and admiring her extraordinary virtues , would have marryed her to his son charles , or , as others say , designed her for himself , maugre the different principles of religion . and , for this reason , he broke off the proposals that were made for the marrying her to emanuel philibert duke of savoy . however , he was not able to gain her for his son , finding , that the people of england would never permit , that the next heir of the crown should be sent out of the kingdom . in the mean time , queen mary's hatred daily increasing against her sister elizabeth , this lady's ruine must have been certain , had not it pleased god to divert the thoughts of it , by the war that queen mary declared against france , in favour of her husband philip. during this war , and the scots excursions into england , calice , and several other considerable places being lost , and the queen finding her self neglected , laid all these things so to heart , and having lain languishing under a tympany and six months fever , which then raged over all the land , she departed this life on the th of november . having reigned five years and four months . during her reign , there are said to have perished by the flames , five bishops , twenty one divines , eight gentlemen , eighty four artificers , one hundred husbandmen , servants and labourers , twenty six wives , twenty widows , nine virgins , two boyes , and two infants , the one springing out of the mothers womb , as she was at the stake , and most inhumanely flung into the fire in the very birth ▪ besides several others that were whippe● to death , perished in prisons , and others that were condemned for their faith , and lay ready for execution , if they had not been delivered by the seasonable death of queen mary , and the auspicious entrance of queen elizabeth . elizabeth , the onely child then living of king henry the eighth , succeeded her sister in the throne , on the th of november . and a parliament having been convened some time before queen mary's death , after her dissolution had been for some hours concealed , the news thereof was carried to the lords , then sitting in the house of peers , who , after a short debate amongst themselves , sent a message to the speaker of the house of commons , desiring him and all the members of that house to come immediately to them ; and they being come , heath arch-bishop of york , and lord chancellor of england , signified unto them , that the lord had been pleased to take to his mercy the late queen mary , that by right of succession the crown did belong to the princess elizabeth , and that therefore they were desired to concurr in the proclaiming the new queen , with all possible expedition ; which being unanimously agreed to by the house of commons she was incontinently proclaimed queen of england , france , and ireland , defendress of the faith , in the palace-yard o● westminster , in the presence of the lords and commons , and presently after in cheap-side , in the presence of the lord mayor , aldermen , and principal citizens , with great acclamations , and extraordinary joy of the people . it was not long before some of the lords brought her the news of her sisters death , with the general acknowledgment of her just title to the crown ▪ whereupon she prepared to remove from hatfield , where she had been under consinement , and set forward with a splen● did and royal train , for london , being met all along upon the way by the nobles , bishops , and crowds of others , to a● whom she made so affable a reception as confirmed the general opinion of h● benign disposition . the first-publick testimony she gave of her discretion , after her coming 〈…〉 the crown , being then twenty five 〈…〉 old , was the choice she made of a council , picking out such of queen mary's council , as were well known to be able men , and such as were firm pursuers of the true interests of the nation ; adding such others , as might moderate and temper them for the protestant religion . she likewise caused new commissions and instructions to be sent to the several ambassadors as resided in the courts of the various princes and states ; but more particularly , her minister at the court of spain , was ordered to represent unto that king , how sensible she was of the humanities she had received from him , in the time of her persecution and troubles . instructions were likewise dispatched to sir edw. harne , the english agent at the court of rome , to acquaint the pope with queen mary's death , and her succeeding upon the throne , with a desire that they might mutually receive all good offices from one another . but , the pope's answer was in the usual rigorous stile of that court , that the kingdom of england was held in fee of the apostolick see ; that she could not succed , being illegitimate ; that he could not contradict the declaration of clement the seventh , and paul the third that it was a great boldness to assume the name and government of it , without him yet , being desirous to shew a fatherly affection , if she will renounce her pretensions , and refer her self wholly to his free dispositions , he will do whatsoever may be done with the honour of the apostolick see. but the queen having made him this complement , did not think of having any answer , nor was she much concerned when she had . in the mean time , king philip , having had notice of queen mary , his wife's death , he caused his ambassador the count of feria , to propose a match between queen elizabeth and himself , promising to procure a dispensation from the court of rome . these offers put the queen into great perplexity , as thinking it but an ill return , to reject a prince who had done her such kindnesses during her troubles . and the french king was no less concerned , fearing lest this kingdom , being again united to the spaniard , his dominions must at length have buckled under so great a power . wherefore , he used all his endeavours to put a stop to the dispensation at the court of rome , and to all the other places that might be made towards this match elsewhere . but he might have spared himself these troubles ; for queen elizabeth never designed to enter into any such marriage ; well knowing , she would thereby have acknowledged her self to have been born in unlawful wedlock ; and , likewise considering , that the marriage of a woman with her deceased sister's husband , is prohibited by sacred authority , as well as the marriage of a man with his brother's widow , and therefore unlawful , notwithstanding the pope's dispensation : wherefore , she putteth off king philip by degrees , and with all the civility and circumstance imaginable . now many , who were imprisoned upon the account of religion , were set at liberty ; at which time , a merry gentleman of the court petitioned her in favour of the evangelists , who had been so long imprisoned in a latin translation , that they might be set at liberty , and walk abroad as formerly , in the english tongue . to whom she immediately replyed , in this manner , that he should first endeavour to know the minds of the prisoners , who , possibly , desired no such liberty as was demanded . now the queen , being extreamly desirous of promoting the protestant religion , she consulted with her most trusty counsellors , how that religion might be established , and the popish abolished , causing all dangers to be well poised , that might arise on this occasion , and the means and expedients that might be used for the preventing and avoiding them . hereupon , she put into the principal courts of judicature , and offices of trust , such persons as were well known to be of the protestant religion , or inclined to it , and did the same in the commission of the peace , in every county . the dangers that might be expected from abroad , were either from the bishop of rome , by his excommunication , and exposing the kingdom to any invasion ; or , from the french king , who , in such a juncture , might have broke off the treaty of peace at cambray , and make war upon the english , in favour of the queen of scots , not only as enemies , but likewise , as they are pleased to call the protestants as hereticks , and might have procured scotland to have done the same , being at that time at his devotion ; or from the irish , a people extreamly bigotted to popery , and always very ready to break out into a rebellion . now , as for the thunder-bolts of rome , they were looked upon as things not at all to be dreaded ; but was resolved that in case the french made any offers of a peace , they were to be accepted ; if they did not , then offers were to be made to them , by reason that such a peace would also comprehend scotland ; but however to stick close to , and give all manner of aid and countenance to those of the reformed religion both in france and scotland ; that the garrisons in ireland and upon the borders of scotland should be better manned and fortified , and that the treaties with the house of burgundy , should be confirmed , and friendship continued with the spaniard . and now having provided against all mischances that might happen from abroad , she proceeded to do all that might conduce towards the advancement and setling of the protestant religion at home , by ordering that none should be chosen into any colledges of both universities , but protestants ; and that all roman catholick presidents , heads , and masters , should be put out and removed , both from thence , and all other schools of the land ; and for the curbing the rash zeal of both parties , she caused two proclamations to be published ; by one of which it was commanded , that no man , of what perswasion soever he was in points of religion , should be suffered from thence ▪ forward to preach in publick , but only such as should be licensed by her authority ; and that all such as were so licensed or appointed , should forbear preaching upon any point which was matter of controversie , and might conduce rather towards the exasperating , than the calming of mens passions : which proclamation was observed with all the care and strictness imaginable . by the other proclamation , it was ordered , that no man , of what quality or degree soever , should presume to alter any thing in the state of religion , or innovate in any of the rites and ceremonies thereunto belonging ; but that all such rites and ceremonies should be observed in all parish churches of the kingdom , as were then used and retained in her majesties chappel , until ●ome further order should be taken in it . only , it was permitted , and withal required , that the litany , the lords prayer , the creed , and the ten commandments , should be said in the english tongue , and the epistle and the gospel , at the time of the high mass , should be said in english , which was accordingly performed in all the churches of the kingdom . she likewise ordered the divine , who officiated in her chappel , not to make any elevation of the sacrament , for the abolishing the popish superstitious manner of adoring it , which she could not endure should be done in her sight , as being wholly contrary to her judgment and conscience . and then she proceeded to the reviewing and correcting of the former liturgy , which she committed to the care of several learned , moderate , and judicious divines and gentlemen ; but , she only acquainted four of the members of her privy council with this project . about this time , the funeral of the deceased queen was solemnized with very great state , in the abby of westminster , and the like ceremony was performed within a few days after , for the death of that great emperour charles the th ▪ who having two years before resigned the empire to his brother , and all his other vast dominions to his son , abandoned all the grandeurs of this world , and retired into a monastery , where he wholly devoted himself to god and his service . but notwithstanding , the state of these solemnities was extraordinary in it's kind , yet was it far short of the splendour and majesty that attended her coronation . and as a preparation thereunto , she restored some to their former , and raised others to new honours : having performed which , she was conducted with extraordinary pomp and triumph from the tower , through the city of london to westminster , with incredible joy and acclamations , and behaving her self with so graceful , modest , and yet majestick an air , that as it caused tears of joy to fall from some , so it inspired the hearts of all , with prayers and thanksgivings ; but nothing charmed them more than her accepting of an english bible richly bound ; which was presented to her from one of the pageants , by a child representing truth . at the sight whereof , she kiss'd both her hands , and with both her hands she receiv'd the book , and then laid it to her bosom , intimating that it should be the nearest of all things to her heart , being fuller of acknowledgment to the city for that excellent present , than for all the rest she had received from them that day in ●uch abundance , and promised to be diligent in the reading of it : by which , and sundry other such like pious acts , she perfectly gained the affections of all the spectators , and by their means , the hearts of all her other subjects . the next day after this cavalcade , she was crowned at westminster , by the bishop of carlile , all the other bishops refusing to perform that office , as fearing the pope's displeasure , and the fall , or at least some alteration of the catholick religion in this kingdom , which they were resolved not to conform themselves to . her devotion was so great , that every morning , as soon as she was up , she spent some time in prayer , and besides , at the appointed hours , she went constantly to her private chappel . in lent she was clo●thed in black , after the antient manner , hearing constantly an● attentively the sermons , though she many times said , that she had rather tal● with god devoutly by prayer , than hea● others speak eloquently of his divine majesty . as touching the cross , the blesse● virgin , and the saints , she had no contemptible opinion , nor ever spoke otherwise of them than with reverence , no● would allow others to speak irreverently o● them . and by the parliament it was unanimously enacted , that the lady elizabeth was by the law of god , the common ▪ law of england , and the statutes of the realm , the most certain , lawful , and undoubted queen of england , but however , without repealing the statute where in her father had excluded her from th● succession , or without making any act 〈…〉 the validity of her mothers marriage , o● which her title principally depended for which sir nicholas bacon , then lo 〈…〉 keeper , was condemned of impruden● and neglect , on whose judgment the queen wholly depended in matters 〈…〉 law , seeing it had been objected by som● against queen mary , and for that reaso● her ministers had been careful to have it repealed in what concerned her self . but bacon not only knew the old law maxime , that the crown takes away all the defects and stops in blood , and that from the time the queen did ▪ assume the crown , the fountain was cleared , and all attainders and corruption of blood discharged . and besides , he possibly thought it more prudent that the queen mother's marriage should pass as a thing unquestionable and no ways subject to dispute , than to ground it upon the inconstancy of acts and statutes . there pass'd also an act for the restoring to the crown the tenths and first fruits , first setled upon it in the time of king henry the eighth , and afterwards remitted by queen mary . there likewise passed an act for the dissolution of all those monasteries , convents , and religious orders , as had been founded and established by the late queen . in the passing of these acts there was little opposition , but when they came to debate of the act of supremacy , it seemed to several a thing both strange and contrary to nature and policy , that a woman should be declared supream head on earth of the church of england ; whereupon , an expedient was found out to satisfie their cavils , and remove all obstructions by putting in governour instead of head , the act being couched in these terms ; that , whatsoever jurisdictions , priviledges , and spiritual preheminences , had been heretofore in use by any ecclesiastical authority whatsoever , to visit ecclesiastical men , and correct all manner of errors , heresies , schisms , abuses and enormities , should be for ever annexed to the imperial crown of england ; that the queen and her successors might , by their letters patents , substitute certain men to exercise that authority . provided , that they should define nothing to be heresie , but those things which were long before defined to be heresies , out of the sacred canonical scriptures , or the first four oecumenical councils , or other councils , by the true and proper sence of the holy scriptures , or should thereafter be so defined by authority of parliament , with assent of the clergy of england , assembled in a synod , that all and every ecclesiastical persons , magistrates , receivers of pensions out of the exchequer , such a● were to receive degrees in the universities , wards that were to sue their liveries , and to be invested in their livings , and such as were to be admitted into the number of the queens servants , &c. should be obliged by oath to acknowledge the queens majesty to be the only and supream governour of her kingdoms , in all matters and causes , as well spiritual as temporal , all forreign princes and potentates being wholly excluded from taking cognisance of causes within her dominions . this act was stifly opposed by nine bishops , and only two temporal lords , who were the earl of shrewsbury , and anthony brown vicount montacute , who had been sent in the time of queen mary to tender obedience to the apostolick see : but were joyfully and unanimously assented to by the far major part of the house of commons , the papists complaining that the votes had been surprised , and that the duke of norfolk ▪ the earl of arundel and cecil , had by cunning procured voices in favour of those acts. now men differing so much in points of religion , it was ordered by proclamation , that no man should speak unreverently of the sacrament , and both kinds were allowed to be administred . but notwithstanding that , a conference was appointed to be held at westminster between the papists and protestants ; . concerning common prayer , and administration of the sacraments in the vulgar tongue ; . concerning the authority of the church , in constituting and abrogating ceremonies , to edification ; and . concerning the sacrifice of the mass : and persons were chosen on both sides , for to dispute upon these points : yet all fell to nothing , not being able to agree upon the method they were to hold in their disputations ; the papists not daring to dispute upon points that had never been controverted in their church , without having first consulted the pope ; but pretended and complained of the hard usage they had met with from the lord keeper bacon , in not giving them time sufficient to consider upon the points in question ; they looking upon him as their bitter enemy . and some of the popish bishops were so fiery and so extravagant in their expressions , as to declare , that the queen , and all others that had occasioned the overthrow of the superstitions of the church of ro●●e , ought to suffer excommunication ; and for this their impertinent zeal were clap● into prison . but the more prudent thought it more fit that this censure should be left to the pope , lest , as they were subjects , such declarations in them might prove to be rebellion . in the mean time , the pope , being made perfectly well acquainted with all these passages , and being netled to the quick by so great a loss as he suffered by this change , he ordered sir edward carne , who had been ambassadour at the court of rome , for king henry the eighth , for queen mary , and now for queen elizabeth , not to act any longer as such : and to use his own words , by vigour of a commandment given by word of mouth , by the oracle of the most holy lord the pope , in vertue of his most holy obedience , and under pain of his greater excommunication , and loss of all his goods and lands , not to depart the city , but should take upon him the government of the english hospital . which was likewise done , lest sr. edward should acquaint the queen with the secret practises of the french against her , and was willingly submitted to by him out of h 〈…〉 fervent zeal to popery ; for either by th● pope's instigation , or the sollicitation 〈…〉 the french king , or the dauphin's ambition , who had married the queen 〈…〉 scots , that queen took upon her the stil 〈…〉 and title of queen of england , quartering the arms thereof in her plate , an● in all other things as she had occasion● which she did as cousin and next he 〈…〉 to the late queen ; by which means , sh● imputed bastardy to the queen then l 〈…〉 ving ; which extravagance , was afterwards the loss of that unfortunate lady 〈…〉 head. as queen elizabeth was somethin● startled at these proceedings , so it move● her to pursue the reformation she ha● begun , with the more eagerness . t● which end , she set out , by advice of h 〈…〉 council , a body of injunctions , bein 〈…〉 much the same with those that ha● been published in the beginning of t 〈…〉 reign of king edward , but better fut 〈…〉 to the temper of that juncture ; 〈…〉 containing the severe course taken 〈…〉 bout ministers marriages , the posture 〈…〉 the communion table , the form 〈…〉 prayers in the congregation , and the use of singing , and of reverences in divine worship to be kept in churches . by the injunctions she made way to her visitation , which was performed by commissioners in their several circuits , and regulated by a book of articles , printed and published for that purpose . by vertue of which articles , the commissioners removed all carved images out of the church , which had been formerly abused to superstition ; defacing likewise , all such pictures , paintings , and other monuments , as were made for the representation of feigned miracles ; and this they did with so much order , moderation , and decency , that the papists themselves , could not find fault with , and without commiting the least sacriledge , by appropriating to their own use any of the plate or other utensils , that had been restored , and bestowed upon the church , in the late queens time. inquiry was in like manner made into the life and doctrine of ministers , their diligence in their respective cures , the decency of their apparel , the respect that was borne them by their parishoners , the reverent behaviour of all manner of persons during divine service . inquiry was also made into all sorts of crimes , as frequenting of taverns and other publick houses by the clergy , adultery , fornication , drunkenness , amongst the laity , with several other things that have since been practised in the visitations of particular bishops ; an oath of supremacy was likewise offered to most of the popish bishops , and others of the clergy , which they had most of them sworn to in the time of henry the eighth , and such as refused it were displaced , and others substituted in their places . and this was the course and method that was taken for the abolishing the superstitions of rome , and the introducing and setling the true reformed religion in this kingdom , which was done with that ease , and with so little commotion and disturbance , as put all christendom into admiration , to see that gradually , maturely , and yet in a short time , this change had been brought to pass . for , after popery had continued a full month after queen maries decease , in the same estate as formerly , on the twenty seventh of december , the epistles , gospels , the lords prayer , ten commandments , the creed , and the litany , were allowed to be used in english : on the twenty second of march , the parliament being then assembled , a law of edward the sixth's was renewed , whereby both kinds were permitted to be administred in the lords supper : on the twenty fourth of june , by authority of an act , the sacrifice of the mass was abolished , and the liturgy in the english tongue established ; in july , the oath of supremacy was ministred to the bishops and others : and in august images were removed out of the churches , broken , or burnt . thus was our church purified from the filth and idolatries of popery , and the crown of england rendred more independent than any other of christendom , who had rendred and continued themselves slaves by submitting themselves to the yoke of rome , and infinite sums of money were continued at home , that used to be exhausted hence by the see of rome , by popish artifice and trifles , for first fruits , pardons , dispensations , and other such like trash of popery . during these religious transactions , and while that ecclesiastical affairs were thus setling , the ministers of england and spain at the treaty of peace at cambray , did contend hard for the restitution of calice ; all which , was however to no purpose , though they offered in lieu thereof , to remit three millions of crowns that were due from the french. the spaniard , at that time , holding firm to the english , both for that the english had lost it in his quarrels , and that he was sensible , according to all appearances , that it would be more for his interest in the netherlands , that it should be in the hands of the english , than possessed by the french. on the contrary , the french maintained , that calice alone was not sufficient to satisfie the damages the english had done them , in helping the spaniards to take their towns ; many places in brittany having been burn'd by the english fleet , their ships taken , their trade interrupted , and vast sums of money spent in hindring an invasion of the english. but , the spaniard in the mean while , having discovered queen elizabeth's aversion to a match with him , the paces she had made towards the introducing the reformed religion , and her resolution to treat with the french , without communication first had with him , he grew faint , and fell off from promoting the english pretensions ; which being perceived by queen elizabeth , and fearing that she should be abandoned if she continued any longer in her demands upon that point , or else , preferring publick good before private interest , she came at length to this agreement ; that the french king should peaceably enjoy for the term of eight years , the town of calice , with the appurtenances and sixteen great pieces of ordnance ; and that when that term was expired , he should restore the same with the town , to queen elizabeth ; or otherwise , should pay unto the queen , the sum of five hundred thousand crowns . in consequence of which accommodation , peace was proclaimed on the th . of april , between the queens majesty on the one part , and the most christian king on the other ; as likewise , between her and the king dauphin , with his wife the queen of scots , and all the subjects and dominions of the said four princes . the people were however , dissatisfied with this peace , in regard , that calice was not restored , and laid the blame thereof upon the bishops , and other papists . but , the french king lived not long to enjoy the benefit thereof , he being killed at a turnament in paris , by the count de montgomery ; and though his eldest son and successor , francis , caused the queen of scots , his wife , to assume the title and arms of england , yet she resolved to bestow a royal obsequy on the king deceased , which was accordingly performed in st. paul's church in a most solemn manner . the parliament being now to be dissolved , the house of commons made an humble address unto her , in which they most earnestly besought her , that for securing the peace of the kingdom , and the satisfaction of all her good and loving subjects , she would think of marrying , without particularizing to her any one man , but leaving to her the choice of the person . whereto she made answer , that she was obliged to them for their good affections , and took their application to her to be well intended ; and the rather , because it contained no limitation of time or person ; which , had it done , she should have disliked it very much , and have looked upon it as a very great presumption , that she had long since made choice of the state of life wherein she then lived , and hoped that god would give her strength and constancy to go thorough with it ; that if she had been inclined to have changed that course , she neither wanted many invitations to it , in the reign of her brother , nor many strong impulsions in the time of her sister . moreover , says she , to satisfie you , i have already joyned my self in marriage to a husband , namely , the kingdom of england , and behold , continued she , which i marvel you have forgotten , the pledge of this my marriage and my wedlock with my kingdom ; and thereupon , took the ring off her finger , wherewith , at her coronation , she had in a set form of words , given her self in marriage to her kingdom : and then , making a pause , and do not , said she , upbraid me with miserable lack of children ; for , every one of you , and as many as are englishmen , are children and kinsmen to me , of whom , if god deprive me not , ( which god forbid ) i cannot , without injury be accounted barren . and then having promised she would take a husband in case the good of the state should so require , she licensed them to depart to their several businesses . the queen coming through the city in triump● the return of the gospell . the poolling down & burning of popish images shortly after which , came the duke of finland , as ambassador from the king of sweden , to propose a marriage between her majesty and prince ericus , that king 's eldest son ; and , this ambassadour having been magnificently treated by the queen , was at length dismissed , with the same success as all the rest , who , before and after , came upon that errand . and now the emperour and the catholick princes , interceeded with the queen by several letters , that such bishops as were displaced might meet with a kind usage , and that the papists might be allowed churches by themselves , in cities . whereto she made answer , although those popish bishops have insolently and openly repugned against the laws and quiet of the realm , and do now obstinately reject that doctrine , which most part of themselves , under henry the eighth , and edward the sixth , had of their own accord , with heart and hand , publickly in their sermons and writings , taught unto others , when they themselves were not private men , but publick magistrates : yet would she , for so great princes sakes , deal favourably with them , though not without offence to her own subjects : but , grant them churches to celebrate their divine offices in , apart by themselves , she cannot , with the safety of the common-wealth , and without wrong to her own honour and conscience . neither is there any cause why she should grant them , seeing england embraceth no new and strange doctrine , but the same which christ hath commanded , the primitive and catholick church hath received , and the ancient fathers have with one voice and mind approved . and to allow churches with contrary rites and ceremonies ; besides , that it openly repugneth against the laws established by authority of parliament , were nothing else but to sow religion out of religion , to distract good men's minds , to cherish factious men's humours , disturb religion and common-wealth , and mingle divine and humane things : which were a thing indeed evil , in example worst of all , to her own good subjects hurtful , and to themselves , to whom it is granted , neither greatly commodious , nor yet at all safe . she was therefore determined out of her natural clemency , and especially at their request , to be willing to heal the private insolency of a few by much connivance ; yet so as she might not encourage their obstinate minds by indulgence . the spaniard having lost all hopes of a match between queen elizabeth and himself , and fearing lest the crown of england might happen to be joyned to the scepter of france , he perswaded the emperour ferdinand to propose one of his sons for a husband to queen elizabeth ; which accordingly he did by an ambassadour , whom he sent to that purpose , but all to the same effect as the rest that had been before him . in the mean time , those of the reformed religion in scotland , being weary of the french insolency and oppression , and no longer able to endure the idolatries and impositions of the church of rome , proceeded of their own authority to a change in religion ; and being influenced by the greatest men in the kingdom , and stirr'd up by knox in his sermons , they fell upon destroying all altars and images in several places , demolishing of some religious houses , and burning of others ; and being countenanced and seconded by the nobility , they seize upon perth and other places , and assuming to themselves the name of the congregation , they managed their own affairs apart from the rest of the kingdom , and began to stand upon such high terms , as to pass an act for the depriving the queen regent of all place and power in the publick government . whereupon the queen regent , to provide for her own security , having already received some forces out of france , though not sufficient , she desires , and is assisted with farther supplies . hereupon the heads of the congregation , dispatch melvin , and maitland , lord secretary to the queen of england , making complaints , that since the queen of scots had been married to the dauphin , the government of the kingdom was changed , all places laid waste by foreign souldiers , the highest offices of the kingdom were bestowed upon french-men , the castles and all other fortified places put into their hands , and the purer money of the realm was embased for their gain ; and that by these and such other like contrivances , the french made way for their seizing on the crown of scotland , in case it happened otherwise than well with their queen ; and therefore they implore her succours and assistance for the expulsion of that people , who might otherwise be destructive , and of ill consequence to both realms . whereupon this affair being taken into consideration , some were of opinion , that it was not safe for the queen to condescend and comply with their desires , but others were for the queens granting them ▪ succours , considering that the french were making such extraordinary preparations , both in france and germany , of men and ammunition for to be transported into scotland , as were not only sufficient to subdue that kingdom to their wills , but seemed to threaten an invasion of england , through that door , by their contracting alliances with other states , and the french king's taking upon him the title of england , and therefore that the queen was obliged , both out of piety and prudence , to give such assistance to the scots , as might hinder the french from taking possession of that kingdom . hereupon , great preparations were made for this expedition , the duke of norfolk was appointed lieutenant general in the northern parts towards scotland ; the earl of sussex , who had been deputy of ireland in the late queens time , was sent back thither , with instructions for the preventing any change in that kingdom ; and the queens commissioners being met with those of the scots at berwick , it was concluded , and a league made to this effect : that whereas the french go against all right and reason to subdue scotland , and unite it to the scepter of france , the queen of england shall take the duke of chastel-heraut , heir apparent to the crown of scotland , and the scotish nobility and people unto her protection , as long as the french king hath mary queen of scots in marriage , and a year after . she shall send an army by sea and land , with all warlike provision , to expel and exclude the french out of scotland . she shall not enter into peace with the french , but with condition that scotland may enjoy her ancient liberty . the forts and strong holds , recovered by the aid of the english from the french , shall forthwith be razed , or else delivered into the hands of the duke of norfolk , at his choice . the english shall fortifie no places in scotland , but by the consent of the duke of chastel-heralt , and the nobility of scotland . the confederates shall aid the english all they can ; they shall hold for enemies all whosoever shall be enemies to the english . they shall not suffer the kingdom of scotland to be united to france , by any other means than as they are now conjoyned by marriage . if england be invaded by the french on this side the rivor tine , the scots shall send two thousand horse and a thousand foot under the queen of england's pay. but if it be invaded beyond the tine , they shall joyn with the english , to assist them with all the power they can make , and that at their own charges , the space of thirty dayes , as they use to do for the defence of scotland . the earl of argyle , justicer general of scotland , shall do his best that the north part of ireland be reduced into order , upon certain conditions , on which the lieutenant of ireland and he shall agree . finally , it is prescribed what both of them shall perform , in case mac conel or other hebridians shall attempt any thing in scotland or ireland . for confirmation of these articles , before such time as the english army enter into scotland , hostages shall be sent into england , to be changed every sixth or fourth month , at the choice of the scots , during the marriage betwixt the french king and the queen of scots , and a year after , the duke of chastel-herault and the confederate earls and parliamentary barons , shall ratifie these articles by their hands and seals , within twenty days : and withal , ( for as much as the queen of england undertaketh these things , in no other respect , than in regard of amity and neighbourhood , to defend the scots from the yoke of servitude ; they shall make declaration that they will yield obedience to the queen of scots , ) and the king her husband , in all things which shall not make for the taking away of their ancient liberty . in consequence of this agreement , and of the publick declarations of the french , of their design to invade england , an army of six thousand foot and three thousand horse , were sent into scotland , under the command of the lord gray , an expert captain ; and some ships being sent to block up the frieth of edenborough , they dispersed and put to flight some french men of war that hovered upon that coast. about the time that the english army entred scotland , the french made proposals and promises ▪ of restoring calice , in case the queen would recall her forces : which she absolutely refused , saying ; that she looked upon calice as a poor fisher town , in comparison of the safety and security of all brittain . now the french seeing that the english had blocked up the town of leith by sea and land , i● such ●●●● ▪ as that there was no possibility of relieving it , and finding themselves 〈◊〉 able to maintain their projects against 〈…〉 english courages and power , the fr 〈…〉 king proposeth a peace ; and to that 〈…〉 sendeth . embassadours to edenborough ▪ 〈…〉 confer and treat with c●cyl , and nicho 〈…〉 w●tton dea● of canterbury and york ▪ 〈…〉 were sent thither as commissioners 〈…〉 queen elizabeth , who came at length ▪ to this conclusion ; that all the french forces should immediately depart out of scotland , except sixty men only to b● left in dunbar , and as many in the fo 〈…〉 of nachkeeth ; that they should be transported , for their greater security , in english bottoms ; that all matters of religio 〈…〉 should be referred to the following parliament ; that an act of oblivion should be passed for the indemnity of all who ha 〈…〉 borne arms on either side ; that a general ▪ bond of love and amit● should b● made betwixt the lords and their 〈…〉 r●nts of both religions : and 〈…〉 ▪ amongst many other particulars , that n 〈…〉 ther the queen of scots , nor the french king , should , from thence forward ▪ 〈…〉 the titles and arms of england . 〈…〉 articles being signed for both kin 〈…〉 the french 〈…〉 scotland ▪ 〈…〉 english army being returned home , was thereupon disbanded . shortly after which , the earls of morton and glencarn were sent by the congregation to pay their most 〈…〉 mble thanks and acknowledgments to ●er majesty , for her ready and successful assistance , and to implore the continuation of her favour and protection , in case they should be invaded by the french , or any other enemies . whereof , having received gracious assurances , and being 〈…〉 obly entertained , and bountifully rewarded with gifts and presents , they returned with such joy and satisfaction to ●he congregation , that for these reasons , and for the further engaging her protection , they obliged themselves by their subscription , to embrace the liturgy , with all the rites and ceremonies of the church of england ; which , for a time , remained the only form of worship retained in the kirke of scotland . after which , they caused a parliament to be called , in pursuance of the articles of the pacification ; from which no person ▪ w 〈…〉 ed , who had any right of suff 〈…〉 ose authority three acts pa 〈…〉 g wholly to the promoting and establishing of the reformation . the first was for the abolishing the pope's jurisdiction and authority within that realm ; the second , for the annulling all statutes made in former times , for maintenance of idolatry and superstition ; and the third , for the punishments of the sayers and hearers of mass. and now let us return to england , where the earl of arrain , being recommended by the protestants of scotland , for a husband to queen elizabeth ; by that means , to have united the two crowns : this match was handsomly rejected by her and with great commendation of the person . the like address was made by the king of denmark , in favour of adolph duke of holstein , a prince who had gained great honours by the wars , and who came himself over , for that purpose , but was dismissed by the queen with the honour of the garter , and a yearly pension ; whereby she bound him for ever to her interests . at home , sir william pickering , the earl of arundel , and robert dudley , the duke of northumberland's younger s 〈…〉 statter'd themselves with the hopes 〈…〉 taining unto the honour of being her husband . in the mean time , the lord vicount montacute , the queens ambassador in spain , represents to that king the necessity of the scotish war ; endeavours to free the scots from all aspersions of rebellion ; proving , though a zealous catholick , that the religion that was now introduced into england , was wholly consonant to the sacred scriptures , and the four first general councils ; and demanded , that the league of burgundy might be renewed . whereto , that king replyed , that the confirming of the league was in no wise necessary , bemoaneth the change of religion in england , is troubled at the expedition into scotland , sendeth back the order of the garter , and taketh unkindly some repulses in things of small moment ; and though he gave some necessary cautions , as to clauses to be inserted in the treaty of edenborough , and for a while , opposed the french practi●● at rome , who endeavoured to pro●●●rt queen elizabeth to be excommunicated ; yet his ministers ▪ incensing him ▪ 〈…〉 more and more against the engl 〈…〉 affronts were offered to the queens ambassador at his court ; and he is likewise said to have then endeavoured to perswade the new elected pope to thunder out his bulls of excommunication against her majesty . but the court of rome , being sensible how little she valued those empty crackers , instead of complying with the spaniard ; sent to her the abbot vincentio papalia , with secret instructions , and fawning letters , whereof you have here an abstract . to our most dear daughter , elizabeth queen of england . our most dear daughter in christ , greeting , and apostolical benediction . how greatly we do desire ( according as our pastoral office requireth ) to take care of your salvation , and to provide as well for your honour , as the establishment of your kingdom , both god the searcher of our hearts knoweth , and you your self may understand , by the instructions which we have given to this our beloved son vincentio papalia , abbot of st. saviour , a man known unto you , and of us well approved , to be by him imparted unto you. we do therefore , most dear daughter , exhort and admonish your highness again , that rejecting bad councellors , ●●● love not you , but themselves , and serve their own de●●●s , you would take the fear of god to counsel , and acknowledging the time of your visitation , o●ey our fatherly admonitions and wholsome advices , and promise to your self all things concerning us , which you shall desire of us , not onely for the salvation of your soul , but also for the establishing and confirming of your royal dignity , according to the authority , place , and function committed to us by god ; who , if you return into the boso● of the church , as we wish and hope you will , are ready to receive you , with the same love , honour , and rejoycing , wherewith that father in the gospel received his son , who returned unto him : although our joy shall be so much the greater than his , in that he rejoyced for the salvation of one onely son ; but you , drawing with you all the people of england , shall not only by your own salvation , but also by the salvation of the whole nation , replenish us and all our brethren in general , whom , god willing , you should hear shortly to be congregated in an oecumenical and general council , for abolishing of heresies , and the whole church , with joy and gladness : yea , you shall also glad heaven it self , and purchase , ●y somemorable a fact , admirable glory to your name , and much more renowned than that crown you wear . but of this matter the same vincentio shall treat with you more at large , and shall declare unto you our fatherly affection , whom we pray your highness , that you will graciously receive , diligently hear , and give the same credit to his speech , which you would do to our self . given at rome at saint peters , &c. the . . day of may . in our first year . notwithstanding all this cajoslery , queen elizabeth kept firm to her motto , viz. always the same , insomuch that the pope was deceived in his hopes . the proposals that the pope is said to have designed to have made by this abbot , were , that he would disanul the sentence against her mothers marriage , as unjust , confirm the english liturgy by his authority , and grant the use of the sacraments unto the english under both kinds , upon condition she would joyn her self unto the roman catholick church , and acknowledge the primacy of the see of rome , and an offer made of several thousand crowns to such persons as should perswade her to it . in the mean time , notwithstanding that the french king had promised to ratifie all that his ministers should conclude at edenborough , yet he delayed , or rather refused so to do , upon several frivoulous pretexts . now the affairs of the kingdom being in a more setled posture , queen elizabeth , to promote and keep those of the church from being corrupted , caused two very seasonable proclamations to be published . by the one , she ordered the anabaptists and such like sects to depart the realm within twenty days , whether her natural born subjects or foreigners , upon very severe penalties . by the other , she restrained a sacrilegious sort of people , who under the specious pretext of abolishing superstition , committed several extravagances to the disadvantage of honourable families , by defacing their epitaphs and coat armours , and to the church , by taking away the bells , and plucking away the lead from the roofs . she likewise converted the abby of westminster into a collegiate church , and repaired and reduced the money which had been embased in the time of henry the eighth to the just value . while that the queen was busied in these reformations both in church and state , there broke out a rebellion in ireland , which was headed by john-o-neal , a man of great authority in that kingdom ; but the queen , having sent some forces thither out of england , he was quickly obliged to submit himself to her mercy . yet notwithstanding her power , and the love of her subjects at home , her authority and credit abroad , and her success every where , yet the queen of scots , though her husband the french king was dead , refused to ratifie the treaty of edenborough , maugre all the sollicitations of the english ambassadours to the queen of scots , who were then at the court of france , to condole the death of the late king , her husband . during these transactions , the truly learned and ever famous bishop jewel , in a sermon preached by him at st. paul's cross , made this bold and noble challenge , that if any learned man amongst the papists , or all the learned men in the world , could bring any one sufficient proof or sentence out of any catholick doctor , or father , or general council , or holy scripture , or any one example in the primitive church , whereby it may clearly and plainly be proved , during the first six hundred years , . that there was at any time any private mass in the world ; . or , that there was any communion administred unto the people under one kind ; . or that the people had their common-prayer in a strange tongue , that the people understood not ; . or that the bishop of rome was then called an universal bishop , or the head of the universal church ; . or that the people were then taught to believe that christs body is really , substantially , corporally , carnally , or naturally in the sacrament ; . or that his body is , or may be , in a thousand places or more at one time ; . or that the priest did then hold up the sacrament over his head ; . or that the people did then fall down and worship it with godly honour ; . or that the sacrament was then , or now ought to be hanged up under a canopy ; . or that in the sacrament , after the words of consecration , there remained only the accidents and shews , without the substance of bread and wine , . or that then the priest divided the sacrament into three parts , and afterwards received himself all alone . . or that whosoever had said that the sacrament is a figure , a pledge , a token or remembrance of christs body , had therefore been judged for an heretick ; . or , that it was lawful then to have thirty , twenty , fifteen , ten , or five masses said in one day ; . or , that images were then set up in the churches , to the intent that the people might worship them ; . or , that the lay people were then forbidden to read the word of god in their own tongue ; . or , that it was then lawful for the priest to pronounce the words of consecration closely , or in private to himself ; . or , that the priest had then authority to offer up christ unto his father . . or , to communicate and receive the sacrament for another , as they do ; . or , to apply the virtue of christs death and passion to any man , by the means of the mass ; . or , that it was then thought a sound doctrine to teach the people , that mass , ex opere operato , ( that is , even for that it is said or done ) is able to remove any part of our sin ; . or , that any christian man called the sacrament of the lord , his god ; . or , that the people were then taught to believe , that the body of christ remaineth in the sacrament as long as the accidents of bread and wine remain there without corruption ; . or , that a mouse , or any worm or beast , may eat the body of christ , for so some of the papists have said and taught ; . or , that when christ said , hoc est corpus meum , the word hoc pointed not the bread , but individuum vagum , as some of them say ; . or , that the accidents , or forms , or shews of the bread and wine , be the sacraments of christ's body and blood , and not rather the very bread and wine it self ; . or , that the sacrament is a sign or token of the body of christ that lieth hidden under it ; . or , that ignorance is the mother and cause of true devotion : which if they did , he would be willing to yield and submit himself to whatsoever they should impose . the papists , both at home and abroad , were extreamly startled at this challenge , that was made in so publick a place , and so great an auditory , and none of them durst enter into the lists against him ; but only at a distance let fly some small crackers at him , which vanished immediately into smoak ; until at length , his old acquaintance and school-fellow , doctor harding , one of the most learned divines amongst the catholicks , took up the cudgels against him ; but was so baffled by the bishop , that the papists themselves acknowledged , that they had not a champion that could oppose him . during these occurrences , st. paul's steeple being burnt , and the whole church having received extraordinary dammage , through the negligence of a plummer , the queen not only contributed very largely her self towards it's reparation , but likewise took care that a benevolence should be raised for the compleating and bringing it to it 's former lustre and greatness . which example and zeal so encouraged the clergy , both of the province of canterbury and diocess of london , that the former contributed the fortieth part of their benefices , and the later the thirtieth part of the livings that were liable to the benevolence , and the twentieth part of those that were not . by which means that work was so hastned and furthered , that in a short time it was compleated and finished . in the mean time , great preparations were making for the opening and holding of the council of trent , to which the pope endeavoured to procure , that divines might be sent from england . to which end he dispatched to the queen a nuncio ; who being come into the low countries , stayed there in hopes of procuring leave to be admitted into england ; for , that it was provided by an ancient statute , that the pope's nuncio should not come into this realm , without leave first obtained . but , the queen , having absolutely refused to admit the nuncio , most of the princes of christendom endeavoured to perswade her by then letters , to refer her self in matters of religion , to the occumenical council of trent . whereto she made answer , that she was very desirous of an occumenical council , but she would not send deputies to a popish council ; that she had nothing to do with the bishop of rome , whose authority was expelled england by act of parliament ; and that it did not belong to the pope , but to the emperour , to call councils ; nor could , nor would she acknowledge any greater authority in him , than in any other bishop . much about this time , the queen of scots , being sollicited by the popish party , to return into that kingdom , and being grown weary of france , since the death of the late king , her husband , she caused queen elizabeth to be desired to grant her free passage thither , pretending that she could not ratifie the treaty of edinborough , without the advice of the nobility of scotland . but queen elizabeth , suspecting that some dangerous practises were contriving against england ; for the preventing them , not only thought fit to deny her her request , but to send sir thomas randolph into scotland , to exhort the nobility to mutual amity , and to keep firm to the promises he had made her ; and he found them and the congregation so well resolved to adhere to her , that she was under no apprehensions from the scottish queen , or her party . however , it was judged safe to intercept her , if possible , in her passage thither ; to which end , a squadron of men of war was fitted out , though under other pretexts ; yet the queen of scots her self , by the favour of a great fog , escaped unperceived by the english , and landed safe in scotland , though some of the ships that attended her in that voyage , were taken , and brought into england . that queen , being now in scotland , sends an envoy , with letters to queen elizabeth , wherein she expressed a great deal of love and kindness to her , as her dearest friend and sister , and desired that all true and sincere friendship and correspondence might be maintained between them ; queen elizabeth , receiving letters at the same time , to the same effect , from most of the nobility of that kingdom . but this was not the whole errand of this envoy , for the queen of scots did likewise by him demand to be declared heir apparent to this kingdom , as being , she said , the surest way to continue amity and friendship between the two crowns . whereto the queen could not be prevailed with to make any other answer , than that she would do nothing to the prejudice of her cousin of scotland's title , leaving the rest to be considered of at a personal conference that was to be held at york shortly after ; which interview was however broken off by popish contrivances , lest it might be a means towards the creating in the queen of scots an inclination to the reformed religion . and now finding , that tho' she had made all the fair offers imaginable to the spaniard , and treated the guises with all possible kindness and honour ; yet her ministers at the courts of spain and france , instead of meeting with fair returns and civilities , received affronts upon all occasions ; wherefore , though she had found her treasure all exhausted , yet she began to make all imaginable warlike preparations , for the security of her self and subjects . and , amongst other her provisions for that purpose , having caused a many pieces of great ordnance of iron and brass to be cast , god favouring all she undertook , caused a most rich vein of rich and native brass to be discovered at the same time ; as was likewise the stone called lapis calaminaris first found out in england , being very necessary for brass works . her majesty caused likewise gun-powder to be made here at home , being the first that had been made in england the english before having been obliged to beg hard , and pay dear for it to foreigners ▪ she also caused the several garisons belonging to the kingdom to be better strengthened with new works , men , and fortifications . she likewise increased the pay of the souldiers , and took care to provide for those that had been maimed in the service of the land. she added to , and provided her fleet with all manner of necessaries , making it the best navy that ever belonged to brittain ; insomuch , that all foreigners did truly term her , the restorer of the glory of shipping , and the queen of the north sea. she caused all manner of people to furnish themselves with arms , and to use martial discipline and exercise . she gave all manner of encouragement to husbandry and tillage , by permitting the transportation of grain . and by a proclamation she prohibited the merchants from supplying the emperour of russia with ammunition against the polander● ; and caused the officers of her exchequer to pay duely the pensions to such religious men as had been cast out of abbeys . she revoked the commissions of the purveyors both for the garrisons and fleet ; and designed to have done the same with those of her household . she augmented the stipends of the judges : and though she was extreamly liberal and bountiful to desert , yet she took care not to alienate the domain . in the mean time , the civil war broke forth in france ; the faction and family of the guises aiming at that crown , they were sensible , that they should never compass their designs ▪ as long as the hugonots were in being : wherefore , they used all manner of means to extirpate those protestants ; insomuch , that they were forced to take arms , both in defence of their sovereign and themselves . now queen elizabeth , well knowing the practises of the house of guise , to advance the interests and pretensions of the queen of scots , she supplyed the protestants of that kingdom , with money , corn and ammunition , for the service of the french king , and for the defending the protestant religion , and hindring the dukedom of normandy from being possessed by the guises , who might , from thence , with more ease , have executed their designs upon england . she obliged her self , to aid the prince of conde and his associates , who headed the protestants , with her forces both by land and sea , for the taking in of such castles , towns , and ports , as were possessed by the faction of the house of guise ; the prince of conde , and his party , being bound not to come to any terms of peace with their enemies , without the privity and approbation of the queen ; and , that for the security of the moneys and forces that her majesty should supply them with ; they should put into her hands , the town and port of new haven , or havre de grace , to be garrisoned by english souldiers , and commanded by any person of quality , her majesty should authorize . presently after the conclusion of this agreement , she caused a manifest to be published ; in which she declared , how that having preferred the peace of christendom before her particular interests , she had relinquished her claim to the town of calais for the term of eight years ; when as all other princes were restored to their lost estates by that treaty ; that for the same reasons she had preserved the scots from being made vassals to the french , without retaining any part of that kingdom in her own possession , after the service was performed : that with the like sence of commiseration , she had taken notice how much the queen mother of france and the young king were awed and shackled by the guisian faction ; who in their name , and under the pretext of their authority , endeavoured to extirpate the professors of the reformed religion ; in pursuance of which design , those bloody minded papists had , in less than five months time , caused above an hundred thousand french hugonots to be massacred and butchered ; that with the like injustice and violence they treated such of her majesties subjects , as traded into the ports of that kingdom , causing their goods and merchandize to be seized , themselves imprisoned , and barbarously murdered , and for no other crime , than that they were protestants ; and therefore , in consideration of what 's aforesaid , her majesty thought her self obliged to endeavour the rescuing the french king and his mother out of the hands of so dangerous a faction , by aiding such of the french subjects , as preferred the service of their sovereign , and the good of their countrey , before all other respects whatsoever , for preserving the reformed religion from an universal destruction , and the maintaining her own subjects and dominions in peace and safety . she not only published this manifesto , to acquaint the whole world with the reasons of her taking up arms on this occasion , but she also commanded her ambassadour to give a more particular account of it to the king of spain , whom she looked upon as the principal patron of the guisian league . she likewise caused her ministers and agents with the princes of germany to sollicit them to aid and assist their brother protestants . and then she her self fell to supplying the hugonots with all things necessary to a war , sending them ships , arms , and men , both for the scowring the seas , and securing the land. the forces she sent amounting to men , under the command of the lord ambrose dudley , the eldest son then living of the late duke of northunberland . the papists , apprehending that the queen by these courses would lay the axe to the root of their religion , laid a conspiracy against her life , for which the countess of lenox , grand daughter to henry the seventh , by his eldest daughter margaret queen of scotland , was confined with the earl her husband to her house : and arthur pole , grand-child of margaret countess of salisbury , by geofry her third son , the younger brother unto reginald pole , the late cardinal legate , was apprehended and arraigned , as also his brother in law geofry fortescue , and were condemned to die , but confessing the conspiracy and being of the blood royal , they were reprieved by the queen . the lady katherine grey , daughter to the duke of suffolk , and grand daughter to another sister of king henry the eighth , was sent to the tower , with her husband the earl of hertford , for marrying without the queens consent , and were detained there several years , and their marriage declared by the archbishop of canterbury , to be an undue and unlawful carnal copulation with her , and that for such their excess , both he and she to be punished . about the same time was published an elegant and acute discourse , called , the apology of the church of england , written originally in latin , by the truly learned bishop jewel , and translated immediately into english , dutch , italian , spanish , french , and greek , and was highly approved of by all pious , learned , and judicious men. now the practices of the papists , and the danger the queen and state were in , by their means obliged the queen to call a parliament , which being assembled at westminster , the first act that passed was , for assurance of the queens royal power over all estates and subjects within our dominions : and enacted , that the oath of supremacy should be administred unto all persons , for the better discovery of such as were popishly affected ; several of that party having lately busy'd themselves by inquiring into the length and shortness of her majesties life , by conjurations and other diabolical arts , and thereupon had caused some dark and doubtful prophecies to be spread abroad ; for which reason there passed two other statutes for suppressing the like dangerous practices , by which her majesties person might be endangered , the people stirred up to rebellion , or the peace disturbed . by which , and other acts for the strengthning of the navy , and the continual breeding of a seminary of expert mariners , the queen was so well provided and secured against the machinations and conspiracies of the pope and his adherents , as to lie under no apprehensions of their bloody rage and malice . during this session of parliament , it was declared by the bishops and clergy , then assembled in their convocation , to be a thing plainly repugnant to the word of god , and the custom of the primitive church , to have publick prayer in the church , or to administer the sacraments in a tongue not understood by the people . to confirm which declaration , it was enacted . that the bishops of hereford , st. davids , bangor , llandaff , and st. asaph , should take care amongst them for translating the whole bible , with the common prayer book , into the welch , or brittish tongue , on pain of forfeiting forty pound apiece in default thereof . and to encourage them thereunto ▪ it was ordered , that one book of either sort being so translated and imprinted , should be provided and brought to euery cathedral or parish church , as also for all parish churches , and chappels of ease , where the said tongue is commonly used , the minister to pay one half the price , and the parishioners the other . care was likewise taken for the translating the book of homilies , being looked upon as a necessary part of the publick liturgy , by reason of the rubrick at the end of the nicene creed . this parliament likewise congratulated her majesty for the happiness of the times , for religion reformed , peace restored , england with scotland freed from the foreign enemy , mony refined , the navy strengthned , warlike ammunition provided both for sea and land , and for the laudable enterprize in france , for the securing of england , and of the young french king , and the recovering of calice , they granted the clergy one subsidy and the laity another , with two fifteens and tenths . during these occurrences at home , the prince of conde was intercepted , and taken prisoner in that memorable battel of dreux , as was likewise sir nicholas throgmorton , who shortly after paying his ransome , was set at liberty . but the admiral chastillon , commanding both the english and french forces , had beetter success , by taking in of caen and other considerable places : which so startled those of the guisian faction , that they agreed unto an edict of pacification , by which the french princes were restored to their kings favour , conde lured with hopes of the lieutenancy general of france , and a marriage with the queen of scots , the hugonots allowed the free exercise of their religion , and all things setled for the present to their full satisfaction . and having thus agreed among themselves , and treacherously abandoned the english , they join their forces , and contrive how to drive them out of new-haven in case they would not evacuate it upon demand . now sometime before this agreement , the hostages for calice endeavoured to make their escape , with ribald , a famous pilot , who had been sent secretly into england for that purpose , but were discovered , and seized just as they were ready to take shipping . the queen having secret notice of the french designs upon new-haven , offered to exchange it for calice . which being refused , war was proclaimed on both sides . and such an extraordinary great fleet of the english scoured the seas , as not only shut up the french in their havens , but the spaniards likewise ; and their pyracies upon them being very great , the queen caused her ambassadour to make excuses at the court of spain , and restrained them by proclamation . in the mean time , new-haven being close besieged , and hard pressed by the french , and the pestilence raging horribly in the town , the english were forced to capitulate , and render up that place , hoping that by leaving it they should escape the plague ; but instead thereof , they brought it with them into england , where it sorely afflicted the whole kingdom , and especially the city of london , where there dyed of it twenty one thousand one hundred and thirty persons . the fathers at trent were very much displeased with queen elizabeth , both for assisting the french hugonots against their king , and passing the statute for punishing all those who countenanced and maintained the popes authority within her dominions ▪ which so incensed the pope , that he sent a commission to those fathers , to proceed to an excommunication of the queen of england . but the emperour , being , by his ministers , sed with hopes of a marriage betwixt the queen and his son the arch-duke charles ; he , by letters to the pope and his legates , disswaded them from proceeding to such extremities , and caused the pope to revoke the commission he had sent to his legates in trent . shortly after which , that council broke up ; but were so far from having re-united the church , that on the contrary , the breach was become greater , and the discords inreconcilable . in the mean time , the cardinal of lorrain , fearing , without any reason , a match between queen elizabeth and charles of austria ; to divert it , proposeth the said charles for a husband to his neece , the queen of scots ; who , imparting this business to queen elizabeth , she advised her to marry , but not the arch-duke ; and recommended to her , for a husband , robert dudley , and promised her , that if she would marry him , she should , by authority of parliament , be declared her sister , or daughter , and heir of england , in case she should dye● without issue . but , assoon as the queen mother and her uncles in france had notice hereof , they disswaded her from it ; promising , if she would reject it , and persist in the french amity , they would pay her her dowry money : and lured the scots with hopes of confirming their ancient liberties , and granting them new ones . and though the queen of scots took all imaginable care to gain the love of her subjects , and keep them at peace , yet they insulted her frequently ; nor was she able to suppress the commotions . the spaniard now grew daily more enraged against the english , for that his ambassador here had been confined to his house , and subjected to examinations and publick reprehensions , for that the english privateers had invested the french upon the coast of spain , and intended to set forth a voyage to the west indies . and the king of spain manifested his displeasure , by causing proclamation to be made in antwerp , and other places , though under pretext of the pestilence being in england , that no english ship , with cloaths , should come into any part of the low countries ; causing the goods of english men to be confiscated upon very light causes : and , by new edicts , certain merchandise were forbidden to be transported , the passage through the low country provinces with horses , salt peter , and gunpowder , out of germany and italy , was forbidden . whereupon , and at the earnest suit of the merchant-adventurers , the queen prohibited the transporting of wool unwrought ; and the mart or staple of cloaths , or english merchandizes , was removed to emden , upon the river ems in friezland . the apprehension that these and other circumstances gave the queen of the councils of spain , made her the more willingly hearken to a peace with france , which was concluded upon these terms , which were as advantageous as the juncture would afford . that neither party should invade the other . the one shall not aid any that invade the other . private mens facts shall bind themselves only . commerce shall be free . traytors and rebels shall not be received . letters of reprisal shall not be granted . injuries shall be buried in oblivion . reservation of rights and titles , also , actions , demands , and claims , which they have , or pretend to have one against the other respectively , shall remain to them safe and whole ; and in like manner , defences and exceptions shall be reserved . a certain sum of money shall be repayed to queen elizabeth , at times prefixed . upon the payment of six hundred and twenty thousand crowns the hostages shall be delivered out of england ; and throckmorton shall return free into his country , after confirmation of the league . which treaty being ratifyed on both sides , the french king was invested with the order of the garter . being now at peace with france , and in fair-seeming terms with the king of stain , she resolved to take the diversion of a progress ; in the course of which she made a visit to cambridge , where she was received with all the respect , ceremony and acclamation imaginable , and to her own , as well as their extraordinary satisfaction ; and the like honour she did to oxford , being attended with the same circumstances . don alvarze a quadra , bishop of aquila , and spanish ambassadour here , a man zealously addicted to popery , had fed the papists here with hopes of having the romish superstitions again restored in england , and had been a grand promoter of the distrusts and dissatisfactions that were then brooding between the two crowns ; being dead , he was succeeded by don diego gusman de sylva , who being a wise man , and sensible how damageable the courses his predecessors had taken , were to both parties , he endeavoured to heal up the breaches , and by his mediation procured the commerce to be restored , and all that had been decreed and proclaimed on both sides to be suspended . the most remarkable action which attended the queen's return from cambridge , was , the preferring sir robet dudley to the titles of lord denbigh and earl of leicester ; she having before made him knight of the garter , master of the horse , and lord chancellour of the university of oxford ; and these honours were conferred upon him for the better qualifying him to be husband to the queen of scots . and now leicester , for the better screwing himself into that queens favour , immediately accused to queen elizabeth the lord keeper bacon , who was looked upon as an enemy to the queen of scots , and an opposer of her title to the succession . in the mean time , the queen of scots , knowing her title to be disputed in england , and being grown jealous of the practices of the earl of murray , her bastard brother , and others at home , she thought it her interest to recall the earl of lenox to his native countrey , from whence he had been driven in the time of king henry ; by whose great power and influence she hoped to ballance the authority of the mutineers . this lord , being of royal extraction , king henry to engage him the more in his interests , had given him in marriage the lady margaret douglas daughter of queen margaret his eldest sister , by archibald dowglas earl of angus , lier second husband ; of which marriage amongst others , was the lord darnly . now lenox , being returned into scotland , after twenty years abode in england , he sends for the lord darnley to that court. where , being arrived , and being a person graceful , lovely , and of a gentile carriage , and not yet full twenty years old ; he quickly insinuated himself into that queens affections . she fancied she had now met with a man who was pleasing to her heart , and conducible to her interests , for that both their pretensions being joyned together , her title to the crown of england would be the better secured . now queen elizabeth , having got some notice of this design of the scottish queen , she advised her to think of some other match , saying , that this would have so incensed the parliament , that she was forced to prorogue them , least they should have acted something against her title to the succession . wherefore , she again recommended unto her , the earl of leicester , for a husband ; to which purpose , she sent commissioners to berwick , to treat with those of the queen of scots ; about a match . but this queen had given such instructions to her deputies , they maintained , that it did not stand with the dignity of their queen , to enter into such measures , after having refused the offers of several great princes of christendom . wherefore , they broke up , without coming to any conclusion ; and , the queen being intent upon her marriage with the lord darnly , it was at length consummated : and of this marriage was born james the sixth , in the palace of edenborough , on the of july , in the year , solemnly crowned king of the scots , on the same day of the month , in the year , and joyfully received to the crown of england , on the of march , in the year . but , not only the english , but the scots themselves , being displeased with this match , the scots raised some commotions , with design to have prevented it ; but , being over-powered , were forced to take refuge in england ; where , by connivance , they were allowed a safe retreat . during these transactions , the great renown and glory of queen elizabeth's reign , having invited corcille , sister to the king of sweden , and wife to christopher marquess of baden , to come , tho' big with child , from the farthest places of the north , to see the lustre of her court , and observe the wisdom of her government ; after a tedious voyage by sea and land , she at length arrived at dover , where she was received with all possible magnificence and respect , and entertained by the queen all the while she stayed here , with all the tenderness , affection , and splendour imaginable . within a few days after her arrival , she fell in labour , and was delivered of a son , whom the queen christned in her own person , by the name of edwardu● fortunatus ; edward , in memory of her dearly beloved brother ; and fortunatus , in regard of his being born after a painful journey . having remained here , they were dismiss'd with many rich presents , and an annual pension from the queen . during their entertainments here , a french ambassador came hither to be installed knight of the garter , in the place and person of that king ; and , to present the order of st. michael , the principal order of france , to the duke of norfolk , and the earl of leicester ; which were performed with the ceremonies , state and pomp , usual on such occasions . in the mean time , queen elizabeth was again sollicited to marry , by those who were fearful that the protestant religion in this kingdom might be extirpated by the pretensions and authority of the queen of scots , should she come to the crown ; and amongst other offers , the emperour maximilian did very seasonably renew the proposals of a match between her majesty and his brother charles . about the same time , there arose great dissentions at court between the earls of sussex and leicester , the former favouring this marriage , and the other opposing , in regard of his own hopes and pretensions , but were at length , at least seemingly reconciled by the queen . about the same time came likewise into england , donald mac carty more , a lord of great authority and large territories in ireland , which were confirmed to him , and his heirs males by the queen ; who likewise conferred new honours both upon him and his son , by making the father earl of clencarn , and the son baron of valentia , and so engaged them by gifts and presents , that they procured great opposers of the innovations designed by desmond . now sir nicholas arnold being called from the government of ireland , sir henry sidney was sent in his stead , as justice of that kingdom : the english vicegerents there being at first so termed , and since deputies or lieutenants , accoring to the pleasure of the prince . sidney , at his arrival finding great confusion , through the discord of the earles of ormond and desmond ; the queen , to prevent any further mischief through their dissentions , thought fit to send for the latter into england . and now the parliament being met , they again move the queen either to marry or declare her successour , which her majesty looking upon as an imposition , she checked both houses for what had passed in them upon this occasion ; and though they had offered far greater sums than were usual , upon condition she would nominate a successour , yet she flatly refused that extraordinary offer , remitting the fourth payment of the subsidy , saying , that money in her subjects ▪ coffers was as well as in her own . nevertheless , she favoured very much the queen of scots title , and punished those who called it in question . shortly after these occurrences , the queen of scotland falling into a languishing condition , she recommended the prince , her son , to the protection of queen elizabeth ; but before that happened , her affection for the king her husband being much cooled and abated , and this unkindness in her being much fomented by one david rizie an italian , first a musician , and afterwards french secretary to the queen . the king , her husband , through the instigations of several lords , resolved to dispatch a man , who had taken upon him more than became him ; which , having accordingly performed , it was not long before the king himself was assassinated by murray's contrivances , though some historians have laid that regicide to the queen his wife's charge . after this detestable action , they perswaded the queen to accept of the earl of bothwel , one of the conspirators , for a husband , being a person renowned for his courage ; and therefore the better able to assist her against so many enemies as she was represented to have : but , being accused of that horrid parricide , he was brought to the bar , and acquitted by law. whereupon , having new honours conferred upon him , the queen accepted him for a husband ; which bred a suspition in several people , that the queen was privy to the murder . which umbrage being promoted by the male-contents , they took arms , caused bothwell to fly ; though , as some say , privy to their designs : and , having seized on the queen , they put her into prison ; which , queen elizabeth having notice of , and detesting the insolency of those people , she sent sir nicholas throckmorton into scotland , to expostulate the matter with the confederates , and procure her restauration to her former freedom and authority . yet , though this ambassadour used all imaginable arguments , in vindication of that queen , yet , he found that people so strangely exasperated against her , that instead of complying with his demands , they put the queen under a stricter confinement ; insomuch , that at last , to make her freely resign the government of the kingdom , they menaced to call her in question for tyranny , the king's murder , and incontinent living ; insomuch , that at length they compelled her to set her hand to three ▪ instruments : in the first whereof , she resigned her kingdom to her young son , at that time , scarce thirteen months old ; in the second , she constituted murray vice-roy , during the minority of her son ; and , in the third , she named , in case that murray should refuse that office , several of the principal noble-men of the kingdom . within a few days after this resignation , james the sixth , her son , was crowned king ; the famous john knox preaching the coronation sermon . now , murray being declared regent , he advised the queen not to disturb the peace of the kingdom , by endeavouring her liberty , by instigating the queen of england , or the french king , to a war with scotland , or by thinking any more of bothwell's love , or meditating revenge upon his adversaries . as soon as murray was confirmed in the regency , he put to death some of bothwell's servants , who protested at their execution , that murray and morton were the contrivers of the kings death . but , while that the queen of england and the french king were , in vain , solliciting the liberty of the queen of scots , eight years being now expired since the treaty of cambray , ministers were sent into france , to demand the re-delivery of calice , with the appurtenances ; but this business being delayed , and prorogued by the french from time to time , at length the thoughts of it were wholly laid aside , through the civil war that then broke out in france . in the mean time , the earl of sussex , being sent ambassador to the emperour , to treat of the marriage that had been proposed by his imperial majesty , in favour of the arch duke his brother : which commission he the more willingly accepted of , in that it might be a means for the destroying the earl of leicester's pretensions . but he met with several difficulties in this negotiation , both as to religion , the arch duke's maintenance , the title of king , and the succession . as for the title ; the arch duke charles should enjoy the name and title of king of england : concerning the succession , he could not by the laws of england succeed , for that would have been prejudicial to their children ; of whom it was agreed however , that he should have the guardianship : and all other things as fully granted , as they had been to philip of spain when he married to queen mary . as touching his maintenance , he would at his own charge maintain the train he should bring and keep about him ; the queen would bountifully supply the rest , according to his royal dignity ; nay , and that other also , if he would require it . but the main obstacle was , concerning religion ; the emperour and arch duke requiring a publick church for the celebrating divine service , after the romish manner ; which not being granted , nor the expedient allowed of that was devised by the emperour , that he might have some private place in the court granted him for divine service ; upon condition , that no english man should be admitted thereunto : that he himself should forbear , in case of any disorders in point of religion : that neither he , nor any of his , should speak against the religion of the church of england : and moreover , that he himself should be present with the queen at divine service , to be celebrated after the manner of the church of england . yet , notwithstanding these plausible offers , the queen , after mature deliberation , made answer , that should she consent hereunto , she should offend her conscience , and openly break the publick laws of the realm , which could not be done , without endangering both her dignity and safety ; but however , invited the arch duke charles to come into england ; promising , that he should not repent of his journey . whereupon , the emperour dismissed sussex with great honour ; and thus those proposals fell to nothing by degrees , though all mutual good offices continued to pass between the queen and the emperour , who persevered in thwarting all the designs of the pope against her majesty ; and not long after , the arch duke charles took to wife , a daughter of the duke of bavaria . much about the same time , came ambassadours to the queen , from the emperour of russia and muscovia , bringing very rich presents to her majesty , that emperour having granted very great priviledges to the english , who had , not long before , discovered a passage by sea , into his countrey ; and of whom , a company was formed for commerce into those parts . with those ambassadors , returned into england , anthony jenkinson , being the first of all the english , who sailed upon the caspian sea : by him , the czar made proposals of an offensive and defensive league with the queen ; which her majesty made slight of , not being willing to enter into farther league with a prince , who had created an aversion to him in his subjects , through his tyranny and arbitrary practises . now , let us pass over into ireland , where we shall find shan o neal so puffed up with some victories he had gained in the queen's service , that he fell to committing such extravagances , that the english could not forbear checking him ; which his haughty spirit not being able to brook , he again breaks out into rebellion ; but , having received several losses , and being defeated by the english , he designed to have craved pardon , and submitted himself to the lord deputy . but , being disswaded by some of his crew , from so doing , he was advised to try the amity of the hebridians , by whom , he and his were slain , after a seeming kind reception . after his death , some commotions were raised in other parts of ireland , through the dissentions of the earls of ormond and desmond , which were stilled , by seizing on the latter , and sending him into england . releiving the poore protestants in france . the queen courted by severall prinfess the pope s bull set on the pallace gate & he hang'dy t did it . in the mean time , the duke of anjou was recommended for a husband to queen elizabeth , by the queen mother of france . and the english ambassadour at the court of spain was uncivilly used , for having spoken irreverently of the pope , and sir john hawkins , being with some ships in america for commerce , he was set upon by the spaniards , contrary to capitulations and treaties , many of his men being slain by them , and his goods pillaged , which so exasperated the english here at home , that they demanded a war against the spaniard . in the mean time , the protestants lying under heavy persecutions in france , queen elizabeth took them into her protection , supplyed them with money and ammunition , and received , with all manner of kindness , those that fled hither , notwithstanding they had basely abandoned her at new-haven . and now the war began to flame forth in the low countries . for the duke of alva , a man of the highest arbitrary and tyrannical principles , being sent governour thither by the court of spain , and being an enemy of their nations , he trampled under foot all their privileges , introduced the inquisition , and endeavoured by all manner of cruelties to extirpate the protestant religion in all places of his government ; insomuch , that the people being no longer able to support his tyranny , began to be tumultuous , which , though quieted for a while , burst out at length into a long and dangerous war. at that time vast sums of money being sent in some spanish ships by italian merchants , to be employed in bank in the low countries , for the ruine of the protestants there , and being forced by french men of war , to take refuge in england ; the queen at first ordered , that the spaniards should be kindly used , and be defended against the french ; and the money being brought on land for the better security , and the queen having notice to what ill purposes it was designed , and that it did not belong to the spaniard himself , she was advised by the privy council , to borrow it of the merchants ; some of the owners themselves being affraid the duke of alva would seize upon it : yet she religiously promised to restore it , if it was made out that it was the spaniards own money . whereupon , the impetuous duke of alva immediately caused all goods to be seized that belonged to the english in the low countries , and kept the englishmen prisoners . and the queen caused the same to be done with the dutch merchants here in england ; which being of far greater value than those of the english , the spaniard had reason to repent of these and other courses , that brought upon him an unfortunate and bloody war. upon the detention of this money , several peers of the realm accused sir william cecil of sending money into france , but the queen finding that all this proceeded from their envying his being so much in her favour , she checked them , and protected him . in the mean time , the duke of alva sent a person to demand the money , but after some stay , returned with a denial ; hereupon that duke prohibited all commerce with the english , and appointed searchers to hinder any thing from being imported or exported out of the low countries by them ; amongst whom , was one doctor story , an english fugitive , and a person who had used several means against the queens life , and suggested to the spaniard an invasion of england . hereupon , the duke of alva gave order , that none but men of war should put to sea out of the low countries , and that they should seize on the english , wheresoever they met with them . and the spaniard used several other practices for the raising a rebellion in engiand and ireland , but all to no purpose . the english hereupon remove their staple to hamburgh , and so plyed the spaniard with privateers , that the queen thought fit to restrain them by proclamation . now though such as envyed the prosperity of england used all manner of contrivances to disturb it ; and amongst others , endeavoured to put a stop to that part of our trade as then flourished in russia , by sowing dissention between the english and the russians , and amongst the english themselves ; yet they were in that favour with that emperour , out of the respect he bare to queen elizabeth , that he granted them freedom from all customes in his countrey , allowed them liberty to trade all over his empire , and through it to astracan , and so by the caspian sea into persia. and though that emperour was somewhat disgusted at some refusals and slights of the queen , yet he ever continued to use the english with all possible humanity and kindness . in the mean time , murray , having clap'd up in prison the principal favourers of the queen of scots party , it caused several rumours to be spread abroad to his disadvantage ; which queen elizabeth having dispersed by a publick writing , she taking pity of the queen of scots condition , sollicited her restauration to her crown and dignity . but while she was making these paces in her favour , she found that that queen did underhand cabal against her , and was contracting a marriage with the duke of norfolk , without her privity and consent ; whereupon that duke was committed to the tower , and the bishop of rosse and ridol●h the florentine to sir walsingham's custody . about which time , the earls of northumberland , westmerland , and others , made an insurrection in the north , being instigated thereunto by one morton , a popish priest , who was sent by the pope to pronounce queen elizabeth an heretick . but after these rebels had by their declarations invited all the catholicks to come in to their assistance , and committed several extravagancies at durham , by tearing to pieces all the bibles and common-prayer-books in the english tongue , that they could find in the churches there ; and after twelve dayes rebellion , finding their army to be but six hundred horse , and four thousand foot strong , and hearing that the queens forces were marching against them in two bodies , the one of seven , and the other of twelve thousand ; and being proclaimed traytors , the two earls , finding themselves unable to make head against such great forces , they fled with a small company into scotland ; from whence , the earl of westmerland made his escape into the low countries , where he lived , though poorly , to a great age. but northumberland was betrayed by his party , to murray . the heads of the rebels being convicted of high treason , were proscribed , and several of them executed : presently after which , there broke forth a new rebellion in cumberland , the number of the rebels amounting to three thousand men ; but , were fought , routed , and dispersed , by the baron of hunsdon . there was likewise a rebelliin ireland , but was quickly extinguished through the queens prudent conduct , and the orders she sent to the deputy of that kingdom . but notwithstanding these commotions both in england and ireland , she failed not to assist the french protestants , with men , money and ammunition . but , as the queen assisted the french , the french king , out of revenge , designed to have done the same to the scots , had he not been prevented by death . during these occurrences , murray , regent of scotland , when he had setled all things to his desire , and thought himself secure against all attempts , he was shot by one hamilton in the belly , as he was riding along the streets in litchquo ; of which wound , he immediately dyed , the assassinate making his escape into france . presently after his death , the scots that were devoted to their queen , being joyned with the english fugitives and rebels , made some incursions into england ; but , forces being sent against them under the earl of sussex and the lord hunsdon , they were defeated , and the borders of that kingdom severely punished for their folly. after which performances , the english assisted their friends in scotland , and by so doing , removed from the king , the hamiltons , and the rest who stood for the deposed queen . whereupon , the lords of that kingdom met together about choosing a new regent , and demanded queen elizabeth's advice in the business ; but she replied , that she would not be concerned in it , lest if any thing should be done to the prejudice of the queen of scots , she might be suspected for it : whereupon they created the earl of lenox regent ; which was the more pleasing to queen elizabeth , as hoping he would have a particular care of the young king , being his grand-child , and live in good intelligence with the english , by favours and benefits he had received during his abode among them , and be at her devotion , because she had his wife in her power . whilst queen elizabeth was thus assisting the queen's party in scotland , the duke of castle-herault , the earls of huntley and argyle , the queen of scots lieutenants , send an envoy to the duke of alva , to demand his assistance and offices , in favour of their queen ; which he readily granted , promising to do all that lay in his power to satisfie their request ; and thereupon sent them arms , powder , cannon and money . in the mean time , the french and spanish ambassadours request queen elizabeth , in the name of their masters , to set the queen of scots at liberty ; to all which importunities , queen elizabeth returned answer , that as she would do all that lay in her power to reconcile the queen of scots and her subjects , so she thought it was but justice in her to provide for her own , and her subjects safety . and now the pope , seeing that these princes could not procure that queens liberty , he caused one felton to fasten up in the night-time his bull declaratory , upon the bishop of london's palace ; wherein , he absolved all elizabeth's subjects from their oath of allegiance , or any other duty ; and all who obey her , accursed with anathema . whereupon , felton being taken , and confessing , and justifying the fact , he was condemned , and executed accordingly , near the place where he had fixed up the bull. about this time , were some commotions , and suspicions of more ; amongst the rest , a conspiracy of some norfolk gentlemen , to set the duke of that name at liberty ; but soon defeated , and some of them executed . the duke of norfolk was delivered out of the tower the same day that felton was executed , having confessed , and asked forgiveness of his crime , with a promise under his hand , never to think of marrying the queen of scots , nor to do any thing more against the queens authority . shortly after which , broke out a new conspiracy in darbyshire , whereof the principal ringleaders were two o● the stanleys , being the younger sons of the earl of darby ; their design was to have freed the queen of scots out of prison : but the plot being revealed by one of the conspiracy , the heads of it were taken , and put into prison . hereupon followed an expedition into scotland , under the earl of sussex and the lord scroop , who forced the scots , of the queen of that names party , to give it under their hands , that they would abstain from war , and forsake the english rebels . queen elizabeth being now full of ombrage and suspitions , by reason of the several late conspiracies , and the popes bull , she sent sir william cecyl , and sir walter mildmay to the queen of scots , to treat with her ; they found her bemoaning her condition , excusing norfolk , and referring her self wholly to the queens clemency , they proposed , that the treaty of edenborough should be confirmed ; that she should renounce her title and claim to england , as long as queen elizabeth , and the children lawfully born of her body should live : that she should not renew or keep any league with any foreign prince against england : that she should not receive any foreign souldiers into scotland : that she should have no intercourse of counsels with the english or irish , without acquainting the queen therewith : that she should deliver up the english fugitives or rebels : that she should recompence the dammages done to the english borderers : that she should enquire according to law , into the murther , as well of the lord darnly her husband , as of murray : that she should deliver her son into england as an hostage : that she should contract marriage with no english man , but with the advice of the queen of england , nor with any other against the wills of the estates of scotland : that the scots should not cross over into ireland , but by licence obtained out of england : that for confirmation of these things , the queen , and the delegates to be appointed , should set to their hands and seals : that the hostages whom the queen of england should name , should be sent into england : that if the queen of scots should attempt any thing by her self , or any other , against queen elizabeth , she should , ipso facto , forfeit all her right and title she claimeth to england : that humes castle , and fast castle , should be holden by the english for three years : that in like manner , some strong holds in galloway or cantyr , should be delivered into the english mens hands , lest from thence the scottish irish might infest ireland . lastly , that the estates of scotland should confirm all these things by authority of parliament . to which propositions , the queen of scots replyed , with a proviso , referring the fuller answer to the bishop of ross , her ambassadour in england , and to some other delegates , who afterwards , granting some of the propositions , and rejecting others , the treaty came to nothing , and things remained in the same state as they were in before : onely queen elizabeth , as head of all britain , by her authority prorogued the parliament of scotland . whilst things were in this posture , the pope supplied the english rebells and fugitives with monies , and philip of spain contracted a marriage with anne of austria daughter to the emperour maximilian , his own neece by his sister ; and she being to go by sea from zealand into spain , queen elizabeth , to shew the love and respect she had for the house of austria , sent sir charles howard , with the navy royal , to convoy her through the british sea. and now queen elizabeth , having compleated the twelfth year of her reign , which some wizzards had flattered the papists that it would be her last , the people , out of their great affection and loyalty to her majesty , celebrated the th of november , with all the pomp , joy , and thanksgiving imaginable ; which was not only continued upon that day during her life , but even to this very day . in ireland , a new rebellion was contrived , by the earl of thoumond , and his adherents ; which was disappointed when it was just ready to break out , merely by the earl's suspicions of his being discovered : whereupon , he fled into france , and confessing his crimes , and showing himself very penitent to the queen's ambassador there , this minister procured him his pardon , and the restitution of his estate . soon after which , queen elizabeth made a very magnificent entry into the city of london , for to go see the new ▪ burse , which sir thomas gresham had newly built ; and , in a solemn manner , nam'd it the royal exchange , with sound of trumpets , and by the voice of an herald . shortly after which , she created sir william cecyl baron of burghley . there was at this time in england delegates from the king of scots , of whom queen elizabeth having demanded that they should explain the reasons they had for deposing their queen ; whereupon , they exhibited so insolent a writing , that the queen could not read it , without indignation ; and told them , that she did not see that they had any just cause to treat their queen after that manner ; and therefore , desired they would immediately think of some means to allay the dissentions of that kingdom . hereupon , several propositions were again made them for the setting the queen of scots at liberty ; which being rejected by the scottish delegates , and norfolk beginning a new his practices in favour of that queen , and she her self corresponding and caballing with the enemies of the crown of england , whereto , they were both excited by ridolpho the pope's agent , that queen had many of her servants taken from her , and she her self put under a stricter confinement , and a watching eye was kept over the duke , to whom , the pope had promised great assistance , both of money and men , in case he would raise a rebellion ; assuring him , that the king of spain would aid him with four thousand horse , and six thousand foot , and that he had already deposited a hundred thousand crowns , and that he would be at all the charge of the war. but whilst these things were acting in england , the queen of scots ▪ party was very much oppressed in scotland , several of her principal adherents being put to death , and their strongest holds taken in . in france was the marriage now solemnized between charles the ninth , the french king , and elizabeth of austria , daughter to the emperour maximilian , to congratulate which , the lord buckhurst was sent into france by queen elizabeth , and was there received with all the honours and pomp imaginable and possibly the more , in respect of a motion that the french court designed to make in favour of a match between the duke of anjou and the queen of england . after the lord buckhurst had performed his commission , he returned home with great presents , and with one cavalcantio a florentine , who had attended him in his embassy . this cavalcantio being a prudent person , was entrusted by the queen mother of france , to make a motion of this match to queen elizabeth . which he accordingly performed , and the queen seemed to listen favourably to the proposal ; for by this match , there should be added to the kingdom of england , the dukedoms of anjou , bourbon , avern , and possibly the kingdom of france it self . whereupon a treaty was held , in which the french proposed three articles , one concerning the coronation of the duke ; another concerning the joint administration of the kingdom ; a third , concerning a toleration of his religion ; whereto it was replyed , that the two first articles might in some sort be composed , but hardly the third ; for though a contrary religion might be tolerated between subjects of the same kingdom ; yet between a wife and her husband , it seemed very incongruous and inconvenient ; however the matter was brought at length to this conclusion , that if the duke would afford his presence with the queen at divine service , and not refuse to hear and learn the doctrine of the church of england , he should not be compelled to use the english rites , but at his pleasure use the roman ; not being expressly against the word of god. but they could not accommodate these niceties ; insomuch that the treaty was quite broak off , after it had continued almost a year . but during these occurrences , it happened at kinnaston in herefordshire , the ground was seen to open , and certain rocks with a piece of ground removed , and went forwards four days together , carrying along great trees and sheep-coats ; some with sixty sheep in them , and overthrew rimnalstone chappel : the depth of the whole where it first broke out , is thirty foot , and the bredth of the breach , sixteen yards ; also , high-ways were removed near an hundred yards , with trees , and hedg-rows , and the like . and now the papists were plotting and contriving new attempts against the queen , but they were all frustrated by the goodness of god , and the prudence of the queen , and the loyalty and zeal of her ministers and protestant subjects . amongst others of those devillish instruments of popery , was the bishop of ross , the queen of scots ambassador ; who made it his whole business to excite and stir up people to rebellion . he had laid several plots for seizing queen elizabeth , and freeing the queen of scots ; but they all failed him in the execution . but notwithstanding that bishop had received so many checks for these practices of his , yet he continuing them to that degree , as not only to pervert the subjects from their loyalty , but even to designs against the queen's life ; the privy council , after mature deliberation in the business , , notwithstanding his character , thought fit he should be sent , and kept close prisoner in the tower ; which was accordingly done , : as likewise with the duke of norfolk , who was again committed to the same place , it having been discovered by a pacquet of letters , that he still continued in his affections , design to marry , and free out of prison the queen of scots ; having for that end , kept correspondence with the pope , and the other enemies of the crown , and traiterously consulted to take away the queens life , and to bring in foreign forces to invade the kingdom ; for which being brought to his tryal , he was found guilty by his peers , and accordingly beheaded . the parliament being assembled upon this occasion , it was enacted amongst other laws , that if any man should go about to free any person imprisoned by the queens commandment , for treason or suspicion of treason , and not yet arraigned , he shall lose all his goods , for his life time , and be imprisoned during the queens pleasure , if the said person having been arraigned , the rescuer shall forfeit his life ; if condemned , he shall be guilty of rebellion . presently after the dissolution of the parliament , a consultation was had whether john story , doctor of the laws , the duke of alva's searcher , who some time before having been engaged to go on board a ship , to search for goods , was by that piece of cunning brought into england , being an english man born , and having in brabant consulted with a foreign prince , were to be held guilty of high treason ; which being given in the affirmative , by the learned in the law , he was thereupon brought to his tryal , and accused , of having consulted with one preshal a conjurer , to make away the queen , that he had cursed her daily , when he said grace at table : that he shewed a way to the duke of alva ; how to invade england , of which being found guilty , he accordingly suffered death as a traytor . about this time matthew stuart , earl of lenox , regent of scotland , and the king's grandfather , was surprized unawares by the nobility of the adverse faction , and having yielded himself to david spence of wormstone , who thereupon lost his life in his defence , and they were both slain together by bell and chaulder , after he had with great pains and care governed the kingdom for his grandchild above fourteen months ; and in his room was unanimously elected by the kings faction , the earl of marr , for regent of scotland , but the place being two full of troubles for a man of his quiet disposition , he departed this life after he had governed thirteen months . some few days after the execution of the duke of norfolk , one barnes and mather were put to death , for conspireing with one herle to take away the life of certain counsellours , and freeing the duke ; and at the same time , suffered one rolph for counterfeiting the queens hand . shortly afterwhich , the queen conferred new honours upon several of the nobility concluded a league with the french king , and sent several persons to expostulate with the queen of scots , for that she had usurped the title and arms of the kingdom of england , and had not renounced the same , according to the agreement of the treaty of edenborough , that she had endeavoured the marriage of the duke of norfolk , without acquainting the queen ; and had used all forcible means to free him out of prison ; had raised the rebellion in the north ; had releived the rebells both in scotland , and in the low countries ; had implored aids from the pope , the king of spain , and others ; had conspired with certain of the english , to free her out of prison , and declare her queen of england : and finally , that she had procured the pope's bull against the queen , and suffered her self to be publickly named the queen of england , in foreign countries : all which points , she either denyed , or endeavoured to extenuate . and though , as she said , she was a free queen , and not subject to any creature , yet she was willing , and desired , that she might make her personal answer at the next parliament . in the mean time , scotland was full of civil distractions and dissentions , the english countenancing the king's party , and the french the other . and the king of spain having made complaints to the queen , by his ambassador , that the low country rebells were entertained and harboured in england ; the queen caused a severe proclamation to be put forth , that all the dutch , who could , in any wise , be suspected of rebellion , should immediately depart the kingdom ; which proved rather disadvantageous than beneficial to the king of spain ; for , count vander marea and other of the netherlanders being hereupon compelled out of england , first seised upon the brid , and then upon flushing ; the surprize of which places , being attended by the revolt of other towns , the spaniards were , in a short time , in some kind , excluded from the sea , and were never after able to recover themselves in those countries . during these transactions , the french ambassador here , made intercession in the behalf of the queen of scots ; and likewise , endeavoured to promote the match between the queen and the duke of anjou , but perceiving that all his offices were to no purpose , he returned into france , where he found that court very much taken up with making preparations for the marriage of the king of navarr with the lady margaret , the french king's sister . to this solemnity were allured , by an inviting prospect of perpetual peace and amity , not only the queen of navarr , and the chief of all the protestants in that kingdom ; but likewise the earl of leicester , and the lord burleigh , the elector palatine's sons , with several of the principal of the reformed party of other nations , were desired to be at the celebration of that marriage , designing at one blow to have cut down the protestant religion ; and though those blood-thirsty papists could not catch all they aimed at , yet as soon as the marriage was solemnized , there followed that cruel massacre of paris , and that terrible butchering of the hugonots throughout all the cities of france : but for the extenuating and vindicating of this horrible fact , proclamations and edicts were immediately put forth , whereby the protestants were accused of a conspiracy against the king and the whole royal family : but the french king notwithstanding his mask of piety did not escape divine vengeance ; for before a year was expired , he fell sick of a bloody flux , which brought him to his end , after long and tedious torments . and now came the head of the earl of northumberland to the block , who rebelling , and then flying into scotland , was by the earl of morton delivered for a sum of money to the lord hunsdon governor of berwick , and was shortly after executed at york . about this time was sir william cecyl lord burleigh , promoted to be lord high treasurer of england , upon the decease of the marquess of winchester , who a little before ended his days , after he had lived ninety seven years , and had seen the issue of his body , to the number of one hundred and three persons . not long before which was a motion made to the queen in favour of a match between her majesty and the duke of alanzon , the french king's youngest brother , which though rejected by her , by reason he was scarce seventeen years old , and the queen now past eight and thirty ; yet alanzon did not cease prosecuting the suit. in the mean time , the queen fell sick of the small pox , but recovered again , before that it was known abroad that she was so , attending the affairs of government , taking care to suppress several fresh rebellions in ireland , and sending a new colony thither . she also repaid , with thanks , the money she had borrowed of her subjects ; and put forth two proclamations , by one of which , she commanded the noble-men to observe the law , in keeping retainers ; by the other , she restrained informers , who under the pretence of discovering crown-lands , concealed by private persons , sacrilegiously seized upon the lands of parish churches , and alms-houses , piously endowed by the queens ancestors . and she likewise gained a great deal of love and honor , by two acts of justice ; the one , that she satisfyed the english merchants out of the goods that were detained , belonging to the dutch , and restored the rest to the duke of alva , and made a full transaction with the merchants of genoua , for the money intercepted ; the other , that she free'd england , at this time , of the debts which her father and her brother had contracted in foreign parts , and were encreased by yearly interest ; and caused the obligations of the city of london , which had been so often renewed , to be given in , to the great satisfaction of the citizens . the spanish conduct in the low countries , having not met with that success that was expected ; on the contrary , several of their towns being lost , all the provinces ready for a revolt , and the fleet they had sent to the relief of the english catholicks vanquished by the zelanders ; and the duke of alva finding how disadvantageous the cutting off commerce with the english , had been to his masters subjects , he began to treat the english with more kindness , and thereupon , the commerce was again laid open , which had been , for some years , prohibited between the english and dutch , for two years , which term being expired , the english , removed their trade to the confederated states . in the mean time , comes over a french ambassadour to complain of the assistance that the queen gave to the hugonots of that kingdom , to request her majesty to be godmother to the french king's daughter , and to use all manner of offices toward the promoting a match between the queen and duke of alanzon . whereupon her majesty sent the earl of worcester into france , with a present of a font of massy gold , and to stand as her deputy at the solemnity of the christening . and now the french use all their efforts for the advancing of this match , desiring that the duke of alanzon might have leave to come over ; which after much importunity , she consented to , upon condition , that he should not take it for any disgrace , should he return without obtaining his suit : and that he should first procure a peace in france , and do something in favour of the protestants of that kingdom . whereupon , a peace was concluded , and the hugonots allowed the exercise of their religion in certain places . and the duke of anjou being elected king of poland , and resolving to go by sea thither , the french desired , that he might have free passage through the british ocean ; which the queen not only willingly granted , but made offer of a fleet for the convoying him thither . there having been no regent in scotland , ever since the earl of marre's death , james douglas , earl of morton , was now made regent , by the procurement of queen elizabeth , and was continued and maintained by the authority and power of queen elizabeth , maugre all the practices of the papists , and the french against him . this regent enacted many profitable laws for the defence of religion against papists and hereticks , in the king's name . but , the protection and keeping of the king's person , he confirmed to alexander ereskin , earl of marre ( to whom the custody of the kings , in their tender years , belongeth by a particular priviledge ) though he were in his minority : and now the regent meeting with some opposition through the practices of the french , he implored aid of queen elizabeth , which she granting him , he therewith overcame his and the kingdom 's enemies , and brought that realm into a very setled and quiet posture . about this time , the bishop of rosse was let out of prison , but expelled england ; and being abroad , he continued his sollicitations to the pope and all catholick princes , in favour of the queen of scots , his mistress , from all whom he received fair promises , but no performances . and indeed he had lost the main support of his hopes in the duke of alva , who about that time was recall'd from his government of the low countreys , both for that he was grown too great , and that the people there had a mortal aversion for his person , by reason of his cruelty . he was succeeded by requesens , a man of a milder spirit , minding his own , not concerning himself with either english or scottish affairs , but endeavoured to oblige queen elizabeth by all manner of good offices . now again broke out several new rebellions in ireland , but were suppressed by the care and industry of the queen's ministers and officers there . but they had raised a desire in walter devereux , earl of essex , to go against them , which being opposed by sir william fitz-williams , deputy of ireland , an expedient was found out by the queen , by appointing essex to take a patent of the deputy ; which having accordingly done , he went into ireland with some forces ; but not meeting with the success he had promised himself , he long sollicited , and at length obtained leave to return home . in the mean time , the king of navarre and the duke of alanzon , a pretender to the queen , being suspected by the queen mother of france , of some designs against her authority , were put under confinement : whereupon queen elizabeth sent an envoy to sollicit their reconciliation and liberty . but now charles the french king dying , he was succeeded by his brother henry the third ; who having left the throne of poland , and being returned into his own countrey , my lord north was sent ambassador to congratulate his arrival , and inauguration into his kingdom : who , in return , sent a person with the same character hither , but whose chief errand was to make strong intercessions in the king 's and queen mothers name , in favour of the match between her majesty , and the duke of alanzon . but notwithstanding all the kindness that passed between these two courts , and that the league of blois was now again confirmed and ratifyed by both crowns , yet the french continued their practices in scotland , in favour of the queen of scots ; endeavoured to have got that king over into france , contrived how to deprive morton the regent , of his authority ; and the french king having demanded , by letters , whether the mutual defence mentioned in the league , was intended to comprehend the case of religion also ? which the queen answering in the affirmative , he immediately began to prepare for war against the protestants ; and alanzon being engaged in the adverse party , there was no talk of a match for a long time . during these occurrences , requesens the spanish governour of the low countries , finding how much his predecessors neglect of marine affairs was prejudicial to his master's interests , he made his request to queen elizabeth , that he might take up ships and marriners , for his majesties service : that the english fugitives , in the low countries , might serve the king of spain against the hollanders , and have free access to the ports of england ; and that the dutch , who were rebells against the king of spain , might be banished england . but , for several reasons , she thought not fit to grant any of these particulars ; yet to preserve inviolate the old burgundian league , she put out a proclamation , wherein she commanded , that the ships of the dutch , that were made ready , should not go forth of the haven ; nor yet , the dutch who had taken up arms against the king of spain , enter into the ports of england , and by name , the prince of orange , and fifty other of the principal of that faction . in return of which favour , the english seminary at doway was dissolved , and the earl of westmerland , and other english fugitives were banished the dominions of the king of spain . in the mean time the prince of orange and the confederated states finding their forces too small to oppose the king of spain , they consulted to whose protection they might most securely betake themselves . the french they saw then engaged in a civil war , the princes of germany were loath to part with their money , could seldom agree amongst themselves , and were not altogether of a mind with them in religion : whereupon knowing none more powerful nor capable of protecting them than england , they sent an honorable embassy of several persons to the queen , offering her the soveraignty of holland and zealand ; forasmuch as she was descended from the earls of holland , by philippa , wife of edward the third , daughter of william of bavaria , count of hannonia and holland : by whose other sister the hereditary right of those provinces came to the king of spain . of this offer the queen took time to consider , and after mature deliberation , she made answer , after that she had thanked them for their good intentions towards her ; that she held nothing more glorious than justice , that as she could not with the safety of her honour and conscience receive those provinces into her protection , much less assume them into her possession ; yet she would use her endeavours with the king of spain , that a good peace might be concluded . shortly after requesens dying , the states of the several provinces took upon them the ancient administration of the government , which the king of spain was fain to confirm unto them , till such time as john of austria was arrived , whom he designed for a successor to requesens . in the mean time , the queen by her ministers endeavoured to compose matters in those countries ; but the minds of the factions were so exasperated against one another , that all her efforts in that kind proved abortive . yet he continued to intercede with the king of spain in their behalf ; and the ambassador she sent for this purpose to that court , finding that that king's ministers would not admit in the queens title the attribute of defender of the faith , he demanded it with that courage and prudence , that he thereby gained the favour of the king of spain himself , who desired him that the queen might know nothing of this dispute , and gave severe command that the title should be admitted . about this time there happened some disorders upon the borders of scotland , which having been favoured by the ministers of the regent , queen elizabeth would in no wise be satisfied until the regent himself came into england to make his submissions to the earl of huntingdon , the english commissioner . much about the same time the earl of essex received a great affront , for amidst his great exploits and victory in ireland , through the practises of his enemies at court ; he was of a sudden recalled home , and ordered to resign his authority in ulster . but leicester being jealous of his presence at court , caused him to be sent back thither with the empty title of earl marshal of ireland ; for grief whereof he fell into a bloody flux , and ended his days in grievous torments , but not without suspicion of poyson , by the earl of leicester's means , for that he had marryed his widdow immediately after his death . in the mean time , the confusions increased in the low countries , which the queen endeavoured very much to remedy , and though the states had offered themselves to the french , yet she sent them twenty thousand pounds sterling , upon condition , they should neither call in the french into the low countries , nor change their prince nor their religion , nor refuse a peace , in case it were offered by don john of austria , upon reasonable conditions . and that governour being now arrived , queen elizabeth sent a person of quality to congratulate his coming thither , and to offer him her assistance , if the states called in the french into the low-countries . the seas being now extreamly infested with pyrates , the queen caused several men of war to put forth to scoure them ; which they did to that purpose , as to take two hundred of them , and to put them in prisons all along the coast. she likewise caused the zelanders to make restitution and satisfaction of the english goods they had taken and confiscated . and now all the world courting the prosperity of england , and the prudent conduct of it's queen , the portugals requested , that the commerce might be restored , that had been now for some time prohibited between the two nations ; and the conditions which they offered , and were accepted , were as much or more to the english , as their advantage about the same time , martin forbisher ▪ undertook a voyage for the discovery of the northern passage to cathaia but his , and that which was undertaken two years after for the same purpose ▪ proved in vain . and now , a great friend and ally of queen elizabeth's , the emperour maximilian , being dead , she sent sir philip sidney to his son rodolphus ▪ to condole his fathers death , and congratulate his succession , causing the same offices to be done with the surviving son of the then newly deceased electo● palatine . in ireland , fresh rebellions breaking out about this time , the prudent conduct of the queen and her ministers , was such , that all those commotions were suddenly suppressed , and that nation brought to a greater subjection than it had ever been before ; but her ministers proceeding to lay new taxes , she gave order for the moderating them , ●aying , that she would have her subjects shorne , not devoured . but , the papists still continuing their practices against her majesty , had perswaded don john of austria to endeavour the escape of the queen of scots ; which , when he should have procured , he was to have marryed her , and thereupon , have demanded as well england as scotland , in right of his wife . but this plot and all the contrivances to bring it about , being discovered by the prince of orange , to queen elizabeth ; she thereupon entred into a defensive league with the states of the low countries . after which , some forces were sent over thither , with whom , flocked several volunteers of quality . casimir the elector palatine's son came likewise thither , with an army of german horse and foot , at the queen's charges . these forces were unexpectedly attacqued by don john , at the head of a great and experienc'd army , assisted by the prince of parma , and other the best commanders of the spanish monarchy ; and though they had expected a certain victory , yet after an obstinate fight , they were compelled to retreat : but rallying again , they thought to have surprized the english and scottish volunteers , but were again repulsed by them , and the english and scots were so fiery in this engagement , that , casting away their garments by reason of the hot weather , they fought in their shirts , which they made fast about them . before this action , don john had sent to queen elizabeth , to complain of disobedience in the states . the spaniard himself having done the same , and likewise the french-man , of his hugonot subjects . thus sate this queen as an heroical princess and umpire between the spaniards , the french , and the states ; insomuch , that it was true what one hath written , that france and spain were the scales in the ballance of europe , and england the beam to turn them either way : for whom she assisted , did ever play the master . now though embassadours come from the queen of england , the emperour , and the french king into the low countries , with proposals of peace , yet their negotiation proved to no purpose , for that don john refused to admit the protestant religion , and the prince of orange refused to return into holland . but shortly after , don john dyed in the flower of his age , some say of the pestilence , others of grief , both for his being out of favour with the spanish king , and for that , his ambition had been disappointed ; first , of the kingdom of tunis , and afterwards of that of england . in scotland began again new commotions , for the people having conceived a great aversion against the lord morton , the regent , the nobility unanimously resolved to transfer the administration of the government upon the king , though then but twelve years old , appointing him a council of twelve of the principal lords , three of whom were to attend him a month by course . hereupon the king sent an ambassador to queen elisabeth , who was dismissed with satisfaction in most of the points he came about : but the lord morton , not being able to brook the disgrace of being put from the regency , taketh the administration of all affairs to himself ; which so provoked the nobility of that kingdom , that they raised a great army , and were ready to fight him and his forces , when , through the intercession of sir robert bowes , the english ambassador , things were accommodated for the present . and now the king of spain and the pope conspire the utter ruine , as they imagined , of queen elizabeth , having taken all the necessary measures for an invasion of england and ireland ; but don sebastian , king of portugal , being to head this enterprize , was killed in the memorable battel , wherein three kings were slain in africa ; whereupon the king of spain's thoughts and forces were wholly taken up how to secure the kingdom of portugal to himself . in the mean time , the duke of alanzon renews his suit to the queen , sending over several french lords to sollicit in his behalf : and amongst the rest , one simier , who had the reputation of a great courtier , and one who understood the art of love , better than any one person of his time ; and indeed , he seemed to have made such advances in his negotiation , as made several of the other pretenders jealous , and caused the earl of leicester to report , that this french-man crept into the queens affections by love potions and unlawful arts , for which , and other speeches , and his being married to the earl of essex his widow , he was confined to the castle of greenwich , and had it not been for the earl of sussex , though his greatest adversary , he had been committed to the tower : but this course so provoked the earl of leicester , and there were such suspicions of a design of murdering simier , that the queen put out a proclamation , commanding , that no person should offer injury to the ambassador , or any of his servants . yet it happening at that time , that the queen going in her barge with simier , and some english noblemen to greenwich , a young fellow , shooting off a musket , shot one of the rowers in the barge , through the arm with a bullet , for which he was immediately carried to the gallows ; yet upon solemn protestation that he did it unwillingly , and with no ill intent , he was let go , and pardoned . and notwithstanding all that was suggested to the queen , yet she was so far from suspecting her subjects , that she frequently said , she would not believe any thing against them , which a mother would not believe against her children . within a few days after which accident , the duke of alanzon himself came incognito into england , and unexpected by the queen ; with whom , having had some private conferences , he returned back to france ; and within a month or two after his departure , the queen appointed commissioners to treat with simier , concerning the articles of the marriage . the king of spain having constituted the prince of parma governour of the low countries , qu. elizabeth supplyeth the states with a great sum of money ; for which , william davison brought into england the ancient pretious habiliments of the family of burgundy , and their costly vessels laid to pawn , by matthew of austria , and the states . and about this time , sir william drury succeeded in the deputiship of ireland , to sir henry sidney , who had been eleven years deputy of ireland , at several times . and casimir , son to the elector palatine of the rhine , came into england ; and after he had been magnificentl● entertained , he was made knight of the garter , and dismissed with a yearly pension . and the queen , having procured of the grand seignieur a full liberty for her . subjects to-trade in all the territories of turkey , a company of turkey merchants was first set up about that time ; who carried on a great and most advantagious ▪ trade in the several parts of his vast dominions . hereupon , followed the death of sir nicholas bacon , lord keeper of the great seal ; in whose place , succeeded sir thomas bromley , with the title of lord chancellor of england . and now broke out new rebellions in ireland , the natives thereof being thereunto stirred up by the pope and his adherents : during which , sir william drury dying , arthur lord gray was made deputy in his stead . and now the pope having bestowed the kingdom of ireland upon the king of spain , for that qu. elizabeth , forsooth , had forfeited her right by being an heretick ; great forces were sent into that kingdom ; both of spaniards and italians , for to assist the rebells in driving and expelling the english from thence ; and though the rebells and their auxiliaries , had the advantage in some rencounters , yet they were at length , totally routed by the english , and the irish hanged , and the spaniards and italians put to the sword. and no less successful were the english in the low countries , where john norris and oliver temple , english commanders , being joyned with some companies of dutch , attacked early one morning , the wealthy , strong , and large city of mecklyn , in brabant ; and after some opposition , took it . not long before these occurrences , dyed sir thomas gresham , who , besides the royal exchange , and other publick structures , dedicated to the profession - of learning , a fair house of his in the city , since called gresham colledge ; constituting therein , lectures of divinity , civil law , physick , astronomy , geometry , and rhetorick , with reasonable stipends . and now the english seminaries abroad , who were incited to maintain and inculcate , that the pope hath such fullness of power , by divine right , over the whole world , both in ecclesiastical and divine matters , that by virtue thereof it is lawful for him to excommunicate kings , absolve their subjects from their oath of allegiance , and deprive them of their kingdoms : and now i say , those seminaries began to spawn out instruments into all parts , for the teaching and inculcating this doctrine ; and , amongst others , came the jesuits , parsons and compian , into england , who spoke to the papists so venemously of the queen , and of deposing her , that the papists themselves did design to have discovered them . whereupon , for that these and several more of that wicked tribe , lay lurking , and in masquerade , stirring up people to rebellion , and using all manner of abominable machinations against the queen and her authority ; her majesty thought fit , to put out a proclamation , wherein she declareth , that she had attempted nothing against any prince , but for preservation of her own kingdom ; nor had invaded the provinces of any other , though she had sundry times thereunto been provoked , by injuries , and invited by opportunities . if any princes do assail her , she doubteth not but to be able ( by the favour of god ) to defend her people , and to that purpose she had mustered her forces both by sea and land , and had now made them ready against hostile invasions . her faithful subjects she exhorteth to continue unmoveable in their allegiance and duty towards god and their prince , the minister of god. the rest which had shaken off their love to their countrey , and their obedience to their prince , she commandeth to carry themselves modestly , and not to provoke the severity of justice : for she would no longer offend in such sort , that by sparing the bad , she should be cruel against her self and her good subjects . about this time it was that captain drake returned home from his extraordinary voyage round the world. he was a person born of mean parentage in devonshire , his father being persecuted in king henry the eighth's time , for protestantism , changed his abode , and lived privately in kent , but after that kings death , he procured to read prayers among the mariners of the queens navy ; and bound his son francis prentice to the master of a ship , who traded to france , and zeland . now this master took such a liking to francis for his activity and readiness in all things he took in hand , that at his death he left him his pinck as a legacy : this vessel drake sold , and thereupon in the year , attended sir john hawkins in his voyage to america , but with the loss of all he had in the world in that voyage . some time after , having gained a considerable sum of money , by trading and privateering , he again undertook a voyage to america , wherein the first prize he made , was great store of gold and silver , carried over the mountains upon mules , whereof he carried the gold to his ships , but left and buried his silver . after this exploit he proceeded , took , plundred , and fired a great place of commerce , called the cross , upon the river cherarge , and whilst he was wandring and roving about the adjacent places , he discovered from the mountains , the south sea. hereupon inflamed with affectation of glory and wealth , falling upon his knees , he craved the assistance of god , and bound himself by a vow to undertake the navigating and surveying of those seas : and now , having obtained great riches , he for the present returned home : afterwards , about the middle of november , in the year , he set sail with five ships , and about seamen , from plimouth , for the southern sea , and in the space of five and twenty days came to the cape of cantyne in barbary , and then sailed along the isle of fogo , that casteth forth sulphury flames ; and at his being under the line , he caused every person in his ships to be let blood , and arriving on the twenty sixth of april , at the mouth of the river of plata , he saw an infinite number of sea calves ; from thence sayling to the haven of saint julians , he found a gybbet , set up , as was thought by magellan , when he punished certain mutineers . in this very place john doughty , a stout and industrious man , the next to drake in authority , was called in question for raising sedition in the navy , and was condemned to death , which he suffered very undauntedly , after having received the communion with drake . on the twentieth of august , he set sail with three ships , for the two lesser he had before left to the waves , shipping the men and amunition into the rest , to the streight of magellan ; the sixth of september entring into the wide southern ocean , called the pacifique sea , he found it extream tempestuous , insomuch , that his ships were dispersed by storm ; in the one of which john winter was master , who returned back into england . drake himself , with only one ship , coasted along the shoar , until he came to mouch island . and setting sail from thence , he found a barbarian fishing in a small boat , who taking our men to be spaniards , gave them notice , that there rode at anchor , a great spanish ship , at villa parizo , and directed them thither : and the spaniards supposing him to be their own country-man , invited him on board , where he presently shut the spaniards , not being above eight persons , under hatches , and took the ship , wherein was four hundred pound weight of gold. then went he on land at taurapasa , where he found a spaniard sleeping on the sea shoar , and lying by him thirteen bars and wedges of silver , to the value of four hundred thousand duckets ; which he commanded to be carried away , not so much as once waking the man. afterwards entring the haven of africa , he found there three ships without any seamen in them ; wherein , besides other commodities , were seven and fifty silver bricks , each of which weighed twenty pound ; from whence he sailed to lima , where he found twelve ships in one road , and in them great store of silks , and a chest full of money ready coyned , but not so much as a boy aboard ; so secure they think themselves on that coast : and then making all the sail he could , he followed the rich ship called the cacofogo , and by the way met with a small ship without canon or other arms , out of which he took fourscore pound weight of gold , a golden crucifix , and some emeraulds of a fingers length . on the first of march , he overtook the cacofogo , and having shot down the foremast with the shot of a great piece of ordnance , he set upon her and soon took her ; and in her , besides jewels , fourscore pound weight of gold , thirteen chests of silver ready coyned , and as much silver , as would ballance a ship. and now thinking himself sufficiently rich , he resolved to make sail for england ; and soon the third of november , he arrived at plymouth , having sayled round about the world in the space of three years , to his eternal renown , and the great admiration of all men. he was graciously received by the queen , who yet sequestred his goods , that they might be forth coming if the king of spain demanded them : and her majesty having given order for his ship to be drawn on shoar near deptford , whereto , and where it does remain for a monument ; and in it being consecrated for a memorial with great solemnity ; and having been there treated with great magnificence , her majesty conferred the honour of knighthood upon captain drake . but the spanish embassadour in england began to bluster , and re-demanded the goods that had been taken by drake , and made complaints of the english sayling in the american seas : to whom the queen replied , that she had caused the goods to be sequestred , and that they were forth-coming , for the king of spain's satisfaction ; notwithstanding that the queen had been at greater expences in suppressing the rebellions that had been raised by the spaniard's instigations in england and ireland , than all the money that drake had brought with him : and as for sayling on the american sea , that it was as lawful for her majesties , and and other princes subjects , as the king of spain's ; and that she could not acknowledge any right in the pope to appropriate those or any other countreys to any person . however , the king of spain's agent in this business , had a great sum of money repayed him , which , instead of being restored to the owners , was employed against the queen , and the protestants in the low countries ; where the english did extraordinary exploits in behalf of the confederated states , general norris raising the siege of fenwick , that was besieged by the forces of the king of spain , and shortly after fought another spanish army , but , being over-powered with numbers , made a gallant retreat . in the mean time , new troubles were raised in scotland , some envying the duke of lenox his great favour with the king , accused him of endeavouring to pervert the king to popery , and allure him into france , which suspicions he endeavoured to dissipate ; and thinking those rumours were promoted by morton , and that he was not secure as long as morton lived , he caused him to be beheaded , as accessory to the death of the king's father . during these transactions , the match with the duke of alanzon was prosecuted afresh , several of the principal lords of france coming over for that end , and shortly after that duke himself came over hither . in the mean time , the articles of marriage were agreed upon by the commissioners on both sides , but with some reservations , that were disclaimed by the french king , who refused to enter into an offensive and defensive league , until such time as the marriage was consummated . yet the french duke's presence here seemed to have so promoted his business , that the queen , having one day given him publickly a ring , this was looked upon as a contract , by all the standers by ; and thereupon publick rejoycing was made in several places abroad , as for a thing concluded , but not so at home , when the innate aversion the english have for the french , broke out into publick murmurs , and libells against this match , which occasioned the queen to put forth proclamations to stifle them , and the authors and dispersers of those seditious pamphlets to be punished according to law. about the same time , a jesuit and several popish priests were convicted of having plotted the ruine of the queen and kingdom ; of adhering to the pope , the queens enemy ; and of coming into england to raise forces against the state ; for which they were condemned , and accordingly executed : shortly after whom , several papists suffered death likewise for the same crimes . in the mean time , the duke of alanzon , suspecting that he had onely been lured with empty hopes of a crown here in england , having the government of the low countries conferred upon him by the states , he prepared for his journey thither , and was accompanied by the queen as far as canterbury ; where they parting , her majesty ordered some of the principal courtiers to attend him to antwerp ; where , finding his commission so limited , that he had only the name of authority , he made a rash attempt upon antwerp , for which he was forced to leave the low countreys , with the aversion and scorn of those people . but during these occurences , the king of spain subdued all portugal in seventy dayes time : which being a great addition to the vast dominions he before had , put all europe in mind of uniting for their common security . in the mean time , the english continued their bravery in the low countries , and with great success and advantage to the states . and the queen , to procure the amity of the king of denmark , and an abatement of the customes in the sound , sent him the order of the carter , which he accordingly received with all acknowledgment . and now broke out again new commotions in scotland , the king being surprized and detained by the earls of goury , lindsey , marr , and others , who caused arran to be imprisoned , lenox to be banished out of scotland , and the earl of arguse to be called home from exile . but shortly after , the king being then about eighteen years old , made his escape out of their hands ; whereupon , sir francis walsingham was sent to him by queen elizabeth , for the giving him good counsel , and the endeavouring to compose the distractions of that kingdom : during which , the famous irish rebell gyrald fitz gyrald , the eleventh earl of desmond of this family , having a long time kept himself outof the hands of the english , by lurking in private places , was about this time found out , and slain by a common souldier , in a poor cottage . this great lord was descended from maurice , the son of gyrald of windsor , an english man , famous among those who first invaded ireland in the year . he possessed whole counties together , with the county palatine of kerry , and had of his own name and race , at least five hundred gentlemen at his command ; all whom , and his own life also , he lost within the space of three years , very few of his family being left alive . this misfortune was brought upon him by his disloyalty to his prince , through the instigation of popish priests . but ireland and scotland , ( where lately the earl of gowry was beheaded , as convicted of several treasons ) were not the only scenes of plots and conspiracies , but england it self was again filled with popish practices against the queen's life , and in favour of the queen of scots . but being discovered , some of the nobility and ring-leaders of the faction , were taken into custody , others confined to their houses , and others made their escape into france . in the mean time , some disputes happening between the czar of muscovy and the king of sweden , this king not finding himself able to oppose that emperour , sendeth a royal ambassy to request the queen's intercession in his behalf , which accordingly her majesty immediately performed ; and , by her ambassador accommodated matters between those two princes , upon very reasonable terms . at the same time , the queens ambassador obtained of the czar , the confirmation of the priviledges of the english merchants in russia , maugre she had denyed him satisfaction in several points , and one of her subjects to be his wife and empress , which he had extreamly sollicited . mendora , the spanish ambassador at this time in england , was put out of the kingdom , for joyning with the english rebells , and stirring up the people to rebellion ; and an ambassador sent into spain , to justifie this conduct , who not being admitted to audiency of the king , but referred to the counsellors , he disdained to open himself to them , and returned home without declaring the cause of his embassy . the papists printed and dispersed books to exhort the queens women to commit the like against the queen , as judith had done with commendations against holofernes : the book-seller for whom these seditious libels were printed , was executed ; but the author could not be found out . and now farther discoveries were made of the practices of the papists against the queen and state , of a design of invading england by the catholick princes , and of the measures that had been taken by the papists , for that purpose ; which discoveries being confirmed by the confessions of some of the papists themselves , all possible precautions were taken for the preventing the execution of any such pernicous designs ; and amongst other expedients , for the better providing for the safety of the queen's person , a number of her subjects , headed by the earl of leicester , men of all ranks and conditions , bound themselves mutually to each other , by their oaths and subscriptions , to persecute all those to death , that should attempt any thing against the queen ; which league of theirs , was called the association . the several treaties that had been held with the queen of scots , having proved abortive , she fearing that this association was designed for her destruction , made this proposition by nave her secretary , to the queen and council ; that if she might be set at liberty , and be assured of the queen's affection , she would enter into a strict league and amity with her ; and passing by all matters of offence , most officiously love and observe her , above all other princes of christendom ; and enter also into the association aforesaid , for the queens security , and into a league defensive ( saving that ancient league between france and scotland . ) this seemed to give great delight and satisfaction to queen elizabeth ; and she was thought at that time to be really inclined to grant her her liberty . but her majesty being continually allarm'd with apprehensions from the adverse party , both of scots and english , who exclamed , that the queens life was in no wise secure while the queen of scots was living , o● at least , at liberty ; insomuch that this treaty was likewise broken off ; and upon the queen of scots adversaries suggestions , she was taken from the earl of shrewsbury , and committed to the custody of sir amias paulet , and sir drue drury , which rendred her so desperate , that she grew the more importunate with the pope and the king of spain to put their designs in execution . and now there ran a report , that the catholicks had entred into a combination , for the depriving queen elizabeth of her crown , for the disinheriting the king of scots of the kingdom of england , as being both of them detected of heresie ; the queen of scots to be married to some catholick english noble-man ; that this noble-man should be elected king of england , by the english catholicks , the election confirmed by the bishop of rome ; that his children by the queen of scots , should be proclaimed lawful successors to the crown ; and all this was affirmed by one hart a priest. about this time , dyed in france the duke of alanzon , for grief ; and in holland , the prince of orange was treacherously shot with three bullets , by one bethazar gerard , a burgundian . and now the french king being elected by queen elizabeth into the order of the garter , her majesty sent the earl of derby to invest him therewith , with all the usual solemnity . there being a parliament assembled at westminster , one parry , a member of the lower house , was first imprisoned for opposing and exclaming against a bill that was preferred against the jesuits , but being set at liberty upon his submission , he was immediately after accused by one edward nevil , of the earl of westmerland's family , of having held secret consultations about taking away the queens life ; which upon his examination being confessed by him , with all the particulars thereof ; and being brought to his tryal , and still confessing the same , he was accordingly condemned and executed . whereupon , the parliament then sitting , made several seasonable laws for the security of the queens person . thereupon , the earl of arundel was committed to the tower. in the same place , and at the same time , the earl of northumberland , a man of a lofty spirit and courage , who had been committed thither upon suspition of a secret consultation with throckmorton , the lord paget , and the guises , for invading of england , and setting the queen of scots at liberty , was found dead in his bed , being shot with three bullets , under his left pap , his chamber-door being barred on the inside . the coroners inquest having examined the matter , and all other lawful scrutinies being made , it was found and declared ; how that for fear of the law , he had laid violent hands upon himself . the practices of the papists against the queen and the reformed religion , being thus dayly more and more discovered , the queen resolved to endeavour the contracting an offensive and defensive league with the king of denmark , the protestant princes and states of germany , and the low countries , and with the king of scotland : to which purpose she sent ministers to their respective courts , but it was delayed in scotland by some new commotions , which occasioned a change of ministers and officers of that crown ; till at length all being quieted and accommodated , it was unanimously voted by all , that a treaty of a league with the queen of england , should be agreed upon , and delegates nominated to that purpose . during these transactions , new rebellions broke forth in ireland , the mutineers calling into their aid the hebridian scots , who together with the irish were utterly defeated by the english , above three thousand of them , ( being all except fourscore ) killed upon the place . which victory was famous and advantageous both for the present and future times , for hereby the name of the mac-williams in connaught , was utterly extinct , and the insolent attempts of the scottish islanders absolutely crushed . about this time the states of the low countries being brought very low , and unable to secure themselves any longer against the ruine that was threatned them by the vast power of the spaniards , they implored queen elizabeth's protection , and offered her the sovereignty of their provinces , which for the present , after much debate in her council , she refused ; but was willing to supply them with four thousand souldiers , in case the town of sluce with the ordnance belonging to it , were delivered to her for caution . but afterwards , upon their farther representations of the sad condition they were reduced to , and commiserating the doleful estate of so great a branch of the reformed religion , she at last resolves to take them into her protection , promising to supply them with five thousand foot , and a thousand horse , under a sufficient general , and paying them during the war , upon condition , that they should by way of pledge , deliver to her flushing , the fort of ramekin , and the brill : and her majesty immediately caused to be put forth a large declaration in justification of ●his her conduct . and thereupon , that the war might not be brought to her own doors by the king of spain , she sent sir francis drake admiral of her fleet , and christopher carlile , general of her land forces into america , with a fleet of twenty one ships , wherein were two thousand three hundred volunteers and saylors , for to make a division thereby , who after they had taken and plundered several places in those parts of the world , and lost seven hundred of their men , most of whom dyed of the calenture , they returned home , with a booty valued at six thousand pounds sterling , and two hundred and forty of the enemies great brass and iron guns ; and with tobacco , being the first time it was brought into england . during these transactions in america , john davies , with two ships , set forth at the charges of the citizens of london , first discovered and found a passage by the northern parts of america to the east indies . about this time , the earl of leicester was sent by the queen , as general of her forces into holland , being accompanied by the earl of essex , and several persons of quality , with a choice band of five hundred gentlemen . the earl of leicester's reception was attended with all the pomp and magnificence imaginable : and at his arrival at the hague , the chief government and absolute authority over the confederated provinces , was committed to him by instrument in writing , by the states general , with the title of governour and captain general of holland , zeland , the united and the confederated provinces . which he accepted of , and also the title of excellency . all which severely displeased the queen , and she made both him and the states sensible of her anger by her letters to them , desiring the latter to devest leicester of that absolute authority they had devolved upon him . the states let the queen know how much they were grieved for having incurred her displeasure by having devolved that authority upon the earl , without her previty , and desire her to be pacifyed , considering the necessity they were in so do . upon these letters and those of leicester's , that were written with all the submission , respect , and repentance imaginable , the queen was reconciled and satisfyed . but leicester's ▪ arbitrary way of government , imposing new customes upon merchandizes , and introducing martial laws , quickly raised an aversion to him in the people . his first warlike exploit was the undertaking to relieve grave , a town in brabant , then besieged by the prince of parma : but notwithstanding all the great efforts of the english , the town was at length taken , through the cowardice of the governour , who was thereupon executed . after which , the prince of parma laid siege unto venlo in guelderland , where one roger williams a welchman , performed great service , yet the spaniards took that town also , while the earl of leicester was beating the spaniard out of the betou , a river island lying ▪ between the rhine and the waul , and near the tolhuis , built a strong sconce . after which , the lord willoughby , governour of bergen-op-zoom , cut off the enemies ▪ convoys , and took away their provisions . and sir philip sidney , with maurice the prince of orange's son , took in axill a town in flanders ; and doesburgh was likewise besieged , and taken by the earl of leicester . but in a rencounter before zutphen , was the renowned sir philip sidney slain , being the greatest ornament of the age he lived in : he was honoured with an epitaph by the king of scotland , and both universities celebrated his memory with elegies , and his funerals were solemniz'd with great ceremony , in st. paul's church in london . the earl of leicester laid siege to zutphen , but the winter season being far advanced , he was forced to quit the farther prosecution of it , leaving it only blocked up , and returned to the hague , where the states entertained him with complaints of his conduct , and the ill circumstances he had thereby brought them into ; whereupon , he took away the jurisdiction of the states council , and presidents of the provinces , and then returned into england . about this time was concluded the league of strict amity between the queen of england and the king of scotland ; being chiefly designed for the maintenance of the reformed religion . shortly after the conclusion of which league , was discovered a new dangerous conspiracy against the queen ; one john savage , having been perswaded by some popish priests , that it was a meritorious work , to take away the lives of excommunicated princes . hereupon was a combination made of english catholicks , and correspondence held with the queen of scots , the pope , the guises , the spaniard , and the other enemies of the queen and the protestant religion ; but was first discovered by one of the plotters themselves , and confessed by the rest , both before and at their executions : whereupon , long debates and consultations were held , what was to be done with the queen of scots : and at length those voices prevailed , that were for the bringing her to her tryal : insomuch , that the queen was perswaded to sign a patent for the constituting the arch-bishop of canterbury , the principal officers of the crown , the chief nobility of the kingdom , and the privy counsel her commissioners , to hear and try that queens cause . but the queen of scots for some time , refused to plead , as being an absolute princess , and therefore exempted from any jurisdiction : but , at length consenting , she was charged with having been privy to all the fore-mentioned conspiracies ; consenting to the invasion of england , and the queens destruction by the confession of her secretaries , and the rest of the traytors , and which were confirmed by letters of her own hand writing : and having little to say in her own defence , the commissioners pronounced sentence against her in the star chamber . and , in a few days after , the parliament being convened at westminster , the lords petitioned the queen , that the sentence against the queen of scots might be published : but the queen made answer , that she could wish that that sentence might deterr the queen of scots from such like contrivances for the future , and that some expedient might be found out , for the saving her life , and yet secure england and it's queen from further attempts and dangers of that kind . but , both houses replyed , that neither her majesty , nor themselves , were safe , as long as the queen of scots was living ; and pressed her so hard , that the sentence might be put in execution , that commissioners were appointed to admonish her to prepare for death ; which news , she received without any change of countenance , or shew of passion . and having that night made her will , she , with great courage and devotion , prepared her self to dye the next day , and was then accordingly beheaded , in the six and fortieth of her age , and seventeenth year of her imprisonment in england . but what most perswaded queen elizabeth to suffer the sentence to be put in execution , was the french and scottish ambassadors finding their sollicitations in the behalf of the queen of scots , to be to no purpose , the french ambassador had hired and excited some persons to kill queen elizabeth ; but being discovered both by the confession of the parties , and the french ambassadour himself , and several rumours spread abroad , that the spanish fleet was already arrived at milford haven ; that the scots were broken into england ; that the duke of guise was landed in sussex , with a strong army ; that the queen of scots was escaped out of prison , and levyed an armed power ; that the northern men had raised a rebellion ; that there was a new conspiracy to kill the queen , and set the city of london on fire ; nay , and that the queen was dead . insomuch , that some change being apprehended , the queen was , after much importunity , prevailed with , to sign the sentence of death . and the scots report , that one of the principal perswaders was patrick grey , who was sent from the king of scots , to perswade the queen from putting his mother to death . queen elizabeth was so grieved when she received the news of her death , that she commanded her counsellors from her presence , caused davison to be cited in the star-chamber , and fined ten thousand pounds . she likewise sent one to pacifie the king of scots , assuring that it was done against her meaning and privity , giving him reasons why he should not break out into the revenge he threatned , and signed an instrument , attested with the great seal , and with the hands of all the judges of england , that the sentence against the queen of scots , could in no wise prejudice his right to the succession . in the mean time , the queen had supplyed the king of navarr and the protestants of france , with a great sum of money . and for a diversion to the spaniard , she sent sir francis drake to the court of spain , with four men of war , where he chased six galleys in the port of cales , took , sunk , and burnt , above a hundred ships , set upon their forts , and compelled them to yield , took a vast rich carrack , called the st. philip. thomas cavendish , with three ships , ravaged the west indies at the same time , took and pillaged nineteen great ships , burnt and plundred a great number of the spanish towns , and then returned home ; after having been the third , after magellan , that had sayled round the world. during these successes of the english , the officers of the earl of leicester had employed , having proved treacherous in several instances , the states accused the earl to the queen , who thereupon called him home , and he resigned the government to the states , maurice of nassaw , son to the prince of orange , succeeding in his room at the age of twenty years , and the lord willoughby was made general of the english forces in the low countries , with orders from the queen to reduce the english factions into obedience of the states , which he accordingly performed , with the help of prince maurice : and was in the year , which by the german chronologers was presaged to be the climacterical year of the world , and indeed the rumours of war , and the extraordinary preparations that the spaniards were making for an invasion of england by their invincible armado , seemed to justify their predictions . at this time there was a treaty of peace held near ostend , between the english and spanish commissioners , but designed by the spaniards only to lull the english asleep , till their navy was arrived upon the coast of england . this invincible armado consisted of one hundred and thirty ships , whereof galleasses and galleons seventy two , in which were nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety souldiers ; eight thousand and fifty mariners ; two thousand and eighty gally slaves ; and two thousand six hundred and thirty pieces of great canon . twelve of their main ships being christned with the names of the twelve apostles ; alphorozo per●z de gusman , being made principal commander thereof . besides extraordinary preparations were making in flanders , and the prince of parma had orders to joyn them with fifty thousand men. in the mean time , queen elizabeth was preparing with all diligence , as good a fleet as she could , making the lord howard of effingham admiral thereof , and sir francis drake vice admiral . the lord henry seymour , second son to the duke of somerset , was appointed to lie upon the coasts of the low countries , with forty english and dutch ships , for the hind'ring the prince of parma's coming forth with his forces . at home along the coasts were disposed twenty tousand men , and besides two armies of the choicest and expertest men were raised , the one under the command of the earl of leicester , consisting of a thousand horse , and two and twenty thousand foot , which encamped at tilbury ; the enemy being resolved to make their first attack upon london ; the other under the conduct of the lord hunsdon , consisting of thirty four thousand foot , and two thousand horse , for the guard of the queens person . a council of war was likewise established of prudent and experienced officers . all sea ports were likewise fortified and provided with all things necessary , trusty and prudent persons put into all offices of trust , the most suspected papists committed to custody , the king of scots perswaded to declare in favour of the queen , which he accordingly did with great alacrity . and now at length , after several false rumours and alarums , the two fleets meet and engage , and after several days fight , the spaniards were utterly defeated : insomuch , that of one hundred thirty four ships that set sayl out of lisbon , only fifty three returned into spain : of the four galleasses of naples , but one : of ninety one gallions , and great hulks from divers provinces , only thirty three returned , fifty eight being lost . in short , the spaniards lost in this expedition , fourscore and one ships , thirteen thousand five hundred and odd souldiers . prisoners taken in ireland , zeland , and the low countries , were above two thousand ; insomuch , that there was no famous or noble family in all spain , but what lost a son , brother , or kinsman in this expedition . during these transactions at sea , the queen went in person to tilbury , to view the army and camp there , which she did with a leaders truncheon in her hand ; and with such a resolution , that it strangely animated the courages of them all . and thus was that invincible armado utterly defeated , that so many countries had been so many years preparing , that had been sanctified and blessed by the pope , with all the superstitions of the church of rome , and though pope sixtus quintus had likewise sent cardinal allen , an english man , into the low countries , and renewed the bulls and declarations of his predecessours , excommunicating the queen , dethroning her , absolving her subjects from all allegiance , and publishing his croisado in print , as against heathens and infidels , giving plenary indulgences to all that should offer their assistance . for this extraordinary victory , the queen caused publick thansgivings to be made to god throughout all england , assisting thereat her self with all humility , acknowledgment , and ceremony imaginable . her majesty likewise rewarded those who had signalized themselves in this occasion . shortly after this success , dyed the great earl of leicester , of a fever ; and the prince of parma for the regaining again some of the honour the spaniards had lost in this expedition , undertook the siege of bergen-op-zoom ; but that place being garrison'd with english , he was beaten from before it , and forced to raise his siege . about this time , the earl of arundel was brought to his tryal , for conspiring with the pope , against the queen ; and was found guilty , and condemned by his peers , but reprived by the queen . in the mean time , sir john norris and sir francis drake , undertook an expedition into portugal , for the establishing don antonio , a natural son of a king of that realm , upon the throne thereof ; but , though they joyned with the earl of essex , who was put to sea , without the queen's leave , and advanced to the gates of lisbon , yet they returned without having effected their design . about this time , the popish princes of france entred into a new combination , for the extirpating the reformed religion of that kingdom , calling this their association , the holy league . the head of this league was the duke of guise , who finding his party much the strongest , and being above measure extolled by the catholicks of all parties , it inspired him with the vanity of aiming at the crown for himself ; which the king being sensible of , caused him to be put to death , at the assembly of blois , in the midst of all his hopes . hereupon , extraordinary combustions and distractions followed ; and at length , the king himself was most impiously murdered by a monk ; after which , the popish faction proclaimed the cardinal of bouillon king of france , but the king of navarr , being the next heir , proclaimed king at the same time by all true subjects , and supplyed with men and money by queen elizabeth , he not only maintained his cause against his enemies , but vanquished them upon all occasions . it was now , that the king of scots contracted marriage with ann daughter of the king of denmark , with queen elizabeth's consent ; and which was afterwards consummated by him in norway . in the mean time , the queen continued her preparations against all surprizes of her enemies ; she likewise soon quashed and quieted the commotions that were then in ireland , composed and reconciled the differences that were amongst the states of the low countries , took care to assist them against their enemies ; restrained pyrates , and upon the desire of the french king , sent the earl of essex with an army to his assistance , wherein the english performed extraordinary things ; and sir roger williams , in honour of his nation , sent a challenge to the spaniards , to encounter two hundred pike-men of the english , and a hundred musqeteers , with as many spaniards , in open field ; for which , and several other couragious exploits , the french king highly extolled him , in his letters to the queen . the king of poland and prince of moldavia , being under ill circumstances with the great turk , implored queen elizabeths intercession in their behalf ; which she readily granted , and obtained a peace for them upon very advantagious terms . at this time , brian o rorl , an irish potentate , was convicted at westminster , and hanged for high treason ; as likewise , one hacket , with his adherents , for their blasphemous carriage and expressions . a new proclamation came out likewise against the papists , and for the preservation of the church of england , as established . sir john perrot was likewise about this time , tryed and condemned for treason , but reprieved by the queen . about this time , the colledge of dublin was constituted an university ; and then broke out some new troubles in scotland , through the instigations of the lord bothwell , for which he was proclaimed a traytor . in the mean time dyed the prince of parma , a person of extraordinary accomplishments , and admired by his very enemies . just before whose death , the earl of essex was recalled home out of france , after very great performances , and having challenged the governour of roàn , one of the most considerable lords of france , who thought it not safe to answer him . in the mean while sir walter rawleigh was sent into america , with a considerable fleet , for the intercepting the spanish navy , but receiving intelligence , that it would not come out that year , he divided his fleet to see what other prizes they could get , and thereupon took a great coraque , called , the mother of god , the prize being valued at above an hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling , besides what the officers and souldiers had pilfred for themselves . rebells assascinating the queen . the spanish invasion in . the burning of cadez by the earl of essex . about this time , was executed one hacket , for endeavouring to perswade the earl of derby to take upon him the title of england , in right of descent from a daughter of king henry the seventh , which the earl refused to do , and likewise dyed shortly after . at this time broke out several fresh rebellions in ireland , which were suddainly suppressed through the queens prudent care and conduct ; as likewise several questions were started about the succession , some framing a right in the earl of essex , others in the infanta of spain ; and books were likewise printed in favour of their titles , by the catholick party . during these disputes , was born henry prince of scotland , to whom the queen was godmother ; and now the papists renew their attempts against the queens life , having by a great sum of money perswaded one roderick lopez , a jew , and physician to the queen , to poyson her ; and had likewise engaged several portugals in the same design ; but this plot of theirs being discovered by intercepted letters , and afterwards confirmed by their own confessions , they were accordingly executed , as likewise one patrick cullen an irish man , who had been sent by the english fugitives to kill the queen . amongst other expeditions and voyages of the english into america , was that of james lancaster , who returned home about this time , after having took nine and thirty spanish ships , and loaded fifteen more with the wealth of an indian caraque . about this time , william russel , youngest son of the earl of bedford , was sent deputy into ireland , in the room of sir william fitz williams , who was called home ; and this new deputy quickly brought the rebells there to submission . there was likewise a new , but false rumour , spread abroad , that the spaniards were equipping a fleet for the invading of england again . at which time two papists were executed for having designed the death of the queen . the king of scots was now making levies all over scotland , for the joyning with queen elizabeth , and resisting the spaniard . sir walter rawleigh being now under some disgrace at court , undertook a voyage to guyana , and though he did considerable dammage to the spaniard , yet this expedition was of little advantage to the english or himself . sir francis drake and sir john hawkins , with several others , went again into america , but not meeting with the success they had promised themselves , they dyed , what of grief , what of sickness , and the fleet returned home without having done any great exploits . during these expeditions abroad , the combustions in ireland being grown to a considerable height , and those rebells having craved the assistance of the king of spain , sir john norris was sent over thither with new forces to aid the deputy . the arch duke and cardinal of austria being now made governour of the spanish netherlands , he unexpectedly attacqued and took in cales . whereupon the queen sent supplies of money to the french king , and gave order for the immediate raising a choice army , whereof she made the earl of essex general , and fitted out a fleet under the command of charles howard , lord high admiral of england : these forces ( amongst whom were several volunteers of the principal nobility and gentry ) being put on board the ships , they set sail under the conduct of the foresaid lords , under sir walter rawleigh , sir francis vere , and other the principal commanders of the realm , and arrived before cales ; and having before received intelligence that there lay at anchor in that haven , several galleys , men of war , and a number of merchants , it was resolved in the council of war , that they should be attacked . whereupon the earl of essex flung up his hat for joy . the english thereupon first engaged the spanish ships and gallions , which they did with that vehemence , that some were burnt by them , others by the spaniards themselves , but the gallies made their escape by creeping along the shoar . when the sea engagement was at an end , the earl of essex landed with eight hundred souldiers at puntal , about a league from the town of cales , and the spanish forces that were there abouts , being drawn up between the town and them , with design to have intercepted them , the english attacqued them with that fury , that they put them to rout , but upon consideration , they thought fit to make a feigned retreat , that the fugitives might rally and joyn the troops of cales , which such a stratagem was hoped might entice out of the town . which succeeding accordingly , they fell upon them again with that english fury and courage , that great numbers of them were slain , and the rest were forced to take refuge in the town , where the english quickly overtook them ; for the gate being broke by sir francis vere , and other parts of the town scaled by the english , insomuch , that that wealthy town was taken by assault , and the castle upon condition , that the inhabitants might depart with cloaths on their back , the rest left for plunder ; the castle being to be redeemed for five hundred and fourscore thousand duckets ; forty of the principal cittizens being sent hostages for the payment into england , a vast quantity of money and ammunition being found in the town . the spaniards likewise proffered sir walter rawleigh two millions of duckets to exempt their ships from firing , which he would not hearken to ; saying , that he was sent to destroy ships , not to dismiss them upon composition . and it was generally calculated and acknowledged by all people , that the spaniard was damnified by this expedition , twenty millions of duckets . the fleet being returned home after this glorious victory , the queen made sir francis vere governour of the briel , and rewarded all the rest according to their deserts . the spaniard in the mean time , to repair the honour he had lost at cales , set forth a new great fleet for the invasion of england and ireland , but were most of them castaway by storm , before the news of their fitting out came into england . in the mean while , the queen fortify'd her ports , and provided her self against any farther attempts of that kind . she likewise entred into a league offensive and defensive , with the french king , hearing that the spaniards were preparing a new navy against ireland . whereupon , the queen caused a considerable fleet , under the command of the earl of essex , to put forth to the coast of spain . after they had taken and plundered some towns , and likewise , made a prize of some of their india ships , they returned home , but not with all the success they had promised themselves at their setting out , by reason of the contrary winds and tempests they had met with in their voyage . essex , at his coming to court , was something disgusted to find that some of his competitors to the queens favours , had been raised to new honours , dignities and places during his absence ; but was something pacified by the queens creating him earl marshal of england . but , during these transactions , the english did extraordinary performances in france , in behalf of that king , which he acknowledged in his letters to the queen ; and craved farther ▪ assistance from her majesty , upon the spaniards having gained some advantage over him , which was accordingly granted . but the french , a while after , upon the instigation of the pope , concluded peace with spain , notwithstanding the instances that were made to him by the queen and the states general , to the contrary . hereupon followed a consultation , whether a treaty of peace was to be held with the spaniard ; which being opposed by the earl of essex , was laid aside for som time ; but then again revived , through the mediation of the french , and the commissioners met accordingly at bulloign ; but upon dispute of precedency , was broken off altogether . in the mean time , tir-oen breaking out into open rebellion in ireland , and having gained a greater victory of the english than the irish had ever done before , after some debate , the earl of essex was sent thither , with ample authority ; but not meeting with that success he had promised , and having intelligence , that his conduct was become suspected at court , he returns into england without the queens permission ; whereupon , he was committed to custody , and brought to a private tryal ; but , upon his submission and repentance , was again set at liberty : yet , being reproached with pusillanimity by some of his cabal , he turned male-content , used all means to gain the peoples love , resolves to sieze on the queen ; but being disappointed , he retired into the city , endeavouring to engage the citizrns on his side ; which not being able to effect● he yielded himself up at length to the lord admiral , and was sent to the tower , with his great friend , the earl of southampton ; both whom , being brought to their tryal , were found guilty by their peers ; and essex accordingly beheaded : but the earl of southampton , the queen was graciously pleased to reprieve . but others of his adherents , as sir charles dorves , sir christopher blunt , one cuffe and merrick suffered likewise death ; the two former being beheaded , and the two latter executed at tyburn . in the mean time , happened the famous battel of newport , under the conduct of prince maurice of nassaw , where the dutch gained a great victory by the english valour , who were led by sir francis vere , and his brother horatio ; they slew nine thousand of the spaniards , the english being but fifteen hundred , had eight hundred slain and mortally wounded , eight captains killed , every man of the rest hurt . during these occurrences , dyed philip king of spain , and the earl of cumberland returned home from an expedition he had undertook against the spaniard ; wherein he did great dammage to them , but gained little profit to himself . about this time , was executed one edward squire for attempting to kill and poyson the queen , and some of her chief ministers , having been excited thereunto by the jesuits and popish priests . shortly after which , was founded the company of the east india merchants , the queen allowing them very large priviledges . some time after , sir richard levison and sir william monson , with eight men of war , and some smaller ships , were sent out by the queen to attempt something upon the spaniard , who a little before had sent considerable forces to the assistance of the rebells in ireland ; who being joyned with them , made an army of above twelve thousand men : and now , thinking themselves secure of victory , as being double the number of the english , they resolved to fight , but were utterly defeated by the english , twelve hundred being slain , and most of the rest taken prisoners , the spanish general , with most of the officers , being of the number ; and the other spanish commanders were forced to deliver up the forts they held in that kingdom , and depart ; whereupon , tir-oen , and the rest of the rebells , submitted themselves , without any condition , to the queen . now , though the dutch had failed of the promised assistance to levison and monson , yet they first attacked the spanish navy , to which , they did great damage ; and at length , took an indian carraque of sixteen hundred tun , and worth a million of duckets ; though it lay under the shelter of one of their forts , and guarded by eleven gallies ; and returned home , having lost but five men in their voyage . at this time , there happening some dispute in england , between the jesuits and secular priests , the queen , by proclamation , commanded them to depart the realm immediately . she likewise interceeded with the french king , in favour of some princes of the protestant profession in france . and now in the year . the queen finding the infirmities of old age coming upon her , having lived threescore and nine years , six months , and seven days ; reigned four and forty years , four months , and seven days , she retired to richmond , where she dyed , on the twenty fourth day of march , being the last day of the year , . having a little before her death , supplyed the states of geneva with a considerable sum of mony , upon the notice she had of the duke of savoy's practising against , and oppressing his neighbours and subjects of the reformed religion . finis . a true and full narrative of those two never to be forgotten deliverances one from the spanish invasion in , the other from the hellish powder plot, november , : whereunto is added the like narrative of that signal judgment of god upon the papists, by the fall of the house in black-friers, london, upon their fifth of november, / collected for the information and benefit of each family, by sam. clark ... england's remembrancer clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a true and full narrative of those two never to be forgotten deliverances one from the spanish invasion in , the other from the hellish powder plot, november , : whereunto is added the like narrative of that signal judgment of god upon the papists, by the fall of the house in black-friers, london, upon their fifth of november, / collected for the information and benefit of each family, by sam. clark ... england's remembrancer clarke, samuel, - . clarke, samuel, - . gun-powder treason. [ ], , [ ], , p., folded leaf of plates. printed for j. hancock ..., london : . added t.p. and separate paging ([ ], p.): the gun-powder treason. added t.p. and separate paging ( p.): a narrative of the visible hand of god upon the papists. originally published in as england's remembrancer. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng armada, . gunpowder plot, . catholics -- england. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a true and full narrative of those two never to be forgotten deliverances : one from the spanish invasion in . the other from the hellish powder plot : november . . whereunto is added the like narrative of that signal judgment of god upon the papists , by the fall of the house in black-friers london , upon their fifth of november , . collected for the information and benefit of each family , by sam , clark , formerly pastor in bennet fink . behold the wicked travelleth with iniquity , and hath conceived mischief , and brought forth falshood . he made a pit , and digged it , and is fallen into the ditch which he made . his mischief shall return upon his own head , and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate . psal. . , , . london , printed for j. hancock , and are to be sold at the three bibles , being the first shop in popes-head alley , next to cornhill . to the honourable and his much honoured friends edward rvssel , esq son to the right honourable francis earl of bedford . and to the lady penelope , his prudent and pious consort . sir , madam , i take the boldness to present you with these narratives , not for that they are new , or supposing your selves to be strangers to them : but as a testimony of my gratitude for these favours i have received from you : the high heavens may be seen in the lowest valleys : so may a large heart in the least gift . but truly though the gift be worthless , yet so is not the matter contained in it , which sets forth such eminent and signal deliverances as no church or people in these latter ages of the world have received ; and there must be a recognition of gods mercies , or else there will neither follow estimation , nor retribution : hence micah . . o my people ( saith god many hundreds of years after ) remember now what balack king of moah consulted , and what balaam the son of beor answered him from shittim unto gilgal , that ye may know the righteousness of the lord. if there be not such a recognition of former deliverances , we that should be as temples of his praise , shall be as graves of his benefits . our souls indeed are too like filthy ponds , wherein fish die soon , and frogs live long : rotten stuff is remembred , memorable mercies are forgotten ; whereas the soul should be as an holy ark ; the memory as the pot of manna , preserving holy truths and special mercies ; as aarons rod , fresh and flourishing . oh! let us imitate that man after gods own heart ! if the lord will be davids shepherd , he will dwel in gods house to all perpetuity , psalm . . , . if god deal bountifully with him , he will sit down and bethink himself what to render for all his benefits , psalm . , . a christian counts all that he can do for god by way of retribution , but a little of that much he could beteem him ; and thinks nothing more unbeseeming him than to bury the mercies of god in oblivion . his two mites of thankfulness and obedience he dayly presents , and then cryes out as that poor grecian did to the emperour , if i had a better present thou shouldest be sure of it . what then may we judge of those persons in our daies , who labour to extenuate , yea annihilate these deliverances ? that would have no publick commemorations of them , that study how to invalidate them , and to blot out the remembrance of them ? to render good for evil is divine : good for good is humane : evil for evil is brutish : but evil for good is devillish . yet alas ! how ordinary an evil is this among us , to abuse our deliverances to gods ' dishonour ? but do ye thus requite the lord , o foolish people , and unwise ? is not he thy father ? he hath bought thee , &c. deut. . . should we not remember that good turns aggravate unkindnesses , and our offences are not a little encreased by our obligations ? ingrateful persons are like the snake in the fable , who said to the country-man when he had shewed it kindness : summum praemium pro summo beneficio est ingratitudo . ingratitude is the greatest reward of the greatest benefit . how many such snakes have we amongst us , that return evil for good , and unkindness for kindness ? is not this to fight against god , with his own weapons ? as david did against goliah : as jehu did against jehoram : and as benhadad did against ahab , with that life that he had lately given him ? for the preventing whereof ( if it may be ) are these things published , being almost worn out of remembrance more than the very names of them . besides , though they may be found in larger volumes , yet are they not so fit for every family : and as i have presumed ( honourable and beloved ) to publish them udder your protection , so i doubt not but they will find the better entertainment for the same . my earnest desire and prayer for you is that the god of peace will fill you with all joy and peace by believing , multiplying his blessings upon you and yours : and that you would afford me a room in your albe among those that sir , madam , love , honour and serve you . sam. clark. from my study in thridneedle street , octob. . . the spanish invasion a commemoration of that wonderful , and almost miraculous deliverance afforded by god to this nation from the spanish invation , anno christi , . the year one thousand five hundred eighty eight , was foretold by an astronomer of k●n●ngsberg , above one hundred years before , that it should prove a wonderful year : and the german chronologers presiged , that it would be the climacterical year of the world , which was in some measure accomplished in that glorious and never to be forgotten deliverance vouchsafed by god to us in england , and in that fatal overthrow of the spanish navy ; a true narrative whereof followes . but that we may the better see what induced the spaniard to make this hostile invasion , we must be informed : both who were the inciters , and by what arguments , and artifices , they stirred him up thereunto . the inciters were the pope , and some traiterous english fugitives who were entertained in spain , and at rome . the design was , the conquest of england ; which had been hindred for the space of ten years by reason of the spanish wars in portugal . the arguments were , that seeing god had blessed the king of spain with admirable blessings and successes ; had given him in portugal , the east indies , and very many rich islands belonging to the same ; that he should therefore perform somewhat that might be acceptable to god ( the giver of so great and good things ) and most worthy the power , and majesty of the catholick king : that the church of god could not be more gloriously , nor meritoriously propagated , than by the conquest of england , extirpating heresie , and planting the catholick roman religion there . this war ( they said ) would be most just and necessary ; considering that the queen of england was excommunicated , and persisted contumacious against the church of rome . that she supported the king of spains rebels in the netherlands , annoyed the spaniards with continual depredations ; surprised , and sacked his towns in spain , and america , and had very lately put the queen of scots to death , therein violating the majesty of all kings . again , that this war would be no less profitable than just ; for hereby he might add to his empire other flourishing kingdoms , extinguish the rebellion in the low-countries , hitherto fomented and supported from england ; secure his voyages from both the indies , and abate his vast expences in convoying his indian fleets both forward and backward : for proof whereof ( they suggested ) that the english navy was neither for number , nor greatness , nor strength comparable to that of spain ; especially having the portugal fleet now annexed unto it . that england was not fortified , and it wanted commanders : souldiers , a cavalry , and ammunition ; was bare of wealth , and friends . that there were many in all parts of it addicted to the romish religion , and would upon the first opportunity joyn their forces with his . in brief , that so great was the strength of the spaniard , and so unmatchable was their valour , that no man durst oppose against them , and therefore they might confidently assure themselves of victory . moreover , that now an opportunity was afforded by god himself to the king of spain to effectuate this great design , having no cause to fear any other enemies , by reason of a truce lately concluded by him-with the great turk , and the french ( his old enemies ) being now embroiled in civil wars at home . they perswaded him likewise that england was an easier conquest than the netherlands : for that he had a shorter cut to it by sea , and that an open sea : neither was it so fortified with cities , castles , &c. as the netherlands were : and that england being once conquered , the netherlands would soon follow of course , having lost their best supporter . these , and such like arguments prevailing with the king of spain , in the next place they held a serious consultation about the manner of invading england . don avares bassano , marquiss of sancta cruce ; who was to command the armado , advised that some port-town in holland , or zealand should suddenly be surprized by the prince of parma's land forces ( who was then governor of the netherlands under the king of spain ) and by some spanish ships sent to assist him by sea , that so the great fleet might have an harbour from whence to begin their invasion : with whom agreed in opinion the prince of parma himself , who was very forward to promote this expedition . but others opposed this by reason of the difficulty , danger , expence of time , and vast charge that it would require . they held that with the same charge england might easier be won , and that the conquest thereof would be assured , if a well-appointed army out of spain , and the low-counties might be landed at the thames mouth , and london ( the metropolis of england ) surprised by a sudden assault . and this opinion , as the more probable , prevailed . and then again it was advised by some , that war should first be denounced by an herald , both to remove suspicion and jealousie from neighbour princes , and to drive our queen to call in forraign forces to assist her : hoping that according to the insolent manner of mercenaries , they would raise mutinies , and spoil the country , which would make the queens subjects evil affected towards her , so that all things would grow into confusion in england . but this motion was not hearkened to by men grown fierce , insolent , and confident of their own strength , only they desired the blessing of the pope upon their armado , and the prayers of the catholicks to god and the saints for good success . and to strike the greater terror into the hearts of the english , they set forth books with printed maps , wherein was expressed the greatness of their preparations in each particular , which indeed was so great in spain , portugal , italy , and sicily , that the spaniards themselves were amazed at it , and procured the pope to christen it by the name of the invincible armado . now that the wonderful power and mercy of god to us in this poor nation , in protecting us against the same , may the more gloriously appear , i shall in the next place set down what their preparations were for ships , mariners , land-souldiers , ammunition , and other provisions for the carrying on of so great an undertaking . the spanish navy , being the best appointed for men , munition , and all manner of provision , that ever the ocean saw , had been five years in preparing , consisted of one hundred and thirty ships , whereof these were the principal . the admiral gallion of saint martins , of a thousand tun burden , had in her one thousand seventy and seven mariners , three hundred souldiers , fifty canon , &c. the gallion of saint johns , of one thousand and seventy tun , had in her one hundred and sixty mariners , two hundred and thirty one souldiers , fifty canon , &c. the gallion of saint mark of seven hundred and ninety two tun , had in it one hundred and seventeen mariners , two hundred and ninety two souldiers , &c. the gallion of saint phillip , of eight hundred tun , had in it one hundred and seventeen mariners , four hundred and fifteen souldiers , forty guns , &c. the gallion of saint lewis , of eight hundred and thirty tun , had in it one hundred and sixteen mariners , three hundred and seventy six souldiers , forty guns , &c. the gallion of saint matthew , of seven hundred and fifty tun , had in it fifty mariners , one hundred and seventy seven souldiers , forty guns , &c. the gallion of saint james , of five hundred and twenty tun , had in it one hundred mariners , three hundred souldiers , fifty two guns , &c. the gallion of florence , of nine hundred and sixty one tun , had in it one hundred mariners , three hundred souldiers , fifty two guns , &c. the gallion of saint christopher , of three hundred fifty and two tun , had in it ninety mariners , three hundred souldiers , thirty guns , &c. the gallion of saint bernard , of three hundred and fifty two tun , had in it one hundred mariners , two hundred and eighty souldiers , thirty guns , &c. a ship of saint angelo , of seven hundred sixty and eight tun , had in it one hundred and fourteen mariners , three hundred and twenty three souldiers , thirty canons , &c. the gangrine , of one thousand one hundred and sixty tun ; had in it one hundred and ten mariners , three hundred souldiers , thirty six canons , &c. the ship saint james , of six hundred and sixty tun , had in her one hundred and two mariners , two hundred and fifty souldiers , thirty guns , &c. the manuel , of five hundred and twenty tun , had in her fifty four mariners , one hundred and thirty souldiers , sixteen guns , &c. the saint mary , of seven hundred and tun , had in her fifty mariners , two hundred and twenty souldiers , thirty guns , &c. but i need not reckon up the rest . they had in all one hundred and thirty ships , containing ffty seven thousand , eight hundred and eight tun ; wherein were eight hundred and forty five mariners , nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety five souldiers , and two thousand and eighty eight gally-slaves . and so confident were the spaniards that england should pay the shot , that they spared no cost for furnishing it forth with all things necessary . for which end they provided of bullets for great shot two hundred and twenty thousand . of powder four thousand and two hundred kintals , every kintal containing a hundred pound weight : of lead for bullets a thousand kintals : of match a thousand and two hundred kintals : musquets seven thousand : of partisans and halberts ten thousand : with store of murthering pieces , double canon , and field pieces for the camp : they had also store of furniture for carriages , mules and horses ; so that they were sufficiently provided both for sea and land. bread and bisket ready baked , and wine laid aboard for six months provision . they had moreover six thousand and five hundred kintals of bacon ; three thousand of cheese , besides other flesh , rise beans , pease , oil , and venegar , with twelve thousand pipes of fresh water . they had also store of torches , lamps , and lanthorns , canvas , hides , and lead to stop leaks : whips and butcherly knives to murder and torment the poor english. in a word , the army was thirty two thousand strong , and cost the king of spain thirty two thousand ducats every day . in this army were five regiments of old spanish souldiers of the tertio's of naples , sicily , and the tercera's , commanded by five masters del-campo : the first was don diego de piementel , a knight of the order of saint john , and brother to the marquess of taveras : the second colonel was don francisco de toledo , brother to the earl of orgas : the third don alonzo de luzon : the fourth don nicholas de illa : the fifth was augustin mexia ; each colonel having in his regiment thirty two companies , besides the castilian , and portugal bands , each of them having their peculiar commanders and weapons . the general of this mighty army ( the marquess of sancta cruce being now dead ) was don lodovicus peres , the duke of medina sidonia of the order of the golden fleece . the admiral was don john martinez de richald : the marshal don francisco bovadille : others were chief counsellors for the war , and don martin alarcon was vicar general for the holy unholy inquisition , in whose train were a hundred monks and jesuites : and cardinal allen was appointed the superintendent of ecclesiastical matters throughout england , who fearing to be unprovided , translated pope sex●us his bull into english , that it might be the sooner published upon the arrival of the spanish fleet in this our nation . of voluntary adventurers , there were a hundred and twenty four noble men , and gentlemen of all the greatest houses in spain , hoping to be well paid with the lands and riches of england . the prince of parma also in the netherlands , by the king of spains command ; built ships , and very many flat bottomed boats , each of them big enough to carry thirty horse , with bridges fitted to them to ship and unship the horses : he hired mariners from east-germany , set many thousands on work to dig and deepen river ; from antwerp to gaunt , and to bruges : lading three hundred small boats with munition and victuals . two hundred more flat-bottom'd boats were made , though not so big as the former , which lay ready in the haven of newport , besides thirty seven ships of war at dunkirk : he prepared piles sharpened at the nether ends , headed with iron , and hooked on the sides to pile up the mouths of rivers : at graveling he provided twenty thousand empty casks with cords , and other furniture to make floating bridges to stop up the havens ▪ beside an infinite number of fagots : he shipped likewise a great abundance of saddles , bridles , with other furniture for horse , and horses also for carriages , with ordnance and other provisions for war. neer unto newport he had lying under the command of camillo thirty companies of italians , two of walloons , and eight of burguignons every company containing a hundred men : at dyxmew he mustered eighty companies of netherlanders , sixty of spaniards , sixty of high dutch , among which were seven hundred fugitive english under the command of sir william stanley , who of all others were held in greatest contempt : neither was stanley , nor the earl of westmoorland , not others which offered their service and counsel once heard , but for their treachery to their country barred from all access , and as most unfortuate conductors , worthily with detestation rejected . at conick also he quartered other four thousand , and at watene nine hundred horse , commanded by the marquess of guast . and to this land-service came the duke of pastrana , supposed to be the king of spains base son : the marquess of buorgon , one of the duke ferdinands sons : don vespasian gonsaga of the house of mantua , a great souldier , who had been viceroy of spain : don john de medices , bastard of florence : don amadeus , bastard of savoy , with many others of the like quality . neither was sixtus quintus , pope of rome , any ways backward to shew his diligence , and devotion to this intended invasion ; but sent abroad his crusado ( as he used to do against the turks and infidels ▪ ) wherein out of the treasure of the church he gave plenary indulgences , and pardon of all their sins to every one that contributed his assistance hereunto : and for the furtherance of this enterprise , himself undertook to contribute a million of gold , the one half presently down , the other half when any notable haven in our land should be won : yet with this proviso , that the crown of england should be held as feudatory to the see of rome ; in earnest whereof he bestowed upon the king of spain his apostolical benediction , and the title of defender of the faith : he sent also cardinal allen into the low-countries , and renewed the bulls of pius the fifth and gregory the thirteenth , whereby queen elizabeth was excommunicated , deposed from her throne , and her subjects absolved from all allegiance to her . thus we see what preparations were made both at sea and land ; at rome , in spain , and the netherlands , for the subduing of england , extirpating the gospel , and subjugating us under the yoke of spain : now let us see what provision and preparations our queen made to dispel this black cloud that hung over our head : and truly the first thing that she did was most christian ; for as when jehosophat was threatned with the like danger . chro. . . he sought the lord and proclaimed a fast ; so did she , requiring all her subjects to humble themselves by fasting and prayer , knowing that these are the best weapons of the church , that they by them might seek unto the lord , and say in the words of jehosophat , o lord god , art not thou god in heaven ? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the earth ? and in thine hand is there not power and might , so that none is able to withstand thee ? o our god , wilt thou not judge them ? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us , neither know we what to do , but our eyes are upon thee . but in the second place , knowing that prayers without endeavours and means are like rachel , beautiful but barren , that she might not be taken unprovided , she prepared with all diligence as strong a fleet as she could , and all things necessary for war ; and she that in discerning mens parts and abilities was of a most sharp judgment , and ever most happy , having the free choice in her self , and not by the commendations of others , assigned to every office by name the best and fittest men . the charge of her navy she committed to charles howard of effingham , lord admiral of england , of whose skill she had had former experience , and whom she knew both by his moderation and nobility , to be wary in providence , valiant industrious , and of great authority among the seamen , and well beloved of them : her vice-admiral she made the famous sir francis drake , and these she sent to the west parts of england ; and for the guard of the narrow seas , she appointed henry lord seimore second son to the duke of somerset , whom she commanded also to lie upon the coasts of the low-countries , with forty ships , to watch that the prince of parma might not come forth with his forces : by land she commanded the general forces of the realm to be mustered , trained , and put in readiness in their special shires , for the defence of the whole , which accordingly was done , and whereof the lord robert dudley earl of leicester was appointed leeutenant ; twenty thousand whereof were disposed along our south coast for the guard thereof : besides which , she had two armies ; one of which consisting of a thousand horse , and twenty two thousand foot , was encamped at tilbury neer the thames mouth , whither the enemy fully intended to come : the other which was led by the lord hunsdon , consisted of thirty four thousand foot , and two thousand horse , which were to be the guard of the queens person : her self in courage far surmounting her sex , as another zenobia or rather deborah , led forth the lords host against this great sisera , and her souldiers valiant and skilful , both for courage and quick dispatch , might well be compared to those gadites that came to aid david , whose faces were like the faces of lions , and were compared to the roes in the mountains for swiftness . arthur lord grey , sir francis knolles , sir john knorris , sir richard bingham , and sir roger williams , all gallant men , and brave souldiers , were appointed to consult about managing the land service : these advised that all the commodious landing places for the enemy , as well from spain , as from the low-countries should be manned and fortified , as milford haven , falmouth , plimmouth , portland , the isle of wight , portsmouth , the open coast of kent , commonly called the downs , the thames mouth , harwich , yarmouth , hull , &c. and that the trained bands throughout the coast shires , should meet upon a signal given to defend the said places , and do their best to prohibit the enemies landing . but in case he should land , that then they should leave all the country round about wast , that so they might find nothing for food , but what from their ships they should carry upon their shoulders , and that they should hold the enemies busied both night and day with continual alarms , but not to hazard a battel till more commanders with their companies were come together . some suggested also to the queen , that the spaniards abroad were not so much to be feared as the papists at home ; for that the spaniards would not attempt the invasion of england , but upon confidence of aid from them : she thereupon committed some of them to prison at wisbeach in the fenns ; by her letters also she directed sir william fitz-williams , lord deputy of ireland what he should do . the king of scots she put in mind to beware of the papists and spanish factions : by her frequent letters she wrote to the states of the vnited provinces not to be deficient in assisting her what they could . but amongst these preparations for war on both sides , philip king of spain , to cast a mist over her majesties eyes , and to rock her into a sleep of security , importuned by all means the realms unto peace , imploying the prince of parma to be his instrument therein , who dealt earnestly by letters with the help of sir james crofts , a privy counsellor , and a man much addicted to peace , as also by andrew van loey , a netherlander , that a treaty of peace might be entred upon , affirming that he had warrant thereunto from the king of spain . our queen measuring other princes by her own guileless heart , gave ear to this deceitful lullaby , little suspecting that a deadly snake could be hid in so fair a garden ; yet resolved to treat of peace with her sword in her hand , neither was the prince of parma against her so doing . in the month therefore of feb. commissioners were sent into flandeas , henry earl of darby , william brook , lord cobham , sir jamis crofts , valentine dale , and john rogers doctors of the law , who arriving there , were received in the prince of parma's name with all courtesy ; who thereupon sent away dale presently to him to know where the place of meeting should be , and to see his commission from the king of spain : the place he appointed to be neer ostend , the town it self being then in the english hands ; and as for his commission , he promised it should be produced at their meeting : only he wished them to hasten the matter , lest any thing should happen in the interim to interrupt the treaty : and one richardot , which stood by him , said more openly , that he knew not what in the mean time might be done against england . which being reported to the queen , she sent rogers to the prince to know whether there was any design for the invading of england , as he , and richardot by their words seemed to imply : the prince answered that he had never any thought for the invading england , when he wished the treaty to be hastened , and was angry with richardot , who denied that any such words had fallen from him . commissioners for the king of spain were maximilian earl of aremberg , governor of antwerp , richardot president of artois , with some other civilians . these stayed at bruges , and for all their pretended haste , much time was cunningly spun out about the place of their meeting , which should have the precedency , and what hostages should be given for security of the commissioners : yet at length the spaniards yielded to the english precedency , both in going and sitting : and the place wars in tents near unto ostend . the demands for the queen were , that there might be a surcease of arms , with a present and undelayed truce , she mistrusting the spanish preparations at sea : the sending away of forraign souldiers out of the low-countries for englands security : a restitution of such sums of mony as the queen had lent to the states , and which the king had promised to restore : that the netherlanders might enjoy their ancient liberties , and priviledges , nor be governed by a stranger , but by a native prince : that they might have liberty to serve god with freedom of conscience : and lastly , that the articles of the pacification of gaunt , and other like treaties might be observed ; which things if they were granted , she would condescend upon reasonable conditions to deliver up the towns in the netherlands , which she then had in possession , that it might appear that she had not for her own advantage , but for the necessary defence of the netherlands , and her self taken up arms . to these the spaniards replyed , that touching their preparations at sea , they did assure them that it nothing concerned england . that to send away the souldiers , the king could not resolve till the netherlanders had submitted themselves to him . concerning their priviledges , that it appertained nothing to the queen , neither should she prescribe to the king a law. and so far was he from tolerating religion , that he would not so much as hear thereof , otherwise then he had allowed to other towns that had submitted to his obedience . and as for those towns which had been taken from the king , and the mony expended about them , they said that the spaniard might demand as many myriades of ducats to be repayed to him by the queen , as he had expended upon the low-country war , from the time that she supported the revolting netherlanders , and took them into her protection . about this time went dale by the queens command to the prince of parma , and mildly expostulated with him about a book lately published by cardinal allen , that english renegado , wherein he exhorted the nobility and people of england and ireland to joyn with the spanish forces , under the conduct of the prince of parma , to execute the popes sentence already published by his bull against queen elizabeth ; wherein she was declared an heretick , illegitimate , cruel , for putting to death the queen of scots , &c. and her subjects absolved from their oath of allegiance , and commanded to aid the prince of purma against her. ( and indeed there was a great number of these bulls and books printed at antwerp , from thence to be dispersed all over england . ) the prince denied that he had ever seen any such book , or bull , neither would he undertake any thing in the popes name ; howbeit that he must obey his prince . but for the queen of england , he protested that he did so honour her for her vertues , that next to the king his master , he esteemed her above all others , and would be ready to do her service . for the manifestation whereof he said that he had perswaded the king to condescend to this treaty of peace , which would be more advantagious for the english than for the spaniards : for ( said he ) if the spaniards be overcome they will soon recover their loss ; but if you be overcome , your kingdom , and all is lost : to which dale made this reply : our queen is provided with strength sufficient to defend her kingdom , and you your self in your wisdom may foresee that a kingdom cannot be lost with the fortune of one battel ; seeing the king of spain after so long wars , is not able to recover his ancient inheritance in the netherlands . be it so ( said the prince ) these things are in the hands of the almighty . after this the commissioners contended with mutual debates , and replies , still twisting and untwisting the same thread . for when the english pressed that a toleration of religion might be granted for the vnited provinces , at least for two years ; it was answered , that as the spaniard demanded not this for the english catholicks ; so they hoped the queen in her wisdom would require nothing of him which might be against the honour , oath , and conscience of the spaniard . when they demanded the mony due from the states of brabant to our queen ; they answered , that it was lent without the kings knowledge or warrant ; and that the accounts being cast up , how much the said mony was , and how much the king had disbursed about the war , it would soon be known to whom the most ought to be repayed . with such answers as these they dallied with the english commissioners , till the spanish fleet was come within the view of england , and the thundring of the ordnance was heard from the sea , which put the english commissioners into some suspicion and fear , having no hostages for their safe return . but they received a safe conduct from the prince of parma ( who had in the mean time drawn down all his forces to the sea coast ) and so were conducted to the borders near calice . thus came this treaty to nothing , undertaken by our queen ( as was conceived ) to divert the coming of the spanish fleet : and continued by the spaniard to surprize england unprovided , and at unawares so both sides put the foxes skin upon the lions head . and now we are come to speak of this invincible armado , which was the preparation of five whole years at least . it bare it self also upon divine assistance , having received a special blessing from the pope , and was assigned as an apostolical mission for the reducement of this kingdom to the obedience of the see of rome : and in further token of this holy warfare , there were amongst the rest of the ships , twelve , called by the names of the twelve apostles . the gallions and galliasses were of such a vast size , that they were like floating towers and castles , so that the swelling waves of the sea could hardly be seen ; and the flags , streamers , and ensigns so spread in the wind , that they seemed even to darken the sun , and to threaten destruction which way soever they turned . on the nine and twentieth day of may this fleet set sail out of the river ●ayo , bending its course towards the groin in galizia , the place appointed for the general rendezvous , as being the nearest haven unto england : but whilest they hoysed and spread abroad their proud sailes to the wind ; god , who is an enemy to such nimrod-like undertakings , and hating such hostile actions , suddenly manifested his displeasure , and poured out revenge by a sudden and hideous tempest , which drave the duke of medina , the general , back again into the groin ; eight other of the ships being dispersed on the seas , had their masts broken , and blown over board ; besides three other portugal gallies which were driven upon the coasts of bayon in france , where , by the valour of one david gwin , an english slave , and the help of other slaves , french , and turks , they were delivered into the hands of the french , and they freed themselves by the slaughter of the spaniards , amongst whom don diego de mondrana was one . about the same time the english admiral , and vice-admiral , who had in all about one hundred ships , whereof fifteen were victuallers , and nine voluntaries of devonshire gentlemen , hearing for certainty that the spanish fleet was ready to hoise up their sails , resolved to put forth from plymouth , and to meet , and fight them by the way ; but were so met with by the same wind , that they could not get past the syllies , and thence also were forced by the tempest to return into their former harbour , to refresh their ships , and companies ; only some of their scouts at sea descried some of the spanish ships , which likewise had been dispersed with the storm : but before the english could come near them , the wind vereing about , carryed them back to the groine , where there rest of their fleet lay in harbour . intelligence being brought that the saaniards were in want , their great ships dispersed , and the rest sorely shaken with the storm , and their men dying by multitudes of the pestilence ; the lord admiral howard intended with the first northerly wind to take advantage , which coming about upon the eighth of july , he lanched forth , and bore his sails almost within the sight of spain , purposing to surprise their weather-beaten ships , and to fight them upon their own coast. but then the wind suddenly changing into the south , and he wisely foreseeing that the enemy might pass by without his discovery , that the seas might be stormy , or his fleet wind-bound , and that whilst he thus lay abroad , his service might be more necessary at home , and that his work was to defend the coasts of england , he therefore presently returned and anchored his fleet in the haven at plimouth , suffering his men to refresh themselves upon the land. at the same time there came more confident advertisement ( though false ) not only to the lord admiral , but to the court , that the spanish fleet could not possibly come forth again that year , upon which reports ( a dangerous matter in state affairs ) so confident was our queen , that she sent for four of her biggest royal ships to be brought back to chattam : but the lord admiral suspecting the worst , by a mild and moderate answer retarded it , desiring that nothing might be lightly believed in so weighty a matter , and that he might retain them though at his own charge . wherein indeed a special providence of god did appear , for just at that time news was brought to the lord admiral by one captain thomas flemming , that the spanish fleet was entred into the british seas , commonly called the channel , and was seen near unto the lizard point , which came thus to pass . the spanish ships being new rigged , and their wants supplyed , their king still hot on his former resolutions , instantly urged and hastened his commanders to put forth again to sea , which accordingly they did upon the eleventh of july with the same south wind which ( as was said before ) brought back our navy into plimouth ; and so having a more favourable gale , with brave shews , and full sails , they entred our channel , where casting anchor , they dispatched certain smal pinnaces to the prince of parma , to signifie their arrival and readiness , and to command him in the name of their king to forward his charge for that service . july the twentieth about noon , this terrible fleet was descried by the english , coming forward amain with a south-west wind . it was a kind of surprise : for that ( as was said ) many of our men were gone to land , and our ships ready to depart : nevertheless our undaunted admiral towed forth such ships as he could get in readiness into the deep sea , not without great difficulty , certainly with singular diligence , and admirable alacrity of our mariners , cheered up with the admirals own presence and assistance among them at their halserwork , the wind blowing strongly into the haven . when they were forth they saw the spanish ships with lofty towers like castles , in front like an half-moon , the horns whereof stretched forth in breadth about seven miles , sayling ( as it were ) with labour to the winds , the ocean groaning under them ; so that though with full sails , yet they came but slowly forward . they seemed as it were to make for plymouth ; but whether their commission was otherwise , or because contrary to their expectation , they saw the english ships out of the harbour , they steered by towards calice , hoping to meet with the prince of parma : the english willingly suffered them to pass by , that they might the more commodiously chase them in the reer with a fore-right wind . iuly the twenty first , the lord admiral of england sent before him a pinnace called the defiance , to denounce war by discharging her ordnance , himself following in the ark-royal , set upon the admiral ( as he thought ) of the spaniards but it proved to be alonzo de leva's ship , where fire , smoke , and loud thundring cannons began the parley ; and rending bullets most freely enterchanged betwixt them , were fiery messengers of each others minds . soon after came up drake , hawkins and forbusher , playing with their ordnance upon the hindmost squadron of the enemies , which was commanded by rechalde , who laboured all he could to stay his men from flying for shelter to the fleet , till his own ship being much battered with shot , and now grown unserviceable , was with much difficulty drawn into the main fleet. at which time the duke of medina gathered together his whole fleet , scattered here and there by the english , and hoising more sail , kept on his intended course toward callice ; neither indeed could he do otherwise , the wind favouring the english , and himself finding the inconvenience of their great and high built ships , powerful to defend , but not to offend ; to stand , but not to move ; whereas on the contrary their enemies were nimble , and ready on all sides to annoy them , and as apt to escape harms themselves , being low built and so easily shot over . hereupon he caused them to gather themselves up close in the form of an half-moon , and to slacken their sails that their whole fleet might keep together . but our english admiral having maintained an hot fight for the space of two hours , thought nor good to continue it any longer , thirty of his ships scarce coming to the work , the rest being as yet scarce gotten out of the harbour . in this first days fight the saint katherine , a spanish ship , having been sorely battered and much torn , was taken into the middest of their fleet to be repaired : and an huge ship of biscaie of don oquendoes , in which was a great part of the kings treasure , began to be all in a flame by force of gunpowder , which was fired on purpose by a flemish gunner , for being misused by them : but the fire was soon quenched by the assistance of some other ships sent in to her help . all this while the spaniards for want of courage ( which they called commission ) did what they could to decline the fight , casting themselves continually into roundels ( their strongest ships walling in the rest ) in which posture they made a flying march towards callis : yet in the former medly a great gallion , wherein was don pedro de valdez , vasques de silva , alenzo de saias , with other noble men , being sore battered with the english shot , in avoyding whereof she fell foul upon another ship , and ere she could be cleared had her fore-mast broken off , which so hundred her sailing , that she was unable to keep way with the rest of the fleet , nor were their friends of courage to succour these distressed lords , but left both ship and them in this sudden and unexpected danger . but the night coming on , our lord admiral supposing that they had left neither men nor mariners aboard within her , and fearing to lose sight of the spaniards , past by her , and followed the lanthorn which he supposed to be carried by sir francis drake , as it was appointed , but that brave knight was eagerly pursuing five great hulks which he took to be of the spaniards , but when he came up , and haled them , they proved easterlings and friends , and so were dismissed : yet by this mistake of his , the greatest part of our fleet , wanting the direction of his light , was forced to lye still : so that he and the rest of the fleet till towards night , the next day , could not recover sight of the lord admiral , who all the night before with two other ships , the bear and the mary-rose followed the spanish lanthorn . july the twenty second ; sir francis drake espied the aforementioned lagging gallion , whereupon he sent forth a pinnace to command them to yield , otherwise his bullets without any delay should force them to it : valdes , to seem valorous , answered , that they were four hundred and fifty strong ; that himself was don pedro , and stood on his honour , and thereupon propounded certain conditions : but the knight returned this reply , that he had no leisure to parley , if he would immediately yield , so ; otherwise be should soon prove that drake was no dastard . pedro hearing that it was the fiery drake ( whose name was very terrible to the spaniards ) that had him in chase , presently yielded , and with forty of his companions , came on board sir francis his ship , where first giving him the conge , he protested that he and all his were resolved to have dyed fighting , had they not fallen into his hands , whose valour and felicity was so great , that mars and neptune seemed to wait on him in all his attempts , and whose noble and generous mind towards the vanquished , had often been experienced even of his greatest foes . sir francis to requite his spanish complements with english courtesie , placed him at his own table , and lodged him in his own cabin : the residue of that company he sent to plimouth , where they remained prisoners for the space of eighteen months , till by payment of their ransoms they obtained their liberty : but drakes souldiers had well paid themselves by the plunder of the ship , wherein they found ducats of ●old , which they merrily shared amongst them . the same day michael de oquendo , admiral of the squadron guypusco , and vice-admiral of the whole fleet , suffered no less a disaster ; whose ship being one of the greatest gallions , fell on fire , and all the upper part of the ship being burnt , most also of the persons therein were consumed : howbeit the gunpowder in the hold not taking fire , the ship fell into the hands of the english , which , together with the scorched spaniards therein , was brought into plimouth , a joyful spectacle to the beholders . all this day , the duke of medina laboured securely to set his fleet in order ; to alphonso de leva he gave in charge to joyne the first and last squadron together ; to every ship he assigned his quarter to ride in according to the form prescribed in spain , commanding them upon pain of death not to desert their stations . glitch , an ensign-bearer , he sent to the prince of parma to acquaint him with his condition . july the twenty third , early in the morning the spaniards taking the benefit of a northerly wind , when they approached right against portland , turned about against the english ; but the english , nimble , and foreseeing all advantages , soon turned aside to the vvestward , each striving to get the wind of the other , which at last the english got , and so they prepared themselves on each side to fight ; and the english continued all day from morning till night to batter those wooden castles with great and small shot : the fight was very confused and variable , whilst on the one side the english bravely rescued the london ships that were hemmed in by the spaniards , and on the other side the spaniards as stoutly delivered rechalde being in danger ▪ never was there heard greater thundring of ordnance on both sides , the chiefest fight being performed on this day ; yet notwithstanding the shot from the spanish ships for the most part flew over the english without hurting them , only cock an englishman dyed with honour in the midst of his enemies in a little ship of his . the english ships being far the lesser , charged that sea-gyant with marvellous agility , and having given them their broad sides flew off again presently , and then coming up , levelled their shot directly without missing those heavy an unweildy ships of the spaniards . but the lord admiral would not hazzard a fight by grappling with them , as some unadvised persons would have perswaded him : for he considered that the enemy had a strong army in the fleet , whereas he had none ; that their ships were more in number , of bigger burden , stronger , and huger built , so that they could not be boarded but with extreme disadvantage : he foresaw also that the overthrow would turn to a greater dammage than the victory would avail him : for being vanquished he should have brought england into extreme hazzard , and being conqueror he should only have gained a little glory to himself for overthrowing the fleet , and beating the enemy . on this day the sorest fight was performed , wherein , besides other remarkable harms which the enemy sustained , a great venetian ship with some other smaller were surprized , and taken by the english , and the spaniards were forced for their further safety to gather themselves close into a roundel , their best and greatest ships standing without , that they might secure those that were battered and less . july the twenty fourth , the fight was only between the four great galliasses , and some of the english ships , the spaniards having great advantage , theirs being rowed with oars , and ours ( by reason of the calm ) having no use of their sails , notwithstanding which they sorely galled the enemy with their great and chain shot ; wherewith they cut in sunder their tacklings , cables , and cordage to their no little prejudice . but wanting powder which they had spent so freely , and other provision to maintain the fight , the lord admiral sent some of his smaller ships to the next ports of england to fetch supply ; which stirred up jealousies in the heads of many , that we should thus want upon our own coasts . in which interim a council was called , wherein it was resolved that the english fleet should be divided into four squadrons , and those committed to four brave captains , and skilful seamen , whereof the lord admiral in the ark-royal was chief : sir francis drake in the revenge led the second : captain hawkins the third : and captain forbusher the fourth . other most valiant captains there were in others of her majesties ships , as the lord thomas howard in the lion , the lord sheffield in the bear , sir robert southwel in the elizabeth , captain baker in the victory , and captain george fenner in the gallion-leicester : it was also further appoined that out of every squadron certain small vessels should give you a charge from diverse parts in the dead time of the night , but the calm continuing , this designe could not be effected . july the twenty fifth , being saint james day , the spaniards were arrived against the isle of wight , where was a most terrible encounter , each shooting off their whole broad sides , and not above sixscore yards the one from the other : there the saint anne , a gallion of portugal , which could not hold course with the rest , was set upon by certain small english vessels , to whose rescue came leva and don diego telles enriques with three galliasses : which the lord admiral himself and the lord thomas howard in the golden lion , rowing their ships with their boats ( so great was the calm ) charged in such sort with their roaring canons , that they had much ado , and that not without loss , to save the gallion , from which time forward none of the galliasses would undertake the fight . the spaniards reported that the english the same day beat the spanish admiral in the utter squadron , rending her sore with their great ordnance , and having slain many of her men , shot down her main mast , and would have much endanger'd her , but that mexi● and rechalde came in good time to her rescue . that the spanish admiral , assisted by rechalde and others , set upon the english admiral , which happily escaped by the sudden turning of the wind . that thereupon the spaniards gave over the pursuit , and holding on their course , dispatched again a messenger to the prince of parma , to joyn his fleet with all speed to the kings armado , and withal to send them a supply of great shot . but these things were unknown to the english , who wrote that from one of the spanish ships they had shot down their lanthorn , and from another the beak-head , and that they had done much hurt to the third ; that the non-parrella and the mary rose , had fought a while with the spaniards ; and that other ships had rescued the tryumph , which was in danger : the truth is , they had so sorely battered those huge wooden castles , that once more they forced them for their further safety to gather themselves into a roundel . july the twenty sixth , the lord admiral , to encourage and reward the noble attempts of his gallant captains , bestowed the order of knighthood upon the lords howard and sheffield , roger townsend , john hawkings , martin forbusher , and others : and yet the vain glorious and boasting spaniards caused a report to be spread in france , that england was wholly conquered by them . it was resolved by our men that from thenceforth they should assail the enemy no more till they came to the british frith , or strait of callis , where the lord henry seimore and sir william winter , with the ships which they had for the guard of the narrow seas , waited their coming ; and so with a fair gale from the south west and by south , the spanish fleet sailed forward , the english fleet following it close at the heels . and so far was it from terrifying our english coasts with the name of invincible , or with its huge and terrible spectacle , that our brave english youth with an incredible alacrity , leaving parents , wives , children , kinsfolk , and friends out of their entire love to their native country , hired ships from all parts at their own proper charges , and joyned with the fleet in great numbers , amongst whom were the earls of oxford , northumberland and cumberland : thomas and robert cecil : henry brook : charles blunt : walter raleigh : william hatton : robert carey : ambrose willoughby : thomas gerard : arthur gorges , and many others of great note . july the twenty seventh , the spanish fleet making forward , towards evening , came over against dover , and anchored before callis , intending for dunkerk there to joyn with the prince of parma's forces , well perceiving that without their assistance they could do nothing : they were also warned by the pilots , that if they proceeded any farther it was to be feared lest they should be driven by the force of the tide into the northern ocean . the english fleet following up hard upon them , cast anchor so neer that they lay within culvering shot ; at which time the lord henry seimore , and winter joyned their ships to them , so that now the english fleet consisted of one hundred and forty sail , all able ships to fight , sail , and turn about which way soever they pleased . yet were they not above fifteen that sustained the greatest burden of the fight . from hence once more the duke of medina sent to the prince of parma to hasten forth his long expected , and much desired forces : with which messengers many of the spanish noble men went to land , having had enough of the sea ; amongst whom was the prince of ascoli , the kings base son , who returned to his ship no more ; and indeed well it was for him , for that his gallion was afterwards cast away upon the irish coast , and never returned to salute spain . these messengers earnestly prayed the prince of parma to put forth to sea with his army , which the spanish fleet should protect , as it were under her wings , till it was landed in england . and indeed the prince of parma , hearing the best , and not the worst of this voyage , made all things ready that lay in his charge , whose hopes were so fixed upon englands conquest , and the glittering diadem upon queen elizabeths head did so dazel his ambitious eyes , being assured by cardinal allen that he was the man designed to be crowned therewith , that neglecting the coronet of the low-country government , he transferred the charge thereof upon count mansfield the elder , and having made his vows to the lady of hall in heinault , he was already in conceit no less than a king. but the date of his reign was soon expired , and his swelling tide fallen into a low shallow ebb : for the day following in his march to dunkirk , he heard the thundring ordnance ringing the passing peal of his hopes and title , and the same evening had news of the hard success of the spaniards , the hoped advancers of his dreamed felicity ; and indeed do what he could , he could not be ready at the spaniards call : his flat-bottomed boats for the shallow channels leaked ; his provision of victuals proved unready , and his mariners ( having hitherto been detained against their wills ) had withdarwn themselves : there lay also watching before the havens of dunkirk and newport , whence he was to put forth to sea , the men of war of the hollanders and zelanders , so well provided with great ordnance and musketiers , that he could not put from the shore unless he would wilfully cast himself and his men upon eminent perils and dangers of destruction : and yet he being a skilful and experienced commander , omitted no means , being inflamed with a desire to conquer england . but queen elizabeths foresight prevented both his diligence and the credulous hope of the spaniards . for by her command the next day after the spaniards had cast anchor , the lord admiral made ready eight of his worst ships , filled with wild-fire , pitch , rosin , brimstone , and other combustible matter : their ordnance were charged with bullets , stones , chains , and such like things , fit instruments of death ; and all the men being taken out , upon the sabbath day , july the twenty eighth , at two of the clock after midnight , were they let drive with wind and tide , under the guidance of young and prowse , amongst the spanish fleet. and so the pilots returning , and their trains taking fire , such a sudden thunderclap was given by them , that the affrighted spaniards , it being the dead time of the night , were amazed , and stricken with an horrible fear , lest all their ships should have been fired by them . and to avoid this present mischief , being in great perplexity , they had no other remedy to avoid these deadly engines , and murthering inventions , then by cutting their cables in sunder , the time being too short to weigh up their anchors , and so hoising up their sails to drive at random into the seas : in which hast and confusion the greatest of their galliastes fell foul upon another ship , and lost her rudder : and so floted up and down , and the next day fearfully making towards callis , ran aground upon the sands , where she was set upon by the english . this galliass was of naples : her general was hough de moncado , who fought the more valiantly , because he expected present help from the prince of parma : but sir amias preston gave such a fierce assault upon her , that moncado was shot dead with a bullet , and the galliass boarded , wherein many of the spaniards were slain , and a great many others leaping into the sea were drowned , only don antonio de matiques , a principal officer , had the good hap to escape , and was the first man that carried the unwelcome news into spain , that their invincible navy proved vincible . this huge bottom manned with four hundred souldiers , and three hundred slaves , that had in her fifty thousand ducats of the spanish kings treasure , fell into the english mens hands ; a reward well befitting their valour , who sharing it merrily amongst them , and freeing the miserable slaves from their fetters , would have fired the empty vessel : but monsieur gourden , governour of callis , fearing that the fire might endanger the town , would not permit them to do it , bending his ordnance against those which attempted it . had not this politick stratagem of the fire-ships been found out , it would have been very difficult for the english to have dislodged them ; for those huge ships had their bulks so strengthened with thick planks , and massie beams , that our bullets might strike , and stick , and yet never pass through them : so that the greatest hurt which our english canon did , was only by rending their masts and tacklings . the spaniards report that the duke of medina , when these burning ships approached , commanded the whole fleet to weigh anchor to avoid them yet so , as having shunned the danger , presently every ship to return to her former station , which accordingly he did himself , giving a signal to the rest to do the like , by discharging one of his great guns ; but in this general consternation the warning was heard but of a few , the rest being scattered all about which for fear were driven some into the' wide ocean , and other upon the shallows of flanders . july the twenty ninth , after this miserable disaster , the spaniards ranging themselves into the best order they could , approaching over against graveling , where once again the english getting the wind of them , deprived them of the conveniency of callis road , and kept them from supply out of dunkirk , from whence rested their full hope of support . in the mean while drake aad fenner played incessantly with their great ordnance upon the spanish fleet , and with them presently joyned fenton , southwel , be●●●on , cross , riman , and lastly the lord admiral himself , with the lords , thomas howard , and sheffield : on the other hand , the duke of medina , leva , oquenda , richalde , and others of them , with much ado got clear off the shallows , and sustained the charge as well as they could , yet were most of their ships pitifully torn and shot through , the fight continuing from morning till night , which indeed proved very dismal to the spaniards ; for therein a great gallion of biscay perished , the captains whereof to avoid ignominy ; or to be reputed valorous , desparately slew each other . ●n which distress also two other great ships presently sunk . the gallion saint matthew under the command of don diego piementelli , coming to rescue don francisco de toledo who was in the saint philip , was , together with the other , miserably torn with shot , their tacklings spent , and their bulks rent , so that the water entred in on all sides , which sight was maintained against them by seimore and winter ; in which distress they were driven near ostend , where again they were shot through and through by the zelanders : their desparate condition being known , the duke of medina sent his own skiff for don diego piementelli , camp-master , and colonel over thirty two bands : but he in a spanish bravado refused to leave his ship , and like a souldier assayed every way to free himself : but being unable to do it , he forthwith made towards the coast of flanders , where being again set upon by five dutchmen of war , was required to yield , which finally he did unto captain peter banderdness , who carried him into zeland : and for a trophy of his victory hung up his banner in the church of leiden , whose length reached from the very roof to the ground : another also of the spanish ships coasting for flanders , was cast away upon the sands . francisco de toledo also , being likewise a colonel over thirty two bands in the other gallion , taking his course for the coast of flanders , his ship proved so leak , that himself with some others of the chief betook themselves to their skiff , and arrived at ostend , the ship with the residue being taken by the flushingers . the spaniards now finding their welcome into england far worse than they expected , were content to couch their fleet as close together as they could , not seeking to offend their enemies , but only to defend themselves , and the wind coming to the south-west , in the same order they passed by dunkirk , the english still following them at the heels . but left the prince of parma should take this advantage to put forth to sea , the lord admiral dispatched the lord henry seimore with his squaron of small ships to the coast of flanders , to joyn with those hollanders , which there kept watch under justin of nassau , their admiral : this holland fleet consisted of thirty five ships , furnished with most skilful mariners , and twelve hundred muskiteers , old experienced souldiers , whom the states had culled out of several garisons : their charge was to stop up the flemish havens , and to prevent entercourse with dunkirk , whither the prince of parma was come , and would fain have adventured forth , though his men were unwilling , hearing how their friends had been entertained at sea : only the english fugitives , being about seven hundred in number , under that treacherous knight , sir william stanley , were very forward to be the first that should assault england . july the betimes in the morning the north-west-wind blew hard , and the spanish fleet laboured by that advantage to return to the narrow strait , but were driven towards zeland : whereupon the english gave off the chase , because they saw them carried almost to their utter ruine ; for they could not but run a ground upon the sands and shallows neer zeland : but the wind turning presently into the south-west and by west , they sailed before the wind , by which means they were cleared of the shallowes , and so that evening they called a council what to do , and by consent it was resolved to return into spain by the northern ocean : for that they wanted many necessaries , especially great shot ; their ships also were pitifully torn , and there remained no hope that the prince of parma would or could bring forth his fleet. the armado having now gotten more sea-room for their huge bodied bulks , spread their main sails , and made away as fast as wind and water would give them leave : more fearing the small fleet and forces of the english ( though far inferiour to them ) then standing upon terms of honour either for the credit of their commanders , or their invincible navy : but surely if they had known the want of powder ours sustain●d ( a fault inexcusable upon our own coasts ) they no doubt would have stood better to their tacklings : but god in this , as in all the rest , infatuated them , and would have us to acknowledge that our deliverance was by his own gracious providence and power , and not by any strength or policy of our own . the spanish fleet beeing now carried forth into the deep , they directed their course northward , and our english admiral followed them , lest they should attempt to put into scotland , against whom they now and then turned head , but stood not to it : yet most men thought they would return , whereupon our queen with a manly courage took a view of her army and camp at tilbury , and walking through the ranks of armed men placed on both sides , with a leaders truncheon in her hand , sometimes in a martial pace , and other sometimes like a woman , incredible it is how much she strengthened and encouraged the hearts both of her captains and souldiers with her speech and presence . but contrary to expectation , the enemies with their sails spread , betook themselves to an absolute flight , and leaving scotland on the west , they bended their course towards norway , being ill advised therein , ( but their necessity urged , and god had infatuated their counsels ) thus to adventure to put their shaken and battered bottoms into those black and dangerous seas : neither was the climate heathful for the crazed bodies of the spaniards , over-beaten , and tired with wants , they being now entred the fifty seventh degree of northerly latitude ; from whence our lord admiral returned , leaving only some scouts to discover their success . when the prince of parma came to dunkirk , the spaniards entertained him with opprobrious speeches , as if in favour of queen elizabeth , he had neglected his opportunity , and willingly overthrown so hopeful a design . the prince to give them some satisfaction punished his purveyors of victuals , yet withal laughing in his sleeve at the insolency of the spaniards , having heard them formerly to make their boasts that whithersoever they went they carried assured victory along with them , and that the english durst nor once abide to look them in the face . the spaniards ( as was said even now ) being freed from the english that had haunted them like their ghosts , consulted most seriously what was next to be done : they were very tender of the popes credit , who had prophesied , that this attempt would be fortunate and successful : the wrath of king philip of spain was to be feared , his vast expences being thus lost , and his hopes frustrated : other adventurers would be undone : the glory of the spaniards would be laid in the dust : the invincible navy become a scorn , and england would still be england , not lorded over by the spaniards , if without further attempt they should return into spain . but on the other hand they considered that thousand of the souldiers were slain : a multitude of their survivors lay sick or maimed upon their hands : twelve of their greatest ships were sunk , lost , or taken : their cables , masts , and sails were cut ; rent and broken with the english shot : their anchors left in the road of callis : their victuals failed : their fresh water was spent : and their enemies no less fierce , undaunted , and successful than at the first : the prince of parma though long in preparing , yet still unready , and kept in by the dutch , queen elizabeths firm allies : which circumstances wisely ballanced , the vote went currant for their hastning to spain . but withal knowing that the king of scots ( fast knit in affection and blood to our queen ) would yield them no supplies ; and having as little hope that norway would afford them any , they cast all their , horses , and mules overboard , for the sparing of their fresh water : and so framing their course to sail about cathenes , and the coasts of ireland , they steered between the orcades and the isles of farr unto the sixty first degree of latitude : from whence the duke of medina , with his best stored ships , took westward over the main ocean towards biscay , and at last arrived safely in spain : where for his welcome , he was deposed from all his authority , forbidden to come at court , and commanded to live private , neither could he give satisfaction by his bad excuses , albeit he imputed it to the treachery of his mariners ; to their ignorance ; and small experience of those northern seas . the want of succours from the prince of parma ; the tempests , shipwracks and ill fortune : but not a word of the judgement of god , upon that giant-like undertaking to enslave all england to the spanish yoke . the residue of the ships , being about forty in number , fell nearer with the coast of ireland , intending to touch at cape clare , well hoping there to refresh themselves , and supply their wants : but the winds proving contrary and tempestuous upon those dangerous seas , many of their ships perished upon the irish shores , and amongst others a great galliass , wherein michael de oquendo was commander , and two other venetian ships of great burden , besides thirty eight more , with most of the spaniards contained in them such as got clear off the danger , put forth to sea : some of which by a strong west wind were driven into the english channel , where some of them were again set upon and taken by the english , others by men of rochel in france ; and some arrived at new haven in normandy : so that of one hundred thirty four ships that set fail out of lisboa , only fifty three returned into spain : of the four galliasses of naples but one : of the four oallions of portugal , but one : of the ninety one callions , and great hulks from divers provinces , only thirty three returned , fifty eight being lost . in brief , they lost in this voyage eighty one vessels , thirteen thousand , five hundred and odd souldiers . prisoners taken in england , ireland , and the low-countries were above two thousand : amongst those in england , don pedro de valdez , don vasques de silva , and don alonzo de saies , and others were kept for their ransome . in ireland don alonzo de luzon , roderigo de lasse , and others of great account : in zeland was don diego piementelli : to be brief , there was no famous , or noble family in all spain , which in this expedition lost not a son , brother , or kinsman . and thus this armado which had been so many years in preparing , and rigging with such vast expence , was in one month many times assaulted , and at length wholly defeated with the slaughter of so many of her men , not one hundred of the english being lacking , nor one small ship of theirs taken , or lost , save only that of cocks : and having traversed round about all britain , by scotland , the orcades and ireland , most grievously tossed , and very much distressed , and wasted by stormes , wracks , and all kinds of misery , at length came lamely home , with perpetual dishonour : whereupon medals were stamped in memory thereof : a fleet flying with full sailes ; with this inscription , venit , vidit , fugit , it came , it saw , it fled : others in honour of our queen , with flaming ships , and a fleet in a great confusion , and this motto , dux faemina facti , a woman was conductor of the fact . in the aforementioned wracks above seven hundred souldiers and sailors were cast on land in scotland , who ( upon the intercession of the prince of parma to the king of scots , and by the permission of queen elizabeth ) were after a years time sent over into the low-countries : but more unmercifully were those miserable wretches dealt withal , whose hap was to be driven by tempest into ireland : some of them being slain by the wild irish ( their old friends ) and others of them being put to death by the command of the lord deputy : for he fearing lest they might joyn with the irish to disturb the peace of the nation , commanded bingham , governour of connaught to destroy them : but he , refusing to deal so rigorously with those that had yielded themselves , he sent fowle , deputy-marshall , who drew them out of their lurking holes , and cut off the heads of above two hundred of them ; which fact the queen from her heart condemned , and abhorred as a fact of too great cruelty . the remainder of them being terrified herewith , sick and starven as they were , committed themselves to sea in their shattered vessels , and were many of them swallowed up by the waves . the spaniards charged the whole fault of their overthrow upon the prince of parma , as if in favour to our queen he had wilfully and artificially delayed his coming to them : but this was but an invention , and pretention given out by them , partly upon a spanish envy against that prince , he being an italian , and his son a competitor to the kingdom of portugal : but chiefly to save the scorn and monstous disreputation which they and their nation received by the success of that enterprise : therefore their colours , and excuses ( forsooth ) were , that their general by sea had a limited commission , not to fight till the land forces were come in to them , and that the prince of parma had particular reaches and ends of his own to cross the designe . but it was both a strange commission , and a strange obedience to a commission , for men in the midst of their own blood , and being so furiously assailed , to hold their hands , contrary to the laws of nature and necessity . and as for the prince of parma , he was reasonably well tempted to be true to that enterprise , by no less promise than to be made a feudatory or beneficiary king of england under the seignory ( in chief ) of the pope , and the protection of the king of spain . besides , it appeared that the prince of parma held his place long after of the govenment of the netherlands , in the favour and trust of the king of spain , and by the great imployments and services that he performed in france . it is also manifest that this prince did his best to come down , and put to sea : the truth was , that the spanish navy , upon those proofs of fight which they had with the english , finding how much hurt they received , and how little , hurt they did , by reason of the activity and low building of our ships , and skill of sea-men ; and being also commanded by a general of small courage and experience , and having lost at first two of their bravest commanders at sea , pedro de valdez , and michael de oquenda , durst not put it to a battel at sea , but set up their rest wholly upon the land enterprise . on the other side , the transportation of the land forces failed in the very foundation ; for , whereas the council of spain made full account that their navy should be master of the sea , and therefore able to guard and protect the vessels of transportation : when it fell out to the contrary , that the great navy was distressed , and had enough to do to save it self , and that their land forces were impounded by the hollanders . things ( i say ) being in this state , it came to pass that the prince of parma must have flown , if he would have come into england , for he could get neither bark , nor mariner to put to sea. yet certain it is that the prince looked for the comming back of the armado even at that time when they were wandring , and making their perambulation upon the northern seas . thus we see the curse of god and his threatning in scripture accomplished : they came out against us one way , and they fled seven wayes before us : making good ( even to the astonishment of all posterity ) the wonderful judgments of god poured out commonly upon such vast and proud aspirings . after this glorious deliverance of our land by the power of the omnipotent , and the wild boar repelled that sought to lay waste englands fair and fruitful vineyard , our gracious and godly queen ( who ever held ingratitude a capital sin , especially towards her almighty protector ) as she had begun with prayer , so she ended with praise , commanding solemn thanksgiving to be celebrated to the lord of hosts at the cathedral church of saint paul in her chief city of london , which accordingly was done upon sabbath day the eighth of september : at which time eleven of the spanish ensignes ( the once badges of their bravery , but now of their vanity and ignominy ) were hung upon the lower battlements of that church , as palmes of praise for englands deliverance : a shew no doubt more pleasing to god than when their spread colours did set out the pride of the spaniards , threatning the blood of so many innocent and faithful christians . queen elizabeth her self , to be an example unto others upon sabbath the twenty fourth of september , came from her palace of white-hall in westminster , through the streets of london ( which were hung with blew cloth , the companies of the city standing in their liveries on both sides with their banners in goodly order ) being carried in a chariot drawn with two horses to st. pauls church , where dismounting from her . chariot at the west door , she humbled her self upon her knees and with great devotion , in an audible voice she praised god as her only defender , who had delivered her self and people from the bloody designes of so cruel an enemy . the sermon then preached tended wholly wholly to give all the glory to god , as the author of this wonderful deliverance : and when that was ended , her majesty herself , with most princely and christian speeches exhorted all the people to a due performance of those religious services of thankfulness which the lord expected and required of them . about the same time the fair being kept in southwark , the spanish flags were hung up at london bridge to the great joy of the beholders , and eternal infamy of the spaniards proud attempts , as irreligious as unsuccessful . but the solemn day appointed for thanksgiving throughout the land was the nineteenth of november being tuesday , which accordingly was observed with great joy and praising of god ; and well it were if it had so continued still , being no less a deliverance than was that of purim amongst the jews , which they instituted to be kept holy throughout their generations . the zelanders also to leave a memorial of their thnakfulness to god , and their faithfulness to our queen , caused medals of silver to be stamped , having engraven on the one side the armes of their countrey ; with this inscription , glory to god alone , and on the reverse , the pourtracture of great ships , under written , the spanish fleet , and in the circumference , it came , it went , it was , anno . in other medals also were stamped ships floating , and sinking , and in the reverse , supplicants upon their knees , with this motto , man proposeth , god disposeth , . the hollanders also stamped some medals with spanish ships and this motto , impius fugit nemine sequente : the wicked fly when none pursues . our queen , to shew her gratitude as well to the instruments as to the author of this great deliverance , assigned certain yearly rents to the lord admiral for his gallant service , and many times commended him , and the other captains of her ships , as men born for the preservation of their country . the rest she graciously saluted by name as oft as she saw them , as men of notable deserts , wherewith they held themselves well apaid , and those which were wounded , maimed , or poor , she rewarded with competent pensions . the lord of hosts having thus dispelled this storm , the queen dissolved her camp at tilbury , and not long after the earl of leicester ended his dayes , having been a peer of great estate and honour , but liable to the common destiny of great ones , whom all men magnifie in their life time , but few speak well of after their death . this admirable deliverance was congratulated by almost all other nations , especially by all the reformed churches , and many learned men celebrated the same in verse , amongst which i shall onely mention two : the first was that poem made by reverend mr. beza ; translated into all the chief languages in christendom , to be perpetuated to all ensuing posterity . it was this . straverat innumeris hispanus classibus aequor , regnis juncturus sceptra britana suis tanti hujus rogitas quae motus causa ? superbos impulit ambitio , vexat avaritia . quam bene te ambitio mersit vanissima ventus ; et tumidae tumidos vos superastis aquae ! quam bene raptores orbis totius iberos mersit inexhausti justa vorago maris ! at tu , cui venti , cui totum militat aequor , regina , o mundi totius una decus : sic regnare deo perge , ambitione remota , prodiga sic opibus perge juvare pios ; vt te angli longum , longùm anglis ipsa fruaris , quam dilecta bonis , tam metuenda malis . spaines king with navies great the seas bestrew'd , t' augment with english crown his spanish sway : ask ye what caus'd this proud attempt ? 't was lewd ambition drove , and avarice led the way . it 's well ; ambitions windy pufflies drown'd by winds , and swelling hearts by swelling waves : it 's well ; those spaniards who the worlds vast round devour'd , devouring sea most justly craves . but thou o queen , for whom winds , seas do war , o thou the glory of this worlds wide mass , so reign to god still , from ambition far , so still with bounteous aids the good imbrace : that thou maist england long , long england thee enjoy thou terror of all bad , thou good mens joy . the other is that , made by mr : samuel ward of ipswich . octogesimus octavus , mirabilis annus clade papistarum , faustus ubique piis . in eighty eight spain arm'd with potent might against our peaceful land came on to fight : the winds , and waves , and fire in one conspire to help the english , frustrate spains desire . finis . the gun-powder treason : being a remembrance to england , of that ancient deliverance from that horrid plot , hatched by the bloody papists , . tending to revive the memory of the fifth of november to every family in this nation : that all sorts may be stirred up to real thankfulness , and transmit the same to their posterities ; that their children may know the reason why the fifth of november is celebrated ; that god may have glory , and the papists perpetual infamy . the lord is known by the judgement that he executeh , but the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands . higgaion selah . psal. . . by sam. clark , pastor of bennet fink , london . london , printed for j. hancock , and are to be sold at the three bibles , being the first shop in popes-head alley , next to cornhill . . to the reader . christian reader , least the remembrance of so signal a mercy , and deliverance vouchsafed by god both to our church and state should be buried in oblivion , i have ( at the request of the book-seller ) presented thee here with a true and faithful narrative of that grand work of darkness forged in hell , and by satan suggested to some popish instruments , who envying the peace and prosperity of our church , and progress of the gospel , had designed at one blow to overthrow both : and that nothing might be wanting to compleat that horrid wickedness , their purpose was to have charged it upon the puritans , thereby hoping to free themselves , and their religion from the imputation of so hainous a crime . now that the memorial of a mercy of such publick and general concernment should not be forgotten , we have the word of the eternal god to be our guide therein , when the lord had by his angel destroyed the first born of egypt , and spared israel , he instituted the feast of the passover to continue the memorial thereof through their generations , exod. . , , , , . saith moses to them , when your children shall say unto you , what mean you by this service ? ye shall say , it is the sacrifice of the lords passover , who passed over the houses the children of israel , when he smote the egyptians , and delivered our houses . and how careful good mordecai was to continue the remembrance of that great deliverance of the people of god from destruction plotted , and contrived by that wicked haman , appears esther . . &c. where they did not only celebrate those present dayes of their deliverance with feasting and gladness : but he , together with the rest of the jewes ordained , and took upon them , and their seed , and upon all such as joyned themselves unto them , so as it should not fail , that they would keep those days in their appointed time every year , and that those days should be remembred , and kept through their generations , every family , every province , and every city , and that those days of purim should not fail from amongst the jews , nor the memorial of them perish from their seed , &c. and truly the remembrance of this great mercy hath the more need to be revived at this time , when some noted persons amongst us begin to lessen , and decry it , and wholly to lay aside the observation of that day , though enjoyned by act of parliament , and made conscience of by most of the godly people of the nation . i have also been induced the rather to make this brief collection of the story , because , though it be published by others ; yet it is in larger volumes , which are not every ones mony ; whereas for a small matter every family may get and keep this by them for the benefit , and satisfaction both of themselves and children , that so the lord may not lose of his glory , nor they ( for want of information ) fail of their duty . i shall conclude with that of the psalmist , psal. . . o that men would praise the lord for his goodness : and for his wonderful works to the children of men : which is the hearty desire of thine for thy spiritual good , sam. clarke . octob. . the deliverance of our chvrch and state from the hellish powder-plot . . the plot was to undermine the parliament house , and with powder to blow up the king , prince , clergy , nobles , knights , and burgesses , the very confluence of all the flower of glory , piety , learning , prudence and authority in the land : fathers , sons , brothers , allies , friends , foes , papists and protestants , 〈…〉 blast . their intent , when that irreligious atchievement had been performed , was , to surprize the remainder of the kings issue , to alter religion and government , and to bring in a forreign power , sir edmond baynam , an attainted person ( who stiled himself prince of the damned crew ) was sent unto the pope as he was a temporal prince to acquaint him with the gunpowder plot : and now to the plot it self . the sessions of parliament being dissolved , july the th . anno christi , . and prorogued to the seventh of february following ▪ catesby being at lambeth , sent for th●mas winter ; who before had been imployed into spain , and acquainted him with the design of blowing up the parliament house , who readily apprehending it , said , this indeed strikes at the root , only these helps were wanting ; a house for residence , and a skilful man to carry on the mine : but the first , catesby assured him was easie to be got ; and for the man , he commended guy fawkes , a sufficient souldier , and a forward catholick : thus robert catesby , john wright , thomas winter , and guy fawkes had many meetings , and conferences about this business , till at last thomas percy came puffing in to catesby's lodging at lambeth , saying , what gentlemen , shall we alwaies be talking , and never do any thing ? you cannot be ignorant how things proceed ? to whom catesby answered , that something was resolved on , but first an oath for secresie was to be administred : for which purpose they appointed to meet some three days after , behind saint clements church beyond temple-bar ; where being met , percy professed that for the catholick cause himself would be the man to advance it , were it with the slaughter of the king , which he was there ready to undertake and and do . no tom ( said catesby ) thou shalt not adventure thy self to so small purpose ; if thou wilt be a traytor , there is a plot to greater advantage , and such an one as can never be discovered : hereupon all of them took the oath of secresie , heard a mass , and received the sacrament , after which catesby told them his devillish devise by mine and gunpowder to blow up the parliament house , and so by one stroke with the destruction of many to effect that at once which had been many years attempting : and for case of conscience to kill the innocent with the nocent , he told them that it was warrantable by the authority of garnet himself , the superiour of the english jesuites , and of garrard and tresmond ( jesuitical priests likewise ) who by their apostolical power did commend the fact , and absolve the actors . the oath was given them by the said garrard in these words ; you shall swear by the blessed trinity , and by the sacrament you now purpose to receive , never to disclose , directly nor indirectly , by word , or circumstance , the matter that shall be proposed to you to keep secret , nor desist from the execution thereof until the rest shall give you leave . the project being thus far carried on , in the next place the first thing they sought after was an house wherein they might begin their work , for which purpose no place was held fitter than a certain edifice adjoyning to the wall of the parliament house , which served for a withdrawing room to the assembled lords , and out of parliament time was at the dispose of the keeper of the place , and wardrobe thereto belonging : these did percy hire for his lodgings , entertaining guy fawkes as his man , who changing his name into johnson had the keyes , and keeping of the rooms . besides this , they hired another house to lay in provision of powder , and to frame , and fit wood in for the carrying on the mine , which catesby provided at lambeth , and sware robert ke●es into their conspiracy , whom he made the keeper of those provisions , who by night conveyed the same unto fawkes . the appointed day for the parliament being the seventh day of february , it was thought fit to begin their work in october before : but fawkes returning out of the country , found percys rooms appointed for the scottish lords to meet in , who were to treat about the union of the two kingdomes , whereupon they forbore to begin their work : but that assembly being dissolved upon the eleventh of december , late in the night they entred upon the work of darkness beginning their mine , having tools afore-hand prepared , and baked meats provided , the better to avoid suspition in case they should send abroad for them . they which first began the mine were robert catesby espuire , the arch-contriver and traytor , and ruine of his name , thomas percy esquire , akin to the earl of northumberland , thomas winter , john wright , and guy fawks gentlemen , and thomas bates , catesby's man , all of them well grounded in the romish school , and earnest labourers in this vault of villany , so that by christmas-eve they had brought the mine under an entry adjoyning to the wall of the parliament house , underpropping the earth as they went with their framed timber , nor till that day were they seen abroad of any man. during this undermining , much consultation was had how to order the rest of the business when the deed should be accomplished : the first was how to surprise the next heir to the crown : for though they doubted not but that prince henry would accompany his father , and perish with him , yet they suspected that duke charles , as too young to attend the parliament , would escape the train , and perchance be so carefully guarded , and attended at court that he would be gotten into their hands hardly , but percy offered to be the remover of this rub , resolving with some other gentlemen to enter the dukes chamber , which by reason of his acqaintance he might well do , and others of his like acquaintance should be placed at several doors of the court , so that when the blow was given , and all men in a maze , then would he carry away the duke , which he presumed would be easily done , the most of the court being then absent , and for such as were present , they would be altogether unprovided for resistance . for the surprize of the lady elizabeth , it was held a matter of far less difficulty , she remaining at comb abby in warwickshire with the lord harrington , and ashbey , catesby's house being not far from the same , whither under a pretence of hunting upon dunsmore heath , many catholicks should be assembled , who knowing for what purpose they were met had the full liberty in that distracted time to provide money , horses , armour and other necessaries for war , under pretence of strengthening , and guarding the heir apparent to the crown . then it was debated what lords they should save from the parliament , and it was agreed that they should keep as many as they could that were catholicks or favourers of them : but that all others should feel the smart , and that the treason should be charged upon the puritans to make them more odious to the world. next it was controverted what forreign princes they should make privy to this plot , seeing they could not enjoyn them to secresie , nor oblige them by oath , and this much troubled them . for though spain was held fittest to second their plot , yet he was slow in his preparations , and france was too near and too dangerous to be dealt with , and how the hollanders stood affected to england they knew very well . but while they were thus busying themselves , and tormenting their brains , the parliament was adjourned to the fifth day of october ensuing , whereupon they brake off both discourse and work till candlemass , and then they laid in powder , and other provisions , beginning their work again , and having in the mean time taken into their company christopher wright , and robert winter ; being first sworn , and receiving the sacrament for secresie ; the foundation wall of the parliament house being very hard , and nine foot thick , with great difficulty they wrought half through ; fawkes being their centinel to give warning when any came near , that the noise in digging might not be heard . the labourers thus working into the wall , were surprized with a great fear , and casting away their digging tools , betook themselves to their weapons , having sufficient shot , and powder in the house , and fully resolving rather to dye in the place than to yield or be taken . the cause of this their fear was a noise that they heard in a room under the parliament house , under which they meant to have mined , which was directly under the chair of state ; but now all on a sudden they were at a stand , and their countenances cast each upon other , as doubtful what would be the issue of this their enterprize . fawkes scouted out to see what he could discover abroad , and finding all safe and free from suspition , he returned and told them that the noise was only occasioned by the removal of coals that were now upon sale , and that the cellar was to be let , which would be more commodious for their purpose , and also would save their labour for the mine . hereupon thomas porcy under pretence of stowage for his winter provision and coals , went and hired the cellar , which done they began a new conference , wherein catesby found the weight of the whole work too heavy for himself alone to support : for besides the maintenance of so many persons , and the several houses for the several uses hired and paid for by him , the gunpowder and other provisions would rise to a very great sum , and indeed too much for one mans purse . he desired therefore that himself , percy , and one more might call in such persons as they thought fit to help to maintain the charge , alledging that they knew men of worth and wealth that would willingly assist , but were not willing that their names should be known to the rest . this request , as necessary , was approved , and therefore ceasing to dig any further in the vault , knowing that the cellar would be fitter for their purpose , they removed into it twenty barrels of gunpowder , which they covered with a thousand billets , and five hundred faggots , so that now their lodging rooms were cleared of all suspicious provision , and might be freely entered into without danger of discovery . but the parliament being again prorogued to the fifth of november following , these persons thought fit that for a while they should again disperse themselves ( all things being already in so good a forwardness , and that guy fawkes should go over to acquaint sir william stanley , and master hugh owen with these their proceedings , ) yet so , as the oath of secresie should be first taken by them . for their design was to have sir william stanleys presence so soon as the fatal blow should be given , to be a leader to their intended stratagems , whereof ( as they thought ) they should have great need , and that owen should remain where he was , to hold correspondency with forreign princes , to allay the odiousness of the fact , and to impute the treason to the discontented puritans . fawkes coming into flanders found owen , unto whom , after the oath , he declared the plot , which he very well approved of ; but sir william stanley being now in spain , owen said that he would hardly be drawn into the business , having suits at this time in the english court : yet he promised to engage him all that he could , and to send into england with the first , so soon as their plot had taken effect : upon this , fawkes to avoid further suspicion , kept still in flanders till the beginning of september , and then returning , received the keys of the cellar , and laid in more powder , billets and faggots , which done he retired into the countrey , and there kept till the end of october . in the mean time catesby and percy , meeting at the bath , it was there concluded that because th●ir number was but few , catesby himself should have power to call in whom he would to assist their design , by which authority he took in sir everard digby of rutlandshire , and francis tresham esquire of northamptonshire , both of them of sufficient state and wealth : for sir everard offered fifteen hundred pounds to forward the action , and tresham two thousand . but percy disdaining that any should out-run him in evil , promised four thousand pounds out of the earl of northumberlands rents , and ten swift horses to be used when the blow was past . against which time to provide ammunition , catesby also took in ambrose rookwood , and john grant , two recusant gentlemen , and without doubt others were acquainted also with it , had these two grand electors been aprehended alive , whose own tongues only could have given an account of it . the business being thus forwarded abroad by their complices , they at home were no less active : for percy , winter , and fawkes had stored the cellar with thirty six barrels of gunpowder , and instead of shot , had laid upon them barrs of iron , logs of timber , massie stones , iron crowes , pick-axes , and all their working tools : and to cover all , great store of billets and faggots , so that nothing was wanting against that great and terrible day . neither were the priests and jesuits slack on their parts , who usually concluded their masses with prayers for the good success of their expected hopes , about which garnet made these verses , gentem aufert perfidam credentium de finibus : vt christo laudes debitas persolvamus alacriter . and others thus . prosper lord their pains that labour in thy cause day and night : let heresie vanish away like smoke : let their memory perish with a crack like the ruine and fall of a broken house . upon thursday in the evening , ten days before the parliament was to begin , a letter directed to the lord monteagle , was delivered by an unknown person to his footman in the street , with a strait charge to give it into his lords own hands , wh●ch accordingly he did : the letter had neither date , nor subscription , and was somewhat unlegible , so that the nobleman called for one of his servants to assist him in reading it ; the strange contents whereof much perplexed him , he not knowing whether it was writ as a pasquil to scare him from attendance at the parliament , or as a matter of consequence , and advice from some friend : howsoever , though it were now supper-time , and the night very dark , yet to shew his loyalty to his soveraign , he immediately repaired to white-hall , and imparted the letter to the earl of salisbury , then principal secretary , and they both presently acquainted the lord ●hamberlain therewith , who deemed the matter not a little to concern himself ; his office requiring him to oversee all the places to which his majesty was to repair : hereupon these two counsellors shewed the letter to the earls of worcester and northampton , and all concluded ( how slight soever the contents seemed to appear ) to acquaint the king himself with the same , which accordingly was done : and the letwas as followeth : my lord , ovt of the love i bear to some of your friends , i have a care of your preservation : therefore i would advise you as you tender your life , to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance at this parliament : for god and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time . and think not slightly of this advertisement , but retire your self into your country , where you may expect the event in safety . for though there be no appearance of any stir , yet i say they shall receive a terrible blow this parliament , and yet they shall not see who hurts them . this counsel is not to be contemned , because it may do you good , and can do you no harm : for the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the letter ; and i hope god will give you the grace to make a good use of it , to whose holy protection i commend you . his majesty after reading this letter , pausing a while , and then reading it again , delivered his judgment , that the stile of it was too quick and pithy to be a libel , proceeding from the superfluities of an idle brain , and by these words , that they should receive a terrible blow at this parliament , and yet not see who hurt them ; he presently apprehended , that a sudden danger by a blast of gunpowder was intended by some base villain in a corner , though no insurrection , rebellion , or desperate attempt appeared : and therefore wished that the rooms under the parliament house should be throughly searched , before himself or peers should sit therein : hereupon it was concluded that the lord chamberlain ( according to his office ) should view all the rooms above and below : but yet to prevent idle rumours , and to let things ripen further , it was resolved that this search should be deferred till munday , the day immediately before the parliament , and that then it should be done with a seeming slight eye to avoid suspect . according to this conclusion , the earl of suffolk , lord chamberlain , upon munday in the afternoon , accompanied with the lord monteagle , repaired into those under romes , and finding the cellar so fully stored with wood and coals , demanded of fawkes , the counterfeit johnson , who stood there attending as a servant of small repute , who owed the place ? he answered that the lodgings belonged to master thomas percy , and the cellar also to lay in his winter provision , himself being the keeper of it , and master : percy 's servant : whereunto the earl , as void of any suspicion , told him that his master was well provided against winter blasts : but when they were come forth , the lord monteagle told him that he did much suspect percy to be the inditer of the letter , knowing his affection in religion , and the friendship betwixt them professed , so that his heart gave him ( as he said ) when he heard percy named , that his hand was in the act. the lord chamberlain returning , related to the king and council what he had seen , and the suspition that the lord monteagle had of percy , and himself of johnson his man , all which increased his majesties jealousie , so that he insisted ( contrary to the opinion of some ) that a narrower search should be made , and the billets and coals turned up to the bottom : and accordingly the search was concluded to be made , but under colour of searching for certain hangings belonging to the house , which were missing and conveyed away . sir thomas knevet ) a gentleman of his majesties privy chamber ) was employed herein , who about midnight before the parliament was to begin , went to the place with a small , but trusty number of persons : and at the door of the entrance to the cellar , finding one ( who was guy fawkes ) at so unseasonable an hour cloked , and booted , he apprehended him , and ransacking the billet , he found the serpents nest stored with thirty six barrels of powder , and then searching the villain , he found about him a dark lanthorn three matches , and other instruments for blowing up the powder : and being no whit daunted , he instantly confessed his guiltiness , and was so far from repentance , as he vowed , that had he been within the house ( as indeed he was but immediately come forth from his work ) he would certainly have blown up the house with himself and them all : and being brought before the council ; he lamented nothing so much as because the deed was not done , saying , that the devil , and not god was the discoverer of it . as desperate were catesby , percy , and the rest , who seeing the treason discover'd , posted all into warwickshire , where grant , and his associates had broken open the stables belonging to warwick castle , and taken some gaeat horses out of the same , to forward their hoped for great day . at dun-church sir everard digby had made a match for a great hunting , that under pretence thereof they might seize upon the lady elizabeth then at comb abby , but when by those which posted from london they were informed that they were discovered , and pursued , being struck with a great fear ; not knowing whither to sly , they desperately began an open rebellion , pretending that they did it for the cause of religion , all the catholicks throats being intended to be cut , and so trooping together they wandred through warwickshire , being pursued by sir richard verney , the then high sheriff , and from thence they went through worcestershire into staffordshire , their servants , and followers being about eighty men , who also stole away many of them from them . thus ranging about , and finding no resistance , they rifled the lord windsors house of all the armour , shot , powder , and all other warlike provisions : but the weather being rainy , and the waters somewhat high , the powder in carriage took wet , and so became unserviceable . for their last refuge they betook themselves to holbach house in staffordshire , belonging to steven littleton , whither they were pursued by the high sheriff of worcestershire , who not knowing of the treason , and thinking it to be only some fray , or riot , sent his trumpeter unto them , commanding them to render themselves to him his majesties minister : but their consciences witnessing what the sheriff knew not , answered , that he had need of greater assistance than of those few that were with him , before he could be able to command or controul them : and so they prepared for resistance , and having laid two pounds of the said powder into a platter to dry in the chimney , one coming to mend the fire , threw in a billet , whereby a spark flew into the powder , whose sudden blast was so violent , that though so small a quantity , it blew up the roof of the house , scorching the bodies and faces of catesby , rookwood , and grant , and some others , whose consciences now told tdem that god had puished them justly with powder , who with powder would have destroyed so many . being dispirited with this accident , yet like desperate men , they resolved to die together , set open the gates , and suffered the sheriffs men to rush in upon them , and presently both the wrights were shot down dead : rookwood and thomas winter were very sorely wounded , catesby and percy desperately fighting back to back , were both shot thorow , and slain with one musket bullet : the rest being taken , were carried prisoners to london , being all the way gazed at , reviled , and detested by the common people for their horrid , and horrible treason : and so at last they received the just guerdon of their wickedness . thus you have seen this work of darkness by the watchfulnes of gods providence detected , and defeated , and the contrivers of mischief fallen into the pit that they digged for others : now let us see also how cunningly they contrived the transferring the odium of it upon the puritans . there was one mr. pickering of tichmarsh-grove in northamptonshire that was in great esteem with king james . this mr. pickering had a horse of special note for swiftness on which he used to hunt with the king. a little before the blow was given , mr. keies , on of the conspirators , and brother in law to mr. pickering , borrowed this horse of him , and conveyed him to london upon a bloody design , which was thus contrived . fawkes upon the day of the fatal blow was appointed to retire himself into st. georges fields , where this horse was to attend him to further his escape ( as they made him believe ) so soon as the parliament house should be blown up . it was likewise contrived , that mr. pickering who was noted for a puritan , should that morning be murthered in his bed , and secretly conveyed away : as also that fawkes so soon as he came into st. georges fields to escape , should be there murthered , and so mangled that he could not be known : whereupon it was to be bruited abroad that the puritans had blown up the parliament house , and the better to make the world believe it , there was mr. pickering with his choice horse ready to make an escape , but that stirred up some , who seeing the heinousness of the fact , and him ready to escape , in detestation of so horrible a deed , fell upon him , and hewed him in pieces , and to make it more clear , there was his horse , known to be of special speed , and swiftness , ready to carry him away , and upon this rumour a massacre should havy gone through the whole land upon the puritans . when the contrivance of this plot was thus discovered by some of the conspirators , and fawkes , who was now a prisoner in the tower made acquainted with it , whereas before he was made to believe by his companions that he should be bountifully rewarded for that his good service to the catholick cause , now perceiving that on the contrary his death had been contrived by them , he thereupon freely confessed all that he knew concerning that horrid conspiracy , which before all the tortures of the rack could not force him unto . the truth of all this was attested by mr. william perkins , an eminent christian and citizen of london to dr. gouge , which mr. perkins had it from the mouth of mr. clement cotton that made our english concordance , who also had it from the relation of mr. pickering himself . finis . a narrative of the visible hand of god upon the papists by the downfall in black-friers london . anno christi , . on the lords day , october the twenty sixth according to the english ▪ account : but november the fifth according to the popish account ▪ a common report went far and near , that one drurie , a romish priest ( a man of parts , and eminent gifts ) would preach that day in the afternoon in a fair house in black-friers london , whither all that would might freely come to hear him . upon this report very many , protestants as well as papists , scholars as well as others , assembled thither about three a clock in the afternoon ; that mansion house was now inhabited by the french ambassador : and the sermon was to be in a garret , into which there were two passages : one out of the ambassadorus with-drawing room which was private , the other more common without the great gate of the said mansion house . under this garret was another large chamber which one redyate , another romish priest , had hired for himself : unto whom papists frequently repaired to hear mass , and make confessions . under this room was the aforesaid withdrawing chamber of the ambassador : supported with strong arches of stone being immediately over the entrance into the great house : and at the south end of the garret and on the west side thereof , there were bed-chambers and closets which other priests had hired for themselves : the bed-chamber at the south end was severed from the garret only by a partition of wanscote which was taken down for the sermon time : the length of the garret from north to south was almost sorry foot , the breadth about sixteen foot : the two aforesaid passages met on one pair of stairs leading to the garret which had only that one door leading into it . more came to this place then possibly it could hold , so that many for want of room returned back again ; others went into the aforesaid redyates chamber , and tarried with him . the whole garret , rooms adjoyning , door , and top of the stairs were as full as they could hold . in the garret were set chairs and stools for the better sort : most of the women sate on the floor , but most of the men stood thronged together : in all , about two hundred were there assembled . in the midst was a table and a chair for the preacher . all things thus prepared , and the multitude assembled , about three of the clock the expected preacher , having on a surplice , girt about his middle with a linnen girdle , and a tippet of scarlet on both his shoulders , came in , being attended by a man that brought after him his book and hour-glass . as soon as he came to the table , he kneeled down with shew of private devotion for a little while ; then rising up , and turning himself to the people , he crossed himself , took the book ( which was said to be a rhemish testament ) out of his mans hands , and the hour-glass being set on the table , he opened the book , read the gospel appointed by the remish calendar for that day , being the twenty first sunday after pentecost : the gospel was in matthew , , &c. the text being read , he sate down , put on a red cap over a white linnen one turned up about the brims : he made no audible prayer , but having read his text , which was the parable of forgiving debts , he spake something of the occasion of it , and then propounded these three special points to be handled . the debt we owe to god. . the mercy of god in forgiving it . . mans unmercifulness to his brother . having insisted some while of the misery of man by reason of the debt wherein he stands bound to god , he passed on to declare the rich mercy of god , and the means which god hath afforded to his church , for partaking thereof : amongst which he reckoned up the sacaments , and especially pressed the sacrament of penance , as they call it . when he had discoursed on these points about half an hour , on a sudden the floor whereon the preacher and the greatest part of his auditory were , fell down with such violence , as therewith the floor of the chamber under it , where redyate and his company were , was broken down with it , so that both the floors , with the beams , girders , joyces , boords and feelings , with all the people on them , fell down together upon the third floor , which was the floor of the french ambassadors withdrawing chamber , supported with strong arches as aforesad . there being a partition on the south side of the middle chamber which reached up to the floor of the garret and supported it , that part of the garret which was beyond the partition southward , fell not , so as all the people thereon were safe , only they had no way to get forth : for there was but one entrance into the garret , which was at the north-west corner . hereupon some through amazement , would have leaped out at a window almost forty foot from the ground : but the people without , telling them of the certain danger if they leaped down , kept them from that desperate attempt : at length by breaking a wall on the west-side they discerned chambers adjoyning thereto , and so by creeping through that hole into the chambers , they were saved : so were all they that stood on the stair-head at the door leading into the garret : for the stairs were without the room , and nothing fell but the floors , neither walls nor roof . also amongst those that fell , many escaped ; for some of the timber rested with one end on the walls , and with the other on the third floor that yielded not , and so both such as abode on those pieces , and such as were directly under them , were thereby preserved . amongst the multidude that fell , there was a minister who ( through gods providence ) fell so between two pieces of timber , as that the timber kept his upper parts from crushing , and holped him by his clasping about the timber to pull out his feet from amongst the dead corpses . amongst others , the present preservation and future destruction of one parker was very remarkable . this pa●ker was a factor for the english seminaries , and nunnes beyond sea , especially at cambre ; and he had so dealt with two of his brothers here , that he had got from one of them a son , and from the other a daughter to send them to religious houses ( as they call them ) beyond sea. this parker at this time took his nephew , a youth of about sixteen years old to the aforementioned fatal conventicle , where drury preached : and both parker and his nephew fell with the rest : the youth there lost his life , but parker himself escaped with a bruised body , being a corpulent man : yet so far was he from making a good use of his deliverance , that with much discontent he wished that he had dyed for his nephew , saying , that god saw him not fit to dye amongst such martyrs : such are romes martyrs . but the preservation of the wicked , is but a reservation to future judgment : for about ten days after , as this parker was shooting london-bridge , with his aforesaid neece , whom he was conveying beyond sea , they were both cast away and drowned in the thames . judge by this ( o parents ! ) whether god is well pleased with disposing your children to popish education . others there were that were pulled out alive , but so bruised , or so spent for want of breath , that some lived not many hours , others dyed not many days after . the floor of the chamber immediately over this where the corps lay , being fallen , there was no entrance into it but through the ambassadours bed-chamber , the door whereof was closed up with the timber of the floors that fell down , and the walls of this room were of stone , only there was one window in it with extraordinary strong cross barrs of iron , so that though smiths , and other workmen were immediately sent for , yet it was more than an hour before succour could be afforded to them that were faln down . passage at length being made , i had access into the room ( saith doctor gouge the relater of this story ) and viewing the bodies , observed some ( yet but few ) to be mortally wounded , or crushed by the timber : others to be apparently stifled , partly with their thick lying one upon another , and partly with the dust that came from the cieling which fell down . on the lords day at night when they fell they were numbered ninety one dead bodies ; but many of them were secretly conveyed away in the night , there being a pair of water-stairs , leading from the garden appertaining to the house , into the thames . on the morrow the coroner and his inquest coming to view the bodies , found remaining but sixty three . of those that were carried away , some were buried in a burying place within the spanish ambassadours house in holborn , amongst whom the lady web was one , the lady blackstones daughter another , and one mistress udal a third : master stoker , and master bartholomew bavin were buried in st. brides parish . robert sutton , john loccham , and abigail holford in st. andrews holborn . captain summers wife in the vault under black friers church , and her woman in the church-yard . for the corps remaining , two great pits were digged , one in the fore court of the said french ambassadors house , eighteen foot long , and twelve foot broad ; the other in the garden behind his house , twelve foot long , and eight foot broad . in the former pit were laid forty four corps , whereof the bodies of the aforesaid drury and redyate were two : these two wound up in sheets , were first laid into the pit , with a partition of loose earth to fever them from the rest . then were others brought , some in somewhat a decent manner wound up in sheets , but the most in a most lamentable plight , the shirts onely of the men tyed under the twists , and some linnen tyed about the middle of the women , the rest of their bodies naked , and one poor man or woman taking a corps by the head , another by the feet tumbled them in , and so piled them up almost to the top of the pit . the rest were put into the other pit in the garden . their manner of burial seemed almost as dismal , as the heap of them , when they lay upon the floor where they last fell . no obsequies of funeral rites were used at their burial . only the day after , a black cross of wood was set upon each grave , but was soon by authority commanded to be taken down . when they were thus interred , thorough search was made about the cause of the falling of the timber : the timber of each floor was laid together , and the measure of the summers that brake was taken . the main summer which crossed the garret was ten inches square : two girders were by tenents , and mortaises let into the middest of it , one just against another : the summer was knotty where the mortaises were made , whereupon being over-burdened , it knapped suddenly asunder in the middest . the main summer of the other floor that fell was much stronger , being thirteen inches square , strong and found every where , neither did the girders meet so just one against another ; yet that also failed , not in the middest as the uppermost , but within five foot of one end , and that more shiveringly , and with a longer rent in the timber then the other . for this chamber was almost full with such persons as coming too late , went into redyates chamber : besides , it did not only bear the weight which lay on the upper floor , but received it with a sudden knock , and so the massie timber shivered in two , and the people were irrecoverably before they could tear any such thing , beaten down into the third floor which was above twenty foot from the first . it 's true , we must not be rash in censuring , yet when we see judgements executed on sinners in the act of their sin , when they are impudent , and presumptuous therein , not to acknowledge such to be judged by the lord , is to wink against clear light , psal. . . god is known by the judgements which he executeth . shall nebuchadnezzar , while he is vaunting of his great babylon , be berest of his wits ? shall herod , whilest he is priding himself in the flattering applanse of the people , be eaten of worms ? shall haman , whilest he practising to destroy all the people of god , be hanged on a gallows fifty foot high , which he had prepared for mordecai ? shall the house where the philistins met together to sport with sampson , fall upon their heads ? shall these and such like judgments overtake men in the very act of their sin , and yet be accounted no judgements , no evidences of gods revenging justice , or signes of his indignation ? truly then we may deny all providence , and attribute all to chance : but add hereto , that this fell out upon their fifth of november , and it will be as clear as if written with a sun-beam , that the pit which they digged for others , they themselves fell into it . doctor gouge , who relates this story in his extent of gods providence , thus writeth . i do the more confidently publish this history , because i was an eye-witness of many of the things therein related , and heard from the mouths of such as were present at the sermon , the rest . for upon the first hearing of the destruction of so many persons as by that dowosal lost their lives , our constables presently caused the gates of our precinct ( it being surrounded with walls and gates ) to be shut , and raised a strong guard from amongst the inhabitants to keep the house where this accident fell out , and to prevent tumult about it . thus through the favour of the constables , and watch , who were all my neighbours , i had the more free and quiet access to view the dead bodies , and to inform my self of all the material circumstances about that accident : which i did the rather , because the bishop of london that then was , sent to me to inform my self throughly of all the business , and to send him a narration thereof under my hand ; whereupon i did not only view matters my self , but caused carpenters to search the timber , to take the measures both of the timber and the rooms . i was also present with the coroner and his inquest at their examining of all circumstances about the business . and the arch-bishop of camerbury sending to me to come to him , and to bring with me the best evidence i could , i got the foreman and others of the jury , and four persons that were present at the sermon , and fell down with the rest , but by gods providence escaped death , and one that stood without the door , within hearing , but fell not , all these i got to go along with me to lambeth , where i heard the witness which they gave to the arch-bishop about this matter . one that fell with the rest , and escaped death , was master gee a preacher in lancashire : two others were a son and servant to a citizen in pater noster row : the rest were men of good understanding ; able to apprehend what they saw and heard , and to relate what they conceived . finis . england's remembrancer a true and full narrative of those two never to be forgotten deliverances : one from the spanish invasion in , the other from the hellish powder plot, november , : whereunto is added the like narrative of that signal judgment of god upon the papists by the fall of the house in black-fryers london upon their fifth of november, / collected for the information and benefit of each family by sam. clark. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) england's remembrancer a true and full narrative of those two never to be forgotten deliverances : one from the spanish invasion in , the other from the hellish powder plot, november , : whereunto is added the like narrative of that signal judgment of god upon the papists by the fall of the house in black-fryers london upon their fifth of november, / collected for the information and benefit of each family by sam. clark. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed for j. hancock, london : . the "powder plot", p. [ ]- , has special t.p.: the gunpowder-treason / by samuel clark. reproduction of original in the union theological seminary library, new york. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng armada, . gunpowder plot, . great britain -- history -- early stuarts, - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion england's remembrancer , a true and full narrative of those two never to be forgotten deliverances : one from the spanish invasion in . the other from the hellish powder plot , november . . whereunto is added the like narrative of that signal judgment of god upon the papists , by the fall of the house in black-fryers london , upon their fifth of november , . collected for the information and benefit of each family , by sam. clark , formerly pastor in bennet fink . behold the wicked travelleth with iniquity , and hath conceived mischief , and brought forth falshood . he made a pit , and digged it , and is fallen into the ditch which he made . his mischief shall return upon his own head , and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate . psal. . , , . london , printed for j. hancock , and are to be sold at the three bibles , in popes-head alley , next to cornhill , . to the honourable and his much honoured friends edward rvssel , esq son to the right honourable francis earl of bedford . and to the lady penelope , his prudent and pious consort . sir , madam , i take the boldness to present you with these narratives , not for that they are new , or supposing your selves to be strangers to them : but as a testimony of my gratitude for those favours i have received from you : the high heavens may be seen in the lowest valleys : so may a large heart in the least gift . but truly though the gift be worthless , yet so is not the matter contained in it , which sets forth such eminent and signal deliverances as no church or people in these latter ages of the world have received ; and there must be a recognition of gods mercies , or else there will neither follow estimation , nor retribution : hence micah . . o my people ( saith god many hundreds of years after ) remember now what balack king of moab consulted , and what balaam the son of beor answered him from shittim unto gilgal , that ye may know the righteousness of the lord. if there be not such a recognition of former deliverances , we that should be as temples of his praise , shall be as graves of his benefits . our souls indeed are too like filthy ponds , wherein fish die soon , and frogs live long : rotten stuff is remembred , memorable mercies are forgotten ; whereas the soul should be as an holy ark ; the memory as the pot of manna , preserving holy truths and special mercies ; as aarons rod , fresh and flourishing . oh! let us imitate that man after gods own heart ! if the lord will be davids shepherd , he will dwell in gods house to all perpetuity , psalm . , . if god deal bountifully with him , he will sit down and bethink himself what to render for all his benefits , psalm . , . a christian counts all that he can do for god by way of retribution , but a little of that much he could beteem him ; and thinks nothing more unbeseeming him than to bury the mercies of god in oblivion . his two mites of thankfulness and obedience he daily presents , and then cryes out as that poor grecian did to the emperour , if i had a better present thou shouldest be sure of it . what then may we judge of those persons in our daies , who labour to extenuate , yea annihilate these deliverances ? that would have no publick commemorations of them , that study how to invalidate them , and to blot out the remembrance of them ? to render good for evil is divine : good for good is humane : evil for evil is brutish : but evil for good is devillish . yet alas ! how ordinary an evil is this among us , to abuse our deliverances to gods dishonour ? but do ye thus requite the lord , o foolish people , and unwise ? is not he thy father ? he hath bought thee , &c. deut. . . should we not remember that good-turns aggravate unkindnesses , and our offences are not a little encreased by our obligations ? ingrateful persons are like the snake in the fable , who said to the country-man when he had shewed it kindness : summum praemium pro summo beneficio est ingratitudo . ingratitude is the greatest reward of the greatest benefit . how many such snakes have we amongst us , that return evil for good , and unkindness for kindness ? is not this to fight against god , with his own weapons ? as david did against goliah : as jehu did against jehoram : and as benhadad did against ahab , with that life that he had lately given him ? for the preventing whereof ( if it may be ) are these things published , being almost worn out of remembrance more than the very names of them . besides , though they may be found in larger volumes , yet are they not so fit for every family : and as i have presumed ( honourable and beloved ) to publish them under your protection , so i doubt not but they will find the better entertainment for the same . my earnest desire and prayer for you is , that the god of peace will fill you with all joy and peace by believeing , multiplying his blessings upon you and yours : and that you would afford me a room in your albe among those that sir , madam , from my study in thridneedle-street , octob. . . love , honour and serve you , sam. clark. the spanish invasion . a commemoration of that wonderful , and almost miraculous deliverance afforded by god to this nation from the spanish invasion , anno christi . the year one thousand five hundred eighty eight , was foretold by an astronomer of koningsberg , above one hundred years before , that it should prove a wonderful year : and the german chronologers presaged , that it would be the climacterical year of the world , which was in some measure accomplished in that glorious and never to be forgotten deliverance vouchsafed by god to us in england , and in that fatal overthrow of the spanish navy ; a true narrative whereof followes . but that we may the better see what induced the spaniard to make this hostile invasion , we must be informed ; both who were the inciters , and by what arguments , & artifices they stirred him up thereunto . the inciters were the pope , and some traiterous english fugitives who were entertained in spain , and at rome . the design was , the conquest of england ; which had been hindred for the space of ten years by reason of the spanish wars in portugal . the arguments were , that seeing god had blessed the king of spain with admirable blessings and successes ; had given him in portugal , the east-indies , and very many rich islands belonging to the same ; that he should therefore perform somewhat that might be acceptable to god ( the giver of so great and good things ) and most worthy the power , and majesty of the catholick king : that the church of god could not be more gloriously , nor meritoriously propagated , than by the conquest of england , extirpating heresie , and planting the catholick roman religion there . this war ( they said ) would be most just and necessary ; considering that the queen of england was excommunicated , and persisted contumacious against the church of rome . that she supported the king of spains rebels in the netherlands , annoyed the spaniards with continual depredations ; surprised , and sacked his towns in spain , and america , and had very lately put the queen of scots to death , therein violating the majesty of all kings . again , that this war would be no less profitable than just ; for hereby he might add to his empire other flourishing kingdoms , extinguish the rebellion in the low-countries , hitherto fomented and supported from england ; secure his voyages from both the indies , and abate his vast expences in convoying his indian fleets both forward and backward : for proof whereof ( they suggested ) that the english navy was neither for number , nor greatness , nor strength comparable to that of spain ; especially having the portugal fleet now annexed unto it . that england was not fortified , and it wanted commanders : souldiers , a cavalry , and ammunition ; was bare of wealth , and friends . that there were many in all parts of it addicted to the romish religion , and would upon the first opportunity joyn their forces with his . in brief , that so great was the strength of the spaniard , and so unmatchable was their valour , that no man durst oppose against them , and therefore they might confidently assure themselves of victory . moreover , that now an opportunity was afforded by god himself to the king of spain to effectuate this great design , having no cause to fear any other enemies , by reason of a truce lately concluded by him with the great turk , and the french ( his old enemies ) being now embroiled in civil wars at home . they perswaded him likewise that england was an easier conquest than the netherlands : for that he had a shorter cut to it by sea , and that an open sea : neither was it so fortified with cities , castles , &c. as the netherlands were : and that england being once conquered , the netherlands would soon follow of course , having lost their best supporter . these , and such like arguments prevailing with the king of spain , in the next place they held a serious consultation about the manner of invading england . don alvares bassano , marquiss of sancta cruce , who was to command the armado , advised that some port-town in holland , or zealand , should suddenly be surprized by the prince of parma's land forces ( who was then governor of the netherlands under the king of spain ) and by some spanish ships sent to assist him by sea , that so the great fleet might have an harbour from whence to begin their invasion : with whom agreed in opinion the prince of parma himself , who was very forward to promote this expedition . but others opposed this by reason of the difficulty , danger , expence of time , and vast charge that it would require . they held that with the same charge england might easier be won , and that the conquest thereof would be assured , if a well-appointed army out of spain , and the low-countries might be landed at the thames mouth , and london ( the metropolis of england ) surprised by a sudden assault . and this opinion , as the more probable , prevailed . and then again it was advised by some , that war should first be denounced by an herald , both to remove suspicion and jealousie from neighbour princes , and to drive our queen to call in foreign forces to assist her : hoping that according to the insolent manner of mercenaries , they would raise mutinies , and spoil the country , which would make the queens subjects evil affected towards her ; so that all things would grow into confusion in england . but this motion was not hearkened to by men grown fierce , insolent , and confident of their own strength , only they desired the blessing of the pope upon their armado , and the prayers of the catholicks to god and the saints for good success . and to strike the greater terror into the hearts of the english , they set forth books with printed maps , wherein was expressed the greatness of their preparations in each particular , which indeed was so great in spain , portugal , italy , and sicily , that the spaniards themselves were amazed at it , and procured the pope to christen it by the name of the invincible armado . now that the wonderful power and mercy of god to us in this poor nation , in protecting us against the same , may the more gloriously appear , i shall in the next place set down what their preparations were for ships , mariners , land-souldiers , ammunition , and other provisions for the carrying on of so great an undertaking . the spanish navy , being the best appoin●ed for men , munition , and all manner of provision , that ever the ocean saw , had been five years in preparing , consisted of one hundred and thirty ships , whereof these were the principal . the admiral gallion of saint martins , of a thousand tun burden , had in her one hundred seventy and seven mariners , three hundred souldiers , fifty canon , &c. the gallion of saint johns , of one thousand and seventy tun , had in her one hundred and sixty mariners , two hundred and thirty one souldiers , fifty canon , &c. the gallion of saint mark of seven hundred and ninety two tun , had in it one hundred and seventeen mariners , two hundred and ninety two souldiers , &c. the gallion of saint phillip , of eight hundred tun , had in it one hundred and seventeen mariners , four hundred and fifteen souldiers , forty guns , &c. the gallion of saint lewis , of eight hundred and thirty tun , had in it one hundred and sixteen mariners , three hundred and seventy six souldiers , forty guns , &c. the gallion of saint matthew , of seven hundred and fifty tun , had in it fifty mariners , one hundred and seventy seven souldiers , forty guns , &c. the gallion of saint james , of five hundred and twenty tun , had in it one hundred mariners , three hundred souldiers , fifty two guns , &c. the gallion of florence , of nine hundred and sixty one tun , had in it one hundred mariners , three hundred souldiers , fifty two guns , &c. the gallion of saint christopher , of three hundred fifty and two tun , had in it ninety mariners , three hundred souldiers , thirty guns , &c. the gallion of saint bernard , of three hundred fifty two tun , had in it one hundred mariners , two hundred and eighty souldiers , thirty guns , &c. a ship of saint angelo , of seven hundred sixty and eight tun , had in it one hundred and fourteen mariners , three hundred and twenty three souldiers , thirty canons , &c. the gangrine , of one thousand one hundred and sixty tun ; had in it one hundred and ten mariners , three hundred souldiers , thirty six canons , &c. the ship saint james , of six hundred and sixty tun , had in her one hundred and two mariners , two hundred and fifty souldiers , thirty guns , &c. the manuel , of five hundred and twenty tun , had in her fifty four mariners , one hundred and thirty souldiers , sixteen guns , &c. the saint mary , of seven hundred and tun , had in her fifty mariners , two hundred and twenty souldiers , thirty guns , &c. but i need not reckon up the rest . they had in all one hundred and thirty ships , containing fifty seven thousand , eight hundred and eight tun ; wherein were eight hundred and forty five mariners , nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety five souldiers , and two thousand and eighty eight gally-slaves . and so confident were the spaniards that england should pay the shot , that they spared no cost for furnishing it forth with all things necessary . for which end they provided of bullets for great shot two hundred and twenty thousand . of powder four thousand and two hundred kintals , every kintal containing a hundred pound weight : of lead for bullets a thousand kintals : of match a thousand and two hundred kintals : musquets seven thousand : of partisans and halberts ten thousand : with store of murthering pieces , double canon , and field pieces for the camp : they had also store of furniture for carriages , mules and horses ; so that they were sufficiently provided both for sea and land. bread and bisket ready baked , and wine laid aboard for six months provision . they had moreover six thousand & five hundred kintals of bacon ; three thousand of cheese , besides other flesh , rise , beans , pease , oil , and vinegar , with twelve thousand pipes of fresh water . they had also store of torches , lamps , and lanthorns , canvas , hides , and lead to stop leaks : whips and butcherly knives to murder and torment the poor english. in a word , the army was thirty two thousand strong , and cost the king of spain thirty two thousand ducats every day . in this army were five regiments of old spanish souldiers of the tertio's of naples , sicily , and the tercera's , commanded by five masters del-campo : the first was don diego de piementel , a knight of the order of saint john , and brother to the marquess of taveras : the second colonel was don francisco de toledo , brother to the earl of orgas : the third don alonzo de luzon : the fourth don nicholas de illa : the fifth was augustin mexia ; each colonel having in his regiment thirty two companies , besides the castilian , and portugal bands , each of them having their peculiar commanders and weapons . the general of this mighty army ( the marquess of sancta cruce being now dead ) was don lodovicus peres , the duke of med na sidonia of the order of the golden fleece . the admiral was don john martinez de richald : the marshal don francisco bovadille : others were chief counsellors for the war , and don martin alarcon was vicar general for the holy unholy inquisition , in whose train were a hundred monks and jesuites : and cardinal allen was appointed the superintendent of ecclesiastical matters throughout england , who fearing to be unprovided , translated pope sixtus his bull into english , that it might be the sooner published upon the arrival of the spanish fleet in this our nation . of voluntary adventurers , there were a hundred and twenty four noblemen , and gentlemen of all the greatest houses in spain , hoping to be well paid with the lands and riches of england . the prince of parma also in the netherlands , by the king of spains command , built ships , and very many flat bottomed boats , each of them big enough to carry thirty horse , with bridges fitted to them to ship and unship the horses : he hired mariners from east-germany , set many thousands on work to dig and deepen rivers from antwerp to gaunt , and to bruges : lading three hundred small boats with munition and victuals . two hundred more flat-bottom'd boats were made , though not so big as the former , which lay ready in the haven of newport , besides thirty seven ships of war at dunkirk : he prepared piles sharpened at the nether ends , headed with iron , and hooked on the sides to pile up the mouths of rivers : at graveling he provided twenty thousand empty casks with cords , and other furniture to make floating bridges to stop up the heavens , beside an infinite number of fagots : he shipped likewise a great abundance of saddles , bridles , with other furniture for horse , and horses also for carriages , with ordance and other provisions for war. near unto newport he had lying under the command of camillo thirty companies of italians , two of walloons , and eight of burguignons , every company containing a hundred men : at dyxmew he mustered eight companies of netherlanders , sixty of spaniards , sixty of high dutch , among which were seven hundred fugitive english under the command of sir william stanley , who of all others were held in greatest contempt : neither was stanley , nor the earl of westmoorland , nor others which offered their service and counsel once heard , but for their treachery to their country barred from all access , and as most unfortunate conductors , worthily with detestation rejected . at conick also he quartered other four thousand , and at watene nine hundred horse , commanded by the marquess of guast . and to this land-service came the duke of pastrana , supposed to be the king of spains base son : the marquess of buorgon , one of the duke ferdinands sons : don vespasian gonsago of the house of mantua , a great souldier , who had been viceroy of spain : don john de medices , bastard of florence : don amadeus , bastard of savoy , with many others of the like quality . neither was sixtus quintus , pope of rome , any ways backward to shew his diligence , and devotion to this intended invasion ; but sent abroad his crusado ( as he used to do against the turks and infidels ) wherein out of the treasure of the church he gave plenary indulgences , and pardon of all their sins to every one that contributed his assistance hereunto : and for the furtherance of this enterprise , himself undertook to contribute a million of gold , the one half presently down , the other half when any notable haven in our land should be won : yet with this proviso , that the crown of england should be held as feudatory to the see of rome : in earnest whereof he bestowed upon the king of spain his apostolical postolical benediction , and the title of defender of the faith : he sent also cardinal allen into the low-countries , and renewed the bulls of pius the fifth and gregory the thirteenth , whereby queen elizabeth was excommunicated , deposed from her throne , and her subjects absolved from all allegiance to her . thus we see what preparations were made both at sea and land , at rome , in spain , and the netherlands , for the subduing of england , extirpating the gospel , and subjugating us under the yoke of spain : now let us see what provision and preparations our queen made to dispel this black cloud that hung over our head : and truly the first thing that she did was most christian ; for as when jehosophat was threatned with the like danger , chro. . . he sought the lord and proclaimed a fast ; so did she , requiring all her subjects to humble themselves by fasting and prayer , knowing that these are the best weapons of the church , that they by them might seek unto the lord , and say in the words of jehosophat , o lord god , art not thus god in heaven ? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the earth ? and in thine hand is there not power and might , so that none is able to withstand thee ? o our god , wilt thou not judge them ? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us , neither know we what to do , but our eyes are upon thee . but in the second place , knowing that prayers without endeavours and means are like rachel , beautiful but barren , that she might not be taken unprovided , she prepared with all diligence as strong a fleet as she could , and all things necessary for war ; and she that in discerning mens parts and abilities was of a most sharp judgment , and ever most happy , having the free choice in her self , and not by the commendations of others , assigned to every office by name the best and fittest men . the charge of her navy she committed to charles howard of effingham , lord admiral of england , of whose skill she had had former experience , and whom she knew both by his moderation and nobility , to be wary in providence , valiant , industrious , and of great authority among the seamen , and well beloved of them : her vice-admiral she made the famous sir francis drake , and these she sent to the west parts of england ; and for the guard of the narrow seas , she appointed henry lord seimore second son to the duke of somerset , whom she commanded also to lie upon the coasts of the low-countries , with forty ships , to watch that the prince of parma might not come forth with his forces : by land she commanded the general forces of the realm to be mustered , trained , and put in readiness in their special shires , for the defence of the whole , which accordingly was done , and whereof the lord robert dudley earl of leicester was appointed lieutenant ; twenty thousand whereof were disposed along our south-coast for the guard thereof : besides which , she had two armies ; one of which consisting of a thousand horse , and twenty two thousand foot , was encamped at tilbury near the thames mouth , whither the enemy fully intended to come : the other which was led by the lord hunsdon , consisted of thirty four thousand foot , and two thousand horse , which were to be the guard of the queens person : her self in courage far surmounting her sex , as another zenobia or rather deborah , led forth the lords host against this great sisera , and her souldiers valiant and skilful , both for courage and quick dispatch , might well be compared to those gadites that came to aid david , whose faces were like the faces of lions , and were compared to the roes in the mountains for swiftness . arthur lord grey , sir francis knolles , sir john knorris , sir richard bingham , and sir roger williams , all gallant men , and brave souldiers , were appointed to consult about managing the land service : these advised that all the commodious landing places for the enemy , as well from spain , as from the low-countries should be manned and fortified , as milford haven , falmouth , plimmouth , portland , the isle of weight , portsmouth , the open coast of kent , commonly called the downs , the thames mouth , harwich , yarmouth , hull , &c. and that the trained bands throughout the coast shires , should meet upon a signal given to defend the said places , and do their best to prohibit the enemies landing . but in case he should land , that then they should leave all the country round about wast , that so they might find nothing for food , but what from their ships they should carry upon their shoulders , and that they should hold the enemies busied both night and day with continual alarms , but not to hazard a battel till more commanders with their companies were come together . some suggested also to the queen , that the spaniards abroad were not so much to be feared as the papists at home ; for that the spaniards would not attempt the invasion of england , but upon confidence of aid from them : she thereupon committed some of them to prison at wisbeach in the fenns ; by her letters also she directed sir william fitz-williams , lord deputy of ireland , what he should do . the king of scots she put in mind to beware of the papists and spanish factions : by her frequent letters she wrote to the states of the vnited provinces not to be deficient in assisting her what they could . but amongst these preparations for war on both sides , philip king of spain , to cast a mist over her majesties eyes , and to rock her into a sleep of security , importuned by all means the realms unto peace , imploying the prince of parma to be his instrument therein , who dealt earnestly by letters with the help of sir james crofts , a privy counsellor , and a man much addicted to peace , as also by andrew van loey , a netherlander , that a treaty of peace might be entred upon , affirming that he had warrant thereunto from the king of spain . our queen measuring other princes by her own guileless heart , gave ear to this deceitful lullaby , little suspecting that a deadly snake could be hid in so fair a garden ; yet resolved to treat of peace with her sword in her hand , neither was the prince of parma against her so doing . in the month therefore of february commissioners were sent into flanders , henry earl of darby , william brook , lord cobham , sir james crofts , valentine dale , and john rogers doctors of the law , who arriving there , were received in the prince of parma's name with all courtesy ; who thereupon sent away dale presently to him to know where the place of meeting should be , and to see his commission from the king of spain : the place he appointed to be near ostend , the town it self being then in the english hands ; and as for his commission , he promised it should be produced at their meeting : only he wished them to hasten the matter , lest any thing should happen in the interim to interrupt the treaty : and one richardot , which stood by him , said more openly , that he knew not what in the mean time might be done against england . which being reported to the queen , she sent rogers to the prince to know whether there was any design for the invading of england , as he , and richardot by their words seemed to imply : the prince answered that he had never any thought for the invading england , when he wished the treaty to be hastened , and was angry with richardot , who denied that any such words had fallen from him . commissioners for the king of spain were maximilian earl of aremberg , governor of antwerp , richardot president of artois , with some other civilians . these stayed at bruges , and for all their pretended haste , much time was cunningly spun out about the place of their meeting , which should have the precedency , and what hostages should be given for security of the commissioners : yet at length the spaniards yielded to the english precedency , both in going and sitting : and the place was in tents near unto ostend . the demands for the queen were , that there might be a surcease of arms , with a present and undelayed truce , she mitrusting the spanish preparations at sea : the sending away of foreign souldiers out of the low-countries for englands security : a restitution of such sums of money as the queen had lent to the states , and which the king had promised to restore : that the netherlanders might enjoy their ancient liberties , and priviledges , nor be governed by a stranger , but by a native prince : that they might have liberty to serve god with freedom of conscience : and lastly , that the articles of the pacification of gaunt , and other like treaties might be observed ; which things if they were granted , she would condescend upon reasonable conditions to deliver up the towns in the netherlands , which she then had in possession , that it might appear that she had not for her own advantage , but for the necessary defence of the netherlands , and her self taken up arms . to these the spaniards replyed , that touching their preparations at sea , they did assure them that it nothing concerned england . that to send away the souldiers , the king could not resolve till the netherlanders had submitted themselves to him . concerning their priviledges , that it appertained nothing to the queen , neither should she prescribe to the king a law. and so far was he from tolerating religion , that he would not so much as hear thereof , otherwise than he had allowed to other towns that had submitted to his obedience : and as for those towns which had been taken from the king , and the mony expended about them , they said that the spaniard might demand as many myriades of ducats to be repayed to him by the queen , as he had expended upon the low-country war , from the time that she supported the revolting netherlanders , and took them into her protection . about this time went dale by the queens command to the prince of parma , and mildly expostulated with him about a book lately published by cardinal allen , that english renegado , wherein he exhorted the nobility and people of england and ireland to joyn with the spanish forces , under the conduct of the prince of parma , to execute the popes sentence already published by his bull against queen elizabeth ; wherein she was declared an heretick , illegitimate , cruel , for putting to death the queen of scots , &c. and her subjects absolved from their oath of allegiance , and commanded to aid the prince of parma against her. ( and indeed there was a great number of these bulls and books printed at antwerp , from thence to be dispersed all over england . ) the prince denied that he had ever seen any such book , or bull , neither would he undertake any thing in the popes name ; howbeit that he must obey his prince . but for the queen of england , he protested that he did so honour her for her vertues , that next to the king his master , he esteemed her above all others , and would be ready to do her service . for the manifestation whereof he said that he had perswaded the king to condescend to this treaty of peace , which would be more advantagious for the english than for the spaniard : for ( said he ) if the spaniards be overcome they will soon recover their loss ; but if you be overcome , your kingdom , and all is lost : to which dale made this reply : our queen is provided with strength sufficient to defend her kingdom , and you your self in your wisdom may foresee that a kingdom cannot be lost with the fortune of one battel ; seeing the king of spain after so long wars , is not able to recover his ancient inheritance in the netherlánds . be it so ( said the prince ) these things are in the hands of the almighty . after this the commissioners contended with mutual debates , and replies , still twisting and untwisting the same thread . for when the english pressed that a toleration of religion might be granted for the vnited provinces , at least for two years ; it was answered , that as the spaniard demanded not this for the english catholicks ; so they hoped the queen in her wisdom would require nothing of him which might be against the honour , oath , and conscience of the spaniard . when they demanded the mony due from the states of brabant to our queen ; they answered , that it was lent without the kings knowledge or warrant ; and that the accounts being cast up , how much the said mony was , and how much the king had disbursed about the war , it would soon be known to whom the most ought to be repayed . with such answers as these they dallied with the english commissioners , till the spanish fleet was come within the view of england , and the thundring of the ordnance was heard from the sea , which put the english commissioners into some suspicion and fear , having no hostages for their safe return . but they received a safe conduct from the prince of parma ( who had in the mean time drawn down all his forces to the sea-coast ) and so were conducted to the borders near calice . thus came this treaty to nothing , undertaken by our queen ( as was conceived ) to divert the coming of the spanish fleet : and continued by the spaniard to surprize england unprovided , and at unawares . so both sides put the foxes skin upon the lions head . and now we are come to speak of this invincible armado , which was the preparation of five whole years at least . it bare it self also upon divine assistance , having received a special blessing from the pope , and was assigned as an apostolical mission for the reducement of this kingdom to the obedience of the see of rome : and in further token of this holy warfare , there were amongst the rest of the ships , twelve , called by the names of the twelve apostles . the gallions and galliasses were of such a vast size , that they were like floating towers and castles , so that the swelling waves of the sea could hardly be seen ; and the flags , streamers , and ensigns so spread in the wind , that they seemed even to darken the sun , and to threaten destruction which way soever they turned . on the nine and twentieth day of may this fleet set sail out of the river tayo , bending its course towards the groin in galizia , the place appointed for the general rendezvous , as being the nearest haven unto england : but whilest they hoysed and spread abroad their proud sailes to the wind ; god , who is an enemy to such nimrod-like undertakings , and hating such hostile actions , suddenly manifested his displeasure , and poured out revenge by a sudden and hideous tempest , which drave the duke of medina , the general , back again into the groin ; eight other of the ships being dispersed on the seas , had their masts broken , and blown over board ; besides three other portugal gallies which were driven upon the coasts of bayon in france , where , by the valour of one david gwin , an english slave , and the help of other slaves , french , and turks , they were delivered into the hands of the french , and they freed themselves by the slaughter of the spaniards , amongst whom don diego de mondrana was one . about the same time the english admiral , and vice-admiral , who had in all about one hundred ships , whereof fifteen were victuallers , and nine voluntaries of devonshire gentlemen , hearing for certainty that the spanish fleet was ready to hoise up their sails , resolved to put forth from plymouth , and to meet , and fight them by the way ; but were so met with by the same wind , that they could not get past the syllies , and thence also were forced by the tempest to return into their former harbour , to refresh their ships , and companies ; only some of their scouts at sea descried some of the spanish ships , which likewise had been dispersed with the storm : but before the english could come near them , the wind veering about , carryed them back to the groine , where the rest of their fleet lay in harbour . intelligence being brought that the spaniards were in want , their great ships dispersed , and the rest sorely shaken with the storm , and their men dying by multitudes of the pestilence ; the lord admiral howard intended with the first northerly wind to take advantage , which coming about upon the eighth of july , he lanched forth , and bore his sails almost within the sight of spain , purposing to surprise their weather-beaten ships , and to fight them upon their own coast. but then the wind suddenly changing into the south , and he wisely foreseeing that the enemy might pass by without his discovery , that the seas might be stormy , or his fleet wind-bound , and that whilst he thus lay abroad , his service might be more necessary at home , and that his work was to defend the coasts of england , he therefore presently returned and anchored his fleet in the haven at plimouth , suffering his men to refresh themselves upon the land. at the same time there came more confident advertisement ( though false ) not only to the lord admiral , but to the court , that the spanish fleet could not possibly come forth again that year , upon which reports ( a dangerous matter in state affairs ) so confident was our queen , that she sent for four of her biggest royal ships to be brought back to chattam : but the lord admiral suspecting the worst , by a mild and moderate answer retarded it , desiring that nothing might be lightly believed in so weighty a matter , and that he might retain them though at his own charge . wherein indeed a special providence of god did appear , for just at that time news was brought to the lord admiral by one captain thomas flemming , that the spanish fleet was entred into the british seas , commonly called the channel , and was seen near unto the lizard-point , which came thus to pass . the spanish ships being new rigged , and their wants supplyed , their king still hot on his former resolutions , instantly urged and hastened his commanders to put forth again to sea , which accordingly they did upon the eleventh of july with the same south wind which ( as was said before ) brought back our navy into plimouth , and so having a more favourable gale , with brave shews , and full sails , they entred our channel , where casting anchor , they dispatched certain small pinnaces to the prince of parma , to signifie their arrival and readiness , and to command him in the name of their king to forward his charge for that service . july the twentieth about noon , this terrible fleet was descried by the english , coming forward amain with a south-west wind . it was a kind of surprise : for that ( as was said ) many of our men were gone to land , and our ships ready to depart : nevertheless our undaunted admiral towed forth such ships as he could get in readiness into the deep sea , not without great difficulty , certainly with singular diligence , and admirable alacrity of our mariners , cheered up with the admirals own presence and assistance among them at their halserwork , the wind blowing strongly into the haven . when they were forth they saw the spanish ships with lofty towers like castles , in front like an half-moon , the horns whereof stretched forth in breadth about seven miles , sayling ( as it were ) with labour to the winds , the ocean groaning under them ; so that though with full sails , yet they came but slowly forward . they seemed as it were to make for plymouth ; but whether their commission was otherwise , or because contrary to their expectation , they saw the english ships out of the harbour , they steered by towards calice , hoping to meet with the prince of parma : the english willingly suffered them to pass by , that they might the more commodiously chase them in the reer with a fore-right wind . july the twenty first , the lord admiral of england sent before him a pinnace called the defiance , to denounce war by discharging her ordnance , himself following in the ark-royal , set upon the admiral ( as he thought ) of the spaniards , but it proved to be leva's ship , where fire , smoke , and loud thundring cannons began the parley ; and rending bullets most freely enterchanged betwixt them , were fiery messengers of each others minds . soon after came up drake , hawkins , and forbusher , playing with their ordnance upon the hindmost squadron of the enemies , which was commanded by rechalde , who laboured all he could to stay his men from flying for shelter to the fleet , till his own ship being much battered with shot , and now grown unserviceable , was with much difficulty drawn into the main fleet. at which time the duke of medina gathered together his whole fleet , scattered here and there by the english , and hoising more sail , kept on his intended course toward callice ; neither indeed could he do otherwise , the wind favouring the english , and himself finding the inconvenience of their great and high built ships , powerful to defend , but not to offend ; to stand , but not to move ; whereas on the contrary their enemies were nimble , and ready on all sides to annoy them , and as apt to escape harms themselves , being low built and so easily shot over . hereupon he caused them to gather themselves up close in the form of an half-moon , and to slacken their sails that their whole fleet might keep together . but our english admiral having maintained an hot fight for the space of two hours , thought not good to continue it any longer , thirty of his ships scarce coming to the work , the rest being as yet scarce gotten out of the harbour . in this first days fight the saint katherine , a spanish ship , having been sorely battered and much torn , was taken into the middest of their fleet to be repaired : and an huge ship of biscaie of don oquendoes , in which was a great part of the kings treasure , began to be all in a flame by force of gunpowder , which was fired on purpose by a flemish gunner , for being misused by them : but the fire was soon quenched by the assistance of some other ships sent in to her help . all this while the spaniards for want of courage ( which they called commission ) did what they could to decline the fight , casting themselves continually into roundels ( their strongest ships walling in the rest ) in which posture they made a flying march towards callice : yet in the former medly a great gallion , wherein was don pedro de valdez , vasques de silva , alenzo de saias , with other noble men , being sore battered with the english shot , in avoyding whereof she fell foul upon another ship , and ere she could be cleared had her fore-mast broken off , which so hindred her sailing , that she was unable to keep way with the rest of the fleet , nor were their friends of courage to succour these distressed lords , but left both ship and them in this sudden and unexpected danger . but the night coming on , our lord admiral supposing that they had left neither men nor mariners aboard within her , and fearing to lose sight of the spaniards , past by her , and followed the lanthorn which he supposed to be carried by sir francis drake , as it was appointed , but that brave knight was eagerly pursuing five great hulks which he took to be of the spaniards , but when he came up , and haled them , they proved easterlings and friends , and so were dismissed : yet by this mistake of his , the greatest part of our fleet , wanting the direction of his light , was forced to lye still : so that he and the rest of the fleet till towards night , the next day , could not recover sight of the lord admiral , who all the night before with two other ships , the bear and the mary-rose followed the spanish lanthorn . july the twenty second ; sir francis drake espied the aforementioned lagging gallion , whereupon he sent forth a pinnace to command them to yield , otherwise his bullets without any delay should force them to it : valdes , to seem valorous , answered , that they were four hundred and fifty strong ; that himself was don pedro , and stood on his honour , and thereupon propounded certain conditions : but the knight returned this reply , that he had no leisure to parley , if he would immediately yield , so ; otherwise he should soon prove that drake was no dastard . pedro hearing that it was the fiery drake ( whose name was very terrible to the spaniards ) that had him in chase , presently yielded , and with forty of his companions , came on board sir francis his ship , where first giving him the conge , he protested that he and all his were resolved to have dyed fighting , had they not fallen into his hands , whose valour and felicity was so great , that mars and neptune seemed to wait on him in all his attempts , and whose noble and generous mind towards the vanquished , had often been experienced even of his greatest foes . sir francis to requite his spanish complements with english courtesie , placed him at his own table , and lodged him in his own cabin : the residue of that company he sent to plimouth , where they remained prisoners for the space of eighteen months , till by payment of their ransoms they obtained their liberty : but drakes souldiers had well paid themselves by the plunder of the ship , wherein they found ducats of gold , which they merrily shared amongst them . the same day michael de oquendo , admiral of the squadron guypusco , and vice-admiral of the whole fleet , suffered no less a disaster ; whose ship being one of the greatest gallions , fell on fire , and all the upper part of the ship being burnt , most also of the persons therein were consumed : howbeit the gunpowder in the hold not taking fire , the ship fell into the hands of the english , which , together with the scorched spaniards therein , was brought into plimouth , a joyful spectacle to the beholders . all this day , the duke of medina laboured securely to set his fleet in order ; to alphonso de leva he gave in charge to joyne the first and last squadron together ; to every ship he assigned his quarter to ride in according to the form prescribed in spain , commanding them upon pain of death not to desert their stations . glitch , an ensign-bearer , he sent to the prince of parma to acquaint him with his condition . july the twenty third , early in the morning the spaniards taking the benefit of a northerly wind , when they approached right against portland , turned about against the english ; but the english , nimble , and foreseeing all advantages , soon turned aside to the westward , each striving to get the wind of the other , which at last the english got , and so they prepared themselves on each side to fight ; and the english continued all day from morning till night to batter those wooden castles with great and small shot : the fight was very confused and variable , whilst on the one side the english bravely rescued the london ships that were hemmed in by the spaniards , and on the other side the spaniards as stoutly delivered rechalde being in danger : never was there heard greater thundring of ordnance on both sides , the chiefest fight being performed on this day ; yet notwithstanding the shot from the spanish ships for the most part flew over the english without hurting them , only cock an english man dyed with honour in the midst of his enemies in a little ship of his . the english ships being far the lesser , charged that sea-gyant with marvellous agility , and having given them their broad sides , flew off again presently , and then coming up , levelled their shot directly without missing those heavy and unweildy ships of the spaniards . but the lord admiral would not hazard a fight by grappling with them , as some unadvised persons would have perswaded him : for he considered that the enemy had a strong army in the fleet , whereas he had none ; that their ships were more in number , of bigger burden , stronger , and huger built , so that they could not be boarded but with extreme disadvantage : he foresaw also that the overthrow would turn to a greater dammage than the victory would avail him : for being vanquished he should have brought england into extreme hazzard , and being conquerour he should only have gained a little glory to himself for overthrowing the fleet , and beating the enemy . on this day the sorest fight was performed , wherein , besides other remarkable harms which the enemy sustained , a great venetian ship with some other smaller were surprized , and taken by the english , and the spaniards were forced for their further safety to gather themselves close into a roundel , their best and greatest ships standing without , that they might secure those that were battered and less . july the twenty fourth , the fight was only between the four great galliasses , and some of the english ships , the spaniards having great advantage , theirs being rowed with oars , and ours ( by reason of the calm ) having no use of their sails , notwithstanding which they sorely galled the enemy with their great and chain shot ; wherewith they cut in sunder their tacklings , cables , and cordage , to their no little prejudice . but wanting powder which they had spent so freely , and other provision to maintain the fight , the lord admiral sent some of his smaller ships to the next ports of england to fetch supply ; which stirred up jealousies in the heads of many , that we should thus want upon our own coasts . in which interim a council was called , wherein it was resolved that the english fleet should be divided into four squadrons , and those committed to four brave captains , and skilful seamen , whereof the lord admiral in the ark royal was chief : sir francis drake in the revenge led the second : captain hawkins the third : and captain forbusher the fourth . other most valiant captains there were in others of her majesties ships ; as the lord thomas howard in the lion ▪ the lord sheffield in the bear , sir robert southwel in the elizabeth , captain baker in the victory , and captain george fenner in the gallion-leicester : it was also further appointed , that out of every squadron certain small vessels should give you a charge from divers parts in the dead time of the night , but the calm continuing , this design could not be effected . july the twenty fifth , being saint james day , the spaniards were arrived against the isle of wight , where was a most terrible encounter , each shooting off their whole broad sides , and not above sixscore yards the one from the other : there the saint anne , a gallion of portugal , which could not hold course with the rest , was set upon by certain small english vessels , to whose rescue came leva and don diego telles enriques with three galliasses : which the lord admiral himself and the lord thomas howard in the golden lion , rowing their ships with their boats ( so great was the calm ) charged in such sort with their roaring canons , that they had much ado , and that not without loss , to save the gallion , from which time forward none of the galliasses would undertake the fight . the spaniards reported that the english the same day beat the spanish admiral in the utter squadron , rending her sore with their great ordnance , and having slain many of her men , shot down her main mast , and would have much endanger'd her , but that mexia and rechalde came in good time to her rescue . that the spanish admiral , assisted by rechalde and others , set upon the english admiral , which happily escaped by the sudden turning of the wind . that thereupon the spaniards gave over the pursuit , and holding on their course , dispatched again a messenger to the prince of parma , to joyn his fleet with all speed to the kings armado , and withal to send them a supply of great shot . but these things were unknown to the english , who wrote that from one of the spanish ships they had shot down their lanthorn , and from another the beak-head , and that they had done much hurt to the third ; that the non-parrella and the mary rose , had fought a while with the spaniards ; and that other ships had rescued the triumph , which was in danger : the truth is , they had so sorely battered those huge wooden castles , that once more they forced them for their further safety to gather themselves into a roundel . july the twenty sixth , the lord admiral , to encourage and reward the noble attempts of his gallant captains , bestowed the order of knighthood upon the lords howard and sheffield , roger townsend , john hawkings , martin forbusher , and others : and yet the vain glorious and boasting spaniards caused a report to be spread in france , that england was wholly conquered by them . it was resolved by our men that from thenceforth they should assail the enemy no more till they came to the british frith , or strait of callis , where the lord henry seimore and sir william winter , with the ships which they had for the guard of the narrow seas , waited their coming ; and so with a fair gale from the south-west and by south , the spanish fleet sailed forward , the english fleet following it close at the heels . and so far was it from terrifying our english coasts with the name of invincible ; or with its huge and terrible spectacle , that our brave english youth with an incredible alacrity , leaveing parents , wives , children , kinsfolk , and friends , out of their entire love to their native country , hired ships from all parts at their own proper charges , and joyned with the fleet in great numbers , amongst whom were the earl of oxford , northumberland and cumberland : thomas and robert cecil : henry brook : charles blunt : walter raleigh : william hatton : robert carey : ambrose willoughby : thomas gerard : arthur gorges , and many others of great note . july the twenty seventh , the spanish fleet making forward , towards evening , came over against dover , and anchored before callis , intending for dunkirk there to joyn with the prince of parma's forces , wel perceiving that without their assistance they could do nothing : they were also warned by the pilots , that if they proceeded any farther it was to be feared lest they should be driven by the force of the tide into the northern ocean . the english fleet following up hard upon them , cast anchor so near that they lay within culvering shot ; at which time the lord henry seimore , and winter joyned their ships to them , so that now the english fleet consisted of one hundred and forty sail , all able ships to fight , sail , and turn about which way soever they pleased . yet were they not above fifteen that sustained the greatest burden of the fight . from hence once more the duke of medina sent to the prince of parma to hasten forth his long expected , and much desired forces : with which messengers many of the spanish noblemen went to land ; having had enough of the sea ; amongst whom was the prince of ascoli , the kings base son , who returned to his ship no more ; and indeed well it was for him , for that his gallion was afterwards cast away upon the irish coast , and never returned to salute spain . these messengers earnestly prayed the prince of parma to put forth to sea with his army , which the spanish fleet should protect , as it were under her wings , till it was landed in england . and indeed the prince of parma , hearing the best , and not the worst of this voyage , made all things ready that lay in his charge , whose hopes were so fixed upon englands conquest , and the glittering diadem upon queen elizabeths head did so dazel his ambitious eyes , being assured by cardinal allen that he was the man designed to be crowned therewith , that neglecting the coronet of the low-country government , he transferred the charge thereof upon count mansfield the elder , and having made his vows to the lady of hall in heinault , he was already in conceit no less than a king. but the date of his reign was soon expired , and his swelling tide fallen into a low shallow ebb : for the day following in his march to dunkirk , he heard the thundring ordnance ringing the passing peal of his hopes and title , and the same evening had news of the hard success of the spaniards , the hoped advancers of his dreamed felicity ; and indeed do what he could , he could not be ready at the spaniards call : his flat-bottomed boats for the shallow channels leaked ; his provision of victuals proved unready , and his mariners ( having hitherto been detained against their wills ) had withdrawn themselves : there lay also watching before the havens of dunkirk and newport , whence he was to put forth to sea , the men of war of the hollanders and zelanders , so well provided with great ordnance and musketiers , that he could not put from the shore unless he would wilfully cast himself and his men upon eminent perils and dangers of destruction : and yet he being a skilful and experienced commander , omitted no means , being inflamed with a desire to conquer england . but queen elizabeths foresight prevented both his diligence and the credulous hope of the spaniards . for by her command the next day after the spaniards had cast anchor , the lord admiral made ready eight of his worst ships , filled with wild-fire , pitch , rosin , brimstone , and other combustible matter : their ordnance were charged with bullets , stones , chains , and such like things , fit instruments of death ; and all the men being taken out , upon the sabbath day , july , the twenty eighth , at two of the clock after midnight , were they let drive with wind and tide , under the guidance of young and prowse , amongst the spanish fleet. and so the pilots returning , and their trains taking fire , such a sudden thunderclap was given by them , that the affrighted spaniards , it being the dead time of the night , were amazed , and stricken with an horrible fear , lest all their ships should have been fired by them . and to avoid this present mischief , being in great perplexity , they had no other remedy to avoid these deadly engines , and murthering inventions , than by cutting their cables in sunder , the time being too short to weigh up their anchors , and so hoising up their sails to drive at random into the seas : in which hast and confusion the greatest of their galliasses fell foul upon another ship , and lost her rudder : and so floted up and down , and the next day fearfully making towards callis , ran aground upon the sands , where she was set upon by the english . this galliass was of naples : her general was heugh de moncado , who fought the more valiantly , because he expected present help from the prince of parma : but sir amias preston gave such a fierce assault upon her , that moncado was shot dead with a bullet , and the galliass boarded , wherein many of the spaniards were slain , and a great many others leaping into the sea were drowned , only don antonio de matiques , a principal officer , had the good hap to escape , and was the first man that carried the unwelcome news into spain , that their invincible navy proved vincible . this huge bottom manned with four hundred souldiers , and three hundred slaves , that had in her fifty thousand ducats of the spanish kings treasure , fell into the english mens hands ; a reward well befitting their valour , who sharing it merrily amongst them , and freeing the miserable slaves from their fetters , would have fired the empty vessel : but monsieur gourden , governour of callis , fearing that the fire might endanger the town , would not permit them to do it , bending his ordnance against those which attempted it . had not this politick stratagem of the fire-ships been found out , it would have been very difficult for the english to have dislodged them ; for those huge ships had their bulks so strengthened with thick planks , and massie beams , that our bullets might strike , and stick , and yet never pass through them : so that the greatest hurt which our english canon did , was only by rending their masts and tacklings . the spaniards report that the duke of medina , when these burning ships approached , commanded the whole fleet to weigh anchor to avoid them , yet so , as having shunned the danger , presently every ship to return to her former station , which accordingly he did himself , giving a signal to the rest to do the like , by discharging one of his great guns ; but in this general consternation the warning was heard but of a few , the rest being scattered all about , which for fear were driven some into the wide ocean , and other upon the shallows of flanders . july the twenty ninth , after this miserable disaster , the spaniards ranging themselves into the best order they could , approached over against graveling , where once again the english getting the wind of them , deprived them of the conveniency of callis road , and kept them from supply out of dunkirk , from whence rested their full hope of support . in the mean while drake and fenner played incessantly with their great ordnance upon the spanish fleet , and with them presently joined fenton , southwel , beeston , cross , riman , and lastly the lord admiral himself , with the lords , thomas howard , and sheffield : on the other hand , the duke of medina , leva , oquenda , richalde , and others of them , with much ado got clear off the shallows , and sustained the charge as well as they could , yet were most of their ships pittifully torn and shot through , the fight continuing from morning till night , which indeed proved very dismal to the spaniards ; for therein a great gallion of biscay perished , the captains whereof to avoid ignominy , or to be reputed valorous , desperately slew each other . in which distress also two other great ships presently sunk . the gallion saint matthew under the command of don diego piementelli , coming to rescue don francisco de toledo , who was in the saint philip , was , together with the other , miserably torn with shot , their tacklings spent , and their bulks rent , so that the water entred in on all sides , which fight was maintained against them by seimore and winter ; in which distress they were driven near ostend , where again they were shot through and through by the zelanders : their desperate condition being known , the duke of medina sent his own skiff for don diego piementelli , camp-master , and colonel over thirty two bands : but he in a spanish bravado refused to leave his ship , and like a souldier assayed every way to free himself : but being unable to do it , he forthwith made towards the coast of flanders , where being again set upon by five dutchmen of war , was required to yield , which finally he did unto captain peter banderduess , who carried him into zeland : aud for a trophy of his victory hung up his banner in the church of leiden , whose length reached from the very roof to the ground : another also of the spanish ships coasting for flanders , was cast away upon the sands . francisco de toledo also , being likewise a colonel over thirty two bands in the other gallion , taking his course for the coast of flanders , his ship proved so leak , that himself with some others of the chief betook themselves to their skiff , and arrived at ostend , the ship with the residue being taken by the flushingers . the spaniards now finding their welcome into england far worse than they expected , were content to couch their fleet as close together as they could , not seeking to offend their enemies , but only to defend themselves , and the wind coming to the south-west , in the same order they passed by dunkirk , the english still following them at the heels . but lest the prince of parma should take this advantage to put forth to sea , the lord admiral dispatched the lord henry seimore with his squadron of small ships to the coast of flanders , to join with those hollanders , which there kept watch under justin of nassau , their admiral : this holland fleet consisted of thirty five ships , furnished with most skilful mariners , and twelve hundred musqueteers , old experienced souldiers , whom the states had culled out of several garisons : their charge was to stop up the flemish havens , and to prevent entercourse with dunkirk , whither the prince of parma was come , and would fain have adventured forth , though his men were unwilling , hearing how their friends had been entertained at sea : only the english fugitives , being about seven hundred in number , under that treacherous knight , sir william stanley ▪ were very forward to be the first that should assault england . july the . betimes in the morning the north-west-wind blew hard , and the spanish fleet laboured by that advantage to return to the narrow strait , but were driven towards zeland : whereupon the english gave off the chase , because they saw them carried almost of their utter ruine ; for they could not but run aground upon the sands and shallows near zeland : but the wind turning presently into the south-west and by west , they sailed before the wind , by which means they were cleared of the shallowes , and so that evening they called a council what to do , and by consent it was resolved to return into spain by the northeru ocean : for that they wanted many necessaries , especially great shot ; their ships also were pittifully torn , and there remained no hope that the prince of parma would or could bring forth his fleet. the armado having now gotten more sea-room for their huge-bodied bulks , spread their main sails , and made away as fast as wind and water would give them leave : more fearing the small fleet and forces of the english ( though far inferiour to them ) than standing upon terms of honour either for the credit of their commanders , or their invincible navy : but surely if they had known the want of powder ours sustained ( a fault inexcusable upon our own coasts ) they no doubt would have stood better to their tacklings : but god in this , as in all the rest , infatuated them , and would have us to acknowledge that our deliverance was by his own gracious providence and power , and not by any strength or policy of our own . the spanish fleet being now carried forth into the deep , they directed their course northward , and our english admiral followed them , lest they should attempt to put into scotland , against whom they now and then turned head , but stood not to it : yet most men thought they would return , whereupon our queen with a manly courage took a view of her army and camp at tilbury , and walking through the ranks of armed men placed on both sides , with a leaders truncheon in her hand , sometimes in a martial pace , and other sometimes like a woman , incredible it is how much she strengthened and encouraged the hearts both of her captains and souldiers with her speech and presence . but contrary to expectation , the enemies with their sails spread , betook themselves to an absolute flight , and leaving scotland on the west , they bended their course towards norway , being ill advised therein , ( but their necessity urged , and god had infatuated their counsels ) thus to adventure to put their shaken and battered bottoms into those black and dangerous seas : neither was the climate healthful for the crazed bodies of the spaniards , over-beaten , and tired with wants , they being now entred the fifty seventh degree of northerly latitude ; from whence our lord admiral returned , leaving only some scouts to discover their success . when the prince of parma came to dunkirk , the spaniards entertained him with opprobrious speeches , as if in favour of queen elizabeth , he had neglected his opportunity , and willingly overthrown so hopeful a design . the prince to give them some satisfaction punished his purveyors of victuals , yet withal laughing in his sleeve at the insolency of the spaniards , having heard them formerly to make their boasts that whithersoever they went they carried assured victory along with them , and that the english durst not once abide to look them in the face . the spaniards ( as was said even now ) being freed from the english that had haunted them like their ghosts , consulted most seriously what was next to be done : they were very tender of the popes credit , who had prophesied , that this attempt would be fortunate and successful : the wrath of king philip of spain was to be feared , his vast expences being thus lost , and his hopes frustrated : other adventurers would be undone : the glory of the spaniards would be laid in the dust : the invincible navy become a scorn , and england would still be england , not lorded over by the spaniards , if without further attempt they should return into spain . but on the other hand they considered that five thousand of the souldiers were slain : a multitude of their survivors lay sick or maimed upon their hands : twelve of their greatest ships were sunk , lost , or taken : their cables , masts , and sails were cut , rent and broken with the english shot : their anchors left in the road of callis : their victuals failed : their fresh water was spent : and their enemies no less fierce , undaunted , and successful than at the first : the prince of parma though long in preparing , yet still unready , and kept in by the dutch , queen elizabeths firm allies : which circumstances wisely ballanced , the vote went currant for their hastning to spain . but withal knowing that the king of scots ( fast knit in affection and blood to our queen ) would yield them no supplies ; and having as little hope that norway would afford them any , they cast all their horses , and mules overboard , for the sparing of their fresh water : and so framing their course to sail about cathenes , and the coasts of ireland , they steered between the orcades and the isles of farr unto the sixty first degree of latitude : from whence the duke of medina , with his best stored ships , took westward over the main ocean towards biscay , and at last arrived safely in spain : where for his welcome , he was deposed from all his authority , forbidden to come at court , and commanded to live private , neither could he give satisfaction by his bad excuses , albeit he imputed it to the treachery of his mariners ; to their ignorance , and small experience of those northern seas ; the want of succours from the prince of parma ; the tempests , shipwracks and ill fortune : but not a word of the judgment of god , upon that giantlike undertaking to enslave all england to the spanish yoke . the residue of the ships , being about forty in number , fell nearer with the coast of ireland , intending to touch at cape clare , well hoping there to refresh themselves , and supply their wants : but the winds proving contrary and tempestuous upon those dangerous seas , many of their ships perished upon the irish shores , and amongst others a great galliass , wherein michael de oquendo was commander , and two other venetian ships of great burden , besides thirty eight more , with most of the spaniards contained in them . such as got clear off the danger , put forth to sea : some of which by a strong west wind were driven into the english channel , where some of them were again set upon and taken by the english , others by men of rochel in france , and some arrived at new haven in normandy : so that of one hundred thirty four ships that set sail out of lisbon , only fifty three returned into spain : of the four galliasses of naples but one : of the four gallions of portugal , but one : of the ninety one callions , and great hulks from divers provinces , only thirty three returned , fifty eight being lost . in brief , they lost in this voyage eighty one vessels , thirteen thousand , five hundred and odd souldiers . prisoners taken in england , ireland , and the low-countries were above two thousand : amongst those in england , don pedro de valdez , don vasques de silva , and don alonzo de saies , and others were kept for their ransome . in ireland don alonzo de luzon , roderigo de lasse , and others of great account : in zeland was don diego piementelli : to be brief , there was no famous , or noble family in all spain , which in this expedition lost not a son , brother , or kinsman . and thus this armado which had been so many years in preparing , and rigging with such vast expence , was in one month many times assaulted , and at length wholly defeated with the slaughter of so many of her men , not one hundred of the english being lacking , nor one small ship of theirs taken , or lost , save only that of cocks : and having traversed round about all britain , by scotland , the orcades and ireland , most grievously tossed , and very much distressed , and wasted by stormes , wracks , and all kinds of misery , at length came lamely home , with perpetual dishonour : whereupon medals were stamped in memory thereof : a fleet flying with full sailes ; with this inscription , venit , vidit , fugit , it came , it saw , it fled : others in honour of our queen , with flaming ships , and a fleet in a great confusion , and this motto , dux foemina facti , a woman was conductor of the fact . in the aforementioned wracks above seven hundred souldiers and sailors were cast on land in scotland , who ( upon the intercession of the prince of parma to the king of scots , and by the permission of queen elizabeth ) were after a years time sent over into the low-countries : but more unmercifully were those miserable wretches dealt withal , whose hap was to be driven by tempest into ireland : some of them being slain by the wild irish ( their old friends ) and others of them being put to death by the command of the lord deputy : for he fearing lest they might join with the irish to disturb the peace of the nation , commanded bingham , governour of connaught to destroy them : but he refusing to deal so rigorously with those that had yielded themselves , he sent fowle , deputy-marshal , who drew them out of their lurking holes , and cut off the heads of above two hundred of them ; which fact the queen from her heart condemned , and abhorred as a fact of too great cruelty . the remainder of them being terrified herewith , sick and starven as they were ▪ committed themselves to sea in their shattered vessels , and were many of them swallowed up by the waves . the spaniards charged the whole fault of their overthrow upon the prince of parma , as if in favour to our queen he had wilfully and artificially delayed his coming to them : but this was but an invention , and pretention given out by them , partly upon a spanish envy against that prince , he being an italian , and his son a competitor to the kingdom of portugal : but chiefly to save the scorn and monstrous disreputation which they and their nation received by the success of that enterprise : therefore their colours , and excuses ( forsooth ) : were , that their general by sea had a limited commission , not to fight till the land forces were come in to them , and that the prince of parma had particular reaches and ends of his own to cross the designe . but it was both a strange commission , and a strange obedience to a commission , for men in the midst of their own blood , and being so furiously assailed , to hold their hands , contrary to the laws of nature and necessity . and as for the prince of parma , he was reasonably well tempted to be true to that enterprise , by no less promise than to be made a feudatory or beneficiary king of england under the seignory ( in chief ) of the pope , and the protection of the king of spain . besides , it appeared that the prince of parma held his place long after of the government of the netherlands , in the favour and trust of the king of spain , and by the great imployments and services that he performed in france . it is also manifest that this prince did his best to come down , and put to sea : the truth was , that the spanish navy , upon those proofs of fight which they had with the english , finding how much hurt they received , and how little hurt they did , by reason of the activity and low building of our ships , and skill of seamen ; and being also commanded by a general of small courage and experience , and having lost at first two of their bravest commanders at sea , pedro de valdez , and michael de oquendo , durst not put it to a battel at sea , but set up their rest wholly upon the land enterprise . on the other side , the transportation of the land forces failed in the very foundation ; for , whereas the council of spain made full account that their navy should be master of the sea , and therefore able to guard and protect the vessels of transportation : when it fell out to the contrary , that the great navy was distressed , and had enough to do to save it self , and that their land forces were impounded by the hollanders : things ( i say ) being in this state , it came to pass that the prince of parma must have flown , if he would have come into england , for he could get neither bark , nor mariner to put to sea. yet certain it is that the prince looked for the coming back of the armado even at that time when they were wandring , and making their perambulation upon the northern seas . queen elizabeth lying one night in her army at tilbury , the old lord treasurer burleigh came thither and delivered to the earl of leicester the examination of don pedro , who was taken and brought into england by sir francis drake , which examination the earl delivered unto me ( saith dr sharp , mine author ) that i might publish it to the army in my next sermon . the sum of it was this : don pedro being asked by some of the lords of the privy council , what was the intent of their coming ? stoutly answered the lords , what ? but to subdue your nation , and to root it out . good ( said the lords ) what then meant you to do with the catholicks ? we meant ( said he ) to have sent them ( good men ) directly to heaven , as all you that are hereticks to hell. yea , but ( said the lords ) what meant you to do with your whips of cord and wier , whereof you have such great store in your ships ? what ? ( said he ) we meant to whip you hereticks to death that have assisted my masters rebels , and done such dishonour to our catholick king and people . yea , but what would you have done ( said they ) with their young children ? they ( said he ) which were above seven years old should have gone the same way that their fathers went : the rest should have lived , only we would have branded them in the foreheads with the letter l. for lutheran , and reserved them for perpetual bondage . this i take god to witness ( saith my author ) i received of those great lords , as upon examination taken by the council , and by commandment , published it to the army . the next day ( saith he ) the queen rode through her army , attended by noble-footmen , leicester , essex , and norris then lord marshall , and divers other great lords , where she made an excellent oration to her army , and withal commanded a publick fast to be kept . her oration was this . my loving people , we have been perswaded by some that are careful of our safety , to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes for fear of treachery : but i assure you i do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people . let tyrants fear : i have alwaies so behaved my self that ( under god ) i have alwaies placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects : and therefore i am come amongst you , as you see , at this time , not for my recreation and disport , but being resolved in the middest and heat of the battel to live or die amongst you all ; to lay down for my god , and for my kingdom , and for my people , my honour , and my blood even in the dust . i know i have the body but of a weak and feeble woman , but i have the heart and stomach of a king , and of a king of england too , and think foul scorn that parma , or spain , or any prince of europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm ; to which , rather than any dishonour shall grow by me , i my self will take up arms , i my self will be your general , judge , and rewarder of every one of your vertues in the field . i know that already for your forwardness you have deserved rewards , and crowns , and we do assure you in the word of a prince , that shall be duly paid you . in the mean time my lieutenant general ( leicester ) shall be in my stead , than whom , never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject ; not doubting but by your obedience to my general , by your concord in the camp , and your valour in the field , we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my god , of my kingdoms , and my people . thus we see the curse of god and his threatning in scripture accomplished : they came out against us one way , and they fled seven wayes before us : making good ( even to the astonishment of all posterity ) the wonderful judgments of god poured out commonly upon such vast and proud aspirings . after this glorious deliverance of our land by the power of the omnipotent , and the wild boar repelled that sought to lay waste englands fair and fruitful vineyard , our gracious and godly queen ( who ever held ingratitude a capital sin , especially towards her almighty protector ) as she had begun with prayer , so she ended with praise , commanding solemn thanksgivings to be celebrated to the lord of hosts at the cathedral church of saint paul in her chief city of london , which accordingly was done upon sabbath day the eighth of september : at which time eleven of the spanish ensignes ( the once badges of their bravery , but now of their vanity and ignominy ) were hung upon the lower battlements of that church , as palmes of praise for englands deliverance : a shew no doubt more pleasing to god than when their spread colours did set out the pride of the spaniards , threatning the blood of so many innocent and faithful christians . queen elizabeth her self , to be an example unto others upon sabbath the twenty fourth of september , came from her palace of white-hall in westminster , through the streets of london ( which were hung with blew cloth , the companies of the city standing in their liveries on both sides with their banners in goodly order ) being carried in a chariot drawn with two horses to st. pauls church , where dismounting from her chariot at the west door , she humbled her self upon her knees , and with great devotion , in an audible voice she praised god as her only defender , who had delivered her self and people from the bloody designes of so cruel an enemy . the sermon then preached tended wholly to give all the glory to god , as the author of this wonderful deliverance : and when that was ended , her majesty her self , with most princely and christian speeches exhorted all the people to a due performance of those religious services of thankfulness which the lord expected and required of them . about the same time the fair being kept in southwark , the spanish flags were hung up at london-bridge to the great joy of the beholders , and eternal infamy of the spaniards proud attempts , as irreligious as unsuccessful . but the solemn day appointed for thanksgiving throughout the land was the nineteenth of november , being tuesday , which accordingly was observed with great joy and praising of god ; and well it were if it had so continued still , being no less a deliverance than was that of purim amongst the jews , which they instituted to be kept holy throughout their generations . the zelanders also to leave a memorial of their thankfulness to god , and their faithfulness to our queen , caused medals of silver to be stamped , having engraven on the one side the armes of their country ; with this inscription , glory to god alone , and on the reverse , the portraicture of great ships , under written , the spanish fleet , and in the circumference , it came , it went , it was , anno . in other medals also were stamped ships floating , and sinking , and in the reverse , supplicants upon their knees , with this motto , man proposeth , god disposeth , . the hollanders also stamped some medals with spanish ships and this motto , impius fugit nemine sequente : the wicked fly when none pursues . our queen , to shew her gratitude as well to the instruments as to the author of this great deliverance , assigned certain yearly rents to the lord admiral for his gallant service , and many times commended him , and the other captains of her ships , as men born for the preservation of their country . the rest she graciously saluted by name as oft as she saw them , as men of notable deserts , wherewith they held themselves well apaid , and those which were wounded , maimed , or poor , she rewarded with competent pensions . the lord of hosts having thus dispelled this storm , the queen dissolved her camp at tilbury , and not long after the earl of leicester ended his dayes , having been a peer of great estate and honour , but liable to the common destiny of great ones , whom all men magnifie in their life time , but few speak well of after their death . this admirable deliverance was congratulated by almost all other nations , especially by all the reformed churches , and many learned men celebrated the same in verse , amongst which i shall onely mention two : the first was that poem made by reverend mr. beza ; translated into all the chief languages in christendom , to be perpetuated to all ensuing posterity . it was this . straverat innumeris hispanus classibus aequor , regnis juncturus sceptra britanna suis. tanti hujus rogitas quae motus causa ? superbos impulit ambitio , vexat avaritia . quam bene te ambitio mersit vanissima ventus ; et tumidae tumidos vos superastis aquae ! quam bene raptores orbis totius iberos mersit inexhausti justa vorago maris ! at tu , cui venti , cui totum militat aequor , regina , o mundi totius una decus : sic regnare deo perge , ambitione remota , prodiga sic opibus perge jùvare pios ; vt te angli longum , longum anglis ipsa fruaris , quam dilecta bonis , tam metuenda malis . spaines king with navies great the seas bestrew'd , t' augment with english crown his spanish sway : ask ye what caus'd this proud attempt ? 't was lewd ambition drove , and avarice led the way . it 's well ; ambitions windy puff lies drown'd by winds , and swelling hearts , by swelling waves : it 's well ; those spaniards who the worlds vast round devour'd , devouring sea most justly craves . but thou o queen , for whom winds , seas do war , o thou the glory of this worlds wide mass , so reign to god still , from ambition far , so still with bounteous aids the good imbrace : that thou maist england long , long england thee enjoy , thou terror of all bad , thou good mens joy . the other is that , made by mr samuel ward of ipswich . octogesimus octavus , mirabilis annus clade papistarum , faustus ubique piis . in eighty eight spain arm'd with potent might against our peaceful land came on to fight : the winds , and waves , and fire in one conspire to help the english , frustrate spains desire . the gunpowder-treason : being a remembrancer to england , of that ancient deliverance from that horrid plot , hatched by the bloody papists , . tending to revive the memory of the fifth of november , to every family in this nation . that all sorts may be stirred up to real thankfulness , and transmit the same to their posterities , that their children may know the reason why the fifth of november is celebrated : that god may have glory and papists perpetual infamy . the lord is known by the judgment that he executeth , and the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands . higgaion selah . psal. . . by samvel clark , formerly pastor of bennet finck , london . london , printed for j. hancock , at the three bibles , in popes-head alley , next to cornhill , . to the reader . christian reader , let the remembrance of so signal a mercy and deliverance vouchsafed by god both to church and state should be buried in oblivion , i have ( at the request of the book seller ) presented thee here with a true and faithful narrative of that grand work of darkness , forged in hell , and by satan suggested to some popish instruments , who envying the peace and prosperity of our church , and progress of the gospel , had designed at one blow to overthrow both : and that nothing might be wanting to complete that horried wickedness , their purpose was to have charged it upon the puritans , thereby hoping to free themselves and their religion from the imputation of so hainous a crime . now that the memorial of a mercy of such publick and general concernment should not be forgotten , we have the word of the eternal god to be our guide therein . when the lord had by his angel destroyed the first-born of egypt , and spared israel , he instituted the feast of the passover to continue the memorial thereof through their generations , ex. . , , . and ver . , . saith moses to them , when your children shall say unto you , what mean you by this service ? ye shall say , it is the sacrifice of the lords passover , who passed over the houses of the children of israel when he smote the egyptians , and delivered our houses . and how careful good mordecai was to continue the remembrance of that great deliverance of the people of god from destruction plotted and contrived by that wicked haman , appears esth. . , &c. where they did not only celebrate those present dayes of their deliverance with feasting , and gladness : but he , together with the rest of the jewes , or dained , and took upon them , and their seed , and upon all such as joined themselves unto them , so as it should not fail , that they would keep those daies in their appointed time every year , and that those daies should be remembred , and kept through their generations , every family , every province , and every city , and that those daies of purim should not fail from amongst the jews , nor the memorial of them perish from their seed , &c. and truly the remembrance of this great mercy hath the more need to be revived at this time , when some noted persons amongst us begin to decry it , and wholly to lay aside the observation of that day , though enjoined by act of parliament , and made conscience of by most of the godly people of the nation . i have also been induced the rather to make this brief collection of the story , because , though it be published by others , yet it is in larger volumes , which are not every ones money ; whereas , for a small matter every family may get and keep this by them for the benefit , and satisfaction both of themselves and children , that so the lord may not lose of his glory , nor they ( for want of information ) fail of their duty . i shall conclude with that of the psalmist , psal. . . o that men would praise the lord for his goodness : and for his wonderful works to the children of men ! which is the hearty desire of thine for thy spiritual good , sam . clark . the deliverance of our church and state from the hellish powder-plot , . the plot was to undermine the parliament-house , and with powder to blow up the king , prince , clergy , nobles , knights , and burgesses , the very confluence of all the flower of glory , piety , learning , prudence and authority in the land : fathers , sons , brothers , allies , friends , foes , papists , and protestants , all at one blast . their intent , when that irreligious atchievement had been performed , was , to surprize the remainder of the kings issue , to alter religion and government , and to bring in a foreign power . sir edmond baynam , an attainted person ( who stiled himself prince of the damned crew ) was sent unto the pope as he was a temporal prince to acquaint him with the gun-powder-plot ; and now to the plot in self . the sessions of parliament being dissolved july the th anno christi , . and prorogued to the seventh of february following : catesby being at lambeth , sent for thomas winter , who before had been imployed into spain , and acquainted him with the design of blowing up the parliament-house , who readily apprehending it , said , this indeed strikes at the root ; only these helps were wanting ; a house for residence , and a skilful man to carry on the mine : but the first , catesby assured him was easie to be got ; and for the man , he commended guy fawkes , a sufficient souldier , and a forward catholick : thus robert catesby , john wright , thomas winter , and guy fawkes , had many meetings , and conferences about this business , till at last thomas percy came puffing in to catesby's lodging at lambeth , saying , what gentlemes , shall we alwaies be talking , and never do any thing ? you cannot be ignorant how things proceed ? to whom catesby answered , that something was resolved on , but first an oath for secresie was to be administred : for which purpose they appointed to meet some three days after , behind clements church beyond temple-bar ; where being met , percy professed that for the catholick cause , himself would be the man to advance it , were it with the slaughter of the king , which he was there ready to undertake and do . no tom ( said catesby ) thou shalt not adventure thy self to so small a purpose ; if thou wilt be a traytor , there is a plot to greater advantage , and such an one as can never be discovered : hereupon all of them took the oath of secresie , heard a mass , and received the sacrament , after which catesby told them his devilish device by mine and gunpowder to blow up the parliament-house , and so by one stroke with the destruction of many to effect that at once which had been many years attempting : and for cause of conscience to kill the innocent with the nocent , he told them that it was warrantable by the authority of garnet himself , the superiour of the english jesuites , and of garrard and tresmond ( jesuitical priests likewise ) who by their apostolical power did commend the fact , and absolve the actors . the oath was given them by the said garrard in these words ; you shall swear by the blessed trinity , and by the sacrament you now purpose to receive , never to disclose directly , nor indirectly , by word , or circumstance , the matter that shall be proposed to you to keep secret , nor desist from the execution thereof until the rest shall give you leave . the project being thus far carried on , in the next place the first thing they sought after , was an house wherein they might begin their work , for which purpose no place was held fitter than a certain edifice adjoining to the wall of the parliament house , which served for a withdrawing room to the assembled lords , and out of parliament time was at the dispose of mr. winyard the keeper of the place , and wardrobe thereto belonging : these did percy hire for his lodgings , entertaining fawkes as his man , who changing his name into johnson , had the keyes , and keeping of the rooms commended to him ; besides this , they hired another house to lay in provision of powder , and to frame and fit wood in for the carrying on the mine , which catesby provided at lambeth , and sware robert keies into their conspiracy , whom he made the keeper of those provisions , who by night conveyed the same unto fawkes . the appointed day for the parliament being the seventh day of february , it was thought fit to begin their work in october before : but fawkes returning out of the country , found percies rooms appointed for the scottish lords to meet in , who were to treat about the union of the two kingdoms , whereupon they forbore for a while to begin their work : but that assembly being soon dissolved , upon the eleventh of december late in the night they entred upon their work of darkness , beginning their mine , having tools aforehand prepared , and baked meats provided , the better to avoid suspicion , in case they should send abroad for them . they which first began the mine , were robert catesby esquire , the arch-contriver and traitor , and ruine of his name , thomas percy esquire , a kin to the earl of northumberland , thomas winter , john wright , guy fawkes , gentlemen , and thomas bates , catesbies man , all of them well grounded in the romish school , and earnest labourers in this vault of villany , so that by christmas-eve they had brought the mine under an entry adjoining to the wall of the parliament-house , under-propping the earth as they went with their framed timber , nor till that day were they seen abroad of any man. during this undermining , much consultation was had , how to order the rest of the business , when the deed should be accomplished : the first was , how to surprise the next heir to the crown : for though they doubted not but that prince henry would accompany his father , and perish with him , yet they suspected that duke charles , as too young to attend the parliament , would escape the train , and perchance be so carefully guarded , and attended at court , that he would be gotten into their hands hardly ; but percy offered to be the remover of this rub , resolving with some other gentlemen to enter the dukes chamber , which by reason of his acquaintance he might well do , and others of his like acquaintance should be placed at several doors of the court , so that when the blow was given , and all men in a maze , then would he carry away the duke , which he presumed would be easily done , the most of the court being then absent , and for such as were present , they would be altogether unprovided for resistance . for the surprize of the lady elizabeth , it was held a matter of far less difficulty , she remaining at comb abbey in warwickshire with the lord harrington , and ashbey , catesbies house being not far from the same , whither under a pretence of an hunting upon dunsmore heath , many catholicks should be assembled , who knowing for what purpose they were met , had the full liberty in that distracted time to provide money , horses , armor , and other necessaries for war , under pretence of strengthning and guarding the heir apparent to the crown . then it was debated what lords they should save from the parliament , and it was agreed that they should keep as many as they could that were catholicks or favourers of them ; but that all others should feel the smart , and that the treason should be charged upon the puritans to make them more odious to the world. next it was controverted what foreign princes they should make privy to this plot seeing they could not enjoin them secresie , nor oblige them by oath , and this much troubled them . for though spain was held fittest to second their plot , yet he was slow in his preparations , and france was too near and too dangerous to be dealth with , and how the hollanders stood affected to england they knew very well ▪ but while they were thus busying themselves , and tormenting their brains , the parliament was again adjourned to the fifth day of october ensuing , whereupon they brake off both discourse , and work till candlemas , and then they laid in powder , and other provisions , beginning their work again , and having in the mean time taken into their company christopher wright , and robert winter , being first sworn , and receiving the sacrament for secresie ; the foundation wall of the parliament-house , being very hard and nine foot thick , with great difficulty they wrought half through ; fawkes being their centinel to give warning when any came near , that the noise in digging might not be heard . the labourers thus working into the wall , were suddenly surprized with a great fear , and casting away their digging tools , betook themselves to their weapons , having sufficient shot and powder in the house , and fully resolving rather to die in the place than to yield or be taken . the cause of this their fear was a noise that they heard in a room under the parliament house , under which they meant to have mined , which was directly under the chair of state ; but now all on a sudden they were at a stand , and their countenances cast each upon other , as doubtful what would be the issue of their enterprize . fawkes scouted out to see what he could discover abroad , and finding all safe , and free from suspicion , he returned , and told them that the noise was only occasioned by the removal of coals that were now upon sale , and that the cellar was to be let , which would be more commodious for their purpose , and also would save their labour for the mine . hereupon thomas percy , under pretence of stowage for his winter provision and coals , went and hired the cellar ; which done they began a new conference , wherein catesby found the weight of the whole work too heavy for himself alone to support : for besides the maintenance of so many persons , and the several houses for the several uses hired , and paid for by him , the gunpowder and other provisions would rise to a very great sum , and indeed too much for one mans purse . he desired therefore that himself , percy , and one more might call in such persons as they thought fit to help to maintain the charge , alledging that they knew men of worth and wealth that would willingly assist , but were not willing that their names should be known to the rest . this request , as necessary , was approved , and therefore ceasing to dig any further in the vault , knowing that the cellar would be fitter for their purpose , they removed into it twenty barrels of gunpowder , which they covered with a thousand billets , and five hundred faggots , so that now their lodging rooms were cleared of all suspicious provision , and might be freely entered into without danger of discovery . but the parliament being again prorogued to the fifth of november following , these persons thought sit that for a while they should again disperse themselves ( all things being already in so good a forwardness ) and that guy fawkes should go over to acquaint sir william stanley , and master hugh owen with these their proceedings , yet so , as the oath of secresie should be first taken by them . for their design was to have sir stanley's presence so soon as the fatal blow should be given , to be a leader to their intended stratagems , whereof ( as they thought ) they should have great need , and that owen should remain where he was , to hold correspondency with foreign princes , to allay the odiousness of the fact , and to impute the treason to the discontented puritanes . fawkes coming into flanders found owen , unto whom , after the oath , he declared the plot , which he very well approved of , but sir william stanley being now in spain , owen said , that he would hardly be drawn into the business , having suits at this time in the english court : yet he promised to ingage him all he could , and to send him into england with the first , so soon as their plot had taken effect : upon this , fawkes to avoid further suspicion , kept still in flanders all the beginning of september , and then returning , received the keyes of the cellar , and laid in more powder , billets and faggots , which done he retired into the country , and there kept till the end of october . in the mean time catesby and percy meeting at the bath , it was there concluded that because their number was but few , catesby himself should have power to call in whom he would to assist their design , by which authority he took in s ir everard digby of rutlandshire , and francis tresham esquire of northamptonshire , both of them of sufficient state and wealth ; for sir everard offered fifteen hundred pounds to forward the action , and tresham two thousand . but percy disdaining that any should out-run him in evil , promised four thousand pounds out of the earl of northumberlands rents , and ten swift horses to be used when the blow was past . against which time to provide ammunition , catesby also took in ambrose rookwood , and john grant , two recusant gentlemen , and without doubt others were acquainted also with it , had these two grand electors been apprehended alive , whose own tongues only could have given an account of it . the business being thus forwarded abroad by their complices , they at home were no less active : for percy , winter , and fawkes had stored this cellar with thirty six barrels of gunpowder , and instead of shot , had laid upon them bars of iron , logs of timber , massie stones , iron crowes , pick-axes , and all their working tools , and to cover all , great store of billets and faggots , so that nothing was wanting against that great and terrible day . neither were the priests and jesuits slack on their parts , who usually concluded their masses with prayers for the good success of their expected hopes , about which garnet made these verses , gentem aufer perfidam credentium de finibus : vt christo laudes debitas persolvamus alacriter . and others thus . prosper lord their pains that labour in thy cause day and night : let heresie vanish away like smoke : let their memory perish with a crack like the ruine and fall of a broken house . upon thursday in the evening , ten days before the parliament was to begin , a letter directed to the lord monteagle , was delivered by an unknown person to his footman in the street , with a strait charge to give it into his lords own hands , which accordingly he did : the letter had neither date , nor subscription , and was somewhat unlegible , so that the nobleman called for one of his servants to assist him in reading it ; the strange contents whereof much perplexed him , he not knowing whether it was writ as a pasquil to scare him from attendance at the parliament , or as matter of consequence , and advice from some friend : howsoever , though it were now supper-time , and the night very dark , yet to shew his loyalty to his sovereign , he immediately repaired to whitehall , and imparted the letter to the earl of salisbury , then principal secretary , who reading the letter , and hearing how it came to the lord monteagles hands , highly commended his prudence and loyalty for discovering it , telling him plainly that whatsoever might be the event , yet it put him in mind of divers advertisements , wherewithal he had acquainted both the king , and his council , of some great business which the papists were in hand with , both at home and abroad against this parliament , pretending a petition to the king and parliament for a toleration of their religion , but withal , giving out , that it should be delivered in such an order , and so well backed , that the king should be loth to refuse their request . then did the earl of salisbury presently acquaint the lord chamberlain therewith , who deemed the matter not a little to concern himself ; his office requiring him to oversee all the places to which his majesty was to repair : hereupon these two counsellors shewed the letter to the earls of worcester and northampton , and all concluded ( how slight soever the contents seemed to appear ) to acquaint the king himself with the same , which accordingly was done by the earl of salisbury , who upon friday in the afternoon ( being all-saints day ) taking the king into the gallery at white-hall , communicated the letter to him , which was as followeth , my lord , ovt of the love i bear to some of your friends , i have a care of your preservation : therefore i would advise you as you tender your life , to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance at this parliament : for god and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time . and think not slightly of this advertisement , but retire your self into your country , where you may expect the event in safety . for though there be no appearance of any stir , yet i say they shall receive a terrible blow this parliament , and yet they shall not see who hurts them . this counsel is not to be contemned , because it may do you good , and can do you no harm : for the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the letter ; and i hope god will give you the grace to make a good use of it , to whose holy protection i commend you . his majesty after reading this letter , pausing a while , and then reading it again , delivered his judgment , that the stile of it was too quick and pithy to be a libel proceeding from the superfluities of an idle brain , and by these words , that they should receive a terrible blow at this parliament , and yet not see who hurt them ; he presently apprehended , that a sudden danger by a blast of gunpowder was intended by some base villain in a corner , though no insurrection , rebellion , or desperate attempt appeared : but the earl of salisbury , perceiving the king to apprehend it deeplier than he expected , told his majesty that he judged by one sentence in it that it was written either by a fool , or a mad-man . for said he , if the danger be past as soon as you have burnt the letter , then the warning is to little purpose , when the burning of the letter may prevent the danger . but the king on the contrary , considering the former sentence , that they should receive a terrible blow at this parliament , and yet should not see who hurt them , joining it with this other sentence , did thereupon conclude that the danger mentioned should be very sudden by some blast of gun-powder : interpreting as soon , for , as quickly ▪ and therefore wished that the rooms under the parliament-house should be thoroughly searched , before himself or peers should sit therein : hereupon it was concluded that the lord chamberlain ( according to his office ) should view all the rooms above and below : but yet , to prevent idle rumors and to let things ripen further , it was resolved that this search should be deferred till munday , the day immediately before the parliament , and that then it should be done with a seeming slight eye to avoid suspect . according to this conclusion , the earl of suffolk , lord chamberlain , upon munday in the afternoon , accompanied with the lord monteagle , repaired into those under rooms , and finding the cellar so fully stored with wood and coals , demanded of fawkes , the counterfeit johnson , who stood there attending as a servant of small repute , who owed the place ? he answered that the lodgings belonged to mr thomas percy , and the cellar also , to lay in his winter-provision , himself being the keeper of it and mr percies servant ; whereunto the earl , as void of any suspicion , told him that his master was well provided against winter blasts : but when they were come forth , the lord monteagle told him that he did much suspect percy to be the inditer of the letter , knowing his affection in religion , and the friendship betwixt them professed , so that his heart gave him ( as he said ) when he heard percy named , that his hand was in the act . the lord chamberlain returning , related to the king and council what he had seen , and the suspicion that the lord monteagle had of percy , and himself of johnson his man , all which increased his majesties jealousie , so that he insisted that a narrower search should be made , and the billets and coals turned up to the bottom ; of the same mind also were all the privy-counsellors then present : but for the manner how the search was to be made , they agreed not among themselves . for on the one part they were very solicitous for the kings safety , concluding that there could not be too much caution used for preventing his danger : and yet on the other part they were all extreme loth ( in case this letter should prove nothing but the evaporation of some idle brain ) that a too curious search should be made , lest , if nothing were found , it should turn to the great scandal of the king and state , as being so suspicious upon every light and frivolous toy : besides it would lay an ill-favoured imputation upon the earl of northumberland , one of his majesties greatest subjects , and counsellors , this thomas percy being his kinsman , and intimate friend . yet at last the search was concluded to be made , but under colour of searching for certain hangings belonging to the house , which were missing and conveyed away . sir thomas knevet ( a gentleman of his majesties privy-chamber , and a justice of peace in westminster ) was imployed herein , who about midnight before the parliament was to begin , went to the place with a small , but trusty number of persons : and at the door of the entrance to the cellar , finding one ( who was guy fawkes ) at so unseasonable an hour , cloked , and booted , he apprehended him , and ransacking the billets , he found the serpents nest stored with thirty six barrels of powder , and then searching the villain , he found about him a dark lanthorn , three matches , and other instruments for blowing up the powder : and fawkes being no whit daunted , instantly confessed his guiltiness , and was so far from repentance , as he vowed , that had he been within the house ( as indeed he was but immediately come forth from his work ) he would certainly have blown up the house with himself and them all : and being brought before the council , he lamented nothing so much as because the deed was not done , saying , that the devil , and not god , was the discoverer of it . and indeed when this prisoner was first brought into whitehall , in respect of the strangeness of the thing , no man was restrained from seeing , and speaking with him , and not long after the lords of the council examined him : but he put on such a romane resolution , that both to the council , and to all others that spake to him that day , he seemed fixed , and settled in his resolution of concealing his complices ; and notwithstanding the horror of the fact , the guiltiness of his conscience , his sudden surprize , the terror which should have been stricken into him , by coming into the presence of so noble and grave a council , and the restless and confused questions that every man all that day did vex him with ; yet was his countenance so far from being dejected , that he often smiled in a scornful manner , answering quickly to every mans questions , scoffing at those that were impertinent , and jesting at such as he thought had no authority to examine him . before the council he refused to answer to such questions as he thought might discover the plot : took all the blame upon himself , whereunto he said he was moved only for religion , and conscience sake : denying the king to be his lawful sovereign , because he was an heretick . as desperate were catesby , percy , and the rest , who seeing the treason discover'd , posted all into warwickshire . about the same hour of the night wherein fawkes was apprehended , one grant a gentleman , having associated to himself others of his opinion , all desperate papists , broke open the stables of mr bennock , a rider of great horses at warwick castle , and carried away eight of them , which belonged to divers noblemen , and gentlemen of that country , who had put them into mr bennock's hand to fit them for their service , and so both they which had fled from london , and grant and his company met on that tuesday night at dun-church , at sir everard digbies lodgings , who had made a match for a great hunting , upon dunsmore-heath , that under pretence thereof they might seize upon the lady elizabeth then at comb-abbey , with the lord harrington , but when by those which posted from london they were informed that they were discovered , and pursued , being struck with a great fear , not knowing whither to fly , they desperately began an open rebellion , pretending that they did it for the cause of religion , all the catholicks throats being intended to be cut . but the violent taking away of those horses in the night , seemed even in the eyes of the common-people to be so great a riot , though they knew nothing more , that it begat in their hearts a suspicion of some following rebellion , so that all sorts both great and small began to arm themselves upon this unexpected accident . and old sir fulk grevil of beauchamps-court , being deputy-lieutenant of warwickshire , though aged and infirm , yet out of his zeal for the peace and welfare of his country , presently took order to get into his hands the ammunition and arms of all such gentlemen as were absent from their houses , or popishly affected , and sent such directions to the towns about him , that thereupon when these rebels came to ilcester , a poor smith stroke winter , who had likewise been taken by the townsmen but that he was rescued by his companions . yet sixteen of their followers were taken and sent to the sheriff at warwick , and from thence to london . in the mean time the rest wandred through warwickshire , being pursued by sir richard verney , the then high-sheriff , and from thence they went through worcestershire into the borders of staffordshire , their servants and followers being about eighty men , who also stole away many of them from them . thus ranging about , and finding no resistance , they rifled the lord windsors house of all the armour , shot , powder , and all other warlike provisions : but the weather being rainy , and the waters somewhat high , the powder in carriage took wet , and so became unserviceable . for their last refuge they betook themselves to holbach house in staffordshire , belonging to steven littleton , whither they were pursued by the high-sheriff of worcestershire , who not knowing of the treason , and thinking it to be only some fray , or riot , sent his trumpeter unto them , commanding them to render themselves to him his majesties minister : but their consciences witnessing what the sheriff knew not , answered , that he had need of greater assistance than of those few that were with him , before he could be able to command or controul them : and so they prepared for resistance , and having laid two pounds of the said powder into a platter to dry in the chimney , one coming to mend the fire threw in a billet , whereby a spark flew into the powder , whose sudden blast was so violent , that though so small a quantity , it blew up the roof of the house , scorching the bodies and faces of catesby , rookwood , and grant , and some others , whose consciences now told them that god had punished them justly with powder , who with powder would have destroyed so many . being dispirited with this accident , yet like desperate men , they resolved to die together , set open the gates , and suffered the sheriffs men to rush in upon them , and presently both the wrights were shot down dead : rookwood and thomas winter were very sorely wounded , catesby and percy desperately fighting back to back , were both shot through , and slain with one musket bullet : the rest being taken , were carried prisoners to london , being all the way gazed at , reviled and detested by the common people for their horrid , and horrible treason : and so at last they received the just guerdon of their wickedness . thus you have seen this work of darkness by the watchfulness of gods providence detected and defeated , and the contrivers of mischief faln into the pit that they digged for others : now let us see also how cunningly they contrived the transferring the odium of it upon the puritans . there was one mr pickering of tichmarsh-grove in northamptonshire , that was in great esteem with king james . this mr pickering had a horse of special note for swiftness , on which he used to hunt with the king. a little before the blow was given , mr keies , one of the conspirators and brother in law to mr pickering , borrowed this horse of him , and conveyed him to london upon a bloody design which was thus contrived . fawks upon the day of the fatal blow was appointed to retire himself into st. georges fields , where this horse was to attend him to further his escape ( as they made him believe ) so soon as the parliament house should be blown up . it was likewise contrived , that mr pickering who was noted for a puritan , should that morning be murthered in his bed , and secretly conveyed away : as also that fawks so soon as he came into georges fields to escape , should be there murthered , and so mangled , that he could not be known : whereupon it was to be bruited abroad that the puritans had blown up the parliament-house , and the better to make the world believe it , there was mr pickering with his choice horse ready to make an escape , but that stirred up some , who seeing the hainousness of the fact , and him ready to escape , in detestation of so horrible a deed , fell upon him and hewed him in pieces , and to make it more clear , there was his horse , known to be of special speed and swiftness , ready to carry him away , and upon this rumor a massacre should have gone through the whole land upon the puritans . when the contrivance of this plot was thus discovered by some of the conspirators , and faux , who was now a prisoner in the tower made acquainted with it , whereas before he was made to believe by his companions that he should be bountifully rewarded for that his good service to the catholick cause , now perceiving that on the contrary his death had been contrived by them , he thereupon freely confessed all that he knew concerning that horrid conspiracy , which before all the tortures of the rack could not force him unto . the truth of all this was attested by mr william perkins , an eminent christian and citizen of london to dr gouge , which mr perkins had it from the mouth of mr clement cotton , that made our english concordance , who also had it from the relation of mr pickering himself . the names of those that were first in this treason and laboured in the mine , were robert catesby , robert winter , esquires ; thomas percy , thomas winter , john wright , christopher wright , guy fawkes , gentlemen , and bates , catesbies man. persons made acquainted with it , and promoters of it , were sir everard digby , knight ; ambrose rookwood , francis tresham , esquires ; john grant , gentleman ; robert keyes . this prodigious contrivance did not only stupifie the whole kingdom with consternation and amazement , but foreign princes , at least , seemed to wonder at it also , and though ( for the propagation of the catholick cause ) they might have conscience enough to wish that it had taken effect , yet they had policy enough to congratulate the discoverers ; and some of them , to take off the asperity of the suspect , sweetned their expressions with many rich gifts to our king and queen . the parliament by reason of the hurry occasioned hereby , met not till the ninth of november : at which time henry lord mordant , and edward lord sturton not coming to the parliament according to their writ of summons , were suspected as having knowledge of the conspiracy ; and so was the earl of northumberland , from some presumptions , and all three were committed to the tower. the two barons after a while were redeemed by fine in starchamber , but the earl continued a prisoner there for many years after . how the parliament was affected for this great deliverance of the whole kingdom from ruine and destruction , will appear by the act which they made to have the fifth of november for ever solemnized with publick thanksgiving : wherein they imputed the discovery of the treason to the inspiring the king with a divine spirit to interpret some dark phrases of the letter , above , and beyond all ordinary construction : they attainted also the blood of those traytors that were executed , as also of those that were slain at holbach-house , or that died in prison : and the king being not unmindful of the lord monteagle , the first discoverer of this treason , gave him , and his heirs for ever , two hundred pounds a year in fee-farm rents , and l l a year besides , during his life , as a reward for his good service . but now to the act it self . an act for a publick thanksgiving to almighty god every year on the fifth of november . forasmuch as almighty god hath in all ages shewed his power , and mercy in the miraculous , and gracious deliverance of his church ; and in the protection of religious kings and states ; and that no nation of the earth hath been blessed with greater benefits than this kingdom now enjoyeth , having the true and free profession of the gospel under our most sovereign lord king james , the most great , learned , and religious king that ever reigned therein , enriched with a most hopeful and plentiful progeny , proceeding out of his royal loyns , promising the continuance of this happiness , and profession to all posterity : the which many malignant and devillish papists , jesuits , and seminary priests , much envying , and fearing , conspired most horribly , when the kings most excellent majesty , the queen , the prince , and all the lords spiritual and temporal , and commons , should have been assembled in the vpper house of parliament , upon the fifth day of november in the year of our lord . suddenly to have blown up the said house with gunpowder ; an invention so inhumane , barbarous , and cruel , as the like was never before heard of ; and was ( as some of the principal conspirators confess ) purposely devised , and concluded to be done in the said house , that , where sundry necessary and religious laws for preservation of the church and state were made , which they falsly and slanderously term cruel laws , enacted against them and their religion ; both place and persons should be all destroyed and blown up at once , which would have turned to the utter ruine of this whole kingdom , had it not pleased almighty god , by inspiring the kings most excellent majesty with a divine spirit , to interpret some dark phrases of a letter shewed to his majesty , above , and beyond all ordinary construction , thereby miraculously discovering this hidden treason , not many hours before the appointed time for the execution thereof . therefore the kings most excellent majesty , the lords spiritual and temporal , and all his majesties faithful and loving subjects do most justly acknowledge this great and infinite blessing to have proceeded meerly from gods great mercy , and to his most holy name do ascribe all honour , glory , and praise . and to the end this unfeigned thankfulness may never be forgotten , but be had in a perpetual remembrance , that all ages to come may yield praises to his divine majesty for the same , and have in memory this joyful day of deliverance . be it therefore enacted by the kings most excellent majesty , the lords spiritual and temporal , and by the commons in this present parliament assembled , and by the authority of the same : that all and singular ministers in every cathedral , and parish church , or other usual place for common-prayer , within this realm of england , and the dominions of the same , shall alwaies upon the fifth day of november say morning prayer , and give unto almighty god thanks for this most happy deliverance ; and that all and every person and persons inhabiting within this realm of england , and the dominions of the same , shall alwaies upon that day diligently and faithfully resort to the parish church or chappel accustomed , or to some usual church or chappel where the said morning prayer , preaching , or other service of god shall be used , and then and there to abide orderly , and soberly , during the time of the said prayer , preaching , or other service of god , there to be used and ministred . and because all and every person may be put in mind of this duty , and be the better prepared to the said holy service . be it enacted by the authority aforesaid , that every minister shall give warning to his parishioners publickly in the church at morning prayer the sunday before every such fifth of november , for the due observation of the said day . and that after morning prayer or preaching on the said fifth day of november , they read distinctly and plainly this present act. upon the powder-plot . oh murtherous plot ! posterity shall say , 's vnholyness o'reshoots caligula . the pope by this and such designs ( 't is plain ) out-babels nimrod , and out-butchers cain . monteagle's letter was in dubious sence , and seem'd a piece of stygian eloquence : the characters look'd just like conj'ring spells ; for this bout hell here spoke in parables . the popes and devil's signet were set to 't , the cloven miter join'd to th' cloven foot . thus were our senates like to be betray'd , by a strange egg in peters chair 't was laid : for had the serpent hatcht it , the device had prov'd to us a bainful cockatrice . but fawkes his bafled hopes only bequeath , instead of comforts , thoughts of sudden death . like hamans fate he only must aspire to the just advance of fifty cubits higher . but couldst thou think thou monstrous beast of rome , to massacre at one sad blow by doom , and cast them down whom heaven decreed to stand ? dark lanthorns , whilst truths candlestick is here , thy purple plots our nation need not fear . the beastly whore may lay her trump'ries by , vntil our sins are of her purple-die . a narrative of the visible hand of god upon the papists by the downfal in black-friers , london , anno christi . on the lords day , october the twenty sixth according to the english account , but november the fifth according to the popish account , went far and near , that one drury a romist priest ( a man of parts , and eminent gifts ) would preach that day in the afternoon in a fair house in black-friers , london , whither all that would might freely come and hear him . upon this report very many , protestants as well as papists , scholars as well as others , assembled thither about three a clock in the afternoon . that mansion house was now inhabited by the french ambassador : and the sermon was to be in a garret , into which there were two passages : one out of the ambassadors withdrawing room which was private , the other more common without the great gate of the said mansion house . under this garret was another large chamber which one redyate , another romish priest , had hired for himself : unto whom papists frequently repaired to hear mass , and make confessions . under this room was the aforesaid withdrawing chamber of the ambassadors : supported with strong arches of stone , being immediately over the entrance into the great house : and at the south-end of the garret , and on the west-side thereof , there were bed-chambers , and closets which other priests had hired for themselves : the bed-chamber at the south-end , was severed from the garret only by a partition of wainscote which was taken down for the sermon-time : the length of the garret from north to south was almost foot , the breadth about foot : the two aforesaid passages met on one pair of stairs leading to the garret which had only that one door leading into it . more came to this place than possibly it could hold , so that many for want of room returned back again : others went into the aforesaid redyates chamber , and tarried with him . the whole garret , rooms adjoyning , door , and top of the stairs were as full as they could hold . in the garret were set chairs and stools for the better sort : most of the women sate on the floor , but most of the men stood thronged together : inall , about were there assembled . in the midst was a table and a chair for the preacher . all things thus prepared , and the multitude assembled , about three a clock the expected preacher , having on a surplice girt about his middle with a linnen girdle , and a tippet of scarlet on both his shouldiers , came in , being attended by a man that brought after him his book and hour-glass . as soon as he came to the table , he kneeled down with shew of private devotion for a little while : then rising up , and turning himself to the people , he crossed himself , took the book ( which was said to be a rhemish testament ) out of his mans hands , and the hour-glass being set on the table , he opened the book , read the gospel appointed by the romish calender for that day , being the twenty first sunday after pentecost : the gospel was in mat. . , &c. the text being read , he sate down , put on a red cap over a white linnen one turned up about the brims : he made no audible prayer , but having read his text , which was the parable of forgiving debts , he spake something of the occasions of it , and then propounded these three special points to be handled . . the debt we owe to god. . the mercy of god in forgiving it . . mans unmercifulness to his brother . having insisted some while on the misery of man by reason of the debt wherein he stands bound to god , he passed on to declare the rich mercy of god , and the means which god hath afforded to his church , for partaking thereof : amongst which he reckoned up the sacraments , and especially pressed the sacrament of penance , as they call it . when he had discoursed on these points about half an hour , on a sudden the floor whereon the preacher and the greatest part of his auditory were , fell down with such violence , as therewith the floor of the chamber under it where redyate and his company were , was broken down with it , so that both the floors , with the beams , girders , joyces , boards , and feelings , with all the people on them , fell down together upon the third floor , which was the floor of the french ambassadors withdrawing chamber , supported with strong arches as aforesaid . there being a partition on the south-side of the middle chamber which reached up to the floor of the garret , which was at the northwest corner . hereupon some through amazement , would have leaped out at a window almost forty foot from the ground : but the people without , telling them of the certain danger if they leaped down , kept them from that desperate attempt : at length by breaking a wall on the west side they discerned chambers adjoyning thereto , and so by creeping through that hole into the chambers , they were saved : so were all they that stood on the stair-head at the door leading into the garret : for the stairs were without the room , and nothing fell but the floors , neither walls nor roof . also amongst those that fell , many escaped , for some of the timber rested with one end on the walls , and with the other on the third floor that yielded not , and so both such as abode on those pieces , and such as were directly under them , were thereby preserved . amongst the multitude that fell , there was a minister who ( through gods providence ) fell so between two pieces of timber , as that the timber kept his upper-parts from crushing : and holp him by his clasping about the timber to pull out his feet from among the dead corpses . amongst others , the present preservation and future destruction of one parker was very remarkable . this parker was a factor for the english seminaries , and nuns beyond sea , especially at cambre ; and he had so dealt with two of his brothers here , that he had got from one of them a son , and from the other a daughter , to send them to religious houses ( as they falsly call them ) beyond sea . this parker at this time took his nephew , a youth of about sixteen years old to the aforementioned fatal conventicle , where drury preached : and both parker and his nephew fell with the rest : the youth there lost his life , but parker himself escaped with a bruised body , being a corpulent man : yet so far was he from making a good use of his deliverance , that with much discontent he wished he had died for his nephew , saying , that god saw him not fit to die amongst such martyrs . many such martyrs have been made at tyburn for treason : such are romes martyrs . but the preservation of the wicked , is but a reservation to future judgments ; for about ten dayes after , as this parker was shooting london-bridge with his aforesaid neece , whom he was conveying beyond sea , they were both cast away , and drowned in the thames . judge by this ( o parents ) whether god is well pleased with disposing your children to popish education . others there were that were pulled out alive , but so bruised , or so spent for want of breath , that some lived not many hours , others died not many days after . the floor of the chamber immediately over this , where the corps lay , being fallen , there was no entrance into it but through the ambassadours bed-chamber , the door whereof was closed up with the timber of the floors that fell down ; and the walls of this room were of stone , only there was one window in it with extraordinary strong cross barrs of iron , so that though smiths and other workmen were immediately sent for , yet it was more than an hour before succour could be afforded to them that were fallen down . passage at length being made , i had access into the room ( saith doctor gouge , the relater of this story ) and viewing the bodies , observed some ( yet but few to be mortally wounded ) or crushed by the timber . others to be apparently stifled , partly with their thick lying one upon another , and partly with the dust that came from the feeling which fell down . on the lords day at night when they fell they were numbred ninety one dead bodies : but many of them were secretly conveyed away in the night , there being a pair of water-stairs leading from the garden appertaining to the house , into the thames . on the morrow the coroner and his inquest coming to view the bodies found remaining but sixty three . of those that were carried away some were buried in a burying place within the spanish ambassadors house in holborn , amongst whom the lady web was one , the lady blackstones daughter another , and one mistris vdal a third : master stoker , and master bartholmew bavin were buried in brides parish . robert sutton , john loccham , and abigail holford in andrews holborn . captain summers wife in the vault under black-friers church , and her woman in the church-yard . for the corps remaining , two great pits were digged , one in the fore court of the said french ambassadors house eighteen foot long , and twelve foot broad ; the other in the garden behind his house , twelve foot long , and eight foot broad . in the former pit were laid forty four corps , whereof the bodies of the aforesaid drury and redyate were two . these two wound up in sheets , were first laid into the pit , with a partition of loose earth to sever them from the rest . then were others brought , some in somewhat a decent manner wound up in sheets , but the most in a most lamentable plight , the shirts only of the men tyed under the twists , and some linnen tyed about the middle of the women , the rest of their bodies naked , and one poor man , or woman taking a corps by the head , another by the feet tumbled them in , and so piled them up almost to the top of the pit. the rest were put into the other pit in the garden . their manner of burial seemed almost as dismal , as the heap of them , when they lay upon the floor where they last fell ▪ no obsequies of funeral rites were used at their burial . only the day after , a black cross of wood was set upon each grave , but was soon by authority commanded to be taken down . when they were thus interred , thorough search was made about the cause of the falling of the timber : the timber of each floor was laid together , and the measure of the summers that brake was taken . the main summer which crossed the garret was ten inches square : two girders were by tenents , and mortaises let into the middest of it , one just against another : the summer was knotty where the mortaises were made , whereupon being over-burdened , it knapped suddenly asunder in the middest . the main summer of the other floor that fell was much stronger , being thirteen inches square , strong and sound every where , neither did the girders meet so just one against another ; yet that also failed , not in the middest as the uppermost , but within five foot of one end , and that more shiveringly , and with a longer rent in the timber than the other . for this chamber was almost full with such persons as comeing too late , went into redyates chamber : besides , it did not only bear the weight which lay on the upper floor , but received it with a sudden knock , and so the massie timber shivered in two , and the people were irrecoverably , before they could fear any such thing , beaten down into the third floor , which was above twenty foot from the first . it 's true we must not be rash in censuring , yet when we see judgments executed on sinners , in the act of their sin , when they are impudent and presumptuous therein , not to acknowledge such to be judged by the lord , is to wink against clear light , psal. . . god is known by the judgments which he executeth . shall nebuchadnezzar , while he is vaunting of his great babylon , be bereft of his wits ? shall herod , whilst he is priding himself in the flattering applause of the people , be eaten with worms ? shall haman , whilst he is practising to destroy all the people of god , be hanged on a gallows fifty foot high which he had prepared for mordecai ? shall the house where the philistins met together to sport with sampson , fall upon their heads ? shall these and such like judgments overtake men in the very act of their sin , and yet be accounted no judgments , no evidences of gods revenging justice , or signs of his indignation ? truly then we may deny all providence , and attribute all to chance : but add hereto , that this fell out upon their fifth of november , and it will be as clear as if written with a sunbeam , that the pit which they digged for others , they themselves fell into it . doctor gouge , who relates this story in his extent of gods providence , thus writeth . i do the more confidently publish this history , because i was an eye-witness of many of the things therein related ; and heard from the mouths of such as were present at the sermon , the rest . for upon the first hearing of the destruction of so many persons as by that downfal lost their lives , our constable presently caused the gates of our precinct ( it being surrounded with walls and gates ) to be shut , and raised a strong guard from amongst the inhabitants , to keep the house where this accident fell out , and to prevent tumults about it . thus through the favour of the constables , and watch , who were all my neighbours , i had the more free and quiet access to view the dead bodies , and to inform my self of all the material circumstances about that accident : which i did the rather because the bishop of london that then was , sent to me to inform my self throughly of all the business , and to send him a narration thereof under my hand ; whereupon i did not only view matters my self , but caused carpenters to search the timber , to take the measures both of the timber and rooms . i was also present with the coroner and his inquest at their examining of all circumstances about the business . and the arch-bishop of canterbury sending to me to come to him , and to bring with me the best evidence i could , i got the foreman of the jury , and four persons that were present at the sermon , and fell down with the rest , but by god's providence escaped death , and one that stood without the door , within hearing , but fell not ; all these i got to go along with me to lambeth , where i heard the witness which they gave to the archbishop about this matter . one that fell with the rest , and escaped death , was master gee a preacher in lancashire ; two others were a son and servant to a citizen in pater-noster-row : the rest were men of good understanding , able to apprehend what they saw and heard , and to relate what they conceived . books printed for and are to be sold by john hancock , at the sign of the three bibles in popes-head-alley , in cornhill . twelve books lately published by mr. thomas brooks , late preacher of the gospel at margaret new-fishstreet . . precious remedies against satans devices ; or salve for believers and unbelievers sores ; being a companion for those that are in christ or out of christ. . heaven on earth ; or , a serious discourse touching a well grounded assurance of mans everlasting happiness . . the unsearchable riches of christ , held forth in . sermons . . apples of gold for young men and women . . a string of pearls ; or , the best things reserved till last . . the mute christian under the smarting rod , with soveraign antidotes against the most miserable exigents . . an ark for all gods noahs in a stormy day . . the crown and glory of christianity , in . sermons , on heb. . . . the privy key of heaven : or , a discourse of closet prayer . . an heavenly cordial , for such as have had ( or escaped ) the plague . . a cabinet of choice jewels ; or , a box of precious ointment . containing special maxims , rules , and directions , in order to the clearing up of a mans interest in christ , and his title to all the glory of another world. . londons lamentations touching the fire . the godly mans ark , in several sermons , to which is added mr. moors evidences for heaven . by edmund calamy , b. d. at aldermanbury . christs communion with his church militant , by nicholas lock yer . sin the plague of plagues , by mr. ralph venning . a true narrative of those two never to be forgotten deliverances , one from the spanish invasion in . the other from the hellish powder-plot , november . . by mr. samuel clark. with qu. eliz. speech . the accurate accomptant ; or , london merchant . being instructions for keeping merchants accompts . by tho. brown accomptant . short-writing , the most easie , exact , lineal , and speedy method that hath ever been obtained . by theophilus metcalfe . also a book called a schoolmaster to it , explaining all the rules thereof . a copy-book of the newest and most useful hands . bridges remains : being eight choice sermons . by mr. william bridge of yarmouth . vennings remains : being the substance of many sermons . by mr. ralph venning . on john . , , . a disswasive from conformity to the world , together with a farewel sermon . by henry stubbs . mr. baxter's poor mans family book . luther's . special and choice sermons . comae berenices , or the hairy comet . the young mans conflict with , and victory over the devil , or the experiences of tho. powell , begun in the fifteenth and continued till the seventeenth year of his age. gospel love , heart , purity , and the flourishing of the righteous : being the last sermons of mr. joseph caryl . a word of advice to saints ; or , a choice drop of honey from the rock christ. mr. mahews legacy to his children , being full of good counsel . a brief description of new york . finis . the life and death of the thrice noble and illustrious edvvard, surnamed the black prince son to our victorious king edward the third, by whom he was made the first knight of the most honourable order of the garter / by samuel clark ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life and death of the thrice noble and illustrious edvvard, surnamed the black prince son to our victorious king edward the third, by whom he was made the first knight of the most honourable order of the garter / by samuel clark ... clarke, samuel, - . 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minde , view heere the case ; i' th' booke the jewell finde . t. c●●●● sculpsit the life and death of the thrice noble and illustrious edvvard surnamed , the black prince , son to our victorious king edward the third , by whom he was made the first knight of the most honourable order of the garter . by samuel clark sometime pastor of st. bennet fink , london . london , printed for william birch at the blew bible , at the lower-end of cheap-side , at the corner of bucklers-bury . . the life and death of edvvard surnamed , the black prince . this edward was the eldest son of that victorious prince , king edward the third : his mother was the fair philippa , daughter to william earl of henault and holland , who was delivered of this her first born son at woodstock , july . anno christi . and in the third year of his fathers reign . he was afterwards created prince of wales , duke of aquitain and cornwall , and earl of chester . he was also earl of kent in right of his wife joan , ( the most admired beauty of that age , ) daughter of edmund earl of kent , brother by the fathers side to king edward the second . king edward was very solicitous in the education of this his son , and provided him choice tutors , to train him up both in arts and armes : and among others walter burley , a doctor of divinity , brought up in merton-colledge in oxford , who wrote many excellent treatises in natural and moral philosophy , for his great fame in learning , had the honour to be one of the instructers of this hopeful prince . when he was but years old , his father king edward passing over into france with a great and gallant army , took this his son along with him , making him a souldier , before he was grown to be a man : but ( it seems ) he longed to try what metal his son was made of in the bud ; and haply he was loth to omit any thing that might give countenance and credit to this battel , wherein two kingdoms were laid at the stake . anno christi . our king edward was upon the sea in a fleet of above a thousand sail , and landed in normandy : his land-forces were about two thousand five hundred horse , and his foot thirty thousand , most of them archers . making pittifull havock in normandy , he marched up almost to the very walls of paris . philip the french king had not slept all this while , but had raised and brought together one of the bravest armies that ever france had seen , consisting of about a hundred or sixscore thousand fighting men . king edward , loaden and rich with spoils , seemed not unwilling to retreat . but they were now in the heart of their enemies country , between the two good rivers of sein and some : and it was judged meet by our king to seek a passage out of these straits : and this enquiry was interpreted by the enemy to be a kind of flight , and king edward was willing to nourish this conceit in them . the river of some , between abeville and the sea , was at low-water fordable , and gravelly ground , whereof our king was informed by a french prisoner whom they had taken . but the french king ( well acquainted with his own country ) had set a guard upon that pass of a thousand horse , and above six thousand foot , under the conduct of one gundamar du foy , a norman lord of special note . king edward coming to this place , plunges into the ford , crying out , he that loves me , let him follow me , as resolving either to pass or die . these words , and such a president , so inflamed his army , that the passage was won , and du foy defeated almost before he was fought with ( the incomparable courage and resolution of the english appaling him ) and carried back to king philip sewer by two thousand then he carried with him , besides the terror which his retreat brought along with it : and if the english were before unappaled , now much more they resolved to live and die with such a sovereign . now was king edward neer unto crescie in the county of ponthieu , lying between the rivers of some and anthy ( a place which unquestionably belonged to him in the right of his mother ) where he was carefull to provide the best he could for his safety and defence . king philip , being enraged for the late defeat , precipitates to the battle ( wherein the great and just god intended to scourge the pride and sins of france ) being the rather induced thereto by his confidence in his numerous and gallant army , who were ready to tread upon one anothers heels , till the view of the english colours and battel put them to a stand . king edward , having called upon god for his gracious aid and assistance , full of heroick assuredness , without the least perturbation , divided his army into three battalia's . the first was disposed into the forme of an hearse , where the archers stood in the front , and the men of arms stood in the bottom ; and this was led by the young lion of wales , our brave prince edward , to whose assistance the king joyned some of his prime and most experienced captains ; as beauchamp earle of warwick , godfrey of harecourt ; the lords , thomas holland , richard stafford , john chandois , robert nevil , la'ware , bourchier , clifford , cobham , &c. and many other knights and gentlemen , to the number of eight hundred men at arms , two thousand archers , and a thousand welch-men . in the second were the earles of northampton and arundel , the lords rosse , willoughby , basset , st. albine , &c. with eight hundred men at armes , and twelve hundred archers . in the third was the king himself , having about him seven hundred men at armes , and three thousand archers , with the residue of his nobles and people . the battel thus ordered , our king mounted upon a white hobby , rode from rank to rank to view them , and with quickning words encouraged them , that bravely they should stand to , and fight for his right and honour . and he closed the battels at their backs ( as if he meant to barricado up their way from flying ) which he did by plashing and felling of trees , and placing his carriages there , and all his other impediments . he commanded all men also to dismount , and to leave their horses behind them ; and thus all ways and means of flight being taken away , the necessity doubtless did double their courages . the french king philip had with him iohn of luxenbourg , king of bohemia , the king of majorca , the duke of alanson his brother , charles de bloys the kings nephew , ralph duke of lorrain , the duke of savoy , the earles of flanders , nevers , sancerre , with many other dukes , earles , barons , and gentlemen bearing arms , and those not only french , but almains , dutch , and others . and just the night before the battel , there came to the french army anne of savoy , with a thousand men at arms , so that all things seemed to elate the pride of the french , and to fit them for destruction . the french army was also divided into three battalia's . the vaunt-guard the king committed to his brother , the duke de alanson , and the king of bohemia ; the reer to the duke of savoy . and the main battel he led himself , being so impatient of all delayes , that he would scarce permit time for a little councel to consider what was fittest to be done . he caused also the auriflamb to be erected , which was an hallowed banner of red silk , whereof the french had a wonderful high conceit , as of a thing sent them from heaven , as the ephefians thought of their diana . the king of bohemia though he was short sighted , hearing in what good array the english attended their coming , said plainly ( contrary to the proud conceits of the french , who thought them in a posture of flight ) here will the english end their dayes or conquer . he advised also that the army should take some repast , and that the infantry consisting of the genoueses ( who were about fifteen thousand cross-bows , and sure men ) should make the first front , and the cavalry to follow , which was done accordingly . a little before the fight began , god , to shew that he was lord of hosts , and the only giver of victory , caused the black clouds to power down upon them plenty of water , like so many funerall teares , enarching the aire with a spacious rainbow ; and discharged sundry peals of thunder . the sun also , which before had hid his face under a black dark cloud , now brake forth , shining full in the french mens faces , and on the backs of the english. at the same time also great flocks of ravens , and other balefull birds of prey came flying over the french army . the duke of a lanson , contrary to his order , took it ill that the genoueses were set in the front , and therfore in fury caused them to change place which changed that seat of the army , and wrought that discontent also in these italians as irritated them more against these french then against their enemies . the sign of battel being given by king philip , was entertained with clamours and shouts , all things shewing the dread , and horrour of warr : drums and trumpets sounding to a charge , banners flying in the aire , and everie where the glittering weapons threatning death and destruction . the french calamities began at their genowayes , who under carolo grimaldi , and antonio doria , their collonels , being all of them cross-bow men , were to open a way by their arrows for the french horse : but this was the success of their service : their bow-strings being wett with the late rain , their bodies weary with a long march , their ranks ( after the english had received their first volley upon their targets ) opened with innumerable gapps , occasioned by the fall of their slain fellows , who were overthrown by our home-drawn arrows , were at last most out ragiously scattered , and trampled under foot by charles duke of alanson ( by command of king philip himself ) who bringing up the horse with a full carier , cryed out , on , on , let us make our way upon the bellies of these genoueses , who do but hinder us : and instantly pricks on through the midst of them , followed by the dukes of lorain and savoy , never staying till he came up to the english battel wherein our gallant prince commanded . this fiery young count ( contrary to good discipline ) had also otherwise disobliged them , by disgracefull speeches even when they were ready to joyn battel . these french gallants , being thus mingled amongst them , were very many of them overthrown and slain by the english arrows , which equally brought to destruction both french and genowayes , shooting thickest where the crowd and confusion was greatest . some rascals also that followed the english army , as they saw opportunity , stept in among them , and helpt to cut their throats , sparing neither lord nor lozell . the french men at arms , half out of breath with their post-hast , and terribly disordered by the perpetual storms of our whistling arrows , were now at handy strokes with the princes battel : neither was it long before the bright battel-axes , glittering swords , and lances , and such like other english weapons , had changed their hue , being covered over with humane gore , which having thirstily drunk out of the enemies wounds , let drop in bloody tears to the ground . the fight was sharp and fierce whilst each strove for victory . but here may not be forgotten , the high resolution and valour of the king of bohemia , who ( as only seeking an honorable grave for his old age ) thrust himself into the first ranks of his own horsmen , and with full carrier charging the english , was slain with his sword in hand , the troop of his faithfull followers , with their slaughtered bodies covering him even in death : this was soon seen by the fall of the bohemian standard , whereupon his son charles ( who was lately elected emperour of germany , whilst king lewis was yet alive ) wisely took care for his own safety , by a timely retreat , when he saw the case desperate . now was king philip himself in person , with the full power of his army , come to the rescue of his brother , and friends , who while they had breath , were fighting hard for their hoped for victory , but finding the english valor far beyond what they expected , they were beaten to the earth in great numbers , so that the carnage was very great . yet was not our brave prince without danger , though now the second battel of the english , for the preservation of their prince , rushing in among their enemies fought most couragiously . our king edward all this while was standing upon windmill hill , with his helmet on , which never came off till all was ended , juditiously watching , beholding the whole field , to see how all things went , and ready to bring down his army ( which stood about him like a black hovering in a cloud ) when just necessity should require it . the prince in the mean time , being hard put to it , having the whole power of france against him , some of the nobles , sensible of his danger , sent to the king , requesting for his presence for the aid of his son in this necessity : the king asked the messenger , whether his son was slain or hurt ? and when they answered , no , but that he was like to be overpower'd with the multitude of his enemies : well then ( said the king ) go back to them that sent you , and tell them that so long as my son is alive , they send no more to me , what ever happen . for i will that the honour of this day shall be his , if god permit him to survive , and that he shall either win his spurrs , or lose his life . this message , though it carried not back men to to assist , yet it inspired such new life and spirits into the english , that they fought like lions , as resolving either to conquer or die . on the other side king philip , whose kingdome lay at the stake , performed the dutie of a good general and gallant soldier , fighting so long in his own person till his horse was killed under him , himself twice dismounted , and wounded both in the neck and thigh , and near being troden to death , had not the lord iohn of henault earle of beaumont , rescued and remounted him : the french also about him ( out of a loyal desire of his preservation ) almost against his will , conveyed him out of the field , who rather seemed desirous to end his dayes in so noble company . the king being departed out of the field , and the matter being divulged in both the armies , it soon put a period to this bloody medly , wherin as yet none were taken to mercy , but all were put to the sword. the french king himself , with a small company , got to bray in the night , and approaching the walls , and the guard asking who was there ? he answered , the fortune of france : by his voice he was known , and thereupon received into the town , with the tears and lamentations of his people . the rest of his army sought to save themselves by flight , whom the english ( warily fighting upon the defensive ) and loth to hazard so glorious a victory , by breaking their rancks to pursue the enemy too far in the night ( which was now come on ) suffered them to be followed only by their own feares , contenting themselves to make good their ground , by standing still upon their guard , according to the rules of true martial discipline , knowing that there were so many of the enemy escaped , as might yet serve to overwhelm their weary army with their multitude . our king edward , seeing the coast for the present cleared of all his enemies , came down from the hill with his intire battel towards his victorious son , and most affectionatly embracing and kissing him , said , fair son , god send you good perseverance to such prosperous beginnings : you have acquitted your self right nobly , and are well worthy to have a kingdom intrusted with your government for your valor . to which the most noble and magnanimous of princes replyed with silence , most humbly falling on his knees at the feet of his triumphant father . as for other things concerning this famous victory , i refer my reader to my narrative of it in the life and death of king edward the third : contenting my self here only to describe it , so far forth as our noble prince was therein a prime actor , and without which i could not have given a just account of his life . immediately after this victory our king marched with his army through france , and sat down before calice . but as the splendor of the sun darkens the stars , so did the presence of the father obscure the actions and vertues of the son , that i read no more of him till the year . at which time our king was informed , that john the now king of france ( his father philip being dead ) had given the dutchy of aquitain to charles the dolphin ; whereupon king edward being much incensed , conferred the same upon his own son , the prince of wales , commanding him to defend his right therein with the sword against his adversaries . he was also appointed by parliament to go into gascoin with a thousand men at arms , two thousand archers , and a great number of welch-men , who accompanied their prince : and in iune following he set forward with three hundred sail of ships , attended with the earls of warwick , suffolk , salisbury and oxford ; and the lords , chandois , audley , beufort , lile , with sir robert knowls , sir francis hall , with many others ▪ with these arriving in aquitain , he betook himself to do things worthy of his name and courage . he did wonders in france . for with his victorious army , he recovered multitudes of towns and prisoners : he entred guienne , passed over languedoc to tholouse , narbone , bruges , without any encounter , sacks , spoiles and destroyes where he goes , and loaden with booties , returns to burdeaux . in the mean time the french king gathered all the power he possibly could , and the prince , ( the winter being spent ) sets forth upon a new expedition . he had in his army about eight thousand brave expert and well disciplined souldiers , and with them he advanced through perigort and limosin , into the bosom of france , even up to the very gates of bruges in bery , the terrour of his name flying before to his great advantage . thus satisfied for the present , he wheeled about with purpose to return by remorantine in blasois ( which town he took ) and so through the country of tourain , poictou , and xantoyn , to his chief city of burdeaux . but iohn king of france , having assembled a great and compleat army , followed close , and about the city of poictiers overtook our invincible prince . where the armies ( with the odds of six to one against the english ) drew near each other , two cardinals sent from pope clement mediated ( as they had done before ) to take up the quarrel . but the french king supposing that he had his enemy now at his mercy , would accept of no other conditions , but that the prince should deliver him four hostages , and as vanquished , render up himself and his army to his discretion . the prince was content to restore unto him all the places which he had taken from him , but without prejudice to his honour , wherein ( he said ) he stood accountable to his father , and his country ▪ but the french king would abate nothing of his former demands , as being assured of the victory , as he supposed ; and thereupon was ready instantly to set upon the prince , who seeing himself reduced to this strait , took wha advantage he could of the ground , and by his diligence got the benefit of certain vines , shrubs and bushes upon that part where he was like to be assaulted , whereby to pester and intangle the french horse , which he saw was ready to come furiously upon him . the success answered his expectation . for the cavalry of his enemie in their full carrier , were so intangled and incumbred among the vines , that the princes archers galled , and annoyed them at their pleasure . for the french king , to give the honour of the day to his cavalry , made use of them only without the help of his infantry : hence it was that they being disordered , and put to rout , his whole army came to be utterly defeated . here ( if ever ) the prince and his english gave full proof of their valour , and undaunted courage , never giveing over till they had wholly routed all the three french battels , the least of which exceeded all the princes numbers . the king himself fighting valiantly , and philip his youngest son ( who by such his boldness and zeal defended his distressed father , as it purchased unto him the honourable surname of hardy were taken prisoners . those of the princes side , whose valour and great deeds was most conspicuous , were , the earles of warwick , suffolk , salisbury , oxford , and stafford : the lords , chandois , cobham , spencer , audley , berkley , basset , &c. and of gascoin , subjects to the crown of england , the capital de beuf : the lords lumier , chaumont , with others of inferior title , but not of unequal valour : among others , iames , lord audley wan immortal renown at this bloody battel , in which he received many wounds , and was rewarded by the noble prince with a gift of five hundred marks , land in fee-simple in england , which he divided among his four esquires , who had stood by him in all the fury and brunt of the battel : hereupon the prince asked him , if he accepted not of his gift ? he answered , that these men had deserved it as well as himself , and needed it more ; with which reply the prince was so well pleased , that he gave five hundred marks more in the same kind . a rare example , where desert in the subject , and reward in the prince strove which should be the greater . this lord audley having vowed to be formost in the fight made good his words accordingly . it was the misfortune , or rather the glory of the french nobles in these disasterous times , that the loss fell ever heavily upon them . for in this great overthrow and carnage ( by their own confession ) there fell fifty and two lords , and about seaventeen hundred knights , esquires and gentlemen , that bore coats of arms : among the knights were fifty two bannerets . the chief among the slain , were peter of bourbon duke of athens , the high constable of france iohn de clermont marshal , ieffery de charmy high chamberlain ; the bishop of chalons , the lords of landas , of pons , and of chambly . sir reginald camian , who that day carried the auriflamb , was slain also , and as many others as made up the former number : and of the common soldiers there died about six thousand . so wonderfully did the great god of battels sight for the english in those days . there escaped from this bloody battel three of the french kings sons ( for he brought them all with him ) charles prince of dauphin , lewis , afterwards duke of anjou , and iohn , duke of barry , all of them great actors in the times following . the french prisoners taken were , john king of france and philip his son , afterwards duke of burgoine : the arch-bishop of sens ; james of bourbon , earle of ponthieu : john of artoys , earle of eu : charles his brother , earle of longuevil : charles earle of vendosm : the earles tankervile , salbruch , nassaw dampmartin , la roch ; the counts of vaudemont estampes and iohn de ceintre , accounted the best knight of france , and many other great lords ; and about two thousand knights , esquires , and gentlemen , that bore coats of arms. and in this expedition the english took an hundred ensigns . but here great contention arose between many who should be the man that took king iohn prisoner : the prince wisely commanded them to forbear till they came into england , where , the matter being heard , it was adjudged by king john's own testimony , that one sir. denis morbeck of st. omers had taken him prisoner ; for which service the prince rewarded him with a thousand marks . and now , though king iohn had the hard hap to fall into the hands of an enemie , yet he had the happiness to fall into the hands of a noble enemy . for prince edward , having conquered his person by force of battel , now strove to overcome his minde by his humble deportment , expressing himself in a language so ponderous , humble , grave , and natural , and yet so stately , as none but the best soul , adorned with the best education was able to have performed . and the next day , causing the chaplains , and the other priests in the army to celebrate divine service , he put off from himself the whole glory of victory , and most devoutly gave it unto god : after which , in the sight and hearing of the prisoners , he highly commended and heartily thanked his souldiers , with speeches full of life and affections , sealing his words to every one with bountifull large fees as his present meanes would permit . mr. may in his edward the third , sets forth this battel excellently in these words , — the first hot charge the valiant lord , renowned audley , gave ; who to perform a noble vow , in deeds almost the prowess of a man exceeds ; and like the stroak of joves resistless thunder , shoots forth , and breaks the strongest ranks asunder . here in the thickest throng of enemies , like thracian mars himself , black edward plyes deaths fatal task . here noble warwick gives a furious onset . there brave suffolk strives t' out go the formost : emulations fire is kindled now , and blazes high : desire of honour drowns all other passions there ; not in the chiefs alone : each soldier in that small army feels bright honours flame , and labours to maintain his proper fame . ne're was a battel through all parts so fought , nor such high wonders by an handfull wrought . white victory , that soar'd above , beheld how every english hand throughout the field was stain'd with blood : amaz'd to see the day , and that so few should carry her away . the fields no more their verdure can retain , enforced now to take their purple stain , and be obscur'd with slaughter , while the wounds of france manure her own unhappy grounds . where mixed with plebeian funerals her greatest princes die : there bourbon falls , and marshal clermont welters in his gore , there noble charney's beaten down , that bore the standard royal that sad day : here dies athens great duke : there valiant eustace lyes , who as a badg of highest honour wore a chaplet of bright pearls , that had before ( won by king edward , in a skirmish , neer to callice he was taken prisoner ) as testimony of his prowess shew'd bin by that royal enemie bestow'd . great are the french battalia 's , and in room of those that fall , so oft fresh souldiers come . so oft the bloody fight 's renewed , that now the english weary with subduing grow . and 'gin to faint , oppress'd with odds so great ; when lo , to make the victory compleat , six hundred bowmen ( whom to that intent , before the battel , the brave prince had sent abroad , well mounted , ) now come thundring o're the field , and charge the french behind so sore , as with confusion did distract them quite : and now an execution , not a fight ensues . all routed that great army flies , a prey to their pursuing enemies . what his disheartned battel , orleans forsakes the field : with him the heir of france , young charles of normandy , and thousands moe not overthrown , but frighted by the foe . nor are the english , tho' enow to gain the day , enow in number to maintain so great a chase : and not so well suffice to follow , as subdue their enemies . nor yet ( which more declar'd the conquest sent from heaven alone , to strike astonishment in over-weening mortals , and to show without that help how little man can do ) are all the english , conquerors in the field , enow to take so many french as yield ; nor to receive the prisoners that come : tho' some in fields are ransom'd , and sent home ; yet more from thence are captive born away , then are the hands that won so great a day , &c. and now though king john had the unhappiness to fall into the hands of an enemy , yet that which alleviated his affliction was , that he fell into the hands of a noble enemy : for prince edward used him with such respect and observance , that he could not finde much difference between his captivity and liberty , mr. may gives us this narrative of it . the chase together with the day was done , and all return'd in his pavilion brave edward feasts his royal prisoner ; at which as noble did the prince appear as erst in battel , and by sweetness won as great a conquest as his sword had don . no fair respect , or honour that might cheer that kings afflicted breast was wanting there . no reverence , nor humble courtesie , that might preserve his state and dignity , but edward shew'd at full . and at the feast in person waited on his captive guest . but what content , what object fit could fate present , to comfort such a changed state — for him . whose state the morning sun had seen so high , this night beholds in sad captivity ; his restless passions rowling to and fro no calm admit : when thus his noble fo , prince edward spake , ( great king , for such you are in my thoughts still , whate're the chance of war hath lately wrought against you here ) forgive your humble kinsmans service , if i strive to ease your sorrow , and presume to do what is too much for me , to counsel you . do not deject your princely thoughts or think the mnrtial fame that you have gain'd , can sink in one succesless field : or too much fear your nations honour should be tainted here . mens strength and honours we most truly try , where fields are fought with most equality . but god was pleas'd to make this days success the more miraculous , that we the less might challenge to our selves , and humbly know , that in so great and strnge an overthrow some secret judgment of our god was wrought , and that the sword of heaven , not england , fought , &c. and for your self , great king , all history , that shall hereafter to the vvorld make known th' event of poictiers battel , shall renown your personal prowesse , which appear'd so high , as justly seem'd to challenge victory , had not gods secret providence oppos'd : but though his will ( great sir ) hath thus dispos'd ; your state remains , your person , and your fame , shall in my humble thoughts be still the same . and till my father see your face , to show how he respects your worth , and state , to you as to himself , were he in person here , in all observance , edward shall appear . the noble king , a while amaz'd to see victorious youth so full of courtesie ; at last replies : brave cousin , you have shown your self a man built up for true renown ; and , as in action of the wars , to be this ages phaenix in humanity . why do you wrong me thus , as to enthrall me doubly ? not insulting o're my fall , you rob me , cousin , of that sole renown , which i , though vanquish'd , might have made mine own , to bear adversity . i might have shew'd , had you been proud , a passive fortitude ; and let the world , though i am fallen , see what spirit i had in scorning misery . but you have rob'd me of that honour now , and i am bound in honour to allow that noble theft , content ( since such are you ) to be your captive and your debtor too ; and since my stars ordein'd a king of france , arm'd with such odds , so great a puissance must in a fatal field be lost , to raise so great a trophie to anothers praise , i am best pleas'd it should advance thy story , and johns dishonour be prince edwards glory . after the battel , which was fought on the . day of september , anno christi . prince edward led king iohn and the captive nobles prisoners to bourdeaux , the archiepiscopal see , and chief city of his dominions in france , where he retained them till the spring following : but sent present news of this victory to his father , who thereupon took speedy order by simon arch-bishop of canterbury , that a thanksgiving should be celebrated all over england for eight days together . the prince , having sufficiently rested and refreshed his people , the may following set sail for england , with his prisoners , and safely arrived at plimouth , and was with great joy and acclamations received everie where . at his coming to london ( where at that time , a magnificent citizen , henry picard ( he who afterwards at one time so nobly feasted the four kings of england , france , scotland , and cyprus ) was lord major ) who received him with all imaginable honour . and the multitude of people , that came to see the victorious prince , with the king of france , his son philip , and the other prisoners , was so great , that they could hardly get to westminster between three a clock in the morning , and twelve at noon . great edward , saving that he forgat not the majestie of a conquerour , and of a king of england , omitted no kind of noble courtesy towards the prisoners . king iohn , and his son , were lodged under a safe guard at the savoy , which was then a goodly palace belonging unto henry duke of lancaster ; and the other prisoners in other places some time after prince edward , by dispensation , was maried to the countess of kent , daughter to edmund , brother to king edward the second , and his father invested him with the dutchy of aquitain : so that he was now prince of wales , duke of aquitain , duke of cornwal , and earle of chester and kent . and not long after , he with his beloved wife , passed over into france , and kept his court at bourdeaux . the prince of wales was now grown famous over all the christian world , and the man to whom all wronged princes seemed to appeal , and to fly for succour . for which end there came at this time to his court iames , king of majorca , and richard , king of navarr , just when his beloved lady brought him a son , for whom these two kings undertook at his baptisme , giving him the name of richard. the companies of soldiers , most of whose captaines were english , either by birth , or obedience , wanting employment , because the warrs of britain were quieted for the present , ranged tumultuously up and down france : but about this time sir bertram de glequin ( having paid his ransom ) found employment for them , drawing the greatest part of that millitary pestilence into another coast. for by the assistance of peter king of arragon , and the power of glequin , with his floting bands , called the companions , or adventurers , peter king of castile and leon ( a cruel tyrant ) was driven out of his kingdome , his bastard brother henry being chosen in his room , and crowned king of spain at burgos . this peter was son to alphonsus the eleventh king of castile , and had to wife a french lady called blanch , daughter to peter duke of bourbon , who was father also of ioan , the french kings wife . his tyrannical cruelties were so many and so foul , that the spanish stories , scarce suffer nero or caligula to go beyond him : for which , by his subjects he was deposed , and his brother henry ( as is said before ) was substituted , and crowned in his room . peter thus driven out of his kingdome , by the aid of the french , applyed himself to prince edward , craving his assistance for his restitution , making many and large promises to him upon the accomplishment thereof . and the prince , partly out of charity to succour a distressed prince , and partly out of policy to keep his souldiers in exercise , having first sent to his father , and gotten his leave , marched with a gallant army of thirty thousand men ( burning with desire of renown ) upon confidence of good pay for his men , and other commodities , when peter should be reestablished upon his throne . he made his way through the famous straits of rouncevallux in navarre , by permission of the king thereof , who yet suffered himself to be taken prisoner , and carried into castile , that he might not seem to cross the freneh kings designes , who favoured henry the usurper . our prince had in his company , besides most of all the principal captains of the english , two kings , peter of castile whos 's the quarrel was , and the king of majorca ; as also john duke of lancaster , who somewhile after don pedro his death , having married his eldest daughter , wrote himself king of castile and leon. on the other side , king henry for the defence of his new kingdom , had amassed together a very great army , consisting partly of french , under glequin their famous captains ; and of castilians and others , both christians and saracens to the number of about an hundred thousand . and upon the borders of castile it came to a bloody battel , wherein the valiant prince of wales obtained a very great victory , having slain many thousands of his enemies . henry himself fighting valiantly , was wounded in the groin , but yet escaped . there were taken prisoners , the earle of dene , bertram de glequin ( who yet shortly after , by paying a great ransom was set at liberty ) the marshal dandrehen , and many others . neither was this victory less worth to peter then a kingdom : for our most noble prince left him not , till at burgos he had set him upon his throne again . but this unworthy kings falshood and ingratitude were odious and monstrous . for the prince , notwithstanding his so great goodness extended to him , was enforced to return to burdeaux without money wherewith to pay his army , which was the cause of exceeding great mischiefs to himself , and the english dominions beyond the seas , as if god had been displeased with his succouring such a tyrant . the prince himself , though he came back with victory , yet he brought back with him such a craziness , and indisposition of body , that he was never throughly well after . and no marvel , considering the country , the season , and the action it self , and it may be more marvelled that his souldiers came home so well , then that he came home so ill . being now returned , there was presently , to his indispositon of body , added discontentment of mind . for not having money wherewith to pay his soldiers , he was forced to wink at that which he could not choose but see , and seeing to grieve at . for they preyed upon the country , for which the countrey murmured against him . and now to stop this murmuring , his chancellor the bishop of rhodes devised a new imposition of levying a frank for every chimney , and this to continue for five years to pay the princes debts . but this imposition ( though granted in parliament ) made the murmuring to be encreased . for though some part of his dominions , as the poictorians , the xantoigns , and the limosins , in a sort consented to it , yet the count of armigniac , the count of cominges , the vicount of carmain , and divers others , so much distasted it , that they complained thereof to the king of france , as unto their supreme lord : pretending that the prince was to answer before king charles , as before his superior lord , of whom ( they said ) he held by homage and fealty : whereas king edward and his heirs by the treaty at bretagny , were absolutely freed from all manner of service for any of their dominions in france ; king charles did openly entertain this complaint , and hoping to regain by surprize and policy , what the english had won by dint of sword , and true manhood , he proceeded to summon the prince of wales to paris , there to answer to such complaints as his subjects made against him . our stout prince returned for answer , that if he must needs appear , he would bring threescore thousand men in arms to appear with him . and now began the peace between england and france to be unsetled and wavering . for while our king edward rejoyced in the excellent vertues and actions of his sons and people , charles the french king , warned by so many calamities as his dominions had sustained by the english in fair war : and withal , earnestly coveting to recover the honour of his nation , betook himself wholly to secret practices and designs : never adventuring his own person in the field , but executing all by his deputies and lieutenants , especially by the valour and service of bertram de glequin , constable of france , who from a low estate was raised to this height for his prudent and magnanimous conduct in war. and our truly noble king ( without suspicion of craft ) reposing himself upon the rules of vertue and magnanimity , did not reap the stable effects of so great and important victories , nor of the peace so ceremoniously made , that ( in the worlds opinion ) it could not be broken , without the manifest violation upon one side , of all bonds both divine and humane . the prince of wales by letters advised his father not to trust to any fair words , or overtures of further amity made by the french , because ( as he said ) they entertained practices underhand in every place against him : but his counsel was not hearkned to , because he was judged to write thus out of a restless humour , delighting in war , though the event shewed that his words were true . for now king charles , having by quick paiments , and by one means or other gotten home all the hostages which had bin impledged for performance of the articles of peace , set all his wits on work to abuse the king of englands credulity . he courted him with loving letters and presents , while in the mean time his plots were ripened abroad , and he surprized the county of ponthieu ( our kings undeniabe inheritance ) before king edward heard thereof . king edward hereupon calls a parliament , declares the breach , craves aid , and hath it granted . and then againe claims the crown of france , and sent over his son iohn , duke of lancaster , and humfry de bohun , earle of hereford , with a great army to calice to invade france . among the states and towns made over to the english at the treaty of bretigni , which had revolted to the french , was the city of limosin : thither did the prince march , and sat down with his army before it : and not long after came unto him out of england , his two brethren the duke of lancaster , and the earle of cambridg , with a fresh supply of valiant captains , and souldiers . the city stood it out to the uttermost , and was at last taken by storm , where no mercy was shewed by the inraged soldiers , but the sword and fire laid all desolate : after this service , the princes health failing him more and more , he left his brethren in aquitain to prosecute the warrs , and himself taking ship , came over to his father in england , his eldest son [ edward ] being dead a little before at burdeaux , and brought over with him his wife and his other son richard . the prince having left france , his dominions were either taken away , or fell away faster then they were gotten , gueschlin entred poictou , took montmorillon , chauvigny , lussack and moncontour . soon after followed the country of aulnis , of xantoyn , and the rest of poictou : then st. maxent , neel , aulnay : then benaon , marant , surgers , fontency , and at last they came to thouras , where the most part of the lords of poictou , that held with the prince , were assembled . at this time the king , prince edward , the duke of lancaster , and all the great lords of england set forward for their relief : but being driven back by a tempest , and succour not coming , thouras was yeilded up upon composition : in fine , all poictou was lost , and then aquitain , all , but only burdeaux , and bayon . and not long after prince edward died , and with him the fortune of england . he was a prince so full of virtues as were scarce matchable by others . he died at canterbury upon trinity sunday , june the eighth , in the forty sixth year of his age , and the forty ninth of his fathers raign : and was buried in christs-church there anno christi . among all the gallant men of that age this our prince was so worthily the first , that . longe erit a primo quisque secundus erit . he had a sumptuous monument erected for him , upon which this epitaph was engraven in brass , in french thus englished . here lyeth the noble prince monsieur edward , the eldest son of the thrice noble king edward the third , in former time prince of aquitain , and of wales , duke of cornwal , and earle of chester , who died on the feast of the trinity , which was the eighth of june , in the year of grace . to the soul of whom , god grant mercy . amen . after which were added these verses in french , thus translated according to the homely poetry of those times . who so thou art that passest by where these corps entombed lye : understand what i shall say as at this time speak i may . such as thou art somtime was i : such as i am , such shalt thou be . i little thought on th' hour of death so long as i enjoyed breath . great riches here i did possess whereof i made great nobleness . i had gold , silver , wardrobes , and great treasures , horses , houses , land. but now a caitife poor am i , deep in the ground , lo here i lye : my beauty great is all quite gon , my flesh is wasted to the bone : my house is narrow now , and throng ; nothing but truth comes from my tongue : and if you should see me this day i do not think but yet would say , that i had never bin a man , so much altered now i am . for gods sake pray to th' heavenly king , that he my soul to heaven would bring . * all they that pray and make accord for me unto my god and lord ; god place them in his paradise , wherein no wretched caitiff lyes . the death of this prince ( saith daniel in his history of england ) was a heavy loss to the state , being a prince of whom we never heard no ill , never received any other note but of goodness , and the noblest performance that magnanimity and wisdom could ever shew , insomuch as what praise could be given to virtue , is due to him . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * see the ignorance and superstition of those times and bless god for our clearer light . the lives of two and twenty english divines eminent in their generations for learning, piety, and painfulnesse in the work of the ministry, and for their sufferings in the cause of christ : whereunto are annexed the lives of gaspar coligni, that famous admirall of france, slain in the parisian massacre, and of joane queen of navarr, who died a little before / by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the lives of two and twenty english divines eminent in their generations for learning, piety, and painfulnesse in the work of the ministry, and for their sufferings in the cause of christ : whereunto are annexed the lives of gaspar coligni, that famous admirall of france, slain in the parisian massacre, and of joane queen of navarr, who died a little before / by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , [ ] p., [ ] leaves of plates : ports. printed by a.m. for thomas vnderhill and john rothwell ..., london : . errata: p. [ ] at end. reproduction of original in the huntington library. includes bibliographical references and index. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng coligny, gaspard de, -- seigneur de châtillon, - . jeanne d'albret, -- queen of navarre, - . clergy -- england -- biography. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - simon charles sampled and proofread - spi global rekeyed and resubmitted - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the lives of two and twenty english divines , eminent in their generations for learning , piety , and painfulnesse in the work of the ministry , and for their sufferings in the cause of christ . whereunto are annexed the lives of gaspar coligni , that famous admirall of france , slain in the parisian massacre ; and of joane queen of navarr , who died a little before . by samuel clarke pastor of bennet-fink london . qui sanctum virum imitatur , quasi exemplum aliquod intuetur , seseque in illo quasi speculo prospicit , ut adjiciat , quod deesse virtutis agnoscit . minus enim seipsum homo considerat : sed dum alterum intendit , id quod minus est virtutis addidit . isiod . de summo bono . london , printed by a. m. for thomas vnderhill and john rothwell in pauls church-yard , . the names of those whose lives are contained in this part. dr. collet . p. bishop coverdale . dr. sands . mr. richard greenham . mr. thomas cartwright . mr. paul baines . mr. william bradshaw . mr. richard stock . mr. richard rothwel . dr. preston . mr. arthur hildersam . dr. thomas tailor . mr. hugh clarke . p. dr. sibs . dr. chaderton . mr. john ball. bishop potter . mr. richard sedgwick . mr. julines herring . mr. john dod. mr. robert balsom . mr. herbert palmer . gaspar coligni admirall of france . ioane q. of navarr . to his loving friend master clarke upon his lives of these eminent divines . samuel clarke . anagr. make us recall . make us recall the lives of worthies dead , ( herein thou art , blest soul , our learned clark. ) in suffering times thereby to hold up head , and live their lives , ( herein thou art our mark ) to soare aloft their glories to ascend , and sing such praises , ( here thou art our larke ) to live when we are dead , and so to end our pilgrimage , and enter noah's arke . thy paines and pattern make us to recall their graces , glories , and their lives withall . john herring , mr. of arts , and minister of gods word . the life of doctor collet dean of pauls , who died anno christi . john collet was born of worshipfull parents in london ; his father [ henry collet ] having been twice lord maior of london , by whom he was carefully trained up in learning . in his younger daies he travelled into france and italy , whereby he much improved his learning . at his return into england he went to oxford , commenced doctor of divinity , and began to read publickly upon pauls epistles instead of scotus and tho. aquinas , which before were only in request in that university . when he came to london he preached often , and had a very great auditory both of courtiers and citizens . his diet was very frugall ; his life upright and unblamable : in discipline he was very severe , in so much as being made dean of pauls , his canons complained that they were held in too much by him . he alwaies preferred the honest and honourable estate of matrimony before the unchast single life of priests . at dinner time he used to have some portion of scripture read to him , either out of pauls epistles or solomons proverbs . he used no supper at all . he was no friend to the irreligious religious orders of monks and friars . he was an enemy to the barbarous divinity of the school-doctors , as of scotus , and thomas aquinas , insomuch as when erasmus highly commended aquinas for his learning and acutenesse , doctor collet answered ; what tell you me of the learning of that man , who unlesse he had been of an arrogant and presumptious spirit , durst never have taken upon him to discusse and define all things so boldly and rashly as he did ? and except he had rather been worldly minded then heavenly , he would never so have polluted christs wholsome doctrine with mans prophane doctrine , as he hath done . the bishop london at this time was fitz james , who of a long time bore a great grudge to dr collet , and therefore joyning with two other bishops , they entred an action of complaint against him before dr warham archbishop of canterbury . the articles exhibited against him were three . first , for preaching against the worshipping of images . secondly , about hospitality , for that he preaching upon those words in the gospel , feed , feed , feed ; having expounded the two first for feeding by doctrine and example , the third he expounded for feeding by hospitality ; yet not so much for feeding the body as the soul by good counsel and conference . the third was for speaking against such as preached bosom sermons , declaring nothing to the people but what they bring in their papers with them : this the bishop of london used to do , and therefore took it as spoken against himself , which much irritated him against dr collet . but the archbishop more wisely weighing the matter , and being well acquainted with the worth of collet , so took his part against his accusers , that at that time he freed him out of trouble . another design of fitz james was to make him an heretick for translating the pater noster into english , but the archbishop holp him out of that also . yet the bishops malice was restlesse , for when he could not prevail against dr collet before the archbishop , he laid a train to accuse him to the king , and the occasion thereof was this : about this time king henry the eighth was preparing war against france , and the bishop with his complices took advantages against dr collet , for that in one of his sermons he had seemed to preferre peace before any kind of warre , though never so just . for this they inveyed against him in their sermons , and traduced him also before the king ; yet on good friday after , dr collet preached before the king , at which time he treated upon the victory of christ , exhorting all christians to fight under christs standard against the devil ; adding moreover what an hard thing it was so to do . he shewed also that all they who upon private hatred or ambition took weapons against their adversaries , one christian to destroy another , they did not fight under christs banner but under satans . he exhorted therefore all christians in their wars , rather to make christ their prince and captain in fighting against their enemies , then to imitate julius caesar , alexander , &c. the king hearing this , and fearing lest the hearts of his souldier should by these words be withdrawn from the wars , took him aside into his garden after sermon , and had much private conference with him . bishop fitz-james and his a associates seeing this , were now confident that they should see collet presently sent prisoner to the tower , and therefore they waited for his return out of the garden ; but contrary to their expectation , the king used him very courteously , bad him put on his cap , much commended him for his learning and integrity of life , and agreed with him in all points that he had taught ; onely he desired him , lest the rude souldiers should misinterpret that which he had said , that in his next sermon he would explain himself more fully to them , which afterwards he did accordingly : and so after long communication , and great promises of favour , the king gently dismissed him with these words , let every man have his doctor as himself best liketh , this shall be my doctor . his adversaries seeing and hearing this , dust never after that time molest him any further . he did many excellent works of piety and charity , and amongst the rest he erected that famous foundation of pauls school london , where one hundred fifty three poor mens sons should be taught freely , and for this end he built a very convenient dwelling house for the schoolmaster . he assigned also a large annual stipend both for the head-master and usher , whom he willed rather to be chosen out of the number of married men , then of single priests with their suspected chastity . he left sundry rents and houses for the payment of those stipends , which he committed to the oversight of the worshipfull company of mercers in london . he caused to be ingraven upon the school in latine , schola catechisationis puerorum in christi opt. max. fide , & bonis literis , anno christi m.d.x. the first moderator of this school was mr william lilly , a man no lesse eminent for his learning then dr collet was for this foundation ; he made the latine grammer which ever since by authority hath been used in all schools . dr collet was very expert in the scriptures , especially in pauls epistles , which he hath illustrated by his commentaries . he held justification freely by the merits of christs , and not by our own works . he was an enemy to the idle and unchast life of the popish clergy . he abhorred those that persecuted the professors of the truth . he died anno christi . and was buried in pauls church , upon whose tomb mr lilly engraved this motto , disce mori mundo ; vivere disce deo. the life of miles coverdale sometimes bishop of exester , who died anno christi . miles coverdale was born in the north of england , and from his childhood was much given to learning , and by his diligence and industry profited exceedingly therein ; so that in the reign of king henry the eighth , he was one of the first that professed the gospel in england . he was very well skilled in the hebrew , and translated the bible into english , and wrote sundry books upon the scriptures ; which doctrine being new and strange in those daies , he was much hated and persecuted for it , especially by the bishops ; whereupon he was forced to fly into the low-countries . there he printed the bibles of his translation , and by sending them over , and selling them in england he maintained himself . but john stokesly bishop of london , hearing thereof , and minding to prevent their dispersing in england , enquired diligently where they were to be sold , and bought them all up , supposing that by this means no bibles would be had ; but contrary to his expectation it fell out otherwise ; for the same money which the bishop gave for these books , the merchant sent over to miles coverdale , by which means he was enabled to print as many more , which he also sent into england . this caused the bishops to pursue him with such eagerness , that he was forced to remove himself out of flanders into germany , and to settle himself under the palsgrave of the rheine , where he found much favour . at first he taught children for his subsistence ; but having learned the dutch language , the prince elector palatine gave him a benefice at a place called burghsaber , where he did much good by his ministry and holy life ; maintaining himself partly by his living , and partly by the liberality of thomas lord cromwell , who was his good lord , and relieved him very much . at length , when by the happy coming in of king edward the sixth , religion was altered in england , and the gospel had a free passage , he returned into his native countrey , where he did very much good by preaching . at the time of the commotion in devonshire for religion , he was appointed to go down as chaplain with the lord russell , who was sent to suppresse the same ; and after the work was over , for his excellent learning and godly life he was made bishop of exester , being consecrated thereunto at lambeth , by tho. cranmer archbishop of canterbury , anno christi . he most worthily performed that office that was committed to him . he preached constantly every sabbath and holy day , and most commonly twice in the week he read a divinity lecture in one church or other within the city of exester . considering his means , he was a great lover of hospitality , and kept a very good house . he was sober and temperate in his diet , holy and blamelesse in his life ; friendly to the godly , liberall to the poor , courteous to all men , void of pride , full of humility , abhorring covetousnesse , and an enemy to all wickednesse and wicked men , whose society he shunned , and whom he would in no wise intertain or keep in his house or company . his wife was a most sober , chast and godly matron : his houshold another church in which was exercised all godlinesse and vertue . he suffered no one person to abide in his house , who could not give an account of his faith and religion , and who lived not accordingly . and as he was very carefull to promote religion in his diocess , so was he as ready to give direction for good government in all ecclesiasticall affairs : and because himself was not skillfull therein , neither would be hindred from his godly studies , nor encumbred with worldly matters ; and yet judging it meet that the government should be carried on with all uprightnesse , justice and equity , he sent to oxford for a learned man to be his chancellour ; and by the assistance of his friends , he obtained mr robert weston doctor of the civil law ( and afterwards lord chancellour in ireland ) unto whose fidelity he committed his consistory , and the whole charge of his ecclesiasticall jurisdiction , allowing him , not only all the fees belonging thereto , but also lodged , and found him , his wife , and family , horse and man within his own house , and gave him a pension of lb lb per annum besides , which was a very great matter in those daies ; so liberall was this good bishop in the allowance which he made to this good chancellor . and surely the bishop was no more godly and carefull in performing his office of preaching , then his chancellor was diligent , strict and just in doing of his office without the reproach of partiality or bribery . yet notwithstanding that this godly bishop lived most holily , painfully , and virtuously , the common people ( whose old bottels were not capable of new wine ) could not brook nor digest him ; and when they could find no other cause , this was judged a crime sufficient , that he was a preacher of the gospel , an enemy to papistry , and an honest married man. hereupon many devises were set on foot for his disgrace , and removing him out of his place ; sometimes by slie and false informations against him , sometimes by open railing and false libels ; sometimes by secret backbitings ; yea at last their malice proceeded so far that they practised his death by poysoning ; but by gods good providence the snares were broken , and he was delivered . having thus continued bishop about three years , it pleased god to take away that famous english josiah , king edward : and his sister mary succeeding him , the face of religion was soon altered , and this good bishop amongst others was deprived , and clapt up in prison : and though the malice of the then prelates and arch-papists against him was very great , who also had sworn his death ; yet it pleased god most miraculously to preserve and deliver him out of their hands , which was effected by this meanes . the good king christian of denmark , having formerly known him at his being in germany , wrote divers times , and sued so earnestly and effectually to queen mary for him , that at last he was dismissed out of prison , and suffered to go over into denmark . there he staied a while , and afterwards , with the leave of the king , went into germany to his former worthy friend the noble elector of the rheine , who most willingly received him , and restored him to his former benefice of burghsaber . the reason why he staied no longer with his deliverer the king of denmark , but chose rather to go into the palatinate , was , because he could preach in the dutch language , but not in the danish tongue . at burghsaber he remained a faithfull and painfull preacher all queen maries daies , till hearing of her death , and of the change of religion under queen elizabeth , he once again returned into his native country . his bishoprick was reserved for him till his return , and then sundry times profered him , but he would by no meanes accept thereof , but chose rather to live a more private life , yet not out of action ; for he continued in london , teaching and preaching the gospel so long as the strength of his body would permit ; and at length being very old and stricken in years , he died comfortably and peaceably in the lord , being about eighty years old , january . anno christi . and was honourably buried under a fair stone in the chancel of bartholomews exchange in london , upon which stone is engraven this epitaph . in obitum reverendissimi patris , milonis coverdale ogdo astichon . hic tandem requiemque ferens , finemque laborum , ossa coverdali mortua tumbus habet : exoniae qui praesul erat dignissimus olim , insignis vitae vir probitate suae . octoginta annos grandaevus vixit , & unus indignum passus saepius exilium . sic demum variis jactatum casibus ista excepit gremio terra benigna suo . dr. sandes the life of doctor sands archbishop of york , who died anno christi . edwin sands was born of an ancient and worthy family about the year . and being trained up in learning , he so profited therein both in the countrey and university , that he was chosen master of katharine hall in cambridge , and having commenced doctor , he was made vice-chancellor of that university ; at which time that blessed king edward the sixth dying , and the lady jane grey being proclaimed queen , as we have heard before , the duke of northumberland was sent with an army to apprehend the lady mary . and when he came to cambridge he sent for dr sands the then vicechancellor , and some other doctors to sup with him ; and at supper required dr sands to preach on the morrow . the warning was short for such an occasion and auditory , yet he refused it not , but went home and so to bed : the next morning he arose at three a clock , and having prayed a good while , rose up , took his bible in his hand , and closing his eyes earnestly prayed to god that it might fall open at a fit text for the present occasion , and accordingly it opened , and the first text that he cast his eye upon was joshua . , , . and they answered joshua saying , all that thou commandest us we will do , and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go ; according as we hearkened to moses in all things , so will we hearken unto thee ; only the lord thy god be with thee , as he was with moses . whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment , and will not hearken to thy words in all that thou commandest him , he shall be put to death , only be strong and of a good courage . this text he prosecuted with such prudence and affection , as drew many tears from the eyes of his auditors . after sermon the duke and other nobles desired him to print his sermon , and he only required a day and an halfs time for the writing of it , at the end whereof he delivered it to mr leaver , who was presently to carry it to london to the presse : but just at that instant came one of the beadles to him weeping , and bad him shift for himself ; for , said he , the duke is retired , and queen mary is proclaimed . dr sands was nothing troubled herewith , but delivered his sermon to mr leaver , and so went to dinner to mr moores one of the beadles , his great friend : at dinner being of an undaunted courage , and cheerfull disposition , he was very merry , mistress moore drinking to him said , mr vicechancellor , i drink to you , this being the last time that ever i shall see you : which accordingly proved true . that night the duke sent for him to joyn with him in proclaiming queen mary , and then told him that the queen was mercifull , and that he hoped for a generall pardon ; to which dr. sands answered , my life is not dear unto me , neither have i done or said any thing that troubleth my conscience . for what i spake of the state i have instructions signed by sixteen counsellors to warrant me therein , neither can speeches be treason ; nor yet have i spoken any thing but what the word of god and the lawes of the land will bear me out in , therefore the will of the lord be done . but be you assured my lord , you shall never escape death ; for if the queen should spare you , they that now shall rule , will kill you . that night the duke was apprehended , and some were as busie about dr. sands , but sir john gates that lay in the doctors house , drave them away . the next day dr. sands was walked into the fields , when the university in an irregular manner meeting together , ordered dr. mouse and dr. hatcher to go to dr. sands his house to fetch away the university statutes , the keyes , and such other things as were in his custody , which accordingly they did ; and dr. mouse , who the day before was an earnest protestant , was now turned a zealous papist , and a great enemy to dr. sands , from whom he had received great curtesies . that afternoon a congregation was appointed by them , and the bell rang to it ; when dr. sands coming out of the fields , sent for the beadles , asking what the matter meant , requiring them to wait upon him to the schools according to their duty , which they did , and dr. sands took the chair . mr. mitch and a rable of unlearned papists seeing this , withdrew , and conspired amongst themselves to pull him out of the chair . in the mean time dr. sands began his oration , expostulating with the university about their dealings , and charging them with great ingratitude towards him , affirming that he had said nothing in his sermon but what he was ready to justifie , and that if he were faulty , they were as deeply guilty in concealing and consenting to that which he had spoken . in the midst of his speech in came mitch with his associates , some laid hands on him to pull him out of the chair , telling him it was not his place , others called him traytor , &c. dr. sands seeing that they used violence , being of a great courage , felt for his dagger to have dispatched some of them , as gods enemies ; but dr. bell and dr. blith prayed him for gods sake to hold his hands , and patiently to bear that great wrong ; to which he assented , and so the tumult ending , he went on , and finished his oration , and having some money of the universities in his hand , he delivered it up , together with all other things belonging to the university , and then resigned his office , praying to god to substitute a better in his room , and to give them better and more thankfull hearts , and so he repaired to his own colledge . on the morrow came to him mr. germingham and mr. tho. mildmay ; mr. germingham told him that it was the queens pleasure that by two of the guard he should be conveyed to the tower , together with the duke ; mr. mildmay told him that he wondered that so learned a man as he , should speak so unadvisedly against so good a prince . dr. sands answered , i shall not be ashamed of bonds , but if i could do as mr. mildmay can , i need not to fear them : for you came down in armes against the queen , and now you are in arms for her ; i cannot thus blow hot and cold with one mouth . presently dr. sands his stable was robbed of four excellent geldings , and an inventory was taken of all his goods , and he was set upon a lame jade that halted to the ground ; whereupon a friend of his desired that he might lend him a nagg to ride upon . as he went out at the end of the town some papists assembled to jeer , and some of his friends to mourn for him . he was carried through london in scorn , and as he entred in at bishops-gate a base woman threw a stone at him , and hit him so full on the breast that he was near falling from his horse . to whom he mildly said , woman , i pray god forgive thee . as he went through tower street , a woman in her door said to him , fie on thee thou knave , thou knave , thou traytor , thou heretick . at this he smiled , whereupon she said , look , the desperate heretick laughs at it . another woman on the other side of the street , said , fie neighbour , thou art not worthy to be called a woman , railing thus upon this gentleman whom thou knowest not , nor yet the cause why he is thus used : and turning to the doctor , she said , good gentleman , god be thy comfort , and give thee strength to stand in gods cause even to the death : and thus he was carried prisoner to the tower , where the yeoman of the guard took from him his borrowed nagg , and whatsoever else he had : and whereas his man brought some linen after him , that also was taken from him . the first three weeks he was in a very bad prison , at the end whereof he was removed to another , where was put to him mr. john bradford . on the day of the queens coronation his prison door was left open , and there came to him one mr. mitchell , a special friend of his , and said , dr. sands , there is such a stir in the tower that neither gates , doors , nor prisoners are looked after this day ; therefore take my cloak , hat and rapier , and get you gon , save your self and let me do as i may . the doctor refused his offer , saying , i know no just cause of my imprisonment , and if i should do this i should make my self guilty , i will expect gods good will ; yet am i much bound to you for your love . mr. mitchell not prevailing departed . dr. sands and mr. bradford continued in prison twenty nine weeks , one bowler , a perverse papist being their keeper ; yet by their affable and loving carriage and converse , he began to mislike popery , and to favour the gospel ; yea he was so far at last wrought upon , that on a sabbath , when others went to masse , he carried up to them a service-book , a manchet and some wine ; at which time dr. sands administred the sacrament to mr. bradford and him , and so bowler became their son begotten in their bonds . when wyat was up in arms , that room might be made for him and his in the tower , dr. cranmer , dr. ridley , and mr. bradford were put into one prison ; and dr. sands with nine other godly ministers were removed to the marshalsey . as they went , the people every where prayed god to comfort them , and to strengthen them in his truth , whereupon the keeper of the marshalsey said to dr. sands , i perceive that the vain people would set you forward to the fire , but i hope you will not prefer your own knowledg before the judgment of so many worthy and learned prelates ; if so , you shall find me as strait a keeper as one that utterly mislikes your religion . dr. sands answered , i know my self young , and my learning small , it s enough to know christ crucified ; and he hath learned nothing that sees not the great blasphemy that is in popery . i have read in scripture of some godly and courteous keepers , god may make you one ; if not , i trust he will give me strength and patience to bear your hard dealing with me . the keeper replied , do you then minde to stand to your religion ? yea , said the doctor , by gods grace i do . truly , said the keeper , i love you the better for it ; i did but try you before , and what favour i can shew you , you shall be sure of it , and i shall think my self happy if i may die at the stake with you , and ever after he shewed the doctor much favour , suffering him to walk into the fields alone , where sometimes he met with mr. bradford , who being removed to the kings bench , found the like favour with his keeper . he also lodged him in the best chamber , and would not suffer irons to be put on him , as other prisoners had , and suffered his wife , a beautifull gentlewoman , both in body and soul , to resort to him . he lodged also mr. sanders with him . to these two holy men there was much resort , and much money was profered to them , but they would receive none . three or four times they celebrated the sacrament , and had many communicants , at which times dr. sands gave such exhortations as drew many teares from his auditours , and wrought in them an utter abhorrency of the masse and all popery . when sir tho. wyat with his army came into southwark , he sent to dr. sands in prison , desiring his company and advice , telling him that the prison doors should be set open for him and the other prisoners : dr. sands bad the messengers tell him , that if his rising were of god he should stand , otherwise he should fall : and that for his own part he was committed by order , and that he would never depart thence except he were discharged by the like order ; the like answer made mr. sanders , and the other godly ministers that were prisoners there . dr. sands having thus lain there nine weeks , at last by the mediation of sr tho. holcraft , then knight marshall , he was set at liberty ; the manner of it was thus : sir tho. holcraft made great suit to the bishop of winchester in the behalf of dr. sands , yet could get no grant from him except he would turn to their religion , which if he would do , he should have great preferment ; yet at last by importunity he extorted from him , that if the queen would grant him his liberty he would not oppose it . then did sir thomas , by two ladies of honour , prevail with the queen that he should have his liberty if winchester liked of it : sir thomas having this grant , watched the bishops next going to the queen , and then again moving the businesse , he at last prevailed with them , and gat a warrant signed by them for his deliverance ; yet winchester afterwards commanded him not to release him , till two gentlemen should give a thousand pound bond for him not to depart the kingdom without license . sir thomas seeing this , procured two gentlemen to be willing thus to be bound with him ; and then sending for dr. sands he imparted all the businesse to him ; to whom dr. sands said , i give god thanks who hath moved your heart to be so carefull of me ; i think my self much bound to you for your love , which god will requite , and i will never prove ungratefull . but as i came a free man into prison , so i will not go out a bond-man ; for as i cannot benefit my friends , so neither will i hurt them ; and if i be set at liberty i will not stay six dayes in the realm , if i can get out . therefore if i may not go free , send me back to prison , where you shall be sure of me . sir tho. holcraft was much troubled at this answer , yet seeing the doctor immoveable in his resolution , he said to him , since i cannot change you , i will change my own mind , and am resolved to set you at liberty come of it whatever will come , therefore get you gone quickly over-sea , and never write any thing back hither , for so you may undo me ; and so friendly kissing him , he bad him farewell , and commanded his keeper to take no fees of him . dr. sands returning to the marshalsey tarried all night , and on the morrow gave his prison-fellows a dinner ; bad his bed-fellow , and sworn stake-fellow , if it had so pleased god [ mr. sanders ] farewell , they kissing each other with many teares . then went he to the kings bench to mr. bradford , and mr. ferrar , comforting them , and they praising god for his happy deliverance ; and so he went into london to a private friend , and the next night changed his lodging , hearing that search was made after him . for dr. watson and christopherson went to the bishop of winchester , and told him that he had set at liberty the greatest heretick in england , and one who had most corrupted the university ; whereupon the bishop sent for all the constables in london , commanding them to make diligent search for him , and promising five pound to him that could apprehend him . dr. sands suspecting the matter shifted from place to place , and appointed his man to provide him two geldings , purposing the next day to go into essex to his father-in-law mr. sands , with whom his wife was : but that night having a pair of hose too long for him , which were made without measure whilst he was prisoner in the tower , he then lodging in cornhill , requested the good wife of the house to send them to the next taylor to be cut shorter ; and it so fell out , by gods providence , that the next taylor was a protestant , and the man that made them ; he knowing the hose , went at midnight to the doctors lodging , and being admitted into his chamber , wished him not to be troubled at their unseasonable coming in : to which he answered , nothing can be amisse , what god will , that shall come to passe : then the taylor told him of the bishops sending for the constables , whereof he was one , and of their hopes to find him ; for , saith he , it 's known , that you have provided geldings , and that to morrow you are to go through algate , where you will certainly be taken : therefore let your man walk booted and spurr'd to morrow neer where your horses stand ; and in the mean time they shall be conveyed privately to bednal-green , and at a fit season i will come and convey you thither also : as you go along the streets look wildly , and if you meet your brother in the mouth , know him not , &c. accordingly doctor sands attired like a gentleman , and looking wildly , went with the taylor the next day , who conveyed him through back lanes to moore-gate , and from thence to bednal-green ; where having his horses ready , he kissed the honest taylor , and would have given him the greatest part of that little which he had , which yet he would not receive , and so with teares they parted : yet afterwards doctor sands requited him thankfully . that night he rode to his father-in-law , and within two hours after his coming , his father was informed that that night two of the guard would seek to apprehend him there ; whereupon he was presently conveyed to an honest farmers house neer the sea-side , where he was locked up two dayes and two nights in a chamber all alone , and then removed to one mower a master of a ships house at milton shore , attending a wind for his departure : and while he was there , mower brought forty or fifty mariners to him , to whom he gave such an exhortation , that they being taken with it , resolved all of them to die rather then he should be apprehended . may the sixth the wind served , and he took his leave of his host and hostesse , who had been married eight years and had no child , and when he took his leave of the woman , he thanked her kindly for his entertainment , and gave her his handkerchief with an old royall of gold in it , saying , ere a year be past , be of good comfort , god will give you a sonne ; and accordingly it came to passe ; for when there lacked but one day of a twelvemoneth , she was brought to bed of a fair son. doctor sands and doctor coxe were both in the same ship , and ere it was out of ken , two of the guard were upon the shore to have apprehended doctor sands : but god gave them a good passage ; so that they arrived safely at antwerp , and were invited to dinner to master locks house ; and as they were at dinner master george gilpin , secretary to the english house , came to them , and whispering to doctor sands , said , king philip hath sent to make search for you , and to apprehend you : hereupon he immediately rose from dinner , and though it rained very fast , yet he went out at the gate that leads towards cleveland , where meeting with a wagon , he hasted away , and came safely to ausburg in cleveland , where he tarried fourteen daies , and then travelled to strasbourgh ; where after he had continued one year , his wife came to him . there he fell sick of a great flux , which held him nine moneths , and brought him to deaths door : he had a child also that fell sick of the plague , and died . his godly , and vertuous wife also fell sick of a consumption , and died in his armes . whil'st he remained there , he was chiefly maintained by one master isaac , an english gentleman of kent , and one that suffered exile for the same cause of christ : he so entirely loved him , that he was alwaies more ready to give , then doctor sands was ready to receive ; so that he gave him above a hundred marks , which doctor sands afterwards thankfully repayed again . after the death of his wife , he travelled to zurick in switzerland , and there sojourned in the house of peter martyr for five weeks space , at the end whereof as they sate at dinner , news was brought them of queen maries death , and doctor sands by his friends was sent for back to strasbourgh . this news occasioned joy to all but doctor sands , who was stricken to the heart to think that he was called back to new sorrows . master bullinger , and the other ministers feasted him before his departure from zurick , and so he returned back to strasbourgh , where he preached , and so in the company of master grindall , he came for england , arriving at london upon the coronation-day of queen elizabeth . by her , for his singular piety and learning , he was advanced to the bishoprick of worcester an. christi . and afterwards he was removed to the bishoprick of london , an. christi . and lastly , he succeeded doctor grindall in the archbishoprick of york , anno christi . in all which places he governed the church with singular prudence , and modesty ; and having finished his course on earth , he went to receive his crown in heaven , august the eighth , anno christi . being about the age of sixty , and lies buried in the collegiate church of southwell in nottingham-shire . he was a man of whom it is hard to say , whether he were more famous for his admirable vertues , or great learning , as his sermons yet extant in print do manifest . he left many children , of which three were knights , excellently qualified both in mind , and body , especially sir edwin sands , who deserved so well of his countrey . the life of master richard greenham , who died about the year , . i can yet learn nothing concerning the countrey , parentage , or first education of mr. richard greenham . the first place , where i find him , was in pembrook-hall in cambridge , where he followed his studies so hard , and was so eminent for his proficiency in learning , that he was chosen fellow in that society , and after a while he was called to a pastoral charge at dry-drayton , not far from cambridge , and like a faithfull minister of jesus christ , he spared no paines amongst his people , whereby he might advance the good of their souls . his constant course was to preach twice on the lords day , and before the evening sermon to catechize the young people of the parish . his manner also was to preach on mundayes , tuesdayes , and wednesdayes , and on thursdayes to catechize the youth , and again on fridayes to preach to his people ; and that on these week dayes , the people might have the better opportunity to attend upon his ministry , his course was to be in the pulpit in the morning so soon as he could well see . he was so earnest , and took such extraordinary pains in his preaching , that his shirt would usually be as wet with sweating , as if it had been drenched in water , so that he was forced so soon as he came out of the pulpit to shift himself , and this wonderfull and excessive paines he took all his time . twice a day he prayed in his family , and after sermon he used to call his servants together , and examined them of what they heard , and what they remembred . and besides all these his publike labours , he studied very hard , rising every day both winter and summer , at four of the clock in the morning . he was very eminent for his charity to the poor ; whereof we have this notable example : in a time of scarcity , when barley was at ten groats the bushell , ( which in those daies was an extraordinary price ) he by his prudence brought it to passe , that the poor had it sold to them for four groats the bushell of every husbandman in the town ; and thus he effected it . there were about twenty plough-holders in the town , all which he by his holy perswasions drew to an agreement amongst themselves , to hire a common granary , and therein to lay up corn for the poor , some more , some lesse , every man accordingly to his ability ; so that some laid up one coom , some a quarter , some three cooms , and master greenham himself laid in five cooms , all which was delivered out to the poor at a groat a peck . there was one day in the week appointed for all the poor to come and be served , at which time every one received according to their charge ; where there were but two in a family , they received one peck a week , and so more according to that proportion ; only no family had above three pecks a week . he kept but two beasts himself , that the poor might have his straw , and when other men sold their straw for two shillings the dayes thresh , he sold his for ten pence : so that in that dear time all the poor in the parish had been well neer famished , had it not been for his prudence , and liberality , which he also continued , till the price of corn abated , which was suddainly , and extraordinarily ; for that corn which was sold for a noble the bushell , was within one moneth after sold for fourteen pence the bushell . but during the fore-mentioned dearth , by publike order , the bushels were cut , and made lesse ; this master greenham preached much against , and publikely reproved wheresoever he came , and withall gave his man a charge , that if the clerk of the market sent for his bushell to cut it , he should not carry it in , which was done accordingly , for which he came into some trouble , but the lord delievered him out of the same . also at this time though his bushell was bigger then other mens , yet he would often charge his man not to strike off all the corn. he used not to trouble himself with reckonings and accounts , but would sometimes ask his man when he came from the market , how he sold corn ? and if it was dear , he would say , i pray god bring down the price of it ; and if it was cheap , he would heartily blesse god for it . yea , his charity was not onely extended to the poor of his own parish , but to others also ; for if at any time he had seen a poor body at a distance from him as he rode abroad , he would send his man with money to him , and when at any time he rode by the castle at cambridge , the prisoners would never ask him for any thing , nor any one that was with him , for if he had any money in his purse , they were sure to have part of it . by reason of his great liberality , though his living was worth a hundred pound per annum , yet he usually wanted money to get in his harvest , so that his wife ( formerly doctor bounds widow ) was forced to borrow money to supply that want : yet was he so well content with his present condition , that though he had proffers of livings worth three of that which he had , yet would he by no meanes be perswaded to accept of them . he was a great friend to , and promoter of peace and concord amongst his neighbours and acquaintance , insomuch that if any had come to him who were at variance , he would either have made them friends himself , or if he could not prevail , he would have made use of other friends to reconcile them together , thereby to prevent their going to law. when martin mar-prelate came first out , master greenham being to preach at saint maries in cambridge , spake freely against that book , manifesting his dislike of the same : for ( said he ) the tendency of this book is to make sinne ridiculous , whereas it ought to be made odious . on a time the bishop of ely sent for him to appear about his non-conformity : at which time the bishop told him that there was a great schisme in the church , asking him where the blame was to be 〈◊〉 , whether upon the conformists , or non-conformists ? to which ●e readily answered , that it might lie on either side , or on neither side : for ( said he ) if they loved one another as they ought , and would do all go●● offices each for other , thereby maintaining love and concord , it lay 〈◊〉 neither side : otherwise , which party soever makes the rent , the schisme lies upon their score . the bishop was so pleased with this answer , that he dismissed him in peace . he was much troubled with a bad concoction , whereby he had frequent sick nights , which kept him much waking ; but then his manner was ( as much as possibly he could ) to spend the time in meditation and prayer . we have before heard of his great charity to mens bodies : his charity to souls was not lesse exemplary . for having great experience , and an excellent faculty to relieve and comfort distressed consciences , he was sought to , far and neer , by such as groaned under spiritual afflictions and temptations ; all whom he entertained friendly and familiarly , without respecting the person of the rich more then of the poor . yea the fame of this spiritual physician so spread abroad , that he was sent for to very many , and the lord was pleased so farre to blesse his labours , that by his knowledge and experience many were restored to joy and comfort , out of unspeakable and insupportable terrours and torments of conscience . if the lord had not so soon translated him out of this sinfull and miserable world , there was none more fit , nor willing to have prescribed rules , and a method to be observed in this so little a known art. of his good will herein , let his own words testifie the forward desires of his heart : for upon a special occasion he thus speaketh of himself ; i have had ( saith he ) for a long time a settled resolution , ( which i hope is from god ) to study the cases of conscience , that thereby i may be the better able to succour the tempted and perplexed in spirit . he was filled with bowels of compassion towards the afflicted , sympathizing , as if he had been afflicted with them . many godly and learned friends of his , perceiving his abilities and inclination thereto , did labour much to excite and incourage him in those studies , upon these and the like grounds . first , that he might hereby the better train up some young men in the like studies , communicating his knowledg and experiences to them therein . secondly , that he might leave to posterity a commentary of such particular maladies as god had made him instrumental in the cure of , together with the meanes by him used for effecting of the same . and because precepts are wanting , rules of direction might be framed , partly by his own observation , partly by conference with other learned and experienced persons , whereby in that , and the age following , that art might be brought into some form and method , to the publick good and benefit of many , not only fo● the fruitfull curing , but also for the healthfull preventing of manifold mischiefs . to such as complained to him that they were troubled with ●●●sphemous thoughts , his counsell was , that they should not fear them , but abhorre them . and when some poor christians were miserably afflicted with feares , that they had commited that unpardonable sinne against the holy ghost , he used to tell them , that if they would not have committed it , it was certain that they had not faln into it . the graces of gods spirit did all abundantly shine forth in this man of god : all tempered , as with unfeigned love to christ , so with bowels of love and compassion towards men ; and he again was greatly beloved of all men . in the whole course of his ministry , he was very carefull ever to avoid ( as much as was possible ) all occasions of offence , desiring in all things to approve himself as a minister of christ , and workman that needed not to be ashamed . he much rejoyced in , and praised god for the happy government of queen elizabeth , and for the blessed calm and peace which the church and people of god enjoyed under the same , speaking often of it , both publickly , and privately , as he had occasion , endeavouring to stirre up the hearts of all men ( as much as in him lay ) to praise god with him for it , and to pray also for the continuance thereof . yea this matter so affected him , that the day before his departure out of this world , his thoughts were much troubled , for that most men were so unthankfull for those wonderfull and happy deliverances , which the lord of his mercy vouchsafed to that glorious queen , from the conspiracies and dangerous practices of her popish adversaries . he was a special instrument and meanes under god to incourage , and train up many godly and learned young men in the holy service of christ , in the work of the ministry ; and to restrain , and reduce not a few from errours and schisme ; striving by all meanes to retain them in obedience to the lawes of the land , and to provoke them highly to prize , and preciously to esteem the peace of the church , and people of god. having continued at dry-drayton about the space of twenty , or one and twenty years , he left it , and went from thence to london , about the year , or . yet was very carefull before his remove to get an honest and able man to succeed him in that place . the causes of his removal , were partly the untractablenesse and unteachablenesse of that people amongst whom he had taken such exceeding great paines . for besides his publick preaching and catechizing , his manner was to walk out into the fields , and to conferre with his neighbours as they were at plough : and partly he did it upon supposall that he might do farre more good in a more publick place by comforting afflicted consciences , wherein the lord had given him such an admirable dexterity . he wholly spent himself in the service of god and his church , and therefore often made use of that saying of the prophet david : the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up . he was a little man of stature , and usually indifferent well in health ; but when at any time he was sick , he would suffer no body to sit up and watch with him , that so he might more freely converse with god. he continued not in london above the space of two years , but being quite worn out , he comfortably and quietly resigned up his spirit unto god , anno christi , . and about the sixtieth year of his age . he hath a volume of sermons , and treatises of divinity in print . mr. tho : cartwright . the life of master thomas cartwright , who died , anno christi , . thomas cartwright was born in hertfordshire , about the year . and being by his parents kept at school till he was fit for the university , he went to cambridge and was admitted into saint johns colledge , anno . he there followed his studies exceeding hard , and being a man of excellent natural parts , he profited in learning more then ordinary ; he never used to sleep above five houres in a night , which custom he continued to his dying day . three years after , at the death of king edward the sixt , he left the university , and betook himself to the service of a counsellor , yet followed his studies very hard , as taking more pleasures therein , then in the study of the law ; thus he continued till the beginning of queen elizabeths reign , at which time his master meeting with doctor pilkinton , master of saint johns colledge in cambridge , he told him of his mans learning and studious disposition ; the doctor desired to speak with him , and thereby perceiving his great abilities , and hopefulnesse , with his masters consent , he took him again to saint johns colledge , where his proficiency and progresse both in the arts and tongues , was so eminent , that anno . he was chosen fellow in that colledge , and about three years after he was removed to a fellowship in trinity-colledge , where for his great worth , he was ere-long made one of the eight senior-fellows . anno . queen elizabeth coming to cambridge , great preparation was made for her entertainment , and four of the eminentest men in the university , being chosen to keep a philosophy act before her , he was one of them , who performed it with extraordinary abilities , to the great content and satisfaction both of the queen and his other auditors . anno . he commenced batchelor of divinity , and three years after he was chosen to be the lady margarets divinity-reader . he read upon the first and second chapters of the acts of the apostles , and performed it with such acutenesse of wit , and solidity of judgment , as caused admiration in his hearers : and even at that time he was so famous for his ministry , that when his turn came to preach at saint maries , the sextone was fain to take down the windows , by reason of the multitudes that came to hear him . in his lectures he was occasioned to discover his judgment about church-discipline , which the doctors and heads in the university took very hainously , as being dangerous and destructive to the present hierarchy , whereupon he was convented before the vice-chancellour , doctor may , and other doctors , and examined upon sundry articles , or propositions of doctrine delivered by him publickly in his lectures , and elsewhere , which they affirmed to be contrary to religion received , and allowed by publick authority in this realm , and thereupon they demanded whether he would stand to , or revoke the said opinions and doctrines delivered by him . master cartwright upon deliberation , desired that he might have leave to set down in writing what his judgment in those things was , and what he would stand to ; which being granted , he drew up in six propositions what his judgment was ; and setting his hand to it , delivered it to the vice-chancellor , who thereupon admonished him to revoke the same , and upon his refusal , punished him by the substraction of his stipend , and so he continued in his lecture that year . but the year after , doctor whitgift being chosen vice-chancellour , he again convented him before him , requiring his absolute answer whether he did mind to teach his auditors otherwise , revoking that he had before taught , or whether he would abide in the maintenance of the same ? unto this master cartwright answered , that for the propositions delivered by him under his hand to doctor may , and now shewed to him , they were his own hand writing , such as he had openly taught , and still continued fully determined to maintain and defend as truths . hereupon after master cartwright had a while withdrawn , and the vice-chancllor had conferred with the other doctors , master cartwright was again called for , and this definitive sentence was pronounced against him by the vice-chancellour , doctor whitgift , that perceiving that no admonition would help , but that he still persisted in the same mind , he did therefore pronounce him , the said master cartwright , to be removed from his said lecture , and by his finall decree or sentence did then and there remove him , and declare the said lecture to be void ; and that he minded , according to the foundation thereof , to proceed to the election of a new reader . and further he did then and there by vertue of his office , inhibit the said master cartwright from preaching within the university and the jurisdiction of the same . now that the reader may be better satisfied what the arricles were which master cartwright drew up , and signed with his hand , and for which this sentence was passed upon him , i shall here set them down in his own words , as i have them transcribed out of the original , standing upon record in the registry of the university of cambridge . . archiepiscoporum , & archidiaconorum nomina simul cum muneribus , & officiis sunt abolenda . . legitimorum in ecclesia ministrorum nomina , qualia sunt episcoporum , & diaconorum separata à suis muneribus in verbo dei descriptis , simpliciter sunt improbanda , & ad institutionem apostolicam revocanda : ut episcopus in verbo , & precibus , diaconus in pauperibus curandis versetur . . episcoporum cancellariis , aut archidiaconorum officialibus , &c. regimen ecclesiae non est committendum , sed ad idoneum ministrum , & presbyterum ejusdem ecclesiae deferendum . . non oportet ministrum esse vagum , & liberum , sed quisque debet certo cuidam gregi addici . . nemo debet ministerium tanquam candidatus petere . . episcoporum tantum autoritate , & potestate , ministri non sunt creandi : multo minus in musaeo , aut loco quopiam clanculario : sed ab ecclesia electio fieri debet . hisce reformandis , quisque pro sua vocatione studere debet ( vocationem autem intelligo ) ut magistratus authoritate , minister verbo , omnes precibus promoveant . per me thomam cartwright . master cartwright being thus driven from the university , not long after , finding the way for the exercise of his ministry in england obstructed , he went beyond the seas to visit other reformed churches , where he grew acquainted with the famousest men for piety and learning in christendome , with whom he kept correspondence all his life after . he was also highly prized by them , insomuch as beza writing about that time into england to a friend of his , hath this expression ; est quidam anglus nobiscum , nomine thomas cartwright , &c. here is now with us your countreyman thomas cartwright , then whom i think the sun doth not see a more learned man , &c. he was also chosen preacher to the english merchants at antwerp , and afterwards at middleburrough , where he did very much good by his ministry , the lord blessing his labours exceedingly in those parts ; and when he understood that the merchants , by whom he was maintained , through their great losses decayed in their estates , he returned his salary to them again . not long after he came over into england , being earnestly sollicited thereunto by letters from master dearing , master fulk , master wiburne , master leaver , and master fox ; about which time the non-conformists having drawn up an admonition to the parliament for the reformation of the church , doctor whitgift , who was then preferred to the arch-bishoprick of canterbury , answered the same in print ; whereupon the ministers which wrote the admonition , consulting , but not agreeing upon the choice of one to reply to doctor whitgift , master cartwright was at last chosen by lot to undertake it , and performed it so well , that his very adversaries were heard to advance and commend him for it . yet was he with divers other of the non-conformists brought into the high commission court , where , for refusal of the oath ex offiicio , they were clapt up in prison , and afterwards proceeded against in the star-chamber ; but it pleased god so to order it by his providence that those very witnesses which were brought to accuse them , did so clear them , that they were dismissed , and sent home much more honoured and beloved then they were before . whilst master cartwright was prisoner in the fleet , he had thirty pounds sent him from a noble friend , of which he took but ten shillings , returning the rest with many thanks to the donor ; and when the earl of leicester offered him the provostship of eeaton-colledge , saying , that it was a hundred pounds a year more then enough , besides the conveniency of the place ; master cartwright answered , that the hundred pounds more then enough was enough for him . about the year . his fame was so spread through the reformed churches , that king james , then king of scotland , sent for him , profering to make him professor in the university of saint andrews : whereof twenty years after , upon king james his coming into england , master cartwright makes mention in his epistle before his commentary upon ecclesiastes , which he dedicated to king james , returning humble thanks for that royal favour . the arch-bishop of dublin also sent for him into ireland , proffering him preferment in that kingdom . he was sent to from divers eminent divines beyond the seas , wherein they craved his advice for the direction of young men in the method of their studies , as also in the behalf of the churches in general , for his counsell in regulating their proceeding in the waightiest affairs . also about the same time the earl of leicester preferred him to be master of his hospital at warwick , which place was worth to him about one hundred pounds per annum : his imployment was to pray with the poor men twice a day , to catechise twice a week , and to preach once on the lords day at the parish church : this place he willingly and thankfully accepted of , because he was therein exempted from the jurisdiction of the prelates . his carriage and deportment was such , that there was not a nobleman or gentleman of quality in all the country that looked heaven-ward , or was of any account for religion and learning , but they sought to enjoy his company , and found much pleasure and content therein ; for his conversation was such , that scarce a word came from his mouth that was not of some good use and concernment . he was of a very laborious and indefatigable spirit ; it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his heavenly father ; so that besides all his paines in writing , and in the hospital , he preached every sabbath-day in the morning about seven a clock in the lower parish of warwick , and , when he could be suffered , in the upper parish in the afternoon ; besides which , he preached a lecture on satturdayes in the afternoon in the upper church , in which he went over a great part of the proverbs , and ecclesiastes with singular judgment and profit ; and this he did of his own free will , without demanding or receiving one penny for his paines . and whereas he was sometimes suspended by the bishops from preaching in the churches , his manner was at those times to preach in the hospital , whither many resorted to hear him , though they were sure to be brought into the bishops courts for the same . presently after his coming to warwick , the english seminary at rhemes published their version of the new testament , and annotations upon it in english , which coming over into england , it was looked upon by all as a book of dangerous concernment , and therefore fit to be answered by the ablest pen that could be found ; hereupon ( as i have heard ) queen elizabeth sent to beza to request him to undertake the answer ; but he modestly excused it , and returned answer that she had one in her own kingdom , far abler then himself to undertake such a task , and upon further enquiry declared that it was master thomas cartwright . then sir francis walsingham , a man of eminent place and power , who herein , as in other affairs , was accounted the mouth and hand of the queen and state , wrote to master cartwright , earnestly requesting him to undertake the work , assuring him also of such aid as should further him in the finishing thereof ; for which end he sent him one hundred pounds towards the charges of buying books , and procuring writers which were to be employed by him therein ; this was anno . the same year also he was earnestly sollicited by the most learned men of the university of cambridge by a solemn epistle , with joynt consent written to him to undertake the answer , wherein amongst other passages they have these expressions ; with you we are earnest ( most reverend cartwright ) that you would set your self against the unhallowed endeavours of these mischievous men , either by refuting the whole book , or at least some part thereof . it is not for every man work-man-like to frame gods tabernacle , but for bazaleel and aholiab ; neither is every one rashly to be thrust forth into the lords battels ; but such captains are to be chosen from amongst davids worthies ; of which , as we acknowledge you to be one , by the former battels undergone for the wals of our city , the church * ; we doubt not if you will enter this war ( which truly you ought to 〈◊〉 according to the zeal and piety you bear to your countrey and religion ) but that you fighting for conscience and countrey ( yea even for the very inmost holy place of the temple ) will be able to tread underfoot the forces of the jebusites , which set themselves to assault the tower of david . moreover , ( which may marvellously sharpen the edge of your courage ) you are not now to fight with a brother , or fellow of the same religion ( which maketh the conflict more faint ) but with the most inveterate enemies of jesus christ , &c. then they thus conclude : you see to what an honourable fight we invite you . christs business shall be undertaken against satans champions . we stir you up to fight the battels of our lord ; where the victory is certain , which the triumph and applause of the angels will ensue . our prayers shall never be wanting unto you . christ without doubt , whose cause is defended , will be preset with you . the lord jesus much increase your courage and strength , and keep you very long in safety for his churches good . vale. this was subscribed by roger goad , william whittaker , thomas crook , john ireton , william fulk , john field , nicholas crane , giles seintler , richard gardener , william charke , &c. but besides these , the reverend ministers of london , and suffolk did by their several letters earnestly exhort him to this work ; and master cartwright , was at last by these importunities drawn to undertake it , and neither diligence nor constancy was wanting in him to have carried it on to perfection ; but he met with such great discouragements and hinderances from potent adversaries , that he was forced often to lay pen aside ; yea arch-bishop whitgift sent him a positive command that he should deal no further in it ; yet afterwards by an earl and privy counsellor of great note , and some other noble personages , he was at last drawn to take pen in hand again ; but receiving new discouragements , and having such continual employment in the ministry , he lived not to perfect that work . whilst he was at warwick , being silenced by the bishops , he was requested by the lord zouch , governour of gernsey , to go with him into that island , with whom he continued some time , and in the mean space he substituted one master lord , a godly and holy minister , then living at woolstone , in his room at the hospital in warwick , allowing him the greatest part of the profits of the place during his abode there ; and the rest he caused to be distributed amongst the poor . he was far from seeking after great places or great things in the world , and for riches he sought them not , yea he rejected many opportunities whereby he might have enriched himself ; his usual manner was , when he had good summes of gold sent him , to take only one piece , lest he should seem to slight his friends kindnesse , and to send back the rest with a thankfull acknowledgement of their love , and his acceptance of it , professing , that for that condition wherein god had set him , he was as well furnished as they for their high and great places . his manner was not to keep any more money in his purse , but what might serve for charitable uses ; he was very bountifull to poor schollers ; he distributed money every sabbath-day amongst the poor of the town of warwick , besides what he gave to the prisoners , and upon other occasions both at home and abroad . for his houshold affairs , he never troubled himself with them , but wholly left them to be ordered and managed by the prudence of his wife . he was very carefull to regulate and order the businesses of the hospital for the best advantage of the poor brethren . he continued his diligence and assiduity in his studies even in his old age , and his usual manner was to rise at two , three , and four a clock in the morning at the latest , both summer and winter , notwithstanding that his bodily infirmities were such , that he was forced to study continually kneeling upon his knees . he was of a very meek and quiet spirit , as appears in those conflicts which he had with doctor whitgift , and doctor sutcliffe , wherein he used soft words and hard arguments ; he could not endure , so much as in private , to hear his adversaries reproached , and if any in his presence used disgracefull speeches of them , he would sharply reprove them for it , saying , that it 's a christians duty to pray for , and not to reproach his adversaries ; and when martin mar-prelates book came forth , he shewed much dislike of the satyrical and tart language used therein . he was also very humble , not enduring to hear any thing spoken in his own commendation , or any titles given him , which in the least measure savoured of ambition ; he affected not popularity , but avoided it as much as possibly he could . indeed all his ambition was to advance the kingdom and cause of our lord jesus christ , and to promote gods glory . it was the great joy and rejoycing of his heart to hear of the welfare and prosperity of the churches at home and abroad ; for this he earnestly and daily prayed ; and when he heard any ill tydings , with nehemiah he sate down and mourned , and fasted , and prayed before the god of heaven , so that all that conversed with him , might easily discern that nothing did affect him in any degree , like the good or ill tydings of the churches state . he was frequent in prayer every day , and in his younger years hath risen many times in the night to seek our private places to pray in . and as his labours were very great in the work of the ministry , so it pleased the lord to make them very successefull for the conversion and confirmation of many , and for terrour and restraint unto others . there was one master chaplin , a woollen draper , in warwick , who made a profession of religion , but many times brake out into scandalous practices ; master cartwright on a time walking with him in his garden , dealt plainly and faithfully with him , rebuking him for his miscarriages , and shewing him the dishonour that he brought to god , and the gospel thereby ; this so wrought upon chaplin , that he presently sunk down , and being carried home , died within a few hours after . in his old age , he was much troubled with the stone and gout , which much empaired his strength , yet would he not intermit his labours , but continued preaching when many times he could scarce creep up into the pulpit . the sabbath before his death , which was the last sermon that he made , december the . he preached upon eccles. . . then shall the dust return to the earth , and the spirit shall return to god who gave it . the morning before his death which was the tuesday following , he was two hours on his knees in private prayer : in which ( as he told his wife ) he found wonderfull and unutterable joy and comfort , god giving him a glimpse of heaven before he came to it , and within a few houres after he quietly resigned up his spirit unto god , december the . anno christi , . and of his age sixty eight . master dod preached his funeral sermon . during his abode in the university , he was of great power , and credit in the regent-house , so that the doctors feared lest the precisians ( as they were then called ) should choose him vice-chancellour , whereupon they procured the alteration of the statute , whereby the choice was formerly in the regent-house ; and confined the election of the vice-chancellour to one of those two whom the heads should prick . after long discontinuance master cartwright coming to cambridge , was importuned to preach on a week day in saint maries , where there was a great confluence of all sorts to hear him ; grave men ran like boys in the streets to get places in the church . after sermon he dined at master chaddertons , and many went to the house to see and hear him speak . the life of master paul baines , who died anno christi , . paul baines was born in london , and had his education in his younger years at withersfield in essex , under one master cosens , his schoolmaster , from whence , being fitted for it , he was sent to the university of cambridge , and admitted into christs colledge , where his conversation at first was so irregular , that his father being grieved at it , before his death , being intimately acquainted with one master wilson , a sailes-man in birchin-lane , he left with him forty pounds by the year , desiring him , that if his sonne did forsake his evil courses , and become an honest man , he would then give him that fourty pounds per annum , if not , that he would never let him have it . but it pleased god , not long after his fathers decease , to shew him his sinnes , and to work effectual repentance in him for the evil of his waies ; so that forsaking his former evil company and practices , he became eminent for piety and holinesse , and according to that of our saviour , much being forgiven him , he loved much . after which gracious change wrought in him by the goodnesse of god , it was not long before master wilson fell dangerously sick , and hearing how god had dealt with his master baines , he sent for him and desired him to pray with him , by which , as also by his savoury discourse , finding that what he had heard of him rather came short of the truth then exceeded it , according to that trust reposed in him , perceiving himself to be upon his death-bed , he told master baines of the fourty pounds per annum , which his father left with him , and so faithfully delivered up to him those writings of the agreement which had passed betwixt his father and him , and being like to leave behind him a wife and two children , he intreated master baines , that as he had faithfully and carefully discharged his trust towards him , so when god should take him away hence , that he would have a care of his wife and children , and be a friend to them . and master baines , after master wilsons death , that he might fully discharge that trust which was reposed in him , and also by way of gratitude for that friendship and fidelity , which he had found in master wilson , married his widow . but before this , for his eminency in learning , he was chosen fellow in christs colledge , where he so much ( through gods blessing on his studies and endeavours ) improved his time , and talents , that he became inferiour to none for sharpnesse of wit , variety of reading , depth of judgment , aptnesse to teach , holy , and pleasant language , wise carriage , heavenly conversation , and all other fulnesse of grace . by his holy life and coversation also he did largely preach to all such as came neer unto him : and for the heavenly frame of his spirit , what it was , his incomparable writings will sufficiently demonstrate to all future generations . when master perkins , who was lecturer at saint andrews in cambridge , had there for many years held forth a burning and shining light , the sparkes whereof did flie abroad into all the corners of the kingdom , and after he had served in his generation , was taken up into heaven , there was none found so meet to receive , as it were , the torch out of his hand , and succeed him in that great office of bearing it before such a people , as master baines , upon whom also the spirit of that elias was by experience found to be doubled . in which station he so demeaned himself for some years , that impiety only had cause to complain . but all that favoured the wayes of god , or savoured of religion , rejoyced , and gloried in him and his ministry , as in a spiritual and heavenly treasure . but at length the hour of darknesse came from lambeth , when arch-bishop bancroft sent master harsnet to visit in that diocesse , which was but a trick to suppresse those which were not friends to the bishops kingdom . at which time , though there were multitudes of unable , and notoriously scandalous ministers , yet none were found worthy of censure , but only master baines , of whom indeed the world was not worthy , and one other godly minister like unto him . it 's yet hard to say , whether the silencing of this good man were more odious , or the manner of it more shamelesse , which was thus : their custome was , for fashion sake , at their visitations to have a sermon , and master baines was chosen out by the visitor to preach it at this time , not out of love and respect to him , but from a designe , either to ensnare him in his words if he did not apply himself to their humour , or else to grace their ungracious courses if he did . but it succeeded not handsomly either way ; for master baines delivered holy and wholesome doctrine , appertaining to the present audience , in such a wary manner , that no specious occasion could be taken whereby to deprive him of his liberty . yet they were resolved to spit forth their malice against him , whether by fair or foul meanes , which they thus effected . master baines having heat his weak body by much straining his voice to speak to so great an auditory , sermon being ended , he retired himself presently to provide for his health , which otherwise would have been much endangered . they in the mean time going on with their businesse , according to their accustomed lordly way , called for master baines amongst the rest , and upon his not answering , though he was not cited thither as to a court , but only intreated to preach , as he did : yet for not appearing , he was immediately silenced . but afterwards the chancellour being informed that that grosse sentence was illegal , and therefore a meer nullity , he went another way to work , and sending for master baines , he urged him about subscription and conformity , and upon his refusal , to make sure work , silenced him over again . in which businesse he was so conscious to himself of unreasonable and ridiculous dealing , that when master baines , standing to receive that unjust sentence from so corrupt a man , lifted up his heart and eyes towards god , with an heavenly smiling countenance , as his manner was , the chancellour interpreted that gesture to be a scorning of his authority . after this master baines was perswaded by some of his friends to make triall of the archbishops courtesie , to whom when he had addressed himself , at the very first salutation , the gravity , and severity of arch-bishop bancroft , led him sharply to rebuke the good man for a little black-work edging upon his cuffs : telling him in a very episcopal strain : that it were a good deed to lay him by the heels for it . after which time master baines would have no more to do with such absurd and unreasonable men : but preached sometimes where he might have liberty , and as the weaknesse of his body would suffer . the rest of his time he spent in reading , writing , meditation , and prayer , saving that upon occasion he instructed and comforted those that came to him in private , wherein he had a very happy and heavenly gift . he was indeed all his life after pressed with want , not having ( as he often complained to his friends ) a place to rest his head in . yet did he never so much as consult with himself about his denying his sincerity and complying with the bishops ; of whom , and their courses , he was wont to say , they are a generation of the earth , earthly , and savour not the wayes of god. whil'st he lived a private life his wife died , and being thunder-struck by the bishops bolt , he had time and leasure to apply his able wit and judgment , about the discussing of many questions , which if the prelates had not forced such leasure upon him , it may be he would have passed by with others . he was of such an holy and heavenly temper , that he was reverenced by all good men that knew him . his manner was in the summer-time , to go from one gentlemans house to another , and happy were they that could get his company . he had such a divine and heavenly majesty in his countenance , that it would awe any man to look upon him . little recreation he used , but sometimes to play at chesse . once he was called by bishop harsnet , to the councel-table , the bishop having laid a designe to suspend and banish him under the pretence of keeping conventicles , the reason whereof was this . he was an excellent casuist , and thereupon many doubting christians repaired to him for satisfaction in cases of conscience , which the bishops would needs have to be keeping of conventicles . when he was accused hereof before the privy-councel , one of the noble-men said to him , speak , speak for your self : whereupon he made such an excellent speech , that in the midst thereof a nobleman stood up and said , he speakes more like an angel then a man , and i dare not stay here to have a hand in any sentence against him ; upon which speech they dismissed him , and he never heard more from them . upon a time he went to the house of mistresse sheafe who was his wives sister , at cranbrook in kent ; where observing that she , and others of the family used to play much at cards and such like games , as the custome was , and still is too much used in gentlemens houses , he took occasion on the sabbath day in his sermon to speak against such games : and it pleased the lord so to work upon mistresse sheafes heart by that sermon , that when she came home , she came crying to him , saying , oh brother , why would you thus suffer me to live in sinne , to the dishonour of god , and would never tell me of it before ? to which he replied , that it was best of all that god had wrought on her by the publick ministry , and that it might not have been so well if he had spoken to her in private . he was a man of much communion with god , and acquaintance with his own heart , observing the daily passages of his life , and was much exercised with spiritual conflicts , whereby he became the more able to comfort others with the same consolations which himself had received from god. he had a deep insight into the mystery of gods grace and mans corruption , as appears by his commentary upon the epistle to the ephesians . he was one that sought not after great matters in the world , being taken up with comforts and griefes unto which the world is a stranger . one that had not all his learning out of books : of a sharp wit , and clear judgment . so that though his meditations were of an higher strain then ordinary , yet he had a good dexterity , furthered by his love to do good , in explaining dark points with lightsome similitudes . his prayer in his family was not usually above a quarter of an houre long , and having respect to the weaknesse , and infirmities of his servants and children , he used to disswade others from tediousnesse in that duty . it pleased god to make him an instrument of the conversion of that holy , and eminent servant of jesus christ doctor sibbs . in his last sicknesse he had many doubts and feares , and god letting satan loose upon him , he went out of this world , with farre lesse comfort then many weaker christians enjoy . he resigned up his spirit into the hands of god , in cambridge , anno christi , . the life and death of master william bradshaw , who died anno christi , . it hath from time to time been the lot of divers persons of singular worth , and eminent parts , that they have lived in obscurity , and in a low condition , and past their time without that due respect , and regard , which their excellent endowments might justly have claimed ; partly through the shortnesse of outward supplies ; ( for , they get not up easily , though never so well deserving , that are scanted in that kinde ) partly by reason of an inward bashfulnesse , and over-awing modesty , accompanied with an undervaluing repute of themselves , and their own abilities ; and partly through the iniquity of the times , wherein they have lived , and the disaffection of those who have swayed most in the state and government under which they have resided . such was the condition of that worthy and faithfull servant of the lord , master william bradshaw , though a man richly endowed , as well with such spiritual graces , as in truth are of highest esteem , being peculiar to gods favourites , that have interest in his christ , as with such gifts and parts also , as might , and did render him usefull and instrumental for the publick good of gods people ; yet never enjoying any plentifull condition ; howsoever never prone to complain of want ; nor forward at any time , or in any place to put himself forth , as having ever a very low and mean conceit of his own parts , and admiring in others , what his own eye either could not descry , or would not take notice of ( howsoever to others conspicuous enough ) in himself ; and being never suffered to continue long quiet in any setled place of more publick imployment , through the envy and malice of some that had a jealous eye on him , and the disturbances of him in the work of his ministry , set on foot by others ill-affected towards him , but accrewing from the same , pursued by some of those , who were of greatest power and authority in ecclesiastical affairs , and could not brook any , that did not in all particulars comply with them and their courses , as they conceived him not to do . he was born at bosworth , a market-town in leicestershire , famous for the battell fought near to it , wherein that bloody usurper , richard the third lost his crown , ( attained by the unnatural murther of his two nephews in their non-age , ) together with his life . his father nicholas bradshaw , though descended from an ancient family of the bradshaws in lancashire , with the crest of whose coat therefore being a buck browzing , this our brother used to seal ; yet living but in a mean condition , and being not so well able therefore to train this his son up in learning as he desired ; an uncle that he had at worcester undertook the education of him ; whether being master of the free-school there , as some have supposed , or of some other profession , as some other conjecture : for that he hath been heard to report , that master william may , ( who was sometime by the turky merchants imployed at aleppo , and afterward lived and ended his dayes in or about london , a man of more then ordinary skill in the learned languages , and in exposition of scripture very accurate and exact ) was teacher in a publick school at worcester , while he lived there ; relating withall , what a neat man he then was , howsoever in his after-dayes he grew cynically sordid , and by his uncouth deportment and jealous disposition , made himself nothing so usefull to others , as otherwise he might have been . but however it was for his uncles profession , under him ( who by some relations of his may not improbably be deemed to have been a scrivener or publike notary ) he was brought up and kept at school , untill it pleased god to bereave him of this support by his death . after whose decease , returning home to his father at bosworth , he was enforced , though very much against his minde and desire , to intermit the prosecution of his studies in literature for some space of time ; his father now designing him to some other course of life out of despaire of maintaining him in a way so chargeable , as his meanes , being not large , would not reach unto ; especially having other children , three sons and two daughters to provide for , besides him . but while the disposall of him hung thus in suspence , it pleased the lord ( who is wont to have a more speciall providence over those , whom in his secret purpose he hath fore-designed unto the work of his ministry , to have them fitted for the same ) to stir up the spirit of one master ainsworth , a man of much worth , then school-master at ashby de la zouch in leicestershire , to divert his parents purpose of disposing him to any other imployment . for by his favour , ( having taken notice of his capacity , industry , eager desire of farther progresse in good literature , fitnesse of disposition to be wrought upon to that purpose , and by some buds sprouting out from such seeds thereof as had already been sown in him , conceiving good hopes of such future fruits , as did accordingly ensue ) he was taken into the free-school there ; where he so profited , and made so successefull a proceed , that after a years continuance , being then about eighteen years of age , he was deemed sufficiently fitted and furnished for the university ; and in the year . was , together with that worthy man of great renown , joseph hall , after bishop of exceter first , then of norwich , and hugh cholmeley , ( who had both been trained up in the same schooll with him , and did continue also afterward a kinde affection to him , and friendly correspondence with him ) he was admitted into emanuel colledge in cambridge ; where with them also he followed his studies under the tuition of that reverend divine master gilbie , then fellow of that colledge ; being there maintained , partly by the allowance of some gentlemen his fellow-pupils under the same tutor ; and partly by some supplies afforded him from two noble knights of the honourable house of the hastings , sir edward and sir francis , ( on the latter of whom his father also had some dependence ) upon the recommendation , and at the motion of that worthy servant of god , now with god , master arthur hildersham , who was himself also allied to that family . in the colledge with these supports he continued , husbanding his time to the best advantage , with an abundant blessing of god upon his sedulous endeavoures , to a clear evidence of large improvement , manifesting it self in such scholerly exercises , as his time and place there required ( in the performance whereof speciall notice was taken of him , as an acute and eager disputant ) untill he had taken both degrees , first that of batcheler , and after that of master of arts. but then , being not capable of a fellowship in that colledge , for that the statutes of the house admitted not above one of the same shire , and of that one for leicester-shire master joseph hall before-mentioned , being of the same time and standing with him , was already possessed ; and having refused a vicarage , endowed with some competent yearly revenue , by that noble knight sir edward hastings one of his patrons tendered him , not daring yet to adventure on a work of that nature ; master laurence chaderton then master of the colledge , and the first from the very foundation of it , bearing a singular affection to master bradshaw , as well for his parts of learning , as for his pious deportment , but being unable for the cause above-mentioned to bring him in there , cast about with himself , how to procure a place , and get some employment for him elsewhere . some years before , that right honourable and thrice noble lady , frances sidney , countesse of sussex , had by her last will and testament given order for the erecting and endowing of a colledge in cambridge , to be furnished with a certain number of fellows and scholars under one master or head. the colledge was now in building , by the provision of the right honourable the earl of kent , and sir john harrington , instructed by her for the performance of that work ; and master james mountague sonne to sir edward mountague , then living as fellow-commoner , but student in divinity , among the fellows of christs colledge , was designed for master . with him dealt master chaderton in master bradshaws behalf ; to have him set down for a fellows place there : which through his mediation was from those noble trustees without difficulty obtained . but because some space of time would runne out , ere the building of the colledge could be consummated and made fit for receipt ; it was thought good in the interim , to dispose of mr. bradshaw for some imployment elsewhere , untill he might be setled there . it fell out ( god so disposing it ) that sir thomas leighton governour of guernsey , wanting one to be imployed about the instruction and education of his children , and having requested that worthy servant of christ master cartwright , abiding then at cornet-castle with him , to write unto master chaderton , to furnish them with one fit for such a charge , this letter of master cartwrights arrived with master chaderton in that juncture of time , wherein he and master montague had this businesse in agitation about master bradshaw : and the matter being by them broken to him , who referred himself wholly to what they should advise ; it was joyntly agreed , that master bradshaw should be sent , or lent rather , unto them , to undertake that charge , and continue in the discharge of it , untill the colledge building were compleated , wherein upon return thence he was then to reside . thither therefore long without delay , being furnished with letters of recommendation from those here to them there , he addressed himself ; and , through gods goodnesse , arriving safe there , was with all kinde and courteous entertainment by them received . by this occasion he became throughly known to , and inwardly acquainted with master cartwright , who highly esteemed of him , renewed , or pursued rather his acquaintance with him , after both master bradshaws , and his own return also into england , ( as may appear by entercourse of letters yet to be seen , written by him to master bradshaw , while he stayed behind him in guernsey , and from warwick also after his departure from thence ) and to his dying day continued expressions of entire affection to him , and due respect of him , as also both before and after his decease , his children , both sonne and daughters , and those that they were matched unto , rnd his widow also , did . and indeed such was his demeanure , wheresoever he came , that he left behind him a gratefull memory of him , in the hearts and minds of all well affected , that had occasion to take notice of it ; not unlike therein to musk or civet , that leave a sweet sent behind them , even for a long time after they be gone , in the boxes wherein they were formerly kept , the which continued after his departure thence , not among the french ministers alone in that island , but among such also of the old garrison souldiers , on whom master cartwrights ministry had had some efficacious and gracious work ; who , as sir peter osburn , who had afterward the government of that place , hath been heard to relate , would be oft talking of one master bradshaw , that had lived sometime there , and speak with much affection of him . but for his constant carriage during his abode there , his piety , industry , integrity , fidelity in discharge of the trust reposed in him , and charge committed to him , together with his course of life and conversation otherwise unreproveable ; as also the love and affection to him , earnest desire , if it might have been , of his continuance with them , and loathnesse to leave him , with these , who were , after some time spent among them there , then to part with him ; all these things will by no meanes better appear , then by the letters of that sincere servant of god , and constant champion of christ , master thomas cartwright of holy memory , and the relations concerning him therein contained , being written and directed to divers in these parts , either neer upon , or at master bradshaws departure from thence . among others , in one to sir francis hastings of september the fifth , . wherein he assures him of his diligence in following his studies , and of his sharp and ready capacity , likely through gods blessing to bring forth such fruit of learning , as he might have good cause to rejoyce over any cost that he had been at with him , or should farther bestow that way on him ; as also , of his love to the best things , and his conversation in the family without reproach , for ought he could learn , having had an eye constantly on him . in another to master chaderton of december the fifth , ( the time , it seems of his departure thence ) wherein he thankfully acknowledgeth the great benefit they had received by master bradshaw , procured by him to take so long and painfull a journey to them , and his wise and loving care in so good provision for them ; returning thanks also to him , from sir thomas leyghton the governour , and his honourable lady for him ; and withall requesting him , that they may once again taste of his accustomed love and care in that kind . and in another yet more fully of the same date to master mountague in these words ; the law commandeth , that of things borrowed great care should be had for the well usage and due restoring of them . both which we have endeavoured in master bradshaw : but the full performance must rest rather in yours and his acceptation , then in pay . for as touching the former of them , his desert of care to profit those committed to his charge , and his behaviour otherwise in the house , hath been more then every one is able to esteem , and therefore in all respects not so fit to reward . for the other , ( unless unwilling parting with him on all hands be against duty ) you shall ( we hope in the lord ) have him duly restored ; out of all doubt with all thankfulness to your worship , by whose kindness , both we have enjoyed him some good time , sithence you of right might have taken him away , and he hath received a supply of recompence for that we were not able to make good unto him . and so with hearty thanks and commendations from the governour and his honourable lady , and my humble thanks for your love , and this fruit i have received thereof by master bradshaw , i commend you to the gracious keeping and blessing of god in jesus christ. unto this letter master mountague now master of the colledge , upon master bradshaws access thither , returneth answer , both thanking him , for the remitting of him to them ; ( so that on no side thanks for him were wanting , so well was he esteemed of on either part ) and withall advertising him of a very great danger , and no lesse deliverance , that neer unto his journeys end had betided him . whereunto master cartwright in a letter of march . the same year thus replieth ; sir , it cometh from the abundance of your love , to thank me for that which duty it self required at my hands towards master bradshaw , and therefore the thanks are returned unto you , who esteem so highly of duty , as to let it go in the account of a benefit or good turn . my hope is the same with yours , that the lord , who by deliverance of him from so great a death , bindeth him to a straighter obedience , hath set such an impression of it in his mind , as will be in stead of a watch to waken him every morning to all cheerfull service , which his place will require . and indeed the letter he wrote of that matter , carrieth that sound , and even undertakes so much in his behalf . and in one to master bradshaw himself , after receipt of that from him , touched upon in the close foregoing ; that the lord our most mercifull father delivered you from so great a death , it pledges unto you deliverances hereafter , especially if they be inferiour to this . so much the rather , as the swimmer sunk like a piece of lead , and he that could no more swim then the iron-head of the scholars hatchet , was graciously born up : and therefore by how much the proverb is true , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by so much we have cause to praise god , that by the angel of the waters saved you : and withall you may help to incourage others against the excessive fear of drowning in passing the seas : seeing it was more safe to you to passe the winter-seas , even when they rage most , then the small brook of hawston - mills . i remembred you to sir thomas and my lady ; who told me that if any entertainment would have holden you , they would not have suffered you to have gone from them , and rejoyced much at your gracious escape . subscribed , your assured loving brother and fried , thomas cartwright . the escape in those letters mentioned was this : master bradshaw being to leave guernsey , shipped himself for england . nor was his passage by sea wholly free from hazard , for with so violent a storm were they surprized at sea , that the passengers most of them expected nothing but wrack , and a gentlewoman among them , with another , whom she much affected attending upon her , did in a cord , by the waste fasten themselves either to other , that they might perish together , and draw their last breath , or breath it out rather , in the mutuall embraces either of other . but that storm being allaied , and the danger of it over , and the ship with her passengers now arrived in safety , master bradshaw having attained london , did there hire a hackney , such as are commonly used on that road , to convey him to cambridge , there to enter upon the fellowship prepared for him , and assigned unto him ; by help of which beast , he got so far on his way in safety , that he was now within three miles of his journeys end . but danger oft lieth in wait for us , where we least of all either expect or suspect it ; and then many times overtakes , and surprizeth us unawares , when we deem our selves wholly past danger , and are neer approaching our intended , much desired , and now fully expected port , and have alwaies need therefore both of an eye of providence constantly on us , and of an hand of protection continually over us . for being there to passe a small brook crossing the road near to a village called hawston , and the water-mills seated on it , thence hawston mills ; he that had escaped so eminent and apparent a danger at sea , lighten on , and fell into that unexpectedly , that proved much more hazardous on land , where no appearance was of ought in that kind : for being unacquainted with the course of the stream , otherwise passed ordinarily , and that daily without danger , and having not fetched a compasse far enough , as he ought to have done , the beast that bare him plunged suddainly into the mill-pond , or pit ; and being not able to recover it self , therein perished , and there left him floating in a strong vertiginous current , unskilfull in swimming , ( nor had any such skill in likelihood been available in such a case to have saved him ) and altogether unable to shift for himself ; where he must of necessity have gone the same way with the beast , had not either some one occasionally looking out of the mill , or some passenger on the way , espying one floating in that manner , and at the very pinch of perishing , called hastily on the miller , or those next at hand to let slip down the flood-gates ; by means whereof the stiffe current of the water-course was stayed , and this servant of god , though not without much difficulty , rescued out of the water , and delivered unexpectedly out of that his , in a manner , even desperate distresse . and it may indeed justly be deemed a wonder of wonders , ( in regard whereof that venerable minister of christ before-mentioned , seems to have apprehended the ministry of an angel used in it ) that he was not suddainly in an instant , either swallowed up in that whirling gulf , or hurried away with the violent course of the current , and that he should bear up and keep above water , so long in a place of that nature . for he hath been heard to relate , that while he continued thus floating and strugling with that wheeling surface , it troubled him not a little , that he could not addresse himself as he desired to prepare for his departure , though having nothing but death in his eye , while his ear was taken up with the voice of some talking in the mill , from whom he supposed yet some help might come , though neither was he able to call unto them , nor they to hear him . thus even gods children themselves find a defect oft in themselves , that they cannot with such an exact composure of spirit , in times of distress address themselves unto god , untill he have pulled away all outward prosperity , as well hopes , as helps from them . but being by a special providence of god thus recovered , and as another moses drawn out of the water , and brought into the millers house , he was there shifted , and put into such dry apparell , as the miller himself used to wear ; in which garb when some of his acquaintance found him , who upon tydings of of this occurrent , came posting over to him from cambridge , they could not forbear smiling to see him sitting in that habit , though not a little affected with the casualty occasioning it , and no lesse heartily gladned for the gracious issue that god hath pleased to afford it , and expressing much thankfulnesse for his mercy and goodnesse therein manifested . the lord it may seem would hereby fit this his servant reserved to other hot and hazardous services , unto a farther and firmer dependance in and under them upon him . but thus his horse lost , ( which to the carrier its owner , as by his default mis-carrying , requiring it , was made good ) being after his escape and recovery somewhat revived and refreshed , and fitted again with a wonted suit , he was with some of those his acquaintance accompanied to cambridge , and repaired to the colledge ; where having presented himself to the master , he was entertained in the chamber of one of the fellows , that assigned him , being not yet fit to receive him , ( as indeed they came all to very raw chambers at first ) and the use of that offered him , untill his own could be fitted and furnished for him : which being his first entertainment there , albeit but a sorry courtesie to speak of , yet did so affect him , as upon occasion , to some of his familiar friends he afterward professed , ( of so ingenuous and gratefull a disposition he was , and so prone with thankfulnesse to acknowledge , and to set an high rate on the least kindnesse shewed him , or meanest office done for him ) that it laid the ground-work , or first stone thereof at least with him , for such an union of inward and entire affection , and well fastned knot of unreserved familiarity and strictest friendship , as did afterward ensue between them two , and so continued , not only while they abode in the colledge together , by a mutual communication of their studies , counsels , courses and purposes either to other ; but even after also , when through distance of abode they were severed the one from the other , by a constant course of vicissitudinary writing , therein advising either with other , and discussing mutually such questions and doubts , wherewith either of them were occasionally encountred ; by meanes whereof they received much help and light either from other ; and albeit in some particulars either not so clear , or not so cleared to their joynt apprehensions , their judgment might , and did sometime differ , ( which having on occasion professed to a friend , desiring to know their joynt judgment in a case then questioned , and seeming to marvell that they two should be of divers minds in ought , he made answer , that it was no wonder at all , it might rather be wondred , considering mans condition in intellectuals , so impaired and clouded , that any two seriously set upon the search of truth , should not in many particular cases dissent ; yea that if in every particularity they should wholly concurre , it might seem to savour rather of a cunningly contrived compact or conspiracy , then a reall and rational consent ) yet where by force of argument they seemed convict , or any mistake manifested , they were ready to yeeld , and did indeed in not a few things , come home either to other , unto their mutual much advantage ; nor did their remaining differences ever produce any breach , or abatement of affection between them , but that the knot once knit , from the first to the last , continued firm and inviolate , never loosed nor slackned , so long as god was pleased to lengthen out the line of his life . in the colledge he so demeaned himself , that though the fellows were not all of one mind , or one way , and there were among them ( as usually in societies of that nature ) men of divers dispositions , and sub-divisions consequently of companies , consisting of such as more familiarly consorted , and more inwardly conversed with some few , whom selected from the rest they most affected ; yet so loving and lowly , yeelding to all , and complying with all , was his carriage , that notwithstanding he were by some deemed over-strict , and would freely as occasion was , speak his mind , and deliver his judgment , yet he retained ever the , professed at least good liking , and external kind usage from them all : where it will not be amisse to relate a speech of one of them , ( a man by occasion of some discontents strongly and strangely possessed with a spirit of jealousie and suspitiousness of every one , even his inwardest and entirest friends , which in the end proved his overthrow ) who having entertained a conceit , that something spoken by master bradshaw in a dispute should have a glance closely at somewhat that concerned him , and having discovered that his suspition to a common bosome-friend of them both , ( by whom also upon disclose of that groundless conceit , he was evidently convinced of his errour therein ) he used these words of him , although i am sure , he had a gird at me , yet the man is of so kind and loving a disposition , that i could not be angry with him , though be had broken my head . but i cannot let passe one remarkable instance that may evidently manifest in him a due temper ( which is not over-frequently found ) of freedome of spirit , and discreet demeanure , wisely mixed , and well consistent the one with the other . during his abode in guernsey , a question was on foot , among divines of special note , on either side yet in debate , concerning the lawfulness of some pecuniary contracts , wherein master cartwright having by writing declared his mind , in way of answer to some arguments objected against it : master bradshaw being required by him freely to discover his judgment therein , and seriously to consider of that his answer , albeit of himself he would not have adventured to undertake such a task ; yet being so put upon it , he did it freely and largely , with as much strength of wit and argument , ( it may not without ground be deemed ) as any have done , that have hitherto dealt on that subject ; and yet so discreetly and respectively managing the business , that though being then of a contrary judgment , he used his best forces and strongest endeavoures to shake and shatter master cartwrights grounds , yet did it not breed any breach between them , nor did it ( that could be discerned ) lessen master cartwrights either affection to him , or esteem of him ; which from time to time , as occasion was , and as in part hath already been shewed , he was ever ready to expresse . howbeit it must withall for a truth be ackowledged , that master bradshaw , howsoever in the colledge performing a divinity-problem , as they term it , did still stiffely maintain that his former tenet ; yet upon farther consideration in his latter dayes , he is known to have altered his judgment therein . while he stayed in the colledge , that he might with the more freedome employ that talent that the lord had committed unto him , he entred into the ministry ; the rather advised ( as some other also were ) so to do , while admission was yet more easie , and the way of entrance lesse obstructed , in regard of some things , which out of diversity of judgment , and tenderness of conscience he stuck at ; then was by prudent men , observing how state-businesses began to be carried , deemed like to last long . and at the motion of one master pigot , a religious gentleman residing at abington about eight miles from cambridge , he rode weekly over thither , there to preach every lords day for some good space of time ; joyning also in a weekly lecture , as he had opportunity , with some other neighbour ministers , at a greater town called bassingborn not farre thence distant . afterward he was drawn over to steeple-morden in the same shire , by one master martin , an ingenuous gentleman , who enjoying the appropriation , entertained him as a lecturer , in regard of the infirmity of the party that was possessed of the vicarage . but while he was thus taken up with employments abroad , there arose a storm against him at home , and that upon this occasion . about that time two leicestershire ministers of his acquaintance , master darrel and master moor , being questioned about the dispossession of william somers and thomas darling , ( besides some others ) supposed to be by evil spirits possessed , the one of them , to wit , darling stood stiffely in avowing the truth of the thing , and refused to acknowledge any deceit or collusion therein ; yea though many slights were used to enduce him thereunto , and letters forged and tendered to him in master darrels name , as beginning to grow somewhat suspitious of the businesse , yet nothing could prevail with him ; but the other , to wit , somers , being in like manner dealt with , and enticed by large promises of such provision to be made for him , that he should be sure not to want , nor should need to go down into his own countrey again , was perswaded to accuse master darrell to have set him on work , and taught him how to act sundry strange feats and gestures , whereby he might be deemed to be a demoniak . whereupon some of the bishops , london specially , in whose house the boyes had been kept apart , eagerly pursuing the business , the two ministers were cited into the high commission court , and there being charged with imposture , were suspended and imprisoned untill further cognizance , and master harsnet [ londons chaplain ] mean while set on work to pen and publish a virulent pamphlet against master darrell , traducing him therein as a grand impostour and jugler , and the whole action about the possession and dispossession of william somers , as a meer puppet-play . hence master darrell thus traduced , was enforced to write and publish something for the defence of himself , and clearing of his guiltlesness herein ; and so did first in a briefer narrative concerning the manner of their proceedings with him , entituled his triall ; and afterward in a larger answer to harsnet , in way of farther apology for himself . of these books some copies being sent down to cambridge , were directed to master bradshaw , and a parcell of them by him delivered to one underwood a taylor , who dispersed of them as well in the colledges as in the town . intimation hereof being given to bishop bancroft at london , that such books were in divers hands at cambridge , he writes to the vicechancellor to make diligent enquiry after the dispersers of them . he lights on underwood , whom upon examination , confessing that he had received a certain number of them from master bradshaw , he bindeth in a bond to appear upon warning before the high commission , and chargeth him withall not to give notice of ought to master bradshaw . the next morning by seven of the clock letters came from the vice-chancellor to the master of the colledge , requiring him at eight of the clock to repair unto him , and to bring master bradshaw with him . about the same time that these letters came to the master , an unknown scholar repairing to master bradshaws chamber , telleth him , that underwood was in trouble , and he should do well to look to himself . master bradshaw upon these tydings thus brought him , went presently to master wright the senior fellow of the house , to ask advice of him what to do in this case : he wished him to withdraw himself , and withall , directed him to gransden , a town about nine miles distant from cambridge , as a fit place of retire , where one master castle a gentleman well-affected , and master wrights brother-in-law , he well knew , would be right-willing to receive him . but master bradshaw resolved first to have an assay made by some other , whereby it might be discovered , what the masters mind herein was . hereupon master ward was sent for , who being requested to break the matter to the master , was right-willing and ready to undertake that office. the master mean while upon receit of the vicechancellours letter , had sent his man presently to enquire for master bradshaw at master gatakers chamber , which in his absence then discontinuing he had the charge of , and kept most in , being more convenient then his own ; he not finding him there , was returned back , just as master ward came in to the master : who upon his repair to him , having but named master bradshaw , the master , before he could deliver any part of his errand , demandeth of him where master bradshaw was , and saith he must speak with him . master ward told him , it was not safe for master bradshaw to come to him , because he was in danger of the vicechancellour . the master replied , that therefore he must come ; for that he had letters from the vicechancellour to bring him presently to him . which letters while he stept into his closet to fetch , that he might shew them to him , master ward a fast and true-hearted friend , more carefull of master bradshaws safety , then fearfull of the masters displeasure , and his own danger , stayed not the masters return , but slipt away with all speed to acquaint master bradshaw how things stood . the master at hs return missing master ward , was exceedingly enraged against him , and threatned to punish him , by setting a deep fine for example upon him . but the hour being now elapsed , which the vicechancellour had set , the master wrote back to him , that master bradshaw could not as yet be found . master bradshaw hereof advertised , albeit that all his friends there , were earnest with him to withdraw , yet for the present refused , and requested master wright to repair to the master , that by him he might understand from him , what his resolute will was , which he purposed not to withstand . master wright , according to his request , repairing to the master , found him in much heat : no nay he would have , but master bradshaw must needs go ; it would else endanger him , and endanger the colledge , &c. master bradshaw enformed hereof by master wright , not at all fearing to suffer in a good and just cause , as he deemed it to be , and no less loath to have any other endamaged , or endangered for him , ( notwithstanding that his friends were all utterly against it ) without farther dispute or delay , went presently to the master , and presented himself to him ; who entertaining him with hot and high terms , the good man answered him in a calm and meek manner , that he had no cause to be so much offended with him , or incensed against him ; he knew not of any such commission that he had , when he sent at first to him ; but sent only to him for counsell in that case , deeming it better for him to do it by some other rather then by himself ; and being loath to come into trouble in those turbulent times : ( for the earl of essex his business was then on foot ) and that so soon as he understood his pleasure , he readily condescended thereunto . the master thereupon charged him by the authority of his place , to bring him all master darrels books , that he had in his hands , and to go presently with him unto the vicechancellour ; which without farther reply he yeelded unto . but while he was gone to fetch the books , the vicechancellour sent his servant to the master , desiring him to come to himself ; and the master , his man to master bradshaw , charging him to stay within untill he returned . at his return master bradshaw of his own accord repaired to him ; who then charged him , at twelve of the clock to repair to his chamber , that he might take his answer , and a bond for his forth-coming . but doctor barwell master of christs colledge in the mean space coming to him , ( whether about that business or upon some other occasion , uncertain ) by his advice ( it seems ) the master altered his mind ; and in likelihood the rather , after much mutual consultation , and better consideration past between them , because both the masters had themselves bought of the books : for he sends for master wright , and now tells him , that it would be the best course for master bradshaw to go out of the way : which accordingly he did . the bishop of london not long after wrote again to the vicechancellour to imprison underwood , and to make farther enquiry after master bradshaw , concerning whom the master being by the vicechancellour demanded ; made answer , that he was not in the colledge : whereunto he replied , that it was best so for him , not willing ( as may be deemed ) to be used as an instrument in molesting him , if it might be avoided . the carriage of this business , together with the several overtures and circumstances of it , is out of a narrative of his own , the more particularly related , to shew both the discreet and modest , and yet ingenuous and couragious disposition of this servant of god ; and the remarkeable passages of gods providence in a concurrence of occurents so unexpectedly managed , that he should thereby be kept out of the clutches of those that were so exceeding thirsty to seize on him , and so fiercely bent against him . master bradshaw being thereof informed by some friends , and considering how the bishop persisted in enquiry after him , conceived that cambridge for the present could be no safe or quiet place for him : and having therefore withdrawn himself , though retaining his place still there , he spent his time for the space of some moneths , partly with master pigot at abington , and partly at morden with master martine , in which places he had formerly exercised his ministry , and as occasion required , so still did . thus there hovering , in a letter to a speciall friend , whose good opinion of him he much valued , he thus writes ; i fear it will be somewhat offensive unto you , and that you will condemn me for being too rash and indiscreet in this matter . but i trust you will consider that the thing i have done , was to pleasure most good and christian friends ; that the cause , it is the cause of god , and the glory of god hath been much increased by it , by reason of the truth of god shining therein ; unto which i could not perform a less duty ; there being nothing in the books ( as i am perswaded ) against the state ; howsoever there are many hot words , that might have been spared , though none that have not been deserved . i wish they had past my poor censure before the coming forth of them , they should not then have given so much advantage to the enemies of the truth . i will ( god willing ) flie the danger as much as i can , especially in these troublesome and tragicall times , which seem of purpose to be chosen , that they might do the more injury , and the speech may be the less . and in another to the same party ; my danger for master darrel troubleth me not a whit , i thank god ; neither do i repent of any thing i have therein done , so long as you think never the worse of me : other matters trouble my mind more , yet such is the goodness of god , that though they distract my mind from other studies needfull for me to wade into , yet when i come to exercise my poor ministry , and to study for my sermons , my mind is free enough . thus is the lord wont in more special manner to support the spirits of his servants , for such particular imployments , as he hath more specially assigned them unto . the matter that more troubled him , was concerning his entrance into any setled place for the exercise of his ministry , which he supposed would be , and upon some triall indeed found , every way so obstructed , that , albeit places of imployment enough were offered , and his imployment in them much desired , yet he could not conceive how it might be cleared in regard of the tenderness of his conscience , and scruple of some things that he stuck at , which were like to be tendred unto him , and pressed upon him , before admission thereunto ; and that the rather in probability in regard of the prejudice now had of him for the business concerning those books . for he had been offered the rectory of abington by master pigot the patron , who would have compounded with the present incumbent for the bringing of him in : and master wendy likewise , a religious gentleman in those parts , had , together with some others , been endeavouring to bring him in at basingborn : but neither of them took effect . he was invited also to new-castle in staffordshire , whither also he repaired , but found not matters to his liking there : and after unto yarmouth , to be lecturer with them , with assurance of a liberall maintenance from them ; for they very much affected him . but that their design was crossed by the bishop of the diocesse , having a jealous eye as well on them as on him , and being desirous to prefer and place a chaplain of his own therefore there . to the colledge he returned again after some time spent abroad , the storm seeming now to be over-blown , and howsoever there he met with no renewed molestation about the fore-mentioned business , yet had he no heart at all there to continue ; partly in regard of the departure thence of a special friend , whom he intirely affected , of whose return thither , being now elsewhere setled , he was wholly out of hope ; and partly because he perceived , that the master did not then so affect him , as formerly he had done . amidst these distractions , a preachers place falling vacant at chatham in kent , where a great part of the navy royal , and officers of the same attending , did usually reside ; the business of supplying them with an able and faithfull teacher was by general consent referred to master chaderton , being at that time in kent not far from thence , thither drawn over from cambridge , about the consummating of a marriage between that reverend man of god master josias nicols , who had passed many sharp bickerings and brunts in those times , and the relict of that famous worthy doctor whitaker deceased . he commended master bradshaw to them . concerning whom the piously affected party , after diligent inquiry , received such ample testimony , that ( whereas divers other made first for the place , and by their labouring with some friends had wrought a siding among them , to prevent such obstructions as thence might arise ) they sent an express to cambridge on purpose with instructions , in the first place to master chaderton , to entreat him , that he would not any wise give consent to have any other designed to the place , but him only whom he had already propounded : for that they rested in his choice ; and longed much to see and hear him . and in the next place to master bradshaw , to request him , that he would make no doubt or delay of coming to them ; wherein he would not be slack , if they knew how earnestly they longed to see and enjoy him ; and withall to signifie to him , what had been delivered to master chaderton from them ; that they desired only the sincere milk of gods word , and a pastor bearing a sincere affection and tender heart to his people : that they had wrought great meanes to obtain him ; that if he refused to come to them , he did not know what he did ; and if he came , and found them not worthy of him , yet his labour and charge should be fully made good . thus being importuned , ( as by his own letter to a friend of july the eighth . appeareth ) though by some still pressed for abington , with hopes suggested of clearing the way there for him ; he came up to london , and after advice had with some friends in the city , from thence went down to chatham . and though it go for a common buy-word , oft verified , that personal presence abateth much of foregoing reports , and great expectations preconceived are wont seldome to receive full satisfaction ; and it be true , that master bradshaw was not a man of much out side , nor forward to put out himself , of a very bashfull and demiss , but not fawning deportment ; insomuch that his bodily and personal presence might ( as the apostles sometime , ) seem weak , and not to promise much , with such especially , as look no further then the face : yet when he came and was heard , and his meek and discreet carriage by the generality observed , by the wiser sort well weighed , he was by joynt consent agreed upon ; and a solemn letter of invitation appointed to be drawn up by master john cook , sometime fellow of trinity colledge , then enjoying an office under sir fulk grinvel treasurer to the navy , and afterward secretary of state to king james , subscribed by the officers there belonging to the navy , and the most of any note and repute in the place ; intimating their election of him by joynt consent to the place , professing a willingness to submit themselves to his ministry , and promising to afford him all due support and assistance in the same . upon the receit hereof he fully now resolved without farther delay , to entertain the call , and accept of the place ; and having signified so much unto them , was very lovingly received by them , and quietly for some good space of time ( to wit , from july . unto april . ) laboured in the word and doctrine among them , ( together with master john philips , who enjoying the vicarage did as pastor of the place therein joyn with him ) with good success and much comfort , and to the great contentment and gladsomness of people well affected in those parts . being thus then setled there , with good hope of continuance , motion was made to him by some of his friends there ( supposing that might be some means of farther engagement of him for to stay with them , of a match with a widow an houswifely woman , and one that had lived alwaies in good repute with them . which not fore-seeing in likelihood , what would afterward ensue , he did not unwillingly so farre forth hearken unto , as to entertain some good liking of the woman ; howsoever in regard of the ensuing change of things , the business was no farther then proceeded in , but by mutual agreement between them laid aside , and delayed , untill god should see good to make way by some means , for their more convenient coming together , and comfortable cohabitation of either with other . for those halcyon seasons lasted not long ; the common adversary of god and man , who out of his inveterate envy and enmity can in no wise brook the propagation of the gospel , and dilatation of christs curtains , began at first more covertly and under hand to contrive some course , whereby to cast a rub in his way , and to procure a restraint of his farther proceeding in a course so successefull and advantagious for the glory of god and the good of his people . for about the time above-mentioned , some neighbour - ministers , envying the recourse of people to his teaching , began secretly to plot against him , though they would not be seen in it ; by suggesting to the bishop of the diocess , that he was a man not conformable to the rites of the church , nor well-affected to the present government . this how far forth it prevailed with the bishop that then sate there , doth not appear ; but the business being smelt out , and by some means discovered , to prevent trouble from him , and settle master bradshaw ( as they supposed ) more surely in the place , it was by divers of his people and friends there deemed most expedient , ( though therein peradventure much mistaken ) to have some means used to obtain a confirmation of him therein from the archbishop of canterbury , unto whom rochester was as suffragan , and no man being deemed fitter to deal in this business with the archbishop then that noble and religious knight sir francis hastings , he was by a letter from master bradshaw requested to make some tryal of his interest in , and power with archbishop whitgift , to that purpose in his behalf . he upon the receit of master bradshaws letter , the very same day , april . . returned him this most kind christian , and affectionate answer , my love to your self you know , and shall ever know it in any thing , wherein i can make it known : my duty , your duty , and all our duties to god , his church , you know better then my self ; and my duty to further a good people to a good minister , a longing people to hear , to a a labouring speaking minister to teach them , is a bond of duty that i may never forget , and a work of duty that i must ever be ready to perform . assure your self therefore , my velle shall not be slack ; and if my posse can prevail , i shall be glad , i will say no more : but pray to my god to encrease his graces in you , to teach profitably ; to encrease grace in your people , to hear diligently ; and to multiply his graces both in speaker and hearer , that they may speak and hear fruitfully , &c. subscribed , your true christian friend , francis hastings . nor was he more ready to promise , then forward to perform . for within three daies after , to wit , april . he wrote to the archbishop this modest , pious , and zealous letter : may it please your grace to pardon me , that i do not personally attend you , but presume to write : — i make bold to become suitor to your grace , for your favour to a young man , being one that i hold my self interessed in , and to whom i owe my best help , to further him to some place of employment and maintenance , which causeth me to become an humble suitor for him to you , not without a special regard to that people , who so christianly thirst after knowledge and instruction . the man for whom i sue is one master bradshaw , a master of arts of sidney colledge in cambridge : the matter i sue for , your graces favour and allowance that he may preach : the place where his labours are desired , is at chatham . and i most humbly beseech your grace , that however you may find or bear , that he is fearfull to do some things that may be urged on him ; yet seeing he is well qualified with gifts , and of honest carriage sitting for his calling , let not his fearfulness prejudice him with your lordship , but vouchsafe him liberty to bestow his talent ; and i will undertake to your grace for him , that he shall not offer any disturbance to the peace of our church either in word or action ; but shall painfully bestow himself in that place , to preach christ crucified , and to arm his people with some measure of knowledge , to stand christianly and couragiously for the truth of christ , and to resist all errours broached against that holy doctrine . and the rather i make hold to tender this suit to your grace for him , because i find plenty of practising by seminaries and jesuites to corrupt and pervert the peoples hearts both in knowledge and obedience ; and that through penury of preaching in some places it may prove dangerous . i never heard the young man preach my self , but i hear his gifts greatly commended ; and i know him to be learned , and painfull also , and carefull in that he taketh in hand . and though i know the tendernesse of his conscience some waies , yet i dare engage my credit again , ( as before ) to your grace for him , that he shall walk dutifully , wisely and discreetly in the whole course of his preaching , without all offer of disturbance to the peace of the church . and so longing to hear that my suit may find my desired success with your grace , i commend mine humble duty to you , and commit your grace , and all your godly proceedings to the protection and directian of the lord almighty . subscribed , your graces most bounden , and ready to be commanded , francis hastings . what answer the noble knight had from the arch-bishop , or what effect this his letter had with him , we cannot certainly say ; but by what followed it may well be deemed , that of the archbishop it was not very well relished ; who in cases of this kind , was seldome wont to do ought without the advice of bancroft , another bonner , as well in regard of place , as of disposition and practice , in eager pusuit of many of gods faithfull ministers in those times , so far as the power of his place would permit , in whose stomack the memory of master darrels business stuck still , and of master bradshaws act about his books . for not without some animation in likelihood from above , those master bradshaws back-friends , who had before dealt in the dark , did shortly after begin to disclose themselves , and to manifest their malice , which had formerly lain hid , as embers raked up in the ashes . the first of them that openly appeared in the business , was one master bearblock minister at strowd , a town or village adjoyning to rochester , a man of very mean parts for learning , and of a very scandalous life ; but one of those whom the prophet jeremy speaketh of , that had a singular faculty of slicking and smoothing his tongue , to sooth men up in their sinnes . this man ( among other ) vexed at the concourse of people that repaired from the places adjacent to master bradshaws teaching , ( although master bradshaw desirous to comply , so far forth as without offence he might , with him ) used to frequent his week-dayes lecture ; stuck not both in private meetings to tax master bradshaw for delivering heretical doctrine , and publikely also in a sermon on the lords day so to charge him therewith , that the auditory , though he named him not , might well know whom he meant . now albeit the man himself were of no esteem , and his censure consequently little to be regarded , yet mr. bradshaw deemeed , that a publick charge of that nature , should not be let pass with silence . howbeit , not willing , nor esteeming it meet to pester the pulpit with apologies , he chose rather to deal with this his opponent and traducer by a letter , which it will not be amiss here to insert . master bearblock , i was informed by some of your christian auditours at strowd , that in your forenoons exercise , you took occasion in the repetition of your former sermon , to adde thereto something in bitter terms , against some heretical doctrine lately broached in some neighbour-church ; which divers of your most charitable , and the most of your judicious hearers , conceived to be directed against me . at the first , i had no cause easily to entertain the report , because i was no way guilty to my self , so much as of the least shew of any occasion given unto you , to break out in that manner against me ; and did presume you had better learned the laws of charity , then in such an open manner to traduce a fellow minister of the gospel , before you were better possessed of the cause . besides , i thought , that reproachfull reports , that have been bruited against your self , should have taught you , if you be innocent , that a minister of the gospel may be much abused and mis-reported of , both for life and doctrine ; and therefore that you would not teach by your own practice me or any other thus in open manner , to make the reports of men a sufficient text to preach against your life , as you have made them to preach against my doctrine . but since that time i am given to understand , that you have given it out at one master morelands table , that i was the man ; that you then before god and his holy angels endicted and arraigned ; and that of no lesse a crime then gross heresie ; and that some of your congregation were purposed to proceed in law against me for it . you know there was a law , ( and it were well if it were now in force , to bridle distempered tongues ) that if one were accused of a crime , which could not be proved , the accuser should suffer the punishment due to that crime ; and then master bearblock , if heresie deserve a punishment , if you should but accuse me of that , which methinks you have already condemned me of , your back should bear the punishment of two heresies . for first , it is most untrue that i have taught any such doctrine ; and secondly , if you could not prove that doctrine , as i know you cannot , this you here so tax to be heresie , your doctrine that calleth it heresie , deserves no less lege talionis , then heresie ; which i speak not so much in regard of your weakness , as in grace of the strength of the cause ; wherein though with the dim eye of mine own judgment i could see nothing , yet i have cause to be confident , in regard of their judgment whose shadows it would become you and me to give room unto , yea , and to run away from . and i am verily perswaded , that though some of your spirit may be found to judge it an errour to hold , that a bare reading minister , is not a lawfull minister before god ; yet that none that deserves the name of a man of judgment , will push with such horns against it , as you do , that it is an heresie , and that a gross and abominable one . i would i might be worthy to know , upon your better consideration of the point , whether that heart of yours , that set your tongue on fire so against this poor heresie , would serve to set fire to the pretended heretick . but blessed be god , that supream authority keepeth the fire-brands from the hands of such furies ; else there were some cause to fear , lest the saints of god ( i give them no other title , then your own conscience gives them , nay then your own mouth in publick hath given them ) should find your hands as hot , as they now feel your tongue ; for methinks in your divinity , to make but a question of any thing in religion established by law , is no less then treason and heresie . there must be some mystery in it , that every poor man must not presume to look into ; that one that is so full of charity towards adulterers , drunkards , blasphemers and other sinners that swarm in the church , should be so fiery against these new hereticks of your own making . what ? are they of all other past hope of repentance ? or do not the mercies of god , wherewith your mouth is so oft sugred , of all other , belong to them ? my self on the week-day am one of your auditours , and i hope , none of the worst-minded , and then you seem ( as oft as ever i heard you ) as if your soul did overflow with charity towards us all . you cannot be ignorant of the words that so often were in your lips ; that none that hear you , but they are gods faithfull children ; that though they be foul , grievous sinners , yet they are repentant , and gods mercy belongs unto them ; that no man is without sinne , but the best and holiest are unclean . this hath been your tenor for this half year ; the sermon is yet to come , that ever with the least zeal you spake against lewdness of life : and yet now how full of zeal are you against errours in doctrine , of this sort especially ? whereas considering the slanders that run of you , ( for i call them so , as i desire for the gospels sake they may prove ) you could take no better course , then to be most zealous in doctrine against those sins , that fame hath gone about to brand you withall ; and to condemn such with your own mouth to hell , rather then to set open heaven gates so wide unto them , as you use to do ; as though your self were out of hope of heaven , except the lewdest of your congregation go to heaven . i may be bold being the injured party , and knowing you better then you me , to take this leave to tell you thus much of your self , who have so freely given leave to your self , to speak to others worse things of me ; that if the lords judgments should pursue me so fast , that mine inward corruptions should break out into notorious crimes , and yet should dare for all that to exercise an holy ministry ; that then of all methods of teaching that ever i heard , i would surely follow yours . to keep you from advantage , i acknowledge the doctrine that you have taught in my hearing to be very sound and true : but this is it that i affirm , and you may keep it to your self if it please you , that in dealing against sinne , in all the sermons i have ever heard you , you have said no more in substance , then what you shall have alwaies running in the wickedest mouthes ; that all men are sinners ; that the godliest do fall seven times a day ; that men must not despair of gods mercy ; that they are sorry for it , when they have done ; that it is their corruption of nature , &c. which are all very excellent and comfortable doctrines to a broken heart , but very poyson to an impenitent ; so that if a minister should preach them to the stews , he should have as many applauses and amens there to them , as any where else . if therefore a foul life be as abominable in the eyes of god and man , as false doctrine ; if this zeal of yours against false doctrine were of god , you would blow as strong a blast against the other , as you do against it , and a stronger too , considering that the other having borrowed the wings of fame , is flying continually in your own face : this , if you could have let me alone , would never have bitten you . but to draw to an end , if my bare deniall , and the voices of them , that with best understanding heard me , and are best able to repeat the heads of that sermon , can perswade you , that there was no such doctrine then delivered , i hope you will satisfie that congregation , whose ears you have abused with that report ; and especially the gentleman , to whom you related the particulars . if you cannot be moved to this ; yet be contented , sith you say the law must proceed upon me , to stay the proceeding of your tongue against me , till you have tried me guilty or not . if you tannot yield to this , but have a purpose to pursue the matter , let religion over-rule you thus far , to deal with me in the points by private writing . but if you have resolved to go on in this indirect course , openly thus to injure me ; do it i pray you , in your weekly exercise , that i may not trust to the report of others , but may be a witnesse to my self of mine own abuses ; and then i shall know the better how to satisfie you . it is the humour of most of your stamp , under pretence of a zeal to her majesties proceedings in matters of religion , to take your liberty of speech against some , that are perswaded some things might and should be reformed , if the state had leasure to look into them : and you know it full well , that such as you are , shall find ears enough to receive your accusations against such ; else upon equall ground you would not be so confident , thus hand over head to condem as good subjects ( without any disgrace ) as your self , of no less then heresie and treason . as for my self , i thank god , i have had that care , both of mine outward conversation and doctrine , that none of any civility , i trust , shall find a face to reproach me for the one , nor any of any judgment in religion , will accuse me of the other . and as for those reports , that are given out against me , out of yours and others mouthes ; your shame shall send them home again , and i will wear them about my neck as chains and garlands . in particular , for your self , ( though i desire the love , acquaintance , and favour of any well-gifted minister ) it will be no great disgrace to me , to sit at home without your countenance , except your self were in greater countenance with them that truly fear the lord. thus leaving you at this time to a better spirit , then that which set you so greedily on work against me , i commit you to the grace , mercy , and pardon of god ; and my self to his wise direction , hereafter to take heed , how i give mouthes , so readily open to reproach my ministry , any just and direct occasion . chatham the last of april . your fellow-labourer and minister in the lords work , desirous of peace , and if it were possible , of love also , william bradshaw . this letter , though somewhat large , it seemed not amisse at full to relate ; because it representeth to the life , both the character of many such teachers , as were forwardest to oppose gods faithfull messengers in those times , and the manner of their teaching , which the most of our antinomian party that give out themselves as the only gospel-preachers , come so near unto now adaies ; and the most unequall and unchristian courses also , that were by such then commonly practised , to work them into disgrace with the people , and to procure trouble to them from the state. but the malice of the man stayed not here ; which of it self for ought he was able to do , was not much to be regarded . for being netled by this letter , upon consultation had with some of his complices , a knight of note in that county , a man of some parts of learning and wit , but of loose life , utterly averse from , and adverse to the profession and practice of piety , was by them procured , to come down from rochester , where he then was , to chatham on a lords day , to hear master bradshaw , and that for no other end , but to pick somewhat , ( if it might be ) out of his teaching , for which , upon his information against him , ( a practice most unworthy a man or his rank ) his mouth might be stopped , or he inhibited at least from farther imployment in that place . and according indeed to their wicked design and ungodly desire the plot proceeded . for , whereas master bradshaw being then entred upon the handling of the story of christs temptations ( related by two evangelists ; on which his sermons , much desired by many that heard part of them , and though not fully perfected by him , yet by some small supplies being made up , may peradventure hereafter see light ) had observed , that this was the main scope of satan in his first encounter , to bear our saviour in hand , that howsoever he had been put in some hope by a voice , as from heaven , that he was the beloved sonne of god ; yet god by his present neglect of him , and leaving him in such difficulties , destitute of all necessaries , did thereby manifest that he did not respect , or regard him at all ; hereupon he took occasion to admonish all true christians , to arm themselves diligently against this temptation , and to strengthen their faith in the assurance of gods favour towards them , care of them , and undoubted truth of his promises made to them ; using this as an argument to incite them unto the greater care in this kind ; for that ( said he ) if this temptation do once fasten upon us , that we shall come by satans sleights to be perswaded , that there is no such matter , that god hath no such respect or regard unto us ; it cannot but cool our love unto god. which words of his , very wholesome and good , the knight perverting and misreporting , enformed underhand against him , that he should deliver , that a man was not bound to love god , unlesse he were sure that god loved him . hereupon master bradshaw was shortly after , by a short note under doctor buckeridges hand bearing date may twenty six . and directed unto him at chatham , made acquainted , that it was the pleasure of his lords grace of canterbury , and his lord of london ( the main prosecutor of the business against him ) that he should the next day by nine of the clock appear personally before them at shorn , a town situate between rochester and gravesend : whither accordingly he repaired , and there appearing , after some questions moved , and answers thereunto returned , the bishop of london began to charge him with teaching of false and ungodly doctrine , such as had been suggested by the knight before-mentioned ; whereunto when he answered negatively , relating withall truly and sincerely , what he had delivered , and offering to produce not a few of good credit , who could and would testifie what then he taught , that would not be admitted ; london affirming , that what had been enformed , was averred by such , as were able to conceive , being learned ; and to understand aright what it was that he delivered , and received it not by report from others , but had been ear-witnesses of it themselves . however at last to strike all dead sure , subscription was tendered to him ; whereat they knew he would stick : which because he professed that he could not condescend unto , they inhibited him to preach any more at chatham , and having bound him to appear , when he should be farther called upon , for the present so dismissed him . the next lords day was one suborned , in the habit of a traveller , to repair early in the morning to master bradshaws lodging at chatham , who asking to speak with him , pretended that he came on purpose out of his way to hear him , and demanded of him whether he preached that day or no ? whereunto he answering , that he did not , being by authority inhibited , he made shew of much sorrow , as being frustrated of his expectation , but he was descried to be no other then a spie , sent to found master bradshaw what he intended to do ; so greedy were they to have farther ensnared him , if by any meanes they might . the same day master bearblock was observed at strowd , as triumphing after a victory atchieved against some great adversary , to have appointed to be sung before his fore-noon-sermon , the former part of the . psalm . those of chatham much affected with the inhibition of their faithfull teacher , and grieved in their souls for the restraint of that precious food , which they had formerly received from him , were not backward to use what means they might for the taking off of the inhibition , and removal of the restraint . to this purpose a supplication was framed in the name of the parishoners of chatham unto the bishop of rochester their immediate diocesan , in these words ; right reverend father , and our very good lord , if we were not by manifold triall and long experience assured of the love that you bear , and the care that you have over that flock , which the lord hath committed unto your charge , we could not with so good hope and comfort , as now we do , become petitioners unto your lordship in the behalf of our too much wronged preacher master bradshaw ; unto whom , in sincrity of a good conscience we do voluntarily yeeld this testimony , that he is a man so farre in every respect from desert of those misreports , wherewith his causelesse adversaries have endeavoured to incense your good lordship against him , as his accusers have been from the remembrance of that duty , which they ought to bear to your lordship , whom they have abused with sinister and unjust informations ; his doctrine alwaies holy , wholesome , true , and learned , utterly void of faction and contention ; his life so throughly garnished with unblemished vertues and graces , as malice it self cannot reprove , or suspect him ; directing all his labours only to the beating down of sin and wickednesse , the comfort of the faithfull , and the instruction of the ignorant , without intermedling at any time , with the needlesse and conceited controversies of this factious age . may it therefore please your good lordship with favour ( according to your wonted goodnesse ) so to tender this your little poor flock of chatham , as to restore unto us our vertuous and faithfull teacher ; lest otherwise we be as sheep without a shepherd . which being obtained , we your humble suppliants will account it so great a blessing of god from the hands of your reverend fatherhood , as that we shall hold our selves bound faithfully to pray unto the almighty , for your good lordships endless prosperity . this their petition after their own frame conceived , is the rather here inserted , to shew their reverend estimation of master bradshaw , and their earnest desire to have retained him still with them . but the business was in higher hands . london was the man that must do it , if ought were done . with whom master chaderton going up to london upon occasion of some colledge-affairs , promised to deal in master bradshaws behalf ; and in likelihood did : but ( as appeared ) without success . thus was this blessed servant of god tossed to and fro , and could not be suffered to abide long in any place ; though a man of peaceable carriage , a most meek and humble spirit , and a kinde and loving disposition . but gods pious providence over his , and gracious provision for them , never faileth . he is oft working for them , when they least see it , and where or whence they least look for it . he was then preparing a retiring and resting place for him , when he seemed to be now utterly out of hope of any . for being now driven from chatham , he came up to london , whence after some short stay with a friend , having at present no employment , he thought good to look down into leicestershire to visit his friends there . and he indeed intended the journey only as a visit : howsoever the lord in his hidden disposal , unknown unto him , had a farther aim in it then he was then aware of , as by the event appeared , and he afterward took speciall notice of , and did thankfully acknowledge . for upon his coming down into those parts , by the good hand of god , using that his worthy servant of blessed memony , master arthur hildersham ( as formerly sometime , so now again ) as an instrument therein , he was brought into some notice with , and commended unto one master alexander redich , a religious gentleman , then residing at newhall , an house of note , situate neer to burton upon trent , in the confines of darbyshire , leicestershire , and staffordshire . he not only received him into his house , but obtained also for him from the then bishop of coventry and litchfield , being a moderate man , a licence to preach in any part of his diocess : which favour and liberty , being by a present of venison at first procured , and afterward maintained by a yearly gratuity of a brace of bucks out of the gentlemans park , master bradshaw without any interruption enjoyed in those parts during that bishops life , yea , and after too , without any trouble ( a light and short storm only excepted , and that soon again laid , the year before his decease , ( whereof somewhat hereafter ) unto the time of his releasement . for his entertainment there , though the means allowed him were very small , in regard that the gentlemans estate was much encombred , and he by reason thereof disabled to do what he otherwise desired ; the lady ferrers his wives mother yet surviving , who had an estate for life in that part of the land , which was to come to his wife , whereon he then resided ; nor in regard of religion ( for a strong and zealous papist she was ) so well-affected towards them , being forward another way ; and some other part of it , by concealment of some evidences being wrongfully detained from him , as in process of time upon discovery thereof did evidently appear . yet the small pittance that was allowed him , together with their kind carriage toward him , and the loving affection to him that he found generally in the family , did give him very good content . for in a letter to an inward friend he professeth , that he found both the gentleman , and his wife , very tender-hearted and sincerely religious so kind unto him , as his heart could not desire more ; and that in gifts they were otherwise beneficial unto him ; and the truth is , ( saith he , for you have his own words ) it is impossible to find more love in a place , then i do find more and more both of great and small in the house : so that the lord , i see , hath not clean forsaken me . and in another to the same party ; never let your mind be troubled about the smallnesse of my maintenance , it is more then he from whom it cometh can well spare yet ; as much as my labours upon them deserve ; and more then many of my betters have . to adde hereunto some farther matter of encouragement and contentment , he withall signifieth , that the lord had blest him there with a most kind neighbour , ( abiding in a house not far from thence with the lord paget ) a young man of oxford , and a londoner by birth , one master hassal , a man of very rare parts for all kind of learning , of most prompt and ready speech , and of a very courteous and affable disposition . with him he entertained familiarity , and maintained a good correspondence , while they abode so neer together . for he was not nice to imbrace acquaintance with any moderate man , of endowments especially ; and very forward to take notice of the good parts of others , and to set them out as occasion was offered , to the utmost : so far was he from that malevolent humour so rife with too many in these times , of extenuating or blurring the endowments and abilities of others ; such especially as do not in every particular conceit , though but groundlessely oft fancied , comply with themselves ; as also together with his ingenuous composure of spirit , his pious disposition may herein be observed , in taking notice of , and acknowledging a passage of divine providence in every accommodation , that might any way , or in any measure , improve the comfort of his present condition . but that the great moderation of mind in one of such worth as was this servant of christ , may the better appear , we shall compare the means of maintenance afforded him , and his employments , whereof he professed before , not to deserve so much as so small a pirtance amounted unto the one with the other . that the allowance was very small , may very justly be deemed , when his friends were so much troubled and grieved , to think that one of his endowments should be driven to accept so low and slender conditions : and the truth is , as by his own relation appears , the allowance at first agreed upon , was but ten pounds by the year , his diet , fire , candle , and all kind of attendance , as himself draws it out at length to make the most of it . that which is here specified , not in any wise to asperse the gentleman , whose present condition would not then well afford better termes ; and yet shewed his good will by free addition to what he stood engaged for , even in his first year of abode with him ; and afterward also , as charge grew upon master bradshaw : though means were not much amended with him , yet strained himself unto a farther enlargement , as hereafter shall be shewed ; but to manifest the excceeding , and almost unparallel'd modesty of the man , esteeming his labours beneath so poor an allowance . for his employments that himself so much undervalued , what were they ? besides his private exercises at set times performed in the family ; he preached at first constantly twice every lords day in a chappel of some capacity , belonging to the gentlemans house , and situate within the park wherein the house stood ; and afterward , when the resort from other parts more remote , grew so great , that the place could not well contain them ; ( that the more might enjoy the fruit of his ministry , and with the more ease to them , though the less to him and the houshold ) he was easily induced , the governours of the family , out of their religious disposition , well approving thereof , and condescending thereunto , to bestow his labours , as he had before done in the chappel , in a more publick place , at a parish-church ( where a reading vicar only was ) at a village called stapenhill or stapenhall , about a mile distant from the place of his abode . and this he did constantly for above twelve years at least , at such times as the gentleman abode with his family at newhall , which was the principal place of his setled abode : receiving for such his pains among them , no consideration at all from the people of the place ; ( the most of them deeming him more beholden to them , for coming and staying to hear him , then themselves to him for coming to preach to them ; and some of them complaining , that they had lost many a good pistle and gospel for his preachings ; ) save that on the lords day for his better ease and refreshment , between his forenoon and afternoons employment , he was usually entertained at the house of one master alexander buckley , who had sometime belonged as a bayliff or steward to master rediches family , and whose wife mistress anne buckley , a very sweet natured , humble and godly woman , was both a mary and martha to him , no lesse diligent to attend his teaching with the one , then sedulous to make fitting provision for him with the other ; and that some of the better affected sort among those that heard him , would now and then gratifie him with some kind of countrey-courtesies , when he kept house by himself . having thus spent above a twelvemoneth or more with master redich , his thoughts began to be more solicitously renewed concerning that businesse of marriage propounded to him at chatham , and so farre forth , as hath been formerly shewn , embraced then by him ; which in regard also of some other emergent occasions had hung hitherto in suspence . this to proceed in and consummate he much desired , not so much in regard of himself , as in regard of the other party , who had been held in expectation thereof so long already , and might deem it some wrong , if it should be still so delayed . but how this might consist with his continuance in master rediches family he was not able well to conceive ; and how very loath he was to part with a family , where he had found so much love . howsoever he resolved to break the matter unto them , before he would proceed any farther therein , that if no fit means of compliance there could be contrived , he might with their good leave look out for some other place of employment , and they have some convenient space of time for the fitting and furnishing of themselves with some other to succeed with them in his room . upon relation hereof , according to such his resolution , ( having taken a fit time for it ) made unto them , enforming them truly and freely in all circumstances , how the case stood with him , and how he stood affected towards them , it was strange to see ( it is in his own words related ) how great affection they shewed to bear unto him , expressed even with teares ; that on no condition he must depart from them ; such course should be taken , as that , when he should in that kind change his condition , he might still conveniently and comfortably abide with them . whereunto he subjoyneth ; and this indeed is the first hour of my solid comfort , that the lord hath vouchsafed me a standing place , where i may settle my self . and indeed god was pleased to work in some particulars somewhat strangely and unexpectedly , beyond what he was then able to foresee or forecast , toward the farther acomplishment of his desire in this kind ; as hereafter shall be shewed . mean while master redich being by occasion of businesses drawn up to london , and having taken some lodgings for himself and his retinue neer unto christ church , with purpose to make stay some good space of time in the city , master bradshaw abiding there with him , was requested to preach sometime at christ church : which accordingly he did , and that with such approbation and good liking of the well-affected in the parish , that the afternoons lecture there becoming vacant , albeit doctor milward a man of some note in those times stood for it , yet by the greater number of votes , in a vestry purposely for that end assembled , master bradshaw was chosen to be their lecturer ; though not having sought it himself , but having been without his privity propounded by some such of them as had been much taken with his former sermons . but the will of god ( it seems ) was , that he should still adhere to that family , which he was fallen into , and where he had found so much affection ; that which to his dying day also he did . for though by some of those , who earnestly desired him , great means were made to the bishop , yet would he in no wise condescend to give way thereunto . yea , such was his malignity against master bradshaw , that having cited him , but by a wrong forename , to appear before him , to answer for preaching in his diocesse without his licence ; ( in which regard also the church-wardens were checked and threatned that suffered it ) upon his non-appearance he proceeded so far , as to send out an excommunication against him ; which he for the mistake before-mentioned , little regarded ; only by advice , for some time kept out of the way , untill the bishops translation , or evection rather , unto the lofty pitch of his primacy , which shortly after did ensue . during his stay in these parts , looking down to chatham , he there consummated that businesse , which hitherto had been delayed . and in regard that master redich with his wife and retinue were by reason of his urgent affairs in divers kinds likely to continue for a longer space of time in the city then at first was expected ; master bradshaw having brought up his wife with him from chatham , did for a while board her with a sister of hers , before married and seated in the city , and afterward took part of a tenement for himself and her , who being a woman that affected employment , for their better support , taught there a few scholers . much about this time , by occasion of that formall conference acted and transacted at hampton-court , wherein some of our chief prelates endeavoured to possesse the kings majesty with a prejudice against those that made suit for a reformation of things amisse in church-affairs , ( his disaffection to whom he had himself also in some writing of his partly discovered already ) and to perswade him , that for ecclesiastical affairs all things were so well setled , that no reformation needed , but some strict injunction only of a precise conformity unto , and constant observation of things already established ; which began thereupon in many places with much vigor to be pressed ; it came to passe that many books came abroad , being privately printed , wherein divers godly ministers , who were of a contrary judgment , declared their grievances , laid down their exceptions , set forth their grounds of dissent , and returned answer to the arguments produced and urged against them to induce them to conformity . for books of this nature search was made in the city ; for one , more especially among the rest , that had ( it seems ) given our great clergy-masters most offence , and master bradshaw being known to abide then in the city , a man in much suspition with them , two pursuivants , accompanied with master norton the kings printer , were sent with commission to search his house both for it and him . whither accordingly repairing , but not finding him at home , they enforced his wife to open his closet or study , the chests , trunks , boxes and presses , to make search for such books , but found nothing . for the truth is , ( and there was a good providence of god in it ( after that master bradshaw was that morning gone out , not above half an hour before that this business fell out , his wife looking into his study , and seeing some of those books there , to prevent future danger , ( which yet she then little deemed or dreamed to be so near at hand as it proved to be afterward ) had taken them out from thence , and cast them into a hole between two chimneys , where being covered over with old besomes , they remained undiscovered . but howsoever they could meet with nothing of that which they looked for , yet on his wife they seized , who would rather have had him ; her they took and led unto doctors commons , where having presented her before doctor stanhop , doctor white , and a third party , whom she knew not , a number sufficient to make up a compleat high commission court ; they examined her , yet without oath : first , where her husband was ? whereunto she answered , she knew not ; then , what meanes of maintenance she had , and from whom ? to which she made answer , that she gat her living by her work , and teaching of a few young children ; after that , what children she had ? she told them , none yet ; but one she hoped in her belly , being then great with child : which was her first-born sonne , now a minister of the gospel , afterward born in that house they then dwelt in , in thred-needle-street , and baptized in the church near thereto adjoyning , where the minister of the place , somewhat thick of hearing , by a mistake , instead of jonathan , naming him john , which name therefore he bare afterward , and doth to this day . but after divers such questions to little purpose propounded and answered , in conclusion they told her , that they knew well enough that the book they then searched for ▪ was none of her husbands making , though he might have a hand in the venting of it ; and withall , that if they had been disposed , they could have had him , for all his keeping in a lancashire gentlemans house . so they termed master redich , because his own lands of inheritance lay in those parts . thus hauing parlied with her , they dismissed her , not suffering those greedy harpyes the pursuivants , who were eager upon her for their fees , to exact ought from her ; only binding her at a daies warning to appear again before them . thus through gods goodness and watchfull eye over his servant , too regardlesse in some sort of his own safety , having escaped the snare that was set for him , he returned after some space of time , master rediches main businesses being now dispatched , together with him and his , unto their former place of abode at newhall , taking his wife and little one together also along with him . being there arrived , the gentleman both enlarged his maintenance , and assigned him and his wife certain chambers in his own house conveniently furnished ▪ as also herbage in the park for a certain number of kine , and of swine , and some poultry , together with a convenient room for a dary , wherein she might exercise her huswifery ; which she very well could do , and accordingly did . now while they thus lived together in master rediches house , master bradshaw went on cheerfully in his wonted course , both of private exercises for the instruction of the family , and of publick employment on the lords day for the benefit of others also abroad . but the old lady ferrers , mistresse rediches mother , a woman of a great spirit , and a resolute papist , though not an absolute professed recusant , could by no means brook master bradshaw , and the lesse now because married , and for that he had brought his wife also to live with him in house with them : yea she had conceived such an extream hatred against him , professing to hate him above any man in the world ; that she had made a vow , that she would never set her feet in the house where he was ; and it was therefore feared , not without some just ground of suspition , that the family might from her fare the worse for him . but the hearts of all men , and women also , are in gods hand , and he can wind and turn them which way he will : and when a mans waies do please the lord , he can , if he see it good , yea , doth oft , when he seeth it will be for the good of his , make of his utter foes , his friends . and even so fell it out here . for the lady notwithstanding this her extream disaffection , so deeply rooted , and so vehemently expressed , yet in processe of time being enduced by some that were in credit and repute with her , to visit her son-in-law and daughter , and make stay for some time ( which they much desired ) in house with them ; and being withall informed and assured by them of master bradshaws mild and moderate demeanure , and his meek , kind , and lowly carriage , she was over-wrought by them , contrary to that her former unnaturall and irreligious engagement , to repair thither , and take up her lodging with them : where it pleased god withall , not long after her accesse thither , ( being now an eye-witnesse her self of what she had formerly heard by report of him from others ) so to alter that her former disaffection to master bradshaw , and to cast it into a clean contrary mould , that all that beheld and observed her carriage on all occasions towards him , wondered exceedingly at it , to see so strange an alteration , and such not unexpected only , but unusuall carriages in her . for , albeit she were otherwise , a gentlewoman , as of very proper and personable presence , and in that regard much admired by the scottish queen that suffered here , whom she also much affected , so of her self no lesse forward to take and keep state ; yet she used master bradshaw with very much courtesie and complement , at table drinking to him , and carving for him ; resorting twice a day constantly to prayer with him and the family , and speaking reverently of him ; yea whereas formerly she could not be induced to hear any of our ministers preach ; howsoever for fashion sake , and to escape penalty of law , she might sometime repair to hear the liturgy read ; yet was she content to hear master bradshaw , and commended his sermons . which the better to work upon her , he wisely framed to such subjects as he deemed would best serve , to take off such false imputations , as are wont by the adverse party to be cast upon our profession and preaching , as if we were utter enemies to mortification and good works . for first out of matth. . . he took occasion to speak of the necessity and nature of good works ; the ground from whence they spring , and the end that must be aimed at in them ; and after that out of psal. . of repentance and mortification , with both which discourses she seemed to be very much affected . what farther work these things had upon her after her departure thence , we are not able to say ; but certain it is , that while she abode there , she seemed to be much better disposed , not towards master bradshaw only ; but ( contrary to what was formerly feared , and strongly suspected ) toward her son-in-law and daughter also . for before she went thence , she sealed them a lease for three years , of the land they held from her , with abatement of an hundred pounds by the year , of the rent formerly paid , and a remission of thirty pounds by the year besides , otherwise accruing to her , ( god might blesse the house for his josephs sake ) and her continued good opinion of , and affection to master bradshaw she farther manifested , by her free consent , to have an house built for him and his wife to live in , on a parcell of land that she had interest in ; which was accordingly with as much speed as might be , not long after effected . then which ( saith he , so modest and moderate were his affections for the things of this life ) i desire no more worldly things , then that i may be setled in that little house , and rest there in quiet , which these times give small hope of . this he conceived the lesse hope of , because the bishop under whom he had hitherto lived quietly , about this time , deemed not like long to continue ; and indeed shortly after deceasing , it was given out , that bishop neal , translated from rochester , was to succeed ( that which he much dreading , in divers of his letters had oft up , lord keep us from rochester ) and so he did indeed , though not immediately ; yet not long after . for doctor abbots dean of winchester , who came in between them , sate not long there , but before many moneths expired , stept from litchfield to london . but bishop neal was the man , whom all the pious , as well private men as ministers , in these parts mis-doubted would do the most mischief . and indeed presently upon his entrrnce , that boisterous prelate began in so fierce and furious a sort to bestir himself , and kept such a busseling and blustering among them , that ( howsoever one that then abode thereabout , writing somewhat freely of him , saith , the more he shufflled in his lions skin , the more he made his asses ears to appear , and exposed himself to derision and contempt even with the meanest ) yet it was by the most feared , that unlesse god in much mercy should put a ring into his nose , he would in likelihood root up all effectual means of piety , within the precincts of his power . and the rather had master bradshaw cause to expect little favour , all rigour rather that might be , from him ; in regard of some neighbouring loiterers , that should have been labourers , as he was , in the lords work ; who not enduring to see others affected and followed , for doing that , which they should have done , but did not themselves , were therefore bitter enemies to him , and were in great grace with the bishop . besides that , it was reported , that the bishop was minded to reside some space of time at drakelow , a place not far distant from newhall ; whose neighbourhood was like to prove no more beneficial to master bradshaw , then the brass pots company in the fable to the earthen pitcher . but , as dangers oft befall us , where we least mis-doubt or suspect ought , much lesse expect any ; so ( the lord on that wise disposing things for the safety of his servants , and the enuring of them to a constant dependance on his providence ) it falleth out sometime on the other side , that we prove least assailed or annoyed from thence , whence we have been most affrighted with the greatest expectation of much damage , or sore distresse . so it fell out with master bradshaw here . for , howsoever in one of his letters he manifesteth his fears to that purpose , that in regard of the considerations before-mentioned , he much doubted that zone would be too hot for him , yet in another afterward he signifieth that he had not as yet heard ought from him , or of any complaints that had been made to him against him . nor indeed doth it appear that he was at any time after molested , or disturbed in the exercise of his ministry by either of them , by what means soever the lord was pleased so either to represse or divert , as well the malice of the one , as the might of the other , that neither of them should fasten to any purpose upon him , untill the year before he died . about this time master redich bestowed his eldest daughter mistress grace redich in marriage with sir robert darcie , son and heir to sir edward darcie a kentish knight , a very religious gentleman , in great favour and repute with that illustrious prince henry , of rare parts , and great hopes , of whom this land was not worthy , and one that highly esteemed master bradshaw , as he justly deserved . he making his abode most at newhall untill his fathers decease , ( where his lady a very gracious gentlewoman according to her name , not inferiour to her husband , either in piety , or in sincerity of affection to master bradshaw , was the second time delivered of twins , and became mother of four children , within compasse of a year ) master bradshaw by his company there received much comfort and encouragement in the work of his ministry , and furtherance also in his studies . for sir robert being a scholar and studious , had a library furnishnd with many of the best writers , as well in divinity , as in other kindes of literature , whereof master bradshaw had the free use ; and he brought also upon his motion divers other on purpose , that might be usefull for him . and this his affectionate and courteous carriage to master bradshaw , toward whom he ever demeaned himself with much reverence and due respect , was continued by him untill his decease , which did not many weeks precede master bradshaws . in the year . it pleased god to take from him that worthy gentleman master redich his patron , who in a very holy and christian manner at newhall departed this life . his frequent removals from newhall to longford , another house that had befallen him in those parts not long before his decease , was occasion of much distraction to master bradshaw , now setled with his family at stanton ward near to newhall ; but his decease much more : concerning which he thus writes , among other things in a letter to a friend ; master rediches decease hath made an heavy alteration in this family ; and for mine own estate , mistress redich giving over house , as she intendeth to do , and to live somewhere hereabout , as privately as she may , for the better discharging of her husbands debts , it will be the lesse comfortable , and more chargeable to me then it hath been . but i am willing for her good to undergo any thing . master redich on his death-bed was willing to have assured me of something during my life . but the force of his disease did so grow upon him that he could do nothing . if god lend mistress redish life , till the debts be discharged , or a sure course taken for them , i hope she will , if it lie in her power : for she hath promised so to do ; and i assure me , she will do her utter most to effect it . but whatsoever fall out , i trust i shall be content , having been hitherto at the lords finding ; who hath shewed himself at all times a loving father to me his unworthy child ; and our time here , though it be full of wants , is but short . thus it pleased the lord to inure this his servant to a dependance from day to day for provisions upon his providence ; and as a grave man of god sometime said , whereas many other have , and eat their bread stale ; to receive his bread , and eat it daily new from his hand ; that which he also , you see , was very well content to do . mean while the good gentlewomans incumbred and unsetled estate she was left in , being to take course for the payment of her husbands debts , and to compound for the wardship of her younger daughter , who was afterward matched to one of the lord chief justice cooks sons , could not but exceedingly distract master bradshaw , as well as her self ; and drew him up to london together with her , oftner then he had any mind of himself , or desire thereunto . but from that family the main means of his maintenance accrued ; and to it therefore he constantly addicted himself , as in duty he deemed himself obliged to do . at stanton ward , not far from newhall , as was before intimated , his family still abode in the little house there built for him : where , while mistresse redich abode in those parts , or when he had any liberty to get down from these parts , while she was longer then usually detained in or about the city ; he went on constantly in his wonted course , teaching freely at stapenhill every lords day , as formerly he had done . only in the year . coming down from london , ( upon what occasion , or through whose instigation , uncertain ) he was welcomed home by the bishops chancellour a corrupt man , with an inhibition to preach there , till he heard further from him . but by the mediation of a couple of good angels , the one from himself , ( so willing and forward was he to redeem his liberty , for the benefit of others , without advantage to himself ) and the other from a friend , the chancellour was soon pacified , and the restraint removed ; whereby it appeared that the prohibition proceeded principally from his own avarice , rather then from mis-information from any thereabout , or injunction from above . amidst this his restlesse and distracted condition , and constant pursuit of his religious employments , the lord was preparing a place of setled rest for him , and a royall reward in the highest heavens , for his faithfull service here upon earth , drawing on apace now to its utmost period . for in the year . being come up from stanton , to attend mistress redich , while he lodged with her at chelsey , not far from the city , visiting a friend at rederith , whose house he usually frequented when he was in these parts , he complained of some malady , that by his present distemper he mis-doubted might be growing upon him , and though by his friend being earnestly urged , to take some speedy course , by the physicians advice , for preventing the farther growth of it ; yet being too regardlesse of himself , while he neglected so to do , he was suddainly surprized with a violent , and ( as the physician affirms ) malignant fever , which so fiercely set upon him , that in its very first apparent encounter it cast him down upon his couch . and notwithstanding all the means used , that either were desired , or could be procured ; no care being omitted , or cost spared , by that worthy gentlewoman , who most tenderly and intirely affected him , for advice of physician , who constantly repaired to him , assistance of apothecary , according to direction with all requisite necessaries supplying him , and diligent attendance , as well of those in the family , as of some other also for that end procured from abroad , without intermission successively about him ; even the gentlewoman her self ( though advised to forbear , in regard of some malignity deemed to be in the disease ) frequently resorting to him , sitting by him , and with her own hands offering for his better ease to be helpfull unto him , which yet he was very loath to admit ; in all which from the first to the last she expressed a very great measure of cordiall affection unto him , and no lesse an earnest desire , both of his present relief , and future recovery also , if god should see it so good ; yet the time being now come wherein the lord had determined to put an end to his faithfull servants labourious employments , continued distractions , and restlesse condition , and to translate him hence to a place of endlesse rest , and peace never to be interrupted again ; the force of the disease within the space of a few daies fretted asunder those bands that kept soul and body together , and leaving the one behind to be laid up in the bowels of that element whence it had its first original , set the other at full liberty to return unto him , from whom alone it immediately received its existence at first . during the short time of his sickness , wherein yet through gods goodnesse he continued free from any notable sense of pain , and was accompanied with much freedom of mind and memory , he had his heart and tongue in meditation set wholly upon god , acknowledging his special favour and goodnesse unto him , who had so far forth vouchsafed to cast a gracious eye upon him so vile and loathsome a creature , while he yet continued in his native condition , as to give him an interest by faith in his christ ; yea so farre farther to grace so unworthy a wretch , as to call him to be a minister of his word , and publisher of his will , and to make his weak endeavours and worthlesse labours , at any time in any measure efficacious to any of his people , ( as he hoped in some sort with some at least they had been ) either for the conversion and bringing of them home unto him , or for the establishing and building of them up in the saving knowledge and belief of his truth , and in the graces and comforts of his spirit . withall seriously professing this to be his comfort , the testimony of his conscience in the sight of god bearing witnesse in his behalf , that in sincerity of heart , though with much weaknesse , and amidst many failings , through the whole course of his ministry , his main end and scope in all his labours and endeavour's had been both in publick and private , to seek the glory of god , the delivery of his truth , the peace of his church , the spiritual good of his people ; in all things to approve himself to him , and continue faithfull with him , who hath been pleased to take him into his service ; and desiring now nothing more , then that he might be so enabled through the support of his good spirit , that by his christian and comfortable carriage under his fatherly hand , in this close of his day-work , he might confirm and seal up to others the truth of those things that he had formerly professed and taught . withall earnestly exhorting all that came about him , to learn now to die before they came to it , to be sure to lay a good foundation in time of life and health , for matter of firm support and sound comfort in time of sickness , and at the hour of death ; and to make as much provision and strong preparations against that time as they could , assuring themselves , that they should find all their utmost endeavours and carefullest addresses to be little enough , when they came once to that work. amidst these and the like religious meditations and pious employments , peceiving his desired end now to approach , and having requested prayer to be conceived in his behalf by a special friend , who had accompanied him most part of his sicknesse , not long after that office performed by him , he quietly and peaceably resigned his soul into the hands of his blessed saviour , no lesse ready ( doubtlesse ) to receive it from him , then himself was desirous and forward to recommend it unto him . his funeral rites were performed at chelsey , where he drew his last breath ; most of the ministers of better note about the city , either constantly residing , or occasionally detained there , besides a very great multitude of private persons well affected , repairing thereunto . who were all there , after the usuall manner in such cases and on such occasions , entertained at the charge and by the bounty of that worthy gentlewoman of singular piety , in whose house he deceased . from which place his corps being conveyed on the shoulders of six of his reverend brethren of the ministry , who of their own accord offered themselves unto that office , to the place of publick assembly , where it was to be interred : master thomas gataker his ancient and inward friend , though full of grief for the loss of one , who so entirely affected him , and whom as well for the high esteem he had of him and his worth , as for that entire affection which he constantly bare to him , was most deservedly exceedingly dear to him ; and in regard thereof not so free or fit for performance of that office ; yet enforced himself to preach at his funerall , and to give , though very briefly , such testimony of him , as was generally approved of by his reverend brethren there present . and he was indeed a man of very eminent parts , for sharpnesse of wit , clearnesse of apprehension , soundnesse of judgment , exactnesse of method , and powerfulnesse of delivery , of singular dexterity in beating out perplexed and intricate debates , descrying and discovering where the knots lay , stating of controversies aright , and dissolving of difficult cases of conscience ; to which purpose not only many even from remote parts resorted unto him , either of their own accord , or directed and recommended unto him by other his brethren of the ministry , as one most likely of any to give them satisfaction in their doubts ; but divers of them also , of good note , ( as by their letters to him may appear ) deemed it no disparagement to seek resolution from him in questions of that nature themselves . neither was he one that kept his talent wrapt up in a napkin ; but though he were cooped up mostly in an obscure corner , through the harsh courses of those , that would not suffer his light to shine forth in any eminent place ; yet was he exceeding laborious in those parts wherein he lived , both in private employments at constant set times in the family , and in publick also , where he might be permitted , though without benefit to himself : that which may appear by abundance of papers and note-books yet extant , though by many casualties a multitude of them have miscarried . besides his constant course of preaching at stapenhill , for the most of his time from his first admission into that family , save only by interruption , through occasion of removals , which neither usually lasted over-long , nor , though distracted him in his studies , did any whit lightly lessen his labours ; he was frequently drawn forth to joyn with other his reverend brethren in their meetings and exercises , at ashbie de la zouch in leicester-shire , at repton in darby-shire , and at burton upon trent ; at some of which meetings the manner being , that some one of them preached his hour on the scipture propounded the meeting before , and the rest or a certain number of them spent afterward , each one his half hour or thereabout on some other portion of scripture , one being appointed to moderate , by minding each that spake , if occasion were , of the time , and to close up all with some succinct rehearsal of what had been delivered , together with an additament , if it seemed good , of somewhat of his own . it hath been reported by some of those ministers , who frequented these exercises , that when they could get this our brother , into that number , or into the chair , which latter he could hardly be drawn into , he was observed to have a reach still beyond the rest ; and in regard of his depth of judgment , and dexterity in due ballancing of points controverted , and differences in opinion concerning the same , he was commonly stiled among them the weighing divine , as hath been attested by that worthy servant of christ now at rest with him , master oliver bowles , from the mouths of some of them , who in his hearing related it . for his ordinary manner of teaching , it was in some kinde somewhat different from the usuall method of the most teachers in those times . for he seldome made any excursion into the handling of common places , or drew his subject matter out at length by any prolixly continued discourse : but the main frame both of his publick sermons and private exercises , for the most part , if not wholly , consisted , after some brief and genuine resolution of the context , and explication of the termes , where need required , of notes and observations , with much variety and great dexterity drawn immediately from the text , and naturally , without constraint , issuing and flowing either from the main body , or from the several limbs of it , with some usefull application annexed thereunto : which though neither of them long insisted upon , yet were wont with that vivacity to be propounded and pressed by him , as well might , and oft did , pierce deep into the hearts of his hearers , and not only rectifie and clear their judgments , but have a powerfull work also upon their affections . nor was it his manner to quote many scriptures , finding it troublesome to his memory , and supposing it would be so to his auditours also : ( that which was the practice and opinion also of doctor chaderton , as they well know , that heard him on matth. . . ) besides deeming it the lesse needfull , in regard that his observations being grounded immediately on the scripture he handled ; and by necessary consequence thence deduced , seemed to receive proof sufficient from it . a constant form of prayer he used , as in the family , so in his publick ministry ; only varying or adding upon speciall accasions , as occurences intervening required ; the reason he gave thereof , was this , because hesitation , ( which he said he was much subject unto ) was in prayer more offensive , then in other discourse ; unto prophane ones especially , whereof in mixt multitudes , and meetings , some lightly , too many usually , were ; that which he affirmed also to have been master cartwrights practice , with whom sometime he conversed . in such manner of teaching he went over divers portions of scripture : among others , the fifty first , and the hundred and nineteenth psalms : the story of hanna , sam. . and of naaman the syrian , kings . part of christs sermon on the mount , matth. . the parable of the sower , matth. . and of the rich man and lazarus , luk. . the relation of christs temptations , recorded by two of the evangelists : the whole history of christs apprehension , araignment and execution ; together with judas his end ; the four first chapters of the epistle to the romanes ; the three last chapters of the epistle to the hebrews , beside many other more particular parcels of scripture . of this sort was by himself published in his life-time , a preparation to the sacrament of the lords supper ; at first written out at the request of that right religious lady darcy for her private use , and by importunity afterwards , made more publick for the farther benefit of others . therewith many have been much taken , ( by means whereof it hath oft been reprinted ) and among others one thomas foster a mercer by trade , living at shefford in bedfordshire , a very honest , humble-minded , and sincere-hearted christian , hath been heard to professe , that that book , and that part of it more specially wherein are laid down certain marks and signs of faith and repentance , was as farre ( as he was able to deem ) the only outward instrumentall means of his conversion , through the gracious co-operation of gods spirit working powerfully and efficaciously upon his heart in the reading thereof . and since his death have been published , a nuptial sermon , entituled , a marriage feast , on joh. . . — . a meditation of mans mortality , on psal. . his sermons on the second epistle to the thessalonians . a treatise of christian reproof , on matth. . , . and another of the sin against the holy ghost , on matth. . . — . which in his life-time he had been by that worthy knight sir robert darcy , who died not long before him , much pressed to publish ; but could not prevail with him , being very backward in that kind , much undervaluing his own works , and very rarely , if ever , satisfying himself in ought that he undertook . for the use of the family wherein he lived , he drew up a twofold catechism as they term it ; the one somewhat large , the other more brief , for young beginners extracted out of the former ; which latter , to save labour of transcribing , he permitted to be printed . what spare time he had from his constant imployments either private or publick , when not taken off by occasionall occurrences , he spent most of it principally three waies . first , in labouring to clear some points about the do●trine of faith and justification ; concerning the latter whereof , after many debates ( first occasioned by some lectures of doctor grey , sometime fellow of trinity colledge in cambridge , then reading on that subject at gresham colledge in london ) that passed to and fro by reciprocall letters between him and a special friend of his , he began to set upon an exact treatise of that argument : which being upon the first draught of it communicated to that friend of his , upon some advertisements from him , he in divers particulars farther cleared ; and being afterward imparted to divers of prime note in either university , he was by them not much encouraged only , but earnestly incited to divulge it ; that , which though by much difficulty drawn unto , yet at length he did . and howsoever that accurate piece was but coursely entertained by one of his brethren in the ministry , then living in the city , traducing it publickly in a lecture at pauls , quarrelling with him who had licensed it for the presse , and framing a bitter invective against it ; which upon perusall was found so virulent , that he could not get it permitted to passe to the presse ; yet was the work so well approved by many learned and judicious in both our universities , that divers of them have professed to have received more light thence in that point , then they had ever before from the writings of any that had dealt in that argument . hence it was that having occasion to be sometime on the act-day at oxford , one of those that had seen it , and deeming not underservedly of the workwan by the work , seeing him passe along in a plain russet cloak , is reported by some that were then in company with him , to have said to them , do you see the man that goeth yonder , in that plain habit , and in that self-neglecting garb and posture ? he hath more sound learning in his head , then twenty of us have . and that famous professor doctor prideaux , after his decease , in some company hearing his son yet surviving then present there named , demanded of him whether that master bradshaw , that wrote the treatise of justification were his father ? and being informed that he was , he professed himself heartly glad to see the son of that man , for the old acquaintance he had , not with his father himself , but with that work of his , for those were the doctors own words . hereunto may be added the verdict of that great and grave counsellour of state , so much esteemed for his judgment in law-cases , the lord cook , who visiting the gentlewoman ( by the marriage of her daughter to his sonne , noe neerly linked to him ) at her house where master bradshaw then lay sick , and finding the book lying accidentally in a window , after the perusall of some good part of it , freely professed , that he had seldome read a thing more pithily and pregnanly written . nor was this work of his in such esteem at home only , but with other learned also abroad . among whom master lewis cappel a man of speciall note for variety of learning , and professor of divinity at salmure in france , having received the book sent him from london by master aaron cappel his kinsman , then minister of the french church there , returneth him many thanks for it ; requesting him withall , to enquire after the authors place of abode , and convey from him unto him the letter enclosed ; in the superscription whereof he stileth him , doctissimum , ornatissimun , clarissimúmque virum ; and in the subscription , out of his respect to him , and estimation , yea admiration of him , in regard of that piece alone , thus writes of himself , tui non studiosus modò ; sed cultor & admirator . in the body of the letter , after signification , how upon some occasion being to part with the book , he had taken pains , before he would let it go out of his hands , to translate it out of english into french , he passeth this censure of it , a little book , small for bulk , but for learning , wit and acutenesse a grand one . — to speak ingenuously , i never hitherto read ought in any humane writing of doctrinal divinity , that so exceedingly liked me ; so learnedly , acutely , soundly , pithily , plainly , and yet with admirable brevity is this argument so fully comprised , and throughly handled therein , i want words wherewith to commend and extoll it according to its due desert ; i have oft read it over , and yet never have enough of it ; but the oftner i return to it , and read it over again , the more eagerly is mine appetite stirred up unto it , so much light and brightness of learning , wit and art shineth forth in it . and whereas treading then precisely in piscators steps , he propounded his doubts withall , concerning some particulars , wherein master bradshaw seemed to swarve from piscator ; master bradshaw to give him farther satisfaction therein , and yet save much writing at large to and fro , reviewed his own work , and endeavoured to clear those things somewhat better ; wherein also he was farthered by some exceptions from master wootton imparted unto himself , unto which he had returned an answer ; and having turned it so revised into latine , he sent a copy of it in writing unto master cappel , who upon receit thereof , wrote back at first briefly , but not long after more fully , in these words ; right worthy sir , i wrote before to you , that i had received your truly golden book , enlarged by you and turned into latine , and that presently i read it over , but in haste ; so eager an appetite had i unto it , by reading the other edition of it in english before . since that i have read it over again , not once , but often , and taking leasure thereunto . which the oftner i read over , the more it pleaseth me , and is approved of by me , so accurately and exactly is it composed by you , i hope this birth and issue of your mind will find approbation with peaceable and moderate dispositions , on whether side soever , albeit you condescend not unto them in all things that they require . you so space in the middle between either opinion , that neither of them ought to be displeased with you , if they truly love peace and concord . thus that learned man word for word translated out of his letters in latine , which in the same language have been represented also , and published elsewhere . whereby may appear , what entertainment , approbation , and estimation this treatise ( which yet the author speaks so meanly of himself in private letters to his friends ) found with the learned in forreign parts , and he himself also , where otherwise wholly unknown , for it . and whosoever shall with a regardfull eye read over the generally well approved , and deservedly much esteemed writings of those worthy servants of god , now with the lord , master william pemble and master samuel torsel , concerning this subject , collated with this of master bradshaw , which came forth some good space before either of them had writ ought ; he shall easily discern , on whose foundation they built , in whose steps they trod , with whose heifer they ploughed , at what torch they lighted their tapers , and from whence they received much of their light in that argument . for it may be with good ground of truth be averred , that amids the extream opposition of divines in this point dissenting , this our brother did herein beat out such a middle tract between them , as appears not to have been formerly discovered by any , wherein these two men of special note coming after him , for the main matter of their principles , have kept close to his footsteps , in the path by him cut out and cleared to their hands . of this latter in latine , a copy being sent over by him to doctor ames not long before his dicease , was by him not long after it printed . unto this his purpose was to have added a treatise of justifying faith , the proper nature , peculiar act , and office of it in that work , and great pity it was that such and head as this one piece shews him to have had , was not set apart for such like employments . how many points of much difficulty might haply been clear , if one of his parts had received encouragement , and means of support , to apply himself and his main studies unto so usefull an employment ? surely what he saith of another , might be well said of him , that if such as he was , had the handling of controversies , questions would not be so infinite and intricate oft as they are , and being aright stated , some that now fight most eagerly one against another , would be found to agree , being brought at length aright to understand either other . a second businesse whereunto he applied himself , about which he took much pains , was in the discussion of the matters then in controvesie , for which he so much suffered , about subscription , the ceremonies then pressed , the civil power , and the prelatical , in affairs of that nature . of this kind discourses penned by him were underhand printed , and published , as they could be secretly got out and dispersed , these folowing : a protestation of supremacy : the english puritanism : a treatise of true and false worship : twelve arguments against the ceremonies , and conformity thereunto : of the nature of things indifferent . of which argument also he wrote in latine an answer to master gabriel powel , which yet was not published . and it is well known to some yet surviving , that the greatest part of that which was done in that grand controversie with doctor downham concerning episcopacy , for the main matter of it , came forth of his forge ; ( howsoever of his labour and paines therein taken , another bare the name , and received the reward of the work ) the tart and bitter language only , wherewith it was rather pickled then seasoned , proceeding from another pen , somewhat too much steeped in vineger and gall , that which he complaineth of , as much misliking , in a letter to a friend : for he was a man of a very mild and meek spirit , and of a moderate disposition ; and how farre forth in his judgment and practice he could have acknowledged , submitted unto , and complied with some kind of superintendency , or episcopacy , as it is commonly stiled , may appear by his demands propounded to master francis johnson in his answer to his reasons for seperation , of which more anon . divers other subjects he had set upon , and made entrance into , but afterward laid aside ; whether for want of time and opportunity , or for what other causes , uncertain : among others , of the former sort , was a refutation in latine of dutch thomsons diatribae , de amissione & intercisione justificationis & gratiae ; which upon notice given him of doctor abbots undertaking of that task , he surceased ; of this latter sort , in english , an answer to master hookers ecclesiasticall polity , a work so much cried up ; and admired by the most , and it were greatly to be wished , that he had had life and leasure ( had the lord seen it good ) to have gone through with it : but the lord had otherwise disposed . in the third and last place , amids these his labours about , and suffering for those controversed matters , he bent his forces as much also another way ; to wit , against sectaries and separatists . to this purpose he had divers bickerings with them , and with some of the chief leaders among them , both by conferences with them , and by writings against them and the courses taken by them , whereby many were stayed from going those wayes , and some also reclaimed and brought back again . among other , at the request of a gentleman of lincolns-inne , ( for the stay of some that were staggering , and warping that way , that one master clifton had gone before them , seduced by master smith sometime fellow of christs colledge , who had thrice been baptized ) having imparted to him a relation in writing , of what had past between smith and clifton , who by that their mutuall collation pretended , as upon good and just grounds , being convict in conscience , to have past over to him ; he wrote a large discourse , wherein he discovered a great deal of weaknesse , as well in the arguments of the one , as in the answers of the other ; thereby making it manifestly to appear , by what slight and ill-wrought twine rather then twist , that might have easily been snapt asunder ; master clifton had been drawn away , and induced to leave his former station , and abandon his wonted profession ; nor was his labour herein without its desired successe with those , for whom it was undertaken : as also thereby he took occasion to write a defence of the baptism of infants , against the same parties . against master francis johnsons reasons for separation , he wrote a book entituled , the unreasonablness of separation , and that upon this occasion . one that was deemed to be a man of an ingenuous disposition , was earnestly solicited by some with whom he conversed , to withdraw from our congregations , and seeming to be much perplexed with master johnsons arguments , was yet perswaded by some of his discreet friends , to do nothing inconsiderately in a businesse of that concernment and consequence , but to consider seriously first of it , and have conference with some grave and godly ministers , such as he deemed as well judicious as consciencious ; whereby it might be descried , whether the grounds that he was in this course intended to go upon , were such as would endure triall or no ; this advice of theirs was hearkened unto , and choice made by himself of master bradshaw and another , whom he conceived to be both understanding and moderate men . the place for conference was agreed upon to be in a common friends house , and the meeting intended to be very private , not above two or three of that party , besides himself , the two ministers and those of the house ; but such of them whose presence alone he desired , having acquainted divers others of their complices therewith , a multitude of them intruded themselves . now in regard of such an unexpected company , it was deemed meet to proceed the more warily . and the party in the conference principally concerned , being put to his choice , whether he would argue or answer , was willing rather to argue , and to make use of master johnsons arguments , then to frame others of his own : that which very well pleased those of the separating side , as deeming master johnsons arguments unanswerable . to prevent mis-reports , it was mutually agreed , that two persons , one of either side , should write down each argument , as it was propounded , and each answer , as it was returned thereunto , and should read audibly , what had passed in the prosecution of any argument at the close of it , before entry upon a new , which was accordingly done ; and so many of master johnsons reasons discussed as the straits of time would permit ; in pursuit whereof was so evidently shewed how grossely master johnson had abused divers passages of scripture , quoted for proof of those propositions , whereunto he had affixed them , that the whole company of them were exceedingly puzled with it , and some of them to save their champions credit , would fain have fastned some fault upon the printers , but could not well find how to do it . the evening coming on , the debate ceased for that day : and copies on either side taken , being read , collated , and interchangeably delivered , the conference was adjourned till afternoon the next day , what time the other arguments were to be scanned . but the party , whom the businesse concerned , being perswaded by the rest of them , ( as it seemed ) to desist , did the next morning make known his unwillingnesse for some pretended causes to go on ; and so it brake off . howbeit master bradshaw having waded so farre in examination of master johnsons reasons , was much importuned to proceed on therein , and to go through with the rest , considering how needfull a work it was , and how usefull it might prove . which being at length drawn unto , and that the rather because master johnson had fetcht some arguments from grounds laid by him in that treatise against conformity , which it stood master bradshaw upon therefore to consider of , and give satisfaction unto ; that which was drawn up by him , after perusall and approbation of some , on whose judgment he much relied , was by their advice sent over to master ames , who with an epistle of his own prefixed , caused it to be printed in those parts , where he then abode . neither was there any reply ever returned unto it , in defence of master johnson , either by himself , while he lived , or by any other in his behalf , so long as master bradshaw survived ; only many years after master bradshaws decease , an attempt was made against it by one master can of amsterdam , which was not long after returned back upon its author by a friend of the deceased . and indeed to separation he was ever very adverse , and to withdrawing from the publick places of assembly , or from any part of gods worship there used . to which purpose shall be related out of his papers in his own words the ensuing passages ; delivered by him in a sermon at longford on matth. . . it is the great mercy of god toward us , that we have no cause to seek the word in deserts and wildernesses , in woods and caves and desolate mountains ; but such worthy edifices as these to assemble in , dedicated only to this use . and where gods people have by publick authority such places as these appointed and allowed ordinarily to assemble and meet in , we are fouly at least to suspect those assemblies , and the worship done therein , which forsake those places , and fly into woods and deserts . it is true , that among the jews at this time there was the temple , and besides sundry synagogues , answeriing to these churches of ours ; and which is more , the doors of the pulpits were generally open to christ himself ; and yet our saviour often taught in other places , but this was upon extraordinary occasions , such as seldome or never fall out with us ; and so carried by our saviour , that there was no schisme or separation made by him , or any of his speciall disciples or followers , from the assemblies then established . and after concerning the places of assembly themselves : it is indeed an honour , that those which are in authority and ability , should do to the worship of god , to see that comely and seemly places be dedicated and separated from other common uses thereunto ; and it is a disgrace and contempt to gods worship , when men that may remedy it , care not how base and contemptible the place of gods worship is ; when men have not that care of the place , where the holy assembly of god meets , as they have of their barns and stables . as also concerning some circumstances of gesture used in them ; from christ sitting to teach , we learn in such externall behaviour to follow our saviours example ; that is , in matters not doubtfull , and controversal , at least to conform our selves to such outward fashions as are generally used in those times , and that church wherein we live . for example , in the like case ; it is the general custom in our church , that the ministers preach standing in a seat higher then the people , and bare-headed : and this gesture is no peculiar gesture , but borrowed from the common practice of orators and such persons as make speeches to solemn assemblies . it 's meet therefore in such cases , that we should not be singular and odde , but conform to the received fashion of the church . so that if we should sit and preach as christ did , we should not conform to christ ; because we should cross that , which was the ground why christ sate . lastly , concerning repair to all parts of gods service , from those words ; and his disciples came to him , &c. this also is a matter of order , that , as much as may be , divine worship should begin , when the congregation is assembled and come together . therefore the members of an assembly should make more conscience then usually they do of coming together sooner . i urge this the rather , because it is a general fault in our assemblies , not committed only by them , that care not which end of religion goeth forward , but generally of most , that so they come to some part of gods worship , it is well enough , especially if they can come time enough to the beginning of the sermon . hence many times the minister with the clerk are fain to perform a great part of the publick worship of god alone , or with one or two at the most , and the rest of the church come dropping in one after another at their own leasure ; as though the publick prayers of the church , and reading the scriptures were a worship that concerned the minister , and clerk only , and not the whole church . this is the rather related , and here inserted , because not published , to manifest the moderation of the man , notwithstanding so much hard measure as he sustained from the hands of those , who so grievously abused the power they had in those times . thus have you a rude and crude delineation of this blessed and faithfull servant of gods course and race , whose life was indeed as a continuall peregrination here upon earth ; extracted , partly from letters written to him by others , communicated , for the better making up of this module , by master samuel hildersham , pastor of the church at west-felton in shropshire , sonne to that famous man of pious memory master arthur hildersham , and master john bradshaw , at present minister of the word at echingham in sussex , sonne to this worthy champion of christ jesus , both genuine heirs of their parents best parts ; and partly from relations of his own and others of good credit , his letters especially to a bosome friend , whom he was wont from time to time thereby to acquaint with most occurrents of note that befell him , or did any way concern him , while they lived at a distance . it might have been more exactly and intirely performed , had not some letters of his been lost , and a bundle of others to him miscarried , torn by rats in his absence from the place where they lay , the losse whereof in a letter he much laments , and wishes that as many of his books , to save them , had undergone the like ill-usage . his death was much lamented , as by all that knew his parts , and how usefull he might farther have been to gods church , had the lord been pleased to lengthen out the line of his life ; so more especially by the well-affected of that family , whereunto he had adhered ; but in a degree farre above the rest by the head thereof , mistresse katharine redich the relict of master alexander redich , deprived now of a second stay , and principal support , for spiritual helps especially , since her husbands decease ; a very tender-hearted gentlewoman , much addicted to hospitality , and of very remarkeable devotion and piety , reported by those who were inwardly acquainted with her more retired courses , to have been wont constantly to spend privately twice a day , at several set times an hour at least , in meditation and prayer mixed oft with many tears . she good soul , was so affected with his departure , and so feelingly apprehensive of her own losse thence ensuing , that albeit she survived him about , if not above some twelve years ; yet was it observed by those that conversed with her , that to her dying day , she could very seldome with dry eyes , either speak of him , or hear him spoken of by others ; that which made divers forbear speaking of him , what they well might , in her presence , for the renewing of her grief . nor was her hearty affection to him , and due esteem of him manifested in such kind of expressions alone , ( where , in even counterfeits , though not so constantly , yet can at sometimes exceed ) but it was made to appear in beneficence to her ability , and in carefull provision to her power for those he left behind him ; for what by her husband was intended , though she met with many obstructions in the pursuit of it , the state was so entangled , she at length got made good , and setled according to his desire . and for his eldest sonne , ( for he left three , whereof two yet survive , and a daughter , ) being set apart for a scholar , she maintained him at grammar-school , untill he was fitted for the university , and at the university in part also , so long as she lived . with those in general , among whom he lived , and that knew him but at a distance , he left behind him the estimation of one very studious , humble , plain , honest , loving , free , liberal , charitable and compassionate . very studious they deemed him , because they seldome saw him walking abroad without a book in his hand ; and reading usually , if alone , on it , as he walked , though he walked commonly somewhat fast , being therein farthered through the quicknesse of his eye , and the steadinesse of his hand . and for his humility , it so readily offered it self to the eye in his whole deportment , that they could not but take notice of it , reading it as written in text letters , therein , that saw ought at all in him . a plain man he was , as jacob , without welt or gard ; and a plain-dealing man , as nathaniel , without craft or guile ; free from all courtship , either for counterfeit , or complement . among the meaner sort he was the more beloved , because , though his means were but mean and scant , yet they perceived him to be of a free and liberal disposition ; and were willing therefore to work with him ordinarily before any other , because he used to give them somewhat above their hire or agreement , which few others did . his charitable mind and tender-heartednesse many waies manifested it self . it hath been known , that he hath borrowed money , when he had none about him , or by him , to relieve some that have been in want ; and to have been as carefull to repay it , as forward to part with it . while he was at chatham , some gallies that had sometime been built for service , and lay a long time after there idle , being found unusefull for our seas ; yet being then on foot , and some put into them ; he walked down one day with some company to see the manner of them : which when he had viewed , it seemed to him so dismal a sight , to see men , christian men , put to such kind of servitude , that he could not endure to behold it without tears , and having given them a little money , so left them , returning back in a very sad and pensive moode . yea , he was one of those , whom solomon speaks of , whose commiseration reacheth even to the bruit beasts , which he could not endure to see unmercifully used : and would oft say he was perswaded that men took too much liberty to themselves in killing and misusing some , even contemptible creatures , without cause . riding homeward sometime with his sonne behind him , whom he had taken out with him , the waies being bad and deep , and the beast that bare them travelling heavily and wearisomely , he took occasion thereby to enter into a discourse to the lad behind him , what hardship the poor unreasonable creature was put to , to be serviceable to us , what misery such sustained for mans sinne ; and so affectionately he spake of it , that to his sonne , whom he spake to , he seemed to weep with it . he may be thought to have had some presage of his end , approaching , before his last accesse to the city . for it is reported by his sonne now in the ministry , and treading in his fathers steps , that being very earnest in soliciting of him , that he might then go up to london with him , which since he sucked , it seems he had never seen , he willed him , not to be so desirous to see london ; for whensoever he saw london , he should see it to his cost . and to his great grief indeed he did , coming up with his mother a heavy widow , not long after his fathers departure hence , and funerall rites here performed . we shall close all , with that free and ingenuous character , which that illustrious late bishop of norwich , his old , true and loving friend ( he is pleased so to stile himself in some letters to him ) truly giveth of himself : he was , saith he , of a strong brain , and a free spirit ; not suffering himself for small differences of judgment to be alienated from his friends ; to whom notwithstanding his seeming austerity , he was very pleasing in his conversation , being full of witty and harmlesse urbanity : he vas very strong and eager in arguing , hearty in his friendship , regardless of the world , a despiser of complement , a lover of reality , full of digested learning , and excellent notions ; a painfull labourer in gods work , and now , no doubt , gloriously rewarded . this life was drawn up by my reverend , learned , and worthy friend mr. thomas gataker of rederich . the life of master richard stock , who died anno christi , . richard stock was born at york , and after he was throughly furnished with countrey learning , he went to cambridge at the age of eighteen or nineteen years , as most in those northen parts in those times used to do ; where he was admitted into st. johns colledge , and after a while was chosen scholar of the house . at this time dr. whittaker was master of st. johns ( under whom his younger brother had a sisers place ) who favoured mr. stock very much for his ingenuity , industry and proficiency in his studies . there he remained till he had taken his degree of master of arts , at which time he had had a fellowship , but that his countrey was full ; whereupon he left the colledge , and lived some space of time with sir edmund or edward cope , at cannons ashby in northamptonshire ; from whence he afterwards removed to the lady lane at burton on the water in gloucestershire , to be her chaplain . before he left the university he was designed to a fellowship in sidney colledge , then intended and beginning to be built , but having long discontinued before the building was accomplished , he had then no mind to return to the university again . but coming up to london he was chosen lecturer at austins in watling-street , after which he preached twice every lords day at mildreds bredstreet , during the life of an old man who had the charge there : whence he removed a little higher to all-hallows , where he continued preaching constantly , one mr. edmunds retaining the charge , but by reason of age and infirmities accompanying it , unable to officiate and discharge the place himself . his ministry was so gratefull and acceptable to the people , that after the death of mr. edmunds , the pastorall charge of that place was conferred upon him , which he held to his dying day . being setled there he married a wife yet surviving , by whom he had three daughters . mr. stock nor was he one of those rath-ripe wits , that promise fair in the blossome , but fail in the fruit ; that like comets , blaze brighter then the fixed starres for a time , but after a while vanish and come to naught , the matter of them being either wholly spent or dispersed . but his proceedings in publick were correspondent to his beginnings in private . when it pleased god to call him out , and to set him apart to that imployment , that he had ordained him to before , he proved a painfull and faithfull minister of jesus christ ; a skilfull and powerfull dispenser of gods word . and if any proof hereof be desired , not to insist upon his constant and incessant imployments with generall approbation and applause of those that were religious and judicious , continued for so many years ( as aforesaid ) together ; not a sabboth intermitted , wherein ( if health served ) he preached not twice , either in his own charge ( where he was most frequent ) or elsewhere abroad , besides his catechizing of the younger sort in the week dayes at certain times , and other such offices as to the pastorall function are necessarily annexed , and are privately to be performed ; wherein also he was no lesse diligent then in the execution of his publick ministry . not to insist ( i say ) upon this ( which yet were sufficient proof of it ) as the apostle saith of the corinthians , you are the seal of my apostleship , and my letters testimonial . so may it well be said of this reverend man of god , many christian souls having professed themselves to have had their first effectual calling and conversion from him ; the like whereunto few others could say at that time ; besides the multitudes of those which have acknowledged themselves to have been edified , built up , and bettered by him , are the seal of his calling , and of christ speaking in and by him , and not verball or vocall , but reall letters testimoniall of the efficacy of his ministry , through gods blessing upon the same . one saith that the apostles were like fishermen , the succeeding ministers like huntsmen . the apostles like fishermen that caught many at one draught : the succeeding ministers like huntsmen , that with much toil and clamour running up and down all day , scarce take one deer or hare e're night . and such is the hard condition of many of gods servants , that notwithstanding the faithfull and painfull discharge of their duty , yet are enforced to complain with the prophet , who hath believed our report ? and , i have laboured in vain . scarce able to produce , or instance in any one , of whom they can with some good ground of assurance presume that they have gained at least him unto god. but well might this worthy servant of christ , through gods blessing upon his labours , stand out and say , not of one or two , but of troops , in the words of the same prophet , behold i , and the children that god hath given me . and with the apostle , these have i begotten unto god by the gospel of jesus christ. yea more then that , many famous lights in gods church , and faithfull ministers of his word do professe to have lighted their candles at his lamp ; yea some of them to have received their first beginnings , not of light only , but of spiritual life and grace ( without which all light , be it never so great , is no light , but meer darknesse ) from his ministry . it 's no small honour for a man to win , if it were but any one soul ( he hath saved a soul , saith st. james , as a matter worthy the glorying in . ) for to win a soul , is to win more then the whole world besides is worth . but what an honour then is it to be , not a winner of a soul , but a winner of such as prove winners of souls ; and so by winning of some one immediatly , to be a mediate winner of many others by him ? they shall shine ( saith he ) as the heavens , that instruct ; and they that convert others as the starres . and how gloriously then ( suppose we ) doth this blessed man of god shine now in the kingdom of god , that was an instructer of those that are instructers of others , that was a converter of those that are converters of others themselves ! many then did this worthy man ( as the holy ghost saith of john the baptist ) win unto god. many he won , though all he could not , that was more then the apostle paul was able to do . the jews opposed themselves against his ministry , and blasphemed , act. . . and thes. . . all men ( saith he ) have not faith ; but yet many he won , and his desire and endeavour ( with the same apostle ) was to win all , his own flock especially , of whom he used to protest , that it was more comfort to him to win one of them then twenty others . but some refractory spirits ( as what minister doth not ? ) he met withall , that would not be reclaimed ; that by their crosse-grain carriage and behaviour , were as thornes in his eyes , and as goads in his sides , and proved a vexation of heart to this faithfull servant of christ. but against such persons , not only the dust of the ministers feet , but the sweat of his brows , and the tears of his eyes , and his strength wasted amongst them , and his spirits spent upon them , shall one day rise up in judgment against them , to make their doom the heavier , if it be not prevented by speedy and unfeigned repentance . but because a man may win others , and yet lose himself , he may save others , and yet not save himself ; they may beget life in others that have none themselves . the word may work by a man , and yet not work in him . he may be like a stone-gutter ( saith st. austin ) or a leaden pipe , that conveyeth water into a garden , yet receives no benefit thereby it self . or like the hand on the high-way that pointeth others the way , but never walks therein it self . or like an harp ( saith the heathen ) that maketh others melody , or a trumpet that sounds loud , but heareth nothing it self . or like to the water in baptism ( saith gregory ) that helps men to heaven-ward , but afterwards is poured down the sink it self . he may preach to others , and not preach to himself . he may convert others , and yet himself prove a castaway . though yet indeed it 's seldome seen , that much good is done where a due consent is wanting between tongue and hand , between lip and life . it was far otherwise with this reverend man of god ; he was none of those that say and do not ; but as he taught so he wrought ; his doctrine and practice concurred , and went hand in hand together . his actions were , though silent , yet reall and effectual sermons of that which he preached in the pulpit . the course of his life was uniform with the tenour of his teaching ; and both joyning and concentring in one , were a means to draw on many ; who by the one alone probably had not been so easily won to christ. in a word , for his teaching , many that were his constant hearers , have given him a large testimony ; and they that knew his conversation have done the like for his life . he was not a flash , one of those which shew all in a sermon , or that spend all upon one curious good work that they mind to make their master-piece . but both in his life and teaching he held on such a constant tenour , that the more men , especially such as were wise and judicious , were acquainted with either , the more they reverenced and esteemed him for both . there are two things ( saith one ) that make a compleat man , integrity and judgment ; the one whereof is but lame and maimed without the other ; and yet in few they use to meet together ; yet there was an happy conjunction of them both in this worthy man. one sign whereof will appear by the frequent practice of many who made use of him for to be an overseer of their last wills , and craved his assistance by way of direction for the disposall of their outward estates ( and all know how cautious men use to be in that kind . ) another testimony of it was by those reverend brethren of the ministry , as well as others , who either by letters or otherwise , out of all parts of this realm , did usually seek to him , as to one more then ordinarily able to give them satisfaction for the resolution of their doubts . these two then made him a compleat man ; but there is something more required to make a compleat minister , viz. that he be able to speak his mind fitly ( for what use can there be of a mute messenger ) and that he dare do it freely ( for of whom is courage and freedom of speech more required then of gods messengers ? ) nor was mr. stock defective in either . for as for the former , how well able he was , not to expresse only , but to urge and presse too ; not to confirm alone , but to commend also that that he delivered with clear method , sound proof , choice words , fit phrases , pregnant similitudes , plentifull illustrations , pithy perswasions , sweet insinuations , powerfull enforcements , allegations of antiquity , and variety of good literature ; that both the learnedest might receive satisfaction from him , and the very meanest and dullest might also reap benefit by him , and so as might well leave a deep impression in the hearts and minds of the hearers , they cannot be ignorant , that for any space of time heard him . in a word , in this kind he was such an one as many strove to imitate , but few attained to equalize him . again , because it is in vain to be able to speak to good purpose , if a man dare not use his tongue : if ( as one said of the eretrians ) he belike the sword-fish , that hath a sword in his head , but no heart in his body : or like a cowardly companion , that carries a weapon to ruffle with , but dares not draw or make use of it , though just occasion be offered . for his freedom of speech therefore in reproving of sin , and that even to the faces of the greatest , whether in publick or private , when occasion 〈◊〉 ; many even now living are able to testifie , and some accidents made it more publickly known , then his desire was that it should have been . he was very zealous and earnest for the reformation of some proph●nations of the sabbath . wherein he prevailed also for the alteration of something offensive in that kind , as well with the main body of the city , as with some particular societies ; as for their meetings upon st. thomas day . he perswaded also some of the companies to put off their solemn festivals from mundaies to tuesdaies , that so the lords day might not be prophaned by their preparations for those feasts . his prudence also appeared in his order of catechizing the young persons of his parish ; by examining them apart , the youths on one day , and the maids on another . the riper and forwarder first in the presence of the ruder and rawer , and the ruder and rawer apart by themselves , when the former were departed , that so they might reap what fruit they could by hearing the others , and yet might receive no discouragement by being heard of them . neither was his pious diligence and care lesse seen in the religious instruction and education of those that were under his private charge , as children and servants , for whom his care was greater to provide for their souls then their bodies , for their spirituall then for their temporall estate ( yet not neglecting that neither ) by bringing them up in the nurture and fear of the lord. in a word , time and speech would sooner fail then matter , if i should proceed to write of all the gifts , graces and praise-worthy qualities of this eminent servant of christ. in his publick ministry his usuall manner was upon occasion to quote the sayings of many of the fathers , which some taking exceptions at , he thus apologized for himself , if any ( saith he ) take exceptions at my alledging of fathers ( as some have taken offence at my using of reasons to confirm the doctrine , but with very little reason as i suppose ) i must pray them , to give me leave to use them , till i can see that unlawfulnesse which they affirm to be in the practice , and to censure me in charity for the use of them , as i do them for not using them . i will look as well to my heart in the use of them , as god shall enable me ; and when i shall see the hurt of them , i will endeavour as much to avoid them . in the mean time i will make as much use as i can of them , to edifie the church of god. in his younger dayes being called to preach at pauls crosse , he dealt somewhat plainly and freely in taxing some abuses in the city in unequall ratings , whereby the meaner sort were overburthened , whilest the rich and great ones escaped with more ease . this was ill taken by many of them , who checked him as over-rash for dealing in such matters , calling him a green-head : but in his latter daies being called to preach at the lord maiors election , he fell again upon the same subject , and told them a gray-head spake now what a green-head had done formerly . but to draw to an end together with his end ; the end of his labours , but the beginning of his rest ; the end of his work , but the receit of his reward . in the aformentioned and such like imployments , publick and private , he spent his time : he spent his strength like a torch or taper , wasting and consuming himself for the profit and benefit of others , having his work with god then , and his reward for it from god afterwards . and for these imployments sake was it principally , that he desired recovery of health and strength : unto the performance whereof also ( though therein injurious to himself , and contrary to his own desires ) he oft strained himself , and that in the midst of his infirmity and weaknesse , not to uncertain hazard only , but to evident impreaching and impairing of either . what is the sign ( saith hezekias , when he promised recovery ) that i shall go up to the house of the lord ? as desiring continuance of life , and recovery of health for no one end more then that . and therefore also was it that this worthy man was desirous of recovery , that he might repair to gods house again , and that he might return to gods work again . to which purpose the very last lords day before his disease , having after many relapses recovered a little strength , he made shift to get out to a neighbour congregation , there to joyn with gods people in publick performance of such solemn service of god , as that day is usually spent and imployed in . and having held out with them to the end in both parts of the day , he rejoyced much therein that he was able so to do , the rather because he thereby conceived some good hope , that he should be strong enough ere long to return to his wonted work and imployment again . but the lord saw it better ( for his will appears by his work ) to put an end to his incessant labours here , and to transhate him to the place of his endlesse rest elsewhere , and that upon the twentieth day of april , anno christi . having been preacher at all-hallows bredstreet during the spence of thirty two years , where he was an exmple to his people in word , in inconversation , in charity , in spirit , in faith , in purity . but as one saith , an exact face is seldom drawn but with much disadvantage ; so neither is his character ; so that we may well say as one doth of basil , there wanted but his own tongue to commend him with . the life of master richard rothwel , who died anno christi , . richard rothwel was born in lancashire , at , or near bolton in the moors , about the year of our lord , . after he took the ministry upon him , and god gave him another heart , he disposed his temporal estate amongst his friends , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cor. . . . he lived of the gospel . his education was in the schools , and afterward in cambridge ; in the one he attained to an exact knowledge of the tongues , ( especially greek and hebrew , wherein he was a critick ) and in the other of the arts , so that he became a skil-linguist , subtil disputant , copious orator , and of a deep insight into any kind of knowledge , humane or divine . in this first course of his studies appeared presently to his observers , the buds and blossomes of that fame which after he attained ; for he had a prompt wit , a quick apprehension , a clear understanding , a sound judgement , a ready speech , and a strong memory . all these seldome meet in one man , but did in him very eminently , and were improved by diligent study , which ( out of a desire of learning and knowledge ) he continued to his last without wearinesse . his constitution of body , and moral endowments of minde , were great props and supporters to his intellectual habits , gratior est virtus veniens è corpore pulchro . this is not the ordinary lot of scholars ; he was tall , well set , of great strength of body and activity , of a stern countenance , of invincible courage , of approved valour , and of a very goodly and majestick presence : grief nor any misery could ever break him , but joy would presently melt him into tears . he was of a generous spirit and deportment , yet withall very humble and courteous ; his language was sententious and proverbial . i have heard many others say , what i must needs my self , nunquam illi accedo quin doctior evadam ; i never came to him , but i went the learneder from him . he had a great dexterity in communicating his mind to another , and speaking to his understanding , god gave him a great inlet into the hearts of men . after many years spent in the university , he betook himself to the ministry , and was ordained presbyter by doctor whitgift then archbishop of canterbury , who forbade him medling with interpretation of moses types , the book of canticles , daniel , and the revelation . which then he thought himself , as the bishop did , were not so useful for him to study as some other scriptures . but alas ! all these natural dispositions , intellectual habits , personal deportments were but as so many weapons in the hands of a mad man : judge how able by these to resist the truth ; for he remained some years without any change of heart , or sensible work of grace upon his soul , but preached learnedly as they called it , and lived vainly ; abhorring debauchery , and debauched companions , through the height of his spirit , but gave himself to hunting , bowling , shooting , more the● became a minister of the gospel ; and sometimes he would swear faith and troth , and in his passion greater blasphemies . i have heard him tell that there were two knights in lancashire fallen out , and great fewd betwixt them ; that the one had a very good park with store of deer ; that the other had excellent good fish-ponds , and store of fish : he robbed the park of the one , and presented what he got to the other ; and the fish-ponds of the other , and presented the fish to his adversary ; thus he pleased himself in the daies of his vanity , with such kind of follies . in doing this one night , the keeper met with him , his dog having killed a buck ; at the fall of the buck the keeper came in with his fauchion and staff , and met master rothwel who had a staff also ; they fell from words to blows ; he got the keeper down , bound him by the thumbs , and drew him up to his full height , that he could but touch the ground with his toes , and so left him tied to a tree till next morning , when others found him and loosed him . at length god pleased , who separated him from his mothers womb , as he did paul , and called him by his grace to reveal his son in him . which because it was famous , and he himself afterwards proved the means of the conversion of so many , i shall set it down as i remember i have heard him speak it . he was playing at bowles amongest some papists and vain gentlemen , upon a saturday , somewhere about rachdale in lancashire ; there comes into the green to him one master midgley , a grave and godly minister of rachdale , whose praise is great in the gospel , though far inferiour to master rothwel in parts and learning ; he took him aside and fell into a large commendation of him , at length told him what pity it was , that such a man as he should be a companion for papists , and that upon a saturday , when he should be preparing for the sabbath-day . master rothwel sleighted his words , and checked him for his medling . the good old man left him , went home and prayed privately for him ; master rothwel when he was retired from that company , could not rest , master midglys words struck so deep in his thoughts ; the next day he went to rachdale church to hear master midgley , where it pleased god to blesse that ordinance so , as master rothwel was by that sermon brought home to christ. he came after sermon to master midgley , thanked him for his reproof , and besought his direction and prayers , for he was in a miserable condition of nature ; and under the spirit of bondage he lay for a time , till afterwards , and by master midgleys hands also he received the spirit of adoption , wherewith he was so sealed , that he never lost his assurance to his dying day . though he was a man subject to many temptations , the devil assaulting him very much , yet god was mightily with him , that out of his own experience he was able to comfort many . he esteemed and counted master midgley ever afterward for his spiritual father . this makes me think upon augustines speech to god , when he came to hear ambrose preach : non ut doctorem veni ( but upon another account ) ad eum ; per te ducebar nescius , ut ad te per eum sciens ducerer . so did the lord by master midgleys plain kind of teaching , put forth the evidence of his spirit upon this mighty and learned rabbi . whether it was before or after this his convesion that he went a souldier , and chaplain to a regiment under the earl of essex into ireland , i know not ; but there he was , and did very great things . and certainly his wisdome and courage were so eminent in him , that there were few of his calling his equals , i think none at all his superiours . he now becomes another man , forsakes all his wonted courses and companions , preacheth in another manner then formerly , opens the depths of satan , and deceitfulnesse of the heart , so as he was called the rough hewer . he had the power of god that went with his ministry , when he preached the law to make men tremble , yea sometimes to cry out in the church : and when he preached the gospel , he was another barnabas , and had great skill in comforting afflicted consciences . he studied now the point of non-conformity , which was as the joynts in ahabs armour , through which the prelates hit , and deprived so many godly and able ministers in those times . in these controversies he was so well versed , that he satisfied many , and silenced any that disputed with him . he was so fixed in his judgment , that he would never either marry , ( expecting daily persecution ; and the word he used in all his books , was persecutio pignus futurae felicitatis ; ) nor take any benefice , ( though divers great livings were proffered him ) because he would still say , my head is too big to get into a church-door . but he betook himself first to a chappel in lancashire , as a lecturer , and afterward ( to decline the storm of the prelates ) to be a domestick chaplain to the earl of devonshire , and at ●hat time i first knew him , and came ( i blesse god ) acquainted with him . there now ran nothing more in his mind , but why the bishop should forbid him preaching upon those scriptures before mentioned ; and he began to conceive that there was sure something there , could he find it , which would mightily batter bown their hierarchy ; he prayed therefore much to god , ( wherein he was mighty ) and studied them , and god opened those mysterious passages of his book to him more then to other men , that he seldom preached abroad out of any other scriptures , and did write an exact commentary upon moses types , which he unveiled with very much profit and delight to the reader ; but that book is lost to the great losse of gods church thereby . learned and godly master cotton enquired of me whether that or any thing else might not be found amongst his papers after his death i told him there was little found , but what was in characters . he prayed me to send him what i could gather , to boston , where men were that were expert in characters . i did so , but i believe they could make nothing of them . that and some other of his learned and judicious labours he hath lent out , i suppose , and i fear they will not be recovered . learned men that have seen them , judge them a rare treasure . he had some contests with the prelates , especially with bishop neal then of litchfield , afterwards of durham ; in the which the bishop , i dare say , was more afraid of him , then he was of the bishop : but i forbear that story . at length he came to spend most part of his time in the bishoprick of durham , by means of an honourable and elect lady , the lady bowes , afterwards the lady darcy in the north. of whom it was truly preached at her funeral , ( alas , that it was at her funeral ) wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world , there shall also this , that this woman hath done , be told for a memorial of her . she gave about one thousand pounds per annum , to maintain preachers where there were none , nor any means for them , and all her preachers were silenced men by reason of non-conformity : such as master baynes , master dike , &c. she would lay out all her interest to get them their liberty , and then she would dispose of them , where there needed in the north , or in the peak in darbyshire , or other places , and allow them pensions ; o! that god would raise out of the ashes of this phoenix some more such mothers in israel . sir william bowes her husband dying , his funerals were kept at bernards-castle , where he had some honour : master dike ( father of the writers of that name ) was then her houshold chaplain , and went into the north to that funeral ; at his return he represented the state of the people destitute of a minister to my lady , who would have sent him thither ; but he told her he durst not venture on so surly a people , but commended master rothwel to her . she sent to him , then at the earl of devonshires house , and proffered him this employment ; his answer was , he would go thither , and if the people called him , he would then accept of her motion . at his first dayes labour , they all desired him , he returned to the lady , and told her he would go ; she replyed , though for their sakes she was glad , yet she was afraid to send him ; understanding that they were of a fierce disposition , and having never heard the gospel , might deal unkindly with him ; he answered , madam , if i thought i should never meet the devil there , i would never come there ; he and i have been at odds in other places , and i hope we shall not agree there . he desired to have me with him , and with much ado prevailed ; and so ( i blesse god ) he not only fitted me for the university , but was a means to bring me to the first saving knowledg of christ ; i remember , and shall do ever , the first sermon and point which god blessed to my soul for that purpose . i was about eight years his bed-fellow and eye witnesse of the great success he had in his ministry there , and over all the countrey , where he was worthily called , the apostle of the north. the lady allowed him fourty pounds per annum , and such as god wrought upon by his ministry contributed to him , but he would not have a penny from any other . there was once in his absence collected . li. by sir talbot bowes , that lived there , from the people ; but when he returned and knew it , he caused it to be restored to the parties , that gave it , and told them , he sought them , not theirs . at his first entrance he had great opposition , and sometimes was way-laid to take away his life ; but he overcame all that with his patience and courage , and at length his greatest enemies were afraid of him ; and few sermons , but it was believed , he gained some souls . his manner was to spend the forenoon at his studies , and the afternoon in going through his parish , and conferring with his people ; in which , as he excelled , so he gained much upon them ; and within four years had so many judicious and experimental christians , that they came from london , york , richmond , new-castle , and many other places , to see the order of his congregation : and many lewd gentlemen came oft , ten or twelve miles to hear him , to carp and get somewhat to accuse him : many of which god took hold on , and they returned , some convinced , and some converted . neal ( the said prelate of durham ) bestirred himself , and outed many worthy men , and endeavoured his removal . once he sent three pursivants to apprehend him , and promised them one hundred pounds , if they brought him . he was then out of town , and had notice by me of their purpose ; a gentleman being with him , one master israel fielding , a true israelite , desired him to go with him to his house , within a quarter of a mile of bernards castle , which was out of the bishops jurisdiction : to whom he answered , i had thought you had been my friend : what is the devils greatest name ? i answered belzebub . and what ( saith he ) is belzebub ? the master of a flie : and if he be but so , what are these ? midges * : i will go therefore to my people , and let the devil do his worst . so he came and sent to the pursivants to come to him , when they came , he took his sword in his hand , ( which he alwaies rid with ) and bad them keep their distance and not come too near him , but if they would do their errand , let them come , for there was his supersedeas . god strook them amort , they had no spirit left in them to medle with him . he bad them go to their lord , and tell him , if he had any thing to say to him , he would meet him on bernards castle bridge , ( which parteth the shires ) and if he could pull him over to him , let him take him : but , ( saith he ) do you serve a better master , else he that sets you on work will pay you your wages ; and so he left them . not long after , i went to the university , and after eight years continuance there , came over into england upon some opportunities , and stayed about half a year , ere i returned . when i came to mansfield in nottinghamshire , i found him there their minister , and sick unto the death ; at my coming he revived , and in the strength of that joy so far recovered , that within a week he went about the town with me to divers places ; but relapsed , and engaged me to preach for him once the next sabbath following , and in the afternoon at mansfield woodhouse , within half a mile of mansfield . on friday we looked for no life from him , he was almost past his understanding ; there came a drunken vicar of mansfield , one master brittaine to see him , and desired him now , that he was not like to live , to tell him what he thought of the ceremonies , he knew he was learned , and therefore would be glad to be informed by him . master rothwel either understood not , or minded not what he said , but answered sometimes yea , sometimes no , as he apprehended . master brittain went away telling him he was satisfied , and reported in divers ale-houses , and amongst his companions , that master rothwel recanted his judgment of non-conformity . when he was gone , i desired the company to stay , the chamber being full , and i asked master rothwel if he knew who had been with him , and what he said to him ? he answered , no : i told him it was master brittaine , and that he reported he had recanted his judgment . he answered , if i should do so , i were in a most miserable condition . no , ( saith he ) i have written a treatise , and called the ceremonies dulcissima . and why ? ( said i ) peradventure because as in the itch , scratching pleaseth , but draweth blood : at that he laughed , i asked him if i should send for master brittaine , and that he would declare his mind to him ; he answered , no : if he come i shall prove him to be a very knave ; but he desired me to go to him , and let him know his mind , which i did , and took some understanding gentlemen with me , that were present , and so ( i thank god , ) cleared master rothwel , both to master brittaine , and afterwards to all the congregation publickly , from that wicked aspersion . the next day [ saturday ] he had some lightning , and sate up in his chair , and discoursed freely , cheerfully and heavenly all that and the next day ; some sent to enquire on the sabbath how he did , he answered , i am well , and shall be well shortly ; and whispering with me , said , do you know my meaning ? i shall be with christ ere long , but do not tell them so . he caused me to repeat my sermon preached in the forenoon for him , after which , with tears in his eyes he laid his hands on my head , and lifted up his eyes to heaven , and with a short prayer blessed me : then he bad me go to preach at mansfield woodhouse , and tarry there all night , ( for he had promised it to one master dand there , ) but to be sure to come when he sent for me . this he did next morning about six a clock , when i came i found him in pangs of death , he had known nor spoken to any of an hour before : the chamber was full , and one was praying for him ; after prayer , i spake to him , he turned about his head , took me by the hand , and bade me pray , pray ; i desired a reverend minister to go to prayer again ; master rothwel said , pray you , pray you ; i did so : after that he smiled , now ( saies he ) i am well : happy is he that hath not bowed a knee to baal ; he bad us sing psal. . he sung a while , but in the singing of the psalm he died , anno domini . and in the year of his age . thus have i given you as true an account as i could of this famous champion of christ , who notwithstanding his non-conformity , may be called with austin , haereticorum malleus , the hammer of hereticks , and with ambrose , orbis terrarum ( anglicarum ) oculus . the eye as bright as any other in the english orbe . two things ( amongst many others ) i think worthy the inserting into his life , which have been omitted in the fore-going story . the one is a strange sicknesse and recovery he had once at bernards castle . his sicknesse was a vertigo capitis , he would have fourty fits at least in an hour , and every one of them accompanied with mischievous temptations , which when the fit was over , he dictated , and i writ down ; these held him about three weeks , in which time he had the advice of learned physicians from london , york , new-castle , durham , and other places , they all jumped in their judgments , imputing it to much study , fasting , and inward trouble of spirit ; their prescriptions wrought kindly , but removed not his disease ; he desired divers christians to pray for him on a day prefixed , and promised to joyn with them as well as he could , with some others that should be with him , assuring them , that he was confident that disease would not he removed but by prayer and fasting . the morning of that day he had a fit continued four hours together upon him , and the devil set upon him all that while , with most dreadfull temptations , telling him he would make him the scorn of religion , and every man should reproach it for his sake , that had before by his means looked towards it : that he should never preach more , but should blaspheme the name of god he had preached , with many like suggestions : god gave him courage , comfort and victory over them all . the devil told him if he did fast and pray that day , he would torment and hinder him , &c. we met at the time appointed , and master rothwel would needs have me to perform the duty , which through gods goodnesse i did , and the devil was not permitted to hinder or interrupt him or us , and god heard our prayers , so that he had never a fit after that ; and the sabbath-seven night following he preached , but after many wrestlings with satan , who told him he would make him mad , and before all the people in the pulpit make him a scorn if he did adventure to preach ; neverthelesse his faith in christ overcame his fear of satan , and he preached with great assistance and comfort upon that text , psal. . . i will walk before the lord in the land of the living . neverthelesse that sicknesse did so weaken his brain , that ever after he was enclining to some infirmities , which love must cover . the other is a relation which i had from himself , and from divers others to whom the story was known , that are yet alive . as well as i can recollect it , it is thus ; there was one john fox living about nottingham , who had no more learning then enabled him to write and read : this man was possessed with a devil , who would violently throw him down , and take away the use of every member of his body , which was turned as black as pitch in those fits , and then spake with an audible voice in him , which seemed sometimes to be heard out of his belly , sometimes out of his throat , and sometimes out of his mouth , his lips not moving . he lay thus ( if i mistake not ) some years : many prayers were put up to god for him , and great resort , especially of godly ministers , to him : amongst the rest master bernard of batcomb , then of worksop ; and master langley of truswel , betwixt whom and john fox , i have seen divers passages in writing , he relating by pen his temptations , and they giving answers when he was stricken dumb . as master rothwel was riding to see him , the devil told all that were in the house , yonder comes rothwel : but i will make a fool of him before he goes . the people looked forth , and saw him coming a-about a quarter of a mile from the house . as soon as he entered the room , the devil said , now rothwel is come : and as some say spake thus . rothwel , thou sayest there is no possession , what thinkest thou now ? here is a man opens not his lips , and yet he speaketh ? and after a while he further said : devil : say nothing to me of this man , for i tell thee he is damned ; and he added thereto many fearfull blasphemies . rothwel : thou art a lyer , and the father of lies ; nor art thou so well acquainted with the mind of god concerning this man , which makes thee thus to torment him ; therefore i believe thee not , i believe he shall be saved by jesus christ. devil : he is a murtherer , and thou knowest no murtherer must come into heaven . rothwel : thou liest again , for david murdered , and is in heaven ; and the jews with wicked hands crucified the lord of glory , yet both christ prayed for them , and peter exhorts them to repentance , that their sins may be blotted out . devil : but this man hath not , cannot , shall not repent . rothwel : if he had not , thou wouldst not have told him so ; but if he have not , i believe god will give him repentance , and thou shalt not be able to hinder it . devil : thou art a murtherer thy self , and yet talkest thou thus ? rothwel : thou liest again , i have fought the lords battels against his known enemies , the idolatrous and bloody papists in ireland ▪ rebels to the queen my sovereign , by whose authority i bore armes against them ; otherwise i have killed no man. devil : ( swore and blasphemed ) thou didst murther one this day , as thou camest hither , and there is one behind thee will justifie it . rothwel looked over his shoulder , and with that the devil set up a hideous laughter , that nothing could be heard for a great while , and then said : devil : look you now , did not i tell you i would make rothwel a fool ? and yet it is true , thou didst murther one this day ; for as thou camest over the bridge ( which he named ) there i would have killed thee , and there thy horse trod upon a slie and killed it . master rothwels horse you must know stumbled there , it seems the devil had power to cause it , but without hurt either to master rothwel or his horse . rothwel : thou hast oft beguiled me , i hope god will in time give me wisdome to discern , and power to withstand all thy delusions ; and he it is that hath delivered me out of thy hands , and will i doubt not also deliever this poor man. the devil blasphemed fearfully , quoted many scriptures out of the old and new testament , both in hebrew and in greek , cavilled and played the critick , and backed his allegations with sayings out of the fathers and poets in their own language , which he readily quoted , so that the company trembled to hear such things from one that understood no learning , and that moved neither tongue nor lip . master bothwel was mightily enabled by god to detect the devils sophistry . devil : what stand i talking with thee ? all men know thou art bold rothwel , and fearest no body , nor carest for words , therefore i will talk to thee no more , ( that name he carried to his grave ; they would say , that is he the devil called bold rothwel . ) rothwel ( turning to the people ) said , good people , you see the goodnesse of our god , and his great power ; though the devil made a fool of me now , through my weaknesse , god hath made the devil dumb now ; do you see how he lyeth ? therefore let us go to prayer ; that god who hath made him dumb , will ( i doubt not ) drive him out of this poor man. devil raged , blasphemed , and said , and wilt thou go to prayer ? if thou do , i will make such a noise , that thy prayer shall be distracted , and thou knowest god will not hear a distracted prayer : but thou hast got a device , because thou wilt not be distracted with thy eyes in prayer , thou winkest ( so he alwaies did , ) but if thou pray , i will pull out thy eyes . rothwel : i look to find thee as great an enemy in this duty now , as i have done heretofore , but i fear not thy threat , i know thou art limitted ; god heareth the prayers of the upright , hath promised to give his spirit to supply infirmities , therefore in confidence of his promise , and powerfull assistance of his spirit , and in the name and intercession of his son jesus christ we will go to prayer . they did so , mr. rothwel kneeled by the bed on which the poor man lay ; the devil for a quarter of an hour together , or more , made a horrid noise ; neverthelesse master rothwels voice was louder then the devils . after a while the devil roared at master rothwels face ( this was the first motion of any part of the mans body ) master rothwel opened his eyes , met , and brought down the hand , which he held with great ease , two men being scarce able to hold the other hand : prayer was still continued ; at length the devil lay silent in the man , and after that departed from him . the man fetcht divers deep sighs , insomuch as they thought he had been expiring , but his colour returned to him , and the use of all his members , senses , and understanding ; and at the next petition , he said ( to the glory of god , and amazement , but comfort of all the company , ) amen : and so continued to repeat his amen to every petition : prayer was now turned into thansgiving , and so concluded . after prayer , john fox said , good master rothwel , leave me not , i shall not live long ; for the devil tels me he will choak me with the first bit of meat that i eat . master rothwel answered , wilt thou beleeve the devil that seeks thy destruction , before thou wil● trust in god through jesus christ , that seeks thy salvation ? hath not god by his almighty power dispossed him ? had he had his will , thou hadst been in hell before now ; but he is a lier , and as he is not able to hinder thy souls life , so neither shall he be able to destroy the life of thy body . wherefore get me something ready ( saith he ) for him , and i will see him eat before i go , and will crave a blessing upon it . when it was brought , eat saith master rothwel , and fear not the devil , shewing him that he might do it in faith of that ordinance by which god appoints meat for means to preserve life , and urged that place of jairus daughter restored to life : he commanded to give her meat , luk. . . with much ado , and in great trembling at last , them an took , and eat it . look , ( saies master rothwel ) you all see the devil is a lier , the first bit hath not choaked him , nor shall the rest . master rothwel left him , after which he was stricken dumb for three years together . i had a book written with his own hand , of the temptations the devil haunted him with afterwards , and the answers divers godly and reverend ministers gave to those temptations : but the cavaliers got them , and all my books and writings . thus the poor man remained tempted , but no longer possessed ; at length by prayer also ( which was instantly put up to god for him , every sabbath and lecture day , in many places , ) the lord opened his mouth , and restored his speech to him : one using this petition , lord open thou his mouth that his lips may shew forth thy praise . he answered in the congregation , amen : and so continued to speak , and spake graciously to his dying day . this life was drawn up by my reverend friend master stanly gower of dorchester . dr. preston . the life of doctor preston , who died anno christi , . iohn preston , the son of thomas and alice preston , was born at heyford in northamptonshire , a town divided by a little river into the upper and lower heyfords , and is in maps oft written in the plural number ; it is a rectory , and hath a fair church in the lower heyfords , but yet stands in divers parishes . that farme wherein master thomas preston lived , is in bugbrook parish , where they buried and baptized , where we find that john the sonne of thomas preston was baptized , octob. . . but was descended from that family of the prestons , that lived at preston in lancashire , from whence his great grandfather removed , upon occasion of a fatall quarrel with one master bradshaw , a neighbour gentleman , whom in his own defence he slew , and satisfied the law , and was acquitted for it ; but not the kindred , who waited an opportunity to be revenged , as the manner in those northern countries then was . it fell out not long after , that master bradshaws next brother meets master preston , near to the place where he had slain his brother , and told him he should do as much for him , or he would revenge his brothers blood . master preston told him he had slain his brother against his will , and in his own defence : that he bare no evil will unto them ; desired him he would forbear , but when no thing would prevail , they fought , and bradshaw fell again . but master preston , was troubled and grieved at it , for he saw a fire was kindled that would not easily be quenched , and therefore resolved that he would leave that fatall and unlucky countrey , though he was a gentleman of a very fair estate ; and walking one day pensive in westminster-hall , one master morgan of heyford , with whom he was acquainted , came unto him , and asked why he was so sad ? to whom for answer , he relates the former story . master morgan knowing him to be a gallant man , was very sensible of his estate , and told him if he would go with him to heyford , he should have a good farm to live in for the present , and what accommodation he could afford him . master preston thanked him , and after some consideration of the matter , resolved to take his offer , and so master preston of preston in lancashire , became a kind of farmer in northamptonshire , where he afterwards lived and died , and his son succeeded him , and so it came to thomas preston , as we have said . his mothers name before she married , was marsh , but she had an uncle by the mothers side , whose name was craswel , a man of means and good esteem in northampton where he lived , and where he had been several times maior . this uncle being rich , and having no child , was very carefull of her , and took this sonne whilest he was young unto himself , and sent him to the free-school in northampton , where he was a scholar under the government of master sanderson , then master of the school , and after under master wastel , who succeeded him ; and when he had been there some time , his uncle was perswaded to remove him into bedfordshire , unto one master guest , who had sometime taught a private school in northampton , and was accounted a better teacher of the greek tongue , from whence after he had perfected his studies in the greek , he was sent to cambridge , and admitted of kings colledge , under the tuition of master busse , one of the fellows , anno dom. . where he did , as young scholars use to do , that is , applied himself to that which was the genius of the colledge , and that was musick ; and finding that the theory was short and soon attained , he made account the practice would also be so ; and accordingly adventured on the noblest but hardest instrument , the lute , but here he found that art was long , and was not willing to attend it ; he used to say within himself , while he was fingering of his instrument , quantum hoc tempore legi potuit : and whilest his fingers were thus distempered and foundred upon the lute , it fell out that his tutor , master busse , was chosen master of the school at eaton , and so removed from the colledge about two years after he was admitted . coming not from eaten school , but from another , he could not be of the foundation , and was therefore uncapable of those preferments in the colledge that were of most worth , and the sooner perswaded also for to remove , which he did unto queens colledge , where he was received and admitted under the tuition of master oliver bowles , one of the fellows of that house , a very godly learned man , and a noted and carefull tutor , under whose government he setled to his book and left his musick , and by whose conduct and directions he grew in knowledge , and was improved unto very thriving and undertakings in his studies . it is not nothing to be well descended , fortes creantur fortibus & bonis , sheep and neat bred in lancashire , or on the peak-hils , and after driven into northamptonshire , and planted there , produce a very gallant race . these prestons though removed from their native soil , and much impaired in their revenue , retained yet the garb and mettal of their ancestors , they carried themselves and were accounted gentlemen ; something there was in this young prestons spirit that was not vulgar , i have seen in a book of his , under his own hand , when he was young , such sparklings of aspiring ingenuity , as argued in him something that was not common . he was as yet but junier sophister , but looked high , and grew acquainted with those that were gentile , and fancied state-affairs and courtship , that had desires or dispositions to be secretaries or agents in princes courts ; thought it below him to be a minister , and the study of divinity , a kind of honest siliness , and accordingly got in with a merchant , by whose means he did procure that he should live in paris , and learn the language and garb of france ; and another gentleman in recompence , should be received and entertained in london , to learn our garb and language . master creswel of northampton was by this time dead , and had bequeathed certain lands in that town to him after his wives decease ; these lands he sels to put himself into a posture fit for that design ; but here he now began to find that he had reckoned without his host , and that he should have said , if the lord will i shall live and do this or that , jam. . . for the merchant dies before the exchange could be accomplished , and so these blooming hopes , that had thus long held up his imagination died with the merchant . he was of an able , firm , well-tempered constitution , brown , comely visage , vigorous and vivide eye , but somewhat inclining to that kind of melancholly , that ariseth from a dust and parched choler , which now began a little to be discovered in him . for being mated in his first design , he grew discouraged , went not so much abroad among the gallants , but struck sail to fortune and retired ; yet his appetite was rather dammed then dried up ; for after a very little pause and boyling over of his sullennesse , he begins to steer again the same course , although by more certain and domestick mediums , and if he must be shut up and confined to the muses , resolves to be no ordinary servant to them ; his genius led him unto natural philosophy , which by that time was become his proper task ; which he undertakes , not as boyes use to do , to serve their present use , but with devotion , resolves to leave no secret unattempted ; adoreth aristotle as his tutelary saint , and had a happinesse to enter often where others stuck , and what broke others teeth , was nuts to him , no dark untrodden path in all his physicks or metaphysicks , but he was perfect in it ; and so drowned and devoted was he , that he seldom or never could be seen abroad , to the wonder and amazement of his former brave companions , so that no time passed , sine linea ; not that between the ringing and tolling of the bell to meals ; and for his sleep he made it short ; and whereas notwithstanding all endeavours , there was one in the colledge that would alwaies be up before him , he would let the bed-cloths hang down , so that in the night they might fall off , and so the cold awaken him ; insomuch that his tutor was constrained to read unto him moderation , and to tell him , as their might be intemperance in meats and drinks , so also there might be in studies ; but the evil of it as yet he felt not , the sweet and good he did , came off with honour and applause in all his acts , and was admired in the regent house when he sate for his degree , both by the posers and all the masters that examined him , and from that time much observed throughout the university . about this time his tutor [ master bowles , ] was called to the rectory of sutton in bedfordshire , and so left the coledge , and another of the fellows , then master , ( afterward ) doctor porter became his tutor , a very learned man and great philosopher , who never went about for to disswade him from his studies , but gave him all assistance and encouragement . the year following it came unto his tutor to be head-lecturer in the colledge , and sir preston being to probleme in the chappel , made such an accurate and strong position , and answered so understandingly , that his tutor borrowed his position of him , when he had done , to look on and peruse ; and finding it elaborate , resolved to make more use of it , then ever his pupil did intend . the master of the colledge at that time was doctor tyndal , who was also dean of ely , and resided for the most part there ; thither his tutor goes , and carries his position with him , which he sh●wed it to the master , and acquainted him with what he had observed , that he was a youth of parts and worth , and deserved some incouragement ; the master was an honest gallant man , and loved a scholar , and was glad of any oppotunity to shew it , and so bids his tutor send sir preston over unto ely to him , where he assured him , he should not want what was in him to do him good ; and bad him hold on , and he would take care for him : and there being an election in the colledge , soon after he was chosen fellow by unanimous consent of master and fellows , and his tutor master porter brought him word of it , as he was at study , not thinking any thing , and told him that he must come down into the chappel presently to be admitted , and accordingly was admitted fellow of queens colledge in cambridge anno dom. . that is , five years after his first admission in the university : he was not so much moved at it , as young students use to be , because he looked still at higher things , and had not quit in his retired thoughts his first design of being some body at court , to which he thought this honour might be a bar , this courtesie was compes to him , yet it was not manners to be discontent , but attend what should ensue ; he was by this time grown a master in philosophy , had waded far in aristotle , and had met with few that were able to encounter him , and therefore now resolves to go another while to school , to hippocrates and galen , and verifie what is so often said , ubi desinit philosophus , incipit medicus ; he had a very penetrating wit , and exact and solid judgment , to conjecture at effects in causes , and prognosticate events ; and being skilfull in philosophy before , soon made the theory his own , but because perfectio scientiarum est in summitate , the life and vigour of a science , is in the practice , he resolves to make enquiry after that . books make not men practitioners in any art , nemo ex libris evasit artifex , he retires unto a friend of his in kent , who was very famous for his practice , where he earnestly attended and waited on the trade and way of knowing simples , and compounding medicines , wherein he attained to that sufficiency , that had divinity failed , he might have been another butler ; yet what he had was not in vain ; for when any of his pupils were amisse , though he sent them alwaies unto physicians , yet himself perused , and many times corrected their prescriptions . it was not easie to allay his eager , and unsatisfied appetite and apprehension with any one art , eccl. . . he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver . crescit amor nummi quantum ipsa pecunia crescit . the more you put into the soul , the wider presently it retcheth . he thought he could not be a good physician , that could not read the powers of the herbs and plants in stars and planets , acquaints himself with ptolomy , and other authors in astrology , and other curious arts and calculations , as they are called , act. . . that he might be able to study , not only books , but men , and to read mens fortunes in the heavenly bodies ; but he could not , nor did not read his own . there was a soothsayer that told agathocles he should be slain the next moneth : who asked , how long he thought he should live after him ? he answered , many years . he told him he would prove one of the two false , and leave the other to the issue , and so commanded for to hang him presently . master preston was very busie among the houses of the planets , but saw not there his own domestick doom , nor what his maker had determined concerning him , for as he was in these coelestial contemplations , it fell out , that master cotton then fellow of emanuel colledge , preached in saint maries , where master preston hearing him , was set about another exercise , constrained from his contemplations in astrology , to look into himself , and consider what might possibly befall him ; it was his manner , as it is of other students , when they come home from saints maries sermons , to run unto their studies presently , or what is worse ; but this young student was forced to retire and ruminate : this sermon had breaved him of two beloved notions , one was his low opinion of the ministry and preaching , for he saw an over-ruling gravity and majesty in that sermon , that he thought had been impossible to pulpits . i have heard it often in the colledge , that he took away sixteen answers in a probleme in the chappel ; but here was one he knew not how to take away : sed haeret lateri lethalis arundo , no cunning in philosophy , or skill in physick would suffice to heal this wound . another was his great opinion of , and ambition after state-employments , for these were higher things that now were offered to him , concernments of eternal influence , which nothing could divert that he had studied hitherto ; there have been divers eminent and great physicians that began in medling with their own infirmities . self-love rides alwaies on the fore-horse . his own accounts and aking conscience , set luther first upon the study of divinity . master preston after this affront and baffle in the pulpit , wanted ease , and when he could not find it in his other books and studies , begins a little to look into the bible , and to consider of the study of divinity . in the prosecution of his study in philosophy , he found many of the schoolmen quoted , and so was willing for to look a little into them , and finding those he light on , pithy and sententious , went on ; it gave him ease , that he was now a student in divinity , and had left albumasar and guido , and such high-flown speculations , yet it pleased him for to see and find his master aristole , so often quoted , and in such request among them , and thought if that were to be a preacher , he might adventure well enough upon it , and so was drawn on very far in the study of the school-divines . i have heard him say , there was nothing that ever scotus or occham wrote , but he had weighed and examined ; he delighted much to read them in the first and oldest editions that could be got . i have still a scotus in a very old print , and a paper not inferiour to parchment , that hath his hand , and notes upon it throughout ; yet he continued longer in aquinas , whose summes he would sometimes read as the barbar cut his hair , and when fell upon the place he read , he would not lay down his book but blow it off , and in this tune he continued , untill a rumour came into the university that the king would shortly come to visit them . king james was happier in his education , then his mother would have had him . it pleased god to breed a buchanan on purpose , for to guide his younger years , and by that time he was ripe , scotland was grown acquainted with geneva , and the king no stranger unto calvins way . the news awakened all the university , and there were few but promised to themselves some good from this fair gale , that seeing promotion came neither from the east , nor from the west , nor from the south , psal. . . it must and would come from the north ; and the proverb be inverted , and be , omne bonum ab aquilone . doctor harsnet , master of pembroke-hall was then vice-chancellour , a prudent well-advised governour , who knowing well the critical and able apprehension of the king , was very carefull and sollicitous to pitch upon the ablest in every faculty , for actors in that solemn entertainment , and himself made choice of master preston to answer the philosophy act , and sent unto him to provide himself . he was ambitious enough by nature , and had this news come a little sooner , nothing had been more suitable to his design and inclination . but now the gentleman was planet-struck , grown dull and phlegmatick ; master cottons sermon had so invaded him , that kings and courts were no such great things with him , especially when he understood that another was resolved on for answerer . doctor wren was then a very pregnant scholar in pembroke-hall , and also chaplain unto bishop andrews , and thought fit to be imployed in this commencement service , but was not willing to have any other place but answerer : the vice-chancellour urged his promise and engagement unto master preston , and his opinion of his great ability , but nothing would serve . the vice-chancellors colledge , and the bishops chaplain must have precedency , which he most seriously excused to master preston , and endeavoured to reconcile him to the first opponents place , which he declined , as being too obnoxious unto the answerer , who is indeed the lord and ruler of the act ; but there was no removing now , and so he goes about it with much unwillingnesse , being rather driven then drawn unto it . his great and first care was to bring his argument unto a head , without affronts or interruptions from the answerer , and so made all his major propositions plausible and firm , that his adversary might neither be willing nor able to enter there , and the minor still was backed by other syllogismes , and so the argument went on unto the issue : which fell out well for master preston , for in disputations of consequence , the answerers are many times so fearfull of the event , that they flur and trouble the opponents all they can , and deny things evident , which had been the case in all the former acts ; there was such wrangling about their syllogismes , that fullied and clouded the debates extreamly , and put the kings acumen into straits ; but when master preston still cleared his way , and nothing was denied , but what was ready to be proved , the king was greatly satisfied , and gave good heed , which he might well do , because the question was tempered and fitted unto his content ; namely , whether dogs could make syllogismes . the opponent urged that they could , an enthymeme ( said he ) is a lawfull and reall syllogisme , but dogs can make them ; he instanced in an hound who hath the major proposition in his mind , namely , the hare is gone either this or that way ; smels out the minor with his nose ; namely , she is not gone that way , and follows the conclusion , ergo this way with open mouth . the instance suited with the auditory , and was applauded , and put the answerer to his distinctions , that dogs might have sagacity , but not sapience , in things especially of prey , and that did concern their belly , might be nasutuli , but not logici ; had much in their mouthes , little in their minds , unlesse it had relation to their mouthes ; that their lips were larger then their understandings : which the opponent still endeavouring to wipe off with another syllogisme , and put the dogs upon a fresh scent , the moderator doctor reade began to be afraid , and to think how troublesome a pack of hounds , well followed and applauded at last might prove , and so came in into the answerers aid , and told the opponent that his dogs , he did believe , were very weary , and desired him to take them off , and start some other argument ; and when the opponent would not yield , but hallowed still and put them on , he interposed his authority and silenced him . the king in his conceit was all this while upon new-market heath , and liked the sport , and therefore stands up , and tells the moderator plainly he was not satisfied in all that had been answered , but did believe an hound had more in him then was imagined . i had my self ( said he ) a dog , that stragling far from all his fellows , had light upon a very fresh scent , but considering he was all alone , and had none to second and assist him in it , observes the place and goes away unto his fellows , and by such yelling arguments as they best understand , prevailed with a party of them to go along with him , and bringing them unto the place , pursued it unto an open view . now the king desired for to know how this could be contrived and carried on without the use and exercise of understanding , or what the moderator could have done in that case better , and desired him that either he would think better of his dogs , or not so highly of himself . the opponent also desired leave to pursue the kings game , which he had started unto an issue , but the answerer protested that his majesties dogs were alwaies to be excepted , who hunted not by common law , but by prerogative . and the moderator fearing the king might let loose another of his hounds , and make more work , applies himself with all submisse devotion to the king , acknowledged his dogs were able to out-do him , besought his majesty for to believe they had the better ; that he would consider how his illustrious influence had already ripened and concocted , all their arguments and understandings ; that whereas in the morning the reverend and grave divines could not make syllogismes , the lawyers could not , nor the physicians ; now every dog could , especially his majesties . all men acknowledged it it was a good bit to close with . it was grown late , and so the congregation was removed unto the regent-house , and the king went off well pleased with the businesse . the other acts were easily forgotten , but the discourse and logick of the dogs was fresh in mouth and memory , the philosophy-act applauded universally . the king commended all the actors , but above all , the opponent . it was easie to discern that the kings hound had opened a way for master preston at the court , if he were willing ; yet many of the great ones put him in mind , and promised all assistance and encouragement . sir fulke greevill , afterward lord brook , was taken greatly with him , and after many demonstrations of his real love , setled at last a stipend on him of fifty pounds per annum , and was his friend unto his last hour ; but his ambition after courtship was well allayed , so as he did not ravenously pursue it . but being now resolved to be a minister , fell to the study of modern writers , especially master calvin , whose very stile and language much affected him . the corutiers wondered that he did not bite , prov. . . in the light of the kings countenance is life , and his favour like a cloud of the latter rain . that a young man should not be ambitious , that a good eye should not see ; began to be a little jealous of him . he was reserved naturally , and could keep counsell ; few knew how master cottons sermon had affected and wrought upon him . but this not sailing when the wind blew , begat suspition . some judged he was modest , and wanted opportunity to bring him on ; some that he was melancholy , and so neglected what was proper for him to intend ; some busie and intent upon his pupils , who now began to come from all parts . but the politicians assured , it was some inclination unto puritanisme , a name now odious at court ; for it could not be , ( said they ) that he should let so fair an opportunity miscarry , if he had not something else in view . kings think themselves exreamly undervalued , if a word be not enough ; cardinal poole being chosen pope at midnight by the conclave , and sent unto , to come and be admitted , desired it might be let alone untill the morning , because it was not a work of darknesse . an honest argument , but not italian enough ; quis nisi mentis inops ? and so they went back and chose another . when balaam came not at the first call , see how balak reasons , numb . . . am i not able to promote thee ? but master preston had indeed another king in his thoughts , when he had found treasure in the field , he parts with all for that , mat. . . a purchase is not worth the having , that hath not either some convenience annexed , or may not some way be improved . god was a greater good then man , heaven then earth , a crown of glory then a crown of gold . but this neglect and self-denyal , was well interpreted by good men , and that opinion of affecting puritanes , which blasted him at court , began to blazon him at home , and work a reputation , that to him was more acceptable . men thought him meet for to be trusted with the care of youth ; and many had their eyes upon him , for their sons or friends . master morgan of heyfords , had been sometime dead , and had left his son and heir an orphan , in trust with some that were his kinsmen , and like to mannage his estate to most advantage . this master morgans sonne , under whose shadow these prestons had for some time lived , was by his guardians now commended to his care ; not only for that relation he had to heyfords his native town , and to the family , but also that by that means the young gentleman might be preserved from the influence of his other friends , who were many of them popish . king james had been so well pleased at the commencement held before him lately , that he resolves upon another visit . the heads agree to entertain him with a comedy . there was one fuggles of clare-hall , that had made a jeering comedy against the lawyers called ignoramus . this was resolved on for to be acted before the king , and great care was taken for to furnish and accommodate all parts , with actors answerable . master morgan was a comely modest gentleman , and it was believed , would well become a womans dresse , and accordingly his tutor [ master preston sent to , ] that he would give way and all encouragement unto the service . he liked not the motion , could not believe that his friends intended he should be a player , and so desired to be excused . but the guardians were not so exact and scrupulous , but though if he played this game well , he might winne more then could be hoped for elsewhere ; and so master morgan was allowed by his guardians to play his part , and afterward removed unto oxford , and suffered to play what part he would , and so relapsed unto popery , which hath proved fatal and infortunate to him and his . but here was matter for mr. prestons back friends , to argue he was not a courtier , that would envy so small a courtesie to those , that had so freely offered greater unto him ; and it was resented with a kind of angry indignation , that their offers had so little influence upon him ; and there were some that watched opportunities to make him sensible of this neglect . there is no such soloecisme at court as independency . s● non vis ut per illos tibi benè sit , efficient ut sit malè . but master preston by this time had cast up all accounts , and resolved to stand unto his bargain whatsoever it cost him . only he thought if he must be a puritan , and bid farewell to all his carnal and court-designes ; he would not be one of the lower rank , but would get places if he could . mediocribus esse poetis , non dii , non homines , non concessere columnae . that counsell of the wise man , eccl. . . whatsoever thy hand findeth to do , do it with all thy might , he alwaies practised . and what is commonly said , was true in him . in magnis ingeniis nihil mediocre . this faithfulness to master morgan , attended with so great a shadow upon himself , increased his reputation in the countrey , so that now he was accounted the only tutor ; and being carefull to read unto them , and direct their studies , he found himself abridged of his own time , and was constrained to take up time , that should have been bestowed on his body . he also grew acquainted now with many eminent and godly ministers , as master dod , and master hildersham , who would come often to his chamber , and he was so hardened in his way , that he would get them many times to go to prayer with his pupils , a boldnesse not adventured on by any other ; but by these labours his able body was debilitated . it was a great orator that said , primò desii velle causas agere , deindè desii posse . at first , said he , i would not plead , at last i could not . master preston in his youth would not sleep , but let the bed-cloathes hang down , and awaken him : now he could not , but about midnight still awakened , and slept no more ; whereby in time his body languished , and could not answer as in former times . master butler of clare-hall , was then the oracle in physick , to him he goes , and opens his condition to him ; who after some few questions bids him take tobacco , and so leaves him . he knew that butler was odde and humourous , and thought he might give this advice to try him , and therefore resolves to wait a while before he medled with so odde a medicine , which hippocrates and galen had never ordained to any of their patients , and was at that time not so common , and of no good report ; but his want of rest continuing , and his appetite unto his book encreasing , he goes again to master butler , as a stranger , and propounds the case again . master butler gives the same advice , and being satisfied that he was serious now , falls to taking of it , and found that this hot copious fume ascending , did draw those crudities from the stomacks mouth , that hindered concoction of his meat , and vapours from it that occasion sleep , and so restored his rest , and that in time his strength , and so he went on in his work , untill doctor tyndal [ master of the colledge ] died . he was an old man , and that preferment of the mastership of queens , was more accounted of then now it is . there were very many that had their eyes upon it , but doctor mountain in a special manner , who was often heard for to professe he would rather be master of that colledge then dean of westminster . but master preston had another in his eye , doctor davenant , was a gentleman descended , and was a fellow-commoner , when under graduate , but very painfull , and of great capacity , and grew accordingly in learning and in reputation , and for his worth and parts was already chosen margaret professour , and read in the schools with much applause , those excellent lectures upon the colossians which now are printed ; him master preston pitched upon , but knew it must be carried very privately ; for the mountain was already grown into some bignesse , was one of parts , and first observed in acting miles gloriosus in the colledge , and had been chaplain unto the earl of essex , but like the heliotrope or flower of the sunne , did now adore sir robert carr , already viscount rochester , the only favourite . when it was agreed among the persians , that he should reign , whose horse first saw the rising sun , and neighed at it , one turned his horse head towards the mountains , beleiving that the sun would first arise there ; but it fell not out so here . master preston having laid his plot before-hand , and seen what mountain was in his way , had taken care that word should be daily brought him how the old doctor did , and when he found him irrecoverable , laid horses and all things ready ; and upon notice of his being dead , goes presently and was at london , and in white-hall before any light appeared on the mountain top ; the court was quiet , and he had some friends there . his businesse only was to get a free election , which he made means for to procure : but knowing also with whom he had to do , makes some addresses unto viscount rochester , in the behalf of doctor davenant , who being unacquainted with his chaplains appetite to that particular , was fair and willing to befriend a learned enterprise . so master preston returns unto the colledge before the masters death was much took notice of ; and assembling doctor davenants friends , acquaints them with what had past at court , and so they went immediately to election , and it was easily and fairly carried for doctor davenant , who being called , was admitted presently . but when doctor mountain understood that doctor tyndal was departed , he sends and goes to court and colledge for to make friends : but alas the game was played , and he was shut out . never did aetna or vesuvius more fume , but there was no cure ; only he threatens ▪ and takes on against the actors , but they were innocent and not obnoxious . this doctor had made great promises , gave a very goodly piece of plate unto the colledge with this inscription , sic incipio , but now he vowed it should be sic desino . however the colledge for the present was well apaid , and grew in reputation very much ; and because they wanted room to entertain the numbers that flocked to them , built that goodly fabrick that contains many fair lodgings both for scholars and fellows , towards kings colledge . it was not long before it came to master prestons course for to be dean and catechist , which he resolved to improve by going through a body of divinity , that might be a guide unto the scholars in their studies in divinity : for it was not his opinion that others should do as he had done , that is , peruse the schoolmen first , and then come to the modern writers ; but first read summes and systemes in divinity , and settle their opinions and judgements , and then read fathers , schoolmen , or what they had a mind to . this being known , and some honest townsmen hearing him at first by chance , there came the next day very many for to hear him , and the next day more , both townsmen and schollars from other colledges , so that the outward chappel would be often full before the fellows came . master preston was of a very meek and quiet spirit , never resented injuries , nor provoked any unto aversnesse , yet had some enemies : si injuria multos tibi fecit inimicos , faciet invidia multos . what had paul done , act. . . for to deserve so sharp an opposition , but envy moved them ? there had been other deans and catechists before this gentleman , yet no such crowding . complaint was made to the vice chancellour of this unusual kind of catechizing , it was assured , not only that townsmen and scholars mingled , but other colledges intruded also , that the fellows for the crowd and multitude could not get through , and come to chappel to their places ; that it was not safe for any man to be thus adored , and doted on , unlesse they had a mind to cry up puritanisme , which would in short time pull them down ; that the crosier staff would not support them long , if such assemblies were encouraged : obsta principiis , serò medicina paratur , &c. well , upon the whole an order was agreed on in the consistory , and sent unto the colledge , that the scholars and townsmen should be confined to their proper preachers , that no stranger , neither townsman nor scholar , should presume on any pretence whatsoever , to come unto those lectures , that were proper only to the members of the colledge . the edict was observed punctually , and the auditory by it much impaired . had strangers still been suffered to attend , those sermons had been printed as well as others : for there were divers that exactly noted , and wrote out all fair , unto the time of this restraint , but no one after that could go on with it , and so it rests . but he went on , and was assiduous to the years end , and waded through it , which was a very great help unto many of his pupils , who made the greater benefit of those things , because they were not common and in print . about that time the lecture at trinity-church , and the sermons at saint andrews were prohibited , and the scholars all confined to saint maries , which did occasion master preston to read divinity unto his pupils on the lords days , at three of the clock in the afternoon , which he also often did upon the week days ; but the townsmen and the scholars of other colledges , that had tasted of his spirit in the chappel , endeavoured that he would do it where they might hear . buttolphs belongs unto queens colledge , and is usually supplied by one of that house ; there he is willing to make a tryal , how it would take , and resolves the next lords day to preach at three of the clock after saint maries sermons should be ended ; which though but very little known , occasioned such a throng and crowd , as was incredible . men were not cloyed with preaching then , nor waxed wanton . there dwelt then in the parish one doctor newcombe , a civilian , and commissary to the chancellour of ely , who being in the church , and seeing the crowd , commanded that evening prayer only should be read , but no sermon ; the minister intreated that for that time master preston might be allowed to preach , so did the earl of lincolne and others in the church ; but he was resolute , and because he would not be further importuned , went home with all his family , and left them to determine at their perill what they would do ; so upon advice it was concluded that the sermon should go on , and master preston preached a very favoury and holy sermon , upon pet. . , . there was so much time spent in debates about it , and messages before the commissary left the congregation , that it was too late to do both , and therefore they adventured for that time to forbear common-prayer , that so the scholars might depart , and be at colledge-prayers . but this instructed doctor newcomb in his complaint . the court was then near hand , that is , at new-market ; thither the commissary goes the next day , and having the bishop of ely there , and many other clergy men , assures them that master preston was in heart , and would quickly be in practice a non-conformist , and was so followed and adored in the university , that unlesse some speedy course were taken with him , they might cast their caps at all conformity , and see their power troden underfoot , and told them gentlenesse was not the way , for he was cunning , and would recover all if he were not seriously and throughly dealt with . there was no advocate for master preston , but the doctor being first in his own cause , seemed just , prov. . . and spake to those that were willing to believe . the puritans began to be considerable , and they doubted he might come in time to head them . it 's a great security to a man to be despised : contempto nullus diligenter nocet . a fellow that hath nothing in him , nor is not owned , may be exorbitant , as he of one in his time : contemptu jam liber erat . but david that hath a party following him , must have an army to attend him . and therefore he did wisely to professe himself to be a dead dog or a flea , sam. . . the king was made acquainted with this complaint , and assured that master preston had as strong an influence into the puritants as the principal of the jesuites , which was aqua viva , had upon them , and therefore it behoved him to consider what to do . a word was enough to a wise and jealous king , who did not love to play an after game , and therefore hears himself the doctors information ; enquires whether the bishops and chancellors jurisdiction extended unto members of a colledge , and finally concludes to proceed against him by the power of the university . a letter is framed unto doctor scot , master of clare-hall , vice-chancellour at that time , and to the heads , to call before them master preston , to give a strict account of that notorious disobedience unto the commissary ; he answers mildly , that he was not guilty ; refers himself unto the auditory , that evening prayer was omitted , because the scholars might depart in due time , seeing the time alloted for it , was spent in treating with the commissary , not out of any disrespect unto the service , which he himself did usually attend at other times . when the wolf complained that the lamb had fouled the water , that he was to drink ; the lamb answered that if he had defiled it , yet that could not prejudice the wolf who was above , and the mud would certainly be carried downward ; but this answer did not fill the hungry belly of the wolf. master prestons innocency did aggravate his crime , which was his popularity , and therefore they told him they were engaged to support by all just meanes the bishops jurisdiction , that the king had honoured him , in leaving that affront to be examined by his proper judges , and that except he could take off the court , they must and would proceed to a very round and serious censure . musa mihi causas memora , quo numine laeso , quidvè dolens regina deûm , tot volvere casus , insignem pietate virum , tot adire labores impulerit ; tantaene animis coelestibus irae ? that a fellow of a colledge for preaching of an innocent and honest sermon , in a church belonging to the colledge , by the consent and in the hearing of the incumbent , should be thus vigorously undertaken . among many other gentlemen of quality , that were pupils unto master preston at this time , there was one sir capel bedels , an orphan , of a very fair estate in huntingtonshire , a daughters sonne of old sir arthur capel , who being guardian to his grand-child , had recommended him as he had done many of his own sons unto his government . it was a great trust , and master prestons care was answerable . and because plus vident oculi , he had his spies , that gave him notice of all their carriages and correspondencies ; by one of these he was informed that sir capel haunted doctor newcombs house , and was familiar with his daughter [ mistress jane newcomb , ] a very proper well-bred gentlewoman ; his tutor asked if they were contracted , he answered , no , but would be very shortly , as he was told , for he was resolved to have her . master preston charged him to keep all secret , that sir capel might not think he was acguainted with it , and immediately appoints a journey unto saffron-walden , to take the aire , and see that stately pyle at audley-end , and takes divers of his fellow-commoners along , as he used to do at other times ; and among others , this sir capel bedels : when they had dined and viewed the house , it was propounded by one of them , that they might go that night to haddam , and visit old sir arthur capel , seeing they were thus far on their way , and it was late . master preston seemed to be indifferent , and so the proposition took , and with none more then with sir capel , who knew his grandfather would fill his pockets , and that would sweeten his newcomb mistress next embraces , and make him welcome to her . the old knight was glad to entertain such welcome guests , and that night there was no discourse , but of the stately rooms , and goodly gallery at audley-end , and so the young men went to bed pleased , that the colledge-bell next morning would not awaken them ; but master preston slept not in utramque aurem , but awakened betimes , and acquaints sir arthur with all the businesse , adviseth him , by no means to permit the gentlemans return unto the colledge ; for though the wound might seem quite cured , and he never so much engage forbearance , yet frequent apparitions would redintegrate : et nihil facilius quam amor recrudescit . sir arthur was a very wise man , and had experience of the world , thanks master preston for his faithfulnesse ; pretends sir capel wanted something , and desires his tutor to give him leave to stay a little while untill he could be furnished , and then he should be sent , to which the tutor easily consented , and so the rest went home ; and after a while the old man tels sir capel he grew in bignesse , and it would be fit for him to travell before he setled , and he prevails with him to be content . but what saies mistresse newcomb , who is robb'd by this means of her vowed and resolved servant , and her crafty father that beholds so good a morsell snatched from between his teeth ; do ye think he had forgotten this when master preston came to preach within his jurisdiction ? pulvere qui laedunt , sed laesi marmore scribunt , other injuries perhaps may be forgotten , but losse of money is not ; ploratur lachrym●s amissa pecunia veris. master preston was not altogether a stranger at the court , however now there was no remedy ; when he came to new-market , he found that bishop andrews , then bishop of ely , was chief , and that his jurisdiction in the commissary , was it that was pretended to be affronted , and therefore applied himself to him , and told him that he did not purpose to offend , but being ingaged for to preach at that time , could not with honour disappoint the auditory ; if he suspected him for any thing , desired he would examine him , and satisfie himself . the bishop told him the king was told he was an enemy to formes of prayer , and held no prayer lawful but conceived ; and therefore being popular , his judgment and opinion might do hurt . master preston answered that it was a slander , for he thought set formes lawfull , and refused not on all occasions to be present at the colledge-prayers , and when it was his turn , to read them . the bishop answered , that he was glad , and would inform the king , and do him all the good he could , and bad him wait a while , and then repair again to him for satisfaction in it , and so time passed on , and there was nothing done . there were some at court that wished well to master preston , sed lapsuro assistere formidant , were loth to undertake a drooping cause ; only there was one doctor young , an honest scotchman , that was dean of winchester , and he told master preston plainly , that bishop andrews was his greatest adversary , and though he gave him good words , yet had assured the king , that if master preston were not for this expeld the university , lord bishops would not long continue ; but because master preston was accounted , and not without cause , a learned man , he was not willing to appear against him ; but desired the punishment might be inflicted , where the fact was done , and that was in the university . master preston saw now that the bishop was a courtier , and could give words , where deeds were not intended , and therefore goes again unto the bishop , and tels him plainly that he or none must put a period to his attendance , and that either he would speak unto the king in his behalf , or tell him plainly that he would not , that he might know whence all this trouble flowed . the bishop paused a while on this bold carriage , and at the last bad him come to him such a time again , and he would deal with the king in his behalf . so he goes unto the king , and tels him that however master preston was very dangerous , and it would be a very great security if he were handsomely expelled , yet he doubted it would not hear well , if it should be done for this offence ; for he would be absolved in the opinions and minds of men , and be owned and applauded as their martyr , and might perhaps recover , and live to be revenged ; and therefore thought it would be better , for to enjoyn him to declare his judgment about forms of prayer ; for that would be accounted a recantation , and however would weaken his reputation , with the puritans , which would be enough : for if they could divide him from his party , they should not fear him ; for he said , his carriage argued confidence in some assistance , which when they had removed , they should be strong enough at single hand . all that the bishop spake , was as if ex tripode ; and order presently was drawn , and sent to the vice-chancellor , that master preston should in buttolphs church declare his judgment , concerning formes of prayer , on such a sunday , or else they should immediately proceed against him , according to their first instructions . master preston was glad there was a way out , but sensible of the hard hand , that had been carried towards him ; but now there was no remedy , and it was vain to strive against the stream ; but before he could come home , the news was all about the town , that master preston was to preach a recantation sermon at buttolphs church on such a day . this was good sport to the brave blades , who now came crowding as fast as any , for to hear , and it was no sin now for any body to be from prayers ; and indeed there was a very great assembly , though he did all he could to have concealed it . so he went on upon his former text , and preached a very profitable sermon , concerning growing in grace , and directed prayer , as a speciall meanes to make men grow in grace . now that ( he said ) was of two sorts , either that which was suddain , extemporary , and conceived ; or set , enjoyned , and prescribed before , not only for the sense and scope , but also words and phrases . and whereas some thought this was to stint the spirit , he said , there was a liberty to use conceived prayer at other times , wherein the spirit might expatiate , and inlarge it self ; and also the intention of the mind , though not in extension and variety of language . the blades that came to laugh , had no great cause to do it , for this passage was at the very close ; and the sermon all along before , was sharp and searching ; both sides were silent and went home , not without some prints of good upon their spirits : optimus orator censendus , non qui meruit auditorum judicium , sed qui abstulit . he makes the best speech that binds his hearers , rather to think what was said , then who said it . the good fellows were nothing so merry at the end , as at the beginning of the sermon . indifferent hearers praised all , and were confirmed in a good opinion of the preacher . good men were glad he came so well off , and was at liberty to preach again , where they might hear him : himself was troubled , lest any thing he said , should be mistaken or mis-interpreted , as he was apt to be . but there were many eyes upon this action , and all men waited to see the issue . the courtiers did not like it , that after all these tossings to and fro , he should thus light upon his feet , yet would not meddle for the present , but wait occasions . those that were well-affected , were glad he was engaged against the court and bishops , and did presage he might be instrumental to their downfall , and every body laboured to ingage him more and more against them . the spanish match was then the common talk , and great unwillingnesse appeared in the people generally ; and doctor willet had presumed to offer arguments unto the king against matching with idolaters . the king was greatly vext at this adventure , and took great paines to perswade the doctor , that a papist was not an idolater : sed non persuadebat etiamsi persuaserat . the people were unsatisfied , and there being then a parliament , a very honourable and able member of the house of lords prevailed with master preston to write some arguments against it . and though there were severe edicts and proclamations against scandalous papers , and intermedling with mysteries of state , yet he promised , it should be scattered and divulged unto fit persons , and none should know from whence , or from whom it came ; accordingly when it was finished and written fair , one gave it to a porter , whom he met in holborne , and bad him leave it , according to the direction . the next day a great lord comes unto him , that had perswaded master preston unto the service , and tels him , that he had met with such a piece against the spanish match , as he never saw , and protested he was convinced , that he must speak against it in the house , what ever came of it . the other asked him who made it , and where he had it : he assured him , he knew not , but it was left at his lodging , by he knew not whom . the lord desired he might see it , and so it was copied out , and spread among those of the parliament they thought fit , but the authour of it never known . king james had something alwayes in his writings and speeches against the puritans , which was ill taken , for that it was apparent , those meant thereby , were godly , conscientious persons . the house of commons was the only mote in king james his eye , the remora , ( as he conceived ) unto his absolute dominion , for he knew not how for to engaged them , as he did the lawyers and divines ; but if he stopped one mouth with preferment this parliament , there would be others open the next against him . there were some now that adventured to apologize for puritans , and to say in parliament , that honest men were wounded under that name ; and to propose that godly ministers might not be silenced , and thrown out of their free-holds for trifles and ceremonies . but king james would none of that stuff , breaks up the parliament , and sets out proclamations : sed quid prodest totius regionis silentium , si affectus fremant . people love not to be enforced unto duty : homines duci volunt non cogi . the chaplains that attended monethly at the court , were not ambitious of preaching over-often , and so a combination was agreed on for preachers before the king , when ever he should lie within twelve miles of cambridge : the king did not despair of making scholars his , and therefore used all endeavours to oblige them , especially cambridge men , where a seed of puritans had been a long time ; and though the plains about royston and new-market afforded better winter-game then elsewhere ; yet scholars he conceived might be catcht sometimes , as well as hares , and so was willing they should preach before him . young men he knew would preach themselves : omnis oratio docet , aut rem , aut animum dicentis . he should learn either things , or persons . by this means it came to master prestons turn to preach before the king at royston ; he was so muffled at court in doctor newcombs businesse that he knew not what to do , could not decline it altogether , for that would have exposed him unto too much observation ; and yet he greatly feared what might befall him in the doing of it : therefore he changed his course with one that was to preach a little after , and did it very privately , that if his enemies should have designes , they might be disappointed , and so it was not much known . when he was to preach , it fell out that his course came upon a tuesday , when the king did lie at finching brook ; the court was very thin , and the prince and duke of buckingham were both abroad , and the king himself was for an hunting match that day , and gave order that the sermon should begin at eight of the clock . master preston had some at the court that were solicitous as well as he , and they told him it would give very great content , if he would take some occasion in the sermon , to shew his judgment , as he had done before about se● formes . doctor young deane of winchester , ( of whom we spake before ) did then attend , and when the king came in , and sate down in the chair , he told him who it was that preached , and said , he hoped he would give content ; i pray god he do , said the king. the sermon is in print , upon john . . which he so clearly opened and applied , that the king sate all the while as quiet as could be , and never stirred nor spake to any body , but by his looks discovered he was pleased ; when all was done , he came unto him as the manner was to kisse his hand ; and the king asked him of what preston he was descended , he answered of that in lancashire : then said the king , you have many of your name and kindred very eminent ; and preston the priest , although a papist , is a very learned man. great haste was made to bring in dinner , and the king was very pleasant all the time , had his eye continually upon master preston , and spake of divers passages in the sermon with much content , especially that of the arminians putting god into the same extreamity , that darius was put in , dan. . when he would have saved daniel , but could not : but as soon as ever he was retired , the marquesse hamilton kneeled down , and besought him , that he might commend the preacher to him for his chaplain , protested he did not so much as know him , but that he was moved by the weight and strength of that he had delivered ; told him , he spake no pen and ink-horn language , but as one that comprehended , what he said , and that he could not but have substance and matter in him . the king acknowledged all , but said it was too early , remembred new-market businesse , and was reserved . sir ralph freeman , one of the masters of requests , had married a kinswoman of the duke of buckhinghams , and was a kinsman unto master preston ; he makes relation of the businesse unto the duke , and told him , if now he would appear in favour of his cousin preston , he might oblige the puritans , and lay a ground-work for his own security , if tempests should arise ; assured him that master preston was ingenuous , and might be made , that the king and all the court were taken with the sermon , and did approve it . the duke of buckingham was a wise man , and apprehensive of what sir ralph suggested seasonably , saw those they called puritans were growing , and in the parliament were thought considerable , knew that the kings affections might cool , and he might need friends , and took sir ralphs discourse into his most serious thoughts . an honest man , one master packer , was then his secretary , and he set on what sir ralph freeman had suggested , and so it came unto a resolution , that master preston should be owned ; and the duke commanded sir ralph freeman , to go to master preston from him , and acquaint him with his good opinion of him , and desire to see him ; and indeed there was such a concurrence , and concentring of opinions and desires among the courtiers , that it was assured master preston , he might be chaplain unto whom he would , and that was now the deliberation , which of these offers he should accept , and whom he would acknowledge his patron and protector for the time to come . there was not so few clergy men at court at any time , and so no kind of opposition ; yet the king himself hung back , and would do nothing hastily ; he was not reconcileable unto the puritans , and so desired not in that respect for to ingage him ; but he desired to deprive them of master preston , and to divide him from them , and would do any thing that might drive that on ; and considering how many he had wonne , that master preston was a young man and might be drawn on , he would not hinder nor oppose ; so it was the joynt opinion of all his friends , that the best preferment was to be the princes chaplain , who then was grown and had an houshold . this therefore was represented unto sir ralph freeman , and his opinion required , who quickly yielded and proposed it unto the duke : both prince and duke had been abroad , and neither of them heard the sermon ; when therefore master preston was brought unto the duke , he very seriously received him ; told him it was the prince his unhappinesse and his , to be absent when he did preach , and therefore desired him that he would vouchsafe a copy of his sermon to him , and believe that he would be ready , to the best and utmost of his power to serve him . there were many other courtiers that desired copies of the sermon , and the court not staying there , master preston came home to furnish copies . he never penned sermon word for word but wrote what came into his mind , and as it came , and that in no good hand ; and so it was a businesse to provide these copies , which yet he seriously attended till they were written fair , and then to court he goes , where the duke presents him to the prince , and so he was made and admitted chaplain to the prince in ordinary ; for as then the prince had not compleated the number he intended , which was six , who were accordingly to wait two moneths by the year , and preach unto the houshold upon the lords daies , and perform such duties as were required of them . but god was making other work for master preston ; for doctor tolson , bishop of salisbury dies , and leaves a wife and many children unprovided for ; for he had been bishop but a little while . this wife of his was doctor davenants sister ; in pity therefore and commiseration of her case , it was proposed to the king by those that were his friends , that doctor davenant , a single man , and well-deserving , might succeed his brother in the bishoprick , and so make some provision for his children . the king thought very well of doctor davenant , not only for his singular abilities and labours in the university , but for his pains also , and service in the synod of dort against arminius ; and it was looked on as a deed of charity , and so believed he would carry it , and be the man. but this created master prestons cares ; doctor davenant had been his constant and faithfull friend , and given countenance upon all occasions to him and all his pupils . but now who should succeed ? and where should master preston find another shelter ? the fellows for the most part were not his friends , envied his numbers , and great relations , and there was no man like so to befriend him . besides , the margaret-professors place would be void also by this remove , and many able stirring batchelors in divinity , proposed unto him that place , and assured him the election would be easily carried for him . the truth is , he had no great hope to do any great good in the election of the master of the colledge , and one doctor mansel being named , a very moderate good-natured man , he let that care fall , and was more anxious about the professors place ; for though sound doctrine in the university was of much use , yet english preaching was like to work more , and win more souls to god. he alwaies highly valued , and frequently consulted with master dod ; and he perswaded english preaching , as that wherein god was more immediately served , and said , there were others that might supply the university in the professors place , that either could not , or would not labour mens conversion . and indeed the master of sidney-colledge doctor ward , a vast scholar , was then in view and nomination for the professors place ; yet master preston was so solicited by honest men , that he knew not what to do : two things he thought he wanted to enable him . the one was a latine tongue , the other a latine style ; in both which , by reason of desuetude , he was unready . for his style therefore , he resolves upon an exact and logical analysis of all the epistles , which would actuate and exercise his style , and acquaint him with the scripture-phrase and language ; and if he were called to be professour , might serve for lectures in the schooles ; which work he immediately applied himself unto , and very happily compleated a work of great pains unto him , and in it self of great worth ; but being latine , and written only with his own ill hand , was not thought popular enough to come abroad , but lieth in the dark . for the exercising of his latine tongue , he resolves a journey into the netherlands , where he should have much occasion of speaking latine , and see those colledges and universities ; but there was no travelling beyond sea , without a license under the hands of privy-counsellors ; this he procures among his friends with all the secrecy that could be , and a great while before he meant to use it , that he might conceale it from the colledge and university ; but this his secrecy begat suspition that there was some plot . velle putant quodcunque potest : it is not safe for men to have abilities . it was resented so much the more , because no clergy man was made acquainted with it , and the opinion was , that something was brewing against episcopacy . this they were sure of , that amsterdam was in the netherlands , and ever had been fatal to the hierarchy . the lord keeper then was bishop williams , he sees this plague afar off , prov. . . and provides a messenger to go along unknown to master preston , that should observe and give intelligence weekly of all that passed : integer vitae scelerisque purus , non eget jaculis nec arcu . a breast-plate of righteousnesse is a better guard then a shirt or coat of male . it was davids uprightnesse that did preserve him , psal. . . so was it master prestons , for he knew nothing of this attendance , till after his return , but gave out in the colledge , and among his pupils , that he would go the next vacation into kent , to visit sir richard sands , and drink if he saw cause , the tunbridge waters , concludes to take one of his pupils with him , a yorkshire gentleman , sir henry slingsbys sonne and heir ; and did accordingly acquaint his father and make provision for it long before . the time came , and he goes into kent , and is received in the passage boat for rotterdam , in the garb and notion of a gentleman , with his skarlet cloak and gold hatband , and all things answerable ; and so goes over all the provinces , both protestant and popish , where there was any thing observable , and encounters frequently with divers priests and jesuites , professing himself a protestant gentleman that was willing to find out the truth , and try all tenents , and accordingly was courted by them very much , and solicited to be a papist ; and they gave him very many popish books , and so he came back into kent , and to the colledge at the time appointed , unknown to any in the colledge , but only one of his pupils , from whom he seldome concealed any thing . he was no sooner setled in the colledge , but a rumour flies abroad , that master preston had been beyond the seas ; he shewed them that it was incredible , and wonders at their sillinesse , that they would beleeve so unlikely a relation ; the matter was not great , now all was past , and so it rested doubtfull and undetermined . he had a long time been successefull in the way of pupils , but doctor davenants leaving of the colledge troubled him . a great tutor , hath much occasion to use the masters influence , for accommodation and advancement of his pupils , which now he saw he could not promise unto himself ; and it fell out much about this time , that doctor dunn , preacher at lincolns-inne died , and some in that society proposed that master preston might be tried whether he were willing to accept that place for tearm time : he was himself , neither carelesse , nor cracking of his good name : famae nec incuriosus , nec venditator . but it was much grown by reason of his successe in the conflicts and encounters he had at court. it was some refreshing unto honest men , that master preston , so resolute , and constant in the waies of god , was yet the prince his chaplin , and helped forward the desire of these men ; it suted with him , to have an opportunity to exercise his ministry in a considerable and intelligent congregation , where he was assured , many parliament men , and others of his best acquaintance would be his hearers ; and where in tearm time , he should be well accommodated , so he consented and undertook the place ; the chappel then was very little , and at the first , the numbers that attended on his ministry , besides their own society , were few , but when the chappel was new built , as now it is , the numbers were exceeding great , that were his constant hearers , and foundations laid , that will not easily be ruined . this was some ease unto his grieved mind , for doctor davenants leaving of the colledge and university ; but filled not his great capacity and large desire of doing good ; the colledge he gave over in his thoughts , but not the university , where his preaching was much resented , and made great impressions ; and though at lincolns-inne he had gown-men to be his hearers , yet they were not like to propagate and spread it . a preacher in the university , doth generare patres , beget begetters , and transmit unto posterity , what god is pleased to reveal to him ; in a word , doth what the apostle doth enjoyn , tim. . . and he of all men , thirsted after opportunities of doing service , and might well say with the spouse , that he was sick of love , cant. . . some of the fellows of emanuel colledge were very eminent for parts and learning , yet clouded and obscured , ( as they thought ) by an opinion that lay upon the colledge , that they were puritans , that is , not only godly and religious , ( for so they were , and were content to be esteemed ) but non-conformists , and averse to government ; for which cause there had been lately some alteration made , both in their chappel , and manner of their diet ; they thought therefore , if they could prevail with doctor chaderton their present master , to resign , who was establisht in it by the founder , and named in the statute , but was grown very old , and had out-lived many of those great relations , which he had before , they might perhaps procure that master preston might succeed him , and bring the colledge into reputation , being a good man , and yet a courtier , the prince his chaplin , and very gracious with the duke of buckingham . but this was sooner said then done , the old doctor was exceeding wary and jealous not only of his own disparagement , but especially of the good and welfare of that brave foundation that had grown and flourished under his government so long ; for if it were but known that he were out , there were divers lay in wait to get a mandate , and come in against their minds ; a fresh example whereof they had lately seen in their next neighbours , christs colledge , where after master pemberton was chosen , doctor carew dean of exeter , was forced on them , and did all he could to mould a new , and alter the constitution and genius of the colledge . but the fellows answered , that this might be better hindered and prevented whilest he was alive , then at his death ; for his resignation might be carried privately , but his death could not , and if all the fellows were content , the election might be past before the resignation were discovered ; and so they promised to found and try the judgment of the other fellows , and then repair again unto him . there were two things in the colledge that ( in their opinions ) greatly pinched them . the one was the statute for attendance and continuance whilst they were fellows , so that they had not opportunity to live in noble-mens houses , or take lectures to exercise their ministry , and make themselves known unto such as had it in their power to prefer them . another was the statute of departing at such a standing , whether they were provided or not provided ; and there was then a fresh example in doctor traverse , a man of great worth , yet forced to sojourn as a fellow-commoner in christs colledge untill he could be better accommodated ; the fellows therefore were easily induced to affect this change ; for they thought master preston might be an instrument by reason of his great acquaintance , either to get some mitigation of the statute , or procure more livings to be annexed to the colledge for their preferment . so they returned to the old man , and told him that the fellows were all agreed , and ready to do what he should prescribe , and it rested now in him to prevent the danger that did threaten , not only them in their particular concernments , but the growing good and welfare also of the colledge . the poor man wist not what to do ; to out-live the mastership he thought was to out-live himself , and to go into his grave alive ; yet he honoured and loved master preston very much , and could not answer that dilemma of the colledge-safety ; therefore he told them he would not be wanting to the colledge-good , but it concerned them as well as himself , to provide they were not cheated , and another forced on them , whether they would or not ; and therefore desired that master preston might be requested to deal with his friends at court , and procure some promise that there should be no mandate granted , in case his resignation should be known ; he told them likewise how unprovided he was for maintenance , when that was gone , and how unseemly it would be for him now in his old age for to want , and therefore desired he might be taken in this particular into consideration . but master preston quickly eased the old man of all these fears , by procuring a letter from the duke of buckingham in these words . sir , i have moved his majesty , concerning master preston's succeeding of you , in the mastership of emanuel colledge , who is not only willing , but is also graciously pleased to recommend him to the place in especial manner before any other ; so that in making this way for him , you shall do a very acceptable thing to his majesty , as also to the prince his master , of which i am likewise to give you notice , and to put you out of all doubt , that another may be thrust upon you ; you shall not need to fear any thing , in regard that from his majesty there will be no hinderance to his succession ; and for that point of supply of maintenance , i shall ( as i promised ) take care for to procure it , when fit occasion shall be offered ; so taking kindly what you have done , i rest . theobalds , sept. . . your very loving friend , g. buckingham . when the doctor had received and read this letter , he was in all things satisfied , as to the court , but they all knew that doctor traverse lay in wait for this preferment ; for being outed by the statute at emanuel colledge , he sojourned at christs colledge as fellow-commoner , and presumed either by his friends at court , to get a mandate , or be chosen in the colledge by a party of the fellows , whom he thought his own ; therefore great care was taken to keep all secret , and though the statute do ordain a vacancy of seven daies , and notice by a schedule passed upon the chappel-door , yet such was the concurrent uniform agreement of all the fellows , that it was not discovered to any of the scholars untill the day of election ; and because there is a sacrament to be immediately before it ; they were constrained to lock up all the gates that none might come in or go out till it was past ; and then two of the fellows were dispatcht to queens colledge , to acquaint master preston with what they had done , and to desire that at two of the clock he would repair unto the colledge to be admitted , and undertake the charge . it was strange news at queens , and all the colledge were much affected with it , wondering extreamly that such a great transaction should be carried with so much secrecy , and that amongst master prestons twelve disciples ( as they called them ) there should be never a judas but all concentre in it ; but there was order given presently , that all the scholars should be ready against two of the clock that day , to attend master preston and the fellows to emanuel colledge , in habits suitable unto their several qualities , which was done accordingly ; and a very goodly company attended him from queens unto emanuel , where they were cheerfully received and entertained according to the custome , with a generous and costly banquet , and then returned unto queens again ; but left master preston , the prop and glory of it , at emanuel . in the plantation of emanuel colledge at the first , the godly founder , took great care to store his colledge with godly and able fellows from all the other colledges , and some were after added that were eminent ; but now a master is bestowed , god in mercy hath enabled that good society to pay their debts , by sending not only members , but also heads into very many of the other colledges , so as they may now well say , quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris . sir walter mildmay their noble and religious founder , was wont to say unto his friends , that he had set an acorn , that might perhaps in time become an oak ; blessed be god our eyes have seen it , not only grown and flourishing , but fruitfull , seasonable showers , a great promotion unto a new plantation , and earnest prayers unto god , a special means to bring these down , of which i think no colledge ever had more , which in these last years have returned a glorious harvest ; to god be praise . this news ran swiftly all the kingdom over , and was received as men were affected . good men were glad that honest men were not abhorred , as they had been , at the court , and presaged much of that inlargement and deliverance , which we have lived to see ; the courtiers made full account that he was theirs , and would mount up from one step to another , untill he were a prelate ; especially the duke of buckingham , who from this time seemed sincerely to affect him , multum fuit ad amorem , dedisse beneficium , thought he had given earnest and could not be defrauded of the purchase . the earl of pembroke , and the countesse of bedford had a great interest in him , and he in them ; and all men looked on him as upon a rising man , and respected him accordingly . as for lincolns-inne , they made account they had a special influence into this honour , as having first expressed their good opinion of him , and there was an honest godly old man , one of the benchers , master ayres , that upon hearing of the news , would needs be young again , and make an anagram upon his name , though he was uncertain how he wrote it in latine , for he had seen it written divers waies . being therefore resolute , and loath to misse it , he resolves to write it both waies , as he that used to say his prayers in latine and english , that both might not fail , and so first he wrote it , johannes prestonius with this anagram , en stas pius in honore : and this distitch : doctrina , ingenium , virtus tua , praemia poscunt ; en dedit emanuel , stas in honore pius . but lest this should be mistaken , he writes it johannes prestonus : with this anagram , se nosse , non tupiar . and this distitch : turpia non novisse , bonum ; se nosse , beatum : ista doces alios , sed prius ipse facis . the rest of that society rejoyced , that their lecturer was master of emanuel , and took occasion to expresse it according to their several dispositions and relations , when he came to them in the tearm , which shortly followed . there was one thing in the colledge-statutes that greatly troubled him ; and that was that the masters absence from the colledge was confined to a moneth in every quarter , and he saw not how he could attend at court , and preach at lincolns-inne in tearm time , but he should transgresse ; but the fellows soon consented to an interpretation , that absolved him from the rigid sense , there being in the statute a double liberty ; first that in case of violent detention it should not hold ; they resolved that not only a natural , but also a moral violence was to be understood . the other was , that in case of colledge-businesse he should not be esteemed absent . now the colledge was at that time in suit for a living in the west , of good value , with one master ewins , a gentleman in the parish , who had bred up a younger sonne to be a scholar , in relation to that living ; and therefore contended for it , as it had been his own inheritance ; and when he was worsted at common-law , prefers a bill in chancery , and thought by mony to carry it against the colledge-right . bishop williams the lord-keeper then , was his great friend , and when after many delayes it came at last to hearing , would not allow the counsell for the colledge to speak ; master preston being present , craved leave to speak in the cause himself , but was not only silenced , but severely reprehended for it ; it was trinity-tearm , and the plague was very hot in london , so that michaelmas tearm was wholly adjourned , and the next tearm was proclaimed at redding , and the records removed thither ; but before that , the lord-keeper was removed from his throne , and sir thomas coventry , one of the colledge-council that were not permitted before to speak , succeeded him ; by whose integrity and justice , the colledge was restored to their right , which ever since they have enjoyed , and so his following the colledge businesse excused his absence all his time . being therefore now established , and greatly minding the good thereof , he observed that the scholars kept acts but seldome , and accordingly when they came unto it , performed it but meanly ; he therefore advised with the fellows in it , and after many consultations , it was resolved that the number of acts should be in a manner doubled , of those under masters of art , which was a great advancement to learning of all sorts in the colledge . about this time sir arthur chichester , afterward an irish baron , was chosen to go embassadour into germany , about the palatinate affairs , and master preston was by the duke of buckingham and other friends , designed to go along with him ; he did not greatly fancy the employment , but would not contradict ; only it was considered , that though he was the prince his chaplain , and master of a colledge , yet he was not doctor , which they thought might sound ill abroad , and reflect upon his master , and there was not time to go unto it , in the ordinary way of acts and exercises , therefore a mandate was addressed to the vice-chancellour and heads , that forasmuch as master preston was to wait upon my lord ambassadour , and could not in so short a time perform his acts , he should be forthwith admitted doctor in divinity , that he might be ready to attend the service , which was done accordingly with all alacrity . being therefore thus engaged , and not knowing what might befall him in the voyage , he resolved to settle his temporal estate before he went. he was not willing to be accounted rich ; would often say , manifestus thesaurus citò expenditur . and therefore though he had great incomes from his pupils , and was not prodigal , yet he was not master of his money ; for he had been advised to adventure in the east-india company , then newly set up , and because estates there were invisible , he was the willinger , but by that means wanted money ; for there was paying for many years , but no returns ; yet there was hope it might at last come in , and so it did without diminution of the principal , but not in his life-time . therefore he thought it needfull to make a legall disposition of his estate by will , and so he did , and named a very honourable person his executor , who lived to enjoy that money as well as other by vertue of it . but the voyage came to nothing ; for sir arthur did not go as he intended , yet this was his last will , and according to it all was enjoyed , though he made additions by way of request or direction , which were accordingly performed . it was ever his ambition not to be mercenary in his ministry , but at liberty to preach where he might do most good , without relation or respect unto the wages ; and he considered that the master of emanuel could have no living that had cure of souls annexed , and therefore was willing to give ear unto the sollicitations of the townsmen , who greatly prest him to be their lecturer at trinity-church ; for they had applied themselves to doctor andrews bishop of ely , and propounded to him master jeffries , one of the fellows of pembroke-hall ; and he had given way , and master jeffries did preach at trinity some years , but was desirous of a more setled condition , and had desired doctor preston to procure him to be chaplain unto some noble-man , that was like to help him to a living , which was a very easie thing for him to do , having so much interest in many great ones ; so he pitched upon marquesse hamilton , who presently admitted master jeffries , chaplain to him , and shewed him much respect , as well for doctor prestons sake , as for his own , and long it was not before a living fell , namely the rectory of dun-mow in eessex , which the marquesse procured and bestowed upon his chaplain master jeffries ; for he had not then commenced doctor , and by that means the lecture at trinity was shortly to be void . the townsmen made account that now they had what they desired , namely an opportunity to settle doctor preston in the lecture at trinity ; and great care was taken to increase the stipend from fourty or fifty pounds per annuum unto fourscore , that the doctor might have twenty pounds a quarter paid him ; for they thought the former inconsiderable , not knowing what principles the doctor lived by ; and when they had effected that , they employed some of the chief to propose the matter to the doctor very solemnly ; who was easily perswaded to accept their offer , without relation to the stipend ; but there was one of the fellows of sidney-colledge , master middlethwite that put in for it , and though few or none of the contributors or townsmen sided with him , yet he procured letters from the bishop of ely , and ingaged all his friends , both in the court and university , that it came unto a very great contest . doctor preston who was offered any bishoprick he would resolve on , and told at royston by the duke of buckingham , that the bishoprick of glocester was then void , contends with master middlethwite to be lecturer at trinity-church , for a stipend of fourscore pounds per annum , as the upshot of all his hopes , and fruit of all his great atchievments at the court ; and the contention was so great on all sides , that it could not be concluded by any mediation , but was referred to an hearing at royston before king james , who was really against the doctors preaching in the university , the consequence whereof he well saw , and was informed fully of . i confesse i often wondered why master middlethwite , an eminent scholar , and like enough to get preferment , as afterwards it 's known he did , should stickle for so small an opportunity to preach , against the inclination and disposition of the townsmen ; untill i understood that he was set on by the prelatical heads , who told him that it was a service acceptable to the king , and he should be rewarded for it . at the time appointed it came unto an hearing , and an argument was urged against the doctor namely ; that it was a lecture maintained by six-pences , a thing unseemly for a master of a colledge and the prince his chaplain ; but the duke had taken care that nothing should be ordered and concluded against the doctors mind ; for the duke resolved not to lose him , so the meeting was dissolved and nothing done ; but that night , sir edward contvey then secretary , invited doctor preston to supper , and after supper told him , that the king had ordered him to tell him , that if he would give over his pursuance of that lecture , and let the heads dispose of it , he should make his choice of any other preferment , that was more honourable and profitable for him ; but the doctors end was to do good , not to get good ; the kings , to make him uselesse , and divide him from the puritans . the duke was more indifferent , who laboured in him to win and gratifie the puritans , whose power in parliament was now grown very formidable ; therefore when nothing else would content him , he was confirmed lecturer at trinity-church , the last preferment he ever had , where he preached after all his time , and did much good . the duke had now obliged doctor preston in the judgment and opinion of all the honest party , and much displeased the prelatical ; and he saw apparently that king james approved not his siding with him ; yet he was more expresse then ever in his affections to him , and freenesse with him . he had indeed a very happy and rare composure of sweetnesse and solidity , would play and dally with the king , as if he were a woman , and yet enquire , and apprehend , and argue counsels and debates of state , as if a burleigh or a walsingham : saw clearly the affections of the king were fading , which the puritans ( though never so much his friends , ) could not repair , and therefore eyed and adored the rising sun , who now was grown , and fit for marriage , but no preparatives to find a consort for him . he knew the spanish match was but a colour , and a treaty dandled between bristol and king james , to fool the prince off , and shut his eares against the french proposals . this he discovers to the prince , tels him kings did not love an heir apparent , how near soever ; that the daughter of spain was designed to a monastery , and kept for a reserve unto the house of austria ; that in france there was a lady much before her ; that if he pleased , he would wait upon him into spain in a disguise , and take the french court in their way , and see that lady , and so discover bristols , and his fathers jugling ; the prince resents and hugs this overture . they tell king james , the earl of bristol and the spanish ministers abused him ; that it was time to bring that treaty to some conclusion , desire they might go into spain , and play the game out . the king saw who had ploughed with his heifer , feared , ( as he was apt to do ) a check-mate ; yet for the present urgeth only his affections to them both , and asketh them how he should subsist so long , without their companies ? but they persisting , signes a warrant with his own hand for jack smith , and tom smith , with each of them a servant and their horses to go beyond-sea . the duke even now was not unmindfull of doctor preston , but leaves order with the dutchesse and countesse of denbigh , to be carefull for him ; and sir ralph freeman having a child to baptize , doctor preston is intreated for to preach , and the dutchesse and countesse were both gossips , who shewed to the doctor very great respect , and gave him hopes of doing good ; and some he did , for he procured by their means , master hildershams liberty , and restitution to his place at ashby de la zouch , and gave great hopes unto good ministers of fairer times , then had been formerly ; only he would relate with much regret , that he often found doctor laud , then bishop of saint davids with them , and therefore doubted of the issue and event . the doctor saw by the debates about the lecture , that he had enemies as well as friends at court ; that the duke was mutable , as well as mortal ; knew that the king abhorred that journey into spain , and would remember it , if able : dulcis inexperto ; cultura potentis amici expertus metuit . and therefore though now he were setled and assured in the university , yet would not leave his lecture at lincolns-inne ; but being still in london in the tearm-time , about the colledge-businesse , continued preacher at lincolns-inne , and thought it might be a good reserve , in case the naughty heads or factions in the court should fall upon him ; and it was well he did , for the prince and duke returned the next october , highly offended with the spanish gravity , and both they and all their train did nothing but tell stories of the spanish basenesse ; so a parliament was called , and the duke cryed up by all the godly party in the kingdome . the spanish agent at the court had order from his master out of spain , for to defie him and protest against him at the counsel-table , but seriously he could not have done him a greater courtesie , for the people universally did hate the spaniard , and now the duke became the peoples martyr . i have seen verses made in his defence and commendation ; and agents presently dispatched in france , to treat of that match . king james liked not this stuff , but the prince was able now to go alone , and especially when he had the duke for one of his supporters ; all things are fairly carried for religion , and the duke of buckhingham , the princes and peoples favourite . the people seemed now to have the better , and the court-affairs for to decline and droop . doctor preston like another mordecai was very great , the prince his master , and the duke his friend , and the courtiers eyes upon him , because they saw he came not thither for preferment , as all men else . pisoni in imperium adoptato nihil in vultu mutatum , quasi magis imperare posset , quam vellet . his honours altered nothing in him , but gave encouragement to all the godly party ; and his sermons at lincolns-inne much wrought upon the parliament , so that a bold petition was contrived and presented to the king at whitehall , from both houses of parliament , april . . against the spreading and increase of popery , and the indulgence given unto priests and jesuites . king james was in the evening of his glory ; his party in the court under a cloud ; another sun almost in view , and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or day-star already risen , and accordingly he answered warily to their petition , bewails his want of information , as the reall ground of this their trouble , which otherwise he had prevented ; acknowledged that whilest the treaties lasted with spain and austria , he was obliged to comply ; but now both being broken off , he would be rigid and severe against the priests and jesuites ; bids them find out a way for to restrain the growth of popery , and he would second them ; but resolves to pay the duke of buckingham for all this , and gives order to the earl of bristol to prepare an information for that end ; but the match with france , and other intervenient accidents obstruct it , for the present . the duke having told tales out of school , and broken off the match with spain , was much obliged to further and promote the french , which he did seriously excuse to doctor preston , upon this ground , that there was not any protestant for to be had : and for to marry with a subject had alwaies been unlucky and fatal to the kings of england ; that the french would not be ridged in religious observations , but the doctor constantly opposed ; only acknowledged this difference , that spanish popery was an absolute ingredient to their intended western monarchy , but french was not so , and so this was lesse evil . but the french found out this obligation , and were untractable , unlesse the duke would aid the king of france against the rochellers : this was a hard chapter for one so much obliged unto the puritans and doctor preston , and he therefore declined all he could , but nothing else would serve , and he knew king james lay ready to take advantages , so in conclusion , eight ships were granted to oppose the rochel-fleet , and many colours sought to cloude it , and hide it from the world , but from that time doctor preston doubted of the saint-ship of the duke of buckingham , whom otherwise he honoured and loved very much . but it was high time for the duke to look about him ; king james was not to learn now how for to play his game , he was an old , but not a foolish king , eccl. . . and therefore failed not to make provision , and lay rods in pisse , that he might use upon occasion . kings use for to account an ague in the spring their physick , yet physick till march be past is not good , but this ague antidates the moneths , and comes in february . the king was then at theobalds , and the ague was made but small account of . he feared death , but was the most impatient and disordered of any living , what rules soever the physicians gave , he would observe none ; which intemperance might very well occasion the growing , strength and vigour of the disease , which howsoever more and more increased , and at last began to be considerable , then he began to take advice and to submit to rules , but now it was too late ; for march . . on the lords day in the morning , about ten of the clock at theobalds the king dies . doctor preston then attended in his moneth , and was sometimes hastened to the prince to comfort him , and sometimes to the duke ; and indeed it was a very mournfull morning . death is a serious thing , and knocks alike at pallaces as at the meanest cottage . king james was very much beloved of all his servants ; some of the huntsmen could not be gotten from him ; the prince and duke were both of them retired and wept exceedingly . but sir edward conwey and some of the lords drew up a wiring , and proclaimed charles steward king , with all his titles ; and hast was made to pack away to london . the prince and duke , and doctor preston in coaches shut down , hasten to white-hall , and there he is proclaimed again with more formalities , and the lord maior and the city sent to , where it was done with much solemnity , and great rejoycing of the people ; for the prince had that exceeding happinesse to come upon the stage unprejudiced . for he had never interposed nor acted , but in the spanish businesse , and that succeeded to his great advantage ; so that if he listed he might have been as popular as ever any were . this fall occasions many alterations in the court ; the bishops generally , and doctor prestons enemies , and all that had contended with the duke were crest-fallen . king james was like enough to have out-lived the duke of buckingham , who had been very sick since his return from spain , but all is altered , and the duke does all . but he had many things to do ; the affronts received in madrid , and at the counsel-table by the agent , were to be sent back by a puissant and mighty navy , and provisions made accordingly . king james to be interr'd ; a parliament to be summoned ; the french lady to be sent for , and brought into england , which the duke especially intended , and spake to all the gallants of his retinue to attend him , and to many other of the gentry and nobility throughout the kingdome . but he found it hard thus in the morning of the kings affairs to be abroad , there being then a parliament , and the sicknesse much encreasing in the city , so he was constrained to employ the earl of holland , and attend himself at home . all were not gratified in this great revolution and mutation of affairs , and the discontented party murmured , and let flie at the duke , and the sicknesse much encreasing , began to make a mutiny , and it was much desired that the parliament might be prorogued till some other more healthfull and lesse dangerous time . but the navy against the spaniards , and the pressing wants of all sorts that depended on the court would not permit ; so it was only adjourned to oxford ; yet there the sicknesse was as soon as they , and some of their members smarted for it , but hast was made to gratifie the new king , and the provisions for the navy went forward , many men ingaged , and the king resolved to attend that businesse , as admitting no delay . there was one thing that invited doctor preston to a journey that year , and that was a strong suspition that the plague was in the town , in which case there is a liberty to dissolve the colledge , without any detriment unto the officers and members of it . he was not willing to omit the opportunity , because he had many invitations into the west . the bishop of salisbury he desired to consult withall , about a book of master montagues , that was commended to him by the duke of buckingham to peruse and give his sense upon it . master shervil the recorder of salisbury was a bencher of lincolns-inne , and a very good friend of his ; he had divers friends at dorchester , and was desirous to be sea-sick , and was still enticed forward , and at last resolved to wait upon the king and duke , at plimmouth , whether they were gone to see the navy set sayl . whilest he was there , the rochel fleet was broken by those ships the king lent , and mounsieur sabeeza came into falmouth with the remainder , and thence to plimmouth , with most lamentable out-cries against the duke , who seemed to be very much affected with it , and made mighty promises of wonderfull repairs , but doctor preston failed not to set that businesse home , he did believe the duke was over-ruled to lend them , and sorry when he saw the sad effects . but whilest the duke was thus detained in the west , the earl of bristol and the lord keeper williams combined against him , and drew in many to their party , among others the earl of pembroke , and divers great ones in the house of commons , and was so incouraged and heartned in it , that the earl of bristol , may . . preferred in the house of lords twelve articles against the duke of buckingham , tending to prove , that the duke had promised unto the pope and ministers of spain , to make the king a papist ; and over-ruled him , against the judgment of the earl of bristol , to write unto the pope with the title of sanctissime pater ; that his carriage in the matters of religion was so offensive , that he stuck not to kneel before the host as often as he met it ; that he was so licentious and unchast in his behaviour , that the spanish ministers resolved not to have any thing to do with him ; that when he could not bring about the match to his own particular advantage , he used means to obstruct it and break it off ; that he had informed king james of all these things , who promised to hear him , and leave the offender unto justice , and that not many daies before his sicknesse . the duke had now reason to look about him , and was very able so to do , and first he labours to divide the party by drawing off the earl of pembroke , by promising his daughter to the earl of mountgomeries sonne , which afterward he did accomplish , then he endeavoured to oblige the puritans , by gratifying doctor preston all the waies he could , and particularly in the businesse of the colledge-suit , by depriving bishop williams of the seal , and giving it to sir thomas coventry , who was one of the colledge-counsel ; yea he went so far as to nominate the doctor to the king to be lord keeper , and the king was so firm to him , that the earl of bristol could do no good , and so withdrew his articles . doctor prestons friends were newters all this while , and looked on , neither engaged for him , nor against him , which was sadly represented to the duke by the bishops and that party , who wondered he should dote upon a man that either could not or would not own him in his need , bad him consider whether puritans were like to be his friends , whose waies were toto coelo different , and told him plainly he could not have them both . if he adhered to those that sought their ruine , they must adhere to such as would support them : so that the duke was in a great strait , and knew not what to do . doctor preston also was importuned to put it to an issue , and if he would not leave the rotten and corrupted clergy , then to leave him , and because there had been informations against that book of master mountagues , they propounded it might come to a debate , and not remain as now it it did , unsetled . the doctor and the duke were both of them unwilling to an open breach , loved for to temporise and wait upon events . but doctor prestons friends would not be satisfied , but urged a conference , whereunto they were incouraged by some orthodox and very learned bishops , and at last it was concluded by two religious noble-men , that a conference there should be , the bishop of rochester and doctor white then dean of carlisle , on the one side , and the bishop of coventry and litchfield , and doctor preston on the other . a day was set , a satturday in hillary-tearm , at four of the clock in the afternoon , the place was york-house , and doctor preston sent to in the morning for to attend it . the noble-men came unto the bishops lodgings , about two of the clock , and sent for doctor preston to them , who gave many reasons why he could not go , but they were resolute , and taking the bishop with them went without him ; but the doctor considering , and fearing his absence might betray the cause , and give encouragement unto the other side , went afterward himself unto the place , and sate by as an hearer silent untill all was done ; but talking afterwards occasionally of falling from grace , the bishop shewed that a godly man might go far and yet return , by the instance of the prodigal , luk. . but doctor white exclaimed against any that should think the prodigal in acts of drunkennesse and whoredome not to be fallen from grace , and urged that of the apostle , rom. . . that those that do such things are worthy of death , that is , said he , in a state of everlasting death , and therefore fallen from grace ; so cor. . , . shall not inherit the kingdome of god ; that is , are not sons , for if sons then heirs , rom. . . but doctor preston answered , that these sins made indeed a forfeiture of all their interest into the hands of god , and he might make the seisure if he pleased , but did not unto those which were his children , and in covenant with him ; as two tennants , by not paying of their rent , or keeping covenants forfeited their leases , yet the lord might seize the one , and not the other , as he pleased . but the bishop and the dean both cried out , this was the way to all licentiousness and looseness . to which the doctor answered , that the seed of god , as the apostle calls it , joh. . . remained in the sinning saint , or sonne , and would repair him ; as in water , there remains a principle of cold , even when it boyleth over , that will undoubtedly reduce it , when the heat and fire is removed , as in peter , david , sampson , and others , was apparent ; so that they could not run out into all licentiousnesse , for the spirit lusted against the flesh , that they cannot do the things they would , gal. . . and though he did not disinherit them , and blot their names out of the book of life , phil. . . yet he might , and would withdraw his favour , imbitter all their comforts , mat. . . raise trouble to them from their dearest interests , sam. . . fill them with anguish , psal. . , . which in reason will keep them from running out , seeing the evil is commensurable unto that good of pleasure or profit their sinne afforded ; and if need be , he can adde unto it eternal apprehensions , and make them feel the fiercenesse of his anger , psal. . , . without any hope of being eased ; and after this can restrain and withhold them , as he did abimelech , gen. . . for if one cease to be a sonne , because he commits a sinne that doth deserve eternal death , then every sinne a child of gods commits , rends his relation or sonship off ; for every sinne deserves eternal death , rom. . . and because in many things we offend all , jam. . . we should be alwaies out of sonship and have neither certainty nor comfort in our estate , unlesse he could give some ground out of scripture , to assure what sinnes put us out , and what did not . the duke had sent to doctor preston to decline this clashing conference , and assured him he was as much his friend as ever , and would have stopt it if he could , but the bishops had over-ruled it , which the doctor at the first believed , and so was backward . but when he saw the confidence of doctor white and his companion , he doubted the sincerity of that assurance , and was afterward informed , that there had been a meeting at the countesse of denbies , and the duke had promised to leave him ; this gave him resolution and encouragement against the second conference , which was managed in a manner by him alone , against master mountague and doctor white . for when the doctor saw the duke begun to double with him , he was less fearfull to offend him , though the duke still carried it , with all the fairnesse that he could , and appeared not in person . when the time came for the second conference , the doctor readily appeared ; and the first thing he charged master mountague withall , was about his doctrine of traditions , which he affirmed he had delievered as grosly and erroneously as any papist , gag . pag. , , . for he justfied that place in bazil , where he saies , the doctrine retained in the church , was delievered , partly by written instructions , partly by unwritten traditions , having both a like force unto piety ; which was so unlike to bazil , and the opinions of those times , that it was generally believed to be put in by the papists of later times . master mountague confessed , it was suspected by some of the preciser cut ; but doctor preston told him , bishop bilson was none of them , yet he did judge it supposititious ; and it must be so , or bazil acknowledged to be erroneous . for he instanceth in praying towards the east , and use of chrisme or oyl in baptisme ; both which being rejected by the church of england , argues they held that place of bazil not canonical . master mountague answered , that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there used by saint bazil , might signifie a thing that seemed so , and so the sense might be , that some things that seemed true , of lesse esteem and consequence , might be delivered by tradition , as long as matters more substantial were taken from the scriptures . but doctor preston shewed that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signified oftentimes doctrine , and was used here by bazil for those heads of doctrine that were more principal , and lesse exposed , comparing them unto those places in the temple , whereunto the people had not accesse . master mountague answered farther , that his assertion was hypothetical , that if a doctrine came from the same author , it was no great matter , whether it were by writing or word of mouth , for either had the same authority . but doctor preston told him , bazil was positive , and spake directly , and him he justified , and therefore could not be hypothetical , as he pretended . it is a great step unto victory for to divide . paul sets the pharisees against the sadduces , act. . , , . that he might save himself . the jesuites are so good at it , that though they have but one to be their adversary , they will endeavour to divide him from himself , by moving passion , or compassion , or some affection of his own against him . doctor white had openly in the commencement house , maintained that election is not ex praevisis operibus , and therefore doctor preston resolved to pinch master mountague in that particular , that he might bereave him of his animating champion doctor white . there were four several places that doctor preston had observed to make good this charge , the first which he produced , was gag . pag. . some protestants hold , that peter was saved , because god would have it so without respect unto his faith and obedience ; and judas damned , because god would have it so , without respect unto his sin . and added , this is not the doctrine of the protestants , this is not the doctrine of the church , the church of england hath not taught it , doth not believe it , hath opposed it . now doctor white was very fierce and eager to engage , told him it was no doctrine of the church of england , but a private fancy of some , that judas was condemned , without respect unto his sin ; for the wages of sin is death , rom. . . the soul that sinneth shall die , ezek. . . but doctor preston answered , he did not charge that upon master mountague , but the former part of the assertion , that peter was not saved , without respect unto his believing and obedience , and so election should not be absolute , but grounded upon faith and works foreseen . then saith dr. white , i have nothing against that , but leave master mountague to answer for himself . dr. preston was glad that he was eased of dr. white , and yet resolved to make advantage of it , and therefore told dr. white , if he thought election was not ex fide praevisâ , he desired to know whether saving grace were an effect , and fruit of election , or no ? dr. white acknowledged readily it was ; then said dr. preston , whosoever hath saving grace is elected . now you know than an elect person , can never finally miscarry , or fall away ; therefore whoever hath true grace , can never fall away . the old man saw the snare , and would have avoided it , by denying the consequence . but the dr. urged , that wheresoever the effect is , there must be the cause , but saving grace is an effect of election . this dr. white would have denyed , but the hearers murmured that the effect could not be without the cause , as the day is not without the presence of the sun. then dr. white answered , that saving grace was an effect indeed , but a common effect . but dr. preston urged , that it was not more common then election ; for all the elect had saving grace , and none but they ; and therefore they could never fall away . but this ( said he ) is by the way , i will now apply my self to mr. mountague . but when mr. mountague perceived that his great goliah dr. white , forsook him , he was greatly troubled , and cavilled at the words a while , but the book adjudging it for dr. preston , he said , the church of england had not declared any thing against it . dr. preston alledged the seventeenth article , but told master mountague , that he affirmed the church of england did oppose it , and he desired to know where ? but after one of the lords had whispered with mr. mountague , he confessed , that for arminius , he had never read him , and that he had written some things negligently in that book , which he never thought should thus be scanned among friends , and therefore promised to write another book in butter and honey , and therein more exactly for to acquit himself . some of the good lords proposed , that in stead of this book which mr. mountague had promised to write , the synod of dort might be received and established as the doctrine of the church of england , seeing there was nothing there determined , but what our delegates approved . but dr. white opposed this mainly ; for ( said he ) the church of england in her catechism teacheth to believe in god the sonne , who redeemed me and all mankind , which that synod did deny . dr. preston answered , that by redemption there , was only meant the freeing of mankind from that inevitable ruine , the sin of adam had involved them in , and making of them savable upon conditions of another covenant , joh. . , . so as now salvation was not impossible , as it was before the death of christ , but might be offered unto any man , according to the tenor of that commission , mark. . , . which could not be unto the devils , for they were left in that forelorn condition , whereinto their sin and disobedience put them , heb. . . pet. . . that the jaylor was a boisterous bloody fellow , act. . , . yet paul makes no doubt for to tell him , vers . . that if he believed on the lord jesus , he should be saved with his house . but dr. white in no sort received this , but affirmed earnestly , that christ died for all alike in gods intention and decree , for cain as well as abel , for saul as much as david , for judas as much as peter , for the reprobate and damned in hell , as well as for the elect and saints in heaven . but dr. preston answered , that there was a speciall salvation afforded to believers , tim. . . that christ was indeed a ransome for all , tim. . . but the saviour only of his body , eph. . . that he redeemed all , but called , and justified , and glorified whom he knew before , and had predestinated to be conformed to the image of his sonne , rom. . . . that to whom in this sense christ was given , to them were given also all things appertaining unto life and godlinesse , pet. . . as faith , pet. . ● . phil. . . eph. . . repentance , act. . . tim. . . a new heart , ezek , . . his spirit , gal. . , . so that nothing can be charged on them , but jesus christ hath undertaken , and is engaged to discharge them , rom. . , , , . so that they can never perish , nor be taken out of christs hand , joh. . , , . but as they are begotten again unto a lively hope , pet. . . so they are kept by the power of god through faith unto salvation , vers . . whereas judas was lost , joh. . . and is gone to his own place , act. . . and there are many nations and people of the world , that have no outward offer made unto them in the gospel , psal , . , . act. . , . and those that have it , have not hearts given them to understand it and believe it , deut. . , , . esa. . , . mat. . , , . and therefore they are lost , cor. . , . and are damned , thes. . , , . for he shewed that in adam all men were lost , rom. . . and none recovered but by christ ; therefore such as had not christs intercession , could not recover ; but christ prayed not for some , joh. . . and therefore such could not be saved , heb. . . dr. white acknowledged there was a difference ; for though all had so much as by good improvement might serve their turn , yet the elect had more , for god abounded towards them , eph. . , . rom. . , , . as all the troop have horses , but the officers have better . both travellers have staves to leap over the ditch , but the one a better and stronger then the other . the worst had grace enough to keep corruption , and the renitency of their natures down ; but the elect , such as would do it easily ; for christ had tasted death for every man , heb. . . and died for those which yet might perish , cor. . . and bought those , that yet brought upon themselves swift damnation , pet. . . because they did not husband and improve the favour offered to them . dr. preston answered , that christ was in himself sufficient to save all , and might be said to be provided for that end and use , as a medicine is to cure infected persons , though it cure none actually , but those that drink it , as prosper . habet in se quod omnibus prosit , sed si non bibitur non medetur . as joh. . , . but many did not thus apply christ , because they had him not so offered and exhibited as others had , mat. . . luk. . . for god gave some faith and repentance as we have shewed ; as the serpent moses was commanded for to make , was in it self sufficient to cure those that were bitten , numb . . , . yet cured none , but only those that looked on it . so as moses lift up the serpent in the wilderness , shall the son of man be lift up , that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have life everlasting , joh. . , . but dr. white urged that place esa. . . that god had done all he could , but they neglected and rejected the counsel of god against themselves , luk. . . dr. preston answered , that god had done all that they could challenge of him , for he had given them in adam power , eccl. . . and proposed another way of mercy in a mediatour , and therefore he appeals to any one that was indifferent , esa. . . but this was unto israel , he dealt not so with other nations , psal. . . beside , he had done what he could , without reversing and rescinding his decree , joh. . , , . for otherwise he could have given them the same spirit of faith , cor. . . the like gift that he did unto others who believed on the lord jesus , act. . . could have wrought in them both to will and to do according to his good pleasure , phil. . . could have healed them as he promised , esa. . . and as he did persecuting saul , tim. . . but god had other ends , rom. . . and attributes , rom. . . which he was willing to discover , prov. . . but dr. white asked how then he could require faith and repentance , mark. . . act. . . which was all one , as if he should require one to give his judgment and opinion of a colour , that had his eyes shut , and then shut his eyes as fast as he could . dr. preston answered , that he might do it to shew and discover our impotency , as we bid our little children rise , that by their own fault fell , that we may let them know their inability , and be the more beholding unto us to help them up , as mark. . , . and because the call and command of christ is the vehiculum and conduit-pipe of strength and power , act. . . joh. . , . as lazarus , joh. . , . thus god by bidding and commanding men to take grace , doth thereby fit them and enable them to do it , as that creeple , act. . , , . was by the command inabled ; so saul , act. . . being commanded to receive his fight , was inabled the same moment to look upon him ; and so vers . . being commanded to wash away his sins , had the blood of christ provided ready for to do it . so these commands are not like those the apostle speaks of , jam. . . for here is something given ; when god bids , he doth not , verba dare , sed rem . but it was further urged by the doctor , that god had no pleasure in the death of wicked men , ezek. . . but that he would rather they should repent and leave their sins , ezek. . . and vers . . if therefore god were not ready to the utmost of his power to give them grace , he could not be excused from dissembling and double-dealing . but dr. preston answered , that superiours may command unable persons for many reasons , but cannot be said for to dissemble , unless they refuse to give when the required condition is performed . as if i bid one come unto me , and i will give him six-pence , if i refuse when he is come , i did dissemble ; but if he comes not , he cannot charge me ; for their not coming may be for want of will , joh. . . as well as for want of power , joh. . . now if i know a creeple will not come , though he could , i may punish him for it . it 's true , god delights in nothing but himself , his joy and comfort , is terminated only in himself , not in the creature , but as some way served and represented by it ; for god made all things for himself , prov. . . yea for his pleasure , rev. . . that is , the exercise and illustration of some one of his attributes ; as his power , exod. . . rom. . . his wrath , rom. . . never did strong man glory of his strength , more then god doth of his soveraignty and omnipotency , job . , , , , . now , if it fall out , that in the illustration and exercise of these his glorious attributes and excellencies , some creatures smart , yet he delights not in their smart and sufferings , but in the demonstration of his own omnipotency . ahashuerus makes a feast to all the states and orders of his kingdome , to shew the riches of his glorious kingdome , and the honour of his excellent majesty , esth. . , . this was not done without the smart and suffering of many of the creatures , yet he delights not in their sufferings , but in his own magnificence and bounty . when christ was at the feast , joh. . , . he doth not condole the death of all those innocents that went to make it up ; qui fruitur poena , ferus est : but rejoyced in the good cheer , and good will of the friend that bade him . there were few present of doctor prestons friends , and accordingly this conference was represented and reported with all the disadvantage that could be to him ; insomuch that many parliament men that were his friends , were much offended at it ; which occasioned him as soon as he came to cambridge , to write the several passages , and send them to those friends that were unsatisfied . but it was an evidence that the duke and dr. preston were not so great , but that he sticked to the prelates , and would in the issue leave dr. preston and the puritans , which much abated good mens affections to the duke ; and it was believed that he had no such footing in the kings affections , as he did pretend unto : posteà maecenas speciem potius , quam vim tenuit in amicitia principis . they thought his greatnesse began to languish ; and it was believed in the university , that there was another favourite in being , though yet obscure : for the earl of suffolke much about this time died , who had been a long time chancellor of the university of cambridge , and great meanes was used to set the duke up for to succeed him ; but good men were fallen off , because of his deserting dr. preston , and others did believe his glory was departed ; and so the earl of berkshire , the former chancellors second son , was set up against the duke , and many visited for him that loved greatnesse , and were servants good enough unto the times ; and it 's believed , it had been carried for him against the duke , if the wisdome of dr. goffing , then vice-chancellor , and some others in the scrutiny had not prevented it ; but it was pronounced for the duke , and great care was taken for the investing of him in a very solemn manner . a representative of the university is designed to attend him at york-house in their habits , and a sumptuous feast provided for their entertainment ; the duke sate in the midst of the table among the doctors , where , by some body , there was an health begun unto the king. when it came to dr. preston for to pledge it , he was uncovered and bowed as others had done , but drank but very little , and so delivered it unto the next ; but one of the doctors took notice that he drank not all , and told him , he had seen him drink as great a glass of wine , and did believe he could have drunk this if he would , but that he loved to be singular . the dr. acknowledged he was not skilfull in the laws of drinking healths , and therefore if he had offended , he desired it might be imputed to his ignorance ; but he thought the end was to shew respect unto the persons named , which was done best by the ceremonies that preceded , as being bare , standing up , and such like ; wherein ( he said ) he had not willingly offended ; but if it were an engine to court-intemperance , and engage men unto greater quantities then themselves liked , it fell short of that modesty and freedom of the heathens , esth. . . and was a sin in all , but in men of their degree and rank and an abominable wickednesse . the duke misliked this incivility , and frowned on the doctor that occasioned it ; but it was believed it could not have been done , without assurance that the dukes affections were ebbing towards dr. preston . and no wonder ; for his end being to make impressions of good upon the court , he could not but see , if they did not succeed , they would recoil . if you manure and sow your land , if the seeds subdues it not , and conquers it , it is enabled to bring forth the stronger weeds , heb. . , . if your pearles be cast before swine , they will also turn again and rend you , mat. . . the duke had now seen the worth and way of dr. preston ; he had found that he could not winne him , and make him his , he could not therefore in the way of policy , but labour and resolve to wrack and sink him . when herod was convented by prevailing conquering augustus , for his great assistance of mark anthony his adversary , and knew it would be in augustus power to take his head off , he setled his affairs , but gave peremptory order that his beloved mariamne should be put to death ; for this only reason , because another should not enjoy so great a beauty . so the duke would not another should enjoy the great abilities of doctor preston , but was resolved to break him if he could ; yet in a civil court way . but the doctor was too knowing , not to see this afar off , prov. . . quae alii levia faciunt , diu patiendo ; ea sapiens , diù cogitando : and had accordingly provided a succession of reserves , wherein to hide himself . the first and surest was his conscience , cor. . . this is our rejoycing , the testimony of our conscience , that in simplicity and godly sincerity , not with fleshly wisdom , but by the grace of god , we have had our conversation in the world . if a man be wellcome into his conscience , he need not fear the stormes and blusters that he meets abroad . in te recedas , cum cogeris in turba esse . when a man is forced to be where he would not , as peter was foretold he should be , joh. . . yet he may in despite of them retire into himself . paul made it his businesse to have his conscience alwaies void of offence , act. . . and so did dr. preston ; for though his actings , being many of them above the common size were not alwaies understood , and very often mis-interpreted , yet he was innocent and upright alwaies in them . an undeniable argument whereof was , that he never sued for the least preferment , as we have said , but studied , and often consulted , how without breaking , he might avoid them . and though he lived like himself , and gave relief to others , yet it was ever of his own , as very many yet alive can witness . and indeed he was a man of very much communion and sweet society with god ; prayed much in private , and by himself , besides as tutor with his pupils , and after , as master in his family . whatever weakness he was in , or business did occur , kept many private daies of fasting by himself , especially before the sacraments and sabbath-daies ; and accordingly enjoyed a constant clearnesse and assurance of his justification , and interest in the blood of christ ; even then , when frailties and infirmities did most of all afflict and wound him . he never ( that i know , ) was troubled or perplexed about adoption , though very often about the imperfection of his graces , and the unconstancy of sanctification ; so as he studied most exactly that treatise of the saints infirmities , and there is nothing in all his works that may more properly be called his . his next retreat was lincolns-inne ; for now he said , the duke was chancellour , and would endeavour to ingratiate himself , and be a benefactor ; and had bought erpenius manuscripts , and did verily intend to found a library ; and so it would be easie , and in his power , to out him of the colledge and university . for there was a resolution in some of the fellows , to petition the duke without him , and to annul the statute of continuance or commoration in the colledge ; yet he conceived the lawyers would pretend a kind of freedom and exemption . for he saw , when that holy blessed dr. sibbs was outed , both of fellowship and lecture in the university , yet by the goodnesse and prudence of sir henry yelverton , that constant patron unto godly ministers , ( a vertue yet running in the veins of his posterity ) he was received and retained at grayes-inne unto his death ; therefore he would in no sort leave his title unto , and interest in lincolns-inne , but reserved it in his power unto his dying day . but he knew kings had long hands , and that the dukes were nothing shorter ; and that lincolns-inne , though a great deal stronger and better built then grayes-inne , yet would not hold out long , in case the duke should seriously beleagure it ; therefore he pondered of removing farther off if need were . and having weighed all retreats , resolved upon basil in the switzers countrey , as a place which the longest handed kings had seldome touched , even when it was a receptacle of their greatest enemies ; and therefore he resolved , in case he could not be free in england , to settle there , and spend the residue of his surviving dayes , in writing what he was not suffered to preach , or had not published according to his mind . he was naturally very affable and courteous unto strangers of any countrey , and by conversing much with them , endeavoured to preserve his knowledge in the french and italian languages . but after he had thus resolved upon basil , he was very friendly to all he germans , that were dispersed from several universities , especially from the palatinate ; for whom he procured several sorts of entertainments , both in the countrey abroad , and in the university ; for which , as he had very many gratulatory epistles from particular persons , so one of note from the king of bohemia , under his hand and seal . but he knew that these were but the foxes earths , that might successively be taken and possessed . he therefore also thought upon that unum magnum of the cat , or rather of the holy ghost , prov. . . the name of the lord , that is , the goodnesse , mercy , power , of the mighty god ; where he was well assured , he should for ever be free enough from kings and dukes . yet these did no way retard his industry in using means . obstructions quicked industrious and active minds , but damp and clog the dull . there is a statesman of no mean esteem , that writes professedly against the use of cittadels and forts , because it makes the souldier lesse resolved in engagements . and the spartans were forbidden to wall their city , because it would incourage cowardise . but it did not take off dr. preston from his duty . for finding that his standing at court was untermined , he resolved upon buttresses to underprop him in the countrey . there was in the countrey of northampton , a gentleman of very able parts , and clear affections to the publick good , no stranger to the court in former times , nor to the duke of buckingham , with whom the doctor used to communicate affairs , and who was then a parliament man of much esteem ; to him , the doctor in a letter discovers all , shews him the hopelesse posture of the duke , how much they both were disappointed in him ; layes some directions what to do , and urgeth activenesse . this letter by a sad misfortune was let fall , by him that was intrusted to convey it , about temple-bar , and handed from one to one , untill it came to sir henry spillers ; who having viewed and pondered the contents , concluded it was a purchase that would ingratiate him unto the duke , and so immediately presents it to him . the duke was troubled to read his faults and face so shrewdly intimated and presaged . his temper was exceeding good , and he could mannage his affections many times , with much serenity and moderation ; but now he was quite off , and could not think of any thing but a revenge . i have not known any thing so trouble and afflict the doctor as this did , that the duke should have his hand against him , and that he had involved so good a man to whom he wrote . but it pleased god to cut the duke out other work ; for the cry of rochel , and the protestants of france , was so exceeding great , and so much resented by the parliament , that the duke resolves to vindicate his honour by relieving them . and whilest he was busie to set that fleet out , and furnish forces for surprizing the isle of rhees , he could not undertake that work of revenge intended against dr. preston . but the doctor thought not that he had done enough , unlesse he proclaimed in the pulpit what he had often told the duke in private ; according to that command of christ , mat. . . what i tell you in darknesse , that speak you in light ; and what you hear in the ear , that preach on the house-tops . as chrysostome to his people ; cum verum singuli audire non vultis , publicè audietis . when the french match was concluded , he preached that sermon of the pillar and ground of truth , against the mingling of religions , and mixing truth with falshood ; and shewed how impossible it was to mingle truth with errour , or make up one religion of theirs and ours . for , should they leave out any tenet of their church , it would follow , that the church , in that , before had erred ; and so that pillar would be overthrown , on which have hanged so many necessary points of popery . neither could we part with any one truth ; for religion is of a brittle nature ; break it you may , bend it you cannot . it cannot be accommodated to respects of policy , and interests of states and and kingdomes ; but as elements , when mingled in a compound body , do close their proper formes . so religions , when made ingredients , and compounding parts of any other , do lose their formes , and cease to be religions in gods account , kings . , . pillar and ground , pag. . and when the rochellers were in distresse , and laid their ruine and disasters at our door ; fathered their losses and calamities on us ; he preached that sermon of the new life , where page . we have these words : we cannot stand alone ; what measure we mete to others in their distress , men shall measure the same to us in our necessity , luk. . . and how soon the fire may take here also , we know not . and pag. . if any be an impediment , nay , if any do not do their best ; i pronounce this , in the name of the most true god , that shall make it good sooner or later , that they and their houses shall perish , esth. . . the court was hood-wink't in all these comminations ; for by church , they understood the prelates and their party ; and the king thought if he adhered to them , and did their work , he was absolved . but those that read the commentaries that have been written since in red letters , will have occasion to believe the contrary . and when the duke was in the isle of rhees , in which voyage he had engaged many of his very good friends , and much of the nobility and gentry of the kingdom , the doctor preached that sermon , called the demonstration of the deity , where page . ye have these words : it is certain , that evil is intended against us , and will come upon us , except something be done for to prevent it ; for there is a covenant between god and us , and breach of covenant causeth a quarrel ; now the quarrel of god shall not go unrevenged . lev. . . i will send a sword upon you , which shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant . gods quarrels are not rash and passionate as mens are ; and therefore he will not lay them aside without some true and real satisfaction . if we will not believe his word , yet will we not believe his actions ? are not our allies wasted ? are not many branches of the church cut off already , and more in hazard ? in a word , have not our enterprizes been blasted , and withered under our hands for the most part ? have not things been long going down the hill , and are even now hastning to a period ? this sermon was preached to the king at whitehall , on the lords day , and on the wednesday following , the news came of the total routing of our army in the isle of rhees ; which was such a ratification of his prediction , but the sabbath day before , as made many to believe he was a prophet ; and they called him micaiah , because he seldome prophecied good unto them . and dr. neal , then bishop of winchester , said , that he talked like one that was familiar with god almighty . and they were the more affected with it , because the doctor had another course to preach before his moneth was out , ( for every chaplain was to preach twice , once upon the lords day , and also upon the tuesday ; ) but the doctor was desirous to exchange his course upon the tuesday , for a sabbath-day . so dr. potter preached on the tuesday , and dr. preston was to preach upon the lords day following , and was resolved to proceed on the same text , but to handle a point relating to the third verse . for having shewed in this sermon , that things were not done by chance , but by god ; he now resolved for to shew , that god did things that men do not look for . which being known among the bishops , and they affrighted with that disaster at the isle of rhees , they interceded with the clerke of the closet , that ( seeing dr. prestons turn was past already , and this was dr. pottors ) another might be put up , and he deferred till another time ; which was consented and yeilded to : and so upon the friday before , a messenger was sent unto the doctor , to tell him , that another was provided to preach for dr. potter , and he might spare his pains . the dr. wondered at the providence ; for he was resolved fully to have said that in that sermon , if he had been suffered , that would in reason have deserved micaiahs entertainment , kings . . but god was mercifull unto him , and used his enemies as instruments to save him from the danger . it would have damped some men to be thus refused . he might have said with him , mat. . . behold , i have prepared my dinner , my oxen and my fatlings are killed , and all things are ready . but he considered what he had preached before , that a sparrow fell not to the ground without gods will. that his will and resolution for to sacrifice his all , was now accepted as abrahams was ; that his sermon , whilest an embryo , and only in intention , had an efficacious operation upon the auditory . for as they had shewed and discovered their fears , so good men did their joys ; and the sermon was more talked of at court and in the city , then any sermon that ever he had preached before . for all men enquired what the sermon was , that dr. preston was not suffered to preach ; and many wise men were perswaded , that it did more good , then it would have done , in case it had been preached . so that in stead of being damped and dejected at the affront , he was enlivened and encouraged : repulsus generoso excitatiram , languido tristitiam . i never knew him come home from the court more satisfied , then he did this time , nor more encouraged in his ministry at cambridge ; for he was then upon those sermons of the attributes , that since are printed , and god was greatly with him in them . those fellows at emanuel , that had been active in making of him master there , were much satisfied , because the doctor never would consent to the annulling of that statute , de mora sociorum in collegio . for he was convinced , that the founder had added it upon very weighty grounds ; and he saw it was a meanes to make the fellows preach , and look abroad , and lesse intend the actings of the master ; that young schollers were heartned in their studies , with hopes that there would be preferments ready for rhem . and it was ordinary among the scholars , to observe how long some fellows were to stay . therefore observing these affronts at court , they petitioned the king , that that statute might be abrogated . the duke was glad of this occasion to be revenged upon his old friend dr. preston , and did embrace it with all alacrity . commissions were dispatched for to hear and consider their allegations , and many meetings and debates were had about it ; in which it was acknowledged , it was a statute of equal power and validity with the rest , though added three years after ; and upon that , one of the fellows that had petitioned fell off . the doctor used all his friends , for to support and keep in power and effect this statute , and found very many very forward to assist him in it ; but above all , a very noble grandchild of the founder yet living , did much encourage and enable the defence : for though a courtier , and much obliged , yet adventured , and waved all his interests , rather then he would behold his grandfathers pious and prudent care so overthrown . so a temper was at last agreed on , that it should be suspended from effects in law , untill six livings of an hundred pounds per annum , should be annexed to to the colledge . the soul is the undoubted soveraign of the body , and hath therein despoticum imperium , an absolute and uncontrolled jurisdiction ; and in case of injury or over-burdening , there is no action lies . but souls should consider , soft and fare goes far : qui vult regnare diù , languidâ regnat manu . it was hobson that told the scholars they would come time enough to london , if they did not ride too fast . it was incurable in this good man to over-ride himself ; for the body is pars compositi , when it is tired , we cannot take a new one at the next stage , as we do horses . but he thought all was one ; some lived as much in seven years , as others did in seventy . non diù vixit , sed diù fuit was his opinion of many men : that our life is like to iron that will consume with rust , as much as employment : vita sicut ferrum , exerceas , vel perit . these were his principles , and his actings were according ; the most unmercifull unto his flesh of any living . and it 's true , that not time , but action should be the metwand of all mens lives . non annos meos , sed victorias numero : not how long i have lived , but how ? yet god doth usually allow his dearest servants time to do their work in . moses years of age , deut. . . david an old man before he dies , chron. . . paul aged , phil. . notwithstanding all his labours and activity ; but the doctor had a shorter period put unto his daies : all mens is set , job . . . his was short . it was no disparagement to good josiah to die about the doctors age , chron. . . our glorious king edward , that scarce out-lived his minority , out-stripped notwithstanding all his longest living predecessors in doing good : god that had set his time , hastned his service , and so he did the doctors . his preaching and studying labours were exceeding great ; but that which spent and wore him , was his care and troubles for the churches safety and prosperity ; often he would inculcate that , cor. . . that which cometh upon me daily , the care of all the churches . when his body therefore began to be sick and languish , he was content a little to abate and take off , and thought a counttey house in some good air might help , as formerly it had done ; and accordingly took one at linton , near the hils about six miles off , which he furnished and purposed to be in all the week , and come on saturdays to preach upon the lords daies ; and had this course been taken time enough , much might have been . but now he feared , sollicitude would but be changed into solitude , the air of subitable converse he doubted would be wanting there ; and being alone , he saw , would too much gratifie his melancholy ▪ the spring therefore approaching , he was willing to consult with some physicians ; and london being far off , he sent to bury for dr. despotine . his present malady was want of rest , which now tobacco would not help him to , as formerly it had done ; and therefore he proposed letting blood . the doctor plainly told him , that might perhaps allay his heats , and purchase sleep ; but if it were within the verge of a consumption , it would be fatal to him . he was inticed notwithstanding with the deceitfull hopes of present ease , and so was let blood , but never lived to repair that losse . for sinking more and more , he went to london , and took advice of those that were best acquainted with his state of health ; by their advice he retired a little unto newington , unto a loving friend of his that lived there , and then to harefordshire unto a thinner and more penetrating air . the malady they all agreed was in his lungs , which were not ulcerated neither , but obstructed and opprest with stiff and clammy matter , that he could not void , and perspiration was that he wanted , and they supposed a penetrating air might do the cure ; but that was found too searching and corrosive for the other parts , which were pervious enough and penetrable . he therefore thought upon northamptonshire , his native countrey , which would in reason be most propitious unto him . however he would leave his breath where first he found it , and thankfully return what had been serviceable now along time to him . he had at preston four miles from heyford , a very dear and bosome friend , that was ambitious of entertaining good men ; old master dod was but a mile off , being seriously invited thither , he pitcht upon it , where he enjoyed with great contentment , what air , converse of friends , and loving entertainment could afford , and at the first was much refreshed by it ; but nature being spent , and no foundation being left to work upon , all his refreshing quickly flagged . he had before made use of dr. ashworth , and he was one of much experience , and knew his body well ; therefore he thinks of riding over unto oxford to him , which he did , and there continued about twelve daies , and consulted with such as were there of any note . men die and perish when their time is come , as well errore medici , as vi morbi . doctor ashworth was perswaded that the scorbute was his disease , and that the london-doctors had all mistook their mark , and therefore pitcheth upon applications suitable : a great errour for so experienced and grave a doctor . desire of restitution into a state of health , made shift to flatter him into belief it was so . the old man upon this perswasion , comes over unto preston with him , strains and steeps scurvy-grass , and gives him drenches able to have weakned a stronger man then he was now ; and having stayed and tampered with him about three weeks , and finding nothing answer his expectation , he takes his last leave of him , giving such order and direction as he thought good , and so leaves him , and returns to oxford , july . . when this dream and fancy of the scorbute failed , and dr. ashworth was gone , he resigned up himself to god alone , and let all care of physick and the doctors go . he had a servant who had been laborious with him , and whom he often used as a friend ; he would say , servi sunt humiles amici was very true of him . to him he therefore now unbosomed himself , not only touching the vanity and emptinesse of all things here below , but his own belief and expectation of a suddain change ; not of my company ( said he , ) for i shall still converse with god and saints , but of my place , and way of doing it . his will was made ( as we have said ) some years before , but he was doubtfull , if it come to proving , it might be baffled and affronted , and therefore purposed to wave it , and make a deed of gift to him that was in that will his executor , with such restrictions and limitations as he thought good , all which he set down with his own hand ; wherein he carefully provided for his mother during life , and both his brothers . his books , and all the furniture and goods belonging to , and in his lodgings at emanuel-colledge , he gave one of his pupils that was fellow there , whom he alwaies greatly favoured . some exhibitions he gave scholars there to be disposed of from time to time , by him that was executor . and as he truly valued , so he liberally rewarded his servants faithfulnesse , who liveth yet in very good condition and reputation ; of whom is verified what is said , prov. . . whoso keepeth the fig-tree , shall eat the fruit thereof ; so he that waiteth on his master , shall surely come to honour . and having thus discumbred himself of worldly cares , he took care for the places he now possessed , prayed for the colledge , that it might continue a flourishing nursery of religon and learning , told those about him as david before his death , chron. . , , &c. what he had done towards that goodly building since erected , and what care he had taken to get those rectories in the kings letter mentioned , whereof we spake before ; prayed god to furnish lincolns-inne from time to time with able preaching ministers , and so the lecture at cambride , that had cost so much trouble in the procuring . then for his sermons , that they might not come into the world like vagabonds ; but seeing the father lived not , to see them setled and provided for , those would be carefull whom then he named , and is long since intimated upon occasion . in all which great things god hath so answered him , as i think no man was since elisha , king. . , . the night before he died , being saturday , he went to bed , and lay about three hours desirous to sleep , but slept not ; then said , my dissolution is at hand , let me go to my home , and jesus christ who hath bought me with his precious blood . and so lay still as in a slumber , till about two of the clock in the morning ; then drinking and resting on his servants armes , he fell into a cold and clammy sweat , which he told them was the messenger of death ; and so continued for about two hours very silent . about four of the clock , he said , i feel death coming to my heart , my pain shall now be quickly turned into joy . and so his friends were called that were present in the house , who spake unto him , but had no answer from him as they were used to have . they kneeled all down , and a reverend divine there present prayed . when prayer was ended , he looked on them , and turning away his head , gave up the ghost . it was about five a clock on the lords day , but to him an everlasting sabbath . he never ( by his good will ) rested that day , since god was truly known unto him untill now ; god gave him therefore now an everlasting rest . no man deserved better funeral solemnities . but master dod was much against it ; and his friends at cambridge , who did highly honour him , and desired nothing more , then to have waited on his dust unto its long home , were now obliged to attend the election of another master , that they durst not so much as make it known , or do any thing , from which it might be gathered . so he was buried decently , but without state , in fawsley church in the county of northampton . old master dod , the minister of that place preached , and a world of godly people came together , july . . being within a little of one and fourty years of age . dr. preston just before his death , asked what day it was , and being answered , that it was the sabbath day ; a fit day ( said he ) to be sacrificed on : i have accompanied saints on earth , and now i shall accompany angels in heaven . also , mrs. chaterdon telling him of his preaching so profoundly on gods attributes , he answered ; if it shall please god to prolong my life , i will make all so plain , that every one shall be able to understand it . this life was written by my reverend friend , master thomas ball of northampton . the life of master arthur hildersam , who died anno christi , . arthur hildersam was born at stetchworth , near new-market in cambridgeshire , octob. . he was sonne of thomas hildersam of the said town ( a gentleman of an antient family ) and anne poole his second wife , daughter to sir jeffery poole , fourth sonne to sir richard poole , ( who was cousen germane to king henry the seventh ) and margaret countesse of salisbury , that was daughter to george duke of clarence , ( the second brother to king edward the fourth ) and isabel the eldest daughter and co-heir of richard the great earl of warwick , and salisbury . thus much for his birth . for his education ; in his childhood he was brought up in the popish manner ; taught to say his prayers in latine , both his parents and their kindred , specially his mother , being zealous papists . when he was to be sent abroad to school , his fathers aim was only to send him to a good school , where many gentlemens sons were taught ; but god so ordered it , ( by his good providence ) that his father unawares placed him at saffron-walden school in essex , with one master desborough , a godly man , and a religious protestant , who taking great affection to him for his wit and disposition , was very carefull of him , and taught him not only that humane learning that was fitting for his years , but the grounds of the protestant religion . this his school-master , was the first blessed instrument that god was pleased to make use of , to work in him a liking and relish of the reformed religion . he continued with him , till he was fit for the university , which was not long . for when he was but about thirteen years of age , he was placed by his father ( the good hand of god still over-ruling him ) with a very godly and religious tutor in christs colledge in cambridge , where he concontinued till after he was master of arts , where he gained much love and esteem for his piety , learning , ingenuity , affability and harmlesse inoffensive witty converse . mr : arthvr hildersam being in this dejected and forlorn condition , god that comforteth those that are cast down , comforted him by meeting with mr. john ireton ( then fellow of christs colledge , after rector of kegworth in leicestershire , a man famous for piety and learning ) in london , who at their meeting , said unto him ; arthur , why art thou so long from thy book , and losest so much time ? alas sir , said he , i shall go no more to cambridge ; and thereupon told him his condition , and the occasion of it . be not discouraged , ( saith master ireton ) thou hast a noble kinsman , whom i will acquaint with thy case : and i doubt not but he will provide for thee . accordingly master ireton soon after went to the right honourable henry earl of huntingdon , lord president of the north ( whose mother and master hildersams mother , were brothers children ) and representeth to him the sad condition of his poor kinsman : the noble earl gladly embraced this opportunity of doing good ; and sent for him , encouraged him , promised him maintenance , and gave order to master ireton to send him back to cambridge , and to place him with a good tutor ; for ( said he ) i suppose his father did place him with a papist . but when master ireton assured him the contrary , he gave order he should go to his former tutor , of whose love to him , and care of him , master hildersam was wont often to speak . when master hildersam was master of arts , he was soon after to common-place , [ a colledge-exercise in divinity , not different from a sermon , but in length ] he being loth to adventure upon that exercise , intreated one of the fellows ( his special friend ) to supply his place the first time ; but he , out of love , refused to gratifie him in that , and wished him to remember one master sidney zouch , master of arts of that colledge , who getting one to supply his place the first time , and hearing afterwards some of his own year perform that exercise so well , that he despaired of doing the like ; could never after , be perswaded either to common-place , or preach , though he were a very able scholar . the first time he was to common-place , he was much afraid ; but observing that there sate a very godly man ( his friend ) on th' other side of the chappel , he thought that that man prayed for him , which much encouraged him . he was of so good repute for his piety and learning , that by the major part of the fellows he was chosen fellow of that colledge ; but dr. barwell ( the master ) making use of his negative voice , stopped him ; and the matter came to the visitors , two of which , viz. doctor perne , and doctor goad , favouring his competitor , master willet , ( who was afterwards doctor willet ) made him fellow . not long after , he was chosen divine of trinity-hall in the said university ; where he continued till septemb. the , . at which time , by the foresaid right honourable earl , he was called to be , and placed preacher at ashby de la zauce in leicestershire . the impropriate tithes of the same parish being setled upon him for his life by the said earl , and continued to him by the favour of the two succeeding earls , george , and henry , untill his death . he hath given publique notice to the world , of his duty and thankfulnesse to that noble house , in his dedicatory epistle to his lectures on joh. . january . . he married mistresse anne barfoot ( daughter to master barfoot of lamborn-hall in essex , who was a very loving and carefull wife of him , and the like mother of his children ; ) she survived him about eight years . he was silenced in june . and restored again in january , . he was instituted and inducted into the vicaridge of ashby , octob. . . he preached at the assiises at leicester in the time of a great dearth , july . . a godly , learned , zealous , plain , and powerfull sermon , upon those words , king. . , . and it came to passe when ahab saw elijah , that ahab said unto him , art thou he that troubleth israel ? and he answered , i have not troubled israel , but thou and thy fathers house , in that ye have forsaken the commandements of the lord , and thou hast followed baalim . in the handling of which text he so offended judge aderson , that he manifested his anger and displeasure , both by his countenance and gesture , arising to go away ; but master hildersam speaking some words unto him with ministerial authority , he stayed till the sermon was done . after sermon , the judge would have had the grand-jury to have indited him ; but in those daies , it would have been hard to have found a grand-jury in leicestershire , that would have done that . some further and greater danger master hildersam was in , by reason of that judges displeasure for that sermon ; but god in mercy prevented it . in the year . there was an attachment sent out of the high-commission for his apprehension . in the beginning of king james his reign , when many petitioned for reformation , ( which petitions were very modest , and moderate , subscribed by above seven hundred and fifty godly able preachers , in but twenty five counties ; which petition was directed to the parliament , and other petitions to his majesty , and the lords of the council , and to the bishops : ) he with some few others of his brethren , were chosen , and chiefly intrusted to mannage that important businesse , to prosecute the petitions , to solicite the cause ; and if required , to dispute it . and whereas there were some appointed to deal ( for those that desired reformation , ) in the conference at hampton court , he , with master stephen egerton of london , and master edward fleetwood of lancashire , delivered to them some ten demands and requests , made by thirty reverend ministers , in the name of themselves and many others , which they intreated them to solicite his majesty for , in the behalf of the church . he was deprived and silenced by william chaderton , then bishop of lincolne , april . . for refusall of subscription , and conformity ; yet after some time , by the connivance and favour of william overton , then bishop of coventry and lichfield , he preached sometimes in that diocesse , specially at those two famous exercises at burton upon trent in staffordshire , and repton in derbyshire , which were the meanes of great good to the souls of many , both ministers and private chaistians in the parts adjacent . he was the main upholder of these two exercises for many years . in january . by the favour of william barlow , then bishop of lincolne , he was allowed to preach again at ashby aforesaid , where he began his lectures on john . . january . and continued that lecture weekly on tuesday , till novemb. . . these lectures being one hundred and eight , he published in his life time , . having them all written by himself , before he preached them ; which course he took when he began those lectures , and continued it to his dying day , blaming himself much that he began it no sooner , and by that neglect , both himself and others were deprived ( in a great part ) of the benefit of his former labours . novemb. . he was silenced by richard neales meanes , then bishop of coventry and lichfield , who complaining to the king of him , the king commanded the arch-bishop , to write to the bishop of lincolne , to send for master hildersam , and to silence him , which was accordingly presently done . the occasion of bishop neales complaint to king james was this : one edward wightman , a damnable heretick ( afterward burnt at lichfield for blasphemy and heresie , ) dwelling in burton upon trent aforesaid ; and coming sometimes to the exercise there , the bishop and his friends gave out , that wightman learned his opinions ( at least that of the souls sleeping ) of the puritans , and at the aforesaid exercises , and of master hildersam by name . bishop neal informing king james of this , the king commanded him , ( when he went into the countrey ) to send for master hildersam , and to hear what he could answer wightman in this matter . the bishop accordingly sent for master hildersam , but would not hear his defence till wightman came . wightman being called to his second publique hearing , novemb. r . . ( in the hearing of more then five hundred people ) charged the bishop with sundry wrongs he had done him , naming this for one ; that he had given it out , that he had learned his opinions from master hildersam : whereas i professe ( said he ) he never taught , nor confirmed me in any of them ; but was of all men ever most opposite unto me in them , and caused mine own friends to reject me for them . master hildersam had long before in a private conference , in the presence of master aberly the minister of burton , ( who had intreated him to take some pains to reclaim wightman , ) shewed him that his opinion of the souls sleeping , was directly repugnant to the holy scriptures , and an heresie long since condemned in the church . the places of scripture he urged against him , were these , luk. . , . & . . phil. . . soon after , he received a letter from wightman , march . . and perceiving by that , and the report of others , that he grew more and more obstinate in his errours , and laboured to draw others unto it , master hildersam took occasion in the next exercise held at burton , viz. upon march . . publiquely and at large to confute his errour ; the text that fell out that day to be handled , leading him directly unto it , viz. heb. . . above a moneth after the said exercise , viz. april . . wightman sent him another letter , wherein he revileth him for the said speech , at the said exercise , and took upon him , after his manner to answer it . yet after this , viz. november . . before the bishop , he impudently avouched to master hildersams face , that at the conference forenamed , he should say , that the whole drift of the scripture indeed , did make for the opinion of the souls sleeping , but that the church had otherwise judged of the matter . master hildersam did protest , that he never spake or thought so ; and offered by oath , or any other means that should be required to avow , that he ever held this his opinion , to be directly contrary to the scriptures , and a most detestable heresie : master aberly also , who was present at the conference , was ready to depose that master hildersam spake no such thing at that time , but the direct contrary . so that not only the rest that were there , were fully satisfied ; but the bishop himself also openly professed , that he was assuredly perswaded , that wightman had greatly wronged him in this that he had said of him . thus was master hildersams innocency cleared in a publique audience , during the time of wightmans trial at lichfield ; yet he remained under the censure of silencing , which was procured to be inflicted on him upon this occasion ; and the two forenamed exercises were put down . concerning which , all the chief gentlemen of worth in those parts , certified unto the arch-bishop bancroft a little before his death , that the profit which that country ( which above most other places of the land besides , was known to stand in great need of such means of instruction ) received by them was exceeding great . master hildersam continued silenced a long time , yet could not live peaceably from men , though he lived quietly with men . for december . . letter missive were sent out of the high-commission court , requiring his appearance there ; accordingly he appeared . april . . at which time he was judicially admonished and injoyned , that ( saving the catechizing of his own family only ) he should not at any time hereafter preach , catechize , or use any part of the office , or function of a minister , either publiquely or privately , untill he should be lawfully restored and released of his said suspension . in the spring , . he fell into a violent feaver , which held him long , the malignancy of which , struck up into the roof of his mouth , and the gristle of his nose , which endangered him much ; but by the blessing of god , upon the care and skill of physicians and chyrurgeons , he was recovered . in easter term . by letters missive he appeared in the high-commission court again , which committed him to the fleet , ( for refusal of the oath ex officio , ) where he continued a prisoner divers weeks ; at length he was removed by habeas corpus unto the kings bench , where he continued a great while . in both places , he endured imprisonment three moneths . then he was delivered out of prison , upon bond to appear the first court day , term. mich. . but by dangerous sicknesse ( whereof affidavit was made in court , ) he was hindered from appearing at that time . september , , . . the commissioners , doctor lamb , master owen , master middleton , and others sate at ashby , to examine witnesses to prove the articles exhibited against master hildersam , and his neighbours , master dighton , and master holt , where the deponents were , many of them , professed adversaries , specially master hacket , ( then vicar of ashby ) who was the principal accuser and informer of the court against them ; and so his testimony ought not in law to have been received against them . it might well have been discerned by the disposition of many of the deponents , what little credit was to be given to them ; and that master hildersam might have had the most odious and capital crimes desposed against him by such witnesses , who did not only in matter of fact affirm upon oath , that which all the parish knew to be notoriously false ; but did also take upon them to know and deliver upon their oath , the reason and ground of his pretended practice , which ( they having ever been , as all the neighbours knew , meer strangers to him ) was impossible for them to do it . the next term the cause came to be heard and censured ; but master hildersam hearing of the heavy sentence against master dighton , and master holt , november . . ( viz. to return back to prison , there to remain till they conformed themselves ; they were also fined a thousand pounds a piece , pronounced excommunicate , and ordered to be so publiquely denounced , and injoyned to make their submissions , in conceptis verbis , in three several places ; and lastly , they were condemned in expences and costs of the suit ) concealed himself , and did not appear at the day of his calling and censuring , but did eight daies before send a copy of his answer to the several points that were desposed against him , to his advocate , doctor hussey , to be shewed to the court ; which answer , in the judgment of rational , honest , indifferent men , was full and satisfactory . to instance but in the proof of one article , and his answer thereunto . one george reding deposed , that upon palm-sunday was two years , he was one of those that came up to the communion-table in ashby church in several companies , and ( though master hacket had before given warning , that he would admit none that would not receive it kneeling ) refused so to receive it , but would have received it standing , and when he could not have it so , yet stood still among them that kneeled , till the communion was done . to which disposition master hildersams answer was , that it is notoriously known to all the inhabitants at ashby , that i was at that time sick in my bed , and for many weeks before , and after , utterly unable to stir out of my chamber ; neither did i ever at any other time present my self in that manner to the communion-table , neither doth master hacket , or any other deponent charge me with any such matter . and this fellow that hath devised this against me , ( whereof there was no colour at all of truth ) would in all likelihood have sworn any thing that might have done me hurt , if he had been required to do it . notwithstanding this his answer to that , and his answer to all the rest , delivered as aforesaid to his advocate , the court proceeded to censure him , november . . whereby he was pronounced a man refractory and disobedient to the orders , rites , and ceremonies of the church of england . and because he yet refused to submit himself , and to joyn in the administration of publique prayer , and divine service and sacraments , as they are here lawfully administred ; therefore he was by the court pronounced a schismaticall person , and a schismatick , and thought well worthy of severe punishment . and in respect that he was the prime ring-leader of all the schismatical persons in that countrey , both of the clergy and laity , he was first fined two thousand pounds to his majesties use , pronounced excommunicate , and ordered to be so publiquely denounced ; as also was ordered to be attached and committed to prison , and so to be brought before the commissioners , to be degraded from his ministry ; and was further ordered , to make his publique submission conceptis verbis , ( as shall be prescribed him by this court ; ) and lastly , he was condemned in charges . when he heard of this terribly cruel sentence , it was his wisdom now to conceal himself , which accordingly he did for a long time in the city ; and god so hid him under the shadow of his wings , that his adversaries could not meet with him . during this time of his keeping close , one master john hartly , one of the elders of the english congregation at leiden in holland , came with letters of credence from the congregation , making offer to him of the pastors place , then vacant ; which he resolved to have accepted of , had not his wives unwillingnesse to go over the seas , retained him here . the foresaid fine of two thousand pounds was estreated without abatement into the exchequer , march . . whence several processes were issued to the sheriffs of leicestershire , to enquire of his estate ; but they , by several returns , answered , they could find none . at length , the said fine was begged and granted by his majesty , king james , under the great seal , to master williams , page to the ( then ) marquesse of buckingham ; whereupon master hilderdsam compounded both with him , ( giving him a great summe of money , ) and with the registers also of the high-commission court , for their part of the fine , and obtained a discharge from them both . i suppose it will be hard to find that any man was before , or scarce hath been since in that court , so deeply fined , and heavily censured , meerly for his judgment and conscience ; having done nothing either factiously , or contemptuously against that government , and those orders of the church , that were then established . he was indeed alwaies from his first entering into the ministry , a resolved and conscientious non-conformist , as appeareth by the foregoing story , and so continued to his dying day , witnesse that clause in his last will : i do hereby declare and protest , that i do continue and end my daies , in the very same faith and judgment , touching all points of religion , as i have ever been known to hold and profess , and which i have , both by my doctrine and practice , and by my sufferings also , given testimony unto . he was a great admirer , follower , and friend of master thomas cartwright ( famous for religion and learning ) who left his papers to master john dod and him , to peruse and publish what they thought fit . though he himself was a constant non-conformist , yet such was his ingenuity and christian charity , that he respected , esteemed , and was very familiar with those he knew to be religious and learned , though of another judgment . he did alwaies oppose the separation of the brownists , and the semi-separation of master jacob , with whom , as also with some ring-leaders of the former sort , he had divers conferences and disputes . he is called by doctor willet ( his contemporary , and sometimes competitor ) the hammer of schismaticks , whom they commonly call brownists ; as you have it in j. c. his epistle to the reader , before the forenamed lectures on john . that is , master john cottons of new-england , ( his dear and familiar friend , ) who there expresses his high opinion of the authour , those lectures , and his treatise of the doctrine of the lords supper , printed . annexed to a little treatise of the like argument , set forth by a godly learned man ( his intimate friend ) master william bradshaw , of which treatise of master hildersams , master cotten gives this testimony : that it hath been of singular good use to many poor souls for their preparation to that ordinance . and in very deed ( saith he ) those questions and answers do more fully furnish a christian to that whole spiritual duty , then any other , in any language ( that i know ) in so small a compass . master cotton also mentioneth in the foresaid epistle , a letter of master hildersams , to a gentlewoman , against separation , which , without his consent , a separatist ( master francis johnson ) printed and refuted ; which ( saith master cotton ) hath so strongly and clearly convinced the iniquity of that way , that i could not but acknowledge in it , both the wisedome of god , and the weaknesse of the separatist ; his wisdome , in bringing to light such a beam of the light of his truth , by the hand of an adversary , against the authors mind ; and the weakness of the other , to advance the hand of his adversary , to give himself and his cause such a deadly wound in open view , as neither himself , nor all his associates can be able to zeal . his judgment and testimony of the author , and his lectures on john . you may read in that epistle . in a private letter of his from boston , february . . to him ; he mentioneth a letter he received from a dutch minister in london , ( one timotheus van ul-eren ) who telleth him , he had sent sundry of the books on iohn . to ministers beyond the seas , who do read them with such great satisfaction , that the said dutch minister did , in the name of many others , intreat master cotton , to beseech master hildersam to put forth his sermons on psal. . and other his lucubrations . and accordingly master cotton in that letter writeth thus ; since the sermons already on part of the psalm , do arise to a just and full volume , be intreated to hearken to the desires of so many at home and abroad , and give them leave to be doing good , whilest the rest are preparing . you have cause to love the lord your god with all your might ; and therefore , since those sermons might be shewing your love to god in working his work , before their fellows , do not hold back any part of their service to the church , for the present time . this his request he renewed , in another letter of iuly . . having mentioned the testimony and judgment of the reverend master cotton concerning master hildersam and his labours , whom in his reply to master roger williams answer of his letter , p. . he stileth a man of a thousand ; i shall insert another testimony of a man deservedly famous in the church , doctor preston , then fellow of queens colledge in cambridge , concerning the formentioned lectures on iohn . he having long desired , at length obtained of master hildersam the copy of them , which he kept a long time , and perused , and being desired to deliver his opinion of them , in his letter to the author , november . . speaketh thus : i will say to you faithfully and ingenuously what i think , without adding a word more then mine own heart is perswaded of . first in general , for putting them to the presse , i do not only think that they are worthy of it , but so far as any intreaty of mine might prevail , i should presse you to it , as depriving gods church of a very great benefit , if you should refuse . in particular , besides the profitablenesse of the matter , these two things i observe in the reading of it : first , throughout the whole carriage , there appeareth a continued strength ( that i may so call it ) without any failing or deficiency , without any inequality , unevennesse of deformity of some parts with the rest . secondly , it is presse and succinst ( though large ) the things choice and pertinent , and throughly depending each on other . in brief , so it is , there is nothing that need be added , and nihil quod amputem . so that when i went about to take out some things for mine own use briefly , i could not almost tell what to leave out . to say all in a word , sir , i do think it is such , as will answer to your name , and such as men would look for from you . there are very few writings , but wherein we commonly see some failings in these two particulars , which i mentioned . besides , the method i much like , as very judicious ; which hath not ruled you , but you it , in a seasonable changing it , as your matter lyeth , so casting the frame of it , that it extorteth not more then is necessary from you , nor cutteth off any thing that you would deliver : which one precise , uniform method strictly kept , often doth . i hope it will be a good help to ministers when they read it , and bring the metod of doctrine and uses into more credit . these are doctor prestons own words in his letter . unto this ample and laudable testimony given , by these two worthies , this may be added , that his most grave and authoritative manner of preaching , did give an edge and excellency unto his ministry . though master hildersam , in the judgment of these eminent divines at home and abroad , and most others that knew him , were a man of such worth and ability , and whose labours were so usefull in the church ; yet was he for a long time , by the then prevailing power in the church , cast aside like a broken vessel . after his censure in the high-commission court , he lived privately a long time , sometimes in the city , sometimes in the countrey . he was alwaies , whether silent or having a liberty to preach , a constant student ; when he was in the countrey , and had conveniency of place and weather , he used to walk alone every morning near an hour , to meditate . in the morning he read constantly a chapter , whence he gathered some observations , and wrote them in a book , with the reference to some common-place in the margent , which he referred to his common-place book by numbers . the like he did out of many books that he read ; in others which he read , he referred the most observable things in them to his common-place book , by the pages in them . as he was much in secret prayer , so was he fervent therein ; yea frequent in holy ejaculations audibly expressed , as was observed by some godly friends , whose occasions brought them often near to the place where he studied . he was alwaies a diligent frequenter of the publique assemblies , whether he were in the city or countrey ; he used often even in his old age to write sermons in the church . he so highly prized the ministry of the word , that he would often say , he never heard any godly minister preach , though but of weak parts , but he got some benefit by him . he sojourned in many families , and alwaies by his godly and amiable carriage , got love and esteem of all in the house . in all places where he did reside , or whether he came occasionally , he was alwaies helpfull in family-prayers , in expounding the scriptures read , and in the repetition of the sermons preached in the publique congregation ; being also willing by private conference to instruct the ignorant , to satisfie the doubtfull , to settle the wavering , to comfort the dejected , and to encourage all sorts in the exercises of religion . he was much in the house of mistresse katherine redich of newhall in derbyshire , ( widdow to alexander redich of redich in lancashire esquire , his bosome friend ) his antient acquaintance , and constant dear friend to his death , who survived him not above eight daies ; the grief for his death hastening ( as it was supposed ) her end . in her house at hamstead near london , august . . he fell sick of a violent feaver , which put him into such danger , that the physicians doubted of his recovery ; he over-hearing some intimation of it , when he thought none were in the room , the curtains being drawn about his bed , he was over-heard by one in the room , to speak audibly those words of psal. . . i shall not die , but live , and declare the works of the lord. at that time there was as little hope of his preaching , as of his recovery . but god , in great mercy , soon after restored him both to health and liberty . the next year , viz. june . . he was licensed by doctor ridley , then vicar-general to the arch-bishop of canterbury , to preach in the diocesse of london , lincoln , and coventry , and lichfield under the seal of that office . by vertue of which license he began to preach , august . . in ashby church aforesaid , those eight sermons on psal. . . concerning fasting , prayer , and humiliation for sinne , which were published since his death , viz. . according to his own copy left under his hand , by his son master samuel hildersam . september . . he began his one hundred and fifty two lectures on psal. . published in the like nature , . after the last forementioned licensing , he was silenced again , march . . by notice given him from the court at leicester of the kings instructions , for every lecturer to read service in surplice and hood , and he began to preach again , aug. . . and so continued till december . . which was the last sermon that he preached . soon after he fell sick of his last sickness , and discerning it to increase , he sent for his forenamed sonne dwelling at west-felton in shropshire , fourty nine miles from ashby ; he with his wife came to him withall convenient speed , january . and stayed with him till his death . their company and attendance at that time ( as alwaies formerly , ) was very contenting and comfortable . and of his daughter-in-law ( who was by himself propounded as a meet wife for his dearest son , and in whom he ever took much delight ) he was heard , with affection to ingeminate these words , never man had a kinder daughter-in-law . his disease ( though not discerned to be so at the first ) proved the scorbute , the which being a dull and melancholick distemper , indisposed him to speak much ; yet , as he shewed wonderfull patience through his whole sicknesse , so he used many holy and heavenly expressions to those that attended him , or came to visit him , who ( he being so much beloved and honoured in the countrey ) were not a few . he suggested unto some dear friends , his fears that wolves would ere long come in amongst them , and thereupon earnestly exhorted them to continue stedfast in the truth , which they had received . and occasion being given to mention those words , tim. . . how shall he take care of the church of god ? looking to his son , he said , oh son , son , that care of the flock , is the main thing . the most godly people in those parts , his constant hearers ( who had been either converted to christ , or edified and confirmed in grace by his ministry ) being very sensible of the great losse , which not themselves only , but the whole church of god also would sustain by his death , ( that they might not seem negligent in the use of any means within their reach , to prolong his life and their own comfort ) did resolve amongst themselves to set apart a day , that they might solemnly in publique seek the lord by fasting and prayer in his behalf , wherein they had the hearty help of master simeon ashe , both in the morning and afternoon by sermons , and supplications , who did more owe himself unto master hildersam , then to any other man , having been first placed in the university , under the tuition of famous master thomas hooker , fellow of emanuel colledge , and afterwards directed and encouraged in his ministry , by his great care and love . march . being the lords day , he grew very weak , and was prayed for in the congregation in ashby church , both at the morning and evening exercise . his sonne prayed with him divers times that day , and whilest he was praying the last time , he departed , and slept in the lord , between nine and ten of the clock that night , viz. march . . thus he who had diligently heretofore , kept the holy rest of the sabbath , did in the close of the sabbath rest from his labours ; and having glorified god often , both in publique and private , on that day before , was at last on that day received into glory . master herring ( his dear and familiar friend ) being then at coventry , was sent for the next day , and came and preached the lecture in ashby church on tuesday , march . in the morning , ( master hhildersam having taken order in his will , that there should be no funeral-sermon at his burial , ) and then spake like himself , holily , discreetly , learnedly , and affectionately , concerning the losse that that congregation , the countrey and whole church had sustained by the death of him that was lately dead . in the afternoon of that day , his body was born by neighbour-ministers to the grave , accompanied by a great multitude , both of ministers and others , who expressed much sorrow and lamentation . he lived in ashby aforesaid for the most part ( yet being often forced to remove his dwelling ) of fourty three years , and six moneths , with great successe in his ministry , love and reverence of all sorts . he was very charitable to the poor himself , and in exciting of his auditors to contribute towards their relief . in few countrey-congregations in england the collections for the poor were so large , as they were at the quarter-daies at his lectures . the losse of poor ashby by his death , was exceeding great ; for he was the peace-maker amongst neighbours , and the patron of the poor ; wickednesse was checked , and godlinesse cherished by his great care and wisdome . he was a friend to every one in a good cause , and it was his unwearied delight to be christianly seviceable in any kind . he lived to a great age , ( considering that his pains in preaching did ordinarily weaken him so much ) sixty eight years and five moneths ; yet this happinesse god vouchsafed to him , which was more then ordinary , that he out-lived not his parts , but as his graces increased towards his end , so his abilities of invention , judgement , memory , elocution decayed not in his age . he left a precious memory behind him ; had letters of commendation written in the hearts of many , of which some live here , some in glory . his books will prove more durable monuments of his name , then that his sonne erected for him in ashby church . and yet his name , with the lively picture of his person , lives in his worthy son , master samuel hildersam , whose learning cambridge knew , while he was fellow of emanuel colledge ; and whose present ministerial labours , and pious conversation at west-felton in shropshire , do perpetuate the honour of his reverend father , whose very memory he doth much reverence , and whose rich vertues , both personal and ministerial , he doth happily imitate . and his good help from his fathers papers , and other waies , hath most conduced to the drawing up of this faithfull relation , that god may be glorified , and many souls may be edified by this famous example , thus presented unto publick view . dr. taylor the life of doctor thomas taylor , sometimes pastor of aldermanbury london , who died anno christi . thomas taylor was born at richmond in yorkshire , of worthy and godly parents : his father was recorder of that town , and a very gaius or onesiphorus to the silenced ministers of england , and to the exiled ministers of scotland . he brought up divers sonnes into the ministry . this sonne of his ( as the other ) was of a child trained up in the holy scriptures , which are able to make wise to salvation . afterward , as age came on , he was well grounded in other learning , and was sent to cambridge , where he became fellow of christs colledge , as one that should do the lord christ abundance of good service . he was there most painfull and unweariable in the study of tongues , arts , sciences , all sorts of exercises about them ; and especially for divinity , which was his profession . one while he was hebrew reader to the colledge . being soon ripe , he entred into the ministry at the age of one and twenty years . in queen elizabeths time , he was called to preach at pauls crosse , and preached the sermon in king james his time . in the course and work of his ministry , he spent thirty five years , with all diligence and painfulnesse , even to the very end , when by right he might have spared himself ; living in all sincerity and godly purenesse , with entire love of souls , with all watchfulnesse , with meeknesse , wonderfully quickned with zeal . he was an utter enemy of popery , arminianisme , antinomianisme , and other sects which crept up in those times , as appeareth partly by his writings . amidst all his pithy discourses , he was also an excellent and nimble orator , and wound up his matter with a good farewell , even when at times it was but ordinary . and from this course he would scarce suffer himself to be withdrawn at any time , to refresh his spirits by a little freedom . yea , sometimes when he was drawn forth into the countrey for recreation , by the solicitation of gods people , he escaped not without his usuall burden : or he spent his vacant time in preparing books for the presse , which were both many and very usefull , and will be to posterity ; who have cause to blesse god , who giveth gifts to men , and publique mindes , that they may profit farre and near , both hearers and strangers , all debtors to him . and men of understanding observed a great seal put to his ministry , in several places whereto he was called : some converted , others confirmed , others comforted in the way of god : and in these times of division wherein many professors have turned into by-waies , those that were his constant hearers , continue in that way stedfast and unshaken in faith and love , which is in christ jesus . yea at reding there was a generation of young preachers , who under his ministry grew up in knowledge and holinesse , and some eminency of gifts , profiting by him and his pains there ; and some professe it at this day : perhaps also in the great city of london , and at cambridge . neither was he altogether for the publick , but pious in private ; and not only in the course of his family , but in keeping fasts among the godly of the place , which in those daies was something a dangerous exercise . and , to make them solid professors indeed , he put them upon a weekly way of handling chatecheticall points of divinity ; that is , every week to conferre of one of the heads of religion , according to the catechisme subjoyned to mr. dods treatise on the commandments , still proving the doctrines by testimonies of scripture . for other personall qualifications , he was a man full of love , alms-deeds , and mercifull consideration of the needy , though not with a trumpet . and he was a man blest of god with all the blessings of wisdome , prov. . . length of daies , riches and honour . he had every where both godly and great friends , and is likely still to have , among those that shall converse in his worthy works . in that his holy and blessed course , he drew on toward his end . it was his clymacterical year of . having over-laboured himself with preaching in the city , he betook himself to his countrey-house at isleworth , to be a little refreshed . but having inflamed and corrupted his blood by preaching , he soon fell into his mortall disease , a pleurisie ; for curing whereof , though no meanes were wanting , yet the desired effect ( through the counsel of god ) followed not . in the beginning of his sicknesse he set his house in order most holily , and as became so worthy a father ; and then bad farewell to all , as one throughly prepared for his departure ; full of faith and patience , and joy in the holy ghost , a great help in that acute disease : carefull of the welfare of the church at home , then in danger to be corrupted ; grieved for the evils he knew in some mens dealings : rejoycing greatly ( in the midst of the apprehension of death ) for the happy proceedings of the heroicall king of sweden , then victorious in bavaria . and once when he was told , he must a little help himself by cheerfulnesse , he fell into a most contentfull discourse of those noble deliverances and victories , and more would have spoken , if weaknesse had permitted . but especially his joy in god , and in the conquest of christ : oh ( said he ) we serve a good lord , who covers all imperfections , and gives great wages for little work ; and in mercy he hath provided for me some of the greatest . with other holy speeches , full of faith and joy , which his infirmity would not suffer him to utter perfectly . in which manner he languished by degrees , and at last on the lords day , being the usuall day of his principall labours , he was dismissed of all , and went to keep a perpetuall sabbath in heaven ; where now he resteth from his labours , and his works follow him , even a full reward in endlesse glory , which eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither can enter into the heart of man to conceive , what things those are which god hath prepared for them that love him . the life of master hugh clark , who died anno christi . hugh clark was born at burton upon trent , in the county of stafford , august . . of honest parents , who were very carefull of his education , both in religion and learning , and when he was fitted for the university , they sent him to cambridge , where he was admitted into jesus colledge under the tuition of master duport , ( afterwards doctor duport , and master of that colledge ) in that place he followed his study very hard , and his proficiency was very exemplary ; but after two years and an half , the air not well agreeing with his constitution , he removed to oxford , and continued there till he was master of arts. he was a good logician , and a very acute disputant . the first place that he was called to exercise his ministry in , was about oundle in northamptonshire , where he met with a people , that for the generality of them , were very ignorant and ungodly , and much addicted to the prophanation of the lords day , by whitson-ales , morris dancing , &c. which sinnes master clark in his ministry much set himself against , endeavouring from gods word to convince them of the evil , and denouncing gods judgments in case of their obstinate perseverance in such provoking courses ; but they , having been alwaies trained up in such practices , and having their hearts hardened against admonition , still persevered in their former courses ; and that the rather , because they were opposed by the word of god therein ; but the judgment of god found them out for this their wickednesse . for shortly after , on a lords day , the leader of the dance , being a lusty young man , in the midst of their prophane pastimes suddainly fell down and died . yet these obdurate persons ( though a little affected for the present ) soon shaked off their fears , and returned to their vomit again . master clark the sabbath following , took occasion from this sad dispensation of god , to shew them the greatnesse of their sinnes , and how highly god used to be displeased with those which took liberty to prophane his holy day , withall quoting , jer. . . if thou wilt not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath-day , &c. then will i kindle a fire in the gates thereof , and it shall devoure the pallaces of jerusalem , and it shall not be quenched ; opening , urging , and pressing it home upon their consciences : yet still they kicked against these warnings , and the evening following , returned to their sports again . amongst these there was a smith that was a chief ring-leader ; but it pleased god the very next day , that two husbandmen coming to his shop to sharpen their plough-shares , a spark from the red hot iron as he beat it on the anvil , flew into the thatch , which both the smith and his neighbours saw , and stood gazing upon it , and might at first with one of their fingers have pulled it down , that thatch being low , but god took away their power of moving towards it ; so that they saw it at first burn like a candle , then like a torch , and presently the whole shop was on a fire , and the men running out , both shop , house , and all the smiths goods were consumed in the fire , and yet a neighbours house that stood very near it escaped . the second remarkeable judgment was again by master clark pressed upon their consciences , yet nothing would prevail , but as if they had made a covenant with death , and were at an agreement with hell , they still persisted in their ungodly practises , and god who threatens to walk contrary to them that walk contrary to him , pursued them with one judgment after another ; and amongst others , this was very remarkable : that upon the sabbath day , which they had highly prophaned , by drinking , dancing , &c. in the night , when they were retired to their several homes , there was heard a great noise , and ratling of chains up and down the town , which was accompanied with such a smell and stink of fire and brimestone , that many of their guilty consciences suggested unto them , that the devil was come to fetch them away quick to hell . this so terrified and wrought upon them , that they began to give better heed to the ministry of gods word , and to break off their prophane courses for the greatest part , so that there was an eminent reformation wrought amongst them ; at least , sixteen of those poor souls being effectually wrought upon , and brought home to christ ; and some others that relapsed to their former waies , god pursued them with his judgments till he had brought them to beggery . during master clarks abode in this place , he had experience of gods gracious protecting him from the rage of some desperately wicked men , and amongst others , this is very remarkeable : master clark , having on a day pressed gods judgments against some sins , that he saw some of the people much addicted to , there came the next morning , a lusty young man [ a serving man ] to enquire for him , as desirous to speak with him . master clark being made acquainted with it , sent for him up into his chamber , and knowing his vitious life , took occasion sharply to the reprove him , and to tell him of the danger that he was in by reason of the same , in case he persevered in his lewd courses . this round and faithfull dealling , through gods mercy , wrought so effectually upon him , that falling upon his knees , he intreated him to forgive him : master clark answered , that he should beg pardon at the hands of god , against whom he had sinned , for he knew not for his own part , wherein he had offended him ; yea , said the other , i have not only offended god by sinning thus and thus against him , but you also ; for i came hither with a full resolution to stab you with this dagger here at my back , but god hath so overawed my spirit , that i have not had power to move an hand , to acccomplish such a wickednesse ; and this resolution of mine , proceeded from the sermon which you preached yesterday , which so terrified my conscience , that my whole body fell into such a trembling , that i was not able to sit , whereupon i rose up , and set my back to a pillar to stay me , yet neither would that prevail to stay my trembling , &c. but now if you please to forgive me , i shall , by gods grace , never entertain any such desperate thoughts again . maher clark freely forgave him , and after some wholesome and seasonable admonitions , dismissed him . about this time , the schism and errors of the brownists began to spread in northamptonshire , and master clark had many bickerings and disputations with some of the chief of them , whom he mightily confuted , and through gods grace , reclaimed some of them . anno . he was sent for by roger wigstone esquire , who lived at woolstone in the county of warwick , by whom he was chosen to succeed master lord , an able and eminent divine in the pastoral charge in that place , and having preached sometimes amongst them , he was freely chosen by the people also . then having his presentation from master wigston ( who was a gentleman of eminent piety in those daies , and a great friend to godly ministers . ) he went to doctor overton , bishop of lichfield and coventry , for his institution ; but the bishop having designed the living for one of his chaplains , he endeavoured to perswade master clark to desert his title to it , promising that he would remember him when some other preferment should fall . master clark considering his fair and direct call to the place , and therefore hoping that god had a work for him to do there , he absolutely refused to gratifie the bishop in his request , telling him , that he could not with a good conscience do it , and therefore importuned him for his institution . then did the bishop set his acutest chaplains upon him , to examine and dispute with him , hoping thereby to get some ground of exeception against him ; but when that prevailed not , he framed other excuses to defer the instituting of him , one while alledging that his register was not with him , and then that he had so many daies allowed by the law ro make enquiry after him . and hereby he made master clark to ride three or four journeys without attaining his desire , and this the bishop did , that the living might fall into the lapse . master clark perceiving his drift , told him , that if he refused any longer to grant him institution , he would bring his quare impedit against him , which occasioned the bishop at last to grant it him ; but withall , he sent at several times , sometimes an apparitor , sometimes one of his chaplains , and other subtill persons to attend his prayers and sermons , to see if they could catch any advantage against him , and upon trivial occasions cited him oft to his court , and thereby much molested him . at last the bishop himself being at coventry upon a sabbath day , he with some of his servants came in the morning to woolstone , being but four miles off , and coming into the church , he set him down in a seat just before master clark , none else of the congregation knowing him . master clark seeing the bishop , abated nothing of his zeal and fervency in preaching and applying of the word ; insomuch as the bishop being much netled by the sermon , shifted and shufled up and down , as if he had sate upon thornes ; an honest man by , observing it , fetched him a quishion , first to sit on , and then another to lean on , but yet the bishop seemed very restless . the sermon and prayer being ended , the bishop said openly , this is an hot fellow indeed , but i will coole him . master clark hearing it , replyed , my lord , if i have not fa●thfully delivered the truth of god , i beseech you declare what i have said amisse , that i may make my defence here before my people . the bishop answered as before , you are an hot fellew indeed , but i will coole you ; and so departed . master clark replying , it 's good to be zealous in the work of the lord. after this the bishop picked a quarrel against him , and suspended him from preaching , whereupon master clark used to expound the word ; then did the bishop suspend him from expounding ; whereupon he catechized with exposition and application ; then was he suspended from catechizing also . whereupon at the usuall times , in the church , he caused an honest man , that was his neighbour , to read a chapter , and at the end of every verse , to ask him the meaning of it , and what instructions and uses might be gathered out of it . this so angred the bishop , that he proceeded to excommunicate him . whereupon master clark repaired to doctor whitgift , arch-bishop of canterbury , and from him procured his absolution ; and as he returned homewards , about dunstable he met bishop overton going towards london , to whom he shewed his absolution , and so went on in his ministry as before . this so irritated the bishop , that he still suborned some to watch him in all his publike prayers and sermons ; about which time the persecution growing hot against the non-conformists , master clark in his prayer , requested of god to forgive the queen her sins , though in modest expressions . this the bishop being informed of , and supposing that he had now gotten that advantage , which he had long waited for , he charged master clark with treason , and caused him to be committed to the common jayle in warwick , where he lay ( bail being refused ) till the assises ; and then the bishop caused him to be arraigned at the bar , and had so exasperated the judge against him , that he would have had the jury to find the bill . but it pleased god to stir up the heart of a noble gentleman , a justice upon the bench , from that good report which he had heard of master clark , to stand up , and publiquely to tell the judge , that before master clark should have any wrong , he would kneel before the queen for him . this so prevailed with the jury , that he was acquitted . upon his release , master clark repaired again to arch-bishop whitgift , complaining to him of all this wrong which he had received from the bishop ; the arch-bishop ( very worthily ) sent for the bishop , and upon a fair and equal hearing of the businesse betwixt them , he enjoyned the bishop to go down , and in master clarks church , upon a sabbath day , before the congregation , to acknowledge the wrong which he had done him , which the bishop accordingly did perform , and ever after upon all occasions was master clarks great friend so long as he lived . not long after , the devill stirred up new adversaries against him in his own parish , his ministry being very quick , powerfull and searching , so that some wicked persons that found themselves to be galled by it , railed upon him , threatning to kill him ; so that mr. clark , being a strong lusty man , for a time walked not abroad without his rapier in his hand , for his own defence . at last , one of these wicked men , whose conscience the ministry had galled , vowed his death ; and as master clark was coming from coventry , he way-layed him in a wood. master clark in the evening came alone homewards , with nothing but a wand in his hand ; whereupon this man rod up to him , and falling into discourse with him , master clark took the opportunity to reprove him for his disordered life , and so laid open gods judgments due to him for the same , that he fell into a great trembling , confessed his intention to have killed him , and begged pardon . yet still he persisted in his wicked waies , and gods judgments found him out at last ; for though he had a very good living , yet he fell into misery and want , and died in warwick jayle for debt . master clark had in his parish a chappel of ease , which had two townships belonging to it , one of them two miles from the parish church , the chappel it self near two miles from it , and the profits of both ( the tythes being impropriated ) scarce amounting to a competent maintenance for one man. master clark was fain to supply them both himself . and indeed god had extraordinarily fitted him for it , having given him a very strong , able , and healthfull body , so that for the greatest part of his life there , which was about fourty four years ; he rod four times a day winter and summer between the two churches , read the word , and preached four times a day , administred the sacraments , and performed all other ministerial dutyes in them both . he preached uppon several texts in each of the churches , so that divers godly persons , old and young , went betwixt the two churches , hearing several sermons to their great profit and comfort . besides this , every holiday he supplied both the churches , sometimes preached , but constantly expounded in each of them , and for the most part twice a day also ; and god so blessed his labours , that he begat many sons and daughters unto god. he was very carefull in the education of his children , first to train them up in the knowledge and fear of god ; for which end he would take all opportunities to whet the word of god upon them , when he lay down , and when he rose up , and as he walked by the way , &c. and god so blest his labours , that he lived to see , to his great comfort , the work of grace wrought in the hearts of all his seven children . and next to this , his care was to train up his children in learning , and to honest callings ; often saying , that if he could leave them no other portion , yet he would give them that education , that they should be able to get their own livings in any part of the world , where god should cast their lott . towards the latter-end of his life , came forth the book for recreations on the sabbath day , and some young persons in the town where he lived , being encouraged thereby , and by a popish landlord which they had , would needs have a whitson-ale , and morris-dance , an heathenish sport , long before , through gods goodnesse , banished out of that town . master clark laboured by his ministry , to beat down the first rising of this motion ; but these persons were so backed and encouraged by some that set them on , that they would needs prosecute their design notwithstanding all the warnings given them by their faithfull pastor . but god that hath said , he that despiseth you , despiseth me , &c. made their sin quickly to find them out in a terrible judgment that suddainly ensued ; for in that very barn , standing near a smiths shop , where their revels were most kept , there was a violent fire kindled , which notwithstanding all help , quickly burnt it down , and in a strange manner flying against the wind , it went from house to house , burning down all the houses of the chief of those which had an hand in these prophane sports . master clark was a man ( like apollos ) mighty in the scriptures , and so studied in the body of divinity , that upon short warning , he could preach very pertinently and profitably . he had an excellent pair of lungs , and was exceeding powerfull in his ministry , striking shame and terrour into the hearts of the wicked , to whom he was a boanerges , and yet withall , he was a barnabas to humbled , broken , bleeding souls . his old age was accompanied with a lingring and painfull disease , which yet he bore with great patience , and as he came nearer to heaven , so his motion thitherward was more quick and lively . many godly persons came to visit him in his disease , and none of them went away without some spiritual , and comfortable instructions from him . at last , having long glorified god on earth , and finished his work , he went to receive his wages , quietly resigning up his spirit unto god , november . . having lived seventy one years , two moneths , and nineteen dayes , and having been pastor of woolstone fourty four years . this master hugh clark was my father . the life of doctor sibs , who died anno christi . richard sibs was born upon the edges of suffolk , near sudbury , and being trained up at school , when he was grown ripe and ready for the university , he was sent to cambridge anno christi . and was admitted into st. johns colledge , where he by his sedulity and industry so profited in learning , and approved himself by his godly and blamelesse conversation , that he was promoted from one degree to another in the colledge ; being chosen , first scholar , and then fellow of that house . he also took all the degrees of the university , with general approbation and applause . it pleased god to convert him by the ministry of mr. paul baines , whilest he was lecturer at st. andrews in cambridge . and when mr. sibs had been master of arts some while , he entred into the ministry , and shortly after was chosen lecturer himself at trinity church in cambridge : to whose ministry , besides the townsmen , many scholars resorted , so that he became a worthy instrument of begetting many sons and daughters unto god , besides the edifying and building up of of others . he sometimes had a little stammering in the time of his preaching , but then his judicious hearers alwaies expected some rare and excellent notion from him . about the year . or . he was chosen master of katherine hall in cambridge , the government whereof he continued till his dying day ; and indeed like a faithfull governour , he was alwaies very solicitous and carefull to procure and advance the good of that little house . for he procured good means and maintenance by his interest in many worthy persons , for the enlargement of the colledge , and was a means and instrument , to establish learned and religious fellows there ; insomuch as in his time , it proved a very famous society for piety and learning , both in fellows and scholars . dr. sibbs his learning was mixed with much humility , whereby he alwaies esteemed lowly of himself , and was ready to undervalue his own labours , though others judged them to breathe spirit and life , to be strong of heaven , speaking with authority and power to mens consciences . his care in the course of his ministry was to lay a good foundation in the heads and hearts of his hearers . and though he were a wise master-builder , and that in one of the eminentest auditories for learning and piety that was in the land , as was said before ; yet according to the grace which was given to him ( which was indeed like that of elisha , in regard of the other prophets , king. . . the elder brothers priviledge , a double portion ) he was still taking all occasions to preach of the fundamentals to them , and amongst the rest , of the incarnation of the son of god , one of the chief fundamentals of our faith , one of the chief of those wonders in the mercy-seat , which the cherubims gaze at , which the angels desire to pry into , pet. . . and preaching at severall times , and by occasion , of so many severall texts of scripture concerning this subject , there is scarce any one of those incomparable benefits which accrew to us thereby , nor any of those holy impressions , which the meditation hereof ought to work in our hearts , which was not by him sweetly unfolded , as may appear by those sermons now in print . and therefore ( saith a reverend divine ) the noted humility of the author i lesse wonder at , finding how often his thoughts dwelt upon the humiliation of christ. as for his sermons upon cant. . reverend and holy mr. dod upon the perusall of the manuscript , was so taken with them , that he professed that he found them so full of heavenly treasure , and containing such lively expressions of the unvaluable riches of the love of christ towards all his poor servants that sue and seek unto him for it , that by his great importunity he prevailed with dr. sibs , otherwise much undervaluing his own meditations , to commit the same to the presse ; to which mr. dod gave this attestation . i ( saith he ) judge it altogether unmeet , that such precious matter should be concealed from the publick use . i judge these sermons a very profitable and excellent help , both to the understanding of that dark and most divine scripture , as also to kindle in the heart , all heavenly affections towards jesus christ ; the whole frame whereof , is carried with such wisdom , gravity , piety , judgment and experience , that it commends it self to all that are godly wise : and i doubt not but they shall find their temptations answered , their fainting spirits revived , their understandings enlightened , and their graces confirmed ; so that they shall have cause to praise god , for the worthy authors godly and painfull labours . indeed he was throughly studied in the holy scriptures , which made him a man of god , perfect , throughly furnished unto every good work ; and as became a faithfull steward of the manifold graces of god , he endeavoured to teach to others the whole counsel of god , and to store them with the knowledge of gods will , in all wisdom and spiritual understanding . he was a man that enjoyed much communion with god , walking in all the laws of god blamelesse ; and like john the baptist , was a burning and shining light , wasting and spending himself to enlighten others . he was upon all occasions very charitable , drawing forth , not only his purse in relieving , but his very bowels in commiserating the wants and necessities of the poor members of christ. he used sometimes in the summer-time , to go abroad to the houses of some worthy personages , where he was an instrument of much good , not only by his private labours , but by his prudent counsell and advice , that upon every occasion he was ready to minister unto them . and thus having done his work on earth , he went to receive his wages in heaven , peaceably and comfortably resigning up his spirit unto god , anno christi . and of his age . the life of doctor chaderton , who died anno christi . laurence chaderton was born of an ancient family at chatterton in lancashire , about the year . and his parents being both papists , they trained him up in that religion , yet bred him to learning ; and when he came to some maturity of years , his father sent him to the inns of court : but he being not pleased with that kind of life , through the motion of gods holy spirit , who had a work for him to do in another calling and place , left the inns of court , and went to cambridge about the twentieth year of his age , and the sixth year of queen elizabeth . and getting some acquaintance in christs colledge , it pleased god that the master and fellows took such a liking to him for his ingenuity and industry , that they admitted him into a poor scholars place . then did he write to his father , to acquaint him with his present condition , and to request some means of maintenance from him : but his father disliking his change of place and studies , but especially of religion , sent him a poke with a groat in it , to go a begg● withall ; further signifying to him , that he was resolved to disinh●●●● him , which he also did : yet did the lord support his spirit , to preferre an heavenly before an earthly inheritance ; and seeing that he had nothing else to trust to , he fell close to his studies ; and through gods blessing upon the same , he so eminently profited in all sorts of learning , that anno christi . being but yet batchelour of arts , he was chosen fellow of christs colledge . anno christi . he commenced batchelour of divinity ; and the same year , october the . he preached a sermon at pauls crosse , which he also printed . he was chosen lecturer at st. clements church in cambridge , which place he supplied about the space of sixteen years , and by his holy , learned and judicious sermons did very much good , and was succeeded therein by mr. michael bentley fellow of christs colledge , a godly , plain and profitable preacher . he was a man famous for gravity , learning and religion ; so that when sir walter mildmay ( counsellor of state to queen elizabeth chancellor , and under-treasurer of the exchequer ) founded emanuel colledge , anno christi . he made choice of this man for the first master : and when master chaderton shewed himself not willing to undertake that great charge , sir walter replied , saying , if you will not be the master , i will not be the founder of it . in the beginning of king james his reign , he was one of the four divines for the conference at hampton court , chosen by the ministers that desired a reformation in the church government ; and for his learning and sufficiency , was the same year chosen to be one of the translators of the bible . anno christi . when the prince elector palatine came to visit cambridge , he would needs have mr. chaderton commence doctor of divinity , which accordingly he did . he deserved very well of emanuel colledge , for whereas the founder gave allowance for the maintenance of three fellows only , together with the advouson of stranground rectory in huntingtonshire , near peterburrough , dr. chaderton procured by his friends and acquaintance , allowance for twelve fellows , and above fourty scholars of the house , besides the advousons of auler and northcudberry rectories ; as also of the vicaridge of dulverton in summersetshire , piddle-hinton in dorcetshire , and loughburrough in leicestershire , of the noble henry hastings earl of huntington , which noble man was a great friend to godly ministers . after he was master of emanuel , his manner was not to suffer any young scholars to go into the countrey to preach , till he had heard them first in the colledge chappel . all his younger daies he used to expound a portion of scripture twice a week in his family . he was married fifty three years , and yet in all that time he never kept any of his servants from church to dresse his meat , saying , that he desired as much to have his servants know god as himself . if at any time he had a servant upon triall , though they could do as much work as three others , yet if they were given to lying , or any other vice , he would by no means suffer them to dwell in his house . towards his latter-end arminianisme began to sprout up apace in the university , and he being fearfull that an arminian might come to succeed him in his place after his death , resolved if he could procure a godly and worthy man , to resign his place to him in his life time , which accordingly he did to famous dr. preston , whom he yet survived , and saw after him dr. sancroft , and after him dr. holsworth to succeed in his mastership . he was of a very charitable disposition , insomuch as if he heard of any godly minister that was in want , he would send them fourty or fifty shillings at a time . though he lived till he was very old , yet his sight remained very good , as may appear by this example : a little before his death , an old servant of his came to see him , and found him reading on a book , so that at the first he took no notice of her , but when she came nearer , lifting up his head , he spake to her , asking her what a clock it was ▪ she told him eleven . i have ( said he ) here got a book that i have been reading of ever since eight a clock , for i like it very well ; and yet all that time he had read without spectacles . he lived eighteen years after the resignation of his mastership , and in november , anno christi . resigned up his spirit unto god , being about the age of ninety four years , and was buried in s. andrews church ; dr. richard holsworth , the then master of emanuel , preached his funerall sermon , and gave him a large and deserved commendation . the life of master john ball , who died october . . iohn ball was born about the year . at casssington , an obscure village , ( a mile from hanborough ) in oxfordshire : he being set to school at yarnton , was found so apt to learn , that the schoolmaster prevailed with his parents , ( though of low estate ) to continue him scholar there , till he was fitted for the university . gods providence , by means of friends , made way for his placing in brazen-nose colledge in oxford , where he improved very much in the knowledge of the arts , and he proved a quick disputant . when he was batchelour of arts , ( wanting meanes for his maintenance to continue longer in the university ) he accepted a motion made for his removal into the countrey , and was placed in the lady cholmleys house in cheshire , as tutor to her children , where many other children also were taught by him . and though he came raw and ungrounded in religion ( as himself was wont to expresse it ) from oxford , yet within a short time there appeared ( with the increase of his scholastical abilities ) the breakings forth of the power of godlinesse in his conversation , unto them who were most religious and judicious there , who thereupon took him into their society for mutual edification in the waies of gods fear . whereas there was great scarcity of godly painful preachers in that corner of the countrey , in those times , he did much frequent the ministry of reverend master john foord , whereby he was not a little edified . he had few books , and therefore perused the more seriously such as he had under-hand . calvins life published by beza , and his commentary upon the psalms , made deep impressions upon his spirit . growing into acquaintance with the most godly people in those parts , who much lamented the evils of the times , he often associated with them , in keeping private daies of fasting and prayer . himself with some other honest christians , were often convented to chester , and much troubled there , for keeping a fast on ascension day , their fault being aggravated by the bishop and his officers , because they fasted upon that holy day . as he took not up , any opinion or practice , till he had well weighed it : so was he not much moved by any trouble which assaulted him in his way . when others judged him ripe for the ministry , he was not hasty in adventuring upon that calling , because he was sensible of the weight thereof , and also desirous to satisfie his conscience concerning the way of entrance by episcopal subscription . and upon the serious studying of the points in controversie , betwixt the bishops and non-conformists , he was dissatisfied to yield unto that subscription which was then strictly commanded . some conflicts he had with the then bishop of chester , about non-conformity ; but though he looked upon a bishop in those times as a formidable creature , yet he came off unshaken . having resolved ( upon the encouragement given by judicious divines ) to enter into the ministry , when god should make a fair way for his admission , without subscription , by the intercession of friends , he with master julines herring , ( who afterwards was famous for the work of the lord in salop , ) were made ministers by an irish bishop , ( being occasionally in london , ) with freedom from the formentioned snare . about the year . he was called to be minister at whitmore , ( a small village near unto new-castle in staffordshire ) where he was entertained into the house of edward mainwaring esquire , a pious and much esteemed gentleman . here he married a godly wife , whom god had provided as an help meet for him ( he himself being alwaies a meer scholar , neither much minding nor intermedling in worldly affairs , beyond the bounds of his calling , ) by whom he had six sonnes and one daughter . six of his children were born unto him while he continued in master mainwarings family , where he found much love , and did much service ; for every evening he expounded a portion of scripture , which was read in course , and many mornings also was helpfull in catechizing of the family . hither many ministers and others had often recourse unto him for counsell , where they were alwaies friendly entertained ; and the lord blessed that family very much , which doth still shew much kindnesse unto the children of this good man. afterwards he removed with his own family unto an house which master mainwaring had built for him , where he had his seventh and last child born to him , and where he dwelt till his death . he was a great lover of learning , and therefore laid out in the first years of his ministry , all the money which he could spare , from necessary expences , in buying good books , with which he was so well acquainted ( having both a quick understanding and strong memory ) that he could readily give an account of all passages most remarkable in them . he had so well studied bellarmines controversies , that it is scarcely credible what relation he could make ex tempore of them from point to point ; and shew from particular to particular , where the fallacy and the weaknesse of his arguments did appear . and the like might be truly attested in reference unto the arminian disputes , and the other church-controversies both in former and latter times . it was his custom to read over a book , when once he undertook it , and no man could be more cautious in entertaining opinions without much mature consideration , having well weighed all arguments produced on both sides both for and against them ; and wherein his apprehensions were different from his brethren , he did wisely forbear to vent them in such sort , as might occasion any division or offence . oh how well had it been with england , if all other men had managed their studies and practices according to this pattern ! for then , so many sparks ( cried up as new lights ) had not been kindled amongst us , which being blown abroad by pride and ignorance , do threaten to set the whole world on fire . but to proceed in the narrative of this worthy mans life . he was so enriched with knowledge both in practical and polemical divinity , he was so able to interpret and reconcile difficult scriptures , he had such dexterity in dealing with afflicted consciences , and he was so well furnished with ministerial gifts for preaching , prayer , and the administration of both sacraments , that it was not easie to discover wherein he most excelled . his ability to counsell and comfort dejected , tempted christians , was occasioned , ( as himself would acknowledge , ) by his conversing with mistresse sarah mainwyaring , ( wife to the gentleman in whose house he continued many years , as was before mentioned ) who was much exercised in that kind , and was an unparallel'd gentlewoman for holy tendernesse and exactnesse in religion . willing he was to trade every talent with which god had trusted him , as opportunity was offered ; and he was a man most unwearied in all waies of service . as he took extraordinary pains in publique , so did he also in private , especially on the lords day . for having by way of preparation upon the saturday in the afternoon , spent about two houres in his house , in praying and expounding some scripture , ( to which exercise divers did resort , ) on the sabbath-morning , he expounded a portion of scripture in his family , ( whereof many neighbours were partakers ) then he preached twice in publique , read divers chapters , and catechized also in the afternoon , spending much time therein , especially in the summer season ) after the evening sermon , he went unto master mainwayrings house ( being near at hand , ) where he repeated both his sermons , and prayed ; likewise after supper he had another exercise in his own family , equivalent to a sermon , unto which divers well-affected of the neighbour-hood did repair . these his great labours were the more wonderfull , in that they were so excellent and solid , as many ministers and scholars yet living know , who did often frequent them . he taught a school also ( both from a desire to do good , and that he might provide the more comfortable subsistance for his family , ) having not only the children of poor neighbours , ( for he refused none who were willing to learn , but of persons of better quality sent unto him ; some whereof were tabled in his own house , and the rest placed in the neighbourhood . every morning of the six daies in the week , he instructed his own children and scholars in the principles of religion , whereby many young ones ( of whom some are now ministers ) were well seasoned and setled in the grounds of godlinesse . every night likewise he opened and applyed some portion of the scripture , for the edification of his family . and besides his frequent preaching at lectures , at madeley especially , where he was the principal upholder of a weekly sermon , and a monethly fast , and his helpfulnesse in holy fasting and prayer elsewhere , ( when desired ) it was his custom to set apart daies ( when freed from attendance upon his school ) for the solemn seeking of god , with his godly neighbours , as the necessities of the times did require . he was most ready to communicate his learning , graces , experiences , yea , his all , for the profit of such who conversed with him : the remembrance whereof , is very smarting upon the hearts of some of his surviving friends , because they made not a fuller improvement of him for their own advantage . in the latter part of his time , he had some scholars , whom he instructed in academical learning , reading lectures to them in logick and philosophy , and hearing them to dispute , which often they did during his dinner-time : and while he was at supper , other scholars read a piece of greek , or latine , ( so exceeding diligent was he in husbanding the shreds of time , as he called them ) the residue of the day , till very late , he spent in his private study . and as he was incomparably abstemious and moderate in the use of meat , drink , sleep , and apparel , so he had an admirable command over his passions . for those who most conversed with him , never saw inordinate out-breaches of anger , or other affections in his conversation . this character was given by a friend who was much with him , ( viz. ) that as master dod did turn earth into heaven , by a spiritual improvement of all earthly affairs , so master ball did reconcile earth and heaven , because worldly occasions were no distractions unto him in his journey thither . he lived upon a small maintenance , ( viz. ) twenty pounds per annum , for serving the cure at whitmore , and the keeping of one cow , both summer and winter , by master mainwayring aforesaid , with what he got by teaching school . yet he would often say , that he thought never man passed through this world with lesse care . god indeed stirred up some friends , ( who knew his great worth and mean outward condition ) to be helpfull unto him , towards whom he was alwaies really respectfull , requiting their love by his daily prayers , and his readinesse upon all occasions to do service unto them and theirs . through gods singular blessing upon his yearly incomes , he lived very comfortably , was given to hospitality , and also unto liberality to the poor , ( considering his estate ) and left a good competency unto his wife and children . yea , such was this holy mans gratitude and contentment , that he would say , i have enough , and enough , and enough . whereas he went once every year into oxfordshire , to expresse his dutifull respect unto his aged parents , he made choice of that time for his journey , that he might enjoy the benefit of oxford-act . and as his love to learned disputations was large , so by strength of memory , he could give a punctuall account of all the most considerable arguments urged , and answers returned , upon the severall questions discussed . and still this journey was made profitable unto his christian friends ( near to whose dwellings he travelled ) by conference , his assistance in private fasts and other exercises of religion . it would be too tedious and tiring unto the reader , if relation should be made of all those memorable passages in this reverend mans life , ( which his friends surviving , do well remember ) which did proclaim the high degree of holinesse , with which god adorned and crowned all his other great abilities , therefore some few of them only shall be reported . his constant carriage towards all who conversed with him , did speak out his deep humility . for alwaies he was apt to prefer others before himself ; and he was never observed , by any reproachfull speeches , or behaviour , to cast the least contempt or discouragement upon the meanest christian. he was all his life-long , very apprehensive and sensible of the weightinesse of the ministers calling , saying , that no man should dream of ease in that function ; and would often much bewail before the lord in prayer , his own inconsiderate entrance upon it . a friend being weary of teaching school , and acquainting him with his purpose to enter into the ministry , master ball told him , that he would find it a far heavier task to teach men then boys . and a fellow-minister telling him of his danger to be silenced by the bishop , he returned this answer , him· having experimentally poysed the weight of the ministers work , he would say unto his non-conforming brethren , ( when prelatical persecution threatned to drive him out of england , ) if we be necessitated to transplant our selves , you shall preach , and i will teach school . and alwaies when other ministers were in company , he would endeavour earnestly to put them upon the performance of family-duties , as judging them to be better able then himself . such who knew this mans learning of all kinds , and rich ministerial gifts , will admire ( upon the consideration of these passages ) at the forwardnesse of illiterate mecanicks in these times , to intrude upon the ministers office. and whereas the blessed apostle himself cryed out , who is sufficient for these things ! we may do more then guesse what spirit animateth those men , whose practises speak thus ; who is insufficient for these things ! he did lay to heart the want of labourious learning amongst godly ministers , because so many neglected to acquaint themselves throughly with the controversies of the times ; and he thought that positive divinity , might be best gained by the study of controversie ; when the main principles were first well drunk in . he would say , that a subtill jesuite would make wilde work in many places of england , because neither the people nor their ministers , had sufficient insight into the points of difference betwixt us and the papists . now what other errors ( no whit lesse dangerous , ) have for the same reasons been entertained of late years , ( as he foresaw and feared ) it is too notorious . although he himself was much pleased with sober , profitable disputations , yet he would shrink with trouble upon the appearance of their audacity , who dared to question fundamentals in religion , or to speak slightly of the matters of god. once observing a man in the heat of conference , carried beyond the bounds of modest inquiry after the truth , he used these words with holy admiration ; and whither will the love of arguing carry a man ! he compared many professors of late times , unto young travellors , who so soon as they are mounted , begin to gallop , and do out-ride their fellows , but they either fall short , or come late ( if not lame ) home . and he called the waies of separation a labyrinth , wherein men tire themselves and grow giddy , as in a maze ; but when all is done , there is no way out , but that whereby they entred . he made it his businesse to raise and maintain high and honourable thoughts of god at all times , as himself would alwaies speak of the titles of the almighty with much gravity and reverence , endeavouring to draw forth holy thankfulnesse in all conditions of life . here two or three things shall be touched upon , to give a tast of this good mans gracious spirit . he with a neighbour minister , having occasion to meet at a place where they had only bread and cheese to their dinner , the master of the house expressing trouble , that he had no better provision for so good unexpected guests : hereupon he said , that it would cost a man many years labour to be truly and througly thankfull unto god for one piece of bread and cheese , proceeding to discover , most divinely , the many mercies which were to be acknowledged in that meal and meeting . and whereas at that time rochal was besieged , and the inhabitants were in great distresse through want of food , he moved a serious consideration , how much bread and cheese with peace and fellowship would be valued at rochel : yea , he seriously made his demand , whether their obligations at the present place and meeting , were not much greater , because they in their instant enjoyments had not experienced rochels fears and sorrows . at another time a dear friend relating his great danger by a fall off his horse in a journey , and saying that he never had received such a deliverance . master ball answered , yea an hundred times , ( viz. ) so often as you have ridden and not fallen ; because the preventing of perils is to be prized as much as our rescuing out of them . at a marriage-feast , where christian friends were civilly rejoycing in the good occasion of their meeting , the many good blessings provided for their comfort , and in their mutual society , this speech came from him with much gravity ; one thought of jesus christ reaching the heart , is more to be valued , then all creature-contentments whatsoever , though they should be enjoyed in their fulnesse for a thausand years without interruption . that he might keep gods servants of the lowest parts , alwaies high in his own estimation , he would wisely weigh their peculiar serviceablenesse in some kind or other , though they were inferiours in sundry excellencies . hereupon when one admiring worthy master dods holy conversation , said , oh how well would it be if all ministers were like unto him ; master ball answered , the church would be quite undone if all others were like him . for though no man more honoured master dod , ( which not many years before his death he witnessed , by listening unto his fatherly counsell bare-headed , with his hat in his hand ) yet he knew , that other men , much inferiour in graces , had some special way of advantage to the cause and the people of god. he was a zealous opposite to passionate frowardnesse , observing the lamentable fruits thereof , in many persons and relations , and he had an extraordinary dexterity to calm them who were boisterous . he would thus advise them , put judgment into office ; for affections are good followers , but bad guides . look well to your hearts , for passion is the effect of pride . and he would say unto them , you had need to get a strong bit and bridle , for you ride an unruly horse . observing one bitterly to bewail the death of a dear friend , he said , rather labour to get good by it . he was wont to humble passionate professors , who in their heat would speak unadvisedly , by this position , which he would undertake to prove , ( viz. ) that a moral heathen who never heard of christ , might possiby by watchfulnesse secure himsel from uttering one froward word all his life long ; and therefore it was a great shame for christians to be worse , who had more grace and greater helps to suppresse sinne . this was one parcell of good counsell , which he commonly bestowed in all cases , inform judgment ; set faith on work ; be of good courage . as he used to be large in his prayers in behalf of the church of god , ( according to the peculiar concernments thereof ) both at home and abroad , so was he particular in minding his special friends before the lord , and the spirituall welfare of his children was so much upon his heart , that he daily desired to lodge them in gods bosome ; yea , he seldome gave thanks either before or after meat , ( especially towards the end of his life ) without some touch of tendency towards his children , in reference unto whom this was one constant petition , that they might never seek great things for themselves in this world . and his own practice from his youth , proved the sincerity of his heart in this suit , because he never looked after , nor would entertain any motion of removing for wealth or worldly promotion , though his charge was great , and his eminency , both in ministerial and scholastical gifts , with the power of godlinesse , which did shine in his whole conversation , gained him many friends , and rendred him in their account , a man more meet for a place of publique note and resort , then the village where he dwelt . when the prelatical opposition against the non-conformists was hot and high , he spake thus unto a neighbour-brother ; be confident , that although all who are now known non-conformists were dead and gone : yet god would rather raise some out of our ashes to protest against episcopacy , and the ceremonies , then suffer that cause to fall unto the ground . he would say , the fathers wanted some of our light , but we want more of their heat . he was exemplarily carefull to preserve gods ordinances from pollution and contempt , and therefore did alwaies take great pains with his people , to prepare them for the sacrament of the lords supper . in his sermons he was wont to tell his auditours , that their persecuting , impoverishing , imprisoning , and thrusting daggers into their ministers bodies , would not be more grievous , then their unworthy communicating at the lords table , and their unanswerable walking unto the ordinances of grace dispenced amongst them . and when parents presented their children in the congregation to be baptized , he would very affectionately lay open their duty , pressing sacramental ingagements home to their hearts , with strong arguments and authority ministerial ; though no man was known by his friends , who more dis-relished the corruptions in church-government , and in administrations of holy worship , yet he hath sufficiently published unto the world his great dislike of the way of separation from our church-assemblies upon such pretences . thus he spake unto a friend who had moved him to maintain our church-communion against the separatists , how little am i beholding unto you , who drew me from more profitable studies , to peruse those sapless speculations ? he much lamented in his prayers before god , the first breakin gs out of independency in england , both in respect of the present offence , and the wofull consequences thereof , whereof he was much afraid : yea , he did very often tell his friends ( both in the time of his health and last sicknesse ) that if god should give opportunity and hopes of church-reformation , that we might be eased of our present grievances , the brethren of the new separation , would be found the greatest obstructers thereof . his remembrance of the history of former separations ( with which he was fully acquainted ) and his prudential fore-sight of the diducts which would necessarily follow from their principles , ( viz. anabaptisme , &c. ) together with his wise insight into the dispositions of some persons who then appeared therein ; these were the grounds of his foretelling the confusions , the spreading of pernicious errours , and hinderances of reformation , which we since have sadly suffered under . these reasons of his prediction ( which is noised abroad ) are expressed , lest any should imagine him to have inclined to regard injections and impulsions of spirit , which some cry up as prophetical . his distaste whereof may be evidenced by this one instance , ( viz. ) being asked by one who much pretended unto immediate inspirations besides scripture , whether he at any time had experience thereof in his own heart ; his answer was this : no , i blesse god ; and if i should ever have such phantasies , i hope god would give me grace to resist them . when there was discourse concerning the new , ( or rather the renewed ) errours , which were broached , he would ordinarily say , a good treatise of the sufficiency of the scriptures would put an end unto these matters . his exceeding love to study , and his great modesty caused unwillingnesse to go far from home , or to appear publique in any kind . and if the extraordinary importunity of some much esteemed friends , had not conquered this aversnesse , he would ( in probability ) never have printed any thing in his own name , or have come into the company of persons of chief place and quality ; yea god was pleased in both these waies to make him serviceable . for besides the profit which many have received from his printed books , he was happily instrumentall by conference to preserve , some men of chief esteem , ( in regard of their piety , parts , and places of command ) in the countries where they lived , from warping towards the waies of new separation , upon the sollicitation of such who were busie sticklers therein . upon the calling of the parliament , in the year . some hopes being conceived that he might be an instrument of publique benefit to the church , by dealing with some parliament-men , that ( if further reformation of things wofully out of order , could not be procured , ) men unconformable to the ceremonies might not be thrust out , and kept out of the ministry in that regard . he thereupon took a journey into london , with his neighbour and endeared brother master langley ; but receiving small encouragement to his hopes and endeavours in that kind , he returned home with sorrow upon his heart , complaining of the many symptomes of gods displeasure , which he saw ready to break out against poor england , and resolved to do what service he could in any other way . and being convinced that his labours might be profitable to the church , both in the present and succeeding ages , he was resolved to lay forth himself for publique service in any kind , as his good friends should advise ; and in pursuance hereof he designed these three works . viz. . a treatise of the church . . an exposition of obscure scriptures out of all the original languages . . a more full systeme of divinity by the enlarging of his catechism . for all which he had much good provision under hand , when the lord saw cause to put an end to his labours . and here , all those must silence their hearts , ( who knowing him , may be apt to judge his removall at this time to be unseasonable ) with these words , ( which were much in his mouth when god checked hopes by crosse providences ) the lord is wisest : god is most wise . many conflicts he had with men of greatest strength , ( as was imagined ) to maintain the new pathes , into which divers had stepped aside . but the truth is , never was any of them able to stand up under his arguments . though god was pleased to take him away ( whom some in scorn called the presbyterians champion ) yet he hath raised up other worthies , who do strenuously gain-say those extravagancies . when his nature was enfeebled by constant study , and great long-continued labours , he passed the time of his languishing sicknesse with a sweet , humble , divine , peaceable spirit . he preached in publique so long as bodily ability could bear it ; and he continued to pray in his family till strength failed . now his addresses to god were most holy and heavenly , as swan-like songs , the sweetest at last . though he spake not very much during his bodily decays , yet the words which he used were solid and savoury . being asked what he thought of himself , whether he should now die or recover ? he answered , i do not trouble my self about that matter . he often bewailed the infirmities of his life , and in special ( now as at former times ) his inconsiderate entring upon the weighty calling of the ministry ; but he manifested withall an holy child-like confidence in christ , still strengthening his heart , after his humble mourning for sinne , with this consideration , that the scripture mentioneth weaknesses in the choicest saints , which were neither totall hinderances to the exercise of their faith in christ , nor to their salvation through grace . this question being propounded to him , what he now thought concerning his labours ( part whereof were then printed ) against the present separation in england ? he answered , that though he had been weary of those controversies , which hindered his going on in more profitable studies , yet he did not repent of that which he had done , only he desired god to pardon the defects , which had cleaved unto that and his other services . when any mention was made before him of his great labours to do good , he would say , ( and this was a speech which he much used ) if the lord were not a god pardoning sinnes , i was in a miserable condition . and however he did say with tears , that he had too much respect amongst men , and that many judged that to be in him , which was not , ( such was his humility ; yet friends expressing ardent desires of his health , for service sake , he told them , that he could have been content to have lived longer , ( if the lord had been pleased ) that he might been further usefull in his place , and have born his share in sufferings with his brethren . for he expected a very sparp storm , though he hoped it would be but short . and he called it , the last combate which we should have with antichrist . when towards his end he was asked , how he did ? he would thus answer with a cheerfull contenance , going to heaven apace . and as his conversation had for many years been in heaven , the lord , ( who had ripened him for immediate commu-with himself ) took him unto himself , octob. . . and of his age about . the materials of this narrative , ( concerning the pious , fruitfull life of that faithfull servant of christ , master john ball , ) were received from these ministers of the gospel , and men of known integrity , ( viz. master john taylor of checkley in staffordshire , ( who was his countrey-man , and of his most ancient acquaintance . ) master thomas langley of middlewich in cheshire , ) who besides his former intimatenesse , continued under his ministry above five years , he being taken off from the exercise of his own ministry by episcopal power , ) master simeon ashe of st. austins london ( who for the space of many years had been his bosome friend , ) and from master george crosse of clifton in staffordshre , ( who daily conversed with him for sundry moneths , both before , and in the time of his last sicknesse ; ) who all of them do acknowledge themselves obliged to god , for the spiritual good , gained by this their dearly respected , and much honoured friend and brother , who since his death , have been very sensible of their great losse by his removall . but they and all others must learn to live upon divine-immutable-all-sufficiency , when creatures do fail . now the just shall live by his faith. the life of doctor potter , who died anno christi . barnaby pottor was born in westmerland , anno christi . within the baronry of kendal , and brought up at school there , till he was fitted for the university ; thence he was sent to queens colledge in oxford , where he was chosen first a scholar of the house , then a fellow , and afterward provost . whilest he was fellow , he was a very carefull tutor to many worthy gentlemens sons , whom he trained up in learning , but especially in true religion . he was a very humble and meek man , a man of few words , a sweet preacher , and a favourer of strict professors of religion . it was the fashion and custom of the fellows after dinner , to sit or stand a while at the hall door , and discourse usually of divers points of religion , or of good writers , and sometimes of other trivial matters . this man , on a certain time , when he heard them talk of many trivial things , said nothing , but observed what they said ; and when they had done talking , he thus bespake them : now , my masters , will you hear all your extravagant discourses ? for i have strictly observed and marked what you said ; and he told them every whit , and they admired him for his memory . it was his custom first to write one part of his sermon , and to commit it to memory presently , and then another , so that he could preach with much facility , and upon a little warning . he was for a while lecturer at abington , and at totnesse in devonshire , where he was much respected . then he proceeded doctor in divinity , and was preferred by sir edward giles to a pastoral charge , which knight was a worthy gentleman in his countrey , and often chosen a parliament man for devon. doctor potter married the lady giles her daughter , when he was doctor but of a years standing . not long after , doctor ayray , a worthy provost of qeens colledge died ; whereupon he was chosen to succeed him in the provostship , with the unanimous consent of the fellows , when he was far from the university , and never dreamed of any such preferment . he was also chaplain in ordinary to prince charles , and accounted at the court the penetential preacher . when he had been provost about the space of ten years , he resigned his place , and went to his pastoral charge in the countrey , and there resided ; yet he had not been there long , but king charles his master , cast a favourable aspect upon him , and seeing he had not rewarded him for his long and faithfull service , he chose him to be bishop of carlisle ; and though many sued for the place , yet he said peremptorily that none but potter should have it ; and surely his gracious master honoured not him so much as he did himself and that age , in the freedom of his noble and unexpected choice . that which nazianzen said of basil , may be fitly and properly said of this bishop ; he was promoted , he did not steal or shuffle himself into the chair , he did not invade it , the honour sought and followed him . when he was bishop , he was a constant preacher and performer of family-duty both evening and morning , and kept his servants and attendants in good order . being called to london , in the beginning of the parliament , he made at westminster a worthy and zealous sermon , wherein he inveighed against the corruptions that were crept into the church , especially in respect of ceremonies so eagerly prest by sundry bishops , as bowing to the altar , and such like innovations . his sermon was well approved of by the best ; but he seeing the tumults that were then raised in london about the parliament house , and hearing that he himself was censured as popish , because a bishop , he took it grievously to heart , sickned , and died there , about the great climactericall year of his age . he was a great favourer of zealous professors and lecturers , and therefore he was accounted by many a puritanical bishop ; and indeed some at the court in king james his time , said , that organs would blow him out of the church . he was well skilled in the hebrew tongue , and for his further progresse therein , disdained not to learn of one of the fellows , even when he was provost . he utterly disliked the book of sports for recreation on the sabbath day , and told a minister with whom he was acquainted , that if it were sent down to his diocesse , he would sleight it , and urge none of his jurisdiction to read it . he was of a weak constitution of body , melancholick and lean , as being a hard student , and therefore to recreate his spirits he loved vocal musick , and to this end , he sent divers times for such scholars in the colledge as could sing well , and he would bear a part with them in his lodgings after supper , where they made most excellent melody . he was the last bishop that died as a member of the parliament , and was bishop of carlisle some fourteen years . the life of master richard sedgwick , who died anno christi . richard sedgwick was born at east deereham , in the county of norfolke , anno cbristi . his father was a clothier ; but by reason of a great losse by fire , fell into decay . he had an uncle living in yorkshire , who was very rich , and of large yearly revenues , having no children ; whereupon he took this richard in his tender years home to himself , and put him to school , with an intent to make him his heir ; but god had laid up a better portion for him . his uncle and his family were prophane , hating the power of godlinesse , and wedded to games and sports ; yet even in such a family god visited him in mercy , and awakened his soul by working in him hearty desires after himself . while the rest of the family were at their games and dancings , he would be in a corner mourning . his uncle at first thought his retirednesse to have been bookishnesse , and therefore rebuked him gently , and called upon him to take more liberty ; but at last perceiving the truth of the thing , he began to hate him , and to deal roughly with him , and not being able to bring him to his will , cast him out of his family , saying , that a puritane should never inherit his land . before this , his father died , and his mother being industrious and sparing , out of the little means she had left her , maintained him at peter-house in cambridge , where he profited greatly in all kind of learning . he began the exercise of his ministry in kent ; where he being called to preach in the cathedral at canterbury , in his sermon touching the corruption of the prebends , and their cathedral service , he so far displeased them , as that by threats they brought him to condescend , through weaknesse , to promise to recant , and a day for this was appointed . upon his return home , and his second thoughts , he became very sad , and in his perplexity took his bible and opened it , and at the first , lighted on that encouraging word of god to jeremiah , jer. . , . whatsoever i command thee thou shalt speak ; be not afraid of their faces , for i am with thee to deliver thee , saith the lord. by this he was so strengthened , that he resolved to stand to what he had formerly delivered , whatsoever dangers did attend him . at the time appointed , he preached again in the cathedral , having a very large auditory , both of the countrey and city , in which sermon he confirmed what he had before delivered , earnestly pressing the prebends to reform the abuses amongst them . by this they were so offended , that they complained of him to the bishop , and so persecuted him , that he was forced to forsake his place , and to retire himself into private , and was entertained for a time by sir edward bois the elder , a man eminent for piety in those daies . during this his retirement , he came upon occasion to london , and by the meanes of master egerton pastor at black-fryers , was received into the family of sir edward anslow , who lived in the city during the winter , and in summer at crawley in surrey , a place destitute of a preaching ministry . in this family his encouragement was great , but his labours aboundant . every day his usuall course was to pray in the morning at six a clock with the husbandmen , and at ten to pray with the rest of the family , and expound a chapter , in which course he went through the four first books of moses . his course at night was after prayer , to catechize the family by turns , wherein he used no respect of persons , the meanest not being left out , and the chiefest not forborn . on the lords day , during his abode at crawley , he preached twice constantly , and after publique exercise , called the whole family in private to render an account of what was delivered in publique . in the winter , when the greatest part of the family was at london , under an able ministry , he was ready to help others , and by providence , was called to improve his talent at battersey in surrey . master wybourne , a reverend divine , who constantly preached in that place , having by a fall broke his legge , and being disabled thereby to continue his labours , desiring his assistance . at this place the people were so affected with his ministry , that they requested him to continue to preach among them , promising to strain themselves to provide him maintenance . he had a fair call and opportunity ( denying himself ) to answer it , for sir edward anslow about this time had an estate befallen him in hertfordshire , whither he resolved to go to dwell , in which place was an able and godly minister , master sedgwick seeing that , by continuing in this family , he should not have occasion of exercising his publique ministry , relinquished fifty pounds annuity during his life , assured to him by this worthy knight , and accepted of this call to preach at battersey . before his departure out of this family , he married a wife of an honest and religious stock in the city of london . he had not long exercised his gifts at battersey , bringing glory to god , but the devil again raised up persecution against him . one master king , church-warden of the place , was offended at him , because he freely reproved sinne , and boldly spake against the corruptions that were then in the church ; by this man he was presented into the commissaries court , and by his means cited to appear to answer certain articles . this was about the latter end of queen elizabeths reign , not long before the coming in of king james . upon this citation he resolved to appear , and came to london , and being at the door of the commissaries house , master egerton his faithfull and reverend friend , by providence passing by , came to him , and having saluted him , told him he had heard of the opposition made against him at battersey , and asked him if he would accept of a call to go beyond the seas ; his answer was ( having returned thanks for his kindnesse ) that he could not as yet resolve him , forasmuch as he stood accused at present , and was resolved what ever came of it , to defend those truths that he had publiquely delivered ; but yet professing a willingnesse to follow providence , whithersoever the lord should call him . appearing before the commissary , he met with courteous usage , and was friendly dismissed ; for at this time those men feared a change to be brought in by king james . not long after this he was called by the merchant-adventurers to be minister to their company beyond sea , whither , breaking through all discouragements , he went. during his abode beyond the sea at stoade , and hamborough ( which was about the space of eleven years and an half ) he by the advice of the godly learned , erected and established discipline in that church . god did greatly blesse his ministry , and he begat among that little company , many sons and daughters unto god. he had communion with the netherland-dutch church at stoade , and at altenon near hamborough , and with the godly that came out of england , admitting them , being desirous to come to the lords table . in his ministry he was very searching , many coming and confessing those things which he had never heard of , till it came out of their own mouthes . in his carriage he was affable and courteous , yet grave and awfull , so that many durst not for fear do those things that otherwise they were disposed to . the merchants here found the benefit by the orderly carriage of their factors there . yet here the devil was not quiet , for one of the prime merchants taking exceptions against his impartiall dealing in his ministry , and the order in the church , threatned by such a day , naming it , to have him over into england ; but before that day came , himself was summoned by death to another place . he was very charitable himself , allowing something yearly towards the maintenance of the suspended ministers here , and greatly furthered charity in others . by his direction and encouragement master jones , a rich batchelour , and one of the elders of his church , bequeathed many thousands of pounds to pious uses , which to this day speaks his praise . he was eminent in self-denial ; for being made executour by the said master jones of his last will and testament , whereby he might have gained much to himself , he never rested till he had caused him to alter his will , and to place others in his room . upon the dissolving of that company of merchants he came over into england , and being disappointed of a place in london , intended for him by master jones , he went to monmouth in wales , and for some time held the lecture setled there . afterward a chappel being erected at wapping , he was called to that place , and became the first minister there . here he abode to his death , being holy and exemplary in his life and conversation , and aboundant in labours , preaching constantly thrice a week , and catechizing on the lords day besides . the tendernesse of his fatherly care and love of this people , he expressed all the time of his living with them , but especially in the time of the great sicknesse , when , remaining with them , he preached constantly every lords day , and the fast dayes , notwithstanding all the danger that he was in , the infection in that place being much spread , and very violent . the providence of god over him at that time was very remarkable . for although all the families round about him were infected , and his house adjoyned to the place of burial , yet neither himself nor any of his family were any waies smitten with it . many were his labours in private , being much sought unto both for counsell and for comfort . what successe god gave unto his ministry , was evident by the many souls won and built up by him . he was very studious , and wrote much , yet was alwaies averse from publishing any thing , though often requested ; saying , that the many books that were daily set forth , hindred the study and reading of the holy scriptures . once , he committed to the presse a catechism fitted for his own congregation , and before his death had finished a large tractate of the body of divinity , which still lies by . he sought the good of all , and was a precious savour unto some , in whose hearts to this day his memory flourishes . he foresaw the ensuing distractions with a grieved heart , and raised himself up to comfort by contemplating the approaching time wherein christ and his truth , and his waies shall have the preheminence . his judgement concerning some hath proved true , asserting often that their principles would not ( if they continued in them ) suffer them to sit down on this side anabaptism . he was a friend of truth and peace , and an instrument of refreshing the bowels of the poor , many strangers for his sake giving in largely towards their relief . having finished his course , being spent with labours , he quietly and comfortably ended his daies , and according to his last words , went unto his god anno christi . and of his age . having continued his ministry at wapping six and twenty years . the life of master julines herring , who died anno christi . iulines herring was born in flamber-mayre parish in mountgomery-shire , . his father within three years after returned with his wife and family into coventry , where his ancestors had been chief officers of the city , in their course almost for the space of two hundred years , and where he himself also was sheriff and maior , living and dying in good estimation there . this julines his son , having had his first education in shropshire , with master perkin minister ( at more-chappel , ) his mothers near kinsman , ( where he learned the principles of religion ) was brought home unto coventry , where he was trained up in learning , under reverend master tovey , who then was head schoolmaster there . while he was a school-boy , he was noted for his diligence in reading the holy scriptures , delighting in those chapters especially , which treat of faith in christ , and of repentance from sin to god. and even then in his child-hood , he with two or three school-fellows were so religiously disposed , that on play-daies they would pray together , and repeat the heads of their catechisme , with the sermons which they heard upon the last lords day , before they went unto their lusory exercises . thus this timothy grew acquainted with god and his word , and the waies of religion while he was a child . being very well fitted for the university , he was sent unto cambridge , bout the fifteenth year of his age , and admitted into sidney colledge , where he was studious and a good proficient in academical learning . when he was master of arts , coming home to his father , he preached often in coventry , with very good approbation amongst those , who were best affected towards the waies of godlinesse . here he had special encouragements in the study of divinity , from master humphrey fen , famous for his ministry and non-conformity at coventry , ( who in the preface to his last will and testament , made so full and so open a protestation against the hierarchy and ceremonies , that the prelatical party would not suffer it to be put among the records of the court , when the will was tendred to be proved ) and his conscience was unsatisfied to enter into the ministry by episcopal subscription , but through a good providence , he with master john ball , were made ministers by an irish bishop without that subscription . the first place of his setled ministry was cawk in derbyshire , ( a small village ) whither he was called by means of his much honoured good friend master arthur hildersam , and where he had good incouragements from master bainbridge , a gentleman there of good estate and estimation for religion . in this place , ( which was six miles from derby , and three from ashby de la zouch , ) his peace and liberty was the better preserved , because it was a peculiar , and so not subject unto episcopal visitation . here god was pleased to set a broad seal to his ministry , making him an happy instrument to build up many , who were brought to christ by master hildersams labours , and also to turn many others from darknesse to light , and from the power of satan unto god. at this time there was great scarcity of good preachers in those parts , whereupon people from twenty towns and villages flocked unto cawk-chappel , ( as doves to the windows ) every sabbath day , where more congregated , ( especially in summer and in afternoons , ) then the chappel could contain ; yet standing at the windows without , they might hear the sermons preached , and scriptures read , because master herrings voice was clear and strong . hither great companies came in the morning , with joyfull expectation of wholesome soul-provisions ; here they continued all day with cheerfulnesse , ( some bringing their victuals from home with them , and others going to a third ordinary , provided purposely for the refreshing of strangers ) and they went from hence in the evening in companies , repeating the sermons , and singing psalms in their return home . here amongst many others , master simeon ashe received some of his first impressions and bents towards religion , whom master herring loved from his childhood , and who lived in his heart and prayers unto his death . and this is a matter considerable , that few ( if any ) in those parts , who were hopefully brought unto god , and by the ministry of master hildersam and master herring , have been turned aside into the by-paths of errour and separation in these broken dividing times , but they continue sound in their judgements , and holy in their conversations , well remembring the principles whereof they were well instructed and grounded by those two worthies , their fathers in christ. when he had continued at cawke about the space of eight years , he was forced from thence for non-conformity by the prelatical power , being informed against by ill-affected men , who maligned the great service which he did , and envied the great respect which he had in those parts . before he removed from thence , the lord provided for him a most gracious yoak-fellow , who was no discouragement , but an encouragement rather unto him alwaies , both in his services and sufferings for christ and his cause . his wife was the third daughter of master gellibrand , ( sometimes preacher to the english company at flushing in holland ) and grand-child to that man of god master john oxenbridge , ( minister of southam in warwickshire , and afterwards of bablick in coventry , where he died ) and as she came out of a godly stock , so she hath expressed , and still doth expresse the power of godlinesse , in every condition and relation of her life , to gods honour . by her he had thirteen children ; and as they were happily , mutually helpfull in the waies of holinesse , so it was their joynt care to educate their posterity in the nurture and fear of the lord. they were taught the principles of religion from their childhood , and their tender good mother ( according to their fathers appointment ) caused them to learn the proverbs of solomon by heart . neither was this gracious care in vain ; for the blossomes and fruits of grace , sweetly appear in their lives , to the comfort of their parents , and christian friends . and here this one thing is notable and imitable in this worthy man , in reference to his children , ( viz. ) that ever before he gave them correction , he endeavoured to convince them of their sin against god , and sought by tears and prayers for gods blessing upon that means for their good . when the course of his ministry was interrupted at cawk , and there was no hope of his peaceable continuance there , god ( by means of master william rowley , a wise religious man , and his faithfull friend ) was pleased to open a door for the more publique exercise of his ministry in shrewsbury . here he preached at alkmares church , every tuesday morning , and upon the sabbath also , ( so long as liberty was allowed ) which sermon was at one a clock , that neither the ministers of the town might be offended , nor other congregations emptyed , by the peoples flocking unto his ministry . the sermon which he preached on the lords day , he repeated it the same night before supper , at the houses of master edward jones , master george wright , and master william rowley by course ; and whereas some spies were usually sent thither , ( crowding in with the company ) to pick quarrels , he behaved himself so prudently , and prayed alwaies so affectionately for the king and present government , that his adversaries gave this testimony of him , ( viz. ) though he be scrupulous in matter of ceremony , yet he is a loyal subject unto the king , and a true friend unto the state. beside the great good service which was now done in salop , by his ministry , and private conferences with christians : in reference unto him many other ministers had the more frequent recourse unto the town , ( master pierson , master nicols , &c. ) who were put upon preaching once or oftner , before they departed thence , whereby knowledge was much increased , and the power of godlinesse much cherished and promoted there . but satan maligning those opportunities of service unto christ , some envious ill-affected persons , ( amongst whom master peter studley was the chief ) were stirred up , to lay in complaints against him as a non-conformist : for such was his prudence , sweetnesse , and peaceablenesse of spirit , that other objections could not with any colour of truth be made against him . hereupon doctor morton ( then the bishop of that diocesse , ) referred him unto two neighbour ministers for satisfaction ; and in pursuance of this order , master herring gave in his scruples in writing , and also replyed upon their answer . the consequence of this paper-dispute was a certificate to the bishop from the ministers , that they believed master herring from conscientious grounds , in his own apprehensions remained unsatisfied , and the bishop himself told master herrings friends , that he was satisfied in his integrity . but such were those times , that he was suspended from the use of his ministry , though by mediation of friends , the suspension was divers times taken off , and then brought on again by persons of contrary minds and waies . thus he continued in salop for the space of seventeen years , sometimes enjoying , and sometime wanting liberty for the exercise of his ministry in publique . but when the pulpit door was shut against him , he was the more frequent in keeping private fasts , and in expounding the scripture three times a day in his own family ; by which exercise some of the neighbours were edified also . alwaies upon the lords day , ( whether he was at home or abroad ) he frequented the ordinances of god administred in publique , professing thereby ( as himself said ) that his practice should declare his judgement against separation from the congregations in england , though there were corruptions in them . when some seeds of seperation were scattered in salop ( by daniel chidley and his wife , ) their growth was check'd by his appearing against them . he had many bowels towards them who were misled in this kind , as was expressed by the many prayers with tears , which he poured forth before god in their behalf . and having upon this occasion , studied that point the more throughly , he would often say , it is a sinne of an high nature , to un-church a nation at once , and that this would become the spring of many other fearfull errours ; for separation will eat like a gangrene into the heart of godliness . and he did pray , that they who would un-church others , might not be un-christianed themselves . when the plague was in salop , he gave himself unto prayer for the town , and in particular for the persons infected ; and many from the pest-houses returned thanks unto him , for the spiritual comfort received by his prayers . he took great delight in his studies ( having a very good library ) and was often willing to misse a meal , that he might the more satisfie himself in conversing with his books . he was seldome hungry , ( as himself was wont to say ) while he was in his study , and those who best knew him , could easily render the reason thereof ; for as he was afraid of doing gods work negligently , so it was his meat and drink to converse with his god , and to do the will of his heavenly father . and yet such were his compassions towards afflicted consciences , that he gave charge unto his whole family , to send none such away till they had spoken with him : yea , unto them , his manner was to give full liberty of speech , that they might not go away without some clearing and satisfaction . his experience , humility and sweetnesse of disposition was such , that seldome any one who was troubled in spirit , departed from him without some relief and comfort ; whereto may be added his great faithfulnesse towards them in perplexed cases , who opened their hearts into his bosome for spiritual satisfaction . when he was not allowed liberty to preach in publique at home , he was willing to bestow his pains abroad ; and every where he in his ministry proved himself a solid well-studied divine , a workman who needed not to be ashamed . it may truly be affirmed concerning him , that when he was in journeys , he imitated the lord christ his master , who went about doing good . for in the families whither he came , ( if there was not opportunity of more publique employment , wherein he might appear with safety in those prelatical times , ) he was alwaies ready by prayer and exposition of scripture , to be serviceable unto the souls of such who desired to improve him . he was a man of an ingenuous and cheerfull spirit , yet very grave and inoffensive ; yea , the lightsomeness of his behaviour being accompanied with holinesse and humility , did make his serious services the more acceptable , and more taking upon the hearts of those who conversed with him . amongst many other rare gifts , with which god had enriched him , this did shine forth brightly unto all them , who were acquainted with his way , in performing family duties , whether in his own house , or elsewhere , ( viz. ) that he would alwaies most aptly and affectionately enlarge himself upon the sermon lately heard , or the chapter read , by confession , complaint , petition , thansgiving , &c. unto the advantage of them , who joyned with him in that exercise . he was indeed a man made up of love and meeknesse , for the discovery whereof , take two instances , which will tell the reader , that he was dove-like , without gall . the one is this ; doctor lambe having broken his legge by a fall , was brought into the same inne in norhamptonshire , where master herring had taken up his lodging , being in a journey ; and that night he prayed very affectionately for him , though doctor lambe was a notorious violent persecutor of non-conformists , both ministers and people ; yea though he had been a bitter opposite against master herring particularly . he being asked the reason why he expressed so much respect towards so unworthy a man , returned this answer ; the greater enemy he is to the church , the more need he hath of prayers . and then wished those who were with him , to prove themselves christs disciples by loving their enemies , and by praying for their persecutors . the other instance is this , ( viz. ) understanding that arch-bishop laud said unto some of his friends ( petitioners for the liberty of his ministry ) i will pickle up that herring of shrewsbury ; he used these words , if he will abuse his power , let it teach christians the more to use their prayers . and he then prayed , that the non-conformists enemies might by observation , know that they have a good god to trust unto , when trampled upon by ill-despised men . he was a constant mighty wrestler with the almighty in prayers for england , that the gospel might not be removed , but that the kingdom of christ , might be here advanced more and more . he much feared that bad times would overtake this nation ; and at a conference about the affairs of england , he used these words : gods rod ( i much fear ) will be homebred warre in the state , and errours and heresies in the church , with gods visible departure from us . when all hope of regaining the liberty of his ministry in shrewsbury was quite gone , and therefore his continuance there , in wany regards , was judged inexpedient ; he removed with his wife , and such of his family , who were not disposed of elsewhere , unto wrenbury in cheshire , where he sojourned with his wives dear sister mistresse nicolls , a godly woman , the widdow of worthy master robert nicolls , who had been very famous in those parts , both for his labours and great abilities ; of whom this true character may be given : he was a man who had a clear head , and a tender heart , who led an holy life , and abounded in the work of the lord. here master herring lived privately and comfortably , under the ministry of his good friend master william peartree , doing what service he could by comforting afflicted consciences , and confirming the hearts of gods people in the faith of the gospel , as opportunities were offered . before any further progresse be made , in making known his call unto amsterdam , here may seasonably be inserted , the description given by a reverend neighbour minister , which is as followeth . whereas you desire my opinion in writing , concerning that reverend and religious man of god , master herring deceased ; the truth is , i fear my pen may rather darken his honour , then my pensil can draw out his character ; yet as the martyr counted it a great mercy to be cast into prison , if it were but to see the face of that blessed angel of god , master bradford ; so i have look't on it as no small happinesse , that the lord in his providence did cast me into these parts , to see the face , and hear the voice of master herring , that blessed angel of a church in salop. and i blesse god , that i had some intimate acquaintance with him , and knew his doctrine , manner of life , &c. as timothy did pauls , epist. . . and i should wrong him , if i should withhold this just testimony . he was one of whom the world was not worthy , a messenger , one of a thousand , a faithfull minister of jesus christ ; a boanerges ( a sonne of thunder ) to brawny-hearted sinners ; a barnabas ( a sonne of consolation ) to broken-hearted sinners . as sweet a grace he had in elocution , as ever i heard man in the pulpit , whose gift of utterance did set a fair glosse on all his holy sermons ; another apollos , eloquent and mighty in the scriptures ; and you know the common saying , bonus textualis bonus theologus . his sermons preached in the congregation , were printed in his conversation ; in doctrine , shewing incorruptness , gravity , sincerity , ( for he was a pious and learned divine ) and in life , shewing himself a pattern of good works ; free from visible blame , ( saving humane unavoidable infirmities , ) none could say ( justly ) black was his eye . he was indued with an admirable gift of prayer , and was frequently imployed in daies of private humiliation , even then , when meetings in that kind were branded with the odious names of conventicles ; yet the perils ( to which he rendred himself obnoxious , ) could not stave him off , from opening his window ( with daniel ) toward jerusalem . he was very fruitfull in conference , discreet in carriage , and cheerfull and couragious in his sufferings , of which this good old non-conformist had his share . and when every door was barr'd , and no hope left to enjoy his publique liberty , he left the land of his nativity , and ( on a clear call ) went into the netherlands , where ( after some years spent in the work of the lord ) this bright star did set , to the no little sorrow of his dear christian friends , &c. this faithfull servant of christ had many invitations into new-england , but received not satisfaction in his spirit , to transplant himself thither . afterwards in the latter end of the year , he was propounded by some friends unto master rulice , ( who was sent from the english reformed church in amsterdam unto london , to provide a minister to succeed master john paget ) as a man most meet to undertake that place . for the case there was this , ( viz. ) master john paget ( whose works praise him in the gate ) being through old age , rendred unable to uphold his wonted work in that reformed congregation , was eased of his pastoral attendance there , ( though the lords of the city , according to their commendable custom , continued his competent maintenance till his death , ) therefore master rulice his colleague , was employed to find out an assistant . this motion made known to master herring , was the rather hearkened unto , because his suspension from preaching was a burthen to his active spirit , and he espied no ground of hope that he should ever be suffered by the prelates to enjoy his much-desired liberty in england any more . hereupon coming up to london , after much seeking of god , and serious consulting with godly brethren , he was perswaded that this call came from god , and therefore might not be gainsaid . now having resolved ( in the pursuance of this providence ) to leave england , amongst other difficulties to be encountred , he was much affected with a double conflict , the one relating unto his manuscripts , the other unto his near and much endeared friends . he had many papers and letters ( which he much prized ) containing both the spiritual breathings of gracious hearts , and matters of great concernment : and those he durst not adventure to take with him ( fearing a search , ) nor yet did he judge it safe to leave them , because he knew not into what hands they might come ; therefore upon advice he burnt many writings , though both then and afterwards he did with tears think of that letter martyrdome , ( for so he called it , ) wherein many of the best thoughts of his dearest friends were committed to the flames . if this was so grievous , then let the reader guesse , with what grief of heart this thought was entertained , that now he must leave thousands of his precious friends , without any hope of seeing their faces any more in the land of the living . and truly his labours and his lovely conversation had gained him multitudes of friends , in every countrey and corner where he was known ; for no man was more generally and intirely affected , by all sorts , who feared god , then good master herring . although it be not possible to give a particular account of the gentry and ministry , ( most eminent for religion ) who highly prized and heartily loved him , yet the vertuous lady margaret bromley , ( who then dwelt at sheriff hales in shropshire ) deserves an honourable remembrance , because she was a constant and unparallel'd favourer of all good ministers and people , being both tender-hearted and open-handed towards such who suffered under prelatical pressures and otherwise ; and at her house , the most famous ministers in all neighbour countries , had hearty welcomes , with manifold sweet opportunities of service unto god , and of mutuall edification . besides the frequent soul-helps which the parishoners of the congregation , to which she was related , had upon sabbath daies for her sake ; there were few holy-daies , ( daies of vacancy from worldy businesses , ) in the year , wherein they had not one sermon at least , preached by some able minister of jesus christ , amongst whom , master pierson , master ball , master herring , and master nicolls , ( before mentioned , who died at this good ladies house , ) were of chief worth . oh! what pathetical blessings , with exhortations , encouragements , and prayers , did this worthy man of god bestow upon this , and the families of other choice friends , before he took his last farewell of his dear native countrey ! this narrative would swell too big , if report should be made of generals only in reference unto them , who were naturally , nearly related unto himself and his gracious consort , besides such who were very dear unto them both , in the spirit of jesus christ. some who beheld the last greetings betwixt him and reverend master ball of whitmore , professe that they stick too deep in their breasts to be forgotten : for after they had spent together well nigh one day and one night in conference , they did ( like jonathan and david ) frequently fall upon one another with mutual embracings , they parted and closed again a third and a fourth time , and when master herring was on horseback , and master ball on foot , they went together , often shaking hands over the hedges ; and upon the finall salutation they comforted each other with this consideration , that though they should never see one another again on earth , yet they should meet in heaven . and master herring was so deeply affected with those passages , that he said to some of his company , two or three more such parting 's would hinder my journey beyond seas ; and yet adding withall , master ball hath conquered my passions . in his passage out of england , he with warm affections and heavenly benedictions , took his leave of his own and his wives sisters , with their husbands , whose dwellings were in divers countries . those two eminently worthy reverend divines , master oliver bowles of sutton in bedfordshire , and master barry of cotsmore in rutland , ( who had married two of his wives gracious sisters ) as they had brotherly respect in his bosome , so they had special visits in his journey towards holland . he was necessitated secretly to take shipping at yarmouth , ( whither his brother-in-law master bowles did accompany him , ) because the then arch-bishop had given order , that no scholar nor minister should passe , without license from the councel-table . now whereas in his journey he had often prayed , that god would yet further clear his call into holland , by two special providences , viz. . that he might not be examined whether he was a minister , ( for he professed that he durst not deny his holy calling . ) . that god would strengthen him at sea , and grant him a comfortable voyage . he had answers of singular grace returned in both . he landed at rotterdam september . . and went aside from company so soon as with conveniency he could , to blesse the lord for his safe arrival , and for all other favours vouchsafed unto him , who had never before been upon the sea. the next day he went in a waggon to amsterdam , and was met on the way , by his dear colleague , with the elders and deacons of the church , and many of the english merchants , who expressed much joy for his safe coming unto them . by them he was accompanied to the house of his good friend , master whittaker , where he continued till his removal unto his own house , upon the coming over of his family into holland . his first sermon was upon psal. . . the earth is the lords , &c. wherein he much insisted upon this consideration , that gods children still tread upon their fathers ground , whithersoever his providence doth remove them ; and he preached with such satisfaction unto the hearts of his hearers , that thereby way was made for his future acceptance and service . the week following he was presented first unto the honourable lords , the magistrates of amsterdam , ( who kindly accepted him , and gave him a gratuity towards the charges of his journey , ) and afterwards to the reverend classis , where he was lovingly received into that society , and thanks were given unto god for bringing him safe unto them . whereas it was his custom to pray every night before he went into his bed , the night before a fasting day , ( appointed by the states , to seek direction in their counsels , and successe upon their armies now before breda ) he spake thus to his son who attended him , my heart is more fit for a thansgiving day , and it would be so unto me , if god would bring over my dearest christian ( for that was his wives name ) thy tender mother with her company . come let us pray for them . and the next morning when he was ready to go to the congregation , he heard that his dear wife was come unto amsterdam , by which providence his spirit being raised unto holy astonishment and admiration , he uttered these words ; oh what a god do i serve ! how exceeding mercifull is my god unto me ? what his prudent and pious coversation was , and what high estimation he had in amsterdam , may be understood by the testimony of master rulice , written by his own hand , march . . which is as followeth . how acceptable and dear master herring , ( my once reverend colleague ) was to us all , church , classis , magistrates , yea to all who knew him , it is publiquely known . how faithfully he employed those excellent gifts , which god in a large measure bestowed upon him , in publique , in private , in his sermons , in his advices , in consistory and classes , &c. what need i mention , for all well know . for his private conversation , what sweetnesse and inoffensiveness , yea exemplary godlinesse did not he shew upon all occasions . his sicknesse was lingering , his death like a sleep . as in his life , so in his sicknesse , and to his last breath ; he shewed that his heart was truly stored with patience , faith , love to god and his people , heavenly-mindednesse , zeal to the honour of god , and with intire love to his wife and children . but i must break off ; i hope that reverend man , who undertakes to publish the life and death of my most dear brother and colleague , will so set it out , that it may be a spurre to provoke the living to follow such a worthy pattern , and be a means of quickning many , not only to walk faithfully in the way to heaven , but also in that great function of the ministry . thus farre mr. rulice . the strangenesse of independent brethren of england , when they came over into holland , was a great trouble unto this reall saint : and his constant prayers were , that they might neither be deceived themselves , nor do any hurt unto the government of the reformed churches . he often said , that those men had need of much caution , because the devil in the times of purest reformation , would be a more subtill angel of light then he was in luthers daies . when his son returned into england , he warned him to take heed of joyning with any part , against the presbyterial government of the reformed churches ; for i am sure ( said he ) it is the government of jesus christ. when the scots first came into england , it was his constant and affectionate prayer , that they might be instruments of much good , but of no blood nor division between the two nations . he was one of gods special remembrancers , in behalf of england , begging fervently that the lords and commons in parliament , might be preserved from the two destructive rocks of pride and self-interests . he poured out his soul before the almighty , that he would appear for the non-conformists cause in england , and set up the presbyterial government according to the scripture rules . he often professed himself to be no enemy unto the persons of bishops , but an opposite to their pride and prelaticall rule . when news came unto him of the battell at edge-hill , thus he spake with tears : oh lord , wilt thou write englands reformation in red letters of her own blood ; yet preserve thine own people , and maintain thine own cause for jesus christ sake . he greatly bewailed the obstructing of church reformation in england by them , who professed themselves zealous for reformation , and it was no small offence unto him , to hear of the letters which came from some independents at london into holland , wherein falshoods were reported , to the reproach of some presbyterians , his known , godly friends in england . he was a true nathaniel indeed , in whose spirit there was no guile ; and therefore all falshood and unworthy juglings were an abomination to his heart . there was an holy harmoniousnesse in his whole conversation ; his life was a well-spun thread , from the beginning to the end , and tended much to the honour of his profession and particular calling . although he walked exactly with god , and maintained the comfort of constant peace with him , yet satan was suffered to give him one furious assault the night before he died , as was perceived by those who were then with him ; for rising upon his knees , with his hands lifted up , he spake these words : he is overcome , overcome , through the strength of my lord and only saviour jesus , unto whom i am now going to keep a sabbath in glory . and next morning , march . . being the sabbath day , ( about the time when he was wont to go unto ministerial work in the publique congregagation , ) and the sixty two year of his life , he was taken from his labours into rest , unto the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven , where he shall sing hallelujahs for evermore . the life of master john dod , who died anno christi . iohn dod was born in cheshire , at a town called shotlidge , bordering on wales , not far from malpus . his parents had a convenient estate , worth a hundred marks a year , which went to the eldest brother . this john was the youngest of seventeen , and much beloved of his parents . he was sent to school to west-chester , and when he was about fourteen years old , he was disposed of to jesus colledge in cambridge , where ( though he had little acquaintance , yet ) the lord prospering his studies , he was chosen first scholar , and after fellow ; in that colledge he there remained near sixteen years . the manner of his conversion was thus : the steward , or boucher of the colledge , accused him to the master , for the non-payment of a considerable summe of money due for one of his pupils , which master dod had truly paid , but he forgot to set it down . hereupon there was a vehement contest betwixt them about this businesse , and the vexation of mind that he should be accounted a defrauder , did so trouble master dod , that he fell into a feaver , and was dangerously sick ; yet all this while he was but in a natural estate . for though he had some good skill in the theorick part of divinity , yet he was without any application ; and his affliction was this , that he should be blamed for that , which he from the law and light of nature hated . all his sorrow as yet was but worldly sorrow ; and as himself saies , he neither did , nor could tell how to pray . at length the lord put into his heart that scripture , rom. . the law is spiritual , but i am carnal , and sold under sinne ; and presently his sins came upon him like armed men , and the tyde of his thoughts was turned , and he left musing how he was wronged , and seriously considered how he had offended god , and he betook himself to great humiliation , and earnestly besought the lord for pardon and peace in jesus christ. yet for some time he could find no comfort , but going on to seek the lord , there follows after much humiliation , much consolation , and the lord sealed to him that his sins were washed away with the blood of christ. then did he desire his accuser to come to him , and told him , that though he had accounted him to be his great enemy , yet now he acknowledged him to be his good friend , for that he was a means to bring him unto god. and afterwards it so fell out ( by gods good providence ) that it came to this mans remembrance that master dod had paid him the money , and he was very sorrowfull for the wrong which he had done him , and did him all the right he could for the healing of his name ; and master dod said , that he had not a more faithfull friend in all the colledge , during his abode there , then this man proved . when he was some years standing master of art , he was appointed to oppose in the philosophy act at the commencement , which he did with great approbation , insomuch as it was desired that he should dispute again the next commencement , but that he avoided . when he preached his first sermon in the university , he had bestowed much pains about it , binding himself to words and phrases ; but in his sermon he was at a non-plus , whereupon he resolved afterwards never to pen his sermon verbatim , but his usuall manner was to write only the analysis of his text , the proofs of scripture for the doctrines , with the reasons and uses , and so leaving the rest to meditation , in which course he never found defect . and whereas doctor fulk , doctor chaderton , doctor whitaker , and some others had their frequent meeting to expound the scriptures , and therein they chose the epistle to the hebrews , they were pleased from their loving respect to master dod to take in him amongst them . while he continued fellow of jesus ▪ colledge , by the importunity of some godly people of ely , he went weekly , and preached amongst them in that city , where the lord gave a great blessing to his ministry . his removall from cambridge to hanwel in oxfordshire , was thus occasioned ; master cope ( afterwards sir anthony cope ) a man of eminent note , who was much wrought upon by master dods ministry , sent a letter to doctor chaderton , to provide him a minister for hanwel , which was then vacant . doctor chaderton moved master dod to go to the place , and after he had been a while , and preached severall sermons , by the desire and consent of the people , and by the approbation of the neighbour ministers who had heard him , he was setled as their pastor . while he was at hanwel he preached twice every sabbath , catechizing also in the afternoon , and kept a lecture on the wednesday constantly , and besides this , he was one of the five ministers who held up the lecture at banbury . he gave himself much to fasting and prayer , and as his seeds-time was painfull , so his harvest was gainfull , hundreds of souls being converted by his ministry . he was given to hospitality , delighting therein , keeping a constant table on the sabbath , and on the wednesdays lecture ; upon which daies he had not under eight or twelve persons commonly dining with him , and he spent the time amongst them in spiritual exhortation and conference . he was about thirty years old when he came to hanwel , and continued there above twenty years , where he had twelve children by his dear wife , formerly anne bound , daughter-in-law to the worthy servant of jesus christ , master greenham of draighton near cambridge , and daughter to doctor bound , she was one that truly feared god , and after her decease ( by the perswasion of some friends ) he took to wife mistresse cleiton , who then lived at stratford bowe ; she also was a godly woman , and he was contracted to her by master egerton of black-fryers , and married by his ancient and loving friend doctor gouge . but to return back again to hanwel , it pleased the lord to give a great blessing to his ministry in that place ; yet he had much trouble from the envy of some ministers that lived about him , who though they seldome preached themselves , yet they would not suffer that their people should go from them , and hence he was frequently questioned in the bishops courts . and besides this ( though some of hanwel were very courteous and kind , yet ) there were some others who were glad to get from him what they could , and to keep from him what they could , thinking that that which he had was too much . upon a time master dod took a journey to draighton , to bemoan himself to his father-in-law master greenham , by reason of his crosses and hard usage ; master greenham heard him what he could say , and when he had done , answered him thus : son , son , when affliction lieth heavy , sin lieth light . this deserves the rather to be remembred , because master dod used often to blesse god for it , saying also , that if master greenham had bemoaned him , which he expected , he had done him hurt ; and he forgot not this speech in his old age , but made excellent use of it for himself and others . he was suspended from his ministry at hanwel by doctor bridges , bishop of oxford . and ( suspecting what would follow ) the sabbath before he went to the visitation , he gave his hearers a farewell sermon out of that text , i will smite the shepherd , and the sheep shall be scattered ; the people did attend unto him with sad countenances , and weeping eyes . being thus driven from hanwel , he preached at fenni-compton in warwickshire , where he had but small means , but he was desirous to be doing good . from thence he had a fair call unto cannons-ashby in northamptonshire , where he lived quietly divers years , preached over the whole prophesie of danel , with some other scriptures , having much kindnesse from sir erasmas dryden , ( in whom there was a rare mixture of piety and learning ) and good affection from master cope . he was silenced from preaching at ashby , upon a complaint made against him by bishop neal , to king james , who commanded the arch-bishop abbot to silence him . then he ceased for some time to preach publiquely , yet in regard of his heavenly gift in conference , he might have been said daily to preach privately ; he was in his element when he was discoursing of heavenly things . and god in goodnesse so ordered it , that when he was restrained from publique preaching , yet himself conceived that at that time his life was no lesse profitable then it had been in former times . he had much employment in comforting such as were wounded in their spirits , being sent for , not only nigh at hand , but also into remote countries . there was a gentlewoman who had a great worldly estate , and a loving husband , but she was so sadly assaulted with tentations , that she often attempted to make away her self . master dod was sent for to come to her , and the lord so blessed his councels , exhortations , and prayers , that she did not only recover out of her anguish of spirit , but she was afterwards taken notice of for her singular piety ; and the lord so ordered , that this affliction was not only the means of her conversion , but also of her husbands , so that both of them were a great mercy in the countrey where they lived , promoting religion according to their power , and entertaining and cherishing godly people : she lived divers years quieted in her heart , and being rich in good works ; and when she lay on her death-bed , master dod was sent for to her again , who spake of heaven , and to fit her for that glory , she told him , that she felt the comforts of god , and that she could as hardly at that time forbear singing , as formerly in child-bearing she could forbear crying , and shortly after she died . there was a gentlemen related to a noble family , so perplexed in his mind , that he hath been known in hard frosts to go barefooted , that the pain of his feet might divert his thoughts . master dod was sent for to him , who was his spirituall physician to heale him . it would be long to insist on all particulars of this nature , the lord having made him a happy instrument for the good of many . when he had spent some years in this kind of service , by the care and industry of master richard knightley of preston ( a worthy patriot , ) after the death of king james , his liberty was procured for preaching again publiquely , and then he was setld at fausley , where he preached twice every lords day . there he went over the gospel of john , the epistle to the colossions , and other scriptures . he was much given to hospitality at fausley , as he had formerly been at hanwel , so that there was scarce any sabbath in the year , in which he did not dine both poor and rich , commonly three or four poor persons , besides those that came from other places to hear him . he had so large an heart , that upon occasion , he hath given to some three shillings , to some ten shillings , to some twenty shillings ; and when the poor came to buy butter or cheese , he would command his maid to take no money of them . at fausley he had quietnesse from the courts , as also at ashby ; for in neither of those places was there any church-wardens . he was beholding at fausley , to the right worshipfull family of the knightleys , where his bones was laid . he used to bear crosses with much patience and meeknesse , being wont to say , that sanctified afflictions were great promotions , quoting that of the apostle peter , pet. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. is much more precious then gold , which he conceived to signifie the affliction that trieth faith , and that the word should be rendred exploratorium , rather then exploratio . he alwaies expected troubles , and prepared himself for them , and put this difference between the affliction , for which we are provided and others ; that the one are but blows on the harnesse , but the other are blows on the flesh . upon a time when an affliction was upon him , which went to his very heart , and in the expectation whereof he wept ; yet when he saw that it was the will of god that it should be so , he said to one whom he loved , i will go and blesse god , for i believe this shall be for my good . he gave himself much to fasting and prayer , and when he fasted , his custom was to abstain from the dinner of the day before , to the supper of the day after . his diseases till he was above threescore , were only feavers , and these for the most part high and violent . in the sixty third year of his age , he had a feaver in which there was small hope of life . doctor oxenbridge was his physician , who waiting for the breathing out of the disease by sweating , ( in which at last he had his desire ) he came to master dod , and in the presence of divers , said unto him ; now i have hope of your recovery : to which master dod answered , you think to comfort me by this , but you make my heart sad ; it is as if you should tell one who had been sore weather-beaten on the sea , and conceiving he was arrived at the haven where his soul longed to be , that he must come back again to be tossed with new winds and waves . in his greatest health and prosperity , he would speak how he desired to be dissolved . upon a time , a gentleman blamed him for it , saying , he liked not servants who would have their wages before they had done their work ; but he seemed to be constant in this desire , alledging these reasons amongst others , that god had given him a setled assurance of heaven , and a sight of the excellency of heaven , and that the earth was but a prison , and heaven the palace ; and there was perfect holinesse and happinesse . he took all occasions to do good ; when he was in company , by godly speeches , seasoning those which came to him , that unlesse it were their own fault , they might be the better for him . being invited to a great feast where there were sundry gentlemen , and some of them began to swear , he stopt them by discoursing of the greatnesse of that sin ; and that he might not burden their memories , he quoted three chapters , every one was the first : as the first of zachary , the first of matthew , and the first of james , and he opened those scriptures in such sort , that they were all hushed , and did not again offend in that kind while he was present amongst them . the word of god was his great delight , his meditation was of it in the night , and his discourse in the day . when those that were with him were speaking of earthly things , he would find out some way to bring in heavenly . when he could not sleep in the night , he would say , that the meditation of the word was sweeter to him then sleep . when he had preached twice on the sabbath , and was aweary , yet to those that came to him , he would go on afresh in holy discourses ; and the comforts which he found in his soul , made him sometimes forget his body , that he hath been speaking till he was ready to faint . his eminency was in frequency , aptnesse , freenesse , and largenesse of godly discourse ; in which respect it may be said of him , that in the countrey where he lived , none were known who therein were equal to him . but he was micans inter omnes , velut inter ignes luna minores . he was very mercifull himself , and to move parents that were rich to mercy , he would say thus ; you are caring and contriving to lay up for your children , but lay up for your selves a good foundation against the time to come , being rich in good works ; you will lay up treasure in the earth , which is an unsafe place ; lay up treasures in heaven , that is the sure and safe place . he loved and honoured those that feared god , though in point of subscription and ceremonies they were not of his judgment ; and as he sowed , so he reaped . he was full of love himself , and greatly beloved of others . doctor preston , whom good men loved for his excellent piety and learning , was a faithfull friend of master dods , and often entertained him at his chamber , and esteemed much of him for his spiritualnesse in conference and conversation , and for his ability to open scripture , and to comfort troubled spirits . when the doctors consumption was upon him , which put an end to his life , he came to master richard knightleys at preston in northamptonshire , which was but a mile from fausley , where master dod had his abode , and desired him to speak to him of death and heaven , and heard him with patience and thankfulnesse . master dod prayed by him when he lay a dying , and preached his funeral sermon . also master throgmorton , a pious and painfull preacher of the word ; an approved good man , dying the same year of a consumption , came to ashby not far from fausley , to have the help of master dods comforts and counsels . he was oppressed with melancholy , and a little before he gave up his soul to christ , he asked master dod , what will ye say of him that is going out of the world , and can find no comfort ? to whom he answered ; what will you say of our saviour christ , who when he was going out of the world found no comfort , but cryed out , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken me ? this speech refreshed master throgmorton , and within a little space of time after this , he went to his heavenly inheritance . master dod , as he was of a weaned disposition from the world himself , so he laboured to wean others . he put this difference between rich christians and poor , that for poor christians their father kept the purse , but the rich christians keep the purse in their own hands . but it might oftner fall out , and did ; and therefore the purse was better in the fathers hand then in the christians . he was wont to compare wicked men to waves of the sea ; those which were of a great estate , were great waves ; those which were of small estate , were small waves , but all were restlesse as waves . to a friend of his that was raised from a meaner estate to worldly greatnesse , he sent word , that this was but as if he should go out of a boat into a barge or ship ; but there ought to be a serious and godly remembrance , that while we are in this world , we are upon the sea. he often repeated this , that nothing could hurt us but our own sins ; and they should not hurt us , if we truly repented of them ; and nothing could do us good but gods favour , and that we should be sure of , if we unfeignedly sought it . speaking of davids penning the psalm , after his murther and adultery , he put this glosse upon it , that hearty and true repentance shall have cause to praise the lord for his pardoning mercy . he said afflictions were gods potions , which we might sweeten by faith and faithfull prayer , but we for the most part made them bitter , putting into gods cup the ill ingredients of our own impatience and unbelief . he gave this reason why many of gods people lived uncomfortably , for that they shut their ear against what god said , where they should open it ; and they opened their ear to what their carnal reason , and satan , and the world said , where they should shut it . but ( said he ) the psalmist was wiser , psal. . . he would heare none of them all ; i will heare what the lord god will speake . his preaching was searching ; and when some did suppose that he had informers and spies , because he came so close to them , he answered ; that the word of god was searching , and that if he was shut up in a dark vault , where none could come at him , yet allow him but a bible and a candle , and he should preach as he did . he had an excellent gift in similitudes , which did flow freely and frequently from him , as all those knew , who either heard him preach publiquely , or discourse privately . he called death , the friend of grace , though it were the enemy of nature : and whereas the word , and sacraments , and prayer , do but weaken sin , death kills it . speaking of prayer , he said , a man was never in a hard condition , unlesse he had a hard heart , and could not pray . having preached out of that text , o woman , great is thy faith , be it unto thee even as thou wilt ; he invited some women to dinner , and told them it was a usuall saying , let a woman have her will , and then she would be quiet . now the way for a woman to have her will , is to have a strong faith , and to pray as that woman in the gospel did . upon a time when he had preached long , so that it was somewhat late before he went to dinner , he said , you shall have some gentlemen will follow hounds from seven in the morning , till four or five in the afternoon , because they love the cry of dogs , which to me was unpleasant hearing ; so if we love the word , we should be content though the minister stood above his hour . and he added , methinks it is much better to hear a minister preach , then a kennell of hounds to bark . speaking of recreation , he said , he marvelled what the vocation of many was , who were so eager for recreation . and if we should come into a house , and see many physick-boxes and glasses , we would conclude some body is sick ; so when we see hounds , and hawks , and cards , and dice , we may fear that there is some sick soul in that family . he told some friends , that if he were to passe sentence who was a rich man , he would not look into his purse or chest how much gold he had laid up , but look into his heart what promises were treasured up there . for we count him rich that is rich in bonds , and the pleading of the promises in prayer , is suing of the bonds . speaking to a minister who was to go to a place where there was but small means , he told him , that his care was to preach , and do god service , and then god would provide for him . when he preached at fausley , and was much resorted unto , as it was with him in other places , he told a godly man of his acquaintance , that if the countrey knew so much by him , as he knew by himself , they would not have him in so much admiration . speaking about going to law , his opinion was , that it was better to buy love then law. for one might have a great deal of love for a little , whereas he could have but a little law for a great deal . he would frequently say , that was well , which ended everlastinly well ; and that was ill , which ended everlastingly ill : and that a man was never undone till he was in hell . this was a speech which he often used , that if it were lawfull to envy any , he would envy those that turned to god in youth , whereby they escaped much sin and sorrow , and were like unto jacob that stole the blessing betimes . this was a remarkable passage of providence , that upon a time when it was late at night , it came into his mind that he must see a friend of his some two miles off ; he had businesse , and would have put it off , but his thoughts were restlesse ; whereupon he went , and when he came to the place , all the family were in bed , but only his friend , who was esteemed truly godly , but at that time was overwhelmed with tentations ; the occasion whereof was , some cruelty offered to his children . master dod knew nothing , either of the tentation or occasion of it : but knocking at the door , his friend opened the door to him , to whom he said , i am come to you , i know not why my self , but i was restlesse in my spirit untill i had done it . to whom his friend answered , you know not why you came , but god knew why he sent you ; and withall , pulled out a halter wherewith he had intended self-murder at that time , which by gods goodnesse , was by this means prevented . speaking of losing for christ , he testified from his own experience , that for the losse of one carnal brother he had two hundred spiritual brethren . before he was married , he could not maintain himself , and thereupon he was thinking , how he should maintain a wife and children , his living not being great ; but looking out of his study window , he saw a hen and chickens scratching for their living , and he considered thus with himself , the hen did but live before , and had nothing to spare , and now she had as much with that great family . when he saw a christian to look sad , he would use that speech which johnadab did to amnon , art not thou a kings son ? he would say to those that complained of losses and crosses , that which eliphaz did to job , do the consolations of god seem small to you ? god hath taken away your children , your goods , but he hath not taken away himself , nor christ , nor his spirit , nor heaven , nor eternal life . he used to instruct christians how they should never have a great affliction , nor long , and that was by looking upon things which were not seen , which are eternal , cor. . , . what can be great to him that counts the world nothing ? and what can be long to him that thinks his life but a span long ? to perswade them that are christians not to return railing for railing , he would say , that if a dog bark at a sheep , a sheep will not bark at a dog . in these times of war , at the first beginning of them , when many well-affected people came to him , being affrighted with the cavaliers , he encouraged them , using this speech , that if a house were full of rods , what need the child fear , when none of them could move without their fathers hand ; and the lord was a loving father ; state and life , and all was in his disposing . when afterwards the cavaliers came to his house , and threatned to knock him on the head , he answered with confidence , that if they did , they should send him to heaven , where he longed to be , but they could do nothing except god gave leave . they broke open his chests , and cupboards , and plundred him of his goods ; but he said to a friend of his , that he would not do them that honour to say they had taken ought from him , but it was the lord , alledging that of job , who when he was spoiled by the chaldeans and the sab●ans , yet he did not so much as name the instruments , but , the lord hath given , and the lord hath taken , blessed be the name of the lord. at length they came to him , when through weaknesse he was unable not only to stirre out of his chamber , but also out of his bed ; they cut the curtains of his bed , and pulled away the pillowbeers from under his head , asking him whether he could speak latine , in all which losses , which were great , he never uttered one word of impatience . in his sicknesse , when extream pain was upon him , as soon as the fit was over , he would say to his maid-servant that attended him ; o think well of god for it , for it is most justly and wisely done , whatsoever he sendeth or doth . when his servants came to visit him in the morning , he would say , have ye been with god to blesse him for your sleep this night ? he might have made your bed your grave . he would often say in his sicknesse , i am not afraid to look death in the face ; i can say , death , where is thy sting ? death cannot hurt me . he spake how death was a sweet sleep to a christian ; adding , that if parents should tell little children , who had played all the day , that they must go to bed , they would be ready to cry ; but a labouring man is glad when night comes that he might go to rest . so wicked men , death is unwelcome unto them ; but a child of god , who hath laboured and suffered , is glad when death cometh , that he may rest from his labours . when he had been long speaking to those who came to him , and used to ask him questions , and hath been perswaded to spare himself , he would say , hear but this one thing more , it may be i shall never speak to you again ; but if it should be so , blessed is the servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing . hearken to a few words more ; god hath heard all the words we have spoken , and considered with what hearts and affections we have spoken them . he used to compare rebukes uttered in passion to scalding potions , which the patient could not take down . and his opinion was , that if we would do good unto others , we should labour for meeknesse of wisdome , whereby we shall be inabled to use soft words and hard arguments . he allowed to husbands and wives only one contention ; which was this , who should love one another best ; and advised them , that when either of them were in passion , they should not answer passions with passions , but with compassions . he was very plain and familiar both in preaching and conference , yet very spiritual , and performed all with much gravity . the chief things he sought god for , in his frequent secret fastings and prayers , ( as himself said ) were the knowledge of the scriptures , and a blessing upon his ministry , in both which god answered him abundantly . as for the scriptures , god had so enlightened him , that he was able to give account of the drift and scope of the spirit of god in the greatest part of them , with great clearnesse , and to open them in such sort as proved very effectual for the bringing of scripture-light into simple mens understandings , who were not able to reach the obscure and scholastick interpretations of many . his manner was to compare scripture with scripture , seldome naming the dissenters , and but sparingly different readings , but making out the truth positively , or by necessary consequence . in preaching , he usually took some portion of scripture in order before him , opening a verse or two , or more at a time , first clearing the drift and connection , then giving the sense and interpretation briefly , but very plainly , not leaving the text untill he had made it plain to the meanest capacity ; then raising those doctrines that were most agreeable to the mind and meaning of the spirit of god in that text , clearing and exemplifying his points excellently out of the word , opening his proofs , ( not multiplying particulars for oppressing memory , ) not dwelling so long as to make all truth run through a few texts . he spake most largely and very home in application , mightily convincing and diving into mens hearts and consciences , and leaving them little or nothing to object against it . he took great care to speak to the meanest capacity , and to feed the lambs , saying , he must stoop to the lowest capacity , and if he could reach them , others might help themselves . he could not endure that ministers should use hard and unusuall english. he said , that most ministers in england usually shoot over the heads of their hearers . he did not strive to speak all that might be said to a point , nor to shew variety , or please curiosity , but to speak to the heart . he would say , that there were many tricks and devices that some men used in preaching , but they seldome did good . the pure gospel , and that preaching which the world counts foolishnesse , was that that works most kindly . he was very evangelicall , striving first to make men see their lost condition clearly , and to be convinced of it , saying , sense of misery was a goo● step to the remedy . and then largely and excellently opening the promises , and the grace of god in christ according to the gospel , looking at that as the most effectual preaching . some ( saies he ) labour still to keep men under terrors , and load them with threatnings , &c. lest they should not be humbled enough ; but the gospel works true humiliation , not the law ; it arises from sense of sin and misery joyned with hope of mercy . the damned have terror and sense of misery enough , but that did not humble them . he desired to speak distinctly , not giving the childrens bread to dogs , but to discover hypocrisie and sincerity by lively characters and signes , but yet with great tendernesse to babes in christ , striving to discover a babe from an hypocrite . he was excellent for practical divinity and living by faith , as to spirituals and temporals , and self-denial ; and very consolatory , rendring religion the most sweet and comfortable life , notwithstanding sufferings . he used to presse much after the seeking of spiritual illumination , in hearing and reading , &c. and divine assistance in religious duties , not contenting our selves with the use of parts and accomplishments , or grace received , but to look higher , saying , david that could preach excellently , and had nathan and gad the prophets also to preach , yet cryes out for teaching ; thereby shewing , that all that teaching would not do , unlesse god teach also . and davids cryes , open mine eyes ; he had the light without , but he must have light within , viz. sight , else he could not see the wonders of the law , though he had the law. he used to presse much to meeknesse , and a sweet disposition to affability , charity and cheerfulnesse , not to be rigid , sour , tart , nor sad , least the world should think that we served an hard master . being above eighty years old , his pains were very great , yet not painfull to him . he preached almost all day long on the lords day , yet said , it was no great matter to pay money when one had it , all the labour was to get it . he opened a chapter , and prayed in his family , after preached twice in publique , and in the interim discoursed all dinner while , but eat very little . he brought in many with him to dinner , besides his four or six constant widows ; if his wife began to doubt of her provision at sight of so many , he would say , better want meat then good company , but there is something in the house , though cold . this is not a day to feast the bodies but souls . at first sitting down , he would bid them help themselves and one another , and see that none want . let me ( said he ) bid you but once , for i would not speak a vain word to day . after both sermons , the house would be filled ; and he being sate in his chair , used to say , if any have a good question , or a hard place of scripture to open , let them say on ; and when he was faint , he would call for a small glasse of wine and beer mixt , and then to it again till night . he was excellent in preaching occasionally from the creatures , as he walked or rode . his ministry was so spiritual , and yet so plain , that poor simple people that never knew what religion meant , when they had gone to hear him , could not choose but talk of his sermon . it mightily affected poor creatures to hear the mysteries of god , ( by his excellent skill that way ) brought down to their own language and dialect . he was so holy and spiritual both in life and doctrine , that he silenced even desperate and devillish opposers of religion . it was a discredit for any to speak evil of him , because it must needs expresse much malice , and all men most generally ( in his latter time at least ) honoured him . he was very successefull in making peace , though between desperate and almost implacable adversaries , and some of them wicked , mightily convincing them with gospel-arguments , to the overcoming and quieting of their spirits . he would answer any questions propounded , that were but fit for a divine to speak to ; yet shewing his approbation or dislike of the question according to the honesty and spiritualnesse , or curiosity and lightnesse of it . when mean inferiour people came to speak with him , if he was walking in the church , where he used most to study , that he might have room to walk in , ( being troubled with the stone ) or elsewhere ; if he thought them bashfull , he would meet them , and say , would you speak with me ? and when he found them unable to state their question , he would help them out with it , taking care to find the sore ; but would answer and deal so compassionately and tenderly , as not to discourage the poorest soul from coming again to him . if any questioned him about ceremonies , about which many then suffered , he was very wary in dealing , ( not shy in speaking his judgment ) but carefull of advising them according to their strength . he would bid them take heed of being led meerly by the imitation of any body , 〈◊〉 other mens arguments , but look to their scripture-light , and see 〈◊〉 ●●guments they had to bear them out ; and whether they could 〈◊〉 alone in that case if they should survive their patterns . he would not have them make a businesse about lesser things , and then fall off from what they began to professe . being to advise a young man in his choice of a yokefellow , he bad him look principally after godlinesse . men talk of a portion , grace is the b●st portion . the wise woman buildeth up the house , viz. the godly , &c. not the rich . some use to say , there is a portion and civility , and we will hope for grace ; but , saith he , rather make sure grace , and hope for riches ; there 's far greater reason for it . for godlinesse hath the promises , riches hath none . a sonne or daughter of god shall be provided for . he would say , he that could answer two questions well , might have comfort in any place or condition , viz. who am i ? and what do i here ? am i a child of god ? and am i in my calling or way ? he hath given his angels charge to keep thee in all thy waies . and that the knowledge of two things would make one willing to suffer or die , viz. what heaven is ; and that it 's mine ; i ( said one ) if a man were sure . to whom he answered , truly assurance is to be had , and what have we been doing all this while ? he used to say , they that hope to go to heaven ( as most do ) and had not good evidence for it , were like a man , that passing by a great house and estate , would say , this is mine ; but being bid to shew his title , would say , some body must have it , and why not i ? such is most mens title for heaven . during the time of his last sicknesse , it pleased the lord to try him by grievous pains , most bitter and sharp , of the strangury ; but when he had any intermissions , he was breathing out such speeches , as tended to the praise of god , and to the edification of those that attended him . he slept little all the night or day long before his death , in all which time he imployed his attendants which were about him , to read the scriptures , which he expounded to them . and when his strength was spent with speaking , he retired himself to prayer and meditation . when he felt his paines returning , he would intreat those that were about him , to pray to god for him , either to give him deliverance or patience . his tentation a little before his death , and his wrestlings with satan were great ; so were his victories . he spake to one that did watch with him all night , about two of the clock in the morning , that he had been wrestling with satan all that night , who accused him that he neither preached , nor prayed , nor performed any duty as he should have done , for manner or for end , but he said , i have answered him from the example of the prodigal and the publican . his faith and patience were encreased and perfected by his sufferings . he longed and thirsted to be with christ , which words he often uttered . one of his last speeches was this , with his eyes and hands lifted up to heaven , he sighed , and said , i desire to be dissolved and to be with christ. his pains left him not an hour before his death , his speech also then leaving him ; he could not eat nor drink two daies before his death . and so quietly and patiently he ended his life , making a happy change , being fourscore and sixteen years old , anno christi , . the life of master robert balsom , who died anno christi . robert balsom was born at shipton-montague , in the county of somerset . having spent some years in new-in-hall in oxford , upon his removall thence , he was entertained by master bernard of batcomb , in the aforesaid county , to teach school , and preach sometimes as his assistant ; under whom he greatly improved his abilities for preaching . upon the death of master bernard , preaching occasionally at a neighbour village call'd stoke , among a company of poor untaught people , one that lived thereabouts , told him , that if such a minister should come and preach among that people , where there was so small encouragement , he should think that god had a great work to do upon them . hereupon master balsom promised to be their minister , where he enjoyed about fourty pounds a year . the successe of his ministry there was very great , insomuch that he hath been heard say , that there were but few sermons that he preached there , but he had intelligence , that some one or other were converted by them . the troubles growing in those parts , by reason of our civil warres , after one or two years abode there , he was forced for his own safety , to betake himself to warder castle in wiltshire , where he had not continued long , but the castle was besieged by the kings party . upon the news of their approach , he was minded to have gone for london , but being desired by colonel ludlow , the governour of that castle , he remained there during the siege . a little before the castle was delivered up , as they were in treaty about the surrender of it , master balsom walking upon the roof of the castle , heard three souldiers say , that they had sworn upon the bible , to take away the life of one in the castle . he asked one of them , who is that ye mean ? is it our minister ? they replyed , yes ; for he is a witch : which they affirmed upon this ground , because the castle had divers times been very strangely relieved with provision . as at one time with a herd of swine coming down to the gates , which they took in ; and at another time by some deer , and conies , the siege then being not close , but straightning them at a distance . he asked them , what was their names ? they told him , they were the three merry boyes : he replyed , your names are very unsuitable to the times . and so after some farther discourse , parted with them . after the surrender of the castle , and the enemies entry , they presently seized on master balsom , and clapt him up in a close low room . about twelve a clock at night , the key of the room was given to the three souldiets that had sworn his death : they having received the key , presently entered the room where he was with another souldier , who was hanged the next morning : no sooner came they into the room , but they put off their hats , and standing still , lookt on him at a distance , saying nothing to him . he suspecting them to be the men that had sworn to take away his life , spake to them thus ; friends , what is your business ? are not ye the men that have sworn to take away my life ? they answered to this purpose , we have taken a wicked oath , god forgive us , but we will do you no hurt . he desired them to come near unto him , but they stood trembling , perswaded him to make an escape , voluntarily offering him their best assistance . he answered , now i suspect you , you are ashamed to take away my life , now i am in your hands , but would perswade me to a flight , that you might with the more colour kill me in the pursuit . they assuring him , they intended really the setting of him at liberty ; he asked what they thought would become of them ? they answered , they would go along with him . he replyed , that you shall not do ; for if i be taken again , i shall be but in the same case i am ; but if you be taken , it will cost you your lives . and therefore i will rather suffer the utmost that god shall suffer them to inflict upon me , then hazard the lives of those that have shewed themselves so friendly to me . upon this , they had him forth into the fresh air , and in the mean time made clean his room , and so left him . the next morning , a councel of war was call'd , and as they were debating to put him to death , a captain of the councel stood up , and said , i will have no hand in the blood of this man , and so went out of the room , and no farther progresse was made as concerning him . afterwards they carried him in a cart to salisbury ; as he was carried through the town to the prison , the people of the town entertained him with great scorn and contempt ; and that night another councel of war was call'd , and packt for the purpose , by which he was condemned to be hang'd . hereupon the high sheriff of the county went unto him into the prison , and after much ill language that he used towards him , he told him that he was come to tell him , that he must prepare himself to die , for he was condemned by the councel of war , to be hang'd the next morning at six a clock ; but withall , assured him , that if he would ask pardon of the king for his offence , and serve his majesty for the future , as he had formerly served against him , he should both save his life , and have what preferment he could reasonably desire . he answered , for me to ask pardon where i am not conscious of an offence , were but the part of a fool ; and to betray my conscience in hope of preferment , were but the part of a knave ; and if i had neither hope of heaven , nor fear of hell , i had rather die an honest man , then live a fool or a knave . the next morning he rose about five a clock , being something troubled that he had slept so long : about six a clock the officers came into the room to bring him forth to execution . while he was preparing to go with them , he heard a post ride in , asking hastily , is the prisoner yet alive ? who brought with him a reprieve from sir ralph hopton , to whom he was carried to winchester . as he came to the gates of the town , sir william ogle the governour met him , and told him , that he would feed him with bread and water for two or three daies , and then hang him . then he was brought to sir ralph hopton , who spake to him thus ; master balsom , i little thought one day that you should have been my prisoner , and i cannot but wonder , that such men as you should be engaged in a rebellion against the king. to whom he replyed , sir , i cannot but wonder , that such men as you should call this rebellion . sir ralph desired him to give him an account of the grounds , upon which he and his party proceeded , promising him , that he should not suffer for any thing that he spake to him . after about half an hours discourse , he committed him to his own marshall , with this charge , keep this man safe , but use him well . the marshall received him , and after some little rough entertainment , upon his entrance into his house , he at length used him with great seeming respect . long he had not been there , but a gentlewoman came to him with a pottle of sack , urging him to preach a recantation sermon the next morning before the lords , promising that if he would so do , the king would make him a doctor . he replyed , sure you do but mock me ; for should i preach upon such short warning , the lords would never hear such extempore stuff ; but if you be in good earnest , and would make me a doctor indeed , then let me have the same law ye use to give your doctors , viz. a quarter of a years time to make a sermon , and by that time you may know more of my mind . the next morning an order was brought for the conveying of him to oxford , whither he was accordingly carried . he lighted first at the blewbore , whither they brought a company of the queens followers , who with much fury oftentimes swore , that he should not go alive out of the room . but the musqueteers , who were set as a guard upon him , desired them to be quiet , telling them that he was their prisoner , and should not suffer there , but they would suffer with him . thence he was conveyed to the castle , where after two or three daies abode , he enjoyed the same liberty with other prisoners ; and a while after , he set up an exposition lecture in the prison twice a day : to which , not only the prisoners , and some of the souldiers , but divers courtiers , and many out of the town often came . being prohibited once or twice to go on in this exercise , he answered , if ye are weary of me , i am not willing to trouble you any longer ; ye may turn me out of your doors when you will ; but while i have a tongue to speak , and people to speak to , i will not hold my peace . after some moneths of imprisonment , he was released by exchange . as he was departing thence , some courtiers and others , that had formerly shewed him some favour , perswaded him to close with their party , and to stay with them . he utterly refusing , divers of them accompanied him out of town ; and as they were parting , one of them said ; sir , if any of us should fall into your hands , we should desire no better entertainment then you have had amongst us . he replyed , gentlemen , i could wish that ten thousand of you might fall into our hands within this moneth , that you might see how kindly we would deal with you . thence he was sent for by the lord generall essex to be chaplain in his army , with whom he continued , during his command . then he went to barwick , where he was received with great affection of the people , and saw in a short time great successe of his labours in the ministry . during his abode there , two things were very remarkeable : one , whereas there was a child that had been strangely visited with such a weaknesse , as neither physicians or divines could guesse at the cause , or find out the cure ; hereupon master balsom moved some christians there to seek god with him , by fasting and prayer , which accordingly they did , and obtained a suddain and extraordinary answer . for as the mother of the child came home from the exercise , her child met her , and told her , she was very well , who before had kept her bed of a long time . the other thing remarkable was this ; a scottish lord , by name , the lord of granson , took up his habitation for a time in barwick , and brought with him his family . in which , amongst others , was the steward of his house , formerly reputed a godly man , who was very much afflicted in mind : master balsom came to visit him , and administred some comfort to him for that time . but two or three daies after he being sorely afflicted again , master balsom was sent for , who finding him very much weakned and worn out by the violence of temptation , began to speak comfortably to him . but perceiving that no words of comfort would fasten on him , he whispered to him in his ear to this purpose , i doubt there is something within , that you should do well to discover . whereupon immediately the mans tongue swelled out of his mouth , insomuch that he was not able to speak . master balsom continued speaking to him , till at length , to the astonishment of those in the room , being many , and some of them persons of quality , a shrill voice was heard , as from out of his throat ( having not any use of his tongue ) to this purpose : what dost thou talking to him of promises , and free grace ? he is mine . master balsom apprehending it to be the voice of the devil , replyed : no satan , thou dost not know any man to be thine while there is life in him . but this is a notorious wicked wretch , and therefore is mine . the blood of jesus christ cleanseth us from all sin . if god would let me loose upon you , i should find enough in the best of you , to make you all mine . but thou art bound satan . and so turning himself to the people , with a smiling countenance , he said , what a gracious god have we , that suffers not satan to have his will upon us ? then the devil began to curse and swear , and blaspheme the trinity in a most fearfull and horrible manner . the lord rebuke thee . but this man is mine , for he hath given himself to me ; and sealed it with his blood . i do not believe that the father of lies speaketh truth , and i do believe , how confident soever thou art , that thou wilt lose thy hold before to morrow morning . the devil continued to curse and swear further , saying , how canst thou endure to hear thy god blasphemed ? i will never give over blaspheming so long as thou stayest in the room . i will pray for him . wilt thou pray for a man that is damned ? i will go home and pray for him , and get all the force i can in the town to joyn with me . after this , there being no more voice heard , mr. balsom went home about eleven a clock at night , where he found in his house divers christians , which he intended to have sent for , waiting for him ; and upon the sight of them , he spake to them to this purpose : friends , i wonder at the providence of god , in bringing you hither at this time , for otherwise i must have sent for you . and so declaring to them what had hapned to the afflicted man , he desired them to spend some part of the night with him , in seeking god for him , which accordingly they did . the next morning master balsom going to visit him again , found him in a comfortable condition ; and asking of him , how he did ? he answered , through the goodnesse of god , i have overcome , and am now as full of comfort , as i was before of trouble . and so continued all that day cheerfull , but in great weaknesse , and the next morning died , no disease appearing upon him . after some time of master balsom's abode there , he was earnestly intreated to return into his own countrey , to which , for some important reasons he was inclined , but was as earnestly importuned by many of the inhabitants of barwick , either to abide with them , or to return again to them . and after many other arguments , as he was just parting with them , as their last argument to perswade him to stay with him , they presented him with a list of about threescore that had been ( as they were verily perswaded ) savingly wrought on by his ministry , during the time of his continuance there . he left them , but with a mind of returning to them again , if providence crost it not , but his return was prevented by his death , which hapned about two year after , as he was endeavouring to get himself free from the place , where he then was , to return to them . in which space of time he did much good , as in converting many , so in reducing many that were drawn away by sectaries . the life of master herbert palmer , b. d. late master of queens-colledge in cambridge , who died anno christi . herbert palmer was descended of an ancient family of that name , allied to divers other families of note , of the nobility and gentry . his father was sir thomas palmer of wingham in east-kent , about six miles distant from canterbury . his mother was the eldest daughter of herbert pelham of crawley in sussex esquire . he was born at wingham , and was there baptized , march . . he had the happinesse of a prudent and pious education . his father , beside his piety , being a very wise man , and of a more then ordinary understanding , as well in state-affairs , as those of a more private concernment . his mother , beside her prudence and other accomplishments more then ordinary in her sex , was also eminently religious , and both of them exceeding carefull of his education . himself also , being even from his infancy , much addicted to the serious study both of religion and learning , in both of which he had made more then ordinary proficiency in a short time , and continued the exercise and improvement of them afterward . the symptomes of grace and piety began betimes to put themselves forth to the view and observation of others , as soon almost as the exercise and use of reason ; so that we may not without good ground , esteem him sanctified even from the womb. when he was about the age of four or five years , he would cry to go to his lady-mother , that he might hear somewhat of god ; so soon had these her religious discourses , made pleasing impressions on his apprehension . neither did these , and such like expressions of affection to good things soon vanish away , ( as childish apprehensions use to do , ) but continued and encreased , according as his years and the use of reason increased . mr. herbert palmer . he was early acquainted with the book of god , which he much delighted in , and read with great affection , ( insomuch that while he was but a child , little more then five years old , he wept in reading the story of joseph ) and took much pleasure in learning of chapters by heart . and here was laid the first foundation of that great exactnesse in the knowledge of the scriptures , to which he did afterwards attain . he had excellent natural parts , both intellectual and moral : which as they were soon capable of being imployed , so they were soon set on work ; his parents vigilancy being such , that they suffered no time to be neglected . he learned the french tongue almost as soon as he could speak english ; even so soon , as that he hath often affirmed , he did not remember his learning of it . and he did afterwards attain so great exactnesse of speaking and preaching in that language , together with a perfect knowledge of the state and affairs of that kingdom , especially of the protestant churches amongst them , that he was often , by strangers , thought to be a native french-man ; and did not doubt but to entertain discourse with any person of that nation , for some hours together in their own language , concerning the affairs of that kingdom , who should not be able by his discourse to distinguish him from a native french-man , but judge him to be born and bred in france ; so well was he furnished with an exact knowledge , both of the propriety and due pronunciation of that language , and of the persons , places , and affairs of that kingdom , and the churches therein . a thing not often seen in one who had never been out of england . when he learned the latine tongue , with such other parts of learning , as younger years are usually imployed in at school , his diligence and proficiency therein was such , as produced both commendation and admiration . and while others at vacant hours , were following their sports and recreations , he was constantly observed to be reading studiously by himself ; taking as much pleasure in good imployments , as others in sports ; and counting that the best passe-time , wherein the time was best passed . his carriage towards his parents , was dutifull and obsequious ; not only during his minority , but even afterwards ; which was very evident in that honour and reverend respect , which he continued to expresse to his godly aged mother to the day of her death , which hapned not long before his own : being also a special helper to her in the waies of holinesse . and what he thus practised himself , he did frequently commend to others , being alwaies ( though himself unmarried ) a great asserter of parental authority ; as well from that great emphasis which god puts upon it through the whole current of scripture , as from those remarkable judgments , which in scripture , and in his own experience he had observed to be inflicted on disobedient and undutifull children , ( whom , as he was wont to say , he had scarce ever known to escape some visible judgment for it in this life , though possibly otherwise godly persons , ) as also from those unavoidable mischiefs , which do frequently ensue in civil societies , where the authority of superiours is vilified or contemned , and which ( if well considered ) will be often found to take their first rise and original from the contempt of paternal authority . he was about the year . admitted fellow-commoner in saint johns colledge in cambridge , where he continued his former diligence , as well in the exercise of religion , as the improvement of his learning , both in his private study , and in the performance of exercises in the university and colledge , notwithstanding the exemption which fellow-commoners in colledges are ready to plead from the performance of them . after that he had there taken the degree of master of arts , about the year . he was in the year . constituted fellow of queens colledge in that university ; where , although he were a gentleman , that beside his fellowship , had an estate of his own , and so had the lesse need in point of maintenance , to take that trouble of pupils upon him ; yet ( not satisfying himself , to take a place upon him , without performing the office thereunto belonging ) he took many pupils , of whom he was more then ordinarily carefull , being very diligent both in praying with them in his chamber , and instructing them in the grounds of religion ; as also keeping them to their studies , and the performance of disputations , and other exercises of learning , privately in his chamber ; beside the more publique exercises required of them by the colledge , to the great benefit of those that were his pupils . while he was fellow of queens colledge , about the year . he was solemnly ordained to the work of the ministry , whereunto from a child he had addicted himself ; and about the year , was called to the publique exercise thereof , as a lecturer in the city of canterbury ; where , for divers years , ( notwithstanding the great oppositions he there met with , from such as were enemies to the power of godlinesse , ) he did with much diligence and very great successe discharge that great work , to the spiritual edification and comfort of many yet alive , to whom his memory to this day is precious . the occasion of his coming thither was this ; coming from cambridge , to give a visit to his brother sir thomas palmer at wingham , he did at the intreaty of some friends , preach a sermon at the cathedral church in canterbury , and that with so much true zeal , and reall savour of piety ▪ as did much affect the godly hearers . the report hereof coming to the knowledge of master delme ( a godly , faithfull , prudent and laborious minister of the french church in canterbury ) he made a journey to wingham on purpose to gain a further knowledge of him , and acquaintance with him , ( with whom he was already not a little in love from that good report he had heard of him , though as yet by face unknown to him ; ) and hereby not only obtained the knowledge of the man , but was also , by his gracious and savoury discourse and carriage , very much confirmed in that good opinion which he had before conceived of him . and this was the first foundation of that intire and christian friendship , which with much spiritual advantage to them both , was contracted between these two holy men , which continued and increased daily to their mutual comfort and contentment while they were both living , and the memory thereof is still precious to him that doth yet survive . after this , before his return to cambridge , having ( at the request of master delme , ) preached a second sermon at saint georges church in canterbury , on a week day lecture ; the most godly and best affected in the city were more and more taken with him , and expressed great desires of enjoying his ministry amongst them , if it might be obtained . hereupon master delme , with divers others , of the most considerable gentlemen and citizens , having earnestly sought direction from god in a matter of such concernment , did seriously advise about it ; and being first assured of the concurrent desires of many others , did by letters and messages to cambridge , signifie to him the desire of the godly in that city , that he would undertake to preach a lecture amongst them . this invitation after mature deliberation , he thought good to accept of , preferring the opportunity and probability of doing good in that populous place , before the hopes of preferment , either in the university or elsewhere , which , by reason of his many friends and acquaintance great at court , and otherwise , he might likely have attained unto ; holding steady to that resolution ( which long before that time he had taken up , ) so to imploy himself as might probably most promte the work of god , whatever became of his own advantages . whereupon a license being obtained for him from george abbot , then arch-bishop of canterbury , authorizing him to preach a weekly lecture on the lords day in the afternoon at alphage church in that city ; he left his fellowship in the university , and undertook this work . during his abode in this employment , he did much edifie the people there , both by sound doctrine , and exemplary conversation . his sermons were altogether spiritual and heavenly , full of solid explications and practicall applications of the word of god ; whereby the city was well seasoned as with savoury salt , and much preserved from those innovations and corruptions , both in doctrine and worship , which in those dayes were creeping on apace ; by reason whereof that leven of formality , which many of the cathedralists were promoting , ( who preferred pompous ceremonies before the power of godlinesse ) was stopped from spreading and corrupting so much , as otherwise it might have done . for although he was not then perswaded of the unlawfulnesse of the then government , and some ceremonies then in use , yet he could no way approve of the corrupt innovations coming on in those daies , but did with all wisdome and zeal reprove them , countenancing goodnesse and good men . and by this means , he was a great stay and comfort to the godly ministers and people , both in the city and countrey thereabouts ; whom , not only by his publique preaching , but by many other christian and ministerial helps administred in his more private converses , he did very much incourage in true piety . of this very many families in that city had great experience , ( even those of the meanest ranke , ) whom he was wont often to visit as he had opportunity , that he might the better understand their spiritual condition ; admitting also persons of all ranks freely to apply themselves unto him as they had occasion , and to partake the benefit of private conferences , prayers , and other religious exercises ; as likewise affording his christian advice and direction in cases of difficulty , especially to distressed consciences ; in which cases , by most of his prudent and judicious resolutions , he was frequently consulted with as a kind of oracle . and that not only during his abode at canterbury , but wherever else the providence of god did cast him . and herein he had an excellent ability and dexterity , and took much delight in it . and his assistance he afforded not only to those of that city , but also to many of the most religious families of the nobility and gentry thereabouts ; to whom , both by his personal converses , and his christian letters ( of which there are great numbers yet to be seen ) he afforded frequent directions and encouragements in the waies of god ; and particularly the noble family of thomas late earl of winchelsey , then vicount maidstone ( whose abode at that time was at the mote , a place near canterbury : ) the exemplary piety of whose family , and the several noble branches thereof , was by him in a special manner promoted . the like assistance he afforded also to those of the french congregation in canterbury , whom , by reason of his exact knowledge in the french language , he was able to edifie very much . and ( at the request of their eldership ) he did twice preach to them in that language upon most solemn daies , to the great ashonishment and edification of the whole congregation . it is memorable , that an ancient french gentlewoman , when she saw him the first time coming into the pulpit , being startled at the smallnesse of his personal appearance , and the weaknesse of his look , cryed out ( in the hearing of those that sate by her ) hola ! que nous dira cest enfant ioy ? alas , what should this child say to us ? but having heard him pray and preach with so much spiritual strength and vigour , she lift her hands to heaven with admiration and joy , blessing god for what she had heard . yet this his faithfull discharge of the ministry was not without some opposition . on the one hand those of the separation , and such as were inclineable thereunto , were somewhat troublesome to him ; but could get no advantage upon him , nor did prevail any thing ( while he remained there ) upon his hearers . on the other side , the cathedralists and their favourers did oppose him , fearing ( it's like ) lest his godly courses and exact walking might be a blemish to their loose and carnal waies . and therefore , though the greatnesse of his birth , and friends hindered them somewhat from prosecuting of him , as probably they would otherwise have done ; yet once some of the chiefest of them adventured to exhibit articles against him : but his cause and answers proved such , as that they were not able to hurt him . after three years , or thereabouts , his lecture there was put down by the dean and arch-dean , ( upon certain instructions then on foot concerning afternoon sermons ) to the great grief of his godly hearers . but not long after , upon the petition of great numbers of the gentry and citizens , to the then arch-bishop , by whose license and authority he had been before established , ( accompanied with the laudable testimony of divers ministers , concerning his orthodox doctrine , and unblamable conversation , together with the concurrent testimony of ten knights , and divers others of the gentry and chief citizens ) he was again restored . during his continuance here , he was twice ( by the procurement of his friends at court ) likely to be made one of the prebendaries of canterbury . but he often admired and praised that providence of god , that his friends endeavours therein succeeded not ; seeing himself by this means delivered from many temptations and dangers , which had been incident , if he had been one of that company ; they being afterward , by the succeeding arch-bishop , mainly set on work , for the setting up and promoting superstitious innovations . after some years he was removed from canterbury , to the vicaridge of ashwel in hartfordshire , whereunto he was presented by william laud the late arch-bishop of canterbury , ( which in his defence before the house of peers in parliament , was by the arch-bishop insisted upon as one of his good deeds : ) to which he received institution , febr. . . where he continued the same zeal , diligence and care , which he had before discovered , in seeking the good of those souls that were committed to his charge . beside his constant preaching there twice every lords day , he did also very frequently preach to them occasionally , as any opportunity was offered ; not willing to let passe any advantage offered of doing them good . wherein , notwithstanding the excellency of his learning , whereby , if he had sought it , he might have attained great applause and admiration ( even from knowing men ) in the ostentation thereof : yet he chose alwaies to condescend to the capacities of his hearers , with so much plainnesse , as that ( if possible ) he might be understood by all , even those of the meanest capacities , as being most studious , both for the matter and manner of his preaching , how he might be able most of all to profit those that heard him . and on this ground upon any emergent occasions he endeavoured as much as might be , to sute his matter thereunto , that so the word of god , and the providence of god , might one adde edge unto the other , and both joyntly become the more effectuall . and for the same reason he did the more approve of funeral sermons , for that at such times the minds of men , especially those more immediately concerned , are thereby rendred the more pensive and serious , and so the more fit to take impression by the word . on the same ground also was he carefull to observe the advantages of sicknesse , or any other considerable afflictions , because his admonitions and christian aavice , were like to be at such a time the more effectuall , when god had as it were softned their heart , and opened their ear to hear . he was also carefull by catechizing , both in publique , and at his own house , to instruct in the principles of religion , not only the children and youth , but even those that were more aged , in case he discerned them ignorant , and such as stood in need thereof ; and yet not so as might expose them to scorn and reproach , but so as might most conduce to their edfication in the knowledge and fear of the lord. to which end he had prevailed with those of his parish , at lest the farre greater number of them , and those the most considerable persons to concurre with him in it ; by sending their children and servants constantly to be catechized on the lords day before the afternoon-sermon ( some of whom he catechized publiquely in the congregation , and others more privately in his own house , either by himself or his assistant , ) that so that the publique catechizing might neither be too tedious , nor intrench upon the time allotted for other exercises , as praying , reading , expounding , preaching , &c. nor yet the examination of others for want of time , be wholly omitted ; as also by their own endeavours at home to help on this work : and likewise to contribute their assistance in perswading others to the same willingnesse . as for those who were more eminent , but yet needed instruction , he laboured both by his own perswasion , and the perswasion of others , to work in them a willingnesse to repair to him in private at convenient times , that by conferences with them , and friendly discourse in a familiar and gentle manner , he might bring them to such a sufficiency of knowledge , as was necessary for their own salvation . and the better to perswade people to a willingnesse ▪ thus to receive instruction , he used by way of encouragement , ( especially to those of the meaner sort ) to give bibles to such as could read , and five shillings in money to such as could not , when they attained such a measure of knowledge , as that they were judged fit to partake of the lords supper . and such like rewards and incouragements he used to bestow on others , as he saw occasion ; furnishing them with books and writings , and otherwise encouraging them according as they should manifest their diligence in gaining and improving their knowledge . all which the generation to come , and the children yet unborn , may have cause to blesse god for , when they shall receive the benefits thereof , communicated from their parents to them , while others do as much as in them lies , intail ignorance and atheism upon their posterity . and because he found it difficult to bring those of shallow memories and weak capacities to understand and remember the principles of religion ; discerning , that many who could not distinctly repeat the words , did yet understand the matter , and therefore were not to be despised or discouraged ; and others of firmer memories , who were able to learn the words , did understand little or nothing of the meaning of them . he did therefore study how he might best remedy both those evils ; and to that end , framed several forms of catechisms in divers kinds . at length he pitched on that form , as the most convenient that he could think of , which he published in print , intituled , an endeavour of making the principles of christian religion plain and easie , of which so many thousands have been printed of late years , and entertained with great approbation . his method therein is this ; the answers which make up the main body of the catechism , are so many distinct aphorisms , or entire propositions in themselves , without dependance on the questions to make the sense entire , containing in themselves a brief module of divinity : and to that purpose so much of the question is still repeated in the answer , as is necessary to make the sense perfect . hereby the learner is freed from a double inconvenience : the one is , that where the sense of an answer is imperfect , he is forced to charge his memory with learning the question also , or else to make use either of this book or anothers help to ask the question , that so that answer which he hath learned may be perfect sense . the other is , that aptnesse in the learner to misapply the answer to a wrong question , when he learns only the predicate of the proposition without the subject . both which inconveniences are in this way in a great measure prevented . another thing mainly considerable in his method , is , that beside the main questions and the answers thereunto , there are also annexed divers explicatory questions , which require no other answer but yes , or no ; which without any further charging of the learners memory , do direct him to the distinct observing of what is contained in the principal answer , and so to the understanding thereof ; whereas otherwise heedlesse learners are apt ( parot-like ) only to learn the words without at all regarding the meaning of them . the same also will help to direst a weak memory the better to recite the larger answer , if he be first required to give a particular answer to those expository questions ; for he will then have nothing to expresse in the full answer , beside what in the preparatory questions had been suggested to him . as for example ; quest. in what condition was man created by god at the first ? was he made miserable ? ( no ) or very happy ? ( yes ) in the image of god ? ( yes ) in what condition then was man created by god at first ? answ. man was created at the first in a very happy condition , in the image of god. and in the same method he intended to digest the lesser catechism , composed by the assembly of divines at westminster , ( and authorized for publique use ) if god had afforded him life to have seen that catechism perfected , to the compiling whereof he had contributed no small assistance ; which therefore since his death hath been performed , by one that was intimate with him , and fully acquainted with his resolutions in that particular . as he was carefull thus to instruct his flock , so was he also vigilant to prevent disorders and misdemeanours amongst them in point of practice , wherein he was not contented to use his own personal endeavours , but did also ingage his parishioners to contribute their best assistance thereunto ; whereunto they did oblige themselves in divers excellent resolutions and agreements , concluded by common consent amongst them , and subscribed by their hands , viz. for the preventing and punishing of drunkennesse and tippling , of prophaning the lords day , and of other prophane , or disorderly demeanours during the exercise of divine worship , by sleeping , talking , playing , &c. as likewise of stealing , and pilfering , of prophane swearing and cursing , of rayling , slandering , whoredome , fighting and quarrelling , disobedience to parents and governours , and of other misdemeanours in whom soever . in the religious ordering of his own family , he was extraordinary vigilant and painfull , that it might be , so much as in him lay , a garden without weeds ; and that those which were under his roof , might either not perish , or at least not through his default . indeed his house was a school of religion , such as there are very few to be found ; insomuch that it was counted a great happinesse to live under his roof , under the constant enjoyment of so much means for the souls good . it was his great care to entertain none in his family , but such as were either truly godly , or at least willing to be instructed and educated in the waies of god , and who would be ready and willing to attend the exercises of gods worship , both publiquely and privately , and to avoid all scandalous conversation . it was his constant practice twice every day to pray with his family , not allowing any to be absent ; at which times he read to them some portion both of the old and new testament . he was carefull also to catechize his family twice every week , and likewise on friday and saturday to require an account from them of the sermons preached the lords day before , which he then repeated to them . having also while he was at ashwel , the sonnes of divers considerable persons of the nobility and gentry , sojourning in his house , for their better education in religion and learning , ( he maintaining in his house an assistant as a schoolmaster to teach them ) he required of them the like account in catechizing and repetitions as of his own servants . he had also daily after dinner and supper , a chapter read by one of those gentlemen in course , and he whose turn was to read , was required also , after he had read , to repeat the substance out of his memory , which ( by constant custom ) they had attained an ability to perform very exactly ; after which , himself used to go over the same briefly , by way of exposition , of what appeared difficult , and noting such observations as were most obvious from the most remarkable passages therein . beside this , he required his servants , after every meal , to have some portion of scripture read amongst them , or some other religious treatise concerning the fundamentals of religion , if not both . but especially he was carefull that all his family should sanctifie the sabbath-day . and therefore would not suffer them to be imployed late the night before about their ordinary employments , but caused them to conclude sooner then on other daies , that they might not be indisposed for the duties of the day following . and on the sabbath-day it self , he was carefull that they should not spend any part of it idly or vainly , no not in any unnecessary preparations of diet or the like , but only of such and so much as was necessary for their comfortable refreshment that day ; but would have them spend the whole day , as much as might be , in the exercises of some of gods ordinances publique or private , insomuch that if he had known of any dish that had kept any of his servants from attending on any of gods ordinances , he would not at all eat of it . and for better sanctifying of that day , he was carefull not only to perform private duties in his family , as prayer , reading , singing of psalms , &c. but also when he went to the publique ordinances , he would call all his family together to go along with him , that so they might be present at the whole service of god. and in the evening of the day , he required of all his servants , and the young gentlemen that sojourned with him , an account of such portions of scripture as had been read in publique ; and as they recited particular passages thereof , he gave brief expositions of them , and observations from them : pressing them to meditate in private of what they read in publique . beside this great care of his family joyntly , he was also frequent in giving them personall counsell and direction in the waies of god , exhorting them also to a daily constancy in the performance of secret duties between god and their own soul ; so that scarce any family enjoyed the like measure of helps and encouragements in the waies of holinesse . his exact walking in his own secret devotion , was also exceedingly remarkable . he was a man much in communion with god. twice every day he was in secret a suiter at the throne of grace , and oftener , as any particular occasion was offered . he would very seldome enter upon any businesse , either by himself , or with others , without first seeking of god. he did often set daies apart to humble himself in secret by fasting and prayer , according as either publique or particular occasions did seem to call for it ; as also in solemn thanksgivings , for mercies received , whether publique or private . he was a great admirer of the holy scriptures , and much conversant in them . beside what he had read and heard read in his family , he did every day by himself read some part both of the old and new testament , and constantly write short meditations and observations of what he so read , whereof he hath left behind him many hundred sheets written in characters . he was so throughly acquainted with it , that it was not easie to name a chapter or verse , but he would presently tell the contents of it ; nor to name any sentence of scripture , but he could presently tell in what chapter or verse it was to be found ; yea scarce any particular case could fall out in practice , but that he would be able to shew what particular directions the word of god afforded for it . he was also a great observer of providence , and took special notice how the providences of god , and the word of god did constantly agree together . and from hence was able to give very near conjectures , if not evident predictions in many cases , what god was about to do , and what good or evil events were likely to come to passe ; by comparing present actions with such precedents as he had before observed , in the providences and word of god in like cases . and as he was very carefull to order all his actions according to his constant rule , of being subservient to the glory of god , and the good of souls , so that even his journeys , visits , discourses , and familiar converses with any , were not undertaken without a special eye hereunto ; so did he also keep an exact account of what had passed ; every night before his going to rest , setting down in writing ( in his usuall character , ) the passages of that day , what actions or discourses he had been employed in , what successes or disappointments , what mercies or crosses he met withall , and what failings he observed in himself : all which he surveyed again at the end of every week , writing down the chief passages of that week , and so from moneth to moneth , and year to year . by means whereof he was throughly acquainted with his own spiritual condition , and did maintain a constant exactnesse , and even walking with god ; which being so uniform , might perhaps by some be the lesse observed . like as the sunnes constant brightnesse , produceth lesse admiration , then some blazing starre that appeareth but for a while ; men usually more admiring things rare then excellent . in the year . he was by the university of cambridge made one of the university-preachers ( having proceeded batchelor of divinity about two years before ; ) a matter of honour and repute , rather then of profit or employment . yet also a matter of some advantage in some cases , ( as times then went ) being in the nature of a general license , whereby he was authorized to preach , as he should have occasion , in any part of england . at the beginning of the parliament , he with doctor tuckny were chosen clarks of the convocation for the diocesse of lincoln ; wherein he might have been of good use , in case it had been thought fit to have kept up that kind of assembly , to have acted in concurrence with the parliament as in former times . in the year . he was by authority of parliament called to be a member of the assembly of divines at westminster . and after some time he was chosen one of the assessors , appointed to assist the prolocutor in case of absence or in infirmity . he was in that assembly an eminent and very usefull member , exceeding diligent and industrious , being very rarely absent , and that not but upon urget unavoidable occasions . for , as he accounted it an honour to be employed by god in so publique a service for the good of his church : so he did conscientiously attend upon that service , prefering it before all other more particular employments , which though in themselves excellent , yet ought , in his judgment , to give way to this . and he was exceeding well fitted for this employment , having a clear and ready apprehension , and firm and vast memory , a solid and steady judgement , and a good ability freely to expresse himself . in matters of deliberation , he manifested much integrity and christian wisdome . in matters of debate , whether about doctrine or discipline , he discovered a great sagacity in searching out the true sense of scripture , a clear judgment and strength of reason , as well in the accurate stating of questions for debate , as in confirming the truth , and dissolving objections against it ; in all , a great measure of zeal , piety , and prudence . all which procured him much reverence and esteem from the rest of his brethren , who judged his presence and assistance a very great help and advantage in that difficult work , and bewailed his death as an unspeakable losse . his judgment was known to be for the presbyterian government ; the principles whereof he did throughly understand , and was well able to defend , and was a very great instrument for the promoting of it . yet in two things he was at first much unsatisfied , but by the debates of the assembly , did professe himself to receive satisfaction in both . one was concerning the divine-right of ruling elders , wherein he afterwards professed himself to be fully convinced , principally by the authority of those two places , cor. . . ( where government is attributed to a distinct rank of officers inferiour to teachers , ) and tim. . . which implyeth , that there are other elders which rule well , beside those that labour in the word and doctrine . the other was , whether there ought not to be continued in the church , an office superiour to that of presbyters . for although he did not approve of the hierarchical government , as it was of late established and practised amongst us : yet since it is confessed that timothy and titus as evangelists did exercise an authority , superiour to that of ordinary presbyters , the object of which authority seemed to be of perpetual continuance in the church , it seemed probable to him , that the office also of an evangelist was no extraordinary office , but ought to be continued in the church . but hereunto he received satisfaction , principally from hence , that in case the holy ghost had intended the continuance of that office , he would withall have described the work and qualification of persons fit for it , and taken some course for continuing the succession thereof , as is done in that of elders and deacons . but this being wholly omitted , there being no more extant in that kind , then concerning the apostolical office , the power of working miracles , &c. we are rather to esteem that office as well as these to be extraordinary , and but of a temporary continuance , expiring with the persons . being thus called to attend the assembly at westminster , he was forced to intermit his ordinary residence at ashwel ; being able only to exercise such a care of them as might be performed at a distance , and by making occasionall journeys thither , as he could obtain opportunities so to do . but the ordinary exercise of the ministerial work there , together with the profits of the place , he put over to a godly and able divine to be performed in his absence ; reserving notwithstanding his title to the place , not knowing how soon god might afford him opportunity of returning to them again . but , unwilling to intermit the exercise of his ministerial function , he did at first preach occasionally ( as he was requested , ) in divers churches in and about london , resolving notwithstanding within himself , to accept of the first invitation for the constant exercise thereof . and accordingly being soon after requested by the inhabitants of dukes-place in london , ( who were then destitute of a minister ) to preach amongst them , he did ( notwithstanding their inability to raise any considerable maintenance , which might invite him ) willingly accept of that employment . this work he performed amongst them with much faithfulnesse and diligence , as well by publique reading , praying and preaching amongst them twice every lords day , and at other times as there was occasion ; as also by administring the sacraments , publique catechizing , and exposition of such portions of scripture as were read amongst them . and likewise ( as his custom had been elsewhere ) by more private acquaintance and converse with them in their families , whereby he might be the better able to afford personall directions , and other ministeriall helps to them , as their severall conditions might require . all which was performed with so much meeknesse , wisdom and piety , and accompanied with such a blessing from god , as that it made a very great impression on them for their good , and was entertained by them with much approbation and affection , they being ambitious who should enjoy most of his heavenly communion and converse with him . hereby in a short time he did much good , informing such as were weak in knowledge , setling and confirming such as were wavering in judgement , and stirring up in all , both by his heavenly conversation and christian counsell , a greater zeal and affection to the power of godlinesse . by reason of all which , during the time of his abode amongst them , they were much preserved both from errours and divisions , whereunto the great unsetlednesse of the times did much expose them . afterwards , when the new church at westminster was perfected and made fit for use , the inhabitants there , and others concerned therein , did sollicite him to undergo the charge of that great people ; with profer of far larger maintenance then he received or could expect from those of dukes-place , where the inhabitants were neither many , nor of great estates . but this consideration did not at all prevail with him , who regarded the work more then the wages . for although he doubted not but that both religion and reason did require a comfortable and honourable maintenance , for those that laboured in the work of the ministry , yet for his own part he was willing to deny himself in that particular , if so doing might ought advance the service of god. and so much the rather , because being a batchelour , and intending so to continue , nor at all addicted to pompous vanities or excesse , either in diet or apparell ( in both of which he was exceedingly moderate ) he had the lesse need of being sollicitous in getting riches ; being indeed much more sollicitous , how ( like a faithfull steward , ) to dispose and order what he had , as might be most for gods honour and service , then how to encrease it . yet his removall being much pressed upon grounds of another nature , he did at length , with the approbation of those concerned on both parts , refer the whole businesse to be considered and concluded by divers of the most eminent of his reverend and godly brethren of the assemby , whom he did frequently desire that they would wholly lay aside the consideration of maintenance , and deliver their judgements , what in other considerations they judged to be most agreeable to gods will and his duty . hereupon , they to whom the matter was referred , meeting severall times about it , and hearing at large what could on either side be alledged either for his stay or removall ; after mature deliberation had , and seeking of gods direction , agreed in this opinion ; that setting aside the consideration of maintenance , yet in regard of the eminency of the place , the greatnesse of the auditory , the many persons of quality residing there , and the great need of instruction to those of an inferiour rank , many of whom were extreamly ignorant , ( by reason that amongst such a great multitude of people , there had in former times been so great a scarcity of preaching ) together with divers other reasons of the like nature , which did more then countervail what could be alledged on the other hand , his obligations also to those of dukes-place not being absolute ; they judged it most fit that he should leave dukes-place , and undertake that charge at westminster . to this their resolution he consented , yet with his proviso , that those of dukes-place should be first provided of an able faithfull pastor to succeed him , being utterly unwilling to leave them destitute . and accordingly , having prevailed with master thomas young , ( since doctor in divinity , and master of jesus colledge in cambridge ) to succeed him there , ( who was also an eminent member of the assembly of divines , a man of great learning , of much prudence and piety , and of great ability and fidelity in the work of the ministry ) he took his leave of them : commending them to the grace of god , and the pious care of his successor , taking on him the charge of those belonging to the new church in westminster , and was the first pastor of that church . he was here also eminently faithfull and laborious in the work of the ministry , in publique praying , reading , expounding , preaching , administring the sacraments , and catechizing , with brief and clear expositions and confirmations of the principles of religion , as had been his usual custom in other places . beside which he was also one of the seven , that by appointment of parliament did carry on that daily morning lecture at the abby-church ; insomuch that it seems almost a miracle , that so weak a body as his should possibly be able to do so much as constantly he performed , continuing oft-times to speak in publique for the space of six or eight hours on a sabbath day , beside much time spent in more private exercises of prayer , repetitions , &c. in the family ; yet when his friends have perswaded him to favour himself , judging so much pains to be more then his body could endure ; his answer hath been , that his strength would spend of it self , though he did nothing ; and it could not be better spent then in gods service . yea so far was he from favouring himself in this kind , that it was a rule with him which he constantly observed , never to favour himself by declining any ministerial exercise which he was requested to perform , whether in publique or private , if he were possibly able to perform it . neither did he here neglect , what had been his constant practice elsewhere , to afford private assistance to those of his flock and others , as he had opportunity . but what time he could gain from the more publique affairs of the assembly , he spent for the most part in such duties , not willing to lose an hour which could be imployed in doing good . and to this end , beside that free accesse that persons of all ranks might have unto him , as they had occasion , he spent much time in visiting them at their own families , to communicate some spiritual good to them , as directions , consolations , and encouragements in the waies of godlinesse , which made his company both very profitable and much desired . hereby , besides others , very many considerable families of the nobility and gentry , ( whose practice commonly hath a great influence on others ) were much quickned and encouraged in the visible practice of godlinesse , and the power of religion , which thereby was much improved ; and very many of them are ready upon all occasions , to professe that it was their great happinesse to be acquainted with him , and bewail the want of it as a great losse . and he was hereunto the more fitted , for that he was naturally of a loving and friendly disposition , of a courteous and affable carriage , even towards inferiours , and those of mean rank , especially if he discovered in them signes of grace , which he did honour and encourage wherever he met with it . hereby he gained much love and and affection from those with whom he had to do , by reason whereof his counsel and advice became so much the more effectual . to which we may adde also his birth and education , and his frequent conversing with persons of quality to whom he was related and allied , by reason whereof he was well qualified with such accomplishments as might render his company acceptable , as knowing well how to give due respect to all , according as their places and conditions did require , and yet to preserve the honour and reverence of his ministerial authority , which by the gravity , sobriety , and holinesse of his conversation was much secured . in that great ordinance of the lords supper , which in these broken and distracted times hath been in many places wholly laid aside , and in many more too much neglected ; he took much care and pains how to manage that great businesse , so as might be neither displeasing to god , ●o justly offensive to good men . the difficulty herein hath been , not concerning the manner of administration , which hath afforded lesse matter of contest , but concerning the persons that might be judged fit to be admitted thereunto ; which to many men hath been attended with so much perplexity , that they have apprehended a necessity of a totall intermission , and almost an impossibility of administring it in any tolerable manner ; while on the one hand they durst not promiscuously admit all , ( by reason of the great ignorance of many , and the prophanenesse or loosenesse of others ; ) and yet on the other hand saw not how they might be able , ( for want of authority ) to debar any : waiting still for the setling of a government in the church , whereby this great difficulty might in some measure be removed : till at length , through the long intermission of this ordinance , those that are prophane and carnal begin to slight and scorn it , and those of better principles do too much abate in their affections to it . and that remedy , which though late , began at length to be applyed , in beginning to establish the presbyterian government , hath been yet so much defective in want of power , and so much exposed to scorn and reproach , which men of prophane or turbulent spirits cast upon it , either from principles of prophanenesse , or of seperation , or from some other bitter root which renders men unwilling to have their lusts , errours , unlawfull liberties , or licentious courses in any kind whatsoever to be checked or contradicted ; that the matter is now almost grown desperate , unlesse god will be pleased in special favour , to afford some unexpected remedy . herein this holy man did manifest a great measure of singular prudence and piety , wisely avoiding both rocks ; neither totally omitting the celebration of the sacrament , nor yet promiscuously admitting all unto it , but those only of whose sufficient knowledge he was assured , and whose lives , so far as he could discern , were unblamable and free from scandal . and this he did , not only of late years , but even formerly , from his first undertaking a pastoral charge ; at what time it may well be supposed , to have been a thing both of greater difficulty and danger , then of late years , to keep off unworthy receivers from prophaneing that holy ordinance . in order hereunto , his first work was to abate , as much as might be , the number of ignorant people , by perswading them to be willing to receive instruction , which with much care and diligence he was ready to afford unto them , in such waies as is before expressed : which though a difficult work , was yet carried on with so great successe , through gods blessing on his endeavours , that in his parish of ashwel , where was no small number of people , he had in a short time brought them to so great a measure of knowledge , that there was either none or very few , either old or young , who were not able to give a good account of the principles of religion . when he had once prevailed with them to be so far sensible of their own ignorance , as to be willing and desirous to learn , it wa● then no hard matter to perswade such of their own accord to forbear a while , till they had attained so much knowledge as that they might come with comfort ; which would be so much the sooner , according as they were more diligent in labouring to attain knowledge . when they had attained a competent measure of knowledge , if their lives were answerable , and not obnoxious to just exception ; or at least , they willing to redresse what was amisse , and ready to follow such good advice and directions , as were given them for the ordering their conversations aright towards god and man ; there was then no reason why they should be longer debarred , but rather such good beginnings cherished and encouraged , yet with cautions frequently inculcated to beware of hypocrisie and formality , and not to rest in these beginnings , but to presse forward to perfection . but in case they did either obstinately refuse instruction , or notwithstanding their knowledge , were scandalous and incorrigible , or such as in point of conversation he could not judge fit to be admitted to that ordinance : then probably they would either be found such as were obnoxious to such scandals as might endanger a more publique prosecution , and so curst not be refractory ; or else by the conviction of their own consciences , when the danger of unworthy receiving should be laid open to them ; or by friendly perswasions from himself or others : or by the reverence and awe of his holy and grave carriage , and ministerial authority , backed with the concurrence of others amongst them , eminent for worth and piety ; or for fear of being shamed in case they should be openly reproved or refused in the face of the congregation , or upon some other the like consideration , would be perswaded to forbear in case he judged them as yet unfit to be admitted to that ordinance . so that scarce any whom he judged utterly unfit , have ever peremptorily pressed upon him to partake of it . and by these means , even in times of greatest danger , was he able to avoid the mixture of prophane and unworthy persons at the lords table . hereunto his naturally courteous and affable disposition did much conduce , whereby he could with the more ease , gain accesse , both to the persons and affections of all sorts of people : together with an excellent mixture of meeknesse and courage , which being managed with singular prudence , and indefatigable industry , enabled him happily to carry on that difficult work , which might otherwise seem almost insuperable . and by the same courteous and prudent carriage , he obtained a like interest in the affections of his people both at dukes-place and westminster : insomuch as those who were fit to be admitted to that sacrament , were either otherwise sufficiently known to him , by his conversing with them , or else would willingly upon that occasion approve themselves to him , both in point of knowledge and conversation ; and others who were unfit , nor cared to attain a fitnesse for it , would rather of their own accord forbear , then venture the hazard of being refused ; by means whereof , himself and some hundrds of godly persons who did communicate with him , could with great comfort joyn in that holy communion and fellowship . on the of april , in the year . he was constituted master of queens colledge in cambridge by the earl of manchester , then employed by ordinance of parliament , for th● reforming of that university . he had a great influence upon the general reformation of that university , and by his advice and counsell did very much help forward that work , exciting also , and encouraging others therein , notwithstanding the difficulties in the way that were represented as almost invincible ▪ and did improve all that interest which he had , both in that noble and religious earl of manchester , and in the assembly of divines ( who were to give their approbation to all such as should be put into the places of such as were ejected in that university , whether masters or fellows , ) that all possible care and circumspection might be used , that such only as were both learned and religious , might be commended to , or approved for those places , lest , in stead of those that were cast out , others as bad as they should succeed them , as well in their vices as their places . but more especially in reference to that place , to the government whereof he was designed ( whereof also he had formerly been a fellow ) it cannot easily be believed how exceeding circumspect he was , how cautious and wary in the choice of those who ( as fellows ) were to joyn with him in the government , that they might be learned , pious , and unanimous . the happy effect of which care , in so quiet and peaceable establishment of that society , as could not easily be expected in so troublesome a time , was , to the great astonishment and amazement of all , even of those that hated them ; and hath had a very great influence upon that happy and flourishing condition thereof ever since . what his aime was in that place , did continually appear by his constant expressions and prayers , which sounded of nothing more then the advancement of religion and learning : and he was as true to those expressions in his continued endeavours and actings . his first and main care was , the advancement of religion and practical piety ; knowing that where this took place , a conscionable improvement of time , in other things could not well be wanting . this made him extraordinary sollicitous for the constant presence of the whole society at the publique worship of god ; which he did carefully look to , when he was present amongst them , and was usually one of the last things he gave in charge to all the students , when his more publique employments at the assembly called him away , and whereof he was very inquisitive in his absence . he took care also for the constant instruction , not only of the young scholars , but likewise of all the colledge-servants in the principles of religion . the exercises of common-places or sermons in the chappel , which had formerly been in use , only in term-time , he caused to be continued weekly all the year . besides which , when he was present in the colledge , he did frequently himself , either preach or expound scripture to them . he also took special notice of the several conversations of the particular persons in the colledge , as well by his own inspection and observation while he was present , as by faithfull informations in his absence ; and was frequent in giving them personall counsell and direction in private . consonant hereunto was also the care of the particular fellows , who beside the instruction of their pupils in learning , caused them to come to their chambers to prayers every night , and to repetition of sermons on the lords day . by all which the practice of religion was much promoted . his next care was for the advancement of learning , which he endeavoured to promote by his frequent exhortations and encouraging all to diligence in their studies , and conscionable improving their time and opportunities ; as also by requiring the constant performance of publique exercises by persons of all ranks ; and exciting the fellows to a diligent inspection , as well joyntly over the colledge in general , as severally over their own pupils in particular for the same ends . on the same ground also he took care to have the colledge-library furnished with good authors ▪ giving considerable summes of money for that end , and perswading others also to do the like ; and some dues payable to the colledge , which formerly used to be employed in feasting , were by his means converted to a better use , in buying of such books , which might feed the minds , both of the present society , and those that shall succeed . he bestowed also a considerable part of his profits there , upon the yearly maintenance of poor scholars , and at his death he gave a considerable summe of money for the same purpose , to be disposed of by the present society to such as stood in need . indeed his resolution was , that so long as he was hindered from residing constantly amongst them , by reason of his attending on the assembly at westminster , he would not be a gainer by the place ; but whatsoever profits he received more then would defray the charges of journeys and other expences occasioned by it , he would bestow some way or other for the good of the colledge . in elections to places of preferment in the colledge , he was exceedingly carefull that they might be bestowed on those that were most deserving : and to that end , he did , with the unanimous consent of the fellows , make a decree , that in all future elections , none should be admitted to a scholarship or fellowship in the colledge , till they did first approve themselves for learning by a publique triall or examination , for two or three daies successively in the audience of the whole colledge , which hath already produced very good effects for the improvement of learning in that colledge , and more are like to ensue . in case any sollicited him for preferment of their friends , his constant answer was , that if they were found to deserve it better then others , they should have it ; but if otherwise , they must expect to go without it ; and his actings were so exactly consonant hereunto ; as indeed in all things his resolutions , words and actions were so exactly consonant , and kept so perfect harmony as is seldom seen : whereas in many , their words are more then their intentions , and their actions lesse then their words . in his converse with the fellows , it was his great care to preserve unanimity , that as well elections as all other affairs of the colledge , should be carried on by a universal consent ; so that if in the proposal of any thing , there were any dissent , his usual manner was to defer the determination of it , till every one should see reason sufficient to concur with the rest ; and was himself as ready to hearken to any argument produced , though contrary to his present sense , which he would either fully answer or yield to it : so that scarce any thing was over-ruled meerly by plurality of suffrages , but all with universal consent ; and nothing more ordinary , then for all differences to be quite reasoned down . in his absence from them , his mind was still present with them ; being more throughly acquainted with all the affairs of the colledge , and more carefull of them , then most heads of houses are when they are present . for by reason of that sweet harmony and agreement betwixt himself and the fellows , he had constantly faithfull intelligence of all affairs , and did communicate his counsel and advice therein ; making the good of the colledge , ( as he was wont to call it ) his magna cura , by reason whereof that colledge hath flourished in a very eminent manner : and i may safely say , without prejudice to any ; that scarce any society in either university , since the late reformation , both for the general improvement of religion and learning , and the unanimous harmony amongst themselves , have been comparable hereunto ; yea so great was that unanimity and reciprocal affection , between him and the society , that scarce ever any head of a society was taken from them with more general sorrow . beside what hath been already said , much more might be added , concerning the worth of this eminent servant of god ; much of which hath been already penned by himself in that small tractate , of making religion ones businesse , together with the appendix , applied to the calling of a minister , ( which with other small tracts are printed together with this title , memorials of godlinesse and christianity . ) wherein you may read a true character of his thoughts , as well as his actions , of which i shall only adde this ; that his constant practice was so exactly consonant to the strict principles , that are there expressed , as can hardly be believed by those that have not seen it . he was a man indeed of a very publique spirit , and wholly laid himself out for god : and therefore , though he were ready to deny himself and condescend freely , where his own interest was only concerned ; yet was he zealous and tenacious in things that concerned gods glory , reserving his heat to encounter sin . hence was it , that notwithstanding his natural meeknesse , he acted in the things of god with much courage and resolution ; as in those free and resolute expressions of himself ( yet with humilty , meeknesse , and sobriety ) in preaching at the cathedral church at canterbury , in presence of the dean and prebends , wherein he spared not to set before them such things as were notoriously amisse , ( yet for the most part expressing in latine what did chiefly concern them , that they might take notice of it , not the people ; ) which , though it procured him some trouble and opposition , yet he did not for that abate of his courage and resolution . in like manner , when he was to preach at the bishop of lincolns visitation at hitchin , he went thither with a resolution to speak fully and freely against the corrupt innovations then in practice , whatever might be the issue ; and did accordingly perform it , though he were sensible of the great danger of so doing . the like resolution he manifested in the question about the sabbath , when opposition was made against the perpetuity thereof , and the morality of the fourth commandement , a matter wherewith his heart was deeply affected , as being an high affront to the majesty and authority of god ; the thoughts whereof seemed to be continually in his mind , as was evident by his prayers , discourses , counsels and endeavours ; and particularly by that elaborate discourse , which he , in conjunction with that judicious , learned , and pious divine master daniel cawdrey , published to the world , entituled vindiciae sabbathi ; ( the latter parts whereof were long ago fitted for the presse , and want but invitations of publishing , which might encourage the stationer to undertake the charge . ) and therefore when reading the book for sports on the lords day , bowing to the altar , reading the service-book there , &c. were urged , he was most resolute against them , resolving rather to lose all , and suffer any thing then to comply therein , and with that resolution went to the arch-bishops visitation at welling held by sir john lambe , where yet he found , beyond expectation , rather a connivance at him , then an enforcement thereof . and the like he did concerning the convocation-oath in the new book of canons , in the year . which he vigorously opposed , and took a great deal of pains in evincing the unlawfullnesse thereof . it is well known also what freedom and faithfullnesse he hath used in reference to the publique affairs , as well in his ordinary sermons at the new church , the abby , and margarets in westminster , ( to which places the greatest number of parliament men did usually resort , ) as in those by special order preached to one or both houses of parliament , ( some of which are to be seen in print ) where he spared not to declare fully and plainly what god expected from them , and freely to reprove what was amisse . for ( as he was wont to say ) he did not in that place preach before them , ( ut coram judice ) but to them ( authoritativè ) as by commission from god , and how much soever they might be superiour to him in other regards , yet he was in that place superiour to them , as acting in gods name ; and therefore would not be afraid to speak whatever was the will of god that he should tell them , notwithstanding any displeasure or danger which might by this means befall him for so doing . and upon this consideration , we may look upon it as a wise providence of god , so seasonably to take him away a little before those great transactions about the change of government ; which were so directly contrary to his deliberate and setled judgment , that he would certainly have thought it his duty to speak much more then others would endure to hear . for although his judgment was clear for the lawfullnesse of defensive arms ( which was the parliaments case , as it was first stated ) as doth fully appear in that treatise , entituled , scripture and reason pleaded for defensive arms ( wherein himself of all others had the greatest hand : ) yet was as peremptory against offensive arms , or attempting the kings life , whose person he judged sacred and inviolable , and hath oft expressed himself to that purpose , that in case this should ever come to be the question ( which he hoped he should never see ) he thought himself bound in conscience by speaking , preaching , and otherwise , to oppose it to the utmost of his power , whatever danger he might incurre by so doing ; which zeal of his , though at that time he were like to have prevailed very little with men otherwise resolved , yet it might have proved an occasion of much hurt to himself , and therefore god in wisdom and mercy thought good to excuse him that piece of service . he was in his conversation a man of much temperance and sobriety ; in his diet he abstained from strong drink altogether ; wine he drank very sparingly , so far forth only as the necessities of nature did require , and did usually content himself to eat but of one dish at a meal , and that none of the daintiest , even when he had more before him . in his apparell he did neither affect to be gay nor costly , but decent , nor to spend time in needlesse curiosity in dressing . as for recreations , he scarce used any , but in stead thereof refreshed himself with the christian converse of friends ; accounting time so precious , that he would redeem it not only from sports , but from sleep also so far as the necessities of nature would permit . he was neither wastfull nor covetous , but very liberall ; doing many acts of charity ( beside what hath been mentioned before ) to such as stood in need ; bestowing plenteous relief , according as he was able , both by his own hands and the hands of others , so that those who received it knew not oft-times whence it came . and when that eminent work of charity was on foot in cambridge , while he was fellow of queens colledge , whereby divers young scholars , who were forced by reason of the wars to fly out of germany , especially of the palatinate , were sent for hither and educated partly in the university , and partly under able and godly divines in the countrey , whereby they might be fitted to do god and their countrey service ( when god should give them opportunity to return ) having here been educated in the knowledge of our language , and the way of practical preaching , which hath been no where more eminent then in england , ( which work succeeded beyond expectation ) he was one of the great actors therein , and did contribute liberally thereunto . the like assistance also he afforded to divers hungarians , transilvanians and other strangers , who came over into england for the same reason . the time of his sicknesse was not long ; for having spent much of his natural strength in his constant labours in the service of god , there was the lesse work for sicknesse to do ; his deportment therein was holy and heavenly ; his humility , faith , patience , and submission to gods will , eminently appearing from time to time , and his discourse full of heavenly expressions till the time of his death . not long before his death , when one had read to him the chapter of isaiah , ( having then some little hopes of his recovery ) and ready to go to prayer , he desired him to stay a while that he might pray first , which he did briefly , ( as his weaknesse would permit ) but very fully , both for himself , the kingdom , the church of god , and all to whom he stood in any relation ; the heads whereof were soon after written as near as might be in his own words , so far as the memory of those that were then present could call them to mind . first blessing god for his goodnesse the night past . blessed be god that hath been so good to us this night . then praying in behalf of himself . great god , heal the sinfulness of my nature . pardon all my transgressions . take from me a heart of unbelief , that i may not depart from thee the living god. deliver me from tentation . accept of jesus christ for me . teach me to improve all providences . to live upon the promises . let christ be my life . o lord , let me never shrink from thee . for the good of the publique . lord turn the heart of this nation , and all our hearts . turn the heart of the king. sanctifie the parliament and make them faithfull . blesse the assembly , and make them faithful and upright with thee . let not the army do unworthily , but what thou would have them to do . blesse all the ministers . for other nations . lord do good to scotland , and the churches in france . blesse new-england and forrain plantations . for the places to which he was related . lord provide a faithfull man for queens-colledge . a faithfull man for this place ( new-church in westminster . ) a faithfull pastor for those in the countrey . for friends and those about him . lord , remember all those that have shewed kindnesse to me , and have taken pains with me , and recompence them . thou hast promised that he which giveth a cup of water in the name of a disciple , and he that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet , shall have a prophets reward afterwards ( having forgotten to crave a blessing upon somewhat given him to take , he prayed , lord , pardon my neglect and forgetfulnesse of thee ; and deliver from tentation , and the evil of tentation . thou art holy if thou shouldst forsake us ; our fathers trusted in thee and were delivered . lord glorifie thy name in my poor spirit , and let none of thy people ever see me shrink from thee for jesus christ his sake . being spoken to , to cast the burden of his sicknesse and pain upon god , he answered , i should do very unworthily , if when i have preached to others , that they should cast their burdens upon god , i should not do so my self . in these and many other the like christian expressions , he did manifest the same savour of holinesse even to the time of his death , which had been constantly discovered in the time of his life . he departed this life , anno christi . and of his age . having served god faithfully and painfully in his generation , being a very great instrument of much good , and an excellent pattern for imitation . his body lieth interred in the new-church at westminster , and his memory yet liveth in the minds of those that knew him . the life of gaspar colinius great admirall of france . gasppar colinius or coligni , was descended of a very ancient and honourable family ; his predecessors had kingly priviledges in their own country ; as the power of life and death , of coining money , imposing taxes and tributes , &c. his father was gaspar de colonia or colinius , who lived under king francis the first ; and had to wife ludovica monmorancy , the sister of annas monmorancy , great constable of france . when in the year . the admirall bonivet had taken fontaraby in the confines of spain , as soon as he was returned into france , the spaniards came and besieged it with a great army : the siege lasted twelve moneths , whereby the inhabitants suffered much extremity by reason of famine . king francis hearing of it , commanded this gaspar to raise an army , and relieve fontaraby , which army he presently levied ; but in his march he fell sick , and died at ax , august . anno christi , leaving three sons behind him , odet , gaspar and francis. ludovica his widow , was made one of the ladies of honour to the queen of france , and was very carefull of the education of her sons , and lived a most chaste and vertuous life all the remainder of her daies , dying in paris , anno christi . pope clement the seventh , seeking to increase his authority in france , made the elder brother [ odet ] a cardinall , knowing that by reason of the eminency of his family , he might be very usefull to him . by which means the inheritance fell to this our gaspar , the second brother , who was born feb. . anno christi . whose ingenuity and towardlinesse appearing in his childhood , his mother was very carefull of his education ; and for his instruction in learning , she made choice of nicholas beraldus to be his schoolmaster , a man famous in those daies in france . she also provided him tutors to instruct him in military arts ; of such as were most skilfull therein . this gaspar being thus furnished both for peace and warre , when he came to the age of twenty four , the dolphin of france , the kings eldest son besieging baion at that time , gaspar went to serve under him , and to put in practice what he had before gotten in the theory : in which service he shewed much alacrity and courage ; and in advancing near to the enemies trenches , he was wounded with a bullet in his throat . the same year also the king having intelligence that his , and the enemies army were ready to joyn battell in insubria , gaspar obtaining leave , hastened thither , and in that battell gave great proof of his valour and prudence ; so that shortly after k. francis dying , and his son henry succeeding to the crown , he advanced him to great honour ; and whereas his uncle annas monmorancy was generall of the horse , he made this gaspar colonel of a regiment of foot : in which office he carried himself so well , that in a little space he gat much repute for his justice , valour and prudence , and thereby became very gratefull to the common people : for whereas the souldiers formerly by their rapines and plunderings used much to oppresse them , this new colonel kept them in awe by military discipline , especially he severely punished them for incontinency , swearing and blasphemy ; and his orders were so generally approved of , that shortly after the king put them amongst his military laws . the same king also advanced him to greater honour , taking a great liking to him , making him one of his own horsemen , which vulgarly are called of the kings order . and whereas contention arose about that time between the king of france , and king henry the eighth of england about the town of bulloine , which a little before upon conditions of peace had been pawned to the english ; the king of france distrusting the english , made this gaspar governour of all that countrey ; who presently going into picardy , whither king henry of france had sent an army to besiege bulloine : he with admirable art and diligence built a castle near to it , which was such a shelter to the french , and did so hinder the sallies of the english , that in a short time they were forced to treat about surrendring of the city . for the finishing of which treaty , the whole businesse was referred by the king of france to our gaspar , and his uncle rupipontius ; which being ended , and the town surrendred , gaspar returned to the king , and was shortly after made the great admirall of france , which amongst the french , is counted the greatest honour in the kingdom , having the command of the sea , and the kings navy . he was also made governour of picardy , and of the isle of france , and captain of a troop of men at arms , and one of the kings councel . anno christi . charles the fifth emperour of germany , and queen mary of england , raised great armies against the king of france , and to resist such potent adversaries , none was thought so fit by the suffrage of all , as our gaspar ; and therefore he was chosen by the king to that place , who presently raising forces hasted to the confines of france , towards the belgick provinces to secure them against the approach of their enemies . at this time france was in great fear , considering the conjunction of such potent adversaries , and the king of france his want both of money and arms to resist them , so that many thought that the ruine of france was approaching . whereupon our admirall perswaded the king to treat of peace ; which counsell was so gratefull both to the king and his nobles , that the charge of it was presently committed to the admirall , which within few daies he effected , to the incredible joy and rejoycing of all the orders of france ; and he was looked upon as an instrument of saving his countrey , especially considering upon what honest , honourable and profitable conditions he had concluded the peace . about this time it fell out that the guises , who were lorrainers by extraction , and pretended a title to sicily and naples , which they said the king of spain had injuriously taken from their ancestors ; perswaed king henry of france , that for divers years they had held correspondency with a great part of the neapolitane nobility , so that if the king would but assist them with some competent forces , they doubted not to make an easie conquest of that kingdom . by this their counsell they violated the peace which was made a little before with spain , and solemnly sworn to on both sides , which was a great grief to our admirall , who sticked not to say that such perjury proved alwaies , as dishonourable , so fatall to kingdoms ; and that god in all ages had been a severe revenger of it : yet the king would not hearken to him , but commanded him to raise forces in his province . this was the first cause of that deadly feud which arose between the guises and him : there were some other smaller causes which further kindled that fire , which for brevity sake i omit . the emperour hearing of these preparations in france , thought to be before hand with them , and therefore raises an army in the low-countries to invade france , which the king being informed of , and knowing that the first storm would fall upon picardy , he presently dispatched away the admirall for the securing of it , and before he he had marched two daies journey , he was informed by his scouts that the spaniards intended to besiege san-quintan in picardy : he also received letters from one captain brullius , that as soon as the citizens of san-quintan heard of the spaniards intention , they were seized with such a pannick fear , that many of them left their houses , and fled into the woods with their wives and children . our admirall hearing these things , dissembled the matter before his souldiers , as well as he could , and shewing much alacrity , by great journeys hastened to san-quintans . whereupon two of his captains [ gernacus and lusarcius ] endeavoured by all means to disswade him from it ; telling him that the city was not fortified , neither provided with food and other necessaries to sustain a siege , and that the enemies would beleaguer it before he could furnish it with such things , and therefore they told him that it was better , and more for his honour , to disturbe the enemy in the open fields , then by shutting himself up within the walls to expose himself to such danger . but he considering of what consequence that place was , and what advantage the getting of it would be to the spaniards , adhered to his first resolutions ; and having by the way adjoyned to himself about two hundred and fourty souldiers , he hastily flies to the city , and sets all hands on work for the fortifying of it . the spaniards being informed hereof , presently begirt the city with a siege , and began to draw their trenches about it , and possessed themselves of the suburbs , whereby by rolling trenches they approached the wals. this our admirall taking notice of , sallied out upon them , and firing the suburbs , drave the enemies further off ; yet when he had throughly viewed the city , and found the weaknesse of it , he began to suspect that he could not long hold out against so potent an adversary . yet considering that gods providence had cast him upon these straits , he resolved rather valiantly to die , then to give the enemy so great an advantage against france , by surrendring that town to them . and therefore he laid out all his care , labour and industry , for the defending of it ; and for the greater incouragement of the citizens and souldiers , he laid his own hands to every work that was to be done . whilst he was thus busily imployed , a messenger brought him word that his brother andelot was gotten safe into the city with about five hundred souldiers ; the remains of a greater army which the king had sent under the constable for the victualling and relieving the city , which army was encountred by a great party of german horse and foot , who in the incounter had routed the french , slain many , and dispersed the rest ; only in the time of the medly andelot with his five hundred men had slipped into the city . as soon as this defeat of the french was known to the souldiers and citizens , they were possessed with so great a fear that the incouragements of the admirall were little regarded . hereupon he calls them all together , makes a speech to them , and shewed them that the safety of their countrey should be preserved before their lives ; and thereupon caused them all to take an oath , that if any one spake about the surrender of the city , he should lose his head for it ; himself also took the same oath . in the mean time the spaniards being elated with their former victory , presse upon the city harder then before ; and for twenty daies together continue their battery against the wals , whereby they beat down a great part of them . the admirall seeing this , and perceiving that they were approaching to give a generall storm , he encouraged his souldiers stoutly to make resistance ; telling them that if they did but withstand the first stroke , the enemy would not be forward to attempt a second . where the greatest breach and danger was , there himself stood armed to resist in the very face of danger : other places he commended to his brother , and his other captains . but whilest he was valiantly fighting in the breach , word was brought him that the enemy was entred in two other places of the city : whereupon taking some of his trustiest friends with him , he ran thitherward to oppose them , but before he came he found that that part of the city was filled with his armed enemies , against whom whilest he opposed himself , he was invironed by his adversaries and taken prisoner , who presently carried him away to antwerp . whilst he was prisoner there , he fell dangerously sick , and lay fourty daies tormented with a fever ; and as soon as he began to recover , he called for a bible , by reading whereof he much eased and refreshed his mind and body ; and by the diligent study thereof he began to embrace the reformed religion , and to have a tast of true piety , and the right manner of calling upon god. not long after he payed his ransome , which was fifty thousand crowns , and so returned home ; and being weary of the factions and affairs at court , and seriously thinking of his change of religion , he gat leave of the king to turn over his regiment of foot to his brother andelot , and his government of the isle of france to his brother-in law , marshall monmorancy ; and shortly after he sent one of his intimate friends to the king , humbly to signifie to him that he intended also to lay down his government of picardy , and therefore desired him to think of one to succeed him therein : the king answered that he wondred at his resolution , and scarce thought him wise to divest himself so suddainly of so many places of honour and profit : and from that time he began generally to be suspected of his change in religion , shewing a minde so free from ambition and desire of rule . monsieur andelot also discovering his resolution in religion , the cardinall of lorraine ( who hated the family of coligni with a deadly hatred , as the greatest enemies to the greatnesse of his family ) watched his opportunity , and suggested to the king , that all men took notice , that many great men of france were infected with the poison of calvinisme , which they scattered amongst the inferiour sort of people , and in particular that monsieur andelot had blabbed out many things to the dishonour of the solemn sacrifice of the masse , &c. the king being incensed hereby , commanded the cardinall of chattillion his brother , and monmorancy his cosen , to send for andelot , and to admonish him to answer modestly to the questions which should be proposed to him . when he came before the king , he professed his great good will towarde him , and spake many things of his great merits , and then told him that he was sorry to hear that which was reported , viz. that he thought ill of religion , and therefore he required him to tell him what he thought of the mass , which the calvinists spake so much against ? andelot being a man of great courage , answered confidently according to the truth ; which the king being offended at , exhorted him to look to himself , and to prevent the danger before it were too late . whereunto andelot with greater courage answered , that he had hitherto shewed himself obedient in all things to his majesty , whom he had found alwaies bountifull to himself and his family , but in the cause of religion , he could neither daub nor dissemble with god ; that his body , wealth and dignity were in the kings power , of which he might dispose as he pleased : but his soul was subject to god only that gave it ; to whom therefore in this cause he must needs be obedient , as to his greater lord. at this the king was so inraged , that snatching up a dish , he therewith hurt his son the dolphin , that sat next him ; and then he commanded one of his privy-chamber to carry andelot to the city of meaux , where he remained a prisoner in the bishops house , till he was removed to the castle of melodune . not long after king henry the second dying , his son francis succeeded him , who was married to mary queen of scotland , the daughter of the duke of guises sister , by which means the guises ruled all at court , and they also boasted often of the kingdom of england , to which this mary was heir apparent , as they said . the admirall knowing their cruel , barbarous and bloody dispositions , who would never be free from turbulent counsels , and especially from pesecuting those of the religion ; he was now , without further delay , resolved to lay down his government of picardy : and for that end acquainted lewis of bourbon , prince of conde , concerning his intention , wishing him to beg that place of the king , which accordingly he obtained . our admirall being thus eased of these publique burthens , and the troubles of them which withdrew his mind from religion , he kept at home in his own castle , and the rather because of his wife carola lavollia , born of an illustrious and ancient family , which was wonderfully given to the study of religion , exhorting her husband also , that casting off the remainders of idolatry and superstition , he should wholly betake himself to the true service of christ. the admirall having often heard her presse this upon him , dealt seriously with her , telling her , that he never knew any either in france or germany which embraced in truth this reformed religion , but that they were overwhelmed with manifold afflictions , under which they almost perished . he told her also , that by the laws of france , which were confirmed by all the parliaments , whosoever made profession of this religion , was to be burnt alive , and all his estate to be forfeited to the king. yet , saith he , if you be so prepared with faith and courage , that you can be content to undergo the same lott with others , you shall see that i will not be wanting to do my duty . to this she answered , that the condition of the church at this day , was no other then what it had been in former ages , even from the beginning , and she perswaded her self , that it would be the same to the end of the world . and thus each of them incouraging other , the admirall began to instruct his family in the true knowledge and worship of god , and gave them bibles and other good books to read for their furthtr edification . withall he stoutly forbad them those oaths and blasphemies which were common in france , especially in the court. he provided also godly governours and schoolmasters for his children , so that in a short time there was a wonderfull change in his family ; yea , by his example his two brethren , odet the cardinall , and andelot , were exceedingly stirred up to the study of religion . the admirall from his childhood had been bred in the court , which did in those daies exceedingly abound with luxury and other vices , from which he was not altogether free ; but so soon as he imbraced the true religion , there was such a strange alteration in his life and deportment , that the powerfull work of gods spirit did wonderfully appear therein . before he durst come to the sacrament of the lords supper , he conferred with divers godly ministers , both about transubstantiation and consubstantiation , for the setling of his judgment in the truth : and once being present in the town of vatevill at a private meeting of the godly , where there was a sermon , and the sacrament to be administred ; after sermon he requested those that were present that they would not be offended at his weaknesse , but that they would pray to the lord for him , and then requested the minister that he would a little more explain himself about the sacrament , which he willingly did ; and having by sundry texts of scripture shewed that christ is received only spiritually and sacramentally therein , he concluded with that of st. augustine , manducare cibum qui non perit sed permanent ad vitam , est credere in christum . et quid paras dentem , & ventrem ? crede , & manducasti . item , nolite parare fauces , sed cor . christ is to be fed upon not with our mouths , but with our faith , &c. our admirall being much satisfied with this discourse , gave thanks first to god , then to that minister and congregation , and shortly after was himself partaker of that holy sacrament , the same whereof when it was once spread abroad in france , it cannot be believed what joy and consolation it brought to the churches of christ ; for though till that time the true worshippers of god had many laws made against them by the kings and parliaments , though they were daily dragged to prisons , torments and death , so that they were forced to hold all their meetings in secret , yet was true religion after a wonderfull manner dispersed through all the provinces of france , and the popish party found by experience that the more they sought to suppresse and extinguish the light of gods word , and the professors of it , the more it daily encreased . not long after fell out the tumult at amboise , and the conspiracy of the nobility against the guises , whose pride and insolency the princes of france could no longer bear with . of this number was the prince of conde , and the king of navarre his brother . whereupon the guises procured an edict from the king , whereby a meeting of the nobility was appointed at fontainbleau , especially to treat about matters of religion ; and when the day came , which was aug. . . the king requested those that were present to deliver their opinions : whereupon the admirall rising out of his seat , humbly presented the king with two supplications under this title , the humble supplications of those who in severall parts of your majesties kingdom , do truly and purely serve god. these supplications were delivered to albespine the kings secretary , who publiquely read them . this bold fact of the admirall was much wondered at , considering the kings bitter enmity against that religion , and the great power of the guises . the summe of those petitions was this : they which purely and sincerely serve god , taking this fit opportunity , do humbly beseech your majesty , that of your clemency you will be pleased to pity a great number of our subjects , who unto this day are miserably afflicted , tormented and wasted for the cause of religion in all your provinces : we humbly beg of you that you will not be grieved to take cognisance of our cause , and to appoint that the scripture may be the judge in these great controversies ; whereby it will easily appear how much we do abhor heresie , which hitherto hath been laid to our charge : as also how falsly we have been charged with sedition , when we never used force or arms to defend our selves , but ever thought it our duty in our greatest extremities only to have recourse to your majesties clemency . our humble request therefore to your majesty is , that you would be pleased to restrain our persecutors , by whose means there is no part of your majesties kingdom , which in these late years hath not been defiled with the blood of your innocent subjects . our case hath been miserable when we have been forced to plead our cause before the popes clients and pensioners , rather then before equall and indifferent judges . our humble request therefore is , that you would be pleased favourably to look upon so many families who have alwaies acknowledged you for our gracious lord and king ; and according to gods command have honoured and obeyed you , and shall be ready , if occasion be offered , to spend our lives for your dignity and service ; and therefore we think it but equal that our lives and welfare should be protected against the rage of our cruel and bloody adversaries . we further pray , that some publique places may be allowed us where our ministers may preach the word of god sincerely , and administer the sacraments truly ; that our religion being no longer concealed , we may be freed from those false calumnies which our adversaries have hitherto cast upon us ; and we shall ever pray , &c. after these supplications were read , there were great debates , but little about religion , great complaints being made of the kings debts , and consideration had how the same might be discharged . hereupon our admirall spake freely and boldly against the forces raised by the guises , under the pretence of a guard for the king , as if he needed such a guard in the heart of his own kingdom ; whereas the authority of the kings name in france is so sacred and powerfull , that thereby the meanest constable is able to suppresse any tumult whatsoever . this free speech of his extreamly vexed the guises , who hated him so much the more for it . some others propounded that there might be a publique convention of the states called , as the only means to cure the distempers of france ; which though some had laboured to discredit , and so had caused an intermission of it for eighty seven years , yet it had alwaies been exceeding advantagious to the kingdom , as the parliaments in england , consisting of three states , had alwaies been there , whereby the english kings had been enabled to make such powerfull invasions of france . shortly after king francis the second dying , his younger brother charles the ninth succeeded , and thereupon the former request was renewed for calling a convention of all the states . at this time catherine of medice was the queen mother , a florentine by birth , to whom the education of the young king , and the care of his person was committed , according to the ancient custom of france ; but she was not suffered to have any thing to do with the government of the kingdom : and hereupon the guises , who for a long time had been powerfull at court , intruded themselves into that office. and at that time many of the nobility proceeded cruelly to torment and afflict those of the religion ; whereupon there was great fear lest some new commotions should be raised in the kingdom : but the queen mother pretended favour towards them , for which cause our admirall endeavoured , and at last effected that she should be joyned in commission with anthony king of navarr , who was made protector during the kings minority . this many wise men disliked and opposed , saying , that in the stories of former times it did appear that the government was never committed to the queen mother , especially if she were a stranger , but it redounded to the great hurt of france , and was the cause of many civil broils . when the day of the publique convention of the states came , he which made the speech in the behalf of the nobility , about the end of his oration presented the king with a supplication , that they of the reformed religion might have publique places allowed them for the exercise of the service of god in . to this one quintin a doctor of the civil law , and professor of paris , opposed himself , and made a long oration in the name of the clergy , which he rather read then pronounced by heart , wherein he took the boldnesse to affirm , that all they that moved for publique places for those of the religion , were guilty of treason against the king and kingdom , the authors of sedition , and bringers in of a new religion , and therefore ought severely to be punished . of which when the admirall in the kings councel afterwards complained , quintin to excuse himself , professed that he had spoken nothing of his own head , but only had pronounced that oration which was penned and put into his hand by the clergy , and that he was ready again in the convention of states before the king and all the company to avow that in all that he had said , he had no thoughts of hurt to the admirall . in conclusion there was an edict sent forth in the kings name , commanding and requiring all the judges and magistrates through france , to release all those of the religion that were in prison , and it was forbidden them upon great penalties hereafter to meddle with , or to trouble any for their religion sake . as for the businesse of allowing them publique places for worship , that was put off to the next generall meeting of the states , which was appointed but held not , to be at ponthoise in piccardy . january following , there was a meeting of all the princes and nobles of france , appointed to be held at st. germans , whither also repaired the deputies from all the parliaments , and there it was decreed that churches should be allowed to the protestants in the suburbs belonging to each city : upon the publishing of which edict , the peace of the kingdom seemed to be setled , and in the suburbs of all the greater cities , yea of paris it self , those of the religion met publiquely , and had sermons preached without the least disturbance . but presently after was news brought that the d. of guise in campania had basely murthered about two hundred persons who were met together at vassiac to hear a sermon , according to the power given them by the kings edict , in a barn ; and it was conceived that the d. of guise took this boldnesse , relying upon the friendship of the k. of navarr , whose weak mind he had bowed and bound to himself by promising him the kingdom of sardinia , and other favours ; and upon this confidence , adjoyning his other brethren to him , with a great army he went to the court , and there seized upon king and queen mother , who seemed with many tears to bewail the violence profered to to them , and carried them away to paris . hereupon the queen mother sent divers messengers to the admirall , and writ with her own hand to the prince of conde , requesting them to help her , and to deliver the king out of this captivity : this caused the prince of conde with many of the nobility , upon deliberation , to resolve to raise an army for the rescue of the king , and to curb the insolency of the guises , often saying , that he ought not to be deterred with reports , as if he intended to propagate his religion by arms , or to offer violence to the person of the young king. for , said he , after such a publique decree made by the king and all the states in favour of those of the religion ; what had the d. of guise , who is a lorrainer by extraction , to do in france ? or by what confidence doth he exercise such cruelty against the kings faithfull subjects ? and therefore he saw that there was no way left but to repell force with force ; and that he was not the author of the war , but by war defended those that were unjustly oppressed by war. there was also a publique report that the d. of nemours had endeavoured by flatteries to perswade the young prince henry , the kings brother ( who was afterwards chosen king of poland ) to go with him out of the bounds of france , which the young youth had declared to his mother . there was much speech also of the massacre at vassiac , and of their leading the king and queen mother as their captives to paris , where they had a powerfull faction . they had also sent to the german princes , desiring to be admitted into the league of the protestants . the cardinall of lorraine had also sent to christopher duke of wirtzberge a prudent and valiant prince , pretending that both he and his brethren would embrace the protestant religion , and desired to be enrolled in the number of the protestant princes . these things being publiquely divulged , the resolution of the prince of conde to take arms was generally approved of , and in a few daies many cities sided with and assisted him , as orleans , biturg , roan , lions , vienna , valentia , mont-alban , &c. and whereas by the common consent of all the protestants in france the prince of conde was chosen generall , he prevailed so far with them , that the managing of the war was conferred upon our admirall , to whom he also delegated his own power and interest , for the opinion which he had of his excellent justice , gravity and prudence . this being generally taken notice of , the queen mother interposeth as a mediatrix for peace , and sends for the prince of conde to come to their tents , intreating him , that for the convenient situation of it , he would deliver up into their hands for a few daies , as the fittest place for the treaty , the city of boience , where there is a bridge that passeth over the river loir , which bridge she affirmed to be the fittest of all other places for the parlee . the prince of conde upon the perswasions of his brother , the king of navarr , and of the queen mother , and upon their faithfull promise that the town should be delivered back to him again , and that his person should be in safety during the treaty , without taking any further pledges , delivers up boience to them , only desiring that whilst the treaty lasted , the constable , guise , and saint andrew ( who were called the triumvirate for the ruine of france ) might be commanded to withdraw from the camp. when these things were done , the queen mother and the guises put a garrison into the town of bogener , fortifie it strongly , and keep the prince of conde prisoner . the admirall being justly incensed by this perfidiousnesse , and resolving not to be wanting in his aid to the prince of conde , he presently with all his cavalry sets upon the enemies camp , which brought such a terrour amongst them , that thereupon the queen mother commanded the prince of conde to be set at liberty . and a few daies after the admirall assaulted boience , and at last took the town , though with some losse of his men . about this very time the admirals eldest son , called gaspar , being a youth of nine years old , but of admirable towardnesse , fell sick , and died at orleance , which was an exceeding great grief to his father . in the mean time the guises perceiving that they were forsaken by the greatest part of france , which now adheared to , and assisted conde , they resolved to call in forraign helps ; and thereupon sending much money into swisserland and germany , they hired from the former foot , and from the latter horse , to come in to their aid , which the admirall used often to say , was a plain demonstration of their treacherous and hostile minds against france : and therefore that he might not be wanting to himself and friends , who had committed so great a trust to him , he resolved to oppose forraign by forraign forces : and for this end he sent his brother andelot to the protestant princes in germany , of whose good will to the french churches he had good assurance , requesting aid from them , who accordingly within three moneths space sent him three thousand horse , and six thousand foot into france . whilst these things were transacting , intelligence was given to the admirall that some cannons , and a great quantity of gunpowder was carrying to the duke of guise , who now besieged biturg , guarded with six troops of horse and some foot. hereupon the admirall taking some horse with him , by long journeys hastened to meet the convoy , and coming up to them , they scarce stood the first shock , but throwing away their arms fled , and left the booty to the admirall , who wanting horses to draw them away , by over-charging the guns brake them , and blew up the gunpowder , and so returned to his camp. andelot returning out of germany , brought with him three thousand horse and six thousand foot ; so that the prince of conde having a good army of french and germans , hasted to paris ; which the guises hearing of , intended to meet him , having gotten a regiment of swissers , in whom they put most confidence , and so the two armies meeting , a battell was fought , but with a doubtfull event : for on the one side the constable was taken prisoner by one will. steward a valiant scots man ; and on the other side the prince of conde was taken prisoner , which made many of his foot to throw away their arms , and fly : but the admirall rallying the horse , and encouraging them to prefer their religion , country and honour befor their lives , he valiantly charged the guisians , in which medly he slew marshall st. andrew , a potent man at court , and prossaeus collonel to the duke of guise , and divers other noble men : the fight being ended , the admirall carried the constable to orleance , where he made his abode for a while : but shortly after came the duke of guise to besiege the city , whereupon the admirall leaving his brother andelot for the defence of it , flies into normandy , and there besieged the castle of cadonius , where the marquesse of elboeve , one of the d. of lorrains brothers was , and within a few daies had it , with all the arms and ammunition surrendred to him . about this time there was one john poltrot , a young man of a noble family , in the army of the duke of guise , who having embraced the reformed religion , and served for some moneths under the prince of conde , took up privately with himself a resolution to kill the d. of guise , as a publique enemy to his countrey , and a cause of all the present calamities : and , said he , if i had been bound to him by any oaths , i must not have been perfidious ; but being free , why should i not venture as scaevola did , for my countries safety ? with this resolution he went to the duke of guises camp , and watching his opportunity , shot him into the shoulder , of which wound he died within a few daies after . the very same day in the morning the duke of guise being ready to give an assault to orleance , wrote to the queen mother , that within twenty four hours he would send her word of the taking of that city , and that he would make the day very memorable by sparing neither sex nor age ; and that after he had kept his shrovetide there , he would extinguish the memory of the town , by utter subverting of it . but man knows not his destiny , nor what shall happen to him , for that the same evening he was slain , as you heard before . presently after which , a peace was concluded , and the edict renued for the free exercise of the reformed religion through all france , as formerly . not many moneths after , the admirall being sent for to court by the queen mother , the widow of the duke of guise comes in , and falls down at the kings feet , crying out with many tears for revenge for her husbands death , charging the admirall as the contriver and author of it . the admirall apprehending that this was but the device of others , which set her on to seek his destruction by fraud , which they could not effect by war ; before the king and all the councel he clears himself , shewing that poltrot had at his death professed that he was set on by none but god ; neither did he doubt but that he had done god good service in it , and freed his countrey from a tyrant that raged and thirsted after christian blood , and therefore he was not sorry for what he had done , &c. he also desired , that if they questioned the death of the duke of guise , he might have leave also to put in a charge against him , for that he doubted not but that he could easily prove the duke of guise , guilty of murthering wickedly the kings subjects , and of violating all the sacred laws and decrees of the king ; of taking up arms of his own head without authority , and thereby making himself guilty of treason , and of kindling those flames in france , which had continued about thirteen moneths . notwithstanding this resolute speech of the admirall , his enemies ceased not for some years still to call upon the king for justice against him ; whereupon the king at last appointed a convention of all the peers of the kingdom , at the city of molincum , whither also he called his chiefest senators and counsellours ; commanding the cardinall of lorraine , and the widow of the duke of guise , to produce what proofs they could , and the admirall to defend himself against them . when both parties had pleaded their cause , the king told them that he had referred the judgment to his counsellors , and therefore asked them if they had any exceptions against any of them : they answered , no. then he asked them if they would refer the determination of their cause to him , and would stand to his judgment : they answered that they would willingly so do . whereupon jan. . anno christ . the king passed this sentence , that having heard both parties , and consulted with his nobles and counsellours , who were all unanimously agreed in the same sentence , he pronounced the admirall clear and innocent from the murther of the duke of guise , and therefore absolved him from that crime , commanding his proctor and all others , that they should never dare hereafter accuse him for the same . he commanded also , that neither his present accusers , nor any other of his subjects , should dare hereafter to make any mention of it . nor that any of his judges or parliaments should ever admit any plea against him for it . he declared also , that seeing both parties had freely referred themselves to him , his will was , that they should live lovingly and peaceably together , never contriving any thing against each other ; and that if any of them , their friends , kindred of partakers , should violate this decree , that they should be held contemners of the kings majesty , as guilty of treason , as disturbers of the publique peace ; and lastly , that this his definitive sentence should be recorded in all the parliaments of his kingdom . but to return to something that hapned before this , the admirall had in his family one hambervilleries , born of a noble house , whom he made use of in his most weighty and honest affairs ; and it pleased god that some letters of his being intercepted , came to the admirals hands , wherein he wrote to some great courtiers , that he was ready to obey their commands in giving the admirall a soporiferous potion . our admirall having read these letters , called the man to him , commanding him to write some verses in a paper that lay by , which when he had done , comparing both the writings together , he asked him whether he would acknowledge his hand in those letters ; which he looking upon , being stricken with guilt for his wickednesse , he presently fell upon the ground , and begged his masters pardon . the admirall told him that he was willing to pardon him , but upon condition that he should presently depart out of his house , nor should ever come into his sight again . not long after the aforementioned edict of peace was published , the queen mother took counsell to go to baion to meet her son-in-law the king of spain , and to take her children with her : this afterwards proved the cause of many tragicall events , though for the present things were kept very secret : and first she ordered her journey to lyons , which hitherto had been in possession of those of the religion , because of the great number of them there ; and as soon as she came thither , she presently set her italian artificers to work , to build a citadell upon a neighbouring hill , which commanded all the city . a little before this the plague began to be very hot , and now it had seized upon the court it self , yet could not the queen mother be perswaded to remove her self and children from the danger , till she had seen the foundations of the castle laid . at last making lossius governour of that city , a cruel and barbarous man , and and an implacable enemy to those of the religion , and adjoyning to him some insolent souldiers that might daily vex the godly inhabitants , she departed . but this is very remarkable , that whithersoever she removed the court , in cities , towns , castles , &c. the plague still followed her , so that for three moneths together the king was in continuall danger , and was still forced to remove from place to place by reason of the infection . at last they came to baion , where the queen mother met her daughter the q. of spain , and embassadors from the king , with whom she communicated her counsels . in the mean time the marshall monmorancy , whom the king had made governour of paris in his absence , had certain intelligence brought him that the guises had imployed their agents to the common people of paris , to stir them up against those of the religion in that city ; he heard also that the cardinall of lorraine intended suddainly to be there with a great number of armed attendants , though the king by several edicts had commanded that none in their journeys should carry harquebushes or pistols about them . therefore so soon as monsieur monmorancy heard that the cardinall was entred paris with his followers thus armed , he presently taking his guard went to them , commanding them to deliver up their arms : this the cardinall and his nephew the young duke of guise , took as an intollerable affront to them , and were often heard to say , that that fact should cost monmorancy his life . the cardinall was very potent in this city , and could easily have raised sixty thousand armed men to have slain the governour ; whereupon he resolved to call in some of his friends to his aid , and in the first place he wrote to the admirall to hasten to him , who accompanied with three hundred horse , entred paris , jan. . which did so terrifie the multitude , especially the priests , monks and canons of the great church , that they began to think of flying thence . the day after monsieur monmorancy sent for the presidents of the parliament , and the chief magistrates of the city to come to his house , to whom he complained before the admirall , of the audaciousnesse and factious counsels of the cardinall of lorrain , as also of the seditious speeches cast abroad in the city , as if the admirall , taking advantage of the kings absence at so great a distance , consulted about plundering that rich city ; and therefore he thought fit to call the admirall before them , that so he might clear himself from that aspersion . then said the admirall , i have long since found out what my malicious and implacable adversaries have aspersed me withall , as if i intended to seize upon this city , which is the bullwark and eye of france . but such counsels as these are fit for those that claim an interest ( i know not how it comes in ) in the succession of the kingdom , and contend to have certain dukedomes and countries restored to them . for my own part , i neither challenge any right to the kingdom , nor to any part of it , which yet if i should do , i think there hath not been a noble man in france these five hundred years , which had the like opportunity to disturb the publique peace as i. ye remember after the duke of guise was slain , that i had the constable prisoner in orleans , and what a great occasion i had thereby of doing greater things if i would have embraced it : but on the contrary , i was never more earnest with the king and queen mother for peace , then at that time when our affairs prospered best . who can be ignorant how sollicitous and importunate i was for peace at that very time when many potent and flourishing cities had delivered up themselves into my hands ? and divers other great cities , both of normandy and brittany , sought my favour and protection ? who knows not that after peace was concluded , instead of begging honours and offices ambitiously of the king , which happily i might have obtained , i retired my self to my own house , and there even to this time have lived a quiet and private life ? but omitting these things , and speaking to the present occasion ; being sent for by monmorancy , i am come hither , not to disturb the peace of the city , or to innovate any thing , but rather to preserve peace against the audaciousnesse of some that would disturb it . it is not unknown unto you how much confidence those of the religion do put in me . these being stirred up with new rumours , and terrified with the counsels and factions of the guises , do daily flock to me ; bring me intercepted letters of the meetings of certain captains , who command their old souldiers to be ready in arms , that when they have occasion to use them they may be at hand . what needs more words ? letters are intercepted written into normandy , the originall whereof is sent to the queen mother , and i will shew you a copy of them , wherein amongst others there is this passage : there is no readier means of restoring the crown of france to those to whom it doth belong of old , then by rooting out the house of valois , and by massacring all the hugonots which are the chief upholders of it ; for this end their woods are to be sold , that with the price thereof we may arm our selves and get money ; and if the hugonots sue for them , the businesse being once adjudged against them , they will never move for their charges of the suit . now also what should i speak of the daily plunderings and murthers ? it 's sufficiently known , that after the peace was published , more then five hundred of those of the religion were basely murthered in severall places , and yet not one of the murtherers were ever punished by the magistrates ; and they which have complained of these things to the king or queen mother , have carried away either only words , or some empty paper or parchment instead of satisfaction . who knows not that in the city of turon lately and openly , many of the religion were cruelly massacred , even under the ensign , and by the souldiers of him who was sent thither by the duke of monpensier to settle the peace ? these things being so , yet i hear that there are many of your priests who are so terrified by my coming hither , that they consult about leaving the city , and yet there is no place in all france , no city , town or castle where the priests live , and attend their services with more freedom and safety , then in my town of castelon . the admirall having ended his speech , the company was dismissed ; and two daies after there came to monmorancy about thirty delegates from the parisian merchants , and with them the bishop and divers priests , to all whom the admirall spake very friendly , bidding them be of good cheer , and fear nothing : and within few daies after , going to the court of parliament , he made a speech to them , and told them , that nothing was more desirable to him then the peace and welfare of the city , neither did he come to them with any other mind then to advance it ; and therefore he exhorted them that they also would do their endeavours that the citizens might behave themselves peaceably and quietly : and so shortly after he returned home . at his return he was informed that there was one maius , who lived not far from him , a famous thief that was hired by the duke of aumale the brother of guise , to lie in wait for him when he should ride forth on hunting , for which end he had given him an hundred pieces of gold , and an excellent horse : many also complained to the admirall against him for his thefts and robberies ; whereupon having gotten sufficient witnesses , he complained of him to the parliament at paris , and a few daies after having apprehended him , he caused him to be carried to paris ; but when he came before the parliament this villain accused the admirall as if he had dealt with him about killing the queen mother , and had promised him a great reward for the same : the parliament after examination finding this to be but a calumny , and proving him guilty of many thefts , condemned him to be broken upon the wheel , which accordingly was effected . shortly after the prince of conde had a sonne born , to whom the king would be godfather , but because he could not himself be present by reason of his religion , he substituted the admirall to supply his room , which businesse was celebrated with very great pomp ; for at the feast a table was prepared as if it had been for the king himself , at which the admirall sat alone , and was attended like a viceroy , which every one interpreted as a pledge of the kings singular love and favour to him . not many daies after , news was brought that the duke de alva had by the command of the king of spain brought a great army into the low-countries to suppresse and root out the protestants , and this army being to passe by the borders of france , the admirall moved in the kings councel that burgundy might be looked to ; and lest any tumults might arise about the difference in religion , he advised that a guard might rather be appointed of the swissers then of the french men ; and it was commonly reported that six thousand swissers should be ready to oppose the duke de alva , in case he attempted any thing against burgundy . but a few daies after the prince of rupisurias * , of the royoll blood , wrote to the admirall to send him some trusty person to whom he might communicate a secret which would much conduce to his safety : he also being a friend to the prince of conde , by reason of their propinquity in blood , told him that there was secret counsell taken at baion , for the utter extirpation of the protestant religion , and all the professors of it , and for that end those six thousand swissers were hired and brought into france , under pretence of opposing the duke de alva : the admirall also was informed of the same by many letters and messengers from severall of his friends . these things coming forth , first the prince of conde , and presently after him the admirall went to the court , and told the king , the queen mother and all the councel , that they saw no sufficient reason why so many swissers should be brought into france , except it were to oppresse them , and many other honest families which embraced the reformed religion : but they should find more that had devoted themselves to that religion then commonly was thought of , an experience whereof they had in the late wars . they told them also , that if their adversaries attempted any innovations , they would not be wanting to themselves , nor like sheep would suffer their throats to be cut by murtherers . they therefore earnestly intreat and beseech the kings majesty , that he would be moved to pity so many honest families , and the afflicted condition of his countrey , and of the common people who suffer most in such warres . but they could get nothing at court but scoffs and scorns , whereby they perceived their lives to be in great danger , which caused them to withdraw , and to consult about the preservation of themselves and the reformed churches : and hereunto they were earnestly solicited by many of the nobility , and by multitudes of honest citizens , who complained that they could no longer bear the manifold injuries wherewith they were daily oppressed by the magistrates in every place . these things being so , the prince of conde and the admirall knowing of how great authority the kings name was through all france , which caused the guises in the former warres to get him into their power ; communicating their counsels but with a few , they resolved to go privately to the court to see if by any means they could get the king away from the guises and queen mother , that so by removing him from his evil counsellours , they might the better establish peace ; but being betrayed by one of their society , this design was wholly frustrated , whereby they were forced openly to prepare for war. the prince with five hundred horse went to st. denis , where some others arriving , in few daies made up the number of two thousand horse , and four thousand shot ; and the prince considering that the parisians were not accustomed to fast , hoped that if he could take their victuals from them , he should either force them to fight , or draw his enemies to a more assured peace : whereupon he sent andelot with five hundred horse to poissy and pontois , to seize upon the passages of the seine beneath paris , and other troops to seize upon such passages as were above the town . some others he sent to joyn with the forces that were coming out of guinne , himself and the admirall with about eight hundred horse , and a thousand two hundred harquebushiers , kept st. denis , to curb paris on that side . but the constable , who was the kings lieutenant generall , hearing that the prince had thus divided his forces , issued out of paris with about a thousand six hundred foot , and two thousand lances , and well furnished with artillery , and having chosen a commodious place for the battell , the next day he gives the prince battell , wherein the constable was wounded , of which he died within a few daies after . in this battell the admirall had wonderfull experience of gods goodnesse in his preservation , for riding upon a very fierce and head-strong horse , the curb of his bridle being broken , his horse ran away with him , and carried him twice through his enemies army , yet did not the admirall receive any one wound , though many pistols were discharged at him ; and whenas his horse had one bullot shot into him , he suffered himself to be easily reduced into his own troop . in this battell many fell on both sides , especially on the prince of conde's , yet was the kings army routed and driven into paris , whereupon the prince and admirall thought best to retreat into lorraine to meet those horse which were sent for their assistance from divers of the germane princes : for they again thought fit to oppose forreigners against forreigners . in their march thitherwards they were eagerly pursued by their adversaries , especially by henry duke of anjou the kings brother , afterwards king , first of poland , then of france ; who taking all advantages to presse upon their rear , put them to many inconveniencies . when they came into lorraine and met the germans , who were commanded by d. cassimire the son of the elector palatine , they met with new troubles , for the germans began to mutiny for their arrears , and to cry gelt , gelt , according to their usuall custom ; but how to satisfie them , or to raise the least part of that money , the prince and admirall knew not : yet in this strait our admirall found out this remedy : he advised that a certain tax should be imposed upon every man in their own army , according to the rank and place which he held , and for example himself disbursed five hundred crowns ; and the treasurers going through all the regiments collected the tribute : besides whatsoever monies the prince , admirall , andelot , or others had , was all put into the treasurers hands , so that in all they collected eighty thousand pounds , which was given to the lanceknets , by which prudent advice of our admirall they were extricated out of that great strait . these forces being thus united , their adversaries hastily retired , and by long journeys returned to paris , which the d. of anjou looked upon as a great dishonour to him . but the prince of conde's army being much encouraged hereby , went presently and besieged caen. and having battered the wals , and made a sufficient breach , just as monsieur andelot was ready with his brigade to have given the assault , the kings trumpeters came upon the spur and proclaimed that peace was concluded , for the effecting whereof , commissioners had been sent from both parties a few daies before to paris , whereupon the siege was raised , and the prince of conde dismissed his army . but some daies before this , word was brought to the admirall that his wife , who together with her children in the beginning of the war had betaken themselves to orleance , was taken with a violent disease ; whereupon he presently posted to orleance , and sending for the best physicians he could get , he performed the office of a dear and loving husband to her , yet it pleased god that she died . this was a very great affliction to him , and when many of his friends came to comfort him , being overwhelmed with sighs and tears , he said , oh my god , wherein have i sinned and offended thee , that thou correctest me so bitterly , and loadest me with so many calamities ! o that i could live more holily , and be more exemplary in my life then i have been ! most holy father , look upon me with the eyes of tender mercy , and ease me of these pressures . then being comforted by his friends , he commanded his children to be called to him , and told them that by this losse of their dear mother , they might see the instability of all earthly comforts , and that there was nothing here below which they could confide in ; and that houses and castles , though never so strong , were not given them for habitations , but as inns ; and that therefore they ought not to trust in any of these frail and fading things , but only in the mercy , and goodnesse of god , and then they need not doubt but that they should find him alwaies ready at hand for their comfort ; and so two daies after , calling monsieur grelleus his sons tutor , he told him , that he must needs return back to the camp , where he knew not what might befall him , and therefore he required him to have a special care of his sons , and as he had often requested him , to be carefull to bring them up in true religion and the fear of god , as well as to instruct them in other arts and learning . his wife had been alwaies very studious of the reformed religion , of an admirable courage and constancy in bearing the manifold afflictions which befell both her self and husband ; and amongst her other excellent qualities and vertues , she was alwaies very pitifull towards poor people and sick persons , to whom she was very liberall in relieving and assisting of them : and whereas many sick and wounded souldiers were daily sent from the camp to orleance , she frequently visited them , so that the physicians judged her disease to proceed from the stench of them . peace being proclaimed ( as is before specified ) in many places by the kings trumpeters , the admirall had scarce been three daies at his own house , before letters and messengers came to him from many of his friends , signifying , that instead of peace , his enemies made great preparations for a more dangerous warre ; for they observed that in every place such provision of war was made , that if the prince of conde himself , and the other associates did not timely prevent it , they would be circumvented by their cruel enemies before they were aware ; and this they gathered from the garrisons put into orleance , altissiodore , blesa , and other cities surrendred to them , as also by the adversaries possessing themselves of all the bridges and passes over the rivers , keeping the horse together in the heart of france , and continuing two regiments neer paris , under a pretence of a guard for the king. our admirall finding these things to be true , thought it most for his safety to retire into tanlian to his brother andelot , and from thence he shortly after removed to nuceria , a strong city under the prince of conde's government , whither formerly upon the like occasion he had carried his wife and family . in his passage thither there fell out this memorable accident : near to the town of molinius there is a great lake in the passage to altissiodore ; when our admirall came near it , there was in his company an old man called gripperius , that had been a great traveller by sea , and one that loved the admirall very dearly ; this man observing a black cloud coming towards them carried with a violent wind , he called to the admirall , desiring him to gallop to the next town so fast as he could , lest he should be oppressed with the violence of the storm approaching ; the admirall hearkening to his counsell , spurred on his horse , but before he had passed the narrow passages of the lake , there suddainly came such a violent tempest , accompanied with a whirlwind , that many horses and men were quite overthrown , many were wounded with the great hailstones , and almost quite slain : the wind took off the admirals hat , which afterwards could never be found , and one of his followers lent him his hat : but herein the great mercy of god did appear , that the admirall scaped unhurt by the hail , only one hailstone hit and hurt him about the ankle ; and had this storm taken him and his company a little sooner , whilst they were upon the lakes bank , in all probability it had made an utter end of them . the tempest being over , our admirall comforted his attendants , and lifting up his eyes to heaven , he said , o almighty god , i thank thee , from whom i know this storm proceeds , to warn us of the tempest of danger that is approaching , by which we shall be sorely pressed , but not oppressed . when they were met together at nuceria , they sent divers messengers with letters to the king , signifying that they had daily intelligence of the snares that were laid for their lives , and therefore they beseeched his majesty to pity his kingdom wasted already with two civil warres ; and that he would not ruine his kingdom , but rather by his clemency and wisdom quench that fire that is kindled by the guises . our admirall also wrote to margaret , daughter of king francis , and new dutchesse of savoy , whom he believed to have great power with the queen mother , intreating her to improve all her authority and interest for the diverting of the storm that was approaching to the ruine of her native countrey . but when he perceived that no arguments nor intreaty could prevail for peace , and understood that tavannius , who was a little after made marshall of the kingdom , was secretly drawing his forces towards nuceria , there to compasse them in , he advised the prince of conde that they should presently depart from thence , and make all the hast that possibly they could to rochel , which by reason of their ancient priviledges , had never hitherto admitted of any garrison . by the way they were to passe over the river liger , and in the train there was the prince of conde's wife , and six little children , whereof one was but a year old ; and two daies after followed the admirall and monsieur andelots children , whom the admirall had sent for to come to them : at which time this strange providence fell out ; when the prince of conde thought to transport his company in two or three little ships privately over the river neer unto sancerra , it pleased god that a foard was found , whereby fifty horsemen that were of the princes train rode over , and in the mean time the ladies , women and children were ferried over in boats , and no sooner were they gotten all over , but , though the day was fair , the river suddainly rose so high , that the inhabitants of sancerra took notice of the wonderfull providence of god , praying heartily for the safety and welfare of those little ones who had escaped such a danger . the king hearing of this their going to rochel , by the advice of his courtiers , presently commanded all his horse , especially those that were in the countries of xantone and poicters , to hasten to rochel . he sent also his brother henry the duke of anjou , to raise all the forces he could , and presently to march thitherwards . in the mean time those of the religion , who relying upon the kings promise and proclamation of peace , staied in their own cities , were every where basely murthered . about this time joane queen of navarr , who in the former troubles had kept here own house , abhorring such abominable treachery and perfidiousnesse after peace so often renewed , getting what forces she could together , advanced with them to rochel , carrying with her her son henry , who after her death was king of navarr , and her only daughter . these things being thus setled , the admirall drew some great guns out of rochel , intending to besiege niort , and within a few daies had it surrendred to him . then he led his forces to engolisme , which stands upon an high and steep hill , having only one passage to it , and therefore the enemies had a little before strongly fortified it , but the admirall planting his ordinance on that side where it was saultable , within a few daies space had it surrendred to him . presently after the van of each army met at jasenullius , and fought together , the admirall commanded that of the protestants : who charged the enemy so gallantly , that they were presently broken , and scattered , flying to lusinian for safety , leaving all their bag and baggage behind them , so that the booty which the admirall gat , was estimated to be more worth then fifty thousand crowns . two daies after they intercepted letters from fizius the kings secretary , to the queen-mother , much bewailing that losse . presently after the admirall going to the town of jarnac , fell into great danger , and without a speciall providence had become a prey to his enemies . for the enemy understanding that he purposed to transport his forces over the river in that place by a bridge of boats , they secretly laid an ambush on the other side , and observing the admirall where he was , they let fly all their harquebushes at him , and others endeavoured to break the bridge ; of the admirals side there was one harquibushier that had often shot at the enemies , and at last was by a bullet slain ; whereupon twelve more ran to his aid , so that a tumult arising , the admirall ran with his naked sword , not having time to put on his arms , and endeavoured to cut in sunder the cords wherewith the boats were fastened ; all which time the enemies ceased not continually to shoot at him , yet god wonderfully preserved him ; and from that time forwards he resolved never to be without a lifeguard for his assistance in such suddain accidents . two daies after the enemies having passed over the river charenton , the prince of conde feared lest they would compasse him about , having lately joyned to them three thousand german horse , and six thousand swissers , yet being of a very resolute and couragious mind , he resolved to stop their course , yet withall if possible to avoid a set battell . in the mean time word was brought to the admirall that some of his forces which were quartered in a neighbour village , were circumvented by their enemies , and yet valiantly defended themselves ; our admirall hastened therefore upon the spur to their succour with some horse , whom as soon as the enemies espied , they compassed round about , which being told to the prince of conde , being more valiant then advised , he brake into the midst of them , where being oppressed with the multitude , and his horse killed under him , which also fell upon him , he lifting up his beavour , rendred himself to some of the kings captains , who gave him their faith for his safety ; but presently after came montisquius captain of the duke of guise his guard , not without the secret command of his master ( as it was believed ) and setting upon conde behinde his back , as he was talking with the captains , dispatched him with a dagg shot into his neck . he was a prince inferiour to none that lived in that age for courage and courtesie ; he was eloquent in speech , liberall , affable to all , and a most excellent commander in warre . after his death his body was basely abused , and at last in scorn laid upon a shee-asse , and carried to jarnac . the admirall being exceedingly grieved with this great losse , and suspecting the issue , made a retreat , together with his brother andelot , into the town of st. jan de angeli ; and whereas he might have revenged the indignities done to the body of the prince , by shewing the like to the bodies of many of his great adversaries whom he had slain , yet he would not do it , but afforded them decent buriall , which thing he also did during all the time of the warres . the queen of navarr being at rochell , and hearing of this great losse , hastened to the camp , comforted the captains , and exhorted all the souldiers not to be disheartned , nor to forget their former valour , telling them that she had brought her only son henry , that was to succeed her in the kingdom , to be their generall , professing that she preferred the safety of the army before the life of her son. to him was also henry prince of conde , brother to lewis that was lately slain , adjoyned in this honour ; but the whole care for managing the warre , by the joynt consent of all the commanders and officers was wholly divolved upon the admirall , none having the like credit or authority amongst those of the religion as he : for it was well known that besides his singular skill in military affairs , his justice and temperance , there was none amongst all the peers of france that had so openly embraced and professed the religion as he . he was the first that reformed his family according to the rule of gods word : he was the man that presumed to prefer their petition to king francis the second , that was nearly allied to the guises by affinity . he gave the first example to the nobility of france of piety , who were grown extream loose by reason of the dissolutenesse of the court : and after he had once embraced the reformed religion , he never gave the least occasion of scandall to the churches . and whereas many delegates repaired often to him from the churches , he alwaies gave them wholsome and prudent counsell . he first took up arms , not to fight against the king , as some misreported , but at the request and prayers of the queen mother : neither yet did he it , either by his own private counsell , or of the queen mother , but by the authority of the parliament of orleance , the king being not yet twelve years old : as also after the kings edict for peace , established and promulgated by the advice and consent of all the states of france , because it was so notoriously violated by the guises , to the utter undoing of many honest families , and almost the ruine of many flourishing cities , and to the losse of the lives of many famous captains , to the great prejudice of the whole kingdom , and to the oppression of many flourishing churches ▪ dispersed almost in every town of france . by all which that poor kingdom was laid open to be a prey to any forreign prince that should invade it . after these things a grievous affliction befell the admirall by the death of his brother andelot , who in the city of xantone died of a violent disease suddainly , not without suspition of poison ; and the rather because it was a usuall saying of biraguus , shortly after made chancellour , that the war was not to be finished with so much hazard by armed men , but rather by cooks and kitchin boyes . upon this occasion the admirall wrote a letter to his own and his brother andelot's sons , who were with their tutor at rochel , for comforting of them , the tenour whereof was this : although i believe that the death of my brother andelot is very grievous unto you , yet i thought fit to admonish you that you have great cause to rejoyce that you had so good a father and uncle , of whom i dare affirm that he was truly religious and eminent for his valour and skill in military affairs , the remembrance of which vertues ought to be dear unto you , that as much as may be , you may be imitators of them ; yea i believe i may boldly affirm this of him , that there is none in all france more skilfull in warlike affairs then was he ; and i doubt not but even forreign nations will subscribe to the truth hereof , especially those which have had experience of his vertues ; and this credit he got to himself , not by idleness and sluggishness , but by undergoing the greatest labours for his countries sake . truly i knew no man that was more devout to godward , nor more just to men then he . neither am i ignorant that it were unfit for me thus to boast of him to strangers ; but i mention them more freely to you , because i would have you to be imitators of his vertues , for i even propose him for my own imitation ; and i pray god from my heart , that when i come to dye , i may with the like piety and assurance resign up my spirit to god , as i saw him to do ; and that my grief for him may be the more extenuated , i earnestly desire that i may see his graces and vertues to live in you : which that it may be so , i exhort you with all your hearts to embrace piety and true religion , and wholly to apply your selves to your books , that thereby you may ( through gods grace ) be led in the way of vertue : and though i willingly allow you to recreate your selves in those hours which your master allots you , yet i charge you , take heed that in your play you neither speak nor do any thing whereby you may offend god : be very carefull to reverence your master , and obey him no otherwise then you would obey me , for i am perswaded that he will give you no other counsel then what may be for your honour and profit . in short , see that you love me , or rather that you love your selves , so that i may hear nothing of you but what i may rejoyce in , and as you grow in years and body , so you may grow in piety and vertue . the lord bless you all , and the holy spirit preserve you for ever . from xantone , may . castellonius . the courage and magnanimity of our admirall did exceedingly appear in this , for that though he had lost such a brother as was second to none in piety , justice , vertue , and the glory of his military actions , so that the admirall called him his right arm , yet he told his friends often that he wholly relied upon the divine providence , and knew assuredly that the church of god was not administred by humane counsels , nor this christian army , led by the providence and valour of its commanders , but by god : and speaking concerning his brother to his friends , he brake out into this expression , o blessed andelot , who hast finished the course of thy life so holily and happily ! about this time news was brought him that wolfgang , duke of bipont , had brought a strong army out of germany into france , for the aid of the protestants , and that he had already passed the loir , and had taken charity , where was a bridge over that river ; and when he understood that they were advanced as farre as chalons , he intended to joyn his forces with them , and that very day on which he came to them , d. wolfgang died of a violent disease ; whereupon the german army unanimously chose wolradus count mansfield , to be their generall . this conjunction of theirs exceedingly troubled their adversaries , and every one deemed that the kings army would not be able to stand before them , but that the courtiers would hereby be brought to stoop to them . yea all good patriots that studied the publique peace , did abominate the perfidious authors of these wars , publiquely saying , that god never suffered such perjury to escape long unpunished ; and it was verily believed that if the admirall had led this gallant army strait to paris , many great cities would willingly have yielded and put themselves into the admirals protection : which opinion was much confirmed hereby , for that the duke of anjou pitching his tents near to them , and adventuring a battell , he was easily overthrown , most of his foot being either slain or taken , together with their commander in chief , strossius , cosen german to the queen-mother . the admirall having so brave an army , hoping that now at last the kings heart would be inclined to peace , he sent an humble supplication to him ( the duke of anjou not suffering him to send ambassadours ) in his own and the armies name , intreating and beseeching him no longer to harden his heart , but to pity the afflicted condition of the common people , and also to consider , that if the warre should be protracted , it would turn to the great prejudice of all the states of france ; there being twenty thousand auxiliary souldiers of both parts ; and that things were brought to this passe , that by these civil warres mens minds were so farre from union and love to their countrey , that every one sought the blood , ruine and destruction each of other . they therefore humbly intreated that he would spare his poor subjects that had so long groaned under these heavy pressures , and that he would no longer be led away by the cardinals and italians , who had too much power over him , and could not have the like fellow-feeling of the miseries of france as the french men themselves . they suggested also that this was the fittest time for a treaty , when both parties were so confident of their own strength ; and that the conditions which he and his army would propose were very easie , viz. that they might enjoy that peace and liberty for the exercise of their religion , which was often confirmed to them by the decrees of all the states , and by the kings own proclamations ; that it was extream madnesse in those italians and strangers , to think that those of the religion , whereof there were at least two hundred thousand men , could so easily be rooted out , the truth whereof the experience of the former warres might easily demonstrate . the duke of anjou having received that disgrace which we spake of before , by the advice of his councel dismissed a great part of his army , especially of his horse , for a moneth or two , bidding them go home and refresh their bodies . things standing thus , the admirall called a councel , wherein it was determined , that seeing rochel and divers other maritine cities and places were wholly in the power of the protestants , that therefore they should take care for the fortifying of them , and then should attempt the taking in of the city of poictiers , which would be as a bulwark to all that countrey ; but to this there seemed a main impediment , which was the taking in of the castle of lusiniac , the strongest piece in all france : yet after they had besieged it a few daies , it was surrendred to them ; and so also was castelheraut about the same time . then they proceeded to besiege and batter poictiers , but within a few daies the admirall , being quite tired with watchings and labours , fell sick of a flux , which held him so violently for thirty daies together , that he could neither assist them with his counsels nor presence ; so that by this means the city was relieved with much provision and three hundred fresh souldiers , which encouraged them to make divers sallies : the king also wrote to them to hold out , promising speedy aid , which animated them valiently to defend themselves . but it was evident that if the lord had not laid that affliction upon the admirall , the city had been theirs . about this time there was one of the admirals servants called dominicus albio , who having been taken prisoner by the kings party , and stayed some moneths with them , returned to his master , where after a while he was suspected by reason of some words that fell from him , and therefore being strictly examined , he brought forth a box of poyson which one riverius , a chief man about the duke of anjou had given him ; together with one of his secretaries , both of them promising him two thousand crowns if he would poyson his master . upon this his confession he was condemned to death ; and though some would have had him tormented , yet the admirall caused him only to be hanged , for the terrour of orhers . the admiral being not yet fully recovered of his disease , news was brought him that castelheraut , being about seven miles off , was besieged by the enemies ; whereupon in his horselitter , he presently advanced thitherward , and having relieved the place with fresh men he easily raised the siege , and drave away his enemies , killed many , especially of the italians , neither gave he over the pursuit till they had passed the river , which for the depth of it is called creusa . in the mean time the young duke of guise , who was governour of poictiers , in the night time removed out of the city with a great company , putting a fresh garrison into it ; and the duke of anjou having recruted his army with many french , germans and swissers , came to chinon ; whereas the admirals army was tired out with the long siege of poictiers , and much wasted with want of provision , and with great tempests ; and of those which remained there were very many sick , especially of the germans ; and most of those of xantone were gone home to refresh themselves . many also were gone to la charity , and sancerre , which were in the protestants hands : for which causes the admirall judging it best to protract time , restrained the eager mindes of his souldiers from fighting ; yet both captains and common souldiers would not be satisfied , threatning to go home and provide for their own safety . they also judged it farre more fit to fight there in their own countrey , where they might be supplied with necessaries , then in their enemies ; especially considering that they had divers strong towns in aquitane , the delphinate and leige , into which they might retreat , and from whence they might make excursions for the depopulating of their enemies countries . the germanes also cried out , that having wanted their pay for divers moneths , it were better for them to fight , then to be so long from their own countrey and relations . thus it being resolved that they should come to a battell ▪ both armies advanced to monconture , striving which should possesse the place ; and the van being led by the admirall , was suddainly set upon by the enemy ; the admirall seeking for his armour-bearer could not find him , yet unarmed as he was , he rushed into the midst of his enemies ; count mansfelt seconded him , so that they forced them to give ground : hard by there was a rivolet which the enemies contended earnestly to passe over ; whereupon the admirall taking some harquebushiers with him , hastened to the rivers bank to oppose them , where he continued all that evening ; ●n the mean time the enemy continually shot at him both with great and small shot , who if they could have gotten the passage , might have brought great detriment to the army ; for the enemies exceeded the protestant army by a third part , besides they were fresh and in good plight , the other were weary and harrassed out ; but this holp them only for two daies space , for on the third day six hundred germans set upon the admirall , who had only two hundred french horse with him , and in the fight , the admirall being often shot at , at last received a wound on his face by the right side of his nose , the bullet piercing into his mouth , which wound bled so fast that he could not spit out the blood : his sword also by many blows fell out of his hand , and the buckles of his breast-plate were so broken that it hung by very little : but in this extremity by the assistance and faithfull help of one ●lorinerius a young norman , whom he had brought up from a child in his family , he was rescued and conveyed out of the crowd , and his forces being overthrown , he was by his friends conveyed to parthenaeus . here we might wonder at his constancy and magnanimity : for whereas in this great calamity most men gave way to despondency , he laboured to comfort and confirm each of them ; he also caused his secretaries presently to write into all the parts of france to the protestants that were in arms , not to be discouraged , or to think that he had received so great a blow which might not be repaired within a few daies . the very next day he removed to niort , where , having setled his affairs , he went into xantone , and there stayed seven daies for the cure of his wound , which could not be perfectly healed in lesse then twenty five daies space . being thus tos●ed up and down with various afflictions , word was brought him that the parliament of paris , sept. . . had made a decree wherein they had declared him guilty of treason , and had proposed a reward of fifty thousand crowns to any one that would bring him alive to the king. at the same time he had intelligence that one martinengus an italian , banished his own countrey for treason , being made by the king commander of some troops of horse , had been at castellion , and surprized his castle , and plundered it of all his rich furniture which for divers ages had remained there , the value whereof was not lesse worth then one hundred thousand crowns , besides he had so burned the whole town adjoyning to the castle , that there was scarce any footsteps remaining of it ; which sad tidings were so farre from causing any dejectednesse in him , or disfitting him for his employments , that he did not so much as shew the least change in his countenance : and whenas his friends and kindred flocked to him to comfort him , he told them , that through gods grace , he had this frame of spirit given him , that for those things which are usually called goods , he possessed them , and not they him ; and that his fortunes were subjected to him , not he to them . and whereas in those civil warres , princes , peers , nobles , knights , horsemen and footmen had large allowances from the king , whereby they maintained themselves , he on the contrary was alwaies carefull to discharge his quarters , both for himself and family , whereby he contracted great debts , taking up money upon use to enable him to it ; yea he pawned his very wives jewels , bracelets , rings , and other rich furniture , thereby to furnish himself with money ; by which means he did so weaken his estate , that in the end of this third civil warre he was forced in a councel of the princes , to move for some allowance wherewith to sustain his family . about this time he wrote another letter to his sons , and the sons of his brother andelot , who were still at rochel , under the same tutor , the tenour whereof was this : truly it would be very gratefull unto me if i had opportunity to see you , and to speak face to face : but seeing i am deprived of that happiness , i thought fit by this epistle to admonish you alwaies to set piety and the fear of god before your faces , especially at this time , when you find by experience that there is no trusting to those things which are called goods . our hope must be placed elsewhere then in this world , and other things must be sought after then those which we see with our eyes , and handle with our hands : but because to do that is not in our own powers , we must earnestly pray unto god that he would lead us in that way which is most sure and safe ; neither yet must you expect that that way will prove pleasant and delicate , and abounding with worldly felicity : for christ himself who hath gone before us , and is our captain and ensign bearer , must be imitated by us . men indeed have dispoiled us of those things which are fading and transitory , but if we be willing and carefull to submit to the will of god , we shall be happy , and it shall be well with us at the last ; for those men have wronged you , not for any injury you ever did them , but out of a hatred against me , which also proceeds from hence , because the lord is pleased to honour me by being an instrument of assisting has afflicted church ; and therefore if for this cause we suffer losse and inconveniences , we have no reason to grieve for it , but rather to assure our selves that he will give us such a reward as men shall not be able to take from us . i have many other things to write to you of if i had leasure ; but for the present i have enough , if i may admonish and request you for gods sake , that you go on valiantly in the study of vertue , and that in all your words and actions you shew an aborrency of all vices ; be obedient to your master , and your other governours , that though i seldom see you , yet i may hear that you increase in piety and good manners : to conclude , i pray , if it be the will of god , that whatsoever further befals us , either in our estates or persons , we may have it sanctified to us for our spiritual good ; and i heartily pray to god that he will be a refuge and help unto you , and a defence in this your minority ; fare you well . from xantone , octob. . . castellonius . the admirall and all the commanders of his army having often consulted about their future proceedings , resolved to strengthen all their garrisons , and so with their light horse to go into tholouse , where they of the religion held montalban , a place very strong both by nature and art , who also had gotten together a good summe of money for paying the german auxiliaries : besides they hoped by passing over the two rivers of garone and lotters , to joyn to themselves those forces which were under the command of mongomry , a man of great authority by reason of his skill and experience in military affairs , who also had lately by the assistance of his forces quieted berne , that belonged to the prince of navarr . this journey , by reason of the roughnesse of the way proved very difficult and painfull , especially considering that the enemies had garrisoned all the cities , and broken down all the bridges where they were to passe ; yet at length with much difficulty they came to montalban , from whence the admirall sent to the king and queen-mother in in his own , and in the names of all that were with him , humbly intreating them that they would not suffer so many valiant and gallant men as were in both armies mutually to shed the blood each of other ; but that rather out of their clemency they would put an end to those mischiefs ; that the contrary was the counsell of some cardinals and bishops that never came into the field to try the miseries of warre ; or else of certain italians that rejoyced in the ruines of france ; and that it was extream madnesse to suppose that two huedred thousand protestants to whom so many of the nobility had joyned themselves , could so easily be suppressed and destroyed . besides also it could not be but in those warres many papists must be great sufferers as well as the protestants ; some in their persons , and others in their estates and families . that the speeches of the courtiers were unworthy the kings majesty , who used commonly to say , that the king would not spare his popish subjects , so he might destroy his adversaries : for it was the voice of a tyrant , not of a king , to say , pereant amici , dum unà in mici intercidant , let my friends perish whilst mine enemies fall together with them . that the conditions of peace were easie , viz. that the decrees made by the states of orleance , and the edicts of paris might be renewed and established , whereby the protestants were allowed certain places for publique worship . these messengers being dispatched away , they presently resolved to passe the river oaronna , which was between theirs and mongomries forces , but the passage seemed very difficult by reason of the breadth , depth and swiftnesse of the river ; whereupon the admirall resolved to take in the town of marian , which stands upon the rivers bank , which he also did , and mongomry coming to the other bank , the admirall intended to make a bridge , which also with admirable art and industry he effected , and so in two daies space passed the german horse over it : but the night after a ship coming swiftly along the stream , brake down the bridge , so that they were forced to make a new one of boats , whereby mongomries army came over safe to them ; and the german horse also which brought up his rear , and so having stayed there two daies for the refreshing of his men , he led his army to tholouse , and took in all the neighbouring towns , either by storm or surrender , though he had only two great guns in his train , which he brought with him from montalban . and the protestant army was the more incensed against them of tholouse , because ( say they ) they have been violent to burn them of our religion : they beheaded captain rapin who carried them the edict of peace from the king ; they have also committed many other insolencies which now cry for vengeance , and god hath put an opportunity into our hands , which we must not neglect , &c. having dispatched these things he resolved to march to vivaret , and to the bank of rhodanus , and understanding that some were up in arms for him in the delphinate , who also had taken some towns , he sent part of his forces to them , to assist them in taking in some cities of greater consequence , committing the government of them to count lodwick of nassaw , who arriving in the delphinate , struck such a terrour into the inhabitants as caused them to fly into the cities ; but he having no guns for battery , only wasted the enemies countrey , and so with honour returned within few daies to the admirall . shortly after the admirall worn out with cares , watchings , and incessant labours , fell sick ; and though he was greatly afflicted with his disease , yet conceiving that it was of great concernment for him to get to the river liger , he made no stay , but in his horselitter marched with his army thitherward ; for he was informed that about la charity and sancerra , there were about two hundred risen in arms for him , whom he thought to be of great concernment to adjoyn to his army , the rather because cossaeus marshall of the kingdom , after the battell in xantone , by the king made generall of the army in the room of the duke of anjou , as he understood , advanced with his army that way , and began to approach near him : and whereas there came a trumpet from him to the admirall about exchange of prisoners , the admirall sent him word by his trumpet that he should not need to be at so much pains to seek him , for that he himself was hasting towards him , so fast as he could . when he was advanced so far as the forrest , behold new ambassadors met him from the king about a peace ; for when the courtiers heard that the admirall , whom they thought to be utterly broken by his former overthrow , had in so short a time gotten so gallant an army together again , they were extreamly terrified , lest he should march directly towards paris , and there should plunder and destroy the brave countrey houses of the courtiers , senators , and rich citizens of paris , the like whereunto they had heard that the senators and citizens of tholouse had already felt . the admirall by his march ( though in his horselitter ) had his disease much increased upon him , and the physicians gave their judgment , that if he continued still to be pressed with so great cares and multiplicity of businesses , he could not hold out long ; whereupon the treaty with the kings ambassadours brake off for a time : but some nobles that were aweary of the warres complained that there was no reason that the treaty should cease , because the admirall could not be present at it , affirming , that though he should die , yet there were men enough of honour and interest that could carry on the treaty , to the establishing of peace . the ambassadors tnswered them , we wonder thrt you do not consider of how great authority the admirall is amongst you , who if he should die to day , we would not offer to any of you tomorrow , so much as a cup of cold water . what ? do you not yet know that the only name of the admirall can prevail more for you then a great army without him ? within a few daies the admirall being refreshed , and in a good measure recovered , the treaty began again , and at last it was concluded , that certain commissioners should go along with the kings ambassadours , to signifie to his majesty in the name of them all , that they of the religion desired nothing more then peace , neither was any thing more grievous to them then warre ; yet was there none of them but would undergo greater miseries , yea and death it self , rather then to deny the truth which they had embraced : that if the king pleased to grant them peace and the exercise of their religion upon the former conditions , and to put some cautionary towns into their power for their security , they would willingly , and for ever lay down their arms. these messengers being dispatched , the admirall advanced forward , and in his way took in the town of reneducium , to which some of the vantcurriers of cossaeus were come , and from that day forwards there was no day passed without some skirmishes between the two armies ; and one day the minds of the souldiers on both parts were so far inflamed that it had near come to a generall battell , there being only a little brook between the two armies , monsieur mongomry having already broken the first battell of the adversaries , wherein were valetius and vasco , men of great authority amongst the royalists . but presently came new messengers from the king desiring a cessation from arms till the treaty was finished ; and after great debate an edict was sent from the king , by which certain places were allotted to the protestants for the exercise of their religion in , for the performance whereof they had for two years four cautionary towns put into their hands , viz. rochel , montalban , cognac , and charity : and the kings proclamations hereof were sent all over the kingdom ; and so an en end was put to the third civil warres . the admirall bringing the german forces to the borders of their countrey , dismissed them courteously , and so taking the two young princes of navarr and conde , he went with them to rochel , where the queen of navarr was , purposing to stay there till the peace was fully setled in every place : and after a few moneths , trusting to the kings promises , and to the oaths of the kings brethren , and parliaments , having been tired out with so many and great labours , he betook himself to rest ; and at the intreaties and perswasions of his friends , inclined to dispose of himself again in marriage , the rather because he was earnestly solicited thereto by the kindred of jacoba monbella , the widow of the l. anthony monbell , who was daughter of count intermontanus , of whose modesty , piety , and wholly life he had heard much formerly . she therefore being brought honourably to him to rochel , he solemnly married her ; and not long after he disposed his own daughter ludovica in marriage to monsieur teligni , a young man of great nobility and vertue . of all the nobility of france none seemed more acceptable and dearer to the king then this teligni , by reason of his admirall ingenuity ; and therefore being much about the king , it was he that did afterwards perswade the admirall of the great esteem and hearty good will of the king towards him . but god quickly mixed sorrow with the joy of these marriages , news being brought about that time , of the death of odet coligni cardinall of chattillion , who had been some time in the court of england , as the procurator for the cause of the protestants with queen elizabeth , who much favoured him for the amplitude of his family , and the opinion of his vertue and integrity . but the protestants affairs being composed in france , his brother gaspar sent for him : whereupon coming to queen elizabeth , he obtained leave for his departure ; but being taken with a suddain disease , he died feb. . . not without the suspition of poyson , and was buried at canterbury , being about fifty years old . he was a man of rare courage , candor and faithfulnesse , of a sharp judgment , so that few were to be compared with him in managing great affairs . guillin his chamberlain poysoned him with an apple , at the instigation of the queen-mother , as he confessed at the time of his death , when afterwards he was taken as a spy at rochel , for which he was hanged . but all this while the duke of anjou was a great enemy to the protestants , and boasted every where of his victories against them , yet the king did what he could to perswade the queen of navarr and the admirall of his great good will towards them , that they might be induced the more to confide in him . notwithstanding which the papists in some places made slaughters of the protestants . as in orenge , whither all the inhabitants returned , who had been driven away in the time of the late warres , the popish souldiers made an assault upon them , and slew them without regard of age or sex . also in roan , and other places they were slain in great number by the popish rabble . whereupon the queen of navarr , the princes and other protestant nobles sent to the king to complain of the violation of the edict , and to require satisfaction for the same . the king entertained them kindly , protested that these things were done to his great grief , and that he would so punish the authors of these mischiefs , as should be for the terrour of others . not long after , viz. anno christi . the king wrote very flattering letters to the admirall , giving him very honourable tearmes , inviting him to his court at blesa , intreating him that he would be an instrument of concluding a marriage between henry prince of navarr , and his sister margaret , and to prevail the more with him , he sent him word by his messengers , that no surer way could be found out for establishing the publique peace of the kingdom , and for uniting all sorts of persons , then by this marriage . and the better to delude him , the guises seemed to be every day lesse welcome to him then other , and monmorency ( the admirals sisters son ) was used very familiarly by the king , who often protested to him his good will towards the admirall ; communicated to him the counsels of his greatest affairs , for the managing whereof he told him , that he had need of the admirall for to be his captain and minister . the queen-mother also , according to her manner , protested that she liked nothing better then that a certain peace should be confirmed upon equal conditions , the memory of former matters being blotted out . by these means the admirall was drawn to the court , where he was intertained extraordinary lovingly , even beyond expectation ; so that when he fell down on his knees to do reverence , the king took him up , calling him his father , saying often and openly , that a more desired day never shone unto him then that , wherein he saw an end put to the warre , and a firm peace setled in the whole kingdom by his presence ; adding , with a smiling countenance , now we have you with us , you shall never depart from our side hereafter . he was intertained with the same serenity of countenance by the queen-mother , the duke of anjou , but especially by the duke of alanson , who much favoured him . the king also seconded his words with deeds , causing one hundred thousand crowns to be paid him out of his treasury for his private losses in the last warres ; he gave him also the revenues of the cardinall his brother , which were very great , for one year , and also the furniture and houshold stuff of the said cardinall . a few daies after the admirals return from the court , the young duke of guise , by the instigation of the cardinall of lorraine his uncle , would have put in a new complaint against the admirall for the death of his father ; but the king interposing his authority , drew up a form of agreement , which he made both of them to set their seals to , and to take their oaths for the keeping of it ; notwithstanding which the duke of guise shortly after entered paris , accompanied with many armed men , which the admirall hearing of , being then at his house at castellion , he moved the king by his son-in-law monsieur teligni , that he might have leave to keep a small guard for his own safety : whereupon the king wrote to him with his own hand , and sent his letter by bricmald , a man of great esteem for his vertue ; the tenour where of was this : that it was most acceptable to him that the admirall should be exceeding cautious and carefull of his own safety , and therefore he gave him power to fortifie his castle , and to raise as great a guard as he pleased , desiring him to be confident without doubting of his good will towards him ; and that he would be as carefull of his safety , as a father of his childes . these letters with many such like expressions of love being written with the kings own hand , many read with great delight , and were now throughly perswaded that they ought no longer to doubt of the kings good will and sincere affections to the admirall . hereupon count lodwick of nassaw ( whom we mentioned before ) thinking this a fit time ( and being secretly invited to the court ) moved the king in the name of his brother the prince of orenge , for assistance ; telling him that there were many cities in the low countries , that being oppressed and tired out with the lust , covetousnesse , and cruelty of the spaniards , would willingly surrender themselves into his hands ; and after a few daies spent in debate about this businesse , the king faithfully promised count lodwick that very shortly he would send a great army under the command of the admirall thither ; and it was further agreed upon betwixt them , that if they succeeded in that war , the king of france should have all the countrey from antwerp to picardy , and that the prince of orenge should have holland , zeland , and frisland . about this very time letters were intercepted and sent to the admirall , written from the cardinall peleus to the cardinall of lorrain to this purpose : that the king was never better affected then now ; and therefore because of his good affections , together with the queen-mothers , and the duke of anjou's , he hoped there would be good issue of those affairs which were resolved on in the common councel : that the king at the admirals coming to court , had carried himself more politickly then they could have expected ; whereupon the king believed that he had taken away all suspition from the admirall , and had left him no occasion of doubting of his love and good will towards him , which lorrain knew to be the basis , by their joynt consent , upon which their future proceedings did depend . that some speech was indeed raised about warring upon the king of spain , which the king made such use of , that the admirall thence collected arguments of his greater good will towards him . that they must use such artifices whilst they expected an opportunity to effect what was resolved on . that the king of spain was throughly acquainted with all these proceedings , that so he might suspect nothing by reason of those great preparations which were made for warre , for he was assured that this was done upon good grounds , as subservient to the principal end . that therefore he desired the cardinall that whatsoever he had heard , or should hear hereafter , yet he should assure himself that the king would never depart from his first purpose , and that whatsoever he did , did but conduce to hasten the end of their counsels , and that both the king , queen-mother , and the duke of anjou , were all very solicitous for this thing , and that as soon as ever the businesse should be effected , they would instantly send away messengers to acquaint lorraine with it . and as for the businesse of the prince of navarrs marriage , they hoped that it would quickly be effected , for this was ro begin all their future designs , &c. he that sent these letters to the admirall , hoped that he would have been warned by them to look to himself and his affairs , but he had such a strong confidence of the kings love and good will towards him , which also was daily nourished in him by his son-in-law teligni , that he which was most provident and sharp-sighted in all others businesses , was fatally blind in this . in the beginning of may . the king desired the queen of navarr to go to paris , to provide all things necessary for the marriage , where she arrived the fifteenth day of the same moneth ; and the fourth day of june she fell sick of a feavour , whereof she died five daies after , to the extream grief and sorrow of all her servants and friends . two daies before her death , being in perfect memory , she made a most christian testament and last will , finishing her course with singular piety and joy in god. she was a princesse of great experience by reason of her manifold adversities , in all which she shewed an invincible constancy , and heroicall greatnesse of courage , most affectionate to her religion , very carefull of the education of her children , training them up in the fear of god. in her words most grave and full of motherly affections to them . she had a ready and well advised wit , was pitifull and easie to be intreated ; constantly maintained that which she judged to be good , and agreeable to the will and good pleasure of god. she had a great vivacity of spirit , whereby she was able to comprehend all her affairs , and had a lively grace in representing them , either by word or writing . she died june . . and of her age . it was believed that she was poysoned by the smell of certain perfumes ; the doctors and chyrurgions which opened her , were commanded not to open her brain where the mischief lay , and therefore could not determine about the cause of her death . the admirrll in this time was at his house aa castallion , where he received many letters and messages from the king to come to him ; and because he stirred not , the king sent cavagnes and briquemaud to fetch him , that they might come to a conclusion about the warres in flanders ; and special commandment was given to the provost of merchants , and other chief men , that at the admirals coming to paris , there should be no affronts done him . about the same time the admirall had many advertisements from his friends , both within and without the realm ; that though he could not conceive any sinister opinion of the king , his mother , or brother , that yet at least he would consider into what place he was about to thrust himself , amongst so many implacable enemies . but he resting upon the testimony of a good conscience , and the providence of god , rejected all those counsels , as proceeding from mens covetousnesse , or desire of new troubles , which he abhorred worse then death ; and therefore taking a small train with him , he went to paris , and was very honourably intertained by the king , queen-mother , the kings brethren and others , to the great astonishment of the whole city . at the admirals coming to paris , amongst other letters that were brought to him , there was one that gave him these warnings . remember the popish maxime , confirmed by the authority of councils , that faith is not to be kept with hereticks , in which number the protestants are accounted . remember the implacable spirits of the papists at this time , irritated by the last warres . there is no doubt but it is the fixed purpose of the queen-mother to destroy the protestants by any means whatsoever . consider that she is an italian , of a most crafty wit , born of the progeny of popes , who contrives all extream things against her enemies . remember in what school the king hath been brought up from his childhood : how he hath been taught to swear and forswear : to pollute himself with whoredomes and adulteries : to compose his countenance : to counterfeit faith and religion : how he hath been accustomed to cruelty and bloodshed : how he hath been taught not to suffer above one religion in his kingdom : how it hath been whispered into his ears , that the protestants seek to dispoil him of his life and kingdom : that he is not bound to keep covenants made with armed subjects : that he is taught the mysteries of state policy . remember that commodus caused julianus to be slain , whom he pretended to honour and imbrace as a father . that antoninus caracalla , under the pretence of a muster , caused all the chief youths of the city to be slain . that lysander under the pretence of friendship commanded the throats of four hundred milesians to be cut . that lately atonius spinola invited all the chief men of corsica to a banquet , where they were all slain . that christian , king of denmark , used the same art to commit that horrid massacre at stockholme , &c. that the kings speech to his mother at blois was no secret , when swearing fearfully , he asked her whether he had not carried himself well at the coming of the queen of navarr ? to whom she answered , that he had begun well , but that would profit little unlesse he went on : but i ( quoth he ) swearing often , will bring them all into the net . wherefore if you be wise , haste both out of the court and city with all speed , as out of a most impure sink . the admirall having read this letter , though he were offended , yet lest he should seem to neglect the prayers and warnings of his friends , he returned this answer ; that there was no place left any longer for these suspitions : that he was verily perswaded that so great perfidiousnesse could not enter into the heart of so good a king : that indeed the duke of anjou was more estranged from the protestants ; but that hatred would by degrees cease by reverence of the affinity contracted with the king of navarr : that the king had entred into a league with the queen of england , and endeavoured to do the same with the protestant princes in germany , which sufficiently shews how he stands affected to the protestants . moreover that faith was given to the prince of orenge , and to the e. of nassaw his brother to aid them against the spaniards . that the kings ambassadours did daily search into the counsels of the duke de alva , and acquainted the king therewith , as the king daily informed him : that the navy under strossius at broag is rigged for no other end but to disturb the spansh fleet , and to assist the prince of orenge . that for himself they need not fear , the king having made friendship betwixt the guises and him , faith being mutually given that neither should injure other . to conclude , that the king doth all he can to have peace at home , and warre abroad ; and to translate it into the low countries against the spaniards ; wherefore he prayeth his friends not to trouble his mind any more with suspitions , which is now busied with weightier matters , and to joyn with him in prayer to god , that he would bring those things to a good issue , which are well begun for his glory , and the good both of church and kingdom . a little before count lodwick with some others had commissions from the king to surprize some frontier town in flanders . on the other side the duke de alva had intelligence of every step that count lodwick took , yet such was his diligence that he surpriz'd monts in henault , wherewith the duke de alva was so netled , that he said , the queen-mother had sent him the flowers of florence , but he would for them return her spanish thistles ; but upon further intelligence he was soon pacified . many lords and gentlemen of the religion accompanied the king of navarr and prince of conde to paris , and the king drew many more of them thither , who otherwise would have kept their houses , under pretence of his warres in flanders . count lodwick was presently besieged in monts by de alva , whereupon the king gave commission to monsieur jenlis to raise horse and foot for his succour : but de alva being acquainted with all his proceedings , surprized him , which the king seemed to be much grieved at , and presently wrote to his ambassadours in the low countries to procure the deliverance of the prisoners . he also encouraged the admirall to send all the help he could to the rutters , whom the prince of orenge had levied for the relief of his brother , causing monies to be delivered to him for their pay . the ambassadours of spain also seemed to be very male-content , because the king began warre in flanders : and the kings mother played her part in this tragedy , pretending that she knew nothing of the kings proceedings , and now she did know them she would leave the court. these juglings were carried so handsomly , that the admirall , teligni his son-in-law , and other lords were confidently perswaded that the king was wholly guided by the admirals advice . july the last , the rochelers wrote to the admirall that the kings army approached near them ; that from xantone and gascoine it daily wasted the countrey about them , using terrible threatnings against their town , and menacing to plunder it ; whereupon they intreated his advice , especially about receiving eight hundred men , which they sought to put as a garrison into the town . the admirall made them an honourable answer , aug. . assuring them of the care he had over them , adding that he found the king so well disposed for peace , that all men had cause to commend him . yet the rochelers neglected not to look to themselves and to fortifie their town . in other towns many were the threats of the papists against the protestants , which much terrified some : others relied upon the admirals presence and favour at court ; and to such as suggested doubts to him , he said , that the king had reconciled the differences betwixt the guises and him , causing both parties to swear friendship : that the king gave his sister in marriage , not so much to the king of navarr as to the whole church of the protestants , to joyn with them thereby in an inviolable union , and therefore he besought all them , that either by writing or words advised him of the hatred of the king , queen-mother , the duke of anjou , or the house of guise , no more to trouble him with those things , but rather to commend all in their daily prayers to god , and to give him thanks who of his infinite mercy had brought things to so good an end . august . henry king of navarr , and the lady margaret of france , sister to the king , in the evening were conducted to the louure , and the next day were married by the cardinall of bourbon in the sight of all the people upon a great scaffold made before the gate of the great church in paris , which day was passed over in banquets , dances and masks ; and that very day the admirall wrote a letter to his wife great with child in this tenour : most dear and desired wife , this day was celebrated the marriage between the king of navarr and the kings sister , and these three or four ensuing daies will be spent in feastings , maskings and dancings . the king hath promised me , that after a few daies he will set time apart to hear the complaints which are brought from several parts of the kingdom for violating the edict of peace ; for the prosecution whereof it 's very necessary that i should improve all my interest with the king : for though i have an earnest desire to see thee , yet it would be grievous to me , and i suppose to thee also , if i should be any waies deficient in a business of so great concernment ; neither will my stay here about it be such , but that i hope to come to thee this next week . if i should only respect my own content , it would be much more pleasing to me to be with thee , then to stay any longer at court , for sundry reasons which i may hereafter impart to thee ; but i must have more respect to the publique good , then either to my own pleasure or profit . i have some other things to impart to thee so soon as god shall bring us together , which i much long for both day and night . all that i have for the present to write to thee is only thus much ; at four a clock this afternoon was celebrated the masse for the marriage , during which time the king of navarr walked without the church with some other noble-men of our religion . some other matters of smaller concernment i shall reserve till we have an opportunity to speak together ; in the mean time ( most dear and loving wife ) i pray for thee that god will protect and keep thee , farewell . paris , aug. . . three daies since i was much tormented with the stone and cholick , but through gods mercy they held me not above eight or ten hours , and now by the same mercy i am wholly freed from them . i promise thee that in these great feasts and pastimes i will trouble none . once again farewell . thy most loving husband , chattillion . about the same time , their counsels for the massacre being not yet ripened , the king with the greatest demonstrations of good will that might be , thus accosts the admirall , my father , remember what you have undertaken to me , that you will be injurious to none of the guises whilst you are in the court , they also have interchangeably given their faith , that they will carry themselves honourably and modestly towards you . and truly i put as great trust as may be in your words , but i have not the same confidence in their promises . for besides that i know that the guises seek occasion of revenge , i know their disposition to be bold and haughty , and with what great favour and affection the people of paris do follow them ; it would be a great grief to me if they who have brought into the city many men of warre notably furnished with arms , under colour of coming to the marriage solemnity , should go about any thing for your destruction , which would extreamly reflect upon me ; and therefore i think it fit , if you be of the same minde , to bring a regiment of praetorian souldiers into the city , under the command of such men ( meaning some that were least suspected ) who may not only be ready for the publique securiry , but upon all emergencies , if turbulent spirits should attempt any thing against you . this friendly speech so prevailed with the admirall that he gave his consent , and so a regiment was brought in without the suspition of the protestants , which afterwards helped to cut their throats . five daies after , as the admirall came from the court , where he had been all that morning , accompanied with twelve or fifteen gentlemen , being on foot about a hundred paces from the louure , walking softly , and reading a petition , just over-against the house of one villemure a canon , and tutor to the young duke of guise , one shot with an harquebush at him through a lattice window , the gun was laden with three brasse bullets , one whereof brake his forefinger of his right hand , the other two pierced his left arm : he that shot it had a horse ready at the back door , whereon being mounted he escaped through st. anthonies gate , where finding a spanish jennet held ready for him , he posted away to the place appointed for his retreat . the door of the house being burst open , the harquebush was found with a lacquey , and another servant who belonged to challey , steward of the kings house , and a great dealer in the duke of guises affairs , who also the day before had brought this harquibushier to that house , desiring that he might be well intertained : the lacquey also was sent that morning by this harquebushier whose name was maurevel , to the duke of guises groom of his stable , requiring that the horse should be ready that was promised him . the admirall being brought to his lodging , shewed singular piety and patience ; chyrurgions were sent for , and amongst the rest ambrose pareus , the kings chyrurgion , who began first with his finger , which he cut off , but his pincers not being keen , he opened and pressed them three times before he could cut it off . then he lanced both those places in his arm which the bullets had pierced ; all which the admirall bore not only with a couragious heart , but with a constant countenance , insomuch as seeing his friends to weep which held his arm whilst the incisions were made , he said unto them , my friends , why do you weep ? i judge my self happy that bear these wounds for the cause of my god. and withall looking upon monsieur merlin his minister , he said , these wounds , my friends , are gods blessings , the smart indeed of them is troublesome , but i acknowledge the will of my lord god therein , and i bless his majesty who hath been pleased thus to honour me , and to lay any pain upon me for his holy name sake ; let us beg of him that he will enable me to presevere unto the end . and seeing monsieur merlin to weep and lament , he said to him , my merlin , you should rather comfort me : to whom he answered , indeed there can be no greater comfort then to think upon the honour which god hath done you , in judging you worthy for his name and religions sake to suffer these pains . my merlin , answered the admirall , if god should have dealt with me a●cording to my deserts , or have used his power over me , he must have de●● far more severely with me ; but blessed be his name , who hath dealt so mildly and lovingly with me his unworthy servant . then said another that stood by , go on with this your piety , fo● god ought to be praised by you who hath left the greatest part sa● and untouched , for which cause you have greater reason to admire h●● mercy in these wounds , then to complain of his justice , especial●● considering that neither your head nor your mind are wounded . th●● said merlin , you do very well sir that you turn your thoughts fro● these murtherers to god , for truly it was his hand that inflicted thei● wounds , neither ought you at all to think upon the bl●ody-mindednesse of your adversaries . truly , said the admirall , i freely and from my heart forgive both him that shot at me , and those also that set him on : for i know assuredly that it is not in their power to hurt me , no though they should kill me , for my death is a most certain passage to eternal life . th● same words he shortly after spake to marshall danvill when he came to visit him . and whereas monsieur merlin told him , that the afflictions and calamities which happen to gods children use to quicken the● more in prayer : the admirall thereupon with an audible voice and fervent soul poured out this prayer unto god , o lord god , and my heavenly father , have mercy upon me for thy tender mercies sake ; remember not against me my former iniquities , neither charge me with the sins of my youth . if thou lord shouldst strictly mark what is done amiss , or shouldst impute to us our breach of covenant , what flesh could stand before thee , or endure thine anger ? as for me , disclaiming all false gods and worship , i only call upon thee the eternal father of our lord jesus christ , and worship thee alone : for christ his sake , i beseech thee to bestow thy holy spirit upon me , and give me the grace of patience . i only trust in thy mercies , all my hope and confidence is placed on that alone , whether thou pleasest to inflict present death upon me , or to spare my life to do thee further service . behold lord , i am prepared to submit to thy will in either , nothing doubting , but if thou pleasest to inflict death upon me , thou wilt presently admit me into thine everlasting kingdom . but if lord thou sufferest me to live longer here , grant , o most heavenly father , that i may spend all the remainder of my daies in advancing thy glory , and in observing and sticking close to thy true religion . amen . his prayer being ended , monsieur merlin asked him if he pleased that they also should go to prayer with him : yea , said he , with all my heart ; and whilst merlin was praying , the admirall with his eyes fixed upon heaven joyned with very great devotion . and after prayer , when merlin minded him of the examples of the ancient martyrs , telling him that there was never any man from the beginning of the world , that laid out all his labour and interest for god , and his true religion , but that he met with manifold afflictions ; the admirall interrupted him , saying , i am refreshed and confirmed with this speech , and the examples of the holy fathers and martyrs do much comfort me , and mitigate my pain . presently after the two marshals of the kingdom , monsieur de cosse and danvill came to visit him , telling him that they were extreamly grieved for his mishap , and that nothing could have happened more bitter to them ; yet withall , say they , we judge it equal and agreeable to your former valour , to recollect and shew your self a man , for your vertue hath given you far more then this ill chance can take from you . then the admirall turning to de cosse , said , do you not remember , sir , what i told you of late ? truly so much attends you also . but , said danvill , my admirall , i purpose neither to comfort you , nor to exhort you to courage and constancy , for your self is the man from whom such consolations and exhortations use to proceed , only i request you to consider wherein i may be serviceable unto you : i wonder from whence this mischief did proceed ! then said the admirall , truly i can suspect none but the duke of guise , yet dare i not affirm that it was he : however , through gods mercy , i have learned neither to fear mine enemies , nor death it self , which i am sure can do me no hurt , but may forward my eternal peace and happinesse : for i know that my god in whom i have put all my confidence can neither deceive nor lye unto me . only herein i am sorrowfull , for that by this accident i am disabled to shew the king how much i would have done for his service ( meaning in the warre of flanders : ) would to god i had an opportunity to speak with his majesty , for i have some things to impart ro him , which much concern his interest , and i believe there is none that dare tell it him but my self . in the mean time the king of navarr , and the prince of conde complained grievously of this vile and treacherous fact to the king ; to whom the king cursing and swearing grievously , called god to witnesse that he would so severely punish this wickednesse towards the admirall , that he would leave the example to all future ages to take heed of such villany ; and thereupon the lacquy and woman that were found in the house , were apprehended and cast into prison . at two a clock in the afternoon , the king hearing of the admirals desire to speak with him , went to him , accompanied with the queen-mother , his two brethren , the duke of monpensier , the cardinall of bourbon , marshall danvill , tavenes , de cosse , &c. when the king came first into the admirals chamber he caused all his servants to go forth , except monsieur teligni , his wife , and merlin ; then going to the beds side , the admirall said to him , i humbly thank you sir , that you have been pleased to put your self to so much trouble for my sake . then did the king with flattering words congratulate his valiant mind , and bid him be of good courage , and hope well of the issue . to whom the admirall replied ; sir , there are three things wherewith i was desirous to acquaint your majesty ; first , to professe my fidelity and observance to your majesty ; and i pray god so to be mercifull unto me , before whose throne i may be brought shortly to appear by these my wounds , as i was alwaies studious and carefull of your honour and dignity . neither yet am i ignorant how often mine adversaries have calumniated me to your majesty , and accused me for a disturber of the publique peace ; but through gods mercy , though i should hold my peace , yet my actions will sufficiently clear me from this charge . indeed this hath been the fountain of all these calamities , because i resisted their fury , and impudency : and because i asserted the authority of your edicts against their turbulent and violent proceedings ; neither could i endure to suffer them so often to violate the faith confirmed by your oathes to your subjects . god is witnesse of the sincerity of my mind herein , who also fully knows the difference between me and my adversaries , and will righteously judge the same . furthermore also considering the great honours and offices conferred upon me by your father , and grandfather , and confirmed by your self ; i should be ungratefull and unfaithfull if i should not humbly request your majesty to provide a remedy against all those maladies and perturbations which already disturb the peace of your kingdom . and now to proceed to the businesse of flanders , never any of your predecessors had the like opportunity of getting honour as your self . you know that many cities in the low countries desire your favour , and to throw themselves into your protection . this occasion i perceive is in your court laugh't and scoff't at , and through the default of some few men , the opportunity is like to be overslipt . those forces which were lately led by genlisse thitherward , were circumvented , and destroyed by de alva ; you know what a great number of catholicks were in that army ; of what religion then i pray you are those who make a jest at the slaughter of so many of their countrey-men , and of their own religion ? there is scarce any secret word spoken in your privy-councell , but presently the duke de alva knows of it . i pray you sir , what good can we expect when those that sit in your privy-councell , and should assist your majesty and your brethren , do betray your most secret counsels to your publique and professed enemies ? i beseech you sir , that you take care of a businesse of such concernment as this is , yea again and again i intreat it of you . and lastly , i beg with the like earnestnesse , that you will not suffer your edict of pacification to be so ordinarily broken : you know how often you have sworn to keep it : you know that forreign nations , and all your neighbour princes have taken notice of it . what an unworthy thing is it sir , that an oath so solemnly sworn , should be so much slighted and neglected ? do you think that forreign princes will hereafter make any account of your oath ? but the other day in champaigne , as the nurse carried a child home from baptism , and from a sermon which was held in a place allowed by your authority , certain seditious persons lying in wait by the way , basely murthered the nurse , infant , and some other of the company with it . consider i pray you , how great the wickednesse was , and how honourable , yea how glorious it will be to your name not to suffer such cruelty to escape with impunity . unto this speech of the admirall the king returned this answer , that he had never called his loyalty into question ; that he reputed him a good commonwealths man , and a valiant and excellent captain , before whom he preferred no man in his kingdom . and ( said he ) if i had had any other opinion of you , i had never done as i have heretofore . about the flemish businesse he answered never a word . but for the third thing he answered , that he liked nothing better then that his edicts for pacification should be holily and inviolably observed , for which end he had sent his deputies into all the provinces of his kingdom ; for the confirmation whereof he called the queen-mother to witnesse , who turning to the admirall , said , my admirall , there is nothing more true , commissaries and deputies are sent into all parts . yea forsooth ( said the admirall ) of those men who have imposed fifty thousand crowns as the price of my head. then said the king , my admirall , there is danger lest your earnestnesse may hinder your health , it is better that you take your rest ; the harm hath befallen you , but the dishonour reflects upon me ; but i swear by gods death that i will so severely punish this wicked deed , that the memory thereof shall continue to all posterities : the woman and lacquy that were found in the house we have committed to safe custody , whom further do you require to be examined , or whom would you have to exercise judgment ? to this the admirall answered , i leave this businesse to your wisdom and fidelity , yet because you ask my judgment , i humbly desire that cavanneus and masparrot may be employed therein , for i think that the author of this deed is not farre off . the king and queen-mother coming nearer to the admirals pillow , spake a while softly , and at last the queen-mother said , although i am but a woman , yet i perceive we must provide betimes . the king at his departure advised the admirall to be transported into the kings castle , and the earl rhetius pressed the same divers times , saying that he feared lest such a commotion should be raised amongst the common people of paris , as the king with all his authority should not be able to quell . to this it was answered , that the physicians and chyrurgeous would not allow of his removall , lest the stirring of his body should inflame his wounds : that if the king pleased to manifest his love and favour to the admirall , there was no more fear of the people of paris , then of a company of women : that the authority of the kings name was so great in france , especially in paris , that were the common people never so mad and furious , yet the mention of that alone would easily suppresse them . then did the king call for the brasen bullet wherewith the admirall was wounded , and asked him if he felt not very great pain when his finger and arm were cut ? to which receiving an answer , he replied , that there could not be a more constant and valiant man found this day in the world ; and so restoring the bullet , the queen-mother looking on it said , i am glad that the bullet is got out , for i remember that when the duke of guise was shot in his camp , the physicians often told me , that though it were poysoned , yet there was no danger when the bullet was out : but , said a by-stander , madam , we rested not upon that , but we gave the admirall physick to prevent the danger if there were any poyson . after the kings departure came in john ferrers , vidam of chartres , who comforted the admirall with many words , concluding that the enemies had betraied their great cowardlinesse in that they durst not encounter the admirall but through a grated window ; but that the admirall was an happy man , who had lengthened out the praise of his vertue to so great an age . yea , said the admirall , in this i account my self happy , that the lord hath been pleased to shew me mercy , for they are truly blessed whose sins are forgiven , and whose transgressions are covered . the king of navarr , prince of conde , and some other christians of the protestants being present , they resolved to go down into a lower chamber , to consult what course to take for their present security . at this debate ferrers was very earnest that they should with all speed depart out of paris , assuring them that this was but the first act of a more dangerous tragedy that would suddainly ensue . others on the contrary argued , that it was enough for the present to require justice of the king , desiring that judgment might be speedily executed : in this opinion teligni stood stiff , affirming that he knew the kings mind throughly , and that they ought not to suspect his faith and good will. yet it was alleadged again that many seditious reports were scattered about : that many papists on the wedding-day , when the protestants came out of the church , that they might not be present at masse , spake publiquely , that within a few daies they should hear masse . also some of the chief citizens said , that there should be more blood then wine shed at that marriage . also the president of the senate advised a noble-man of the protestants to go into the countrey with his family for a few daies . also john monluc bishop of valentia , when he was going ambassadour into poland , advised the earl of rochfaucand , not to suffer himself to be blinded with the smoak of the court and its unsuall favours , which are deservedly suspected by wise and wary men ; therefore , said he , be not too secure , cast not your self into dangers , but withdraw your self and other noble-men betimes out of the court. but these things could not be heard by reason of monsieur teligni's confidence . in the mean time the woman and lacquy who were found in the house of villemur , were examined by the presidents of the parliament . the woman confessed that a few daies before , villerius challius , a retainer to the guises , brought a souldier to that house , commending him to her as if he had been the master of the house , but his name was concealed . the boy confessed that he had served this man a few daies , who called himself one while bolland , and another while bondol , and that he was sent that morning to challius to intreat him that the horse might be ready as he had promised . hereupon challius was sent for , the more to delude the protestants . the king also wrote to the governours of the provinces , wherein he detested the wrong done to the admirall , and required them to do their endeavour that all might understand how greatly it grieved him , and that he would most severely punish it to the terrour of all others . the day after some of the admirals friends being certified that many things were done tumultuously in the city , and that weapons were brought together in many places ; they thought fit that counsell should be taken betimes , for that no good could be expected from those proceedings : hereupon one was sent to the king to certifie him of the commontion of the people , and of their carrying of arms , and therefore to request him to charge certain of his guard to stand before the admirals door for his better security : the king seeming to be moved with this news , began to demand of the messenger who had told it him ? and whether the admirall knew of it ? and withall he sent for the queen-mother , who was scarce entred , when the king with a disquiet mind ( as he seemed ) said , what a mischief ? what is the matter ? he tels me that the common people are in a tumult , and take arms. she answered , they are not in any tumult , neither do they take arms ; but you know that early in the morning you commanded that all should contain themselves in their own quarters , lest any tumult might arise . that is true , said the king , but i forbad them to take arms. then the messenger again requested that he would send some of his guard to the admirals lodging . the duke of anjou being by , said , take cossen to you with fifty harquibushiers : the other answered , we desire only six of the kings guard , for their authority will more prevail with the people then many armed men . yea ( quoth the king and the duke of anjou ) take cossens to you , for you cannot have a fitter man : which words were pronounced very imperiously . the messenger knowing cossen to be a great enemy to the admirall , yet held his peace ; and not far from the kings chamber he met with monsieur thoree , brother to marshall monmorency , who whispering in his ear , said , no greater enemy could be given us for our keeper ; to whom the other answered , did you not observe how imperiously the king decreed it ? but pray you remember what i answered to the king when he first commanded it . a few hours after came cossen with his fifty harquibushiers to the admirals house , and chose two shops by , to place his guard in . a little after rambulet , the kings camp-master followed , who by the advice of the duke of anjou , commanded all the popish nobility that lodged in that street to remove their quarters elsewhere , that he might dispose of their lodgings to the friends and familiars of the admirall ; then which no more crafty counsell could be devised for those matters which afterwards fell out . towards evening this hapned , which gave to many no small occasion of suspition : a boy by the command of teligni brought two hunting poles to the admirals house ; but cossen put him back , and would not suffer them to be carried in : this being told to the king of navarr , who was now with the admirall , he went down , and asked cossen upon what confidence he did it ? cossen answered , that he had done it at the command of the king ; but , said he , since you will have it so , let them be brought in . that day the king sent to all the admirals familiar friends , admonishing them to go near to the admirals house , and take up all those quarters . but upon the former occurrences another councel was called under the admirals lodging , wherein the vidam of chartres again urged his former opinion , that the admirall should presently be carried out of paris , and that his friends should go along with him : that every hour they observed many things that justly increased their suspition ; but most were of the contrary opinion , viz. that they were only to require justice of the king , and to desire that the guises and their faction might be commanded out of the city , as being too powerfull with the people of paris ; and of this opinion was the king of navarr , the prince of conde , and many others ; and the rather because teligni urged that it would be a great injury to the king , if any should call his faith and sincerity into question , and that it would be sufficient if justice were meekly required of him . at this debate there was one bucavannius a picard , who never spake word ; he was a professor indeed of the true religion , but very gracious with the queen-mother , and very frequent with her familiars , which probably betraied all to her . about three a clock in the night there fell out another thing which increased the suspition , for one carrying to the admirals house the coats of male of teligni and guercius , cossen turned him back again , which man complaining to guercius ( who was a stout and gallant man ) he went to cossen , and sharply taxed him for it , so that they had well near fallen to blows , but teligni , who was of a meek and quiet spirit , with gentle words pacified them , himself being so deluded with the fair and flattering words of the king , that he never thought that he spake enough in his commendation . in the mean time a councell was held at court , where were present the king , queen-mother , duke of anjou , duke of nevers , the bastard of angolisme , birage , tavannius , and radesianus ; and it was concluded , that seeing by the death of one the mischief diffused amongst so many could not be extinguished , therefore all should be destroyed : and that the wrath which god would not have fulfilled with the blood of coligni alone , should be poured out against all the sectaries ; therefore , say they , the bridle is to be let loose to the common people , who are stirred up enough of themselves ; and when the businesse is accomplished , reasons will not be wanting whereby the deed may be excused , the blame being laid upon the guises , who will willingly undergo the same . so they all concluded that all the protestants were to be destroyed , even every mothers child of them . concerning the king of navarr , and the prince of conde , it was debated , whether they were to be exempted from the number of the rest : and it was alleadged that the king of navarr was to be spared , because of his royall dignity , and his affinity newly contracted ; for it would be without all excuse , if so great a prince , next to the king in blood , conjoyned in fresh affinity , should be slain in the kings castle , between the arms , as it were , of the king his brother-in-law , and his wives imbraces . concerning the prince of conde the contention was greater ; he was much envied for his fathers sake , yet the dignity of his person , and the authority of the duke of nevers , who became surety for him , prevailed that he should be spared . after this the king calling the king of navarr , told him that by reason of the violence and boldnesse of the guises , and the common people inclining to them , he would advise him to command those of his houshold whom he knew most faithfull to him , to come to him to the louure , to be at hand upon all occasions : this the king of navarr took in very good part , sending for those that were stout of hand to lodge about him . now it was observed that armed men rambled up and down in the city every where , and about the louure also : that the common people grumbled and gave forth threatning speeches . the admirall being informed of these things , sent one to the king to tell him of it . the king answered , that there was no cause why coligni should be affraid , for that these things were done by his command to represse the motions of the people , who were stirred up by the guises , and therefore bad him to rest assured . it was also told teligni that porters were seen carrying arms into the louure ; but he slighted it , saying , that these were unnecessary suspitions , the arms being carried in for the winning of a castle in the louure , that was built for sport . presently the duke of guise , to whom the charge was chiefly committed to see the businesse executed , calling together the captains of the popish swissers , and the tribunes of the french bands , late in the night he discovered to them what the will of the king was , that the hour was come wherein by the kings commandement punishments should be inflicted on the head , and by consequence upon the whole faction of the rebels ; that the beast was caught and entangled in the net , and therefore they must do their endeavoer that he might not escape : be not therefore ( said he ) wanting to so fit an occasion of carrying home a most glorious triumph over the enemies of the kingdom ; the victory is easie , the spoils will be rich and great , which you may obtain as the rewards of your good service , without shedding your own blood . then were the swissers placed about the louure , unto whom certain bands of french men were added , and charge was given them that they should suffer none of the king of navarrs , nor of the prince of conde's men to come forth . cossen also was charged with his harquibushiers to suffer none to come out of the admirals house . that evening guercius with some others , had profered teligni to keep guard in the admirals house , suspecting danger ; but he told them that there was no need for them so to trouble themselves , and so with gracious words dismissed them ; by which means it came to passe that none lodged in the admirals house but cornaton , labonnius , yolett the master of his horse , merlin his chaplain , paraeus the kings chyrurgeon , and some four or five servants : teligni was gone to the next house , where he lay with his wife . in the admirals court were the five swissers whom the king of navarr had sent him . then did the duke of guise send for john caronius lately made provost of merchants , whom he commanded to signifie to the aldermen , that they should bid those in their severall wards to appear in arms at the town-house about midnight to understand the kings pleasure : he commanded also macellus , who was very gracious with the people , to signifie to them that liberty was given them from the king to take arms to destroy coligni , and all the other rebels , that therefore they should see diligently that they spared none , nor suffered them any where to be concealed : that order should be taken to do the like in all other cities of the kingdom , who would follow the example of paris : that the sign for the beginning the assualt should be the ringing of the little bell in the palace : that the sign whereby they should know one another , should be a white handkerchief about their left arm , or a white crosse in their hats : that therefore they should come armed in good numbers , and with good courages , taking care to have candles lighted in their windows , that no tumult might arise before the sign was given . and thus the duke of guise , and the bastard of engolisme did all they could that things might be effected according to the agreement . at midnight the queen-mother fearing the kings wavering , who was somewhat startled at the horridnesse of the fact , reproved him for it , saying , that by his delaies he would overslip so fair an occasion offered by god for the utter vanquishing of his enemies . the king being netled with this which seemed to charge him with cowardlinesse , commanded the matter to be put in execution ; which word the queen-mother speedily taking hold of , caused the little bell to be rung in st. germanes church about an hour before day , aug. . being st. bartholmews day , and on a sabbath . presently the duke of guise with engolisme , and d' aumal went to the admirals house , where cossen watched ; and a noise being raised the admirall was awakned with it , and heard of a sedition , yet rested secure relying upon the kings word and favour : but the tumult growing greater , when he perceived a gun to be discharged in his court , he then conjectured , though too late , that which was the truth , and so rising out of his bed and putting on his night-gown , he stood and prayed against the wall . then came a servant to labonnius , and told him that there was one at the door who by the command of the king desired to be brought to the admirall ; labonnius therefore taking the keys , ran down and opened the door ; then did cossen catch at him , and stabbed him with his dagger , and so with his harquebushiers he set upon the rest , killing some and chasing away others : thus all things were filled with noise , and another door at the stair foot was easily broken open , and one of the five swissers ( sent by the king of navarr ) was slain ; yet were the stairs so barricado'd with chests that he could not presently enter . in the mean time monsieur merlin went to prayer with the admirall and the rest ; and at the end thereof a servant coming in said to the admirall , master , it is god who calleth us to himself , they have broken into the house , neither is there any ability to resist . then said the admirall , i have prepared my self for death a good while ago ; shift you for yourselves if possibly you can , for your endeavour to help me would be in vain : i commend my soul into gods hand . it was observed that the admirals countenance was no more troubled then if no danger were at hand . thuanus relates his words thus ; i perceive what is in doing , i was never afraid of death , and i am ready to undergo it patiently , for which i have long since prepared my self ; i bless god that i shall die in the lord , through whose grace i am elected to an hope of everlasting life . i now need no longer any help of man. you therefore my friends , get ye hence so soon as ye can , lest ye be involved in my calamity , and your wives hereafter say , that i was the cause of your destruction . the presence of god , to whose goodness i commend my soul which will presently fly out of my body , is aboundantly sufficient for me . then all his company gat up into an upper room , and crept out at a window upon the tiles , and by the benefit of night some escaped . by this time cossen with some swissers of the duke of anjou's guard had removed the chests , and were come up the stairs : one beheme [ a german ] was the first that entred the chamber , who seeing the admirall sitting there , said , are not you the admirall ? i am ( quoth he ) but you young man should have regard to my hoary head and old age . but beheme exchanging no more words , struck him with his sword , and first embrued himself in the admirals blood ; then cossen , atinius and the rest followed , and slew him with many wounds . this atinius reported afterwards that he never saw a man in so present a danger , to have born out death with so great a constancy . then did the duke of guise from below ask if the businesse were done ? answer was made that it was : but , said he , the duke of engolisme will not believe it , except he see him himself , therefore cast down his body out at the window ; with that they hurled it down headlong into the court all defiled with gore blood ; whereupon the bastard of engolisme , wiping the blood from his face with his handkerchief , and thereby knowing him , kicked him in a scornfull manner : some say it was the duke of guise that did it . then one of the duke of nevers servants cut off his head , and carried it to the king and queen-mother , who caused it to be embalmed , and sent it as a present to the pope and the cardinall of lorrain , to assure them of the death of their capitall enemy . the people fell upon his corps as mad men , one cuts off his hands , another his feet , another his privy members , and for three daies space drag his poor carcasse about the streets with all indignity . then some boyes would have thrown it into the river seine , but others dragged it to the gallows at mountfaucon , where they hung it up by the thighs , and the shoulders downward ; but within few daies francis monmorency , who had seasonably withdrawn himself from the danger , caused some trusty persons to take it down by night , and bury it in the chappell at contilia . this was the end of this brave man , who was the very first noble man in all france that durst professe himself a protestant , and a helper of them . he was marvellous zealous in performance of the exercises of religion : he used to rise very early , and then putting on his night-gown : and calling his servants about him , he went to prayer with them : then he set time apart to hear the deputies of the churches which were sent to him , or for such like publique businesses . each other day in the forenoon he had a sermon preached before him , after which he returned to his businesse till dinner , which being ready , his servants came in , and there the admirall standing by the table , and his wife by his side , one of david's psalms were sung , and a blessing craved upon the meat ; which course he did not only observe at his own house , but every day in his camp without intermission . when the cloth was taken away , he presently arose , and standing , with his wife by him , either himself or his chaplain returned thanks . at supper-time the same was done , both with prayers and psalms : and because he found it difficult to get all his servants together at bed-time in regard of their various employments , he caused them all to come in presently after supper , where after a psalm he went to prayer with them . by this his excellent example very many of the french nobility were enduced and encouraged to use the same discipline in their families ; the admirall often admonishing them , that if they would embrace godlinesse in the life and power of it , it was not enough for the master of the family to hear sermons , and to order his life in an holy and religious manner , unlesse by his authority and example he brought all his houshold to joyn with him in the same . when the time for receiving the lords supper approached , he used to call his friends and all his family to him , and shewed them that he must render an account to god for them as well as for himself : if any discord was between them , he reconciled it ; if any were ignorant , he took care that they should be better instructed ; if any were obstinate , he plainly gave them notice , that it was better for them to remain at their own homes , then for him to maintain such ungodly persons in his retinue . he alwaies esteemed the carefull education of children in good schools a singular benefit of god , and he called it the seminary of the church , saying , that ignorance of good letters was the cause of errour both in church and state ; and that popery crept in , and kept in by that means . hereupon he erected a fair school at chattilion under his castle , in a pleasant and wholesome place , and bestowed great cost on it , where he maintained learned interpreters of the hebrew , greek , and latine tongues ; he maintained also many poor boyes and young men in that school . he was modest and moderate in his desires after the world , for though he had great honours and offices conferred upon him , whereby he might much have enriched himself ; yet he added not so much as one lordship or plough-land to the inheritance left him by his fathers . he husbanded his estate and houshold affairs frugally ; yet having very many noblemen and gentlemen that resorted to him upon publique business , he gave them free and hearty entertainment , whereby he spent all that he saved at other times by his frugality . yea his extraordinary expences were so great , that he left his heir in debt no lesse then fourty thousand crowns , paying to his creditors yearly use-money no less then six thousand crowns . there was such incredible love and concord betwixt him and his two brethren , that all three seemed but to have one mind betwixt them . he lived fifty three years six moneths , and eight daies , and was slain aug. . . he was of a middle stature , of a ruddy colour , his members equall and well compacted ; of a mild and cheerfull countenance , of a small and pleasant voice , yet somewhat slow and gentle , of a healthy constitution , of a comely gate and gesture ; abstemious in the use of wine ; of a moderate diet and sleep , for he never used to sleep above seven hours at the most . after the edict for pacification he suffered no day to passe , but before he went to bed he set down the things in his journall which fell out in the civil warres , and were of any moment ; which being found after his death , was carried to the king , and admired by his very adversaries , who thereby saw his quiet , constant and composed mind in the midst of his greatest businesses . when the warre was finished , and he was retired to rochel , no day passed over his head , wherein he did not morning and evening read over one of calvin's sermons upon job , which history he used to call his pancrestum or physick for all diseases , which greatly comforted his heart in all his afflictions . by his first wife he had five children : he left alive lewis his eldest daughter , married to monsieur teligni , who was murthered the same night with his father-in-law ; then francis , odet , and charles , the two elder survived that furious massacre ; the third being not eight years old , in whom he took much delight for his prettinesse , was taken by his enemies , and taught to bear the crosse of christ in his tender years . he left his second wife great with child , who was brought to bed four moneths after of a girl ; and returning to her native countrey in the borders of savoy , was not long after committed to prison by the command of p. philibert d. of savoy , for marrying against his consent . the life of joane queen of navarr , who was poisoned at paris a few daies before the bloody massacre , anno christi . ioane of albert was daughter to henry the second , king of navarr , and to margueret of orleance , sister to francis the first of that name , king of france ; and by her parents was carefully trained up in the protestant religion from her childhood , which she constantly adhered to all the daies of her life . she was married to anthony of bourbon , son to charles duke of vendosme , by whom she had henry the fourth of that name king of france by his fathers right , and the second of that name king of navarr by his mothers . this anthony king of navarr , in the minority of charles the ninth , being the first prince of the blood , was to be his protector ; but the queen-mother and the guises seeking to draw all the power and management of affairs into their own hands , laboured by all means to withdraw the king of navarr from the protestants ; that so by weakening them thereby , they might rule the rost as they listed : for which end they employed the ambassadour of spain , the cardinall of tournon , escars , and some other houshold flatterers to him , who perswaded him , that carrying himself a neuter , and causing the prince his son to go once to the masse , the king of spain would give him the realm of sardinia in recompence for that of navarr which he had lately taken from him . the pope likewise confirms him in this hope , which indeed was but to take from him all means of recovering his kingdom of navarr when he should attempt it . yet he being drawn by those spanish and lorrain practises , estrangeth himself by little and little from the protestants , sollicited the queen his wife to return into the bosome of the romish church , and to draw her children thereunto : but she being better grounded in the truth then so easily to forsake it , refuseth ; whereupon a breach grew betwixt them , and the king her husband falls in love with one of the queen-mothers maids . the forenamed guisian instruments seeing this , perswade him that heresie is a sufficient cause of dissolving marriage , and that therefore he might be divorced from joane albert his wife , as being infected with the poison of heresie . they tell him also that notwithstanding his divorce , he should retain to himself the possession of , and interest in all the dominions and kingdoms belonging to her , of which she should be deprived as unworthy of them by reason of her heresie : and instead of her he should marry mary queen of scots , whose dowry ( say they ) is the kingdom of england , and as soon as the marriage is contracted , the pope would strip elizabeth of it , as unworthy thereof for the same cause , and settle it upon them , &c. but the king of navarr abhorring to be divorced from his wife , it remained that he should accept the conditions about the kingdom of sardinia ; for the effecting whereof they left no means unassaied ; and at last prevailed so far , that they gulled the king of navarr , and set him at odds with his brother the prince of conde , coligni the admirall , and the other protestants . the queen his wife distasting his change of religion , and adhering to the popish party , retired into podium in the countrey of bearne , where she kept her court. but it pleased god that shortly after in the siege of orleance the king of navarr was shot into the shoulder , whereof he died about three weeks after . the next design was to seize upon the queen , together with her son henry and her daughter katherine , and to bring them before the judgment seat of the inquisition of spain , and the conspirators doubted not but that philip king of spain would more willingly hearken to this counsell , for that this exploit would make for the advantage of his religion , the rescuer whereof he proudly boasted himself to be : as also the businesse about the kingdom of navarr , which he unjustly detained , would be hereby dispatched , by the taking away of the unlawfull heirs thereof . they conceived also that the businesse might easily be effected by the means of the king of spain's souldiers that lay at bacinona , ready to be transported into africk ; who , by the waies of the mountains might come upon , and surprize the queen of navarr and her children at podium before they were aware . one dominik a captain born in the territories of bearne , was singled out to go to the court of spain to communicate these counsels with the king , and to receive further instructions from him . but it pleased god that this dominik falling sick by the way , annas hespius an honest man that tended on him , smelt out the occasion of his journey , and by giving timely notice , prevented the effecting of it ; by which deliverance god shewed his watchfull providence over his handmaid , this religious queen of navarr . not long after in the time of the third civil warre for religion , this queen having raised great troops , led them to rochel , together with her son henry , and her daughter katherine , from whence she wrote letters to the king , the queen-mother , the duke of anjou , and the cardinall of bourbon . to the king she wrote , that in the common cause of religion , in regard of the duty which she owed to the king , and the necessity of blood whereby she was joyned to the prince of conde , she could not be wanting to him upon such an occasion , having alwaies rejected the bloody counsels of the guisian faction , and especially the ambition of the cardinall of lorrain , from whose friendship she earnestly dehorted the duke of anjou , beseeching him that he would not yield up himself a minister of his wicked will , in cutting up the royal stock by the roots . in her letter to the cardinall of bourbon , she sharply chideth him for not being warned by his former danger : for how long ( saith she ) will you be the suffragan of the cardinall of lorrain ? have you forgotten the treacherous plots that were laid by him for your head ? and are you so credulous as to believe his oaths , when he sweareth that he minded no treachery ? &c. but these letters prevailing nothing , the warre went on , and in the battell of bassac the protestants were worsted , and the prince of conde slain ; which news being carried to rochel , the queen of navarr posted to the protestant army , where before a great assembly of nobles and souldiers , she made an oration to confirm their mindes , praising the vertue and constancy of the prince of conde , who had employed his faithfull endeavours even unto death , in defence of so just a cause ; and thereupon she exhorted the rest to imitate his example , and to persevere in maintaining the truth of christ , and the liberty of their countrey : for ( saith she ) the good cause is not dead with the prince of conde , neither ought godly men to give way to despondency in such cases , god having so provided for his cause , that he gave conde companions whilst he lived that may succeed him now he is dead . i have brought with me mine only son henry , and conde's own son ; who , as he is heir of his name , so is he of his vertues : these with other nobles besides i trust will never be wanting to so good a cause . and having thus spoken to the nobles and army , and many things privately to her son , whetting his youthfull spirit , she returned again to rochel to provide new succours . in the mean time a commission was granted to terride , governour of quercie , to summon the queen of navarr , and the prince her son , to leave the party of the protestants , and in case of refusal , to invade the countreys of bearne , foix and navarr , in which he so prevailed , that he reduced all to the kings obedience , but only navaren , which he besieged , as the only strong place that remained to the queen . hereupon the queen and the princes sent the earl of montgomery to encounter him , who with a small army of five hundred horse , and four thousand foot , forced terride to raise his siege , and retire himself to ortheze . his men were dispersed , and to prevent his gathering them together again , the earl besieged him , forced the town , and to beat terride with his own weapons , he turned his cannons which ht found in the town against the castle , whereupon it was surrendred to him ; after which all other places were suddainly reduced to the obedience of the queen , and the earl having garrisoned the towns of his new conquest , speedily returned to the princes . not long after peace being concluded betwixt the king and the protestants , the king published an edict , wherein amongst other things he hath this passage : let it be lawfull for the queen of navarr the kings aunt , besides the benefit which is common to all those which have the highest jurisdiction , to enjoy the free exercise of her religion in the dukedom of albert , in the earldoms of armigniac , foix and bigorre , in one place of all those dominions which she holdeth in her own possession , or which may be consigned to her by the king ; so that all that will come to that place ( though she her self be absent ) may enjoy it without danger . moreover lest any doubt should arise concerning the right meaning of the queen of navarr the kings aunt , as also of the princes of conde , both father and son ; the king doth declare , that he acknowledgeth them all for his faithfull cosens and subjects ; and that they and all that have managed the warres under them shall be free , and not bound to render an account for monies received or taken , &c. the peace being concluded , the malice of the popish party was no whit abated ; whereupon they sought by policy to effect that which they could not by power ; and for this end biron was sent to rochel in the kings name to treat with the queen of navarr about the marriage between her son henry , and the kings sister , the lady margaret ; for which end he invited them to come to the court , where businesses might be fully debated and concluded : he added also that hereby a fair occasion was offered from god to settle their affairs in peace , &c. the queen of navarr having returned thanks in a set oration , answered that the matter was of that importance that she would take time to her self in deliberating of it ; and albeit she did professe and acknowledge that that affinity would be a great ornament and profit to her , yet she was for the present doubtfull what to do in regard of the near kindred betwixt her son and the lady , and the difference in their religions : wherefore ( saith she ) i will consult with my divines , and what i shall find to make for gods glory , and the good of the kingdom , and that may stand with a good conscience , that i will readily and willingly imbrace , being desirous in all that i may to satisfie the pleasure of the king and queen , to whom i owe all due observance . yet there remained two scruples which troubled the king and the queen of navarr , in respect of the place and manner of celebrating the marriage : for the queen would not have it done at paris , which city being extreamly addicted to the popish religion , she feared was long since an enemy to the family of navarr , and therefore she judged it not safe to have it celebrated there . the king on the contrary said , that it would make for a certain sign of sure peace to have the celebrity of the marriage seen in the metropolis of the kingdom , as it were on a publique theater . the other doubt was about the manner of the celebration . for the queen of navarr being most addicted to the reformed religion , would never endure that it should be contracted after the popish manner , nor the queen-mother after the fashion of the protestants . but the king prayed the queen of navarr to pardon him in that matter , for that it would tend to his great dishonour if he should suffer the marriage of his sister to be solemnized in any other form then according to that ancient religion which he had received from his fore-fathers ; therefore to resolve this doubt , there was time taken on both sides . in the mean time the queen of navarr consulted with the ministers of the reformed religion what might be done in this matter . some of them insisting upon the simplicity of gods word , said , that it was utterly unlawfull for such marriages to be contracted , especially by illustrious personages , in whom it is more dangerous because of more publique concernment . others judging that this marriage would be a sure , and as it were an everlasting foundation of a most happy peace , assented to it . the queen of navarr and the protestant nobles striving to find out remedies , both for the kingdom which was grievously afflicted , and for their own bruised estates , liked these mens judgments best ; and so the businesse proceeded , and the conditions of marriage were agreed upon between the parties . the king was to give his sister for her dowry three hundred thousand crowns , each crown being valued at four and fifty shillings . about this time the queen of navarr being zealously carefull to propagate the protestant religion in cantabria ( a province of the jurisdiction of navarr ) she sent pastors who had learned the countrey language , which is understood by almost none of the neighbours , and was before believed that it could not be written . she took care also that the new testament , the catechism , and the prayers used in the church of geneva , should be translated into the gascoine or cantabrian tongue ; which she caused to be printed at rochel in a most fine letter , and sent to them . and so upon the earnest solicitation of the king , she went the march following , anno christi . from rochel to the court , which was then at blois , with great attendance , where it is incredible to think what welcome she had on all sides ; especially from the king and his brethren ; who yet when all was done , could boastingly say to his mother , now madam , have not i quit my self well ? let me alone , and i will bring them all into the net . in april following were the articles concluded concerning the marriage of the prince of navarr with the kings sister . and in the beginning of may the king woed the queen of navarr again to come to paris , for preparing things fitting for the marriage , which she at last consented to ; and so may the . she took her journey from blois and came to paris , may the . after which she went from place to place in the city into sundry houses and shops , to find out such things as might tend to the adorning of the day of so great a solemnity . the queen-mother in the mean time , who could not endure this good queen , and yet not finding with what colour she could dispatch her with the rest ; though she feared the greatnesse of her spirit in case she should survive them , and judged it impossible to work upon the flexibility of the young prince her son whilst she lived . she therefore consulted with one rene an italian , whose practice was to impoyson things ; by whose devilish help she brought her accursed purpose to passe . this rene sold the queen of navarr certain perfumes , whereby he found out the way to poyson her therewith ; and afterwards he was heard to make his brags of it , saying also that he had the like in store for two or three more , who suspected no such matter . by this means june the . this good queen fell sick of a continued feavor , and ( though others sleighted it , yet ) she perceiving by the strength of her disease that she should not long continue , prepared her self to receive from the hand of god her mercifull father , that which he had appointed concerning her : and calling her son henry , she commanded him above all things carefully to serve god , according to the confession of faith wherein he had been educated , and not to suffer himself to be plucked or diverted from the same by the smoaky pleasures and delights of the world , and other incentives unto vices ; and that he should take care that the constitutions concerning the same which she had published in the principality of berne , and the lower navarr be inviolably kept : that he should throughly purge his family , and cause all bad counsellors to be gone from thence , which thought ill concerning god : as also , all flatterers , the abusers of princes , and all other vicious persons : that he should retain with him all good men , as bellovarius , francutius , and betulus , who were men of an unblameable life : that he should have a special care of his sister katherine , using her gently and lovingly without bitternesse , causing her to be brought up in the town of berne , in the same school of godlinesse which himself had been trained up in ; and when she should grow marriagable , that he should marry her to a prince of equall dignity , professing the same religion : that he should love henry bourbon his cosen german , as his brother ; and also francis marquesse of contium , taking care that as great concord as may be , be cherished betwixt them and the admirall coligni , for the advancement and propagation of gods glory . lastly , she makes her son her heir ; intreating the king , the queen-mother , the duke of anjou , and the duke of alenson , the kings brethren , to undertake the protection of the prince her son , and of katherine his sister , and to permit them the free exercise of their religion . then she requested that she might have such nigh about her as might comfort her in her sicknesse out of the word of god ; as also to pray with her and for her , according to that of saint james , is any sick amongst you ? let him call for the elders of the church , and let them pray over him , knowing that the prayers of a righteous man prevail much with god. according to her desire , a minister resorted to her , shewing out of the scriptures , that christians ought in all things to submit to the will of god , as to the father of spirits , that they may live ; and albeit by reason of the severity of his chastisements , sometimes it may seem to our flesh , as if they were sent for no other end but for our destruction ; yet ought we to consider that the just god can do nothing but justly , and being withall a mercifull father , he cannot but therein seek the welfare of his afflicted children . to this she replied , i take all this as sent from the hand of god my most mercifull father . nor have i , during this extremity , feared to die , much lesse murmured against god for inflicting this chastisement upon me , knowing that whatsoever he doth , he doth so order the same , as that in the end it shall turn to my everlasting good . then said the minister , the causes of sicknesses and diseases must be sought beyond the course of physick , which alwaies looks to the corruption of the humours , or of the distemper to the more noble parts of the body . and though it be not amisse to have respect to these things as to secondary causes , yet ought we to ascend higher , namely to the first , even to god himself , who disposeth of all his creatures , even as best pleaseth him . he it is that makes the wound , and heals ; that kils , and makes alive , deut. . . and therefore to him we ought to direct our prayers for our comfort in all our griefs and sufferings , and in the end to expect full deliverance , seeing it's easie with him to restore our health , if it stand with his his good pleasure . to this she answered , that she depended wholly upon gods providence , knowing that all things are wisely disposed by him ; and therefore she besought him to furnish her with all such graces as he saw to be necessary for her salvation . as for this life ( said she ) i am in a good measure weaned from it , in regard of the afflictions which have followed me from my youth hitherto ; but especially because i cannot live without offending my good god , with whom i desire to be with all my heart . then said the minister , yet long life how full of troubles soever it be , is to be esteemed amongst the blessings of god , seeing his promise implies so much ; and not only so , but because our lives may many waies serve to his glory ; and long life is not only an honour , but a pledge of his favour : even as it is to him whom a prince long implies in his service , having had experience of his fidelity many years together . hereupon he earnestly requested her to pray , that if it was the will of god he would imploy her yet longer in his service , for the further enlargement of his gospel , and that he would grant unto her such recovery of health , and such a good disposition of body , that with renewed strength she might be enabled to finish her course much more nobly then ever heretofore . to this she replied , that in regard of her own particular , her life was not dear unto her , seeing so long as she lived in this frail flesh , she was still prone and apt to sin against god ; only she said her care was somewhat for her children which god had given her , in respect that they should be deprived of her in their young years ; yet ( saith she ) i doubt not , but though he should please to take me from them , himself will become a father to them , and a protector over them , as he hath ever been to me in my greatest afflictions , and therefore i commit them wholly to his government and fatherly care . then the minister blessed god for working in her majesty this assurance of faith , and ability to cast her care upon the providence of god , intreating her still to persevere therein , which would sufficiently seal unto her the truth of her faith. and thus ( saith he ) did the patriarchs in times past , commit the care of their posterity into the hands of god , as may appear by the severall blessings of abraham , isaac and jacob : but yet he told her that it was very requisite that she should make choice of such , who for their sincerity both in life and doctrine , might continue to water in these young princely plants , the seeds of piety that had been sown in them by her so great pains and industry ; seeing it was to be hoped that the example of her faith and constancy in the service of god , wherein she had gone before them , would serve as a perpetuall inducement to them to follow her noble vertues . and whereas she had declared that death was not terrible to her , because it was the way by which she was to passe to her eternal rest , he told her that christians had little cause to fear death , in regard that they should not die at all , according to that of our saviour , he that lives and believes in me shall never die , joh. . . for , saith he , to speak properly , death is no death to them , but a sweet sleep , being often so called in the scriptures : and therefore christ for their sakes hath overcome and triumphed over it in his own person ; so as now we may cry out with st. paul , o death , where is thy sting ? o grave , where is thy victory ? after this he admonished her to make confession of her sinnes before god , shewing that bodily diseases tend to the dissolution of nature , and that death was the wages of sinne : further declaring , that by this her chastisement she might discern what she had deserved if god should enter into judgment with her , not only in regard of the fall of our first parents , in which guilt she was enwrapped as well as others ; but also by her own personall sins , seeing the best in the world are in themselves but poor , miserable and wretched sinners ; yea if the lord should punish us according to our demerits , we could expect nothing at his hands but eternal death and damnation . at these words she began with her eyes and hands lifted up to heaven , to acknowledge that the sins which she had committed against the lord were innumerable , and therefore more then she was able to reckon up ; but yet she hoped that god for christs sake , in whom she put her whole trust , would be mercifull to her . from hence the minister took occasion to declare at large upon what ground she was to expect the fruit of this mercy of god in christ : adding , the whole have no need of a physician , but the sick . and christ saith , he came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance . and , that he is ready to fill the hungry with good things , whereas in the mean while , he sends the rich empty away . of these things ( saith he ) you ought so much the rather to be perswaded in your counscience , by how much the more the holy spirit of god witnesseth to your spirit that you are the child of god , and enables you to cry abba , father : for what is faith else but a firm trust and assurance of the good will of god manifested towards us in his blessed son ? but the minister fearing lest by his long discourse he might be troublesome , or cause her too much to spend her spirits , would have given over ; which she taking notice of , earnestly requested him not to forbear speaking to her about these matters of life and eternal salvation ; adding that now she felt the want of it , in regard that since her coming to paris she had been somewhat remisse in hearing such exhortations out of the word of god : and therefore i am the more glad ( said she ) to receive comfort out of it in this my great extremity . then did the minister endeavour to set before her the happinesse of heaven , and what those joys were that the faithfull possesse in the presence of god , which the scriptures intending to discover , tell us , that eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive , what those things are , which god hath prepared for them that love him . for , saith he , it is as if a king minding greatly to honour some noble personage , should bring him to his court , and there shew him his state and attendance , his treasures , with all his most precious jewels : eved so will the lord one day reveal to all his elect and faithfull people , his magnificence and glory , with all the treasures of his kingdom , after he hath gathered them home to himself ; decking and adorning them with light , incorruption and immortality . therefore ( saith he ) since this happinesse is so great , your highnesse ought to be the lesse solicitous about leaving this transitory life , and know that you are to change this earthly kingdom for an heavenly inheritance ; these temporall good things which vanish and come to nothing in the using , to enjoy for ever those things which are eternal and everlasting . for your faith being now firmly set upon our lord jesus christ , you may be assured to obtain eternal salvation by him . then did he proceed to propose to her this question ; madam , do you verily believe that jesus christ came into the world to save you ? and do you expect the full forgivenesse of all your sins by the shedding of his blood for you ? yea ( said she ) i do , believing that he is my only saviour and mediatour , and i look for salvation from none other , knowing that he hath abundantly satisfied for the sins of all his people , and therefore i am assured that god for his sake , according to his gracious promise in him , will have mercy upon me . during all the time of her sicknesse , she ceased not to continue in such fruitfull and comfortable communications , sometimes intermixing them with most affectionate sighs to god , as a testimony of that hope and desire she had of enjoying his presence , often uttering these words : o my god , in thy good time , deliver me from this body of death , and from the miseries of this present life , that i may no more offend thee , and that i may attain to the felicity which thou in thy word hast promised to bestow upon me . neither did she manifest her pious affection by words only , but by her constant and cheerfull countenance , so farre forth as the vehemency of her disease would suffer ; thereby giving a clear testimony to all that beheld her , that the fear of death could not drive her from the stedfastnesse of her faith. the minister also went often to prayer with her , the usual tenor whereof was this which follows ; o lord our god , we confesse here before thy divine majesty , that we are altogether unworthy of thine infinite mercies , by reason of our manifold iniquities , and that we are so farre from deserving to be heard of thee in our requests , that we are rather worthy that thou shouldst reject both our persons , and our prayers ; but seeing it hath pleased thee to make us a gracious promise of hearing and granting our requests , we humbly beseech thee freely to forgive all our offences , and to cover them under the obedience and righteousness of thy dear son , that through him our selves and our services may be well pleasing unto thee . for lord we acknowledge that all our afflictions are measured out to us by thine hand , who art a most just judge , in regard that we have every way provoked thee to wrath by our infinite sinnings against thee , yea by our rebellions which now testifie against us . for alas lord , our life hath been no way answerable to that perfect obedience which thou by thy holy law dost justly require at our hands , which we from day to day do transgress , and therefore do here cast down our selves at this time before thy glorious presence , unfeignedly acknowledging our misery and wretchedness from the very bottom of our hearts . yet lord mercy is with thee , and because thou art our father , therefore thou desirest not the death of sinners , but rather that they should convert and live . for this cause we now fall down before the throne of thy grace , with confidence of obtaining thy wonted mercy which thou hast promised to such as call upon thee in truth ; beseeching thee who art the father of mercies , to have compassion on all such as thou hast humbled under thy mighty hand , but more especially on this thy servant the queen , who lieth here before thee sick of a dangerous disease ; that as thou hast righteously afflicted her for her sinnes ( which she also doth with us acknowledge ) so it would please thee in pardoning them all to her for thy beloved sons sake , to grant that she may profit by this thy correcting hand for the time to come : above all o lord , give her a sweet sense , yea full assurance of thy eternal joys , that so she may with the greater patience take down this bitter potion ministred unto her from thy hand , and that the sole desire of enjoying thy presence may cause her to forget all worldly greatness and magnificence , knowing that they are nothing in respect of the glory which is now set before her . endue her also with meekness of minde to bear the tediousnesse of her affliction , for though the spirit be willing , yet the flesh is weak , yea full of resisting and unbelief ; that so receiving all things from thee as from a father , she may the more willingly submit her will to thine . and because , o good god , thou hast made her hitherto an happy instrument for the advancement of thy glory , and defence of thy poor afflicted people , we pray thee , if it may stand with thy good pleasure , restore her to health again , that so the excellent work that thou hast by her means begun , may not be left unperfected ; but by vertue of this her deliverance , she may with renewed strength undertake the same in better sort then ever heretofore , especially for the well educating and training up the children that thou hast given her . but , lord , if thou hast a purpose now to call her home to thy self , who are we that we should contradict thy holy will ? only we pray thee that thou wouldst confirm her more and more in the knowledge of thy blessed gospel , and thereby also in the certainty of her salvation , which thou hast given her by faith in thy son jesus christ , that thus she may not cease to sanctifie and call upon thy holy name to her last breath . and as touching our selves , who are here by thy good providence gathered together about her , being in bodily health , give us to know the uncertainty and brevity of our life , that so according to our duty , we may behold the same in this mirror that thou hast set before us , as knowing that even the greatest in the world are subject to the same calamities as well as the small , that so our chief care may be to employ the remainder of our time to thine honour and service . all which we crave of thee in the name of jesus christ thy son , our only mediatour and advocate , amen . during the time of prayer , she ceased not with hands and eyes lift up to heaven , to fetch many deep sighs , especially when mention was made of the mercy of god in christ , which he extendeth to poor sinners ; so that all present might evidently see that her heart and affections were joyned to the prayer that was made by , and for her . and whilst she thus lay , she still continued in her holy desires to depart hence that she might be with christ , taking great delight in the holy and christian exhortations which were made to her by many godly and learned men , who came to visit her , to whom also she manifested no small testimonies of that faith and hope which she had in god , touching the salvation of her soul , by her holy and savory speeches , which for brevity sake are omitted . yea although the lord exercised her much with the sense of her inward disease , yet could you not at any time discern any speech favouring of discontentment or impatience to proceed out of her mouth , nay scarcely so much as a groan . but if at any time she found any refreshings from the violence of her disease ( there being no malady so vehement which hath not some intermissions and breathing times ) she declared her willingnesse to obtain the recovery of her former health , and for that end she refused no good means prescribed for her by her learned physicians . again , when she perceived her sicknesse to increase upon her , and that she grew worse and worse , she was no whit appaled thereat , but shewed her self to be armed with an invincible constancy to undergo the utmost that death could do against her , preparing her self willingly for that last conflict . and when she saw her ladies and gentlewomen weeping about her bed , she blamed them for it , saying , weep not for me i pray you , for as much as god doth by this sicknesse , call me hence to enjoy a better life , and now i may enter into the desired haven , towards which this frail vessel of mine hath been a long time steering : yet she shewed her self grieved that she wanted opportunity to reward them , and many more of her family and train which had done her faithfull service , as she could have wished , excusing her self to them , and professing that it was not want of good will , but her being prevented by this her suddain sicknesse : but ( said she ) i will not fail to give order about the same to the utmost of my ability . in the end , perceiving her strength to decay more and more , she gave order to have her last will and testament made , and thereby setled her outward estate . and the of june , which was the day before she died , she called for a minister , and finding that she was drawing nigh unto her end , she desired him to speak somewhat largely of the temptations which satan is wont to assail gods elect withall in their last conflict . to this the minister answered , indeed that is the hour wherein the sworn enemy of all the faithfull doth most busily bestirre himself , if possible to deprive them of the comfort of their salvation , not sparing especially at that time , to set upon them with might and sleight , but yet even then the lord is not , nor will be wanting to his , filling their hearts with such joy and comfort of the holy ghost , as shall make them in the end more then conquerours . his first engine wherewith he would drive them to despair , is by presenting before their eyes the innumerable heaps of their sinnes and pollutions , wherewith they have been any way defiled in their whole life : and then he presents to them gods justice , before which no flesh can be able to subsist , unlesse it were pure and spotlesse ; whence he infers , that such miserable sinners can expect and look for nothing but utter death and condemnation . but against these assaults we must as david , psal. . set the infinite multitudes of gods compassions , which do infinitely surpasse the multitudes of our sinnes . and as for the justice of god , we confesse that no creature that is defiled by sinne can abide to be strictly examined by it , if god should call us to a severe account : but we know that god will never enter into judgment with those that believe in his son , but imputes unto them that righteousness and obedience which was accomplished by him , which is sufficient to oppose against the justice of god ; therefore in it alone we must expect to stand before his face , and not by our own dignity and worthinesse . indeed , if we were to appear before the seat of justice to receive there what we have deserved , we had good reason to be overwhelmed in utter despair , but turning our eyes upon him , who being the eternal son of god , hath clothed himself with our humane nature , to bear on him the same punishment that was due to our sinnes , and thereby hath acquitted us , then gods justice doth no whit affright us , but rather yields us assured comfort , because god being just , cannot require the same debt twice . having therefore received full and perfect satisfaction from christ , whom he hath ordained to be our surety , and who hath paid our debts for us , thence we gather assurance that he will no more require it at our hands . to which purpose these sentences are to be well observed . it is christ who hath born our grief , and carried our sorrows . the chastisement of our peace was upon him , and by his stripes we are healed . that we all like sheep have gone astray , and have turned every one to his own way , and the lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all . christ is our peace , and the propitiation for our sins . the lamb of god which taketh away the sins of the world . upon these considerations gods justice need not terrifie such as believe in christ , of whose righteousnesse and redemption they are made partakers ; seeing that jesus christ , who knew no sin , was made sin ( that is an oblation for sin ) for us , that we might be made the righteousnesse of god in him . i grant ( said he ) that these things belong not to all indifferently , but only unto such as believing in the son of god , do wholly cast themselves upon the merit of his death and passion , which as st. peter saith , is sufficient for their salvation , act. . . then did he ask her , whether she placed her whole trust and confidence on christ crucified , who died for her sins , and rose again for her justification . to this the godly queen answered , that she neither expected salvation , righteousnesse , nor life from any else , but only from her saviour jesus christ , being assured that his merit alone did abundantly suffice for the full satisfaction for all her sins , albeit they were innumerable . this being your faith madam ( quoth the minister ) you cannot come into condemnation , but are passed from death to life , neither need you fear gods seat of justice , since it is turned into a throne of mercy and grace unto you , and therefore the hour of death will be exceeding welcome to you , being but a sweet passage into a far better life ; as also the time in which all tears shall be wiped from your eyes , therefore i beseech you madam think often of that sweet text , blessed are the dead which die in the lord , for they rest from their labours and their works follow them . now the time approaches wherein you shall enjoy the beatificiall vision , the society of your husband christ , the fellowship of the blessed angels and celestial spirits with the holy patriachs , prophets , apostles and martyrs of christ , partaking with them in the same felicity and glory . he also further said , madam , if it should please god by this your sicknesse to put an end to this weary pilgrimage of yours , and to call you home to himself , as by some evident signs it appears that he will , are you willing to go unto him ? to this she answered with much christian courage , yea with all my heart . then said he , good madam , open the eyes of your faith , and behold jesus your great redeemer sitting at the right hand of his father , reaching out his hand to receive you to himself . are you , madam , willing to go unto him ? yes i assure ( saith she ) most willing , and much more willing then to linger here below in this world , where i see nothing but vanity . then he asked her if they should go to prayer with her : which she desiring , they performed it by her , whilst this pious lady manifested her ardent affection in calling upon god. prayer being ended , the minister discerning in her the undoubted testimonies of unfeigned repentance , and of the sorrow that she conceived for the offences which she had committed against god , together with the assured confidence which she had in his mercies , as a minister of the gospel , and ambassadour of the son of god , by the authority given to him , having the word of reconciliation committed to him ; he assured her in the name of christ , that all her sinnes were forgiven by god , and that they should never come in account against her at his judgment seat ; yea , that she should no more doubt thereof , then if the son of god from heaven should say unto her , daughter be of good comfort , thy sins are forgiven thee . and to the end that troubled consciences might the better be quieted , christ hath used these words speaking to his ministers , saying , whose sins ye remit , they are remitted , &c. and the reason is , because the word which they pronounce is not the word of a mortall man , but of the immortall god , being of no lesse weight then if himself uttered the same . then he asked her majesty if she accepted of so gracious a message which assured her of the free pardon of all her sins : yes ( saith she ) with all my heart , and make no doubt thereof . not long after came in the admirall coligni , and with him another minister , to whom she gave ear a good space together , his speech tending to prepare her for death ; and when he had finished his speech , he also prayed with her , which she attended to with great affection . then she requested that those two ministers might stay all night with her in her chamber , and that they would in no wise leave her . the greatest part of this night was spent in holy admonitions ; which these ministers gave to this gracious lady one after another ; besides which she required them to read to her some chapters of the holy scriptures which were pertinent to her condition , and so they read out of st. johns gospel , from the fourteenth , to the end of the seventeenth chapter . after which they went to prayer with her , which being ended , the queen desired to take some rest ; but it was not long ere she commanded them to read again : whereupon one of them made choice of certain of david's psalms , full of ardent and affectionate prayers , suting to this princesse present condition by reason of her affliction ; and for a conclusion read psal. . wherein the prophet , amongst other things , doth commend his spirit into the hands of god , because , saith he , thou hast redeemed me , o lord god of truth . then the queen willed them to pray with her again ; and thus was the most part of that night spent in such holy exercises ; during all which time the ministers never discerned in her the least sign of impatience , notwithstanding the violence of her affliction . yea whereas immediately before her sickness she had shewed how affectionately she was bent to provide things most magnificent for the day of her sons marriage , according as the state of so great an alliance required ; yet it was admirable to observe , that after this sicknesse had seized on her , god wrought in her such a neglect and forgetfulnesse of all such matters , that she never shewed to have so much as a thought thereof . this night being thus spent , and past by this noble queen , she persevering in the expressions of such like affections , and ardency of faith , the next morning between eight and nine of the clock , she departed this life to take possession of a far better , sweetly yielding up her spirit into the hands of god , june . anno christi . being the sixth day after she fell sick , and of her age . she had her perfect speech and memory , even to the hour of her death , shewing not only that staidnesse and soundnesse of judgement ( which ever in times past she had ) in the care about the salvation of her soul , but also in the well settlement of her worldly affairs . the king made as if he had conceived great grief for her death , putting on mourning attire , wherein also the whole court followed his example , lest by this suddain accident their counsels and futurh desperate designs might be prevented . also to avoid all jealousies and suspitions of her being poisoned by reason of her suddain sicknesse and death , her body was opened by sundry expert and learned doctors of physick and chyrurgery , who found her heart and liver very sound , only some scirrousnesse on one side of her lungs ; but her head they might not open , where the malady lay , by which means the discovery of it was prevented . anonymus . soli deo gloria . finis . a table of the principal things contained in this part of the lives . a. afflictions profitable to gods children . p. antinomians practice . apostacy plagued by god. assurance to be sought . astrologers are lyers . b. bible is translated into english. bishops enemies to godly ministers , and to the power of godlinesse . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , a bishop enjoyned to ask a minister forgivenesse in his own congregation . c. charity eminent . , , , , , , , charity of good ministers . , , , , , , , comfort at death . comforting afflicted consciences . , , , constancy . , , contentation . , , conversion . , , , , , conversion of a jaylor . courage , , courage of gods ministers . , , , , , , , d. death desired death not feared devil dispossessed by prayer , e. envy . examples prevalent . f. faith . , , , , , family cared for , and well instructed . , , , , , , , , , fasting and prayer . , , , , fidelity . , flight refused in time of persecution . , flight embraced . friendship sincere . , frugality . g. gratitude . , , h. danger of unprofitable hearers . heretick burned . hospitality . , humility . humility of gods ministers . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , i. ingratitude . joy unspeakable . , l. life exemplary . long life , why a blessing . m. what makes a compleat man what makes a compleat minister meeknesse of gods ministers . , ministers cared for by god. , , , , ministers dearly loved . ministers falsly accused . ministry of the word successefull . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , p. parents honoured . painfulnesse in preaching . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , papists enemies to faithfull ministers . , , , patience . , , , peacemakers blessed . , persecutors plagued by god. persecution . poverty of gods ministers , prayer frequent and powerfull . , , , , the benefits of it . predictions and prophesies . , , , providences speciall . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , prudence . , , , , , , , , , s. sabbath-breakers plagued by god. , sabbath sanctified . self-denial . , , , , , sin the greatest of evils . slanders cast upon christs ministers . , sleep moderated . studiousnesse of ministers . , , , , , , swearing how prevented . sympathy with the churches sufferings . , t. thankfulnesse in afflictions . thanksgiving excellent . w. word of god highly prized . , , , , , world contemned . , , z. zeal . , , zeal for the sabbath . zeal against sectaries and separatists . , , , , , finis . errata in this part of the lives . page . line . dele long . l. . read demeanour . p. . l. . dele therefore . l. . r. he for they . p. . l. . r. a for as . p. . l. . r. bought for brought . p. . l. . dele be . p. . l. . put in of . p. . l. . r. decease for disease . p. . l. . r. skilfull for skill . p. . l. . r. he took for then an took . p. . l. . r. had . l. . r. flower . p. . l. . dele and. p. . l. . r. heal for zeal . p. . l. . r. for . p. . l. . r. yet for yea p. . l. . r. three penny for third . p. . l. . r. them for him . p. . l. . r. preferred for preserved . p. . l. . r. your for our . p. . l. . r. now for new . p. . l. . r. chieftains for christians . p. . l. . r. erected for elected . p. . l. . r. lawfull for unlawfull . some other literall faults there are , which are easily amended . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e his birth and education . his travels . his going to oxford . he is famous for preaching . his character . his judgment of t. aquinas . the bishops hate him . and article against him . the archbishop frees him . the bishops implacable malice . they accuse him to the king. the king favoures him . his charity . his death . notes for div a -e his birth and breeding . the bible translated . his flight . his bibles printed . he removes into germany . his return into england . he is made bishop of exester . his diligence in his place . his character . his care of his family . his liberallity . he is hated by the papists . a special providence . his imprisonment . his deliverance . he goes into denmark . to the palatinate . his return into england . his death . notes for div a -e a prediction . dr mouses inconstancy and ingratitude . dr sands his oration . his courage . meeknesse . he is imprisoned in the tower. flight refused· a jailor converted . his name was thomas wyat. sr tho. wyat profers him his liberty . his prudent answer . his release from prison . he is again sought for . a special providence . a prophecy . he flies beyond sea . a special providence . his sicknesse . his wife died . charity . his return to england . he is a bishop . his death . notes for div a -e he was fellow in pembrook-hall . his remove to dry drayton . his extraordinary pains . his hard studies . his charity . a great peace-maker . 〈◊〉 ●isliked martin mar-prelate . he is convented before the bishop . his prudence . he is dismissed his piety . his skill in curing spiritual diseases . his remove to london . his death . notes for div a -e his birth . his studiousnesse . he is a lawyers clarke . his return to cambridge . his disputation before the queen . he is chosen professor . his multitude of hearers . he is questioned before the vice-chancellor . he is expelled the university . the articles for which he was expelled . his travels beyond-sea . beza's testimony of him . he is preacher to the english merchants . he is chosen to answer dr. whitgift . his imprisonment . his contempt of the world . his favour with the earl of leicester . king james sends for him into scotland . he is sent to for counsell . he is made master of the hospital at warwick . his esteem in the countrey . his diligence in the ministry . he is importuned to answer the rhemist testament . encouraged by sir francis walsingham . he is sollicited thereto by the doctors of cambridge . * church-discipline . and by the ministers of london and suffolke . his discouragements in the work . the work left imperfect . his going into gernsey . his contempt of the world . his charity . his prudence . his studiousnesse . his meekness . his humility . his sympathy with the church . his frequency in prayer . the successe of his ministry . a remarkable judgment upon a loose professer . his last sermon . joy unspeakable . his death . notes for div a -e his birth , and education . his fathers prudence . his conversion . mr. wilsons fidelity . mr. baines his gratitude . he is chosen fellow . he is chosen lecturer . prelatical malice . he is silenced . his painfulness and piety . and poverty . the bishops malice . gods providence . his faithfulnesse and prudence . his character by dr sibbs . the manner of his death . notes for div a -e his parentage . his education at worcester . his return to bosworth . gods providence in providing for him his going to cambridge . admitted into to emanuel colledge . his diligence in his studies . dr chadertons care for him . sidney colledg built . his journey into guernsey . mr cartwrights love to him . his carriage in his place . his return to cambridge . mr cartwrights commendation of him . his gracious deliverance in his return . gods special providence over him . a miracle of mercy . he is admitte-fellow in sidney colledge . his gratitude . his humility . his inviolable friendship . his prudent and winning carriage . his prudence . his self-denial he enters into the ministry . his imployment at abington . and at steeple-morden . the occasion of his first trouble . the bishops subtlle practices . a special providence . his courage . he withdraws from the colledge . his letter to a friend about it . his return to the colledge . he is sent for to chatham . he goes to chatham . his faithfulness in his place . a motion of marriage made to him . satans malice against the progresse of the gospel . he is accused to the bishop . sir francis hastings his letter to the archbishop in his behalf . bishop bancrofts malice . master bear-blocks malice against him . he is charged with heresie . his letter to master bearblock about that charge . the antinomians practice . a spie sent to entrap him . he is falsly accused . he is summoned before the bishop . he is summoned before the bishops . subscription made a snare . he is suspended from chatham . another spie sent to entrap him . the inhabitants of chatham petition for him to the bishop . gods providence for him . he departs from chatham . he is setled at newhall . his small means of maintenance . his contentation . his letter to a friend about it . his humility . his great pains . monstrous ingratitude . he is chosen lecturer at christ church london . bishop bancrofts malice . his marriage . conformity strictly pressed gods good providence over him . the trouble of his wife . gods mercy . his return to newhall . the lady ferrers respect to him though a papist . his prudence in his ministry . bishop neals malice . gods providence over him . his letter about master rediches death note . he is inhibited from preaching . but soon restored . his last sicknesse . his death an. christi . his behaviour in his sickness . his counsell to his friends . his burial . his excellent parts . his method in teaching . the efficacy of his ministry . he used a form of prayer , and why . the scriptures which he preached over . his works that were published . his zeal against sectaries and separatists . a disputation . his charity . doctor halls character of him . notes for div a -e his birth and breeding . his remove from cambridge . his coming to london . his marriage . his painfulnesse . cor. . . the effectualnesse of his ministry . isa. . . and . . isa. . . cor. . . jam. . . dan. . . luk. . . rom. . . the danger of unprofitabe hearers . cor. . . mat. . . his exemplary life . what makes a compleat man. what makes a compleat minister . his manner of preaching . his zeal for the sabbath . his prudence . his care of his family . his apology for quoting the fathers . his faithfulnesse in reproving sin . his last sicknesse . his death . tim. . . notes for div a -e his birth , and education . his natural , and acquired parts . his entring into the ministry . his course of life before his conversion . the means , and manner his conversion . power of prayer . his faith , and comfort . confess . l. . c. , . his going into ireland . the efficacy of his ministry . the places of his first employment . the study of the prophesies . his contests with the bishops . mat. . . the lady bowes her great charity . his self-denial . his patience , and courage . his carriage amongst his people . special providence . his persecution by bishop neal. * gnats . his last sicknesse . his last sicknesse . he foretels his death . his death . his strange sicknesse , and recovery . satans malice . the power of prayer . his dispossessing of the devil . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . his going to cambridge . his remove to queens colledge . his character . his studiousnesse . he is chosen fellow . he studies physick . his study of astrology . his conversion . he is chosen to oppose before the king. his many pupils . his zeal . his diligence . the bishops hypocrisie . his courage . his prudence . master preston preacheth before the king. he is made the prince his chaplain . his travel in the low-countries . he is chosen to lincolns-inne . the duke of buckinghams letter . he is chosen master of emanuel . a special providence . his last sicknesse . notes for div a -e his parentage his education . his conversion . a special providence . his going to cambridge . cor. . . a special providence . his first sermon . he is chosen fellow of christs colledge , but opposed . his remove to ashby . his marriage . his first silencing . his sermon before the judge . judge aderson angry with him . he manageth the petition for reformation . his second silencing . the successe of his ministry . he is restored to ashby . his lectures on john . his third silencing . wightman burnt for heresie . slander . he is cited into the high-commission court. silenced . his sicknesse . his second summons into the high-commission court. his imprisonment . he is falsly accused . his censure in the high-commission court. a special providence . he is sent for leyden . his constancy . his humility and charity . he opposeth the brownists , and independents . master cottons testimony of him . dr. prestons testimony of his lectures on john . his studiousnesse . his care to profit by the word . his sicknesse . his recovery . his lectures at ashby , on psal. . . his lectures on psal. . he is again silenced . his last sicknesse . his death . his burial . his charity . notes for div a -e his parentage and education . his going to cambridge . his sermon at pauls crosse. his painfulnesse in the ministry . the success of his ministry . his piety in private . his sicknesse . his prudence therein . his death . notes for div a -e his birth , and breeding . his going to cambridge . his remove to oxford . his going into northamptonshire . gods judgements on sabbath-breakers isa. . . levit. . , . a special providence . his remove to woolstone . he is opposed by the bishop . his courage . he is suspended , and excommunicated absolved by the archbishop . he is accused of treason , and imprisoned . sir t. lucy . he is acquitted the bishop enjoyned to ask him forgivenesse . p. petiver . binley wood. a special providence . his great pains . the success of his ministry . his care in the education of his children . gods judgements on sabbath-breakers his powerfull manner of preaching . his last sicknesse . his death . notes for div a -e his country . his going to cambridge . his promotion in the colledge and university . his conversion . he is chosen lecturer in cambridge . master of katherine hall. his prudence in the ministry . mr dods testimony of his sermons on cant. . his piety . his charity . his death . notes for div a -e his parentage his remove to cambridge . his father casts him off . he is chosen fellow . chosen the first master of emanuel . he commenced doctor . his care of the colledge . his care for young students . his care of servants . he resigned his place . his death . notes for div a -e his birth , and education . his going to oxford . his remove into cheshire . his improvement of his parts . his frequent fasts , and prayers . his constancy . his non-conformity . he is ordained minister . his call to whitmore . his marriage . his diligent studies . his skill in comforting afflicted consciences . his indefatigablenesse . his unwearied pains on the sabbath . his frequent fasting , and prayer . his readinesse to do good . his temperance , and meeknesse . his frugality . his charity . his humility . his esteem of the weight of the ministry . his humility . the necessity of stadying controversies . the danger of separation . his high esteem of god. his gratitude for mercies . his high esteem of jesus christ. his prudence . his distaste of frowardnesse . the means of cure . his love to the church , and to his children . his contentednesse . his care to keep the sacraments from pollution . his dislike of separation . his judgment about independency . his judgement about revelations . his humility and modesty . his intended works . his great abilities . his last sicknesse . his faith. his humility . his death . notes for div a -e his birth , and education . his preferments at oxford . his humility . his holinesse . his lectures at abington , and totnes . he is chosen provost of queens colledge . he is chosen bishop of carlisle . his painfulnesse . his sermon at the beginning of the parliament . his death . a favouerer of godly ministers . mr. thomas richardson now pastor of newbold pace in warwickshire . an enemy to the book of sports . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his conversion . he is rejected by his uncle . his going to cambridge . humane infirmity . a special providence . his recovery . he is persecuted . and entertained by sir edward bois . by sir edward anslow . his great pains his faithfulnesse . his preaching at battersey . his self-deniel his marriage . he is again persecuted . his courage . he is chosen by the merchants . he erects discipline in the church . conversion . the efficacy of his ministry . gods judgement on a persecutor . his charity . his self-denial . his return into england . his lecture in wales . his call to wapping . his painfulnesse . a special providence . his humility . his death . notes for div a -e his birth . his education . his love of the scriptures . his remove to cambridge . his call to cawk . the education of her children . his call to shrewsbury . satans malice . his suspension . his judgment against separation . his studiousnesse . his painfulnesse . his humility , and charity . his servent prayers . his remove to wrenbury . a character of mr. nicholls . mr. herrings character . his call to amsterdam . the reason of his remove . his letter martyrdome . the lady bromleys love to christs ministers . his arrival in holland . his entertainment there . his first sermon . return of prayers . his fear of independency his death . notes for div a -e his birth and education . his first going to cambridge . his conversion . his disputation at the commencement . note . he preached a lecture at ely. his removall to hanwel . his great pains there . his frequency in fasting and prayer . his hospitality his second marriage . the great successe of his ministry . his deprivation . his preaching at fenni-compton . his removall to cannons-ashby . he is again silenced . he had an excellent gift in conference . his comforting of afflicted consciences . joy unspeakable . note . he is placed at fausley . his hospitality his charity . the benefit of afflictions . troubles to be expected . his frequency in fasting , and prayer . his diseases . his desire of death . the reasons of his desire . his taking occasions to do good . how he prevented swearing . his delight in the law of god. his mercifulnesse . his love , and charity . dr. prestons love to him . he comforts mr. throgmorton . his weanednesse from the world . what wicked men are like . note . afflictions gods potions . the power of his ministry . his excellency for similitudes . benefits of death . benefit of prayer . benefit of faith. we should not be weary of hearing . sinfull recreations . promises great riches . his humility . love better then law. the benefit of turning to god betimes . a special providence . his faith. how afflictions may be lessened . meeknesse . comfort in dangers . his faith. cavaliers cruelty . his patience . death not feared . passionate rebukes unprofitable . what contention should be amongst married persons . his manner of preaching . the scope of his prayers . his exposition of scripture . his custom in preaching . what preaching is unprofitable . true humiliation . his preaching by signes . christians should be cheerfull . his indefatigablenesse . the benefit of plain preach-king . his holy life . his peace-maing . his acutenesse . his humility . his modesty . what wise should be chosen . how we may alwaies have comfort . what will make us willing to suffer . assurance to be laboured fo● thankfulness ▪ in afflictions . prayer . his tentation , and victory . his faith , and patience . his death . notes for div a -e his call to stoke . the great successe of his ministry . his flight to warder castle special providences . his remove to sarum . he is condemned to be hanged . his courage and constancy . a special providence . his remove to winchester . he is urged to recant . his remove to oxford . his release . he is sent for by the earl of essex . his going to barwick . a special providence . possession . satan . balsom . satan . balsom . satan . balsom . satan . balsom . satan . balsom . satan . balsom . satan . balsom . a special providence . the great successe of his ministry . his death . notes for div a -e his parentage . his birth and education . he was sanctified from the womb. his frequent reading of the scriptures . his natural endowments . his skill in the french. his industry . his observance of his parents . despisers of parents usually punished by god. his admission into the university . he is made fellow of queens colledge . his care over his pupils . he is ordained minister . his call to canterbury . the occasion of it . friendship . his self-denial . he was a burning and shining light . his opposition to innovations . his humility . he doth good abroad . he is opposed by sectaries and cathedralists . his lecture put down . he is again restored . tentations prevented . his remove to ashwel . his great pains his humility and sincerity . his prudence . his diligent catechizing . his prudent charity . his cathechism . his manner of reforming disorders . his family-government . his care for sanctifying the sabbath . his secret duties . his fasting , and prayer . his frequency in reading the scriptures . his holy and exact walking he is made university-preacher . he is made a member of the assembly . his conscientiousnesse therein . his fitnesse for it . his care for ashwel in his absence . his choice to dukes-place . his self-denial . his great pains . the success of his ministry . his call to the new church . his temperance . the reasons of his removall . his great pains a faithfull pastor . his amiable and affable disposition . his care about the lords supper . he is made master of queens colledge , his government of the colledge . his care to promote religion there . his care to advance learning his charity . his prudence . a true nathaniel . his zeal . his courage and faithfulnesse . his vindication of the sabbath . a special providence . his faithfulnesse . his judgment about the king. his temperance , and sobriety . his liberality and charity . his last sicknesse . his prayer before death . his death . notes for div a -e his parentage . his fathers death . his mothers death . popes policy . his birth . his education . his valour . he is wounded . his advancement . his military discipline . his military service . he is made admirall . he is made generall . he makes peace with the emperour . his distast of perjury . the cause of the feud betwixt , him and the guises . his courage . st quintan besieged . his fidelity to his countrey . his industry . the french army routed . the city battered . st quintan taken . the admirall taken . his sicknesse a means of health to his soul. he devests himself of his offices . his temperance . andelot questioned for religion . his stout answer . his imprisonment . the cause why he left his offices . his godly wife encourages him . persecution attends the gospel . he instructs and reforms the family . the power of religion . his prudent humility . how christ is received in the sacrament . he partakes of the sacrament to the great joy of the churches . persecution the bellows of the gospel . a meeting of the nobility . his zeal and courage . the protestants petition . his boldnesse . a parliament desired . the protestants persecuted . the admirals oversight . a general convention of the states . a petition for the protestants the malice of the clergy . the protestants freed from persecution . churches allowed them . a massacre by the duke of guise . the king seized on by the d. of guise . why the protestants first took arms . prince of conde made generall . the admirall made lieutenant generall . p. of condees facility . the q mothers perfidiousnesse . p. of conde prisoner . the admirall releases him . his eldest son dieth . the guises call in forraign help , and so do the protestants . the admirall taketh their ammunition . a battell . conde taken prisoner . the admirals valour . john poltrot slew the duke of guise . a wicked brag a peace concluded . the admirall accused . he clears himself . the controversie determined by the king. the admirall cleared . treachery against the admirall . he forgives the traitor . the q. mothers mischievous counsels . her subtilty . god follows her with the plague . the guises attempts against the protestants frustrated by the admirall . lies raised of him . his speech to the parisians . his speech to the parliament new treachery against him . the traytor executed . the young prince of conde born . the admirall honoured . new designs against the protestants . * roch-sur-yon . the prince of conde and admirall complain to the king. they are answered with scorns . the second civil war. paris blocked up by the prince . a battell . the admirall wonderfully preserved . the royalists routed . they joyn with the germans . the admirals prudence . caen besieged by the prince . peace concluded . the admirals wife dieth . his counsell to his children . his charge to grelleus . his wives character . popish treachery . a remarkable providence . a prediction . they send to the king. the third civil war. a special providence . the protestants basely murthered . the queen of navarr assists them . niort taken . engolisme besieged . a battell . the royalists beaten . a special providence . the admirals danger . his valour . prince of conde basely slain . his character . the prince of navarr in his room . the admirals piety . his authority to take up arms. andelot's death . the admirals letter to his sons and nephews . his faith. the germans aid the protestants . the royalists beaten . the admirall sends to the king for peace . lusiniac surrendred . poictiers besieged . the admirals sicknesse . treachery against the admirall . the traitor executed . the royalists beaten . the admirall forced to fight . his policy . a special providence . he is wounded . his army overthrown . his courage . he is condemned by the parliament of paris . his house plundered . his contentation . his justice . his letter to his sons and nephews . they send to the king for peace . a tyrannical speech . the admirall falls sick . ambassadours from the king the great esteem of the admirall . the treaty goes on . peace concluded . the admirals second marriage . he marries his daughter to teligni . coligni's death in england . his character . popish cruelties . the kings dissimulation . the kings dissimulation with the admirall . royal dissimulation . the admirals entertainment at court. the malice of the duke of guise . the kings dissembling letter . the king dissembles with c. lodwick . intercepted letters which shewed the dissimulations . the admirals security . the queen of navarr's death . her character . the king sends for the admirall . his friends advertisements . his security . he went to paris . warnings to the admirall . his confident answer . royal treachery . the protestants flock to paris . deep dissimulation . rochel blocked up . the admirall deluded . the king of navarr married . the admirals letter to his wife . the kings dissimulation . the admirall wounded . his admirable patience , and christian courage . his charity . his prayer . his comfort . his faith. the kings prophane dissimulation . the king visits the admirall . his speech to the king. the kings answer . deep dissimulation . the bullet viwed . psal. . . a councel held by the protestants . presages of the massacre . monluc's advice . the kings dissimulation . deep dissimulation . an ill omen . popish subtilty counsell that the protestants should leave paris . a judas . the massacre projected . the kings dissimulation with the king of navarr . the duke of guise excites to the massacre . fatall security the queen-mothers mischievous mind the sign of the massacre . the admirals house assaulted . the admirals speech . the admirall slain . his body basely abused . his head sent to rome . yet buried . his character . his piety and zeal . examples prevalent . his manner of preparing for the lords supper . his care for education of children . his contempt of the world . brotherly love his age . his abstinence his daily exercise . teligni murthered , and his young son. notes for div a -e her parentage her marriage . popish policy . king of navarr turns papist . the queens constancy . popish policy . the king of navarr slain . treason against the queen . gods providence over her . her going to rochel . her letters to the king , &c. prince of conde slain . she encourageth the army her countrey surprized , and regained . the kings edict . popish subtilty the match propounded . her pious care about it . ministers dissent about it . her zeal to propogate the gospel . she goes to the court. the kings dissimulation . she goes to paris . she is poysoned . her sicknesse , and religious carriage therein . her charge to her son. james . . her conference with the minister . long life a blessing . cor. . . her prayer . a prayer . her patience . the minister absolves her . the admirall came to her . her death . a generall martyrologie containing a collection of all the greatest persecutions which have befallen the church of christ from the creation to our present times, both in england and other nations : whereunto are added two and twenty lives of english modern divines ... : as also the life of the heroical admiral of france slain in the partisan massacre and of joane queen of navar poisoned a little before / by sa. clarke. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a generall martyrologie containing a collection of all the greatest persecutions which have befallen the church of christ from the creation to our present times, both in england and other nations : whereunto are added two and twenty lives of english modern divines ... : as also the life of the heroical admiral of france slain in the partisan massacre and of joane queen of navar poisoned a little before / by sa. clarke. clarke, samuel, - . the second edition, corrected and enlarged, having the two late persecutions inserted, the one in piemont, the other in poland. [ ], , [ ] p. : port. printed by tho. ratcliffe for thomas underhill and john rothwell, london : . errata: p. 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all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng martyrs. persecution. church history. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the skilfull'st physiognomers , who scan each line and wrinkle in the face of man , can tell no more what soules dwell there , then wee by seing stars can tell what angels be . then ask not at the door who 't is : if so , this shadow cannot tell thee . read and know . a generall martyrologie , containing a collection of all the greatest persecutions which have befallen the church of christ from the creation to our present times , both in england and all other nations . whereunto are added two and twenty lives of english modern divines , famous in their generations for learning and piety , and most of them great sufferers in the cause of christ . as also the life of the heroical admiral of france , slain in the parisian massacre , and of joane queen of navar , poisoned a little before . by sa. clarke , pastor in bennet fink , london . the second edition , corrected and enlarged ; having the two late persecutions inserted : the one in piemont : the other in poland . psal. . . for thy sake are we ki●●led all the day long , we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter . nihil crus se●tit in nervo , cum animus est in caelo , tertul. printed by tho. ratcliffe , for 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 in saint pauls church-yard , near the little north-door . mdclx . to the christian reader ; especially to the suffering saints in these three nations . christian reader . thou hast here presented to thy view that strange sight which so much astonished moses , exod. . . a bush burning with fire , and not consumed : a lively emblem of the church , oft times all on a light flame with the fire of persecution , and yet so far from being consumed , that the bloud of the martyrs proves the seed of the church : and indeed she is the only , and true salamander , that can live in the fire : yet this , not by any strength of her own , but because the angel of the covenant , even the lord jesus christ is in the bush , either to slack the fire , or to strengthen the bush , and make it incombustible . in this book thou maiest see , as in a mirrour , what hath been the lot and portion of the church and people of god from the creation hitherto , viz. through many tribulations to enter into the kingdom of heaven . here thou hast a certaine and infallible mark of the true church of christ , viz. to be hated and persecuted by the devil and his instruments . here thou maiest see what is the constant concommitant of the gospel , when it is received in the love and power of it , viz. persecution , according to that of the apostle , ye became followers of us , and of the lord , having received the word in much affliction , &c. neither yet is god an hard master in dealing thus with his faithfull servants . he knows that heavy afflictions are the best benefactors to heavenly affections : and that grace is hid in nature here , as sweet water in rose leaves , which must have the fire of affliction put under to distill it out . he knows that when afflictions hang heaviest , corrupt affections hang loosest upon his children . yet doth not the lord afflict willingly , nor grieve the children of men , to crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth : but he will hereby try who are his indeed and in truth , not in name and profession only : for as the eagle tries her young ones by turning their faces to the sun beams , so those christians that can outface the sun of persecution , are sincere indeed . one thing is very remarkable in this history , that usually before any great persecution befell the church , the holy men of those times observed that there was some great decay of zeal , and of the power of godliness , or some mutuall contentions and quarrels amongst the people of god , or some such sin or other that provoked god against them ; and then , as the shepherd sets his dog upon his sheep , when they go astray to bring them in , and then rates him off again : so god le ts loose wicked persecutors upon his own children , but it 's only to bring them in unto him ; and then , he not only restrains their rage , but casts the rod into the fire . if judgement begin at the house of god , what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of god ? much excellent use may be made of this history : as , teaching us , that whosoever will take christ truly , must take his crosse as well as his crown , his sufferings as well as his salvation . that persecution is the bellows of the gospel , blowing every spark into a flame ; and that martyrs ashes are the best compost to manure the church , their bloud to water it , and make it fertill . that gods children are like starres , that shine brightest in the darkest night : like torches that are the better for beating : like grapes that come not to the proof , till they come to the presse : likes spices , that smell sweetest , when pounded : like young trees , that root the faster for shaking : like vines , that are the better for bleeding : like gold , that looks the brighter for scouring . like glow worms , that shine best in the dark : like juniper that smels sweetest in the fire : like the pomander , which becomes more fragrant for chafing : like the palm tree , which proves the better for pressing : like the camomile , which the more you tread it , the more you spread it . yea god knoweth that we are best , when we are worst , and live holiest , when we die fastest ; and therefore he frames his dealing to our disposition , seeking rather to profit , then to please us . that when god exposeth us to persecution , he expects our speedy and thorow reformation , if we desire the affliction to be removed . for as it were to no purpose for the finer to put his gold into the fire , except it lie there till it be refined : so were it to small purpose for god to lay afflictions on us , if so soon as we whine and groan under his hand , he should remove them , before we be bettered thereby . whereas afflictions , like lots angels , will soon away , when they have done their errand . like plaisters , when the sore is once whole , they will fall off of their own acco●d . that we should with patience submit to the afflicting hand of the all wise god , and our mercifull father , saying with the church , i will bear the indignation of the lord , because i have sinned against him ▪ considering also that impatience under affliction , makes it much more grievous . as a man in a feaver , that by tossing and tumbling , exasperates the disease , and encreaseth his own grief . that all that will live godly in christ jesus must suffer persecution . it hath been the portion of all the saints , from the creation hitherto . what son is there whom the father chasteneth not ? one son indeed god had without sin , but not without sorrow ; for though christ his naturall son , was sine corruptione , without corruption , yet not sine correctione , without correction ; though he was sine flagitio , with out crime , yet not sine flagello , without a scourge . and if they did these things to the green tree , what shall be done to the dry ? and behold the wonderfull wisdom of god herein ? who by these afflictions separates the sinne that hates , from the son that he loves , and keeps him by these thorns from breaking over into satans pleasant pastures , that would fat him indeed , but to the slaughter . in an appendix to this book , i have added the lives of sundry of our modern divines , which i conceive not to be heterogeniall to the rest of the work ; for though they were not martyrs , yet may they well be stiled confessors , in regard of the great persecution and sufferings , which most of them met withall whilest they lived here . and if any ask the reason why i have added no more ? it is because my intelligence comes in so slowely ; and if such as are able , will take the pains to inform me , i shall ( if god spares life ) adde more to the end of the next impression of my lives of the fathers , and modern divines . i hope that these my weak and poor endeavours will not prove ungratefull , nor be judged unseasonable , considering the times wherein we live : for if the same sins abound amongst us in these daies , which have been the forerunners of persecutions formerly ; we have cause to fear the worst , and to prepare for it ; forewarnd , forearmed . the reading of this history will manifest what wonderfull constancy and patience the saints have shewed in their greatest sufferings : what hath been the power of almighty god in their support : and what miserable ends many of their persecutors have come to . my hearty desire is , that by reading of this book , god may have the glory , and thy soul the comfort , and i shall be well appaied for my pains , who am , thine in the lord sa . clarke . from my study in thridneedle-street , octob. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . thomas dugard . a. m. rector barfordiae . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . tho. dugard . to the reverend , the author of the book , called a generall martyrologie , &c. what ? yet more books ? what spirit now inspires your pen to write of torments , warres and fires ? what ? will that pen that drew to th' life before , change stile , draw death , and speak of life no more ? what blustering boreas rais'd these stormy windes , which blew down churches , shook the steddiest mindes , sure hell 's broke loose , and devils in the flesh are come out thence to try their wits afresh . who ever heard troy's story with his ears , and could restrain his eies from shedding tears ? i quake to hear what saints in former daies ne're shook to feel , so they might win the baies . they conquer'd all ; their patient disposition , o're came both pope , and spanish inquisition . they conquer'd kings , and won the crown at last ; prest towards the prize , forgetting what was past . the story 's sad ; 't is true , yet the authors skill hath made that pleasant which in 't self is ill . away long-winded volumes , times disease ; this author doth our phansies better please . large books are endlesse ; but 't is his design t' enclose great volumes in his single line . eli. awn : to the reverend mr. sa. clarke , on his martyrologie . oh , welcome home , divine drake , welcome home , first girdle of the world of martyrdome . who seeks for more , can no new thing descry , y' have left no room for new discovery . these maps and charts you bring , nay every letter makes you the worlds great patron , it your debtor . to call 't a map doth but a part imply , 't is the whole globe of martyrologie . each picture is a map , each figure breaths a little hist'ry of the martyrs deaths . pisgah's too farre to see the holy-land , stand here on calvary , and view 't at hand . let others brag at large , whose fancy 't is to say a saint by a periphrasis . who doth this book of yours with theirs confer , findes saint and martyr in one character . though ( some there be ) that differ from the rest in judgement , and account short-writting best : those i am sure will praise you when they eye your skill in tachyhagiography . th' are many words make volumes , do but look and you shall see 't is matter makes a book . all volumes of this subject here are set as 't were contracted in an alphabet . in characters , for brevity , 't is good that vowels be by cons'nants understood . the least is best , if no essentiall be wanting to make 't a perfect entitie . man 's but the world epitomiz'd , but this compendium of saints and martyrs is . it s commendation is it self , 't is best though 't were without this my probatum est . j. c. a table of the names of all those martyrs that are mentioned in this book . a abel pag. aber achaz achilleus j. addis aegidio agathonica agapetus agatha agathon agnes agricol● aimeri alcibiades alexander , algerius aloisius ammonarion andas anthimus andoclus andrew g.j. annick anthea apollonia apollonius areth arias arnald antemìus armand asclepiades asyrius athanasia athanasius attalus a. audebert austin b babilas pag. j. baker barbara barlaam bartholomew , baudison isa. beard de beck benjamin bergerius m. bertino bertrand d. berto betkin biblides de bile blandina blondel j. de boisons b. bor j. de boscane f. de bossu bovellus a. du bourg f. bribard p. bruly s. brunes w. burgate w. burges ib. n. burton c cacalla calepodius ja. calvin campbel a. canus de cadurco . g. carpenter . carpus . jo. castellane . cecilia . cheremon . p. chapot . charlin . chober . j. clarke . claudius . , n. clivet . j. cobard . v. cockan . concordus . c. conink . constantino . martha constantine j. coomans . b. copin . j. cornon . p. coulogue . j. cowder . h. cowell . cronion . cyprian . cyrillus . d m. dimonet . dionysius . dionysia . , dominicus . domitius . p. domo . dorotheus . p. dorzeky . e r. ecklin . eleazer . elutherius . emilianus . encenas . j. english. enraudus . epimachus . j. eseh . eulalia . eusebius . , eustachius . eustratius . f j faber . c. fabri . fabian . faninus . faustinus . felicitas . , ferdinando . h. forrest . t. forret . mr. fournier . mis. frankland . fructuosus . m. fruen . g f. gamba . e. garcino . w. gardiner . c. gauderin . p. gaudet . ● george . germanicus . gervasius . glee . c. girard . girauda . gisbitzky . godfrid . j. gonsalvo . m. gonin . gordius . gorgonius . n. gourlay . granvelle . h p. hamilton p. hamlin . l. harant . b. hector . hermes . hermogines . herwin . an. hill. hipolitus . w. hooker . hormisda . m. hostialek . hostius . mis. howard . hubert . de hues . j. huglin . j. husse . w. husson . i iacob . st. james . james justus . n. of jenvile . jerome of prague jessenius . j. insperg . jobita . john bap. john. irenaeus . isaiah . ischirion . judas mac. , judas brother of james . julius . julianus . julitta . juliano . justin martyr . , k c. kaplitz . a. kennedy . l. keyser . j. kutnaur . l s. laloe . la-moth . laurence . de lavoy . leonides . j. leon. lin. lollard . m. loquis . c. losada . will. loverden . lucianus lucius . ludomilla . m macer maccabeus machir malchus mappalicus marchus arethusius marcella mark marinus maris marlorat martin , . martina mr. jo. mason p. masson tho. mason mathew mathias ib. maturus mauritius j. maxwell , menas mercuria t. messino metra metrodorus l. meulin g. de meyer m. michelot midleton w. mill p. moice montgemery j. mollius n n. naile nemesion nereus nicanor nicholas nicholson o l. of obiers oguire l. hen. otto p pamachius pamphilus pampinian j. panane papilus paul , , peregrinus perpetua persival pescinus peter , , , , philip , phocas photinus m. pierrone m. pilot pionies pistorius de la place plutarch . j. pointer s. polliot polycarp j. pontio potentianus potichus potamiena priscus procopion protasius ptolemaeus pusices q quinta quirinus , r p. ramus sara rastignole de reux revocatus rhais ricetto p. roch rochus j. rogres f. romane romanus , rogues l. of rugenice j. russel s salamona sanctus satyrus g. scherter schlick scoblant w. scuch sebastian sega secundianus secundulus serena serenus serapion , p. serre j. shultes simon , p. simon simon zelotes silvanus , , sixtus p. spengler f. spinola starky stemback . steven . t. steffeck . jo. stone . d. straton . suenes . sulpitius . h. sutphen . s. sussikey . symphorissa . syrus . t tailor . tertullia . theodora . theodorus . , thiessen . thomas . , tiburtius . g. tilleman . ● timothy . tiranion . j. de tour. g. trecius . v valerianus . de valougnes . f. venote . uetius epagethus . vincentius . , vitalis . h. voes . urbanus . , usthazares . w a. wallace . watson . wendelmutha . wenceslaus . , william of nassaw . g. wiseheart . n. wodniansky . z zechariah . zenon . zenobius . zepherinus . d. zervius . the contents of the chapters , containing the several persecutions , together with the lives of such persons as are mentioned in this book . the persecutions mentioned in the old testament pag. the persecutions from nehemiah to antiochus his time the persecutions under antiochus epiphanes the life of judas maccabeus the martyrdom of the maccabees the persecutions mentioned in the new testament the first primitive persecution under the heathen roman emperors the second primitive persecution the third primitive persecution the fourth primitive persecution the fifth primitive persecution the sixth primitive persecution the seventh primitive persecution the eight primitive persecution the ninth primitive persecution pag. the tenth primitive persecution the persecution of the christians in persia the persecution of the church under julian the apostate the persecvtion of the church under the arrian hereticks the persecution by the donatists the persecution under the arrian vandals in africk the persecution of the waldenses the persecution of the waldenses in calabria the persecution of the waldenses in provence the persecution of the albingenses the persecution of the church in bohemiah the persecution under ferdinand the persecution of the church in spain the original , progress , and practice of the spanish inquisition the life of dr. aegido the life of dr. constantino the martyrdom of nic. burton in spain the persecution of the church in italy the life of mr. john mollius the life of william gardiner the martyrdom of a christian jew the persecution of the church in germany the martyrdom of a minister in hungary the persecution of the church in the low-countries the persecution under the d. de alva the martyrdom of w. of nassaw the modern persecution of germany the persecution of the church in france the persecution in the civil wars in france the history of the massacre of paris the siege of sancerre the siege of rochel the persecution of the church in the valtoline the persecution of the church in scotland the life of mr. george wiseheart the persecution of the church in ireland a continuation of the history of the waldenses from the year . to our time the marquisat of saluces described , with its several troubles and persecutions the artifices and wicked practices used to consume and destroy the faithfull in the valleys of piemont the motives of the late persecution in the valleys of piemont a narrative of the bloody cruelties lately exercised there a narrative of the war between the papists and protestants there who interceded to the d. of savoy in the behalf of the protestants a description of piemont , and the valleys thereof the late persecution of the church of christ in poland the destruction of lesna the cause of religion as it stands now in germany the persecutions mentioned in the old testament . chap. i. the persecution of the church in the first ages of the world , and so forward till the incarnation of christ. the first murtherer and persecutor that was in the world , was the devil , and the first method and means that he made use of to carry on this persecution , was by subtilty and large promises , that by eating the forbidden fruit , they should have their eyes opened , and should be as gods knowing good and evil : and hereby he drew our first parents from their obedience unto god , and cheated them of that blessed and happy estate which god had created them in . since which time his enmity against the church and children of god hath never ceased : but by his effectual working in the children of disobedience , he hath provoked and stirred up one man to be the persecutor and devourer of another : thus he provoked cain to rise up against , and to slay his brother abel , and though the scripture be silent how the wicked cainites , the sons of men , behaved themselves towards the sons of god ; yet doubtless they persecuted them with the tongue , if they proceeded no further . can we imagine that noah , that was a preacher of righteousness in the midst of a perverse generation , could escape without hatred , scorn and contempt ? how many jeers ( think ye ) had he whilest he was building the ark , as doting and dreaming ( not of a dry summer , but ) of a wet winter ? the earth in his days was said to be corrupt and filled with violence , which violence certainly was principally exercised against the church of god : and afterwards when the world was reduced to a very small number , yet then satan had his cursed ham that persecuted and mocked his own father , the righteous noah . was not lot also persecuted and scoffed at in sodom ? gen. . . isaac in abrahams house mocked by ismael ? gen. . . was not jacob hated and persecuted by his brother esau ? gen. . . joseph by his brethren ? gen. . . and that because he brought unto his father their evil report , verse . was he not afterwards cast into a pit by them ? ver . . then sold to the ishmaelitish merchants , who carried him into egypt , ver . . there he was persecuted by his whorish mistriss , gen. . , . cast into prison , where his feet were hurt with fetters , and he was laid in irons , psal. . . but these were but small persecutions in comparison of those which followed . for when the children of israel were multiplied in egypt , pharaoh king of egypt set over them task-masters to afflict them with their burdens , exod. . ▪ thinking thereby to eat up , and wear them out ; and when that prevailed not , they made them serve with rigour , and they made their lives bitter with the hard bondage in mortar , and in brick , and in all manner of service in the field ; all the service wherein they made them serve , was with rigour , ver . , . and when this prevailed not , the king commanded the midwives , siphrah and puah , when they did the office of a midwife to the hebrew women , and saw them upon the stools , if they were delivered of a son , they should presently kill him , ver . , . and when these midwives neglected his commands , he charged all his people that every son that was born to the israelites , should be cast into the river nilus , v. . moses was persecuted by pharaoh , who sought to slay him ; which caused him to fly into the land of midian , exodus . . and when god sent him back into egypt to deliver his people from the house of bondage , how did pharaoh persevere and proceed in his persecuting the people of god : he caused straw to be taken from them , and yet the number of bricks to be continued ; and when the task was not done , the officers of the children of israel were cruelly beaten , ver . . and when god had brought out his people with an high hand from under the tyranny of the egyptians , and carried them into the wilderness , how did satan stir up some sons of belial against moses and aaron , even korah , and his complicies , two hundred and fifty princes , who cried out against them , ye take too much upon you , seeing all the congregation are holy , even every one of them , numb . . . afterwards when the children of israel were setled in the land of canaan , they were often grievously oppressed , and persecuted by the wicked and idolatrous nations that lived amongst them , and round about them ; as first by chushan-rishathaim , king of mesopotamia , who tyrannized over them eight years judg. . . then by eglon king of moab , who slew many of them , and oppressed them eighteen years , v. , . then by the philistines , v. . then were they mightily oppressed for twenty years together , by jabin , king of canaan , judg. . , . then did the midianites persecute them with so much cruelty , that they were forced to forsake their houses , and to make them dens and caves in the mountains , to shelter and hide themselves from them , judg. . . yea for seven years together they tyrannized over them ; and when the israelits had sowen their land , they came up in such multitudes , that they destroyed the increase of the earth , and left no sustenance for israel , neither sheep , nor oxe , nor asse , ver . , . then the philistines again , and the ammonites lorded it over israel , and brought them into great distresse for eighteen years , judg. . ● . after that the philistines yet againe oppressed them for forty years together , judg. . . and afterwards they slew of them in two battels thirty four thousand , and carried away the ark of god also , sam. . , , . then in sauls time , these philistines so distressed israel , that the people were forced to hide themselves in caves and thickets , and in rocks , and in high places , and in pits ; yea some of them forsook their own country , and fled beyond jordan , sam. . , . and the land was so enslaved to them , that there was not a smith to be found in israel , but the philistines either slew them , or carried them away captives , so that the israelites were fain to go to the philistines to have their instruments of husbandry set in order , ver . , . how david was persecuted by saul all his time , the scripture doth amply set forth , sam . &c. and was not he persecuted grievously , when cursed and railed upon by shimei , sam. . , , &c. the church of god was afterward persecuted under rehoboams reign , by shishak king of egypt , who took jerusalem , and carried away the treasures of the lords house , and of the kings house into egypt . and again under asa , by baasha king of israel , king. . . and by zerah the ethiopian , who came against judah with an army of a thousand thousand men , and three hundred chariots , chron. . . yea so malicious and subtile is satan that he sometimes stirs up one saint to persecute another ; as he stirred up good king asa to persecute the prophet of the lord who dealt plainly and faithfully with him , by casting him into prison , chron. . . michaiah also was persecuted and imprisoned by ahab , chron. . , . under jehosaphat the church of god was persecuted by the moabites , ammonites and edomites , whom god destroyed by setting of them one against another , chron. . . elijah was persecuted by ahab and jesabel , king. . . and . . the prophets of the lord were slain by jesabel , king. . . elisha was hated and persecuted by jehoram . king. . . in the reign of this jehoram , the philistines and arabians mightily oppressed judah , chro. . , . then athaliah by murthering the kings seed , usurpeth the kingdom , and tyrannizeth five years , chro. . . joash in his reign slayeth zechariah for reproving him , chron. . . the church was oppressed at the same time by the syrians , ver . . and afterwards also in the reign of ahaz , chron. . . and about the same time the king of israel slew of judah a hundred and twenty thousand , and carried away captive two hundred thousand men , women and children . judah was also oppressed by the edomites , ver . . and by the philistines , ver . . and by the king of assyria , ver . . and chap. . . manasses persecuted the prophet isaiah for reproving him , and caused him to be sawn a sunder with a wooden saw . josephus . afterwards pharaoh necho tyrannized over judah , chron. . . and after him nebuchad●ezzar ▪ v ; &c. and so the sins of judah being come to the full , the good figgs were carried away captive to babylon , and the land afterwards was wholly laid waste and destroyed : which being foretold by the prophet jeremiah , the wicked jews , first persecuted him with the tongue , jer. . . then was he smitten , and put into the stocks , jer. . . then was he indanger of death by the preists and false prophets , jer. . . then was he imprisoned by zedekiah , jer. . , . then he is beaten , and again put into prison , jer. . . and after that cast into a dungeon , where he stuck in the mire , jer. . then by the wicked captains he was carried into egypt , jer. . , . what grievous afflictions the church and people of god endured about this time , see it set forth to the life in the book of the lamentations . in the time of the captivity , the three children were persecuted by nebuchadnezzar , and thrown into the fiery fornace , for refusing to worship his golden image , dan. . . daniel was persecuted by darius his courtiers , and cast into the lions den , dan. . . mordecai was hated and persecuted by haman , and a decree procured for the murthering of all the people of god in one day , esth. . . after the return of the jews from captivity , the people of the land laboured to weaken the hands of the men of judah , and troubled them in the building of the temple , and hired counsellors against them to accuse them to cyrus , and ahasuerus : they wrote also against them to artaxerxes , that they were a rebellious people , and that if they should be suffered to build jerusalem , they would neither pay toll , tribute , nor custom to the king , ezra . . , &c. and having by this malicious suggestion gotten authority , they came upon the poor people of god , and enforced them to give over th●ir worke . yea ▪ and afterwards , when by the command of the lord , the jews had again set upon the building , tatnai and shether-bosnai came up to discourage and discharge them from it ; and when this prevailed not , they wrote against them to king darius . again , when nehemiah came to jerusalem , and began to build the wall of the city , how were they scorned and jeered by sanballat , tobiah and geshem ? and when the work prospered in their hands , and jeers would not prevaile to stop it , they then conspired to fight against jerusalem , and so to hinder it ; but neither that prevailing , by reason of the prudent carriage of nehemiah , they then sought to entrap him , and by destroying him , to hinder the work , nehe. . . then they accused the people of god of treason and rebellion , ver . , &c. then they hired a false prophet to terrefie nehemiah , ver . , . then they corrupted , and held intelligence with some of the nobles of judah to betray him ; notwithstanding all which designes , god preserveth nehemiah , and the building of jerusalem is finished . and thus farre the sacred scriptures of the old testament have given us a certain register of the persecutions , martyrdomes and sufferings of the church and children of god for the space of about three thousand five hundred years ; from the creation of the world , to the restauration of the jewish polity under nehemiah . chap. ii. the persecution of the church from nehemiah to antiochus his time . after the death of eliashib the high-priest , judas his sonne succeeded , and after him john his sonne , which john had a brother called jesus , who was much favoured by bagoses , generall of artaxerxes , who promised him the priesthood , which made him take occasion to quarrel with his brother john , who thereby was so much provoked against him , that he slew him in the temple ; bagoses being informed hereof , came with his army to jerusalem , and kept the jews in bondage seven years , making them tributaries , so that before they could offer their daily sacrifice , they were compelled to pay for every lamb , fifty drachmes . after the death of john , jaddus his sonne succeeded in the priesthood , in whose time alexander the great passed over the hellespont , and having overcome the lieutenant of darius , he conquered many countries in asia minor , intending suddenly to come upon jerusalem . jaddus being informed of his intention , was sore afraid ; he therefore offered sacrifice , and commanded the people to make their prayers unto god , for direction and protection in this common danger : and when he heard that alexander approached , he caused the priests and people to put on white garments , and himself , attired in his priestly robes , went before them ; when alexander espied them , he himself marched before the rest of his company , and coming to the high-priest , he fell down on his face before him : then did all the jews circle him in round about , and with one voice saluted him . alexanders chief commanders were wonderfully astonished at this deportment of the king , and thought he was out of his wits : and parmenio stepping to him , asked him what he meant thus to adore the high-priest of the jews , when as all other men adored him ; alexander answered , i doe not adore him , but that god whom the high-priest worshipeth ; for in my sleep i saw him in such an habit when i was in macedonia , consulting with my self how i might conquer asia ; and he bad me to make no delay , assuring me that he would both guide me and my army , and would deliver the empire of the persians into my hands : then gave he the high-priest his hand , and went with him to the city , and comming to the temple , he offered sacrifice according to the direction of the high-priest ; then did jaddus shew him daniels prophecy , wherein his victories over the persians , and his monarchy were foretold , which much rejoyced alexander : then did he command the jews to ask some favours at his hands ; the high-priest requested onely that they might live after the ordinances of their forefathers , and that every seventh year they might be exempted from taxes and tributes , which he fully granted : they besought him likewise that the jews which were in media and babilon , might be permitted to live after their own laws , which he willingly promised , and so departed : this was about the year of the world . and before christs nativity . after the death of alexander , his kingdom was divided amongst his captains , amongst whom ptolemy the son of lagus held egypt , who falling out with antigonus that held asia minor , there grew great wars between them , wherein ptolemy won from him all syria , and going to jerusalem on a sabbath day under pretence to offer sacrifice , the jews suspecting nothing , he surprised the city , carrying away many of the jews into captivity into egypt : but after his death , his son ptolemy philadelphus at his owne cost redeemed an hundred and twenty thousand of them , paying twelve crowns apeece for each of them , and sent them back into their owne countrey : he sent also by them fifty talents of gold for the temple , and obtained of eleazer the high priest , the law of the jews , and interpreters ( out of every tribe some ) who translated it into greek in daies : and having finished their work , ptolemy returned them with great rewards for themselves , and with many rich presents to eleazer . antiochus and ptolemy being at war each against other , the jews suffered much by them , mach. . collected out of josephus . chap. iii. the persecution of the church of god under antiochus epiphanes , before the nativity of christ about years . afterwards the jews being divided amongst themselves , one part of them went to antiochus , telling him that their purpose was to forsake the religion and ordinances of their forefathers , and to follow that of the kings , and to live after the manner of the greeks , entreating him to license them to live in jerusalem ; which antiochus assenting to , they went to jerusalem , where they behaved themselves very wickedly , but finding opposition from the other party of the jews , they sent for antiochus , who led his army against jerusalem , and encamped before it , and by his faction within , had the gates opened , and the city betraied to him , about the year of the world . and before the nativity of christ . being entred jerusalem he slew many of the faithfull jews , and having taken great spoils , he returned back to antioch . two years after he came to jerusalem again , and having seen what quantity of gold was in the temple , and what a huge number of presents and precious ornaments were in the same , he was so overcome with covetousness , that he violated all conventions and conditions formerly made , equally raging against his own and the adverse party , sparing neither friend nor foe : then he spoiled the temple , and carried away the vessels dedicated unto god , the golden table , the golden candlestick , the censers , &c. leaving nothing behind him of any value ; yea , he inhibited the godly jews from offering their usual and dailie sacrifices to god ; and having spoiled the whole city , he slew many of the inhabitants , and carried the rest away into captivity , with their wives and children , to the number of ten thousand : he also burned the fairest buildings of the city , and brake down the wals , and raised a fortress in the lower city , and having inclosed it with high wals , he planted a garison of macedonians therein , with whom remained the scum of the apostate jews . he also caused an altar to be erected in the temple , on which he commanded swine to be offered in sacrifice , contrary to the law. he constrained the jews to forsake god , and adore those idols which himself vvorshiped ; he forbad them to circumcise their children ▪ and appointed over-seers to constrain them to fulfill his commandments , so that many for fear of punishment conformed themselves to his will ; but such as were of upright hearts , and valiant minds , little respected his menaces ; whereupon they were beaten , and exposed to cruel punishment many days together , in the midst of which they yielded up the ghost ; for after they were whipt , and maimed in their bodies , they were tortured and crucified ; the women vvere strangled , and the circumcised children vvere hung up about the necks of their parents ; and vvhere any books of the sacred scriptures vvere found , they defaced , and burnt them , and such with vvhom they vvere found , vvere put to most cruel deaths . at this time there dvvelt at modin ( a village of jury ) one vvhose name was matthias , a priest of the rank of joarib , that had five sons , john called gaddis , simon called matthes , judas called maccabeus , eleazer called aaron , and jonathan called apphas . this matthias often complained to his sons of the miserable state of their countrey , of the sacking of their city , the profanation of the temple , and the miseries of the people , telling them , that it was better for them to die for the law , then to live in ignominy . when therefore the kings commisaries came unto modin , and commanded the people to sacrifice according to the kings edict ; they first applied themselves to matthias as to the most honourable person amongst them , requiring him first to offer sacrifice , that others might follow his example , promising that the king vvould much honour him for it . matthias ansvvered that he vvould by no means commit that idolatry , assuring them , that though all other nations , either for love or fear , should obey the edicts of antiochus , yet that he , nor his children could be induced to forsake the religion of their fathers : as soon as he had thus spoken , a certain jew stepped forth to offer sacrifice according to the command of the king , wherewith matthias , inflamed with zeal , was so displeased , that he and his sons fell upon him , and with their swords hewed him to pieces ; he also slew apelles the kings captain , and some other souldiers , who would have withstood him . then he overthrew the altar and with a loud voice , he said , if any one be affected to the laws of their fathers , and to the service of god , let him follow me ? and so he retired into the deserts with his sons ; the like did the rest , with their wives and children , hiding themselves in caves and dens . the kings captains having intelligence hereof , with the garison that was in the citadel at jerusalem , they pursued them into the desert , and having overtaken them , they first endeavoured by perswasions to draw them to idolatry ; but the jews absolutely refusing to yield to their wicked wils , resolved rather to die then to submit to them , and to commit such impiety ; whereupon these bloody persecutors assailed them on the sabbath day , and burned them in their caves , who neither resisted their enemies , nor closed up the mouths of their caves , supposing it to be a violation of the sabbath , if they should fight or work upon that day ; some thousands of men , women and children were there stifled ; yet divers escaped , who joined themselves with matthias , and chose him for their captain . then did he inform them , that they ought to fight on the sabbath day , if they were assailed by their enemies , and prevailed with them not to be guilty of their own death , by their neglect to defend themselves ; and so having assembled a sufficient number , he destroyed the altars , and slew those that had forsaken their religion : commanding others to circumcise their children , and driving those from every place , whom antiochus had set to see his laws executed . but when he had thus governed one year , he fell sick , and perceiving his end to approach , he called his sons , and exhorted them to follow his steps in maintaining the law of god , and fighting for their countrey , telling them , that then they should have god for their assister , who will not forsake those that love and fear him , but taking pleasure in their vertues , will once more grant them favour to recover their former peace and liberty ; and saith he , god will establish you in the possession of your ancient laws ; and though our bodies be mortal , and subject unto death , yet the memory of our virtuous actions is enfranchised by immortality ; make therefore no difficulty to hazard your lives in so good a cause : but above all things i exhort you unto concord , and in whatsoever any one of you shall be found more naturally apt and fitted then another , let him prosecute the same without any contradiction from the rest : i charge you to obey your brother simon ( who is a politick and valiant man ) in whatsoever he shall counsel you : but make judas your captain , who is both valiant and strong , for he shall revenge the injuries and out-rages which have been done to our nation , and shall put our enemies to flight ; second him therefore with men of valour , and such as fear god , and by this means you shall be sure to prevail . chap. iv. the life of judas maccabeus . after matthias his death , judas took upon him the government of the wars , and by the help of his brethren , and other jews , he drave the enemies out of the countrey , purg●ng the land of all the uncleaness that had been brought into it . but when apollonius , who was antiochus his generall in samaria , heard of it , he gathered his army together , and invaded judea , against whom maccabeus went forth , and after a terrible battel , overthrew him , slew apollonius and many of his souldiers ; took his camp , and therein a very rich booty ; and judas gat apollonius his sword for his part in the spoil . then seron governor of caelosyria gathered all his forces together , and hired many apostate jews to joyn with him , and so marched against judas as far as bethoron : judas also advanced towards him , but when he perceived that his souldiers were unwilling to fight , by reason of the inequality of their numbers , and for that they had eaten no meat , but had fasted for a long time , he encouraged them , saying , that the means to obtain the victory , consisted not in the greatness of their number , but in their devotion towards god ; whereof they had evident examples in their forefathers , who with a small number , had often defeated many thousands of their enemies , &c. hereby he so prevailed with his souldiers , that , dreadless of the number of their enemies , they all together ran upon seron , and after a cruel fight , routed his army , and slew him together with eight hundred of the syrians ; the rest escaped by flight . antiochus hearing of these things , was highly displeased , and therefore he assembled all his forces , and hired many mercenaries , but having mustered his army , he found that his treasure failed him to pay so great a multitude ; whereupon he resolved , first to go into persia , to gather up his tributes : and in the meane time he made lysias his vicegerent , a man of greate esteem with him , and one that governed all the countries from euphrates to the borders of egypt : with him he also left some elephants , and part of his army , commanding him expresly , that when he had conquered judaea he should make the inhabitants thereof his slaves , and sell them to those that would give most for them , and that he should destroy jerusalem , and utterly abolish that race . lysias having received this commandment , sent ptolemy , nicanor , and gorgias ( men of great authority about the king ) with an army of forty thousand foot , and seven thousand horsemen ; to invade jury ; who marching as far as the city emmaus , encamped in the field ; and increased their army with many syrians , and apostate jews . there came also divers merchants a long with them to buy the prisoners that should be taken , bringing gieues along with them to manacle the prisoners withall . judas having viewed the camp , and number of his enemies , encouraged his souldiers , exhorting them to repose their confidence and hope of victory in god : he also appointed a f●st , that they might humble themselves , and call upon god , by supplications and prayers , for success in such an extreame danger . then he told them that god would have compassion upon them , and give them strength to stand against their enemies , and to put them to shame . the next day he marshalled his army by thousands , and by hundreds , and sent away all that were newly married , or that had lately bought pess●ssions , according to the law. and t●en he said unto the rest : my countrymen and companions , we never yet had any occasion more necessary , wherein we ought to express our courages , and contemn dangers , then at this present ; for now if you fight valiantly , you may recover your liberties , which ought the more to be prised , because thereby you may win opportunity to ser●e god , and so live an happy life : but if ye prove cowards in the fight , you shall be branded with perpetuall infamy , and hazard the utter extirpation of our nation . think therefore , that if you fight not , you must die : and on the contrary , assure your selves , that in fighting for your religion , laws and liberty , you shall obtain immortall glory : be ready therefore , that to morrow morning you may bid your enemies battel . immediately news was brought him , that gorgias with five thousand foot , and a thousand horsemen , was sent forth under the conduct of some fugitives , by night to fall upon him ; whereupon he resolved the same night to break into the enemies army whilest they were thus divided . having therefore refreshed himself and army , leaving many fires in his camp thereby to deceive the enemy , he marched all night to seek them out . gorgias finding that the jews had forsaken their camp , conceited that for fear they were fled into the mountains , and therefore he resolved to search them out diligently . but in the morning , ●udas accompanied only with three thousand men and those but ill armed because of their poverty , shewed himself to the enemies that were at emmaus , and having viewed their warlike discipline , and mighty number , and how well they were incamped , he encouraged his followers to fight v●liantly , telling them , that god would deliver their enemies into their hands , and thereupon causing his trumpets to sound , he rushed in upon his enemies with such fury and resolution , as altogether affrighted and discouraged them ; and having slaine such as resisted , he pursued the rest as farre as the plains of idumaea , &c. in this fight ●bout three thousand of the enemies were slain ; yet would he not suffer his souldiers to take the spoil , telling them , that as yet they were to fight with gorgias and his army , but so soon as they had ( through gods mercy ) with the lik● val●ur beaten them , they might then securely enrich themselves by the prey of all their enemies . gorgias with his army being upon an hill , and discovering the flight of their friends , and the jews readinesse to give them battell , were so affrighted , that they also fled ; whereupon judas with his men returned to gather the pillage , and having found great store of gold , silver , scarlet and purple , he returned to his dwelling with joy , praising god for their happy success . lysias hearing of this overthrow was much enraged , and presently assembled another army of neer sixthy thousand chosen foot , and five thousand horsemen , wherewith he went to invade judaea and encamped in bethsura : judas hearing of it , came forth against him with ten thousand men , and seeing the number of his enemies so farre to exceed his , he earnestly cried unto god , that it would please him to fight with , and for him ; and then charged the vanguard of the enemy with so great force , that he discomfited , and slew about five thousand of them , lysias perceiving hereby the resolution of the jews , who would rather die then lose their liberty , he returned with the rest of his army unto antioch , where he continued , and entertained many mercenaries , to make a greater army for the conquest of the jews : in the meane time judas assembled the people , and told them , that having obtained so many victories , through the mercy of god , they ought now to go up to jerusalem , and purifie the temple that was desolate , and to offer unto god the sacrifices that were ordained by the law. then going up with a great multitude of people he found the temple desolate , the gates burned , and grass growing within the same : grieving therefore at so sad a spectacle , he began to weep , and all the people that were with him , and having chosen out some of his best souldiers , he commanded them to force the garisons which were in the fortresses , whilest himself purged the temple . then he caused to be made a table , a candlestick , and altar for incense , all of gold ; he put up a rail also , and set gates to the temple : and having thrown down the altar of burnt-offerings that was profaned by antiochus , he built a new one of stones neither hewed nor hammered : then on the twenty fifth of chasleu [ september ] were lights set in the candlestick , perfumes laid upon the altar , loaves set upon the table , and sacrifices offered upon the new altar , which was the same day three years wherein before the sacred service was changed into profane and hatefull impiety . then did judas with his country-men celebrate a feast unto the lord for eight daies , praising god with hymns and psalms . he enclosed the city also with a wall , and built high towers thereon , in which he planted garisons against the incursions of the enemies . he fortified also the city of betsura , that it might serve as a fort against the enemy . but the nations round about them , being greatly displeased with this prosperity of the jews , oppressed divers whom they surprised by ambushes and treachery ; whereupon judas warred against them to hinder their incursions : he slew many of the idumaeans , and brought away a great prey out of their country , and shut up the sonnes of baan ▪ their prince , who lay in waite for the jews , and after a siege , he overcame them , setting fire on their towers , and killing all the men that where therein . after this he made warre upon the ammonites , who had a mighty army under the conduct of timotheus : with these he fought and overcame them , and took their city of jazor , and burned it , leading their wives and children into captivity , and so returned into judaea : but the neighbouring nations hearing of his departure , assembled themselves together against the jews in galaad , who retiring into the sort of dathema , sent to judas , requesting him to come and relieve them ; and whilest he was reading their letters , other messengers came out of galile , informing him that they were assaulted by the inhabitants of ptolomais , tyre , and sidon , and others there abouts . hereupon judas commanded his brother simon to take three thousand chosen men , and with them to relieve those jews that were assailed in galile : and himself with his brother jonathan , accompanied with eight thousand fighting men , marched into galaad , leaving the rest of his forces under two other captains , whom he commanded to have a watchfull eye over judaea , yet not to joyn battell with any enemy till his returne . simeon in galile fought against his enemies , discomfited them , pursued them to the gates of ptolemais , and slew about three thousand ; and having gathered their spoils , he released many jews that were prisoners , restored their goods to them , and so returned home . but judas having passed jordan , and marched three daies journey , he met the na●athians , who told him that his brethren were besieged in their castles and cities , and some of them were already brought into great exrteamity and penury : hereupon he first assailed the inhabitants of bosra , tooke their city , set it on fire , and killed all the men that were able to bea● arms : then marching all night , he came early in the morning to the castle , where the jews were besieged by tymothies army . the enemies were just then raising their ladders to scale the walls , and applying their engins for battery : then did he incourage his men to fight valiantly for their brethren that were in danger , and causing his trumpets to sound , he distributed his forces into three battalions , wherewith he assaulted the enemies , but they , hearing that it was mac●abaeus , were struck with so great a fear , that immediately they fled : judas with his men pursuing them , slew about eight thousand , and then marching to malla [ a city of the enemies ] he surprised it , slew all the men therein , and burnt it with fire ; after which he destroyed chaspomo , bosor , and divers other places . shortly after timothy leavied another great army , hired many of the syrians , and drew forth all his allies to his assistance ; with these he marched to jordan exhorting them valiantly to oppose the jews and to hinder their passage over the river , telling them that if the jews gat over , they were sure to be put to the worst : judas hearing hereof , marched hastily against his enemies , and having passed the river , he presently set upon them , killing some , and grievously affrighting the rest , who casting away their arms , immediately fled ; some of them to save themselves fled into a temple called carnain , but judas having taken the city and temple , slew them and burnt the same . then did he lead away with him all the jews that lived in galaad , together with their wives , children and substance , and brought them into judaea . when he drew near to the town of ephron , they had baricadoed up his way that he could not pass : then did he send ambassadors to them , to desire them to open his passage ; which when they refused , he besieged the city , took it by assault , burned it down , and slew all the men that were therein . after having passed over jordan , they came into judaea with great joy and gladnesse , praising god , and offering sacrifices of thanksgiving to him , for the safe return of his army ; for that in all those battels and encounters , he had not lost one jew . but whilest judas and simon were gone upon these expeditions , the two captains which he had left to command the garisons of judaea , being desirous to obtain the reputation of valiant men , tooke their forces , and went towards jamnia ; against whom gorgias , governor of that place , issued out , and slew two thousand of them ; the rest fled to judaea . afterwards judas and his brethren warred against the idumaeans , took divers of their cities , and with a great booty returned home with great joy . antiochus in the meane time being in persia , heard of a wealthy city called elymais , in which was a rich temple of diana , &c. thither he went , and besieged it , but the inhabitants sallied out , and with great losse drave him from thence , whereupon he returned to babylon : there also news was brought unto him of the overthrow of his captains in judaea , and that the jews were grown strong ; which together with his former defeat , so wrought upon him , that he fell sick , and finding no hope of recovery , he called his most familiar friends to him , and told them that his sicknesse was violent and desperate , and that he was plagued with this grevous affliction , for that he had tormented the people of the jews , destroyed their temple , committed horrible sacriledge , and contemned the reverence of god ; but now he vowed , that if it would please the lord to restore him , he would become a jew , and do many great things for the people of god ; as also that he would goe through all the known world to declare the power of god. notwithstanding which , the lord knowing his hypocrisie continued to plague him after a terrible manner : he had a remedilesse pain in his bowels , and intollerable torments in all his inward parts : his body bred abundance of worms , which continually crawled out of the same : yea , he so rotted above ground , that by reason of the intollerable stink , no man could endure to come near him , neither could he himselfe indure the same : and thus this vile person who had formerly in a proud and insolent manner protested that he would make jerusalem a common burying place , and the streets thereof to run with the bloud of gods people ; by gods just judgement ended his life in extream misery : but before his death , he called philip one of his chief captains , and made him governour of his kingdom , requiring him to be very carefull of his son antiochus . then was antiochus proclaimed king , and sirnamed eupator : about which time the garisons , and apostates that were in the fortress at jerusalem , did much mischief to the jews ; for setting unawares upon those that came to the temple to worship , and to offer their sacrifices , they slew them : hereupon judas resolved to cut off these garisons , and to that end he assembled all the people , and besieged them , and having made certain engins , and raised divers rams , he earnestly prosecuted the siege : but divers of those apostates escaping by night , went to antiochus , desiring him not to suffer them to perish , who for his fathers sake , had forsaken their religion , &c. then did antiochus send for his captains , commanding them to raise a mighty army , which accordingly they did , gathering together a hundred thousand footmen , and twenty thousand horsemen , and thirty two elephants ; with these forces he departed out of antioch , and made lysias generall of his army : then did he besiege bethsura , a strong city , but the inhabitants valiantly resisted him , and sallying out , burned his engines which he had prepared for battery . the king continuing the siege for a longe time , judas hearing of it , raised his siege from before the castle of jerusalem , and marched towards antiochus his army , and when he came neer to the enemies camp , he lodged his army in certain streights , called beth-zacharia . the king hearing thereof , raised his siege from bethsura , and marched to wards the streight where judas with his army was ; the king first caused his elephants to march thorow the streight ; about each elephant were a thousand footmen , and a hundred horsemen for his guard , each elephant carried a tower on his back , furnished with archers : the rest of his forces he caused to march two waies by the mountaines , commanding them with huge shouts and cries to assail their enemies , and to uncover their golden and brazen bucklers , that the reflection thereof might dazle the eies of the jews ; yet was not judas at all amated , but entertained the army with a noble courage , slaying about six hnundred of the forlorn hope : but eleazer , judas brother , seeing a huge elephant armed with royall trappings , supposing that the king was upon him , he ran against him with a noble courage , and having slain divers that were about the elephant , he thrust his sword into the belly of the beast , so that the elephant falling upon him , slew him with his weight . judas seeing the great strength of his enemies , retired back to jerusalem ; and antiochus sent back part of his army against bethsura , and with the rest , he marched on towards jerusalem . the bethsurites despairing of relief , and their provisions failing them , surrendred their city , having the kings oath that no out-rage should be offered to them , yet he thrust them out of the city and placed a garison in it . he spent also along time in besieging the temple at jerusalem , they within defending it gallantly ; for against every engine that the king erected , they set up a contrary engine : their only want was of victuals , because ( it being the seventh year ) the land had not been tilled ; whereupon divers of them fled away secretly , so that very few remained for the defence of the temple . but behold the good providence of god! just then came tidings to antiochus , that philip coming out of persia , intended to make himself lord and master of the country , antiochus concluded to give over the siege and to march against philip ; but first he sent an herauld to judas , promising them peace , and liberty to live according to their religion , which conditions judas accepting of , took an oath from the king for performance , and so surrendred up the temple . whereupon antiochus entred the same , and seeing it so impregnable a pl●ce , contrary to his oah he commanded his army to levell the wall that environed it , and then he returned to antioch , leading away with him onias , surnamed m●nalaus , the high-priest , whom , by the counsell of lysias , he put to death , because he had advised his father to enforce the jews to forsake their religion : a just reward for so wicked a fact . antiochus finding that philip had already conquered much of his country , went straite against him , fought with him , and slew him . presently after demetrius the son of seleucus took possession of tripolis in syria , and setting the diadem upon his own head , he leavied an army , and invaded the kingdom of antiochus . the people generally submitted themselves to him , and laying hold of antiochus and lysias , they brought them both to demetrius , who caused them to be slain . to this new king , divers jews ( banished for their impiety ) together with alcimus their high-priest , resorted , a●cusing their nation , and in particular judas and his brethren for killing their friends , and banishing such as were friends to demetrius . demetrius was much moved with these reports , and therefore he sent a greate army under bacchides , a valiant and experienced captain , with commission to kill judas and his confederates . bacchides with his army marched into judea , sending an herauld to judas and his brethren , pretending peace , when he intended to surprize them by subtilty and treachery . but judas seeing that he came with so great an army , found out his drift , and would not trust him : yet many of the people were deceived with his proclamation of peace , and therefore submitted to live under his government , first having received an oath from him , that neither they , nor any of their followers should be endamaged : but when they had committed themselves to him , he falsified his oath , and slew sixty of them . then removing his army from jerusalem , he came to the village of bethzeth , where , apprehending many of the jews , he slew them all , and commanded the rest in the country to obey alcimus , with whom he left a part of his army , and so returned to antioch unto demetrius . alcimus by his feigned and familiar deportment , drew many more of the wicked jews to joyn with him , and then he went with his army thorow the country , and slew all that took part with judas . judas perceiving that hereby many upright men , and such as feared god were slain ; he also with his army went thorow the land , and slew all the apostates that were of alcimus his faction . whereupon alcimus repaired to demetrius , and made greivous complaints against judas ; who fearing that if judas prospered , it would be prejudiciall to his estate , he sent nicanor to make warre against him , and having furnished him with a sufficient army , he commanded him that he should not spare any one of that nation . nicanor coming to jerusalem ; offered no act of hostility , endeavouring to entrap judas by subtilty , sending him a peaceable message , wherein he protested that he would do him no injury , and that he came only to express the good affections of demetrius to the nation of the jews . judas and his brethren being deceived with this glozing message entertained him and his army . nicanor then saluted judas , but whilest he was conferring with him , he gave a sign to his souldiers to lay hands on him ; but judas discovering the treason , brake from him , and escaped to his army . then did nicanor resolve to make open war upon him , and bad him battel near to a burrough called capar-salama , where he obtained the victory , and constrained judas to retreat into the fortress at jerusalem ; there did nicanor besiege him for a while , and then retired ; at which time certain of the priests and elders met him , and having done their reverence , they shewed him those sacrifices which they intended to offer to god for the kings prosperity ; but he blaspheming , threatned them , that if they did not deliver judas into his hands , he would destroy the temple at his return . hereupon the priests wept abundantly , praying unto god to defend the temple , together with those which called on his name therein , from the outrage of their enemies . nicanor coming neer to bethoron , received a greate supply of souldiers out of syria . judas also was about thirty furlongs distant from him not having above a thousand men , yet he exhorted them not to fear the multitude of their enemies , but to set couragiously upon them , expecting help from god ; and so encountering with nicanor , there was a very doubtfull conflict , yet judas had the upper hand , and slew a great number of the enemies . nicanor himselfe also fighting valiantly , was slain ; whereupon his army fled : but judas speedily pursuing , made a great slaughter , and by sound of trumpet , giving notice to the neighbouring places , the inhabitants thereof betook themselves to their weapons , and meeting those that fled , they slew them , so that no one escaped from this battel , though they were at least nine thousand men . then ensued a little peace to the jews . shortly after alcimus the high-priest , intending to beat down an old wall of the sanctuary , was suddenly striken by god , became speechless , and fell to the ground , and having endured many grievous torments for many dayes , he died miserably . then did the people by a generall consent give his place to judas : who hearing of the great power and victories of the romans , sent two of his intimate friends to rome , to intreate the romans to be their allies and confederates , and to write to demetrius to give over his wars against the jews . the embassadors coming to rome , were intertained by the senate , and friendship concluded betwixt them , upon these conditions ; that none under the romans should war against the jews , nor furnish their enemies with victuals , ships or silver : that if any enemies should assail the jevvs , the romans should succour them to the uttermost of their povver ; that if any made vvar upon the romans , the jevvs should succour them ; that if the jevvs vvould add or diminish any thing from this association , it should be done vvith the common advice of the romans ; and that vvhat should so be ordained , should remain irrevocable . nicanors death , and the discomfiture of his army being reported to demetrius , he sent another army under bacchides , vvho coming into judaea , and hearing that judas vvas encamped at bethzeth , he marched against him vvith tvventy thousand footmen , and tvvo thousand horsemen . judas had not in all above tvvo thousand men , vvho seeing the multitude of bacchides army , vvere afraid , so that some , forsaking the camp , fled avvay , insomuch as there then remained vvith judas but eight hundred men . his enemies also pressed so upon him , that he had no time to re-assemble his forces , yet he resolved to fight vvith those eight hundred men , vvhom he exhorted to be of good courage , and to fight valiantly : but they answered , that they were not able to make head against so great an army , and therefore they adviced him to retire , and stand on his guard , till he had gathered more forces : judas replied , god forbid that the sun should see me turn my back upon the enemies ; though i die , and spend my last blood in this battle , yet will i never soil my former worthy actions by an ignominious flight . and so having encouraged his souldiers , he commanded them without apprehension of danger , to bend themselves altogether against the enemy . bacchides drew out his army , arranged them in battle , placing his horse-men in the wings , his archers , and light-armed men in the front , and then the macedonian phalanx , and so causing his trumpets to sound , and his souldiers to shout , he charged his enemies . judas did the like , and encountred bacchides , so that there was a most cruel conflict , which continued till sun-set . judas perceiving that bacchides , and the flower of his army fought in the right wing , he chose out the most resolute of his souldiers , and drew them towards that quarter , and set upon them , brake their squadron , and thrusting into the midst of them , he forced them to flie , and pursued them as far as to the mount aza ; but the left wing followed judas , and so enclosed him on the back part . he seeing himself thus enclosed , resolved with his followers to fight it out to the last . he slew a great number of his enemies , till at last he was so wearied , that ●he fell to the ground , and was there slain : his souldiers seeing him dead , betook themselves to flight . simon and jonathan his brothers , by intreaty recovered his body , carried it to modim , where they interred it , all the people weeping divers days for him ; and jonathan his brother succeeded him in the government . chap. v. the martyrdom of the maccabees . whilst antiochus epiphanes was living , he thrust out onias the high-priest from his office , and put into his room jason his brother , whereupon jason promised to pay him yearly three thousand six hundred and sixty talents of silver . this wicked jason presently forced all the people to forsake their religion , and to build baths : he hindered the defence and building of the temple . hereat god was very wroth , and stirred up antiochus to go to jerusalem , where he was gallantly entertained by the jews . then did he presently make an edict , that whosoever of the jews refused to offer sacrifice to the gods , he should presently be broken to pieces on the wheel . but those that were godly did little esteem that edict . antiochus perceiving that the rigour of his edict prevailed little , and that many chose rather to die , then to forsake their religion , he sitting in an eminent place , and calling all the jews together , caused swines-flesh to be sacrificed on the altar , and to be offered to every hebrew to eat . amongst the multitude thus assembled , there was one eleazer , a priest a man that feared god , and one who was very aged , of a reverend countenance , and famous for his vertue ; to him antiochus said , be advised by me , holy old man , to avoid those torments which are prepared for the obstinate ; preserve thy reverend age , and contemn not the benefit of life ; take the sacrifice , and eat of the swines-flesh , for no wise man will credit the jews opinion to refuse that meat which nature hath ordained for mans use , as well as any other : why should this beast be more abominable then others ? &c. or , suppose your laws are to be observed , yet will they excuse thee , seeing thou sinnest not voluntarily , but by compulsion ? to whom eleazer answered ; we , o antiochus , follow not vanity , but the verity of religion , and fear of torments cannot make us embrace another : but suppose that the religion left us by our fore-fathers had no firm ground , yet should not torments make me forsake it . do not esteem it a small matter to eat forbidden meat , and to taste of that which is sacrificed to idols ; for it is a profane thing to touch things that are prophane , and we are taught by our law to suffer with patience whatsoever , for gods cause , is inflicted upon us , &c. and therefore i refuse this profane meat , well knowing what i ought to eat , as warranted by gods law , which i have learned to obey , &c. and herein will i persist , though with tyrannous hand thou pluck out mine eyes , or with a sharp knife rip up my entrails . think not that because i am old , my body is feeble : if i must be sacrificed for gods sake , thou shalt find me as lusty , and constant as a young man , and most joyfull in torments . prepare an extraordinary fire , or what else thou pleasest , thou shalt find me more constant in the midst of all torments , then i am now before they come , &c. the chaste , and pure company of fathers shall receive me into their number , where i shall not fear ( o impious king ) thy threats , &c. whilst eleazer spake thus boldly , the souldiers haled him to be tortured , and stripping him naked , they hanged him up , and whipped him : and whilst on either side he was thus beaten , one cryed , obey the kings pleasure and command . but this worthy man was not overcome by torment , but suffered as though he had been in a sleep : and fixing his venerable eyes upon heaven , he knew in whom he believed , and to whom he sacrificed his life , and beholding the flesh on each side of his body rent and torn with stripes , and the bloud issuing out abundantly , he admired his own patience , and thanked god the author of it : at last finding his own frailty , scarce able to endure such torments , he fell upon his face , which with stripes was all rent , and torne , still glorifying god , as he did before : then a souldier , to gratifie the king like a mad man , did spurn , and tread upon him , to encrease his sufferings : but eleazer , strong in body and minde , like a champion of the true god , did never shrink at those pains , but by patience overcame the cruelty of his tormentors ; so that his torturers admired that he should be able to bear them : then the kinges officers said , how long wilt thou forbear to obey the king ? eat swines flesh and free thy self from all that thou endurest . eleazer , though hitherto he had been silent in all his torments , yet could he not hear such profane counsel without answering , whereupon he cryed out ; we hebrews are not so effeminate as to forsake the way of salvation wherein we walk to our old-age , neither are we taught for feare of contumely , which will not long endure , to give others an occasion , and example to sin , &c. wilt thou , o tyrant , esteem of us if we should yield unto thee ? nay , thou mightst justly reprove our inconstancy : then did the souldiers , by the kings command , cast him into the fire , and poured stinking , and loathsome liquors into his nostrils , all which he patiently suffered , till he was consumed in the flames : yet when nature began to fail , lifting up his dazled eyes to heaven , he said , thou , o god , art he from whom life , and salvation proceedeth : behold i die for observing thy laws : be mercifull to this thy nation , and forsake not them whom hitherto thou hast protected in thy bosom , and under the shadow of thy wings , let my death end all misery , &c. and so he joyfully yielded up the ghost . antiochus was but more incensed hereby , and therefore he caused seven children of the hebrews to be brought to antioch , who being young , and therefore , as he thought , weak , and unable to endure torments , he presumed that either by perswasion , or fear , he should enforce them to forsake their religion . then he commanded these seven , together with their mother salamona now aged , to be brought before him : they were of excellent beauty , and worthy children of so vertuous a mother . the tyrant beholding them , with a merry countenance , craftily spake unto them : i wish your good , o admirable young men , do not therefore like mad men resist my commands : avoid not only torments , but death also : i desire not only to exalt you to honour , but to encrease your riches , and possessions : contemn therefore your own superstition , and embrace our religion : if you refuse this ( as i hope you will not ) i will devise all torments , that by a lingring , and painfull death , i may consume you : and to terrifie them the more , he caused all sorts of instruments for torment to be brought forth before them , as wheels , rods , hooks , racks , cauldrons , cages , gridirons , &c. with engines to torment the fingers , and hands , as gauntlets , auls , bellows , brazen-pots , and frying-pans , &c. then said he , obey me , o prudent young men , for if i command that which is a sin , yet do not you offend , being compelled to it . but these holy young men , inflamed with a divine spirit , contemned these torments , and despised both threats and flateries , denying to eat of the sacrificed swines flesh , and saying : wherefore , o tyrant , dost thou persecute us that are innocent ? we desire to die , and will , till death expels life , firmly keep that which god commanded and moses taught us : and therefore seek not , o tyrant to seduce us by protesting thy unfeigned love : thou lover of in justice , master of cruelty , deviser of iniquity , the pardon thou proferrest is more painfull to us then punishments : we contemn death , and esteem not thy words , our master eleazer having taught us to despise them . why dost thou expect such pusillanimity in us young men , when of late thou foundest such courage in an old man ? thou canst not know our minds except by tearing our bodies thou searchest them out : we will willingly for our god suffer any thing , and expect heaven , whilst thou for thy cruelty to innocents , shalt be reserved to eternal fire . the tyrant greatly moved herewith , caused them to be beaten with buls-pizels : first commanding maccabeus the eldest to be stripped , and stretched out upon a rack , and his hands to be bound , and so to be most cruelly beaten , who so wearied his tormentors by sufferring , that they rather desired to give over , then he requested it : then was he put upon a wheel , and a weight hanged at his feet , and so stretched round about it , that his sinews and entrails brake , yet all this while he called upon god : and then said to the tyrant : o bloudy tyrant , who persecutest the majesty of god ; i whom thou thus tormentest , am no witch , nor murtherer , but one who dies for observing gods law : and when the tormentors , overcome with compassion , willed him to submit to the kinges pleasure , he said ; o ye wicked ministers of tyranny ! your wheels are not so sharp and cruel , that i thereby will be forced to forsake heaven , whereon my minde is fixed : tear my flesh , yea if you please , rost it at the fire : torture each parcel of my body with severall cruelties , yet you shall not be able to force us young men to impiety . as he thus spake , a fire was kindled , & he thus racked on the wheel , was thrown into it , and by flames was so burned that his bowels appeared , yet was his minde unmoved , and in the midst of his torments he cryed thus to his brethren ; o beloved brethren , make me your example ; despise the alluring baits of this world ; obey god rather then this tyrant , who can if he please humble the proud and mighty , and exalt the dejected : then was he taken from the fire ; and slain alive ; his tongue was pulled out of his head , and he put into a frying pan , and so he departed out of this life , to the admiration of his enemies , and the joy of his mother , and brethren . then was the second brother , called aber , haled by the souldiers ; and the tyrant shewed him all those instruments of torment , and asked him if he would eat of the sacrifice ? which he , denying to do , his hands were bound with iron chains , and being hanged up thereby , the skin of his body was slain from the crown of his head to his knees , so that the entrails in his brest were seen : then was he cast to a cruel libard , greedily thirsting after blood , but the beast smelling at him , forgat his cruelty , and went from him , without doing him any harm : this increased the tyrants rage , and aber by his torments grew more constant , crying aloud , o how pleasant is that death to me , which is caused by all sorts of torments for gods sake ! yea , the more pleasant , because i know i shall be rewarded in heaven ; let these torments , o tyrant , satisfie thy cruelty , for my pain is not increased by them , but my pleasure , as thou shalt find by my patience in these sufferings ; i am more willing to suffer , then thou to punish , yet my pain is less in suffering , then thine by inflicting : i am tormented for keeping the law , thou by gods justice shalt be banished from thy regal seat , yea , eternal torments are prepared for thee , which neither thy prophane mind is able to endure , nor thy power to decline , &c. and so shortly after he yielded up his soul to god. then machir the third son was brought , whom all pitied , and exhorted by his brothers examples to forsake his opinion , and so decline the punishment ; but he being angry at such counsel , replied , one father begat us , one mother bore us , one master instructed us , &c. therefore no longer prolong the time in vain ; i came to suffer , not to speak , use all the tyranny that possibly you can against my body yet have you no power over my soul. this so moved the tyrant , that he devised new torments beyond the reach of humane wit ; and commanding a globe to be brought , he caused him to be tied about it in such sort , that all his bones were put out of joint , hanging one from another in a most pitifull manner ; yet was the holy martyr nothing dismaid ; then the skin of his head and face was pulled off , and then was he put upon the wheel , but he could be racked no worse , for all his bones were dislocated before ; the blood issuing from him abundantly , he said , we , o tyrant , endure this torment for the love of god , and thou the author of such cruelty , shalt be punished with everlasting pain ; then was his tongue cut out , and he being put into a fiery frying pan , resigned his spirit unto god. next followed judas the fourth brother , whom all the people perswaded to obey the king : but he said , your fire shall not separate me from the law of god , nor from my brethren ; to thee , o tyrant , i denounce destruction , but to such as believe , salvation : try me thou cruel wretch , and see if god will not stand by me , as he did by my three brethren now in glory , &c. the cruel tyrant hearing this , was so inraged , that he leaped down from his chaire to torment this martyr himselfe ; he commanded also his tongue to be cut out , to whom judas said , thy cruelty will nothing avail thee , our god needs not by voice to be awaked , &c. he heareth such as call upon him with their hearts , and know's our thoughts afar off , &c. cut out my tongue if thou please , would thou wouldst so sanctifie all the parts of my body , &c. and think not that thou shalt long escape unpunished : then was his tongue cut out , and he bound to a stake , was beaten with ropes ends , which torments he bore with admirable patience : after which he was put upon the wheel , where he ended his life , and went to the rest of his brethren . then spake achas the fift brother , behold , o tyrant , i come to be punished before thou commandest me , therefore hope not to alter his minde that desireth to be tormented : the bloud of my innocent brethren hath condemned thee to hell , i shall make up the fift , that by it thy torments may be increased : what offence have we committed that thou thus ragest against us ? &c. all that thou canst alledge against us is , that we honour god and live in obedience to his laws , and therefore we esteem not punishment , which is an honour to us ; though no part of us be left untormented , yet we shall be the more rewarded by god. then at the command of the kings the executioner cast him into a brazen pot , where he was prest down with his head to his feet , and afterwards he sufferred all the torments inflicted on his brethren , but he was so far from being discouraged , that suddenly starting up , he said , cruel tyrant , how great benefits dost thou ( though against thy will ) bestow upon us ! yea the more thou ragest , the more acceptable to god shalt thou make us ; therefore i shall be sorry if thou shewest me any mercy : by this temporall death , i shall go to everlasting life . and having thus finished his sufferings , he died . then was areth the sixt brother brought , to whom the tyrant proferred the choise of honour , or punishment ; but he being grieved at this profer , said , o tyrant , though i be younger in years then my brethren , yet the constancy of my minde is not inferiour ; as we have lived , so we will die together in the fear of god : hasten therefore thy torments , and what time thou wouldest spend in exhorting me , spend it in devising torments for me . whereupon antiochus in a rage , commanded him to be tied to a pillar with his head downwards : then caused he a fire to be made at such a distance , as might not burn , but rost him : then he made them prick him with awles , that the heat might pierce the sorer : in these torments much bloud , like froth , gathered about his head and face ; yet said he , o noble fight ! o valiant warre ! o strife between piety and impiety ! my brethren have past through their agonies , whose crown of martyrdom is the punishment of their persecutors . i willingly follow them , that as by blood i am conjoyned to them , so by death i may not be separated from them . devise , o tyrant , some new torment , for i have overcome these already : o master of cruelty , enemy of piety , and persecutor of justice ! we young men have conquered thy power , thy fire is cold , and heateth not : thy weapons are bended , and blunted in our bodies ; our god giveth us more courage to suffer , then thou hast to punish , &c. as he thus spake , they pulled out his tongue with an hot pair of tongs , and lastly frying him in a frying pan , he gave up the ghost . there being now only the youngest brother left , called jacob , he , presenting himself before the tyrant , moved him to some compassion , wherefore he called the child to him , and taking him aside by the hand , he said , by the example of thy brethren thou seest what to expect if thou disobeyest me ; therefore deliver thy self from these torments , and i will give thee what honour my kingdom can afford : thou shalt be a ruler , generall of my army , my counceller &c. but when this prevailed not , he called his mother , who coming , and standing by her son , the tyrant said to her , o worthy woman , where now are all thy children ? yet thou hast one remaining ; advise him therefore not to ruine himself , and to leave thee childless by his obstinacy , &c. the mother bowing her self to the king , said to her child in hebrew , that she might not be understood of others , pity and comfort thy sorrowfull mother , o my son , who bare thee nine moneths in my womb , gave thee suck with my brests three years , and with great care have brought thee up hitherto . i pray thee , dear son , consider the heavens and earth , and remember that god created them all of nothing , &c , fear not therefore these pains and torments , but imitate thy brethren , and contemn death , that in the day of mercy i may receive thee with thy brethren again in heaven . then did he desire to be unbound , which being granted , he immediately ran to the torments , and coming where was a frying pan red hot , he said to the king ; cruel tyrant , i now know thee , not only to have been cruel to my brethren , but even cruelty it self . wretch that thou art , who gave thee these purple robes ? who exalted thee to thy kingdom ? even he whom thou in us dost persecute , whose servants thou tormentest and killest , for which thy self shalt suffer eternal torments ; though thou art above others , yet he that made other men , made thee also of the same nature , for all are born , and must die alike . he that kils another , sheweth that he himself may be killed ; thou tearest and tormentest thine own image all in vain ? in thy fury thou killest him , whom god created like thy self , &c. thou pullest out our tongues , tearest our bodies with flesh-hooks , and consumest us with fire ; but they that have already suffered , have received everlasting joyes , and everlasting punishments attend thee . think not that i expect any favour , i will follow my brethren , and remain constant in keeping gods law. the tyrant herewith inraged , caused him to be tormented ; but his mother comforted him , and with her kind hands held his head , when through violence of the torturers , the blood issued out of his mouth , nose , and privy parts ; the tormentors not ceasing till his life was almost spent ; but then giving over , god gave him strength to recover , and to endure more then any of his brethren had done . at last his hands and arms being cut off , with his eyes lift up to heaven , he cryed , o * adonai . be mercifull unto me , and receive me into the company of my brethren . &c. then was his tongue pulled out , and he of his own accord going into the fiery frying pan , to the great admirarion of antiochus , died . the mother seeing all her children dead , was inflamed with a holy zeal to suffer martyrdom also ; and despising the tyrants threats , she offered her motherly brest to those torments which her children had suffered before her . indeed herein she excelled them all , in that she had suffered seven painfull deaths , before she came to suffer in her own person , and feared in every one of them , lest she should have been overcome . she alone with dry eyes did look upon them whilst they were torn in pieces , yea , she exhorted them thereunto , rejoycing to see one torn with flesh-hooks , another racked upon the wheel , a third bound and beaten , a fourth burned , and yet she exhorted the rest not to be terrified thereby ; and though her grief in beholding their torments was greater then that which she had in child-birth , yet did she frame a chearfull countenance , as if it had been one triumphing , wishing rather the torments of their bodies then of their souls ; for she knew that nothing was more frail then our lives , which are often taken away by agues , fluxes , and a thousand other ways . therefore when they were first apprehended , she thus exhorted them in the hebrew tongue , o my most dear and loving children , let us hasten to that agony which may credit our profession , and be rewarded by god with eternal life . let us fearlesly present our bodies to those torments which aged eleazer endured . let us call to mind our father abraham , who having but one only son ▪ willingly sacrificed him at gods command , and feared not to bring him to the altar , whom with many prayers he had obtained in his old age . remember daniel , the three children , &c. antiochus being enraged against her , caused her to be stripped naked , hanged up by the hands , and cruelly whipt : then were her dugs and paps pulled off , and her self put into the red hot frying pan ; where lifting up her eyes and hands to heaven , in the midst of her prayers she yielded up her chast soul unto god. but god suffered not the cruel tyrant to escape unpunished , for in his wars against the persians , the lord struck him with madness , his intrals were devoured with worms , and stinking like a carrion , in the extremity of his torments he gave up the ghost . concerning this antiochus , daniel , chap. . , . &c. saw in the vision , that there came forth a little horn , which waxed exceeding great towards the south , and towards the east , and towards the pleasant land , and it waxeth great even towards the host of heaven , and it cast down some of the host , and of the stars to the ground , and stamped upon them : yea , he magnified himself even to the prince of the host , and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away , and the place of the sanctuary was cast down . and an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression , and it cast down the truth to the ground , and it practised and prospered . which afterwards is thus interpreted by the angel unto daniel , verse . &c. in the latter time of their kingdom , when the transgressors are come to the full , a king of fiery countenance , and understanding dark sentences shall stand up , and his power shall be mighty , but not by his own power , and he shall destroy wonderfully , and shall prosper , and practise , and shall destroy the mighty and holy people : and through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand , and he shall magnifie himself in his heart , and by peace shall destroy many : he shall also stand up against the prince of princes , but he shall he broken without hand . collected out of josephus , and the books of the maccabees . here place the first figure . chap. vi. the persecution of the church from christs time to our present age ; and first of those mentioned in the new testament herod the great , hearing by the wise men of one that was born king of the jews , and being informed by the chief priests and the scribes , that the place of his birth should be bethlehem of judah , he sent forth souldiers , and slew all the children that were in bethlehem , and in all the coasts thereof , from two years old and under , hoping thereby to have destroyed christ : for which cruel fact the lord gave him over to such a spirit of phrensie , that he slew his own wife , his children , and nearest kins-folks , and familiar friends . and shortly after gods heavy judgement fell upon him by a grievous sickness , which was a slow and slack fire in his inward parts ; and withal , he had a greedy appetite after food , and yet nothing sufficed him ; he had also a rotting in his bowels , and a greivous flux in his fundament ; a moist and running humour about his feet , and the like malady vexed him about his bladder ; his privy members putrified , engendring abundance of worms which continually swarmed out . he had a short and stinking breath , with a great pain in breathing ; and through all the parts of his body such a violent cramp , as humane strength was not able to endure . yet longing after life , he sent for physitians from all parts , by whose advice he went to the hot bathes of calliroe ; but finding no ease thereby , his torments still encreasing , he sought to lay violent hands upon himself , if he had not been prevented by his friends , and so in extream misery , he ended his wretched life . then herod the less having married the daughter of aretas , king of arabia , put her away , and took herodias , who had forsaken her husband philip , brother to herod ; for which incestuous and adulterous marriage , john baptist plainly reproved him ; whereupon at the instigation of herodias , herod first imprisoned him , and afterwards cut off his head : but the lord left not this murther long unpunished , for aretas raising an army against herod , for that ignominious dealing with his daughter , in a pitched battel wholly overthrew him , and cut off all his hoast , not longe after herod falling into disgrace with the roman emperour , he , with his incestuous herodias were banished to vienna in france , where they ended their wretched lives with much shame and misery . after the ascension of our lord jesus christ , peter and john , having cured a man that was born lame , and preaching jesus to the people , upon that occasion they were apprehended , and cast into prison by the priests and captain of the temple , who the next day , having examined them , threatned to punish them , if they spake any more in that name , and so dismissed them . yet afterwards the high-priests and the sadduces again laid hands on the apostles , and cast them into the common prison ; but in the night time the angel of the lord opened the prison doors , and released them , ast. . , . the next day , as they were preaching to the people , they were again apprehended , and carried before the counsel , ver . , . at whose command they were beaten , and so dismissed , ver , . then were false witnesses suborned against steven , who accused him for speaking blasphemous words against moses , and against god , act. . . for which being apprehended and brought before the councel , he was there condemned , led out of the city , and stoned to death , chap. . . after this there was a general persecution raised up against the church of christ in jerusalem , whereby all the faithfull were scattered abroad throughout the regions of judea and samaria , except the apostles , chap. . . saul also made great havock of the church , entring into every house , haling both men and women , and committing them to prison , verse . then saul , after his conversion , preaching christ boldly , the enraged jews took counsel , and lay in wait to kill him , watching the gates of damascus , where he then was , both day and night ; but the disciples took him by night , and let him down over the wall in a basket , whereby he escaped , act. . , &c. then rose up a third herod , called also agrippa , who , not taking warning by his predecessors calamities , fell to persecuting the church of christ , and sending for james , the brother of john , before him , he condemned him to be beheaded : concerning whom clemens reports , that he which drew james before the tribunal seat , when he saw him so cheerfully embracing the sentence of death , was exceedingly moved therewith , and voluntarily confessed himself to be a christian , and so was condemned to be beheaded with him : as they went in the way to execution , he requested the apostle james to pardon him , who after a little pause , turning to him , said , peace be unto thee ; and kissed him , and so they were beheaded both together . herod seeing that the death of james pleased the jews , he took peter also , and delivered him to four quaternions of souldiers to keep him in prison , intending after the passover to put him to death ; but the night before he should suffer , as he was sleeping , bound with two chains to tvvo souldiers , and the keepers watching before the prison doors , an angel came and awaked him , causing his chains to fall off , and so going before him , he led him out of prison , causing the iron gate to open to them , and having brought him out of danger , left him . but this cruel persecuting herod scaped no better then his predecessors had done , for being arraied in glistering and royal apparel , and sitting upon his throne , he made an oration to his people , who like flattering court parasites , gave a shout , saying , it is the voice of a god , and not of a man : whereupon the angel of the lord immediately smote him , and he was eaten of worms , and gave up the ghost , verse , &c. in the fifty fourth year of his age , and the seventh of his reign , and under claudius caesar. then the wicked jews stirred up the gentiles against paul and barnabas at iconium , so that being in danger to be stoned to death , they fled into lycaonia , act. . , ▪ . again at ly●tra they stirred up the gentiles against them , whereupon paul was stoned and drawn out of the city , and left for dead , but it pleased god that he revived , and so escaped to derbe , ver . . . afterwards paul and silas , for casting a spirit of divination out of a damosel at philippi , were dragged before the rulers , who caused them to be whipt , and cast into prison . but the magistrates afterwards hearing that they were romans , were much afraid , as having done more then they could answer , and therefore they came to them , released them out of prison , and besought them to depart out of their city , act. . ● , . presently after at thessalonica , the jews again stirred up the people against paul and silas , and raising up an uproar , they sought for them in the house of jason , and not meeting with them there , they drew forth jason himself , and some brethren before the rulers , who giving security for their forth-coming , were dismissed . yet these wretched jews followed paul to berea also , and there stirred up a persecution against him , whereby he was forced to depart . at corinth also they made an insurrection , caught paul , and brought him before gallio , deputy of achaia , and when he would be a judge of no such matters , they took sosthenes the chief ruler of the synagogue , and beat him before the judgement seat , acts . , . afterwards at ephesus , demetrius that made silver shrines for diana , raised an uproar , and having caught caius and aristarchus , pauls companions , they with them rushed into the theatre ; but this tumult being allayed by the wisdom of the town-clark , paul hasted away into macedonia , cap. . , &c. paul at last returning to jerusalem , the asian jews finding him in the temple , stirred up all the people , and laid hands on him ; but as they were about to kill him , he was rescued by the chief captain of the romans , chap. . , . then being brought forth before the counsel of the jews , he was first smitten by the command of the high-priest , chap. . . and afterwards being in danger of being pulled to pieces , he was again rescued by the captain , ver . . then above forty of those desperate jevvs , bound themselves under a curse , that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed him , ver . , . hereupon he is sent to faelix at caesarea , who kept him in prison till his accusers came , ver . , . then being accused by tertullus , he clears himself ; yet because he vvould not bribe faelix , he is kept prisoner still . festus succeeding faelix , the jews importune him also for sentence against paul , or that he might be sent for to jerusalem , laying wait in the way to kill him , chap. . . but when that was denied them , they went to cesarea to accuse him there , whereupon he is forced to appeal to caesar , ver . . then he was sent to rome , and there committed prisoner to the captain of the guard , chap. . . where he continued prisoner at large for two years , and then being released , he visited the churches of greece and asia . afterwads he preached in spain and france , and at last returning into italy , he was again apprehended , and imprisoned at rome , where also he suffered martyrdom , as afterwards you shall hear . the jews being much displeased that they could not reak their teen upon paul , turn themselves against james the brother of christ : him therefore they bring , and set them in the midst of them , requiring him publickly to renounce the faith of christ : but he on the contrary made a bold and open confession of jesus to be the son of god , and the saviour of the world . then did they set him upon a pinacle of the temple , again requiring him in the audience of all the people , to tell them which is the way of jesus crucified ; to whom he answered , why ask you me of jesus the son of man , when as he sits at the right hand of god in heaven , and shall again come in the clouds of the air ? this so enraged the scribes and pharisees , that they threw him down head-long ; but he not being dead with the fall , gat upon his knees , and said , father , forgive them , for they know not what they do : then one taking a fullers club , struck him on the head , and brained him . this james was sirnamed justus , of whom aegesippus writes , that his knees were as hard as camels knees , by reason of his continual kneeling in prayer . but shortly after his death , vespasian came into judea , and subdued the jews : and his son titus destroyed jerusalem , and the temple . andrew the brother of peter , preached the gospel to the scythians , sogdians , and aethiopians , and was at last crucified by aegeas , king of edessa . philip preached the gospel in phrygia , and at last was crucified at hierapolis . bartholemew preached to the indians , and ( as some say ) was beaten with cudgels to death : or as others , he was flaid alive , and then beheaded . thomas preached unto the parthians , medes and persians , &c , and in indian he was slain with a dart . mathew preached to the aethiopians , and at last by the command of the king , was ran thorow with a sword . simon zelotes preached in mauritania and africk , and at length was crucified under traian , being above years old . judas the brother of james preached to the edesseans , and at last was slain by the command of the king. matthias preached first in macedonia , and afterwards coming into judea , he was by the jews first stoned , and then beheaded . mark the evangelist preached in alexandria , and the neighbouring regions , and afterwards was burnt by the furious idolaters . nicanor , one of the deacons , was martyred , together with two thousand other faithful christians . collected out of the new testament , and dorotheus . the persecution of the church under the heathen roman emperors . chap. vii . the first primitive persecution which began an. christi , . this first persecution was begun by domitius nero , the sixt emperour , anno . or thereabouts : the occasion whereof was this ; nero having passed over the first five years of his reign somewhat plausibly , he then began to fall to all manner of prodigious impieties : and amongst other wicked designs , he had a great desire to consume the stately imperial city of rome with fire ; pronouncing king priamus an happy man , because he beheld the end of his kingdom and countrey together ; yea , said he , let not all be ruined when i am dead , but whilst i am yet alive : and for the effecting of this villany , he sent divers to kindle the fire in sundry places ; yea , some of his own bed-chamber were seen to carry flax , toe , torches , &c. to further it : and when any attempted to quench it , they were threatned for it ; others openly hurled firebrands , crying , they knew what they did , there was one would bear them out . this fire first began amongst the oyl-men and drugsters ; the night-watch and praetorian guards did openly cherish it ; and when it was throughly kindled , nero went up to the top of maecenas tower , which over-looked the whole city , where he fed himself with the sight of infinite burnings , and sang to his harp , the burning of troy. amongst other stately buildings that were burned down , the circus , or race-yard was one , being about half a mile in length , of an oval form , with rows of seats one above another , capable to receive at least a hundred and fifty thousand spectators without uncivil shouldrings : but the particulars were innumerable , the damage inestimable ; besides which , many thousands of people perished ; the flame and smoak smothered some , the weight of ruins crusht others , the fire consumed others ; others threw themselves into the fire out of sorrow and despair , and villains slew many . but nero finding that this fire , which continued burning nine dayes , brought a great odium upon him ; to excuse himself , he transferred the fault upon the christians , as if out of malice they had done it , and thereupon he raised this first persecution against them . for there was at this present a flourishing church of christians in rome , even before st. paul's arrival there , and nero's own court was secretly garnished and enriched with some of those diamons , whose salutations the apostle remembers in his epistle to the philippians . but whilst nero with their blood , sought to quench and cover his own infamy , he procured to himself new envy ; whilst many that abhorred christians for their religion , commiserated their sufferings as undeserved . some he caused to be sewed up in the skins of wild beasts , and then worried them to death with dogs : some he crucified , others he burnt in publick , to furnish his evening sports with bonefires . many he caused to be packed up in paper stiffened in molten wax , with a coat of sear-cloth about their bodies , bound upright to axletrees , many of which were pitcht in the ground , and so set on fire at the bottom , to maintain light for nero's night-sports in his gardens . some of them were gored in length upon stakes , the one end fastened in the earth , the other thrust into their fundaments , and coming out at their mouths . nor did this persecution rage in rome alone , but it was extended generally over the whole empire , insomuch that a man might then have seen cities lie full of mens bodies , the old lying there together with the young , and the dead bodies of women cast out naked in the open streets , without all reverence of their sex . yea his rage and malice was so great , that he endeavoured to have rooted out the very name of christians in all places . whereupon tertullian said , that it could be no ordinary goodness which nero condemned ; and , saith he , we glory on the behalf of our sufferings , that they had such a dedicator as he : but this great persecution , like a blast , did spread the religion that it blew , and having continued four years from the first rising , is expired in two most shining blazes , viz. in the martyrdom of the two great apostles peter and paul : peter was crucified with his head down-wards , which manner of death himself made choice of , and whilst he thus hung upon the cross , he saw his wife going to her martyrdom , whereupon he much rejoyced ; and calling her by her name , he bad her remember the lord jesus christ. at the same time , also paul , before nero , made a confession of his faith , and of the doctrine which he taught ; whereupon he was condemned to be beheaded , and the emperor sent two of his esquires , ferega and parthemius , to bring him word of his death : they coming to paul , heard him instruct the people , and thereupon desired him to pray for them that they might believe ; who told them , that shortly after they should believe and be baptized : then the souldiers led him out of the city to the place of execution , where he prayed , and then gave his neck to the sword , and so was beheaded . this was done in the fourteenth , which was the last year of nero. collected out of the life of nero caesar , eusebius , and the book of martyrs . chap. viii . the second primitive persecution , which began anno . after the death of nero , there succeeded , first vespasian , and then his son titus in the empire , under both whom the church had rest , but titus associating to himself his brother flavius domitian in the government of the empire ; this wicked monster , first slew his brother , and then raised the second persecution against the church of christ. his pride was so great , that he commanded himself to be worshiped as god ; and that ima●es of gold and silver should be set up for his honour in the capitoll . his cruelty was unmeasurable . the chiefest nobles of the roman senators , either upon envy , or for their goods , he caused to be put to death . having also heard some rumors of christs kingdom , he was afraid , as herod had been before him ; and thereupon commanded all of the linage of david to be sought out and slain ; at last two poor christians that came of judas , the brother of christ according to the flesh , were brought before domitian , and accused to be of the tribe of juda , and of the line of david : then did the emperour demand of them what stock of money and possessions they had ; to whom they answered , that they two had not above thirty nine acres of land , out of which they payed tribute , and relieved themselves by their labour and industry , withal shewing him their hard and brawny hands , by reason of their labour . then did he ask them of christ , and of his kingdom ; to whom they answered , that christs kingdom was not of this world , but spiritual and celestial ; and that he would come at the last day to judge the quick and the dead . hereupon he despised them as simple and contemptible persons , and so dismissed them . he punished an infinite company of christians that were famous in the church , with exile , and loss of their substance . under this persecution it was that st. john , the beloved disciple , was first put into a vessel of boiling oyl , and coming safe without hurt , out of the same , he was then banished into the isle of patmos , anno . where he continued till after the death of domitian , but was released under pertinax : at which time he returned to ephesus , where he lived till he was a hundred and twenty years old . during his abode there , he was requested to repaire to some place not farre off , to order their ecclesiasticall affairs ; and being in a certain city , he beheld in the congregation a young man , mighty of body , of a beautifull countenance , and fervent minde ; whereupon calling the chief bishop unto him , he said , i commend this man unto thee with great diligence , in the witness here of christ and of the church . the bishop having received this charge , and promised his faithfull diligence therein , john spake the like words to him the second time also , after which he returned unto ephesus . the bishop having received this young man thus committed to his charge , brought him home , kept , nourished , instructed and baptized him ; and the young man so profited under him , that at last he was made the pastor of a congregation . but having by this means more liberty then before , some of his old companions began to resort unto him ; who first drew him forth to sumptuous and riotous banquets ; then inticed him to go abroad with them in the nights to rob and steal , and to much other wickedness . and he being of a good wit , and stout courage , ran like an unbridled horse to all manner of disorders and outrage : and associating to himself many loose and dissolute companions , he became their head and captain , in committing all kindes of murther and felonies . not long after , upon some urgent occasions , st john was again sent for into those parts , where having decided those controversies , and dispatched those businesses for which he came , meeting with the afore-mentioned bishop , he required of him the pledge , which before christ and the congregation he had committed to his custody . the bishop herewith amazed , supposing that he meant it of some money committed to him , which yet he had not received , not daring to contradict the apostle , he thereupon stood mute : then john perceiving that he was not understood , said , the young man , and the soul of our brother committed to your custody , i do require . whereupon the bishop with many tears said , he is dead : to whom john replyed , how , and by what death ? the bishop answered , he is dead to god , for he is become a wicked and vicious man , and a thief , and now he doth frequent these mountains , with a company of thieves and villains like himself , &c. the apostle , rending his garments with a great lamentation , said , i left a good keeper of my brothers soul ; get me an horse and guide presently ; which being done , he went strait to the mountains , and was no sooner come thither , but he was taken by the thieves that watched for their prey , to whom he said , i came hither for this cause , lead me to your captain : and so being brought before him , the captain all armed , looked fiercely upon him , and soon coming to the knowledge of him , he was striken with such shame and confusion , that he began to flie , but the old man followed him as fast as he could , crying , my son why dost thou flie from thy father ? an armed man from one naked ? a young man from an old man ? have pity upon me my son : and feare not , there is yet hope of salvation , i will answer for thee to christ , i will die for thee if need be , as christ died for us , i will give my life for thee ; believe me , christ hath sent me . he hearing these things , first as in a maze , stood still , lost his courage , cast down his weapons , then trembled , and vvept bitterly , and coming to the old man , he embraced him with many tears , only his right hand he kept hid and covered . then the apostle , after he had promised and assured him that he should obtain pardon of our saviour , falling upon his knees , he prayed for him , kissing his murthering right hand , vvhich for shame he durst not shevv before , and then brought him back to the congregation , where he fasted and prayed continually for him , comforted and confirmed him with many scripture-promises , and left him not , till he had restored him to his former office , and made him a great example of gods mercy to repentant sinners . in this persecution simeon bishop of jerusalem , after many torments , was crucified to death : and an innumerable company of martyrs suffered for the like testimony of the lord jesus , amongst whom vvas flavia , the daughter of flavius clemens , a roman senator and consul , vvho amongst many others vvas banished into the isle of pontia . this lavv also vvas made by the roman senate , non debere demitti christianos , qui semel ad tribunal venissent , nisi propositum mutent , that christians should not be let go , that vvere once brought before the tribunal seat , except they renounced their religion . yea , that vvhich stirred up the emperor more to persecute the christians , vvere those abominable lies , and malicious slanders raised against them by the heathen idolaters , as that they were a people that lived in incest , that in their nightly meetings , putting out the candles , they ran together in all filthy manner ; that they killed their ovvn children , and used to eat mans flesh : that they vvere seditious and rebellious , and refused to svvear by the fortune of caesar ; and vvould not adore his image in the market place , and in brief , that they were pernicious to the roman empire : yea , whensoever any thing happened amiss to the city of rome , or to her provinces , either by famine , pestilence , earth-quakes , wars , unseasonable weather , &c. it vvas presently imputed to the christians . besides , also there vvere a number of vvicked promoters and accusers , that for lucre's sake , to have the possessions of the christians , accused and persecuted them to the death . also vvhen the christians vvere brought before the magistrates , they gave them an oath , requiring them to declare the truth , vvhether they vvere christians or no , and if they confessed ; then by the lavv , sentence of death vvas passed against them . yet vvere not these tyrants content by death to destroy their bodies , but the kinds of death vvere divers and horrible ; vvhatsoever the cruelty of mans vvitty and vvicked invention could devise for the punishment of mans body , vvas practised against the poor saints of god ; imprisonments , stripes , scourgings , rackings , tearings , stoning ▪ plates of iron burning hot , laid to the tenderest parts of their bodies , deep dungeons , strangling in prisons , the teeth of wild beasts , gridirons , gibbits and gallows , tossings upon the horns of bulls , &c. and when they were thus killed , their bodies were laid on heaps , and dogs left to keep them , that none might come to bury them ; neither could any prayer or entreaty obtain leave that they might be interred . notwithstanding all which horrible punishments , the church of christ daily increased , being deeply rooted in the doctrine of the apostles and apostolical men , and watered plenteously with the blood of the saints . also in this persecution , protasius and gervasius were martyred at millaine . timothy was stoned to death at ephesus , by the worshippers of diana . dionysius areopagita was slain with the sword at paris , &c. chap. ix . the third primitive persecution , which began anno christi , . domitian being slain by some of his own servants , nerva succeeded him , who was a good and mercifull man , stayed the persecution against the christians , called them home from banishment , so that the church enjoyed peace in his time , but he reigning only thirteen moneths , trajan a spaniard succeeded him , who in the tenth year of his reign , raised the third persecution against the church , which was far more cruel then either of the former ; inasmuch as plinius secundus , an heathen philosopher , seeing the lamentabte slaughter of the christians , moved with pity , he wrote to trajan concerning the same ; that whereas there were many thousands of them daily put to death , there were none of them which did any thing contrary to the roman laws worthy of persecution , saving that they used to gather together in the morning before day , and sing hymns to a certain god that they vvorshipped , called christ ; in other things they were godly and honest ; and for proof hereof , saith he , i caused two maidens to be laid on the rack , and with torments to be examined about the same ; but finding nothing in them but only lewd and immoderate superstition , i resolved to surcease further enquiry , till i received further instructions from you about this matter . &c. trajan having read this epistle ; returned answer , that it was his mind , that the christians should not be sought after , but if they were brought and convicted , that then they should suffer execution : whereof tertullian , speaking , saith , o confused sentence ! he would not have them sought for as men innocent , and yet would have them punished as men guilty : now though upon this act , the rage of the persecution was somewhat abated , yet many evil disposed men , and cruel officers there were , vvhich ceased not to afflict the christians in divers provinces : especially if any commotion was raised in any of them , then presently were the christians blamed for it . trajan sent a command to jerusalem , that whosoever could be found out of the stock of david , should be enquired for , and put to death ; hereupon some sectaries of the jewish nation , accused simeon the son of cleophas , to come of davids line , and that he was a christian : of which accusers it happened , that some of them were taken to be of the stock of david , and so most righteously were executed themselves who sought the destruction of others . in this persecution suffered phocas bishop of pontus , whom trajan , because he would not sacrifice to neptune , caused to be cast into a hot lime-kilne , and afterwards to be put into a scalding bath , where he ended his life in the cause of christ : as also sulpitius servilianus , and nereus , and achilleus suffered martyrdom in rome , sagaris in asia ; then also ignatius bishop of antioch was apprehended and sent to rome , where he was devoured of wild beasts , and besides these , many thousand others . after the death of trajan , succeeded hadrian , who continued this third persecution against the chrstians ; at which time , alexander bishop of rome , with his two deacons , as also hermes and quirinus with their families suffered martyrdom . also about this time , zenon a noble man of rome , with above ten thousand more were slain for christs sake . also in mount ararath were ten thousand christians crucified , crowned with thorns , and thrust into the side with sharp darts , after the example of the lords passion . eustachius , a noble captain , who trajan had sent out to war against the barbarians ; after ( through gods mercy ) he had valiantly subdued his enemies , was returning home with victory : hadrian for joy , went to meet him , and to bring him home with triumph : but by the way , he would needs sacrifice to apollo , for the victory obtained , willing eustachius to do the same with him ; but when by no means he could be perswaded thereto , coming to rome , he with his wife and children suffered martyrdom ; by the command of the ingratefull emperour . also faustinus and jobita , citizen of brixia , were martyred with many torments ; which caused one calocerius , beholding their admirable patience in the midst of their cruel torments , to cry out , vere magnus est deus christianorum , verily great is the god of the christians ; whereupon being apprehended , he was made partaker of their martyrdom . also eleutherius bishop in apulia , was beheaded , together with his mother anthea . also symphorissa , a godly matron , was often cruelly scourged , afterwards hanged up by the hairs of her head : at last had a huge stone fastened to her , and so thrown into the river ; after which her seven children in like manner , with sundry and divers kinds of torments were all of them martyred by the tyrant . these seven children of symphorissa , were fastened to seven stakes , then racked up with a pully , & afterwards thrust thorow ; crescens in the neck , julianus in the breast , nemesius in the heart , primitivus in the navil , justinus was cut in every joint of his body , statteus run thorow with spears , and eugenius cut asunder from the breast to the lower parts , and then all of them were cast into a deep pit ; adrian being at athens , sacrificed to the idols after the manner of the grecians , and gave free leave to whomsoever vvould , to persecute the christians , which should refuse it : whereupon quadratus bishop of athens , a man of admirable zeal , and famous for learning , exhibited to the emperour a learned and excellent apology in defence of the christian religion : the like also did aristides , an excellent philosopher in athens . there was also one serenus granius , a man of great nobility , who writ pithy and grave letters to hadrian ; shewing that it was neither agreeable to right nor reason , that the blood of innocents should be given up to the rage and fury of the people , and be condemned for no other fault but for their opinions ; hereupon the emperour became more favourable to them , writing also in their behalf to minutius fundanus , proconsul of asia , that if they had no other crime objected against them , but their religion , they should not be put to death . yet notwithstanding all this , the rage of the heathen multitude did not disquiet and persecute the people of god ; imputing to them whatsoever mischief and judgements befell them ; yea , they invented against them all manner of contumelies , and false crimes to accuse them of , whereby many in sundry places vvere molested and put death . after hadrian , succeeded antoninus pius , vvho being informed of the cruel sufferings of the christians , vvrote this letter to his commons of asia , forbidding them to persecute the christians any further , which epistle he thus concludes , if any hereafter shall offer any vexation and trouble to christians , having no other cause , but because they are such , let him that is appeached , be released , and freely discharged , and let his accuser sustain the punishment , &c. by this means then the tempest of persecution began in those days to be appeased , through the mercifull providence of god ; who would not have his church to be utterly overthrown and rooted up thereby : the rod of the wicked shall not always rest upon the lot of the righteous , psalm . . here place the second figure . chap. x. the fourth primitive persecution , which began anno christi , . after the death of that quiet and mild prince antoninus pius , his son m. antoninus verus succeeded in the empire , a stern and severe man by nature , who raised the fourth persecution against the christians ; wherein a great number of them , who truly professed christ , suffered most cruel punishments and torments especially in asia and france , amongst whom was polycarp bishop of smyrna , who was burnt at a stake at smyrna , together with twelve others that came from philadelphia . also germanicus a young man , did most constantly persevere in the doctrine of christ , whom when the proconsul of asia desired to remember his age , and to favour himself , he would by no flatteries be with-drawn from his stedfastness , but remaining constant , was thrown to the wild beasts , whom he allured and provoked to come upon him , and devour him , that he might be the more speedily delivered out of this wretched life . also in this persecution suffered metrodorus , a minister , who was consumned by fire ; and pionius who after much boldness of speech , with his apologies exhibited , and his sermons made to the people in defence of the christian faith , and after much relieving and comforting such as were in prisons and distress , at last was put to cruel torments , and then burned in the fire , also at pargamopolis in asia , suffered carpus , papilus , and agathonica , a woman , who after their most constant and worthy confessions , were put to death . at rome , felicitas with her seven children were martyred , whereof her eldest son , after he vvas whipt and grievously scourged with rods , vvas prest to death with leaden weights : the two next had their brains beaten out with mawls : the fourth was thrown down head-long from an high place , and brake his neck : the three youngest were beheaded ; and lastly , the mother was slain with the svvord . also justin martyr , a man that excelled in learning and philosophy , and a great defender of the christian religion , who had delivered to the emperor and senate , an apology in defence of the christians , suffered martyrdom in this persecution . there was in egypt a certain woman married to a husband that was given much unto laciviousness , whereunto she her self also had been formerly addicted ; but being instructed in the christian religion , she became a chast and godly matron , and endeavoured to perswade her husband also thereunto : but he continuing in his filthy life , she resolved to be divorced from him ; yet at the request of her friends : she forbore , to try if by any means he would be reclaimed : but he going to alexandria , and living more licenciously then before , she sued out a bill of divorce , and so was separated from him ; then did this malicious wretch accuse her to be a christian , which was no lesse then death , whereupon she being in great perill , delivered up a supplication to the emperour , craving but so much favour , that she might go and set her family in order , and then she would be ready to answer to all such crimes as should be objected against her : this petition the emperour granted ; her husband perceiving that he was frustrated of his expectation , went and accused ptolemaeus ( who was her instructer in the faith of christ ) that he was a christian. ptolemaeus loving the truth , and not thinking it good to hide his profession , confessed it : therefore being brought before vrbicius the judge , he was by him condemned to die ; whereupon one lucius a christian , standing by , said to the judge , what reason , i pray you , or equity is this , that this man , who is neither adulterer , fornicator , murtherer , nor felon , nor guilty of any other crime , should he condemned for his name , and profession of christianity ? these manner of judgements ( o urbicius ) are neither honourable for the emperor , nor for the estate of the senate of rome : then said vrbicius , methinks thou also art a christian , which lucius confessing , the judge without any further delay , commanded him also to be had away to the place of execution ; to whom he answered , i thank you with all my heart , that hereby you release me from most wicked governors , and send me to my good and loving father , who is god of gods , and king of kings . also a third man coming to the judge , and using the like liberty of speech , had the like sentence of death , and was crowned with the same crown of martyrdom . also one concordus , a minister of the city of spoleto , because he refused to sacrifice to jupiter , and did spit in the face of the idol , after divers cruel torments sustained , was beheaded with the sword . many others also suffered martyrdom at the same time , because they sharply reprehended idolatry , and refused at the emperors command , to offer sacrifice to idols , for which they were beheaded . many christians also suffered in france , the history of whom was written , and set forth by their own churches , and directed to the brethren of asia and phrygia ; wherein they write , that satans instruments were so maliciously active against them , that they could not be safe any where , neither in the markets , shops , nor their own houses . yea , they were forbidden to come into any publick places : but god in mercy took out of the tyrants hands , such as were weak amongst the christians , and sets up others , as pillars , who are able to abide all sufferings , and valiantly to withstand the enemy , notwithstanding all the opprobrious punishments they could devise ; yea , by their admirable patience they shewed that all the sufferings of this present time were not to be compared with the glory which they expected to be revealed in them . first they suffered whatsoever the frantick multitude could inflict upon them , by railings , scourgings , drawings and halings , flinging of stones , imprisonment , &c. then were they led to the market-place , vvhere the captain and other city-officers , commanded them to prison , after they had made confessions of their faith publickly , till the return of the chief governor : who being come back , he used all extremity that possibly he could against them . at which time a noble young man , called vetius epagathus , being replenished with fervent zeal and love , both to god and the brethren , could not suffer the wicked judgement which vvas given against the brethren : whereupon he desired the governor to hear vvhat he had to say in their behalf , in whom vvas no impiety found : but the people cryed out against him , and the justice denied his lawfull request , withal , asking him vvhether he himself vvere not a christian ? unto which , vvith a loud and bold voice he answered , i am a christian ; and thus was he received into the fellowship of the martyrs ▪ by this worthy example the rest of the brethren were more animated to suffer martyrdom : yet some there were as yet weak , and not so well prepared for sufferings , of vvhom there vvere ten that fainted , vvhich filled the rest vvith great heaviness . their example also caused such as vvere not yet apprehended to be less forward in adventuring themselves ; yet every day were some apprehended , which were worthy to fill up the number of them which vvere fallen . against the christians vvere their heathen servants examined , and being threatned vvith extream torments , they vvere enforced to confess against their masters , that at their meetings they kept the feasts of thiestes , and incest of oedipus , and many other such like crimes , not fit to be named , which things being bruted abroad , every one began to exercise their cruelty against the people of god ; yea , their familiar friends disdained and vvaxed mad against them . then vvas all manner of cruelty used against them , especially against sanctus , deacon of the church of viena , and maturus , but a little before baptized , but yet a worthy souldier of christ. also against attalus and blandina , concerning whom vve vvere all afraid , especially her mistress , lest through vveakness she should not stand to her profession ; but , through gods grace , she vvas so admirably replenished vvith strength and boldness , that they vvhich had the tormenting of her by course from morning till night , for very vveariness gave over , and fell dovvn , confessing that they could do no more against her , marvelling that she yet lived , having her body so torn and rent as it vvas : professing that any one of those torments alone had been sufficient to bereave her of life . but this blessed virgin became stronger and stronger in her sufferings , and as often as she spake these vvords , i am a christian , and have not committed any evil , she was vvonderfully comforted . sanctus also , who in his torments had endured more pains then the nature of man vvas able to stand under , when the wicked ▪ thought to have heard him utter some blasphemous vvords , through the intollerableness of his pains , abode notwithstanding so constant in mind , that they could neither extort out of him ▪ vvhat countryman he vvas , where brought up , what his name was , vvhether a bond-man , or a free , but to every question he answered , i am a christian : when therefore they had used all other kinds of torments , they clapped plates of brass red hot to the tenderest parts of his body , wherewith , though he was grievouslly scorched , yet shrunk he not for the matter ; yea though his body was all drawn together with the scorching fire , so that he retained not the proper shape of a man , yet did he draw comfort from christ , so as to rejoyce in these tribulations . after a while they brought him again to new torments , hoping thereby to enforce him to a recantation ; at which time his body was so sore and swoln , that he could not suffer a man to touch him : but contrary to their expectation , his body in these latter torments was so suppled and restored , that he recovered the former shape and use of his members , so that these second torments , through the grace of christ , proved a soveraign medicine to him . satan also now thinking that he was sure of biblides , who was one of those that had denied christ , and hoping to prevail with her , a weak and feeble woman in the faith , to damn her soul by blaspheming god , brought her to the place of execution ; but she in the midst of her torments returning to her self , and by those pains remembring the torments of hell , said to her tormentors , how should we christians eat our own children ( as you report of us ) when we eat not the blood of any beast ? and so confessing her self to be a christian , she was martyred with the rest . yet here did not the rage of the enemies cease ; for when the christians were cast into prison , they were shut up in dark and ugly dungeons , and drawn by the feet in a rack , even unto the fifth hole : some of them were strangled and killed in the prisons ; others remaining in prison , destitute of all humane help , were so strengthned by the lord , both in body and mind , that they were a great comfort to the rest : the younger sort , whose bodies had not yet felt the lash of the whip , were not able to endure the sharpness of their imprisonment , but died under the same . photinus , deacon to the bishop of lyons , about eighty nine years old , weak and feeble , by reason of age and sickness , yet of a lively spirit and courage , by reason of the great desire which he had of martyrdom , being brought to the judgement seat , and being there demanded of the chief ruler , what was the christian-mans god ? he answered , if thou beest worthy to know , thou shalt know : the ruler being enraged herewith , caused him to be extreamly beaten : also such as stood next him , did him all the despight they could , beating and kicking him without any regard to his reverend gray hairs ; others that were further off , threw at him vvhatsoever came next hand ; and thus whilst he vvas gasping after life , they threw him into prison , where after tvvo days he died . they also vvhich in the first pesecution had denied christ , vvere apprehended , cast into prison , and made partakers of the others afflictions ; yea , they had twice so much punishment as the other had : and whereas they which had been constant , were refreshed with the joy of martyrdom , with the hope of gods promises , and with the love of christ , and his holy spirit ; the other apostates being full of guilt , went out to death , with dejected and ill-favoured countenances , and were filled with shame , so that the very gentiles reviled them as degenerous persons , and worthy to suffer as evil-doers : whereas in the mean time , they which had remained constant , went to their martyrdom with cheerfull countenances , adorned with glory and grace : yea , their very bonds wherewith they were tyed , set them out as brides when they are decked in gorgious aray : and withal they had such a redolent smell , as if they had been anointed with some sweet balm : by which sights the rest were confirmed , and being apprehended , confessed christ without any staggering . the martyrdom of the saints was of divers kinds , as the offering to god a garland decked with sundry kinds of colours and flowers . maturus , attalus , and blandina , were again brought forth to the publick scaffold , where maturus and sanctus suffered again all manner of torments , as if they had suffered nothing before : they were scourged , torn of wild beasts , set in red hot iron chairs , in which their bodies were dried as on a grid-iron , and their tormentors raged more and more against them , labouring to overcome the patience of the saints : yet could they get nothing out of sanctus's mouth , but that he was a christian : these holy men having been thus made a spectacle all the day to the people , were at last slain . then blandina being fastened to a stake , was cast to the wild beasts , but they , as being more mercifull then men , would not come near her : then they cast her again into prison , where she , though a weak woman , yet armed with invincible courage by christ , mightily encouraged her brethren . then was attalus brought forth with this inscription , this is attalus the christian , against whom the people were much enraged , but the governour understanding that he was a roman , remanded him to prison till ●he understood the emperors pleasure : many that had before denied christ , through gods grace , recovered themselves again , and tasted the sweetness of him that desired not the death of a sinner , &c. and of their own accord came to the judgement seat to be examined ; then did the judge , when a great concourse of people was met together , s●nd for all the christian prisoners , and as many as were free-men of rome he beheaded , the residue he gave to be devoured of wild beasts , amongst whom also they which had before denied christ , joyfully suffered martyrdom . whilst the christians were examining at the bar , one alexander , a physitian , by signs , and becks , perswaded those which were examined , boldly to confess christ , which the people taking notice of , accused him to the judge : who asking him what religion he was of , he answered , i am a christian : whereupon he was immediatly adjudged to be devoured of the beasts . the next day was attalus and this alexander brought forth to the sca●fold , where they had all manner of torments inflicted upon them , and having endured the greatest agony that possibly they could be put to , they were at the last slain : alexander never so much as sighed , but prayed to , and praised god all the while he was tormented : attalus , when he was set in the iron chair , and the frying savour of his burning body began to smell , said to the people , behold ! this which you do is to eat mans flesh : for we neither eat men , nor commit any other wickedness : and being demanded what was the name of their god , he said , our god hath no such name as men have ; then said they , let us see whether your god can help you , and take you out of our hands . then was blandina again brought forth , and with her one ponticus , a youth of fifteen years old , who defying their idols , and constantly cleaving to christ , were put to all the torments their enraged enemies could devise : the youth having suffered all kinds of torments , at last gave up the ghost : blandina was first pitifully whipped , then thrown to the wild beasts , then tormented upon the grid-iron , then put into a net , and thrown to the wild bull , and when she was tossed , gored , and wounded with his horns , she was at last slain , but was so filled with ravishing joyes of the h. ghost , that she felt no pain during all her torments . such as were strangled in prisons , were afterwards thrown to dogs , and had keepers both day and night set to watch them , lest their bones and members should be buried . in the mean time the gentiles extolled their idols , mocking and flouting the christians , saying , where is your god that you so much boast of ? and what helpeth this your religion for which you give your lives ? the bodies of the martyrs were thus made a gazing-stock for six days in the open streets , and then were burned , and their ashes thrown into the river . also in this persecution justin martyr , through the malice of crescens the philosopher , suffered martyrdom . also one alcibiades a man of a strict life , eating only bread and water , was cast into the prison where attalus , and other christians lay ; and alcibiades continued the same strict diet in prison : but it was from god revealed to attalus , that he did not well in refusing the other good creatures of god , and that it was scandalous to his brethren : whereupon he reformed , and ate of all things boldly with thanksgiving . about this time clandius apolinaris , bishop of hieropolis , and melito bishop of sardis , eloquent and learned men , delivered to the emperour excellent apologies written by them in defence of the christian religion , whereby they prevailed with him somewhat to stay the rage of his persecution : which also was furthered upon this occasion : marcus aurelius , and marcus antonius the emperors , going to war against the quades , vandals , sarmates and germans ; their army , by the multitude of their enemies , was coopt up in some strait , dry and hot places , where the souldiers having been destitute of water for five days together , were all like to perish . hereupon a legion of christian souldiers being in the army , with-drew apart from the rest , and falling prostrate upon the earth , by ardent prayer , obtained of god a double relief : for the lord sent the romans such showers , as satisfied their necessities , and flashed such lightnings against their enemies , that thereby they were discomfited and put to flight . this miracle so pleased the emperor , that ever after he used the christians gentler , writing also to divers rulers , commanding them to give thanks to the christians , as for their victory , so for the preservation of himself , and his army . his letters was to this purpose , that whereas himself and army , were invironed with nine hundred seventy five thousand fighting men , and were like to perish for want of water , the christians praying to a god , that he knew not , obtained relief for him , and by hail and lightning , destruction to his enemies ; whereby he perceived their god to be a mighty god. hereupon he decreed that none should be punished for the christian profession , being guilty of no other crime , and that the accusers of the christians should be burned alive : which degree he commanded to be recorded in the senate-house , proclaimed publickly in the court of trajan , and sent diligently into all his provinces , that all might take notice of the same . yet not long after , apollonius a noble senator of rome , was accused by his own servant before the judge , for being a christian ; the accuser , according to the the decree , had his legs broken , and was put to death . but apollonius having rendred an accocnt of his faith before the senate , was condemned to be beheaded , notwithstanding the decree , because there was an old law , that any that was arraigned for professing christ , without a recantation , could not be released . commodus the emperor upon his birth-day , calling the people of rome together , in a great royalty , clothed in his lions skin , sacrificed to hercules causing it to be proclaimed , that hercules was the patron of the city : whereupon vincentius , eusebius , peregrinus and pontentianus , learned men , and pastors of the congregations , being stirred up with zeal , went about from place to place , converting the gentiles to the faith of christ , and hearing of the madness of the emperor and people , they reproved that idolatrous blindness , exhorting them to believe in the true and living god , and that forsaking the worshipping of devils , they should honour god alone . the emperor hearing thereof , caused them to be apprehended , and required them to sacrifice to hercules , which they refusing to do , he caused them to be grievously tormented , and at last to be pressed to death with weights of lead . julius a roman senator , having been converted by the preaching of these men , afterwards sent for ruffinus a minister , by whom himself and all his family were baptized , and burning with holy zeal , he made an open profession of the faith of christ , praying that he might not only believe , but that he might have the honour to suffer for his name . the emperor hearing that he was become a christian , sent for him , to whom he said , o julius , what madness possesseth thee thus to forsake the religion of thy fore-fathers , to embrace a new and fond kind of religion of the christians ? hereupon julius made before him a free and open profession of his faith , affirming that the roman gods were false gods , and that they that worshipped them , should be punished with everlasting damnation . the emperor hearing that he despised his gods , was much enraged , and committed him to vitellius , a cruel and fierce man , to compell him , either to sacrifice to hercules , or to slay him : but julius nothing discouraged , and perswading vitellius to acknowledge , and serve the true god , was at his command with cudgels beaten to death . chap. xi . the fifth primitive persecution which began an. christi , . commodus being dead , pertinax succeeded in the empire , under whom the church enjoyed peace , and flourished exceedingly , so that many of the nobles of rome embraced the true faith , together with their whole housholds . pertinax being dead , severus succeeded , and in the first ten years of his reign he was very mild and gentle to the christians : but afterwards , through sinister suggestions , and malicious accusations ; he was so incensed , that by his proclamations he commanded that no christians should any more be suffered to live . hereby great pe●secution was stirred up on every side , and an infinite number of martyrs were slain . the crimes objected against the christians were sedition , rebellion against the emperor , sacriledge , murthering of infants , incestuous pollutions , eating raw flesh , worshipping the head of an asse , &c. but especially that they would not worship their idols . the places where this persecution most raged , were africa , capadocia , alexandria and carthage . the number of them that suffered , was innumerable , amongst whom was leonides the father of origen ; with whom origen his son , being but seventeen years old , would have suffered , ( such a fervent desire he had of martyrdom ) had not his mother privily in the night conveyed away his shirt and cloths , whereupon , more for shame to be seen , then for fear to die , he was constrained to remain at home . origen was afterwards a professor of divinity at alexandria , and out of his school , one plutarch suffered martyrdom , as also serenus his brother , who was burned , and another serenus who was beheaded . potamiena also , who was tormented with boiling pitch poured upon her , and afterwards with her mother marcella , and rhais burned in the fire . this potamiena being a beautifull virgin , was committed to captain basilides to see execution done upon her , and as he led her to the place of execution , he repressed the rage of the multitude , who followed her with many railings and revilings , whereupon , to requite his kindness , she prayed to the lord for his conversion to the true faith , and so with admirable patience she suffered martyrdom . shortly after basilides being required to give an oath in the behalf of his fellow-souldiers , he denied the same , plainly affirming that he vvas a christian , and therefore he could not swear by the idols , &c. they vvhich heard him , thought that he jested at first , but when he had constantly affirmed it , they had him before the judge , vvho committed him to vvard : the christians vvondring at it , vvent to him , and enquiring the cause of his conversion , he told them that potamiena had prayed for him , and so he savv a crovvn put upon his head , adding that it should not be long before he received it , and accordingly the next day he was beheaded . as many suffered death in this persecution , so others there were , who through gods providence , suffered great torments ; and yet escaped vvith life , of whom there vvas one alexander , vvho for his constant confession , and torments suffered , vvas afterwards made bishop of jerusalem . also narcissus , against vvhom three vvicked persons conspired to accuse him , binding their accusations vvith oaths and curses , one vvishing to be destroyed vvith fire , if it vvere not true ; another to be consumed vvith a grievous disease ; the other to lose both his eyes ; narcissus being unable to vvith-stand so vvicked an accusation , retired himself into a desert : in the mean time gods vengeance follovved these perjured wretches : for the first , by a small spark of fire , vvas himself vvith all his family , and goods burned : the second vvas taken vvith a grievous sickness vvhich tormented him from the top to the toe , whereof he died : the third , being vvarned by these judgements , confessed his fault , but by reason of his abundant sorrovv and vveeping , he lost both his eyes : narcissus being hereby cleared from their false accusation , returned home , and vvas received into his congregation again . also one andoclus vvas sent by polycarp into france , vvho because he spread there the doctrine of christ , vvas apprehended by the command of severus , and first beaten vvith staves and bats , and aftervvards beheaded . asclepiades also , aftervvards bishop of antioch , suffered much in this persecution . then did irenaeus , and many others vvith him suffer martyrdom ; and shortly after tertullian also . perpetua and felicitas , tvvo godly vvomen , vvith revocatus their brother , and satyrus , vvere throvvn to the vvild beasts , and devoured by them . saturninus vvas beheaded : secundulus cast into prison , where he died : all these suffered martyrdom at carthage . also zepherinus , and after him urbanus , both bishops of rome , vvere martyred in this persecution : this urbanus by preaching and holiness of life , converted many heathens unto christ ; amongst vvhom vvere tiburtius and valerianus , tvvo noble men of rome , vvho both suffered martyrdom : also cecilia a virgin , vvho vvas espoused to valerian ▪ vvas apprehended & carried to the idols to offer sacrifice , vvhich she refusing to do , should have been carried to the judge to receive the sentence of condemnation ; but the serjeants and officers beholding her excellent beauty and prudent behaviour , began vvith many persvvasions to solicit her to favour her self , &c. but she so replied vvith wisedom and godly exhortations , that by the grace of almighty god , their hearts began to relent , and at length to yield to that religion which before they persecuted ; which she perceiving , desired leave to go home ; and sending for urbanus the bishop to her house , he so grounded and established them in the faith of christ , that about four hundred persons believed , and were baptized ; amongst whom was gordianus a noble man. afterwards this blessed martyr was brought before the judge , by whom she was condemned ; then she was enclosed in an hot bath for twenty four hours , yet remaining alive , she was there beheaded . at preneste in italy was one agapetus of fifteen years old apprehended , and because he refused to sacrifice to idols , he was first scourged with whips , then hanged up by the feet , and had scalding water poured on him , then he was cast to the wild beasts ; but because they would not hurt him , he was lastly beheaded . antiochus that executed these torments on him , suddenly fell down from his judicial seat , crying out that all his bowels burned within him , and so he died miserably . calepodius , a minister of christ in rome , was first dragged thorow the streets , and after cast into tyber . pamachius , a senator of rome , with his wife and children , and other men and women , to the number of forty two , vvere all beheaded in one day , together with another noble man , all whose heads vvere hung up over the gates of the city ▪ to deter others from the profession of christianity . also martina , a christian virgin , having suffered many other bitter torments , vvas at last slain vvith the sword . chap. xii . the sixth primitive persecution , which began anno christi , . the emperor maximinus raised the sixth persecution against the christians , especially against the teachers and leaders of the church , thinking that if these captains were removed out of the way , he should the easilier prevail against the rest . in the time of this persecution , origen vvrote his book de martyrio , vvhich being lost , the names of most that suffered martyrdom in those times , are buried in oblivion , yet were they very many : amongst whom urbanus bishop of rome , and philippus , one of his ministers were banished into sardinia , where they both died . about this time one natalius that had formerly suffered great persecution for the cause of christ , was seduced by asclepiodotus and theodorus , two sectaries , to be the bishop of their sect , promising to pay him a hundred and fifty crowns of silver every moneth , and so he joined himself to them ; but the lord in mercy not intending to lose him that had suffered so much for his sake , admonished him by a vision to adjoin himself to the true church again , which the good man for the present , blinded with lucre and honour , did not regard as he ought to have done : the night after he was scourged by angels , whereupon in the morning , purting on sack-cloth , with much weeping and lamentation , he went to the christian congregation , praying them for the tender mercies of christ , that he might be received into their communion again ; which request was accordingly granted unto him . hippolitus was drawn thorow the fields with wild horses till he died ; many others were martyred and buried by sixty in a pit . chap. xiii . the seventh primitive persecution , which began anno christi , . decius the emperor raised this seventh terrible persecution against the christians , which was first occasioned by reason of the treasures of the emperor , which were committed to fabian the bishop of rome , who thereupon , by the command of decius , was put to death , and moreover his proclamations were sent into all quarters , that all which professed the name of christ , should be slain . in the time of this persecution origen suffered many and great torments for the cause of christ , by rackings , dungeons , &c. nicephorus , who writeth of this persecution under decius , declareth the horribleness of it to be so great , and that so many martyrs suffered , that , saith , he , it is as easie to number the sands of the sea , as to set down the names of all those whom this persecution did devour . alexander , bishop of jerusalem , who was very aged , having governed the church forty years , was from thence carried to caesarea , where after a bold and constant confession of his faith , made before the judge , he was cast into prison , and there died . babilas bishop of antioch also died in prison , and forty virgins were martyred there about that time . and one peter in the country of phrygia , being apprehended by the proconsul , suffered most bitter torments for the name of christ , the like did divers others in troada . from babylon divers christians were led away by decius into spain , and there exceuted ; the like sufferings had many in caesarea , dionysius alexandrinus , writing of the martyrs that suffered in alexandria , saith thus , this persecution began about a year before the emperors proclamation came forth , by reason of a wicked south-sayer , who coming to the city , stirred up the multitude of heathens against the christians , perswading them to uphold their idolatrous services ; wherewith the people being inflamed , obtained full power to prosecute their wicked purposes , conceiving all religion to consist in the destruction of the christians . and first of all they fell upon a minister , called metra , whom they would have enforced to blaspheme christ ; which when he refused , they laid upon him with staves and clubs , and with sharp reeds they pricked his face and eyes ; and then , bringing him to the suburbs , they stoned him to death . then they took an holy woman , called quinta , and bringing her to the idol-temple , would compell her to worship there ; which she constantly refusing , they bound her feet , and drew her thorow all the streets upon the hard-stones , whipt her with whips , dashed her against mil-stones , and lastly stoned her to death . then the enraged multitude breaking into the christians houses , plundred them of all they had ; the rest of the lumber they carried into the market-place , and burned it : the saints in the mean time taking patiently and joyfully the spoiling of their goods , knowing that they had a more enduring substance in heaven . then they took an ancient virgin , called apollinia , whom they brought forth ▪ and dashing all the teeth out of her head , they made a great fire , threatning to cast her into it , unless she would blaspheme and deny christ ; whereupon she , after a little pause , leaped into the fire , and so was burned . then they took serapion out of his house , whom they assailed with all kind of torments , broke almost all the joynts of his body : and lastly throwing him down from an high loft , killed him . the poor christians could no where shelter themselves , nor rest day nor night , the multitude crying out , that unless they would blaspheme christ , they should all be burned . but , through gods mercy , the miserable wretches at last fell out amongst themselves , turning their cruelty , formerly exercised against the christians , upon their own heads , whereby the church had a little breathing time . shortly after came forth the cruel edict of the emperor , which so terrified the christians , that some , especially the rich , partly through fear , and partly by the perswasion of their neighbours , came to those impure and idolatrous sacrifices : others came boldly to the altars , declaring publickly , that they were not of that religion : of the rest some ran away , others were taken , enduring bands and torments constantly : others again , after long imprisonment , and sundry torments , renounced their faith , whilst others more strong in the faith , valiantly endured martyrdom : amongst whom was julianus , a man diseased with the gout , and not able to go , and cronion , who were laid upon camels , and there scourged , and at last thrown into the fire , where , with much constancy , they were consumed . as julianus went to martyrdom , a certain souldier took his part against those which railed upon him ; whereupon the people crying out against him , he was apprehended , and being constant in his profession , was presently beheaded . also macar a christian lybian was burned alive . epimachus and alexander , having been long imprisoned , after innumerable pains and torments , with rasors and scourges , were vvith four women , consumed with fire : ammonarion a virgin , mercuria an aged matron , and dionysia , a mother of many children , whom yet she loved not above the lord , these , vvhen they could not be overcome by any torments inflicted on them by the cruel judge , but rather were unsensible of them all , vvere at last slain vvith the svvord . also three egyptians , and a youth of fifteen years old , vvere brought before the judge , who first began vvith the child , by fair words , seeking to entice him , then by torments to constrain him , which not prevailing , when he had tormented the other also he condemned them all to the fire ; but the judge wondring at the wise answers , and grave constancy of the child , dismissed him . nemesion also an egyptian , vvas first accused to be a companion of thieves , but being purged from that , he vvas accused of christianity , tormented and scourged extreamly , and then amongst other thieves , burnt to death . a certain christian being examined before the judge , and through fear being ready to shrink back , there were by , certain souldiers of the degree of knights , and an aged man named theophilus , who were ready to burst for grief , making signs to him , by their hands and gestures , to be constant ; vvhich being observed by the by-standers , they vvere ready to lay hold of them , but they of their own accord , pressing up to the judge , professed themselves to be christians , which much imboldened the weak christian that vvas before the tribunal , and terrified the judge . this being done they departed away , rejoycing for the testimony that they had given of their faith . in other cities many christians were torn in pieces by the heathen . ischirion , a servant to a noble man , vvas commanded by his master to sacrifice to the idols , vvhich vvhen he refused , and vvould by no means be perswaded to , his master took a pike , and ran him thorovv . multitudes of christians vvandring in deserts and mountains , vvere devoured by hunger , thirst , cold , sickness , thieves and vvild beasts , amongst vvhom vvas cheremon , bishop of the city of nilus , and his vvife , vvho flying into the mountains of arabia , vvere never heard of more . dionysius also saith of himself , i speak the truth before god , and lie not , i having no regard of my own life , and not without the motion of gods spirit , did flie , and avoid the danger of this persecutian : yea , and before that , when one was sent from the governor te seek me , i remained three days at home to tarry for him ; the messenger in the mean time narrowly sought for me by all ways , fields , floods and corners , where he thought i might hide my self , god striking him with such blindness , that he could not find my house . after these three days , the lord god willing and commanding me to flie , and marvellously opening to me the way , i with my children , and many other brethren , vvent out together , and so escaped . also agatha , a godly virgin of sicilie , suffered divers and bitter torments of imprisonment , with beatings , famine , racking , as also rolling naked upon sharp shels , and hot coals , and having her breasts cut off her body . also forty other virgins , by sundry kinds of torments , were put to death about the same time . decius erecting a temple at ephesus , compelled all in the city to offer sacrifice to idols , but there were seven christian souldiers of his own retinue , who refused , neither could the emperor , by perswasions or threats , induce them to it , yet he gave them respite till his return from the wars ; in the mean time they hid themselves in a cave in the mountain celius . at the emperors return he made great inquisition for them , and at last hearing where they were , he caused the mouth of the cave so to be closed up , that they could not get out , and so they were famished there . there was also one nicetas , a christian souldier , whom when the praetor could not by any torments remove from his stedfastness , he took another course with him , for he brought him into a most fragrant garden , flowing with all manner of pleasures and delights , where he laid him upon a bed of down , softly enwrapped in a net of silk , among the lillies and roses , the delicious murmure of the streams , and the sweet whistling of the leaves moved with a gentle wind , and so departed : presently in comes a beautifull strumpet , and useth all the abominable tricks of her impure art , and whorish villanies , to draw him to commit wickedness with her ; whereupon the young man fearing that he should now be conquered by folly , who was conqueror over fury , bites off a piece of his tongue with his own teeth , and spits it into the face of the whore , and so prevented the hurt of sin by the smart of his wound . at antioch , theodora , a godly virgin , refusing to sacrifice to the idols , was condemned by the judge to the stews , which sentence being executed , there were many wanton young men ready at the door to press into the house where she was , but one of the brethren , called didymus , putting on a souldiers habit , would have the first admittance , and coming in , he perswaded her to change garments with him , and so she , in the souldiers habit , escaped away , and didymus was left to the rage , and wondring of the people , when he was found a man : hereupon he was presented to the president , to whom he presently confessed the whole matter , professing himself to be a christian , and so was condemned ; which theodora hearing of , thinking to excuse him , she came , and presented her self to the judge , as the guilty party , desiring that she might be condemned , and the other excused : but the cruell judge , neither considering the vertue of the persons , nor the innocency of the cause , most inhumanely condemned them both , first to be beheaded , and then burnt , which was accordingly executed . agathon , a man at arms in alexandria , rebuking some lewd persons who scornfully used the dead bodies of the christians , was accused to the judge , and lost his head . in troada , two christians being delivered by the proconsul to the people , were first scourged , then drawn out of the city , and there troden to death . two ministers with a deacon were martyred in rome , and two noble men were brought and accused to decius for burying the dead bodies of the christians , and being by him commanded to sacrifice to the idols , and they refusing , he caused them to be cast to the wild beasts , but when they would not touch them , they were beheaded with the sword . also secundianus was accused to be a christian , which he affirming , was commanded to prison ; by the way two christians cryed to the souldiers , asking them , whether they carried the innocent man , whereupon being apprehended and examined , they confessed themselves to be christians , and were condemned ; first they were beaten with cudgels , then hung up , and tormented with the gibbet , having fire set to their sides , & lastly were beheaded : but some of their tormentors were taken with evil spirits ; others of them fell down suddenly , and died . but the number of martyrs of all ranks that suffered in this persecution was so great , that it is impossible to set them down all ; bishops , ministers , deacons , &c. young , old , men , women , &c. yet amongst this great number , some there were that fell away , as serapion an old man , that for a long time had lived a sincere and godly life , who afterwards repenting of his apostacy , desired to be re-admitted into the church , but that was not granted : shortly after he fell sick , and in it having remained dumb , and bereaved of his senses for twenty four hours , the day after , he began a little to recover , and calling his nephew to him , he said , how long , how long do you detain me here ? make haste that i may be absolved : call me hither some of the ministers , &c. and so being absolved , he presently after died . in troada , nicomachus being grievously tormented , cryed out , i am no christian ; and so being let down from the engine , he had no sooner sacrificed to the idols , but being possessed by the devil , he was thrown on the ground , where he bit off his own tongue , and immediately after died ; many others which shewed the like cowardise , were taken and tormented with wicked spirits : one was struck dumb : a maid taken with a wicked spirit , tore out her own tongue , and died with grievous torments in her belly , and inward parts : but though some did thus fall away , yet others there were , whom neither fear , nor pain could remove from their stedfastness , but they continued glorious martyrs to the end . cyprian relates a story of one of his fellow-ministers , who in the midst of his torments began to faint , being greatly afraid of death , and desired to be released : at which time there appeared to him a young man of admirable beauty , and so bright , that mans mortal eye could scarce endure to behold him , who angerly said to him , pati timetis , exire non vultis , quid faciam vobis ? to suffer you dare not , to go out you will not , what would you have me do unto you ? in this persecution there sprung up the novatian schism , which made a great disturbance in the church . this novatus being a minister under cyprian in carthage , by stirring up discord and factions , bred much trouble to the church , seeking to withdraw certain of the brethren from the bishop : and afterwards novatus going to rome , set up himself as a bishop , against cornelius , the then bishop of rome ; and to further his design , he by subtilty allured to him three or four holy men that had been confessors ; then he entised three weak bishops that lived in italy , to come to rome , and there perswaded them by imposing hands upon him , to make him bishop ; for which fact , two of them afterwards were suspended , and the third upon his repentance vvas re-admitted . novatus being thus made a bishop , grew proud , and sought by all means to with-draw the people from cornelius to himself ; yea , he made many of them to swear that they would not leave him to go to cornelius . but the holy confessors before mentioned , vvhen they perceived the crafty subtilty of novatus , left him , and much grieving for their sin , were reconciled to cornelius again . novatus held this opinion , that they which once renounced the faith , and for fear of torments had offered incense to the idols , although they repented , yet could never be re-admitted into the church of christ again . to suppress this error , there was a synod called at rome of sixty bishops , anno . who condemned it . cyprian also relates of aurelius , a godly and valiant young man , who for his constancy in the cause of christ , suffered great and many torments , and afterwards was banished . and of mappalicus , who the day before he suffered , in the midst of his torments told the proconsul ▪ videbis cras agonem , to morrow you shall see the running for a wager , and accordingly the next day being brought forth to his martyrdom , he with no less constancy then patience , endured faithfull unto the death . but decius the author of this persecution , escaped not the revenging hand of god , for warring against the goths , and being overcome by them , lest he should fall into their hands , he leaped vvith his horse into a whirlpit , where he was drowned , and his body was never found after . yea , god avenged the blood of his saints upon the whole roman empire , by sending a general plague of pestilence upon it , which continued ten years together ; and dionysius saith , that in alexandria , vvhere he vvas bishop , there vvas scarce any house clear ; and though some christians died in this plague , yet it fell most heavy upon the gentiles . the christians also in this plague shewed much brotherly love each to other , by visiting , comforting , and relieving one another . whereas the idolaters , being stricken with extream fear of the plague , none considered his neighbour , but every man shifted for himself , and of those that were infected , some they cast out of doors half dead , to be devoured of dogs and wild beasts , some they let die in their houses without all succour ; others they suffered to lie unburied , and durst not come near them , notwithstanding vvhich , the pestilence followed them whithersoever they vvent , and miserably consumed them ; so that the most part of the inhabitants were consumed by it in every country , especially in those provinces , where had been the greatest persecutions raised against the christians . after the death of decius , there succeeded gallus and volusianus in the empire , anno christi . who continued this persecution against the christians ; which fell most heavy upon the pastors and ministers of the congregations : for about this time cyprian , and many other ministers were banished : others were put into the mettal mines , to whom cyprian wrote an epistle consolatory , wherein he writes thus , wounds and scars are an ornament to a christians brest , such as bring not shame , but honoureth them before the lord ; and though in the mynes there be no beds for their bodies to rest on , yet they have rest in christ ; and though their weary bones lie on the cold ground , yet it 's no pain to lie with christ. their feet are fettered with chains , but he is bound of man , whom the lord christ doth loose ; he lies tied in the stocks , whose feet thereby are made swifter to run to heaven ; neither can any man tie a christian so fast , but he runs so much the faster for his garland of life . they have no garments to save them from cold , but he that puts on christ is sufficiently clothed . doth bread fail to their hungry bodies ? man lives not by bread alone , but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of god. your deformity shall be turned to honour , your mourning to joy , your pain to pleasure , and felicity infinite . and if this grieve you , that you cannot serve god in your places as formerly , yet your daily sacrifice ceaseth not , which is a contrite and humble heart ; and though your travel be great , yet shall your reward be greater ; for god beholding them which confess his name , approveth their willing minds , in their strivings helpeth them , in their victory crowneth them , rewarding that in us which he hath performed , and crowning that which he hath in us perfected . again he tells them that they are now in a joyfull journey , hasting apace to the mansions of the martyrs , there to enjoy , after darkness , durable light , and comfort above all their sufferings , &c. about the same time also , lucius bishop of rome was banished . after the death of gallus and volusianus , there succeeded valerianus , who ceased the persecution , and carried himself exceeding friendly to the christians ; so that his whole court was replenished with holy saints and servants of christ , whereby his house seemed a church of god. but the devil envying the peace of the church , by the means of an egyptian enchanter , ( who was hindred from doing his feats , by the presence of the christians ) stirred up the emperor against them , who grew to such impiety himself , that he sacrificed young infants to his idols , quartered their bodies , divided the entrails of young children new born , &c. as hereafter follows . chap. xiv . the eighth primitive persecution which began an. christi , . valerianus being seduced by the egyptian inchanter , as is before related , stirred up the eighth persecution against the church of christ ; concerning which cyprian writeth thus ; we must confess that this great calamity which hath wasted for the most part all our churches , and still dayly consumes us , ariseth chiefly from our own wickedness , while we walk not in the way of the lord , nor observe his precepts as we ought , whilst we are full of lucre , pride , emulation , dissention , void of simplicity and faithfull dealing , renouncing the world in word , but not in deed , every man pleasing himself , and displeasing others ; and therefore we are thus worthily scourged : for what stripes do we not deserve , when the confessors themselves do keep no discipline ; &c. concluding , non venissent fratribus haec mala , si in unum fraternitas fuisset animata ; these evils had not happened to the brethren , if they had joyned together in brotherly unanimity . a little before this persecution began , god by a vision revealed it to cyprian , saying to him , be quiet and of good comfort , for peace will come ; albeit a little stay there is for a while , for that some remain yet to be proved and tried , &c. the crimes and accusations that were laid to the charge of the christians , by the persecutors , were , that they refused to worship idols , and the emperors ; and that they professed the name of christ : yet besides , all the calamities and evils that happened in the world , as wars , famine , pestilence , &c. were imputed only to the christians : but cyprian and tertullian confuting those slanders , proved that the special cause of all those miseries which befell the empire , proceeded from the cruel shedding of the innocent blood of the christians . in this persecution , cyprian was at last condemned to have his head cut off , who patiently and willingly submitted his neck to the stroak of the sword . also about this time , sixtus bishop of rome , with his six deacons , were accused for being christians , whereupon being brought to the place of execution , they were all beheaded . laurence also another of his deacons , following sixtus as he went to his execution , complained that he might not suffer with him , but that he was secluded , as the son from the father : to whom the bishop answered , that within three days he should follow him , bidding him in the mean time to go home , and if he had any treasures , to distribute them amongst the poor : the judge hearing mention of treasures , supposing that laurence had great store in his custody , commanded him to bring the same to him : laurence craved three days respite , promising then to declare where the treasure might be had : in the mean time he caused a good number of poor christians to be gathered together , and when the day of his answer was come , the persecutor strictly charged him to make good his promise ; then valiant laurence stretching out his arms over the poor , said , these are the precious treasures of the church , these are the treasure indeed in whom christ hath his mansion , , &c. but oh ! what tongue is able to express the fury and madness of the tyrants heart ! how he stamped , stared , ramped , and fared like one out of his wits : his eyes glowed like fire , his mouth foamed like a boar , like a hell-hound he grinded his teeth : then he cryed , kindle the fire , make no spare of wood : hath this villain deluded the emperor ? away with him , whip him with scourges , jerk him with rods , buffet him with fists , brain him with clubs : jesteth the traitor with the emperor ? pinch him with fiery tongs , gird him with burning plates , bring out the strongest chains and fire-forks , and the grate of iron , set it on the fire , bind the rebell hand and foot , and when the grate is red hot , on with him , rost him , broil him , toss him , turn him upon pain of our high displeasure , do every man his office , o ye tormentors . immediately his command was obeyed , and after many cruel handlings , this meek lamb was laid , i will not say upon a bed of fiery iron , but on a soft down-bed ; so mightily god wrought for his servant , so miraculosly did he temper this element of fire , that it was not a bed of consuming pain , but of nourishing rest unto laurence . not laurence , but the emperor seemed to be tormented , the one broiling in the flesh , the other burning in his heart : when this triumphant martyr had been pressed down with fire-forks for a great space , in the mighty spirit of god he spake to the tyrant thus ; this side is now rosted enough , turn up ▪ o tyrant great , assay , whether rosted or raw thou think'st the better meat ? by the constant confession of this worthy and valiant deacon , a roman souldier was converted to the same faith , and desired to be baptized , whereupon he was called before the judge , scourged , and afterwards beheaded . about the same time dionysius bishop of alexandria , with his three deacons , were brought before emilianus , who told them of the clemency of the emperor , and therefore required them to sacrifice to his gods , &c. to whom dionysius answered , divers men worship divers gods , but we , only that one god who is the creator of all things , making our prayers to him uncessantly for the health of the emperor , &c. then said the president , why can you not worship your own god and ours also ? dionysius replied . we worship only one god , as we have said ; the president said , i see you are ingratefull persons , and regard not the emperors clemency , therefore i banish you to cephro in lybia , and charge you that you convent no more your assemblies , nor be found out of that place at your peril , and though dionysius was sick , yet would he not grant him one days respite before his departrue . in cephro he had a great congregation , as well of those that followed him in his banishment , as of others that resorted to him out of egypt ; yea , though at first he was persecuted there , and stoned , yet afterwards a great number of the inhabitants forsook their idols , and were converted unto god by his ministry ; and having accomplished his ministry there , the lord removed him to another place . for ( saith dionysius ) emilianus translated us from thence to a sharper place of lybia , commanding us to meet all together at the city mareota ; intending to separate us into several villages , or rather to take us by the way ; when we came thither , i was commanded to colluthion , a place which i had never heard of ; yet was it some solace to me that the brethren told me it was near to the city paretonium : for as my being at cephro gat me the acquaintance of many brethren of egypt , so i hoped that the vicinity of that place to the city , might procure me the concourse of certain loving brethren from it , as it came also to pass , &c. he writeth moreover that the number of those which suffered martyrdom about that time was great , men , women , young men , maidens , old wives , souldiers , and men of all sorts and ages ; of whom some with scourgings , and fire , and some with the sword , obtained the victory , and gat the crown . neither ( saith he ) to this day doth the president cease cruelly murthering such as be brought before him , tearing some with torments , imprisoning others , and commanding that no man should come to them : yet god with the daily resort of the brethren doth comfort the afflicted . in palestine , priscus , malchus , and alexander , three godly men , seeing the valiant courage of the christians so boldly to venture , constantly to stand , and patiently to suffer in this persecution , as grieved with themselves , began to accuse their own sluggishness and cowardise , to see others so zealovs and valiant , and themselves so cold and faint-hearted , in labouring for the crown of martyrdom : whereupon , agreeing amongst themselves , they came to caesarea , and stepping to the judge , they declared themselves to be christians , and so they were sentenced , and given to the wild beasts . a certain woman also in the same place , formerly a marcionist , being brought before the president , obtained the same martyrdom . in carthage three hundred christians being brought before the president , were put to their choice , either to offer sacrifice , or to go into a lime-kiln : whereupon by mutual consent , they all chose the lime-kiln , in which , with the smoak of the lime , they were smothered . in another part of africk , three godly virgins had first vinegar and gall given them to drink , then were they scourged , then tormented upon the gibbet , and rubbed with lime , then were they scorched upon the fiery grid-iron , then cast to the wild beasts , which would not touch them , therefore lastly they were beheaded . in italy a godly man was first tormented with the rack , then cast to the wild beasts , which not hurting him , he was burned in the fire . fructuosus a bishop in spain , with his two deacons , having witnessed a good confession , were all of them burned in the fire . but this cruel emperor valerian , who thus persecuted the saints of god , shortly after felt the revenging hand of god : for in an expedition that he made against the persians , he was taken prisoner by sapores the king , who made a foot-stool of him , every time that he gat upon his horse ; and at last by the command of the king he was flaied alive , powdered with salt , and so ended his wretched life . also claudius , a president and minister of his persecutions , was possessed by the devil , and biting off his tongue in small pieces , he ended his wretched life . also there were great & terrible earth-quakes , and many commotions and rebellions in sundry parts of the empire , insomuch as galienus , the son of valerian , and his fellow emperor , began to relent towards the christians , and set forth some edicts in their favour : notwithstanding which , some there were that suffered in sundry places ; amongst whom was one marinus , a noble man , and valiant captain in caesarea , who stood for an honourable office which of right fell to him , but his competitor to prevent him , accused him to the judge to be a christian. hereupon the judge examined him of his faith , and finding that indeed he was a christian , he gave him three hours to advise and deliberate with himself ; then the bishop of the place finding that he stood doubtfull in himself what to do , took him by the hand , and led him into the church , and laid before him a sword and a new testament , bidding him take his free choice , which of them he would have . marinus immediately ran to the new testament , and chose that , and so being animated by the bishop , he presented himself boldly before the judge , by whose sentence he was beheaded . about the same time there was in caesarea , asyrius , a noble senator of rome and a christian , and whereas the gentiles in that place used to offer sacrifice by a fountain side , which sacrifice by the working of the devil , used suddenly to vanish out of their sight , to the great admiration of the deluded multitude ; asyrius pitying their miserable ignorance , came amongst them , and lifting up his eyes to heaven , prayed to god in the name of christ , that the people might no longer be thus seduced by the devil , whereupon the sacrifice was seen to swin upon the fountain , and ever after that false miracle ceased . after the death of galienus there succeeded claudius , a quiet emperor ; and after him quintilianus his brother , both which reigning nineteen years , the church enjoyed peace in their time . here place the third figure . chap. xv. the ninth primitive persecution which began an. christi , . after the death of quintillian , succeeded aurelian in the empire , who was by nature severe and rigorous , and a strict punisher of dissolute manners , so that it grew into a proverb , that he was a good physitian , saving that he gave too bitter medicines . in the beginning of his reign , he was a moderate and discreet prince , and no great disturber of the christians , whom he neither molested in their religion , nor in their councels . but afterwards , through sinister suggestions of those which were about him , his nature being before inclinable to severity , he was altered to plain tyranny , which he first shewed in the death of his own sisters son , and afterwards he raised the ninth persecution against the church of christ ; but when he was about to sign a proclamation or edict for that persecution , it pleased god that a thunderbolt fell so near him , that all men thought he had been slain , and the emperor was so terrified thereby , that he gave over his tyrannical purpose , so that he rather intended , then moved persecution . having reigned about six years , he was slain . after whose death divers other emperors succeeded , in whose time the church had peace for about the space of forty four years . during which time it did mightily increase and flourish : yea , the more the christians had suffered , the more they were honoured ; insomuch as some of the emperors did singularly favour them , preferred and made them governors of provinces . dorotheus , with his wife , children , and whole family , were accepted , and highly advanced in the emperors court. yea , gorgonius , and divers others , for their doctrine and learning , were with their princes in great estimation . the bishops were also in great favour with the rulers and presidents where they lived ; so that innumerable multitudes and congregations assembled together in every city , and there were great concourses of such as daily flocked to the publick places of prayer . but through this great prosperity , the christians , by reason of the corruption of their natures , and the temptations of satan , began to degenerate , and to grow idle and delicate , striving and contending amongst themselves , upon every occasion , with railing words bespattering one another in a despitefull manner ; bishops against bishops , and people against people , moving hatred and sedition each against other : besides , cursed hypocrisie and dissimulation increased more and more ; by reason whereof gods judgements brake forth against them , which began first to fall upon those christians which were souldiers ; but that touched the other very little , neither did they seek to appease gods wrath , nor to call for mercy , but thinking that they should escape well enough , they heaped iniquities daily more and more , one upon another . the pastors being inflamed with mutual contention each against other ; then did the lord raise up adversaries against his people , that rased their churches to the ground , burnt the sacred scriptures in the open market places , made the pastors of the church to hide themselves , and some with great shame were taken prisoners , and were mocked of their enemies , and put to open reproach . chap. xvi . the tenth primitive persecution , which began anno christi , . dioclesian and maximian having many wars , associated to themselves two caesars , galerius , who was sent into the east against the persians ; and constantius , who was sent into britain , where he married helena , the daughter of king coel ; a maiden excelling in beauty , and no less famous for her studies and learning , by whom he had constantine the great . these two emperors having obtained many victories , were so puffed up with pride , that they ordained a solemn triumph at rome . after which , dioclesian would needs be worshipped as god , saying , that he was brother to the sun and moon , and adoring his shoes with gold and precious stones , he commanded the people to kiss his feet . then also did he raise a great and grievous persecution against the church of god : and the feast of easter drawing nigh , he commanded all the churches of the christians to be spoiled , and cast down , and the books of the holy scriptures to be burnt , which was executed with all rigour and contempt that might be . then he sent forth his edicts for the displacing of all christian magistrates , and put all others out of their offices , imprisoning such of the common people as would not abjure christianity , and subscribe to the heathen idolatries . then were cruel edicts sent abroad for the imprisoning of the elders and bishops , and constraining them by sundry kinds of torments to sacrifice to the idols ; whereupon insued a great persecution against the governors of the church , amongst whom many of them manfully passed through exceeding bitter torments : some were scourged all over their bodies with whips : some with racks and tearings of their flesh , were exceedingly cruciated : some one way , others another way were put to death . some were violently drawn to the impure sacrifices , and as though they had sacrificed , when indeed they did not , were let go . others neither coming to their altars ; nor touching any piece of their sacrifice , yet were born in hand by those which stood by , that they had sacrificed ; and so being defamed by their adversaries , were let go . others as dead men were carried out , and cast away , being but half dead . some were cast down on the pavement , and trailed a great space by the legs , and the people made to believe that they had sacrificed ; others with-stood them , stoutly affirming with a loud voice , that they had not sacrificed ; withal saying , that they were christians , and glorying in the profession of that name . some cryed that they neither had , nor ever would be partakers of that idolatry , who were buffetted on the face and mouth by the souldiers , that they might hold their peace . but if the saints seemed never so little to do what their enemies would have them , they were made much of ; yet none of these devices prevailed against the constant servants of jesus christ ; but of the weaker sort , through frailty , many fell at the first brunt . when these edicts were first set up at nicomedia , a christian , a noble man born , moved with an holy zeal , ran , and took them down , and tare them in pieces , though the emperors were present in the city ; for which he was put to a most bitter death , which with great constancy and patience , he endured to the last . these furious tyrants , dioclesian in the west , and maximian in the east , raged exceedingly against the poor saints of christ. but dioclesian proceeded more subtilly , first beginning with the souldiers in his camp : to whom the marshal of the field proposed that they should either offer sacrifice , or leave their places and offices , and lay down their arms ; whereunto the christians resolutely answered , that they were not only ready to lay down their weapons , but to suffer death , if it was imposed upon them , rather then so to sin against god. in the beginning of this persecution , few were tormented , but afterwards the emperor grew to greater cruelty . it cannot be expressed what number of martyrs suffered ; what blood was shed through all cities and regions for the name of christ. in tyre certain christians were given to the most cruel wild beasts , which would not hurt them ; and the lions , bears and leopards , which were kept hungry for the purpose , would not touch them : yet did they vehemently rage against those that brought the christians into the stage , who though they stood , as they thought , without their reach , yet were they caught , and devoured by them . afterwards these martyrs were slain with the sword , and cast into the sea . silvanus , bishop of gazenses , with thirty nine more , were slain in the mettal-mynes . pamphilus of caesarea , dyed a glorious martyr . in syria , all the chief pastors were first cast into prison , together with the bishops , elders and deacons : tiranion was throwen into the sea . zenobius a physitian was slain with brickbats . at antioch two young maidens were thrown into the sea . also an aged matron , and her two beautifull daughters , being sought after , and at last found , rather then they would be drawn to do sacrifice , threw themselves head-long into a river . sylvanus bishop of emissa , with some others were thrown to the wild beasts . the christians in mesopotamia were tormented divers ways : some of them were hanged up by the feet , and with the smoak of a small fire strangled . so out-ragious was the emperor in the beginning of this persecution , that in nicomedia he slew the chiefest princes of his court , whom a little before he prized as his own children . also one peter was hoisted up naked , and so beaten , and torn with whips , that his bones might be seen ; then they poured upon him salt and vinegar , and lastly rosted him with a soft fire . dorotheus and gorgonius , men of great authority under the emperor , after divers torments were strangled with an halter . anthimus , bishop of nicomedia , with divers others , having made a good confession , were beheaded . yea , serena , the wife of dioclesian the emperor , was martyred for her religion . some others were bound hand and foot to a post , and so burnt . also many christians of all ages and sorts , being met together in a church , to celebrate the memorial of christs nativity , maximian the emperor sent some to fire the church , and burn them all ; but first they commanded a cryer to proclaim , that whosoever would have life , should come out , and sacrifice to jupiter , otherwise they should be all burnt ; then one stepping up boldly , in the name of all the rest , said , we are all christians , and believe that christ is our only god and king , and we will sacrifice to none but him ; hereupon the fire was kindled , and some thousands of men , women and children were burnt in that place . in arabia many martyrs were slain with axes . in phrygia , the emperor sent his edicts to a city , commanding them to sacrifice to the idols : but the major , and all the citizens professed themselves to be christians , whereupon the emperor made his army environ the city , and set it on fire , whereby all the inhabitants were burnt together in it . eustratius an armenian , and skilfull in the greek tongue , highly honoured and advanced by the emperor , who also had executed many christians ; beholding the marvellous constancy of the martyrs , privately learned the christian religion , burned exceedingly with a desire of martyrdom , and not staying for accusers , professed himself to be a christian , openly execrating the vanity and madness of the heathens ; being therefore apprehended , he was tied up , and bitterly beaten ; afterwards he was parched with fire put to his bowels , then basted with salt and vinegar , then scraped and bemangled with sharp cutting shels , that his whole body seemed to be but one wound , yet afterwards , through gods goodness , it was restored again whole . and lastly was he burned . in alexandria , peter the bishop , and his deacons constantly suffered martyrdom : as also many other bishops in egypt , together with many famous and excellent men , suffered about the same time . a whole legion of christian souldiers , that lay at thebes in egypt , under their christian col ▪ mauritius , because they refused to sacrifice to idols , were first tithed over by the emperours command , once , and again and afterwards , by the exhortation of mauritius , they died all together constant martyrs . the persecution raged not only in asia and africa , but also in italy , france , spain , &c. in all which countries an innumerable company of christians were martyred by sundry kindes of death . in trevers were so many christians slain , that their bloud ran like small brooks , and discoloured great rivers ; yet this sufficed not the tyrant , but he sent abroad his horsemen to command all those which had apprehended any christians , immediately to put them to death . at collen also , and in rhetia many were martyred : yea , this persecution extended into our britan , where all the christians were put to death . besides the kindes of death , the punishments were so great and horrible as no tongue is able to express : as whippings , scourgings , rackings , horrible scrapings , sword , fire , shipboats , whereinto many were put and sunk into the sea : also hanging upon crosses , binding some to the bodies of trees with their heads hanging downward , hanging others by the middle upon gallowses till they died of hunger : throwing others alive to lions , bears , leopards , wilde buls , &c. pricking others with bodkins and talons of beasts till they were almost dead . in thebaide , they hanged up women naked by one of their feet , the rest of their body hanging downwards , with many other sorts of punishments most cruell to be thought of : some were bound to the boughs of trees , and had their members torn asunder , others were mangled with axes , some choaked with smoak over a slow fire , some had their hands , ears , and feet cut off , others were scorched and broiled upon coals , yet not to death , but had the torment renued every day . in pontus the martyrs had other horible torments inflicted on them , some had their fingers-ends under the nails thrust in with bodkins : some were sprinkled all over with boiling lead , having their necessary members cut from them , others suffred most filthy and intolerable torments in their bowels , and privy members : what the outrage of this persecution was in alexandria , phileas a bishop thus writeth , because ( saith he ) every man might torment the holy martyrs as he listed , some beat them with cudgels , some with rods , some with whips , some with thonges , some with cords , some having there hands bound behind them were lifted upon timber-logs , and with certaine instruments had their members and joints stretched out , where their bodies hanging , were subjected to the will of the tormentors , who were commanded to afflict them with all manner of torments : on their sides , bellies , thighs , legges , they scratched them with the claws of wilde beasts : some were hanged but by on hand one the engine , that they might feel the more grievous pulling out of the rest of their members : some were bound to pillars , having no stay under their feet , that w●th the weight of their bodies being drawn out , they might feel the greater torment : and these torments endured all day long ; the judge commanding that they should not be let down , till either by the extremity of torment , or by the cold , they were near death ; and then they were let down , and haled upon the ground . they devised also another greater torment , for when the christians were lamentably beaten , they had a new kinde of rack , wherein they lying upright , were stretched by both the feet above the fourth hole , with sharp shels strawed under them . others were cast down upon the pavement , where they had so many torments inflicted upon them , that their sufferings cannot be imagined what they were : in the midst of which torments some died , their enemies being confounded with their singular patience . some half dead were thrust into prisons , where , with their wounds and pain they ended their lives : others being cured of their wounds , were again put to their choice ; whether they would sacrifice to the idols , and have their liberty , or have the sentence of death pass upon them , who did willingly chuse death for christs sake , rather then to sin against him . in nicomedia , a christian pulling down , and tearing the emperors edict , was stript and beaten till the bones appeared , and then washed in salt and vinegar , under which torments he died . yet notwithstanding the horribleness of these tortures , the christian martyrs were so farre from being dismaied , that they were confirmed and strengthned thereby , merrily and joyfully undergoing whatsoever was inflicted upon them . eusebius saith , that himself saw the cruel persecution in thebade , where the swords of the persecutors were blunted with the great slaughter of the christians , and they sat down with weariness to rest them , whilest others took their places . yet still the christians shewed their willingness , and with courage , joy and smiling , received their sent●nce of death from the judge , and to the last gasp , sang psalms and hymns of praise to god. in alexandria the holy martyrs led with the love of better rewards , did not only bear the menaces of the cruel souldiers , wherewith they threatned them , but also whatsoever torments they could devise for their destruction : yea saith sulpitius ; then the christians with more greedy desire pressed and sought for maryrdom , then now they do for bishopricks . yet some through infirmity in this persecution fell back , for which they were excommunicated by the church . damasus and others witness , that there were slain in thirty daies , seventeen thousand persons , besides a great number that were condemned to the metall-mines and quarries , with the like cruelty . in alexandria were slain with axes three hundred : at collen three hundred . mauritius with his christian legion , six thousand six hundred sixty six , whose story , deserving perpetually to be remembred , is this : maximian sent for his mauritius with his legion of thebane souldiers , under a pretence of imploying them against his enemies : when they came to rome , marcellus , the blessed bishop , laboured to confirm them in the truth , to whom they promised perseverance in the faith unto the death . then they followed they imperial army into france , and when they were cowe thither , maximian offered sacrifice to the devils , and called all his souldiers to the same , strictly charging them to fight against his enemies , and against the christians which were enemies to his gods . these christian thebans resolved rather to die ▪ then to sacrifice , or to bear arms against the christians , wherewith the tyrant being enraged , commanded every tenth man of the legion to be put to the sword , hereupon they strove who should submit their necks to the stroke . mauritius encouraged them greatly hereunto , and being called before the emperour , he said ; wee , o emperour , your souldiers , and yet the servants of god , owe thee service of war , but to him innocency ; of thee we receive wages , but of him life ; therefore we cannot obey thee to deny god our lord and yours also , will ye nil ye : we are ready to obey you , if you enforce us not to disobey him : otherwise we will rather obey him then you : we offer here our hands against any other enemies , but to defile our hands with the bloud of innocents , we may not : these hands of ours have ●kil to fight against wicked enemies , but not to murther godly friends , &c. we have engaged our faith to god , we cannot be true to you , if we break covenant with him , &c. we see our brethren and fellows in arms , cruelly put to the sword , which we rejoyce in , that they have been counted worthy to suffer for christs sake , &c. behold here we cast down our weapons , and had rather to be killed , then to kill , and to die guiltlesse then to live guilty : we are ready to suffer what more you shall appoint , yea b●th fire , sword , or any other torments . we confesse our selves , to be christians , wee cannot persecute christians , nor sacrifice to your devillish idols . the emperour being highly incensed with this answer commanded the second time the tenth man to be slain , which being accomplished , when the christian souldiers would not yet condescend to his minde , he set upon them with his whole host , both of foot and horse , charging them to kill them all ; the christians made no resistance , but throwing down their arms , offered their naked necks to the persecutors , and so were all slain . at that time , one victor , an old souldier , that for his age was dismissed , coming to the army , as they were banquetting and making merry with the spoils of the martyrs , was bidden to sit down with them , but he asked them what was the cause of there mirth , and understanding the trut● , he detested them , and refused to eat with them ; and being thereupon demanded whether he were a christian ? he answered that he was and ever would be . then they rushed upon him ; and made him partaker , of the lik martyrdom and honour . when dioclesian and maximian , notwithstanding all the slaughter which they made , saw the number of christians rather increased then diminished , so that they were out of all hope of utter rooting them out , and having now even their fill of blood , they ceased at last of their own accord from putting any more christians to death : yet of a great multitude , they thrust out their right eies , and maimed their right legs at the ham , with a searing iron , condemning them to the metal-mynes , not so much for their labour , as desirous to afflict them thereby : and so having raigned together about one and twenty years , dioclesian divested himself of the imperial dignity , and lived a private life , and the like did maximian also , resigning the empire to galerius maximinus , and constantius . maximinus was of a cruel nature , a great enchanter , vicious in his life , and a great enemy to the christians , and therefore continued the persecution of them , yet at length was revoked from his cruelty by the just judgement of god upon him ; for he was suddenly taken with an horrible and filthy disease , which first began outwardly in his flesh : and then proceeded more inwardly : his privy members putrified with a botchy corrupt boil , and a fistula consuming , and eating up his entrails , whence swarmed forth an innumerable company of lice , with such a pestiferous stink , that no man could abide him ; he being also very gross , his fat putrified , and stank intollerably ; and because his physitians could not abide the stink , he commanded them to be slain : others of them , because they could not cure his incurable disease , he put them to cruel deaths . at last being told that his disease came from god , he began to bethink himself of all the cruelty which he had shewed to the saints , confessed his offences to god , and gave command that the persecution against the christians should cease ; requiring his officers likewise to re-edifie their temples , and requesting them to pray to their god for him . this edict much comforted and refreshed the christians , who thereupon gathered together in every city , called their synods and councels ; yea , the infidels themselves extolled and magnified the true god of the christians . but this tyrant maximinus scarce suffered this peace to continue six moneths together , but again he forbad the christians to meet , and privately stirred up the athenians to petition him that none of them might be suffered to live in their city : also a conjurer in athens made an image of jupiter , which uttered these words , jupiter commandeth the christians to be banished out of this city and suburbs , because they are enemies to him . also certain harlots were suborned to say , that they formerly were christians , and privy to the wicked and lascivious acts which they exercised amongst themselves , upon sabbath daies , &c. and thereupon the emperor commanded that they should put them to death by all means possible . then did the persecution grow as great as ever it was , and the governors of every province fell upon the christians ▪ banishing some , and putting others to death . silvanus bishop of emissa , a very old man , and three others with him , were condemned to death . so was lucianus , an elder at antioch . at alexandria , peter the bishop was beheaded . quirinus bishop of scescanus had an hand-mill tied about his neck , and was thrown head-long into a river : where yet he floted a great while , exhorting the lookers on not to be dismaid with his punishment , and so with much ado , was at last drowned . at rome , many bishops , ministers and elders were put to death . in sundry other places very many others suffered martyrdom with fire , wild beasts , drowning in the sea , &c. some were crucified , some were slain with the sword ; some endured the cutting and burning of their members ; some had their eyes thrust out ; some were starved in prisons , and whatsoever other cruelty the magistrates could devise ; all which the people of god endured , rather then they would offer sacrifice to the idols . the like miseries did the women also endure , for being inticed to the filthy use of their bodies , some rather chose banishment , and others to prevent it , killed themselves . neither could christians live safely in the wilderness , but even from thence they were drawn to torments and death . and whereas the tyrant in his edict had boasted of the plenty and prosperity of all things in the time of his persecuting of the saints , god to confute him , presently sent great drought , famine and pestilence , besides the wars with the armenians ; by which calamities , the people were miserably wasted ; corn was sold at an unreasonable rate , so that exceeding great multitudes died of hunger in the cities , but far more in the villages ; most part of the husband-men dying of famine and the pestilence . divers brought out their best treasure , and gave it for any kind of sustenance , though never so little . others having sold their possessions for food , fell into extream misery : some did eat grass , others fed upon unwholsom herbs , whereby they hurt and poisoned their bodies : many women were driven to leave the cities , and beg up and down through the countrey : some through faintness fell down in the streets , and holding up their hands , cryed miserably for some scraps or fragments of bread , being ready to give up the ghost ; and being able to say no more , they cryed , hungry , hungry . some of the richer sort being tired with serving such multitudes of beggers , began to grow hard-hearted , fearing lest themselves should fall into the like misery : by reason whereof the market-places , streets , and lanes , lay full of dead corpses , and naked bodies were cast out unburied , many of which were devoured by dogs , whereupon they which lived , fell to killing of the dogs , lest running mad , they should fall upon them , and kill them . the pestilence also scattering through all houses , killed very many , especially those of the richer sort , which escaped the famine , whereby innumerable magistrates , princes and presidents were quickly dispatched , so that all places were filled with mourning , and nothing was seen or heard but weeping and wailing every where . death so reigned in every family , that two or three dead bodies were carried out of one house together . but notwithstanding that these miscreants had been so cruel to them , yet the christians were very diligent and charitable to them in all their extremities , travelling every day , some in curing the sick ; some in burying of their dead ; others called the multitude together , which were ready to famish , and distributed bread unto them , whereby they occasioned them to glorifie the god of the christians , and con●essed them to be the true worshippers of god , as appeared by their works : and hereby the lord wrought wonderfully for the peace of his church , for after he had corrected them , he again shewed th●m mercy . constantine succeeding his father , overcame maxentius the tyrant in rome , and he together with licinius set forth edicts in favour of the christians : see constantines life in my second part of lives . yet maximinus continued his persecution in the east , whereupon constantine and licinius wrote to him to favour the christians , and he finding that he was too weak to encounter with them , sent forth his edicts to stop the persecution : yet afterwards he picked new quarrels with them , and began to persecute them again : whereupon licinius went against him , and overthrew him in a battell : then did maximinus kill many of his enchanters and conjurers that had encouraged him , and promised him victory . shortly after the lord striking him with a grievous disease , he glorified the god of the christians , and made a law for the safety and preservation of them : yet not long after by the vehemency of his disease , he ended his life . licinius , that for a long time had pretended to the christian religion , and lived in great familiarity with constantine , who had given him his sister constantia to be his wife , began afterwards to discover his hypocrisie , and the wickednesse of his nature , secretly conspiring the death of constantine : but the lord discovering and preventing his conspiracies , he then fell out with him , and manifested his hatred of the christian religion , being puffed up with the victory that he had got against maximinus . he quarrelled with the christians , because as he said , they praied not for him , but for constantine : and thereupon he first banished them all from his court : then he deprived all the knights of their honourable order , except they would sacrifice to devils : then he commanded that the bishops should have no meetings to consult about their ecclesiastical affairs : nor that any christians should come to the churches , or hold any assemblies : then that men and women should not meet together to pray , that women should not hear the bishops , but chuse out women to instruct them : then that none should help or succour those that were in prison , nor should bestow any alms upon them , though they should die for hunger , and that they which shewed any compassion to those which were condemned to death , should suffer the like punishment themselves ; then he persecuted the bishops , and slew those which were the most eminent of them : the flattering officers also which were about him , thinking to please him thereby , slew many bishops without any cause : yea many of their bodies they cut into gobbets , and threw them in to the sea to feed fishes : some were banished , others had their goods confiscated ; many noblemen and gentlemen were privily made away : and licinius gave their unmarried daughters to wicked varlets to be defloured , himself also violated many women , both wives and maidens . this cruelty made many godly persons voluntarily to forsake their houses , and to live in woods , mountains , and desarts : he caused theodorus to be hanged upon a crosse , to have nails thrust into his arm-pits , and afterwards to be beheaded : divers other bishops had their hands cut off with a fearing iron . in sebastia fourty christian souldiers in the vehement cold winter were cast into an horse-pond , where they ended their lives : the wives of these fourty men were carried to heraclea , where , together with a deacon of that place , after they had suffered innumerable torments , they were slain with the sword . constantine being informed of all this wickednesse , raised an army , went against him , overcame him twice , and at last caused him to be put to death , as you may see in constantines life in my second part : whereby the church obtained a generall peace . yet in this tenth persecution many other eminent christians suffered martryrdom , besides those before-named . galerius in his time invaded antioch , intending to force all christians to renounce christ , at what time they were assembled together , whereupon one romanus ran to them , declaring that the wolves were at hand , which would devour them , yet he exhorted them not to fear by reason of the perill ; and , through gods grace , the christians were greatly encouraged by him , so that old men and matrons , fathers , mothers , young men and maidens were all of one minde , being willing to shed their bloud in defence of their profession : a band of armed men were sent against them , which were not able to wrest the staff of faith out of their hands : hereupon they sent word to their captain , that they could not inforce the christians to deny their faith , by reason of romanus who did so mightily encourage them : then did the captain command that he should be brought before him , which was done accordingly ; what ( saith the captain ) art thou the author of this sedition ? art thou the cause that so many lose there lives ? by the gods i swear thou shalt answer for them all , and shalt suffer those torments that thou encouragest them to undergo ; romanus answered , thy sentence , o emperour , i willingly embrace , i refuse not to be sacrificed for my brethren , and that by as cruel torments as thou canst invent . &c. the captain being much enraged with this his stout answer , commanded him to be trussed up , and his bowels drawn out , whereupon the executioners said , not so sir , this man is of noble parentage , and therefore he may not be put to so ignoble a death : scourge him then ( quoth the captain ) with whips with knobs of lead at the ends : but romanus sang psalms all the time of his whipping , requiring them not to favour him for nobilities sake ; not the bloud of progenitors , ( saith he ) but the christian profession makes me noble : then did he earnestly inveigh against the captain , and derided their idoll gods , &c. but this further enraged the tyrant , so that he commanded his sides to be lanced with knives , till the bones were laid open : yet still did the holy martyr preach the living god , and the lord jesus christ to him : then did the tyrant command them to strike out his teeth , that his speech might be hindered ; also his face was buffeted , his eye-lids torn with their nails , his cheeks gashed with knives , the skin of his beard pulled off by litle and little , &c. yet the meek martyr said , i thank thee o captain , that thou hast opened to me so many mouths as wounds , whereby i may preach my lord and saviour jesus christ : look how many wounds i have , so many mouths i have , lauding and praising god : the captain astonished at his constancy , bad them give over tormenting him : yet he threatned to burn him , reviled him , and blasphemed god , saying , thy crucified christ is but a yesterdaies god , the gods of the gentiles are of greatest antiquity : but romanus taking occasion from hence , declared to him the eternity of christ , &c. withall saying , give me a child of seven years old , and thou shalt hear what he will say ; hereupon a pretty boy was called out of the multitude , to whom romanus said , tell me my pretty babe , whether thou think it reason that we worship christ , and in christ one father , or else that we worship infinite gods ? the child answered , that certainly what we affirm to be god must needs be one , which with one , is one and the same ; and inasmuch as this one is christ , of necessity christ must be the true god : for that there be many gods , we children cannot beleeve : the captain amazed at this , said , thou young villain and traitor , where , and of whom learnedst thou this lesson ? of my mother , said he , with whose milk i sucked in this lesson , that i must believe in christ : the mother was called , and she gladly appeared : the tyrant commanded the child to be horsed up , and scourged : the standers by beholding this mercilesse act , could not refrain from tears ; the joyfull and glad mother alone stood by with dry cheeks , yea , she rebuked her sweet babe , for desiring a cup of cold water , charging him to thirst after the cup that the babes of bethlem once drunk of ; she willed him to remember little isaac , who willingly proferred his neck to the ●int of his fathers sword , &c. then did the cruell tormentor pull off the skin , hair and all from the crown of the childes head : the mother crying , suffer my child , anon thou shalt passe to him that will adorn thy head with a crown of eternall glory : thus the mother councelleth and encourageth , the childe is encouraged , and receiveth the stripes with a smiling countenance . the captain seeing the childe invincible , and himself vanquished , commands him to be cast into the stinking prison , whilest the torments of romanus were renewed and encreased : then was romanus brought forth again , to receive new stripes upon his old sores , the flesh being torn , and the bare bones appearing : yet the cruell tyrant raging like a mad man , quarelling with the tormentors for dealing so mildely with him , commanding them to cut , prick , and pounce him : and then he passed sentence upon him , together with the childe to be burned to death : to whom romanus said , i appeal from this unjust sentence of thine to the righteous throne of christ , that upright judge , not because i fear thy cruell torments , and mercilesse handling , but that thy judgements may be known to be cruell and bloudy . when they came to the place of execution , the tormentors required the childe of his mother , for she had carried it in her arms from the prison ; she kissing it , delivered it to them , and as the executioner was striking off his head , she said , farewell my sweet childe : all laud and praise , with heart and voice , o lord we yeeld to thee : to whome the death of all thy saints , we know most dear to be . the childes head being cut off , the mother wrapt it in her garment , laid it to her brest , and so departed . then was romanus cast into a mighty fire , which being quenched with a great storm , the tyrant commanded his tongue to be cut out , and afterwards caused him to be strangled in the prison . gordius , a centurion in caesarea , in the heat of this persecution , left his charge , living a solitary life in a wilderness for a long time : at last when a solemn feast was celebrated to mars in that city , and multitudes of people were assembled in the theatre ▪ to see the games , he came , and gat up into a conspicuous place , and with a loud voice said , behold , i am found of those which sought me not , &c. the multitude hereupon looked about to see who it was that spake this , and gordius being known , he was immediatly brought before the sheriff , and being asked who , and what he was , and why he came thither ? he told him the whole truth , professing that he believed in christ , valued not their threatnings , and chose this as a fit time to manifest his profession in : then did the sheriff call for scourges , gibbets , and all manner of torments : to whom gordius answered , that it would be a losse and damage to him , if he did not suffer divers torments and punishments for christ and his cause : the sheriff more incensed hereby , commanded all those torments to be inflicted on him : with which gordius could not be overcome , but sang , the lord is my helper , i will not fear what man can do unto me : and i will fear no evill , because thou lord art with me , &c. then did he blame the tormentors for favouring him ; provoking them to do their uttermost : then the sheriff not prevaling that way , sought by flattery to seduce him , promising him preferment , riches , treasures , honour , &c. if he would deny christ : but gordius derided his foolish madness , saying , that he looked for greater preferment in heaven , then he could give him here upon earth : then was he condemned , and had out of the city to be burnt : multitudes followed him , and some kissing him , with tears entreated him to pity himself , to whom he answered , weep not i pray you for me , but for the enemies of god , which fight against the christians ; weep i say for them which prepare a fire for us , purchasing hell-fire thereby for themselves in the day of vengeance : and cease i pray you thus to molest my quiet and setled mind : for truly for the name of christ i am ready to suffer a thousand deaths , &c. others perswaded him to deny christ with his mouth , and to keep his conscience to himself ▪ my tongue ( saith he ) which by gods goodnesse i have , cannot be brought to deny the author and giver of the same ; for with the heart we beleeve unto righteousnesse , and with the tongue we confesse unto salvation : and thus perswading and encouraging the people to be willing to die in the like cause , with an unappalled countenance , he willingly gave himself to be burnt . also menas an egyptian , and a souldier by profession , in this persecution , forsook all , and went into a desart , where he gave himself to fasting , prayer , meditation , and reading of the scriptures : at last returning into the city of cotis , when the people were at their pastimes , he with a loud voice proclaimed himself to be a christian , and thereupon was carried before the president , and being demanded of his faith , he said , convenient it is that i confesse god in whom is light , and no darknesse ; for with the heart we beleeve to righteousnesse , and with the mouth confession is made to salvation : then was he pinched and excruciated with sundry torments : but ( said he ) there is nothing in my minde that can be compared to the kingdom of heaven , neither is all the world , if it were weighed in a balance , comparable to the price of one soul ; and further said , who can separate us from the love of christ ? can tribulation , or anguish ? &c. and again , i have learned of my lord christ not to feare them that can kill the body , and have no power to kill the soul , &c. having endured manifold torments , he received the sentence of death , and at the place of execution , he said , i give thee thanks , my lord god , which hast accepted me to be a partaker of thy precious death , and hast not suffered me to be devoured of my fierce enemies , but hast made me constant in thy true faith unto the end : and so he lost hi● head , but found a crown . basil relates a story , that the emperours officer brought the edict against the christians to a place to be published , and then privily suborned some to detect and accuse the christians : then he caused the sword , gibbet , wheel , and whips to be brought forth , at the sight whereof the hearts of all the beholders did shake and tremble : some for fear fled , others stood in doubt what to do : some again for fear denied their faith , others suffered cruell torments , but at last vanquished by the intollerable pain , they made shipwrack of their consciences , and lost the glory of their confession . amongst others , fourty young gentlemen that were souldiers , freely and boldly confessed themselves to be christians , declaring to the marshall their names , who amazed at this their boldnesse , stood in doubt what to do : then he assaied with fair words and flatteries to win them , perswading them to consider their youth , and not to change a pleasant life for a painfull and untimely death , promising them honour , money , &c. but they boldly answered , that they neither desired , money , honour , nor life , but only the celestiall kingdom of christ , for the love of which they were ready to endure the wheel , crosse , fire , &c. the marshall being much offended herewith , devised a new torment ; for spying a pond in the street that did lie open to the northen winde , it being in the cold winter time , he caused them to be put into it all night ; but they being merry , comforted one another as they put off their clothes , saying , we put not off now our cloths , but our old man , corrupt with the deceit of concupiscence , for which we blesse and praise god : for by meanes of the serpent we once put on the old man , but by the means of jesus christ we now put him off : and being brought naked to the place , where they felt the vehement cold , they were put into the pond , so that all their members were stark and stiffe with it : and as soon as it was day , they hauing breath yet remaining in them , were brought to the fire , wherein they were consumed into ashes , which ashes were thrown into the floud . it happened that one of the company being more lively , and not so near death as the rest , the executioners pitied him , and delivered him to his mother who stood by , to save his life : but she led him to the piles of wood where the other starved creatures lay ready to be burnt , admonishing him to accomplish the blessed journey he had taken in hand , which accordingly he did , and was burnt with his companions . syrus a physician of alexandria , in this persecution fled into syria , where he lived a private life , unto whom one john a souldier adjoined himlelf : but not long after one athanasia with her three daughters , being virgins , were cast into prison at canope in egypt for the profession of their faith : cyrus being of their acquaintance , fearing lest through infirmity they should fall , he together with his partner john went thither to the prison to comfort and confirm them , for which he was accused to the president , who thereupon condemned them all , and so they were beheaded . sebastian also borne in france , and captain of the avaunt-guard of the emperour , encouraged many martyrs by his exhortations unto constancy , and kept them in the faith , for which being accused to the emperour , he caused him to be brought forth into the open field , where by his own souldiers he was thrust through with arrows . basil also maketh mention of one barlaam , who having endured all sorts of tortures to the point of death , was then by the tormentors laid upon the altar , and they put fire and frankincense in his right hand , hoping that the burning of the fire would have forced him to scatter the incense upon the altar , and so to have sacrificed : but his hand , enduring the fire , remained steady , the martyr in the mean time singing , blessed be the lord my god which teacheth my hands to fight , &c. ambrose mentioneth one agricola and vitalis his servant , who agreed betwixt themselves , to give their lives , with other martyrs , for the name of christ ; vitalis first offering himself to martyrdom , the persecutors laboured by all means to draw him to deny christ , but not prevailing , they exercised upon him all sorts of torments , so that he had no whole skin left on all his body : vitalis in the midst of his sufferings , having by prayer commended himself to god , gave up the ghost . then was agricola set upon by the tormentors , whose vertuous life and gentle conditions , had won him such respect , that they delayed tormenting of him , but he provoking them to make quicker speed , they fastened him to the crosse , where he finished his martyrdom . augustine writes of one vincentius a spaniard , who by dacianus the president was first laid upon the rack , till all the joints of his body crackt , then were all his members slasht and indented with deadly wounds ; then they miserably scratched all his body with iron combs , filed very sharp ; then they laid his body , being all out of joint , upon an iron grate , opened it with iron hooks , seared it with fiery plates , and then besprinkled it with hot burning salt : lastly they drew him , and cast him into a vile dungeon , the floore whereof was thick-spread with the sharpest shels , his feet were fast locked in the stocks , and so left him without all wordly comfort ; but the lord his god was with him , the holy spirit of god , whose office it is to comfort the afflicted , filled his heart with joy unspeakable ; so that he there ended his life with much comfort . also procopius in palestine , after his conversion , brake his images of gold and silver , and distributed them amongst the poor ; whereupon he had all sorts of torments inflicted on him , racking , cording , tearing of his flesh , firing , goring , stabbing , and lastly had his head cut off . george , a young man of cappadocia , stoutly inveighing against the impious idolatry of the emperor , was apprehended , torn with hooked irons , burnt with hot lime , stretched out with cords , after had his hands and feet cut off , and lastly was beheaded . hermogenes the president of athens , being converted by beholding the patience and constancy of two martyrs in their torments , suffered himself for the same faith . in portugall a noble virgin named eulalia , not much above twelve years old , had profers of great marriages made unto her , but she seeing the f●rious rage of this persecution , had a great minde to join her self to the number of the martyrs , for which end she poured out her heart in prayer to god for strength and faith to enable her thereunto : but her godly parents fearing that her ready minde to die for christs cause , might make her guilty of her own death , they kept her close at their country-house , a great way from the city ; there she lived quietly for a while ; but at last , detesting to make such dealy , she stole out of her fathers house in the night , and travelled all alone through by-waies , with much difficulty and wearinesse towards the city , whither she came in the morning , and going before the judge ▪ she with a loud voice said , i pray you , what a shame is it for you thus wickedly to kill mens souls , and to breake their bodies in pieces , to compell them to deny the omnipotent god ? would you know what i am ? i am a christian , and an enemy to your devilish sacrifices , i spurn your idols under my feet , i confesse god omnipotent with my heart and mouth , &c. go to therefore thou hangman , burne , cut and mangle these my earthly members ; thou maist easily break a brittle substance , but thou canst not hurt my inward minde by any thing thou canst doe . the judge enraged herewith , said to the hangman , take her and pull her out by the hair of her head to torments , let her feel the power of our gods , and know what we can do : but yet , o sturdy girl , i would fain have thee , before thou diest , to revoke thy wickednesse : remember the honourable house of which thou art come , and thy friends tears ; wilt thou kill thy self in the flower of thy youth , so near honourable marriages ? doth not the glistering pomp of the bride-bed move thee &c. behold here the engines prepared for thy death ; either thou shalt be beheaded with the sword , or torn with wilde beasts , or consumed with fire to ashes , &c. yet this thou maiest escape if thou wilt ; what greate matter is it for thee , with thy fingers to put a little incense into the censers ? yet thereby thou shalt be delivered . to this eulalia answered not , being in a great passion , but spit in the tyrants face , and spurned abroad the heap of inc●nse . whereupon without further delay , the hangmen with both their strengths pulled out her joints , scratched her with the talons of wilde beasts to the hard bones , she singing and praising god in the mean time ; saying , beh●ld o lord , i will not forget thee : what a pleasure is it for them , o christ , that remember thy triumphant victories , to ataine to these high dignities ! &c. yea , when as out of a warm fountain , her fair and white skin was discoloured with the purple bloud that flowed from her torn members , she wept not , but chearfully sang praises unto god ; then they gored her mangled body with the iron grate , terribly harrowed her flesh , and burned her brest with flaming torches , then setting fire to her long hair , which covered her naked body , when it came to her face , she opened her mouth , and sucked in the flame , and so peaceably slept in the lord. also agnes a young virgin being accused for a christian , was brought before the judge , who first laboured by flatteries , then by threatning her with cruell torments , to draw her to the deniall of her faith ; but she being strengthened by christ , told him that she feared not his torments , which she was willing to undergo , yea and death it self for christs sake ; then said the judge , if it be so easie with thee to undergo torments , yet i know that thou prizest thy virginity therefore it is fully determined , that except thou sacrificest to the gods , thou shalt be put into the common stews . then did many youths flock together , craving that agnes might be exposed as a prey to there filthy lusts , to whom she said , christ is not forgetfull of those that are his , neither will he leave me destitute of his help , nor suffer my unspotted chastity to be defiled by you , &c. you shall willingly bathe your swords in my blood , but you shall not defile my body with filthy lust for any thing that you can do . then the judge commanded that she should be ●et naked at the corner of a street ; whereupon the multitude sorrowed , and were ashamed to see so shamelesse a sight , turning away their face , and so departing , but one amongst the rest looking upon her in a shamelesse manner , behold a flame of fire , like a flash of lightining struck out both his eies , and he falling down wallowed in the kennell dirt , whereupon agnes sang praises unto god. then the cruel tyrant enraged hereby , commanded the executioner to draw out his sword , and dispatch her : she seeing a sturdy souldier coming towards her with a naked sword , rejoyced saying , this , o this is he that i love , i will make hast to meet him ; and no longer protract my longing desires ; i well willingly receive the length of his sword into my breast : o eternall father , vouchsafe to open the gates of heaven to my soul that seeketh thee ; and so kneeling down , and praying unto christ , the executioner with his bloudy hand , finished her hope . basil in one of his orations , relates a story of one jullitta , from whom one of the emperours officers tooke all her goods , lands and servants , contrary to all equity ; whereupon she complained to the judges , and a day of hearing was appointed , where the spoiled woman lamentably declared her cause : but the wicked villain that had robbed her , said that her action was of no force , for she was an outlaw , for not observing the emperours gods , and that she was a christian : his allegation was allowed , incense was prepared for her to offer to the gods , which if she refused , she should neither have protection nor benefit of the emperours laws , nor continue her life . she hearing this , in the mighty strength of god , said , farewell riches , welcome pouerty , farewell life , welcome death ▪ all that i have were it a thousand times more , would i lose , rather then speak one wicked word against god my creator . i yield thee most hearty thanks , o my god , for this gift of grace , that i can contemn and despise this frail and transitory world , esteeming the profession of christ above all treasures : and thenceforth when any question was proposed to her , her answer was , i am the servant of jesus christ. her kindred and friends earnestly sollicited her to change her minde , but she constantly refused , with detestation of their idolatry . then did the cruel judge condemn her to be burnt , which sentence she embraced joyfully , as a thing most sweet and delectable ; and so she addressed her self to the flames , in countenance , gesture and words , declaring the joy of her heart , coupled with singular constancy , and so embracing the fire , she sweetly slept in the lotd . barbara a noble woman in thuscia , after miserable imprisonment , sharp cords , and burning flames put to her sides , was as last beheaded , together with many others . here place the fourth figure . chap. xvii . the persecution of the christians in persia , under sapores , about the same time . the idolatrous magicians in persia , taking counsell together against the christians , accused them to sapores for keeping correspondence with , and favoring the roman emperour , which was constantine the great . the king being much moved herewith , took occasion to oppress them with taxes and tributes , to their utter undoing , and killed there ministers with the sword . then he called before him simeon their bishop , who remaining constant and valiant , he commanded him to be led forth to torment , yet did he neither shrink for fear , nor make any humble suit for pardon , which the king being offended at , required him either to worship him after the countrey manner , or else he would destroy him and all other christians in his land : but simeon , neither allured with promises , nor terrified with threatnings , could be induced to the idolatrous worship , for which cause he was sent away to prison , and as he was going , there was sitting at the court-gate an eunuch , an old tutor of the kings , named usthazares , once a christian , but now fallen from his profession , who seeing simeon led by , rose up and did him reverence ; simeon on the contrary , rebuked him , crying out against him for revolting from his profession : whereupon , the eunuch burst forth into tears , layd aside his costly apparell , and put on black mourning weeds , and sitting at the court-gate weeping , he said to himself , wo is me , with what face hereafter shall i look upon god , seeing simeon disdaineth with one gentle word to salute me ? this being carried to the kings ears , he was exceeding angry , and sending for him , he first with gentle words and large promises , spake him fair , and asked him why he mourned ? whether there was any thing in his house that was denied him ? &c. whereunto usthazares answered , that there was nothing in that earthly house that was detained from him : yea ▪ said he , o king , would god any other grief or calamity in the world had happened to me , rather then this for which i justly sorrow : for this is my grief , that i am alive this day , who should have died long since , and that i see this sun , which dissemblingly , to pleasure you , i have seemed to worship , for which i have deserved a double death : first for dissembling with you ; secondly for that thereby i have denied christ : withall vowing that he would never hereafter forsake the creator to worship the creature , &c. sapores was much astonished hereat , and doubted whether to use him gently or with rigour , but at last in his mood ; he commanded him to be beheaded : but as he was going to execution , he requested an eunuch that attended on the king , to desire him for all the old and faithfull service that he had done to his father and him , that he would cause it to be proclaimed openly at his death , that he was beheaded , not for any treachery against the king or realm , but for that he was a christian , and would not deny his god ; this the king yielded to , and so it was performed ; and this he desired , because by his former apostacy he dad discouraged many christians , and therefore he sought by his profession and example to encourage them to the like sufferings . simeon in prison hearing of his death , much rejoyced and praised god for it , and the very next day , he , with above an hundred more christians were beheaded likewise . there was present at their martyrdom one pusices an officer to the king , who beholding an aged minister to tremble when he saw the others beheaded before him , said unto him , o father ! shut thine eys for a little moment , and be strong , and shortly thou shallt see god in glory . hereupon pusices was apprehended , and carried before the king , in whose presence he made a bold confession of his faith , for which cause they made a hole in his neck , and pulled out his tongue backward , and so he was put to death , together with one of his daughters that was a virgin . the year after , when the christians were met together to celebrate the memoriall of christs passion , sapores sent forth a cruel edict , that all they should be put to death that professed the name of christ ; and this he did at the instigation of the wi●ked magicians , whereupon an innumerable company of christians , both in cities and towns were slain by the sword , some being sought for , others offering themselves willingly least they should seem to deny christ : in this persecution many of the kings own court and houshold-servants suffered martyrdom ; amongst whom was azades , an eunuch , whom the king entirely loved , insomuch as hearing that he was slain , he was so offended and grieved , that he commanded that thenceforth no more christians should be slain , but only the doctors and teachers of the church . about this time the queen fell very sick , upon which occasion the wicked jews and magicians accused two of simeons sisters , which were godly virgins , that by charms and enchantments they had procured her sickness to revenge the death of simeon : this accusation being beleived , they were both condemned , and with a saw cut in sunder by the middle , whose quarters were hung upon stakes , the queen going betwixt them , thinking thereby to be freed of her sickness . then ensued a great persecution against the bishops and ministers , who were daily dragged forth to the slaughter ; but first they cruelly scourged them , and put them to other great torments , because they would not worship the sun. miserable and almost innumerable were the slaughters under this sapores , of bishops , ministers , deacons , and other religious men and holy virgins , so that the persians themselves reckon up above sixteen thousand men and women that suffered martyrdom . the report of the miserable condition of the christians coming to the ears of constantine the great , put the good emperour into great heaviness , who studying how to relieve them , it so fell out , that about that time there came ambassadors to him to rome , from sapores , whom he entertained courteously , and granted all their requests , and then by them wrote his letters to sapores in the behalf of the christians , whereby he did something mitigate the heat of the persian persecution : yet afterwards it was renewed again : at which time suffered andas the bishop , and hormisda a noble mans son of great reputation amongst the persians , whom when the king understood to be a christian , and resolute in his profession , he condemned him to keep his elephants naked : afterwards the king looking out , and seeing him all swart , and tanned with the sun , he commanded that a shirt should be put upon him , and that he should be brought before him ; then did the king ask him if he would yet deny christ ? hormisda hearing this , tare off his shirt , and cast it from him , saying ▪ if you think that i will deny my faith for a shirt , have here your gift again . &c. whereupon he was banished the countrey . also suenes , a noble man that had under him one hundred servants , because he would not deny his christian profession , was so hated by the king , that he made the worst of his servants lord over him , and over all that he had , and coupled his wife to him , and made suenes himself to serve him . also benjamin a deacon was thrust into prison , where he was kept two years , but at the length , at the request of the roman ambassadors , he was released , yet afterwards , when contrary to the kings commandment , he preached and taught every where the gospel of christ , he was again apprehended , and miserably tormented , having twenty sharp reeds thrust under the nails of his fingers and toes , but he laughing at it , had a sharper reed thrust into his yard , with horrible pain , and lastly , and a long ragged thorny stalk thrust through his fundament into his bowels , whereof he died . these primitive persecutions are collected out of eusebius , socrates scholast . evagrius , nicepho . theod. the imperial history , and the magd. history . chap. xviii . the persecution of the church under julian the apostata , · iulian was nephew to constantius the son of constantine , and was by him made caesar , and sent against the germans , where after some smaller victories having overcome his enemies in a great and bloody battel , he was by his army made augustus , and after constantius his death , succeeded in the whole empire , both of the east and west . he was brought up in the christian religion , and was endowed with excellent parts ; but when be came to the empire , he apostatized from his former profession , and turned heathen , and became a deadly enemy to the church of christ , and a great persecutor of it . the first thing that he did , was to open the idol temples ; shut up by his predecessors , and to suffer the gentiles to commit their superstitious idolatries , and publickly to adore their idols : then his next design was to supplant the true christian religion , being induced thereto by the devil and his own wickedness : and the better to effect the same , he practised a means never before used by any , which was to shew himself pitifull , and not cruel ; perceiving that by means of the torments inflicted on the martyrs , the holy christian faith was greatly increased ; and therefore he took a contrary course , and sought by gifts , favours , flatteries , and by bestowing offices and dignities , to draw them to renounce the christian faith , and to sacrifice to false gods , and by this means there were not a few , who being covetous and ambitious , desiring to be rich and honoured , fell from their christian profession . then did he make laws and general decrees , that no christian should be master of any arts or sciences , neither should study in any schools , that so through the desire of learning they might turn idolaters , or else they should remain ignorant and illiterate , and so be insufficient to preach the christian faith . he also ordained that no christian should have any charge , or hold any office of justice , neither should be a captain in the wars , nor enjoy any other dignity . thus he used all the inventions that possibly he could devise , to make war against jesus christ , without shedding any christian blood , that so he might take the crown from the holy martyrs , which they formerly obtained by the persecution of the sword : and indeed this was the greatest and most dangerous persecution that ever the church endured . amongst other of his subtill devises to bring christianity into contempt , this was one ; he entertained about him many witty , but wicked persons , who made it their business to scoff at , and deride the christians with all manner of base jears ; and those which excelled most in this wicked practise ▪ he most loved and honoured , advancing them to offices , both in his court and army . during his short reign , though himself put none to death , as is before specified ; yet the heathen idolaters , in sundry places , proceeded far otherwise ; especially in palestine , where they burnt many christians alive , others they stripped naked , and tying cords to their feet , dragged them up and down the paved streets , till their flesh was torn from their bones ; upon others they poured scalding water : some they stoned , or beat out their brains with clubs : and having thus murthered them , they burnt their bodies , and then took their bones , and mingled them with the bones of camels and asses , that they might not be known for mens bones . the christians in alexandria were most cruelly used by the ethnicks , or pagans : some were slain with the sword , some were fastned to the cross , some brained , some stoned ; and such was their rage against christianity , that one brother spared not another , nor parents their children , nor children their parents . emilianus was burned in thracia . domitius was slain in his cave . theodorus for singing a psalm at the removing of the body of babilas , being apprehended , was examined with exquisite torments , and so cruelly excruciated from morning till almost noon , that hardly he escaped with life , and being afterwards asked by his friends how he could endure such extream torments , he said , that at first he felt some pain , but afterwards there stood by him a young man , who as he was sweating with the pain , wiped away his sweat , and oft-times so refreshed him with cold water , wherewith he was so delighted , that when he was let down from the engine , it grieved him more then before . artemius also , a captain of the egyptian souldiers , was beheaded for his religion , though other causes were pretended . two christian brethren were dragged through the streets , and murthered by the idolatrous people of gaza . but the cruelty of the wicked arethusians exceeded against the christian ministers and virgins , whom they set forth naked before the multitude to be scorned by them . then did they cover them with hogs-meat , and ripping up their bellies , put barly into them , and so caused their bowels and flesh to be devoured by their hungry swine . their cruelty most raged against marcus arethusius , the christian bishop of that city , who formerly , by the command of constantine , had pulled down their idol-temple , and set up a church for the christians in the room thereof ; the arethusians knowing how julian hated him , accused him as a traitor and enemy to the emperour : whereupon at first he prepared himself to fly , but when he perceived that some of his friends were apprehended in his stead , he returned , and of his own accord offered himself to those that thirsted for his blood : whom when they had gotten , neither pitying his old age , nor reverencing his holy and blameless conversation , they stript him naked , and pitifully beat him ; then they cast him into a foul , filthy sink : then they caused boies to thrust him in with sharp sticks to augment his pain : lastly , they put him into a basket ▪ anointed him with hony and broth , and so hung him abroad in the heat of the sun , to be meat for wasps and flies to feed upon ; and this they did to enforce him , either to build up their idol-temple again , or to give them money to pay for the doing of it , but he stoutly refusing both ; they profered to forgive one half , if he would pay the other ; which he still refusing , and contemning all their torments , they at last demanded of him but a small sum of money , but he answered , it is as great wickedness to confer one half-penny in case of impiety , as if a man should give the whole . whereupon , despairing to prevail , they left him , and went their ways . also cyrillus , a deacon in hieropolis , who in constantines time had broken in pieces the images of the gentiles , they took him , ript up his belly , drew the liver out of his body , which with barbarous inhumanity they chawed with their teeth : but the lord suffered not this brutishness to go unpunished , for their teeth shortly after fell out of their jaw-bones , and their tongues rotted in their mouths , and they fell stark blind . julian when he came to constantinople , offered sacrifice in the cathedral church to the goddess fortune ; about which time maris , bishop of chalcedon in bythinia , being blind , caused himself to be led to the emperour , whom he rebuked sharply , calling him an impious person , an apostate , and an atheist ; he on the contrary called the bishop , blind fool , saying further , thy god of galilee will not restore thee thy sight again ! maris replied , i thank god which made me blind , lest that ever i should set mine eies upon so ungracious a face as thine is . in the market-places of the cities , julian set up his own image , amongst the images of the heathen gods , to the end that whosoever should do civil reverence to his image , might also seem to worship the gods of the gentiles ; and that they who would not bow to the idols , might seem to refuse due reverence to the emperour . when he distributed gold to his captains and souldiers , he erected an altar near to his throne , with coals burning upon it , and incense on a table by , & none might receive the gold before he had cast incense on the coals upon the altar , by which subtilty he circumvented many , who discerned not his purpose to intangle them with the rites of idolatrous services . all about antioch he dedicated all the fountains to the goddesses of the gentiles , and caused all the victuals that were sold in the market to be sprinkled with heathenish holy water : yet did the christians without scruple drink of the water , and eat of the meat according to that rule , whatsoever is sold in the shambles , that eat , and ask no question for conscience sake , &c. juventius and maxentius , two brave captains , used much boldness and liberty in reproving him for his heathenish superstition , which so enraged him , that he caused them to be put to death . in caesarea , the inhabitants being most christians , had formerly overthrown the temples of jupiter and apollo ; and now in julians time , they overthrew the temple of fortune , which so enraged him , that he disfranchised them , exacted of them three hundred pounds weight of gold , and compelled their clergy to serve in war-fare , threatning further to put to death all the inhabitants thereof at his return , but it pleased god that his own death prevented it . about this time , julian going to enquire of the oracle of apollo at delphos , there came down fire from heaven , and destroyed the temple , and beat the image of apollo in pieces , like to the smallest powder or dust . when he came to antioch , there was a noble woman , called publia , who had the education and government of divers young virgins , these she caused , as julian passed by her house , to sing with a loud voice , the idols of the heathen are silver and gold , the works of mens hands , &c. this so angred the emperour , that he sent them a command to sing no more as he went that way ; but publia was so far from fearing him , that the next time he came , she made them sing the same verse , and to add to it , let god arise , and his enemies shall be scattered , &c. this so incensed julian , that he sent for her to him , scoffed at her , and caused her to be clapt on the cheeks in a disgracefull manner ; but she looked upon it as a great honour thus to suffer reproach for christs sake ; and coming home , she caused her maids still to sing psalms of the emperours fury and madness . afterwards the emperour intending to war against the persians , set a great fine upon every ones head that would not sacrifice to the idols , whereby he much enriched himself by the spoil of the christians . then were false accusations forged against athanasius , so that he was forced to flie ; yet he thus comforted himself and friends , nubecula est , cito pertransibit , this persecution is but a little cloud , and will soon pass away . in his flight , he took a ship upon the river nilus to fly to thebais , but julian sent an earl after him , to bring him back again , who pursuing him with sails and ores , had almost overtaken his ship , whereupon the marriners would have run her ashore , and fled into a wilderness that was hard by , to whom athanasius said , quid turbamini filii ? quin in occursum eamus persecutori nostro , ut intelligat , quia longe major est qui nos defendit , quam qui persequitur : my sons , why are you thus affrighted ? let us rather turn and meet our pursuer , that he may know , that he is greater which defends us , then he that follows to apprehend us . hereupon the marriners turned back again , and the earl supposing nothing less then that athanasius was in the ship that came towards him , he only called to them , and enquired whether they had not heard of athanasius ? they answered , that they had seen athanasius a little before ; whereupon he hastned forward to overtake him , and athanasius in his ship returned back privately into alexandria , where he lay hid till that persecution was over . julians officers in exacting the fines of the christians , demanded more then they were assessed at , and sometimes tormented their bodies also , of which wrongs when they complained to the emperour ▪ he scoffingly answered them , it s your part , when you are injured , to take it patiently , for so your god commandeth you . at meris in phrygia , the governor commanded the idol-temple to be set open and cleansed , and began himself to worship the idols : whereupon some christians , inflamed with zeal , in the night time , brake into the temple , threw down the idols , and stamped them to powder . the governour being wonderfully incensed herewith , purposed to execute some christian citizens which were innocent and guiltless ; whereupon the authors of their own accord , presented themselves before him , chusing rather to die for the truth , then that others should suffer for their sakes ; thereupon the governor commanded them to sacrifice to the idols , or else he would severely punish them ; but they , setting at nought his threats , prepared themselves to suffer what he could inflict ; then did he assay them with all kinds of torments , and at last laid them on the grid-iron , and broiled them to death , to whom they said , if thou long , o tyrant , for broiled meat , turn up the other side , lest in eating , the blood run about thy teeth . when julian went against the persians , of very malice and hatred against the christians , whom scornfully he called galilaeans , he made a vow , that if he obtained the victory , he would sacrifice to his gods the blood of those christians which would not sacrifice to the idols : but what the issue of that exepdition was , see in my second part , in the life of jovianus . collected out of the imperial history , and socrates scholasticus , theodor. and the magd. hist. cent. . chap. xix . the persecution of the church under the arrian hereticks , which began , an. christi , . constantine the great , dying , divided his empire amongst his three sons , constantius , constans and constantine . constantius that governed the east , was seduced by an arrian presbyter , who had been in his fathers court , with his aunt constantia ; so pernicious a thing it is to have deceitfull hereticks lurking in princes courts , and ladies chambers . this presbyter complained to constantius that the return of athanasius from banishment was very dangerous to the peace of the common-wealth : yea , he so far incensed the emperour against him , that he sent a captain with five thousand armed men to slay him ; but the lord delivered him miraculously out of their hands , for the armed souldiers being placed round about the church where he was , he went safely through the midst of them undiscerned , though many arrians were present on purpose to point him out to the souldiers , as a sheep ordained for the slaughter . but neither in banishment could he enjoy peace and safety , for this arrian emperour sent to all the officers in his army to search him out , wheresoever he was , proposing a great reward to those that could bring athanasius to him , either alive or dead ; whereupon he was forced to hide himself in a deep pit , where he lay six years never so much as seeing the light of the sun , till at last a maid that used to carry him his food , was corrupted by those which sought for him , to betray him to them ; but it pleased god by his spirit to reveal to him his danger , whereby he escaped a little before they came to apprehend him . afterwards constans forced his brother constantius , though much against his will , to restore athanasius to his church at alexandria : but after the death of that good emperour constans , constantius drave him into banishment again ; yet the lord stirred up a godly woman to hide him in her house , till the death of constantius . in alexandria in the room of athanasius , was george an arrian bishop placed , who also was furnished with armed souldiers to assist him in his devillish devices . thereupon he caused a great fire to be made , took many christian virgins , caused them to be stripped naked , requiring them to renounce their faith , or else they should be burned : but when the sight of the fire could not terrifie them , he caused their faces to be so dashed with strokes , that their countenances were disfigured ; yet like patient souldiers of christ they endured all kind of rebuke for his names sake . thirty bishops , of egypt and lybia , were slain in the fury of this arrian persecution . fourteen bishops were banished , whereof some of them died in the way , the rest in exile . forty orthodox christians in alexandria were scourged with rods , because they would not communicate with the arrian bishop george , and so pitiously handled , that some pieces of the rods were so deeply fixed in their flesh , that they could not be drawn out , and many through excessive pain of their wounded bodies , died . the like cruelty did the arrians exercise in constantinople . paul the good bishop was banished to cucusus , where he was strangled by the arrians . macedonius a notable heretick was placed in his room , who used no less cruelty in forcing men to communicate with him , then was used formerly to force them to sacrifice to idols . these hereticks used also great diligence in procuring councels to establish their errors . but not long after the emperor died , sorrowing much that he had changed the form of the nicene faith . after the death of jovian , valentinian succeeded in the empire , who associated to himself his brother valens , and made him emperor of the east . this valens was an arrian , and raised up a cruel persecution against the orthodox : concerning which greg. nazianzen in his oration of the praise of basil , thus writeth , insurrexit repente nebula grandine plena , & perniciose stridens , quae omnes ecclesias in quas incidit , cont●ivit , & postravit , christi cultor , pariter & os●r , qui post persecutorem persecutor fuit , & post apostatam , non quidem apostata , sed nihilo tamen meliorem se christianis praebens : christi nomen prae se ferens , christum mentiebatur . miletius bishop of antioch he banished to armenia . eusebius bishop of samosata , to thrace . pelagius bishop of laodicea , to arabia . he was exceedingly filled with wrath against the bishops assembled in the counsel of lampsacum , because they adhered to the nicene faith . in constantinople he banished all the orthodox . in edissa , he commanded them all to be slain as they were assembled together in the church . the lieutenant that had received this charge from him , being more mercifull then his master , gave private notice to the christians , that they should not assemble at that time ; but they , neither regarding his advice , nor fearing his threats , flocked to the church in great companies : and whilst the lieutenant , with many armed souldiers , hasted thitherward to fulfill the emperors command , a woman leading a child in her hand , all in haste , brake the ranks , and thrust into the armed troops ; the lieutenant being moved therewith , called the woman before him , saying , thou fond and unfortunate woman , whither runnest thou so rashly ? thither ( said she ) whither others hasten ; hast thou not heard ( said he ) that the lieutenant will slay as many as he finds there ? i heard it ( said she ) and therefore i make the more haste to the place . but whether ( said he ) leadest thou this child ? that he also ( said she ) may be accounted in the number of martyrs . hereupon the lieutenant returned back to the emperor , and told him that all the christians from the highest to the lowest prepared themselves to die in the defence of their faith , and withal he shewed him what a rash thing it was to murder so great a multitude , &c. and so with his reasons perswaded the emperour , that he appeased his wrath , and prevented the mischief at that time . in constantinople the arrians , favoured by the emperor , crowed insolently over the christians , they scourged , reviled , imprisoned , amerced , and laid upon them all the intollerable burthens they could devise . hereupon eighty godly ministers , in the name of all the rest , addressed themselves to the emperour , complaning of the out-rages that were done to them , craving some relief : but this cruel tyrant commanded modestus the general of his army , to embark them all in a ship , as if he would have sent them into banishment , but secretly he gave direction to the marriners , to set the ship on fire , and to retire themselves into a boat , and so these holy martyrs glorified the name of christ , by patient suffering of a double death , burning and drowning . in all the eastern parts he tormented many with sundry sorts of grievous torments , put many to death , drowned many in the sea , and in rivers . about this time he consulted with necromancers , to know who should succeed him in the empire : the devil answered ambiguously , that his name should begin with th. whereupon he put to death as many as were called theodorus , theodotus , theadosius or theodulus . athanasius being dead at alexandria , there succeeded him a godly and holy man , named peter , but the emperour presently sent souldiers , which clapt him in prison , and the rest of the ministers were banished , some to one place , some to another . after this he sent forth an edict for the persecuting of all the orthodox in egypt : whereupon many were stript of their raiment , scourged , fettered in prisons , crushed in pieces with stones , beheaded , driven into deserts , where they wandred in sheeps-skins and goats-skins , destitute of aid and succour ; many hid themselves in mountains , in dens , caves and hollow rocks . terentins and trajan , two worthy captains , used some liberty in admonishing the emperour to abstain from persecuting of the innocent ; but the lord was minded to destroy him , and therefore he could receive no wholesome admonition ; for many of the goths , whom he entertained as souldiers to assist him against his enemies , turned against himself , so that he fled , and was overtaken in a village , which the goths set on fire , whereby he died miserably , leaving none to succeed him , and his name a curse and execration to all ages . collected out of magd. hist. socrates and theod. the persecution by the donatists . about the year of our lord . there sprang up in africk the donatists and circumcellions , who first made a great schism in the church , and afterwards raised up a great persecution against the orthodox : concerning which , st austine complains in sundry places ; and in his . epistle to earl boniface , he thus writes of it , in hoc labore multi catholici , & maxime episcopi , & clerici horrenda & dura perpessi sunt , quae commemorare longum e●t , &c. in this disturbance , the orthodox , especially the bishops and ministers , suffered hard and horrible things , the particulars whereof are long to recite ; for some of them had their eies put out : some bishops had their hands and tongues cut off , and some were slain out-right . to speak nothing of the cruel slaughter of others that were sound and sincere : of the plundering of their houses , of the out-ragious burning , not only of their private habitations , but of their churches also ; yea , so vile and violent were they , that they sticked not to burn the sacred scriptures . optatus in his second book tells us , that when julian the apostate came to the empire , the donatists preferred a petition to him , wherein they desired leave to return to their places in africk , from whence formerly they had been banished . julian knowing what furious and turbulent spirits they were of , and how prejudicial their return would be to the catholick church , easily assented to their petition , and so they returned full fraught with malice and revenge , and presently imployed all their abilities , partly by subtilty to seduce the common people , partly by violence to oppress the orthodox bishops and ministers , of whom , some they thrust out of their churches , others they slew . some of their chief bishops , taking armed souldiers with them , went to the castle of lemella , where finding the church shut against them , they commanded their attendance to get upon it , to uncover the roof , and so having broken into it , they set upon some deacons , whom they found there , wounded some , and slew two of them outright . in all places where they came , they profaned all holy things ; the sacramentall bread they threw to their dogs ; but behold the just judgement of god against these profane schismaticks ; those very dogs shortly after running mad , fell upon their own masters , and tore them in pieces . virgins they defloured , and wives they defiled . so usual a thing it is for those which adulterate the holy truths of god , to be given over to corporal uncleanness . these furious persons dispersed themselves all over africk , and would not suffer the orthodox to preach the truth against their errors : by their violent assaults , thieveries , rapines , burnings and murthers , they destroyed many , and afrighted all , &c. chap. xx. the persecution of the church in africk , by the arrian vandals , which began anno christi , . the cruel vandals , passing out of spain into africk , under genserick their captain , finding the province peaceable and quiet , set upon the flourishingest part of the land , wasting and destroying all before them with fire and sword , not sparing so much as the shrubs and bushes which bare fruit , lest they should minister relief to those poor christians which hid themselves in dens , in mountains , and steep cliffs : but especially they raged against the churches and temples of the saints , burning all them to the ground , and where they found any of them shut they brake them open with their maces . the bishops and ministers they destroyed especially , with many kinds of torments , seeking by tortures to force them to deliver up whatsoever gold and silver they had of their own , or belonging to the church ; and where they gat any , they still tormented them afresh , to inforce them to confess more . the mouths of some they wrested open with iron , thrusting into them stinking mire and dirt : some they tormented by wresting their fore-heads and legs with bow-strings , till they crackt again ; into the mouths of others they poured sea-water , vinegar , with the dreg● of oyl and grease ; and neither weakness of sex , nor respect of nobility , nor reverence of their ministry , mitigated their cruel minds ; yea , their fury most abounded where there appeared any dignity or worthiness . many of the ministers and nobles they loaded with mighty burthens , as if they had been camels or horses , and made them carry them after them ; and if they went slowly , they hasted them with iron pricks and goads , so that some of them under their burthens , gave up the ghost . reverend gray hairs found no priviledge of mercy ; guiltless infants felt their barbarous rage , whom they dashed against the ground , violently pulling little ones from their mothers breasts to brain them ; of others , by wide stretching of their tender legs , they tore them in pieces , from the fundament ; the stately buildings they burnt down , and levelled with the earth : the chief churches in carthage they imployed to their own heretical worship . where any strong castles were held against them , they brought multitudes of christians , slew them , and left their bodies lying about the castles , that by the stench thereof they might force them to surrender . who can express the number of ministers that were by them tortured ! pampinian the bishop of mansuetus was tortured with burning plates of iron all over his body . the bishop of urice was burnt to death . then did they also besiege the city of hippo , where st. augustine was , who before that time had compiled two hundred thirty two books , epistles innumerable besides his expositions on the psalms and gospels , and his homilies to the people . see more of this in my first part of lives in the life of st. austine . when they had taken the regal city of carthage , they enslaved the citizens and senators , publishing a decree that they should presently bring forth whatsoever gold , silver , precious stones , or rich apparel they possessed , and thereby dispoiled them of all in one day ; then did they take the bishop and all the ministers of that city , and thrust them naked into weather broken-ships , and so banished them , whom yet the lord of his great mercy directed , and brought in safety to the city of naples . the senators and nobles they first banished from the city ▪ and then drave them beyond-sea . the dead bodies of the christians they would not suffer to be buried but in the night , and without any solemnity . the bishops and ministers through all the province , being dispoiled of all their substance , and turned out of their churches , assembled together , and presented a petition to genserick , that they might , at least in private , be suffered to instruct their people to whom he proudly answered , i have decreed that none of your profession shall remain in the countrey , how then dare you prefer such a request ? and withal , he would at that instant have drowned them all in the sea , but that the importunity of some about him , stopt him . there was also a noble earl , called sebastian , a man of great wisdom and courage , whom genserick much feared , and therefore sought occasion to put him to death : which that he might the better effect , he moved him to be re-baptized by one of his priests , and to turn arrian : the earl therefore requested him to call for a fine manchet , which being done , he said , this loaf , that it might be fine and white , hath been boulted from the bran , moistened with liquor , and baked : but if you now cause it to be broken in pieces , steeped in water , kneaded and baked again , if it come out better , i will do as you would have me . genserick understanding his meaning , could not tell what to answer for the present , yet afterwards he caused him to be put to death . if any minister in his sermon occasionally did but mention pharaoh , nebuchadrezzer , herod , &c , presently it was laid to his charge that he meant it by the king , and thereupon he was banished . yet notwithstanding all this cruelty , the people of god stood fast in their holy profession , and rather increased then otherwise . afterwards at the request of valentinian the emperour , genserick suffered the orthodox in carthage to choose them a bishop , which they did ; and not long after genserick with his vandals took the famous city of rome , carrying away with him , not only all the treasure that of a long time had been stored up there , but many of the people also ; who , when they were brought into africk , were shared between the vandals and the moors , so that husbands were separated from their wives , parents from their children ; which this godly bishop hearing of , he caused all the gold and silver vessels belonging to the church , to be sold for their redemption , that so married persons , and parents , and children might enjoy the comfort of their relations : then also did he provide food and lodging for them , and night and day went amongst them himself , to see how they did , to minister to their wants , and comfort them ; but this procured him such hatred amongst the arrians , that they sought to slay him ; but the lord about this time took him to himself , whereby he escaped their malice . one of the gensericks colonels , having some christian slaves , and a beautifull and a godly virgin amongst them , he took occasion to vex them with fetters and torments , thereby to force them to re-baptization , which they constantly refusing , he caused them to be stripped , and beaten with ragged cudgels till their flesh was torn in pieces , &c. at last they were banished to capsur , an heathen kingdom of the moors , where it pleased god so to bless their labours , that many of them were converted , and sending for an orthodox minister , were baptized . this coming to gensericks ears , he commanded these servants of god to be drawn at a chariots tail thorow thickets of thorns , till they were torn in pieces , and these newly converted moors , he caused their naked bodies to be haled backwards and forwards , thorow bushes and brambles , and others of them to be tied to wild beasts , and so to be rent in sunder ; the poor christians saying thus each to other , o brother pray for me , god hath fulfilled our desire , o this is the way to the kingdom of heaven . genserick further raging against the orthodox , sent one proculus into the zeugian province , to dispoil all the churches of their ornaments , and the ministers of their books , that thereby they might be disabled to holy services ; which command was executed with all rigour : and whereas the bishop of habensa refused to deliver them up , he was expelled the city , and all men at great penalty were forbidden to harbour him , so that , being above eighty years old , he lay naked for a long time , under the open skie . about easter , when the christians were met together in a church , to celebrate the remembrance of christs resurrection , the arrians with a great power of armed men , set upon this innocent company , who with their naked swords slew many : the minister that was preaching , they shot through the throat with an arrow : and such of them as escaped death , were by the command of the king , executed by sundry kinds of torments . in other places , when the christians were administring the sacrament , the hereticks rushed in amongst them , taking the bread and wine , and trampling them under their profane feet . then did genserick command , that none but arrians should bear any office , either about himself or his children : and a bishop called armogastes , they took , and first nipped his fore-head and legs with bow-strings ; then did they hang him up by one foot , with his head downward , yet did he seem to all men as if he slept in a feather-bed , which so enraged theoderick the kings son , that he commanded him to be beheaded , but some about him disswaded him from it , because said they , he will be accounted a martyr . then was he banished to dig in mynes ; yet afterwards he was sent for again , and made a cow-heard near to carthage , that he might be a continual object of scorn . there was also one saturus , a noble man , eminent for holiness , whom the tyrant much laboured to draw to the arrian profession , but he refusing , the king told him , that if he presently consented not , he should forfeit his house and goods , that his children and slaves should be sould , and his wife should be given to the camel-driver : yet no menaces could shake his faith . his wife hearing of her doom , went to her husband as he was praying , with her garments rent , her hair disheveled , her children at her heels , and a sucking infant in her hands , whom she cast at her husbands feet , and took him about the knees , saying , have compassion ( o my sweetest ) of me thy poor wife ; and of these thy children ; look upon them , let them not be made slaves ; let not me be yoaked to a base marriage , &c. that which thou art required to do , thou dost it not willingly , but by constraint , and therefore it will not be laid to thy charge : he gave her an answer in the words of job , thou speakest like a foolish woman : thou actest the devils part ; if thou lovest thy husband , thou wouldst never seek to draw him to sin , which will procure the second death . i am resolved therefore as my lord commands me , to forsake wife , children , lands , house , &c. that i may be his disciple ; and accordingly he was dispoiled of all , and turned out a begging , yet all were forbidden to harbour him . genserick having reigned thirty seven years and three moneths , died . genserick being dead , his son hunrick succeeded him , who at first was more moderate to the christians , insomuch as they began to hold their meetings as before time . the manichaean hereticks he sought out , and though most of them were of his own religion , yet he burnt some , and banished others . at the request of the emperour zeno and placidia his wife , he suffered the church of carthage to chuse their own bishop , having been destitute of one for twenty four years . then they chose eugenius , an humble , holy and charitable man , whose fame increasing , the arrian bishops much envied him , and put into the kings head to forbid him to preach , and not to suffer any to enter into the church , that were attired after the manner of the vandals ; to which command eugenius thus answered , the house of god is free for all : those which enter , no man may drive forth . the king being incensed with this answer , placed tortures at the church door , who when they espied any man or woman in a vandals habit , about to go into the church , clapping flesh-hooks on their heads , and twisting them in their hair , with a strong twitch they pulled off hair , scalp and all , whereby some lost their eies , and some their lives . the women , besides these torments , they carried thorow the streets , to be made a publick laughing-stock , yet could they not force them to altar their religion . then did hunrick ordain , that none of his countries which dissented from his religion , should receive their ordinary pensions and salaries . then did he send many of them who had been delicately brought up , to utica , in the parching heat of the sun , to dig the land for corn ; yet they went cheerfully , and comforted themselves in the lord. then did he command that no man should be a knight , or bear any publick office except he turned arrian : whereupon very many with invincible courage , forsook their honours and offices , rather then their faith . many virgins he caused to be proved by the midwives in a most shamefull manner ; hanging them up from the ground with mighty weights at their feet , and putting to their sides ; breasts , back and bellies , red hot plates of iron , to compell them to confess that their bishops and ministers lay with them , that so he might from thence have an occasion to persecute them . many of these died under the pain , and others remained lame and crooked all their lives after , yet would they not confess any such thing . then did he banish into the wilderness , of bishops , ministers , deacons , and other members of christ , four thousand nine hundred seventy six ; some of them being lame with the gout , others blind with age : amongst whom also was foelix bishop of abiris , possessed with a dead palsie , and therefore unable , either to go or ride ; which the cruel king being informed of , and requested that he might be suffered to stay ; he answered , if he be not able to ride , let wild bulls be coupled to drag him to the place appointed : so that they were fain to carry him on a mules back across , as if he had been a sack . then were all these holy confessors , brought to the city of sicca , where the moors were to receive them , and transport them thence to the wilderness . thither came two arrian earls , and with great subtilty sought to withdraw them from their stedfastness , saying , what mean you to be so obstinate , as not to obey the kings laws , whereas by complying with him , you may be preferred to honour ? then did they all cry out , we be christians , we be catholicks , we believe , and confess the trinity in unity . hereupon were they shut up in a grievous prison . many mothers also voluntarily followed their little children , much rejoycing that they had born martyrs : others sought to draw them to rebaptization by the hereticks but , through gods grace , they could not prevail . as they passed on the way travelling more by night then by day , because of the excessive heat , a woman hasted after them , leading in her hand a little child , encouraging him , saying , run sirra , seest thou all the saints how merrily they go forwards , and hasten to their crown ? one of the company rebuked her , and asked her whether she went ? to whom she answered , pray for me , i go with this little boy , my nephew , to the place of banishment ▪ least the enemies finding him alone , should seduce him from the way of truth into the way of error . the enemies being more enraged because of their constancy , when they came to their lodgings , penned them up in narrow places . then was denied to them all the comfort of access of their friends , for permitting whereof formerly , their keepers had been beaten with staves . these blessed saints were tumbled one upon another , as grains of corn , neither could they have means of stepping aside to ease nature , so that the stink of their excrements exceeded their other pain . then were they brought forth , their garments , heads and faces besmeared with dirt in a pitifull manner , and by the clamorous moors they were hastened forward in their journey ; yet they went singing with great joy unto the lord , loe , this honour have all his saints . then came to them the blessed bishop cyprian , who to their singular consolation , comforted every one of them with fatherly affection , and with streams of tears was ready to lay down his life for the brethren , and would fain have accompanied them , if he might have been suffered : he bestowed all that he had amongst them , for which he afterwards suffered imprisonment and much hard-ship , and at last had his hearts desire in being banished . there came great multitudes from sundry countries and cities , to behold these servants of god , and many casting their children at their feet ; cryed thus , to whom will you leave us wretches whilest you go forward to your crown ? who shall baptize our infants ? instruct and administer the sacraments to us ? our hearts serve us well to go with you if we might . but now none were suffered any more to go with them for their comfort , but they were pressed forwards , and made to run . when any of the aged , or tender children fainted , they were first punched forwards with staves : then were the moors commanded to tie ropes to the feet of such as were unable to go , and to hail them thorow the rough places , so that first their garments were rent , then their flesh , and their heads were dashed against the sharp edges of rocks , whereby very many of them died . the rest that were stronger came at last to the wilderness , where , like beasts , they had barly given them for their food ; there were also abundance of venemous serpents and scorpions in that place , whose sting was deadly , yet , thorow gods great providence , none of these servants of christ gat any hurt thereby . hunrick in the seventh year of his reign , directed his mandate to eugenius bishop of carthage , and told all other bishops in africk , that they should by such a day meet at carthage to defend by disputation their faith against the arrian bishops ; but withal , by the tenour of the decree , they perceived that he would not suffer any of them to live within his dominions , which caused great heaviness amongst them . eugenius returned answer , that since it was the common cause of all the christian churches , it was but equal that bishops out of other countries should be requested to be there present also ; and this he did , not because they suspected their own abilities to defend the truth , but because he knew that strangers might use more liberty of speech then they could , and that other bishops might be witnesses of their sufferings , but this request did but more enrage this unreasonable tyrant . the appointed day approaching , many bishops resorted to carthage , worn out with afflictions and sorrows , yet for many days after their coming , there was no mention of disputing , till in the mean time the king had singled out the learnedest and skilfullest of them , that by sundry calumniations he might make them away : amongst whom was laetus , a stout and learned man , whom he first imprisoned , and then burnt him in the fire , that so he might strike a fear into the rest . at last the disputation began , and the orthodox , to avoid tumult , chose out some to answer for all the rest . the arrians placed themselves upon lofty thrones , whilest the orthodox stood below upon their feet ; whereupon they said , conference is to be taken in hand , not where proud superiority of power bears sway , but where , by common consent , the disputants upon equal tearms debate the controversies , that truth may come to light , &c. then were all the catholicks commanded to have an hundred stroaks a piece with a cudgel , given them for this speech : whereupon eugenius said , the lord from heaven behold the violence which we suffer , and consider the tribulation which we sustain from our persecutors . then did the orthodox bishops desire the arrians to propound what they intended ; but the arrian bishops seeing them ready to dispute with them , sought out tergiversations , and declined the dispute . hereupon the orthodox drew forth a declaration of their faith , excellently well penned , and exhibited it with this protestation , if you be desirous to know our belief , the faith which we hold is herein comprised . the arrians stormed exceedingly at this , giving them outragious language , and presently by false calumnies they accused them to the king , and so incensed him , that by an edict in one day he caused all the christians churches through africk to be shut up , giving to the arrians all the goods and churches of the orthodox . then did he command that all those godly bishops that were met together at carthage , should be spoiled of all that they had in their lodgings , and so driven out of the city-gates ; having neither servant , nor beast , nor garment to s●ift them in , left unto them ; and all men were forbidden either to harbour them , or give them any sustenance , the king threatning to burn him and all his family that should relieve them . the bishops being thus turned out , lay in the open fields round about the wals : and when the tyrant went forth to the fish-ponds , they met him , saying , why are we so afflicted ? what evil have we done ? if we be called to dispute , why are we spoiled of all we have ? why are we slandred ? why are we forced to remain here amongst the dung-hills , afflicted with hunger and nakedness , far from our churches and houses ? herewith the tyrant was so enraged , that he commanded his horsemen to ride over them , whereby many of them were sore bruised and wounded , especially the aged and weak men : then did he command them to meet him at the temple of memory : and when they came thither , they had this writing delivered to them ; our lord king hunrick , lamenting your obstinacy in refusing to obey his will , and to embrace his religion , yet intends to deal graciously with you , and if you will take this oath , he will send you back to your churches and houses : then they all said with one consent , we are all christians , and bishops , and hold the apostolical and only true faith ; and thereupon they made a brief confession of their faith ; but the kings commissioners urged them without any further delay to take the oath contained in that paper ; whereupon they answered , do you think us bruit beasts , that we should so easily swear to a writing , wherein we know not what is contained ? then was the oath read unto them , which was this , you shall swear that after the death of the lord our king , his son hilderick shall succeed him in the kingdom , and that none of you shall send letters beyond the seas . if you take this oath , he will restore you to your churches . they that were plain-meaning men amongst them , were willing to take it ; but others that saw further into the subtilty of it , refused it . then were those which would take it , commanded to separate themselves from the other , which being done , a notary presently took their names , and of what cities they were : he did the like also by the refusers ; and so both parties were committed to ward , and shortly after the king sent them word ; first to those that would have taken the oath : because that you , contrary to the rule of the gospel , which saith , thou shalt not swear at all , would have sworn : the kings will is , that you shall never see your churches more , but shall be banished into the wilderness , and never perform any ministerial office again ; and there you shall till the ground : but to the refusers of the oath , he said , because you desire not the reign of our lords son , you shall therefore be immediately sent away to the isle of corse , there to hew timber for the ships . he also sent abroad through all africk , his cruel tormentors : so that no place , no house remained free from lamentation , screeching and out-cryes . they spared neither age nor sex , but only such as yielded to their will. some they cudgelled with staves ; some they hung up , others they burned . women , and especially gentlewomen , they openly tortured stark naked without all shame : amongst whom was dionysia , whom when they saw bolder , and more beautifull then the rest , they first commanded her to be stript naked , and made ready for the cudgels , who spake boldly to them , saying , i am assured of the love of my god , v●x me how you will , only my woman-hood disclose you not ; but they , with greater rage , set her naked upon an high place for a publick spectacle : then did they whip her till the streams of blood flowed all over her body : whereupon she boldly said , ye ministers of satan , that which you do for my reproach , is to me an honour . and beholding her only son , that was young and tender , and seemed fearfull of torments , checking him with a motherly authority , she so encouraged him , that he became much more constant then before . to whom in the midst of his terrible torments , she said , remember , o my child , that we were baptized in the name of the holy trinity : let us not lose the garment of our salvation , least it be said , cast them into outer darkness , where is weeping ▪ and wailing and gnashing of teeth : for that pain is to be dreaded , that never endeth ; and that life to be desired , that alwayes lasteth : the youth was so encouraged hereby , that he persevered patient in all his sufferings , till , in the midst of his torments , he gave up the ghost . many by her exhortations and example were gained to god , and animated in their sufferings . not long after , cyrillas the arrian bishop at carthage , stirred up the tyrant against the christians , telling him , that he could never expect to enjoy his kingdom in peace , so long as he suffered any of them to live , hereupon he sent for seven eminent christians from capsa to carthage , whom he first assaulted with flattery and large promises of honour , riches , &c. if so be they would imbrace his faith : but these servants of christ rejected all those profers ▪ crying out , one lord , one faith , one baptism ; saying also , do with our bodies what you please , torment them at your will , it s better for us to suffer these momentary pains , then to endure everlasting torments . hereupon they were sent to prison , loaded with great iron chains , and thrust into a stinking dungeon : but god stirred up the hearts of many godly persons ( by great bribes to the jayler ) to procure daily access to them , and by their exhortations , they were so corroborated in the faith , that they much desired to suffer the like things for christ with these men , and would willingly have laid down their necks to the persecutors swords . the tyrant hearing of it , was exceedingly enraged , caused them to be kept closer , loaden with more chains , and to be put to great torments . then did he cause a ship to be filled with combustible matter , commanding that these holy martyrs should be put into it , and fast bound in the same , and fire to be set to the ship in the sea , that they might be burned to death . when they were brought out of the prison , the multitude of gods people accompanied them to the ship , who as innocent lambs were led to be sacrificed , looking upon their weighty irons , as rare jewels and ornaments . with chearfulness and alacrity they went towards the place of execution , as if they had gone to a banket , singing with one voice unto the lord , as they went along the street , saying , this is our desired day , more festival then any fe●●ivity : behold , now is the accepted time , behold , now is the day of salvation ! when for the faith of our lord god , we endure death , that we may not loose the garment of obtained faith . the people also with one voice cried ; fear not , o servants of god , neither dread the threats of your enemies : die for christ , who died for us , that he might redeem us with the price of his saving blood . amongst these was a pretty boy , to whom a subtil seducer said , why hastest thou , my pretty boy , unto death : let them go , they are mad ; take my counsel , and thou shalt not only have life , but great advancement in the kings court : to whom the lad answered , you shall not get me from the fellowship of these holy men , who bred me up , with whom i lived in the fear of god , and with whom i desire to die ; and with whom i trust , i shall obtain the glory to come . and so being all put into the ship , they were burned together . after the death of hunrick , gundabund succeeded in the kingdom , who continuing in the steps of his cruel predecessors , afflicted the christians grievously by sundry kinds of persecution , during the space of twelve years , at the end whereof he died , and thrasamund succeeded him , a man that excelled all his predecessors in magnanimity and courage . his manner was by perswasions , flatteries , promises and rewards , to seek to draw the christians to his arrian heresie ; but they which would not be prevailed with hereby , he no way punished or molested them . in his time there were great wars between the moors and vandals , the moors had one cabaon for their general , who commanded all his souldiers to use abstinence in their diet , and to abstain from women , and from all injury and wrong-doing . the women he enclosed within trenches by themselves , commanding that under pain of death no man should have access to them . then did he send forth a certain company of moors , commanding them privately to follow the camp o● the vandals , and that wheresoever the vandals profaned any church of the christians , presently after their departure , they should follow and purge the same ; for ( saith he ) if the christians god be a good god , then will he assist them that are devoted to him , and punish the blasphemers . these men in counterfeit base attire , followed the vandals camp ; and whereas the vandals where ever they came , took up the christians churches for their horses and beasts of burthen , carrying themselves very insolently against god and his house : beating and abusing the ministers and church-officers , making them to attend upon them as their slaves . after their departure the moors on the contrary , cleansed the churches , carried out the dung ▪ kneeled down to , and reverenced the ministers , and distributed money to the poor , and thus they did continually . then did cabaon prepare to give his enemies battel ; and whereas the vandals were all horse-men , and very well mounted , their horses were so afrighted at the sight of the moors camels , that they were presently put into disorder , and the moors with darts and arrows did so pelt them , that they put them to flight , and slew many of them , whereupon thrasamund shortly after died of grief . then did ilderick the son of hunrick succeed in the kingdom , who was equally mild and gentle , both to the vandals and christians , and one that kept very fair correspondence with the emperour justinian . but gilimer , a cunning and ambitious man , deposed him , and usurped the kingdom to himself . whereupon justinian sent against him that brave and gallant general billisarius , who overcame him in several battels , took him prisoner , freed the christians from persecution , and subverted the empire of the vandals in africk , after they had reigned there for the space of ninety years , wherein for the most part they had been cruel persecutors of the true church of god. salvian , who was bishop of masilia , and lived at the same season , complaineth , that before these brutish vandals came into africk , the church of god there was much degenerated from its ancient purity , and the power of godliness was much decaid ; insomuch as they which lived exactly according to the rule of gods word , were hissed at as they went in the streets , as if they had been monsters : whereupon , saith he , the passage of the vandals into africk , was not to be imputed to gods rigour , but to the africans wickedness , &c. collected out of a book written by victor bishop of utica , who lived at the same time , and was himself a sufferer under this persecution . here place the fifth figure . the persecution of the church under the papacy . chap. xxi . the persecutions of the waldenses , which began anno christi , . when the darkness of popery had overspread the christian world , so that kings and princes imploied their authority to establish the romish idolatry , appointing to slaughter such as denied transubstantiation , adoration of the host , bowing the knees before it , &c. this occasioned many christians to detest this superstition as unknown to the apostles and primitive church . and first of all god raised up berengarius , presently after the year one thousand , who boldly and faithfully preached the truth , and against the romish errors , continuing his ministry , till about the time that william the conqueror came into england , whereupon the gospellers were called berengarians , till about the year . at which time common notice being taken of their separation from the church of rome , and their disagreeing from so many of their tenents , they were branded with the odious name of hereticks , and twenty years after , when they were grown into a very great multitude , they had one peter bruis for their most famous preacher , who taught long , and publickly at tholouse , under the protection and favour of a noble earl , called hildephonsus , whereupon in those parts they were called petro-brusians . for peter bruis , anno christi , . published their tenents in a book called anti-christ , wherein he declared both the ground of their doctrine , and the causes of their separation from the romish church . twenty years after this , they were grown into a mighty multitude about anno christi , . whereupon the popes of rome now began to lay about them for their extirpation : for which end he stirred up his most learned followers to write against them ; and warned princes to take heed of them , and to banish them out of their territories . anno christi , . they had henry of tholouse for their most eminent preacher , whereupon they began to be called henericians ; and because they were well red in the scriptures , especially in the epistles of st. paul , whom by way of eminency they called the apostle , alleadging texts out of him , nnd would admit of no testimonies for the proof of religion , but only out of scripture , they were called apostolicks . and shortly after god raised up peter valdo a citizen of lions in france , who shewed himself most couragious in opposing the popish inventions , withal taxing divers other innovations which were crept into the church of rome , and he was the more eagerly hearkened unto , because he was in high esteem for his learning and piety , and his liberality to the poor ; for besides the nourishing of their bodies , he did also feed their souls , by exhorting them to seek jesus christ , and salvation by him . the arch-bishop of lions being informed that valdo used thus to instruct the people , boldly taxing the vice , luxury , and pride of the pope , and his clergy , forbad him the same upon pain of excommunication , and proceeded against him as an heretick ; valdo replied , that he could not be silent in a cause of so great importance , as the salvation of mens souls , wherein he must obey god rather then man : then did the arch-bishop seek to have him apprehended , but could not effect it , valdo having many great friends , and being generally beloved , whereby he continued ( though closely ) in lions three years . pope alexander the third being informed that divers persons in lions questioned his soveraign authority over the whole church , cursed valdo , and his adherents , commanding the arch-bishop to proceed against them by ecclesiastical censures to their utter extirpation ; whereupon they were wholly chased out of lions . valdo and his followers were called waldenses , which afterwards spread themselves into divers countries and companies . the opinions of these waldenses for which they were so declaimed against , and cruelty persecuted by the romanists , were these . . that holy oyl is not to be mingled in baptism . . that all such prayers are superstitious and vain which are made over the oyl , salt , wax , incense , boughs of olives and palms , ecclesiastical garments , calices , church-yards , and such like things . . that time is spent in vain in ecclesiastical singings , and saying the canonical hours . . that flesh and eggs may be eaten in lent , and that there is no merit in abstinence at such times . . that when necessity requires , all sorts of persons may marry , ministers as well as others . . that auricular confession is not necessary . . that confirmation is not a sacrament . . that obedience is not to be performed to the pope . . that ministers should live upon tithes and offerings . . that there is no difference between a bishop and a minister . . that it is not the dignity , but deserts of a presbyter that makes him a better man. . that they administer the sacrament without the accustomed form of the roman church . . they say that images are to be taken out of churches , and that to adore them was idolatry . . they contemned the popes indulgences , and say , that they were of no vertue . . they refused to take any oath whereby they should be enforced to accuse themselves , or their friends . . they maintained their ministers out of their own purses , thinking it unreasonable that such should be diverted from their studies , whilst they were forced to get their livings with their own hands . . they held that the miracles done in the church of rome , were false miracles . . that the religion of the frier mendicants was invented by the devil . . that the pope of rome was not to be obeyed . . that whoredom and stews were not to be permitted under pretense of avoiding adultery and rapes . . that there is no purgatory wherein the souls of the deceased are to be purged before they be admitted into heaven . . that a presbyter , falling into scandalous sin , ought to be suspended from his office till he had sufficiently testified his repentance . . that the saints deceased are not to be worshiped , and prayed unto . . that it matters not for the place of their burial , whether it were holy or no. . they admitted no extream unction amongst the sacraments of the church . . they say , that masses , indulgences , and prayers do not profit the dead . . they admitted no prayers , but such as did correspond with the lords prayer , which they made the rule of all their prayers . . lastly , though their adversaries charged them with holding , that every lay-man might freely preach to the people , yet they had bishops , and orders amongst themselves ; as the order of bulgarie , the order of druguria , ; and they who were their ministers were ordained thereunto , though they were not of the romish institution , as nicolus viguierius , and others report of them . valdo himself went into dauphiney , conversing in the mountains of the same province with certain rude persons , yet capable of receiving his belief : his disciples also spread into picardy , whence they were called picards : against whom afterwards k. philip ( enforced by the ecclesiastical persons ) took arms , and overthrew three hundred gentlemens houses that followed their part , and destroied some walled towns , pursuing them into flanders , whether they fled , and causing many of them there to be burnt to death . this persecution caused many of them to flie into germany , and alsatia , where they spread their doctrine ; and shortly after the bishops of mayence and strasburg , raised up a great persecution against them , causing five and thirty burgesses of mayence to be burnt in one fire , and eighteen in another ▪ who with great constancy suffered death . at strasburg eighty were burnt , at the instance of the bishop ; yet multitudes of people received such edification by the exhortations , constancy , and patience of the martyrs , that anno . in the county of passau , and about bohemia , there were above eighty thousand persons that made profession of the same faith . anno christi . some of them came into england , and at oxford were punished in the most barbarous and cruel manner as ever were any christians for religion-sake before the time , as you may see in my english martyrologie . and three years after in the council of turon , or towers in france : viz. . pope alexander the third , made a decree , that these gospellers , and all their favourers should be excommunicated , and that none should sell them any thing , or buy any thing of them , according as it was fore-prophesied , rev. . . but notwithstanding all these devises they had goodly churches in bulgary , croatia , dalmatia , and hungary . the popish monks to make them odious , and to have the better occasion to persecute them , raised up many foul slanders of them , as they were sorcerers , buggerers , &c. that they assembled themselves in the night time , and that the pastors commanded the lights to be put out , saying , qui potest capere , capiat , catch who catch can , whereupon they committed abominable incest , the son with the mother , the brother with the sister , the father with his daughter , &c. they charged them also with many foul and false opinions : from which accusations they by a publick apology and vindication cleared themselves , which they published both in french and their own language . rainerus the monk saith of them , that amongst all those which have risen up against the church of rome , the waldenses were the most dangerous , in regard of their long continuance , for some say , that it hath continued from the time of pope silvester ; and some say , from the apostles time ; and because this sect ( saith he ) is more general , and there is scarce any countrey in which it hath not taken footing : and because it hath a great appearance of piety , for they carry themselves uprightly before men , and believe rightly touching god in all things , holding all the articles of the creed , only they hate and revile the church of rome , and therein ( saith he ) they are easily believed of the people . cesarius saith , that this heresie so encreased , that in a short time it infected usque ad mille civitates , a thousand cities . parsons saith , that they had an army of seventy thousand men to fight for them ; yea , they were so spread in germany , that they could travel from collen to milan in italy , and every night lodge with hosts of their own profession . hereupon the pope hath always used all his art for their utter extirpation , by his thunder-bolts , curses , canons , constitutions , decrees , and whatsoever else might make them odious to kings , princes , and people , giving them over to satan , interdicting them all communion and society with others , making them incapable of any charges , honours , profits , to inherit lands , to make wills to be buried in church-yards , yea , confiscating their goods , dis-inheriting their heirs , and where they could apprehend any of them , they condemned them to be delivered to the secular power , their houses to be razed , their lands and goods to be confiscated , commanding kings , princes , magistrates , consuls , and people , to make an exact inquisition , to shut the city-gates , to ring the toll-bell , to arm themselves , to apprehend , kill , or use any other violence to them , giving to their accusers a third part of their estates , condemning all favorers of them to the same punishment . anno christ , . came some of these godly persons to collen in germany out of the parts of flanders , where they secretly remained for a time in a barn near the city : but the diligence of the popish clergy found them out by their not coming to their church , and so caused , them , to be apprehended , and brought before them ; and after examination because they constantly adhered to the truth , and would by no means be brought to recant the same , they condemned them , and delivered them to the secular power : who carrying them out of the city , ( being four men , and one young woman ) they first bound the four men to a stake , and set fire to them : the people much pitied the young woman , and would fain have saved her , hoping that the burning of her companions would have wrought her to a recantation ; but she perceiving their drift , strugled out of the hands of those that held her , and voluntarily leaped into the fire , whereby she was burned with them . godfridus monachus . anno christi , . aldephonsus king of arragon ( probably by the instigation of pope celestine , and mis-information of his clergy ) published this evil edict against them . aldephonsus by the grace of god king of arragon , &c. to all arch-bishops , bishops , and the rest of the prelates of the church in his kingdom , to earls , vicounts , knights , and all the people of his kingdom , and to all that are in authority , health , &c. because god would have us to be over his people , it is a worthy and just thing that we take continual care as far as in us lies of the salvation , and defence of them : wherefore being imitators of our predecessors , and in obedience to the canons , we judge that all hereticks cast out of the sight of god and of all catholicks , are to be condemned , and persecuted every where , namely the waldenses , or poor men of lyons , whereof there is no number , who being cursed by his holy church : we also command to depart , and flie from all our kingdoms , and places within our power , as enemies to the cross of christ , our selves , and this kingdom . therefore from this day forward shall presume to receive the foresaid waldenses into their houses , or to hear their doleful preaching , or to give them meat , or any other relief , let him know , that he hath incurred the indignation of god , and of us , and that he shall be punished as a traitor , and all his goods shall be confiscated without remedy or appeal . and this our edict we command to be published upon sundays by bishops , and all rectors of churches , &c. through all our dominions . and we command that the foresaid punishments be inflicted upon all transgressors of it by our bailyffs , justices , &c. and if any of the foresaid naughty , people whether noble , or ignoble , shall presume to stay three days after the publication hereof , and not hast their removal , we will , and command all men to bring upon them all mischief , disgrace , and agrievance ( except death , or cutting off their members ) which shall be gratefull and acceptable to us , neither shall they fear any punishment for the same , &c. but this same aldephonsus that made this cruel edict by the just retribution of god , the very next year lost part of his kingdom to the moors , and his son having also fifty thousand of his men slain in one battel . hoveden . the popelings exercising such cruelty against the gospellers , they began to defend themselves by arms , repelling force with force : and when , being overpowred by multitude , they could defend themselves no longer , they left their places , and became souldiers abroad , and many of them became very helpfull to our king henry the second in his wars , when he was molested about arch-bishop beckets death : also our king richard the first at his return out of the holy land , ( as they called it ) made good use of them ( who though they were cursed by the pope , yet were they blessed by god ) for the recovery of his right , and for the defence of his people . valdo notwithstanding all the curses of the pope , continued to publish , that the pope was anti-christ , the mass an abomination , the host an idol , and purgatory a fable : whereupon pope innocent the third , anno , , seeing that the other remedies were not sufficient to suppress these hereticks , as he called them , authorized certain monks inquisitors , who by process should apprehend and deliver them to the secular power , by a far shorter , but much more cruel way then was used formerly ; for by this means the people were delivered by thousands into the magistrates hands , and by them to the executioners , whereby in a few years all christendom was moved with compassion , to see all those burnt and hanged , that did trust only in christ for salvation . the pope seeing that this suppressed not , but rather increased the number of his enemies , sent certain bishops and monks to preach in those places of the waldenses , but their preaching converted not any of them from their former opinions . amongst those monks was dominick , who was a zealous persecutor of these saints of god both in word and deed , who seeing himself to be in authority ▪ instituted an order of begging monks , called after his name dominicans , which order was confirmed by the pope , for their zealous assisting of him against the waldenses , and this dominick laboured in the inquisition with such contentment to the popes , that from that time forward the monks of his order have always been imploied in the inquisition . the power of these inquisitors was without limitation , they could assemble the people by the sound of a bell when they pleased , proceed against the bishops themselves , they could imprison and release without controul : any accusation was sufficient with them : a sorcerer ▪ a whore was a sufficient witness in the case of pretended heresie : it mattered not who accused , or whether by word of mouth , or ticket thrown in before the inquisitors : for process was thereby framed without party , without witness , or without other law , then the pleasure of the inquisitors . to be rich was a crime near to heresie , and he that had any thing to lose , was in the way to be undone , either as an heretick , or as a favourer of them : yea , bare suspition stopped the mouths of parents , kinsfolk , and friends , that they durst not intercede each for other . if any did but convey a cup of cold water , or a pad of straw to the poor saints that lay in stinking dungeons , he was condemned as a favourer of the hereticks , and brought to the same or worse extremities . no advocate durst undertake the defence of his nearest kinsman , or friends : no notary durst receive any act in his favour ; yea , death it self made not an end of their punishment , for sometimes they passed sentence against the bones of the dead , to dis-inter and burn them , it may be thirty years after the death of the party accused . such as were heirs had nothing certain , for if their fathers or kindred were accused they durst not undertake the defence of their own right , possess their own inheritance , without the crime or suspition of heresie . the greatest and richest amongst the people were constrained even to adore these monks inquisitors , and to give them great sums for the building of their convents & houses , for fear to be accused of heresie . and the better to keep the people in aw , these inquisitors would sometimes lead in triumph their prisoners in their processions , enjoyning some of them to whip themselves , others to go in their shirts bare-foot and bare-headed , having a with about their necks ; and a torch in their hands for the greater terrour to the beholders , seeing persons of all estates and sexes in so miserable a condition . some of these accused persons were sent into the holy land , or enrolled for some other expedition against the turks and infidels , where they were to serve for a certain time at their own charge : in the mean time these fathers inquisitors took possession of their houses and goods , and when they returned home , they must not so much as enquire whether these monks had in their absence lain with their wives , lest they would be condemned as back-sliders , and unworthy of favour . anno christi , . a gallant knight that was one of these waldenses , called enraudus , whom henry , earl of nivers had made gonour of his land , was accused of heresie , and brought before the popes legat , who called a common council at paris against him , consisting of the arch-bishop , bishops , and ministers of paris , who after examination of witnesses , condemned him for an heretick , and so delivered him to the secular power , by whom he was burned in the flames . chron. rol. altissiodorensis . in octo. anno christi , . in the town of mont-royal near carcasson in the earldom of tholouse , there was held a famous disputation between didacus bishop of oxon , a spaniard : frier dominick ; peter of the new castle , the popes legat , and raph his colleague on the one party , and arnold hot , pastor of the albingenses , with some other of his fellow-labourers on the other party : the arbitrators were two noble men , viz , bernard de villa nova , and pernail of arras ; and two plebians , viz. raimond godius , and arnold riberia , the questions disputed upon were these : first , that the church of rome is not the spouse of christ , nor an holy church , but an impure one , and instructed by the doctrine of satan . secondly , that their ecclesiastical polity is not good , nor holy , nor established by jesus christ. thirdly , that the mass , as it is celebrated therein , was not instituted by christ , or his apostles . the bishop undertook to prove the contrary : but after three days disputation , he desired fifteen days to commit his arguments to writing ; and arnold hot required eight days to put in his answer . at the day appointed the bishop brought in a very long writing ; and hot desired to answer by word of mouth , intreating his auditors that he might not seem troublesom to them , if he were long in answering so long a discourse ; and it was granted that he should be heard with patience without interruption , and so he discoursed for divers hours four days together , to the great admiration of all that heard him , and so ready was he therein , that all the bishops , abbats , monks , and priests , wished themselves elsewhere : for he framed his answer to each point in order , as it was set down in the writing , and that with such plainness and perspicuity , that he gave all that were present to understand , that this bishop , though he had writen much , yet had he concluded nothing that might truly turn to the advantage of the church of rome against his assertions : then did arnold request , that forasmuch as the bishops , and himself in the beginning of the conference , were bound to prove whatsoever they affirmed by the word of god only , it might now be imposed upon the bishops , and priests to make good their mass as they sing it , part by part , to have been instituted by the son of god , and so used by the apostles , &c. but the bishops were not able to prove that the mass , or any part of it was so ordained or used , whereupon they were much discontented , and ashamed . arnold proceeded to prove that it was not instituted by christ or his apostles . for ( said he ) if the mass were the holy supper instituted by our saviour , there would remain after the consecration , that which was in the supper of our lord , viz. bread : but in the mass there is no bread ; for by transubstantiation the bread is vanished , therefore the mass is not the holy supper of the lord : &c. the bishops , legats , monks , and priests having nothing to answer to these things , retired themselves : not being willing to here any more : and fearing least these gospellers should work such an impression on the hearts of those that were present , as might shake their beliefe touching the masse , they dessolved the assembly . nich vignerius . between the years . which was the time when this inquisition was first erected , to the year . there was so great a havock made of poor christians , that the arch-bishops of aix , arles , and narbonne , being assembled at the request of the said inquisitors , to conferre with them about divers difficulties in the execution of their offices , had compassion of the great number that were accused & cast into prison , saying , we hear that you have apprehended such a multitude of the waldenses , that it is not only impossible to defray the charge of their food , but to provide lime and stone to build prisons for them , we therefore advise you to forbear this rigour till the pope be advertised , and direct what he will have done in this case , &c. yet notwithstanding all this cruelty , there was in the year . according to the report of george morrel in his memorials , p. . above eight hundred thousand persons that made profession of the faith of the waldenses . besides the churches that they had in valentinois , where their faith was propagated from the father to the son , their religion spread also beyond the alps into the valley of pragela , within the jurisdiction of the arch-bishop of turin , from whence were peopled the waldensian valleys of piedmont , la perouse , s. martain , angrogne , &c. this valley of pargela was one of the safest retiring places that the waldenses had , being environed on all sides with mountains almost inaccessible , into the caves whereof they retired themselves in the times of persecution : and though they were weakned on all sides , environed with enemies , and in danger of being apprehended if they looked but forth of their doors ; yet was there never any wordly respect that had power to alter their holy resolution from the father to the sonne , to serve god , taking his word for the rule of their faith , & his law for the rule of their obedience : yea , no sooner were the infants weaned from their mothers breasts , but their parents took a singular delight to instruct them in the christian faith . there pastors also did not only preach to them on the sabbath daies , but went in the week daies to instruct them in the villages and hamlets , not sparing themselves for the roughnesse of the rocks , the coldnesse of the ayr , and the cragginesse of the country , where they were fain to climbe up high mountains to visit their flocks . there was also holy discipline exercised amongst them : the people praied with fervency at night when they went to their rest , and in the morning before the went about their labour : they had schools wherein their children were taught and nurtured . b●t whilest they thus busily sought the advancement of gods glory and their own salvation , the devil raised up a persecution against them . anno . by a monk inquisitor , called francis boralli , who had a commission to enquire after the waldenses in aix , arles , ambrun , viene , geneva , aubone , savoy , the venetian county , the principality of orenge , the city of avignion , &c. which commission he received from pope clement the seventh . this monk cited to appeare before him at ambrun , all the inhabitants of frassiniere , argentire , and of the valley pute upon pain of excommunication : but they appeared not , whereupon they were condemned of contumacy , and excommunicated : and for the space of thirteen years , as he caught any of them , he delivered them up to the secular power to be burnt at grenoble , the number of whom was an hundred and fifty men , divers women , with many of their sons and daughters ; besides about eighty persons of argentire . the inquisitors also adjudged to themselves two par●s of all their goods ▪ and the third part to the temporal powers : they forbad all their bordering neighbours also to assist , receive , visit , or defend them or to converse with them in any sort upon pain of being attainted , and punished as favourers of hereticks , &c. the waldenses of the valley of pragela , anno . were assaulted by their enemies on the side of susa in piedmont : but most of their assaults proved in vain , because these waldenses retired into the high mountains , hiding themselves in the caves and hollow places thereof , from whence they much endamaged those that came to assail them . their enemies seing this , came upon them in the depth of winter , when those poor people never suspected it , all the mountains being covered over with snow : and thereupon they retired into the highest mountain of all the alps , together with their wives and children , the mothers carrying some in their cradles , and leading others by the hand : yet the enemy followed them till night , and slew many before they could recover the mountain : and they which were so slain had the better bargain : for night coming on , these poor people being in the snow , without any meanes to make a fire for their infants , many of them were benummed , and in the morning above eighty of them were frozen to death in their cradles , and most of their mothers died also , and divrese others were giving up the last gasp : the enemies lay all night in these peoples houses , which they ransacked and pillaged , and so returned to susa , but by the way , meeting with a poor waldensian woman , they hanged her upon a tree , and so departed . the vvaldenses of the valley of frassiniere , were greatly persecuted by the arch-bishop of ambrun , anno . who made a monk called john vayleti his commissioner against them , which monk proceeded with such diligence and violence , that scarce any person could escape his hands , but that he was either apprehended for an heretick , or a favourer of them , whereby many papists suffered amongst the rest , which caused them to petition king lewis the eleventh of france , by his authority to stay the course of that persecution : and thereupon the king wrote his letter to the governour of dauphine , signifying , that whereas the inquisitors had daily sent forth their processe against many poor people in those parts without reasonable cause , putting some to the rack , and condemning them for matters whereof they were never guilty , and which they could not prove by any witnesse : and of others they had exacted great sums of money , and divers waies had unjustly vexed , and molested them : he therefore decreed that for the time to come all such processe should be void , and of none effect , nor any wrong done to them in body , goods , or good name , except there were any that obstinately maintained and affirmed any thing against the holy catholicke faith. but the arch-bishop was so far from ceasing the persecution upon this edict , that he grew more violent by reason of the last clause , pretending that he did not any thing contrary to the kings precept , seeing they which were cited , appeared not to justifie themselves , &c. he also suborned many priests , which were his own officers , to depose , that all they which had petitioned the king were vvaldenses : he also hired one john pelegrin to accuse them for assembling themselves in dark places to commit whoredom , &c. and then he sent to the court to justifie himself from the complaint made to the king against him , that he had persecuted the waldenses rather out of covteousness to get their goods , then out of zeal to the catholick faith : but this single witness prevailed but litle , seeing there were many other who deposed , that they had never seen any such villany amongst the waldenses , nor any the least appearance of the same . yet did not the archbishop cease to prosecute them to the uttermost of his power , so that he caused most of them to flie away , only one james pateneri stood to it , averring before the court that he was unjustly vexed , contrary to the kings letters , demanding a copy of the proceedings , that he might right himself by law : ●hereupon the archbishop left him , and fell upon those that wanted the like courage , citing the consuls of frassiniere to answer for themselves , and all the inhabitants of their valley : but they refused , saying , that they had nothing to say before the archbishop , seeing their cause was now depending before the king and his council , protesting against the archbishops power , and demanding a copy of the kings letter : but the archbishop , notwithstanding this protestation , sent them to the fire , without any other indictment . yet the lord left not this cruelty long unrevenged , for shortly after the archbishop died by the stroak of gods justice , and so ended his persecution ▪ anno christi . one villany of the inquisitor valeti may not be forgoten , which was this : when he examined any of the waldenses , whether he beleeved that the bread in the sacrament , after the consecration , was changed into the reall and naturall body of christ which hung upon the crosse ? if the waldenses answered , no ; he set down his answer thus , that he beleeved not in god. when he asked , whether we ought not to pray to saints ? if they answred , no ; he set down , that the railed upon , and spake evil of the saints . when he enquired , whether we ought not to pray to the virgin mary in our necessities ? if they answered no ; he set down , that they spake blasphemy against the virgin mary , &c. and by gods providence these records were kept in the arch-bishop of ambruns house , till the city and their records fell into the hands of the protestants an hundred years after , and so god brought all their knavery to light . anno . pope innocent the eight sent albert de capitaneis , arch-deacon of cremona against these waldenses , who craved aid of the kings lieutenant of dauphine , against them . this lieutenant for his service levied troops of men , and at the arch-deacons request , led them against the waldenses in the valley of loyse , and to colour his proceedings with a pretence of justice , he took a counsellour of the court along with him . but when they came to the valley , they found no inhabitants , for they were all retired into their caves in the high mountains , having carried their little children , and all their provision of food with them . then did this cruel lieutenant cause much wood to be laid to the mouths of the caves , and set it on fire , so that some were choaked with smoak , others burnt with the fire , others cast themselves headlong from the rocks , and were broken in pieces ; and if any stirred out , they were presently slain by the souldiers . in this persecution , there were found within the caves four hundred infants stif●ed in their cradles , or in the arms of their dead mothers : and in all , there perished above three thousand men and women at that time , so that there were no inhabitants left in all that valley : and to prevent the coming of any more of them thither , the lieutenant gave all their goods and possessions to whom he pleased . then did he march against the waldenses of pragela , and frassaniere , but they , providing for their own safety , attended him at the passages and narrow straits of their vallies , so that he was forced to retire . after a while albert de capitaneis , being called to another place , he substituted a franciscan named francis ploieri , who anno . began anew to informe against the waldenses of fressaniere , citing them to appeare before him at ambrun , and for non-appearing , he excommunicated them , and condemned them for hereticks , to be delivered to the secular power , and there goods to be confiscated ; and in this judgement , their assisted one ponce , a certain counsellour of dauphine . these men afterwards caught two of their pastors [ francis gerondin , and peter james ] who being asked why the waldenses increased so fast , and spread so far ; they answered , because the popish priests live so dissolutly , and because the cardinals are so covetous , proud and luxurious , it being commonly known that there is neither pope , cardinall , nor bishop , but keeps his whores , and few or none but had their youths for sodomy besides ; and therefore it is easie for the waldensian pastors to perswade the people , that their religion could not be good , whose fruits were so bad , &c this persecution grew exceeding hot , the inquisitor and councellor sending as many as they could catch to the fire without admitting any appeal : and if any interceded for them , though the father for the childe , or the child for the father , he was presently committed to prison , and indicted as a favourer of hereticks . anno . anthoni fabri , and christopher de salience had comissions sent them from the pope , to commence suit against the waldenses in dauphine , who apprehending the widow of one peter berand , they imprisoned , and oft examined her , and thereby drew from her whatever she knew of the assemblies of the waldenses , of the persons that frequented them , and of the places and times of their meeting , which afterwards brought great trouble to the said churches of christ , and of gain to the inquisitors . king lewis the twelfth succeeding king francis , anno . the inhabitants of frassaniere petitioned him to take some order for the restitution of their goods , which by the inquisitors were deteined from them . the king referred it to his chancelor , who procured a commissary from the poppe , and commissioner from the king , to be sent down to examine the businesse ; these accordingly , having examined divers witnesses against the waldenses , and finding their innocency , did at last absolve them ; the kings commissioner publickely professing , that he desired to be but as good a christian as the worst of those of frassaniere were : and returning to the king , they made report to him of that which they had done : the king thereupon ordered that the goods of the waldenses should be restored ▪ when the kings order came to ambrun , it was the opinion of most men , that seeing most of these goods were in the possession of the arch-bishop , that therefore he should give a good example in begining to restore them , but the arch-bishop answered , that the goods which he held were annexed to his arch-bishoprick , and incorporated to his church and , therefore it was out of the kings jurisdiction , and he did not beleeve that the king would meddle therein : yet being willing to please the king , he profered to restore them their vineyards , provided that the lords of dauphine would restore the goods which they had ; but there was not one that would restore what they had so unjustly gotten , so that the poor people where wholly frustrated of their expectation . then did the summon the arch-bishop and those refusers before the king , but these great ones having more friends and favour at court , then the poor people had , their excuse was admitted , which was , that they could not restore the goods , before the pope had absolved those of frassaniere from the sentence of excommunication . anno . the president of provence made a speech to the assembly of estates to root out these waldenses : whereupon they raised an army for the effecting of it ; but as soon as the men were in arms , it pleased god , by the death of king francis , to put an end to that design , whereby the waldensian churches in dauphine enjoyed peace , and were well furnished with godly pastors , who held them in the exercise of religion , though they were in continuall danger of being persecuted to the death for the same . the waldenses in dauphine , many years before being multiplyed , so that the countrey could not feed them , dispersed themselves abroad into divers parts , whereof some went into piedmont , who lived in great love with those of da●phine , and though they were alwaies oppressed with troubles , yet with hearty love and charity , they ever-succoured one another , not sparing their lives and goods for their mutuall conservation . the first persecution in piedmont were occasioned by the preists , who complained to the arch-bishop of turin , that these people lived not according to the manner and belief of the church of rome ; that they offered not for the dead , cared not for masses , absolutions , or to get any of theirs out of the pains of purgatory , &c. hereupon the arch-bishop persecuted them , complaining of them to their princes to make them odious : but the prince enquiring of their neighbours , heard that they were of a good conversation , fearing god , without deceit or malice , loving plain dealing , alwaies ready to serve their prince with alacrity , &c. he therefore purposed not to molest them : but the priests and monks gaining nothing by their belief , charged them with an infinite number of calumnies , and ever and anon catching one or other of them , they delivered them to the inquisitors , and the inquisitors to the executioners , so that there was scarce a town or city in piedmont , wherein some of them had not been put to death . at turin one of them had his bowels torn out of his belly , and put into a bason before his face , and then was he cruelly martyred , at revel in the marquisat of saluces , one catelin girard being on the block whereon he should be burnt , requested his executioner to give him two stones , which he refused to do , fearing least he would throw them at some body , but he protesting the contrary , at last they gave him two stones , which he held in his hands , and said , when i shall have eaten these stones , then shall you see an end of our religion , for ●hich you now put me to death , and so he threw them on the ground , and died cheerfully . thus they burnt many of them in the fire , till anno . and then they resolved to assault them by open force , because they saw that otherwise they should never be able to extirpate them : besides , their constant sufferings converted many to the faith . hereupon they levied an army of eighteen thousand men , besides many inhabitants of piedmont , who ran to the pillage from all parts . these marched all at once to angrogne , l●cerne , la perouse , &c. they raised also forces in dauphine , where with they over-ran the valley of pragela , so that they being put to defend themselves , could not assist their friends in piedmont . but the enemy by this division of his forces , being weakned , was every where beaten , especially in the valley of angrogne , where the vvaldensians having been informed of the levies of their enemies against them , prepared themselves to receive and resist them , keeping the strait passages , where few men might defend themselves against many . they defended themselves with long targets of wood , whereby they covered themselves from the hurt of their enemies arrows . whilst they were thus bickering with their enemies , the women and children upon their knees cried out , o god help us . the enemies made themselves merry with this fight , and amongst them , one capt. saquet , who as he was imitating the woman , was slain , and tumbled down into a very deep valley . another captain , crying out to the women in derision , was killed with the shot of an arrow in the throat . hereupon the souldiers betook themselves all to their heels , and the greatest part slew themselves , by tumbling down from the rocks . another providence of god was this , that the enemies approaching to the stongest entrance by nature , might their have fortified themselves , and so made themselves masters of that valley : but god sent so thick a cloud , and dark a fog , that they could scarce see one another , whereby they wanted opportunity to discover their advantage , and therefore departed : which the vvaldenses seeing , couragiously pursued them , and by that means the enemy being dispersed , and not seeing which waies they went , the greatest part fell headlong down the mountains , quitting their arms and booty which they had gotten at their first entrance into the valley , by which means the waldenses recovered it again , then it pleased god to move the princes heart ( which was philip the seventh , duke of savoy ; and lord of piedmont ) with pity towards these poor people , saying , that he would not have that people which had been alwaies true , faithfull and obedient to him , to be unjustly destroyed by arms ; being content that twelve of the principall should come to him to pignerol to crave pardon for all the rest , for taking arms in their own defence , without his authority : these he entertained lovingly , forgiving all that was past , during the warre . and having been informed that all their children were born with black throats , with foure rows of teeth , and all hairy , he caused some of them to be brought to him , and seeing them fair and perfect creatures , he was much displeased with himself for beleeving so easily the reports which were brought to him against them , giving command that none should hereafter molest them , but that they should enjoy all the priviledges which they rest of his subjects in piedmont did . notwithstanding which , the monks inquisitors daily sent out processe against them , lay in wait for them , and as they could aprehend any of them , delievered them over to the secular power . this persecution lasted to anno. . at which time the waldenses ordered that there exercises of religion should be performed no more in covert , as formerly they had been , but in publick , that every one might know them , and that their pastors should preach the gospell openly , not fearing any persecution that might happen unto them . the prince being advertised hereof , was highly offended with them , and thereupon caused one of his commanders to hast with his troops into the said vallies , which was performed with such diligence , that he was entred with five hundred horse and foot , before they were aware , ransacking , plundering and wasting all before them . then did the waldenses leave their ploughs , putting themselves into passes , and with their slings charged their enemies with such multitudes of stones , that they were constraned to flie , and to abandon their prey , many remaining dead upon the ground . this news was presently carried to the prince , and withall he was told , that these people were not to be subdued with arms , they knowing bettter the straits of their country , then the assailants , and that the skin of one of the waldenses would cost him the lives of a dozen of his other subjects : where upon he vsed arms no more against them , but as any of them was caught in piedmont , he put them to death , if they changed not their belief . notwithstanding with rigour , they persisted in their resolution , and that things might be carried on in the better order , they assembled out of all their vallies to angrogne , anno . viz. the heads of all their families , with their pastors , where they heard that their brethren of provence , and dauphine had sent two of their pastors , george morrell , and peter masson into germany , to confere with oecolampadius bucer , and others , about their relief , which they had held from father to son , time out of minde . where also the germane divines acknowledged that god had been very mercifull and gracious to them , in preserving them undefiled , in the midst of so many superstitions which had defiled all christendom under the tyranny of antichrist ; encouraging and exhorting them not to bury those talents which god had given them : onely they blamed them for delaying so long to make a publick profession of their adhering to the gospel ▪ and causing it to be preached publickly , leaving the success to god , &c. then were the letters of oecolampadius and bucer , which they sent to them , openly read , together with the propositions and articles of religion which they had agreed upon , which were all approved , signed and sworn to by all the assistants with one consent , to perform , observe , beleeve and retain amongst them inviolably , as being conformable to the doctrine which they had been taught from their fore-fathers for many hundred years , and all taken out of the word of god . when this agreement came abroad to the ears of the priests , they were much astonished , despairing to see these people reclaimed and brought back to the church of rome ; whereupon they retired from amongst them without speaking a word . the waldenses , because they had only the new testament and some books of the old , amongst them in the waldensian tongue , resolved speedily to send the whole bible to the press , all their books hitherto being but manuscripts , and those but a few . they sent therefore some to newcastle in suitzerland , where they gave . crowns in gold to a printer , who brought to light the first impression of the fre●ch bible that was seen in france . they sent also to geneva to make a large supply of books fit for the instruction of the people ; but their messenger , as he passed over the hill de gap , was apprehended for a spy by the lord of champelion , and as soon as they knew him to be a waldensian , they sent him to grenople , where he was first imprisoned ; and then in the night drowned in the river , least he should speak of his belief before the people . shortly after there happened warres between king francis the first , and the princes of piedmont , which , through gods grace , turned to the great peace and quiet of these poor people ; which peace continued till pope paul the third sollicited the parliament of turin to persecute them as pernicious hereticks : whereupon the parliament caused a great number of them to be burnt at turin . then these waldenses petitioned the king that they might not be persecuted for their religion , in which they and their ancestors had lived for many hundred years . but the king reiected their petition , commanding them to live according to the laws of the roman church , upon pain of being punished as hereticks : adding , that he did not burn the lutherans through his whole kingdom of france , to let them amongst the alps escape . hereupon the parliament of turin commanded them presently to send away all their ministers , and receive the priests to sing masse . &c. to which they answered , that they could not receive any such commandment , it being contrary to gods word , whom they would rather obey then men . but through gods mercy , the king had other imploiments elsewhere ; whereby they wanted leasure to prosecute these servants of christ , and therefore they only proceeded by the inquisition , receiving such as the monks condemned to the fire . anno . they increased the persecution , condemning to the fire bartholmew hector a stationer , to be executed at turin , who died with admirable constancy , and so edifying the spectators , that they wept and compassionated him , justifying him in their speeches , and praying for him . hereupon the parliament resolved wholly to extirpate them , and for that end sent two men with authority , either to reform , or root them out . these persons went first to perouse , where by proclamation in the kings name , they command all to go to masse upon pain of loosing their lives . then they went to pignorol , where they cited many to appear before them : and amongst others , a poor simple labouring man appeared , whom the president commanded to have his childe re-bapzed by a priest : the man requested respite to pray to god before he answered him , which with great laughter was granted : then falling down on his knees , he prayed unto god , and when he had done , he said to the president ; i will cause my child to be rebaptised , upon condition that you will give me a bill , signed with your own hand , that you will discharge me of the sin which i shall commit hereby , and bear one day before god the punishment and condemnation which should befall me for the same , taking this iniquity upon you and yours : the president hearing this , commanded him out of his presence , and pressed him no further . the president framed diverse indictments against sundry persons in the vallies , and collected whatsoever he thought might hurt them : and going to one of their churches , he caused a monk , that he brought along with him , to preach in the presence of the people ; and when he had ended , the people desired that some one of their pastors there present might answer his discourse , but that was denied by the president , whereupon there was such a murmur amongst the people , that the president , without any more speech , gat him away to turin , where he reported all to the parliament , and withall told them , that if they sought by violence to reclaime this people , they were resolued to defend themselves ; and that the places of their abode , were of such strength , that it was a work for a king of france to root them out . thereupon , this report and the indictments were sent to the king , who having other occasions , returned no answer that year : only the inquisitors proceeded as they could catch any , to deliver them to the secular power . at the years end , the king commanded the parliament to cause them to do that by force , which they would not by words be brought to . then did the parliament send the president again to angrogne , where he commanded them in the name of the king , to go to masse upon pain of forfeiting their lives and goods ; but they answered , that they could not obey such commands against the command of god. then he commanded that twelve of the principal of them , together with all their ministers and schoolmasters , should presently yeeld up their bodies to the prisons of turin , &c. they answered , that they could not obey that command or appear at turin , because they should thereby endanger their lives . the parliament was so incensed at this answer , that as many as they could apprehend , they burnt , amongst whom was jeffery varnegle minister of angrogne , anno . by whose death the people that were present were much edified , seeing his constancy of invocating god to the last . the protestant princes of germany hearing of this great persecution , interceded in their behalf to king henry the second of france . who promised to have regard to this request of theirs , and indeed they enjoyed peace afterwards , till the peace was concluded betwixt the kings of france and spain , and that the duke of savoy was restored to his estate , which was anno . the year after , the popes nuntio reproved the duke , for that with all his power he had not persecuted the waldenses , and that if he did not now endeavour to reduce them to the romish church , or to root them out , his holinesse should have cause to suspect that he was a favourer of them . hereupon the duke presently commanded them to go to mass , upon the pain of their lives : but the not obeying him he set upon them by open force , and yet at the same time , he caused them to be pursued by the monks inquisitors also : so that a great persecution was raised against the poor christians : some were taken and burnt , who shewed invincible constancy in all their torments and death . to recite all the outrages , cruelties and villanies practised against them , would be too tedious : many fled , and their houses and goods were ransacked and spoiled : one of their ministers was apprehended , and put to a shamefull and cruell death , but he shewed such admirable patience therein , as astonished his very adversaries . some also were taken and sent to be gally-slaves : yet some , through weakness , yeelded to the adversaries , and were more cruelly handled then those that remained constant in the truth . three of the most cruel persecutors of these faithfull servants of jesus christ , were , first thomas jacomel a monk , an apostate , that had renounced the known truth , and persecuted mortally and maliciously the poor christians against his own conscience : he was a whoremonger , and given over to all villanies , and filthy living , a sodomite , &c. his delight was to spoil , rob , and torment the captives of these waldenses . the second was a collaterall , called corbis , who in the examination of the prisoners was very rigorous , and burnt many of them : but in the end feeling a remorse in his conscience , he protested that he would meddle with them no more : the third was the provest of justice , who lay in wait in the high waies to apprehend them when they went abroad in the morning , or as they went to the market . the monks also of pignorol vexed the churches near about them grievously , some they took prisoners , and kept them in their abbies : then they assembled a company of ruffians , sending them to spoil the churches , and to take prisoners , men , women , and childen ; of whom some by torments they forced to abjure , others they sent to the galleys others they burnt . the gentlemen of the valley of s. martin vexed their tenants grievously : spoiling some of their goods , imprisoning others , and vexing them by all means : two of those gentlemen getting some ruffians to them in the night time , set upon a village called renclaret , which the inhabitants perceiving , fled into the mountains covered with snow , naked , and without victuals : in the morning these villains took a minister of that valley , who was coming to visit these people of renclaret , and burnt him : but three nights after they of pragela , pitying their friends of renclaret , sent four hundred men against the ruffians , who fought with them , and without the losse of one man , put them to flight , and restored their friends to their houses . a year after , one of these gentlemen called truchet , with a company of ruffians , arrested the minister of renclaret , as he was at his sermon : but the people were so moved at his outragious dealing , especially the women , that they had almost strangled truchet , and so canvased the rest of his company , that they had no minde to come any more . shortly after they took another minister as he was going to preach in a parish a mile from his house , but the people hearing of it , speedily pursued them , and recovered their minister again ; but when the villains saw that they were like to lose their prey , they so wounded him , that they left him for dead . the monks of pignerol sent some ruffians by night to the ministers house of s. germain , who were conducted by a traitor that knew the house , and formerly had frequented it ; this fellow knocking at the door , and the minister knowing his voice , opened the door , but perceiving himself to be betrayed , he fled at a back-door , yet was quickly taken , and sorely wounded , notwithstanding which , they pricked him with halberds to hasten his pace , as they carried him away : they also slew and hurt many others : the minister , after sore imprisonment , endured a cruel death with much constancy : at his death the inquisitors caused two poor women that they kept in prison , to carry faggots to burn him , and to say to him their pastor , take this , thou wicked heretick ▪ in recompence of that naughty doctrine that thou hast taught us : to whom he replied , a● good women , i have taught you well , but you have learned ill . in brief , they so persecuted these poor people , that they forced them to forsake their houses , and to fly into the mountains , loosing all their estates , so that many that had lived well , and relieved others , were now fain to crave relief and succour of others . the monks with their troops of ruffians continued thus to molest and persecute these poor people , they asked of their ministers , whether it were not lawfull for them to defend themselves against such violence ? the ministers answered , that it was , only they advised them to avoid blood-shed as much as might be . this question being resolved , they of luserne and angrogne sent some to aid their friends of st. germain against the monks . in june , divers of these waldenses went out into the country to reap their harvest , and in sundry places were all taken prisoners , not knowing of each others calamity , but god so wrought , that miraculously they all escaped out of prison , to the great astonishment of their adversaries . at the same time also , others who had been long in prison , and longed for nothing but death , through gods providence , were delivered after a wonderful sort . in july , they of angrogne being at their harvest on the hill side of st. germaine , perceived a company of souldiers that were spoiling the inhabitants of st. germain ; whereupon they made an out-cry , upon which the people of angrogne ran presently thither-ward , some by the valley , others over the mountain : they which went by the valley being above fifty men , met with the spoilers , who were a hundred and twenty men well appointed , with whom they fought , and gave them a great overthrow ; some were hurt , others drowned , and but few hardly escaped ; not one of angrogne being hurt in the fight . the monks were so affrighted with this defeat , that they ran away from their abbey to pignerol , to save their reliques and images , which they carried thither ; and if the ministers would have suffered their people to have attempted it , they might easily have freed their brethren which were imprisoned in the abbey . after this these monks , being assisted by a captain , took many of the inhabitants of the valley of luserne prisoners , spoiling their goods , driving away their cattel ; and in the end ransomed them for great summs of money . about this time a gentleman of campillan promised his neighbours that if they would give him thirty crowns , he would secure them against trouble ; but when he had got the money , he caused some souldiers to come to his house , and in the night sending for the poor men which suspected no danger , he trayterously endeavoured to deliver them into the hands of their mortal enemies : but god , who succours his in their greatest necessity , discovered to one of them the danger they were in , whereby they all fled , and escaped . then were strict commands sent through all the country to banish all the waldenses , together with the gospel , out of the mountains and vallies of piedmount ; but the people still desired that they might have leave to serve god purely according to the rules of the word . in the end of october , a rumour was spread abroad , that an army was raising wholly to destroy them : yea , and such malefactors as were in prisons or banished , were pardoned , upon condition that they should take arms to destroy the waldenses : hereupon the ministers met together to consult what was to be done in so great an extremity . and first they enjoyed a general and publick fast to seek unto god for direction , and in the end concluded that they should not defend themselves by arms , but that forsaking their houses , and taking their best movables with them , they should retire unto the high mountains , but if their enemies pursued them thither , that then they should take such advise as god should please to give them . this counsel all the people submitted to , and for eight days space , were as busie as ants in summer , to remove their goods and provisions , which though they did in great danger , yet with great courage and alacrity , praising god and singing psalms , every one cheering up another . but other ministers hearing of this resolution , wrote to them that they thought it strange that in such an extream necessity , they should not rather resolve to defend themselves against violence , proving that it was lawfull for them so to do , to defend the true religion , and the lives of themselves , wives and children , knowing thar it was not the duke , but the pope that thus stirred him up against them . during this time , their adversaries cryed nothing , but to the fire with them , to the fire with them , and presently by proclamations set up every where , angrogne was exposed to the fire and sword : the army also approached to their borders , and the people retired into the mountains : but when they saw some horse-men not only spoiling their goods , but taking some of their brethren prisoners , they came back , and set upon them , in which bickering some of the enemies were slain , and the rest retired to their camp ; not one of the waldenses was slain or hurt . but two of these horsemen that fled , galloping away before the rest , when they came neer to the army , cryed out , they come , they come : whereupon the whole army was so astonished , that every man fled away , none pursuing , and the captain could not all that day get them into order again . the next day the army under the lord of trinity , was mustered in a meddow , near to angrogne ; they of the town had sent some to stop the passages that the army should not enter , and in the mean time they retired into the meddow of toure , not expecting the army so soon , so that there were but few that kept the passages , but when those few perceived their enemies preparing themselves to fight , they all fell down upon their knees , praying earnestly unto god to pity them , and not to look on their sins , but on the cause that they maintained , to turn the hearts of their enemies , and so to worke that there might be no effusion of bloud , but if it were his will to take them , their wives and infants out of this world , that it would please him mercifully to receive them into his kingdome . their prayers being ended , they perceived their enemies to come through the vines to win the top of the mountain : whereupon the combat began in divers places , and continued untill night : the poor waldenses being but few , and only armed with slings and cross-bows , were much oppressed by the multitudes of their enemies , so that at last they retired to the top of the mountain , where they defended themselves till night . but having found a place where they might withstand their enemies , they turned again and slew divers of them . at even the enemies began to encamp themselves , which the waldenses perceiving , they fell to prayer , desiring god to assist and succour them , for which the enemies flouted and laughed them to scorn . the poor people devised to send a drum into a valley hard by ; and as they were at prayer , the drum beat up in the valley ; whereupon the lord of trinity caused his souldiers to retreat , which was a great advantage to the waldenses , who were weary , thirsty , and in great perill if god by this meanes had not given them some rest : of the waldenses there were but three slain , but many of their enemies , and more hurt , of whom few recovered . this combat much encouraged the waldenses , and as much terrified their enemies , who in their retreat , burnt many houses , and destroyed the wines that were in the presse . then did the lord of trinity encamp in the vally of luserne , by a village , the people whereof had alwaies hated the waldenses , and much rejoyced at this hurt that was now done to them , but they were paid back in their own coyn , being all destroyed by the army . then did the lord of trinity place four garisons in four severall fortresses , so that the poor waldenses found themselves in a sea of troubles : whereupon they first betook themselves to prayer , then sent to their friends for aid , who sent them all that they could make . then did the lord of trinity send his army to villars and tailleret : the lesser part went towards villars ; the people seeing their enemies approaching , called upon god with fervent prayer , then set upon their enemies , slew some , hurt others , and the rest fled . the other company going towards tailleret , they of that place were but few in number , yet making their prayers to god , and commending their cause to him , they set valiantly upon their enemies ; during which bickering , they of villars , encouraged by their late success , came to help their friends , and set so lustily upon their enemies , that they put them to flight : but in the pursuit of them they fell into an ambush , and were environed by their enemies , yet , through gods mercy , they all escaped without the losse of one man ; on the enemies side there were so many slain , that they were laid together by whole cart-loads . another party of the enemies going to spoil a rich mans house , some of his neighbours , not being above seventy , set upon them , put them to flight , took away their drum , and recovered their booty from them . then did the lord of trinity send to them , telling them how much the duke and his dutchesse favoured them , and promised himselfe to mediate for them that they might live in peace : but whilest by these pretences , he sought to make them secure , he sent part of his army to get the hill of tailleret , and another part had already gotten the way that led to the meddow of tour , whereby the angrognians might have been easily enclosed ; but they perceiving it , immediatly sent some to encounter with their enemies , who gat the victory , pursued them to their camp , and slew very many of them , without the losse of one man. the lord of trinity cunningly excused this attempt , and sent to them to draw up a supplication to the duke , which was accordingly done , wherein they promised to render all honour and reverence unto god , according to his word , and all due obedience to the duk , &c. but in the mean time trinity grievously vexed them of tailleret , upon pretence that they had not presented themselves to treat of this agreement , taking their arms from them , and causing them to ask pardon on their knees . but presently after news was brought them , that the enemies had gotten to the top of the mountaine , and had taken all the passages , whereat they were sore amazed , and ran with all speed to defend their wives and children : some they saved , but the most of their goods were already in the enemies hands , who at this time did them much mischiefe . yet after this , the lord of trinity sent word again to them that were fled , that if they would return , he would receive them to mercy : the poor people most of them trusting to his promise , returned , but the next morning the enemies came to apprehend them and their ministers , besetting the place on every side : then they that were swift of foot , escaped , all the rest were taken ; yet god miraculously delivered them : for an old man that could not run so fast as the other , was espied by a souldier , who ran with a naked sword to have slain him , the old man seeing the iminent danger , caught him by the legs , overthrew him , and drew him by the heels down the hill ; the souldier cryed , help , help , this villain will kill me ; hereupon his fellows ran to his rescue ; but in the mean time the old man escaped ; and the rest seeing what the old man had done , though they had lost their weapons , yet took heart of grass , and with stones and slings , drave away their enemies , and thereby they all escaped . the next day the souldiers went again to tailleret , robbing , spoiling , and carrying away all that they could find , but most of the people were retired towards villars ; then did the souldiers range all about , and took divers prisoners , whom they used cruelly , and one souldier bit off one of their ears , saying , i will carry the flesh of this wicked heretick with me into my country : they found also two women , the mother and the daughter , in a cave , whom they wounded to death : and in another cave , an old man of an hundred years old , with his grand-daughter of eighteen years old that fed him ; the man they slew , the maid they would have ravished , who flying from them , tumbled down the mountains , and died . about the same time there was one john martin that made his boasts every where , that if he could meet with the minister of angrogne . he would slit his nose ; but shortly after a wolf met him , and setting upon him , bit off his nose , whereupon he ran mad , and died miserably . a certain souldier promised the lord of trinity to bring to him the minister of tailleret , and accordingly never ceased till he found him , but as he was pursuing of him , some out of the mountains rescued the minister , and slew the souldier with stones . these souldiers were so extream abusive to women , that many papists that lived by , sent their daughters into the mountains to the waldenses to preserve their chastity . then did the lord of trinity promise , that if they would pay him eight thousand crowns , he would with-draw his army , and be gone ; they being desirous of peace , sold their cattel to raise the money , but when he had received it , he continued his army there still . then did the lord of trinity require them to send away their ministers till the matter were determined before the duke , or else by his army he would force them to it ; whereupon by mutual consent they agreed , that the ministers should with-draw for the present , till the army was retired , which was not done without great sighs , and lamentations and tears . at that time there fell an extraordinary snow , so that the people with great difficulty , were fain to make way for their ministers to pass . but the army hearing that the ministers were gathered together , they sent out a company of harquebushers to apprehend them , who came but one hour too late to have taken them : then did they search every cave , house and chest , to seek them ; whereby they robbed the poor people of all their best things . then did they beset the ministers house of angrogne , to whom the lord of trinity had promised safety , but it pleased god that he escaped ; the souldiers pursued him into the mountains , but could not overtake him ; whereupon they plundred his house , burnt his books and writings , and so returned . the next morning command was given to the rulers of angrogne within twenty four hours to deliver up their minister , or else angrogne should be put to fire and sword ; they answered that they knew not where he was , for the souldiers had driven him over the mountains . then did the souldiers burn houses , break the mils , spoil the people , and do all the mischief they could , and so departed . the lord of trinity left garisons in the fortresses , and caused the poor waldenses to maintain them , who , not content with their wages , pillaged and robbed all about them ; and having taken fourteen men , they bound them , and were leading them away prisoners , but their wives and children pursued them so fiercely with stones , that they were glad to let their prisoners go , and had much ado to save themselves . two others that they caught , they hung up by the heels and hands , and having tormented them almost to death , at last released them for a great sum of money . another garison in the night went to tailleret , brake in at the windows and tops of houses , spoiling all , and took also fourteen prisoners , whom they bound two and two together , and were carrying them to the fortress , but two of them getting loose , so valiantly assaulted the souldiers , and beat them with stones , that they forced them to let go their other prisoners . yet two others they took , and carried them to the fort ; one was but a child , whom the captain strangled with his own hands ; the other was sixty years old , whom they bound , and took a crature that lives in horse-dung , and put into his navel , covering them with a dish , which in a short space did eat into his belly , and killed him . the waldenses were in great perplexity , by reason of these garisons , but especially for the want of their ministers : whereupon they resolved to call them back , yet to have preaching only in private , because they would not imbitter the souldiers , till their messengers returned from the duke . these messengers were cruelly handled at the court , and at last sent back with a command that they should entertain priests to say mass , &c. when this report was made to their brethren that sent them , there was wonderfull lamentation , weeping and mourning . then did they send two of their ministers to the church of pragela , to shew them of the pitifull condition of the churches in piedmont , and to ask their advice , how to prevent the danger : and in the next place they all fell to prayer , and having long called upon god for counsel and direction in so great a strait ; they resolved upon debate , that the people in piedmont and dauphine should joyn in a league together , wherein they promised , through gods grace and assistance , to maintain the pure preaching of the gospel , and administring the holy sacraments , to yeeld obedience to their superior , so farre as they were commanded by the word of god , and one to be aiding and assisting to the other ; that none should conclude any thing touching the estate of religion , without the consent of the rest of the vallies . during this treaty , all the housholders were required to be present at masse , and such as would do it , should live in peace , but such as refused should be condemned to be burnt , or sent to the gallies , so that the people were constrained to fly , die , or renounce the gospel : the first they would have chosen , but could not do it by reason of the great snow ; whereupon they exhorted one another saying , we shall be all called for to morrow , to renounce god , and to return to idolatry , let us therefore make a solemn protestation , that we will live and die in the confession of gods holy word ; let us in the morning hear a sermon , and then cast down to the ground , all the idols and altars : and to this all agreed . in the morning they put their resolutions into execution , beating down the images , and casting down the altars : then they went to villars to do the like there ; but by the way they encountred with a band of souldiers , who where going to spoil a village , and to fetch away the inhabitants prisoners : these souldiers seeing them so ill provided , mocked them , and discharged their guns at them ; but they taking courage , with stones beat the souldiers , pursuing them to the fortresse . then did they go to villars , and having destroyed the idols and altars there , they returned to besiege the fortresse , demanding the prisoners that were therein . the judge , with many gentlemen , came that day to enroll their names that would go to masse , but se●ing the resolution of the people , they fled into the castle , where they were besieged for ten daies : then did the captain of to●r go with a company of souldiers , thinking to raise the siege ; but by those which kept the passages , some of them were slain , the rest were driven back again : then came they back with three bands , which caused a furious fight , wherein many of the souldiers were slain and hurt , and not one of the besiegers was hurt . the waldenses attempted often to have taken the fortresse ; but without ordinance it was impossible : also the lord of trinity was come back with his army , and the next day would have raised the siege : but it pleased god that very night that the souldiers in the castle , desired leave to depart , with bag and baggage , which was easily granted to them : and the souldiers whi●h before had so cruelly persecu - the ministers , were now fain to request them to protect their lives , and to conduct them to a place of safty , which the ministers did willingly , and the souldiers were very thankfull for it : that night the fort was razed to the ground . the next day the lord of trinity cunningly sent to them of angrogne , that if they would not aid the other , they should be gently dealt with , but they knowing his fraud , agreed with the rest to defend their religion with their lives , and that no one should make an agreement with out the consent of the rest . then did the lord of trinity assay with his army to enter into the borders of angrogne by certaine streights , but the people having raised up some breast-works , valiantly defended themselves and offended their enemies . trinities souldiers being weary , fresh ones were brought in their stead , so that the fight endured untill night , wherein many of the enemies were slain , more hurt , and but two of the waldenses ; and so the battell ceased for the present . the next day the army marched towards angrogne five severall waies , and there were none to resist , but only a few that kept the watch , who valiantly fought for a space , but seeing themselves in danger to be inclosed , they retreated to an high place , where the combate was renued with greater fiercenesse then before : the lord of trinity seeing the losse of many of his men , sounded a retreat , and went to angrogne , but the people were fled into the medow of tour ; therefore he burned and spoiled all before him : he also oft set fire upon the two churches , where the word used to be preached , but could not burne them , and so he did to the ministers house , and yet it remained whole . amongst them of angrogne , there were but two that were enemies to the word of god , and they were both slain that day . then did the lord of trinity send some to burn rosa ; but the souldiers were driven back four daies together , by them that kept the passages ; whereupon he sent his whole army , yet they valiantly withstood them from morning till night ; at last a party gat behinde them , over a mountaine , so that the poor people seeing themselves environed , saved themselves by running through the midst of their enemies , and others of them gat into the rocks . the enemies being entred rosa destroyed all with fire and sword : the people fled by secret waies toward luserne , wandring all night upon the mountains full of snow , laden with their stuff , carrying their infants in their arms , and leading others by the hand with great pain and travell : they of luserne seeing them , ran to them , praising god for their deliverance ; and they all were very chearfull , notwithstanding their extremities . shortly after the lord of trinity went to luserne by three waies ; they which kept the passages resisted their enemies valiantly , but when they saw themselves assaulted on every side , they fled into the mountains . then did the souldiers sack and burn the houses , staying all they could finde : when they which were fled to the mountains saw their houses on fire , they praised god , and gave him thanks , that thus accounted them worthy to suffer for his name : then did the souldiers pursue them to the mountains , but after they had called upon god , a few of them beat back their enemies , whereupon the army retired . they in the meddow of tour , perceiving a company of souldiers burning the rest of the houses in angrogne , they sent six harque-bushiers against them , who from the higher ground , discharging all their guns together , the souldiers ran all away , when none pursued them . shortly after , as the watch was hearing a sermon , they spied a company of souldeirs marching up the hill , whereupon they ran to encounter them , and easily discomfited them : but whilest they pursued the chase , some cried to them , that another company was entred into the meddow , whereupon they left the chase : or else not one of their enemies had escaped . presently other companies came other waies , which the ministers and people seeing , were much discouraged , and therefore they fell to prayer , and ardently called upon god , with sighs and teares untill night . and whereas seven spies were sent before the souldiers , there went out five of the waldenses against them , and took some , and chased the rest : then went out eight more against the whole company , and pursued them with an undaunted courage from rock to rock , and from hill to hill , and then went out twelve more , who joining with the other , made a great slaughter of their enemies . another company from luserne , having a minister with them , as they used alwaies to have ; after they had made their prayers to god , set upon another company of souldiers , whose hearts were so taken from them , that they presently fled : one of the waldenses , a very young man , carried a greate staff in his hand , with which he laid so lustily at his enemies , that he brake his staff , and slew many of them , he also brake four of their own swords , in pursuing of them : also , a boy of eighteen years old , slew the lord of monteil , master of the camp , which much dismaid the enemies : another threw down charles truchet , and then leaped upon him , and slew him with his own sword ; upon which all the rest fled , and were pursued till night hindred . the minister seeing the great effusion of bloud , and the enemies flying , cried to the people that it was enough , and so exhorted them to praise god : they that heard him obeyed , and fell to prayer . in this battell they gat much armour , which was a great advantage to them afterwards . thanks were returned unto god in every place , every one saying , who sees not evidently that god fighteth for us . presently after , the lord of trinity returned to burn the villages , but especially to pursue the poor people in the mountains . and one company with many horsemen ascended the mountain of comb by an unsuspected way , where were no warders ; but they which were next , seeing them , called upon god for aid , and though they were but thirty in number , yet they valiantly beat them back twice ; many of the enemies were slain , and not one of the waldenses . trinity seeing his men thus beaten back , sent out most of his army to assist them , which were about one thousand five hundred men : and there came about a hundred to help the warders : the combat was very cruel ; at last the poor men were fain to retreat with the losse of two of their men ; at this the enemies exceedingly rejoyced , blowing their trumpets and triumphing : but the people crying all together to the lord , returned again , with greater violence , assaulting them with their slings ; so that the enemies being weary , rested themselves , and the while the waldenses betook themselves to prayer , which more affrighted their enemies then any thing else . then did the souldiers charge again furiously , but by the hands of a few they were driven back ; yea little children , fervently calling upon god , threw stones at their enemies , as also did the women : such as were unfit for war kneeled on the ground with their faces towards heaven , crying , lord help us . then came one running that brought word , that the angrognians were coming to help them , which the enemies hearing , presently retreated . another party of the army of an hundred and fourty , went another way ; but by seven men they were strongly resisted and driven back : a third party was met by the angrognians and driven back . the lord of trinity intending to be revenged upon them in the meddow of tour , assembled all the gentlemen of the country , and an army of about seven thousand : and when the poor people saw them coming , glittering in their harnesse , and so many in number , they were at first astonished , but pouring out their prayers unto god to succour them , and to have regard to the glory of his name , &c. they marched to encounter with their enemies , and seasonably by the way , they met with some aid that was coming to them from luserne , so that uniting themselves , they soon discomfited their enemies . the captain of the enemies had in the morning promised to do great matters that day , but in the evening he was carried back , weak and wounded , and not like to live : whereupon a papist said to him , monsieur , there religion is beter then ours . another part of the army set upon an house in a passe , wherein were but five men , yet they lustily defended it , drave out their enemies that had entred , and kept the place , till some of their friends came to relieve them . another half of the army , assaulted another bulwork on the side of the mountaine ; and they within suffered them to come very near , but then with slings and guns , they slew many of them , others rouled down great stones , which killed divers , so that when they had attempted all waies to take it , they were forced to retire ; the lord of trinity weeping to see his men slain so fast , and at last , having lost very many of his men , he was forced to retreate ; many of the army crying out , god fighteth for them , and we do them wrong . in all that conflict there were but two of the waldenses slain , and two hurt ; whereas they never shot at their enemies but they killed some , and sometimes two at one shot : the souldiers confessed that they were so astonished that they could not fight : others said , that the ministers by their prayers , conjured and bewitched them . it was a wonderfull work of god , that shepherds and cowherds should encounter with so mighty a power of strong and brave souldiers ▪ well furnished with ammunition , and themselves having nothing but slings , stones , and a few harquebushes , and yet should beat them , and in all those fights , they lost not above fourteen men . shortly after a company of souldiers went to angrogne to destroy the vines , &c. and mocking the waldenses , they said , that they were valiant men behinde their bulworks , but if they came into the plain , how they would beat them : then came thirty of the waldenses , and set upon them in the plain , and fought with them a long time , hand to hand , slew many of them , and at last forced them to run away , and that with the losse of one only man of their own . the night after , some thought that it would have been an easie matter to take the lord of trinity , and to have spoiled his whole army , but the waldenses would not do it , least they should offend god , and passe the bounds of their vocation , intending only to defend themselves . then did trinity betake himself to his old shifts of entertaining a treaty for agreement ; but in the interim , he sent a company of spaniards one way , and other companies other waies , to surprise the meddow of tour. the spaniards were entred the meddow , before they were perceived : but when the people spied them , they betook themselves to prayer , then winded their horns , and so prepared for resistance : the first that opposed themselves were but twelve men , who yet stoped them in a passe , and others rolled down stones from the mountains upon them , whereby many of the spaniards were slain , the rest were forced to retreat . shortly after the ministers and chief rulers of the waldenses , requested the lord of raconis to deliver a petition , which they had drawn up to the dutches of savoy , wherein they declared the equity of their cause , protesting all due obedience , &c. ▪ and at last , through gods mercy , they came to a good agreement , and according to the promise of god , all things turned to the best to those that feared him , that were called according to his purpose . after the death of the duke and dutchesse of savoy , charles emmanuel their son succeeded , who maintained them in peace according to the treaty formerly made : yet the inquisitors were alwaies watchfull to apprehend one or other of them : and amongst others , one bartholmew copin of luserne , being at ast in piedmont , with his merchandize , and at evening supping with some other company , one began to speak much to the disgrace of the waldenses for their religion . copin thought that he was bound not to be silent when he heard such blasphemies : whereupon he began to argue in their defence . are you then a waldensian , said the other to him ? he answered , yea. and do you not beleeve that god is in the host ? no , said copin ▪ fie upon you , said the other , what a false religion is yours ? my religion , said copin , is as true , as it 's true that god is god , &c. the next morning copin was called before the bishop of ast , who told him , that he must either recant the opinions he held over night , or be punished : copin said , he had been provoked to that discourse ; yet he said nothing but what he would maintaine with his life : adding that he had some goods , and a wife and children , yet he had lost the affections that he bare unto those things , neither were they dear to him , to the prejudice of his conscience . yet said , that behaving himself honestly , he ought not to be molested ▪ when he came about his merchandize , the turks and jews being permit●ed to come to fairs without molestation . notwithstanding which the bishop presently sent him to prison . the next day the bishops secretary went to him , professing great love , and telling him , that except he acknowledged his fault , he was in great danger of his life : copin answered , that his life was in the hands of god , and he desired not to preserve it to the prejudice of his glory ; and having but a few paces to walk in his journey to heaven , his hearty prayer to god was , to give him grace not to turn back . some few daies after he was examined by an inquisitor in the presence of the bishop , who exceedingly tormented him with sweet and gentle perswasions , by fair words seeking to draw him to an abjuration : but copin alwaies convinced him by the word of god : alleadging that if he should be ashamed of , or deny christ before men , christ would be ashamed of , and deny him before his heavenly father . then said the monk , go thy waies thou cursed heretick to all the devils in hell , and when thou shalt be there tormented by them , thou wilt remember this good and holy counsel that we have given thee , &c. after many violent encounters , they caused his wife and son to come to him , promising if he would confesse his fault , he should have liberty to depart with them ; they suffered them also to sup together , which time he spent in exhorting them to patience , telling them that god would be more then a husband and father to them : for his own part he was not bounde to love wife or childe more then christ ; and that they should esteem it their happiness , that god was pleased to do him the honour to be a witnesse to his truth , with the losse of his life , &c. he enjoyned his wife to bring up his children in the fear of god : his son he commanded to obey his mother , he desired them to pray for him , that god would strengthen him against all tentations , and so taking leave of his wife , and blessing his son , he dismissed them , his wife and son shedding fountains of tears , and crying out in so lamentable a manner as would have moved the hardest hart to compassion . the bishop knew not well what to do with him : if he let him go , he feared a scandall , and that many would be encouraged by his impunity : if he punished him , he offended against the agreement betwixt the duke and the waldenses . and thereupon he sent his indictment to the pope , to know his pleasure . shortly after copin was found dead in prison , it appearing manifestly that he was strangled : and after his death , he was condemned to be burnt , which was accordingly executed . chap. xxii . the persecution , of the vvaldenses in calabria . anno christi . the waldenses of pragela and dauphine grew so numerous , that they sent their younger people to seek some other country to inhabit . in their travell , they found in calabria , some wast and untilled lands : yet seeming very fertil , fit for corn wine , oyl and chestnuts , and that the hils were fit for cattel , and to furnish them with fuell and timber ; they came therefore to the lords of those places to treate with them touching their abode there . the lords received them lovingly , agreed to orders much for the advantage of these new inhabitants ; agreed about rents , tenths , tolls , penalties , &c. and so assigned to them certain parts of the countrey . then did they return to their parents , shewing how it fared with them , and so receive what they pleased to bestow upon them , and many of them marrying , they returned into calabria , where they built some towns and cities , as st xist , la garde , &c. the lords of those countries thought themselves happy in that they had met with such good subjects as peopled their waste lands , and made them to abound with all manner of fruits ; but principally because they were honest men , and of good conscience , yeelding all those duties and honours which they could expect from good subjects . only the priests complained of them , that they lived not after their religion , made not their children priests and nuns ; loved not tapers , masses , &c. that they adorned not their churches with images , went not on pilgrimage , &c. hereupon the lords feared , that if the pope should take notice , that so near his seat , there were people that contemned his laws , they might chance to lose their subiects : they therefore perswaded the priest to be silent , since in other things they shewed themselves honest men , inriched the country , yea and the priests themselves , by their tithes . these lords also stopped the mouths of their neighbours , who exceedingly murmured , because by no means they could draw them into alliance with them , and because all that they had , prospered exceedingly : they were wise and temperate , not given to drinking , dancing , swearing , &c. and living in a country , where the inhabitants were given to all manner of wickednesse , they were as precious stones in a common sink . thus they were preserved in peace by their lords , till anno . at which time these waldenses resolving to make a publick profession of their religion ; sent for two ministers from geneva , who did much establish the exercise of religion amongst them . pope pius the fourth hearing of this , presently concluded their utter ruine and extirpation , giving the same in charge to cardinal alexandrino , a violent man , who chose two monks inquisitors of his own humour , and sent them , first to begin with the inhabitants of st. xist ; there they assembled the people , gave them good words , promising that they should receive no violence , if they would accept of such teachers as the bishops should appoint , which if they refused , they would lose their lives , goods and honors , and would be condemned for hereticks : and further to prove them , they appointed a mass to be sung : but the people with their wives and children , presently quit their houses , and fled into the woods . from thence the monks went to la garde , where they caused the town-gates to be locked , and the people to be assembled , telling them that they of st. xist had adjured their religion , and went to mass , &c. promising that if they would do the like , no man should injure them . these poor people , believing what was told them , were content to do what they would have them ; but when they heard that their friends of st. xist refused to go to mass , and were fled into the woods , they were exceedingly grieved at their own revolt , and resolved with their wives and children , to go to their brethren . in the meane time the monks sent two companies of souldiers after them of st. xist , who ran after them as after wilde beasts , crying , kill , kill , and so slew divers : but such as could get to the top of the mountain , called to the souldiers , beseeched them to have pity on them , their wives and children , telling them that they had been inoffensive in their conversations , &c. yet if they would not suffer them to continue in their habitations , that at least they would license them to depart , either by sea or land , that they might retire themselves whether the lord should be pleased to conduct them , beseeching them also , for gods sake , not to force them to defend themselves - but this more enraged the souldiers , who presently violently assaulted them : then did they so defend themselves , that by gods assistance , they slew the greatest part of the souldiers , and put the rest to flight . hereupon the inquisitors wrote to the viceroy of naples , speedily to send some companies of souldiers to apprehend the hereticks of st. xist and la garde , whereby he should do a work very pleasing to the pope , and meritorious for himself . then did the viceroy come himself with his troops , in the mean time the waldensian women came home to seek for food for their husbands and children that were in the woods - the viceroy proclaimed through all naples , that all such banished persons as would come to fight against the hereticks of st. xist , should be pardoned all their offences : whereupon great numbers resorted to him , and were conducted to the woods , where they chased these poor people , slaying some , wounding others , the rest fled into caves , where most of them died of famine . then were they of la garde cited before the inquisitor , and many fair promises were made unto them if they would appeare ; but contrary thereunto , thirty of them were apprehended , and put to the rack . one charlin was racked with such violence , that his bowels brake out of his belly , and all to extort from him a confession , that in the night , the candles being put out , they committed whoredome , and abominable incest , yet would he never confesse any such wickednesse . another with extreame pain upon the rack , promised to go to masse , the inquisitor seeing that he had shewed such weaknesse , urged him to confesse the forementioned wickednesse , which , because he refused , he left him eight hours together upon the rack , yet could he not get from his mouth so foul a slander . another was stripped stark naked , whipt with rods of iron , drawn through the streets , and burnt with firebrands : one of his sons was killed with knives : another thrown down from an high tower , because he would not kisse a crucifix : another was condemned to be burnt alive , and as he went to the fire , he threw to the ground a crucifix , which the executioner had fastened to his hands , whereupon they covered him all over with pitch , and so burnt him . the inquisitor panza cut the throats of eighty , as butchers do their sheep's ; then causing them to be divided into four quarters , he set up stakes for the space of thirty miles , and appointed a quarter to be fastned to every stake . four of the principall men of la gard he caused to be hanged . another young man , because he would not confesse himself to a priest , was thrown from an high tower . the vice-roy passing by before he was dead , and hearing him implore gods mercy , kickt him on the head , saying , is this dog yet living ? take him and cast him to the hogs . sixtly women were racked so violently , that the cords pierced into their arms and legs , and being then cast into prison , they died there , only nine of the handsomest being delievered to the fathers of the inquisition , were never heard off after . many others were delivered to the secular power to be burnt , and if any interceded for them , he was presently put on the rack as a favourer of hereticks . pope pius the fourth sent the marquesse of butiane , promising that if he would wholly cleare calabria of these waldenses , he would make his son a cardinall : but he was put to no great pains to do it , for the inquisitors and the vice-roy of naples had by sundry deaths killed all the men , women and children that they could light of . one of their ministers was famished in prison : another was carried to rome , where he was condemned to be burnt ; the pope and his cardinals would needs see that pleasing spectacle : but the minister spake so many things out of gods word , against the pope , that the pope gnashed his teeth for anger , wishing that he had been some where else . and thus were these godly people wholly rooted out of calabria . chap. xxiii . the persecutions of the waldenses in provence . these came from piedmont , when their vallies were over-peopled . the country of provence , at their first arrival , was a desert , but within few years , by gods blessing upon their labours , it-abounded with corn , wine , oil , chesnuts , and other fruites . there habitations being near to avignion ( many times the popes seat ) they were exposed to sundry persecutions , as anno . and at other times : but the greatest of all began about the year . in the time of king lewis the twelfth ; who being informed that in provence was a certain kind of people that lived not according to the laws of the church of rome , but were an accursed people , committing all kindes of wickednesse and villanies : he gave commission to his parliament in provence to take cognizance of it , and to punish them according to their demerits . the court prosecuting this order with rigour ; and the king hearing that diverse innocent persons were put to death , he sent his master of requests , and confessor into provence , to finde out what kinde of persons these were , who at their return , certified him that all the former suggestions were untrue , that they were neither socerers , nor whoremongers , but lived honestly , did hurt to none ; caused their children , to be baptized , taught them their belief , and the ten commandments and that they carefully kept the lords day , and had the word of god purely expounded to them : whereupon the king swore an oath , that they were honester then himself , and his catholik subjects . upon this information he sent and sta●ed the persecution . then did the waldenses send two of their ministers [ george morrell and peter masson ] to oecolampadius , capito , b●cer and haller , to confer with them about matters of religion , and to have there advice in many things . in their return , masson was apprehended at dijon ; where he was condemned and put to death for a lutheran . morrell escaped with his letters and papers , and came safe to provence , where he much comforted and confirmed the churches . yet all this while did the parliament of aix apprehend one or other of them , condemning some to the fire , others to the gibbet ; they which scaped best , returned with marks in their forheads . anno christi . the inhabitants of merindoll were summoned , and some of the chief appearing for the rest , they were all condemned to be burned alive , their children and families to be outlawed , and that the place of their habitation should be laid waste , the woods cut down two hundred paces round about , and so left desolate . the king being informed of the rigour of this edict , and of the innocency of the people , countermanded the execution of it : but his letters were suppressed , and the cardinall of tournon obtained for a great some of money , the revocation of them . anno . the president of opede proclaimed war against them both at aix and marseilles : divers companies of souldiers were listed , and five bands of the old souldiers of piedmont were joyned with them , and presently they began to set fire on the villages of cabrieres , pepin , &c. the poor people without any resistance were slain , women and their daughters ravished , some great with child murthered ; the breasts of many women were cut off , after whose death their poor infants died of famine . opede also proclaimed , that on pain of death no man should give any relief or sustenance to them . all their habitations were pillaged , sacked and burnt , and none of their persons spared , but such as were reserved for the gallies . opede comming to merindol , found none there but one simple lad , who had yielded himselfe prisoner to a souldier , and promised two crowns for his ransom ; but opede paid the money to the souldier , and caused the lad to be shot to death ; then he utterly razed the town , and laid it levell with the ground . then did he march against cabrieres , and with the cannon battered the wals : there was within only about sixty poor sick pesants , who sent him word that he needed not to spend powder to batter the wals , for they were ready to open the gates , and quit the country , if they might but have leave with their wives and children to go to geneva , or germany ▪ and to leave all their goods behinde them ▪ opede entring the town , caused all the men to be brought into a field , and to be cut in pieces , the souldiers striving who should shew the best manhood in cutting off heads , arms and legs : the women he caused to be locked in a barn with much straw , and so put fire to it , where many women great with childe were burnt : one souldier moved with pity , opening a hole in the wall , that some of them might come out ; but opede made them to be beaten back againe into the fire with pikes and halberts . some of them that came forth he slew with his own hands , ripping open their bellies , so that their children came forth , whom he trod under his feet : many were fled into cellers and caves , whom he caused to be dragged out , had into the field , stripped stark naked , and then slain . others were bound by two and two together , and slain by the captains , who rejoyced in their bloudy butchery . then did this tyrant ( worse then herod ) command one of his captaines to go into church , into which many women , children and infants were fled ; and to kill them all , which the captain at first refused , saying , that it was a cruelty unbeseeming men of warre : whereat miniers being displeased , charged him upon pain of rebellion against the king to do it . the captain fearing what might be the issue , entred with his souldiers and destroyed them all , sparing neither young nor old . other souldiers that ransacked the houses , found many poor persons who had hid themselves in secret places , whom they flew upon , crying , kill , kill , the souldiers without the town killed all they could meet with , so that above a thousand men , women and children were slain in this place . many persons which were escaped into the mountains , sent by some that had most interest in miniers , to desire him to give them leave to go whither the lord should please to leade them , with their wives and children , though they had nothing but the shirts on their backs : to whom he answered , tha● he knew what he had to do , he would send them to dwell in hell amongst the devils . then did he send part of his army unto costa , which they overcame , and committed there great slaughter : many of the inhabitants fled into an orchard , where the souldiers ravished many women and maidens , and having kept them there a day and a night , they used them so beastly , that the women with childe , and younger maidens died presently after . many of these merindolians hid themselves in rocks and dark caves , where some were famished , others were choaked with fire and smoak set to their caves mouths . many more were the outrages and cruelties which this wicked opede committed : but the lord found him out at last , striking him with a strang kinde of bleeding at the lower parts , neither was he able to void any urine , so that by degrees his guts rotted within him : no remedy could be found for this terrible disease , worms bred in his bowels , which continually gnawed him . then did he send to arles for a famous chyrurgion , who cured him of his difficulty to make water , after which , desiring all to depart the room , the chyrurgion in private exhorted him to repent of his former cruelty and bloud-shed , telling him that this his strange bleeding was gods just hand upon him for shedding so much innocent bloud : but these words pierced the impure conscience of this wicked wretch , and more troubled him then the torments of his disease , so that he cryed out to lay hands on the chirurgion as an heretick : whereupon he conveyed himself away , and returned to arles . yet not long after he was sent for again , and great promises were made for his security : but when he came back , he found miniers past cure , raging and casting out most horrible & blasphemous words , feeling a fire within him which burnt him from the navel upwards , which was accompanied with extream stink of his lower parts , and so he ended his wretched life . in the beginning of this persecution , there was one john de rom● , a monk , who gat a commission to examine those whom he suspected to be hereticks ; whereupon he afflicted the faithfull with all kindes of cruelty : amongst other horrible torments that he used , this was one ; he filled boots with boiling grease , and put them upon their legs , tying them backwards over a form , and their legs hanging down over a soft fire : thus he tormented very many , and in the end most cruelly put them to death . francis the french king being informed of the hellish cruelty of this wicked monk , sent to his parliament at provence that they should apprehend and condemn him : but he being informed of it , fled to avignion , where he hoped to enjoy all that wealth which so mercilesly and unjustly he had extorted from the poor christians : but shortly after he was robbed of all that he had , by his own servants ; and then he fell sick of a most horrible and strange disease unknown to the physitians : he was intollerably tormented with pains all over his body , so that no means could give him ease for one minute of an hour ; neither was their any man that could tarry near him , no not of his nearest friends ; so great was the stink that came from him : then was he removed to an hospital : but the stink and infection so encreased , that no man durst come near him no ; nor he himself was able to abide the horrible stink of his own body , full of ulcers and sores , and smarwing with vermine , and so rotten , that the flesh fell from the bones by piece-meal . in these torments he often cried out in great rage . o who will deliver me ? vvho will kill and rid me out of these intollerable paines , which i know i suffer for the oppressions which i did to the poor men ? oft-times he himself endeavoured to destroy himself ; but he had not the power . in this horrible anguish , and fearful despair he miserably ended his accursed life . when he was dead no man would come near to bury him ; till at last a young novice caught hold of his stinking carcase with an iron hook , and so dragged him into an hole that was made for him . in the time of this persecution the bishop of aix , with some other bishops and their courtizans , walking along the streets of avignion , saw a man selling baudy images and pictures , with filthy rimes and ballades annexed to them : all these goodly pictures the bishops bought up . when they had gon a little further , there was a book-seller that had set to sale certain bibles in french ▪ which the prelates were greatly moved at , saying to him , dar'st thou be so bold as to sell such merchandise in this town ? the book-seller replied , is not the holy bible as good as these goodly pictures that you have bought for these gentle-women ? then said the bishop of aix , i renounce my part in paradise , if this fellow be not a lutheran , take him away to prison . then did his attendants cry out , a lutheran , a lutheran , to the fire with him , to the fire with him ; and one gave him a blow with his fist , another pulled him by the hair , another by the beard , so that the poor man was all imbrued in bloud , before he came to prison . the next day he was brought before the judge , where , by the instigation of the bishops , he was condemned to be burned the same day , and so was carried to the fire with two bibles about his neck , one before , and another behinde , where he made a most christian end . the waldenses were dispersed also into several other countries , as bohemia , austria ▪ germany , flanders , england , poland , italy , spain , dalmatia , croatia , sclavonia , grecia , philadelphia , livonia , sarmatia , bulgaria , &c. in all which places at one time or other they suffered persecutions ; concerning which there is not much left upon record , and something will be spoken again of it in other places of this book , and therefore this may suffice for the present . chap. xxiv . the persecution of the albingenses . these were the same with the waldenses , differing only in name from their habitation in the country of albi. divers of waldo's disciples going into this country , and amongst them one arnold ( from whom they were called arnoldists ) laboured with so good successe , that in a short time there was scarce any found that would go to masse . pope alexander the third was much moved to anger , when he saw many great provinces to shake off his antichristan yoak , and therefore he condemned them for hereticks in the councel of lateran : yet did they so multiply , that anno . they possessed many and great cities ; yea , they had many great lords that took part with them , as earl remund of tholouse , remund earl of foix , the vicount of bezieres , &c. pope innocent the third pretended a great desire to reclaime them by preaching and conference ; and thereupon there was a famous disputation at montreall , wherein the popish doctors were shamefully baffled by arnold : but the popes pollicy was thus to rock them asleep whilest he raised armies against them to destroy them : the pretended occasion whereof was this ; there was one frier peter that was slain in the dominions of the earl of tholouse ; whereupon the pope sent preachers abroad through all europe to assemble men together to take vengeance on the hereticks , for the innocent bloud of friar peter , slain amongst them ; promising paradise to all that would come to this warre , and bear arms for fourty daies . this he called the holy warre , and gave the same pardons and indulgences to those that came to this war , as to those which went into the holy land against the saracens . then did he thunder against earl remund , charging all arch-bishops and bishops through their diocesse to pronounce him accursed and excommunicated , and that with the sound of a bell , and extinction of candles every sabbath and festivall day , for murthering of a good servant of god ▪ he also absolved all his subjects from their oaths of allegiance to him ; commanding every good catholike to pursue his person , and to take and possesse his land , &c. he also wrote to all christian princes to stirre them up to get this pardon , rather by fighting against these albingenses , then by going against the turks . earl remund hearing of all these preparations against him , sent to the pope , humbly beseeching him not to condemn him before he was heard , assuring him that he was no way guilty of the death of frier peter , but that he was slain by a gentleman , who immediatly fled out of his country , otherwise he would have severely punished him for it . but all was in vain , for presently came armies of crossed souldiers to pour down their vengeance on him and his lands . amongst these were many noble men , and ecclesiasticall persons , arch-bishops , bishops , abbots , &c. to all which the pope promised paradise , but gave them not a peny . the earl of tholouse perceived that he must either prepare for defence , or submit ; the latter he thought the safer , and therefore he went presently to the popes legate at valance ; to whom he began to say , that he thought it strange that so many armed men should be brought against him , who used no other arms for his defence but his own innocency : and that concerning the death of the frier , they should first have enquired the truth of the fact , before they thus moved heaven and earth against him ; yea , if he had been guilty , yet there was an ordinary course of justice to be used against him , and not to wreak their anger on his innocent subjects : and therefore sir ( said he ) since i come voluntarily to you , armed only with the testimony of a good conscience , what further use is there of these armed pilgrims ? pray you therefore counte●mand these souldiers before they go to make any further spoil in my territories : for my own person may serve for a sufficient pledge , &c. the legate answered , that he had done well in coming to him , yet could he not send back the souldiers , except he would put seven of his best castles into his hands , which should serve for a hostage ; now did the earl when it was too late see his own folly in putting himself into the legates hands , and thereby making himself a prisoner , but there was no remedy , now he must take laws from him that had him in his power , and therefore be told him that both his person and possessions were at his disposall , beseeching him that his subjects might receive no more damage by the souldiers . the legate presently sent to put garisons in those seven castles , commanding all the consuls of every city presently to appear before him : and when they were come , he told them that earl remund had delivered up his castles to the pope , and therefore they were to take notice of it , that so they might acknowledge themselves lawfull subjects to his holinesse , in case the earl should falsifie his oath to the pope . the consuls were much astonished thus to see their lord devested of all his possessions : but that which most afflicted them was , to see him led to s. giles to be reconciled to the church , where the legate commanded the earl to strip himself stark naked all but his linnen drawers : then did he put a cord about his neck , whereby he led him nine times about the grave of frier peter , scourging him with rods all the while : the earl demanded satisfaction for so sharp a penance seeing he was not guilty of the fact : the legate answered , that he must submit if he would be reconciled to the pope , yea , he must be thus scourged before the earls , barons , marquesses , prelates , and all the people : he made him also to swear to be obedient all his life to the pope and church of rome : and to make irreconcileable warre against the albingenses , &c , then did the legate make him general of the crossed souldiers for the seige of beziers : the earl knew not what to do : for to conduct an army to fight against the albingenses , was to sin against his conscience , and if he should fly away , it would furnis● them with new matter of persecution against him and his subjects . in this extremity he stayed in the army a few daies , and then went towards rome to reconcile himself to the pope . then did the army come before the city of beziers , and provided all manner of engines for battery , reared up ladders for a general escalado : this the earl of beziers beholding , and judging it impossible to defend the city , he went out : and cast himself down at the legates feet , beseeching him not to punish the innocent with the nocent , which must needs be , if the town were taken by storm : he told him , that there were in the city great numbers of good catholicks , which would be subject to the same ruine with the albingenses : he desired him also to commiserate him now in his minority that was a most obedient servant to the pope , and had been brought up in the romish church , in which he would live and die : the legate told him that all his excuses prevailed nothing , and that he must do as he may : the earl returned into the city , assembled the people , and told them that he could obtain no mercy from the legat , except all the albingenses would come and abjure their religion , and promise to live according to the laws of the church of rome : the popish party requested the albingenses to yield to this , but the albingenses answered , that they would not forsake their religion for the base price of their frail life : that god was able , if he pleased , to defend them , but if he would be glorified by the confession of their faith ▪ it should be a great honour to them to die for his sake : that they had rather displease the pope , who could but kill their bodies , then god , who could cast both body and soul into hell , &c. then did the popish party send their bishop to the legate , beseeching him not to include them in the chastisement of the albingenses : and that the best way to win the others was by gentle means , not by rigour : the legate grew into great choler at this , swearing that if all the city di● not acknowledg their fault , they should all taste of one cup without distinction of religion , sex or age : and accordingly he summoned the city presently to yield to his discretion , which they refusing , he caused that his engines should play , and that a generall assault should be given . it was impossible for them within the city to resist so great violence , being assaulted by above an hundred thousand pilgrims : so that the enemies entred , and slew a great multitude , and set the city on fire , and burnt it to ashes : when the city was first taken , the priests and monks came forth of the great church with banners and crosses , singing , te deum laudamus ; but the souldiers , who were commanded by the legate to kill all , ran upon them , made their heads and arms to fly about the streets , so that they were all cut in pieces . in this city of beziers they slew sixty thousand persons , the popes legate saying to the captains and souldiers , caedite eos omnes , novit enim dominus qui sunt ejus , kill them all ] catholicks and hereticks ] for the lord knoweth who are his . then were these pilgrims presently conducted to carcasson before the fourty daies of service , which they had vowed to the church of rome , were expired . the earl of beziers when he saw that he could obtain no favour of the legate , before the city was taken , left his charge to the bishop , and went to carcasson , endeavouring to prepare and furnish it for a long siege : but the legates army followed him presently , unto which there came a new supply of crossed souldiers out of sundry countries , so that his army now consisted of three hundred thousand fighting men . near to the city of carcasson was a town of the same name : the city was seated on an hill , and fenced with a double wall ; yet the pilgrims thought to take it at the first sight , and therefore ran with great violence upon the first rampier , filling the ditch with fagots , but they were beaten back with such courage , that the ground was covered with their dead bodies : the young earl of beziers won much honor in this first encounter , encouraging his men , and telling them , that it was better to die fighting , then to fal into the hands of such cruel and merciless enemies , &c. the albingenses much encouraged hereby , swore to him that they would spend their lives for the preservation of the city . the next morning the legate commanded a general assault to be made upon the town of carcasson which was two miles from the city : & the people valiantly defended themselves , but being oppressed with multitudes , the souldiers entred the town , putting all to the sword and fire , as they had done at beziers . then came the king of arragon to the camp , and told the legate that he understood that his kinsman the earl of beziers was in the city , and that with his leave , he would go to him , not doubting but that he should prevail with him to do his duty to the pope and church : the legate gave him leave , and the king approaching to the rampier , called for the earl , who came to him : then said the king , that he desired to know of him what moved him to shut up himself in that city against so great an army of pilgrims ? the earl answered , that it was to defend his life , goods and subjects : that he knew well that the pope , under the pretence of religion , resolved to destroy his uncle remund , and himselfe : that he saw the cruelty which they had used at beziers even against the priests themselves : adding also what they had done to the town of carcasson , and that they must look for no mercy from the legate or his army : and that therefore he rather chose to die , defending himself with his subjects , then to fall into the hands of so inexorable an enemy as the legate was : that though he had in his city some that were of another religion , yet they were such as had wronged none , and were come to his succour in his greatest extremity , and for their good service he was resolved not to abandon them , and that his trust was in god the defender of the oppressed , that he would assist them against that world of ill advised men , who forsook their own houses to burn , sack , and ransack , and kill in their houses other men without reason , judgement , or mercy . the king returning to the legate , told him , that his cozen was much discontented with his former dealings against his subjects of beziers & carcasson , that he believed , seeing they spared not the romish priests , their war was not for religion , but a kinde of theevery : that he would not yield himselfe to the descretion of such mercilesse men , &c. the legate , after some debate , told the king , that for his sake he would receive the earl of beziers to mercy , and that with him , twelve more might come out with bag and baggage , but for the rest he would have them wholly at his discretion , and that they should all come forth stark naked , men , women , maids , and children , without shirts , smocks , or other covering , and that then they might hope well of his mercy , he being the popes legate , &c. the king much distasted this propositions , yet reported it to the earl of beziers , who returned answer , that he would not come forth upon such unreasonable and unjust propositions , but would defend himself and his subjects , as god should enable him . then did the legate cause all his engines to play , commanding , that they should take the city by storm , but he was little pleased when he saw the losse of a great number of his pilgrims : for they in the city threw down stones , fire , pitch , brimstone , and boiling water , wherewith they so galled the assailants , that the earth●●s covered , and the ditches filled with their deads bodies , which 〈◊〉 a wondrous noysom stink both in the city an camp. this overthrow caused divers of the crossed souldiers , having accomplished their fourty daies service , and thereby gained paradise , to refuse to conquer more after so faire a purchase , and therefore they returned home . the legate being much troubled to see his army so decreased , thought of this stratagem , he sent for a gentleman , telling him that he might do a piece of service , whereby he might not only merit heaven , but gain a great reward here : which was by going to the earl of bezires , endeavouring to put him into great fears , and then to perswade him to have recourse to the legates mercy , and withall that he should perswade him with great oaths and execrations ( whereof he could absolve him at his pleasure ) to come with him to the legate , with assurance that he should be dismissed safe and sound . this gentleman plaied his part so well , that he brought the young earl with him : the legate presently told him , that he was now his prisoner till carcasson was taken , and till his subjects had better learned their duty : the earl astonished hereat , cried out that he was betraied , and that faith was violated with him , &c. but this nothing prevailed , for he was presently committed to the guard and custody of the duke of burgonne . the inhabitants of carcasson understanding this , brake forth into tears , and were so astonished , that they now thought of nothing but how by flight to escape the danger , but that seemed impossible , being environed with such an army : at last one told them , that he heard some old men say , that there was a certain vault under ground , great and large , which went to the castle of cameret three leagues off : then were all the citizens imploied to search for this vault , and having at last found it , they began their flight in the evening , with their wives and children , carrying with them only some victuals for a few daies . this departure was accompanied with much sorrow thus to leave all their worldly enjoyments : the next morning they came to the castle , and from thence dispersed themselves , some to arragon , others to catalonia , others to tholouse , whether it pleased god to conduct them . in the morning the pilgrims were strangely astonished , hearing no noise nor seeing any man stirring in the city , yet they approached the wals with much fear , lest it should be but a stratagem to endanger them , but finding no opposition , they mounted the wals , crying out , that the albingenses were fled , and thus was the city with all the spoils taken , and the earl of beziers committed to prison in one of the strongest towers of carcasson . then did the legate call all the prelates , and great lords of his army together , telling them , that though it was requisite that there should be alwaies a legate in the army , yet it was likewise necessary that there should be a secular general , wise and valiant , to command in all their affairs , &c. this charge was first proffered to the duke of burgonne , then to the earl of ennevers , and to the earl of s. paul : but they all refused it : lastly , it was proffered to earl simon of montfort , who after some excuses , accepted of it . the earl being made general , settled himself at carcasson with four thousand pilgrims , all the remainders of that huge army . after this earl remund of tholouse , went to the french king for his letters of commendation to the pope , to be by him fully cleared from the death of frier peter , and the pope thereupon received him courteously , gave him full remission and absolution , and thereby declared him sufficiently justified . shortly after the earl of beziers died in prison , and earl simon was put into possession of his lands , whereupon all that bordered upon him began to fear him , for that he gave it out that the spring following he would have a great army of pilgrims , wherewith he would chastise those that had not acknowledged his authority given him by the church . upon this occasion castris sent unto him the keys of their city ; the castle of pinies yielded to him , and so did all round about carcasson : but the king of arragon secretly encouraged the gentlemen of the vicounty of beziers , telling them that his pilgrims would be uncertain , and would not stay long with him , and that if in the mean time they would but keep themselves in their garisons , when he was weak by the departure of his pilgrims , they might then set upon him , and reduce him to reason . these messages gave such encouragement to the gentry , that the earl simon being gone to montpelliar , they took arms to shake off his yoak , besieging some of his souldiers in a tower near to carcasson : the earl hearing of it presently returned to succor them , but the tower was taken before he came , which affront brought him into some contempt : then captain boucard belonging to earl simon , attempted to surprise the strong castle of cabe●et , making his approach thereto as secretly as he could : captain roger commanding therein for earl remund , was come forth with eighty horse to forrage : boucard on the sudden charged him : but roger doubled the charge in so furious a manner , that he overcame boucards party , and brought him prisoner into that castle that he came to surprise . gerad of pepios took part with the albingenses , so that the warre grew hot : but all the men that earl simon took , he caused a great fire to be made , and cast them into it : neither did his men escape scot-free , when they fell into their enemies hands . the city of carcasson was hereupon stricken with great fear , having little hope to defend themselves , but by flight , being environed on all sides by their enemies . about this time earl simon wrote to all the prelates through europe , that if in the spring following they did not send him good store of pilgrims , he could hold out no longer against his enemies , having since the last departure of his pilgrims , lost above fourty towns and castles ; and whilest that he waited for these new succours , he surprised the castle of beron , where he pulled out the eyes of above a hundred albingenses , and cut off their noses , leaving only one with one eye to guide the rest to cabaret . anno . earl simon being shut up in carcasson for want of souldiers , heard that his wife was comming from france with many pilgrims , whereupon he went out to meet her : these pilgrims he imployed against the castle of menerbe , which at last was yielded up to him for want of water . this castle was defended by remund , lord of termes , and was scituated in narbonne : one argument which earl simon used to stirre up his crossed souldiers to fight manfully against it , was , for ( that saith he , ) there hath been no masse sung in it since the yeare . which is now thirty years , upon the surrender of the castle they laboured to draw this noble lord to recant his religion , and turne papist ; but finding him immovable , they shut him up in a straight prison , where shortly after he died : they also took his wife , sister , and daughter , who was a maid , and other noble women , with whom they laboured to withdraw them from the truth both by flattery and frowns , by faire speeches , and cruell threats , but when they saw that nothing would prevaile , they made an huge fire , casting them into the same , and burning them : god fridi annales . also after his taking of the said castle , he caused a frier to preach to the people , and to exhort them to acknowledge the pope and church of rome : but they not staying till he had done ▪ cried out , we will not forsake our faith , you labour but in vain , for neither life nor death shall make us abandon our beliefe . then did the earl and legate cause a great fire to be made , and cast into it a hundred and fourscore men and women , who went in with joy , giving god thanks for that he was pleased so to honour them , as to die for his names sake : they also told earl simon that he would one day pay dear for his cruelties . all that saw their valour , and constancy were much amazed at it . then did the earl besiege the castle of termes , which also at last was taken for want of water ; yet they within the castle , when they perceived that they could hold out no longer , one night quit the place and passed away undiscovered . the castle de la vaur , was also besieged , in which there were many godly people : thither came many pilgrims to the legate , from all countries ; and amongst others , six thousand germanes , of whose coming the earl of foix hearing , he laid an ambush for them , overthrew and slew them all , not one escaping but an earl that carried the news to earl simon . after six moneths siege the castle of vaur was taken by assault , where all the souldiers were put to the sword save eighty gentlemen , whom earl simon caused to be hanged , and the lord aimeri on a gibbet higher then all the rest , the lady his sister was called girauda , was cast into a ditch , and there covered with stones . and for the rest of the people a very great fire was made , and they were put to their choise , whether they would forsake their opinions , or perish by the flames : there were scarce any of them found that would doe the first , but exhorting one another , they went into the kindled fire of their own accord , saith altisiodore , but more probably they were forced into the same , where joyfully they resigned up their spirits unto god : some say that they were about foure hundred persons that thus perished by fire . after the return of the earl remund from the pope , the legate still fought to entrap him , but the earl would not come againe within his reach . then did the legate send the bishop of tholouse to him , who pretended a great deal of love and friendship to the earl , and by his subtilty at last prevailed with him to profer his strong castle of narbonnes to them to lodge in as they passed that way : but as soon as the legate and his company were entred , they seised upon it , and put into it a garison , which was a continuall vexation to all his subjects . then did the legate resolve upon the utter extirpation of earl remund , and all his house , as the head of the albingenses ; but presently after this legate dying , earl simon was frustrated of this hope . about this time the english who now possessed guienne , which bordereth upon the earldom of tholouse began to help the albingenses , being stirred up thereto by reinard lollard , a godly , and learned man , who by his powerfull preaching converted many to the truth , and defended the faith of the albingenses ; for which they were so eagerly pursued , and constantly suffered martyrdom : and this they did the rather , not only for their neighbour-hoods sake , or for that simon earl of lecester was a rebell , and traitour to their king , but because this remund earl of tholouse , whom they so cruelly whipped , and other wise abused , and had now also excommunicated , was brother in law to king john. for his former wife was joane sometimes queene of sicilie , which joane was k●ng johns sister , and bare to the earl of tholouse , remund , who succeeded his father both in the earldome , and in his troubles . john le maier much commendeth this lollard , saying that he foretold many things by divine revelation , which ( saith he ) came to passe in my time , and therefore he putteth him into the rank of holy prophets : and for his learning it is evident by his comment upon the revelation , where he setteth forth many things that are spoken of the roman antichrist . this worthy man was afterwards apprehended in germany ; and being delivered to the secular power , was burnt at collen . anno . a new legate called theodosius was appointed to succeed who excommunicated earl remund , and the bishop of tholouse thereupon sent the earl word that he must depart out of the city , for that he could not say masse whilest an excommunicated person was in the city : the earl returned this answer , being netled at his insolency , that he ( the bishop ) should presently depart out of his territories , and that upon pain of his life : accordingly the bishop departed , and took with him the canons of the cathedrall church , with the crosse , banner , and host , and all of them barefooted in procession : coming thus to the legates army , they were received as persecuted martyrs , with the teares of the pilgrims , and generall applause of all . then the legate thought that he had suffici●nt cause to prosecute earl remund , as a relapsed and impenitent man ; but first he sought by craft to get him into his power , and with his fair flatering letters , he at last drew him once again to arles : the earl had requested the king of arragon to meet him there . when they were both come , the legate commanded them upon the pain of his high indignation , that they should not depart , but with his leave : whilest they were there , the earl was privately shewed by a friend , the articles of the legate to which he would enforce him to subscrib , which were these . . that the earl of tholouse should presently dismiss , and cashiere all his men at armes , not restraining one . . that he shall be obedient , and subject to the church : and repaire all the costs , and damages which the church hath been at . . that in his lands , no man should eat of more then two sorts of flesh . . that he shall expell out of his territories all the hereticks , and their allies . . that he shall deliver into the hands of the legate , and of earl simon , all those persons that shall be named unto him . . that no man in his lands whether noble , or ignoble , shall were any costly apparell , but black course clokes . . that all his castles of defence shall be razed to the ground . . that no gentlemen of his shall live in any city , or castle , but in country houses , or villages only . . that he shall not levie in his land any taxes , or tolls , but such as in old time were accustomed . . that every master of a family shall pay yearly four tholousian pence to the legate . . that when earl simon shall passe through his countries , he shall beare their charges . . that after his performances of these things , he shall go into the holy land to fight against the turke , and never return againe into his owne country , but by the leave of the pope , or his legate . remund having read over these articles shewed them to the king , who advised him presently to mount on horseback , least seising upon him , they might the better become masters of all his estate which accordingly he did . the legate was much troubled that he had thus lost his prey , and despairing to do any more by subtilty , he resolved to set upon him by force : and thereupon he besieged the castle of montferrand , where baldwin , the brother of the earl of tholouse was governour : baldwin , at least pretending inability to defend the place , yielded it up , and abjuring his opinions turned papist . the earl of tholouse seeing himselfe thus betrayed by his brother , lamented exceedingly : but a greater mischiefe soone after befell him : for the legate , and earl simon wonne from him by their subtilty , the king of arragon , his only prop under god : and that by this meanes they agreed that the king of arragons daughter should be married to earl simon 's eldest son , in consideration whereof the king of arragon invested simon in the earldom of beziers : and now they intend jointly to besieg tholouse : for which end the bishop of tholouse was sent to levy souldiers in france , and at his returne hasted to tholouse : which earl remund hearing of , sallyed out of the city with five hundred horse , and some foot , marching to the bridg which goeth over the river of garenne not far from tholouse , hoping either to gaine it , or to breake it down : but being overpowered by multitude , he was forced to make a retreat , and the enemie pursued him to the very gates of tholouse : but earl remund seeing their insolency , sallyed out againe with a greater strength , and charged them so gallantly , that he beat them back to the bridge , which being but narrow , he slew almost all of them there : and took prisoner amongst them , aimery the son of earl simon . earl simon hearing of this loss , hasted with all his army to the city , and gave a furious assault to it , but the ditches were soone filled with the dead bodies of the enemie beaten from their scaling laddars : and the earl himselfe was beaten from his horse . in the middest of this assault , came the earl of campeigne soon enough to be well beaten for his welcome , earl simon finding such stout resistance from the citizens , caused his pilgrimes to spoil the orchards , gardens , and vineyards about the city , which being perceived ; the president of argeves issued out of the city suddenly , and slew a number of the pilgrims , and on another part , the earl of foix slew as many as he could meet with . the earl of bar seeing the disorder of the popish army cried out a bar , a bar , but the citizens of tholouse charged him so bravely , that being discomfited , he was faigne to fly amongst the rest . after this victory earl remund returning to tholouse caused publike , and solemne thanks to be returned unto god , for the same . earl simon after this lead his army into the country of the earl of foix , who was now sick , where he took some townes : also the legat with another part of the army went to roquemaur , and in his way took the tower of cassas ; and caused above an hundred men that were found therein most cruelly to be burned alive , and levelled the tower to the earth . earl remund being much afflicted for the loss , and alienation of his ancient friend the king of arragon , studied how he might regaine him , and for that end propounded a match betweene his only son , and heire , and the king of arragons daughter , which motion the king readily imbraced , and so their amity was againe revived . not long after the king of arragon sent a letter of defiance to earl simon , who sent the same all over christendom to stir up pilgrims to assist him for the destruction of the king who ( as he said ) was now become the captaine of the albingenses : and in the meane time the popes legate raising an army in france , went speedily into the earldome of foix , and took some towns , putting all to the sword without distinction of sex or age , and taking also st. anthonies , he caused thirty of the principall men to be hanged in cold blood , after he had granted them their lives . anno christi . peter king of arragon with a great army of arragonois , and tholousians besieged muret , a strong towne scituated upon the river garronne near unto tholouse : there was in his army the earls of tholouse : comminges , and of foix ; but the night following , the popish bishops sent two friers to him , desiring him to take pitty on the church : and not to undertake the defence of the hereticks , but they laboured in vaine , for the king would not desert them , whereupon they prepared the next day to give him battle , and whilest simon montfort was encouraging his souldiers , the bishop of tholouse carryed a crucifix in his hand , whereupon the captains a lighting , adored it with and humble kiss . then the bishop of comminges , getting upon an high place took the crosse in his hand , and blessed the army with it , promising forgivenesse of all sins to all that dyed in that quarrell : hereupon simon divided his army into three battalia's in the name of the trinity , and so joyning battle , they fought very gallantly on both sides ▪ till at length the king of arragon was slaine , and so god ( who doth not alwayes prosper the best cause ) gave the victory to the popelings , and they were slaine in the fight , and pursute about two millions of the albingenses , as their enemies reported . the albingenses attributed this loss to gods judgement upon the humane confidence of the king , who trusted too much in his great numbers , and was feasting whilest his enemies were plotting , after this victory the popes agents sent abroad their letters into divers countries for a new supply of pilgrims utterly to root out the hereticks . with this victory earl simon was so puffed up , that he summoned the earls of tholouse , foix and comminges , and the prince of bearn , to deliver to him the keyes of those cities and castles which they possessed : they returned no answer , but each of them betooke himself to his own territories , to provide the best they could for their affairs . earl remund retired to m●ntalbon , writing to them at tholo●se , that understanding that the bishop of arras was coming with a great army of pilgrims against them , and that he was altogether disabled to defend their city , he had advised them therefore that they should make the best terms they could for themselves with earl simon , yet desired them to reserve their hearts for him , till god should give him meanes to free them from those miseries . in the interim , the earls of foix , comminges , and the prince of bearn did what they could to infest the enemies armies . upon the former advice the citizens of tholouse sent some deputies to earl simon , to profer him the keyes of their city , whom he received honourably , and presently wrote to lewis son of king philip , that the city of tholouse was offered to him , but his desire was that he should come and have the honour of taking it : the prince went thither immediately , and had tholouse delivered to him : yet the legate resolved that the pillage of it should be given to his pilgrims , and the city dismantled , which was presently executed , though contrary to the promise made to the citizens , that no wrong should be done to the city . then came there a new legate of the popes called bonaventure with those that had taken on them the crosse. viz. the earle of saint paul , the earle of savoy , the earle of alenzon , the vicount of melun , mathew de montmorency , and other great lords . the legate seeing so many pilgrims , feared least prince lewis should take upon him to dispose of divers places held by the albingenses , to the prejudice of the church : whereupon he presently sent to all those places absolution and protection , so that when the prince came against them , they shewed that they were under the protection of the church : yea the legate told the prince , that since he had taken upon him the crosse , he was to be subject to his commands ; because he presented the person of the pope , whose pardons ( saith he ) you come to obtaine by obeying the church , and not by commanding as the son of a king. the prince dissembled his displeasure at this audaciousnesse ; and the poore albingenses were so oppressed by new armies of pilgrims , that they sunk under the burthen of it . the prince , when his fourty daies service were expired , retired himself , being much discontented to see so much tyranny exercised against the albingenses . then did earl simon besieg the castle of foix , but having lain ten dayes before it , he found to his cost that the place was not to be won by him : for where as earl simons brother quartered at varilles , the earl of foix dislodged him , and slew him with his launce , putting to flight all his men . news hereof being brought to earl simon he swore that he would drive the earl of foix behinde the pyrenaean mountaines : but presently he had intelligence that a great army of the arrogonois , and catalunians were come into the earldom of beziers , threatning to be revenged on him for the death of their good king , where upon he levied his siege in hast , and marched thitherwards : but the earle of foix , who knew the passages better then he , lay in ambush for him in a place fit for his turne , and suddenly setting upon his pilgrims , slew a great number of them : only earl simon with a few others escaped , and went to carcasson : but before he came thither , the arrogonois were gone , else might they easily have discomfited him , yet shortly after they returned again , and earle simon was foundly beaten by them , so that he was forced ▪ to shut himself up in carcasson till he had a new supply of pilgrims . shortly after came remund the son of earl remund out of england , where he had been bred under his uncle king john , with an army , and quickly made himself master of the city of beaucaire , and almost famished them that held the castle , so that they yeelded it up to depart with their baggage . there earl simon lost a hundred gentlemen that he had laid in ambush neer unto the city , whom young remund in a sally cut in pieces . anno . the legate called a councel at montpelier , for renuing of the army of the church , and to confirm the authority of earle simon ; where they declared him to be prince of all the countries conquered from the albingenses , which title was confirmed to him by the pope also . who stiled him the active and dexterous soldier of jesus christ , and the invincible defender of the catholick faith. but whilest earl simon was in the council receiving this his new honour , a great rumour was heard in the city , and a messenger brought word that the people , hearing that earl simon was there , betook themselves to their arms , purposing to kill him ; whereupon he stole away by the walls of the city on foot , without any company , and so escaped ; so that in one houre he saw himself honoured as a god , and flying disguised , hiding himself like a base scoundrell , for feare of the rascall multitude . anno christi . their was a councill held by the pope at lateran , where they gave the inquisitors such power against the gospellers , that poor people were every where horribly tortured that were but suspected for heresie , and ( as tritemius saith ) frier conradus of marpurg , the popes inquisitor , if he but suspected any as guilty of heresie , vsed to trie them by the judgment of red hot irons , and such as were burned by the irons he delivered as hereticks , to the secular power , to be burned in the flames : whereupon most of those that were accused were by him condemned to be burnt , few escaping the hot irons : in so much as noble , ignoble , clerks , monks , nuns , burgesses , citizens , and countrymen were under the name of heresie ( by too headlong a sentence of the inquisitor on the same day where on they were accused ) cast into the cruell flames , no refuge of appeale or defence doing them any good ▪ by the same lateran councill , earle simon had the forementioned lands of the albingenses confirmed to him , and thereupon he hastened to the king of france to receive investiture , and as he went ( saith the monk of sernay ) in every city and towne the popish clergy , and people met him , crying , blessed is he that commeth to us in the name of the lord , and every man thought himself happy that could but touch the hem of his garment . when he had recived his investiture from the king of france , being attended with an hundred bishops that had preached the crosse in their diocess , and with an exceding great army of pilgrims he hasted to make himself lord of all those countries , which the pope had given him . so that all men trembled at his reproach , and with this great army of pilgrims he took in divers places , using great cruelty , putting men women and children to the sword . then was he marching to tholouse , purposing to pillage and raze it to the ground : but by the way his wife sent him word that he must speedily come to her relief , being besieged in the castle of narbonnes , by the earl of tholouse ; but by this time many of his pilgrims were returned into france . yet earl simon hasted to the relief of his wife , and being come before tholouse , the people by their frequent sallies made that place too hot for his abode . the legate perceiving that he was much astonished at it , said unto him ; fear nothing , we shall quickly recover the city , and then we will destroy all the inhabitants ; and if any of our pilgrims are in the fight , they shall , as martyrs , immediately passe to paradise . hereupon one of earl simons great captains said , monsieur cardinall , you talke with great assurance , but if the earl believe you , it will be little for his profit , for you , and other prelates have been the causers of all this evil , and will be of more , if he believe you . then was it resolved that the city should be besieged on the side of gascon , but the citizens made such a blunt salley , that they put their enemies to flight ; and presently the earl of foix coming with new supplies , fell upon earl simon ▪ chased him to the river garonne , where many of his pilgrims were drowned , and the earle with his horse fell into the river , and hardly escaped . the earl remund caused publick thanksgiving to god for this happy victory . earl simon being in great perplexity , a bishop bid him be of good comfort , for that the cardinal had sent messengers throughout the world to raise him succours , and so he was inforced to wait , with much impatiency , the coming of these new supplies , anno . there came to him a hundred thousand pilgrims , and he was resolved that they should earn their pardons , knowing that at the end of fourty daies they would vanish : whereupon the next morning they were ordered to give a generall assault to tholouse : but earl remund perceiving in the night that they were very secure , because of their great multitude , he sallied out upon them , and that with so good successe , that ere morning all the field was covered with their dead bodies , and the earl with his men being weary with killing , returned into the city to give thanks unto god for his assistance . then did earl simon enter into the castle of narbonnes to see if he could discerne any way to enter into the city , but finding none , it much troubled him , whereupon two lords gave him counsell to come to some honourable agreement : yet the cardinal betrand told him that there was no need for him so to do ; to whom one of them answered , monsieur cardinal , pray you where finde you that you should take from earl remund , and his son that which belongs unto them : if i had known as much as i know now , i had never taken upon me this business . after nine moneths siege the citizens of tholouse made another sally , killing as many of the crossed souldiers as they encountered with ; and earl simon coming in to the reliefe of his men , had his horse shot in the head with an arrow , which caused him to run away with him , which one of the albingenses seeing , with his cross-bow he shot him thorow the thigh ; simon perceiving that he lost much bloud , was labouring to get out of the presse , but just at that present , a woman discharging an engine from the walls of tholouse , a stone parted his head from his shoulders ; and thus by gods just judgement , he that had been the deflourer and murtherer of many women , was himselfe slaine by a woman . upon his death , the legate and all the bishops fled , never staying till they came to carcasson , the pilgrims disbanded and returned to their homes , and earl remund caused a publick thanksgiving to be returned to almighty god for this so signall a deliverance . afterwatds , at the instigation of the pope , prince lewis of france went , and besieged tholouse , but finding the business too hot for him , he returned without doing any thing of note : yet in this iourney he tooke the towne of miromand , wherein he cruelly put to the sword men , women , and children to the number of five thousand . upon his returne the legat bertrand being weary of these warres , wrote to pope honorius the . desiring to be recalled because of his age : yet with all , he signified a necessity of continuing these warrs otherwise ( saith he ) not only the lands of the albingenses wil be lost , but the church of rome itself will be ruined , the doctrin of the albingenses shaking the authority of the popes themselves : and ( saith he ) this war hath cost us very deare , for within less then fifteene years there hath dyed above three hundred thousand crossed soldiers : and therefore all wil be lost , except these hereticks be utterly destroyed . this occasioned the pope to send a new legat [ conradus bishop of portua ] also he granted to all crossed soldiers that fought against the albingenses the same in dulgences as to those that went to fight against the saracens in the holy land : moreover he tooke king , philip of france into his protection , and made peace betwixt him , and young king henry the third of england : so that philip wholly bent himself to roote out the gospellers . anno christi . earl guido of monfort , son , and heire to earl simon went against the albingenses , but was soone after slaine by the e. of sant giles as he besieged a castle in tholouse : then did his brother almerick besieg the same castle , and swore that he would never depart from it till he had taken it : but after a while , his hoped-for aides failing him , he was faigne to leave the siege and depart . after whose departure the albingenses recovered many places . anno christi . the young emperor frederick , by the instigation of the pope , published a cruell , and bloody edict against the gospellers with in his dominions , where in he damned them with perpetuall ignominy , and declared them publick enemies : commanding their goods to be confiscated , without redemption ; and their sons to be disinherited . as also that all of them that were apprehended by the inquisitors or others , should be kept in prison , till they were killed with an abomminable death : the like punishment he commanded to be inflicted on all such as should aide , or assist them . also he tooke away all benefit of appeale from such as were receivers , or favourers of them . and further he commanded that their houses , and the houses of such as should receive , defend , or favour them , either where they have taught , or where they have laid on hands , should be plucked downe , and never more repaired . also the same yeare some of these albingenses going into bosina and dalmatia drew many of the people to imbrace their faith , whereupon the bishop of collen was sent thither by pope honorius as his legate , and required to force them to returne to the catholick faith ( as they called it ) either by perswasion , or by the arms of the crossed souldiers , but where neither prevailed , he being a weary of the work , left it to the frier predicants to see if by arguments they could convince and convert them , columminus the king assisting them : and ( saith mine author ) when they had got footing , they burnt with fires those that were obstinate in their heresies , and purged the churches which were defiled by them : leander de viris illust . ordinis praedicatorum . anno christi . bartholmew , the bishop of the albingenses of tholouse , ordeined a bishop for bulgary , croatia , and dalmatia , where their faith spread so fast , that bishops themselves were drawn to be of their opinion , whereupon conradius bishop of portua , the popes legate wrote to the arch-bishop of roan , and his suffragan bishops , to meet , with others bishops at a councill to be held at sens against the said bartholmew : who ( saith the legate ) in his letters , stiles himself servant of the servants of god : and runs about , creating bishops , and endeavoring perfidiously to gather churches . mathew paris . anno christi . ( saith the same author ) the crosse was preached all over france by romanus the popes legate , against the albingenses , where in he commanded all that were able to beare arms to signe them selves with the signe of the crosse against the earl of tholouse , and his people : and at his preaching , a great multitude of prelates , and lay men tooke upon them the signe of the crosse , yet more for fear of the king of france , and for favour of the legate , then induced by the justness of the cause . but the king of france being signed with the crosse , would not take upon him the expedition , unlesse the pope would forbid the king of england under paine of excommunication to move war against him for any land that he possessed at that present , either iustly or unjustly : which accordingly the pope did , and our king henry the third upon receipt of the popes letters assembled his nobles to consult with them what he should do upon this inhibition , at which time their was present one mr william perepund , skilfull in astronomy , who constantly affirmed before the king ; that if the king of france took upon him this expedition , he should either never returne alive , or else should meet with as greate confusion as might be , both of his person , estate , and followers . the king of france having thus settled his affaires at home , he together with the legate , appointed a peremptory day for the crossed-souldiers to come to a rendevous with their horses , and arms at lyons , from which at the time appointed he began his expidition with an huge army which was accounted invincible , whom the legate followed with arch-bishops ; bishops &c. in the army there were reckoned to be fifty thousand knights , and men at arms on horsback , besides an innumerable company of footmen ; and then did the legate publickly excommunicate the earl of tholouse , putting all his favourers , and lands under interdict . the king thus marching with his glittering arms ; and terrible army on whitson-eve came to avignion , the first city in tholouse , purposing to destroy the whole land of the earl , from one end to the other , and utterly to root out the inhabitants thereof : yet very cunningly the king and the legate sent to the citizens , only desiring passage through the city , that they might follow their iourney the neerest way ; the citizens consulting together , returned answer , that they suspected fraud , neither would they admit them into the city , where upon the king in a great rage , swore that he would not depart thence till he had taken the city . the citizens valiantly defended themselves so that the sieg lasted long , and the earl of tholouse being a skilfull warrior , before the comming of the french army , had withdrawne all kind of victualls together with the women , children , and cattell into places of safety : hereupon the kings army fell into great wants , so that multitudes perished by famine : their horses and beasts also were starved ; for the earl had caused all the meddowes to be plowed up in the whole country so that they had no fodder but what was brought out of france : and their wants daily increasing , many legions went out of the kings camp to seek for food , and fodder , but the earl of tholouse with a flying army , many times lay in ambush for them , and cut off multitudes of them . they also that lay in the siege before the city were miserably wasted by darts , and stones shot in ingines from the walls by the citizens valiantly defending themselves ; and a generall famine overspread all , but it raged most amongst the poorer sort , who had neither food nor money : also out of the dead carkasses of men , and beasts their bred certaine great , and blackflies , which comming into there tents by swarms with an horible humming , infected their meat , and drink , and when they were not able to drive them from their cupps , and dishes , many of the pilgrims perished suddenly by their meanes . but the king and legate were especially troubled , and confounded to think what reproach it would be to them , and to the church of rome , that so gallant , and numerous an army should vndertake such an expedition , and be able to effect nothing : then the chiefe princes , and captains being weary of the long siege amongst so many deaths , sollicit that a generall storme might be given to the city , hoping by their multitudes to oppresse the citizens , which being resolved upon , such a great multitude of armed men thronged upon the bridge that goes over the river of rhodanus , that the bridge breaking under them , three thousand of them were drowned in that swift river . presently after as the french were one day at dinner the citizens discovering there carlesness , suddenly sallied forth , & violently setting upon them , suddenly slew twenty thousand of them with out any losse to themselves , and so retired : and the king of france commanded the dead bodies to be throwne into the river affording them no other buriall : then did he also remove his sieg to afarther distance , and to prevent the like attempts , caused a great ditch to be cast up between the city and his camp : and the legate with his prelates not knowing how otherwise to reveng themselves , anathematized the earl of tholouse , and all the subjects : but whom they cursed , the lord blessed : for shortly after he sent a very great plague into the french campe , so that king lewis , to escape the same , retired himself into the neighbouring abbey of monpensier , where he resolved to remain till the city should be taken unto whom came henry , earl of compaigne , desiring to be dismissed , having now sereved his fourty daies : but the king denyed his request . to whom the earl said , that having performead what was injoyned , he neither might nor would be staid any longer : the king being very angry hereat , swore that if he departed , he would wast his whole land with fire , and sword : yet the earl , according to his former resolution , went his waies : and shortly after the lord struck the king with sickness whereof he dyed : the legate , and great captaines concealed his death for a month together , and in the interim sent messengers laboring to draw the citizens to a composition , and commissioners , being sent to the camp , the legate perswaded them to resigne up their city to him upon promise , that they should injoy their lives estates , and liberties in a better manner then they had formerly : but they answered , that they would not live under the power of the frenchmen , whose pride , and insolency they had often tryed . after along parlee the legate desired that himself and the praelates , might be admitted into the city , swearing with a great oath that he had continued the sieg so long only that he might seek the salvation of their souls . the citizens giving credit to his promise , not suspecting his treachery , after mutuall oaths given on either side , admitted him with the praelates , and their followers into the city : but contrary to their oaths the frenchmen followed , violently rushing into the city when the gates were open , and seizing upon the citizens they bound them , plundered their houses , and slew many ; and having thus by treachery made themselves masters of the city , they brake downe the walls , and the strong towers of that noble city . during this sieg their perished more then . of the pilgrims , by famine , sword , pestilence , and other waies : and so the rest returned to their owne homes . anno christi . the pope [ now gregory ] being implacably bent to rout out the albingenses , stirred up the young king of france against them , who sent a great army into provence vtterly to destroy them , which army hearing that the earle of tholouse was in the castle called saracen , they purposed to besieg him as being there shut up : but the earl having notice of their intent , with strong troopes he lay in ambush in a wood through which they were to passe : & when they were come to the place , he gallantly assaulted them & after a bloudy fight , slew many , took two hundred knights , & about two thousand men at arms : the knights he imprisoned : but of the other he caused some of their eyes to be pulled out , others to have their noses cut off and so dismissed them . that summer the king of france sent three armies against them , all which were either put to flight or taken , and imprisoned by the said earl. mathew paris . yet the same yeare , imbert of beavim went against them with a great army of crossed souldiers , amongst whom were three arch-bishops , every one with the pilgrimes of his jurisdiction : and the earl of tholouse ( being as it s●emes unprovided ) was faigne to shut up himselfe within the wals of tholouse , where he was strongly besieged by the pilgrimes , who also wasted , and spoiled his country , and harvest , far and nere on every side : and the siege continuing , the citizens suffered great famine , and when they were brought to this extremity the abbat of grandsylue went from the popes legate to offer peace to earl remund , and the tholousians : some of the earls captains disswaded him from it , knowing the perfidiousnesse of the papists , but the cries of the hunger starved multitude prevailed , so that a truce was agreed upon for certaine daies , and earl remund upon the day appointed went to the place where the peace should be concluded . but when he came thither , the abbat perswaded him that it was necessary that the agreement should be perfected in the presence of the queen mothers , who was regent of france , and pawned his faith to him , that if he would go to her , she should go ; and returne in safety . the earl overcome by these promises assented , and meaux was the place chosen by the queen for their meeting . but as soone as earl remund came thither , contrary to all oaths , and engagements , he was made a prisoner , and had a guard set upon him that he might not start aside ; and instead of a treaty , he must submit to whatsoever should be enjoyned ▪ it was a lamentable thing ( saith the historiographer of languedock ) to see so brave a man , that for so long a time was able to resist the whole power of france , to come in his shirt , and linnen breeches barefoot , and bare-leged to the altar in the presence of the cardinals , and their to accept of such hard , and unreasonable conditions as they were pleased to impose upon him : amongst which these were some : that he should abjure the heresie which hitherto he had defended ; that for the future he should be subject to the church of rome . that he should cast all the hereticks out of his dominions : that he should give his only daughter joane in marriage to one of the king of france his brethren : that he should pay a yearly stipend to six popish professors of the liberall arts , and to two grammarians at tholouse : that he should take upon him the crosse , and for five years wage warre against the saracens , and other enemies of the faith , and church : and lastly , that he should levell with the ground the walls of the city of tholouse , and the walls of . other cities , and castles at the appointment of the legate , and fill up their ditches , and so remaine a prisoner in the louver at paris , till his daughter joane was discovered to the kings messengers at carcasson . anno christi . . diverse councils were held against the albingenses : one at tholouse , the acts whereof were proclaimed in that city by romanus , the popes legate , another at narbonne , where more , and more cruell decrees were made against them . a third at beziers exceeding in rigour both the former : and amongst the rest an oath of abjuration , whereby all persons , males at fourteen yeares old , females at twelve yeares old , were to abjure all heresie as they called it , and to swear that they would keep the faith , and defend the catholike church , and persecute all the opposers of the same : and that all that took not this oath within fifteen daeis , should be held suspected of heresie , and proceeded against accordingly : also another article was in these words : item we forbid the use of the old , and new testament to the lay people : forbidding expressely that they have not the said books turned into the vulgar tongue . also the same yeare on munday , thursday , pope gregory proclaimed ecclesastical censures against them , and sent the prime inquisitors of dominicks order into france to put the same in execution , he wrote also to lewis king of france to cast all those hereticks out of france , and to cause the earl of tholouse to do the like in his dominions , and to place new counsellors about him that might instruct him in the catholike faith , and manners , and to cast all such from about him as might corrupt him . and whereas the kingdom of arragon was infected with heresie , pope gregory gave the arch-bishop thereof , and his suffragans power to erect an inquisition against them . anno christi . . died fulco arch-bishop of tholouse , who had labored twenty six years in extinguishing the gospellers whom , remund of fulgaerio succeeded , and so manfully behaved himself , that in his first year he caused nineteen of the albingenses to be apprehended and put to cruell deaths within his diocess . anno christi . . queen blanch , and the popes legate , so over awed the earl of tholouse , that they caused him to make cruell edicts against his owne subjects of the albingensian religion : that they should be persecuted , searched out , and taken : that whosoever could apprehend any one of them , should have a mark for each of them so taken : that all that were suspected to be of their religion should be excluded from office bearing , that all houses should be pulled downe , wherein any of them should be found , that all their goods and inheritances should be confiiscated : that the like should be done to all that should aid or abett them , or that should hinder , or not assist the inquisitors in the execution of their office : that whosoever should be suspected of their heresie , should have an oath given him to keep the peace , and the catholike faith : that the houses of such as should be detected of heresie after their death should be pulled downe . that whosoever should refuse to weare the cross should have his goods seized on . &c. the same year the inquisitors were informed that in the territories of brixia there had lately lived one guido de lacha , who was much honoured for his austerity , and integrity of life , but that he dyed out of the communion of the church of rome , having been infected with heresie , whereupon they ordered his bones to be digged up , and burned . the earl of foix , and comminges , and the prince of bearne yet remained to be conquered : and the popes legate thought that the earl of tholouse was the fittest person to deale with them , whereupon he caused him to write to them to perswade them to embrace the catholike faith , &c. but the earl of foix returned answer ; that he could not forsake his faith in such a time wherein men might think that he did it rather out of feare then from any good grounds , and that it was fitter for them to convince him of the truth of their way then to allure him by promises , or force him thereto by armes : and that if they brought that world of pilgrims against him which they threatned , he trusted in god that he should make them know the justice of his cause , and repent of the rashnesse of their vow . but the earls subjects fearing that their lord , being aged , and without wife and children , should leave them to the mercy of the first conqueror , intreated him to come to a composition with the legat , whereupon he began to treat , and at last yielded up diverse castles into the hands of the king of france , upon promise that he would rule with justice and equity . anno christi . . the opinions of the albingenses were much spread abroad in the parts of spai●● , and other adjacent countries : and they had bishops among them who boldly preached against the romish errors , and especially against transubstantiation : whereupon a croisado was preached against them , and a very great army of pilgrims being assembled together were by pope gregory sent against them , who slew them all with their bishops , seized of their city and plundered them , whereby ( saith mathew paris ) they returned rich , and joyfully into their own countries . also about the same time another army of these pilgrims went against others of them on the borders of germany , who retiring into a fenny place for there security , were their all slaine . but the same yeare the lord raised up trancavel , the natural son of the earl of beziers deceased , who was encouraged , and assisted by a number of valiant captaines , as oliver de fumes , bertrand hugon de serrelong , bertrand de villenense , & jordaine de satiat , who told him that they would assist him to revenge the outrages done to his father , who was deprived of his land , betrayed , imprisoned , and poisoned , whereupon he resolved to recover by the sword what was so unjustly taken from him : and before the enemies had notice of his designe , he took in diverse strong castles , so that the popes legate , and bishop of tholouse were much astonished to see these men stand up for the albingenses , whom they supposed to have been utterly suppressed . then did the popes agents cause the cross to be preached , and the bishop of narbonne animated the people of his diocess to go against them , and to make an end of the poor remainder of the albingenses . an army being raised , the popes legate led it to tholouse , and when the citizens appeared upon their ramparts , he told them that he was come thither for their preservation : they thanked him , but withall told him , that if he did not instantly retire himselfe , they would give him the chase . and presently came trancavell , who so bravely , and valiantly set upon the legates troops , that he quickly overthrew them , and chased them to the very gates of carcasson , and the legate had much adoe to save himselfe , but that which most angered the legate was , that trancavell found intertainement in some part of carcasson , so that the pilgrims durst hardly peep out of the city gates : and when he heard of any more pilgrims comming to the legate , he used to meet them , to lay ambushes for them , so that usually overthrowing them , their designes were marred . this man kept the field till the year . and still prevailed against all the crossed souldiers that came against him , whereupon ameline the popes legate wrote to the pope , that if he caused not the cross to be preached in many parts of europe , the church was like to sustain much damage by this enemy : for ( saith he ) he is more cruell , and subtile , then any before him . but a little before the bishop of tholouse was informed of a certain matron , who having her children , brethren , and friends about her , was dying an heretick , whereupon he ran to her , and found it even so by the confession of the woman her selfe : who desired to die in the faith of the albingenses , and doubted not to be saved : then did the bishop condemne her , and delivered her to the secular power , who presently carried her forth in the bed wherein she lay sick , and burned her . anno christi . . earl remund getting from paris , returned into his owne country , and forbad the citizens of tholouse to company with the friers predicant , and shortly after expelled them the city : and the monastery of narbonne belonging to the same order of friers was pulled down by the albingenses . and in june following pope gregory the ninth made new inquisitors against the albingenses in arragon , and france . anno christi . . king lewis of france wrote to the pope that earl remund had violated the covenants which he had made with the church : and had cast the bishops clergy , and friers out of tholouse , and brought hereticks into their roomes , whereupon he desired that he might be reduced into order &c. and indeed by the power of the pope , and king , he was forced to recall the popish clergy , and to banish the albingenses , and to take upon him the signe of the cross for the aid of the holy land , by way of penance for his former deeds . the same year many imbracing the faith of the albingenses be-beyond the alps , inquisitors were sent against them ; especially one frier robert , who caused many of both sexes to be apprehended , and when they continued constant in the true faith , and would not renounce the same , in the space of two or three moneths , he caused fifty of them ( saith mathew paris ) either to be burnt , or burned alive . anno christi . the king of france having garisoned divers castles within the country of albingenses who greatly oppressed them , they betook themselves to armes , besieging those garisons , whereupon they sent to the king of france , craving that present aid might be sent to them . then did the king of france send the lord iohn of bellemont , with a great army to aid them , who , comming into that country , besieged the strong castle of mont-reall , and at last took it , together with divers others belonging to the albingenses , whereby the were suppressed for that ●ime . but the year after the earl of tholouse took armes againe , and assaulted the earl of provence , who presently sent to the french king for aid : and the french that were about avignion hasted to the reliefe of the earl of provence , which the earl of tholouse hearing of , he lay in ambush in their way , and suddenly setting upon them , slew many , and dispersed the rest , and the war so prospered in his hand , that in a short space he recovered to his former dominion above . castles from the french , and earl of provence , and sharply punished his rebels . about the same time the citizens of millan , being provoked thereunto by the pope , and emperor : burnt many of the albingenses , who were their fellow-citizens . anno christi . the earl of tholouse continuing his warrs against the earl of provence , almost beat him out of his country , so that the earl of provence was feigne to send to the kings of england and france ( who had married his second daughters ) to mediate for him , and they writing to the earl of tholouse , obtained peace for their father in law . anno christi . . the bishops of narbonne , and albium , and the seneschall of carcasson apprehended two hundred of the albingenses in a certaine castle of tholouse , who had bernard martine of cathavell , and raimund agulbuerus , for their pastors , and ministers : all these upon examination , adhering constantly to the true faith without wavering , were cruelly burnt in the flames . vignier , hist. eccles. and the year following there were . more of them burnt likewise . shortly after , it pleased god , that great contentions arose between the pope , and emperor , whereby the gospellers enjoyed some breathing time from their former miseries : yet , anno christi . . pope vrban hearing that through that peace their doctrine was spread exceedingly , he made a decree in this tenour . albeit we be bound by our office alwaies to endeavour the rooting out the deadly poison of hereticall pravity from all parts in the christian world , yet now in a speciall manner this duty is incumbent upon us , when we perceive this plague to be growne up in our neighborhood through the iniquity of the times to the detriment of the catho-faith . that therefore the office of the inquisition may be the more effectually executed against the hereticks in the province of lombardy : and parts adjacent , we enjoyne you , upon remission of your sins , that you doe your uttermost endeavours for the extirpation of it , and that you see that all papall and imperiall lawes be executed against them : and for my owne part i will implore the aid of christian kings , and princes , that heaven , and earth may be moved against them . anno christi petrus cadarita , and gulielmus calonicus , were sent as inquisitors from the pope into the kingdom of arragon , severely to punish those that had imbraced the faith of the albingenses , and amongst others they condemned arnaldus castlebonius the viscount , and his daughter ermesenda , countess of foix : they also decreed their memory to be detestable , commanding their bones to be digged out of their graves , and to be burned : they also called roger the nephew of ermesenda , into judgement for the same crime . anno christi . . there was a great persecution raised against the gospellers in the country of albi , by one william de gurdon , captain and president of carcasson under phillip the french king , who by a proclamation commanded all the albingenses to be extirpated , and searched out of their dens and lurking holes , and all such as favoured them to be utterly rooted out , as also that the innumerable company of their children , which would not be reduced to the catholike faith , and unity of the church of rome , should not be admitted unto the city of realmont , or the territory thereof , nor to the place of any honour or office : that such likewise as favoured or concealed any of them , should be banished forever from the city of realmont , and their goods wholly confiscated , and their children be excluded from all honours and dignities . yet notwithstanding the severity of this edict , god hid and preserved many of them even in realmont it selfe , as diamonds in dunghils , though many of them fled into arragon , and sicily , where they might enjoy more freedom of conscience . anno christi . . gareldus and segarellus of parma , and dulcinus of noudria , preached and spread the doctrine of the albingenses in parma , and in many cities of lumbardy ; whereupon pope honorius by a publick edict condemned their doctrine , and commanded them to be rooted out . bzorius . anno christi . . pope boniface commanded guido , the inquisitor , to dig up the bodie of hermanus ( one of the albingenses ) and to condemne and burn it in ferrara twenty yeares after his death . anno christi the friers inquisitors raised a great persecution against the gospellers in passaw in austria , and burned many of them ; who continued very constant in the faith , & took their death very cherefully : amongst the rest one of them that was burnt at vienna , confessed that their were eighty thousand of them in bohemia , and austria at that time , their cheifest ministers were bartholomew faustus , iames iustus , bononatus , william , and gilbert : of whom james was murthered between two walls by the mercilesse inquisitors ; bononatus was burned alive , and william , gilbert , and bartholomew were condemned after their death , the house where they used to preach was pulled to the ground , and all that adhered to them were anathematized . anno christi . . lollard walterus ( from whom our english professors were called lollards ) was taken at collen , where he had privately preached , and through gods blessings drawne many from ignorance and errors to imbrace the truth , & persisting constantly in his opinions , he was condemned , and burned alive . yet notwithstanding all cruelties used against them , their enemies could never prevail to a totall extirpation of them , but they still lay hid like sparkles under the ashes , desiring and longing to see that , wich now through gods grace their posterity do injoy , viz. the liberty to call upon god in purity of conscience , without being inforced to any superstition and idolatry : and so instructing their children in the service of god , the lord was pleased to preserve a church amongst them , in the middest of the romish corruptions , as a diamond in a dunghil , as wheat amongst chaff , as gold in the fire , till it pleased god to disperse the gospell in a more generall and publick way , by the ministry of luther , and his associates and fellow-labourers in the lord , at which time these albingenses received with greediness the doctrine of the gospel , and so became more eminent in their profession of piety then they were formerly . laus deo. collected out of a book called luthers forerunners , and out of cades justification of the church of england , and diverse other authors . here place the sixth figure . chap. xxv . the persecution of the church of god in bohemia , which began anno christi . the bohemians were heathens and idolaters , till their duke or captain borivoius going into moravia , anno cristi . by a strange providence of god was converted to the knowledge and faith of christ , whereupon he together with thirty other palatines was baptized ; at his return into bohemia , he took along with him methudius bishop of moravia , by whose ministry , ludomilla the dukes wife was converted and baptized . borivoius , busying himself in erecting divers schooles and churches , it pleased god that in a short time a great harvest was gathered , many of the nobility and commons being daily converted and baptized : but satan envying the progresse of the gospel , presently raised up persecution against the professors of it : for first of all borivoius was banished by the wicked faction of the idolaters , and then compelled to resign his dominion to his eldest son , who being dead , his younger son boratislaus succeeded , who was a very holy man yet was drawn to marry drahomira , famous for nobility and beauty , but a heathen : yet she promised , after instruction , to be baptized , and during her husbands life she cunningly concealed her hatred against christians , but he being dead , the grandmother ludomilla educated the elder son wenceslaus , and drahomira took the younger , bolislaus , and usurped the government , commanding the christian churches to be shut up , the exercises of their worship to cease , prohibiting ministers from instructing the people , and schoolemasters from teaching youth : such as disobeyed were imprisoned , banished , and put to death . at prague , the magistrates were changed , and cruell idolaters substituted in the rooms of christians , by whose incitements the poor christians were secretly , openly , and unworthily murthered and abused : whilest the murtherers went away with impunity : but if any christian killed a heathen though in his own defence , ten christians were massacred for that one . yet the insatiable cruelty of drahomira was not satisfied herewith , but that she might destroy all the christians , she dealt with one balloius , a cruell wretch , whom she had set over the city of prague , earnestly entreating him by fraud or force to effect it , promising him a great reward if he did it . he thereupon arms six hundred conspirators at his own house , with whom he hastens to those that were designed for slaughter : but the plot , through gods mercy , being discovered to the christians , four hundred of them met to defend their own lives : the issue of the fight was victory to the christians , the streets being polluted with the bloud of eight hundred that were slain . then did drahomira pretend that she was much displeased with the tumult , commanding that the arms of both parties should be brought in to the city magazine , severely forbidding any man to walk with dart or sword : the christians , though suspecting her fraud , yet that they might not seem disobedient , brought their arms to the magazine , the enemies pretending also to do the like . this being done , drahomira imploies her cut-throats in the night to set upon the unarmed christians , whereby above three hundred of them were slain in one night ; this drahomira much rejoyceth at , but yet not satisfied , she commands the major of prague to destroy all the christians : whereupon he besets all the streets , and passages , and slaies all that he meets withall : till the christians gathering themselves together , encounter with him , put him to flight , and in the pursuit slew this wicked person . this so enraged drahomira , that she commanded the two churches to be burnt down , in one of which her husband was interred . whilest she thus raged against the christians , wenceslaus now grown to years , by the advice of his grand-mother , and the christian nobility , took upon him the government , and the better to establish peace , he assigned the city of bolislavia , and the adjacent parts to his mother , and younger brother . drahomira yet laid not aside her hatred and bloudy designs against the christians , which she first shewed against holy ludumella , substituting two wicked villains in the night to murther her , these fellows finding her at her prayers in her oratory , strangled her : some there were that much provoked wenceslaus to revenge that wicked act , which he refused , because he judged it contrary to that duty which he owed to a mother , and to the modesty and patience of a christian. but he was shortly after ill requited by this unnaturall monster , who affecting domination , began to defame wenceslaus as sluggish and unfit for government , but when she perceived that his subjects loved him exceedingly , she waited a fitter opportunity , which thus fell out . bolislaus having a son , she invited wenceslaus to the baptising of this his nephew at bolislavia , he going thither , she entertained him with much dissembled love : but in the night as he was making his prayers to god : his brother bolislaus assaults him , and beeing assisted with some other cut-throats slew him , anno . bolislaus having by this fratricide obtained the government , threatned imprisonment and death to all the ministers and christians if they did not presently depart bohemia : his mother added , that their dead bodies should not be buried : hereupon many fled , others were seized on , and tormented to death diverse waies ▪ but god suffered not drahomira to escape his revenging hand , for in that place , where the ministers bones lay unburied , the earth opened of it self , and swallowed her up alive with her chariot , and all that were in it , which place is to be seen before the castle of prague to this day . others also who were her instruments in massacring the innocent christians , some of them ran mad , and threw themselves down from high places , others slew themselves with their own swords , wherewith they had murthered the innocent men , and the place where wenceslaus blood was shed , could never be washed off , but remained as a perpetuall witnesse of that villany . these things so affrighted bolislaus , that he became more milde to the chistians . anno. . woytich the second bishop of prague , labouring seriously in converting the reliques of the gentiles , and reforming their wicked lives : they raised so great a sedition against him , as enforced woytich to a voluntary banishment : then did the pagans rise up against his brethren , and murthered five of them , and then conspired against their prince , but were overcome in battel , &c. not long after the pope having usurped domination over other churches , sought to obtrude his superstitions upon the bohemians also : but especially he commanded that all their sacred service should be in the latine tongue and that they should not have the cup in the sacrament : the bohemians sent two ministers , and four others to rome , anno . to the pope , desiring to be eased of these grievances , and at last obtained their request . yet afterwards they were againe inhibited the use of their own language in holy services , whereupon urateslaus duke of bohemia ( who shortly after for his valiant service to the roman empire , was created king ) sent embassadors to rome , requesting a confirmation of the liberties formerly granted to them ; but the pope [ hildebrand ] absolutely refused it . anno . pope celestine sent a cardinall into bohemia , to inhibit ministers marriage , and to divorce such as were married , but the bishop and ministers almost stoned him to death . also when afterwards the cup was taken away in the sacrament , there were many that opposed that sacriledg , and amongst the rest john melicius of a noble family and fervent spirit , much honoured for his rare learning and holinesse of life ; in his ministry he earnestly exhorted his auditors to a frequent communicating in both kindes : at last he was much moved in spirit to go to rome , and there to testifie that the great antichrist was come , and did then reign . he prayed unto god , with fasting and teares , desiring that unlesse these thoughts came from gods spirit , he might be delivered from them : but when yet he could finde no inward quiet , he went to rome , and wrote upon the cardinals doors , antichrist is come , and sitteth in the church . he also in his conferences with many , asserted the same : for this the pope imprisoned him , and excommunicated both him , and his auditors . mr. mathias of prague also , was a zealous defender of the communion in both kindes . anno . he with some other learned men went to king charles that then raigned , requested him to call a oecumenicall counsel , for the reformation of the church . charles sending to the pope about it , he was so incensed at the message , that he commanded the king to punish those rash and hereticall men : whereupon mathias was banished the kingdom ; and then was the use of the sacrament in both kindes prohibited through all bohemia : so that the godly could not administer and receive it but in private houses , in woods and caves , and yet neither so , but with the hazard of their lives : for they were set upon in the high-waies , plundred , beaten , and drowned in rivers , so that at last they were necessitated to go together in companies , and armed : and this continued to the daies of john husse . concerning the persecution of john husse , and jerome of prague , see in my first part their lives : but when these holy men of god were so unjustly burned at constance : the adversaries were not satisfied with their bloud , but took further counsell for the destruction of the whole nation : for when fifty eight of the chief nobles of bohemia , in the name of all the commons , anno . had sent letters from prague to the council , complaining that their pastor , an innocent and holy man , and faithful teacher of the truth was unjustly condemned : the council instead of answering them , wrote their letters to some violent papists who were in authority , to assist their legate in oppressing the hereticks . thus the bohemians were incited more and more to mutuall contentions : the priests daily from the pulpits divulged their excomunications and execrations against the hussites , and to stir up the greater hatred against them , they used lying signs ; for , putting dirt about the wicks of their tapers , when the flame had burned the wax to the dirt , the taper went out : then cried they out , that god by miracles declared his hatred of those wicked hereticks , who were unworthy to enjoy the light : and thereupon they persecuted them all manner of waies , and they used such violence , as raised a tumult at prague anno . wherein the enraged multitude threw twelve senators of prague with the maior , out of the windows of the senate-house , who fell upon the points of spears . after this the pope publikely excommunicated the bohemians at florence , exciting the emperour , kings , princes , dukes , &c. to take up arms against them , entreating them by the wounds of christ , and their own salvation , unanimously to fall upon them , utterly to extirpate that cursed generation , promising universal remission of sins to the most wicked person , if he did but kill one bohemian : hereupon great wars were raised against them but it pleased god still to give them the victory under that brave captain zisca : whereof see more in my second part , in zisca's life . yet still as the popish party prevailed at any time , they exercised all manner of cruelty upon the poor servants of christ , insomuch that at cuttenburg , where were deep mettall-mines , anno . they threw into one of them a thousand and seven hundred persons , and into another a thousand thirty eight , and into a third a thousand three hundred thirty four persons . also a merchant of prague coming to preslaw in silesia , the emperour and popes legate being their , was in his inne drawn into discourse , where pleading for husse , and the sacrament in both kindes , he was cast into prison , the next day a student of prague was cast into the same prison : the merchant exceedingly encouraged him , saying , oh my brother ! what an honour is it , that we are called thus to bear witness to the lord jesus ? let us undergo the trouble with cheerfullnesse ; the fight is but short , the reward is eternall : let us remember the lord , what a cruel death he under went for us , and with what guiltlesse bloud we are redeemed , and what torments the martyrs have patiently endured , &c. but when they were brought to execution , and the ropes by which the horses were to drag them through the streets , were fastened to their feet ; the student affrighted with the terrors of death , and allured by the fair promises of the legate , recanted : but the merchant , like an unshaken rock , told them , that their hopes of any recantation from him were but vain ; i am ready to die ( saith he ) for the gospell of the lord jesus : and so being drawne slowly through the streets , he was brought to the place of execution , and there burnt , anno . pichel the chief magistrate of the city of litomeritia , having taken twenty four of the chief citizens , and amongst them his son in law , put them in an high tower , and at last he brought them out , half dead with hunger and cold , and adjudged them to be drowned . when they came to the river albis , their wives , children , and friends greatly mourning ; the majors own daughter came wringing her hands , and falling at her fathers feet , beseeched him to save her husbands life ; but he , harder then a rock , bad her give over , saying , what ? can you not have a worthier husband then this ? to whom she answered seeing his inexorablenesse , you shall never more espouse me to any ; and so beating her breast , and tearing her hair , she followed amongst the rest . when the martyrs came to the river , whilest ferries were preparing , they with loude voices call heaven and earth to witnesse their innocency , and so taking their leave of their wives , children and friends , exhorting them to constancy and zeal for the truth : they were carried and cast into the middest of the river , with their hands and feet bound together and so drowned ; and if any were driven to the banks , they were stabbed with iron forks and pikes . the majors daughter seeing her husband thrown into the river , leaped in to him , caught him about the middle , but being unable to draw him forth , they were both drowned ; the next day they were found embracing one another , and were both buried in one grave , anno . about the same time a company of souldiers going towards prague , seized upon a godly minister , and four other men , and four boys , the eldest not being aboue eleven years old , for administring , and receiving the sacarament in both kindes , and carried them to their colonel , the colonel sent them to the bishop who required , them to abjure , or else he would burn them ; the minister stoutly answered , but the gospel teacheth otherwise , so that you must either approve what we do , or blot it out of your bible . hereupon one of the troopers smote him so violently on the face with his gantlet , that the bloud ran out of his mouth and nose . the bishop made this minister the subject of his mirth and scorn all that night , and the next day being the sabbath , he burned them all in one fire ; and when the bishop would have perswaded them to abjure the cup in the sacrament , the minister answered , that he would rather suffer a thousand deaths , then deny a truth so clearly revealed in the gospel . another captain violently entring into a church where many godly people were met together , he killed some , and took others prisoners ; and going to the communion table , he took the cup , being full of wine , and drunk to his horse , who having pledged him , he said , his horse was now one of the communicants in both kindes . about the same time also a godly tayler was burned at prague . also one martin loquis should have suffered the like death , but his life was begged by the thaborites . afterwards , taking another associate with him , he was travelling towards moravia , but by the way , they were taken by a captain , who manacling them with irons , examined them about the sacrament : martin answered , the body of christ is in heaven , and he hath but one , not many bodies : hereupon the captain gave him a box on the ear , as not enduring such blasphemy , and would have had him presently burned . then did a priest beg him to see if he could convert him : but when that succeeded not , he thrust them into a dark , stinking dungeon for two moneths : then did he torment them with fire , till their bowels came forth , to extort from them who were their companions : afterwards they were both shut up in a tub , and so burned anno . a godly and eloquent preacher in prague , was , together with twelve more , apprehended by a captain , carried into the common-hall , and there privately beheaded , but their bloud running out , caused a great tumult in the city , wherein some of the senators were slain , and others saved themselves by flight . not long after there sprung up a schism amongst those that were called hussites , for some of them began in other things to comply with the pope , only they insisted upon the cup in the sacrament , whence they were called calixtines : others of them stuck close to husse his doctrine , and cried down all superstition : and this contention was cunningly fomented and increased by some that sought thereby the advancement of the pope and emperour : and to make the professors of the pure doctrine odious , they branded them with the hatefull name of piccards , by which name the waldenses in piccardy were called . yet both these parties , when they were assaulted by the emperour , joyned together in opposing him , and obtained many great victories against him : yet anno . the thaborites were utterly oppressed by fraud and force . anno . there were divers godly people in bohemia , ministers , nobles and commons , who being much pressed in conscience about the superstitions in the church of rome , obtained of their king [ george pogiebracius , ] a place in the hilly countrey near to silesia to inhabit , where throwing off all superstious practices , they applied themselves to the form of the primitive simplicity , calling themselves brethren and sisters . the beginning of this church displeased the devil , and therefore he raised a sudden and violent tempest to overthrow it : for the same of it being spread abroad , the priests in every pulpit stirred up the hatred of the people against them , crying out , blow out these sparks , blow them out before they grow into a flame . anno . one of their ministers with some others of them coming to prague , to visit their friends , were betrayed , and some officers coming to apprehend them , said to them , all that will live godly in christ jesus must suffer persecution , therefore come forth , and follow us to prison , which they did . the king believing the slanders that were raised against them , as that they were attempting some sedition , &c. he commanded the aged minister to be tortured , but he falling into an extasie , felt no pain at all ; the tormentors supposing him to be dead , took him down from the rack , but after some hours , he came to himselfe , and by the intercession of a friend , was dismissed . presently after their came forth from the king an edict , forbidding all pastors to administer holy services without ceremonies : and withall , threatning death to those that should administer to the brethren , called now by the hateful name of piccards . the brethren hereupon were brought into great extremity , being like sheep destitute of shepherds . yet presently came forth a new edict that none of them should be suffered to live either in bohemia , or moravia . hereupon they were dispersed amongst the woods and mountains , dwelling in caves ; where yet they were scarce safe , so that they were forced to make no fire , nor dresse any meat , but in the night time , least the smoak should betray them . in the cold winter nights , sitting by the fire , they applied themselves to the reading of the bible , and holy discourses . when in the snow they went ab●●ad to provide them necessaries , they went close together , and lest their foot-steps should betray them , the hindermost of them did draw after him a great bough , to cover the prints which their feet had made . these brethren chose by suffrage , certain elders , to whom they promised obedience : and by the advice of these elders , the chiefest of the brethen in bohemia and moravia , were called together in a synod , in the mountaines to ordain ecclesiastical laws , whereby they should be governed ; they appointed also sundry daies of fasting and prayer for themselves , and their dispersed friends ; taking counsell from gods word , concerning those things which were required to the fuller reformation , both of life and doctrine . that which most afflicted them was for want of pastors , not knowing where they should have new ones , after those were dead , who then lived with them ; but after debate , they resolved , that christ had given this authority to his church , that such as were ordained themselves , might ordain others : yet some scruple arose , whether such as were but presbyters , might ordaine without a bishop : for which cause they met together , and with fasting , prayers and teares , they sought unto god to reveal his will to them in this difficulty ; and afterwards making a scrutiny by lot , the lord answered them , that it was lawfull for presbyters to ordain presbyters , which occasioned great joy unto them . then did these brethren deliberate among themselves , whether they should joyn with the waldenses in moravia and austria ; and so be one people with them , and one church : the purity of their doctrine and christian conversation did much please ; but again , it much displeased them , that they concealed the truth , not openly professing it as they ought , but to avoid persecution , they frequented the churches of the papists , and so communicated with idolaters . therefore they concluded to admonish them of this evil ; and for this end they sent some able men to them , to acquaint them with it : the waldenses answered , that to be in unity with them was very gratefull , and for the evils objected against them , they were not ignorant of them , nor would defend them , but rather would labour to amend them : concluding that they desired to have a sixt day of meeting with the brethren , in which they would take some further order about this businesse . but before the time came , the papists having some intelligence of it , raged so violently against the waldenses , that they burnt one of the chiefest of them at vienna , and so persecuted the rest , that they were fain to provide for their own safety by flight . anno . there came out a new decree against these brethren , requiring all the nobles of bohemia , within their severall jurisdictions , to apprehend as many as they could , and to proceed against them . many therefore were apprehended and put into prison , where they were kept for a long time : but thr●●gh the wonderfull working of god , the more the enemies laboured to put out this spark , the more it brake forth into a great flame , for many of their peers submitted to the discipline of the brethren , building churches for them in their towns and villages , so that anno . they had in bohemia , and moravia about two hundred churches . after the death of pogiebracius , uladislaus , a polonian succeeded in the kingdom , to whom the brethren wrote an apology , by reason of many foul accusations that were carried to him against them : this so exasperated their enemies , that they endeavoured by a most impudent invention , to stir up the hatred of all men against them . the way they used was this . they suborned a wicked villain , to say that he came from amongst them , and that he had been an elder , but had therefore forsaken them , because in their meetings they used to blaspheme god , the virgin mary , and the saints , to traduce the sacraments , to mingle themselves incestuously , after the manner of the adamites , to commit murther ▪ and practise witchcraft , &c. this man they led through the townes and cities as a spectacle ; they brought him to their church , where he must abjure his errors , and beseech the people to pray for him , a most miserable sinner , and to take heed , by his example , of the wicked piccards . they also published his confession in writing , being confirmed with the seals and subscrip●ons of some deans and priests , causing them to be read in the churches to the people . but the devil was befooled herein , for the brethren , by publick writings did confute these lies ; and the villain trembling so often to forswear himself in the sight of the people , confessed at last that he was suborned to do what he did , and that he knew not any of the piccards : yet thus far it made for good , that some to make experience of so great villanies , began privately and disguised , to frequent the assemblies of the brethren , and finding it to be farre other wise then it was reported , did associate themselves with them , as with true christians . anno . mathias king of hungary , banished the brethren from moravia , which caused some hundreds of them , taking a minister along with them , to go into moldavia ; whereupon the brethren in bohemia sent one of their elders to them , to exhort them unto patience under this persecution , which was for the truth . shortly after the restless enemies of god and his church , raised another persecution against the brethren in bohemia ; for some bishops consulting together , suborned the queen , great with childe , so that they conceived that the king would deny her nothing in that state , to request of him , that he would severely punish the piccards : the king displeased at her request , only nodded his head , but gave no answer at all : yet the bishops , in his presence , began to draw up the edict . the king going into his chamber , fell down on his knees , and with tears besought god to forgive the guilt of those bloudy counsels , and to grant no successe to them : and god heard his prayers , and shewed some examples of his severe judgements on the authors of this conspiracy . the queen who proposed to her fancy , what gratefull spectacles she should have in seeing the piccards brought to prague , and there , some burnt , some beheaded , and others drowned in the water , presently fell in travell , and when she was not able to bring forth , the physitians advised that the childe should be cut out of the mothers womb , which was accordingly done , whereby the childe lived , but the mother died . two years after , the bishops by their importunity prevailed with the king that sharp remedies should be used against those growing evils , as they were pleased to call them ; whereupon an edict was sent forth that all the piccards , without distinction of sex , age or quality , should be slain . this mandate was brought to the assembly of states at prague , by two bishops , but divers of the chiefest nobles opposed it , so that eighteen moneths were spent in debate , before any thing was done ; but at last , by the cunning artifice of the chancellor , and his bloudy associates , it was confirmed by the greatest part of the nobility , in the presence of the king ; and a mutuall confederacy was entred into , that it should be prosecuted with an armed power , but god following some of the chiefe contrivers of it with sundry judgements , it almost came to nothing . yet in these troubles most of the ministers were turned out of their places , so that they durst not preach nor pray , but in private . and a certaine noble man , having apprehended six of the brethren , cast them into prison , and when they were brought forth to be burnt , they went chearfully to the fire ; and when the chief officer , taking affection to one of them , offered him his life , if he would recant his error , profering him withall to give him a years time to consider of it ; he pawsed a while , but by and by answered , it is too much by such a delay , to lose my brethrens company , and so going along with them , they were burned together . shortly after the chancellor that had procured the passing of the edict against the brethren , as he returned from the parliament , visiting a certaine noble man by the way , he with great pleasure reported to him what was agreed upon against the brethren : the noble man having a servant by , that was much edicted to the discipline of the brethren , asked him how he liked it ; the servant answered , that all were not agreed : the chancellor suspecting some new conspiracy , asked him who durst oppose the states of the kingdom , & c ? the servant said , in heaven there is one , who if he were not present at your counsels , you have consulted in vain : the chancellor replied , thou knave , thou shalt finde that as well as the rest : and rising up in fury , immediately a carbuncle rose upon his foot , which turned to a disease , called ignis sacer , whereof he died miserably . another of the great sticklers in this businesse , returning homewards , as he was a lighting out of his chariot to make water , he struck his member on a sharp nail that was in the boot , whereby he drew out his entrails with him , and not long after he gave up the ghost . also d· augustine , who by slanderous libels had endeavoured to stirre up the king against the brethren , died suddenly as he was at supper . another noble man of these persecutors , as he was hunting , his horse threw him , and his arrow ran into his thigh , and came out at his loins , whereby he died a most paineful death . many others of them felt the like judgements of god ; so that it grew into a proverbe amongst them : if you be weary of your life , attempt something against the piccards , and you shall not escape a year to an end . about this time god stirred up in germany , undaunted luther , the thunderbolt against the pope , which occasioned many of the calixtines to resolve to embrace the purer doctrine of the gospel , and to seek for the ordination of their ministers from wittenberg , rather then from rome . but amongst these there was one zahere , an apostate , who to ingratiate himselfe with the king and pope , would enforce the pastors and citizens of prague to subscribe to sundry articles , or else they must be proscribed . and first of all six pastors were banished , then sixty five of the chiefest citizens : then to colour greater cruelty , a rumour was spread abroad of a conspiracy made by the brethren against the calixtines ; and to extort a confession hereof , three citizens were brought to the rack , who rather chose to suffer all torments , then falsly to accuse the innocent : yet divers were persecuted : amongst others , a cutler that had found an orthodox book about the sacraments , was whipped openly in the market-place , and banished : another was branded in the forehead ; a third was thrust into prison , and there murthered . then in the assembly of estates it was decreed , that the mandate of the king should be put in execution against the piccards : whereupon a new persecution was raised against the brethren , their churches being shut up , and their exercises forbidden . anno . a godly and learned man , together with his hostesse with whom he lodged , a widow of sixty years old , were both burnt in the fire for picardism , together with the books that were found about them . another godly woman being brought before the magistrate , made a hold profession of her faith , and then being required to prepare her garments to be burnt in , she answered , they are ready , leade me away when you please . the crier declaring openly that she had bla●ph●med , she with a loud voice denied it , saying , it is false , i am condemned because i deny the reall presence of christ in the sacrament ; give no credit to these priests , they are dissembling hyp●crites , adulterers , sodomites , epicures , &c. being commanded to pray to the crucifix , she turned her back to it , and lifting up her eyes to heaven she said , there is our god , thither we must look , and so chearfully mounting the pile , she was burned , anno christi . the year after two german tradesmen were caught at prague , accused by the monks of lutheranism , and condemned to be burnt : as they went to execution , such gracious words proceeded out of their mouths , as drew tears from the spectators eyes : when they came to the pile , they exceedingly encouraged one another ; on● of them saying , since our lord christ hath suffered such grievous things for us , let us chearfully suffer for him , and rejoyce that we have found so much favour with him , that we are counted worthy to die for the law of god : the other said , i in the day of my marriage found not so much inward joy as i do now . when fire was put to them , with a loud voice they said , lord jesus , thou in thy sufferings prayedst for thine enemies , therefore we also do the like . forgive the king , the men of prague , and the clergy , for they know not what they do , and their hands are full of bloud ; and so they slept in the lord. but one of their chief persecutors , who wished that all the piccards were hanged , beheaded or burnt by his own hands , had all these befall himself by gods just judgement : for being much in debt , he hanged himself , and when his friends had privately buried him ; the common people hearing of it , digged up his carcasse , and cast it away , which by the magistrates command was ordered to be burnt ; but when the woodstack was consumed , and the carcasse only scorched , his head was stricken off . zahera the apostate , when under colour of an inquisition against the piccards , he raised up civil commotions , was by the king banished , where he died miserably : the like befell another of those cruel persecutors . anno . ferdinand the first succeeding in the kingdom , the popish party cunningly stirred up the calixtines to persecute the brethren : whereupon , they suffering many grievous things sent a petition , together with a confession of their faith to ferdinand at vienna , subscribed by twelve barons and thirty three knights , complaining how unjustly they were accused by their enemies , and that the priests ordinarily cried out that the piccards might be slain without controul , and that a lesse sin was thereby committed , than if one killed a dog , ferdinand returned answer , that he had not leisure to consider of their papers , yet promised that nothing should be done either against law or equity , till he had further knowledge of the cause . in the mean time the brethren being much encouraged by letters from luther , bucer and capito , went on constantly , and through gods mercy , a great nummber was added to the church , till that fatal year . at which time charles the fifth putting in execution the decrees of the counsell of trent , raised warres against the protestant princes in germany : at which time his brother ferdinand sollicited the bohemians for aid , but they refused it in regard of their ancient league with the house of saxony . but the german protestants being overcome in warre , ferdinand entred bohemia with an army , seizeth on prague , imprisoneth the principall nobles , barons , and citizens , some he scourged , some he beheaded , and upon others he laid grievous fines , and of others he sequestred all their estates : also he disarmed the city of prague , took away their privileges , banishing some , whilst others went into voluntary exile . then did the devil raise up some to lay all the blame upon the brethren , to which malicious suggestions the king giving heed , first by open proclamation commanded all their churches to be shut up , and then he took away their peers , and banished them all out of his realms . when this thunderbolt came abroad , the brethren agreed amongst themselves that they would be more faithfull to god and their consciences then they had been : and so by common consent , dividing themselves into three companies , they went into poland : and all of them had experience of an admirable divine protection in their journey : escaping some that might , and would have robbed them , but that they were restrained by god : as also in most places where they came , they found christian commiseration and liberality of men towards them , and courteous entertainment in poland , though most of them were papists ▪ yet not long after the bishop of that part where they were , got a mandate from the king to drive them away : then were they forced to goe into the farthest parts of prusia , whereby d. albert brandenburg they had a place of habitation alloted to them , and one paul speratus , a protestant bishop , having conferred with them about their faith , was very courteous and charitable to them . the next edict that ferdinand set forth against the brethren , was for the apprehending of all their ministers , whereupon some of them retired into moravia , others , that they might be near their flocks , hid themselves in private places , & in the night-time they visited the faithfull , which continued for some years , but at last three of them fell into their enemies hands : yet one of them , through the admirable providence of god , escaped out of a deep dungeon in the castle of prague , and fled to his brethren in borussia , and he sometimes passing through polonia , and preaching the gospel , through gods mercy , many of the nobility , and others were converted by his ministry : so that in a few years he erected twenty churches in poland . the enemies having imprisoned john augusta , they much rejoyced at it , because he was a chief minister amongst the brethren , and as luther in germany against the pope , so he , both by his ministry and writings had mightily confuted the calixtines , and thereupon they laid to his charge his refusall to raise forces for the assistance of ferdinand , and intentions of bringing in john frederick , elector of saxony to be king in bohemia , and for the discovery of this pretended conspiracy he was cruelly racked three times , but when they could draw nothing from him , they yet kept him in prison seventeen years . anno . ferdinand published another decree for the extirpating both of the brethren , and lutherans : and the ministers that had received ordination in germany , or that were married , were banished out of the kingdom to the number of about two hundred . also the baron of schanow , a man of much experience and learning , being apprehended under the pretence of some conspiracy against ferdinand , was imprisoned , examined , and then laid on the rack : he with an heroical indignation cut out his tongue , and cast it away , and being asked why he did it , he wrote on the wall , i did it because i would not by any tortures be brought to say any thing falsly against my selfe or others . he also in a writing taxed the tyrannical proceedings against himselfe and other innocents , citing the king and his counsellors to appear and answer it before the tribunall of god , and so shortly after died . about that time ferdinand brought jesuites into prague , and built a stately college for them , who sought by all means to overthrow the church of christ , and added fuell to the fire of persecution . after the death of ferdinand maximilian succeeded anno . who being of a peaceable disposition could by no means be induced that any should suffer for their faith . after him rodulphus succeeded , anno . who treading in his father steps , the church of christ enjoyed peace under him , yea , pure religion so flourished through the whole kingdom , that there was scarce one amongst an hundred that did not professe the reformed religion : but alas ! with liberty of religion , by little and little men began to be licentious in their lives , and carnal security so encreased , that some began to presage that an horrible tempest should again overwhelm them . after the death of rodulphus succeeded mathias , who comming into bohemia , anno . he called an assembly of the states , but it being harvest time , few appeared : to them that did appear , mathias , complained , that since he had no issue he would adopt ferdinand for his son , commendeth his vertues , and desires that he may be crowned : the orders assembled , affirmed , that a matter of that consequence could not be done in the absence of the united provinces : caesar urged , that what bohemia should do would be confirmed by all the rest , that he grew faint , and it could not be deferred till another time . in brief , the oorders protested , that the term of receiving him king , was new , that he ought first to be chosen , and then received : and some perceiving that there was no place for a free voice , departed : others , partly allured by promises , and partly deterred by threats , staid , and were present at the cronation of ferdinand , after which he presently went into moravia , silesia , and lusatia , requesting to be received for their king. the persecution of the church in bohemia , which began anno christi , . ferdinand the second emperour of germany , being thus obtruded upon the bohemians for their king , contrary to the ancient constitutions and customes of the kingdom , and not lawfully elected thereunto , as he ought to have been , retired presently into germany : and thereupon the enemies of the truth began to crow , and openly to threaten the protestants : and it appeared sufficiently that ferdinand sware to the orders with his mouth , but in his heart to the pope , and presently after his departure , the popish bishops , clergy , and nobles , began to vex his subjects for religion , contrary to that assurance which the king had given to them : they attempted also the like in prague , the jesuites daily threatning that their liberty in religion should not last long . then did they strictly prohibit the protestants from printing any thing unlesse licensed by the chancellor of the kingdom , themselves in the mean time divulging their own slanderous pamphlets and dangerous writings against the protestants . then instructions were given to the captains and judges that they should suffer no meetings in churches except themselves were present , and except they had a popish priest to administer only in one kinde . then the burgrave , who had the custody of the crown , and priviledges of the kingdom , was apprehended ; because in the late parliament he had stood for the free election of a king , and delivered prisoner to one of the bitterest enemies of the protestants . in other places they destroyed the churches of the protestants . in the begining of the year the governors of the university and consistory met together , having formerly had power given them so to do , and choosing six persons , two barons , two knights , and two citizens : to consult what was best to be done in this time of their enemies insolency ; there presently came an injunction in caesars name to inhibit them to call any together , and that if any man was called , he should not dare to appear upon the pain of high treason . notwithstanding which , the major part of the states met , and when as new prohibitions and threats were spread abroad , and the states were informed that those thunderbolts came not from the king , but from the castle of prague , their abused patience was turned into severity , and being guarded with a great troop , they went to the castle , and apprehended two of the chief authors of these troubles , and threw them headlong out of the castle windows , together with their secretary that was privy to all their designs : but god intending to preserve them to be the bohemians scourges , they caught no hurt in the fall , falling upon the grasse , and greate store of papers . hereupon a great tumult was raised in prague , but the states appeassed it ; & the first thing they did was to banish the jesuits out of bohemia , as the chief contrivers of these mischiefs : then did they write to caesar , that they had no intention against his royall majesty , but only to bring to punishment the disturbers of the publick peace , being authorized thereto by his majesties letter , and bound by their protestation : yet he resolved to revenge this treason ( as he called it ) by force of arms , and the bohemians on the other side resolved to defend themselves , and for that end they chose thirty directors , and the moravians and silesians resolved to joyn with them , when they perceived religion to be the cause of the quarrell . and indeed this was that which the enemies aimed at , and therefore they provoked the bohemians by all waies , that so they might make a conquest of bohemia , and for this end an imperial army presently entred the kingdom under dampier , and a spanish army under bucquoy . in the mean time the states resolved not to admit ferdinand to be their king , who was so open an enemy both to their religion and liberties , and who was obtruded upon them without a due election : they sent also embassadors to franckford , where the electors were met together to choose a new emperour , desiring that ferdinand might not be admitted amongst them as king of bohemia , notwithstanding which , he was admitted and chosen emperour : the bohemians in the mean time choosing frederick elector palatine , for their king ; this more enraged their enemies , so that , they sent another army under maximilian of bavarie , which took two protestant towns by storm , and put all to the sword , and every where made great slaughter of the protestants : then the imperiall armies came to prague , which being struck with a pannick fear , the protestant army being overthrown in a set battell under the wals , and their new king fled , they delivered up the city to them , the conqueror promising to keep articles agreed upon , but performing nothing lesse . for they did more mischief to the church of christ by their subtile and slow proceedings , then lately by their outragious fury , when the sword fire , and wheel were the instruments of their rage against the faithfull . for a little before , when it was debated at rome how they should deal with the bohemians , and germans after the conquest ; it was agreed , that seeing their former strong purges which they had used to expell hereticall humours , had not proved effectuall : they therefore resolved not to put them to death wherein they did glory as in martyrdom , but rather to weary them and to change the hatefull name of inquisition into the milder name of reformation . and whereas there was a debate amongst the imperialists at prague , whether all the protestants should be presently banished , the negative was resolved on , because they would then carry much away with them , and so spoil the province , and indure their banishment with greater ease , & therefore they concluded that they must first be squeezed , and deprived of their goods : and for this end the souldiers at prague were authorrized to plunder the houses of noblemen and citizens , yet this was done at several seasons , and mostly in the night , by which meanes , as the enemies boasted , they took from the protestants some millions of gold : for indeed hither were all their riches brought in the time of war , as to a place of the greatest security : but as this fell to the commanders shares , so the neighbouring places were exposed to the fury of the rest , the common souldiers robbing and spoyling villages , towns , and churches , burning and killing without any restraint : the souldiers that were placed in garrisons would not only have free-quarter , but extorted mony from their landlords every day . then were comissions sent abroad , promising security to those noblemen , knights , corporations , and ministers , that would bring in a good sum of money to pay the army , which yet they would not receive as a free gift , but only desired to borrow it . caesars protection was also promised to those that were liberall , the rest were threatned to be plundred by the souldiers . they set down also what sums they expected from every one within such a time : they promised also that when that was paid , the souldiers should be removed , which made every one to bring in their plate , money , and jewels the more willingly . then were commissioners sent to require certain cities , that belonged to the protestant noblemen , to mantaine the standing forces of the kingdome , and to contribute corn for their publicke granaries : but whilest they were fed with a vaine hope of lessening and removing the souldiers , there were more listed , which raised the taxes so high as was impossible for the people to pay : and where as some were allured to deny the truth that they might be eased of taxes , and quarterings of souldiers , this was not performed , whereupon they complained that promise was broken with them , but the jesuits answered them , that they had no cause to complain , for they had provided for their souls , and therefore they ought cheerfully to help the king by contributions and quarterings of souldiers , and that hereticks must be dealt with , as mad men and children , from whom ●f you desire to get a knife , you must shew them something else , though you never intend to give it them . thus the kingdom being emptied of gold and silver , counterfeit and adulterate money was coined in great abundance , that so the common people might rejoyce in their plenty ; but in the mean time the souldiers would rec●ive none but good money . gold and silver also was raised to ten times the price of it , and on a sudden the emperour diminished the value ; making every piece of money to be worth but the tenth part : whereby the bohemians were more impoverished suddenly , then if they had lain under the burden of an army ten years . then was it ordered that the creditor should lose all the money that he had lent in the time of the rebellion , as they called it , and thus they were first impoverished , after which the enemies insulted over them by infamous books , insolent pictures , and proud words . then did they send abroad their commissioners of reformation , who in every town and village endeavored to bring protestantism into disgrace , and highly to magnifie and set abroad their owne cause : the most eminent men for honour and estates are invited to apostasie , the inferiour sort are either fooled by their examples , or compelled by thre●tnings . then was there an high-court of reformers set up , from which there was no appeal in the next place the souldiers exercised barbarous tyranny against the ministers of jesus christ. one aged minister lying sick in his bed , they shot him to death as he lay : the next day they robbed and murthered another ; another as he was preaching to his people , they came into the church ; and shot him to death . another nobleman , and a minister hearing of souldiers that were coming that way , conveighed themselves away into a place of safety the souldiers when they came , caught a schoolmaster , and binding him in cords , examined him where the lord of that place , and the minister were , and where they had hid their treasure ; he professed , that he knew neither the one nor the other , whereupon they beat him , first with their fists , then with cudgels , then stripping him naked , they so extreamly singed him with fire , that at last he promised to bring them where the treasure was , shewing them a ditch full of stones , which for greediness of gold they emptied , but finding nothing , they beat him afresh , and when he professed that he knew of no treasure , though through pain he had said so much , they cudgelled him , and with clods beat him into the ditch , and buried him under the stones . presently after they lighted on another godly minister , whom they so miserably tortured that he ●ied within five daies , shamefully abusing his daughters also whom they led away with them . another godly minister for a moneth together they excruciated with new invented mockeries : they spit in his face , buffeted him with their fists , exposed him to be beaten by every vile rascall : they with a knot●y cord twisten about his forehead , with a stick so strained his head , that his very eyes were ready to start out : then they let loose a wilde horse upon him , which yet leaped quite over him , and did him no harm : at last , with much adoe he redeemed himself with five hundred florences . another pastor they lighted on , and because he had a better estate then the former , they tormented him more , sometimes covering him over with hot burning coals , sometimes with ice , till they had forced him to pay a thousand five hundred florences for his ransome , though shortly after through extremity of the pain , he died . another minister they fetched from his house , and miserably tortured him by twisting a cord about his head , then tied they his hands behinde him , and his legs with a small cord , intending the next morning to torture him with fire , but in the night time as he was earnest at his prayers , repeating those words , in thee o lord is my trust , he perceived his hands and feet miraculously to be loosned , whereupon getting up , he went to the gate , where were three watchmen , one of them standing with his hand on his sword , yet he passed by them undiscovered : when he came to the town-gate , he was known by the souldier that stood sentinell , but he , being a bohemian , was overcome by entreaty , and let him passe over the bridge , whereby he escaped . another minister together with his wife they cruelly burnt : another was hanged upon a crosse-beam , and making a fire under him , they broiled him to death : another they cut into small peeces : another minister they sought for , but he being escaped , they took a young man in his house , laid him on his back , filled his mouth with gunpowder , which setting fire to , they miserably tore his jaws in pieces , and then killed him . when some souldiers came to the house of another , he entertained them courteously , and made good provision for them , but when they knew he was a minister , they first beat him cruelly , then killed him , stripped , and plundered his house ; they also burnt his library , and would not suffer his body to be buried for seven weeks , during their abode there . another aged minister and his wife , were so sorely burned by a souldier that demanded money of them , that presently after they died . another was hung up by the privy members , being seventy years old , and his own books burnt under him , and at last was shot through , and slain . another was first assessed at seven hundred florences , then had his house plundred , and lastly himself was murthered . another they caught and wounded , cutting his neck half through : but being afterwards carried by some friends to a chirurgion , he lived about two years , but in much pain and torment . another being above seventy years old , they carried into the market-place , where laying him upon a fire , they burnt him to death : another was beaten so , that he died three daies after . the jesuites laid wait for one pescinus , a man eminent for learning and piety , at last they suborned an apostate to betray him , who discovering him as he rode in a coach with a nobleman , fourty horsemen came suddenly , and took him away : but by the importunity of some noblemen , he was ransomed for four thousand florences , and ended his life in banishment . another being bound to a tree , was made a mark for the musquetiers to shoot at , and though they did not hit him , yet by reason of the affrightment he died within three daies . another being met by a notable papist , was ran thorow with a spear : but all this was done through military licentiousnesse ; now we come to what was acted by processe of law. anno . six articles were exhibited to the protestant congregations in prague . . that they should lend some thousands of pounds to caesar for the paiment of his army . . that they should publickly renounce the coming in of frederick . . that they should bring into the church the popish rites and ceremonies . . that their ministers should be ordained anew . . that the ministers should leave their wives , or get a dispensation from the archbishop . . that such as would renounce their ecclesiasticall functions , should have publick promotions , and the favour of caesar. but they answered unanimously , that they would doe nothing against their consciences . then came forth an edict , wherein the blame of all the former rebellion ( as they called it ) was laid upon the ministers of prague , because they had stired up , by their seditious and lying sermons ( as they pleased to stile them ) and by their writings , not only the common people , but the nobles also against caesar ; and that they were the authors of the choice of frederick , and that they still laboured to stirre up in the people an hatred against caesar. thereupon all the ministers within prague , were required within three daies to depart out of prague , and within eight daies to depart out of all the kingdom , and the provinces belonging thereto , and never to return again ; and if any under what pretence soever , should stay or returne again , or if any should presume to harbour or conceal any of them , that both the one and the other should suffer death : this was anno . then were their churches in prague given to the jesuits . it can not be expressed what lamentations and mournings there were amongst the people , when thus they must leave their pastors , and that for ever . yet the german ministers , whereof there were two , were suffered to continue in favour to the duke of saxony . then did as many as understood dutch , flock to their congregations , which so vexed the jesuits , that they obtained , not a banishment , but a gracious dismission of them as they would have it called . multitudes of people followed them , with great lamentations and tears , and in the field they heard their farewell sermon . the next design was , to remove the ministers out of other free cities , and the commissioners of reformation were imployed herein : one of them with a troop of horse coming to slana , and going to church , the minister ( a godly and learned man ) was reading the gospel : the commissioner sent a souldiers to him to bid him give over , but the minister still going on , himself went to him with his sword drawn , crying out , thou foolish preacher , leave off thy babling , and withall he dashed the bible out of his hand with his sword : the minister with eies , hands , and voice lift up to heaven , repeated often , woe , woe unto you , you enter not into heaven your selves , and forbid them that would ; woe , woe , woe unto you . but they mocking at these words , presently laid hands on him , justling him to and fro , whereupon he said , i for the name of my lord jesus christ am ready to suffer all this , and what else you shall impose . the people were much affrighted , but the chief magistrates and many good women interceding for him , he was at last dismissed , provided that he should depart the city within three daies ; and thus was this faithfull shepherd , not without the greate lamentations of his people , banished , where , about three years after he died . in a neighbouring city , the minister for fear of these barbarous proceedings , went a way of himself , yet the commissioners extorted a great summe of money from his church , and banished him in his absence . in another place they commanded the minister to depart from his parish within three daies , and from the city within eight daies ; he modestly asking the reason of his banishment , they told him caesar by conquest was master of all the churches , and that therefore he would put into them whom he pleased . but , into the rooms of these godly preachers , were put in unclean men , wicked , blasphemers , and men illiterate , and of no worth ; and yet they could not provide for all places : so that one of their hirelings supplied divers churches , and in stead of the wholesome food of gods word , he fed them with poison . then brought the ignorant monks out of poland , unprofitable burthens to the earth , yet fit enough to be scourges to unprofitable and common gospellers . then a commissioner , with some troops of horse , entring into ctutenburg , a place famous for maintaining the orthodox faith , cals before him the ministers , casts them out of their places , and puts jesuits into their churches : and these jesuits urging it , the ministers were commanded to depart out of the city gates before break of day , and out of the kingdom within eight daies : hereby were twenty one ministers driven away , many citizens accompanying them : one of them at the parting , preached upon that text , they shall cast you out of the synagogues ; exhorting them to perseverance . all the multitude much bewailed their losse , and with great lamentations , wailing and kissing each other , they recommended themselves to the blessing and protection of the almighty . in every place the ministers were cast out of their livings , some imprisonned , and after a while dismissed , and all commanded to depart the kingdom , upon pain of death . some were stifled with stink whilest they lay in prison . at last , anno . an other decree came forth from the king , whereby all the ministers of the gospel were commanded to depart the kingdom , by a peremptory day prefixed , because , as was alledged , they were seditious men , and seducers of the people : yet herein they used this artifice , that in most places this edict was concealed , till the time was almost or altogether elapsed , so that by this means the ministers not having time to communicate their counsels together , went into severall provinces , and some were faigne to hide themselves in caves & dens , and those either returned privately , and visited their auditors , or comforted such as came to them in the mountains and woods , preaching and administring the sacraments to them . but as soon as the enemies understood it , they presently published a new decree , wherein a punishment was preposed to those that should conceal the ministers , and a rewarde to such as should betray them : whereupon some of the ministers were taken and cast into prison : then by the jesuits were they by all waies sollicited to apostacy ; and fear of death , hunger , cold , the stink of the prison &c. prevailed with some to renounce their ministery : but most bore up couragiously against all storms , and at last some by paying great fines , others by giving it under their hands , that they would never returne into bohemia , were dismissed . one godly minister was examined by tortures , when , where , and to whom he had administred the sacraments of baptism or the lords supper , &c. he answered , that he had neither laide down , nor slacked his ministry , which he received from christ , and not from caesar : being profferred life if he would change his religion he answered , this body of mine is subject to corruption , and now it begins to decay already , why would you have me hinder it ? being brought forth to execution , the crier with a loud voice proclaimed that he was guilty of sedition : but he with a loud voice said , i suffer for the truth of christ. none of the citizens were suffered to accompany him , yea they were threatned to be shot , if they did but look out at their windows : and that his voice might not be heard , the drums and trumpets sounded continually . as he was passing on , he chearfully said : this day shall my soul be with christ : the captain said , with the devil in hell : the martyr replied , but you with your impious crew will run headlong thither , except ye repent . then was his right hand cut off , wherewith he gave the cup in the sacrament : then was his head cut off , his bowels taken forth , and wrapped in his shirt , his quarters set upon four stakes , and his head upon the fifth . then did the commissioners go into moravia , to a noble baron called charles de zerotina , a man for wisdom and vertue famous through all europe , a constant professor of religion , and one who maintained twenty four ministers of the brethren within his jurisdiction : they told him that they had an express command from cardinall ditrichsteine to expell all those ministers out of the country : he answered , that in matters of religion he ought not to be subject to the cardinall ▪ and therefore from him he appeals to caesar. then did they grant him fourteen daies to prosecute his appeale , but the baron being not in health ; could not go in that time to caesar , then they came again to him , an told him that it should be in his choice whether he would send them a way himself , or suffer them to do it ; the baron answered , that he could not banish those whom he knew to be the servants of jesus christ , nor could consent that they should do it : yet that night they sent abroad their citations to require all the inhabitants of that village to appear before them the next morning , at which time the minister and people came ; then did they read to them caesars edict , asking them if they would submit to it ; they answered that they wholly relied upon the will of god , whom they served in the gospell of his son , and therefore they were resolued to undergo what punishment they should inflict , seeing they suffered only for the name of jesus christ , and not for any ill deeds : then they demanded of them , whether the would forsake their heresie , and returne to the catholick church ; which they unanimously denied . the commissioners would have given them time to consider of it , but they all answered , that in so religious a cause as this , they needed no deliberations ; hereupon in caesars name they banished them , commanding them to depart within eight daies : these godly persons obeyed , and by the baron , at his own charge they were conveyed into hungary . the like they did in other places , so that the ministers of the gospel through all bohemia and moravia , were thrust out , and ignorant and illiterate persons set in their rooms . the next design of the enemies was against the nobles : the crime was for taking up arms for frederick their lawfull king , against an usurper : for though hope of pardon was granted , if laying down arms they would submit to caesars mercy , yet divers of them were apprehended : and first they seized upon some that were of the rank of defenders of the kingdoms liberties , and then all those whom they knew to have done any thing for the common good of religion and liberty ; or feared that they might be able to do for the time to come , and all such as feared to break their faith given to frederick . these were about the number of fifty men , famous for learning , skill in military affairs , and prudence in government , who were the light , delight and safeguard of their countrey . all of these in one night , and at one hour , were apprehended in their houses , when they suspected no danger , and by the captains were commanded to get up into wagons , and so some of them were carried to the castle of prague , others to the majors house . the next day proclamation were issued out , requiring all those that had hid themselves , or departed the kingdom , to appear within six weeks ; but they not appearing , sentence was pronounced , that all such as were guilty of treason , should forfeit goods , honours and lives , and then their names were set upon the gallows : the next day sentence was pronounced against their heirs , that all their goods should be confiscate to the king. then did they proceed to the triall of the noble men whom they had taken : two appostate civilians were appointed to examine them , with some of the nobility , who tired them out with a thousand impertinent questions , labouring to extort that from them whereof they were never guilty : which one of them not able to endure , renting his garments , and opening his breasts , said , tear into a thousand pieces this body , and search into my heart , and you shall finde nothing there but what is expressed in my apology . the love of religion and liberty made us unsheath our swords ; but seeing god would have caesar prevail , and hath delivered us into your hand , his will be done . others of them also stoutly maintained that their cause was not the worse , because of the successe . after some time when none of these noble men would yeild , or acknowledge themselves in an errour , or sue unto them for mercy , they proceed to execution ; their judgements were committed to such as were sworn enemies to the gospel . after sentence was passed , it was sent to caesar to consider of it : and he was so troubled , that he slept not that night , and the next morning calling his confessor , he said to him , i adjure thee upon thy conscience to tell me whether i may with a safe conscience pardon these that are condemned , or whether i should suffer execution to passe on them ? the confessor answered , o caesar , both are in thy power . then did he with his pen pardon some , and left others to execution , with a great addition of shame and ignominy . presently after they were brought out singly to hear their sentence , wherein some were condemned to death , others to perpetuall imprisonment , others to banishment , and some were reserved to caesars further pleasure . then were each sort of prisoners carried to their severall prisons ; the noble men into the inward prison of the castle , the citizens to the majors house ; and as they went , some villains were suborned to insult over them , saying , why doe they not now sing , the lord reigneth ? then did the wives , children and kinsfolk of the condemned persons , humbly petition for their lives ; but answer was made , that all the favour which could now be granted to them , was , that they should have leave to bury the corps of their friends . in the evening , the condemned men , which were twenty seven in number , had notice given them of the day wherein they were to suffer ; and therefor● they were advised to send for jesuits , or capuchins , or a minister of the augustine confession , for the good of their souls ; but they must expect no minister of the brethren , for that would not be granted to them . the jesuits and capuchins not staying till they were called for , flocked to them , using many perswasions , promising life , &c. if they would turn ; but god so strengthened them , that all those endeavours of satans imps were in vaine . then were some ministers of the augustine confession sent for , who spent that time which remained in religious exercises , conferences , prayer , and singing of psalms , and lastly by administring the sacrament to them . they which were of the brethren , willingly admitted these ministers , protesting that they acknowledged them for brethren , though they differed from them in some things ; only two of them did not partake of the sacrament for fear of some false accusation , comforting themselves with that saying , beleeve , and thou hast eaten . they which were prisoners in the majors house , being called to supper , the night before they were to suffer , comforted themselves , saying , that this was their last supper on earth , but to morrow they should feast with christ in his kingdom ; whereupon a great papist flouted , saying , hath christ cooks for you in heaven ? when it was told them that the noble men were coming to the scaffold in the market place , where they were to suffer , they hasted to the windows , and entertained their fellow martyrs , with singing the . psalm . the night after they spent in psalms , prayer , godly discourse , and mutuall exhortations , that since it pleased god to call them before others , to this honour of martyrdom , they hoped by their constancy to confound the world , to glorifie christ , and to leave a good example to others ; and singing the . psalm , where in david praies to god , to shew some token of good upon him ; one of them said , shew therefore some token of good upon us o god , whereby we thy servants may be strengthened by thy goodnes●e , and our enemies confounded : and being full of faith , he said further , be of good chear , for even in this god hath hard your voice , and to morrow he will shew some wonderfull signe , whereby he will witnesse that we suffer for his cause . early in the morning they washed their faces , and put on clean clothes , as if they had been going to a wedding ; and cut off the collars of their dublets , that when they came to the scaffold , there should need no new making ready . then did they earnestly pray to god , that he would be pleased to confirm and strengthen both themselves and the people concerning their innocency . presently after the sun rising , a beautifull bow appeared , and compassed the heavens , the ministers , souldiers , and many others looking upon it : the martyrs looked out at the window , and saw a rainbow of an unusuall colour , the heavens being very clear , and no rain of two daies before , whereupon falling upon their knees , they lifted up their voices and hands , praising god for this sign that he shewed from heaven . then presently was a gun discharged , which was a warning for their bringing forth to execution ; whereupon those champions of christ encouraged one another , praying that each of them might be strengthened , &c. then troops of horse and foot came to fetch them , the streets , market-place and houses , being filled with multitudes of spectators . the martyrs being called forth one by one , went to their death with and undaunted courage , hasting as if they had been going to a banquet : when one was called for , he thus took his leave of the rest , farwell most loving friends , god give you the comforts of his spirit , patience and courage , that what formerly with your mouths you have professed , you may confirm by your glorious death : behold i go before , that i may see the glory of my lord jesus christ ; you will follow me that we may together see the face of our heavenly father . at this houre all sorrow departs from me , and joyfull eternity shall succeed it . then did the rest answer , god above to whom you are going , prosper your journey , and grant that you may passe happily from this vale of misery , unto that heavenly country ; the lord jesus send his angeles to meet you : go , dear brother , into thine and our fathers house , and we will follow after , presently we shall meet in the heavenly glory , and this we are confident of through him in whom we have beleeved . the first was the lord schlik , a man of admirable parts , about fifty years old : when he was condemned to be quartered , and his parts to be scattered here and there ; he said , the loss of a sepulchre is easie : being exhorted by a minister to courage , he said , i have gods favour so ; that no fear of death doth trouble me ; i have formerly dared to oppose antichrist , and i dare now die for christ. the jesuites troubling him when he came to the scaffold , he shaked them off , and seeing the sun shining bright , he said , christ thou son of righteousness , grant that through the darknesse of death , i may passe into eternall light ; and so having ended his prayers he constantly received the stroak : his right hand and head were hung on the high tower upon the bridge . the lord wenceslaus was next , about seventy years old , famous for learning , religion , and his travels through divers countries : his house was formerly plundered , even to his wearing apparell , he only saying , the lord hath given , and the lord hath taken away . being asked why he would engage himselfe in fredericks cause , he said , my conscience pressed me to do what i did ; i am here , my god , dispose of me thy servant as seems good in thine eyes ; i am full of years , take me out of this life , that i may not see that evill that is coming on my country . afterwards holding forth his bible , he said , behold my paradise , it never yeelded me so much nectar and ambrosia as now . when he was sentenced , he said to the judges , you have a long time thirsted after my bloud , but know withall , you will finde god a revenger of innocent bloud , for whose cause we suffer . a frier saying to him , you are deceived in your opinion , he answered , i rely not on opinion , but on the infallible truth of god , for i have no other way but him who said , i am the way , the truth , and the life . on the scaffold , stroaking his long beard , he said , my gray hairs , behold what honour remains for you , that you should be crowned with martyrdom : and so praying for the church , his country , his enemies , and commending his soul to christ , his head was cut off , and set on the tower. the next was the lord harant , a man that had gained much experience by his travels in asia , africa , and europe ; his crime was that he had taken an oath to be true to frederick , and durst not violate it . as he was going to suffer , he called the minister to him , and told him that he much feared his wives inconstancy in religion , and therefore desired him to exhort her to constancy , and not to suffer her self to be drawn from her religion by any allurements , assuring her that it is the infallible way to salvation . then to exhort her to use more clemency to his subjects , rather easing then over-charging them with burthens . lastly to require her to have a care of his children , and to bring them up in the pure religion , &c. being called to execution , he said , i have travelled through many countries , through many barbarous nations , escaped many perils by sea and land , and now suffer innocently in my own countrey , and by them for whose sake i , and my forefathers have spent our estates and lives ; father forgive them . then he said , in thee o lord have i hoped , let me not be confounded . on the scaffold he said , into thy hands o lord i commend my spirit : in the o lord have i trusted from my youth ; i am confident that i shall be accepted by that ignominious death of my saviour ; and falling upon his knees , he said , to thee o lord i commend my spirit , for thou o god , just and true , hast redeemed me : and so he received the fatall stroke with the sword . the next was casper kaplitz a knight , of eighty six years old : when the minister came to him after his condemnation , he said , see me a miserable old man , who have often intreated my god that he would have mercy upon me , and take me out of this miserable life , but have not obtained it , for god hath reserved me to be a spectacle to the world , and a sacrifice to himselfe , gods will be done : my death indeed is disgracefull in the eyes of men , but glorious in the sight of god ; for god will account that death precious in his sight , which i suffer for his glory and truth : and when it was told him that he might have his life , if he would ask pardon ; he answered , that he would ask pardon of him against whom he had committed many sins all his life , but he never offended the prince , and therefore would not give occasion to suspect that he had committed some crime , for which he had deserved death , &c. god forbid therefore , said he , that i should be separated from this holy company of martyrs . as he was going to the scaffold , being feeble with age , he said , oh my god strengthen me , lest i fall down , and become matter of scorn to the enemies . being crooked with age , and hanging down his head , the executioner could not well come at his neck , whereupon the minister said to him , my noble lord , as you ha●e commended your soul to christ , so now offer up your heavy head chearfully to god , and lift up your sel●e towards heaven . then lifting up his head as well as he could , he said , lord jesus into thy hand i commend my spirit , and so is head was cut off . the next was procopius dorzecki , who after his condemnation said to the minister , i ha●e had a great contention all night with old adam , so that it made me sweat againe ; but thanks be to my god , by whom my soul hath overcome all tentations : saying further , o almighty god , strengthen thy servant that i may not be made a derision to mine enemies by any fear of death ; and as thou wa●● wont to encourage thy holy martyrs , so i ●trongly belee●e thou wilt comfort me . when he was called forth to execution , he said , thanks be to my god , who doth now call me to himselfe , to him i have lived , and for him i will die ; for my saviour hath therefore died and risen again , that he might be lord both of the living and the dead : i know that my soul shall li●e , and my body shall be raised like to his glorious body . upon the scaffold he said to the imperi●ll judges , tell caesar that we are now under his ●udgement , bu● he shall undergoe a more grievous , yet just judgement of god : and seeing a gold medal hanging about his neck , wherein was ingraven the coronation of frederick , he delivered it to one that stood by , saying , i require ●hee , that when my dear king frederick shall recover the throne of this kingdom , thou deliver him this , and tell him , that for his sake i wore it till my death , and that now i lay down my life willingly , for god and my king , and so presently after he lost his head . the next was the l. frederick de bile , who suffered death likewise patiently and piously . the next was the l. hen. otto . a man of great judgment , who having received the sentence of condemn●tion , said , o caesar , do you indeed establish your throne by our bloud ? but what account will you make to god of it in the day of judgement ? &c. kill my body disp●●se my members whither you please : yet d● i belee●e ●hat my saviour will gather them together againe , and clothe 〈…〉 so that with th●s● eyes i shall see h●m , with these ears i shall hear him , with ●his to●gue i shall praise him , and rejoyce with this heart f●re●er . afterwards when the minister came to him , amongst other 〈◊〉 he sai● , i was ●roubled , but now i feel a wonderfull refreshing in m● heart , adding , with his hands lift up to heaven , i give thee thanks o most mercifull saviour , who hast be●n pleased to fill me with so much 〈◊〉 now i fear death no longer , i will die with joy : as he was going to the ●ca●fold he said to the minist●r , i am sure that christ jesus will meet my soul with his angels , that he may bring it to an everlasting marriage , where i shall drink of a new cup , a cup of joy for ever : this death i know shall not separate me from him : upon the scaffold lifting up his eyes to heaven , he said , behold i see the heavens open , pointing with his hand to the place , where others also observed a certain brightnesse which dazled their eyes : after he had prayed silently , he said , into thy hands o lord god i commend my spirit , have pitty on me through jesus christ , and receive me that i may see thy glory : and so he received the stroak of the sword . the next was dionysius zervius formerly a papist , but being told of the promises made to the people of god concerning the pardon of sins , and assurance of salvation to those that believe in christ , he struck his breast , and with tears in his eyes , cried out , this is my faith , and in this i die , i rest in the grace of christ , and i trust in my god , that he will graciously accept my contrite spirit : when upon the scaffold the jesuites exhorted him , he listned not to them , but turned from the crucifix , and falling down on his knees he prayed softly : then looking up towards heaven , he cried , they can take away the body , but they cannot take away the soul : o lord jesus i commend that unto thee : and so he ended his life being fifty six years old . the next was an aged man about seventy years old , that had been long lame : his crime was that he had assisted frederick with his counsel and wealth : at the time of his death , he said , o lord jesus , who being innocent didst undergo death , grant that i may die the death of the righteous , and receive my soul into thy hands . the next was the lord of rugenia , a man of excellent parts , and full of zeal for god ; when he was iudged to die , he said , that it was more welcome to him then if the emperour had given him life , and restored him to his estate with addition of more : afterwards he said to the minister : god is our witnesse , that we fought for nothing but the liberty of religion : and in that we are overcome and condemned to die , we acknowledge , and finde that god will not have his truth defended by our swords , but by our bloud , &c. when he saw divers called out before him , he said , what is the matter my god ? thou knowest that i resign my self wholly unto thee : ah do not despise thy servant , but make haste to take me away : and when the sheriff came for him , he rejoyced , and said , praised be my god , that i shall now be taken out of the world , that i may be with christ : and so he went to meet him : on the scaffold he comforted himself with that promise , father , i will , that where i am , my servants may also be , to behold that glory which thou gavest me : therefore ( said he ) i make haste to die that i may be with christ , and see his glory , and so he suffered martyrdom couragiously . the next was valentine cockan of about sixty years old : during his imprisonment , he was full of heavenly discourse , and at the scaffold he said , grant me o god to passe through this valley of death , that i may presently see thee , for thou knowest my god that i have loved thy word , bring me o god through the paths of life , that i may see fulnesse of joy in thy presence : and kneeling down , he said , into thy hands o lord i commend my spirit , and so holily ended his life . the next was toby steffick a man of a composed temper , and sincere in religion : he spent most of the time of his imprisonment in silent sighs and tears : before his execution he said , i have received many good things of the lord all my life long , shall i not therefore receive this cup of affliction ? i imbrace the will of god , who by this ignominious death makes me conformable to his son , and by a narrow way brings me to his heavenly kingdom : i praise god who hath joyned me undeservedly to these excellent men , that i might receive with them the crown of martyrdom : when he was called to die , he said : my saviour being about to die , said , father , not as i will , but as thou wilt : thy will be done . shall i therefore who am but a worm , yea , dust , and a shadow contradict his will ? far be it from me : yea , i come willingly my god , only have mercy on me , and cleanse me from my sins , that no spot or rinckle may appear in me , but that i may appear pure in thy sight , and so he lifted up himself full of sighs , yet full of hope , and as he was praying he rendered up his spirit unto god. then was jessenius , a doctor of phisick , called forth , a man famous for piety and learning all over europe : having hard his sentence , he said , you use us too cruelly and disgracefully : but know , that our heads shall be buried , which you ignominiously expose for a spectacle : which afterwards came to passe , anno . when the king of sweden with his army took prague , and caused the martyrs heads to be taken from the tower , and solemnly and honourably buried . when the hangman required his tongue to cut it off , he willingly put it out , and falling upon his knees , as he was praying , his head was cut off , his body quartered and set upon four stakes . the next was christopher chober who much encouraged his fellow-martyrs , and then cited the words of ignatius , i am gods corn , and shall be ground with the teeth of wilde beasts : so we ( saith he ) are gods corn , sown in the field of the church , and that we may be for our masters use , we are now to be torn by beasts : but be of good chear , the church is founded in bloud , and hath ever encreased by bloud : god is able to raise up a thousand worshippers of himself out of every drop of our bloud : for though truth now suffers violence , yet christ reigns , and no man shall throw him from his throne : being called to execution , he said , i come in the name of my god , neither am i ashamed to suffer these things for his glory , for i know whom i have beleeved : i have fought the good fight of faith , and finished my course , &c. then praying , into thy hands lord i commend my spirit , he received the crown of martyrdom . john shultis was next , who on the scaffold , said , why art thou so sad o my soul ? hope thou in god for thou shalt yet praise him : &c. the righteous seem to die in the eyes of fools , but indeed they go to their rest : lord jesus thou hast promised that whoso comes to thee , thou willt not cast off : behold i now come , look on me , pity me , pardon my sins , and receive my soul , to thy self : then kneeling down , he said , come come , lord jesus , and doe not tarry , and so he was he headed . the next was maximillian hostialick , a learned , and pious man : after his condemnation he was sadder then the rest , and being asked by the minister the reason of it , he said , the sins of my youth doe now come into my minde : for though i know that nothing remains to condemn them which are in christ jesus : yet i know that god exerciseth justice as well as mercy towards his own : being called to death , he said , look upon me o lord my god , and lighten mine eyes , lest i sleep the sleep of death ; and lest mine enemies say , we have prevailed . afterward repeating the words of simeon , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace , for mine eyes have seen thy salvation , he was beheaded . the next was john kutnaur , who when the jesuites began to speak to them , said , pray you trouble not our consciences ; we are sufficiently furnished against the fear of death , we need none of your help : and when they would have proceeded , he said , why do you create unprofitable labour to your selves , and trouble to us ? then said they one to another , they are hard rocks , and will not suffer themselves to be removed : to whom he answered , you sa● true , christ is an hard rock , and we are firmly fixed on him . afterwards he said to his fellow-martyrs , i understand that i must be hanged , but whether by the neck , middle or feet , i know not , nor ca●e not ; this only is my grief , that my bloud may not be mingled with yours , that we might be made one sacrifice to god : when he was called forth to execution , he was besprinckled with the tears of his friends , to whom he said , play the men , brethren , and refrain fron weeping , i go before , but it is but a short time and we shall meet in the heavenly glory ; when he was upon the ladder , he said , i have plotted no treason , committed no murder , i have done nothing worthy of death ; but i die because i have been faithfull to the gospel , and my country ? o god pardon my enemies , for they know not what they do : but thou o christ have pity on me , for i commit my soul unto thee , and so he slept in the lord. the next was simeon sussickey , who when he saw the jesuites comming , he said to his companions : these birds of prey are flying hither , but they shall not feed on these carcasses , but return hungry ; for god hath promised to perserve his own as the apple of his eye , and therefore he will not suffer us to be seduced . the last night he had a great conflict with the flesh , because the scripture saith , cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree : but when the minister told him that that curse was taken away by the death of christ , he was well satisfied : he went to his death praying and singing , and being hanged next to kutnaur which was his son in law , after he was dead , he turned towards him , and so near that their mouths touched each other : so that their enemies said , these were such obstinate rebels that they cease not to plot after death . the next was nathaneel wodnianskey , who when the jesuites sollicited him to apostacy , he said to them : you take away our lives under pretence of rebellion , and not content with that , you seek to destroy our souls ? glut your selues with sight of our bloud , and be satisfied with that , but we shall leave a sting in your consciences : afterwards his own son saying to him , my father , if hope of life should be proffered you , upon condition of apostacy , i pray you be mindefull of keeping your faith to christ : he answered , it is very acceptable to me my son , to be exhorted to constancy by you , but what makes you to suspect me ? i rather advise and exhort you to follow your fathers steps , and to exhort your brethren , sisters , and children , to that constancy whereof i shall leave you an example : and so he patiently ended his life upon the gallows . the next was wenceslaus gisbitzky , to whom were given great hopes of life : but the minister fearing satans stratagems , advised him to take heed of security , and to prepare himself for the encounter of death : upon the scaffold , seeing his hopes frustrate , he fell on his knees , and said : we are prostrate before thee , o eternal father , do not forsake us , have pity on us through jesus christ : we would say more , but we are not able to expresse it : into thy hands doe we commend our souls , perfect that which thou hast begun to work in us . render to us our inheritance that we may sing holy , holy , holy , &c. and so in the midst of his prayers he ended his life . there was also one martin fruin , an eminent citizen of p●ague , who being taken in his own house , was scoffed at by the souldiers , beaten with their fists , and afterward cruelly tortured , and so burnt in the privy parts , that for six moneths he was troubled with most grievous pain : he was shut up in prison from all company , and at last was found dead in the castle ditch under the tower. presently after the execution of these holy martyrs , all their goods were confiscated , as also of those that were driven into banishment . then was a proclamation published , wherein a generall pardon of all crimes was offered to all the inhabitants of the kingdom , only their goods were confiscated , either in whole or in part , which must be brought into his majesties treasury , to pay his debts which were contracted by this necessary war : besides which , they were to make a confession of their faults in a form prescribed before cardinall lichtenstein , who was caesars viceroy , and if any did not appear , he should lose this favour . hence it was that the enemies publikely boasted that none were punished but such as were convicted by their own confession . then by edict all were forbidden to diminish , or waste their goods , by selling them , or conveying them over to others : and if any man should send away his goods to another place , all should be lost : and whosoever received such goods , should pay so much of his own to the emperour . yet the merry judges turned all this to a jest , saying to divers that pleaded their innocency from having any hand in bringing in frederick , that though they had not actuall sins , yet they were infected with the original sin of heresie and wealth , and therefore could not be exempted from punishment . then did they proceed to take from the protestants all their castles , towns , and villages , whereby they were deprived of their livelihoods , and driven into strange places : some were forced to cast themselves upon their popish friends , others to become servants to their own destroyers . afterwards all their personall estates were sequestred , scarce leaving so much as a garment for them wherewith to cover their nakedness : and lest any man should should have money at use , they commanded all to bring in all their bonds , upon pain of losing all their debts , if they concealed the least : and when any considerable sum was brought in , the kings treasurers were at hand , who protesting that the emperour had need of it to defray his charges of war , took it away , giving to the party a note that so much was due to him from the emperour , which yet was never repaied . and thus the protestants being commanded to depart the kingdom , the popish party divided their confiscated goods and lands amongst themselves : and as it lay commodious for any of them , they added this or that village , town , castle , or lordship to their own , but the greatest part fell to strangers shares , spaniards , italians , or germans which were commanders in the imperiall army , instead of their pay . if any widows or orphans had lands or goods not taken away , their popish neighbours would either circumvent them by craft , or weary them ▪ out by quartering souldiers upon them , and so enforced them to sell them their lands , at what prices themselves listed to make thereof , and yet afterwards not paying that neither . then did the emperour call for the ancient charters of the kingdom , which he immediately rent , and threw into the fire . the ministers being all banished , the noble lord charles de zerotine did yet not onely retain his houshold-chaplaine ; but he sustained also many others privately in their caves with bread and water ; and not fearing man , he did not only give liberty to his own subjects , but to divers others in neighbouring places to resort to the holy exercises which were performed in his castle . then did the enemies by a new edict publish , that all such barons , noblemen , and citizens , as kept any protestant tutor for their children , should presently dismisse him : otherwise he should be taken and punished . then by another edict all the protestants were cast out of protection of the laws , and were to have no benefit by them . the enemies being every day puffed up with their successes and victories , made a decree that all the protestant noblemen should presently depart out of the kingdom , and the emperour published a proclamation , that to prevent all divisions which were dangerous to the kingdom and magistrates , therefore he was resolved no longer to tollerate any of the inferiour , much lesse of the superiour estates of either sex , who was infected with hereticall errours : and withall he granted to the superiour states the term of six moneths , to learn the holy roman catholick faith : and for that end he appointed commissioners of reformation to instruct them requiring them , to be obedient to his will , and to be diligently instructed by them , otherwise they should not be suffered to stay in the kingdom , much less to possesse their goods : and therefore he required all those which at the end of that term of six moneths did not turn catholicks , immediately to depart the kingdom and never to returne again . hereupon they which loved religion at their hearts , did presently separate themselves by banishment : others sollicited caesar by petitions , either to change the decree , or to grant them a longer time : others there were that thinking to deceive the emperour and pope , did buy false testimonies of the priests , that they had been at confession , and communicated in one kind , and so made shew of a dissembled apostacy , thereby to avoid banishment . then was the fore-named act extended unto widows , and the protestants children were commanded to be delivered to the care and instruction of chatholicks , or else to be shut up in monasteries : and this caused extream grief and groanes , when noble-mens sons , and daughters , even maids that were marriageable , were pulled from their parents , and friends , and thrust into jesuites colleges , or monks cels : their goods being taken also from them , and committed to papists . the cunning craftinesse of those seducing reformers , deceived many unwary persons , whilest they told them that they might hold their former opinions ; only for order sake they must acknowledge the roman bishop to be the visible head of the church : hereby the simpler sort , thinking that they were not constrained to any other faith , but what they had formerly learned , thought that they might with a safe conscience promise that outward obedience . and if these seducers saw any one of more nobility then ordinary , they presently suggested to them how much it grieved caesar that those ancient families which had formerly been the ornaments and props of the kingdom , should cast themselves out into banishment through there unadvisedness , when they might remaine and flourish under the favour both of god and caesar : and this ruined many of the protestants nobility , who preferred their earthly , before the heavenly country . yet above a hundred families , leaving their inheritances , and all their possessions , went away : amongst these was the lord de zerotine , who might have lived in his countrey if he would have deprived himself of the worship of god , by the losse of his minister , or if he would have used it covertly , yet he rather chose to suffer affliction with the people of god , then to continue the enjoyments of his earthly possessions . and whereas many of these protestants were gone into silesia , and lusatia , the emperour set forth a proclamation , wherein he protested , that it was not his intention to remove them out of bohemia and moravia , and to suffer them in the incorporated provinces , and therefore he commanded them to depart from thence also , or else they should be brought to punishment : requiring them also to send back their children which they had carried with them , upon penalty of losing all the goods which any of them could demand in his countrey . presently after he published another edict wherein he required all the protestant wives of the catholicks , either to reform , or to go into banishment : but when many of the chief officers of the kingdom had protestant wives , and they would not indure that they should be thus divorced from them , he set forth another edict , whereby they were tolerated till the death of their husbands , and then they should be excluded from their inheritances , and sent into banishment : and required that in the mean time they should absent themselves from all festivall and nuptiall solemnities , or else should take the lowest places after the catholicks . and whereas some of the protestants did privately teturn , or stay to make the best of that little that did remain unto them : proclamation was sent out that all such should be apprehended and imprisoned : and to warn all such as had harboured any of them , upon their allegiance , to appear before the chief officers in the castle of prague : requiring that if any knew where any of them lay hid , they should secretly and suddenly attach them , and bring them to prison . then did the emperour repeal , and disannull diverse of the ancient statutes of the kingdom , that made most for the peoples liberties , as concerning their free election of a king , &c. that he might the better every where oppresse them . then in all the free cities men of base and mean quality were appointed to determine a●l businesse , and to be the chief officers , and to these were added some of the chief of the souldiery , the better to procure subjection . these cities also they impoverished by taxes and contributions , which continued divers years , and were extorted by the souldiers power . then masse-priests were put into the places of godly ministers , and people were compelled to frequent the masse : marriages were forbidden , except amongst the catholicks : such as turned apostates were promoted to all places of magistracy in the cities , though men of no judgement , nor experience . then were these articles given to the captains of distresses . . that whosoever is not of the kings religion , all traffick and commerce shall be debarred him . . whosoever shall suffer private preaching , baptism , or matrimony in his house , shall pay a great fine , or suffer six moneths imprisonment : but if he harbour a preacher , he shall lose goods and life . . if any shall work upon catholick holidaies , he shall be imprisoned , and pay ten florences . . it shall not be lawfull for any non - catholick to make a will : if he do , it shall be null . . no youth shall be bound apprentice , or learn any art or trade , unlesse he learn the catholick religion . . the poor people in hospitals , except they be converted by such a day , shall be turned out , &c. after the taking of the city of prague , papists were examined upon oath to declare what they knew or heard that the protestants had spoken or done against caesar. then was an act published to the rest of the citizens , that though they had forfeited their whole estates , yet they should not be wholly sequestred , but every one should contribute part of his estate to support the army : all men also were required upon oath to discover what their estates were : according to which they were injoyned to pay a ransome to obtain a pardon : yea all trading inhibited to such as were not catholicks . in the city of kutterberg were abundance of silver mines , and the inhabitants generally were zealous professors : hereupon so soon as they began to be molested for religion , the kings revenue began to diminish , most of the workmen giving over the work : the king seeing this , he farms his revenues to the citizens for ten years , promising that in the interim they should not be troubled with souldiers , nor for their religion : and hereto he set his hand and seal : but satan envying their place and liberties , stirs up the jesuits , to move the king to break his covenant within four mouths after : and the souldiers were sent thither again , and they began again to be questioned about their religion : the citizens astonished at this manifest breach of covenant , humbly petition that no violence might be offered to them , which would overthrow the mettall-works : but instead of answer , the major and chief aldermen had twenty musquetiers apiece put into their houses upon free quarter , till they had shriven themselves to a priest : the souldiers domineered exceedingly , wasting these mens estates by their profuseness , and abusing them divers other waies at their pleasure : yet the patience of the one , overcame the tyranicall behaviour of the other : these godly men so long as they had it , provided for the souldiers , but when all was gone , some of them withdrew themselves from danger by flight ; others resigned their houses and goods to these domineering villains : delivering the keys to them , and so departing . when yet this prevailed not , the task of reforming that city was committed to don martin , who accompanied with a troop of curiassiers , and himself brandishing a naked sword , entred into the city , the citizens trembling at his coming , hearing of the cruelty which he had exercised in other places , whereupon that very night multitudes of them betook themselves to flight , thinking to hide themselves in neighbouring villages , this caused don martin to get an edict that none should harbour exiles upon a great penalty . the year after a senate at kutterberg was elected out of the apostates : the major being a base and illiterate person , so that all the citizens being still oppressed with the souldiers , either fled with their wives and children , leaving all behinde them , or else were fain to submit their necks to the antichristian yoke . the next city whither these reformers went , was bolislavia , where the orthodox religion had continued for two hundred years , and it was the principall seat of the brethren . the ministers being ejected , they placed in their rooms two crafty friers , that by all means sought to pervert the people , but when this prevailed not , they brought in three companies of souldiers to quarter upon them . then were some of the citizens banished , others cast into prison , and three of the principal was sequestered to strike a terror into the rest ; the cause pretended was , because they said , as was alledged , that none had power to command their consciences , &c. but when yet the citizens remained constant , they were all warned to appear in the court , and being come , they were shut up in severall rooms , and called out and examined one by one . the first was the town-clerk , a weak and timorous man , and therefore they had set a ruffian in a corner , with a sword in his hand , whom the fearfull man seeing , was so terrified , that he promised to turn catholick ; they so rejoyced at this beginning , that they dismissed all the rest , bad them consider of it , and do as the town-clerk had set them an example . amongst these there were two burgomasters , learned men , who exhorted their fellow citizens not to be affrighted with these imaginary terrors . afterwards one of them being called for , was partly with threats , & partly with flatteries so wearied out , that at last he tooke time to consider of it : the other being called for , & an old man proposing the others example to him , he spit in his face , saying , traytor is this your constancy ? and so both he , and the rest of the citizens remained as unmoveable as a rock . the first burgomaster considering what he had done , and being ashamed of it , came and gave them such a positive answer , as that with the rest he was sent to prison . one bartholomew lang told them to their faces , that he had rather die by the sword , then deny his faith ; whereupon with divers others he was thrust into a stinking dungeon , where they kept them prisoners for seventeen weeks , their houses in the meane time being possessed by the barbarous souldiers . one of these godly persons died in prison : and about that time bethlem gabor warring with the emperour , and count mansfield entring silesia , with the king of denmarks army , these tyrants were struck with such a terrour , that presently proclamations came forth , that it was not his majesties pleasure that any man should be forced to the faith , by violent meanes ; by which proclamation the inhabitans of bolislavia had some respit . but the year after , when gabor was retired , and the king of denmark beaten out of silesia , their tyranny againe revived and a new proclamation came forth to inhibit the protestants all trade and commerce ▪ and to command them to abjure their heresies under pain of the severest and inevitable punishment . hereupon some were banished , others voluntarily went into exile , others were denied traffique , the friers taking away such commodities as they set to sale , so that the citizens which stayed , were forced to take the mark of the beast , that they might buy and sell. in the city of litomericia , anno . there was an unanimous agreement amongst the citizens , that none should be made free amongst them , but such as professed the reformed religion : and that whosoever should move for the nulling of this act should be disfranchised ; this continued inviolate for a hundred years till two jesuites sued to be made free men of the city , which being denied , they entred their complaint in the chancery , whether some of the principall aldermen were summoned , and kept for nine weeks space , till by threats they had obtained from them to make these two men free . five moneths after one of them is made an alderman , that so they might have their spies in every place ; there were also cunning seducers sent thither to withdraw the people from their religion . but when this prevailed not , anno . they took the names of every citizen , commanding them constantly to come to the masse , and every one to s●ew his name to the sexton , that they might know that all were there present , or else for every omission they should forfeit five pound . then bringing in more souldiers , they commanded all the inhabitants to be present at their idolatrous procession , and because the recorder came not , they sent a whole company of souldiers to plunder his house , who also abused and threatned his wife . the year after they brought more in souldiers , quartering them in the principall mens houses , in some ten , in some twenty , and in others thirty , who abused them fearefully , but , through gods assistance , they bore it with such admirable patience that the enemies were weary with plaguing them , and began to be more moderate ; yet they published an order , that whosoever would not turn catholick , should , with their wives and children , depart the city & kingdom by a certain day , wherevpon many of them removed into misnia . at the city of radecium they drave away the ministers , and placed there a merry archdeacon , who protested that all violent means were displeasing to him , and therefore he entertained the citizens with jests and merry speeches , and would draw them to taverns and gameing houses : but when after four years triall , he found that he had not converted any one of them by these means , he brought in souldiers for his help : then did he assemble the people , requiring them to go in procession with him , but when none would follow , the souldiers rushed in amongst them with their drawn swords ; whereupon the people ran , some one way , some another , others were forced to follow the procession whether they would or no , and some for refusing were slain . then was a whole regiment of souldiers sent thither , with expresse charge not to depart , till the city was reformed . the archdeacon taking some of these , went to a physitian that had been lame for some years , and asketh him whether he would become a catholick ? which he stoutly refused , saying , that he had rather his half rotten carkasse should be drawn through the fields , and torn in pieces , then to do any thing against his conscience . then were all the inhabitants called together : the city gates shut , and the people grievously threatned if they would not turn , and such as refused , were thrust into prisons , and souldiers were sent to their houses , who raged and domineered over their wives and children ; wherupon they ran to their husbands with tears and intreaties , and prevailed with many of them to desire time to be given them to learn the romish religion , only twenty eight of them , together with their wives and children forsook their earthly estate , and went into banishment to preserve their consciences clear . don martin went also to bidsove , ten-miles from prague , attended with his souldiers , and assembling the citizens , he made an oration to them to turn catholicks , they answered , that they could not unlearn that in an hour , which they had been learning all their life , this so enraged martin , that he assaulted the man that answered for all the rest , with a club , beating him extreamly , and then he commanded the chief officer to carry him out of the city , not suffering him so much as to visit his house before his departure : this so terrified the rest , that they promised to be taught within a certaine time ; and whereas some of them thought to save themselves by flight , sending their wives and some of their goods privately before , with whom went also some godly widows ; martin having intelligence of it , sent some souldiers after them , that stript them of their goods , and brought them back and cast them into fetters , refusing to release them , till both they and their husbands turned catholicks . at zaticum , another city , famous for religion , the minister being banished , friers were put into his place , who being assisted with souldiers used to cane those that would not bow to the host , and because the major and some of the aldermen were absent at a solemn procession , they sined them . then came thither don martin , and proclaimed , that whosoever had any bibles , or other evangelicall bookes ; if they brought them not in 〈◊〉 , they should be fined at a hundred florences , or suffer five weeks imprisonment . as also whosoever refused to come to masse , should pay five florences , and three pounds of wax : all the books that were so brought , he burnt them without the wals ; and for such as still stood out , he quartered troopers upon them , which extorted mony from them day by day : hereupon many forsook their houses , and betook themselves to the hardship of a banished life . then did he proclaim that without his leave none should go out of the gates upon pain of death : the next day he arrested the major , and would not release him , but upon the promise of apostacy . two of the aldermen he bound with iron chains for refusing to adore the host , and for fourteen daies together tormented them grievously , till he had forced their consent to the like apostacy . then assembling the whole senate , he commands them presently to submit to caesars will , to go to auricular confession , and to communicate in one kinde , promising that such as obeyed should be eased of souldiers , that the others should have their burthens doubled , requiring every one in order to answer for himselfe , whether he would promise to perform this within three weeks : one of them modestly pleading to be excused , in regard of his conscience : the furious beast fell upon him , beat him about the head , and abused him with cursed words , saying , thou art an unworthy knave to be in this place , i will have thee bound hand and foot , and cast into a deep dungeon , and when thou hast vomited out thy wicked soul , i will deliver thee to the hangman to be buried , &c. then he cals to his souldiers for chains and fetters , with which they bound his hands and feet , and put an iron coller about his neck , with a thick chaine , and so brought him to the dungeon , where he was tormented for three weeks , neither wife nor children being suffered to come to him , and fed with bread and water ; the jesuites also were daily molesting him : then was he sentenced to death , which he chose before apostacy . then said one of the jesuites , he is possessed with the devil , & therefore he commanded him to be bound more straitely , whereby at last he was forced to go to auricular confession , but by that means getting out of the prison , he fled into misnia to escape their tyranny . all the best citizens did desire banishment , but the city gates were kept strictly , least any should get out , or carry out their housholdstuff ; whereupon many escaped by the mines of the wall , and among these , a lords wife , leaving all her rich housholdstuff behinde her , crept out at the common sewer , to follow her husband into banishment . many of the exiles in misnia , having spent all that little which they carried with them , were forced to seek alms in bohemia , where being betrayed , they were cast into prison , and so tormented , till some of them were almost distracted , and then they were sent away to other places ; some of these were persons of good quality . at tusta a chief officer of the kingdome sollicited the citizens to turn catholicks , which they refusing to do , he complained of it to the jesuites at prague , whereupon don martin is sent thither , who entring the city , sends his souldiers into the senators houses , licensing them to abuse them at their pleasure , so that in a short time many were forced to apostasie . then did that other officer set a great fine upon the city , because they turned catholicks for another mans sake , and would not do it for his : and thus the poor protestants were abused on every hand to satisfie the lusts of these tyrants . then did another noble man , with a band of souldiers , go to the city of rokizan , and tyrannically abuse them for their religion , forbearing no kinde of insolency that they could think of : amongst other projects this was one ; he caused all the citizens to write their names in three books : in the first such as were already catholicks ( which were but six late apostates ) in the second the names of such as would become apostates within a fortnight , which were very few : in the third such as absolutely refused , and so were opposite to god and caesar , and in this were almost all the names , which so enraged him , that he resolved to use all manner of cruelties , saying , that they deserved the crosse , the wheel , yea and hell it self . then did he command all the citizens to come to the church the next day , to receive the sacrament in one kinde ; but when , coming himself to church , he found few or none there , he runs through the streets , and into the houses , driving all that he met with to the church with his stick . when he came thither again , he espied one john foelix , a chief citizen , but a calvinist , he therefore fell upon him with a knotty club , beating him about the head , shoulders and hands , till he was all gore bloud , and then he said to him , get thee hence thou beast , with thy cursed calvin-bloud . then did he rage against the other citizens cursing them , beating some , and spitted in the faces of others : and from one of the grave citizens he pulled off his beard , and strewed it on the floor . after this he again sent word to foelix , that except he changed his minde by the morrow , he would act a new tragedy with him , but that night he escaped , leaving behinde him his dear wife and children , and an aged mother of eighty years old . then did the earl imprison his wife , and sequestred his estate , and enforced the rest of the citizens to subscribe that they did freely , and with all readinesse of minde , imbrace the catholick religion . one martinitz was appointed to reforme the city of slana , who substituted one hansbursky , an apostate , to see this work done . this man that he might ingratiate himself with the jesuites , appointed a solemn procession , and either by fraud or force , brought to it most of the citizens : amongst others , he required one john blyssa to accompany him , but he refused , saying , as oft as i have received the lords supper , so oft have i obliged my self to god , and against these abominations : then said the other , thou shalt not resist the emperours pleasure : but said he , in those things which belong to caesar , i will not , but here gods business is in hand : then said the other , thou shalt be forced to it : god , replied he , seeks willing , not forced worshippers ; whereupon he was presently committed to prison , for nine weeks and so was another godly citizen , and fined , and then together with his wife , driven out of the city . afterwards also was blyssa and his wife banished , for procuring his childe to be baptized by a protestant minister privately , and his estate was sequestred , having nothing left him to support him in his banishment . then by divers kindes of torments he compelled some to a forced obedience ; as he did fifty men whom he shut up in a narrow room , where they could neither stand , sit , nor lie , nor have leave to go forth to ease nature : so that after three daies enduring of this pain and stink , they were forced to promise to learn the roman religion . the like dealing he used to divers women in his own chamber : but so soon as they could , most of them went into voluntary banishment . the city of prachatice they entred by force , and slew the major , who was bringing to them the keys , together with a thousand six hundred men , women and children , sparing none but such as fled , or hid themselves in secret places : the karcasses they left unburied for divers daies , all dirty , and shamefully naked . afterwards when the city began again to be inhabited , the commissioners of reformation came thither , promising them that if they would turn catholicks , they should have their liberties restored to them , but if they refused , they should be restrained from all trading , and when this prevailed not , they thrust men and women , young and old into prisons , where they miserably afflicted them for four whole moneths . the like cruely they used to all other cities , where they shewed and used all manner of impostures , deceits , tyrannies and impudent practices , till they had rooted out the reformed religion , and set up their idolatrous and superstitious worship in the stead of it . the godly ministers being generally removed , the next design of the enemies was to take all bibles , and other profitable books out of the peoples hands , that so the heat of religion might in time grow cold : the friers also which were placed in the churches : did not presently thunder , but dealt fairly , beseeching and confirming the truth of their religion with oaths , and dreadfull cursing of themselves , promising also the emperours favour , and easing of their burthens ; yea they sought by works of charity to oblige the poorer sort to them . one frier promised a bushell of wheat to every one that would come to confession ; but when his garners began to waste , he gave but half the measure , whereupon one flang away in anger , saying , what , is my soul viler then the rest ? but when they perceived that they gained but few by their fox-like subtilty , they returned to their wolvish cruelty , compelling men to come to masse , and taking the names of all such as absented themselves ; and if any went to private religious meetings , they were fined , imprisoned and whipt . some godly persons being met together with a minister , in a private chappel , two colonels , with some troops came upon them , encompassed the church , rusht in with their drawn swords , took the minister from the communion-table , stript off his cloaths , and sent him away to prison , then they cast the bread upon the earth , poured out the wine , and trampled upon it : then they fell upon the people , stripping men and women naked , it being f●●st and snow , so that many of them died ; some were wounded , others so affrighted that they fell into diseases : modestly forbids to tell how they used the women , even in the church . then came out an edict that whosever refused to turn papist , whether men or women , young or old ; bond or free , their names should be returned to the council of state , who would give instructions what should be done with their persons and estates . marriage , buriall and baptism were forbidden to the protestants , and if any did it privately , they were imprisoned , and not dismissed without apostasie , or a great fine . then was all trading inhibited , or means of getting their living , and at last buying of food , so that the poor people being oppressed with hunger and want , were either forced to fly , or to apostatize . the countrymen they fetched out of their houses , yea out of their beds , by troopes of souldiers , driving them like beasts before them in the sharpest cold , and filled the common prisons , towers , cellers , stables , yea and hogsties with them , where they were killed with hunger , cold and thirst . a godly chirurgion , with others , was cast into a place full of snakes . another company was thrust into a stable , and all the windows stopt up , that the were almost stifled for want of breath . in some places they shut them up in privies , that they might be poisoned with the stink . in some places they mad holes , and knockt them full of iron spikes , wherein those that were shut , could neither sit nor stand , but bending and crooked : it was not possible that any man could endure this posture above two or three hours , their sinews in the mean time trembling and their members quivering , and their ▪ hearts ready to faint with anguish ; so that some were forced to promise to turn catholiks , others that refused were brought back to torture . then the devised a prison upon the water , very narow , and not above a cubit and an half in length , wherein the prisoner could by no meanes lay himself at length , and if he turned himself unawares , he must fall into the water . another design was , first to assault men of greatest authority , to make them an example to the rest . in the town of minion the commissioner demanded of the people a positive answer , whether they would turn catholicks : and one of them in the name of the rest saying , that conscience neither would nor could be forced , he was presently laid upon the ground and beaten , and still denying to turn catholick , when he could hardly speak , he was torn in pieces ; the rest affrighted at this terrible spectacle promised obedience if time were given them . in another place the senator refusing to turn apostates , the cheifest of them was made to ride the wooden horse , in the market-place , for six hours space , though he was very ancient , so that he was lame and half dead , when he was taken off . when any desired to die , ra●her then to forsake their religion , it was answered : that the emperour did not thirst after their bloud , but rather after the welfare of their souls : to others they said , oh , you affect the glory of martyrdom , but you are base knaves , and are unworthy to have any thing to glory in . there were many who would have died in the maintenance of their christian faith , but there were none that would inflict death upon them ; for these cruel tyrants brought up in the devils school , would not kill the body but the soul , and therefore they sought by lingring and continual punishments to bring them first to stagger , and then to deny the truth . when any man desired to be convinced by scripture , they answered with scoffs and jears , accusing the scripture of imperfection , of obscurity , of ambiguity , saying that it was the fountain of heresie , the sanctuary of hereticks , and that laymen had nothing to do with it : they called the bible wiblia , which in the bohemian language , signifies vomit . they took away all orthodox books from the people , that thereby they might be the more easily led into error . in some places they shut up the people in the church and forced them to receive in one kinde ; and if they would not fall down to the host , they used to beat their legs with clubs , till they fell down : some they imprisoned and racked severall times to force them to auricular confession . of others they set open their mouths with gags , and thrust the host down their throates . in other places they forced the people , not only to abjure the cup , but to throw it down , and to spit upon it , and tread it under ●oot . if any to avoid this tyranny fled into the woods and secret places hunger drave them out again , whereby they became a prey to their , adversaries ; if they went to neighbouring places , some or other would betray them . edicts also were published , forbidding all to entertain such as fled upon pain of forfeiting a hundred pieces of silver for every nights entertainment . yet these miserable people could not go out of the kingdom , not being acquainted with any other language : besides , they were told that ere long the like tragedy should be acted every where four men of kossenberg continuing constant after long imprisonment , they were first exposed to cold for five weeks together in the depth of winter : then for nine daies they were pined with hunger , they having only a small portion of bread that kept life and soul together , and drinking their own urine , and when they were threatned harder usage , if they turned not , they answered , we willingly imbrace all afflictions of famin , hanging , burning , or any thing , rather then we would sin against god. thereupon , only twice a week there was given them a mouthfull of bread , and a draught of water . then were they parted asunder , one thrust into the sink of the prison , another into a furnace ; and none permited to visit them ; and when nothing would prevail , they set a fine upon them , and banished them . others were kept in prisons and bonds till they died . one was kept in a filthy prison till his feet rotted off , and yet he passed away the time with singing of psalms , as if he injoyed all manner of deligths . another man being tired out with imprisonement , promised to turn catholick , and was released , but presently ( as himself wrote afterwards ) god chastened him for this his fault , holding his conscience captive for an whole year together , so that he could have no hope in gods mercy : yet he recalled to minde former sinners , who upon their repentance obtained mercy of god : thereupon he cried unto god a whole year together , night and day watering his bed with his tears , because he thought himself damned ; but at last god ( saith he ) sent his angel to me , and i saw this glory brighter then the sun , and i had gods spirit bestowed upon me , &c. after which he was apprehended , beheaded and quartered . the pictures of john husse and jerom of prague they defaced ; all the bibles that they could meet with , they burned ; the graves of the ministers they opened , took out their bones and burnt them . the statutes of king frederick they beat in pieces , and trampled them under their feet . one man they fined at five hundred dollars , for giving his son the name of frederick , before these calamities befell the bohemians , god gave them warning by sundry prodigies . in severall places divers suns were seen together . at prague the sun seemed to dart out bals of fire : also a flying dragon , flaming horribly , was seen throughout all bohemia and silesia . also a spring flowed with bloud for an whole moneth together . in another place a fish-pond was wholly turned into bloud for the space of three daies . a great flock of crows and daws , fought together for a whole daies space , whereby multitudes of them were slain . at prague it rained brimstone , and the image of the crucifix being set up , was struck down with a thunderbolt . the gates of some cities opened of their own accord . many bibles being thrown into a great fire , were untouched , only the margin a little scorched . many apostates tormented by the sting of conscience , cried out , they were damned . some to avoid these terrors hanged themselves ; others drowned themselves . some died in fearfull despaire , others died suddenly ▪ one as he was about to abjure , was stricken dumb , and being carried home was possessed with a great trembling all over , and gnawing his own tongue , he died miserably . dr knapper a great persecutor was slain by the appointment of his wife an adultresse , for which she was afterwards hanged . another vomited out his ungodly soul with bloud . another ran mad , and cast him self down from the top of his house , and so roaring fearfully he breathed his last . another shot himself to death with his own pistoll . another ran mad , fell into such a disease , that none could come near him for stink , and at last was choaked with vomiting up abundance of bloud . another being taken with a sudden disease , waxed as black as a cole , uttered his speech like the barking of a dog , and within three daies died with terrible pains . another , by the breaking of a great gun , was torn all to pieces . another had a terrible disease in his throat , his tongue rotted , many holes were eaten in his throat , whereout his food and medicines came , so that he died myserably . collected out of a book called historia persecutionum ecclesiae bohem. written by some bohemian exiles . having thus given you a brief narrative of the persecutions of the church in bohemia , from the first planting of the gospel amongst them , to our present times : before i proceed any further , let us a little look back to see how god fought for them , against their popish adversaries , and thereby after a wonderfull manner plagued their persecutors . much may be read hereof in my second part , in the life of zisca ; but after his death , there was a great fear , and sorrow seized on his army , and the souldiers being divided amongst themselves , one part of them chose for their captain procopius magnus , who still retained the name of thaborites . the other part , thinking none worthy to succeed zisca , named themselves the orphanes , by reason of the losse of their captain ; yet whensoever their popish adversaries came against them , they both joyned together to defend themselves , and the liberty of the gospel in bohemia . about this time pope martin perceiving the gospel and the professors of it to increase daily in bohemia , he sent the cardinall of winchester an english man , into germany , to stirre up the emperour and german princes to make war against the bohemians . hereupon three armies were levied , one under the duke of saxony ; the second under the marquesse of brandenburg , the third under otho archbishop of trevers : these three armies entred bohemia three waies , and at last joyning all into one , besieged the city of misna , which but the night before was won from the papists by one prichicho , a learned and zealous protestant , and therefore the popish armies resolved to take that place before they marched any further : but so soon as news came that the protestants had raised an army , and were hasting to the relief of misna , they speedily fled before they ever saw an enemy , leaving all their engines of warre , and a great booty behinde them . the cardinall meeting them in their flight , used all the arguments that possibly he could to the nobles and captains , to turn them back again , magnifying their number and prowesse , and vilifying their enemies , but when nothing would prevail , himselfe was fain to accompany them in the flight . presently the bohemians pursuing , fell upon their rereward , which made their flight much more fearfull and disordered then it was before , neither did they leave flying till the bohemians left pursuing of them . the emperour hearing of this shamefull flight , went to noremberg and by the assistance of the cardinall , a new army was raised under the command of frederick marquesse of brandenburg , which entred bohemia one way , and another great army under albert arch-duke of austria , which entred another way . in these two armies were all the chiefest nobles and bishops in germany , being above fourty thousand horsemen , besides foot . the bohemians as soon as they heard of their enemies approach , gathered their host with all speed to encounter them : but god marvellously fought for them , for before the bohemians came near them , the popish army was struck with such a marvellous sudden fear , that they began most shamefully to run away ; the cardinall wondering at it , went up and down to the captains , exhorting and encouraging of them , telling them that they were to fight for their lives , honour , religion , and the salvation of souls , &c. but notwithstanding all that he could say and do , the ensignes were suddenly snatched up , and every man ran headlong away , so that the cardinall was forced to do the like : the protestants encouraged hereby , speedily pursued them , and obtained a very great booty . this so astonished both the pope and emperour , that afterwards they sought rather by subtilty to entrap them , then by force to compell them to forsake their religion , as we have seen in the foregoing story . chap. xxvi . the persecution of the church in spaine , which began anno christi , . anno . there was one francis romane , sent by the spanish merchants of antwerp , to breme to take up some money that was due to them ; where , being at a sermon ( through the marvelous working of gods spirit ) he was so effectually wrought upon , that after the sermon he went to the preacher , and repeated the contents of his whole sermon to him , and then betaking himself to the searching of the scriptures , and conferring with learned men , in a short space he had attained to a great measure of knowledge in the word of life ; which the minister observing , and withal finding him of a fervent spirit , he directed and exhorted him to circumspection in his carriage , more and more instructing him in the knowledge of the gospel , which he so greedily received as one that could never be satisfied . this made him give over seeking after temporal treasure , and instead thereof he bought good books , by reading of which , and conference with the minister , he much improved his knowledge in all the chief articles of religion . then did he write letters to his countrey-men at antwerp , wherein he first gave thanks to god for revealing his truth to him ; then did he bewaile the grosse ignorance of his countrey-men , beseeching god to open their eyes to understand the word of salvation , and so promised shortly to returne to them to conferre with them about the grace of god , which he had received ; and lastly he declared his purpose of going into spaine to acquaint his parents and friends with that wholesome doctrine which god had communicated to him . then wrote he other letters also to the emperour charles the fifth , opening to him the miserable state of christs church , desiring him to tender the good thereof ; especially to reforme the grosse corruptions of the church of spaine ; he wrote also a catechisme , and some other treatises in the spanish tongue . the merchants at antwerp having received his letters , sent for him , pretending much good will , but secretly practising his destruction : for against his coming , they suborned some friers , who so soon as he was alighted from his horse , seized upon him , rifled his books , and carrying him into a merchants house , examined him ; but he mightily confuting them , they bound him hand and foot , calling him lutheran ; they also burnt his books before his face , threatning to burn him likewise . then was he sent prisoner to a tower six miles from antwerp , and cast into a deep dungeon , where he endured much misery for eight moneths , at the end whereof , the merchants , supposing that he would be better advised for the time to come , released him . then did he go to lovain , where he had much conference with driander , who advised him to continue in his calling of a merchant , wherein he might have many opportunities of doing good ; and for religion , that he should do nothing for favour of men , whereby the glory of god should be diminished . he advised him also to take heed of inconsiderate zeal , lest he should do as some , who going beyond the bounds of their vocation , thinking to do good , and to edifie , they destroy and do harme . for said he , it is god that takes care of his church , and will raise up faithful ministers for the same : neither doth he approve such as rashly intrude themselves into that function without any calling thereto . this advice francis willingly hearkned unto , promising to follow the same . not long after going to ratisbone , where the emperial diet was held , having opportunity , he boldly stept to the emperour , beseeching him to deliver his countrey and subjects of spaine from false religion , and to restore them to the sincerity of christs doctrine , protesting that the protestants of germany were in the truth ; and that the religion of spaine was greatly dissonant to the word of god , &c. the emperour all this while heard him gently , promising him to consider of the matter , and so to do therein as he trusted should be for the best . francis being encouraged with this answer , went again to the emperour a second and third time , and still received a quiet answer as before ; yet not satisfied herewith , he went a fourth time , but was repulsed by some spaniards about the emperour , who were so incensed against him , that immediately they would have thrown him headlong into the river danubius , if the emperour had not restrained them , willing that he should be judged by the lawes of the empire : then was he cast into prison , till the emperours voyage into africk , at which time he , with some other captives , was carried into spaine , and there delivered unto the inquisitors , who cast him into a dark prison under ground ; he was oft examined , loaden with many reproaches and contumelies , yet ever remained firme and unmovable , so that at last they condemned him to be burnt for an heretick . as he was led to the place of execution , they put upon him a miter of paper , painted all over with ugly devils ; as he passed by a woodden crosse , they required him to worship it , to which he answered , that the manner of christians was not to worship wood : being laid upon the pile of wood , when he first felt the fire , he lifted up his head towards heaven ; whereupon the inquisitors thinking that he would recant , caused him to be taken down , but when they found his constancy , they threw him on again , where he slept in the lord. then did the inquisitors proclaime that he was damned , and that none should pray for him , and that they were hereticks whosoever doubted of his damnation . there was also dwelling at saint luca● in spaine one rochus , a skilful graver of images : but the lord pleasing to enlighten him with the saving knowledge of his truth , he gave over making of idolatrous images , and imployed himself in making of seals : only he kept standing on his stall an image of the virgin mary , artificially graven for a signe of his occupation . an inquisitor passing by , and liking the image , asked the price of it : rochus set him a price , but was not willing to sell it : the inquisitor bade him half so much : the other answered that he could not afford it so , and that he had rather break it than sell it ; yea , said the inquisitor , let me see that if thou darest ? with that rochus with a chisel cut off the nose of the image ; whereupon the inquisitor presently commanded him to prison , and within three dayes he was condemned to be burnt . at the place of execution he poured out his fervent prayers to almighty god , and so made a blessed end , anno . divers other godly persons being by the inquisitors cast into loathsome dungeons , ended their lives there . anno . at validolid , the inquisitors brought forth thirty prisoners together , of high and low estate , as also the coffin of a certain noble woman with her picture lying upon it , she being dead long before , to eceive judgement and sentence : for the solemnities whereof they had erected three great stages ; the first for the kings sister , the lady jane , and his eldest sonne prince philip , with other states : the second for the fathers inquisitors : and the third for the prisoners . multitudes of people being assembled together , these dear servants of jesus christ , clothed with sambito's , a yellow cloth hanging down before and behind , powdred with red crosses , and having burning tapers in their hands , and miters upon their heads painted with devils , were placed in their rankes : then was a sermon preached , after which an oath was administred to the princes and nobles by the inquisitors , that they should favour the holy inquisition , and consent to the same , and that they should employ their uttermost endeavour to see all them executed which should swerve from the church of rome , and adhere to the lutherans , without respect of persons , of what degree , quality , or condition soever ; and that they should compel their subjects to submit to the church of rome , and to obey all its lawes , &c. then was doctor cacalla called forth , a man of excellent learning , who had often preached before the emperour whilst he was a friar ; but being now accounted to be the standard-bearer to the lutherans , he was called forth to hear his sentence , which was , that he should be degraded , and presently burnt , and his goods confiscated . the like sentence of condemnation was pronounced upon his brother francis , a preacher also , who having spoken boldly against the inquisition , they so stopt his mouth that he could not speak a word . then blanch their sister received the like sentence , and so did most of the other , only some few of them were condemned to some years imprisonment , and to wear their sambito's all their life time , &c. then was the coffin of the dead lady with her picture it upon condemned likewise to be burnt . this good woman , whilst she lived , was a worthy maintainer of the gospel , of great integrity of life , and one that had divers assemblies in her house for the true preaching of the word of god ; wherefore her house was also sentenced to be razed down , and a pillar to be set up in the place thereof , with an inscription shewing the cause . then were all these that were sentenced to death , together with the coffin , delivered to the secular magistrate , and so every one of them being set upon an asse with their faces towards his taile , they were guarded by many souldiers to the place of execution : at which place there was for each of them a stake set up , to which every of them were bound , and so they were first strangled , and then burnt to ashes ; only one of them , who had been most vehement against them , was burnt alive , and his mouth stopped that he should not speak to the people . all men marvelled at their constancy and quiet end . at the same time also there were in prison at validolid thirty seven others , which were reserved for another tragedy and spectacle of the bloody inquisition . but seeing much mention is made of the spanish inquisition , and of the cruelty exercised thereby against the poor servants of jesus christ , i shall here set down the first original , and progresse thereof , as hereafter followeth . chap. xxvii . the original , progresse , and practice of the spanish inquisition . when king ferdinand and isabel had expelled the turks out of the city and territories of granata , and other places of spaine , who had lived there seven hundred , seventy , and eight years , they set upon the reformation of religion ; and granted the conquered moors liberty to stay , & to enjoy all their goods , provided that they would turn christians ; and whereas also there were very many jews , who had continued there since titus conquered jerusalem , they gave them leave to stay upon the same condition ; but all such as refused , were commanded presently to depart out of spaine . yet afterwards , finding that those persons were only christians in name , and had submitted only to save their estates , instead of providing godly ministers with meeknesse to instruct them , and to draw them from their errours ; ( by the advice of the dominican friers ) they erected the inquisition ; wherein the poor wretches in stead of instructions , were robbed of all their estates , and either put to most cruel deaths , or else suffered most intolerable torments by whipping , &c. and leading the rest of their lives in ignominy and poverty ; neither was this only inflicted upon such as blasphemed christ , but for the observation of the least jewish , or moorish ceremony , or the smallest errour in the christian religion . but this inquisition at first erected against jews and moors , was afterwards turned against the faithful servants of jesus christ , and for the suppressing of the gospel , and the profession of it ; and thus briefly you have the original of it ; let us now see what their practice and exercise is . as soone as information is given in against any one , though but for a very small matter , they do not presently cite the person to appear before them , but they suborn one of their officers , called a familiar , to insinuate himself into his company , who taking occasion to meet the pa●ty accused , uses thus to greet him ; sir , i was yesterday by accident at my lords inquisitors , who said that they had occasion to speak with you about certain of their affairs , and therefore they commanded me to summon you to appear before them to morrow at such an hour : the party not daring to refuse , goes to the place , sends in word that he is come to attend them , and so when he is called in , they ask him what suit he hath to them ? and when he answers , that he comes upon summons , they enquire his name . for , say they , we know not whether you be the same man or not : but since you are come , if you have any thing to inform this court of , either concerning your self or any other , you may let us hear it , for the discharge of your own conscience ; the parties safest way is constantly to deny that he hath any thing to declare to them . but if through simplicity he doth accuse himself , or any other they rejoyce , as having attained their desires , and so presently commit him to prison . if nothing be confessed , they dismisse him , pretending that for the present they know not whether he be the party or no : after his departure they let him alone for some space , and then send for him again , exhorting him that if he know , or hath heard any thing that concerns their holy court , to disclose it to them ; for ( say they ) we know that you have had dealing with some persons suspected in religion , and therefore remember your self well ; if you confesse you shall fare the better , and you shall but do therein as a good christian ought to do . if still he refuse , they threaten , and so dismisse him . yet they have alwayes one or other to keep him company , to creep into his bosome , and grope his conscience : who under the colour of friendship shall visit him daily , and have an eye to all his dealings , observe what company he keepeth , with whom he conferres , &c. so that without gods special assistance , it is not possible to escape their snares ; the inquisitors also if they meet him , speak courteously to him , promise to befriend him , &c. and all to make him more carelesse of himself , that they may undo him before he be aware . but if the party be a stranger , or one that is like to make an escape ; or that they hope to gain any thing by his confession , they presently clap him up in prison : in which prison great numbers die , either starved with hunger , or by extremity of racking of them , &c. if any one that is accused chance to make an escape , they have many devices to finde and fetch him again . they have store of searchers , to whom besides the common signes , they give his lively picture , whereby they may easily know him : an italian at rome having wounded an apparator , fled to sivil : the familiars were sent to seek him , and when they had found him , though they had his counterfeit , yet by reason that he had altered his habit , they were doubtful whether it was he or no , the rather because he had changed his name , whereupon they followed him only upon suspicion : but one day as he was walking , and earnestly talking with some gentlemen , two of these familiars suddenly called him by his old name : the party earnest in talk , and not minding it , looked behinde him , and made answer , whereupon they presently apprehended him , clapt him in irons for a long time , then whipt him , and condemned him to the gallies during his life . so soone as any is arrested by the familiars , they take from him all the keyes of his locks or chests whatsoever , and then they take an inventory of all his goods , leaving them with some man that will undertake to be accountable for them : but in the sequestring and rifling the houses , if they have any gold , silver , or jewels , these familiars , which usually are bawds , theeves , shifters , and the vilest of people , will be sure to filch some of it ; and the reason of this sequestration is , that if the party be condemned , the holy inquisition may enjoy his whole estate . as soone as the prisoner is entred within the first gate of the prison , the jailor asketh him if he have a knife about him , or money , or ring , or jewels ; and if a woman , whether she hath knives , rings , chains , bracelets , or other ornaments , and all these the jailor strips them of as his fee : and this is done that the poor prisoners may have nothing to relieve themselves with , during their imprisonment ; they search them also to see whether they have any writing or book about them , which likewise they take from them : then they shut them up in a cabin , like to a little-ease , where they have little room for cleanlinesse , and but little light . some are thus kept all alone for two or three moneths , some as long as they live , others have company , as the lords inquisitors please . when the party hath been in prison a week or two , the jailor perswades him to petition for a day of hearing , telling him the sooner the better , and that it will much further his cause , and bring it to some good effect , &c. whereas it were farre better for him to stay till he be called for ; for then he hath nothing to do but to answer their objections : but the poor prisoner , not knowing this mystery , is usually ruled by his keeper , intreating him to stand his friend to procure him a day of hearing , whose suit is easily heard , and the prisoner is brought into the consistory . then do the inquisitors ask him , what is his request ? the prisoner answereth , that he would gladly have his matter heard ; then they labour by threatning him with worse usage if he conceal the truth , to cause him to confesse the thing whereof he is accused , and if they can but draw him to this , they have their desires ; for usually they draw more from him than they could have proved against him : then they advise him to let it come from himself , promising that if he acknowledge his faults , he shall presently be released , and sent home : if yet he stand mute , they then charge him to disburthen his conscience , and in the mean time to return to his prison , till he hath better bethought himself , and then he may sue for a new day of hearing , and so they dismisse him . then after some dayes they call for him again , asking him he be ye● determined to confesse ought ? but whether he plead his innocency , or confesse some little , they still urge him to disburthen his conscience , perswading him that they advise him for the best , and in love and compassion to him ; but if he now refuse the favour proffered , he shall finde them afterwards sharp justices , &c. and so send him back again to prison . the third time he is called for , they use the like subtilty to draw him to confession , telling him that if he refuse , they must use extremity , and do what they can by law ; by which word they mean extream tormenting and mangling of him ; then if the party confesse any thing ; nay , say they , we are not yet satisfied , we have not all you can say , you keep back something on purpose , and so they remand him to prison . having thus excruciated him day by day , if they can yet get nothing out of him , they then require an oath of him , and hold a crucifix o● crosse before him , whereby the poor christian must at last neeeds shew himself : for knowing that he ought to swear by god alone , who hath reserved his honour to himself , he must refuse the oath ; which if he do , then they read a large enditement against him , wherein they lay to his charge things that never no man accused him of , and which it may be , himself never thought of ; and this they do to amaze him , and so to try if he will confesse any of these misdemeanours , or if they can trip him in his answers , and so catch him in their net . then they put him to answer to every article particularly ex tempore , without any time of deliberation : then they give him pen , ink , and paper , requi●●ng him to set down his answer in writing , to see if they can find any difference betwixt his former answer and this : and if the partie chance to confesse ought , then th●y enquire of whom he learned it , and whether he hath spoken of it before others , and who they are , and hereby many are brought into trouble ; for whether they liked it or not , they are sure to be questioned , because they did not come and declare it to the fathers inquisitors . then pretending to shew him favour , they appoint him an advocate to blind the peoples eyes , as if they proceeded according to the rules of justice ; but this advocate dares not tell his client any point of law , that may do him good , for fear of angring the inquisitors ; neither may he speak privately with his client , but either before an inquisitor , or a notary . two or three dayes after the party hath had the copy of his accusation , he is called into the court , where his advocate is , as if he intended to defend his cause ; but indeed he dare say nothing to the purpose for fear of angring the inquisitors ; only he chears up his client , and bids him tell the truth in any case , as the only way to prevail in that court , and then is the prisoner sent back again who hopes that now his cause will be heard , and his businesse dispatched , whereas usually these good fathers let him lie , two , three , or four years in prison , without ever calling for him again ; and if through loathsomnesse and intolerablenesse of the prison any sue to come to hearing , it may be with much ado he obtains it , but usually that favour is denied him : yet at length when they please , they call for him to hear the depositions of the witnesses against him : which yet is not done till the poor prisoner by his grievous imprisonment is brought so low , as that they think he will rather choose death than such a life , and therefore will be willing to tell all , that so he may be rid out of his misery . then between rebuking and a gentle admonition , they tell him , that though he hath stood out so long , yet at length they would have him wiser to confesse the truth ; but if he yet refuse to be his own accuser , then the fiscal produceth the depositions , which are delivered to the prisoner , but they are drawn up so intricately and ambiguously , that he knows not what to make of them ; and this they do to conceal the witnesses , lest he should except against them , and to set him on guessing , that so if he chance to reckon up any others to whom he spake any thing about any of those matters , they may thereby get more grists to their mill . for they presently out-law such persons as favourers of hereticks , for suffering an heretick to sow such pestilent seeds amongst them , without complaining thereof to the inquisitors . the keeper of the prison also is examined what he hath seen and observed of him in the prison , and his testimony is as good as two witnesses to take away the prisoners life . they have also promoters to bring in accusations , who are admitted , though frantick bedlams , or the veriest varlets that be : and in their informations , if they chance to want words of weight , the inquisitors will help them out , and prompt them word by word . then after three or four dayes the prisoner is called again to put in his answer to the depositions ; but in the interim his advocate never comes at him to assist or direct him , but he is left to himself without all help , save of god alone . his answer being viewed , he is remanded to prison again with this item , that if he confesse not the truth , they will extort it out of him by extremity . after two or three moneths more , he is called for once again , and required to speak what he hath for himself , or else they must draw to an end : and if he still shrinks not , but stands firme in his own justification , they proceed to other dealings , in comparison of which all their former proceedings are not only sufferable , but seeme very reasonable and full of gentlenesse . for their future actions farre exceed all barbarousnesse , the devil himself being not able to go beyond them in their monstrous tyranny : for not long after the prisoner is called in before the inquisitors , who tell him that they have deeply considered his whole case , and found out that he doth not declare the whole truth , and therefore they are resolved that he shall be racked , that by force they may draw from him what by fair means he will not acknowledge : and therefore they advise him rather to do it voluntarily , and thereby to avoid ▪ the paine and peril that yet attends him ▪ yet whether he confesse or not confesse , all is one , for to the rack he must go ; then is he led into the place where the rack standeth , which is a deep and dark dungeon under ground , with many a door to passe through ere a man come to it , because the shreekes and cries of the tormented should not be heard : then the inquisitors set themselves upon a scaffold hard by the rack , and the torches being lighted , the executioner comes in , all araied from top to toe in a sute of black canvas , his head is covered with a long black hood that covereth all his face , having only two peep-holes for his eyes : which sight doth more affright the poor soul , to see one in the likenesse of the devil to be his tormentor . the lords being set in their places , they begin again to exhort him to speak the truth freely and voluntarily : then with sharp words they command him to be stripped stark naked , yea though the modestest maid , or chasest matron in the city : whose grief in regard of the rack is not half so great as to be seene naked in the presence of such manner of persons : for these wicked villains without any regard of honesty , will not by any prayers of godly matrons , or chast maidens forbear one jot of that barbarous impudence : as if a shirt or smock could hinder the violence of the rack from sufficiently tormenting them . the party being thus stripped , the inquisitors signifie to the tormentor ▪ how they would have him or her ordered . the first kind of torment is the jeobit , or pully ; but first one comes behind him , and binds his hands with a cord eight or ten times about , the inquisitors calling upon him to strain each harder than other ; they cause also his thumbs to be bound extream hard with a small line , and so both hands and thumbs are fastened to a pully , which hangs on the jeobit : then they put great and heavy bolts on his heels , and hang upon those bolts , between his feet certain weights of iron , and so hoise him , or her up from the ground ; and whilst the poor wretch ▪ hangs in this plight , they begin to exhort him again to accuse himself , and as many others as he knows of ; then they command him to be hoised up higher to the very beam till his head touch the pully . having hung thus a good while , they command him to be let down , and twice so much weight to be fastened to his heels , and so hoised up again , and one inch higher if it may be : then they command the hangman to let him up and down , that the weights of the iron hanging at his heels may rent every joynt in his body asunder . with which intolerable pains if the party shreek or cry out , they roare out as loud to him to confesse the truth , or else he shall come down with a vengeance . then they bid the hangman suddenly to slip the rope , that he may fall down with a sway , and in the mid-way to stop ; then give him the strappado , which being as soon done , it rends all his body out of joynt , armes , shoulders , back , legs , &c. by reason of the sudden jerk , and the weights hanging at his legs . if he yet remain constant , they adde more weight to his heels the third time , and the poor wretch already half dead is hoisted up the third time , and to encrease his misery , they raile upon him , calling him dog , and heretick , telling him that he is like there to make his end . and if the poore creature in his pangs call upon christ , intreating that he would vouchsafe to aid and assist him , thus miserably tormented for his sake ; then they fall to mocking and deriding him , saying , why callest thou on jesus christ ? let jesus christ alone and tell us the truth ; what a crying out upon christ makest thou ? &c. but if the party desire to be let down , promising to tell somewhat , that 's the ●eady way to make him to be worse used , for now they think that he begins only to broach the matter : for when he hath done they command him to be haled up again , and to be let down as before : so that usually these torments ▪ are exercised upon him for three hours together . then they ask the jailor if his other torments are ready , to affright the poor soul ; the jailor answereth that they are ready , but he hath not brought them with him : then the inquisitors bid him to bring them against the morrow ; for say they , we will try other ways to get the truth out of this fellow : and so turning to him that lies in miserable pain , having all his joynts out ; how now , sirra , say they , how like you this gear ? have you enough of it yet ? well , see that you call your wits to you against to morrow , or look to die then ; for what you have yet felt is but a flea-biting in comparison of what is behind ; and so they depart . then the jailor plays the bone-setter so well as he can , setting his joynts , and so carries him back to prison , or drags him by the armes or legs most pitifully ; if they mean to rack him no more , after two or three dayes they send for him again , and cause him to be brought by the rack , where the hangman stands in the likenesse of a devil as before , the more to affright him . when he comes before the inquisitors , they fall a perswading him to confesse the truth at last : and if he confesse any thing , he may chance to go to the rack again , whereby they hope to extort more ; and when indeed they intend to rack the party again , then at three dayes end , when the ach in his joynts is most grievous and painful to him , they send for him , requiring him to declare all his heresies , and to peach all such as he hath had conference with , about them , and all such as he knows to be of that minde : or else he must prepare himself for the rack ; and if he continue constant , he is again stripped of his cloths , and hoisted up with weights at his heels as before , besides which , as he hangs at the pully , they bind his thighs together , and legs about the calf with a small strong cord , and with a short piece of wood they twist the cord till it be shrunk so deep in the flesh that its past sight , which is an extream and terrible torment , worse than any that he hath yet endured , and in this plight they let the poor soul lie two or three hours : the inquisitors in the mean time not ceasing to exhort , perswade , threaten and scoffe at him . yea sometimes they proceed to another kind of torture called the aselli , which is after this manner ; there is a piece of timber somewhat hollowed on the top like a trough , about the middle whereof there is a sharp barre going a crosse , whereon a mans back resteth that it cannot go to the bottom : it s also placed so that his heels shall lie higher than his head : then is the naked party laid thereon : his armes , thighs and legs bound with strong small cords , and wrested with short truncheons , till the cords pierce almost to the very bone . then they take a thick fine lawn cloth , laying it over the parties mouth as he lies upright on his back , so that it may stop his nostrils also ; then taking a quantity of water , they pour it in a long stream like a threed , which falling from on high , drives the cloth down into his throat , which puts the poor wretch into as great an agony as any endure in the pains of death , for in this torture he hath not liberty to draw his breath , the water stopping his mouth , and the cloth his nostrils , so that when the cloth is drawn out of the bottome of his throat , it draws forth blood with it , and a man would think that it tore out his very bowels . this is iterated as oft as the inquisitors please , and yet they threaten him with worse torments if he confesse not ; and so he is returned to his prison again . yet many times after he hath lain there a moneth or two , he is brought again to the rack and used as before , yea sometimes five or six times , even as oft as they please , for their lust is a law . and yet they have another torment with fire , which is no whit inferiour to the former ; they take a pan of burning charcole , and set it just over against the soles of the parties feet , just before he goes to the rack , and that the fire may have the more force upon them , they bast them with lard or bacon . but if all the extremity of torments wil not force him to confesse what they desire , nor to deny the truth , they use other means by subtil interrogatories , and frequent questionings to draw him into some snare or other : yea , if yet they cannot prevaile , then some one of the inquisitors comes to him in private , and shews himself much affected with his misery , weeps with him , comforts him , gives him advice , seems to impart such a secret to him as he would scarce impart to his father , or dearest friend alive : and this they use most with women , whereas they are but faire baits upon deadly hooks , whereby they seek to destroy them ; whereof we have this example . at sivil there were apprehended , a godly matron , two of her daughters , and her neece , who all of them underwent the forementioned torments with manly courage and christian constancie , because they would not betray each other , nor other godly persons in that city . then one of the inquisitors sent for the youngest maid oft to his chamber , pretended much compassion towards her , spake much to comfort her , told her what a grief it was to him to see her torments ; then used familiar and pleasant communication to her , then told her that he would advise her the best way to free her self , mother and sister from these troubles : that he would undertake the ordering of their businesse ; and then perswaded her to disclose the whole truth to him , and he bound himself with an oath that he would stop all further proceedings against them , and procure their dismission . having thus outwitted the poor maid , who gave too much credit to him , she told him of some points of religion which they had wont to confer of amongst themselves , and so when he had gotten out of her what possibly he could , like a perfidious villain , contrary to his vows , promises , and oath , he caused her to be racked again to get more out of her , yea they put her also to the intolerable pain of the trough , and through extremity of pangs and torments they at last extorted from her a betraying of her own mother , sisters , and divers others , which were immediately apprehended , tortured , and at last burnt with fire . but when they were brought in great pomp upon the scaffold , and had the sentence of death passed upon them , this maid went to her aunt , who had instructed her in the principles of religion , and boldly without change of countenance , gave her hearty thanks for that great benefit which she had received by her means ▪ intreating her to pardon her for what she had offended her at any time , for that she was now to depart out of this life . her aunt comforted her stoutly , bid her be of good cheere , for that now ere long they should be with christ. this woman was openly whipt , and kept in prison during her life ; the rest were all presently burned . another device that they have is this : when they think that prisoners which are together do talk together of religion , exhorting and comforting one another as they have occasion or opportunity , the inquisitors commit to prison under a colour , a crafty knave whom they call a flie : who after two or three dayes will cunningly insinuate himself into the bosoms of the other prisoners , and then pretending a great deal of zeal to religion , he will proffer discourse to them , and by degrees get out of their mouths something whereof he may accuse them . then doth he move for a day of hearing , and so getting to the inquisitors , he peaches the prisoners , who shall be sure afterwards to hear of it to their smart . yea these flies , as soone as they are out of one prison , for the hope of gain , will be content presently to be put into another , and then into a third , where they will lie in chains , as the other prisoners do , enduring hunger , cold , stink , and the loathsomnesse of prison , and all to betray others . and this mans accusation is as strong and valid as the testimony of any other witnesse whatsoever . other flies also there be that serve the holy inquisition abroad , slily insinuating themselves into the companies of the common people , who are suspected to be lutherans , and when they can pump any thing out of them , they presently betray them . they have yet this other device , when they can catch any man that is noted for religion , or a minister that hath instructed others , after he hath been in prison awhile , they give it out that upon the rack he hath discovered all his disciples , and acquaintance , and they suborn others to averr that they heard it , and this they do to draw the simple people to come of their own accord , and to confesse their faults to the inquisitors , and to crave pardon , whereupon they promise them favour . the inquisitors and their officers use to call their prisoners dogs and hereticks : and indeed they use them much worse than most men do their dogs . for first , the place where usually each of them is laid , by reason of the straitnesse , ill air , and dampnesse of the earth , is liker a grave than a prison : and if it be a loft , in the hot weather , it is like a hot oven or fornace : and in each of these holes usually two or three are thronged together , so that they have no more room than to lie down in ; in one corner is a stool of easement , and a pitcher of water to quench their thirsts . in these cels they have no light , but what comes in at the key-hole , or some small crany : other some there are much worse , not being long enough for a man to lie in , so that such as are put into them , never likely come out till they be half rotted away ▪ or die of a consumption . their diet is answerable to their lodging : the rich pay large fees to the holy house , and every prisoner is rated as the inquisitors please : but such as are poor , the king allows them three pence a day , out of which the steward , landresse , and some other necessary charges are deducted , so that one half of it comes not to the prisoners share ; and if any be moved with compassion to relieve them , it is counted such an hainous offence , that it will cost him a scourging till blood come at least . it once happened that there was a keeper appointed for their prison , in the castle of triana in sivil , that was of a courteous disposition by nature , who used the prisoners well , and closely , for fear of the inquisitors , shewed them some favour : at which time there was a godly matron and her two daughters committed to prison , which being put into several rooms , had a great desire to see each other for their mutual comfort in their distresses ; whereupon they besought the keeper to suffer them to come together , if it were but for one quarter of an hour : the keepe yielded , and so they were together about half an hour , and then returned to their former prisons . within a few dayes after , these women being racked in a terrible manner , the keeper fearing lest they would confesse that little favour which he had shewed them , of his own accord went to the inquisitors , confessed his fact , and craved pardon ; but they deemed this so hainous an offence , that they presently commanded him to be haled to prison , where by reason of the extremity shewed him , he fell mad . yet this procured him no favour : for after he had been a whole year in a vile prison , they brought him upon their triumphing stage , with a sambenito upon him , and a rope about his neck , and there they censured him to be whipt about the city , and to have two hundred stripes , and then to serve in the gallies for six years . the next day one of his mad fits coming upon him , as he was set on an asses back to be scourged , he threw himself off , snatched a sword out of the officers hand , and had slain him , if the people had not immediately laid hold on him ; whereupon he was bound faster on the asses back , had his two hundred stripes , and was for this offence condemned four years longer to the gallies . another keeper at another time had a maid , who seeing how miserably the prisoners were used , pitying their distressed condition , who were hunger-starved , and almost pined , she would sometimes speak to them at the grate , exhort and comfort them as well as she could , and sometimes would help them to some good and wholsome food : yea , by her means the prisoners came to understand one anothers condition , which was a great comfort to them . but this at last coming to the inquisitors ears , they enjoyned her to wear the sambenito , to be whipped about the streets , to receive two hundred stripes , and to be banished the city for ten years , with this writing on her head , a favourer , and aider of hereticks . and whereas all other sort of persons in prison and bondage are allowed to recreate and refresh themselves with singing at their pleasure , these poor souls are forbidden this small solace in their great misery : for if any of them sing a psalm , or openly recite any portion of scripture , the inquisitors take it very hainously , and presently send to them , requiring them to be silent , upon the pain of excommunication : and if the prisoner make light of this warning , he shall have a bit set on his tongue to teach him obedience : and this they do , both to deprive the poor souls of all kind of solace , and to keep other prisoners from knowing how their friends do : so that it often falls out that a man and his friend , the father and sonne , yea the husband and wife shall be in one prison-house two or three years together , and not know of each others being there till they meet upon the scaffold upon the great day of triumph . by reason of this cruel usage many of the prisoners die , some , of their torments , others , of the stink of the prison , and others , of diseases contracted by hunger , cold , ill diet , &c. they have also an hospital , unto which they remove such as fall sick in their prisons , where yet they are not dealt more gently with in any thing , save that they have physick allowed them for their healths sake : but none are suffered to come to them but the physician , and the servants of the hospital : and as soon as the patient is on the mending hand , he is carried back to the place whence he came . if the prisoner be half naked , or want something to lie on , and thereupon pray the inquisitor that his necessity may be considered ▪ the answer which he receives is this , well , now the weather is warm , you may live full well without either cloaths or couch ; and if it be winter time , his answer is : true , it hath been a great frost of late , but now the cold is come down again , and it will be more seasonable weather . care you for the garments wherewithal you should cloath your soul , which consisteth in uttering the truth , and discharging your conscien●e before this holy house : and if the prisoner desire to have some good book , or the holy bible to enable him to passe that troublesome and careful time to some profit ; the inquisitor answers him , that the true book is to speak the truth , and to discharge his conscience to that holy court , and that he ought to be occupied in laying open his wounds to their lordships , who are ready to give him a plaister : whereby it appears that all their care and desire is , that the poor prisoner may have nothing to look on or think on but his present miserable state , that the grief thereof grating upon him , may force him to satisfie their requests . the last act of the tragedy remaineth , wherein both parties are pleased and have their desire ; the inquisitors in obtaining their prey , the prisoners in finding some end of their miserable usage ; but two or three dayes before the solemnity , they use severally to call before them , all such whose estates are confiscated , examining them what lands or goods they have , where they lie , charging them upon great penalties not to conceal one jot , telling them , that if any thing be afterwards found , felony shall be laid to their charge , and he with whom it is found , shall pay foundly for it , and when all is confessed , they are returned to prison again . the night before the festival , they cause all the prisoners to be brought into a large roome , where they are informed of the several kinds of pennances that they are to do the next day : the next morning very early , the familiars come and attire the prisoners in their several habits , in which they are to appear before the people : some in sambenito's , which is a long garment painted all over with ugly devils : on his head he hath an high-crown'd hat whereon a man is painted burning in the fire , with many devils about him , plying him with fire and fagots . besides , their tongues have a cleft piece of wood put upon them , which nips , and pincheth them that they cannot speak ; they have about their necks , cords , and their hands fast bound behind them . on this sort come these constant martyrs disguised , first to the stage , and then to the stake ; and in the like sort do all the rest come forth , arraied as the other , and set forth with the like notes of infamy , either more or lesse , as the inquisitors please to disgrace them in the sight of the people . on each hand of every prisoner goeth a familiar , all armed , to guard him : as also two friars with every one that is to die , who perswade him tooth and nail to deny that doctrine that formerly he hath professed , now at their going out of this world ; which wicked importunity is a great grief to the poor servants of jesus christ. the inquisitors also passe in great pomp from the castle of triana to their scaffold : and when all are set in their places , a sermon begins , framed on purpose in commendations of the holy house , and in confutation of such heriticks as are presently to suffer : but the greatest part is spent in slanderous reproaches , wherewith they vilifie and disgrace the truth , and the professors of it . the sermon being ended , the sentences against the prisoners are read ; first , against such as have easiest punishments , and so in order to the greater ; which sentences are commonly these , death without mercy ; whipping in such extremity that the persons seldome escape with their lives ; condemnation to the gally ; forfeiture of all their estates , &c. then doth the chief inquisitor absolve all such as have forsaken christ , and are come home to the church of rome , from all the errours for which they shewed themselves penitent ; but though hereby they are absolved from the fault , yet not from the punishment ; for notwithstanding their recantation , they must abide the punishment without mercy . and whereas multitudes of people resort to this spectacle , some coming twenty leagues to see it ; the inquisitors have this trick to uphold their kingdome , they cause all the people present , to take an oath to live and die in the service of the church of rome , hazarding both life and goods against any that shall oppose it ; as also to their power , to uphold and maintain the holy inquisition , and to defend all the officers thereof , &c. then if there be any amongst the prisoners to be degraded , they proceed after this manner . first , they apparel him in his massing robes ▪ then they despoil him again of every part thereof ; then are his hands , lips , and the crown of his head scraped with a piece of glasse , or a sharp knife till they bleed again , to scrape off the holy oyle , wherewith he was anointed at his ordination . in the end of their sentence which is pronounced upon such as are to be burned , they use this abominable hypocrisie : they bequeath him to the secular power , with this humble request to them , to shew the prisoner as much favour as may be , and neither to break any bone , nor pierce the skin of his body : this shews their great impudence , that having already given sentence on him to be burned , they yet should pretend such mercy and clemency towards him , whom all along themselves have used with such extream cruelty . they use also this trick further , that in reading the crimes for which he is condemned , they do not only misreport such things as he confessed upon his examination , but they devilishly father upon him such things as he never spake , or thought of in all his life : and this they do to disgrace him , and to make him and his opinions more abhorred of all men , and to encrease their own estimation and credit , as being necessary officers to rid the world of such pestilent persons ; and all this while the prisoners tongue hath a cleft piece of wood upon it to his intolerable pain and grief , that he cannot answer for himself , nor gainsay that they charge him with . all these things being finished , the magistrate takes them into his hand , and conveys them presently to the place of execution , with divers instruments of satan about them , calling and crying to them to forsake the truth ; and when they cannot prevail , after the prisoner is tied to the stake , they break his neck in a trice , and then they report amongst the common people that they recanted their heresies at the last houre , and so came home to the church of rome , and therefore they felt no pain in the fire at all , which made them take it so patiently . such as are not condemned to die , are carried back to prison , and the next day brought out to be whipt , after which some of them are sent to the gallies , others kept in prison all their life time : but all have this special charge given them , that they never speak of any thing that they have heard , seen , or felt , during their imprisonment in the inquisition ; for if the contrary be ever proved against them , and that they utter any of their secrets , they shall be taken for persons relapsed , and be punished with greatest severity , their judgement being death without redemption ; and hereby they keep in all their knavery and tyranny close and secret to themselves : and if any of them be released because their faults were but small , they are yet so careful lest their cruelty should come to light , that they inhibit them the company or conference with any other , than such as they shall appoint and allow them ; neither will they suffer them to write to any friend , except they first have the perusing of their letters . sometimes also , after they have imprisoned men in such a miserable state , for a year or two , and can extort nothing out of them by their torments , nor prove any thing against them by witnesse , so that they must necessarily dismisse them , they then call them into the court , and begin to flatter them , and tell them what a good opinion they have of them , and that they are resolved to send them home , for the which fatherly favour extended towards them in saving their lives & goods , they are to account themselves much beholding to their lordships , &c. and so at last they dismisse him with special charge of silence : and when he is gone , they have special spies abroad to see how he takes the matter ; and if they find that he complains of his punishments , or discloses their secrets , they presently commence a new suit against him . on a time the inquisitors at sivill apprehended a noble lady ; the cause was , for that a sister of hers , a very vertuous virgin , who was afterwards burned for religion , had confessed in the extremity of her torments , that she had sometimes had conference with this her sister about matters of religion : this lady when she was first apprehended , was gone with child about six months , in respect whereof they did not shut her up so close at first , nor deal so severely with her as they did with others ; but within foure dayes after she was brought to bed , they took the child from her ; and the seventh day ●fter , they shut her up in close prison , and used her in all things as they did other prisoners ; the only worldly comfort that she had in her misery , was , that they lodged her with a vertuous maiden that was her fellow-prisoner for a time , but afterwards burned at the stake : this maid whilst they were together , was carried to the rack , and so sore strained and torn thereon , that she was almost pulled in pieces , then was she brought back and thrown upon a bed of flags , that served them both to lie on ; the good lady was not able to help her , yet shewed singular tokens of love and compassion towards her . the maid was scarce recovered when the lady was carried out to be served with the same sauce , and was so terribly tormented in the trough , that by reason of the strait straining of the strings , piercing to the very bones of her armes , thighs and shins , she was brought back half dead to her prison , the blood gushing out of her mouth abundantly , which shewed that something was broken within her : but after eight dayes the lord delivered her from these cruel tygers by taking her mercifully to himself . upon one of their dayes of triumph there was brought out one john pontio , of a noble family , a zealous professor of the truth , and one of an holy and blamelesse life , and well learned ; he was eminent also in works of charity , in which he had spent a great part of his estate : being apprehended for the profession of the gospel , he was cast into prison , where he manfully maintained the truth in the midst of all their cruel dealings with him ; at last they cast into prison to him one of their flyes , who by his subtilty and craft , so wrought upon him that he drew from him a promise to yield obedience to the romish church . but though god suffered him to fall a while to shew him his frailty , yet afterwards in much mercy he raised him up again with double strength to that which he had before , and before his execution he manfully defended the truth against a subtil friar . the things which he was condemned for , were these ; that he should say , that from his heart he abhorred the idolatry which was committed in worshipping the host : that he removed his houshold from place to place , that he might shun coming to the masse : that the justification of a christian resteth only in the merits of jesus christ apprehended by faith , &c. that there was no purgatory : that the popes pardons were of no value , &c. and for my self , ( saith he ) i am not only willing but desirous to die , and ready to suffer any punishment for the truth which i have professed : i esteem not of this world nor the treasures of it more than for my necessary uses , and the rest to bestow in the propagation and maintenance of the gospel : and i beseech god daily upon my knees for my wife and children , that they may all continue in this quarrel even to the death . and when he came to his execution , he patiently and comfortably slept in the lord. at the same time there was also brought forth one john gonsalvo , formerly a priest , but by his diligent study of the scripture it pleased god to reveal his truth to him , so that he became a zealous preacher of it , labouring in all his sermons to beat into mens minds the true way , and means of our justification to consist in christ alone , and in stedfast faith in him : for which he was apprehended and cast into prison , where he endured all their cruely with a christian courage ; at last with two of his sisters he was condemned : his mother and one of his brothers were also imprisoned with him for the truth , and executed shortly after : when he with his sisters went out at the castle gate , having his tongue at liberty , he began to sing the . psalm before all the people , who had oft heard him make many godly sermons : he also condemned all hypocrites as the worst sort of people : whereupon they stocked his tongue : upon the stage he never changed countenance , nor was at all daunted . when they all came to the stake , they had their tongues loosed , and were commanded to say their creed , which they did chearfully : when they came to those words , the holy catholick church , they were commanded to adde , of rome , but that they all refused : whereupon their necks were broken in a trice : and then 't was noised abroad that they had added those words , and died , confessing the church of rome to be the true catholick church . there was in sivil a private congregation of gods people , most of which the inquisitors consumed in the fire , as they could discover any of them ; amongst others that were apprehended , they took four women , famous above the rest for their holy and godly conversation , but especially the youngest of them , who was not above one and twenty years old , who by her diligent and frequent reading of the scriptures , and by conference with godly and learned men , had attained to a very great measure of knowledge : so that whilst she was in prison , she non-plus'd and put to shame many of those friars that came to seduce her . another of these women was a grave matron , whose house was a school of vertue , and a place where the saints used to meet , & serve god day and night ; but the time being come wherein they were ripe for god , they , together with other of their neighbours , were apprehended and cast into prison , where they were kept in dark dungeons , and forced to endure all the cruel and extream torments which are before mentioned : at last they were condemned , and brought forth to the scaffold amongst other prisoners : the young maid especially came with a merry and cheerful countenance , as it were triumphing over the inquisitors , and having her tongue at liberty , she began to sing psalms to god , whereupon the inquisitors caused her tongue to be nipped by setting a barnacle upon it : after sentence read , they were carried to the place of execution , where with much constancy and courage they ended their lives : yet the inquisitors not satisfied herewith , caused the house of the matron where the church used to meet , to be pulled down , and the ground to be laid waste , and a pillar to be erected upon it with an inscription shewing the cause . there was also apprehended another worthy member of the same congregation called ferdinando ; he was of a fervent spirit , and very zealous in doing good : a young man , but for integrity of life very famous : he had spent eight years in educating of youth , and had endeavoured to sow the seeds of piety in the hearts of his scholars , as much as lay in him to do in a time of so great persecution and tyranny ; being at the last apprehended for a lutheran , he was cast into prison , and terribly tormented upon the jeobit , and in the trough , whereby he was so shaken in every joynt , that when he was taken down , he was not able to move any part of his body ; yet did those cruel tormentors draw him by the heels into his prison , as if he had been a dead dog : but notwithstanding all his torments , he answered the inquisitors very stoutly , and would not yield to them one jot . during his imprisonment god used him as an instrument to recal and confirme a monk , who had been cast into prison for confessing the gospel openly : but by means of the inquisitors flatteries and fair promises he had somewhat relented : gods providence so ordering it , that ferdinando was cast into the same prison , and finding the monk wavering , he rebuked him sharply ; and afterwards having drawn him to a sight of , and sorrow for his sinne , he at last strengthned him in the promises of free grace and mercy ; hereupon the monk desired a day of hearing , where , before the inquisitors , he solemnly renounced his recantation , desiring that his former confession might stand , whereupon the sentence of death passed against them both : after which the inquisitors asked ferdinando whether he would revoke his former heresies ; to which he answered , that he had professed nothing but what was agreeable to the pure and perfect word of god , and ought to be the profession of every christian man , and therefore he would stick to it to the death : then did they clap a barnacle upon his tongue , and so they were burned together . there was also one juliano , called , the little , because he was of a small and weak body , who going into germany , was there conversant with divers learned and godly men , by which means he attained to the knowledge of the truth , and became a zealous professor of it , and earnestly longing after the salvation of his countreymen , he undertook a very dangerous work , which was to convey two great dry fat 's full of bibles printed in spanish , into his own countrey : in this attempt he had much cause of fear , the inquisitors had so stopped every port , and kept such strict watch , to prevent the coming in of all such commodities ; but through gods mighty protection , he brought his burden safely thither , and , which was almost miraculous , he conveyed them safe into sivil , notwithstanding the busie searchers and catch-poles that watched in every corner . these bibles being dispersed , were most joyfully and thankfully received , and through gods blessing wrought wonderfully amongst gods people to ripen them against the time of harvest . but at last the matter broke out by the means of a false brother , who going to the inquisitors played the judas , and betrayed the whole church to them . so that there were taken at sivil at one time , eight hundred christians , whereof twenty of them were afterwards roasted at one fire . amongst these , this juliano was one of the first that was apprehended and sent to prison , where he lay without any company laden with irons above three years ; yet was his constancy so great and wonderful , that the tormentors themselves were sooner wearied in inflicting , than he in suffering torments ; and notwithstanding his weak and wearyish body , yet he remained undaunted in mind in undergoing all their tyrannies , so that he never departed from the rack more dejected than he came to it ; neither threatnings , nor pains , nor torments made him shrink or yield one jot to them : but when he was drawn back to his prison , he would tell his fellows how he had conquered and confounded his enemies , saying , they depart vanquished , they depart vanquished ; the wolves flie with shame , they flie with shame . in the day of their triumph , when he was brought out to be apparelled ( with his other fellow prisoners ) in all their shameful habits , he exhorted them with a cheerful countenance , saying : my brethren , be of good cheere , this is the houre wherein we must be faithful witnesses unto god and his truth before men , as becomes the true servants and souldiers of christ , and ere long we shall have him to witnesse with us again : and within a few houres we shall triumph with him in heaven for ever ; but hereupon they presently clap't a barnacle upon his tongue that he should speak no more , and so he was led to his execution ; but though he could not speak , yet by his countenance and gestures he shewed his cheerful and quiet minde : then kneeling down , he kissed the step whereon he stood , and being tyed to the stake , he endeavoured by his looks and gestures to encourage his fellow martyrs in their sufferings , and so they quietly and patiently resigned up their spirits unto god. there was also john leon , a tailor by trade , who out of a blinde devotion to serve god , resolved to enter into a monastery , but by gods providence it so fell out that he entred into a cloister at sivil , wherein most of the monks were well affected to the true religion , amongst whom in two or three years space , he was so grounded in the principles of religion , that he resolved to leave that kinde of life , which accordingly he did , and went into the countrey , yet after a time he had a great mind to conferre with his former schoolmasters : but when he came back to the cloister , he found that they were all fled in●o germany ; hereupon he resolved to follow them , and through many dangers and perils , it pleased god at last after a long and tedious journey , to bring him safe to franckfurt , where he met with some of his old acquaintance , and with them he travelled to geneva : about which time queen mary suddenly dying , and queen elizabeth of blessed memory succeeding her , the english exiles that lived in those parts were called home : whereupon divers spaniards that sojourned at geneva , thinking england a fitter place for their congregation , resolved to accompany the english men ▪ and for this end they dispersed themselves into several companies that they might travel with the more safety : the inquisitors took the departure of these monks so ill , that not sparing any cost , they sent their flies abroad to apprehend them , who way-laid them , especially at collen , franckfurt , antwerp , and in all the ways that led from geneva . this john leon had got him a companion , with whom he travelled towards england , who being discovered at argentine , were dogged into zealand , and as they were ready to take ship , they were apprehended . john leon took his arrest very composedly , never changing countenance at it : they were presently carried back into the town , where they were miserably ●acked to discover their fellows , and not long after were shipped for spain , having great irons , wrought like a net , that covered both head and face , within which also was another piece of iron made like a tongue , which being thrust into their mouths took away their speech ; they were also loaden with other engins and fetters of iron , wherewith they were bound hand and foot , and in these continual pains and torments they lay a shipboard till they came into spain , and then john leon was sent to sivil , and his companion to validolid , where afterwards in defence of the truth he suffered martyrdome : but john remained long in prison , where he tasted of the inquisitors tyranny , suffering both hunger and cold , and enduring all their torments one after another , and at last was brought out in their solemn shew , arrayed after their usual manner ; it was a sad sight to see such a ghost as he was , his hair so grown , his body so lean , that he had nothing but skin and bones left on him , and his pain much encreased by having a barnacle upon his tongue : after sentence of death pronounced upon him , they set his tongue at liberty hoping that he would have recanted , but he made a stout and godly confession of his faith , and so quietly ended his life in the flames . there was also burned at the same time a godly virgin , that had formerly been a nun , but being , through gods grace , converted , she left her cloister , and joyned her self to the church of christ : being apprehended by the inquisitors she was intreated as others had been before her : and at last was brought out to the scaffold , where with a manly courage she put the inquisitors to a foul foil , not only constantly affirming the truth , but sharply rebuking those fathers , calling them dumb dogs , a generation of vipers , &c. being brought to the stake , with a cheerful countenance she underwent the pains of death , and so quietly slept in the lord. there was also one christopher losada , a physician , a learned man and very well studied in the scriptures , as also of a very holy conversation , insomuch as he was chosen super-intendent of the church of christ in sivil , which at this time was very great , though dispersed into corners : at last he was apprehended by the inquisitors , before whom he made a good confession of his faith , for which he endured ha●d and sharp imprisonment , with most cruel torments , and the open infamy of their solemn shew , and lastly was adjudged to the fire : as he stood at the stake , the barnacle being taken from his tongue , he disputed notably with some monks that came to seduce him ; and when they spake latin that the common people might not understand them , losada also began to speak in latin so copiously and eloquently , as was strange to hear that he should have his wits so fresh when he was ready to be burned : after which he patiently resigned up his spirit unto god in the fire . there was also in sivil one arias , a man of a sharp wit and well-studied in divinity , but withal of a crafty wit and inconstant nature ; which vices he yet covered with a cloke of religion , whereby he deceived many : about this time there were also in that city two sorts of preachers , and both had a great number of auditors : the one taught school-divinity , and were continually calling upon their hearers to often fastings , mortification , self-denial , frequency of prayer , humility , &c. but themselves practised nothing lesse than these things : and indeed all their religion consisted in works and bodily exercises , as running to masses , hallowed places , shrift , &c. the other sort dealt more sincerely with the holy scriptures : out of which they declared what was true righteousnesse , and perfect holinesse : by means whereof that city above all others in spain , bore the name for just and true dealing ; and it pleased god that the brightnesse of this light did discover all the counterfeit holinesse , and pharasaical devotion of the other party ; the chief labourers in this harvest were constantino , aegidius , and varquius , all doctors , and sober , wise , and learned men ; who by this kind of preaching procured to themselves many enemies ; but above all others , arias was the most spiteful and malicious ; yet he carried it so cunningly , that he still kept up his reputation with these men ; but it was not long before he discovered himself : and that upon this occasion ; there was one ruzius , a learned man , questioned before the inquisitors , for something that he had delivered in a sermon about the controversies in religion ; the inquisitors appointed him a day of hearing ; and two or three days before , arias met him , saluted him courteously , and discoursed familiarly with him ; then did he pump out of him , all those arguments wherewith he intended to defend himself before the inquisitors : when the day came , and ruzius appeared , arias went on that side where his opponents were , which much amated ruzius , and in the disputation , arias being prepared , did so wittily enervate all his arguments , that ruzius had nothing to say for himself , and so was fain to yield the cause , and arias went away with the honour of the field , though he got it by treachery . yet did this arias , being of saint isidores monastery , preach so practically , that a great light began to dawn in that dark place ; for the whole scope of his sermons was to overthrow all their profession ; he taught them that singing and saying of their prayers day and night was no service of god , that the holy scriptures were to be read and studied with diligence , whence alone the true service of god could be drawn , and which alone teach us the true obedience to his will , to the obtaining whereof we must use prayer as a means , proceeding as well from a sense and feeling of our own infirmities , as grounded upon a perfect trust and confidence in god. by laying these foundations , through gods blessing , he began to make them out of love with their monkish superstition , and much provoked them to the study of the holy scriptures . besides also his sermons , he read daily a lecture upon solomons proverbs very learnedly , and made application thereof with good judgement and discretion ; also in his private conference he did much good . the lord also so ordered it in his wisdome , that he met with schollers that were very tractable , such as were not greatly wedded to their superstitions . and such was the force and might of gods election , that these few good seeds so fructified , that in the end they brought forth a great encrease of godlinesse . for divers of the monks , that hereby had their consciences awakened and cleared to see their former hypocrisie and idolatry , sought out for further instructions , and , through gods mercy , they light upon those preachers which taught the truth with more sincerity : of whom they learned the principles of pure and perfect religion , so that by degrees they left that evil opinion which they had formerly conceived against the lutherans , and were desirous to read their books : and god miraculously provided for them , that they had all sorts of books brought them that were extant at that time , either in geneva or germany : whereby it came to passe that there were very few in all that cloister but they had some taste of true religion and godlinesse , so that instead of mumbling their mattens , they brought in divinity-lectures , &c. vain fasting was turned into christian sobriety , neither were any taught to be monkish , but to be sincerely and truly religious . but considering that when this should be once known they could not live in any safety , they resolved amongst themselves to forsake their nest , and to flie into germany , where they might enjoy more safety of their lives , and freedome of their consciences ; but how to get thither was all the difficulty ; if one or two should go first , the rest would be exposed to danger : if many should go together , a thousand to one but they would be taken again , being to travel from the furthest part of spaine into germany : yet upon debate they concluded , that they must all either speedily depart , or shortly be apprehended by the inquisitors , who now had got some inkling of the matter ; and god seeing them in this distresse , shewed them a means how , under an honest pretence , a dozen of them might depart together within a month , and each betake himself a several way towards geneva , where they appointed , by gods assistance , all to meet within a twelve month ; the rest which were but young novices were left behind , who yet not long after were so strengthned by god , that they endured the brunt of persecution when it came , three of them being burned , and divers others diversly punished . the aforementioned servants of jesus christ forsook that place where they lived in honour , ease and plenty , and by undertaking , for christs sake , a voluntary exile , exposed themselves to shame , ignominy , wants , yea and were in continual danger of their lives also : and under god , arias was a great means of this , who , by his ministry , had first inlightned them with the knowledge of the truth : for which he was often complained of to the inquisitors , and was convented before them , where he so cunningly answered the matter , that he was still discharged ; but his last apprehension , through the mercy of god , brought forth in him the fruits of true repentance ; for he did so deeply and unfainedly bewail , and repent of his former with-holding of the truth in unrighteousnesse , that whereas he used to be exceeding fearful of the rack , he being brought to it and upon it , with a marvellous constancy withstood the enemies of gods truth , and took up the inquisitors roundly : withal telling them that he was heartily sorry , and did most earnestly repent him , for that he had wittingly and willingly in their presence impugned the truth against the godly defenders of the same : many other sharp rebukes he gave to the inquisitors so often as he came to his answer : but at last he was brought forth arraied in their accustomed manner upon their day of triumph , at which time he also made a notable profession of his faith , and so was led from the stage to the stake with a merry and chearful countenance , where , by the notable example of his repentance at his death , he made satisfaction to the church of christ for all his former unfaithful and hypocritical dealing with them , and so quietly slept in the lord. the life of doctor aegidio . dr . aegidio , who is before mentioned , was brought up in the university of alcala , where he took all his degrees , and was a hard student in school-divinity : but the study of the holy scriptures was there so neglected and contemned , that if any one read it , he was in contempt and scorn called a good bibler ; afterwards being publick reader of divinity in that university , he grew famous all over christendome , and was sent for to sivil to be divinity-reader in the cathedral church , where he was so highly esteemed , that soon after he was chosen sub-deane , yet did he not attempt to preach openly , nor had once so much as opened the bible to read and study the scriptures : and therefore the first time that he came into the pulpit , contrary to all mens expectations , he was found so unfit for such a function , that he grew out of conceit with himself , and was contemned by others , insomuch as they fell to repent themselves , the one for admitting him so unadvisedly , the other for taking upon him that office so arrogantly : but having passed over some time , it so fell out that he met with a plain man , which gave him such instructions , that after a few hours conference he learned by him what the office and duty of a preacher was , and by what means he might attain thereto ; and , through gods blessing , his advice was so effectual , that now dr. aegidio was quite altered and become a new man , thinking all his former life and labour ill spent , and therefore he resolved to steer another course ; he also fell into acquaintance with doctor constantino , a man excellently well learned , by whose conference and advice he profited marvellously in his studies , fell to the reading of good authors , and grew to profound knowledge in the holy scriptures : so that after a time , he began to preach as learnedly , godly , and zealously , as he had before done coldly , foolishly , and unskilfully : then did his hearers finde the marvellous force of that doctrine , which was taught them by these three worthy men , aegidio , constantino , and varquia , so that the more they crept out of their former ignorance and grew in knowledge , the more they esteemed and honoured them . hereupon there were daily complaints made against them to the inquisitors , especially against doctor aegidio , who did more openly than the rest inveigh against the adversaries of the truth . but it so fell out by gods providence , that just at the same time the emperour charles the fifth , in respect of his singular learning and integrity of life , elected him to the bishoprick of dortois : then did those hypocritical inquisitors bestir themselves on all hands , citing him to come before them , where articles were exhibited against him , and thereupon they cast him into prison , and examined him . but the emperour , who had elected him to the bishoprick , and the whole chapter of the cathedral church in sivil , became very earnest sutors to the inquisitors in his behalf . it fell out also that just at the same time , whilst aegidio was in prison , three of his greatest adversaries amongst the inquisitors , and the prime enemies against the truth , sickned , and died shortly one after another , whereby he was released , and lived foure or five years after ; at the end whereof he was sent upon an embassie , in which journey he visited the brethren that professed the truth in validolid , and much comforted and confirmed them ; but in his return home , his aged body being sore shaken in that long journey , having not been used to travel of a long while before , he sickned , and within a few days departed out of this troublesome life to everlasting rest . but within three years after , the new inquisitors thinking that the former had dealt too gently with him , digged him out of his grave , and buried in his place a puppet of straw ; then they brought his corps upon the scaffold , and used it in the same sort as they would have used himself if he had been alive . the life of doctor constantino . doctor constantino of whom mention hath been made before , was a most famous divine , and endued by god with such rare abilities as the like were hardly found in that age ; he was a man of a very pleasant wit , and wondrous facetious , which he especially used against the hypocritical monks and friars ; and though he lived in a barbarous age , wherein all good learning was almost lost , yet by his wit and industry he attained to a great deal of skill both in latin , greek , and hebrew , and was also an excellent oratour : and studied the scriptures so hard , that he grew very exquisite therein ; he was also so eloquent in his own language , that all his auditors were brought into a great admiration of him ; he was very discreet in all his doings : which parts he attained to , both by his study and long practice and experience , but especially by profound knowledge in the holy scriptures . whensoever he preached , there was so great a resort to his sermons , that three or foure houres before he began , there was scarce a place in the church to be gotten . he was farre from covetousnesse and ambition , insomuch as having a good canonship in the church of toledo proffered him , he refused it , together with divers other preferments . in his ministry in sivil he did so plainly set forth , and so sharply rebuke those hucksters that sold indulgences , pardons , &c. that they were much incensed against him , fearing that he would prove a plague to the whole generation of them , so that they hated him deadly , yet could finde nothing whereof to accuse him , but what would redound to their own shame . but for all this he neglected not to preach the truth faithfully , though he knew that they lay at catch , waiting for an opportunity to ensnare him ; and it was the singular providence of god that that city should enjoy such preaching , when there were so many powerful and malicious enemies to oppose it . for at this time varquio read upon the gospel according to matthew , and upon the psalmes : aegidio preached daily ; and constantine , though not so often , yet to as great fruit and edification , thus continuing till god sent storms to try each mans faith ; in the midst of which tempest varquio dyed , and constantine was sent for by the emperour to be his houshold chaplain : only aegidio was left alone , like a lamb amongst wolves , to be the object of their fury , of whose end we have heard before ; after whose death constantine left the emperours court , and returned to sivil , where he preached the gospel with as much zeale as ever he did before : then was he chosen to preach every other day in the cathedral , which he refused , because of a great fit of sicknesse which had made him very weak , but he was forced to undertake it , though he was so weak a creature , that sometimes he was fain to be carried to church , and by reason of his faintnesse was necessitated once or twice in a sermon to drink a draught of wine to refresh himself . about this time there was one scobario , a man famous for life and learning , chosen by the magistrates of the city to the government of the colledge of children , who out of his zeal to promote the gospel converted his stipend , to the erecting of a divinity-lecture in the cathedral church ; and constantine , having recovered his health , was chosen to read it ; who performed it excellently well , beginning with the proverbs , ecclesiastes , and the canticles ; which having passed through very learnedly , he began upon the book of job , and proceeded to expound more than half of it . but some evil spirit envying the progresse of the gospel in that city , under a pretence of fervent zeal , caused him to forsake this course , and encombred him so many ways , that he was never clear of those troubles to his dying day . for not long after he was brought before the inquisitors , and had many things laid to his charge ; yet by his quick and ready answers he easily avoided them , and they could not by any means bring him to make an open protestation of his faith , by which all their hope was to circumvent him ; and so he might have escaped , had not god , by a special providence , compelled him as it were briefly and plainly to confesse his faith ; the occasion was this . there was one isabel martin apprehended , in whose house constantine had hid some special books for fear of the inquisitors : this womans goods being sequestred , her son conveyed divers chests of her best goods away to another place . this coming to the inquisitors ears by means of an unfaithful servant , they sent their officer immediately to demand those chests : the womans sonne supposing that the officer came for constantines books , said unto him , i know what you come for , and therefore if you will promise me upon your honest word to depart quietly , i will bring you to them : the officer supposing that he meant the chests , promised him so to do : then did he carry him into a secret place , and plucking forth a stone or two in the wall , shewed him constantines jewels ; of paper indeed ; but farre more precious than gold or pearle ; the officer astonished to finde that which he looked not for , told him that he came for no such thing , but for certain chests of his mothers goods , which he had purloined from the sequestrators ; and that notwithstanding his promise , he must carry both him and his books to the inquisitors : thus came constantines writings into the inquisitors hands , out of which they quickly found matter enough against him . then did they send for him before them , and demanded if he knew his own hand ; he shifted it off at the first , but afterwards perceiving that it was the will of god that he should bear witnesse to the truth , he confessed it to be his own writing , protesting openly that all things therein contained were full of truth and sincerity ; therefore , said he , trouble your selves no further in seeking witnesses against me , seeing you have so plain and apert a confession of my judgment and faith , but deal with me as you shall please ; then was he cast into prison , and kept there two whole years , where partly by occasion of his corrupt dyet , but chiefly of grief to see such havock made of the poor church of christ , which himself and his brethren had with so great pains and care planted and watered , he began first to be crazy , and then not being able to endure the extream heat of the sunne , which made his prison like an hot house , he was forced to strip himself to his very shirt , wherein he lay day and night , by occasion whereof he fell into the bloody flux , and within fifteen days died in the stinking prison , rendring up his soul to christ , for promoting of whose glory he had oft times manfully adventured it . he never indeed felt those cruel torments which the inquisitors used to inflict upon others , but it was not because they regarded such a man of eminency as he was , but because they intended to delay his punishment by keeping him long in prison , not expecting that he should so suddenly have been taken out of their hands . yet did these imps of satan spread abroad a report , that before his death upon the rack he had confessed to them who were his disciples ; and this they did to make men come in and accuse themselves , upon hope to finde the more favour with the inquisitors ; they reported also that he opened one of his veins with a broken glasse whereof he died , that so he might avoid the shame and punishment of his heresies . and against the day of their solemn triumph , his corps was taken out of his grave , and set in a pulpit , with one hand resting on the desk , and holding up the other , just as he used to do when he preached : then they passed sentence upon him , and so afterwards caused him to be burned . thus we have seen in some few examples the rage of these bloody inquisitors against the poor saints and servants of jesus christ , whereof a great number were cruelly murthered in a few years space in that one city of sivil , whereby we may partly guesse how great numbers have suffered in all other places , since the light of the glorious gospel of jesus christ brake forth , untill this day under their cruel and bloody tyranny . collected out of a book called , the discovery of the spanish inquisition , &c. first written in latin by reynold gonsalvius montanus , and afterwards translated into english. the persecution of nicholas burton englishman ▪ by the inquisitors in spain , anno . this burton was a citizen of london , who being about his merchandise at cadiz in spain , there came to his lodging one of the familiars , desiring to take lading to london in the ship which burton had fraited ; and this he did , that he might learn where his goods were ; presently after came a serjeant who apprehended bur●ton , and carried him away to the inquisitors , who , though they could charge him with nothing spoken or written against them since he came to spain , yet they sent him to the filthy common prison , where he remained in irons fourteen dayes amongst thieves : in which time he so instructed the poor prisoners in the word of god , that in short space he had well reclaimed many of those ignorant and superstitious souls : which being known to the inquisitors , they presently removed him , laden with irons , from thence to sivil , and put him into the more cruel prison in the castle of triana , where the inquisitors proceeded against him after their accustomed cruel manner , by racking , &c. neither could he get leave to write to , or speak with any of his countreymen : afterwards they brought him forth with many other godly persons upon their publick day of triumph , in his sambito painted all over with ugly devils tormenting a soul in flames of fire , and with a barnacle upon his tongue , where he received sentence of death , and so with the rest was carried to the place of execution to be burnt ; and he endured the flames with so much patience and cheerfulnesse of countenance , that his popish adversaries said , that the devil had his soul before he came to the fire , whereby his sense of feeling was taken away : they also sequestred all his goods , which could never be recovered out of their hands , though great means were used for the same . this was in queen maries days . there was burned with him at the same time another englishman : and not long after two more , called john baker and william burgate : and about the same time william burges , master of an english ship was burned there also : and william hooker , a youth of about sixteen , was there stoned to death for the bold profession of his faith . here place the seventh figure . chap. xxviii . the persecution of the church of christ in italy , which began , anno christi , . anno christi , . adrian the fourth , an english man , being pope , there was one arnald of brixia , who coming to rome , preached boldly against the corruptions which were crept into the church , and found great favour amongst the senators , and people , insomuch as when the pope commanded this arnald to be driven away as an heretick , they resisted his command , and defended arnald , till at last the pope interdicting the whole city , at the importunity of the clergy , the senators and citizens were forced to send him away : and shortly after he was apprehended by the popes legat , cardinal of st. nicholas , out of whose hands he was rescued by the vicounts of campany , with whom he remained , and to whom he preached the gospel of christ , and was had in such esteem that he was accounted a prophet . shortly after , frederick barbarossa the emperour , coming unto italy to be crowned , the pope sent some cardinals to him , requesting that he would deliver arnald of brixia into their hands , whom the vicounts of campania had taken from his legat at otriculi , whom they held for a prophet in their countrey , and greatly honoured him . the emperour receiving these commands from the pope , presently sent forth his apparitors , and took one of the vicounts prisoner , wherewith the other were so terrified , that they delivered up arnald to the cardinals ; and this the emperour did to gratifie the pope that was to set the imperial crown upon his head . not long after the pope being in his ruff , marching with a brave army into apulia , commanded his prefect at rome to do execution upon arnald , who accordingly most cruelly , first hanged , and then burned him for an arch-heretick at the appointment of the pope . this arnald was born in italy , and was trained up under peter abailardus in france : his heresies were , that he preached against the pride and covetousnesse of the clergy and monks : that he inveighed against the corruptions which were crept into the sacraments , &c. he first preached in brixia , and expounded to the people the sacred scriptures , who earnestly embraced his doctrine ; whereupon the bishops and monks of that city complained of him to the council that was held at rome by pope innocent , who ( to prevent the spreading of his doctrine ) injoyned him silence , and banished him italy . then did he go beyond the alps into a town of germany called turengum , where , for a time he preached the truth , and did much good , till he heard of the death of pope innocent his old adversary : at which time he returned into italy , and went to rome , where what his successe was we heard before : after his body was burnt , they gathered up his ashes , and threw them into the river tybur . otho frising . anno christi , . there was one encenas , or driander , a spaniard , born in bruges , who in his youth was sent by his superstitious parents to be educated in rome , where in process of time , through god mercy , he came to the knowledge of the truth , and thereupon manifesting his dislikes of the impure doctrine of the church of rome , he was betrayed by some of his own countrymen and houshold friends , and by them carried before the cardinals , who committed him to strait prison : and afterwards , being called forth to declare his judgement in matters of religion , he gave a notable testimony to the truth before the cardinals and the popes whole retinue , whereupon they cried out upon him that he should be burned ; yet the cardinals proffered him life , if he would wear the sambito : but he constantly refused to wear any other badge , save the badge of our lord jesus christ , which was , to seal his profession with his blood : hereupon he was condemned to the fire , and suffered martyrdome with great patience and constancy . his brother francis encenas , a very learned and godly man as any was in spain , being in the emperours court at bruxels , offered to charles the fifth the new testament translated into spanish , for which he was cast into prison , 〈…〉 remained in great misery for the space of fifteen months , looking for nothing but present death : but at last , through the marvellous providence of god , at eight a clock at night he found the prison doors standing wide open , and a secret motion in his minde to make an escape , whereupon going out of prison with a leasurely pace , he went without interruption , and so from thence went strait into germany . anno . there was at ferrara one faninus , who by reading of good books , was through gods grace , converted to the knowledge of the truth , wherein he found such sweetnesse , that by constant reading , meditation and prayer , he grew so expert in the scriptures , that he was able to instruct others : and though he durst not go out of the bounds of his calling to preach openly , yet by conference and private exhortations he did good to many : this coming to the knowledge of the popes clients , they apprehended and committed him to prison , where by the earnest solicitations of his wife and children , and other friends , he was so overcome , that he renounced the truth , and so was dismissed out of prison . but it was not long before the lord met with him : so that falling into horrible torture of conscience , he was near unto utter despair for his apostacy , and for preferring the love of his kindred and friends before the service of jesus christ , neither could he possibly by any means be free from these terrours , before he had fully resolved to adventure his life more faithfully in the service of the lord. wherefore being thus inflamed with an holy zeal , he went about all the countrey , doing much good wheresoever he came , whereupon he was again apprehended , and cast into prison , and condemned to be burnt : but he told his judges that his time was not yet come , and so it fell out ; for shortly after he was removed to ferrara , where he continued in prison two years ; then was he again condemned by the popes inquisitors ; and yet his time being not come , he remained a good while after in prison : in which time many godly people came to visit him , which caused the pope to comm●●d him to be kept more strictly : then was he kept close prisoner for eighteen moneths , wherein he endured many and great torments : after this , he was brought into another prison , where were many nobles , great lords and captains for stirring up sedition , who when they first heard him speak , set him at naught and derided him : and some of the gravest of them , supposing it to be but a melancholy humour , exhorted him to leave his opinion , &c. faninus gave them thanks for their friendly good will , but withal , modestly and plainly he declared to them , that the doctrine which he professed was no humour nor opinion of mans braine , but the pure truth of god held forth in his word , which truth he was fully resolved never to deny , &c. with which instructions they were , through the mercy of god , clean altered in their carriage and judgement , highly admiring and honouring him now , whom a little before they derided and contemned ; then did he proceed still to impart the word of grace to them , declaring , that though he knew himself to be a miserable sinner , yet through faith in jesus christ and his grace , he was fully perswaded that his sins were forgiven ; assuring them likewise that if they did repent and believe on our lord jesus christ , they also should have their sinnes remitted unto them . there were in that prison also some that having formerly lived very delicately , could not now endure the hardship of prison , to whom he administred much comfort in this their distresse , insomuch as they rejoyced in ●hese their sufferings , by which they had learned a better kind of liberty than ever they had before . his kinsfolk hearing of his imprisonment , his wife and sister came to him , pitifully weeping and intreating him to consider and remember his poor family , &c. to whom he answered , that his lord and master had commanded him not to deny his truth for his families sake : and that it was too much that once for their sakes he had fallen into that cowardise , which they knew of : therefore he desired them to leave him , and not to solicit him any further in that kind , for he knew that his end now drew near , and so he commended them to the lord. presently after , the pope sent a command that faninus should be executed , whereof when an officer brought him word , he much rejoyced at it , thanking the messenger : then did he begin to make a long exhortation to his fellow-prisoners about the felicity of the life to come . he had life proffered him if he would recant , and he was put in mind what a sad condition he would leave his wife and children in ; whereupon he answered that he had committed them to an overseer that would sufficiently care for them ; and being asked who that was ? he answered , even the lord jesus christ , a faithful keeper of all that are committed to him ; the next day he was removed into the common prison , and delivered to the secular magistrate . in all his words , gestures and countenance , he shewed such modesty , constancy , and tranquillity of mind , that they which before extreamly hated him , and thought that he had a devil , began now favourably to hearken to him , and to commend him : yea with such grace and sweetnesse he spake of the word of god , that many of the magistrates wives which heard him , could not abstain from weeping : yea the executioner himself wept . as he was going to execution , one that saw him so merry and chearful , asked him what was the reason of it , whereas christ before his death sweat blood and water ? to whom he answered , that christ sustained all the sorrows and conflicts with hell and death that were due to us , that by his sufferings we might be freed from the sorrow and fear of them all . at the place of execution , after he had made his most earnest prayers to the lord , he meekly and patiently went to the stake , where he was first strangled , and afterwards burned ; and during the time of his burning there came a most fragrant and oderiferous smell to the spectators , the sweetnesse whereof did so delight and refresh their senses , as his words would have done , if they had heard him speak . there was also one dominicus , sometimes a souldier under charles the fifth in germany , where he received the first taste of the gospel of jesus christ , after which by his conf●rence with learned men he much increased in knowledge , insomuch as he was able to instruct others ; whereupon he returned into italy , and in the city of naples , he taught the word of god to many , anno . from thence he went to placentia , where he instructed the people also in many of the fundamentals of religion , promising that he would next speak to them of antichrist , whom he would paint out in his colours ; but when he came the next day , he was apprehended by the magistrate , whom he readily obeyed , saying , that he wondered the devil had let him alone so long : and being asked whether he would renounce his doctrine , he answered , that he maintained no doctrine of his own , but the doctrine of christ , which also he was ready to seal with his blood , giving hearty thanks to god for accounting him worthy to suffer for his name . then was he committed to a filthy and stinking prison , where he remained some moneths , and was often solicited to revoke his opinions , or else he must suffer death : but , through gods mercy , nothing could remove him from his constancy : being therefore condemned to death , he was brought forth into the market-place , where he most heartily prayed for his enemies , instructed the people , and then was hanged , resting in peace in the lord. in saint angelo , there was an house of augustine friars , to whom there often resorted a friar from the city of pavia , who was a man very expert in the scriptures , and of godly conversation , by whose labours not only divers of the friars , but other townsmen were brought to the knowledge and love of gods word ; and amongst the rest , one galeacius trecius , a gentleman of good quality , very wealthy and bountiful to the poor , was wrought upon to embrace the truth , and was afterward much confirmed and strengthened by caelius secundus , who being persecuted from pavia , came to this place . after some time galeacius having much profited in knowledge , was inflamed with a godly zeal to promote and propagate the knowledge of the truth unto others ; but a light shining in such darknesse could not be long hid : insomuch as anno . he was apprehended and carried before the bishop , by whom he was kept in bands , having only a pad of straw to lie on ; and though his wife sent him a good bed and sheets , yet did the bishops officers keep them from him , dividing it as a booty amongst themselves . thrice he was brought before the commissioners , where he boldly rendred a reason of his faith , answering all their interrogatories with such evidence of scripture and constancy of mind as astonished all that heard him : yet afterwards at the importunity of his friends and kindred , he was by much perswasion brought to assent to certain popish points . but , through the mercy of god , he was after a while , brought to such repentance and bewailing of this fact , that afterwards he became more valiant in the defence of christs quarrel ; neither did he desire any thing more than to have occasion to recover again by confession that which he had lost by denial : affirming that as he never had felt more joy of heart then when he constantly professed the truth , so he never tasted more sorrow in all his life , then when he turned from the same by dissimulation : professing to his christian friends , that death was much more sweet to him with testimony to the truth , then life with the least denial of it , and violation of a good conscience thereby . so that afterwards , through gods mercy , he was so full of comfort , that divers which talked with him , continued all day without meat or drink , and if they might , would have stayed all night too , they were so delighted with him . galeacius thus waiting for some occasion to manifest his recovery , it so fell out that the inquisitors came into the prison to him , supposing that now he would have confirmed what before he had granted unto them , requiring him so to do ; but galeacius on the contrary retracted that , and boldly asserted the truth with more courage than he did before : and hereby his mind was greatly refreshed , and his adversaries went away ashamed : yet did they condemn and deliver him to the secular judge to be burned ; then was he brought forth in the morning to the market-place , and bound to a stake , where he was left till noon to be a gazing stock to all the people : during which time many came to see him , exhorting him to recant , and not so wilfully to cast away himself , and thereby to undo his loving wife and young children , &c. but nothing could alter the firme mind of this constant martyr , and therefore at length fire was put to him , and so he quietly slept in the lord. a little before his execution , he hearing that there was a controversie between the bishop and major of the city , which of them should be at cost to buy wood for his burning , he sent to them to end that quarrel , for that he himself would be at the cost of it , out of his own goods . the life of john mollius . there was at rome one john mollius , who at twelve years old was placed by his parents in the house of the gray-friars , where being of an excellent wit , in a short time he so profited both in the knowledge of the arts and tongues , that at eighteen years old he was made a priest : then was he sent to study at ferrara , where he so profited in six years time , that he was made doctor and reader of divinity in that university , and by his sophistry shewed himself an utter enemy to the gospel . from thence he went to brixia , and the year following to millaine , where he read openly ; then by francis sforce he was brought to the university of papia , to be the philosophy professor , where he remained four years ; then was he called to the university of bononia : about which time it pleased god so to inlighten him with the knowledge of his truth , that he began secretly to expound the epistle of paul to the romanes to a few , but presently his auditors increased so fast , that he was compelled to read openly in the church , where the number of his auditors daily increased , and withal , they shewed such fervency of mind , that most of them came with pen and ink to write what they heard , taking great care to come so early that they might have room to hear him . this was anno . hereupon cardinal campeius set up one cornelius , an arrogant babler , to expound the same epistle , who cried up the pope and his traditions ; as john on the contrary commended and extolled christ and his merits to the people : but cornelius his auditors quickly decreased , and the others increased exceedingly : this angred cornelius , insomuch as by cardinal campeius his advice , they came to an open disputation , and when they could not agree , as john was returning home in a narrow place where his friends could not come to his rescue , he was apprehended and clapt up in prison ; but this caused such stir in the city , that cornelius was faine to hide himself ; then did the bishop send word to john in prison , that he must either recant or be burnt : to the first he answered that he would by no means condescend ; only it grieved him that he should be condemned , and his cause not heard ; yet by the mediation of a friend he was released out of prison , upon condition that within three moneths he should appear at rome : some of his friends disswaded him from going to rome , advising him rather to go into germany , and they would give him mony to bear his charges ; but he refused , saying , that he must preach the gospel at rome also . when he came thither , he requested of the pope that he might have a publick hearing , but that was denied him , and he was commanded to write his opinion : which accordingly he did , about original sin , justification by faith only , free-will , purgatory , &c. all which he confirmed by the authority of scripture and fathers , and so exhibited it to the pope , who referred it to some cardinals : and they disputed with him three dayes upon those points , but could not confute them ; then was he answered , that it was truth which he said , yet not meet for the times ; and therefore he was commanded to abstain from preaching , and to returne to bonony to be the philosophy professour . when he came back , all men longed to hear how he had sped , and in the pulpit he openly declared the whole proceedings to them , giving god thanks for his safe return . but this so offended the cardinal , that by order from the pope , he was removed from bononia to naples : there also his doctrine was so distasted by the viceroy , that he laid wait to take away his life ; yet , through gods mercy , he escaped , and wandred up and down italy , preaching the gospel of christ wheresoever he came : at last he was called back to bonony , where privately he expounded pauls epistles , which could not be long concealed ; whereupon he was apprehended and carried to faventia , where he was cast into a filthy stinking prison , and lay there foure years , no man being suffered to come to him : yet at last by the mediation of some friends he was again released , and went to ravenna , where he preached the gospel of christ with such affections , that he never spake of jesus christ , but tears dropped from his eyes . after a short time he was again cast into prison ; but foure persons of quality proffering to be his bail , through gods mercy , he was released ; after which so many flocked to him , that his adversaries consulted to kill him , lest his doctrine should spread further : and apprehending him , they sent him bound to rome , where again he was cast into prison for eighteen moneths , in which time he was often assaulted , sometimes with flatteries and faire promises , sometimes with terrible threats : but his constancy could not be shaken by either ; whereupon he , with some others , were brought forth to receive the sentence of condemnation , at which time with great earnestnesse , he confirmed his former doctrine , affirmed the pope to be antichrist , &c. citing them to appear before the tribunal of christ. being condemned and carried to the place of execution , he exhorted the people to have no saviours but christ alone , the only mediatour betwixt god and man , and so he was first hanged , and then burned . this was anno christi , . the year after , francis gamba , born in lombardy , having , through gods grace , received the knowledge of the gospel , went to geneva , where he was much confirmed in the truth , and received the sacrament with them ; then returning into his own country he was apprehended and cast into prison , whither many nobles , doctors and priests resorted to him , labouring by all means to disswade him from his opinions ; but he disputing with them , constantly affirmed that what he held was consonant to the word of god , and the evident doctrine of jesus christ , and necessary for all men to believe if they would be saved ; assuring them that rather than he would be found false to christ and his word , he was there ready to shed his blood : he was long assailed by the intreaties of his friends and threatenings of his enemies , but could by no means be discouraged , yea he gave thanks to god for accounting him worthy to suffer rebukes and death for the testimony of jesus christ : and so by order of the senate of millain he was had forth to execution . he went with a great deal of chearfulnesse ; and when a crosse was brought him by a friar , he said , that his mind was so replenished with joy and comfort in christ , that he needed neither his crosse nor him : then , because he declared many comfortable things to the people , his tongue was bored through , and he was first strangled , and then burnt , undergoing death with admirable patience and constancy . anno . there was one algerius , a student in padua , a young man of excellent learning , who having attained to the knowledge of the truth , ceased not by instruction and example to inform others that he might bring them to the saving knowledge of christ ; for this he was accused of heresie to the pope ; by whose command he was apprehended and cast into prison at venice , where he lay long ; during which time he wrote an excellent letter to the afflicted saints , wherein , amongst many other excellent expressions , he thus writeth ; i cannot but impart unto you some portion of my delectations and joyes which i feel and find : i have found hony in the intrals of a lion ; who will believe that in the dark dungeon i should find a paradise of pleasure ? in a place of sorrow and death , dwells tranquillity and hope of life· in an infernal cave , i have joy of soul : where others weep , i rejoyce : where others shake and tremble , there is strength and boldnesse , &c. all these things the sweet hand of the lord doth minister to me . behold , he that was once far from me , is now present with me : whom i could scarce feel before , now i see more apparently : whom once i saw afarre off , i now behold near at hand : whom once i hungred for , he now approaches and reaches his hand to me : he doth comfort me , and fills me with gladness : he drives away all sorrow , strengthens , encourageth , heals , refresheth and advanceth me : o how good is the lord , who suffers not his servants to be tempted above their strength ! oh how easie and sweet is his yoke , &c. learn therefore how amiable and merciful the lord is , who visiteth his servants in tentations , and disdains not to keep them company in such vile and stinking dungeons , &c. and in conclusion he subscribes his letter , from the delectable orchard of the leonine prison , &c. after this the pope sent for him to rome , where , by manifold perswasions and allurements , he was tempted to desert and deny the truth , which not prevailing , he was adjudged to be burnt alive , which death he most constantly endured to the great admiration of all that beheld him . anno . john aloysius , being sent from geneva to be a pastor in calabria , was thence sent for by the pope to rome , where he suffered martyrdome . also james bovellus ; a godly minister in the same place , and at the same time was sent for by the pope , by whom he was sent to messina , and there martyred . pope pius the fourth raised an hot persecution against the people of god in all the territories of the church of rome , whereby many constant christians suffered martyrdome . yea , this persecution was so hot in the kingdome of naples , that many noblemen with their wives , and divers others , were there slain ; anno . a papist writing to a noble lord about the cruelty shewed to some christians , hath these expressions : when i think upon it , i verily quake and tremble : for their manner of putting to death may fitly be resembled to the slaughter of calves and sheep ; for eighty eight of them being thrust up together in one house as in a sheepfold , the executioner cometh in , taketh one and blindfoldeth him , and so leads him forth to a larger place adjoyning , where commanding him to kneel down , he cuts his throat : and leaving him half dead , he takes his butchers knife and muffler , all gore blood ; and goeth back to the rest , and so leading one after another , he dispatches them all : how sad this spectacle was , i leave to your lordship to judge ; for my own part i cannot but weep to think of it ; neither was there any of the spectators which seeing one to dye , could endure to behold another : but truly so humbly and patiently they went to their death , as is almost incredible to believe : all the aged persons went to death more cheerfully , the younger were something more timerous : i tremble and shake to remember how the executioner held his bloody knife between his teeth , with the bloody muffler in his hand , and his armes all gore blood up to the elbows , going to the fold , and taking every one of them one after another by the hand , and so dispatching them all , no otherwise than as a butcher doth kill his calves and sheep . this was in calab●ia , anno christi , . persecution raised by the pope in venice . the city of venice was a long while from the cruel inquisition , whereby the face of a church was discerned there , from the year . to the year . yea , and multitudes of good christians flocked thither from other parts , which so provoked the divel to envy , that he stirred up the pope to send inquisitors , which erected an inquisition in that city , and for divers years the pope sent them money to distribute amongst their flies , and such persons as would betray the faithful to them : by this means many of the worthy servants of jesus christ were apprehended , imprisoned , and after a while sent to rome to be there butchered . then was a new-found manner of death inflicted upon divers others , never till then heard of , whereby they were drowned in the bottome of the sea ; the manner of it was thus ; after any of them had received the sentence of death by the inquisitors , an iron chain was fastned about their middle , with a very heavy stone tyed thereto , then were they laid upon a plank between two boats , and so rowed to an appointed place in the sea , where the boats parting asudder , the martyrs presently sunk into the bottome of the sea and were drowned . yet notwithstanding this cruelty , many godly persons ceased not to assemble together in a place appointed for that purpose , where they talked and discoursed of heavenly matters for their spiritual edification , and made collections for the relief of the poor amongst them . and anno . they called to them a minister of the gospel , and constituted a church , where they enjoyed all the ordinances with much comfort : but some false brethren creeping in amongst them , after a while betrayed them ; then were many apprehended , cast into the sea and drowned : others were sent to rome , where they were cast into prison till they rotted and dyed there . amongst others that were condemned to be drowned at venice , was one mr. anthony ricetto : to whom after his condemnation , his sonne , a youth about twelve years old , came , beseeching him with tears to yield , that his life might be saved , and himself not left fatherlesse : to whom he answered , a good christian is bound to forgoe children , goods , yea , and life it self for the maintenance of gods honour and glory : for which cause ( said he ) i am now resolved to lay down my life , the lord assisting me . the lords of venice offered to restore to him his patrimony , which was partly morgaged , and partly sold , if he would submit to the church of rome ; but he resolutely refused that condition . not long after came a captain to him , and told him of one francis sega , his prison-fellow , that wa● resolved to recant : to whom he answered , what tell you me of sega ? i am resolved to performe my vows to the lord my god : then was he carried forth bound to the boats , and by the way a priest presented him with a wooden crosse , exhorting him to recant , &c. but he on the contrary perswaded him and others to come out of the snares of the divel , and to cleave to jesus christ , and to live , not according to the flesh , but according to the spirit ; for , said he , otherwise your unbelief will bring you into the lake of fire that never shall be quenched . when he came to the place where he was to suffer , the captain lastned the chain and stone to him , whereupon , lifting his eyes to heaven , he said , father forgive them , they know not what they do . lord jesus , into thy hands do i commend my spirit ; and so in the sea he ended his life . a few dayes after one mr. francis spinola was apprehended and committed to prison , and when he was brought forth before the inquisitors , they shewed him a treatise about the lords supper , demanding whether he was the author of it , which he acknowledged , avouching that the doctrine that was contained therein was agreeable to the holy scriptures . then was he return'd to his prison , where the aforementioned sega was , who waiting for his coming , as he passed by , saluted him by his name ; after which they conferred together about the doctrine of the gospel ; and sega having heard that spinola had stood stoutly in the confession of the truth , he was much comforted , saying , that god had reserved him for such a time as this to make him partaker of so great consolation . shortly after the jailor told sega that he was to die one hour within night , at the hearing whereof he entreated spinola to pray with him , and after prayer he said , that his soul was heavy unto death . spinola answered , fear not , for it will not be long before your soul shall partake of those joyes which shall endure for ever . at the appointed time he was fetched out of the dungeon , where he took his leave of spinola and the other prisoners : as he went into the boat , a friar perswaded him to return to the church of rome ; sega answered , that he was already in the way to our lord jesus christ , and so passing on , he called upon the name of god : he seemed to be a little amazed at the fastning of the chaine and stone to his body , yet presently recollecting his spirits , he took it patiently , and so commending his soul into the hands of god , he quietly slept in the lord. spinola being again called before the inquisitors , he boldly reproved the popes legate , and the other judges , for that contrary to their consciences they persecuted the truth of god , calling them the off-spring of the pharisees , &c. the third time that he was called before them , they asked him if he would not recant his errours ? he answered , that the doctrine which he maintained was not erroneous , but the same truth which christ and his holy apostles taught , and for which all the martyrs , both in former and later times , did willingly lay down their lives , and endured the pains of death . yet after all this , spinola by the crafty perswasions of some seeming friends , began to strike saile and to faint ; but , through gods goodnesse , he soon recovered again , and being called before the judges , he openly confirmed the truth , and so had sentence passed upon him that he should be drowned as an heretick . to which he answered , i am no heretick , but the servant of jesus christ ; at which words the popes legate commanded him silence , and told him that he lyed ; the night after he was conveyed into the sea , and there drowned , praising and blessing god with invincible constancy . anno . there was at rome a young englishman , who going into a church , and seeing their grosse idolatry , was so inflamed with zeal that he could not endure the sight of those horrible impieties , and therefore he went out into the church porch , and as the procession passed by him , he waited till the bishop came that did bear the host , and then stepping forwards , he plucked it out of his hands , threw it to the ground , saying aloud , ye wretched idolaters , do ye fall down to a morsel of bread ? this so provoked the people that they had almost torn him in pieces , and yet they spared him and sent him to prison . complaint being made to pope clement the eighth , he was so incensed that he appointed him to be burnt the same day ; but some of the cardinals advised that he should rather be kept in prison , and examined by exquisite torments to find out his abettors and setters on . this accordingly was put in practice , yet could they draw nothing from him but these words , such was the will of god. then was he adjudged to be led from the capitol , naked to his middle , and to wear on his head the form of a devil , his breeches to be painted over with flames of fire , and so to be carried all about the city , and then to be burnt alive . when he heard this sentence , he lift up his eyes to heaven , and implored the help of almighty god. as he passed through the streets he was mocked and derided of all the people , but he continued his fervent prayers to god ; at last he spake something against the filthy lives of the cardinals , which so enraged them , that they caused him to be gagged , which cruelty he patiently endured . when he came before the church where he cast down the idol , the hangman cut off his right hand , and set it on a pole in the cart to which he was tied ; then did two tormentors with flaming torches scorch and burn his flesh all the way as he went through the city of rome , all which he bore with admirable patience ; by that he came to the place where he was to be executed , his body was all over scorched , blistred and bloody , having no part free but his head ; then was he taken from the cart , and seeing the post to which he should be tied , he went of himself to it , and kneeling down , kissed the chains which should bind him to it ; the friars urged him to worship an idol which they presented to him , but he turning away his face shewed his detestation of it , holding on his christian course unto the end : and when the flames of fire seized on him , he bowed his head , and quietly yielded up his soul to god. the same year there was an old godly man that had long lain in the inquisitors dungeons , who was at last brought forth and condemned ; after which the friars brought to him a crucifix , importuning him to kisse and adore it ; he seeing their impudence , said unto them ; if you take not this idol out of my sight , ye will constrain me to spit upon it ; the friars hearing this , sent him away immediately to the fire , where with great courage and constancy he resigned up his spirit unto god. chap. xxix . the life and martyrdom of william gardiner in portugal , anno christi , . william gardiner was born at bristol , and well educated , and when he was grown up , was placed with one master paget , a merchant , by whom when he was twenty six years old , he was sent into portugal to lisbone , the regal city , to be a factor : there he learned the countrey language , and became a profitable servant both to his master and others . he was careful to keep close to god , and to avoid the superstitions of that countrey , and there being divers good men in that city , he associated himself with them , used good conference , and often bewailed to them his own weaknesse , as being neither sufficiently humbled for his sins , nor yet enflamed with a love of godlinesse as he ought : he had also good books which privately he made much use of . now whilst he was here abiding , it so fell out that a great marriage was to be solemnized betwixt the king of portugals sonne , and the king of spains daughter . great preparations were made for it , and a great concourse there was of persons of all ranks that came to it ; and upon the wedding day they went to church in great pomp ; and amongst multitudes of spectators , william gardiner made one , rather for the novelty of the businesse , than for any desire that he had to see their ceremonies , and going to church early in the morning , he got a convenient place to hear and see in . when all were come to church , a cardinal began to say masse : the people standing with great silence and devotion : the fight of these superstitions did wonderfully grieve the mind of william gardiner , not so much to see the folly of the common people , as to see that the king himself , and so many sage nobles should be led away with such abominable idolatry ; wherewith he was so exceedingly moved in his spirit , that he had much ado to refrain himself from doing something whereby he might manifest his dislike ; but the great throng that he was in , hindred him , that he could not come neere to the altar . when all was ended he returned home very sad , seeking out solitary places , where falling down prostrate before god , with many tears he bewailed the neglect of his duty , and studied how he might revoke that people from their impiety and superstition . at length his mind was fully setlet not to defer the matter any longer , whereupon he renounced the world , exactly made up all his accounts , both what he owed , and what was owing to him to a farthing . then did he continue night and day in prayer unto god , and in continual meditation of the holy scriptures , so that he would scarce take any meat by day , or sleep by night , as one pendigrace his bed-fellow testified . the sabbath following masse was to be celebrated with the like solemnity ; whereupon william gardiner went early in the morning handsomely apparalled to church , setting himself neer to the altar ; after a while the king and states came ; gardiner with a new testament in his hand , stood near the altar , privately reading it all the while . a cardinal began the masse , consecrated the host , lifted it up an high , shewed his god to the people , they adored it : yet gardiner contained himself all this while . then the cardinal took the host , tossed it to and fro about the chalice , made divers circles , &c. with that gardiner stept to him , took the host out of his hand , and trampled it under his feet , and with his other hand overthrew the chalice . at first all that were present stood amazed ; then arose a great tumult , and one drawing his dagger wounded gardiner in the shoulder , and as he was about to have slain him , the king commanded him to forbear , whereby his life was saved for the present ; the tumult being ceased , the king demanded of him what countryman he was ? he answered , most noble king , i am not ashamed of my countrey , i am an englishmam by birth and religion , and came hither as a merchant , and seeing so great idolatry committed in this famous assembly , i neither ought , nor could any longer suffer it : neither could i forbear doing what you have seen : which thing , most noble prince , was not done in contempt of your presence , god is my witness , but to seek the salvation of this people . the king hearing that he was an englishman , and considering what alteration of religion king edward had made , presently conceited that he was suborned by some body to do this in scorn to their religion ; wherefore he asked him who was the authour and procurer of this act ? gardiner answered that he was not moved thereunto by any man , but only by his own conscience ; for , saith he , there is no man under heaven , for whose sake i would put my self into such manifest danger , but that i owed this service first to god , and then to your salvation : and if i have done any thing which is dispeasing to you , you ought to impute it to no man , but to your self , who so i●reverently use the holy sacrament of the lords supper to so great idolatry , &c. whilst he thus stoutly spake to the king , by reason of the losse of much blood by his wound , he was ready to faint . whereupon chirurgions were sent for to cure him , that he might be reserved for further torments . then were all other englishmen in the city clapped up in prison , especially his bed-fellow , who was grievously tormented and examined more then all the rest , and scarcely delivered after two years imprisonment ; the rest got off sooner . they searched also all his writings and letters , to see if they could find out any confederates ; then they went to him seeking by torments to extort the author of this fact . they also invented a new kind of torment , exceeding phalaris his brazen bull ; which was this : they made a ball of linnen cloth , which with violence they thrust down his throat to the bottom of his stomack , and with a string fastned to it , they pulled it up again ; and this they did divers times , which caused as bitter pains as the pains of death ; but when by this means they could get no confession from him , they asked him if he did not repent of his wicked fact ? whereto he answered , that he was so far from repenting , that if it were to do again he should do it : yet was he somewhat sorry that it was done in the kings presence , to his disturbance , but they were not to blame him for it , but the king was rather to be blamed , who having power , would not prohibit so great idolatry . when they had used all kinds of torments , and that he was so weakned thereby , that he was not like to live long , they first cut off his right hand , then carried him into the market-place , where they cut off his other hand also : then fastning a rope about his middle , with a pully they hoisted him up an high , and making a great fire under him , they let him down , so that his feet only felt the fire , and so often pulling him up and down , they burned him by degrees : and yet in all these great torments he remained constant , and the more terribly that he burnt , the more earnestly he prayed ; when his feet were consumed , they asked him whether he yet did not repent him of his deed ? exhorting him to call upon our lady and the saints . he answered that what torments soever they used , the truth was the same : that which he had confessed in his life , he would not deny at his death ; and that when christ ceased to be our advocate he would pray to our lady , &c. and when they laboured to stop his p●aying to , and praising of god , he with a loud voice reheased the . psalm : which being almost ended , the rope was burned in sunder , so that his body fell down into the fire , where he changed his momentany pains for eternal rest . but the lord suffered not this cruelty to go altogether unpunished in this life ; for a spark of the fire wherewith he was burned , was driven by the wind into the haven , where it set on fire one of the kings great ships , and consumed it : the new-married prince also died within half a year , and the king himself not long after . the martyrdom of a christian jew in constantinople , anno christi , . this jew dwelling ar constantinople , through gods grace , was there converted , baptized , and became a good christian ; which the turks understanding , were vehemently exasperated against him for it , fearing lest his conversion should prove very prejudicial to their mahumetan religion , and therefore they apprehended and cruelly murthered him , and for his greater infamy they cast out his dead body into the open streets , forbidding all strictly to bury it . thus his dead body lay in the streets nine dayes ; yet , through the power of god , it corrupted not at all , yea there proceeded from it a certain delectable sent or odour , which much astonished the turks , so that at last they took it up , and carried it out of the city , and buried it . chap. xxx . the persecution of the church in germany , which began , anno christi , . the gospel being spread abroad in germany , by the means and ministry of luther , and his fellow-labourers , the pope having tried all other means for the suppressing of it , and finding them ineffectual , he at last provokes the emperour charles the fifth by war to destroy the protestants , and for that end gives him two hundred thousand crowns in money for the maintenance of these wars , and ties himself at his own cost to maintain twelve thousand foot and five hundred horse for six moneths ; yea out of his zeale for the cause , he allows the emperour the one half of the revenues of the clergy , and gives him leave to sell off abby-lands to the value of five hundred thousand crowns , whereupon great preparation was made for this war both in germany , spain , and italy , the consideration wherereof caused the confederate protestant princes to raise a great army also for their own defence ; upon which occasion they were proclaimed guilty of high treason by the emperour . the two armies lay near together , and the protestants offered battel to the emperour , but he refused , assuring himself that they could not long continue together : the army of the protestants was commanded by the duke of saxony , and the lantgrave of hessen , who did not concur very well in their counsels ; besides they wanted both victuals and money , so as they were forced to dislodge and retire further off : the emperour following , forced the elector to fight with disadvantage ; and god who doth not alwaies prosper the better cause , gave the victory to the emperour , the duke of saxony and the lantgrave being taken prisoners , anno . presently after ensued a great persecution in many places : authority armed with laws and rigour , striving against simple verity : it was lamentable to hear how many poor men were troubled , both ministers and christians ; some tossed from place to place ; others exiled out of their own countryes ; some driven into woods , and forced to dwell in caves ; some tormented upon the rack , and some burned with fire and faggot ; amongst others , two young men were burnt at bruxels , viz. henry voes and john esch , formerly augustine-friars ; when they came before the inquisitors they were examined what they did believe ? they answered , the books of the old and new testament , wherein were contained the articles of the creed . then were they asked whether they did not believe the decrees of the councels and fathers : they answered such as were agreeing to the scriptures , they believed , &c. when they were condemned , they gave thanks to god their heavenly father , which of his great goodnesse had delivered them from that false and abominable religion , making them priests to himself , and receiving them to himself as a sacrifice of a sweet odour ; they went joyfully to the place of execution , protesting that they died for the glory of god and the doctrine of the gospel as true christians , and that it was the day which they had long desired ; they joyfully embraced the stake , and endured patiently the torments of the fire , singing psalmes , and rehearsing the creed in testimony of their faith ; whereupon one said to them , that they should take heed of glorifying themselves so foolishly ; but of them answered , god fobid that we should glory in any thing but in the crosse of our lord jesus christ ; when the fire was kindled at their feet , one of them said , methinks you do strow roses under my feet ; presently after they quietly slept in the lord. henry being before demanded if luther had seduced him : he answered , even so as christ seduced his apostles . the year after there was one henry sutphen , who , having been with luther , came to antwerp , from which he was driven for his religion ; then did he go to breme , where he was requested by some godly citizens to preach to them , and the citizens hearing him preach the gospel so sin●rely , they were so in love with his doctrine , that they requested him to tarry amongst them to be their minister ; but the popish clergy presently complained of him to the magistrates , accusing him of heresie , and desiring that he might be banished the town ; but not prevailing there , they complained to the archbishop , and sent their chaplains daily to his sermons to entrap him in his words : but it pleased god so to work upon them by his ministery , that most of them were converted , and did openly witness that he taught nothing but the truth of god. not long after he was set for to meldorp , to preach the gospel to them also ; wherefore he thought good to try what god would work by him there ; but the citizens of breme were very unwilling to part with him , because the gospel had not as yet took much deep root amongst them , and because the persecution was very great , &c. yet sutphen alledged , that in diethmarch there was more need of his labours , the people being as sheep amongst wolves , and that with a safe conscience he could not deny their request , and that he did not intend utterly to forsake breme , but only for a moneth or two , after which he would return to them again . so having made all things ready , he went into diethmarch to meldorp , were he was joyfully received . but before he began to preach , the divel and his instruments began to fret and fume , and consulting together , they resolved to hinder him from preaching , fearing that if the people once heard his doctrine , it would be too late to stop it ; hereupon they grievously complained to the magistrates , telling them that if they suffered this heretick to preach , he would infect all the country as he had done at breme , and that it would be a most gratefull service if they would put him to death . this so far prevailed with these ignorant men , that they resolved that he should be put to death unseen and unheard : they wrote also to forbid him to preach , whereunto , he answered , that since he was come at the request of the whole parish to preach , he resolved to answer that call , and rather to obey god than man , and that if god had determined that there he should lose his life , there was as near a way to heaven from thence as from any other place ; assuring himself that sooner or later he must die for the gospels sake : and accordingly the next day he preached , and the people so liked him , that they resolved to have him for their preacher , and to defend him to their power ; in the afternoon he preached again ; afterwards also he preached a third time with such a spirit and grace , that all men admired him , praying god earnestly that they might long enjoy such a preacher ; but his enemies were not all this while idle : for going to the rulers of the country , they procured some of them to joyn with them , and privately raised five hundred men , with whom they went in the night time to meldorp , brake into the house where sutphen lay , pulled him out of his bed naked , and in their rage had almost pulled him to pieces : they then bound him , and asked him for what cause he came into diethmarch ? he gently declared it to them , yet they led him away barefoot : so that his feet being pitifully cut with the ice , he desired a horse to ride on , for which they jeared him , saying , must we provide an horse for an heretick ? thou shalt go on foot whether thou wilt or no : afterwards they bound him with chains , and set him in the stocks : then was he removed to another place and shut up in a cupboard ; the next day binding him , hands , feet and neck , they carried him forth to be burned . then a certain woman came to them , and proffered her self to suffer two thousand stripes , and to give them a great summe of mony if they would but respite his life till he had a publick hearing , but they threw her underfoot and trod upon her ; they also fell upon sutphen , cutting and mangling of him in several parts : the fire was often kindled , yet would not burn ; then they fell upon him again , cutting and slashing him , and at last bound him to a ladder , and threw him into the fire , and when he began to pray , one of them him struck , saying , thou shalt first be burnt , and then pray and prate thy fill ; another trode upon his breast , and another endeavoured to strangle him : another ran him through with an halberd : another struck him on the breast with a mace till he died : and lastly they rosted him upon the coals , and so he finished his martyrdom . about the same time many other godly persons were thrown into the river of rhene and drowned , and in the town of diethmarch another faithful servant of god suffered martyrdom . in hala a godly preacher was slain by a company of cut-throats , set on by the friars . and not long after the town of miltenburg was taken , sacked , many slain , and others imprisoned for maintaining caralostadius to be their preacher : two other godly persons were burned at vienna . also a godly minister for reproving sin in his prince sharply , was condemned to be hanged , and a cruel gentleman with a troop were sent to apprehend and hang him : the gentleman when he came to his house saluted him friendly ; pretending that he came to make good cheer with him , for he was a good house-keeper , and the gentlemen of the country used oft to resort to him ; the minister in a short time prepared ▪ a sumptuous banquet for them , whereof they ate freely . dinner being ended , the gentleman said to his men , take this priest our host and hang him without delay : his servants astonished hereat , abhorred to do the deed , saying , god forbid that we should commit such a crime , as to hang a man that hath used us so courteously , it s a wicked act thus to render evil for good , &c. but the gentleman still provoked them to accomplish his command : then did the minister say , i beseech you shew not such cruelty upon me , rather lead me to purge my self to my prince , before whom i doubt not to purge my self from any thing wherewith i shall be charged , neither so violate ye the lawes of hospitality which i have shewed to you and to other noble men , which used to resort to my house ; besides consider what a sting this act will leave in your consciences : for i have faithfully and truly taught the doctrine of the gospel , and that 's the principal cause that my prince bears me this ill will , &c. but whatsoever this good man could say in his own behalf , the wicked gentleman continued resolute , provoking his servants to accomplish that which he commanded them , withal saying to the minister , you shall gain nothing by your preaching in this sort , for i am fully determined that the princes will shall be fulfilled . at last the servants took the minister , and with great lamentation and mourning , hanged him upon a beam in his own house , the gentleman standing by and looking on . also about the same time there was a godly learned minister , called master peter spengler in a town called schlat , who faithfully discharged the duty of his place , and was much beloved for his affable and courteous carriage : he was also a great peace-maker , and very prudent in composing differences , well studied in the scriptures , whereby he saw that persecution was at hand , the enemies of the truth beginning now to rage , and proudly to lift up their heads ; yea shortly after he saw many bodies of the saints cruelly tormented , beaten , exiled , drowned and burned ; and to the end that he might not defile himself with fornication , he married his maid , who was one that feared god , and by whom afterwards he had many children . about this time there was a great commotion of the boores , who went to abbies and monasteries , robbing , plundering , and spoiling what they could not carry away ; one company of them came to his house , whom he entertained kindly , yet they ransacked and robbed him of all , even to his very apparel , not leaving him so much as a pair of stockings , though he laboured to convince them of their wickednesse ; as they were going out of his house he fell a weeping , and said to them , i tell you that this your wickednesse will in the end bring much mischief upon your selves ; you pretend the gospel , but walk contrary to the rules of it , &c. but for his good counsel they requited him with scoffs and jeers . it pleased god not long after , that this faithful pastor in the night-time was taken by a company of popish souldiers , who bound him hands and feet with a great rope , and so carried him away to friburg : it would have grieved any heart to hear the barbarous and despightful taunts and scoffs that they gave him ; from thence they carried him to another place , where they cast him into prison , cruelly tormented him in his privy members , and other parts of his body , and at last adjudged him to death ; as he was going to execution , he said , i shall be an acceptable sacrifice to my saviour jesus christ , who hath given me a quiet conscience , as knowing my self innocent from the crimes objected against me : for my death , it is all one whether i die thus or no ; for if you had let me alone , i must shortly have forsaken this skin , which already scarcely hangs to my bones . i know that i am a mortal and corruptible worme , i have long desired my last day , and have oft prayed that i might be delivered out of this mortal body , to be joyned with my saviour jesus christ , &c. then was he cast headlong into the river : which afterwards for a certain space was as red as blood . another godly man there was , who ( after the commotion raised by the anabaptists was quieted ) was apprehended under pretence that he was one of them , and cast into prison , in which he was long detained , and at last they hoisted him up with a cord , with a great stone fastned to his feet , where they kept him six hours , so that the sweat that dropped from his body , through pain and anguish , was almost blood : at last his strength ●ailing , they let him down with great violence : where he lay as a stock almost dead , only they perceived him to breath ; then did they use means to recover him , and gave him some food , after which they let him down into a deep dungeon : there he continued eighteen dayes , in the end whereof they took him forth , and examined him of divers things , which he denied : then did they devise sundry kinds of torments to force him to accuse himself falsly , yet he constantly denied it : afterwards they hired an hangman who left no kind of cruelty unpractised upon him : yet at length he was constrained to give over his cruelty , and pronounce the man innocent , in that he had constantly endured so many and grievous torments : then did they again cast him into the dungeon , and in the mean time suborned two false witnesses against him , whereupon they condemned him unheard , and having let down a cord , they drew him up out of the dungeon to his execution ; as he was going to it , a friar perswaded him to confesse his sins in his eare , and he would absolve him , and so he should go to heaven : to whom he answered , thou wicked friar , get thee from me , i have long since bewailed my sins to god , and obtained absolution at the hands of my saviour jesus christ , and therefore i have no need of thy absolution , &c. at the place of execution , after he had made his prayer to god , and vindicated his own innocency , his head was cut off . these were written by oecolampadius . wolfgang scuch coming to hippolitus in lorrain , was chosen to be their pastor , where through gods blessing upon his ministry , he mightily prevailed with the people to bring them from darknesse to light , so that they forsook their former idolatry , and abolished the masse , and other superstitious practices from amonst them , which much enraged their popish neighbours about them , so that they complained to the duke that they had not only fallen from the pope , but went about to cast off their obedience to him , and to shake off his authority : this so provoked the indignation of the duke , that he threatned utterly to destroy the town with fire and sword ; wolfgang being informed hereof , wrote to the duke in most humble wise , defending his ministry and the doctrine which he taught , and the whole cause of the gospel ; he also excused the people as innocent and guiltlesse , confuted the slanders of their malicious adversaries , and professed their ready and willing subjection to that authority which god had placed over them ; but this epistle prevailed nothing by reason of the virulent accusations of their enemies ; whereupon to save the town from ruine , he went of his own accord to the duke to render an account of his doctrine , thereby deriving all the odium and danger upon himself . as soon as he came thither he was apprehended and cast into a straight and stinking prison ▪ where he was most cruelly handled by the churlish jailor : in this plight he remained a whole year , and yet would not shrink from his constancy , though besides his hard usage , he had a wife and five or six small children to care for : then was he called to justifie his faith , which he did wittily and learnedly confuting all that did oppose him : and though they called him heretick , judas , divel , &c. yet he regarded it not , but went on confirming his doctrine by the scriptures : but when his adversaries could not make their part good against him , they took his bible and burned it , and proceeded to condemn him to be burned ; which sentence when he heard pronounced against him , he sang the . psalm . when he came to the place of his martyrdom , they asked him if he would have his pain shortned , he answered no : for saith he , god that hath been with me hitherto , i trust will not now leave me when i have most need of him . when faggots were heaped about him , he sang the . psalm , and so continued singing till the flame and smoak took away his voice and life . shortly after the commendator that sate as chief judg upon him , died suddenly : also his fellow judge hearing the sudden noise of some guns that went off at the coming of the king of denmak into the town , was so overcome with fear , that he suddenly fell down and died . one john huglin , a minister , was burned at mersperg for religion , anno christi . at munchen in bavaria , one george carpenter was apprehended and cast into prison for his religion , and at last was brought forth before the judges , where he stoultly defended the truth , refusing to recant ; then came a schoolmaster to him , saying , my friend , dost thou not feare death ? wouldst thou not fain return to thy wife and children ? to whom he answered , were i at liberty , whether should i go but to my dear wife and children ? then said the schoolmaster , recant your errours and you shall be set at liberty : george answered , my wife and my children are so dear to me , that they cannot be bought from me with all the riches and possessions of the duke of bavaria : but for the love of my lord god i willingly forsake them all . when he went to execution , being again perswaded to recant , he said , i will confesse christ this day before the whole world , for he is my saviour , and in him do i believe . when he was bound to the ladder , some christian brethren desired him , that as soon as he was cast into the fire , he would give them some sign of the truth of his faith ; to whom he said , this shall be my signe , that so long as my tongue can wag i will not cease to call upon the name of jesus . he never changed his countenance , but chearfully went to the fire , and crying continually jesus , jesus , he joyfully yielded up his spirit unto god. also one leonard keyser , a bavarian , being a student at wittenburg , was sent for to come home , his father lying upon his death-bed ; but so soon as he was come , he was apprehended at the command of the bishop ; and though the duke of saxony , and his own friends solicited very earnestly to the bishop for his life , yet he proceeded to condemn him , and delivered him over to the secular magistrate . as he was led to the place of execution , he said , o lord jesus , remain with me , sustain and help me , and give me strength ; when the fire was ready to be kindled , he cryed out with a loud voyce , o jesus , i am thine , have mercy upon me , and save me , and so he quietly slept in the lord. the martyrdome of a godly minister in hungary . a cruel bishop in hungary took a godly minister for preaching the truth ; and caused hares , geese , and hens to be tied round about his naked body , and then set dogs upon him , that cruelly rent and tore whatsoever they could catch , so that he died thereof ; but god left not this cruelty unrevenged ; for shortly after the bishop fell mad , and raving , died miserably . chap. xxxi . the persecutions of the church in the low-countries , in holland there was a grave widow called wendelmuta , to whom it pleased god to reveal his truth , and she became a zealous professour of it , for which she was apprehended and cast into prison , and afterwards brought forth at the sessions , where many monks perswaded her to recant , but could not prevail . many also of her kindred and other women were suffered to perswade with her , amongst which was a noble matron , who coming to her , said , my wendelmuta , why dost thou not keep those things which thou believest secret in thy heart , that thou mayest prolong thy life ? to whom she answered , truly you know not what you say ; for with the heart man beleeves to righteousnesse , but with the tongue confession is made to salvation . then was she condemned to be burnt to ashes , and her goods to be confiscated , which sentence she took patiently and quietly . at the place of her execution a monk brought her a crosse , and bade her to kisse and worship her god , to whom she said , i worship no woodden god , but only that god which is in heaven ; and so with a merry and joyful countenance she went to the stake , desiring the executioner to knock it in fast that it might not fall ; being bound to it , she ardently commended her soul into the hands of god ; when she was to be strangled she modestly closed her eyes , and bowed down her head as one that went to sleep ; after which she was burned to ashes . anno . there were two godly and learned men apprehended in colen , and cast into prison , where they were kept a year and an half , and the sweating sicknesse raging exceedingly at that time in germany , the popish clergy preached that the way to pacifie gods wrath , and to remove the plague , was to cut off hereticks , whereupon these two godly men were brought out , and condemned , and presently after burned . also one nicholas , a godly man , was apprehended at antwerp , bound up in a sack , cast into the river and drowned . also pistorius , a learned and godly preacher , coming from wittenburg into holland , preached against the masse , popish pardons , &c. whereupon he was cast into prison amongst . malefactors , whom he instructed , and much comforted in their distressed condition ; and one of them being half naked , he gave him his gown ; his father visiting him in prison , encouraged him to constancy : at last he was condemned and carried forth to execution with a fools coat on his back ; when he was tied to the stake , he said , o death , where is thy victory ? and so he was first strangled , and then burned . another for speaking against the masse and reliques , was hanged in suevia . another godly minister being commanded to go to sixteen men that were to be beheaded , to counsel and comfort them at their death : when they were executed , was himself bidden to kneel down , and so they cut off his head . also george scherter , a godly minister , that took great pains in instructing his people in the knowledge of the gospel in a town near salizburg , was apprehended and cast into prison , where he wrote a confession of his faith , and afterwards was condemned , first to be beheaded , and then burned . as he went to the execution he said to the spectators , that you may know that i die a true christian , i will give you a signe : and accordingly when his head had been cut off , so long as whilst a man might eat an egge , his body all the while lying upon the belly , it turned it self upon the back , crossing the right foot over the left , and the right hand over the left : by which miracle many were induced to believe the gospel . another godly man was burned at dornick . anno . a godly minister not far from basil , was murthered in his own house by a popish priest , whom he had kindly entertained ; many other ministers about that time , were , some drowned , some beheaded . anno . notice was taken that there were divers godly persons in lovain , whereupon an inquisitor came from bruxels thither , and having gotten a company of souldiers , in the night time he brake into their houses , plucking men and women out of their beds from their children , and casting them into prison : thither the doctors of lovain came , thinking either to convert them or confound them ; but the spirit of god assisting his saints , the doctors went away confounded themselves : then did they cruelly torment every one of them by themselves ; amongst these an aged minister of about sixty years old was condemned to perpetual imprisonment in a dark and stinking dungeon , where he could neither read nor write , nor might any man come to him , and he was fed onely with bread and water . two were burnt alive in the fire ; an aged man was beheaded : two aged women were buried quick : others for refusing to do pennance , were burned also ; all which took their death very patiently and cheerfully . the year after in the same university of lovain , was one master persival , a very learned and godly man , cast into prison , and because he could by no means be brought to recant , he was adjudged to perpetual imprisonment , and there to be fed only with bread and water : neither would they suffer the citizens to send any relief to him : shortly after he was made away in prison . also one justus insberg in the same city , for having a new testament and some of luthers sermons found in his house , was cast into prison , and command given that none should speak with him . at the same time there were prisoners , in a room under him , aegidius and encenas metioned before , whose door being left open accidentally , they went to this poor man ▪ and much confirmed and strengthned him in the faith , insomuch as when the lovain doctors came to perswade him to recant , he before them all made a bold confession of his faith , from which he would not be disswaded , whereupon he was condemned and beheaded . about the same time there was one giles tilleman , a cutler at bruxels , who by diligent reading of the scriptures , through gods grace , was converted , and became very zealous for the truth ; he was also very humble , mild , and merciful ; whatsoever he could spare from his own necessity , he gave it to the poor , living by his trade himself ; some he refreshed with meat , others with cloathing ; to others he gave shooes , to others houshold-stuffe ; to others he ministred godly exhortations for their edification . one poor woman being delivered of a child , and wanting a bed to lye on , he sent her his bed ; and himself was content to lie on the straw ; at last he was discovered and cast into prison ; where much pains was taken to bring him back to popery , but alwayes his adversaries went away with shame ; after eight months imprisonment he was sent to bruxels to be judged , in which place he comforted many that he found in prison there , exhorting them to constancy that they might attain the crown ; most of his food he divided amongst them , contenting himself with some few scraps : he was so ardent in prayer , kneeling by himself in some secret place , that often he forgat himself ; and being many times called to his meat , he neither heard , nor saw them that stood by him till he was lifted up by the armes . divers friars coming to reduce him , he would still request them to go their wayes , for he was at a point ; and when they reviled him , he would not answer them again , insomuch as they reported abroad that he had a dumb devil in him . but when they spake of matters of religion , he answered them freely , mightily confuting them by the scriptures ; often he might have escaped , the prison doors being set open , but he would not , that he might not bring his keeper into trouble ; afterwards he was removed to another prison , where they sought by torments to enforce him to recant : and when all would not prevail , he was condemned to the fire ; which when he heard of , he gave hearty thanks to god for that the hour was come wherein he might glorifie his name . seeing a great pile of wood prepared for his burning , he desired that most of it might be taken away and given to the poor ; for a little , said he , will serve to burn me : and seeing a poor man by that lacked shoos , he gave him his : being tied to the stake the hangman would have strangled him , but he refused , saying , it needs not , i fear not the fire , and so in the midst of the flames he gave up the ghost . anno . and . there was a great persecution all over flanders , so that there was neither town nor city in all the countrey , wherein some were not banished , beheaded , or condemned to perpetual imprisonment : neither was there any respect either of age or sex : but especially at gaunt , many of the chief men were burned for religion . also at the emperours going to bruxels , there was a terrible persecution and slaughter made of gods people in brabant , artois , &c. so that two hundred men and women were apprehended at one time , whereof some were drowned , some buried quick , some privily made away : others sent to perpetual prison ; yea so many others were put to death , that the hands of the hangman were tired with slaying of men . anno . there was one martin , at gaunt , a fishmonger , who lived very dissolutely to his old age ; but it pleased god by a sermon that he heard , to bring him to the knowledge of the truth and to repentance for his former sins , whereupon he left gaunt , and sought out the company of godly christians , who used much reading of the scriptures , by whom he was further instructed and grounded in the truth ; then after three moneths he returned to the city again , where he visited the captives in prison , comforted them in persecution , and confirmed them in the truth which were led to the fire . the friars seeing this , though formerly he had been very bountiful to them , yet now they conspired against him , whereby he was laid in bands , and by sharp and cruel torments they would have enforced him to recant , but not prevailing , he was condemned , and his goods confiscated ; as he stood at the stake , a friar said to him , martin , except thou dost turn , thou shalt go from this temporal to everlasting fire , to whom he answered , it is not for you to judge me ; and so he quietly slept in the lord. the next day after two other men were burned , and a woman buried alive for the same cause , who joyfully and cheerfully suffered martyrdome . at delden two virgins of a noble stock , who frequently and diligently attended sermons , being apprehended and examined , couragiously confessed and maintained the truth , whereupon they were condemned , and the younger was first burned ; in the fire she prayed so ardently for her enemies , that the judges greatly marvelled at it ; then did they exhort the elder , that if she would not recant , yet at least that she would petition to have her punishment changed into beheading instead of burning , whereupon she answered , that she held no errour of which she had cause to repent , but the truth which was consonant to the scriptures , in which she trusted to persevere unto the end : and for the kind of her punishment she feared not the fire , but would rather follow the example of her dear sister , and so being put into the fire she quietly slept in the lord. but this was marvellous , that after their death , the bodies of them both remained white , and unhurt by the fire , whereupon some christians privily in the night buried them . anno christi , . there was in mechlin one andrew thiessen , who had three sonnes and a daughter , whom he carefully brought up in the knowledge of the truth ; after which he went into england , and there died ; two of his sonnes went into germany to study there , and after a time returned home again , instructing their mother , brother , and sister in the right knowledge of christ , which being taken notice of , they were all carried before the magistrate , and exhorted to returne to the church of rome again ; the younger brother and sister , being not so throughly grounded in the truth by reason of their yeares , yielded something and so were sent home again : the mother , who remained constant , was adjudged to perpetual imprisonment : the two elder brethren defended the truth stoutly against the friars ; disputation not prevailing , they proceeded to torments , endeavouring to know of them who was their master , and what fellows they had ? they answered that their master was christ , who bare his crosse before them ; and for fellows they had innumerable , dispersed in all places . at last they were condemned to the fire ; and at the place of execution , they began to exhort the people , whereupon bals were put into their mouths ; which through vehemency in desiring to speak , they thrust out again , intreating them for the lords sake that they might have leave to speak ; and so singing with a loud voice , they were fastened to the stake , where they prayed for their persecutors , exhorted one another , and endured the fire patiently : one of them feeling the violence of the flame , said , o what a small pain is this compared with the glory to come ! and so , committing their spirits into the hands of god , they finished their race . anno . there was a great persecution in dornick ; and amongst others there was one adrian tailor and his wife apprehended , and upon their examination , the man being somewhat timorous , relented something , and so was beheaded : but the woman , being more constant was put into an iron grate and so buried alive . there was also one master peter bruly about the same time , sometimes a preacher in strasburg , but now at the request of the faithful in dornick , a diligent preacher there ; he used to preach in houses , the door standing open ; the magistrate hearing of it , laid wait for him , shutting up the city gates , and searching three days for him ; but the brethren in the night time let him down in a basket over the wall ▪ and when he was down , one of them leaning over the wall to bid him farewel , unawares threw down a loose stone , which falling upon his leg , brake it in pieces ; he complaining of his hurt , the watchmen heard him and apprehended him . then did he give thanks to almighty god , who by that providence staid him there to bear witnesse to his truth : whilst he was in prison , he ceased not to instruct and confirm all them that came to him in the word of grace : after four moneths imprisonment he was condemned to be burnt , and his ashes to be cast into the river ; the friars took care that he should have but a small fire , that his pain might be the more increased , yet he constantly and chearfully suffered martyrdom . god made the ministry of this good man very powerful to many ; amongst others there was one peter mioce , who had lived long in all manner of wickedness and licenciousness ; but being , through gods grace , converted , he excelled all the rest of the brethren in zeale and holinesse ; at last he was apprehended , and being asked whether he was one of peter brulies disciples : he said that he was , and that he had received much benefit by his doctrine : withall professing that his doctrine was consonant to the holy scriptures ; whereupon he was let down into a deep dungeon full of toads and other vermine : afterwards he was brought forth before the senate , who had provided some friars to convert him : to whom he said , when i lived an ungodly life in all manner of vice and wickedness , you never said word to me ; but now for savouring and favouring the word of god , you seek my blood . then did they examine him about sundry articles of religion , to which whilst he was making a full answer , they cut him off , bidding him answer in two words , yea , or no ; whereupon he said , if you will not give me leave to answer fully to things of such importance , send me again to my dungeon amongst the toads and frogs , who will not interrupt me whilst i talk with my lord my god : shortly after he was condemned to be burned : and having a bag of powder hung about his neck , when the fire came to it , it gave a crack : whereupon the friars told the people , that the divel came out of him and carried away his soul to hell . a tyrannous prince in germany apprehended a godly minister , and for his constancy in the truth , put out both his eyes , and kept him a long time in prison , afflicting him with divers kinds of torments ; then did he cause him to be degraded , shaving the skin off his head , and rubbing it with salt till the blood ran down his shoulders , and paring off the ends of his fingers ; so that four days after he patiently yielded up the ghost . not long after there was a godly minister in antwerp , called christopher fabri , that was betrayed by a woman , who pretended a great zeal to religion , and was cast into prison , where he lay for a long time , and endured much misery : at last he was brought forth and condemned to be burnt alive . and when the margrave brought him forth to execution , the people having first sung psalmes , fell to casting of stones against the executioner , so as the poor prisoner being bound , and fire set to him , the margrave durst stay no longer but ran away , and so did the executioner ; but before he fled , by the command of the margrave , he took a hammer and beat out fabrie's brains , and stabbed him into the back with a dagger , so that the people running to save him from the fire found him dead : after which by the command of the margrave , he had a great stone tied about his neck , and was thrown into the river . anno . one nicholas and barbara his wife , and one austin and marrian his wife , germans by birth , went to geneva , where they lived for a space ; then returning through germany they intended to go into england , but having passed through dornick , they were discovered to the lieutenant thereof , who speedily pursuing them , overtook them ; yet at that time god delivered austin out of their hands : but nicholas and the two women were apprehended and carried back by the souldiers ; coming to an inne by the way , at table nicholas gave thanks : whereat the wicked captain swearing grievously , said , let us see , thou lewd heretick , if thy god can deliver thee out of my hand ; nicholas replyed , hath christ ever offended you that by your blasphemous swearing you thus tear him in pieces ? pray you if you have any thing against christ , rather wreak your anger upon this poor body of mine , and let the lord alone ; then did he bind them hands and feet , and carried them to burges , and cast them into the dungeon . divers friers coming to them , nicholas in disputing with them so confounded them , that they went away ashamed , saying , that he had a divel , crying , to the fire with the lutherane . afterwards the magistrate sought to pump out of nicholas what acquaintance he had in that city : but not prevailing with him , he went to his wife , and by flattering speeches and fair promises , he wrought so upon her weaknesse , that he gat out all that she knew , whereupon ensued a great persecution . shortly after nicholas was condemned to be burned , at the hearing of which sentence , he blessed the lord who had counted him worthy to be a witnesse in the cause of his dear and wel-beloved son jesus christ ; at the place of execution hew a commanded not to speak to the people , for if he did , he should have a woodden ball thrust into his mouth ; yet as he was binding to the stake , forgetting the command , he cryed out , o charles , charles , how long shall thy heart be hardned ? with that one of the souldiers gave him a great blow : then he said , ah miserable people , who are not worthy that the word should be preached to you ; the friars crying out that he had a divel , he answered them in the words of david , depart from me all ye wicked , for the lord hath heard the voice of my weeping ; and so commending his spirit into the hands of god , he ended his life in the midst of the flames . marrian was condemned to be buried quick ; and when some earth was thrown upon her , the hangman stamped upon her with his feet till she died . afterwards austin that had before escaped , was apprehended , and being examined , though by nature he was a very timorous and weak man , yet did he stand to the defence of the truth valiantly , and answered his adversaries very boldly . being condemned to be burnt , as he was going to execution , a gentleman drank to him in a cup of wine , exhorting him to pity himself , at least not to destroy his soule : austin thanked him , saying , what care i have of my soule you may see by this , in that i had rather give my body to be burned , then to sin against my conscience . being tyed to the stake and fire set to him , he heartily prayed to the lord , and so patiently departed . anno . the emperour chales the fifth , having obtruded the interim upon germany , many godly ministers were persecuted and driven from their places for opposing the same , as may be seen in my first part of lives . the city of magdenburg also for refusing it , had an army sent against it , which besieged it for a whole year together , whereby many of the godly citizens lost their lives , and others endured great miseries . but at last , gods providence so ordering of it , warre arose betwixt the emperour and the king of france , whereupon peace was granted unto magdenburg upon good terms , and the inhabitants enjoyed their former religion quietly . anno . there was one hostius born at gaunt , who for some time was a member of the french church here in london in king edwards days : but in the beginning of queen maries reign , he went vvith his family to norden in frizeland : and aftervvards having some businesse to gaunt , he went thither , where he instructed many of his friends in the truth ; and hearing that a friar used to preach good doctrine , he went to hear him ; but the friar that day defended transubstantiation , which so grieved him , that he could scarce refrain from speaking till the sermon was ended . when the friar was come down from the pulpit , he charged him for preaching false doctrine , perswading the people by the scripture , that the bread was but the sacrament of the lords body ; but the people making a tumult , carried him out of the church in a croud ; and he had not gone far before he was apprehended by an officer , and carried to prison ; then came divers friars to reason with him ; and he stood to the trial of the scriptures only , which they refused . during his imprisonment he wrote a consolatory letter to his wife , exhorting her to bring up his children in the fear of god. being condemned , he was commanded not to speak to the people ; being bound to the stake , he prayed for his enemies , and was first strangled , and then burnt . the same year there was at dornick one bertrand , who to enjoy the freedome of his conscience went to wesell ; but being desirous to draw his wife and children thither , he went thrice to dornick to perswade her to go with him ; yet could he by no means prevail with her ; then did he set his house in order , desiring her to pray that god would establish him in the work that he went about ; and on christmas day he went to the great church at dornick ; and the priest being at masse , when he was about to elevate the host , bertrand took the cake out of his hand and trampled it under his feet , saying , that he did it to shew the glory of that god that they worshipped , or rather what little power he had ; labouring to perswade them that the cake was not their saviour ; at first the people stood amazed , but presently they raised such a tumult that bertrand hardly escaped with life . the governour hearing of it , was exceedingly enraged , and sent for bertrand into the castle , asking him whether he was sorry for his fact , and whether he would do it if it were to do again ? bertrand answered , that he would , and if he had a hundred lives to lose , he would lose them all in that quarrel ; then was he thrice put to the rack and tormented cruelly to draw from him who were his setters on ; yet could they get nothing from him : then was he condemned , and drawn from the castle to the market-place with a ball of iron in his mouth : there he was set upon a stage , and had his right hand wherewith he did the fact , crushed between two hot irons with sharp edges , till the form of his hand was quite changed ; then did they bring other red hot irons for his right foot , which they used as they had done his hand , which he with marvellous patience and constancy underwent , putting out his foot of his own accord to them ; then taking the ball of iron out of his mouth , they cut out his tongue : notwithstanding which , he continually called and cryed unto god , which caused them to thrust in the ball of iron again ; then was he let down in an iron chaine upon the fire and pulled up again , and so they continued pulling up and letting him down till he was burnt to ashes , which ashes they threw into the river . from locrane in helvetia the ministers were banished , but were entertained by the tigurines . two other good men born in dornick , went into divers reform●d churches , where they increased much in knowledge and godlinesse , and at last resolved to return to dornick , to do what good they could in their own country ; and it so fell out that on a day when many good people were gone to a wood to hear the word of god preached to them by a minister of jesus christ , their adversaries having intelligence of it , followed them thither , and took about thirty of them , amongst whom were these two men , who fell to singing of psalms , supposing that they should be presently burned ; but afterwards they were condemned to be beheaded ; and so they comfortably ended their lives . also divers godly men and women suffered martyrdome at valence , amongst whom was james faber , an old man , who , when they argued with him about his religion , said , though i cannot satisfie you by reasoning , yet i can constantly abide and suffer for the truth of the gospel . also one godfride , being condemned at dornick for an heretick ; nay said he , not an heretick , but an unprofitable servant of jesus christ. when the hangman would have strangled him to ease his pain in burning , he refused , saying , that he would abide the sentence of death which was passed upon him . besides these , there were both in the upper and lower germany many others secretly made away ; some drowned : some bured quick ; some murthered in prison , &c. a godly minister was also poisoned by a priest at erford for preaching the truth of christ ; besides many others . in the city of lile the gospel was secretly preached for three years together , sometimes in houses , then in woods , fields , and caves of the earth , not without hazard of their dearest lives if they had been discovered ; yet did not dangers cool the zeal of gods people ; but what was preached , was accordingly practised amongst them ; works of mercy and charity were their exercise , not only towards those of the houshold of faith , but towards those which were without also ; so as many by means hereof were drawn and brought to the knovvledge of christ. this so enraged satan and his instruments , that anno , the time being come wherein god had given them power to try and exercise the faith of his people , they neglected not to shew their cruelty upon them : and for that end one night about ten of the clock , the provost of the city with his armed sergeants made search to see if they could find any met together ; but , by gods providence , there was no meeting of gods people at that time ; then went they to the house of one robert oguire , which was a little church ; for all in it , both small and great , were familiarly instructed in the knowledge and fear of god. being violently entred into the house , seeking up and down for their prey , they found certain books which they took away with them : but baudizon the son of robert , whom they principally sought after , was not then at home , being gone abroad to confer of the word with some of the brethren . before the provost was departed , baudizon came home , and knocked at the door . martin his younger brother , who watched for his coming , bade him presently to be gone : but he thinking that he had mistaken him for some other , continued knocking , saying , it is , i open the door . then came the sergeants and opened the door , and laying hold on him , said , ah sir , you are well met , and with that the provost arrested him in the emperours name , withall causing the father , mother , and two sons to be bound , and so carried them away towards the prison ; as they went through the streets , baudizon said aloud : oh lord , assist us by thy grace , not only to be prisoners for thy names sake , but to confess thy holy truth in all purity before men , so far as to seal the same with our blood , for the edification of thy poor church ; they were all cast into several prisons , yet remained chearfull , praising god for accounting them worthy to suffer for his truth ; and after a few dayes they were all brought forth before the magistrates , who speaking to robert oguire said ; we hear that you never come to masse ; that you disswade others from it ; that you keep conventicles in your house , where erroneous doctrine is preached , &c. robert answered , i indeed refuse to go to mass , because the death and precious blood of christ is utterly abolished there , and troden under foot , &c. and i cannot deny but there have met together in my house honest people , fearing god ; not with intention to harm any , i assure you , but for the advancement of gods glory , and the good of many , &c. then one demanded what they did when they met together ; to which baudizon ansvvered , when vve meet together in the name of our lord jesus christ to hear the word of god , vve first , falling on our knees before god , in the humility of our spirits , do make confession of our sins before his divine majesty : then we pray that the word of god may be rightly divided , and purely preached ; then we pray for our soveraign lord the emperour , that the common-wealth may be peaceably governed to the glory of god ; yea we forget not you whom we acknowledge our superiours , intreating our good god that you may maintain this city in tranquillity , &c. thus you hear what we do in our assemblies : and if you will not be offended to hear the summe of our prayers , i am ready to recite the same unto you . one of the magistrates wished him to go on , whereupon kneeling down , he prayed before them all with such fervency of affection , and ardency of zeal , that it forced the magistrates to break forth into tears ; baudizon rising up , said , your masterships may hereby take a scantling how we are imployed in our meetings . being further examined , every one of them made an open confession of his faith , and so were returned to prison again ; and not long after they were tortured upon the rack to make them confesse who they were that met at their house : but they would discover none but such as they knew were at that time out of their reach . four or five dayes after , the men were again convented before the magistrates , who asked them if they would submit themselves to the will of the magistrates : robert and baudizon said they would ; but martin the younger sonne said , he would not submit thereto , but would accompany his mother , and so he was sent back to prison ; and the father with his eldest son were presently adjudged to be burnt alive . sentence being pronounced , one of the judges said , this day shall you go to dwell with all the divels in hell fire ; then were they returned to prison , praising god , and by their patience and constancy , conquerred the rage and fury of their enemies ; in prison there came some friars to them , telling them that the hour was come wherein they must finish their dayes : they answered ; blessed be the lord our god , who now delivering our bodies out of this vile prison , will receive our souls into his glorious and heavenly kingdom . then said one of the friars , father robert , thou art an old man , i intreat thee in this thy last hour think of saving thy soule ; and if thou wilt give ear to me , i le warrant thee thou shalt do well ; robert answered , poor man , how darest thou assume that to thy self which belongs to god alone , and so rob him of his honour ? &c. another wishing him to pity his soul , he said , dost thou not see what pity i have on it , when for the name of christ i am willing to give my body to the fire , hoping to day to be with him in paradise , &c. then said a friar , out dog , thou art not worthy the name of a christian : thou and thy sonne are resolved to damne your soules with all the divels in hell . then would they have severed the father from his son , which baudizon perceiving , said , pray you let my father alone , he is an old man , hinder him not from receiving the crown of martyrdome . another friar said , away varlet , thou art the cause of thy fathers perdition . whilst baudizon was stripping and fitting himself to be sacrificed , some of the friars had fastned a crucifix in the old mans hands , perswading him that it would please the people , and that for all that , he might lift up his heart to god , &c. but so soon as baudizon saw it , he said , alasse father , what do you now ? will you play the idolater at your last hour ? and so pulling the idol out of his hand , he threw it away . at the place of execution they were set upon a scaffold , and baudizon desired leave to make a confession of his faith : answer was made , that he might confess himself to a friar if he would , which he refusing , was readily haled to the stake , where he began to sing the . psalm ; then said a friar , do you not hear what wicked errors these hereticks sing , to beguile the people withall ? baudizon hearing him , replyed : thou simple idiot , callest thou the psalms of david errours ? but no marvel , for thus are ye wont to blaspheme against the spirit of god. then seeing them about to chain his father to the stake , he said to him , be of good courage father , the worst will be past by and by . then did he often breath forth : oh god , father everlasting , accept the sacrifice of our bodies for thy well-beloved son jesus christ his sake . a friar cryed , out heretick thou liest ; god is none of thy father ; the divel is thy father . baudizon fixing his eys upon heaven , said to his father , behold , i see the heavens open , and millions of angels ready to receive us , and rejoycing to see us thus bearing witness to the truth in the view of the world . father , let us rejoyce and be glad , for the joys of heaven are opened to us . then said a friar , i see hell open , and millions of divels are ready to carry you thither . a poor man in the croud cryed out , be of good comfort baudizon , stand to it , thou fightest in a good quarrel , i am on thy side ; which words so soon as he had spoken , he departed , and so hastened himself from danger . the fire being kindled , baudizon oft said to his father , yet a very little while and we shall enter into the heavenly mansions ; the fire encreasing , the last words which they spake , were , jesus christ thou sonne of god , into thy hands we commend our spirits , and so they sweetly slept in the lord. after the death of these worthy champions of christ , many of the popish rabble were sent , if possible , to seduce the mother and son remaining in prison ; and coming to them , the first subtilty they used was to separate them asunder ; then they set upon the woman as the weaker vessel , and so wrought upon her that she began to waver and let go her first faith ; this the adversaries much rejoyced in ; and the poor flock of christ in that place hearing of it , were as much afflicted with the news ; but god left them not in this mournful condition long : for a monk one day going to her , perswaded her to draw her sonne martin to the same recantation with her self , which she promised to do ; but when they came together , martin perceiving the grievous apostacy of his mother , bewailed it with many tears , saying to her , oh mother , what have you done ? have you denied him that redeemed you ? alas what injury hath he done you that you should requite him with so great an injury and dishonour ? now am i plunged into that woe which i most feared ; ah good god that i should live to see this , which pierceth me to the very heart ? his mother hearing his pittiful complaints , and seeing him drowned in tears for her sake , began again to renew her strength in the lord , and with tears cryed out , oh father of mercies , be merciful to me miserable sinner , and cover my transgression under the righteousnesse of thy blessed son : lord enable me with strength from above to stand to my first confession , and make me to abide stedfast therein even to my last breath . presently in came the seducers , hoping to finde her in the same minde that they left her ; but she no sooner saw them , but cryed , avoid satan , get thee behind me , for henceforth thou hast nether part nor portion in me ; i will by the help of god stand to my first confession , and if i may not sign it with ink , i will seal it with my blood : and so after this time , through gods gracious assistance , she grew stronger and stronger ; then were they both condemned to be burnt alive , and their ashes to be sprinkled in the aire . when the sentence was passed , as they returned to prison , they said ; now blessed be god who causeth us thus to triumph over our enemies . this is the wished hour , our gladsome day is come ; let us not therefore forget to be thankfull for that honour that god doth us in thus conforming us to the image of his sonne . let us remember those that have troden this path before us ; for this is the high-way to the kingdom of heaven , &c. hereupon some of the friars , being ready to burst for anger , said unto martin that was most valiant , we see now heretick that thou art wholly possest body and soul with a divel , as were thy father and brother , who are now in hell . martin answered , as for your railings and cursings , god will this day turn them into blessings in the sight of himself and all his holy angels . when they came into prison , there came to them two persons of great quality , of whom one of them said to martin , young man , i have compassion on thee ; if thou wilt be ruled by me , and return to the church of rome , thou shalt not only be freed from this shameful death , but i will also give thee an hundred pounds ; martin presently replyed , sir , you present before me many temporal commodities : but alas ! do you think me so simple , as to forsake an eternal kingdome for the enjoyment of a short temporal life ? no sir , it s now too late to speak to me of worldly commodities ; i will hearken to no other speech but of those spiritual commodities which i shall enjoy this day in gods kingdome , &c. soon after martin and his mother were carried to the place of their martyrdome , and being bound to the stake , the woman said : we are christians , and that which we now suffer , is not for murther nor theft , but because we will believe no more than the word of god teacheth us . the fire being kindled , the heat of it did nothing abate the fervency of their seal , but they continued crying , lord jesus into thy hands we commend our spirits , and so they blessedly slept in the lord. a friar at gaunt called charles coninck , being through gods mercy converted to the truth , left his friars weed , and joyned himself to the brethren ; for which he was apprehended ; and remaining constant , was condemned : then came a special friend perswading him to recant , and he would procure him a cannonship : to whom charles answered , sir , i thank you for your good will and kind offer , but i cannot accept them without offending god ; and that rest is no true rest and quietnesse , which is obtained against the peace of a good conscience : shortly after his death , one of his adversaries which had the greatest hand in procuring of it ; fell into grievous terrour and horrour of conscience , whereof within a few dayes he died . the persecution of the duke de alva in the netherlands . when the light of the gospel was much spread abroad in the netherlands : king philip of spaine sent the duke de alva with a great army to root out the professors of it , who exercised unparalell'd cruelty against all sorts of persons , both of the nobility and commons , permitting his souldiers to ravish honest matrons and virgins , many times causing their husbands and parents to stand by and behold it . this duke on a time boasted at his own table that he had been diligent to root out heresie : for that beside those which he had slain in war , in the space of six years he had put into the hands of the common hangman above eighteen thousand persons . his sonne also don frederick being sent by him to zutphen , was re-received by the bourgers without any opposition , yet was he no sooner entred , but he fell to murther , hang and drown a number of the inhabitants , with infinite cruelties shewed upon wives and virgins ; yea , not sparing the very infants . from thence marching to naerden in holland , the inhabitants made an agreement with him , and he entred the town peaceably ; but never did turks or scythians , or the most barbarous and inhumane nations in the world , commit more abominable cruelties than don frederick did in this town ; for when the bourgers had given the best entertainment that they could to him and his souldiers , he caused it to be proclaimed , that they should all assemble themselves together in the chappel of the hospital , where they should be made acquainted with such laws , according to which they should hereafter govern themselves ; but when these poor people were thus assembled , he commanded his souldiers to murther them all , without sparing any one ; the men were massacred , the women were first ravished , and then murthered most cruelly , the children and infants had their throats cut , and in some houses they tied the inhabitants to posts , and then set fire on the houses , and burnt them alive ; so that in the whole town , neither man , wife , maid , nor child , old nor young were spared ; and then the town was wholly razed to the ground without pity or mercy . after this don frederick besieged harlem , which held out against him for a long time , but at last , their provision being spent , they made bread of linseed of turnups , and lived upon the flesh of horses , dogs , cats , and such like : and this also in the end failing them , they were enforced to surrender the town upon composition , by which they were to pay two hundred and fourty thousand florins to redeem themselves and town from spoil . don frederick having thus got the town into his hands , commanded that at the tolling of the great bell , all the bourgers and souldiers should bring their armes into the state-house , that the townsmen should go into the cloister of zyel , the women into the cathedral church , and the souldiers into another church , this done , all the ensigne-bearers were singled out and imprisoned , and whilst the poor bourgers were guarded in the church , the perfidious spaniards plundered their houses ; the next day this bloody don frederick caused three hundred walloons to be hanged and headed : the next day captain riperda and his lieutenant were beheaded , and a godly minister called stembach , was hanged , and two hundred fourty seven souldiers were drowned in the sea of harlem ; the next day a great number were executed , and the day following three hundred more souldiers and bourgers lost their heads , and with them a godly minister called simon simonson : presently after three of the principal men lost their heads , and shortly after all the english and scots were beheaded , and to fill up this sea of blood , all the wounded and sick were beheaded before the hospital door . in the mean time a party of souldiers that lay without in a sconce , were all starved to death . not long before , the strong town of valenciennes in henault , having set up the free exercise of the reformed religion amongst them , were presently besieged by an army under the signior of noircarmes ; the siege lasted about three months , and the citizens having no hope of relief , at last treated and surrendred the city upon good conditions ; but noircarmes being entred , he kept the city gates shut for divers dayes , and most perfidiously and barbarously hanged up all the french souldiers , with all the ministers and protestant merchants , and confiscated their goods . but besides these generals , let us also view some particulars . anno . there was in flanders one john herwin , a souldier of a very dissolute life : but god having a purpose to shew him mercy , put it into his heart to go into england , and accordingly he came to london in the beginning of queen elizabeths reigne , and by gods good providence was entertained in a brewers family , where both master and servants feared god : his master caused him often to go to the dutch church , where , by the ministry of the word he first began to tast , and afterwards more and more to increase in the saving knowledge of christ. after a while he returned back into flanders , and at furne he was presently laid wait for by the popish bailiffe ; this occasioned his removal to honscot ; and yet there also the bailiffe being informed of him , went in the night with his sergeants , and apprehended him ; by the way they met some drunkards in the streets ; whereupon the bailiffe said , we have , as they say , many gospellers in this town , but it little appears by these disorders . herwin hearing him , said , is drunkennesse a sin master bailiffe ? the bailiffe answered , what of that ? herwin replyed , why then do you not commit these men to prison , seeing it is your office to punish vice , and to protect them that fear god ? to this the bailiffe answered not . in the prison herwin behaved himself so vertuously , that every one admired him . being somewhat long before he was called before the magistrate , he was much troubled at it , his heart being inflamed with an holy zeal to confesse jesus christ before his judges . yet many of the brethren were very fearful of him , considering what his former life had been , and what a novice he as yet was in the profession of the gospel . at last he had his hearts desire , being brought before the sheriffe ; there a priest was provided to dispute with him , to whose questions herwin answered with such soundnesse of judgement and modesty , that it easily appeared that he had profited well in christs school . being asked of christs real presence in the sacrament , he answered , that the highest dwelleth not in temples made with hands , &c. whereupon he admonished his judges to examine the doctrine of the church of rome by the true touchstone of gods word , whereby they might easily see how contrary it is to the scriptures , &c. and having made a free profession of his faith , he craved justice one way or other ; but they still urged him to recant , to which he answered , my faith is not built upon mans opinion , but the lord hath taught me to eschew evil , and to do good ▪ then was he returned to prison again . during his imprisonment he was dangerously assaulted by some subtile and cunning friars , who alledged the sayings of diverse of the fathers , to prove their transubstantiation ; but he , through gods mercy , holding close to the word of christ , overcame them . in prison he used to recreate himself by singing of psalms , and the people used to flock together to the prison door to hear him ; this so angred the popish clergy , that they sought to hinder him from singing , and for this end they caused two desperate malefactors to be put into the same room with him ; but within a few dayes , these villains brake prison and escaped , leaving opportunity to herwin to escape also ; but he , fearing that his flight might be prejudicial to other godly persons in the city , upon whom it would be charged , resolved rather to remain there , than to flie : presently after news was brought him that sentence of death was passed upon him , whereupon he thanked god for advancing him to so high an honour as to be accounted worthy to suffer for his name : testifying the inward joy which he felt in his soul by a letter that he wrote to the brethren , wherein he exhorted them to constancy and perseverance in the doctrine of the truth which they had received from god : within a few dayes after he was carried forth to hear his sentence , at which time the magistrate by earnest intreaties and large promises sought to bring him to a recantation , and to worship their breaden god , promising that thereupon he should be presently released : but herwin refusing their offer of life upon those termes , was bound and carried into a chappel where they celebrated the masse ; at which time , to shew his detestation of their idolatry , he turned his back , winked with his eyes , and stopped his eares . at the elevation of the host one asked him if jesus christ was not now between the priests hands ? to which he answered , no , he is in heaven at the right hand of his father : then was the sentence of death read against him . as he was going to execution , he said to the people , see here how this wicked world rewards the poor servants of jesus christ : whilst i was a drunkard , a player at cards and dice , living in all dissolutenesse and ungodly behaviour , i was never in danger of these bonds ; yea , i was then counted a good fellow , and at that time , who but i ? but no sooner began i , through gods grace , to seek after a godly life , but presently the world made war upon me , and became mine enemy , &c. yet this discourageth me not ; for the servant is not better than his lord ; seeing they persecuted him , no question but they will persecute us . at the place of execution , one gave him his hand , and comforted him : then began he to sing the . psalm , whereupon a friar interrupted him , saying , oh john turn , there is yet time and space ; the martyr disregarding his words , turned his back upon him ; and some of the company said to the friar , turn thou , thou hypocrite ; and so herwin quietly finished his psalm ; many joyning with him in singing of it ; then said the friar , be not offended good people to hear this heretick to sing of god ; the people answered , hold thy peace thou balaamite , here is no body offended . there were present at least four hundred that encouraged the martyr to continue to the end , as he had well begun ; to whom he answered brethren , i fight under the standard , and in the quarrel of my great lord and captain jesus christ. then he prayed , and so went into his cabin made with fagots , saying to the people , i am now going to be sacrificed ; follow you me when god of his goodnesse shall call you to it : and so he was first strangled , and then burnt to ashes . anno . there was apprehended in antwerp one john de boscane , who for his constancy in religion was condemned to death : but the magistrate fearing an uproare if he should put him to death publickly , knowing that he was a man free of speech , and beloved of the people , he resolved for this cause secretly to drown him in the prison ; and for this end a tub with water was provided , and an executioner sent to drown him ; but the water was so shallow , and the martyr so tall , that he could not possibly be drowned therein ; whereupon the executioner gave him many wounds and stabs with a dagger , and so this holy martyr ended his life . about the same time another servant of jesus christ , having made a bold profession of his faith , was in the same city sentenced to death ; and because they du●st not execute him publickly , they privately sent and beheaded him in prison ; his name was john de buisons . the godly in this city of antwerp , being desirous to take all opportunities to meet together in the fear of god , on a day when the popish party was met to behold great triumphs , they withdrew themselves out of the city , and went into a wood , where their minister preached the word of god to them ; the drosart of marksem being advertised hereof , took his officers and went thitherward ▪ by the way he met with some poor boyes that were cowherds ; to whom he promised new cloaths if if they would bring him to the place in the wood where their assembly was ; which they undertaking , he sent some of his officers along with them into the wood , who coming to the place like wolves , the sheep of christ began to flie : the minister seeing their fear , admonished them not to stir ; the persecutors were not above five or six , and the persecuted four or five hundred , so that they might easily have resisted them , but they would not . the officers chiefly aimed to apprehend the minister , and having caught one of the assembly , they thought him to be the man , crying one to another , hold the priest fast , striking him with their pistols and staves , and so carried him to the drosart ; they caught also two or three more , which afterwards made an escape : the man only that remained with the drosart whose name was bartholomew , was often set upon to be turned aside from his holy profession ; why , say they , cannot such a young man as thou art content thy self with our religion and glorious church , adorned with gold , silver , precious stones , in which there is such melodious musick , both of voices and instruments , but thou must needs joyn thy self to that church that is hated , despised , and exposed to all manner of contempt ? bartholomew overcame all these tentations by the power of the almighty , saying , that which is greatly esteemed amongst men , is altogether abominable in the sight of god ; then was he condemned and beheaded ; by which death he glorified god. anno . there were apprehended in antwerp , one scoblant , john de hues , and joris coomans , who being cast into prison were very oyful , confessing that nothing befell them but by gods divine providence , as they acknowledge in a letter which they wrote to the brethren , wherein they thus write , seeing it is the will of god that we should suffer for his name , and in the quarrel of his gospel , we certifie you , dear brethren , that we are joyful ; and however the flesh continually rebels against the spirit , counselling ever and anon according to the advice of the old serpent : yet we are well assured that christ , who hath bruised , will still bruise the serpents head , and not leave us comfortlesse ; we are indeed sometimes pricked in the heele , yet we are not discouraged , but keep our faith close to the promises of god , &c. be not therefore dismayed for our bands and imprisonment ; for it is the good will of god towards us , and therefore we pray that he will give us grace to persevere constantly unto the end . shortly after scoblant was brought to his trial , where he made a good confession of his faith , and so was condemned . returning to prison , he earnestly requested the jailor that he would not suffer the friars to come and trouble him ; for , said he , they can do me no good , seeing the lord hath already sealed up the assurance of my salvation in my heart , by his holy spirit . i am now going to my spouse , and putting off this earthly mantle , to enter into his celestial glory , where i shall be freed from all superstitions . would to god that i might be the last that these tyrants should put to death , and that their thirst might be so quenched with my blood , that the poor church of christ might henceforth enjoy rest and quiet . when he was to go forth to execution , he sung the fourtieth psalme with his fellow prisoners , then said the lords prayer , and so kissing each other , they commended one another unto god with many teares . being tied to the stake , he was burned alive , calling upon the name of the lord. john hues died in prison , whereupon joris wrote thus to his friends ; brethren , i am now left alone , whereas we were three in number . john hues is now dead in the lord ; and yet i am not altogether alone , seeing the god of abraham , isaac and jacob is with me ; he is my exceeding great reward , and will not fail to reward me so soon as i shall have laid down this earthly tabernacle . pray unto god that he will strengthen me to the end ; for every hour i expect the dissolution of this house of clay . when he was brought forth before the judges , and examined of his faith , he answered freely , and proved what he said by the holy scriptures ; and being asked whether he was resolved to die for the faith which he professed ? he answered , i will not only venture to give my body , but my soul also for the confirmation of it ; and so being condemned , he was shortly after burned , dying with much comfort . the persecution growing hot in flanders , one giles annik , and john his sonne removed to emden ; but by reason of their sudden departure they could not take their wives with them ; whereupon in the year . they returned back to fetch their wives , who were at renay ; yet in regard of the danger , they durst not go into the town openly , but took up their lodging in the evening , at an honest mans house called lewis meulin . now it so fell out that that very night the enemies had appointed to make a secret search after such as professed the gospel , and so passing by this house , and seeing the light of a candle in it , expecting their prey , they forced open the door , and took these two , together with their host prisoners , god having appointed them to bear witnesse to his truth : after they had been in prison awhile , they were all three condemned for hereticks ; and presently after giles , the father , was burned . john , the son , being fetched to execution , when he saw the man that first apprehended him , he called him to him , saying , i forgive thee my death , and so he , with lewis meulin , were both beheaded . about the same time there was also a godly widow apprehended and cast into prison , her crime was , for that about two years before she had suffered a minister to preach in an out-house on the backside of her dwelling . she was very charitable in relieving the poor , and every way shewed forth the fruits of a true saving faith : after seven moneths imprisonment she was condemned to die , and a priest coming to her , to hear confession , she spake to him with such a divine grace , and with a spirit so replenished with zeal , that he went from her with teares trickling down his cheeks , saying , i came to comfort you , but i have more need to be comforted of you : when she was carried forth to execution , she went with much boldnesse and joy of heart , and having her head cut off , she sweetly slept in the lord. there was also one christopher gauderin , that at first was brought up under the abbat of hename ; but the abbat dying , he betook himself to the weaving of linnen , and quickly grew expert in his trade ; but having been trained up in a bad schoole , when the sabbath came , he spent riotously what he had gotten all the week by his labour : now , through gods mercy , it so fell out that a godly man working with him , would often tell him of the danger of his present condition , exhorting him rather to distribute his gettings to the poor , assuring him that if he spent his money so wastfully , god would call him to an account for it : these with the like exhortations so wrought upon him through the grace of god , that he began to change his course , and in stead of frequenting taverns , he became a diligent hearer of sermons , and gave himself much to reading of the holy scriptures ; so that not long after he was called by the church to the office of a deacon , which he discharged carefully and faithfully . shortly after having occasion to go to a place called audenard , to distribute some almes to the poor there , he was apprehended ; and the bailiffe that had formerly seene him in the abbats house , asked him how he came to turn heretick ? nay , said he , i am no heretick , but a right believing christian , and what i learned of him i am now ashamed to remember . in prison he had many disputes about his faith , which he so maintained and defended by the word of god , that he silenced all his adversaries . some told him that he would cast away himsef in his youth , being but thirty years old , to whom he answered , that mans life consisted but of two dayes , viz. the day of his birth , and the day of his death , and therefore he must needs die once , and for my part , said he , i am now willing by death to passe into eternal life . when news was brought him in the evening that he must die the next day , he retired himself , and poured out his soul in prayer unto god till ten a clock ; and after his rest , the like he did the next morning : having ended his prayer , he put on a clean shirt and washed himself ; saying to his fellow-prisoners , brethren , i am now going to be married , i hope ere noon to drink of the wine of the kingdome of heaven ; when he came down he found three other prisoners that were to suffer with him . these four exhorted and encouraged one another to suffer patiently and constantly ; then came a friar , saying , that he came to convert them , to whom christopher said , away from us thou seducer of souls , for we have nothing to do with thee ; the hangman coming to put gagges into their mouths ; one of them said , what ? shall we not have liberty at this our last hour to praise god with our tongues ? christopher answered , let not this discourage us , the more wrong our enemies do to us , the more assistance we shall finde from god ; and so ceased not to comfort them till himself was gagged also ; their sentence was that they should be hanged for hearing sermons : and so with admirable constancy they yielded up their souls to god ; one of them being a woman was condemned to be beheaded , because she had sung psalms , and exhorted her neighbours out of the word of god , at a womans upsitting : her body was grown very feeble , so that she was caused to sit on a stool , where she received three blows with a sword overthwart her teeth : yet did she constantly sit still till she received the crown of martyrdom , anno . about the same time there was in a town a mile distant from gand , a minister whom it pleased the lord to illuminate with the saving knowledge of his gospel , whereupon he became a diligent and faithful preacher of it , both in his life and doctrine ; yea , he went from house to house exhorting and comforting every one as he had occasion out of the word of god ; and above all , labouring with them to beware of the abominable superstitions of the papacy . the popish clergy of gand having intelligence hereof , fearing lest by this means , their doctrine and authority would come into contempt , caused him to be apprehended and cast into a deep and dark hole , where he remained bearing his affliction patiently , and calling upon god night and day , praising him for accounting him worthy to suffer for his names sake . whilst he lay there , many good people came to visit him , receiving such instructions and consolation from him , that they could not be drawn to leave him till necessity enforced , neither then could they depart without abundance of tears . the priests and friars sought by all means to draw him to a recantation , but to no purpose , for he still kept himself close to the word of god , which so vexed them , that at last they procured his condemnation to be hanged . the spanish souldiers which carried him to execution , would needs have him burned , binding and straining him exceedingly with cords , and in the way abused him shamefully with mocks and scoffs , thrusting him forwards and striking him ; the captain also gave him a blow on the face with his gantlet , which much disfigured him ; yea they used him worse then a dog , being the more enraged against him , because of his patient and meek carriage ; at last they thrust him into a little cabin piled with fagots , and so burnt him , continually calling upon god till he resigned up his spirit to him . anno . there was a goldsmith dwelling in breda , who had long been a deacon of the church in that place , his name was peter coulogue : in his house the church often met for the service of god ; the popish adversaries being much enraged hereby , cast him into prison , which the faithful much grieved at , and endeavoured to visit and comfort him : this the enemies taking notice of removed him into the castle ; during his abode there , though all others were excluded from him , yet his maid-servant brought him his food daily , never ceasing to confirm and comfort him out of the word of god , as well as she was able , for which at length they imprisoned her also : this she was right glad of , thinking her self happy to suffer for righteousness sake . not long after peter was put to the torment , which he endured patiently ; then did they fetch betkin also to it , whereupon she said , my masters , wherefore will you put me to this torture , seeing i have no way offended you ? if it be for my faiths sake , you need not torment me , fos as i was never ashamed to make a confession thereof , no more will i now be at this present before you , but will , if you please , freely shew you my mind therein ; yet for all this they would have her to the rack , whereupon she again said , if i must needs suffer this pain , i pray you give me leave to call upon my god first : this they consented to : and whilst she was fervently pouring out her prayers unto god , one of the commissioners was surprised with such a fear and terrour , that he fell into a swoon , and could not be recovered again , by which means the poor maid escaped racking . shortly after , these two innocent persons were condemned to be burned , and as they were led to execution , there was much lamentation amongst the people . peter and betkin prayed earnestly unto god to strengthen them , and perfect the good work that he had begun in them , and to assist them till they had finished their course . the courage and constancy of the maid did so work upon many of the people , godly men and women , that not considering the danger , they brake through the multitude , embracing the prisoners , and praising god for their constancy , saying to them , fight manfully , for the crown is prepared for you : at the place of execution betkin with a chearful and amiable countenance spake thus to the people : dear brethren and sisters , be alwayes obedient to the word of god , and fear not them that can kill the body , but have no power over the soul : as for me , i am now going to meet my glorious spouse the lord jesus christ ; then falling upon their knees they prayed to the lord with great devotion ; and the executioner fastening them to the stake , strangled peter , betkin encouraging him till he yielded up the ghost , and till the fire had taken hold of her self ; and in the flames she was heard to magnifie the lord , till she yielded up her spirit into his hands . about this time multitudes of persons were murthered in flanders by the bloody inquisition , whose dead bodies were cast out to be gazed upon in every place ; and multitudes of believers , both men and women were cast into prisons , where they languished till many of them died . in the city of valence there were executed fifty seven persons , most of them burgesses , only because they clave to the true faith of jesus christ. the martyrdom of william of nassaw , prince of orange . the estates of the united provinces , having declared the king of spaine to be fallen from the government of of those countries , they chose william of nassaw , prince of orange , to be their captain general , whereupon he was proscribed by the king of spain , and a great summe of mony promised to him that should slay him ; not long after a desperate villain called joanville was suborned to do the feat ; for which end he was directed to charge his pistol with two bullets , and to shoot him behind in the head ; the day appointed for this execution was march . . upon which day the prince was to be at a great feast at the duke of anjous court ; but the presse being great there , joanville chose rather to do it at the prince of oranges own house as he was at dinner ; the villain being thus desperately resolved , a jacobin friar came to confess him , fortifying him in his resolution with many sweet words , perswading him that he should go invisible , for which end he gave him some characters in paper , and little frogs bones , and other conjurations . being thus assured , he drunk a cup or two of malmsey , and so accomxanied with his ghostly father , he went to the princes court ; at the stair-foot the friar gave him his blessing , encouraged him , and so left him ; the prince of orange was set at dinner , with the earles of laval , hohenlo , and many other noblemen ; joanville came into the dining-room , attired like a frenchman , so that he was taken for a servant to some of those french noblemen ; he thrust forward twice or thrice to come behind the prince to shoot him in the head , as he was directed , but was still repulsed by the princes gentlemen that stood about him ; dinner being done , the prince was going to his retiring chamber , whereupon this villain gat before a window in the hall , close by the door of that room into which the prince was to go ; as the prince passed towards it , he was shewing the earle of laval the cruelties that the spaniards had exercised in the low-countries , which were wrought in the hangings ; and having his face turned , this murtherer discharged his pistol at him ; but the prince , as god would have it , turning at the same instant , the bullet entred in at his throat under the right chap , being so near that the fire entred with the bullet into the wound , burning his ruffe and beard ; it brake out one of his teeth , pierced the jugular vein , but hurt not his toungue , and so came out at his left cheek hard by his nose ; the blow being given , one with an halberd could not contain himself , but thrust the villain through , and slew him . the chirurgions being sent for , found that the fire which entred the wound , had cauterized the jugular vein , and had done him much good , so that the wound was not mortal . the friar was afterwards apprehended and executed . anno . the spaniards thinking they had no greater enemy in the world than the prince of orange , and that if he were dead they should quickly attain their desires in the netherlands ; they suborned one baltazar gerard , an high burguignon , to murther him , who bought a good paire of pistols , and on the tenth of july watched when the prince should go down into the hall to dinner at delpht in holland , and as he passed by , he demanded a pasport of him ; the princesse observing that he spake with an hollow and unsetled voice , she asked her husband who he was ? saying that she did not like his countenance ; the prince answered that he demanded a pasport , which he should presently have : after dinner the prince going out of the hall , the murtherer stood behind a pillar in the gallery , and as the prince passed by , suddenly shot him from the left side to the right , through the stomack and the vital parts , who said no more , but o my god , take pity of my soul , i am sore wounded ; my god , take pity of my soul and of this poor people ; and presently after he gave up the ghost . collected out of sleidens commentaries , and the history of the netherlands , &c. chap. xxxii . the modern persecutions of the church in germany , since the year , . the swedes being possessed of a town called pasewalck , the imperialists took it by storm , beat , killed , and drave out the swedes , and not content therewith , they fell to torturing of the townsmen , ravishing women and gilrs in the open streets and church-yards , yea women in child-bed ; then they killed the men , fired their houses , and burnt many in them ; thrust straw into cellars where children were hidden , and so burnt and smothered them ; then they burnt the churches , and massacred the ministers , and at last burn down the whole town . the like cruelty was used against the city of magdenburg , famous for religion , which being taken by tilly and pappenheim , anno . was in twelve hours space wholly turned into cindars , except one hundred thirty nine houses , by which fire six godly churches were burnt down ; no mercy was shewed to any age , sex , or condition ; above twenty thousand persons were slain , burnt , and smothered to death ; six thousand were drowned in the river elve ; ladies and gentlewomen , like beasts were yoked together all about the country , and driven into woods to be ravished ; and such as resisted were stript stark naked , whipt , had their ears cropt , and so were turned up . anno . the popish army having taken the town of hoxter , they spared neither man , woman nor child , most inhumanely butchering and hewing in pieces all , without respect of age , sexe , or condition ; and what the sword could not spoile , they caused the fire to consume , and the dead corpses they cast into the weser . at griphenburg they kept the senators shut up in a chamber , macecrating and tormenting them so long with hunger and smoak , that divers of them died . in heidleberg they shut up divers reverend ministers and bourgers in prison , allowing them nothing to eat but bread and water . frankendall being surrendred upon articles , contrary to covenants , the grave counsellors and other electoral ministers , were forced to endure such conditions , as were fitter for dogs than men : some were cast into prison , and so abused that they died there ; others were forced to redeem themselves with unreasonable ransoms ; the goods of such as were fled were confiscated ; and though the inhabitants were willing to have left their houses , and all their goods , yet were they detained in the city , and their destruction most cruelly plotted . their rage was so great against the professors of the gospel , that neither turks nor heathens did ever exceed them . princes sacred person were not exempted from their fury ; the old lantgrave of hessen , and the old dutchesse dowager of wittenburgh were taken prisoners , reviled , and abused . in saxoni tillies souldiers tortured the protestants by half strangling them , and pressing their thumbs with wheels . in pomeren they , forced the people to eat their own excrements , and if they refused , they thrust them down their throat , whereby some of them were choaked ; if they suspected that any had hidden their gold or silver , they used exquisite torments to make them to confesse it ; they wound and tied about the heads of some , strong matches or cords , and with short truncheons twisted them till blood came out of their eyes , ears , and noses , yea sometimes till their eyes started out of their heads ; to others they tied burning matches between their fingers , yea to their eyes , ears , noses , tongues , cheeks , breasts , leggs , and secret parts ; yea , such parts that nature hideth , they either stuffed with gunpowder , or hung bags of powder to them , and so giving fire to it , in an horrible manner they burst their bellies , and killed them . with bodkins they made holes , or with knives they cut the skin and flesh of many . they drew strings and cords through the fleshie parts of some , and through the muscles of their thighs , leggs , armes , &c. or through their noses , ears , lips , &c. some they hung up in the smoak , drying them with small fires , and sometimes refreshing them with small drink , or water , taking care lest in their torments they should die too soon . some they put into hot ovens , roasting or smothering them there . some they roasted with fires of straw . some they stifled , strangled , or hanged , and this was a great favour so soon to rid them out of their pain . of many they bound their hands and feet so hard , that the blood spirted out their fingers and toes ends . of some they tied their hands and feet backwards together , stopping their mouths with clouts to hinder them from praying . some they hung up with ropes fastened to their privy parts , and hearing their cries , strove by their roarings to drown their cries , as in sport . where they found poor creatures troubled with ruptures , they enlarged them by villanous means , filling them with gunpowder , and blowing them up as a mine by giving fire thereto . many they drew up on high , hanging great weights at their feet to pull their bodies out of joynt . of some they plained their faces with chisels . some men they openly gelded in the presence of their wives and children . the mouths of some they set wide open with gags , and then poured down their throats stinking water , urine , and other liquid things till they grew sick , and their bellies swelled like tuns , whereby they died leasurely with greater torment . down the throats of some they violently thrust knotted clouts , and then with a string pulled them up again , whereby they displaced their bowels , and put them to miserable torment , insomuch as some were made dumb , others deaf , others blind , and others lame . if the husband intreated for his wife , or the wife for the husband , they would take the intercessour and torture him in the same manner before the others eyes ; and when any of these poor creatures in their torments or agonies of death called and cryed unto god for mercy , they would command , and seek to force them to pray and cry unto the devil . yea their divellishnesse proceeded so far , that they studied to find out new and unheard of torments . some they bound , hung up , and sawed off their leggs : of others they rubbed off the flesh off their leggs to the very bones : of others they tied the armes backwards , and so hanged them up by those distorted parts . many they drew through the streets of the cities stark naked , then brake and wounded them with axes and hammers , and generally used them with such barbarous cruelty , that many begged to be shot or slain instantly , rather than to live and be partakers of such miseries . in most places they took away all the corn and provision of victuals , leaving the places so bare , that many of the best rank for the space of divers dayes after saw not one bit of bread , but were glad to live with roots and water . in other places they spoiled the inhabitants of their garments , exposing them to that nakednesse , that neither man , woman , nor child had clothes to put on . hereby fruitful countries were totally ruinated : cities , towns , and villages , were spoiled and turned into pillars of fire and smoake ; churches lay desolate , the woods were cut down , the ground lay wast and untilled . one reverend aged divine they stripped , bound him backwards upon a table , and set a big cat upon his naked belley , beating and pricking the cat to make her fix her teeth and claws therein . so that both man and cat , with hunger , pain and anguish breathed their last . the crabats laboured much to teach their horses , not only to kill men , but to eat humane flesh ; and consulted how to find out more new and exquisite torments than ever were before used . at the taking of magdenburg , a godly minister of great esteem was found in one of the churches , whom they dragged out to his own house , where they ravished his wife and daughters before his face ; his tender infant they snatched from the mothers breast , and stuck it upon the top of a lance ; and when his eyes and heart were glutted with this so cruel a spectacle , they brought him forth bound into the street , and there burned him with his own books . rapes and ravishings were committed beyond all humane modesty ; maids and matrons , wives and widdows , they forced and violated without distinction , yea , and that in the presence of their parents , husbands and neighbours ; yea , women great with child , and others in child-bed : their beastliness was such that no pen can write it , no faith can believe it ; chappels and churches were not freed from their filthy pollutions ; yea , hospitals , and bedlam-houses were not spared . in hessen land they took divers poor women , some mad , some dumb , some lame , and tying up their coats about their ears so used them , as a modest pen cannot expresse . in pomeren they took the fairest maids , and ravished them before their parents faces , making them sing psalms the while . one beautiful maid being hid by her parents in a dunghil , they found her out , had their pleasure of her , then cut her in pieces , and hung up her quarters in the church . yea very girles of ten years old and under , they ravished till some of them died ; vertuous and chast women , they would threaten to kill , to throw their children into the fire , if they would not yield to their lusts . divers maids and women to avoid the lusts of these hell-born furies , have leaped into rivers and wells , and some have otherwise killed themselves ; and that which was never before heard of , they did not only violate sickly and weak maids and women till they died , but committed the like filthinesse with the dead corpses . the merchants of basil returning from strasburg mart , were set upon by the imperialists in their lodging ; and though they craved their lives upon their knees , yet they killed ten of them , saying , they must die for that they were hereticks ; the rest leaving their goods and garments , escaped by flight stark-naked in the night . two noble countesses with their faire daughters were rifled in their coaches of all that they had , nor sparing the very garments that covered them . neer friburg these bloody miscreants cut in piecs a reverend minister , a man of rare learning and piety ; after whose death the dogs would not lick his blood nor touch his flesh . for the common people , they made not so much account of them as of dogs , murthering them upon every trifling occasion , neither pitying old nor young , men , women , nor innocent babes , whom sometimes most barbarously they used to eat , even when other meat might be had : yea such inhumane cruelty they used , that in some places they scarce left any remaining alive to relate the sufferings of the dead . many times they cut off the noses and ears of the living , carrying them about in bravery . collected out of a booke composed by doctor vincent a divine , who was an eye-witnesse of many of these things . before this great persecution befell the church of god in germany , god gave his people warning of it by many and strange prodigies . for october the . anno christi . there appeared a terrible comet with a great blazing tayle , at first of a red , afterwards of a pale-red colour , which continued for the space of twenty seven dayes , and in some places it was seen longer . this fearfull and ominous link or torch the lord sent to those who had long despised and sleighted his voice in his sacred word preached by his vigilant and faithful ministers , to awaken them from their dead sleep of sin , and by repentance to bring them to the reformation of their lives , or otherwise to assure them that he would come suddenly upon them , and plague them with all those evils and miseries which he had denounced against them by his messengers , and whereof he gave them warning by this dreadfull sign . anno . at groningen in the dukedome of brunswick was seen a great blazing star , and two armies , one in the east , and another in the north , fighting together till one of them was defeated and slain . at wien in austria , the water in a dith was seen to be like blood for the space of eight dayes ; and shortly after three suns appeared in the heavens . in the beginning of april , anno . and anno . in march in the same country of austria , were two armies seen in the heavens by clear day-light , fighting furiously together with great thundering of ordnance and canons . in the same country , anno . in the moneth of january , just over the city of lintz , two swords were seen one over against the other , and two great armies fighting a pitched battel together , which caused great terrour to the beholders . at heidleberg in february , anno . were seen three suns , and three rainbows . shortly after which , that city was besieged by the inperialists , and at last taken , where a grear slaughter was made of the imhabitants , and in neckergemund three miles off , all the inhabitants , men , women , and children were put to the sword . in april , anno . in the country of darmstad , were trees whose leaves drop't blood ; and the year after in the same country in divers towns and villages , were seen bloody signes on houses and stone-walls . about meyenfield and malants , as men were reaping their corne , their hands and sickles were all bloody . in july , anno . in the dukedome of wittemburgh , it rained so much blood , that it fell upon the hands and cloaths of people in the fields , and was seen upon trees , stones , and other places . may the twelfth , anno . in the dukedome of anhalt there appeared a strange prodigie in the heavens , which continued from six till eight a clock at night : first there came out of the clouds an ancient-bearer ; after him came forth a grave man in the same habit ; then came forth a chariot drawn with two particouloured horses : then another chariot with four armed horses : then suddenly there brake out of the clouds an infinite number of people like a swarm of bees : after them followed a man sitting on horseback with a long robe , putting the people before him ; a quarter of an houre after came forth another army consisting of many horse and foot , &c. the two armies fought till one of them was routed , and presently after all vanished away . anno . in may a strange tempest happened at ratisbone ; the weather being very calme , with little raine , two dark clouds met together , which suddenly belched out a great wind mingled with fire , which raised such a tempest , that near to the city it tore up trees by the roots , and in a moment drave them into divers places , and thence extending it self to the city , it overturned above two hundred houses in the towne and suburbs , not leaving a chimney standing , nor a roof to cover an house . the church of emerans , besides the shattered windows , had one of the steeples laid flat to the ground , and the other broke off in the middle ; two other of the chiefest steeples in the city were also broken down . this tempest lasted not above a quarter of an hour , nor extended beyond the city , neither were there above four men slain by it . anno . near troppash a great multitude of jack-dawes met in the aire , where they fought a great battel , and that with so great eagernesse , that many of them fell down dead , so that the countrey-men gathered up whole sackfuls of them . anno . in pomerland the heavens seemed to open , and an army came forth of the northern part , the avauntguard consisting of pioneres & musqueteres ; then followed great peeces of ordnance , and in the reare came the cavalry . another army came forth on the other side , and betwixt them there became a cruel battel : the victory inclining to the northern army ; and at last a fiery beame followed upon the northern conquerour , which continued for the space of some hours . anno . at hall in saxony the water was turned into blood to the great astonishment of the inhabitants . during the siege of magdenburg , a captains wife being in travel , when she could not be delivered , and was near death , she desired that when she was dead , her body might be opened ; which being done , there was found in her womb , a boy almost as big as one of three years old with an head-piece and breastplate upon him , great boots after the french fashion , and a bag by his side with twoo things in it like musket bullets . june the nineteenth , anno . in the lower saxony two great armies appeared in the aire , one in the north , the other in the south , which fought a great battel together ; after long fighting the northern army obtained the victory . after the battel was ended , there appeared a man in a long coat , bearing a bow , with which he shot at , and overthrew the commander of the southern army . in the same countrey a woman having bought a loafe of bread , when she came home was dividing it , and in the cutting of it there came forth blood . anno. . in the countrey of altenburgh , a fish-pond was turned into blood , which stank so extreamly , that if any passengers did but touch it , they could not wash off the stink thereof in three days space . anno . at berlin in brandenburg , it rained blood and brimstone . anno . in hessen there met two armies of strange birds , which fought a set battel ; and not far off , about that same time a multitude of dogs had their randevouz , which fought so eagerly , that they would not be reconciled ; and when the governour of a neighbour garrison sent out four companies of musqueteers against them ; they seeing a common enemy , joyned together , and in despight of their guns , beat them away , and devoured nine of them . here place the eighth figure . chap. xxxiii . the persecution of the church in france , which began , anno christi , . anno christi , . there were certain learned men in france , disciples of one almericus at paris , whose names were , master william a sub-deacon of poictiers , well studied in the arts , and divinity : bernard another sub-deacon : william goldsmith , steven , a priest : steven of the seller , and one john , a priest , who upon examination held , that god was no otherwise present in the sacramental bread , than in any other bread : that it was idolatry to build altars to saints , or to cense their images . they mocked those that kissed the reliques : they said that the pope was antichrist , and rome babylon : that god was not seene in himself , but by his creatures : for which ( when they could not be drawn to recant ) they were condemned to be burnt at paris , which accordingly was executed : bzorius out of caesarius . and almenneus who had been their master , had his body digged up in the church-yard , and was buried in the field . and all french books of divinity were for ever condemned , and burned . anno christi , . at melden in france there was one john clark , who set up a bill upon the church-door against the popes pardons , lately come thither , wherein he called the pope antichrist ; for which , being apprehended , he was adjudged three several days to be whipt , then to have a mark burned in his forehead as a note of infamy ; his mother a good woman , when she saw her son so pitiously scourged & branded , encouraged him , crying with a loud voice , blessed be christ , and welcome be these marks for his sake . afterwards he removed from thence , and went to metz in lorrain , where for a time he followed his calling of a woolcarder . but the people of the city used once a year all of them to go forth into the suburbs to worship some idols there ; whereupon john clark , inflamed with an holy zeal , went the night before and brake down all those images ; the next morning when all the clergy and people came to the place to worship them , they found all their idols broken upon the ground ; this set all in a tumult ; and great searching there was after the author of this deed ; and quickly was john clark suspected and apprehended ▪ he presently confessed the fact , and told them the reasons why he did it . the people hereupon cried out against him in a great rage : before the judges he professed the pure doctrine of the sonne of god ; and thereupon was condemned to a cruel death , which he sustained with admirable patience and constancy . first his right hand was cut off ; then was his nose with sharp pincers pulled violently from his face : then were his armes and breasts pulled off with the same instrument : yet he , through gods grace , endured all with great quietnesse , pronouncing the while that of psalm . their idols are silver and gold the works of mens hands ; lastly , he was cast into the fire , and there consumed . not long after master john castellane , doctor in divinity , borne at tourney , being through gods mercy called to the knowledge of the truth , became a zealous , fervent , and faithful preacher of it in divers places , and at last he was taken prisoner by the cardinal of lorrains servants , by whom he was carried to the castle of nommenie , where he endured much cruel usage , yet still he persevered in confessing the true doctrine of the sonne of god ; then was he carried to the castle of vik , and after a time was condemned , degraded , and delivered over to the secular power , with this hypocritical speech ; my lord judge , we pray you as heartily as we can for the love of god , and the contemplation of tender pity and mercy , and for respect to our prayers , that you will not in any point do any thing that shall be hurtful to this miserable man , or tending to his death , or the maiming of his body ; then was he burnt alive , which death he underwent with much patience and comfort . at paris one james panane a schoolmaster was burnt for the truth . also at melda , dennis de reux was burned , for saying that the masse was a plain denial of the death and passion of christ : he used often to meditate of , and to repeat those words of christ ; he that denies me before men , him will i deny also before my father ; he was burnt in a slow fire , and so abode much torment . john de cadurco , preaching to his countrymen of limosine , was apprehended and degraded : the friar that was to preace at his degradation , took that text , tim. . the spirit speaks expresly , that in the latter dayes men shall depart from the faith , giving heed to lying spirits and doctrines of errors ; then did john call to him to read on , but the friar stood dumb , and could not speak a word more ; then did john read on , teaching false doctrine in hypocrisie , having their consciences seared with an hot iron , forbidding to marry and to eat meats created by god to be received with thanksgiving , &c. presently after he was burned . about the same time , five men for scattering about certain papers against the masse , and other popish superstitions , were apprehended and burnt at paris . one of them for speaking freely , had his tongue burned through , and with a wire tied fast to one of his cheeks . alexander canus , a godly minister , for preaching and confessing the truth of christ , was burned at paris with a small fire , whereby he endured great paine . also john pointer a chirurgeon , had his tongue first cut out , and then was burnt about the same time . peter gaudet living at geneva , was by a popish uncle trained into france , apprehended , condemned , and after many and long torments sustained in prison , was burned . divers others were apprehended , condemned , and burned at arras . a godly virgin was burned at fountains , anno . as also one john cornon , an husbandman , but one endowed with such wisdome by god , that all his judges were amazed at it ; yet was he condemned and burned . martin gonin was cast into the river and drowned . anno . one claudius endeavouring to convert his friends and kinsfolk in paris , was by them betrayed , adjudged to have his tongue cut out , and then burned . stephen brune at rutiers , being for the constant profession of his faith condemned to be burned ; when the fire was kindled a great winde so drave away the flame from him , that he stood for ean hours space , exhorting and instructing the people ; then did they bring oile vessels , and more fagots , yet still was the flame driven from him : whereupon the hangman took a staffe , and struck him on the head , to whom he said , i am condemned to be burned , and do you strike me with staves like a dog ? with that the hangman with a pike thrust him through the belly , and threw him down into the fire , and afterwards scattered his ashes in the wind . at roan four christians were condemned to be burned , and being carried to the stake in a dung-cart , they said , blessed be god , we are here reputed as the excrements of this world , but yet our death is a sweet savour unto god. john de beck a godly minister , being condemned for the doctrine of the gospel , constantly endured the torment of the fire at troyes . aymond de lavoy , a godly minister , preaching the truths of god faithfully , was complained of by the popish clergy to the magistrates of bourdeaux , who sent to apprehend him ; hereupon some of his friends perswaded him to flie ; but he refused , saying , that thereby he might cause the people to think that he had fed them with dreames and fables , and not with the pure word of god ; whereas he feared not to yield up both soul and body in the quarrel of the truth which he had taught , saying , that with paul , he was ready not onely to be bound for the testimony of christ in the city of bourdeaux , but to die also . after the sumner came , he stayed three dayes and preached three sermons ; and whereas the people would have rescued him out of the sumners hand , he desired them not to stop his martyrdome ; for said he , since it is the will of god that i shall suffer for him , i will not resist his will. at bourdeaux many witnesses came in against him , against whom he made many exceptions , but they would not be admitted . nine moneths he remained in prison , suffering great misery , much bewailing his former course of life , though yet it had been such as none could charge him with any crime ; then the judges proceeded to his condemnation , and he had greater fetters put upon him ; he was also examined with torments , which he endured two or three hours , though but of a weakly body , comforting himself thus : this body must once die , but the spirit shall live , the kingdome of god abideth for ever ; during his torments he swowned , and when he came to himself again , he said , o lord , lord , why hast thou forsaken me ? nay said the president , wicked lutheran , thou hast forsaken god : aymund replied , alas good masters , why do you thus miserably torment me ? o lord , i beseech thee forgive them , for they know not what they do ; see said the president , this caitiffe how he prayeth for us ? shortly after he was condemned ; and when the friars came to confesse him , he bade them depart from him , for he would confesse his sins to the lord. he went to the place of execution with much joy , exhorting the people all the way ; at the place of execution they tumbled him out of the cart , and when he was upon the stage he said , o lord , make haste to help me , tarry not , despise not the work of thy hands : and seeing some scholars , he said to them , my brethren , i exhort you to study and learn the gospel , for the word of god abideth for ever : labour to know the will of god , and fear not them that kill the body , but have no power over your souls . afterwards he said , my flesh doth wonderfully resist the spirit , but presently i shall cast it away . at the stake he often repeated , oh lord my god , into thy hands i commend my soul ; and so he was first strangled by the hangman , and then burned . francis bribard , secretary to the cardinal of bellay , being convicted for adhering to the truth , had first his tongue cut out , and then was burnt . anno . about the same time , william husson , an apothecary , came from bloys to roan ; and in the palace where the counsel sate , he scattered sundry books concerning christian doctrine , and against mens traditions ; and presently taking horse rode away : the books being found , the counsel made diligent search for the author , and at last heard that probably this husson had scattered them there ; whereupon posts were sent out every way to apprehend him , and by some of them he was taken , riding towards deep , and brought back to roan ; who being examined , professed his faith boldly , and that he had scattered those books , and that he was going to deep to do the like there . for this he was condemned to be burnt alive ; and as he was carried to execution , because he refused to worship an image , his tongue was cut out ; afterwards his hands and feet beeing bound behind him , he was pulled up with a pully , and so let down into the fire , in which he with a chearful countenance held up his head , and fixed his eyes upon heaven , till he yielded up his spirit unto god. anno . james cobard , a schoolmaster in the city of saint michael , declared and proved that the masse neither profited the quick nor dead , &c. for which he was burned , also at melda fourteen godly persons were cast into prison , where they were cruelly racked to make them confesse their fellows , which they stoutly refused to do , and at last were condemned to the fire ; seven of them had their tongues cut out , and so all of them were burned together , their wives being compelled to stand by to see their torments ; many others were scourged and banished . anno . there was one peter chapot , who having been a while at geneva , out of a zeal to do good to the church of christ , carried divers bibles into france , and dispersed them amongst the faithful ; at last he was apprehended and carried to paris ; there he readily rendred an account of his faith , exhorting the judges to do their office uprightly . three doctors of sorbone were appointed to dispute with him , but he made them all to go away ashamed : then was he condemned to be burnt . at the stake , one of the doctors pressed him sorely to pray to our lady , which he refused , crying only , o jesus sonne of david have mercy on me ; the doctor bade him say only jesus maria , and he should not be burnt alive , but he for a while refused , yet at last through his importunity , he said jesus maria , but presently checking himself ; he said , oh god what have i done ? pardon me o lord ; for against thee only have i sinned ; and so he was presently strangled and then burned ; but upon the complaint of the doctor , the court made a decree , that all which were to be burned , unlesse they recanted at the stake , should have their tongues cut out , which was diligently afterwards observed . there was living at meaux a lame creeple , to whom god was pleased to reveal his truth , and after a time he was apprehended , and examined , at which time he confessed more than they desired to hear ; then did they ask him whether he would stand to that which he had said ? to whom he answered ; and i ask you again , dare you be so bold as to deny that which is so plain and evident in the holy scriptures ? being advised to take care of his life , he said to the judges , for gods sake take care of your own lives and souls , and consider how much innocent blood you spill daily in fighting against jesus christ and his gospel ; at last he was carried to paris , where he endured many sorts of torments , and lastly was burned . at fera , one stephen polliot was apprehended , carried to paris , and there cast into a foul and dark dungeon , where he lay long in bonds and fetters ; at last he was brought forth and condemned to have his tongue cut out , and to be burned with his sachel of books hanging about his neck , which was accordingly executed . anno . there was one john english condemned by the court of paris for confessing the truths of god ; and so sent to sens in burgundy , where he was burned . also michael michelote , being apprehended for professing the gospel , was put to his choise either to recant and be beheaded , or to persevere and be burned ; he answered , that he trusted that he which had given him grace not to deny the truth , would also give him patience to abide the fire , and so he was burned . another being betrayed by false brethren , was burned at bar in burgundy . five men and two women were condemned to the fire at langres , for adhering to the truth : one of the women being the youngest , was reserved to be burned at last ; and in the mean time she much encouraged them all , saying , this day we shall be married to the lord jesus to live with him for ever , and so they all quietly slept in the lord. four others about the same time were condemned , and cruelly burnt at paris for the same cause . anno . there was one blondel , a merchant of precious stones , that frequented many great fairs in france , and was well-known both in court and countrey ; he was a man of singular integrity , and a favourer of gods word ; being at an inne in lions , he freely reproved the filthy talk and superstitious behaviour which he there heard and saw ; hereupon the host complained of him to an officer ; withal , informing him of his rich coller of jewels ; these two suborned one to borrow money of him , which because blondel refused to lend , the fellow caused him to be apprehended for heresie , thinking thereby to attach his goods , but blondels friends prevented it , privily conveying them away . blondel being examined of his faith , gave a plain and full confession of it ; whereupon he was sent to prison , in which he did much good amongst the prisoners , paying the debts of some and so loosing them , feeding others , cloathing others , &c. at length through the importunity of his parents and friends , he changed his confession ; yet was he sent to the high court at paris , where being examined again concerning his faith , he adhered to his first confession , much bewailing his former fall ; then was he condemned to be burnt , and great haste was made for his execution , left his friends at court should save his life . anno . one hubert , a young man of nineteen years old , was so constant in the faith , that neither the perswasions of his parents , nor the threats of his adversaries could remove him from his stedfastnesse , for which he was burned at dyion . the same year there was a godly minister , called florent venote , cast into prison at paris , where he lay above four years , in which time there was no kind of torment , which he did not endure and overcome : amongst others he was put in to so narrow a place , that he could neither stand nor lie● , in which he remained seven weeks , whereas there was never any malefactor that could endure it fifteen dayes , but he either grew mad or died . at last when a great shew was made at the kings coming into the city , and divers other martyrs in sundry places of it were put to death , florent also having his tongue cut out , was brought forth to see their execution , and lastly was himselfe burnt . about the same time one anne audebert , as she was going to geneva , was apprehended and brought to paris , where she was adjudged to be sent to orleance and burned there : when she was had forth to execution , a rope being put about her , she called it her wedding girdle , wherewith she should be married to christ ; and being to be burried upon a saturday , she said , on a saturday i was first married , and on a saturday i shall be married again : she much rejoyced when she was put into the dung-cart , and shewed such patience and constancy in the fire , as made all the spectators to wonder at it . not long after the coronation of henry the second , king of france , at whose coming into the city of paris divers godly martyrs were burned , there was a poor tailor , that dwelt not farre from the kings palace , apprehended for working upon an holy day : being by the officer asked why he wrought upon that day ? he answered that he was a poor man living only upon his labour , and that he knew no day but the sabbath whereupon he might not work , his necessity requiring it ; then was he clapt up in prison ; this being noised in the court , some would needs have the tailor sent for , that the king might have the hearing of him . then was the tailor brought thither , and the king sitting in his chair of state , commanded the bishop of mascon to question with him : the tailor being nothing amated at the kings presence , after he had done reverence to his prince , gave thanks to god for honouring him so greatly , being such a wretch , as to bring him where he might bear witnesse to his truth before so great a prince : the bishop questioned with him about the greatest matters of religion , and he with an undaunted spirit so answered for the sincere truth , and with such pregnant proofs of scripture , as was wonderfull ; and though the nobles that were present jeered and taunted at him , yet could they not dash him out of countenance , but that still with much liberty and freedome of speech he defended the truth of christ , neither flattering their persons , nor fearing their threats . the king seeming to muse much within himself , that so mean and simple a person should shew such audacity in such a presence , the bishop and popish lords taking notice of , cryed out that he was an obstinate and impudent heretick , and therefore remanded him back to prison : and within a few dayes after he was condemned to be burnt alive ; and left the king should be affected with what he heard from the tailor , the bishops often suggested that the lutherans were such as carried a vaine smoake in their mouthes , which being put to the fire would soon vanish ; they also would needs have the king present at his execution : but it pleased god to give such strength and courage to the tailor at his execution , as much more astonished the king than all his former carriage ; for having espied the king in the window where he sate , he beheld him with so stedfast a countenance , that his eyes were never off him ; yea , when the fire was kindled about him , he still kept his eyes so fixed upon the king , that the king was constrained to leave the window , and to withdraw himself , and was so wrought upon thereby , that he confessed that he thought the shadow of the tailor followed him whithersoever he went , and for many nights after he was so terrified with the apparition thereof , that he protested with an oath , that he would never see nor hear any more of those lutherans , though afterwards he brake his oath , as it follows in the story of anne du bourg . about the same time one claudius a godly man , was apprehended as he came from geneva , and burned at orleance . anno . one thomas , a young man of about eighteen years old , coming from geneva to paris , rebuked one for swearing , whereupon he was apprehended for a lutherane , and carried before the high court ; by them he was committed to prison , and cruelly racked to confesse his companions , which he still refused to do , whereupon they continued to rack him , till one of the bloody inquisitors turned his back and wept , and till the hangman was a weary ; then was he carried to be burned , and was let down with a pully into the fire ; and after a while being pulled up again , they asked him if he would yet turn , to whom he said , that he was in his way to god , and therefore he desired them to let him go , and so he quietly slept in the lord. anno . there was apprehended at lions one peter bergerius who for his bold and constant confession was cast into prison , and put into a dungeon , where was a thief that had lain there seven or eight moneths , who being in great pain and torment , cryed out of god , and cursed his parents that begat him , being almost eaten up with lice , and fed with such bread as dogs and horses had refused to eat ; but it pleased almighty god of his goodness , through the instructions and prayers of bergerius , that he was converted and brought to the knowledge of the truth , after which , the very next day , his lice which before extreamly abounded , so went away , that he had not one remaining ; and god so stirred up the hearts of good men , that he was fed plentifully , and that with white bread , so that with much patience and joyfulness he bore his imprisonment , and had great comfort afterwards in his soule . about the same time three godly men were apprehended at lions , and being condemned for the truth , when they were to be led forth to execution , two of them had ropes put about their necks ; the third , having served the king in his wars , was favoured to have none ; whereupon he said to the lieutenant , that he also desired to have one of those precious chains about his neck in honour of his lord the which being granted , they all went singing to the fire , where with much patience they yielded up their spirits unto god. not long after in the same place was apprehended one matthew dimonet , who formerly had lived a most wicked life , full of all filthiness and abominations ; he had been also a searcher out of the professors of the gospel , and a great persecutor of them ; yet at last it pleased god to shew him mercy , and he was converted to the knowledge of the truth : after which , being apprehended and examined , he made a stout profession of his faith ; and during his imprisonment he had great conflicts with the infirmity of his own flesh , but especially with the temptations of his parents , kindred , and friends ; yet the lord did so strengthen him that he endured constant to the end ; at his burning he spake much to the people , and was hearkned to with great attention . simon laloe coming upon some occasions from geneva into france , was apprehended by the bayliffe of dyon , by whom he was imprisoned and racked to force him to confesse what fellows he had ; but that not prevailing , he was condemned to be burned . at his death the executioner , seeing his great faith , patience , and constancy , was so wrought upon therereby , that he fell into great terrors of conscience , so that he was neer to utter despair , and all the promises of the gospel could scarce comfort him ; yet at last , through gods mercy , receiving comfort , he with all his family removed to the church of geneva , where he afterwards lived till his death . nicholas naile , carrying some good books to paris , was there apprehended , and made a bold confession of the faith , for which he was cruelly tormented sundry wise , and racked all his joynts asunder , and lastly being condemned , when he was carried to the stake , they put a gag into his mouth , vvhich they tied in so hard vvith a rope about his head , that blood gushed out of his mouth : they also besmeared all his body vvith oyle and brimstone , so that at the first taking of fire , all his skin vvas shrivelled together , vvhilst his invvard parts vvere untouched ; the cord being burnt in sunder , and the gag falling out of his mouth , he praised god in the midst of the fire , till he yielded up his spirit unto god. peter serre vvas at first a priest , but god of his mercy revealing his truth to him , he vvent to geneva , and there learned the shoomakers craft , vvhereby he maintained himself ; and having a brother at tholouse , out of a singular love to his soule , he vvent thither to instruct him ; his brothers vvife being not vvell pleased herevvith , revealed it to one of her gossips , vvho informed the officiall against him ; hereupon he vvas apprehended and carried before the inquisitor , to vvhom he made an excellent declaration of his faith , and so vvas delivered to the judge , vvho asked him of vvhat occupation he vvas ? he said , that of late he was a shoomaker ; then did the judge ask him of vvhat occupation he had formerly been ? he said , he had been of another formerly , but he was ashamed to utter it or to remember it , being the worst and vilest science of all others in the world ; the judge and people supposing that he had been some cutpurse or thief , were more importunate to knovv vvhat it vvas but shame and sorrovv so stopped his mouth that he could not declare it ; at last through their importunate clamour , he told them he had been a popish priest : this so incensed the judge , that he presently condemned him to be degraded , to have his tongue cut out , and to be burned ; vvhich vvas accordingly executed : in the fire he stood so quiet , looking up stedfastly to heaven at the time of his burning , as if he felt no pain at all , which caused wondeful admiration in the people ; and one of the parliament said , that it was not the best way to bring the lutherans to the fire , for it would do more hurt then good . anno . there were two godly men , with one of their sons and daughter going towards geneva , whom a lieutenant overtaking by the way , like a judas , he insinuated himself into their company , pretended great favour to them and to that religion , which he said , he supposed them to be of ; and so with fair words he circumvented them , and drew out of them that they were protestants , and their wives at geneva , whither they were now travelling ; then did he apprehend them and carry them to the castle of niverne ; during their imprisonment they were examined of many articles , to which they made a full and clear answer according to their faith ; after this they were racked extreamly for three houres together to force them to recant , which they bore with admirable patience ; being therefore condemned , as they went to execution , the officer bound a woodden crosse between their hands , but they pulled it out with their teeth , and threw it away , whereupon their tongues were cut out , notwithstanding which god gave them utterance , so that they spake plain , saying , we bid sin , the flesh , the world , and the devil farewel for ever , with whom we shall never have more to do hereafter , and much more to the like purpose . when the officer came to besmear them with brimstone and gunpowder , they said , go to , salt on , salt on the stinking and rotten flesh ; and so persisting constant in the flames they finished their martyrdome . anno . philbert hamlin , a priest , was through gods grace brought to the knowledge of the truth , whereupon he went to geneva , where he exercised printing , and sent books abroad . afterwards he was made a minister , and preached at the town of alenart , in which and in some other places he did much good ; at last he with his host , a priest , whom he had instructed in the knowledge of the gospel , were apprehended and cast into prison at bourdeaux ; and whilst they lay there , in came a priest with his furniture to say masse ; but philbert inflamed with a holy zeal , went and plucked the garments from his back , and overthrew the chalice and candlesticks , saying , is it not enough for you to blaspheme god in the churches , but you must also pollute the prison with your idolatry ? the jailor seeing this , fell upon him , and beat him with his staffe , and also removed him into a dungeon , loading him with irons which made his legs to swell : there he lay eight dayes . the priest his host , terrified with the prison and fear of death , renounced christ and his word , and was set at liberty ; whereupon philbert said to him , o unhappy and more then miserable man ! is it possible that you should be so foolish , as for to save your life a few dayes , you should so start away from and deny the truth ? know you therefore that although hereby you have avoided the corporal fire , yet your life shall be never the longer ; for you shall dye before me , and yet shall not have the honour to die for the cause of god : and you shall be an example to all apostates . having ended his speech , and the priest going out of prison , he was presently slain by two gentlemen , who formerly had a quarrel to him . philbert hearing of it , professed that he knew of no such thing before , but spake as it pleased god to guide his tongue . philbert being condemned , and had to execution , they laboured to drown his voice by sounding of trumpets , and so in the midst of the flames , praying and exhorting the people , he rendred up his soul unto god. anno . nicholas of jenvile , a young man that had lived at geneva , coming into france to get up some mony that was owing to him , was betrayed by a lady , apprehended and condemned , and being carried in a cart to execution , his father met him and would have beaten him with a staffe , but the officers not suffering it , were about to have stricken the old man ; the son seeing it cryed to them to let his father alone , saying , that he had power over him to do to him what he would . at the place of execution he had an iron ball put into his mouth , and so he patiently took his martyrdom at jenvile . about the same time a company of the faithful of about three or four hundred were met together at an house in paris , in the beginning of the night , to receive the sacrament of the lords supper ; some priests getting intelligence of it , gathered many of that faction together , and came , and beset the house , making an outcry that the watch might come and apprehend them , so that in a short time most of the city of paris was up in armes , supposing that there had been some conspiracy : the people following the noise , and perceiving that they were lutherans , they grew into a great rage , seeking to murther them , and thereupon stopped the streets and lanes with carts , and made fires that none might escape them ; but , through gods mercy , before this tumult began , the faithful had finished their administration and prayers , with as much quiet as ever they had done ; and now seeing this sudden danger , they were somewhat amazed ; whereupon the pastors of the congregation exhorted them and fell to prayer ; after which , considering the cowardliness of the multitude , it was resolved that such as had weapons should adventure through the press ; which being put in practice , the admirable power of god appeared , in that notwithstanding the fires , and stopping of the passages , yet they all escaped safe , only one was beaten down with stones and slain : the rest , which wanted weapons , being about one hundred and twenty , stayed in the house with the women and children , some of which leaped into gardens , where they remained till the magistrates came ; the women , which were all persons of good quality , save six or seven , perceiving their danger by reason of the fury of the people , went up into the windows , shewed their innocency , and desired that they might be tryed in an ordinary way of justice ; yet there they were inclosed by the rabble for six or seven houres ; at last came the kings atturney with many serjeants and officers , who with much ado appeasing the people , entred into the house , and their seeing the quality of the persons , and their innocency , the atturney much pitied them , yet carried them to prison in the little castle ; but as they went , the furious multitude plucked and haled the gentlewomen , tore their garments , pulled their hoods from their heads , and all besmeared their faces with dust and dirt . in the prison they were used no better ; for the villains and thieves being let out of their holes , and stinking caves , these lambs of christ were put into their rooms . then followed the cruel and slanderous reports of the friars , who in their sermons railed upon them , told the people that they were assembled to make a banquet in the night , after which , putting out the candles , they went together jack with jill , after a filthy and beastly manner ; they charged them also with sedition , as if they conspired against the king , &c. and these cursed defamations were no sooner vented , but they were spread abroad farre and wide , yea in the court itself , and the cardinal of lorraine procured a certain judge to come to the king , who testified that he found in the house divers couches , upon which they intended to commit their whoredomes and adulteries , which much enflamed the king against them . these things made the enemies to triumph exceedingly , and on the contrary , the brethren which escaped , were full of perplexity , and lamentations , sorrowing not so much for themselves , as for the imprisonment of their friends ; yet they much comforted themselves in the consideration of ther own wonderful deliverance . they upon debate also resolved , first , that all of them should humble themselves before god in their own families . secondly , that they might stop the false rumours , to write two apologies , one to the king , and another to the people . thirdly to write consolatory letters to their friends in prison . the apology to the king was written and conveyed privily into his chamber , where it was met with and read openly before the king and his nobles ; yet this prevailed little ; for their adversaries suggested to him that all was false , and a pretence to hide their wickedness : but that to the people did very much good , and so did their consolatory letter to their friends in prison . the adversaries all this while did bestir themselves to bring them that were in prison to execution , and procured a commission from the king to certain judges to hasten their trial . but it fell out by gods providence , that at this time the protestant princes of germany were met at a colloquy at wormes , to whom divers learned men resorted from geneva , requesting them to send their ambassadors to the french king , in the behalf of these poor christians thus imprisoned ; by whose mediation , and the kings other business , who was now in war with the king of spain , many of them were delivered , yet some of them were executed before the coming of the ambassodors . amongst them were nicholas clivet , and one granvelle , both of them elders of the congregation , who stoutly defended the truth against the sorbone doctors , and afterwards patiently resigned up their soules to god in the cruel flames . also a young gentlewoman of about twenty three years old , which came from gascoigne to joyn her self to the church at paris , was brought forth with the former , and endured many conflicts with the judges and sorbonists ; who when she was urged to recant , said , that she had learned her faith from the word of god , and therefore therein she would live and die : her neighbours testified against her that there was much singing of psalms in her house , and that sometimes they had seen abundance of people come out of it , and that at the death of her husband no priest was called for , &c. but presently after , two of these witnesses fell out , and one slew the other with a knife . the cardinal of sens much hastened this gentlewomans death , that he might have her estate . when she was condemned , she had her tongue cut , as the two former also were served . going to execution , she dressed her self like a bride , being that day to be married to her spouse jesus christ ; she went to the fire without ever changing countenance , and so quietly yielded up her spirit to god. divers others of this congregation suffered in the like sort : the rest at the mediation of the prince elector palatine , and the protestant switzers were released . in other parts of france also sundry faithful christians were imprisoned , cruelly racked , had their tongues cut out , and finally were burned , concerning whom because i find nothing extraordinary , i have forborn to mention them . anno . the king of france , henry the second , coming into the the parliament in paris , there was one anne du bourg , a noble counsellour , a man of singular understanding and knowledge , bred and nursed up in the bosome of the church of christ , who made a bold speech before him , wherein he rendred thanks to almighty god , for moving the kings heart to be present at the decision of so weighty a cause as that of religion was , humbly intreating him to consider well thereof , being the cause of christ himself , which of good right ought to be maintained by princes , &c. but the king instead of hearkening to his good advice , was so far incensed against him , that he caused him to be apprehended by the county of montgomery , constable of france , and to be carried to prison , protesting to him in these words , these eyes of mine shall see thee burnt ; and presently after he sent a commission to the judges to make his processe . during his imprisonment there was a godly woman , who was prisoner also in a chamber just over against his , who at her window , sometimes by words , other sometimes by signes , did much encourage him to persevere constantly in the truth , whereby he was so comforted , that when some of his friends perswaded him to recant , he said , god forbid , for a woman hath taught me my lesson , how i ought to carry my self in this business ; he was often examined about sundry points of religion , and being once asked whether he had conferred with any one about them , he answered that he had conferred with his books , especially with the holy scriptures . having drawn up a confession of his faith , he intended to present it to the parliament ; but some advocates that belonged to that court , who pretended great love to him , laboured to draw him to make another confession , not contrary to the truth , but in such ambiguous terms as might satisfie his judges , who would not stand strictly to examine it ; du bourg long resisted , but at last was prevailed with to draw up such a confession , supposing it sufficient that himself knew his own meaning ; so soon as this his confession came into the hands of his judges , great hopes were conceived of his enlargement ; but when the christian congregation had gotten a copy of it , they were much grieved ; whereupon they ordered master augustine marlorate , a learned and godly minister , to write a large discourse concerning the duty of such as were called to bear witnesse to the truth of god before magistrates , wherein he set down gods threatnings and judgements against such , as either directy or indirecty deny the truth , exhorting him more highly to prize the glory of god then his own liberty ; the truth of his gospel then a short and transitory life ; shewing that he ought not now to give over , having made so happy a beginning and progresse in his christian course : that the same of his constancy was spread , not only through france , but all christendom over : that he had been a means to confirm many weak ones , and caused others to enquire after the means of salvation : that all mens eyes were fixed on him to enquire by what means he gat out of prison , so that , if through fear and faint-heartedness , he should enterprize ought that should contradict his first profession , he would give much scandal and offence , and therefore he exhorted him to give glory to god , to edifie his church ; telling him that then he might assure himself that god would neither leave nor forsake him . these letters brought du bourg to a sight of his sin , for which asking pardon of god , without any further delay he wrote to the judges , retracting his last , and protesting to stand to his first confession ; so that shortly after he was condemned . in the mean time great feasts were preparing in the court , for joy of the marriages that should be of the kings daughter and sister ; the day whereof being come , the king imployed all the morning in examining the president , and other counsellors of the parliament against du bourg , and other his companions that were charged with the same doctrine , intending to glut his eys in seeing their execution , and then went to dinner . after dinner the king being one of the defendants at the tilting , which was near the prison where du bourg and his fellows lay , entred the lists , and behaved himself valiantly , breaking many spears against count montgomery and others , whereupon he was highly commended of the spectators , and all thinking that he had done enough , desired him to give over with praise ; but he being puffed up with their commendations , would needs run another course with montgomery , who kneeling on his knees craved pardon , refusing to run against him ; the king being eagerly set on , commanded him upon his allegiance to run , and put the spear into his hands ; montgomery thus enforced , addressed himself to the course , and the king and he meeting together , brake their spears , and the kings he●met falling down at the same instant , one of the splinters of montgomeries spear entred just into his right eye , and so pierced his head that the brains were perished ; which wound , despising all means of cure , killed him within a eleven dayes , whereby his hope of seeing du bourg burned was frustrated , and thereupon du bourg his execution was deferred for six moneths longer ; at the end whereof , he having constantly persevered in the confession of his faith , was first degraded , and the next day carried out to execution ; the judges appointed six or seven hundred horse and foot well armed , to guard him ; he was first hanged , and then his body was burnt to ashes . presently after , divers others were burnt in paris , and in many other places for their religion : many also were massacred as they passed along the streets for not doing reverence to the images , which were then newly set up in the corner of every street ; such also as refused to contribute money to buy wax candles to burn before them , it cost them their lives . notwithstanding which cruelties , those of the religion increased daily , both in zeal and number in all parts of the realm . this much incensed the duke de guise in his government of dauphine , whereupon he sent mangiron , a cruel man , and great enemy to the protestants , with charge wholly to root them out ; this mangiron first played his part very subtilly ; but at last he fell upon valence , lacking the houses of the protestants , as if he had taken the town by assault ; and the more to strengthen him in his mischief , he had many troops of horse , and some lanciers sent him : truchon also , president of grenoble , cast sixty of the chiefest of the protestants into prison at valence , whilst mangiron pillaged those of montelimart , to whom he had promised and sworn to do no wrong . truchon caused two ministers at valence to be hehaded , and three of the principal citizens to be hanged ; the rest he punished with great fines , whippings , and banishments . at roan he hanged two men , whipt one , and afterwards sent him to the gallies . anno . in provence , a godly gentleman was traiterously massacred for his profession of religion . those of the religion , seeing themselves destitute of all humane aid , resolved in all their dangers instead of seeking to man for help , to pray to god , to hear his word , to continue in true obedience unto it , living in great love and concord one with another , whereby abundance of papists were so edified , that by whole troopes they left the masse , and made open profession of the protestant religion . anno . there happened a great mutiny in the city of paris , raised by some priests , which rang a bell while those of the religion were hearing a sermon : from which proceeded wounds , murthers , and imprisonments ; foure of the protestants were hanged to please the people , and the rest paid a fine . chap. xxxiv . the persecution in the time of the civil wars . anno . the duke de guise passing towards paris , and coming near to vassy , understanding that the bell rang to a sermon , which was to be preached in a barn , in which place there were assembled about twelve hundred men , women , and children , he presently went vvith all his troops to the barn , and entring into it , they cryed out death of god , kill , kill these huguenots ; then did some of them shoot at those vvhich vvere in the galleries , others cut in pieces such as they met with . some had their heads cleft in twain , others had their armes and hands cut off , so that the walls and galleries of the barne were died with the blood of the slain ; the duke with his sword drawn stood amongst them , charging his men to kill without sparing , especially the young men : some of these godly persons getting upon the roof , hid themselves there : but at length some of this bloody crew spying them , shot at them with long pieces , whereby many of them were slain , falling down from the roof like pigeons . then they fell to murthering of them all without distinction ; the poor saints of god made no resistance , only praying unto god : and every one running to save himself , as it pleased god to direct him , many men and women were slain ; others being sore wounded , escaped , which died shortly after ; the poor mans box was taken and emptied . the minister in the beginning of the massacre ceased not to preach still , till one discharged his peece against the pulpit ; then falling upon his knees , he intreated the lord to have mercy upon him , and upon his poor persecuted flock ; and so coming down from the pulpit , attempted to escape , but by the way he received divers wounds , whereupon finding himself as he thought , mortally hurt , he cryed , lord into thy hand i commend my spirit , for thou hast redeemed me o lord god of truth ; yet before he was slain , some took him and carried him before the duke , who said to him , who made thee so bold thus to seduce the people ? sir , said the minister , i am no seducer , but have faithfully preached the gospel of jesus christ to them . then did the duke curse and swear , saying , death of god , doth the gospel teach sedition ? and calling the provost , he said , take this varlet and hang him upon a gibbet ; then was the minister delivered to two pages , who basely abused him ; the popish women also threw dirt at him , and could scarce be restrained from tearing him to pieces . he was kept close prisoner , none being suffered to bring him necessaries ; and he was oft threatned to be sown up in a sack and drowned ; yet at last , through gods mercy , he was released , at the earnest request of the prince of portion . the pulpit was broken down , the slain stript stark naked , and so the duke departed with his bloody troops , sounding his trumpets as if he had obtained a great victory . when he came to paris , he with the constable and marshal of saint andrews , seized upon the king , defaced and overthrew the places where they of the religion used to assemble , which so encouraged the popish party , that in every place they so abused those of the religion , as the most cruel barbarians would have been ashamed to do the like . this caused a civil war , wherein the duke of guise , having taken roan , sacked it for three dayes space , and executed many of the citizens . not long after he went to orleance , boasting that within twenty four houres he would win the town ; and neither spare man , woman , nor child in it , and that he would so destroy the town that the memory of it should be extinct for ever ; but mans purposes ; and god disposes ; for the same night there was a young gentleman named john poltrot , who watching his opportunity , shot him with his pistol laden with three bullets , whereof he shortly after died ; and poltrot declared at his death , that he did it to deliver france , and especially the city of orleance from the violence of the duke of guise ; after whose death peace was shortly after concluded between the queen-mother and the protestants . but before this peace took place , those of the religion suffered much in sundry parts of the realm . in paris they were persecuted cruelly , the popish people being wholly set upon blood , and the parliament there sparing neither great nor small that fell into their hands , either of that city , or such as were brought thither upon appeal , or summons . at senlis many godly christians suffered much , some were beheaded , some murthered in a popular tumult , some were whipt , some imprisoned , some fined , and others sent to the gallies , not sparing the simple women . yet through gods mercy , some escaped , amongst whom was one iohn gardens and his wife , who living with his wife and child in the fileds , at length determined to go back into the city , casting themselves upon gods providence ; but when they came into the suburbs , they met some who bade the souldiers to put them to the sword . the woman kneeling down , begged of the souldiers , that if they must needs dye , they would kill her child first , saying that so she should die with the more comfort ; which speech of hers so wrought upon the souldiers , that they spared all their lives . in chaalons there was a godly minister , called fournier , apprehended and spoiled of all that he had : they stripped him also of his apparel , instead whereof they put on him a thredbare cloak , and so carried him away in a cart , by reason of an hurt that he had gotten in one of his feet ; by the way they did nothing but jeere and scoffe at him , and every moment he was in danger of his life ; the rude people also had almost pulled him in pieces ; but it pleased god that he was preserved by those which had designed him to death . when he came to munchon he was cast into prison , and after a while there came a captain to him with many souldiers , who mixing mocks and threatnings together , sware that within three houres he should be hewen in pieces . after them came in some of the judges , commanding the jailor to load him with irons , saying to him , you are no better i am sure then saint peter , whom they laid in irons : but if you have as much faith as he , god will then deliver you as he did him , by sending an angel to you . i will not , said fournier , compare my self with saint peter ; yet it is not twelve years ago , since for preaching the same doctrine that peter did , i was imprisoned at tholouse , and there was admirably delivered . and though peter was delivered out of prison , yet in the end he glorified god by his death : and if i should be counted worthy with him to suffer for the truth , may it not be said that i have the like precious faith with saint peter ? when they were gone , the jailor forbore putting bolts upon him , because of his sore legg , yet did he put him into a straiter prison . afterwars the duke of guise being made governour in that place , he was put to the torture , where first they strained his thumbs so hard with a small cord that blood came forth : then turning his armes behind his back , they hoisted him up with a rope put between his thumbs , twitching him up and letting him down five or six times ; they tied also great stones to both his great toes , and let him hang till his spirits failed : then they let him fall with such violence upon his face , that he was grievously hurt thereby . then was he thrown into prison , and they would not suffer him to have a chirurgion to cure him of the gashes which the cords had made in his flesh even to the bare bones : so that his torment and anguish was very great , neither could he lift his hands to his mouth , which he was likely to lose the use of . but it so fell out by gods providence , that after he was condemned , news coming of the duke of guise his death , his enemies began to tremble , and some of his judges coming to him in prison , asked him if he did not bear them ill will ? he answered , that men of his profession and religion ought not to bear malice to any , being enjoyned by god to love and pray for those that persecuted them ; shewing also that whatsoever troubles had befallen him , were none other but such as god had fore-ordained for the setting forth of his own glory , for which he esteemed himself most happy ; yet he warned them to lay to heart the wrong that they had done him , lest the vengeance of god did sooner or later overtake them for it . the next day bussi , one of his persecutors , having received letters from the constable of france to release him , swore that he should be delivered indeed , but into the hands of the multitude . but it pleased god that just at that time there came by the prince of portion with his germane souldiers , which were for the protestants , who sent word that they would not leave so much as a house standing except they would deliver fournier ; this so affrighted his enemies that they released him out of prison , protected him from the violence of the multitude , and conveyed him in safety to the prince ; there he was kindly welcomed and entertained , all grieving for the miseries which he had endured , and two dayes after he preached before the prince and his followers , and the day after , at the instant request of the protestants of vitri , he went to them to preach and baptize their children , and shortly after was called to ver , where he gathered a congregation , and spent some time amongst them with wonderful fruit ; but by reason he was so extreamly weakned by his strait imprisonment and tortures , being above fifty years old , he soon after finished his course , and quietly resigned up his soul unto god. at amiens , all bibles , new testaments , and psalm-books were sought for and openly burnt , as also the ministers pulpit : then did the guisians proceed to killing of the christians , and casting them into the river , some they shot to death , and others they hanged . at abbevilli they slew the lord of haucourt , with divers others ; one beliart they dragged along the streets with his face downwards , and then drowned him in the river . at meaux the protestants were the stronger party , and therefore continued the free exercise of their religion for a while ; but the parliament of paris gave judgment against them , and exposed them to the spoil of such as would undertake it ; then a company of souldiers entring the town , disarmed the citizens , and slew about foure hundred of the religion ; then mounsieur de boisy entring with more souldiers committed a thousand villanies : women and maids were ravished in the open market-place and streets ; some were beaten and hailed to masse ; children were re-baptized : others married again ; houses were pillaged and plundred : some that fled into the field died with hunger and cold . many men , women and children , were massacred and drowned ; infants were dashed against the walls ; and some others were hanged . the executioners running into divers places , committed a world of mischief ; and divers priests amongst them slew some of the protestants with their own hands . at troys , bibles and divinity-books were rent and torn in pieces ; they of the religion were murthered , and their houses sacked ; eighteen men were hanged ; women were dragged through the streets , and cast into the river ; and infants were pulled from their mothers breasts , and re-baptized . at bar the popish enemies entring the town , committed such cruelties as never were seen , especially against women and little children ; some of their breasts they cut open , pulled out their hearts and gnawed them with their teeth , rejoycing that they had tasted of an huguenots heart ; a young counsellor they hanged at the request of his own father ; with most horrible blasphemies they ravished women and girls . mounsieur de st. esteen with his two brothers were cruelly stabbed by their own cousin germane , their wives were spoiled of all they had , and led away prisoners . the pesants in some places committed infinine murthers and mischiefs against those of the religion ; monsieur de vigney with his wife and servants they massacred in his own house , which afterward they pillaged and spoiled . in crant , the pesants entring the town , murthered many ; one young child together with his father they burnt . in sens one hundred protestants were cruelly murthered , and their naked bodies thrown into the river ; one hundred houses were plundered , the church where they preached was defaced . at auxerre one cosson was barbarously massacred ; a faire young gentlewoman was stabbed and cast into the river ; many other outrages and robberies were committed . at nevers the ministers were cast into prison , whereof one perished miserably there ; another miraculously escaped ; children were re-baptized , marriages reiterated , and many houses plundred . the popish party entring chastillon , left no kind of cruelty un-exercised , neither upon women nor children , old nor young ; yea not sparing the women with childe that were ready to be delivered . at guyen they used all the cruelty that possibly could be invented : and some italians , in hatred of the religion , cut an infant in two pieces , and eat his liver . at montargis , there lived the lady rene , dutchesse dowager of ferrara , and daughter to king lewis the twelfth ; the duke of guise sent thither one malicorn a knight of the order , who entring the town , murthered some of the religion , and committed other outrages ; then he proceeded so far as to threaten the lady to batter her castle with canon-shot , if she would not deliver up those of the religion which were with her ; to whom the princesse bravely answered , i charge you , look what you enterprize ; for no man in the realm can command me but the king only : and if you proceed to your battery , i will stand in the breach , to try whether you dare kill the daughter of a king ; neither do i want means or power to be revenged on your boldnesse , even to the infants of your rebellious race : this stout answer made malicorne to pull in his hornes and depart . at monlius , monsieur de montare used all extremity against the protestants ; and without any form of law he hanged up two artificers , drave others out , and plundred their houses , and murthered many . at mans two hundred persons were put to death , men , women , and children , the houses of the protestants were pillaged ; such as were fled , were executed by their pictures , their goods confiscated , and their children made uncapable of their offices and estates , yea of inheriting their lands . some they beheaded ; others they hung up ; others they massacred , and being half dead , threw them into the river : above one hundred and twenty men , women , and children were murthered in the neighbouring villages . one captain threw above fifty persons into his fishpond to feed his pikes , and above as many more were thrown into ditches . one godly man , a weaver , had his throat cut , and his moutastuffed with leaves of a new testament which they found bouth him . at anger 's they murthered a godly minister , cast many into prison , robbed the houses of others , and slew such as they found therein : in a merchants house , finding many books of the holy scriptures , they openly burnt them in the middle of the town ; one fair guilt bible they hung upon an halberd , and carried it in procession , saying , behold truth hanged , the truth of the huguenots , the truth of all the divels ; behold the mighty god , behold the everlasting god will speak ; and when they came to the bridge , they threw it into the river , crying louder , behold the truth of all the divels drowned . above eighty other persons were executed . an aged gentlewoman of the age of seventy years was beaten to death with their pistols , then drawn through the dirty streets , and thrown into the river , terming her the mother of the divel that preached to the huguonets . a counsellors wife that lay bed-rid was murthered ; women and maids were ravished : two young maids were ravished before their fathers face , who was forced to look on the while : all that were but suspected to be of the religion , were massacred , and their houses pillaged . a valiant captain , contrary to their faith given to him , they broke upon a crosse , and so they left him hanging in great misery till he died . anno . a decree was made by the parliament of paris , commanding all catholicks presently to rise in armes , to sound the bells in every place , to destroy all those of the religion without respect of quality , sex , or age , to spoyle their houses , and utterly to root them out . this encouraged all sorts of rascals to rise up in armes , forsaking their vocations , and to march against the protestants . in ligueul they hanged up some , put out the ministers eyes , and then burnt him in a small fire : in other places they committed infinite villanies ; one young man they flayed alive ; the village of aze they burnt down , and massacred thirty persons therein . a godly minister was drowned called john de tour , at seventy five years old . at tours , one hundred and forty were murdered and cast into the river ; divers others were drowned , sparing neither man , woman , nor child . the president being suspected to favour them of the religion , was beaten with staves , stript to his shirt , hanged up by one foot , his head in the water up to the breast , and whilst he was yet living , they ript up his belly , pluck't out his guts , and threw them into the river ; and sticking his heart upon the point of a lance , they carried it about , saying , it was the heart of the president of the huguenots . shortly after came thither the duke de monpensier , who caused gibbets , wheels and stakes to be set up , whereupon many more , especially of the richer sort , were murthered to the number of some hundreds : when they put any man or woman to death , they entred their houses , murthered their children , and took all their goods . a poor woman , whose husband was a little before drowned , having a young infant sucking at her breasts , and a beautiful daughter of about sixteen years old in her hand ; these bloody villains drew them to the river : there the woman on her knees prayed ardently unto god : then took her infant , and shifting it in the sun , laid it upon the grasse : in the mean while this hellish rabble endeavoured , partly by threats , partly by fair promises to seduce the young maid ; and one of them finer then the rest , promised to marry her if she would do it , so that the poor wench stood in a disway , which her mother perceiving , who was now ready to be thrown into the river , she earnestly exhorted her daughter to persist in the truth ; the daughter hereupon cryed out , i will live and die with my mother , whom i know to be a vertuous woman : as for your threats and promises i regard them not , do with me what you please . the mother was not yet dead when they threw in the daughter after her , where making towards her mother , they mutually embraced each other , and so yielded up their souls into the hands of god. also in the same city there was a godly matron called glee , who was carried before the captain , where she gave a reason of her faith , and confirmed it by evident testimonies of scripture : she dispuited also with some friars , whom she so silenced that they had nothing to say , but that she was in a damnable condition . it seems so indeed , saith she , being in your hands ; but i have a god that will not faile nor forsake me , &c. then was she committed to prison , where she was much sollicited to recant , but all in vain ; for she spake her mind freely , and comforted the prisoners which were in the same prison for religion . news being brought her that she was condemned to be hanged , when the rope was put about her neck , she kneeled down , praising and magnifying the name of god , in that he shewed her such mercy as by this death to deliver her out of the troubles of this wretched world , as also for that it pleased the lord to honor her so far as to die for his truth , and to wear his livery , meaning the halter ; then she brake her fast with the rest of the company , and giving thanks to god , she exhorted them to be of good courage , and to trust to the end in his free mercy , &c. as she went to execution , a kinswoman met her with her little children , perswading her to recant , telling her that thereby she might preserve her life , and see those her babes provided for ; this meeting wrought so upon her motherly affection , as made her shed plenty of tears ; but presently taking new courage , she said , i love my children dearly , yet neither for love to them , nor for any thing else in the world , will i renounce my god or his truth . god will be a father to these my children , and will provide better for them then i could have done , and therefore to his providence and protection i commend and leave them , at the place of execution having prayed to , and praised god with a chearful heart and voice , she quietly resigned up her spirit unto god. the duke de aumale in normandy , took pontea de mer by subtilty , where he used all kinds of cruelty , especially against the minister , master brione ; shortly after , roan was besieged , and two forts taken , wherein they put all to the sword , the queen-mother in an impudent manner leading the king , who was but twelve years old , to shew him the naked bodies of the women weltring in their own blood ; after divers assaults the city of roan was taken , wherein the kings souldiers used all kinds of monstrous cruelty , massacring all they met : many english and scots souldiers were hanged ; the sick and wounded were cast into the river : divers ministers were retreated into a strong tower , which they yielded upon promise of safety , but contrary therereto they were cast into prison ; augustine marlorat with three counsellors were condemned to be hanged , which was presently executed , with many opprobrious speeches against marlorat ; the sackage of this town lasted foure moneths together , in which space divers were executed . in valougnes divers persons of good quality were massacred , and the houses of the protestants were filled with souldiers that did what they listed therein . amongst other outrages they slew a godly minister , called monsieur de valougnes , whose body ▪ they stripped naked , dragd it up and down his house with many scorns and jears ; at last bringing it into the chamber where he used to preach to his people , they spurned his corpse , saying , now pray to god ▪ and preach if thou canst ; the priests that were present stuffed his mouth and wounds with the leaves of his bible , saying to him , preach the truth of thy god , and call upon him now to help thee . in vire as they came from a sermon , some were slain , some stoned , and a while after many were put to the sword . in , and about agen , monluc killed and massacred many , two young children were roasted . in the castle of reime , monluc used great cruelty against those of the religion , sparing none , but murthering young children in their mothers armes , and then killing the mothers : some other women they reserved for their lust , which they so abused , that ( saith mine author ) i abhorre to write it . above five hundred men were hanged upon gibbets , amongst whom was a grave counsellor in his long gown and square cap. one poor man they cut and mangled in several parts of his body , filling all his wounds with salt . in the city of blois there was a godly woman called nichola , at whose house some holy people used to meet to pray , and confer together for their mutual edification and comfort . the murtherers hearing of it , came rushing in , thinking to have found a minister preaching , but being disappointed in their expectations , they dragged these good women out by the haire of the head , loaded them with many stripes , and then threw them into the river ; but behold a singular providence ! god so endowed them with strength and skill , that they swam safely to an island : yet after a while some watermen finding them there , they stript them stark naked , and threw them again into the river , yet they still sought to save themselves by swimming , and coming at last to the suburbs of vienne , they were there most cruelly knocked on the head by the bloody papists . monluc having defeated a party of the protestants under monsieur duras , he took divers prisoners , most of which he hanged , especially the ministers . amongst the prisoners was a captain called la-mothe , whom monluc meeting with , gave him divers stabs with a dagger , and thrust him through with a rapier , saying , villain , thou shalt die in despite of god ; but he proved a lyar ; for the man being carried away , though he had many mortal wounds , yet he was wonderfully cured and lived after . in guillac , the murthers committed upon the protestants were many and horrible ; and amongst other this was one of their practices ; there was by the city , the abbey of st. michael , built upon a very high rock , under which ran a swift and deep river called tar. many of the protestants they forced to go up to the top of this rock , whom they threw headlong down into the river ; by the way there was another rock , upon which most of the bodies falling , were dashed and broken all to pieces , and if any escaped with life into the river , they had their cut-throats waiting upon the river in boats to knock them on the head ; amongst others there was one peter domo , an apothecaries servant , who seeing them bent to murther him , requested that he might have leave to cast himself down from the top of the abbey , provided that if god should preserve him in the fall , they would suffer him to escape with life ; this they promised ; whereupon having made his prayers to god , he fetched his leap from the top of the abby , and flew so far , that missing the rocks under him , he fell safely into the river , and endeavoured to swim out with life ; but these perfidious villains , contrary to their promise made , knocked him on the head and slew him . in souraize , there was one captain durre , who with his souldiers going into the house of a godly widow , called castille roques , he caused her to be bound with cords , and a rope to be put about her neck , by which he haled her up and down , almost strangling her ; then he asked her how oft she had played the whore with those of her religion ? she answered , that in their christian meetings they had no such villanies committed . durre fretting and fuming at this answer , took her by both the cheeks , and oft dashed her head with such violence against the wall , that he had almost beaten out her brains ; then he required her to give him the seven hundred pieces of gold which she had hidden ; she told him that she was a poor woman , and had onely one french penny ; this more enraged him ; whereupon he drew her again about by the neck , and applyed burning hot egges to her arm-pits , till they were all blistred , bidding her in derision to cry to her father which was in heaven . she answered , i will not cry aloud for thee , and yet my god can hear me well enough , and when his pleasure is , he will deliver me out of thy hand . this made him so to blaspheme , that the poor woman was more afflicted to hear his blasphemies than with all her pains . then did he call her huguenote whore , telling her that these were but the beginnings of her sorrows , except she fetched him out her gold , which if she refused , he would draw her cheeks and breasts with lard , and so roast her quick , and afterwards throw her headlong from the highest steeple in the town . well , said she , if you throw my body never so low , that shall not hinder my soul from ascending into heaven : this her courage and constancy did still further enrage him ; then did he open her mouth with his dagger , and crammed lime down her throat ; after which he made her drink a glasse of urine which himself had made before her , withal throwing the glasse with the remainer into her face . after this he carried her to his quarters , where with strange cruelties he intended to have slain her : but some of the neighbours pitying her sad condition , redeemed her from him with ten crowns , and so conveyed her to her house , where shortly after she finished her dayes . some other of these hell-hounds meeting with one peter roch , constrained him to dig his own grave , and then to try how it fitted him ; which whilst he was doing , they buried him alive . in saint martins in castillon , they took the wife of one andrew renaud , stripped her stark naked , and would have violated her chastity , which she resisting , they whipt her most cruelly , wounded her with their swords , crowned her with thorns , and lastly shot her to death . they took also one ianetta calvin , whom they carried into the city of brignole , stripped her , whipt her cruelly , crowned her with thorns , and first stoned , and afterwards burned her . in mont de marsan , six of the principal men had their heads stricken off , otheres were executed divers wayes ; one was buried quick ; and a young woman being pursued to be ravished , threw her self out of a window and died . in tholouse the papists fell upon the protestants , hurt many , killed some outright , divers they threw into a well ; then did some counsellors proclaim , that they should not spare to kill and spoil all them of the religion , for that they were licensed by the king and pope . this soon ran through all the villages , and the papists rang their bells ; in tholouse were about thirty thousand protestants , so that there began one of the most horrible massacres that was in those parts . the prisons were presently filled , and many were knocked on the head at the prison-doors , because they could hold no more ; the river in a short space was covered with dead bodies ; many were thrown into the streets out at the windows : if any sought to escape out of the water , they were presently slain with swords or stones . some of the protestants gat into the town-house , where they stood upon their guard , and at last it was agreed , that leaving their arms , they should depart in safety ; and so after they had received the sacrament , commended themselves to god with prayers and tears , they came forth ; but contrary to the faith and promise made to them , the popish party seised upon as many as they could , whom they cast into prison ; of such as gat out of the city , some escaped to montaubon , others in the way were spoiled and killed by the souldiers and pesants . at carcasson those of the religion being gone out of the town to hear a sermon , when they returned , the gates were shut , and the papists shot at them , who afterwards issuing out against them , slew some , and hurt others : one they beat down , cutting off his nose and ears , and pulling out his eyes : some they took prisoners , whom they hanged ; one they beheaded , and put others to great ransomes . one they took , blacked his face , hands and feet , and gave it out that he had a divel within him , then hanged him , and threw his body to the dogs ; others they banished , or condemned to the gallies . in limoux the papists used all manner of cruelty , deflouring women and very girls in a most detestable manner ; the minister was slain , two gentlemen , and sixty others were hanged . a widdow of great account redeemed the virginity of her only daughter with a great summe of mony ; but the villain that promised to defend her , ravished her in her mothers presence , and then killed them both . yea after peace was proclaimed , fourteen of the religion coming thither were all slain . in nonnay , monsieur chaumont having surprised the town , murthered many protestants , spitting out infinite and horrible blasphemies against god himself : a locksmith being commanded to despite and blaspheme god , because he refused to do it , was presently hewen in pieces ; for the same cause another was brained with the butt end of a musket ; a naylor , because he would not give himself to the divel , was drawn about his shop by the ears ; then being laid on his anvile , they beat his head in pieces with hammers ; yea all manner of cruelty was used that could be devised ; three of the principal in the town were thrown down from an high tower ; many other were thrown down to make sport : some were burnt in their houses , others thrown out at windows : others stabbed in the streets : women and maids were most shamefully handled ; a young woman that was found hid in an house with her husband , was first ravished before her husbands face , then forced to hold a rapier ; wherewith one thrusting her arme , made her kill her own husband . in foix , many protestants were cast into prison , of whom some had their armes and legs cut off , and then were beheaded ; some burnt , some hanged , and others sent to the gallies . in aurange they killed the protestants without distinction of age , sex , or quality : some they stabbed , others they threw upon the points of halberds ; some they hanged , others they burnt in the churches ; of some they cut off their privy members , sparing neither old nor bedrid , nor the diseased in the hospitals . women and maids were killed , others hanged out at windows were harquebushed , sucking children massacred at their mothers breasts ; girls of five or six years old ravished and spoiled ; the wounds of the dead were filled with leaves torne out of bibles . those in the castle yielding upon oath and promise of safety , were all stabbed , or thrown over the wals , being one hundred and ninety of them . in grenoble , they slew many of the religion , and others they cast from the bridge into the river . in cisterno , the men that were of the religion being fled , the popish party fell upon the women and children , whereof they slew three or foure hundred : some women with child were rip 't up , many were buried quick ; some had their throats cut like sheep , others were drawn through the streets , and beaten to death with clubs . in beaune , they were bereaved of the exercise of religion , their three ministers imprisoned ; many were driven out of the town to the number of eight hundred persons with women and children : their houses were filled with souldiers who made spoile of all ; such as were found in their houses , were vilely abused , and some were slain . in mascon the bloody persecutors having apprehended a godly and learned minister called bonnet bor who was of a very unblameable life , having served twenty years in the ministry , and in that time had been put to his ransome three times ; they carried him along the streets with a thousand scoffs and scorns , smiting him with their fists , thrusting him up and down , and then made a proclamation , that whosoever would hear this holy man preach , should come to the slaughter-house ; at which place they again buffeted and mocked him two hours together : hereupon he requested them that before his death they would permit him to pray to god : then one stepping to him cut off half his nose , and one of his ears , saying , now pray as long as thou wilt , and then we will send thee to all the divels ; and so this holy man kneeling down , prayed with such fervency of spirit that drew sighs from some of the murtherers : and aftervvards directing his speech to him that had cut off his nose , he said , friend , i am now ready to suffer what thou hast further to inflict upon me ; but i intreat thee and thy companions to bethink you well of the outrages committed by you against this poor city ; for there is a god in heaven , before whose tribunal you must shortly give an account of these your cruelties . a captain passing by , cryed , send that wretched man to the divel ; which one of them hearing , took him by the hand , pretending to have him to the river to wash off his blood , but when he came thither he threw him into it , battering him with stones till he was drowned . chap. xxxv . the history of the massacre at paris anno . after the end of the third civil war in france , great means was used to draw the chief of the protestants to paris , under pretence of a marriage between the prince of navar and the lady margaret , sister to the king of france ; but in the mean time the papists in roan murthered divers protestants as they came from a sermon , and grievously beat others ; this seemed much to displease the king , and three or four were executed for the mutiny ; then were the articles of marriage agreed upon ; the place for it , paris : and the admiral sent to by the king to be present at the wedding , and to prevent all jealousies , those of the house of guise were sent away , whereat they seemed much discontented . the admiral was allowed to bring with him fifty gentlemen armed for his greater security . when he came to paris , he was honourably received and conducted to the king , who calls him his father , protesting that in all his life he had not seen any day more agreeable to his mind than that , wherein he assured himself to see the end of all troubles , and the beginning of firm peace and quietness in his realm : the queen-mother and the rest of the great courtiers received him with greater favour than he expected : then did the king send him one hundred thousand franks out of his treasury for the losses which he had received in the wars , &c. the admiral had divers advertisements of the intended treachery ; yet god so blinded him at that time , though a very prudent man , that he gave little heed to them . yea such a general stupidity seized upon the protestants , that their minds were very wavering , and few there were that shewed themselves zealously bent to religion ; but all both great and small , thinking deeply upon worldly matters , built them goodly castles in the aire . then was the queen of navar sent for by the king of france to paris , to prepare all things against the wedding : but presently after her coming she fell sick of a feavor , made her will in a most christian manner , had much inward joy and comfort , and at five dayes end died , not without suspition of poison from certain perfumes given to her : and after her death the chirurgions were not suffered to open her head , where the mischief lay , whereby it was the better concealed . the admiral was again advertised of his danger ; but he resting upon the testimony of a good conscience , and the providence of god , misinterpreted those advices , as if they proceeded from men desirous of new troubles . many lords and gentlemen of the religion , accompanied the king of navar , and the prince of conde to paris . the king of france , the better to delude the protestants , spake openly , that he gave not his sister to the king of navar only , but as it were to the whole church of the protestants to joyn with them in an indissoluble union , and as a tie to their peace and safety . august . anno . the king of navar and the lady margaret were married by the cardinal of bourborn , upon a scaffold in the sight of all the people , and that day was spent in banquets , dances , and masks , with a strange mixture of protestants and papists together ; but in the mean time the queen mother with her privadoes , as also the duke of anjou with the guises , consulted about killing the admiral , and dividing the protestants . five dayes after , as the admiral came from the court , accompanied with about fifteen gentlemen , reading a petition as he went , one shot at him with a caliver ; the bullet taking away his right fore-finger , hurt him in the left arm : he that shot had a spanish jennet at the back-door of his lodging , upon which he immediately mounted and escaped : the door being burst open , it was found that the caliver left behind , was brought to the house the day before by one chally , steward of the kings house , and a great dealer for the duke of guise ; the admiral being conveyed to his lodging , shewed most admirable piety , patience , and constancy . the king complained of the mischief , swearing and promising to execute such justice upon the offendor , that the admiral and all his friends should thinke themselves well satisfied . he caused also all the gates of paris to be shut , swearing and blaspheming , that he would not that they which had done the fact should escape ; he also appointed many lords and gentlemen of the protestants to lodge in the admirals quarter , the better , as he pretended , to secure themselves against any danger . after noon the king went to visit the admiral , and there , with many oaths and protestations , assured him of his love to him , care over him and them of the religion , and that he would severely punish the authors of his present hurt . presently after the vidame of chartres [ john de ferriers ] advised the king of navar , the prince of conde , the admiral , and other chief lords of the religion , presently to depart out of paris , assuring them that that blow was but the beginning of the tragedy which was soon to ensue , but they trusting to the kings word , rested secure . that day also the king wrote to the ambassadors of forrein princes , and to the governours of all his provinces how much he was offended at the admirals hurt , how severely he would punish it , yea he desired that all the world might know how much he was offended at it ; and the queen-mother wrote the like . in the mean time the dukes of anjou and guise employed some to go from house to house to take the names of all the protestants , and to return the catalogue to them , so that presently after they of the religion began to discover that some bloody intentions were hatching against the admiral and his friend . for the king set a guard of fifty harquebushires at the admirals gate . great store of armes were carried into the loure , and about evening all the people were in armes . the chief of the protestants hereupon assembled again in the admirals lodging , where the vidame of chartres advised as before , that they should essay presently to carry the admiral out of paris , and that the rest should presently dislodge ; yet all the rest refused this counsel , resolving to relie upon the kings word , who had promised them justice . in the evening some protestant gentlemen proffered to watch with the admiral , but he would not suffer them : at night the duke of guise sent for the captain of the switzers ▪ shewing him his commission to kill the admiral and all his partakers , exhorting him and his men to be couragious in shedding of blood . at midnight the provost , sheriffs , and captains of every ward had the same shewed them , with assurance that through the whole realm the like should be done to all the protestants , and that the watchword for the general massacre should be the tolling of the bell in the palace to be rung at the break of day , and the badge of the executioners should be a white handkerchif tied on their armes , and a white crosse in their hats : the duke of guise and his associates were to begin at the admirals lodging : some of the protestants being awakened with the noise in the streets of men running up and down in armes , and with torches , gat up to enquire what was the matter ; but presently the bell rung , and the duke of guise with his cutthroats hasted to , and knocked at the admirals gates : he that opened them was presently stabbed ; the admiral hearing the noise , gat out of bed , and joyned with his minister [ master merlin ] in fervent prayer , commending his soul into the hands of god ; then said he , it is long since i disposed my self to die ; save you your selves if it be possible , for you cannot save my life ; i commit my soul into the hands and mercy of god ; then did merlin his minister , and the rest get up to the top of the house , and crept out of windows into the gutters to hide themselves ; yet most of them were slain in the next house : then seven or eight men brake into the admirals chamber , and one of them went to him with his naked sword offering him the point , to whom he said ; young man , thou oughtest to respect any age and infirmity , yet shalt thou not shorten my life ; with that he thrust him into the body , and all the rest laid at him , so that he fell to the ground , where he lay gasping : the duke of guise below called to them to throw his body out at window , which they did : his face being all bloody , the duke of guise wiped it , and looking on it , said , now i know him , it is he , and so kicked him on the face with his foot , whom all the murtherers in france feared so much when he was alive . then went he out into the streets , crying , courage my fellows , we have here made a good beginning , let us now fall upon the rest , the king commands it ▪ it is his expresse pleasure , he commands it . the admirals head was sent to the king and queen-mother , and by them sent to the pope and cardinal of lorrain as a grateful present . the pope when he heard the newes , set apart a day of publick thanksgiving to god , in the church of st. lewis , and published a bull of extraordinary indulgences to such as should pray for the heavenly assistance to the king and kingdome of france . strada . the common people cut off the admirals hands and privy members , drawing his body about the streets three days , and then hung it by the feet upon the gallows . all the attendants of the king of navar and prince of conde which lay in the kings palace were massacred ; the like was done to the lords and gentlemen that lay about the admirals lodging , and then through all the city were the protestants murthered , so that that night and the two next days there were slain in paris about ten thousand persons of all ranks , ages , and sexes , yea they spared not children in the cradle , nor infants in their mothers wombs . but to colour this their villany , they gave it out , that the huguenots had conspired to kill the king ; they boasted also that they had in one day done that , which processes , sentences of justice , and open warre could not do in twelve years . the lords and gentlemen were most inhumanely mu●thered , some in their beds , others on the roofs of their houses , and in all other places wheresoever they were found . there were at this time in paris about sixty thousand men with pistols , pikes , curtelaces , poinards , knives , and such other bloody instruments , that ran up and down swearing and blaspheming the sacred majesty of god , cruelly massacring all that they met with : the streets were covered with mangled bodies , gates and doors defiled with blood ; shoutings & howlings of the murtherers , mixed with the cries and groans of the dying ; the breaking open of doors and windows , with the noise of guns and pistols , all which made an hellish noise ; multitudes of dead bodies were thrown into the seine , which was died red with their blood . the king certified the king of navar and the prince of conde of all that was done , saying , that he saved their lives upon condition that they should renounce their religion , and turn papists . the king of navar desired him not to force his conscience , but to remember the alliance so lately contracted betwixt them : the prince of conde with more zeal told him , that his body and estate were in his power to do with them what he pleased ; but for his religion he was fully purposed not to forsake it , but to remain constant therein to the losse of his life ; he put the king in minde also that he had given his faith to him , and to those of the religion , and therefore he hoped he would not falsifie his oath , &c. this so enraged the king that he called him rebel , and the sonne of a rebellious person , with horrible threatnings that he should lose his head if within three days he altered not his mind . the king and his confidents perceiving that this massacre would not quench the fire , but rather stirre up the protestants in other parts of the kingdome to defend themselves ; they presently dispatched away letters to the governours of towns , with expresse commands to masscacre all the protestants : yet at the same time the king wrote other letters , wherein he laid the fault of the murther of the admiral upon the duke of guise : pretending that he had quieted all things in paris , and intended that his edicts of pacification ▪ should hold inviolably . upon the receipt of the first letters , the papists fell upon the protestants at meaux , trois , orleance , and other places , and murthered them without all pity , besides such as were massacred in villages and fields , where they thought to save themselves , so that in a few weeks there were above thirty thousand persons massacred in france . but besides this general account , some particulars deserve remembrance , which are these that follow . monsieur de la place , president of the court of requests , had a captain armed that came into his house , telling him that the duke of guise , had slain the admiral at the kings appointment , with many other huguenots , and that he was come to protect him in that common destruction , only he desired a sight of the gold and silver that was in his house : the l. de la place amazed at his audaciousnesse , asked him whether he thought that there was a king or no ? the captain blaspheming , willed him to go with him to know the kings pleasure ; hereupon the lord went from him to secure himself ; then did the captain rifle his house , taking above one thousand crowns : the lord would have secured himself in three several houses , all which refused to entertain him , which caused him to go back to his own house again , where he found his wife very heavy , whom he rebuked , discoursed to her of the promises , told her that we must through many afflictions enter into the kingdome of god , &c. which much comforted her : then calling his family together , he made an exhortation to them , went to prayer , and began to read a chapter in job with calvins exposition upon it . then went he to prayer again , resolving to suffer all torments or death , rather than to do any thing that might be dishonorable to god : then came the provost-marshal with many archers to his house , pretending to secure him , and safely to convey him to the king , who would speak with him ; de la place told him that he was most willing to do it , but saw it impossible ( in regard of the horrible massacres committed every where ) without apparent danger of his life ; in brief , presently after came the provost of merchants , who would needs also have him to the king , yet he would have excused it as before , but the provost would have no nay , wherefore resolving upon death , which he saw he could not avoid , he embraced his wife , wishing her above all things , to continue in the fear of god , and so went on his way boldly ; but in the street some murtherers that attended there for his coming , with their daggers stabbed him , and then pillaged him , carrying his body into a stable , and covering his face over with dung , and the next day they threw him into the river . peter ramus also , the kings professor in logick was not forgotten ; the murtherers breaking into the colledge of priests where he was , massacred him , then cast him out of the chamber-window , so that his bowels issued out on the stones : then was his body trailed through the streets and whipt by certain young scholars , who were set on by their popish tutors to do it . a godly young man going early abroad on the sabbath morning , and hearing of the death of the admiral , and seeing the insurrection , out of a singular child-like affection to his mother , he hasted home , informed her of the danger , secured her in a place of great secresie ; after which he shut himself up in his study , by prayer to fit himself for death , into which the murtherers breaking with battleaxes and staves , so loaded him with blows on the head , that he received his blood into his own hands ; and when they had killed him , they threw him into the river . two ministers belonging to the king of navar were also murthered , and thrown into the river : god miraculously preserving all the other ministers in the city . a jeweller being in bed with his wife , who at that time had the midwife with her , being near the time of her delivery , these bloody villains came knocking at the door , and in the kings name demanded entrance ; the woman as ill was she was , opened the door , whereupon rushing in , they stabbed her husband in his bed ; the midwife seeing that they were bent to murther the woman also , earnestly entreated them to tarry at least so long till the infant ( which would be the twentieth child that god had given her ) was born ; but notwithstanding her request , they took the woman , and thrust a dagger into her fundament up to the hilts ; the woman finding her self mortally wounded , yet desirous to bring forth her fruit , fled into a corn-loft , whither these tygers persuing her , gave her another stob into the belly , and so cast her out of the window into the street , and upon the fall , the childe came forth of her body , the head formost , gaping and yauning in a pitiful manner . one of these murtherers snatching up a little childe in his armes , the poor babe began to play with his beard , and to smile upon him ; but instead of being moved to compassion , this villain , whose heart was harder than the rocks , wounded it with his dagger , and cast it all gore blood into the river . the kings letters being come to meaux upon the same sabbath , to cosset the kings atturny there , upon the sight of them , he presently went about to his cutthroats , warning them to come to him armed at seven a clock at night , withal causing the gates of the city to be shut up ; the hour being come , he with his partizans went up and down , cruelly murthering the innocent servants of jesus christ , in which bloody employment they spent all that night ; the next day they pillaged their houses , and took above two hundred protestants more , and shut them up in prison : the next day towards evening , cosset with his companions went to the prison , where having a catalogue of the prisoners names , cosset called them out one by one , and then they murthered them till they were aweary : then they went to supper , that so they might breath and refresh themselves ; and then filling themselves with wine , they went back to glut themselves with blood also ; they took with them butchers axes that they might dispatch them the more easily , with which as they called them forth , they knocked them down and murthered them ; amongst those that were thus butchered , was an elder of the reformed church , who praying for his enemies , they laughed him to scorn , and because he had a buffe-coat on , which they were loth to spoil , they opened it before , and stabbed him into the breast . another was an ancient man , that had been sheriffe of the city ; him they were not content to kill out-right , but first cut off his nose , ears , and privy members , then they gave him several small thrusts into the body , tossing him up and down , till through losse of blood he fell down , calling upon the name of the lord , and so with many wounds he was slain . the kings letters being come to troys , the protestants were all shut up in prison ; then did the bailiffe send for the common hangman to murther them ; but he refused , saying , that his office was only to execute such as were legally condemned , and so went his way : then was the keeper of the prison sent for , who being sick , he sent one martin to know what the businesse was , to whom the bailiffe imparted the matter , wishing him to murther all the prisoners ; and that their blood might not run out into the street , he bade him to make a great trench in the midst of the prison , and to cause certain vessels to be set into it to receive the blood ; this martin going back with abhorrency of the fact , concealed it from the jailor : the next day the bailiffe came to the prison , and smiling , asked the jailor if it was done ? but he , being ignorant of his meaning , asked him what should be done ? hereupon the bailiffe was so enraged , that he was ready to strike him with his dagger , till he promised to perform his will ; then did the jailor go to the prisoners who were in the court recreating themselves , and shut them up one by one in their several cels , which made them suspect that they were destinated to slaughter , and therefore they betook themselves to prayer ; the jailor called his companions about him , acquainted them what was given him in charge , and caused them to swear to execute it ; but when they approached to the prisoners , they were so surprized with feare , that they stood gazing one upon another , having not hearts to act so horrid a deed ; whereupon they returned to the jailors lodge , and sent for eight quarts of the strongest wine , with other things , to intoxicate their brains ; then they took a catalogue of all their prisoners , and gave it to one martin to call them forth in order : the first prisoner being called for , presented himself with a cheerful countenance , calling upon the name of the lord , then opened his breast to them , receiving the mortal stroke , whereof he died . another being called forth , one of them thrust at him several times with the point of his halbard , wounding , but not killing him , whereupon the prisoner took the point of the halbard , and set it against his heart , saying with a stedfast voice , here souldier , here , right at the heart , right at the heart , and so finished his life . the rest were all murthered in the like manner , after which the murtherers made a great pit in the back-side of the prison , into which they cast the bodies one upon another , some of them yet breathing : yea one of them raised up himself above his fellows , whereupon they threw in earth and so smothered him : but the bailiffs order of making a trench being not observed , the blood of the slain ran so abundantly out of the prison door , that thence , through the channel , it ran into the river , and turned it into the colour of blood , which bred an horror in the very papists themselves which saw it . at orleance the kings edict for observing the treaty of peace was solemnly published , which made those of the religion very secure , whereupon above three hundred of them , men , women and children met together at a sermon ; but the same night came the kings letters for the massacring of them all ; then did the major and sheriffs raise the companies in armes to put it in execution . one of these murtherers with some of his companions went to a noble counsellors house , bidding themselves to supper ; the counsellor ignorant of their intents , made them good cheere ; but when supper was ended , with horrible blasphemies they murthered him , and then plundred his house . about the ramparts of the wall inhabited many of the religion , amongst whom all night was heard nothing but shooting of guns and pistols , breaking open of doors , fearful out-cries of the men , women and children that were massacred , trampling of horses , rumbling of carts that carried the dead bodies away , and the cryings out of the murtherers that went up and down , howling out , kill , kill them all , and then take the spoile . this massacre continued all the week long , the bloody beasts crying out to those whom they murthered , where is now your god ? what is become of all your prayers and psalms now ? let your god whom you call'd upon , save you if he can . others sang in scorn to them the . psalm , judge and revenge my cause o lord. others , have mercy on me , o god , &c. yet notwithstanding all these taunts , the faithful died couragiously . in this massacre the papists boasted that they had slain above twelve thousand men , besides women and children ; some of them said eighteen thousand . on tuesday night some of these murtherers came and knocked at the door of a doctor of the civil law , and when he opened it to them , they told him that he must die , whereupon he fell to prayer with such ardency and affection , that they being amazed and over-ruled by a divine power , only robbed him and went away ; the next day came some scholars to his house desiring to see his library , which he shewed them ; then they asked , some one book , some another , which he gave them ; yet they told him they were not satisfied , but they must kill him ; whereupon betaking himself to prayer , when he had done , he desired them to kill him there , which they refused , forcing him out into the streets , leading him by the schools , and there he again desired them to kill him in that place , where he had taught so long ; but they still refused ; and when they had led him a little farther , they knockt him on the head . others meeting with an apothecary who had brought physick to a patient , cut off one of his armes , and then had him forth into the market-place , where they murthered him . a cook that had hid himself three dayes , was at last through hunger forced to come forth , and so was slain . and to fulfil the measure of their cruelty , such protestants as through fear revolted to them , they placed them in the fore-front of their companies , putting weapons in their hands , compelling them to give the first onset , crying , smite them , smite them , are they not your holy brethren and sisters ? and if any refused , they presently slew him . in lyons , mandolet governour thereof , hearing of the massacre at paris , presently caused the city gates to be shut , raised forces , commanding them , that if any of the protestants came out of their houses , though but with swords , they should presently kill them ; but the protestants seeing a storme coming , which they knew could not arise without the special providence of god , set themselves to bear it with invincible patience . the day following if any of them did but go abroad about their necessary occasions , they were presently clapt up in prison , and when night came , the murtherers entred their houses , which they rifled and plundred , and pretending to carry the protestants to prison , some they stabbed in the streets , others they threw into the river , whereof some were carried down the stream half a mile below the city , by which means they escaped ; the day after , proclamation was made by sound of trumpet , that all of the religion should appear at such a place to know the kings pleasure concerning them ; many went , but so soon as they came , they were sent to several prisons , and the night following every corner and part of the city was full of lamentable cries and shreekings , partly of such as were massacred in their houses , partly of such as were but half murthered , and so haled to be thrown into the river ; and from that time there were such horrible murthers committed in the city , as if the divels in the likenesse of men ran roaring about to do mischief ; the sabbath morning following those that had hitherto escaped massacring , were then dispatched . in the arch-bishops house there were three hunded and fifty prisoners shut up , and a bloody crue of cutthroats were appointed to murther them , to whom the keyes were delivered , and they rushing into the great court , gave notice to the prisoners with a loud voice that they must die ; then having first taken all the prisoners purses , they fell upon them with barbarous cruelty , hacking and hewing them in a furious manner , so that within an hour and an half , they were every one cut in pieces ; the prisoners were all slain , with their eyes and hands lift up to heaven , whilst their hands and fingers were cut off . there was a merchant called francis de bossu that had two sonnes ; the father seeing the horrible massacres , said to his sons , children , we are not now to learn that it hath alwayes been the portion of believers to be hated , persecuted , and devoured by unbelievers , as christs sheep of ravening wolves ; if we suffer with christ , we shall also reign with him : let not therefore these drawn swords terrifie us , they will be but as a bridge whereby we shall passe to eternal life : we have lived long enough amonst the wicked , let us now go and live with our god , let us joyfully go after this great company that is gone before us , &c. when he saw the murtherers come , he clasped his armes about his two sons , and they theirs about him , as if they strove mutually to ward off the blows each from other , who were afterwards found dead in these mutual imbraces . the murtherers went up and down the city boasting that they had died their white doublets red in the blood of the huguenots ; one bragging that he had killed an hundred , and some more , and some lesse : when the people went into the arch-bishops house , and saw the slaughter that had been made there , though they were papists , yet they said that surely they were not men , but devils in the habit of men that had done this . the dead corpses were carried out , and lay spread like dung upon the face of the earth , and when they were about to throw them into the river , an apothecary told them that much money might be made of their grease , whereupon all the fat bodies were sought out , ripped up , and their grease sold for three shillings a pound ; which being done , after many jears bestowed upon the dead carcasses , some were tumbled into a great pit , others thrown into the river . the countries which lay below upon the river were amazed to see such multitudes of dead bodies to come down the streame , some with their eyes pulled out , others their noses , eares , and hands cut off ; stabbed into every part of their bodies , so that some had no part of humane shape remaining . shortly after the popes legat came thither , and as he came out of the great church from masse , all the chief massacrers kneeled down for to have his absolution , and when he was told who they were , and why they kneeled there , he absolved them all by making the signe of the crosse. a gentleman of paris , as soone as the massacre was ended there , went to angiers , and coming to the house of a reverend , godly , and learned minister called master john mason , meeting his wife at the door , he saluted her , asking where her husband was ? she said that he was walking in his garden , directing him the way to him ; when he came to him , he lovingly embraced him , and then said , do you know wherefore i am come to you ? the king hath commanded me presently to kill you , and therewithal he presented a pistol to his breast ; the minister replyed that he knew not wherein he had offended the king ; but seeing , said he , you will have my life , pray you give me leave to pray to god , and to begge mercy at his hands ; which being granted , he made a short prayer , and then willingly presented his body to the murtherer , who pistolled him , and so departed . presently after the king sent one pugilliard , who drowned nine or ten more in that place , and amongst the rest , the wife of this mr. mason , who shewed an admirable constancy of faith , even to her last breath . in roan in a few dayes they murthered above six thousand men besides women , upon whom they exercised no lesse cruelty than upon the men ; their dead bodies they carried out in tumbrels , and threw them by heaps into great pits digged for that purpose . the news of the massacre of paris coming to tholouse , the great gates of the city were presently shut up ; but it pleased god , that that morning most of the protestants were gone out of the city to hear a sermon ; the report of the shutting up of the gates coming to them , some thought it not fit to return , others would needs go back to take order abour their affairs : these were suffered to enter peaceably , leaving their swords at the gates , the rather to draw in the rest , amongst whom were divers counsellors ; and great meanes were used to entrap them , and indeed some of them were enticed to come back ; but when they saw they could get in no more , the wednesday morning following souldiers were sent to break into all the houses of those of the religion , and to carry them to sundry prisons ; and the gates were watched that none should escape : command also was given that none should conceale any of the protestants : amongst the prisoners were five or six counsellors , who much comforted and encouraged the rest . then were all the prisoners brought together into one place , and letters procured from the king to massacre them all : and accordingly some leud persons , armed with axes and butchers knives , were sent to effect it , who calling them out one by one , murthered them all , not permitting them so much as to speak , much lesse to pray . the number of the slain was above three hundred , who were all stript stark naked , and their bodies left to the common view of all for two dayes together : then were they , thus naked , thrown into pits one upon another , only the counsellors were hung up in their long gowns upon an elme in the palace-yard ; all their houses vvere also sacked and plundred . at bourdeaux when the news of the massacre of paris came thither , the protestants were taking boats to go into a meadow to hear a sermon , but the governour sent and stayed them , yet under preience of securing them against the multitude ; then were the gates guarded that none might escape , yet it pleased god that the ministers were conveyed away , who aftervvards took ship and came into england . there vvas a jesuite that dayly preached in that city , to stir up the governour and people to massacre the protestants , proposing the example of the persians to them . the governour could not vvell tell vvhat to do , but the lord of monpessat assured him that it was the kings minde that they should all be murthered , and that he could not do a more acceptable service to him ; whereupon he , gathering the scum of the citizens together , commanded them to kill all the protestants without sparing one , and to give them an example , himself went to the lord of obiers house , and murthered him in his own court ; then did they murther a countrey minister also that was come thither for shelter , together with the rest of the protestants , and afterwards pillaged their houses : an old man that was a deacon of the reformed church , being at this time sick in bed , they dragged him forth into the streets , asking him whether he would go to masse , to whom he answered ; i hope i shall not so far forget the eternal salvation of my soul , as for fear of death to prolong my life for a few dayes ; for thereby i should buy a short time of life at too dear a rate ; whereupon they instantly murthered him . it was lamentable to see the poor protestants wandring up and down , not knowing where to hide themselves ; some were rejected of their own parents and kinsfolk , who would not open their doors to them ; others were betrayed by their friends , and delivered into the hands of their murtherers ; yet some were hidden by their very enemies , whose hearts abhorred such detestable outrages . chap. xxxvi . the siege of sancerre , anno christi , . yet in the midst of these massacres and dangers god provided some pella's [ places of refuge ] for his people , as rochel , montalbon , nismes , sancerre , privas , &c. anno . sancerre was besieged by the lord of chastre , with an army , who planting his cannons , played incessantly upon the town , so that the stones of the wall , the pavement in the streets , and the shivers of timber flew about continually , yet the mighty power and providence of god herein appeared , that none within the city were slain , but onely one maid that was slain with the breath of a cannon-bullet : yet were the stocks of musquets sometimes broken in the hands and on the shoulders of the townsmen , and themselves not hurt ; yea some had their coats , breeches and hats shot through , and their bodies not hurt ; yea some stones that were beaten off the wall , flew violently between a ministers legs , and hurt him not . many were the assaults given to this town , yet still the assailants were beaten back with great losse . the siege continuing long , the townsmen began to be in want , so that they were forced to eat their horses , asses , and mules , which food lasted but a moneth , then they did eate all the dogs , cats , rats , mice , and moles that they could get : and those also being spent , they lived upon hides of beasts , calves and sheep-skins : then did they eate parchment , horse and beasts hoofs , hornes , lanthorns , halters , and furniture for horses , girdles o● leather , herbs and wild-roots ; and these being all spent , and no bread left in the city , such as could get linseed , or any other seed , ground it , or beat it in a morter , and made bread thereof , as also of herbs mixed with bran if they could get it : this being spent they eate bread made of straw-meal , powder of nutshels , yea of slates ; suet , old ointments , and other old grease served to make pottage , and with it also they fried the excrements of horses and men , which they did eate , yea the filth in the streetes was not spared . in this extremity a poor labourer and his wife were taken and executed for eating the head , intrals and brains of their daughter of three years old , that died of famine ; they had dressed also the rest of her body to eat at other times ; and that which aggravated their fault was , that it was proved that that day there was given to them a little pottage made with herbs and wine , which might have satisfied them in that necessity : such as went forth of the walls to seek relief , were either slaine by the enemy , or lived upon sprigs of vines , black-berries , red snailes , and herbs ; amongst other sad and lamentable spectacles , one was of a labourer and his wife found dead amongst the vines , and two of their children crying by them , the lesser being but sixe weekes old , which a charitable widow took home to her house and sustained : many dyed in this famine , some in their houses , others fell down in the streets , and gave up the ghost ; most of the children under twelve yeares old died : lamentable it was to heare the poor fathers and mothers mourning and weeping to see their misery and yet they could not relieve them ; neverthelesse most of them did wonderfully encourage themselves with the assurance of the grace of god , whereof there is this notable example . a boy of five years old , languishing divers weeks , ran along the streets , till nature failing him , he fell down in the presence of his father and mother , who wept and lamented over him ; and feeling upon his armes and legs , they were as dry as a stick ; whereupon the child said ; why do you thus weep to see me die of hunger ? i ask you no bread , mother , for i know you have none ; but seeing it is the will of god that i should die in this sort , i must take it thankfully : had not the holy man lazarus hunger ? have not i read it in my bible ? and saying so , he yielded up his spirit unto god. that which preserved all from being famished , was this ; there were yet sixe kine kept to give milke for some infants , and certaine horses of service which were reserved for an extremity ; these were killed , and their flesh sold to comfort those that lived . also some little corne was brought into the towne by stealth , which was sold for two shillings sixe pence a pound . the war killed but eighty four persons , but the famine killed above five hundred , besides those which were brought so low that they hardly recovered . during these miseries , divers souldiers , and some townsmen gat out , chusing rather to die by the sword of the enemy , than by famine , of whom some were slain , others imprisoned , and executed . so all hope of being saved in mans judgement failed to those of sancerre : for the king had sworne that he would make them devoure each other . but mans misery is gods opportunity ; the king of kings found out a strange meanes to deliver his people that put their trust in him ; just at this time , by the sollicitations of the bishop of valence , the polonians had chosen the duke of anjou , brother to the french king , king of poland , and ambassadors were come to fetch him into that countrey , who hearing of this siege , sollicited the bishop of valence to perform the promise , which he had sworn to them in the name of his master , viz. to fet at liberty all the towns of france that were molested for religion : by this means the poor sancerreans , halfe dead for hunger , were delivered at the request of these good men who came from a farre countrey to be their deliverers , though their enemies had oft-times threatned them with a general massacre ; they were suffered to depart with their armes and goods , and such as would stay , not to be questioned for any thing past ; they had a promise also that the honour of women and maids should be preserved ; and such ministers and others , as had fled thither for safety , had pasports given them , and they were suffered peaceably to depart . the siege of rochel , anno . about the beginning of the same year rochel was also besieged ; the townsmen often sallied out , and there were very hot skirmishes betwixt them and the besiegers ; in one of which there came a young gentleman , who with horrible blasphemy boasted that he was one of the admirals murtherers , shewing his courtelace , which he said , he brought from that conflict , with it threatning to slash the rochellers ; yet , when it came to trial , his heart failed , and he ran away ; but one of the city souldiers pursuing him , slew him , stript him , and left his naked body in the field , the dogs tearing his face before next morning . in one moneths space the enemy discharged above thirteene thousand cannon shot against the rochellers , and made many assaults , wherein they still went away with the worst . then came the duke of anjou to the army to be the general ▪ the siege having continued some moneths , the rochellers began to want victuals , which famine , after awhile , much encreased upon them , but behold the admirable providence of god! when all other provision failed them , there came an infinite number of small fishes never before seene in that haven , as it were yielding themselves to the mercy of the poor people , which gathered them every day so long as the siege lasted , but presently after the publishing of the edict for peace , they went away , and were never seen afterwards . during this siege came the ambassadors from poland to fetch their new king ; by whose means a truce was granted to the rochellers , and lastly articles of peace were agreed upon , whereby the army was withdrawn , and rochel enjoyed her priviledges ; yet this is further very remarkable , that all the chief persons that were imployed in the massacre of paris and other places , were drawn forth to this siege , by god , there to receive the reward of all their impieties , some of them being slain , and others receiving there those wounds whereof they shortly after died ; amongst whom were the duke de aumale , and cosseins , marshal of the field , that first entred the admirals lodging ; three masters of the camp ; divers great lords and gentlemen ; above sixty captains ; as many lieutenants and ensignes , and above twenty thousand common souldies . anno . king charles himself , that was at least the countenancer of all these horrible massacres , being in the prime of his youth , about twenty four years old , fell sick of a languishing disease ; his physicians let him blood and purged him , but to no purpose ; for by degrees he so faded away , as caused great astonishment to many . he long strugled against his disease , but at last was faine to betake himself to his bed , and the two last weeks of his sicknesse , much blood issued from divers parts of his body , and once he rolled himself in his own blood , and a little before he died , he desired his mother to pursue his enemies to the uttermost , with great vehemency reiterating his speeches ; saying , madam , i pray you heartily to do it , and so he breathed forth his soul , may the thirtieth , anno christi , . i shall here adde a few words also of the great miseries which the people of god endured in rochel , anno christi , . expecting help from england , which proved but a staffe of reed , which whilst they leaned upon , it ran into their hands ; the city being besieged by the king of france his army , the inhabitants were brought to such extremity , that for want of other meat , the citizens and souldiers , having eaten up all the horses , dogs , cats , rats and mice , lived two moneths with nothing but cow-hides and goats-skins boiled ; then did they eat up all the old gloves , and whatsoever was made of leather : yea , the poor people cut off the buttocks of the dead , and did eat them . young maids of fourteen or sixteen years old , did look like old women of one hundred years old . all the english that came out , after the surrender of the city , looked like anatomies ; the prizes of things were as followeth ; a bushel of wheat twenty pounds ; a pound of bread twenty shillings ; a quarter of mutton above sixe pounds ; a pound of butter thirty shillings ; an egge eight shillings ; an ounce of sugar two shillings and six pence ; a dried fish twenty shillings ; a pint of french wine twenty shillings ; a pint of milk thirty shillings ; a pound of grapes three shillings , &c. anno . there was one margaret pierron of the town of sansay in france , who by her maid-servant was accused to the jesuites , for not going to masse , and for keeping a bible in her house , in reading whereof was her whole delight ; the jesuites , complaining hereof to the magistrate , caused her to be apprehended , yet had she some notice of it before-hand from her friends that advised her to flie from the danger ; but god had a purpose that she should bear witness to his truth , so that she was taken and cast into prison ; after a while the judges sent for her , saying , margaret , are you not willing to returne home to your house , and there to enjoy your husband and children ? yes , said she , if it may stand with the good will of god ; then , said they , if thou wilt do but a small matter thou shalt be set at liberty ; if , said she , it be not contrary to gods glory and mine own salvation , you shall hear what i will say to you . no such thing , said they , for all that we require is but this , that a scaffold being set up in the chief part of the city , you shall there crave pardon for offending the law , and a fire being by , you shall burne your bible in it without speaking a word . i pray you my masters , said she , tell me , is my bible a good book or no ? yea , said they , we confesse it is : why then , said she , would you have me cast it into the fire ? only said they , to give the jesuites content : imagine it to be but paper , and then you may burne it , and you may buy you another bible at any time , and hereby you may save your life . thus they spent above two hours in perswading her , that thereby she might do a lesse evil , and a greater good would come of it : but she confidently answered , that by the help of god she would never do it : what will the people say ( said she ) will they not say , yonder is a wrethed woman indeed , that burns the bible wherein all the articles of christian religion are contained ? i will certainly burne my body rather than my bible . then did they commit her close prisoner , fed her only with bread and water , and her friends were debarred from coming to her : but when nothing could remove her from her constancy , she was condemned to be set upon a scaffold ; to have her bible burnt before her face ; her self to be strangled , and her body to be dragged through the streets to a dunghil , which sentence she underwent cheerfully , and so slept in the lord. collected out of the history of the tragical massacres of france under henry the second , francis the second , charles the ninth , henry the third , and henry the fourth . translated out of french. here place the ninth figure . chap. xxxvii . the persecution of the church of christ in the valtoline , anno christi , . the grison lords , who were the soveraign magistrates of this countrey , had by sundry decrees granted liberty to the protestants to exercise their religion freely : but when as the minister of tell , with his congregation , were met together about the service of god , the bloody papists rising in arms , set upon them , slew one , and beate others so cruelly with staves , that they were forced to desist from their purpose : shortly after they murthered some others , and conspiring with some other bloody villaines , they set guards upon all the passages of the valley , that so none of the protestants should escape them ; then ringing their bells , they raised all the countrey , and if any protestants stirred out of their houses , they murthered them in the streets : they also brake into the houses of others , drew them out of their beds , and murthered them . some of the protestants retired to the houses of papists that were neer of kin , or otherwise engaged to them , to secure themselves , but there they were betrayed and murthered : some they strangled ; some they shot ; of some they beate out their brains , and others they drowned in the river alba. a noble gentleman that had hid himself in the river , was found by them , who requested them to spare his life , for his dear childrens sake : but they told him that this was no time for pity , except he would abjure his faith , and swear by the popes bull : nay said he , god forbid , that to save this temporal life , i should deny my lord jesus christ , who with his precious blood upon the crosse redeemed me at so dear a rate ; and having through his grace so long freely and publikely professed him , that i should now hazard the losse of eternal life , to which i was elected before the foundation of the world ; i say god forbid . hereupon in a barbarous and savage manner they murthered him . they brake also into the palace of the governour , and murthered him ; women and maidens they defloured ; and of all the protestants in that part of the countrey , there were onely three that escaped over the horrid and vast mountains of the alps into rhetia . these wicked villaines having thus dispatched the protestants in this place , they marched to another , coming just at the time when the protestants were at church hearing a sermon : they were guided to the place by two friers ; the protestants seeing them coming , shut the church doors , barricadoing them up with benches : these villaines laboured to break open the door , but when they could not readily do it , they clambred up into the windows , through which they shot with their musquets at the people , whereby they wounded and killed many : the minister bei●g ▪ a man rarely endued with learning and piety , according to the shortnesse of time , exhorted them with lively reasons to persevere in the truth notwithstanding all the danger ; but in the mean time these barbarous papists had forced open the door , where they fell to murthering of all without respect of quality , sex , or age : some lords and gentlemen were here slaine , the minister was shot to death ; divers ladies and children gate into the belfree to save themselves ; but these hell-hounds set fire to the place , and miserably burnt them all . these savage wretches having thus glutted themselves with innocent blood in this place , they marched to sondresse : the papists in that place hearing of their coming , went to the justice , protesting that they would guard him from danger , and that they would not suffer such villanies to be committed amongst them : then did they beat their drums , ring their bells , and arme themselves under pretence of securing the protestants , who trusting to their promises , mixed themselves amongst them to stand for their own defence ; these popelings concealing their mischievous intent , killed now one , then another , as if it had been by accident , so that though divers of them were slain , yet they found not out the mystery of the practice : yet some , both men and gentlewomen sought to escape , but all passages being shut up , they were met with and cruelly murthered . then did they more openly discover their malice , killing the protestants where ever they met them : hereupon some eighteen of the protestants , together with some ladies and young children gat together ; and the men being well armed , they marched close together , repulsing their enemies , and at last came to a church in the mountain of sondresse , unto which place a minister , and some others , in all , about seventy three men were gathered together , and after their prayers made unto god , they passed the valley of malaneo , which was beset by the enemy on two sides ; but such as kept the passages , were by gods special providence , so astonished that they fled away ; and the protestants , though they were pursued to the tops of the mountains , yet did miraculously escape with safety . then did the pesants joyne with these villaines to rob and plunder the houses of the protestants , and amongst them , divers noblemens houses richly furnished with great abundance ; they ran up and down also through fields , woods and mountains , searching every bush for the protestants ; and as they found any of them , they presently murthered them . there was an honorable lady that not long before came out of italy to enjoy her liberty of conscience , whom they exhorted to change her religion , which she refusing , they advised her that yet at least she would ▪ do it out of a care of her young infant which she held in her armes , which otherwise , together with her self should presently be slain : but she with an undaunted courage answered : i have not departed out of italy , my native countrey , nor forsaken all the estate that i had there , to renounce now the faith which i had wrought in me by the lord jesus christ ; yea i will rather suffer , if it were possible , a thousand deaths ; and how shall i have regard in this case to my infant , since god my heavenly father spared not his own sonne my lord jesus christ , but delivered him up to death for his love to me , and such sinners as i am ? and so giving her childe to one , she said , behold my child , the lord god , who hath care of the birds of the aire , is much more able to save this poore creature , although by you it should be left to these wild mountains : then unlacing her gown , she opened her breast , saying , here is the body which you have power to kill ; but my soul , on which you have no power to lay your hands , that i commend to my god ; and so she was presently slain , and hewed in pieces ; the infant being a lovely and sweet child , they spared , and delivered it to a popish nurse to be brought up . these miscreants finding such sweetnesse by the plunder of the protestants ; they spared none , plundering their houses twice or thrice over : some noble matrons had their rings pul'd off their fingers ; and if they refused presently to draw them off , they would cut off either their hands or fingers from them . some women with their children were dragged to the tops of high mountains , and threatned to be thrown down headlong with their children if they would not promise to go to masse ; and though one amongst them was found , that through terrour , promised them to do it , yet did they throw her down with the rest without all pity . one dominico berto of sixteen years old , they set upon an asse with his face to the tayle , and the tayle in his hands for the bridle , and thus with many jears they led him to the market-place ; then they cut off his nose , ears , and cheeks , then burned many holes in several parts of his body with hot irons , continuing these torments till in that barbarous manner they had killed him . yet through the wonderful goodnesse of god , some ministers with their wives and children , by great travel , dangers , and difficulties amongst the craggy and high mountains , were delivered out of the hands of these bloody persecutors . theophilus messino was shot with a musket , but being not slain , they set open his mouth with a gag , filled it with gunpowder , and giving fire to it , tore his head miserably ; his son was slain with many wounds . another being wounded and stripped naked , was carried out and thrown into the woods ; yet afterwards he gat up and went home to his own house , where he had mountains of gold profered him if he would turn papist , yet , through gods mercy , he continued faithful to the death . a young gentleman , too much addicted to the vanities of the world ▪ being earnestly sollicited to forsake the protestant religion , stoutly refused , whereupon they shot him with a musket , and having layn a while , and then raising himself up , he besought them to dispatch him , that he might render his soul to his creator . divers men and women were thrown down from bridges into the river adda , and drowned for their constancy in the truth . some had their mouthes s●i● up to their ears , others had the flesh cut from their faces ; others were slashed in other parts of their body till they dyed ; and others were often put to the strappado , and then hewen in pieces . a noble virgin that was come to sondres for religion sake , these villains took and carried her through the streets with the greatest shame and disgrace that could be : they put a mitre of paper on her head , besmeared her face with dirt , buffeted her on the cheeks , then exhorted her to call upon the saints ; but she smiling thereat , said , my trust and my salvation is only in my saviour jesus christ , and upon him only will i rest ; as for the virgin mary , though she be blessed above all women , yet is she not omniscient , and therefore knows not our requests : yea she her self had need of the merits of her own son , without which she could not have been saved , &c. they still continuing to scorn and deride her , she manfully said , i willingly endure all this as it becomes me to do , desiring no better usage , seeing the same was done to my lord and saviour jesus christ , and to his apostles , and to thousands of the holy martyrs . then was she carried away and murthered in the fields . some ministers and many other godly christians , men and women , noble and ignoble were murthered sundry wayes . many hid themselves in holes , and caves , and woods , out of which they durst not come , but by night only to get them food ; yet were they so watched that many times they were murthered : others in those places were famished for want of food ; others living upon roots , herbs , grasse , &c. contracted diseases whereof they dyed , so that the mountains and woods lay scattered with dead carcasses everywhere . then came there a letter to these blood-suckers from a governour , that they should with all their power , murther , strangle , and massacre without all pity and mercy all the lutherans wheresoever they were ; whereupon these murtherers having slain all in tyrane , bruse , tell , sondres , and malen●● , they went to berbenno , where they presently murthered sundry persons of good rank and quality , and that with great cruelty , contrary to their faith and promise given them ; the like they did in caspano and trahen , and divers other places , shewing neither pity nor favour to any : in one house they slew a man and his wife ; and seeing an infant of three years old lying in a cradle , the child being a girle of a sweet and amiable countenance , and seeming to smile upon them , they took her by the heeles , and dashed out her braines . then did these villains march to bra●e , where also they murthered many ; shooting some , drowning others , stoning others , burning others , and grinding their very bones to powder : amongst others , finding an aged matron of eighty years old , they much sollicited her to hear masse , wishing her to have respect to her age ; to whom she answered with a noble resolution ; god forbid that i , who now of a long time have had one foot in the grave , should forsake my lord jesus christ , who hath so long time preserved me in the knowledge & profession of his truth , & to put my trust in creatures , and instead of his holy word to receive the traditions of men , whereupon they instantly slew her . chap. xxxviii . the persecution of the church in scotland , which began anno christi , . master patrick hamilton of an ancient and honourable family , called abbot of fern , as one hating the world , and the vanity thereof , left scotland , and went into germany , and the fame of the university of wittenberg being greatly divulged , thither he went , and became familiar with those great lights and notable servants of jesus christ , martin luther , and phil. melancthon , whereby he greatly encreased in godly knowledge and learning ; from thence he went to the university of marpurg , which was then newly erected by philip lantgrave of hessen , where he was intimate with other learned men , especially with francis lambert , by whose instigation he was the first that there publickly set up conclusions to be disputed of concerning faith and good works ; by reason of his learning and integrity of life he was had in admiration by many ; but the zeal of gods glory did so eat him up , that he could not rest till he returned into his own countrey , where the bright beams of the true light , which by gods grace was planted in his heart , began most abundantly to break forth , as well in publike as in secret . in processe of time the fame of his doctrine troubled the clergy , and came to the ears of james beton , arch-bishop of saint andrews , who grew impatient that by this means the kingdom of darkness was disturbed ; and therefore he so laboured with patrick hamilton , that he gat him to saint andrews , where after divers dayes conference he had his freedom and liberty , the bishop seeming to approve his doctrine , acknowledging that in many things there needed a reformation in the church ; but withall , fearing that their kingdom should be endamaged , they laboured with the king , who was then young and much led by them , to go on pilgrimage to saint dothesse in rosse , that so by reason of his absence no intercession might be made to him , for the saving the life of this innocent servant of jesus christ , who not suspecting the malice that lodged in their hearts , remained as a lambe amongst wolves . the king being gone , upon a night master hamilton was seised upon by the bishops officers and carried to the castle , and the morrow after he was brought forth unto judgement , and was condemned to be burnt for the testimony of gods truth ; the articles for which he suffered , were about pilgrimages , purgatory , prayer to saints , and for the dead , &c. and that his condemnation might have the greater authority , they caused it to be subscribed by all those of esteem that were the●e present , and to make their number great , they took the subscription of very children if they were of the nobility . immediately after dinner the fire was prepared , and he was led to execution ; yet most men thought that it was only to terrifie him , and to cause him to recant . but god , for his own glory , the good of his servants , and for the manifestation of their beastly tyranny , had otherwise decreed : for he so strengthned him , that neither the love of life , nor fear of that cruel death could once move him to swerve from the truth which he had professed . at the place of execution he gave to his servant that had long attended him , his gown , coat , cap , and his other garments , saying , these will not profit in the fire , they will profit thee ; after this of me thou canst receive no commodity except the example of my death , which i pray thee to beat in minde ; for though it be bitter to the flesh , and fearful before men , yet it is the entrance into eternal life , which none shall possesse which denies christ jesus before this wicked generation ; and so being tyed to the stake in the midst of coals and timber , they gave fire to some powder , which with the blast scorched his left hand and the side of his face , but neither killed him nor kindled the wood and coals ; till they ran to the castle for more powder , and more combustible matter , which being at last kindled , with a loud voice he cryed : lord jesus receive my spirit ; how long shall darknesse overwhelme this realme ? and how long wilt thou suffer the tyranny of these men ? the fire was slow , and therefore put him to the greater torment ; but that which most grieved him was the clamour of some wicked men set on by the friars , who continually cryed , turn thou heretick ; call upon our lady ; say salve regina , &c. to whom he answered , depart from me and trouble me not thou messenger of satan ; and speaking to one campbel , a friar that was the ringleader , who still roared on him with great vehemency , he said to him ; wicked man , thou knowest the contrary , and hast confessed the contrary to me ; i appeale thee before the tribunal seat of jesus christ ; after which words he resigned up his spirit unto god , anno christi , . and within few dayes after the said friar died in a phrensie , and as one that despaired . anno . the said arch-bishop of saint andrews , convented before him david straton a gentleman , and master norman gourlay ; the first of these having a fisher-boat that went to sea , the bishop of murray demanded tithe fish of him , to whom he answered , that if they would have tithe of that which his servants caught in the sea , they should take it in the place where it was caught , and so caused his servants to throw the tenth fish into the sea again ; all this while he had nothing in him for religion . but when hereupon he was summoned to answer for her●sie , it troubled him exceedingly , and then he began to frequent the company of such as were godly , and there appeared a wonderful change in him , so that whereas before he despised the word of god , now all his delight was in hearing of it read to him , and he was a vehement exhorter of all men to peace and concord , and contempt of the world . he much frequented the company of the laird of dun areskin , whom god in those dayes had marvellously illuminated : hearing the text read , ( for he could not read himself ) he that denieth me before men , or is ashamed of me in the midst of this wicked generation , i will deny him before my father and his holy angels ; at those words being suddenly as one revived , he fell upon his knees , and stedfastly lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven , at length he burst forth into these words ; o lord , i have been wicked , and justly mayst thou withdraw thy grace from me ; but , lord , for thy mercy sake , let me never deny thee nor thy truth for fear of death or any corporal paine . being afterwards together with master norman brought to judgement in holy rood-house , the king himself being present , much means was used to draw this david straton to make a recantation ; but he persevered in his constancy , still denying that he had offended , and so they were both condemned to the fire , and after dinner anno . they were both first hanged , and afterwards burnt . not long after the burning of these two holy men ; there was one deane thomas forret , who used to preach every lords day to his parishoners , out of the epistles and gospels as they fell in order : this was counted a great novelty , for none used to preach but the friars , and therefore they envying him , accused him to the bishop of dunkelden for an heretick , and one that shewed the mysteries of scripture to the vulgar people . the bishop instigated by the complaint of the friars , called the said deane thomas before him , to whom he said , my joy deane thomas , i love you well , and therefore i must give you counsel how to govern your self ; the deane thanked him ; and then he proceeded , my joy deane thomas , i am informed that you preach the epistle and gospel every sunday to your people , and that you take not your dues from them , which is very prejudicial to the churchmen ; and therefore my joy deane thomas , i would have you take your dues , or else it s too much to preach every sunday ; for by so doing , you make the people think that we should do so also ; it s enough for you when you find a good epistle or gospel , to set forth and preach the liberty of holy church , and let the rest alone . thomas answered , my lord , i presume none of my parishoners complaine for my not taking my dues ; and whereas you say it s too much to preach every sunday , i think it is too little , and wish that your lordship would do the like . nay , nay , deane thomas , said the bishop ; let that be , for we 〈◊〉 not ordained to preach ; then said thomas , whereas you bid me preach when i meet with a good epistle and gospel ; i have read them all over , and i know 〈◊〉 ●ad ones amongst them , but when your lordship shews me such , i will passe by them . then said the bishop , i thank god i never knew what the old and new testament was ; and deane thomas , i will know nothing but my portuise and pontifical . go your wayes and let all these fancies be ; for if you persevere herein , you will repent you when t is too late . i trust , said thomas , my cause is good and just in the presence of god , and therefore i care not what follows thereupon ; and so he went his way ; but shortly after he was summoned to appear before the cardinal , by whom he was condemned and burned for a chief heretick and teacher of heresies . but notwithstanding all their bloody tyranny , the knowledge of god did wonderfully encrease in that kingdom , partly by reading , partly by brotherly conference , which in those dangerous days was much used to the comfort of many , which so enraged the popish party , that anno . there were burned in one fire foure persons of good quality . the year after there were apprehended jerome russel , a man of a meek and quiet natur● ▪ and alexander kennedy of about eighteen years old ; these two poor servants of jesus christ being brought before the arch-bishop and his associates to judgement , kennedy at first was faint , and would faine have recanted , but when all place of repentance was denied him , the spirit of god ( which seasonably comes in with comfort , ) began to refresh him , yea the inward comfort began to burst forth , as well in his visage , as in tongue and words ; for with a chearful countenance and joyful voice , falling on his knees , he said , o eternal god , how wonderful is that love and mercy that thou bearest unto mankind , and to me a vile caitiffe and miserable wretch above all others ! for even now when i would have denied thee , and thy sonne our lord jesus christ , my only saviour , and so have cast my self into everlasting damnation , thou by thine own hand hast pulled me from the very bottome of hell , and made me to feele that heavenly comfort which takes from me that ungodly feare wherewith before i was oppressed . now i defie death , do with me what you please , i praise god i am ready ; then did they raile upon him and jerome , who also said unto them , this is your hour and power of darkness ; now sit ye as judges , and we stand wrongfully accused , and more wrongfully to be condemned ; but the day will come when our innocency will appear , and ye shall see your own blindnesse , to your everlasting confusion . go forward and fulfil the measure of your iniquity . shortly after they were condemned to die , and as they went to execution , jerome comforted kennedy , saying to him ; brother , fear not ; greater is he that is in us , than he that is in the world ; the pain that we are to suffer is short , and shall be light , but our joy and consolation shall never have an end . let us therefore strive to enter into our master and saviours joy , by the same straight way which he hath taken before us . death cannot hurt us , for it is already destroyed by him for whose sake we now suffer . and thus passing chearfully on , they constantly triumphed over death and satan , in the midst of the flaming fire where they gave up their spirits to god. anno . cardinal beton coming to edenburgh , caused many godly persons to be called before him , and when he could prove nothing else against them , he caused four men to be hanged upon suspition that they had eaten a goose upon a friday : and a woman with her child sucking on her breast , to be drowned for refusing to pray to the virgin mary . many others he caused to be banished , others to be imprisoned at saint johnstons , amongst whom was one john rogers a godly and learned man , that had fruitfully preached christ jesus to the comfort of many in angus and meannes , whom he caused to be murthered in prison , and then thrown over the walls , giving it out that by attempting to escape , he had broken his neck . chap. xxxix . the life of master george wiseheart , or wischard , who died , anno christi , . george wiseheart was born in scotland , and brought up first at school , from whence he went to the university ; after which he travelled into several countries , and at last came to cambridge , where he was admitted into bennet colledge ; he was tall of stature , and of a melancholy constitution ; he had black haire , a long beard , comely of personage , and well-spoken , courteous , lowly , lovely , willing to teach , desirous to learn ; for his habit , he wore a frize gowne , a black fuftian doublet , plaine hose , course canvas for his shirts , falling bands , &c. all which apparel he gave to the poor , some weekly , some monethly , some quarterly ; saving a french cap that he wore , which he kept a twelvemoneth . he was modest , temperate , fearing god , hating covetousnesse . his charity was extraordinary , he forbore his food one meale in three , one day in foure , that he might the better relieve the poor . his lodging was upon stravv , and he had course nevv canvas sheets , vvhich vvhen once foule , he gave avvay ; he had by his bed-side a tub of vvater , in vvhich in the dark night he bathed himself ; he taught vvith great modesty and gravity , so that some about him thought him severe , and vvould have slain him , but the lord vvas his deliverer ; and he ; after due correction for their malice , by good exhortation amended them ; his learning vvas no lesse sufficient than his desire of it ; he vvas alvvayes ready to do good to his ability ; both in his private chamber and publick schools , he read divers authors , yea he alvvayes studied hovv to do good to all . anno . some of the nobility of scotland , coming to treat with king henry the eighth , about the marriage between his sonne prince edward , and their young queen mary , at their return , master wischard went with them into scotland , being a man of admirable graces , and singularly learned both in divine and humane sciences ; he first preached in rosse , and then in dundee , where with great admiration of all that heard him , he went over the epistlle to the romans , till at the instigation of the cardinal , one robert misle , a principal man there , and formerly a professor of religion , inhibited him from preaching , requiring him that he should trouble their town no more , for he would not suffer it ; and this was spoken to him in the publick place ; whereupon he mused a space , with his eyes bent unto heaven , and afterwards looking sorrowfully upon the speaker and people , he said , god is witnesse that i never minded your trouble , but your comfort ; yea your trouble is more dolorous to me then it is to your selves : but i am assured that to refuse gods word , and to chase from you his messenger , shall not preserve you from trouble , but shall bring you into it : for god shall send you ministers that shall neither feare burning nor banishment . i have offered you the word of salvation ; with the hazard of my life i have remained amongst you : now ye your selves refuse me , and i must leave my innocency to be declared by my god ; if it be long prosperous with you , i am not led by the spirit of truth : but if unlookt for trouble come upon you , acknowledge the cause , and turn to god who is gracious and mercifull ; but if you turn not at the first warning , he will visit you with fire and sword ; and so he came down from the pulpit . some noble men being present , would have perswaded him to stay , or to have gone with them into the countrey , but by no means would he stay till he had past the river tay. then went he into the west-countrey , where he made offers of gods word , which was gladly received by many , till the bishop of glasgow , by the instigation of the cardinal , came with his traine to the town of ayre to resist wischard ; the earl of glencarne and some other gentlemen hearing of it , came thither also with their retinue , and when they were all come together , the bishop would needs have the church himself to preach in . some opposed , but wischard said , let him alone , his sermon will not do much hurt , let us go to the market-crosse , and so they did , where he made so notable a sermon , that his very enemies themselves were confounded . wischard remained with the gentlemen in kyle , preaching sometime in one place , sometimes in another , but coming to machlene , he was perforce kept out of the church ; some would have broken in , but he said to one of them , brother , jesus christ is as mighty in the fields as in the church , and himself often preached in the desert , at the sea-side and , other places . it s the word of peace god sends by me : the blood of none shall be shed this day for the preaching of it ; and so going into the fields , he stood upon a bank , were he continued in preaching to the people above three houres ; and god wought so wonderfully by that sermon , that one of the wickedst men in all the country , the laird of sheld was converted by it , and his eyes ran down with such abundance of tears , that all men wondred at it . presently news was brought to wischard that the plague was broke out in dundee , which began within four dayes after he was prohibited preaching there , and raged so extreamly , that it s almost beyond credit how many died in twenty foure houres space ; this being related to him , notwithstanding the importunity of his friends , he would needs go thither , saying , they are now in trouble , and need comfort ; perhaps this hand of god will make them now to magnifie and reverence that word of god , which before they lightly esteemed . coming to dundee , the joy of the faithful was exceeding great , and without delay he signified that the next day he would preach ; and because most of the inhabitants were either sick , or imployed about the sick , he chose the east-gate for the place of his preaching , so that the whole were within , and the sick without the gate ; his text was psal. . he sent his word and healed them , &c. wherein he comfortably intreated of the profit and comfort of gods word , the punishment that comes by the contempt of it , the readinesse of gods mercy to such as truly turn to him , and the happinesse of those whom god takes from this misery , &c. by which sermon he so raised up the hearts of those that heard him , that they regarded no death , but judged them more happy that should then depart , rather than such as should remain behind ; considering that they knew not whether they should have such a comforter with them . he spared not to visit them that lay in the greatest extremity , and to comfort them . he provided all things necessary for such as could take food , the town being very bountiful to them , through his instigation . but whilst he was thus busying himself for the comfort of the afflicted , the devil stirred up the cardinal , who corrupted a desperate popish priest , called john weighton , to slay him . and on a day the sermon being ended , and the people departed , suspecting no danger , the priest stood waiting at the bottome of the stairs with a naked dagger in his hand , under his gown , but master vvischard being of a sharp piercing eye , seeing the priest as he came down , said to him , my friend what would you have ? and withal clapping his hand upon the dagger , took it from him ; the priest herewith being terrified , fell down upon his knees , confessed his intention , and craved pardon ; a noise being hereupon raised , and it coming to the ears of those which were sick , they cryed , deliver the traytor to us , or we will take him by force , and so they burst in at the gate , but vvischard taking him in his armes , said , vvhosoever hurts him shall hurt me , for he hath done me no mischief , but much good , by teaching me more heedfulnesse for the time to come ; and so he appeased them , and saved the priests life . when the plague was almost quite ceased , he took his leave of them , saying , that god had almost put an end to the battel , and that he was now called to another place ; for the gentlemen of the west had written to him to meet them in edinburgh , where he should dispute with the bishops , and should be publickly heard , which he willingly assented to : but first he went to montrosse , to salute the church there , where he sometimes preached , but spent most of his time in private meditation , in which he was so earnest , that night and day he continued in it ; during which time , the cardinal again conspired his death , causing a letter to be sent to him , as if it been from his familiar friend , the laird of kinnur , desiring him with all possible speed to come to him , for that he was taken with a sudden sicknesse ; in the mean time he had provided sixty men armed to lie in wait within a mile and na hall of montrosse to murther him as he passed by that way , the letter coming to his hands by a boy , who also brought him an horse to ride on ; accompanied with some honest men his friends , he set forwards ; but suddenly stopping and musing a space , he returned back again , which they wondring at , asked him the cause ; to whom he said ; i will not go , i am forbidden of god , i am assured there is treason : let some of you go to yonder place and tell me what you finde ; which they doing , found out the treason , and hastily returning back , they told master wischard of it , whereupon he said ; i know that i shall end my life by that blood-thirsty mans hands ▪ but it will not be on this manner . the time approaching wherein he should meet the gentlemen at edinburgh , he took his leave and departed ; by the way he lodged with a faithful brother called james watson of inner gowry ; in the night time he gat up and went into a yard ; which two men hearing , privily followed him ; there he walked in an alley for some space , breathing forth many sobs and deep grones , then he fell upon his knees , and his grones increased ; then he fell upon his face ; those that watched him , hearing him weeping and praying , in which posture he continued near an hour ; then getting up he came to his bed again ; those which attended him , making as though they were ignorant of all , came and asked him where he had been ? but he would not answer them ; the next day they importuned him again , saying , be plain with us , for we heard your mourning , and saw your gestures ; then he with a dejected countenance , said , i had rather you had been in your beds ; but they still pressing upon him to know something ; he said , i will tell you ; i am assured that my warfare is near at an end , and therefore pray to god with me that now i shrink not when the battel waxeth most hot ; when they heard this , they fell a weeping , saying , this is small comfort to us ; then said he , god shall send you comfort after me . this realme shall be illuminated with the light of christs gospel as clearly as any realme since the dayes of the apostles ; the house of god shall be built in it , yea it shall not lack , in despite of all enemies , the top-stone ; neither will it be long before this be accomplished ; many shall not suffer after me , till the glory of god shall appear and triumph in despight of satan : but alasse ! if the people shall afterwards prove unthankful , then fearful and terrible shall the plagues be that shall follow . then went he forward on his journey , and came to leith , but hearing nothing of those gentlemen that were to meet him , he kept himself private a day or two : then did he grow very pensive , and being asked the reason of it ; he said , what do i differ from a dead man , but that i eat and drink ? hitherto god hath used my labours for the instruction of others , and to the disclosing of darknesse , and now i lurk as a man ashamed that dare not shew his face : hereby they perceived that his desire was to preach , whereupon they said to him , it 's most comfortable to us to hear ●ou , but because we know the danger wherein you stand , we dare not desire it ; but said he , if you dare hear , let god provide for me as best pleaseth him ; and so it was concluded that the next day he should preach in leith ; his text was of the parable of the sower , mat. . the sermon ended , the gentlemen of louth●●● , who were earnest professors of jesus christ , would not suffer him to stay at leith , because the governour and cardinal were shortly to come to edinburgh , but took him along with them , and so he preached at brunstone , languedine , and ormstone ; then was he requested to preach at eneresk neer muscelbrugh , where he had a great confluence of people , and amongst them sir george dowglas , who after sermon , said publickly , i know that the governour and cardinal will hear that i have been at this sermon : but let them know that i will avow it , and will maintain both the doctrine , and the preacher to the uttermost of my power ; this much rejoyced those that were present . amongst others that came to hear him preach , there were two gray-friars , who , standing at the church door , whispered to such as came in : which wischard observing , said to the people , i pray you make roome for these two men , it may be they come to learn ; and turning to them , he said , come neer , for i assure you , you shall hear the word of truth , which this day shall seale up to you either your salvation or damnation ; and so he proceeded in his sermon , supposing that they would be quiet ; but when he perceived that they still continued to disturb all the people that stood near them , he said to them the second time with an angry countenance ; o ministers of satan , and deceivers of the souls of men ; will ye neither hear gods truth your selves , nor suffer others to hear it ? depart and take this for your portion ; god shall shortly confound and disclose your hypocrisie within this kingdom ; ye shall be abominable to men , and your places and habitations shall be desolate . this he spake with much vehemency , and turning to the people , he said , these men have provoked the spirit of god to anger ; and then he proceeded to the end of his sermon . afterwards he preached in divers other places , the people much flocking after him ; in all his sermons foretelling the shortnesse of time that he had to travel , and the near approaching of his death . coming to haddington , his auditory began much to decrease ; the cause , as it was conceived , was this , the earle bothwell , who had great observance in those parts , by the instigation of the cardinal , had inhibited both those of the town and countrey from hearing him . presently after , as he was going to church , he received a letter from the west-countrey gentlemen , and having read it , he called john knox , who had diligently waited upon him since he came into lothaine , to whom he said that he was a weary of the world , because he saw that men began to be weary of god ; for saith he , the gentlemen of the west have sent me word , that they cannot keep their meeting at edinburgh ; john knox wondring that he should enter into conference about these things so immediately before his sermon , contrary to ●his custome , said to him ; sir , sermon-time approaches , i will leave you for the present to your meditations . then did master wischard walk up 〈◊〉 down about half an hour , his sad countenance declaring the grief of his mind : at last he went into the pulpit , and his auditory being very small , he began on this manner : o lord , how long shall it be that thy holie word shall be despised , and men shall not regard their own salvation ? i have heard of thee , o haddington , that in thee there used to be two or three thousand persons at a vain and wicked play : and now to hear the messenger of the eternal god , of all the parish can scarce be numbred one hundred present . sore and fearful shall be the plagues that shall ensue upon this thy contempt ; with fire and sword shalt thou be plagued ; yea thou haddington in special , strangers shall possesse thee ; and you the present inhabitants shall either in bondage serve your enemies , or else you shall be chased from your own habitations , and that because ye have not known , nor will know the time of your visitation . this prophesie was accomplished not long after , when the english took haddington , made it a garrison , enforced many of the inhabitants to flie : oppressed others ; and after awhile , a great plague breaking forth in the town , whereof multitudes died , the english were at last forced to quit it , who at their departure burnt and spoiled great part of it , leaving it to be possessed by such as could first seize upon it , which were the french that came as auxiliaries to scotland , with a few of the ancient inhabitants , so that haddington to this day never recovered her former beauty , nor yet men of such wisdome and ability as did formerly inhabit it . that night was master wiseheart apprehended in the house of ormeston , by the earle bothwel , suborned thereunto by the cardinal . the manner was thus ; after sermon he took his last farewel of all his friends in haddington ; john knox would faine have gone with him ; but he said , return to your children , and god blesse you ; one is sufficient for one sacrifice ; then went he the laird of ormestons with some others that accompanied him . after supper he held a comfortable discourse of gods love to his children , then he appointed the . psalm to be sung , and so retired to his chamber . before midnight the house was beset : and the earle bothwell called for the laird of the house , and told him that it was in vain to resist , for the governour and cardinal were within a mile with a great power ; but if he would deliver master wischard to him , he would promise upon his honour that he should be safe , and that the cardinal should not hurt him ; master wischard said , open the gates , the will of god be done ; and bothwell coming in , wischard said to him , i praise my god that so honourable a man as you , my lord , receive me this night ; for i am perswaded that for your honours sake you will suffer nothing to be done to me but by order of law ? i lesse feare to die openly , than secretly to be murthered : then said bothwel , i will not only preserve your body from all violence that shall be intended against you without order of law , but i also promise in the presence of these gentlemen , that neither the governour , nor cardinal shall have their will of you , but i will keep you in mine own house , till i either set you free , or restore you to the same place where i receive you ; then said the lairds , my lord , if you make good your promise , which we presume you will , we our selves will not only serve you , but we will procure all the professors in lothain to do the same , &c. these promises being made in the presence of god , and hands being stricken by both parties , the earle took master wischard and so departed . master wischard was carried to edenburgh ; but gold and women easily corrupt fleshly men ; for the cardinal gave bothwel gold ; and the queen , that was too familiar with him , promised him her favour , if he would deliver master wischard into edenburgh castle , which he did ; and shortly after he was delivered to the blood-thirsty cardinal : who , seeing that it was forbidden by their cannon law for a priest to sit as a judge upon life and death ; he sent to the governour , requesting him to appoint some lay-judge to passe sentence of death upon master wischard . the governour would easily have yielded to his request , but that david hamilton , a godly man told him , that he could expect no better an end than saul , if he persecuted the truth which formerly he had professed , &c. hereupon the governour sent the cardinal word , that he would have no hand in shedding the blood of that good man ; the cardinal being angry , returned this answer , that he had sent to him of meer civility , and that he would proceed without him , and so to the great grief of the godly , the cardinal carried master wiseheart to saint andrews , and put him into the tower there ; and without any long delay he caused all the bishops , and other great clergy-men to be called together to saint andrews . feb. ult . . master wischard was sent for to appear before them , to give an account of his seditious and heretical doctrine , as they called it ; the cardinal caused all his retinue to come armed to the place of their sitting , which was the abby-church , whither when master wischard was brought , there was a poor man lying at the door , that asked his almes , to whom he flung his purse ; when he came before the cardinal , there was a dean appointed to preach ; whose sermon being ended , wischard was put up into the pulpit to hear his charge : and one lawder , a priest , stood over against him , and read a scrowle full of bitter accusations and curses , so that the ignorant people thought that the earth would have opened and swallowed up wischard quick : but he stood with great patience without moving , or once changing his countenance ; the priest having ended his curses , spat at master wischards face , saying , vvhat answerest thou ? thou runnagate , traytor , thief , &c. then did master vvischard fall upon his knees , making his prayer unto god ; after which he said , many and horrible sayings unto me a christian man , many words abominable for to hear , have ye spoken here this day , which not onely to teach , but even to think , i ever thought it a great abomination , &c. then did he give them an account of his doctrine . answering every article as farre as they would give him leave to speak . but they without having any regard to his sober and godly answers , presently condemned him to be burnt . after which sentence he falling upon his knees , said , o immortal god , how long wilt thou suffer the rage , and great cruelty of the ungodly to exercise their fury upon thy servants , which do further thy word in this world , whereas they on the contrary seek to destroy the truth , whereby thou hast revealed thy self to the world , &c. o lord , we know certainly that thy true servants must needs suffer for thy names sake persecutions , afflictions , and troubles in this present world ; yet we desire that thou wouldest preserve and defend thy church which thou hast chosen before the foundations of the world , and give thy people grace to hear thy word , and to be thy true servants in this present life . then were the common people put out , the bishops not desiring that they should hear the innocent man speak , and so they sent him again to the castle , till the fire should be made ready ; in the castle came two friars to him , requiring him to make his confession to them , to whom he said , i will make no confession to you , but fetch me that man who preached even now , and i will speak with him ; then was the sub-prior with whom he conferred a pretty while , till the sub-prior wept , who going to the cardinal , told him that he came not to intercede for master wischards life , but to make known his innocency to all men ; at which words the cardinal was very angry , saying : we knew long ago what you were . the captain of the castle with some friends coming to master wischard , asked him if he would break his fast with them : yea , said he , very willingly , for i know you be honest men ; in the mean time he desired them to hear him a little ; and so he discoursed to them about the lords supper , his sufferings and death for us , exhorting them to love one another , laying aside all rancor and malice as becomes the members of jesus christ , who continually intercedes for us to his father . afterwards he gave thanks , and blessing the bread and wine , he took the bread and brake it , giving it to every one , saying , eate this , remember that christ died for us , and feed on it spiritually ; so taking the cup , he bade them remember that christs blood was shed for them , &c. then he gave thanks and prayed for them , and so retired into his chamber . presently came two executioners to him from the cardinal , one put on him a black linnen coat , the other brought him bags of powder , which they tied about several parts of his body , and so they brought him forth to the place of execution ; over against which place , the castle windows were hung with rich hangings , and velvet cushions laid for the cardinal and prelates , who from thence fed their eyes with the torments of this innocent man ; the cardinal fearing lest wiseheart should be rescued by his friends , caused all the ordnance in the castle to be bent against the place of his execution , and commanded his gunners to stand ready all the time of his burning ; then were his hands bound behind his back , & so he was carried forth ; in the way some beggars met him , asking his alms for gods sake : to whom he said , my hands are bound wherewith i was wont to give you almes : but the merciful lord , who of his bounty and abundant grace feeds all men , vouchsafe to give you necessaries both for your bodies and souls . then two friars met him , perswading him to pray to our lady to mediate for him ; to whom he meekly said , cease , tempt me not , i entreat you : and so with a rope about his neck , and a chaine about his middle , he was led to the fire : then falling upon his knees , he thrice repeated ; o thou saviour of the world have mercy upon me ; father of heaven , i commend my spirit into thy holy hands : then turning to the people , he said : christian brethren and sisters , i beseech you be not offended at the word of god for the torments which you see prepared for me ; but i exhort you that ye love the word of god for your salvation , and suffer patiently , and with a comfortable heart for the words sake , which is your undoubted salvation and everlasting comfort ; i pray you also shew my brethren and sisters which have often heard me , that they cease not to learne the word of god which i taught them , according to the measure of grace given to me , for no persecution or trouble in this world whatsoever ; and shew them that the doctrine was no old wives fables , but the truth of god ; for if i had taught mens doctrine , i had had greater thanks from men : but for the word of gods sake i now suffer , not sorrowfully , but with a glad heart and minde : for this cause i was sent that i should suffer this fire for christs sake ; behold my face , you shall not see me change my countenance : i feare not the fire ; and if persecution come to you for the words sake , i pray you fear not them that can kill the body , and have no power to hurt the soul , &c. then he prayed for them which accused him , saying , i beseech thee father of heaven , forgive them that have of ignorance , or of an evil mind , forged lies of me : i forgive them with all my heart ; i beseech christ to forgive them that have condemned me this day ignorantly : then turning to the people again , he said , i beseech you brethren , exhort your prelates to learn the word of god , that they may be ashamed to do evil , and learn to do good , or else there shall shortly come upon them the wrath of god which they shall not eschew ; then the executioner upon his knees , said , sir , i pray you forgive me , for i am not the cause of your death ; and he calling him to him , kissed his cheeks , saying , lo here is a token that i forgive thee ; my heart , do thine office ; and so he was tied to the stake , and the fire kindled . the captain of the castle coming near him , bade him be of good courage , and to beg for him the pardon of his sin ; to whom master wischard said , this fire torments my body , but no whit abates my spirits ; then looking towards the cardinal , he said , he who in such state from that high place , feeds his eyes with my torments , within few dayes shall be hanged out at the same window to be seen with as much ignominie as he now leans there with pride ; and so his breath being stopped , he was consumed by the fire . this prophesie was fulfilled , when after the cardinal was slain , the provost raising the town , came to the castle gates , crying , what have you done with my lord cardinal ? where is my lord cardinal ? to whom they within answered , return to your houses , for he hath received his reward , and will trouble the world no more : but they still cryed , we will never depart till we see him ; then did the leslies hang him out at that window to shew that he was dead , and so the people departed . but god left not the death of this holy man long unrevenged : for the people did generally cry out of the cruelty used against him , especially john lesley , brother to the earle of rothes , and norman lesley his cousin , fell foul upon the cardinal for it : but he thought himself strong enough for all scotland , saying , tush , a fig for the fools , and a button for the bragging of hereticks . is not the lord governour mine , witnesse his eldest sonne for a pledge at my table ? have i not the queen at my devotion ? is not france my friend ? why should i fear any danger ? yet he had laid a designe to cut off such as he feared and hated , which was discovered after his death by letters and memorials found about him . he kept himself for his greater security in his castle ; and on a friday night there came to the town of saint andrews , norman lesley , william kircaldy , john leslley , and some others ; and on the saturday morning they met together not far from the castle , waiting till the gate was opened , and the draw-bridge let down , for the receiving in some lime and sand , to repair some decays about the castle , which being done , kircaldy , with six more , went to the porter , falling into discourse with him , till the leslies came also with some other company : the porter seeing them , would have drawn up the bridge , but he was prevented , and whilst he endeavoured to keep them out at the gate , his head was broken , and the keys taken from him ; the cardinal was asleep in bed , for all night he had for his bedfellow , mistris mary ogleby , who was a little before gone from him out at the postern gate , and therefore the cardinal was gone to his rest . there were about one hundred workmen in the castle , which seeing what was done , cried out , but , without hurt , they were turned out at the wicket gate ; then vvilliam kircaldy went to secure the postern lest the cardinal should make an escape that way : the rest going to the gentlemens chambers , who were above fifty , without hurting them , they turned them all out at the gate ; they which undertook this enterprise were but eighteen men . the cardinal being awaked with the noise , asked out at the window what was the matter ? answer was made , that norman lesley had taken his castle : then did he attempt to have escaped by the posterne , but finding that to be kept , he returned to his chamber : and with the help of his chamberlain fell to barrica-doing up the door with chests , and such things : then came up john lesley and bids open the door : the cardinal asked , who was there ? he answered john lesley : the cardinal said , i will have norman , for he is my friend : content your self , said the other , with those that are here : and so they fell to breaking open the door ; in the mean time the cardinal hid a box of gold under some coales in a secret corner . then he said to them , will ye save my life ? john lesley answered , it may be that we will. nay , said the cardinal , sweare unto me by gods wounds that you will , and then i will open the door ; then said john , that which was said , is unsaid , and so he called for fire to burn down the door , whereupon the door was opened , and the cardinal sate him down in his chair , crying , i am a priest , i am a priest , ye will not slay me ? then john lesley and another struck him once or twice ; but master james melvin , a man that had been very familiar with wischard , and of a modest and gentle nature , perceiving them both to be in choler , plucked them back , saying , this work and judgement of god although it be secret , ought to be done with great gravity : and so presenting him the point of his sword , he said , repent thee of thy former wicked life , but especially of sheding the blood of that notable instrument of god , master george wisheart , who though he was consumed by the fire before men , yet cries it for vengeance upon thee , and we from god are sent to revenge it ; for here , before my god i protest , that neither the hatred of thy person , the love of thy riches , nor the feare of any hurt thou couldst have done me , moveth me to strike thee ; but onely because thou hast been , and still remainest an obstinate enemie against jesus christ and his holy gospel ; and so he thrust him through the body , who falling down , spake never a word , but i am a priest , i am a priest : fie , fie , all is gone . the death of this tyrant was grievous to the queen mother , with whom he had two much familiarity , as with many other women ; as also to the romanists , though the people of god were freed from their fears in a great measure thereby . anno . there was one adam wallace , a man that had no great learning , but was zealous in godlinesse , and of an upright life ; him the bishop of saint andrews caused to be apprehended , and carried to edenburgh , where after a while he was brought to judgement before duke hamilton , huntly , and divers others ; the bishops and their instruments accused him : first , that he took upon him to preach ; to which he answered , that he never judged himself worthy of so excellent a vocation , and therefore never took on him to preach ; yet he denyed not , that in private places he used to read the word , and out of it to exhort such as were willing to hear him . knave , quoth one , what have you to do to meddle with the scriptures ? i think , said he , it s every ones duty to labour to know the will of god , and to get assurance of his salvation , which is to be found in the old and new testament . what then , said another , shall we leave to the church-men to do ? to whom he answered , their work is publickly to preach the gospel of jesus christ , and to feed the flock which he hath redeemed with his own blood , as all true pastors are commanded to do , &c. the bishops being angry hereat , caused his charge further to be read ; as that he denyed purgatory , praying to saints , and for the dead , &c. to which he answered , that he had oft read over the bible , and yet found no mention of purgatory , nor command to pray to the saints , or for the dead ; therefore i believe , said he , they are but meer inventions of men , devised for covetousnesse sake . then did they ask him what he thought of the masse ? he answered , i say as my lord jesus christ said , that which is greatly esteemed before men , is abomination before god ; then cryed they all out , heresie , heresie , and so and so adjudged him to the fire , which he patiently underwent the same day upon the castle-hill . anno . henry forrest was accused of heresie , but when they brought him to trial , nothing could be proved against him , whereupon they sent him to friar langius to be confessed . the friar amongst other questions , asked him what he thought of patrick hamilton , who had been formerly burned for religion ? he answered , that he was a good man , and that his articles were to be maintained . this wicked friar discovered his confession , which was taken as a sufficient proof against the poor man , who thereupon was condemned to be burnt . as he went to the place of execution , he complained of the friar who had betrayed him , saying , let no man trust the false friars after me ; they are despisers of god , and deceivers of men ; and so in the flames he resigned up his spirit unto god. anno . andrew oliphant accused one walter mill , formerly a priest ; who being at prayer , oliphant said to him , rise up sir vvalter ; but when he had ended his prayers , he said , my name is vvalter : i have been too long one of the popes knights . then said oliphant , thou keepest my lords too long here , therefore make an end . he answered , i must obey god rather than men : when he was brought forth to judgement , they asked him concerning priests marriage : he answered , it is gods ordinance , that they which cannot abstain , should marry . but you abhor it , vowing chastity , which you cannot keep , but take other mens wives and daughters ; then they asked him if there were not seven sacraments ? he answered , give me two , and take you the rest ; after other questions they asked him if he would recant ? he answered , i am corn and not chaffe , i will not recant the truth : then they commanded him to go to the stake ; but he said , by the law of god i am forbidden to lay hands on my own self , therefore do you put me into the fire , and you shall see my resolution . having made his prayer to god , he said to the people ; although i have been a great sinner , yet it is not for that , but for gods truth contained in his vvord of the old and new testament that i now suffer ; and god out of his abundant mercy doth honour me so farre , as to make me amongst other of his servants , seale his truth with my blood ; dear friends , as you would escape eternal death , be no more seduced with lyes of archbishop , bishops , abbots , priors , &c. but only trust in god , and so he quietly slept in the lord ; and was the last man that died for religion in scotland . collected out of the history of the reformation in scotland . chap. xl. the persecution of the church in ireland , anno christi , . though the barbarous cruelty used by the irish against the english , go usually under the name of rebellion , yet i rather look upon it as , and chuse to call it a persecution , because their cruelties were exercised upon protestants only , so farre as ever i could hear ; neither were the english papists murthered , yea they joyned with the irish in murthering of their brethren . besides , the jesuites , priests , and friars were the chief instigators to these murthers , stirring up continually all sorts , both of the gentry and communalty , to shew the utmost of their zeal therein ; and when their designe was so surely laid , that they thought it impossible to be prevented , they did in their publick devotions recommend by their prayers the good successe of a great designe , tending much to the advancement of the catholick cause ; and that they might stir up the people with the greater animosity and cruelty to put it in execution , they everywhere declaimed loudly against the protestants , saying , that they were hereticks , not to be suffered any longer to live amongst them ; that it was no more sin to kill one of them , than to kill a dog ; and that it was a mortal and unpardonable sin to relieve or protect any of them . they also with much acrimony represented the severe courses taken by the parliament of england to suppresse the romish religion , and utterly to extirpate the professors of it : they told them that in england they had caused the queens priests to be hanged before her face , and that they held herself under a most severe discipline ; and that the like cruel laws should be made against popery in ireland , &c. when their plots were ripe for execution , we finde their first proceedings against the english very various ; some of the irish only stripping and expelling them ; others murthering man , woman , and childe without mercy ; yet all resolving universally to root out all the protestants out of ireland ; yea , so deeply malicious were they against the english protestants , that they would not endure the very sound of that language , but would have all such punished as spake english ; and the names of all english places they would have changed into old irish. in many places they killed the english cowes and sheep , meerly because they were english : sometimes they cut off their legs , or cut out a piece of their buttock , and so left them to live in pain : yea in some places , what they could not devoure , they killed , and left in great multitudes stinking in the fields . the priests gave the sacrament unto divers of the irish , upon condition that they should neither spare man , woman nor childe of the protestants , saying , that it did them a great deale of good to wash their hands in their blood . one halligan a priest , read an excommunication against all those , that from thenceforth should relieve or harbour any english , scotch , or vvelch man , or give them almes at their doores , whereby many were famished to death . the friars with tears exhorted them not to spare any of the english ; they boasted , that when they had destroyed them in ireland , they would go over into england , and not leave the memorial of an english man under heaven . they openly professed , that they held it as lawful to kill a protestant , as to kill a sheep or a dog . one of their priests said , that it was no more pity or conscience to take their lives or estates from them , than to take a bone out of a dogs mouth . the day before this massacre was to begin , the priests gave the people a dismisse at masse , with free liberty to go out and take possession of all their lands , which they pretended to be unjustly detained from them by the english. as also to strip , rob , and despoil them of all their goods and cattel ; the protestants being as they told them , worse than dogs , for they were divels , and served the divel , and therefore the killing of such was a meritorious act , and a rare preservative against the pains of purgatory ; for that the bodies of such of them as died in this quarrel should not be cold , before their soules should ascend up into heaven , so that they should not need to feare the paines of purgatory ; and this caused some of these murtherous cains to boast , after they had slain many of the english , that they knew that if they should dye presently they should go strait to heaven . the chief gentlemen of the irish , when this persecution first began , perswaded many of their protestant neighbours , that if they would bring their goods and cattel to them , they would secure them from the rage of the common people ; and hereby they got abundance peaceably into their hands , whereof they cheated the protestants , refusing to restore them again ; yet so confident were the protestants at first of their good dealing in regard of former familiarity , that they gave them inventories of all they had ; nay digged up such of their best things as they had hidden in the ground , and deposited them in their custody . they also gat much into their hands by fair promises , and deep oaths and engagements , that if they would deliver them their goods , they would suffer them with their wives and children quietly to depart the country ; yet having got what they could , they afterwards murthered them . having thus seised upon all their goods and cattel , ransack't their houses , and gotten their persons under their power , the next work was to strip man , woman , and childe stark-naked , and so to turn them out of doors , not suffering them so much as to shelter themselves under bushes , or in the woods , strictly prohibiting all the irish , under great penalties , not to give them any relief as they passed in the high wayes ; and their great designe herein was , that they on whom they would not lay their hands and cruelly murther in cold blood , might miserably perish through cold , nakednesse , and want ; and therefore if any of them gat any old rags to cover their nakednesse with , they stripped them again and again , sometimes twice or thrice over , the irish women being very active herein , yea they taught their very children to do the like ; yea they would not leave to the women so much as a smock or an hairlace : so that many of them being starved , fell down dead in the high wayes : others that gat to any english town , by reason of famine , and cold suffered by the way , died so soon as they came thither . in the town of colerain , of these miserable people , that fled thither for succour , many thousands died in two dayes , so that the living being not able to bury them , laid the carkasses of those dead persons in great ranks in waste and wide holes , piling them so close and thick as if they had packed up herings together . one magdalen redman deposed that she , and divers others protestants , amongst whom were twenty two widows , were first robbed , and then stripped stark-naked , and when they had in an house covered themselves with straw , the bloody papists threw burning straw in amongst them on purpose to burn them ; then did they drive them so naked in to the wilde woods in frost and snow , so that the snow covered their skins , where a long time it lay unmelted , and some of their children died in their armes with the extremity of the cold ; and whereas some of these poor soules went towards the burre for shelter , the cruel irish turned them back again , saying , they should go to dublin ; and when they went towards dublin , they beat them back , saying , they should go to the burre , and so tossed them to and fro , that some of them died ; those which through many difficulties gat to the burre , many of them died there ; and those that survived , lived miserably by reason of their many wants . yet though these bloody villaines exercised such inhumane cruelties towards the poor protestants , they would commonly boast , that these were but the beginnings of their sorrows ; and indeed they made it good ; for having disarmed the english , robbed them of their goods , and cattel , stript them of their cloathes , and having their persons in their power , they furiously broke out into all manner of abominable cruelties , horrid massacres , and execrable murthers , so that it would make any christians eare to tingle , and his heart to ake to hear the mention of them . for there were multitudes murthered in cold blood , some whilst they were at plough , others as they sate peaceably in their houses , others travelling upon the high wayes ; all without any manner of provocation given by them , were suddenly destroyed . in the castle of lisgool were about one hundred and fifty men , women , and children consumed with fire . at the castle of moneah were one hundred slain altogether . at the castle of tullah , which was delivered to mac guire upon composition , and faithful promises of faire quarter , as soon as he and his entred the court , they began to strip the people , and most cruelly put them to the sword , murthering them all without mercy . at lissenskeah they hanged and killed above one hundred of the scottish protestants , shewing them no more favour than they did to the english . yea the county thereabouts being well planted and peopled , was in a most horrible manner quite destroyed . in the counties of armagh and tyrone , where the protestants were more numerous , their murthers were more multiplied , and with greater cruelty , if it were possible , than in other places . mac guire coming to the castle of lissenskeah , desired in a friendly manner to speak with master middleton , who admitting him in , as soon as he was entred , he first burned the records of the county which were kept there ; then he demanded one thousand pounds which was in his custody of sir william bal●ores , which as soon as he had , he caused master middleton to hear masse , and to swear that he would never alter from it , and then immediately caused him , his wife and children to be hanged up : hanging and murthering above one hundred persons besides in that place . at portendown bridge there were one thousand men , women , and children carried in several companies , and all unmercifully drowned in the river , the bridge being broken down in the midst , and the people driven and forced on till they tumbled down into the water . yea in that country there were four thousand persons drowned in several places , the barbarous papists driving on the poore soules , when they had miserably stripped them , unto the places of their sufferings like swine ; and if any were slack in their pace , they pricked them forward with their swords and pikes ; yea to terrifie the rest , they killed and wounded some ; and when they were cast into the river , if any assayed to swimme to the shore , the rebels stood and shot at them . in one place one hundred and fourty english were taken and driven like cattel for many miles together . other companies they carried out under pretence of safe conduct , thereby causing them to march chearfully till they had got them to some place fit for execution , and then murthered them there . one hundred and fifteen men , women , and children they sent with sir philem onenles passe , till they had brought them to the bridge of portendowne , and then forced them all into the water , and such as by swimming , or other means sought to escape , they either knocked them on the head , and after drwowned them , or else shot them to death in the water . one mistris campbel being forced by them to the river , and finding no meanes to escape their furie , suddenly clasped one of the chief of them in her armes , and so both tumbling into the river , they were drowned together . at another time one hundred and fourty protestants being thrown in at the same place , as any of them swam to the shore , the bloody villaines with the butt-ends of their muskets knockt out their brains . at armagh , o cane gat together all the protestants thereabouts , pretending to conduct them to coleraine ; but before they were gone a dayes journey , they were all murthered , and so were many others , though they had protections from sir phileme o neale . the aged people in armagh were carried to charlemount , and there murthered . presently after , the town of armagh was burnt , and five hundred persons of all sorts were there murthered and drowned . in killoman were fourty eight families murthered . in one house twenty two protestants were burned ; in kilmore all the inhabitants were stript and massacred , being two hundred families : some they set in the stocks till they confessed where their monie was , and then massacred them ; the whole county was a common butchery , where many thousands perished in a shor time , by sword , famine , fire , water , and all other cruel manner of deaths that rage and malice could invent . to many , these bloody villains shewed so much favour as to dispatch them presently , by no means allowing them so much time as to pray . others they imprisoned in filthy dungeons full of dirt and mire , and there clapping bolts on their legs , suffered them to perish at leasure . one told john cowder that they would kill him , but first bid him say his prayers , and when he kneeled down to pray , they presently cut off his head . when some others upon their knees begged but leave to pray before they were slain , they would bid them bequeath their soules to the divel ; others would ask them , why do you desire to pray ? your soules are already with the divel ; and so would immediately slaughter them . at casel they put all the protestants into a loathsome dungeon , where they kept them twelve weekes in great misery . some they barbarously mangled and left them langushing upon the high wayes , crying out but for so much mercy as to be dispatched out of their paine ; some they hanged up twice or thrice : others they buried alive . some when they were half-hanged , they cast into pits , covering them with a little earth , where they sent out most lamentable groanes for a good while after . in queenes county , an english man , his wife , five children , and a maid , were all hanged together , then put into a hole ; the youngest child being not dead , put up the hand and cried mammie , mammie , and yet without mercy they buried it alive . thomas mason in laugal was extreamly beaten and wounded , yet his wife and some others carried him away , whereupon these villaines cruelly hacked , slashed and wounded them , and then dragged the said mason into an hole , and there threw stones on him with the weight whereof they kept him under : there he lay languishing and groaning till his own wife , to put him out of paine , stopped his breath with her handkerchief . at clownes seventeen men were buried alive , yet so as their pitiful cryes were heard afar off . some were deadly wounded , and so hanged upon tenter-hooks . some with ropes about their necks were drawn through the water . some with ropes about their middles were drawn through woods and bogs . in castle cumber one of these cut-throats took two boyes , wounded them , and hung them upon a butchers tenters . some were hanged up , and taken down several times to make them confess their monie , which when they had done , they presently murthered them . some were hung up by the armes , and then with their swords they made experiment how many blowes an english protestant would endure ere he died . some had their bellies ript up , and so were left with their guts running about their heels . an ancient woman coming towards dublin , was stript seven times in one day , and they bade her go and look for her god , and bid him give her cloaths again . in kilkenny they cruelly beat an english woman , till they forced her into a ditch , where she died ; then they took her child , a girle of about six years old , ript her belly , and let out her guts . one they forced to go to masse with them , yet afterwards wounded him , ript his belly , took out his guts , and so left him alive . a scottish man they stripped and knocked on the head , who afterwards coming to himself , went into the town naked ; then did they again take him and hewed him all to pieces ; they also ript up his wives belly , so that a child dropped out of her womb . many other women great with childe they hung up , then ript their bellies , and let the infants fall out . sometimes they gave their children to be devoured of swine and dogs . one john stone with his son , two sons in law , and their wives , they took and hung them all up ; and one of the young women being great with child , they ript her belly , took forth her child , and used such beastly barbarous actions to her as are not fit to be mentioned . at the newry they ript up a womans belly that was great with two children , throwing them to be devoured of swine . also another woman being delivered of a childe in the fields , they which had formerly killed her father and husband , killed her also with two of her children , and gave the new-born infant to be devoured of dogs . in the county of armagh they robbed , stripped , and murthered abundance of protestants , whereof some they burned , some they slew with the sword , some they hanged , and some they starved to death ; and meeting mistris howard , and mistris frankland with six of their children , and themselves both great with child , with their pikes they killed and murthered them all , ript open the gentlewomens bellies , took out their children , and threw them into a ditch . a young scottish womans child they took by the heeles , and dashed the braines out against a tree ; the like they did to many other children . anne hill going with a young child on her back , and four more by her side , these cruel persecutors pulled the child off her back , trod ▪ on it till it died , stripped her self and the other four children starke naked , whereby they died of cold . some others they met with , hanged them up upon a windmill , and before they were half dead , cut them in pieces with their skeins . many other protestants , especially women and children they pricked and stabbed with their skeins , forks and swords , slashing , cutting and mangling them in their heads , faces , breasts , armes and other parts , yet killed them not , but left them wallowing in their blood , to languish , starve and pine to death , and when they desired them to kill them out of their paine , they refused ; yet sometimes after a day or two , they would dash out their braines with stones or clubs , which they accounted as a great favour . one goodwife harvey at kilkenny was forced to go to masse , yet afterwards , together with her children was stripped , and one of her daughters had her belly ripped that her intrails fell out ; and her self was so beaten and wounded , that she hardly escaped with life . the castle of lisgoole being set on fire by these mercilesse papists , a woman leaped out at a window to save her self from burning , but they presently murthered her ; the next morning her child was found sucking at her breast , which they murthered also . and whereas many protestants with their wives and children fled into vauls and cellars to hide themselves , they were all murthered there . one jane addis they stabbed , and then putting her child of a quarter old to her breast , bid it suck english bastard , and so left it to perish there . one mary barlow had her husband hanged before her face , and her self with six children were all stript stark naked in frost and snow , after which , sheltring themselves in a cave , they had nothing to eat for three weeks , but two old calves skins , which they beat with stones , and so eat them hair and all , her children crying to her rather to go out and be killed than to famish there . in the cold weather many thousands of protestants of all ranks , ages , and sexes , being turned out stark naked , perished of cold and hunger , thousands of others were drowned , cast into ditches , bogs , and turf-pits . multitudes were inclosed in houses , which being set on fire they were burnt miserably . some that lay sick of feavors they drew out of their beds and hanged them . some men , women , and children they drove into boggie pits ; and if any of them endeavoured to get out , they knockt them on the heads . some aged men and women , these barbarians enforced their own children to carry them to the river where they were drowned : yea some children were compelled unnaturally to be the executioners of their own parents : wives were forced to help to hang their own husbands , and mothers to cast their own children into the water , after all which themselves were murthered . in sligo they forced a young man to kill his own father , and then hanged him up : in another place they forced a woman to kill her husband , then caused her son to kill her , and then immediatly hanged the son ; and this they did that they might destroy both soul and body . yea such was their detestable malice against the english protestants , that they taught their children to kill english children ; one of these villains wives was very angry with their souldiers , because they did not bring the grease of a fat gentlewoman , whom they had slaine , with them for her to make candles of . the irish women that followed the camp , egged on the men to cruelty , always crying out , kill them all , spare neither , man , woman , nor child . they took the child of one tkomas straton , being about twelve years old , and boiled him to death in a cauldron . one goodwife lin and her daughter were carried into a wood , where they first hanged the mother , and then the daughter in the hair of the mothers head . some women and children of the irish , meeting an english woman great with child , stript her to her smock , then pulled off her smock , and so rent and abused her , that the poor woman falling into labour , both she and her child died under their hands . in some places they plucked out the eyes , and cut off the hands of the protestants , and so turned them out into the fields to wander up and down till they perished . the very women in some places stoned the english women to death , together with their children . one man they shot through both his thighs ; then digging a hole in the ground , they set him in it upright upon his feet , and then filled up the hole , leaving out only his head , where they left him till he pined and languished to death . of another man they held his feet in the fire till he was burned to death . in munster they hanged up many ministers in a most barbarous manner . one minister they stripped stark naked , and drove him through the town , pricking him forwards with darts and rapiers , and so pursued him till he fell down dead . neither did all the malice that they bore to these poor christians , end with their lives when they had slain them , but extended after death to the denying burial to their carcasses , casting some into ditches , leaving others to be devoured of ravenous beasts and fouls ; yea some that had been formerly buried they digged up , and left them as dung upon the face of the earth . these barbarous villains vowed that if any parents digged graves to bury their children in , they should be buried therein themselves . they stripped one william loverden naked , then killed him before his wife and children , cut off his head , and held it up for them to gaze at ; and when his wife had buried hin in his garden , they digged him up , and threw him into a ditch . divers ministers bones that had been buried some years before , they digged up , because they were , as they said , patrons of heresie . poor children that went out into the fields to eate weeds and grasse , they killed without all pity . and a poor woman , whose husband was taken by them , went to them with two children at her feet , and one at her breast , hoping to beg her husband , but they slew her and her sucking infant ; brake the neck of another , and the third hardly escaped : and which was a great aggravation of their wickednesse , they exercised all this cruelty upon the english protestants who never provoked them thereto , yea that had alwayes lived peaceably with them , administring help and comfort to them in distresse , putting no difference betwixt them and those of their own nation , and cherished them as friends and loving neighbours . notwithstanding all which courtesies , they now shewed them no favour or pity . alas , who can comprehend the fears , terrours , anguish , bitternesse , and perplexity that seized upon the hearts of the poor protestants , finding themselves so suddenly surprized without remedy , and inextricably wrapt up in all kind of outward miseries , which could possibly by man be inflicted upon humane creatures ! what sighs and groans , trembling and astonishment , what shrikes , cries , and bitter lamentations of wives , children , servants and friends , howling and weeping , finding themselves without all hope of deliverance from their present miseries ! how inexorable were their barbarous tormentors that compassed them in on every side , without all bowels of compassion , or the least commiseration and pity ! one ellen millington they put into an hole , fastning her in with stones , and left her there to languish to death , bragging how many of them went to see her kick and tosse in the hole . yea they boasted upon their successe , that the day was their own , and that ere long they would not leave one protestant rogue living , but would uttery destroy every one that had but a drop of english blood in them ; their women crying out , slay them all , the english are fit meat for dogs , and their children are bastards . yea so implacable was their malice , that they vowed that they would not have an english beast alive , nor any of the breed of them . how grievous was it to any christian heart to hear a base villain boast , that his hands were so weary with killing and knocking down protestants into a bog , that he could not lift up his armes to his head ! another boasted that he had been abroad and had killed sixteen of the rogues . others boasted that they had killed so many , that the grease and fat which stuck upon their swords , might well make an irish candle . yea two boyes boasted , thar at several times they had murthered and drowned thirty six women and children . these mercilesse papists having set a castle on fire , wherein were many protestants , they rejoycingly said amongst themselves , o how sweetly do they fry ! at kilkenny when they had committed many cruel murthers , they brought seven protestants heads , amongst which one was the head of a reverend minister , all which they set upon the market-crosse , on a market day , triumphing , slashing , and mangling them ; and putting a gag into the ministers mouth , they slit up his cheeks to his ears , and laying a leaf of a bible before it , they bid him preach , for his mouth was wide enough ; it cannot be imagined with what scorn and derision they acted these things , and with what joy and exultation their eyes beheld the sad spectacle of the protestants miseries ; what greedy delight they took in their bloody executions . an english woman , whom they had stripped stark naked , gat a little straw , which she tied about her middle to cover her nakednesse ; but these impudent villaines set fire to it , boasting what brave sport they had , to see how the fire made the english jade dance . at kilmore they put many protestants , men , women , and children together into a thatched house , and then set fire on it , boasting of the lamentations and out-cries that they made whilest they were in burning , and how the children gaped when the fire began to burne them ; taking pride , and glorying in imitating those cries . they took one mistris maxwel being in labour , and threw her into a river , boasting that the childs arme appeared , and that it was half-born when the mother was drowned . these bloody persecutors took great pleasure and delight in their cruelty , and to encrease their misery , when they butchered them , they used to say , thy soul to the devil . one of them coming into an house with his hands and cloaths all bloody , made his boasts , that it was english blood , and that his skeine had p●●cked the cleane white skins of many of them , even to the hilt thereof . when any of them had killed a protestant , many of them would come one after another , each of them stabbing , wounding , and cutting his body in a most despiteful manner , and then leave it naked to be devoured of dogs , beasts , and fouls ; and when they had slain any number of them , they would boast that they had made the devil beholding to them , in sending so many souls to hell . but it s no wonder that they carried themselves so towards these innocent christians , when they spared not to belch out their execrable blasphemies against god and his holy word . in one place they burnt two protestant bibles , and then said it was hell-fire they burnt . other bibles they took , cut in pieces , and then burnt them , saying , that they would do the like to all puritane bibles . in the church at powerscourt they burnt the pulpit , pues , chests and bibles belonging to it . others of them took the protestants bibles , and wetting them in dirty water , did several times dash them on the faces of the protestants , saying , i know you love a good lesson , here is an excellent one for you , come to morrow and you shall have as good a sermon as this . others they dragged by the hair of the head into the church , there stripped and whipped them in a most cruel manner , saying , if you come to morrow you shall heare the like sermon . they took the bible of a minister called master e●ward slack , and opening it , they laid it in a puddle of water , and then stamped upon it , saying , a plague on it , this bible hath bred all the quarrel , and that they hoped within a few weeks all the bibles in ireland should be used as that was , or worse . they did most despitefully upbraid the profession of the truth to those blessed souls , whom neither by threats nor terrours , pains nor torments they could draw to forsake their religion . and though some by extreme torments were drawn to professe the change of their religion , yet did they finde no more favour with these hell-hounds , who with great scorn used to say , that it was fit to send them out of the world whilst they were in a good mood . at claslow , a priest with some others , drew about forty or fifty english and scottish protestants to be reconciled to the church of rome , and then he told them that they were in a good faith , and for fear they should fall from it and turn hereticks , he with his companions presently cut all their throats . john nicholson and anne his wife , being received into the protection of one fitz patrick , he laboured to perswade them to go to masse , and to joyn in the present massacre ; but they professed , that rather than they would forsake their religion they would die upon the swords point ; then he would have had the woman burn her bible ; but she told him , rather than she would burn her bible , she would die the death ; whereupon the sabbath morning after they were both of them cruelly murthered ; but he that acted the villany was so tormented in conscience , and dogged with apparitions of them , as he conceived , that with inward horror he pined away . in the county of tipperary near the silver works , some of these barbarous papists met with eleven english men , protestants , ten women , and some children , whom they first stripped off their cloaths , and then with stones , poleaxes , skeins , swords , &c. they most barbarously massacred them all ; this was done on a sabbath evening , the day having been very fair and clear ; but just at that time god sent a fearful storme of thunder , lightning , wind , haile and rain , so that the murtherers themselves confessed , that it was a signe of gods anger against them for this cruelty , yet they persisted in their bloody act , hacking , hewing , flashing and stabbing them , so that most of them were cut in pieces then tying wit hs about their necks , they threw them into an hole which they made for the purpose ; yet it pleased god , that one scottish and an english man , though they had many grievouous wounds , and were left for dead , after a while revived , and with much difficulty escaped with their lives ; but as god shewed his great mercy in preserving them , so he shewed his just judgment upon hugh kennedy , the chief of those murtherers , who presently fell into a most desperate madnesse and distraction , neither resting day nor night , till about eight days after he drowned himself . in the county of mayo , about sixty protestants , whereof fifteen were ministers , were upon covenant to be safely conveyed to galway by one edmund burk and his souldiers ; but by the way this burk drew his sword , teaching thereby the rest of his company to do the like ; and so they began to massacre these poor protestants , some they shot to death ; some they stabbed with their skeins , some they thrust through with their pikes ; some they cast into the water and drowned , the women they stript stark naked , who lying upon their husbands to save them , were run through with pikes , so that very few of them escaped with life . in the town of sligo fourty protestants wete stript and locked up in a cellar ; and about midnight a butcher , provided for the purpose , was sent in amongst them , who with his axe knocked them all on the heads . in tirawly , thirty or fourty english , who had formerly yielded to go to masse , were put to their choyce whether they would die by the sword , or be drowned ? they chose the latter , and so being driven to the sea-side , these barbarous villaines with their naked swords forced them into the sea ; the mothers with their children in their armes wading to the chin , were afterwards overcome by the waves , where they all perished . but present death was counted too great a favour , and therefore of some they twisted wit hs about their foreheads till the blood sprang out at the crown of their heads : others they hanged , and let down several times , &c. the sonne of master montgomery , a minister , aged about fifteen years , met with one of these blood-suckers , who formerly had been his schoolmaster , who drew his skein at him , whereupon the boy said , good master , whip me as much as you will , but do not kill me ; yet this mercilesse tyger , barbarously murthered him without all pitie . a scottish man was first wounded , and then buried alive in a ditch . in the towne of sligo , all the protestants were first stript , and robbed of all their estates ; afterwards they were summoned to go into the goale , and such as refused , were carried in ; and then about midnight they all were stripped stark naked , and there most cruelly and barbarously murthered with swords , axes , skeins , &c. some of them being women great with child , their infants thrust out their armes and legs at their wounds ; after which execrable murthers , they laid the dead naked bodies of the men upon the naked bodies of the women in a most immodest posture , where they left them till the next day to be looked upon by the irish , who beheld it with great delight ; also isabel beard , great with childe , hearing the lamentable cries of those that were murthered , ran forth into the streets , where she was barbarously murthered , and was found the next day with the childs feet coming out of the wounds in her sides : many others were murthered in the houses and streets : but by gods just judgment the river of sligo , which was before very full of fish , whereby many were nourished , for a long time after it afforded no fish at all . a prior also that had a hand in the murther of isabel beard , and of casting her into the river , presently after fell mad . about dungannon were three hundred and sixteen protestants in the like barbarous manner murthered : about charlemount above four hun●dred ; about tyrone two hundred and six . one mac crew murthered thirty one in one morning : two young villains murthered one hundred and fourty poor women and children that could make no resistance : an irish woman with her own hands murthered forty five . at portendowne bridge were drowned above three hundred . at lawgh were drowned above two hundred : in another place three hundred were drowned in one day . in the parish of killamen there were murthered one thousand and two hundred protestants . many young children they cut into quarters and gobbets : eighteen scottish infants they hanged upon a clothiers tenterhooks . one fat man they murthered , and made candles of his grease ; of another scottish man they ript up his belly , took one end of his small guts , tied it to a tree , and forced him round about it till he had drawn them all out of his body , saying , that they would try whether a dogs or a scotchmans guts were the longer . by the command of sir philem o neale , master james maxwell was drawn out of his bed , being fick of a feavor ▪ and murthered ; and his wife being in child-birth , the child half borne , they stript her stark naked , drove her about a flights shoot , and drowned her in the blackwater ; the like , or worse they did to another english woman in the same town . they took one master watson , and cutting two collops out of his buttocks they roasted him alive . of a scottish woman great with child , they ript up her belly , cut the child out of her womb , and so left it crawling on her body . master starkey , schoolmaster at armagh , being above one hundred years old , they stripped stark naked ; then took two of his daughters being virgins , whom they stripped stark naked also , and then forced them to lead their aged father under the armes a quarter of a mile to a turspit , where they drowned them all three , feeding the lusts of their eyes , and cruelty of their hearts with the same object at the same time . in some places they shewed the like cruelty to the english beasts , which they would not kill out-right , but used to cut collops out of them , delighting to hear their roaring , and so the poor cattel would sometimes live two or three dayes in that torment . to one henry cowel , a gallant gentleman , they profered his life , if he would marry one of their base truls , or go to masse , but he chose death rather than to consent to either . also to one robe●t ecklin , a child about eleven years old , they profered his life if he would go to masse , but he refused , saying , that he saw nothing in their religion for which he would change his own . many of the protestants they buried alive , solacing themselves in hearing them speak to them , whilst they were digging down old ditches upon them . they used also to send their children abroad in troops armed with long wattles and whips , wherewith they used to beat dead mens bodies about their privy members , till they beat them off , and then would return very joyful to their parents , who received them , as it were in triumph for their good actions . if any women were found dead , lying with their faces downwards , these bruitish persons used to turn them on their ●acks , viewing and censuring every part of them , especially those parts that are not fit to be named , which also they abused so many ways , and so filthily , as chast ears would not endure the naming rhereof . they brake the back-bone of a young youth , and so left him in the fields , and some dayes after he was found , having , like a beast , eaten all the grasse round about him ; yet neither then would they kill him out-right , but removed him to a place of better pasture , wherein was fulfilled that saying , the tender mercies of the wicked are cruelty . in the county of antrim they murthered nine hundred fifty four protestants in one morning , and afterwards about twelve hundred more in that county . near lisnegarvy they forced above twenty four protestants into an house , and then setting fire on it , they burned them all , counterfeiting their out-cries in derision to others . sir philem o neal boasted that he had slain above six hundred at garvagh : and that he had left neither man , woman , nor child alive in the baronry of munterlong . in other places he murthered above two thousand persons in their houses , so that many houses were filled with dead bodies . above twelve thousand were slain in the high ways as they fled towards down . many died of famine , many were starved to death for want of clothes , being stript of all in a cold season ; some thousands were drowned . so that in the very province of ulster there were about one hundred and fifty thousand murthered by sundry kinds of torments and deaths . these bloody persecutors themselves confessed that the ghosts of divers of the protestants which they had drowned at portendown bridge , were daily and nightly seen to walk upon the river , sometimes singing of psalms , sometimes brandishing naked swords , sometimes screeching in a most hideous and fearful manner ; so that many of the popish irish which dwelt near thereabouts ; being affrighted herewith , were forced to remove their habitations further off into the countrey . the popish english were no whit inferiour , yea rather exceeded the natural irish in their cruelty against the protestants that lived amongst them , within the pale , being never satisfied with their blood till they had seen the last drop thereof . anne kinnard testified that fifteen protestants being imprisoned , and their feet in the stocks , a popish boy being not above fourteen years old , slew them all in one night with his skeine . another not above twelve years old , killed two women in another place . an english papist woman killed seven men and women of her neighbours in one morning . and it was usual for the papists children to murder the protestants children , and sometimes with their woodden swords , sharp and heavy , they would venture upon people of riper years . an english woman , who was newly delivered of two children , some of these villains violently compelled her in her great pain and sicknesse to rise from her bed , and took one of the infants that was living , and dashed his brains against the stones , and then threw him into the river of the barrow ; the like they did by many other infants . many others they hanged without all pity . the lord mont garret caused divers english souldiers that he had taken about kilkenny to be hanged , hardly suffering them to pray before their death ; they dyed very patiently , and resolutely in the defence of the protestant faith ; and one of them , being an irish man , had his life offered if he would turn papist , but he rather chose to dye , and so was executed with the rest . some of these persecutors meeting a poor young girle that was going to see her friends , they first half-hanged her , and then buried her quick . one fitz patrick enticed a rich merchant that was a protestant , to bring all his goods into his house , promising safely to keep them , and to redeliver them to him . but when he had thus gotten them into his possession , he took the merchant and his wife , and hanged them both : the like he did by divers others . some english mens heads that they had cut off , they carried to kilkenny , and on the market day set them on the crosse , where many , especially the women , stab'd , cut , and slashed them , every one accounting themselves happy that could but get a blow at them . one of the heads being a ministers , a woman struck so hard with her fist , that the same night her hand grew black and blew , and so rankled , that she was lame of it a quarter of a year after : another woman that looked on those heads with much rejoycing , presently after fell so distracted , that neither night not day she could rest , but cryed out continually that she saw those heads before her eyes . one english ▪ protestant , saying , that he would believe the divel as soon as the pope , they presently hanged him up in an apple tree till he dyed . a poor protestant woman with her two children going to kilkenny upon businesse , these bloody miscreants baited them with dogs , stabbed them with skeins , and pulled out the guts of one of the children , whereby they dyed ; and not far off , they took divers men , women , and children , and hanged them up ; and one of the women being great with child , they ripped up her belly as she hanged , so that the child fell out in the cawle alive . some after they were hanged , they drew up and down till their bowels were torn out . how many thousands of protestants were thus inhumanely murthered by sundry kinds of deaths in that one province of ulster we have heard before ; what the number of the slain was in the three other provinces , i find not upon record ; but certainly it was very great ; for i finde these passages in a general remonstrance of the distressed protestants in the province of munster . we may ( say they ) compare our woe to the saddest parallel of any story ; our churches are demolished , or which is worse , profaned by sacrifices to idols : our habitations are become ruinous heaps : no quality , age , or sex priviledged from massacres , and lingring deaths , by being robbed , stript naked , and so exposed to cold and famine . the famished infants of murdered parents swarme in our streets , and for want of food perish before our faces , &c. and all this cruelty that is exercised upon us , we know not for what cause , offence , or seeming provocation its inflicted on us , ( sin excepted saving that we were protestants , &c. we can make it manifest that the depopulations in this province of munster , do well near equal those of the whole kingdome , &c. and thus in part we have heard of the mercilesse cruelties which the bloody papists exercised towards the protestants ; let us now consider at least some of gods judgements upon the irish , whereby he hath not left the innocent blood of his servants to be altogether unrevenged . some particular instances have been mentioned before : as also the apparitions at portendown bridge which affrighted them from their habitations , concerning which it is further testified , that by their own confession , the blood of those that were knocked on the head , and then thrown into the river at that bridge , remained for a long time upon the stones , and could not be washed away ; as also that ofttimes they saw apparitions sometimes of men , sometimes of women rising breast-high above the water , which did most extreamly screech and cry out for vengeance against the irish that had murdered them there . catherine coke testified upon oath , that when the irish had barbarously drowned one hundred and eighty protestants , men , women , and children at portendown bridge , about nine days after she saw the apparition of a man bolt upright in the river , standing breast-high , with his hands lift up to heaven , and continued in that posture from december to the end of lent , at which time some of the english army passing that way saw it also , after which it vanished away . elizabeth price testified upon oath that she and other women whose husbands and children were drowned in that place , hearing of these apparitions , went thither one evening , at which time they saw one like a woman rise out of the river breast-high , her haire hanging down , which , with her skin , was as white as snow , often crying out , revenge , revenge , revenge , which so affrighted them that they went their way . divers protestants were thrown into the river of belterbert , and when any of them offered to swim to the land , they were knocked on the head with poles , after which their bodies were not seen of six weeks : but after the end thereof , the murtherers coming again that way , the bodies came floating up to the very bridge where they were . sir con mac gennis with his company slew master turge , minister of the newry , with divers other protestants , after which the said mac gennis was so affrighted with the apprehension of the said master turge his being continually in his presence , that he commanded his souldiers not to slay any more of them , but such as should be slain in battel . a young woman being stript almost naked , there came a rogue to her , bidding her give him her money , or he would run her through with his sword. her answer was , you cannot kill me except god give you leave , whereupon he ran three times at her naked body with his drawn sword , and yet never pierced her skin , whereat he being confounded , went his way and left her ; this was attested by divers women that were present and saw it . but besides these forementioned judgements of god which befel them for their inhumane cruelties ; we may observe how the hand of god hath been out against them ever since , and that in a special manner , by emasculating and debasing of their spirits ; whereby it hath come to passe that ordinarily a few english souldiers have chased multitudes of them , and generally in all the battels and fights that have been betwixt them , they have always been beaten , though the ods was great of their side ; and as they made themselves formerly drunk with the innocent blood of the unresisting protestants ; so now god hath given them their fill of blood in jealousie and fury . many thousands of them have perished by the sword of war ; and how heavy hath the hand of god lain further upon them this present year , . in that terrible and universal plague that hath been scattered all over the nation , whereby many thousands more of them have perished , and god is still fighting against , and probably will continue their destruction , till they either shall truly be humbled for their horrid sins , or be utterly consumed from the face of the earth ! amen ; even so come lord jesus , come quickly . these particulars were attested upon oath by sundry persons before commissioners appointed to take their examinations . here place the tenth figure . chap. xli . a continuation of the history of the waldenses from the year . ending with the late persecution in the valleys in piemont . anno christi . the duke of savoy published an edict in favour of the evangelical churches in the vallies of piemont , wherein he granted an indemnitie to the people of the vallies of angrognia , bobio , villaro , valguicchiardo , rora , tagliaretto , and la rica di boneti at the end of la torre , saint martino , perosa , roccapiatta , and saint barthelemo , from all former actings , and restoring them into his favor , as if they had never acted any thing against his highness ; receiving them into his safegard and protection : he granted them also to have preaching assemblies , and other ministerial offices according to their religion in their wonted places , &c. but in the year . another edict was published at the instigation of the popish party , whereby all men who lived in the duke of savoy's dominions , and would not conform to the romish religion , were enjoyned to come and declare the same to their respective magistrates within ten dayes after the publication thereof , and two moneths after to leave the country , having one years time given them to dispose of their goods movable , and unmovable , during which time they should enjoy the revenue thereof , &c. the tidings of this cruelty so wrought upon the hearts of the protestant princes of germany , that they sent an embassie to the duke of savoy to intercede in their behalf : amongst whom the prince elector palatine was exceeding zealous , sending one of his counsellours of state , a person of singular worth , to the duke of savoy , to mediate in their behalf ; at whose return the prince being informed by him of the unworthy dealing of that court , and finding that notwithstanding all their faire promises , they did not at all cease from persecuting these poor people , he wrote a very smart and pathetical letter to the said duke , challenging him for breach of promise to himself and the other germane princes , in that he suffered his ministers still to persecute and banish those poore innocent people , meerely upon the account of religion , concluding that such severity was neither pleasing to god nor man ; neither ( saith he ) is it the way to bring men to the true knowledge of god , which should be done by perswasions , and scripture-proofs , not by persecutions , &c. wherefore i pray your highnesse that you will give us an evidence of that which you have for us , by delivering those poor people who are now in the gallies , and by recalling those who have been lately banished , as you promised by your letters . have compassion upon so many poore wandring exiles , deprived of all their goods and estates : call them home , and restore them to their habitations ; and grant them , and the other inhabitants of your highness countries the publick exercise of their religion , which they prefer before their necessary food : free them from their false accusations , that they may live in peace under your highnesse government , &c. if your highness will grant me this request , i doubt not but you shall experimentally finde the favour and blessing of god , and you shall oblige us to you in all things : if otherwise , you will both provoke god to lift up his hand against you , and estrange from you the affections of those who desire to do you pleasure and service , &c. dated . now that you may see upon what occasion the prince wrote this letter , you are to understand that castrocaro ( one of their popish governours ) being extreamly troubled that the prince electors ambassador had obtained several promises at the court for the poor peoples advantage , did immediately after the said ambassadors departure , publish through the valley of lucerna , two ordinances : by the one he commanded all the inhabitants throughout his government , that were not natives , to depart within a day after the publication thereof , upon paine of death , and confiscation of their goods : by the other , he prohibited upon the same penalty those of the reformed religion , inhabiting lucerna , bubbiana , campiglione , and fenile , to hear sermons at saint giovanni ; and for their not submitting , he imprisoned and tormented a great number of them in the castle of la torre , which dealing made the poor people to make their addresse to the dutchess of savoy , who pittying their condition , wrote to the said castrocaro in their behalf , commanding him in the dukes name to set at liberty the imprisoned , and to cease to molest them in the enjoyment of their ancient habitations and priviledges . this letter stopped the fury of castrocaro for the present : but it was far from working any change of affections in him , as was evident by his after-actings : for in the year . he did so incense the governour of bobio against the poor inhabitants of the valley , that he did not only grievously molest them upon all occasions as they came under his clutches , but also wrote bitter letters to the duke against them , improving the uttermost of his parts and power for their ruine and extirpation : and certainly castrocaro had then effected his designe , had not the dutches upon the joynt supplications of the evangelical churches , very effectually interposed for them , and procured the continuation of their just and undoubted priviledges . anno . many of the poor protestants of the valleyes were grievously molested under pretext that in the former war of france against those of the religion , they had joyned themselves to the protestant troops . but king charles the th being moved with compassion towards them , wrote a letter to the duke of savoy in their behalf , requesting him to receive them with gentleness into his grace and favour , and to re-establish them in their estates , &c. the subject of which letter was not only satisfactory to those for whom it interceded , but also to all other faithfull ones of the valleyes , out of the great hopes they had of future tranquillity . but it endured no longer than till their enemies had an opportunity of molesting them , which they greedily embraced upon the news of the horrible massacres in france . for castrocaro did thereupon so threaten the poor protestants , that they retired themselves , with their families , and movables , to the tops of the neighbouring mountains , and into all other places where they hoped for safety : but the duke of savoy not approving the cruelties exercised against the protestants in france , sent to those his subjects , who were thus withdrawn , commanding them to return to their houses , and habitations , promising that they should suffer no prejudice , nor incur the least danger thereby . neither indeed were their sufferings great afterwards , so long as madam the dutchess was living , who was a refuge to them upon all occasions . after the death of this princess which happened octob. . . the popish party came forth like lions , improving the uttermost of their endeavours to devoure and destroy this poor people upon all occasions ; but the goodness of god was so great towards them , that they always found some considerable friends about the duke , who inclined his heart to gentleness and moderation : but after the death of this 〈◊〉 emanuel , who died aug. . . charles emanuel his son , having invaded the marquisate of saluces , monsieur l' esdiguier●s by way of retaliation , seized upon the valleys of piemont : but the french army was no sooner gone home , than there was a rumour spread throughout the valleys , that the duke was resolved to take this occasion to extirpate all the protestant churches , because they had taken an oath of fidelity to the french king , neither was it groundless : for the thing was really propounded in the dukes councel , but it pleased god so to order affairs , that the leading men amongst them did not at all approve of the business , yea the duke himself did extreamly mislike it : and after he had retaken mirebuc , he did not a little revive the spirits of the representatives of the protestants of lucerna , who met with him at villaro on purpose to assure his highness of their fidelity , and to beg the continuance of his grace and favour , to whom ( in the presence of a great number of his lords ) he returned this answer : be but faithfull unto me , and i will be sure to be a good princ● , nay a father unto 〈◊〉 ▪ and as to the liberty of your conscience , and the exercises of your religion , i shall be so far from innovating any thing against those liberties in which you have lived unto this present , that if any offer to molest you , have recourse to me , and i shall effectually relieve and protect you . these words being spoken in such a presence , and in so obliging a manner , were very advantagious to the poor peoples interest , for some time after , they served to counterballance the threats of their fiercest enemies : yet were there some amongst the popish party that thought it an unpardonable sinne to suffer them to live one year in peace , and on the contrary an acceptable service to molest them , either by secret stratagems , or by open force and violence . such was the condition of this poor people from the year . to the year . at which time all the masters of families in the valley of lucerna , professing the protestant religion , were cited to appear before count charles of lucerna , the governour ponte , the arch bishop broglia , and others , and were by them commanded in the dukes name , either to go to masse , or to quit lucerna , and all their pretensions thereto , without the least hopes of ever obtaining favour to return , or in case of disobedience , to prepare themselves for inevitable mischiefs and calamities : which threats were pressed with so much violence , that it caused many of the poor creatures to submit , at least seemingly , to the change of their religion , though many others of them were the deeplier rooted by these shakings . from lucerna the aforenamed lords removed their seat to bubiana where they found the reformed so stiff in their principles , that they could not remove them an hairs bredth from the same , wherefore they caused the chief of them to be summoned to appear at turin , thinking that the dukes presence might prevaile more with them than all their threatning speeches : the persons thus summoned were master valentine , and mr. boules , his brother , with one peter morese , and samuel falc , who were brought one after another before hi hisghnesse : mr. valentine was the first , whom the duke perswaded to embrace the roman catholick religion , and to draw others to do the like , promising him great rewards and preferments if he obeyed , &c. to this mr. valentine answered , that next to the service of god , he had no greater desire then to obey , and please his highness , in whose service he would willingly adventure his person and estate , when ever there should be occasion : but as for his religion which he knew to be true , and confirmed by the word of god , he could not abandon it without disobeying god , and wounding his own conscience , so as never to enjoy any comfort in his soul afterwards : and therefore he humbly intreated his highness to be satisfied with what he could do with a good conscience : and to leave him to the liberty of his religion which he valued above his life : the duke replyed , that he also doubted not of the truth of that religion which he professed , and that such as embraced it , should find how much they had gratified him in so doing , yet would he not force the conscience of any man , and so he gave them leave to depart . chap. xlii . the marquisate of saluces described , with its several troubles and persecutions . the marquisate of saluces is on the south side of the valleys of predmont , containing in it several cities , and considerable valleys , very fruitfull in all sorts of fruits . it s most northerly valley is that of po , where the famous river po hath its rise , and source ; one onely mountain separates this from the valley of lucerna on the north side : in this valley were those ancient churches , viz. pravillem , biolets , and bietone , who retained the purity of christian religion for several hundreds of years , and lived in great union with their neighbouring churches . anno christi . the church of dronier , which was one of the most flourishing , understanding that the publick exercise of the reformed religion was permitted in france , obtained letters from the kings council to sieur lovis of birague , governour of that country in the duke of nevers absence , whereby he was ordered to provide for the petitioners a convenient place for the publick exercise of their religion : but not long after their adversaries , by their importunity , prevailed so far that the said letters were revoked : this occasioned the said church to send monsieur francis galatee , their minister , into france , with some others , to recover ( if it were possible ) their former priviledges . but this falling out in the time of their troubles in france , all that they could obtaine , was only bare promises . in the mean time they received many hortatory and consolatory letters from the chief ministers in the churches of france , and amongst others from those of grenoble , lions , &c. to perswade them to patience , and perseverance in that truth which they had embraced : which accordingly they did , notwithstanding all the malice and subtilty of their adversaries : so that their churches were continued and upheld , convenient order being had for the preaching of the word , administration of the sacraments , exercise of their discipline , &c. only there wanted in some places liberty of having general assemblies , and publick sermons . for the better safety of their ministers in the places that were most dangerous , one pastor had the charge of the faithful in several cities and communalties , which rendred their residence and exercises less visible to their adversaries : hereby the gospel ( through gods mercy ) made a very considerable progress at dronier , verzo , and some other places of mo●e no●e . the church of aceil in the valley de mairi was extraordinarily peopled , and enjoyed more liberty than the others , by reason of the scituation of the place : but satan the enemy of christs church and kingdom , perceiving such a growth of the reformed religion in those places , ceased not to imploy all his power and policy to hinder the same ; and therein he made use of instruments for the effecting of it : viz. first the anticodemites , whose ringleader was baronius , who lived at valgrane and thereabouts , accommodating himself to the times : for when the church had rest and ease , he wrote strange things , and cryed out of the abuses in popery : but in times of persecution he usually played the hypocrite , and laboured to draw others to do the same , by which means he had a multitude of followers , and amongst them the lord of valgrane , and maximilian de saluces , who set his name to baronius to add luster to his writings against the ministers , reproaching them for that they would not give way to any dissimulation in their disciples , whereby they exposed them to great extremities . this lord had some learning and knowledge of the truth ; but to avoid the bearing of the cross , he thought it convenient to dissemble , and condemned those who any way gain said the papists . yet monsieur gelido , minister of aceil , opposed them both , very learnedly in several letters that he wrote unto them : so did monsieur truchi , minister of dronier , together with other pastors of the neighbouring places , demonstrating both by scripture testimonies , and by the example of the primitive church , that they had done nothing but what they ought to do , and what every faithful christian was bound to , and consequently that the opinion of baronius and his followers was pernicious to the church in times of persecution . the other instruments that satan made use of to the prejudice of the church , were the roman clergy , with their passionate proselites , who would faine have done to these godly christians , as their brethren in iniquity had done to their neighbours in the dukedom of savoy : viz. banish , imprison , kill , and confiscate the goods of the protestants : but ( through gods mercy ) they were hindred by the kings edicts , confirming to those his subjects of saluces a peaceable habitation , without being molested for their conscience and religion , or questioned for any thing they did in their private houses ( provided they abstained from the publick exercise of it ) by which means their ministers had opportunitie of assembling in small companies , baptizing , marrying , comforting the sick , and instructing every one in particular ; which provoked their adversaries to bend themselves chiefly against the ministers , thinking that if they could find out any meanes to extirpate them , they should easily prevaile upon the common people , having none to animate and instruct them . accordingly they published an edict of octob. . . in the name of the duke of nevers , governour for the king on this side the mountains , injoyning all of the religion there inhabiting or abiding , that were not the kings natural subjects , to depart , together with their families within the space of three dayes , and never to return thither to inhabit , pass , or otherwise to abide without a special safe conduct , upon pain of life , and confiscation of their goods . now the greatest part of the ministers not being natural subjects to the king , by this edict were to quit the marquisate , o● to obtain a safe conduct , or lastly to incur the penalty : a safe conduct they could not obtain , and yet they thought themselves bound in conscience not to abandon their people ; wherefore continuing with their congregations , two of them were apprehended and imprisoned : viz. monsieur francis truchi , and monsieur francis soulf , where they were detained four years , four moneths , and odd dayes , the poor people being not able by any means to obtain their deliverance , though they continually sollicited de berague their governour , and others that had undertaken the management of these affairs : yet the lord was so pleased to restrain the power of their enemies that they could not take away their lives : yea by degrees they obtained for them a more spacious and convenient prison than that whereunto they were at first confined . to procure their full deliverance the churches of the marquisate sent their supplications to the king by the aforesaid minister galat●e , and another ; who set out july . . and went as far as rochel to implore the intercession of the queen of navar , as also to intreat the assistance of divers others in several places : and the great patrons of the reformed religion disputed their case before the king , and in the end obtained letters under the kings own hand for their enlargement , octob. . . which was accordingly effected ; but it was four moneths after before it could be done . when sieur galatee returned , he was overjoyed , as well for the prosperous successe of his negotiations , as for the great hopes of a profound peace , founded upon the smooth promises of his maj●sty , and upon the alliance which he had made by the marriage of his sister to the king of navar , who professed the reformed religion . but this joy lasted but from the moneth of may . to the beginning of septemb. at which time there arived the lamentable news of the massacre of many noble persons , and multitudes of others who were most inhumanely murthered in divers places of france , to the great astonishment of all the faithful in those parts . about the same time there arived letters from the king to the governour birague , by which he was required to have an eye , that , at the arival of the news of what happened at paris , they of the religion should make no combustion ; remitting the rest of his pleasure to those instructions which he had sent him by the bearer , the contents whereof were , that he should put to death all the chief of the protestants within his jurisdiction , whose names he should find in the roll that should be presented to him . birague having received this command , together with the roll aforementioned , was much troubled , and immediately called his council together , whom he acquainted with the kings orders : whereupon some were of opinion that they should be immediately executed : but others , seeing the king in his late patents , not many moneths before , had enlarged the ministers that were imprisoned , and had ordered that those of the reformed religion should not be any wayes molested for their conscience sake : as also upon consideration that nothing had occurred since that time worthy such a change , they therefore thought it sufficient to secure the persons of such as were enrolled , and to defer execution for a while , and in the mean time to inform the king that they were persons of honour , faithful to his majesty , living peaceably with their neighbours , and inoffensive in their lives : adding that in case his majesty was resolved that they should be put to death , there was yet time enough to execute his pleasure therein . this advice birague approved of , and accordingly apprehended some , but others escaped , and concealed themselves : and in the mean time he dispatched a messenger to the king , to inform him as abovesaid , and to know his further pleasure . this messenger met another at lions , where the king had sent to birague to advertise him , that in case his former order was not already executed , he should desist from it , and only have a special care that those of the religion should make no insurrection , nor have any publick exercises . but they of the reformed religion in the marquisate were not a little troubled when they heard of the cruel massacre of their brethren in france without distinction of age , sex , or quality , insomuch as divers of them fled ; many papists also secretly caused the families of their kind●ed and friends of the religion to retire their families and themselves till such time as birague had published the kings pleasure , after which they returned by little and little : and though their publick exercises were prohibited , yet they were well satisfied with the assurance of their lives , and estates , besides that they had the liberty of private exercises in their families . this was the condition of the protestant churches in saluces during the time that it was under the dominion of the king of france , which continued to the year . at which time the duke of savoy took the possession , who , for a while suffered them to enjoy their priviledges in general : but in particular , some of the chief members of the church of dromier , being cited to turin , were so befooled with subtile artifices , that one part of them promised to go to masse , which gave a considerable blow to the said church , yet it lost not its courage in general , although the great failings of the former encouraged their adversaries to attempt the like upon others by both words and letters . anno christi . the duke of savoy wrote his letter to them , wherein he told them how desirous he was that all his subjects in the marquisat of saluces should embrace the romish religion , and finding that his exhortations had prevailed with some , he hoped that they would have the same effect upon the rest , desiring that laying aside their heretical obstinacie , they would embrace the true religion out of respect to gods glory , and their own good , making large promises to such as should submit , and telling them that it should return to their great advantage . the churches of the marquisat having received this letter , they answered , first , that they returned his highness many thanks for that he had suffered them to enjoy their religion hitherto as he had found them in the year . when he took possession of the marquisat . secondly they humbly intreated him to continue to them the said benefit , as also to grant them his protection , seeing that they knew that their religion was founded upon the holy scriptures , according to which they ordered their lives and conversations , so as none had any just occasion of offence : and considering that even the jews and other enemies of christ were suffered to live in peace , and to enjoy their religion , they hoped that those which were found christians , faithful to god , and loyal to their prince , should not be denyed the same priviledge . after this a●swer they lived a while in peace , and the duke took a voyage into 〈◊〉 , after which followed a war , so that they continued as aforetime but after the exchange of the marquisat was established upon him , his soft letters were turned into sharp edicts , wherein he commanded all those of the religion within the marquisat , that every one should go , and declare to his ordinary magistrate within the space of fifteen dayes whether he would renounce his religion , or go to mass or no ; which if they would do , they should not only enjoy their habitations , and estates , but many other favours also : but if they resolved to persist in their religion , they were enjoyned to depart out of his highness dominions within the space of two moneths , and never to return without expresse permission , and that upon pain of death , and confiscation of all their goods : yet they were permitted within the said term of two months to transport their goods as they should think meet . this unexpected edict being published through the marquisate , july . much troubled those of the reformed religion , who immediately sent deputies to his highness to obtain a revocation , or at least a moderation of it : and indeed they had some hopes given them by divers persons of quality , so that many of the poor people resting upon this broken reed , let slip much of the said prefixed time without preparing for their departure , whereby they were the more amazed when they understood , not many dayes before the time was expired ; that all hope of favour was now wholly taken away : yet most of them prepared for their departure ; some recommending their goods to their kindred and friends who remained in the country , others leaving all they had at random , except what they could carry with them to serve for their present necessities . in these two moneths space they who were resolved to depart , were continually set upon by their friends and kindred , with all manner of perswasions to divert them from their purposes , especially when they presented themselves to the magistrate to give in their answer in writing : for then they were caused to stand in a certain pew in publick view , where the magistrates had either monks , or other ecclesiasticks , who ceased not to urge them by all possible arguments and motives thereby to shake their faith and constancy : amongst others , a certain capuchin friar called philip ribo ▪ who a little before had been imployed in the same manner in the valley of perosa , being now imployed in this place , ran up and down , using all subtilties imaginable , especially among those who through feebleness of age , weakness of sex , or want of estates , might probably make them more easie to be seduced : they caused them also to be brought before the magistrate one by one , that so the constancy of some might not encourage others : yea hardly were husbands permitted to declare for their wives and children ; and they ▪ so sifted the tender ones that it was hard for them to escape without making shipwrack of their faith and religion ; and to promote their design they prohibited all upon pain of death , not to disswade others from revolting . yet through gods mercy , they were so fortified in their spirits ▪ that most of them withstood the tentations , and went forth as providence guided them ▪ not knowing whither they went. some steered their course beyond the alps to france , geneva , and other places : others retired themselves into the valleys of piedmont , and remained there without trouble , though the edict required that they should depart out of his highnesses dominions . in the beginning of this persecution , the adversaries fearing some resolute union amongst these poor persecuted souls , to prevent any combustion , they gave it out in the churches of the mountains , that though the edict was general , yet the intention thereof was only to unlodg those in the lower plains , in the great villages , and other publick places : and that such as inhabited amongst the mountains might be sure to live in peace and quiet : this indeed was a cause that at the first there was not such an universal union amongst those of the reformed religion that were destinated for slaughter , as they could have desired : but this fraud at length appearing occasioned a more close union amongst them : neither was it without cause : for at last they spared those in the mountains no more then those of the plains : only that they made no enquiry after the church of pravillelm , and the quarters thereabouts , who thereupon trusting to the ancientness of their possession , troubled not themselves to make any declaration to the magistrate , or to prepare themselves for their departure , as if the edict had not at all concerned them : neither indeed were they disturbed till all the rest were departed out of the province , and scattered in several places : but at length they were given to understand , that seeing they had not yeilded obedience to the edict , they were liable to the punishment therein appointed : and therefore some warned them to have a care of themselves both in general , and each particular : hereupon they repaired to the syndicks of the communalty , requesting them to intercede for them , shewing the reasons why they conceived not themselves concerned by the edict , and therefore they had not offended out of any malicious intention . the syndicks accordingly made many journeys about this business , but brought back nothing but sad and uncomfortable messages ; so that at last they were forced to flie . one part of them ( the men having ordered their families which they left in their houses ) retired into the western mountains : those who were fit to bear arms ( being about two hundred ) with their arms retired into the castell●nie of casteau dauphine which was near at hand : but those of dauphine , and who were lesse disposed , retired themselves into their highest forrests . yet before their departure they declared to their popish neighbours , that being forced to retire themselves by reason of the threats which were given against them for their religion ; and being unable to take their families along with them , they intreated them to take care of them ; withall telling them , that they would make a sudden return , either of the good or evil that should be done to their relations , either by themselves , or by their permission . this so prevailed with the papists , that either out of fear , or for some other reasons , they so far sollicited , and prevailed with their superiours , that the others had liberty of returning to their ancient habitations withour being molested , and that for many years together . chap. xliii . the artifices and wicked practices used to consume and destroy the faithful in the valleys of piedmont . the popish clergy have several persons under pay , whose business it is to kindle strifes and quarrels amongst the protestants , and to engage them in suits of law one against another : and when they see them reduced to poverty and despair , they secretly offer them all the favour imaginable , provided that they will either openly revolt , or remain as spies amongst their brethren to betray them : and the better to dispose them hereto , they assure them that they shall get a full victory over their enemies , in case they will imploy some churchmen to recommend their affairs to the judges , who in all publick imployments are preferred before the protestants , and made their superiours , that so they may over-rule them as they list . the popish clergy also knowing that young men are apt to be in love , which captivates reason , they propound to them by their emissaries , a match with some papist , whose portion and other advantages they amplifie by officious lyes , and so they inveigle some poor souls , sometimes without , and sometimes against the consent of their parents , and friends : and if any amongst the protestants be so wicked as not to regard the admonitions of their ministers and elders , so that they are forced to excommunicate them , these monks and priests perswade them to embrace the romish religion , where they shall be protected against such as pursue them for their crimes : yea they promise that they shall be set over them in all publick offices , by which means they may have power in their hands to be revenged of them . this was the practice of the monks in the year , , &c. even towards some who were manifestly convicted of witchcraft , who , revolting to popery , had their lives spared , and were set at liberty : yea they have often rewarded them with money , merchandizes and other things ; withall exempting them from all manner of taxes : and when the protestants complained hereof , the duke of savoy indeed gave them a favourable answer by his edict , dated in june . but they could never obtain the putting of it in execution . but of all the means used for these last sixty years to root out , and ruine the protestant churches in the valleys of piedmont , there hath been none like that of the missionaries established by pope clement the th , anno christi . for the monasteries of these firebrands have ever been as so many citadels in the valleys , wherein very many wicked instruments have been harbored , who never ceased to contrive mischief by their lyes , calumnies and slanders wherewith they have filled the ears of the magistrates and princes , who have alwayes given more credit to them , than to the true complaints of these poor people in their own just defence , whereupon they have published many bloody edicts against them : and though the protestants reiterated their humble supplications to his highness , and therein declared their own innocency , and the boldness of those missionaries , which was grown to such a heighth as was altogether intolerable , yet have they prevailed nothing : and that which makes these monks the more confident , is , that they know they are not to be punished by any magistrate for whatsoever they say or do against the protestants ; no not when they steale away their children from them : whereas the protestants are put to death if they speak but the least word against these missionary priests , or but go about to disswade any , though of their own families from turning papist . yea by the dukes edict any one witness is sufficient against a protestant , and a reward of an hundred crowns is promised to any that will come and witness against them , whereby all those are encouraged , who either out of revenge , envy , or covetousness , shall report such false things against them as by the romish friars they shall be directed to . by vertue of this edict the monks have made bold upon all occasions both in the streets , yea in the very curches , and that in the sermon time to set upon the protestant ministers , with all the most base , vile , and unsufferable speeches they could possibly devise , knowing that no man durst either censure their zeale , or witness against them for what they said or did against the protestants , for fear of the severe penalties ordained against the favourers of hereticks . nay , if their abusive carriage could but draw any word out of the ministers , or out of any other mans mouth that did not please them , they had their hired witnesse in a readinesse to bring the minister , or other protestant to the stake , and that without redemption . these men got an edict from madam royal , of jan. . . having made her believe that the papists were compelled to contribute towards the maintenance of the protestant ministers , with some other such like fictions ; upon which they obtained an order for the officers called castellani , to give the missionaries all the writings they should demand of them ; by means whereof they usurped power over the said castellani , and so over the poor protestants , compelling the castellani to make most unjust ordinances against these poor people : as for example ; when the question is concerning their habitation , the missioners do perswade them that come to witnesse the truth , that so to do is to favour the hereticks , whereby they will fall irrevocably under the censure of excommunication ; whereas its a meritorious work to witnesse against them by such officious lies as are suggested to them by the popish clergy : nay , the judges themselves durst not passe a righteous sentence , when it reflected in the least upon the catholick party . and that they may have the opportunity of negotiating with the protestants , they procure of his highnesse every year , the assignations of grain , and other impositions , that so they of the reformed religion , being obliged to make their payments to these publicans , they may have the advantage to shew favour , and give ample rewards to such as will comply with their superstitious idolatry , and to lay heavy burdens upon the backs of those that are true to their principles . mention might here be made of their frequent falling into the said valleys with troops of armed men , under pretence of quartering them there ; whereby they have miserably surprized , and made a prey of them : as likewise the cunning stratagems which they have used in all their treaties , which have been as full of jesuitical equivocations , as of lines and sentences , following therein their old maxime , that faith is not to be kept with hereticks . to this may be added their diligent search , and strict enquiry after all protestant books and writings , which they commit to the fire with much devotion , lest they should discover their rotten principles , and the wickednesse of their actions to the world . another stratagem they have to allure men to revolt , wherein are proffers of great rewards made , and published in the princes name ; as may be seen in the dukes own letter , wherein are these words . to encourage the hereticks to turn catholicks , it is our pleasure , and we do hereby expresly command , that all such as shall embrace the holy romane faith , shall enjoy an exemption from all , and every tax for the space of five years commencing from the day of their conversion , &c. which term of five years he hath sometimes lengthned out to ten or fifteen years ; whereas indeed the burden that they took off from these revolters , they laid upon the backs of those that persevered in their religion , the better to break and destroy them . but as if all this were too little to compass their ends , the duke erected a congregation for extirpating the hereticks , who were to judge concerning the rights of the protestants . their meeting place was in the arch-bishops house , the bishop himself being president , together with the dukes confessor , and divers others , every one of them hired by the court of rome , to undermine the liberties of the protestant churches , by robbing them of their ancient priviledges under sundry pretences , and upon false informations . and the better to disguise their proceedings , they usually incense the duke by grievous accusations , and so procure grievous edicts from him against the poor protestants . these were they who procured from charles emanuel , anno christi . an edict , wherein he enjoyns the protestants upon pain of death to banish from amongst them all manner of schools both publick and private , ( as julian the apostate had formerly done to extirpate the christian religion ) and by another edict of decemb. . . he forbade them to receive any strangers amongst them that should be either ministers or schoolmasters , as also from sending their youth into forreign schools suspected of heresie . he also debarred all manner of protestants from publick offices , either great or small . in another edict , all protestants were commanded either to go to masse , or to depart within two moneths after the publication thereof : and by another edict the same was commanded , and but fifteen dayes given them . another order was given out , novemb. . . enjoyning the protestants of campiglione , to leave that place within twenty foure houres , and that upon pain of death , which was executed without mercy . the same was done anno christi . by gastaldo , who gave no longer than twenty foure houres to those of the valleys of saint martino and perosa , to depart upon pain of death ; and to those that lived beyond pelice , but three days . many times when these missionary fathers could not possibly perswade his royal highnesse to an open persecution against the generality of the protestants , then they usually tormented them one by one upon sundry false pretences , whom they delivered up to the inquisitors , who contrary to all forms of justice , forthwith condemned them , without so much as hearing them , or letting them know their accusers . anno christi . they took one mr. sebastian basan , and after the inquisitors had cruelly tempted and tormented him for the space of fifteen months , they burned him alive at turin , novemb. . . where he dyed , singing the praises of god in the midst of the flames . anno . these missionary fathers stole away very many of the protestants children in the time of the massacre ; whom they would not afterwards restore , though his highness had promised it by his patent ; which practice is the most execrable of all the turkish tyrannies : yet there is this difference , that the turks do so only to their own subjects , whereas the popes ministers do it to those over whom they have no right at all . two instances may be given ( amongst many others ) of the subtile insinuations of the jesuites to withdraw men from the truth ; there were two ministers , the one mr. peter gros , the other mr. francis aguit , with whom they had thus prevailed : but the lord in mercy shewing them the greatnesse of their sin , they made a publick recantation in a full congregation , august . . & . . at pinache in the valley of perouse , wherein they testified their extream sorrow for their defection through infirmity , from the true religion , during the time of their imprisonment at turin , together with their abjuration of popery , which they conclude thus . do not think us unworthy your holy communion , although we have been an occasion of offence : suffer us to poure into your bosomes a torrent of tears to deplore our condition , and to assure you in the anguish of our souls , that our grief is greater than we can expresse : help us by your holy prayers to the lord , and publish our repentance in all places where you conceive our sin hath been , or shall bee known , that so it may be evident to all the world , that from the very bottome of our souls we grieve , and sorrow for it , and that in the presence of god , and of his holy angels , and in the sight of those who have been witnesses of our conversion , we do abjure , and detest the masse , the authority of the pope , and in general , all sorts of beliefs , and worships dependent upon them ; we recant whatsoever we may have pronounced to the prejudice of the evangelical truth , and promise for the future , through the grace of god , to persevere in the profession of the reformed religion to the last moment of our life , and rather to suffer death , and torments than to renounce that holy doctrine that is taught in our church according unto the word of god : even as we swear , and promise , with our bended knees upon the earth , and our hands lifted up to the eternal , our almighty god and father , sonne , and holy spirit . as we desire his assistance to do this , even so help us god. amen . the motives of the late persecution in the valleys of piemont , anno christi . with the publication of that bloody order of gastaldo , and the flight of the protestants in the middest of winter . the chief officers , and gentry of savoy are moved to endeavour the extirpation of the reformed party , chiefly for these causes : . that by evil entreating the reformed churches , they may conserve the papal authority , of which they have oft-times so much need , to cover and cloke their incestuous marriages contracted by dispensations from the pope : and thus they become engaged to maintaine popery , for fear of being declared guilty of incest . . because the courtiers for persecuting the reformed party are rewarded with prebendaries , bishopricks , abbies , and priories , especially such as are members of the council for extirpating of hereticks . . under this pretext , the poor people of the valleys become a prey to the said courtiers , who daily rob , and spoil them , extorting the best part of their livelishood by sundry subtile devices . . the gentry of lucerna ( who are very poor ) promote this work all they can by perpetual calumnies against them , rendring themselves by such good offices capable of meriting , and receiving those pensions which are assigned them by the court of rome for the same purpose . . for this end of late they have made the gentlemen of the respective valleys subordinate to the monks , and masse-priests , who teach and appoint them what to do , as to the bearing of false-witnesse against their neighbours , sowing discord amongst them , murthering of some , procuring the assasination of others , stealing , and carrying away their children , &c. without the performance whereof they refuse to pay them their yearly pensions . . but the chief ground of all why the court of savoy strives so much to extirpate this poor people , is , the designe that they have to wrest pignorolio out of the hands of the king of france , to which the habitation , and liberty of those people are a great hindrance : for they , inhabiting the neighbouring parts of pignorolio , both in the plaine and mountains , cannot , upon the account of conscience , be brought to make any agreement with the spanish party for assaulting , and surprizing that place : hence the court of savoy seeks all manner of occasions to root them out , especially those of lucerne , fenile , bobio , campiglione , bricheras , and saint secondo , which are near pignorolio , and to deprive it thereby of all sorts of commodities which it receives from the valleys , which alone doth furnish it with more than all the neighbouring valleys which belong to the duke . now if these people were extirpated , and others put in their places , men forward to execute their designes , they might easily seize on malange , a narrow passage above pignorolio , on that side which looks towards france , where a very few persons would be able to hinder the french armies from relieving pignorolio . upon these , and the like grounds the court of savoy hath sought their destruction , though its true , that in all the persecutions which they have raised against them , especially in this last , . those ravening wolves approached in sheeps cloathing , the better to deceive , and destroy the innocent lambs of christ. for these evangelical churches had , long before that fatal year , cleared themselves of all those calumnies which the council for the extirpation of hereticks , to the end that they might enjoy their promised pensions , had cast upon them . yea , his royal highnesse had now given an ample testimony of his being fully satisfied in this point , and by an authentick decree published anno christi . had confirmed all former confessions ; which confirmation was again renewed anno . confirming the grants made to them in the years . and . without any addition , or diminution , amplification , or restriction whatsoever . now as these poor people sought for an interination of these grants , his royal highness , knowing that the delay thereof proceeded not from any negligence of their part , but was occasioned by the multitude of troops that were then quartered upon them , whereby they could not possibly have the convenience of assembling , &c. out of his goodness towards them , he declared by an edict , of may . . that his intention was that they should enjoy the concessions as effectually as if they had been again interinated , upon condition that they did procure the interination thereof within three moneths following . so that till this time of may . . none can say that those of the reformed religion had committed any thing whereby to be deprived of the benefit of their concessions ; yet contrary to all their expectations , shortly after , viz. january . . this infamous order was published by andrew gastaldo , doctor of the civil law , mr. auditor ordinary , &c. that every head of a family , with its members of the reformed religion , of what rank , degree or condition soever , none excepted , inhabiting and possessing estates in the places of lucerna , lucernetta , st. giovanni , la torre , bubbiana , and fenile , campiglione , bricherassio , and s. secondo , within three days after the publication therof should withdraw and depart , and to be with their families withdrawn out of the said places , and translated into the places and limits tolerated by his highness , during his pleasure , as namely bobbio , villaro , angrogna , rorata , and the country of bonetti , under pain of death , and confiscation of houses and goods , situated or being out of the said limits ; provided , if they make it not appear to us within twenty days following that they are turned catholicks , or that they have sold their goods to the catholicks . and that it was not the mind of his royal highness by any act whatsoever to enlarge the said limits : but on the contrary , he declares by these presents , that the said acts are meer usurpations , contrary to the intention as well of his orders , as of his magistrates , published to that end ; and that therefore the transgressors have incurred the punishment therein contained : besides , in the aforesaid places favorably tolerated , he wills that in every one of them shall be celebrated the holy mass , forbidding those of the pretended reformed religion any ways to molest , either by deed or word , the missionary fathers , or their attendants , much less to disswade any that would turn catholicks , under the same pain of death , giving it in charge particularly to the ministers of the said pretended religion , inviolably to observe the same , upon pain of answering it in their proper names , &c. it 's easie to conjecture the miserable inconveniencies of a flight in the midst of winter , especially to such a people amongst whom were many aged and decrepit , many sick and diseased , besides a multitude of women big with childe , or newly brought to bed , together with a number of tender infants , yet all forced to flye , and none being in capacity to succor another . yet did these bloody beasts in the most violent and rigorous winter-season chase and drive out of their houses all on a sudden those poor people , who scarce had clothes to cover their nakedness , much less were they provided to resist the extremities of cold , and hunger ; thinking hereby either to force them to change their religion , or to cause them to dye in the craggy rocks and snowy mountains ; yea , they were so subtilly malicious as to chuse those very days , when by reason of the multitude of violent waters in the plain , and of snow upon the mountains , they judged it impossible for those silly sheep ever to escape . but these poor people considering that the apostacy propounded was the way to eternal damnation , chose rather to follow christ in bearing his cross , and to hazard their temporary lives , rather than to lose their souls for ever ; yet that they might leave no lawful means unattempted , they presently dispatched their deputies to the governor , to represent to him the strangeness of this command , to force them with their families to abandon their antient habitations ; as also that it was impossible for so many souls as there were in number to subsist in the said place , to which by the edict they were confined , they being scarce sufficient to supply in any sort those that inhabited them : as likewise , that this command was contrary to all their former concessions , upon which account they protested and appealed to his royal highness . but the governor knowing well the intention of the council for the extirpating of hereticks , would neither admit of the one or of the other . hereupon the poor people , seeing they could obtain nothing of him , entreated him to grant them at least some time to have recourse to the duke by humble supplications ; but this also was denied , unless they would draw up their petition by a model which he should prescribe , which indeed was prejudicial both to their just rights and consciences . these poor people ( i say ) seeing this , to the end that they might remove all pretext for accusing them of rebellion , under that colour to ruine and destroy them ; hoping also that at last they might finde some means to lay their griefs at the feet of his royal highness , and that his clemency and justice would in the end re-establish them in their ancient habitations , they chose rather to suffer this violence ; and therefore recalling their protestation , thereby to testifie their profound respect to their prince , they quitted their houses , and goods , and retired with their familes , their wives and children , great and small , young and old , whole and sick ; yea , halt , lame and blind ; draging after them such as were infirm by sickness or age through rain , snow , ice , waters , and a thousand difficulties . oh think with your selves , what bitter tears , what wringing of hands , what smitting upon the breasts , what mournings , sighings , and lamentations there were in the families of these miserable and distressed creatures , who were now reduced to the utmost of extremities ; before them were a multitude of violent and roaring waters , on each hand most barbarous and snowy mountains ; behinde them , men sevenfold worse than the egyptians , ready to butcher and destroy them ; yet recommending themselves , souls and bodies to gods protection , they are resolved to undergo the worst of temporary miseries , rather than by denying their religion , to damn their souls . this their constancy and resolution was no small comfort to other churches , and a matter of great astonishment to their persecutors ; the rather considering the great advantages they might have purchased by quitting their religion ; as pardon for all crimes , liberty if in prisons , exemption from all manner of taxes , &c. they were no sooner departed from their houses , but a number of thieves and robbers entred them , spoiling and pillaging whatever the people had left behinde them , pulling down their houses , cuting down all their trees , and turning their habitation into a desolate wilderness ; of which violence the poor people complained to the duke , and received from him such an answer , that they apprehended his intentions were not that they should wholly quit their houses till their cause might be heard and judged ; in confidence hereof , they sometimes returned to their houses to guard them from these robbers , and to husband their ground , that so they might have wherewithal to pay their taxes ; yet for this they were branded with rebellion , though they had neither taken up arms , nor acted any other hostility , every one living peaceably without giving any cause of offence . gastaldo having thus driven these poor people from their antient inheritance , without legal citing them , hearing their plea , or giving them the least time to provide for so sad a flight ; their last refuge was to have recourse to the lord by fervent prayers , and to their prince by humble supplications ; which was done not only by those that were driven from their houses , but by the other churches of the reforned religion , the cause being common to them all . but alas ! they found both his and all other his ministers ears stopped to their wosull crys ; neither could they obtain so much as admittance into the presence of his royal highness . amongst other cunning artifices used by their malicious adversaries to imbitter the spirits of his highness , and the dutchess his mother against these poor protestants , this was one ; john ressan , president of the province of pignorolio , having for many years born a deadly spleen against the popish priest of fenile , hired one to assassinate him ; and then by his secretary , he spread it abroad all over the country that the protestants were the authors of the murther , who yet five days before were driven out of fenile , which report flew far and near , being entertained as an undoubted truth by those papists who lived far off , encreasing also with carriage , though upon the place the author of this murther was well known , so that by all their reports they were not able to fasten any blemish in the minds of the dead priests friends and kindred , nor to hinder them from apprehending both the master and his secretary ; by which means the innocency of the reformed party was so cleared to the world , that the marquess of pionessa , in his letters , wherein he sought all the devices he could to lay something to their charge , never mentions this for fear of blemishing the credit of all the rest . shortly after one berru basely murdered peter rovier consul of mean ; and then fled to pignorolio , where he was met by the aforesaid rissan , who was lately returned from turin , where he had been imprisoned for the former murther , and now had his liberty no otherwise than upon good security , because the said berru and some others had taken their oathes against his secretary [ d. agot ] and himself , for being guilty of the aforementioned assassination ; but after some private conferences had between them rissan , so wrought upon that wretched berru , by gifts and promises , that he was perswaded to return back with him to turin , and there not only to retract his former oath , but to swear that he had been sollicited thereto by the two pastors leger and mechelin , as also by antonio , and francis danna , chief elders of the church of s. giovanni ; by means of this devilish retractation and calumnie , rissan and his secretary were discharged in the very heat of the war between the papists and protestants , so that they had the opportunity of forging what lies they pleased against the protestants , both at lucerna and turin , without the least contradiction , which accordingly they did to the purpose ; for at lucerna there were published at the same time two personal citations against the said leger , mechelin , and danna ; and as for berru , he was also at the same time , as a recompence for his perjury , discharged , and set at liberty , though he had been convicted of two murders , the one the afore-mentioned , and the other at s. giovanni , upon one giovanni bertot , a protestant . after this base action , he came to the said leger , and many other pastors of the valleys , and chief men , and leaning upon his staff , and bemoaning his condition , he protested to them that he could scarce stand upright , by reason of the many blows which he had received from the papists to force him to forswear himself against the said leger and the rest ; but as he could not in conscience do so wicked an act , so he had withstood them to the utmost ; telling them plainly , who so urged him , that he would rather be torn with wilde horses than do it ; and that they thereupon seeing his constancy , had beaten him most unmercifully , and then cast him out into the open streets , where he had miserably perished , had not a certain jew pitied him , and took him up , as he was grovelling on the ground , and ready to give up the ghost . in the mean time the treaty of peace being concluded at pignerolio , aug. . mr. leger and the rest against whom the process had been made , as against criminals , staying a while at pignorolio , chanced to hear of it , and thereupon went presently to the prefect rissan , entreating him to tell them if it were true that berru had thus accused them ; rissan made them such a doubtful answer , that they judged it high time to have immediate recourse to the senator prerrastino , beseeching him to declare to them the truth of the whole matter , and to appoint them a set time and place to make their justification : hereupon he told them plainly that berru had accused them for suborning him to swear falsly against de agot ; and his master ; and withal he shewed them a copy of the citation against the said leger , and the rest of his complices , which was to banish them out of the dukes dominions , if they did not appear personally at turin to answer to such interrogatories as should be proposed to them about that business . upon this sieur leger , by the assistance of david leger , a minister , handled the matter so , that the said berru was shortly after apprehended , as he was lurking in the highways , with a purpose to murther the said leger upon the first opportunity . this wretch being thus apprehended , used all the devices imaginable to have got out of their hands ; though they assured him , that all that they intended was only to make him verifie what he had already confessed before a full assembly of their ministers and others . leger being assured that berru was in safe custody , went and declared the whole matter to the senator perichvini , and to referendano tarquin , yea and to rissan himself , who was on a sudden not a little surprised at it ; afterwards he told it to the french ambassador , and to the ambassadors of the evangelical cantons , and with much ado he got leave to bring the said perjured person to pignorolio ; where he hoped to obtain leave of coming face to face against him in open justice , importuning all the dukes ministers of justice , and the french and switzers ambassadors for their intercession , the last whereof openly protested , that in case of refusal , they would complain that justice was denied them ; yet could they prevail no further , but that there should be a letter written to turin about it : from whence after a while they had an answer , that nothing could be done in it ; and so leger was fain to content himself , that he and the rest that had been accused were declared as persons altogether innocent , and clearly acquitted from the accusation that berru had made against them . upon this and the like feigned accusations , the deputies of these poor people and their supplications were miserably rejected at the court of savoy : for when they instantly beseeched the chief ministers of state at turin , that they might be admitted into the dukes presence , there to cast themselves at his feet , the council for extirpating of hereticks would not suffer them to have audience of his highness , and contrary to all equity they usurped the cognisance of this business , which belonged not to them , they being of the adverse party ; nay , they were not suffered to come in personally before them to plead their own cause , but were forced to send in their procurator gibellino , a papist , who , knowing that excommunication is the certain punishment of all those that any way favored the hereticks , durst not speak a word till he had fallen down on his knees and begged leave of the archbishop , who was president of that council ; and the conclusion was , that those of the valleys were commanded to make no more requests to his royal highness , unless they would send deputies with procuration , and power to accept and promise all that should be ordered them ; yet they ( like the importunate widow ) sent again their deputies to turin , with their requests , and with order to endeavor to get audience of his royal highness ; they also , beside other intercessions , instantly requested madam royal to have pity on them , and to procure the same for them ; they wrote also other letters to divers princes of the blood to mediate for them about the same ; but all in vain , for they could get no answer from any of them ; and the marquess of pionessa slighted their supplications , thirsting violently after the blood of these poor creatures ; yet that he might not openly discover the black design of the council for extirpating of hereticks , before the hour of its execution , he disguised his answers to them in such doubtful terms , that though he gave them but cold comfort , yet he left them not without some glimmering hopes at least of a day of audience for the hearing of their complaints , that so during this interval of time all things might be in a better readiness for the day of slaughter , as you shall hear in the next chapter . chap. xliv . a narrative of the bloody cruelties which were exercised against the protestants of the valleys of piemont during the heat of the late massacre in april , anno . upon saturday april , . whilst the deputies of the protestants were by the subtilties of pionessa , detained at turin , as you heard before , there arrived a great army at st. giovanni , which was now , with la torre , and all the lower parts unpeopled , and in a sad and lamentable condition ; this army continued there for some hours , and in the dusk of the evening fell into la torre , where they met with none of the protestants , only about eight or ten persons , not thinking of an enemy , were seeking up and down for something to satisfie their hunger ; but so soon as they came near to the convent they were saluted with a volley of shot , which killed giovanni combe , and hurt peter rostain , whereupon the rest , seeing the danger fled for their lives . the next day being the sabbath , the enemy ranged about through the communalties of la torre , and st. giovanni , plundering and pillaging all before them ; and the day after , heir number being encreased , to about fifteen thousand , they set upon the protestants in several quarters amongst the little hills of st. giovanni , and la torre . but the poor people , being prompted thereto by the law of nature , stood upon their own defence , and the enemy was vigorously opposed on every side ; in one place by captain jahier , and in other places by the officers of st. giovanni , angrognia , roccapiatta ; and their troops . tuesday april . the popish army made three several attempts to take away the bell of st. giovanni , and to burn the church ; but those of the poor people in arms did so couragiously resist them , that they were driven to a shameful retreat , with the loss of about fifty of their men ; and had not their cavalry defended the plain , they had been utterly routed : but of the protestants party there were onely two slain , upon whose dead bodies they basely revenged themselves . wednesday the . which was the fatal day to the protestants , the marquess of pianessa held the deputies of the valley of lucerna in parley till noon , and then entertained them with a large dinner , and sent them away with many fair promises , that there should be no hurt done to any except those of st. giovanni and la torre , as being the places specified in the order of gastaldo ; but for the rest , if they would but quarter a few troops as a token of their obedience , and that but for a short time , they might be fearless of the least inconvenience . hereupon the agents of angrogna bestired themselves to perswade their own party from making the least resistance ; the same did the agents of villaro and bobio : but no sooner were those troops entred , but they put all to fire and sword , slaying all they met with that had but the likeness of mankind , and that in the most barbarous manner they could possibly devise : as you may see by this extract of a letter written by some of those poor protestants , wherein they thus write ; the army having gotten footing , became very numerous by the addition of a multitude of the neighboring inhabitants , who hearing that we were given for a prey to the plunderers , fell upon us with an impetuous fury : to these were added a great number of out-laws , prisoners , and other offenders , who thought hereby to have saved their souls , and filled their purses : we were forced also to receive five or six regiments of the french army , besides some irish ( to whom as it was said , our country was promised ) and several other troops of highway-men , and vagabonds , under a pretence of coming into the valleys only for fresh quarters . the multitude being licensed by pianessa , encouraged by the monks , and led by our wicked neighbors , fell upon us with such violence on every side , and in so treacherous a manner , especially in angrognia , villaro and bobio ( to whom pianessa had plighted his troth , that if they would but quarter one regiment , they should be secure from all harm ) that in a moment of time all was turned into a confused heap , and the inhabitants constrained after skirmishes that they made in the way , to fiye for their lives , together with their wives and little children ; and that not onely the inhabitants of the plains , but of the mountains also , who had otherwise been certainly betrayed and surprised . yet was not all their diligence sufficient to preserve very many of them from destruction ; for in many places they were hemmed in on every side , that there was no way left for their flight , but they were most inhumanl● massacred . in one place they cruelly tormented one hundred and fity women and children , and afterwards chopped off the heads of some , and dashed out the brains of others against the rocks : multitudes of prisoners they took ; and such of them from fifteen years of age and upward who refused to go to mass , they hanged up some , and nailed the feet of others to trees , with their heads hanging downwards , all which they constantly endured . mr. gross , one of the pastors , with some of his family they sent to turin : they made such havock of all , that there were neither any cattel or other provision left in the valley of lucerna ; yea , in the communalties of st. giovanni , la torre , &c. a franciscan friar and another priest set fire on houses and churches that they left not one of them unburnt . in these desolations the mother was bereaved of her sweet childe , the husband of his dear wife . those which were richest amongst us are forced to beg their bread ; yea , they are weltring in their own blood , and deprived of all outward comforts ; and whereas there were some churches in st. martino , that were always formerly as a sanctuary to the persecuted , they are now commanded to quit their dwellings , and every soul of them presently to depart without any respite , and that under pain of death . the pretence of these strange massacres and cruelties are , that we are rebels to the duke's commands in not p●●forming a pure impossibility by immediate departing from our habitations in bubiana , lucerna , fenile , bricheras , la torre , st. giovanni , and st. secondo . as also for our frequent petitioning his royal highness to take pity upon us . to conclude , our beautiful and flourishing churches are left desolate , and that without remedy , unless the lord work miraculously for us , &c. the truth is , the cruelties which were there excuted would exceed the belief of any man , were they not so fully proved , by the formal attestations of eye witnesses , by the wofull crys of so many desolate and poor wretches who have been miserably robb'd of their relations , houses , lands , and all other comforts ; yea , by the formall oath of one of the chief commanders of the army that acted these cruelties , signed with his own hand in the presence of two authentick witnesses , and the voluntary confession of one of the soldiers , who told some of his comrades that many times , during the heat of the massacre , he had surfetted with eating the boiled brains of the protestants . the declaration of monsieur du petit bourg , first captain of the regiment of gransey , subscribed with his own hand at pignerol , nov. . . in the presence of two other commanders . i sieur du petit bourg being commanded by prince thomas to go , and joyne my self with the marquesse of pianessa , who was then at la torre ; upon my departure i was requested by the ambassador to speak to the marquesse , and to use my endeavour to accommodate the troubles which were amongst those of the religion in the valleys of piemont , which accordingly i did , entreating him with much earnestnesse that he would give way thereunto , and i doubted not but i should be able to effect it : but he refused this my request , and that divers times , notwithstanding all the endeavours i could possibly use to perswade him thereto ; and instead of the least mitigation , i was witnesse to many great violences , and extreme cruelties exercised by the bandets , and souldiers of piemont upon all sorts , of every age , sex , and condition , whom i saw massacred , dismembred , hanged up , burnt , and ravished , together with many horrid confusions , which i beheld with horror and regret : and without any distinction of those that resisted , and such as resisted not , they were used with all sorts of inhumanity , their houses burnt , their goods plundered ; and when prisoners were brought before the said marquesse , i saw him give order to give them no quarter at all , saying , his highnesse was resolved to have none of the religion within his dominions . and whereas in his declaration he protests that there was no hurt done to any but during the fight , nor the least outrage committed upon any persons that were not fit to beare armes : i will maintaine that it is not so , having seene with my eyes many persons killed in cold blood : as also women , aged persons , and young children , miserably murdered , &c. the attestation of divers persons of honour , and integrity , who were for the most part eye , and eare witnesses of the ensuing barbarous cruelties which were exercised upon diverse members of the evangelical churches in the valleys of piemont in the late massacre . sarah rastignole des vignes , about sixty years of age , being overtaken by divers souldiers , was commanded to say her prayers , and when she had done they bade her say jesus maria , which the poor woman refusing , one of the souldiers thrust a sickle into the lower part of her belly , and ript her up to the navel , and then dragged the poor creature upon the ground , being half dead , till another came and cut off her head ; the daughter in law of this poor woman who hid her self in the snow for two dayes after without any succour , was an eye-witnesse hereof . martha constantine of giovanni , after that she had seene several others most cruelly put to death , was her self , first ravished , and afterwards had her breasts cut off , and part of her privities by some of the souldiers , who fried them , and set them before some of their comrades , making them believe they were tripes , but when they had eaten a good part , they told them what they were , which caused a quarrel amongst them ; and they that had eaten them were so sick , that some of them died soon after . this was certified by a papist to one andrea javel of einachia . a man of thrassaniere being taken prisoner , received divers stabs in the soles of his feet , and in his eares by two of the souldiers , who afterwards cut off his privie members , and then applied a burning candle to the wound , frying it with the flame thereof , that so the blood might be stopped , and the torments of that miserable creature prolonged . then tore they his nailes off with burning pincers to force him to renounce his religion : but when nothing would do , they tyed one of his legs to a mule , and dragged him thorow the streets till he was almost dead , and then binding a ●ord about his head , they twisted it with a staffe till his eyes and braines dropped out , and then cast his carcasse into the river . peter simond of angrogna about eighty years of age , was tyed neck and heeles together , and so violently thrown down a fearful precipice , but by the way , falling upon a cragged branch of a tree , he there hung in a most languishing condition for divers days together ( a most lamentable spectacle to behold ) being neither able to help himself , nor capable of receiving help from others , the precipice being inaccessible . esay garcino of angrogna , of ninety years old , had first his body cut , and hacked in small pieces , and then his head chopped off . the wife of daniel armand of la torre , had her body torne and cut in pieces , and the parts of it strawed along the high-way , and hung upon the hedges . captain pola of plancalier took two poor women of la torre , and with his fauchin ript up their bellies , and left them grovling upon the snow in this sad and lamentable condition till they died . the souldiers of bagnols cut off , first the nose , then the fingers , and lastly the hands of a very old , and decrepid woman , and so left her languishing in this woful condition , not having so much as an hand to feed her self with , till she died . they took also many little children , and tender infants , and flung them down the steep rocks , whereby they were dashed to pieces . magdalen bertino of la torre they stripped stark-naked , tied her head between her legs , and threw her down one of the precipices . mary reymonde● of la torre , a lame woman , was found in a cave with all her flesh sliced off from the bones , and chopt as small as herbs to the pot . magdalen pilot of villaro being exceeding decrepit , and blinde with old age , was cut in pieces in a cave near castelus . anna daughter to giovanni charboniere of la torre had a long stake thrust into her privities by some of the souldiers , who each man in his turne carried her upon their shoulders till they were weary , and then stuck the end of the stake into the ground , and so left her hanging in the aire : a terrible spectacle to every one that passed by . giovanni andrea michialin of la torre being taken prisoner , escaped miraculously , having first seen three of his children torn in pieces limb from limb before his eyes , and the fourth , being about six weeks old , snatched out of the mothers arms , stripped of its swadling cloaths , and its brains dashed out against the rocks . jacob perrin , an elder of the church of villaro , and david his brother being taken prisoners in their beds , were carried to lucerna , and cast into the marquesses prison , where they were most barbarously and cruelly handled , the bloody souldiers stripping off the skin on their arms and legs , in long slices like leathern points , till the flesh was left quite bare : after which they were miserably starved to death in the same prison , and their carcasses left to rot there . giovanni pelanchion , a young man about twenty five years old , having been taken prisoner , made an escape ; but being taken again by the souldiers , they tyed one of his legs to the taile of a mule , and so dragged him through all the streets of lucerna ; and because the poor wretch sometimes lifted up his hands and head , through pain and anguish that he suffered by the grating of his body against the ragged flints , the bloody and mercilesse villains batter●d and bruised his body with stones and brick-bats , crying , that he was possessed with the divel which kept him from dying . after which they cut off his privy members , and crammed them violently down the poor creatures mouth , and down his throat to stop his breath , and at last chop 't off his head , and so drawing him to the rivers bank , they left him there unburied . magdalen the daughter of peter fontana , a beautiful girle about ten years old , being taken by some of these lecherous brutes , because her body was uncapable of being forced in an ordinary way , they tore her in so inhumane a manner , that afterwards she was found half dead , wallowing in her own blood . a poor woman apprehending her danger , having a sucking child in the cradle , took the child and cradle upon her head , and fled : some of the souldiers seeing her , pursued ; and she perceiving that she was like to be overtaken , left her cradle in the way , supposing that those butchers could not have such hearts of adamant as to hurt her innocent babe , and so hid her self in the cleft of a rock not far off : but these hell-hounds finding the infant in the cradle , took it out , and tore it in pieces , and afterwards finding the mother , they first ravished her , and then cut off her head , and left her dead body upon the snow . at villa nova the daughter of moses long , about ten years old , as she was slying upon the snow , some souldiers of piemont took her , broached her upon a pike , and roasted her alive with a fire made upon a broad stone : and after a while they cut off a slice of her flesh , intending to have eated it ; but finding it not well roasted , their stomacks would not serve them to eat it . jacopo michelino , one of the chief elders of the church of bobio , being taken prisoner , had his two hands tyed to his privy members , and so hung upon a gate in a shameful posture ; but the shame was nothing to the torments , the whole weight of his body hanging upon so tender a part , which caused most exquisite and almost incredible pain : and this they did to force him to renounce his religion ; but when this prevailed not , they took him down , and carried him away amongst other prisoners : and afterwards having with incredible constancy endured a world of other cruelties , he at last exchanged this life for a better . peter gros , during the time of his imprisonment , saw two of these poor protestants of la sarcena , hanging in a most hideous manner , meerly by their privy members , and their hands tyed behind them , till their very bowels were almost torn out , and so at last they dyed with horrible pain and anguish . giovanni rostagnal of bobio , being eighty years old , had his nose , ears , and other parts of his body cut off , and so he was left languishing upon the snow for a long time , till at last he gave up the ghost . daniel salvagio and his wife ; giovanni durant , daniel revel , lodwick and bartholomew durant , all brothers , and paolo reynaud , being taken by the souldiers , had their mouths and throats stuffed with gunpowder , and then setting fire to it , their heads were torn all to pieces . jacob di rone , a schoolmaster of roras , being stript stark naked , after they had torn off his nails with pincers , and made a thousand holes in his hands with a daggers point , they dragged him by a cord fastened about his middle through the bourge of lucerna , and at every step he took , one souldier on one side cut off a piece of his flesh with a fauchin , and another on the other side gave him a great blow with a staffe , crying , what sayst thou now barbet ? wilt thou go to masse ? to which the poor creature with admirable constancy , as long as he was able to speak , answered , much rather death than the masse ; dispatch me quickly for the love of god. a while after came a notorious cut-throat , who as soon as he saw him , cryed out , lo , here is the minister of roras , withal giving him a deadly blow athwart the head with a back-sword : from thence they dragged him to the bridge , and cutting off his head , they threw him into the river of pelis . paolo garnier of roras being taken by these murderers , they first violently pulled out his eyes , then cut off his privy members , thrusting his yard into his mouth , and in this posture they exposed him to publick scorn for several days together ; afterwards in a most inhumane manner they flead him alive , and then cutting his skin in four parts , they hung it in the windows of foure of the principal houses of lucerna . daniel cardon of roccappiata being taken by some of the souldiers , they cut off his head , took out his brains , and frying them in a pan , eat them up ; they cut open his breast also , and were taking out his heart to fry and eat that , but that they were frighted by some of the poor peoples troops that were coming that way . margaret revel of la cartere , aged eighty five years ; mary di pravillerm , aged ninety years , and blind , both of s. giovanni , were taken , and in a most barbarous manner were both burned alive . madona lena , aged eighty years , and blind , and jeanna batzan , aged ninety years , both of la torre , were used in the like cruel manner , and burned a widow of la torre , who had lain very sick for three years together , was taken by some of these bloody villains , together with one of her daughters , and were drawn upon a carr through the streets of la torre , and as they passed along , some of these blood-hounds stabbed their bodies with pitchforks , others bruised them with flints and stones , and then they threw them into the river of angrogna , where they threw stones and bats at them till they dyed . paolo giles of la torre , as he fled for his life , was shot into the neck by one of them , after which they slit his face through the chin and nose , and when they had slain him , they left his carcasse to be eaten by the dogs . some of these murderers having taken eleven men at garcigliana , heated a great furnace red hot , forced these poor creatures to throw one another into it , and when it came to the last man , they themselves threw him in also . these sons of blood pursued , and hunted out multitudes of these poor protestants amongst the rocks and mountains , by the traces of their bleeding legs and feet , which were cut and mangled with the ice , and flints which they met with in the way , and having found them , basely murdered them . michel gonet of lucernetta , aged ninety years at least , was burnt alive by the mountains of bobio , whither he had fled to hide himself . bartholomew frasche of fenile , was taken by the souldiers , and after they had slashed and mangled his legs , they thrust a poysoned knife through his heels , and in this woful plight they dragged , and threw him into the common prison at turin , where he lay in continual torment till he dyed . giovanni baptista oudri , an old man , was cruelly murthered at la sarcena , after he had been barbarously abused by them . magdalena la peire , a woman of about thirty five years of age , being pursued by these villains , and knowing what measure she should meet with if she fell into their hands , chose rather to throw herself down a dreadfuly precipice , whereby she dyed . margeret revella , aged about eighty five years , together with marie di pravillerm , about ninety years old , and blind , were both burnt alive . mary davi was basely murdered by them . michel bellino , with anna di pol bochiardino , and a servant of theirs , were beheaded . the daughter of peter mallonat , a councellor of saint giovanni , together with her brother , an infant of eight months old in her arms , were rolled down a steep hill , and two days after they were found dead upon the snow . one giovanni , with his wife and child , were hurled down a mighty rock , the mother holding the child in her arms , and three days after they were found dead ; only the child was alive , and clasped so fast in the dead mothers arms , that they had much ado to get it out . joseph chiairet , having received a wound in the flight , was flayed alive , and his grease taken out of his body : the like was done to paolo carniero . mattheo turin was massacred at lucernetta , and his body devoured by dogs . margeret saretta was stoned to death , and her dead body cast into the river . cypriano bastia was cruelly starved to death , and his body cast to the dogs . antonio bertino , had first his nose , paps , and privities cut off , and then his head cleft in twain . two children were first murdered , and then burnt to ashes . joseph pont was first wounded in his back , and then had his body cut off in the middle . daniel de maria being found in a place where he had hid himself , and lay sick , had first two of his children murdered before his eyes , and then himself barbarously slain . judith , a widow of eighty years old , was dragged up and down upon the ground , and at last had her head cut off . three infants of peter fine were stifled in the snow . a maid that was an innocent , was first stripped stark naked , and then had a long stake driven through her belly , whereof she dyed . luce the wife of peter besson , being near the time of her lying down , as she fled for her life , was so affrighted with the shreeks of some that were massacred , that she fell in travel upon the mountains where she was , and afterwards was found dead with the new born infant , and two other sucking children lying by her . francis , the son of mr. gros a minister , being taken , had his body cut into small gobbets , whilst he was alive , and that in the presence of his wife ; and then they took two of his small children , and most inhumanely murdered them . the sieur thomas margher being forced to flye from his house , being an elder of la torre , was miserably starved to death with hunger and cold . judith ravelin , with her seven children , were all barbarously murdered in their beds . anna , a widow of about seventy five years old , was cut in pieces by the souldiers . the wife of gaspar fayol , being taken , was forced to labour hard for them by cutting down the corne , and at last as she was so at work , they came behind her , and cut off her head . jacob rosseno refusing to say jesus maria , was first cruelly beaten with cudgels , and clubs ; and having received several shots in his body , they at last clave his head . two children , both of them dumb , were most unmercifully murthered . susanna , the daughter of p●olo giacquin , resisting a souldier that would have ravished her , and by chance pushing him down a rock , was hewed in pieces by others of them . giovanni pullius , a poor pesant of la torre , being taken by the souldiers , after all manner of reproaches , and scorns cast upon him by the friers , and others , in words , and actions , was by the command of the marquesse of pionessa dragged by the hangman to a place near the convent , where the marquesse commanded the hangman to place the ladder against a tree , and to prepare for his execution , at which time the monks , and priests ceased not to use all the arguments which the devil and their own wicked wits could possibly furnish them with , to shake the faith , and constancie of this poor creature ; yet could they not prevaile ; yea by all his gestures , and expressions he shewed the inward joy of his soul that he was counted worthy to suffer for the name of christ : and though they oft pressed him to remember the sad estate that he should leave his children and family in , yet he alwayes answered that it was his hearty prayer to almighty god that his children might follow their fathers steps , and die like himself : whereupon the priests seeing all their labour lost , assisted the hangman to end this poor mans life , and hasted to turn him off the ladder . sieur paolo clement , an elder of the church of rossana , was shortly after brought by the monks and priests to this same place , and shewed the dead body of the other , thinking thereby to scare him from his principles , and profession : but he answered them with undaunted courage , that they might kill the body , but could never be able to prejudice the soul of a true believer . he told them also that god would assuredly avenge the innocent blood that they had spilt : and so having by some ejaculations prepared to resigne up his soul unto god , he desired the hangman to do his work : three or four dayes after the marquesse of pianessa coming that way , one of the souldiers discharged a musquet at his dead body , whereupon there gushed out a streame of fresh blood , which the marquesse observing , said to some about him , this blood cries for vengeance : afterwards they took both these dead bodies , and hung them up naked by one foot neer to la torre , and when any prisoner of the protestants passed that way , they forced him or her to go and kisse their privities , that they might put alike scorne both upon the living and dead : but by reason of the multitude of bullets that were shot thorow them by the souldiers , they at last fell to pieces . daniel rambaut of villaro , having a numerous family , was taken , ●nd carried to paysana with divers others of his neighbours , where he was cast into prison , and after awhile was importunatly set upon by the monks , and masse priests , both with promises , and threats , to pronounce jesus maria ; and when they could not prevail , the tormentors first cut off his fingers one by one , and then his hands , and lastly gave him a deadly wound in the stomack , and then they dragged his carcasse to the rivers side , and left it to be devoured by dogs , and wilde beasts . peter chabriolo being taken by the souldiers , they hung a great quantity of gunpowder about his body , and then giving fire to it , tore him all to pieces . antony the sonne of samuel calieris , a dumb , and innocent creature , was inhumanly butchered as he was sitting by the fire side . peter moninat , and his wife , lying both of them extreme sick , were murthered by the souldiers , who finding in the same house one of their children a poor infant , lame and impotent , they cut off its legs , and so left it in that miserable plight : they had also another poor girle , who had been dumb from her cradle , which not long after was found starved to death for want of sustenance . daniel benech of villaro was taken by the souldiers , who cut off his nose , eares , and other parts of his body , till they had slain him , and then they left the mangled pieces upon the hedges , and bushes in the same place . two of his children were also stifled in the snow . mary the widow of daniel pelanchion of villaro , being taken by the souldiers , after they had basely abused her , they almost shot her to death , and then threw her into the river : but this poor woman being not quite dead , with much pains , and hard shifts , got out of the river again , hoping to be somewhat revived by the warme sunne which she laid her down in : but some of these bloody villains spying her , they fastened a rope to her feet , and dragged her to the bridge , where they hung her up by the legs , and so shot her to death , afterwards leaving her stark naked upon the rock . mary the wife of daniel monino was taken by the souldiers , who having broken her jawes in pieces , they gave her a deep cut in the neck , so that her head was halfe off , and so they left her in that languishing condition , till after extreme torments endured for divers dayes together , she at last yielded up the ghost . mary the widow of david nigrino ( a poor beggar of villaro ) together with her daughter who was an innocent , were both inhumanly massacred in the village of bozza , and their dead bodies were thrown into the woods . susanna the widow of samuel bals of villaro , was by the souldiers basely abused at their pleasure , and afterwards they shut her up between two stone walls , where she was miserably pined to death . susanna the wife of jacob calvio being sorely wounded by the souldiers , after which flying into a barne to hide her self , the souldiers perceiving it , set fire on the barne , and burnt her to ashes . a child of daniel bertino , who had been dumb , and an innocent from the womb , was burnt in a barne at balmedaut . paolo armand , being extreme sick and weak , was by these barbarians hacked in pieces . andrea bertino , a very old , and lame man , had his breasts first cut off , and then was cruelly murthered by these bloody villains , who to testifie their malice against him for his constancie in religion , after he was dead they cut out his bowels , and with their halberds hacked his body in pieces . daniel the sonne of david michialino , being taken by the souldiers , after much other cruel usage , had his tongue pulled out with great violence and torments . constantia bellione had her body hacked , and mangled in most parts thereof , and then was shot to death with several bullets in her bowels : and after she was dead they cleft her head with a hanger . judith mondon was beaten to death in a savage manner with clubs and staves . david paglias , and paolo genre endeavouring to fly , each of them having a little infant in his armes , being at last tired , and out of breath , were overtaken by the souldiers , and both men and infants inhumanly murthered . micheli genre , a young man of bobio , was thrown off the bridge of la torre , where , as he was praying with his hands lifted up to heaven , he was partly stoned , and partly drowned . david armand was knocked , and beaten about the head with an hamer till he died . jacob baridono , being taken prisoner at villaro , and from thence carried to la torre , after the tormentors had sufficiently , and cruelly afflicted him with burning matches between his fingers , his lips , and other parts of his body , till with intolerable paine he died , they caused his dead corps to be carried out by two of his fellow-prisoners , and by them to be thrown into the river pelice : but thinking that too honorable a burying-place for an heretick , they forced them to fetch it out again , and to lay it on the rivers brink , where , after they had exposed the same to all manner of ignominies , it was at last eaten up by dogs . margeret the wife of joseph garniero , having received a shot in one of her brest , as she was giving suck to her little child with the other , was yet so couragious that with many pathetical expressions she exhorted her husband to endure the crosse with patience , and to hold out to the end ; neither did she desire any favour of the murtherers , but onely that they would spare the life of her innocent babe : which accordingly they did : but withal gave the mother another shot in her body whereof she died , and afterwards the infant being found alive in the dead mothers armes , was miraculously preserved . isaiah mondon having a long time hid himself in the cleft of a rock , where for many dayes together he had nothing but a few leaves of unwholsome herbs to eat , was at last found out by the souldiers , and most unmercifully handled by them : and from thence they drave him towards the town of lucerna , being almost half dead : at last when the poor creature could march no further , he fell down upon his knees , and beseeched them to dispatch him speedily , which accordingly they did ; for partly with their swords , and partly with their pistols , they put an end to his miserable life , crying out in a scoffing manner , kill the barbet , kill the barbet , who refuseth to become a christian. giovanni barrolino and his wife were cast alive into a poole , and often plunged , and thrust under the water with staves , and pitchforks , and at last were dispatched with stones and brickbats . mary revel receiving a shot in her body , fell down in a manner dead , yet afterwards she recovered so much strength as to get upon her knees , and as she was praying to god , the bloody enemy dispatched her . giovanni salvagiot as he was returning from bagnol , after the peace was concluded , as he passed by a chappel , because he put not off his hat , and made obeysance thereto , was murthered , and his body left unburied . giovanni gayo , and divers other men , women , and children hid themselves in a cave , where for a time they continued in safety : but at last were discovered by some of these bloodhounds ; whereupon they fell upon their knees , and begged their lives of them , most of the murtherers having been their neighbours , and familiar acquaintance , and such as had pretended great friendship to them : but the mercy of these men proved extreme cruelty : for the kindest salute they could afford their old acquaintance was with swords , musquets , and pistols : which the poor people perceiving , and not desiring to behold the lamentable misery each of other , they kneeled down in a ring , and thrust their heads into ferne , and such like stuffe as they had prepared to lie upon , in which posture they were all miserably shot to death , and their dead bodies afterwards horribly mangled , and cut in pieces . jacob barral and his wife having been taken prisoners by the earle of saint secondo , were three or four dayes after carried forth : and having first cut off the womans breasts , they shot them to death . antony guiguo went to periero with a purpose to change his religion ; but it pleased god so to touch his heart , that he repented of the resolution , and sought to make an escape : but as he was flying , some troops of the marquesse of galeas caught him , and used him most cruelly because he would not yield to go to masse : and as they carried him prisoner towards praly , passing by a precipice , the poor man to avoid his tormentors , leaped down from the rock , and so was dashed in pieces . very many others there were which might here have been inserted , whereof some were drowned , some burnt , some slaine with the sword , some shot to death , some starved , some smothered in the snow , some pined , some killed with staves , some cut in pieces : but i am weary with reckoning up their names , and i suppose the reader also is tired with these cruelties : yet are their names written in red letters in the kalender of heaven , though their popish adversaries would have them written in the dust : and whosoever desires to see more , may finde a larger catalogue in master moorlands history of the peresecutions in the valleys of piemont . chap. xlv . a true narrative of the war in the valleys of piemont between the popish , and protestant party upon the occasion of the massacre . in the former chapter you have a faithful narration of what cruelties were exercised against the reformed party in the valleys of piemont from the first arrival of , the marquesse of pianessa's forces at st. giovanni , which was april . . to the . of the same : by which time they had made such havock of the poor people , that there was now onely the little communalty of roras which was left entire , and untouched : but that they also might in all things be made like unto their suffering brethren of the other churches , and that it might appear that the destruction was designed to be universal , the earle of christophle upon that very day , being april . sent three hundred souldiers secretly by the way of villaro , to surprize them of roras , and to put them all to the sword : this party being got upon a little hill called rumer , belonging to roras , it pleased god that they were met with by some souldiers belonging to captaine joshua gianavel ( whom god raised up at that time as a choice instrument for the preservation of the poor scattered remnant of his people ) . these souldiers being but seven or eight of them , yet having been beforehand placed in ambuscado at a convenient post to prevent the inrode of the enemy , they fired upon them , and plyed them so hard , that many of them were killed upon the place , and the rest , supposing by the great number of bullets that flew about their eares , that the men in ambuscado were sixe times more in number than indeed they were , they fled back in great disorder , and confusion : which the others perceiving , they fell upon their rear , and chased them at least three quarters of a league amongst the rocks , and woods , doing notable execution upon them in their flight . the members of this little church of roras , to take away all occasions of exceptions , presented their complaints to the marquesse of pianessa , who , that he might have the better opportunity to deceive , and surprize them , answered , that those of his souldiers that went to roras , were but thieves , robbers , and out-lawes , that herein had wholly disobeyed his orders ; adding that they had done him a singular favour in driving them out of their countrey ; and that he would take a course to prevent their being disturbed for the future : and hereupon he published an order whereby he straightly charged his souldiers , not to give them any further causes of complaints , nor to molest them in any kind hereafter . yet perfidiously , the very next day he sent a party of five hundred chosen men to put his first bloody designe in execution . as these men were passing over a little hill of roras , they were so saluted by eleven musqueteers of the protestants , and six men with slings under the conduct of captaine gianavel , who had divided them into three squadrons , that the enemy was soone put to flight : and this poor handful of despicable men pursued them for an whole league , slaying a very great number of them , without the losse or hurt of any one of themseves , which shews the admirable providence of god in preserving , and prospering those that fight his battels . the marquesse of pianessa , though he had failed this second , yet was resolved to make a third attempt ; and still to deceive them , he made new promises , and protestations that no injury in the world should be offered them , and that in regard of the intercession of the earle of christophle , their lord and patron , he would protect , and defend them ; yet the very morrow after he sent a party of seven hundred men , who first seized upon , and secured all the passes , that none might escape their bloody hands , and then most barbarously burnt , and destroyed whatsoever they met with thorow all the communalty of roras . hereupon seventeen housekeepers , whose hearts god had marvelously strengthened , and encouraged for their poor brethrens preservation , seeing what they must expect , and that nothing but death , and destruction waited for them , unlesse some admirable providence prevented it : as also calling to mind those signal deliverances which god had vouchsafed to his ancient people of the jewes in their greatest straits : they unanimously resolved to cast themselves with their lives , and estates into the hands of the same god , resting upon his gracious promises , and freely submitting to his good will and pleasure for the issue of their undertaking . the captaine of this valiant party was the aforesaid gianavel , who marching up with this little band , suddenly surprized , and dexterously carried away their court of guard with their centinel from off a little hill where they were placed : at which bold attempt , the enemy being not a little amazed , withdrew from the place where they were , resolving to march thorow a little meadow , and so to get to villaro or la torre : but being not nimble enough , the others met with them at piampra , and there slew many of them , without the losse of any one of their own , and took from them all the cattel , and other things which they had plundered from the neighbouring places . pianessa seeing all his designes thus frustrated , and that his specious promises were but as so many watchwords to bid these poor people to stand upon their guard ; he speedily sent to all those of lucerna , bubbiana , barges , bagnol , famolas , cavors , and the adjacent places , who wete able to bear arms , to come and joyn with a good part of his own army , to environ these poor people on every side . but god , who infatuates mens counsels as he pleaseth , though the time of their rendezvouse was punctually assigned them , yet they came two hours too late ; all except the troop of bagnol , which was conducted by one mario , a notorious persecutor , and an inveterate enemy to the reformed churches : this mario with his ragged regiment of theives , outlaws , and a great number of irish rebels , assaulted this poor people on the upper and lower part of the canton of rumer , who were not about seventeen in number ; yet the lord was pleased so to encourage them , that they presently gat upon the top of the mountain , and there after a long skirmish forced their enemies , though full of fury and malice , yet to give back , and to flie as far as the cliff called pairo capello ; in which fight and pursuit they killed above sixty of them , and wounded many more , and many of them being laden with plunder , as they fled amongst the precipices of the rocks , fell down , and were dashed in pieces . those of them that were lighter , and nimbler , gat safe to pairo capello ; but when they came there they found greater difficulties to contest with than before ; for being closly pursued and compassed in on every side , they were forced to take the ropes wherewith they had bund up their plunder , and tying them to shrubs , to slide down the rocks by them , and to fall into the river that ran below ; but by reason of the violence of the torrent , and the great confusion that was amonst them , one falling on the neck of another , and such as could not swim , catching hold of them that could , the greatest part of them were there drowned . captain mario also amongst the rest threw himself into the river , and had not several of the souldiers that could swim excellent well , ventured their lives to fetch him out , he had gone with the rest to receive present pay from the devil . this captain mario , having thus escaped , was carried to lucerna in his shirt , without either hat or shoos , as a man at his wits end ; and shortly after he fell into a desperate disease , whereof he died : but before his death he oft cried out in a most despairing manner , that he felt a grievous burning in his bowels , as a just judgement upon him for having burnt so many innocent persons , and their habitations . the protestants after this gallant action , being somewhat weary with their hard service , as they were marching back to refresh themselves , they spied another company of murtherers coming from villaro , whereupon forgetting their weariness , they placed themselves in ambuscado : when the enemy drew near the place , they perceived some of them ; but not being able by their colours to discern of what party they were , they called to them for the word ; the protestants answered not , but beckned to them to come nearer , which they did in a careless posture , supposing them to be friends , and when they came near , the others suddenly discharged upon them , and slew many of them upon the place , and the rest they pursued near to la torre , and villaro . after which signal victory , captain gianavel rallied his men upon an high ground not far off , and in the very sight of his enemies , he caused them to kneel down , and with a loud voyce to give thanks unto the lord for this very great mercy in their deliverance . three days after , the marquess of pianessa , being highly incensed by this success of the protestants , sent to the people of roras , expresly charging them to change their religion , within the space of twenty four hours , and that upon pain of death , and of having their houses burnt to the ground : to which they answered , that they would much rather chuse death , than to obey any such order . the marquess vexed at their resolute answer , presently dispatched away eight thousand men , besides the militia forces of the neighboring commonalties ; who according to his order were divided into three squadrons , the one to set upon the poor people on the side of villaro , the other upon the mountains of bagnol , and the third on that part which looks toward lucerna ; which accordingly they did , not only murthering man , woman and childe , but exercising all manner of cruelties upon them , taking much pleasure ( like bloody villains ) in torturing those poor creatures , and in tossing their little infants from off their pikes and halberts , and dashing their brains against the rocks , whose cryes would have melted an heart of adamant , but theirs were harder ; the number thus taken and slain was about one hundred twenty six , the rest almost miraculously escaped their bloody hands . having thus shewn their valour upon naked men , women and infants , and being glutted with the prey that they found in the country , they turned their houses into ashes ; and such as survived they sent prisoners to turin , amongst whom was the wife and children of captain gianavel , and so they marched back to lucerna with great joy and acclamations . shortly after pianessa wrote to captain gianavel promising him great preferment if he would change his religion ; otherwise , threatning that his wife and children should be burnt : he also promised a great sum of money to any that should bring him the said gianavel either alive or dead . to this captain gianavel presently answered , that there was no torment so violent , nor death so cruel , that he did not much prefer before the abjuration of his religion ; and that all these promises and threats did but the more fortifie him and strengthen his faith : and for his wife and children , he told the marquess that though he had gotten them into his power , yet he could but kill their bodies ; and as for their souls , he recommended them , together with his own into the hands of god , in case it so happened that he should fall into his power . this captain gianavel having gotten together a small party of men upon part of the alps called la pellas des jamies , may . went out in the evening to a place about three leagues off , not far from bubiana , where he first sought god by prayer , and afterwards being informed of the number and strength of the enemy , finding them too many to be attachqued by such a handful of men , he turned towards lucernetta , where he was furiously assaulted by the garison of lucerna , but he couragiously encountred them without the loss of any one man , only himself was shot into the leg , by a souldier that had hid himself behinde a tree , with a purpose to have slain him ; but the captain perceiving whence the shot came , lame as he was , he made to the place , where he quickly dispatched him for his pains . whilst these things were acting , the irish rebels in the marquesses army , thinking to make themselves masters of babbiana , under a pretence of protecting them against the barbets , the peasants of the place perceiving their drift , took occasion to quarrel with them , and after drove them out , killing a great number of them . may the . . captain gianavel wrote to captain jahier and the rest that were retired into val lucerna , to meet at a rendezvouz at angrognia , which accordingly they did , and the day after they marched together to a place in the plain called garcigliana , thinking to have entred the town ; but they met with a great party of horse and foot , yet they disputed it with them a long time , but being overpowred , they were forced to retreat ; though they got six yoke of oxen , and many other small cattel , and some prisoners , and that with the loss of one only man in the retreat . may . they marched to st. secondo , where , having first kneeled down , and prayed for a blessing upon their undertaking , encouraging one another , they attaqued the place with incredible valor ; and the better to secure themselves against their enemies , who had lodged and fortified themselves in houses , they got planks , barrels , and such other things as they met with to keep off the bullets , which were poured out upon them out of those houses , and so quickly made themselves masters of the doors of those houses , to which immediately they set fire , and so forced their entrance , putting all the souldiers they found to the sword ; and no marvel ; for they had been extreamly provoked to this rigour by the others cruel usage of their wives and children : besides every room of those houses was filled with the plundered goods of the protestants ; yet did they not meddle either with women or children . then did they set fire on the town , and plundred the churches , which they found full of their own goods and cattel , and carried away seven of their mass-bells . at this time they slew about four hundred and fifty of their enemies , and amongst others a whole company of irish rebels , who chose rather to be burnt than to crave quarter . of the protestants there were only seven slaine , and six or seven more slightly wounded , whereof they soon recovered . munday june the fourth , the captaines jahier , laurentio , gianavel , genolat , benet , and other officers of the protestants went to angrognia , and having called a councel of warre , they concluded the next day to alarum the enemy at briqueras , and saint giovanni : and accordingly the captaines laurentio and jahier went by the way of reccapiatta , that by the help of the thick woods wherein they shrouded themselves , they might the better approach briqueras , and having gotten upon a little hill near the town , captaine laurentio made there a stand to hinder any relief that might be sent them from saint secondo , and captaine jahier marching down , set fire on several houses and barnes . at the sight of this fire , they of briqueras gave notice to those of cavors , fenile , bubiana , campiglione , and other neighbouring places , whereupon the enemy quickly advanced towards them , and were as soone beaten back again : in the mean time there came a party of about twenty horse and stood at saint secondo , lest the reformed party should salley out that way , really believing that they had a designe upon briqueras : but captaine jahier marched with his company by the way of saint giovanni , and captaine laurentio went an higher way , yet both met at the place appointed , where captaine gianavel was engaged with the enemies from lucerna , and la torre , against whom he had defended himself very stoutly : then did captaine jahier charge them on the flanck , and captaine laurentio on the front , seasonably interposing his company in that place where the enemy had thought to have surrounded captaine gianavel , so that the popish party was soone routed , leanving one hundred men behinde them , besides many that were wounded , the reformed party having but one slaine upon the place . june the second , three hundred of the enemies went from la torre to fetch a convoy into the fort of mirebuc , situate between the frontires of dauphine , and piemont : but captaine gianavel being at malbec , though he had but nine souldiers with him , fell upon them , and fought a great while with them to the great astonishment of his enemies : but at last was forced to retreat without the losse of a man , only four were slightly wounded . afterwards captaine gianavel with a small party marched to la palle des guienets , from whence he sent to some that were retired into villora , requiring that all those of the reformed religion should within twenty four hours come out of the said place where masse was celebrated , and that upon the paine of being dealt with as enemies , and that such as through weaknesse had abjured , and would persist in their abjuration , should depart thence upon the same penalty . hereupon all the papists fled presently out of villaro , and the protestants came in to captaine gianavel , and such of them as were able to bear armes followed him chearfully : the rest contributed according to their abilities towards the maintenance of him , and his troops . those which through frailty had abjured their religion went over the mountain into the valley of queires ; yet not long after they returned like so many wandring sheep to the true shepherd of their souls , and testifying their repentance , were again received into the bosome of the church . after those of lucerna were retreated , the captaines jahier , and gianavel , with some other officers called a councel of warre , wherein they resolved to sally out , and if it were possible , to surprise those of la torre , most of which were irish. but the enemie having timely notice , was so prepared , that they killed some who had passed the bridge at angrognia , which so encouraged them that they thought to have enclosed all the small body of protestants , and to have cut them all off : but after many assaults to no purpose , they were forced to retreat to la torre with the losse of very many of their souldiers , besides many others that were dangerously wounded . the next day the captains , jahier , and gianavel went before la torre , against whom many of the souldiers came out ; but not sallying forth in a full body , they were all slain upon the place , which their captains seeing , they thought fit to send out no more : whereupon the protestants retreated towards angrognia , to a place called la verne , where a few houses were yet left unburnt . the next day was spent in the review of their army , and holding a councel of warre , where they resolved to send a party against the communalty of crusol , the inhabitants whereof had made incursions upon them , and committed many outrages in the beginning of the massacre : and accordingly they marched all night , being four hundred ninety and five men , and passing by la torre undiscovered , a little after midnight they arrived at crusol , where they took four hundred head of cattel , six hundred sheep and goats , with much other booty , and that without the least resistance : for the inhabitants of crusol , being terribly affrighted , had cast themselves into the mouth of a most fearful rock , whence they could not be gotten out : and so the protestants returned over one of the alps of villaro , where arriving the next day towards evening , they divided the spoil amongst the souldiers . presently after their departure the enemy from lucerna , cavors , briqueras , and other places to the number of eight hundred , having heard of their designe against crusol , marched to their relief : but finding that they were gone too farre to be overtaken , they resolved not to lose their labours , and so fell a plundering the poor people ( though their friends ) much worse than the protestants had done , and afterwards falling out amongst themselves about dividing the spoil , they destroyed one another instead of doing hurt to the reformed party . the very same day that this enterprize was against crusol , the enemy at saint secondo advanced to burn the rest of the houses at roccapiatta , and being advanced as farre as to the little hill of angrognia , they thought to have surprized the rest of the forces left under the command of captaine laurentio , and captaine jahiers brother : but they having timely intelligence of it , marched presently to the top of the mountain with one half of the souldery , leaving the other halfe under the command of captaine bennet of saint germano , who also with all possible expedition , took his post upon the said little hill with seventeen of his men , and placed the rest in ambuscado . but the enemies hearts misgiving them , they shamefully retreated , at which time they took one giovanni pietro ragio as he was coming from pinachia , and binding his head with a cord , they strained it with such violence , that they made it sink into his brains , and so they sent him to turin , where he ended his dayes shortly after by a languishing , and miserable death . eight dayes after , captaine gianavel , having waited three whole dayes at angrognia for the coming of captaine jahier , that with joint forces they might assault the town of lucerna , when he came not , he resolved to assault it himself , and so marching all night , he arrived at lucerna by break of day . his first work was to cut off the pipes that conveyed water into the town , and brak down the bridge that no relief might come to them from bubiana , barges , and bagnol : then did he assault the town , and quickly defeated two of the out-guards : but the regiment of monsieur de merolles , and divers others being got into the town the night before , he was constrained to give over the enterprize , and to retreat , whereas if captaine jahier had come in time , and joyned with him , probably they had carried the place , june the eighth , captaine gianavel being left alone at angrognia only with his own company , and some few others , was assaulted early in the morning by the souldiers of la torre and others , one part of them getting upon the top of the mountain , and the other part going the lower passage to possess themselves of the gate of angrognia by the way of saint bartholomew , intending suddenly to fall upon captaine gianavel and his small company , having already devoured them in their hopes : but it pleased god that at the sound of the trumpet , when all should have fallen on , captaine gianavel soone awaked , and having first sought unto god by prayer , he fell upon the enemy , and gat the advantage of the place from them , and after a short dispute , forced them to turne their backs , though there were at least two thousand five hundred of them , and all the captaines company was not above three hundred , yet did that handful of men pursue them as farre as to the descent of angrognia , into the woods , and steep places of the rocks , where they slew a very great number of them . captaine gianavel seeing it impossible to think of any further attempt for the present , entreated captaine jahier to give over for that day , and to refresh himself and his souldiers : but he being at that time more passionate than prudent , refused his good counsel , and picking out one hundred and fifty choice men , sweetly took his leave of captain gianavel ( little thinking that it should be his last ) and so marched down into the plaine , where he burnt several of their houses who had formerly burnt , and destroyed so many of the protestants , bringing away with him a good booty of cattel , and other goods . this valiant captaine who hitherto had been so successeful in all his attempts , thinking in the close of the day to crowne all his former undertakings , as he was now near the execution of his designe , lo a squadron of horse surrounded him and his fourty five men ( for at this time he had no more with him ) at a countrey house , not farre from ossac : and though he and his men did all that could possibly be expected from them , killing three captains , with the commander in chief of that squadron , besides many others , yet he at last and thirty five of his followers , all lost their lives ; and the enemies in great triumph , cut off captaine jahiers head , and the heads of his sons , and carried them to turin , presenting them to the duke and his mother , who rewarded them with six hundred ducatoons for their good service therein . captaine jahier deserves to be renowned , especially for his great piety , and zeale for the service and honour of god , and the preservation of his poor afflicted church and members . he was of so undaunted a spirit , that the terrors of death , and the most cruel torments could never affright him . he was bold as a lion in his enterprizes , but meek , and humble as a lamb in the middest of his victories , alwayes lifting up his hands towards heaven , from whence he acknowledged all his help to come , and alwayes recited fit and comfortable passages out of the scriptures ( wherein he was admirably versed ) for the encouragement of all his followers , and the strenthening of their faith upon all occasions . as to his outward parts , and accomplishments , he was a man of a sound understanding , and good judgement , and above all , of a wonderful active spirit , which had he but used with moderation , he had been hardly to have been paralleld . the death of so brave a commander , and the wound of captaine gianavel , in that juncture of time did not a little startle the protestants : but necessity often puts inconsiderable men upon bold enterprizes : for these poor men did not despond , nor lose their courage , but assembling shortly after in a mountaine of angrognia , they descended into the plaine , where twice they were assaulted with violence , the last of which was by a dangeros ambuscado , where the enemies were at least six thousand , and they not above one hundred : but god of his infinite goodnesse so encouraged their hearts , and guided their hands , that they slew very many of their enemies , and amongst them many principal officers , whereas the reformed party lost onely one michael bertino , a serjeant of angrognia , and had but one common souldier wounded . the sonne of the said bertino seeing his father fall dead at his feet , was so farre from being discouraged , that he immediately stepped into his fathers place with these words , though my father be dead , yet be of good courage my fellow souldiers , for god is a father to us all . munday following they had a very sharp dispute at la torre , and about tagliaretto , where they killed and wounded a great number of their enemies , without the losse of any of their own men . indeed in this time the enemies reaped their corne in the plaines of saint giovanni , but they could not carry it away but with the losse of many of their lives . about the same time there came to them one monsieur andrion , a major of a regiment of horse , with two other gentlemen that were strangers , who were followed with some volunteers , whose friendly visit of their poor afflicted brethren , and their good advice in such a juncture of time , was taken ( as it deserved ) very kindly : and god made it a singular means to uphold the fainting spirits of some weak brethren , who seeing others come in to the help of the lord against the mighty , went on with a great deale more chearfulnesse , and alacrity : and these staid with them till the peace was concluded at pigner●l . july the eleventh . sieur john leger , pastor of the church at saint giovanni , who deserves to be remembred for the great paines , and many services performed by him in the behalf of the churches of the valleys , having notice that the enemies were of opinion that he was come back from his journey with armes and money , and ammunition , and thereupon presuming that they would suddenly make some notable attempt to prevent what they so much feared , he went to colonel andrion , and pressed him to put his designe in execution . the poor people had as yet no standing army : but the bands of each commonalty were quartered at a great distance the one from the other ; and certainly they had been cut off every man of them within a few dayes , had not their centinels been very watchful ; and above all , if captaine charforan had not on the one side timely discovered the enemy , an the poor people on the other side been exceedingly heartned to the battel by the great valour , and singular conduct of the sieurs andrion , michelin , and leger . the enemy was very numerous , having been lately reinforced with many troops . they encamped themselves within half a league of the reformed party , and early in the morning they divided themselves into four brigades , three whereof fell upon the protestants with a marvelous resolution in three several places at once : the fourth stood still , ready to succour their friends if there were need . the fight continued at least four hours without intermission , and was the sharpest that ever was fought in the open field : and that which made the enemies more fierce , was , their hopes to have beaten back the protestants from their post called the castelas , which if they could have effected , they had been certainly masters of the valleys perosa , saint martino , and lucerna : but the poor people having lifted up their hearts by earnest supplications to the lord of hosts ( as they used to do upon all such occasions ) major andrion , and the two other captaines which he had brought with him , gave forth such orders as were necessary , encouraging their men exceedingly , so that without budging a foot , they kept their ground , all save a few who were either quite tired , or faint for want of food , or that wanted powder , or flints in their fire-locks : but these , the sieurs mechelin and leger imployed in rolling down great stones upon their enemies heads as they came to attacque them , which proved very successeful , doing much execution upon the enemy , and causing them to abate much of their fury ; and whereas in the beginning of the fight they cryed alwayes , advance , advance , ye relicts of jahier : the protestants now began to cry as fast , advance , advance , ye relicts of saint secondo , and withal they ran upon those murtherers as so many lions , and caused them to turn back , and flie towards la torre and lucerna as fast as they were able , leaving behinde them fifty five upon the place , and about fourty that were killed in the flight , besides many others who were carried either dead , or dangerously wounded , to lucerna . themselves confessed that in this encounter they lost at least three hundred men , amongst which were many officers of a bavarian regiment . when such multitudes of dead , wounded , and dying men were brought into lucerna , the syndick , who was indeed a papist , but not so superstitious as many others , said to some , hitherto the wolves devoured the barbets : but now the barbets devour the wolves ; which words being reported to monsieur marolles , the commander in chief in lucerna , he threatened to imprison him , and to give him the strappado for them , which so terrified the poor man , that he presently sickened , and within a few dayes died . two dayes after this great fight , the enemy being much enraged for their great losse , spread themselves all over angrognia , and began to set the corne on fire , which being seene by the company of la torre , who at that time were upon the mountaine of tagliaretto , they speedily gave notice to those of saint giovanni , and angrognia , who hasted thither , and charged them so fiercely , that they forced them to flie , and to leave most of their ammunition behinde them : and in the meane time captaine belin assaulted the towne of la torre , killed the centinel , and souldiers upon the works , and gave the towne such an hot alarum , that most of them fled towards the river of pellice ; and probably if he had had a few more men with him , he had at that time made himself master of la torre . july the eighteenth , the general of the protestants gave order to fall upon the towne of la torre , which accordingly was put in execution . captaine belin gave the first onset , who being followed with many other officers , and souldiers , they quickly made a considerable breach in the garden-wall next to the convent , which so encouraged the rest , that they fell on with an invincible resolution , and in a short space burnt both the convent , and most of the towne down to the ground . those in the fort finding themselves hardly beset , began to parley about surrendring of it upon honorable termes : but some horse coming seasonably to their relief from lucerna , which the protestants might have prevented if they had been so careful as they should have been , they were frustrated of attaining their desires . besides these , there were divers other battel 's fought in divers places where the reformed party had considerable advantages against their enemies , but for brevity sake they are here omitted . chap. xlvi . a brief account of the intercessors to the duke of savoy in the behalf of these poor people , and the successe therof . upon the first supplication of that terrible order of gastaldo , which was a forerunner of the massacre , the protestant cantons of switzerland , being their near neighbours , and therefore could soonest take notice of it , wrote their letters to the duke of savoy in the poor peoples behalf . to which the duke of savoy shortly after gave a complemental , but cold answer , which was little better than a plaine denial of their request , and mediation . april the . being the lords day , newes of the horrible massacre was brought to the council of zurick , who immediately gave order for a publick day of humiliation through all their territories , as also for making a collection for their relief : resolving to give notice of this doleful newes to their protestant friends ; and amongst others , they wrote to the states general of the united provinces , acquainting them with the sad condition of this poor people , intreating them to consider of some expedient for the accommodating their affairs . may the fifth they sent monsieur gabriel weis , captaine general of berne as their deputy to the duke of savoy , who in very respectful termes requested him to re-establish those who had survived the massacre in their ancient priviledges , the free exercise of their religion , and for the enlargement of their prisoners , delivering him a letter to the same purpose . the answer which the duke ( or rather his mother ) gave , was , that though they were not obliged to give an account of their actions to any prince in the world , yet out of respect to the amity which they had compacted with his masters the cantons , they had given order to the marquesse of pianessa to acquaint them with the truth of those affairs : and shortly after when major weis spake with the marquesse , he laboured to justifie all his proceedings , and to lay the load upon the backs of the poor people , protesting that he never intended to force their consciences , and that all the reports about such strange cruelties exercised towards them were meer forgeries , &c. major weis replyed that the massacre was so notorious , that it could not be denied , and that their right of habitation in those places was founded upon justice , being granted to them by the dukes predecessors , and purchased by them of the present duke for six thousand ducatoons . the marquesse answered that all those grants were upon condition that the romish religion should be freely exercised amongst them , which yet they would never suffer . master weis still pressing their sad condition , and the necessity of finding an expedient for accommodation , &c. the marquesse desired him to apply himself to the poor people , and to cause them to desist from hostility , which would be the way to obtaine favour from the duke : and no marvel though he moved this : for about this time ( through gods mighty assistance ) these poor people began so to prevaile , that their enemies began to fear what the successe might be , and therefore the marquess laboured to get the sword out of their hands by such a stratagem as this . major weis went to perosa , propounding these things to the poor people : who returned humble thanks to the cantons for what they had already done in their behalf ; and said , that if the six evangelical cantons would engage that the treaty should be carried on upon honest and honorable termes , they were ready to hearken to it ; otherwise they were resolved never to trust those who had so oft deceived them , and whose principle was , that faith is not to be kept with hereticks . with this answer master weis returned , and sued for the enlargement of the prisoners , or that at least he might be suffered to speak with them : but neither the one nor other would be granted ; whereupon he returned to his masters , and upon his report to them , being discouraged from any farther proceedings , they resolved to expect what would be done by other princes , and states . may . letters were brought to oliver lord protector of enland of this doleful newes , whereupon he invited all the people of england to seek the lord by humiliation , and prayer , and withal , moved them to a liberal contribution for the succour of these poor souls . he sent also master samuel morland as his envoy to the king of france , and duke of savoy to meditate on their behalf . he wrote also to the king of denmark , to the states of the united provinces , and to the evangelical cantons of the switzers , requesting all their mediations in the behalf of these poor people . may the twenty sixth , master morland set out on his journy , and june the first he came to the king of france at la fere , to whom he delivered the lord protectors letters , wherein he solicited his majesty to improve his power , and interest with the duke , that the cruel order of gastaldo might be recalled , and the poor people restored to their ancient liberties , and habitations . the king of france three dayes after returned an answer to the lord protectors letter , and master morland proceeded in his journey to the court of savoy , and arrived at rivole , where the court was , june the . and demanded audience as the lord protectors envoy , which accordingly was granted : and at his appearing he made a speech in the behalf of the poor people , and delivered the lord protectors letter . madam royal , the dukes mother answered , that she could not but extremely applaud the singular charity of his highnesse the lord protector towards their subjects , whose condition had been presented to him so exceeding sad , and l●mentable , as she perceived by master morl●nds discourse it was ; yet withal she could not but extremely admire that malice should proceed so far as to clothe their fatherlike chastisements of their rebellious subjects with so black a character , thereby to render them odious to all their neighbouring princes , and states with whom they desired to keep a good understanding , especially with so great and powerful a prince as the lord protector . adding that she doubted not but when the truth of all passages should be made known to him , he would rest satisfied with the dukes proceedings . yet for his highnesse sake they would pardon their rebellious subjects , and grant them such priviledges , and graces , as should shew to the lord protector how great a respect they bore both to his person , and mediation : and withall master morland was requested to go to turin , where by the dukes order he was entertained with all outward demonstrations of civility , and respect imaginable during his abode there . master morland after a while pressed for his dispatch , and had it , and so according to the lord protectors order he went to geneva . there was collected in england , and wales towards the relief of these poor souls the full summe of thirty eight thousand , ninety seven pounds , seven shillings , and three pence , the greatest part whereof was at several times transmitted to them ; and what remained , being about nine thousands pounds , was put out to interest , that so both the principal , and the improvement might be disposed of for their best advantage : and further to shew what effects the lord protectors intercession had , i finde that presently after , the king of sweden , the king of denmark , the states of the united provinces , the prince elector palatine , the elector of brandenberg , the duke of wittenberg , and many other protestant princes and states did either by their letters to the duke of savoy , or otherwise , declare their deep resentment of the bloody massacre , especially the lantgrave of hessen wrote most zealously in their behalf . they had also many consolatory letters written to them from sundry particular churches , viz. from franckfort , zurick , hanaw , flushing , middleburgh , &c. and large contributions according to their respective abilities . divers commissioners also were sent from england , and holland to joyne with those of the evangelical cantons for the procuring a well-grounded peace for those poor people : but before they came , the switzer ambassador had concluded a treaty with the french ambassador ; and betwixt them , they had hudled up a peace , the woful effects whereof these poor people were quickly sensible of ; and to this day they labour under heavy burdens laid upon their shoulders by their popish taskmasters : they forbid them all manner of traffique for their sustenance : they rob them of their goods , and estates ; they drive them from their ancient habitations , and force them to sell their birth-right for a messe of pottage : they banish their ministers , that the shepherds being gone , they may the more easily devour them : they ravish their young women , and maidens , they murther the innocent as they passe along the high-wayes upon their occasions : they continually mock and revile them , and threaten another massacre , sevenfold more bloody than the former : through the malice and subtilty of their popish adversaries their valleys are no other than a dungeon , to which the fort of la torre serves as a door , whereby at their pleasure they may let in a troop of murtherers utterly to destroy and extirpate those innocent people : and notwithstanding all those large supplies that have been sent them from england , and other states , yet so great are the necessities of those poor hungry creatures , and so grievous are the oppressions of their popish adversaries , who lie in wait to bereave them of whatsoever is given them , that some of them are yet ready ever and anon to eate their own flesh for want of bread : their miseries are more sad , and grievous than can be expressed ; they are dying , even whilst they live : when that which was collected for them is once spent , they must inevitably perish , unlesse the lord in whose hand are the hearts of princes , shall incline the heart of their prince to pity these his poor , harmlesse , and faithful subjects , who are so farre from thoughts of rebellion , that could they but enjoy the freedom of their consciences in peace , they would be the first that would be ready to sacrifice their lives for the good , and safety of his royal highnesse . how long lord , holy , just , and true , &c. rev. . . if any desire to see a fuller account of these things , together with the letters and transactions about them , they may finde them fully and faithfully set down by master samuel morland in his history of the evangelical churches in the valleys of piemont . here place the eleventh figure . chap. xlvii . a brief description of piemont , and the valleys thereof . piemont is so called , because it is situated à pede montium , or at the feet of the alps which separate italy from france : it 's but a little spot of earth , yet very pleasant , and of incredible fruitfulnesse . it 's bounded on the east with millan , montferrat , and the common-wealth of genoa : on the south is the mediterranean sea : on the west , and north part it hath the alps for a bulwark , by which it is separated on the vvest side from provence , and dauphine , and on the north from savoy , and the countrey of valley . it 's almost all covered with high mountains , and watred with four great rivers , viz. po , tanaro , stura , and dora , besides which there are about twenty eight rivers more , great and small , which render it exceeding fruitful in cattel , wine , corne , hay , nuts , and many other fruits in great abundance . the principal valleys are , on the north part those two , aosta , and susa ; on the south side stura and some others : and in the midland , lucerna , angrogni● roccapiatta , pramol , perosa , and saint martino . the valley of 〈…〉 ▪ been , and still is a part of dauphine as farre as la capella , which is situated at the lower end thereof , and divides it from perosa : which was the ordinary passage of the french armies into italy . these valleys , especially that of angrognia , pramol , and saint martino are strongly fortified by nature , by reason of their many difficult passages through rocks and mountains : as if from the beginning it had been designed by the all-wise god to be as a cabinet , wherein he would keep some rare jewel . those valleys of piemont which have been for some hundreds of years inhabited by the waldenses , are lucerna , perosa , and saint martino ▪ lucerna contains fifteen miles in length : the highest communalties thereof , viz. bobio , villaro , and la torre are for the greatest part mountains : but lucerna , saint giovanni , fenile , campiglione , and garcigliana , though they have both on the north and south side a little of the mountains , yet they extend themselves into a very fair plaine . angrognia is but a little valley on the north side of lucerna , as also rorata , and vallon , which are on the south side of lucerna wholly within the mountains : so is also roccapiatta , and pramol , which are enclosed between the valleys of lucerna and perosa . the communalty of la torre took its name from an high tower which stood upon a little hill near bourg : but francis the first , king of france , considering how prejudicial it might be to the affairs and interest of france , and the safety of pignorole , he caused it to be demolished . but the duke of savoy rebuilt it , anno . which afterward served as a slaughter-house of many poor innocent souls . bricheras , which is joyned to the valley of lucerna , is on the east of angrognia , and saint giovanni , and on the south of roccapiatta , almost all in the plain . perosa , and saint martino are on the north of lucerna , angrognia , and roccapiatta , situated in such sort that the valley of perosa is at the lower end , and on the east are the valleys of saint martino , and pragela . the valley of perosa is about six miles long : and it s distributed , part in the mountains , and part in the plains , and very fruitful hills . at the lower end of it are the communalties of porte , saint germano , and villaro : in the middle , pinachia , and in the higher part that of perosa , where is the city and citadel of perosa , whence the valley takes its name . the valley of saint martino is eighth miles in length , on the west of the valley of perosa , included between the valleys of lucerna , and clusone , in the highest part of the alps , which border upon the valley of queyras , containing eleven communalties : viz. rioclaret , faet , rodoreto , salsa , macel , maneglia , chabrans , traverses , bovile , and saint martino , which gives the name to this valley . this indeed is the poorest , yet the strongest of all by reason of its situtation . in these valleys before the late horrid massac●●● . there were fourteen churches of the protestants which co●●●●●ed two classes , or colloques , and those two classes , one synod for their ecclesiastical government . the one was the colloque of lucerna consisting of the churches of saint giovanni , la torre , villaro , bobi , rorata , and angrognia , to which was annexed that of roccapiatta , which is between the valley of lucerna , and perosa , situated upon those little hills which separate the two valleys . the other was the colloque of the valley of perosa , and saint martino , containg four churches in the valley of perosa , viz. villaro , saint germano , which made but one church , pinachia , la cappella , and pramoh ▪ in the valley of saint martino , were three churches , viz. villa secca , maneglius , prasi . the church of saint giovanni contains within it a very fair plain , and little hills , very fruitful , and abounding with corn , vines , chestnuts , figgs , olives , and other fruits , but it wants pastures , and woods , so that they have not many cattel , but only some oxen to till the ground , and to carry their wine to turin , and other places to sell. this church hath annexed unto it lucerna , lucernetta , the vineyards of lucerna , fenile , bubiana , and bricheras . in the city of lucerna the third part of the inhabitants were protestants . in lucernetta , and the vineyard of lucerna , almost all the inhabitants professed the reformed religion time out of mind . fenile is lower on the other side of the river pelice towards the south , being a more fatt and fertile soil than any place in st. giovanni , in all sorts of fruit and grain . bubiana , as to the plain , is like to fenile , and neerly adjoyning to it : but the protestants have often been driven out of it , so that what they possessed was mostly in the hills , where they have little corn , & wine ; but abundance of chestnuts : so that the inhabitants , which were about fifty families , were generally poor , living by their hard labour , and by their profit which they made of wood , which they carried to sell to the towns of babiana , and lucerna . the hills of bricheras , where there have been alwayes protestant families , are like those of saint giovanni . the church of la torre is the same for situation and quality with that of saint giovanni , containing one plain , where is the town of la torre , and hills adorned with the same kind of fruits as those of saint giovanni . the church of villaro adjoyns to that of la torre , but is a little higher towards dauphine , containing a little plain where is the town , and the hills adorned with vines , and chestnuts . the church of bobio is near to that of villaro , being a little higher towards the mountain on the west , but as fertile as that of villaro : and being environed with many mountains , and having fat pastures , the inhabitants had many oxen , kine , and smaller cattel , together with milk , and wool in abundance , as also they had many chestnuts , which being cleansed , and dried , they sold , or exchanged for other commodities . the church of rorata is a little valley , situated on the other side of the river pelice , on the west of lucerna , being bounded by the mountains of villaro . it abounds in pastures , and is very fruitful ▪ especially in chestnuts . the church of angrogna is north-west to that of st. giovanni , towards perosa , in a mountainous count●y , but fruitfull in chestnuts , corn , and pastures , environed with fruitfull mountains , which yielded good pastures in the summer season . the church of roccapiatta contains four parcels , viz. that of roccapiatta , st. bartholomeo , perustine , and la inverso delle porte . in these three latter there grow abundance of rich wines , chestnuts , and other good fruits . in roccapiatta they have corn , pasture , and fruits , but no wine . the church of villaro , and st. germano is situated in the lowest part of perosa , about a mile from pignorolio : the west and north part of villaro on this side the river clusone , belong to the king of france , and st. germano to the duke of savoy on the other side of the said river , which running through the whole length of the said valley , separates the kings territories from those of the dukes . these two places of villaro , and st. germano contain a little p●ain on both sides the river , the rest is in hills , yielding corn , wine , and fruits . the church of pinachia is within the french dominions , adjoyning on the vvest part to that of villaro , and contains a fair , and beautifull plain , on the north-side fenced with pleasant hills : on the vvest is the town , and fort of perosa ; on the south , the river clusone , and some hills , but scarce any plain at all . it abounds with corn , wine , nuts , grass , and other fruits . the church of la capella is on the vvest of that of pinachia in the upper end of the valley of perosa ; on the west it joyns to the valley of pragela ( which belongs to the king of france ) on the east to the citadel of perosa : it hath several very fruitfull hills in it : it hath annexed to it pomare , and inverso del perosa , and some other small villages , called le mean , making a little communalty at the foot of the valley of pragela . the church of pramol is situated on a mountain between the valleys of lucerna , and perosa , at the feet whereof grow a few 〈◊〉 , and good fruits : in the highest part is corn , and much wood , and pasture ground . the church of villa secca is at the lowest part of the valley of st. martino , where there is almost no plaine but where the river germanasco takes its course ; the hills which lie south from the said river are very cold , so that there grow no vines : but those on the north which lie open to the south-sun are hot , and so have many vines . in general , it s tolerably fruitful in corne , fruits , and pasture . the church of maneglia which is on the west part of villa secca , comprehends three little communalties , viz. maneglia , machel , and salsa : all are in a mountainous place , but exceeding fruitful in corne , pasture , &c. except only in the highest parts thereof . the church of prali is situated in the uppermost part of the valley of saint martino , and contains two communalties , viz. prali , and rodoret , bounded on the south with the alps , and the valley of lucerna ; on the west by the valley queyras in dauphine ; and on the north by the valley of pragela : here is nothing but hay and grasse . generally in all these churches ( except on the tops of the mountains ) there are plenty of fruits , especially of chestnuts , and in some places there are vast spaces of ground yielding almost nothing else : as in the little hills of bubiana , and all along the valley of lucerna , and in the south parts of the valley of perosa : so that the inhabitants in those places dry , and clense great quantities of them , part whereof they keep for their own use , and the rest they sell , or exchange for corne , and that , quantity for quantity , with the inhabitants of the plaine , it being a great part of their food in piemont . they also dry these nuts in an oven , or on a kilne , and make thereof an excellent sort of bisquet , which they first string as they do their beades , and so hang them up in a moist place the better to preserve them . these they frequently make use of instead of maqueroons , and such sweetmeats . of the late persecution of the church of christ in poland , anno christi . the all-wise , and holy god , whose wayes of providence are alwayes righteous , though often secret , and unsearchable , hath made it the constant lot , and portion of his people in this world to follow his sonne in bearing his crosse , and suffering persecutions . for they that are borne after the flesh , do alwayes persecute them that are borne after the spirit . but scarcely have any sort of the churches enemies more clearly followed the pernicious way of caine herein , than hath that antichristian faction of rome , that mother of harlots and abominations , whose garments are died red with the blood of saints , which they have alwayes cruelly shed , and made themselves drunk with . and amongst those chosen and faithful witnesses , the lord seemeth very signally to have raised up those christians , who ( though dispersed in divers countreys ) have been commonly known by the name of waldenses , who for some centuries of years have lived amongst their enemies as lambs amongst wolves , to bear their testimonies to the truths of christ , against the apostasies , and blasphemies of rome ; for which they have been killed all the day long , and accounted as sheep for the slaughter . one part of this little flock , and remnant which the lord hath left , & reserved , are scattered partly in the valleys of piemont , of whose tragical sufferings you have had a faithful account in the precedent chapter : the other part of this poor , but precious remnant , have been dispersed in the kingdomes of bohemia , and poland , whose sufferings , together with the lords signal providences about them , are now to be spoken of , as they have been related to the lord protector o.c. and the state here by two godly persons delegated by those persecuted churches , which are now the sad monuments of their enemies rage , and of the lords sparing mercy . these sometime flourishing churches were by degrees worne out by the constant underminings , and open outrages of the antichristian party ; being first driven out of bohemia into poland : and then after their taking root , and spreading in poland into a numerous company , they were forced out of their chiefest cities there , and at last by the jesuited , and enraged popish army , were persecuted in their few hiding places with fire and sword . their ministers were tortured to death by most exquisite , and unheard of barbarisme , by cutting out of the tongues of some , pulling out the eyes , and cruelly mangling the bodies of others . yet did not their rage , and brutish cruelty reach only to the ministers , but to private persons also ; yea , even to women , and to young children , whose heads they cut off , and laid them at their dead mothers breasts . nay their rage brake out , not only against the living ( not one of whom they spared that fell into their hands ) but also against the dead , plucking the bodies of honorable persons , and others out of their graves , tearing them to pieces , and exposing them to publick scorne . but the chiefest eye-sore , and object of their fury was the city of lesna , which after plundering and murthering of all whom they found therein , they burned to ashes , and laid it in the rubbish . only the lord in mercy having alarm'd the city by the report of their enemies approach , the greatest part of the inhabitants ( being three famous churches ) saved themselves by flight , and are now wandring up and down in silesia , the marquisate of brandenburg , lusatia , and hungary , poor , destitute , afflicted , and naked , the relation whereof you have in this ensuing narrative written in latin by some of themselves , and called lesnae excidium . the history of the destruction of lesna faithfully related . lesna a city of great poland , almost thirty years ago began to be famous both far and near ; but now being suddenly and utterly razed hath nothing left beside the name and fame thereof . for the fuller discovery of this businesse from the beginning , we must briefly relate the original and progresse of this town . when above seven hundred years ago , mieczislaus , then duke of poland , took to wife the daughter of boleslaus duke of bohemia , and together with her received the christian faith , it happened that among those of the bohemian nobility that accompanied him , there was one peter de bernstein , whom , because he was a person endowed with many vertues , mieczislaus was willing to detain him in poland , and to that end bestowed upon him rich possessions , the chief whereof was a village called lezsyna , ( i. e. a grove of hasle-trees ) upon the very confines of the lower silesia , being situate twelve miles from wratislavia , five from glogaw , and ten from posnania . from this place therefore of his residence , peter de bernstein taking the rise of his denomination , according to the custome of the nation , he and all his posterity were called lezscynii , and were afterwards admitted to all sorts of dignities in the realm ; so that of this family there were never wanting some or other that were captains , governours of castles , palatines , marshals , chancellours , bishops , or archbishops , even to this day : and besides this , for their noble management of affairs in several embassyes to the roman emperour , they were adorned with the title of earles of the empire , which they still enjoy . but leszcyna it self begun by little and little to change its name , and by contraction was called lessna , and their neighbour germans called it lissa ▪ this village , something above one hundred of years ago had the dignity and title of a market town granted to it by the famous king sigismund , and tradesmen were invited hither out of the neighbouring silesia , and so the use of the german tongue was brought in together with them . as for religion , it was reformed in lesna about the same time , by the most illustrious count andrew , palatine of bernstien , according to the rites of the bohemian confession , which it hath retained to this day , and became as it were the metropolis of the churches of that confession , throughout all the greater poland . and when , after the year . a very sharp persecution was raised against the professors of the gospel in bohemia ; and not long after the ministers and nobility were banished , they were fain to seek refuge in poland , whom that most pious noble man , the lord raphael de lesna , palatine of belse , received under his protection , appointing lesna , wlodava , & baranovia for their places of refuge . but for as much as the greater part did seat themselves at lesna because of the neernesse thereof , and not long after , a far greater company flocked thither out of silesia ( for there also the butchery of souls grew wonderful fierce , in the years . and . ) it came to passe that lesna , by the addition of many streets , grew into a large city , having three market places , four churches , a large school , above twenty streets , one thousand six hundred houses , two thousand freemen of the city , and abundance of other company . there was built also a very fair church for the service of god according to the rites of the augustane confession , which had over it three pastors , learned men ; and a school for the mother tongue with some schoolmasters , beside the free-schoole , which had a learned man of the forementioned confession appointed over it , by the title of prorector . the citizens also having ordered themselves according to the best policy they could , there were found out handsome wayes for a publick revenue that made no noise , and were little felt , and without any mans dammage or burden , so that they were able for some years to maintaine workmen for the compassing of the city about with a bulwark and trench , and for the building of gates with walls and faire turrets : and lastly , there was built a very fair court-house in the middle of the market-place of the old city ; there was scarce the like in all great poland , except at posnania . in a word , civility , trading , merchandize ( for all things were here bought and sold ) and religion did so flourish here , that this city did not come behinde any city in poland for its admirable pleasantnesse . all this was matter of joy , not only to those pious christians that were scattered out of several places for the gospels sake , and here gathered together under the protection of god , but to others also that came hither from all parts , as strangers : but it galled the enemies of the gospel extremely , so that it made them leave no designe unassayed for the overthrow of this city of refuge for the godly . at the first ( annis , & . ) they made use of several accusations and slanders to king sigismund the third , suggesting to him that it was a confluence of all sorts of men that were enemies and traytors to his majesty ; that it was good to nip them in the bud , &c. but through the prudence of that great senator , the lord of the place , whose wisdome went beyond their envy , and who knew well enough how to counter-work all malicious projects of that kinde , all those their battering-rams were at that time used in vain . but , anno . after that the swedes were broken by the emperours army in germany , and were driven out of silesia , new plots were hatched at glogaw to send out one or two of the emperours regiments , who should suddenly invade lesna , sack the town , and put the inhabitants to the sword , or at least scatter them . but it pleased god so to order it , that this plot was discovered by some of themselves two days before the appointed time , and so vanished into smoak , though the smoak of their devices did not yet cease to rise . for after the death of the most illustrious prince palatine of belse , when his estate was divided amongst his sons and heirs , and the county of lesna fell to the illustrious lord boguslaus , his third son , then newly returned from travelling , the plotters were not wanting so to lie in wait to insnare this candidate of great wisdome and vertue , that after they had wearied him for some years with the promises of honours ( unto which there was no door of entrance but by entertaining the roman-catholick religion ) at last they enticed him to professe popery . but however they heaped many honours upon him , procuring him some captainships , afterwards the generalship of great poland , and lastly the arch-treasurership of the realme , yet could they not procure his hatred of the professors of the gospel , and the dissipation of his subjects , which was the thing they hoped for , but he still preserved intire to his lesna those priviledges both civil and religious , which his father , of blessed memory , had promised , offered , or confirmed to them . they attempted therefore this other device : the bishop of posnania ventured to redemand the old parish-church , because it was of ancient foundation , and pretended that it might not any longer be left to the use of hereticks . the lord treasurer answered , that his grandfather ( andrew palatine of brenstien ) had built another church for the catholicks ( whose number was very small in the town , scarce ever above three or four citizens ) to exercise their religion in , and endowed it with revenues to that purpose , that the greater number of citizens might enjoy the greater church . but all was in vain , though he doubled the maintenance of the roman parish-priest : for anno . they brought the lord count before the tribunal of the realme , where the cause must needs go against him , the very same persons being accusers , witnesses and judges ; yet he obtained that this church should not suddenly be taken away from his subjects the inhabitants of old lesna until they had built themselves a new one . this building they presently set about with the help of forrein churches : ( according as they were in a capacity to help , things being every where in confusion ) but when the adversaries saw that it went on apace , and that this was like to be bigger than the other ( for so great now was the multitude of citizens of this confession , that the old church was not able to contain them ) they began again to mutter and threaten , that this might not be endured , that the hereticks should have a bigger church than the catholicks ; that they did but build this also for the catholicks , &c. at length the irruption of the swedes into poland ( anno . gave them the long wished for occasion of oppressing and rooting out not only the lesnians , but also all the professors of the gospel ( or as they were wont to be called , the dissenters from the roman religion ) throughout poland . for although the papists themselves had transacted with the swedes at their coming out of pomerania ( in the agreement of uscia ) and had delivered to them expressely and by name the chief cities , posnania , kalisch , fraustat , meseritz , and lesna , and the rest , after some weak resistance , had yielded themselves up to the swedes , yet while the king of sweden was slowly , and as it proved , dangerously busied in prusia , they took counsel together for the resuming of their armes , to fight for the liberty of their countrey , and the catholick religion ( as they call it ) to drive the swedes out of the countrey , and to root out all the dissenters in grosse . that this their purpose might make the quicker progresse , and be set on the more strongly , there were jesuites and monks sent out every way , to intimate these things to the multitude , and to encourage them to so glorious an undertaking , compelling those that were slow with the thunderbolt of excommunication , and promising the relaxation of the pains of purgatory , and eternal rewards to them that were forward . to this end king casamire being recalled out of silesia , they commanded the nobility to flock to him , and to give the king of sweden a meeting in his return out of borussia . the commonalty also they stirred up against the professors of the gospel , making themselves their furious leaders ; and such was their successe , that in lower poland a great number of families ( it is not yet known how many , because the furious tumult still continues ) almost within the compasse of a moneth ( in february and march ) were miserably butchered , men and women , young and old being murthered without distinction , all , save such as could escape into the neighbouring parts of hungary , and so save their lives by flight . but the nobility of the greater poland , most of them having retired themselves into silesia , began there to gather themselves into small companies , in the beginning of april , and to break forth ; by whose coming the rest being encouraged , made a great slaughter of the swedes that were garrison'd in the small towns , so that general muller was fain to go forth with an army of swedes to restrain them . as for lesna , the hereditary lord thereof , the treasurer of the kingdome , was gone into borussia to salute the king of sweden some way to take care for the safety of his countrey : but about the beginning of april he returned to lesna without seeing him , the king then being full of action , and ranging up and down . this businesse procured much more envy both to himself and the city , as if he had plotted with the swedes against his countrey , having never been true and faithful either to the church or his countrey : therefore they breathed out flames , and belched out threats so much the more fiercely both against him and his city . however there were not wanting such as by private messages gave him hope of pardon , if he would but withdraw himself from them , as afterwards he did . but the enemies prepared themselves to destroy that so populous a city by force ( if they could ) or else by flames , furnishing themselves with many sorts of weapons for that purpose . of this doing although the inhabitants of lesna had notice by several messengers , yet a fatal security prevailed with them to think that there was no fear of such an enemy as was not furnished either with infantry or artilery for such a designe . upon easter day a 〈◊〉 of poles broke into some territories ( belonging to an eminent professor of the gospel ) neer lesna : for whom they made diligent search , but finding that he was from home ( for he had retired himself to lesna for religion sake ) they plundered all his movable goods , and took his ●ervant ( martin multz , a bohemian ) and hanging a great stone about his neck , threw him into the river that ran by , and so drowned him . on the third holy-day in easter the report was very hot that the swedes had lost all , and that the king was slain : upon which account when the lord treasurer did betake himself to wratislavia in sil●sia , the citizens of lesna were something afraid , although the commanders of the swedes that were there in garrison ( being three co●ours of horse ) did encourage them ; as did also the administrator of the city and county of lesna , who requiring anew the oath of fidelity from the citizens , did promise them to stay with them , and bid them be of good courage . being lifted up with this hope , and drawn on with the promises of new auxiliary forces to come very suddenly to them , they promised themselves all manner of security , so that no man took any care to get out of the way , or to carry any thing of his goods to a safer place : yet they kept strong guards night and day , sometimes the third part of the citizens , and sometimes half being upon duty . the swedish horse also ever and anon made excursions to see what the enemy was a doing , and whether they were neer . but they never brought back any other news , but that there were no footsteps or signes of any enemy appearing : yea , even that very day in which the poles came in the afternoon , the swedes returned with good booty , but not a word of the enemy . but about three dayes after upon thursday , april the . an army of the polonian nobility , mixed with a rout of peasants , shewed themselves unexpectedly out of the woods , and anon they drew forth into the open field , and so set themselves within sight of the city , about five or six furlongs from the suburbs . when this was perceived , the alarm was given , and the citizens hasten to their armes , and place themselves on the walls ; yet not knowing who they were , and with what intent they came , and wondring much , why , according to the custome they did not send forth a trumpeter . ( for that which they did bruit abroad afterwards , and many perhaps beleeved , that the lesnians gave the occasion of hostility by killing their trumpeter , is just nothing : heaven and earth will bear witnesse that this was devised meerly to colour over the hainousness of the fact : ) at length they begin their work with firing a brick-kiln , that stood not far from the suburbs . then the swedish troopers ( about one hundred and fifty in number ) which were already mounted & gone out of the city , going a little farther , encountered with the enemy in light skirmishes , for the space of two hours ; in which many of the poles , and some of the swedes were slain . but while the swedes were earnest with the citizens for some help , as it were to defend the suburbs from further burning , some were drawn forth ( about seventy of the younger citizens ) who mixed themselves rashly and confusedly among the horse-men ; which when the poles saw , they feighned a flight , returning towards the wood : but as soon as they perceived that they had drawn them far enough from the walls , they wheeled about , some fetching a compass to come behind the lesnians , and so to get between them and home , and the rest returning straight upon them , fell on in a full body . the swedish horse when they saw this , turned their backs , leaving the foot to the mercy of the enemy ; but the poles followed them so close at heels , that two colours ( about four hundred men ) passed through the suburbs to the very gate , and wanted but little of entering the city it self with them , had not some good confident fellow , ventured to step in between , and bar the gate against them , while others of the citizens sent a showr of bullets among them , and so beat them back : so the poles being glad to stop , yea , and retire ( just at sun-set ) set fire on the outward parts of the suburbs , and burnt some granaries and wind-mills , thereby making the whole night light to us ; while themselves returned through the wood to oseczno , which the germans call storoknest . the city being thus filled with fear , spent the whole night without sleep ; the men in watching upon the walls , and the women in gathering themselves together in the market-places and church-yards , and other open places , and there wearying heaven with psalms and prayers to god. when the morning came , and no enemy appeared , the citizens went forth and fetched in the slain to bury them ; among whom were found about forty citizens , but above a hundred of the poles , and among them their chief commander himself , cresky , who formerly had taken pay under the swedish general banier , and was accounted more expert then the rest : in the mean time it was hotly reported that the administrator of the county and many of his retinue were wanting and gone ; whereupon the courage of the citizens began to fail , and they went to the senate , to desire leave to send away their wives & children , that if the enemy should come again they might be the more couragious in defending themselves , not being daunted with the out-cryes and tears of the women . some disswaded them with good reasons , saying , that those that should be sent forth under pretence of convoying the rest in safety , would not return again , and so the rest of the citizens should be left in greater fears ; that the spartans of old were wont to take their wives & children to the war , with them , that having them in their eyes , they might fight the more stoutly for their safety . but all was in vain , though the swedish commanders also endeavoured to hinder the flight of the richer sort , which they could not do , being overcome with the cryes of the multitude . there were some ecclesiasticks also who desired leave to depart for a few dayes , because that the antichristian fury was bent chiefly against them : but the senate left it to their consciences , whether in such a case they could leave the people then when they would most need instruction and comfort ; especially if wounded and dying . but the others persisted in their importunity , and there went out before noon about three hundred waggons , which were all that could be got in the city . after this there followed some quietness , with hopes that the enemy would return no more , having found by experience how well able the lesnians were to defend themselves and theirs ; and perhaps they had never returned indeed ( as it was know afterwards ) had they not been encouraged by that hight of the citizens : for two dayes after the twenty eight of april , there was a letter delivered to the consul from the commanders of the polish forces , in which they demanded the surrender of the city , and gave them hope of good usage ; but if they would not embrace that offer , they then threatned to destroy them with fire and sword , having now such an addition of foot souldiers , that they were able to take the city by storm . they added moreover that they had received a letter from the lord treasurer , wherein he intreated them to spare his lesna upon their submission , saying , that he had already given them a command to set open their gates . if ever there were indeed any such command , it must needs have been suppressed by some one ; so that the citizens never knew of it ; otherwise they would have provided a little better for the safety of themselves and their goods . but so it must needs be , that our sins ( through others treachery ) should be brought to punishment . this message of the poles to the senate did wonderfully daunt the citizens ; for these things were not kept secret , but before the consul could call together the senate and the commanders of the souldiery , the report thereof had run through the whole city , as also that there was very little gun-powder left , and they had not wherewithal to defend themselves ; so that the citizens being taken with a pannick fear , cast away their weapons and courage together , and betook themselves to flight ; especially when presently after , they who were on the guard , discovered the body of the enemies coming the same way they came before ; for they forsaking every man his station , hasted home , advising their wives , children , and neighbours to flye , themselves leaving their weapons upon the walls , or at the gates ; or afterwards casting them away in the fields , that they might not be a burden to them . when the swedish souldiers saw the citizens thus in amaze and running away , they also soon mounted , not to meet the enemy ( as before ) but to run away too from the face of the enemy . then followed the senate in such a trembling fit of fear , that every one run out at the gate that was next him , or over the very forts and ditches ; so that in one hours space , a most populous city was left destitute of inhabitants : save a company of sick and aged people , and a few others that could not so suddenly get away , or for some other cause were necessitated to await the issue . but all hastened to those moorish woods , by which poland is parted from silesia , in such confusion , that when the nearest passes ( towards thorlang and krosken ) were not wide enough , they tumbled by troops to other passes ( strizwik , prybisch , and hundsloch ) that were more remote . the swedish troops went to fraustad , and from thence , taking the garrison along with them , towards meseritz : but the passage through the moors was very difficult , in regard that the company crouding one upon another , as if the enemy were just at their heels , did not onely many of them stick in the deep mud ( in vain crying out for help to those that passed by , every one being solicitous only for his own preservation ) but were also mired and lost ! here children lost their parents , and parents their children , wives their husbands , and one friend another ; so that they could scarce find one another again ; in two , three , and four days time . the enemy by a trumpeter , who was sent to posnania gate enquired what the citizens meant to do ; to whom john kolechen , a learned citizen , and well acquainted with many of the nobility ( in confidence whereof , having sent away his wife he adventured to stay ) came forth and answered , that the gates stood open , the swedish enemies were gone , and the rest of the citizens stood to their courtesie , and desired their favour . a little after that , came the illustrious grzymaltowsky with many of the nobility to the same gate , and when the aforesaid kolechen , with another in his company , had gone out to them and scarcely perswaded them that the city was forsaken , and that there was no treachery ; they went in , and when they were disposed into the next fair houses , they were entertained with a noble supper ( which was prepared to sweeten them a little , if it might be ) and had plenty of wine out of dlugosses cellar , who was a rich senator . at last when they were half drunk , they set upon kolechen with threats , and would have made him their prisoner , but that he escaped wonderfully out of their hands , and saved himself by flight . but they durst not stay all night in the city , for fear the swedes and citizens should set upon them unawares out of some ambuscado ; and so they returned to their own company , and in the morning with many hundred waggons they came back , killing all they met , and setting themselves to plunder the city . here then you might have seen strange examples of barbarous cruelty on the one side , and blockish folly on the other . for though no man made resistance , yet like mad dogs they flew upon all that either came out or were drawn out of the holes wherein they had hid themselves . of some they pulled out their eyes ; of some they cut off their noses and tongues ; of others they cut off their hands and feet ; others they stabbed and slashed , and so butchered them with innumerable wounds , that it could not be known who they were : and ( which was more ) they spared not his highness , prince frederick , landgrave of hassia , though dead , whom they had slain half a year before at costena , and who was decently embalmed by the lessians , and kept laid up in the chappel of the new-church upon a scaffold , till he might be transported to his own country : they first rifled his coffin , which was handsomely adorned , taking away his silver and guilt keyes , and all the silk that was about it ; then they set upon the princes corps , and took away his silk robe , lined with ermines , and so left him once again naked , and lying on the ground . but ( after the burning of the city , his body being found in the same place , untouched by the fire ) he was cloathed again by the ancient lesnians , and put up in his coffin , and buried in a certain place , where he is still honourably kept . but that mad rabble shewed abundance of folly in this , that whereas they might have made lesna their nest ( the swedes having garrisoned themselves in the strongest places of the province ) or at least might have gathered together the richest of the plunder ; ( for there was such abundance of victuals , wares , housholdstuff of all sorts , and treasure that was brought hither from other places , as to a place of safety , that a thousand waggons could scarce have carried it away in many dayes ) yet such was their over-eager desire of their destroying this hated city , that the very same day ; yea before noon , they set fire to the city and suburbs in every street , ( for the waggons which they brought with them were not empty , but loaded with torches , pitch , straw , and such other combustible matter ) and so cruelly destroyed that most pleasant city , together with all that abundance of all sorts of things that was in it . this fire lasted three whole dayes , and there were those that took care that nothing should scape it ; for when the new-buildings of the new-churches , did not easily take fire , they brought straw , pitch , and dry wood ; and put under the roofs and the in-side of the steeples , and so forced them to take fire : and they came again upon the third day ( . may ) and whatsoever was left they set fire to again . they burnt also the very wind-mills , whereof there were seventy about the city ; and a very pleasant park of the countesses , which lay close by the castle ; that every place might be filled with spectacles of cruelty , and at length it might come to be said , en cineres ubi lesna fuit ! where fairest lesna stood of old , now nought but ashes we behold ! the citizens sadly beholding these flames some miles off , ran thither next day by troops ; whether out of a desire of quenching the fire ( if it were possible ) or else to save something out of the flames ; ( for most through fear had gone away empty handed ) but the enemy came upon them ; and although they stoutly defended themselves , and slew many of their enemies , yet many of themselves were slain ; and many others also on the dayes following , when some villages that belonged to the county of lesna , and were inhabited by professors of the gospel , were in like manner burnt down . there perished in these flames many aged and sick people , that could not get away ; besides such abundance of houses , houshold-stuff of all sorts , precious wares , corn ( many thousand bushels whereof were brought hither ) libraries and other things , that the loss would amount to many tuns of gold ; and many thousands were thereby reduced to meer beggery . but that which was saddest of all , was , that the church of the faithful , that was here gathered together out of divers places and countryes , to enjoy the pure worship of god , was so utterly overthrown , that it cannot but cry out with sion of old , when it was rased by the babylonians , lament . . and . o all ye that pass by , behold and see , if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow , wherewith the lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger ! for he hath sent a fire into my bones , and it prevaileth against me ; he hath made me a desolation , so that i am not able to rise up ; my children are desolate , because the enemy prevailed . sion spreadeth forth her hands , and there is none to comfort her . i called for my lovers , but they deceived me . mine enemies chased me sore , like a bird , without cause . they have cut off my life in the dungeon . thou drewest near in the day that i called upon thee : thou saidst , fear not ; it is of the lords mercies that we are not consumed , because his compassions fail not . it must not be concealed what wonder hapned the first day of the burning of the city about evening , at czirna ( which is the first town of silesia , next to lesna , about two miles distant ) some of the lesnians went out to look upon the sad smoke of their country ; and as they were looking , there fell from the clouds which carried the smoke over silesia , together with the soot , a leaf of burnt paper , which when they took up , they found to be a leaf of the bohemian bible , containing the th . and part of the th . chapters of matthew ; where those words of christ came first to sight , with what measure ye meet , it shall be measured to you again ; with many other of christs exhortations to trust in the fatherly providence of god. this leaf was presented to the lord of the place ; and a lesnian physitian , who was there by chance , that read and interpreted it , and divers others , can bear witness to the truth hereof ; and the lord of the place laid it up among his rarities ! what now should sion do , but cry out under the cruel oppression of the enemy , render unto them a recompence , o lord , according to the works of their hands , lament . . . and indeed god began to revenge his peoples wrongs the fourth day after , when they furiously assaulted costena , a town four miles from lesna , where they were often repulsed stoutly by the swedish garrison ; and having suffered a great slaughter ( about five hundred of them being wanting ) they were forced to retire in great confusion . the like also they met withall at kalissia , and other places , being slain and put to flight by the swedes . herein it hapned unto them much after the same manner , as it did to tilly formerly when he had ruined magdeburg , the god of vengeance manifesting himself the avenger of his people : and now they begin to acknowledge and upbraid one another with their folly ; the nobles , in that they have spoiled their mart and treasury ; and the clergy , in that it is hapned otherwise than they intended . for their purpose was , utterly to ruine the hereticks ( as they term them ) with their nest ; but now that they see the nest spoiled , and the birds saved , it is much more matter of grief and vexation than of joy to them . for here god performed what he promised of old to baruch , i will give thee ( in the midst of thy countryes ruines ) thy life for a prey , jer. . . so god gave to thousands of his worshippers , who were snatched out of the midst of those ruines , their life for a prey , having set bounds to the fury of the devil , which he could not pass ; as he did of old , when he gave job into his hands , as to all that he had , but so , that he should spare his life . blessed be the name of the lord. truly we have cause to say with david ( psalm . ) if it had not been the lord who was on our side , when men rose up against us , then they had swallowed us up quick , when their wrath was kindled against us , then the waters had overwhelmed us , the stream had gone over our soul ; then the proud waters had gone over our soul : blessed be the lord , who hath not given us a prey to their teeth : our soul is escaped , as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers ; the snare is broken , and we are escaped ; our help is in the name of the lord , who made heaven and earth . oh the wonderfull providence of our god! which then saves when he seems to have forsaken , and then makes alive where he seems to have killed . we had been undone , if we had not been undone : we had been undone in our lives , those furies gathering together soon after , in far greater troops , if we had not been undone in our estates , which were left to them for a prey by our flight ( which the fatherly providence of god , fore-seeing greater evils , procured , by sending that fright among us . ) blessed be the name of the lord again and again : we notwithstanding , with other afflicted ones , in what nation soever , whom that proudest babylonian flood of waters seeks to swallow up , will not cease to cry , how long , o lord , wilt thou be angry with thy people ? how long shall thy jealousie burn like fire ? o remember not against us former iniquities ; let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us , &c. psalm . and with the souls of those that were slain for the word of god , that lie under the altar of christs merits , for whose faith we are killed , how long ( o lord ) holy and true , dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth ! rev. . , . the delegates of these poor persecuted protestant churches coming over into england to move for a contribution towards the relief of their distressed brethren , published this ensuing narrative . the utmost fury of antichrist against the protestants or reformed church of the bohemian confession in poland , set down in a brief ( but faithful ) narrative , and according to the truth of the matter . the spouse of jesus christ , she who in the cradle was besprinkled with the blood of a protomartyr , hath alwayes brought forth into the world men like abel or stephen , that so there might never be wanting to cry from the earth unto god , and that the wounds of that rose which lies among the thorns of persecution might not be concealed . every age , and every year in each age , and every moneth and day in each year , hath produced new inundations of blood unto this day ; and yet the little flock of the lord hath alwayes encreased under persecutions , one while here , another there , shifting their seats and habitations . while it pleased god by the means of wicklef to kindle the light of the gospel in great britain , john huss asserted the truth of jesus christ in the midst of thick darknesse of popery in bohemia , many thousands being stirred up by god to receive it , who despising all the cruelty of tyrants , received it with joy , untill by gods assistance they took rooting in the kingdom , and grew up into flourishing churches . in a short time after , antichrist breathing out his fury , the truth was banished out of bohemia , and the confessors being driven out , transplanted the gospel into poland ; where being favourably entertained by king sigismond , they in a short time encreased to so great a number , that being little inferiour to the papists , they were able to boast of an equal authority and priviledges with them . hence it came to passe that the kings at their coronations were wont , not only to promise , but solemnly to swear protection to such as disagreed from the roman religion , and therefore they proceeded not to open persecutions , save only in those cities where the jesuits had seated themselves in power ( to wit ) cracovia , posen , lublin , vilna , &c. where , by their disciples , and by stirring up the common people to fury , the churches of the reformed professors were a good while ago demolished , and divers ministers cruelly massacred . neverthelesse the malice of the enemies being no whit allayed , they were many ways afflicted , first indirectly , afterwards by pretences under colour of law , until those churches being worn out by degrees , and overthrown , were not many years ago reduced to a very inconsiderable number , especially when as in the reign of the late king , the enemies being confident they might do any thing , brought things to this passe at length , that there were no more than twenty one congregations remaining in the greater poland , and those also ready to perish . but among these twenty one remaining churches , the chief , and as it were the mother of them all , was that of lesna , which was divided into three congregations , the bohemian , the polonian and the german ; each of which had their own pastors , but the communicants joyntly were about two thousand : therefore it was that this church was in the first place exposed to the enemies malice , and of late designed to the slaughter , as well by reason of its being very much frequented and grown famous , as also because of the synod there usually celebrated , as likewise a famous university and printing-house , and books frequently published to the world . when therefore in the year . the swedish army out of pomerania drew near to the borders of poland , and the nobility were summoned to arms , according to the custome of the countrey , it came to passe that the papists brake forth into many furious expressions , crying out , that the hereticks had invited the enemy , and therefore they were first of all to be put to the sword and extirpated ; which reports , though most falsly scattered abroad ( for the searcher of the heart and the reins knoweth , that we never so much as dreamt of it ) yet they easily found credit among the sworn enemies of the gospel , who sought nothing more than our ruine . hereupon they who first consulted to agree with the swedish army , being terrified by its power , concluded about the surrender of all great poland into the kings protection , and namely , the royal cities of posen , calissen , meserick , &c. to which also lesna was expressely added : in a little time after they endeavoured to cast off the swedish yoke , and turned their arms not against the swedes , but first against our evangelical professors , as conspiring with the swedes upon the account of religion , and none of them scrupled to take revenge upon them . they first of all set upon those of lesna , with resolution of putting all to the sword , and destroying that heretical city by fire , and they had effected both , unlesse god had by sending some persons before , who by signifying the coming of the enemy , and with what intent they came , had possest the citizens with a panick fear , so that leaving all their estates , they every man fled ; and thus within the space of one hour , a most populous city abounding with all manner of wealth , was left without inhabitants , who in a miserable condition wandered then into the neighbouring woods and marishes into silesia . but the polish nobility with their army entring the city , did what they pleased , slaying a number of decrepit old people , and sick persons that were not able to save themselves by flight ; then the city it self was first plundred , and afterwards so destroyed by fire for three dayes together , that no part of it remained beside rubbish and ashes . in what manner they would have handled the citizens , especially their pastors , they shewed by their heroick actions performed in other places , by the most savage slaughtering of divers ministers of the church , and other faithful members of christ , of both sexes ; for of all that they laid hold on , they gave not one man quarter , but very cruelly put them to death with most exquisite tortures . they endeavoured to force master samuel cardus , pastor of the church of czuertzinen , to renounce his religion , after they had taken him , and miserably handled him with all manner of cruelty ; but he stoutly resisting , they first put out his eyes , and led him about for a spectacle , then they pulled off his fingers-ends with pincers ; but he not yet condescending to their mad fury , they found out a new kinde of torment , poured molten lead into his mouth , and at length while he was yet half alive , they clapt his neck between folding doors , and violently pulling them together , severed his head from his body . they took john jacobides , pastor of the church of dembnick , and alexander wartens his colleague , and another that was in company with them , as they passed through the toun of lubin , and hurrying them up and down for divers hours , and grievously handling them after the manner of tyrants , then last of all cutting their throats with a razor , threw them headlong , while they were yet breathing , into a great pit , which had been before-hand prepared for their martyrs , and stifled them by casting down dung and dirt upon them . they a great while pursued andrew oxlitius a young man designed for the ministery , whom after long seeking , they at last found in the open field , and in the end having taken him , they cut off his head with a sithe , chopping it into smal pieces , and the dead carcase also they slasht in a barbarous manner . the same fate befell adam milta , a citizen of lesna ; but they more grievously handled an old man of above seventy , whose name was simon priten , and many others , whose names it were too tedious to relate . of that barbarous execution which they did upon the weaker sex , there were besides other examples , horrid trophies of cruelty erected in the said city of lesna : a pious matron there , who was the mother of three children , not being able quick enough to leave the city , and being slain in the open street , they cut off her hands , & feet , & cutting off her childrens heads , they laid two of them at her breasts , and the third by her side . in like manner , another woman having her hands and feet cut off , and her tongue cut out , being inclosed and bound in a sack , lived the space of two dayes , making most miserable lamentation . grief forbids us to adde more ; for they behaved themselves so furiously towards us , that there remains not an example of any one man saved of all those that happened to fall into their hands . it is notoriously known how that fury of theirs tyrannized also over the dead ; some they dragg'd out of their graves , and cut in pieces , as at zichlin ; others they exposed naked for a publick spectacle , as at lesna ; of which outragious action we had an example , even in the dead body of the most serene landgrave of hassia , which was drawn out of the grave , who was heretofore slain in a most barbarous and tyrannical manner at koscian , but buried by our friends at lesna . the like was acted also upon the body of the most noble arciszevius , heretofore the valiant admiral of the hollanders in brazile , which was likewise dragg'd out of the grave , and being stript of the grave-clothes , was found after the firing of lesna . there are divers other examples , which the christian reader may finde in the book , entituled , lesnae excidium , faithfully written , and lately set forth in print ; but they are such examples onely as are commonly known ; for who is able to relate all things in particular ? as burning men alive , drowning others with stones tied about their necks , &c. now lesna being destroyed , the fury of the enemy proceeded to the persecutions of others ; they in a short time utterly demolished all our congegations , not onely driving away the pastors , but also either burning or leaving most of the temples desolate , as at karmin , dembnick , skochy , czriuczin , &c , yea and the auditories themselves were either slain ( as in the town of skochy , where there was a very flourishing church of the bohemian exiles ; sixty persons , both men and women were cruelly put to death ) or else they were scattered abroad , so that there remained not one place wherein the worship of god may be celebrated . lo , this is the most miserable state and condition of our churches ; moreover our countrey-men , to the number of five thousand , besides youths and children , being dispersed in banishment ( which hath now befallen most of us the second time ) especially throughout silesia , as also through the marck , lusatia , hungary , &c. find no comfort , but much misery , and are there exposed to the hatred and envy of men . we that are pastors dare not openly minister to our auditories with the word and sacraments , but onely in private meetings , or in woods among fenny places , god onely seeing us , who is witnesse of these calamities , and our comfort in extremities . indeed being thus destitute of all things , we lead a wretched life in banishment , being afflicted with hunger and nakednesse , and are become next to the most miserable waldenses , the greatest spectacle of calamity to the christian world ; for so it hath seemed good to that soveraign wisdome that governs all things , that we should be inheritors of the crosse and persecution of those men from whom we have derived the original of our doctrine and external succession : for truly we are the remaining progeny even of the waldenses , with whom being raised from the ashes of blessed huss , and with whom combining into the same holy fellowship of the faith and afflictions of christ , we have for two whole ages and more , been perpetually subject to the like storms of calamities , until at length we fell into this calamity , greater than ever was known in the memory of our fathers , and which threatens us with utter destruction , unlesse god prevent it . the truth is , this businesse constrains us to amazement and tears , greater than can be exprest in words , to set forth our affliction and sorrow : if there be any consolation in christ , if any comfort of love , if any fellowship of the spirit , if any bowels and mercies , we desire that this affliction of joseph may be recommended , especially to all that are of the houshold of faith. let them not suffer those to perish whom the same faith , and the same spirit of christ hath joyned with them in so near a relation ; we beseech them in the name of christ , that they would rather make haste to relieve those who are ready to perish , we being assured that we suffer this persecution upon no other account , than for the confession of the truth , from those enemies who have acted such things as these are against us in times past , and are now at length by gods permission , pouring out their fury upon us . signed in the name of the said distressed churches , by their delegates and now exiles for the cause of christ ; adam samuel hartman , pastor of the church of lesna in poland , and rector of the famous university there . paul cyril a late member of the university of lesna . a brief representation of the protestant cause in germany . in what case it hath been , since the peace of munster ; and how it stood in the year . and how it is now this present year . the justice of the late civil warres in germany , which were composed at the peace concluded in munster and osnaburgge in the year . was grounded upon this ; that the protestants were necessitated to enter into a league or mutual union together , for the maintaining of their rights and priviledges in the empire , against the infections thereof , and manifold disturbances of their profession , which contrary to former agreements at imperial dyets , did befal unto them in many places by the popish and jesuites practices , whereof they could obtain no redresse by any peaceable treaties : therefore finding that there was a design formed in the conclave , and by the house of austria , to be put in execution , tending by little and little to wear out and deprive them of their liberties ; they formed an union among themselves , to stand upon the defence of their rights , and to oppose the power of the house of austria , by whose means , both in germany and in bohemia , the jesuites did drive the design of rooting out protestants . the head of this union ( who by his place was bound to appear in it ) was the elector palatine : but he being a soft man , of no experience in war , and beset in his counsels and enterprises with such as did betray him , the cause was soon overthrown ; and by his overthrow , the intended persecution against protestants to root them out , what by power , and what by policie , was openly carried on by the house of austria ; which moved the king of denmark christian the iv. and after him the king of sweden , to come upon the stage : the dane was soon overthrown , but god gave such successe unto the swedes , to the landgrave of hessen their associate , and to the french ; ( who joyned with them to ballance the power of austria , after the elector of saxony had made his peace at prague with the emperour , and deserted the protestant interest ) : that from the death of king gustavus , they continued the war with various successes till the year . at which time the swedish being masters in bohemia , and the emperour brought so low , that he saw little hopes to recover his strength without a peace , he yielded to the conditions which the protestants and the french stood upon . the swedish stood upon their satisfaction , and to keep a foot in the empire , to be able upon all occasions to secure or help the protestant party ; and the protestant princes they stood upon the setling of all things and of themselves in their former rights and possessions , as before the war ; and chiefly upon this point the reformed party and the landgrave of hessen , who headed them , stood , that thence forward the reformed protestants ( alias called calvinists ) should have equal freedom and liberty of conscience , for the exercise of their profession in the empire , with the papists and lutherans . this condition being obtained , and a way determined to give the agrieved parties in point of dammage further satisfaction , armies were dismissed , a new convention of states was held at nurenberg , to settle the remaining matters within the empire , which at munster and osnabrugge could not well be handled , by reason of the treatie with forreigne states , and afterward a dyet was called at ratisbon , to confirme all what formerly had been treated on and concluded , and to put the remainder of grievances in a way to be rectified : to which effect at the dissolution or rather adjournment of the imperial dyet at ratisbon , a committee of deputies from all the states of the empire , of equal number of both parties , ( that is , so many of the protestants as of the popish partie ) were named to meet at franckford , and prepare ( by way of disquiry of rights ) the matters then remaining undecided , that at the next session of the dyet , there might be a full decision and determination of them ; but before these delegates did meet , the elector of mentz did broach a new quarrel with the elector palatine , tending to abridge him of much of his right , and to make him inconsiderable to the protestant party ; but the king of sweden his cousin ( for he is a younger brothers son of the house palatine ) and the landgrave of hessen his brother in law , did appear for him so farre , that the emperor and the elector of mentz fearing a new breach on his behalf , did leave him unmolested . soon after the composure of this quarrel , the committee of imperial deputies , met according to the appointment of the last dyet at ratisbon , and they have continued at franckford , debating and disputing one with another concerning their respective rights , in the several cases which remained undetermined . this meeting of deputies hath agitated matters in the years — — . till these new affairs were come into consideration , which the king of sweden his war with poland hath occasioned : for from that time that he went into poland and prospered there , the deputies although they did not dissolve their meeting , yet did in a manner alter the course of their treating one with another , as looking much upon the event of that war , till the death of the late emperour hath altered the scene , and a dyet for the election of a new emperour hath been called . the king of swedens war with poland , did alarm the popish party in germany , and the house of austria extremely : and did terrifie the states of the low-countreys , lest if he should be master of the baltick sea , their trade should be thenceforward under his power , with whom they had no friendly correspondence , by reason of some reciprocally conceived injuries , for which they could not trust him . this moved those of holland who are the chief traders in those seas , to stir up enemies against him , and openly to appear for , and correspond with dantzick to oppose him : and it is known to the swedish , that they have dealt underhand with the muscovite , with the polish king , with the austrians , and above-board with the king of denmark , to combine against him ; by which means after that he had conquered poland , his forces were distracted , first to oppose the muscovite in livonia , who besieged riga ; and afterward to put himself in a defensive posture against the austrians , who came to the assistance of the king of poland ; and lastly , to retire from poland into germany , to oppose the danish forces , who had invaded his territories of bremen . being come into germany upon this design , he did conquer from the king of denmark the last summer all hostein and jutland , and although by these conquests he was able to live in his quarters in the winter : yet his enemies being round about him on all hands , and he having neither money , nor convenient places to recruit his army , it was expected , that in the spring the combination of his enemies who compassed him about , would have swallowed him up : but god was pleased to appear for him , and direct him in a way to escape and overcome these difficulties : for in january last , he formed his design to assault the other territories of the danish king ; namely the islands which lie between germany and the continent of sweden , and to that effect had prepared his men to march over into fuenen , either by a bridge of ships if the sea were not frozen so as to bear : or over the ice , if it should be strong enough : having then notice gotten , that towards the latter end of january the ice did bear , he took of horse and foot not above six or seven thousand , and therewith did march over the sea into funen , where the danish king had placed his chief forces to defend the place . and although some dangetous and dreadfull accidents did befal him in that his march over the sea , yet he went on and fought the danish forces more in number than he had with him , which on firm land stood in a readinesse to receive him , and beat them , took the chief commanders prisoners , and the spoil of the island , which is one of the richest that belongs to that kingdom . having made himself master of that island , he went forward to the next island , over the sea , called langland , where he found a body of five hundred men to resist him , but being charged , they were instantly defeated ; so he went from thence to the next called laland , and from thence to falster , and from falster to zeland , the frost still continuing to make a bridge for him in all these marches . and from the time he came into funen , till he entred zeland , he spent onely five or six dayes . in zeland ( where the king of denmark was at coppenhagen ) m. medows , the publick minister of the state , sent from thence to reside with the king of denmark , came to him and desired him to admit the king of denmark to a treaty ; this he condescended unto , and by the interposition of m. medows and of the french ambassadour ( for he would not admit the hollands ambassadour to be a mediator ) the place was concluded about the twentieth of february , after twelve dayes treaty . the conditions are , that he restore to the king of denmark all what he had taken from him in germany , namely holstein , and jutland , and the islands of fuenen , langland , laland , falster , and zealand ; and in lieu thereof the king of denmark quits unto him all his rights in the provinces of haland and schonen , and of blieken , which are the continent of sweden , on the north side of the sound ; and doth moreover surrender unto him the island of bornholm , and the lordships of bahusen , and of drunthen in norway , which lie most convenient to cause the trade of sweden to flourish . some other conditions there are , but lesse considerable . the peace being concluded and ratified by both kings , the king of denmark feasted the king of sweden for certaine dayes , and at several times both kings were together alone , for the space of two or three hours at a time , whereby it is conceived that they have contracted a nearer and stricter alliance together , than the publick treatise can mention . this being done , the king of sweden went into his own countrey ; and hath convocated the states of his kingdom at gottenburg , to dispose of his affairs with their advice , and to take up further resolutions in time to come . this unexpected and miraculous successe of the swedish kings enterprise , hath disappointed all the counsels and plots of his adversaries against him , for which he is obliged to none but unto god alone : and from hence his friends have just cause to gather , that god hath raised him out of his straits , and redoubled his strength to make further use of him towards the advancement of the common cause of protestants , in whose behalf he concluded the peace at munster , and which he thinks himself in conscience and honour obliged to see maintained for the protestant interest ; tanquam altera pars paciscens , as in a letter of his to the emperour he did expresse himself . so that it seems the protestant cause in germany will finde in him a protector of so much courage and resolution , and conduct , as any that could be expected or desired : and it is known to all that know him , that he is earnestly bent to take away the differences , and advance the reconcilement of protestants within themselves : and that he makes no difference between lutherans ( as they are called ) and calvinists , but makes use of both alike , according to their abilities , as he findes them fitted for employment to forreign affairs : for within the kingdom of sweden , no forreigners , and none but lutherans , are to be admitted to the civil charges of trust ; others are employed in military charges , both there and elsewhere , according to their deserts . but presently after the elector of brandenburg was by subtile artifices withdrawn from the king of sweden , and joyned with the emperour , and the king of poland against him : the king of denmark was prevailed with to break his late-made league , and the states of the united provinces have joyned with the dane against him ; and god having taken away his great friend oliver lord protector , he hath conflicted with many and great difficulties , and yet hitherto god hath upholden him from sinking under them . what the issue will be , time must discover . finis . a table of all the principal things contained in this general martyrologie . a anabaptists wickedness pag. anger implacable apostacy dangerous , , , , , , , , , , apostates wickedness , , b bibles , & sacred scriptures burnt , , , , , , , bibles in french first printed blasphemy , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ▪ c charity of christians , , , , , , , , , , , chastity eminent children martyred , , , , , , , , , children encouraged by their parents to sufferings , , , , , , christ preferred above all , , , christians slandred as the authors and causes of mischief , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , christians murthered in churches , , , christians reproached , comfort at death , , , , , , , , conscience evil constancy of gods children , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , conversions strange , , , , , , , . . , courage and constancy of gods children , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , cruelty of heathens to gods people , , , , , , , , , , . cruelty of heriticks to them , , , , , , , . cruelty of papists to them , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , &c. , , , , &c. , , , &c. , &c. , &c. . d devils subtilty dissimulation , , , , , , , . e edicts good edicts , and lawes cruel ▪ , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . envie examples prevalent f faith of gods children . , , , , , , , , false witnesses famines terrible , , , , , . fasting , and prayer fidelity flattery , flight in time of persecution flight refused , , h hereticks profane , hereticks proud heretickes subtile , hereticks impudent heroical acts , humane frailty , , , , , , , , , , , , humility husbands malice against his wife hypocrisie , , , , i idolatry gross idolatry reformed jewes murthered refusing to fight on the sabbath ignorance , , jmage of apollo broken with lightning ingratitude , , , inquisition , begun , . joy unspeakable , , ● joy in tribulation , , , , , , , , . judgments of god . , , . l life refused love of christians . m meekness of christians ministers m●rtyred . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ministers sheltred in times of persecution miracles . miracles of mercy , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . . n nobility true o ordination of ministers p patience of gods children in sufferings , , , , , , , , , , , , perfidiousness . . see popish perfidiousness . persecution spreads the gospel , , , , , . persecutors plagued by god , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , persecutors converted . . plagues terrible . . popish malice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . popish prrfidiousnesse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . popish subtilty . . . . . . . . . . &c. . . . . . . . . . . . . &c. popish uncleanness . . . . . . . . prayer in times of danger ● . . . . . prayer powerfull and prevalent . ● . . . . predictions and prophesies . . . . . . . pride . . profanness . . . . . . ●. providences special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . prudence of chris●ians . . r recovery after falls . . . . . , . . . . . riches are snares s scismaticks plagued by god scismaticks bloody scismaticks profane scismaticks subtile scisme comes from pride , scriptures , see bible sectaries dangerous sin the forerunner of persecution . . . . son dutifull and loving southsayers wickedness , , , speeches excellent . , . . . . . . stories excellent . . . . . subtilty of the churches enemies . . . . . . success no sign of a good cause . sympathy synods t tentations resisted . . . . . ; , , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . thanksgiving for mercies . thanksgiving for sufferings ▪ trechery rewarded . . v visions . w waldenses their opinions wife loving to her husband wisdom of christians see prudence witnesses false , plagued by god womens courage . z zeal . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . ● . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . finis . this book being printed most of it by the printed copy , i looked not over the proofes , and so through the carelesness of the correctors and compositors many faults have escaped , which i pray thee to amend with thy pen before thou readest the book errata in the general martyrologie . page line read him for them . l r india for indian . p l r whom for who . p l. . put in , cease to . l put in , to . p l r were for was . l r decree for degree . p l r adorning for adoreing . p l r this for his . l r com for cow . l r they for the. p l r that for the p l r stake for stalk . p l r also for all . p l r torturers for tortures . l r courtiers for countries . p l ult . put in , whosoever . p l r they for the. p l r was for were . l r prince for princes . p l r which for with . l r belief for relief . p l r edified for edifying . p l r they for the p. p l put in , whereupon . p l r enjoyned for enjoyed . p l r slaying for staying . p l r children for child . p l r receiving for receive . p l r sixty for sixtly . p l r opened for opening . p l put out , was . p l r retaining for restraining . p. l r their for they . p l r represented for presented . p l r approach for reproach . p l r die for are . l r bertrand for b●trand . p l r bosnia for bosina . l r when for where p. l r root for rout . p l ult . r delivered for discovered . p l r maundy for munday . p l r upon for of , cities for city . p l r buried for burnt . l r they for the. l r two for second . p l r catholick for cathe . p l r they for the. p l r breast for breasts . l r was for were . p l r hoary for heavy . p l put out should . p l r were for was . p l r this for his . l r for never no man , r no man ever . p l put in , free . p l put in , one . l r sent for set . p l r zeal for seal . p l put in , her . p l put in , took . p l r girls for gilts . l r burnt for burn . l r goodly for godly . l r macerating for macecrating . p l put in , of . p l r mouth for mouta . p l ult . r parisians for persians . p l put in , brought p l put out , and so . p l r short for shot . p l r leave for have . p l r whom for where . p l for infections r infractions . other literal faults are easily amended . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e sanguis martyrum semen ecclesiae . act. . . thes. . . lam. . , isa. . . pet. . . micha . . tim. . heb. . . luk. . . praemonitus praemunitus . notes for div a -e gen. . . gen. . . abel . noah . gen. . . gen. . . lot. isaac . jacob. joseph . th● israelites in egypt . moses . moses and aaron . israel in the time of the judges . jsrael in saul's time . david . king. . , . judah under the kings . asa persecutes a prophet . michaiah . gods judgement on persecutors . elijah . elisha . zechariah . chron. . . isaiah . jer. . , &c. jeremiah . the children . daniel . mordecai . israel after the captivity . nehe. . . and ● . ▪ . nehemiah . the jews persecuted by bagoses . prayer in times of danger . apostates . antiochus entred jerusalem . antiochus robs the temple . forbideth the daily sacrifice . his cruelty . christian courage . the scriptures burnt . matthias his zeal . a noble resolution . zeal . the jews murthered , refusing to fight on the sabbath day . matthias his sickness . his counsel to his sons . his death . apollonius slain . judas encouraged his souldiers . seron slain . antiochus his ●rpel command . fasting and prayer before the battel . his exhortation to his army a wonderfull v●ctory . gorgias flies . thanksgiving . prayer . lysias beaten . the temple cleansed . the service of god restored . the edomites overcome . the ammonites overcome . simons victories in galile . judas taketh bozra . overcometh timothy , timothy again overcome . ephron destroyed . thanksgiving for victory . a miracle of mercy . vain-glory punished . the idumaeans overcome . antiochus his horrible death . gods judgemente on persecator● . antiochus eupa●tor . bethsura besieged . eleazer slew , and is slain by an elephent . bethsura surrendred . the temple besieged . a speciall providence . perfidiousness . a just judgement . antiochus slain by demetrius the wickednes of apostates . bacchides sent against judas . perjury . perfidiousness . alcimus his subtilty and cruelty . nicanor sent against judas his subtility . judas in danger . judas forced to retreat . nicanors blasphemy . a terrible battel . nicanor slain . a just judgement . judas sends to the romans . a league between the jews and romans . bacchides sent ●gainst judas twenty thousand . judas his resolution . a terrible battel . judas slain . antiochus his cruel edict . constancy . subtilty . courage . eleazer cruelly beaten . his admirable patience . his zeal . his prayer at death . antiochus his subtilty . the seven brethrens courage maccabeus his torments . his resolute speech . his martyrdom . his speech at death . abers torments . or leopard . h●s speech at death . machir brought forth . his courage . his torments . his speech at death . judas his courage . his torments . his speech at death . achas his courage . his torments . his speech at death . areth his courage . his torments . his speech at death . jacob brought forth . antiochus his subtilty . his mother encourageth him . his noble courage . his torments . * lord. his last words . salamona's zeal . her speech to her children . her torments and death . see more of this before . mat. . , , . gods judgement on persecutors . herods miserable death . john baptist behe●ded . mat. . . gods judgements on herod for it . caius caligula . act. . , . the apostles beaten . steven stoned . paul persecuted . act. . , . a persecutor converted . james beheaded . peter escapeth death . gods judgement on herod paul and barnabas persecuted . paul stoned . paul and silas whipt . paul and silas again persecuted . act. . , , . sosthenes beaten . paul in danger acts . . pauls martyrdom . the martyrdom of james . his constancy in prayer . andrews martyrdom . philips martyrdom . bartholemew . thomas . matthew . simon zel. judas . matthias . mark. nicanor . notes for div a -e quinquennium neronis . nero sets rome on fire . the circus burnt down . nero charged it upon the christians . raiseth the first persecution . several kinds of torments . beastly cruelty . tertullians speech . peter and paul martyred . domitians character . he destroyes davids seed . st. john put into boiling oyl . banished into patmos . an excellent story ●f a young man. sim●on crucified . flavia banished . a cruel death . christians slandered . charged with sedition and rebellion ; and the causers of all publick calamities . christianos ad leones . the oath ex officio . variety of torments . burial denied them . protasius . gervasius . timothy and dionysius martyred . trajans persecution . pliny writes in the christians behalf . christianity accounted superstition . tertullians speech . the stock of david sought for . a just reward . phocus martyr . sulpitius , nereus and achilleus martyrs . adrian emp. alexander , herenes and quiri●us martyrs . zenon . ten thousand crucified . eustachius martyr . monstrous ingratitude . faustinus and jobita martyrs . more . eleutherius , anthea , and symphorissa martyrs . with her seven sons . quadratus his apology for the christians , and aristides , and serenus . christians falsly accused . an. pi. emp. shews them ●avour . an excellent law. polycarp martyr . germanacus . constancy . metrodorus . pionus apollggy and martyrdom . carpus , papilus and agathonica . felicitas and her seven children . justin ma●tyas apology and martyrdom . malice . ptolemaus . lucius . note . concordus . persecutions in france . gods providence . patience . divers torments ▪ vetius epagathus his zeal . humane frailty . christians slandered . sanctus . maturus . attalus . blandina . a miracle of mercy . tormentors , wearied . note . admirable constancy . a miracle of mercy . biblides . photinus . danger of apostacy . recovery after fals . alexander . note . blasphemy ▪ ponticus a boy of fifteen years old . joy unspeakable . blasphemy . justin martyr . alcibiades . clau. apolinaris and melito apologize for the christians . the thundring legion . a good edict . apollonius . a just reward of treachery . vincentius , eusebius , peregrinus and potentianus . zeal , julius . zeal . severus emperour . christians charged with sedition and rebellion , &c. leonides father of origen . zeal . plutarch . serenus . potamiena . marcella and rhais . b●silides his strange conversion . narcissus . false witnesses plagued by god. andoclus . asclepiades . irenaeus . tertullian . perpetua . felicitas . revocatus . satyrus . secundulus . zepherinus . urbanus . tiburtius . valerianus . cecilia . a great conversion . agape●us a boy of fifteen years old . gods judgement on a persecutor . calepodius . pamachius . martina . maximinus emperor . urbanus and philip. sectaries dangerous . note . probably it was by the terrors of his own conscience . decius emp. fabian martyr . a cruel edict . alexander martyr . babilus . peter . a south-sayer stirs up a persecution . metra martyr . quinta . the christian houses plundred . apollinia leaps into the fire . serapion . persecutors divided amongst themselves . the danger of riches . zeal . apostacy . julianus martyr , and cronion . macar . epim●chus . alexander . ammonarion . mercuria . dio●ysia . a boy of fifteen years old . nemesion . humane frailty . zeal . courage . ischirion . the miseries of christians . cheremon . dionys●us . a miracle of mercy . flight in persecution . courage of seven souldiers . nicetas his ra●e chastity . theodora condemned to the stews . her strange deliverance . cruelty . agathon . two ministers . secundianus . zeal . gods judgement on persecutors . serapions apostacy , and recovery . danger of apostacy . constancy . a vision . the beginning of the novatian schism . pride the cause of schism . a synod against novatus . aurelius . mappalicus . gods judgement on persecutors . a terrible plague . the brotherly love of christians . a special providence . cyprians consolatory letter . persecution stirred up by a sorcerer . sin the forerunner of persecution . a vision . christians charged as the causes of all plagues . confuted by cyprian and tertullian . cyprian martyr . sixtus and his deacons . the courage and constancy of laurence . the rage of tyrants . in all these things we are more then conquerors . dionysia . banished . the power of the word of god. gods providence . the cruel torments of the christians . priscus , malchus , alexander zeal . three hundred christians put into a lime-kiln . three virgins cruelly tormented . fructuosus . valerian em●peror . gods judgement on persecutors . marinus . asyrius . satans subtilty power of prayer . peace in the church . a special providence . p●ace causeth the church to flourish . sin the forerunner of persecution . contention amongst christians . p●ide . bibles burnt . cruel edicts . horrible torments . false accusations of christians . courage . humane infirmity . zeal . subtilty . constancy . a miracle of mercy . silvanus . pamphilus . tiranion . zenobius . sylvanus . peter . dorotheus . gorgonius . anthimus . dioclesian's wife . christians burnt in a church . a christian city burnt . eustratius , a persecutor converted and martyred . peter . a legion of christians martyred . inhumane c●uelty . cruel torments . hellish cruelty . admirable patience . courage and constancy . tormentors wearied . humane infirmity . the story of mauritius and his legion . a most christian speech . christian courage . the mercies of the wicked are cruelty . gods judgements on persecutors . hypocrisie . silvanus . lucianus . peter . quirinus . cruel torments gods judgements on persecutors . a terrible famine . pestilence . charity of christians ▪ gods judgements on persecutors . hypocrisie . wicked laws . cru●lty . theodorius . romanus's noble courage . true nobility . note . blasphemy . a child tormented . an appeal to christ. the childes martyrdom . gordius . courage . flattery . constancy . menas note . humane infirmity . fourty young gentlemen . tenta●ion of flattery . a mother encourageth her son to die . cyrius . john. athanasia . sebastian barlaam : vitalis ▪ constancy . agricola . vincentius . horrible cruelty . joy unspeakable . procopius . georg. zeal . hermogenes . eulalia . zeal . tentation . eulalia . horrible cruelty . agnes . tentation . courage . faith. a remarkable judgement . faith. julitta an excellent story . strength of faith. tentation . constancy . barbara . magit●a●s st●r up persecution . simeon . the persion king requ●●ed divine worsh●p . usthazares . zeal . recovery after fall . tentation . repentance . his martyrdom . simeon beheaded . pusices . his martyrdom . magicians authors of persecution . simeon sisters . slanders . b●shops and min●ste●s persecuted . andas . hormisda . constancy . suenes . benjamin . his apostacy . devilish subtilty . christians might not study . they may be in no offices . the most dangerous persecution . christ●ans made the object of scorn . barbarous cruelty . emilianus . domitius . theodorus . a miracle of mercy . artemius . two brethren martyrs . barbarous cruelty . marcus ar●thusius . courage . barbarous cruelty . cyrillus god's judgement on persecutors . maris●oldly ●oldly reproveth julian . blasphemy . devilish subtilty . christian wisdom . juventius and maxentius . christian courage . apollo's image broken with lightning . christians fined . athanasius driven away . courage . a special providence . blasphemy . zeal . courage . note . athanas●us accused of sedition . his miraculous deliverance . his banishment and danger . his miraculous deliverance . he is restored for a time , and again banished . christian virgins shamefully abused . the arrians cruelty . b. paul banished . subtilty . an. christi persecution raised by valens . he succeeded julian . miletius . eusebius . pelagius . an admirable story . courage . gods providence . eighty godly ministers burned . cruelty of hereticks . peter . cruelty . the emperour refused admonition . gods judgement ●n persecutors . bloody schismaticks . profane schismaticks . turbulent schismaticks . profane schismaticks . gods judgement on them . impure schismaticks . profane hereticks . cruelty of hereticks . prodigious ministers loaden with burthens . cruelty to infants . pampinian . hippo besieged . a special providence . pride . a noble earl martyred . an evil conscience . constancy . rome sacked . charity . gods providence . a special providence . moors converted . cruelty of hereticks . the bishop of habensa . christians murthered at a sermon . horrible profaness . armogastes tormented . a special providence . saturu's noble courage . tentation . resisted . gensericks death . manichaeans punished . eugenius chosen bishop . envy . cruelty of hereticks . constancy . constancy . barbarous cruelty . multitudes banished . foelix . tentation . constancy . an excellent story . cruelty of hereticks . cyprians sympathy . charity . barbarous cruelty . a special providence . subtilty of hereticks . pride of hereticks . unjust cruelty . a confession of ●aith . a wicked edict . cru●lty of hereticks . devillish subtilty . a wicked sentence . dionysia . impudence of hereticks . courage . she encourageth her son . the benefit of good examples . slanders . tentation . courage and constancy . gods mercy . many burned in a ship . admirable courage and comfort . tentation . constancy of a boy . an excellent example of an heathen . profaness of hereticks . the destruction of the persecuting vandals . sin the forerunner of persecution . notes for div a -e the f●●st reformers ▪ peter valdo . charity . popish malice . christian courage . pope alexander raiseth persecution . god● providence . persecution spreads the gospel . king of france persecutes them . many burnt . the spreading of the gospel . malicious slanders . vindication . the greate enc●ease of the waldenses . popish rage and malice . five burnt at collen . a bloody edict against the waldenses . they defend themselves by arms. valdo's zeal and courage . sang●i● martyrum , semen ecclesia . dominicans instituted . inquisitors begun , an. chri. · injustice . prodigious cruelty . a knight burned . a disputation between the popelings and the waldenses . the popelings bafled . horrible cruelty . the number of the waldenses . their godly lives . good pastors . persecution raised . popish cruelty ▪ in pragela . popish malice . infants starved to death . popish cruelty . frassiniere ▪ popish cruelty . the king forbids the persecution . yet the arch-bishop continues it . popish malice . slanders . ja pateneri the arch-bishops cruelty . gods judgement on persecutors . popish lies . gods providence . popish subtilty barbarous crueltie .. a girevous persecution . the lieutenant repulsed . plain dealing . popish uncleannesse . in dauphine . the weaknesse of a woman . the innocency of the waldenses . popish subtilty and injustice . a speciall providence . in piedmont . love. popish malice . slanders . persecution in piedmont . cruelty . cat. girard . popish malice . prayer . profanenesse . a just judgement . a specall prouidence . gods judgement on persecutors gods mercy . slanders . zeole and courageth . persecution renued . constancy . the antiquity of the faith. unity . zeal . the first french bibles printed . one of them drowned . a speciall providence . the pope stirs up persecution . courage . a special providence . bar. hector . persecution . renewed . profanenesse . prudence . popish malice . the german prince interceds for them . popish malice . a great persecution . humane infirmity . popish malice . a speciall providence . treachery . prodigious villany . a miracle of mercy . a special providence . popish subtilty . popish dissimulation and perfidiousness . fasting and prayer . a special providence . power of prayer . profaneness . a special providence ▪ a just reward . prayer . a speciall providence . popish subtilty perfidiousness , papist trechery a notable story . a speciall providence . barbarous cruelty . gods judgement on persecutors . uncleannesse . popish perfidiousness . their ministers sent away . cruelty . barbarous cruelty . prayer in danger . a league . a good resolution . images demolished . a speciall providence . popish subtilty . a special providence . gods providence . joy in tribulations . prayer in danger . speciall providences . thanksgiving ▪ a speciall providence . prayer . the enemies every where beaten . prayer in danger . a speciall providence . scorners punished . subtilty . per●idiousnesse . the spaniards●epulsed ●epulsed . peace obtained bar. copin zeal . christ best of all . tentation . constancy . his exhortation to his wife and children copin murthered gods providence . their holy lives . their godly conversation ▪ the pope persecutes them . popish lies . humane frailty popish cruelty . a speciall providence . barbarous cruelty . prodigious wickednesse . zeal . horrible cruelties . their totall extirpation . devilish slanders . note . p. masson martyred . a cruel decree . k. francis the first . called mi●●irs barbarous cruelty . prodigious cruelty . a bloody speech . gods judgement on persecutors . miniers his horrible death . gods judgement on persecutors . popish uncleannesse . profanenesse . a godly book-seller burnt . popish subtlity popes rage against earl remund . he goes to the popes legate . the earl whipt naked . beziers besieged . faith and courage . beziers stormed . barbarous cruelty . carcasson besieged . popish cruelty . a brave speech popish cruelty , and unleannesse . carcasson stormed . the pilgrims repulsed with great losse . popish profaanenesse and perfidiousness . the earl made a prisoner . a speciall providence . carcasson taken simon of montfort made generall . eearl of beziers dieth . the king of arragon encourageth the albingenses . earl simons pride abated . prodigious cruelty . menerbe taken . courage and constancy . the castle of termes taken . six thousand pilgrims slain . horrible cruelty . popish subtilty the legate dies . the english help the albingenses . popish pride popish hypocrisie . articles against earl remund . earl remund in danger . his brother betrays him . tholouse besieged . the pilgrims beaten . the siege raised . popish perfidiousness● , and cruelty . popish perfidiousnesse . subtilty prince lewis retires . earl simon beaten . young remunds successe . earl simon honoured . and disgraced . a council against the albingenses . popish cruelty a new army of pilgrims . cruelty . a popish brag . e. s●mon bea●en thanksgiving . many pilgrims slaine . e. simon slain by a woman . prince lewis his cruelty . earl guido slaine . the emperours cruell edict against them the gospellers dispersed persecuted . the gospellers encrease . the king of france against them . avignion besieged . a famine in the kings army . a dreadfull judgement many of them drowned . the french beaten . the k●ng removes further from the city . a plague in the french cam● the king of france dyeth . av●gnion taken by treachery . the young ●ing of france persecuts them . his armies bea●en . tholouse besieged . a great famine popish treachery . unreasonable terms put upon the earl of tholouse . pope gregories counsells against them . persecution continued . a cruell edict against them . the bones of one of them burnt . a brave answer albingenses in spaine . persecuted and destroyed . trancavell and others defend them . he prevailes exceedingly . a dying woman burnt . earl remund escapes . he is forced to submit . persecution in italy . . earl remund prospers . persecution in millan . earl of provence beaten a great persecution . pope urban persecutes them ▪ another persecution . a cruel edict . they increase , and are persecuted . lollard . christianity brought into bohemia . persecution begun . tyranny . persecution in prague . a speciall providence . the christians prevaile . subtilty . . christians slain . gods judgement on persecutors . wenceslaus reigns ludomilla murthered . wenceslaus murthered . gods judgement on persecutors . woytich banished . the pope usurps over the bohemians . john melicius . the pope antichrist . melicius imprisoned . m. mathias mathias banished . john husse , jerome 〈◊〉 prague . popish malice , and subtilty . the pope excommunicates the bohemians . multitudes martyred . encouragment . apostacy . constancy . unnaturall cruelty . many drowned a loving wife . cruelty . a minister and others burned . profanenesse and blasphemy . martin loquis . prodigious cruelty . some beheaded . schism . calixtines . popish subtilty . thaborites destroyed . reformation begun . popish malice . a minister racked . a wicked edict . popish cruelty . elders chosen . a synod . ordination of ministers . the waldenses· admonition . the waldenses persecuted . the church increaseth . popish subtilty . slanders . confession . the brethren banished . persecution . popish malice . gods judgement on persecutors . anno . a cruel edict . devillish wickednesse . tentation resisted . gods judgement on persecu●ors . anno. . luther zahere an apostate . popish lies and slanderous . persecution . two burnt . a godly woman burnt . two godly men burnt . comfort in death . gods judgement on persecutors . a new persecution . popish malice . charles the fifth warres against the protestants . a great persecution . persecution causeth reformation . a speciall providence . popish malice . ministers persecuted . a speciall providence . conversion . john augusta . popish lies and slanders . a wicked edict . two hundred ministers banished . the baron of schanow . jesuites first brought into prague . maximilian emperour . rodulphus emperour . sin the forerunner of persecution . mathias emperour . ferdinand forcibly made king of bohemia . ferdinand a usurper . popish malice . the first artifice . the second artifice . the third artifice . the fourth artifice . the states inhibited their meeting . the jesuites banished by the states . an army raised against the bohemians . frederick chosen king of bohemia . anno . novemb. ▪ prague taken . anno ● . popish subtilty the fifth artifice . the sixth artifice . the seventh artifice . plundering . the eight artifice . the ninth artifice . the tenth artifice . apostacy rewarded . popish perfidiousness . the eleventh artifice . the twelfth . artifice . the thirteenth artifice . the fourteenth artifice . the fifteenth artifice . the sixteenth artifice . ministers persecuted . barbarous cruelty . gods providence . a speciall providence . cruelty to ministers . prodigious cruelty . ingratitude . anno . pescinus ▪ the seventeenth artifice ministers charged with treason . ministers banished . the eighteenth artifice . the german ministers banished . blasp●emy . illiterate persons put into the places of christs ministers . twenty one ministers banished . ministers charged with sedition . tentation . constancy . a minister martyred . popish cruelty . the vice-roy . courage and constancy . cou●age , and constancy . the nineteenth artifice . summa papavera . the chiefest nobles imprisoned . the nobles examined . a brave speech success no sign of a good cause their condemnation . profane blasphemy . tenta●●t●n resisted . crede quod habes & habes . blasphemy . joy in tribulation . faith. prayer . courage . the martyrs mutual farwell . the l. schlik . his faith and courage . his martyrdom . the l. wenceslaus . his patience . psal. . . his martyrdom . the l. harant his message to his wife . his martyrdom . sir casper kaplitz . his courage and constancy . his martyr●●m . ●ro●●p●us dorzecki . his prayer and 〈◊〉 . his fi●elity to h●s p●ince . his martyrdom . l frederick de bile . l. hen. otto . his ●aith . joy unspeakable . his martyrdom . dion . zervius . his martyrdom . an aged man. his martyrdom . the lord of rugenia his excellent speech . his martyrdom . val. cockan . his martyrdom . toby steffick . his prayer . his martyrdom . d. jessenius . a prophecy . his martyrdom . christ● ▪ chober . his excellent speech . his martyrdom . john shultis . his martyrdom . maxim. hostialic● ▪ his martyrdom . john kutnaur . h●s speech to the jesuits . his speech at death . his martyrdom . sim. sussickey . tentation . his martyrdom . nath. wodnianskey . his speech to the j●su●●es . his counsel to his son . his martyrdom . wen. gesbitzky his prayer . his martyrdom . martin fruin . he is murthered . their goods con●●scated . recantation prescribed . the twentieth artifice . the protestants beggered . their debts and money seized on . the s●uldiers get most . the one and twentieth artifice . charles de zerotine . another obedi●● . the two and twentieth artifice . protestant tutors banished successe makes the enemies proud . the protestants all bani●●ed . false testimonies bought . protestants chi●dren taken from them . popish subtilty tentation . many seduced . lord de zerotine goeth into exile . a cruel ed●ct . protestants wives b●nished from their husbands . the exiles sought after . the three and twentieth artifice . laws repealed the four and twentieth artifice . apostates pro●moted . the five and twentieth artifice . the protestants in the silve● mines had a promise of favour . popish perfidiousness . souldiers quartered upon them . don martins cruelty . the bolislavians persecuted . constancy . apostacy . constancy . recovery . bethlem gabor . gods providence . a new persecution . in litomeric . popish subtilty patience in persecution . in radecium . tentation resisted . popish cruelty ▪ constancy . humane infirmity . constancy . at bidsove . popish cruelty . at zaticum . bibles burnt . don martins cruelty . exile denied to the protestants . at tusta . apostacy . at rokizan . popish subtilty constancy . john foelix . barbarous cruelty . foelix escapes . at slana . john blyssa . banished . at prachatice . prodigious cruelties . the twenty sixth artifice . popish subtilty popish profanenesse . christians stript . popish uncleannesse . the twenty seventh artifice . prodigious cruelties . the twenty eighth artifice . at minion . popish malice . death denied them . prodigious ▪ wickednesse . blasphemy . prodigious wickedness . constancy . comfort in ●fflictions . danger of apostacy . bibles burnt . prodiges . gods judgment on apostates . gods judgement on persecutors . the pope stirs up persecution . gods judgements on persecutors . the popish army flies . a new army raised . they fly when none pursues . f. romanes conversion . zeale . subtilty . treachery . good counsel . note . he goeth to the emperour . is imprisoned . carried into spaine . condemned by the inquisitors . burned . rochus . condemned . thi●ty christians condemned . a wicked oath . cacalla condemned . popish malice . malice . many burnt together . the spanish inquisition . invented by dominicans . subtilty . their dealing with strangers . their familiars . sequestration . stript of all in prison . subtil●y . how inquisitors deal with the prisoners . they proceed to the rack . their privy parts a●e only covered with linnen . the jeobit . inhumane cruelty . rail●ngs . scoffs . threats . another cruel tormen● . the trough . divellish cruelty . torment with fire . subtilty . a woman , and her tow daughters , and neece . a judas . perjury . flie. their cruel prisons . all pity denied them . a maid whipt for shewing them favour . the prisoners denied leave to sing psalmes . their hospital cruel mercy . their condemnation . their habits . a wicked oath degradation . hypocrisie . abominable lyes . their cruelty concealed . flattery . a lady imprisoned . their cr●el usage o● her . they torment her in the trough . she dyed . john pontio . humane frailty . recovery . his speech at death . john gonsalvo . tormented in prison , with a cleft stick . a church in sivil . some of them cast into prison a cleft stick . their death ▪ malice . ferdinando . his torments . a special providence . humane infirmity . recovery . execution . juliano . zeale . a special providence . a false brother . twenty burnt . juliano's torments and constancy . his death . john leon. leon goeth towa●ds england . is apprehended . sent to spaine . tormented . martyred . a ma●ds sufferings , and martyrdom ▪ christopher losada . his constancy . death . arias . he turns persecutor . a special providence . arias his re●covery . his courage . his martyrdome . scriptures contemned . grosse ignorance . ministers honoured . aegidio chosen bishop . he is persecuted . imprisoned . gods judgement on persecutors . released . his excellent vertues . zeale . he goes to the emperour . his return to sivil . his weaknesse . chosen divinity-lecturer . a strange providence . courage . imprisoned . his death . his corps burned . nicholas burton . god● providence . he is sent to sivil . condemned . john baker . will. burgate . will. burges . will. hooker . encenas . treachery . courage . constancy . francis encenas . a special providence . faninus . humane infirmity ▪ danger of apostacy . recovery after his fall . a prophesie . a special providence . tentation resisted . proffer of life refused . faith. comfort in death . note . a special providence . dominicus . apprehended . constancy . thanks for sufferings . galeacius trecius . cruelty . humane infirmity ▪ recovery . note . joy unspeakable . tentation resisted . note . his education . his enmity to the truth . conversion . zeale . his apprehension . constancy . h●s release . courage . his appe●ring at rome . note . h●s return to bonony . a special providence . he is again apprehended . his release . love to christ man●fold afflictions . constancy . his martyrd●me . francis gamba . constancy . tentations ●esisted . comfort at death . algerus . joy in afflictions . note . tentation resisted . john aloysius . iames bovellus . persecution raised by the pope . horrible cruelty . patience of the saints . anthony ricetto . tentation re●sisted . constancy . francis spinola sega . sega's martyrdome . humane infirmity . recovery . spinola's martyrdome . an english man at rome . an heroical act his cruel torments . patience . his martyrdome . idolatry detested . his going to lisbone . humility . zeal . prayer . grosse idolatry an heroical act his danger . his speech to to the king. courage . he is tortured . his cru●l martyrdome . constancy . gods judgment on persecutors . a special providence . the pope stirs up the emperor to persecute the p●otestants . duke of saxony and the lantgrave taken prisoners . a cruel persecution . henry voes , john esch. comfort and joy in death . a miracle of mercy . henry sutphen . popish malice . some that came to catch were converted . popish subtilty and malice . courage . implacable malice . he is condemned unheard . popish cruelty his martyrdome . many drowned . miltenburg sacked . a minister condemned to be hanged . ingratitude . he is hanged . peter spengler . the rising of the anabaptists . he is robbed by them . his good counsel . popish cruelty a christian speech at his death . a miracle . popish cruelty false witnesses . his constant death . wolfgang scuch idolatry reformed . popist rage . he goeth to the duke and is imprisoned . he is reviled . his bible burnt . his faith . his martyrdome . gods judgements on persecutors . john huglin burned ▪ george carpenter . christ preferred before wife and children . his signe ▪ his martyrdome . leonard keyser . popish malice . his martyrdome . a minister worried . gods judgements on persecutors . tentation . ignorance . her martyrdome . popish malice . two godly men burnt . nicholas drowned . pistorius . charity . his martyrdome . one hanged . a minister beheaded . george scherter . a miracle . ministers martyrs . popish cruelty vincit ●eritas . mr. persival . cruelty . justus insberg . a special providence . giles tilleman . conversion . charity . constancy . earnest prayer meekn●sse . f●●ght refused ▪ constancy . note . his martyrdome . a great persecution . martin converted in his old age . he is condemned . his martyrdome . two godly virgins . burnt . constancy and courage . a miracle . andrew thiessen . constancy . popish cruelty joy and comfort at death . adrian tailor and his wife . master peter bruly . a special providence . popish malice and cruel●y . peter mioce . his conversion put into a dungeon amongst toads . note . zeale . popish lies . a godly mininister martyrred . christopher fabri . a traytor . the people drive away the executioner . his martyrdom . two men and their wives . blasphemy . zeal . vincit veritas . popish subtilty . courage . meaning the emperour . n●te . austins courage . tentation . zeal . magdenburg besieged ; and delivered . hostius . zeal . his letter to his wife . his martyrdome . bertrand . an heroical act . courage . cruelty . barbarous cruelty . admirable patience . a special providence . zurich . thirty taken at a sermon . james faber his excellent answer . o● ●urnay godfride . courage . a minister poisoned . in lile . christian charity . robert oguire and his 〈◊〉 carried to prison . baudizon . joy in tribulation . they are examined . an holy practice . fervent prayer they are tortured . robert and baudizon condemned . popish malice note . zeal . blasphemy . faith and courage . their martyrdome . martin and his mother . popish subtilty . humane frailty . recovery . joy in tribulation . faith and patience . tentation . resisted . their martyrdome . charles coninck tentation resisted . ●ods judgement on a persecutor . barbarous cruelty . don fredericks cruelty to zutphen . at naerden . treachery . the siege of harlem . a famine . the town surrendred . popish perfidiousnesse . a minister hanged . another beheaded . barbarous cruelties . valenciennes besieged . popish perfidiousnesse and cruelty . john herwin . a special providence . his conversion herwin imprisoned . zeale . courage . constancy . vincit veritas . popish malice ▪ and subtilty . flight refused . thanks for sufferings . tentation resisted . zeale . whence persecution ariseth . his martyrdome . john de boscane ▪ his cruel martyrdome . john de buisons beheaded in prison . the church of antwerp persecu●ed . bartholomews constancy . the church of rome a glorious strumpet . scoblant , john hues , joris coomans . joy in tribulation . faith ▪ his excellent speech . scoblants martyrdome . john hues died in prison . courage . joris his martyrdome . giles , and john annik . a special providence . their martyrdome . lewis meulin . a widow charity . her martyrdome . christopher gauderin . his conversion . his imprison●ent . vincit veritas . mans life but two days . prayer . his zeale . his faith . martyrdome . admirable constancy . giles de meyer his imprisonment . his constancy . popish malice and cruelty . his martyrdome . peter coulogue and betkin his maid . their torments . prayer . gods judgement on a persecutor . their martyrdome . a great persecution . the prince proscribed . joanville suborned to kill him . popish subtilty . a special providence . beltazar gerard suborned to kill him . the prince his death . abominable villanies . magdenburg burnt . cruelties used there . cruelties at hoxter . griphenburg . heidleberg . frankendal . saxony . pomeren . horrible cruelties . blasphemy . a minister killed with a cat. magdenburg . rapes and ravishings . bazil merchan●s murthered . a minister murthered . the crabbats eat infants . a comet . a blazing star . and two armies . water turned to blood . three suns . two armies . two swords , and two armies . three suns and th●ee rainbows . trees dropt blood . blood on houses and stone-walls , and sickles . it rained blood . two armies . a strange tempest . a fight of jackdaws . two armies . water turned into blood . a monstrous c●●ld . two armies . bloody bread . a fish-pond turn'd to blood it rain'd blood & brimstone . a battel of birds & dogs john clark. a mother encourageth her sonne . zeale . his torments . his martyrdome . mr. castellane . popish hypocrisie . his martyrdome . james panane . dennis de reux john de cadurco a special providence . five burnt at paris . alexand. canus john pointer . peter gaudet . popish treachery . john cornor . martin gonin . claudius . popish treachery . stephen brune . a special providence . note . an excellent speech . john de beck . aymund de lavoy . flight refused . courage . his torments . prayes for his enemies . his martyrdome . francis bribard william husson . his martyrdome . james cobard . fourteene martyred . peter chapot . zeale . vincit veritas . humane infi●mity . a cruel law . a● creeple martyred . zeale . his martyrdome . stephen polliot . john english. michael michelote . faith , and courage . treachery . seven martyrs . four martyrs . blondel . popish malice . courage . charity . humane infirmity . recovery . hubert . florent venote . cruelty . a miracle of mercy . henry the second . his martyrdome . anne audebert courage and comfort at death . a tailor . admirable courage . popish pride . popish subtilty gods judgements on persecutors . claudius . thomas . zeale . cruelty . an excellent spirit . peter bergerius an admirable example . three godly men . note . matthew dimonet a persecutor converted . tentation resisted . simon laloe . an hangman converted . nicholas naile . popish cruelty . peter serre . charity . treachery . note . admirable patience . note . a judas . courage . cruelty . zeale . a miracle . philber hamlin . zeale . apostacy . a prophesie . gods judgemen● on an apostate . nicholas of jenvile . popish treachery . blind zeal . popish malice . a special providence . popish rage and cruelty . popish lyes and slanders . satans subtilty . christian wisdom . gods merciful providence . nicholas clivet and one granvelle . popish malice . gods judgement on persecutors . courage . a christian speech . popish malice . gods mercy . tentation resisted . tentation . hum●ne infirmity . good counsel . recovery after a fall . a special providence . gods judgement on persecutors . du bourg executed . popish cruelty the church prospers under persecution . a great persecution in dauphine . popish cruelty two ministers beheaded . ar●● ecclesiae . a great conversion . popish malice . christians murthered at a sermon . slanders . a special providence . barbarous cruelty . gods judgement on persecutors . persecution in paris . at senlis . a special providence . at chaalons . mr. fournier . faith. popish cruelty a special providence . a special providence . his delivery . his death . at amiens bibles burnt . at abbevilly . at meaux . abominable villanies . at troys bibles burnt . at bar. popish cruelty at crant . at sens. at auxerre . at nevers . at chastillon . at guyen . at montargis . a brave answer of the lady rene. at monlius . at mans. at anger 's . bibles burnt . horrible blasphemies . popish perfidiousnesse . a bloody edict . in ligueul . john de tour. at tours . barbarous cruelties . popish subtilty the mother and her daughter drowned . glee . vincit verit●● . joy in tribulation . tentation resisted . faith. her martyrdome . ponteou de mer impudence . marliorat hanged . at valougnes . monsieur valougnes . popish profaneness and blasphemy . at vire . at agen. at reime . at bl●is . blasphemy . a miracle . in guillac . horrid cruelties . peter domo . popish perfidiousnesse . in souraize . prodigious villanies . blasphemy . faith and patience . faith. a special providence . peter roch buried quick . two crowned with thorns . janetta calvin . at mont de marson . in tholouse . horrible cruelties . popish perfidiousness . carcasson . popish lies . at limox . abominable villany . at nonnay . blasphemy . barbarous cruelties . at foix. at aurange . horrible cruelties . perfidiousness . at grenoble . at cisterno . at beaune . at mascon . bonnet bor a godly minister barbarous cruelty . courage and constancy . his martyrdome . see this more fully in the life of the admiral at the end of this book . divellish dissimulation . sin the forerunner of persecution . the queen of navar dieth . dissimulation . the k. of navar married . the admiral shot . dissimulation . good counsel neglected . deep dissimulation . the massacre suspected . the kings commission shewed for it . the massacre begins . of merlins miraculous escape , see in my book of examples . the admiral slain . his head imbalmed , and sent to the pope . popish cruelty ten thousand slain in paris . popish lies . the river died red with blood prince of conde's zeal , and courage . divellish dissimulation . above thirty thousand massacred in three moneths the lord de la place h●s holy zeal . the lord de la place murthered . peter ramus murthered . a dutiful and loving son . two ministers murthered . hellish cruelty . an infant murthered . at meaux . two hundred protestants murthered . at troys . gods providence . prodigious wickednesse and cruelty . courage and constancy of gods people . the massacre at orleance . a noble counsellor . monstrous ingratitude . blasphemy . a doctor of the law. an apothecary . a cook. the reward of apostates . the patience of the saints . gods providence . popish malice and cruelty . three hundred and fifty murthered . francis de bossu and his two sons . the father encourageth his sons to die . prodigious cruelty . their grease is sold. the murtherers absolved . at angiers . hypocrisie . a minister murthered . a godly minister pistolled . and his wife murthered . at roan six thousand murthered . at tholouse . popish subtilty and cruelty . three hundred murthered . at bourdeaux . a special providence . a bloody jesuite . the lord of obiers murthered , and a minister . an holy speech gods providence . gods care of his people . a special providence . a terrible famine . two executed for eating part of their own daughter . a remarkable story . a wicked oath an admirable providence . gods judgement on a bloody persecutor . a famine . an extraordinary providence . rochel delivered . gods judgements on persecutors . gods judgement on the duke of a●jou see in my book of examples . the kings sicknesse and death . anger implacable . rochel besieged . anno a terible famine . margaret pierrone . tentation . she chooses to be burnt rather than to burne her bible . popish treachery . cruelty . a noble gentleman murthered . christ preferred before all . protestants murthered at church . at sondres . popish treachery . a special providence . a noble lady . courage , and constancy . faith. a special providence . horrible cruelties . dominico berto ▪ barbarous cruelty . a special providence . theophilus messino . constancy . tentation resisted . prodigious cruelties . a noble virgin . an excellent speech . a wicked edict . popish perfidiousnesse . courage and constancy . patrick hamilton . zeale . popish subtilty . his condemnation . constancy . his martyrdome . gods judgement on a persecutor . david straton , norman gourlay . stratons conversion . his prayer . tentation resisted . thomas forret . grosse ignorance . his martyrdom . jerome russel , alexander kennedy . humane infirmity . joy in tribulation . their condemnation and martyrdome . popish cruelty . john rogers . his character . his charity . a special providence . popis● malice . a prophesie . he goeth into the west . he is opposed by the bishop . the power of the word . his prohesie accomplished . his second ▪ coming to dundee . charity . he is in danger of being murthered . gods providence . he preserves the murtherer . he goes to montrosse . meditation . popish malice ▪ a prophesie . his fervent prayer in the night . a prophesie . he comes to leith . faith , and courage . hi● departvre from leith . popish malice . a prophesie . he goes to haddington . john knox : see his li●e in my first part . a prophesie . his apprehension by bothwell . bothwels promise . he is carried to edenburgh . bothwel falsifies his promise he is carried to st. andrews . his accusation ▪ his patience . his prayer . popish subtilty he administreth the sacrament . the cardinals feare . his prayer at death . his exhortation to the people . he prayes for his persecutors a prophesie . the cardinals pride , and carnal confidence . the castle surprized . popish uncleannesse . the cardinal slain . adam wallace . his accusation . the ministers work . his martyrdome . henry forrest . popish perfidiousnesse . his martyrdome . walter mill. popish uncleanness . his speech at death . his martyrdome . popish malice . popish lyes . the malice against the english . popish malice and cruelty . popish perfidiousnesse . prodigious ▪ cruelties many starved and strip● . horrible murthers . popish perfidiousness . an irish monster . multitudes drowned . popish treachery . a just reward . prodigious cruelties . they deny them liberty to pray . some buried alive . some were hung upon tenter-hooks . blasphemy . many had their bellies ript . children had their brains dashed out . many burned . some perish by famine . unnatural cruelties . children kill english children . some boiled in cauldrons . some had their eyes pulled out prodigious cruelties . bibles burnt . blasphemies . aposttaes murthered . constancy , and courage . gods judgements on persecutors . popish perfidousnesse . many knocked on the head a boy murthered by his master . berbarous cruelty , and impudence . many drowned . they made candles of their grease . prodigious cruelties . popish uncleannesse . their cruelty to the cattel . henry cowel . constancy . robert ecklin . a childs constancy . childrens beastly cruelty popish uncleannesse . monstrous c●ue●ty to a boy . many burnt . one hundred and fifty thousand murthe●red in ulster . gods judgements on persecutors . boys and women murderers . souldiers hanged . constancy . popish perfidiousnesse . gods judgements on persecutors . some worried with dogs . the munster remonstrance . gods judgements on persecutors . apparitions at portendown b●idge . a miracle . an edict in favour of the protestants . a cruel edict . the elector palatine intercedes for them . they are cruel●y dealt with gods providence for them king of france intercede ; for them . popish malice . gods mercy . the duke favours them . satans malic● popish subtilty prevented . courage and constancy . they are favoured , but again molested . they are encouraged . their prudence . satans policy . dissembling hypocrites . they are confuted . popish policy . persecution renewed . gods providence . gods mercy . the massacre of paris . a special providence . the dukes letter to draw them to popery . their answer . a cruel edict popish subt●●ty . courage , and constancy . they are banished . popish subtilty they are forced to flie . they are forced to flie . popish subtilty . popish subtilty . humane frailty . repentance . reason ▪ why they persecuted the protestants . a bloody order . popish cruelty they go into banishment . constancy . popish cruelty popish dissimulation . popish injustice . popish subtilty . popish cruelty the protestants defend themselves . popish subtilty . barbarous cruelty . women tipt up . base cruelty . horrid cruelty . courage and constancy . popish subtilty and perfidiousnesse . a special providence . gods judgements on persecutors . many irish slaine . a special providence . his charactea a special providence . the life & death of hannibal, the great captain of the carthaginians who maintained wars against all the power of rome for eighteen years together in italy : as also the life and death of epaminondas, the great captain of the thebans ... / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life & death of hannibal, the great captain of the carthaginians who maintained wars against all the power of rome for eighteen years together in italy : as also the life and death of epaminondas, the great captain of the thebans ... / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , - , [ ] p. : port. printed for william miller ..., london : . the first part has special t.p. "licensed october , . roger l'estrange"--p. [ ]. advertisement: p. [ ] at end. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic 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instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng peterson, marvin hannibal. epaminondas b. ca. b.c. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion all that thou sees't and readest is divine : learning thus vs'd is water turn'd to wine : well may wee then despaire to draw his minde , view heere the case : i' th booke the jewell finde . the life & death of hannibal the great captain of the carthaginians , who maintained wars against all the power of rome for eighteen years together in italy . as also the life and death of epaminondas the great captain of the thebans , who was famous both for his virtues and valour . by sa . clarke sometime pastor in st bennet finck , london . london , printed for william miller at the guilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . . the life & death of hannibal the great carthaginian captain . who maintained wars in italy against the romams for eighteen years together . by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pastor in st bennet finck , london . london , printed for william miller at the sign of the guilded-acorn in st. pauls churchyard near the little north door . . licensed roger l'estrange . october . . the life & death of hannibal the great . hannibal , the son of amilcar was about tweenty six years old , when he was chosen generall of the carthaginian forces in spain . he was elected by the army as soon as asdrubal ( their late generall ) was dead , and the election was approved , and confirmed by the senate of carthage , wherewith hanno , and his faction was nothing pleased . this was now the third of the barchine famely ( so called of amilcar , whose surname was barcas ) that commanded in chief over the men of war. hanno therefore and his partizans , being neither able to tax the virtue of their enemies , nor to perform the like services to the common-wealth , had nothing left whereby to value themselves , excepting the generall reprehensions of war , and cautelous advise of not provoking the romans : but they were little regarded . for the carthaginians saw apparently , that the oath of the romans to the articles of peace , was like to hold no longer , than till the romans could find some good advantage to renew the war. it was therefore rather desired by the carthaginians , that whilst they were in a fit condition , the war should begin , rather than in some unhappy time of famine or pestilence , or after some great losse in their army or fleet , they should be driven to yeild to the impudent demands of their insulting enemies . this disposition of his citizens hannibal well enough understood . neither was he ignorant that in making war with the romans it was no small advantage to get the start of them . could he but bring his army into italy , he hoped to find friends and assistance , even from those people , that helped to encrease the armies of the romans . but his design must be carried privately , or else it would be prevented . he resolved therefore to lay siege to saguntum in spain , where he now was with his army , which might seem not greatly to concern the romans , and would highly please the carthaginians . having resolved hereupon , neverthelesse he went orderly to work , beginning with those that lay next in his way . first therefore he entered into the territory of the ol●ades , and besieging althaea , in a few dayes he became master , not only of it , but of all the other townes in their country ; and the winter coming on , he rested his army in new carthage , or carthagena , imparting liberally to his souldiers of the spoiles that he had gotten in his late conquests . in the spring he made war upon the vacc●i , and with little difficulty wan , first salamanca , and after it arbucala , though not without a long seige and much difficulty : but in his return he was put to the height both of his valour , and prudence . for all such of the va●caei that could bear armes , being made desperate by the spoile of their country , with diverse others that had escaped in the late overthrow , joyning with the toletans , made up an army of one hundred thousand able men , waiting for hannibal on the banks of the river tagus . they knew that he was very adventurous , and had never turned his back upon any enemy , and therefore hoped , that having him at such an advantage , they should easily have foiled him . but at this time our great man of war , knew as well how to dissemble his courage , as at other times to make good use of it . for he withdrew himself from the river side , as seeming fearfull to passe over it , aiming thereby to draw over that great multitude from their banks of advantage . the spaniards , as hannibal expected and desired , thinking that he retreated out of feare , thrust themselves in a disordered manner into the river , to pursue him . but when hannibal saw them well neare over , he turned back his elephants to antertain them at their landing , and thrust his horsemen , both above and beneath them into the river , who by the advantage of their weapons slew almost all of those in the river without resistance , and then pursued the rest , who being amazed , fled , and so he made a very great slaughter of them . the saguntines perceiving the storme drawing near to them , hastened their ambassadours to rome , who complained that they were like to be undone , onely for their friendship to the romans . this so moved the senate , that some would have war presently proclaimed , both by sea , and land , and the two consuls sent with armies , one into spain , the other into affrick : but others went more soberly to work ( according to the roman gravity ) whereby it was concluded , that ambassadours should be sent into spain , to view the state of their confederates . these ambassadours found hannibal at carthagena , where they had conference with him , who carried himself so reservedly , that they departed , as doubtfull as they came . but whilst they were passing to and fro , hannibal prepared , not only his forces , but some roman pretences against saguntum . for the tudetani , who were neighbours to the saguntines , complained to him of sundry wrongs that they had received from them of saguntum : probably hannibal himself had hatched some of them . having therefore such an occasion , he sat down with his whole army before saguntum . the romanes were glad of the quarrel , as hoping that carthage , with all belonging thereto , would in short space become their own . yet were they not hasty to threaten before they were ready to strike ; but meant to temporize untill they had an army in readinesse to be sent into spain , where they intended to make saguntum , the seat of war. in the beginning of hannibals siege , his carthaginians were much discouraged by reason of the brave sallies which the saguntines made upon them , in one of which hannibal himself received a dangerous wound in the thigh that made him unable to stir for many dayes . yet in the meantime he was not unmindfull of his businesse , but gave order to build certain movable towers that might equall those upon the city walls , and to prepare to batter the curtaines , and to make a breach . these being finished and applied , had soon wrought their desired effect . a large breach was made by the fall of some towers , whereat a hot assault was given : but it was so gallantly defended by the besieged , that the carthaginians were not only beaten from the breach , and out of some ground within the city , which in the first fury they had wan , but they were pursued even to their own trenches and camp. yet at length the carthaginian army ( wherein were one hundred and fifty thousand men ) did so tire out the townsmen by their continuall allarms ▪ that at length it gat into the town , and had been masters of it , but that they were hindred by some counter-works which the besieged had raised . in this extreamity there was one alcon , that came out of the city to treat with hannibal , who would give no other tearmes but these hard ones , that they should deliver up to him all the gold , silver , and plate , and other riches which they had in the city ; that the citizens should leave the city , and take up such other habitations as he should appoint them ; neither should they carry any more out with them , save the cloaths on their backs . these tearmes seemed so unreasonable to alcon , that he durst not returne into the city to propound them to the citizens . yet might they far better have submitted thereto , how hard soever , because thereby they might have saved their lives , and the honour of their wives and daughters , whereas , the city being shortly after taken by storm , they saw their wives and daughters defloured before their faces , and all put to the sword that were above fourteen years of age . the treasures found in saguntum , which were very great , hannibal reserved , therewith to pay his army . the slaves , and other booty , he divided amongst his souldiers , reserving some choise things , wherewith to present his friends at carthage , to encourage them to the war. this news exceedingly vexed the romanes , being angry at their own slownesse to send help to saguntum , which held out eight moneths , looking still for succour , but in vain . then did the romanes send ambassadors to carthage , to demand whether this act were done by their consents , or whether it were hannibals presumption alone ? if they granted the former , they were to give them defiance . answer was made them in the senate of carthage by one of the senators , to this effect . that by this message the commonwealth of carthage , was urged to plead guilty , or not guilt : that it belonged to them to call their own commanders in question , and to punish them according to their faults ; but to the romanes to challenge them if they had done any thing contrary to their late league and covenant . it s true ( said this speaker ) that in our negotiations with luctatius your ambassador , the allies of both nations were comprehended , but the saguntines were not then your allies , and therefore no parties to the peace then made : for of your allies for the future , or of ours , there was no question : as for the last agreement between you and asdrubal , wherein you will say that the saguntines were comprehended , it s you that have taught us how to answer that particular . for whatsoever you found in the treaty , between us and luctatius , to your disadvantage , you said it was his presumption , as promising those things for which he had no commission from your senate : if then it be lawfull for you to disavow the actions of your ambassadors and commanders , concluding any thing without precise warrant from you ; the same liberty may we also assume , and hold our selves no way bound in honour to performe the contract that asdrubal made for us , without our command , and consent . in conclusion , the carthaginian senate moved the romane ambassadors to tell them plainly the purposses of those that sent them ? whereupon q. fabius , gathering up the skirt of his gown , as if somthing had been in the hollow thereof , made this short reply ; i have herein my gown-skirt both peace and war ; make you ( my masters of the senate ) election which you will have . all answered , even which of them you have a fancy to offer us . then ( quoth fabius ) take war , and share it amongst you . which all the assembly willingly accepted . war being thus proclaimed , hannibal resolved not to put up his sword which he had drawn against the saguntines , till he had therewith opened his passage to the gates of rome . so began the second punick war ; indeed second to none that ever the people of rome met with . hannibal wintered at carthag●na , giving license to his spanish soldiers to visit their friends , and refresh themselves against the spring . in the mean while he gave instructions to his brother asdrubal for the government of spain in his absence . he also took order to send many troops of spaniards into africk , to supply the roomes of those affricans which he had drawn into spain , as also that the one nation might remain as pledges for the other . he selected also four thousand foot , all young men , and persons of quallity , out of the best citties of spain ▪ which were to be garisoned in carthage it self , not so much to strengthen it , as that they might serve for hostages ▪ he also left with his brother , to guard the costs , and ports , fifty seven gallies , whereof thirty seven were ready armed . of africans and other nations , strangers , he left with him above twelve thousand foot , and two thousand horse , besides one and twenty elephants . having thus taken order for the defence of spain and africk , he sent some to discover the passages of the pyrenaean mountaines that part spain from france ; and of the alps , that part france from italy . he sent ambassadors to the inhabitants of the pyrenes , and to the gauls to obtain a quiet passage , that he might bring his army intire into italy . these being returned with good satisfaction ; in the begining of the spring he passed over the river of iberus with an army of ninety thousand foot , and twelve thousand horse . all those parts of spain which had not before been entered , he now subdued ; and appointed one hanno to governe spain on the east side of iberus , with whom he left ten thousand foot , and one thousand horse . when he came to the borders of spain , some of his spanish soldiers returned home without asking leave ; which , that others also might not attempt , he courteously dismissed such as were willing to be gone : hereby the journey seemed the lesse tedious to such as accompanied him voluntarily . with the rest of his army , consisting now but of fifty thousand foot , and nine thousand horse , he passed the pyrenes , and entered into gaul ( now france : ) but he found the gauls bounding upon spain ready in armes , to forbid his entrance into their country ; but with gentle speech , and rich presents , which he sent to their leaders , he wan them to favour his expedition . so without any other molestation , he came to the banks of rhodanus , where dwelt on each side of the river a people called volcae . these being unacquainted with the cause of his coming , sought to stop his passage over the water : but he was greatly assisted by those of vivarets , and lionois : for though many of them had transported themselves , and their goods into daulphine , thinking to defend the banks against him ; yet such as remained , being willing to free their country from such unwelcome guests , they helped him to make boats : informed him of a better passage higher up the river , and sent him guides . when his boats were ready , he sent hanno the son of bomilcar , up the river to the foard , and himself in the mean time made a shew of entering the foard below , that hanno charging the gauls on their own side , and himself at the same time passing the river in their faces , might win the further bank , which was done accordingly , though with some difficulty , and thereby the enemies were dispersed . having passed this first brunt , and overcome both the rage of the river and those that defended it , he was visited by the princes of the cisalpine-gauls , that inhabited piemont , and milan , who had lately revolted from the romanes . these informed him that the passage over the alps was not so difficult as report made it , and gave him guides , with many other encouragements . yet found he himself extreamly encombred by the savoyards , and lost more of his carriages and carthaginians than he could well spare . for he was twice strongly assaulted by them before he could recover the plaines on the other side . he was fifteen dayes passing over the alps , wherein , besides the trouble of his enemies , he was much assaulted by foule weather , and snow , it being now the begining of winter . but the fair and fertile plaines which they now were entring into , with the assistance , and encouragment of the cisalpine gauls , gave them much comfort , having nothing else of difficulty remaining , but that which from the begining they made account to overcome by their proper valour and resolution , namely the romane armies and resistance . the romane ambassadours who had denounced war at carthage , in their return homewards , took spain in their way , with a purpose to draw into their alliance as many cities , and princes as they could : the first that they attempted were the volcians , from whom they received this answer : that they would never joyn with them who had forsaken the saguntines in their greatest need ; and that themselves had found the cathaginians such good neighbours , that they meant still to adhere to them . from spain the ambassadours passed through gaul , perswading them not to suffer hannibal to passe through their countery , and gloried much in their own strength : but the gauls laughed them to scorn , and had scarce patience to hear them speak : telling them that they meant not to set their own houses on fire to save the romanes from burning ; that the carthaginians had never offended them as the romanes had done , who had already forced some of them out of their habitations , and made others tributaries , who were as free as themselves . with these unpleasing answers the ambassadours returned home ; carrying no good newes of friends like to help them , but rather that the gauls intended to take part with their enemies . and accordingly when the cisalpine-gauls heard that the carthaginians had passed iberus , and were marching towards rome , the b●ij , and insubrians rose up against the romans : their quarrel was the late planting of roman colonies at c●emona , and placentia , within their territories . relying therefore upon the carthaginian succour , which they thought to be at hand , laying aside all regard of those hostages , that they had lately given to the romans , they fell upon those colonies . the towns they could not win , but they forced the romane comissioners , which were abroad , to fly into modena , where they besieged them . but the gauls , having little skill in besieging cities , grew weary , and were desirous of peace : this they did on purpose to draw on some meeting , that laying hands on the romane deputies , they might with them redeem their hostages ; and it fell out in part according to their wish : for ambassadours comming to them from rome to treat with them , they made them prisoners . manlius the praetor , hearing of this outrage , marched with his army to relieve the besieged . but the gauls laid an ambush in his way , that falling upon him , utterly routed him , and slew most of his army except a few that escaped into a defensible place upon the river po. this being heard of at rome , c. atilius , the other praetor , hasted with an other army to relieve the besieged . but as the gauls were too hasty , so the romans were too slow in the begining of this war. for they could not believe that carthage , which had almost servilely endured so many indignities from them in the late peace , durst be so bold on a suddain as to attempt the conquest of italy itself . wherefore they appointed one of their consuls to make war in spain , and the other in africk . titus sempronius went into africk , with one hundred and sixty gallies of five to an oare , which preparations seemed to threaten carthage her self . p. cornelius scipio , the other consul , hasted towards spain , and by the way , touching at massilia , he was there informed , that hannibal had passed the river rhodanus , whom he had thought to have found busy in spain . hannibal also heard of the consuls arrivall , with whom he meant to have nothing to do . yet both sent forth scouts , hannibal sent out five hundred numidians , and scipio three hundred of his best horse ▪ they met , and fought , and the romans had the better of it . but when scipio drew neer , thinking to have me● with the carthaginians , he found that they were gone three dayes before with an intent to see the walls of rome . scipio hereupon sent his brother cn. cornelius scipio into spain , with the greatest part of the army against asdrubal , and himself with the choisest returned ba●k , and landing at pisa , he marched through tuscany , and lumbardy , where he drew together the broken bands of manlius , and atilius , who were lately beaten by the gauls , intending therewith to oppose the enemy , thinking to find them tired with their long journey . five moneths hannibal had spent in that tedious march from carthagena . when he had passed rhodanus , he had in his army but thirty eight thousand foot , and eight thousand horse , the rest having perished with diseases , enemies , rivers , and mountaines , having newly passed the alps , and scarce refreshed his wearied army in piemont , he sought the friendship of the taurini , who being at this time in war with the insubrians , ( his good friends ) the taurini refused it ▪ whereupon he besieged their chiefe town , and in three dayes wan it , the spoil whereof did much incourage his army , and the others calamity terrified their neighbours . most of those parts would willingly have joyned with hannibal , but when the consul scipio came amongst them , they began to be better advised ▪ this wavering affection amongst the people , made the generals to hasten to a battel . their meeting was a● tie●nun● [ now pavia ] where each of them wondred at the others expedition . the senate at rome were much amazed at hannibals arrival in italy : wherefore they sent presently to sempronius , and the other consul , now in sicily to give him notice of it , and to require him speedily to return with his army for the safegard of italy , which accordingly he did . scipio and hannibal were now so near , that fight they must ere they could part , and therefore each of them encouraged their souldiers by the best arguments they had : hannibal assuring his men that there was no mean betwixt victory and death . when the armies approached near each to other , scipio sent forth his horsemen of the gauls to begin the fight , lining them with his darters for their assistance ; himself with his men at armes followed slowly in good order . the gauls , being in their generals sight , behaved themselves gallantly , and were as bravely opposed ; but their darters at the very first , ran cowardly away without casting a dart , for fear of being trodden down by the enemies horse . yet did the gauls maintain it stoutly , and did more hurt than they received : neither was scipio unmindfull to relieve them ; wherefore he adventured himself so far , that he received a dangerous wound , and had there perished if his son ( afterwards called africanus ) had not brought him off . whilst the romans were busy in helping their consul , an unexpected storm assailed them at their backs : hannibal had appointed his numidian horsemen to charge the romans in their flank , and to compass them about , whilst he , with his men at arms sustained their charge , and met them in the face . the numidians preformed it well , cutting in pieces the scattered foot that ran away at the first encounter , and then falling on the backs of those that charged hannibal ▪ by this impression the romans were shu●●ed together and routed , betaking themselves to their heels , and leaving to their enemies the honour of the day . scipio perceiving how things were like to goe , almost stole the retreat with most of his footmen yet unbroken , and recovered the bridge over ticinus ▪ but notwithstanding his hast , he lost six hundred of his men which brought up his reare , and should have broken down the bridge . it was two dayes after , ere hannibal could passe the river : scipio in the mean time refreshing his men , and easing himself of his wound in placentia : but when hannibal presented them battel again , and they durst not accept of it , the gauls , which before assisted the romans out of fear , took courage and left them , and thinking that now the time was come for the recovery of their liberty , that night they fell upon the roman camp , wounded and slew many , especially of those that kept the guard , with whose heads in their hands , they fled over to the carthaginians , and presented their service : hannibal received them exceeding courteously , and sent them to their own homes that they might preswade the rest of the nation to become his confederates . the same night the consul stole a retreat as he had done before , but not with the like successe : for hannibal had an eye upon him , and ere he was gone far , he sent his numidians after him , and himself followed with the body of his army . then had the romans received a great blow , but the numidians , greedy of prey , fell to ransacking their camp , and thereby gave them liberty of escaping , only some in the reare were either slain or taken prisoners . scipio being unable to travel by reason of his wound , and judging it meet to stay for the coming of his fellow consul , entrenched himself strongly upon the banks of the river trebia ; which so diminished his reputation , that every day more of the gauls fell to hannibal , amongst whom came in the boij , that brought with them the roman commissioners : hitherto they had keept them as pledges wherewith to recover their own hostages ▪ but now they delivered them to hannibal as tokens of their affection to him . hannibal being in great want of victuals , he attempted the taking of clastidium , wherein the romans had laid all their store , and amunition , and a brundusian , that had the keeping of it surrendred it to him for a little money . the newes of these disasters coming to rome , filled the senate , and people with a desire of revenge , their foot wherein their greatest strength lay , being yet entire : they therefore hasted away sempronius with his army , who by speedy marches came to scipio upon the banks of trebia . the consuls took counsel what was fittest to be done , now that their armies were conjoyned : sempronius , was eager to fight before scipio recovered of his wound , that he might get the whole glory of the victory : he also feared the election of new consuls , his time being almost expired : but scipio perswaded the contrary by many arguments : yet would not sempronius be taken off , wherewith hannibal was exceedingly pleased , who feared nothing so much as delayes . to further the desire of sempronius , the gauls that inhabited near to trebia , complained of injuries done to them by the carthaginians . indeed they neglected to supply hannibal with necessaries , and therefore he was bold to be his own carver . hereupon sempronius sent forth a thousand horse , which coming unlooked for upon hannibals forragers , who were heavy laden , they cut many of them in pieces , and chased the rest even to their camp. this indignity made the carthaginians to sally out , who caused them to retire faster than they came : sempronius relieved his own men , and hannibal did the like : so that at length the roman army was drawn forth , and battel offered , if the carthaginians had not refused it . this victory ( for so the consul would name it ) made the romans very desirous to try it out in open field , notwithstanding scipios diswasion from it . this hannibal was informed of by the gauls that were in the roman camp : therefore he resolved to secure the victory by adding a stratagem to his fortes . he found in a hallow place overgrown with reeds , a fit trench to cover an ambush : therein he cast his brother mago with a thousand choise horse , and as many foot. the rest of his army , when he had well fed , and refreshed them , he led into the field and marched towards the consuls . early in the morning he had sent over the river some numidian horsmen to brave the enemy , and draw him forth to a bad dinner before he had broken his fast. sempronius readily embraced the oportunity of fighting , and forthwith sent over the river , in a miserable cold day , his footmen , who were almost to the armeholes , which together with the wa●t of food , did much enfeeble them : the romans were strong in foot , having in all thirty six thousand : the masse of those were ranged in a grosse battalion , guarded on the flanks with three thousand horse , thrusting their light-armed and darters in loose companies before the rest in the nature of a vau●●guard . the carthaginians equalled them in foot , and exceeded them in horse : when therefore the roman horse were broken by the numidians : when their foot were charged , both in front and flank , by the spaniards , gauls , and elephants , and when all were pressed in the rea●e by mago and his men out of the ambush , then fell the romans by heaps under their enemies swords , and were beaten down as well fighting as flying , so that of thirty six thousand , there escaped no more than ten thousand of all sorts . the remainder of this broken army was collected by scipio , who got therewith into placentia , stealing away the same night , which was very rainy . sempronius e●caped with great danger , and fled to rome , where he did his office in choosing new consuls for the year following , and then returned to his province with a fresh supply against hannibal . the winter proved very sharp , and unfit for service , which well pleased the romans , who lay warme in placentia , and cremona . yet did not hannibal suffer them to lie very quiet , but vexed them with continual alarms , assaulting divers places , and taking some . he also wan the lygurians to him , who , to testifie their faithfull love , presented him with two roman questors , [ treasure●s , ] two collonels , and five young gentlemen , the sons of senators . these and all his other prisoners , hannibal held in streight places , loaden with irons , and misserably fed . but their followers he intreated courteously , and sent them to their own countries without ransome , protesting that he undertook the war in italy to free them from the oppression of the romans . by these meanes he drew many to his party , and assistance . but some of the gauls , fearing that their country should be made the seat of war , conspired against his life : others discovered the danger to him , who yet , soon after , were ready to practice the same ▪ which enforced h●●nibal to use perukes and false beards the better to conceal himself from them . at length when summer was come , he resolved to leave these giddy companions and so passed the appeni●● hills that he might approach nearer to rome . so away he went having his army much recruted with ligurians and gauls ; and to prevent the obstructions in the ordinary way , he chose to travel through the fennes of tuscany . in those marshes and bogs he lost all his elephants save one , with one of his own eyes , through the moistnesse of the aire , and by lodging on the cold ground : yet at last with much ado , he recovered the firme and fertile plaines , and quartered about arretium , where he somwhat refreshed his weary army , and heard newes of the romane consuls . c. flaminius and cn. servilius , were newly chosen consuls for this year : the first a tractable man , wholly governed by the senate ; the other a hotheaded man , who fearing some obstruction , gat him out of the city before the day of election , that he might , as soon as he was chosen , take possession of his office : fearing least he should lose his honour , which he hoped to gain in the war. the senators were so displeased at this , that they sent for him back ; but he neglected their command , and hasted to meet with the carthaginians , whom he found at arretium . hannibal was well pleased with the fiery disposition of this consul : and therefore provoked him by many indignities , hoping thereby to draw him to fight , ere servilius came with the rest of the army . for which end he put to fire and sword all the country round about him , even under the consuls nose . by this flaminius thought his honour to be much empaired , and therefore advanced towards the enemy . many advised him to stay for his colleague , but he would not be perswaded : then he commanded the army to march . all the territory of cortona as far as to the lake of thrasymene was on a light fire , which , whilst flaminius thought to quench with his enemies bloud , he pursued hannibal so unadvisedly , that he fell , with his whole army into an ambush : from thence he was charged unaware from all sides , so that he knew not which way to turne , nor how to make resistance . there was he slain in that place , accompanied with the carcasses of fifteen thousand of his countrymen : about six thousand of his vantguard took courage out of desparation , and breaking through their enemies , they recovered the tops of the mountains : but being discovered there , maharbal was sent after them , who overtook them by night in a village , and surrounded them with his horse , and so they yielded , rendering up their armes upon promise of life and liberty . this accord hannibal refused to confirme , and so made them all prisoners . at this time he had about fifteen thousand prisoners : all that were not romans he set free without ransome , still portesting , that for their sakes he came into italy : but the romans he kept in streight prison , and held them to hard meat . presently after the battell of thrasymene , c. sempronius , with four thousand horse came neere to hanaibals camp. he was sent from ariminum by servilius , the other consul , to encrease the strength of flaminius , but coming too late , he only encreased the misadventure . hannibal sent out maharbal to intercept him , who finding them amazed at the ill newes of the late losse , charged , and brake them , killing almost half of them , and drew the rest simply to yeild to mercy . servilius hearing of the overthrow and death of his colleague , hasted to rome for the defence of it . greatly were the romans amazed at these disasters , and their aproaching danger . wherefore they had recourse to a remedy which had been long out of use , and that was , to choose a dictator , whose power was above the consuls , and scarcely subject to the controll of the whole city : and now they chose q. fabius maximus , the best reputed man of war in the city , and fabius chose m. minutius rufus , master of the horse , who was as the dictators leiutenant . the first act of fabius was the reformation of somewhat that was amisse in matter of religion : then were the walls and towers of rome repaired , and fortified , the bridges upon rivers were broken down , and all care taken for the defence of rome it self . four legions the dictator raised in hast , and from ariminum he received the army which servilius had conducted thither . with these he marched apace after hannibal , not to fight , but to affront him . he always lodged upon high grounds , and of hard accesse , knowing that the roman horse were far inferior to the numidians . hannibal in the mean while pursued his victory , and ranged over all the countries , using all manner of cruelty towards the inhabitants , especially those of the roman nation , of whom he put all to the sword that were able to bear armes . passing by spoletum , and ancona , he encamped upon the adriatick shores , refreshing his diseased and over-traveled army : and armed his africans , after the roman manner , and made his dispatches for carthage , presenting his friends , which were very many ) with part of the spoils that he had gotten . having refreshed his army , cured his wounded , and fed his horses , he followed the course of the adriatick shore towards apulia , a northern province of the kingdom of naples , spoiling all that lay in his way . yet took he not one city in all those countries . indeed he assaied spoletum , but finding it well defended , he presently gave it over . all his care was to weaken the romans in force and reputation ; knowing that when he was absolute master of the field , it would not be long before the walled cities would open their gates to him . to this end he presented fabius with battel , and provoked him with all manner o● bravado's ; but fabius would not bite : his design was to attend the carthaginians so neere as to keep them from stragling , and to preserve the country from utter spoil . thus by degrees he inured his men to dangers , and brought them first to look on the lion afar off , that at length they might adventure to sit on his taile . but minutius had a contrary disposition , and was as fiery as flaminius , taxing fabius with cowardlinesse and fear ; yet nothing moved this wary dictator : he suffered ▪ hannibal to crosse the apenni●e mountaines , and to fall upon the rich and pleasent territories of campania : fabius still keeping upon the hils , and fast grounds . when hanibal saw that he could by no means draw him to fight , and that the winter drew on , he resolved to rest his army that was loaden with spoil , in some safe and plentiful country till the spring came again . but before he could do this , he must passe along by the dictators camp , that hung over his head ▪ for there was no other way for him to get out of this fertile country which he had already wasted . but by the errour of his guid he was brought ( as it were ) into a pinfold . now began the wisdom of fabius to be admired , and aplauded , as if he had caught the carthaginians in a trap . but hannibal freed himself by a fine invention : he had gotten about two thousand kine , upon whose hornes he tied dry fagots , and in the dark night seting them on fire , he caused them to be driven up the hill. the sight was strange and terrible to the romans , and fabius himself thinking it to be a devise to circumvent him , kept within his trenches . so hannibal and his army escaped the danger , and gat into a safe country . then did he make semblance of marching towards rome , the dictator coasting him after the wonted manner ; and keeping still on the high grounds betwixt him and the city , whilst the carthaginians wasted all the plain countries , and taking geryon in apulia , he turned it into barnes and storehouses for the winter , and encamped under the broken walls . thus little was done till the dictator was called home to rome about some businesse of religion ; and when he went , he left the army in charge with minutius , the master of the horse . minutius was glad of this oportunity to shew his sufficiency . he was perswaded that the romans in plain field would beat the carthaginians , who had got the former victories by subtilty , and ambushes . all the army was of his opinion , and therefore they perferred his forwardnesse before the cold warinesse of fabius : hereupon he resolved to fight , though he had been peremtorily forbidden by the dictator , and the breach of whose command was death : but minutius thought that the honour of the victory , and love of the army , would secure him . hannibal on the other side was very glad that he should play with a more adventurous gamster : therefore he drew neer , and provoked the romans , sending forth a third part of his army to wast the country . there was a piece of high and advantageous ground between the two armies : hannibal sent two thousand horse to seize upon it : but minutius by fine force , won it from them , and encamped upon it , whereby he became a nearer neighbour to hannibal . minutius for many dayes not stirring , hannibal sent forth many of his men to fetch in harvest . this advantage minutius wisely espied , and therefore drawing forth his army , presented battel to hannibal , but he was not now in case to accept of it ; wherefore minutius sent out some against the forragers , who were scattered all over the fields , and loaden with booty , and so were easily overthrowne . it angred hannibal that he was not able to help them , but it angred him worse when the romans tooke heart to assault his trenches . but in the heat of this businesse asdrubal came from geryon with four thousand horse , which emboldned hannibal to issue forth against the romans , to whom he did not so much hurt as he had received . for this piece of service minutius was highly honoured by the army , and more cryed up by the people at rome , all judging him more worthy of command than fabius . but the dictator was not so joyfull of the newes , as angry that minutius had disobeyed his command . he said , that he knew his own place , and that he would teach the master of the horse to know it also ; and that he would make him give an account for what he had done in his absence . the people much disliked these his speeches , and made an act , that minutius should be joyned in equall authority with the dictator . before this businesse was effected , fabius seeing how things were like to go , dispatched the election of a new consul in the roome of flaminius , and having finished his businesse , went out of the city towards his army . but the newes of minutius his advancement was at the camp as soon as he , so that his lieutenant treated with him now as his colleague , asking him how they should devide their authority : fabius briefly told him , that seeing the citizens had made the master of the horse equal with the dictator , he would divide the legions with him by lot , according to the custome : minutius was ill pleased with this , for with half the army he could not work such wonders as he hoped for . yet meant he to do his best : and so taking half the army , he encamped about a mile and a half from fabius . it behoved the master of the horse to make good the opinion which had thus advanced him ; therefore he fought good occasion to fight , to which hannibal , was as forward as he . the country between them was open and bare , yet hannibal found meanes to lay an ambush in it : for the sides of the valley had many spacious caves , and hannibal in the night , thrust into them five hundred horse , and five thousand foot : and least they should be discovered , he made offer betimes in the morning to seize upon a piece of ground that lay on the other side from the caves , thereby turning all their eyes that way . minutius hoping to increase his honour as he had gotten it , sent first his light armuture , then his horse , and at length he followed in person with the legions . he was soon caught , and so invironed on all hands , that he neither knew how to make resistance , nor a safe retreate . in this dangerous case , whilst the romans defended themselves , they lost many of their best men . but fabius drew neer in good order to relieve them , and doing therein the office of a good citizen , regarding more the good of his country , than the disgrace which he had wrongfully sustained . upon fabius his approach , hannibal retired : fearing ( as he said ) to be well wet with the cloud that had hung so long upon the hil-tops . minutius forthwith submitted himself to fabius , by whose favour he acknowledged , that his life was preserved . thence forward the war went on slowly whilst fabius his dictatorship lasted , and the year following also when he had delivered up his charge to the consuls , that followed his instructions . with little pleasure did they of the poorer sort in rome hear the great commendations which were given to fabius by the principall citizens , because the war was not finished , nor much done tending thereto : and this affection was very helpfull to terentius varro in his suit for the consulship ; and farther to help him , he had a kinsman , bibius herennius , tribune of the people : he boldly affirmed that hannibal was drawn into italy , and suffered there to range at his pleasure by the noblemen ; that without a plebeian consul the war would never be ended , &c. by which perswasions the multitude were won to be wholly for terentius , to the great vexation of the nobles , who could not endure such an upstart : but nothing could hinder the choise of terentius : wherefore the nobles , ( to ballast this hot-headed man ) set up l. aemilius paulus , a gallant man and a brave captain , to stand for the other consuls place , and he easily carried it . these new consuls , varro , and paulus , omitted no diligence in preparing for the war , wherein , though varro made the greater noise , boasting what wonders he would do if he could but once see hannibal , yet the care , and prudence of paulus did tend much more towards the effecting of it . he wrote to the two old consuls to forbear fighting , and yet to ply the carthagians with daily skirmishes , and so to weaken them by degrees , that when he and his fellow consul came with the new army , they might find the four old legions well accustomed to the enemy , and the enemy well weakned . these new consuls raised an army of above eighty thousand foot , and six thousand horse . hannibal all this while lay at geryon , where all his provision , and store was . the romanes , to be neer him , lodged about canusium , laying up most of their provisions in the castle of cannae . this place hannibal wan , and thereby not only furnished himself , but compelled his enemies to want many necessaries : hereby he also enabled himself to stay in that open country , fit for the service of the horse . of this mishap when servilius had informed the senate , it then seemed needfull to them to adventure a battell with the carthaginian , rather than to suffer him thus to root himself in italy . when all things were ready in the city , and the season of the year commodius , the two consuls , with their army set forward against hannibal . this was done with great solemnity : sacrifices and solmne vowes were made to jupiter and the other gods , for good successe and victory : and the generals were accompanied with a great number that brought them out of the city , and dismissed them with friendly leave-taking , and good wishes . these new generals arriving at the camp , dismissed m. atilius , one of the last years consuls , because of his age , and retained servilius with them , as their assistant . aemilius laboured to encourage his men , telling them , that the enemy had stole all the former victories by his ambushes ; that otherwise the romans were far beyond them in valour &c. and therefore he exhorted them to play the men and to do their best . this set them on fire to be dealing with the carthaginians , and herein varro concurred with them , longing for an oportunity to get the honour which he promised to himself , having now such a numerous army by this means the romans fell into a great inconvenience by the disagreement of of their generals ; varro would fight , and aemilius would not for the present , hoping for better advantage ere long , when the enemy should be forced to dislodge out of the plain country . the consuls command in in turnes every day . aemilius lodged six miles from hannibal where the ground was uneven . terentius the next day descended into the plaines , his colleague beseeching him to stay , but could not prevaile . he sat down neer to the carthaginian , who yet gave him but a rude welcome , and intertainment . the carthaginian horse , and light armature fell upon the roman vant-courriers , and put the whole army into a tumult , whilst it was yet in its march ; but the carthaginians were beaten off , though not without losse . the next day aemilius , who could not securely draw back the army , encamped upon the river au●●us , sending part of his forces over the river where they encamped themselves , with the rest he fortified and kept within his trenches . varro was perswaded that it concerned him in honour to make good his word to the people of rome . when therefore it was his turne to command , 〈◊〉 the break of day he began to passe the river , with●out staying to bid his colleague good morrow : but paulus came to him , labouring by all meanes to disswade him . terentius had nothing to answer but that his honour was engaged . hannibal had twice or thrice b●aved them , which must not be endured . when aemilius perceived that he could not prevaile , he was carefull that what must be done , might be done well . ten thousand foot he caused to be left behind in the camp , opposite to the carthaginians , to the intent that hannibal might be forced to do the like , or else when they were in fight , these might fall upon his camp , and take it , with all the wealth therein , which would much distract the carthaginians this done the consuls drew forth their army over the water , and ranged them in order of battell . this hannibal was very glad of , and therefore without any delay , passed over the river also , leaving in his own camp enow to defend it , and no more . to encourage his men , he told them how fit the ground was wherein they were to fight ; and that therefore they were to thank the gods who had so infatuated the enemies as to choose such a place where the stronger in horse was sure to pervail : besides ( said he ) these are the men whom you have beaten as often as you have seen them : and now you are to fight for their cities , and all the riches that are in them , and ere many houres passe ye shall be lords of all that the romans enjoy . this set his men on fire to be at it ; and at the same time came his brother mago , whom he had sent to view the countenance of the enemy , to whom he said , what newes ? what worke are we like to have ? work enough , answered mago , for they are a horrible company ; as horrible a many as they be , said hannibal , i tell thee that amongst them all , there is not one man whose name is mago , and therewith he fell a laughing , which all the souldiers also took for a good omen . in this great day the carthaginian excelled himself , expressing abundance of military skill , and of gre●tnesse of spirit , and courage . he so marshalled his army , that all hands were brought to fight , where every one might do the best service . his darters , and slingers he sent before to encounter the roman velites : his africans armed after the roman manner , made the two wings , very deep in file . between these he ranged the gauls and spaniards armed , the first with broad swords , and the other with short and well-pointed blades . the gauls were strong of body , and furious in giving the charge , but soon wearied , spending their violence at the first brunt . the spaniards were lesse eager but more wary . these hannibal caused to advance , leaving void the place wherein they had stood , and into which they might fall back , if they were over-hardly pressed . between the left batallion by the river side , were the gauls and spanish horse under asdrubal : on the right wing was maharbal with the numidian horse . hannibal himself with his brother mago , led the rear . his army this day was ten thousand horse , and fourty thousand foot : his enemies had two to one against him in foot , and he five to three against them in horse . the roman army was marshalled after their usuall manner . on the right hand were the roman horsemen under the consul paulus : on the left wing was var●o with the rest of the horse which were of the latines and other associates , and servilius had the leading of the battel . the sun was newly risen , and offended neither part , the carthaginians having their faces northward , and the romans southward . after some light skirmishes between the two forlorns , asdrubal brake in upon the consul paulus , and after a rough charge , and much execution done , the roman horse were overborn , and driven by plain force to a staggering recoil . when the battels came to joyning , the roman legionaries found work enough , and more than enough to break that body upon which at first they fell ; yet at last hannibals men were forced to a hasty retreat . but whilst the legions , following their supposed victory , rushed on upon those that stood before them ; and thereby engaged themselves deeply within the principal strength of the enemy , the two african battalions on either side , advanced so far , that getting beyond the rear of them , they almost wholly inclosed them . asdrubal having broken the troops of the roman horse , followed them along upon the river side , beating downe , and killing most of them without regard of taking prisoners . the consul paulus left his horse , and cast himself amongst the legions , as hoping by them to make good the day . but he failed of his expectation : yet did he cheer up his men as well as he could both by words , and example , slaying many with his own hands . the like did hannibal amongst his carthaginians in the same part of the battel , but with better successe . for the consul received a blow from a sling that wounded him much , and though a troop of roman gentlemen did their best to save him from further harm , yet was he so hardly laid at , that by wounds and weaknesse he was compelled to forsake his horse : whereupon all his company also allighted . hannibal being near ▪ and seeing this , said , pleasantly , i had rather he would have delivered them to me bound hand , and foot , meaning , that he had them almost as safe as if they had been so bound . all this while varro , with his associates in the left wing , was marvelously troubled with maharbal , and his numidians ; who beating up and down upon the great sandy plain , raised a foul dust , which by a strong south wind , was driven into the eyes and mouths of the romans . these using the advantage both of their number and lightnesse , wearied the consul and his followers exceedingly , neither giving nor sustaining any charge , but continually making offers and then wheeling about . yet at the first , they seemed to promise him a happy day of it . for when the battels were even ready to joyn , five hundred of these numidians came pricking away from their fellows , with their shieldes on their backs , as was the manner of those which yeilded , and throwing down their armes , yielded themselves , varro had no leasure then to examine them , but bad them to rest quietly behind his army till all was done . these crafty marchchants did as he bad them for a while , till they had oportunity to put their designe in execution . under their jackets they had short swords , and poniards , with which and other weapons that they gathered up of those that were slaine , they flew upon the hindmost of the romans , whilst all eyes were bent another way , where they did much mischief , and raised great terrour . thus hannibal in a plain ground found meanes to lay an ambush at the back of his enemies . the last blow that put an end to all , was given by the same hand that gave the first . asdrubal having routed and slain all the roman horse , save the company of aemilius that joyned themselves to the foot , did not stay to charge upon the face of the legions ▪ but , fetching a compasse , he came up to the numidians with whom he joyned , and gave upon terentius . this fearfull cloud prognosticated a dismal storme ; wherefore terentius his followers , having wearied themselves much in doing little , and seeing more work towards than they were like to sustain ▪ thought it their safest not how to use a victory ▪ and god had otherwise determined . when hannibal had sacked the roman camps , and trused up the spoils , he dislodged and marched away to samnium , finding a disposition in many people thereabouts to forsake the romans , and to make aliance with him . the first town that opened their gates to him , was cossag , where he laid up his baggage ; and leaving his brother mago to take in other p●aces , he hastened into campania . he dismissed all his prisoners that were not romans , without ransome ; whereby he won the affections of most of the common people in italy , to incline to him . he also gave leave to his roman prisoners to send to rome to procure their ransome , with whom he sent carthal● ▪ the general of his horse , to see how rome stood affected to peace . the senate commanded carthal● to depart out of their territories , and refused to redeem their prisoners ; probably , because they wanted mony wherewithall to do it . campania is a most pleasant and fruitfull country , and capua , the chief city in it , rich and wealthy , the citizens despised now the unfortunate virtue of the romans , and sent ambassadours to hannibal with whom these articles were agreed upon : that the campans should be absolutly free , and governed by their own lawes : that no citizens of theirs should be subject to any carthaginian magistrate in war or peace ; and that hannibal should deliver to the campans three hundred roman prisoners , such as themselves should choose , whom they might exchange for their gentlemen that were hostages with the romans . then did hannibal hasten towards capua , leaving naples that he had thought to take in by scalado , but found the walls too high , and himself not fully furnished for a siege . at capua he was intertained with great solemnity and pomp ; all the town being so earnestly in love with their new guests that they murthered all the romans that at present they could come by . the same course with these of capua , ran the other cities thereabout , except nola , nu●eria , naples , cassili●e , and acenae , which yet stood out for the romans . rome it self was in great fear of hannibals coming at the first report of the overthrow at cannae ▪ and the grief of that losse was so generall ▪ and immoderate , that it much hindred their provision against apparent danger . all the senators found work enough to quiet the peoples lamentations . courriers were sent forth to bring them certain tidings how things went , whereof when letters from the consul varro had fully informed them , they were so amazed , that they ran into barbarous superstition , and by the advise of their southsayers ▪ they buried two men , and two women alive in the ox-market . ambassadours also were sent to the oracle at delphi , to enquire with what prayers and supplications they might pacifie the gods , and obtain an end of their calamities . in the midst of these extremities they called home their consul terentius that he might name a dictator , and all sorts of people went forth to meet him , and welcome him home , which was done to hold up their reputation . m. junius was chosen for the dictator , and t. sempronius master of the horse . these fell presently to the ●●ustring of forces , and raised four legions and a thousand horse , yet were they faign to take some that were very 〈◊〉 , and they encreased their number by adding to them eight thousand sturdy slaves , to whom liberty 〈◊〉 promised if they would deserve it by their manly service : the dictator also proclaimed , that ▪ whosoever were in debt and could not pay it , or that had committed 〈◊〉 capitall offence , should be pardoned if they would 〈◊〉 in the war ▪ 〈◊〉 to arme these they were faign to take down out off their temples the spoiles of their enemies ▪ 〈…〉 had been there 〈◊〉 . the dictator having dispatched all needfull businesses in the city , took the field with twenty five thousand men , with whom he marched into campania , and did little more then to keep hannibal from spoiling the country . marcellus , one of the roman praetors , lying at o●ti●a with a legion and fifteen hundred souldiers newly taken up , with whom he should have gone into sicily , hearing of the overthrow at cannae , sent his new livied men to rome for the defence of it , and with his legion marched to nola to help the citizens there : hannibal had many friends in nola amongst the common people , and therefore brought his army thither ▪ and on a day seeing the walls unmanned , he bad his souldiers bring their l●dders and scale them : but whilst they did it , and were in confusion , marcellus with his men , issued out at three severall gates , and set upon the carthaginians , expecting no such thing , and did such execution amongst them , that this was accounted a victory , and reputed the bravest act in all those wars , from whence they concluded that hannibal might be overcome . from thence hannibal went to acerrae , where being refused entrance , he laid seige to it on every side , wherewith the citizens being terrified , before his works were finished , they stole out by night , and left the town empty ; which hannibal sackt and burnt , then hearing that the dictator was about cassiline , thith●● went he , but found him not ; only many companies of the roman confederats were gotten into the town , and kept it : the citizens were affected to hannibal , and would faign have been free from there guests , who finding their intent , in a night slew all the citizens , and fortified a part of the city against the enemy . hannibal gave diverse assaults to it , but was still repelled with losse , and many sallies they made with variable successe : hannibal mined , and they countermined , so that he was thriven to enclose them , that he might win it by famine . t. sempronius gracchus , master of the horse lay up the river with the roman army , and would faign have relieved the besieged , but durst not venture . barrels of corn he sent floating down the river to relieve them , which , being discovered , came into hannibals hands . gracchus cast abundance of nuts into the stream , which faintly sustained the besieged . at length when all their food was spent , and whatsoever green thing grew under the walls , the carthaginians plowed up the ground , and the besieged presently sowed it with rape-seed . hannibal admired their patience , and said , that he meant not to stay there till the rapes were grown , and therefore , whereas he had intended to have made them an example for their obstinacy , he was now content to grant them their lives upon an easie ransome , and so quietly dismissed them . the time of the year now being come , hannibal retired into capua , where he wintered , and where ( as some say ) his army was corrupted with the pleasures and plently there , and made more effeminate than before . about this time hannibal sent his brother mago to carthage with the joyfull newes of this great victory . he told the carthaginian senate , with how many roman generals his brother had fought , how many consuls he had chased , wounded , or slain . how the romans , who never used to shun a battel , were now grown so cold that they thought their dictator fabius the only good captain . that not without reason their spirits were thus abated , since hannibal had slain above two hundred and six thousand of them , and taken above fifty thousand prisoners . he told them how many states in italy followed the fortune of those great victories . he told them that the war was even at an end , if they would follow it close and give the romans no time of breathing . he wished them to consider that the war was carried into an enemies country , that so many battels had diminished his brothers army , that the souldiers that had deserved so well , ought to be well rewarded , and that it was not good to burden their new italian friends with exactions of mony , corn , &c. but that these must be sent from carthage . lastly he caused the gold rings , taken from the fingers of the roman knights that were slain , to be powred out before them , which being measured , filled three bushels . this errand of mago for the present found extraordinary good welcome ; and large supplies were voted to be sent to him : but his old enemy hanno , obstructed them , and the too much parsimony , of the citizens was the cause that there was very little done , and that which was done came too late . however , mago brings the news of the great supply which was decreed to be sent ; which much rejoyced hannibal and his new confederats . the spring drew on when the supply was expected , but there came no more than a few elephants , and hannibal was forced to rest contented with them . then did he take the field , and sought to make himself master of some good haven town that might serve to intertain the carthaginian fleet when it should arrive with the supplies . for this end he sent himilco , who by the help of his good friends the brusians , won petilia ; he won also concentia and crotan , and the city of locri , and many other places ; only the town of rhegium , over against sicily , held out against him . the romans at this time were in such a case , that hannibal with a little help from carthage , might have reduced them to great extremity . but his own citizens suffered him to languish with expectation of their promised supplies , which being still deferred from year to year , caused as great opportunities to be lost● as a conquerer could have desired . but whatsoever hannibal thought , he was faign to apply himself to his italian friends , and to feed them with hopes ▪ and to trifle away his time about nola , naples , cumae , &c. being loath to weaken his army by a hard siege ; that was to be reserved for a work of more importance . many offers he made upon nola , but alwayes with bad successe . once mercellus fought a battel with him there , under the walls of the city , having the citizens to assist him , wherein hannibal lost a thousand men ; which was no great marvil , his forces being then divided , and imployed in sundry parts of italy at once . at this time t. sempronius gracchus , and q. fabius maximus , the late famous dictator , were chosen consuls . but fabius was detained at rome about matters of religion , or superstition rather , wherewith the city was commonly , especially in the times of danger , very much troubled , so gracchus alone , with a consular army , waited upon hannibal amongst the campanes , not able to meet him in the field , yet attentive to all occasions that should be presented . the slaves , that lately had been armed , were a great part of his followers . these and the rest of his men gracchus continually trained , and had not a greater care to make his army skilfull in the exercises of war , than in keeping it from quarrels that might arise by their upbrading one another with their base condition . gracchus at this time had a bickering with the capuans , upon whom he came at unawars , and slew above two thousand of them , and took their camp , but staid not long to rifle it for fear of hannibal , that lay not far off . by this his providence he escaped a greater losse , than he brought upon the capuans : for when hannibal heard how things went , he presently marched thither , hoping to find these young souldiers and slaves busied in loading themselves with the booty : but they were all gotten safe into cumae , which so angred hannibal , that at the earnest request of the capuans , he assailed it the next day : much labour , and with ill success he spent about this town . he raised a woodden tower , and brought it close to the walls thereby to assault it , but they within built a higher tower , whence they made resistance , and found meanes to set hannibals tower on fire , and whilst the carthaginians were busy in quenching the fire , they issued out , charged them valiantly and drove them to their trenches . the consul wisely sounded a retreat in time , or hannibal had requited them . the day following , hannibal presented battel to them , but gracchus refused it : seeing therefore no liklyhood to prevail , he raised his siege and departed . about this time fabius , the other consul , took the field , and recovered some small towns that hannibal had taken , and punished the inhabitants severely for their revolt , the carthaginians army was too small to garrison all the towns that had yeilded to them , and with all , to abide ( as it must do ) strong in the field . wherefore hannibal , attending the supply from carthage that would enable him to strik at rome itself , was driven in the mean time to alter his course of war ; and instead of making ( as he had formerly done ) a general invasion upon the whole country , he was faign to wait upon occasions , that grew daily more commodious to the enemy , than to him . when hannibal was gone to winter in apulia , marcellus wasted the country of the hirpines , and samnites ▪ the like did fabius in campania . the people of rome were very intentive upon the work they had in hand , they continued fabius in his consulship , and joyned with him cladius marcellus . of these two , fabius was called the shield , and marcellus the roman sword. the great name of these consuls , and the great preparations which they made , put the campans in fear that capua it self should be besieged , wherefore at their earnest request hannibal came from arpi , and having comforted his friends , on a sudden he fell upon puteoli , a sea-town of campania , about ▪ which he spent three dayes in vain , there being six thousand in garrison , wherefore he left it , and marched to terentum , werein he had great intelligence . in the mean time hanno made a journy against beneventum , where t. gracchus met him . hanno had with him about seventeen thousand foot , brutians , and lucans , besides twelve hundred horse , most of them numidians and moors . four hours he held the romans work ere it could be perceived to which side victory would incline . but gracchus his souldiers , which were most of them slaves , had received from him a peremptory denunciation , that this day or never they must purchase their liberty , by bringing every man an enemies head . the sweet reward of liberty was so desireable , that they feared no danger in earning it , though the cuting off their enemies heads troubled them exceedingly , which gracchus perceiving , proclaimed that they should cast away the heads , assuring them that they should have their liberty presently after the battel , if they wan they day . this made them run headlong upon the enemy , whom their disparate fury had soon overthrown , if the roman horse could have made their party good against the numidians . but though hanno did what he could , and pressed so hard upon the roman battel , that four thousand of the slaves retired to a ground of strength , yet was he glad at length to save himself by flight with two thousand horse , all the rest being either slain or taken . gracchus preformed his promise to the slaves , making them free : only on those four thousand , that went aside in the battel ▪ he inflicted this slight punishment , that as long as they served in the wars , they should eat standing , unlesse sicknesse forced them to break this order . so gracchus with his army returned into beneventum , where they newly enfranchised souldiers , were feasted in publike by the townsmen , some sitting , some standing and all with their heads covered , as the manner of such was , with white caps . this was the first battel worthy of note , that the carthaginians lost since the comming of hannibal into italy . thus the romans by degrees began to get heart , and repair their breaches , only their treasury was very empty , whereupon the people were called together , and were plainly told , that in this exigent , there must be no taking of mony for victuals , weapons , apparel , or other necessaries for the souldies , but that they must trust the commonwealth with the loan of these things till the wars were ended . this was willingly assented to , and the armies were well supplied both at home , and abroad . in the mean time the roman generals omitted no part of industry in seeking to recover what had been lost . cassiline was besiged by fabius , unto whose assistance marcellus came ▪ the town was well defended by a carthaginian garrison for a longtime , but at length , the inhabitants grew fearfull , craved a parlee , and agreed to deliver it up , so as all might have liberty to depart whither they pleased . this was consented to , yet as they were issuing out , marcellus seizing upon a gate , entred with his army and put all to the sword : only about fifty that had gotten out , ran to fabius , who saved them , and sent them to capua . hannibal was this while about tarentum , but after long expectation of having it delivered to him , he was faign to depart without it . so he went to salapia , which he intended to make his wintring place , and began to victual it . the new counsuls chosen at rome , were , q. fabius , the son of the present consul , and t. sempronius gracchus the second time . the old fabius became lieutenant to his son ; and on a time when the old man came to the camp , his son rode out to meet him . eleven of the twelve lictiors , let him passe by on hotsback , which was against the custome : but the son perceiving this , bad the last of the lictors to take notice of it , who thereupon bad old fabius alight , and come to the consul on foot : the father cheerfully did so , saying , it was my mind , son , to make tryall , whether thou didst understand thy self to be consul . altinius a wealthy citizen of arpi , came to fabius and offered to deliver the town into his hands . hannibal hearing of it , was glad , and sent for the wise and children of altinius into his camp , he examined them by torment , and being assured of the treason , he commanded them to be burnt , and seized upon all altinius his wealth . fabius shortly after came to arpi , which he took by scalado in a stormy night . five thousand of hannibals souldiers day in the town , and of the arpines there were about three thousand . these were thrust formost by the carthaginian garrison , who suspected them , and therefore thought it no wisdom to trust them at their backs . but after some little resistance , the arpines gave over the fight , and parlied with the romans , and the arpine praetor , going to the roman consul , received his faith for the security of the town , wherefore they presently made head against the garrison , yet did the carthaginians make stout resistance , till it was agreed that they should passe safely , and returne to hannibal . about this time cliternum was taken by sempronius tudi●anus , one of the roman praetors . also one hundred and twelve gentlemen of capua offered their service to c. fulvius , the other praetor , only upon condition to have their goods restored to them : which shewed that their affections were turned from hannibal to the romans . the consentines also and the thurines , which had yeilded to hannibal , when there was no appearance of those great succours which were promised from carthage , returned to their old allegiance again . others would have done the like , but that at this time hanno met with , and slew l. p●mponius , and a great multitude that followed him . hannibal in the mean time had all his care about tarentum , which if he could take , it would be very commodius for the landing of the supplies ▪ which he yet expected . long he waited for an opportunity , and at last by the help of his friends within it , he one night entered at the two gates that were opened for him , and presently made to the market place ; which the governour perceiving , fled to the port , and taking boat , got into the citadel that stood at the mouth of the haven . hannibal having gotten the spoil of the roman souldiers goods , he addressed himself against the citadel , which stood upon a peninsula , and was joyned to the town by a causway , which was fortified with a wall and a ditch . against this hannibal raised some works , hoping in a short time to take it , but whilst he was thus busied , there came in a strong supply by sea to them , which made his attempt hoplesse . the tarentins fleet lay in the haven and could not go forth by reason of the citadel , whereby the citizens were likely in a short time to suffer want : to help this , hannibal caused their ships to be drawn up , and carried through the streets , which were long and plain , and lanched them into the sea without ; which done , they so cut off all supplies , that the citadel began to suffer want . now this while the roman forces grew strong , and q. fulvius flaccus , with appius claudius , the new consuls , prepared to besiege the great city of capua , having now armed twenty three legions , though to fill them up , they had listed many boyes , and they made a law for their encouragement , that their years should go on from that time , as if they had been of lawfull age . before the roman army drew near , the capuans , through their own wretchlesnesse , began to feel want of victuals , they sent therefore to hannibal , desiring him to succour them before they were closed up , and he sent hanno with an army to supply their wants . hanno appointed them a day to bring store of carriages to convey in the provisions which he should make , but when the day came , they brought only fourty waggons , with a few pack horses . hanno was much vexed at it , and appointed them another day when they should come better provided : but in the mean while q. fulvius the consul , came privatly to beneventum , and having learned that hanno was gone abroad a forraging , he marched all night , and by the break a day , assaulted his camp , which for a long time was gallantly defended , but at last , though with great losse , he won it , in which six thousand were slain , seven thousand taken prisoners , besides a great booty that hanno had lately gotten from the roman confederats . this misadventure , and the neer approach of the roman consuls , made them of capua to send a pitifull message to hannibal , intreating him to hasten to their relief , considering how faithfull they had been to him . hannibal answered them with fair promises , and sent away two thousand horse to keep their lands from spoile , whilst himself was intent about taking the citadel , and some other towns in th●se parts . the consuls , fortifying beneventum , to secure their backs , addressed themselves to the siege of capua . many disasters befell the romans in the beginning of this great enterprise . gracchus , a brave souldiers , and lately twice consul , was slain . he was honourably interred by hannibal , some of whose straglers had slaine him , the manumissed slaves that served under him , took this opportunity to go every man whither he pleased , so that it was long ere they could be got together again . yet the consuls proceeded in their work . mago and the citizens gave them but bad welcome , sallying out , and slaying fifteen hundred of their men . neither was it long ere hannibal himself came , fought with them , and caused them to dislodge . they removed by night and went severall wayes ▪ fulvius , towards c●nn● , and claudius into lucan●a . hannibal followed claudius bin could not reach him ▪ yet by the way he met with one penula , a stout man that had the charge of neer sixteen thousand men , with him he fought , and slew him , and almost all his men , scarce a thousand of them escaping . then was hannibal informed that cneus fulvius , a roman praetor , was in apulia with about eighteen thousand men . coming to fulvius , so forward he was , that needs he would have fought with him that night . hannibal set mago with three thousand men in an ambush , then offering battel to fulvius , he soon had him in the trap , whence he was glad to escape himself , leaving all , save two thousand of his men , dead behind him ▪ these two great blowes much astonied the romans . yet when they had gathered they remainders of those armies , the consuls fell hard again to the seige of capua . at the first sitting down of the consuls they proclaimed , that whosoever would come out of capua by such a day , should be pardoned , and enjoy his estate , if not , no grace was to be expected : the capuans relying on their own strength , and the assistance of hannibal rejected this offer with scorn : and before they were wholly closed up , they sent to hannibal requesting his help : he gave them good words , and dismissed them . but he , thinking that they were well able to hold out for a long time , staid to dispatch his businesse , before he went , by which means the consuls had time enough to entrench and secure themselves . when the consulship of claudius and fulvius was expired , they were continued in their charge of the army as proconsuls , and their designe was to take capua by famine . but hannibal came before he was expected by the romans , and took one of their forts , and fell upon their camp ; the capuans also at the same time sallyed out but were beaten in again ; yet did cl●●i● in pursuing them , receive a wound , that ere long brought him to his grave . hannibal followed his businesse better and had almost taken the camp , yet at length was repelled . this extreamly angred hannibal and made him intertaine a haughty resolution , even to set upon rome , which accordingly he pursued , and because that work must be done with celerity , he caused his men to provide victuals for ten dayes ▪ and so marched forward . this newes coming to rome , they sent to acquaint their generals with it , wishing them to do what they judged best for the safety of the city . and thereupon q. fulvius took fifteen thousand choise foot ; and a thousand horse , and with them hasted towards rome . as hannibal drew neer , making wofull havock as he went , all the streets and temples in rome were filled with women , crying , and praying , rubbing the altars with their haire , the senators were all in the great market place , ready to give advice upon all emergencies . but fulvius and hannibal arrived at rome neer together . the consuls and fulvius encamped without the gate of rome , attending hannibal , who coming within three miles of the city , advanced with two thousand horse , and rode along a great way under the wals , viewing , and considering how he might best approach them . yet went he back without doing or receiving any hurt . many tumults were at this time raised in the city , and the multitude were so affrighted , that they would have run out of the gates if they could have done it with safety . the day following hannibal brought up his army and presented battel to the romans , who would have accepted it , had not a terrible shower of rain caused both the armies to return into their camps and this happened two dayes together , and the weather cleered up presently after . but hannibal , who had brought but ten dayes provision with him , could not stay any longer , he therefore made all the spoil he could in the roman territories , passing like a tempest over the country , and run towards the eastern sea so fast , that he had almost taken regiu● before his arrival was suspected . as for capua he gave it for lost , and 〈…〉 faction of hanno , which thus disabled him to relive that fair city fulvius returned back to the siege of capua , which now began to suffer want . and faign they would have sent again to hannibal but that all wayes were intercepted . the truth is , hannibal had already done his best , and now began to faint under the burden of that war , wherein ( as he afterwards protested ) he was vanquished by hanno and his partizans in the senate of carthage , rather than by any force of the romans . capua being now brought to extremity , the multitude forced the senators to consult about the delivering of it up to the romans : the bravest of the senators foresaw what the issue would be , and therefore one of them invited the rest home to supper , telling them that when they had feasted themselves he would begin to them such a health as should for ever free them from the malice of their enemies , the romans : twenty seven of the senators imbraced the motion , and when they had supped , drank poison , whereof they died : the rest , hoping for mercy , yeilded to discretion . so a gate was opened whereat a roman legion entred , disarmed the citizens , and made the carthaginians prisoners ; the senators were laid in irons ; and presently after , fulvius caused all the campane prisoners to be bound to stakes , and scourged a good while with rods , after which he struck off their heads . the like rigor fulvius used to all the towns of the campanians : most of the inhabitants , with their wives and children he sold for slaves , the rest were banished ; after which the glory of hannibal began to shine more dimme , and most of italy by the terrible example of the capuans , had a generall inclination , upon good conditions , to return to the roman side . marcellus and levinus being chosen consuls , levinus went into sicily , and marcellus was to make war with hannibal : they were busy in raising souldiers , but wanted mony extreamly ; many wayes were proposed how to supply that want . at last the consuls said , that no preswasions would be so effectual with the people , as good examples ; wherefore they propounded and it was presently resolved , that every one should bring and put into the treasury all the mony , jewels , and plate that they had , and none reserve more than one salt , and a bowle wherewith to make their offerings to the gods : as also a ring for himself : and some other small ornaments for his wife and children ; and this was accordingly done by all , with much cheerfullnesse . then went forth marcellus against hannibal , whose army was now greatly diminished by long and hard service . his credit also amongst his italian friends was much weakened by the losse of capua : this put him upon pillaging those towns which he could not keep , thinking that the best way both to enrich himself , and to pres●●● it from his enemies : but this farther alienated them from him , whereupon salapia yeilded to marcellus , and betrayed to him a gallant regiment of numidians , the very best that hannibal had . after this the consul took two cities of the samnites , wherein he slew above three thousand of hannibals men ; which hannibal could not prevent , the romans being grown stronger in the field than he . but now came newes that massanissa was at carthage , with five thousand horse , ready to set sail for spain , whither , when he came , he was to accompany asdrubal , the brother of hannibal into italy . this did not more comfort hannibal and his followers , than it terified the romans . at this time hannibal was informed that cn. fulvius , a roman prator , lay neer to herdonea , to get the town by practice : hannibal made great marches thitherward , and when he came , offered battel to fulvius , who readily embraced it . the roman legions made good resistance a while , till they were compassed round with the carthaginian horse : then fell they to rout , and a great slaughter was made of them ; fulvius , with twelve collonels , and about thirteen thousand were slain , and hannibal set herdonea on fire because it was appointed to be delivered up to the romans . marcellus hearing this , hasted thither : at venusia they met , and fought a battel from morning till the night parted them , and ended with uncertain victory . many more skirmishes they had , but none of importance . then q. fabius maximus , and q. fulvius were again chosen consuls : and fabius resolved to besiege tarentum , which if he could win , like it was that scarce any one good city would remain true to hannibal , and in the mean time he desired fulvius , and marcellus , with their army , to presse hannibal so hard that he might have no leasure to help tarentum . marcellus was glad of this opportunity , judging that no roman was so fit to deal with hannibal as himself : he followed him therefore from place to place , desiring ever 〈◊〉 come to battel , but upon unequall tearmes . hannibal only intertained him with skirmishes , meaning to keep his army intire , till asdrubal came to him . but marcellus was so importunate , that he could not be rid of him , wherefore hannibal bad his men to beat soundly this hotspur roman captain of whom he could not be rid till he had let him bloud . then followed a battel wherein hannibal had the victory , took six ensigns and slew about three thousand of the romans . marcellus rated his men exceedingly , and called them cowards , which did so shame them , that they asked pardon , and desired him to lead them forth again against the enemy . hannibal was angry to see that nothing would make them quiet , and so they fought again , and though the romans had the better of it , fighting very desparately , yet they lost so many men that they had little cause to boast of the victory : only this advantage they had , that hereby fabius got time to prosecute his siege at tarentum without disturbance . fulvius the other consul this while took in diverse towns of the hirpines , lu●uls , and volscentes , that willingly rendred themselves and betrayed hannibals garrisons to him . fabius , by the treason of a brusian captain in tarentum had the town delivered into his hands , and yet when he was entered he put all to the sword , brutians as well as others , whereby his credit was much empaired . all the riches of the town he sought out , which was very great , and sent it to the treasury at rome where there was much need of it . hannibal having gotten cleer of marcellus , fell upon those that besieged caulonia , all whom he slew or took prisoners , and then he hasted to relieve tarentum ; but when he came within five miles , he heard that it was lost . this grieved him , yet he said no more than this , the romans have also their hannibal : we have lost terentum in like sort as we got it . but lest he should seem to retreat out of fear , he encamped there four or five dayes , and thence departing to metapont , he bethought himself how to take fabius in a trap . he caused the chief of metapont to write to fabius ; offering to betray it into his hand . these letters were sent by two young men of the city , who did their errand so well , that the consul wrote back , and appointed the day when they should expect him . hannibal being glad of this , at leasure made ready his ambushes for the wary fabius ; but something hindred him from coming , and so a●l was frustrated . m. claudius marcellus , and t. quintus crispinus were chosen consuls , who had a strong desire to make war upon hannibal , assuring themselves of victory . crispinus had also a desire to make his consulship famous by taking some good town , as fulvius and fabius had done by taking of capua , and tarentum : wherefore he went and besieged locri , the best city in italy that held for the carthaginian , bringing all sorts of engins to promote the work . but hannibal was not slow to relieve the city , at whose approach , crispinus rose and retreated to his fellow consul . thither followed hannibal , to whom the consuls off●red battell : he ●●fused it , yet dayly intertained them with ●kirmishes , waiting for some advantage , and reserved his army to a time of greater imployment when his brother asdrubal should come into italy . marcellus was not well pleased with this , and therefore sought to force him to fight ; for which end , he comanded a navy by sea , and the garrison of tarentum again to besiege locri : but hannibal had an eye behind him , and by the way , laid an ambush for those of tarentum , slew three thousand of them , and made the rest to fly back into tarentum . as for the consuls , hannibals desire was to wast them by little , and little . betwixt him and them was a little hill , overgrown with bushes , amongst them he hid some numidians , willing them to attend every advantage . to this hill the consuls thought fit ro remove their camp ; thither therefore they rode to view the place , taking with them the son of marcellus , a few collonels , and other principal men , and about two hundred horse . the numidian centinel gave warning of their approach , and the other discovered not themselves till they had surrounded the consuls and their company . the consuls defended themselves hoping to be quickly releived from their camp that was neer at hand : but all their horse save four , forsook them and fled . marcellus was slain with a lance ; crispinus had his deaths wound , and young marcellus was wounded , yet got to the camp , the rest were all slain . hannibal gave an honourable funeral to marcellus , bestowing his ashes in a silver pot , covered with a crown of gold , and sent it to his son to be interred where he pleased . then icinius the roman admiral laid hard siege to locri , wherefore hannibal went thither again , but as soon as his vant-couriers appeared , the romans ran in confused heapes to their ships , leaving all their engins , and whatsoever was in their camp to hannibal . c. claudius nero , and m. livius were chosen consuls , at which time asdrubal was already come into france , and was approaching towards italy ▪ livius wold not stir against him but with a considerable army , and those of the choisest men : and claudius with an other army , was sent against hannibal . by this time newes came that asdrubal was passing the alps , and that the ligurians , and those about genoa were ready to joyn with him . when all was ordered according to the consuls minde , they went forth of the city ; each his severall way . the citizens were full of fears , there being an other son of amilcar come into italy , and one that in this expedition seemed to be of more sufficiency than hannibal . for whereas in that long and dangerous march through so many barbarous nations , over great rivers , and mountains , hannibal had lost a great part of his army , asdrubal in the same journy had increased his ▪ descended from the alps like a rowling snowball , far greater than when he came over the pyrenes . this made the people wait upon their consuls out a town , like a pensive train of mourners . asdrubal at his first coming into italy set upon placentia ; but there he lost a great deal of time , and yet was faigne at last to leave it , whereby he gave the roman consuls leasure to make ready for him , and caused his brother hannibal to make no hast to meet him , knowing that placentia would not be taken in hast . nero made what speed he could to meet with hannibal , and stop him from joyning with his brother . he had with him fourty thousand foot , besides horse , with which he oft offered hannibal battel , and in diverse skirmishes had the better of him . at crumentum hannibal fought with him , but was worsted ▪ yet ●at he off and marched away to 〈◊〉 , with nero still at his heels . thence he went to canu●●●m , and sat down there neer the place where he had obtained his most memorable victory . there also nero sat down by him , thinking it enough to hinder him from joyning with his succours . there was he advertised of asdrubals approach by letters that were going to hannibal which he intercepted : wherefore he resolved that it was better to run some desparate adventure than to suffer them to joyn together . he therefore took six thousand foot and a thousand horse , all of his choisest men , and away he posted as fast as he could to assist his fellow consul . livy at that time lay encamped neer to serea gallica , and asdrubal within half a mile of him . in six dayes nero finished his journy thither , and by the way his company was encreased by some voluntaries . the next day after his coming , they consulted together , and resolved to fight the enemy , asdrubal perceiving that both the consuls were now together , and thereupon feared that hannibal was slaine , and though before he was forward to fight , yet now he thought it no shame to retreat farther from them . so he dislodged secretly by night , intending to get over the river metaurus : but being misled by his guids , he had not gone far before : nero was at his heels with all the horse , which hindred him from going any farther , and the other consul followed with the legions in order of battel . asdrubal , seeing a necessity to fight , omitted no care , or circumspection . his gauls he placed in the left wing upon a hill , which the enemy could not ascend without much difficulty . in the right wing he stood himself , with his africans and spaniards : his lygurians he placed in the midst , and his elephants in the front of the battel . on the romans side nero had the right wing , livius the left , and portius led the battel , livy and portius found strong opposition , and with great slaughter on both sides , prevailed little or nothing . nero laboured much in vain against the steep hill , where the gauls stood out of his reach : wherefore taking part of his forces , he led them round behind livy and portius , and charged asdrubal in the flank , which made the victory incline to the romans : for nero ran all along the depth of asdrubals battel , and put it to rout . of the spaniards and africans the greatest part were slaine : the ligurians and gauls saved themselves by flight : of the elephants only four were taken alive : the rest were slaine , most by their riders : the guid having in readinesse a mallet and a chissel wherewith he gave a stroke between the ●ars in the joynt next the head , wherewith he killed the beast upon a sudden . asdrubal strove with great patience against many difficulties , and performed all the duties of a worthy generall , and stout souldier , and when he saw the losse irraparable , he rode manfully into the thickest of the enemies , where fighting bravely , he was slain . the number of the slain on both sides is variously reported , the camp and all the riches in it fell into the hands of the romans . when it was known at rome how nero had left his army , they were much amazed and full of fears : the people filled the market place , the women ran to the temples with vows and prayers , and all were filled with melancholly : therefore the newes of this victory was intetained with exceeding joy , as if hannibal were already driven out of italy . nero returning to his camp , threw the head of asdrubal before the carthaginians and brought forth his african prisoners bound , sending two of them to give hannibal notice what had happened . hannibal having in this unhappy fight , lost , besides his worthy brother , all hope that had so long sustained him in italy , withdrew himself into the country of the brutians , and thither he caused all the lucans , his friends , to remove , as likwise all that dwelt in metapontum . for he wanted men to defend so many places as he held , lying so far asunder . wherefore he drew them all into ●●ester compasse in the utmost corner of italy ; it being a country of much fastnesse , and the people exceedingly devoted unto his service . this was in the thirteenth year after his coming into italy : and from thence to the eighteenth year wherein he departed , there was no memorable thing done . for hannibal wanted strength wherewith to make any great attempt , the romans had little minde to provoke him , but thought : it well that he was quiet . this commendation is given him by the roman historians themselves . that making war upon a people , of all others the most warlike , he obtained so many victories by his own good conduct : and that leading an army compounded of so many sundry nations africans , spaniards , gauls , carthaginians , italians , and greeks , which were neither in language , lawes , conditions , or any other thing , one like to an other , yet he held them all in such good order , that they never fell to sedition amongst themselves , or against their general . and here we must leave him till he be drawn into africk by scipio . p. cornelius scipio having conquered spain , returned home to rome , where he made suit for the honour of a triumph , which was denied him , because he only had the place of a proconsul : yet to make him amends , they chose him consul , together with p. licinius crassus , who being high priest also , might not go far som the city , as being to attend the matters of their superstition : which made well for scipio , who was desirous to be sent into africk , to transfer the war thither . some there were of the senators , especially q. fabius maximus , that opposed him therein : yet at length he obtained to have the isle of sicily for his province , with leave to passe into africk if he found it expedient . the treasury at rome being extreamly exhausted , no mony was given to scipio , neither was he allowed to presse souldiers for his african voyage : but the people made up the backwardnesse of the senate with their forwardnesse ▪ for besides his roman souldiers , he had about seven thousand voluntaries that came to him from sundry parts of italy . severall towns also furnished him , with corn , iron , handmils , and all other necessaries , so that having his navy in readinesse , he transported his army into sicily , where he found , besides other forces , two gallant legions of old souldiers that had served at cannae . for encreasing his number of horse , he pressed three hundred young and rich gentlemen of sicily , and then discharged them again , upon condition that they should deliver their horse and armes to as many roman gentlemen whom he had brought along with him for the same purpose . then did scipio imploy laelius into africk , rather to make discovery than to do any thing , who yet took a great booty , and struck no little terrour into the carthaginians , who saw their affaires now to be upon the tearmes of change . he also procured king massanissa to revolt from the carthaginians and to joyn with the romans . then did scipio embark his army for africk , where he landed neer the faire promontory , and presently after encamped before vtica . the carthaginians at this time had no captain of note in their city , nor a better army than of raw souldiers that were levied in hast . asdrubal the son of gesco , that was lately chased out of spain by scipio , was their best man of war. but before he was ready to take the field , scipio had beaten the troop of cathaginian horse that were sent to impead his landing , and slaine hanno their captain ; he had also sacked one of their towns , and taken eight thousand prisoners , and sent them into sicily . he took also salva which he fortified . then passed he to vtica and besieged it fourty dayes with all sorts of engines , but prevailed not . by this time asdrubal had gotten thirty thousand foot , and three thousand horse , but all raw souldiers , and king syphax brought to their help fifty thousand foot and ten thousand horse , with which they marched bravely towards scipio , who thereupon left the siege , and encamped upon the shore in a place of advantage which he strongly fortified , and winter drawing on , mussanissa brought in great store of corn , cattel , and other provisions to him . asdrubal and syphax encamped neer unto him : their souldiers covered their huts with mats and reeds , and dry boughs ▪ and being held in hand about a treaty of peace , they grew remisse , and carlesse in keeping their guard , which scipio being informed of , took his oportunity in the night to set their camps on fire , and in the confusion slew , and took prisoners most of them . yet did the carthaginians make shift to raise another army of neer thirty thousand , reckoning in syphax , and his men , and four thousand spaniards , mercenaries , that were lately come to them : scipio went to meet them , and another battel was fought , and the victory easily obtained by scipio against those raw and untrained men . thus scipio became master of the field , and took in diverse cities , and sent massanissa and laelius after syphax into his kingdom , whom they beat again , took him prisoner , and partly by fair meanes , and partly by foule , became masters of most of his kingdom , which scipio bestowed upon massanissa . and this was the first time that the romans took upon them to make kings . the carthaginians were extreamly dismayed , when they heard this newes , and for the calamity which had befaln their good friend syphax , and when they understood that massanissa , their immortall enemy , had gotten possession of his kingdom . this made them send forth ambassadours to scipio to make suit for peace . when these came into scipios presence , they basely prostrated themselves on the ground , and kissed his feet , and made as unworthy a speech , beseeching him to passe by their offences , , and to grant them peace . scipio knew well in what a poor case rome then was , and how unable to defray the charge of the war if it should be continued , and therefore he was willing to grant them peace upon these conditions . that they should render up all the prisoners , and all their renigadoes , and slaves ; that they should withdraw their armies out of italy and gaul : that they should not meddle with spain , nor with any islands betwixt italy and africk : that they should deliver up all their ships of war , save twenty : that they should pay him a great summe of money , with some hundred thousand bushels of wheat and barley : all these they assented to , whereupon he granted them a truce that they might send their ambassadors to the sanate of rome . but the truth was , they desired only to get time till hannibal might come back , in whom they reposed all their confidence : and therefore they took occasion to pick new quarrels with the romans , which they were the rather encouraged to , hearing newes that hannibal was already landed in africk , by whose meanes they hoped either to drive the romans out of africk , or to procure better tearms of peace . hannibal departed out of italy no lesse passionate then men are wont to be , when they leave their own countries to go into exile : he looked back to the shore , accusing both gods and men , and cursing his own dulnesse in that he had not led his army from cannae , hot and bloudied as it was , to the walls of rome . arriving in africk he disembarked his army at leptis , almost one hundred miles from carthage . he was ill provided of horse , which he could not easily transport out of italy . from thence he passed through the inland country , gathering friends by the way . tychaeus , a numidian prince that had the best horses , he allured to joyn with him : and one mezetallus , an other prince brought him a thousand horse . the carthagians in the mean time neglected to make those preparations that would have secured the victory and yet they sent to hannibal , requiring him with out delay to do what he could . hannibal answered , that they were his lords , and therefore might dispose of him and his army , but since he was generall of their forces , he desired that he might have leave to make choise of his own time . yet to please them , he made long marches to zama , and there encamped . from zama he sent forth his scouts to learn where the romans lay , and what they were doing . some of these were taken and brought to scipio , who shewed them all his camp and so dismissed them . hannibal admired at his generosity , and had a very great desire of an interview that he might talk with him : and this he signified by a messenger . scipio imbraced the motion and sent him word when and where he might meet with him . accordingly the two generals rode forth , with each of them a troop of horse till they met , and then their men were bid to stand off : each of them had his interpreter , and when they met they stood silent for a while , viewing one the other with mutuall admiration . then began hannibal to salute the roman to this effect . that it had been better both for carthage and rome , if they could have contained their ambition within the shoars of africk and italy : for that the countries of sicily and spain , were no sufficient recompence for so many fleets as had been lost , and so much bloud as had been shed , in making those costly purchasses : but since what was past could not be recalled , he said , that it was time for them at the length to put an end to these contentions , and to pray the gods to endue them with more wisdom for hereafter . to which peaceable disposition his own years , and long tryall of fortune , both good and bad , made him inclineable : but he feared that scipio , for want of such experiences , would rather f●x his mind upon uncertain hopes , than upon the contemplation of that mutability , whereunto all humane affairs are subject : yet ( said he ) my own example may peradventure teach thee moderation . for i am that same hannibal that after my victory at cannae , wan the greatest part of italy , and devised what i should do with your city of rome which i hoped verily to have taken . once i brought my army to your walls , as thou hast since brought thine to ours of carthage : but see the change , i now stand hear intreating thee for peace . this may teach thee fortunes instability . i fought with thy father scipio . he was the first roman generall that i met with in the field : i did then little think that the time would come when i should hove such business with his son : and thou maist have experience of the like in thy self , who knowes how soon ? what saist thou ? canst thou be content that we leave to you spain , and all the islands between italy and africk ? by effecting this thou shalt have glory enough , and the romans may well be glad of such a bargain : and we will be faithfull in observing the peace with you . if thou refusest this , consider what an hazzard thou must run to get a little more : if thou staiest but till to morrow night , thou must take such fortune as the gods shall allot . the issue of battels is uncertain , and oft beguiles expectation . let us therefore without more ado make peace . say not that some false-hearted citizens of ours , dealt fraudulently of late in the like treaty . it s i hannibal that now desire peace , which i would never do but that i think it expedient for our country : and judging i● expedient i will alwayes maintaine it . to this scipio answered , that he was not ignorant of the mutability of fortune : that without any note of insolence he might well refuse the conditions offered : but ( said he ) if thy citizens can be contented , besides what i proposed and they formerly assented to , to make such reparation for these late injuries as i shall require , then i will further advise what answer to give you , otherwise prepare for war , and expect the issue . hereupon they brake off , and each returned to his own camp , bidding their souldiers to prepare for battel , wherein should be decided the quarrel between rome and carthage . the next morning at break of day they issued into the field , each of them ordering their men as they judged most convenient . after which scipio rode up and down his army , biding them remember what they had atchieved since they came into africk . he told them , that if they wan the day , the war was a● an end , and this victory would make them lords of all the world , for after this , none should be able to resist them : but if they were beaten , there was no possibily of escaping ; they must either conquer or die , or be miserable slaves under must mercilesse enemies . hannibal was far the weaker in horse and a great part of his army were raw souldiers , yet his lords of carthage would brook no delay . he encouraged therefore his men as was most suitable to their qualities . to the mercenaries he promised bountifull rewards . the carthaginians he threatned with inevitable servitude if they lost they day : but especially he animated his old fellow souldiers by the many victories which they had gotten over those that far exceeded them in number . he bad them looke on their enemies and see whether they were not by far fewer than that huge army they had slaughtered at canna . he bad them remember that it was the father of this scipio whom they had made to run away , &c. wherefore he intreated them , upon whose virtue he meant wholy to repose himself , that they would strive that day to make good their honour , and to purchase the fame of men invincible . when the armies drew neer , the numidian horsemen on both sides began to skirmish : the trumpets , and other instruments sounded to battel . hannibals elephants ( which were alwayes an uncertain kind of help ) were to break upon the romans : but some of them ran back upon their own horse , which they so disordered , that massanissa , taking the advantage , before they could re-ally , charged them , and drave them quite out of the field . the rest of these beasts , made a great spoile amongst the roman velites , but being wounded , they ran back upon the right point of their own battel , and disordered the carthaginian horse that were in that wing ; which gave such advantage to the roman horse , that charging them when they were in disorder , they drave them away likewise . then did the battels of foot advance , and ran one at the other , and the mercenaries at the first seemed to have the better of the romans : but at length the roman discipline prevailed against boisterous strength . and whereas the romans , were seconded by their friends , these mercenaries received no help from those that should have seconded them . for the new raised africans , when they saw the mercenaries give back , they retired also , which made the hired souldiers think themselves betrayed , whereupon they declined the fight . the carthaginian battel was herewith more terrified then before , so that refusing to give way to the mercenaries they sell out amongst themselves , and forbore to make head against their enemies . thus were many of them beaten down and slain through their own indiscretion : and this gave the romans such advantage that the made a great slaughter both of the carthaginians and mercenaries , who could neither fight nor easily fly . such as could , ran towards hannibal , who kept his ground and would not stir to help these run-wayes . then did scipio advance against hannibal who intertained him after an other manner than ever he had been received in his life before . all the former dayes work , seemed but a pastime in comparison of this . the romans were incouraged because they had prevailed all the day before they were also far more in number : but hannibals old blades were fresh and the better men . they fought with such obstinate resolution that no man gave back one foot , but rather chose to die than to lose their ground , so that for a long time the victory was uncertain : but the return of massanissa and laelius with the horse from the pursute of the enemies , was to the romans most happy and in a needfull time . these upon a suddain , charging hannibal upon the reer , overbore them with meer violence and put them to ●ou● . hannibal with a few horse saved himselfe by flight , and staid not till he came to carthage ; where , coming into the senate , he told them plainly , that there was no other way left but to make such a peace as could be procured . amongst other things it was agreed , that the carthaginians should pay to the romans two hundred talents a year for fifty years together . which mony , when it came to be collected , there was pitious lamentation amongst the people , the roman yoak begining to pinch them already , that some of the senators could not forbear weeping ; but hannibal could not refrain from laughter : for which asdrubal haedus ( one of hanno's faction ) checked him , saying , that it ill becommed him to laugh , since he had been the cause why all others did weep . he answered , that laughter did not alwayes proceed from joy , but sometimes from indignation . yet ( said he ) my laughter is more seasonable , and lesse obsurd , than your teares . for you should have wept when you gave up your ships and elephants , and when you bound up your hands from use of armes without the good leave of the romans . this miserable condition keeps us under , and holds us in assured sevitude . but of these things you had no feeling : now when a little mony is wrung from you , you are very sensible of that , god grant that the time come not , wherein you shall acknowledge , that it was the least part of your misery for which you have shed these teares . afterwards hannibal in the civill administration of the city , gave an overthrow or two , to the judges which at that time bore all the sway in carthage , having all the lives , goods , and fame of the rest in their power . shortly after hannibal was chosen praetor , by virtue of which office , he was superiour to them for that year . he sent upon an occasion for one of the treasurers to come to him , but he proudly refused , wherupon hannibal sent a pursevant for him , and brought him in judgment before the people , accusing , not only him , but the rest of the judges for their insolency , and unbridled power , withall , propounding a law that the judges should be chosen from year to year . he found also that they had robbed the treasury , which caused the taxes to be laid upon the common people , whereof he made such plain demonstration , that they were compelled to restore with shame what they had gotten by knavery . this so irritated his enemies , who were of the romans faction , that they complained to the roman senate that the barchine faction grew strong again , and that hannibal would shortly be in armes : for he was like a wild beast that could never be tamed : that he held secret intelligence with king antiochus , who was an enemy to the romans , &c. hereupon the senate sent three ambassadors to carthage to demand hannibal , but he kept such good espiall upon the romans that he was informed of their intentions , against which he was never unprepared : and therefore when night was come , he stole out of the city , accompanied with two friends whom he could trust , and having horses in a readinesse , he rode all night , and came to a tower of his own by the sea s●●e , and having provided a ship in readinesse , he bad africk farewel , lamenting the misfortune of his country more than his own , and shaped his course to tyre ▪ which was the mother city of carthage : there he was intertained royally , in whose worth and honour the tyrians thought themselves to have interest because of the affinity between the cities . thence went he to antiochus , who was exceeding glad of his coming , intending war against the romans . to him hannibal gave excellent advice how he might carry on his war against the romans , with best advantage ; but antiochus hearkned more to his courtiers than to him , and so was shamfully beaten by the romans : at which time he admired hannibal as a wise man , yea as a prophet , who long before had foreseen , and foretold him what now was come to passe , and when it was too late , wished that he had followed his counsel . to be brief , antiochus was forced by the romans to sue for peace , which at last the romans yeilded to : provided amongst other things , that hannibal might be delivered into their hands . hannibal getting an incling of this , fled to gortina in creet , where he lived a long time very quietly , but at length he fell into the envy of many by reason of his great wealth , whereupon he filled certain great chests with lead , and deposited them in the temple of diana there , as if he kept the treasure for a dead lift ▪ and thereupon the people , having such a pledge as that of him , looked lesse after him : but he in the mean time stole away to prusias , king of bythinia , having first molten his gold , and powered it into some hollow statues of brasse , which he carried away with him . shortly after there fell a war between prusias , and eumenes , king of pergamus , prusias being encouraged to break his league and to make war upon him , by his confidence in hannibal , whom he had there to mannage his war for him . the war therefore grew hot betwixt them , both by land and sea. but eumenes , by the assistance of the romans , overpowred prusias in both : and whereas prusias was but weak of himself , hannibal procured him the assistance of some other kings and states , and those of very warlike nations : and amongst them the aide of philip , king of macedonia , who sent him philocles his general , with a very considerable army to help him . when prusias had received an overthrow from eumenes by land , he sought to try his fortune by sea , wherein yet he was too weak for him : wherefore hannibal advised him to try whether he could not do that by policy , which by plain force he was not able to effect . he put therefore a multitude of all sorts of serpents into earthen pitchers , to be hurled aboard the enemies ships when they were in fight : giving order to the souldiers and sea-men to set all upon the ship wherein eumenes himself was , and to defend themselves from the rest as well as they could : and that he might the more certainly know in which ship eumenes was , he sent an herauld beforehand with a letter , containing nothing but a meer flout to eumenes , and full of abuses to his person . whenas therefore prusias his men came to it , they fought neither against great nor small , but on-against the ship wherein eumenes was , whereupon he he was fain to seek his safety by flight ; yet had he perished had he not thrust in upon the next shore , where he had placed , for a relief upon all occasions , a company of his men . as for eumenes his other ships , when they pressed hard upon the enemy , they let fly amongst them their earthen pitchers full of snakes , which at first seemed to them a ridiculous thing : but when the pitchers , falling upon the decks , brake in pieces , out flew the snakes , so that they could stir no where in the ships by reason of the serpents , whereby they found themselves no lesse annoied by their stings , than with the arrowes of their enemies , which caused them to give over fighting , and to fly to their camp which was upon the shoar . thus hannibal by this trick , got the better of eumenes in that fight . nor then only , but also in sundry other encounters ; and by one stratagem or other , he ever put eumenes to the worst . and once when he advised prusias to fight , and he durst not , because the entrailes of the beast ( said he ) forbid me . what ( said hannibal ) will you r●ly more upon a litle piece of flesh in a calfe , than upon the judgment of an old experienced captain in the field ? now as soon as newes of these things came to the senate at rome , they sent t ▪ quinti●s flaminius ambassador to prusias , not so much to withdraw him from prosecuting the war against eumenes , as to intreat him to deliver to them hannibal , the most spitefull enemy they had in all the world . prusias , to gratifie the romans resolved either to kill hannibal , or to deliver him alive into the hands of flaminius , for which end he sent a troop of souldiers to inviron the lodging where hannbal lay . but hannibal having before found cause to suspect the faith of prusias , had made some secret sallies under ground to save himself from any treasonable , or sudden assault . but finding now that all passages were shut up against him , he had recourse to his last remedy , which he was constrained to put in practice , as well to frustrate his enemies from their triumphing over him , as to save himself from their torture and mercilesse hands , who , as he well knew , would neither respect his famous enterprises , his honour , nor his age. when therefore he saw no other way of escaping , he took the poison , which he alwayes had in readynesse for such an exigent , and being ready to swallow it down , he uttered these words , i will now ( said he ) deliver the romans from the fear which hath so long possessed them : that fear which makes them impatient af attending the death of an old man. this victory of flaminius over me , which am disarmed , and betrayed into his hands , shall never be numbred in the rest of his heroicall deeds , no : it shall make it manifest to all the nations of the world , how far the antient roman virtue is degenerated , and corrupted . for such was the noblenesse of their fore-fathers , as when king pyrrhus invaided them in italy , and was ready to give them battel at their own doors , they gave him intelligence of the treason intended against him by poyson : whenas these of a latter race , have imployed flaminius , a man who heretofore hath been one of their consuls , to practice with prusias , contrary to the honour of a king , contrary to his faith given for my safety , and contrary to the lawes of hospitality , to slay , or deliver up his own guest . then drank he off that poison , and died . p. scipio africanus in a discourse which he had with hannibal , asked him , which of all the famous captaines that ever lived , he judged most worthy ? hannibal gave to alexander the great , the first place : to pyrrhus the second : and the third he challedged to himse●f . but scipio , who thought his own title better , then that it ought to be forgotten , asked yet further , what then wouldest thou have said , hannibal , if thou hadst vanquished me ? the carthaginian replyed , then would i not have given the first place to alexander , but have claimed it as due unto my self . when the conditions of peace granted by the romans to the carthaginians were reported to the citizens , they were very unpleasing , whereupon one gesco , stood up to speake against them , perswading the people not to yeild to such intollerable demands : but hannibal observing what favourable audience was given to this vain orator , by the unquiet , yet unwarlike multitude , he was bold to pull him down from his standing by plain force : hereat all the people murmured , as if their common liberty were too much wronged by such insolence of this presumptuous captain : which hannibal perceiving , rose up and spake unto them , saying ; that they ought to pardon him if he had done otherwise than the customs of the city would allow , for as much as he had been thence absent ever since he was a boy of nine years old , until he was now a man of five and fourty . having thus excused himself , he exhorted them to embrace the peace , as wanting ability to defend themselves , had the demands of the enemy been yet more rigorous . his father amilcar , at what time he did sacrifize , being ready to take his journey into spain , called his son hannibal , being than but nine years old , caused him to lay his hand upon the alter , and to swear , that being come to mans estate , he should pursue the romans with immortall hatred , and that he should work them all the mischief that possibly he could . the life & death of epaminondas , the great captaine of the thebans . the father of epaminondas was polymnis , who was descended of one of the most ancient , and renowned famelies amongst the thebans , the most part of which noble linage had upon their bodies for a naturall birthmark , the resemblance of a snake . this polimnis had two only sons , caphisias , and epaminondas , whom he educated very carefully , and had them very well instructed in all the liberall arts , and honest sciences : especially epaminondas , who had the more stayed witt , and was most inclined to virtue , desirous to learne , humble , obedient , and won●erfull docible : and of one dyonisius he learned to be very skilfull in singing , and musick . and for philosophy it happened well for him that he fell into an excellent masters hands by this means . the colleges of the pythagorian phylosophers that were dispersed through the cities of italy , were banished by the faction of the cylonians , yet such as still kept together , met in a councel at metapont to consider of their affairs : but some seditious persons rose up against them , and set the house wherein they were on fire , and burnt them all ; onely phylolaus and lysis , being lusty young men , escaped through the fire . phylolaus fled into the country of the lucanians , and resided there with his friends : but lysis got to thebes , where polymnis intertained him , intreating him to undertake the tuition of his son epaminondas , who , though he was but a young boy , yet was he of good capacity , and of very good hopes . this phylosopher accordingly applyed himself to manure this noble and quick wit of epaminondas , and in a short time made him perfect in all sciences and virtue , so that it was hard to find a more wise , grave , and virtuous person than he was , when he was but fifteen years of age , he gave himself to all manner of exercises of the body , as to run , wrestle , use his weapons , and all feats of arms : and having quickly attained to skill in these , he applied himself to his book . he was naturally silent , fearfull to speak , but never a weary to hear and learn ; whereupon spintharus , the tarentine , being familiarly acquainted with him in thebes , used to say , that he never knew any man that knew so much , and spake so little as epaminondas . if he fell into any company that discoursed of philosophy , or of state matters , he would never leave them , till the matter propounded was at an end . he was of a pleasant disposition , and so witty that he could break a jeast as well as any man. lysis after he had lived long in thebes , died , and was honourably buried by his scholar epaminondas . not long after , theanor , one of the pythagorians in sicily , was sent to bring lysis thither , but when he came to thebes , he found him dead and buried , therefore going to epaminondas , after salutations , he told him that his companions , who were rich , willed him to give polymnis , and his children , a good summe of mony in recompence of that curteous entertainment which they had given to lysis : epaminondas , after pleasant excuses made , told him that none could be received , saying further , jason , a captaine of the thessalians thought that i gave him a rude and uncivil answer , when he , having earnestly entreated me to receive a good summe of gold , i sent him word that he did me wrong , and began to make war with me : for that he , aspiring to make himself a lord , would corrupt me with mony , who am a plain citizen of a free town , and living under the law. but for thee theanor , i commend thy good will , because its honest and virtuous , but i tell thee thou bringest physick to them that are not sick . admit that thou , hearing we had been in wars , hadst brought us armes to defend us , and when on the contrary thou hadst found us quiet , and at peace with all our neighbours , thou wouldst not have thought fit to bestow these armes , and leave them with those that had no need of them . even so , thou art come to relive our poverty as though it were a burden to us , whereas on the contrary , it s an easy and pleasant thing to us to carry , and we are glad we have it in our houses amongst us , and therefore we have no need of armes ▪ or mony against that which doth us no hurt at all . but tell thy brethren that they use their goods very honestly : and also that they have friends here which use their poverty as well : and as for the intertainment ▪ and burial of lysis , he hath himself fully recompenced us , having taught us , amongst many other good lessons , not to be afraid of poverty , nor to be grieved to see it amongst us . theanor having made some reply about the good and evill of riches , and told him that as poverty was not evil in it self , so neither was riches to be had in contempt and dispised : no truly ( said epaminondas ) yet considering with my self that we have a world of covetous desires , some naturall that are born with us , and bred in our flesh by the lusts pertaining to it : others strange to us , grounded upon vain opinions , which taking setling , and becoming an habit in us by tr●ct of time , and long use through evil education , oftentimes do draw us down , and weigh our souls with more force and violence , than those that be connaturall to us . for reason , through daily exercise of virtue , and practice thereof , is a meanes to free us from many of those things that are borne , and bred with us . yet we must use continuall force and opposition against our concupisences which are strangers to us , to quench them , and by all possible meanes to represse , and subdue them in us . and when this is done , there is also ( said he ) an exercise of justice against greedy covetousnesse , and a desire of getting , which is not , not to go rob our neighbours houses , nor , not to rob men by the high way , nor not to betray our friends , or country for mony : for such an one opposeth , not covetousnesse , but possibly , its law , or feare that bridleth his covetous desire to offend : but that man that ofttimes willingly abstaines from just gaines , he it is that by exercise keeps himself far from unjust , and unlawfull taking of mony . for it is impossible in great pleasures that are wicked and dangerous , the soul should contain it self from lusting after them , unlesse formerly , being oft at his choise to use them , he had contemned them . it s not easy to overcome them , nor to refuse great riches when they are offered , unlesse a man long before hath killed in him this covetous desire of getting , the which , besides many other habits and actions , is still greedily bent shamefully to gaine , pleasiing himself in the pursuit of injustice , hardly forbearing to wrong an other so he may benefit himself . but that man that disdaines to receive gifts from his friends , and refuseth presents offered him by kings , and that hath rejected the bounty of fortune , puting by all covetous desires of glistering treasures laid before him , he shall never be tempted to do that which is unjust , nor shall his mind be troubled , but he will content himself quietly to do any thing that is honest , having an upright heart , finding nothing in it but that which is good and commendable . yet was the life of epaminondas far mor excellent than his discourse , as will appear by that which follows . diomedon , the cizicenian , at the request of artaxerxes , king of persia , promised to winne epaminondas to take the persians part . to effect this , he came to thebes , and brought a great masse of gold with him , and with three thousand crowns of it , he bribed a young man called mycethus , who was greatly beloved by epaminondas . this young man went to him and told him the occasion of the other mans coming to thebes : but d●omedon being present , epaminondas said to him , i have no need of mony : if the king of persia wish well to the thebans , i am at his service without taking one penny : if he hath any other meaning , he hath not gold nor silver enough wherewith to corrupt me : for i will not sell the love which i bear to my country for all the gold in the world : and as for thee that dost now tempt me , not knowing me , but judging me like unto thy self , i pardon thee for this time , but get thee quickly out of the city lest thou corrupt others , having failed to prevail over me : and for thee mycethus , deliver him his mony again , which if thou dost not presently , i will send thee before a justice . hereupon diomedon besought him that he would let him go away in safety , and carry that with him which he brought thither : yea ( said epaminondas ) but it shall not be for thy sake , but for my honour-sake , lest thy gold and silver being taken from thee , some man should accuse me that i had a share in that privately which i had refused openly . saying further , whither wouldst thou that i should cause thee to be conveyed ? to athens , said diomedon : this was done accordingly , and he had a strong convoy sent with him , and that he might not be troubled by the way , betwixt the gates of thebes and the haven wherein he was to imbark himself , epaminondas gave chabrias the athenian charge of him , that he should see him safe at his jorneys end . though epaminondas was very poor , yet would he never take any thing of his citizens or friends : and being so inured to poverty , he was enabled to bear it the more patiently by his study of philosophy . for on a time , having the leading of an army of the thebans into the country of peloponnesus , he borrowed five crownes of a citizen for the defraying of his necessary chatges in that journey . pelopidas being a man of great wealth and his very good friend , could never possibly force upon him any part of his goods , but he rather learned of him to love poverty . for epaminondas taught him to think it an honour to go plainly in his apparrel , to eat moderately , to take paines willingly , and in war to fight lustily . yet when he had occasion to relieve others , he would make bold with his friends goods , which in such cases were common to him . if any of his citizens were taken prisoners by the enemy , or if any friend of his had a daughter to be married , and was not able to bestow her , he used to call his friends together , and to assesse every one of them at a certain summe , after which he brought him before them who was to receive the mony , and told him how much every one had bestowed upon him , that he might returne thanks to them all . but once he went far beyond this : for he sent a poor friend of his to a rich citizen of thebes to ask of him six hundred crownes , and to tell him that epaminondas desired him to let him have them . the citizen being amazed at his demand , went to epaminondas to know what he meant to charge him so deeply , as to make him to give six hundred crowns to the other ? it is ( said epaminondas ) because this man , being an honest man , is poor , and thou who hast robbed the commonwealth of much , art rich . he lived so soberly , and was such an enemy to all superfluity and excesse , that being on a time invited to supper to one of his neighbours , when he saw great preparation of dainty meats , made dishes , and perfumes , he said unto him , i thought thou hadst made a sacrifice by this excesse and superfluity , and so immediatly went his way . the like also he spake of his own table , saying , that such an ordinary , was never guilty of traytors , and treason . on a time being at a feast with some of his companions , he drank vinegar , and when they asked him what he meant by it , and whether he drank it for his health ? i know not ( said he ) but this i am sure of , it puts me in remembrance how i live at home . now it was not that his stomach was an enemy to dainty meats , or that he lived so penuriously at home , for he was marvelous noble minded : but he did it , that by his strict and unreprovable life , he might bridle and restraine many insolencies and disorders which then raigned amongst the thebans , and to reduce them to the former temperance of their ancestors . upon a time , a cook giving up an account to him and his fellows of their ordinary expences for certain dayes , he could find fault with nothing but the quantity of oyle that was spent : which his companions marvelling at ; tush ( said he ) it is not the expence which offends me , but because we have powred in so much oyle into our bodies . the city of thebes upon an occasion made a publick feast , where they were very merry , and jolly : but on the contrary , epaminondas went up and down without oyle and perfumes , or decked with brave apparrell , seeming very sad : some of his familiar friends meeting him in this posture , and wondering at him , asked him why he walked so alone , and ill apparrelled through the city ? because ( said he ) you may in the meane time freely and safely drink your selves drunk , and make merry , taking thought for nothing . his modesty also was such , that it would in no wise suffer him to seek advancement , but on the contrary he withdrew himself from government , that he might with the more quiet apply himself to the study of philosophy . it happened upon a time that the lacedemonians intreated aide of the thebans , who at that time were in league with them , and acordingly they sent them certain foot companies : at which time epaminondas being about thirty five years old , armed himself and went along with them . at this time it was , that that intimate friendship began betwixt pelopidas and him , which continued even to the end of their lives . these two being in a battel the one by the other against the arcatians , whom they had in front against them in the plaines of mantinea , it fell out that one of the points of the battel of the lacedemonians in which they were , retired , and many fled : but these two resolved rather to dy than fly , and accordingly they stood to it gallantly , till pelopidas being wounded in seven places , fell down upon a heap of dead bodies . then did epaminondas ( though he took him for dead ) step resolutly before him to defend his body and armes , he alone fighting against many , resolving rather to die in the place than to leave pelopidas amongst the dead men , until that himself being thrust into the breast with a pike , and wounded in the arme with a sword , was ready to faint : at which time providence so ordered it , that king agesipolis came on with the other point of the battel , and saved them both . not long after the lacedemonians by a stratagem , won the strong castle of thebes called cadmaea , and put a strong garrison into it , and gave the government of the city of thebes unto archias , philippus , and leontidas , authors of all the mischief : whereupon , to avoid their tyranny , pelopidas , and many others were fain to save themselves by flight , upon which they were banished by sound of trumpet . but as for epaminondas they as yet said nothing to him , but let him alone in the city : for he was contemned as a man of no account , because he was so much given to his book : and if he should have any mind to stir against them , yet they judged he could could do nothing because of his poverty . whilest pelopidas and his companions were at athens , they laid a plot to free thebes from those tyrants : but epaminondas not making a shew of any thing , had devised an other way to effect it , by raising the hearts and courages of the young men of the city . for when they went out to play , and exercise themselves , he alwayes found out a way to make them wrestle with the lacedomonians ; and when he saw the lacedomonians throw them , and give them shrewd falls , they being the stronger , he would prvately rebuke the thebans and tell them , that it was a shame for them to suffer the lacedomonians to set their feet upon their throats for want of courage , who yet were not half so strong , and boiste●ous as themselves were . all ▪ this while pelopidas and his followers went on in their plot , and had such good success , that one night they got privily into the city of thebes and met at charons house about forty eight in number . epaminondas knew all this well enough , and at night some took him aside and endeavoured to perswade him to joyn with them in delivering their city from these tyrants , to whom he answered , that he had taken order with his friends , and gorgidas , to put themselves into a readiness upon any such occasion , but for his own part he would not have a hand in putting any of his citizens to death , unless they were legally condemned : yet ( said he ) if you will make an attempt for the delivery of the city so as that it be without murther or blood shed , i will joyn with you with all my heart : but if you will persevere in your former determination , pray you let me alone , pure , and not defiled with the blood of my citizens , that being blameless i may take hold of another occasion which may tend more to the good of the common wealth . for the murthers that will be committed in this way , cannot be contained within any reasonable bounds . i know indeed that pherecid●s , and pelopidas will especially set upon the authors of the tyranny : but 〈◊〉 , and s●mi●das , being fierce and cholerick men taking the liberty of the night , will never sheath their swords , till they have filled the whole city with murther , and slain many of the chief citizens . besides , it s very convenient for the people of thebes , that some be left free , and blamelesse of these murthers , and guiltlesse of all that should be done in the fury of this action . notwithstanding all that was said , the enterprise was executed , and the tyrants put to death , the city was restored to her ancient liberty , the castle of cadmaea was rendred up by composition , and lysandrad●s , the lacedemonian , and other commanders that were in it , were suffered safely to depart , with their goods and souldiers . this was the occasion of the long wars which followed between the lacedomonians and thebans , with whom the athenians joyned in league . epaminondas still applyed himself to his book : yet at last he was put forwards by pammenes , a chief man amongst the thebans , and he began to follow the wars very eagerly , and in divers encounters gave good proof of his prudence , hardinesse , and valour , insomuch as by degrees he attained to the highest charges of government in the commonwealth : and his citizens , who before made small account of him till he was fourty years old , after , when they knew him better , they trusted him with their armies , and he saved the city of thebes , that was like to be undone , yea , and freed all greece from the servitude of the lacedemonians , making his virtue , as in a cleer light , to shine with glory , shewing the effects when time served . upon a time agesilaus , king of lacaedemon entered into boeotia with an army of twenty thousand foot , and five thousand horse , wherewith he harrased and spoiled all the plain country , and presented battel to the thebans in the open fields , which yet they would not accept of , finding themselves the weaker : howbeit , they defended themselves so well by the assistance of the athenians , and the wise conduct of epaminondas and pelopidas , that they caused agesilaus to return home with his army . but when he was gone , the thebans went with their companies before the city of thespies , which they surprized , and put to the sword two hundred of the garrison , and afterwards returned back with their army to thebes ; and p●aebidas , the lacedemonian , who was then governour of that city , sallye● out of the town , and charged upon the thebans in their retreat , who intertained him so hotly , that he lost five hundred of his men , and himself was slain in the fight . not long after , the lacedemonians returned with their former army to make war with the thebans , who having seized upon certain straights , and places of advantage , so blocked up the way , that they could not over run the country , and spoile it as they had done before ; yet did agesilaus so molest , and trouble them , that at last it came to a main battel that held long , and was very cruel : and though at the first agesilaus had the better , yet the thebans charged him so furiously , that at the length he himself was wounded and forced to retire , being well paid for teaching the thebans millitary discipline . and this was the first time that the thebans knew themselves to be as strong and lusty as the lacedemonians , whereupon they triumphed in signe of victory , and from that time forward , they grew more couragious to make head against the enemy , and to present them battel . but that which most encouraged them , was , the presence of epaminondas , who counselled , commanded , and executed very wisely , valiantly , and with great successe . at another time they went with a great number of chosen men before the city of orobomene , where yet they prevailed not , because there was a strong garrison of the lacedemonians that sallied out upon them , and the fight was very sharp betwen them : yet , though the lacedemonians were far more in number , the thebans gave them the overthrow , which never happened to them before . for all other nations thought that they had done excellent well , if with a far greater number they had overcome a small number of the lacedemonians . but this victory , and an other , which fell out shortly after under the conduct of pelopidas , did so lift up and encourage the thebans , that they became more famous than 〈…〉 were before ▪ the year following , artaxerxes king of persia , intending to make war against aegypt , and therein to intertain diverse strangers , laboured to make peace amongst the grecians , in hope that they , being at peace amongst themselves would be the more willing to have souldiers leavied amongst them . for which end he sent ambassadours to all the townes of greece , to preswade and intreat them to be at peace amongst themselves . the greeks were very willing to harken hereto , being wearied on all sides with such long wars , and so were easily drawn to make peace ; wherein it was especially agreed , and concluded , that all the cities of greece should be free , and use their own lawes : and commissioners were sent abroad to withdraw all the garrisons where any were kept . unto this the thebans only refused to agree , that every town should severally capitulate for it , requesting that the towns in the country of boeotia should be comprehended under the city of thebes : but the athenians mightily opposed themselves against this , and calistratus , one of their orators , made a notable oration about it before all the states of greece . epaminondas on the contrary , made an excellent and vehement speech in defence of the right of the thebans , insomuch as this controversy was left undecided , and the treaty of peace was universally agreed to amongst all the other grecians , the thebans only excepted , who were not comprised in it . at this time the athenians , and lacedemonians , who had long contended amongst themselves about the principality of greece , now agreed , that the one should command by sea , and the other by land : and therefore they could not endure that the thebans should aspire to be chief , which made them seek to dismember the other towns of boeotia from them , the rather , for that the thebans , being strong and lusty of body , and much encouraged by their late victories over the lacedemonians , would now contend with them for their superiority , having a wonderfull confidence in the wisdom and prowesse of their captaines , especially of epaminondas . matters resting thus doubtfull , the citizens of plataees , a town of boeotia , were desirous to enter into league with the athenians , promising that if they would send them souldiers , they would put the town into their hands : but the governours of boeotia having intelligence of it , and being desirous to prevent the athenians , brought a party of souldiers against it , who came before plataees before the citizens heard any newes of them , so that part of them were surprised in the field by the horsmen , and the rest fled into the town : where having no aid , they were faign to accept of such tearmes as it pleased the thebans to grant them , which were , presently to depart the town with bag and baggage , and never to returne again into the country of boeotia . then did they raze the city to the ground , and saked the town of thespies which also was at enmity with them . the ambassadours of persia again solicited the greeks to a generall peace , and commissioners from every town were to meet at sparta about it . epaminondas was yet scarce known , having laboured to conceal himself . and in all his exploits of war , had ever preferred the advancement of his great friend , and companion in armes , pelopidas , before himself . he was now chosen by the thebans to go to sparta , where , finding that the other commissioners did much comply with agesilaus , he spake boldly , and plainly , not only in behalf of the thebans , but for all greece also : making it evident to all , that war still encreased the greatnesse of sparta only , which kept all the other towns of greece under . he therefore advised them to establish a firme peace , which would last the longer , when all comprized in it should be equals . agesilaus perceiving all the commissioners to be very attentive to and well pleased with this speech , he asked him aloud , if he thought it just , and equal , that all boeotia should be set at liberty . epaminondas resently , and boldly asked him , if he thought it not also iust and reasonable that all laconia should be set at liberty ? thereupon agesilaus , in great anger , stood up , and commanded him to answer plainly , if they should not restore all the towns in boeotia to their liberty ? and epaminondas answered him as before . this so displeased agesilaus ( who had an old grudge to the thebans ) that immediatly he put their name out of the list of those that should be comprized within the treaty of peace , and proclaimed open war against them , and now there was no remedy but the thebans must bear the whole brunt alone , for there was no one town that durst send them any aid , because they were all sworn to the peace , insomuch as all judged them to be utterly undone . friends pittied there estate , and their enemies rejoyced , verily believing that they could never stand before the lacedemonians . then did the lacedemonians send king cleombrotus with an army towards thebes , who being come neer to chaeronea with ten thousand foot , and a thousand horse , he pitched , his camp there staying for his allies . the thebans being informed of the approach of the enemy , chose epaminondas to be their captain generall , giving him the charge of this war , with six other counsellers to be assisting to him . now there came oracles to thebes from all parts ; some promising victory , and others threatening their overthrow ; and epaminondas commanded them to set those on the right hand of the chaire for orations , that promised victory , and the other on the left hand , which being so disposed of , he gat up into the chaire , and said to his citizens , if you will be obedient to your captains , and valiant against your enemies , these oraoles on the right hand belong to you : but if through faintness of heart , ye refuse dangers , those on the left hand shall be your portion . then did he list the names of all the thebans which were able to bear armes , and chose out of some parts of boeotia , such as he thought fittest for the wars . his presence exceedingly cheered up his army , and all the time that he was captain , the thebans never saw in their campany of those which they call sudden feares . he used to say , that there was no death more honest and desirable than to die in the wars , and that the body of a souldier should be hardened to endure any labour or paines . he could not abide fat men , and therefore cashired a whole company of them as unprofitable burdens in his army . he had in all , but six thousand fighting men : and as they marched forwards , they met with some unlucky signes , as many esteemed them ; but he valued them not , thinking that a resolution to fight in a good cause , ought to be much stronger , and of more force to raise up in him good hope , than these evill signes that appeared , to make him fear the worst . as he was marching towards the lacedemonians , they heard it thunder , and they that were neer him , asked him what that meant . he answered , that it betokened that the enemies braines were troubled , and beclouded , who , having places of advantage hard by them , yet encamped in the plaines . indeed the lacedemonians waited there for their allies , who yet failed them . for all of them , having at leasure considered of the speech of epaminondas at sparta , began to distast the ambition of the lacedemonians . epaminondas seeing his advantage , caused his army to march with speed , and wan the straights by the city of coronea , and encamped there : cleombrotus understanding that the thebans had possessed themselves of that passe , despairing to recover it , he made his army to march a great compasse about the country of phocide , going along the sea coast through a dangerous , and troublesome way , and so at the last he entered into the country of boeotia : and as he went , he took in some little towns , and certain gallies that lay upon the coast , and at the last arrived at leuctres , and there sate down to refresh his men , who were overwearied with their tedious march . then did epaminindas presently advance that way to meet them , and having passed over some little mountaines , he discovered them in the plain of luctres , where his men were much amazed to see so great an army of their enemies . the six counsellors came together to consider whether they should go forward and fight , few against many , or else retreat , waiting for some beter advantage . in this councel , their opinions fell out to be equall . three judged it best to retreat , the other , whereof epaminondas was one , thought it best to fight , and with these three , pelopidas , who was captain of the sacred band , joyned , whereupon they all agreed to give them battel . epaminondas seeing his souldiers somewhat affirighted at the former ill signes , to put courage into them , he suborned some that were newly come from thebes , to scatter a report , that no man could tell at thebes what was become of the armes that hung up in the temple of hercules ; but it was commonly said , that the demigods , their ancestors , had taken them away , to aid their posterity , at this present time . he caused another also , who was newly come from trophonius hole , to report , that the god which gives his oracles therein , commanded him to tell the boeotians that when they had overcome their enemies in the plain of leuctres , they should celebrate yearly playes to the honour of jupiter : and to gain the more credit to these devices , leandridas , a spartan , that was banished out of his own country , and now was assisting the boeotians , being brought before the souldiers , he encouraged them to fight valiantly that day : for he swore unto them , that the lacedemonians had many oracles , biding them to beware of leuctres . epaminondas also , assembling his army , encouraged them with strong , and lively reasons , to shew their valour , so that at lasty souldiers being freed from their superstitious feares , longed for nothing more than to come to blowes . epaminondas ever concluded his orations to them with these words : o worthy men , embrace sacred death : advance your selves to a most honorable , and famous fight for your country , for the tombes of your ancestors , and for your holy things . just at this very time there came to the thebans an aid of five hundred horse , and fifteen hundred foot , all thessalians , conducted by jason . this jason endeavored to have made peace with both parties , but could not prevail . also as cleombrotus retired with his army out of boeotia , he met a great supply of lacedemonians , and their allies , brought to him by archidamus , the son of agesilaus . these he sent before , thinking to daunt the courage of the thebans with the sight of them , and himself with the rest of his army suddenly returned into the plain of leuctres , being fully resolved to fight : and the boeotians for their part shrunk not an inch back , and so on both sides they set their men in battel array . epaminondas ordered his battel after a new fashion never before practised by any captain : for having chosen out of his army the best , and most valiant souldiers , he placed them together in one of the points of his battel , where himself meant to fight in person , seconded by pelopidas , and his three hundred chosen men ; called the holy band : in the other point he placed his weaker men , commanding them expresly not to abide the charge of their enemies that should assaile them in front , but fair , and softly retire when they saw them come near them : and it fell out as he wished : and he hoped to determine the battel by the virtue , and prowess of those where he had placed all the flower , and choice of his army . now the sign of battel being given , the lacedemonians advanced with the two horns of their battel , ordered in the form of a crescent . on the contrary , one of the wings of the battel of the boeotians began to give back , and the other with great fury ran to charge the enemy in the flank , and soon they were come to the swords point . at the first , because either side fought desperately , the victory for a time stood doubtfull , but at last epaminondas his troop brake in amongst the lacedemonians , and slew most of those that were about cleombrotus . yet while the king was alive , he kept back the thebans from the victory , being accompanied with all the flower of his army , who fought very valiantly about him : but after he fell dead to the ground , having received and given an infinite number of wounds , then thronged they together on all sides , and there was a bloody and cruell fight about his body , where were heaps of men slain one upon another , and though epaminondas did all that possibly he could , yet the lacedemonians made such resistance , that at last they forced the thebans somewhat to give back , whereby they conveyed the body of the king out of the presse : but this continued not long : for epaminondas both by his words and example , did so raise up and encourage the hearts of his men , that they fought like lyons , and gave so fierce a second charge upon their enemies , that they wholly routed them and made them fly for life , and epaminondas fiercely pursuing the flying enemy , made a great slaughter of them , and obtained the most glorious victory that ever captain won , having in a pitched field overcome the most noble , and warlike nation of all greece , and that with a far smaller number of men than his enemies had . he also rejoyced more in this , than in all his other victories , because it happened to him in his fathers life-time : and he often used to say , that of all the honest and happy fortunes that befell him , nothing joyed his heart more , than that he had vanquished the lacedemonians at leuctres , his father and mother living to see it : and indeed , he that day , did not onely preserve their lives , but of all his citizens besides , the lacedemonians having fully resolved utterly to destroy the thebans . epaminondas used at all other times to come abroad fine and neat , and with a pleasant countenance : but the next day after this battel , he came out very sad , heavy , and pensive , and when his friends asked him whether he had heard any ill news which occasioned this posture , he said , no : but ( said he ) i perceive by my self yesterday , that being overjoyed with the victory i obtained , my heart was more elevated than it ought , and therefore to day i correct that joy , which yesterday exceeded its due bounds . he knowing that it was the manner of the spartans , as much as possible , to conceal their losses , he suffered them not to carry away all their dead bodies together , but every city one after another , by which it appeared that there were four thousand of them slain : but of the booetians there were not found above three hundred dead . this battel was fought in the beginning of the second year of the hundred and second olympiade . the lacedemonians having by this overthrow lost the greatest part of their honour , which they had maintained so long , yet lost not their courage ; but to keep their youth still in heart , and to take away all fear from such as had escaped , they sent agesilaus , with an army into arcadia , who was contented to take a few small towns of the mantineans , and so to return home again . some say that lycomedes , captain of the arcadians , making an inrode neer to orchomene , slew in an encounter , politropus , captain of the lacedemonians , and two hundred spartans with him , which provoked the lacedemonians against them : and thereupon the arcadians , finding themselves too weak for them , they sought alliance and aid from the thebans . sure it is that these two states were now at enmity , which occasioned the arcadians and thebans to joyn together , who , with their allies being led by epaminondas entered into laconia , with an army of fourty thousand men , besides thirty thousand others that followed the camp. at this time the athenians sent captain iphecrates , with twelve thousand men , to aide the lacedemonians : but before their coming , epaminondas was entered into laconia , and had sacked all the country which had not been wasted by any enemy for six hundred years before . the spartans seeing their country thus plundred , and destroyed , were desirous to have gone out with such forces as they had , but agesilaus would not suffer them , telling them how dangerous it was for them to leave their city , and to set upon such a potent , and numerous enemy . this made them quiet : and epaminondas in the mean time marched with his army towards the river eurotas , which at that time was risen very high , because of the winter raines . he endeavoured all he could , to draw forth agesilaus to a battel , who beholding epaminondas a great while , marching with his army in battel aray along the river side at the head of his troops , he wondred at his boldnesse , and valour , but would by no meanes adventure out of his fort : so that when this army had plundred all laconia , epaminondas led them back again laden with a very rich booty . and though agesilaus was commended for pteserving his city in safety ; yet epaminondas had by this inrode , and especially by his victory at leuctres , so impoverished the country , that sparta could never after recover that losse , nor grow into that reputation and power which it had before . yea , notwithstanding the aide sent by the athenians , and the skill and experience of iphicrates , epaminondas returned with his army intire as he came . epaminondas that he might keep the lacedemonians still underfoot , and heape new troubles upon them , gave counsell to the arcadians , and their allies , to re-edify , and replenish with people the city of messina , which the lacedemonians had long before destroyed , and when all the whole councel had given their consents to it , he forthwith , by diligent enquiry sought out all that had been ancient inhabitants in that city , and in the space of eighty five dayes , having repaired the ruined houses , he raised again one of the most noble , and ancient cities of gr●ece , and left there a strong garrison for their security . this gat him as much , if not more love and honour than any other service which he had ever done , the lacedemonians being freed from a great fear by his departure , made an agreement with the athenians , leaving to them the chief command by sea , and reserving to themselves that by land. and afterwards , by the assistance of the athenians and that aide which came to them out of sicily , by little and little they recovered their towns again . the arcadians , to stop their proceedings , assaulted the city of pallene in laconia , and taking it by storme , put all the garrison therein to the sword , & then razed the town , and plundred all the country there abouts . and expecting that the lacedemonians would seek revenge , they sent for aid to the thebans , who sent epaminondas and the other counsellers to assist them with six thousand foot , and five hundred horse . the athenians having intelligence hereof , sent their army under the conduct of chabrias , who marched directly to corinth , where he met with a good supply of souldiers from the megarians , pallenians , and corinthians , so that now he had a brigade of ten thousand men . these intended to fortifie and stop all the passages and entrances into the country of poloponesus . the lacedemonians and their allies joyning also with them , made up an army of twenty thousand men : and accordingly , beginning at the city of cencrees , unto the haven of lecheum , they blocked all the wayes from one sea to an other with mighty great peices of timber laid acrosse , and with a marvelous deep ditch : and this great work was followed with such speed , both by reason of the great multitude of labourers , as also through the forwardnesse of them that prosecuted it with such earnestnesse , that they had quite finished it before the boeotians could arrive there . epaminondas when he came thither , viewing this fortification , perceiving that the easiest place to storme it , was that which the lacedemonians themselves guarded , he sent to give them defiance though they were thrice as many in number as he was , yet for all this they durst not come out , but kept close under their fortification : notwitstanding he assaulted them in it , and at last drave them out . in the heat of the fight every one doing his best , some assailing , others defending , epaminondas chose out the valiantest men in all his army , and bravely charging the lacedemonians , he forced them to give back , and in dispite of them , he entred into peloponnesus , which of all other his noble exlpoites , was the most wonderfull and memorable action . from thence he marched to the cities of epidaure , and troezen , and so pillaged all the country : but he staied not to take any of the towns , because they had strong garrisons in them : yet he put sicyone , phuente , and some other towns into such fear , that they yeilded themselves to him . this being done , he went to corinth , and overcame the corinthians in a set battel , and beat them home , even to the gates of their city : yea some of his men were so unadvised , trusting to their own valour , that they entered the gates of their city pel mel with those that fled , which put the corinthians into such a terrible fear , that they ran with all speed possible to shelter themselves in their houses : but chabrias making head , beat them out again , and slew some , whereupon he caused a token of triumph to be set up , as if he had given the thebans an overthrow , for which epaminondas laughed him to scorn . the boeotians brought their army as neer unto corinth as they could , and chabrias with his army encamped without the walls in a very strong place of advantage , and there were many skirmishes betwixt them , in which chabrias behaved himself with such valour that he gained great reputation even of epaminondas himself , who upon a time being asked , whom he thought to be the greatest captain , himself , chabrias , or iphicrates ? it s hard ( said he ) to judge whilst we are all alive . newes was brought to him that the athenians had again sent an army into poloponnesus , furnished with new armor : indeed this army consisted of ten thousand spaniards and gauls , whom dyonisius the tyrant , sent out of sicily to aide the lacedem●nians , having paid them for five moneths : they did some reasonable service in this war , and at the end of summer returned home again . it fell out in these last encounters that epaminondas having forced the lacedemonians that guarded the fortification before mentioned , had many of them in his power to have slain them : but he contented himself only with this glory , that in dispite of them , he had entered into peloponnesus , seeking to do them no more hurt ; which gave occasion to those that envied his glory , to blame him , and to accuse him of treason , as having willingly spared the enemies , because they should in particular thank him only : but here it will not be improper to take notice how he behaved himself amongst his citizens , and how wisely he defended his own integrity . amongst all those that envied his glory and virtue , there was one meneclides , an orator , and an eloquent man , but with all , most wicked , and very malicious . he finding that epaminondas won so much honour by the wars , never left perswading the thebans to embrace peace , and prefer it before war , and that because hereby they should not alwayes live under the obedience , and command of one man. but epaminondas one day told him in the open counsel : thou wilt ( said he ) deceive the thebans whilst thou advisest them to leave the wars : and highly commending ease and peace , thou goest about to put iron bolts upon their feet . for war begets peace , which yet cannot hold long but amongst them that know how to maintain it with the sword. then turning himself to the citizens , he said , if you will have the principallity and command of all greece , you must shroud your selves in your tents , and lie in your pavillions in the open fields , and not follow sports and pastimes here at home . for he knew well enough that the boeotians undid themselves by ease and idlenesse , which made him endeavour continually to keep them in exercise and war ▪ upon a time when the thebans were to choose captains , they went about to choose epaminondas , one of the six counsellers , whereupon he said to them : my masters , pray you consider of it now you are at leasure before you choose me : for i tell you plainly , if i be chosen your captain you must to the wars . he used to call the country of boeotia , which was a plain , and champion country , the stage of war , saying , that it was impossible to keep it , unlesse the inhabitants had their targets on their armes , and their swords in their hands : and this was not , because he did not love peace , and privacy to study philosophy , or that he was not more carefull of them that were under his charge than he was of himself , using alwayes to watch and forbear his meat , when the thebans were at their banquets , and feasts , giving themselves over to their pleasures : but because he knew them well enough , and was never more carefull of any thing than to keep his army from idlenesse . upon a time the arcadians desired him that some of his companies might come into one of their towns to lie dry and warm there , all the winter , but he would by no means yeild to it . for ( said he to his souldiers ) now they see you exercising your selves in arms , they wonder at you as brave and valiant men ; but if they should see you at the fire side parching of beans , they would esteem no better of you than of themselves . neither could he endure covetousness : for if at sometimes he gave his men leave to go a free●booting , his meaning was , that whatsoever they got , should be bestowed in furnishing them with good arms ; and if any went about to fill his purse with money he judged him unworthy to be a souldier . upon a time he understood that his target-bearer had received a great summe of money for the ransome of a prisoner , whereupon he said to him : give me my target , and go thy wayes home , and buy thee a tavern wherein to spend the rest of thy life : for i perceive thou wilt no more , like an honest man , put thy self in danger in the wars , as formerly thou hast done , because now thou art grown rich and wealthy . though epaminondas was thus virtuous , and unblameable in his life , yet the aforementioned menectides would never cease contending , and reproaching of him : and one day he went so far as to upbraid him because he had no children , and was not married , and that he magnified himself more than ever king agamemnon had done ▪ to this epaminondas answered , thou hast nothing to do to counsel me to marry , and in this respect , there is never a man here whose advise i would less make use of than thine ( and this he spake because the other was taken notice of to be an adulterer ) and whereas thou thinkest that i envy the fame and renown of agamemnon , thou art fowly deceived . yet let me tell thee , that whereas he was ten years in winding one city , i on the contrary , by putting the lacedemonians to flight in one day , have delivered not onely our own city , but all greece from their slavery . but thanks be to you ? my lords thebans ( speaking to all the assembly ) by your assistance i did it , and thereby overthrew the power and government of our insulting enemies . yet after all his brave deeds , both he and pelopidas were ill rewarded for all their good service , by their ingratefull citizens : for at their return from laconia , they , with some other of the six counsellers , were accused , that after the time that their government was expired , they retained their power four months after the time appointed by the law. with much ado pelopidas was quitted : but epaminondas willed all his other companions to lay the fault upon him , who by his authority forced them to it ; and instead of excusing himself , he told them all the brave exploits which he had done at that time : adding withall , that he was willing and ready to die , if they so pleased , provided that they wrote upon his tomb , that epaminondas was put to death , because he had compelled the thebans against their wills to burn the country of laconia , which in five hundred years before had never been plundered . that he had repeopled the city of messina with inhabitants , two hundred and thirty years after it had been laid wast by the lacedemonians . that he had brought all the people and towns of arcadia to be as one body , in league together , and had set all the greeks at liberty : and all these things ( said he ) we did in that journey . the judges when they heard this worthy and true defence , they all arose from their seats , and laughed heartily , and would not take up their balls to ballot against him . but for the second accusation , to wit , that he had shewed favour to the lacedemonians for his own particular honour , he would make no particular answer to it before the people , but rising out of the theater , he passed through the assembly and went into the park of exercises . upon this the people being incensed against him , refused to chuse him into office as they had wont to do , though there was great need of him , and created other counsellers to go into thessaly : and the more ( as they thought ) to despite him , they commanded him to go that expedition as a private souldier , which he refused not , but went very willingly . pelopidas being sent a second time into thessaly to make peace between the people and alexander the tyrant of pheres , was by this tyrant ( not regarding that he was an ambassadour , and a theban ) committed to prison , together with ismenias . upon this , the thebans being justly offended , sent an army of eight thousand foot and five hundred horse against him , howbeit under the conduct of unskillfull captains , who , wanting judgement to use their advantages , thought good to return home without doing any thing : but as they went back alexander , being stronger in horse than they , pressed hard upon their reer , killing some , and wounding others ; so that the thebans knowing neither how to go forward nor backward , were in great distresse ; and that which aggravated their misery was , that their victuals were almost spent . being thus almost out of hope ever to get home in safety , epaminondas being at that time a common souldier amongst the foot , both the captaines and souldiers earnestly intreated him to help to redresse this disorder . he thereupon chose certaine footmen that were light armed , and all the horsmen , and with these putting himself into the rere of the army , he so lustily repulsed the eenemy , that the rest of the army afterwards marched in great safety , and still making head , as occasion served , and keeping his troops in good order , he at last brought them all well home . this brave act crowned him with new glory , confounded his enemies , and made him well spoken of every where , and by it he obtained the love and good will of the citizens , who set great fines upon the heads of those captaines who had behaved themselves so unworthily in that expedition . and now the people seeing that by so many worthy deeds he had stoped the slanderous mouths , and confuted the accusations of his ill willers , they chose him again their captain generall to conduct a new army into thessaly : at his coming all the country wonderfully rejoyced , only the tyrant with his captaines , and friends were exceedingly dejected , and possessed with feare , being thunder-struck with the fame of so noble a captaine , and his subjects had a good mind to rise up against him , hoping that they should shortly see the tyrant fully recompenced for all the wicked and cursed deeds that he had done amongst them . epaminondas when he came into thessaly , preferred the safety and deliverance of his friend pelopidas before his own honour and glory , and fearing lest alexander when he should see himself and his state in danger to be overthrown , should in his rage revenge himself upon pelopidas , he therefore purposly drew this war out in length , marching often about him , but never setting upon him in good earnest , often seeming to make preparations , and yet still delaying : and this he did , to mollify the heart of this tyrant , and not to provoke ( to the danger of his friend ) the inhumane and unbridled passion of this cruel bloudsucker . yet he being a monster compounded of cruelty , and cowardlinesse , was so afraid of the very name and reputation of epaminondas , that he presently sent some to him to excuse his fact , and to crave peace . but epaminondas was not willing that his thebans should make peace and alliance with so wicked a man , only he was content to grant him a truce for thirty dayes , upon the delivering to him pelopidas and ismenias . so with them he returned back to thebes , and alwayes continued a faithfull friend to pelopidas so long as they lieved together : yet would he never share with him in his riches , but did still perseveare in his former strict poverty and discipline . he was very bold , and yet it was mingled with a winning sweetnesse and a livly grace , as may appear in sundy examples . besides his bold speech to agesilaus , mentioned before : at another time the argians having made a league with the thebans , the athenians sent their ambassadors into arcadia , to see if they could gain the arcadians to be their friends . and these ambassadors began roundly and hotly to charge and accuse both the one and the other , and callistratus speaking for them , reproached them with orestes , and oedipus : epaminondas being present at that assembly , stood up , and said , my lords , we confesse that in times past we had a man that killed his father , and in argos , one that killed his mother , but as for us now , we have banished all such wicked murtherers out of our country , and the athenians have intertaned them . at another time when the spartans had laid many great and grievous imputations to the charge of the thebans , he said , if they have done nothing else , my lords of sparta , yet at least they have made you forget to speak little . but that which was most excellent , and observable in epaminondas , and which indeed did stop the mouth of envy it self was his moderation , and temperance , knowing how to use any state or condition , and never to rage either against himself or others , alwayes bearing this mind , that howsoever they took him , and in what place soever they set him , he was well contented , so that he might but advance the good of his country : as may appear by this example : on a time his evil-willers , thinking to bring him into disgrace , and meerly out of spite , made him superintendant or overseer of all the customs , whilst others of his inferiors , unworthy to be compared with him , were placed in the most honourable offices : yet despised he not this meane office , but discharged it very faithfully : for ( said he ) the office or authority shewes not only what the man is , but also the man what the office is . shortly after epaminondas was returned out of thessaly , the arcadians were overcome by archidamus and the lacedemonians , who in the fight lost not a man , and therefore they called this journey the tearlesse battel : and epaminondas forseeing that the arcadians would yet have another storme , he gave them counsel to fortifie their towns , which they did accordingly , and built that city which afterwads was called megalopolis , situated in a very convenient place . whilst the thebans made war with the elians , their neighbours , the minde of epaminondas was alwayes lifted up to high enterprizes for the good of his country , wherefore in an oration which he made to his citizens , he preswaded them to make themselves strong by sea , and to endeavour to get the principality , and to make themselves the lords thereof . this oration was full of lively reasons whereby he shewed and proved unto them , that the enterpize was both honourable , and profitable , which he made out by sundry arguments , telling them that it was an easy thing for them , who were now the stronger by land , to make themselves also the stronger by sea : and the rather , for that the athenians in the war against xerxes , though they had armed and set forth two hundred gallyes , armed and well appointed with men , yet they willingly submitted themselves to the lacedemonians . he alleadged many other reasons , whereby he prevailed so far , that the thebans were willing to undertake the enterprize , and thereupon gave present order to build an hundred gallies , and an arsenall with so many rooms that they might lay them under covert in the dock : they ordered also to send to them of rhodes , and of chio , and of byzantium , to desire their furthrance in this enterprize : for which end epaminondas was sent with an army unto these cities : in his passage he met with leches ▪ a captain of the athenians , with a number of ships in his fleet , who was sent on purpose to hinder this designe of the thebans : yet epaminondas so affrighted him , that he made him retire back again , and holding on his course he brought the aforenamed cities to enter into league with the thebans . shortly after the thebans fell out with the city of orchomene , which had done them great hurt , and mischiefe , and having won it by assault , slew all the men that were able to bear armes , and made all the women and children slaves . some time after the death of pelopidas , certain private persons of mantinea , fearing to be called to an account for their bad behaviours , and robberies which they had committed , if the arcadians and elians should agree , they so brought it about , that they raised a new quarrel in the country , which was divided into two factions , whereof the mantineans were the chief on the one side , and the tageates on the other . this quarrel went so far , that the parties would needs try it by armes . the tageates sent to request aid of the thebans , who accordingly chose epaminondas their captain generall , and sent him with a good number of men of war to aid the tageates . the mantineans being terrified with this aid that came out of boeotia to their eneemies , and at the reputation of their captain , they immediatly sent to the athenians , and lacedemonians , the greatest enemies of the boeotians , for their assistance , which both the cities granted . upon this there fell out many and great skirmishes in diverse parts of peloponnesus : and epaminondas being not far off from mantinea , understood by some of the country men , that agesilaus , and his lacedemonians , were come into the field , and that they wasted all the territories of the tageates ; whereupon , judging that there were but few men left in the city of sparta to defend it , he undertook a great exploit , and dangerous , and had certainly effected it , if the marvelous good fortune of sparta had not hindred it . his designe was this : he departed from tegea by night , the mantineans knowing nothing of it , and taking a by way , he had certainly surprised sparta without striking a stroak , had not a post of candia speedily carried word of it to agesilaus , who immediatly dispatched away an horsman to give intelligence to them of sparta to stand upon their guard , and he himself speedily hasted after , and arrived there a little before the coming of the thebans , who being very near the city a little before day , they gave an assault to them that defended it . this made agesil●us to bestir himself wonderfully , even beyond the strength of so old a man : but his son archidamus , and isadas , the son of phaebidas fought valiantly on all parts ▪ epaminondas seeing how prepared the spartanes were to oppose him , began then to suspect that his design was discovered ; yet notwithstanding he left not off to force them all he could , though he fought with great disadvantage , considering the places wherein he was : yea , he continued fighting courageously , till the army of the lacedemonians came on , and till the night approached , whereupon he sounded a retreat . then being informed that the mantineans came on also with their forces , he withdrew his army somewhat farther off from the town , and there camped . after which he caused his men to refresh themselves with victuals , and leaving certain horsemen in the camp , he commanded them to make fires in the morning , and in the mean time himself with the rest of his men , went to surprize mantinea before any should discover that he was departed . yet herein also he failed of his purpose , the prosperity of the thebans being come to its height , and the course of epaminondas his life drawing neer to an end , whereby greece was deprived of this noble and famous captain , from whom was taken a most notable victory , and that twice , by strange accidents . for at the second time , when he was come neer to mantinea that was left without guard and defence , just then , on the other side of the town there arrived six thousand athenians , conducted by their captain hegelecus , who having put sufficient force into the town , ordered the rest of his army in battel array without the walls , and immediatly also came the mantineans , and lacedemonians together , who prepared to put all to the hazard of a battel , and therefore sent for their allies from all parts : and when they were come together they were in all twenty five thousand foot , and two thousand horse . the arcadians , boeotians , and their partakers were thirty thousand foot , and three thousand horse . when they came to the battel , first the horse charged with great fury , and the horsmen of the athenians encountering with the thehans , proved too weak for them , not because they were lesse valiant , or hardy than the other , but because they had not so good chieftains , and had few archers amongst their troops . the thebans on the other side were all excellently well appointed , and had thessalians amongst them , men very skilfull in their bowes , who so plyed the athenians that they wholly brake them , and put them to the rout , yet in their flight they did not run amongst their footmen , which made them somewhat recover their honour which they had lost by running away . on the contrary part , as they fled , they met with some companies of negropont , whom the arcadians had sent to take in certain hills hard by the plain where the battel was fought , whom they put all to the sword. the men at arms of the thebans seeing them turn their backs , did not pursue them at all , but presently gave charge upon a great battalion of footmen , forcing them all they could to break , and run through them . so the fight was very cruel and sharp , yet in the end the athenians were forced to quit the place : whereupon a collonel of horsemen of the elians , who stood as a reserve to guard the rere , defended them , and encountering with the bo●otians , he resisted them , and made them give back , which reinforced the fault of the left point of their army . but in the right point , after the horsemen had charged one another , the fight was soon determined : for by reason of the great number of men at armes of the thebans , and thessalians , the mantineans and their partakers were soon put to rout , and haveing lost a great number of their men , they sheltered themselves under the battalion of their footmen , and this was the issue of the fight between the horsemen . as for the infantry , after they came once to the sword , it was a marvellous bloody , and cruel fight . for never before that time was there so many greeks in the field one against another , nor so great and expert captains , nor such valiant souldiers as were now . the two nations that at that time bare the name to be the bravest footmen in all the world , to wit , the thebans , and lacedemonians , were now set in front one against the other , and they began to charge , neither sparing life nor limb . the first charge they gave was with their pikes , which being soon broken with the huge blows they gave each other , then they came to it with their swords , and lustily laying about them , body to body , death raged in every place , and there was a mighty carnage made : for neither part shrunk back , or gave over with wearinesse , but stood to it like undaunted men . and so continued this dangerous fight for a long time , by reason of the valiantness of either party , the victory stood doubtfull for a great while , and it could not be judged which side was like to have the upper hand . for every one that fought , had this resolution in his heart , not to fear death whatsoever befell them : but rather desiring to make proof of their utmost valour , they willingly parted with their lives to lye in the bed of honour . by reason whereof , though the fight was sharp and cruel , yet the event remained for a long space so uncertain , that it could not be discerned to which side the victory should fall but at last , epaminondas seeing no other remedy , but that the issue of this doubtfull fight depended upon his own virtue and valour , he resolved with himself to adventure his life upon it : and presently ▪ gathering about him all the best , and choisest men of his army , and of them having compounded a company of stout and resolute blades , he ran with great fury into the thickest , and greatest press of all his enemies , marching himself the foremost man in all his troop , with a spear in his hand , with the which at the first blow he gave , he slew the captain of the lacedemonians , and straightway the rest of his company began to assail their enemies . but epaminondas laying about him like a lion , slew so many in the place where he stood with his own hands , that at last he opned the battel of the lacedemonian , whom he pursued & laid on them so lustily , that they being unable any longer to defend themselves against the irristable fury of himself and his followers , were enforced to give back and leave the place to the boeotians , who yet followed them at their heels , beating them down so eagerly , that in a short space the whole field was covered with dead bodies , lying on heapes one upon another . but in the end , the lacedemonians seeing that they could no way save themselves , gathered courage out of despair , and a company of them joyning together , all set upon epaminondas throwing an infinite number of darts at him , of which some he avoided , others he received upon his target , but yet there were many that stuck in his body which he pulled out , and fought with the same weapons against those that had thrown them at him . at last , when he had done more than a man , and beyond all humane strength , thereby to win honour to his country by gaining them the victory , a certain l●co●ian called anticrates , thrust him into the breast with a dart with such force , as breaking the wood , he left the iron head sticking in his body . having received this deadly wound , he fell immediately to the ground : but then was there a more cruel fight about him than ever there was before , which occasioned great slaughter on both sides , till the thebans by fine force made their enemies to flie for their lives , and when they had pursued them a while , they returned back to their camp that they might keep the dead bodies in their power , which was a certain signe that the victory was theirs , and then they sounded a retreat , and so the battel ended . both sides challenged the victory and made triumphs for it . the lacedemonians did it , because the athenians had slain those of negropont that were sent to seize upon the hils before mentioned , and kept their bodies in their power . the thebans on the other side having overcome the spartans , had the bodies of them that were slain in the battel , in their power , which was by far the greater number , wherefore they said , that they were the victors . thus both standing upon their tearms , it was a good while before either would send a trumpet or herauld to the other for leave to bury their dead . yet at last the lacedemonians sent first , and then they all betook themselves to give the dead an honourable burial . and as for him that had killed epaminondas , he was highly esteemed and honoured for his valiant act , and the lacedemonians gave him many rich presents , and made him and his posterity free from all publick taxes and contributions in the common-wealth . as for epaminondas he was brought yet alive into his tent ; how beit his physitians , and surgeons being called together to dresse his wounds , they all concluded that so soone as they plucked the head of the dart out of his body , he must needs die . and truly he made a most noble and worthy end . for first he called for his target-bearer , who was alwayes at his hand in the battel , and asked him : is my target safe ? he brought it strait . then he asked , who had the victory ? the boeotians answered , the target-bearer . then he commanded them to bring to him diophantus and jolidas : they told him they were both dead : upon this he advised his citizens to make peace with their enemies , for that they had not any captain of skill to lead them to the wars . and now ( said he ) it is time for me to die , and therefore pluck the dart head out of my body . at this word all his friends that were about him fetched grievous sighs , and even cryed out for sorrow : and one of them weeping , said unto him : alas epaminondas ! thou diest now and leavest no children behind thee : yea ( said he ) that i do : eor i leave two faire daughters behind me , whereof the one is the victory at leuctres and the other , this of mantinea . so they pulled out the dart , and immediatly he gave up the ghost , without shewing any signe that he was at all troubled at it . he used often to say , that war is the bed of honour , amd that it is a sweet death to dye for ones country . he was one of the bravest captaines that ever we read of : for whereas others excelled in some one or two virtues by which they made their fame great and glorious , he excelled in all the vertues and good parts that could be desired in a grave , politick and great captain , to make him compleat in all things that could be expected in an heathen . in his time he advanced his country to the principality of all greece . but after his death they soon lost it : and not long after alexander the great , utterly ▪ ●rake them in peices , made slaves of those that survived , and razed their city to the very ground . a● in hi● life time he had alwayes detested covetou●n●sse ▪ so after his death the thebans were faigne to bury him at the common charge of the city , because they found no mony in his house to defray the least patt of the funerall expences . finis . courteous reader , be pleased to take notice that these books following , are printed for , and sold by william miller , at the 〈…〉 in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door ▪ hickes revelation , revealed , folio . clarkes martyrology compleat , with the persecutions of england to the end of queen maries reign , folio . — lives of ten eminent divines , some being as follow ; bishop vsher , dr gouge , dr harris , mr gataker , mr whittaker , &c. and some other famous christians . — life of christ , º — life of herod the great , º — life of nebuchadnezzar , and cyrus the great ; the one , the first founder of the baylonian empir , the other , the first founder of the empire of the medes and persians , º — life of alexander the great the first founder of the grecian empire , as also of charles the great , commonly called charlemagne , the first founder of the french empire , º — a prospect of hungary , and transylvania , together with an account of the qualities of the inhabitants , the commodities of the countries , the chiefest cities , towns , and strong-holds , rivers , and mountains , with an historycal narration of the wars amongst themselves , and with the turks , continued to this year . as also a brief description of bohemia , austria , bavaria , steirmark , cr●atia , dalmatia , moravia , and other adjacent countries , contained in a map joyned therewith , by which map you may know which places are in the power of the turk , and which christians have , º cradock's knowledge and practice ; or , a plain discourse of the chief things necessary to be known , believed , and practised in order to salvation , º ford , of baptism , º cotton , on the covenant of grace , º culverwell , of assurance , º records urinal of physick , º ravins oriental grammer , º peacocks visitation , º dr tuckney's good day well improved , º — death disarmed , º — balm of gilead , º clamor sanguinis , º aristipp●● or b●lsac's master piece , º 〈◊〉 charles's works , º notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e hannibal chosen general . he besieges , and takes many townes . his valour , and policy . his victory . he besieges saguntum . saguntum taken . roman ambassadors sent to carthage . the carthaginians answer . war denounced by the romanes . hannibal prepares for italy . he conquers much of spain . his passage through france . he is opposed . his victory in france . some gauls incourage him . he passeth the alps. the gauls rise aganst the romans , they besiege modena . the romans send an army into spain . hannibals losses in his march . hannibal prepares to fight . a battel . the romans beaten . the gauls forsake the romans . hannibal beates the consul . he wins clastidium . hannibals forragers beaten . another battel . the romans beaten . hannibals policy . treacheries against him . his dangerous march . the romans beaten again· the romans beaten . great fea● at rome . a dictator chosen . fabius his warinesse . hannibals policy . fabius his wisdom . hinnibals stratagem . hannibal forragers beaten . minutius made equall with fabius . a battel . the romans beaten . cannae castle taken . varro makes hast to fight . they prepare to fight . the great battel at cannae . hannibals policy . the romans beaten . many towns inertain hannibal capua intertains him . the romans mourn . their superstition a dictator chosen . hinnibal beaten . acerrae taken by hannibal . cassiline besieged· mago sent to carthage . large supplies promised to hannibal . diverse cities taken . the promised supplies come not . gracchus his prudence . the capuans beaten . cuma besieged . the siege raised . hannibal delaies . a battel the carthaginians b●aten . the romans poverty , how supplyed . cassil●ne taken by the r●mans . arpi taken by the romans . the romans beaten . tarentum●ake ●ake by hannibal . the carthaginians beaten . capua besieged by the consuls . the seige raised by hannibal . the romans beaten . another victo●y . capua besieged again . hannibal comes to relieve them . hannibal intends for rome and leaves it . capua taken . the consuls cruelty . the publick wants supplied . salapia yeilded to marcellus the romans beaten . a battel a battel . the romans beaten . tarentum taken . the romans beaten locry besieged ▪ the romans beaten . the consuls slaine . the romans beaten . great fear at rome . asdrubal comes into italy . a battel . asdrubal slaine . hannibal retires into brusia . his prudence . scipio coms from spain· is chosen consul . he go● into sycily . sends inti africk . and goes himself . vtica besieged . the carthaginians beaten . and a second time . they sue for peace . they dealt deceitfully . hannibal ▪ leaves italy . comes into afrck. an interview of the generals . hannibals speech to scipio . scipios reply . they prepar to fight . a battel . hannibal beaten . he flies to carthage , and perswades them to seek peace . his civil imployment . he is complained of to the romans . he flies from carthage to tyre· he goes to antioccus . his counsel neglected . he flies to prusias . who betrays him . his last speech . he poisons himself . notes for div a -e his parentage and education . his parts . he exercises and studies . his discourse with a phylosopher . his contempt of riches . his poverty . his charity . his sobriety . his vigilance . his valor . tyran's in thebes . his prudence . the tyrants slain . his modesty . he is advanced to honour . the spartans beaten . a battel . the spartans beaten . peace among the greeks . the thebans are excepted . plataees destroyed . hi● wisdom . and courage . his prudence . fat men cashired . his prudence . and policy . a battel the spartans beaten . his humility . he plunders laconia . he braves the spartans . messina re-edified . pallene destroyed . peloponesus fortified . he beates the spartans . his clemency . he is envied . his prudence . he is accused and abused . pelopidas imprison ? ed by a tyrant . his policy . his prudence . pelopidas released . his witty speeches . his humility - megalopelis built . the thebans build a navy . new wars . a notable atempt ▪ an other but frustrated . a battel . he is deadly wound●d . the spartans beaten . his advice to the thebans . his death . his character . h●s poverty . an antidote against immoderate mourning for the dead. being a funeral sermon preached at the burial of mr. thomas bewley junior, december th. . by sa. clarke, pastor in bennet fink, london. clarke, samuel, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) an antidote against immoderate mourning for the dead. being a funeral sermon preached at the burial of mr. thomas bewley junior, december th. . by sa. clarke, pastor in bennet fink, london. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by e. m. for george calvert, at the half moon in pauls church-yard, neer the little north-door, london : [i.e. ?] annotation on thomason copy: "ffebr ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng funeral sermons -- th century. a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no an antidote against immoderate mourning for the dead.: being a funeral sermon preached at the burial of mr. thomas bewley junior, december clarke, samuel c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jason colman sampled and proofread - jason colman text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an antidote against immoderate movrning for the dead . being a funeral sermon preached at the burial of mr. thomas bewley junior , december th. . by sa. clarke , pastor in bennet fink , london . quid interest utrum febris , an ferrum de corpore solverit : non quâ occasione , sed quales ad se exeant , dominus attendit in servis suis . august . is there not an appointed time to man upon earth ? are not his dayes like the dayes of an hireling ? job . . london , printed by e. m. for george calvert , at the half moon in pauls church-yard , neer the little north-door , . to his honoured and much esteemed friends mr. thomas bewley , merchant ; and mrs. mary bewley , his wife . dearly beloved in the lord : it was at your request that i first preached this sermon ; and it is more to satisfie your desires than mine own , that i now print it . they that know me , cannot but withall know how backward i have ever been ( being conscious to my own weaknesse ) to publish any of my labours in this kind ; and your selves can bear me witness , that it was my earnest request , that you would have laid this burthen upon abler shoulders , especially having so great choise of godly and learned ministers whom you invited to the funeral : but when you persevered in your desires and requests to me to undertake it , my chiefest care was to make choise of such a subject , as ( through gods blessing ) might come home to your hearts , and direct your behaviour under so great a burthen , as is the losse of a dear and and only son . i knew that your affections were strong , and that you had need of a great deal of heavenly wisdom to enable you to moderate them ; and whence is this wisdom to be learned , but from the sacred scriptures , which are richly stored with precious promises , as with so many cordials to revive and strengthen us in our greatest necessities . vnless thy law ( faith david , meaning principally the promises contained in it ) had been my delights , i should have perished in mine affliction , psal. . . but as those which are faln into a swoon , may be fetched again with hot waters poured down their throats : so they that are troubled and pressed down under the heavy burthen of sorrow and grief , may by patience and comfort of the scriptures recover hope and joy . the text which god directed me to treat of was both seasonable and suitable to your present condition ; as not onely teaching you how to behave your selves under such an affliction , but holding forth to you sound and sufficient arguments to perswade and induce you to the practice of the same : i beseech you therefore to read it over and over again , and remember what the father said ; these are verba vivenda , & non legenda solùm , words to be lived and practised , and not to be read only : such a sentence it is as a man would fetch from china upon his bare feet , rather than be without it . take , i pray you , your correction as from gods hand , and humble your selves under the smart of it : yet withal look to christ , and entreat him that your faith , hope , and meeknesse may not be overturned by it , but rather that the affliction may bring forth patience , and patience experience , and experience hope . consider who it is that hath done it : is he not your heavenly father ? now if your natural father had done some shrewd turn at unawares , by breaking a thing wherein you much delighted , when you heard that he did it , you would be quiet , though before you were much moved : should you not say with christ ? shall i not drink of that cup , that my father will have me to drink of ? remember , i pray you , what the apostle suggesteth , hebr. . . we have had fathers of our flesh that have corrected us , and we gave them reverence : shall we not much rather be in subjection to the father of our spirits , and live ? v. . for they verily for a few days chastned us after their own pleasure ; but he for our profit , that we might be partakers of his holinesse . consider , i pray you , if god when you were first married should have told you , i will give you two children , and you shall bring them up so many years , and then i will take them away again ; would you not have accepted gladly of this offer , and taken it thankfully too ? why ? the event doth tell you no lesse than if he had spoken so afore-hand , and will you now murmur or repine at his dispensation ? is not god the chief father of all the families in heaven and earth , and we but foster-parents to our own children under him ? is it not a mercy that god hath made you instrumentall for the enlarging of his kingdom , though he hath taken both your children from you ? say therefore with job , the lord hath given , and the lord hath taken away , blessed be the name of the lord . at least say with david , i was dumb , and opened not my mouth , because thou lord didst it . oh! labour for good old eli's temper , it is the lord , let him do what seems good in his eyes , sam. . . consider that god who hath done it , is love , and if you look upon it as an effect of his anger towards you , yet be of good comfort , that god that would not have sinful man to let the sun go down upon his anger , he will not retain his anger for ever , because he delighteth in mercy , micha . . . but i presume that one thing addes a great sting to your affliction , which is , that hereby you want an heir to enjoy your estate , and to preserve your name : for all men naturally affect immortality , and because they cannot enjoy it in themselves , they desire it in their posterity that survives them : but for a medicine to this malady , remember what the lord speaketh , isa. . , , let not the eunuch say , behold , i am a dry tree . for thus saith the lord to the eunuchs that keep my sabbath , & choose the things that please me , and take hold of my covenant ; even unto them will i give in my house , and within my walls , a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters , i will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off . let me but adde one word more , and i have done ; consider what a mercy it is , that god hath given you so many christian friends that sympathize with you , and help to bear your burthen ; so many godly and able comforters to speak a word in season to your afflicted souls , so many faithful ministers and christians that daily pray for you , and beg of god that he will support you under this heavy losse , and make it up in some better blessing . remember , i beseech you , what our lord and saviour christ saith , luke . . if any one come unto me , and hates not his father , and mother , and wife , and children , and brethren , and sisters , yea and his own life also , he cannot be my disciple . now the god of comfort be your comforter , and give you a large measure of prudence , patience , self-denial , with a full and free resignation of your ▪ self , to the absolute disposal of the all-wise and all-merciful god , that you may as well in heart , as in words say , thy will be done in earth , as it is in heaven , which is the servent prayer of from my study in thred-needle-street jan. . / . your affectionate friend to love and serve you , s. clarke . an antidote against immoderate mourning for the dead . thes. . , . but i would not have you ignorant , brethren , concerning them which are asleep , that ye sorrow not , even as others which have no hope . for if we believe that jesus died , and rose again , even so them also which sleep in jesus , will god bring with him . the apostle paul , by gods blessing upon his ministry , had gathered a large church in thessalonica , the chiefest city of macedonia : for besides that some of the jews believed , there were also multitudes of the greeks , and of the chief women not a few , that readily entertained the gospel , and conforted with paul and silas , act. . . whereupon the devil , moved with envy , raised a great persecution against them by the jews that dwelt there , and other lewd fellows of the baser sort that they adjoyned to them ; upon which occasion paul and silas were forced to fly to berea , and from thence paul went to athens : and after a while silas and timotheus coming to him thither ; he , not being unmindful of his flock that he had left at thessalonica , sent timothy to confirm them in the faith that he before had preached , and they had received . at timothy's return to him at corinth , being informed by him of their estate , he thought fit and expedient to write to them this epistle , as appears , thess. . , . wherein after the apostolical salutations , c. . v. . the epistle consists of two principal parts . in the first , the apostle indeavours to confirm and strengthen them in the faith received , to the end of the third chapter . from thence to the end of the epistle , he exhorts them by a christian conversation to beautifie and adorn their profession ; and this he doth : first , in general , ch. . v. , . secondly , in particular , by perswading them to the practice of sundry christian vertues , and duties ; as , . to chastity , v. , , . . to justice and equity in all their dealings , v. . . to brotherly love , v. , . . to a quiet life , and attending their own businesses , v. , . . to be moderate in their sorrow for their deceased friends , seeing they shall be raised up again by christ , v. , . and thereupon he takes occasion largely to describe the glory of christs coming to judgment , and the order of the resurrection of the dead , declaring the certainty of it , though the time was uncertain , and this he doth to the fourth verse of the fifth chapter . in these two verses of my text , the chiefest scope of the apostle is to perswade them to keep a mean in their mourning for the dead ; wherein are considerable , first , the friendly compellation that he uses , brethren . secondly , an information concerning the state of the dead , set down negatively , i would not have you ignorant , as if he should say , i would have you well informed of this doctrine , the knowledge whereof will conduce much to your comfort . thirdly , the end why he was so careful to inform them of it , that they might not sorrow , as did others which had no hope , viz. as the heathen did : for although they believed the immortality of the soul , yet they were never able to comprehend or believe the resurrection of the bodies , and re-uniting them with the souls , whereof he speaks in the subsequent verse , as appears , acts . . and . , &c. fourthly , a strong argument to inforce his exhortation for their moderate mourning for the dead , ver. . for if we believe that jesus died and rose again , &c. thus having heard the occasion and scope of these words , and the principal parts of the text , i will make no other curious division of it , but proceed to shew you how many useful observations may be gathered out of these verses : and first , from the friendly compellation used by the apostle , brethren . whence note first , that , all gods children are brethren ; so saith abraham to lot , gen. . . let there be no strife , i pray-thee , between me and thee , &c. for we are brethren : so col. . . thes. . , . tim. . for first , they are the adopted children of the same father , ephes. . . secondly , they are born of the same mother , the church , pet. . . thirdly , they are brought up in the same family , ephes. . . fourthly , they are nourished with the same food , pet. . . fifthly , they have all the same inheritance , rom. . . secondly , again , consider who it is that calls them brethren , the apostle paul , the great doctor of the gentiles , and a man endowed with more then ordinary gifts and graces : and who they were that he calls brethren ; the lately converted thessalonians : most of them of mean rank , and mean gifts , in comparison of him : whence note , they which have the greatest gifts and graces bestowed upon them by god , must not superciliously overlook those which are meaner and weaker then themselves , but must own them for , and acknowledge them to be brethren hence , cor. . . who makes thee to differ from another ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive ? now if thou didst receive it , why doest thou glory , as if thou hadst not received it ? thirdly , in that the apostle was so careful to inform them of this comfortable truth ; observe , gods ministers must be careful to inform their people of all such saving truths as may conduce to their edification and comfort : that when they come to leave their people , they may be able to say with the apostle , act. . . i have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of god . fourthly , it seems that till now the thessalonians were ignorant of these things which made them to over-sorrow for their dead . hence observe : ignorance of the blessed estate of the saints departed is the cause of excessive mourning for them . fifthly , paul speaking of the dead , saith , they were asleep , hence observe : the death of the righteous is but a sweet sleep : so it is often called in scripture . christ speaking of dead lazarus , saith , our friend lazarus sleepeth , joh. . . with . and when stephen was stoned to death , its said , that he fell asleep , act. . . and in these two verses of my text , paul twice calls it a sleep : and hence the grave is called a bed , isa. . and the greeks called it {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} a dormitory , or sleeping place . sixthly . i would not have you sorrow as do others , &c. he doth not say , i would not have sorrow at all : for , it s a duty to mourn for the dead : for as a reverend and learned doctor saith , sorrow and lamentation is the dues of the dead . it is fit that the body , when it s sown in corruption , should be watered with the tears of them that plant it in the earth , and to be without natural affections is an heathenish sin , rom. . . and one of those that make these later times perilous , tim. . . from whence we may observe : it s lawful to mourn and sorrow upon the death of our friends and relations . our lord christ himself wept at the death of lazarus , joh. . . and the church made great lamentation for stephen , act. . . and the widdows wept for dorcas , act. . . and paul sorrowed when epaphroditus was deadly sick , phil. . . seventhly , as do others that have no hope , i. e. as the heathen do , which are ignorant of these things ▪ hence , the heathen use to be immoderate in their mourning for the dead ; becaue they want a hope of the present blessednesse of their souls , and the future resurrection of their bodies . forbidden gods people , lev. . , . eightly , but i would not have you do so , saith the apostle . hence , christians which know these things must be moderate in their mourning . ninthly , vers . . for if we believe , that jesus died and rose again , &c. hence observe , first ; the resurrection of christs body from the dead is a sure and certain pledge and evidence of the resurrection of out bodies : so the holy apostle paul makes it , cor. . , &c. if christ be preached , that he rose from the dead , how say some among you , that there is no resurrection of the dead : but if there be no resurrection of the dead , then christ is not risen : and verse . but now is christ risen from the dead , and become the first fruits of them that slept , &c. tenthly , even so them also which sleep in jesus . hence observe . that the bodies of the saints departed sleep in the arms of jesus : he takes care of all the bones , yea , of the very dust of his saints , that none of it shall be wanting when he comes to raise their bodies again at the last day . our bodies , even whilst they lie in the grave , are members of christ ; and therefore it s no marvel , though he takes such care of them . eleventhly , will god bring with him . whence i gather . that when christ shall come to judgment , then shall the resurrection of our bodies be : this is an article of our faith . it was typified by the budding and blossoming of aarons dry rod : by jonas deliverance out of the belly of the fish , where he had been three dayes and three nights . it was believed by the patriarchs of old , heb. . . and its an infallible truth , that these bodies of ours that are sown in corruption , shall be raised in incorruption , cor. . . and for our further security , enoch before the flood , and elijah after the flood , were taken into heaven in their bodies . neither indeed is this contrary to reason , though it be above the reach of reason : for why cannot christ as well raise a body out of the dust , as at first he made it out of the dust ? especially considering that the soul is preserved in heaven for this very end , to be joyned to the body again . this job was confident of , job . , . though after my skin wormes destroy this body , yet in my flesh i shall see god , &c. nay , it s not contrary to the course of nature : for we yearly see that the resurrection of the spring succeeds the dead winter , the day the night : and thou fool , the corn that thou sowest , is not quickned , except it die , saith paul , cor. . . and the same apostle tells us , rom. . . that if the spirit that raised up jesus from the dead dwell in us , he that raised up christ from the dead shall quicken our mortal bodies by his spirit that dwells in us . besides , christ is the second adam , and as we did bear the image of the first adam in corruption , so we must bear the image of the second adam in glory , cor. . , . twelfthly , but that which is the principal thing that i intend to insist on is a doctrine held forth to us in the latter end of the fourteenth verse , that ye sorrow not as do others that have no hope : whence , a well-grounded hope of the happinesse of our friends deceased should moderate our mourning for them . this ( without question ) moderated abrahams mourning for sarah . mourn indeed he did , for the text saith , gen. . . that sarah died — and abraham came to mourn for sarah , and to weep for her ; but that he kept a mean in his mourning , appears by the next words , v. , . and abraham stood up from before his dead , and bespake a burying place to bury his dead out of his sight ; and this he did , that the object being removed , his sorrow might be mitigated . this also moderated josephs and the israelites mourning for jacob , gen. . . where it is said , that joseph fell upon his fathers face , ( when he died ) and wept upon him , and kissed him : and vers. . it s said , that joseph and the israelites made a mourning for him seven dayes : but v. . it s said , that the egyptians ( who mourned as men without hope ) mourned for him threescore and ten dayes . this also moderated davids mourning for his child , sam . . now he is dead , wherefore should i fast ? can i bring him back again ? i shall go to him , but he shall not return to me : and this was martha's comfort , when her dear brother lazarus was dead , i know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day , joh. . . in the prosecution of this point , i shall shew you , first , what is meant by a well-grounded hope . secondly , wherein the happinesse of our friends departed in the lord , consists . thirdly , why the consideration of these things should put a mean to our mourning for them . fourthly ; i will answer some objections that may be made against it . and fifthly , make application of it . for the first : what do you call a well-grounded hope ? i use this epithite , to distinguish it from that ill-grounded hope wherewith so many do delude themselves . as first , because their friends were born of christian parents , baptized , and brought up in the church . secondly , because they had gotten some knowledge , and made an outward profession of religion . thirdly , because they used to attend upon the publick ordinances , and that with some seeming devotion . fourthly , because they were free from grosse sins , and dealt justly with every man . fifthly , because they enjoyed outward peace and prosperity , the sun of god shining upon their tabernacles . sixthly , because they died quietly like lambs , and it may be , went out of the world with some good words in their mouths , psal. . , . there are no bands in their death , but their strength is firm ; they are not in trouble as other men . from these and such like weak grounds , they presume that their friends after death must needs go to heaven , and therefore they comfort themselves , and one another with these words : whereas the truth is , they may go to hell after all these things . our saviour christ tells us , matt. . . that except our righteousnesse shall exceed the righteousnesse of the scribes and pharisees , we shall in no case enter into the kingdome of heaven : and these men are so far from exceeding , that they come short of the righteousnesse of the scribes and pharisees , who were frequent in alms-deeds , in prayer , in fasting , mat. . . . . and yet christ calls them hypocrites . yea , they made long prayers , matth. . . they compassed sea and land to make one proselyte , v. . they payed even their smallest tithes , v. . they outwardly appeared righteous unto men : v. . they blamed their fathers for murthering the prophets , and by way of compensation to free themselves from the guilt , they built tombs for those prophets , and garnished the sepulchres of the righteous , v. . . notwithstanding all which , christ pronounceth many woes against them . thus we see what are ill-grounded hopes , which prove but like a spiders web to those that trust in them . i shall therefore in the next place shew you what is a well-grounded hope of the happinesse of our friends departed , which consists in this : when our deceased friends have in their life-time given us some good evidence of the work of grace and sanctification wrought in their hearts , whereby we could discern that , by gods blessing upon the means , their eyes were opened , that they were turned from darknesse to light , and from the power of satan unto god : for then we may conclude , that they have received forgivenesse of their sins and an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified by faith that is in christ , act. . . but this work of grace being inward and secret , how shall we be able to judge of it ? our saviour christ gives us a rule for our direction in judging of others , mat. , , , , , . ye shall know them ( saith he ) by their fruits . do men gather grapes of thorns , or figs of thistles ? even so every good tree brings forth good fruit ; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit . a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit , neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit : wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them . from whence we may gather , that as wicked men , for the most part , may be known by their wicked lives ; so gracious persons may be known by their gracious lives . for it s as easie to carry fire in our bosome , or oil in our hands without discovery , as grace in our hearts without the manifestation of it . now many signes might be given , whereby we may judge of the work of grace in others , but i shall content my self for the present with these three . first , if living with them , we observe that they make conscience of , and practise private and secret duties as well as publick . hypocrites when they do duties , do all to be seen of men , that they may have glory of men , matth. . . . . and therefore in their very private prayers they love to make them in the synagogues , and in the corners of the streets , v. . they have jacobs voice , but esaus hands : the lord indeed is much in their mouths , but far from their reines , jer. . . they lay claim to christ , but yet have no share in him : they deeply affirm of him , but have no manner of right to him : their faith is but phansie , their confidence but presumption ; they are like the mad man at athens that laid claim to every ship that came into the harbour , when he had no part in any ; like haman , that hearing the king would honour a man , concluded ( but falsly ) that himself was the man : or like sisera that dreamed of a kingdome , whereas jaels nail was neerer his temples then a crown : and thus they deceive themselves with their shews , and think to deceive others ; but gods children can usually discern them , and discover them to be like harpyes that are said to have virgins faces , but vulturs talons : but on the contrary , a sound-hearted christian , though he dare not neglect , yea , though he prefer the publick , yet he also makes conscience of private duties , and prayes to his father in secret ; so that if we observe this in them , its one good ground that they have the work of regeneration wrought in their hearts . secondly , if we observe them , that they labour to keep a conscience void of offence both towards god , and towards men , as saint paul professeth that he did , act. . . if they have had respect to all gods commandments , as david , psal. . . if they have made conscience of the duties of both tables , serving god in holinesse and righteousnesse all the days of their lives , luke . . hiring themselves unto him for term of life , not desiring to change their master , knowing that they cannot mend themselves neither for fairnesse of work , nor fulnesse of wages , whereas an hypocrite is versutulus & versatilis , he casts about how to deceive god and man with meer shews of devotion , being not afraid to be damned , so he may seem to be saved , and seeking so long to deceive others , that in fine he deceives his own soul . imposturam faciunt & patiuntur , as that emperour said of them that sold glasse beads for pearl . they deceive , and are deceived . thirdly , when we have heard them groaning and mourning under the remainders of corruption , and the relicts of sin , crying out with the holy apostle , rom . . o wretched man that i am , who shall deliver me from the body of this death ! when they have manifested their hatred against all sin , and shunned every evil way , saying with the wisest of men , prov. . . the fear of the lord is to hate evil ; pride , and arrogancy , and every evil way do i hate : whereas a dispensatory conscience is a naughty conscience : neither doth he gods will , but his own , that doth no more nor no other then himself pleaseth , as hypocrites use ; such holiday servants god cares not for . every one can swim in a warm bath , and every bird will sing in a summers-day . judas will bear the crosse , so he may bear the bag : and the carnal capernaits will follow christ for the loaves , though not for love , joh. . . but abraham will forsake all to follow god , though he know not whither yea though god seems to go a cross way , as when he promised him a land flowing with milk and honey ; and yet so soon as he came there , he met with a famine , gen. . . if then you have observed these three things in your christian friends whilst they lived , you may have a well-grounded hope of their blessednesse after death , which , sure , cannot but moderate your mourning for them . but wherein consists the happinesse of our friends who are departed in the lord ? i shall shew this in two particulars : first , in the evils that they are freed from by death secondly , in the good things that they are put into the present possession of : so that their happinesse is both privative and positive . what are the evils that they are freed from by death ? they may be reduced to these seven heads . first , they are freed from worldly cares , businesses , and troubles . for its gods institution since the fall , that every one shall live , either by the sweat of his brain , or by the sweat of his brow . and eliphaz tells us , that man is born to trouble , as the sparks fly upward , job . . and the apostle tells us , that he that careth not for his own , and especially for those of his own house , he hath denied the faith , and is worse than an infidel , tim. . . so then whilst we live here , we cannot be free from multiplicity of cares , businesses , and troubles . the world is like a tempestuous sea , where troubles succeed one another , as one wave follows another . — dolor & voluptas invicem cedunt , brevior voluptas . joy and sorrow ( as one wittily saith ) make chequered work in our lives : sorrow bedews our cheeks with tears , and joy wipes them off again . our condition in this life is not unlike to that of the israelites in the wildernesse , where they met with many troubles , dangers , and occasions of sorrow . are we hurt then , if by a tempest of sicknesse we are driven out of the sea of this world into the safe harbour of the grave , the onely place where the weary are at rest , job . . where they enter into peace , and rest in their beds , isa. . . for which cause amongst others , they are pronounced blessed by god himself , rev. . . blessed are the dead which die in the lord — for they rest from their labours . indeed the messenger of death is to most men and women very terrible ; but to a dying believer , then acting faith , it s nothing so , but it s entertained by him as a welcome messenger sent from the father to a child at nurse , to bring it home , where it shall be better provided for , whilst it transmits him from all his cares and sorrowes into that place and state of blisse where all tears shall be wiped from his eyes , and he shall never sorrow more , revel. . . secondly , they are freed from the company and society of the wicked , which ( whilst they lived ) was a cause of much sorrow to them , and that first , because of their sins , which were a continual grief to their godly hearts . hence david professeth , that rivers of waters ran down his eyes , because men kept not gods law , psal , . . and the apostle peter tells us that just lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked . for ( saith he ) that righteous man dwelling amongst them , in seeing & hearing , vexed his righteous soul from day to day , with their unlawful deeds , pet. . , gods children are so tender of their fathers honour , that they cannot see , or hear his name blasphemed , his truths adulterated , his sabbaths profaned , his ministers , and ordinances despised , &c. but it goes like so many daggers to their hearts , neither can they be free from such occasions of sorrow whilest they continue in this wicked world , death only removes such objects of grief from them . secondly , because of the wrongs , injuries , and persecutions which they meet with from them these goats will be pushing at christs sheep : sometimes wounding them in their good names : sometimes wronging them in their estates : and othersometimes raising greater persecutions against them . for the apostle tells us , that this is the portion of all gods children in this life ; all that will live godly in christ jesus , shall suffer persecution , tim. . . and our saviour christ tells his disciples , that the time should come , that whosoever killed them should think that he did god service , joh. . . thus cain persecuted abel : ismael , isaac : yea , which of the prophets or apostles did not the wicked of their times persecute ? this made david to cry out , wo is me that i fojourn in mesech , that i dwell in the tents of kedar . my soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace , psal. . , . but now in the grave the wicked cease from troubling . there the prisoners rest together , and hear not the voice of the oppressour , job . , . thirdly , death frees them from evils to come , god herein dealing as parents use , who have children forth at nurse or at school , when troubles or dangerous diseases come into those places where their children are , they send for them home , that they may be in safety . so god many times takes his children out of this world , that he may secure them from imminent dangers : or as when our houses are in danger of firing , we remove our treasure and jewels in the first place into places of more security : so where god wrath , s like fire , is breaking in upon a place , he removes his children to heaven , as to a place of greater safety . it s the fathers love and care ( saith one ) then hastily to snatch away his child , when the wilde bull is now broken loose , and running upon him . the wise husband-man hastens to get in his corn before the storm cometh , or the swine be turned out into the field to root up all . this is that which the lord by the prophet isaiah long since assured us of , isa. . . the righteous perisheth , and no man layeth it to heart ; and merciful men are taken away , none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come . as it was a sign that sampson meant to pull down the house upon the heads of the philistines when he pulled down the pillars that bare up the roof : so its a shrewd sign that god intends to ruine a state , when he takes away those that were the pillars and props of it . when methusala died , the flood came upon the old world : when josias was gathered to his fathers , the babylonish captivity hastened . when s. augustine died , hippo was taken and sackt by the vandals , and heidleburg by the spaniards , shortly after the death of pareus . fourthly , death frees them from all sicknesses , diseases , pains , and all other bodily distempers . it cures the blind eyes , the deaf ears , the dumb tongue , the lame legs , the maimed hands , &c. it easeth the tormenting stone , the painful gout , the aking head , the intolerable twisting of the guts , the loathsome strangury , &c. death to the godly is the best physician , it cures them not of one disease , but of all , and of all at once , and of all for ever ; yea it cures them of death it self . fifthly , it frees them from the fiery darts and temptations of satan , from which they cannot be free whilst they live here : for the whole world is the devils diocesse : he goes to and fro in the earth , and walketh up and down in it , job . . . yea , as a roaring lion he walketh about , seeking whom he may devour , pet. . . no place can exempt us from his tentations whilst we live in this world . he assaulted adam in paradise , lot in the cave , david in his palace : josuah the high priest , in the presence of the angel of the lord ; christ in the wildernesse ; peter in the high priests hall , &c. but when death comes , these egyptians which you have seen to day , ye shall see them again no more for ever , exod. . . satan shall never more molest gods children after this life is ended . hence , saith saint ambrose , diabolus per quod potestatem habuit , victus est . the devil , who had the power of death , heb. . . hath by death his power abrogated and abolished . sixthly , death frees them from gods frowns , which sin often exposeth them to here , and which to a child of god is more terrible than death it self : for if in gods favour is life , as david affirms , psal. . . then in his frowns is death . : yea , if gods loving kindness is better than life , psal. . . then his frowns are worse than death . there are no outward or corporal afflictions , but a resolute and roman spirit will stand under them : the spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity , prov. . . but the frowns of god and tokens of his displeasure are intolerable : a wounded spirit who can bear ? it made david roar , psal. . . hezekiah chatter , isa. . . yea christ himself to sweat drops of congealed blood , and to cry out in the anguish of his soul , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken me ? but after death the light of gods countenance shines perpetually upon them , and shall never admit either of a cloud or eclipse : when lazarus died , he who lay groveling at the rich mans gate , was found in abrahams bosome , in a place of warmest love . for seeing by death gods children are freed from corruptions , therefore after death they have no need of gods frowns , or corrections . seventhly , death frees them from the very being and existence of sin . at death , the spirits of just men are made perfect , heb , . . the death of their body delivers them from the body of death . death and sin do not meet in a child of god ; but so part , that when the one comes , the other is gone for ever : as when sampson died , the philistines died with him : so when a child of god dies , all his sins die with him . hence ambrose saith , quid est mors , nisi peccatorum sepultura ? what is death but the grave of our sins wherein they are all buried ? thus death doth that at once which grace doth by degrees . grace indeed when it is once wrought in the heart , under the conduct of the spirit , it resists and fights against sin , and gives it such mortal wounds that it never fully recovers again : it dejects it from its regency , but cannot eject it from its inherency . it frees us from the raigning of sin , but cannot free us from the remaining of sin : after regeneration sin hath not dominion over us : but yet there is a law in our members warring against the law of our minds , and many times leading us captive unto the law of sin that is in our members , so that we cannot do the good that we would ; but the evil that we hate , that do we , rom. . . . but when death comes , it wholly extirpates sin , root and branch ; and not one , or some few sins , but all sin ; and that not for a time only , but for ever : when the souls of gods children are dis-lodged from their bodies , this troublesome and incroaching inmate shall be dis-lodged and thrust out of doors for ever . hence one saith , peccatum peperit mortem , & filia devoravit matrem . sin at first begat and brought forth death , and death at last destroys sin , as the worm kills the tree that bred it . and as bernard saith , death which before was porta inferni , the trap-door of hell , is now introitus regni , the porch that lets us into heaven . and mr. brightman saith , what was before the devils sergeant to drag us to hell , is now the lords gentleman-usher to conduct us to heaven . thus i have shewed you in these seven particulars what are the evils that gods children are freed from by death : now in the next place i will endeavour to shew you the priviledges that at death they are invested in , and the good things that they are put into the present possession of : but yet this must be premised , that if i had the tongue and pen of men and angels , yet should i come far short of that which i aim at : for whatsoever can be said of heaven , is not one half ( as the queen of sheba said of solomons magnificence ) of what we shall finde in that city of pearl . to expresse it ( saith a reverend divine ) is as impossible as to compasse heaven with a span , or to contain the ocean in a nutshel . and chrysostom speaking of the happinesse of the saints in heaven , saith , sermo non valet exprimere , experimento opus est : words cannot expresse it ; we must have trial of it before we can know it . but yet that which i shall say of it is contained in these six particulars . first , death invests gods children with perfection of all graces . here we know but in part , we prophesie but in part : but when that which is perfect , is come , then that which is in part shall be done away , cor. . , . it 's true , when god first regenerates and sanctifies us , we have perfection of parts , there is no grace wanting that is necessary to life and salvation : for god doth none of his works by the halves : but yet we attain not to perfection of degrees till death comes : whilst we live here we are exhorted to adde grace to grace , pet. , , . and one degree of grace to another . we are commanded to grow in grace , and in the knowledge of eur lord and saviour jesus christ , pet. . . to make a daily progress , till we come unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of christ , ephes. . . but yet when we have done all that we can , our faith is mixed with doubtings , our love to god with love of the world : our tears in repentance need washing in the blood of christ ; our humility is mixed with pride ; our patience with murmurings , and all our other graces have defects in them : but in death they are all perfected , and thereby we are put into a far better condition than we were capable of in this life . secondly , death puts the saints into the present possession of heaven , a stately place , into which there never did , or can enter any unclean thing : no dirty dog ever trampled upon this golden pavement . it 's called paradise , luke . . indeed paradise which god made for adams palace ( though the stateliest place that ever the eye of mortal man beheld , wherein was a confluence of all earthly felicities ) was but a type and shadow of it . heaven is a large place . in my fathers house ( saith our saviour ) there are many mansions , joh. . . it s a golden city , having the glory of god in it , and her light like to a stone most precious , even like a jasper stone , clear as chrystal : and the wall of it is of jasper : and the city is pure gold , clear as glasse , the foundations of the wall are garnished with all manner of precious stones , and the city hath no need of the sun , neither of the moon to shine in it ; for the glory of god doth lighten it , and the lamb is the light thereof , rev. . , , . it 's a city whose builder and maker is god , heb. . . and therefore having such an architect , it must needs infinitely transcend the stateliest fabricks that were ever made by man . it hath been neer these six thousand years in preparing , matt. . . and christ , ever since his ascension , hath been further preparing of it for us , joh. . . i go ( saith he ) to prepare a place for you . let us say therefore , as fulgentius did , when he saw the roman nobility mounted in their pride and bravery . si talis sit roma terrestris , qualis est roma coelestis ? if rome be such a glorious and glittering place , what is heaven ? how should these considerations make us to grow weary of the world , and groan and breath after heaven , where are riches without rust , pleasure without pain , joy without sorrow , youth without decay , ubi totum sit quod velis , & nihil sit quod nolis : where is all that the heart of man can wish , and his mind desire ; where is nothing more that can be desired , nothing more than can be desired . if an heathen could say , fugiendum est ad clarissimam patriam ; ibi pater , ibi omnia : how much more should a christian say , let us flee apace to our own countrey that is above , sith there is our father ; yea , there is all that heart can wish , or need require . thirdly , a third priviledge wherewith all the saints departed are invested , is , that they have immediate fellowship with the blessed angels , and the spirits of just men made perfect , heb. . , . in heaven they enjoy abraham , and isaac , and jacob , and all the patriarchs , and all the prophets , and apostles , and the noble army of martyrs , their godly friends and relations which went before them , and all other the true members of jesus christ , of what tongue , or nation , or kindred soever they have been . one of the greatest happinesses which the godly enjoy in this world , is the communion of saints . the prophet david professeth that all his delight was in the saints , and in those that were most excellent , psal. . and though he was a king , yet made he himself a companion of all them that feared god , and of them that kept his precepts , psal. . . he would have such , and none but such , by his good will , about him . mine eyes ( saith he ) shall be upon the faithful of the land , that they may dwell with me : he that walketh in a perfect way , he shall serve me , psal. . . and yet , by woful experience we see how many bones of contention the devil casts in amongst them to sowr their society , and what breaches many times are occasioned by small and trifling matters : but in heaven they are all of one mind , which makes their society the more comfortable . when grinaeus lay on his death bed , he told some friends that came to visit him , that he was going to that place , ubi luthero cum zuinglio optime convenit : where luther and zuinglius ( who because they differed in judgment about the manner of christs presence in the sacrament , could never agree on earth ) agreed excellent well . in heaven ( if there be degreesof glory , as probably there are ) yet shall not those who have their choicest graces crowned with the greatest weight of glory , despise or over-look the meanest saint , but they are perfectly knit together in the bonds of dearest love . fourthly , another priviledge which our christian friends departed enjoy in heaven , is , that they are neerlier united to their head christ than possibly they could be in this world . it 's true , that even whilst they live here , they are the members of christ . for the holy apostle tells us , that as we have many members in one body — so we being many are one body in christ , rom. . . . yet are we now at a great distance from him . our head is in heaven , and we upon the earth , and therefore saint paul tells us , that whilst we are at home in the body , we are absent from the lord , cor. . . and this makes us sigh and groan , not for that we would be uncloathed , but cloathed upon , that mortality might be swallowed up of life , vers. . and this made the church to pray so pathetically , cant. . . make hast , my beloved , and be thou like to a roe , or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices . and paul himself considering his distance from his head , cties out : dis cupio solvi , tecumque o christe , manere . phil. . . i desire to depart , and to be with christ , which is {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} ; by much far the better . and no marvel , though the members do so long to be conjoyned with their head in heaven . for there ( as one saith excellently ) the lord jesus christ perpetually and without intermission manifesteth the most glorious and visible signes of his presence , and seals of his love : he there pours forth all the plenteous demonstrations of his goodnesse to his members , and gives them eyes to see it , and minds to conceive it , and so fills them with exceeding fulnesse of love to him again ; so that they even swim in pleasure , and are overwhelmed with joy . a joy too big to enter into them ; and therefore they are said to enter into it , matth. . . a glory fitter to be believed , than possibly to be discoursed : an exceeding , excessive , eternal weight of glory , cor. . . such a weight , that if the body were not upheld by the mighty power of god , it were impossible but that it should faint under it . oh therefore let there be continual ascensions in our hearts thitherward . let us lift up our hearts with our hands to our head in heaven . praying with the church , even so come lord jesus , come quickly , and then ere long he will send his chariots for us ( as joseph did for his father ) and will fetch us riding upon the clouds , and convoy us by his angels through the air , and put us into that general assembly of happy and blessed souls ; and though death ( like peters good angel ) smite thee on thy side , yet it is only that it may lead thee out of thy prison , through the iron gates into the city of god . fifthly , the next priviledge which the saints enjoy in death , is the beatifical vision . here indeed they see god in a measure , as they are able : but there they shall see him in all fulnesse , and perfection . here as in a glasse obscurely , or as an old man through spectacles , {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} ; but in heaven they see him face to face : now they know him in part : but there they know , even as they are known , cor. . . happier herein than solomons servants , for a greater than solomon is there . god looks upon them with singula complacency , and they look upon him with infinite comfort . i cannot better expresse the happinesse which the saints enjoy in this beatifical vision than in the words of a reverend and learned doctor . the saints in heaven , ( saith he ) that delight in the sight of gods glory , do still desire for ever to be so delighted ; their desire is without anxiety and trouble , because they are satiated with the thing that they do desire , and their satiety is without loathing , because they still desire the thing with which they are satiated . they desire without grief , because they are replenished ; and they are replenished without wearinesse , because they desire still : they see god , and still they desire to see him : they enjoy god , and still they desire for ever to enjoy him : they love and praise god , and still they make it their immortal business to love and praise him . et quem semper habent , sempere haber volunt . whom they for ever have , with love yet higher ▪ to have for ever they do still desire . sixthly & lastly , our friends departed in the lord , enjoy all these and more than can be spoken ; yea such things as neither eye hath seen , nor ear hath heard , nor can enter into the heart of man to conceive of unto all eternity : hence the prophet david tells us , psal. . . — in thy presence is fulnesse of joy , and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore ; where is as much said in a few words as can be spoken of it . for quality , there is in heaven joy and pleasure ; for quantity , a fulnesse , a torrent , whereat the saints drink without let or loathing : for constancy , it is at gods right hand , who is stronger then all , neither can any take us out of his hand : it 's a constant happinesse without intermission : and for perpetuity , it is for evermore : heavens joyes are without measure , mixture , or end . and the apostle paul tells us , thess. . . — we shall ever be with the lord . it is granted by all , that one of the greatest aggravations of the torments of the damned in hell , is the thought of the eternity of their torment : and therefore it follows by the rule of contraries , that it shall much heighthen the felicity and joy of the saints in heaven , to think that they shall continue to all eternity . but why should these considerations moderate our mourning for them ? first , because if our friends died in the lord , they have lost nothing by death , but what may well be spared , viz. sin and sorrow : we use not to mourn for such losses of our friends , which are but small and inconsiderable , especially if it be of such things as are better lost than found : but such are the losses of our christian friends departed . is it not better to lose sin and sorrow than to retain them ? and upon this account it is , that the wisest of men , solomon tells us , eccles. . . — that the day of death is better than the day of ones birth . the greeks call the beginning of mans nativity , the begetting of his misery . man that is born of a woman , is born to trouble , job . . if he lives to see the light , he comes crying into the world : a fletu vitam auspicatur , saith seneca ; and saint augustine speaking hereof , saith , nondum loquitur , & tamen prophetat : ere ever a child speaks , he prophesies by his tears , of his insuing sorrows : nec prius natus , quam damnatus ; no sooner is he born , but he is condemned to the gallies , as it were of sin and suffering : and therefore in this text solomon prefers his coffin before his cradle ; whereupon one infers , one would wonder ( saith he ) that our life here being so grievously afflicted , should yet be so inordinately affected ; and yet so it is , that god is even forced to smoke us out of our clayie cottages , and to make our life to be unto us no better then a lingring death , that we may grow weary of it , and breath after a better . secondly , because they are not only not losers , but they are great gainers by death : they are immediately put into a far better condition than they were capable of in this life . the day of death is to them the day-break of eternal righteousnesse . it gives them malorum ademptionem , bonorum adeptionem , freedome from all evil , and the fruition of all good . and as it 's not a losse but a preferment and honour for a married woman to forsake her own kindred and fathers house to go to her husband ; so it 's not a losse , but a preferment for the souls of our friends for a time to relinquish their bodies , that they may go to christ , who hath married them to himself for ever . hence our saviour christ comforts the dying thief upon the cross with this : this day shalt thou be with me in paradise , luke . . why then should we so mourn for them , seeing our loss is their gain ? they are indeed absent from us , but it is that they may be present with the lord : they have put off the old rags of mortality , that they may be cloathed with immortality : they have parted with flesh and blood , that so they may be in a capacity of inheriting the kingdome of heaven , cor. . . justi vivunt ( saith saint augustine ) etiam quando corpore moriuntur . godly men live even when their bodies die . they are not lost , but laid up : our grief therefore should not exceed , either for measure or continuance . i would not have you sorrow even as others that have no hope . we mourn not for them , but for our own losse : for the loss of their sweet society , and of all the comfort that we expected in and by them ? truly , for this we may mourn : weep not for me , ( saith christ to those good women that followed him to his cross ) but weep for your selves : yet alwayes remember , that though there be reason for weeping and sorrow , yet there is no reason for excessive and immoderate mourning : for that is a sin , and there is no reason , because god hath taken away our friends and relations , that therefore we should further provoke him by sinning against him . immoderate mourning is a cha●ging of god foolishly : so did not job , though he rent his mantle , and shaved his head , and fell down upon the ground , yet it was not through impatience , but to worship god ; for the text saith , in all this job sinned not , nor cha●ged god foolishly , job . . with . it was jacob fault , that he refused to be comforted , and said , for i will go down into the grave , unto my son , mourning : sorrow indeed and lamentation are the dues of the dead ; but it ought not to exceed either for measure or duration : neither should we mourn so much for our friends departed , as for our sins against god . but our child that is snatched away by death , was young , and might have lived not only to have been a great comfort to us , and the staff of our old age , but very instrumental to gods glory . first , we must not take upon us to be wiser than god , or to teach him , as when to give us children , so how long to continue them unto us . it 's his royal prerogative , that he may do with his own what he pleaseth . they are not so much our children as gods , ezek. . . he doth but put them forth to us to nurse , and may send for them home when he pleaseth . we who are parents would not take it well if having set forth a child to nurse , when we send for it home , the nurse should refuse to part with it , and grow into impatiency when we take it away . neither can god take it well at our hands . secondly , was your child young when he died ? yet remember that it was gods mercy to spare him so long . for life is not long enough to deserve the title of time , eccles. . . there is a time to be born , and a time to die : he doth not say , there is a time to be born , and a time to live . death borders upon our births , and ( as one saith ) our cradles stand in our graves . multos ostendunt terris bona fata , nec ultra esse sinunt — finisque ab origine pendet . god deals with some , as a skilful limner doth with his master-piece , brings it , and sets it forth to be gazed at and admired by the multitude ; and after a while draws a curtain over it , and carrieth it back into his house again : so god sends some whom he endows with admirable parts to be looked upon , and wondred at by the world , and then draws the sable curtain of death over them , and takes them into his own habitation in heaven . indeed the longest liver hath but a short cut from the grave of the womb , to the womb of the grave . orimur , morimur , we are born , we die . and considering the frailty of our lives , it 's no marvel that we die so soon ; it 's rather a marvel that we escaped so long . for mors ubique nos expectat : death waits for us at every turn : in the fields , in the streets , in our houses , in our beds , &c. mille modis morimur ; we come but one way into the world , but we may go out a thoufand wayes . thirdly , did your child die young ? yet if he was ripe for heaven , he lived till he was old enough . hierom saith of a godly young man , that in brevi vitae spatio tempora virtutum multa replevit , he lived long in a little time . and indeed some live more in a moneth or two , then others do in many years . a good man ( saith reverend doctor preston ) prolongs his dayes , though he dies young , because he is ripe before he is taken from the tree : he even falls into the hands of god that gathers him . they that die soon in gods fear and favour , though as grapes they be gathered before they be ripe ; and as lambs slain before they be grown up , yet ( besides the happinesse of heaven ) they have this advantage , that they be freed from the violence of the wine-press that others fall into , and escape many rough storms that others meet with . fourthly , did god take away your dear relation whilst he was young ? what then ? hath god anywhere promised that all shall live till they be old ? is not mortality the stage of mutability ? doth not experience shew us , that man is but the dream of a dream : but an empty vanity , but the curious picture of nothing , but a poor feeble dying flash ? in golgotha there are skulls of all sizes . bernard tells us , senibus mors in januis , adolescentibus in insidiis : death stands at old mens doors , and it lies in wait to surprize young men also . it 's like lightning , that blasts the green corn as well as the dry : like the thunder-bolt that dasheth in pieces new and strong buildings as well as old . do you not know that , as for our lands , so for our lives , we are but gods tenants at will ? mans life is his day : and we see by experience that dayes are not all of a length ; but some longer , some shorter . death is the lady and empress of all the world ; and from her sentence the youngest cannot appeal . as the rivers haste to the sea , and the stars to the west , so man hastens to the grave . it's domus conventionis , the house of parliament , where all estates and ages meet together . hence it is that we are exhorted to gather manna in the morning of our lives : to remember our creator in the dayes of our youth , eccles. . . to present our first-fruits to god , whose soul desires the first ripe fruits , micah . . and who will remember the kindnesse of our youth , the love of our esponsals , jer. . . he would be served with the primrose of our years , and therefore he made choice of the almond-tree , jer. . . because it blossometh first of all others ; and truly we have reason to obey his precepts , and answer his expectation , if we rightly consider the brevity of our lives . must we keep a mean in our mourning for our deceased friends ? this then may exhort and perswade parents to be careful in training up their children in the faith and fear of god , in bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the lord , ephes. . . and to labour to promote and see the work of grace in their souls , that so if they die before them ( as oft-times they do ) they may have hope in their death , and so not sorrow as do others that have no hope . probably this much aggravated david's sorrow for absalon , that he had cockered , and not corrected him in his childhood , and he now saw him taken away in his sinne and rebellion , whereby he could have no hope of the salvation of his soul . so should all other relations do ; endeavouring to be heirs together of the grace of life , that so when death makes a divorce betwixt them , they may leave a well-grounded hope to their friends of their blessed estate and condition , which cannot but much moderate their mourning for them . it reproves and justly blames such , as upon the loss of their godly friends , give too much way to satans tentations , and their own corruptions , whereby they become immoderate and excessive in their sorrow , to the dishonour of god , the disgrace of their profession , the dis-fitting themselves both for the service of god and man , in the duties of their general and particular callings , to the prejudice of the health of their bodies ; ( for worldly sorrow causeth sicknesse , and death , cor. . . ) and to the opening of the mouths of the wicked , who scorn them and religion for it , saying , these are your professours , that make idols of their children and friends , and mourn for the losse of them , as if they had lost their god . they are like rachel , that wept and lamented for her children , and would not be comforted , because they were not . such forget the exhortation which speaks to them as unto children ; my son , despise not thou the chastening of the lord , nor faint when then art rebuked of him , heb. . . prov. . . indeed we are sometimes in danger of setting light by gods corrections , saying with those sturdy persons , it is my burthen , and i must bear it , jerem. . . but more frequently we are impatient , either outwardly fretting at the rod , like those plunging horses which will not indure their rider ; or inwardly repining , like those horses which digest their choler , by biting their bridles . and if we neither despise , nor impatiently murmur against the dispensation of god , yet our weaknesse is such , that we are ready to take the affliction too much to heart , so that our spirits droop and faint : and this is so much the worse , because it 's commonly accompanied with a wilful indisposition , which will not suffer us to entertain such things whereby we might be truly comforted : and the hearts of such many times , like nabals , die within them , that they are not capable of counsel ; so that all consolatory exhortations are to them like water spilt upon the ground : whereas we should take our correction , and humble our selves under the smart of it : but withall we should look to christ , and beg of him that he would not suffer our faith , hope and meeknesse of mind to be overturned . again , consider that it 's not love to them , when we are perswaded , that they are with the lord , which makes us excessively grieve when they are taken from us : it is indeed self-love and carnal affection . our lord christ told his disciples , if ye loved me , you would be glad because i go to the father . and what measure then do we offer to god herein ? we can many times send our children far from us , where it may be we shall never see them again , if we are but well perswaded that it will be for their good and preferment ; and yet we cannot indure to have them taken out of our sight by the lord , though we are perswaded that their souls are with him in the highest glory . we ought to labour for such tractable and obedient hearts , as may not be content perforce to let him take them , but may willingly resign even our children ( if it were by sacrificing them with our own hands , as abraham ) to him , who hath not thought his onely begotten son , too dear for us , but hath delivered him to death for our sakes . once more remember , that it 's a sign that we felt not gods love in them , nor received them at his hand as we ought to have done , if we do not thankfully give them back to him when he calls for them . hannah having received samuel as a gift gotten by prayer from god , did readily part with him to god again , and she lost nothing by that loan which she so cheerfully lent to the lord , as you may see , sam. . , . and so dealt abraham with his onely sonne isaac , whom by faith in the promise he had obtained of the lord , hebr. . . this is true indeed ; but yet parent-like affections cannot easily part with and yield up children so dearly beloved . but take heed , lest whilst you plead love to your children or friends , you do not bewray and discover unkindnesse unto god . dare any of you say , lord , if i did not so love them , i could be content to give them to thee : surely if with a calm spirit you think of this , you would blush for shame , that your heart should be so cold towards god , as not to be willing to part with any thing you love when he calls for it : to part with that which you much care not for , is not at all thanks-worthy . it 's said of abraham , that when god commanded him to sacrifice his own and only son , that he arose early in the morning , gen. . . to do it : he consulted not with flesh and blood , nor with carnal reason , nor with fond affections , but ( as david said ) he made hast and delayed not to keep gods commandments . how should this shame our backwardnesse and our many reluctancies against the will of god , when he hath declared it in taking away a dear child or relation from us ? how much better were it for us to do as david did ( that man after gods own heart ) who when he heard that his child was dead , arose from the earth , and washed , and anointed himself , and changed his apparel , and went into the house of the lord , and worshipped , and then came into his own house , and called for bread , and did eat , sam. . . again , the consideration hereof may minister singular consolation . first , to every godly person , when he lies upon his sick bed , and sees death approaching , and his friends standing about his bed weeping and wringing their hands , and that upon a twofold ground . first , because himself hath hope in his death , prov. . . death is to him as the valley of achor : it 's a door of hope to give entrance into paradise , and to translate him into a state of blessednesse , whereas to the wicked it 's a trap-door , through which they fall into hell . it 's an excellent saying , improbi dum spirant , sperant : justus etiam cum expirat , sperat : wicked men hope whilst they live ; but a godly man , when he breaths forth his last , hath hope . he is like unto that dying swan , of which aelian tells us that sang most sweetly and melodiously at her death , though in her life-time she had no such pleasant note . there is some truth in that saying of the heathen , optimum est non nasci , proximum quam celerrime mori . for wicked men , it had been best for them never to have been born , or being born to die quickly , seeing that by living long they heap up sin , and thereby treasure up wrath against the day of wrath : but as for good men , the day of death is best to them , because here to live is but to lie a dying ; and eternal life which they are now taking possession of , is the onely true life , as saith saint austine . secondly , because as they have hope themselves in their death , so they leave a good hope to their friends , to quiet their hearts in their losse . oh what a cutting grief is it to a godly heart , to see a child , or kinsman , or other dear relation taken away , and cut off in the midst of his sins , so that he can have no hope of his blessed estate in another life ! but on the contrary , ( if self-love be not too prevalent with us ) we cannot but moum moderately for those which die in the lord , and say with holy job , the lord hath given , and the lord hath taken away , blessed be the name of the lord . how much better cause have such than tully to cry out , o praeclarum diem , cum ad illud animorum concilium , coetumque proficiscar , & cum ex hac turba , & colluvione discedam ! o what a brave and bright day is it to our friends when they go to the congregation-house of blessed spirits , and walk no longer in the way of this world , which is ( like the land of chabul ) dirty and dangerous : like the the vale of siddim , slimy and slippery , full of lime-pits and pit-falls , snares and stumbling-blocks laid by satan to maim and mischief them . here is comfort also to the parents and relations of this young gentleman now with the lord , in that they have and may have a well-grounded hope of his now blessed estate in heaven : could he speak to you , you should hear him saying , weep not for me , but weep for your selves , for i have made a blessed change , and am gone from night to day , from darkness to light , from sorrow to sollace , and from a troublesome world to a heaven of happinesse . and this brings me to the last thing which i intended , which is to speak something of our deceased brother . but before i begin , i thought fit to make this profession : that i shall speak nothing of him , but what i either observed in him my self , or have from the faithful relations of those which were neerer about him , the truth of whose testimony i dare not call into question : and what i shall speak of him , i shall reduce to these two heads : first , to shew you what were his priviledges . secondly , what improvement he made of them . his priviledges were these : first , that he was born of godly parents , et nasci ex piis parentibus non minima laus est : to be born of godly parents , as it 's no small praise , so it 's no small priviledg . the glory of children are their parents , saith solomon , prov. . . it was a great honour to jacob , that he could swear by the fear of his father isaac : to david , that he could say , i am thy servant , and the son of thy handmaid , psal. . . to timothy , that the same faith that was in him dwelt first in his mother and grand-mother , tim. . . to those children whose mother saint john stiles the elect lady : to mark , that he was barnabas's sisters son : to alexander and rufus , that they were children to simon of cyrene , mar. . . now the priviledge of such children consists in these two things : first , that they have the godly example of their parents , as a copy or continual pattern for their imitation ; and experience tells us , that childrens manners are much moulded by the examples of their parents . it s reported of the harts of scythia , that they teach their young ones to leap from bank to bank , from rock to rock , and from one turfe to another , by leaping before them , by which means when they are hunted , no beast can overtake them : so godly parents , by giving a good example of piety to their children when they are young , preserve them from satan ( that mighty hunter ) that he shall never have them for his prey . secondly , children of believing parents are by vertue of their parents copy & gods gracious entail , within the compass of the covenant , as appears gen. . . i will establish my covenant between me and thee , and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant , to be a god unto thee , and to thy seed after thee , and psal. . . david speaking of the blessedness of that man that feareth the lord , adds , his seed shall be mighty upon earth ; the generation of the upright shall be blessed : and act. . . peter tells us , the promise is made to you , and to your children : and paul to the same purpose adds , if the first fruit be holy , the lump is also holy ; and if the root be holy , so are the branches , rom. . . secondly , a second priviledge was , that presently after his coming into the world , he was by the care of his godly parents presented before and dedicated unto god , being made a visible member of the church by baptisme , which is called a laver of regeneration , and renewing of the holy ghost , tit. . . yea , baptisme is said to save us , pet. . . to wit , sacramentally ; because it seals up salvation to the believer , mar. . . and it is of perpetual and permanent use to him for that purpose throughout his whole life , ut scaturigo semper ebulliens ; as a fountain bubling up to eternal life . and truly this his priviledge was the greater , if we consider how many poor infants are deprived of it , through the default of their parents in these last and worst of times , who yet pretend much to religion . thirdly , that with timothy , from a child he was taught to know the scriptures , which are able to make one wise to salvation , tim. . . and his christian parents were the more careful to instruct him therein , because themselves had found it fit milk for babes , pet. . . dainty and delicious food , sweeter than hony , psal. . . wells of salvation , isa. . . breasts of consolation , isa. . . the hony-drops of christs mouth , cant. . . to be preferred before gold and silver , psal. . . before pearls aad rubies , prov. . . before all other learning , deut. . . they knew that the scriptures are a lamp to our feet , as saith david , psal. . . gods epistle to us , as saith gregory : the souls food , as athanasius : the souls physick , as chrysostome : the invariable rule of truth , as irenaeus , &c. their care therefore was so to acquaint him with them from his childhood , that he might love them as his sister , prov. . . that he might be ready in them , and have them alwayes , as saul had his spear at his boulster : as david had his stones at hand in his scrip . and thus ( according to the apostles rule , ephes. . . ) he was brought up in the nurture and admonition of the lord . fourthly , it was his priviledge , and happinesse to be brought forth in such a time , and to be brought up in such a city , wherein he enjoyed more plentiful means of grace and salvation than he could have done in former times , and ( i dare boldly say ) in any other city or place in the christian world besides . we read of plato , that when he drew neer unto his death , he rejoyced and gave god thanks for three things : first , for that he had made him a reasonable man , and not a bruit beast . secondly , a greek , and not a barbarian . and thirdly , that he was born in the time of socrates , from whom be had learned many good instructions . how much more cause had this gentleman to praise god for making him a man , a christian , and a londoner at such a time as this ? fifthly , his parents were not onely thus careful betimes to bring him up in the knowledg and fear of god , but to have him instructed in humane learning also , that thereby ( if the lord should please to lengthen out the thrid of his life ) he might be the more useful and serviceable in his generation : for which end first , they took care to have him taught the first grounds of learning , and that betimes in his childhood , whereby he excelled and out went not onely many of his contemporaries , but divers that were older than himself . secondly , when he was thus fitted at home , they placed him forth at a boarding-school , in the family of a godly minister , that so , whilest he went forward in humane , he might make a further progresse in divine learning also . thirdly , when they thought fit to take him back under their own wing ( being exceeding tender of him ) and not daring to trust him in a publick school , by reason of those many evil examples that he might meet with there , they provided a godly and learned tutor whom they maintained in their own house , to have the oversight and education of him . these were his priviledges . now fot his improvement of them . but before i mention that , i must tell you with what parts god had endowed him , whereby he was enabled to make a good improvement of these opportunities : and therein especially these three things were remarkable . first , that he had a quick invention . secondly , a strong and active phansie . thirdly , a diligent and industrious spirit . and by help of these he quickly learned to read and write , and so proceeded to the grounds of the latine tongue ; and after he had made a good progresse therein , the care of his tutor was to acquaint him also with the sacred languages of the greek and hebrew : and then he applied himself to the study of the arts : first , of logick , then of philosophy , astronomy , geography ; and ( being denied the opportunity of travelling abroad ) he spent some time in reading history , and the travels of sundry persons both by sea & land . and lastly , being admitted a member of that honourable society of grayes-inne , he betook himself to the study of the law , and made no inconsiderable progresse therein : by all which ( if god had lengthened out his dayes ) he might probably have been very serviceable to his countrey . all which being considered , i may say with a reverend divine , that it 's a blessed institution of younger years , when reason and religion are together fashioned and moulded in a tender mind . but that which gave him the greatest lustre , and was ( as it were ) the diamond in the ring , is yet behind , which i shall reduce to these three heads . first , his piety to god . secondly , his dutifulnesse to his parents . thirdly , his charity to the poor . his piety to god manifested it self , both in his life ; and at his death . in his life . by first , his constant and diligent attending upon the publick ordinances , wherein he was not an idle and carelesse hearer , but could in the evening give a good account of what he had heard in the day . secondly , his careful sanctification of the whole sabbath , insomuch as if ( through inadvertency ) any unfitting and unseasonable speeches had proceeded from him on that day , his heart smote him for it , and it made him more cautious for the future . thirdly , besides his joyning in family-prayers , and with his tutor , his manner was , to retire daily into his closet , where he first read a portion of scripture , and that not cursorily as too many do , but endeavouring to understand what he read ; and when he met with any hard place , he used to enquire of his tutor , therein following the advice of a worthy divine : the difficulties which we meet with in reading the word of god ( saith he ) should not weaken , but waken our more diligent search ; not being contented with the first oar that offers itself to our view ; but digging deeper and deeper we should search till we become owners of the whole treasure , which will sufficiently pay us for all our pains . after the scripture read he betook himself to prayer : in which duties , if he was disturbed , he was displeased with it , and what at one time he omitted , he used to regain at another ; all which he carried on with such privacy , that scarce any , besides his tutor , knew of it . fourthly , to these also of late he adjoyned meditation , which is an excellent character of a godly person : for , as the philosophers stone ( they say ) turns all metal into gold : as the bee sucks honey out of every flower : and as a good stomak sucks some wholsom nourishment out of the food that it receives into itself : so doth an holy heart , so far as its sanctified , convert and digest all into spiritual and useful thoughts and meditations : and we shall find by experience , that when we go to sleep with some holy meditations in our minds , it will be an excellent preservative against foolish dreams and ●●●●cies , and we shall finde our hearts in the better frame when we awake : as he that rakes up his fire over night , shall find it again in the morning , psal. . , . prov. . . now of his dexterity in this kind , i shall anon give you an example , which he hath left in writing behind him . fifthly , he reverenced and loved godly ministers and christians , and liked that ministry best that was most plain , powerful , and searching . i remember that luther in his me observed two sorts of divines : one was theologus crucis , the poor divine , that preached plainly , and told men faithfully how things stood with them : the other was theologus gloriae , the divine that hunted after praise , glory , and preferment ; concerning whom his prayer was , a theologo gloriae liberet suam ecclesiam dominus ; that god would deliver his church from vain-glorious divines . peter so preached ; that his hearers were pricked at the heart , act. . , . and steven's hearers were cut at the heart ▪ with his words , act. . . and truly this was the more commendable in this young gentleman , seeing there be so many at this time , and in this city , that are like those greeks , that counted the plain preaching of the cross foolishnesse , cor. . . . so that neither god , nor his ministers can please them , except they speak tinkling and tickling words . but such should get their ears healed ( as demosthenes advised his countrey-men of greece to do ) before they can hear gods word with profit . they must learn of bees to passe by roses and violets , and to sit upon thime , though it be bitter ; and to preferre sound rebukes before smooth flatteries . sixthly , he was willing to be admonished , and reproved for what was amiss in him , being herein of davids mind , psal. . . let the righteous smite me , it shall be a kindnesse ; and let him reprove me , it shall be an excellent oil which shall not break my head . he was one of those that had an obedient ear to reproofs , of whom solomon speaks , prov. . . as an ear-ring of gold , and an ornament of fine gold ; so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear . and this is one good sign of a godly wise man , prov. . . he that regards reproof , is prudent , and vers. . the ear that heareth the reproof of life , abides amongst the wise . hesiod tells us of three sorts of men : first , such as live so well that they need no reproof ; these are best of all . secondly , such as do not so well , but can be content to hear of it ; and these ( saith he ) are not bad . thirdly , such as will neither do as they ought , nor be advised to do better ; these are in a very dangerous condition , such may read their doom , and see their destiny , psal. . , . truth ( saith one ) is sharp , but bitter though it be , yet it is better and more savoury to sound sences , then the hony-drops of a flattering tongue . seventhly , he ( by gods grace ) resisted tentations frome some of his familiars , who would have drawn him to taverns , and mildly reproved them for it . concerning all these i shall present you with the attestation of his tutor , given me in writing , and that in his own words . he was ( saith he ) when i came to him ( which was about four years ago ) a christian youth , well principled in the grounds of religion , and i left him a little before he died ( which was about the eighteenth year of his age ) knowing what was in the assemblies confession of faith , in wollebius , and what altingius in his didactica hath written : of late also he delighted much to read calvins institutions , and b. halls meditations , and of his knowledge of the things of god , yea of the hardest of them , i have found satisfaction after trial : he not onely knew god , but loved him , and in his last sicknesse , wept to think that he had , and did love god no more . he was a lover of the children and ministers of god ; and amongst his acquaintance he valued them most , in whom he saw most of vertue . he heard the word , and could retain and judg of what he heard , and did not so much affect flaunting and quaint preaching , as that which spake most home to his heart . in his closet , before he came out of his chamber , he read a portion of scripture , from which he hath raised pertinent observations , when put to the trial ; and what he knew not , that he asked . he read with judgment , and hath said , that all other books but the bible did bring weariness : & to his reading he joyned prayer : i have seen him displeased , when disturbed , and what at one time he omitted , at another time he would repair ; and this he carried on with so little noise , that i only was privy to it . thus you have heard of his piety manifested in his life : & vita qualis , finis talis ; as was his life , such was his death . for , in his last sicknesse ( which was the small pox accompanied with a feaver ) he bore it with great patience . he inquired of his tutor , how he might know that he loved god ? and being answered , he brake forth into tears : and when his tutor asked him , why he wept ? he answered , because he had loved god no more , nor made a better improvement of his former deliverances . yet he said , that the word of god was his meditation , the promises whereof did now comfort him . he was sensible of his approaching death , and the night before , told some about him , that he should not live another night . one of his last words was , i must be gone . the next thing that i propounded to speak of was , his dutifulnesse to his parents , which can be testified by many : indeed they were very tender of him , and indulgent towards him , yet did not he abuse their love to liberty , nor through familiarity contemn their authority , but was many times content to refrain from things lawfull and suitable to his desires , to give them satisfaction . neirher was his charity to the poor lesse remarkable then the two former . for from his childhood he would often go to the servants to fetch relief fot such poor as came to his fathers door . and being grown up to more maturity , he frequently distributed money amongst them , & would many times say , that if god ever brought him to the enjoyment of his estate , he would as constantly make provision for such as were in want , as for himself and family . he knew that , temporalia dei servis impensa , non pereunt , sed parturiunt , almes given to the poor , perish not , but multiply : that bounty is the most compendious way to plenty ; and that hereby he might lay up a good foundation for himself against the time to come , tim. . . he knew that rich mens houses should be gods store-houses ; and that sowing oft of this fruitful seed , we shall be sure to reap in our greatest need : and god is not unrighteous to forget our labour of love in this kind , heb. . . oh! how may this shame many rich men that keep no proportion between their increases for god , and increases from god : that though they are rich in this world , yet they are poor in good works : they lay not by for pious and charitable uses , as god hath blessed them , cor. . . but indeed are , the richer the harder , as children that have their mouths full , and both hands full , and yet will part with none , but spill it rather . men when they grow fat , have so much the lesse blood : so the fatter men are in their estates , the lesse blood , life , and spirits they have for god : or if they do give something , yet they do not love mercy , micha . . they are not ready to distribute , willing to communicate . tim. . . their mercy doth not flow from them like water from the fountain , or light from the sun , naturally and freely : but it must be wrung from them , like verjuice from the crab , or as distilled water , that is forced out by the heat of the fire . it s no marvel therefore that this charitable frame of heart contributed so much towards the comfortable end of this our deceased brother . i remember what hierom saith , non memini me legisse malâ morte mortuum , qui libenter opera charitatis exercuit : habet enim multos intercessores . i do not remember ( saith he ) that i ever read of any one that died an ill death that was frequent in works of charity ; and no marvel , for he hath many intercessors for him ; which agrees with that of david , psal. . . he hath dispersed , he hath given to the poor , his rightcousnesse indures for ever , his horn shall be exalted with honour , and psal. . . the lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing : thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness . having thus dispatched those three things that i proposed to speak to , i might adde much more , by telling you of his humility in concealing himself and his own parts , as the sweet violet that grows low , neer unto the ground , and withall hides it self under it's own leaves . of his sweet and affable nature , and loving and courteous disposition : of his indefatigable diligence in his imployments , and shunning , yea hating of idlenesse . i shall only adde one word more of his ingeniousnesse in , and the usefulnesse of his recreations , which were divers : one while he exercised himself in the art of dialling ; another while he applied himself to musick : but i shall say no more of these , because he attained not to any perfection in them ; that which he followed with most diligence and delight was the art of drawing , painting , and limning , whereof he hath left many very good pieces for so young a practitioner ; and had he lived longer , probably he would have attained to a great perfection therein . he had also a poëtical vein , whereof i shall give you a taste by and by . his meditation upon the history of christs transfiguration , matth. . , &c. jesus christ is so willing that we should have communion with him in this life , that he takes us up into his most secret retirements . prayer is a divine ascention , and whosoever would pray spiritually , must have an holy elevation of spirit to meet god in that duty . high turrets of faith and mountains of graces are the real helps in prayer . in prayer we are sure to enjoy gods presence . it 's a sure way to see god face to face ; and ( if i may so say ) in his natural complexion : we may meet with god , as moses did in the mount sinai of prayer . it was in the mount praying when the fashion of christs countenance was altered : it is in the mountain of prayer that christs purity appeareth more and more to a believer . never more whitenesse do believers see in christ , then in their prayers to him . in this life the saints have a taste of the glistering and whitenesse of his out-side : but in the life to come it is that they have immediate fruition of himself : in this life we only see a sudden transfiguration to stay our stomacks ( as i may say ) till hereafter at what time we shall see him as he is : and if this transfiguration appears white he began to write a book in verse , which he calls spuma musarum , which he purposed to dedicate to his father and mother ; i shall only give you an account of the first verses in it , that by them you may judge of the rest . rete venatur ventos . to hunt the winds with a net . thou that do'st strive the windes with net to catch , unfruitful labours to thy self do'st hatch : what! catch the wind ? if caught , thou 'lt not enjoy thy dear times worth to purchase such a toy : and when y' have done , look in your net , you 'l find all that remains is folly , yea , and wind . many littles make a mickle . 't is unity brings strength ; if then you 'ld have strong , noble vertues , vices to outbrave , unite your weak-limb'd forces , and you 'l see many a little will a mickle be . t. b. finis . upon the death of that pious young gentleman mr. thomas bewlije . thomas beulije . anagram , o beati humiles . if either fate or fortune had made such a breach among us , i should have call'd them blind , or mad , or envious , thus to wrong us . i should have in my showers of tears exprest a weeping eye with furious anger drest . that when in all the garden did but one choice flower appear , it should be thus nipt in the bud , who can with patience bear ? but most in that in this one flower alone , the sole hope of the root is overthrown . but stay ! it was a better hand , more sacred and more wise , then fate or fortune can command : [ those heathen-deities . ] the root 's not dead , the flower is but transplanted , with added beauty which before it wanted . and happy they who humbly can submit to him whose wisdom hath transplanted it . thomas beulye . anagram . thy love-beams . thy love-beams lord , so strongly shone on me , that i impatient was of more delayes ; but needs must leave the earth to go , and see the sacred fountain of those glorious rayes . thomas beulie . anagram . the smile above . * * the posie of the ring given at the funeral . set your affections on things above , not things of sence ▪ it was the smile above , loadstone of love , that drew me hence . ad parentes . thomas beaulie . anagram . leave me as i both . leave me as i both you , 't is for our gain ; when you know how i do , you 'l not complain . thomas bewlie . anagram . i 'me well as both . i 'me wel as both you can be ; nay i am better , because triumphing with the lamb : yet i 'me not gone for ever , our parting is , till death unlock for you this door of bliss . j. c. a. m. on the death of that ingenious , industrious , and pious young gentleman , mr. thomas bewlie junior . oh death ! of terrors king ! could nothing move thee to suspend this stroak ! no not the love , nor cries of parents , tutor , friends , and all that knew his worth , and now bemoan his fall ! nor 's age ! ( but eighteen years ! ) nor that estate , to which this onely sonne was destinate ! not's active soul ! and hand ! nor 's nimble head ! nor 's skill in common-law could thee out-plead ? nor 's tongues ! nor 's logick ! nor 's philosophy ! nor 's drawing ! limning ! nor his poetry ! not disposition sweet ! nor 's gracious heart ! not's love to god! nor that he did impart to saints ! not's pity great to poor , and such as age and chance with want afflicted much ! no! servant like , thou but to passe didst bring the counsel wise , of god his soveraign king : who at this time , and thus , hath cropt this rose , with 's hand of love ; and giv'n't a safe repose , in heaven above , where he doth clearly see , what in his mountain thoughts he spied to be . then cease you parents , tutor , friends , to waile , he is with god , your grief cannot avail . another . view underneath this stone , a fancy choice ; invention good , a sed'lous hand to poise the greatest things , a mind made wise by grace ; and tongues with arts not scantlingly t' embrace . his parents joy ; now grief : his kindreds losse . o' th' bewlies phoenix here remains the drosse . on the death of his dear friend and cousen , mr. thomas bewley junior , gent. art fled , dear soul ? and is thy purer breath become a victime ? ah ! too rich for death . could not the riv'lets from thy parents eyes prevail for once to drown the destinies ? or 's death so envious ? that th' art onely shown , cropt , like a bud , before thou wer 't well blown . envious indeed , in that he doth deny us the enjoyment of thy company . which joyn'd with goodnesse , and a candid mind , must few aequators , no ascendent find . but here , methinks , injustice taints my will , in that while worth'less i would take my fill in traffique sure divine ; ( of which each part throughout thy soul might make a sev'ral mart. ) i envy thee that perfect happy shore , to which on earth 't was thy desire to soaere . injust ( perhaps ) it seems , yet let me say that though i could have wish'd a longer stay : so great 's thy gain in thy friends greatest losse , that wee 'l conjoyn the harp unto the crosse . to thee thy parents greatest love did run , a fit meridian for affections sun ; and nature will have vent , perhaps immerse their eyes in tears attending on thy herse . yet should but an impartial judge stand by , he 'd think your tears from passions contrary proceeded , that that seeming dismal sound did not through sorrow , but through joy abound . that 's love indeed , if parents don't complain at their own losse , if 't be their childrens gain . 'twixt joy and sorrow . t. e. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- doct. doct. doct. doct. doct. dr , tuck doct. doct. doct. doct. doct. doct. doct. quest . answ . object . ans. quest . answ . quest . answ . dr. s●ought dr. tuckney rev. . ● . rev. . . dr. hall . dr. reynold . mr. trapp . quest . answ . object . answ . gen. . . object . answ . vse . pet. ● . . vse . joh . . mr. baines . object . answ . psa. . . vse . gen. . . mr. pat. drummond . a description of the seaventeen provinces commonly called the low-countries (the present stage of action) as also of the rivers, cities, commodities, strong towns, forts, and other things remarkable therein. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a description of the seaventeen provinces commonly called the low-countries (the present stage of action) as also of the rivers, cities, commodities, strong towns, forts, and other things remarkable therein. clarke, samuel, - . 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be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng netherlands -- description and travel. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a description of the seaventeen provinces commonly called the low-countries , ( the present stage of action ) as also of the rivers , cities , commodities , strong towns , forts , and other things remarkable therein . london , printed for william birch at the blew-bible at the corner of the poultrey , at the lower end of cheapside . a table of the seventeen provinces , cities , and chief towns which are described in this book . a general description of the low-countries pag. . of their commodities p. . of their rivers and fish p. . of their channels , and other waters p. . of their forrests and woods p. . of their fowl and birdsp . p. . the quallities of the peoplep . p. . of their arts and industry p. . the province of brabant p. . the chief rivers therein p. . the cities and towns p. . the city of lovain described . p. . the city of bruxels . p. . bolduc described . p. . mastrick described . p. . the province of lemburg described . p. the province of guelders described . p. . ruermond described . p. . zutphen described . p. . arnhem described . p. . the province of over-issel . p. . deventer described . p. . swol described . p. . campen described . p. . vullenhove , described p. . the province of frisland . p. . the province of gromingen . p. . . leewarden described . p. . the i le of schellink . p. . the province of holland p. . , &c. holland and zealand . p. . cities and towns in holland . p. . dordrect or dort described p. . harlem described . p. . delfe described p. . leyden described p. . goud described p. . amsterdam described p. . einchusen described p. . hoorn described p. . alcmair described p. . purmerenden described . p. . edam described . p. . rotterdam described . p. . st. gertrudenburg . described . p. . hague described p. other villages in holland p. isles belonging to holland p. . of voorn , goerde , somersdike , gorendike described p. , . the province and city of utrecht described p. , . the towns belonging to it p. . the province of zealand described p. . isles belonging to zealand p. . the walled towns in it p. . the isle of scowve described p. . the other isles described ib. middlebourg described . ib. veer or canfeer described p. . flushing p. . romerswald described p. . ter-goes described p. . the city of antwerp described p. . the province of flanders p. . walled towns in flanders p. . other towns p. . flanders flamigant described p. . the city of gaunt described p. . bruges described p. . the city of ipre described p. . scluse described p. . ostend described p. . neuport described and dunkirk p. . berg st. winnock p. . dam described p. . dixmund described p. . wern described p. . bourburg described p. . gravling described p. . cassel described p. . courtray described p. . oudenard described p. . ardenbourg described p. . middlebourg described p. . wervick described p. . merim described p. . comines described p. . flanders gallicant described p. . lisle described p. . doway described p. . orchies described p. . lanoy described p. . espeney described p. . armentiers described p. . tournay described p. . mortaign described p. . st. amond described ib. flanders imperial described . ib. alost described . p. . country of waes . described . p. . hulst described . p. . denremond described . p. . mount gerrard described . p. . bornhem described . p. . ruplemond described . p. . the province of artois described p. . arras described p. . st. omers described p. . beteene described p. . aire described p. . bapaulm described p. . renty described . p. . heldin described ib : st. pol described ib. perue described ib. lillers described ib. lens described ib. cambray described p. . the province of hanault described p. mons described p. . valenciennes described p. . bouchain described p. . quesnoy described ib. conde described ib. landrecy described ib. avesnes described ib. chimay described ib. mariembourg described p. . philipvil described ib. beaumont described ib. mauberg described ib. bavays vallone ib. bins described ib. reux described ib. sogny described p. . breinle comte described ib. enguien described ib. halle described ib. lesny described ib. cheur described ib : at h described ib. st. guislem described ib. leuse described ib. the province of luxenburg described . p. . laxenbourg described p. . arlon described ib. rodemark described ib. theonville described ib. graumackren described ib. coning●-mackren described ib. bastonack described ib. mommedi described p. . neuscastle described ib. danvillers described ib. marvil described ib. st. vit● described ib. s●●me described ib. ivoy described ib. c●imay described ib. the province of namor described . p. . belgia : or the low-countries . described . the low-countries are seated very comodiously for all the provinces of europe . for northward it is but or dayes journey by sea from denmark . southward it consineth with france , and lorrain . eastward with almain , or germany . westward with england , and scotland . it 's also commodious for norway , and sweden : for a ship went from holland to norway in houres . from lisbon its scarce dayes voyage . the circuit of the country is about a thousand italian miles , or flemish leagues . in that part of the low-countries that formerly belonged to the king of spain , are contained walled towns : an hundred and fifty towns priviledged , as walled towns : six thousand three hundred villages with parish churches , besides a great number of other villages , and hamlets . the beeves of frisland and holland , are very great , and weigh some of them sixteen hundred pounds . yea , one there was presented to the earl of hockstrait which weighed two thousand five hundred twenty eight pounds of the country weight . the ewes in holland , frisland , and part of flanders bring forth or lambs at a time , and the kine often two calves . the country brings forth much mather , wherewith a great part of europe is furnished ? wood , and hemp , and flaxin great abundance . five principal rivers are in these countries : the rhine , the meuse , the scheld , haa , and emms , besides divers smaller . the muse affords abundance of sturgeons , so big , that some of them weigh , and some pounds , and are foot long of antwerp measure . the muse yeildeth also great store of salmons , and salmon trouts , lamprayes , shads , congers , mullets , and divers other sorts of fishes , which coming into fresh water , become fat , and excellent good . the scheld , by reason of the vicinity it hath with the mouth of the meuse , hath divers sorts of fishes that come out of the sea , as sturgeons , salmons , salmon trouts , lamprayes , turbots , congers , shads , mullets , soles , &c. besides which , such an infinite number of frie come out of the sea , and are taken in this river , that multitudes of people are relieved therewith . besides these rivers , divers channels are cut out , and made navigable by mans hand , the principal whereof are at bruxells , gant , bruges , and middlebourg . the country hath not many fountains of running water , save in the mountainous part : but lakes , pools , and marshes many , which both fortify the country , and furnish it with fish. the sea ariseth at calais in flanders , in zealand , and holland foot : but where it s pressed into a straight , as at bristow , it rises foot : at st malo , and mount st. michael in normandy foot. the depth of the sea between calais and dover is fathom ( every fathom foot ) between england and ireland . between wight , and normandy . near to sylly : and so the nearer the main the deeper . herrings come out of the northern seas in incredible multitudes into our seas in august , september , and mid november : but the best are taken from mid - september , 'till the end of october . the sooner the cold begins , the sooner they come , and in the greater number . they once compass our isle of great britain , and so pass into the northern ocean . their course is hard by the shore , and they swim gazing where they see any light , fire , or humane creatures . they have kings among them , as bees have , marked on the head like a crown , and are somewhat ruddy , especially upon the head. the kings goe before them , and they are followed with an infinite number , which in the night afar off seem like lightning , by reason that their eyes are bright like fire . they feed upon water only , and dye as soon as they are taken out . many cods are taken in the same months with the herrings ; and some of them are above pound weight . of these two kinds of fishes they yearly make vast summs . salmons are taken at all times of the year in holland , and zealand . these kinds of fish , yeild yearly to them ( the salt deducted ) six hundred thousand pound sterling . they have divers forrests , and woods , well stored with red and fallow deer , goats , wild boars , hares , conies , badgers , wolves , foxes , &c. whcth yeild good furrs . the fowl in this country are partridge , feasants , turtle doves , quails , black-birds , and in briefe , all kinds of fowl , and birds that be in england , both water , and land fowl , especially water fowl in holland . the people are valiant , and very skilful seamen : their hoyes are excellent good to brook the seas , by reason whereof they dispatch their voyages sooner than other nations . they are good linguists , and very skilful in merchandise . they excel in making woollen cloth , tapestry , fustians , silks , velvets , &c. they invented the art of painting , and the making of woollen , and linnen cloth , and of dying . the women govern all , both within doors , and without , and make all bargains , which makes them too too injurious and troublesom . the eldest daughter is of the greatest reputation , yet hath no larger a portion than the rest . they marry noble with ignoble , young with old , master and servant , into strange towns , and forrain countries . there are provinces , brabant , lemburg , luxenburg , guilders , which are dutchies ; flanders , artois , heynalt , holland , zealand , namur , and zutphen , which are earldoms ; the marquisat of the sacred empire , frisland , malines , utrecht , over-issel , and groningham , which are seniories . lothier is a bare title , for the land remaineth in lorrain . the province of brabant described . brabant is bounded on the north with the meuse , which severeth it from guilderland , and holland : south with haynalt , namurs , and lieg : east with the meuse , which severs it from another part of guelderland : west , with the scheld , which severs it from flanders , and the principality of alost . the air is good , and most of the soil fruitful . the length of it from south to north , from gemblours to st. gertrudenbers is ▪ leagues ; the breadth from east to west , from helmont to berghes is leagues . the circuit eighty . the principal rivers of brabant are the meuse , and the scheld . towns walled are , whereof lovain , bruxells , antwerp , and bosleduc are the chiefe . tilmond , leewe , and nevelle are but small . the rest are arshcot , bergh , meghen , breda , diest , maestricht , steenberg , lire , vilvorden , gemblours , joudaign , hannut , lamden , halem , sichenen , herentalis , eindoven , helmont , and grave . smaller towns unwalled , yet market towns , fair built , and enjoying the priviledges of market towns , are eighteen . villages with parish churches are seven hundred . the city of lovain described . lovain stands by the river of dele : the air is so temperate that vines prosper both within , and without the town . it s miles compass within the walls , and six without . the buildings are beautiful : the temples , monasteries , the church of st. peter , and the publick pallace , are sumptuously built . it s of a round figure , and hath many goodly gardens , vallyes , mountains , meddows , and springs within it . the university was founded anno christi . in it are about colledges , the principal whereof are lilium , castrum , porcus , falco , and trilingue . it hath many lesser towns under the jurisdiction of it . the city of bruxells described . bruxells stands upon the little river sinne : it s of the same bigness with lovain . it hath walls about it , between which , towards the east , the court is resident . it 's excellently seated for all kind of commodities , both for pleasure , and profit . there is a goodly channel made by art from bruxells into the river of dele , and thence into the scheld . there are also notable scluses for the back water . in it there are gates , churches , noble houses : and the buildings in general are very sumptuous . here is made great store of armor , and excellent arras , both of silk , gold , and silver . there are in it occupations , divided into members , called the nations . it hath under its jurisdiction nivelle , and vilvorden . bolduc described . bolduc stands upon the river of deese , but leagues from the meuse . it 's a great town , strong , well peopled , rich , and well built . the cathedral church is dedicated to st. john , which is a goodly one , and hath a very beautiful dial upon it . it 's the fourth principal town of brabant . under the jurisdiction of it are countries , called the four members , wherein are contained these towns , helmont , eindovers , meghen , ravestein , grave , and divers other villages . the three small capitall towns of brabant are , telmont that stands upon the little river geet ; but the town is now decayed . leewe , that stands upon the little brook gheef : it 's strong , being a frontier against lieg . nevelle , it stands in a fruitful soil , and is full of quarries of excellent stone . besides these , there are in brabant arshcot , which stands upon the little river demere , made a dutchy . bergen op zoom , seated upon a little hill , by the river zoom , which passes through the town , and half a league thence falls into the scheld . it 's neer to the seas , and hath a reasonable good haven , not far from antwerp . hoochstrate , not environed with any wail , erected into an earldom by charles the fifth . meghen , stands upon the river of meuse , an ancient earldom . breda , stands upon the river merck : it s a good , and a pleasant town , and in it is a sumptuous castle , with double ditches full of water : it belongs to the prince of orange . diest stands upon the river demere : a good town , and hath two colledges of canons in it . the city of mastrick described . mastrick is cut through , not in the midst , but on one side by the meuse . there is a goodly bridg of stone built over the river . the lesser part of it makes , as it were , an angle , which is called by the name of vich : this part belongs to the principality of liege : but the chief body of the town is under the low-countries . it 's a very fair and strong town , and hath two colledges of canons in it , and in one of them the duke of brabant is a canon . the whole compass thereof is about english miles . round about the walls runs a deep ditch : the earth about it is loose , and maniable : yet is it not peopled answerable to the compass of the walls , but a great part of it is void ground , especially towards the walls , which notwithstanding are well provided with platforms . steenbergh , is now decayed , but was sometime a town of great power and importance , with a goodly haven . lire stands upon the little river nethe . it 's a strong town , both by nature and art. vilvorden stands upon the river sinne : the town is strong , and hath a castle in it . gemblours , hath an abby in it , and a famous library . there are also jondoign , hannut , landen , halen , which stands upon the little river of geet : sichenen ▪ upon the river demere ; hentalls upon the river nethe : eindoven upon the brook dommele . helmont upon the river ade : and grave upon the river meuze : all walled towns : other villages are omitted . ravestien stands on the left side of the river of maze . it s a good little town , with a castle in it . the province of lembourg described . lembourg stands upon the river of weser beyond the meuze , in which is found the stone called coperas , which being incorporated with brass maketh latin. there is also much iron , and some lead . walkenbourg is a reasonable town , having a large territory and jurisdiction : it 's leagues from mastrick . dalem is a little town with a castle . rode-le-duc is a little ancient town with an old castle . carpen is a great village with a collegiate church , and a strong castle neer it . malins stands upon the river of dele , which passeth through the town , and ebbs and flowes a league above it . it is a goodly strong town , because it may be drowned almost on all sides . in it are parish churches , and a monastery of about hundred nuns . heyst stands on an hill , and hath boroughs at the foot of the hill , all pertaining to this village . horne is a castle neer to the meuse , not far from ruermond , and hath a goodly jurisdiction neer unto the castle gives name : and wiert is a town belonging to it , beautified with a goodly castle . the province of guelders described . guelders is bounded on the north with friesland , and the zuiderzee : south with the meuse ( which divides it from brabant ) and with gulirland : east with the rhine , and cleavland : and west with holland , and the bishoprick of utrecht . the country is flat , having but few hills , but many pleasant woods , and store of corn , and cattel . it hath two and twenty walled towns , whereof the cheif are nimegue , ruermond , zutphen , and arnem . the other walled towns are , hatten , elburch , harderwick , wagheningen , tiel , bomel , bronchorst , doesburg , doetecum , isheerenberg , lochem , grol , bredervoerde , ghelder , stralen , venloo , wachtendonck , and erkelens . towns unwalled , yet priviledged as walled towns are , kepple , burg , ghent , batemburg , montfort , and echt. in it are above three hundred villages with parish churches . nimegue stands upon that branch of the rhine that is called whael , where its larg , and deep . it s a fair town , strong , rich , and well peopled . it hath a very fair , and ancient castle , with an excellent prospect round about . ruermond described . ruermond stands upon the very point of the river ruer , where it , and the maze meet . it s a beautiful , strong , and well-peopled city : the country about it is very fruitful . under the jurisdiction of it are these towns ; venloo , a strong town , guelder , stralen , watchtendonck , and erkelens , which are all walled towns ; montfort , echt , and niewerstat , burroughs built like towns ; as also kessel , midler , and criekenbeeck ▪ a league from rucrmond is the fair village kessel , with a strong castle in it . zutphen described . zutphen is situate upon that branch of the rhine that is called issel , and the river berkel runs through it , which there empties it self into issel : it s well built . it s the third principal town in guelderland . under its jurisdiction are doesbourg , doeterum , lochem , grol , bredervoerd , and bronkhurst , all walled towns. zutphen hath a great fort on the side opposite to the river , and two lesser ones for the better defence of it . the city of arnem described . arnem stands upon the rhine . it s a well built town , fair , and larg . it s chiefe town of guelders , and the veluwe , which is but a little country , but exceeding fruitfull , especially abounding with fish , being compassed about with zuiderzee , rhine , and issel . it abounds also with all kinds of venison . under its jurisdiction are wagheninghen : hattem which is a strong town ; hardwick , and elbourg , all walled towns , with divers villages . other walled towns are these . hattem which stands upon issel , a great , and strong town . elbourg which stands upon zuiderzee . hurderwick , which also stands upon zuiderzee : wagheninghen , which stands upon the rhine : tiel , which is a strong town , and stands upon whaal : bomel , which also stands upon whaal , and is a fair , and strong place : bronchorst which stands upon issel ; doesbourgh , which stands at the entry of fossa brusiana into the river issel , a good town and well peopled : doetecum , which stands upon the old issel : tserenberg , a good town : locchem which stands upon berkel : groel , &c. verloo stands upon the meuze , it s a good , and a strong town : wachtendonk stands upon the river niers : erkelens is a reasonable good town . all these are walled , and stand in guelderland . towns unwalled are , keppel , and bourk , both which stand upon the old issel : ghend , which is neer to the whaal : battenbourg which stands upon the meuze : montfort , a very strong castle : echt , neer to the pleasant wood echterwalt : culembourg , a good town standing upon the leck : buren is in the midst of guelderland , hath a strong castle in it , and under the jurisdiction of it , a great country , and many villages ; it stands neer to the river liugh . the province of overissel described . overissel is bounded on the north with west-frise , and groninghen : south with the country of zutpheu ; east with westphalia ; and west with the zuiderzee , and the river issel . the country is very plain , and without hills , very fruitful , and abounding with grain . the river vidre , or vecht , runs through it . it hath eight walled towns , namely . deventer , swol , cumpen , vallenhove , steenwick , hasselt , oetmarse , and oldezeel . other towns of importance , though unwalled , are , meppel , theelmuyden , coevorden , hardemberg , omme , almeloe ▪ goer , diepnehem , delden , and enseede . there are in it about a hundred villages . deventer described . deventer stands upon the river issel : it s a very strong , and well fortified place , larg , fair , well built , and well peopled . it s the metropolitane of the whole country . swol described . swol stands upon a little river that runneth into the vidre . it s a very strong town , fortified with a double ditch , and strong rampers . cumpen described . cumpen stands at the entrance of issel into zuiderzee , and is comprehended in the country of overissel : it s a very fair , and a larg town . vallenhove described . vallenhove stands upon the zuiderzee : it s a good town , and served very well with all sorts of victuals . the other towns and villages are not worth naming , save only ghelmuyden , which stands upon the very mouth of the vidre , and hath a strong castle in it . the province of frise-land described . the river embs divides east-friesland , which belongs to upper germany , from west-friesland , which appertaineth to the lower : and as it grows nearer to the sea , so it enlargeth it self , that the mouth thereof makes a gulph . here is the city of embden seated , one of the most considerable towns of all the maritine parts , by reason of the frequency of people , and opportunity of commerce , which is much holpen by the haven thereof , being held to be one of the most commodious in all the north. the flemish-friesland maketh two provinces . that which joyns upon germany is called groninghen , from the city of the same name . a city very well peopled , and suspiciously seated , being the chiefest key of those confines . it is seated very low , as is its sister province , which retains the name of friesland . in winter the fields stand full of water , and there is no coming to their habitations but by their banks . in summer the land lyes dry , and yeilds great store of pasturage . you would say , that in those parts , the sea is interchangably turned into the land , and the land into the sea. by reason of the low situation , and great humidity there are no woods in the country , nor almost any sort of trees that may serve for firing : but where nature is therein wanting , the inhabitants make it good by their industry . for they make use of turfs cut out of the earth and dryed in the sun , instead of wood : these are the woods of friesland , and the usual fire of the inhabitants . in divers other parts of flanders they suffer the same wants , and with the same industry provide against them . frise anciently was a kingdome , and reached from the mouth of the rhine into denmark : but that which we here describe is vvest-friesland : the other towards the river visurgis , is called east-friese . vvest-friese hath north and west the ocean sea : south , zuiderzee , and the country of overissel : east it hath east-friseland . under its signiory are many isles adjoyning unto it , the principal whereof are schelnick , and ameland , in which are divers villages . there are no rivers in this country save only ems , and lauwers , but issel , and vidre are neer to it : there are very many great channels throughout the country , made as well for transportation , as for draning of the waters , which otherwise would overflow all . for its a marish country , flat , and full of waters : the river ems severs it from vvestphalia . they have small store of grain , but numbers of cattel , and turfe is their fewel : but the poorer people burn cow-dung dried in the sun. many of their kine bring two calves a piece , and their ewes two or three lambs , yea , sometimes four at a fall . they have also store of good horses . this country is divided into three principal counties : the county of ostergoe , the county of vvestergoe , and the county of the seven forrests . all of them contain walled towns , and others enjoying the like priviledges , being rampered with trenches and ditches , eleven namely , leewarden , doccum , franiker , bolswaerd , sneck , ilst , slotem , harlinghen with a castle , vvorkum , hindelopen , and straveren . there are in it four hundred and ninety villages . leewarden described . leewarden is seated two leagues from doccum : its a good , and a great town , having a strong castle in it . franiker is a good town , and a university : of the rest there is nothing remarkable . the isle of schellinck described . in this island are some villages abounding with excellent good pastures , great plenty of cattel , and very good fish , especially dog-fish , which are taken in this strange manner . the men disguise themselves like beasts , and so go to the sea-side , at such times as they know the fishes use to come forth to refresh themselves with the air upon the shoar . then these disguised men fall a dancing and leaping ; with which sport , the fishes are so greatly delighted , that thereby they are drawn far from the sea , while , in the mean time nets are pitched between the sea and them , which being done , the dancers throw off their disguised apparel , and discover themselves , whereupon the fishes retire towards the sea , and are taken in the nets . the province of groeninghen described with the city . it s a very great , rich , and well-built city , under the diocess of the bishop of munster . it hath a great and larg jurisdiction ; and through the city passe divers rivers , in divers channels , some made by art , and some by nature , which make the town very strong . groninghen lyes upon the utmost bounds of that consine which joyns together the upper and the lower germany . there is not in that part of the low countries a more noble city than this , either for the number of inhabitants , for the quallity of the buildings , or for the frequency of commerce . it forms the body of a province which lyes about this city , and which takes the name , and almost the whole government from thence . it s seated low , well provided of a wall , and ditch . it hath some works within the circuit thereof of the modern fashion ; and the rest , for the most part , are of the ancient . it enjoyes very large priviledges . the province of holland described . holland is as much to say , a hollow land , because the very foundation of it stands upon the water ; so that if you go , or ride , the ground will tremble under you . it s bounded north and west with the sea : south with the meuse , and brabant : east with the zuiderzee , and guelderland . through it run many armes of the rhine , and meuse , besides a number of channels made by art , almost between every village of moment . it hath in it a number of islands made by the sea , the rhine , and the meuse , of divers names , yet all comprehended under the name of holland . the ground is so low that they are fain to fence it , with dikes , and rampers , as well against the sea , as against almost all the rivers and channels into which the sea ebbs and flows ; so that in many places you shall see the sea above the land , yet kept back by these banks . this country hath few trees in it , because the ground is so spungy , that it is not able to bear the weight of a tree ; and yet lesse quantity of fruit and grain grows in it for the same reason . yet have they such plenty of grain from the easterlings , and denmark , as is not only sufficient for their own use , but liberally to impart to other countries . and they have such plenty of rhenish wine from germany that they spend more than in the country where it grows . flax they have none growing , and yet make more linnen cloth than any country in the world. wool also they have none of their own , and yet make an infinite number of cloths . they have no timber , and yet spend more in building of ships , and fencing their dikes then any other country doth . their principal home-commodities consists in breeding of horses , the kine in their fat pastures , and meddows , and turfe , whereof they sell an infinite quantity to other countries . the butter and cheese made in a year in holland amounts to above a million of crowns . but their greatest commodity comes by fishing , and navigation . holland and zealand described more fully . both these provinces lye on the north and west side of flanders . in holland , the rhine , and the meuse ; and in zealand , the scheld , fall into the sea , in such larg channels , as loosing the condition of rivers , they seem to carry new seas into the sea. on the contrary , the ocean first washing the said two provinces for a long tract of ground , and turning then ( as it were ) from a sea to a river , it penetrates into each of them by divers channels , and hides it self there in sundry gulphs . from hence , joyning with the rivers , and together with them cutting zealand thorough in many places , it makes thereof many islands , and reduces holland into a peninsula . and together with these three aforenamed rivers , which are the chiefest of all flanders , there are in holland divers other lesser ones : and , as if art would contend with nature , there are added thereunto an infinite number of channels cut out by mans hand , which are made for the greater accommodation of the country . there are within holland also a great number of lakes , and standing waters ; so as the situation of both these provinces being well considered , it is to be questioned whether the space of ground be greater which by the water is won from the earth , or from the water by the earth . nor is it less disputable , whether their country do more abound with , or be more wanting of those commodities which men enjoy in other places . for through the condition of their situation they want both corn , wine , oyle , wool , wood , hemp , flax , and almost all other commodities and delights which are used in more temperate and dry climates : and yet again , there is no country , not only in the northern nook , even not in any part of europe , which abounds so much as holland and zealand in almost all the forenamed commodities , yea , even of those which are less necessary for the maintenance of humane life : so great is the advantage which these two provinces receive by the sea , and rivers , whereby their commerce with all other countries is made so easie , which since they have introduced , and made so familiar in both the indies , it cannot be said how much both merchandizes , and merchants are increased in both of them . hence it is that they abound so much with people , and that their cities , towns , and villages are so well inhabited . yet the sea likewise is as full of ships , and other bottoms , and all their watry places with other sorts of boats , which all of them serve for habitations , especially to mariners , and fishers . great is the number of people that apply themselves to these two vocaitons in holland , and in zealand . they make houses of their ships , and of their houses schools : here they are born : here they are bred up : and here they learn their professions . and the marriners especially , who practising their callings , in running so oft , and so boldly from the one pole to the other , and wheresoever the sun communicates it self to mortals , grow so expert therein , as though they may be equalled , yet they cannot be out-done in this seafairing mystery , by any nation whatsoever . in briefe , these people are generally given to traffique , and are extraordinary industrious in manual , and mechanical arts. their greatest delight lyes in their meat , and in their feasts , by which they temper the melancholly of their tedious winters , which are rather long than sharp , the country abounding much more in rain than in frosts . they are generally well shaped in body ; and as candid in nature as in countenance : pleasant in their leasure times ; but fierce in their warrs , and much better in fighting at sea than by land : they feed most upon fish , and are whit-meats , wherein their country doth infinitely abound . they have alwayes been inclined to a free government , and have ever tenaciously held their ancient customs . holland is full of great cities , good towns , and infinite in villages . but by reason of the frequency of forreigners , and multitudes of natives , amsterdam hath alwayes been the chiefest city of this province . even whilst commerce flourished in antwerp , great was the concourse of forreigners to amsterdam : but commerce failing in that city , by reason of the warrs with spain , it is so mightily encreased in this other , as amsterdam is at this houre the place of greatest merchandizing , not only in holland , but in all the north. in zealand middlebourg is the town best peopled , and of greatest traffick ; yet cannot that province come any thing neer holland , neither in circuit , people , nor plenty . it s almost impossible to enter either of these provinces by force : becaus not only the chief places but even the commonest towns are environed , either by the sea , rivers , lakes , or by earth , than which there can be none more low , nor more miery : so as it is no wonder if these people , being thus favoured by nature , were both so sierce in taking up arms against spain at first , and with the like animosity maintained them till they had procured their own peace . bentivog : hist : of fland : pag. . zealand . where the scheld falls from the more inward parts of the land , gliding for a good space along the confines of brabant and flanders , it comes at once out of both those provinces ; and at the coming out , divides it self into two large branches : the one bends towards the north , and retaines the name of scheld ; the other runs towards the west , and is called honte . here , both of them growing greater , as they draw neerer the ocean , before they fall thereinto , they joyn together in divers spacious gulphs ; among which the islands of zealand are rather buried than raised up ; so low are they seated , and so oft doth the sea do mischief there . this low situation is notwithstanding endeavoured to be remedied by the inhabitants with exceeding high , and firm banks . but this remedie doth not alwayes give them security , of which the island of zuitbevolant hath had sad experience , it having in former time been one of the greatest , and best peopled of all the zealand islands . in the year , the sea arose with one of the most terrible tempests that was ever seen in those parts , and rending the banks asunder , and bearing down whatsoever withstood it , it overflowed from the one side to the other , and did actually drown a great part of the island , to the utter and most horrible destruction both of man and beast , and a great number of intire villages , which were miserably swallowed up by that deluge . this fell out on that side that lies neerest to brabant and flanders ; this being the first island that the scheld , in forming its abovesaid branches , cuts off , and divides from the continent : yet that angle which lyes neerest to the firm land , remained still unprejudiced , and is yet inhabited . on the west , this island looks towards flanders : on the north towards brabant : and in it stands tergoes , a small town , better fortified by nature than by art , being fenced on the one side by the scheld , upon whose banks it is situated : it is environed on an other part with certain marish grounds : and it s fortified by art on the weakest side , which lies towards the firm land . holland is not above leagues in circuit , and where its broadest a man may ride over it in hours ; yet are there in it nine and twenty walled towns : namely , dordrecht , harlem , delft , leyden , goud , amsterdam , einchusen , horn , alkmur , purmerenden , eadam , monichedam , wesp , naerden , woerden , oudewater , schoonhoven , helstien , vianen , leerdam , asperen , hueckelem , gorichom , workum , huesden , rotterdam , schiedam , st gertrudenberg , and sevenbergen . besides these there are divers little towns , which have been walled , and enjoy the priviledges of walled towns : namely , medemblick , beverwick , muiden , neuport , ulaerdingen , and gravisand . there are besides above four hundred villages , some of which are large , and have great immunities . holland hath also under it divers isl●s : the chief are vielandt , texele , weringham , urak , and ens , wherein are some villages : as also voorn , goerode , sommersaike , corendike , and pierskille . dordrecht described . dordrecht stands upon the merune , which river is compounded of the rhine , the meuse , and the ling. it s a great , rich , mighty , and well-peopled town . the city of harlem described . harlem lyes in a large plain , divided every where into lovely meddows ; the ground in holland being usually fitter for pasture than for tillage . on the one side it hath a wood nigh at hand , which is but very little , and serves rather for pleasure than for fireing . on the other side the river sparen runs within the walls , which , washing the walls on the outside , with an other branch , that presently joyns with the former , makes of that part of the city , an iland . towards the south this river communicates with a great lake called , harlem meer ; and towards the west , with a larg gulph , called tie , which , entring into other greater ▪ gulphs , falls not into , but is rather enclosed by the ocean . the city is provided of a good ditch , and good walls , not flanked according to the modern fashion , but with great towers , after the ancient mode . the circuit of the walls is great , and the city is very well peopled ; and to the number of the inhabitants , as well in private as in publick , doth the condition of the buildings answer . neer this city , almost at an equall distance , within half a dayes journey , lye two of the chiefest towns in holland , amsterdam on the east , and leyden on the south . it s a town very well built , and beautified with goodly meddows both within and without , but especially with a most pleasant forrest , and environed with many goodly villages , and fortresses , and is seated in a most wholsom air . it s the greatest town in all holland . here printing was first invented , and after perfected at mentz , whence some attribute the invention of it to that place . delfe described . it s a goodly larg town well built throughout with broad and pleasant streets , and beautified with sumptuous and stately churches . it lyes upon a river which joyns upon the mause . leyden described . it s one of the six capitall towns of holland , and chiefe of rhineland . it hath under it nine and forty burroughs , and villages . it abounds with all sorts of provisions , and with sea-fish , and fresh-water fish , and of water foul. it s strengthened with an ancient castle . leyden is situate in a flat and low country , full of ditches , and channels , and is beautified with pleasant meddows , gardens , arbors , and walks round about it ; within it are inclosed one and thirty islands , from one of which to the other men go in boats : and over and above these there are nine or ten other islands , from the one of which to the other , bridges are built to pass over , so that in that town are one hundred forty five bridges , whereof one hundred and four are of stone , the rest of wood. in this town are yearly made above twelve thousand cloaths . the town is well peopled ; her streets are large : her buildings well polished : it s well flanked round about : her ditches are every where deep , and in sine , she is a very compleat city . the women are very fair , and the air wholsom . goud described . goud is also one of the six capital towns of holland . it stands upon the river issel , not that issel before mentioned , but another different from that . for this issel ariseth at isselstein in holland , and passing by montfort , oudewater , and goud : at isselmond it entreth into the leek , holding his course from his rising to his fall between the old rhine that cometh from utrecht , and the said river of leek ; and being , as it were hemm'd in between these two rivers , it 's a strong , rich , and well fortified town . amsterdam described . amsterdam standeth upon the goulph tie . it s one of the goodliest havens in the world ; for you have sometimes at once five hundred sail of ships riding in the port. the town is so rich , that though a fleet of three hundred sail , laden with all kind of merchandize arrive there , the citizens within five or six dayes will buy up all their wares . in this town are built yearly many ships , and above twelve thousand cloths made . amstordam is built upon piles under the ground , as venice is , so that the buildings of these towns are more chargeable under the ground than above , though the houses are very sumptuous , and fair . this town is very strong , and held to be impregnable , by reason that it may be invironed at pleasure with water , and is almost in all points like unto venice , and little inferior to it in any thing . for its the greatest town in all these parts of the world. einchuysin described . it standeth upon the very point of the gulph zuidersee , that fronteth frisland , from whence it is distant not above two leagues . it 's a good town , and in it are many ships built . hoorn described . hoorn stands upon the zuiderzee . it 's a fair , rich , and a reasonable great town , and hath a good haven , and is of so great strength , by reason of the multitude of channels round about it , that it seems almost impregnable . in this town there is kept yearly a mart of butter , and cheese , whereunto there is brought so great a quantity , as furnishes , not only these countries , but spain and portugal also . alcmair described . alcmair is a very rich town , by reason that the country round about it yeelds more plenty of butter and cheese than any other place in holland . it 's not strong , save only by situation , lying ( as do all other towns in that country of waterlant ) drowned amidst water and mud. it 's within five hours journy of harlem , and may be said to be the gate whereby to enter by land into waterlant . for that side of the province , being shut up on one part by the sea , on an other by the gulph of zuiderzee , and almost all the rest by other waters , and channels ; and making the shape of a peninsula , it leaves but a very narrow space of entrance by land ; and there , a little within stands alcmair . purmerenden described . purmerenden is a town with a good castle appertaining to the counts of egmont . edan described . edan stands neer to the zuiderzee . it 's famous for the great number of ships of all burdens that are built in it , and the innumerable multitude of excellent good cheeses that are made in the country round about it . moni●kdam , and wesp , are two good little towns , with great store of good meddows , and pastures about them for feeding of cattel , and likewise they have a great deal of fish. woerden hath a strong castle in it . oudewater stands upon the issel . neer hereabouts grows great plenty of hemp , of the which almost all the cables , cords , and nets that the fisher-men , and marriners of holland , and zealand use , are made , by which many of the inhabitants grow very rich . schoonhoven stands upon the leek . it s a fair town , and hath a commodious haven , and here so great abundance , and plenty of salmonds are taken ▪ that the staple of salmonds is kept here . iselst●in : about this town is great controversie whether it belong to holland , or to utrecht . vianen stands upon the river leek . leardam stands upon the river ling. asperen stands also upon the river ling , which runs through it with a pleasant murmuring noise . hueclelen stands likewise upon the river ling , and hath an ancient castle in it . gorichom stands upon the whaal where it meets with the ling. it s a good town , and hath in it a strong castle . from the church steeple of this town , you may see two and twenty walled towns , and an infinite number of villages , which is a most pleasant sight to behold . every day there is a market in this town of butter , cheese , and other victuals of an incredible quantity brought into this haven , and from thence transported into other countries , and places , which makes the inhabitants here to become very rich . workum stands upon the whaal . huesden hath a fair castle , and many villages are under its jurisdiction . rotterdam stands upon the channel of rotter , neer to the meuse . it s a strong , a fair , and a populous town . st gertrudenberg is for situation very strong : it hath the meuse on the one side with its name turned into merwe , and of such a breadth , that it being there ready to fall into the ocean , the channel thereof seems to be a sea rather than a river . there falls also into the merwe upon another side , another little river of but a short course , called donge , and it ends its course neer unto the walls of this town ; yet is the bed thereof also so broad and deep , as its capable of any vessel whatsoever . the places thereabout are so low as men walk more upon the tops of banks , than upon plain ground . the artificial fortifications are answerable to the situation of it . sevenbergen stands also upon the merwe : it s a good town . unwalled towns in holland , and yet enjoying the priviledges of walled towns , are medemblick , which stands upon the north sea of holland , and in the best country of all holland for feeding of cattel . it hath in it a strong castle . muyden , which stands by the gulph zuiderzee , upon the little river of weight . it s a good town , with a strong castle on the contrary side of the river , and a bridg to pass between the castle and the town . nieuport , ulaerding , which stands neer to the mouth of the meuse , a very ancient town . principal villages in holland are hague : or haghen : or lettay stands neer to the west sea. it is the fairest , the richest , and the greatest village of europe , containing two thousand houses , and among them , divers that are very sumptuous ones , especially the beautiful and large royal pallace , built like a castle , and environed with strong and larg ditches . in this pallace is a colledge of cannons , with a very beautiful chappel in it , and a gallant library . they will by no means wall this village , accounting it more honour to inhabit the fairest , and mightiest village of europe , than a city , which being walled , would be inferiour to many . at the hague is a goodly wood stored with all kind of venison , and beautified with many antiquities , and medals graven in fine marble , and worthy to be remembred . it s not watered , nor cut through with any river . halfe a league from the hague is the abby of losdune , in which is the tomb of margaret countess of hennenberg , with an epitaph thereon , whereby it 's said , that she brought forth as many children at one burthen , as there are dayes in the year . schaghen is situate in the utmost northern part of holland . it s a fair , and large village with a goodly castle . iselmont stands upon the river of merwe . it s a good village with a fair castle . eghemont stands neer to the west sea. it s a brave village with a goodly monastery . brederode is a castle whereof the noble family of brederode beareth the name . walkenbourg is a small burrough , where every september a notable fair of horses is kept . catwiik standeth on the sea , where the ancient mouth of the rhine that came from utrecht then fell into the sea. britania is a fort that was built by the romans , since swallowed up by the sea. petten stands in the utmost of the north part of holland , upon the downes . the isle that belongs to the iurisdiction of holland described . in the isle of voorn is the briel , which is a good and strong town , and after it ulissinghen . in the i le of voorn is also the town gerulit , which hath divers villages under its jurisdiction . the soil of this iland is very fat , and fruitful , and bringeth forth abundance of divers sorts of grain , as also of the hearb called hellem , like to broom , the great roots whereof are the principal strength of the sea banks , and dikes of holland and zeland , which otherwise , being but sandy , would easily be born away with the wind . the second isle is goerede . in it is a town of the same name , being fair , and great . somersdike is a third island , called also voorn , because it lyes directly against holland . in it are divers villages , but the chief is called somersdike . gorendike the fourth , and pierschelle the fifth isle . the soil of both these is excellent good , and they have divers villages in them . this country of holland is exceeding populous : the people are tall , well proportioned , cheerful , and valiant , very courteous , and civil . their towns are well built , their houses wonderfully well furnished , and their furniture exceeding fine , and neat above all the countries in the world. their shops , buildings , ships , dikes , rampars , channels , divises to maintain their banks , and to preserve their meddowes , and pastures , by passing the water from one channel to another , and so into the sea , and all other works that they take in hand , are so excellently , and skilfully done , that its wonderful to behold them . the women in holland are very fair , wise , painful , and so practiced in worldly affairs , that they imploy themselves in most kind of mens exercises , especially in merchandize . by the peoples industry in merchandizing , breeding of sheep , and cattel , shipping , fishing &c. this little province is wonderful rich ; and there is no one foot of it , but yeilds some profit : yea , the very downs , being nothing but sand-hills , breed great abundance of conies : and the very sea-rocks afford them great store of eggs , and infinite number of fowl , which they sell into divers countries , both raw and baked , fresh and salt , which turns to their great commodity . to conclude , considering the great wealth that groweth in this country by cheese , butter , flesh , fish , foul , chickens , eggs , linnen , and woolen cloth , turfe , and shipping , it may be called a treasury of all good this . the province of utrecht described . utrecht hath on the north , west , and south holland , and on the east guelderland . it contains the city it self of utrecht , and four other walled towns : namely , wick at duerstede , rhenen , amersfort , and montfort : and under the jurisdiction thereof are about seventy villages . the country is dryer than holland , and so very fruitful of grain . utrecht stands upon the ancient stream of the rhine , which before it brake into the river leek , had its course this way into the sea. it s seated in a country so miraculously well inhabited , that in one day you may go from utrecht to fifty walled towns , standing from thence in an equall distance . you may also go from utrecht in a morning , and dine at whether you please of six and twenty walled towns , and return again to supper at utrecht in your own house . the town is larg , mighty , and very stately , and sumptuously built , and full of goodly cellars , and caves , vaulted , with wonderful art and skill . in it are many goodly churches , whereof five are the principal . towns of the jurisdiction of utrecht , are first , week at duersteed , which is a town well built , standing upon the leek , with a good castle in it . . rhenen stands also upon the leek . about it is excellent good ground for turfe . . amesfort stands upon the little river of eem : it s a fair town , and well peopled . . montfort , which stands upon the issel : it s a pleasant , and a strong place . the province of zealand described . zeland is as much as to say , a land won out of the sea ; under which name are contained fifteen or sixteen islands , which being united together , make one body , and have the title of a county . zeland is parted southward from flanders with the left arm of the scheld , called hont ; eastward from brabant , with the right arm of the scheld , which retaineth the ancient name of scheld ; north , it is sever'd from holland with a goulph of the sea called flack : west it hath the sea towards england . the principal islands of zealand are seven , which are ( by an arm of the scheld ) neer to the entrance thereof into the sea ) divided into the oriental , and occidental . the oriental isles are , schouwe , dueland , and tolen . the occidental are , walkaren , zuidheveland , northewland , and wolfersdike . towards the sea these islands are defended with hills of sands , called the downs , thrown up by the surges of the sea. towards the south they are defended with rampars , and banks made , and with great pains and charge maintained by the people , being ten flemish ells high , and twenty five thick at the bottom . they are made of the hardest clay that can be gotten : within they are thick built with wood , and stone , and covered without with mats strongly wrought . zealand is a very fruitful country , and produces excellent pure and bright corn ; great quantities of coriander , and bay trees that bring forth ripe berries , which grow not in any province of the low-countries besides : it produces also abundance of good madder , and diverse other simples . as also of turfe . it hath great abundance of excellent good pasturage for the cattel , and no less plenty of fish. in this country are eight walled towns : namely , middlebourg , sirixee , cunfere , ulissenghen , tollai , st martins-dike , romersvale , and goses : there are diverse other smal places unwalled , and one hundred and two villages . the isle of schouwe described . this isle hath been much encroached upon by the sea , yet it s seven leagues in circuit . in it are these towns : sirixzee , the ancienst town in all zealand , their traffique is salt , and mather , whereof there is great abundance in this isle . the isle of duveland hath its name of the great abundance of doves that breed therein . it s in circuit four leagues . in it are many villages , and gentlemens farms . in the isle of tolen is the town of tolen , which gives name to the whole isle ; and st. martins dike , with divers small villages . the occidental isles are : walkeren , which is ten leagues in circuit . it s a strong and fruitful island , full of people , and of great wealth . in it are seven good towns : as first , middlebourg , so named , because it stands in the midst of the isle . it s a very strong town , well fortified , walled , and diked . the streets are large , the houses , churches , and monasteries very fair built . it s a great town of traffique of all kinds of merchandize . it stands not upon the sea , but upon two channels , one whereof called the new-channel , is as strait as a line , and is made so wide and deep , that a ship of a hundred tun may come from the port of rumue , even up to the very town of middlebourg . the second walled town is veere , or canfer , standing upon the north coast. in it is a goodly arsenal , wherein all furniture for warre by sea is used to be kept . ulussenghen is the third walled town . it s the key of the sea of these low-countries , because all ships that go up to antwerp must of necessity passe by this town . the chiefe villages of walkeren are , vvestcapelle , dombourg , ramekins , where standeth the fort of zeerbourg to secure the entrance into the river on that side . and ramue , or armuyden , which hath the goodliest haven in all christendom . sudbourg : and divers other good villages are in this isle . the next of these iles is zuidbes●veland , which is the greatest of all the isles of zealand . much of it was swallowed up by the sea , anno christi . romerswald is the principal town in it , seated upon the east towards berghen . goes , or tergoes is an other town that stands upon the north coast : besides there are many good villages in this iland : with pleasant woods , and thickets , well stored with fowl , and wild beasts , for hauking and hunting . northbeveland is almost wholly swallowed up by the sea. vvolfersdike is the least of all these islands having only two villages in it . the city of antwerp described . antwerp lyes on the right side of the scheld , and extending its walls for a long space on that side which looks towards the river , it afterwards makes a great compass towards the other which commands the fields . that river cannot be mastered by a more noble city , nor that city be watered by a more noble river . it flourisheth exceedingly in the number of inhabitants , in beautiful buildings , and in merchandizing , which is chiefliest occasioned by the commodiousness of the scheld , it being a river of so great breadth and depth , and ebbing , and flowing so far into the sea , as that it is there capable of the greatest vessels which sail upon the sea. towards the field side , the city is environed with one of the statelyest walls that can be seen , as well for the breadth of the platform within , as for the noble bastions without ; and the ditch is every where answerable . on the other side towards the river , the river it self serves for a defence , and therefore on that side , there is only a single wall. the platform of the wall towards the fields is of such a breadth as many rowes of trees stand round about it , so as it serves no less for delight than for defence . antwerp is in , or rather joins upon brabant , of it self making one of the seventeen ancient provinces , by the name of the marquisat of the sacred empire . the province of flanders joyns upon the contrary side of the river , which place partakes thereby of all the advantages afforded , both by so large a river , and of a city of such merchandizing . the citadel of antwerp stands upon the banks of the scheld , upon the south side of the city . it is a pentagon , composed of five royal bastions . of all other modern fortifications , it hath been esteemed so famous , as it hath served for a pattern to almost as many citadels as have been built in any country since . some of her flanks lye towards the city , and the rest lean towards the champian ; respect being here had ( as in all other castles ) to be able on one side to command the city , and on the other , to receive necessary succour upon all occasions from without . there lyes a good space of ground between the citadel and the city . the noble province of flanders described . flanders is now bounded on the north with the sea , and the branch of the scheld that is called hont : south with artois , hainault , and vermandois . east with the ancient scheld , and part of haynault : west partly with the sea towards england , and partly with the river au , and part of artois that borders upon callice , and boloign . the length of it from antwerp to the new-foss is thirty three leagues ; the breadth from ninoven to graveling thirty leagues . the aire is very wholsome , especially southward : the country flat : the soil fruitful , especially towards the sea , and towards france . they breed great store of cattel , especially of good horses .. flanders hath divers rivers running through it : namely , scheld , lis , and tender , and many other small streams : the rest is supplied with channels made by hand to receive in the sea , it hath many pleasant hills , especially flanders gallicant . there are in flanders walled towns : the three capitall are gant , bruges , and ipre : the others are lisle , douay , tournay , courtray , oudenard , alost , hulst , termond , bieruliet , neuport , scluse , dunkirk , graveling , bourbourg , damme , dixmude , uvern , ardembourg , ninove , berg de st winoc , montgerard or grammont , gassel , denise , orchies , and lanoy . towns unwalled , yet rich , fair , and populous , are about thirty , the chief are ostend ( now fortified with rampars and ditches ) oudembourg , messine , belle , poperinge , toroue , ostbour , axsele , middlebourg , loo , werwick , blonchberg , houck , rosselar , tielt , ghistell , eeclo , lombartside , steechem , houscot , munchereed , mardike , meeren , hallewin , wastene , steegberg , mergen , haesbrook , and armentiers . besides these there are one thousand one hundred fifty four villages , many of them as great , rich , and populous as any in europe . as also many castles , fortresses , and noblemens , and gentlemens houses , very beautifull to behold . what great alterations the king of france hath made of late , i cannot give an account . this country is divided into three parts , namely , flanders flamigeant , so called , because the flemish language is used in it : this is the chief part of the country . the second is flanders gallican , so stiled , because the walloon language ( which is a bastard french ) is used therein . the third is flanders imperial , because it was long under the obedience of the empire . the first lyes towards the sea , the second towards the walloon countries . flanders flamingunt described . it s bounded north with the sea , south with the river lie , and flanders gallican ; east with the scheld , and the imperial flanders ; west with the new foss , and with artoys . the soil is all sand , and naught for wheat , but produceth plenty of oats , beans , pease , vetches , flax , hemp , and very good fruits of divers sorts . in this part of flanders are the three capitall towns , namely , gaunt , bruges , and ipre , and le franc , which makes a fourth . in it also are the four parts of the sea , with berg de st winnoc , and many towns walled and unwalled . the city of gaunt described . gaunt stands about four leagues from the sea upon the rivers , scheld , lis , lieve , besides which , there are a number of brooks and fine fountains which come into the city , some by natural course , and some by art , all which at their issue out of the town , being received into great ditches made by hand , pass into the sea by a great channel , carried by infinite pains , and charges for the space of four great leagues into the sea of zealand neer to the gulph called sass . not long since also they have opened a certain little island , which before stopped the course of their ships , so that a reasonable boat may passe from the sea to gaunt , to the inestimable profit of town and the country thereabouts . gaunt is very strong both by nature and art , very beautiful , and one of the greatest cities in christendom . the walls within are seven miles in circuit , and without more then ten miles , but it hath many wast places within it . there is a citadel in it built by charles th . and the buildings in general are very stately and magnificent . within the walls of gaunt are six and twenty isles , made by the rivers and channels above mentioned ; and there are ninety eight great bridges , and an infinite number of smaller , under which great boats pass with victuals , and merchandize . there are six principal water mills , and above one hundred wind mills , and of hand and horse-mills an infinite number . churches great and small , monasteries , and hospitals &c. fifty five , as also many goodly libraries , and it s divided into seven parishes . there are also divers schools for the bringing up of poor children at the town charges . the trade of weavers is of the greatest estimation , by reason of the linnen and woollen cloths , serges , tapestry , fustians , bucherams , wosted , and such other stuff , made in this town and province . the city of bruges described . bruges is so called of the multitude of goodly bridges about the town , and stands in a pleasant plain , three leagues from the sea. it hath no river but a channel made by art called the reye , so large and deep that it seems to be a great river . it 's divided into divers branches , which being navigable , pass to many parts of the town ; and where they issue out , being all united together , they pass to dam , and from thence to scluse , where they discharge themselves into the sea. but since by infinite charge , and marveilous industry they have cut a larger and deeper channel , by which a ship of a hundred tun may passe from the sea up to the very town . bruges is a rich , fair , and a mighty town : the circuit of the walls within is four italian miles and a quarter . it 's wonderfully peopled , and the buildings are passing sumptuous , the streets large , and strait , and it hath in it many goodly places , especially the market place , from the which the six principall streets pass strait to the six principall gates , which is very pleasant to behold . in bruges are above churches , the chief whereof is st. donate . the city is divided into sixty quarters , and into nine parishes . there is a goodly place in the city called the lodging of the water , wherein is a wonderful engine turned by a horse that draws up water , and disperses it by pipes all the town over . here are made much fustian , serges , sayes , buckrams , woollen cloth , tapestry , and silk , the citizens are civil and courteous . the women fair , gratious , and sober in their behaviour . the city of ipre described . it takes its name of the brook hypre which runs through the midst of the town . it s strongly seated , and hardly can be besieged . it s much fortified by art , and made almost impregnable . it s a fair and reasonable rich town , and well built , though the houses are most of timber . in it are such multitudes of leaden pipes to convey water from the river and channels into every private house , that its commonly said , that the foundation of ipre is all lead . the hall for the sale of cloths is ancient and admirable . here are made many cloths , serges , sayes , &c. the jurisdiction of ipre is very great , and extends over the country round about it . the inhabitants are very civil and peaceable . scluse described . scluse is one of the goodliest havens in europe , being able to contain five hundred ships . the town is strong , being double-ditched . it hath a strong castle , but severd from the town . scluse doth not lye altogether upon the sea-side , as doth ostend , but a little more within land. yet there runs a channel on the right hand of it , whereinto the sea enters , and is large enough to receive any vessel whatsoever . on the other side thereof , some lesser channels joyn with this greater , so as there is but little mannageable earth , unless it be upon one side which is towards brugus , an island of about two leagues about , lyes almost over against sluce , between the bigger channel , and some others on that part , all which fall into the sea , and it s called cassante : and ostend lyes upon the same sea-coast upon the west , about sive leagues from sluce : and flushing lyes much upon the same distance towards the east . ostend described . ostend stands upon the sea-shoar , in the midst of a marish ground , and of divers channels which come from the continent : but chiefly it s environed almost on all sides by two of the greatest of those channels by which the sea enters into the land , and grows so high , when it is full sea , as that you would rather think the town was buried than situate in the sea. formerly it was an open town , and was rather an habitation for shepherds than for souldiers . but the opportunity of the seat being afterwards considered , the houses were enclosed with a platform instead of a wall ; and from time to time , the line was so flankt round about , as it proved to be one of the strongest towns in all flanders . it s divided into two parts , called the old town , and the new town . the former , which is the lesse , stands towards the sea : the latter , and greater , lyes towards the land. the old town is fenced from the fury of the sea by great piles of wood driven into the ground , and joyned together for the defence of that part , and there the waves sufficiently supply the office of a ditch . the channels may be said to do the like on the sides , especially at full sea , when , of channels , they become havens , being then capable of any kind of vessel ; and by them , at all times , barks of a middle size enter into the ditches , and by them into divers parts of the town it self : the town is but of a small compass , and is ennobled rather by its situations and fortifications , than by any splendor of the inhabitants , or buildings . nieuport described . nieuport is a good little town with a castle in it . the haven is good and well frequented . a league and a half from the town is the fair and famous abby of st. bernard , that hath an excellent library of all sorts of books belonging to it . dunkirk described . dunkirk hath a haven that is reasonable good , and commodious . besides the former fortifications of this town , our english lately , when they had taken it , strengthened it very much , and since then the french king hath much enlarged and fortified it . berg st. winoc described . this town was so named from a goodly rich abby , built upon an hill , together with the town , to the honour of st winoc an englishman , of a holy life . it hath a number of good villages under it . the country about it is very fruitfull . in this town are made many cloths , and an infinite number of serges , the best and finest in all flanders . damme describe . damme was sometimes an haven town , by reason that the sea flowed to the walls thereof , and thereby made it mighty and rich , but now it s in a very poor estate . here in may is a great horse fair kept . dixmund described . dixmund is a pretty fine little town , in which every year in july is a fair of horses , and other merchandize . wern is a good fair town , and hath the title of a viscounty . bourbourg is a fine and a strong little town appertaining to the kings of france . graveling stands upon the river of aa neer to the sea : since the recovery of calais by the french , it s made the strongest fort of the low-countries , having five bulwarks . it appertains to the king of france . cassel was sometime a mighty and a famous town . now it s in a reasonable good estate , but it s a very small town . courtray stands upon the river lis , which passeth through the midst of it . it s one one of the ancientest towns in flanders : it s a good town , and well built , and hath a strong castle . it s so fortified that it s made almost impregnable . in it are made great quantities of woolen cloth , and of very fine linnen . oudenard is one of the best esteemed towns in flanders , both for its situation , traffique , and people . it lyes upon the scheld , almost in the midway , between turnay and gaunt . it s begirt with a good wall , and the wall with a large ditch , within the wall it s furnished with good platforms . it hath on one side an eminent rising ground which commands the town . in it is made great store of tapestry and linnen . ardenbourg , formerly called r●dembourg , was once a chiefe town in flanders . it s now a good little town ; their church is one of the fairest in flanders : these are all walled towns. the unwalled towns are middlebourg is environed with trenches , banks , and rampars . comines stands upon the river lis , where is a fair castle , and a rare library . vvervick also stands upon the river lis , and hath a very fair church in it . in this place , not many years since was born martin chastelin , who , notwithstanding he was born blind , yet made all sorts of tools and instruments of musick , and played well on them , and that without any master , or instructor . merim stands upon the river lis. it s a good town , well ditched , with a draw-bridg , and is made a very strong fort. the other towns have little observable in them , and i passe them over . flanders gallicant described . it hath on the north flanders flamingant : on the south the country of cambresy . on the east the scheld ; and on the west the river lis , and the earldom of artoys . it s a small country , but the soil thereof is very fat and fruitful of all things , especially of wheat . it produceth also mather , and excellent good oade . in it are great plenty of excellent pastures for cattel . in it are contained the fair towns of leisle , dovay , and orchies : the great signiory of tournay , and the country of tournesy , &c. the citie of lisle described . it s so called , because formerly the country about it was nothing but ponds , pools , and marishes , though now by art , and industry , they are dryed up , and made firm land. round about the walls of the town , and of the castle , passeth a small brook , which , at the village of duellesmont , falls into the lis. in it is a very strong castle : it s a very good , and ancient town , well built , and well inhabited by gentlemen , and merchants , and curious artificers . it hath under it a goodly signiory , and is the cheife town in this flanders . dovay described . dovay is the d town of this country : it standeth upon the river scarp . it s a good , and a strong town , having many fountains , fair buildings , and a great number of churches . it hath jurisdiction over a great country , and is a place of great traffique , and a university . orchies described . orchies is a good and a pleasant town , wherein are made many serges , and such like stuffs . lanoy is a strong place , where is made much linnen and velvet . espency is a fair and a famous village , having the title of a principality . armentiers is so mighty and rich a village , and so well peopled , that its priviledged as a walled town . between armentiers and steegheers is a fruitful and pleasant country , called la love , having in it four great villages , whereof the chief is leventis , being priviledged as a walled town . the city of tourney described . the city of tournay , together with the country of tournesis , hath a particular government of its own . it lyes in the gallican flanders , and may be numbred among the noblest cities of all flanders , as well for its ancient foundation , as for being amply furnished , both with people , traffique , and buildings . it s on all sides surrounded with fair and fruitful fields , and through the midst of it ( under divers bridges ) runs the scheld , a river which begins here to ennoble it self ; not being well navigable before . the english in king henry the eighth's time , while they held it , built a good castle therein , which in that age was esteemed strong , but not to be compared to the later royal fortifications . it s only flanked with towers after the old fashion . on the lower side of the scheld joyns the ditch , which on the upperside is wholly dry . it s a fair , rich , great , and mighty town . the houses are beautifully built : the monasteries , churches , and convents are very stately and magnificent . mortaign stands in the country of tournesis , and upon the river of scheld . it was once a strong town , but now is a village of small account . st. amond is also in the country of tournesis . it s a goodly village standing upon the scarpe with gates and ditches like a city . in it is one of the chiefest abbyes in flanders . flanders imperial described . this country is very small , being contained between the rivers of scheld and dender , all along upon the frontires of brabant . it s now called the county of alost , of the principal town thereof . alost stands upon the dender . it s a good , and a very strong town , and hath yearly a great fair of hops . to this county of alost is also annexed the little country of waes , and divers villages : as hulst , which is walled . axele , bouchout , and assenede , which four towns have divers villages under their jurisdiction . under it also are two principalities , namely , steenhuyse , which is a very good village , and gaur , with a strong castle in it . tenremond stands upon the mouth of the river denre , where it entreth into the scheld . it s a rich town , and strong both by nature and art , and a place of great trading . montgerhard , in french grandmont stands upon the denre . a pretty fine and pleasant town . bornhem is a good village with a strong castle in it , and hath divers other subject to it . rupelmond stands upon the mouth of the river rupel , where it entreth into the scheld . the soyl through all flanders imperial is excellent good and fruitful : especially it produces much excellent good madder . the province of artoys described . artoys is bordered north with the river lis , and the new channel which seperates it from flanders : south with dourlans , which is the frontire of picardy : east with flanders gallicant , and the country of cambresis : west , towards monstrueil upon the sea , it borders again upon picardy . the soyl is very fruitful , the air wholsome , the country wants no commodity , but only wine : it yeilds much corne wherewith it furnisheth its neighbours . in artoys are twelve walled towns , and eight hundred fifty four villages , and many abbies , convents , and monasteries . the chief towns are , arras , st. omers , betune , aire , bapaumes . the lesser are hedinsfort , renty , st. pol , perue , lillers , la bassee , and lens . the city of arras described . arras stands within a bow shot of the scarpe . it s a very great town , but divided into two parts , each part having a several wall ; the one named the city , and appertains to the bishop ; the other the town , and belongs to the prince . the city is little , but faire , and very well fortified . in it is the sumptuous church of the virgin mary , in which is a rare library . the town is very large and wonderful strong , both by nature and art. the streets are fair and broad , and the market place scarcely to be matched . in the town are many cellars and vaults , very artificially made , and paved , to withdraw their families into , in case of a siege . it hath a great jurisdiction over many places about it ; and in it are made many excellent serges . st. omer described . it hath its name of one st. omer , who first built a church of that name , and stately abbyes of great revenues . st. omer is a frontire town against france , and stands upon the river aa . it s a very strong town , and well peopled , and hath a country of very great importance under it , and jurisdiction over many villages . neer unto it is a goodly lake of fresh water , in which are many little islands ( yet not so little but you may put a good number of cattel to feed in many of them ) the which are moveable , and may be drawn with a cord , fastened to the rushes that grow in them , which way you will ; and under them are multitudes of fishes , that defend themselves there from ●ll weathers . betune described . betune is a good , and a strong town , where is made great plenty of excellent good cheese that is sold into divers countries . aire described . aire stands upon the river lis. it s a good , and a strong town , with a castle of great antiquity . the houses in this town are very well and orderly built . bapaulm described . bapaulm is a little , but a strong town , because it cannot be besieged for want of fresh water , which is not to be had within three leagues thereof . it hath also a very strong castle , and a large country , and a good jurisdiction under it . renty is but a castle with a good village standing upon a little brook ; yet it s a very strong place . hesdinfert is marvelously well seated upon the river canch . it s one of the most strong and defensible places in all the low-countries , and hath many large priviledges ; it 's a fair town , and well peopled , and is now called hesdin . st. pol hath of a long time been honoured with the title of an earldom , and hath a goodly jurisdiction over a large country , and a great revenue . perue is under the jurisdiction of st. pol , and is a place of good importance . lilliers is a reasonable passable town . lens is but a little town , yet hath a large territory , and jurisdiction . the villages of artoys , that be of any importance , having the priviledges of markets , and fairs , are avennes le comte , aschicourt , st venaut , courriers , blangis , ligny , and pas. the city of cambray described . cambray stands upon the scheld which runs through the midst of it . it s seated upon the edg of the frontiers made by the two provinces of henault and artoys , on flanders side , towards france , opposite to piccardy . it enjoyes a free government under the spiritual and temporal dominion of its arch-bishoprick . it is endowed with very large priviledges : full of noble churches , whereof the cathedral is such as hath not the like in any of the neighbouring cities . it s sufficiently provided also of other edifices both for use and ornament . yet the inhabitants are not answerable in number to the houses ; many of which being ecclesiasticks , forraign commerce and merchandizing doth rather languish than flourish there : neither doth the scheld yeild commodity for it . for the river hath its head but a little above the city , and therefore is hardly navigable hereabout . the city of cambray is about a league in compass , and is environed with an ancient wall , flankt for the most part after the ancient mode , but with many bulwarks also , after the modern way of fortification . it hath a ditch which is very broad and deep on one side , whereinto ( for the most part ) the scheld runs : the rest by reason of its height , is dry , but so much the deeper . on the east stands a citadel with four royal bulworks , having a great half-moon between two of them which are next to the fields , and divers other defences , for the custody of the ditch . here is made much sine linnen called cambrick . cambray hath under it a goodly signiory and jurisdiction , called cambresis , in which are divers villages , and places of importance , and among others , the castle of cambresy , six leagues from the city , in which the peace between the chief princes of christendom was concluded , anno christi . the province of haynault described . haynault is so named of the river hayne which runs through it . it s bordered north with brabant , and flanders ; south with champaign and picardy ; east with the county of namur , and part of the county of lieg ; west with the scheld , and part of flanders gallicane . it s twenty leagues long , and sixteen broad : the aire is wholsome , and the soyl excellent good by reason that the country is watered with many rivers , namely , the scheld , the sambre , the tender , and many other small rivolets . there are also in it many lakes , marishes , ponds , pools , fountains , goodly woods , and pleasant forrests . haynault aboundeth with fragrant and fair pastures , and meddows for all kinds of cattel ; with good fruits , and profitable trees , especially with great plenty of good corn. in divers parts of it are iron mines , lead , and quarries of stone for all kinds of building , yea , of the touch-stone . there is also great store of excellent white lime and sea-cole . in haynault there are twenty four walled towns , namely , montz , valenciennes , bouchain , quesnoy , conat , lan dresy , anesnes , chimay , mariembourg , phillips ville , beamount , mauberg , bovais , bins , reux , segny , brain le comte , eughien , halle , lessme , cheure , at h , st guisline , and leuze . there are also in it nine hundred and fifty villages , with many castles and signiories : many of these villages are great , and fair , and have titles of honour annexed unto them , as pequicourt , fontayn , laling , montigny , antonig , barlamon , barbanson , aimeries , and many others . the city of montz described . the city of mons receives its name from its situation , which in their language signifies a mountain or hill. but the rise of the earth there is so gentle , as it cannot be said to be mountainous . it s a very noble city , as well for the concourse of people , as for commerce . it hath many good houses in it , and there the king of spains counsel used to sit , which administred justice to all the country . all which prerogatives gave it the precedency over all other cities in the province of henault . it commands large and spacious fields round about it , which may be questioned , whether they abound more in pasture or in tillage : nor is the territory there of less rich in woods , nor generally indeed all the rest of that province of henault . this city is stronger by its natural situation than by manual industry . it is cut through on the lower side by a little rivolet called trulla , which as soon as it goes out of it , falls into another , somewhat bigger called hain , which crossing through the province before it be gotten quite out , falls likewise into the scheld . this province of henault looks towards the south of campania and picardy in france . mons ( saith another ) is a noble city for situation , inhabitants , and buildings . it s a very strong town both by nature and art , and may be environed with water at pleasure . the city wall is very strong , and besides it s fortified with three large and deep ditches , and with an ancient castle . the town is great and fair , and beautified with sumptuous buildings , both publick , and private , with very clear fountains , and with rich citizens , and artists . the city of valenciennes described . valenciennes stands upon the scheld , and the little river rovelle , the which , besides that they make many goodly , and strong isles in the city , pass almost under every particular mans house , to the great beauty and commodity of the place . the seat of this town is so strong ( besides the fortifications made by art ) that it may at pleasure be drowned upon one side with water ; and it s so defended by hills on the other side , that it can hardly be besieged but by two camps , and therefore is almost impregnable . in the city is a store-house , where great store of artillery , and ammunition is kept for the defence of the place . it s a very goodly , large , and beautiful city , as well for private , as for publike buildings , namely , churches , monasteries , &c. especially our lady church is very fair , being built after the ancient mode , with three vaults , sumptuous arches , and goodly pillars of marble , and porphyrie . st. john's church also is a stately building ; but the town house , called la hall , is the stateliest of all the rest , being built all of square stone curiously wrought , and of such greatness and magnitude , that it alone were a sufficient ornament to the whole city . on the left side of this hall there is an excellent building of a great heighth , in which is a clock and a dial , shewing not only the hours of the day and night , but also the course of the moon , and of all the planets , and likewise of the months , and divers other things . under this clock-house , and so under covert , is the corn-market , being great and large ; and above in the hall is a place to sell wool and cloth : there are also in it fencing schools , and places for all publick courts , magistrates , and officers of the town : a gaol , or common prison : so that in this one building is compact together all offices , serving for the commodity and glory of the town . in this city also are divers monasteries , hospitals , and other religious places endowed with good revenues . there is also in it a fair colledg , and many schools , for the education of orphans , and poor children , wherein they are taught divers arts and occupations . and in it are cloths , woosted , linnen , as fine as cambrick , changeable taffaties , and almost all sorts of mercery wares , &c. it hath a great jurisdiction , and enjoyes great priviledges , and franchises , more than any other town of the low-countries . it s very well peopled . it s the most merchantlike town in all these parts . bouchain stands upon the river scheld . the town is strong , and the castle is counted impregnable . it s the principal county of osternand . quesnoy is a strong townin , which are made woosteds , and great store of linnen , by which means there is great traffique in this town . conde also stands upon the scheld . it s a good little town . landrecy stands upon the river sambre : the town is little , but very strong . avesnes stands upon the river hypre . it s a good and a strong town . chimay stands in a forrest upon the little river blanche . it s well built , with a fair pallace for the prince , a goodly garden , and a labyrinth . mariembourg stands between the rivers blanch and noire . it 's a very strong town having four great bulwarks . philipvill is so fortified , that it 's held to be impregnable . beaumont is a fine little town standing upon the knapp of a goodly hill , whereof it beareth the name . maubeug stands upon the river sambre which passeth through it . it 's a good town of merchandize . bavays vallone is a very small town . bins , or binch stands upon a branch of the river hayn , and is a good and pleasant town . reux is a little town , but stands very pleasantly in a fruitful soyle , and hath many villages under its jurisdiction . soigny stands upon the little river sein . breine le comte is a very ancient town . enghien is a good little town wherein great store of tapestry of all sorts of prizes is made . halle stands upon the river sein which runs through it . lessny : through it passeth the denre ; and here great store of linnen cloth is made . cheure stands upon the little river hunell : it 's a pleasant little town . at h hath the denre running through it . it 's a little , but a fair , pleasant , and rich town , because great plenty of linnen is made in it . st. guislem taketh its name from the abby that stands in it , which is the chiefest abby in all haynault . leuse is a good town . among the villages in haynault , many of them have strong castles in them , and though unwalled , enjoy the priviledges of walled towns. there is nothing else memorable in them . the province of luxembourg described . luxembourg is a dutchy . it beareth the name from the principal town thereof . it s bounded north with the countries of lieg , and namur : south with lorrain : east with the river moselle , and the bishoprick of trevir : and west with part of the forrest of ardenne . it s replenished with mountains , and forrests , and containeth the greatest part of the forrest of ardenne : it s divided into two parts ; the one called famenne , which is fruitful of corn , and many other good things , and hath some mines , and divers sorts of good stone , of some of which , excellent good lime is made . it yeilds also some wine . the other part is called ardenne , which is barren , and produces little corn ; but hath store of red and fallow deer , goats , hares , conies , and exceeding great plenty of fowle : as also wild hens of two sorts , one as large as turky cocks , called limoges , the other as big as our common hens , called bruiers . many rivers run through this country , especially the moselle . luxenbourg contains in circuit about seventy leagues , and in it are twenty walled towns : namely , luxembourg , arlon , rodemark , theonvil , gravemakre , coningmakre , dickrich , vireton , estewerck , vandalen , bastonac , mommedi , neuschasteau , danvillers , marvil , la roch en ardenenne , durby , st. vite , marche and salme . divers castles there are in this country very ancient and noble , like to little towns. there are likewise in this dutchy one thousand one hundred sixty nine villages , divers of which are fair , and great , as la rochotte , avio , and st. hubert . the city of luxembourg described . luxembourg hath the river elze passing through it . it s large , and a very strongly seated city , yet but reasonably built , having been often destroyed by the warrs . arlon hath suffered much by the warrs . rodemark is a good little town with a strong castle . theonville stands upon the moselle , having a goodly bridg over the river . it s a marvelous strong town . gravemackren , and coninkmackren stand both upon the moselle . bastonack is a good little town , and is commonly called paris en ardenne . mommedi stands : upon an high hill , at the foot whereof runs the river cluirs . it s a strong town . neuscastle is also a strong town . danvilliers , is a fair and a strong town . marvil stands upon the chiers . st vite is a little , but a very pleasant and fine town . salme is a good and a rich town . ivoy , chimy , and some other towns have been so often destroyed in the warrs between france and spain that there is nothing remarkable in them . no province in all the low-countries , is so replenished with nobility as this dutchy of luxembourg , who govern their subjects and tenants like to the peasants of france , or rather like slaves , contrary to the liberty of the rest of the provinces of the low-countries . here they hate laws and lawyers , and end their controversies among themselves without any process . the province of namur described . namur is bounden with brabant , haynault , luxembourg , and lieg . it s a small country , and yet abounds with riches , and many good things . it s stored with people , and those very industrious , and faithful to their prince . the nobles are valiant and well used in military discipline . the air is very wholsome , the country is well watred with many rivers and brooks , especially the mouse , and the sambre , which besides the benefit of portage , furnisheth the country with abundance of fish. it s well replenished with woods , and forrests , the greatest whereof is called marlaign , which abounds with all sorts of venison , and fowl. the valleys produce abundance of corn and grain : the hills are full of goodly woods , excellent cleer fountains , rich mines of iron , and some of lead , quarries of fine stone for building , as marble of all sorts and colours , black , white , tawny , and porphiry , or jasper , which is red streaked with white , blew marble , but mingled with white , which perfects the beauty of it . besides divers other sorts of fine stone . they have also excellent lime , and sea-coal : much salt-peter is also made in this country . but especially the forges of iron are so many that the whole country seems to be vulcans forge . in the country of namur are four walled towns ; namely , namur , which gives name to the whole country , bovines , charlemont , and valencourt . and there are beside in it one hundred eighty two villages , and many fair and rich abbeys . the city of namur described . it stands between two hills , upon the river meuse , and through it passeth the sambre , which there falleth into the meuse . it s a fair and a rich town with a strong castle in it . bovines stands upon the meuse , and is a reasonable good town . charlemont is a town wonderful strong , and of exquisite fortifications , though but small . valencourt stands in a very fruitful country , and is a good little town . the principal villages in this country of namur are dave , which is a goodly village , with a strong castle standing upon the meuse . it hath also a great jurisdiction , and is honoured with the title of a vicounty . other villages of note are floren , vascy , and sanson . these are all the low-country provinces : yet because the bishoprick of lieg , and the town of aquisgrane , are neighbours , friends , and in league with them , take this brief description of them . the bishoprick of liege described . this country north and west is bordered with brabant : east with the meuse and namur , and south with luxembourg . the air is very wholsom , the country pleasant , and abounding with all kind of grain ▪ and fruits . as for flesh , fish , venison , and fowl of all sorts ▪ there is great abundance , and of tast excellent good . mines there are also of iron , and some of lead , and veins of brimstone , and a few of gold that is very fine . quarries there are also of stone excellent good , as of alablaster mingled with black ; marble of all sorts , as in namur ; great plenty of pit-cole , digged so deep , that sometimes they go under the very chanel of the meuse . the cole of this country is much sweeter , and casteth a far greater heat than that of haynault , or namur . the turfe also far suppasseth that of holland and brabant , for which cause the ligeoys , boast , that they have in their country three things passing all other countries , namely , bread better than bread , iron harder than iron , and fire hotter than fire . this cole is kindled with water , and quenched with oile . in this country also is made great abundance of salt-peter . in brief , this country is so pleasantly seated , the aire so wholsome , the soyl so fruitful of all things serving for the use and delight of man , to which adde the great freedome which the people live in there , that it is not unfitly called , the paradise of priests . under this bishoprick of lieg is contained a very large jurisdiction , of towns , castles , bourgs , and villages ; namely , the dutchy of buillon , the marquisat of francymont : the county of lotz and hasbain : two and fifty baronies , and many rich abbeys . there are under its jurisdiction ( besides the half of mastrieke ) twenty four walled towns , namely , legi , buillon , francimont , lotz , borkworm , tongres , hoey , asselt , dinant , masiek , stochem , bilson , st. truiden , tuin , viset , varem , beringh , herke , bree , per , hamont , siney , foss , and covines , besides one thousand and eight hundred parishes with churches ; besides hamlets , castles , and baronies of noble men . the city of liege described . liege standeth in a pleasant valley upon the river meuse , being environed with hills on all sides . the meuse entreth into it with two branches , and maketh many pleasant isles within the town . the rivers that pass through this city are ; first , the meuse , then the little river lieg , and lastly three little brooks , ute , vese , and ambluar , all three being stored with excellent good fish , especially ute hath one sort of excellent delicate fish above all the rest called utins . there are also within this city many clear springs and fountains , and that in such abundance , that some houses have two or three of them . it 's a very great and a large city , containing many hills , vallies , rivers , and vine grounds , being about four italian miles in circuit . the buildings are very fair , being all of stone ; and above all , the bishops pallace is most stately and magnificent . but in number of churches , and beauty and riches of them , in monasteries and convents , this town passeth all the towns in lower germany , yea , of france also . for there are in it eight collegiate churches , with canons , who are very rich , especially the canon of st. lambert , the patron of the town . in this city of st. lambert , among divers old rich jewels and reliques , is a great image of st. georg on horsback , all of pure gold , which charles duke of burgundy gave , to make amends for his hard usage of this city when he took it by storm . there are also in it four rich abbeys , having in each of them a goodly library . there are also three nunneries , and all the four orders of friers , some of which have two convents . there are also thirty two parish churches ; and so many other churches , monasteries , and hospitals , within and without the town , that the churches are accounted in all above a hundred . this city is well replenished with people , many of which live very idely , their language is french. it s an imperial city , but they are only bound to furnish the emperor with a few men in his warre against the turks . hubert thomas writeth , that at one time there were students in this city , nine kings children , twenty four dukes children , twenty nine earls children , besides a number of barons , and gentlemens children , the greatest part of which were canons of the rich colledge of st. lambert aforementioned . buillon is a great castle , stanstanding very artificially upon the point of a hill , with a great bourg under it . the castle is larg , and well fortified , and very strong both by art and nature . it hath the title of a dutchy , and hath under it a great country , and a large jurisdiction . francimont was sometimes a walled town ; it s now but a village , yet hath it a strong fort in it . neer to this place is a village called thou , where are many good lead mines , and quarries of excellent black marble . lootz , or borchloon is a country with a large territory , and jurisdiction under it . it s a pretty little town . brockworm stands upon the jecker . it s a pretty town and well peopled . tongres stands also upon the jecker , which at mastrick entreth into the meuse . here is a marvelous way formerly all paved with goodly stone , raised up of wondrous heighth between two walls , which reached from tongres to paris , which is above two hundred italian miles , some parts whereof remain unto this day . certainly it was an ancient work of the romans , who usually imployed their armies and subjects in such stupendious works , to keep them from idleness , which is the mother of sedition and civil-warres . eight leagues from tongres , and five from lieg , is the village of spa , or spaw , within half a league whereof is the fountain , so famous for the virtue that it hath to cure the tertian ague , the dropsie , the stone , the exulceration of the lungs , the sciatique , and all diseases of the stomack , and the liver . this village of spaw stands in a fair wood , which is part of the forrest of ardenne , and the fountain most commanded is called la fountain de savenier , the water whereof tasteth of iron , there being many iron mines thereabout . the water is of most virtue in july , when the weather is hottest . hoey was sometimes a famous city , bearing the name of a furious river that here falls into the meuse . the meuse runs through the midst of this town , over which is built a very stately bridg. it s now a reasonable good town , with a strong fortress in it . the country about it abounds with iron mines and cattel . hasselt stands upon the river demere . it s an indifferent good town and well built . dinan stands upon the meuse , and is seated in a very good country abounding with black marble , with mines of iron , and quarries of other very good stones to build with . it hath a castle in it . maiseeck is a reasonable good town , standing upon the meuse . stockhem is a fine little town , standing also upon the meuse . bilsen is but a little town . st. truden , or centron is a fair town , and their language is flemish . tuin , or tovin stands in haynault , but is subject to the bishop of lieg . it s an indifferent good town . the other towns are reasonanable good , and of some account . as for the villages there is not much remarkable in them , and therefore i pass them over . an account of the great difference that is between the country and people of lieg , and the country and citizens of aix , though they be but six leagues asunder , and both in the same climate . lieg is in subjection , aix in liberty , but both under the protection of the empire . at lieg they speak french , at aix dutch. the liegeoys are pleasant , and sociable : they of aix unsociable , and melancholly . yea , the very air and soyl retain the same difference : for its summer at lieg when its winter at aix : yea , oft its snow and ice at aix , when its warm at liege . the city of aix , or aquisgrane described . aix is situated between the dutchy of brabant , limbourg , juliers , and the bishoprick of liege . charle-main was the founder of this city , who ordained it to be the chiefe city of the empire , and that the king of the romans should receive the iron crown at aix by the arch-bishop of colen , who is the metropolitan thereof ; the silver crown at millan , and the imperial crown of gold at rome . here he dyed , and was buried anno christi . aix is a goodly city , and the country about it is very pleasant and fruitful , but the buildings of the town do not answer the fame of the place , saving the hot baths , which are very fairly built , and are very wholsome for many diseases . aix is an imperial city , but payeth only a small tribute to the emperour ; otherwise it enjoyes freedome , and hath the duke of cleves for protector , next neighbour and perpetual confederate . finis . a new description of the world, or, a compendious treatise of the empires, kingdoms, states, provinces, countries, islands, cities, and towns of europe, asia, africa, and america in their scituation, product, manufactures, and commodities, geographical and historical : with an account of the natures of the people in their habits, customes, warrs, religions, and policies &c. : as also of the rarities, wonders, and curiosities of fishes, beasts, birds, rivers, mountains, plants, &c., with several remarkable revolutions and delightful histories / faithfully collected from the best authors by s. clark. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a new description of the world, or, a compendious treatise of the empires, kingdoms, states, provinces, countries, islands, cities, and towns of europe, asia, africa, and america in their scituation, product, manufactures, and commodities, geographical and historical : with an account of the natures of the people in their habits, customes, warrs, religions, and policies &c. : as also of the rarities, wonders, and curiosities of fishes, beasts, birds, rivers, mountains, plants, &c., with several remarkable revolutions and delightful histories / faithfully collected from the best authors by s. clark. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for hen. rhodes, london : . reproduction of original in the university of illinois (urbana-champaign campus). library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng geography. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - rachel losh sampled and proofread - rachel losh text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion behold how providence in all affairs , governs the world , earth , water , aire , fire , stars , men and the glorys of the mighty frame . depend upon the bright celestial dame. a new description of the world . or a compendious treatise of the empires , kingdoms , states , provinces , countries , islands , cities and towns of europe , asia , africa and america : in their scituation , product , manufactures , and commodities , geographical and historical . with an account of the natures of the people , in their habits , customes , warrs , religions and policies , &c. as also of the rarities , wonders and curiosities , of fishes , beasts , birds , rivers , mountains , plants , &c. with several remarkable revolutions , and delightful histories . faithfully collected from the best authors , by s. clark. london , printed for hen. rhodes next door to the swan tavern , near brides-lane , in fleet-street , ● . licensed , august the th . . the introduction addressed to the reader . when the great and wise creator of the universe thought it in eternal wisdom convenient to build the mansion , all creatures now inhabited , he left nothing undone that might contribute to the glory and magnificence of so great a work ; and lest mankind , the top of the creation , should grow supine , and neglect the filling or peopling every part of so admirable a frame , he even compelled them to do it by confounding their language at babel , and thereby obliging them as they multiplied , to scatter over the face of the earth , that none of his wonderous works might remain obscure or unobserved to those for whose use and pleasure they were made ; by which means the people in sundry tribes , wandering from place to place , incroaching by degrees , as men began to multiply , planted themselves in the most advantagious countries , every one striving for the best : however , through wars , pestilence , inundations , and other strange revolutions and accidents , it is past all peradventure , that the bad as well as the good found possessors , as at this day . though , reader , i shall not trouble you in this place , with entring upon the original peopling of kingdoms and countries , ●s to particulars ; but let you know that my care has been to present you with geographical and historical description of the world , as it formerly stood , and at present stands : and though upon first thought it may seem strange , that in so small a volume so large a one can be contained , yet upon perusal you will find that nothing material is omitted , that can be required to render satisfaction upon this occasion : insomuch , that by well considering this work , a mean capacity may suddenly know how the worlds mighty fabrick is disposed , and soon become acquainted with every country under heaven , enough to render him capable not only of contemplating the goodness of the almighty , in his vvorks and creatures , but readily discoursing , even with the most knowing travellers , and without hazarding the danger of treacherous seas , winds , robbers , and a vvorld of inconveniencies that attend an expensive search into these affairs ; securely travel in imagination from pole to pole. for to be brief , there is no kingdom , province , or estate , that is wittingly left out of this history or treatise ; and as to what is most material , the account is considerably large ; wherefore recommending it to the benefit of my country men , i remain reader , your friend to serve , in what i may , s. clark. of europe , a brief description . evrope is the least of the four parts of the world , yet nothing inferiour in goodness to the rest , in the generosity of people , riches , worth and vertue , and exceeding them , if we consider the flourishing of the true religion ; and is said to take its name from europa the daughter of agenor king of phoenicia ; containing many flourishing kingdoms and provinces ; as will appear in the sequel . and is accounted in length miles ; in breadth ; bounded on the west , with the main ocean ; on the east , with the aegean sea , pontus euxinus , the fenns of maeotis , and the river tanais ; from which a right line conjecturally drawn from the bay of granvicus , it is dis-joined from asia ; in the north , it is bounded with the hyperborean sea ; and on the south , with the mediterranean , divided into continent , and islands , the continent intire , and the islands dispersed , in the greek , ionian , aegean , adriatick , mediterranean , cretan , and northern seas ; divided chiefly into france , spain , italy , the alps , germany , britain , belgium , denmark , swedeland , hungary , sclavonia , russia , poland , dacia , and greece ; with the dispersed islands . and in europe , beside the latin tongue , which is now rather scholastical , than national , there are other diversities of language , besides the italian and french , supposed to be corruptly derived from the latin ; and has been famous by twice giving laws to the world , during the flourishing of the greek and roman empires ; and at this day , though the least of the four parts , it excels , in what may be called solid good , the other three , &c. a queen she reigns , upheld by strictest fate , whilst th' other three , on her as hand-maids wait , with tribute glories , to enrich her state. a geographical and historical description of the kingdom of france , in its particular countries , provinces , cities , towns , &c. the flourishing kingdom of france , being the nearest part of the continent on which we border ; i have thought , for the observing the most regular method , to begin this history of the world , with the description of it , and its appendances . as for france , or so much as is generally understood of it ; it is bounded on the east with a branch of the alps , passing between dauphin and peimont . switzerland , savoy , some part of germany , and the neitherlands ; on the west with a branch of the pyreenian mountains , dividing spaine , and with the aquitane ocean ; on the north with the brittish seas , and part of belgium , and has on the south the rest of the pyreenian mountains , and the mediterranian sea , being in a manner square ; accounted in length , from calais to toulon miles , reckoning to a degree , and in breadth from the borders of lorain to brest , or from nice in peimont to bayon miles , though of late the teretories have been much inlarged by the new conquests and acquisitions , but being to speak of them in the counrries where they properly have their scituation , i willingly here omit them . this country is called by the english france , by the italians francia , and so by the spaniards ; by the germans franckreich , by the turks alfrangua , and is the antient gallia of caesar and pliny ; lying excellently in compaction , between the most flourishing kingdoms and states of europe , scituate in the middle of the north temperate zone , between the middle parralells of the fifth clime , where the longest day is hours ; and the middle parralell of the eighth clime , where they extend to hours and a half : so that the air is very healthful , the country every where rich and fertile , and the people numerous ; as likewise the cities and towns , no less than being reckon'd of note , especially the greatest part of them , and was distinguished by four parts or divisions , when the romans ( not without great blood-shed ) brought it under their subjection , viz. . the narbonensis , or bracatta , containing dauphir , languedock , and a part of savoy . . aquitanica , taking its denomination from the city aquae augusta , and now known by that of d' aeque , containing gascoigne , limoisin , guinne , sanctogne , querci , peregort , bourbonnois and aurergne . . celtica , comprehending the provinces of normandy , britagne , anjou , tourain , maine , labeause , part of campagne , the isles of france , the dukedom of burgundy , and the county of lionoise . . belgica , containing picardy , a part of campaigne , burgundy , and the spanish netherlands : but in the time of honorius the emperor , the goths having over-run spain and italy , sent their forces to invade the norbonensian gauls , and having subdued them , called their country langue de goth , and from thence languedock ; nor did they stay here , but extended their conquests to the river ligeris , now the famous loire , founding themselves a kingdom , and making tholouse the regal residence ; nor was it long before the burgundiones , or burgundians , who had seated themselves in a part of the country of cassubii , and some of the teretories of brandenburg , joyning with the vandles and sweths , seized upon other parts of france , and grasped them with so hard a hand , that they in spight of opposition founded themselves a kingdom , called the kingdom of burgundy , but afterward reduced to a dukedom , and now in the hands or possession of the present french king. the kingdom of france is hereditary to the males , but not to the females , who are disabled by the salique law , and the heir or eldest son is stiled dauphin of france ; nor can the younger son of the king , by the law of apennages , have any part in the government with the elder : and this monarchy has been upheld ever since the year , by the races of three kings , viz. the moravinian , carolinian and capitine , in a descent of kings ; and here the christian religion is held to be first planted amongst the gaules by martialis , but amongst the french , or the latter setled people of the kingdom , by remigius , much latter : as for the arms royal , now boren by the kings , they are three flower de luces azure , in a field or , being a device taken by charles the sixth . this kingdom is composed of estates , and orders threefold , viz. the clergy , the nobility , and the commons ; and here are usually found arch-bishops , and bishops , not accounting those of arras , tournay , and perpignan ; abbots heads of orders and congregations , and about curate-ships : and not accounting other governments , there are peers chiefly appointed , or ancient peer-ships , besides others of new creation , and the order is that of the holy ghost . there are likewise parliaments , chambers of accounts , publick places of receipt , or generalities of the kings revenues . the rivers of this kingdom are principally four , viz. the rhone , or rosne , the loire , the garonne , and the seine ; who receive into them many other rivers , and wash the walls of the chief cities and towns , &c. the first arising about miles from the head of the river rhine , the second about the mountains of avergne , the third from the pyreenian hills , and the fourth has its spring in burgundy . the mountains of most note are those of avergne , part of the alps , and the pyreenes , on the latter of which nature strangely expresses her self , for that part of those mountains toward rich and wealthy france , are altogether barren , but that towards spain exceeding fruitful , as if it had divested it self to cloath the one , and robbed the other . in the year lovis the convened the estates of the provinces under heads , or great governments , four of which lying towards the north , border upon the seine , and the other rivers that augment its stream , viz. picardy , normandy , the isles of france and campaigne , adjoyning towards the middle to the loire , orlenoise , britagne , burgundy , and lionoise ; and the other four towards the south , near the garonne , viz. dauphin , guienne , lauguedock and provence ; and under the orlenoise are contained maine , perche and beauce : on the hither side of the loire , nievernois , anjou and touraine ; and above this river beyond poctou , berrey , and burgundy , hath bresti , and under lionoise , are comprehended lionois , auvergne , burbounois , and marche ; under guienne is bearne , gascogne , and guienne , saintogne , perigort , limosin , querci , and rovergne ; and under languedock is found cevenes . the chief cities are , . paris , situate in the isle of france , anciently called lutetia , by reason of the clayeness of the ground about it ; which for riches , stateliness of building , the many magnificent pallaces and churches , that every where adorne it , and the fruitfulness of the soil about it and number of its inhabitants , may compare with most in europe . . lions , or lugdunum . . orleance . . bullogne , taken by henry the ●ighth of england . . amiens . . st. quintiens , where the english forces under the command of the earl of pembrook , in the quarrel of philip the second of spain , overthrew the french , anno . . burdeaux . . roane or rovenysenlis . . rhemes . . claremont . . tholouse . calais , which being taken by edward the of england , remained in the hands of the english years , and was lost in the reign of queen mary , soon after the battle of st. quintines , and the occasion , as many conjecture of hastning her end , she giving out , that if she were opened when dead , they might find calais written on her heart , &c. many other cities and towns there are of note , whose names for brevities sake i must omit and in general proceed to say ; there is no kingdom better stored with considerable places , nor more abounding in plenty of what ever may conduce , to the commodity and suport of humane life ; abounding with almost all the sundry sorts of fruits that europe produces , as also store of river and sea-fish ; a great number of cattle , plenty of wine , corn , salt , linnen cloth , flax , hemp , wool , saffron , paper , and many other products and manufactories , very considerable ; for which the natives , &c. as it were command the commodities , or ready money of most countries ; as for the coins those chiefly in use , are the pistole of gold , and the crown of silver . as for the people of this kingdom , they are great pretenders to antiquity , deriving their original , as to the inhabitants of the country from meseck the sixt son of japhet , though the first inhabitants mentioned with any credit in history , were the antient gauls , a people thrifty and valiant ; who under the leading of bellovessus , conquered the heither part of italy called gallia cisalpina , and soon after under the conduct of segovesus , subdued a great part of germany , nor resting there , under brennus another of their commanders ; they discomfited the roman army and sacked even rome it self , and so passed conquering on into asia , where they fixed a government , calling it gaul-asia , since corruptly gallatia , on which the learned dubartas discants , viz. the antient gaul in roving every way , as far as phoebus darts his golden ray ; seiz'd italy the worlds proud mistriss sack't , which rather mars than romulus compact : then spoils pisidia , missia doth inthraul and midst of asia plants another gaul . the present inhabitants though somewhat fantastick , are generaly of a free and curteous behahaviour , kind to strangers , and extremely given to complement ; the women are likewise wonderfully familiar even with strangers especially in speech , taking it for a great peice of breeding , not to be too austere or reserved . their apparel for the most part is rather gay than costly , made of light stuffs and slight silks , &c. though the country people are distinguished from others ; by the men's wearing a large pair of breeches and a coat to their knees ; and the womens attireing their heads , or rather wraping them in linnen , and these are in a manner drudges , or slaves , to the gentry , especially such as are their land-lords , they being all of them tenants at will , and have their rent raised as the land improves , or as the lord thinks fit ; which is the occasion of their great poverty ; for although many of them hold farms of wine and corn , they have scarce the happiness to tast the first , or eat any good bread made of the latter . in arts and manufactury , the french are very ingenious , and in war very furious , at the first onset , but with the change of fortune their courage soon abates ; though caesar confessed that he slew . of them before he could bring them into subjection ; yet by a small power of the english , they were frequently worsted ; in the reign of edward the third , and almost the whole kingdom , after the fortunate battle of azin-court , conquored and brought under subjection by henry the fifth , who with . men , only overthrew an army of above . in which the flower of their nobility were either slain , or taken prisoners : nor is it less the fortune , or rather misfortune in all battles , to have the greatest storm of war fall upon their nobility . the things worthy of note in this illustruous kingdom , are the cathedral church of the blessed virgin in paris , vulgarly called notrodam ; supported by . pillars , whereof . are very great , but the remainder indifferently large , and in the midst of the church is a chancel , accounted paces in length , and in bredth ; and in the circuit or circumference , it hath chappels , and is closed with iron gates , and two double doors in the front , adorn'd with the statues of kings ; and on the sides are four towers of bell-fries of cubits in height , and a bell so large called st. mary , that men are required to ring it out . the seven wonders of dauphin , viz. the burnig fountain , the inaccessable mountain , the tower of sanevenin , the wine-fats of sassinage , the wine fountain , the manna of briancon , and the fountain of barberon ; which rarities see at large in allard sylva : the statue of joan the peucelle , who assisted the french against the english , and raised the seige of orleance , acting many wonders in feats of arms , till taken by the english and burnt for a witch : as for the building , in cities and considerable towns , it is mostly of rough stone , plastered and rough cast over flat roofed ; and commonly , , and stories . and now to france i might add the new aquisitions , but more of them hereafter . the chief islands are rhee the out-work of rochle , in attempting the relief of which the english lost many brave men in the year . the strong bell isle , venetica san. colosus , salt , nermoustier , oleron vliaras , where our king richard the third , as lord of the sea , gave those laws marine so much in request , and known as the laws of olerone , rochle , famous for the siege it sustained against the whole power of france ; ovissant over against the lizard , and in the mediterranian are the isles of de ere 's by ptolomie , called the staaechades . the discription of the kingdom of spain , in its provinces , &c. spain is acknowledged the most western part of europe , formerly called by the greeks iberia and hsperia enviornd on every side by the sea , except towards france ; from which it is parted only by the pyreenian mountains : the seas that bound it are the cantabrian on the north , the atlantick ocean on the west , and the straights of gibraltar , on the south ; on the east with the mediterranian ; the pyreenians bearing only to the north east , and is formed by strabo , in the shape of an oxes hide ; containing as well portugal as spain , scituated in the most southern part of the northern temperate zone ; so that the longest day exceeds not hours , accounted miles in length , and in bredth . as for the original of this people in relation to their possessing the country , authors differ ; for some will have them to be of the progeny of tubal son of japhat , as being the decendants of the iberij who entred the kingdom under pannus : others that they are derived from the celtae , a powerful people decended from alchenaz , who first peopling it , called the whole country celtiberia ; but more certain it is , that the phoenicians failing from tyre , planted collonies here , and after them the rhodians ; nor did the carthagenians fail in a manner to subdue it , till being worsted in the second punick war , it became tributary to the romans , who devided it into provinces , viz. boetica , lusitanica and terraconensis ; the ●irst of these containing the kingdoms of andeluzia and granata ; part of new castile and estremadure , inhabited by the turdulie eastward , and by the celti towards the west ; lusitania contained portugal , and part of old and new castile , and the remaining part was comprehended in terragon ; and again they laid it into two parts , comprehending the two first provinces in one ; and so it remained till the time of honorius the emperor , when gundericus king of the vandels , broke in and over-run it with a numerous army , anno ; but had not well settled themselves before the goths invaded , it and drove the new possessors into affrica ; and in the year . under the conduct of musa and tarrif , who were invited in by julian , with a great army of moors and saracens entred warring upon the goths and after a battle of seven days became victorious dividing the countrey amongst them ; so that at last it fell into divisions , viz. leon oviedo , navarre , corduba , gallicta , bisca , tolledo , murica , castile , portugal , valentia , catalonia and aragon ; and so they stand at this day : wherefore i proceed to speak of them in their order and due places . leon had heretofore the name of austria , and is a very pleasant country , yielding mines of precious mettal , some gold , red lead , and vermillion , though otherwise not very fruitful , as being some-what mountainous , yet gives title to the eldest son of castile , notwithstanding few towns of note are found in it . navarr is a kingdom of great antiquity , bounded on the east , with the pyreenian mountains , on the west with iberius , north biscay , and south aragon ; being a campaign country , not subject to woods , or inclosures , yet abounds with trees in the nature of hedg-rows , considerably fruitful , and has for its chief cities , victoria , sanguessij , viana , and pampelune , garisoned as the chief defence of the spaniards , against the incursions of the french in time of war , who 's king , though wanting the possession , has the title of that kingdom , the revenues whereof has been estimated at one hundred thousand duckets . corduba , is a very fruitful province , accounted and judged , ( as it is ) the richest in all spain , abounding in cordivant skins , mallago , sherry , oranges , cattle , fish , corn , great store of fowl ; and has in it divers fair cities ; as st , corduba the principal from which it takes its name . d . xeres . d. sevil. th . granada . th . mallaga . th . almeria . th . guadalcanal , where the rich mines are found . galicia , is a country very mountainous , many of which cannot be passed without great difficulty , and others by reason of their craggyness , held not passible ; yet in this province are found the cities of compostella , the seat of an arch-bishop , called st. jago , in honour of st. james the apostle , whom they impute to be buryed here ; bajonna a place very pleasant for its scituation , and corronna , or groynne . this country is held the principal in spain , for the breed of jennets ; and here is found the promontory nerius , formerly held to be the ne plus ultra . bisca , makes a famons bay into the ocean , yet many times proves dangerous to sailers ; and although the country is mountainous , yet it has many pleasant valleys , and is adorned with cities , and towns of note , as st. sebastian , tholosa , fonterabia , bilboa , &c. and from the mountains of this country , the rivers that water the greatest part of spain have their springs , being accounted no less than one hundred and fifty ; and great store of timber for shipping is found in those parts , with some iron mines , &c. toledo , a part of new castile , takes its name from the principal city , scituate on the banks of tagus or taio , exceeding pleasant , and is ordinarily the residence of the nobility , and of merchants that trade in these parts ; being the see of an arch-bishop , who is above the rest of the bishops of that kingdom , his revenue being accounted three hundred thousand crowns ; and here the kings of the goths and moors held their courts : there are likewise found the cities of calatrava and talboia , one scituate on the ava , and the other on the tagus . murica , contains the city murica , the town of alicant , and new carthage , being a country very plentiful , though thinly peopled ; and hence come the alicant wines and curious earthen vessels , with much fine silks : nor did the romans in their conquest for some time reap a less benefit than twenty five thousand drams of silver a week , from this country only . castile old and new contain the towns of soria , segovia , valodolid , salamanca , a university , &c. madrid the kings principal seat ; alcala and alcaltura , most of them very pleasantly scituate , as being posited in the heart of the kingdom of spain , abounding with corn , fruits , and cattle ; and the latter watered with the river tagus and ava , which much inrich the country . as for portugal it is now a separate kingdom , wherefore i intend to speak of it in its due place , as more proper in a work of this nature . the principal rivers appropiated to spain , are the tagus or taio , the duero or duerius , the guiadiana or anas , which for a good space ingulfs it self , and runs under ground , giving the spaniards occasion to boast , that they have one of the fairest bridges , in the world , on which ten thousand cattle feed , and over which an army with extended wings may march ; the other rivers of note are gualdahquiver , and the ebro , called by strabo , baetis , and iberus . as fot the mountains they are distinguished into six great ridges , continued knit together , whereof the lesser are but parts , the chief of which are the pyreenians that extend from the cantabrian ▪ ocean to the mediterranian sea. as for the people of spain , they are swarthy of complexion , black-hair , and of a good proportion , stately in their actions , and grave of deportment , very serious in their carriage , and offices , much addicted to religion , and very observant and faithful to their prince , not prone to alter their determination , but patient in adversity , in war they are very deliberate and cautious , not much regarding arts , but adict themselves much to women , and are generally very much conceited of themselves ; as for the women they carry themselves very sober and discreet , and are tolerably handsome : those that are marryed are in great subjection to their husbands , and extream loving ; though the men are naturally jealous . in matters of religion , they are roman catholicks , only there are some churches of toledo , where the mus-arabick office is used . as for the language , it is not all the same , for in some parts , it has a mixture of french , in others much of the moorish , and in some again the gothish arabick , but generally and vulgarly , the old spanish is used , which has much affinity with the latin ; and as for the civil and imperial laws used amongst them , they are intermixed with many customs of the goths , and the king governs his provinces by vice-roys , or ministers of state ; and though this couutry is not very fruitful in corn and cattle , yet it generally abounds in wines , oyls , sugars , rice , silk , liquoras , honey , wax , saffron , anniseeds , rosin , almonds , oranges , lemmons , cakes , soap , anchovies , soda , barrilla , shumack , wool , lamb-skins , tobacco , besides the great treasures of gold and silver that comes from america , from whence it is conjectured since the first discovery , that above fifteen hundred thirty six millions of gold has been brought into spain . as for the buildings , they are every where more solid and durable , than stately and magnificent , unless at sevil ; in relation to which , the spaniards usually say , he that has not been at sevil , has seen no stately building . as for apparrel , they affect rather gravity than gaudiness ; and their diet is as sparing , consisting for the most part of herbs , made into pottage , with minced meats and salads ; though there is scarcely a mechanick in any noted town , but when he goes abroad , has his cloak on , and his rapier by his side , and walks in as much state as the greatest don in the kingdom . a description of the kingdom of portugal . this kingdom was in the time of the roman conquests accounted a province of spain , but since , been a kingdom of about five hundred years standing , bounded on the north , with the river minio , and ava , which parts it from gallicia ; on the east with the two castles , and estremadure ; on the south , with algarve ; and on the west , with the atlantick ocean ; and was anciently called lusitania , deriving its present name from porto , a haven town , scituate in the mouth of the river dueras , the usual landing place of the gauls ; and thence corruptly called portugal , or the gauls port ; and is accounted to be in length , from north to south , about six score leagues , running along the sea-coast ; and consequently , not answerable in breadth , in which it disproportions , as in some places twenty five , some thirty , and in other fifty leagues . this kingdom , especially of late years , has made its self famously known throughout the world , by its discoveries , and trafficks , in navigation ; so that no trading part of the universe , has escaped its knowledge . as for the provinces attributed to portugal , they are principally six , which are as many general governments , inter-dueras , and minho , tralos-montes , beyra , estremadure , aleuteio , and the kingdom of algarue ; and of these , inter-dueras , and minho , are the most noted , as being exceeding fruitful , and well peopled , that for eighteen leagues in length , and twelve in bredth , it possesses one hundred and thirty monasteries , one thousand four hundred and sixty parishes , five thousand fountains , or springs of water , two hundred stone-bridges , and six sea ports : the chief city in these parts , is porto , called by the english port à port , from its delightful scituation , and the advantage of the commodities of the country , there in abundance found ; this place contains four thousand houses , and is much traded to by divers nations ; the next to this is braga , famed for the many councils held there . tralos montes , is a part of this kingdom , stored with rich mines , and in it is found the city of braganca , the capital of the dukedom of that title , besides which there are towns of lesser note , and the princes who are derived from this title usually reside at villa-viciosa , being now in possession of the crown ; and had before their coming to it , a prerogative , beyond the grandees of spain , to sit in publick under the royal canopie of the spanish kings ; beyra another part of this kingdom is exceeding fertile , producing store of millet , rye , apples , chestnuts , catle , corn , &c. and in it is scituate the famous city of coimbra , noted for its university , and the see of a bishop , &c. estremadure abounds in wines , oyls , salt , and honey , gathered from citron flowers ; and in it is seated lisbon the principal city of the kingdom , upon five little rising hills ; on the right bank of the river tagus , or taio , and arch-bishops see , the usual residence of the kings of portugal , and a city of great trade , having the advantage of the ebing and flowing of the sea , as being but five miles from it , held to contain thirty two parishes , three hundred fifty streets , eleven thousand houses , and one hundred sixty thousand inhabitants ; the compas computed to be near seven miles accounting the subburbs , and was once the greatest emporium of europe . santarim , a place much in request for the abundance of olives , that grow about it ; insomuch , that the natives boast , but how truly , i know not , that they could make a river , as big as the tagus of their oyl : setuba , an other town in this tract , is accommodated with one of the best havens in the kingdom , being no less than thirty miles long , and three broad , abounding with salt-pits , and wine , which bring a great revenue into the kings coffers . alenteio , extreamly abounds with corn , insomuch , that it is held to be the grainery of the kingdom , and has in it the city of elvara , the second to that of lisbon , near which , the portuguez won a considerable victory against the spaniards in . and next this , elvas claims place , for the many sieges it has held out against the spaniard , and the plenty of oyls the neighbourhoods produce , &c. ourique is the place , near to which was fought the famous battle , which occasioned the proclaiming the king of portugal of the house of braganca , portelegar , is a bishops see. algarve , though little in extent , has the title of a kingdom , and was re-united to the crown by the marriage of alphonse the third , with beatrice of castile , abounding in eggs , almonds , olives , wines , corn. cattle , &c. and for the chief towns , they are tavila , faro , silves , and lagos . the natives of this kingdom , are very frugal , yet live in much plenty , the earth producing every where abundance : nor did their navigation in former days , less conduce to their support and grandeur ; being held the first europeans that publickly trafficked into the remote parts of the world , to bring it to any considerable perfection . the people are generally straight limbed , and well proportioned , very soft skinned , but somewhat inclined to swarthiness , by reason of the heat in those parts ; the air is very healthy , and the country for the most part hilly , though few of note . the roman catholick religion , is only publickly professed . there are three arch-bishopricks , viz. at lisbon , braga , and elvora ; and ten bishopricks . they have parliaments as occasion requires it , held at lisbon and porto , and twenty seven places have their generalities ; and the revenues of the kingdom is held to be about ten millions of livers , not accounting their collonies in the east-indies : and although portugal was seized on by the king of spain , after the fatal battle of alcazar in affrick , and the death of king henry , who succeeded sabastian , slain by the moors ; it revolted in the year , . and is governed by a king of its own , as a separate kingdom from spain , and thus much for portugal , a description of italy , in its kingdoms and dominions , &c. italy is a very fruitful country , and held for its pleasantness to be the mistriss of all countries , as it once was empress of the world , and is incompassed with the adriatick , jonian , and tyrrian seas : except , towards france and germany , from which it is parted by the alps , which renders it in a manner a penjusula , but more peculiarly , it has on the east the lower part of the adriatick , and the jonian sea , deviding it from greece ; on the west , it has the river varus , and some part of the alps , parting it from france ; on the north , a part of the alps divides it from germany , and on the other parts , the adriatique sea devides it from dalmatia , being held by the antients to be in form like an oak-leaf . this country branched out into sundry principalities and provinces , is scituate in a most fruitful and temperate air , under the fifth climate of the north temperate zone , which is totally taken up ; so that the longest day is hours , and three fifth parts of an hour , northward and southward , not much above hours , and the parts mentioned ; and is reckoned in length , from augusta praetoria , now called aost , unto otranto the most easternly part of naples miles , and in bredth from the river varo , which parts it from that province to the mouth of the river arsa in friuli ; where it is the broadest miles , and where the narrowest , which is about otranto , exceeds not . so that the whole compass by sea , reckoning windings and turnings , is held to be miles , but reckoned in a straight line upon the coast , it falls much short as not above . as for the first inhabiters of this country , they remaine doubtful , for as soon as historians make any considerable mention of it , we find it inhabited by divers nations , held to be greek colonies , who transported themselves at sundry times ; the people of the sea coast being said to come thither under janus , anno mundi , . after them saturn out of creet ; then evander or oenotrus out of arcadia , and then aeneas with his trojans , with many others ; but after the romans grew powerful , they brought the whole country into subjection , and , held it in spite of the frequent invasions of phyrus hanibal , the gauls , cimbri , and others , till the time of honorius the emperor , at what time the goths vandals , herulies , huns , and other barbarous nations , passing the alps , rent it from the empire , and devided it amongst themselves establishing many kingdoms and principalities ; and when these were in a manner subdued by the valour and conduct of narses , bellarius , and other imperial generals . albonius king of the lumbards , seized upon the greatest part of it calling it longobardia , vulgarly lumbardy ; but they a considerable time after were brought under by pepin king of france , called in by the bishop of rome , who reduced their kingdom to a straight compass ; after which the seat of the roman empire was fixed in germany , and italy , parcell'd out amongst sundry princes , and the usual division is into six parts viz. lumbardy , the land of the church , nap●ls , ●ascany , genoa , the signory of venice ; but more particularly into five greater and six lesser ; as for the first , the kingdom of naples , the papacy , the signory of venice , the dukedom of florence , and the dukedom of millain , the lesser are the dukedoms of mantoua , vrbine , modena , parma , with the states of genoa and luca ; and of these in their order . the kingdom of naples described , &c. as for the kingdom of naples it is governed at this day by a vice-roy , under the king of spain ; and is scituate in the most pleasant part of italy , devided from the territories of the church , by the river axofenus , being on the other parts inviornd with the seas ; making many commodious havens , and contains the provinces of lavaro , calabria inferior and superior , otranto , apulia , puglia , abruzzo . in lavaro is founded the city of naples , from whence the kingdom takes its name , and many others of lesser note ; but that which is most noted , is the mountain vesuvius lately called somma , being exceeding high , and casting flames out at the top of it , in a dreadful manner ; though all the borders or parts of it are otherways very pleasant and fruitful , abounding in vines , flower-gardens , olive-yards and rich pastures ; many of the houses of the gentry , and country villages ; the city it self being seated at the foot of the mountain , and other hills that branch from it , extending from the south-west to the north-east , in a manner triangular ; and so fruitful is the country in corn , that the importation of bread is forbidden upon great penalties . as for the buildings , they are of free stone ; many of them four stories in height , and the tops flat , the windows are generally covered with fine linnen or tiffany in stead of glass , which gives an equal light and keeps out the heat of the sun : nor consists the city of naples of any more than three considerable broad streets , called la vicaria , la lapuan , and la toletano ; the rest being inconsiderable lanes , and places of less note ; having gates towards the sea , and as many towards the land , strongly walled and defended with three castles . the women here , are very beautiful , and through the abundance of silks found in these parts , the meanest citizens wives go clad in it ; the people are very thrifty and industruous , especially about their gardens , from whence they derive a great part of their food , in fruits , herbs , roots , &c. as living very spare and temperate , though the country abounds in plenty . the estates of the kingdom of naples , as we may properly call them , under the spanish vice-roy , are held to be princes , dukes , marquesses , earls , and barons and gentlemen ; having publick houses , called the segij , in which they meet to consult affairs of importance ; as also places are appointed for the meeting of merchants in the way of trade . calabria is another province of the kingdom of naples , bounded with the jonian and tyrrenean seas , and with the river jano , said to be miles in compass , divided into the higher and lower calabria : the chief cities of the former being consentia and salernum , the chief resort of italian physitians , pleasantly scituated and well inhabited ; the buildings agreeing with those of naples , though not in the general so sumptuous , and all the neighbouring countries are full of villages , and very fruitful ; and in the latter calabria , cuterzary , is seated as principal , being a strong city well walled , and fortified ; and formerly this country was called magna graecia , from the many greek collonies that seated themselves in it . otranto is on three parts bound with the sea , and on the other with puglia , having tarentum and brundusum for its chief places ; formerly boasting it self one of the best havens in europe ; but for some years past choaked up , or much obstructed by shoales of sand carry'd in by the sea ; so that a ship cannot without some difficulty enter , by which means the places are much reduced : here are found likewise the towns of otranto and gallipolis , very plentious in oyls , wines , and manufacturies of silks , and other matters of value ; there are found great store of corn , mellions , citron , saffron , &c. and what is one thing observable , no partridges pass the limits of this country . apulia another province of naples , extends it self from the confines of brundusium , to the river fortore , and is properly devided into two provinces , and has for its principal city that of manfredo ; scituate beneath the hill of st. angello , accommodated with many stately buildings , and is the seat of the arch-bishop of siponto ; and that which adds more to its advantage , is that it has a capacious harbour , capable of receiving ships and galleys of great burthen , and is defended with a very stong castle , the country all about it being very fruitful . puglia is bounded with the rivers tronto and fortore , and has for its chief cities barlet , which has a good haven belonging to it , and held to be one of the strong holds of italy ; and cannae the country though somewhat hilly , or mountainous ; abounds with cattle , saffron , and many other commodities incident to italy . abruzzo is in like manner a part of the kingdom of naples , having for its chiefest cities or towns aquino , giving birth of thomas aquinas , and sulmo famous for the birth of ovid the poet , both pleasantly seated and well inhabited . the papacy described , &c. as for the papacy , commonly called the estate of the pope , inherent to the see of rome ; it consists of two natures or jurisdictions , as spiritual and temporal principalities , as touching the latter of which it has under its jurisdiction many large terretories lying between the river fiore and cajetta , between prenestae and the truentian straights , the dukedom of vrbin excepted , containing the provinces of romandiola , murchia , spolletto , and that usually called st. peters patrimony is accounted spiritual . the first of these extends to the venetian terretories on the west , and to rubicon on the east , a little river so called from the redness of the waters , over which in the flourishing time of the romans ; the consuls were forbiden to come armed homewards , least the fear of any designed might bring a terror upon the city of rome . as for the chief cities in this part , they are bononia , the prime university of italy , and where the civil law is very much studyed : this city is round of form built with brick and free-stone , commodiously scituate , and has towards the streets , arched cloysters to secure such as pass them from rain , &c. here is likewise found the city ferrara , scituate on the banks of the river po , and fortified on all other parts , with a strong wall● in which the former dukes held the stately pallace of beluedevere , so named from its pleasant scituation ; as also ravenna of great antiquity , renowned in antient history ; accommodated about two miles distant with a famous port or haven . this province or country , produces corn , wine , oyl , some drugs , plenty of cattle , and especially good horses . marchia extendeth from puglia to otranto between the appenine and the sea , commodiously divided into little rising hills , and fertile plaines , by which means it is very fruitful , greatly abounding with corn , wine , and oyl : it s principal empori is ancona , by reason of the commodiousness of its haven , and is a fair city incompassed with three mountains , and hath the form of a half moon , the streets are narrow and paved with flint ; the haven is triangular , where are curious walks , and a place called la loggia , where the merchants that resort thither for trade , do meet and is very healthy : the other considerable cities are firmo , and ascoli , aud in this province stands loretto , so famous for our ladies miracles . spolletto , anciently vmbria , has for its chief cities spolletto , from whence it takes its name onietto , scituate on a high rock and asis , where st. francis was born : and though this province is not large , yet it abounds with wine , corn , oyl , saffron , cattle , figs , &c. st. peters patrimony , so called , and accouned the spiritual jurisdiction , contains all the ancient latium , or campaigna di roma , and the chief city is rome , formerly the capital of the most cousiderable empire in the world , mistriss of the fairest part of the universe , and said thro' the excess of her many conquests to extend by degrees , from miles in compass to , and had on her walls towers , spreading over , or taking in her circumference mountains or hills , viz. pallatinus , capitolinus , vnivalis , aventinus , esquiliuus , caelius , and querinalis ; and is scituate on the banks of the famous river tiber ; though at this day it is not accounted above miles in circuit , however containing many stately structures and monuments of its ancient greatness : but what renders it most eminent is the popes pallace on the vatican hill , the famous church dedicated to st. peter , one of the goodliest structures in the world , accounted feet in length , aad in bredth , adorned with paintings , tombs , and other choice pieces of antiquity , almost innumerable ; the vatican library , and many monuments of the roman emperors ; and not far from this city is pont mill , where constantine the great was shewed the cross in the clouds , with this motto , viz. in hoc vincis , in this you shall overcome ; which made him take the insign of the cross for his banner ; and accordingly prevailing over his enemies he not only imbraced the christian religion himself , but commanded it should be observed throughout his empire : and indeed in rome centers the plenty and glory of italy , the inhabitants being accounted two hundred thousand , most clergy-men . the seignorie or common-wealth of venice described , &c : north of the alps from roman-di-ola , are the italian provinces , appertaining to the state of venice , bounded on the south with the territories of ferarra , and the rest of roman di-ola ; on the west with the dukedom of millain ; on the north with the main body of the alps ; and on the east with the adriatick sea , and the river arsia which , parts them from liburnia : besides it commands a great part of greece , especially by the late successful acquisitions and victories , as well as divers islands in the sea , and has all along been the bulwark of christendom against the turks . as for the chief city upon which the rest depend , it gives a name to the people , and is wonderfully situate , or seated at the bottom of the adriatick sea , or gulf of venice , upon islands , five miles distant from the main land , defended from the rage of sea and storms by a prodigeous work ; being a bank of ( some say other ) miles in length ; open in places for passage , with boats and gallys , &c. of small burthen , of which they have commonly , but for great vessels the only passage is at malamacco , and castle lido , strongly fortified and yet this city is computed no more than miles in circuit ; having for its better conveniency bridges , one of which is very famous , passing over the great chanel ; and the rest , pass waters of lesser note , which in divers places refresh this maritime city . the arsmal is the most beautiful , bigest , and best furnished in europe ; being about miles in circuit ▪ and has a magazine of all sorts of arms , engines and amunition for sea or land service , amongst which are coats of plate garnished with gold , and covered with velvet ; but what is most admirable is the church of st mark , their titular saint ; wrought with mosaick work , supported with pillars of marble and prophery ; adorn'd with images , tombs , &c. that for the abundance of jewels , pearls , gold , and silver , that cover and adorn them , and their altars it may be thought that the whole treasury of the state might be imployed to that purpose ; and besides there are found pallaces built of marble , and adorned with collumnes , statues , pictures , and other things of great value ; that for their grandure , they are capable of entertaining any prince ; they have likewise rich hospitals ; tribunals , or courts of justice ; parish churches , monasteries of nuns convents of friars , chappels and free-schools ; and so powerful once they were that they held war with all the prince of europe , &c. england excepted , for the space of seven years , and wanted neither men nor money ; and if we consider ▪ what wars they have had for near years ( at times ) with the turks ; we must needs proceed to wonder how they should support themselves under that expence of treasure , and loss of men ; but their income is mostly by navigation , and the fruitfulness of their islands ; so that according to a modern account , it has amounted in the treasury , ( not reckoning the effects of particular men , ) to five millions and duckets yearly : as for the city it is governed by a duke , and the sennate ; and so consequently all the countries and cities under its jurisdiction , many of which we shall have occasion to mention hereafter , and therefore purposely omit them in this description : only by the way take notice , that the terretories of this signorie , are divided into land and sea ; and in lombardy , marca , trevigiana , friuli and istri , part of dalmatia , sclavoniae , albania , and the morea ; and in their jurisdiction are the famous cities of padua , brescia , bergamo , vicenza and others ; as for their islands the principal are corfu , cephalonia , zant , ithaca , and others lately regained . the discription of the dukedom of florence , or tuscany . this dukedom now under the grand duke of tuscany , is divided from st. peter's patrimony , on the east , by the river pisco , on the west by the river macra , from the common-wealth of genoa ; on the north from romandiola , and marca anconitana , by the apennine hills ; and on the south , has for its boundar● the tyrrean and tuscan seas . this country formerly had its name from the city of florence , scituate nigh the confluence of the river arno , round in form and strongly fortified with a wall , &c. and forts , whereof the greatest lyes towards the south ; the buildings are very stately , errected with free-stone and marble , flat on the roofs , except the pallaces which are adorned with towers and pinacles ; the pavements of the streets being likewise for the most part broad free-stone , a river running through the chief of them , which greatly cools and refreshes the city in the heat of summer ; and over it is a stately bridge allmost in the middle of the city , and towards the north east it is encompassed with pleasant hills , gently rising and planted with choice fruits , and sheltered from storms by the apennine mountains that lye behind them ; nor does the south side want the like advantage , whilest the west exposes it to the flowry valleys of arno ; and without the wall are the garden houses and pallaces of the nobility and gentry , which likewise scatter over all the pleasant fields ; insomuch that it is accounted the glory of italy , frequently stiled its garden , and takes its name from the flowry plains , and gardens that inclose , or expend themselves about it . the next city of note is pisa , through which the river arno runs , from east to west , its scituation being in a plain ; and towards the north-west by north is a gate , and a fair cathederal church , most curiously wrought and paved with marble ; and here the duke of florence or tuscany has a pallace , seated on the bank of the river sienna ; another city is scituate on a rising hill , indifferently ascending above the valleys ; the streets of which , a thing unusual , are paved with brick , wherefore no carts nor coaches are allowed to pass through them , but the burthens are carry'd by men mules and asses ; and has in it several stately towers and fountains , the women of this place being likewise reckoned the fairest of all italy . massa is a town most noted for the quarries of marble in its neighbourhood . in this dukedom is the famous legorne , so much traded to by merchants of most nations in europe ; opening to the sea a spacious port or haven , and is a mart or emporis for all the principal commodities of italy , and many that are brought over-land out of remote countries ; and here our merchants have frequently settled a factory , the people being generally fair dealers , and wonderfully obliging to strangers ; so that the custom of this place is the greatest part of the dukes revenues , being very considerable ▪ as for this city it is seated in a fruitful plain , with commodious avenews , being somewhat long in form from north to south , and is defended with two towers that stand inward to the sea , for the guard of the haven , that for great ships lying farther into the sea , than that for gallies and lesser vessels , which is sheltered by a wall drawn almost round it ; and here it is the english merchants trading to italy have their lading . the dukedom of milain described , &c. the dutchy of milaine , is very pleasantly seated , in the country of lumbardy , amongst fruitful plains , and little rising hills ; and held the most desirable place of these countrys . it s chief city is milain , anciently mediolanum , which though so often ruined , as having been taken no less than twenty times , and besiged forty , has still rise out of its ashes , more fair and splendid than at first , being now accounted the greatest city of lombardy ; seated in a large plain , and incompassed with rivers , strongly guarded with a spacious and well fortified castle , and other extraordinary fortifications . as for the building , it is very stately and magnificent ; but the most remarkable are castles or cittadels , the hospital or lazarette ; the cathedral or dome : besides there are monastries , convents of fryers of sundry orders , parochial , and collegate churches , mos● of which are beautified and adorned with images ▪ paintings , sculptures ; there is moreover , a cabinet of exceeding rarieties , not to be paralelled , as report goes , in any place . the city in circuit is accounted ten miles , very populous , imagined to contain souls ; the inhabitants mostly rich , as very much trading in merchandice , especially silks , gloves , ribbons , &c. from whence our millinary ware-men derive the denomination of their trade ; the city being much traded to from france , spain , and all parts of italy . as for other places of note in this jurisdiction , they are principally pavia , papia , made a university by charles the iv. guarded by a strong castle , and has in it a fair cathedral church , supposed the richest of revenue in italy , viz. crowns per. ann. and near this place , king francis the first of france , was overthrown in a great battle , and taken prisoner by lanoy the duke of burbone and others , commanding for charles the v. alexandria or alessandris , the strongest work in the whole dutchey ; cremona seated on the banks of the river poe , accommodated with a good trade , stately muildings , large streets , and pleasant gardens , noted for its tower and cathedral church . and here it was that vitellus his souldiers were defeated by those of vespatian , and the town fired by them . the lakes found here are lago , magiore , in length miles , and in breadth , having in it islands , called the boremeans , fruitful and pleasant , even to a wonder , lago delcoma and lugani lacus , and the rivers are olgio adde lambro , tesine , &c. as for the hills they are of no remark . the ancient inhabitants of this country were the insubres , conquered by the romans , then by the gauls , and next by the lombards , but now the country is under the protection of the king of spain , who appoints a governour to reside in millain , where st. ambrose once was bishop . the dutchy of modena described . this part , or province of italy , contains the city of modena , and reggio , with the adjoyning territories : as for the capital city of modena , it was known , and is so still in roman history , by the name of mutina , famous for the first bloody battle between marcus antonius , and augustus caesar ; and is at this day the residence of the duke , whose pallace , though not appearing very large outwardly , is nevertheless very famous and magnificent , by the rich adornments within ; his cabin or museum being furnished with the choice of natural rarities , as jewels , &c. to an extraordinary value : and here otho the emperor slew himself , upon his army being defeated by vitellus . as for the country , though it is not large , it nevertheless is very fruitful , and abounds with great store of curious fruits , corn , cattle , and other things fit mans for subsistance , watered with many small streams , and mostly plain , but that which renders it more famous , is its being the native country of our present queen mary , consort to his most sacred majesty , king james the second . the people of this dukedom are said to be better natur'd than most of italy ; quick in their resolution , easie to be pacified when wronged , and friendly in their entertainment of strangers . a description of the dukedom or principality of parma . this country hath on the north mantua on the south the appennine hills , on the west milan , and on the east the country of modena . the chief city is parma , seated on the river pirma , in a fruitful plain , being about miles in compass ; adorned with many rich and stately structures , well peopled , and much frequented by gentry , greatly addicted to learning , arts and arms ; the adjoyning plains produce excellent pasturage , which feed abundance of sheep , of whose milk is made the parmasan cheese , so much in esteem in all countries ; and here the duke's pallace is seated , where he holds a court in great state : as for the churches they are beautified , and rarely imbellished with pictures and images . piacenza or placentia is the second city , famous for the resistance it made against hannibal , and h●s brother asdrubal , upon their cutting their way through the alps , and invading italy ; and now as much esteemed for the fairs and marts kept here , to which the merchants and others resort from the neighbouring country to make their exchanges : the principal river is trebia , where the romans in a fatal battle were overthrown by the carthagenians , and of them computed to be slain ; and near to placentia are many salt-pits and mines of iron . a description of the dukedom of mantoua . the dukedom of mantoua is a very fair country , very plentiful in corn , wine , cattle , and rich pastures , and fruits of sundry kinds : as for the chief city that gives it the name , it is seated in a lake of miles compass , by nature very strong and fencible , there being no land access to it but by cause-ways , and in it stands the dukes pallace , very fair and stately , though he has another pallace for pleasure and delight exceeding this , at marmirolla , five miles from this city ; as for mantoua it is in a manner round , save that the lake on the north-east sides , enters it like a half moon : the buildings are partly of brick , and partly of free stone , and the streets large and clean : in the midst is a large market-place , where all manner of strangers are admitted to vend their ware , though the greatest traffick is in the hands of the jews , who grow rich by the impoverishment of the citizens , and is in compass miles , having gates , and strengthened by a good wall. this city is of antient standing , and contains about people , and has often been brought into distress by the germans , especially in the year ▪ and . as for the dukes revenue , it is counted crowns per annum , though many will not credit it , seeing some few years since , he made over part of his dutchy to the french king ▪ for a considerable sum of money ; and here it is held unlawful to wear a sword , or any other weapon without lisence ; and in this city the famous virgil had his birth , as by his ecclogus appears , &c. and to this dukedom partly appertains the dukedom of montferrat , in the south-east of piemont , and other territories . the dukedom of urbin described : the dukedom of vrbin may be said to lie within the territories of the church , bounded on the north with the adriatick , on the south with the apennine hills , on the west with romagna , or roma-di-ola , and on the east with marca aconitania , being in length sixty , and in breadth thirty five miles , and is accounted to contain two hundred castles , and seven principal towns , the chief is vrbin seated at the bottom of the apennine hills , and built in the fashion of a miter . the next to it pisauro , containing an excellent haven , for the reception of considerable vesels ; and a third is belforto , more inward , and supposed to be in the middle of the country : the chief of the castles are , the rocks of st. leo , and marivolo ; and at vrbin , polidorus virgil was born , who being a collector of peter pence in england for the pope , wrote a history of the many remarkable transactions of our country , and is quoted by most of our modern historians the estate or common wealth of genoa described . the estate of genoa , formerly contained a large part of italy , and were accounted the most expert in navigation of all europe , but of late , through the many wars they have maintained against the venetians , and other neighbouring princes , their own intestine broils , and their neglect of navigation and traffick , they are greatly reduced , holding little more than liguria and corsica : the first of these has on the east the river varus , on the west parted from tuscany by the magura , on the north the apennine hills , and on the south the ligurian or tyrrenian seas . as for the city of genoa , it is seated on the sides of small rising hills , tho' behind it are those of greater height , lying open on the south side to the sea , where it has a goodly haven , in the form of a cresant or half moon , upon the horn whereof , towards the east , is the sea bank lamola , about paces in length , keeping off the waves that beat upon the city on the east side ; and in the middle of this bank is a fort built to defend the navy that may anchor there , so that the circuit of this city is accounted eight miles , and though the streets are narrow , yet the palaces of the dey , and houses of the senators , are very stately ; nor are their walls less strengthned with bull-warks , and other fortifications . the houses in the high-streets are four stories , and many five , the windows being glazed , which is not usual in italy , many of them built of marble , but all of freestone : the streets paved with flint , and the suburbs full of gardens and houses of the nobility and gentry . as for the people , they are masters of other cities , as noli , sarazena , and savon , being noble minded and generous in all their actions , formerly much inclined to war and search of adventures ; insomuch that they assisted , with a great fleet in the holy war , and taking of jerusalem by the christian army , and aided phillip the french king with men , against edward the third of england , where in one battle they were most of them slain . they aided likewise the spaniards in to invade england , with several great carracts and galleys ; which were either lost upon the coast , or cast away in their flight homeward , which loss they have never since fully recovered ; yet they lately made a stout defence against the naval power of france , which could effect no more , than beating down some part of their city , by bombing it at a distance , as being well assured they had no fleet capable of engaging . the country abounds in all the plenties of italy , and here only the women have the greatest freedom , without the jelosie or suspition of their husbands of any italians ; and as a further honour to this place , it gave birth to christopher columbus , the first discoverer of the new world or country of america . the state of lucca described . the state of lucca is held to be scituate within the dukedom of tuscany or florence , comprehending the town and terretory of lucca . as for lucca , it is seated in a fruitful plain , strongly fortified with a good wall , and incompassed with pleasant trees , so that at a distance it seems to stand in a wood , and the plain wherein it is seated , is invironed with mountains or large hills , except towards pistola , where it opens to the sea , and is three miles in compass ; as for the streets , they are narrow and paved with broad freestone , and in it are many palaces , and merchants houses , curious built of free-stone , according to other building in italy , and was formerly a place of great trade for silks , stuffs , carpets , cloth of gold , and the like ; there being a great concourse of merchants , call'd luccois merchants , that were wont to meet there at several fairs or marts , held for that purpose , but of late the trade is declined : however the inhabitants inrich themselves by their manufacture , which they send to other places of greater trade . and here there is a strict law , that no person shall wear any weapon , no not a knife , unless it be blunted ; the people being generally very courteous to strangers . and thus much for what may be properly call'd italy , which taken in general , is one of the most fruitful and pleasant countrys of the world , of which europe being call'd the head , this is accounted the face . but for brevity sake i must desist any further comment , and proceed to other parts adjoyning . the dukedom of lorrain described . this country is invironed with a part of belgium , alsatia , the country of burgundy and campaign , and is about miles in compass , exceeding fruitful in corn , wine , store of cattle , but especially horses of an excellent breed ; the rivers and lakes abounding with fish , and the soil with rich mines : the chief town is nancy , seated upon the river meuse , and in it the ducal pallace , much resorted to for wines , brandies , and other commodities ; the buildings are very stately and commodious , most of them of stone , and well fortified with a wall of great strength : the next to this are st. nicholas , and vancoleus very strong and well garisoned by the french into whose hands the country fell , in the reign of king lewis the . though the present duke of lorain now warring in hungary , is on all hands concluded to be the rightful prince . as for the manners and customs of the people they are a mixture of germany and france , as being seated between those countries , &c. the dukedom of savoy , and country of peimont described , &c. as for savoy , it is a very mountainous country bounded by the dauphenet , bress , switzerland , peimont and the alps ; the antient inhabitants were the allobroges , who submitted to hanibal , when he entered italy with his carthagenians to war against the romans ; at what time bruncius and his brother being at variance about the succession to the kingdom , he reconciled them ; afterward it was made a roman province , and was called from one of the kings that then reigned being a favorite to augustus caesar , alpes coctiae ; but in the declining of the roman empire , it became a part of the kingdom of burgundy , and passed with other rights of the empire to germany ; but now is independent under a duke , who is soveraign lord of the country . the chief towns of savoy are chambiers , scituate in a pleasant valley amongst mountains , and is graced with a ducal pallace and many stately buildings of the nobles , who are for the most part very gentile , active and airy , though the country people on the contrary are very imbicil and slugish . tarantaise , an arch-episcopal see , scituate amongst mountains as the former , full of pleasant buildings : aquabelle , mauridune another arch-episcopal see. under the power and jursdiction of the savonian d●ke , it is peimont unless a small part of it claimed by the duke of mantoua , seated at the foot of the mountains , and bounded on the east with milain , on the west with savoy , on the north with switzer-land , and on the south with the mediterranean , being more fertile than the other ; containing earldoms , and marquesats , besides barronies and lordships ; and here dwell the progeny of the albigenses , who about the year stood , for the liberty and doctrine of the church of their predecessors and about the year , were near all destroyed and ruined by the popes and french kings ; when the remainder prefering their concience before their country , retired up into the mountains , and by their industry and indefatigable husbandry , made the very rocks bring forth grass and herbage for themselves and their cattle , &c. and here they worshiped god , according to the worship of rhe reformed churches ; greatly increasing in number , as being followed with blessings , untill the latter end of the reign of francis the first , at what time happened the massacre of merinianum , or mariguan gallis and chabriers , and in the year and , they were again persecuted by the savoiard , and since that in the year we had a mellancholy account of their treatment : and although there are many good towns under the government of savoy ; yet the duke chiefly resides at the city turin scituate on the river po and is the seat of an arch-bishop and a university , where erasmus took his degree , and for scituation is accounted one of the plesantest in europe . the seignory of geneva , and the alps described . geneva is within the limits of the dukedom of savoy , the whole seignory not exceeding eight leagues in compass , scituate on the lake lemanus , and devided into two parts by the river rosne . the city strongly walled and fortified , as being the head of a free state ; containing a flourishing university , governed by a common council , or of the chief burghers , four of which are called sindiques : as for the church government it is composed of lay-men , elders , and ministers founded by john calvin . and although this city has been beseiged by the duke of savoy , and others who have undertaken to reduce it , yet it has manfully defended it self against all invasions ; and as for the revenue it is reckoned crowns per annum . the building is generally of free-stone , and the north side of the city lies close to the south side of the lake , where is a little haven for gallies , built to keep free passage on the lake , defended by a strong fort ; a river issuing from the lake runs through the lower part of the city , and is passed by two commodious bridges . and although it is a receptacle for all manner of religions , and people that fly from persecution , yet such is the law , that even a malefactor is condemned there for a crime committed in his own country , if proved against him , and adultry punishable with death ; fornication the first time with days fasting or living with bread and water in prison ; the second time with whipping , and the third with banishment ; notwithstanding which and although the women be more reserved here than in any other place , those affairs go forward in private . this signory abounds with all manner of fruits , great store of fish ; and is much traded to especially by the italian merchants for velvets , taffatas , musquet barrels , and calevers , &c. the alps are the greatest ridge of mountains in europe , parting germany , france , and italy , and in some places require five days to ascend them . there being five passages through them into italy , viz. out of france and out of germany . the from france is through provence , close upon the tyrrenian seas , through liguria , being the easiest ; the through the hill geneara , into the marquesat of zaluzzes , and so into lumbardy : the third is over the mount cenis , and through the country of turin . as sor those out of germany , the first is through the country of the grissons , by the province of valtoline ; the last through the county of tirol , near to the towns of juspurk and trent ; and as for these mountains , they are in many parts very fruitful ; divers villages and towns , being scituate on them , though mostly barren , and in many places the snow and frost continues all the year , without the suns having power to dissolve it , by reason the assent is so near the cold region ; and through part of them hanibal cut , dissolving , or loosening the rocks with fire and vinegar , when he broke unexpectedly into italy and defeated the roman army ; and indeed in some places they are dreadfull even to look on . the description of the county of roussillon and catalonia . roussillon by the french included between the branches of the pyreenean mountains if we begin at mount cavo , the one extending to colibre and c. de creux a promontary , that is the furthest point east of cattalonia ; as for the other it passes unto salsas , and as for the places of note , they are perpignan , pupirianum ; and perpinianum built out of the ruins of ruscinum , by guinard earl of roussillon , scituate upon the banks of the river thelis or thetis , in a pleasant fruitful plain , &c. a rich and flourishing emporie , and a strong hold against the french , till the year ; and of such esteem was this little country in former times , that it was pawned by john king of aragon in , to lewis the th . of france for crowns , and restored to ferdenand the catholick , by charles the eight , that he might not be diverted from the conquest of naples . and abounds with plenty , &c. catalonia or as the french call it . cattalogne , joyns to the country of roussillon , is accounted italian miles in length , and in breadth , and held to contain the dukedom of cardona , marquesates , earldoms , divers barronies and lordships , and cities or walled towns , and inhabitants ; amongst which ( in the time of boterius ) were french shepherds and husbandmen . as for the country , some authors inform us , that it is generally hilly , and full of woods , yielding but small store of corn , wine , and fruits ; though others speak more favourably of it , and affirm it affords plenty of corn , wine , and oyl , though indeed it is mostly inriched by its maritime scituation . the chief town is bracelonia seated upon the mediterranian sea , between the rivers besons and rubricat or lobrecat , and is a rich noted port much traded to : the buildings are very stately , and contain a bishops see ; an academy , and sundry other advantages of gardens and pleasant places that render it delightful and well inhabited . a description of belgium , or the neitherland provinces , &c. the tract now called belgium or the neitherlands , is bounded on the east with westphalia , gulick , cleve , triers , and the provinces of the higher germany , on the west with the main ocean , which divides it from brittain , &c. on the north with the river ems , which parts it from east friezland , and on the south with picardy and campaign , two french provinces , and upon the south-east with the dukedom of lorain ; and as for the country in its present estate , it is divided into provinces , viz. the dukedoms of limburg , luxenburg , gelderland , brabant , the marquisate of the holy empire , the earldoms of flanders , artois , hatndult , namurre , zutphan , holland , zealand , the barronies of west friezland , vtrecht , overysel , machlyn , and groyning , or groningen , and of these in their order . limburg . the dukedom of limburg is pleasantly scituate , and a very fruitful province , having the famous city of mastreich , so lately renowned for its sieges , as its capitol , though the bishoprick of leige is its appendent , in which is the city of leige , the bishop regents usual residence , the see at present vacant by the death of the late bishop , and hath under it barronies , and in it a university , where at one time ( if the story may be credited ) studied sons of kings , the sons of dukes , and earls ; it being commodiously and healthfully scituate on the river meuse ; the buildings very fair and spacious , and is accommodated with divers monasteries and abbies , the whole bishoprick containing walled towns , and villages ; as also the eastern part , properly termed a part of the dutchy of limburg , contains walled towns , and villages , where limburg ( that gives the province name ) is pleasantly scituate on the river wesa or wesel , or wesar ; and from this fertile country , abounding with whatever is necessary for the support of humane life , is found that stone so much used in publick , called lapis calaminaris . luxemburg . lvxemburg is another province of the low countries , having limburg for its boundard on the north , lorain on the south , the bishoprick of triers on the east , and the river meuse on the west , and is accounted in circumference ● miles , containing walled towns , and vi●lages of the former , of which luxemburg scitua●● on the river asnaius , danvillees and bostonake are chief : the upper part of this dukedom is generally inhabited by germans , but the french possess most of the lower part , and indeed they speak either languages in most of the villages , and in manners participate of both nations ; and bordering upon this dukedom is the famous forrest of ardena , formerly accounted the greatest in europe , as being miles in compass , consisting mostly of chest-nut trees , but now burnt , and otherways destroyed to the circumference of miles , and near it are found the spaw baths , so much frequented by divers nations for the restoring them to health , by removing sundry malladies and diseases ; and in this region are held to be earldoms , and many other petty governments . the soil is naturally fruitful and pleasant by scituation . brabant . brabant has for its boundard on the south-east and north , the river meuse , on the west the schald , or the sclade ; in length it is accounted miles , and in breadth , containing walled towns , and villages ; the principal of the former being lovaine , a city miles in compass , inclosing beside the stately building , pleasant hills , valleys , meadows , fragrant gardens , and is a noted university , consisting of stately colledges . the next of note is bruxelles , or brussels , the usual seat of the governor , for the king of spain , pleasantly seated and inviorned with gardens and little riseing hills ; and near it is the city of bergeaupzone , a garrisoned place , strongly fortified ; and here is found likewise , the town of breda , surprised by the prince of orange , and taken from the spaniards by a small number of gentlemen , who came upon it in the night time , in a boat covered with turfs , and desperately setting upon the garrison possessed themselves of it ; and yet more famous for the treaty between his late majesty of england , and his subjects , whereupon ensued his happy restauration ; and in this province is contained the marquesa●e of the empire , whose chief town or city is antwerp , miles in compass , once a famous empori , or the scale of europe , by reason of its scituation on the river — having two marts yearly , and for the more safe resort of strangers , qualified with extraordinary priviledges , and here the portugals exposed their east india goods to sale , and dispersed them through europe , but of late the hollanders growing powerful at sea , and great traffickers , have removed the scale for the most part to amsterdam . flanders . this province which amongst the vulgar passes current for the , is divided into galicam , imperialem , and tutonicam , the latter being separated from the two first by the river ley , where is found the city of gaunt , the birth place of john duke of lancaster , son to edward the third of england , from thence called john of gaunt ; and is so large within the walls , that there is large pastures , and corn fields , besides many gardens , and other pleasant places , and is commodiously seated upon the river schald , which devides it in many parts ; so that for the conveniency of the inhabitants there are bridges : the next to this are brugis and ypres , walled and well fortified , and within the jurisdiction of the province , are the famous sea ports , or frontier towns of dunkirk , taken from the spainards by the valour of the english , and since delivered to the french : scluse , which has a spacious haven , capable of containing sail of ships ; and to these we must add newport and ostend . imperial flanders , so called for distinctions sake , is devided from brabant , by the river dender , and in it are found the towns of alost and dendermond , scituate very pleasantly upon the banks of that river with hulst , a considerable town , indifferently fortified , the country is generaly fruitful , and the people very thrifty and sparing , &c. gallicam , or gallica flanders , taking its denomination from its dependency on the french , or the nearness to that country , has for its chief town , lisle or lile , a town of great trade , and much resort , where sundry merchants have ware-houses , and some petty factories ; the next to it in dignity is doway , much noted for its university , and the great resort of most christian nations thither to see the curious library , and other rarities ; and here likewise stands tornay , taken from the french by king henry the eighth of england , and ransomed by the inhabitants at ducats ; there are moreover walled towns of lesser note , and villages , within the jurisdiction of this province , adorned with stately buildings , and pleasant gardens , replenished with fountains , and pleasant streams ; and is in all parts very fruitful , as lying low , and not any where incumbred with mountains , from which indeed the provinces are generally free , &c. artois is a very pleasant province , and was once intirely french ; but now ( as the rest i have mentioned ) under the government of the king of spain , quitted by henry the second of france , to philip the second of spain , in the league of chambray ; and is said to contain villages , and towns of note ; the chief being arras , from whence our cloath of arras comes , and lilliers . the principal frontier towns that opposes piccardie are hedinfort , ayre , pernes , and st. omers , most of them very strong and sencible . hainault is considerably spacious , as being sixty miles in length , and fourty eight in breadth , in which are computed villages , and considerable towns , as monts famous for the overthrow of the french army , under the command of the duke of luxemburg , by the dutch and germans , under the command of the prince of orange , &c. routed near this town . valenciens very commodiously seated , so that it cannot be besieged but by a considerable army , divided into three parts : conde and bavais , towns of considerable strength , the latter supposed to be built upon the ruins of the antient belgium , the province in general is very pleasant and fruitful . namurre is very commodiously scituate , and yields the inhabitants great advantages from the iron mines , and marble quars ; as also those of free stone , and what is indeed a wonder in nature , viz. the stone cole which is extinguished by oyl , but burns the brighter for having water cast upon it ; and here are found the city namurre , giving name to the province as also charlemont , valen-court , or bornies , with about villages , accommodated with rich pastures , pleasant gardens , with store of fruits and cattle . machlyn , though it is reckoned to be scituate within the circuit of the province of brabant ; yet has in it villages , with several castles and places of strength , as its dependences being a strong town , seated in the midst of the waters of the river dole , so that upon drawing up the sluces , the country about it may be drowned ; and was of such esteem before the wars with spain , that it was the seat of a parliament ; but now is somewhat impaired by a fire that happened some years since , by the blowing up of a magazine of barrils of gun-powder . these are those properly called the spanish provinces and neitherlands , which were formerly free estates , and most of them independent , governed by their proper princes and magistrates ; but under a claim of right by title , and the more prevailing power of the sword , wearied by war , they were reduced by the spanish kings part , of whose dominions they are at this day accounted : however , the confederated estates , commonly called the united provinces , viz. zealand , holland , vtretch , guelderland , zutphen , groningen , over-yssel , and some part of brabant , and flanders , have yet those priviledges the former enjoyed , making for their better defence against the incroachments of their powerful neighbours , a strict league and union in the year . which has ever since inviolably continued , called now the estates of the low-countries . a description , particularly of the low-countries . zealand or sealand , is a country standing upon islands northward in the sea ▪ commodiously scituate for shipping , and harbours , so that it may in a manner be questioned , whether the inhabitants live on the water or on the land , and though it consists of islands only at present , it formerly was whereof have been swallowed up by the waves , with their towns and cities , so that we may well alude . invenies sub aquis , & ad-huc austendere nautae , inclinata solent , cum maenibus opida versis , &c. the waters hide them , and the sailers show , the ruined walls , and steeples as they row. the chief towns of this province , are middleburg , famous for traffick , and the staple for french and spanish wines ; flushing , a strong and fortified sea town . all the islands are fertile , much abounding with pastures , corn , and plenty of cattle , yielding a great deal of madder , for dying , wooll , &c. holland , ( the chief of the provinces , under the denomination of which the rest are vulgarly called , and is the most powerful in shipping , and navigation , ) comprehends the famous city of amsterdam , by which the river tay flows like a large sea , and is one of the chief empories of europe , rotterdam , leyden an university , doort , delph , harlem , and other places of note , as the hague , &c. the which , though but an inland village , is much honoured by the concourse , resorting thither , and the frequent assembling of the estates ; and this , more than any other part , abounds with woods , esteemed though but small , to contian villages , and walled towns in its jurisdiction . vtrecht , another of these provinces has five considerable towns in it , of which vtrecht , mont-fort , and rhenen , are the principal ; as also villages , many of them very fair and pleasant , all well watered , and accommodated with gardens , pasturages , and other things necessary for the use of man ; the province was anciently called antonia , but since took its name from a ferry that was kept there , for the transportation of passengers , &c. over-yssel , another of the provinces , is memorable for the city of daventree , won by robert earl of leicester , an english peer , in the time of queen elizabeth , from the spaniard , and delivered to the states , and has besides good towns of which campene , swall , and daventree are the chief , villages , and abounds with good pasture● , meddows , corn and cattle , producing yearly a● extraordinary quantity of butter and cheese , and the rather fruitful , as being well watered by the river yssel , from which it appears to take its name . zvtphen , though it claims the jurisdiction of a province , yet it is no more than a town in guelderland , free , and independent , before which ( to the great grief of all good men ) the famous and learned sir philip sidney , received the mortal wound of which he dyed , though the town was notwithstanding won by his conduct and valour , being a very antient earldom . gvelderland is a dukedom of considerable note , abounding with plenty of all sorts of provisions , and many curious manufactures , and is held to contain towns , and villages . the chief of the towns being nimegen , seated on a branch of the river rhine , and much noted for the treaty held there , ruremond and arnheim , and is recounted in historians to take its name from geluba ; once a famous town scituate in the province , but now altogether ruined or reduced to a strait compass . groining or groningen , is a barrony of west friezland , so large that under its jurisdiction it has towns and villages , the principal being old haven and keikerk , and boasts of great plenty and much riches . friezland contains chief towns , the most considerable being harlingem , lewarden , and zwichen , with about villages , incompassed with excellent pasture grounds , abounding in herds of cattle , of a more then ordinary bigness , and is in a manner , every where refresh'd with pleasant streams ; and not far from it is the island of scelinck , on the coast whereof the fishing trade is continually maintained ; and there are found dog-fish in abundance . the air in these , and the other provinces , is at this day very temperate ; so that , although the winters last long , yet are they not excessive ; and as for the summer it is gentle and mild , resembling the spring , in the more southern countries ; as for the people they are generally corpulent , well proportioned , and great artists , being quick of invention , and very curious artificers . the women are for the most part tolerably handsome , and constant house-wifes much in subjection to their husbands , and very careful in the management of such affairs as they understand : they are ( both men and women ) frequently great drinkers ; nor do they come behind hand , especially those of the provinces last mentioned , in eating ; and as for their warfare they are better soldiers , and more fortunate by sea then land , for indeed navigation is in a manner their greatest business ; many of those , we properly call the dutch , being born on ship-board , and there brought up ; their parents having no land , houses or tenements , but live on board for the most part , and are seldom in lodgings which is all they take care for , rejecting any settlement ; and thus much in brief for the provinces , or lower germany , from whence i proceed to the higher , &c. germany , properly so call'd , described in its province and principalitie . germany , in which at this day the roman empire has its establishment , is bounded on the east with prussia , poland and hungary , on the west with belgium and france , on the north with denmark , and the main sea called the german ocean , and on the south with the alps , and is scituate in the northern temperate zone , under the and climates having hours and a half in the longest day northward , and and a half southward ; the compass of this spacious country , being accounted english miles , held to be effectually the largest in europe , and in most parts is exceeding fruitful , the air wholsom ; and consequently the natives ( were they more temperate ) would be exceeding healthful ; however the inhabitants for honesty of conversation and firmness to their governors , are much to be applauded ; valiant they are , and very deliberate in their actions ; the women are corpulent and tolerably handsome great breeders , and very fruitful ; though for the vulgar sort they are generally poor , notwithstanding they are curious in invention , and performance of arts ; and the world is beholding ( if we may rightly so term it ) to this nation for the invention of printing and gun-powder . germany is exceeding fertile , many parts of it abounding with corn , wine , cattle , minerals , as tin , copper , silver , and some gold , quicksilver , linnen cloath , allom , and many other valuable commodities , and is properly divided into the upper and lower germany . the first of these more bordering upon the alps , may be reckoned to contain austria , bavaria , suevia , helvetia , switzer land and alsatia ; and of these in their order , &c. the upper germany described . avstria , a hereditary province of the empire , or arch-dukedom of the house of austria , antiently pannonia superiour , is accounted the most fertile of the provinces , in corn , wine , fish , cattle , &c. and has for its metropolis , the famous city of vienna , called by the dutch wien ; more noted for the great overthrow , the turks received before it , in the year . after it had sustained a siege of near months ; and is commodiously scituate upon the dividing of the river danube , antiently called ister , adorned with a great number of stately buildings , and has not only frequently bafled the ottoman power , by putting a stop to their further incroachment into christendom , but is usually the imperial residence , being strongly defended with a wall , and several towers : and under the jurisdiction of this arch-dukedom are the provinces of styria , or steir-mark , carinthia , tyrolis and carniola . the first scituate on the spurs of the alps , yet considerably fruitful , and has for its chief towns gretis , hall and marpurg , with many pleasant villages . the second is considerably large , as containing many good towns and villages : those of note being spital , veit , and vellach , with good pastures , and fruitful plantations of gardens , orchards , &c. the third borders , or is rather scituate on a part of the alps , very montainous , and but indifferently fruitful , yeilding more in mines then in other commodities ; yet contains the noted towns of inspurch , tyrol and trent , so much known by the council that was held there , in the year . seated on the banks of the river odesis : the country is in a manner square ; as being miles , without any considerable difference , every way . the fourth is larger than any of the former as being miles in length , and in breadth , invironed with sclavonia on the east , italy on the west , istria on the south , and carinthia on the north ; a country , it is very fruitful , and has in it many good towns the principal being esling and new marcht , scituate on the banks of the river save . bavaria is a large country , and has for it's boundards styria and austria on the east , leike on the west , the danube and part of franconia on the north , and carinthia together with tyrol on the south ; and has for its principal city munich , upon the river asser , being the dukes principal seat ; ingolstadt on the danube , comprehending an university ratisbon , paslaw , donow , saltzburg , and others ; and is watered with the rivers danube and saltzech as principal streams , and with rivers of lesser note ; and so opulent is it , that travellers affirm cities and considerable walled towns , are found within its circumference , and is fruitful in every thing except wine , with which it is supplyed out of other parts . svevia called by the dutch schwaben , is bounded eastward on bavaria , westward on the danube , northward on franconia , and southward on tyrol and retia , or the country of grissens ; and has for its principal towns vlm or elmus , lindair , a free city seated in a peninsula , made by the lake acronius , auspurg , ravenspurg , wherlingen and norlingen ; most built with free-stone , with houses of an extraordinary height , as four and five stories , and many stately pallaces , churches , &c. the country is generally well peopled and with those of a good complexion , tall and well set ; the women ruddy and fair , and the plains abound with rich pastures , cattle and corn ; for hills there are none of considerable note ; and the principal river that passes through it , is the danube , receiving other rivers into its stream ; and although auspurg is accounted a city of this province ; yet in it self and dependencies , it is a marquizat . helvetia , now more vulgarly known by the name of switzerland , is a very mountainous country , as being posited amongst the alps , for the most part , or spurs of that mountain , accounted the highest habitable region in europe , bounded on the east with tyrol , on the north with lorain , on the west with france , and on the south with italy ; and is at this day cantoned or divided into divisions or jurisdictions , under a united confederacy and league , the better to oppose the invasion of any powerful neighbours ; and these have for their capitals considerable distinct cities and countries , from which they hold their regulation ; as zurich , berne , lucerne , glaris , prenij , zugh , friburg , basil , schaffhansen , apensel , soloturn , vandenew and suits ; besides in the confederacy is comprehended , the city and marquesat of baden , and although they are divided in matters of religion , being of the reformed church , and the rest roman-catholicks , yet that makes no separation in the common interest , but against any opposer , they mutually joyn their forces . as for the length of these countries thus united , it is accounted miles and the breadth miles , and from these mountains issue the famous rivers po , and rhone or rosne , with others of lesser note , which pass through many famous kingdoms and provinces ; and indeed the plains that are found amongst the mountainous places , are exceeding fruitful , and produce many cattle , and the men are accounted the best soldiers in europe ▪ and for as much as their country is poor , they much addict themselves to the sword ; serving for pay any prince that will entertain them ; whereby it appears , that no less than one million of the● have fallen in sundry battles within one hundred years past . alsatia is bounded on the east with the rhine , on the west with lorain , on the north with the palatinate , and on the south helvetia ; having for its metropolis the famous city of stra●burg , on the rhine ; lately taken , or surprized by the french , who undertook the quarrel of the bishop that layed claim to that dignity ; though indeed it has been held a free city : as for the building , it is very stately , mostly of free-stone , and contains several fair churches , senate-houses an● stores ; the streets , though not very wide , are in most parts refreshed by the streams of water that pass through them , and all the country about it abounds with fruitful fields , vineyards , cattle , gardens , and every thing that may be termed pleasant and delightful , and has in the circuit a considerable number of towns and villages , and was reckoned , as is said , amongst the free imperial cities . to these in this division of the empire , we may add rhetia , or the country of the grisons , bounded on the west with switzerland , on the east with tyrol on the south with milain , and on the north with suevia , lying half in italy and half in germany ; so that the people for the most part are familiar with either language , and is a region well peopleed and plesantly scituate , only somewhat mountainous . the chief towns are coyra , not far from the rhine , musocco and bormia ; and in these parts the reformed and romish religion are indifferently practiced ; and thus much of the upper or higher germany . the lower germany described , in its provinces , free-towns , &c ▪ that which we properly term the lower germany , may be conveniently divided into franconia , and the appendant territories , the three electorates of the palatinate , brandenburgh and saxony ; with its dependencies . pomerania , medenburgh , brunswick , lameburg , hassia , east friezland , westphalia , cleveland , wetteraw or vetravia , &c. and of these in their order . franconia , supposed by some to be the first seat of the franks or french , has for its boundards , on the east saxony and bohemia , on the west elsas , on the north hassia , and on the south bavaria ; and contains many fair cities within its circle or circumference , as bamber , weirtzburg , and metz or mentz , the seat of a bishop , and moreover has in it the pallace of the chief electoral bishop ; and as for the city , it is commodiously seated upon pleasant riseing hills , incompassed with a valley and spacious plains , yielding great abundance of corn , fruits and pastures ; being antiently the seat of a king , called the king of mentz : and in the province are the free cities of noremburg , rotenburgh , and francfort , at the latter of which the electors of the empire meet , as occasion serves , for the election of the emperor ; all three pleasantly seated , either by the nature of the soil , or the industry of the inhabitants , well fortified and of great concourse ; there being two of the most noted fairs in europe , held twice a year , and in one of it's streets on the east side , the jews are permitted to trade and inhabit . the kingdom of bohemia , is an antient and famous kingdom ; containing the dukedom of silesia , the marquesates of lusatia and moravia ; accounted in circuit english miles , being cast in a manner round or circular , walled with mountains or large hills , and was once held to contain cities , castles and walled towns , and villages and stately buildings of the nobility . as for the soil of this kingdom , it is generally fruitful producing great increase of corn and wine , and in many parts there are mines of iron , lead , tin , copper , gold , silver , and some quicksilver : as for the natives , they are of a chearful countenance , modest behaviour , and strong of body ; the women very fair and comly , tall of personage and broad shouldered . as for the king of bohemia , which now rests in the house of austria , he is one of the electors of the emperor , and has precedency in the casting voice ; and is great cup-bearer on the coronation day the chief cities of this kingdom are prague , seated on the river mulda , consisting of three parts , by reason of the division the river makes , though joined by bridges , and has in it many stately buildings of free-stone , though in the generality , the houses are timber built , and the walls of clay or loam ; egra , a place very commodious , and much traded to , watered with a pleasant stream , and accommodated with curious gardens and orchards , ●●dweis and others . silesia is a part or province of the kingdom , of bohemia , extending in length miles , and in breadth miles , divided almost in equal parts by the river oder , into which many lesser rivers discharge themselves , and so well water the country , that it is exceeding fruitful almost every where , though the air is much colder than with us at all times , and what the soil wants , the inhabitants by their industry make out ; and in it is scituate the famous city of breslaw , or preslaw , accounted for stately building , and commodiousness , one of the chief cities belonging to the emperor . there are moreover the cities of jadendorf , and glogaw , with a great number of pleasant villages . lvsatia , or lusutia , is divided into the higher and lower countries , and though but small , yet exceeding populous , so that historians affirm , that this little province has sent armed men into the field , and is in most parts fruitful , as being watered by the river nise or nisso , and other streams , and has as chief cities trabel and groliz , with many walled towns , and a great number of villages , though several have been destroyed , by the incursions of the turks and tartars , and the intestine wars . moravia is a very pleasant country , affording store of wine , corn , and curious fruits , with some myrrh , and frankincense , the shrubs and trees growing naturally wild , as well as in gardens by improvement ; the country being very wooddy and mountainous , and is a marquisate of the empire , the chief towns being almutz , an university , and brinne , the seat of the marquess ; the country receiving its name ( as most conjecture ) from the river moravia that runs through it ; and although the territories are not large , the people are nevertheless divided in language , between the teutonick , bohemian , and sclavonian . the electorate of the palatinate , or the country under that denomination , contains the upper and lower palatinates , and extends for the most part along the rhine , and is in breadth miles , said to be the fruitfullest of all others , affording abundance of rhenish wines , pressed from the grapes that grow in great plenty on the banks of that famous river , from whence the wine takes its name ; and in any vacancy of the empire , the prince elector of these palatinates has a far larger jurisdiction , which terminates not till the coronation of the emperor , where he takes his place as arch-sewer , and in the upper of these palatinates is scituate , the city of newburg , amburg , and castel ; and in the lower heidelburg , the seat of the palsgrave of the rhine , incompassed with high hills , on the north-east , and south frankendale , openheim and crutznach ; and on the east-side of this country are lauden , and winheim , and on the west xeifers and newstadt . the electorate of saxony has for its eastern boundard lusatia , for its western hassia , for its northe● brunswick , and on the south bohemia and franconia ; and contains the countries commonly called turingia , misnia , voitland , and the proper saxony ; as for the first of these , it comprehends the principalities of manfieldt and anhalt , the prince of it being a lantgrave ; and although the country exceeds not german miles , either way , yet the soil is exceeding fruitful , and so abounds that its fruitfulness supplies other places of greater extent ; and being divided into countries , is held to contain cities , walled towns , and strong castles ; and about villages , and great houses of noble men ; as for the duke of saxonies chief seat it is ersdorf , though there are other famous places within his jurisdiction , as dresden , seated on the river albis , in a pleasant plain , passing between two mountains : leipzich , a famous university , especially for the study of physick , and philosophy ; built mostly with free-stone , and pleasantly invironed with corn-fields : wintenburg , the place where faustus studied necromancy , with many others ; and this by some is held to be the country that gave birth to those saxons that invaded england , and brought it under subjection . the electorate of brandenburg ( though no more properly held than a marquisate , notwithstanding the elector is stiled a duke ) is a very spacious country , bounded on the east with saxony ; on the west with poland , on the south with lusatia , and on the north with pomerania ; accounted miles in circumference , containing fifty considerable cities , and walled towns , besides a great number of villages : this elector being held the most potent of the empire , as it has been evident by his contending with the sweeds , danes , and others . the chief cities are brandenburg , curiously scituate , and adorned with many stately buildings , and rare pieces of antiquity : berlin , the place of usual residence , and where the duke has a magnificent pallace , seated on the river spree : oderam and havelburg , the see or seat of a bishop , though the reformed religion is that which is maintained and supported by the prince : and this marquisate is divided into the new and old , water'd by the od●r and albis , and the elector is great chamberlain of the empire , all the country being exceeding fruitful , and naturally bringing forth abundance of corn , pasturages , and some wines . pomerania is on the east bounded by the river vistula , on the north with the baltique ocean , on the west with medenburg , and on the south with brandenburg ; and here is sound the famous stetin , which with a very small garrison , held a siege of months , against the whole power of the elector of brandenburg : wolgast , gripswald , wallin , and newtrepon , with many other places of strength , commodiously seated on the banks of rivers , or the sea-coast ; and although this province is not large , it nevertheless yields great store of corn , cattle , &c. and lies very advantageous for sea traffick , and to it appertain the islands of volinia , wisedonian , and rugia . medenbvrg is scituate on the west part of pomerania , and is the more fruitful of the two , as having many populous cities and towns within its jurisdiction , the chief being steremberg , from whence the late governour of vienna derives his title , malchaw , wesmar and rostock , the latter of these a university , and is watered with pleasant streams , &c. lvnbvrg , and brunswick , have for their northern boundard denmark , for their southern saxony , and hassia , and east and west brandenburg , and west-phalen , being properly two dukedoms , pleasantly scituate ; as for the chief cities , they are brunswick , a free city of the empire ; from this place the true mum is brought over , and is a strong fortified garrison , no ways in subjection to the emperor ; halbertstadt , or herbertstadt , a bishops see ; wolfbitten , the residence of the duke , where he has a stately pallace : and lunburg the seat of the lunburg duke , a very pleasant city , commodiously seated for trade and pleasure : the country about it producing store of fruits , and corn , and the pastures breeding up a great number of cattle . hassia , is governed by a lant-grave , and lies east-ward of saxony , south-ward of franconia , west-ward , and north-ward of west-phalen , being a mountainous country , though in many parts , there are fertile plains , which yield great store of corn , and fruits : nor do the mountains that rise by degrees fail , especially about the skirts of them , to bring forth considerable encrease , and as for this country , at present it is divided into two families , the one of cassel , and the other of darmstat , being of the younger house : as for the chief places that appertain to the lantgraves , they are cassel , or castel , on the river fuld , marpurg on the river lohn ; an university founded anno , by lewis bishop of munster , and near it is a stately and well fortified castle , seated on a hill , high and steep , so that it is accounted impregnable , if well defended ; and is the chief place of residence in time of war , or danger , giving a prospect of the whole country . darmstadt , is another chief town , guarded by a strong castle , and is the inheritance or seat of the younger house of the lantgraves ; and part of this country belongs to the abbey of fulda , accounted one of the greatest revenues in europe ; and was founded by st. boniface an english-man , insomuch , that the ab●ot is accounted a prince of the empire ; and takes place , as chancellor to the empress , stiling himself primate of gallia . east friesland , has on the west , the river ems ; on the north , the ocean ; on the west , the weser ; and on the south , west-phalia ; and though it is a country of no large extent , yet it is in many parts very fruitful ; and is divided by the river ems only , from the provinces of the vnited netherlands ; and has embden , the utmost borders of the empire for its chief city , pleasantly scituate , and contains many stately buildings , though in general they are built of brick ; and the next to this is oldenburg , considerable for its trade , and is of it self an earldom . west-phalia , has for its boundards on the east , brunswick ; on the north , the ocean ; on the south , hassia ; on the west , belgium ; being a country full of woods and forrests , which yields them notwithstanding great commodities , by reason of the abundance of wild hogs found therein ; said to take their beginning from one farrow , which a sow , straying from a farm-house , cast in these woods ; and of the legs of these hogs , taken in great numbers , are our west-phalia hams so much in esteem &c. and although this country is properly west-phalia ; yet the northern part , changes its name to that of bremen ; and is governed by a bishop , who is lord of this tract ; notwithstanding , the duke of saxony claims a part , and other parts are held to belong to the bishopricks of cullen , munster , and triers : the chief cities are asdrop , clappenburg , and exenburg . as for the chief towns under the bishop of munster , they are munster , scituate on the bank of the river ems , warendrop , and others , and have a pleasant country , all about their neighbourhood , very fertile , and abounding with store of corn and cattle , plain for the most part , there being few or no considerable hills in this tract . cvllen , or the bishoprick of collen , though not large , is nevertheless a very fruitful country , and greatly to be desired , whose arch-bishop is chancellor of italy , and held to be the second chief elector of the empire ; and has in his jurisdiction , besides the city of cullen as chief , those of lintz , ernance , and bonna , much noted for the arch-bishops pallace , held to be one of the most stately in the empire . triers is a bishoprick of note , and contains many fair cities and towns , as triers , from whence it takes its name , coblents , boport , and engers , in chief ; and is pleasantly watered with the moselle , which renders the country in its passage very fruitful , the bishop whereof is accounted the third spiritual elector of the empire . cleveland , is accounted a dutchy , and borders upon gelderland , a small country , yet as the rest in this tract of land , by reason of its commodious scituation , very fruitful , containing the regiments or territories of gulick , cleve , and berge : as for the dutchy of gulick , it contains the city of akan in chief , and some other towns of note , with sundry pleasant villages , and claims the honour of the emperors presence , soon after his election , as taking here a silver crown , and performing some other customary ceremonies . as for the chief cities of the dutchy of cleveland , they are cleve , wesel , emmerick , calkar , and others , with their villages and dependancies ; and those of the dutchy of berge , or mont , are mursburg , dusledorp , hattingen , very commodiously scituate , and the whole country watered with pleasant streams , so that the soyl yields naturally an extraordinary increase to the husbandmen . veteravia is another country of this tract , accounted a province of the empire , lying to the south-west of hassia , somewhat larger than those lately mentioned , as comprehending the countrys of nassaw , hannaw , and friburg a free city ; as for nassaw it contains many considerable towns , and is famous for the princes of that house , who in defence of the netherlands , so long opposed the power of spain ; and from which house , the illustrious prince of orange is descended ; this country yields abundance of corn , and many vines , yet producing no great store of wine ; and in them , besides the towns i have mentioned , are found the towns of dellinbourg , windeck , hebron , and catzenelbogen , which latter has been accounted an earldom . as for the nobility of germany , the title descends to all the sons , which makes them numerous , though the younger houses want for the most part estates to support them ; and thus much briefly of the empire , and its dependencies . sweedland described , in its countryes and provinces , &c. sweeden , or sweedland , is a famous northern country , renowned for its many great enterprizes , and undertakings ; and is bounded on the west with the dosrin hills , dividing it from norway ; and on the north with the frozen ocean ; on the south with denmark , leifland , and the baltick sea , taking , as many hold , its name from sueci , suetheans , or suethedie ; and is in length from stockholm to the borders of lapland itali●n miles , and about in breadth , reaching in a manner , from the first parallel of the twelfth clime where the pole is elevated degrees , and mi●nutes , as far as to the degrees of latitude , 〈◊〉 which account , the longest day in the souther● point , exceeds not hours , though in the ex●treamest northern parts , they have scarcely 〈◊〉 night for two months ; and this kingdom , tho●g● posited in an extream cold region , is notwithstand●ing kept so warm by the mists that arise from the i●slands , that much of the rigor other countries 〈◊〉 the same latitude suffer is abated , and is a monarchy , one of the antientest in the northern parts 〈◊〉 the world ( if their report be true who boa● th● immediate succession , from above kings ; an● that the first amongst them was the son of japhet , one of the sons of noah . ) as for the kings of sweedland , they stile themselves kings of sweeds , vandals , goths ; great princes of finland , dukes of estonia and carolia ; lords of ingria , and bear three royal crowns for their arms ; and the present king of this country is charles the . of the family of the palatine of deuxponts ; as for the soil ( by the industry of the people ) it is render'd exceeding fertile , and the air very healthful ; unless in places where the moorish damps arise from fenns , by the neglect of not opening the water course ; so that the inhabitants generally live to an extream old age : and as for the country it abounds with corn , cattle , fruits and minerals as silver , copper , lead : there are found considerable quantities of furs , and other commodities , and is divided into , or distinguished by the provinces of lapland , gothland , finland , and sweeden . lapland or lappia is the most northern part of scandia , and is divided into the eastern and western parts : the first containing biarmia and ●orolia , which properly appertains to russia , or the jurisdiction of the czars of muscovy , and the latter comprehending lappia and scrisinia , under the government of the king of sweeden ; and the people in many parts , especially the most extream are heathen idolaters , or such as pay adoration to creatures ; especially such as they first see in the morning , and are held to deal in magick and witchcraft , and to sell winds to saylors that navigate those seas ; however they are miserably poor , as living in the most barren part of the country , and pay their acknowledgement or tribute only in furs of foxes , martins &c. which tolerably abound in those parts ; and they dwell for the most part in cotts , where they are by reason of their temperance very healthful ; some of them living to years . next to the before mentioned division is finland , between the finland bay and the baltick ocean of considerable extent , and is full of pleasant pastures , yielding very much corn and fruits , and is properly a dutchy which some of the sweedish kings were wont to assign , for the security of their brothers portions ; and has for its chief cities albo , a bishops see , viburg or viborch , a fortress of considerable strength ; narve , rangia and castle-helm , and near a place called razeburg ; in this country is a province in which the needle-touch by a load-stone keeps continually turning . gothland held to be the birth-place of the antient goths , is accounted one of the most fertil provinces appertaining to this monarchy , participating both of island and continent ; as being divided into both the islands , lying in the baltick sea , being the biggest in these parts , containing five or six commodious ports ; and on some of the rocks appear yet divers inscriptions ( by way of monuments ) in the antient gothish characters , one isle being miles in length , and in breadth ; and as for what is of this province , on the main land , it is posited in the hithermost part of scandia bordering on denmark , where is seated the noted city of norkoping , commodiously on the sea , the place from when abundance of copper is brought : loduvisa a place much traded to , colmar , fortified with a very strong castle , waldburg and others , and is in all parts very fruitful ; so that it is called by many of the sweeds goodland , instead of gothland . swedland properly so called , though contributing its name in general to the rest of the provinces is fertil in many parts ; but it holds not throughout by reason of the many rocks and barren hills , and the chief city is stockholm , or holmia , defended with a castle royal on a sea port , at the mouth of the lake meler , which some of the sweedish kings designed to cut into the wenner , or lake , thereby to have joyned the baltick and the ocean , frustrating thereby the passage of the sound , but it proved a work of so much difficulty , that it was laid aside ; and this lake is held to receive twenty four rivers , and disburthens it self with such noise and fury , that it is by some called devils mouth : but as for the kings ships , and vessels of great burthen , they generally lye at elsenore , defended by a strong castle , and so shelter'd from the wind , that they may lye without anchors . vpsal contains the metropolitan church , where the kings are usually crowned , and formerly held their court ; and is a university of this kingdom , and the most remarkable mart ; carlstat upon the wenner , abounds with brass and copper : strongues is a bishops see. there are yet two other provinces , or divisions of this kingdom ; viz. livonia , by the germans called liefland and ingria , vulgarly ingermanland ; the first deliver'd by the poles upon treaty , and the last taken from the muscovites , and are both of them indifferently fruitful , and have in them many considerable villages and some towns of note . the commodities of these countries , in general are copper , brass , lead , ox-hides , tallow , furs , goat-skins , elks-skins , the skins of deer ; honey , allom , corn ; and in many places there are silver mines , but of no consider able advantage . the men are active , naturally strong , indifferent good seamen , and resolute soldiers ; industrious , ingenious , and very courteous to strangers ; and had the christian faith first planted amongst them , by ausgarius arch-bishop of bremen ; and in matters of judicature , or deciding controversies , each respective territory has its viscount , every province its lans-men , or consul , and every town it's lay-man or consul ; and there lyeth an appeal from the consul to the laymen , and from the lay men to the viscount , and from him to the king , in whose only power it is absolutely to determine the matter . as for the women they are generally well featured , proper in person , very modest and courteous , loving to their husbands , and affable to strangers . a description of denmark , in its countries , provinces , &c. denmark , quasi , danes-mark , comprehending its intire circuit or territories , is bounded on the east with the baltick sea , and a part of sweedland , on the west with the main ocean on the north east , with another part of sweedland , full north with the frozen ocean , and on the south with germany ; lying partly on the north temperate zone , and partly within the artick circle ; extending from the middle parallel of the tenth clime , or degrees of latitude , where it joyneth to germany , and where the frozen ocean bounds it ; the longest day in the most southern parts , being hours and a quarter ; but for months and weeks they have no night at all in the extream north , and is commonly distinguished in these parts , comprehending the appendances . the dukedom of holstein , containing wagerland dithmarsh , stormaria and holstein . the kingdom of denmark containing the two juitlands , and the hemodes or baltick islands , and the kingdom o● norway ( now in subjection to the danes ) with the islands in the north sea , &c. that properly belong to it ; and of these in their order . the cimbrick chersonese , in which the two juitlands , and the dukedom of holstein are contained , is in length miles , and in breadth , and accounted to have within that tract of land ; being in a manner a peninsula , royal castles and pallaces ; cities of note ; bishop sees , and a considerable number of villages ; in many places very fruitful , and affording sundry curious havens ; and on the south east is wagerland , and has for its chief towns hamburg on the elbe . lubeck seated on the confluence of the trave and billew , near the fall of that river into the baltick sea ; much traded to by sundry merchants , where they find great store of the commodities of those countries which are accounted the most fertile . dithmarsh spreads the west side of the chersonesus , scituate between the river albis and endera , giving title to the eldest son of the king of denmark , and has meldrop and marnes for its principal towns ; and although by reason of the many marishes and moorish grounds , the soil in many places is not commodious for tillage , yet nevertheless it feeds great store of cattle . stormaria or stormarsh lying betwen the river elbe , and the rivers billew and store , and has for its chief towns crampe on the bank of a little river of the same name , falling into the store , and is well fortified and reckoned one of the keys of the kingdom ; nor less noted for the great resistance it made against walestein the imperial general ; who 's powerful army it resisted months , and at last brought him to good terms of composition . tychenburgh on the banks of the river elbe ; bredenburg , jetzebo , gulick●tadt and others . south juitland , or the dukedom of sleswick , is that part of the chersonesus that lyes next to holstein ; having for its chief towns , fleusburg on the baltick shoar scituate amongst high mountains : sleswick on the river slea ; from which the dukedom of sleswick has its name , goterp and londen a haven town upon the banks of the river ender . north juitland is the most northern part of the ch●rsonesus and has for it's chief towns halne , rircopen , arhausen and nicopen ; the soil very fruitful , and much abounding with wheat , barly , rice ; store of cattle , producing butter and cheese in great abundance ; and able horses for war , or any other service , here are also found rich furs . as for those that are called the baltick islands ; properly belonging to the king of denmark though they are in number dispersed in the baltick sea , many of them are inconsiderable , and some not inhabited ; the chief are zeland , fionia , or funen ; arsen or aria , langland , laland , falster , mone , heuen or wern , island and bornholme ; of which only the first is very considerable , as having in it cities , the chief of which is copenhagen the residence of the danish kings ; where the regal pallace , though not very stately , is seated ; and is a city of considerable trade , though the buildings are generally mean , as erected of loam and timber ; there is a market constantly kept , and is the only university within the government ; it is defended with a strong wall and a castle , and thither are brought all sorts of commodities the kingdom affords . scandia that part which appertains to denmark , is in the south of a peninsula , divided into three provinces ; as scandia , hallandia , and blescida ; the first of these is miles in length and in breadth , reckoned the most fruitful and pleasant of all the countries lying about it , as being on three parts bounded by sea , and has for its principal towns , lonpen a spacious haven . falskerbode , elbogue and elsinburg one of the keys of the sound . hallandia is but a small tract of land , yet yields much fruits and corn ▪ many cattle , and lying south of scania , has halaenego for its principal town , from which it seems to take its name ; and is well watered with pleasant streams . blescida lies north of sweedland , and though it has many fertile plains , yet it is generally mountainous or craggy hilled , having for its chief tradeing town , malmogia and colmar , a strong fortress bordering on sweedland . a discription of norway . norway , though under the king of denmark , is however a kingdom of it self , being bounded on the east with denmark , on the west with the ocean , on the north with lappia or lapland , and on the south with sweeden ; but lying so much in the extremities of cold , though it is a vast tract of land , it is for the most part rocky , mountainous and barren , not being furnished with stores of its one production , fit for the support of these few people it contains , the greatest commodity it affords being stock-fish , ship masts , deal boards , tackle for shipping , pitch , tann'd leather , train oyl , furrs , and tallow . as for the towns or villages , they are very thinn , and the houses for a great part are made of dirt and hurdles , covered with thatch , and windowed with lattice ; and the whole country is divided into praefectures or governments , according to the number of the royal castles , built for the defence of the country , known by the names of bohus , ager-huis , agger-huse , trundheim , and ward-huis . the chief towns in these several jurisdictions , are anslo or astoia , on a bay opposite to juitland , an episcopal see , bergen , an episcopal sea , and the ordinary residence of the governour for the king of denmark ; marstrand seated in a half island amongst rocks &c. trandiheim , antiently nidrosia an arch-bishops see who is metropolitan of norway ; and ward-huis seated in the island of ward ; and although the country ( abounding with horrid woods , and desolate mountains ) is naturally poor , yet at certain seasons little beasts , about the bigness of field mice , over-spread like locusts the fertile parts of the field , &c. and consume every thing that 's green or pleasant in their way , and then gathering together they die in heaps , thereby occasioning a pestilential noisomness , that much afflicts the inhabitants with diseases ; and these they call lemmers , affirming them to be dropt out of the clouds in tempestuous weather : nor do the whales , that appear on that coast in great number , less disturb their fishing trade , by the indangering the sinking of their boats and small vessels ; which monstrous creatures they have lately found the art of chasing away , by throwing oyl of castor into the sea , at the scent whereof they fly : and though the people are miserable poor , they nevertheless hate dishonesty , and greatly delight in plain dealing . a description of russia , comprehending the dukedom of muscovy . this large tract of land is bounded on the west with livonia and finland ; on the east with tartary ; on the north by the frozen ocean , and part of lapland ; on the south with lithuania , ●rim taytary , and the euxine sea ; and is accounted in its greatest length from east to west miles , and in breadth , being subject to the czar of muscovy , or great duke , who notwithstanding stiles himself emperor of russia , or russland , which is part in europe , and part in asia , divided by the river tanais , the boundard of two parts of the world. the chief city is mosco , the seat of the great duke , and the patriarch , and of most of the nobility , being very large , though not stately ; there are besides this of note , roscovia , and novograd , archepiscopal sees , vologda , smolensko , and plescovia , held to be the only walled town in muscovy , vstium , mosayce , st. nicholas , sugana , gragapolis , and the chief maritime port is arch-angel , seated in the proper russia , whither our merchants trade , and the russia company have a factory , the country yielding store of furrs , as sables , white fox , martins , black fox , honey , wax , cattle , tallow , red deer-skins , hides , hemp , flax , tar , brimstone , salt petre , train oyl , tongues , and the like ; and the soil towards the southern parts is exceeding fruitful , producing abundance of corn , and rich pastures , with fruits of various kinds , watered by the river volga , that passes from thence through a part of tartary ; but to the extream north , which lies in upward of degrees , the weather is so cold , that little but rocks , woods , mountains , and ice are found there , containing a vicissitude of light and darkness ; for the day , if we have a respect to the twy-light , lasts six months , and a great part of the other six they see not the sun , but have the country covered with snows and during frosts , the sea being never free from rocks and mountains of ice , over great arms of which the inhabitants pass with wagons , sleads , and other carriages : nor are there found any inhabitants in those desolate parts during the winter season , but in that little summer they have , the shepherds and fishermen , set up hutts or tents , though in the woods on this coast , are the tallest trees in europe . the inhabitants of this country are thick , not tall , but rather square , habiting themselves in furrs , course cloth , and feeding to excess , given greatly to drinking , though it be strictly forbid , and are generally false and perfidious , nor regarding their words , but studying to over-reach , or cozen all they can , insomuch that being in other countries , they strive to dissemble their own , the better to be credited : the women are tolerably handsome , well limbed and proportioned , and have a strange custom amongst them , not to think their husbands either love or regard them , unless they once or twice a day cudgel their sides . their religion in most things agrees with that of the greek church , not making any acknowledgment to the pope , or see of rome , but have a patriarch of their own , to whom all their ecclesiasticks submit : and as for the government it is absolute , the czar , who is by the people in extraordinary esteem and veneration , having in his hands the power of life and death , disposing at his pleasure both of the body and goods of his subjects , and is seldom out of war with the tartars , a roving people that border upon the most fruitful part of his country ; and though the armies of the muscovites are generally numerous , yet are they composed for the most part of stragling people , and seldom answer in valour the least that may be expected from them , as has not only in times past , but lately been manifest , and the reason is , because they go poor , and unfurnished into the field . a description of poland , &c. poland is a very considerable kingdom , bounded on the east with the river boristhenes , on the west with the vistula ; on the south with hungary ; and on the north with the baltick sea ; and is for the most part plain and level , tho' in some places there are little rising hills , abounding with woods , and is properly divided into the provinces of livonia , lithuania , volhinia , samogitia , prussia , massovia , podalia , russia nigri , podlassia , and poland ; and the chief cities are , guesna , an archiepiscopal see , posnavia , cadissia , siradia , vladistavia , crac●via , and caminiec ; the latter in the possession of the turks , who hold it as their frontier in those parts ; and in cracovia is a famous university . the buildings in this kingdom , and the provinces that compose it , are for the most part of timber and loam ; the land full of forrests , with many rivers , yielding notwithstanding abundance of corn , but is defective in wine ; honey and wax , are likewise found in great store , with fruits of divers kinds , and a great number of cattle and wild beasts ; there are also salt-pits , and in some places mines of brimstone , copper and iron . the polanders are generally tall , well proportioned , courteous , and pleasant of behaviour ; their garments are rich , and of divers colours , being much conceited of their own worth , and loving to be praised , or rather flattered : as for lithuania , one of the provinces of this kingdom , though it is a very large one , yet it is so full of fenns , and pestered by the over-flowing of rivers , that it is not currantly passable , but when the frosts are great , at what time they have no hindrance , neither by rivers nor fenns , and their greatest wealth consists in cattle , honey , wax and furrs : as for the language generally spoken , it is the sclavonian ; and in the north extremities , where villages and towns are very scarce , the people dwell in hutts of straw and loam , with holes at the top of them to let in the light , and give vent to the smoak , living in miserable poverty , as do ( for the major part ) the peasants or inferiour people , being in a manner slaves to the great ones , whose tenants they are , though the richer sort are very profuse and expensive , rather prodigal than liberal , impatient of injuries , delicious in diet , and costly in attire , often shaving their heads , except one lock , which they preserve with great care , being generally good soldiers , and much glory if they can kill a turk in battle , and bring off his head , in token of which , they wear feathers in their caps . theft in these parts is very rare , especially to be committed by a native polander , and all crimes are severely punished : as for the religion they profess , in relation to the government , it is that of the romish church , though the reformed way of worship is allowed and tolerated ; and the king is of late elective ; the women are tolerably fair and well proportioned , very witty and ingenious , great admirers , and observers , of their husbands , and very neat in their houses . a peasant in this country ( unless in time of great danger or invasion ) is not suffered to bear arms ; and when the gospel is read in the churches , the gentry and nobility draw their swords , in token that they are ready to defend it with their lives . as for the circumference of this kingdom , and the provinces appertaining to it , some account it miles , and is scituate under the and climates : so that the longest day southward , is hours , and northward ; bordering upon it are the huge carpathian mountains , where sundry rivers have their springs , that water the provinces , and pass through many countries . a description of the kingdom of hungary , &c. hvngary , one of the fruitfullest countries of europe , before wasted and destroyed by a tedious war , is bounded on the east with transilvania and wallachia , on the west stiria , austria , and moravia , on the north with the carpathian mountains , on the south with sclavonia , and some part of dacia ; accounted in length english miles , and in breadth , lying in the north temperate zone , between the middle parallels of the and climates , so that the longest day in the south is hours and a half , and in the north , and was anciently called pannonia . the people of this country are strong of body , boisterous of behaviour , and have no great regard to liberal arts , or mechanick occupations , as giving themselves mostly to war , and taking it for the greatest affront imaginable to be esteemed a coward , which they find no other way to obliterate , but by killing a turk , after which they have the liberty of wearing a feather , as a trophee of their exploit ; and though they are extreamly covetous , they are no ways willing to labour , but rather desire to live upon the spoil : as for the females they have no claim to any inheritance , so that the male line failing , the estate goes to the common treasury ; nor have the daughters any other portion given them , than a wedding garment , and are for the most part obliged to lie on hard quilts , till such time as they are married . as for their cities and towns , they are fortified for war , as having for upward of two hundred years been imbroiled with the turks , transilvanians ; and other neighbouring nations ; the chief of which are , presburg , buda , belgrade , gran , new-hausel , great warradine , alba regalis , raab , commora , temeswar , gyula , agria , esseck , pest , &c. which have strugled with various fortunes and success , though at present most of the strong holds of this kingdom , through the late good success are in the imperialists hands ; the kingdom being hereditary to the house of austria , of which joseph the emperor's son , and arch-duke of austria , is now crowned king. the soil , though for the most part untilled , is notwithstanding wonderful fruitful , yielding corn where they till it , thrice in a year , and in some places the pastures are so rank for want of feeding , that it rises the height of a man ; it abounds likewise with fruits of all kinds , especially abundance of rich vines , of whose grapes rich wine is made , and deer , goats , hares , conies , and wild foul are here in great plenty , though none be forbidden to take them ; there are likewise mines of silver , and in some places gold is found ; and in time of peace the cattle so multiply , that they are obliged to send great store of them into divers parts of europe , to prevent their over-running the country . the religion established in the kingdom of hungary , is that of the romish communion , though at present the reformed worship is tollerated : the chief rivers are the danube , the gran , the waag , and the nitrea ; though many other water this fruitful country ; but for mountains there are none considerable , the country being generally plain , unless a few pleasant rising hills , many of them crowned with vines ; and here is the famous bridg of esseck , miles in length : passing over rivers , and divers marshes , though lately it has been much ruined and destroyed . the description of sclavonia . sclavonia is a considerable country , bordering on hungary , which bounds it on the north ; as the adriatick sea does on the south ; carniola , histria , and the seignory of venice on the west ; and servia , epirus , and macedonia on the east ; accounted in length miles , and in breadth , of italian measure , scituate in the north temperate zone , between the middle parallels of the and climates ; so that the longest day exceeds not hours and a half . this country contains many small provinces or divisions , as windishland , croatia , bosnia , dalmatia , contado-dizara , and the sclavonian islands ; and the chief cities or towns are , zatha , zacaocz , windisgretz , sagona , ragusa , scituate on the adriatick , being a place of great traffick , sebenicum or sicum , zara or jadera , scodra or scutary , before which the turks lost men , lissa , gradiska , buman , novigrad , and sisseg , or sisseck , with others of lesser note , scatter'd throughout the provinces , which are partly in the hands of the turks , and partly in the possession of the imperialists and venetians . these countries for the most part afford abundance of good pasture , abound in fruits , and are rich in corn , yielding some mines , and great store of cattle , watered in many places by the danube , save , drave , and other rivers of note ; and as for the people they are hardy , and inured either to war or labour ; and though they give themselves not much to till the ground , because the turks and venetians for the most part , reap the benefit of their labours , yet they want nothing that is necessary for the support of humane life ; forasmuch as the cattle and sheep bring forth their young twice in the year ; and although corn be but barely cast on the ground , without tillage , it will bring forth increase . as for the people , though they are stubborn , and much addicted to pride , yet are they put to many servile labours , by their more proud conquerors , who lord it over them as if they were no other than their drudges ; for which reason the word slave , is derived from these sclaves , through the unmerciful usage they found at the hands of the venetians , when they were first brought into subjection by the seigniory of venice : as for their religious worship , it is in most parts according to that of the greek church , whose patriarch they acknowledg supream in ecclesiastical matters ; and here they permit their women very rarely to marry , till they are years of age , nor the men till . and at this time , the venetians have sclavonian horse-men inrolled amongst their militia , and have at all times drained this people to assist in their wars against the turks and neighbouring christians : and as for the native sclaves , their garb is half sleeved gowns , of violet cloth , and a bonnet of the same , much like to that of the scots ▪ shaving their heads all but a lock of hair on their crown , after the fashion of the turks ; the women likewise cut their hair indifferent short , and if so it be not naturally black , they use art to render it of that colour . a description of dacia , in its sundry principalities and provinces , &c. dacia , properly so held in the time of the flourishing roman empire , is bounded on the north with podolia , and some other part of the realm of poland ; on the south with part of thrace and macedonia ; on the east with the rest of thrace ; and on the west with hungary and sclavonia ; held at present to comprehend the principalities of transilvania , moldavia , wallachia , rascia , servia and bulgaria ; extending from the to the clime , so that in the most southern parts , the days are hours quarters at the longest , and in the most northern . transilvania the first division of dacia , takes its name from its lying behind the great hungarian woods , and is in time of peace an exceeding fruitful country ; abounding in fruits , corn , cattle , fish , salt-pits , stone-quarries , mines of gold and silver , quicksilver , and other metals ; and in the woods are found many wild bulls , and wild cattle ; and the pastures breed many fair horses , the best for war in all those parts ; and in the frontiers they have seven towers to guard the approach from hungary , which gives the dutch occasion to call it seven-burg ; though the chief towns are clusenburg , carolstaat , harmanstadt , and many others , and are governed by a prince of their own , who has a long time been tributary to the turks ; but since their late bad success , put himself and his country under the protection of the emperor . moldavia quasi maetavia , said so to be called from its nearness to the fenns of maeotis , is a country abounding with woods , yet very plenteous in wine , corn and pastures , producing great store of cattle though thinly peopled , by which means it is but slenderly tilled ; however they have out of this small province , supplyed the great and populous city of constantinople , with store of provisions ; so that together with what they send to poland , the tenth peny , by way of custom , amounts to crowns yearly , though the gentry and clergy are excused from paying any thing of this nature , constantinople receiving from hence every year ship loads of provision only . the chief towns are occaz●ma the seat of the vaivod or prince cotiim a strong fortress biolograde and bender , and has in it two arch-bishops sees ; the people in religious matters following the traditions of the greek church . walachia is another province of dacia , held to derive its name from flacous , a noble roman , who was governor of it in the time of trajan the emperor ; so that the people at this day speak a kind of a corrupt latin or italian ; and this country is in length miles , in breadth , being for the most part plain and full of pastures , flourishing medows which feed a great many cattle , and bring up excellent horses for war and service of any kind ; here are found likewise salt-pits and iron mines ; mines of gold and silver ▪ the which for fear it should entice the turks to 〈◊〉 their country , they keep for the most part concealed ; they also in sundry places have store of vines , yielding plenty of wine ; and have for their chief towns galatza on the influx of the river pruth , into the danube ; frescortum , prai●aba , and zorza ; and is watered with the rivers danube , teln , alluta , fulmina , stertius and herasius ; and is as the former , gove● 〈…〉 a vai●od ▪ and dependant in religious ●gean and 〈◊〉 church ; the ecclesiastical affairs being governed by an arch-bishop and two bishops , and pays at this day tribute to the turks . rascia , another province of dacia , has in it the towns of bodon , zarnovia , covin , novebard , severine , colambes and columbella ; but continually lying in the way of war ; the turks and tartars , by their often marching through it , have by the waste and plunder they made , so impoverished the inhabitants , that the towns and villages are extreamly thin ; and although the soil is in many parts capable of producing corn and fruits , yet wanting men to till it , it produces nothing material ; nor are those that inhabit it any ways incouraged to manure the fields , as knowing others will reap the fruits of their labour . servia is a country by nature more fruitful , and was antiently very rich and flourishing , till the turks made themselves masters of it , by the fatal overthrow of lazarus the despot , on the plains of cossovia , and was well stored with mines of gold and silver , especially near the town ▪ of zorbenick● ; but now they are either exhausted , or thrown in , so that little advantage accrues by them ; and the people indeed are degenerated from their former manners and behaviour , as being rude , gluttonous , and much given to wine . their principal towns are nissa , vidina , cra●●● , zorbenic and semunder , and the province is commodiously watered by the rivers colubra , lem , ibra and moravia , with some others , very pleasant and plentiful in many places . bvlgaria was antiently a kingdom , and called by the romans missa inferior , as servia was missa superior ; and is a country very mountainous and full of rugged hills , steep rocks , and fearful water-falls , taking its name from 〈◊〉 bulgars a scythian people , who in the●●g with woo●d , upon it , driving out the antient inhabitants ; and is divided from thrace by the great mountain haemus , whose spurs and branches in a manner over-run it ; yet the kings hereof have been accounted very powerful ; insomuch that they have worsted in sundry battles , the latin and greek emperors of constantinople : and received the christian faith , towards the end of the reign of justinian the second . the places of most note are mesembria , divogatia , axium , nicopolis , marcionopolis , and are watered by the danube ; which in part of this country takes the name of ister , and is now tributary to the turks ; who for the most part imploy the natives in their wars , as being very valiant and daring , a description of greece , in its kingdoms and provinces , as antiently it stood , &c. greece as we now must take it , is bounded on the east with the propontick , hellespont , and aegean seas ; on the west with the adriatick ; and on the north with the mount haemus , parting it from servia and bulgaria , and some part of illiricum ; and on the south with the ionian sea ; being in a manner a peninsula , or rather a half island , commodiously scituate for navigation , and has had divers notable revolutions , being now inti●●● 〈◊〉 the possession of the turks , unless what the ●enetians have preserved , or wrested from them ; and as this large country properly stands at present , i think it highly necessary , for the better conveniency of describing it , to divide it into respective provinces and countries , &c. . peloponesus . . achaia . . epirus . . albania . . macedonia : . thrace , and as for the islands of the ionian , aegean and propontick seas ; together with the famous creet , i shall leave them to a particular description of all the islands of note , &c. peloponesus is in a manner inclosed by the sea , only where by a small isthmus it is joyned to the european continent , of no more than six miles in breadth ; which the grecians and venetians formerly fortified with a great wall and five castles , antiently called hexamillium ; but in the wars with amurath the second turkish emperor they were overthrown ; and this country is accounted miles in circuit , and though it has passed under divers names , it is now called the morea , and held to be the most pleasant country of greece , abounding in fruitfulness , and all things necessary for the support of human life ; adorned with many goodly plains and pleasant rising hills , furnished on every side with sundry commodious ports and havens ; and though for the bigness of it no country has suffered more in the ruin of so many stately cities , yet it remains at this day , the most populous and best inhabited of all the grecian continent ; and near the middle of it , in laconia is the mount taygetus , the top whereof gives a prospect over the whole country , which is properly divided into provinces , viz. achaia-propria , elis , messene , arcadia , laconia , argolis and corinthia . achaia-propria has on the east for its boundard argolis and corinth ; on the west the ionian sea ; on the north the gulf of lepanto ; on the south elis ; so named from the achaei once inhabiting it ; the adjuncta propria being added to difference it from achaia in the main land or continent of greece . in this part the considerable places are chiarenza antiently dymae , scituate in the most western point of it , on or near the promontory , araxum , aegria , once the chief city of this tract , now called xilocastro , chaminisa , antiently olneus , patreae , a pleasant town scituate opposit to the mouth of the gulf lepanto ; being a place of considerable trade , and most note on the bay of corinth , from whence it is called golfo-di-patras and here the english had once a consul for the establishment of trade , called the consul of the morea , and is memorable for the death of st andrew , the apostle , who there suffer'd martyrdom ; and next to these are pellene , hellice , buris , the latter two much ruined or rather sunk in the sea by a tempest , about the time of the battle of leuctres ; tritaea and phera ; but the chief town which separated from the rest , we may term a province is sicyon , scituate in the most eastern part , and gives name to the country of sicyonia abounding in olives , wine , and iron mines ; the inhabitants whereof count themselves the antientest of greece , and have been governed by a succession of kings , before they fell into other methods of government . the country of elis , is bounded on the east with arcadia , on the west with the ionian sea , on the north with achaia-propria , and on the south messenia ; and has for its chief city elis , giving name to the province , and was founded as some historians have it , by elisha son of javan , and grandchild of japhet ; and near unto it runs the river alpheus : in this tract is found olympia , near to which once stood the statue of jupiter 〈◊〉 cubits in heighth , and every way proportionable , composed of gold and ivory , by phidias ; and here were held the olympic games , instituted by hercules . messenia is seated in the most southern part of the peninsula , and takes its name from the city of messene scituate on sinus messenaicus now called golfo-di-corone , lately taken and posse●led by the vene●ians ; in this tract stood pylos the chief city of king nestor , but now called navarino , a small village of little note metron or methone , is commodionsly seated in a half island , and has on the south side a capacious bay about miles over , fit for the reception of great vessels . corone the city that gives name to the golfo-di-corone , &c. cyparissi now called arcudia , from which the bay adjoyning takes its name ; and although this province abounding with corn , cattle and fruits , was taken by the turks in the year , yet in this last war it is mostly recovered by the venetians . arcadia is bounded on the east with laconia , on the west with elis and messene , on the north with achaia-propria ; and on the south with the sea ; and is said to take its name from arcas the son of jupiter and calisto , called before that pel●●gia , and has for its chief city mantinia ; near unto which the thebans in a mortal battle , overthrew the spartans and athenians ; and then epaminondas that famous leader received his mortal wound . this province is exceeding fertil , abounding in cattle and rich pastures , fruits of sundry kinds , and divers minerals ; insomuch that for its pleasantness , many curious fancies have been ●abled upon it ; and in this country sir philip sidney layed the seene of his famous work . laconia has on the east and south the sea , on the west arcadia , and on the north argolis , antiently called lelegia ; and was once reckoned to ●ontain cities , though now it comes very short of that number : the chief are leuctres , amyclae , thulana , near to which hercules is said to kill the hydra ; salass●a , epidaurus seated on the bay of malvasia , a town well built and fortified ; and sparta so called from spartus a prince of argos ; as for this part it is wonderful fruitful , and lies very commodious for traffick and navigation , greatly abounding in all the commodities common to greece ; being pleasantly watered with the river eurotas , and other streams of lesser note ; having many fair promontories , bays , and havens . argolis is bounded on the south with laconia , on the west with corinthia and achaia-propria , and on the east and north with the sea ; taking its name from the city argos , its metropolis , once the head of a famous kingdom ; and in this city king pyrrhus the great grecian conqueror , after he had victoriously forced his entrance , was slain with a tile thrown at him by an old woman , from the top of a house ; and besides this , it has traezan , tyrinthia , nemea , and some others ; and grew in times past from a small province , to a powerful kingdom ; being once the chiefest of greece in strength giving birth to many renowned persons , and the most famed for the breed of horses . corinthia , though but a little region , is yet nevertheless exceeding pleasant and fruitful , lying towards the istmus or neck of land that joyns the rest of greece to peloponesus , between argolis ▪ and achaia propria ; containing only the territories of corinth , and the chief towns are cincrea , corinth , memorable for the epistles saint paul wrote to the inhabitants ; commodiously scituate for the command of all greece , but that the inhabitants give themselves more to merchandise than war ; and although it has been a long time in the hands of the turks , it was the last year taken by the venetians ; and is seated on the bottom of the neck or istmus , the ionian sea being on the west , and the aegean on the east , washing its walls ; and makeing on each side a capacious haven , and was formerly exceedingly fortified but of latter times the security the turks supposed themselves in , on that part of their empire , made them little mind keeping it from running to decay . and thus much may briefly suffice , as for that part of greece called peloponesus . as for the other achaia , it is properly divided into attica , megaris , baetia , phocis , aetolia , doris , locris ; and the chief city accounted amongst these is athens , once the head of a famous common-wealth , and sometime a kingdom ; and is seated very advantagiously , making a port into the sea , and was once the mistriss of arts and arms ; and in st. pauls time , who wrote his first and second epistle from hence to the thessalonians a very flourishing city , but by the wars and misfortunes it has sustained , is now only noted , for what it has been , more than for what it is . megaris is but a small region , yet very pleasant and much abounding in corn and fruits , and has for its chief city magaria . baetia is much larger than the former , and was once all the dominion or kingdom of thebes , that famous city , so much noted to be built by cadmus the phaenician , being the metropolis : and in this tract are found likewise aulis and platea , and is watered with divers pleasant streams . phocis is memorable for the mountain parnassus , and was much noted for the temple of apollo at the foot of it , but now that stately structure where the delphic oracle gave answers is ruined , and scarcely any part of it remaining . aetolia is another considerable part of this tract , divided by the river pindus from epirus ; once a country of great note , and full of towns and places of strength , but now retains at present few of note except chalcis and thermum ; however the whole country is pleasant , abounding in pastures , watered with many rivers , yielding some mines , and great store of cattle . locris though it is but a small region , yet lies commodiously on the sea coast , and has for its chief town lepanto ; in sight of which was fought the famous battle or sea fight , between the turks , venetians , and consederate christians ; in which of the turks were killed , taken prisoners , gallies burnt , taken , and sunk , and christian slaves rescued , in the year . and as for the trade here , it consists in leather , oyl , tobacco , furrs , wheat , barly , rice , &c. and is again in the possession or under the power of the venetians . doris is a small province bounding upon , or rather appertaining to locris , and has for its chief town or city , amphissa , bordering upon the mountain parnassus ; here is also found guidas , where the stately temple of venus stood , and where st. paul continued a long time : and as for this tract it is very pleasant and fruitful , watered with small rivers , but none of note . epirus , was once a famous kingdom , of which pyrrhus ( who invaded the romans in italy ) was king , but more memorable for being under the regency of the great scanderbeg , who with a handful of men stood out against the whole power of the turkish empire , in the reigns of amurath the second , and mahomet the great , defeating and destroying prodigious armies of the infidels ; and has for its chief cities cro●ja , petrela , petra , alba , and stelusia ; the country is very fruitful , tho' somewhat mountainous , and was once accounted next to macedon , the most powerful in greece , and at this day greatly abounds in cattle , rich pastures and corn. albania is bounded with macedon , sclavonia , epirus , and the adriatick sea , and has for its chief cities durazzo , and albinopolis , memorable for its breed of horses , which the turks use mostly in their wars , and the courage of its inhabitants , whose country being but indifferently fruitful , and too strait for the inhabitants , they like the swiss , rather choose the exercise of arms , than husbandry . macedon , once famous for being head of the greek empire , is bounded with missa superior , migdonia , epirus , and achaia , and is a very rich and flourishing country , though the turks greatly oppress the native greeks , and make them labour that they may reap the greatest profit , and abounds not only with cattle , corn , and some wine , but in it are found mines of gold , and other mettals ; and of this country alexander the great was king , who not only conquered the greatest part of asia , but brought all greece into subjection , founding here the third empire of the world : and as for the chief cities , they are aedassa , andrastus , eriba , scidra , and philippus , or philipopolis , built by philip the father of alexander ; and to the people of this city it was , that st. paul wrote his epistle . thessaly was once likewise a kingdom , lying on the south of macedon , abounding with pleasant valleys and hills , and amongst the latter are found that of olympus , so famed for transcending the clouds , othris , pelion , and ossa , so often struck with thunder , and fabled to be laid one upon the other , when the giants went about to storm the skies . the country indeed is very fruitful in many parts , and produces an excellent breed of horses , the natives being held first to invent the art of breaking and backing them : and here achilles reigned , who was slain at the siege of troy : the chief towns of this country are la●ia , tricca , pharsalia , on whose large plains caesar and pompey fought for the empire of the world ; as also philippi , in whose fields augustus caesar and marcus antonius , overthrew brutus and cassius . migdonia is a small country , and accounted by most a part of thrace , and famous for nothing more than the hill athos , held to be the highest in the world , as being days journey in ascent , and miles in circuit ; so that its shadow reaches ( upon the declining of the sun ) miles : nor are there wanting in this country cities and towns of considerable note , as thessalonica , commonly called salonica ( to whose inhabitants two of st. pauls epistles are directed ) appollonia , nicladia , and others . thrace , properly so called , though now romaniae , as it lies at present circum scribed is within these boundards , viz. on the east the euxine , or black sea , the propontis and hellespont ; on the west with macedon ; on the south with the aegean sea , and part of macedon , and on the north with the large hill haemus ; and is a large and goodly province , accounted days journey in length , and in breadth , and in relation to the heavens reacheth unto degrees north latitude , so that the longest day in summer is about hours , and quarters ; and in this country is scituate the great city of constantinople , so named by constantine the great , and made by him the capital of the roman empire , and is now the like to the turkish empire , and the chief residence of the grand seigniour ; built in a triangular manner , the one angle thrusting into the main land , and the other two bordering upon the sea ; adrianople , built by adrian the emperor , and trajanopolis , founded by the emperor trajan ; with others of lesser note . this country as to the soil , is very fruitful , but by reason of the sharp cold air coming off the seas , they ripen not kindly , nor do the inhabitants trouble themselves much with husbandry , as knowing they labour but for others ; however in their gardens towards the sea , they are very curious , so that much wine is produced from the grapes that grow there , which is properly called greek wine , and mostly sent into other countries , the turks by their law being forbidden to drink it : they have large plains likewise where corn grows indifferently plentiful , but more pulse which is amongst them in great use . the natives of this country , as indeed of all greece , are much declined from what they formerly were , in learning , arts , and arms , as being no better than slaves to the imperious turks , who lord it over them , whereby they are discouraged and dulled , even to a kind of stupidity ; nor does the eloquence of their original language continue pure amongst them , but is mostly corrupted , insomuch that they in few parts perfectly understand the antient greek . the commodities found in the principal trading towns of this , and other sea provinces , are grograms , carpets , silks , drugs , leather , chamlets ; and indeed the chief commodities of europe and asia , which pay great customs to the grand seigniour . and thus much for the main land of europe , whose islands we shall hereafter consider , with those of the other three parts of the world , when we come to treat of the respective seas in which they are posited , and therefore , for orders sake , omit them here , and proceed to asia . a geographical and historical description of asia . in its kingdoms and provinces , &c. of asia in general . asia held to be larger than europe and africa , is bounded on the west with the mediterranean and aegean seas , the hellespont , propontis , and the thracian bosphorus , the euxine sea , palus maeotis , the rivers tanais and duina , a line in that case being drawn from the first to the second river , as its bounda●d to europe ; on the north it is bounded with the main scythian ocean , on the east by the streights of annian , the indian ocean , and mare del zur , on the south , with the mediterranian , or so much of it , as is called the carpathian sea , bathing the shoars of anatolia ; and the main southern ocean , passing along the coasts of india , arabia , and persia ; and on the south-east , with the arabian bay , or red sea , parting it from africa , and is indeed washed on all sides with the sea , but where a narrow istmus joyns it to africa , and the space of ground between the tanais and diuna , where it is joyned to europe . this large tract of land , is held by some , to take its name from asia , the daughter of oceanus , and thetis the wife of japetus , and mother of prometheus , and others , from asius , son of atis , a king of lydia ; but originals of this kind , being generally uncertain , it will be convenient to wave them , and proceed to what is more material , viz. in antient times asia was divided into the greater and lesser ; but by modern writers , it is divided into five parts , according to the divisions it is settled in ; as first , that which borders upon europe , is alotted the great duke of muscovy ; the second , the great cham of tartary ; the third , the turk ; the fourth , the king of persia ; and the fifth , held by the great mogul , and others , known by the name of the east india ; not accounting the petty princes , who have independent provinces , nor what remains in the hands or possession of the europeans in sundry parts , &c. to which five we may properly add china , a large country , very populous , and powerful , accounted one of the fruitfullest in asia . this part of the world may rightly be held or termed , the noblest of all other , as conjectured , on all hands , once to contain the earthly paradise : here the law was given , and here our blessed saviour , wrought the stupendious , and amazing work of our redemption : hence sprung the noble sciences , that the greeks learned of the hebrews , and flourished under the monarchie of the medes , persians and assyrians : and is divided into two parts , or divisions , as asia major , and asia minor , the latter called anatolia ; the whole country scituate east and west , from to degrees of longitude ; and north and south , from degrees of latitude , to the very aequator or aequinoctial line ; some few islands only lying beyond that circle , which occasions the longest summers day in the most southern part , to exceed little above hours , though in the most northern parts , for near the space of four months , they have no night at all . as for the commodities , this great part of the world abounds with in general , they are gold , silver , all sorts of minerals , jewels , pearls , spices , odours , ivory , drugs of sundry kinds , silks , dyes , sweet-woods , perfumes , &c. but to come nearer to the description of the countries , for orders sake , it is convenient to begin with asia minor , or anatolia . asia minor , or anatolia , described , in its kingdoms , and provinces , &c. asia minor , or anatolia , is bounded on the east , with the river euphrates ; on the west , with the thracian bosphorus , propontis , hellespont , and the aegean sea , parted by them from europe ; on the north with pontus euxinus , or the black sea ; on the south by the rhodian , lydian , and pamphilian seas , and several parts of the mediterranean ; extending from to degrees , of longitude ; and from to degrees of latitude , and is accounted in length , from the hellespont to the euphrates miles , and in breadth from trabezond , a city so called to sinus issicus in cilicia , , and is under the middle parallel of the fourth , to the sixth clime , by reason of which , the longest day in the summer southward , is but hours and a half , and differs not above an hour in the extreamest north , which is longer , insomuch that the air is very temperate , and the soil very fit for any sort of grain or fruit ; but that husbandry is neglected by reason of its being under the turkish yoak , though the rich pasture of its own accord breeds great store of cattle , and an excellent race of horses ; and here stood the famous city of troy , so much renowned for its sustaining ten years siege , against the whole power of greece : nor did this country formerly boast of less than cities and towns , but at this day most of them are found to be ruined by war and earth quakes . as for the division of this part of asia , it is properly divided into bythinia , pontus , paphlagonia , galatia , cappadocia , armenia minor , phrygia minor , phrygia major , the greater and the lesser missias , aeolis , and ionia , lydia , caria , lycia , lycaonia , pisidia , pamphilia ; and what in the time it appertained to the roman and greek empires , were under the province of the rhodes ; and of these in their order . bithynia , is a very pleasant province of asia minor , formerly called bebrycia , and afterwards migdonia , taking the present name from one bithynius , who was king thereof when a kingdom , though 〈◊〉 will have this name derived from thyni a people of thrace , who subdued and possessed it . the country is naturally rich on that part bordering upon the bosphorus , opposite to constantinople , which is scituate on the european shoar , full of little rising hills , and grassy plains , and was once the delight of such as sailed those seas , or streights ; but the turks ( who affect neither art nor sumptuousness in their retirements or recreation ) have neither improved , nor kept up the pleasant gardens and pallaces they found in it . the principal towns of bithynia , are scutari , facing constantinople , chalcedon , memorable for the fourth general council there assembled , for the suppression of the nestorian hereticks , nicomede , so named from nicomedes once king of bithynia , libussa , memorable for the death and sepulchre of the famous hannibal , the carthaginian general , who fell by poison , prusa , once a considerable city , and the residence of the turkish kings , till mahomet the first removed to adrianople : nice , or nicaea , scituate on the fenns of the river ascanius , famous for nothing more , than the first general council held there under constantine the great , anno . to settle the peace of the church , greatly disturbed and put out of order by the arian heresie , where there assembled no more than bishops , yet in such esteem for learning and piety , that to this day , it is highly approved by all good men ; and here after the taking of constantinople by the latin princes , the greek emperor held his residence ; and the rivers of this province are phillis , ascamius , sangaris , or sangri , but for hills or mountains none of note appear . pontvs , or metapontus is a bordering province on bithynia , has for its chief cities flaviopolis , claudiopolis , juliopolis , diospolis , heraclea , amastris , phillium , and others formerly very famous , but o● later times not of much note ; and in that part called the eastern pontus , is sinope , pleasantly seated on a long promontory , shooting into the main , and memoralble for the sepulchre of king mithridates , who held a forty years war against the romans ; themisciyra , now called fanogoria ; amasia , the birth place of strabo the geographer ; cabira , afterward called diopolis , noted for the overthrow lucullus gave king mithridates near it , when to retard the pursuit of his enemies , he was obliged to scatter his treasure in the way , and thereby escaped their hands , with the greatest part of his forces : as for the rivers in these parts , or any other division of pontus , they are not ( except thermodon , on whose banks the amazonians formerly inhabited ) of any considerable note . paphlagonia , though a country of little compass , yet once was the chief seat of a powerful people , but ruined by cyrus for their assisting the lydians against him , and the principal cities were gangra , now memorable for nothing more than the council held there in the year . conica , or coniata , pompeiopolis , germanopolis , xoana , and andrapa ; and from this country the venetians had their original , as sprung from a people called heneti , antiently inhabiting a part of it ; and , as the rest , the soil is very fruitful in places where it is manured : the inhabitants are a mixture of greeks and turks , with some christians and jews amongst them , but not very many ; nor have they any considerable traffick at sea , which renders the province poor . galatia , deriving its name from the gauls , when they over-ran these parts , who called it gaul-asia , and corruptly galatia ; it was likewise called gallo-graecia , from the mixture of galls and grecians ; and here to this day the antient language of 〈◊〉 galls is much spoken , or at least mixed with that of the greek . this country ( above what we have mentioned ) is very plentiful in fruits , and other things necessary for the support of man-kind ; and in this part only is the amethist ( that great preservative against drunkenness ) found ; and here the people of old had the vanity to throw written papers into the funeral fires of their friends , as conceiting they would read them in the other world , and thereby know the sorrow they made for their departure ; and were so much given to sacrifices , that it is noted by athenaeus , how a rich galatian for the space of a year , feasted the whole province with the flesh of such beasts , as were ordained for sacrifices . to perswade them from which , and confirm them in a more glorious religion , st paul wrote his epistle to this people : as for rivers of note , there are none that rise in this country , however it is supplyed with refreshing streams , from halys and sangarius . the chief cities are an●yrana , now called angauri , olenus , agriama , tavium , or tanium , androssi● , fabarena , thermae , and talachbacora ; there are likewise sundry lesser towns and villages , but of no note . cappadocia , is on the east of galatia , and is a country abounding with wine , and sundry kinds of curious fruits , many mines of brass , iron , silver , and other minerals in the mountains , and other parts , as also store of allom , and alabaster ; moreover the chrystal , jasper , and onyx stone ; it affords a great number of cattle , but more especially a great many horses , insomuch that they are sent into most parts of asia ; and as a boundard of this country is the famous ante-taurus , a ridg or chain of mountains , bending towards the north , and in it were born most of the noted ring-leaders of those sects of hereticks , that so much opposed the church in its infancy , insomuch that it grew into a custom , to call a wicked man a cappadocian ; and has for its principal cities and towns erzirium , upon the borders of the great armenia , where the turkish army usually wintered in their return from the persian expeditions , and is the seat of a bassa . mazaca once the residence of st. basil : sebastia , so named in honour of augustus , whom the greeks called sebastas ; trepesus or trepesond , once the seat of an empire , but now under the power of the turks , where the amazons were said to inhabit , at the time troy was razed by the greeks , and till displaced by alexander the great . armenia minor , though somewhat mountainous , is however a very fertile country ; and is held by some to be that ararat , upon whose hills noah's ark rested after the deluge ; and so consequently first to have been peopled after that universal calamity , and is only parted from armenia major by the famous river euphrates , and is so inclosed in most parts , with that and the mountains taurus and ante-taurus , that it is difficult to be entred , though in other places it is delightful , and well watered by pleasant streams issuing out of the mountains ; the chief being melas , which falls into euphrates , and is so called from the blackness of the waters . this country was once a part of cappadocia , till the armenians wrested it by force , and planted their colonies here , from whom it took the present name ; and has for its chief cities nicopolis , suur , antiently melitene , oromandus , built by pompey the great , in token of his victory over tigranes the syrian king , under whom was both the armenia's , garnace , caucusum , and arbyss●s , whither st. chrysistom was banished by the means of the empress eudoxia , who took part with the hereticks : and these countries had the blessing to be converted to the christian faith , by st. paul and st. peter , as appears by the epistle of the first to the galatians , and of the last to the strangers scattered or dispersed in pontus , galatia , cappadocia , asia , and bithynia , &c. and what remains is more properly called asia , though circumscribed in anatolia , or asia minor , viz. asia propria , was formerly held to be the most rich and flourishing part of this peninsula , as tully affirms , when he certifies that the roman tributes from other parts were but sufficient to defray the charges of keeping them ; but asia says he , is so fertile and rich , that for the fruitfulness of the fields , variety of fruits , largeness of pastures , and quantity of commodities , which were brought from thence , it abundantly excelled all other countries ; and it properly includes phrygia minor , phrygia major , mysia , aeolis , ionia , lydia and cario . phrygia minor , so called , as many hold it , from the river phryx , descending from the greater phrygia , is a very fruitful country , mostly champaign , and watered with sundry noted rivers , as scamander , xanthus , simois , and others so much renowned by homer . in this country , upon the banks of scamander , stood the famous city of troy , whose goodly ruins , appear in some sort , to this day ; and from the inhabitants of which city most nations labour to fetch their original . near to it stands troas or new troy , begun by alexander the great , and finished by lysimachus , one of his captains , who yet named it troas alexandri , in honour of his master . here are found likewise the ports of lyrnessus and sigaeum , with many other things , upon which the poets especially have been large , who keep them alive even in their ruins ; for indeed little else remains at this day ; for as ovid has it , jam seges est ubi troja fuit , resecandaque falce , luxuriat phrygio sanguine pinguis humus . corn ripe for sciths , grows where troy once stood , and the soils fatted with the phrygian blood. phrygia major , joyns to the former , and is a very fruitful country , abounding with some corn , wine , and some olive-yards well watered , by the river sangarius and marsyas ; the former taking its spring in this country , discharges it self into the euxine sea. and the towns are gordian , once the residence of gordius , who of a husbandman being made king , hung up the furniture of his waggons and ploughs in the temple of apollo , tied in such a knot , that an old prophecy run , that he who could unty it should be monarch of the world ; which alexander the great , upon his coming thither , trying to do and failing therein , cut it in sunder with his sword , shewing thereby , what policy could not do force should effect . colosse , where the colossians , to whom st. paul wrote one of his epistles dwelt : miedaeum , once the seat of midas ; pesinus where the statue of cibele was held in great veneration , and being from thence shipped for rome , the ship by no means could be brought to pass up the tiber , till a vestal virgin , who had been accused of incontinency , to clear her innocence , by fastning her girdle to it ( if you will believe the story ) drew it up the river ; and the reason why the romans so coveted it was , that the empire of the world had been promised to those that could get it into their possession . mysia is a country lying , as it were , between the phrygia's , supposed antiently to be a phrygian nation , being much the same for fertility : and here is found the asian olympus , a vast mountain , but inferior to that of the same name in greece , and has , for rivers of note cacus and aesopus ; on the banks of the former stands the once famous city of pergamus , but now of little note . there is likewise the river granicus , having its fountain in mysia major , and falling into the propontis , on the banks of which alexander gained the first victory against darius the persian king ; who upon his first coming into asia , had made so little account of him , that he sent order to his lieutenant in anatolia to take him alive , and after having whipped him with rods , to send him bound to his presence . and this mysia is divided into the lesser and greater ; and here stands the tower of abydos , over against sestos in thrace , memorable for the story of hero and leander ; with many other things more remarkable ; as the inhabitants slaying themselves , to prevent falling into the hands of philip the father of persaeus king of macedon , its being betrayed to the turks by the daughter of the governour , upon her falling in love with abderachmen , a turkish officer ; upon her dreaming she fell into a miry place , and he coming by took her up and wiped her clean , &c. cyzicus , famous for its port , marble towns and stately buildings , &c. and in mysia major are found apollonia , dainta , trajanopolis , alydda , and others . aeolis and ionia are generally conjunct , as countreys much depending on each other , indifferently fruitful , and contain sundry good harbours . the principal places in the first are pitana , acarnea , elaea , myrina , now sebastopolis , cene the the chief in this part ; cumaea the birth-place of one of the sybils , and phaecia ; and the people are held by josephus to descend from elisha the son of javan , but by the many conquests that have been made of this and other countreys , whereby the people have been either destroyed or carried away , and others planted in their steads , such originals must needs be uncertain . ionia , has for its principal cities mias on an arm of the sea , which artaxerxes assigned to themistocles the noble athenian , when the ingrateful city of athens had banished him after the glorious conquests he had atchieved in their behalf . erythra , memorable for the habitation of one of the sybils , lebedus , clazomene and others , especially smyrna , a fair haven city , on a bay named from it the bay of smyrna , and is not only famous for comprehending one of the seven churches of asia , written to by st. john , but is at present a place of great traffick , where the english have a factory , and most europeans trade for chamlets , grogran , and other stuffs , drugs , with many such like commodities : the grand signior having there a custom-house which brings in a vast revenue ; and in old times there stood a goodly temple , dedicated to homer the greek poet , as supposed to be the place of his birth . in this tract is likewise found the city of ephesus , so renowned for the temple of diana , accounted one of the seven wonders of the world , and was in its splendour feet in length , and in breadth , supported with pillars of polish'd marble , curiously wrought , and was indeed a very goodly structure , and so it had need , for after it was modelled by ctesiphon , a most expert architect , it was years in building , though burnt in one day by erastrotus , on purpose , as he alledged to get him a name , though of infamy . lydia once a famous kingdom till ruined by the persians , under the leading of cyrus ; took its name , as many historians will have it , from lud the son of sem ; the people of which country are said to be the first coiners of monies , and inventers of sundry games ; and here is the mountain tomalus covered naturally with vines and sipylus ; and which are very fruitful valleys ; and yield the best saffron of asia : the rivers of note are hermus , which taking its source in phrygia major , passes by the skirts of lydia , pleasantly watering the pastures , &c. and falls into a fair bay of the aegean sea , opening towards the island of clazomene ; likewise pactolus castros , and the meander ; the which though upon a direct line not exceeding miles is nevertheless in measuring the winding , accounted which greatly ●etters the country ; in which are found mines of gold and silver , and some stone of considerable value ; and has for it's chief city sardis , seated on the river pactalus . philadelphia near to the bank of the river caistras : thyatyra , laodicea and others ; nothing more renowned than to be of the number of the churches , to which st. john wrote his apocalypse ; and of this country croesus the rich was king , who was deceived by the oracle , in these words , viz. croesus halyn penetrans magnam subvertit opum vim . thus englished : when croesus over halys goes a mighty nation he o'erthrows . which he interpreting according to his own hopes , crossed the river , and was vanquished and taken prisoner by cyrus ; overthrowing indeed his own people , and was the last king of lydia . caria is on the north of lydia , in which is the hill latmus , where endimion retired for the better privacy in the study of astrology , and there finding out the course of the moon and her changes , gave occasion to the fable of his being beloved by her and her kissing him , &c. and the river salmacis which enfeebles any person that enters into it or drinks of the water ; and has for its chief cities , &c. miletus , mindus , heraclea and latmum , borgilia or borgilos , milusa , primassus , and others ; and in the southwest of this province , thrusting it self into the sea like a promontory , stands the little country of doris ; so called from dores a greek people that first inhabited it ; and has for its chief cities cnidus , cressa , formerly a noted haven town ; halicarnassus , where queen arthemisia in memory of king mausolus her husband , raised at vast expence a monument , accounted one of the wonders of the world , from which all great structures of that kind are called mausoles . as for the people of caria , their name or denomination , is conjectured to be derived from cares the son of pharoneus king of argos ; though bochartus rather alludes it to the phaenician word car , signifying a sheep or ram , because they were formerly dealers in flocks , with which their country abounded , and is indeed full of rich pastures . lycia lyes on the west of caria ; said to take its name from lycius , son to pandion king of athens ; and is a country inclosed in a manner with sea and mountains ; the principal mountain being taurus , the biggest in asia ; which begins in this province , and extends to the eastern sea ; one of its branches in this country is the chimaera , casting out flames like mount aetna ; which gave occasion to the fablers of former times , to render it dreadful , by likening it to a monstrous beast , with a head like a lyon , a belly like a goat , and a tail like a serpent ; though some to justifie this fiction , will have it to be infested at the bottom by serpents , grazed in the middle by goats , and containing nearer to the top , dens of lions , altogether framing the monster , said to be destroyed by bellerophon ; which indeed tended to nothing more than that he first caused the mountain to be inhabited , and this country in former days was so opulent , that cities of note were found in it , but now most of them ruined ; the chief in it being are , phaselis , myra , solima , rhodia , pataras , mylios , and podelia ; and so powerful were the lycians in the time of cyrus the persian , that they were not without great difficulty brought under , but from thence forward followed the fortune of the conquerors as the greeks , romans and turks , &c. lycaonia is a country so named from the lycaones , a people of lycia ; or from the lycaonians a people , the inhabitants of lyconia a town in phrygia major ; and has for its chief cities iconium , once the chief residence of the caramanian kings , who so stoutly opposed in its beginning the growth of the ottoman empire ; lystra , the birth place of timothy the evangelist ; and here it was that the superstitious people would have done divine sacrifice to paul and barnabas ; darbe , laranda , paralais , adopissus , canna and caratha ; but as for the inhabitants , they are not found in history to be of any considerable note ; nor does their country much abound in fruits or corn , for want of convenient streams to water it . pisidia is on the south of lycaonia , and is a small country , yet furnished with great plenty of all things necessary for human subsistance ; where the plains extend themselves , though in some parts it is much incumbered with barren mountains ; and has in it the towns or cities of antioch , seleucia , lysinnia , selge , sagalassa , cremna , termessus , olbanassa and plutanessus ; the antient inhabitants being said to descend from the solimi , a people on the borders of lycia ; and were formerly daring and valiant , as appeared in their opposing cyrus , and did more wonders than any of their more powerful neighbours , but now being in subjection to the turks , who hold them as vassals or slaves , they have lost much of their courage and industry . pamphylia has pisidia on the north , and is separated from it by the mountain taurus ; and it s held to take its name from its being inhabited by a mixture of nations ; which word in the greek expresses no less , and is much over-run with the spurs or branches of taurus ; rendering it barren in many places ; yet on those mountainous parts abundance of goats are fed , whose flesh serves for food , hair for making chamlets , and skins for leather ; yet that part which is the sea coast , and runs miles on the mediterranean , is well inhabited , and enjoys sundry towns of note , as attalia , perge , side , magidis , aspendas , oliba , caracensium , colobrassus , cretopolis , and menedemium , and is watered with the rivers cestrus , cataractus , and eurymedon ; and since they first planted this country , they have been frequently brought under subjection by the pontois , persians , romans and lastly by the turks , who at present remain lords of all the lesser asia , and good part of the greater . cilicia has pamphylia on the west , and is a very fruitful country , especially on the eastern part ; and is said to take its name from cilice the brother of cadmus ; and though it is but meanly inhabited , yet it is much traded to ; and has in it many towns of note , as tarsus the birth place of st. paul , anchiala , epiphania , adena , mopsuestia , nicopolis , amavara , scandelora , and others watered with the river pyramus , now called malmistra , orismagdus , calicadnus , and the famous cydnus , whose waters are so cool , and withal so rapid that they had like to have proved fatal to alexander the great , and did so to fredrick the first german emperor ; for whilst he was bathing in the stream , he was carried away by the violence of the current , and smothered in the waves . as for the chief mountains they are amanus and taurus accounted the largest in the world . isavrica is a distinct province from the former seated on both sides of taurus , which renders it altogether mountainous , being east to pamphylia ; parted in the midst by the river calecadnus on whose banks are many vines and pleasant pastures and has for its principal city and towns seleucia , i●auria , and claudiopolis ; and as for this and the province of cilicia , they were anciently famous for piracies ; but pompey breaking their power at sea placed them in a more inland country , and especially on these mountains in a strait compass , but they have since inlarged their borders . and thus for anatolia or asia minor , except such islands as are reputed to appertain to it , which shall be treated of in another place ; it being our design that nothing shall be omitted , though we are obliged to be brief , constrained to it by the narrowness of our compass ; only note that it is wholly subject to the turks . the kingdoms and provinces of the greater asia described . as to the boundards and scituation of this part of the world , it has been already laid down in general , wherefore now nothing remains , but to describe it in particular , &c. and to do this in order , we will begin with ▪ the kingdom of syria . the kingdom of syria , as it antiently was , is bounded on the north with cilicia ; on the south with other parts of asia minor ; on the east with the river euphrates ; and on the west with the mediterranean sea : and is inhabited by divers sorts of people , professing sundry religions , as christianity , judaism , mahometism , and in some places not altogether freed from paganism ; for upon the borders next to armenia minor , there dwell the cardi , or coerdes , a people who pay veneration to the devil , and the slender excuse they alledg for it is , to prevent his doing them mischief , they being on the contrary assured , that god being in his nature good , he will not injure them . and the whole country is divided into provinces , viz. phoenicia , caelo-syria , and syro-phaenicia . phaenicia , is bounded on the east and south with palestine ; on the north with syria , so properly called ; on the west with the mediterranean sea ; and has this name given it by the greeks , from the abundance of palm trees that are found growing therein , the word signifying in that language a palm : as for the country it self it is not great , for though in length it reaches to the further side of mount carmel , and again to the river volanus , on the north , the breadth however is so inconsiderable , that it rather seemeth a sea-coast , than a country ; nor did the phaenicians less improve the opportunity in former times , but were accounted the chief navigators of the world. as for the cities of note they are , acon , seated in a pleasant plain of great length , besieged by the western christians in their expedition for the regaining the holy land. sarepta , the place where the woman sustained elias , or rather he her , by miracle in the time of famine : tyre once a famous sea town , but now little of it remains : sidon a pleasant place , but wants of its former largeness and grandeur , being reduced to a narrow compass . as for the chief mountains they are libanus and carmel ; and as for rivers there are few of note , the principal being adonis , however the country is fruitful in olives and vines . coelo-syria is more compacted than the former , and is watered with the rivers abana and pharaphar , called in scripture the rivers of damascus , and has in it the mountains of asmadamus , a ridg of hills beginning at the east point of ante-libanus , and bending directly southward , shuts up that part from the land of israel , and has for its chief towns heliopolis , so called from an image of the sun formerly worshipped there ; chalcis , abila , adida , hippus , or hypone , capitolias , gadara , gerasa , scythopolis , philadelphia and damascus , the head of this province , once a famous city , but now reduced to a small compass , however it is scituate in a large plain , invironed with hills , and watered by the river chrysorhe●● , having about it many pleasant gardens , orchards and fountains ; and indeed the whole country , where the mountains interpose not , is a terrestrial paradice , which made the impostor mahomet refuse it for his regal seat , lest swallowed up in the delights and pleasures of that country , he should forget his business . syro-phaenicia is a third provinc● of this kingdom , and has for its chief cities and towns aleppo , a considerable mart town , though not bordering on the sea , but standing within the land , for hither the merchants of egypt , arabi● and persia , come over land with their camels laden with silks , cloth of gold and silver , drugs , spices , &c. biblis , tripolis a place taken and possessed by the western christians , in their expedition to the holy land , and is a very considerable sea-port town , fortified with a strong wall , and many towns , and has many store-houses for the accommodation of merchants ; and that part of the mountain libanus , that stretches upon it like a curtain , abounds with fruit trees , vines , and trees harbouring abundance of silk worms ; but of this country antiochia is accounted the metropolis , and not far from it is the river orontes , which beginning in coelo-syria , ingulfs it self and riseth near apamea , watering antiochia , and passing thence miles ; falls into the mediterranean sea , and from hence come the greatest part of our tapistry hangings . the building in this country , and indeed in all syria , is one high roof , with a plain top , plaistered or terrassed to walk on the plat-form , and arched cloisters before the doors , so that people may walk dry in the streets , in all weathers . as for religion they are as the first , a mixture , &c. a description of the land of palestine . palestine is bounded with the hills of hermon ; on the east parted by them from coelo-syria , and arabia deserta ; on the west with the mediterranean sea , and some part of phaenicia ; on the north with ante-libanus , and the remaining part of phaenicia ; on the south with arabia the stony , called palestine , from the philistines , a people that inhabit it ; but it is not conjectured they held any more than a part of it , but being very powerful gave a general name to this country ; as the asiaticks usually call the europeans franks , from france , which is only a small part of it ; however we will take it as formerly it stood , viz. its division into galilea , judea , idumea , and samaria , accounted miles in length , though not above in breadth , possessed by the tribes of israel , as the land promised to abraham , &c. galilea is accounted the most northern part of palestine , being divided into the higher and lower , the first allotted to the tribes of napthali , asher , and part of the tribe of dan , is a pleasant country abounding with all manner of fruits , and exuberant , that for its plenty this conjunct with the rest , was called a land flowing with milk and honey ; the chief cities being apheck , whose wall falling slew of benhadad's soldiers . giscala , the birth-place of jehu , who slew joram his master , and took upon him the kingdom ; here is likewise found capernaum , where our blessed saviour healed the centurions servant , and fed with loaves and fishes ; not far from it ribla , where unfortunate king zedekiah , after he had seen the slaughter of his children , had his eyes put out , and to these we may add genesareth , hamath , and ramath . as for the lower galilea , it contained the tribes of zebulon and issachar , and the first of these had for their chief cities cana , where our blessed saviour wrought his first miracle ; bethsaida , the birth place of st. peter , st. andrew , and st. philip. hippopolis , tiberias on the sea coast , and some other towns of lesser note , as nazareth , and bethulia ; here is likewise found the mount tabor , on which our lord was transfigured , as a manifestation of his glory ; as also the brook kishon , out of which flows the famous river bearing that name . the principal places appertaining to the tribe of issachar , were tarichea , on the side of the lake , about eight miles from tiberias , and was so stoutly defended against vespatian , that it cost him the lives of men , before he made himself master of it ; chishon a city of the levites , rameth , called also jarmouth , another city of the levites , where the hills of gilboa take their beginning , and pass westward to the mediterranean , and east to jezreel ; en-haddad , near which saul being discomfited by the philistins , slew himself in dispair . nai● on the banks of the river kison , where our blessed saviour raised the widows son to life ; and on the banks of the same river standeth haphraim or aphraim , endor , the place where saul consulted the witch , about the raising samuel ; deborath , one of the cities of refuge , arbela , &c. and although these tribes are held to be carried away by salmanasser , and the galileans placed in their stead , yet they were strict complyers with the jewish ceremonies and customs , and so zealously affected that neither threats nor force could oblige them to offer sacrifice to the health of the roman emperors . samaria , the country taking its name from the chief city , is bounded on the east with the river jordan ; on the west with the miditerranean sea ; on the north with galilee ; and on the south with judea : and gives in all parts a curious prospect of pleasant fields and valleys , with little rising hills , from whence issue refreshing streams ; and is every scattered over with fountains , affording abundance of grass , and consequently a great number of cattle ; and the people were for the most part assyrians , sent thither by that conquering king to supply the places of the captive israelites , and were gentiles at first , till better instructed by the lyons god sent amongst them , and afterward by the priest , who returned with the five books of moses , and taught them the manner of the god of the land , kings . however they frequently relapsed and forsook their living strength , as may be seen in holy writ : and this province upon its being first possessed by the children of israel , was allotted to the tribe of ephraim , and the two half tribes of manasses ; the one seated on the mediterranean , and the other beyond jordan . in the half tribe of manasses , on the mediterranean , the chief cities were found to be bethsan , terza , acrabata , thebes , ephra or hophra , asophon , bezek , jezreel , megiddo , dora or dor , caesarea ; and others , many of them memorable in scripture upon sundry occasions . the tribe of ephraim had for their chief cities , or most considerable places , saron , on the mediterranean , lydda , ajalon or helon , a city of the levites ; thenath-chares , given to josuah , adasa or adarsa , where judas macchabeus overthrew with men , the vast army of nicanor : jefleti or pelethi , giving name to the pelethites , that were of david's guard : silo scituate on the top of a lofty mountain , and the receptacle of the ark , till taken by the philistines ; michmas , najoth , bethoron , the city of the levites , pirhathon , simor , and samaria , the metropolis of the kingdom of israel , founded by omri , one of their kings , on the top of the mountain samron , taking thence its name , overlooking the sea-coast , and was very stately and magnificent , vying with jerusalem , but much impaired by the wars that have frequently happened , and at this day scarce to be found , or at least extreamly wanting of its former glory ; and in this compass mixed together in a manner the other tribes mentioned were contained . jvdea , the country of the more peculiar remnant of the jews , containing the tribe of juda , but may be said to be divided between the philistines , the tribes of dan , simeon , and benjamin : at first the philistines commanded the sea coast from the south of phaenicia , to the north of idumea , or from the city of gaza , to the castle of pilgrims , taking both , except joppa , into the accompt , and but that and all the northern towns were the israelites ; and though the philistines held no more then six of note , yet they were of such importance and so strongly fortified , that having the edomites to back them , and some other neighbours , who relished not the jewish nation , they perplexed and wearied them continually with wars and inroads , and became more troublesom , than the whole body of the canaanites ; which towns were gath or geth , where the giant goliah slain by david was born ; accaron on the south of gath , a town of great wealth and power ; ashdod , by the grecians called azotos , memorable for the temple of dagon , whither the ark of the lord was carryed when taken by the philistines ; ascalon , scituate on the coast of the mediterranean , aad first founded by a noble lydian ; gaza more inland , signifying in the persian language the place of treasure , where indeed cambyses layed up the tribute of those countries ; and majoma the port town of gaza : and in these they had their strong holds , from which they so often vexed the israelites . the chief places possessed by the tribe of dan were joppa , since called jaffa , once a famous mart town , and the principal haven of those parts , taken by the christians in the holy war ; rama or as the moors call'd it romula , built with free-stone , and scituate upon rising hills , in a sandy plain , where yet remain the ruines of a monastery and several christian churches . imnia , the place where judas macchabeus burnt the syrian fleet. ceder , or cedron ; modini , where the macchabees were buried ; gibbethon , cariathjarim , beth-shemesh , to which the ark was brought by the oxen , when dismiss'd by the philistines ; tisrah , caspin , lachis , ajalon , a city of the levites , mentioned before in the tribe of ephraim , in the borders whereof it is scituate ; which occasions authors to disagree in which tribe to place it , and therefore leave it indifferently to either . to the tribe of simeon is ascribed the cities and towns of gerar ; siceleg , or ziglag ; haijn , a city of levites ; cariath-sepher , interpreted the city of books , within the borders of simeon , but appertaining to judah ; and chorma , with others of smaller note , rather villages than towns. the tribe of judah , so called from judah the fourth son of leah , had for its lot arda , scituate in the entrance of judea ; hebron , one of the antientest cities of the canaanites , formerly inhabited by the giant-like sons of anakim , or anak , the word signifying a chain , and here it was that abraham bought a buryal place for his dead , and buried his wife sarah ; tecoa , the city of amos ; jether , or jutter ; maresa , where the prophet micah was born ; emmaus , since called nicopolis ; hasor , or chatsor , one of the frontier towns of idumea ; odalla , or hadullun ; ceila , or keila , where david hid himself when he fled from saul ; eleutheropolis , or the free city , not far from hebron ; azeca ; beth-sur , or bethsora , signifying the house of rocks , alluded from its standing on a rocky hill ; adoram bordering on the dead sea ; zore , in former times called bela , but took its name from the words of lot , the word tsohor , importing refuge , safety , or deliverance ; massada a strong hold ; libna a strong fortified city , seated in the corner of juda between the tribes of dan and benjamin ; ziph in the wilderness , where saul came to pursue david . bethlehem call'd bethlehem-judah , to distinguish it from one of the same name in zebulon , the birth place of our blessed saviour , and the grave of those innocents that suffer'd on his account by the cruelty of herod . as for the territories of these cities and towns , they are exceeding fruitful , and in many of the valleys are gardens of balsam or opobalsamum trees . the tribe of benjamin had for its portion the cities of mizpeh , gebah , gibeah , ai , gibeon , jericho , anathoth , nob , gilgal , bethel , ramath , differrent from what has been mentioned ; chadi , or haidi , lod and ono ; but the chief magnificence of this tribe , was the famous city of jerusalem , scituate upon a rocky mountain , yet in most parts easie of ascent ; invironed with neighbouring hills ▪ and consisted in its most flourishing time of four parts , separated by several walls , resembling distinct cities , divided into the upper , lower and new cities ; together with the city of herod , which made the fourth division ; all the walls fortified with towers and castles , and the cities stor'd with stately buildings , fountains , and pleasant gardens ; but all these exceeded by the magnificence of the temple , held to be the chief wonder of the world ; the description of which is lively set down in the old testament ; wherefore it will be superfluous here to delineate it , though at this day its glory is laid in the dust . the tribe of levi , though properly a tribe of the israelites , had no possessions assigned it , but had the priesthood for its inheritance ; and therefore scattered or planted in divers cities , assigned for the levitical residence ; being as jacob their father had before prophesied : divided in jacob , and scattered in israel , their portions being to live on the altar , and the tenths of the offerings , &c. and as it is in joshua . . the priesthood of the lord was their inheritance . and of these there were four kinds or distinctions . . punies or tirones , which from their childhood , till the year of their age , were obliged to learn the duty of their office , . graduats which were obliged for years to study the law , or till they were well grounded in it . . licentiates who actually exercised the priestly office : and the doctors or rabbins , who where of the highest order , and expounded the law to the people . idvmea is a part of palestine , separate from the tribes commonly called the land of edom ; bounded on the east and south with arabia the stony ; on the north with judea ; on the west with the mediterranean sea ; inhabited by the children of esau brother to jacob ; and is a very fruitful country towards the sea coast ; but that bordering on arabia is somewhat barren and mountainous though they heretofore afforded balm , and now a great many palm-trees grow there ; as for the people , they are , and antiently were , rude , boisterous and untractable , given much to violence , and were no small contributers , by raising a sedition in jerusalem , to the destruction of that famous city by the romans , under titus ; and had for their chief cities and towns , dinhahath , the city of bela , the first king of edom , aniath the city of hadad , and pan the city of hadar ; two other kings of this country , mentioned in genesis , berzamna , caparosa , gamararis , elasa , rossa , rhinocurura , raphia , and others , with many scattered castles and villages ; and of this country the horites are thought to be the first inhabitants ; amongst whom esau , upon the discontent he received by his brothers circumventing him of the blessing , went to dwell , and took to him wives of the daughters of the people of the land ; and as though the two brothers difference had been inherent to posterity , the edomites alwaies proved mortal enemies to the israelites , not only siding with their enemies , but making continual war and inroads upon them their selves . the other parts of palestine , which may properly be so called , are the divisions of peraea and ituraea , and the first of these lies between the mountains of arnon , and the river jordan , abounding with olives , vines , and palm-trees , the soil every where being exceeding rich , and was formerly the habitation of the midianites , moabites , and ammonites , as also of the two tribes of gad and reuben . the quarter of the midianites was at the south side of the dead sea , at the very entrance of the country , and were held to descend from one or more of the sons of madian the son of abraham , by keturah , mentioned in gen. . . and had for their chief cities recome , built by one of the midianitish kings , slain by joshua ; and midian on the bank of the dead sea ; and these were they , that by the advice of balaam , sent out their beautiful women to insnare the israelites , upon their entrance into the land of canaan . the moabites possessed all that part of the country , from the boundards of the midianites on the south , as far as esebon on the north , on both sides the river arnon , having the river jordan on the west , and the hills of abarim on the east , first possessed by the emmims , a race of giants , whose principal city was sheneth kirjathaim , but they being vanquished by chedorlaomer ; and driven thence , their forsaken seats were possessed by the moabites , descended from moab one of the sons of lot , and had for their cities in chief rabbat , the regal seat of balak king of moab ; diblathum , gallim , muthana , nathaliel , bamath , mispha , hor , kirhajareth , and some few others of little note ; and this country god commanded moses to spare , because he had given it for an inheritance to the sons of lot. the ammonites had their habitations on the north-east of the river arnon , and possessed all that tract from arnon on the ●ead of the river , to the city rabbah , and on both sides the river ja●oc , as well within as without the mountains of galaad , antiently the seat of the raphaim and zamzummins , a race of giant-like people ; and had for their chief cities rabbah , before which vriah was slain on the account of his wife ; dothema , mitspa , and others of lesser note , and had continual war with israel , god appointing them as a thorn in their side , because they had not at first rooted them out of the land. the reubenites or tribe of reuben , had their dwellings appointed on the east side of jordan , having the gadites on the north , and the arabian desarts on the east , and on the south the land of moab , parted by the river arnon ; whose chief cities were abel , sittim , bethabara , or beth-bara , machaerus , lasa or lesha , medeba , bosor or bozra , a city of refuge to the levites ; livias , a town built by herod , in honour of livia the mother of tiberius caesar ; kedmoth , adom , heshbon , bamothbal ; and within their territories is the mount nebo , from whose top moses took a view of the land of canaan ; and joyning to it is the hill pisga , or to say more truly , one of the tops or spires of the same mountain . the gadites , so called from gad the seventh son of jacob , begot on zilpha the hand-maid of leah , had their lot of the promised land , between the reubenites on the south , and half the tribe of menasses on the north , the river jordan on the west , and the mountains of arnon on the east ; and inhabited the cities of aroer , upon the banks of the river arnon , dihon , towards jordan ; beth●mrah , natoroth , beth-haram , beth-ezob , mahanaim , so called from the apparition of angels ; succot● , jahzor , ramoth , penuel , &c. all the plains of this country being exceeding fruitful , as on purpose prepared for the favourites of heaven ; yet the people who had been brought out of slavery with a mighty hand , growing fat in these fruitful fields , soon forgot their maker , and went a whoring after the gods of the strangers , for which the canaanites had been cast out of the land. there were moreover in this tract , called the land of palestine , the trachonites inhabiting the hilly country , bordering on the ammonites , called the mountains of gilead , extending northward as far as libanus , living , as josephus tells us , for the most part , in woods and caves , upon prey and spoil , &c. the batanea ▪ a people living in a part of the kingdom of basan , but their kingdom , upon the arrival of the children of israel , was given to the other half tribe of manasses , and contained many fenced large cities : the chief was pella , formerly called but is , but the name changed by seleucius , the great assyrian king , of the greek race ; destroyed by alexander janaeus , a king of the jews , for refusing to admit the law of moses , but afterward by pompey the great restored to its former luster : and more memorable in church history , for the voice heard from heaven , admonishing the christians then in jerusalem to retire thither , that they might escape the destruction that the roman army , under the leading of titus , was about to bring upon that great and sinful city . gessur , since called aurantis , the last division of ituraea , is north of basan , and was once accounted a kingdom ; and had for its chief cities hauran , gessur , mahacath , chatsar , hevanus , and others of lesser note . as for the country of palestine in general , or the promised land , it is taken by some to be the place where the terrestrial paradise stood , and is indeed fruitful , even to a miracle ; for in most places there is an eternal spring , and in summer the flowers alwaies smiling , and the vernant trees seldom casting their ripe and mellowed fruit before blossoms and green fruit take place , and are naturally of extraordinary growth ; insomuch , that we read , when caleb , josuah , and others , went up to spie the land , they brought a cluster of grapes , as an earnest of the rest , so large , that they were obliged to carry it upon a staff , between two of them . and thus much for the land of palestine , as it flourished in its most glorious daies , but now its antient inhabitants are scattered over the face of the earth , and turks possess their pleasant places . the three arabia's described , in their countreys and provinces . . arabia deserta , called by the turks beriara , is bounded on the east with the babylonian territories ; on the west with some part of palestine and arabia the stony ; on the north with mesopotami● and palmyrene ; the first of these parting it from euphrates ; and on the south with arabia petraea part , and arabia felix ; and takes the name of deserta from the great desarts that are found in it , all of loose sands , taking eight daies in passing over them , which at certain times are carried so violently by the wind , that travellers are overwhelmed under heaps and mountains of dust , and buryed alive : as also are the shepherds , who build little cots on the borders of these desarts , though very poor and despicable : as lucan has it in his pharsalia ; and thus englished . the greatest part of land , the winds do bear unto the skies , which hangs not fixed there . his house and land , the nasamonian seas , fly in the wind their little cottages . blown o'r their heads into the air as high , as from a fire the smoak and sparkles fly , till mounted , dust like smoak obscure the sky . mountains of dust , the south winds furious hand , rolls o'r them till their drown'd in heaps of sand. and indeed this whole division of arabia yields nothing pleasant , being mostly inhabited by thieves and rovers , who having committed robberies and outrages , in more populous and wealthy countries make this their retreat , as knowing few will give themselves the trouble of looking for them in so waste and desolate a country ; yet there are some few cities and towns found in it , but those mostly on the borders , viz. sabe or saba , the habitation of the sabaeans , that was so called from the grandson of abraham by keturah , mentioned gen. . . and these were they that plundered job of his cattle ; thema , supposed to be the city of eliphaz the them anite , one of job's visitants ; shua , tharsacas , zagmais , phunton , oboth , and reganna ; though they had no formal government , as being a disjoynted people , the poverty of the country obliging every one to shift as he could ; although now counted part of the turkish empire , it is so only in name rather than in effect , as paying little or no tribute to the grand signior . . arabia petraea , or the stony , is bounded on the east with deserta , and a part of sinus persicus , on the west with the isthmus , that joyns africa to asia , and part of the red sea , or arabian gulph , on the north with palestine , and on the south with a long ridge of mountains , dividing it from arabia felix , and is called petraea , from its rockyness , and the abundance of large stones that are found every where in it ; and is indeed barren in a manner , as the former , but more firm and solid , which gives it the preheminence in fruitfulness ; and is full of woody mountains , wherein the wild arabs lurk and fortifie themselves , being reduced under captains of tribes , as also untravell'd desarts , unless by such as carry their provision with them for fear of starving , and for that they are many times set upon and murthered by the thieves and rovers ; so that the general passage to egypt and babylon is by caravans , to defend which there seldom go less than or armed men , where they carry their merchandize upon camels , one of these beasts carrying ordinarily or weight , and sometimes a , and are the fittest of all creatures for this journey , because they will endure three or four daies together without drink , in a country where water is not to be found , but rather by chance than any certainty ; and of these desarts the most memorable are those of sinan , pharan ; the inhabitants said to descend from chus and ishmael , intermixed with the medianites , who are held to be of the posterity of madian , the son of abraham by keturah , and have for their chief places , petra , memorable for the many sieges it has held out against the syrians , jews , and romans , &c. and was much aimed at in the time of the holy war , even coveted by the turks and christians , as a gate or inlet to palestine ; bosra , said to be built , or rather repaired by augustus caesar , to curb that wild and untractable nation ; ph●ra , bernice , sur , havilah , madian , rephaim , kadesh-barnea , and thara ; and in this country stands the famous mount sinai , on which the law was given ; and here for the most part it was that the children of israel suffered so much in the wildernesses and desarts , during their progress to the land of canaan . and the character marcellinus gives more particularly of these arabians , is viz. that they are a martial people , half naked , clad only as far as the groin , with painted cloaths , ranging up and down upon camels , swift horses , and dromedaries , as well in peace as times of trouble , not used to plough , plan●● trees , or get their living by tillage , but wander for the most part , from one place to another , without any setled habitation ; nor have they the use of laws , neither can they long endure the air or soil in one place : their food is chiefly upon venison , and store of milk , herbs , fruits , and wild foul ; but as for corn and wine they have none : their wives are hired only for a time , though for a shew of marriage they present their husbands with a spear and a tent , as their dowry , though they part when they please ; and both sexes are extreamly given to lust , the women as rambling as the men , leaving their children to the help of providence , where they fall without any further care of them . as for the rivers in this thirsty land , there are but few , and the chief are trajanus amnis , trajans river passing through the country , and ending its course in the red sea , rinocorura , called in scripture the torrent of egypt , rising in this countrey , and passing by the borders of idumea , falls into the lake of sirbon . . arabia felix , or the happy arabia , so call'd from its fruitfulness , supplying in a manner the defect of the foregoing , is bounded on the east with the persian ; and on the west with the arabian gulphs ; on the north with a continued ridg of mountains ; and on the south with the main ocean , whose bounds is not known . in this arabia , the fields , valleys and hills are exceeding fruitful , abounding with myrrh , frankincense , balsamum , spices , fruits of sundry kinds , very delicious ; as also gold , precious stones , &c. and lying so commodiously on the seas , is acquainted with what ever blessing , either element can afford , well furnished with quiet harbours , and roads for shipping , the towns of trade and merchandise standing near together , and the retiring houses of the kings neat and very sumptuous , the countrey being generally accommodated with wholsom fountains , and medicinal waters , with sundry brooks and rivers cool and clear , and the temperature of the air exceeding healthful . and this countrey by the arabians themselves is called jeman and al-jeman ; and although the people are more civil here than in the other parts , yet they had and have many barbarous customs amongst them , as carnally knowing their nearest relations , holding community of wives ; and of dead bodies no care is taken , but they cast them into some ditch or a dung hill , and are frequently a bragging of their descent from jupiter , foolishly neglecting all arts and sciences , as disparagements to so great a nobility ; however there are some amongst them that apply themselves to grazing , the countrey abounding with cattle and rich pastures , and others to merchandize , tho the chief product of the countrey is managed by strangers . the chief cities or towns that are at this day found in this tract are elgra , on the shoar of the red sea , called sinus elgranaticus ; jathrib , or jatrib , in the way between algiar and medina , the birth-place of mahomet the impostor ; and in the city of medina ( to which is added the name of talmabi , signifying the city of the prophet ) is the sepulchre of mahomet , not drawn up with a load-stone as the vulgar rumour goes , but inclosed in the manner of our sepulchres with an iron grate , and covered with a green velvet carpet , which the grand seigniour sends every year as his offering ; so that when the new arrives , the old is cut into innumerable shreds , and sold to pilgrims by the priests at large rates as holy reliques ; and in this temple , which is large and magnificent , are lamps continually burning : meccha a town scituate in a barren soil , not far from medina , but of greater resort and traffick , the commodities not only of arabia , but of persia and india flowing thither , from whence it is dispersed into all parts of the turkish empire ; and here it is made death for any christian to come , so made to pr● clouds . discovery of the fopperies in their religion , and is utterly destitute of waters , except such as is taken in cisterns when it rains , or brought on camels backs from distant places , though three carravans with troops of merchants and pilgrims visit it every year : zidon accounted the haven town of meccha , though distant miles , scituate on the red sea ; zebit , held now the metropolis of the country , much traded to for spices , sugar , and fruits ; eltor a port town , where the christians are suffered to inhabit . aden on the entrance of the red sea , and is the most famous empory of this country , well fortified , and has a very capacious haven for the reception of shipping , once the head of a distinct kingdom , but now in subjection to the turks , being treacherously surprized by them in the year , and soon after all the rest of the country , hor , zarnal , and muskahat , over-against surat in the east-india's : as for the woods that are found here , they naturally abound with spices , and odours , which in their bloom send forth a grateful smell , which accosts the mariners before they can see the land , and the rivers are many , the chief harman , lar , prion , messinatis , betius , &c. and in the arabian fields , or no where , the phoenix is said to inhabit . a description of chaldaea , assyria , and mesopotamia , in their countries and provinces , &c. as also the mountains kingdoms , &c. these three countries or provinces , are held to have been the principal body of the ●●mpire , wherefore it is thought fit to place them together , though in our proceeding to describe them , we shall do it severally ; and first . chald aea , is bounded on the east with a persian province , called susina ; on the west with the desert of arabia ; on the south with the rest of deserta , and the persian gulf ; and on the north with mesopotamia . as for the original from which this country has its name , is uncertain ; however it is exceeding fruitful , yielding corn in many places and fold ; and pliny affirms the babylonians mow their corn twice a year , and seed it a third time , or else it would produce nothing but blades ; and here many hold the terrestrial paradice , a select garden , more inriched by the bounty of heaven , than any other part of the world ; and the reason they give for it is , because the rivers mentioned in scripture to flow from it are found in this tract , according to all circumstances the same , though length of time has caused corruption or alteration , but rather in name than place , &c. and in this country , on the large plains of shinar was founded babel , signifying in the hebrew confusion , where happened the first confusion of languages , a work so stupendious , being the business of almost all the inhabitants of the earth , that before it was left off , it began to rea● a head of majesty , cubits from the ground , having proportionable basis and circumference , the passages going up winding , and so easie of ascent . that horses and carts might not only pass up it , but meet and turn , having lodgings and stations in them for men and beast , and earth spread upon the mighty work for corn fields ; and all this foolishly undertaken to secure themselves in case of a second deluge ; and would however ( had it not been prevented by the divine power ) according to the model devised , have transcended the clouds . in this tract was the city of babylon in its antient glory , the walls of which was miles in circuit , cubits in heighth , and of such a thickness , that carts and carriages might meet on the top of it , finished in one year by the daily labour of work-men , built on both sides the river euphrates , having its communication by stately bridges , and is said when taken by cyrus the persian , that he had possessed one part of it three days , before the more remote inhabitants knew the enemy was entered ; but it has been since that time destroyed and removed ; so that at this day bagdat is taken for babylon , scituate on the river tigris , and now in the possession of the turk ; the other places of note are , ctesiphon , sipparum , apamia , vologesia , borsipha , and balsora , the port of bagdat or new babylon , scituate at the fall of euphrates , into sinus persicus , a place of great trade and wealth , now in the hands of the persians . as for mountains this country affords not any ; and for rivers , the chief are euphrates and tigris : the people anciently were much addicted to south-saying and divination , and held to be first idolaters , but now they are divided into several sects , and become a mixture of christians , jews , and mahometans , though once the christian faith flourished here altogether , as planted by st. peter , who assures us that he was at babylon in the latter end of his first epistle . . assyria is bounded on the east with media ; on the west with mesopotamia ; on the south with susiana ; and on the north with some part of turcomania , and part of chaldaea , taking its name from assur the son of sem , who first inhabited it , though of late it has been called by other names , but this being warrantable by scripture , we shall the rather continue it . as for the countrey , it is free from hills , unless such as render it very commodious , so that being watered with pleasant springs and rivers , it is every where very fruitful , and the people were anciently very warlike , making themselves by their arms lords of the greatest part of the east , extending their dominion from the mediterranean sea to the river indus ; the men especially very formal in their habit , wearing robes trailing on the ground , their hair exceeding long , and their caps so steeple crowned , that they seem like pyramids , perfuming themselves , and adorning with jewels , rings , &c. and a staff of ivory , rich wood , or some precious mettal in the form of a scepter in their hands ; and as for the ancient custom , it was to expose the fairest women to sale in open market , not as slaves , but to be purchased as wives , and with the money they put off those of the courser sort that were more deformed ; happy for our english doudies , were the custom in use amongst us : and as for the celebration of marriage , it is a little strange ; viz. the bride-groom sees not his bride before the wedding-day , but takes her upon the good report of his friends and others , when having made the bargain with her parents , they meet in the chancel of the church , and there the cassisse or priest obliges the bridegroom to put his hand through the hole of a partition , and take the bride by the hand , which done , her mother with a sharp bodkin pricks his hand all over with much eagerness ; and if so , for all that he holds her fast , and wrings her hand till she squeak , they term it a presage of lasting love , but if he let go , the contrary ; and if the first year a male child is born , the father loses his name , and is called abba or father , the sons name being added to it . assyria is principally watered with the tygris ; so named from its swiftness and rapidity : into which , as ptolomy affirms , discharge themselves , the rivers cuprus , lycus and gorges , with some other streams , or rivulets , and the whole assyria was divided into six parts , viz. araphachits , adiabene , calacine , sitacene , arbelites , and apoloniates , and has for its chief cities calach , one of the four cities built in the land of assur by nimrod ; sittaca , about two miles from the banks of tygris ; athela , apollonia , geguamela ; memorable for the first great overthrow given by alexander to darius the persian , wherein persians are accounted to be slain , with the loss of macedonians only ; reboboth another city , said to be built by nimrod , but now supposed to be that called birrha . on the tygris ; rhesen another , said to be built by the same party ; ninive , first built by nimrod , and so named from ninus his son or nephew ; the city to which jonah was sent , and in those days accounted sixty miles in circuit , which may properly enough in those hot countreys be accounted three days journey : mosul , seated on the tygris , arzeri and scheheruzal , the chief residence of the turkish bassa , governour of this countrey . as for the profession of the natives , and some strangers mingled amongst them , 't is that of the nestorians , but the standing religion is mahometism imposed by the turks . . mesofotamia has on the east for its boundard the river tygris , parted by it from assyria ; on the west the euphrates ; on the north mount tauryus ; on the south chaldaed and arabia deserta , and is frequently in scripture called padan-aram which in the latine signifies syria culta , and was , anciently inhabited by the aramites , and is full of rich pastures , the soil very fruitful in corn , abounds with vine-yards and store of cattel , and is indeed so well furnished with all things necessary for humane support and pleasure , that strabo calls it mesopotamia felix , tho in the extream south , there are a few barren desarts and some rough mountains or hills ; and though it is a kind of a compounded countrey , yet the people are very active and industrious , improving natures bounty more than any in this tract , though being but a small countrey , it has always been in subjection , and is watered with the rivers tygris , euphrates , and caboras or abaras . the chief cities found in this countrey , are edessa , cologenbar , nisibius , and vr ; as for their religion , as far as relates to christianity , it is in a manner orthodox , agreeing in most points with the reformed churches of europe . i might now proceed to say something of the two kingdoms in the great mountain taurus , named from their two last kings , the kingdoms of aledeules and bahaman ; the first subdued by selimus the first emperour of the turks , and the last by abas the persian sophy ; but having nothing but rocks and barren mountains to deal with , and indeed the difficulties the inhabitants struggle with , being more to be wondered at than any thing else , i shall thus briefly pass them over , and proceed to turcomania . turcomania described in its provinces , &c. tvrcomania , or the land of turky , so called from the turks inhabiting it before they got by stratagem the persian empire , is on the east bounded with media and the caspian sea ; on the west with cappadocia , armenia minor , and the euxine sea ; on the north with tartary , and on the south with assyria and mesopotamia ; and is properly divided into four parts , viz. armenia major , held to be the true turcomania ; colchis , now called mengrelia ; iberia now called georgia ; and albania called by some zuirca , and of these in their order . armenia major , now called turcomania , is a very hilly countrey , as much overspread with the spurs of mount taurus and anti-taurus , though between them are many fruitful valleys , that produce store of cattle : the greatest business of these people when exempted from war , being to feed sheep upon the mountains , and other cattle on the lower ground , driving them from place to place where the pastures are best , and where they find the most commodious springs , carrying with them their families , tents , and provision , and usually go armed , not so much for fear of rovers , as wild beasts that possess the caves of those mountains : the people being large of body , comely of personage , much used to the bow and spear ; patient of all kind of labour : the women are very homely , but of a manly aspect , and when occasion requires , addict themselves in disguises to the wars , and mingled with the men , perform equal exploits ; and in towns , where they are setled , their families are very great , by reason they co-habit under one roof to the third or fourth generation , the eldest commonly bearing rule , and being in all things absolute as king of the family , yet those live not idle , but employ themselves in making tapestries , gograms , watered chamlets , and other manufactures , dispersed into all parts , and some , tho not many of them are considerable merchants , dispersing themselves over the eastern countrey , and from a mountain of this armenia called abas has the great river araxis its fountain , and the people generally are christians . the chief cities and towns of this country are , artaxata the royal seat of the antient kings of armenia ; sebastia , now called suassia ; seated on the euphrates , tigranes , certa , arsamosata , clamassum , cholna , baraza , chars , colonia , thespia , and others of lesser note : as for forrests or woods , this country has very few , and none considerable . colchis the second division of turcomania on the north of armenia is inhabited by a rude uncivillized people ; however the soil is fertile producing naturally , much plenty , and the vines of their own accord , twist themselves about trees ; creeping up into the spreading branches , and affording much wine ; but that which in antient times rendred it most memorable , was the abundance of gold found in the sands of the rivers issuing from the mount caucasus ; for which jason made his expedition ; and thereby gave the occasion of the fable of the golden fleece : there were likewise found divers veins of silver in the mountains , though at present for want of working , or being exhausted , the people deficient in coin , are obliged to barter goods for such things as their necessities require ; however they are much given to riot and excess , nor do they refuse to prostitute their wives and sisters , to the pleasure of their guests upon any slight entertainment , as not thinking they can be otherways sufficiently welcom ; nor do the women refuse a complyance . and here the chief cities are , or were dioscurias , sibaris once the royal seat of the colchine kings ; siganeam , aeopolis , neapolis , phasis ; from whence the phesants were first brought into europe by the greeks ; alvati , mechlessus , zadris and sirace ; though at present none of them considerable ; however the christian religion continues here , though the turks have possessed themselves of the country . iberia takes its name from the river iberius , running through it , though lately the name is changed to georgia ; as some will have it from st. george the capadocian martyr ; who first planted , or at least greatly improved the christian religion amongst them . the country is mountainous , woody , and a great part of it covered with snow three quarters of the year ; so that the soil not being very fruitful , the people addict themselves much to war ; so that for a long time they lived in freedom under their own princes , till the persian ▪ war ; at what time they partly by force , and partly by submission , became tributary to the ottoman emperors ; so that it contains not any cities of note ; however amongst them are reckoned artaxissa , vasada , lubium , and armastica , so named by p●olomy ; though at present cremen and cachet are in most esteem ; and to keep the people in aw , the turks have fortified many places ; and amongst others the strong castle of teflis , the key of media , now called servan , garrisoned with men ; and has in it besides other ammunition pieces of ordnance . albania in asia , distinct from that in europe , east of iberia is accounted to be first peopled by gether son of aram , and nephew of japhet , and rested out of the way of war till the romans time ; when siding with tigranes king of armenia major , and mithridates king of pontus , they were brought under subjection by pompey . the soil of this country is very rich in many parts , as being watered with the rivers saonia , cyrus , gerrus and albania ; and on the latter is seated a city of that name , the chief of the province ; here are likewise found chabala , thelbis , getara , namechiae and telebae : the chief commodities are corn , cattle , wine , and some manufactures , and has over it a turkish bassa ; and from these countries the turks are held on all hands to descend , as in the history of that people , appears more at large . media and persia described , in their respective provinces , &c. media ( the first that occurs in order ) is bounded on the west with armenia major , and some part of assyria ; on the east with parthia , and some part of hyrcania , and the provinces of persia ; on the north with the caspian sea , and georgia ; and on the south with other parts of persia ; held to take its name from madai , the son of japhet , who first planted it ; though at this day it is called by the turks ( in whose possession the greatest part of it is ) sheirvan , or servan ; the word in their language signifying a milky plain ; alluding thereby to the great plenty of the country , and is of large extent ; once famous for a warlike people , that over-run the greatest part of the east ; yet this country like all others , differs in degree of fertility , for although the south part is exceeding fruitful ; yet the north part lying between mount taurus and the hyrcanian sea , is very barren ; insomuch that the people make their bread of dryed almonds , and their drink of the juice of certain herbs ; no fruit trees flourishing there , nor any considerable quantity of corn. as for the kingdom of media , we may properly divide it into two provinces ; viz. atropatia and media major ; the first of these contains the northern parts of the country ; and is held to be that , where salmanasser , the assyrian king placed the israelites , whom he carryed into captivity , and is watered by the river gonza ; and had for its chief cities or towns hamadum , gonzavia , mandagarsis , gelin , bochu , ere 's , sumachia , or shamaki ; the last built by cyrus the persian , and much illustrated by others ; and in it as a monument , stands a pillar interwoven with the heads of noble men all of flint , curiously wrought , &c. this province is very mountainous , as having the spurs of the taurus branching out , and the body of the mountain it self , &c. media-major , on the south of mount taurus , is a very pleasant country ; yielding corn and wine in abundance , with many pleasant fruits , and good pastures , watered every where with fresh streams ; so that cattle , especially horses encrease in great numbers ; the men being generally expert riders , and much redoubted in war. the chief cities that were here found are the great e●batana , to which semir amis took such a liking , that she caused for its better accommodation , water courses to be cut through the mountain orontes , reckoned to be in compass italian miles and fortified with a wall of cubits high , broad , with gates , and towers built over them of smooth stone , and had formerly six lesser walls , though now little of it remains . taurus a city pleasantly scituate , under the shadow of orontes ; opening to a curious fertile plain on the south ; once a place of great trading , but having been often ruined by the turks , in their wars with the persians ; it has lost much of its former splendor . arsacia built by some of the parthian kings , in their conquest of this country : casbin scituate in an open plain , on the banks of a small river , but of no considerable trade , though the persian sophies have a pallace in it : rages , nassivan , ardovile , sultania , turcoman , and marant . the christian religion is held to be first planted here by st. thomas ; and though it was not universally embraced , yet it flourished till mahometism was introduced , more by the power of the sword than the peoples inclination . persia described . persia has for its eastern boundard india ; for the western media , assyria , and chaldaea ; the northern tartary ; and the southern the main ocean ; so named , ( if you will credit the story ) from perseus , son to jupiter and danae ; though rather from persis a small province ; or part of the country which took its name from one of their kings : and the whole region of persia , is found to extend from degrees of longitude , to . degrees in all , and in bredth from degrees north latitude to , scituate under the fourth , fifth , and sixth climates ; so that the longest day in the southern parts , is hours and almost three quarters but in the most northern and a quarter ; the air for the most part pure and wholsom , though the earth by reason of the great heat of the sun , is dry , and sandy in many parts , and destitute of water ; having few rivers , and not many lakes ; however taking the country in general , it abounds with all things necessary , and may properly be divided into provinces , viz. susiana , persis , carmania , ormus , gedrosia , drangiana , aria , parthia , arachosia , paropamisus , hyrcania , and margiana ; and held to be one of the antientest kingdoms of the east ; the people as the chaldaeans , giving themselves up to the study of astrology ; and as to their religion , it s the sect of haly , differing in many things , from the tenets of the impostor mahomet ; tho amongst them are many christians and more jews ; and the chief rivers that visit persia , are araxis , some windings of euphrates and tigris ; and here are found mount taurus , the seriphian hills , and some others of less note : and has for the most material cities , persopolis , aracca , tarsiana , and others ; the country affording dates , myrrh , drugs , spices , mines of silver , brass , quarries of of marble , cedar-wood , and rich manufactures of silks , and embroideries of silver and gold , and has been much traded to , by the european merchants , especially the island of ormus ; accounted the most fruitful in the world ; so that those who have compared the world to a ring , have allowed this to be the jewel , that ought to be set in it ; for the portugals upon their first coming hither , so much inriched themselves , that they easily commanded the whole trade of europe . as for the persians , they are generally good natured , courteous to strangers , exceeding obedient to their prince , whom they in a manner idolize ; they are tall of stature , well limbed , and for the most part handsome ( especially the women ) patient of labour , yet through the plenty of the country much given to luxury , valiant in fighting , as well the women as the men , who accompany their husbands to the war in disguise , and frequently die fighting by their sides , as appeared by the great number of them found upon the stripping of the slain in many battles fought between them and the turks . and within this jurisdiction we may include bactria , lying west of margiana , watered by the river oxus , so that it is partly fruitful , and partly barren and desert , possessed by a rough and untractable people , and has many woods and forrests full of wild beasts , which renders the passage dangerous to travellers , and has its name from bactria the metropolitan city , seated at the foot of the mountain sogdij , and is now in subjection to the persians . tartaria described , in its kingdoms and provinces , &c. tartaria , or tartary , is a large tract on the northern part of asia , and shooting out considerably to europe , bounded on the east with china , and the eastern ocean ; on the west with russia and podolia , a province of the kingdom of poland ; on the north with the frozen scythian ocean ; and on the south with another part of china , from which it is separated by a mighty wall , the river oxus parting it from bactria and margiana , the caspian sea from media and hyrcania ; the caucasian mountains from turcomania , and the euxine sea from anatolia and thrace , and is possessed under the general name of tartars , by many powerful nations , accounted to be miles from east to west , and from north to south . the people are generally rude , giving themselves more to war and rapine , than to arts or husbandry , big bodied , broad faced , little and hollow eyed , thick lipped , and flat nosed , swarthy of complexion , tho distant enough from the sun , hardy and capable of induring extream hardships , loving to ride●● tho on cows , oxen , and other beasts , not used in other parts in such services ; their speech carries a kind of a whining tone with it , and when a company are got together a singing , one would imagine them a consort of wolves a howling , and have indeed in their many excursions and wars proved the terror of the world , yet are seldom covetous , of more than is sufficient to support them , as being altogether regardless of silver , gold , or costly apparel , going for the most part clad with the skins and furrs of beasts they take by hunting , and are by some held to be the off-spring of the ten tribes removed out of palestine by salmanasser ; for many of the great lords of the tartars st●●e themselves naphthalites , danites , &c. and canton themselves into families and tribes . this countrey is usually divided into these following provinces , viz , precopensis , asciatica , antigua , zagatha and cathaia : the first contains taurica chersonesus , and the asciatican banks of tanais , taking its name from precops the chief city , and has in it , beside the towns of ozaclow , capha , crim , and others of lesser note . the second contains asciatica deserta , or deserta muscovita , held to be the ancient sarmatia asciatica , remaining unciviliz'd at this day ; as feeding upon raw horse-flesh , sucking blood from living creatures , and oftentimes preying upon each other , and neglecting all manner of tillage . the third contains the cities of noyhan , cashan , charackzieke , astracan , and some others of lesser note , as coras , caracora , and the whole kingdom of tendock , and affords the drug called rhubarb , not any other where to be found . the fourth division contains scythia , inter imaum , inhabited by a more civiliz'd people of the tartars , and have for their chief cities istigias , scituate in a very fruitful plain , to which flow the principal commodities of the whole kingdom , and samarchand , usually the residence of the tartarian chams , where tamerlain the great was born and died ; but the most pleasant of all , and indeed the glory of the whole countrey , is the kingdom of cathia . the soil of this part of tartary yields a superabundance of fruits , corn , hemp , flax , &c. and the other merchandise are woolls , rhubarb , musk , silks , and manufactures of its own , and also those of china , that are brought hither , and has for its chief cities cambalu , tebeth , carraran , and xeamdu , all of them very stately ; containing in their large circumferences , pallaces , fixed and moving , parks , pastures , with many other rarities ; but in all these countreys , the government is arbitrary , the lives and estates of the people depending upon the pleasure of the prince . there are yet another sort of this people called crimesian tartars , inhabiting the crim , on the fenns of maeotis and borders of moscovy and poland , but much of the nature of those already mentioned . as for religion , they are in many places divided in opinion , as being a mixture of armenians , christians , jews , mahometa●s , and some idolaters . the chief rivers that water this countrey , are the tanais and volga , and the principal mount imaus , which runs in a long chain or ridge , branching however into divers spurs , &c. a description of the kingdom of china in its provinces , &c. china is a large kingdom , though not well known , till the latter times to the europeans , bounded on the north with the eastern tartars , and altay ; separated from them by a continued chain of hills , and a wall of leagues in length , furnished with towers , and so broad , that a cart may be driven on the top of it , built ( as they give it out ) by tzaintzon the th king of china . the southern boundards are partly cochin-china , a province of the east india , and partly the ocean ; on the east with the oriental ocean , and on the west with part of india and cathaia ; and is indeed on all parts so hemmed in with mountains , seas , and artificial fortifications , that it is no wonder travellers missed it in their way to other countreys . this kingdom , according to the account of the natives , contains provinces , viz. canton , foqueit , olam , sisuam , tolenchia , cansay , miuchian , ochian , hionam ▪ paguia , tuitan , quinchen , chagnian , susnam , and quinsay , in which are computed cities , walled towns , unwalled towns , and castles ; the whole countrey being accounted leagues in circumference , reaching from to degrees of longitude , and from the tropick of cancer to the degree of latitude , lying under all the climes from the third to the ninth , so that the air is very temperate and healthful , by which the natives are for the most part exempted from sickness , and live to an extream age : as for the riches and fertility , it is very much , even to admiration , the people being very industrious , and the soil as suitable ; so that in many places they have two , and in most parts three harvests in a year , nor do they spare to plant and sow , the best of all kinds they can compass . the chief commodities coming from hence are pearls , bezora stones , wooll , cotton , olives , wine , flax , metals , fruit , china ware of sundry kinds , stuffs , carpets , embroideries , musk , amber , &c. the people are of a swarthy complexion , especially those living towards the southern parts , short nosed , black eyed , with thin beards , wearing long garments , with loose sleeves , and hair at its full growth ; they are much given to often eating , but then they do it very sparingly , not touching their victuals with their hands , but take it with a fork made of ebbony or ivory , from whom the europeans learned the fashion . the men are very jealous of their wives , insomuch that they will not suffer them to go abroad , nor sit at the table with them if any stranger be there , unless some very near kinsman ; however they permit them to go as gay as they please about the house , and one trick has been brought into a custom , to prevent their desiring to ramble , the which is by the hard binding up their feet when children , to render them small , that being accounted the greatest ornament or beauty , so that being cripled by that means , they cannot go without pain . as for their dead , they bury them in fields fifteen days after their decease : they that are buried within the walls of cities , &c. being by them accounted most miserable . knowledge they have of the deity , and some marks and foot-steps of christianity is remaining amongst them , but so obscured , that they live for the most part after the manner of the ancient gentiles , offering sacrifices to the devil , thereby to appease him , that he should do 'em no mischief ; and will needs have the date of their actions , or the beginning of their kingdom , long before the wor●d was made , telling many strange and incredible stories about the creation , &c. in their building , and indeed in all their actions , they are very neat , and the countrey so populous , though the wars with the tartars have somwhat lessened the number ; that some of their kings have brought a million of people into the field , and has seldom less , than ships of war , though of no great service , in a readiness , and lesser vessels on several rivers , for carrying of goods and merchandise from place to place ; yet so jealous are they of strangers prying into their affairs , that in some cities 't is death for any but a native to lodge a night within the walls , nor is he permitted in the day time to enter , without giving his name to a publique notary , which when he returns , he must see crossed out , or where ever he is found , he suffers for it . the towns and cities are too numerous to be particularly recited , but the principal are quinsay , miles in circuit , with a lake of miles compass within the walls , in the middle of which is an island , where the emperor ( as he stiles himself ) has a magnificent pallace , and is thought to contain two millions of people . pequin or pekin , not much inferiour to the former in bigness , but nothing in trade , and all the countrey is so free from hills or mountains , that the chinese ride in charriots made of reeds , or canes , which by the help of sails is driven by the wind , as if drawn by horses , or floating upon the water . as for the rivers , they are but few , and those proceed from great lakes , as wanting hills to give them springs ; the principal are aspthara , senus , ambactu , and cotiaris , all navigable ; and have over them a great number of bridges , the arches of some of them rising so high , that a ship under sail may pass with as much ease as a boat : and as for the customs arising by trade , they are so great , that no prince whatsoever receives so much upon the like occasion . east india described , in its kingdoms and provinces , &c. india the largest tract in the world , going under one entire name or denomination , except tartary and china , is bounded on the east with the oriental sea , and a part of china ; on the west with the dominions of the persian sophy ; and on the north with branches of mount taurus , that divide it from tartary ; and on the south with the indian ocean : the whole countrey ( as most considerate persons affirm ) taking its name from the river indus , the most famous and noted in that part of asia ; tho some will have it to be so called from the end or furthest extent of asia , and is extended from to degrees of longitude , and from the equinoctial or equator , to degrees of north latitude , as to the main continent , tho some islands reckoned within the compass of india , extend to degrees south latitude . this countrey , to give it its due , is in most parts exceeding pleasant and flourishing , enjoying healthful and temperate air , unless at some seasons , when the heat is excessive in the southern parts , the summer continuing there much longer than with us , so that they have in a manner two summers giving a double increase ; so that they want nothing fit for the sustaining the life of man , or whatever may tend to recreation or delight : the kingdoms and provinces generally abounding with precious stones , spices , perfumes , medicinals , mines of gold and silver , and minerals of all other kinds , copper and lead excepted ; and that they may not so abound as to reject the traffick of other countries , they are deficient in wheat and vines , and have but few horses ; the creatures they use for service , being camels , elephants , and dromedaries , with other creatures of lesser note : though the woods , plains , and rivers abound with tygers ; some lyons , rhinocerots , apes , serpents , and crocodiles ; and in the seas are found whales of a monstrous size , as cubits in length and in thickness , with lesser fish of sundry forms , not found in the european seas , nor perhaps in any other . the natives of india are different , according to the climates they inhabit ; but in general of a-swarthy complexion , tall of stature , strong of body , and in most places very much civiliz'd , and exact dealers ; and altho the common sort are but meanly clad , and many only with garments capable of hiding their privities , and others meerly for decency , yet those of the better rank observe a majesty in both sex , as to their raiment and attendants , perfuming themselves , and wearing besides rich attire , jewels , and other ornaments of great value ; and tho the women are barred of that perfection of beauty the europeans posses , yet have they many lovely and attractive features , wearing their hair long and loose , yet covered with a veil of calicut lawn ; their ears hung with rings and jewels , so heavy , that the weight distorts and disproportions them ; they have also jewels in their noses , according to their degree , and are very submissive and loving to their husbands , insomuch that they frequently leap into the funeral fires , and perish with the dead body , in hopes to enjoy him in another world ; those that refuse it , being looked upon worse than common prostitutes , and not only hated , but severely persecuted , to the hazard of a worse death by their own relations . the religion of the india's is mostly that of gentilism , tho mahometism has made a considerable progress ; and since the europeans have traded here , christianity has considerably prevailed or rather revived ; it being held on all hands that st. thomas the apostle planted the christian religion in these parts , of which upon the first arrival of the portugals , many marks remained ; and in this countrey it is held he suffered matyrdom , being run through the body with a spear as he was at his devotion , by the command of an indian king ; and if we take india in general , it consists of a mixture of five sorts of people more especially , viz. indians , moors or arabians , jews , tartars , and european christians , who have planted divers colonies on the sea coast , and in the islands , strongly fortifying themselves against the power of the natives and other strangers . this large countrey , especially on the continent , is principally divided into india intra gangem , and india extra gangem , and then subdivided into kingdoms and provinces , and the chief contained in the former , are narsinga , mallabar , balassia , cambaia , mandoa , bengala , ostrian , conora , and dellie ; and of these in their order . narsinga lies on the east of the golf of bengal , properly accounted a kingdom , and is miles in compass , the king whereof is not subject to the great mogul , but for his support , and the defence of his countrey , keeps men in pay , and can raise upon occasion a far greater number ; the countrey is very fruitful , as being watered with many pleasant streams , besides what the ganges contributes towards it , and has for its chief city melleaper , otherwise called st. thomas , in memory of the apostle said to be martyred in it ; bisnagar a town of considerable beauty and trade ; as also narsinga , from whence the kingdom seems to take its name ; and here the women burn themselves with their husbands . mallabar , formerly called aurea chersonesus , is a countrey extreamly well peopled , yielding corn , spices , cocoes , jaceroes , and although it has not above leagues of sea coast , yet it has in its tract the provinces of kanonor , calecut , cranganor , cochin and cariolam , and is of large inland extent ; the people upon many parts of the coast addicting themselves to piracy , and prove very inhospitable to strangers , eating humane flesh , and giving their virgins to the priests or strangers to be deflowred , before they suffer them to be bedded by themselves when married ; with many other barbarous customs , as their changing their wives , and their having sometimes but one between seven or eight of them . balassia , called the kingdom of bocan , tho but very small , is nevertheless famed for the mines of gold and silver found therein , by which the neighbouring countreys are enriched , having for its chief towns senergian , balassia , and bocan , very fruitful in many parts , and much traded to . cambaia , called by some guzant , is accommodated with miles of sea coast , very fertile , and is full of cities and towns , many of them considerably traded to , and altho cattle of sundry kinds abound here , the people are so superstitious , that they will eat no flesh , but live upon what else the countrey affords , fancying , like the pythagoreans , that the souls of men pass into beasts , &c. though they spare not to kill the elephants for their vory , and have for their chief sea towns , daman , curate , bandora , ravellum , and for those more inland campanel , tanaa , mollar , and cambaia ; the last giving name to the whole kingdom . mandoa , a province very fruitful , and stored with considerable towns , and above the rest mandoa , from which it takes its name , being miles in compass , and said to be so well furnished for defence , that it held out a twelve years siege against the armies of very powerful kings ; molta , where the women imitating the men , ride a stride with boots and spurs on , &c. bengala , is a very large , and no less fruitful kingdom , lying upon the great golf of the sea , to which it gives name , making leagues of sea coast , watered by the river chaberis , on which are seated many considerable inland towns , full of people , but such as are exceeding crafty and deceitful , thinking it no crime to cozen or over-reach strangers , nor the women to prostitute their bodies to any that will give them money ; the fathers letting the daughters to hire for so long as is desired to do the work at bed and board , it being the custom of the countrey , being a place much resorted , by reason of the rich commodities found there , as ginger , long pepper , silks , cottons , and others , &c. as for the chief cities , they are bengala , scituate on the bay or golf chatigan , or satigar , and gouro , and in this tract the beast called the rhinoceros , is chiefly found . oristan or orixa is a province not very large , yet furnished with rice , cloath of cotton , a fine stuff like silk made of grass , and there called yeva ; long pepper , ginger , mirabolans , and other commodities ; so that from the haven of orissa or ships have been laden with the commodities of this province in a season ; and here the people differ from the foregoing , as being very honest and just in their dealings , and has for its chief city raman , where the governour for the mogul resides . canora is a kingdom of considerable strength and largeness , but famed for nothing more than the quarries of adamant , where likewise diamonds of considerable value are found , and that none may purloyn them , a wall is drawn about the hill , and a guard set upon the gates : as for the chief cities or towns , they are lispeo , dangar , and vltabat , with some other of lesser note . dellie is accounted as the former , a kingdom , the prince , or rather governour of it living in great state , and is so highly reverenced by his subjects , that they not only kneel when he passes in a rich chair of state carried on mens shoulders , but upon notice given that he shaves his beard , or has his hair cut , a jubile is kept throughout his countrey : as for the soil , it is not very fruitful , as lying considerably northward , and more subject to frosts than the rest : it s chief city is dellie , from whence the kingdom takes its name ; besides which , there are of note , fremel , fultaber and besmer ; and these people above other indians addict themselves much to the study of magick . in this tract of intra gangem , are found the provinces of cochin , where the portugals hold a considerable trade , and have some collonies ; cranganor a small kingdom , mostly inhabited by such as stile themselves the christians of st. thomas , and is very plentiful as well in product as manufacture : conlam is a small dominion of about miles extent , governed by a petty king ; but for want of good havens or sea-coast , not much traded to , though it comprehends three and twenty walled towns. india extra gangem . in this part of india are found divers rich countreys , viz. arachan , an inland region invironed with mountains and woods , yet exceeding fruitful , and in it are gathered from the rough rocks , &c. great quantities of precious stones ; as for the chief city it is arachan . machin a little kingdom , wherein grows the wood aloes , much esteemed and valued , and has machin for its chief city . camboia a large countrey full of people , abounding with elephants and rhinocerots ; also with gold silver and aloes , and other commodities of considerable value , put to sale in camboia its chief city . cochin , china a countrey ( once belonging to the chinese , but now under the mogul , governed by his deputed king ▪ ) abounding with porcelain , aloes , silks , gold , silver , &c. having its chief city of the same name . brama once a kingdom of no account , but now by the conquests the kings have made , it has under its power cal●● , p●o●a , melinta , m●a●da , decan , tangu , ava , machin , aracan , odia , pegu , siam , and others ; so that it is the most powerful in this tract ; and the city of pegu is the royal residence of that king. siam , once a powerful kingdom , the king thereof styling himself mighty , but now , as before intimated , it is tributary to the king of brama , and is however a very fertil countrey , having malucca for its chief city , possessed by the portugals , and much traded to by other nations for spices . pegv was formerly so powerful , that the kings thereof have brought armies of and men into the field , extending their conquests very wide , but now the good fortune of the bramanian holds it in subjection . these are the places of chief note upon the continent ; however there are found in this large tract the provinces or kingdoms of dulsinda , pengab , agra , sanga , camboia , decan , botanter , patanaw , and jangoma ; many of them very spacious , abounding with fruits , cattle , minerals , precious stones , and the like : this countrey rarely failing any where to produce something worthy of note . the principal rivers are ganges , indus , and hydaspes ; the first in such esteem with the natives , that they come many miles on pilgrimage to it , superstitiously imagining , that if they drink the water of this river before they die , they shall undoubtedly possess their imagined felicity in another world ; and in the last are found a great number of precious stones , washed from the rocks and mountains , by the sudden showers ; and to these streams above considerable rivers contribute , fatning and enriching the soil in every part where they flow . as for mountains of note , except some branches of ta●rus , there are but few . a geographical and historical description of africa , in its kingdoms and provinces , &c. africa larger than europe , but less than asia , is bounded on the east with the red sea and arabian bay , parted by them from asia ; on the west with the main atlantick ocean , separating it from america ; on the north with the mediterranean sea , dividing it from europe and anatolia ; and on the south with the aethiopick ocean , separating it from the southern continent ; and joyns only to asia by an isthmus of miles , over which cleopatra the queen of aegypt when she fled with antony from the naval fight at actium , purposed to draw by main force her ships and galleys into the red sea , but was disswaded from it , by being put in hopes of a better fortune . africa is held to have taken its name from affro or apher , descended from abraham , and is properly held to contain six principal regions , besides other of lesser note , viz. barbary , egypt , numidia , sarra , the countrey of the negro's , and the dominions of prestor john , and is in form like a pyramid reversed , the basis of which , from tangier to the straights of gibralter , to the point where it joyneth to asia , is counted italian miles , the cone of it very narrow , but to reckon from the cone or pyris , to the northern parts of the basis , it extendeth it self miles , and is scituate for the most part under the torrid zone , being crossed by the equator almost in the midst , which made some of the ancient writers conceive it not habitable , by reason of the excessive heat in the middle and more southern parts , in which they deceived themselves ; for altho in some places it is full of sandy desarts , yet the greatest part of those regions that lie near or under the line , are furnished with so many fountains , rivers , and little brooks , cedars and other lofty trees , casting a large shade as well as bearing delicate fruits , and at all times stored with blossoms , that the place is not despicable , but much to be desired , and especially places more northward , but leaving it in general , we proceed ( for the better satisfaction of the reader ) to particulars . a description of egypt , &c. egypt , once a famous and flourishing kingdom , now in the hand of the turks ; is bounded on the east with idumaea , and the arabian bay ; on the west with numidia , barbary , and part of lybia ; on the north with the mediterranean sea ; and on the south with aethiopia superiour , containing in length from the mediterranean to the city of asua or syene bordering on aethiopia , italian miles , and in breadth from roseta to damiatia , or from the most western branch of nile to the farthest east of the like miles ; said to be first inhabited by misraim the son of chus , and grandchild to cham , scituate under the second and fifth climates , making the longest summers day but hours and a half , and altho by reason of its southerly scituation , it must consequently be in a hot and sultry air ; it has nevertheless fresh gales of wind to temperate it , and once a year 〈◊〉 over-flowing of the river nilus , which renders it so fruitful , that it abounds with rich pastures , store of camels , horses , oxen , asses , sheep and goats of extraordinary growth ; also with infinite store of wild and tame fowl , with plenty of minerals , precious stones , wine , choice fruits , as oranges , lemons , citrons , pomegranats , cherries , &c. and has palm trees in great numbers growing male and female , and the female bears not unless she grows by the male ; a tree universally useful , as serving to above twenty ends . as for the people , they are of a swarthy or tawny complexion , very much inured to labour , tho the countrey yields great encrease of its own accord ; very servile and obedient to their conquerers , who lord it over them ; the richer sort generally addicting themselves to necromancy and sorcery , and are said first to teach the use of letters to the phaenicians , though the magi , and those that were stiled their priests , strugled all that in them lay to obscure learning , by representing the meaning of what they intended to express in hieroglyphicks , shadowing it under divers forms of birds and beast , &c. and here are to be found the ruins of mighty structures , as the pyramids and tower of pharo's built of marble , exceeding high , nightly hung with lights , as a sea-mark to sailors , and many other rare matters to demonstrate the magnificence of a plenteous kingdom . as for the cities of egypt , they are generally built upon hills or high rising ground , to stand dry during the over-flowing of nilus , from whose waters the countrey receives its fertility ; so that whilst it carries its stream over the land , they commerce with each other by little boats , which beginning on the th of june , lasts days , standing cubits in many places , and in more gathers its waters within the banks , by which means the earth is so well tempered ( for in this kingdom there falls no rain ) that the encrease is sixty and eighty fold , their harvest being commonly in our march and april ; and if the river flows too scanty or too immoderate , then it betokens scarcity or some misfortune to the prince , governour , or state , and whilst its waters are abroad , which at the first issuing create a plague for the space of a day : the cattle feed on the hills ; and when the famine was here in the reign of pharaoh , this river refused to pass its bounds , or give any assistance to the thirsty land. this countrey was formerly divided into two parts , viz. delta and thebais ; the first lying between the two extream branches of the river nilus , in form of the greek letter , from whence it takes it's name , and the last taking name from the city of thebes , containing all the rest of the rivers course ; and these again with some odd angles , are divided by some into many parts , shires , or counties , and is said in the time of king amasis the second to contain cities , towns , and considerable castles , but now a far less number , as being ruined in their several wars , &c. they being cairo or grand cair , alexandria , pelusium , since called damiatia , taken and possessed by the christians in the holy war , yet held out so obstinately upon the siege , that persons died of the famine and pestilence : heros or heroum , scituate on the arabian isthmus , at the very bottom of the golf , where jacob and joseph had their first interview : heliopolis , the city of the sun , now called betsames in the land of goshen : arsinoe , on the shoar of the red sea , cleopatris built by queen cleopatra : gleba rubra , by the greeks called hierabolus , and sometimes erithia bolus , of which there goes a story , that king amenophis the fifth being blind , was informed by one of his magi , that if he could procure the water or urine of a woman that had been married a twelve-month and upward , who had known no man but her husband , it would restore him to sight , when having tried in vain a great number , at last one was found , whose urine effected it , upon which he took her as a mark of honour , to be his queen , and caused the rest to be brought into this town , and to be burnt together with it . as for the egyptians , they are a great many of them mahometans , and some maintain their first idolatrous custom , in worshipping an ox , onions , leeks , and other foolish matters , and when they have a great increase , they offer to the god nilus , as they term the river , in which feast the poorer sort spend almost all they have laboured for through the course of the year ; and indeed , this country in fruitfulness , occasioned by that river , affords them no small store , alluding to which , thus the poet lucan ; terra suis contenta bonis , non indiga mercis , aut jovis ; in solo tanta est fiducia nilo . the earth content with it 's own wealth doth crave no forreign wares , nor jove himself they have , their hope 's alone in nilus fruitful wave . and one thing extraordinary in this kingdom , we think not fit to pass by , which if true ( as indeed it is confirmed by people of known credit ) may justly create a wonder in all , coming to pass by a supernatural means , and not the work of art and nature , viz. about five miles from cair , there is said to be a place which every good friday shews the appearance of the heads , legs , arms , &c. of men and children , as if rising out of the ground , to a very great number ; however if any person approach them , they shrink in again : a strange forerunner , or earnest , if true , of the resurrection of the whole body , presented yearly by the rising of the members ; and to confirm the truth hereof , stephen dupleis ( held to be a sober discerning man ) affirms to be an eye witness of the wonder , and that he had touched diverse of the rising members , and as he was once about to do it to the head of a child , a carian forbad it , telling him he knew not what he did . another wonder is the crocodile , which coming from a small egg , not exceeding the bigness of a turkies , grows to be feet in length and proportionable in thickness , living at pleasure in the water , or on the land , destroying not only fish , but men and beasts ; and with these the nilus abounds , as also with a fish called the river horse ; and thus much for egypt . a description of barbary . barbary , ( a considerable part of africk , so called ) is bounded on the east with cyrenaica ; on the west with the atlantick ocean ; on the north with the streights of gibraltar , and some part of the atlantick ocean ; on the south with mount atlas , separated by that mount from the desarts of lybia , scituate under the third and fourth climates , so that the longest summers day in the most southern parts , amounts to hours quarters , but in the north and a quarter , accounted in length miles , and in breadth in some places , and in others near miles , taking its name from the word bar made double signifying in the saracens language a desart . the part of barbary lying towards the mediterranean , is full of craggy hills and mountains , shaded on the top with woods , where lyons and other beasts of prey shelter themselves , though the valleys are very fruitful , but deficient in wheat , insomuch that the inhabitants eat barley bread , yet between these and mount atlas , the country is champian , watered with many pleasant rivers , issuing from that mountain , rendering the soil rich and fertile , so that it affords great store of plums , pears , figs , cherries , apples of sundry kinds , oyl , honey , sugar , and some mines of gold , called barbary gold , being the finest of all other : and pliny reports that near leptis we may behold a date tree over-shadowing an olive , and under the olive a fig-tree , and under the fig , a pomegranate-tree , and under that a vine , and under the the vine , pease or corn , &c. all flourishing at the same time , and this they do the rather , that they may shelter each other from the heat of the sun. the people are of a dusky colour , inclining to blackness , held to descend from the arabians , so that the language they speak in most parts is the arabick , or so bordering upon it that it may be easily understood , and are impatient of labour , covetous of honour , crafty and deceitful , yet studious in matters of their law , and some sciences , more especially philosophy and the mathematicks , and are in religion generally mahometans ; they are also stately of gate , exceeding mistrustful , implacable in their hatred , and jealous beyond compare ; for the women indeed are comely of body , well featured , delicate , soft skinn'd , and want nothing but colour to make them accomplish'd beauties ; nor has this country failed to produce persons , not only famous for arts and arms , but for piety and learning , as , amilcar , hannibal , septimus severus , massinissa , tertullian , cyprian , arnobius , lactantius , augustine , and others of no less note ; and here once ruled queen dido in the famous city of carthage , which city so long and strongly contended with rome for the empire of the world , but at last was destroyed through the importunity of cato , at which time there was found in it ( notwithstanding the charge of a tedious war ) pound weight of silver . as for the whole country , called barbar , it was divided into parts , viz. africa propria , called also zugitania , byzantena , tripolitana , numidia , mauritania , caesariensis , sitisensis , and t●●gitania , under diverse kings and governours , who then held it as tributaries to the roman emperors , but since reduced to four divisions , viz. tunis , tremesen or algiers , fesso , and morocco ; and of these in their order . tvnis is accounted a kingdom , containing whatever the antients called africa propria , or minor , and numidia antiqua , the air very temperate , considering the degree it lyes in ; the soil very fruitful , divided again into parts , viz. bugia , constantia , tunis , tripoley and ezab , accommodated with many curious havens , the chief being tripoley , where the turkish bassa resides ; and tunis a considerable city giving name to the kingdom , supposed to be founded on the ruins of the antient carthage ; and hath in it a temple of singular beauty and greatness . tremesen , or the kingdom of algiers , commonly called argie , now in the hands of the piratical turks ; has for its chief city algiers , from which the country takes its name , scituate near the sea in the form of a triangle with a haven , but neither great nor secure from the fury of the north winds ; though the city is strong and beautiful , having not only in it spacious inns , but baths , and mosques , very commodious and sumptuous ; and here every trade takes a street to themselves ; the streets standing even one above another , upon the rising of the hill ; which renders it a very pleasant prospect , to such as sail by it , and the harbour or mole defended with strong castles , and other works , which render the approach inaccessible and was formerly a place to which merchants traded ; but now only a nest of pirates , studying and striving all they can , to endamage and molest , such as sail those straits or seas ; and though they have been often curbed by the english , french , and dutch , &c. and brought to terms of peace ; yet like thorow paced thieves , they never kept it longer than they found an opportunity , to break it to their advantage ; and were in the year ; so resolute when the french fleet lay before it , and had with their bombs fired the town about their ears , not only to reject the offer made , but in contempt to that puissant monarch , to shoot his consul out of a mortar , or piece of cannon towards the french ships in the road , &c. as for the upland country , it has many pleasant towns and villages in it , abounding with gardens , vineyards , pastures , cattle , corn-fields , and fruits of sundry kinds . fez and morocco , are now joyned under one king , who fondly stiles himself emperor ; and contain the whole country of mauritania , properly so called , which took its name from the mauri , a people that antiently inhabited it ; and the first of these has fez for its chief city , giving name to the kingdom ; and here was scituate the city of tangier , lately demolished by the english , as not worth the keeping ; nor is the country wanting in large forrests , green fields , vineyards , flourishing gardens , abounding with fruits , and producing an infinite number of cattle , a breed of excellent horses , and the mountains many wild beasts , watered with the rivers buringrug and inavis for the space of miles . morocco is scituate in a warm breathing air , which renders the country very fertile ; so that it abounds with figs , dates , grapes , apples , olives , honey , sugar , and cattle ; the whole country being divided into parts , viz. guzzula , morocco , hea , duccala , hascorasus and tedles , all holding under the king of morocco , and paying him tribute , his power being absolute and tyrannical ; insomuch that he causes whom he pleases to be put to death , that is , cast to the lyons , or other wild beasts , to make him sport ; nor can any of his subjects , account what he has his own ; as for the profession of religion these people make , it is mahometism , though there are a great many jews , and some christians , living amongst them ; as for rivers there are not many in this country , the land being watered mostly by brooks , and little springs ; nor do they know in most parts what winter means as never having seen ice or snow , but what hangs on the top of the atlas a huge mountain , held to transcend the clouds ; the top of it crowned with pines , and so steep and rugged , that it cannot but with great difficulty be ascended ; lying in the upper part , so near the cold region ; that not withstanding the people beneath fry with the scorching heat of the sun ; it is covered with snow and ice : of which virgil thus writes . atlantis cinctum , &c. atlas whose piny head , with clowds inclosed , is to the storms of wind , and rain exposed ; now hides the snow his arms , now tumbleth down , upon his chinn , his beard with ice o'regrown . lybia interior described , &c. lybia interior , has for its northern bound mount atlas , parted by it from barbary and cyrenaica on the east ; lybia marmarica on the south ; aethiopia inferior , and the land of negro's and bounded with the atlantick ocean on the west distinguished from the other lybia by interior , as lying more in the main land of africk . this countrey , however it anciently was distinguished into parts , stands now divided into biledugerid or numidia ; lybia deserta , or sarra , and a considerable portion of the countrey called terra negritarum , or the negro's countrey ; and as for numidia , it abounds in many places with cattle , palm trees , and forrests of wild beasts , not more salvage than the people , who live for the most part by rapine and murther , inhospitable to strangers , neglecting tillage , and giving themselves up chiefly to the feeding of cattle upon the mountains , carrying like the tartars their families and tents , with other provisions from place to place , by reason of the scarceness of water ; for where this day a spring is found , the next it may perhaps be sunk again ; yet near the river dara , and in some other parts , the countrey people have scattered villages , and those of better rank castles . as for the towns we find of note , they are or were timugedit , tafiletae ; talfet , a town of houses , but no place considerable near it in miles : techort , where inhabit the most courteous people of all the countrey , and chose rather to marry their daughters to strangers than to natives , with some other of lesser note , not worth mention , as being exceeded by most of our countrey villages . lybia deserta , is a place so destitute and poor , by reason it mostly consists of wide desarts , and barren sands , breeding numbers of poisonous serpents , that few people inhabit it , unless thieves and robbers , who live upon the spoil of those that attempt to pass them ; yet near the borders , where there is any green , they have some petty towns , such as go for cities in those parts , as tagaza , days journey from any other peopled place , yet affords veins of salt , which they exchange for victuals with the tombutan merchants , or else must perish for want , and are many times over-whelm'd with the sands , driven like clouds upon them by the south wind ; guargata , scituate on the brink of a lake ; huaden , and tomburaum ; nor was this country ever fought after by the great conquerors , as not being worth their travel , &c. terr-anigritarum , or the land of negroes , is partly in libya interior , and partly without it , and is exceeding hot , by reason of its scituation under the torrid zone , yet full of black people ; and though a great part of it be desart , yet some places by the favour of springs are so well knit and fastened , that they appear green and flourishing , and especially those that lye within the compass of the over-flowing of the river niger , insomuch that they have pleasant gardens , pastures , corn fields , and store of cattle , woods full of elephants , and other wild beasts , whose flesh they eat , when taken by hunting , and clothe themselves with their skins , but have very few fruit-trees , unless such as bear a kind of a fruit like a chesnut , very bitter , nor have they , unless very rarely , any rain in this country , but are supply'd , like egypt , by dews , and the over-flowing of niger . the people of this tract were so simple , that at the first coming of the portugals hither to trade , they took their ships to be great birds , with white wings , and the roaring of their guns to be the voice of the devil ; nor could they conceit their bag-pipes to be any thing but living creatures , and when they were permitted to convince themselves of the contrary , they would not yet be beaten out of it , but that they were immediately the work of god's own hands ; yet are they very reverent or respectful to their king , who exceeds not in manners , or breeding one of our coblers , never daring when they come before him to look in his face , but cast their eyes downward , and when they sit , though the chiefest of his favourites , it is at his feet , flat on their buttocks . as for the religion ( if it may be so termed ) of these negroes , it is a mixture of idolatry and mahometism , though formerly , as appears by some footsteps yet left , christianity was predominant in divers parts of the land ; and through this countrey the river nilus passes , and 't is watered likewise with senaga , a river arising out of the lake guaga , little inferior to the former , and has divers mountains , as arualtes , arangus , and deorum currus , thrusting into the sea , and reaching in a manner the clouds . the chief cities of this countrey in the time of ptolomy , were nigra , thumondacana , malachath , seleuce , an●gath , panagra , with some few of lesser note , but most of them are ruined , and scarce any thing but their names remaining ; however there are some crept up in their steads , but those not many , as argina , porto dio porto del riscato , either built or so named by the portugals . in this tract ( for it is a very large one , taking up above a third part of africk ) are guinea , extended from sierra leona in the th degree of longitude , to benin in the th . where they have the juice of a tree as strong as wine , as also mines of gold : a place very fruitful , and much abounding in rice , barley , ivory , and guinea pepper . tombvtvm , a kingdom of it self , very rich in mines of gold , yet a greater store is gained by his warring on his neighbours ; as also mell , can● , gialosia , guber , gua●gara , gaoga , gambra or g●mbea , gialosi , bito , temiano , zegzeg , zaffara , gethan , medna , daum , gualta , agadez , cano , cas●n● , savaga , most of them petty princes , not of any considerable note . bornvm , a large and populous countrey , accounted miles in length , yet mostly inhabited by keepers of cattle that abound here , by reason of the abundance of pastures ; and here they use no marriage , but mix together as they think convenient , giving their children names by some mark or token of their body ; however the kings revenues are great , his very dogs being coupled in chains of gold. benin , eastward of guinea ; the king whereof hath wives , with whom he marches in state twice a year to show them to strangers , and the subjects following the example of their prince , get as many as they can , few having less than ten , and here the men and women go naked till they are married , and then have only a covering from the waste downward , superstitiously raising the skin with three slashes of a knife , from the navel to the privy parts , as a mark of their hopes of salvation . nvbia , a considerable countrey , stretching from gaoga to nilus , has dangula for its chief town and some other of lesser note , and affords , amongst other drugs the mortalest of poysons ; insomuch that the tenth part of a grain will dispatch a man in a quarter of an hour ; and affords moreover civit , sugar , sanders , ivory , &c. the kingdom taking its name from the nubiaea , a certain people that inhabit it , and is well refreshed with rivers and lakes , and the people were generally christians , a strong and potent nation , well skill'd in war , in so much that cyriacus one of their kings , hearing the christians were oppressed in egypt , raised an army of horse to succour them , but being about to enter that kingdom , to the great terrour of the turks and sarazens , he was met by the patriarch of alexandria , at whose supplication and entrcaty he returned , without enterprizing any thing memorable , nor has it been long since they , for want of spiritual guides to strengthen and confirm them , have faln off from the christian faith , and embraced the superstitions of mahomet . aethiopia superior described in its kingdoms and provinces . aethiopia svperior has on the east sinus barbaricus , and the red sea ; on the west , lybia interior and the kingdom of nubia ; and part of congo in the other aethiopia on the north ; egypt and lybia marmarica on the south ; the mountains of the moon parting it from aethiopia inferiour , and had its present name from the grecians , and is scituate on both sides the equinoctial , extending from the south parrallel of degrees to the north end of the isle meroe , scituate under the fifth parallel on the north of that circle , being accounted in length about miles , and in breadth about half as much , in circumference miles ; containing the whole countrey of aethiopia , as before limited ; the greatest part of it being the abyssine empire or dominion of prestor john ; the rest comprehending the kingdoms of adel and adea , the provinces quiola and melindi , though the last are reckoned parts of aethiopia inferior ; the island of meroe in the north possessed by mahometans enemies to prestor john , all on the south of nubia and the west of nilus , is inhabited by the anzichi , a cannibal and idolatrous people , who have a king of their own ; and all the coast of the red sea , as well within the coast of babel-mandel , the port of erocco only excepted , is in the possession of moors and arabians , who pay homage to the kings of adel and adea . as for the people of aethiopia , properly so called , they were formerly held to be great astrologers , the first ordainers of sacred ceremonies , from whom the egyptians had their instructions , always counted good archers , yet treacherously shooting with poisoned arrows ; they go ill cloathed , and as bad housed , for the most part extreamly inclined to barbarisin , and unless they swear by the life of their emperor , not to be credited in matters of weight ; their colour is an olive tawny , inclining more to swarthiness , except their emperor , who as a mark of the true prince , and are held to be converted to the christian faith , by the eunuch of queen candace , converted by st. philip the evangelist , which flourishes amongst them to this day , and comes very near in all the material points , to the orthodox religion of the reformed european church , &c. and are under a patriarch . the country of the aethiops , is like all other countries in this tract , fruitful in some places , and barren in others , yet it generally abounds in rice , barley , beans , pease , sugars , minerals of all kinds , cattle , viz. goats , oxen , sheep , horses ; and have great store of flax and vines , yet make neither cloth nor wine , unless peculiarly for the emperor , patriarch , or great men , being much given to sloth ; nor do they indeed know how to bring their minerals to perfection , nor will they trouble themselves to fish or hunt , tho' the woods and rivers are infinitely stored with fish and venison . as for the provinces comprehended at this time within the bounds or limits of aethiopia , they are , guagere , tigremaon , angote , damut , amma , bagamedrum , goijami , adel , adea , barnagassum , danculi , d●bas , fatigar , xoa , and barus ; though not all , as i intimated within the circuit of the abassine empire ; and of note amongst these are , viz. barnagosvm scituate upon the red sea , extending from suachen , almost to the mou●● of the streights , and hath for its sea port frooco , the only port of the empire , held tributary from the turks , who sometimes since took it from the aethiopians , with the town of suachen , for which they pay yearly ounces of gold. tigramaon , lying between nilus , marabo and angote , is a pleasant kingdom , though of no great extent , and has for its chief city cazunia , supposed to be the regal seat of queen candace , whose enuch st. philip baptized . angote is a province considerably barren , lying between tigramaon and amare ; insomuch that being deficient of gold or silver , or any other valuable commodities , iron , plate , or rings , and hard loaves of salt , made to sundry degrees of bigness , pass as current . xoa is more fertile than the former , as having many green pastures , where a great number of cattle feed , as likewise abounding with fruits , and is almost in all parts grateful to the husbandman . fatigar is noted for having in it a lake of that name miles in compass , being on the top of a high mountain , from whence divers rivers , well stored with fish , descend to water the country . goijami is famed for the mines of gold found , as also for the unicorn , who makes his abode in the hills of the moon , large mountains so called , because the moon upon her rising , appears first from behind them to that country ; and although the beasts are rarely taken by reason of their swiftness , yet their horns , so famous for expelling poison are found , which at a certain period of time they shed . gvgera , otherways meroe , is an island of which we intend to speak hereafter ; and in this country is found the hill amara , which is a days journey to ascend , and miles in compass , in form round , and on the top of it are sundry pleasant plains and pallaces , the air being much cooler than that beneath , and here the princes of the blood dwell . as for the emperors stile , by reason of the strangeness of it , we think fit to insert it , viz. p. i. supream of his kingdoms , and the beloved of god , the pillar of faith , sprung from the stock of judah , the son of david , the son of solomon , the son of the column of sion , the son of the seed of jacob , and the son of the hand-maid of mary , the son of nahu , after the flesh , the son of st. peter , and st. paul , after the spirit , emperor of the higher and lesser aethiopia , and of the most mighty kingdoms , dominions , and countries of xoa , goa , caffares , fatigar , angote , balignazo , adea , vangue , goijami , ( where are the fountains of nile ) amara , banguamedron , ambea , vangucum , tigremean , sabaim , ( the birth-place of the queen of saba ) barnagosum ; and lord of all the region unto the confines of egypt . and is said to have for his arms , a lyon rampant , in a field or , with this motto , viz. the lyon of the tribe of judah shall overcome . which gives many occasion to think , he either descended of the jewish race , from the stock of david , or from the off-spring of the queen of sheba , or saba , called the queen of the south , supposed to be begotten by solomon ; but leaving these conjectures to those that are disposed to make a more strict inquiry into them , we proceed to the inferior aethiopia . aethiopia inferior described , in its kingdoms and provinces , &c. aethiopia inferior has on the east the red sea ; on the west the aethiopick ocean ; on the north the higher aethiopia , and terra nigritarum ; and on the south the main ocean , parting it from terra australis incognita ; being lower in scituation than the former ; a country but little known to the ancients , but since more fully discovered , and is divided properly into parts , viz. zang●bar , monomotapa , cafraria , and manicongo ; and as for the people , they differ little from the other aethiopia , either in customs or manners , going clad with striped plads , or skins of beasts , part mahometans and part idolaters . zangebar is a country low and fenny , by reason of the over-flowing of the rivers , and so pestered with woods and forrests , that for wa● of the free motion of the air it is very unwholsome ; and so little are the people skilled in shipping , that the moors who dwell on the sea coasts use to adventure in little vessels sowed together with leather thongs , and caulk'd with gum , having no other sails than the leaves of palm trees ; and this province contains lesser provinces , as melindi , mombaza , quiola , mosambique , a very fruitful , populous countrey ; sofala , supposed the ophir● of solomon for its store of gold , ivory , and other rich commodities ; moenhemago or monemug , an inland province , affording mines of gold , which the people barter with the portugals for silks , taffata's , and the like , moeneremage , corova , calen , anzuga , mombira , mombiza , bandi , monzala , ma●oas , benda and embreo , and has for its chief cities or places of resort , mombaza , ampaza , both taken by the portugals ; quiola , mosambique , safola , and others of lesser note ; and in this region are divers cannibals of a black and horrid aspect , who war upon their neighbours for no other end than that they may eat them when they take them captive ; and amongst others , having taken mombaza , they made a great feast of the king and such citizens as escaped not their hands , and would have no commerce held with them , were not their countrey exceeding rich. monomopata lies mostly upon the sea , and is in circuit italian miles ; the air very temperate , and wholsome and pleasant , and is watered with the rivers , panami , aurug , luanga , mangeano , in whose sands is found much gold , and as for the people of this tract , they are black of complexion , mean of stature , swift of foot , and very strong , covering themselves only with cotton cloath , and diet upon flesh , fish , milk , rice and oyl of susiman , being pagans in religion , worshipping a god called mozimo , yet invisible , for they hate idols ; and here above all countreys in africk , the women have the greatest priviledges . they punish theft , adultery , and witch-craft with death , yet have no prisons , but execute the offenders as soon as taken ; and the lesser provinces into which this greater is divided , are motuca , rich in mines of gold , torra or butna , boro , quiticut , inhambran , and some others of lesser note , they being all very fruitful , but most famed for their mines of gold ; but their towns are very inconsiderable , the people mostly living in stragling cotts , the meaner sort not suffered to have any doors . cafraria , a third division of this aethiopia , is a country greatly abounding with herds of cattle , deer , antelopes , baboons , foxes , hares , ●elicans , ostriches , herons , ducks , geese , pheasants , partridges ; exceeding well watered , but deficient in corn , by the neglect of the natives , who choose rather to live idly upon the bounty of nature , than to improve it by art ; making their aboads in woods and forrests , and building , for the most part , their houses of branches of trees , interwoven hurdle-waies , and are black of colour , thick lipped , flat nosed , long headed , but longer eared , which reach beneath their shoulders , occasioned by their hanging extraordinary weights in them for ornaments , as rings , chains , &c. and to render themselves more beautiful , slash their skins in divers parts , carving it out into sundry forms , in imitation of the antient britains ; and the better to show it in all parts , they go mostly naked , unless a piece of a beast's skin over their privities ; and those that go best attired , it is only in skins of beasts , rough as they take them off , their dyet being raw flesh , and with the guts of be●sts they adorn themselves , by hanging them about their necks , and indeed are altogether brutal and bestial . and in this tract live the imb●ans , not far from the cape of good-hope , tall , and o● considerable strength , living by war and rapine ▪ feeding on the flesh of their conquered en●mies and dying friends , whose deaths they hasten , that they may the sooner eat them , and make drinking cups of their sculls ; and in their war ▪ they fight with poisoned arrows , and a long pol● , hardened at the end with fire , carrying likewise fire before them , signifying thereby that they intend to roast and boil all they shall overcome ; and these were they that eat up the king of mambaza and his people ; their king if such a monster deserve that sacred epithete , accounting himself lord of all the earth ; and when at any time the heat or rain offends him , he darts his poisoned arrows at heaven , by way of defiance : as for towns , they have none of any note , living in hutts , stragling villages , aud woods ; and in these parts is the cape of good-hope , frequently touch'd by such as sail to the east-indies ; and the better to discover the customs of these people , in the beastly and inhumane condition they live in , take the following account , viz. it happened that some english ships , in their way home from the indies , ●ortuned to take two of the natives , near the bay of soldania , in order to learn from them , when they could be brought to speak english , a farther account of the country , and one of them , named coore , they brought to london , the other dying by the way , when the better to please him , they not only arayed him in fine cloaths , but gave him beads , bells , and other things , wherein the natives of his countrey most delighted . yet not these , nor the sumptuous fare he met with , could alter his inclination , for he altogether appeared dogged and melancholy ; and when he had a smattering of english , he would often throw himself upon the ground , in a melancholy posture , and passionately cry'd out , home go saldania , go coore home , go . so that all hopes being lost of bringing him to any better manners , than what he had naturally im●ibed , they sent him back again by the next ships , and set him , to his no small joy , on shore where they found him : so that at any time when he saw ships with english colours , he would come running to the bay with gut and garbidg about his neck , to them , doing them all the good offices he could , being more pleased with that beastly manner of living than any other . manicongo , is a very temperate region , free from extream colds , as being scituate under the equator , rendring by that means the soil exceeding fruitful , affording fruits , plants , herbs , store of pasturage ; abundance of bulls , cows , goats , hares , deer , elephants , and serpents so large that they will swallow a man ; fowl of sundry kinds , they have in great plenty , both wild and tame , as being watered with the rivers coanza , bengo , barbela , ambrizi , dande , loza , and zare , and has in it the mountains of siera , complida , the chrystalline mountain , where great store of chrystal is found , the mountains of the sun , the mountains of sal nitri affording great quantities of that kind of minerals , and the mountains of cabambe , rich in mines of silver . and this province of manicongo , contains sundry lesser ; the king stiles himself , king of bomba , congo , sango , sundi , bangu , batti , pemba , abundi , matana , quisoma , angolu , and cacanga , lord of congemes , amolaze , langelum , anzuichi , chucchi , and zoanghi , though several of them are undiscovered to the europeans , the whole coast being first discovered by the portugals , who o●ened a way on this side of afric , to the wealth of india in asia ; and although the king of congo , has no other current money but cockle shells , yet his revenues are great by presents , for none may come to him empty handed , as also by his share of gold and silver , digged out of the mines ; and in this tract are sundry nations of cannibals who greedily devour mans flesh , rather than that of beasts , and of these there are the igges , or giachi , inhabiting the mountains of the sun , the which though they have wives or a piece , yet have they no children to be their heirs , for they unnaturally strangle them as soon as born , and eat them as dainties , supplying the decrease in number by such as they take prisoners of either sex , stealing none under or years of age , which by force and custom they bring to be as bad as themselves , against whom the batti , a neighbouring province , keeps men in arms , to prevent the stealing or eating the rest . another sort there are of these monsters in zazichana , who eat not only their enemies but their friends and kinsfolks ; and if at any time they can make to the value of a penny more of a slave dead than alive , they kill him , and cut out his body in joynts , selling it publickly in their shambles , as beef and mutton with us ; and when they have any that are lean , they fat them for the slaughter . and great pitty it is , that so good and fruitful a country , as these regions of africk , should be possessed with such impious wretches ; wherefore lest a further relation of such a barbarous people , should prove ingrateful to the reader , we will put a period to the discourse of this country , and of africa , till we come to the islands , and so proceed to the description of america , the fourth and last part of the world , yet discovered continent , &c. a geographical and historical description of america , in its kingdoms and provinces , &c. america , the fourth division of the world , so named by americus vespucius , an adventurous florentine , who discovered a part of the continent , is bounded on the east with the atlantick ocean , and the virginian seas , called mare del noort ; on the west with the pacifick ocean , called mare del zur ; dividing it from asia on the south , with part of terra australis incognita , from which separated by a long narrow streight , called the streight of magellan ; but on the north reaches , as some suppose , to the artick pole ; the bounds are not known , and although this country has been but lately discovered by us , yet it is conjectured to be as anciently peopled as europe it self , and though some have guessed it was knownto the antient greeks romans and carthaginians , yet they are but conjectures , only the arguments or probabilities , they bring to confirm or strengthen them , being much too weak to hold with a considering or judicious reader , and therefore coming to more certainty , we must be impartial , and ascribe the honour of the discovery of this great country , called by many a new world , to the honour and memory of christopher colon or columbus , a genoese , born at neray in the signiory of genoa , who being a man of considerable abilities of mind , could not upon considering the motion of the sun , perswade himself but that there must in reason be large countries not found out , to which it communicated its influence , and being strongly possessed with these thoughts , he imparted them to the state of genoa , in the year , whereupon he sent his brother bartholomew to propose the discovery to henry the seventh of england , who unluckily , by the way , was taken prisoner , though some time after , being set at liberty , he performed his trust , and was received with much chearfulness , insomuch that columbus was sent for by the king : happy for the natives had they fell into such merciful hands ; but providence otherways ordered it , for columbus ignorant of his brothers being taken by the pyrats , not hearing any return or answer , concluded his proposals rejected , and thereupon he made his overtures to the court of castile , where after many delays and six years attendance , he was furnished with three ships , not for conquest , but discovery , when having sailed sixty days on the main ocean , he could descry no land , so that the disheartned spaniards growing out of love with so tedious , and as they concluded , fruitless a voyage , began to mutiny , refusing to pass any further , at what time , as fortune would have it , columbus espied a bright cloud arise , growing still more light , from which he gathered , that they must ascend from the fumes of the earth , and not the ocean , whereat taking courage , he prevailed with them to stand three days course , and if in that time no land was discovered , he would engage to return ; when towards the end of the third day they espied fire , which they afterward found to be on the coast of florida , where landing his men , he caused a tree to be cut down , and making a cross , he erected it on the ●irm land on the eleventh of october , taking thereby possession of this new world in the name of the spanish king , finding it exceeding pleasant and promising , and so by degrees proceeded further , and after him divers others , till they brought to light the kingdoms and countreys intended here to be described . the countrey of america on the continent , is properly divided into two great peninsula's , whereof that toward the north is called mexicana from mexico the chief city , computed to be miles in circumference ; the south is called p●ruana , the sailing about which is reckoned italian miles , and the isthmus that joyns them together , is very long , but narrow in some places , no● above miles from sea to sea , and in many not above ; called by the spaniards the streights of darien , from a river of that name near the isthmus , which isthmus has been often proposed to be cut , that by the joyning the two seas , the passage might be very much shortened to china , and the molucca's but never yet enterprized . the mexican province is properly divided into the continent and islands . the continent containeth the provinces of estotiland , nova francia , virginia , florida , califormia , nova gallicia , nova hispania , and guatimalia , and these sub-divided into lesser countries . the peruan province , or the southern peninsula , taking in some part of the isthmus , hath on the continent the province of castela aurea , nova granada , peru , chiele , parognay , brasil , guiana , and paria , with their several members , and particular regions , of which in their order , and then of the islands of the universe . estotiland , and its regions described . under the name of estotiland we comprehend the northern regions of the mexican province , as also those on the east ; and 't is bounded eastward with the main ocean ; on the south with canida , or nova francia ; on the west with undiscovered tracts of land ; and on the north with an inlet or bay of the sea , called hudsons bay , taking its name from henry hudson an englishman , who first discovered it . estotiland , properly so called , is the most northern region on the east side of america , the soil sufficiently inriched by nature ; the natives rude and void of civility , arts , or tractableness , going many of them named , notwithstanding the extream cold , living by the flesh of wild beasts they kill in the woods , and is but little inhabited but by the natives , by reason of the lasting winters ; the greatest advantage drawn from this extream region , being the fishing trade , where in the rivers at the season , are such a number of cod , called new-land-fish , that with a red rag and a hook , a man may catch forty or fifty in an hour , which dried and salted , are brought into england and other parts of europe ; besides they trade sometimes with the natives for feathers , furs and skins of beasts ; and the most noted places ( for cities you must expect none ) are such as have been named by the english , viz. prince henry's fore-land , charles cape , king's fore-land , and cape wolstenham at the end thereof , where the streights open in a large and spacious bay , called hudsons bay ; but to come more southward , the next region is terra corterialis . in terra corterialis , the people are found to be of a little better understanding , cloathing themselves more decently in skins of beasts , and such other garments as they can conveniently obtain , being generally good archers , getting their provision thereby , yet strangers to towns and cities , as living in caves and swamps , or fortified woods , to which they gave the names of towns or villages ; not marrying , but living common , most of them idolaters , and those that are their guides , pretenders to southsaying and witchcraft , much delighting in fish , which they eat more gladly than any thing ▪ though a french colony setling here , have built some inconsiderable towns , indifferently inhabited , as brest , cabo-marzo , sancta maria , and some others ; and this part was first discovered by sebastian cabot in the year , at the charge of king henry the seventh , though not improved , but took soon after its name from gaspar corterialis a portugal , who some years after , sailing upon discovery , fell in with it ; and here are found staggs , white bears , and scut-fish a yard long , and such shoals of cod-fish upon the coast , that they retard the sailing of the ships . new-fovnd-land , another part of this tract lies on the south of corterialis , parted from it by the frith or streight , called golfes des chasteaux , pretty well inhabited , though not free from the extremities of cold , and has on the coast such abundance of cod-fish , herrings , salmon , mussles , with pearls in their shells , &c. that it is to be wondered at ; as also thornbacks , smelts and oysters ; the up-land country well manured , producing naturally roses , and bears pease in extraordinary crops , flourishing with trees of sundry kinds , as well for fruits as shades ; and in these parts the natives , scaping the bloody cruelty of the spaniards , are pretty numerous , being of a reasonable stature , broad eye'd , full faced , and beardless , their complexion the colour of oaker , and their houses for the most part made of pol●s , their tops meeting together , and covered over with skins , their hearth , or fire-place in the middle , after the manner of the laplanders ; their boats , with which they sail in the rivers , and on the sea near the shoar , are made of the bark of a tree , that country affords , feet in length and in bredth , yet one of them weighs not hundred weight ; and on this coast are many curious bays , safe for ships ; and before this part , which some term an island , as being divided by the frith from the continent , lyeth a long bank or ridg of ground of many hundred leagues extent , but not above at the broadest , and all about islands , called by some cabo baccalaos , from the swarms of cod fish found about it , which by the natives are called baccalaos , so that the bears frequently pull them out of the water with their paws and eat them : as for the natives ( upon the coming of the christians ▪ ) they inhabited the sea-coast , but now for the most part have betaken themselves to the woods and fastnesses , and used to express their duty and reverence towards their king , by stroaking their foreheads , and rubbing their noses which if the king accepted , or was well pleased with the party , he turned his head to his left shoulder , as a mark of favour : and at this day the fishery for ling and cod , chiefly draws the english thither , though some furrs and civit are likewise to be found , which the colonies there setled have much improved . canada , or nova francia , described , &c. another part of this tract , is called canada , from the river of that name that waters it ; and new france , from a colony of french that settled there , who at their first arrival were gladly received by the natives , with singing and dancing ; and this part ( as well as nova scotia , and norembegue ) is considerably woody , in the up-land parts full of stags , bears , hares , martins , foxes , whose flesh ( till more civiliz'd ) the natives did eat raw , as they did their fish , only being dryed in the sun , or smoak'd in their hovels ; they have also coneys , land and water fowl in great plenty , taking great pride in bracelets and chains of certain shells , called esurgnie , which the● gather on the coast ; and here are many great rivers of fresh water , which together with mountains of snow , render it very cold , yet wheat and ●ulse grows pretty kindly , though but few fruit trees ; and here the women labour more than the men , and if so the man ( who is allowed two or three wives ) dye , the widows will not be induced to marry again , but continue in their sort of mourning , which is to daub the naked parts of their body over with coal-dust , for in some parts of this tract they go naked , both men and women . virginia is a country somewhat more pleasant than what we have described ; bounded on the north with canada ; on the south with florida ; on the east with mare del noort ; and on the west with the woods of the country , the end of them not discovered , and is a colony of the english , along the sea coast , and considerably upland , so called in honour of queen elizabeth , that virgin queen , and glory of her sex , by sir walter raleigh , in the year . though by the natives called apalchen , from a town of that name , the sea-coast only being pleasant , for as much as what lies more in-land , is full of barren mountains and rough woods , where notwithstanding the natives inhabit in poor and miserable houses , under sundry chiefs , or petty kings , and yet frequently at war amongst themselves , for those wretched dwellings , and sometimes make inroads , and plunder the english territories , killing as many as fall within the compass of their power , and then fly to their woods and fastness , where they know they cannot without great hazard and danger be conveniently pursued . the country properly called virginia extends from to degrees of north latitude , and is very temperate , by reason of the frequent breizes , and refreshing gales of wind that allay the heat , so that it affords abundance of pleasant valleys , spacious fields , fruit trees , as in england , yielding a greater increase , and has sundry veins of allom , as also pitch , turpentine , cedar , and olive trees , with many pleasant hills , which are planted as vineyards ; store of fish , fowl , cattle , and above all sundry large plantations of tobacco , especially upon james and york rivers , and have considerable towns and villages , many of them well fortified , to prevent incursion of the savages , whose neighbouring petty princes , the governour obliges to pay tribute , and to send their slaves if any outrage be committed by them in the territories of the english , to james , charles , or any other town , appointed to be punished according to the degree of the fact ; and here the natives ( such as border on the plantation ) are much civiliz'd , in consideration of those that are more remote , trading with the english , for furrs , skins , and indian corn , which they fet with a stick , as we do our beans , which is the work and business of their wives , as soon as they have bought them of their parents , and built them a house , which for the most part is of poles , pleated on the sides and tops hurdle-wise ; and if female children be born , they as soon as they are able , go into the field to work with their mother , but the male goes along with his father to shoot in the woods ; and so lazy are the men , that if they kill any considerable game , they leave it at a certain remarkable tree , and when they come home send their wife to fetch it , who dares not on pain of death disoblige her husband . but this is only meant of the natives , for the english are there , as here , governed by wholsom laws , and live for the most part in great plenty . maryland lies on the south of virginia in the same tract , divided from it only by some considerable rivers , and is as the former a tobacco plantation , abounding likewise with corn , cattle , and considerable gardens and orchards of fruit trees , planted by the english. as for the natives bordering it , they differ not in manner and quality from the former , going mostly loosly arrayed in beasts skins , feathers compacted , and armed with bows and darts . new england , an english colony in this tract is bounded on the north-east with norumbegua , on the southwest with novum belgium ; and on the other parts by the woods and sea coast ; scituate in the middle of the temperate zone , between the degrees of and , equally distant from the artick circle , and the tropick of cancer ; which renders it very temperate and very agreeable to the constitution of english bodies , the soil being alike fruitful , if not in some places exceeding ours ; all sorts of grain and fruit trees common with us growing kindly there : the woods there are very great , wherein for the most part the native indians dwell fortefying themselves as in towns or places of defence , living upon deer and such other creatures , as those vast wildernesses whose extents are unknown to the english abound with : there are in this country store of ducks , geese , turkies , pigeons , cranes , swans , partridges , and almost all sort of fowl , and cattle , common to us in old england ; together with furs , amber , flax , pitch , cables , mast , and in brief whatever may conduce to profit and pleasure ; the native indians , in these parts are more tractable , if well used , than in any other ; many of them though unconverted , often saying , that our god is a good god , but their tanto evil ; which tanto is no other than the devil , or a wicked spirit that haunts them every moon , which obliges them to worship him for fear , though to those that are converted to christianity he never appears . this english colony after many attempts and bad successes was firmly established , at what time new plymouth was built and fortified ; so that the indians thereby being over-aw'd , suffered the planters without controul to build other towns , the chief of which are bristol , boston , barstaple , and others , alluding to the names of sea towns in old england ; and are accommodated with many curious havens commodious for shipping , and the country watered with pleasant rivers of extraordinary largeness ; so abounding with fish , that they are not taken for dainties : the religion professed is presbyterial ; and for a long time they were all governed at their own dispose , and laws , made by a convocation of planters , &c. but of late they have submitted to receive a governer from england novvm belgivm , or the new neither-land , lies in this tract on the south of new england , extending from to degrees north latitude ; a place into which the hollanders intruded themselves , considerable woody ; which woods naturally abound with nuts and wild grapes , replenished with deer , and such creatures as yield them store of furrs , as the rivers and plains do fish and fowl ; rich pastures , and trees of extraordinary bigness , with flax , hemp , and herbage ; the ground very kindly bearing the product of europe ; and here the natives , such as live in hutts and woods , go clad in beasts skins , their houshold goods consisting of a wooden dish , a tobacco pipe , and a hatchet made of a sharp f●●nt stone , their weapons bows and arrows ; though the dutch unfairly to their cost , out of a covetous humor , traded with them for guns , swords , &c. shewing the use of them which the indians turning upon their quondam owners , found an opportunity to send of their new guests into the other world ; and here the chief town is new amsterdam , commodiously scituate fo● trade , and the reception of shipping . florida is a large part of the mexican province , bounded on the north-east with virginia ; on the east with mare del noort ; on the south and some part of the west , with the golf of mexico , and the remaining part of the west with new france , extending from to degrees north latitude ; and first discovered to any purpose under the conduct of sebastian cabot an english man , , and now mostly possessed by the spaniards so named from the many flourishing trees and flowers that enammel the country ; the soil being naturally so rich , that a long manuring cannot impair it 's rendering fold increase ; so that they have two crops yearly of maize ard corn ; and here flourish most sorts of fruits , as grapes , cherries , mulberries , chesnuts , plumbs , &c. the country yielding cattle , fowl , fish , and many medicinal drugs ; likewise pearls , precious stones , and some mines of gold and silver , though not much improved . the indians inhabiting this tract , are of an olive colour , great stature and well proportioned going mostly naked , unless a cover made for their privity with a stages skin , painting their arms and legs with divers colours not to be washed out ; their hair is black , hanging down to an extraordinary length , cunning and much desirous of revenging injuries ; insomuch that they are continually at war amongst themselves ; the women upon the death of their husbands , cut their hair close to their ears , and marry not again till it 's grown sufficiently long to cover their shoulders ( a very commendable way if used amongst us , to prevent our over hasty widdows , who are frequently provided before hand ; ) they have amongst them many hermaphrodites which they hold in such detestation that they are marked out for slaves as soon as born ; and though they have a kind of a glimmering of immortality , yet they worship idols , representing the devil ; and when ferdinando sotto a spaniard , went about to perswade them he was sent from god , to bring them to places of joy and delight ; they at that time reflecting upon the cruelties of that bloody nation , told him they could never believe it , forasmuch as they were assured that god was good , and never would send any amongst them to kill , slay , and do all manner of mischief ; which indeed is not one of the least causes , why so many of these poor wretches , conceiving an aversation to the religion for the wickedness of the professors , remain yet in darkness , and obstinately shut their eyes against the marvelous light that should guide them to salvation : as for the chief towns , mostly inhabited by the christians ( for the natives here , as in other parts , live in woods and small cottages ) they are st. helens , scituate on a promontory of that name ; charles fort , upon the bank of the river maio ; port royal , a haven on the mouth of a river of that name ; apalc●e , formerly a town of forty cottages , taken by the spaniards , and plundered of great store of wealth ; ante , ocalis , st. matthews , st. augustines , taken by drake , from the spaniard , where he found brass pieces of cannon , and florens in ready money : the mountains here are not very considerable , and the rivers of note only , abound with fish , where the crocodiles haunt not . califormia is another countrey of the mexicanian province or division of the west india's , comprehending a vast tract of land , by some branched under divers denominations ; it hath on the east some parts of nova gallicia , with the vast undiscovered countreys lying on the west of canada , and virginia on the opposite shoar , bounded on the north with the unknown parts of the mexicanian province , on the north west with the streights of anian ; on the west with the sea interposing between it and the island called mer vermiglio ; on the south and south west with the rest of nova gallicia , divided at first into the province of quivira and cibola ; the former of these taking up the most northern parts of this side america , being very barren in the extreamest north , yielding few houses , trees , or herbage ; the natives rude and savage , eating raw flesh without chewing , cloathing themselves in bull and cow hides , living in hoords and clanns , like the tartars , and are thought to be upon the tartarian continent ; but the mountains of snow and ice interrupts all communication between the nations ; but more southward the countrey appears green and pleasant , flourishing with herbs and trees , breeding store of cattle , not much differing from those of europe , for bigness , tho in make otherwise , for they have bunches like camels between their shoulders , and bristles , like logs upon their backs , their mains like that of a horse , and beards like goats , having short horns and legs , insomuch that they look frightful to those that first behold them ; but in these the natives place their greatest riches , making them serve their turns sundry ways , as their hides for cloaths and the covering houses ; their bones for bodkins and needles ; their hair for thread , their sinews for ropes ; their horns , maws , and bladders for vessels to drink in ; their blood for drink ; and the calve-skins for budgets to carry water in ; the people generally roving from place to place , and seldom being at a stay . cibola , the second division of califormia , lying more southward , is pretty temperate , so that the natives go naked , unless a short mantle of beasts-skins cast over their shoulders , and a flap to hide their pri●ities : as for fruit-trees , they are rarely found , except cedars , of which they make their boats and fuel ; yet they have maize and small white pease growing naturally , of which they make their bread ; some quantity of sheep they have , and as for venison , though they have store , yet they rarely eat it , but rather kill it for the skins , and so much the woods abound with lyons , bears , and tygers , that those who border on them are continually obliged to stand upon their guard ; they are very civil to strangers ; however , the spaniards , tho they entered this countrey , withdrew again their forces , as not thinking the countrey worth their maintaining ; as for cities or towns there are none of note . nova albion , so named by sir francis drake anno . is another part found in this tract , lying about degrees north latitude , which renders it considerably fruitful , abounding in cattle by reason of the pleasant pastures it affords , and such store of deer and conies , that it is greatly to be admired ; and of the skins of these , those of most dignity make them robes , but the meaner sort go naked , except the women , who have only an apron of bulrushes to hide their privities ; and here it was the king of the countrey offered up his crown of net-work , and feathers , to sir francis drake , who received it on the behalf of the queen of england , erecting a pillar and fixing her arms thereon , as a mark of the countreys subjection to her , naming it thereupon new albion . nova gallicia , so called from a province of spain of that name , to which it is likened for temperature of air and production , is bounded on the east and south with new spain ; on the west with the river buena guia ; and on the west with the gulf of califormia ; scituate between and degrees of north latitude , leagues in length and in breadth ; the air is generally very temperate , but rather inclined to heat than cold , and tho often the inhabitants are disturbed with great storms of thunder and rain , yet is the air very healthy , so that no contagious disease happens amongst them , and when they are deficient of rains , the dews refresh the earth , and the countrey withal being mountainous , affords quarries of stone and mines of brass and silver , but none of iron or gold , and amongst the metal a great mixture of lead happens ; however the plains wonderfully abound with corn , yield wheat fold , and maize fold ; they have bees likewise without stings , who make their honey in trees of the woods to great quantities ; and here grow citrons , figgs , malacotoons , cherries , and olives ; the people wavering and inconstant , upon the least discontent betaking themselves to the woods , and deserting their houses ; their garments being for the most part cotton shirts , with a manle over it , given much to singing and dancing , and sometimes to drinking , and have their tribes , whose heads command in chief , and succeed hereditarily , yet those chiefs commanded by the spanish officers , inhabiting those parts ; and in this tract are the lesser provinces of cinaloa , conliacan , xalisco , guadalaiara , zacatecas , new biscay , and new mexicana : all of them , as to the natives and quality of the countreys , little differing , the greater part of them commanded in chief by the spaniards , to whom the petty princes and governours of the natives are subservient and tributary , and have for their chief towns , st. philip and jacob , st. john de cinaloa , pistala , xalisco , nombre de dios , plundered of great treasure by sir francis drake , st. lewis , st. barbara and chia , every one the chief of province , and hold some trade , tho not considerable , the spaniards not desiring to have commerce with any other nation , nor suffer the natives to do it , lest they should be incroached upon ; for they hold the poor ignorant people in hand , that they are the most powerful lords of all europe , and the invincible people of the world. nova hispania , or new spain , is another large countrey , in the mexicanian province , bounded on the east with an arm of the sea , called the bay of new spain and gulf of mexico ; on the south with part of nova gallicia and mare del zur ; on the north with the rest of gallicia , some part of florida and the gulf on the south of mare del zur ; or rather the south sea , and is so called , in reference to spain in europe , extending from the th degree of latitude to the th . measuring on the east side from the bay of mexico to the north of panuco , but less by degrees , if the measure be taken to the west side , and tho it is scituate under the torrid zone , yet the air is very temperate , by reason the heats are allayed by the cooling briezes that come from off the seas on three sides of it , and the ground being cooled by the showers that seasonably fall in june , july , and august , when the weather is at the hottest ; and here are found rich mines of gold and silver , some of brass and iron , great plenty of coco nuts , store of cassia , and vast quantities of cocheneal growing upon shrubs or little trees , planted by the natives and spaniards ; they have likewise store of wheat , pulse , b●rley , plants , roots , oranges , lemons , pomegranats , malacotoons , figgs , apples , pears , grapes , birds and beasts , both wild and tame , almost of all sorts ; and in the hottest part of this countrey , their seed time is in april , and their harvest in october ; but in colder places , lying low and moist , they sow in october and reap in may , by which crossing , they are supplied with two harvests in a year . the natives of this tract are more ingenious than any other of the salvages , giving themselves up to curious arts , especially to the making of feather pictures , which they perform so lively without dying the feathers , but taking them in their natural colours , that they will imitate men , beasts , or any other thing , so lively , that at a very small distance , any one not knowing the contrary , would verily believe them to be drawn by the most curious master with a pencil , &c. working in gold more neat and dextrous than any europeans , yet so little esteeming it , that at the first coming of the spaniards , they barter'd it for knives , beads bells , and such inconsiderable matters , and not having been used to ride on horse-back , they took their new come guests for centaurs ; they were exceeding populous , which appears by the spaniards , having destroyed six millions of them in years , roasting some , plucking out the eyes of others , consuming them in their mines , and inhumanly casting them amongst wild beasts to be devoured , insomuch that the women , many of them not only refused the means for generation , but such as found themselves pregnant , destroyed their children in the womb , that they might not be brought up to serve so bloody a nation . in the great province of new spain , are found the lesser provinces of panuco , mechuacan , mexicana , thascala , guaxaca , and jucatan , all plentifully abounding with the pride of art and nature ; the whole province taking its name from mexico , a great city upon a lake , as likewise all that i have hitherto written relating to this new world , and because the taking of this city proved of such importance to the spaniard , we think it not amiss to give a brief relation of it , viz. hervando cortz , born in medeline a town of estremadure , a province of old spain , rising from an obscure birth to become a private adventurer in these parts , raised by industry his fortune to so high a pitch , that with the help of his friends , he manned eleven ships , with men , and after some contending with the seas , arrived at the island now called sancta crux , and passing up the river tabasco , sacked potonchon a small town on the banks of it , upon the inhabitants refusing to sell him victuals , and by the help of his horse and cannon , put to the rout an army of of the salvages , and so receiving the king a vassal to the crown of spain , he passed onwards towards the golden mines , landing at st. john de vllo , where he was met by order of the governour of the king of mexico , with rich presents of gold and other rich things , which so inflamed him , that forgetting the civility , he found means to pick a quarrel with the king , by building forts in the countrey , and claiming it for charles the fifth , king of spain and emperour of germany , and getting the flasc●lians on his part , a party of the natives who were at variance with the king of mexico , and increasing , his spaniards by such as he found in the countrey , to foot and horse , he with the whole force of the flascalians , being men , and the help of pieces of cannon , galliots , and cnoa's or boats , besieged that great city by land and water , and in months took , sacked , and burnt it , by which means this rich kin , 〈◊〉 fell to the spaniards . gvatimalia is another large tract in the mexicanian province , bounded on the north with jucatan and the gulf of honduras ; on the south with mare del zur ; on the east or south east with castela aurea ; and on the west with new spain ; extended leagues upon the coast of mare del zur , but upon straight measure not above , and in breadth about leagues , comprehending the lesser provinces of chiapa , verapaz , guatimala , properly so called , and from which the whole tract takes its name ; hondura , nicaragua , veragua ; and has for its chief towns civida real , st. augustines , st. salvador , st. jago de guatimala , st. maria de comyagena , leon de nicaragua , and la trinidada , with divers others of lesser note . this part of mexicana , by reason of its nearness of scituation to the line , is fruitful in all parts , unless where the rocky hills thrust up their heads abounding with fruit , trees , corn , cattle , foul , fish , and mines of gold , silver , and brass ; and in the rivers , which are considerable , much gold is found , as washed from the mountains , and here the natives bear the spanish yoke more uneasily than in other parts . a description of the peruanian province , or the second devision of america . this great province , divided into many lesser , resembles a pyramid reverse more properly so than africk , joyned to that we have mentioned by the isthmus or streights of darien , deriving its name from peru the chief province of the whole , which stands thus divided , as far as is hitherto inhabited by the spaniards or other europeans , viz. castela aurea , the new realm of granada , peru , chiel , paragnay , brasil , guyana , and paria , not accounting the islands , which are reserved for another place ; and as for the boundards in general , having already described them ; we now proceed to describe the particular provinces , and of them in their order , viz. castela delore , or castela aurea , is bounded on the west with mare del zur and some part of virginia ; on the south with the new realm of granada ; on the east and north with mare del noort , called castile , in reference to that in spain , as being discovered by the influence of those kings , and aurea added , by reason of the abundance of gold found there , and contains panama , darien , nova , andaluzia , st. martha , and the provinces de la hacha , the air in most parts is very healthful , especially to those that have been there for any considerable time , or born there ; however the in-land countrey is thinly peopled , by reason the spaniards upon their first settling there , destroyed in a manner the whole race of the natives , whose assistance now they want to manure the soil ; there were likewise found at their first coming , an extraordinary number of swine , which they also destroyed and suffered to rot upon the ground in such multitudes , that now , tho they would fain retrieve that loss , it is not in their power ; however the earth brings forth a considerable encrease , where the fields and valleys are found , tho the countrey abounds with barren mountains and woods , so that in this province , besides the mines of gold and silver that are found , enriching the people with great treasure ; they have corn , wine , oyl , mellons , balsom , sundry sorts of drugs and trees of sundry kinds , producing fruits different from what are found in europe ; and in the province of a daluzia , the spaniards upon their arrival , greedy of gold , found in the graves of the dead , which were brought from all parts to be buried there , as held to be the most sacred ground , so much treasure , that for a time they took no care to dig it out of the mountains : as for the people inhabiting this tract , they are mostly spaniards , those few natives that are left , being in a manner their slaves : the countrey is full of great rivers , as rio de lagartus , the river of crocodiles ; sardinila , sardino , riode comagres , rio de colubros , and others , being in many places overspread by the spurs of the great mountain andes , held to be as big as any in the world. the chief towns in this province are panama , darien , on the bank of the gulf of vmbra ; carthage●a , scituate in a sandy peninsula , and consisting of houses ; st. martha scituate on the shoars of the ocean ; lahach , scituate upon a river of that name ; all of them under the power of the spaniards , governed according to the laws of spain , to which the natives are obliged to submit . nova granada , or the new realm of granada , lies on the north of castela aurea , being about leagues in length , and not much less in breadth , and is divided into granada and popayana ; the air for the most part well , with a mixture of heat and cold , but more of the former ; neither differ the days any thing considerably in length ; the countrey extreamly woody , and somewhat mountainous ; yet stored with fertile plains , and breeds a number of cattle , affording veins of gold and other mettals , and in a part of it called tunia , are found emeralds of great value : the natives that are yet remaining , go very decent , and are by their conversation with the spaniards ( amongst whom they live in small towns ) much civiliz'd ; the women being more white and comly than in any other part , very industrious , tall , and well proportioned , most of them embracing the roman catholick religion , much delighting in singing and dancing ▪ and as for the chief towns in this province , are they st. foy an arch-bishops see ; st. michael a market town , well traded to ; trinidado seated on the river of that name ; whose fields are ful● of vines of chrystal , emeralds , adaments , and chalcedons ; tunia , pampelonia , papayan , the u●●al residence of a governour , and a bishops see : antiochia , carthage , sebastian de la plata , so called from the silver mines in its neighbourhood , with some others of less note : as for the rivers and mountains , most of them want names , wherefore for brevities sake , we pass over any tedious enquiry into them . as for this province , it had its name given by gons●lvo ximenes de quesada , in reference to granada in spain , who having murthered ( contrary to faith given ) sangipa the last king of bagota , whom he had made use of in subduing the panches , he seized his treasure , which amounted to pezoes of fine gold , of courser allay , and large emeralds ; by which the riches of the province may be guessed . perv lying south of the former province , is accounted in length leagues , but disproportional in breadth , as not exceeding in some places and leagues , tho in others , and is divided into three parts , but so differing in nature and quality , as if they were at a larger dis●ance from each other , being called the plains , th● hill countreys and the andes ; the first extending on the sea shore , in all places level , without hills ; the second composed of hills and plains , stre●ching out from north to south ; the whole length of the province ; and the third a continual ridg o● huge mountains without any valleys ; however , ●ho the mountains and hills are woody , or otherways barren , by reason of their minerals , yet the plains and valleys produce store of corn , fruit , and herbage , flourishing with an eternal spring , the southerly wind continually blowing on them , bringing no rain , though on the mountains all manner of winds have power , and bring rain , thunder , and fair weather by turns , as in other countries , and to supply the want of cattle , they have in the woods and mountains , a beast like a goat called vicagues , and a kind of sheep as big as young bullocks ; bearing large fleeces , which they use as horses , to carry their burthens ; but if at any time they find themselves over-laden , neither force nor fair means can oblige them to move forward , before they are alleviated , living upon slender diet , and will sometimes journy three days without water ; and amongst plants , the fig-tree in this country has a strange effect , viz. the north part looking towards the mountains , bringeth forth fruit in the summer only , and the south part looking towards the sea in the winter ; and in this province grow coco's in great plenty , whose leaves dryed in little pellets , satisfie hunger and thirst , and are a great part of the diet the spaniards afford their poor slaves in the mines , so that it is said baskets full of them have been devoured in a year at the mines of petosia ; and a plant they have , by which they try sick persons , whether they will live or dye , for if the patient look chearful when it is fast grasped in his hand , then is it a sign of recovery , but if sad , the contrary ; and have beasts called a huanacu's , the males of which stand centinals upon the mountains , whilest the females descend and feed in the valleys ; and if they perceive any man approaching them , they give warning , by making a terrible noise ; and hastily running to their assistance , interpose their bodies till they make their retreat ; and many other things are found worthy of note ; and the whole province is divided properly into three juridical resorts , viz. quito , lima and charcas , these having under them other divisions of lesser note , as las-quixos , cusco , collao , &c. as for the people they were not so ignorant , upon the first arrival of the spaniards , of letters , whereby they might acquaint themselves with other parts of the world , but that they labour to keep them so still , that they through ignorance may the better brook their yoak ; however they are couragious and industrious , fearless of death , animated to contemn life in hopes in the other world to live in luxury and riot , and injoy delicate women ; so that when any of their chiefs or petty princes die , some of his servants willingly submit to be buried with him , that they may wait upon him afterward ; some of them dwelling in the most mountainous parts , go half naked ; but the rest have long mantles reaching to their heels , though in dressing their heads they differ , each having a peculiar fashion : and to guess at the riches of this country by some part of it , 't is affirmed , that the mines of petozi , discovered in the year . afforded for the kings fifth's payable to his exchequer millions of pezoes of silver , every one valued at s. d. of our money , and yet a third part of the whole was discharged of that payment ; and in some parts as much gold is digged as earth , &c. as for the rivers of most note , they are st. jago , tombez , guagaquil , and others of lesser note . the towns are principally carangues , peru , cusco , andreo , truxilo , archidona , baeza , lima , collao , potozi , plata , chiquita , with others ; but to draw to a conclusion of this rich province , we need only say for a further demonstration , that when atabalaba was overcome by pizarro and his spaniards , he gave ( besides what infinite sums the spaniards had plundered before ) for his ransom , a large room full of gold piled up to the ceiling ; yet this prevailed not with those unchristian like christians , for falling out about the sharing , and willing to conceal it from the king of spain ; they notwithstanding contrary to their oaths and promises , strangled that poor peruanian prince , the last of the race of the inga's , or emperors of peru ; for which violation and perfidy , god was not slow in punishing them all that were concerned in it , dying a miserable and untimely death : and in this kings pallace at cusco , all his utensils were of gold and silver , even to his kitchen furniture , and in his ward-robe were found statues of giants , the figures of beasts , fish , birds , plants , &c. in their proper shape and largeness of the same mettal ; and thus much for peru , &c. whose gold proved the ruin of the natives , and the impoverishment of old spain . chile , is on the north bounded with the desart of alacama interposing between it and peru ; on the west with mare del zur ; on the south with the magellan streights ; and on the east as far as rio dela plata , with the main atlantick ocean , scituate in the temperate zone , beyond the tropick of capricorn ; if we reckoned to it some other countries bordering on the atlantick , not yet fully discovered called chile or i hil from the extream cold it indures , when the sun is in our summer solstice , that it is reported horses and riders in the extream parts are often frozen to death , or lost in the snows , which extreams on this side , and beyond the equinoctial demonstrates the continent of america to be larger than asia ; the soil of this tract in the mid-land parts is mountainous and unfruitful , but towards the sea-side , level and full of trees abounding with gold silver , honey , cattle , wine , maize , corn , &c. the natives are of a gigantick stature , but very civil , if not too much provoked ; cloathing themselves with skins of beasts , and arming with bows and arrows ; shaggy haired , and whiter of complexion than any we have yet spoken of in the peruanan provin●●s ; and the countrey is watered with the rivers of rio de copayapo , rio de coquimbo , la ligna , canten , cacapool , topocalma , and some others of lesser note , especially one , though we find not the name , which falls into the sea with a violent torrent all day , but in the night its channel is dry , and the reason is , it has its waters from the melted snow falling from the mountains , which cease when the sun is gone down : the towns of note in chile and magellanica , for into these two parts is the province divided , are st. jago the chief , tho not above houses in it , because it is the residence of the governour and court of judicature . serena on the sea-shoar , having in it about houses , and near it many mines of gold conception . delos confines , imperiale and some few more in the part called chile , but in magellanica , we find nothing but capes and rivers inhabited , a savage and barbarous people afflicted with sharp winds , and the mountains continually covered with snow , wherefore as a countrey not fit for commerce , we leave , it and proceed to brasil . brasil is a large tract , reaching from to degrees south latitude , miles in length , and in breadth , bounded on the east with mare del noort or the main atlantick ; on the west with undiscovered countreys , on the north with guiana , and on the south with paragua , or the province of rio de la plata , and is a great part of it possessed by the portugals and dutch : the countrey intermixed with rivers , mountains , woods , and pleasant plains ; the air wholsome , by reason of the purging winds which rise from the southern coast , every day about ten in the morning ; the countrey yielding great store of sugar canes , which is brought to perfection by the working of many thousands of slaves , so that the portugals brought thence in few years arobes of that commodity , each arobe containing bushels of our measure ; and here it is the brasil wood grows , whereof there are trees of such bigness , that when the rivers overflow , as frequently they do in the level countrey , the inhabitants dwell in the branches of them , like birds in their nests , till the waters abate . the people in this tract nearest the line , are of a reasonable understanding , wearing apparel , but further off they are barbarous , both men and women going stark naked , gladly eating humane flesh , insomuch that when they can privately catch any of the christians , they roast them , and invite all their friends , feasting on the flesh , with great merriment ; and here the women are wonderful quick , and easie at child-bearing , never lying by it , but in two or three days seem as well as ever : beasts are found in this tract of strange forms ; one with the head of an ape , the body of a man , and the feet and paws of a lyon ; a plant they have called copiba , the back of which being slit , affords a precious balm , which is so well known by the beasts of the forrests , that when they have taken in any poison , or are bit by serpents or other venemous creatures , they fly to it for succour , as to a sanctuary for life , and by sucking in the antidote , find a speedy cure : an herb they have , that being roughly touched , as in modesty , shrinketh in its branching leaves , and opens them not till the party who offends is gone out of sight . the people in this tract , both men and women , are good swimmers , and so used to diving , that they will remain under water an hour without respiration , and many of them are so over-grown with hair , that they seem rather beasts than men ; the divisions of brasil are sr. vincent , rio de janeiro , del spiritu santo , porto seguro , des ilheos , todas los santos , paraguay , rio de la plata , tucaman , st. crux de siera , a province full of palm trees ; fernambuck rich in tobacco and sugar ; tamaraca , paraiba , rio-grande , siara , maragnon , and para , being termed captainships or praefectures , possessed by the portugals , spaniards , french , dutch and other nations , who in some places live promiscuously with the natives , and in others , some coming in search of adventures , others driven by distress , as being not suffered to live quietly at home ; insomuch that tho the brasilians had but few houses and fewer towns , yet now the encrease of them has rendered it in many parts a pleasant countrey , the plains enriched like those of egypt , by the overflowing of the rivers , which are exceeding large . gviana is another tract of this peruanian continent , bounded on the east with the main atlantick ocean ; and on the west with the mountains of peru , or an undiscovered countrey interposing between them ; on the north with the river , orenoque ; and on the south , as some will have it with the amazons ; tho indeed we find no such countrey ; however it is undiscovered , and therefore travellers have liberty to name it as they please . tho guiana is scituate on both sides the line , extending from the fourth degree of southern to the eighth degree of northern latitude ; notwithstanding by reason of the fresh winds and cool air that comes off the sea and rivers , it is indifferently temperate ; towards the sea side it is level , but the inland swelled with rising hills , and the trees and fields wearing a lasting green , as knowing no winter , there being always ripe and green fruits and blossoms at the same time ; so that it may be compared for pleasantness , with any we have yet named in this tract . the people ( natives of guiana ) have no settled government , yet reduce themselves into tribes , under several heads or chiefs , though this is left to their own discretion , and every one may separate when he pleases , and all the punishment they have for offenders , is only in case of adultery and murther , for which when proved , the criminal makes an expiation with his life ; the poorer sort are allowed but one wise , and the rich two or three ; not owning any god , but either not regarding from whence they had their being , and are by power sustained , or atheistically ascribing all to fate and chance : as for their accompts they keep them in bundles of sticks , which they increase or diminish according as the debt or business grows more or less ; and at their funerals the women howl extreamly , whilst the men on the contrary are singing and feasting . this country is divided into the provinces of rio-de-las , amazons , wiapoco , or guiana , properly so called , orenoque , trinidado , and tobago ; and are full of great rivers stored abundantly with fish , and wild fowl , but most of all they refresh the gountries with the dews that arise from them and the principal of these are orenoque , arrawari , conawini , caspurough , or cassipure , falling into the atlantick ocean , wiapoco , the river of the amazons , and a great many of lesser note ; and in this tract are said to be mountains of intire chrystal ; mines there are of gold and silver , with many strange plants , fruits , and beasts ; as also tobacco and sugar canes , and at comolaha , on the south of arenoque , they hold a fair for the sale of women , only where an english-man left by sir walter ral●igh , reports to have bought for a three half-penny red hafted knife , the eldest not exceeding years , which he says without making any burglarys upon their virginities , he liberally bestowed in marriage on sundry of the natives : and near this place is the mighty water-fall , or cataract of the river arenoque , whose horrid noise makes the mountains tremble , which may well fit the words of the poet , viz. cuncta tremunt undis , & multo murmure montis , spumeus invictis albescit fluctibus amnis . the noise the mountains shakes , who roar for spite , to see th' unvanquish'd waves clad all in white . in an other part of this province they have a strange custom with their dead , for when the flesh is worn off the bones by putrefaction , they hang up the skeleton in the chamber or house where the party died , decking the skull with feathers of divers colours , and hanging jewels and plates of gold , about the arm and thigh bones . as for the towns of note in this tract , they are mano , called by the spaniards el'dorado , from the abundance of gold and silver coin , armour , and utensils found there , held to be the largest of all the country , though some question the truth of this place ; caripo , gomeribo , tanparanume , morequuto , st. thome , and st. joseph , with some others of lesser note , which they are obliged to build upon hills , rocks , or the like advantageous places , forasmuch as the rivers yearly overflow a great part of the country , obliging the natives to live in trees with their families , building them hutts in the branches like birds nests . paria , another considerable province , lies on the west of guiana , divided into the lesser countries of cumana , venezuela , st. margaita , cubagna , and some islands ; and here the nature of the soil and people are different , though in general the country is very pleasant , being watered with the rivers of rio-de-cacioas , rio-de-neveri , cumana de bardones , and others of lesser note , and has for its chief towns , maracapana ( once a spanish garrison ) venezuela , new cadiz , and some others ; and in this tract the pearl fishery is used , those valuable commodities being gotten by diving , and they bring up a fish much like an oyster , out of the shells of which they take the pearls , supposed to be ingendred there by the falling of dews , when the fish opens to receive the air upon the shoar : and though the people in the province of cumana have plenty of fruits and cattle , with other things whereby to subsist even to riot , yet they rather chuse to feed upon insects and vermin , as batts , spiders , horse-leaches , worms , &c. each man being allowed as many wives as he can maintain , though they never have the maidenheads of any , prostituting them the first night to their piacos , or priests , or their appointment , who for small matters turn over that drudgery to strangers ; nor do they at any time think their guests welcome , unless they will do the office of men to their wives , sisters , &c. blackning their teeth , and painting their bodies of diverse colours ; in this tract are found diverse mines of gold , some of silver , and other minerals ; and here the spaniards met with many disasters , as well the ecclesiasticks , as military , being frequently expulsed or cut off by the salvages , who are in general a stout and warlike people ; and here are found the capa , a beast , the soles of whose feet are like a shooe , and a hog of monstrous size , with horns like a goat , living altogether upon ants , pismires , parrots , and batts ; and could i have added to this bill of fair , booksellers and printers , the world might have taken this monster for a meer robin hog , &c. cattle this country affords in great quantities , insomuch that instructed by the europeans , they make butter and cheese of their milk , in sundry places , which the natives take as the prince of rarities . and thus much reader may suffice for the empires , kingdoms , provinces , and states of the universe , relating to the continent of europe , asia , africa , and america , from which we proceed ( for the greater satisfaction of the curious ) to the description of the islands scattered in the several seas , attributed to the four parts of the world ; and of these in their order . a description of the islands of europe , and their various scituations in their sundry seas , &c. great britain described . great britain , being in a manner known to most that inhabit it , may occasion some to reflect upon this brief description as superfluous ; however , having undertaken to omit nothing material in this great undertaking , which indeed wanted nothing but the permission of a larger scope , to render it more illustrious , we will not be wanting to give a modest account of the princess of islands , or epitome of the universe , being properly , and not without just reason stiled , the world minature ; and in this case we must divide it into two parts , viz. england , wales , &c. and scotland , comprehending the ocean islands . england , described , &c. england has for its eastern boundard the german ocean ; on the west the irish sea ; on the south the british ocean ; and on the north , parting it from scotland , the river tweed and solway ; invironed as to the whole island , with the main sea , guarded in most parts by such rocks , as render it inaccessible from forreign invaders , if the shoars be but indifferently defended , though its walls consists in its many more powerful and impregnable defendants , than those of stone ; which notwithstanding it had not always to defend it , as appears by its becoming a prey to the romans , its being harassed by the picts , scots , and wild irish , and the subjection it was brought under by the saxons , danes , and normans ; but at this day the often languishing island lifts up her head as high as the tallest of the daughters of the nations upon earth . as for the soil , improved by industrious hands , it is in most parts exceeding fruitful , as well in grain as herbage , fruit trees , rich pastures , &c. as all other things necessary , and conducing to the support of life ; with mines of iron , tin , ●ead , &c. but exceeds other nations in the woollen manufacture ; nor is making of stuffs , silks , and other curious arts wanting in a great measure , but more especially the traffick abroad , where for our native commodities , we command the most valuable things in the universe . england in particular , holds from to degrees of north latitude ; the air pleasant and temperate , by vicissitude of heat and cold , as also the varying of night and day ; but more for the wholesome laws , good constitution of the established government and nature of the people , whose generosity and valour has famed them in all parts of the known world , and the whole divided into shires or divisions , viz. middlesex , essex , kent , sussex , hampshire , or the county of southampton , surry , buckinghamshire , bedfordshire , cambridgshire , cheshire , cornwal , cumberland , darbyshire , dorsetshire , durham , glocestershire , huntingtonshire , lancashire , leicestershire , lincolnshire , northamptonshire , notinghamshire , rutlandshire , shropshire , somersetshire , wiltshire , warwickshire , westmorland , yorkshire , norfolk , northumberland , oxfordshire , staffordshire , barkshire , devonshire , hartfordshire , suffolk , and worcestershiye , herefordshire ; all of them extreamly replenished with woods , parks , rivers , cities , and towns of note , insomuch , that of considerable rivers there are found , and on them bridges of note , cities , market towns , parishes , arch-bishopricks , bishopricks . forrests , parks , chaces , and had before the grand unnatural rebellion , castles , but during that tedious vvar , many of them were demolished ; the whole countrey consisting of pleasant valleys , moderately rising hills , flourishing fields and medows , that it may suffice to live upon its own plenty , without the help or assistance of any other nation , and for stately buildings and many other curiosities too many to be contained in a much larger volume ; if no other countreys were spoken of : we must wave them , seeing we are at home , and suffer the experience of the knowing reader to supply the omission . wales is properly a part of england , but seeing it is generally divided , or accounted a principality , &c. we think it not amiss to speak of it by it self , viz. this countrey is from east to west about a miles , and from north to south ; and in it are found parishes , market towns , bishopricks , castles , rivers , bridges of note , parks , forrests , and chase , and is divided into the shires of brecknock , anglesey , cardigan , carmaerthen , carnarvan , denbigh , flint , radnor , glamorgan , merioneth , montgomery , pembrook and monmouth , containing both north and south wales , stretching into the sea like a large promontory , fruitful in many places , where the mountains raise not their heads , especially the isle of anglesey , which of it self is held sufficient to feed the whole countrey , for its store of cattle and abundance of corn ; this countrey yielding sundry commodious harbours and landing places , commercing at once with england and ireland ; and has for its chief towns , radnor , carnarvan , brecon , st. davids , cardriff , carmaerthen and monmouth , most of them very pleasantly seated , and of considerable trade ; the natives very industrious and much given to labour , frugal , and for the most part thrifty ; nor may we spare to sum up these two countreys , so mostly distinguished in the epitome of the poet , viz. for mountains , bridges , rivers , churches fair ; women and wooll , they both are past compare . scotland is the next considerable part that compacts the british empire or kingdom of great britain , separated from it only by the tweed and solway , and the hills extending from one to the other , and is held to be miles in length , tho in breadth not proportionable , being in some parts but from sea to sea , divided properly into two parts by the river tay , viz. south and north , the former division being both fruitful and populous , and again sub-divided into the counties of merch , tevi [ ] tdale , lothian , liddesdale , eskedale , annandale , niddesdale , galloway , carrick , kyle , cunningham , arran , cliddesdale , lennox , sterling , fife , stratherne , menteith , argile , cantire , lorn , all comprehended in south scotland : loquabrea , braidalbin , perth , athole , angus , merns , mar , buquhan , murrey , rosse , southerland , cathaness , and strathavern , north scotland ; and in this kingdom are found two arch-bishopricks , viz. st. andrews and glascow , under whom are eleven suffragan bishops ; and here the chief city is edenburg , a city principally composed of one large street , about a mile in length , of very good building ; the rest less considerable , tho throughout the whole kingdom are many fair cities , towns , and villages . the principal islands lying upon the coast of great britain and subject to it , are the islands of wight , man , anglesey , jersey , guernsey , the orcades or isles of orkney in number ; the chief of which are pomania , hethy , and sheathland , all very fruitful , abounding with cattle and corn : the hebrides in number , but many of them rather rocks than islands , the chief being illa and jona , the ancient burying place of the scottish kings : mulla , where the redshanks inhabited , once so frightful to the english : the sorlings containing islands , but none of note , except armath , sansod , and scilly , after the name of which the rest are called for the most part ; some others there are on this coast , but scarcely worth noting , as yielding little trade or commodity . ireland , a kingdom in subjection to britain by right of conquest , separate from england only by a tempestuous sea , of about a days sail ; and is as all other islands of note , scituate in the ocean , or invironed with sea , &c. containing in length , and in breadth miles ; and especially divided into four provinces , viz. . munster , divided again into the counties of limrick , kery , cork , waterford , desmond , and holy cross in tipperary , lemster again divided into the counties of the east and west meaths , kilkenny , caterlough , kings county , queens county , kildare , weixford , dublin , and wicklock ; . connaught , divided into the counties of clare , thumond , galloway , majo , slego letrim and roscommon . . vlster , divided into the counties of tyrconnel , or dunhal , tyrone the upper and nether , fermanagh , cavan or cravan , monaghan , colrane , antrim , down , armagh and lough . and of this kingdom the chief city is dublin , mostly inhabited by the english , pleasantly seated and very commodious for trade , which renders it the chief seat of justice , and a bishops see ; besides which are waterford , tredagh , limrick , armagh , and others of lesser note . the country is in many parts very fruitful but being incumbred with hills and boggs , a great deal of it lies waste , and the more for the sluggishness of the natives , who agree not with labour , though otherwise sharp and crafty , hardy of temper , and living upon slender fare ; however the rivers abound with fish , especially salmon , and the hills and valleys with cattle ; insomuch that a cow or a horse may be purchased at about half a piece of our money ; and one thing remarkable here is , that no poisonous creature can sive upon this coast , and of such force is even the wood brought from ireland into england and other countries , that no spider will fasten a cob-web on it . the isle of oleron , is scituate against the french province of xaintoigne , south of the isle of rhee , famous for the maritime laws , established here by richard king of england ; tho for nothing more than the quantities of salt sent hence into france , and other parts . rhee or ree , is a pleasant island about english miles in length , and in bredth , and has in it the towns of la butte , de mont , st. john de mont , st. hillary and st. martins , famous for the defence , the protestants made here against the power of france , but fatal to the english in their attempt to rescue them . alderny is an island distant about miles from cape hagge in normandy , very rockey and hard of access , and not exceeding miles in compass consists but of one considerable town , called from the name of the haven lacrab ; it not containing above families , nor is the island of any considerable trade . the sark is an island about miles in compass not much distant from the former ; and is subject to it , being of little trade or moment , and these being all of note in the neighbouring seas , we pr●ceed to those more northern and remote , which are groen-land under the frigid zone , where the cold is so extream that it is scarce habitable , though accounted in length miles ; yet having st. thomas , and alba for its chief towns supported mostly by the fishing trade . iseland an extream cold country , extending miles , yet thinly inhabited ; and from this region come the shock dogs , so much in esteem ; and here contrary to other countries , the oxen and kine have no horns ; the trade to it being mostly upon the account of the fishery , and that for ling ; few trees except juniper growing in the country . freez-land is an island resorted to by the english , flemings , danes , scots , and hansmen , upon the account of the fishery . nova-zembla lies extream north , under degrees , so cold that no human creature is capable of inhabiting of it in winter , unless driven by distress , or fatal necessity ; as were once about dutch-men , who during their abode there , strugled with so many miseries , as are almost unexpressible ; however bears and foxes are found here , and great store of sea fowl , &c. sir hvgh willovghby's island , rather infamous than famous , as having its name only from that adventurous gentleman's being found frozen to death in his ship , upon the coast. green-land , doubtful whether island or continent , noted only for the whale fishery , &c. otherways so extream cold , as not to be habitable after the season , unless by force ; which fate several english found , by overstaying the ship , &c. and were forced to subsist on the flesh of bears , foxes , and whale fretters , in a little hutt under ground , induring a lingring torment , worse than death , till the ships returned ; at what time some of them ( though unexpectedly ) were found alive . having thus far proceeded briefly to the northern islands , we now proceed to the more eastern islands . tenedos is an island seated in pontus euxinus , or the black sea , so called from the dark mists that arise , where it charges name into that of the h●llespont , not very big , but fruitful , and pretty well inhabited , famed for nothing more than its being taken upon the greeks expedition against the trojans . samothracia , called by some samos , from samia the name of its chief town , seated in the aegean sea , as also are lemnos , lesbos , or mittelene , chios , or scio , eubaea , scyror , salamis , the sporades , and the cyclades , or the isles of the arches , most of them in the hands of the turks , and of no considerable note , though heretofore divers of them were independant , and notable sea-faring islands , famed for many wonders , and other strange matters by the poets , tho at this day they are exceeding fruitful , many of them bearing lemons , oranges , dates , figgs , grapes , olives , apricocks , mulberries , &c. affording a great number of silk-worms , which yield much silk ; the towns which are generally havens or sea-ports , are pretty numerous , inhabited mostly by the greek christians , turks , and jews ; and from lemnos is that earth brought , so much in use for curing wounds , stopping fluxes , and expelling poisons ; and indeed all these islands standing like studs in the sea , are so well refreshed and tempered by a mild and healthy air , that for their fruitfulness , they may be termed little paradises of delight , most of them having towns or cities of the same name for their metropolises or chiefs . the sporades , tho under one seeming denomination , are in number ; and the chief of these are milo , canaton , and assine ; and the chief of the cyclades , are delos and coos , as likewise patmos , where st. john was banished and wrote his revelation : giarras and some few others of little note , lying some in greece , and some in asia ; so accounted , as lying farther or nearer the shoar of either countrey ; especially in this case it cannot be distinguished to which of the● properly the island belongs , especially if it be free from the jurisdiction of any monarch reigning upon the continent . a description of the isle of creet , and other islands . the isle of creet was very famous in former times , for being mistress of those seas , nor less for its fruitfulness , and commodious scituation for traffick , as being posited between the ionian , libyque , aegean , and carpathian seas , and is now better known by the name of candia , taken at several times by the turks from the venetians ; and is in circuit about miles , abounding with oyl , wine , corn , cattle , and many other things of value , which made the turks contend with the loss of much blood , to possess themselves of the whole , when they had found the sweetness of a part of it : as for hills , mountains , and rivers of note , this island affords not many , but has for its chief cities rhetimo , candia , and canea , or new candy , built by the turks to secure their first possession in the island ; and in this plenteous countrey titus was bishop : as for the other islands lying about it there are only claudia and egelia ; very fruitful by reason of their scituation , but not considerable by reason of their smallness . the islands in the ionian sea described , &c. the islands in this sea are chiefly these , viz. cythera commonly called serigo , held sacred by the poets to venus , who took her other name from hence , lying about miles from cape mello in peloponnesus ; and altho it is not above miles in compass , yet it yields such store of fruits , corn , and other commodities of value , that it is esteemed the jewel of this sea , and was formerly called porphyrus from the abundance of that sort of stone digged out of its mountains ; and has for its chief town capsalo , scituate on a small haven , tho not so much frequented , by reason of its shallowness . the strophades are a brace of islands , where vlisses and aeneas are said to find the harpy's , and indeed fit for such kind of creatures only , by reason of their rockiness , which renders them so barren , that only a few greeks , and some others ( out of a desire to exercise their religion without molestation ) possess them . zant , an island of the venetians , not exceeding miles in circumference , is yet so abundantly fruitful , that it almost exceeds the credit of report , producing the grocery sort of currants , for which it is famed above all other places ; also pomegranates , citrons , oranges , lemons , olives , granadires , grapes , that make strong wine , both white and red , and has for the defence of its haven a strong city and castle , inhabited by greeks and venetians , yet has the misfortune to be subject to earth-quakes , though not extraordinary ; and indeed the country is not so fruitful , but the major part of the inhabitants are as wicked , not making it a scruple to murther any , against whom they have conceived a grudge . the echinades are five small islands , supposed to be made by the seas casting up sand banks , and the mud that comes out of the river achelous , according to poets speaking in the name of that river , viz. fluctus nostrique marisque &c. the fury of the sea waves , and my own , continual heaps of earth and mud drew down , which parted by the inter-running seas , made as thou seest the five echinades . and indeed they are rather rocks , or hardened earth , than any island of note and so we leave them . cephalonia is in circumference about miles , and contrary to the echinades , very fruitful , as yielding figgs , olives , rasins , currants , hony , sweet water , mulberries , pine , date , malvasi , muscadel , vino leatico , wooll , cheese , turkeys , drugs , and dyes , besides cattle , corn , and rich pastures ; and has for its chief towns , held under the venetians , guiscardo , nolo , and argostoli , inhabited by greeks and venetians ; the people civil , and very honest dealers . corfv is another island in the ionian sea , miles in length , and in breadth ; taking its name from the city of corfu , seated at the foot of a large mountain , on which to strengthen it , tho strong in it self , are two fortresses , but chiefly out of the natural rock ; and tho the southern part of this island be mountainous and subject to hot blasts , yet the whole in general produces corn , oranges , lemons , pomegranets , fig trees , olives , wax , honey , some drugs , and many other pleasant fruits , tho it has not in it any rivers of note . ithaca is a small island giving a name to vlysses , who was born there , tho now it has lost its own name , and is called val de campare ; in compass not above miles , and of little note , unless for the reception of pyrats that haunt this sea. st. mavro , formerly called leucadia , is a small island inhabited mostly by jews , formerly the venetians , but taken from them by the turks ; and altho at present it is not much set by , yet formerly was it of such esteem , that the inhabitants cut an isthmus of two miles breadth , that joyned it to the continent , and was famous for the temple of apollo seated in it ; from the top of which , those that leaped into the sea were held to be cured of extravagant love ; better believed than experienced . of the adriatick sea , and the islands therein . the adriatick sea is that at the bottom of which the city of venice is seated , it being accounted miles in length , and in breadth , and has in it these isles , viz. mesina , an island about miles in circumference , yielding considerable plenty , and has only a strong fortress for its defence , the towns being mostly unwalled , and but indifferently stored with houses or inhabitants . lissa or clissa , is another of the adriatick islands miles over , and in circumference , very fruitful , and in subjection to the venetians , who only defend the sea ports , and by that means hold the rest in subjection . cvrzola a place not exceeding miles in circumference , yet of great moment to the venetians in rendring them wood sufficient to build their ships and galleys ; having the chief town of the same name with the island , defended by two strong fortresses , commanded by a governour , revoked or changed yearly ; and altho the island it self affords no extraordinary merchandise , yet it lies commodious for ships trading in those parts . the mediterranean sea considered , together with the islands therein . the mediteranean sea is so called from its midland scituation , as being environed with the earth , &c. and in it are found these islands of note , viz. sicily , about miles in circumference , famed throughout the world for its fertility , producing oyl , corn , wine , rice , sugar , alloms , salts , fruits , mettals , corral ; and of cattle such abundance , that it feeds not only it self but a great part of italy and other neighbouring countries , and was accounted the granary of ancient rome ; nor can the new well subsist without its supplies : and here is found the flaming mount aetna , which frequently has such horrible eruptions , that it not only sends stones and cinders with fire into the air an incredible height , which scatter over many parts of the countrey , but to the great misfortune of the inhabitants , and many times to the overthrow of towns and cities , emitteth streams of liquid fire or melted minerals , which have been known to run in a fiery torrent a mile into the sea , before the waves could extinguish them ; and here the chief cities are mesina and syracuse ; and the whole countrey at present is under the king of spain , tho formerly it was an entire kingdom governed by a king of its own ; the kings of sicily , lately stiling themselves kings of jerusalem ; and the people are much of the nature of those in italy , from which the island is divided by a small arm of the sea only . malta , anciently melita , the landing place of st. paul in his way to rome , when the viper clave to his hand , and he shook it into the fire , is a fair island , tho but little in compass , yielding store of oranges , lemons , figgs , citrons , cottoons , pomgranats , and many other delicious fruits ; but is so unhappy to be mostly deficient in wine and corn , by which it is supplied from sicily and other parts ; however it is one of the chief sea fortresses or bulwarks of christendom against the turks , commanded by an order of knights , called the knights of st. john of jerusalem , tho vulgarly termed or named the knights of malta ; the whole territory being leagues in length and in breadth , yet contains villages , and principal cities ; the chief valet , a strong and well fortified city , wherein the great master of the order has his palace , and the knights their chambers ; as also a tower from whence a prospect may be taken of the whole island . corsica , scituate over against genoa , being miles in circumference , and of a very fruitful product , yielding corn , wine , figgs , raisins and hony , and has in it iron mines , mines of allom , and other minerals , and has for its chief cities , bastia , ( pleasantly seated on the north east part of the island , on a commodious haven ) mara , gallera , st. florence , st. boniface , and some others of lesser note , and is under the government of genoa , and affords a beast , rarely found but in this island , called mufoli , with a skin like a deer , but harder by many degrees , and horns like a ram ; and here are bred an excellent race of good horses , and is an island much noted for its good havens , upon the account of the reception for shipping , trading in the mediterranean . sardinia is another island of this tract , not above miles distant from the former , though much larger , as not held to be less than miles in compass , abounding with corn and fruit , as being but little troubled with hills ; and though the soil is rich , yet no poisonous nor offensive thing is found in the island , having for its principal cities coliaris , ( well inhabited and fortified , seated upon a good haven , being an arch-bishops see ) reparata , bossa , and aquilastra , and in the whole island are two other arch-bishops , and suffraga● bishops ; the people throughout this island demeaning themselves courteous to strangers , and are very just in their dealings . the baleares are sundry islands found in this sea , and the greatest of these are majorca and minorca . majorca is an island about miles in circumference , lying about miles from the coast of spain , all the borders of it being mountainous , and for the most part barren , but the inland countrey fruitful , bearing corn , olives , grapes , fruits of sundry kinds , and has in it the city of majorca , a university ; and that of palma . minorca is about miles distant from the former , and miles in circumference , having for its principal cities or towns , minorca , and javan , and is a flourishing island , especially the inland parts , both of them under the king of spain : near to these are two other small islands , viz. ebrisa , and olihusa , considerably fertile , but not large , well inhabited , or of any considerable trade , there are moreover the lesser islands dispersed abroad as the vulcanian or aeolian islands , on the sioilian shoar ; the principal of which is lipra , not exceeding miles in circumference , and are both properly called the liparean islands , and abound with sulphur , allom , bitumen , hot baths , and some fruits , though not much , as being very rockey and mountainous , yet inhabited by some spaniards . vvlcania , formerly held to be the forge of vulcan , where he made thunder-bolts for jupiter , by reason it cast out fire in three rising hills , like the funnels of chimneys , casting up stones , and horribly roaring like a smiths forge . strombolo is another aelian island , or rather a burning mountain in the sea , carrying its flames and fire so bright , that it appears like a beacon , and may be seen in the dark for many leagues ; held by some who know no better , to be the mouth of hell ; when indeed this and all other burning mountains are occasioned by the firing of minerals , or the unctuous quality of the earth ; thro the vehement agitation of heat and cold , strugling for mastery in the vacant caverns , &c. there are in this tract islands , called the isles of naples , but only isica , and capra , and aenaia are of any moment , and these so small , that they render little trade : there are others called the ligurian islands , viz. elba and gallinara and some others , rather rocks than islands ; wherefore we pass them over as unworthy a place in this book ; and thus much to these islands . the oriental islands are those of the eastern seas , and to these by many ( tho somewhat improperly ) are reckoned rhodes and cyprus , two famous islands in the mediterranean , exceedingly abounding in all manner of plenty , and have for their chief cities famagusta and rhodes , both famous for their strength , and the sieges they sustained against the whole power of the turks . ormvs , lying upon the aethiopian coast , and a place much frequented , spoken of before . zelon , a famous island for plenty , lying not far from the indian coast called cape comerein . moloccoes , six islands in chief , but have many other subject to them , viz. tidar , tarnate , macir , rachian , machin , and bottone , the only islands , fruitfully abounding with cloves , nutmegs , ginger , cinamon , aloes , and pepper , for which they are much traded to by the europeans . amboyna is an island fruitful in lemons , oranges , cloves , cocoa's , bonanus sugar canes , and other valuable commodities ; and here it was the dutch executed their inhumane cruelties on the english , and is called one of the islands of sindae or selebes ; the other three being the selebes , magassar , and gilolo , considerably rich and plentiful , but inhabited partly by canibals , and partly by a rude sort of people , little inferiour to them ; and next to these is banta or banda , abounding with nutmegs . javamajor and minor , are two extraordinary islands abounding with spices , rice , and cotton , and all other things necessary for the subsistance of life , governed by many kings , which are in continual war with each other ; and in this tract are bala and madara , bocuro , burneo . svmatra , is a very pleasant island of east india , as indeed are most of the oriental islands named , miles in length , and in breadth ; and to these of this tract we may add the philippine islands , many in number , but most of them small spots or specks in the sea ; and the chief of these islands , being in the possession of the spaniards , are minbanao , lusson , tandain , and pollohan , abounding with fruit , cattle , pleasant rivers , fowls , &c. here are also the two islands of avirae , lying west ward of sumatra . the islands of africa described . madagascar , a large island of miles in length , and miles over , inhabited by negroes , where either sex go naked , and consequently there is no imployment for taylors ; yet with the natives the europeans trade , tho mostly for slaves , copper , gold , silver , &c. and in this tract are found the islands of chameree , meottey , mohelia , mauritius , johanan , an a woody island , called englands forrest , but of no trade , though considerably fruitful . socotora , is an island lying at the mouth of the red sea , miles in length , and in breadth , abounding with gums , alloes , spices , &c. here are also the island of st. thomas , the princes island , and the gorgades , in number , viz. st. vincent , st. anthony , st. lucius ; buenavisita , insula , salis , del ●ogo , st. nicholas , st. james , and st. majo . the canary islands are in number , viz. the grand canary , la palma , teneriffa , lancerota , hieorro , forte ventura , and la gomera ; all of them very plentiful , abounding with fruits , cattle , &c. but above all , the canarys yield us the wine , taking its name from the country ; and in one of them is found the mount teneriff , much transcending the clouds , as being miles in ascent . maedera is a famous island , first discovered by an english ship , cast away upon the coast , now abounding with corn , wine , honey , sugar canes , and madder , used in dying : and upon the coast is holy port , an island , though but miles in compass , very fruitful and pleasant . the azores are in number , viz. tercera , the principal , st. michael , st. george , st. mary , fyall , gratiosa , pico , corno , and flores , not being very fruitful , except the first . hesperides , or the hesperian islands , are in number , viz. buanista , mayo , and sal , lying about an miles from the continent of africk , being in themselves not only fruitful , but exceeding pleasant , by reason of the temperate air , which occasioned the poetical fictions , of their being the elizium fields , or aboad of happy souls after their departure . the american islands , &c. jamaica , now an english colony , lately taken from the spaniards , is miles in length , and in breadth , very pleasant and temperate , considerably fruitful , abounding with oranges , lemons , cocoa nuts , pomgranates , and other curious fruits , abounding with cattle as england , the trees alwaies green , &c. barbadoes , an other english colony , is very well inhabited , yielding store of sugar , cattle , corn , &c. though not exceeding or miles in length . bermvdes , called the summer islands , are very pleasant , abounding with oranges , sugar , and other commodities , breeding in their mulberry trees , great store of silk-worms , which return to considerable account . st . christophers is a small island , yet produces store of tobacco , cotton , ginger , full of woods and steep mountains , and is possessed by the english and french. nevis , about miles in circumference , is a colony of the english , and produces cotton , sugar , ginger , &c. antego is about leagues in length , and as much in breadth , with very rocky shoars , unsafe for shipping , yet abounding in fruit , fish , venison , tobacco , indico , sugar , &c. hispaniola , leagues in circumference , very fruitful , as are all the islands in this tract , viz. cuba , laba , balima , lucayoneque , abacoo , biminy , labaquene , viemo , curateo , gotao , oquaato , samana , st. salvador , le triangulo , st. vincent , dominica , anguila , and some others , scarcely taken notice of by historians , as for the most part not inhabited , yet visited frequently by the neighbouring islanders , upon the account of the wild cattle and fruits found in them ; and for the conveniency of the fishing trade . and upon these coasts of america , are lately setled two colonies of english , in pensylvania and carolina , very prosperous and thriving : but not having more room for a further description , we must , after having thus far proceeded , put a period to this our history of the universe . hoping 't will find acceptance , since mankind to struggle for the world is much inclin'd . finis . the life & death of julius cæsar, the first founder of the roman empire as also, the life and death of augustus cæsar, in whose raign [sic] our blessed lord and saviour jesus chri[s]t was borne / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life & death of julius cæsar, the first founder of the roman empire as also, the life and death of augustus cæsar, in whose raign [sic] our blessed lord and saviour jesus chri[s]t was borne / by sa. clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for william miller ..., london : . reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and 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of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng caesar, julius. augustus, -- emperor of rome, b.c.- a.d. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the life & death of julius caesar , the first founder of the roman empire as also the life and death of augustus caesar in whose raign our blessed lord , and saviour jesus chrit was borne . by sa. clarke sometime pastor in st. bennet finck london . london , printed for william miller at the guilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . . the life & death of julius caesar the first founder of the roman empire . julius caesar by the fathers side was of a very noble and ancient family , and by the mothers side he descended from the kings of rome , who were extracted from the trojan aeneas . when he was a young man , sylla having gotten the lordship of rome , would have had him put away his wife cornelia , who was the daughter of cinna , the dictator , but he could not prevaile with him , either by promises or threats to do it , whereupon he took away her joynter from him . sylla being very busie in puting to death many of his enemies , yet passed by caesar whom he contemned for his youth . and caesar was not contented to retire himself in safety inthose stormy times , but came and made suite to the people for the priesthood which was then void , when he had scant any haire on his face : but by syllas means he suffered a repulse , who was so irritated hereby , that he determined to have killed him ; and when some of syllas friends told him , that it was to no purpose to put so young a man to death , he answered , that they did not consider that there were many marius's in that one boy . caesar being informed of his danger , secretly fled from rome , and hid himself a long time amongst the sabines , wandering from one place to another , yet at length he fell into the hands of a party of syllas souldiers who soughtfor him , but he bribed their captain with two talents , and so escaped . then went he unto the sea side , and taking ship , he passed into bythinia unto king nicomedes . and after a while , he took sea again , and fell into the hands of some pirates , who at that time kept all the sea-coast , with a great fleet. they asking him twenty talents for his ransom , caesar laughed them to scorne , as not knowing what a man they had taken , and of himself promised them fifty talents , and sent some of his men to get him this money , so that he was almost left alone amongst these theeves , which were the cruellest butchers in the world , having onely one of his friends and two slaves with him . thus he continued thirty eight dayes amongst them , not as a prisoner , but rather waited upon as a prince by them : for he boldly exercised himself amongst them in their sports : he would make orations and call them to gether to hear them , and if they seemed not to understand or regard them , he would call them blockheads and beasts , and laughing , would threaten to hang them , and they took all in good part , thinking that it proceeded from his boyish simplicity . when his ransome was come , he paid it them and so was dismssied ; and presently arming and manning some ships out of the haven of miletum , he followed these theeves , and finding them yet at anchor , he took most of them , and got a great booty , and carryed there persons to the city of pergamus , and there imprisoned them , whilst himself went to jumus , the governour of asia , to whom the execution of these pirates did belong . but he desiring to get the money , because there was good store of it , said , that he would consider of these prisoners at better leasure . caesar hereupon returned back to pergamus , and there hung up all these theeves openly upon the crosse , as he often had threatened that he would doe , when they thought that he was but in jest . when sylla's power began to decay , caesars friends wrote to him to returne to rome : but he first went to rhodes to study there for a time , under the tuition of apollonius , an honest man and excellent rethorician , whose schollar also cicero had been . caesar had an excellent gift to speak well naturally , which was much holpen by his studies , so that he was very eloquent , and might have been second to none , but that he applied himself rather to follow the wars , and to mannage great matters than to pleading of causes . when he was returned again to rome , he immediately wan the good willof the people by his eloquence , and courteous speaking to every man , being more ceremonious in his deportment than could be expected from one of his years . besides , he ever kept a good table , and fared well , and was very liberall , which much encreased his estimation with the people . and his enemies , presuming that when he could not hold out that charge and expence , the favour of the people would quickly decay , they suffered him to go on , till by degrees he was grown very great , and powerfull . so that though some of them foresaw that his power would at last turne to the destruction of the commonwealth of rome , yet now they knew not how to provent it . indeed cicero was the first man , who mistrusting his dealings , found out his subtilty and malice , which he cuningly cloaked under a shew of curtesie , and familiarity : yet ( said he ) when i consider how finely he combeth his fair bush of haire , and how smooth it lyeth , and that i see him scratch his head with one finger , my mind gives me then , that such a man should not be so wicked as to designe the ruine of the common-wealth . the first time that he made proofe of the good will of the people was , when he stood in competition with pompey to be chosen a collonel of a thousand foot souldiers , and carryed it against him ; but a more manifest proof of it was at the deathof his aunt julia , the wifeof marius the elder . for then he solemnly made an oration in her commendations in the market place , and at her buriall , did boldly shew forth the images of marius , which was the first time that they were seen after syllas victory over him , at which time marius and all his partakershad been proclaimed traytors and enemies to the commonwealth . and whereas some cryed out upon caesar for doing it , the poeple on the other side applaudded and thanked him him for it . and whereas there was an ancient custome that the romans used to make funerall orations in commendation of old ladys , but not of young women , caesar was the first that praised his own wife in an oration at her funerall , which much engaged the people to him , seeing him of so kind , and loving a nature . shortly after he was made treasure under antistius vetus , the praetor , for which he ever after honoured him , so that when he himselfe came to be praetor , he made his son treasurer under him , and when he came out of that office , he married his third wife , whom was pompeia , and married his daughter cornelia which he had by his first wife , to pompey the great . he further ingratiated , himself with the people by disbursing a great summe of his own money in mending the appian way , when he was made overseer thereof : as also for that , when he was chosen an aedile , he shewed the people the pastime of three hundred and twenty couple of sword players , and exceeded all others in the sumptuousnesse of his feasts and sports which he made for the delight of the people , which made them daily to give him new offices by way of requitall . not long after the high priest metellus dyed , and isauricus and catulus , two of the chiefest men , and of the greatest authority in rome , contended for the place : caesar also presented himself to the people and sued for it , and catulus fearing the event , sent a great summe of money to caesar , to procure him to leave off his suite : caesar sent him word , that he would disburse a greater summe than that to maintaine the suit against him : and when the day of election came , his mother bringing him to the doore , caesar weeping kissed her and said , mother , this day thou shalt see thy son chief bishop of rome , or bannished from rome ; and accordingly he carred it by the suffrages of the people , insomuch as the senate and noble men were all affraid of him , judging that from henceforth he would make the people do what he pleased . afterwards caesar going into the senate to cleere himself of some accusations that were brought against him , the senate keeping him somewhat longer than ordinary , the people come to the door and called for him , bidding them let him out . whereupon cato fearing an insurraction of the poor and needy persons , who put all their hopes in caesar , moved , that a frank distribution of corne for a moneth should be made amongst them , which indeed put the commonwealth to the charge of fifty five hundred myriades , but it quenched the present danger , and did happly scatter the best part of caesars strength , and that at such time when he was made praetor , and had thereby opportunity of doing much mischief . yet all the time of that office , he never attempted to make any alteration in the common-wealth . about this time clodius was suspected of too much familiarity whith pompeia wherefore caesar put her away . the government of spain being falne unto caesar as he was praetor , his creditors came with great importunity calling for their debts : but he being unable to satisfy them , went to crassus , the richest man in rome ; who stood in need of caesars boldness and courage to withstand pompeys greatness , who became his surety to his greediest creditors , for eight hundred and thirty talents , whereupon he was suffered to depart to his province . as he passed over the alps he came to a little poor village , where his friends that did accompany him , asked him merrily if there were any contending for offices in that town , and whether there were any strife amongst the noble-men for honour ? caesar answered , i cannot tell : but for my part , i had rather be the chiefest man here , than the second person in rome . another time in spain reading the history of alexander he was sorrowfull a good while after , and at last burst out into weeping . his friends marvelling at it , asked him what was the cause of his sorrow ? he answered , do you not think that i have good cause to be sorry , when alexander ( being no older than myself ) had conquered so many nations and countries , whereas hitherto i have done nothing worthy of my self . when he first came into spain he followed his business close , and in a short time had joined ten new ensigns of foot souldiers , unto the other twenty which he had before . then marching against the gallicians , and lusitanians , he conquered all before him as far as to the atlantick ocean , subduing those people which before knew not the romans for their lords ; and then did as wisely take order for the establishing of peace . for he reconciled the cities together , made them friends : but especially he pacified all suits of law betwixt debtors and creditors which arose by usury : ordaining that the creditors should take yearly two parts of the revenew of their debtors , till such time as they had paid themselves , and that the debtors should have the other third part to live upon . by this he won great estimation to himself , and returned from his government very wealthy , his souldiers also were full of rich spoiles . the romans had a custome , that such as desired the honour of triumph , should stay without the city , whereas they that sued for the consulship must of necessity be there in person . caesar coming home just at that time when consuls were to be chosen , he sent to request the senate that he might be permitted to sue for the consulship by his friends : against this cato at first did vehemently invey , alleadging that it was contrary to an express law. but when he perceived that many of the senators ( being caesar's friends ) favoured his request , he cunningly sought all he could to prevent them : whereupon caesar resolved rather to give over his suit , for the triumph , than to lose the consulship : so he came into the city , and outwitted all but cato . his device was this , pompey and crassus were the two greatest persons in rome , and at jarr between themselves : caesar affecting to make himself greater than either of them , sought to make them friends , and thereby to get the power of them both : for indeed , they both affected his friendship , that by his help they might supplant one another . and in the end , by his endeavours , a peace was concluded betwixt them : yet being still jealous one of another , and fearing to lose caesar , they both sought to gratifie him , and by this means he made himself equall to either of them : and that power which they two had formerly usurped , was now divided between three , and in the end caesar hereby got the sole command . this league being made betwixt them , caesar demanded the consulship , being brought into the assembly for the election betwixt these two noble persons and was there chosen consul ▪ together with calphurnius bibulus , without the contradiction of any : and when he was entered into his office , he began to put forth laws meeter for a sedicious tribune than for a consul , because by them he preferred the division of lands , and distrubuting corne to every citizen gratis , and all to please the people ; and when the senators opposed it , he took the advantage , protesting that the senate by their austerity drave him against his will to cleave to the people , and thereupon he asked crassus and pompey in the open assembly , if they gave their consents to his laws ? they answered , yea . then he prayed them to stand by him against those that threatned to oppose him with the sword : crassus said he would , and pompey did the like , adding , that he would come with his sword and target both against such ; which gave great offence to the senate , but the common people much rejoyced . caesar to oblige pompey more to him , gave him his daughter julia in marriage , who was made sure before to servilius caepio , promising him in her stead pompeys daughter , who also was made sure unto faustus , the son of sylla . and shortly after caesar himself married calphurnia , the daughter of piso , whom he caused to succeed him in the consulship . cato then cryed out , and called the gods to witnesse , that it was a shamefull thing that they should make such havock in the commonwealth by such horrible bawdy matches , hereby dividing amongst themselves the government of provinces , and great armies . and bibulus perceiving that he did but contend in vaine , caesar being too potent for him , and that his life was in danger for opposing these laws , he kept his house all the rest of his consulship . pompey having married julia , he filled the market-place with souldiers , and by open force authorised the lawes which caesar had made in favour of the people : he procured also that caesar had both the gauls , and all illyria , with four legions , granted him for five years : and when cato stood up to speak against it , caesar bad his officers to lay hold on him , and carry him to prison , thinking that he would have appealed to the tribunes , but cato said no more , but went his way . and caesar seeing that not only the nobility , but the commons also were offended at it , out of respect to cato's virtues , he secretly prayed one of the tribunes that he would take cato from his officers , which was done accordingly . many of the senators refused to be present in the senate under him , but left the city , because they could not endure his doings ; whereupon one considius , an old man told him , that the senators durst not meet because of his souldiers . why then ( said caesar ) dost not thou also keep home out of the same fear ? because ( said he ) my age takes away my fear from me , for having so short a time to live , i care not to prolong it further . caesar preferred clodius , a base fellow , to be tribune , who sought the office for no other end but to destroy cicero , who had discovered his villanies , and caesar would not go to his province till he had set them two together by the ears , and driven cicero out of italy . yet did he deserve the name of as brave a generall as any that went before him , if we consider the hard countries where he made wars : his gaining of so many countries which he adjoyned to the empire of rome : the multitude and power of the enemies whom he overcame : the rudenesse and valour of the men with whom he had to doe , whose manners yet he mollified , and civilized : his courtesy , and clemency to those whom he overcame : his great bounty and liberallity to those that served under him : as also if we consider the number of battels that he fought , and the multitude of enemies that were slaine by him . for in lesse then ten years , he took by assault above eight hundered townes : he conquered three hundred nations : and having at several times above thirty hundred thousand souldiers against him , he slew a million of them , and took as many more prisoners . he was so intirely beloved of his souldiers , that to doe him service , and to advance his honour , they were invincible : as appeares by the example of acilius , who in a sea-fight before the city of marseiles , boarding one of the enemies ships , had his right hand cut off , and yet he ran upon his enemies , thrusting them in their faces with his target on his left hand , and so prevailed that he took their ship. one cassius scava also in a fight before the city of dyrrachium , having an eye put out with an arrow , his shoulder striken through with a dart , and his thigh with another , having received thirty arrows upon his shield , called to his enemies as if he would yeild to them : but when two of them came running to him , he cut off one of their armes by the shoulder , and wounded the other in the face , and made them give back till he was fetched off by some of his fellowes . in brittan also when some of his captaines were driven into a bog full of mire and dirt , the enemies fiercely assaulting them there , caesar viewing the battel , he saw a private souldier thrust in amongst the captaines , where he fought so valiantly that at length he forced the barbarous people to fly , and thereby saved the captaines , who otherwise had perished there : and then this souldier being the hindmost of all the captaines , marched through the bog , sometimes swiming , and sometimes on foot , till he gat to the farther side , onely he lost his target . caesar wondring at his valour , ran and imbraced him : but the poor souldier , hanging down his head , with teares in his eyes , fell at caesars feet , begging pardon for leaving his target behind him . in africk also , scipio having taken one of caesars ships , slew all that were in it , save petronius , a treasurer , to whome he profered life : but petronius answered him , that caesars souldiers used to give others their lives , and not to have their lives given them , and thereupon slew himself with his own sword. now caesar bred this courage in them by rewarding them bountifully , and honouring them . he also gave them a good example by adventuring himself upon manifest dangers , and putting his body to extreame paines when there was occasion , which filled them with admiration . as for his costitution he was lean , white , and soft skin'd , and often troubled with the head-ach , and sometimes with the falling sicknesse , yet yeilded he not to his sicknesse , but rather took paines as a medicine to cure it , travelling continually , living soberly and commonly lying abroad in the fields . most nights he slept in his coach , and in the dayes travelled up and down to see cities , castles , and strong holds . he had alwayes a secretary with him in his coach , who writ as they went by the way , and a souldier behind him that carryed his sword. he made such speed when he had gotten his office at rome , that in eight dayes he came to the river of rhone . he was an excellent rider from his youth : for holding his hands behind him , he would run his horse upon the spurre . in his wars in gaul , or france , he used to exercise himself in inditing letters by the way , wherein he was so nimble that he imployed two secretaries , or more at one time . he made very little account of his diet , supping one night in millane with his friend valerius leo , there was served at table some sperage with perfumed oile instead of sallet oile , he eat it , and found no fault , blaming his friends who were offended at the mistake , saying , that if they liked it not they should have let it alone , and that it was not good manners hereby to shame their friend . at another time in his journey he was forced by soul weather to shelter himself in a poor cottage that had but one cabbin , and that so narrow that one could scant lye in it , whereupon he said to his friends , the greatest roomes , are fittest for the greatest men , and beds for sick persons , and so caused oppius that was sick to lie there , and himself with the rest of his friends , lay without doors . the first war that caesar made in gaul , was against the helvetians , or swissers , and the tygurines , who having set fire of their own cities and houses , came to invade that part of gaul which was subject to the romans . these were a very war-like and valiant people , and in all they were three hundred thousand souls , whereof there were one hundred and ninety thousand fighting men : yet were they overthrown by caesar's lieutenant at the river arax . and when the helvetians afterwards came suddenly to set upon caesar , he made hast to get into some place of strength , and there ordered his battel against them , and when one brought him his charging horse , he said , when i have overcome mine enemies , then i will get upon him , to pursue them , and so marching against them on foot , he fiercely charged them : the battel continued long before he could make them fly : yet had he more ado to take their camp , and to break the strength that they had made with their carts . for not onely those that were fled into it , made head again , but their wives and children also fought stoutly for their lives , till they were all slain , and the battel was scarce ended by midnght . presently after , above one hundred thousand of those that had escaped from this battel , were forced by caesar to return into their own country again , and to the townes which they had burnt ; and this he did lest the germans should come over the rhine , and settle themselves in that country being void . the next war that caesar made was in defence of the gauls against the germans , though himself had before admitted ariovistus their king to be received as a consederate of the romans : notwithstanding which , they were grown very unquiet neighbours , watching but an opportunity to possess themselves of the rest of gaul . caesar perceiving that some of his captains much feared them , especially the young gentlemen of noble famelies , who went along with him as to some pastimes , he commanded all that were afraid to return home , and not endanger themselves against their wills . but for himself he said , he would set upon those barbarous people , though he had left him but the tenth legion onely . upon this the tenth legion sent their officers to thank him for the good opinion he had of them : and all the other legions blamed their captaines for their backwardness , and followed him cheerfully till they came within two hundred furlongs of the enemies camp. ariovistus his courage was well cooled when he saw caesar so near , whereas they thought that the romans were afraid of them : his army also was in a great amaze . but that which discouraged them most , was the prophesies of some foolish women , who observing the terrible noise which the water in the river made , advised the germans by no means to fight , and they being possessed with a supestitious fear , sought to avoid the fight : yet caesar skirmished with them every day and sometimes followed them to their forts , and little hills where they lay , whereby he so provoked them that at last they came down with great fury to fight . in this battell he overcame them , and pursued them very eagerly , making a great slaughter of them even to the river of rhine , filling all the fields with dead bodies , and spoiles . ariovistus himself flying speedily got over the river , and escaped with some few of his men : at this battell there were slain about eighty thousand germans . after this battel caesar left his army to winter amongst the sequanes , and himself thinking of the affairs of rome , returned over the alps to a place about the river po : whilest he lay there he laboured to make friends at rome : and when many came to visit him there , he granted all their suits , and sent them back , some with liberal rewards , and others with large promises , whereby he engaged them to him . during all the time of caesar's great conquests in gaul , pompey did not consider how caesar conquered the gauls with the roman weapons , and wan the romans with the riches of the gauls . at this time caesar being informed that the belgae who were the most warlike nation of all the gauls , were all up in armes and had raised a very great power , he presently made towards them with all possible , speed ; and found them over-running and plundering the neighbour countries and confederates of the romans , wherefore he gave them battel , and overthrew their chiefest army , and slew so many of them that the lakes and rivers were died with their bloud , and filled with their dead bodies , that the romans passed over on foot upon them : after this overthrow , such of them as dwelt neere the sea yeilded themselves : and from thence he conducted his army against the nervians , the stoutest souldiers of all the belgae . these dwelling in a woody country , had conveyed their wives , children and goods into a very great forrest , remote from their enemies , and being above eighty thousand fighting men , they , watching their opportunity , set upon caesar when his army was out of order , and little expecting them . at the first charge they brake the roman horsemen , and encompassing the seventh and twelfth legions , they slew all the captains , and had not caesar himself with his shield on his arme , run amongst them , making a lane as he went , and the tenth legion , seeing him in that danger , followed him with all speed , there had not a roman escaped alive that day . but looking upon caesar's valour , his men fought desperately , even beyond their abilities , and yet could they not make the nervi fly but they fought it out bravely till most of them were slaine in the field , five hundred onely of them ascapeing . yet was it a bloudy battel to the romans , for that of four hundred gentlemen , and counsellers of rome , there were but three saved . the senate of rome made great , signes of joy for these victories , by sacrifizing to the gods , playes , &c. and as caesars fame was encreased hereby , so he wan upon the peoples love : and alwayes , when his affaires would permit , he used to winter by the river po , to give direction about his affaires at rome . and truly not only such as sued for offices at rome , obtained them by caesars money , and therefore imployed all their power to promote his interest , but the chiefest also of the nobility , went to luke unto him , insomuch as at one time there have been seen before his gates , one hundred and twenty sergeants carrying rods and axes before the magistrates that have waited upon him , and two hundred senators besides . here they held a councell , wherein it was agreed , that pompey and crassus should again be chosen consuls for the year following : and that caesar should have more money delivered him to pay his army , and that his government should be prorogued for five years longer . then caesar returning into gaul to his army , found there a great war begun : for two potent nations of the germans , having passed over the river of rhine to conquer new lands , caesar fought with them , which himself thus discribeth : these barbarous people ( saith he ) after they had sent ambassadours to me to desire peace , contrary to the law of armes , came and set upon me as i travelled by the way , insomuch as eight hundred of their men overthrew five thousand of my horsemen , who nothing at all expected their comming , and going on to describe their farther proceedings . he saith , that they again sent ambassadours to him to mock him , whom he kept prisoners , and then setting upon the enemies , who were about four hundred thousand persons , he slew most of them , saving a few that flying gat back over the river of rhine and so escaped . caesar , taking this occasion , and being ambitious to have the honour of being the first roman that ever passed this river with an army , he built a bridg over it , though the river were very broad , and ran with a violent streame , and especially there where he built the bridge : and the barbarians casting great trees into the river , they were carried down with such violence that by their great blowes they did sore shake the posts of the bridge , to prevent which , and to abate the sury of the streame , caesar caused a pile to be made a good way above the bridge , which was forcibly rammed into the bottom of the river , so that in ten dayes space he had finished his bridge of goodly carpenters work : a very rare invention as could be possibly devised . then passing his army over this bridge , he found none that durst fight with him : for the suevians who were the most warlike people of the germans , had retired themselves and goods into great valleys , bogs , woods , and forrests . caesar therefore having burnt up the enemies country , and confirmed the league with the consederates of the romans , he returned back into gaul . about this time also he made a journey into england , being the first that sailed the westerne ocean with an army , and that passed through the atlantick sea to make war in this great and famous island , and was the first that enlarged the roman empire beyond the habitable earth . for he twice passed the seas out of france into england , where he fought many battels with the brittans , in which he did more hurt to the enemies , than enrich his own men : therefore this war had not such successe as he expected , which made him onely to take pledges of the king and to impose a yearly tribute upon him , and so returned back into gaul . he was no sooner landed there , but he met with letters which advertised from rome of the death of his daughter , the wife of pompey , for which they both of them were very sorrowfull : and by this meanes the league betwixt pompey and caesar was broken , to the great prejudice of the commonwealth . caesars army being very great , he sent it into severall garrisons for their winter quarters , and returned into italy , as he used to do . during which time all gaul rebelled again , and had raised great armies , who were led by one ambiorix . these did first set upon the garrisons of caetta , and titurius , whom they slew together with all their men . then they went with sixty thousand men , and besieged the garrison which quintus cicero had in charge , and had almost taken it by storme , ciceroes souldiers being all wounded , yet they shewed such valour that they did more than men in their own defence . this newes comming to caesar , who was far off , he returned with all possible speed , and levying seven thousand souldiers , he hasted to relieve cicero that was in great distresse . the gauls that besieged him , hearing of caesars comming , arose , and went to meet him , making little account of his small number : caesar to entrap them , still drew back , making as though he fled from them , but still lodging in plaees of safety , and commanded his men that they should not stirre out to skirmish with them , but rather to raise the ramparts of his camp , and to fortifie the gates , as men affraid , that their enemies might the lesse esteeme them : but at length , he took the opportunity when the enemies came in a disordered manner to assault his camp , and then sallying out , he routed , and slew a great number of them . this act suppressed all the rebellions of the gauls in those parts : himself also went in the midst of winter in those places where they did rebel ▪ for now he had a new supply out of italy of three whole legions to fill up the rooms of those that were slaine , of which pompey lent him two , and the other legion was raised about the river po. shortly after there brake out the greatest and most dangerous war that ever he had in gaul , which had been long designed by the chiefest and most warlike people in all that country , who had a very great army , leavying multitudes of men , and much treasure to fortifie their strong holds : the country where thy were was very hard to come into , especially then in the winter when the rivers were high , and the woods and forrests covered with snow , the meddowes drowned with floods , and the snow so deep that no wayes could be discerned , all which might have discouraged caesar from setting upon them : the rather , because many nations joyned in this conspiracy , of whom the chief were the vernians , and the carnutes , who had chosed vercing entorix for their captain . he divided his army into divers places , under divers captaines , and drawn into his assistance all the nations as far as to the adriatiek sea : so that if he had tarried a little longer till caesar had been ingaged in his wars with pompey , he had put all italy into great fear and danger . but caesar , who knew his advantages , and how to take the best opportunities , as soon as he heard of this rebellion , he hasted towards them , intending to let them know , that they had to do with an army that was invincible , and which they could not possibly withstand , seeing they had marched with such speed in so hard a winter . this made them wonder when they saw him burning and destroying their country , when they thought him far off . such towns and strong forts as yeilded to him , he received to mercy . but the hedui , who used to be stiled the brethren of the romans , taking armes against him , much discouraged his men : wherefore caesar went through the country of the lingones to enter into burgundy , who were confederates with the romans . thither the enemies followed him , endeavouring to compasse him in on every side . caesar tarried their comming , and then fighting with them a long time , he at last overcame them . of those which fled , most of them together with their king got into the city of alexia , which caesar presently besieged , though it seemed inexpugnable , both in regard of the hight of the walls , and the many hands to defend them . during this siege caesar fell into a very great danger : for three hundred thousand of the best souldiers amongst the gauls came against him , besides those within the city , who were seventy thousand fighting men , so that finding himself to be shut in between two such mighty armies , he was faign to fortifie himself with two walls : one against those within alexia , and the other against those without . and truly the battell which he wan at this place , gat him more honour than any other that ever he fought before . for in this extream danger he shewed more valour and wisdom , and courage than in any other . and this was wondefull , that they within the city neheard of their friends that came to assist them , till caesar had overcome them : yea , caesars own men that guarded the wall against the city , knew nothing of the battell till they heard the cries and lamentations of those in the city , when they saw the romans bring into their camp such a number of shields glistering with gold and silver , such store of bloudy corslets , and armour , such a deal of plate , and movables , and such a number of tents , and pavilions of the gauls which the romans had gotten of their spoiles . thus the greatest part of this huge army were slain : and as for those within the city , when they had done and received much hurt , they at last , yeilded , and vercing entorix , went out of the city richly armed , and his horse furnished with brave , and glittering caparisons , and rode about , caesar who sat in his chair of state. then allighting , he took off the caparisons , and stript himself of his armour , and prostrated himself on the ground , and then went and sat down at caesars feet , speaking never a word . caesar after a while committed him to prison to be led in his triumph at rome . now caesar had long since projected the distruction of pompey , as pompey had done the like for him . nothing kept caesar from being the greatest person but pompey the great , and nothing kept pompey from being supreame but caesar. hitherto pompey had set light by caesar , thinking that he could crush him when he pleased : but caesar went more cunningly to work : for to attaine his end , he procured to be sent into gaul , where he exercised and hardened his army , and by his valiant deeds purchased fame and honour : so that now he lacked nothing but an occasion to put his design in practise , which pompey partly gave him , and the iniquity of the times much surthered it . for such as sued for honours and offices , bought the voices of the people shamefully , who therefore came to the market-place , not to give their voices , but with bowes , and slings , and swords : and the assembly seldom brake up , but the pulpit for orations was besprinkled with the bloud of the slaine , so that many wise men believed , that there was no other cure of these evils but by putting the supreame authority into one mans hand ; and many wished that pompey were the man : but he seemed to decline it , though cunningly under hand he laboured to be chosen dictator . cato smelling his drift , perswaded the senate rather to make him sole consul , thereby to satisfy his ambition : this was done accordingly , and the time also for the gevernment of his provinces was prorogued : they allowed him also a thousand talents yearly out of the publick treasury wherewith to pay his souldiers . hereupon caesar took occasion to send his men to rome , to sue in his name for the consulship , and for the prolonging of his government . this was too indiscreetly opposed by marcellus and lentulu , and many things were spoken in his disgrace . they took away also the freedom from the collonies which caesar had lately granted them . and when marcellus was consul , he caused one of those senators to be whipt , saying , that he gave him those marks , that he might be known to be no citizen of rome ; and bad him go and tell caesar of it . shortly after caesar opened his treasures which he had got in gaul , and gave it freely among the magistrates of rome . he set curio the tribune , cleer out of debt : he gave to the consul paul fifteen hundred talents , wherewith he built a stately theater . pompey now beginning to fear , laboured to have a successour sent to caesar , and withall sent for his two legions , which caesar returned to him , bountifully rewarding every souldier : and they which brought these legions back , disgraced caesar all they could , and told pompey that if caesar's souldiers did but once see him , they would all forsake caesar and cleave to him . this made pompey more secure , that he neglected to prepare for war. one of caesar's captaines coming to rome , and moving the senate to have his government prorogued , they delaying their answer , he laid his hand upon his sword , and said , sith you will not grant it him , this shall give it him . caesar seemed to be very reasonable in what he requested , for he said , that whilest they required him to lay down armes for fear of a tyranny , and yet permitted pompey to keep his , they went about to establish a tyranny . curio in the name of caesar moved before all the people , that both should be commanded to lay down armes , which motion was entertained with great joy and claping of hands by the people , who threw nose-gayes , and flowers upon him for it . then anthony one of the tribunes , brought a letter from caesar , and read it before the people in spite of the consuls , wherein hae desired that they would grant him gaul on this side the alps , and illyria with two legions onely , and then he would desire no more : but scipio the father in law of pompey , moved in the senate , that if caesar did not dismiss his army by a day appointed , that then he should be proclaimed an enemy to rome , marccilus also added , that they must use force of armes and not arguments against a thief ; whereupon the senate rose without determining any thing , and every one put on his mourning apparrell as in the time of a common calamity . cirero being newly come from his government in cilicia , took much pains to reconcile them together , and perswaded pompey all he could , who told him that he would yield to whatsoever he desired , so he would let him alone with his army : but lentulus the consul shamefully drave curio and anthony out of the senate , who were in such danger that they were faigne to fly out of rome to caesar , disguised in a carriers coat . this gave caesar great advantage , and much incensed his men , when they saw and heard how his friends were abused . caesar at this time had about him but five thousand foot , and three thousand horse , having left the rest of his army on the other side of the alps , to be brought after him by his lieutenants : judging it better suddenly to steal upon them at rome , then to assail them with his whole army , which would require time , & give his enemies opportunity to strengthen themselves against him . he therefore commanded his captains to go before , and to take in the city of ariminum ( a great city on this side the alps ) with as little bloodshed as might be . then committing the rest of those souldiers which he had with him , to hortensius , he spent a whole day in seeing the sword players exercise before him . at night he went unto his lodging , where having bathed himself a little , he came into the hall , and made merry with those whom he had bidden to supper . then rising from the table , he prayed his guests to be merry , and he would come again to them presently : howbeit he had secretly before directed his most trusty friends to follow him : not all together , but some one way , & some another . himself in the mean time took a coach that he had hired , and pretending at first to go another way , he suddenly turned towards ariminum . but when he came to the river of rubicorn , which divides the hither gaul from italy , he suddenly made a stop ( for if he once passed that , there could be no hope of peace ) considering with himself of what importance this passage was , and what miseries would ensue upon it . some say that he spake thus to his friends : doubtlesse if i forbear to pass over this river , it will be the beginning of my ruine ; if i passe it , the ruine will be generall : then turning towards the river , he said , it is yet in our power to turn back , but if we passe the river we must make our way with our weapons . some say , that coesar standing thus doubtfull , he was encouraged by the apparition of a man of a very great stature , piping upon a reed , whereupon many of the souldiers and some trumpetters went neer to hear him , and that he catching one of their trumpets , leaped into the river , sounding to the battel with a mighty blast , and so passed on to the farther side of the river : whereupon caesar , with a furious resolution , cryed out , let us go ( whether the gods , ) and the injurious dealing of our enemies , do call us . the dice are cast . i have set up my rest , come what will of it : after which he set spurs to his horse , and passed the river his army following him . caesar having passed the river and drawn his army together , he made an oration to them , shedding some tears , and tearing his garment down the breast , laying before them the equity of his cause , and craying their assistance . to whom , having with a generall applause and consent made answer ; that they were ready to obey his will , he presently marched on and came the next day to ariminum , upon which he seized . the like he did to all the towns and castles as he passed on , till he came to corfinium which was held by domitius , who in a factious tumult had been nominated for his successour in the government of gaul . this being taken , he pardoned the souldiers , and inhabitants , and used domitius kindly , giving him leave to depart ( who went straight to pompey ) by which clemency he purchased to himself much honour . these thirty cohorts he kept with him . caesars resolution being known at rome , it troubled pompey , amazed the senate , and terrified the common people . pompey now found himself deceived , who before could not believe that caesar would thrust himself into so great danger , or that he could be able to raise sufficient forces to resist him : but the success proved otherwise . for though pompey had authority from the consuls and senate to leavy souldiers , to call home his legions , and to send captains for the defence of those cities in italy by which caesar should passe , yet all this was not sufficient to resist his fury , and the power that he brought with him . the fame of caesars comming increasing daily , pompey , with the whole senate left rome , going to capua , and from thence to brundusium , a sea town seated at the mouth of the gulph of vinic● , where he ordered the consuls to passe to dyrrachium , ( now durazzo ) a sea town of macedonia , there to unite all their forces , being out of hope to resist caesar in italy , who had already taken corfinium , where , having drawn domitius's thirty cohorts to serve him , he marched on , and hearing that pompey and the consuls were at brundusium , he hasted towards them with his legions with all possible speed . but pompey , though he had fortified the town sufficiently for his defence , yet when caesar began to invest the town , he imbarked himself and his men in the night time , and so passed over to dyrrachium , to the consuls . thus caesar injoyed italy without opposition , yet was he doubtfull what to resolve on : he would gladly have followed pompey but wanted shipping , and it being winter , he knew that ships could not be procured so soon as was requisite : and considering with all , that it was not safe to leave an enemy behind him , which might cause an alteration in france , or italy ; he resolved first to go into spain , which held for pompey , and where he had his best legions under the command of petreius and afranius , saying to his friends , let us go against an army which wants a captain , and afterwards we will go against a captain that wants an army . for pompeys souldiers in spain were very valiant , and had been long exercised in armes , but their commanders were neither politick , nor expert in war. but on the contrary , pompey was a most wise and valiant captain , but his souldiers were newly levied , and of small experience . caesar returning from brundusium , in sixty dayes space became lord of all italy , and when he came to rome , the people were in great fear , remembring the miseries they had suffered under sylla : but caesar using his accustomed clemency , hurt no man , high nor low : he called the senators together which remained there , comforting them with milde and good words ; and laying the whole fault upon pompey , he fought to justifie his own cause , declaring how much he desired peace , with all , requsting that abassadours might be sent to pompey to procure the same : and causing himself presently to be chosen consul , he opened the treasury , though metellus , one of the tribunes of the people , opposed him , and the treasure which he took from thence , which was very great , he distributed amongst his souldiers . then was he desirous to go into spain , first taking order for the civill government : and making choise of the legions which should go with him , he left the rest in brundusium , and otranto , and other strong places upon the sea coast , to keep pompey from landing if he should attempt to return into italy . he also made hortensius , and dolabella his captaines to provide shipping to be brought into the port of brundusium , there to be in a readinesse against his return from spain : quintus valerius he sent with a legion into sardinia against marcus cotta which held the same for pompey . to sicily he sent curius , and marcus cate , with direction that having taken the same , he should passe over into africk . lepidus he sent to rome , as prefect thereof , and mark anthony he made governour of all italy : and resolving to leave licinius crassus in france , with his acustomed celerity he went on his journey , finding no resistance , neither in italy nor france , till he came to marcelleis , which held for pompey . this city he besieged , and to avoid losse of time , left decius brutus , and caius trebonius with sufficient forces , who endured much in the siege : himself hasted into spain , where , being expected , afranius and petreius attended him with four roman legions , and the aid of their friends , between whom , and caesar the war continued for some while , chiefly about the city of lerida . at first caesar was in great danger and much distressed chiefly for wans of victuals , as also for that the winter was come on , which troubled him with the swelling of rivers , before and after which , there passed many great skirmishes between the two armies . and caesar , watching his opportunities , at last brought his adversaries to such distresse that they perished with hunger , and were forced to come to a composition , which was , that the legions should have liberty to go whither they pleased : and so part of them took pay of caesar , the rest departed , and petreius , and afcanius went to pompey . this war being ended , and the spring come , caesar , that he might leave no enemy behind him , marched into the province of betica ( now andaluzia ) with part of his forces , commanding the rest to march whither he had appointed , and there to stay for him , because marcus varro held that province for pompey against caesar with one good legion : but he , not daring to oppose caesar , delivered up the legion to him , together with that country , and all was pacified there . from thence caesar went to cordova , where he called a parliament of all the states of that province , in which he highly commended them , and those of sivil for taking his part , and so marching forward , he came to the isle of cadez , where having gotten ships in readinesse , he left quintus cassius with four legians in that province , and so embarking , he went to taragona , commanding his legions to march by land thither , where having settled his affairs , he advanced with his army towards narbona , and from thence to marcelleis , which now yeilded to him , having endured many calamities during the seige : caesar respecting the antiquity and same of this city , would not destroy it , nor the inhabitants , but leaving a strong garrison in it , he ordered his legions to march for italy ; and himself , with a sufficient guard , and some of his friends took passage by sea to rome . though all things succeeded thus well with caesar , yet some of his captaines had ill sucesse . for caius antonius , whom he left with dolabella for to command his navy , was overthrown and taken prisoner in the gulph of venice by octavius , lieutenant to pompey . in which overthrow this was very remarkable : anthony was faign to put his men into long boates for want of ships , which were taken by a strategem as in a toil , by the pompeians , with ropes under the water . one of them which had in it a thousand valiant young men , being thus ensnared , was assaulted by the enemies whole army , against which they defended themselves bravely from morning till night , and in the end being oppressed with the multitude , by the perswasion of valteius , their collonel , they all slew one another , rather than they would fall into the enemies hand . dolabella was likewise overthrowne neere to the island of coreyra ( now corfu : ) and curius , who went with his two legions into africk , though at first he had good successe , yet afterwards he was overthrown , and most of his men slaine by jaba , king of mauritania , pompeys friend . caesar being come to rome and made dictator , new consuls were chosen , whereof he being one layed aside his dictatorship , and provided praetors for the provinces as himself pleased . he sent mracus lepidus into spain : aulus albinus into sicily : sextus peduceius into sardinia ; and decius brutus into france ; and taking such further order as he thought good , he departed from rome in december towards brundusium , whither he commanded all his forces to march , there to take passage for macedonia , where he knew that pompey staid with his army : who all that whole year that caesar spent in his journey to spain , busied himself to provide a navy wherein to return into italy , and in gathering treasure , and levying souldiers , having made an exceeding great provision of all things . for there came unto him , ships , money , and men from sundry kingdomes and provinces both of asia , and greece : as from syria , pontus , bithynia , cilicia , phoeniciae , caeppadocia , pomphilia , armenia minor , aegypt , greece , thessaly , boeotia , achaia , epirus , athens , lacedemonia , the isles of creet , and rhodes , and from many other countries . there came also to his aid king deiotarus , and aribarzanes , of all which , together with those which he brought with him from italy , he compounded a very great army by land , and a very great fleet of ships and gallyes by sea. it being now the depth of winter , pompey presuming it improbable , if not impossible for caesar to passe the seas to him ; having also intelligence that caesar was in rome , he disposed of his army to their winter quarters in macedonia and thessaly ; and himself retired farther from the sea , commanding his sea-captaines ( of whom marcus bibulus was chiefe ) to guard the sea coast . but caesar knowing that in the speedy execution consisted his greatest hopes of victory , and that occasion once lost could hardly be recovered , he departed from rome , and came to brundusium , though all his legions were not as yet come to him . there he embarked seven of his best legions in such ships as were ready , sending a command to the rest which were comming , to hasten to brundusium , whither he would send for them with all possible speed . and so departing , he crossed the seas with a prosperous gale of wind , and the third day after arrived upon the coast of macedonia , before pompey had any intelligence of his embarking . there he safely landing his men in dispite of pompeys captaines , and commanded his ships and galleys presently to returne to brundusium to fetch , the rest of his army . presently after his first landing , he seized upon the cities of appallonia , and erico , driving from thence lucius torquatus , and lucius straberius , who held them for pompey . pompey hearing of caesars arrivall , sent for his troops which were neerest hand with all speed possible , with whom he marched towards dirrachium , where his victuals , ammunition , and other provisions for the war lay , lest caesar should go and surprise them , which indeed he attempted but in vaine , the situation of the place makeing it inexpugnable . pompey being come , their camps were lodged within a few furlongs each of other , where he passed many adventurous skirmishes , and also some treaties of peace , offered by caesar , but rejected by pompey , so confident he was of his own power . in the interim caesar dayly expected the comming of the other legions , who staying longer than he expected , he resolved in person , with three confident servants , secretly to embarke himself in a brigandine , and to passe that streight of the sea and to fetch them , hoping to performe the same without the knowledge of any . and accordingly , passing down the river to the sea , he found it so troublesome and tempestious that the master of his brigandine ( not knowing whom he carried ) durst not adventure forth , but would have returned . then caesar discovering his face , said , perge audactèr : caesarem enim fers , & fortunam caesaris : beare up bravely , and boldly against the winds and waves : for thou carriest caesar , and all his fortunes . the master herewith encouraged , strove all that possibly he could to proceed in his voyage : but the force of the tempest was so great , and the wind so contrary , that do what possibly they could , they were driven back again . when caesars army heard of these passages , they much wondred , grieved and were troubled at it : commending him more for his valour , than for his wifedome : but within few days after m. anthony arrived with four of those legions which were left behind in italy , presently returning the ships back for the rest . anthony after some adventures , joyned with caesars army neer to dirrachium where we lately left him . frequent skirmishes still continued between the two armies , and many were slain on both sides , and one day the skirmish was so hot , supplies being sent from both sides , that it almost came to a just battel , wherein caesars men were so beaten , that they fled before the enemies , and could not be made to stand by any intreaties , or menaces , till they were come into their camp , which they had strongly fortified : yet many durst not trust to that , but fled out of it : but pompey either because he imagined their flight to be faigned to draw him into an ambush , or because he thought there needed no more to be done , and that caesar could no more resist him , he neglected to prosecute his victory , causing a retrate to be sounded without assaulting caesars camp , which , probably , he might have taken , and made an end of the war that day . whereupon caesar said to his friends : truly this day had ended the war , if our enemies had had a captain that had known how to overcome . at this time caesar lost a great number of his men , amongst whom were four hundred roman knights , ten tribunes ( or collonels ) and thirty two centurions ( or captaines ) and his enemies took for from him thirty two ensignes . upon this victory pompey sent newes thereof to diverse parts of the world , holding himself for an absolute conquerour . caesar much blamed some of his captaines and ensigne bearers for their cowardize , and his army were so grieved and ashamed , that they much importuned him to lead them forth again to battell : but he thought it not fit so soon to lead them forth against a victorious army . he therefore sent his fick and wounded men to the city of apolonia , and departed by night with as great silence as could be from the place where he was ▪ and marched towards thessaly , intending there to refresh and encourage his army , and to draw his enemies farther from the sea coast , where their chiefe strength lay , and where their camp was well fortified , and victualled , or at least he intended to attempt the overthrow of scipio , who ( as he heard ) was comming to joyne with pompey . pompey finding caesar was departed , followed him for some few dayes ; and then taking councel what to do , he resolved to leave a sufficient navy to guard the seas , and with the rest to returne into italy , and to seize upon it , together with france and spain , and afterwards to go against caesar : but the romane lords that were with him , and the importunity of his unskilfull captains and souldiers , forced him to alter his determination , and presently to pursue caesar , who made an alt in the fields of pharsalia , which are in thessaly , making his retreat with so much prudence , and in so good order , that upon all occasions that were offered he ever had the better ; till at length seeing his men full of resolution and courage , he resolved no longer to defer the fight . concerning which battell : the ordering , and event of it : the flight of pompey into egypt , and how basely , and barbarously he was murthered there , see it before in the life of pompey the great . julius caesar having obtained this great and glorious victory , used therein his accustomed clemency , not suffering any roman either to be slain or hurt after the battell was ended , but pardoned all those that were either taken in the fight , or found in the camp , amongst whom was marcus tullius cicero . after which , being informed which way pompey was fled , he pursued him with the lightest , and swiftest of his army , and in the way subduing all the cities , he at last came to the sea side , where he gathered together all the ships and gallies that possibly he could , together with those whom cassius had brought , he therein shipped as many of his men as they could contain , and passed into the lesser asia , where , being advertised that pompey had been in cyprus , he presumed that he was gone into egypt ; wherefore he steered the same course , taking with him two legions of old souldiers onely . when he arrived at alexandria , he understood that pompey presuming upon the many benefits , and good entertainment which the father of this king ptolomy had received in his house , had sent to this ptolomy to harbour and assist him : which accordingly the king promised , & pompey comming upon his safe conduct , in a small boat , was by the false kings commandement basely murthered , thinking thereby to win the favour of caesar. he understood likewise that cornelia the wife of pompey , and his son sextus pompeyus were fled from thence in the same ship wherein they came . caesar being landed , and received into the city , they brought him for a present the head of the great pompey ; but he turned away and would not see it , and when they brought him pompeys ring with his seal of armes , he wept , considering the end and successe of the great adventures and properties of pompey , who with such honour and fame had triumphed three times , and been so many times consul in rome : and had obtained so many victories abroad . when caesar was landed in aegypt , he found the country imbroyled in civill wars : there being great discord between young king ptolomy , and his sister cleopatra , about the division and inheritance of that kingdome , wherein julius caesar ( as being a roman consul ) took upon him to be an arbitrator . for which cause , or because their guilty consciences accused them for the treacherous murther of pompey , fotinus the enuuch , who had contrived the said murther , and achillas , who had been the actor of it , fearing that caesar inclined to favour cleopatra , sent for the kings army that lay neere the city , consisting of twenty thousand good souldiers , purposing to do by caesar as they had done by pompey , so that within a few dayes , there began between caesar and his small army , both in the city , and in the harbour where the ships and galleys lay , the most cruel , and dangerous encounters that ever caesar met with : for he was often forced to fight in his own person , both within the city ( whereof the enemies held the greater part ) and also in the harbour with his ships , and was sometimes in so great perill and danger , that he was forced to leap out of the boat into the water , and by swimming to get to one of the gallies , at which time he held his commentaries in one hand above water , and carry his robe in his teeth , and to swimme with the other hand . but when his other forces were come to him from asia , and other parts , he at the end of nine moneths ( for so long these wars lasted ) became victorious , as in all other his enterprises he had been , and the young king ptolomy was slaine in fight . in this warre caesar did such exploits , and behaved himself so gallantly , that for the same onely he well deserved the fame and name of a brave captain . the pride of the aegyptians being thus tamed , caesar put to death the murtherers of pompey , and established the faire cleopatra , the queen and governesse of aegypt , whom , during his stay there , he intertained for his friend , and had a son by her called caesarion . and when he had quitted and settled all things in aegypt , he departed thence into asia , and travelled through syria ( now soria ) being informed , that during his troubles in aegypt , king pharnaces , the son of that mighty king methridates , thought it a fit time , whilst the romans were embroiled in civil wars , to recover what his father had lost : for which end having overthrown domitius , whom caesar had sent to govern those parts , and having taken by force of armes the provinces of bithynia , and cappadocia , expelling thence king ariobarzanes ( a friend and subject of rome ) and beginning to do the like in armenia the lesse , which king deiotarus had subjected to the romans : caesar ( i say ) being informed hereof , went with his army sooner than pharnaces imagined , though he expected him , and had intelligence of his approach , so that in few dayes they came to a battell , in which the king was soon overthrown , and put to flight , with great slaughter of his people , yet himself escaped . caesar was very joyfull for this victory , because his of earnest desire to returne to rome ; where he knew that many scandals were raised , and many insolencies were committed for want of his presence : he knew also that pompeys eldest son had seized upon a great part of spain , and had raised great forces of those which marcus varro had left there , and of his fathers troops . he also understood , that in africa many principal romans , who had escaped from the battell of pharsalia , were gethered together , where of m. cato ( surnamed uticensis ) was the chief , and scipio , pompeys father in law , and that these went thither with the greatest part of the ships and galleys which belonged to pompey , and with the greatest power that they were able to leavy ; and that joyning with juba king of mauritania , they had subdued all that country , and had a great army in a readinesse to oppose him , having chosen scipio for their generall , because that cato would not take that office upon him , and for that the name of scipio had been so fortunate in africa . caesar having intelligence of all these things , within the space of a few dayes , with great celerity and diligence recovered all that pharnaces had usurped , and chasing him out of portus he regained all those countries : and so leaving celius minucius for general , with two legions to gaurd that province , pacifying the controversies and contentions in the rest , and rewarding the kings , and tetrarchs which continued firme in their leagues and amity with the romans , without any longer aboad , he departed out of asia , and in a short space arrived in italy , and so passed to rome , within little more than a year after he went thence , which was a very short time for the performance of so great matters , and so long a journey . presently after his comming to rome , he caused himself to be chosen consul the third time , and reforming ( so much as the time and his leasure would permit ) all disorders in rome , being troubled and not able to endure that his enemies should possesse africk , with great expedition he prepared all things necessary , and from rome took his way towards africk , commanding his army to follow him . first he went into italy , from from whence taking ship , he passed over into africk , and though neither his navy , nor his army arrived with him , trusting to the valour of those that he had with him , and his own good fortune , he landed with small forces , neere to the city of adrumentum , and from thence marched to an other city called leptis , into which he was received , and after some conflicts that passed , his legions being come to him , and certaine other troops of horse , and companies of foot , he began the war which continued four moneths . he first began with petreius and lubienus ; and then with scipio and king juba , who brought to those wars eight thousand men , the one half whereof were horse . in this war were many encounters and battels , in which caesar was in great danger : but at last ( his good fortune , still attending him ) he overcame them in a great battell , wherein there were slaine of the enemies ten thousand , and caesar remained master of the field , and in a short time after , subjected all the country to him . scipio , and all the chiese captaines , with him died sundry deaths , and juba escaping by flight from the battell , finding no place of security , asranius and he resolved to dye fighting one against the other , in which combate , king juba being the stronger man , slew afranius , and then commanded one of his slaves to kill him , and so he died desperately . marcus cato , who was in the city of utica , hearing that caesar was marching thitherward , though he knew that he would not put him to death , but rather had a desire to pardon him and to do him honour ; yet , resolving neither to receive life nor honour from his enemy , he slew himself : in whose death there passed many remarkable accidents recorded by historians . ftorus saith thus of it . cato ( saith he ) hearing of the death of his partners , he dallyed not at all , but joyfully hastened his end : for after he had embraced his son , and his friends and bad them good night , and then rested a while upon his bed , having first perused plato's book of the immortality of the soul : then about the relieving of the first watch he got up , drew his sword , and therewith thrust himself through : after which the phisicians applied plaisters to his wounds which he indured whilst they were in the roome , but then he pulled them away , and the bloud following abundantly , he left his dying hand even in the wound . scipio , who had been generall in this war , escaped also from the battell by flight , entered into some gallies , which being met with by caesar's navy , that he might not fall into his enemies hand , after he had given himself some wounds , he threw himself into the sea , and so was drowned . caesar having obtained so great and absolute a victory , spent some few dayes in settling and ordering the provinces of africa , making the kingdome of juba a province , and then marched to utica , where he imbarked june the third , and came to the isle of sardinia , and after some short stay there , he arrived at rome the twenty fifth day of july . at his comming thither there were granted unto him four triumphs : first for his conquests and victories in france , in which were carried the protractures of the rivers of rodanus , and the rhine wraught in gold. the second triumph was for the conquest of aegypt , and of king ptolomy , where were set the river of nilus , and the pharus burning . the third was for the conquest of pontus , and of king pharnaces , wherein , in regard of his speedy victory , was placed a writing with these words , veni , vidi , vici : i came , i saw , i overcame . the fourth triumph was for the province of africa , wherein king jubas son was led captive : and in this triumph were given jewels , and armes to octavius , caesars nephew , who succeeded him in the empire . as for the battell wherein he conquered pompey , he would not triumph , because it was against a citizen of rome . these triumphes being ended , he gave great rewards to his souldiers , and intertained the people with feasts , and bountifull gifts , and then caused himself to be chosen the fourth time , consul . and so , to the end that there should be left no place wherein he would not be obeyed , he resolved to go for spain , hearing that gneius pompeius , the son of pompey , was retired with the rest of the army which had escaped out of africk , to go to his brother sextus pompeius , who was in possession of a great part of spain , as we heard before , together with the famous cities of sivil , and cordova , and many others of those parts : many spaniards also comming to their aid . caesar in this journey carryed with him his most valiant , and most experienced souldiers , and made so good speed , that in few dayes space he arrived in spain , in which journey his nephew octavius followed him . entering into spain he came to the province of betica ( now andaluzia ) where were sextus pompeius , with his brother gneius , and such legions and souldiers as they had gotten together ; and there began betwixt caesar and them a most cruel and bloudy warre , the end whereof was , that neere to the city of munda , caesar , and gneius pompeius ( for sextus was then at cordova ) joyned battell , which was one of the most obstinate , and most cruel fights that ever was in the world . for caesar being a most excellent captain , and the souldiers which he brought with him most brave and valiant men , and fleshed with so many victories , held it out with great resolution ; and on the other side , the bravery and courage of young pompey and his men was such , and they fought in such manner , as caesars squadrons began to give ground , and were ready to forsake the field , and at the very point to have been wholly overthrown : and the matter came to this issue , that caesar was about to have slain himself because he would not see himself overcome . yet taking a target from one of his souldiers , he rushed into the midst of his enemies , saying with a loud voice , if ye be not ashamed , leave me and deliver me into the hands of these boyes ; for this shall be the last day of my life and of your honour : with which words , and his example , his souldiers took heart in such manner , that recovering the ground which they had lost , the battell became equall , which lasted almost a whole day without any signe of victory to either party , sometimes seeming to incline to the one , sometimes to the other side ; untill at the length caesar and his men did so great exploits , as that the evening being come , his enemies began to faint , and fly , and the victory was apparently caesars . there died of the enemies above thirty thousand in this battell , and caesar lost above a thousand men of account besides common souldiers . caesar esteemed so much of this victory , and so gloried in the danger which he had ascaped , that ever after he used to say , that in all other battels he had fought for honour and victory , and onely that day he fought for his life . young pompey , after he had performed all the offices of a prudent generall and valiant , souldier , was forced to fly , and wandering through many places , was at last taken and slaine by some of caesars friends , who carried his head to caesar. his other brother sextus pompeius , fled from cordova , and afterwards forsook spain : caesar recovered sivil , and cordova , and all the rest of the country ▪ after which , ordering his affaires in spain after his pleasure , he returned to rome , and triumphed for these victories , which was his fifth and last triumph . caesar now came to be the most mighty , the most redoubted , and the most highly esteemed man in the world , having conquered and subdued the greatest part thereof , in as little time , as it might seeme that another man might be able ▪ to travel through those countries by reasonable journeys . he then made himself perpetuall dictator , and so without opposition , he finished the making of himself the soveraigne lord , and monarch of the empire of rome , within lesse than five years after he first attempted the same . and this was the originall and beginning of the roman emperours . for julius caesar would not be called king ( that name being odious to the romans above all things , ever since kings were first driven from rome ) but contented himself to be called perpetuall dictator , and emperour , which title was usually given to the roman generals upon their obtaining any signall victory . but after julius caesar , all his successors took that title , glorying to be called emperour , which hath evere since been held for the highest title , and dignity in the world. caesar having now attained to that absolute power which he had so ambitiously saught after , he shewed in all his deportment much clemency , and magnanimity , honouring and rewarding his friends , and easily forgiving , and very cheerfully pardoning all those that had been his adversaries : thus he pardoned brutus , cassius , cicero , marcellus , and many others : yea , some of them he admitted to his company , and private familiarity , and to offices and dignities ; and amongst the many virtues wherewith he was endued , his clemency and liberality were most glorious . but all this prevailed not with the romans to quench their desires after the recoverie of their lost liberty , neither to asswage the hatred and malice conceived against him by his adversaries , as afterwards appeared . and notwithstanding many were discontented , yet some for love , others for fear , and out of dissimulation , both senate and people , yea all in generall gave him names , preheminences and titles of honour , such as never had been given to any other man before him , neither ought to have been accepted by him ; and many were the more offended , because they knew that he affected and desired them . they gave him the name of emperour , father , restorer , and preserver of his country . they made him perpetuall dictator , and consul for ten years : and perpetuall censor of their manners . his statue was erected and set up amongst the kings of rome : and a chair , and throne of ivory was set up for him in the temple , and in the senate house , and an high throne in the theater , and in the place where the senators did use to sit . his pictures and statues were set up in the temples , and in all publick places . some titles they gave him , and he accepted of , which were pecular to the gods. the moneth formerly callad quintile , they called julius after his name . they also built , and consecreated temples to him , as they did to jupiter and the other gods , and gave him certaine honours which they held proper for their gods , and did him many other honours exceeding all measure . julius caesar enjoying such honour and power , so that he had no equall , no second in the world with whom he might contend , it seemed that he would contend with himself , and attempt something wherein he might excell himself : for he was not contented with all the victories which he had obtained , neither to have fought fifty severall battels , in all which he was victorious , save in that one at dirrachium against pompey : neither to have slaine in the wars and battels which he fought a million , ninety , and odd thousands of men , besides those which were slaine in the civil wars . but being of a most haughty mind , he sought to do greater matters , if greater could be . for first he resolved to passe into the east , there to conquer and subdue the fierce nations of the parthians , and to revenge the death of marcus crassus ; and from thence to passe through hyrcania , and other countries till he should come to the caspian sea , and so through all the parts of scythia , asiatica ; and passing the river tanais , to returne through scythia into europe , and in his retreat to come into germany , and other countries bordering thereupon , conquering and subjecting all to the roman empire . for which end , he presently caused to be levied in severall places ten thausand horsemen , and sixteen legious of chosen footmen , and appointing the time wherein he intended to begin his journey , he commanded them to repaire to their rendevouz . he sought also not onely to subdue all nations , but to correct and reforme even nature it self : for he purposed to have made an island of peloponesus ( now called morea ) by cutting the neck of land between the egaean , and the jonian seas . he purposed also to have altered the courses of the river tiber , and anian , and to have made there new channels , capable of bearing great ships . he ordered the digging down and levelling many high hils and mountaines , in italy , and to dry up , and dreine great lakes and marishes therein . he corrected the computation of the year , reforming it according to the course of the sun , and brought it into that order wherein it now is . he did the like about the course of the moon , and her conjunctions and oppositions to the sun : and this was attributed to him for tyranny by those that hated him . many others things caesar did , which were very remarkable , in reforming the laws , customes , and offices . he reedified the ruined city of carthage , in africk , and sent thither colonies , and roman citizens to inhabit it : the like he did by corinth . but all these works with his high conceits and undertakings , were prevented , by his unexpected , and immature death , which within a few dayes after ensued . a few men , and those unarmed bereft him of his life , whom no former forces could resist . for five moneths only he lived as soveraign lord in peace ; when those in whom he reposed greatest trust conspired his death . some say that caesars was counselled to have a guard about him alwayes ; to which he answered , that he would have none : for that he had rather die once , then live continually in feare . they which conspired his death , were stirred up thereto , either out of hatred to his person , or desire of liberty , accounting him for a tyrant : or out of suspition that he would have made himself a king , a thing in the highest degree hatefull to the romans : and lastly because he begun to contemne others : for he used to say , that the commonwealth was but a voice and name without a body , or substance , and that sylla was a fool for resigning his perpetuall dictatorship . all the whole senate comming one day to the temple of venus where he was , he sat still , and rose not up as formerly he used to do . his friends also and favourites began to report , that in the books of the sybils ( which in rome were had in great veneration ) it was written , that the parthians could never be overcome but by a man that should have the title of a king , and therefore he laboured that caesar should take upon him that title before his parthian war ; and though he seemed to be displeased at it , yet they suspected the contrary , and their suspition was encreased , for that , whereas the tribunes of the people had caused a man to be imprisoned who had set a crown upon the head of one of caesars statues , he was so encensed against the tribunes that did it , that he deposed them from their office : and not long after , when mark anthony ( who was his great fovourite ▪ and that year his fellow consul ) being at some publick games , came to caesar , and put a crown upon his head , though he threw it down , yet they all imagined that mark anthony would not have presumed to have done it without his good liking , and that he did it but to prove the people how they would like it ; these and such like passages gave them occasion to desire and designe his death . they were also further encouraged hereunto , for that in sundry publick places , certain writings were set up which did intice and animate them to conspire against him : as upon the statue of brutus , who in ancient times did chase the kings out of rome , were written these words , would to god thou wert now living , brutus . and upon the image of marcus brutus , who then was praetor , and descended from the former brutus , were these words : thou sleepest long brutus . truly thou art not brutus . and again : thou art dead brutus : would to god thou wert living , thou art unworthy of the succession from the brute . surely thou art not descended from the good brutus : and such like other writings were set upon these statues . so as for these , and such like reasons , there were seventy of the most eminent men in rome that conspired to murther caesar : of which the principle were decius , marcus brutus , caius cassius , gaius casca , attilius cimber , servius galba , quintus ligarius , marcus spurius , &c. who , after diverse consultations , concluded to kill him upon the ides of march , which was the fifteenth day of that moneth , in the temple where the senators were to sit that day : yet brutus was held to be caesars son , and had received great honours , and many favours from him . this conspiracy was kept so secret notwithstanding the great number of them , that there was not any one found that discovered the same . but there were so many signes , and prodigies , and to himself there happened so many forewarnings , that ( without knowing any cause ) all men were of opinion that caesars death was neere at hand . spurina also , who was his southsayer , forewarned him to look to himself till the ides of march were past : for that his life was in great danger . and caesars own wife intreated him upon her knees , that he would not that day go to the senate : for shee had dreamed that he lay dead in her lap . these and such like warnings prevailed so far with him , that he was about to send to mark anthony to make his excuse , and to put off the senate to another day . but what god hath determined must come to passe ; and therefore brutus being present , advised him by no meanes to discover any such fear , and so he resolved to go . caesar made small account of death , and said , that as for himself he had won power and fame , and glory enough , and that at no time he could die with greater honour . and some discoursing the night before he was slaine , what death was best : even that ( qouth he ) which is sudden , and least prepensed . the fifteenth of march being come , he went from his house in a litter towards the senate , and as he passed along the street , there was a petition delivered to him , wherein was set down in writing all that was concluded in this conspiracy , and he which gave it , prayed him to read it presently , which he began to doe : but there came so many to speake to him that he could make no farther progresse , and this paper was found in his hand when he was dead . as he passed on , he met with spurina , the southsayer , and pleasantly jesting , he said to him , dost thou not know spurina , that the ides of march are come ? yea ( answered spurina ) and i know that they are not yet past . when he came to the temple where the senators met , he alighted from his litter and went in , and having first done sacrifice ( according to the custome ) which all that saw persaged to be fatall , and infortunate , he sat him down in his chair , and brutus albinus entertaining mark anthony at the door with discourse , one of the conspirators , whose name was celer , came to caesar , under a pretence to intreat him to release a brother of his from banishment , and presently all the rest of the conspirators drew neere to his chair ; which when caesar saw , thinking that they had all come for the same purpose , he said unto them , what force is this ? and at that instant , one of them whose name was casca , beginning , they all drew their poyniards , and swords which they had privately under their gowns ▪ and began to wound him . the first blow he received casca gave him in the throat : at which caesar said aloude , what dost thou traitor casca ? and wresting the poyniard out of his hand , he arose and stabbed casca through the arme , and being about to strike him again , he was prevented by the many wounds which the others gave him , wilest with great force and courage he leaped from one side to the other to defend himself : but when he saw marcus brutus with his drawn sword in his hand , wherewith he had already wounded him in the thigh , he was much amazed , and said in the greek tongue , why how now son brutus ? and thou also ? and having so said , seeing so many weapons bent against him , and that no body came to his rescue , he remembred to keep the honour of his person , with his right hand he covered his head with part of his robe , and with his left hand , girt himself and setled his cloathes about him , and being so covered he fell down to the ground , having received three and twenty wounds ; and it happened that his fall was at the foot of the seat on which pompeys statue stood . so in this manner died one of the most mighty , worthy , valient , wise , and most successfull princes , and captaines that ever was in the world. for , his excellencies , abilities , invincible mind , incomparable courage , the battels which he fought , and victories which he obtained : the provinces , kings and nations which he subdued ; his counsels , policies , and stratagems , and bold attempts : his magnanimity , clemency , and bounty both to the conquered and conquerors : the great designes which he had proposed to himself a little before he was slaine , being all well weighed and considered , it will plainly appear , that in none of those things aforesaid , nor in any other that may be said of him , there hath been any heathen king , or captain that ever excelled him . and setting apart his ambition , and desire of rule , he was onely noted , and blamed for being too much given to women . caesar was thus slaine in the fifty sixth year of his age , a little more than four years after the death of pompey , in the seven hundred and tenth year after the building of rome , and about fourty and two years before the incarnation of our blessed lord and saviour jesus christ. caesar left behind him neither son nor daughter legitimate at the time of his death : for though he had been four severall times married , yet he had but one only daughter , named julia , that was married to pompey , and dyed before him . wherefore by his last will , he adopted for his son , and made his heire in the dodrant , that is , in nine parts of twelve of his goods , his nephew octavius caesar , after wards called octavianus augustus , who was the son of acia , his neece , and of octavius praetor of macedonia , which octavius at this time , was , by the commandment of his uncle , in the city of apollonia , in the province of epirus , where he applied himself to his studies , staying for him there , thence to go with him to the parthian war , being now about seventeen years of age . caesar being thus slaine , the newes of it ran presently all over the city , and the tumult therein was so great , that no man knew what to doe or say . all offices ceased , the temples were all shut up , and every man was amazed . caesars friends were affraid of those that slew him , and they as much feared his friends , brutas , cassius , and the other conspirators , and others that joyned with them , seeing the great tumult , durst not go to their houses , nor prosecute their other designs , for fear of mark anthony and lepidus , whereof the one was consul , and the other generall of the horsemen , but presently from thence they went to seize upon the capitol , crying by the way as they went , liberty , liberty , and imploring the favour , and assistance of the people . the rest of that day , and all the next night , mark anthony , and lepidus ( who took caesars part ) were in armes , and there passed sundry massages , and treaties between them and the conspirators : at last it was agreed that the senate should sit , whither brutus , and cassius came , m. anthonies sons ( by the perswasion of cicero , a great lover of liberty ) remaining as hostages for them . in the senate they treated of peace and concord , and that all that was past should be buried in perpetuall oblivion ; whereunto , anthony who was consul , and the whole senate agreed : and the provinces being divided , there was algreat liklihood of peace . for the senate approved , and commended the murther , and the people dissembled their thoughts : for on the one side the authority of brutus , and cassius , and the name of liberty , seemed to give them some content : and on the other side , the hainousnesse of the fact , and the love they bare to caesar , did move , and excite them to hate the murtherers , and so all was quiet for the present . but mark anthony ( who affected the tyranny ) took every oportunity to incense the people against them : and caesars testament being opened , wherein ( besides the adopting of his nehpew octavius , and making him his heire ) besides other bequests , he bequeathed to the people of rome , certaine gardens , and lands neere to the river of tiber , and to every citizen of rome a certaine summe of money to be devided amongst them , which being known , much encreased their love to caesar , and made his death more grievous to them . caesars funerall being agreed upon , his body was burnt with great solemnity in the field of mars , and mark anthony made the funerall oration in his praise , and took the robe wherein caesar was slaine , being all bloudy , and shewed it to the people , using such speeches as provoaked them both to wrath , aud commiseration , so as before the funerall solemnity was fully finished , they all departed in great fury , taking brands in their hands from the fire wherein caesar was burned , and went to burnethe houses of brutus , and cassius , and if they could have found them , and the rest of the conspirators , they would certainly have slaine them ; and in their fury they unadvisedly slew elius cinna , by mistaking him for cornelius cinna , who was one of the conspirators . this tumult put brutus , and cassius , and their confederates , into such feate , that they all fled from rome into severall parts : and though the senate ( having appeased the tumult ) inflicted punishment upon some of the seditions , and had already committed some of them to prison , yet brutus , and cassius durst not return to rome , but after a while went into greece , to govern those provinces which caesar in his life time had allotted unto them , which were , macedonia to brutus , and syria to cassius . and truly this was very remarkable , that within the space of three years all the conspirators dyed , and not one of them of a naturall death . caesar in his fifth and last consulship made an edict , that thanks should be ruturned to hyrcanus , the high-priest and prince of the jewes , and to the nation of the jewes , for their affection to himself and the people of rome . and decreed also , that the said hyrcanus , should have the city of jerusalem , and repair the walls of it which pompey had beaten down , and should govern it as he pleased himself . he also granted to the jewes , that every second year there should an abatement be made out of their rents , and that they should be free from impositions , and tributes . his name of caesar was so honourable , that all his successors to this present day , have assumed it into their title , and esteem it an honour to be called caesars . finis . the life & death of octavianus augustus in whose raign our lord christ was born . _ 〈◊〉 caesar , who was afterwards called octavianus augustus , was by the fathers side descended of the antient family of the octavij , which was of great account in rome even from the time of tarquin their king : by the mothers side he was descended from the regall line : his mother was accia the daughter of accius balbus , and julia , the sister of julius caesar , which accia was married to the father of octavius . he was born in the year of the consulship of cicero , and caius antonius . he was but four years old when his father dyed : and at twelve years old he made an oration at the funerall of his grandmother julia. when his uncle julius caesar , was warring in spain against the sons of pompey , octavius ( though he was but young ) followed him thither through many and great dangers : and when that war was ended , julius caesar intending to take him with him to the parthian war , sent him before to the city of apollonia , where he plyed his book very diligently ; and on a time having a minde to see theogenes , a learned . astronomer , he calculated his nativity , and promised him great matters , which made octavius conceive great hopes of himself , and in memory thereof he caused certain medals to be coined , and would often boast of what theogenes had told him . octavius in the sixth moneth after he went to apollonia , having intelligence from his mother of the death of his uncle julius caesar , he hasted out of epirus to brundusium , where he was received by the army that went to meet him as the adopted son of caesar , and without any further delay he assumed the name of caesar , and took upon him to be his heire , and that so much the rather , because he had brought with him good store of money , and great forces that were sent him by his uncle : and so at brundusium , adopting himself into the julian family , he called himself caius julius caesar octavius . to this very name , as though he had been his true son , there came great store of partly of his friends , partly of freed ▪ men , slaves ▪ and souldiers , by whom being more strengthened and imboldned by the multitude of them that flocked to him , and by the authority of the caesarian name , which with the common people was in great reputation , he took his journey towards rome with a great traine , which daily increased like a floud . on the fourteenth kalends of may he entered into naples , where he gave cicero a visit . from thence as he was going to rome there met him a vast company of his friends , and as he entered the city , the globe of the sun seemed to compasse his head round like unto a bow , as it were , putting a crown upon his head , who afterward was to be so great a man : and at night , calling together his friends , he commanded them to be ready the next morning , with good store of followers , to meet him in the market-place , which was done accordingly ; and he going to caius , the city praetor , and brother to anthony , he told him that he did accept of the adoption . for it was the roman custome in adoptions to interpose the authority of the praetor : which acceptance being regisired by the scribes , from thence he presently went to mark anthony the consul , who behaved himself proudly towards him , and scarcely admitting him into pompeys gardens , gave him time to speak with him . octavitanus had a great mind to revenge the death of julius caesar ; but by his mother , and philip his father in law he was advised to conceal his purpose for a time , both because the senate had approved his death , and because mark anthony , who was principally to assist him therein , did not shew himself very friendly to him . octavianus understanding that mark anthony had in his custody all the treasure that was left by julius caesar , he desired him to command it to be delivered to him , therewith to pay his debts , and to distrubte it as caesar had appointed in his will : but anthony with greater pride than octavianus could well bear , not only refused what he demanded , but reproved him for desiring it ; whereupon discords presently arose betwixt them : and octavianus strengthened himself with the counsel of cicero , a great enemy to anthony , and one whose authority at that time , by reason of his wisdom and eloquence , was very great . anthony being overseer of those things which caesar had commanded to be done , what by corrupting the notes , and changing them at his pleasure , did what himself listed , as if it had been the appointment of caesan ; by this meanes , gratifying cities and governours , and heaping vast summes of money to himself , selling not onely fields and tributes , but freedomes and immunities even of the city of rome , and that not onely to particular persons , but to whole provinces , and of these things there were tables hung up all over the capitol . octavianus being nineteen years old , at his own charges gathered an army , and sought the favour of the people , and prepared forces against anthony for his own and the commonwealths safety . he also stirred up the old souldiers , who by julius caesar had been planted in colonies : so that anthony being afraid of him , by the mediation of friends ▪ had a conference with him in the capitol , and they were for the present reconciled : but within a few dayes , through the whisperings of some , their enmity brake our again , and anthony , not thinking himself strong enough , and knowing that the legions of macedonia were the best souldiers , and six in number , with whom also were many archers , light harnessed men , and horsemen , these he sought to draw to himself , who , because of their neernesse , might presently be brought into italy : and thereupon he caused a rumour to be spread , that the getae wasted macedonia by their inrodes ; and upon that occasion he demanded an army of the senate , saying , that the macedonian army was raised by caesar against the getae , before he intended the parthian war , whereupon he was chosen generall of those forces , and he abtained a law for the change of provinces , whereby his brother cains anthony challenged macedonia , which before by lot fell to marcus brutus . on the seventh of the ides of october anthony went to brundusium , there to meet foure of the macedonian legions , whom he thought to draw to himself by money . thither also octavianus sent his friends with money to hire these souldiers for himself , and himself posted into campania , to engage those souldiers which were in colonies to take his part ; and first he drew to him the old souldiers of galatia , then those of casilinum on both sides of capua , giving to each man five hundred pence , by which meanes he gat together about ten thousand men , who marched with him under one ensigne as a guard . in the mean while the four legions of macedonia , accusing anthony for his delayes in revenging caesurs death , without any acclamations conducted him to the tribunal , as it were , to hear an account of this matter , and there continued silent . anthony taking this ill , upbraded them with their ingratitude , and complained that they had not brought to him some disturbers of the peace , who were sent from that malapert young man ( for so he called octavian ) and to ingratiate himself with them , he promised an hundred pence to each of them , which niggardly promise was intertained with laughter , which he took so ill , that being returned to his quarters , in the presence of his most converous , and most cruel wife fulvia , he put to death some centurions out of the martian legion . when those of caesars party , that were sent to corrupt the souldiers , saw that they were more exasperated by this deed , they scattered libels about the army , wherein they disgraced anthony , and extolled the liberality of caesar. and when some sided with octavian , and others with anthony , the army , as if it had been set to sale at an outery , addicted themselves to him that would give most . and because that decius brutus , who commanded gallia cisalpirea ( now lombardy ) opposed anthony , he went to besiege him in the city of mutina ( now modena ) which being known in rome , cicero his authority and credit in the senate was such , that mark anthony was declared an enemy to the state , and the new consuls , hircius and pansa were sem against him , and with them was octavian sent with ensignes of a consul , and title of a pro-praetor , having been first admitted into the senate though so young , which was done by the procurement of cicero , though he afterwards requited him ill for it . octavian with the consuls , drew neer to mark anthony , cicero remaining to command in chief in all matters at rome : and between the two armies there passed many skirmishes and encounters , and at last they came to a battell , wherein the consuls and caesar had the victory , but hircius was slaine in the battell , and pansa was so wounded , that he died within a few dayes after , and both the armies of the slaine consuls obeyed caesar. by this meanes d. brutus was freed from his siege , and anthony was forced to forsake italy by a dishonourable flight , leaving his baggage behind him . in this service octavian made marvelous proof of himself , being but twenty years old , performing the office , not onely of a good captaine , but also of a stout souldier : for seeing the standart ▪ bearer sore wounded and ready to fall , octavian took from him the eagle , and bare it a great while till he had lodged it in safety . mark anthony after the battell , gathering the remainders of his army , passed the alps and went into france , solliciting the friendship of lepidus , who was there with an army ever since the death of julius caesar , whom after some treaties he made his friend : and octavian after the victory obtained , presently sent to the senate to require a triumph for his victory , as also the counsulship for the remainder of the year in the roome of the dead consuls , with their succession in their charge , and command of the army . but the answer of the senate was not according to his desire : for the friends and kinsmen of those that had murthered caesar began to fear him , and to suspect his power , wherefore they prevailed to delay that which he required , and in the end they resolved to assign the army to decius brutus , and temporizing with octavian , they granted him a triumph , but denied him the consulship , whereat he was much discontented , and therefore secretly treated of friendship with mark anthony , and having drawn to himself the affections of the army , he therewith marched towards rome , and approaching near to the city , in dispite of the senate , he caused himself to be chosen consul being not fully twenty years old . then did he cause accusations to be exhibited against brutus , and cassius , and the rest of the conspirators ; and in their absence , having none that durst defend their cause , they were condemned . after this was done he left the city , and with his army marched toward anthony , and lepidus , who were already entred into italy . decius brutus hearing of the treaties and league that was made between octavian , lepidus and mark anthony , not daring to stay in that country , departed with his army , which soon forsook him , some going to caesar , others to mark anthony , whereupon he fled , but being at last taken , he was brought to mark anthony , who caused his head to be cut off . the armies of these captaines drawing neere together , to whom assinius pollio , and plancus , with their legions were joyned , these three octavian caesar , mark anthony , and lepidus , meeting , after three dayes debate , they concluded their accursed peace ; and these firebrands of sedition entered into a triumvirate , with severall intents and designes . lepidus was covetous , and sought riches by troubling the state. anthony was by nature an enemy to peace , and to the common-wealth , desiring an opportunity to be revenged of those who had declared him an enemy to the state. and octavian sought revenge upon brutus , and cassius , and those who had slaine his adopted father . and to bring these things to passe , octavian put away his wife who was daughter to servilius , and contracted himself to claudia , daughter in law to anthony by his wife fulvia , who was now a child , and from whom he was afterward divorced by reason of the discord that arose between anthony and him . in this league which they made , besides dividing the provinces amongst themselves , they agreed to proscribe and kill each of them his enemies , and the one delivered them into the others hands , having more respect to be revenged upon an enemy then to save a friend ; and so there was made the most cruel and inhumane proscription , and butchery that ever was before heard of , giving and exchanging friends , and kinsmen for enemies . for mark anthony gave up his fathers brother : and lepidus his own brother , lucius paulus : and octavian ; m. t. cicero , whom he called father , and who had intreated and honoured him as a son. and besides these , they proscribed and condemned to die three hundred other principall men of rome , amongst whom were about one hundred and fourty senators , besides two thousand romans of the order of knighthood . this agreement being made , they all three went to rome , where they took upon them the government of the commonwealth by the name of triumvirat , the time being limited to five years , though they never meant to leave the same . and presently after , those who were condemned and proscribed , were by their commandement put to death , being sought out in all parts and places ; their houses were ransacked , and their goods confiscated . cicero understanding that his name was in the catalogue amongst the proscripts , onely because he had been a lover of roman liberty , he fled to the sea , where he embarked himself , but so hard was his hap , that by contrary winds he was driven back to the shore , whereupon , returning to some possessions of his neere capua , not far from the sea , as he lay sleeping there , he was awakened by some crowes which with their bils pluckt his cloaths from his back . his servants being moved with this ill presage , put him into his litter , and again carried him towards the sea : but being overtaken by the murtherers , he put his neck out of his litter , and they cut off his head , and his right hand , wherewith he had written his orations a gainst mark anthony called philippicks : and thus was he slaine by one whom he had defended , and delivered from death . anthony joyfully received his hand , and caused it to be nailed up in the place where he was wont to plead , to which all the people repaired to behold so wofull and miserable a spectacle , of whom there was not any one but was heartily sorry for the death of so great a personage , and so fervent a lover of his country . salvius otho , a tribune of the people , invited his friends to his last supper , and as they were sitting , in came a centurion , and in the presence of them all , strake off his head. minutius the praetor was slaine , sitting in his seat of judgment . l. villius annalis , who had been consul , flying from the murtherers , hid himself in the suburbs in a little house of one of his clients , but his own son betrayed him to the murtherers , who slew him there ; but shortly after this parricide being drunken , quarrelling with the same souldiers , was slaine by them . c. toranius also being betrayed by his own son , was slaine , who in a few dayes having consumed his patrimony , was condemned for theft , and banished into a place where he died miserably . quintus cicero was hid by his son , whom they could never make to confesse by any torments where his father was ; but the old man , not being able any longer to endure that they should torment so vertuous a son , came and presented himself to the murtherers : whereupon the son entreated them to kill him first , but they killed them both together . the egnaces ; the father and son , embracing one the other were both run through at once and slaine . c. hosidius geta , was put into a grave by his son as dead , who sustained and kept him till the danger was over . aruntius , after he had comfored his son , delivered up himself to the murtherers , but his son for griefe famished himself . some other children carefully hid , and preserved their parents . tanusia was such an importunate suitor to caesar for her husband t. junius that she preserved his life : he was in the intrim hidden by philopoemen , his bondmen enfranchised , whom caesar afterwards knighted for his fidelity to his master . q. ligurius haivng been concealed by his wife , was discovered by a slave , and killed , whereupon his wife pined her self to death . lucretius vespilio , having passed many dangers whilst he sought to hide himself here and there , at last came to his wife shuria , who hid him between the sealing and the top of the house till she had begged his life of the triumvirs . apuleius was saved by his wife , who fled away with him . antius his wife wrapped him up in coverlets , and caused him to be carried to the sea side as a pack of stuff , where he embarked and sailed into sicily . coponius was saved by his wife , who lent her body to anthony for one night , to save him whom she preferred before her honour . but the wife of septimius , having shamefully given her body to one of anthonies familiars , caused her husband to be put into the number of the poscripts , that she might the more freely continue her adulteries , and her husband was slaine by her meanes . q. vettius salussus was hidden in a very secret place , but acquainting his wife with it , she betrayed him to the murtherers . fulvius was discovered by one of his slaves and his concubine , though he had made her free , and given her goods wherewithall to maintaine her self . p. naso was betraid by his slave enfranchised , with whom he had been too familiar , but he revenged himself upon his slave , whom he killed , and then held forth his neck to the cut throats . l. lucceius had put into the hands of two of his freedmen as much as would have relieved him in his banishment , but they ran away with all , whereupon he delivered himself to the murtherers . haterius , who had hid himself in a very secret place , was sold and betrayed by his slave , and killed . cassius varus who was betrayed by a slave made free , had his head struck off . caius plotius was hiden by his slaves , but being given to perfumes , the sent thereof discovered him ; yet when the souldiers could not find him , they cruelly tormented his servants to make them confesse where he was , which yet they would not do : but the master pitting his faithfull servants , came out of his secret place , and delivered himself to the murtherers . appius claudius changed his gown with his slave , who in that habit presented himself to the murtherers , and was slain by them instead of his master . another slave of menius did the like : for he went into his masters litter , and offered his neck to the murtherers , who cut off his head , and so his master escaped into sicily . the slave of urbinus panopio , hearing that the murtherers were comming to his masters house , took off his gown and his ring , and gave him his own apparrel , and put him out at a back doore : then he went up and lay upon his masters bed , where he boldly attended them that killed him for panopio . the slave of antius restio , though his master had soundly beaten him a few dayes before for some knavish tricks , yet to save his master , meeting an old man by the way , he struck off his head , and shewing that , with his whippings to the murtherers , he made them believe that thus he had revenged himself of his master , with whom he shortly after fled into sicily . the slaves of martius censorinus kept their master secretly , till he had oportunity to escape into sicily to sextus pompeius . q. oppius , an honourable old man , being very neere taking , was rescued by his son , who conveying him out of rome , carried him upon his shoulders , and sent him into sicily , where all the poor distressed romans were courteously intertained by s. pompeius , who sent forth ships , and galleys to lie upon the coast of italy , ready to receive all them that fled to him ; doubly rewarding those that saved any that was proscribed : he gave also honourable offices to all that had been consuls , and comforting the rest with singular courtesie . many others fled into macedonia to brutus and cassius : others into africk to cornificius . statius samnis , an honourable senator being about eighty years old , that those theeves might have no part of his goods , he gave them for a prey to whomsoever would take them ; then setting his house on fire he burnt himself in it . aponius having been long concealed by his slave , grew weary of that confinement , came out into the market-place , and yeilded his neck to the murtherers . cestius being in the like condition , caused his slaves , to make a great fire , threw himself into it and died : sulpitus rufus , who had been consul , was murthred because he would not sell an isle of his to fulvia : also ampius balbus was slaine , because he would not give her a pleasant place of his . m. anthony put into the number of proscripts a senator called nonius struma , onely to get from him an emerod esteemed worth fifty thousand crowns : but nonius found a meanes to escape with his emerod , to the great grief of anthony . some valiantly defended themselves , as atteius capito , who killed many souldiers who came rudely running upon him , but being at last oppressed with multitudes , he was slaine . vetulinus , assisted by his son , valiantly repulsed the murtherers , but at last was slaine . sicilias coranas hoping to escape , put himself amongst the mourners that followed a dead corpse , but being discovered was slaine . the triumviri caused the goods of the proscripts to be sold by the drum , at such prizes as the souldiers pleased , yet most part of them was spoiled and given away . they promised also to widdowes their joyntures , and to sons the tenth part of their fathers patrimony , and to daughters the twentieth part , but few or none had any benefit by this promise ; yea , on the contrary , they sacked many of them that demanded these rights . they exacted great summes of money in rome , and all over italy ; and to encourage the souldiers , they gave them unmeasurable gifts , and granted them daily new pillage . the legions they wintered in the richest cities upon free quarter . to be short , men by fear and custome were so inured to slavery , that they became more slaves than the tyrants would have had them . these three men having done what they would in rome , and knowing that brutus and cassius had a very great army in greece , who called themselves the deliverers of their country , saying that they would go and and set rome at liberty from oppression : cassius having overthrown and slaine dolabella in syria : and being informed , that by the assistance of their friends , they had gotten together eighteen legions , hereupon mark anthony , and octavian resolved to go against them with the greatest army that they could possibly make of old souldiers , and that lepidus should stay to guard rome : and accordingly they departed , and arrived in greece , and marching on , they drew neer to the place where brutus and cassius were encamped , which was in macedonia in the philippick fields . before they came to joyn battell there were sundry prodigies : for fowles of prey hovered about the camp of brutus as if it had been their own already : and as they marched out to battell , a blackmoore met them , which they accounted an ill omen . brutus being alone in his tent at night , a man sad and gastly appeared to him , and being asked what he was , he answered , i am they evill genius , and so vanished : but on the contrary . birds , and beasts promised good successe to caesar . these armies lying so neere together had frequent skirmishes , and at last came to a battell , where the victory was strangely divided : for brutus on the one side of the field , did beat octavian , and put his battalion to rout , pursuing them into the camp , where many of them were slaine ; and while brutus was following his victory , his partner cassius was overthrown by mark anthony , though he did all that was possible to encourage his men , and by reason of the clouds of dust , knew nothing of brutus his victory , whereupon retiring to an high ground , he there pitched his tent : and so standing and looking about , he saw brutus his troops comming to his aid , and to relieve him ; but he imagining that they came flying before their enemies , commanded a slave of his whom he had made free to kill him , who did it accordingly . octavians men that escaped by flight , retired to mark anthonies camp , and had not brutus his men busied themselves in ransacking octavians camp , they had that day , obtained an intire victory : for they might in due time have rescued , and relieved cassius , and both of them being joyned together might easily have overthrown mark anthony : but god had otherwise determined . the victory being thus devided , the generals of either party gathered their forces together , and of brutus side , were slaine eight thousand men , and of the enemies side a far greater number . brutus did his best to encourage and comfort his souldiers , and the gentlemen which followed cassius : and the next day , though both armies were put in battell array , yet they fought not ; but a few dayes after , brutus , by his souldiers , was forced to come to an other battell , who was of himself willing rather to delay and prolong the war , knowing that his enemies wanted victuals , and many other necessaries , and because he reposed no great trust in the forces of cassius : for he found that they were fearfull , and hard to be commanded because of their late overthrow . when they came to the second encounter , brutus did all the offices of an able generall , and of a valiant knight , yet in the end his men were broken , and overthown by the enemy . burtus having gathered his scattered troops together , found himself unable to make any further resistance , and being advised by some of his friends to fly , he told them , that so be would , yet not with his feet but with his hands , and thereupon , taking a sword from a servant of his called stratus , he slew himself . thus octavian , and mark anthony remained victors , and masters of the field , and all things succeeded according to caesars desire , for whom , god in his secret counsell , had reserved the monarchy of the whole world , which for the present was devided between three . these wars being ended , and the legions of brutus , and cassius , reduced to the obedience of the conquerors , octavian , and mark anthony agreed , and resolved , that anthony should remaine to govern greece , and asia , that lepidus should go into africk , and that octavian should returne to rome : and accordingly mark anthony went into asia , where he gave himself up to sensuality and delights with the fair , but wanton cleopatra , queen of aegypt , and octavian , though with some hindrances , by reason of his health , at last came to rome . not long after there arose new wars and troubles for though octavian was at peace with lepidus who was now in africk , octavian having under his command spain , france , part of germany , italy , and illyricum , yet lucius antonius , who at this time was consul , being provoked thereto by his sister in law fulvia , wife to mark anthony , began to oppose himself against lepidus and octavian , seeking to overthrow the triumvirat , which contention brake out about the division of fields which caesar had made to the souldiers which had served him in his wars . some say that fulvia made this stirre , that she might procure the return of mark anthony to her , of whom she was jealous , hearing of his familiarity with cleopatra . the discord in rome grew to that height that they came to armes ; and lucius antonius went from the city , and levied an army against octavian , who also marched towards him with his forces . but lucius not daring to joine battell , shut himself up in perugia , where caesar immediately besieged him , and divorced himself from claudia , the daughter of fulvia , and was married to his third wife , scribonia by whom he had one only daughter . octavian being about twenty three years old , so strictly besieged perugia that lucius and his men were brought to such straits for want of victuals , that he was forced to yeild up himself to octavian , who pardoned him , and used him kindly , and thus this war was ended without bloudshed . and so octavian returned to rome , of which he was now sole lord : and from hence some reckon the beginning of his empire which was about four years after the death of julius caesar , and about thirty eight years before the incarnation of our blessed lord and saviour jesus christ. caesar being now in quiet , fulvia by letters , and false informations sought to stirre-up her husband mark anthony against octavian , with which resolution she left italy , and went towards him ; and at the same time mark anthony departed from alexandria in aegypt , and came to the isle of rhodes , where he was informed of all that had happened to his brother lucius . from thence he went into greece , and at athens he found his wife fulvia sick , yet vehemently inveying against octavian : wherefore leaving her there , he went with two hundred gallies into italy , and landed at brundusium , where the wars began between him and the forces of octavian , who was yet at rome . but newes comming of fulvias death , some friends interposed to reconcile them , and at last it was agreed , that arbitrators should be chosen to compose their differences . octavian chose mecaenas , and for mark anthony was asinius pollia , and these brought it to this issue , that mark anthony should have all the east from italy , beginning from the jonian sea , which is the entry into the venetian gulph , unto the river of euphrates , wherein were included all the provinces of graecia and asia , with all the islands within these limits . to octavian was allotted from the said jonian sea to the westerne or spanish sea , wherein were contained spain , france , italy , germany , and britan. to lepidus was confirmed africa , where he then was , with all the provinces thereof . and for the strengthening of this league , mark anthony , now a widdower , was to marry with octavia , the sister of octavian by the fathers side , formerly married to mareus marcellus , by whom she had one son called also marcellus , whom octavian adopted . and this marriage was dispensed with by the senate , because in rome , widdows were not permitted to marry till they had lived ten moneths in widdowhood , which she had not done . this being concluded , octavian , and mark anthony went to rome , where the wedding was solemnized , and they were seemingly good friends ; but their peace was disquieted by the neighbourhood of sextus pompeius , who commanded the seas from sicily where he lived , and with his ships , and pirates , he disquited caesars friends , who thereupon resolved to ruine him : but at the request of the senate , and of mark anthony , he harkned to peace , and by the mediation of friends , it was agreed that all matters past should be forgotten , & that they should live like good nighbours and friends , and that sextus pompey should enjoy sicily , sardinia , and corsica which he had in possession , and that he should cleere the seas from pirates that marchants and passengers might passe safely , and that he should furnish rome yearly with a certaine quantity of corne. this being concluded , they agreed upon a meeting of all three upon the sea side in the straight of messina , in a fortresse built for that purpose which reached into the water , whither sextus pompey might come with his galleys and be in safety : which accordingly was performed with great joy and solemnity ; and sextus pompey feasted them in his galleys , and they likewise him by land. from hence sextus pompey returned into sicily , and octavian and mark anthony to rome , where for a while they remained in great familiarity : and then mark anthony preparing for his journey into the east , sent ventidius before him with a great army against the parthians , wherein he had so good successe , that he overcame and defeated pacorus , the parthian kings son , and slew twenty thousand of his men , and thereby sufficiently revenged the death of marcus crassus , for which he afterwards triumphed at rome . mark anthony departed from rome with his new wife , and wintered with her in athens ▪ octavian in the mean time in rome growing mighty , and in high esteem , was yet very pensive , being troubled at the nighbourhood of sextus pompey in sicily , attending an occasion to war against him : for which purpose he prepared a great fleet , pretending that ▪ sextus with his ships , and gallyes hindred the comming of corne into italy . these sicilian wars continued for some years : in the beginning whereof octavian had ill successe , yet more from stormes and tempests than from the force of his enemies ▪ and if sextus pompey had been as prudent and able to offend his enemy as he was to defend himself : and as he was valiant , if he had been as wise and politick , he might have greatly distressed octavian in all matters concerning italy : yet the matter was so handled , that at octavians request mark anthony came twice out of the east into italy to assist him in these wars . the first time he came to brundusium , where , not finding octavian according to appointment , he returned without seeing him , upon some jealousies which grew betwixt them . but octavian having lost most of his fleet in a storme , he sent his intire friend mecenas to mark anthony , at whose intreaty he returned into italy with three hundred ships and galleys , giving it out that he came to caesars aid . and though there were some differences between them , yet octavia so laboured between her husband and brother , that she reconciled them , and so they met in the mouth of the river neer tarentum , where mark anthony gave to octavian one hundred and twenty of his galleys for his wars , and octavian gave to him some of the italian souldiers , and they renewed their triumvirat for other five years . which done , mark anthony returned to the east to prosecute his wars against the parthians , his wife octavia and her children remaining in rome . anthony being gone , octavian resolving to prosecute the wars against sextus pompey with all his forces , armed two navies , whereof agrippa was the admirall of the one , and himself of the other : he sent also to lepidus intreaing his aid , who accordingly came and brought with him a thousand ships , little and great , and eighty galleys , wherein he transported five thousand horse , and twelve legions of foot souldiers . sextus pompey hearing what great preparations were made against him , did strongly fortifie all the sea-coasts of sicily , and on the frontiers of africk ; neere to lilibaeum , he placed plinius , a good captain with good companies of souldiers , and his whole fleet by sea he drew into the port of messina , purposing to mannage his wars by sea , having neither experience , nor power to do it by land , and so he attended the comming of his enemies . lepidus loosing with his whole fleet from africk , was encountered with a tempest , wherein with the losse of a great part of his navy , he , with the rest landed at lilybaeum , and took in certaine places there about , but having small judgement , and experience in the wars , he made a greater noise then did hurt to pompey . octavius also being at sea in a tempest , lost thirty of his galleys , besides small ships , and with much difficulty returned to italy : and taurus , who commanded the galleys which anthony left , landed at tarentum , though with great losse and danger . octavian was so grieved at these losses , that he had thoughts of giving over the war for that yeer : but changing his mind , he repaired his fleets , and ordered agrippa , with one of them to passe into sicily , and there to make war both by sea and land : and himself following with the other fleet did the like . about this time octavian divorced himself from scribonia , though he had a daughter by her called livia , and then he married livia drusilla , wife to tiberius nero , by whom she had a son called also tiberius ; hereupon tiberius was forced to leave her to please octavian , though at this time she was with child of a son. this livia he loved deerly , and continned with her till his death . agrippa assaulted , and took in some places in sicily , which pompey hearing of , departed from messina with one hundred and seventy five galleys , to relive them , and agrippa being advertised of his comming , prepared to meet him , his galleys being almost equall in number , and so they joyned battell , which for a time seemed to be equall , but at last agrippa prevailed , and pompey rerreated in time , his galleys and foists withdrawing themselves into some rivers neer at hand , whither agrippa with his bigger vessels could not follow them . in this fight pompey lost thirty of his galleys . agrippa the next day went to a city called tindaria , thinking to surprise it by reason of intelligence which he had with the citizens : and pompey in the night gave secret order to his whole fleet to retire to messina . octavian in the mean time imbarked a great part of his army , which he landed in sicily , and set them on shore under the command of cornificius , little thinking that pompey had been so neer , who if he had taken this opportunity , might have defeated octavian . but loosing it , octavian imbarking again , intended to determine the quarrell by a battell at sea , leaving cornificius with his men fortified on the land. then did pompey saile out of messina with his whole fleet , and neither parties refusing it , they came to a battell , in which octavian was overcome , and all his great fleet scattered and lost , and himself driven to fly into italy in a brigandine , where through many dangers , he at last came to the army , whereof mesalla was generall , and being nothing discouraged with this losse , he presently took order for all that was needfull . to rome he sent his intire friend mecenas , to take order that this newes should breed no alteration there , and then presently sent to agrippa , the admirall of his other fleet , that he should with all speed succour cornificius and his army in sicily , and to lepidus he sent to desire him to make his present repaire to the isle of lippari , which is between sicily , and calabria . his diligence and good order about these affairs was such , that in a short time , by the help of lepidus , and agrippa , in dispite of pompey , he landed all his forces in sicily , and joyning with lepidus , he encamped neer to messina , where began a most cruel war both by sea , and land , wherein the power and sufficiency of pompey did wonderfully appear , in that he was able to grapple with so potent adversaries . yet seeing himself oppressed , he sent a challenge to octavian , that to avoid the further effusion of bloud , he would try it out with him in a navall fight , so many ships and galleys against so many . ostavian delayed him at the first , but afterwards they agreed that with three hundred ships and galleys on either side , they would meet in such a place , and there fight it out , and accordingly they prepared for the battell . octavian leaving lepidus with his land army , embarked himself in his fleet , and pompey did the like , and so they joyned battell , which was one of the cruelest that ever was , considering the commanders and the strength on either side , where pompey , after he had performed all the offices of a good and valiant captain , and after the slaughter of multitudes on both sides , was overcome by octavian , and all his fleet was burnt and sunk , or taken , saving sixteen sayl which escaped by flight , and he in one of them , and these entered into the haven of messina . and though the city was sufficiently fortified , and pompey knew that plinius , his generall was comming to his rescue , yet in a dark night he imbarked , and with those sixteen ships which had escaped , he fled into the east to mark anthony , hoping to find relief from him : but after much toile , and many accidents which happened to him , he was slain by one titius at the commond of mark anthony , and in him failed the house and memory of his father pompey the great . in this war octavian escaped many dangers . for having transported part of his army into sicily , and sailing back to fetch the rest , he was suddenly supprised by demochares , and apolaphanes , two of pompeys captaines , from whom he escaped with much difficulty with one only ship. then travelling by land to rhegiuns , he saw some of pompeys galleys neer to the shore , and supposing them to be his own , he went down to the sea side , where he had like to have been taken by them ; and then seeking to escape by unknown passages , he met with a slave of aemilius paulus , who remembring that he had proscribed his master paulus , father to this aemilius , he attempted to kill him . octavian having obtained this great victory aforesaid , though with very great losse , he went to land with the remainder of his ships and army , comanding agrippa to joyn with lepidus , and to go to messina , whither pliny , pompeys generall had retired himself . but not thinking good to stand upon his defence , now that his master was fled , he yeilded himself to lepidus with all his legions : this made lepidus so proud , that affecting to have sicily to himself , he contended with octavian about it : and entering into the city of messina , he placed a garison in it , to hold it for his own use : the like he did in many other places of the island : and when octavian came , he desired to speak with him , greatly complaining of his proceedings . but in rule , and dominion equallity is intollerable , whilst either of them coveted this isle for himself they fell at variance , and octavian made his navy to draw neere to the shore : so that both armies began to stand upon their guard , the one against the other , and many messages passed between them , yet could they not agree . but octavian was far better beloved and esteemd by the men of war , for his many vertues , and nobility , and for his name-sake [ julius caesar , ] then the other , and the souldiers began to lay all the fault upon lepidus . octavian understanding this , laboured secretly to corrupt lepidus his souldiers , to draw them to himself : and one day , with a great troop of horse , he rode neere to lepidus his camp , and parlying with his souldiers , justified himself and laid all the fault upon lepidus , insomuch that many of them began to come over to his side . lepidus , being informed hereof , caused an alarme to be given , and commanded his men to sally out against octavian , but when they came forth , most of them joyned with him : so that lepidus seeing himself in danger of beig forsaken of his whole army , yeilded himself unto caesar , and putting off his generals robe , he went to his tent , and submitted to him . octavian received him as if he had never offended , very courteously , and honourably , but restored him neither to his state nor power , and sent him with a good company to rome , without any office but the high priesthood , which he had held ever since the death of julius caesar : and so this difference was ended without bloudshed . octavian now retaining sicily to himself , and having devested lepidus of the triumvirat , he appropriated to himself the province of africk , and remained generall of the three armies , to wit , of lepidus , of pompey , and of his own ; wherein were fourty five legions of footmen , and twenty five thousand horse , all well armed , besides many other numidians . he had also upon the sea , six hundred galleys and many ships , and brigandines . and now waited only for an opportunity to fall out with mark anthony that he might make himself lord of all . yet for the present he paid his souldiers as well as he could , and gave coronets , honours , and armes to those who had deserved well in these wars . he then dispered his armies , sending them to their own homes , loaden with many faire promises . he also left , and sent praetors and governours into sicily and africk , and so hasted towards rome , where he was received with ovation ( which was little lesse than a triumph ) with incredible joy and honour : and was so exceedingly beloved , that in many places they erected temples and altars to him , as to their gods : and he reformed such things as by reason of the wars were grown out of order . at this time mark anthony , who was in the east , though he had no great successe in his parthian war , yet was he still of great power , very rich , and well obeyed in the provinces of greece , asia , and aegypt , and in the rest of his governments . but he was so besotted with the love , and company of cleopatra , the queen of aegypt , that he thought of nothing but how to satisfie her humour , in the meane time neglecting , and forgetting his wife octavia , the sister of octavian , who in beauty and wisdom was nothing inferior to cleopatra , and in virtue and goodnesse did far excell her . the monarchy of the world being thus devided between these two , the one in the east , the other in the west , yet , as though each of them had not enough , they studied each of them to supplant , and destroy the other . chiefly octavian , who seeing that anthony neglected his sister , and did not send for her , he continually advised , and urged her to go to her husband , that he might have a fair occasion to fall out with him if she were not well intertained : but she , not well understanding his designe , that she might prevent all controversies between her brother and her husband , departed from rome , carrying with her many jewels , and presents which she had gotten together therewith to present mark anthony . but he , having fixed his ▪ heart upon cleopatra , wrote to her by the way that she should go into greece , and stay at athens , till he returned from the parthian war , yet did he never go against them , cleopatra hindering him . notwithstanding octavia sent all those things which she had brought , to her husband , and all this not prevailing to procure her acceptence , she went full of griefe , to rome . then did octavian begin openly to complain of mark anthony , and to declared himself his enemy , and mark anthony entered into a league with the king of the medes , the better to strengthen himself , causing cleopatra ( besides the title of aegypt ) to be called queen of syria , lybia , and cyprus , and joyntly with her , a son of hers called caesarion , of whom julius caesar left her with child when he was in aegypt : and to two sons which himself had by her , called ptolomy , and alexander , he gave the title of kings : to alexander , of armenia , and parthia : and to ptolomy , of cilicia , and phoenicia , ; hereupon the enmity between octavian and him greatly encreased : yet was the war deferred because of other wars which octavian had in illyricum , and dalmatia . the people of these countries , seeing the romans engaged in civil wars , rebelled , together with those of austria , hungary , and bavaria , who joyned with them . this war octavian undertook in his own person , which was very cruel and dangerous : wherein he was twice wounded , and gave great proof both of his wisdome and valour : yet in the end , he not only subdued and tamed illyricum , but both the pannonia's , and all the neighbouring nations which had joyned with them . then did octavian return victorious to rome , and though a triumph was granted him , yet would he not triumph as then , so great was his desire to make war against mark anthony , who was no better affected towards him . for he levied souldiers , procured friends , and armies against him , and promised cleopatra to bring her tryumphing into rome . yea , she requested of him , the rule and empire of rome , and he promised it her . matters standing upon these tearmes , mark anthony sent his wife octavia a bill of divorce , according to the custome of those times , commanding her to go out of his house wherein she dwelt in rome . this , and other indignities octavian imparted to the senate , complaining against anthony , and in his orations to the people , he accused him for that ( the second five years of his triumvirat and league being expired ) yet came he not to rome , neither respecting the authority of the senate , nor of the people , but held his place , and kept possession of the east and of greece : and by such suggestions he incensed the people against him . mark anthony , on the other side , by letters and messengers , complained that octavian had often broken the peace , and had cast sextus pompey out of sicily , retaining that , and other places which he held , to himself : and that therein he had no respect of him , nor had given him any part thereof : and that he detained the galleys which he had lent him for that war. as also that he had deprived lepidus of his government , and kept all those provinces , and all the legions which were his , without imparting any share thereof to him : and that he had divided all the lands in italy to his own souldiers , not assigning any part thereof to his . thus the one accused the other , either pretending that they were forced to undertake the war ; whereas the truth is , it was their ambition , and insatiable desire to rule that pricked them forward to it . hereupon they called diverse nations to their aid , so as the whole world in a manner , either of one side or other , was in armes . those in the west for octavian , and those in the east for anthony : at least , the beast and choisest men of them all . anthony was first in the field , and came with a great army to the famous city of ephesus in jonia , a province of asia the lesse , whither he had sent for his navy to transport him into europe . and he had in readinesse eight hundred galleys and ships of burthen : two hundred whereof cleopatra gave him , together with all the ammunition , and victuals necessary for the fleet : he also took her along with him , contrary to the advise of all those which were of his councel . then sailed he to the isle of samos , to which he had appointed all the kings , tetrachs , and people which served him in this war , to come by a day perfixed . the kings that met him there , were tarcondemus , king of the upper cilicia : archalaus , of cappadocia : philodelphus , of paphlagonia ; methridates , of comagena , and others : besides those which sent their forces , as herod , king of judaea : amyntas , of lyeaonia : and the kings of arabia : of the medes : and palemon , king of pontus with some others . so that he had one hundred thousand well trained footmen , and twenty two thousand horse , besides his navy by sea , which consisted of five hundred gallyes , besides ships of burden which carried his amunition , and victuals . if anthony , thus furnished , had presently passed into italy , he had put octavian into great hazard : for then he had not sufficient forces to have withstood him , nor other necessary provision for the wars . but mark anthony , delaying the time at athens , let slip the opertunity , and gave octavian leasure to provide all things necessary from italy , france , spain , and all other his provinces , from whence he levied eighty thousand choise souldiers , and above twenty thousand good horse : and seeing that anthony stayed so long , he sent him word , that seeing he had ships , and other fit provision , he should come for italy , where he staid in the field to give him battell , promising to afford him good ports and havens , where he might safely land without interruption . to this anthony answered , that it would be more honourable if he would determine this quarrel in person against him , body to body , which he would willingly accept , though he was now old and crazed , and the other young and lusty : and if he liked not of this challenge , he would stay for him with his army in the fields of pharsalia , in the same place where julius caesar fought with cneius pompey . these messages passing between them without effect , anthony drew his army by land , and his navy by sea towards italy , and octavian , imbarked his legions at brundusium , and crossed the sea to a place called torma , in the province of epire ( now called romania ) and after some notable exploits performed , the two armies drew neer together , as also did the navies . octavians navy consisted of two hundred and fifty galleys , but better armed , and swifter then were mark anthonies , though his were more in number . and mark anthony , being perswaded by cleopatra ( who in this also was the cause of his ruine , thereby to have the better meanes to fly if the battell should be lost ) would needs try his fortune in a sea fight , though his army by land had a great advantage over the other . anthony chose twenty two thousand out of his army and put them aboard his fleet , and octavian , who refused not the sea-fight , made his provision also , and so shipping himself in his galleys , he committed the charge of his land army to taurus , and anthony left his land forces with canidius : and in the sight of both the armies , these two brave captaines , which the best navies in the world , took the seas , where they fought for no lesse then the empire of the world. yet was the fight deferred for three dayes in dispite of both parties , the seas rising so high that they could not govern their vessels . the fourth day they came to an encounter at a cape called accius , in epire , not far from the place where their land armies stood . the battell was one of the most cruelest that ever was heard of , and lasted ten hours before octavian obtained the victory , though mark anthony staid not so long in the fight . for cleopatra in the greatest fury of the battell , fled away in her galley , whom seventy of her other galleys followed : and unfortunate mark anthony , who all his life time hitherto had been a valiant and brave captain , seeing cleopatra fly , on whom he had fixed his eyes and heart , shifting out of his own galley into a lighter , followed her , without regard of his armies either by sea , or land , and overtaking her , went abord her galley , wherein he sailed three dayes with out either seeing or speaking with her , being confounded with shame for shewing so much weaknesse , and at last they arrived in the port of alexandria in aegypt . his navy which he left fighting , though now headlesse and without a captain , yet continued to make gallant resistance till five thousand of them were slaine : and at last they were overcome , rather for want of a commander then through any force of an enemy , though octavians light and swift galleys were a great help to him : and so he remained conquerour , and granted life , and pardon to the conquered , getting into his hands three hundred of their galleys . in anthonies army by land there wanted neither courage nor constancy to their generall , though he had so unworthily deserted them : and therefore they continued seven dayes in their camp , ready to give battell , without accepting any composition from the enemy , and they would have staid longer , had not canidius their captaine abused his trust , flying secretly from the camp to seek anthony , whereupon , the army being destitute of a generall , yeilded to the enemy ; who admitted them into his own army , being nineteen legions of foot , and twelve thousand horse . the senators , knights , and noble men , that had served anthony , many of them he fined in great summs of money , many he put to death , and some he pardoned . then did caesar sail to athens , and being pacified with the greeks , he distributed the corne that was left in the war , to the cities that were afflicted with famine , and that were despoiled of their money , servants , and horses , and anthony being arrived in aegypt , chose out one good ship of good burden , and fraught with store of treasure , and rich plate of gold and silver , and gave it to his friends , intreating them to divide it amongst them and to shift for themselves , and he wrote to theophilus , the governour of corinth , that he would provide them an hiding place till they might make their peace with caesar. and caesar , of the spoiles of the enemy dedicated ten ships ' to apollo actius . anthony being come into africk went into a desart place , wandering up and down , only accompanied with two friends ; and after a while he sent to the generall of the army which he had formerly raised for the defence of aegypt , but he slew his messengers , and said that he would not obey anthony , whereupon he had thought to have killed himself , but being hindred by his friends , he went to alexandria , and after a while he built him an house in the sea by the isle of pharos , and there lived from the company of all men , saying , that he would live the life of timon the man-hater , because he was abused by his friends , and had experience of their ingratitude , and he called this house timonion . yet at length he left this place , and went to the pallace , where he spent his time in feasting and jollity . and cleopatra got together diverse sorts of deadly poisons of poisonsome creatures , whereof she made triall upon many condemned persons , and amongst all , she liked the biting of the aspe best : for it brought a sleepinesse without any contraction of the members , or groaning , onely causing a gentle sweating of the face , and a languishing stupidity of the senses . at rome many things were decreed in honour of caesar for this victory at sea : first a triumph was granted him for cleopatra : and a triumphal arch was erected at brundusium , and another at rome . the base of the julian temple was adorned with the beakes of the shipshe had taken : there were playes decreed to be kept every fifth year in honour of him : processions were always to be made on his birth day , and on the day wherein the newes of his victory was first brought . that the vestall virgins , the senate , with their wives and children should go and meet him at his returne : that all the ornaments of anthony should be demolished and cast down : that his birth day should be accounted unlucky : and that none of his famely should ever have the forename of marcus. about this time anthony and cleopatra sent ambassadours to caesar into asia . cleopatra demanded the kingdom of aegypt for her children , and without anthonies knowledge , sent him a scepter , crown , and chaire , all of gold , as it were , delivering her kingdom over to him : and anthony demanded that he might live a private life at athens if he might not continue in aegypt . caesar accepted of cleopatra's gifts , accounting them as good omens : but he would afford no answer to anthony ; and privately he promised impunity and her kingdom to cleopatra if she would kill anthony . they sent also a second ambassage to caesar , and cleopatra promised him a huge masse of money ; and anthony minded him of the former friendship and alliance that was between them , and what acts they had done together : he delivered also to him terullius , a senator , and one of caesars murtherers , whom he put to death ▪ he proffered also to kill himself to obtaine security for cleopatra , yet caesar would give him no answer . anthony and cleopatra hereupon prepare for war , and caesar at last marched against them , and sent cornelius gallus before with four legions , who suddenly seized up paraetonium , the prime city of aegypt , toward lybia . anthony being informed hereof , marched towards paraetonium , hoping to draw gallus his souldiers to owne him , but when on the contrary he had received great losse both by sea and land , he returned to alexandria . presently after caesar took pelusium , by the treachery of cleopatra , who caused selucus the governour to deliver it up to him , hoping to draw his love to her , yet did she disown it to anthony . cleopatra had storehouses , and monuments , admirable both for sumptuousnesse and higth , which she had built by the temple of isis , and thither she had brought the most precious things of all her royall treasure , as gold , silver , emeralds , pearles , ebony , ivory , and cinnamon , as also store of lamps , and flax ; whereupon caesar fearing that she would set fire of them , whereby he should loose such treasures , he , to preven despaire , gave her hopes of favour , whilst he marched to wards the city , and she privately forbad the citizens of alexandria to sally out against him ; whereas openly she seemed to encourage them to oppose him . caesar being come before the city , anthony fallied out , and fought valiantly with him , and routed his horse , and drave them to the very camp , of which at his returne , he boasted to cleopatra , and she to reward him gave him an headpeice , & armour , all of gold. the next day anthony dispersed tickets amongst caesars souldiers , promising them fifteen hundred drachmaes a piece if thy would come over to him : these caesar read to his souldiers , rendering anthony more hatefull to them thereby , and they being exceeding angry that their fidelity was tempted , fought so valiantly at the next encounter , that anthony was driven back out of the field . after this anthony challenged caesar to a single duel , who answered , that anthony had many wayes to die . he therefore considering that he could not die any way more honourably than in battell , resolved to set upon caesar both by sea and land. many prodigies fore-ran the bondage of aegypt . in some places it rained bloud . armies appeared in the aier . a huge draggon was seen amongst the aegyptians which hissed horribly . a comet appeared , and the images of the dead . the statues seemed to mourne : and apis lowing heavily , shed some teares . on the kalends of august , anthony early in the morning went down to the haven to order his fleet. but cleopatra caused them to revolt from him , and to joyn with caesars fleet : whilst anthony beheld this , he was also forsaken by all his horsemen , who revolted to caesar , and his foot were heaten back into the city : whereupon he cryed out that he was betrayed by cleopatra . she fearing his anger , fled to her monument with one eunuch , and two maids , and sent anthony word that she was dead : this he believing , desired his faithfull servant erotes , according to his former promise , to kill him : erotes drew out his sword as if he would do it , but anthonies back being towards him , he slew himself , who falling at his feet , anthony said , noble erotes , thou hast taught me what to do , but couldst not endure to do it thy selfe ; so taking the sword , he thrust it into his belly : yet after a while , the bloud stopping , he desired those about him to dispatch him , but they all fled , which caused a great tumult . cleopatra from the top of the monument perceiving it ( for the gate was so made that being shut it could not be again opened ) she sent her secretary to bring him into the monument to her : anthony was carried to the foot of the monument , and being tyed in a pulley , was with great paines drawn up by cleopatra and her two maids . it was a sad sight to see him thus drawn up , besmeared with bloud , and ready to give up the ghost . when he came to the top , he stretched forth his hands to cleopatra , who receiving him in ▪ laid him on a bed , tareing her head tire , breast and face with her own hands , so that she was all gore bloud : he laboured to comfort her , and advised her to look to her affaires , and to save her life if she could do it without dishonour , and that amongst all caesars friends she should most trust proculeius , and so gave up the ghost . in the mean time dercetaeus , one of anthonies guard , stole his bloudy sword , and ran away with it to caesar , telling him what had happened : caesar then going into the inmost roome of his tent , much bewailed anthony , his kinsman and colleague , and who had been his companion in many battels , and in the government of the empire . then sending for proculeius , he commanded him by all meanes , if it were possible , to save cleopatra alive , fearing to loose her treasures , and that she might adorne his triumph . procuieius , and one epaphroditus coming to the monument , laboured to perswade cleopotra to come forth : and at last , by a wile , proculeius seized upon her , yet granted her some dayes to embalme anthonies body , after which they brought her into the pallace , diminishing nothing either of her wonted traine , or honour , that so she might do no mischief to her self . caesar having conquered alexandria ; ascended into a tribunal , and calling the citizens before him , who for fear fel upon their knees , he told them that he freely pardoned them for their great god serapis his sake . he also pardoned the rest of the aegyptians , being unwilling to put so many men to death , which formerly had done so good service for the romans . of those that favoured anthony , some he put to death , and others he pardoned either of his own good will , or at the intercession of friends . and whereas anthony had with him many children of kings , some as hostages , others upon false accusations , some of them caesar sent home , others he joyned together in marriage , and some he kept by him . comming to view the tomb of alexander the great ( which as strabo reporteth was of glasse ) caesar put a crown upon it , and strewed flowers over it , and worshipped it : and being asked whether he would see the bodies of the ptolomies ? he answered , that he would see a king , not the dead . neither would he go to see their god apis , saying , that he used to worship gods , not oxen. many great kings , and captains desired to bury the body of anthony , but caesar would not take it from cleopatra , who buried it splendidly and magnificently , and caesar suffered her to take what treasures she would for his funerals . cleopatra , through her much sorrow , fell into a fever , and her breast was troubled with inflammations , and ulcers , through the blowes which she had given herself , yet by the care of caesar , and the skill of her phisician she was recovered : after which she delivered to caesar an inventory of all her treasures : and when seleucus , one of her treasures , accused her for concealing some things , she leaped up , and taking him by the haire , she buffetted him soundly ; at which caesar smiling , reproved her , to whom she answered , is it not a great matter , o caesar , seeing thou pleasest to come and visit me in this condition that i am in , that i should be accused by my own servant ? if i have reserved some jewels , not for my self poor wretch , but that i might present octavia , and thy lyria ▪ that by their intercessions i might find the more favour with thee , i hope it s no fault . caesar was glad at this , hoping that now she had a mind to live , but she deceived him . shortly after she wrote a letter , and sealing it up , she sent it by epaphroditus to caesar , wherein she desired to be buried with anthony ▪ then adorning herself in her best apparel , she set an aspe to her left arme , by the biting of which , she presently died as in a slumber . as soon as caesar had read her letter , he sent some in all hast to her to see what was done , who when they came , found cleopatra dead upon a bed of gold , in all her royall robes , and her two waiting maides dead at her feet . casar being informed hereof , admired , and pitied her , and grieved that he was deprived of the chiefe honour of his triumph ; and buried her in the same sepulcher with anthony , finishing the tomb which she had begun : and her waiting women by his command were buried honourably : she lived thirty nine years and raigned twenty two . caesar having setled his affairs in aegypt , passed through syria into asia , and from thence into greece , and so to rome where he triumphed three dayes , first for his dalmatian , secondly for his a●cian , and thirdly for his aegyptian victory , which was the most sumptuous , and set forth with the greatest preparations , wherein was carried in a bed the image of cleopatra , and an aspe biting her arme. after which caesar inriched the temple of his father julius with the aegyptian spoiles : he also consecrated many things to jupiter capitolinus , juno , and minerva : he brought into the cell of jupiter capitolinus sixteen thousand pound weight of gold , beside pearls , and precious stones vallued at fifty millions of sesterces , and rome was so enriched with the riches of alexandria that the prizes of every thing were doubled , and interest fell from ten to four per cent. thus caesar , in the space of about sixteen years , erected the monarchy , which his uncle julius caesar had begun , and though the meanes whereby he obtained it , are not justifiable , yet afterwards he governed it justly , and wisely , and was one of the best princes in the world : gentle , just , mercifull , liberall , valiant , and endued with many other virtues ; happy and succesfull in his affaires , and much beloved of all : and the people , and senate of rome gave him a new name , which before that time was never heard of , calling him caesar augustus , a name which they held for holy , venerable , and of great majesty , and which appertained to the gods and their temples , concerning which ovid thus writes , sed tamen humanis celebrantur honoribus omnes , hic socium summo cum jove nomen habet , &c. fastorum . all common persons have their common fame , but he with jove enjoyes an equall name , of old most sacred things , augusta were : temples that name , and hollowed things do bear : yea auguri depends upon this word , and whatsoever more jove doth afford : let it enlarge his rule and life , let all our coast be guarded by a fenced wall . the senate also by oath approved all his acts , freed him from all tye of laws , and that he should have as absolute power as the laws , and that he might do all things , or not do them , according to his pleasure . and now because the books of the sybils , through age were worn out , augustus gave charge to the priests , with their own hands to write them out , and that no other should read them . caesar augustus ( for so now we must call him ) seeing himself in quiet and without war , caused the temple of janus to be shut , whereas they religiously observed , that during the time of war it should stand open : it had never before been shut since the foundation of rome but twice : once in the time of numa pompilius the second king thereof : and the other after the second punick war , whe titus manlius was conful ▪ augustus shut this temple three times , whereof this was the first : and now living in peace and prosperity , he omitted no part of his care in the government of the roman commonwealth , and the provinces there●● : sending thither praetors , pro-consuls , and other governors which were excellent men , & fit for those dignities : and himself gave direction , and was very diligent in all things touching justice , customes , religion , and publick buildings , so as in all things his rign was happy , peaceable , and quiet dureing all his life . yet in this so happy a time , some people and nations still affecting liberty , laboured to shake off the roman yoak , and thereby molested , and disquieted the empire , as the spaniards , the inhabitants of illyricum , and the pannonians . in spain the cantabrians , the asturians , and part of gallicia , passing their bounds , began a war against the empire . augustus being informed hereof , judging it to be a doubtfull war , and of importance , commanded the temple of janus to be opened , and determined to go against them in person , and to send other captaines to follow his other wars . and accordingly augustus went into spain , and with three armies made war against the people aforementioned , which proved very doubtfull , and desperate , and lasted five years : and though he suppressed the cantabrians , and asturians , and drave them to their rocks and mountains , yet before he could wholly subdue them , he was faign to bring a great navy upon the coast of france to invade the sea coasts of cantabria , and galizia , by which meanes he drave them to such extremities by land , that they were at last forced to submit to his obedience . augustus his great favourite agrippa served him faithfully in this war , whom therefore he married to his daughter julia , who was the widdow of his nephew marcellus , the son of his sister octavia . and thus he brought all spain into subjection to him above two-hundred years after the romans began to make their first wars there . so as no province cost rome more treasure , more bloud , nor more time than spain this long and doubtfull war being so happily finished , augustus was so pleased with it that he gave commandment that the temple of janus should again be shut , and came to rome in great triumph . but this temple continued not long shut , for some nations of the germans rebelled , so that it was again opened . these were the inhabitants of noricum , ( now bavaria ) and the pannonia's ( now austria and hungary ) and the two missia's ( now bulgary , and servia ) ▪ as also illyricum ( now sclavonia ) and the province of dacia ( now transylvania , and walachia ) and some others , though at severall times . against these augustus sent his generals , and armies , amongst which were his sons in law , the sons of livia , tiberius nero , who succeeded him in the empire , and his brother drusus nero , of whom livia was with child when octavian married her : and these two brothers ( though the war lasted somewhat long ) vanquished those nations , and obtained great victories in germany , and the confines thereof : especially tiberius , who in three years space subdued the pannonia's , illyricum , and dalmatia ; for which victories he afterwards entered into rome in an ovation triumph with great pomp and honour . marcus crassus also overcame and put to flight the missians , a people who had never seen the romans before . and when they were ready to give battell , they said , tell us who you are that seek to molest , and disquiet us ? we are ( said they ) romans , the lords of nations , whereupon they replyed , it shall be so if you overcome us ; which fell out accordingly . but augustus obtained not these victories without some crosses . for in these wars dyed his son in law drusus , who was highly esteemed for his noble acts , and grear victories , for the losse of whom both augustus and livia were much afflicted : but yet his griefe was greater for the mishap which befell quintilius varro , who was generall of three legions in germany , and being carelesse , was surprized by the almans , and himself , his legions , and all his auxiliaries were slaine , and two standards with the emperiall eagles taken , for which he was so immoderately grieved , that he knocked his head against the wall , and cryed out unadvisedly , quintilius varro , give me my legions again : for certaine moneths also he suffered the haire of his head and beard to grow carlesly . and the very day of this unhappy accident , he did every year observe mournfully with sorrow and lamentation . of his son in law drusus there remained two sons , germanicus and claudius , which he had by antonia , augustus his neece , and daughter of his sister octavia and mark anthony ; of which claudius was emperour : and germanicus married agrippina , the daughter of julia , augustus his daughter , by whom he had caius caligula , who also was afterwards emperour . augustus , after many notable victories , compelled his enemies at length to sue for peace , whereupon again he commanded the temple of janus to be shut up , and from thenceforth all things succeeded prosperonsly with him . the subjects of the empire were now very obedient to him , and all other sent their ambassadours seeking his favour , and friendship . the indians in the remotest parts of the east ; and the scythians that inhabited the north : and the parthians an untamed people , sent their ambassadours to him , giving security to keep the peace , and restoring to him the standards and eagles which were taken when marcus crassus was slaine . there came also kings who were friends and subjects to the roman empire to do him homage , laying aside their ensignes , and royall robes : and many of them built cities to his name , and for his honour , calling them caesaria . so did herod the great in palestine : king juba in mauritania , and others . the world being thus at peace and quietnesse , forty and two years being expired since that augustus , after the death of julius caesar , came to rome , in the time of this generall peace , was the prince of peace , our blessed lord and saviour jesus christ borne in bethlem , of the virgin mary , herod being king of judaea , placed there by the romans , of whose blessed life and bitter death , as also of the order of his ministery , and miracles see his life published by me anno christi . at which time their came forth a command from caesar augustus that all the roman world should be taxed , which taxing was first made when cyrenius was governour of syria . luck . . . out of which a little book was made by augustus , in which all the publick riches were contained : as also how many citizens , and allies in armes : what navies : how many kingdomes and provinces : what tribute , and customs there were : what necessary charges , and pensions went out . shortly after augustus was called lord by the people , but he did not only refuse that title , but forbad it by a publick edict . augustus enjoying so great prosperity , was yet nothing altered in his qualities and behaviour , as often it happens in other princes ; but rather became more mild , just , and affable , more courteous , liberall , and temperate . he established very good laws , and orders for the reformation of abuses and evill customes . he erected both within and without rome many stately , and sumptuous edifices , which made him to boast concerning rome , latericiam inveni , marmoream reliqui : i found it built with brick , and left it built with marble . he bestowed great gifts and favours upon all sorts of people . he delighted the people with feasts , and playes of sundry kinds , going himself in person to honour them : he sent colonies into sundry parts and provinces : he made excellent good orders for the governours , and government of the whole empire : the like he did also for the wars , and martial discipline . he shewed himself loving and sociable to his friends and familiars , whom he honoured and loved much . some conspiracies against him which were discovered , he punished without rigour , being more prone to pardon than to punish . of murmurings , and defamatory libels he never desired to know the authours ; but answered them with gravity , giving satisfaction , and purging himself from those things which were charged upon him . he was much addicted to , and affected with learning , and himself was very learned and eloquent , and compiled some notable books . he much honoured and rewarded wise and learned men : yet he escaped not the tainture of some vices , growing through humaine frailty , and his great liberty : especially he was much given to women , though in his diet , apparel , and ornaments he was very sparing and modest . he gave himself also excessively to play at dice , and other games then in use . thus , though in many things he was very happy , yet , besides his troubles and dangers , he was very unhappy in his children and successours : for by his four wives to whom he was married , he had only one daughter called julia , by his third wife scribonia , and she proved exceeding wanton , and unchast , yea she left nothing undone in luxury , and lust , which was possible for a woman to do or suffer , accounting every thing lawfull that pleased her . yea , she came to that heigth of laciviousnesse , that she kept her feasting even in the courts of justice , abusing those very places with lascivious acts in which her father had made laws against adulterers . hereupon her father was so enraged that he could not contain his anger within his own house , but published these things , yea , and communicated them to the lords of the senate . he kept himself also a long time from company for very shame : he had thoughts of putting his daughter to death ; but at last he banished her into pandataria , an island of campania , her mother scribonia , of her own accord , accompanying her in banishment , julia being at this time thirty eight years old . for want of sons to succed him , augustus first adopted his nephew marcellus the son of his sister octavia , to whom he first married his daughter julia : and marcellus dying without issue , he then married her to his favourite agrippa : who also left her a widdow , but yet he had by her three sons , and two daughters : two of these sons having been adopted by augustus , died before him : whereupon he adopted the third , who bore his fathers name , agrippa , the which adoption he afterwads revoaked for some displeasure conceived against him : and lastly he adopted his son in law tiberius nero , and made him his heire , whom also he married to his daughter julia , the widdow of agrippa : yet this he did more through the importunity of his mother , than for any good liking that he had of him , being sorry that such an one should succeed him . not long after , the first letter of his name that was upon the inscription of his statue that was set up in the capitol , fell down , being struck with a flash of lightening ; whereupon the southsayers foretold that he should live only one hundred dayes after , which was denoted by the letter c. and that he should be cannonized for a god , because aesar , which remained of his name , in the hetruscan . tongue signified a god. hereupon he wrot a catalogue of his doings , which he appointed to be engraven in tables of brasse , and to be set over his tomb. things being thus done , caesar augustus being now seventy six years old , and odd dayes , having raigned above fifty six , and being the best beloved , and the best obeyed prince in the world , death overtook him , which was occasioned by a flux which held him for some dayes : and so augustus died at nolla in campania , in the same house and chamber wherein his father octavius died , being the nineteenth day of august , upon which day he was first made consul : and in the fifteenth year after the birth of our saviour jesus christ. he was generally lamented , and there was a universall sorrow , and heavinesse over the whole empire for him . for he did wisely and uprightly govern that monarchy which he had gotten by force , and fraud . he was of a mean stature , of a very good shape , and proportion of body , of an exceeding fair face mixed with modesty , and gravity : his eyes were very clear and bright : he was very advised in his speeches , and loved to speak quick , and briefly . his last will and testament was written a year and four moneths before he died , and left in the custody of the vestall virgins . in his life time he was very desirous to reforme abuses in rome , and in the first place he corrected some disorders in the senate , whom he reduced to the number of six hundred . he reformed what was amiss in their playes and games , in the knights , and in their manner of suing for publick offices . he set fines upon their heads that would not marry , and bestowed much upon those that had wives and children . he gave unto hortensius twenty five thousand crowns to procure him to marry , that he might raise up issue to that noble family of the hortenses . he ordained that maids should be at least twelve years old before they married : and suffered them to kill adulterers that were taken in the fact , and condemned the sodomites without pardon . he gave order that none should be put in nomination for offices but such as were vertuous and of good repute . he tied not himself to any certain hours for his meales , but used to eat when he was hungry , and that which he fed upon was neither dainty nor delicate , and he drank little wine : instead of a looking-glasse , he used to read or write whilst his barber was trimming him . he never spake to the senate or people , or to his souldiers but what he had first written and premeditated , though he had words at command . he delighted to read good authours , but gathered nothing more then sentences teaching good manners , and having written them out word for word , he gave coppies thereof to his familiar friends , and sent them about to the governours of provinces and to the magistrates of rome . he was too much adicted to divinations , and was marvellously afraid of thunder and lightning : our saviour christ being borne , all the devils oracles ceased , and the oracle of delphes was faigne to confesse it , and ever after remained dumb : whereupon augustus being astonished , caused a great altar to be set up in the capitol , with an inscription , signifying that it was the altar of the god first born . to prevent the great abuse of usury which undid many families , he put into the exchequer twenty five hundred thousand crowns , and suffered private men to take of it for three years without interest , putting in good security for the paying back of the principall : and condemned such usurers as had taken more than the law allowed to pay four times as much to those who had been oppressed by them . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e caesars parentage . his danger by sylla . his flight ▪ he is taken by pirates . his boldnesse . he is delivered . he crucifies the pirates . his studies . his return to rome . he grows popular . and is feared . his preferment . his ambition . he is made high priest. his moderation . he puts away his wife . his ambition . his victories in spain . his prudence . his subtilty . he is chosen consul . he marries his daughter to pompey he is sent into gaul . he bettays cicero . his valour and great successes . his souldiers valour . his temperance . his activity . he overcomes the swissers . and the germans . and the gauls . his policy . he overcomes the belgae . a battel . his policy . he overcomes the germans . he passes over the rhine . and went into england . julias death . he beates the french. the french rebell . caesar overcomes them . non vult caesarve priorem , pompeiusve pareni . disorders at rome . pompey sole consul . pompey deluded . factions in rome . caesar goes against pompey . he passes rubicon . pompey flies and the senate . caesar pursues him . he is lord of all italy . and went to rome . he went into spain and conquered pompeys men . and other places . he takes marcelleis . his captaines had ill successe . pompey prepares for war. caesar goes against him . now brindez . sksrmishes betwixt them . caesars rashness . caesar is beaten . caesars policy . pompeys good resolution . pompey beaten and slain . caesars clemency . he pursues pompey . he comes into egypt . vanity of vanities . his wars in egypt . his danger . his victory . he passes into asia . overcomes pharnaces . he comes to rome . he passes into africk . he overcomes scipio . cato kills himself . he returns to rome . his triumphs . he goes nto spain . a cruel battell . his victory . he returns ●o rome . his power . his clemency , and magnaminity . disconten's arise . base flattery . his great projects . his pride . his dissimulation . a conspiracy against him ▪ his death foretold . he is slaine . his character . his will. peace concluded . a tumult . he favoured the jewes . notes for div a -e his parentage . his first imployment . he comes into italy . many resort to him . he comes to rome . m. anthony's pride . and falshood . caesar raises ▪ an army . anthony leaves rome . his parsimony . caesars policy . anthony declared an enemy . caesar overcomes him . he fliesinto france . caesar makes himself consul . a triumvirate erected . many proscribed . ingratitude . cicero flies . and is slaine . horid cruelty . sons unnaturall . sons dutifull and good . wives good . wives bad . servants bad . servants good . a good son. a jezabel . base coveteousnesse . valour . oppression . they go against brutus and cassius . prodigeis . a spectarum . brutus beats caesar . m. anthony beats cassius . brutus beaten . kills himself . anthony with cleopatra . troubles in rome . caesars victory . authony comes into italy . peace made bewixt them . anthony marries octavia . they are reconciled with sextus pompey . the parthian bea ▪ ten . caesar envies sextus pompey . wars against him . caesar marries livia . pompey beaten . caesar beaten . pompey beaten . and flies . and is slaine . caesars dangers . he falls out with lepidus . caesars policy . lepidus overcome . caesar retern to rome . anthony besotted with cleopatra . caesar seeks a quarrill with him . caesars new troubles . qurrals betwixt them . preparation for war. anthonys imprudence . caesars message . antonys answer . they meet . they prepare to fight . a battell . antony flies . his mens fidelity . his army yeilds to caesar. anthony lives privately . caesar highly honoured . anthony prepars for war. casar pursuss him into aegypt . prodigies . cleopatras treachery . anthony kills himself . casar bewailes his death . caesar pardons the egytians . cleopatras passion . she kills herself . caesars triumphs caesare commendations . flattery . janus temple shut up . new troubles . spain subdued . augustus his crosses . many ambassadours come to him . our saviour christ borne . his prudence and justice . his vices . his crosses . a prodigy . his death . his character . he was a friend to marriag . his temperance . his prudence . the devils oracles dumb his charity . a caution against sacriledge: or sundry queries concerning tithes. wherein is held forth the propriety, and title that ministers have to them, the mischiefs which would ensue if tithes were brought into a common treasury, and ministers reduced to stipends. the danger of gratifying the petitioners against tithes, and all imposed maintenance. and something of the spirit and end of their actings. collected, and composed by the one that hath no propriety in tithes, and humbly tendred to this present parliament. clarke, samuel, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) a caution against sacriledge: or sundry queries concerning tithes. wherein is held forth the propriety, and title that ministers have to them, the mischiefs which would ensue if tithes were brought into a common treasury, and ministers reduced to stipends. the danger of gratifying the petitioners against tithes, and all imposed maintenance. and something of the spirit and end of their actings. collected, and composed by the one that hath no propriety in tithes, and humbly tendred to this present parliament. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed by abraham miller for thomas vnderhill at the anchor and bible in pauls church-yard, near the little north door, london : . 'one that hath no propriety..' = samuel clarke. 'the propriety, and title .. end of their actings.' is bracketed together on the titlepage. annotation on thomason copy: "july. .". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng tithes -- early works to . clergy -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no a caution against sacriledge: or sundry queries concerning tithes.: wherein is held forth the propriety, and title that ministers have to t clarke, samuel c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - angela berkley sampled and proofread - angela berkley text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a caution against sacriledge : or , sundry queries concerning tithes . wherein is held forth the propriety , and title that ministers have to them , the mischiefs which would ensue if tithes were brought into a common treasury , and ministers reduced to stipends . the danger of gratifying the petitioners against tithes , and all imposed maintenance . and something of the spirit and end of their actings . collected , and composed by one that hath no propriety in tithes , and humbly tendred to this present parliament . rom. . . thou that abhorrest idols , dost thou commit sacriledge ? london , printed byabraham millerforthomas vnderhillat the anchor and bible inpaulschurch yard , near the little north door , . certain queries concerning the propriety and right of the ministry of england to tithes . . whether the ministry of england hath not as good a propriety in tithes , as noblemen , gentlemen and free-holders have in their lands ? the reasons of this query are , . because ethelwolph sonne of king egbert ( who had brought the saxon. heptarchy into a monarchy ) had all the lands in england for his demesne , as is acknowledged by sr edward cook in his commentaries upon littletons tenures , and conferred the tithes of all the kingdom upon the church , by his royal chartar dated anno . in these words , king ethelwolph , by the consent of his prelates and princes which ruled in england under him in their several provinces , did enri●h the church of england with the tithes of all his lands and goods by his charter royal , &c. adding in the end , that who so should encrease the gift , god would please to prosper , and encrease his daies : but if any should presume to diminish the same , that he should be called to an account for it at gods judgment seat , &c. and this he did , not only as lord paramount , but as proprietary of the whole land , the lords and great men at that time having no property or estates of permanency , but as accountants to the king , whose the whole land was , and yet they also gave their free consents , which the king required that thereby they might be barred from pleading any tenant-right ; as also to oblige them to stand in maintenance of tithes against all pretenders . . because the people can have no right , or propriety in them ; for they never bought or paid for them : neither could they come by inheritance ; for that which was not their fore-fathers could not descend to them : neither came they to them by donation , which they can never shew . . whether it be agreeable to piety , prudence , justice , and equity to alienate tithes from the ministry , which have been so freely given by our own christian kings out of zeal to advance gods glory , confirmed by many acts of parliament , oft-times renewed , and reitered , as by magna charta thirty times confirmed , and many other statutes since , yea by the text , and body of the common law , which affirms tithes to be due jure divino , as sr edw. cook testifies in the second part of his reports . . whether the inconveniencies and evils can possibly be foreseen , which will ensue upon the alteration of such fundamental laws of this nation , as have continued in force through all changes for above a thousand years together ? tithes have been given to the church for maintenance of gods word and ministers , with a curse to all such as should alienate them . . whether it is agreeable to piety and prudence , to pull them from god , to rend them from his church , to violate the dedication of our fathers , the oaths of our ancestors , the decrees of so many parliaments , and to expose our selves to those horrible curses which the body of the nation hath obliged it self to , in case they consented to the alienation of the same ? as n●hem . , &c. . whether it be not more then probable that the ministry hath had a propriety in the tithes in all christian churches , ever since christians had a propriety in their estates ; since origen , and tertullian , who lived not much above two hundred years after christ , tell us , that the community amongst christians was not wholly ceased in their time , and yet where it was , the tithes were paid ? . whether it be not sacriledge to alienate tithes from the church , having been dedicated and consecrated unto god , either by the voluntary consent of churches , or by donation of princes ? seeing what is voluntarily consecrated by man , is confirmed by god , and may not be alienated , lev. . , &c. which law is the same under the gospel , as appears in the example of annanias , act. . . whom peter arraignes , and god condemns , for this very sacriledge . why hast thou ( said peter ) kept back part of the price of the land ? whilest it remained ( viz. unsold ) was it not thine own ? and after it was sold , was it not in thine own power ? viz. to have consecrated , or not consecrated it , vers. . and annanias hearing these words , fell down and gave up the ghost . . whether it is not against the light of nature , and custom of all nations , to disannull the will of the dead ? gal. . . brethren , i speak after the manner of men , though it be but a mans covenant ( or testament ) yet if it be confirmed ( viz. by the death of the testator ) no man dissanulleth it , i. e. no man ought to disanull it . therefore tithes having been given by testament , confirmed by the death of the testators , is it not against the light of nature , and custom of all nations to alienate them ? heb. . , . for a testament is of force after men are dead . . many impropriations having been restored to the church by godly noblemen , and gentlemen , and others having been bought in and setled in the most legal way that could be devised upon the ministry ; is it not against all justice and equity to take them from the church again ? and will it not discourage all men for the future from works of piety and charity when they see them thus perverted ? . whether it be not more then probable that there was a positive precept given by god to the fathers for the giving to him the tenth part of their substance , as he had formerly required the seventh part of their time ? and whether do not the examples of abraham and jacob so readily giving their tenth , evince this ; or without such a precept , had it not been will-worship in them ? and do not such positive precepts ( if unrepealed ) binde all to the end of the world ? as we see in the case of the sabbath . . whether tithes , as an honouring of god , be not enjoyned in the first commandment ? as they tend to preserve the publike worship of god , in the second and fourth commandement ? and as maintenance to the persons of ministers , in the fifth commandement ? being part of the honour due to spiritual parents . . whether tithes can be called antichristian , which were paid long before antichrists time ? and when antichrist [ the popes of rome ] were the first that durst take upon them to alienate them from the church , by granting exemptions , appropriations , &c. thereby robbing the church and parish ministers , to gratifie the monks and fryers ? and whether alexander of hales and thomas of aquin. ( who lived about four hundred years ago ) were not the first that pleaded for these alienations made by the pope ? and whether they were not the first that to justifie the popes proceedings , pleaded that tithes were jewish ? whether these scriptures do not concern christians , as well as they did the jews ? prov. . , . honour the lord with thy substance , and with the first fruits of all thine encrease : so shall thy barns be filled with plenty , and thy presses shall burst out with new wine . prov. . . it is a snare to devoure that which is holy , and after the vow to make enquiry . prov. . , . remove not the old land-mark , and enter not into the field of the fatherlesse : for their redeemer is mighty , and he shall plead their cause with thee . and sr edw. cook saith in his institutes , our law-books teach us , that the church is ever understood to be under age , and to be a pupil and fatherlesse : and that it is not agreeable to law or right that such should be dis-inherited . mal. . , , , &c. will a man rob god ? yet ye have robbed me : but ye say , wherein have we robbed thee ? in tithes and in offerings . ye are accursed with a curse : for ye have robbed me , even this whole nation . bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse , that there may be meat in mine house , and prove me now therewith , saith the lord of hosts , if i will not open you the windowes of heaven , and pour you out a blessing , that there shall not be room enough to receive it : and i will rebuke the devourer for your sakes , and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground , neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field , saith the lord of hosts : and all nations shall call you blessed : and ye shall be a delightsome land , saith the lord of hosts . . whether those texts in the new testament do not prove , that to gospel-ministers belongs as large , if not larger maintenance than to the levitical priesthood , as their ministry is more excellent , and the blessings conferred thereby are greater . luk. . . the labourer is worthy of his hire . cor. . . have we not power to eat and to drink ? ver. , &c. or i only and barnabas , have not we power to forbear working ? who goeth to warfare any time at his own charges ? who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof ? or who feedeth a flock , and eateth not of the milk of the flock ? say i these things as a man ? or saith not the law the same ? for it is written in the law of moses , thou shalt not muzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn . doth god take care for oxen ? or saith he it altogether for our sakes ? for our sakes no doubt it is written : that he that ploweth should plow in hope : and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope . if we have sown unto you spiritual things , is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnalthings . ver. , . do ye not know that they which minister about holy things , live of the things of the temple ? and they which wait at the altar , are made partakers with the altar ? even so hath the lord ordained , that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel . gal. . . let him that is taught in the word , communicate to him that teacheth in all good things . phil. . . not that i desire a gift , but i desire fruit that may abound to your account . tim. . , . let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour , especially they who labour in the world and doctrine . for the scripture saith , thou shalt not muzle the ox that treadeth out the corn : and the labourer is worthy of his reward . . whether to speak of a sufficient maintenance without tithes , be not a meer fancy , that never was , nor ( as i believe ) ever will be brought into action ? and whether it would not trouble the wisest men that are , to name a stipend that would be sufficient at all times , as tithes are ; which proceeding from the wisdom of god , cannot be matched , much lesse betterd by mans wisdome ? . whether be not tithes the fitrest maintenance for the ministry , seeing hereby they partake with the people in times of plenty , which will more inlarge their hearts in thankfulnesse ; and suffer with them in times of scarcity , which will more affect them with sense of gods judgments ? for that when natural affections concur with spiritual , they are more active and vigorous . . whether the practice of the heathens , which used to give a tenth to their gods , will not rise up in judgment against christians , if they rob god of the tenth which their predecessors have given to him ? . whether the judgment of so many eminent divines as have held it sacriledg to alienate that from the church which was once consecrated to god , should not lay a restraint upon all men from practising that which is so hazardous and scandalous ? that it is sacriledge , is the judgment of calvin , polanus , kickerman , perkins , with many others . . whether all or most of the arguments bent against the morality of tithes , do not equally militate against the morality of the sabbath ? as dr sclater hath shewed in his parallel in the end of his book of tithes . certain queries concerning bringing tithes into a common treasury , and reducing ministers to stipends . . if tithes should be brought into a common treasury , and ministers paid out thence , whether would our countrey-men that say tithes are such an intolerable burden , be any whit eased ? yea would they not be more burdened by how much their tything would be looked more narrowly into ? . would not the trouble of ministers be far greater , being enforced to send , or go from market to market for every bushel of corn or mault , &c. that he spends in his house ? . if a dearth come , would it not tend to the ruine of many ministers families , who will be for ced to spend more in a quarter then they receive for their half years allowance ? . if things should rise in the price the next hundred of years as they have done the last , how shall ministers be then able to live upon these stipends ? . how many officers must there be imployed in every county to bring the tithes into a common treasury , all which , either in whole or in part , must be maintained out of them ? and how will this curtail the ministers share ? . what attendance must ministers give quarterly , or each half year , upon the trustees , or treasurers in every county , till they have list or leisure to pay them ? what trouble , journeys and expences will this put them to ? how will they be enforced to bribe , and pay for expedition , or to be fobbe● off with base and clipt money ? or be forced to take wares for their money , if the treasurers be tradesmen ; as many have been served of late in the case of augmentations ? . will not ministers hereby be cast upon ten●ations , to speak only pleasing things ( like trencher-chaplains ) lest their stipends should be taken from them ? . can it be expected that ministers can or will be so liberall to the poor , and given to hospitality , when they buy all with the peny , as when they have it in tithes ? . will not such as bear the bag , and upon whom the ministers must depend for their subsistance , lord it over them with pride and contempt enough ? as bad , or worse then the bishops and their chancellors did ? . though such as are of the best repute in each county , should be chosen out to be the treasurers , yet do we not see by daily experience , how men are mistaken in judging of the honesty of others ? and how many men fall from their former principles of honesty ? and that if neither of these should be so , yet how apt standing waters are to putrifie . . if contentious suits have been between ministers and people about tithes , hath it not for the most part arisen from the peoples covetousness , pretending customs , prescriptions , or compositions , to defraud the ministers of their due ? . were not patrons at the first made choice of , to defend the ministers right against the fraud and injustice of the people ? and may not the wisdome of the parliament finde out the same , or some such like course , whereby the minister shall neither be engaged in contentions with his people , nor troubled with avocations from his study thereby ? . may there not arise as many or more quarrels , in case tithes be brought into a common treasury , whilest some pretend conscience , and so will pay none at all ; others think themselves over-rated ; others think that the tradesman , who gets more by his shop than they do by the plough , should bear an equal share in this common burden ? and who then shall take course to enforce such to pay ? if the treasurers in the country , surely they will prove but cold solicitors in anothers cause . but suppose they do stir , they must spend out of the common stock ; and such suits being like to be many , especially in such times as these , how will the ministers stipends be curtailed thereby ? besides , may it not be supposed , that they which spend of other mens purses , are like to cut large thougs out of others hides ? . if the countryman shall pay a rate in money for his tithes , will it not come far more hardly from him ? even like drops of bloud , money being usally very short with them . and will he not think it far easier to part with a cock of hay , or a sheaf of corn , or such a small thing , than to part with so much money as his whole tithes may come to , once or oftner in the year ? and how little will he think himself eased hereby ? . if tithes be brought into a common treasury , when a living is worth two , three , or perhaps four hundred pounds by the year , a great part of it will be disposed to other places , and will it not certainly be a great grief to the people , that their tithes shall go to they know not whom ? certainly to such as neither feed their souls with the bread of life , nor their bodies with the staff of bread ? and will not their poor want that relief , and themselves that entertainment , which they used to have at their ministers house , to the aggravation of their discontent ? certain queries concerning our late petitioners against tithes , and an imposed maintenance . . vvhether have we not cause to suspect , that those persons which petition against tithes and an imposed maintenance , are acted by jesuites , who cunningly creep in amongst them , seeking hereby to overthrow the english ministry , which hath so strongly opposed them , both by word of mouth and wri●ings ? and the rather , because of that scottish jesuite , who lately turned anabaptist , and upon examination at newcastle confessed that he was sent over for that end . and osterweeke a great agitator , went here under another name , who in his romish pontificalibus did lately officiate at the mass publickly in dunkirk , as the printer hereof can prove ; besides some other like examples which might be easily produced . . whether can such petitioners be rightly stiled the godly and well-affected of the nation , who strive hereby to bting the greatest judgement upon the nation that ever did , or can possibly befall it ? viz. a samine of the word , amos . , &c. and the removing of our teachers into corners , isa. . . . whether have we not cause to belieye , that the far greatest part of the gentry , yeomandry and commons of the land that have tithes to pay , are desirous to have them continued to the ministry : seeing so many thousands of them out of a few counties , have formerly petitioned for the same , and the city of london of late . and no doubt but many thousands more out of every county would do the like , if they had the least encouragement thereunto . . whether if tithes were wholly taken away , would the generality of the people be at all eased , seeing both purchasers and tenants must pay so much the more for their land ? . whether can we imagine that the parliament , that hath so often and lately declared to the world , that they will be exceeding tender of every ones liberty and property , will now so soon after , take away the propriety of all the ministry of england at one blow , to the ruine of so many thousand families for the present ; to the discouragement of parents from bringing up their children to the work of the ministry for time to come , and so to the endangering of the removal of the gospel from amongst us . . whether would not these petitioners ( if tithes were removed ) cry out and complain as much of the tyrannicall oppression and burden of rents , as the anabaptists in germany did , and so never be quiet till they have levelled all things ? . whether all persons , whose eyes are open , do not clearly see , that the actings and motions of many persons of all ranks , doth demonstrate that the jesuites rules for reducing england to popery are prosecuting ? * and whether it be not the duty of all worthy patriots , especially the honourable members of the parliament , to oppose such a damnable design with their wisdome and power ? and all the godly party of the land to stand in the gap , by improving their interest in heaven , for the stopping of popery , and the upholding the gospel-ministry ? — si non prosunt singula , mult a juvant . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- see s. hen. s●e●mans counc●ls anno . . orig. hom. han num. cypr. epist. . this also is justified by bellarm. de clericis , l. . c. . instit. . c. ● . cor. . , &c. i have good information that there are lately come over . iesuites that have their frequent meeting in london to drive on this design . * see the iesuites ●irections translated in baxters preface to his holy commonwealth : and also the preface to dailles apology for the reformed churches , by thomas smith , printed at cambridge , . aurea legenda, or apothegms, sentences, and sayings of many wise and learned men, useful for all sorts of persons collected out of many authors by sa. clark, sometimes pastor in b.f. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c a estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) aurea legenda, or apothegms, sentences, and sayings of many wise and learned men, useful for all sorts of persons collected out of many authors by sa. clark, sometimes pastor in b.f. clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for nathanael ranew at the king's-arms in st. paul's church-yard, london : . reproduction of original in the newberry library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng quotations -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - pip willcox sampled and proofread - pip willcox text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion aurea legenda , or apothegms , sentences , and sayings of many wise and learned men , useful for all sorts of persons . collected out of many authors by sa. clark , sometimes pastor in b. f. the preacher sought to find out acceptable words , and that which was written , was upright , even words of truth . the words of the wise are as goads and as nails fastened by the masters of the assemblies , which are given from one shepherd , eccle. . . . london , printed for nathanael ranew at the king's-arms in st. paul's church-yard , . some choice sentences and sayings concerning the mischiefs , and miseries which attend an impure , unquiet , and guilty conscience . conscience is god's spy , and man's overseer : god's deputy judg , holding its court in the whole soul , bearing witness of all a mans doings and desires , and accordingly excusing or accusing , absolving or condemning , comforting or tormenting : what art thou then the better when none is by , so long as thy conscience is by ? conscience is the great register , or recorder of the world. 't is to every man his private notary , keeping record of all his acts and deeds . it hath ●he pen of a ready writer , and takes from ●hy mouth all that thou speakest ; yea , ●rom thy heart all thou contrivest ; and tho its writing may be for the present ( like to the writing with the juice of an onion , or lemon ) illegible : yet when thou comest to the fire of distress , it will then appear ; or at farthest , in the great day of judgment it will discover all . conscience always keeps centinel in a mans soul , and , like a register , records all our good and evil actions . tho the darkness of the night may hide us from others , and the darkness of the mind may seem to hide us from our selves , yet still the conscience hath an eye to look in secret upon what ever we do : and tho in many men it sleeps in regard of motion , yet it never sleeps in regard of observation and notice : it may be hard and seared , but it can never be blinded : that writing which in it now seems to be invisible , when it 's brought to the fire of gods judgment will be most clear. there is nothing so much fastened in the memory as that which conscience writes . all her censures are written with indelible characters never to be bloted out . all , or most of our knowledge forsakes us in death : wit , acuteness , variety of language , habits of sciences , arts , policies , inventions , &c. only those things which conscience imprinteth , shall be so far from being obliterated by death , that , they shall thereby be much more manifest , whether they be impressions of peace , or horror . conscience is a most bribeless worker . it never know's how to make a false report of any of our ways : 't is gods historian ( with reverence be it spoken ) that writes not annals , but jornals : the words , deeds , and cogitations of hours and moments . never was there so absolute a compiler of lives as conscience is . it comes not with prejudice , or acceptation of persons , but dares speak the truth of a monarch , as well as of a slave . nero the emperor shall find as great a fire burning in his bosom , as he dares wrap the poor christians in , to light him to his lusts . before and in the acting of sin we will hear nothing ; but afterwards conscience will send forth a shrill and a sharp voyce which shall be heard all the soul over , as was that of reuben to his breth'ren , did not i warn you , saying sin not against the child , &c. it 's as proper for sin to raise terrors in the the soul , as for rotten flesh or wood to breed worms . that worm which never dieth is bred here in the froth of filthy lusts , and flagitious courses , and it lyes grubbing and gnawing upon mens inwards many times , in the ruff of all their jollity . this made saul to call for his musick , belshazzar for his carousing cups , cain for his workmen to build him a city ; and others for other of the devils anodines to put by the pangs of their wounded spirits , and throbbing consciences . one small drop of an evil conscience will trouble a whole sea of outward comforts and contentments ; a confluence whereof would no more ease a wounded conscience , than a silken stoking will do a broken legg . as a little water in a leaden vessel is heavy : so is a little trouble in an evil conscience . an evil conscience is a burden importable , able to quail the courage , and crush the shoulders of the strongest hercules , of the mightiest man upon earth : hence job preferred , and judas chose strangling before it . daniel chose rather to be cast to the lyons , than to carry a lyon about with him in his bosome an , enraged conscience . the primitive christians also used to cry out , ad leones potius quam ad lenones abjiciamur : let us rather be cast to the lyons than to be thrust into brothel-houses . what good is there in a chest full of goods , when the conscience is empty of goodness ? such an one is like unto naaman , a rich man , but a leper . for excellent parts and gifts , without a good conscience are but as so many sweet flowers upon a dead man wrapped up in fair linnen : or like to sounding brass , or a tinkling cymbal . conscience is god's greatest officer and vice-gerent in man , set by him to be , as it were thy angel keeper , monitor , remembrancer , king , prophet , witness , examiner , judge , yea , thy lower heaven . if thou slightest and wrongest it , it will be an adversary unto thee , and an informer against thee , an accuser , witness , judg , jailor , tormenter , a worm , wrack , dungeon unto thee ; yea , thy upper hell. an evil conscience makes the wicked fly when none pursues , prov. . . such a fearful fugitive was bloody cain , such were those cursed canaanites ( jos . . . ) that were chased by gods hornets among them , that is , by the blood-hounds of their own consciences . such were those syrians , who , struck with a pannick fear , fled for their lives , and left their rich camp for a booty to the hunger-starved israelites , kin. . . &c. the shadows of the mountains seemed to be armed men to guilty gaal , judg. . . the burgundians , when ready to joyn battel with their enemies , thought that long thistles were spears . he that is delivered up to a seared conscience , to a dead and dedolent disposition , is in a manner in a desperate condition . he heaps up wrath against the day of wrath , &c. rom. . . this made a reverend man say , i had rather be in hell with a sensible conscience , than on earth with a reprobate mind . plutarch thought that the very life of a vicious and a wicked man , was punishment enough for him without either gods or mans revenging hand . for ( saith he ) if they examine their lives , they find themselves empty of grace and goodness , destitute of hope , loaden with fear , sadness , uncheerfulness , and of suspicion of what will follow after . their lives therefore are worse than the life of a dog : for a dog lives without mental sufferings , and dyes , and there is an end of him : but this wicked man is always upon the rack whilst he lives , being perpetually tormented with the lashes of an evil and accusing conscience , which is worse than death . as the crocodile incautiously sleeping with his mouth open , receives into his belly the ichneumon , or indian-rat , which causes that he is never at quiet , his entrails never being free from gnawings and pain . one while he plunges into the water , and anon runs again to the land : no place will afford him case till death hinders his motion : so it is with such as are tormented with the worm of conscience ; as we see in nero , when he had murthered his mother , and his wives . and in otho the emperor , when he had slain galba , and piso , in herod , when he had caused his wife mariamne to be put to death . and in our king richard the third , when he had slain his two innocent nephews in the tower. in spira ; latomus , and many others : all which were so gnawed and grub'd with this worm that they could never be at rest , till , being utterly tired with continual vexation of spirit , they either desperately flew themselves , or were dreadfully dispatched by others . in thy commission of evil , fear no man so much as thy self ; another is but one witness , but they conscience is a thousand . another thou may'st avoid , but thy conscience thou canst not . wickedness is its own punishment . no man is able to stand before a guilty conscience . the conscience awaken'd is like a bear enraged ; it tears a man in pieces : it falls upon him like some mighty tower , and crushes him to powder . it is like a gouty joynt , so sore and painful , that it cannot endure it self ; as bernard speaks . how was david wounded , his bones bruised by it , &c. psal . . . & c ? how many have we seen to lye panting and groaning under the wounds of conscience ? oh what horrors , fears , apprehensions have the tongues and faces of some of god's own children implied to standers by ! and if their agonies have been such who have been but in part wounded , and withal , secretly sustained , what then must the case of the wicked needs be , when his conscience falls with a full weight upon him , and there is no supporting ? prov. . . a wounded spirit who can bear ? the gout , stone , and some other diseases are in themselves almost insufferable : yet the spirit of a man , sustained with hope and strengthened by god may somewhat tug with them : but when the spirit which sustains all , is it self wounded ; when god , that other where supports , becomes an enemy , who can bear it ? for here is not a creature to a creature , weakness to weakness , but a finite creature must encounter with an infinite power ; weakness must fight with strength ; man with god. alass ! when the heavens fall upon a poor worm , must he not needs down ? when judas shall have the earth against him , and hell against him , and heaven against him , and himself against himself ; must he not needs shrink , and fall ? oh! how miserable is the condition of every impenitent sinner ! poor wretch , he goes on in a sinful course and fears no harm . his conscience sleeps , and he hopes it will never awake : but when he hath long pursued his conscience , his conscience will at last pursue him ; and after a long silence it will at last speak , and ring him such peal as will make him at his wits end . sometimes in this life a spark of hell falls upon his soul , and then where is he ? can he quench this flame with the purest wines ? shake of these fits with a peal of laughter ? can he out-ride the shriches of his conscience as he follow 's his games ? can he drown that noise with his cryes , and hubbubs ? can he forget those gripings in his busiest tales , and relations of news ? or can he leave his conscience behind him in any place ? no , no , his conscience is his constant companion , and cryes upon him in the night sleeping , in the day walking ; in his greatest mirth ; in his busiest sports and pastimes : nay , his heart is now employed about another business : his desires are full of solitariness ; his thoughts as black as hell it self . the devil ( saith he ) what creature is he ? my flesh trembles at the thoughts of him , yet would i might see him . hell ( thinks he ) what place is that ? sith thither i must , would i knew the worst . these , these be the thoughts of a desperate heart , and of a throbbing conscience . witness judas ! he comes to the priests , and looks upon them , but they cannot ease him . he takes his money and looks upon that , but it cannot help him . he walks forth and looks upon the light , and is weary of that . he passeth by men , he hath nothing to say ; he is best alone , nay , not alone ; if there be any hope it is in hell ; if any comfort it is among the devils ; thither he will go to seek it . oh misery ! oh death ! oh hell ! when a man must go to hell for ease , to the damned spirits for comfort ! a guilty conscience as it will prove the most inmost , so the utmost enemy , and that , first , unavoidable : do what thou canst , thou canst not shake it off : it lyes with thee ; it sleeps with thee ; it rides with thee ; it wakes with thee ; it walks with thee , in every place , beyond all times ; when thou goest it goes ; when thou flyest it runs ; still it cries and raises the country against thee . it meets thee in the dark and makes the leap : it meets thee in the day , and makes the quake : it meets thee in thy dreams and makes thee start : it meets thee in every corner and makes thee think every bush to be a man , every man a devil , every devil a messenger to carry thee quick to hell ? thou com'st to thy chamber , there thy conscience frights the : thou com'st to the field there it turns thee : thou turnest again , and their it crosses the way upon thee : thou turn'st it turns : thou cryest it cries : thou darest not call , if thou doest conscience fears no company . secondly , unsufferable : an evil conscience strips one of all comfort at once : if a sick stomach will make one a weary of all chairs , beds , meats , drinks , friends , all : oh what will a sick conscience do ! thirdly , it puts one to intollerable pains . it racks the memory and makes it run back twenty years , as we see in joseph's brethren ; and aristocrates in plutarch . yea , it twinges for sins in youth as job complain's . it racks the understanding , and carries it forward beyond the grave , and makes it feel the very bittterness of death and hell before it sees them : it racks the phantasie and makes it see ghosts in men , lyons in children , as it 's storied of some : it troubles the eye , and makes a murthering theodorick see the face of a man in the mouth of a fish : it troubles the ear , and makes a bessus hear the cry of murther in the chattering of birds : it racks all the senses quite out of joynt ; it makes a sanders to run over the irish mountains quite out of his wits till he perish of hunger . in brief , it so oppresses that it causeth the sweating soul to cry with david , oh my bones are broken ! and with moses , who know's the power of his wrath ? and to joyn with soloman , a wounded spirit who can bear ? what man ? what angel ? who under christ ? nay , this stroke upon the soul , ( seperated from all sin ) drew from the lord of life , those sad cryes , my god my god why hast thou forsaken me ? that which a thousand taunts , ten thousand racks could not have done , this one alone apprehended and felt , wrested from him . and shall such a thing as this , so near , so great a neighbour be offended ? be we then of st. paul's mind : set conscience at an high price : consider what it will be worth in the day of trouble , of death , of judgment , and resolve to begg , starve , burn , dye a thousand deaths to save consciences life . as a good conscience ( next to god its master ) is our best friend in the world ; so conscience offended is our forest enemy . the greatest friends are bitterest foes when divided . no wars to civil wars , to domestical wars . the nearer the worse ; and therefore the conscience ( being nearest ) if it become an enemy , is the heaviest of all others . for first , it 's an unavoidable enemy , other enemies may be kept off with strength , or put off with skill ; but so cannot conscience ; no barrs , no bolts , no bulwarks can keep that from thy table , or bed. dan. . . belshazzar may sooner keep out ten thousand medes and persians , than one conscience : that will pass through all his guards and officers to his presence , and in the face of his nobles and concubines , arrest him , and shake him in despight of his security . nor will this officer be bob'd with a bundle of distinctions , and evasions . when god sets it a work , it marches furiously ( like jehu ) and will take thee up with his answer ; what peace so long as thy whoredoms and sins remain ? as there is no respondent like conscience , so there is no objector like to that . a man may make a shift with a wrangling sophister , yea , with the devil himself , better than with his conscience . for no devil knows that by me which i do by my self . and the conscience shall have the hearing when the devil shall not . for conscience is the kings solicitor , and speaks for the great king. secondly , this enemy is unsufferable . it strips us at one stroke of all other comforts ; a sick stomach makes that meat which before much pleased , now to encrease the disease : so doth a sick conscience : it takes away the relish of all natural comforts , and of all spiritual exercises , and ordinances , and makes a man a burden and terror to himself . it fills one full of horrors and unhappiness ; the violentest diseases may be born ; but when the pillers are shaken , when that which bears up all is wounded : when the heavens fight against a man , and a poor creature must wrestle against infinite justice and power , oh how hard a thing is this ! the wrath of a king is terrible , and the rage of seas , of fire , of lyons ; but still here is creature against creature , weak to weak ; but who knows the power of gods anger ? who can stand before that consuming fire ? not man : not mountains : not angels . the terrors of god and anguish of spirit cast's the devil himself into a frenzy and makes him mad . as those parts of the nail next to the flesh , at first are softer than the rest , but after a while they grow into that hardness which is in the remoter parts : so the consciences of all men have those seeds of insensibility in them , which makes them at last deaf to every charm , and secure against all the thundering judgments which are denounced against them . as the operation of the sun is always strongest there where it is not at all seen ; to wit , in the bowels of the earth . so the judgments of god do oft lye heaviest there where they are least perceived , to wit in an hard heart , and seared conscience . when men go about to extinguish and darken the light of direction which god hath put into their hearts and consciences to guide their paths by , he puts out their light of comfort , and leaves them to darkness and sorrow . other afflictions are but the taking some stars of comfort out of the firmament , when others are left still to shine there : but when god's countenance is hid from the soul , the sun it self ( the fountain of light ) is darkned to such , and so a general darkness befalls them . a light load upon a raw shoulder is very grievous : so is a little outward grief to a wounded conscience , every fowl that hath a beautiful feather hath not the sweetest flesh : nor doth every tree that beareth a goodly leaf , bring good fruit. glass gives a clearer sound than silver , and many things glister besides gold : the wicked man's jollity is but the hypocrisie of mirth ; it may wet the mouth but cannot warm the heart : smooth the brow , but not fill the breast . in the midst of his greatest mirth he hath many a secret gripe in his conscience , and little knows the world where his shooe pinches him . as jezabel ( no doubt ) had a cold heart under a painted face . so many a mans heart akes , and quakes within him , when yet his face counterfeits a smile . we have a cloud of witnesses , prophets , apostles , martyrs who would hazard themselves upon the angry seas , lyons , flames , rather than upon a displeased conscience . collected out of the works of b. reynolds , dr. harris ; and dr. stoughton , by s. c. some choice sentences , and sayings concerning the blessings , and benefits which accompany a pure , peaceable and good conscience . conscience is a prime faculty of the reasonable soul , there set to give notice of its spiritual estate , in what terms it stands with god. conscience ( saith st. austin ) is like a wife ; the best of comforts if good , the worst of naughts if bad . deal friendly with conscience , and , next to god , it will prove thy best friend in the world. first , thy truest friend that will never flatter thee , but make thee know thy self . secondly , the surest friend , that will never start from thee : it wll ride with thee ; it will lye with thee ; sleep with thee ; wake with thee ; it will walk with thee ; be with thee in every place , beyond all times . thirdly , the sweetest friend in the world. if natural cheerfulness be so good an house-keeper to a good man that it feasts him daily ( as solomon saith ) oh then what will be the banquets of a conscience sanctified , purified , and pacified ! what joys those that will carry a man above ground , and make him forget the best of natures comforts ! what comforts those that will make him sing under the whip , in the stocks , at the stake in despite of the fire ! oh what the strength of conscience that can sooner tyre the tyrant than the martyr ! and can carry weak strength ( as weak as water , as it were ) in triumph through a world of bonds , rods , swords , racks , wheels , flames , strapadoes , and whatsoever else is most terrible ! these joys are impregnable , and unspeakable indeed . this peace is unconceivable , passes all understanding . this friend is unmatchable . let not such an one so true , so fast , so good , be slighted , or offended . therefore let us be of st. paul's mind ; set conscience at an high price : consider what it will be worth in a day of trouble , of death , of judgment : weigh what the price of conscience would be at in hell if men might buy their peace , and rate it accordingly . look how chary a proud woman is of her beauty , a wise-man of his eye , a weak man of his stomach : so , and much more than so should a christian be careful of his conscience : of his heart , prov. . . keep thy heart with all diligence , &c. pet. . . i have lived in all good conscience before god , until this day : heb. . . we trust we have a good conscience in all things , willing to live honestly . give conscience content and rest , and it will pay thee an hundred-fold . it will round thee in the ear and say , this is well however it be taken , and therefore be not discouraged : this is naught however applauded and painted : 't is stark staring naught ; 't is pride , hypocrisie , therefore amend it . other friends go and come , and stand afar off , now at hand , now i know not where ; but conscience is no starter . 't is never from our sides , out of our bosoms . a pacified conscience , what a blessing is that ? what joys be those , which will carry a man out of the earth , and make him say ; tho i have wife , children , friends , wealth , house , health , ease , honour , &c. after mine own hearts desire , yet these are nothing to my comfort and contentment within ? oh conscience ! thou hast a special gift in comforting , that canst make the patient laugh and rejoyce when the spectators weep and mourn , and canst carry frail flesh singing and rejoycing thorough a world of miseries : these joys be strong indeed , and pass mans understanding , phil. . . other friends love not to come to a sick-mans bed-side ; or if they do , they cannot abide to hear his groaning , to see a dead man ; at the most , they can but follow him to the grave : but conscience will make a mans bed in his sickness , and cause him to lye the softer : it will stand by him when he groans , and comfort him : it will hearten him against death when it 's coming , and say , thy redeemer lives : it will whisper to him when departing , and say , thy warfare is accomplished : it will lodge the body in the grave as in a bed ; accompany the soul into heaven , and enable it to look god in the face without any terror . so fast a friend is this , that when riches , husband , parents , friends , breath , life ; nay , when patience , hope , faith have left us in some measure , this will not leave us . that 's the best glass which shews the smallest spots : the brightest light that shews the least motes : the finest flesh that is sensible of the least pricking : so that conscience that is sensible of the least sin or failing , is the perfection of christianity , whereunto we should all endeavour to attain . if you lay an heavy burden upon a sound shoulder , it goes away with it well enough : so if the soul and conscience be sound , and god enable a man to bear it , diseases , imprisonment , disgrace &c , are easily born . as the cleerest blood makes the best spirits : so doth a good life the quietest conscience . the purest air breeds the greatest agility , and the purest life the fairest hope . a natural conscience shews only the danger of sin ; and so makes a man fear it ; but a spiritual conscience shews the filthiness and pollution of sin , and so makes a man hate it . a good conscience appears in the countenance , and looks merrily out at the windows of the eyes . but this is not till faith hath healed the conscience . this made stephen to look like an angel , act. . . and the apostles to rejoyce in their sufferings , act. . . this is praemium ante praemium , even heaven afore-hand : some clusters of grapes of that celestial canaan . a good conscience will not only stand under the greatest pressures , as we see in st. paul , cor. . . . we had the sentence of death in our selves , that we should not trust in our selves , but in god which raiseth the dead . for our rejoycing is this , the testimony of our conscience , that in simplicity and godly sincerity , not with fleshly wisdom , but by the grace of god , we have had our conversation in the world. but goes as merrily to dye , in a good cause , as ever he did to dine , as we see in divers of the martyrs . be the air cleer or cloudy , he enjoys a continual serenity , and sits always at the blessed feast , whereat the angels are continually the blessed cooks and butlers ( as luther phraseth it ) and the three persons of the trinity are gladsome guests . a good conscience is a full feast , a lasting feast , not for a day , as was nabal's : nor for seven dayes , as was that of sampson : no nor for ninescore dayes , as was of that ahasherus : but a durable feast without intermission of solace , or interruption of society . vis ergo ( o homo ) semper epulari ? vis nunquam tristis esse ( saith bernard ) bene vive . would'st thou never be sad ? would'st thou turn thy whole life into a merry festival ? get and keep a good conscience . prov. . . a merry heart doth good like a medicine . all true mirth is from the peace of conscience : when faith hath healed the conscience , there is a sabbath of rest , and blessed tranquillity lodged in the soul , and then the body also is vigorous for the most part , and in good plight and healthful . eccles . . . &c. go thy way ( saith solomon there to one that hath a good conscience ) eat thy bread with joy , and drink thy wine with a merry heart — let thy garments be always white , and let thy head lack no oyntment , &c. that is , be merry at thy meals , light-some in thy cloaths , painful and cheerful in thy calling , &c. all which do much further health . such shall renew their strength : they shall mount up with wings as eagles : they shall run and not be weary : and they shall walk and not faint , isa . . . let a man be sound within , and at peace with his own conscience , and he will be able bravely to bear up under unspeakable pressures , as did st. paul , cor. . . . as an old beaten porter to the cross : maluit toller are quàm deplorare : his stroak was heavier than his groaning , job . . conscience is frequently in scripture called the spirit of a man , as being planted by god in every part of the reasonable soul , where she produceth , occasionally , several operations , as being the souls school-master , monitor , and domestical preacher : god's spy , and man's over-seer : the principal commander , and chief controuler of all his desires , and doings . conscience is a most celestial gift ▪ it is so of god and in man , that it is a kind of middle thing between god and man ; less than god , and yet above man ▪ it may be called our god , in the sense that moses was called pharaoh's god , having power to controul and avenge our disobedience with greater plagues than ever moses brought upon egypt . many seek for knowledge , few care for conscience ; yet is conscience got with more ease , and kept with more advantage than all our science . keep conscience pure , and it will keep thee in peace . let men , the world , and the devils do their worst , they cannot hurt him that hath a good conscience , saith bernard . a good conscience is the paradise that god walks in , the throne that christ sits upon ; the temple that the holy spirit dwels in ; the golden-pot wherein is kept the hidden manna , &c. conscience is the book of books ; the ancientest piece of scripture in the world . the first tables of god's own hewing , and hand-writing in the heart of man , for whose sake all other books since , yea , the scripture it self , was afterwards written on purpose to comment upon it . this is the book that every man should be well versed in . to study other books will make thee a schollar , but to study this will make thee a christian . peace of conscience is worth our utmost endeavour : it will make a man sleep without a pillow , yea , without a bed. hence it was that jacob took such good rest upon a stone : that peter ( loaden with iron chains ) could sleep so sweetly tho ( for ought he knew ) he was to dye the next day : that mr philpot and his fellow prisoners could rouse as merrily in the straw , in the b b of london's colehouse , as if they had been upon down beds in a pallace . it is a feast with any food tho never so course and slender . it made those blessed martyrs in the reign of severus the emperor ( of whom eusebius writes ) that after long and hard imprisonment , being released for a time , they appeared to the people as those that came è myrothecia non ergastulo ; rather out of shops from among sweet oyntments ▪ than out of filthy prisons . they were brought forth ( saith he ) rejoycing in their torments , and carrying in their countenances a certain divine aspect this inward peace of conscience made the prophet isay cheerfully to submit himself to the saw : jeremiah to be stoned : paul to the sword : peter to the cross : lawrence to the grid-iron , &c. prov. . . — the righteous is bold as a lyon. conscintia pura semper secura . a good conscience hath a secure confidence , and he that hath it , sits ( noah-like ) mediis tranquillus in undis : quiet in the greatest combustions : freed , if not from the common destruction , yet from the common distraction . for he knows whom he hath trusted , and is sure that neither life nor dèath , nor things present , nor things to come , can ever sunder him from god's love in christ , rom. . , . tho saul could not be merry without a fidler : ahab without naboth's vineyard : nor haman without mordecai's curtesie : yet he that hath a good conscience can be merry without all these : yea , as the lilly is fresh , beautiful , and looks pleasantly tho among thorns : so can such an one exult in the midst of troubles . st. paul ( tho no man out of hell ever suffered more then he ) yet did he not only glory in tribulations , but over-abounded exceedingly with joy , cor. . . there are four quiet consciences , and never a one of them good . first , the ignorant conscience , which ( with the blind man ) swallows many a fly , and know's it not , ephe. . , . secondly , the conscience that was never yet well awakened : the sleeping conscience : but sin lyes at the door . his bones are full of the sin of his youth , which shall lye down with him in the dust , job . . this is worse than a troubled conscience . here the strong man armed keepeth possession , and therefore all things are at peace , luke . . thirdly , the deluded conscience , that dreams of nothing but visions of peace , lam. . . being deluded by satan and his instruments , as ahab was by his false prophets , kin. . , . most men are in this condition , zech. . . — behold , all the earth sits still , and is at rest , zeph. . . — i will punish the men that are setled on their lees , &c. these dye like lambs and are accounted happy , jer. . . fourthly , the obdurate conscience . these treasure up wrath against the day of wrath , rom. . . job . . there is no greater a plague than such a conscience . david , before he was smitten , either by god's hand , or by the prophet's reproof , his own sanctified conscience did the office of a faithful monitor , and houshold chaplain ; for his heart presently mis-gave him , chron. . . sam. . bee-masters tell us that those are the best hives that make the greatest noise : sure it is , that that is the best conscience that suffers not a man to sleep in sin. david's heart smote him for numbring the people ; it was for his own , for a small , for a secret sin ; for failing in the manner only ; for he knew that a man might as well dye of an in ward bleeding , as of an outward wound . the good soul is often afflicted for it's failings in those duties which others applaud and extoll . a good and a peaceable conscience ( saith bernard ) est lectus animae . the bed on which the soul takes sweet repose . behold the considence of a good conscience towards god , pet. . . when it is parling with god by prayer , and bold intercession ! it dares plead with god as jeremy did , righteous art thou , o lord , when i plead with thee : yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments , &c. jer. . . and interrogates as st. paul , rom. . , , . who shall lay any thing to the charge of gods elect ? it is god that justifies : who is he that condemns , & c ? and expostulates with god as david often did . when god seems to be asleep he will awaken him : when to delay he will quicken him : when to have lost his wonted kindness , he will find it for him . in pure water the face may be seen , not so in muddy : so in a pure conscience gods face may be seen , and no where else in the earth . as faith makes the conscience good before god , so purity makes it good before men . the unlearned man with a good conscience ( saith st. austin ) will go to heaven , when thou with all thy learning shalt be cast into hell. surgunt indocti & rapiunt regnum coelorum , &c. faith looks to promises ; fear to threats ; hope to futures ; obedience to duties ; repentance to sins , &c. but conscience looks to all . a good conscience will stand a man instead when he appears before the great tribunal of god , where courage dares not shew it's face ; nor eloquence open it's mouth ; nor majesty hath any respect ; nor greatness hath any favour ; where money bears no mastery ( as that martyr said ) to be feasted with the fruits of a good conscience is angels food , and some of the sweet-meats of heaven , as a tormenting conscience is one of the greatest miseries of hell. no man can attain to a good conscience , but by a careful and diligent keeping of his heart , saith bernard . a good conscience hath ever one eye upon god , to observe his precepts , and the other up to god , by prayer to begg his direction , and assistance . every man would willingly live and dye comfortably . no way so to do but by laying up a foundation of comfort in an holy conversation : a wicked man would gladly forget himself , and run away from himself : he cannot look backward , or inward to himself , without guilt and horror : it was therefore good counsel of an old rabbi , ne sis impius coram te ipso : be not wicked in thine own sight : learn to reverence thy conscience . no such good companion as a good conscience : a man may then dare to be acquainted with himself , as some men have written the history of their own lives . a leper cares not much for a looking-glass , because he shall see by it nothing but his own deformity . a bank-rupt cannot abide to cast up his account , because he shall find himself worse than nothing : but he that leads a holy life is like to a man who hath travelled over a beautiful valley , and being on the top of the hill , turns about with delight to take a view of it again . a good conscience will be a noah's ark to save us from perishing with the world : a zoar to shelter us from wrath to come . it will be a simon to help us to bear our crosses . his motto is , miser sit qui miser esse potest : let who will be miserable , he cannot . to get , and keep a good conscience , we must dislodg two home-bred innmates : . carnal delights . rest not in these ; in wealth ; in men : rely not on wines , meats , musick , pleasures , company &c. these will deceive in times of distress . besides , nature soon putrifies and turns to corruption , and so proves baneful . . take heed of sinful lusts : these war against the peace and comfort of the soul , pet. . . yea , they are so far from comforting that they oppress . the end of such mirth is heaviness of spirit , sorrow , fear , anguish , tribulation , and woe upon every soul , that wallow's in such sensual sins . conceive therefore of sin ( yea of every sin ) as of a disease , a wound , an enemy to peace , and complain and strive against it . still walk in the light , and keep thy self in god's presence , so peace shall be upon thee , and thy spirit shall be held up in cheerfulness . oh the power of conscience ! as it makes an happy estate miserable if bad : so a miserable condition blessed if good. as will fully appear in this rare example . anno christi , . there was one algerius , a student in padua , a young man of excellent learning , who , having attained to the knowledge of the truth , ceased not by instruction and example to teach it to others ; for which , being accused to the pope , by his command he was cast into prison , where he lay long , and during that time he wrote a most affectionate letter to the distressed saints , wherein , among many others sweet expressions , he thus writeth : i cannot but communicate unto you some portion of my delectations , and joys which i feel and find : who would believe that in this dark dungeon i should find a paradise of pleasure ? for in this place of sorrow and death dwells tranquillity , and hope of life : in an infernal cave i have joy of soul : i have found honey in the entrails of a lyon : where others weep i rejoyce : where others tremble i have strength and boldness , &c. all these things the sweet hand of the lord doth minister unto me : he doth comfort me , and fills me with gladness : he drives away all sorrow , and strengthens , encourages , heals , refreshes , and advanceth me , &c. collected out of the works of b p. reynolds , dr. harris , dr. stoughton , &c. by s. c. about charity . the emblem of charity is a naked child giving honey to a bee without wings . naked because excuseless and simple ; a child , because tender and growing : giving honey , because honey is pleasant and comfortable : to a bee , because a bee is painful and deserving : without wings , because helpless and wanting . if thou deniest unto such thou killest a bee : if thou givest to other than such , thou preservest a drone . not to give to the poor is to take from him : not to feed the hungry , if thou hast it , is to the utmost of thy power to kill him . that therefore thou may'st avoid both sacriledg and murther , be charitable . be not too cautious in discerning the fit objects of thy charity , lest a person perish through thy discretion . what thou givest to mistaken want , shall return a blessing to thy deceived heart . 't is better in relieving idleness to commit an accidental evil , than in neglecting misery to omit an essential good . better two drones be preserved , than one bee perish . god takes particular notice ; and books down every act and work of mercy that is done to his people , even to a little cake of bread , kin. . . and to a cup of cold water , mat. . . water that is a cheap thing . cold water ; no matter either of cost or pains . even this shall be rewarded . christ comes in his flesh to you , when poor christians come to you : he presents a pale face , a thin cheek : he presents a bare arm or leg to you . will you not do something to support christ ? and to cloth christ in his members ? shall the bones of christ stare , and stand out ? shall the naked flesh , and skin of christ pine away for want of succour ? christians that come to you are your own flesh , isa . . . and shall the head do nothing for the foot ? and shall the hand and eyes do nothing for the leg ? what! not for it's own flesh ? and for those that be of the same body ? give cheerfully , and bless god that you have an estate to give ; and bless god that you have an opportunity to give , and an heart to give : and that hereby you make god a sharer in your wealth and plenty , and your selves sharers in his blessedness . therefore bless your self ; bless your houses ; bless your estates : for it 's a blesseder thing to give than to receive , act. . . as husband-men cast some of their corn back into a fruitful soil , whereby ( in due time ) they reap with advantage : so should we do with our worldly blessings : sow them in the bowels , and upon the backs of the poor members of christ , and in the day of harvest we shall find a great encrease . alms in greek comes from a word that signifies to pitty , because they should proceed from a merciful and pittiful heart . and in the hebrew and syriack , it 's called righteousness , as being by right due to the poor . in works of charity , our scattering is an encreasing : no spending but a lending : no laying out but a laying up , prov. . . there is that scattereth , and yet encreaseth , &c. and chap . . he that hath pitty on the poor , lendeth unto the lord : and that which he hath given will he repay him again . bounty is the most compendious way to plenty : neither is getting , but giving the best thrift . the poor mans hand is christ's treasury , and he that puts therein foeneratur domino , lends to the lord upon usury ; and the lord binds himself and gives it under his hand , that he will repay him fully and abundantly ; mostly in this world ; but infallibly in the world to come . ' thou know'st not ( saith solomon , eccles . . . ) what evil shall be upon the earth : therefore lay up lustily , or rather lay out liberally , and so lay up for a rainy-day . thou may'st soon be stript of thy goods , and as much need other mens mercy , as they now need thine . sow therefore whilst thou hast it , that thou may'st reap again in due season . water , that thou may'st be watered again , prov. : . lay up for thy self a good foundation against the time to come , tim. . . part freely with that which thou art not fure to keep , that thou may'st gain that which thou art sure never to lose , prov. , . he that giveth to the poor shall not lack . as the sun draws up vapours into the air , not to retain them there , but to return them to the earth , for the comfort of the creatures : so those that have attracted to themselves much riches , should pour them out plentifully for the relief of the poor , eccle. . . rich mens houses should be god's store-houses . the righteous rich man know's it , and therefore he disperseth abroad , psal . . . his righteousness ( and his riches too ) endureth for ever . whereas the wicked rich man retaineth his riches to rot with him . he feeds upon earth like the serpent ; and strives ( with the toad ) to dye with his mouth full of earth . the rottenness of his riches , the canker of his cash , the moth in his garments shall be a witness against him ( jam. . . &c. ) he shall surely be arraigned as an arrant thief : as a cursed cousener , who having a better thing by him , brings a worse , mal. . . some there be that make themselves poor lest they should help the poor : as pope alexander said of himself , that when he was a b b. he was rich , when a cardinal , poor , and when he was a pope a plain beggar . as the bee is abroad so soon as ever the sun breaks forth : so should we be always ready to every good work , eccles . . . sow mercy in the morning : sow likewise in the evening , as the bountiful macedonians did , cor. . . who to their power , yea , and beyond their power were willing . sow much , and sow oft of this fruitful seed , and you shall be sure to reap at your greatest need . god is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love , &c. heb. . . tho men should prove ungrateful . haply , you may not sow and reap on the same day , as the widdow of sarepta did : the seed may lye some while under ground , and not be quickned except it dye ; but have patience a while ; nothing is more certain than a crop of comfort to the merciful . what a shame is it for christians that there is no proportion between their receits from god , and their layings out for god ? that those which are rich in this world should not be rich in good works ? that they lay not by for pious , and charitable uses , according as god hath blessed them ; as they are exhorted , cor. . . but that they should be the richer the harder : like children that have their mouths full , and both their hands-full , and yet will part with none , but spill it rather . 't is observed of men that grow fat , that they have so much the less blood ; and so the fatter that men are in their estates , the less blood , life , and spirits they have for god. mercy should flow from men as water doth from a fountain ; or light from the sun , freely . it should not be wrung from them as verjuice is from crabs : or as distilled water that is forced out by the heat of the fire . the love of christ should constrain us to look out for some of his receivers ( as david did the posterity of jonathan ) to whom we may shew mercy for his sake . in case of extraordinary necessity , and exigency , the poor widdow must part with her little all. the sareptan must be no niggard of her oyl tho it be at the bottom . the deep poverty of the macedonians must abound to the riches of their liberality , who to their power , and beyond it too , were willing thereunto , cor. . . . the day-labourer must give something out of his gets . the servant out of his wages , ephe. . . the ruler must not exact his right , nehem. . . nor the landed man spare to sell that he hath , to give alms thereof , luk. . . as they did , act. . . god lays his solemn charge upon us to be rich in good works . now if god should charge the rocks , they would send forth water : if the stones , they would become bread : if the ravens , they would feed elias : if the quails , they would victual the camp : if the clouds , they would rain down food for his poor people . and shall we be more rocky than rocks ? more stony than stones ? more ravenous than ravens ? more sensless than birds ? and more empty than the clouds ? provide you bags that wax not old , saith our blessed saviour , luk. . . that are never the worse for wearing : treasure in heaven that faileth not ; but the more you take from it , the more you add to it . it will grow in your hands , as the loaves did in our saviour's : as the oyl did in the widdows cruse . as the water doth in a living spring . riches are a meer uncertainty , an obscurity , a fallacy . one while they appear ; another while they disappear , as meteors in the air ; as dive-dappers in the water : as a flock of birds in a man's field , which he cannot call his own because they sit there ; for they betake them to their wings and fly away . therefore we should take care ; first , to keep them so long as we can : secondly : to use them so well as we can : but neither can we assure riches , nor use them better , than by bestowing them on the poor . many miserly muck-worms are like to the muck-hill , that never doth good till it be carried out . like the fat hog that is good for nothing till he comes to the knife . like the poor mans box , that yields no money till it be broken . like to trees that let fall none of their fruit till they be violently shaken . 't is fabled of midas , that whatsoever he touched was turned into gold : sure it is that whatsoever the hand of charity touches , tho it be but a cup of cold water , it turneth it , not into gold , but into heaven . but charity is now so fled , that elias wants his hostess of sarepta : elisha the sunamite : st. paul cannot find the purpuriss : nor peter the tanner . job we have not : and obadiah we find not . captain cornelius is a black swan : and good onesiphorus is not to be heard of , most men have shut up their bowels , and buried them afore-hand . their hearts are hardened , and their hands are withered . of mouth ▪ mercy indeed there is good store , as there was in st. jame's his days : go and be warmed fed , clothed : but with what ? a fire , a feast , a suit of words : but a little hand-full were far better than many of these mouth-fulls . were their blessing worth an half-penny ( as the beggar told the cardinal they would be advised how they parted with it . look how it is with the moon , the fuller she is of light the farther she is from the sun : and as the sun moveth slowest when he is highest in the zodiack : so are they usually slowest to give who are highest in their estates . . charity by the antients was pictured like a child , because the charitable must be humble , and courteous like a child . she was pictured naked , because she seeketh not her own . she looked merrily , god loves a cheerful giver : charity was covered with a cloud : alms must be given privately . charity held a bloody heart in her right hand : a good man is merciful ; he first pittieth , and then relieveth . charity offered honey to a bee without wings : that is , helps such as would , but cannot help themselves . unworthy we are doubtless of such an honour , as to relieve hungry , thirsty , naked christ in his poor members . the macedonians called and counted it a favour that they might have their hand in so good a work , cor. . . david thanked god that of his own he would receive an offering , chron. . . men sow cheerfully upon good ground , and account their seed better in the ground than in the garner . and is not mercy as sure a grain as vanity ? sow therefore plentifully ; sow cheerfully , mich. . . love mercy . god likes not that our alms should come from us as drops of blood from our heart ; but like life honey from the comb : that we be glad of an opportunity of shewing mercy , and rather seek than want an object for it . the liberal soul shall be made fat , and he that watereth shall be watered himself : his soul shall- be like a watered garden , &c. isa . . , . of stephen , king of hungary ; and of oswald , one of our saxon kings , it is storied , that their right hands after death never putrified , because they had been much imployed in relieving the poor and afflicted . sure it is that their souls that do it in a right manner , decay not , dye not , wither not , see prov. . . luke . , . &c. and for the bodies of such , see the promise : if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry , then shall thy health spring out speedily , isa . . . and if the merciful man be sick , god will make his bed in all his sicknss : god will stir up the feathers under him : mercy shall be his cordial , and his pillow of sweet repose . for the good names of such : the liberal shall have love , and respect with men : a good repute and report both alive and dead ; and this is better than precious oyntments , eccles . . . and than riches , prov. . . whereas the vile shall not be called liberal , nor nabal be called nadib : the churl bountiful in christ's kingdom , isa . . . for their estates : the liberal man deviseth liberal things , and by liberal things he shall stand : a man would think , he should fall rather by being so bountiful : but on the contrary , he takes a right course to thrive : for getting is not the way to abundance , but giving : the gainfulest art is alms-giving , saith st. chrysostom . whatsoever we scatter to the poor , we gather for ourselves ; saith another . riches thus laid out , are laid up : non pereunt sed parturiunt ; said a third . by our liberality christ accounts himself both gratified and engaged , prov. . . god will bless his stock , and his store , deut. . . his righteousness ( and his riches too ) shall endure for ever , prov. . . he that gives to the poor shall not lack . lastly : for his posterity : the righteous is merciful and lendeth , and his seed is blessed , psal . . . jonathan was paid for his kindness to david in his son mephibosheth : jethro , for his love to moses in the kenites , sam. . . whereas the children of unmerciful men are threatened , psal . . . . eccles . . for either he leaves it to a prodigal , that rides to hell with golden spurs ; and forks it abroad , as fast as the miser , his father raked it together : or if he be a good husband , yet usually he thrives not , but it melts away as snow before the sun. and for the life to come : such lay hold upon eternal life , which is assured to them whilst they live here , prov. . . and . . mat. . . jam. . . and enjoyed by them hereafter , luk. . . . pet. . . mat. . . &c. he that denies to give god the interest of his gifts , by charity , forfeits the principal : and he that takes in his worldly commodities without paying to god his custom , shall lose the whole . of judg manwood it is recorded , that his salary was not more fixed than his charity . he and the poor had one revenue ; one quarter-day : instead of hiding his face from the poor , it was his practice to seek for them , laying out , by trustees for pensioners , either hopeful , or indigent ; whereof he had a catalogue , which made the best comment upon that text , the liberal man deviseth liberal things . this is the best conveyance that ever lawyer made ; to have and to hold to him and his heirs for ever . when thou seest misery in thy brother's face , let him see mercy in thine eye . the more the oyl of mercy is poured on him by thy pitty , the more the oyl in thy cruse shall be encreased by thy piety . proportion thy charity to the strength of thine estate , lest god proportion thine estate to the weakness of thy charity . let the lips of the poor be the trumpets of thy gifts , lest in seeking applause thou losest thy reward . nothing is more pleasing unto god than an open hand , and a close mouth . those reprobates spoken of , mat. . . robbed not the saints , but relieved them not . moab and amon were basterdized and banished the sanctuary to the tenth generation for a meer omission , because they met not god's israel with bread and water in the wilderness : and edom is sore threat'ned for not harbouring them , in the prophecy of obadiah . the spirits of wealth distilled in good works , do much comfort a man's conscience . the liberal are renowned in the earth : as abraham , that free-hearted house-keeper : obadiah : zacheus : cornelius : gaius : onesiphorus : dorcas , &c. artaxerxes longimanus was wont to say , that he had therefore one hand longer than another , that he might be readier to give than to receive . of cyrus it 's said , that he took more delight and content in giving , than in receiving , it was a greater trouble to severus the emperor to be asked nothing than to give much . when any of his courtiers had not made bold with him in that kind , he would call him , and say , quid est cur nihil petes ? what meanest thou that thou askest me nothing ? he is worthily miserable that will not make himself happy by asking . they who are divites opibus , must be divites operibus too . their fruit must be plentiful as well as their estates . there may be a narrow heart and a starved charity , where there is a large estate , as in nabal : and there may be a large and bountiful heart , where there is but a poor and narrow estate , as in the poor widdow , mat. . . and in the corinthians , cor. . . god's mercy to us should be a strong argument to provoke us to shew mercy to our brethren . his was to enemies , ours is to brethren : his to debtors , ours to fellow-servants : his of free-grace to me , mine a just debt to a brother , rom. . . his for ever to me , mine but for a moment to my brother : his in talents to me , mine but in pence to my brother : his in blood to me , mine but in bread to my brother : his mercy enriches me , mine leaves my brother poor still . if i then live by the mercy that i do enjoy , and must be saved by the mercy that i do expect , shall so much mercy shine on me , and none reflect from me upon my poor brother ? shall all the waters of life run from christ unto me , as those of jordan into a dead sea , to be lost and buried there ? wherefore doth the sun shine , and the rain fall upon the earth , but that it may be fruitful ? christ is the fountain , rich men the conduit , and poor men the vessels , which are there and thence supplied . god gives us all things richly : the earth empties into our coffers her silver and her gold : the pastures send us in cattel : the fields corn : the sea fish : the air fowl : one country sends us in wine : another spices : one silk , and another furs : one delicates , and another ornaments . god gives us the light of the sun ; the influences of the stars ; the protection of angels ; the righteousness of his son ; the graces of his spirit , and the hope of his glory ; yea , himself and the all-sufficiency of his power for our portion , and shall not all this move us to imitate his example , in being rich in good works ? if we do not give , we shall not live . if we do not do good , we shall not receive good . if we do not lay out , we shall not lay up . if we keep our money , we shall perish with our money . if we return it unto heaven , we shall be gainers by it . wares laid up in a low moist room , will rot and corrupt : but those that be laid up in high lofts will be kept sound and safe : so if we lay up our treasures only in this world , they will perish and come to nothing ; but those which ( by charity ) we treasure up in heaven , will be ever sure and safe , mat. . . william warham , a. b. of canterbury , was so bountiful to the poor in his life time , that at his death he had in all his treasury but thirty pieces of gold , which when he heard of , it pleased him so well , that he said : it is well ; i always desired to die no richer . philip melancthon was so bountiful , even in a mean estate , that every hour something was given to the poor at his door . the motto of the good emperor tiberius constantius was , stips pauperum the-saurus divitum ; the rich man's treasure is the poor man's stock . basil the great in a time of famine did not only liberally relieve the poor himself : but earnestly exhorted all others , especially the rich to open their barns and do the like . some of dr. harris 's speeches . concerning a good woman under great temptations and spiritual desertion , that could find no comfort after all means used for the obtaining of it , he would often say ; that the difference was not great , whether comfort came at death or an hour after , since comfort would come assuredly . in his last sickness being desired to admit of company , he said : i am alone in company : 't is all one to me to be left alone , or to have friends with me . my work is now to arm my self for death which assaults me , and i apply my self ( as i am able ) for that great encounter . to all that came about him his frequent counsel was , that above all things they should get faith : for ( said he ) 't is your victory , your peace , your life , your crown , and your chief piece of spiritual armour : howbeit , get on all the other pieces , and then go forth in the lord's might , stand to the fight , and the issue shall be glorious : only forget not to call in the help of your general : do all from him and under him . being asked where his comfort lay ? he answered ; in christ , and in the free grace of god. some telling him that he might have much comfort in his labours , &c. he replied ; all is nothing without a saviour , without him my best works would condemn me . oh! i am ashamed of them , being mixed with so much sin. oh! i am an unprofitable servant ; i have not done any thing for god as i ought : loss of time sits heavy upon my spirit . work , work apace : assure your self that nothing will more trouble you when you come to dye , than that you have done no more for god , who hath done so much for you . sometimes he used thus to breath out himself , i never in all my life saw the worth of a christ nor tasted the sweetness of god's love in that measure as now i do . when he was asked , what should be done for him ? his answer was : do not only pray for me , but praise god for his unspeakable mercy to me ; and in particular , that he hath kept off satan from me in this day of my weakness . oh! how good is god! entertain good thoughts of him . however it be with us , we cannot think too well of him , nor too bad of our selves . a reverend doctor being to pray with him , asked him , what he would have chiefly remembred ? he answered : i praise god , he supports me , and keeps off satan from me : beg that i may hold out : i am now in a good way home , even quite spent . i am now at the shore : i leave you tossing on the sea. oh! it 's a good time to dye in . another time being asked how he did ? he answered : in no great pain ( i praise god ) only aweary of mine unuseful life . if god hath no more service for me to do here , i could be gladly in heaven , where i shall serve him better ; free from sins and distractions . i pass from one death to another , yet i fear none . i praise god i can live , and i dare dye . if god hath more work for me to do here , i am willing to do it , tho my infirm body be very weary . being asked whether sickness , pain &c. caused him to desire death ? he answered , no : but i now do no good , and i hinder others which might be better imployed , if i were gone . why should any desire to live but to do god service ? now i cease from that , i do not live. his usual saying was , that he valued no man for his gifts , but for humility under them . neither should he expect much from any man , were his parts never so great , till he was broken with afflictions , and temptations . his observation was , that the humblest preachers converted most souls , not the choicest schollars whilst unbroken . he sometimes said , that it 's better to be an humble devil than a proud angel : which tho a seeming contradiction , yet hath it much truth in it . he often said , that he had rather pour liquor into his boots than into his mouth between meals . the rule , which he gave to his children was this : when you are youths chuse your own callings , when you are men chuse your own wives , only take me along with you : it may be an old man may see further than you . he used to say , that a preacher hath three books to study , first the bible , second himself : and thirdly the people . that preaching to his people was but one part of a pastor's duty . he was to live and dye in them , as well as for , and with them . his counsel to young preachers was , that they should rather preach one sermon ten times over , than to speak any thing new without preparation . concerning himself he said , that he never came off with less comfort , and worse content to himself , than when he was in appearance best provided . and he gave this reason for it , not because he had used such diligence in preparing ( for that was his duty ) but because he was then aptest to depend upon himself , and to neglect his dependance upon god. of the antient fathers his saying was , that unless it were for their polemical , and historical parts , their writings were more for devotion and affection , than for their judgment and understanding . concerning the times wherein he lived , some things lay sadly upon his spirit . as . he complained that the power of godliness , and exercise of love , and self-denial were much abated in these latter days : and he much bewailed the vast difference both in garb , and practice , between new and old professors . . that the indulgence which was shewed to tender consciences , was much abused to profaneness , whilst men of no conscience most pleaded that liberty of choosing their own churches and teachers , when indeed , on the matter , they abandoned all . . that liberty of prophecying which some pretended to , was abused to meer licentiousness and confusion , whilst some would have none , and others all prophets and preachers . . that in the universities few could be called constant students in those times , but the most made a short work of it , and posted into the pulpit before they understood their grounds ; so that few were able to encounter with the growing errors of those times . . that in the church , men were in their extreams , some pressing nothing but the law , others preaching nothing but the gospel and christ . . he complained of the want of catechizing , and instructing youth in the principles of religion , the want of which , he saw by experience , was a great occasion of the peoples giddiness . . but most of all he bewailed the readiness of many to side , and to make divisions : and himself loved not , either to use , or to hear used dividing names and titles . he observed that such as often changed their principles , and faith professed , usually fell from scepticism to atheism . that so much humility any man had , so much grace and worth he had , and no more . that nothing was to be accounted good in or to any man , but that which was his proper fruit and done by vertue of his calling , from a principle of god and for god. that the best man hath no security from any one sin or fall , or temptation , any further , or longer than he is held up by god's hand and christ's mediation . that god doth oftentimes leave us to own satan's suggestions for our own , because we do not own god in his holy motions and breathings . that it 's just with god to deny us the comfort of our graces , when we deny him the glory of them . in himself he observed , that what he forgot in the week-days , would unseasonably press in on the lord's day , so that he could ( if he durst ) contrive more worldly businesses upon the lord's day , than he could dispatch all the week after . that he found no greater enemy than discouragement ; which he called , the child of pride and unbelief . he used to say , that some duties which were oft in mens mouths as easy , he found very difficult to him . as . to deny himself in all his selfs , was a work to be learning whilst he lived . . to live only by faith and a bare promise , without a pawn , is a great work . . to give all to free-grace , and to christ alone , is a mighty work. . to love where we meet with unlovingness and contempt is no easie matter . . to do ones proper work without some present pay and countenance from god and man , is a hard task . . that it 's a far harder work to adopt other mens ▪ comforts , than their sorrows , and to hold ones self exalted in anothers exaltation . . that to dye in cold blood , and to be active in it as an act of obedience , is the work of a christian indeed . in his last sickness , upon sundry occasions , he thus vented himself . it 's a hard thing to think ill of our selves , and well of god at the same time . it 's a hard thing for a child of god to forgive himself some faults , even when god hath forgiven them . it 's hard to retain holy thoughts long , and to confine them to another man's prayers . we know but little of christ's love till all be perfected , and spread before us in heaven . his advice to his wife was , that if she married again , she should remember her own observation , which was this ; that second husbands are usually very uxorious , and second wives very prevalent : therefore ( said he ) take heed that you do no ill offices by estranging your husband from his former children , or kindred . for you shall draw upon him a great sin and judgment , if you kill natural affections towards them . his advice to his children ; was , first , for your souls : trifle not in the main point : your souls are immortal : you have to deal with an infinite majesty : you go upon life and death , therefore here be serious : do all to god in a serious manner . when you think of him , speak of him , pray to him ; any way make your addresses to his great and glorious . majesty , be in good earnest . for have god and have all . more particularly , get your pardon in christ : it is not impossible to get it assured to you , if you will learn , . to deny your selves , . to live by faith , . to understand the nature of the new covenant . settle your judgments in these points , and the thing is feasible . secondly , having gotten it , be still adding to your evidences , and enjoy your present assurance . do all to god as to your father . next to this , think how you and i shall endure the sight , the thought one of another at the last day , if you appear in the old adam : much less shall you stand before christ , unless you shew the image of christ , in you ; and therefore never cease till you be made new creatures , and study well what that is . in the last place strive for those graces most which concern your places and conditions , and make head against those sins which most threaten you : as . hereditary sins , . sins of the times , and places where you live , . of your constitutions and age , . of your callings . in short , do not talk and make a noise , to get a name of forward men , but do the thing . be constant in secret duties , and act religion in your callings : for it is not a name , or notion . 't is a frame of nature , and habit of living by the divine rule . what it is you will then know when you have it , in truth first , and in power next , and not before . only this for the present ; 't is that which you must live and dye by , that which you must rise and reign by . therefore ( my children ) be more than you seem : do more than you talk of in point of religion . satisfie your own consciences in what you do ; all men you shall never satisfie ; nay , some will not be satisfied tho they be convinced . for your bodies . to prevent hereditary diseases : . disclaim hereditary sins , . keep heads clean , feet warm , and hearts cheerful , . be frequent in some bodily exercise , . shun late drinking , or studying , . use light suppers . for your callings . first , chuse well , . a profitable calling for the publick , . a full imployment , . a calling fit for your parts and means . 't is better to be a rich cobler than a poor merchant . secondly , use your calling well , . make it an help , not a snare to your souls , . be . diligent , . skilful , any honest calling will honour you , if thus you honour it . for your company . abandon all infectious , flattering , self-serving companions : when you have once found them false , trust them no more . sort with such as are able to do , or receive good . solomon gives you the best counsel for this , in many places . read the proverbs , and remember him in these , . for sake not an old friend , . be friendly and faithfull to your friends , . never trouble or trust friends unless there be a necessity , . be long in closing with friends , and loth to lose them upon experience of them . for your marriages . in marriages you lay the foundation of your present wo or weal : therefore here be not rash : go not alone : yet remember what st. paul saith , cor. . . nevertheless , to avoid fornication , let every man have his own wife , &c. first , study whether you have a calling to marry yea or no , and advise well of that . if none , forbear : if so , advise with friends before your affections be engaged . in your choise , aim at , . grace , . good nature , and education . the best woman is not ever the best wife ; . good parts of understanding , huswifery , &c. as for portion , be it more or less , be upon certainties , and trust not words . and for parentage , let not the distance be too great lest you despise or be despised . however , be sure that the person likes not your fancy , but your judgment . for your children . make it your chiefest work to make them , first , godly , . useful . bestow most of their portions in their education : and if grace make no difference , do you make none in your affections , countenance , portion ; partiality this way , ends in nothing else but envy , strangness , &c. for your selves among your selves . my desire hath been to carry an even hand towards you all , and have laboured to reduce you ( as near as i could , all circumstances considered ) to an equality ; and therefore my last request and charge is , that you will live together in an undivided bond of love. you are many , and if you joyn together as one man , you need not want any thing , what counsel , what comfort , what money , what friends may you not help your selves unto , if each will contribute his aid ? wherefore ( my dear children ) i pray , i beseech , i command , i adjure you by all the relations , and dearness that hath ever been betwixt us , that you know one another , visit ( as you may ) one another ; comfort , counsel , relieve , succour , help , admonish one another . whilst your mother lives , meet there if it be possible , yearly . when she is dead pitch upon some other place ; if it may be , let it be your elder brother's house ; and if you cannot meet , yet send to , and hear one from another upon all occasions . and when you have neither father nor mother , be so many fathers and mothers each to other ; so you shall understand the blessing mentioned , psal . . . behold , how good , and how pleasant it is , for brethren to dwell together in vnity ! &c. for your estates . be not troubled that you are below others , it may be , of your kindred . get more wisdom , humility , goodness , and you will be above them : only this do : . study work more then wages , . deal with your hearts to make them less , . begin low , . joyn together to help one another , . rest upon the promises , which are many and precious this way , . sow mercy , and if all other means fail you , that shall maintain you . object not , but trust in god. for the publick . bless god that you are born englishmen , and women , and bear your selves dutifully , and conscionably towards authority . see god in the magistrate , and hold order a precious thing . and for the church neither set her above her husband , christ , nor below her children . give her that honour , obedience , and respect that is her due . be neither authors , nor fautors of any , either faction , or novelty . it is true ; this is not a rising way , but it is a free , fair , and comfortable way for a man to follow his own judgment , without warping to either hand . a great man told king henry the th . that reason of state was reason of law. that the king should never stick at law , in case of publick good ; and yet that all his acts for publick good should come as near as possible to the law. thomas , marquess of dorcet , finding king henry the th pensive , told him boldly , that never was that man merry that had more than one woman in his bed , more than one friend in his bosom , and more than one faith in his heart . state worthies , p. . he that is master of my heart ( said a wise man ) is master of my life . if my shirt ( said metellus ) knew my mind , i would burn it . it 's pitty he ever learned to speak , that know's not how to be silent . i would first be so wise ( said a great man ) as to be mine own counsellor , and next so secret as to be mine own counsel-keeper . how dar'st thou be so plain ? said heliogabalus to one of his courtiers : because i dare dye , said he . i can but dye if i am faithful , and i must dye tho i flatter . it 's an excellent rule ; ask an inferior man's advice in private , that he may be free and a superior's in publick , that he may be respectful . a country-man in spain coming to an image , the first making whereof he could well remember , and not finding from the same that respectful usage which he expected : you need not ( quoth he ) be so proud : for we have known you ever since you were a plumb-tree . edward d. king of england having sent to france to demand the crown by his maternal right , the council there sent him word , that the crown of france was not tyed to a distaff : to which he replied , that then he would tye it to his sword. he was a wise man that said : delay hath undone many for the other world : haste hath undone more for this . time well managed saves all in both . it 's said of grandees : that they are the first that find their own griefs , and the last that find their faults . men of great fortune are stangers to themselves , and while they are in the puzzle of business , have no time to attend the welfare , either of body , or soul , and therefore they should with-draw from this world , before they retire into another . for , illi mors gravis incubat , qui notus nimis omnibus , ignotus moritur sibi . cato major would say , that wise men learn more of fools than fools do of wise men. king charles the st . would say , that it was wisdom in fools to jest with wise men ; but madness for wise men to jest with fools . and another added : there is no man that talks but i may gain by him : and none that holds his tongue but i may lose by him . if a man wrong me once ( saith the italian ) god forgive him : if he wrong me the second time , god forgive me . and cosmus , duke of florence , said : you shall read , that we are commanded to forgive our enemies , but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends . a fat man in rome riding always upon a very lean horse , being asked the reason thereof , answered , that he fed himself , but he trusted others to feed his horse : and a judg of our own being asked , what was the best way to thrive said , never do any thing by another , tha● you can do by your self . one of our judges said , that he durst not entertain a gift , which ( said he ▪ conquers both the foolish , and the wise ▪ which in publick places it is a vice to accept , and not a virtue to offer ; it being a snare rather than a favour . manners make a man , saith the courtier . money makes a man , saith the citizen . learning makes a man , saith the schollar : conduct makes a man , saith the soldier : but sincerity in religion makes a man , saith the divine . the lord chief justice mountague used to say , meum est jus dicere , potius quam jus dare . it 's my duty rather to interpret than to give laws . of stephen gardiner , b b. of winchester , it is recorded , that he never did what he aimed at , never aimed at what he intended , never intended what he said , and never said what he thought ; whereby he carried it so , that others should do his business , when they opposed it , and he should undermine their's when he seemed to promote it . a man he was that was to be traced like the fox , and read , like hebrew backward . if you would know what he did , you must observe what he did not . stephen gardiner , b b. of winchester , in queen maries days , concerning the princess elizabeth , said : that it was in vain to lop the branches so long as the root remained . and concerning those that fled for religion beyond sea , he said , that he would watch their supplies , so that they should eat their nails first , and then fee'd upon their fingers ends . after the defeat of the devonshire rebels in king henry th's time , one sr. william kingston , who was provest marshal , went to bodmin in cornwwall , where one bowyer , the major , had been enforced to assist them . to him sr. william sent word that he would come and dine with him ; for whose entertainment the major made great provision . a little before dinner the provest took the major aside and told him , that an execution must that day be done in the town , and therefore he must set up two gallows . the major did so . after dinner sr. william thanks him for his entertainment , and then desires him to bring him to the gallows , where , when they were come , sr. william asked him , whether they were strong enough ? i , i l'e warrant thee , said the major : then ( said sr. william ) get you up upon them . i hope ( said the major ) you do not think as you speak . nay sr , ( saith he ) you must dye ; for you have been a busie rebel ; and so without more adoe , hanged him . a miller also that had been very busie in that rebellion , fled , and left another to take his name upon him . sr. william calls for the miller ; the servant tells him , that he was the man : then ( saith he ) you must be hanged : oh sr. ( saith he ) i am not the miller but his servant . if you are not the miller ( said sr. william ) you are a lying knave : if you are the miller you are a traytor , and how ever you must dye . and so he did . sr. nicholas bacon , who was lord keeper in queen elizabeths days , the queen coming one day to his house , asked him , why his house was so little ? he answered : madam , my house is not too little for me , but you have made me too big for my house . he never affected nor attained to a great estate . mediocra firma , was his principle , and his practice . he used to say , that he would never forgive that man , that loseth his friend to be rid of his jest . william cecil , lord burleigh , never would sue , nor ever was sued by man. prudens qui patiens , was his saying . queen elizabeth coming once to visit him , being sick of the gout at burleigh - house in the strand , and she being much heightned with her head attire then in fashion , the lord's servant , who conducted her through the door , said : may your highness be pleased to stoop ? the queen answered : for your masters sake i will stoop , but not for the king of spains . some of this wise lord's sayings were these . the world is a shop of instruments , whereof the wise man is master ; and a kingdom but a frame of engines , whereunto he is the wheel . " smoothness declineth envy and danger : humility advanceth to honour , moderation preserves us in it : men come down by domineering : haste undoeth that which a just delay ripeneth . " it was his excellent motto , nolo minor me timeat despiciatve major . my inferiours shall not fear ; my superiors shall not despise me . " humility shuns honour , and is the way to it . the purest gold is most ductile . it 's commonly a good blade that bends well . the reed that bends , and is whole , is better than the strong oak , that , not bending , breaks . " there is no such prevalent workman as sedulity , and diligence . a man would wonder at the mighty things which have been done by degrees , and gentle augmentations . patience , diligence , and moderation are the common steps to excellency . it 's for omnipotence to do mighty things in a moment . but by degrees to grow to greatness , is the course he hath left for man. " we make our selves more injuries than are offered us ; and the apprehension of wrong doth more harm than the smartest part of the wrong it self . it 's the wise man's glory , and the states-mans prudence , to pass by offences . a fool struck cato in the bath ; and when he was sorry for it , cato had forgot it . for ( saith seneca ) melius putavit non agnoscere , quam ignoscere . light injuries are made none by not regarding , which , with a pursuing revenge , grow both to height , and burden , and live to mischief us , when they might die to secure us . the upper region is most composed . the wisest men rage the least , knowing that observation , and resentment do but provoke , and encourage the malice , which neglect and silence deads , and dissipates . discontent is the greatest weakness of a generous soul , which is always so intent upon it's unhappiness , that it forgets it's remedies . faction can be as little spared in a monarchy , as an eye , or an ear , as through which the prince hath a cleerer apprehension of his own , and other's affairs , than he can have when his followers are all agreed . but when factions are carried too high , and too violent , it 's a sign of weakness in princes , and tends much to the prejudice of their authority , and business . queen elizabeth had a happy time of it . if it were but for this ; that her favourers divisions were her support : for thereby she attained the knowledge of all things that happened : so as no suit , or design passed the royal assent , before she understood as much of reason , as enemies , or friends could bring for , or against it . the lord willoughby ( in queen elizabeths days ) having taken a spanish genet , designed for a present to that king , and being offered , either a thousand pound , or a hundred pound a year in exchange for it , he nobly answered : if it had been a commander , he would freely have released him : but being only a horse , he saw no reason why he could not keep a good horse , as well as the king of spain himself . it 's a right noble spirit , not to be so stupid as not to resent , nor so unworthy as to retain a sense of injuries . to have the courage to observe an affront , is to be even with an adversary : to have the patience to forgive it , is to be above him . sr. henry wotton , as he was travelling to rome , asked his host at siena ( a man well versed in men and business ) what rules he would give him for his port , conduct , and carriage ? there is one short remembrance ( said he ) will carry you safe through the world ; nothing but this , keep your thoughts close , and your countenance loose . seneca said : that the good things of prosperity are to be wished , and the good things of adversity to be admired . prosperity ( said my lord bacon ) is the blessing of the old testament , and adversity of the new. we are consecrated by dangers to services ; and we know not what we can do , until we have seen all we can fear . the common people ( saith one ) are like rivers , which seldom grow so impetuous as to transcend the bounds of obedience , but upon the over-flowing of a general oppression . good husbandry may as well stand with great honour , as breadth may may consist with height . of edward , earl of darby , it is recorded , that when he was buried , no trades-man could demand the payment of a groat that he owed him : nor a neighbour the restitution of a penny he had wronged him . sr. william fitz-williams ( a brave soldier ) used to say : that he durst never adventure upon war with men till he had made his peace with god : that a good conscience breeds great resolutions , and the innocent soul is impregnable . six things are recorded of him . . that he never made the aged , the young or the weak , the objects of his rage , that could not be so of his fears . . that he never basely killed in cold blood them that had nobly escaped his sword in hot. . that he never led the soldiers without pay , or quartered in the country without money . . that tho he was second to none that acted in the war ( such was his valour ) yet he was the first that spake for peace ( such his sweet disposition ) . that he would never suffer a clergy-man should be abused ; a church to be violated , or the dead to be un-buried . . that he would never force an enemy unto necessity ; always saying : let us disarm them of their best weapons , despair . not fight an enemy before he had skirmished him ; nor undertake a design before he consulted his god , his council , his friends , his map , and his history . sr. walter mildmay coming to the court after he had founded his colledge [ emanuel in cambridg ] queen elizabeth said to him : sr. walter , i hear that you have erected a puritan foundation . no madam ( said he ) far be it from me to countenance any thing contrary to your established laws : but i have set an acron , which , when it comes to be an oak , god alone knows what will be the fruit of it . the middle region of the air is coolest , as most distant from the direct beams that warm the highest , and the reflexed , that heat the lowest . the mean man that is as much below the favour of the court as above the business of the country , is the most happy , and composed man : this being the utmost of a knowing man's wish in england : that he were as much out of the reach of contempt , as to be above a constable ; and as much out of the compass of trouble , as to be below a justice . there is a glory in the obscurity of worthy men , who , as the sun ( which they equal as well in common influence as lustre ) are most looked on when eclipsed . cloths for necessity , warm cloths for health , cleanly for decency , lasting for strength , was the maxim , and practice of judg manwood ; insomuch as queen elizabeth called him her good-man judg. tullies offices ( a book which boys read , and men understand ) was so esteemed by the lord burleigh , that to his dying day , he always carried it about him , either in his bosom , or in his pocket , as a complete piece that , like aristotle's rhetorick , would make both a schollar , and an honest man. cicero's magnificent orations against anthony , cataline , and verres , caesar's great commentaries , which he wrote with the same spirit that he fought . flowing livy : grave , judicious , and stately tacitus : eloquent , but faithful curtius : brief , and rich salust : prudent , and brave xenophon , whose person was themistocles's companion , as his book was scipio affricanus his pattern in all his wars : ancient , and sweet herodotus : sententious , and observing thucidides : various , and useful polybius : siculus : halicarnassus : trogus : orosius : justine , made up sr. henry killigrew's retinue in all his travels , in queen elizabeths reign ; where he sat on the stage of human life , observing the great circumstances of places , persons , times , manners , occasions , &c. and was made wife by their example , who had trod the path of error and danger before him . choice examples , apothegms , and sayings of very wise men . cardinal wolsey providing as magnificently for his installation into his arch-bishoprick of york , as a king should do for his coronation , improved thereby king henry th's jealousie to his ruin . for in the midst of his solemnities , he was arrested by the king's order , whose wrath was the messenger of death , and a while after breathed forth his soul in these words : if i had served the god of heaven as faithfully as i did my master on earth , he had not forsaken me in my old age as the other hath done . state worthies , p. . plenty without pomp , is penury to pride , which kings may make humbled , god only humble ; he being able to take away the fire , the lust within ; the other only to withdraw the fuel , the state without , p. . men die unpittied , that live feared . how many a man had ended better if he had not begun so well . it 's the emphasis of misery , to be too soon happy . prosperity growing up with experience , makes a man in a firm settlement , inured to all events . i will always suspect the smooth waters for deepness . in my worst estate i will hope ; in my best i will fear ; in all , i will be circumspect , and still . queen elizabeth being to employ a famous ambassage into france , made choice of two of the noblest peers in her realm , equal in rank , equal in vertue : but the one excused it by a defect in his hearing , and the other by his ignorance , and want of the french language : to which the queen smilingly replyed : that it was a miserable estate , when her speaking peers were deaf , and her hearing peers were dumb. we should be very cautious in mentioning the name of god in small matters , according to that of the poet , nec deus intersit nisi dignus vindice nodus inciderit . — name not god but in matters of great moment . the philosopher's division of men into three ranks is observable . some ( said he ) are such as know good , and are willing to teach it unto others ; these are like gods among men . others , tho they know not good , yet are willing to learn : these are like men among beasts : others know not good , and despise such as should teach them : these are as beasts among men . those are the most miserable among men , who running their head into a bush of confident ignorance , suppose that none see their weakness , because they are not willing to take notice of it themselves . integrity out-lasts power , and plainness survives policy . an honest heart keeps the head on the shoulders . a noble and cleer vertue is lasting . a. b b. cranmer used to say ( as victorinus ) there is a time to say nothing : there is a time to say something : but never a time to say all things . some of sr. thomas moor's apothegms were these . he is not always merry that laugheth . the world is undone by looking on things at a distance . to aim at honour here , is to set up a coat of arms over a prison gate . if i would employ my goods well i may be contented to lase them ; if ill , i should be glad . he that is covetous when he is old , is as a thief that steals when he is going to the gallows . bags of gold to us when saints , will be but as bags of pebble-stones when men. the greatest punishment in the world were to have our wishes . pusillanimity is a great temptation . affliction undoes many ; pleasures most . we go to hell with more pains than we might go to heaven with . who would not send his alms to heaven ? who would not send his estate whither he is to be banished ? archer ( king james his jester ) made him sensible of the danger the prince was in , in spain , by telling him that he came to change caps with him . why so ? ( said the king ; ) because thou hast sent the prince into spain from whence he is never like to return . but ( said the king ) what wilt thou say , when thou seest him return back again ? marry ( said he ) i will take off the fools cap , which i now put upon thy head for sending him thither , and put it upon the king of spain's head , for letting him return . sr. thomas wiat told king henry th , that he found out a living of an hundred pounds in the year , more than enough , and pray'd him to bestow it upon him : why ? ( said the king ) we have none such in england . yes ( said sr. thomas ) the provost-ship of eaton , where a man hath his dyet , his lodging , his horse-meat , his servants wages , his riding-charges , and a pound per annum besides . sr. thomas wiat's jests were always confined to these rules . . he never played upon a man's unhappiness , or deformity : it being inhumane so to do . . nor upon his superiors , which is sawciness , and undutifulness . . nor on serious , or holy matters : for that 's irreligious , and profane : applying upon this occasion that of the athenians , who would not suffer pathus to play his comedies , where euripides repeated his tragedies . . he had much salt but no gall : often jesting , but never jeering . . he observed times , persons , and circumstances : knowing when to speak , and when to hold his peace too . . his apt , and handsome reparties were rather natural than affected : subtile , and acute ; prompt and easie , yet not careless : never rendring himself contemptible to please others . . his gift was not an insipid changing of words , but a smart retort of matters , which every body was better pleased with than himself . what is prerogative but a great name , when not exercised over a free people ? and what is priviledge but a fond imagination , when not secured under a a powerful king , that may keep us from being slaves one to another by an anarchy , while we strive to be free from his tyranny . we should not complain that we have little time , but that we spend much , either in doing nothing , or in doing evil , or in doing nothing to the purpose . three things ( said a wise man ) will settle a state. good god-fathers , and god-mothers performing their vows . good housholders over-looking their families : and good school-masters educating youth . this last is the most useful , tho the most contemptible profession . reward ( said the same person when he was offered a sum of money ) should not empty the king's coffers ; neither should riches be the pay of worth , which are meerly the wages of labour . he that gives it , embaseth a man ; he that takes it , vilifies himself : who is so most rewarded , is least . secretary walsingham would say : stay a little and we shall have done the sooner . secretary cecil would say : it shall never be said of me , that i will defer till to morrow what i can do to day . sr. richard morison would say : give me this day , and take the next your self . he that knoweth to speak well , knoweth also where he must hold his peace , said the old grecian . think an hour before you speak , and a day before you promise , said one of our english sages . the two main principles which guide humane nature ( said judg dodderidg ) are conscience and law : by the former we are obliged in reference to another world , by the latter in relation to this . when the lord chief justice fitz-james came upon the bench , he knew no more than melchisedech , or levi , father , nor mother , neither friend , nor interest . for when a cousin of his urged for a kindness ; come to my house ( said the judg ) and i will deny you nothing ; come to the king's court , and i must do you justice . plato said , that a man's mind is the chariot , reason the coach-man , affections the horses , desire of honour the whips , both exciting to go forward , and awing to be exact : honour , always keeping up curiously the honoured person in an heigth of action , that keeps an even pace with admiration : evenness , and constancy being the crown of vertue . the lord gray was the first that brought a coach into england : and henry fitz-alan , earl of arundel , when he was steward at king edward the th's coronation , was the first that rid in a coach in england . william pawlet , marquess of winchester ▪ was servant to king henry the th , and for thirty years together treasurer to king henry the th , king edward the th , queen mary , and queen elizabeth . thus he served divers soveraigns in very mutable times , being ( as he said of himself : ) no oak , but an osier . he had the rare happiness of setting in his full splendour , having lived ninety seaven years , and seen a hundred and three that descended out of his body . sr. henry sidney's motto was , i will never threaten . for , to threaten an enemy is to instruct him : a superiour , is to endanger my person : and an inferiour , is to disparage my conduct . the character of a happy life . how happy is he born and taught that serveth not another's will , whose armour is his honest thought and simple truth his utmost skill ? whose passions not his masters are , whose soul is still prepar'd for death ; vnty'd unto the world by care of publick fame , or private breath . who envies none whom chance doth raise : nor vice hath ever understood . how deepest wounds are given by praise ; nor rules of state , but rules of good. who hath his life from rumours freed ; whose conscience is his strong retreat : whose state can neither flatterers feed , nor ruin make oppressors great . who god doth late , and early pray , more of his grace , than gifts to lend ; and entertains the harmless day with a religious book , or friend . this man is freed from servile bands of hope to rise , or fear to fall ; lord of himself tho not of lands ; and having nothing , yet hath all . sr. henry wotton . it was an excellent saying of sr. john packinton , in queen elizabeth's days , that a sound faith was the best divinity : a good conscience the best law : and temperance the best physick . upon the fall of the earl of somerset . dazled still with heigth of place , whilst our hopes our wits beguile , no man marks the narrow space 'twixt a prison , and a smile . then since fortunes favours fade , you that in her arms do sleep , learn to swim , and not to wade ; for the hearts of kings are deep . but if greatness be so blind as to trust in towers of air , let it be with goodness lin'd , that at least the fall be fair . then tho darkned , you shall say , when friends fail , and princes frown , virtue is the roughest way , but proves at night a bed of down . sr. henry wotton . it 's one of machiavel's rules : : that they which rise very high , should descend timely , and quit the envy , lest they lose the honour of their greatness . when charles the th presented secretary eraso to his son , philip the d. he said : he gave him somewhat greater than his estate , and more royal than his empire . i understand not ( saith mine author speaking of james hay , earl of carlisle ) the reason of his ante-suppers , the manner of which was , to have the table coverd at the first entrance of the guests , with dishes as high as a tall man could well reach , filled with the choicest , and dearest viands sea or land could afford . and all this once seen , and having feasted the eyes of the invited , was removed , and fresh was set on to the same heigth , having only this advantage of the others , that it was hot : at one of these meals , an attendant did eat to his single share a whole pye , reckoned to the earl at twenty pound , being composed of amber-greece , magisterial pearl , musk , &c. and another went away with forty pounds of sweet-meats in his cloak-bag . when the most able physicians , and his own weakness had passed a judgment upon this earl , that he could not live many days , he did not forbear his entertainments , but made divers brave cloths ( as he said ) to out-face naked , and despicable death , adding withal : that nature wanted wisdom , power , or love , in making man mortal , and subject to diseases . sr. thomas lake was a man of such dixterity , and dispatch , that he would indite , write , and discourse at the same time , more exactly than most men could severally perform them ; for which he was then called the swift-sure . of sr. edward cook it is recorded , that he would never be perswaded privately to retract that , which he had publickly adjudged , professing , that he was a judg in a court , not in a chamber . he was wont to say ; no wise man would do that in prosperity , whereof he should repent in adversity . his motto was : prudens qui patiens . it 's a sure principle of rising , that great persons esteem better of such as they have done great courtesies to , than those they have received great civilities from ; looking upon this as their disparagement , the other as their glory . it 's an excellent rule , that no man should let what is unjustifiable , or dangerous to appear under his hand , thereby to give envy a steady aim at his place , or person : nor mingle interests with great men made desperate by debts , or court injuries , whose falls have been ruinous to their wisest followers : nor pry any farther into secrecy than rather to secure than shew himself : nor to impart that to a friend , that may impower him to be an enemy . it was the saying of a great man among us , that a through-paced papist could not be a true-hearted subject . it 's an excellent character of great men : in honore sine tumore : to be lifted up with honour , but not to be puffed up with pride . sr. henry wotton directed that this only should be written on his plain marble : hic jacet hujus sententiae primus auctor : disputandi pruritus fit ecclesiarum scabies — nomen aliàs quaere . choice examples , apothegms , and sayings of very wise men . a lexander the great , when antipater made great complaints to him of his mother , replyed , knowest thou not that she with one tear will blot out all thy complaints ? much more available with god are the tears of his servants , which , as precious liquor , he preserveth in his bottles . agis king of sparta thus answered a wicked man , that ask'd him , quis spartanorum est optimus ? who of the spartans is the best ? qui tui dissimilimus : even he that is most unlike unto thee . lysander's saying was , vbi leonina pellis non sufficit , assumenda vulpina . where a lyon's skin will not serve , a foxes skin must eke it out . when the grecians boasted of their seven liberal arts , the romans told them that they had two arts worth all their seven , namely the arts of commanding and obeying . tacitus tells us that these are somewhat difficult at the first , but being studied and practised they become as easie as they are safe and useful . two parthian ambassadors were sent to rome , whereof the one was troubled with the megrim , and the other with the gout , whereupon cato said , that that ambassy had neither head nor foot. alexander the great used to say , that his hungry dinner was his suppers sawce . pythagoras said , that in two things we resemble god , . in telling the truth : . in bestowing benefits . it was the prayer of an heathen , that god would give what he knew would be good for him , tho not asked in particular , and keep evil from him tho desired . in mr. farrel's time ( who had been so much oppofed and threat'ned in reforming geneva , and some other cities ) they coyned medals with this posie on the one side , lux post tenebras : light after long darkness : and on the other side , deus noster pugnat pro nobis : our god fights for us . mr. hooper , when he was b b. of worcester , took for his arms , a lamb in a flaming bush , incircled with the raies of the sun beams , which may thus be blazoned . the lamb signified an innocent christian , and the burning bush , the fire of persecution ; and the sun-beams , the glory and beauty of the innocent christian in those sufferings . duarenus saith of such as come to the university , that the first year they are doctors , in their own conceit at least . the next year they come to be masters . the third year they are content to be bachelors : and the fourth schollars . horace , the poet had blear and watry eyes , and virgil used to sigh much , whereupon augustus caesar sitting between them said , that he sat inter suspiria & lachrymas : between sighs and tears . sabellic . diogenes being asked , why men used to give to the blind and lame , but not unto philosophers ? answered , because they think that themselves may one day come to be blind or lame : but never hope to be philosophers : so mens affections being blind and lame , and their phantasies vainly bent , must needs delight in vain and frothy pamphlets which feed their humours , but cannot brook such as would purge them out . one of terence his comedies called eunuchus was valued at eight thousand pieces of silver , which made two hundred crowns : this was more than all tullie's orations , and all his learned works were prized at ( ex aelii donati praef . in terentium ) but ( said a wise man ) the choice of books should be as the choice of physicians : medicus non jucundior , sed utilior eligitur . a man will have a physician rather for his profit that can do him good , than for his pleasure , that will feed him with fine words . it was wise counsel which crates gave unto the thebans . if he which hath wronged thee be weaker than thy self , pardon him : for it 's no honour for a man to strive against a child ; nor for a rich man to go to law with a beggar . if he be more mighty than thou art , pardon thy self : for thou shalt never gain any thing , by going to law with a mighty man. and if he be thine equal , pardon both thy self and him : for you shall both live by the loss , and shall hardly know who is the gainer . and therefore strive with no man : but if it be possible as much as in you is , live peaceably with all men , heb. . . i once saw painted on a table ( saith beza ) where a noble man had this posie : by my sword i defend you all : the clergy-man : by my prayers i preserve you all : the country-man , by my labour i feed you all : lastly , the lawyer : by my policy i devour you all . daniel heinsius , history-professor at leiden , secretary , and library-keeper of that university , and appointed notary in the synod of dort , said at last . alas ! as to humane learning , i may use solomon 's expressions , that which is crooked cannot be made strait . me thinks ( said he ) i could bid the world farewel , and immure my self among my books , and look forth no more ( if this were a lawful course ) but shut the doors upon me , and ( as in the lap of eternity ) among those divine souls imploy my self with sweet content , and pitty the rich , and great ones that know not this happiness . sure then it is a high delight indeed , which is enjoyed in the true lap of eternity . sr. christopher hatton , a little before his death , advised his relations to be serious in the search after the will of god in his holy word . for ( said he ) it is deservedly accounted a piece of excellent knowledge for a man to understand the law of the land , and the customs of his own country : how much more to know the statutes of heaven , and the laws of eternity : those immutable and eternal laws of justice , and righteousness ! to know the will and pleasure of the great monarch , and universal king of the world ! i have seen an end of all perfection : but thy commandments , o god , are exceeding broad . could a man by a vast , and imperious mind , and a heart as large as the sand upon the sea-shore , command all the knowledge of art , and nature , of words and things , could he attain to be a master in all languages , and sound the depth of all arts and sciences : could he discourse the interest of all states , the intrigues of courts , the reasons of all civil laws , and constitutions , and give an account of all histories ; and yet not know the author of his being , and the preserver of his life , his soveraign , and his judg : his surest refuge in troubles ; his best friend , and worst enemy ; the support of his life , and the hope of his death ; his future happiness , and his portion for ever , he doth but sapienter descendere in infernum ; with a great deal of wisdom go down into hell. robert , earl of leicester , the great favorite in queen elizabeths days , tho he allowed himself in some things that were very inconsistent with religon , yet came at last to this resolution ; that man differs not from beasts so much in reason as in religion : and that religion was the highest reason , nothing being more rational than for the supream truth to be belivered , the highest good to be embraced , the first cause , and almighty maker of all things to be owned and feared : and for those who were made by god and live wholly upon him , to improve all for him , and to live wholly to him , as rom. . . give up your souls and bodies to him , &c. it was the observation of a learned man , that however men may for a time offer violence to their reason and conscience , subduing their understanding to their wills and appetites ; yet when these faculties get but a little liberty to examine themselves , or to view the world , or are alarumed with thunder , earth-quakes , or some violent sickness , they feel a sense of a deity brought back upon them , with greater force and power , than before they shook it off with . these and such like considerations wrought upon functius , the learned chronologer , who reflecting upon his deserting the calling of a divine , to imbrace the honour of a privy counsellor , he left this warning to posterity . disce mei exemplo mandato munere fungi , et fuge ceu postem , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . justus jonas , left this legacy to all that came after him . quid juvatinnumeros scire , & evolvere casus , si facienda fugis , si fugienda facis . sr. philip sidney when he lay upon his death-bed left this farewel among his friends : love my memory , cherish my friends ; their faith to me may assure you that they are honest : but above all govern your wills and affections by the will , and word of your creator . in me behold the end of this world , and all it's vanities . sr. john mason , privy counsellor to king henry the th , and king edward the th , upon his death-bed , called for his clerk , and his steward , and delivered himself to this purpose . " i have seen five princes , and have been privy counsellor to four : i have seen the most remarkable observables in forraign parts , and been present at most state-transactions for thirty years together , and i have learned this after so many years experience , that seriousness is the greatest wisdom , temperance is the best physick , a good conscience is the best estate ; and were i to live again i would change the court for a cloister , my privy counsellors bustles for an hermits retirement , and the whole life i lived in the pallace , for one hours enjoyment of god in the chappel . now all things forsake me besides my god , my duty , and my prayer . " apothegms , sayings of very wise men . sir francis walsingham , towards the latter end of his life , grew very melancholly , and writing to lord chancellor burleigh , he said thus : we have lived enough to our country , to our fortune , and to our sovereign : it is now high time that we begin to live to our selves , and to our god. in the multitude of affairs which passed through our hands , there must be some miscarriages , for which a whole kingdom cannot make our peace . and when some court-humorists were sent to divert him . ah ( said he ) while we laugh , all things are serious round about us . god is serious , when he preserves us , and hath patience towards us : christ is serious when he dyeth for us : the holy ghost is serious , when he striveth with us : the holy scripture is serious when it 's read before us : sacraments are serious when they are administred to us : the whole creation is serious , in serving god and us : they in hell and heaven are serious : and shall a man that hath one foot in the grave , jest , and laugh . salmatius , whom the learned of his time never mention , without such expressions as these : vir nunquam satis laudandus , nec temerè sine laude nominandus . guil. riv. totius reipublicae literariae decus : when he came to dye , went out of the world with this expression : oh i have lost a world of time : time , that most precious thing in the world , whereof , had i but one hour longer , it should be spent in david 's psalms , and paul 's epistles . oh sirs ( said he ) mind the world less , and god more : all the learning in the world without piety , and the true fear of god is nothing worth. the fear of the lord that is wisdom , and to depart from evil that is understanding . grotius , after an exact survey of all the hebrew , greek , and latine learning : after so many elaborate discourses in divinity , and other parts of learning , concluded his life with this protestation . that he would give all his learning and honour for the plain integrity , and harmless innocence of jean urick ( a devout poor man , that spent eight hours of the day in prayer , &c. eight in labour ; and but eight in sleep , and other necessary occasions : ) he also complained to another , that admired his astonishing industry , saying , ah! vitam perdidi , opérosè nihil agendo : i have lost my life with busily doing nothing . and he gave this direction to a third , that desired him in his great wisdom and learning , in brief to teach him what to do ? be serious , said he . edward peito , esquire , told his physicians , " that when god had sent him his summons , all the sins of his former life did even kick him in the face ; and that he now saw , that the evil attending well-doing was short , but the good eternal : if we do ill , the pleasures of ill doing pass away , but the pain remaineth : " and his chief charge about his children was , " that they should be educated religiously , that they might have god for their portion as well as his estate . " prince henry his last words were , o christ ! thou art my redeemer , and i know that thou hast redeemed me . i wholly depend upon thy providence , and mercy : from the very bottom of my heart i commend my soul into thy hand . a person of quality waiting upon him in this his last sickness , who had been his constant companion at tennis , and asking him how he did ? he answered : " ah tom ; i in vain wish for that time which i lost with thee and others in vain recreations . " now my soul be glad ; for at all the parts of this prison the lord hath set his aid to loose thee : head , feet , milt , and liver are failing . arise therefore and shake off thy fetters : mount from this body , and go thy way . " this gracious prince used to say , that " he knew no sport worth an oath : and that he knew not what they called puritan preaching , but he loved that preaching best , which went neerest his heart , and that spake as if that preacher knew the mind of god. " sr. thomas coventry hearing some gallants jesting with religion , said to them : " that there was no greater argument of a foolish and inconsiderate person , than profanely to droll at religion . for ( said he ) it 's a sign that he hath no regard of himself , and that he is not touched with a sense of his own interest who plays with life , and death , and makes nothing of his soul. " to examine severely , and debate seriously the principles of religion is a thing worthy of a wise man. for whosoever turns religion into railery , and abuseth it with two or three bold jests , renders not religion but himself ridiculous , in the opinions of all wise , and considerate men , and that because he sports with his own life . for it was the saying of a wise man : " that if the principles of religion were doubtful , yet they concern us so neerly , that we ought to be serious in the examination of them . " charles le main , at the coronation of his son , used these serious words : " my dear son , it is to day that i die to the empires , of the world , and that heaven makes me born again in your person . if you will reign happily , fear god who is the strength of empires , and the soveraign father of all dominions : keep his commandments , and cause them to be observed with inviolable fidelity . serve you first of all for an example to all the world , and lead before god and man a life unreprovable . " these latter were collected out of the warning to a careless world. magnates sunt magnetes : great ones , like load-stones , draw many by their examples , and inferiours look upon them as their looking-glasses by which they usually dress themselves . godliness is the high way to happiness , the good old way that hath ever been beaten by all those saints that now find rest to their souls . what aeneas silvius said of learning , may be much more truly said of religion , and righteousness : the vulgar should esteem it as silver ; noble men as gold ; and princes should prize it above their chiefest pearls . semen sanctum statumen terrae : the holy seed is the substance of the earth . the saints are the people of god's purchase , that comprehend all his gettings , and are much more dear to him , than naboth's vineyard was to him . he sets them before his face for ever [ psal . . . ] as loving to look upon them ; yea , upon the very walls of their houses where they dwell [ isa . . . they are his portion , deut. . ] his inheritance , [ isa . . . ] the dearly beloved of his soul : [ jer. . . ] and his glory . [ isa . . . ] and thus they are , tho accompanied with many weaknesses : for as david saw nothing in lame mephibosheth , but what was lovely , because he saw in him the features of his friend jonathan : so god beholding his offending saints in the face of his son , takes no notice of any thing that is amiss in them . the saints are lowly in their speeches , but lofty in their actions , but especially in their affections , which are carried above all earthly objects , and are not content till they are got to heaven . these stars , tho they are seen sometimes in a puddle , tho they reflect there , yet they have their situation in heaven . these birds of paradise , tho they may haply touch sometimes upon the earth ; yet they are mostly upon the wing , and these outward comforts and creatures are to them but scalae , and alae , wings , and wind in their wings to carry them upwards . resolute sinners would have dissolute teachers : they would have the law according to their lives , not their lives according to the law. that pleaseth best which is sweet to their sense , not that which is wholsome to their conscience . foul faces would have false glasses . diomedes must have a crooked shooe for his wry foot. caligula would be adored for a god tho he lived like a devil . they which will not tell thee of thy faults , will be very ready to tell others of them ; whereas he that loves thee , and respects the profit of thy soul , more than the pleasing of thy senses , will speak of thy faults to thy face , and of thy virtues behind thy back , which is the greatest evidence of love and true faithfulness . the most lew'd are most loud . when god saith i will laugh , as prov. . . psal . . . then man hath most cause to weep . schola crucis , schola lucis . adversity is the best university . prov. . . forsake her not . falling stars were never but meteors . the heart is the chief monarch in the isle of man. by hand-maids [ the affections ] satan wooes the mistress . a whore is helen without , but hecuba within . abraham might see sodom burning , but lot might not look that way . that little man in the eye cannot be touched , but it will be distempered . toilsom toyes are but laborious loss of time . morsels of sin are murthering morsels , not nourishings . we should labour for wealth without woe ; store without sore ; gold without guilt of sin , or a guilty conscience . where pride is in the saddle , shame is in the crooper . riches were never true to any that trusted in them . exoriuntur ut exurantur . the godly's afflictions are not penal but medicinal , or probational . the venom of a wicked man's heart blisters his tongue , that it breaks out at his lips to his own ruin . he that makes a match with mischief , shall have his belly full of it . prov. . . and . . the godly pass from the jaws of death to the joys of heaven . affections without endeavours , are like rachel , beautiful but barren . we must work as well as will and wish , and do as well as desire , perform as well as promise . . chor. . many lye long languishing at hopes hospital , as he at the pool of bethesda before cured . sin and punishment are linked together with chains of adamant . goodness is it 's own reward , both in hand and in hope . anger may rush into a wise man's bosom , but rests not there , eccl. . . jam. . . . a covetous man fires his own nest when he thinks to feather it , and troubles all his house with haste and hurry , to get gain . prov. . . before honour is humility . prov. . . the lower the ebb the higher is the tide . the lower the foundation of humility is laid , the higher shall the roof of honour be over-laid ; honour follows him that flyes from it , as the shadow doth the body . god can crack the strongest sinew that is in all the arm of flesh , isa . . . ingratitude is a monster in nature . to render good for evil is divine . good for good is humane . evil for evil is sinful and brutish : but evil for good is devillish , jer. . . . prov. . . prov. . . and . . and . . scilicet ut fulvum spectatur in ignibus aurum , tempore sic duro est experienda fides . we must ask god to give what he commands us to have . a king that sitteth , &c. prov. . . the sword of justice is to be furbished with the oyl of mercy , yet there are cases wherein severity should cast the scale . prov. . . wandreth , &c. yet can he not wander so wide as to miss of hell , prov. . . isa . . . in that congregation house of gehenna-gyants , where is punishment without pitty , misery without mercy , sorrow without succour , crying without comfort , and mischief without measure . prudence is better than puissance , eccle. . . and . . . prov. , . and . . sam. . , . omnia si perdas famam servare memento prov. . . a prudent man foreseeth &c. he looks before he leaps . sees a tempest in the clouds and seeks seasonable shelter under the hollow of god's hand , eccles . . . and . . buy the truth , &c. prov. . . either live with it , or dye for it , tit. . . phil. . , jude . man hath no tryal of his strength till he be in trouble , prov. . . a bee can suck honey out of a flower which a fly cannot do . a spiritual man can extract good out of other mens faults and follies : can gather grapes of thorns , and figs of thistles . prov. . . . yet a little sleep . a little , and yet sleeps , in the plural . a little he ask , but a little will not serve hi● turn , the beggar shall catch him by back swiftly , and irresistably . there is a sinful and foolish pitty , when men would not have justice executed upon notorious offenders , and such pitt● to the wicked is truly called , cruelty to the good. for he that is pittiful to the wolf is cruel to the sheep . man's tongue is a sword , thin ▪ broad , and long , and of a fiery colour , [ see psal . . . and . ● prov. . . ] david cries out of th● murthering weapon in his bones , whereby they killed him alive , as with a rapier , and buried him in their throats , those gaping graves , and open sepulchres , psal . . . god and nature hath taught us , by the sight of the tongue in the mouth , to take heed to it , and when all is done , to pray , with david , to god to keep it , psal . . . the tongue is ever in vdo , in a moisture , but yet tyed by the root , and may not stir out of it's place . and it 's guarded with a portcullis of teeth , and with a two-leaved gate of lips , which must be carefully kept by us ; specially having enemies so neer us . cave ne lingua tua feriat collum tuum , saith the arabian proverb . take heed that thy tongue do not cut thy throat . and solomon saith : he that keeps his tongue keeps his life , prov. . . and ● . . fruitful christians perfume the very air they breath in , by their gracious , and savory communication : ephe. . ● . yea , the very company they come ●nto ; as a man cannot come where sweet ●pices , and odours are beaten , but he ●hall carry away the scent of it in his cloths . evil speech defiles the conscience ▪ wounds the heart , and disposes it to farther evils . it leaves both a sting , and a stain in our souls , and doth much mischief to the spirits , and manners of others that are corrupted by it . prov. . . a wholsome tongue is a tree of life ; but perversness therein is a breach in the spirit . some have reckoned as many sins in the tongue , as there are letters in the alphabet . a righteous man carries as it were , a pair of ballances between his lips , and weighs his . words , before he utters them , prov. . . et prodesse volens & delectare ; willing to speak things , both acceptable and profitable . a pope once began to question how the state of venice came to challenge the dominion of the adriatick gulph ; and asked her ambassador , what warrant she had for it ? the ambassador answered , if your holiness please to produce the instrument , whereby the emperor constantine passed over the city of rome to your predecessors , upon the back of that grant your holiness will find the venetian charter to the dominion of that gulph . pope gregory the th , threatning to excommunicate the duke and state of venice about a controversie concerning the bounds of their territories , nick ▪ pontanus answered , that the pontifical censure of excommunication , is like a sword sheathed up in a scabbard , which ought not to be rashly drawn out , lest men might learn to slight that kind of weapon . it is not in venice as in other places , where young men make laws for old men to observe ( they abhor that inversion of nature ) but gray headse sway , and green headse obey . a grave historian speaking of sparta , said , sparta diu stetit , non quod rex bene imperabat , sed quia populus bene parebat : sparta stood and flourished so long , not so much because the prince did command well , as that the people did obey well . pacheco , the spanish embassador , out of curiosity coming to see the treasury of st. mark in venice , fell a groping whether it had any bottom : and being asked why he did it ? answered ; in this among other things my great master's treasures differ from yours , that his hath no bottom , as i find yours to have ; alluding thereby to the mines of mexico , and potosy . it 's an old rule , that eodem modo res conservatur , quo acquiritur : by the same means things are conserved whereby they are got . insomuch that if holland follow the humours of her first founders , she will love war better than peace , and happly be incited thereunto by this old prophecy that runs of her , marte triumphabis , batavia , pace peribis . holland , by war thou shalt encrease , thou wilt destroy thy self by peace . this we have seen fulfilled in these late years . how good soever a prince is , we may easily discern fewer sighs and groans at his funeral , than cries , or acclamations of joy at the coronation of his successor : which proceeds from the humours of men , never satisfied with the present condition of affairs , but fancy new felicities in their imaginations of things to come . men are like to sick people , who think they shall receive refreshment by change of their place . an old soldier told his general , that the enemies were twenty times more than they : but he replyed gallantly ; and for how many dost thou reckon me ? another told his general , that the enemies shot arrows like showers of hail : he instantly replyed , 't is so much the better for us : for we shall then fight but against empty quivers and shadows of men . when one person offends he is to be punished without dispute , to terrifie others from being malefactors : but when multitudes become criminous , it 's wisdom to draw advantage from their strength , rather than to exterminate their persons . soldiers that are generous ought to fear nothing more than dishonour , and to hope for no other thing than victory . policy is a most necessary guide to government , and it 's then best , when regulated by the maxims of religion , whose sacred direction permits not power to transgress beyond the bounds of reason , truth , and equity : otherwise policy is but like a keen sword in the hand of a mad-man . innocency and true nobleness are things of a most precious quality , and more full of majesty than robes of purple and crowns of gold. the quiet and tranquillity which springs from a good conscience , gives a sweet relish and satisfaction to the soul , which no throne , by it's own vertue can afford . publick faith , the laws of nations , and natural equity ought to be sacred and inviolable bonds , which in all ages and in all nations ought most religiously to be observed . princes are ordinarily the rules of their subjects actions ; and are as the primum mobile to all their motions . their great examples are imitated , and followed by the people : each one sees , observes , and strives to follow their prince as their guide . if the prince be virtuous the people are of that inclination : if wicked and vicious , the subject are apt schollars to such a bad lesson . the lives of glorious princes ought to be as unspotted as the purest christal . for certain it is , if a prince lose his honour , that loss is irreparable for ever . the crimes of private persons may be concealed in the obscurity of their quality , and buried in oblivion as well as their memory ; but the actions of princes , whether good or bad survive to posterity . the sun shines as well on the wicked as the good . god pardoneth more often than he punisheth . his clemency spreadeth more universally than his justice . a seasonable act of justice ( and thereby an effusion of a little blood ) sometimes prevents an inundation of misery , and takes away the cause of ample pardons and unlimited clemency . the king of the bees hath ( they say ) no sting , which teacheth princes not to be transported with the violence of their passions , and to meditate rather on clemency , as more natural , than on rigours , which nature declines . of all wars the defensive is most just and glorious . that right which permits of a repulsion of force by force is as ancient as the foundation of the world : nature it self inspires it , the laws permit it , the casuists dispute it , but in conclusion , the best divines authorize it . great wounds in the more noble parts endanger the body , and dissensions in the royal family , are commonly destructive and fatal to the whole line . youth is an age wherein the acquisition of ill habits are more facile than the infusions of good and vertuous dispositions . the founders of rome were brethren and twins : yet those that had lain together in one womb , could not sit quietly together in one throne , and nothing would serve until the blood of the one was mingled in the morter , and laid in the foundation of the walls of that glorious city . silla and marius never were in peace , nor could they rest while their power was equal . the triumvirat ( a composition of three of the choicest men ) could not continue long . anthony and lepidus were forced to surrender to the fortune of augustus . marcus aurelius ( with all his philosophy and wisdom ) found it an unsupportable burthen to bear sail with the factions of lucius verus , his colleague in the empire . bassianus caracalla was voluntarily a fratricide in his brother geta , that he night raign alone . gallienus creating odenate his colleague , hastened his own death , with the ruin of the empire . and in brief , all examples in this kind easily demonstrate , that the admission of a companion in the throne , is neither facile nor tollerable . humble virtues are as commendable as aspiring and tumultuous honour , and to raign in peace with justice , is as glorious as to conquer triumphantly in war. it is fit for a prince to have the theory of severity , but not to practise it if possibly he can avoid it . the oblivion of injuries is an act every way more noble than revenge . a prince who raigns without honour , cannot live a moment without danger . he that scorns his own life may easily become master of another's . he who maketh friendship his treasure may be liberal when he pleaseth without danger of profusion . he hath true repose of spirit who preserveth his reason entire , and neither lyeth down , nor riseth up in fear . it 's the usual fate of great men seldom to be content with their present state. they think that either their own merits . are not rewarded enough , or their inferiors too much , and so through discontent , striving to be higher , they fall lower . it 's an excellent point of skill in a commander to know when his strength hath attained it's just bounds of conquest , and there stopping his desires of gaining more , to fix upon the good government of what he hath already gotten . it was augustus his lot , after a long and honourable raign , to dye , and yet tum quidem pauci luxêrunt , postea omnes : few mourned at his death , afterwards all. for tiberius succeeded him , who was as wicked as augustus was good . we must not live to eat , but eat to live . we should eat less than nature desires , and yet so much as to refresh nature , and to make us fit for the service of god and man : luk. . . nature is content with a little ; grace with less . aristotle saith , that the ass-fish of all other creatures hath his heart in his belly . and solinus observes , that the dolphin hath his mouth almost in his belly . such are our greedy cormorants , who , as it were , wear their guts in their heads , and their brains in their bellies . if you will be careful to please dionysius you need not feed upon green herbs , said the parasite to the philosopher . and if you can be content to feed upon green herbs ( said the philosopher to the parasite ) you need not care to please dionysius . spend-thrifts entomb their ancestors in their bowels . they turn their rents into ruffs , their lands into laces : hang their patrimonies in their ears ( as saith seneca ) wear a pretty grove ; hang a handsome farm on their backs . and thus they waste their substance with riotous living , as did that prodigal , luke . . tenuis mensa sanitatis mater , saith st. chrysostom : a slender diet is the mother of health . augustus the emperor never drank but thirce at one meal , and lived till he was almost four-score years old . queen elizabeth ( of blessed memory ) did seldom eat but of one sort of meat at one meal , and rose ever with an appetite , and lived till she was about seventy years old . king edward , her brother called her by no other name , than his sweet sister temperance . they knew full well , that much meat much malady . of the lord of worcester ( in queen elizabeths days ) it is recorded , that his father , by his temperance reached to the ninety seventh year of his age , because he did never eat but one meal a day ; and his son's sparingness attained to eighty four , because he never eat but of one dish at one meal . the belly was the first sword that the devil drew against us ; and doth it still , so that if we let out our appetites it may cut our throats . for many more perish by intemperance than by violence ; by surfeiting than by suffering . meat kills as many as the musket . multitudes dig their own graves with their teeth . the board kills more than the sword. the cardinal of burbon would not part with his part in paris for his part in paridise . cardinal wolsey rode through london with twenty sumpter mules : caused his cardinals hat ( when it was first sent him from rome ) to be set upon a cupboard in westminster-abbey , with tapers round about it , so that the greatest duke in the land must make curtesie unto it , yea , to his empty seat when he was away . he had as great yearly revenues as all the bishops and deans in this kingdom put together . and for his houshold attendants he had one earl , nine barons , a great number of knights and esquires ; and of others of an inferior rank , four hundred at the least . he used to wear shooes of silver and guilt , beset with pearls and precious stones . when none other would lift up hildebrand into ' st. peter's chair , he got up himself : for who ( said he ) can judg better of my fitness than my self . harden thy forehead ( said calvus to vatinius ) and say boldly , that thou deservest the praetorship better than cato . cyprian and st. austin say , that pride in apparel is worse than whoredom : for that whoredom only corrupts chastity , but this corrupts nature . humility is the ornament of angels , and pride the deformity of devils . if heaven will not keep in a proud angel , it will keep out a proud soul. in all conditions of highness we should take heed of high-mindedness . it 's said of nazianzen that he was high in his works , but lowly in his thoughts . anger is a leprosie breaking out of a burning , as levit. . . it renders a man unfit for all civil society . a man's unruly passions make him like unto the torrid zone , too hot for any to live neer him . the dog-days continue with him all the year long , and he is fit only to live alone , as dragons and wild beasts do . weakness disposes a man to anger , because such men are most tender to feel an injury , most suspitious to fear it , and most interpreting to over-judg it : all which being circumstances of aggravation to encrease a wrong , are likewise means to add degrees and heat unto our passions . anger begins in rashness ; abounds in transgression , and ends in repentance . anger ( saith seneca ) is the foulest , fiercest , and maddest affection of all others . the angry person discovers it by his words , by his looks , by his actions . his words are wild , and many times thrust forward , so many at once and in such haste as puts the man to silence , as we see in a crowd , hastning to get out of an house at once , stops up the passage , so that they stick in the door . the looks of an angry man are sometimes furiously red , and sometimes gastly pale . his lips tremble ; his teeth grin ; his hair stare ; he swells like a toad ; he glows like a devil , &c. so that for the time that it continues , it is the foulest , and maddest of the affections ; as we see in achitophel , who being enraged that his counsel was rejected , went home and hanged himself . the heathens in their sacrifices to apollo , offered ivy to him , to shew that learning could not prosper and grow unless it were supported by the civil magistrate . sure none will follow vertuous studies when equal rewards shall cease from vertuous men . great is the sweetness even of humane learning to those who have gotten but a taste of it , as it was to pythagoras and plato , who travelled far for it . to julian the apostate , who preferred the study of it before all pastimes whatsoever . to marcus aurelius the emperor , who said , he would not leave the knowledge he might learn in one hour for all the gold that he possessed . to alphonsus king of arragon , who preferred his study in the mathematicks before the empire of germany when it was offered to him . he professed that he would rather part with all his jewels than his books ; yea , all his kingdoms rather than that little learning he had attained unto . st. hierom got his skill in the hebrew with the peril of his life , and that in his old age and yet accounted it a good bargain . he went by stealth in the night to the jew that taught him . for if it had been known , the other jews would have been the death of them both . pythagoras lived in a cave for a whole year together , that , being sequestred from the society of men , he might the better meditate upon the abstruser parts of philosophy . he used also with a thread to tye the hair of his head to a beam over him , that so , when he did but nod by reason of sleep , he might be awaked thereby . alphonsus king of sicity , called his books his best counsellors ; for that they would tell him the truth , when none else durst . julius caesar wrote his own acts , and modestly called them , not histories but commentaries . he would be carved standing upon a globe of the world , having in one hand a book , and in the other a sword , with this motto , ex utroque caesar . cleopatra , queen of egypt gave answers her self to the ambassadors of the aethiopians , arabians , hebrews , syrians , medes , parthians in their own languages . and could tune her tongue ( like an instrument of many strings , saith plutarch ) to whatsoever dialect she listed . the emperor trajan highly esteemed learning in pliny and others , whom he prized and preferred ; no less than did antoninus the philosopher , who was not ashamed , even after he was made emperor , to resort daily to his doctor . and when he came to athens and was admitted into that university , he granted to it large priviledges , did the students great honours , and founded many lectures with a liberal allowance of maintenance to them . aeneas silvius ( afterwards pope ) was wont to say of learning , that popular men should esteem it as silver , noble-men as gold , and princes as pearls . how much plato preferred books before money well appeared when he gave for three books thirty thousand florens . of ruchline it is storied , that he gave the jew a crown an hour that read hebrew to him at rome . cleanthus parted with all he had for learning . sigismond the emperor , in his old age applied himself to learn latine , and he much bewailed the matter at the council of constance , that neither he , nor any of his great courtiers , or counsellors , were able to answer a forraign ambassador in the latine tongue . julian the lawyer used to say , that when he had one foot in the grave , he would have the other in the schools . queen elizabeth was wont to qualifie the tediousness of her affairs , with the sweet recreation of letters . she either read or wrote something every day : she translated boetius his books de consolatione into handsome english . she answered several ambassadors in their several languages . the lady jane grey , for her age , was learned to a miracle . the famous olympia fulva morata of ferrara in italy , publickly , and with great commendation professed the greek , and latine tongues , at heidleberg in the palatinate , anno christi , . such as write any tender matter to their friends should remember the motto of a very wise man , who wrote upon the mantle of his chimney , where he used to keep a good fire , optimus secretariorum : this is the best keeper of secrets . i will conclude all with an hymn , composed by sr. henry wotton after his recovery from a fit of sickness . oh thou great power , in whom i move , for whom i live , to whom i dye , behold me through thy beams of love whilst on this couch of tears i lye ; and cleanse my sordid soul within , by thy christ's blood , the bath of sin. no hallowed oyls , no grains i need , no rags of saints , no purging fire , one rosie drop from david's seed was worlds of seas to quench thine ire . oh precious ransom ! which once paid , that consummatum est was said . and said by him , that said no more , but seal'd it by his sacred breath . thou then that hast dispung'd my score , and dying wast the death of death ; be to me now , on thee i call , my life , my strength , my joy , my all. finis . three practical essays ... containing instructions for a holy life, with earnest exhortations, especially to young persons, drawn from the consideration of the severity of the discipline of the primitive church / by samuel clark ... whole duty of a christian clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) three practical essays ... containing instructions for a holy life, with earnest exhortations, especially to young persons, drawn from the consideration of the severity of the discipline of the primitive church / by samuel clark ... whole duty of a christian clarke, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for james knapton ..., london : . subsequently published as: the whole duty of a christian. errata on p. [ ]. reproduction of original in cambridge university library. (from t.p.) baptism -- confirmation -- repentance. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng baptism -- early works to . confirmation -- early works to . repentance -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - rachel losh sampled and proofread - rachel losh text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion three practical essays viz. on baptism , confirmation , repentance . containing instructions for a holy life : with earnest exhortations , especially to young persons , drawn from the considerarion of the severity of the discipline of the primitive church . by samuel clark , m. a. chaplain to the right reverend father in god john lord bishop of norwich : and fellow of cains college in cambridge . london , printed for james knapton , at the crown in st. paul's church-yard , . to the right reverend father in god john lord bishop of norwich . my lord , as the many undeserved favours , with which your lordship has already been pleased to honour me , oblige me not to omit any opportunity of testifying publickly the grateful sense which i ought always to have of your lordship's kindness ; so they encourage me to presume further upon your lordship's candour , in publishing these short discourses under the patronage of your lordship's name . the singular zeal which your lordship has shown in making frequent confirmations , gives us reason to hope , that if the directions which your lordship has formerly given for the preparing persons to be confirmed , be as strictly observed , as the regular and pious use of that excellent institution seems to be a most probable means of promoting true religion and holiness ; that part of the church , over which god has placed your lordship , may become exemplarily eminent for the restoring of primitive piety and order : to which state that it may effectually arrive ; and that your lordship may long see it continue therein ; and that these short discourses may contribute their mite towards the promoting so noble and excellent a design , is the prayer of , my lord , your lordship 's most dutiful chaplain and most obedient servant , s. clarke . the preface . st . chrysostom observes concerning the ancient hereticks , that though their opinions were never so widely different both from the truth and from each other , yet every one pretended that his particular opinion was agreeable to the scripture and founded in it , and that all different opinions were discountenanced by it , and might be confuted out of it : he observes also further , that the true reason of this their confidence was , because every one picked out of the scripture all those passages , which according to the letter and sound of the words seemed to favour his particular opinion , without at all regarding their cohaerence and connexion , or the occasion and design of their being written . thus from those passages which speak of christ as a man and in his state of humiliation , some were so unreasonable as to collect that he was but a meer man , and so denied his divinity : others on the contrary from those passages which speak of him as god and in his state of exaltation , did as weakly take occasion to deny his humanity , asserting that the humane nature was wholly swallowed up by the divine . i wish the same observation might not too truly be made , of most of the later disputes which have arisen among christians in our days . for thus i believe , if we search on the one hand into the ground of many of those mens assertions , who love to aggravate the corruption of humane nature , and the natural misery of mankind , we shall find the true foundation of them to be the applying those places of scripture to the whole bulk of mankind , which are evidently and expresly spoken of some of the worst of men : on the other hand , the reason why others have so magnified the natural faculties of men , as to diminish and detract from the grace of god , is because they applied those texts to the generality of men , which are meant only of the most perfect christians . again , the foundation of those mens opinion , who have extolled some one particular virtue , in opposition to , or as an equivalent for , all other duties , is their having interpreted those places of scripture concerning some one particuler virtue , which are plainly meant of the whole christian religion ; and the reason why others have thought no moral virtues at all , necessary to be practised by believers , is because they have applied those texts to the most essential and fundamental duties of the christian religion , which were intended only of the ceremonial performances of the jewish law. and thus , to come to the subject of our present discourses , in the great business of repentance and conversion , the reason why some men have attributed the whole of mans conversion to such an extraordinary and uncertain grace of god , as has given men occasion to sit still in their sins , in expectation of the time when this extraordinary grace should be poured down upon them ; is because they have fixed that assistance of god's grace to an uncertain period , which god himself has constantly annexed to his ordinances , and which he certainly bestows upon men at their baptism , or at their solemn taking upon themselves the profession of religion . and the reason why others have made repentance so short and so easie a business , is because they have too largely applied those great promises in the gospel , to the circular and repeated repentences of christians , which are , at least in some measure , confined to the great repentance or conversion of unbelievers . my design in the following essays , is to endeavour briefly to set this great and most important matter in its true light ; from the analogy of scripture , and from the sense of the purest ages of the primitive church : to show that at baptism god always bestows that grace , which is necessary to enable men to perform their duty ; and that to those who are baptized in their infancy , this grace is sealed and assured at confirmation : that from henceforward men are bound with that assistance to live in the constant practise of their known duty and are not to expect ( except in extraordinary cases ) any extraordinary , much less irresistible grace , to preserve them in their duty or to convert them from sin : that if after this they fall into any great wickedness , they are bound to a proportionably great and particular repentance : and that as the gospel hath given sufficient assurance of such repentance being accepted , to comfort and encourage all true penitents ; so it has sufficiently shown the difficulty of it at all times , and the extreme danger of it when late , to deter men from delaying it when they are convinced of its necessity , and from adding to their sins when they hope to have them forgiven . there is nothing with which the devil more effectually imposes upon men in these latter ages of the world , than with false notions of repentance : and if it must be confessed that many in the primitive times were too severe in their apprehensions concerning it , 't is certain there are many more in our days not severe enough : at least i am sure there is no man who has a true sense of religion , and a just apprehension of the vast concern of eternal happiness or misery , but will be much more desirous to know the utmost strictness of the conditions upon which so mighty a stake depends , than to run the hazard of being mistaken in judging too loosly of them . the contents . essay the first . of baptism . chap. i. of baptism in general . chap. ii. what was required of persons to be baptized in the primitive church , in order to fit them for baptism . chap. iii. in what manner persons converted to christianity were baptized ; to what privileges they were admitted ; and to what duties they were engaged , by their baptism . chap. iv. what was required of persons after baptism . chap. v. of the baptism of infants . chap. vi. of the duty of god-fathers and god-mothers . essay the second . of confirmation . chap. i. of the nature , design and use of confirmation . chap. ii. what is to be done before confirmation , of faith ; of the necessity of religion ; of the necessity of revelation ; of the evidence of the christian religion ; and of consideration . chap. iii. of right notions concerning religion in general . chap. iv. a digression concern the doctrine of faith and works , delivered by st. paul in his epistle to the romans , and in that to the galatians . chap. v. of the duties of religion in particular . chap. vi. what is to be done at confirmation : of solemnly renewing the baptismal vow . chap. vii . of the certainty of god's grace , and the assistance of his holy spirit . chap. viii . what is to be done after confirmamation . of perseverance ; and of the danger of apostacy . chap. ix . of innocence , and an early piety . chap. x. of making religion the principal business of our lives . chap. xi . of the contempt of the world. chap. xii . of our obligation to be particularly careful to avoid those sins , to which we are most in danger to be tempted . chap. xiii . of growth in grace , and of perfection . essay the third . of repentance . chap. i. of repentance in general . chap. ii. that god allows repentance even to the greatest of sinners . chap. iii. that true repentance must be early . chap. iv. that true repentance must be great : and of penance . chap. v. that true repentance must be constant and persevering in its effects : and of the one repentance of the ancients . errata . page . line . r. converted . p. . l. . r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . l. . r. pervigiliis . p. . l. . r. wilful . p. . l. . r. the ministers . p. . l. . r. a matter . p. . l. . r. magnificas . p. . l. . r. integrity . p. . l. . r. subtracted . p. . l. . r. intemperance . p. . l. . r. things . p. . l. . r. poenitentiam . l. . filium . p. . l. . r. medician . l. . r. fletibus . p. . l. . r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . essay the first . of baptism . chap. i. of baptism in general . . baptsm is the rite , whereby those who believe in christ , are solemnly admitted to be members of the christian church . what the first original of baptizing with water was ; how † the jews used to baptize their proselytes , and the * heathens those who were to be initiated to any sacred function ; i shall not now enquire . sufficient it is to our present purpose , that our saviour has instituted this sacrament , as a rite whereby converts at their admission into his church , do solemnly oblige themselves to live suitably to the profession they then enter into ; and whereby they are intitled to all the benefits and privileges belonging to the society into which they are admitted . . this baptism is either , . of persons of riper years ; or . of infants . at the first preaching of the gospel , the main body of christians consisted of those , who had by the apostles preaching been converted from the jewish or from the gentile religion , to the christian ; and these were consequently baptized into the name of christ , after they were come to riper years . afterwards , when the christian religion had spread it self over whole countries and nations , the church consisted chiefly of such as were born of christian parents , and educated from the beginning in the christian religion ; and these were generally , even in the primitive times ; admitted into the church by baptism in their infancy . . in the baptism of persons of riper years , we must observe , . what was required of them before-hand , in order to prepare them for baptism : . in what manner they were baptized ; to what privileges they were admitted ; and to what duties they were engaged , by their baptism : and . what was required of them after their baptism . chap. ii. what was required of persons to be baptized in the primitive church , in order to fit them for baptism . . the first thing to be considered in the baptism of persons coverted to christianity , is , what was required of them before-hand , in order to fit them for this most solemn admission into the church of christ. now that which was indispensibly necessary to prepare them for this solemnity , and to qualifie them to be partakers of this holy sacrament , was faith and repentance ; i. e. a declaration of their firm † belief of the great doctrines of the christian religion , and of their * resolution to live suitably to that belief . . in the apostles times , when the miracles wrought by those first preachers of christianity , were so convincing , and the extraordinary grace of god , poured down upon men , so effectual , as to convert them to the faith of christ as it were in an instant ; a single declaration of their faith and repentance , seems to have been accounted sufficient to prepare them to receive baptism immediately . for thus we find st. philip baptizing the eunuch immediately upon his professing his belief that jesus christ was the son of god , act. . . and st. paul baptizing the jaylour immediately upon his being converted by the miracle of the prison doors opening with an earthquake , act. . . . but afterwards , when these mighty operations of the spirit grew less common , and men began to be convinced more gradually by the ordinary means of the preaching of the word , it was not thought sufficient in most churches , for men upon their conversion to profess their faith and their repentance , but they were obliged to give some evidence of the sincerity of both , before they could be admitted into the church by baptism . if they had formerly been great sinners , they were to evidence their repentance by * prayers , and watchings and fastings , and confessing their sins : they were to demonstrate by the real change of their whole course of life , that they had actually renounced all the rites and practices of their former profession , and would for the future conform their lives to the rules of the christian institution : they were to endeavour to purge their conscience from every evil work , that their baptism might be , not the putting away of the filth of the flesh , but the answer of a good conscience towards god. . they who were willing thus to make proof of their repentance , and of their sincere desire to be admitted into the church of god , were catechised in all those necessary articles of the christian faith , which they were to make publick profession of at their baptism ; they were fully instructed in the excellent moral precepts of that divine religion , which they were to practise the remaining part of their lives . and then they were thought prepared for the washing of regeneration , and the renewing of the holy ghost . chap. iii. in what manner persons converted to christianity were baptized ; to what privileges they were admitted ; and to what duties they were ingaged by their baptism . . when the person to be baptized was thus prepared , and the time appointed come ; which was usually at * easter or whitsontide , the commemorations of our saviour's passion and resurrection , and of the great effusion of the holy spirit , things principally respected in this sacrament ; ( though it might also upon occasion be celebrated at † any other time ; ) when the person , i say , was thus prepared , he was brought by the priest to a convenient place , where there was plenty of water ; and being stript of all his cloaths , he in the first place , with stretched out arms in a most solemn manner * renounced the devil and all his works , the pomps and vanities of this wicked world , and all not only the absolutely sinful , but also the lawful desires of the flesh , so far as to keep them within the most strict bounds , and most exact obedience to the laws of reason and religion . then he made profession of his faith † in one god , the father almighty , &c. in jesus christ his only son our lord , &c. and in the holy ghost , the holy catholick church , &c. after which he was baptized * in the name of the father , and of the son , and of the holy ghost ; being immersed in the water † three times , once at the name of each person in the ever blessed trinity . which being done , he came up out of the water ; and then ( according to the custom of some churches ) he was * anointed with oil , with the addition of some other ceremonies , which as they were in their own nature indifferent , so they were used only in some places , and that diversly according to the different usage of particular churches . after all which he was clothed with a † white robe , and so admitted among the faithful to the communion of the church : which last ceremony the greeks ( as a * learned writer of our own observes , ) keep up to this day ; putting upon the child immediately after baptism a white garment , with this form , receive this white and immaculate cloathing , and bring it with thee unspotted before the tribunal of christ , and thou shalt inherit eternal life . . this was the form and manner , in which persons converted to christianity were baptized in the primitive church : and by all these outward and visible ceremonies , were significantly represented certain inward and invisible things ; which were either the privileges to the injoyment of which the person baptized was intitled , or the duties to the performance of which he was engaged by his baptism . . the first grace or privilege , which god annexed to the right use of this ordinance of baptism , and to which the person baptised was consequently intitled , was remission of all past sins . the design of our savior's coming into the world , was by the merit of his death and suffering to purchase pardon and remission for all those , who should believe in his name and obey his gospel ; rom. . . whom god hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood , to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past , through the forbearance of god. now the means by which this pardon is applied , and the seal by which it is secured to all those who believe , and by repentance begin to obey the gospel , is baptism . whosoever therefore was converted to christianity , and was baptized , was baptised into the death of christ ; i. e. was by baptism intitled to the benefit of the pardon purchased by his death and passion : as his body was washed with pure water , so his sins were absolutely done away by the blood of christ , and his heart sprinkled from an evil conscience , heb. . . hence baptism is called the washing of regeneration , tit. . . and they who by the apostles preaching ▪ or by any other more extraordinary means , were convinced of the truth of the gospel , were exhorted immediately to be baptized , and wash away their sins ; acts . . and now why tarriest thou ? arise , and be baptized , and wash away thy sins , calling on the name of the lord ; and acts . . repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of jesus christ , for the remission of sins : to which those places also seem manifestly to allude , rev. . . unto him that loved us , and washed us from our sins in his own blood ; and rev. . . these are they which have washed their robes , and made them white in the blood of the lamb. the plain meaning of all which passages is this ; that as a new-born infant is without spot , innocent and sinless ; so every one that is born of water , i. e. regenerated by baptism , is in the account of god as if he had never sinned , cloathed with the white and spotless garment of innocence , which if he never defile by gross and wilful sins , he shall walk in white with christ , for he shall be worthy . . the next privilege which baptism principally and most significantly represented , was the admission of the convert into the church or family of god. all that received baptism , were thereby actually admitted into the society of christians , and to the participation of all the benefits which god bestows upon his church : they were admitted to the communion of the saints of god , and to the fellowship of his son jesus christ our lord , cor. . . they were made fellow-citizens with the saints , and of the houshold of god , eph. . . being come unto mount sion , and unto the city of the living god , the heavenly jerusalem , and to an innumerable company of angels , to the general assembly and church of the first-born , which are written in heaven , and to god the judge of all , and to the spirits of just men made perfect , and to jesus the mediatour of the new covenant , &c. heb. . . more particularly , they were made , first members of christ ; i. e. they were incorporated into that body , whereof christ is the head. secondly , they were made children of god ; i. e. they were enroll'd in the number of those , whom god had chosen to be his peculiar and elect people , and whom he designed to govern with the same tenderness , as an affectionate and merciful father does his most beloved children : which is what the apostles express by our being called the sons of god , john . . by our having received the adoption of sons , gal. . . and by our having power given us to become the sons of god , john . . lastly , they were made heirs of the kingdom of heaven ; i. e. they who before were aliens from the common-wealth of israel , and strangers from the covenants of promise , having no hope and without god in the world , did by baptism enter into that covenant , wherein god assured the promise of eternal life , to all those who should believe and repent : and this is what the apostle intends by our having our * citizen-ship in heaven , phil. . . and by our being heirs of god , and joint heirs with christ , that we may be glorified together with him , rom. . . . another privilege which was represented and conferred by baptism , was the influence and assistance of gods holy spirit . all persons that were baptized , as their bodies were washed and purified with water , so their minds were sanctified by the spirit of god : but ye are washed , but ye are sanctified , but ye are justified , in the name of our lord jesus , and by the spirit of our god , cor. . . at their baptism they received * the holy ghost , as a gift constantly annexed to that ordinance ; and unless they quenched and grieved it by their sins committed afterwards , it always continued with them from thenceforward , assisting and enabling them to perform their duty , strengthning and comforting them under temptations and afflictions , and bearing witness with their spirit , that they were the children of god. at the first preaching of the gospel , this influence of the holy spirit frequently discovered it self , in those extraordinary gifts of speaking with tongues , working miracles , &c. as appears in the history of the acts of the apostles . but these by degrees ceasing , it afterward continued to evidence it self in the strange and almost miraculous change , which it made in the minds of men , from the most corrupt and vicious , to the most virtuous and heavenly disposition , almost in an instant upon their being baptized . and when this effect also grew less frequent , as the zeal and purity of the christians declined , it yet continued always by its secret power to renew and transform mens minds , to instruct men in their duty , and to inable them to perform it . hence baptism is called the renewing of the holy ghost , tit. . . and a being born of water and of the spirit , john . . and by the antients frequently * illumination : and persons baptized are said to have been enlightned , to have tasted of the heavenly gift , and to have been made partakers of the holy ghost , heb. . . . the last privilege which persons baptized were intitled to by virtue of that ordinance , was an assurance of a resurrection to eternal life . they received , as hath been said , the holy spirit of god ; and that spirit , so long as it dwelt with them , was a * seal and ‖ earnest of their future resurrection : for if the spirit of him that raised up jesus from the dead , dwell in you , he that raised up christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies , by his spirit that dwelleth in you , rom. . . and this was most significantly represented by their descending into the water , and rising out of it again : for as christ descended into the earth , and was raised again from the dead by the glory of the father ; so persons baptized were buried with him by baptism into death , and rose again after the similitude of his resurrection : they were planted together in the likeness of his death ; and they were by this sign assured , that they should be also in the likeness of his resurrection . thus the apostle st. paul , colos. . . ye are buried with him in baptism , wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of god , who hath raised him from the dead . to which st. peter seems likewise to allude , pet. . . the like figure whereunto ( viz. to the saving of the ark by the water of the flood ) even baptism doth also now save us , by the resurrection of christ. . these are the spiritual graces or privileges , which were represented by the outward and visible signs in baptism , and conferr'd by their means ; and these are what god on his part engageth and assures to us , in that great and holy covenant . there are other things , which the persons baptized obliged themselves to on their part in that covenant ; and these are the duties which by their baptism they vow and take upon themselves to perform , represented also by the same outward and visible signs . the first of these duties which the persons baptized promised and obliged themselves to perform , was a constant confession of the faith of christ and profession of his religion . they were admitted by baptism into the church and family of christ ; and they were bound at all times , to own themselves his disciples : they were solemnly baptized into his death ; and they were oblig'd not to be asham'd of the cross of christ , and to confess the faith of him crucified : they owned publickly at their baptism , their belief in god the father almighty , and in jesus christ his only son our lord ; and they were bound at all times to make profession of this faith : they had with the heart believed unto righteousness ; and they thought that with the mouth , confession was necessary to be made unto salvation : they were assured , that if they confessed christ before men , he would also confess them before his father which is in heaven , and before the angels of god ; but if they were ashamed of him , and denyed him before men , he would also be ashamed of them when he came in the glory of his father with the holy angels . and so mighty an effect had this consideration upon the primitive christians , that in the times of persecution , when they were tempted to deny their saviour and renounce the faith which they had once embraced , they chose rather to endure the most exquisite torments that the wit of man could invent , than either to renounce or dissemble their christianity ; and those who out of fear denyed or were ashamed to confess their faith , they looked upon to have forfeited and renounced their baptism , as having crucified to themselves the son of god afresh , and put him to an open shame . . the second thing to which persons baptized solemnly obliged themselves by their baptism , was a death unto sin , and a new-birth unto righteousness ; i. e. they engaged utterly and for ever to forsake , all manner of sin and wickedness ; all idolatrous and superstitious worship of false gods ; all injustice , wrong , fraud and uncharitableness towards men ; all the pride and vanity , the pomp and luxury of this present world ; all the lusts of the flesh , adultery , fornication , uncleanness , lasciviousness , gluttony , drunkenness , revellings , and such like : and for the future they promised to make it the business of their lives , to fulfil all righteousness according to the strictest rules of the christian doctrine and discipline ; to worship the only true god , with all devotion , reverence and humility ; to be exactly just in their dealings with men , and generously charitable upon all occasions ; in fine , to be temperate and sober , chast and pure , as the worshippers of god , and the temples of the holy ghost . this was indeed a dying unto sin , and living unto righteousness ; this was properly a being regenerated or born again ; this was truly a being washed , sanctified and justified , in the name of christ , and by the spirit of god : and indeed this was the principal thing which was signified in baptism , and the principal end for which the whole ordinance was designed ; this was what the person to be baptized was to profess with his own mouth , when he renounced the devil and all his works ; and this was what was principally represented by that main part of the ceremony , the descending into the water and rising out of it again ; for so the apostle st. paul most fully explains it , rom. . . know ye not that so many of us , as were baptized into jesus christ , were baptized into his death ? therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death , that like as christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father , even so we also should walk in newness of life ; knowing this , that our old man is crucified with him , that the body of sin might be destroyed , that henceforth we should not serve sin : that is , the design of our descending into the water to be baptized , and rising again out of it , was to mind us , that as we then received remission of our past sins by vertue of christ's having died for sin ; so we our selves were in like manner to die and be buried to sin , and rise again to walk for the future with christ in newness and holiness of life . this therefore was the principal thing respected in baptism , and without this answer of a good conscience towards god , the washing or putting away of the filth of the flesh , could nothing avail in the sight of god. baptism is not the * washing and cleansing of the body , but the purifying of the mind , from every evil work , to serve the living god ; without which , baptism is so far from being available to the remission of sin , that on the contrary it makes it far the more grievous and inexcusable . but of this more in the next chapter . . the third and last thing , to which men were solemnly engaged at their baptism , was self-denyal and contempt of the world. our saviour had told his disciples , that whosoever would come after him , must deny himself and take up his cross and follow him ; that whosoever was not willing to forsake all that he had , father and mother , and wife and children , and brethren and sisters , yea , and his own life also , he could not be his disciple : and therefore when any man came to be baptized , he was accordingly obliged to renounce the world , and all its glory , the pomps and vanities , the splendor and pleasures of it : he professed himself a candidate for the glory that should be revealed hereafter ; and that therefore he would never be ambitious for that honour , which men so earnestly contend for here : he declared that he expected his portion in those spiritual joys , which eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive them ; and therefore he would never set his heart and affections , upon any gross and sensual pleasure : he professed that from thenceforward his treasure should be in heaven , where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt , and where thieves do not break through and steal ; and that therefore he would never be covetous of any riches , or possessions on earth : in a word , he engaged to make it the main business of his life , to prepare and fit himself to be partaker of those things , which god had for them that love him laid up in the next world ; and that therefore he would never be extreamly solicitous , after any thing in this . this was what the primitive christians understood by their renouncing the world. they thought themselves obliged not only to forsake all gross and palpably sinful lusts , but also to be very sparing in their enjoyments of what was lawful : they looked upon this world and the next , as * enemies to each other ; and that they were to fight as soldiers under the banner of christ , against the pleasures and temptations of this vvorld , for the glories of the other . and for an emblem of this it was , that in some churches they anointed the baptized person with oil : he was compared to a combatant , to a runner just preparing to start in the christian race ; and they minded him , that if those who strive for the mastery only to obtain a corruptible crown , are temperate in all things , much more ought he to confirm and strengthen himself , to prepare and harden himself , to be ready and expedite , to be temperate and abstemious , and to get perfectly above all those earthly desires , which would hinder and clog him in that great race , which he was to run for the crown of immortality . 't is true , the forsaking all worldly possessions for the name of christ , was a condition more particularly required in those primitive times of persecution : but how far it still obliges us , ( as it most certainly does in some sense ) shall be considered in its proper place . chap iv. what was required of persons after baptism . . when the whole ceremony was finished , the person baptized was cloathed ( as has been already observed ) with a white garment ; and then he was * admitted to the communion of the faithful : and that which was afterward required of him , was this one great and necessary thing . to keep his baptism pure and undefiled , the remaining part of his life . to the keeping a man's baptism pure and undefiled through the remaining part of his life , that which was thought absolutely necessary in the primitive church , was this : first , that he from that time forward preserved himself from falling , not only into the habit , but even so much as into the single act of any of these gross and palpable wickednesses ; idolatry , perjury , blasphemy ; murder , sedition , theft , manifest injustice , cheating ; adultery , fornication , uncleanness , drunkenness , revelling ; and such like ; of which st. paul expresly and peremptorily declares , and repeats it with great earnestness over and over again , that they who do such things , shall have no inheritance in the kingdom of christ and of god. one that was born of god , might be surprized into an unheeded sin ; but into the gross act of any of these manifest and notorious impieties , they thought he was * never to be seduced , and if he were , that he ceased to be the servant of god ; for whosoever abideth in him , sinneth not ; and whosoever is born of god , doth not commit sin ; for his seed remaineth in him , and he cannot sin because he is born of god. from the acts therefore of any of these great and plain wickednesses , which stare men in the face , and at the first view terrifie mens consciences , they thought it indispensably necessary that a man abstained wholly ; and that these things were not so much as to be once named among christians . but then secondly , to the keeping a man's baptism pure and undefiled , that which was thought further necessary was , that from falling into an habitual practice of any of those smaller and less scandalous sins , which carelesness and culpable ignorance would be very apt to betray a man into the acts of , he ought to indeavour to secure himself by great cautiousness , and sincere enquiry after the knowledge of his duty ; that from sins of omission , from growing cool in religion , and remitting of his first love , he ought to indeavour to preserve himself by constant meditation , and hearty prayer to god for the assistance of his holy spirit ; that in order to grow in grace , he ought to be always humble and teachable , penitent and devout , meek in spirit , and pure in mind ; and that to attain perfection , he ought to be always pressing forward towards the mark of the prize of the high calling , with a perfect contempt of the world , an entire love of god , and a boundless charity to all mankind . . this was what the primitive christians understood by keeping their baptism pure and undefiled ; viz. a regular and constant practice of all holiness and virtue , from the time of their baptism to their death . and to this they thought themselves most strongly obliged , by the very form of their baptism : they were immersed into the water , and they rise out of it again , and this great solemnity was never after to be repeated ; in token that as christ once died for sin , and rose again never to come under the power of death any more ; so they were this once to have their sins perfectly washt away by his blood , and were bound never to return under the power of them any more . thus st. paul himself most expresly and excellently argues , rom. p. . v. . knowing that christ being raised from the dead , dieth no more ; death hath no more dominion over him ; for in that he died , he died unto sin once ; but in that he liveth , he liveth unto god : likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto sin , but alive unto god through jesus christ our lord : let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body , that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof . the force of which argument is plainly this : when we descended into the water , and rise out of it again , we made publick profession , that as we hoped for pardon of our past sins through the merits of the death of christ ; so we our selves would thenceforth die unto sin , that is , utterly cast it off and forsake it , and for the future rise again to walk with christ in newness and holiness of life : so that unless from the time of our thus putting off sin , we continue constantly to live in all holiness and righteousness , we have no just reason to expect remission by virtue of the death of christ , into which we were baptized : for it being the express condition of the remission of sin , that we continue no longer in it , but live from thencefotth unto god ; the blood of christ it self , which was shed to be a propitiation for the sins of the whole world , can avail nothing for one that continues in sin , whom our saviour himself has particularly excepted from the benefit of the pardon purchased by his death and passion . . accordingly persons after their baptism were instructed , that they must now utterly and for ever renounce , all the sinful pleasures and desires of the world : they were told , that they now received remission of their past sins , by vertue of the death of christ ; and therefore they must take great heed that they sinned no more : they were told , that they now washed their garments in the blood of the lamb ; ( for a signal whereof they were accordingly cloathed in white ; ) and that they must take care to bring this unspotted innocence with them , before the tribunal of christ : ( to which custom our saviour himself seems to allude , rev. . . thou hast a few names even in sardis , which have not defiled their garments , and they shall walk with me in white , for they are worthy ; ) they were told , that they were now baptized for the remission of all their past sins ; and if they kept not this baptism pure and undefiled , * they could not be sure they should ever be able to obtain the like full and perfect remission again : they were told , that they now started in that great race , which they were to run for the crown of immortality ; and * if those who were found tardy in an earthly race , were beaten and disgraced , of how much sorer punishment should they be thought worthy , who negligently faultred in the race of immortality ? they were told , that they now entred into that covenant of god , the seal whereof was , let every one that names the name of christ , depart from iniquity ; and if they * kept not this seal , their punishment would be among apostates , whose worm shall not die , and whose fire shall not be quenched : they were told , that they had now escaped the pollutions of the world , through the knowledge of our lord and saviour jesus christ ; and if after this they should be again intangled therein , and be overcome , and turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them , their punishment should be † double to that of those , who had never known the way of righteousness . finally , they were told , that they were now enlightned , and had tasted of the heavenly gift , and were made partakers of the holy ghost , and were sealed thereby unto the day of redemption ; and if after this they should fall away , it would be exceeding difficult to renew them to repentance : that they had now received the perfect knowledge of the truth ; and if after this they sinned wilfully , there would remain no more sacrifice for sin , but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation , which should devour the adversary : in a word , that they now received a certain promise and assurance of eternal life ; but if they would sell this blessing for the momentary gratifications of sense , they might perhaps afterwards be rejected when they should desire to inherit it , and find no place for repentance , though they might seek it carefully with tears . . these were the severe cautions , with which the primitive church obliged baptized persons upon their utmost peril , to keep themselves stedfast from the time of their baptism in all holy and blameless conversation . those who did continue to walk suitably to this profession , were said to be washed , to be sanctified , to be justified , in the name of our lord jesus christ , and by the spirit of our god : and because in those purest times , there were hardly any among christians , who did not walk suitably to their profession ; it being the * same thing then , to be a christian and to be a good man ; therefore those terms , elect , regenerate , sanctified , born of god , and the like , which we now appropriate only to the best and most holy men , are not in scripture so appropriated , but applied promiscuously to all christians ; as appears from the titles of the apostles letters , in which whole churches in general are called elect , sanctified , and the like ; and most evidently from st. john , who in his first epistle , chap. . ver . . whosoever , saith he , believeth that jesus is the christ , is born of god : whosoever believeth that jesus is the christ ; i. e. every christian ; there being hardly any one in those times , who was not indeed , what he professed and pretended to be , a regenerate , sanctified and elect person . and as christians who then lived thus suitably to their profession , were stiled regenerate , sanctified , and the like ; so they who continued to live thus suitably to the end , were said to persevere : and of such only , was it said that they persevered ; in opposition to those who after their baptism lapsed , into any notorious transgression . for one that had thus lapsed , they did not think it sufficient that he should repeat his crime no more , ( which was the condition of baptismal remission , ) but he was obliged by * a long course of mortification , prayers , tears and good works , to endeavour to wash out the stain and guilt . nay , and even this course also they allowed of but † once ; not that true repentance would at any time be in vain and unacceptable to god , but ( as an * ancient writer expresses it , ) that that which was the only remaining remedy , might not by being made too easie , grow contemptible and ineflectual . . and now let us think upon this ; let us consider this , with shame and confusion of faces ; who i do not say after baptism and the solemn taking upon our selves the profession of christianity , but after frequent purposes and promises of reformation , after repeated vows and resolutions of amendment , nay , perhaps after confirming all these by the sacrament of the body and blood of christ , do yet continue in sin and defer our repentance . the primitive christians thought themselves absolutely obliged to live in the constant practice of all holiness and vertue , from the time of their baptism to their death ; and can we hope to be accepted , if notwithstanding all our pretences to repentance and reformation , we still continue under the weak excuses of infirmity and inadvertency , to live in any known sin ? doth our baptismal vow lay no obligation upon us ? or hath god established a covenant with us upon slighter terms , and entail'd his promises to us upon easier conditions , than he did to the first and purest christians ? let no man deceive you , saith st. john , he that doth righteousness , is righteous , john . . 't is true , the case is not altogether the same with us , as it was with them : we live in christian nations and under christian governments , where there are no pagans to be converted to christianity , and to be baptized after their repentance , and with a full conviction of mind : and of those who are born of christian parents , there are very few so happy , as not to be entangled in the habit of any sin , before they come to a perfect understanding and compleat conviction of all the truths of religion ; and * in this case it must indeed be confessed , that it cannot but require some time , perfectly to overcome a vitious disposition , and to obtain the habit of the contrary vertue . but may we therefore spend our whole lives in little and weak struglings against sin , without ever arriving at that pitch of vertue , which was antiently thought necessary to prepare a man for baptism ? may we therefore be excused from ever becoming perfect christians , because we were all along brought up in the christian religion , and were never converted by any sudden conviction ? when a man is in that state described by st. paul in the th chap. to the romans , that he is convinced of the evil of great and known sins , and sets his mind to resist and strive against them , yet not so but that through the viciousness of his inclination or the force of evil habits he frequently relapses and is intangled in them again ; 't is a sign indeed that such a one is not yet hardened through the deceitfulness of sin ; there is hopes that through the grace of god he may at length prevail and overcome his temptations ; but he has not yet overcome , he has not yet attained to be a good christian ; nor can he be said to have done so , till he has brought himself into such a state , as that he be perfectly gotten above all the temptations to know sin , and assured by the grace of god , that he shall not fall into it any more . to such a state as this , he must resolve to arrive ; and he must resolve to arrive at it timely , that he may have a certain title to the reward of obedience . there is hardly any man so wicked , who does not design to repent at one time or other before he dies ; and our saviour has indeed in his gospel made the same promises to repentance , that he has to innocence and continued obedience : but let no man deceive himself by a fatal errour : the repentance to which our saviour has made such large promises , is not the late repentance of a christian , but the timely repentance of a jew or a heathen at his conversion to christianity ; and is therefore the very same , and no other than baptism it self . indeed if a christian by an unhappy education be brought up in sin , and habituated to wickedness ; whenever he comes by the power of god's word , and the influence of his holy spirit , to be convinced of the evil of his ways and of the necessity of religion , he is then in the same state that a heathen convert is supposed to be at his baptism , and the same promises are made to them both : but when a christian who has a clear knowledge of his duty , does notwitstanding that , continue wilfully all his life in sin , our saviour is so far from assuring him that god and angels will rejoyce at his conversion , if when he grows old he leaves off sinning , because he can sin no more , that he has no where promised that such a repentance shall be accepted at all . we must therefore so break off our sins by repentance , as to attain the habits of the contrary vertues , and to live in them . such a repentance as this , our saviour will accept ; and * he that after such a repentance lives constantly virtuous , shall certainly be esteemed in the sight of god , as if he had always been innocent : but without the evidence of such a life of virtue and renewed obedience , how far soever the mercy of god may possibly extend it self , we can never have any assurance that our repentance will be accepted . chap. v. of the baptism of infants . . as those who by the preaching of the apostles and their successors had been converted from judaism or gentilism to christianity , were baptized at riper years , upon their publickly professing their faith and their repentance ; so those who were born of christian parents , and designed to be educated in the christian religion , have by the general practice of the christian church been baptized in their infancy , upon promise made by sureties , that they should be instructed in the faith and in the obedience of the gospel . . and that infants are rightly so admitted to this ordinance , ( besides the almost general consent and practice of the christian church , ) i shall use but this one argument to demonstrate . those who are fit to be admitted into the kingdom of christ in heaven , ( as our saviour himself pronounces infants to be , mar. . and . ) are certainly qualified to be received as members of his church on earth . the qualifications which fit men for both , are repentance and faith : now though infants have not repentance , yet they have * innocence , which is better than repentance , and which makes them that they need it not : for if those who have been the most enormous sinners , are yet by their repentance qualified for baptism ; how much more are infants , who have never sinned , fitted for it by their innocence ? and though infants have not and cannot have actual faith , yet they are * sanctified by being born of believing parents , they are already in some sense within the limits of the church and of the covenant of promise , and are ready without prejudice to be instructed in the truth of the gospel , and in the obedience thereof . . infants therefore are rightly admitted to baptism , and thereby to the privileges appropriated by christ to the members of his church . but because baptism is a covenant , wherein there is as well a promise made on the part of the person baptized , of certain duties to be performed , as one on god's part , of certain graces and privileges to be conferred ; and because infants are not capable of making any promise immediately by themselves ; it has therefore been the wisdom of the church to appoint certain sureties , who should promise in the name of the child , what it self should afterwards be obliged to perform ; i. e. who should undertake to see it instructed in the nature and obligation of those duties , which upon account of its being a member of the church of christ , it would at years of discretion be bound to perform . chap. vi. of the duty of god-fathers and god-mothers . that therefore which the sureties undertake for a child at its baptism , is briefly this : that it shall be taught all the articles of the christian faith , with the reasonableness of their belief , that it shall be instructed in all the duties of the christian life , with the necessity of their practice ; and that it shall be minded in convenient time to make a publick declaration of its being hearty in this belief , and to enter into a renewed engagement to continue constant in this practice . they promise that it shall be taught to believe in one god the father almighty , &c. and in jesus christ , his only son our lord , &c. and in the holy ghost , the holy catholick church , &c. they promise that it shall be instructed , to renounce the devil and all his works , the pomps and vanities of this wicked world , and all the sinful lusts of the flesh ; i. e. that it shall be taught to live soberly , righteously , and godly , in this present world. and they promise , that it shall in fit season be brought to declare solemnly , in the presence of god and of the whole congregation , its firmness in the faith of these articles of religion , and its resolution to continue in the obedience of these commands . . this is what the god-fathers or god-mothers promise for a child at its baptism ; this they promise solemnly in the presence of god , and in the face of the congregation : and is it a small thing , to undertake for the soul of a person to be admitted into the church of christ ? is it a light thing to enter into such a promise solemnly before god and his church ? i doubt not but whoever considers the matter seriously , will hardly find any duty of greater importance , or any promise of more solemn obligation : yet is there no duty more generally and more shamefully neglected , nor any promise more lightly regarded . . if a man be made guardian to the son of a deceased friend , and be intrusted with the care of his education , how justly do we expect , that he should be careful to have him instructed in all that necessary knowledge , on which depends the management of his life and conversation ; that he should be zealous to have him further indued with all those useful accomplishments , which may become his quality and recommend him in the world ; but above all that he should spare no pains to secure to him his estate , and to improve his fortunes ? and do we not look upon that man as the vilest and most unfaithful of men , who having such a charge committed unto him , should wholly neglect all or any of these things ? yet how much a greater trust does he betray , who having the soul of a child committed to his care by god and the church , neglects wholly to have it taught those necessary truths , in the knowledge and practice of which consists its everlasting happiness ; who takes no care at all to secure to it that portion , which god hath designed and prepared for it in heaven ; and who seeing the soul of an innocent babe , ( perhaps meerly for want of good advice and instruction , ) beginning to be over-run with the seeds of those vices , which in time must drown it in destruction and perdition , does yet show no care or concern for it ? what greater uncharitableness can a man possibly be guilty of towards the soul of his brother , or what greater mockery of god ? 't is true , the education of a child is not wholly committed to the care of those who are its sureties in baptism , but first and principally to the parents themselves : but undoubtedly they are bound to be assistants ; and if the parents either thro' wickedness neglect to instruct it , or by death are taken away from it , the sureties must look upon this care as chiefly devolved upon them , and of which they must give a strict account . . in what station soever god appoints any man over the soul of his brother , either to warn the wicked or to instruct the ignorant , if he neglects his duty and his brother perish through his default , the blood of him that perisheth will be required at his hands : ezek ● . . when i say unto the wicked , o wicked man , thou shalt surely die ; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his ways , that wicked man shall die in his iniquity , but his blood will i require at thine hand . how much more , when the soul of an innocent child is committed particularly to the care of any person , if thro' his neglect it be corrupted and perish , shall its blood be required at his hand ? with what confusion and amazement shall we at the day of judgment hear those who have been committed to our charge , accuse us for having been thro' carelesness the causes of their destruction ? how shall we be astonisht and cut to the heart , to hear them curse us and say , had those who should have instructed us , been as careful to teach us our duty , as we were capable and willing to have learnt it , we had never come into this miserable condition ! and how will it double the torments even of hell it self , to have the punishment not only of our own sins , but also of all the sins of those , who have been undone by our neglect , inflicted upon us ? . 't is not therefore a slight and trivial matter , to be sureties for children in baptism ; 't is not enough barely to make profession of our faith in their name at the font ; but we are bound afterward to perform conscientiously , what we there solemnly promised for them before god and his church , as a duty wherein their souls and our own , and the welfare of the church of christ , are highly concerned . tertullian thought it a great objection against the use of infant-baptism , that † the sureties were there obliged to promise , what they were not sure they should live to perform , and what , if they did live , they could not be sure they should be able to perswade the baptized person to take upon himself : he never once thought that so great a trust might be wilfully betrayed , or so solemn a promise carelesly neglected ; which would have been a much stronger objection . what would he have said , if he had lived in these times , wherein nothing is more common , than for men to take upon themselves this great charge , without ever designing to think more of it ? . let those men consider this , who make no scruple to promise in the presence of god and his church , what they never design to think upon after . let those consider this , who make no scruple to answer readily for a child , whom by reason of its great distance they have no probability of ever seeing more : let those consider this , who when they have been sureties for a child , deliver it immediately to its parents , as if they were by that mockery released from their promise , and god deluded as easily as men : lastly , let those consider this , who think themselves obliged to restifie their love to a child whom they have been sureties for , by some little and trifling marks of kindness ; while they are at the same time most inhumanely and unchristianly cruel to it , by neglecting that one great kindness which they have promised and vowed to do for it . . i doubt not but the notorious neglect of this important duty , is one great cause of the shameless wickedness of our present age. for while parents and sureties are careless to instruct children in the nature and obligation of their baptismal vow , vicious inclinations prevail upon them and insensibly grow into vicious habits , before they come to a perfect knowledge of the necessity and excellency of religion , of the extent and obligation of their duty , and of the greatness and certainty of the happiness annexed to it . whereas were sureties , according to their solemn promise made to god and his church , conscientiously careful to see that those for whom they have undertaken , be timely and diligently instructed ; religion would have the first possession , of innocent and unprejudiced minds ; children would for the most part , though differently according to their different tempers , be early wrought upon to admire the beauty and the pleasure of virtue ; to thirst after the love of god and the happiness of heaven ; and would be brought to confirmation , with a deep sense and conviction of their duty , with an earnest desire of professing the reality of their faith and renewing their promises of obedience , and with a full resolution of living suitably to that profession and those renewed promises , the remaining part of their lives . the end . essay the second . of confirmation . chap. i. of the nature , design and use of confirmation . that there is a certain period of time , at which every man that is truly religious , began to be so , and from which the beginning of his religious life might truly be dated , is evident : but of what use the knowing and fixing this period in a man 's own mind , may be , is generally very little considered : for whilst some have groundlesly asserted , that there is a certain time of every good man's conversion , after which it is impossible for him to fall away into a state of wickedness ; and whilst others have weakly imagined , that there is a certain time of conversion , after which though a man does fall into great wickednesses , yet he cannot fall finally from a state of grace ; most others have thought that there is little or no use of inquiring at all into the exact time when the religious life begins , or if there were , that it is hardly possible for a man to fix and determine it , since men generally become religious not by a sudden conversion , but by a gradual progress . but though it be indeed true , that men generally become religious , not at once , but by degrees , yet may a man nevertheless certainly fix to himself the period , from whence to date the beginning of his religious life : for if his progress has been only from a more imperfect state of virtue , ( which consists in a constant sincere endeavour to obey all the commandments of god , but accompanied with many frailties , inadvertencies and surprizes , ) to a more perfect and uniform practice of holiness ; he has been all along in the course of a religious life : but if his progress has been from a course of known and wilful sin , to a victory or conquest over his lusts and temptations ; he must reckon his religious life from no longer a time , ( notwithstanding any pious intervals and struglings which he may have had with his habitual temptations , ) than from that period since which he has never fallen into any known and gross sin . and the uses of a man's fixing within himself such a period , would be that more assured and settled peace of conscience , which would arise from the distinct and clear view of a well examined course of past holiness ; that effectual bar against falling into the act of any known sin , which would be put by a man's considering , that by such an act he must lose all the comfort of his past virtue , and be forced to begin his religious life again from a new period ; and above all , that mighty dread of going on in a circle of sinning and repenting , repenting and sinning , into which men would be rowzed , by being brought to understand clearly , that such a course is no part of a religious life at all . . now this period , from which i suppose a christian to begin his religious life , must be either baptism , confirmation or repentance . in those who are converted from the profession of any other religion to that of christianity , the period from whence their religious life ought to begin , is baptism : and the principal cause of that strict piety , for which the primitive christians are so deservedly eminent , seems to be that great rigour with which they insisted upon mens living in a constant course of piety from the time of their entring into this solemn covenant . in those who have been educated from their infancy in the christian religion , the period from whence their religious life ought to be dated , is confirmation ; the time from their baptism being only their preparation , or time of instruction . but then for those who have neglected this great and solemn opportunity , or have since fallen into any great and wliful sins ; the only remaining time from whence their religious life can be reckoned , is repentance , i. e. the time since which they have so perfectly had the conquest over all their temptations , as not to have been seduced by them any more , into any gross or wilful sin . of baptism i have already spoken in the former essay ; of confirmation i shall treat in this ; of repentance in the next . . in the primitive church , those who upon profession of their faith and repentance were by baptism admitted into the church of christ , had this their admission compleated or perfected afterwards , by the imposition of hands . when the samaritans had received the word of god , and many of them were baptized in the name of the lord jesus , only the holy ghost was as yet fallen upon none of them , we find that * two of the apostles were sent to lay their hands on them , and then they received the holy ghost , acts . . this was the constant practise of the apostles , stles , to perfect or compleat baptism by the imposition of hands : which two things are therefore laid down together among the principles or foundations of the doctrine of christ , heb. . . and were accordingly practised jointly by the church in succeeding ages . this custom ( saith † st. cyprian ) is also descended to us , that they who are baptized be brought by the rulers of the church , and by our prayer and the imposition of hands , may obtain the holy ghost , and be consummated with the seal of the lord. and * tertullian , after baptism the hand is imposed , by blessing calling down and inviting the holy spirit : then that most holy spirit willingly descends from the father upon the bodies that are cleansed and blessed . . but of this confirmation of persons baptized at riper years , which was anciently administred immediately after baptism , and is therefore by many not without reason look'd upon as a part of the ceremony of baptism it self , it is not my purpose to speak now more largely . that which i am at this time more especially to consider , is that confirmation , as it is now in use in the church , whereby those who have been baptized in their infancy , are at years of discretion perfected or made compleat members of the church . and the design and use of confirming such persons , is plainly this : baptism being a covenant , wherein there are as well certain conditions promised to be performed on the part of the person baptized , as certain privileges assured to be conferred on god's part ; and infants , though they be capable of being admitted to the privileges of members of the church , yet not being capable of promising or performing any conditions , any otherwise than by means of certain sureties , who ingage to instruct them in the nature and obligation of the promises made in their name at their baptism ; 't is manifest that these baptized infants , when they come to years of discretion , if they desire to continue to be partakers of the privileges , which god has appropriated to the members of his church , they must be willing also to perform the conditions , which god has indispensably required of all those members : that they may enter therefore into these obligations , with the advantage of greater solemnity and choice , it has most wisely been instituted , that as soon as they be of age to understand the nature and the obligation of that promise , which was made in their name at their baptism , they should be brought to make a publick declaration , in the presence of god and his church of their taking freely upon themselves that vow , and of their resolution to live from thenceforward conformably to the conditions of that great and solemn covenant ; and that upon this publick profession of their faith , and most solemn purposes of obedience , they should by imposition of hands have the great privileges of baptism sealed anew and secured to them . . and that this might be done the more solemnly and effectually , so as to have a lasting effect upon the minds and lives of men , as the solemn administration of baptism had antiently among the primitive christians ; it were very much to be wished , that as in those primitive times persons converted to christianity were not before baptism admitted as compleat members to the communion of the church , but were esteemed only as candidates desirous to be instructed in the christian religion ; so those who have now been only baptized in their infancy , should before confirmation be looked upon by others , and by themselves too , as no other than catechumens : it were to be wished , that no one might be admitted to the communion , before he were confirmed ; and that no one might be admitted to confirmation , before he had attained a perfect knowledge of the extent and obligation of all the duties of religion , and given sufficient evidence of his resolution to live suitably to that knowledge : it were to be wished , that as in the primitive church there were certain solemn times appointed for baptism , as easter and whitsontide , at which those who were before prepared by a regular course of catechizing , were admitted with great solemnity into the compleat communion of the church ; so there were now such solemn seasons appointed , against which ministers of particular parishes should for some time before-hand diligently instruct and prepare those , who were of age to be presented to the bishop to be confirmed : and above all , it were to be wished , that the whole process might be performed with so much reverence and solemnity , that all the persons confirmed might understand and be convinced , that they came now to have all the privileges , which god hath promised to the members of his church , sealed and assured to them ; that they now received the assistance of the holy spirit , to enable them effectually to perform their duty ; and that they now solemnly undertook for themselves before god and the church , what their sureties promised for them before at baptism , to live from henceforward in all holiness and purity , and in constant obedience to all the commands of god , the remaining part of their lives . . were this excellent institution thus solemnly and religiously observed , exceeding great would be the effects which we might justly hope to see produced by the use of it . the effect that the imposition of the apostles hands had upon the first converts to christianity , was no less than the induing them with those extraordinary gifts of speaking with tongues , working miracles , and the like : and though these mighty operations of the spirit did afterward by degrees cease ; yet the constant influence of the holy ghost , and the blessing of god conferred by the imposition of hands , did in all succeeding ages express and shew forth it self in great and very remarkable effects : it filled men with spiritual and internal strength ; it indued them with courage and wisdom and fortitude , to confess boldly the faith of christ crucified , and to promote zealously the service of the church ; it wrought in their minds an ardent love of god , and a continual joy in the holy ghost ; a perfect purity of heart , and contempt of all worldly enjoyments ; a boundless charity towards all mankind , and an infinite desire of doing good in their generation . and were young persons taught now to receive confirmation with the same preparation , with the same reverence , and with the same expectations , that they did in the primitive times ; we might yet expect , that god would annex the same inward blessings , to the use of the same external means . were none esteemed perfect christians , or looked upon as compleat members of the church , before confirmation ; parents and sureties would be obliged to instruct and prepare children in order to be confirmed ; and we should not see the generality of men esteeming themselves perfect christians , and faithful members of the church , without ever knowing how , or upon what conditions they were admitted into it . were none admitted to confirmation , who had not first passed through such a regular course of catechizing , as to understand perfectly the extent of their duty , and their obligation to perform it ; this would breed in young persons a great reverence and esteem for religion , and a great zeal in preparing themselves that they might be thought worthy to be admitted to the compleat communion of the church , and to the participation of its higher mysteries : by this means children would be fully and distinctly instructed in the nature and design of religion , as soon as they came to the knowledge of good and evil ; and we should not see men live all their lives in the communion of the church , and in the participation of its sacraments , without ever understanding the very first principles of the doctrine of christ , or what it was that they promised at baptism : by this means that gross ignorance , in which so many thousand christians live and die , would in great measure be prevented ; and we should not see children for want of instruction so soon possessed and corrupted by vice , as to lie and swear , to be disobedient and ill natur'd , to be vain and idle in that tender age , wherein they might as easily be formed to all the contrary virtues with the same advantage of prejudice and first possession . were none received to confirmation , who did not express a sincere resolution to live from thenceforward according to the purity and the equity of the gospel in all holiness and godly conversation ; or who did not with free choice and a zealous disposition of mind desire to take upon themselves their baptismal vow , and to make publick profession of their faith and obedience in the presence of god and his whole church ; this would give a mighty reputation to religion and virtue ; this would prevent that goldness and deadness in religion , which proceeds from mens taking up the profession of it in course , without due preparation and disposition of mind ; this would make men earnest and serious in the profession of christianity , and solicitous not to contradict their profession by their lives : such a solemn renuntiation of the world , the flesh and the devil ; such a vow solemnly confirmed and ratified by our personal protestation in the presence of god , and in the sight of the congregation , could not but be a mighty bridle to restrain men from sin , and a mighty spur to provoke men to good works : the fear of god , and the shame of men , in whose presence so sacred an obligation was entered into , could not but be of great force to bind men to live worthy of this great vocation , that they might answer the expectation of god and his church , and not become a blemish and dishonour to their religion . lastly , were none admitted to confirmation , without being first fully perswaded , that they came now to receive the perfection and strength of baptismal grace ; that they came now to receive † the seal of the lord , whereby they are separated unto the service of god , and to the day of redemption : in a word , that they came now to receive the assistance of the holy ghost , which should from henceforward continue with them , to inable them to perform all the commands of god , and to resist and overcome all the temptations of the enemy ; we might have reason to hope , that as in the primitive times , so now also these external ordinances would be accompanied with such plentiful effusions of inward and sanctifying grace , as would have a visible effect in the lives and manners of men : the time was , when the professors of true religion could challenge the unbelieving world to give them a lustful , malitious , passionate , revengeful man , and they would by the administration of baptism and confirmation , transform him into the purest , the meekest , and the gentlest spirit upon earth ; and since god has promised to be always with the church by his spirit even unto the end of the world , i see no reason why confirmation of baptized persons , if it were celebrated by us with the same preparation and reverence as it was among the antients , might not be as effectual now to confirm men in virtue , as it was then to transform them from vice ; and have as proportionably great an effect upon the following part of our lives , as it had upon theirs . by these means the church would be again restored to its antient regular constitution : by these means many perplexing scruples about the worthy receiving the holy communion , would in great measure be removed ; no one being capable of being admitted to that holy sacrament , without having been first confirmed ; and no one being capable of being confirmed , without having first passed through such preparation , as would sit him for the communion : lastly , by these means , if any one after confirmation lapsed into the practice of any great and notorious sin , a fair opportunity would offer it self of restoring some degree of that antient discipline , the want of which is so justly lamented by the church ; this solemn preparation , by which i suppose persons fitted for confirmation , being the most likely thing in the world to work in mens minds such a dread of sins to be committed afterwards , as would dispose them to submit to , and to profit under discipline . . these are the exceeding great benefits , which would arise from such a solemn and religious use of confirmation : but till this excellent institution can be restored to its antient solemnity and reverence , ( which as it is much to be wished , so in the present degeneracy and corruption of manners it is hardly to be hoped , ) all that can be done , is earnestly to exhort those who are in any capacity intrusted with the instruction of children , that they be careful for the honour of god , and for the welfare of his church , to teach them to love god and religion with their first love ; to improve in them those natural principles of justice and truth , honesty and thankfulness , simplicity and obedience , which god hath planted in their very creation ; to teach them to resist the prejudices and first insinuations of vice , and to be afraid of a sin as of death ; to fill their minds with great and honourable thoughts of the privileges of being made members of christ , children of god , and heirs of heaven ; to instruct them fully in the extent and obligation of all the duties of the christian life , which in their baptism they ingaged to perform ; and , when they be thus qualified , to bring them with understanding and resolution , with desire and zeal , to receive at confirmation the consummation of baptismal grace , and a joyful assurance of glory and immortality , if they shall persevere in their faith and their obedience to the end . . my design in the following essay , is not to enter into any question of dispute , but only to lay down some brief and practical directions , by which one that designs to be confirmed , ( whom i always suppose of age to understand the whole doctrine of religion , ) or one that is already confirmed and is sincerely desirous to lead a religious life , may attain to that primitive holiness and that perfection of virtue , which becomes the truth and the purity of the gospel . chap. ii. what is to be done before confirmation . of faith ; of the necessity of religion ; of the necessity of revelation ; of the evidence of the christian religion ; and of consideration . . first then , in order to receive confirmation , or to begin the great work of religion , with due preparation of mind , endeavour before all things to attain a real and firm belief of the great doctrines of the christian religion . this is the only foundation , that will be able to support the design of a truly religious life . if we do really and firmly believe , the being and the providence of god ; if we be indeed convinced , that the christian religion is a revelation of the divine will ; if we be in earnest persuaded , that there will certainly come a day of retribution , wherein every man shall receive according to that he has done , whether it be good or evil ; this is a faith , which will assuredly overcome the world ; this is a belief , which will certainly baffle all the temptations of sin and satan ; this will make all the glories of the world seem mean , and all the pleasures of sense insipid ; in a word , this will inspire men with such a vigorous zeal ▪ as will make them not only with ease and contentment , but with a mighty pleasure sacrifice all earthly enjoyments , to the doing the greatest good here , and obtaining the greatest happiness hereafter . but if we enter upon the profession of religion rashly and inconsiderately , more for form and custom than upon any mature deliberation and conviction of mind , it is not possible we should persevere in well-doing with resolution and patience : the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches , the solicitations of pleasure and the lusts of other things , will certainly prevail over us and seduce us into sin. nothing but a firm faith , grounded upon an impartial view and a deep consideration of things , can possibly carry a man through the difficulties and discouragements of a religious life : but he that begins to build upon this foundation , and lays down his first principles of faith immovable as a rock , will be able to surmount all difficulties with bravery and constancy , and will attain the end of his hopes with triumph and joy. . the true reason why so great a number of those who make profession of christianity , are either wicked and licentious , or at least cold and indifferent in matters of religion , is plainly this , that they do not in earnest believe , as they pretend and profess to do , the great articles of religion : they in course profess themselves to be christians , without having ever considered what christianity is , and therefore it has little or no influence upon their lives and actions . for did men indeed as firmly believe the doctrines of the christian religion , as the character they are willing to bear in the world obliges them to pretend they do , it would be in a manner as strange to find a man whose actions should give his words the lye , and his life be unsuitable to his profession , as to hear one disputing whether there were a hell or no , while he were actually tormented in the flames thereof . for though faith has not the evidence of sense , as indeed it is impossible it should , yet if it be well grounded , it could not but have in good measure the same effect upon the lives of men , as the evidence of sense would have . when a temporal prince declares , that whoever be found guilty of such or such crimes , shall certainly undergo this or that particular punishment , such a declaration has generally the same influence upon all the subjects concerned , as if they saw the punishment already actually inflicted upon the criminals : when therefore the supreme governour of the world declares to mankind his will , which is their law and rule of life , and inforces the obligation of that law by such threats and promises , as the scripture , which is that declaration of his will , contains ; if these threats and promises of the almighty have not the same influence upon the hearts and lives of men , as those of an earthly prince in other cases generally have , is it not evident either that men do not in earnest believe that these threats and promises are indeed the declaration of his will , or else that they imagine that though he now so earnestly presses , and seems so severely to exact obedience to his laws , yet at last he will not punish the contempt of them ? if this be not the case , how comes the christian religion to have lost that efficacy in reforming the lives and manners of men , for which it was once so eminent even amongst its enemies themselves ? if we do indeed believe the same gospel , and live under the power of the same religion , that the primitive christians did ; how comes that religion not to have the same influence upon our lives and actions , that it had upon theirs ? can we hear men daily profane the sacred name of god with impious and horrid oaths ; and yet think they believe there is a god , jealous of his honour , and that will avenge himself on such a nation as this ? can we see men cheat and cozen , destroy and prey upon one another , without the least scruple or appearance of remorse ; and yet think they believe the truth of the christian religion , and the severity thereof ? in a word , can we see men dally with eternity , and for the sake of a few empty and momentany gratifications , hazard their everlasting welfare ? can we think it possible , i say , that rational creatures should act with so prodigious a carelesness , who yet believe not that the scene of this world shall be shut up in everlasting oblivion , but that there will come a day wherein they must give account for their works , and be accordingly happy or miserable for ever ? no certainly ; whatever pretences men may make to deceive others , and perhaps in some measure themselves too , there must lurk some secret seeds of infidelity in the heart of every wicked man ; and the true reason why this world has so much the ascendant over the lives of christians , must be their not having a firm belief of the glories of the other . whoever therefore will so enter into a religious course of life , as to be able to persevere in well-doing to the end ; whoever will so lay the foundation , as to be able to finish ; must before all things attain a firm and settled belief of the great truths of religion : and as without this ground-work , it is not possible he should ever be resolute enough , to overcome the enemies of his religion and happiness ; so with it , it is not possible he should ever be overcome by them . he that has a firm and steady belief of the greatness and excellency of those riches , which neither moth nor rust doth corrupt , and to which thieves cannot break through to steal , will never be so dazled with the glittering of gold , as to let it steal away his heart and affections : he that has a great and noble idea of the glory which shall be revealed hereafter , will never be enticed to squander away those talents which god has given him , only in appearing splendid and great here : he that hath a strong and vigorous expectation of those pleasures which god hath prepared for them that love him , which eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither have they entered into the heart of man to conceive , will never be persuaded to give himself up to the voluptuousness and sensuality of a beast : in a word , he that is full of faith , and can look with assurance beyond things temporal to those which are eternal , has left * no room in himself where the devil can enter with his suggestions , but is fortified on all sides against all temptations . . now to attain such a faith as this , not slight and superficial , but firm and well-grounded , and immovable against all assaults , a man ought to proceed by these steps . first he must by serious consideration work in his own mind a full and perfect conviction of the being of god , and of the excellency of his attributes : from thence he must collect the certainty of god's providence over men , and the obligation of mens duty towards god : from hence will follow the necessity of religion here , and the certainty of the reward of vertue hereafter : after this he must consider the necessity of a divine revelation to establish true religion , and the proofs which evidence the christian institution to be such a revelation : and above all , he must fix these things strongly , and imprint them on his mind , by deep and constant meditation . . he that cometh to god , must in the first place believe that he is ; i. e. he must not only by a slight and careless assent go along inconsiderately with the common opinion , but he must form in his mind a considerate and rational , a strong and vigorous persuasion of the being of god. take a view of this great and glorious fabrick of the world ; consider the stupendous magnitude and the exquisite order of its parts ; consider the numberless instances of infinite power and unfathomable wisdom , which appear in this our spot of earth ; consider the exquisite artifice which discovers it self in the structure of the body of man , and the inconceivable subtilty of the operations of his mind ; consider at the same time how frail , and depending , and corruptible all these things are ; how weak and unable even man , the noblest part of the visible world , is , to be the cause , or so much as the preserver either of himself or any thing else : and this will raise in the mind such a powerful conviction of the being of god , as will be a lasting and immovable foundation , on which to build a rational and considerate design of religion . . to one that is thus persuaded of the being of god , it will be easie to conclude , that as that supreme being , from whom all other things received their original , must himself be eternal ; as he , from whom all the powers of all things that exist , are derived , must himself be all-powerful ; and as he , by whose establishment all things in all places were made to move in such wise and wonderful order , as far exceeds the capacity of the wisest of men to comprehend , must himself be all-knowing and all-wise : so it cannot be , but that he who is all-knowing , all-powerful and all-wise ; who sees through all things at one view , and can effect all things with the same ease that he can will them ; must govern , direct and manage all things by an over-ruling providence : and because his power is so great as not possibly to be compelled , and his wisdom so perfect as not possibly to be seduced , to do any thing contrary to those eternal rules , which the immutable law of the divine nature , and the unalterable constitution and relation of things has fixed ; that therefore this his government of the world must be just and equitable , according to the nicest and exactest measures , of infinite goodness , righteousness and truth . . from this notion of the being , of the attributes , and of the providence of god , most evidently follows the necessity of religion . for if god be a being of infinite power , knowledge and wisdom ; 't is manifest he is to be reverenced , to be honoured , and to be feared : if he concerns himself with the government of his creatures , and imploys these infinite perfections in ruling and ordering the world ; 't is manifest he is to be worshipped , prayed to , and adored : and if this his government of the world be regulated by the exactest measures of infinite goodness , righteousness and truth ; 't is manifest he is to be loved , to be praised , and to be imitated . . and because it cannot be , but that a just , and true and good being , whose nature and whose happiness consists in the perfection and in the exercise of these attributes , must be pleased with those creatures , who love to imitate his justice , his goodness and his truth ; therefore there must of necessity be a reward , laid up in store for vertue ; and those whose delight it has been to conform themselves to the likeness of the divine nature , shall certainly be admitted to partake in some degree of the divine happiness . wherefore if this reward be not given to vertue in this present life ; if the good things of this world be distributed not only promiscuously , but even generally to the disadvantage of the vertuous , and to the advantage of those who are enemies of god and haters of his religion ; it follows , that if a righteous and good god has any regard to righteousness and goodness , there must be a future state , wherein rewards and punishments shall be dispenced impartially to vertue and vice. . thus as certain as is our knowledge of the being of god and of the constitution of things , so certain may we be of the obligation of religion , and of the reward of vertue . yet by experience it hath been found , that these considerations , however in themselves strong and concluding , have notwithstanding been insufficient so to convince mens judgments and over-rule their passions , as to keep them constant in the knowledge and in the practice of their duty . the greatest part of the gentile world , before the appearance of the glorious light of the gospel , were an amazing instance of this . they quickly fell from the worship of the true god , to the worship of idols and impure spirits ; and were thereupon given up to a reprobate mind , to work all uncleanness with greediness : they were by degrees intangled in all manner of wicked practices , till their very mind and conscience was defiled ; and so accustomed themselves to run into all excess of riot , that even their most sacred and religious performances became at length the very extremest abominations . and though there always were among them some philosophers , who stood up for the cause of vertue and true religion ; yet they never were able to keep together any considerable number of men , who could agree among themselves about the notion of the truth , and persevere in the practice of it . even that happiness it self , which was to be the ultimate end of all humane actions , they were so little settled in their apprehensions about , that st. austin somewhere out of varro reckons up no less than opinions concerning the chief good. the means to attain this happiness , namely the great rules of morality , they agreed indeed pretty well in ; but their understandings they complained were so dark and cloudy , their wills so biassed and inclined to evil , their passions so outragious and rebelling against reason , that those rules were looked upon as hardly practicable : in a word , they confessed that humane nature was strangely corrupted ; and they complained of this corruption as a disease whereof they knew not the cause , and could not find out a sufficient remedy ; so that the great duties of religion were laid down by them as matters of speculation and dispute rather than practice , and not so much urged upon the hearts and lives of men , as proposed to the admiration of those , who thought them scarce possible to be effectually attained to by the generality of men. lastly , the method , by which those who have erred from the right way and have offended god , may yet again restore themselves to the favour of god and to the hopes of happiness , the philosophers were in a manner absolutely ignorant of . from the consideration of the goodness and mercifulness of god , they did indeed reasonably hope , that god would shew himself placable to sinners , and might be some way reconciled : but what propitiation he will accept , and in what manner this reconciliation must be made , here nature stops and expects with impatience the aid of some particular revelation . that god will receive returning sinners , and accept of repentance instead of perfect obedience , they cannot certainly know , to whom he has not declared that he will do so ; for though this be the most probable and only means of reconciliation that nature suggests , yet whether this will be alone sufficient , or whether he requires something further before he will restore men to the privileges they have forfeited , they cannot be satisfactorily assured . there arises therefore from nature no sufficient comfort to sinners , but an endless and anxious solicitude about the means of appeasing the deity . hence those diverse ways of sacrificing and numberless superstitions , which overspread the face of the heathen world , but were so little satisfactory to the wiser part of mankind , even in those times of darkness , that the philosophers could not sometimes forbear declaring , that they thought those rites could avail little or nothing towards appeasing the wrath of a provoked god , or making their prayers acceptable in his sight ; insomuch that * plato in the person of socrates speaks out , that since they knew not in what manner to apply themselves acceptably unto god , he expected and did assure himself , that in due time some person would be sent from god , who should declare to them his will in that particular . . and now if these wisest of philosophers were thus puzled about that which was their highest concern , how are the disputers of our age certain , that if themselves had lived without the light of the gospel , they should have made such a right use of their reason , as to have discovered the truth exactly , without being any way led aside by prejudice or interest ? if their lot had been among the vulgar , how are they sure they should have been so happy , or so considerate , as not to have been involved in that idolatry and superstition , which over-spread the whole world ? if they had joyned themselves to the philosophers , which sect would they have chosen to have followed , and what book would they have resolved upon to be the adaequate rule of their lives and conversations ? or if they would have set up for themselves , how are they certain they should have been skilful and unprejudiced enough , to have deduced the several branches of their duty , and applied them to the several cases of life , by argumentation and dint of reason ? 't is one thing to see that those rules of life , which are before-hand plainly and particularly laid before us , are perfectly agreeable to reason ; and another thing to find out those rules meerly by the light of reason , without their having first been any otherwise made known . we see that even many of those , who profess to govern their lives by the plain written rule of an instituted and revealed religion , are yet most miserably ignorant of their duty ; and how can any man be sure he should have made so good improvement of his reason , as to have understood it perfectly in all its parts , without any such help ? we see that many of those , who profess to believe firmly that great and everlasting happiness , which christ has promised to obedience , and that great and eternal misery which christ has threatned to disobedience , are yet hurried away by their lusts and passions to transgress the conditions of that covenant , to which these promises and these threatnings are annexed ; and how can any man be sure he should be able to overcome those great temptations , if these mighty motives were less distinctly known , or less powerfully enforced ? but suppose he could , and that by strength of reason he could demonstrate to himself these things with all clearness and distinctness ; yet could all men do so ? assuredly all men are not equally capable of being philosophers , tho' all men are equally obliged to be religious . at least thus much is certain , that the rewards and punishments of another world , the great motives of religion cannot be so powerfully inforced to the influencing the lives and practice of all sorts of men , by one who shall undertake to demonstrate the reality of them by force of reason and arguments , as by one who showing sufficient credentials of his having been himself there , shall assure them of the truth and certainty of these things . . though therefore nothing be more evident to reason , than the necessity of religion in general , and the certainty of the reward of virtue ; yet because 't is too nice and laborious a work in the matter of such vast importance , for men of all capacities to discover by the light of nature all the particular branches of their duty ; and because in the discovery of such matters , as are the great motives of religion , men are apt to be more easily wrought upon , and more strongly affected , by testimony than by arguments ; and because some things necessary in our present corrupt state , such as for instance the means by which a sinner may appease god after he has offended him , cannot certainly be discovered by the light of nature and reason at all ; therefore there is evidently a necessity of some particular revelation , which may supply these defects . and this the heathens themselves were so sensible of , that there never was any principal law-giver among them , who did not pretend to receive his laws , or at least his instructions for making those laws , by some divine revelation ; and plato in that most remarkable passage before-cited , acknowledges so plainly the want of such a revelation , as even to question whether it would not be better that men should forbear sacrificing wholly , till such times as god should discover to them in what manner he would have it done . 't is therefore agreeable to the natural expectations of men , that god should make some particular revelation of his will , which may supply the defects of the light of nature : and that it is not unworthy of the wisdom of god to make such a revelation , is also evident ; for can any man say that it is an unwise thing , for the creator of the world to reveal to his creatures more fully the way to happiness , and the means of becoming like himself ? can any man say , that it is an unwise thing , for god to declare what satisfaction he will accept for sin , and upon what conditions he will receive returning sinners ? can any man say , that it is a thing unworthy of the wisdom of god , to make particular discoveries of his will to his creatures , and to set before them in a clearer light the rewards and punishments of a future state ? this is so manifest , that nothing needs further be said about it . . now that the christian religion is such a particular revelation , actually made by god : that the peculiar duties , which it injoyns , are indeed the express commands of god ; and the peculiar motives , by which it inforces those duties , things true and in reality established by god : of this we have all the proof that the nature of the thing will bear , and that is agreeable either to the wisdom of god to give , or the reason of men to expect . to represent the motives , which are to inforce the practice of any thing , more evidently and strongly , than is consistent with the nature of the thing designed to be inforced , is inconsistent with the wisdom of an all-wise god ; and to expect other proof of any thing , than what the nature of the thing to be proved is capable of , is unreasonable in the judgment of understanding men. the design then of religion , being to make men happy by making them religious , that is , to make happiness not the fate of mens nature , but the reward of their virtue ; 't is plain the motives of religion ought of necessity to be such , as might abundantly encourage all wise men to cleave inseparably to their duty as to their life , and yet leave room for men desperately wicked and incorrigible , to avoid being forced into the injoyment of that happiness , which they are not willing to purchase at the rate of being religious the reward of everlasting life promised to obedience , and the punishment of eternal misery threatned to disobedience , are motives in themselves infinitely and irresistably strong : for were the happiness of heaven , and the torments of hell openly exposed to view , and proposed as the immediate and unavoidable consequence of a mans chusing or refusing his duty , 't would be as impossible for a man in actual view of these two different states not to choose his duty and refuse the contrary , as for a heavy body not to fall downward to the ground . though therefore the infinitely gracious and merciful god has indeed proposed to us these great and most powerful motives , that men by choosing their duty might choose their life , and become happy in consequence of their becoming religious ; yet hath he so proposed them , invisible at present and at a distance , that good men might have some exercise of their virtue by choosing their duty in order to their happiness , and that men obstinately impenitent might not partake of the happiness , without choosing the duty to which that happiness is annexed . again , the nature of a revealed institution of religion being such , that excepting the agreeableness of its doctrines to the eternal rule of reason , the chief evidence of its being from god must of necessity depend upon the credible testimonies of matter of fact : 't is manifest that that evidence , of which such matters of fact are capable , ought to be accounted sufficient in the present case ; and to require greater proof , than the nature of the thing will bear , is absurd and unreasonable . . that the christian religion therefore is indeed a revelation , sufficiently demonstrated to be from god , may be satisfactorily evidenced to a man 's own mind by these considerations : that the duties , which it injoyns , are all such , as are most agreeable to our natural notions of god , and most conducive to the happiness and well-being of men : that the motives by which it enforces those duties , are such as are most suitable to the excellent wisdom of god , and most answerable to the natural expectations of men : that the peculiar circumstances , with which it injoyns these duties , and urges these motives , are such as are most exactly consonant to the light of nature , and most wisely perfective of it : and , that all these things , are proved moreover to be taught and confirmed of god , by the most credible and convincing testimony , that ever was given to any matter of fact in the world. . in the first place , the duties which the christian religion injoyns , are all such , as are most agreeable to our natural notions of god , and most conducive to the happiness and well-being of men. this is a proof , which were alone sufficient to convince a wise man of a religion 's being from god : for that institution of religion , which requires no other duties , than what are perfectly agreeable to the eternal and unchangeable law of god , and manifestly perfective of the moral virtue and the happiness of men , has already the mark of god upon it , and cannot possibly but come from him . the nature and life of god are unchangeable , and the constitution of his laws is also unchangeable : whoever therefore preaches and institutes such a religion , as leads men to nothing else , but to the obedience of the laws , and to the imitation of the nature and life of god , may without any other testimonials be admitted as a preacher of divine truth ; and that religion , which stands on such a foundation , is of it self sufficiently recommended , to the belief , and to the practice of all wise men. now that the christian religion is such an institution , is so plain and evident , that its greatest adversaries have hardly been able to deny it : the duties of love , fear and adoration , which it obliges us to render unto god , are so manifestly incumbent upon us on consideration of the excellent attributes of the divine nature , and our relation to him as our creator and preserver , that no man who considers , can break loose from the obligations which our religion lays upon him to practise these duties , without denying the very being of god , and acting contrary to the reason and all the natural notions of his own mind : the duties of justice , righteousness and truth , which the christian religion commands us to exercise towards men , are so apparently reasonable , and so directly conducive to the happiness of mankind , that even those men who have broken through all the bonds of religion , and the obligations of virtue , have yet thought it necessary to the preservation of society , and the well-being of mankind , that the observation of these duties should be inforced by the penalties of humane laws : the duties of sobriety , temperance and contentment , which our religion injoyns us to practise in our selves , are so undeniably agreeable to the inward constitution of humane nature , and so perfective of it , that the principal design of all true philosophy was to recommend and set off these duties to the best advantage ; though , as the philosophers themselves confessed , it never was able to work men up to that pitch of cheerful and generous obedience to the rules of these duties , which the christian religion in its primitive and purest state was acknowledged to have done , and which , if it were now believed and practised as it then was , it must still do : lastly , even those positive and external observances , ( such as the sacraments , &c. ) which are instituted in the christian religion as means and assistances to keep men stedfast in the practice of those great and moral duties which are the weightier matters of the law , are so free from all appearance of superstition and vanity , and so wisely fitted to the end for which they were designed ; that many of the adversaries of our religion have yet been forced to admire , the wisdom and the excellency of their institution . . again , the principal motives of the christian religion , i mean the discovery of a future state , and the rewards and punishments therein to be dispenced ; are things so suitable to the excellent wisdom of god , and so agreeable to the unprejudiced reason , to the natural apprehensions and expectations of men , that were their truth and reality confirmed by no other argument or external proof , yet were they sufficient to influence the practice , and regulate the actions of wise and considerate men . that the soul of man is immortal , and shall survive after the dissolution of this corruptible body , is a truth which has always been thought demonstrable from principles of reason , and from the consideration of the nature of the thing : that man is a creature capable of doing good or evil , and consequently of giving account of his actions , and being judged for them , is also evident : that therefore in a future state there shall be a time of retribution , wherein every man shall receive of god according to what he has done in this life , whether it be good or evil , has been collected by the wiser and more considerate part of men among the heathens themselves . the resurrection of the body , has indeed been looked upon by most of the philosophers , as a thing utterly absurd and impossible : but there is nothing impossible in the nature of the thing ; and the jews , who had no express revelation of that matter , did yet believe it upon a constant tradition ; as appears from all their writings , and particularly from the translation of the last verse of the book of job , which according to the seventy runs thus ; so job died being old and full of days * , but 't is written , that he shall rise again with those whom the lord raises up . . further , the peculiar circumstances , with which the duties and the motives of the christian religion are inlarged and inforced are such as are most exactly agreeable to the light of nature , and most wisely perfective of it . for what can be more perfective of the light of nature , than to have those duties , which nature hints at only in general , explained fully and largely , and urged in particular , and inculcated upon the meanest capacities , and exemplified in the lives of holy persons proposed as patterns for men's imitation ? what can be more perfective of the light of nature , than to have those great motives of religion , the rewards and punishments of a future state , which nature only obscurely points at , described to us most plainly , affectionately and lively ? what can be more perfective of the light of nature , than to have the means of attoning for sin , which nature discovers only the want of , plainly declared and exhibited to us ? what can be more perfective of the light of nature , than such a discovery of the heinousness of sin and the necessity of holiness , as the death of christ and the purity of the gospel , does make unto us ? in fine , what can more effectually perfect the religion of nature , than the gatbering the worshippers of god into one body , the uniting them by certain positive rites in one common communion for mutual assistance and improvement , and the establishing a certain order of men , whose business may be to promote the interest of religion , by instructing the ignorant and by admonishing the wicked . . lastly , besides all these proofs of the truth of the christian revelation , drawn from the consideration of the nature of the thing , god has moreover confirmed it by the most undeniable external evidence , that ever was given to any matter of fact in the world. the great motives of the christian religion , are things not only most probable and most credible in themselves , but god has moreover confirmed the certainty of them by most clear testimony , ( which is a proof suited to all capacities , ) and has most strongly urged upon men the rewards and punishments of a future state by the preaching and exhortations of one , who by that convincing proof of his resurrection from the dead did undeniably demonstrate that he had himself been there , and was able to give men a satisfactory account of the nature of that state : the great duties of the christian religion , are things not only most reasonable and most excellent in themselves , but they are moreover taught and inculcated by one , who has given the most credible and convincing evidence that could possibly be desired , of his being sent immediately from god. the miracles which our saviour wrought , were to his first disciples , who were eye-witnesses of them , a most perfect demonstration of the truth of his doctrine : and the history of his life , death and resurrection , delivered down to us upon the testimony of those disciples , are to us also a sufficient evidence of the same truth . their having conversed from the beginning with our saviour himself ; their having heard , and having seen with their eyes ; their having looked upon , and having handled with their hands of the word of life , ( as st. john expresses it , john . . ) made it impossible that they should be deceived themselves : and their whole life and conversation , their sufferings and deaths , were invincible proofs against the adversaries of christianity , that they had no design of imposing upon others they saw all the prophecies of the old testament precisely fulfilled in the life and doctrine , the sufferings and death of our blessed saviour ; they saw him confirm what he taught with such mighty works , as his bitterest and most malicious enemies could not but confess to be above the power of nature , even while they were blaspheming that holy spirit which wrought them ; they saw the whole course of his life to be such , as to all unprejudiced beholders loudly proclaimed his divine commission ; they saw him so constantly despise all worldly greatness , as once when the people would have made him a king , even to work a miracle to avoid that , which was the only thing that was possible to be the aim and design of an impostor : in fine , they saw him alive after his passion by many infallible proofs , conversing with him for forty days together , and at last beholding him ascend visibly into heaven . these were such demonstrations of his being a teacher sent from heaven , and consequently that his doctrine was nothing less than an immediate and express revelation of the will of god , that nothing but the extremest malice and obstinacy could withstand them : and the same reason that these disciples of our saviour had to believe his doctrine , the same reason the rest of the world had to believe theirs : they confirmed what they taught , by signs and miracles ; they lived according to the doctrine they preached , though manifestly contrary to all the interests and pleasures of this present world ; and , which no deceiver could ever do , they died with all imaginable cheerfulness and joy of mind , for the testimony of their doctrine , and the confirmation of their religion . so that unless god should work upon men by such methods , as are wholly inconsistent with the design of religion , and the nature of virtue and vice ; which we are sure he will not do ; nothing can be done more than has already been done , to convince men of religion , and to perswade them to happiness . 't is true , the resurrection of christ is not such an ocular demonstration to after generations , as it was to those men who then lived and saw him , and conversed with him : but since the matter of fact is as clearly proved to us , as 't is possible for any matter of fact at that distance of time to be ; since the evidence of this is as great and greater , than of most of those things on which men venture the whole of their secular affairs ; and on which they are willing to spend all their time and pains ; since i say the case is thus , he that will rather venture all that he can possibly injoy or suffer ; he that will run the hazard of losing eternal happiness , and falling into eternal misery , rather than believe the most credible and rational thing in the world , meerly because he does not see it with his eyes ; 't is plain that that man does not dis-believe the thing , because he thinks the evidence of it not sufficiently strong , but because 't is contrary to some particular interest of his that it should be true ; and for that reason he might also have disbelieved it , though he had seen it himself . . this is in brief the evidence which we have , of the necessity of religion in general , and of the truth of the christian institution in particular : and he that would so lay the foundation of a religious life , as to be able to conquer all the temptations of the world , and persevere in well-doing to the end , must at least so far consider this evidence , as before all things to work in his own mind a firm , settled and well-grounded belief of the great truths of religion . to produce which effect , this evidence is most abundantly sufficient . for if in other cases , we assent to those things as certain and demonstrated , which if our faculties of judging and reasoning do not necessarily deceive us , do upon the most impartial view appear clearly and plainly to be true ; there is the same reason , why in moral and religious matters , we should look upon those things likewise to be certain and demonstrated , which upon the exactest and most deliberate judgment that we are capable or making , do appear to us to be as clearly and as certainly true , as 't is certain that our faculties do not necessarily and unavoidably deceive us , in all our judgments concerning the nature of god , concerning the proper happiness of man , and concerning the difference of good and evil. and if in other cases , we always act without the least hesitation upon the credit of good and sufficient testimony , and look upon that man as foolish and ridiculous , who sustains great losses , or le ts slip great opportunities and advantages in business , only by distrusting the most credible and well-attested things in the world ; 't is plain there is the same reason , why we should do so also in matters of religion . so that unless our actions be determined by some other thing , than by reason and judgment ; the evidence which we have of the great truths of religion , ought to have the same effect upon our lives and actions , as if they were proved to us by any other sort of evidence that could be desired . . there are indeed some men , who being conscious to themselves that they act contrary to all the reasonable evidence and convictions of religion , are yet apt to imagine , that if the great truths of religion were proved to them by some stronger evidence , they should by that means be wrought upon to act otherwise than they do . but if the true reason why these men act thus foolishly , is not because the doctrines of religion are not sufficiently evidenced , but because they themselves are hurried away by some unruly passions to act directly contrary to all reason and evidence ; 't is plain ( unless god should irresistibly compel them ) they might well continue to act as they do , though the evidence of these things were really greater than it is . they are willing to imagine , that if they had lived in our saviour's time ; if they had heard his preaching , and seen his miracles ; if they had had the advantage of beholding those mighty works , which he wrought for the proof of his divine commission ; as the jews then had ; they should not like them have rejected the counsel of god against themselves , but with all cheerfulness have believed his doctrine , and embraced his religion . they fansie they should immediately have become disciples of christ , and that the truths which he taught , would have had a most powerful influence upon the whole course of their lives . and if their hearts and affections were not set upon this world , more than upon the next ; if they valued not the present enjoyments of sense , above the expectation of the glory that shall be revealed ; most certainly they would do the same now . but if their hearts be set upon earthly things , and their passions be stronger than all the arguments of reason ; if they do indeed so love the pleasures of sin now , as that they cannot persuade themselves by all the motives of religion to live like christians ; we need not question to affirm , that they might very well have been in the same case , though they had lived in our saviour's time . the jews are a notorious and standing instance , how far prejudice and affection are able to prevail over the strongest convictions : when our saviour began to preach that he was sent from god to instruct them in their duty , they required a sign of him , and they would believe him ; but when he had wrought so many miracles , that even the world it self could not contain the books if they should all be written , they persisted still in their infidelity : when they saw him hanging upon the cross , and thought themselves secure of him , they said , let him now come down from the cross , and we will believe him ; but when he arose out of the grave wherein he had lien three days , which was a much greater and more convincing miracle , they grew more hardned and obstinate in their unbelief . . others there are who imagine , that if they could but be convinced of the truth of another world by the appearance of one sent directly from that unknown state , they would immediately become new creatures ; but if god should satisfie their unreasonable demands , by sending one on purpose from the dead to convince them , i doubt not but as they listened not to moses and the prophets , so neither would they be persuaded by one rising from the dead . they might indeed at first be surprized and terrified , at the appearance of so unusual and unexpected a messenger : but as wicked men upon a bed of sickness , at the amazing approach of death and eternity , resolve in the utmost anguish of horror and despair to amend their lives and forsake their sins , but as soon as the terror is over and the danger of death past , return to their old habits of sin and folly ; so it is more than probable it would be in the present case : should god send a messenger from the dead , to assure men of the certainty of a future state , and the danger of their present wickedness , as soon as the fright were over and their present terrible apprehensions ceased , 't is by no means impossible that their old vicious habits and beloved sins should again by degrees prevail over them . many there are in our present age , who pretend to be convinced of the being of spirits by the powerful demonstration of their own senses ; and yet we do not observe , that their lives are more remarkably eminent for exemplary piety , than theirs , who being convinced by the less violent , but more rational evidence of the gospel , go on in a sober , constant , and regular exercise of virtue and righteousness . . in summ therefore , consider that the evidence of religion is such , as upon the fullest view of things , and the exactest and most deliberate judgment that we can possibly make , ought infinitely to determine the actions of a wise man ; consider that the great doctrines of religion are of such a nature , that upon the final upshot of things , if all our knowledge be not deceit , if all our hopes and fears be not vain , if there be any good , if there be any evil , if there be any excellency , if there be any happiness , these things must be true : consider this , i say , throughly ; and then resolve , deliberately and with full persuasion of mind , to act always suitably to this consideration , and to put all upon this one issue . and when temptation and melancholy shall succeed ; when vain scruples and unreasonable suspitions , shall cloud the understanding and perplex the mind ; be sure to stick immovably to that resolution , which has once been founded upon the wisest judgment and the fullest conviction possible ; and when the present indisposition of mind shall be over , things will again appear in their true light , and the first resolution will grow continually stronger . . only in the last place and above all , be sure to fix these things deeply upon the mind , by frequent and serious meditation . the passions and affections of men are strong ; and unless these also can by some means be interested , the bare conviction of a man's judgment will hardly be able to govern constantly all the actions of his life . 't is not enough that we be convinced in our judgments , of the truth of the great doctrines of religion ; * but we must by constant meditation fix and inculcate them upon the mind , that they may move our passions and excite our affections . be not content to believe slightly the being of god , but represent him frequently in your mind with the most lively characters of glory and majesty ; consider him as that supreme being , who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand , and meted out heaven with the span , and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure , and weighed the mountains in scales , and the hills in a balance ; to whom all nations are as a drop of the bucket , and are counted as the small dust of the balance ; consider him as that all-powerful being , before whom the pillars of heaven tremble , and are astonished at his reproof ; before whom all nations are as nothing , and they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity . be not content to believe in general the providence of god , but think of him always as actually present , observing all our words and actions , and understanding even our thoughts afar off . be not content to believe in general a judgment to come , but frequently represent to your self the solemnity and the terrour of that great day ; imagine our saviour sitting in judgment , as in that prophetical allusion , with his throne like the fiery flame , and his wheels as burning fire ; a fiery stream issuing , and coming forth from before him ; thousand thousands ministring unto him , and ten thousand times ten thousand standing before him ; the judgment set , and the books opened . lastly , be not content to believe slightly and in general a state of reward or punishment for virtue or vice ; but meditate frequently on the happiness of those , who shall be admitted to the heavenly jerusalem , to the general assembly of the first-born , to an innumerable company of angels , and to god the judge of all , and to jesus the mediator of the new covenant : consider the happiness of those , who shall be made kings and priests unto god , and shall reign with him for ever ; who shall shine as the brightness of the firmament , and as the stars for ever and ever : and on the other hand meditate seriously on the misery of those , who shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone , where the worm dieth not , and the fire is not quenched ; and where they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever . . i have been the longer upon this head , because it is the first and most necessary foundation of all religion ; and because that * slight , careless and only customary assent to the great truths of religion , which is the summ of most mens faith , seems to be the chief reason why things of the utmost importance have so so small an effect upon the lives and actions of men. there is no need that every man should proceed just by those steps , which i have set down ; but whoever will indeed make religion the business of his life , must by some like method work in his mind a firm and well-grounded belief of all its great doctrines , and a deep and vigorous sense of them . chap. iii. of right notions concerning religion in general . . secondly , endeavour to attain right nations concerning religion in general . next to the belief of the truth and of the necessity of religion , there is nothing of greater importance than the framing right notions concerning the nature of it . for when religion is represented as requiring any thing , that is either not possible or not necessary to be practised ; when 't is represented as consisting in such things , as are either not worthy of god , or not profitable to men ; in a word , when religion is so represented , that men may hope to be religious without being vertuous , and to be accepted of god for some outward performances , without a holy temper and disposition of mind ; this cuts the very sinews and undermines the foundation of all religion . . now therefore to attain right notions concerning the nature of religion , a man ought firmly to persuade himself of these following considerations : that the exercise of those great moral vertues , of godliness , righteousness and temperance , which are the eternal and unchangeable law of god , is a thing in its own nature both truly excellent , and indispensably necessary to prepare men for that happiness which is the reward of religion : that god truly and sincerely desires to make men happy , by the exercise of these vertues : and that therefore the great and ultimate design of all true religion , is to recommend these vertues , and to inforce their practice . . that the exercise of these great moral vertues , of godliness , righteousness and temperance , which are the eternal and unchangeable law of god , is a thing in its own nature truly noble and excellent , is evidently acknowledged by the common consent and verdict of all mens consciences . these virtues are the imitation of the perfections of god ; and as no man is so brutish , as not to admire the perfections of justice and goodness , when he considers them abstractedly in god ; so he cannot but pay a proportionable respect , to whatever he sees carry their resemblance in men. hence vertue is the most lovely and venerable of all things , and approves it self to the reason and consciences of men : hence vice becomes truly odious , and however it may insinuate it self into the practice , can never recommend it self to the judgment of mankind . hence even those very persons , who by the prevailing power of some interest or lust , are themselves drawn aside out of the paths of virtue , * cannot yet forbear to give it its true character and commendation in others . thus the officers , who were sent by the pharisees to apprehend jesus , could not forbear declaring , that he spake as never man spake : and the roman governour , when he gave sentence that he should be crucified , could not at the same instant forbear openly professing , that he found no fault in him . men cannot chuse but think well of that virtue , which the dominion of their lusts forces them to desert , or the necessity of their affairs compels them to discourage : they cannot but wish , they were the men they are not ; and pray with balaam , that though they imitate not the life , yet at least they might die the death of the righteous , and that their last end may be like his . though therefore virtuous men are frequently persecuted in the world , and sometimes meerly for their virtue ; yet t is not because virtue can ever be hated , but because those from whom they suffer , mistake it to be what it is not ; or else because , knowing it to be what it is , they are notwithstanding prevailed upon by some private interest , to persecute it contrary to the judgment of their conscience , which would force them to honour and respect it . an instance of the former case , are all the persecutions of the christians in the primitive times : 't is certain these men were virtuous and religious , and 't is certain they suffered meerly upon that account : but then 't is also as certain , that those from whom they suffered , did not persecute them because they thought them religious , but because they mistook them not to be so ; they did not persecute them because they thought them to be worshippers of the true god , but because they looked on them as despisers of their false ones : they were so unhappily blinded by prejudice and idolatry , that they mistook religion for superstition , and superstition for religion : hence they implacably persecuted that doctrine , whose evidence and conviction , if they would have opened their eyes , they could not have resisted ; and endeavoured to root out the true religion , out of zeal to the honour of a false one . an eminent instance of the latter case , is the condemnation of our saviour : he was manifestly innocent of the crimes laid to his charge , and pilate knew him to be so ; but then 't is also manifest , that he did not condemn him because he was innocent , but because he was willing to do the jews a pleasure : our saviour's innocence was sufficient , to convince the mind of his judge ; and 't was only interest , that over-powered the force of that conviction . virtue therefore is truly noble and excellent in it self ; and wicked men , even while they are persecuting it , cannot deny it to be so . . again , that the exercise of those great moral virtues , of godliness , righteousness and temperance , is a thing indispensably necessary to prepare men for that happiness which is the reward of religion , is evident from the consideration of the nature of that happiness . the happiness which religion promises to holy and good men , is this ; that they shall be received into the blessed society of angels , and of the spirits of just men made perfect ; and that with them they shall be admitted into the immediate presence of god , to enjoy that satisfaction which must necessarily arise , from the contemplation of his perfections , and from the 〈…〉 of his favour . and if this be the case , then nothing is more evident , than that the exercise of virtue is indispensably necessary , to prepare men for the enjoyment of this happiness . for what agreement can there be , between a sensual , spightful , or malicious soul , and the pure society of the spirits of just men made perfect ? we see even in this life , how ungrateful the society of good men is , unto those that are wicked ; and as it is in this , so doubtless it will be in the other world. those souls which have been wholly immersed in sense , and given up to the pleasures of this present world ; can never be fit company for those spiritual and refined minds , whose desires and enjoyments are as far exalted above every thing that is gross and sensual , as heaven is above earth : and those malicious spirits , whose delight upon earth was in nothing but hatred , envy and revenge ; can never converse in heaven with those divine souls , who feed and live upon no other pleasures , but those of goodness , holiness and love. in like manner , what can be more impossible , than for an earthly and wicked soul , to be made happy by the vision and fruition of god ? to see god is to behold and contemplate those glorious perfections , of infinite goodness , purity and truth ; and to enjoy god , is so to love and adore those amiable perfections , as to be transformed into the likeness and resemblance of them : and is it possible for a wicked soul , to be made partaker of this happiness ? tell a covetous worldling of a treasure laid up in heaven , where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt , and where thieves do not break through and steal : tell him of a never-fading inheritance in the world to come , or of a city not made with hands , whose builder and maker is god : tell an ambitious aspiring mind , of the glory that shall be revealed hereafter ; or a voluptuous person of spiritual and refined pleasures , which eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive them ; and will they have any relish of these things ? will they not be much more inquisitive after the glories of earth , and the gratifications of sense ? so that unless we suppose god should work a miracle for these men , and when he removes them into another world , should transform them also into new creatures , 't is no more possible for them to enjoy the happiness of heaven , than for body to enjoy the pleasures of spirit , or for darkness to have communion and agreement with light. i do not say , that if god should transplant these men into heaven , he could not make them happy there ; but while they are so exceedingly indisposed for it , nothing is more certain than that he never will. the exercise therefore of virtue , is the indispensable condition of happiness : and in proportion as we draw nearer to the perfection of virtue , so do we to the fountain and perfection of happiness . the greater degrees of virtue any being is indued with , so much the higher rank does it obtain in the order of creatures : the highest angels , so much as they obey the will of god more intirely , and imitate the divine life more perfectly than men do , so much are they exalted above men , and have a nearer approach to the immediate presence and enjoyment of god : and by how much one man in this life obtains a greater degree of holiness than another ; so much a more excellent degree of happi-ness is he prepared to receive in the world to come . . and that god agreeably to this natural order of things , does truly and sincerely desire to make men happy by the exercise of virtue , is evident both from our natural notions of god , and from the revealed declaration of his will. god , who is a being infinitely happy in the injoyment of himself , and who created all things for no other reason , but to communicate to them his perfections and his happiness , cannot possibly but make every man as happy , as the condition of his nature , and the improvements of his virtue make him capable to be : and that he will do so , he hath moreover assured us by most express and repeated declarations : he declares that his delight is in them that fear him , and that he rejoyces over them for good ; he invites men with all the tender promises of a compassionate father , to repentance and reformation ; and swears by himself that he hath no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked , but earnestly desires that they should return and live : and nothing can be more absurd , than to imagine that god has secretly made any determination , which may be contrary to what he has so openly and expresly revealed . what sort of men he has decreed to be happy or miserable he has clearly and fully declared to us in his word : and other decrees than this , if he has at all made any , t is neither necessary nor possible for us to know . sufficient it is for us , that as sure as god and his scriptures are true , so sure are we , that he that believes and obeys the gospel , shall be happy ; and that god neither has , nor can decree any thing , whereby a truly religious man may be excluded from happiness , or a sincere man from the possibility of becoming truly religious . . since therefore god truly and sincerely desires , to make men happy by the exercise of virtue ; and since that virtue , which is the condition of this happiness , is no other than the practice of those great moral duties , of godliness , righteousness and temperance , which are the eternal and unchangeable law of god ; as has already been shewn ; it follows necessarily , that the great and ultimate design of all true religion , can be no other than to recommend these virtues , and to enforce their practice . other things may be helps and assistances of religion ; many external observances may for wise reasons be positively commanded , and may be of exceeding great use , as means to promote devotion and piety ; but the life and substance of all true religion , the end and scope in which all things else must terminate , cannot possibly be any other , than the practice of these great and eternal duties . . in natural religion this is very evident : for the foundation of its obligations being nothing else , but a due consideration of the nature of god , and his relation to men ; t is plain , all that these things naturally led men to , was only to keep up in themselves such a holy temper and disposition of mind , as might discover it self in a constant endeavour of being like unto god , and of obeying his laws . and though this most simple and absolute religion , did through the corruption of mens wills and affections , quickly degenerate into the grossest idolatry , and most ridiculous superstition ; tho' instead of real and substantial virtue , the generality of men soon fell into the observance of foolish and absurd rites , and the world was overspread with ignorance and vice ; yet the wisest and most considerate men amongst the heathens always understood , that * god did not look so much at the outward pomp and ceremony of religion , as at the inward holiness and purity of the heart ; that † god valued not sacrifices and rich offerings , but only the piety and devotion of the mind : and that the * only way to keep the favour of god , was to imitate his nature , and to obey his commands . . nor is it less evident that the great and ultimate design of the jewish religion , was to preserve and increase the moral virtue of men. for though god did impose upon the jews a burdensom system of rites and ordinances ; yet 't is plain he did it , not that he took any delight in that external and ceremonial service , but that by condescending in that manner to the infirmities and prejudices of a stiff-necked people , he might keep up the worship of the true god , and restore that holiness and inward religion of mens minds , which the light of nature had not been sufficient to maintain . this therefore god perpetually inculcates to them by his prophets , that he did not value their ceremonious performances without holiness and obedience to the moral law : i spake not to your fathers , saith he , nor commanded them in the day that i brought them out of the land of egypt , concerning burnt-offerings and sacrifices ; but this thing commanded i them , saying , obey my voice , jer. . . nay , so far was god from instituting the jewish service upon any other design , than the making that people more holy than the heathen about them were , that whensoever it failed of having that desired effect , he declares that he even abhorred all their religious exercises : he that killeth an ox , is as if he slew a man ; he that sacrificeth a lamb , as if he cut off a dogs neck ; he that offereth an oblation , as if he offered swines blood ; and he that burneth incense , as if he blessed an idol ; yea they have chosen their own ways , and their soul delighteth in their abominations , isa. . . and though the later jews grew generally so superstitious in the observance of their ceremonies , as thereby even to neglect the weightier matters of the law ; yet those who considered things more throughly , always maintain'd & taught zealously , that * it was not slaying a multitude of sacrifices , or bringing splendid offerings , or even building and adorning the temple of god with all the cost and beauty in the world , that could truly denominate a man religious ; that it was a great deceit for men to think that god would be flattered and put off with outward & ceremonious services instead of truth , righteousness and holiness of mind ▪ and that † nothing could be more ridiculous , than for men to be very careful not to enter into the temple , which is built of wood and stone , without first washing and cleansing their bodies ; and yet not be afraid to appear before god in prayer , with unclean and polluted minds . . lastly , that the only design of god's instituting the christian religion , was to make men yet more vertuous and more holy ; is evident from the whole tenour of the gospel . the design of our saviour's life and preaching , was to give men a body of more spiritual and refined laws ; to set them an example of a more perfect and holy life ; and to make a clearer revelation of the wrath of god against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men : the design of his death and passion , was to make an expiation for sins that are past , and to make a fuller discovery of the heinous nature of sin , which god would not pardon even upon true repentance , without so great and sufficient a satisfaction : and the design of his sending the holy spirit , was to purifie to himself a peculiar people , by teaching and enabling men , that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts , they should live soberly , righteously and godly in this present world. . accordingly we find the apostles every where in their epistles , plainly declaring and giving men warning , that since they had now received a most full revelation of the will of god , and a most clear discovery of the rewards and punishments of a future state ; if their virtue did not become proportionable to their knowledge , and they purified not themselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit , perfecting holiness in the fear of god ; it would be even worse for them , than if they had never known the way of righteousness . be not deceived , saith saint paul , neither fornicators , nor idolaters , nor adulterers , nor thieves , nor covetous , nor drunkards , &c. i. e. no unrighteous person , shall inherit the kingdom of god , cor. . . and again , let no man deceive you with vain words ; for because of these things cometh the wrath of god upon the children of disobedience , eph. . . and again , of which things i tell you before , as i have also told you in times past , that they who do such things , shall not inherit the kingdom of god , gal. . . and all those metaphorical expressions , such as the new man , the new creature , the new birth , regeneration , conversion , and the like , by which the apostles frequently represent religion , do manifestly tend to this ; that under the gospel-dispensation , nothing will stand a man in any stead , but an entire reformation of life and manners ; and that all other things are nothing , except only the keeping the commandments of god. . how miserably then do those men abuse this great salvation , and turn the grace of god into lasciviousness , who imagine , that because christ has disannulled the old law , which was appointed only for a time , therefore we may be excused by our christian liberty from obeying the eternal commands of god ; that because christ has established for us a covenant of grace , therefore we need not be zealous to abound in good works ; that because christ has redeemed us from the punishment of sin , by the sacrifice of himself , therefore we need not be zealous to rescue our selves from under the power and dominion of it ; that because the righteousness of christ shall be available for us unto justification , therefore there is no necessity we should have any of our own : in a word , that because christ has promised salvation to those who believe the gospel , therefore there is no necessity we should be solicitous to obey it . . our saviour has indeed disannulled the ceremonial part of the law , which was appointed only for a time ▪ but he has thereby more firmly established the moral part of the law , which is of eternal and unchangeable obligation : and therefore as nothing could be more foolish than the opinion of those judaizers , who thought that christ had not abrogated any part of the law ; so nothing can be more impious than the opinion of these gentilizers , who contend that he has destroyed it all . our saviour has indeed purchased for us a covenant of grace , that is , a covenant wherein pardon is granted to past sins upon repentance ; but the indispensable condition of that covenant , is , that we be for the future zealous of good works : he has indeed brought life and immortality to light through the gospel , and opened to us an abundant entrance into the kingdom of god ; but 't is not that any unrenewed nature should be admitted to have a share in those pure and undefiled rewards , but that those who have broken off their sins by repentance , and their iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor , may through his merits be restored to the love and favour of god. our saviour has indeed redeemed us from the punishment of sin , by the sacrifice of himself ; but 't is expresly upon condition , that we rescue our selves from the power and dominion of it . in order to this , he has made a most clear discovery of the will of god to us , and enabled us to obey it according to that discovery ▪ he has beaten off our chains , and opened us a way to retreat out of the bondage of sin and satan , into the glorious liberty of the sons of god ; he ha● paid the price , and redeemed us out of captivity : but if notwithstanding all this , we still continue in sin , 't is our own fault and extreme folly here , and will be our condemnation and misery hereafter ; if notwithstanding all that christ has done for us , we will yet sit still under the power of sin , we shall , notwithstanding all that he has done and suffered for us , at last fall into the punishment thereof . the righteousness of christ is indeed so far available to those who sincerely desire to obey the gospel , as that for his sake that imperfect righteousness , by which they could not be justified according to the law , shall be acceptable before god ( through faith in him ) unto justification ; but for one who uses no indeavours to be righteous himself , to expect to be justified by the external imputation of the righteousness of christ , is for a sick man to expect to be made whole by the imputation of anothers health ; or for a miserable man to be made happy meerly by the imputation of another mans felicity . righteousness is not an outward imaginary quality , but an inward and real disposition of heart and mind , which must shew forth it self in real and substantial acts of holiness and piety : little children , saith st. john , let no man deceive you ; he that doth righteousness is righteous , john . . lastly , our saviour has indeed promised salvation , to those who believe the gospel ; but 't is most expresly upon this condition , that they obey it also . not every one that saith unto me , lord , lord , shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ▪ but he that doth the will of my father which is in heaven , matt. . . without this obedience , nothing in the world can stand a man in any stead : his believing and professing the truth of the christian faith , will avail him nothing : his continuing in the communion of the church of christ , will profit him nothing : if any man seems to be religious , and continues in any one sin , deceiving his own heart , that mans religion is vain : for though he could speak with the tongue of men and angels , and had all faith , so that he could remove mountains ; yet if he were not holy in his life and conversation , it would profit him nothing . many will plead before our saviour at the day of judgment , that they have not only believed his doctrine , but also have taught in his name , and in his name have cast out devils , and in his name done many wonderful works , that is , have had the extraordinary gift even of working miracles ; and yet if they be workers of iniquity , he will say unto them , depart from me , i know you not . chap. iv. a digression concerning the doctrine of faith and works , delivered by st. paul in his epistle to the romans , and in that to the galatians . . there is but one thing , that i know of , that can with any colour be urged against this notion of true religion which i have now laid down : and that is the doctrine of faith and works , delivered by st. paul in his epistle to the romans , and in that to the galatians . which because it is a doctrine of the greatest importance , and liable to be misinterpreted to countenance the most pernicious errors ; i shall therefore in this chapter , by way of digression , endeavour to give a brief account of the occasion of the writing these two epistles , and to explain the doctrine delivered therein . . before the coming of christ , the jews we know were the peculiar people of god , selected out of all the nations of the earth to be the standard of true religion , and to be the people among whom god would chuse to place his name . to them were committed the oracles of god , rom. . . to them pertained the adoption , and the glory , and the covenants , and the giving of the law , and the service of god , and the promises ; whose are the fathers , and out of whom according to the flesh christ came , who is over all god blessed for ever , rom . , & . that is ; with them were intrusted the revelations of the will of god , the law and the prophecies : to them was granted the peculiar honour and privilege , that they should be accounted the sons or people of god , and that they should be accordingly under the more * peculiar care and protection of his providence : among them was the ark and temple of god , the shecinah or glorious presence of the divine majesty ; in judah was god known , his name was great in israel : in salem also was his tabernalce , and his dwelling place in sion : with them god entered solemnly into covenant , that he would be their god and they should be his people , and confirmed this covenant with the sacramental seal of circumcision , and with sprinkling of blood. to them god himself prescribed a law or form of worship in a wonderful and miraculous manner ; and their polity also was of divine institution and appointment ; god shewed his word unto jacob , his statutes and his judgments unto israel : he did not deal so with any other nation , neither had the heathen knowledge of his laws . lastly , they were the posterity of those patriarchs , to whom god had so often promised and sworn by himself , that in their seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed ; and among them was born that messias , of whom so great things had been prophesied , and who was therefore the expectation of all the ends of the earth . these were the great and glorious privileges , which by the peculiar favour of god , the nation of the jews enjoyed before the preaching of the gospel ; these were the grounds upon which that people so highly valued themselves , above the rest of mankind : and most justly might they have done so , with an humble and thankful acknowledgment of the mercy and favor of god : but they look'd upon these high privileges , not as the free gift of god , but as a right and propriety , to which they only had a just claim , who could reckon their descent from abraham and the patriarchs : all other nations in the world they look'd upon with the utmost scorn and contempt , as aliens from the commonwealth of israel , strangers to the covenant of promise , and scarce worthy of the protection of the divine providence ▪ the establishment of their law and ceremonies they imagined to be such , as was designed by god to continue for ever ; and the promises contained in the law and the prophets they thought to belong so peculiarly to themselves , that they would not believe any other people could ever come to be partakers of them . when the messiah himself should appear , they were persuaded that he was to establish an everlasting kingdom over the jewish nation only , and so become indeed the wonder and amazement , but not the salvation of the gentiles . this opinion was so firmly rooted among them in our saviour's time , that even those who believed in his name , and were convinced that his kingdom was not to be a temporal but a spiritual kingdom , did yet imagine that the jews only were to be admitted to be subjects of this his spiritual kingdom , and that the gospel was not to be preached to the gentiles : till st. peter having an express command from heaven not to count any man common or unclean , as you may read acts . went and preached the gospel to cornelius the centurion ; and his preaching being seconded by the miraculous effusion of the holy ghost upon the gentile converts , convinced them that god was of a truth no respecter of persons , but that he had unto the gentiles also granted repentance unto life . the great mystery of the receiving in of the gentiles being thus discovered , and god having himself declared by such a remarkable miracle , that in every nation he that feareth god and worketh righteousness is accepted of him ; there immediately arose a question whether those who by being converted to christianity were admitted into the number of the elect people of god , and thereby became partakers of all the privileges which had hitherto been confined to the jewish nation , were not thereupon obliged to become proselytes also to the jewish law. the converted jews , who had not yet laid aside their old prejudices , but retained an extreme fondness for their ceremonial law , contended most earnestly , that * it was necessary that the jewish religion should be continued together with the christian , teaching the brethren every where , and saying , except ye be circumcised after the manner of moses , ye cannot be saved , acts . . upon this , the apostles and elders which were gathered together at jerusalem , held a consultation ; where st. peter having delivered it as his opinion , that since god himself had born witness to the gentiles , by giving them the holy ghost , 't would be no better than tempting god , to put a yoke upon their necks , which neither themselves nor their fathers had been able to bear ; they immediately agreed to write unto them , that they did not think it necessary to lay upon them any such burden ; as you may see at large , acts . and now the question being decided by such an authoritative sentence as this , it seemed good unto the holy ghost , and to us the apostles and elders ▪ &c. one would have thought there should have been no more debate about this matter : but the restless jews , moved with envy that the gentiles should be admitted into the number of the elect people of god as well as themselves , persisted still in their obstinacy notwithstanding this positive determination , persuading the gentile converts that they must needs observe the law of moses , and constraining them to be circumcised ; insomuch that st. paul , who as far as he could lawfully , conformed himself to the humours of all men , that he might by all means gain some , was forced to circumcise timothy at derbe , because of the jews that were in those quarters , acts . . though at other times , as being the apostle to whom was especially committed the preaching of the gospel to the gentiles , he always earnestly exhorted his gentile converts to stand fast in the liberty wherewith christ had made them free ; and particularly , his epistle to the romans , and that to the galatians , were written upon this very occasion ; as will be evident to any one , who shall impartially consider the matter . . for that there are abundance of passages in these epistles , which so evidently relate to this controversie , that they cannot possibly be interpreted to any other sense , is manifest from but cursorily reading the epistles themselves . a great part of the epistle to the romans is professedly about the casting off the jews , and the coming in of the gentiles ; particularly the th , th and th chapters : and the th chapter is wholly spent in shewing the unnecessariness of the jewish observation of days , and distinction of meats ; one man esteemeth one day above another , another esteemeth every day alike , verse . and i know and am persuaded by the lord jesus , that there is nothing unclean of it self ; but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean , to him it is unclean , verse . and so on . in the epistle to the galatians , the apostle tells his gentile converts , that he was amazed they should so soon be drawn away from the truth , by some that troubled them and would pervert the gospel of christ , chap. . ver . . he gives them warning , that the reason why those perverters of the gospel persuaded them to judaize , was only that they might make a fair shew in the flesh ; they constrain you , says he , to be circumcised , only lest they should suffer persecution for the gross of christ ; for neither they themselves , who are circumcised , keep the law , but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh , ch. . ver. , & . he assures them that in jesus christ neither circumcision availeth any thing , nor uncircumcision , but a new creature , ch. . ver . . he urges them earnestly to stand fast in their christian liberty , and not to be intangled again with the yoke of bondage , protesting that if any man would be circumcised , christ should profit him nothing , but he should become a debtor to fulfil the whole law , ch. . ver . . he tells them also how he openly rebuked st. peter at antioch for withdrawing and separating himself from the gentiles , for fear of them which were of the circumcision , ch. . ver. . all which , and many other the like passages , do so evidently refer to that controversie , whether the jewish religion was to be mixed with the christian , or no , that i know not whether any one ever attempted to interpret them to any other sense . . and that those other parts also of these epistles , which have by some been otherwise interpreted , ought indeed to be understood wholly to relate to the same controversie , appears sufficiently from the apostles way of arguing . for according to any other interpretation , the terms , which the apostle makes use of , are improper ; and his reasoning is hard , intricate , and not concluding . as is sufficiently evident from the difficulty that some expositors have met with , to vindicate st. paul from thwarting the main design of the gospel , from contradicting the express words of some other of the apostles , and also from contradicting himself . but if these whole epistles be understood to refer to that question , whether the christian religion be alone sufficient to salvation , or whether it be necessary to observe together with it the ceremonies also of the jewish law ; the terms , which the apostle uses , are most apt and proper ; and his reasoning is most easie , strong and conclusive : as will most evidently appear from a brief view of them both . . the design then of the apostle being on one hand to magnifie the christian religion , by setting forth its sufficiency to salvation ; and on the other hand , to demonstrate the insufficiency and unnecessariness of the ceremonial observances of the jewish law ; the terms which he all along makes use of to express the christian and jewish religion by , are such as may best serve to set forth the excellency of the one , and diminish the opinion which men had taken up of the necessity of the other . thus because the first and most fundamental duty of the christian religion , is believing in god , and believing that most perfect revelation of his will , which he has made to mankind by our saviour jesus christ ; whereas on the contrary , the principal part of the jewish religion , or at least of that religion which the judaizing christians so earnestly contended for , was an anxious observance of the burdensome ceremonies of the mosaick law ; therefore the apostle calls the christian religion faith , and the jewish religion the law. thus in the epistle to the romans , ch . . ver . . therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith , without the deeds of the law ; that is , it clearly appears from what has been already said , that obedience to the christian religion is sufficient to justifie a man , without observing the ceremonies of the jewish : and ver . . do we then make void the law through faith ? god forbid ; yea , we establish the law ; that is , do we then , as some men object , by our preaching up the christian religion make void the law of god , or that revelation of his will which he made to the jews ? no , we are so far from that , that by introducing christianity we establish , confirm , and perfect the moral and immutable part of the law much more effectually , than the jewish ceremonies were able to do . thus likewise in the epistle to the galatians , ch . . ver . . this only would i learn of you . received ye the spirit by the works of the law , or by the hearing of faith ? or , as 't is expressed , ver . . he that ministreth to you the spirit , and worketh miracles among you , doth he it by the works of the law , or by the hearing of faith ? that is , i appeal unto your selves , who contend so earnestly for the necessity of keeping up the jewish ceremonies ; was it by your observing the rites of the jewish religion that ye received the gifts of the holy ghost , or by your being converted to the christian ? so also , ver . . the law was our school-master to bring us unto christ , that we might be justified by faith ; that is , the jewish dispensation was appointed by god in condescention to the weakness of that people , to fit them by degrees for the reception of the christian : and ch . . ver . . the apostle having rebuked st. peter openly , for withdrawing himself from the gentiles at antioch , adds , we who are jews by nature , and not sinners of the gentiles , knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law , but by the faith of jesus christ , even we have believed in jesus christ , that we might be justified by the faith of christ , and not by the works of the law ; that is , if we our selves , who were brought up in the jewish religion , being convinced that that religion was not able to justifie us in the sight of god , have thought fit to forsake it and imbrace the christian religion , in hopes to be justified thereby , how much less reason have you to compel the gentiles , who were never brought up in the jewish religion , to conform themselves to the customs of the jews , after their conversion to christianity ? . again , because the christian religion teaches us to expect salvation not from our own merits , but from the grace of god , that is , according to the terms of that new and gracious covenant , wherein god has promised to accept of sincerity instead of perfect obedience ; whereas on the contrary , the jews depended upon their exact performance of the works of the law ; therefore the apostle calls the christian religion grace , and the jewish religion works . thus in the epistle to the romans , ch . . ver . . so then at this present time also , there is a remnant according to the election of grace ; that is , tho' the jewish nation having rejected the gracious offer of the gospel , are thereupon rejected from being the people of god , yet has god reserved to himself a remnant from among them , even those who have embraced the christian religion ; and if by grace , then is it no more of works ; that is , and if it be upon account of their having embraced the christian religion , that they are reckoned the peculiar people of god , then is not this privilege any longer annexed to the professors of the jewish religion ; otherwise grace is no more grace ; that is , otherwise the christian religion is in vain , and not , what it pretends to be , the grace of god : thus also , ch . . ver . . sin shall not have the dominion over you , for ye are not under the law but under grace ; that is , ye are not under the jewish religion , but under the christian. so likewise in the epistle to the galatians , ch . . ver . . christ is become of no effect unto you , whosoever of you are justified by the law , ye are fallen from grace ; that is , whosoever will needs retain the jewish religion , he takes upon him to fulfil the whole law , forsaking the gracious dispensation of the christian religion , and therefore christ shall be of no effect unto him . . again , because the duties of the christian religion are almost wholly moral and spiritual , respecting the inward disposition of the heart and mind ; whereas on the contrary , the ceremonies of the jewish law were for the most part external , and as the apostle to the hebrews calls them , carnal ordinances , respecting chiefly the outward purification of the body ; therefore the apostle calls the christian religion spirit , and the jewish religion flesh. thus in the epistle to the romans , ch . . ver . , & . for what the law could not do , in that it was weak through the flesh , god sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh , and for sin condemned sin in the flesh ; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us , who walk not after the flesh , but after the spirit ; that is , whereas the jewish religion , because of its outward and carnal ordinances , was weak and insufficient to make men truly righteous ; god sending his own son in the likeness of sinful man to offer up himself a sacrifice for the sins of mankind , established the christian religion , which purifying throughly the whole heart and mind , and purging the conscience from dead works , might through the grace and mercy of god avail to justifie men from all things , from which they could not be justified by the law. thus also in the epistle to the galatians , ch . . ver . . are ye so foolish ? having begun in the spirit , are ye now made perfect by the flesh ? that is , are ye so foolish as to think , that after ye have embraced the truth of the christian religion , you can become yet more perfect by observing the ceremonies of the jewish law ? . these are the terms which the apostle expresses the christian and jewish religion by in these epistles : and according to this interpretation , the substance of both these epistles may clearly be resolved into certain arguments , by which the apostle plainly and strongly proves , against the judaizing believers , that obedience to the christian religion is sufficient to salvation , without observing the ceremonies of the jewish . . his first argument is this . the jewish religion having proved insufficient to make men truly good , as the natural religion had before done , there was a necessity of setting up another institution of religion , which might be more available and effectual to that end ; now the setting up a new institution of religion necessarily implying the abolishing of the old , it follows that christianity was not to be added to judaism , but that judaism was to be changed into christianity , that is , that the jewish religion was from thenceforward to cease , and the christian religion to succeed in its room . this argument the apostle insists upon in the st , d , th , th and th chapters to the romans , and in the st and th chapters to the galatians . in the st and d chapters of the epistle to the romans , he shows that the jewish religion had proved insufficient to make men truly holy , as natural religion had also done : in the th and th chapters of that epistle to the romans , and in the st to the galatians , he gives an account of the institution of the christian religion , as more available to that end ; in the th chapter to the romans he shews that this new institution of religion necessarily implies the abolishing of the old one ; and this he does from the similitude of a womans being bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives , but if her husband be dead , she is free from the law of her husband ; which similitude he applies , ver . . wherefore my brethren ye also are become dead to the law by the body of christ , that ye should be married to another , even to him who is raised from the dead , that we should bring forth fruit unto god : in the th chapter to the galatians , he proves the same thing from the similitude of a young heirs being under governors or tutors , ver . . i say that the heir , as long as he is a child , differeth nothing from a servant , tho' he be lord of all ; but is under tutors and governors , until the time appointed of the father ; even so we , when we were children , were in bondage under the elements of the world : but when the fulness of time was come , god sent forth his son , made of a woman , made under the law , to redeem those that were under the law , that we might receive the adoption of sons ; that is , the jewish law was an institution of religion adapted by god in great condescention to the weak apprehensions of that people ; but when the fulness of time was come , god sent his son jesus christ to institute a more perfect form of religion , after the settlement of which in the world , the former dispensation was to be disannulled , for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof . . the second argument , by which the apostle proves that the christian religion is sufficient to justifie a man , without mixing therewith the rites of the jewish , is this : the summ and essence of all religion , is obedience to the moral and eternal law of god ; since therefore the ceremonies of the jewish law were instituted only for that very reason , that they might promote this great end , and prepare mens hearts for the reception of that more perfect institution of religion , wherein god was to be worshipped and obeyed in spirit and in truth ; 't is manifest , that when this more perfect institution of religion was settled , the former , which was designed for no other reason but to be a preparatory to this , must be abolished . this argument the apostle insists on in the d chapter to the romans , and in the d to the galatians : in the d to the romans he shows , that every institution of religion , and particularly the jewish , was no otherwise of any esteem in the sight of god , than as it promoted that great end of obedience to his moral and eternal law : for circumcision , saith he , verily profiteth if thou keep the law ; but if thou be a breaker of the law , thy circumcision is made uncircumcision ; therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law ; shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision ? and shall not uncircumcision , which is by nature , if it keep the law , judge thee who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law ? for he is not a jew which is one outwardly , neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh ; but he is a jew which is one inwardly , and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter , whose praise is not of men but of god , v. . to the end . in the d to the galatians he argues , that the jewish religion having been thus instituted only to prepare men for that obedience to the eternal law of god , which was to be the sum and essence of the christian religion ; it follows that when this latter and more perfect institution took place , there was no need of continuing the former : the law , saith he , was added because of transgressions , till the seed should come , to whom the promise was made , v. . and v. . before faith came we were kept under the law , shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed ; wherefore the law was our school-master to bring us unto christ , that we might be justified by faith ; but after that faith is come , we are no longer under a school-master . . the third argument which the apostle makes use of to prove that those who were converted to the christian religion , were not bound any longer to observe the jewish , is this : the religion of abraham was such a religion , as was acceptable to god , and available to justification ; but now the religion of abraham was the same with the christian religion , consisting only of faith and obedience without the works of the jewish law ; ( for the scripture saith expresly , that the gospel was preached before unto abraham , and that his faith was reckoned unto him for righteousness , when he was not in circumcision , but in uncircumcision ; ) it follows therefore , that the faith and obedience of the christian religion shall be imputed unto us for righteousness , without the works of the jewish law. this argument the apostle largely and strongly insists upon in the whole th chapter of the epistle to the romans , and in the d to the galatians , as you may there read at large . . the fourth and last argument , by which the apostle proves that the christian religion is sufficient to salvation without retaining the jewish , is this : the posterity of abraham were the elect and the peculiar people of god ; but by the posterity of abraham is not meant strictly those who descend from abraham according to the flesh , but the children of the promise , ( that is , as many as are of the faith of abraham , ) shall be counted for the seed : the true religion therefore and service of god , is not confined to the jewish nation , who are the posterity of abraham according to the flesh , but the gentiles also which believe , have attained to righteousness , even the righteousness which is of faith ; that is , those of all nations , as well gentiles as jews , who embrace the christian religion , which is the same with the religion of abraham , shall be justified with faithful abraham . and this argument the apostle insists upon in the th , th , and th chapters of the epistle to the romans , and in the th to the galatians . . this is the sum of the arguments , which the apostle makes use of in these two epistles , to prove against the judaizing christians , that there was no necessity of retaining the jewish religion together with the christian. and from the largeness , clearness , and strength of these arguments , 't is evident that the determination of this question is indeed the principal scope and design of the apostle in these epistles . for nothing can be more absurd than to suppose , that the apostle should most strongly and largely demonstrate a thing , which was not really the design of his discourse ; or that on the other hand he should make a thing the professed subject of his discourse and yet prove it by such intricate and obscure arguments , as the wisest and cunningest of men should never be able to reconcile , either with the rest of the scripture , or with themselves . . we must not therefore so understand any passages in these epistles , as if the apostle designed to magnifie one christian virtue in opposition to all or any of the rest ; but only that he would set forth the perfection of the virtues of the christian religion , without the ceremonies of the jewish . thus when he tells us that we are justified by faith without works , we must not interpret it of the faith of the christian religion , in opposition to the works of the christian religion , but of the faith of the christian religion , in opposition to the works of the jewish . for so the apostle himself most expresly explains it , gal. . in christ jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing , nor uncircumcision , but faith which worketh by love ; that is , it matters not whether a man observes the works of the jewish religion or no , if he maintains but the faith , and the obedience of the christian. but as to the works of the christian religion , the same apostle every where urgeth their necessity , and particularly the five last chapters of the epistle to the romans are a most earnest exhortation to be fruitful therein . . from which it follows most evidently , that there is no contradiction between st. paul and st. james , when the one says that a man is justified by faith without works , and the other saith that faith without works cannot justifie . for the one speaking professedly of the works of the jewish religion , and the other of the works of the christian , 't is plain that the faith of the christian religion may avail to justifie a man without the works of the jewish religion , ( which is the assertion of st. paul ; ) tho' it cannot do so without the works of the christian religion , ( which is the assertion of st. james . ) the faith of abraham , saith st. paul , was accounted to him for righteousness ; that is , his faith was accepted without circumcision , and without observing the external rites of the law : but it was by works , saith st. james , that abraham our father was justified ; that is , it was by real * obedience to the moral and eternal law of god , such as is now required by the christian religion , that his faith was made available to justification . so that there is no other difference between these two great apostles , than as if a man should say , that believing the christian religion is sufficient to salvation , without obeying the jewish religion , but that it cannot be so without obeying the christian. . from all which 't is plain , that the doctrine of st. paul concerning faith and works , delivered in his epistles to the romans and galatians , is so far from contradicting what i have laid down in the foregoing chapter , concerning the true notion of religion in general , ( namely that the essence and end of all true religion is obedience to the moral and eternal law of god , ) that on the contrary nothing does more clearly and more strongly confirm it . chap. v. of the duties of religion in particular . . thirdly , endeavour to gain a clear and distinct knowledge of the particular duties of religion . 't is not sufficient to understand in general wherein true religion consists , and to have right notions concerning its obligations in general , but we must also consider the particulars of our duty , and view them distinctly under some proper heads . many there are who have right and true notions concerning the nature of religion in general , who understand well enough and are convinced that the only thing that can be accepted in the sight of god , is holiness of life and universal obedience to all his commands ; who yet * contenting themselves with this slight , general , and superficial knowledge , and never giving themselves time to meditate seriously on the several particular branches of their duty , are very apt to impose upon themselves with a partial obedience ; and while they satisfie their own minds with some loose and general considerations , that their lives are religious in the main , that they have a general esteem for virtue and religion , and that they hate profaneness and professed irreligion , they make a shift to live in the habitual practice of some great sin , or in the constant neglect of some important duty . . my design is not in this short essay , to make a large and particular deduction of all the several branches of our christian duty . this has already been fully and excellently done * by some of our own writers . i shall only lay down the chief particulars of our duty under some brief heads , which may be easily remembred and carried constantly in mind , as perpetual memorials of what upon all occasions we must remember our selves to be absolutely and indispensably obliged to : and they shall be these three . . first , that we ought to be always devout towards god , with the profoundest veneration of mind possible , and to seek all opportunities of expressing that devotion . by this rule is commanded faith in god , trust and dependance upon him , submission and resignedness to his will , fear and love of him , zeal for his honour , prayer and thankfulness to him , and a conscientious attendance upon his worship and ordinances : and by it is forbidden , blasphemy and profaneness , superstition and idolatry , witchcraft and consulting with such as are reputed to have skill in any evil art , perjury and vain swearing , unbelief and distrust of god , want of zeal for his honour , unthankfulness and neglect of prayer , carelessness in religion and neglecting to attend upon the publick worship . . secondly , that we ought constantly to indeavour in the whole course of our lives , to promote the good and the happiness of all men. by this rule is commanded honour and reverence , fidelity and obedience towards those who are our superiors ; goodness and kindness , affability and courteousness , justice and honesty , gentleness and candour , meekness and peaceableness , forgiveness of injuries , and a desire of doing all possible kindnesses to those who are our equals ; pity and succour , mercifulness and compassion , alms and beneficence , instruction and assistance , and all manner of help and encouragement to those who are our inferiors : and by it is forbidden , disobedience and rebellion , traiterousness and speaking evil of dignities ; murder and stealing , extortion and fraud , perfidiousness and lying , oppression and over reaching , calumny and evil-speaking , hatred and revenge , sourness and unkindness , anger and passion , peevishness and ill-nature , sullenness and moroseness , discord and unpeaceableness ; cruelty and uncharitableness , pride and haughtiness , and unconcernedness at the wants and miseries of others . . thirdly , that we ought to be temperate and abstemious in the use of all temporal enjoyments , as soldiers of christ , and candidates for heaven ; as those who look for their portion not in the pleasures of this world , but in the happiness of the other . by this rule is commanded temperance and sobriety , chastity and purity , contentment and contempt of the world , patience and watchfulness , mortification and self-denial , heavenly-mindedness and humility : and by it is forbidden , gluttony and drunkenness , adultery and fornication , uncleanness and lasciviousness , voluptuousness and sensuality , covetousness and ambition , idleness and softness , impatience and discontent . . this is the summ of the duties , which every one who will in earnest dedicate himself to the service of god , and seriously enter upon a religious course of life , must resolve to perform . whoever will bear his cross and come after christ , must first consider , whether for the sake of god and religion , he can be able to bear the scorn and contempt of impious and prophane men , and suffer all things rather than be compelled to do any thing to the dishonour of his god ; he must consider whether for the sake of justice and charity he can be able to sacrifice his dearest interests , to conquer his most natural passions , and to despise the glory and splendour of the world ; and he must ask himself whether for the sake of temperance and purity , he can be able to mortifie his most darling lusts , and as a resolute follower of a crucified saviour , contemn all the pleasures of flesh and sense : for unless he can peremptorily resolve with himself to do all this , his profession of religion will certainly be in vain , and he cannot be the disciple of christ. which of you , saith our blessed saviour , intending to build a tower , sitteth not down first , and counteth the cost , whether he have sufficient to finish it ? lest haply after he has laid the foundation , and is not able to finish it , all that behold it begin to mock him , saying , this man began to build , and was not able to finish . or what king going to make war against another king , sitteth not down first , and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand , to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand ? so likewise , whosoever he be of you , that forsaketh not all that he hath , that is , who does not resolve with himself to perform his duty , whatever it may cost him , he cannot be my ▪ disciple , luke . , &c. chap. vi. what is to be done at confirmation : of solemnly renewing the baptismal vow . . when a person is thus arrived to a firm belief of the great truths of religion ; when he understands distinctly the extent and obligation of his duty ; and is come to a settled resolution of conducting the whole course of his life , according to that knowledge ; then is it that he becomes truly meet for the kingdom of god , and is rightly prepared to make a solemn profession of his being a disciple of christ. which the church has wisely ordained should be done publickly at confirmation : where by ratifying with our own mouth the vow made in our name by our sureties , we solemnly take upon our selves to perform all the duties , which the condition of our baptismal covenant obliges us to observe ; and by imposition of hands , ( according to the constant practice of the church since the times of the apostle ) we have sealed and confirmed to us all the privileges , which the condition of the same baptismal covenant intitles us to receive . . first therefore , at receiving confirmation , consider that you now solemnly undertake for your self to perform all the duties , which the condition of your baptismal covenant obliges you to observe . consider that you now confirm & ratifie , all that your sureties promised and vowed for you at your baptism . consider that you now ingage in your own person , to renounce the devil and all his works , the pomps and vanities of this wicked world , and all the sinful lusts of the flesh ; that you now ingage to stand firm in the belief of the christian doctrine , and never to be ashamed to confess the faith of christ crucified , or afraid to own your self his disciple ; and that you now ingage to obey from henceforward all the commandments of god , that is , to live ( with all the strictness and purity of the gospel ) in the constant practice of every one of those duties , of which i have briefly set down the heads in the former chapter . . and consider , that you promise all this most solemnly , in the presence of god and before the whole congregation . consider , that you enter into this promise with such solemnity , as lays upon you the strongest possible obligations to virtue : consider that you so enter into this promise with knowledge and deliberation , that if you shall afterwards fall into any course of sin , in contempt of such repeated obligations to the contrary , the guilt thereof will be extreamly increased ; and that therefore you ought now , to affect your mind deeply with a sence of the heinousness of sin , and to strengthen mightily your good resolutions . antiently , every one that was baptized , was taught to look upon himself as entring into so solemn an obligation of religion , that if after that great and sacred vow he should fall into any wilful and known sin , it could not be forgiven him but upon a proportionably great and long repentance : and the same reason there is now , why every one that by confirmation dedicates himself to the service of god , and makes publick profession of his being a disciple of christ , should look upon himself as entring into such a solemn obligation , as should make him exceeding fearful of falling for the future into any great sin , the guilt of which will be extreamly increased by being committed after such repeated vows and promises to the contrary . . yet is this no reason why any one should defer being confirmed , as if by omitting to bind himself by this new and solemn promise , he might continue to sin with less guilt and less danger . for though the guilt of sin be indeed mightily increased , by being committed after repeated obligations to the contrary ; yet if any one omits to renew his obligations , only for that reason , that he may continue in sin ; his sin is then equally heinous and against knowledge , as if he had renewed his obligation . baptism is a solemn obligation to be religious ; and many of the antients , because they thought sin would be more heinous after so solemn an obligation , did therefore defer to be baptized till the end of their lives . the lord's supper is also a solemn obligation to be religious ; and many in our days , because they think sin will be more heinous after so solemn an obligation , do therefore defer receiving the communion all their lives . but 't is plain these men run into a very great errour . for the reason why sin after repeated obligations to the contrary , becomes more heinous , is because it is committed with greater deliberation & against clearer convictions : when therefore a man who believes religion , and understands its obligations , omits these duties for no other reason , but that he may sin ( as he thinks ) with less danger ; his sins are then equally deliberate , and against equally clear knowledge ; and he moreover adds to them a contemptuous neglect , of the means of becoming more religious . chap. vii . of the certainty of god's grace , and the assistance of his holy spirit . . secondly , consider that you come now to have sealed and confirmed to you all the privileges , which the condition of your baptismal covenant intitles you to receive . at baptism we are admitted into the church of god , and have a title to the graces and assistance of the holy spirit ; and at confirmation this grace is sealed and assured to us , by the external sign of imposition of hands . when therefore you come in this solemn manner to make profession of your religion , and to dedicate your self to the service of god , be sure to come with earnest desires , and a longing soul , with firm faith , and a well-assured hope , with a pure heart , and a mind prepared for the reception of the holy ghost ; and god will not fail , to pour down upon you the abundance of his grace ; to give you strength from thenceforward to overcome both the inward corruption of your nature , and the outward temptations of the world and the devil ; to inable you to continue firm in the faith of christ , and in the obedience of his commands ; to preserve you always from the dominion of sin , and to bring you safe unto his kingdom of glory . . there is nothing more pernitious to the souls of men , than an opinion of the uncertainty of the grace of god , and it s not being annexed constantly to the use of means . if we imagine that our nature is so utterly corrupted , that we can no more do or will any thing that is good than a dead body can move , or bring it self to life , till we be acted by such a mighty and extraordinary grace of god , as nothing that we can do can in the least prepare us to receive ; if we imagine that the temptations of the world and the devil are so strong , that we cannot possibly overcome them without such a powerful assistance of the holy spirit , as god has not annexed to the use of any ordinances or means of religion ; if we imagine that the commandments of god are so impossible to be kept , that after all we can do , we must sit still in expectation of being converted suddenly by an irresistible grace ; this must needs make all our indeavours weak and faint , dead and without heart , and we shall certainly never be able to overcome our temptations and to persevere in well-doing : . it must indeed be confessed , that the corruption of our nature is really so great , that we cannot do any thing as of our selves : it must be confessed , that the temptations of the world and the devil are really so strong , that we can never , meerly by our own strength , be able to stand and persevere unto the end : it must be confessed , that the commandment of god is so exceeding broad , that by all that we can do by our own power , we can never be justified in the sight of god. but then if our saviour has deliver'd us from this corruption of our nature , and has broken all the powers of sin and satan : if christ by his death has purchased this grace for us , that upon our attending the ordinances and means of religion which he hath appointed , god will as certainly bestow upon us the sufficient assistance of his holy spirit , as a tender father cannot deny his child any reasonable request : if god will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able , but will with the temptation also make a way to escape , and whenever he requires more of us than we are naturally able to perform , will certainly afford us an extraordinary assistance proportionable to the difficulty we are obliged to encounter ; ( as he constantly did to the primitive christians , who through the mighty power of the spirit were enabled to bear all the most exquisite torments , that either the wit of man , or the malice of the devil could invent , with less concern than we can even indure to hear or read of them : ) if all this , i say , be true , 't is evident that if notwithstanding this we still continue in wickedness , all these specious pretences will by no means excuse us , but we shall be found to have done despite unto the spirit of grace , and to have neglected our great salvation . . think not therefore that the corruption of your nature is greater , than that grace and assistance which god now affords you ; for so you may sit still under the dominion of sin , in a vain expectation of being converted by some sudden and all-powerful grace of god , till you be surprized by the revelation of his righteous judgment : but know , that to all those who are baptized in his name , and who profess and endeavour to obey his commandments , god doth give both to will and to do of his good pleasure ; and therefore you are from henceforward indispensably bound , to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling . think not that the temptations of the world and the devil , are more powerful than that strength wherewith god now indues you ; for so you will be sure to be overcome by them : but know , that our saviour has overcome the world and the devil , so that they have * no more power over the servants of god ; and therefore we are bound to overcome them also , and to be more than conquerours through him that loved us , rom. . . think not that the commandments of god are hard and impossible to be kept ; for * so you will certainly not be able to keep them : but know , that thro' christ who now strengthens you , you may make them † easie , and light , and pleasant ; and therefore you are from henceforward indispensably obliged to keep them . . these are the qualifications , with which a person ought to come to confirmation , that he may receive it with advantage and profit . i shall now give some brief directions , how one that has thus solemnly entred into the profession of religion , may continue to live worthy of that holy profession . chap. viii . what is to be done after confirmation . of perseverance ; and of the danger of apostacy . . and first , persuade your self of the necessity of persevering in the constant practice of religion and virtue , from this period . the primitive christians thought themselves absolutely obliged , to live in the constant practice of all holiness and virtue , from the time of their baptism to their death : and if we have taken upon our selves the same baptismal vow ; if we have entred into the same profession of religion ; we ought also from that time forward to have the same apprehensions . think not that the making a publick and solemn profession of religion will be of any advantage to you , unless the following part of your life be suitable to and worthy of that profession . think not that your present zeal and warmth of devotion will stand you in any stead , unless it work in you such a lasting disposition of mind , as will afterwards , when temptation and trial shall succeed , preserve you stedfast and unmoveable in the performance of your duty . . the christian life is a spiritual warfare , wherein we must fight against the temptations of this world , for the glories of the other ; and the reward is promised , not to him that shall fight , but to him that shall overcome . we are told , that many should embrace the doctrine of christ , and receive his word even with joy ; but because in time of temptation they would fall away , it should profit them nothing to have once been believers . this whole life , is a state of trial and probation ; and however painfully we have laboured , yet if we leave off before our work be done , we must lose our reward . they that run in a race , saith the apostle , run all ; but 't is not they that rûn , but they that continue to run without fainting to the end , that shall obtain the crown . men are exceeding apt to deceive themselves with an imagination , that some warm fits of devotion , the doing now and then a work of charity , and the abstaining from sin for some time , when perhaps the temptation is less violent than ordinary , will be look'd upon as the running the christian race : but let no man deceive himself with vain imaginations : this is indeed running , but not so as to obtain ; this is indeed fighting , but not so as to conquer , but to be overcome . 't is not the struggling with sin , or the interrupting a wicked life by some short lived repentance , that will intitle us to a crown of righteousness ; but we must overcome , and we must evidence our victory by a steady course of piety , or our labour will prove to be in vain . . many there are , who upon † some affecting discourse , or some remarkable providence , or some occasional warmth of devotion , do please themselves with good resolutions , do admire the pleasures of virtue , and with a transporting glimpse of the joys of holiness , do imagine themselves almost at the gates of heaven ; and yet when the fit is over , the cares of this world , and the deceitfulness of riches , and the lusts of other things returning upon them , choke the word and it becometh unfruitful ; and all their pious intervals serve to no other purpose , but to make their misery so much the more lamentable and deplorable , by how much they have come nearer to the kingdom of god , and have been almost upon the point of making themselves happy . what pity is it , that they who have had a taste of the good word of god , and the powers of the world to come , should for want of being able to withstand the allurements of some trifling pleasure , or for want of resolution to incounter some short and temporal hardship , forfeit all their glorious hopes of happiness , and lose the crown of immortality ! yet that they must do so if their love wax cold , and they be offended at the appearance of any temptation , the scripture every where most expresly assures us . . he that endureth to the end , saith our blessed saviour , the same shall be saved , matth. . . but if any one draw back , my soul shall have no pleasure in him , heb. . . for no man having put his hand to the plough , and looking back , is meet for the kingdom god , luke . . not every one that saith unto him , lord , lord ; not every one that embraces his religion , and makes profession of it ; nay , not every one that receiveth his word with gladness , and obeys it for a time , even with sincerity ; but he that with an unwearied constancy maintains his resolutions , and in the midst of all temptations preserves his integrity to the end ; he only has a certain title to our saviour's promise . . and to the same purpose the apostle st. paul , rom. . . assures the promise of eternal life , not to those who shall begin to do well , or to those who shall by fits , and at certain times , do some works of righteousness ; but to those only , who shall persevere in a steady course of piety ; to them who by patient continuance in well-doing , seek for glory , and honour , and immortality . and again , heb. . . he tells us , that we are made partakers of christ , if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end . the hebrews to whom this epistle was written , were certainly sincere christians ; they had been enlightned by baptism and the preaching of the word ; they had tasted of the heavenly gift , and were made partakers of the holy ghost ; they had tasted the good word of god , and the powers of the world to come ; and yet the apostle tells them , that all this would not make them partakers of christ ; i. e. would not intitle them to the promises which the gospel makes to obedience , unless they persevered in this state to the end : nay , so far would all these glorious things be from ascertaining them of happiness , that if they fell away , the having formerly been partakers of so great privileges would but * increase their condemnation , and make their state more desperate . . terrible are the threatnings which the scripture makes to those , who having known their duty and begun to obey it , shall again return to a course of wickedness . if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of our lord and saviour jesus christ , they shall be again intangled therein and overcome , the latter end is worse with them than the beginning : for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness , than after they have known it , to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them , pet. . . i will therefore put you in remembrance , though you once knew this , how that the lord having saved the people out of the land of egypt , afterwards destroyed them that believed not : and the angels which kept not their first estate , but left their own habitation , he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness , unto the judgment of the great day , jude , & . lest there be any fornicator or profane person , as esau , who for one morsel of meat sold his birth-right ; for ye know how that afterward , when he would have inherited the blessing , he was rejected , for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears , heb. . . if we sin wilfully , after we have received the knowledge of the truth , there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins , but a certain fearful looking for of judgment , and fiery indignation , which shall devour the adversary , heb. . . it is impossible for those who were once enlightned , and have tasted of the heavenly gift , and were made partakers of the holy ghost , and have tasted the good word of god , and the powers of the world to come , if they shall fall away , to renew them again unto repentance ; seeing they crucifie to themselves the son of god afresh , and put him to an open shame , heb. . . the meaning of all which places is plainly this , not indeed that 't is impossible to obtain forgiveness , but that there is no more baptism , no more baptismal remission ; and that therefore if men after the clear knowledge of their duty , relapse any more into a state of gross wickedness , they cannot be forgiven but upon such a great and active repentance , as 't is exceeding difficult to renew such persons unto . . for this reason our saviour warns us to watch , and to be ready always , to have our loins girded about and our lights burning , and to be like men that wait for their lord when he shall return from the wedding , that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately , luke . . and again , take heed to your selves , lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting , and drunkenness , and the cares of this life , and so that day come upon you unawares ; for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell upon the face of the whole earth : watch ye therefore , and pray always , that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass , and to stand before the son of man , luke . . and the apostles also in their epistles , are perpetually warning us to watch and to be solicitous , to take great heed ( as of a thing of most extreme danger ) lest at any time we fail of the grace of god , and left any root of bitterness springing up trouble us , and thereby we be defiled . . and indeed the ancient church thought they could never carry this point too far . to the converts who had newly entered into the profession of religion , they always urged the necessity of perseverance with the utmost rigour : and those texts of scripture , which seem the most severely to threaten apostates , that is , such as after their embracing the truth of the gospel , wilfully relapsed into the practice of any notorious wickedness , they always interpreted to them in the most * strict sense , that by those terrors of the lord they might preserve them ( if possible ) in their innocence ; though those who had already sinned they treated more mildly , that they might incourage repentance and prevent despair . chap. ix . of innocence and an early piety . . secondly , consider the inestimable advantage of innocence , and of an early piety . innocence is a jewel which no man understands the value of , and no man knows what he does when he first parts with it . when a man is first beaten from his good resolutions , and seduced by the temptations of sin and folly , he is then driven from his best strong-hold ; his strength , his courage , his assistance is diminished ; and when or how far he shall be able to recover them , he cannot tell . when a man is first inticed to sin wilfully and against knowledge , he makes shipwrack of a good conscience , and parts with that peace of mind , which how far he shall ever be able to recover , he cannot know . when a man is first vanquish'd by the enemies of his salvation , the world , the flesh , or the devil ; and prefers any pleasure , or any interest to his duty ; he then forfeits his title to the crown promised to those who shall overcome ; and how far his endeavours will afterwards be accepted , he cannot tell . . while a person who has entered early into the profession of religion , is yet innocent and uncorrupted with vice ; he begins his christian warfare with firm and unbroken resolutions , with a free and undistracted mind , and with the certain assistance of god's holy spirit : but when once he has forfeited this happy innocence , and is fallen from his first love ; his zeal for virtue grows less strict , and his hatred against vice less severe ; his resolutions become weaker and more inconstant , his passions stronger , and his mind more unsettled ; and the grace of god is proportionably withdrawn from him ; so that it becomes much more difficult to recover his first state , than it had been to preserve it . think not therefore , when first temptations offer themselves , that you can now yield to them , and afterwards return to your duty : ( for if your resolutions when firmest are not able to resist , much less will they do it when they have once been broken ; if you cannot withstand the temptations of vice while it is yet at a distance , much less will you be able to do it when it has interested your passions and insinuated it self into your affections ; if you cannot maintain your ground while the spirit of god is ready constantly to assist you , much less will you do it when he has withdrawn himself from you : ) but resolve bravely now , while it is called to day , while you have time and may do it with the greatest advantages , to make your religion easie , and your happiness secure ; set out with a mighty resolution in the christian race , and press forward toward the mark of the prize of the high calling : despise all the temptations of the world , and the flesh ; and resist the devil , and he will flee from you . . again , while one who has early entered into the profession of religion , maintains his integrity , and stands firm against all the temptations of sin and satan ; he carries with him not only a quiet conscience and an undisturbed mind , but such a full assurance and joy in the holy ghost , as inables him to perform his duty not only willingly but cheerfully , and to despise all the temptations of this present world as vanity and nothing : but when once he has made shipwrack of a good conscience , and is overcome by the temptations of the world and the devil , to sin in any gross and notorious instances ; then fears and doubts , anxieties and scruples , must be his portion ; and though by repentance he may recover a well grounded hope , and through the mercy of god a certain expectation of pardon , yet not easily the assurance and joy of innocence . think not therefore , when you are tempted by sin , that you may now yield to its solicitations , and afterwards by repentance recover your first peace and quiet of conscience : ( for when once the support of a good conscience is lost , obedience will be much more difficult ; and peace will not return , but after much labour and many fears , after great sorrow and long doubts : but resolve now to resist the very first motions of sin ; and be convinced there is no pleasure but in a good conscience , nor any joy but in the obedience of god's commands . . lastly , while one who has entered betimes into the profession of religion , continues resolutely to preserve his innocence , and conquers all the temptations of sin ; he has a certain title to that exceeding weight of glory , that crown of righteousness , which god has laid up for those who shall keep the faith and patiently continue in well-doing : but when once he turns from the holy commandment delivered unto him , and is overcome by the inticements and allurements of sin , he forfeits his title to that crown of glory ; and to what degree his after-endeavours will restore him , he cannot tell . that repentance will procure him mercy and pardon , is certain ; but to recover the reward and the crown of innocence , it must be very early and very effectual . all that a late penitent can hope for , is to obtain forgiveness and be admitted to heaven : the bright crowns will be reserved for those , who have fought the good fight and overcome the world. think not therefore , when you are assaulted by temptation , that you may now enjoy the pleasures of sin , and afterward by repentance attain to the reward of virtue also : ( for though god hath indeed promised that those who are hired into the vineyard at the eleventh hour , that is , those who are late instructed in the religion of christ , or in the knowledge of their duty , shall have the same reward with those who have born the burden and heat of the day ; yet he has no where promised that those who stand idle in the vineyard till the th hour , that is , who notwithstanding they believe the gospel and know their duty , yet defer their repentance to the last , shall receive likewise the same reward : ) but resolve now , as a faithful soldier of christ , to resist resolutely the temptations of the devil , to despise the glory and vanity of the world , to get above the pleasures and deceits of sense ; and then your labour will be sure not to be in vain in the lord. . 't is to those who thus overcome , that those great and glorious promises in the new testament are made : rev. . . he that overcometh , shall inherit all things ; and rev. . to him that overcometh will i grant to sit with me in my throne ; even as i also overcame , and am set down with my father in his throne : and the like . he that overcometh ; that is , he that having embraced the gospel of christ , and being firmly persuaded of the truth of his religion , continues stedfast in this faith and in the obedience thereof , in spight of all the temptations of sin and satan to the contrary . in the primitive times , the great temptation with which christians were assaulted , was persecution ; by which they were tempted to deny their saviour , and to renounce that faith which they had once embraced , by returning again to the idolatrous worship of the heathen gods : this was their peculiar conflict and trial ; and he that in that great trial resisted unto blood , chusing rather to endure the most exquisite torments , and to die the most cruel death , than to deny christ , was said in a peculiar and more emphatical sense to have overcome : and to those persons we must understand these great promises , to be primarily and more immediately made . but that they proportionably belong to all other christians also , who in the midst of any other temptations shall keep the works of christ , and victoriously persevere in their integrity to the end , is evident : for the promise is not made to him that overcometh , for that reason because 't is this or that particular temptation that he overcomes ; but because he maintains his integritry inviolable to the last , notwithstanding the force of any temptation to the contrary . and perhaps if we consider the matter closely , 't is not easie to determine which is more difficult and shews a greater constancy of mind , to die for the sake of christ , or to live in the constant contempt of all the pleasures and enjoyments of life ; to part actually with all our temporal goods for the name of christ , or to keep them with such indifferency as if we enjoyed them not . those persons therefore who entring early into the profession of religion , when their temptations to sin were most numerous and most powerful , continued stedfast in the love of god and of virtue , unmoved amidst the perpetual allurements of pleasure , the dazling vanities of worldly glory , and the manifold deceitfulness of riches ; were by the ancients looked upon with * no less esteem , than those who suffered for the name of christ ; and were thought to have a title to as great a reward . . let those who have still the time before them , and are so happy as not to have been yet seduced through the deceitfulness of sin , consider these things . let them consider , what a prize they have in their hands ; and let them be zealous that no man take their crown . let them consider , that if god and angels rejoyce at the conversion of an old and great sinner , much more must they be pleased to see a young person amidst the alluring glories and pleasures of the world , bravely resisting all its temptations . let them consider , that that time , which a dying sinner would , if it were possible , give millions of worlds to redeem , is now in their hands ; and they may make a glorious use of it . let them consider , that they are yet cloathed with the white robe of innocence ; and if they be careful never to defile that garment , they may attain to a portion among those few , who shall walk with christ in white , for they are worthy . let them consider , that if they zealously continue to maintain their innocence and their good works for a few years , they will soon be almost out of the danger of temptation ; they will escape the bitter pangs of remorse and repentance ; they will be wholly above that greatest of human miseries , the dread and horrour of death ; and may , not only without fear , but even with exceeding joy , expect the appearance of our lord jesus christ at the judgment of the great day , and in the glory of the world to come . lastly , let them consider , that if they hold fast the confidence and rejoycing of their hope firm unto the end , they shall be intitled to all those great and inconceivable promises , which our saviour has made to those who shall overcome : to him that overcometh , will i give to eat of the tree of life , which is in the midst of the paradise of god , rev. . . he that overcometh , shall not be hurt of the second death , ver . . he that overcometh , the same shall be clothed in white raiment , and i will not blot his name out of the book of life , but i will confess his name before my father , and before his angels , rev. . . him that overcometh , will i make a pillar in the temple of my god , and he shall go no more out , and i will write upon him the name of my god , and the name of the city of my god , which is new jerusalem , ver . . and , to him that overcometh , will i grant to sit with me , in my throne , even as i also overcame , and am sit down with my father in his throne , v. . chap. x. of making religion the principal business of our lives . . thirdly , resolve to make religion the main scope of all your actions , and the principal business of your life . one great reason , why religion , which was the reigning principle that wholly governed the lives of the primitive christians , has now so little influence upon the actions of men ; is because those holy men sought first the kingdom of god and his righteousness , and relied upon the providence of god to have all other things added unto them ; whereas now , men make religion not their first , but their last care ; and while their whole hearts and affections are set upon the things of this present world , they think themselves sufficiently religious if they spend but some small portions of their time in the outward and ceremonious acts of religion . but if religion be the same now , that it was in the times of the primitive christians ; if the happiness proposed to us , be the same for which they so painfully contended ; if our obligations , ( excepting perhaps some few particular cases , ) be the same with theirs ; this slight , careless and superficial religion , will not serve our turn . he that will obtain that crown of immortality , which god has promised to those who love and obey him , must be effectually and substantially religious in the main course of his life ; and he that will be so truly and sincerely religious , must make that religion his principal and his first care. . by making religion the principal care and study of our lives , i do not mean that men should withdraw themselves from their business and imployments in the world , to spend their time anxiously in reading , praying , meditating & the like : i hese things are not the whole , nor the principal part of religion ; and it is an antient and notorious errour , to think that men can become more truly religious by the continued exercises of a private retirement , than by living soberly , righteously , and godlily in the world. the life and substance of religion , is to have our minds habitually possessed with the profoundest veneration of the divine majesty , and with a desire of expressing at all proper opportunities , our devotion to him , and our zeal for his honour ; to endeavour constantly in the whole course of our lives , to promote the good and the happiness of all men ; and to be temperate in the use of all earthly enjoyments , as those who expect their happiness , not in this world , but in the next . this is the essence of true religion ; and these things a man may make his principal , nay , even his whole care , without any way neglecting , or in the least withdrawing himself from his secular and worldly business . there is no imployment , wherein a man may not be always doing something for the honour of god , for the good of men , or for the improvement of the virtues of his own mind : there is no business , wherein a man may not make it his main care , to act always like a good man and a christian : there is no state of life , wherein a man may not keep a constant eye upon a future state ; and so use the things of this present world , as that the great and ultimate scope of all his actions may always respect that which is to come . . and to make religion thus far the principal business of our lives , is absolutely and indispensably necessary . no man can overcome the temptations of the word ; no man can be truly and effectually religious ; unless he stedfastly proposes to himself one great design of his life , and indeavours to act always regularly upon that design . he must * constantly keep an eye upon his main end ; and in every thing he does , must be careful always to have a respect to that . every thing he undertakes , must be either directly conducive to that end , or at least not contrary to , and inconsistent with it . in a word , he must be true to himself , and to his own happiness ; and be resolute never to be tempted to do any thing , which he knows he shall afterwards wish undone . for otherwise , if a man acts only uncertainly , according to the present appearances of things , and without any fixt design ; it must needs be that every violent temptation will either surprize or overpower him , and his religion will be as inconstant as his resolutions : his life will be at best no other , than a continued circle of sinning and repenting ; and his end will be in nothing but uncertainties and fears . chap. xi . of the contempt of the world. . fourthly , endeavour to get above all the desires of this present world. this is the hardest lesson in religion , but withal the most necessary and the most useful . all wickedness proceeds from the immoderate desire of some temporal injoyment or other ; and the love of the world is most immediately the root of all evil. no man sins , but when he is seduced by an over-fond desire of some honour , profit , or pleasure ; and no man can be sure of preserving his innocence , so long as he is inslaved to and under the dominion of any of these desires . the way therefore to lay the ax to the root of the tree , and to remove the foundation and first cause of our misery ; is to get above all the desires of these transitory enjoyments , and to keep them perfectly in subjection and under the command of reason : we must be able to contemn these things , even where they are innocent ; and then we may be secure that they shall never be able , to seduce and intice us into any thing that is sinful . . now the means by which the christian religion teaches us to do this , is not ( as i have already said ) by retiring and withdrawing our selves from the world , to neglect all business and lay aside all secular cares ; but by fixing our thoughts stedfastly upon that future state which the gospel has clearly discovered to us , to fill our minds with such strong and vigorous ideas of the happiness of the next world , as will in any state of life , beget and preserve in us a settled contempt of all the enjoyments of this . . the first and lowest degree of this contempt of the world , is a resolution not to purchase any of its injoyments with the commission of any great and known sin . this is the very lowest degree of sincerity ; and the least that any one , who pretends at all to be a christian , can resolve with himself to do for the sake of god and religion . he that to purchase any honour or profit , will not scruple to make use of downright fraud , or of any means which he himself knows and is convinced to be unlawful ; he that to gratifie any sensual appetite , and to injoy a present pleasure , will venture directly to break a positive and express command ; such a one bids open defiance to god and virtue , and can hardly impose upon himself with any vain imaginations of his being religious . . the next degree of this contempt of the world , is a willingness to part with all things for the sake of christ , when we cannot keep them together with our religion . this also our saviour absolutely requires of them that will be his disciples . if any man come to me , and hate not his father and mother , and wife and children , and brethren and sisters , yea , and his own life also , he cannot be my disciple ; and whosoever doth not bear his cross , and come after me , cannot be my disciple , luke . , . 't is true , this is more peculiarly adapted to those early times of the gospel , when 't was impossible for a man to embrace the doctrine of christ , and profess himself his disciple , but he must immediately forsake all that he had in the world , and become poor in the most literal sense for christ's sake : but certainly it thus far obliges christians at all times , and even when god does not call them to suffering and parting with all for his sake , that they ought to have such an indifferency for the things of this world , as to be always in a readiness to part with whatever shall come in competition with their duty . . but there is yet another degree of this contempt of the world , which though less considered , is yet of more universal and more constant obligation : and that is , that we be sparing and temperate in the use even of lawful and innocent enjoyments , as those who expect their portion not in the pleasures of this world , but in the happiness of the next . this is the proper and peculiar virtue of the christian religion ; and indeed the only true rule of temperance . to give men a full liberty of satisfying to the utmost all their sensual appetites in all instances not directly forbidden , and to set their hearts upon the injoyment of all worldly pleasures , as far as they can possibly within the limits of innocence , is to allow men a liberty which experience shews they cannot bear , and which will certainly seduce them into the borders of sin : on the other hand , to restrain men from injoying the good things of this present world any further than is strictly necessary to preserve their life and health , is to lay a snare on the consciences of men , and to tie 'em up to what god and nature has not tied them . the only true measure therefore of christian temperance , is that we so govern our selves with respect to the injoyments of this present life , as becomes those who profess to be followers of christ , and candidates for heaven ; who look upon this world only as a state of labour and trial , but expect their portion and their happiness in the world to come : that is , that we so use these present good things , as to preserve our selves always in the disposition fittest for the performance of our duty ; to keep the flesh always in subjection to the spirit ; and to maintain constantly that temper of mind , which may prepare and fit us for the injoyment of god , and for the happiness of heaven . . the design of the christian religion is to draw off mens affections from things earthly and sensible , and to fix them on nobler and spiritual objects : it gives us the most refined precepts exemplified in the life of our saviour , for our rule to walk by ; and sets before us as the reward of our obedience , the happiness of that place , where we shall be like to god , because we shall see him as he is . the first thing therefore that our saviour requires , of them that will be his disciples ; is so to wean themselves from this present world , as to be always prepared for the more spiritual happiness of that which is to come . the first thing that the christian religion teaches us ; is so to look beyond this world in the main scope of our lives , and to have so slight an esteem for , and be so little immersed in , all earthly injoyments ; as to have our hearts fixed always there , where we expect our treasure . it teaches us to look upon the good things of this present world , as talents committed to our charge ; for the doing what good we can in the present state , and thereby purchasing to our selves a treasure incorruptible in the future . it teaches us to set our affections wholly on things above ; and to have our conversation always in heaven . it teaches us to love god , as the supream and only good ; and to make it the business and the pleasure of our life , to advance his glory and to promote his religion . . this is the disposition of mind , which the christian religion requires of all its professors . and that this disposition of mind cannot otherwise be attained and preserved , than by working our selves up to a great contempt of the world ; by being very temperate in the enjoyment of earthly pleasures ; and by withdrawing our affections from the desires of them ; is evident . no man who hath this worlds goods , can cheerfully and bountifully bestow them to the glory of god and to the good of men ; so long as he retains an over-fond affection for the splendour of the world , and cannot deny himself in any of its pleasures . no man can set his affections on things above , while he places his happiness in things here below ; nor have his conversation and his citizenship in heaven , while his heart and desires are fix'd on earth . in a word , no man can love god as the supreme and only good , and make religion heartily the usiness of his life ; while his affections are fondly fastened on the pleasures of earth , and the gratifications of sense . . he that notwithstanding his belief of the gospel , does yet retain such a love for the world , as that he cannot persuade himself without great regret to part with any present gratification ; and is solicitous , not to be as religious and to do as much good as he can , but to live as sensually , and to enjoy as much pleasure , as he thinks possibly consistent with the hopes of happiness ; such a one 's divided affections and unmortified desires , will certainly be too strong for the governance of his reason ; and his unwillingness to part with the pleasures of this life , will be in great danger to deprive him of the happiness of the next . no servant can serve two masters ; for either he will hate the one and love the other , or else he will hold to the one and despise the other ; ye cannot serve god and mammon , luke . . the carnal , or sensual mind , saith st. paul , is enmity against god ; for it is not subject to the law of god , neither indeed can be , rom. . . and in the st epistle of st. john , ch . . ver . . if any man love the world , the love of the father is not in him . the avoiding eternal misery , and acquiring endless bliss , is not so easie and trivial a matter , as to be the purchase of a few faint wishes , the work of a mind distracted , and as it were wholly taken up with other cares : he that hath proposed to us this glorious reward , has yet proposed it upon such conditions , as that we think it worth our caring for : he indispensably requires , that we fix our affections upon heavenly things ; and though we may , and ought to make use of the blessings of this world thankfully , as accommodations in our journey ; yet that in the whole course of our lives the general design of our actions be directed to this great end. if therefore we suffer other things so to interpose , as to steal away our hearts and affections ; we cannot possibly keep up this disposition . man's nature and operations are finite ; and what time and attention he bestows on one thing , must necessarily be subracted from another . if then the vanities of this world entertain and busie us , they must unavoidably interrupt our attendance on the one thing necessary ; and when we begin to look upon these deceitful things as our proper happiness , our esteem will in proportion decrease to those which really are so . hence the cares of the world , the deceitfulness of riches , and the pleasures of this life , are said to choke the word , and it becometh unfruitful , matth. . . compared with luke . . and st paul tells us , tim. . . that they who will be rich , that is , they whose desires are eagerly bent upon the good things of this present life , fall into temptation and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtful lusts , which drown men in destruction and perdition . . and that this over-fond love of the present world , this solicitous desire after riches and pleasure , is inconsistent with that disposition of mind which the christian religion requires ; seems to be the true and principal scope of several of our saviour's parables to demonstrate . the parable of the rich man , luke . is evidently intended to this purpose . he is described to have been clothed in purple and fine linnen , and to have fared sumptuously every day ; and when in hell he lift up his eyes and saw abraham afar off , and cried to him to have mercy upon him , and to send lazarus that he might dip the tip of his finger in water , and cool his tongue ; the answer he received was this ; son , remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things , and likewise lazarus evil things ; but now he is comforted , and thou art tormented . 't is not said that he had spent his substance in rioting and drunkenness ; 't is not said that he had deserved this punishment for his cruelty and uncharitableness : but only that he had lived delicately , and fared sumptuously ; that he had already received his good things ; ( that is , that he had received a plentiful share of the good things of this present life , and that he had received and valued them as his portion and his happiness ; ) and that therefore now there remained nothing for him , but to be tormented . . that the design of this parable is not meerly to condemn rioting and extravagancy , drunkenness and excess , is evident . for had that only been the design of it , the rich man would have been ▪ plainly described to have been guilty of those vices . but since our saviour does not directly lay those things to his charge , neither must we do it . the parable says , he was clothed in purple and fine linnen , and fared sumptuously every day : and as his station in the world might be , he may fairly be supposed to do so without the imputation of excess . as god has placed men in different stations in the world , and accordingly made very different distributions of the good things of this life amongst them ; so it cannot be denied but that these good things may be made use of , according to every man's quality and condition . it cannot therefore be certainly collected from the rich man's faring sumptuously , that he wasted his substance in riotous living , as the prodigal is described to have done in the foregoing chapter ; for he would certainly in this place have been directly accused of doing so , if the parable had been levelled against nothing less than rioting and excess . . again , that the design of this parable is not meerly to condemn uncharitableness and cruelty , is also evident . for though it represents the rich man on the one hand clothed in purple and fine linnen , and faring sumptuously every day ; and on the other hand the poor man lying at his gate full of sores , and desiring to be fed with the crums that fell from the rich man's table ; yet it contains only this description of the poor man's condition in opposition to that of the rich man , without taking any notice at all of their behaviour one to another . though therefore it may justly be supposed , that our saviour designed to hint to us , that the poor man did not meet with that comfort and relief , which might reasonably be expected in a place where there was such plenty and abundance of all things ; and that this did mightily increase the rich man's condemnation ; yet this is not the thing that is now laid to his charge , and therefore is not the main design of the parable . parables are certain familiar ways of representing things to the capacity of the vulgar , by easie and continued similitudes ; and the close of the similitude always shows the principal scope of the parable ; as is evident in most of our saviour's discourses to the jews . had our saviour therefore in this parable chiefly designed to shew the evil of uncharitableness , and the condemnation that attends uncharitable men , he would ( when he had represented the rich man crying out to abraham to have mercy upon him , and begging that he would send lazarus that he might dip the tip of his finger in water , and cool his tongue , ) he would here , i say , have introduced the patriarch charging him with his uncharitableness , as the cause of his being cast into that place of torment . it would have been told him , that since when he lived in ease and plenty , and in the abundant enjoyment of all the good things of this life , he had had no regard to the then miserable estate of this poor man ; he had no reason to expect , now that the scale was turned , and himself fallen into a state of misery , that the poor man should leave that place of happiness which is figured to us by abraham's bosom , to come and quench the violence of the flame that tormented him . he would have been told that 't was but just , that since he had shewed no mercy , none should be shewn to him ; and that he should receive no relief from the poor man after death , to whom he had given none when he was alive . but instead of all this , we find only that short reply ; son , remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things , therefore now thou art tormented . . it remains therefore , that the reason for which this rich man is represented as condemned to that place of torment , is because he had in his life time received his portion of good things ; that is , not because he had received the blessings of this world , but because he had received and used them as his portion and his happiness ▪ he had a large and plentiful estate ; and he spent it in jollity and splendour . he was clothed in purple and fine linnen ; and he fared sumptuously every day . he denied himself nothing , that tended to the ease and pleasure of his own life ; or that could make him look splendid in the eyes of others . hereupon he accounted himself a happy man ; and blessed himself in the multitude of his riches . he look'd on them not as talents committed to him by god , to be employed for the doing good in his generation ; but as his own portion , that he might live in ease and plenty , and that his heart might chear him in the days of his life . his treasure therefore was upon earth ; and his heart and affections , were there also . he set up his rest here ; and was so wholly taken up with the splendour and gaiety of this world , that he had no time to think upon another ; till he found by woful experience that he 〈◊〉 settled his affections upon a wrong object , and chosen those things for his portion and his happiness which were not to be of equal duration with himself . thus the design of this parable seems plainly to be this ; to condemn a soft and easie , a delicate and voluptuous life : and to show , that for those who have a plentiful share of earthly blessings , to make it their main design to live in ease and pleasure , in gaiety and splendour with them ; to set their hearts and affections upon them ; to esteem them as their good things , and to place their happiness in them ; is inconsistent with that temper and disposition of mind , which the christian religion requires in those , who expect their portion in the spiritual happiness of the world to come . and to this sense we must understand those sayings of our saviour , luke . . wo unto you that are full , for ye shall hunger ; wo unto you that laugh now , for ye shall mourn and weep : and ver . . wo unto you that are rich , for ye have received your consolation ; that is , ye have received those things which ye accounted your portion , and wherein ye placed your happiness . . in like manner , the parable of that other rich man , luke . whose ground brought forth plentifully , and he thought within himself , saying , what shall i do because i have no room where to bestow my fruits ? and he said , this will i do , i will pull down my barns and build greater , and there will i bestow all my fruits and my goods : and i will say to my soul , soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years ; take thine ease , eat , drink and be merry . this parable , i say , seems also plainly designed against the same softness and voluptuousness of life . our saviour does not describe this man to be covetous , and that he would store up all his goods to no use ; but that he would take the good of them himself , he would eat , drink and be merry : 't is the same word that we render elsewhere , to fare sumptuously : but god said unto him , thou fool , this night shall thy soul be required of thee , and 〈◊〉 whose shall those things be which thou hast provided ? his case seems to be the very same with that of the rich man , luke . the one resolved that in his life time he would eat , drink and be merry ; and in the midst of his jollity his soul was required of him : the other was clothed in purple and fine linnen , and fared sumptuously every day ; and when after death he complained that he was in a place of torment , he was by abraham reminded that he had in his life time received his good things . . lastly , the history of the young man , mark . who came running and kneeled to our saviour , and asked him , good master , what shall i do that i may inherit eternal life ? is an eminent instance of the deceitfulness of the love of the world. he had kept all the commandments from his youth ; and therefore one would think was well prepared , to receive our saviour's doctrine : yet when he bad him , go thy way , sell whatsoever thou hast , and give to the poor , and thou shalt have treasure in heaven , and come take up thy cross and follow me ; 't is said , he was sad at that saying , and went away grieved , for he had great possessions . 't is not said either that he was covetous on the one hand , or prodigal on the other ; much less that he spent his substance in revelling and drunkenness : but here was his fault ; his heart was set upon his great possessions , and he could not persuade himself to part with them , though upon the prospect of an extraordinary reward . so unfit is a mind deeply immersed in the love of this present world , for the reception of the truth and severity of the gospel ; and so difficult for those who have a large share of the good things of this world , not to be thus immersed in the love of it . . for this reason it is , that great riches and continual prosperity in the world , are all along through the new testament described as a very dangerous and unsafe state. persecution has not a greater power to force men violently from their duty , than riches and great prosperity have to supplant them insensibly , and to intice them from it . riches and prosperity do by degrees soften and debase mens minds ; they do as it were tie men down , and fasten their affections to the things of this present world ; they sensualize mens thoughts , and * divert them from taking any pleasure in the contemplation of spiritual and divine things ; in a word , they ply men so constantly with fresh baits and temptations , and are so continually pressing them to satisfie their sensual appetites ; that without a very great measure of the grace of god , and an extraordinary degree of temperance and contempt of the world , man's mind is not able to keep it self free from the service of so enticing a master . . and this i take to be the meaning of those severe sayings of our saviour , matth. . . verily i say unto you , that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven . and again i say unto you , it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle , than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of god. at which when his disciples , taking his words in too strict a sense , were astonished above measure ; he answered again and said unto them , mark . children , how hard is for them that trust in riches , to enter into the kingdom of god! he does not say that 't is absolutely impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven : but because 't is certain that they who put their trust in riches , never shall ; and because 't is exceeding hard for them that have riches , not to put their trust in them ; therefore he says , how hardly shall they that have riches , enter into the kingdom of god! riches and constant prosperity are so great a temptation , that with men , i. e. humanly speaking , it is not possible for one who enjoys these things , to be a good christian : though with god , i. e. with the grace of god , to which all things are possible , this temptation may not only be overcome , but those riches which are to most men an occasion of falling , may become the matter of a more extraordinary virtue , and the occasion of a man's doing much more good in this world , and obtaining a much greater degree of happiness in the next . our saviour therefore does not say , that a rich man cannot possibly be saved ; or that any man shall be miserable in the other world , for no other reason than because he has been happy in this ; but only that riches are exceeding apt to lull men into that trust in and love of the world , which is inconsistent with that disposition of mind and soul , which the christian religion requires of those who expect their portion in another life . . and hence are those so frequent and repeated exhortations in the new testament , to mortifie our earthly desires , and to deny our selves ; not to love the world , neither the things that are in the world , joh. . . not to lay up for our selves treasure upon earth , where moth and rust doth corrupt , and where thieves break through and steal ; but to lay up for our selves treasure in heaven , matth. . . to set our affections on things above , not on things on the earth , coloss. . . and to take heed and beware of covetousness , for that a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth , luke . . to beware of covetousness ; that is , not of hoarding up riches to no use ( as we generally understand the word ) but of setting our hearts upon riches and employing them to no other end , than living merrily and splendidly in the world ; as is most evident from the parable of the rich man whose ground brought forth plentifully , following immediately in the next words . 't is therefore a necessary duty in those who believe the gospel of christ and profess themselves his disciples , if god calls them not to suffer and to part with all for his sake , yet at least to wean themselves from the love of this present world , and to get above the desires of it . they must be careful to use the good things of this life so , as not to corrupt and soften , to sensualize and debase their minds , and to clog and unfit them for the contemplation of spiritual and divine things : they must remember that they receive this worlds goods not that they may live in ease and softness , in delicacy and voluptuousness with them , but that they may thankfully employ them to the glory of god and to the good of men : in a word they must always be careful so to behave themselves with respect to all earthly enjoyments , as may become those , who look upon the present life as a state of labour and trial , but expect their happiness and their reward in the future . this is ( as i have said ) the true measure of christian temperance ; and this temper of mind , every one who will be the disciple of christ , must resolve to attain . . if this seem hard to any one , let him consider , that as a mind sensualized and wedded to earthly things , is here utterly unfit for a spiritual and heavenly life ; so it must also hereafter be as utterly incapable of the heavenly glory . if a man places his happiness in the contemplation of god and the exercise of virtue here , he shall continue to enjoy it also hereafter ; because god and virtue continue for ever : but if he places his happiness in the pleasures of this world , and in the enjoyments of sense ; when these things are at an end , his happiness must be at an end also . mens minds are by degrees tinctured , and transformed into the nature of the things they are fixed upon ; and in such things as they delight to dwell upon , in such things must be their portion . hence tully , and after him some christian writers have thought , that the souls of worldly-minded men shall carry with them into the other state such strong affections and desires after the things they delighted in here , that were a sensual person to be admitted even into the seat of the blessed , yet should he find nothing there that could make him happy . . but hower this be ( which i shall not now nicely dispute ) certain it is that nothing is more reasonable , than that those who place their happiness in the enjoyments of this life , should come short of the glories of the next . we all know how short and transitory the present life is , and the scripture every where tells us that we are strangers and sojourners in the world ; we are now only in a state of trial , and travelling as it were through a strange country to our proper home : whilst we are at home in the body , we are absent from the lord , cor. . . and here we have no continuing city , but we seek one to come , heb. . . now therefore if men will stop in the midst of their journey , and make their inn their home ; if they will place their happiness in those things , which god has given them only as conveniences for their present state ; what can be more reasonable , than that god should assign them their portion in those things ? man's soul is spiritual and immortal , and by the nobleness of its nature exalted above the vanities of this present life ; and though by being immersed in body it be necessitated to converse with sensible and corporeal things , yet does it thirst after more pure and refined objects ; it can look beyond this world to its native country , and knows that its proper happiness is by imitating the life of god to be made partaker of his glory : now if men notwithstanding all this , will take up with sensual and earthly enjoyments ; if they will clog the flight of the soul , and stake it down to these ignoble objects ; if they will set their hearts and affections on these things , which god has given them as matter for the exercise of their virtue ; what can be more just than that god should suffer them to satiate themselves with their beloved pleasures , and deny them those nobler ones which they so little esteemed ? 't is certain the blessings of this world are talents committed to our charge , which god expects we should lay out to his glory and the benefit of the world ; and to whom he has committed many of them , of him he will require the more : he expects we should do what good we can with them ; which is called in scripture , giving out our money to the exchangers , that when our lord cometh , he may receive his own with usury : now if instead of this , we enjoy these things wholly our selves , and employ them only to the serving our own worldly designs ; what can be more reasonable , than that god should suffer them to be our portion and reward ? the pharisees in our saviour's time were notoriously covetous and worldly minded , doing even their acts of charity meerly for the praise of men ; and our saviour repeats it no less than thrice in the sixth of st. matthew , that they had their reward : the rich jews also made generally no other use of their riches , than to live in ease and pleasure , in gaiety and splendour ; and our saviour tells them , that they had received their consolation . . the happiness of heaven is a great and glorious reward ; and they who will be accounted worthy to obtain that world , and the resurrection from the dead , must be content not to live a soft and easie , a sensual and voluptuous life ; but to labour diligently , and to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling : our saviour compares the kingdom of heaven to a pearl of great price , which when a merchant-man found , he sold all that he had and bought it ; and whoever hath worthy notions of the things that god hath prepared for them that love him , can never think any thing * hard , to purchase so great a treasure . st. paul compares the reward of virtue to a crown , for which they who run in a race , run all , but one receiveth the prize : and if they who strive for the mastery , to obtain a corruptible crown , are temperate in all things ; that is , are careful to prepare their bodies beforehand for the race ; that they may run , not uncertainly , but so that they may obtain ; how much more ought we to bring the body into subjection , and by temperance prepare it for the christian warfare , who are to strive for an incorruptible and never-fading crown ? . the history of our saviour is an example , as of a life not morose and retired from the world , so of a life very far from being sensual and voluptuous : he utterly despised all the grandeur and pleasures of the world , and willingly endured the scorn and contempt of obstinate and malicious men , that he might establish the worship and true religion of god ; he went about doing good , making that the whole business of his life , and cheerfully submitting to undergo any hardship , that he might instruct the ignorant or relieve the distressed : and if we hope at last to be made partakers of his glory , we must resolve now in some measure to imitate his life , who has left us an example that we should follow his steps . the lives of all the saints of god , who have gone before us , are eminent examples , not of ease and softness , but either of great sufferings for the cause of religion , or of great zeal and pains in it : the patriarchs who lived before our saviour , and saw the promises only afar off , confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in the earth , and that their hopes were fixed upon a better country , that is , an heavenly ; and all the primitive christians , who first followed our saviour , and saw the promises fulfilled , did either through persecutions become naked , destitute , and afflicted , or by their boundless charity and contempt of the world , did almost make themselves so : and if we hope to have our portion among these servants of the most high , in that general assembly and church of the first-born , in that heavenly jerusalem , the city of the living god ; we must in some proportion conform our selves to the imitation of their zeal , their labour and their patience ; and not be wholly carried away with the coldness and indifferency of a careless and corrupted age. they generally parted with all things for the sake of christ ; and certainly we are at least bound , not to fasten our affections so strongly upon the things of this world , as hardly to be able to deny our selves any thing . their temperance , their abstinence , and their contempt of the world , was almost incredible and excessive ; and assuredly we cannot with the same hopes spend our whole lives , in nothing but softness , gallantry and pleasure , in fine , their charity was wonderful and boundless , extending it self even to * such instances as we can hardly think credible ; and can we imagine , that we are not obliged to do at least something , and to take some pains , for the glory of god and for the good of men ? . lastly , if these things seem hard , and tend to intrench too much upon the pleasures of life ; consider the conclusion and final upshot of things : consider what opinion we shall have of things at the conclusion of our lives , when death and judgment approach ; and let us view things now in the same light , as we know certainly we shall be forced to do then . we know we shall then lament the loss of every opportunity of doing good , which we have omitted ; and shall grutch every minute of folly and vanity , which might have been employ'd to the increase of the portion of our future happiness : we know we shall then look upon all the past pleasures of life , as emptiness and nothing ; and be convinced that there is no pleasure but in true virtue , and no fruit in any thing but in having done much good : and if we do indeed know this , what can be more miserably and more inexcusably foolish , than not to make the same judgment of things now , as we know assuredly we shall do afterwards ? the reason why men die full of fears and uncertainties , full of dark suspitions and confused doubts , is because they are conscious to themselves that they have lived carelesly and indifferently ; without having taken any pains either for the service of god , or for the good of men ; and without having used any zealous endeavours , to overcome the present world , or to obtain the future : but if men would consider things in time ; if they would pass true judgments of things , and act accordingly with resolution and constancy ; they might then know certainly their own state , and might live with comfort and die with assurance . chap. xii . of our obligation to be particularly careful to avoid those sins , to which we are most in danger to be tempted . . fifthly , be particularly careful to resist and avoid those sins , to which either your constitution , company , or employment , make you most in danger to be tempted . this is the great trial of every man's sincerity , and of his growth in virtue . he that for the love of god and the hopes of heaven can mortifie and deny his most darling lusts , can quell and keep under his most natural passions , can resist and constantly overcome those temptations by which he is most in danger to be seduced into sin ; such a one has an infallible assurance of his own sincerity , and is very near to the perfection of virtue . but if there be any one instance , wherein a man habitually falls short of his duty , or indulges a lust , a passion , a sinful desire ; 't is certain , whatever other virtues he may be indued with , that he either acts upon wrong principles and is not sincere ; or that his resolutions are hitherto too weak and ineffectual , to intitle him to the comfort of religion here , or to the assurance of happiness hereafter . . there is no man whom either the constitution of his body or the temper of his mind , the nature of his employment or the humour of his company , does not make obnoxious to some particular sort of temptations more than to any other : and in this thing it is , that those who have something of sincerity , and will not with others run into all excess of riot , do yet make shift to deceive and impose upon themselves . they think they are indued with many good and virtuous qualities ; they hate profaneness and professed enormous impiety ; they know themselves innocent of many great sins , which they see others continually commit : but something , to which they are particularly tempted , they indulge themselves in ; and the fatal mischief is , that those sins which they see others commit , and to which themselves are not violently tempted , seem most absurd and unreasonable , and easie to be avoided ; but that to which they are themselves addicted , they think to be either so small as not to be of any very evil consequence , or so difficult to be resisted as to be allowed for among the unavoidable infirmities of nature . thus to many who have little or no dealings in the world , the sins of fraud , injustice , deceit , over reaching , and the like , seem very heinous , base and unreasonable ; while at the same time they allow themselves in habitual intemperances and impurities , as either harmless vices or almost insuperable weaknesses . on the other hand there is no less a number of those , who applaud themselves in their own minds , that they are not as other men , intemperate , debauched , drunkards , revellers , and the like ; while at the same time they look upon fraud and deceit , tricking and over-reaching , as the necessary art and mystery of business . . but this is a very great and a very fatal cheat. no man can have any true and solid peace in himself ; no man can have any just confidence in his addresses to god ; no man can have any title to the promises and comforts of religion here ; much less to the glory and reward of it hereafter ; before his obedience be , if not perfect , yet at least universal . god will not share with any impiety ; nor ever accept of any man's obedience , so long as 't is mixed with the accursed thing . if there be any sin , that we can hardly part with ; if there be any lust , that is like a right hand or a right eye ; this is the thing that god hath proposed to us to conquer ; this is the good * fight which we must fight through faith ; this is the victory to which heaven is proposed . for this we must gather together all the forces of reason and religion ; for this we must strengthen our selves by prayer and consideration : in this warfare we must resolve strongly , persevere obstinately , and though we be conquered , yet resolve to overcome ; always remembring , that this is the stake for life or death , happiness or misery , heaven or hell. . here therefore let every man consider with himself ; and let him well observe his own temptations , and his own strength . let him consider , not how many sins he can easily avoid , but by what temptations he may most easily be seduced ; and let him make it his business to guard himself there . let those who are young , and not yet entred into the hurry and business of the world , not value themselves upon their being innocent from the sins of fraud and injustice , of covetousness and extortion , or the like ; ( for that perhaps they may be , without any pains , and without overcoming any powerful temptation ; ) but let them try themselves , whether they be firm against the temptations of vanity and lightness , of heat and passion , of intemperance and impurity ; and let them judge of themselves by their behaviour in these instances , wherein they are most obnoxious : let them consider , that their peculiar task , is to overcome the wicked one , john . . to subdue the flesh to the spirit ; to conquer and get above † those pleasures , which sensualize the soul , and inslave the mind to the body , and thereby bring it under the power of death and destruction : and in fine , to strive continually to cleanse themselves from all impurity , † not only of body , but even of mind and spirit , perfecting holiness in the fear of god : let them consider , that they are by baptism dedicated to the service of god ; that they are by confirmation assured of the assistance of the holy spirit ; and that their bodies are * the temples of the holy ghost ; which if they keep here in temperance and purity , in sanctification and honour , they shall hereafter appear with them in glory ; but † if they abuse them by any intimperance , or defile them with any lust , they drive away the spirit whereby they are sealed unto the day of redemption , and shall forfeit their life . again on the other hand , those whose age , or temper , or company , or business , places them beyond the follies and extravagancies of youth , and out of the way of those temptations with which others are hurried away continually ; must not esteem of themselves by their not running into those excesses of riot , to which perhaps they have little or no temptation ; but must examine whether they be exactly just in the business they are employ'd in , whether they be truly useful and charitable according to their ability , and whether they be sincerely careful to resist those temptations , to which their particular circumstances , whatever they be , do more especially expose them . this is the true trial of every man's sincerity , and the most certain rule by which every one may judge of his own state. chap. xiii . of growth in grace , and of perfection . . lastly , strive continually to grow in grace , and press forward towards perfection . so long as we continue in these houses of clay , encompassed perpetually with the infirmities of the flesh , the allurements of the world , and the temptations of the devil ; we shall all offend indeed in many things , and can never arrive at the perfection of virtue : yet unless we strive and press forward towards perfection , we shall never make any tolerable progress . he that has no more zeal for religion , than to desire just to keep within the borders of virtue , and to escape the punishment of vice , will in all probability be deceived in his expectations , and find when it is too late , that those who are lukewarm , and neither cold nor hot , are but wretched , and miserable , and poor , and blind , and naked , and shall have no portion among them that are arraied in fine linnen , which is the righteousness and the good works of the saints . he whose heart is inflamed with an ardent love of god , and a truly zealous desire of the happiness of heaven , will with st. paul never think he has already attained , or is already perfect enough ; but forgetting those ihings which are behind , and reaching forth unto those things which are before , will always press forward towards the mark , for the price of the high calling of god in christ jesus : he will never think himself good and holy enough ; but getting continually a more compleat victory over his frailties and infirmities , will go from strength to strength in the improvements of virtue here , till he appear before god in the perfection of holiness and of glory hereafter . . think not when you have once attained a clear knowledge of your duty , and framed hearty resolutions to perform it , and begun to live according to that knowledge and those resolutions ; that you are presently in a perfect and confirmed state of virtue . you must frequently * review and meditate upon the particulars of your duty : you must frequently renew and strengthen your good resolutions : and you must always be correcting and amending your practice : till that which was well resolved upon , and bravely begun , arrive by the degrees of a diligent and perpetual improvement , to a confirmed habit and settled temper of mind . . think not when you have performed your duty according to the common measures of obedience , and the vulgarly reputed bounds of the obligation of the christian laws ; and when you are † by others looked upon , as a good and just and holy person ; that you are now arrived at the perfection of virtue . for the judgment of god is very different from the opinion of men ; and such a life as is now look'd upon as very good and creditable , would in the times of the apostles or primitive christians have been thought , if not scandalous , yet at best very cold and indifferent . he that will be perfect , must be * above all laws , and customs , and opinions ; and must not limit his purity of mind , his contempt of the world , and his desire of doing good , to any degrees or rules ; but must exalt them in proportion to his love of god , and his hopes of happiness . . further , think not when upon a loose and general view of your life your conscience does not accuse you of any scandalous and deliberate sins , that therefore you have attained to the highest pitch of virtue . there are many sins , with which men easily impose upon their own minds ; much indifferency in religion , and coldness of devotion ; many omissions of duties , and neglects of opportunities of doing good ; many faults of surprize , and indecencies of passion ; much sensuality , and over-fond love of the things of this present world ; many excesses , and small degrees of intemperance ; which are not to be discovered and overcome , without entring into a more strict , particular , and impartial examination of our actions ; and making repeated resolutions and using constant unwearied endeavours to correct whatever upon such strict search shall appear to be amiss . . many there have been , ( and some even among † the heathens themselves , ) who have every night strictly examined into the actions of the past day ; that if they had done any thing for which they could reprove themselves , they might resolve to be more careful in that particular for the future ; and if they found they had in all points performed their duty , they might confirm and incourage themselves to continue to perform it . others have done this yet more frequently , and habitually ; never going about any thing , without a short thought how they might best act , for the honour of god , for the good of men , or for the improvement of the virtues of their own mind ; and never having done any thing , without a short reflection whether they had acted so , as was most agreeable to these great ends. . these indeed are things not to be imposed upon any man by any particular rules , but such as must be wholly left to the discretion of every man , to be used according to each ones prudence or zeal . only in general 't is certain , that by how much the more frequently a man examines the actions of his life , and by how much the more strictly he observes his smaller failures , and by how much the more particularly he resolves and endeavours to correct them ; by so much the more will his religion be uniform , and his obedience perfect . he that uses himself often to consider , and to recollect the particulars of his duty ; will perform many things , which others know indeed and understand in general , but † through habitual careless and inconsiderateness omit : and he that often searches strictly into the smallest errors of his life , and prays against them , and resolves particularly and endeavours to amend them ; will be able to avoid and overcome many of those things , which are by others looked upon as the unavoidable frailties and infirmities of nature . . and in proportion as a man arrives nearer to this perfect state of virtue , so will that peace of conscience , which is the peculiar reward of religion in this world , grow up by degrees to a settled joy and assurance of mind . one whose life is void of great and scandalous crimes , but otherwise not strict and diligent , will be free indeed from the terrour and amazement of the wicked ; but because he has taken no great pains , nor done any thing considerable for the love of god and for the sake of religion , his mind will yet be disturbed with many scrupulous doubts and uncertain fears : but when a man has been truly diligent to improve himself to the utmost , and has with zeal and earnestness pressed forward towards perfection ; then is it that he attains to that tranquillity and assurance , which wise men have compared to a continual feast . the peace and satisfaction of mind , which * some have found upon the careful and strict examination of one past days actions , has been very great : but that compleat assurance , which arises from the conscience of a considerable part of a man's life having been spent in the strictness and in the purity of the gospel , is a pleasure infinitely surpassing all the enjoyments of sense ; being indeed a fore-taste of the happiness of heaven , and a rejoycing before-hand in christ with joy unspeakable and full of glory . such a one as has arrived to this pitch , lives in peace , and dies with assurance , and at the appearance of our lord shall be presented fault less before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. the end . essay the third . of repentance . chap. i. of repentance in general . . the plain and express condition upon which the gospel promises salvation to all men , is obedience or a holy life . the time from which this holy life is to begin , is either baptism or confirmation ; that is , the time when those who are either at riper years converted to the christian religion , or have from their infancy been brought up in the profession of it , come to a clear and distinct knowledge of their duty . that from this period every man is obliged to persevere in a constant course of holiness , that is , in a continual and sincere , though weak and imperfect obedience to all the commands of god , the gospel plainly declares to us : and that the glorious rewards of heaven should be at all promised to so small a service , as the imperfect obedience which weak , sinful , degenerate man should be able to perform ; is the purchase of the price of the blood of the son of god , and the effect of the infinite riches of the divine mercy made known to us by christ. had god therefore to those who had once been received to the mercy of the gospel , and had once been made partakers of the heavenly gift , and had tasted the good word of god and the powers of the world to come , allowed no more remission for wilful and presumptuous sins ; but accepted those only , who having once washed their garments in the blood of the lamb , should from thenceforward keep themselves in a gospel sense pure and undefiled ; yet had his mercy been infinitely greater , than sinful man could have deserved or expected . but such is the earnestness of god's desire to make his creatures happy , and such the abundance of the grace made known by the gospel of our lord and saviour jesus christ ; that even to those who having been already admitted to the mercy and favour of the gospel , and having received the promise of a great and glorious reward upon the condition of an easie and most reasonable obedience , and having been endued with the earnest of his holy spirit , shall notwithstanding relapse after all this into wilful and deliberate sins ; even to these , i say , he has yet further granted , that if by a solemn repentance they shall again unfeignedly renew their obedience , and from that period persevere in well-doing to the end , they shall yet attain to the reward of the faithful ; and shall be saved as fire-brands plucked out of the fire , or as men escaping upon a plank after shipwreck . . by repentance therefore i would all along in this essay be understood to mean , not that repentance which is the constant duty of all christians ; ( who are indeed continually bound to repent in general of all those slips and infirmities , those defects and surprizes , which by the condition of the gospel-covenant are most readily pardoned : ) for this repentance is not properly a new period or beginning of a holy life ; but a necessary and continued part of that imperfect obedience , which man in this degenerate state is capable of performing , and which god has in his gospel declared that he will always accept instead of perfect innocence : but by repentance i here understand that repentance , which is an entire change of heart and mind , a turning from darkness to light , and from the power of satan unto god ; whereby those who by wilful and deadly sins have left their first estate , and forfeited their title to the crown of righteousness , are to begin anew their obedience , in order to recover the mercy and favour of god : and that no one may be perplexed with vain scruples , and unreasonable fears ; this repentance is such as plainly no man is obliged to , but those who are guilty of great and deliberate sins ; of blasphemy , perjury , open profaneness , or contempt of religion ; of murder , sedition , theft , manifest and designed injustice , hatred , fraud , wrong , or oppression ; of adulteries , fornications , uncleannesses , or habitual drunkenness and intemperance ; or of some other sins either maliciously wilful , or notoriously habitual . chap. ii. that god allows repentance even to the greatest of sinners . . in the primitive church there was † a sect of men , who upon a mistaken interpretation of some passages of the epistle of st. paul to the hebrews , contended that there was * no more place of repentance allowed to those who after baptism should fall into any of these wilful and deliberate sins : they taught that in baptism indeed all manner of sin and blasphemy whatsoever , was forgiven men absolutely , and wash'd away by the blood of christ ; but that if after that great remission they sinned again wilfully and presumptuously , they could no more obtain any further pardon , than the death of christ , that great sacrifice for sin , could be repeated ; and that therefore however they should sincerely repent , yet there now remained nothing more for them , but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation , which should devour the adversary . but that this was a great mistake ; and that god does admit even the greatest of sinners , upon their true repentance , to forgiveness and pardon , is evident both from the nature of god , and the design of christianity ; from the practice of the apostles , and from the general sense of the primitive church . . god is a being , as of infinite purity and holiness , so also of infinite goodness and mercy ; and as he cannot possibly be reconciled to men , so long as they continue wicked ; so when ever they cease to be so , and return again to the obedience of gods commands , and to the imitation of his nature , we cannot suppose but that he will again admit them to his pardon and favour . goodness and mercy are our most natural notions of god ; and the discoveries which he hath made of himself by revelation , are most exactly agreeable thereto . at the passing by of his glory before moses , he proclaimed himself , the lord , the lord god merciful and gracious , long-suffering , and abundant in goodness and truth , forgiving iniquities , transgressions and sins , exod. . . by the prophets he declares and swears by himself , as i live , saith the lord , i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked , but that the wicked turn from his way and live , ezek. . ● . and above all , by that stupendous instance of mercy , the sending his only son out of his bosom to give himself a sacrifice for the sins of men , he has discovered such an earnest desire of our reconciliation and salvation , as will be the everlasting subject of the praises of men and the admiration of angels . if therefore god , when he had made a covenant of perfect obedience , and had not promised pardon at all , to great and presumptuous sins , did yet give pardon , and declare also to the jews by his prophets that he would do so : and if , when men were yet enemies to him , he was so willing that not any should perish , but all should come to repentance ; yea so desirous to have all men to be saved , and to come to the knowledge of the truth ; that he not only spared not his own son , to deliver him up for us all , but tells us even of joy in heaven at a sinners accepting the gracious terms of the gospel , and represents himself as a tender father running to meet his returning prodigal , and falling up-his neck and kissing him : if this , i say , was the compassion which god shewed to man , in his first sinful and miserable state ; 't is very reasonable to conclude and hope , that his mercy is not so entirely exhausted at once , but that the same pity may be yet further extended even to those also , who after the knowledge of the truth having been seduced by the temptations of the world and the devil , to depart from god and to forsake their duty , shall again return unto him with sincerity and perseverance . . the design of the gospel , is to teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts , and to live soberly , righteously , and godly in this present world : and certainly whensoever it comes to have this effect upon a man , it gives him a title to the blessed hope , and a well-grounded assurance of mercy at the glorious appearance of the great god and our saviour jesus christ. the foundation of the christian dispensation , upon which the whole summ of affairs is now established , is faith and repentance ; and whensoever a man so truly repents , as to purifie himself effectually from every evil work , and by the spirit mortifies the deeds of the body , he shall certainly live . our saviour himself gives express directions , when a man's christian brother trespasses against him , to use all possible means to reclaim him , both by private and publick reproof , before he rejects him utterly as a heathen man and a publican : he commands us , though our brother sins never so often against us , yet if he turns again and repents , to forgive him ; and has promised upon this condition , that we also shall in like manner find forgiveness at the hands of god : and in the epistles sent by the apostle st. john to the bishops of the seven churches of asia , he exhorts them earnestly to remember from whence they were fallen , and to repent , and be zealous , and do their first works ; and promises , that if upon this invitation any man would hear his voice , and open the door ; that is , would be moved by these exhortations to repent and amend , he would come in to him and sup with him ; that is , would again receive him to his mercy and favour . . accordingly the writings of the apostles , though directed to christians , are yet full of earnest exhortations to repentance ; and their history contains many instances of those who after great falls were thereby restored to their first state . st peter exhorts simon magus , who thought the gift of god could be bought with money , to repent of this his wickedness ; and gives him encouragement to hope , that he should thereupon obtain forgiveness , acts . . st. john tells us , that if any man sin , we have an advocate with the father , jesus christ the righteous , and he is the propitiation for our sins , john . . st. james tells us , that if any one err from the truth , and one convert him ; he that converteth the sinner from the error of his way , shall save a soul from death , and shall hide a multitude of sins , jam. . . st. jude advises us to have compassion of some , making a difference ; and to save others with fear , pulling them out of the fire , ver . . st. paul exhorts timothy , to instruct in meekness those that oppose themselves , if god peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth ; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil , who are taken captive by him at his will , tim. . . he advises the galatians , that if any man be overtaken in a fault , they which are spiritual should restore such a one in the spirit of meekness , considering themselves , lest they also be tempted , gal. . . he threatens the corinthians to excommunicate those who had sinned , and had not repented of their uncleanness , and fornication , and lasciviousness , which they had committed , cor. . . and even the incestuous person , who had been guilty of such a sin as was not so much as named among the heathens themselves , he delivers indeed to satan for the destruction of the flesh , but it was that the spirit might be saved in the day of the lord jesus , cor. . . for when the punishment which was inflicted of many , had been sufficient to reduce him to repentance , he writes to the church to forgive him and comfort him , lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow , cor. . . . and this , excepting as i have said one sect of men , was the constant doctrine and practice of the primitive church . to those who were yet innocent , they thought indeed no promises too great , and no threatnings too severe , whereby they might make them infinitely careful to preserve their innocence : but those who had already sinned , they incouraged to repent ; and upon their repentance admitted them again to the peace of the church , and to the assurance of pardon . they taught , that the * holy word and church of god , always admitted of true repentance : that † he that had fallen , might yet recover and escape , if he repented truly of what was past , and for the future amended his life , and made satisfaction to god : that ‖ god not only gave full remission of sins in baptism , but allowed also to those , who should afterward sin , a further place of repentance : that to † every one who heartily and sincerely repents , god readily sets open a door of pardon , and the holy spirit returns again into a mind purified from the pollutions of sin : that * all men who repent , even those who by reason of their great sins did not deserve to have found any more pardon , shall be saved ; because god out of his great compassion will be patient towards men , and keep the invitation which he hath made by his son : that * god will judge every man in the condition he finds him ; and that therefore , as it will nothing avail a man to have been formerly righteous , if he at last grows wicked ; so one who has formerly lived wickedly , may afterwards by repentance and renewed obedience blot out his past transgressions , and attain to the crown of virtue and immortality . . thus that god admits even the greatest of sinners to repentance , is evident both from the nature of god and the design of the gospel , from the practice of the apostles and from the constant doctrine of the primitive church . but then to make this repentance such , as will be acceptable to god and effectually available to obtain pardon , there are several considerable circumstances required : and these i think may be reduced to these three ; first , that it must be early ; secondly , that it must be great ; and thirdly , that it must be constant and persevering in its effects . chap. iii. that true repentance must be early . . first , that repentance may be true and available to obtain pardon , it is necessary that it be early ; that is , the sinner must forsake his vices so timely , as to obtain the habits of the contrary virtues , and to live in them : otherwise he can have no security that his repentance is hearty ; or if it be , that it will be accepted by god. . first , we can never have any security that a late repentance is hearty and sincere . a man may very well at the amazing approach of death and judgment , be extreamly sorry that he has lived wickedly ; he may strongly wish that he had lived the life of the righteous , and resolve , if he were to live over again , that he would do so ; and yet all this may be meerly the passion , and not at all the duty of repentance . the duty of repentance , is an entire change of mind , and an effectual reformation of life : but the passion of sorrow and remorse , is such as accursed spirits shall be for ever tormented with in vain ; and such as a dying penitent can never be secure that this late repentance will exceed . many upon a bed of sickness , have made all the holy vows and pious resolutions that could be desired ; nay , perhaps there is hardly any wicked man , who when he thinks he is about to die , does not desire and design to amend ; yet how few are there of these , who if they recover , do ever make good those vows and resolutions ? and no late penitent can ever be sure , that this would not be his own case . when an habitual sinner is in time convinced of the evil of his ways , and resolves and endeavours in earnest to reform , while he has life , and health , and strength to do it ; yet seldom does he at the first trial work himself up to such an effectual and prevailing resolution against his sin , as to change his whole course of life in an instant , and at once deliver himself out of the bondage of corruption , into the glorious liberty of the children of god : usually he proceeds by degrees ; and after many relapses and renewed resolutions , arrives at last to a settled and steady course of piety . how much less then can a late penitent , who labours under all the contrary disadvantages , ever be secure that his repentance will be sincere , and his resolutions effectual enough , to translate him at one effort from the power of darkness , into the kingdom of god ? . for this reason the ancients never admitted any to the peace and communion of the church , who began not their repentance before the time of sickness . those , saith * st. cyprian , who would not in time repent , and by publick lamentation testifie their hearty sorrow for their sins , we utterly reject from all hope of peace and reconciliation , if in the time of sickness and danger they begin to intreat ; because then 't is not true repentance for their sin , but the fear of approaching death , that drives them to beg for mercy ; and no one is worthy to receive any comfort in death , who never considered before hand that he was to die . . but , secondly , supposing a late repentance to be hearty and sincere , yet have we no positive and absolute promise , that it shall be accepted . the plain and express condition of the covenant established by christ , is a holy life ; that is , a constant and persevering obedience to all the commands of god , ( in a gospel and merciful sense allowing for humane weaknesses and imperfections , ) from the time of our baptism , or of our coming to the knowledge of the truth , until the end of our lives : and the least that can possibly lay claim to the reward promised upon this condition , is such a repentance as produces the actual obedience of at least some proportianable part of a man's life . . to say that the original condition of the christian covenant is such , that a man may safely live wickedly all his life , and satisfie all his lusts and appetites to the utmost , provided he does but leave off and forsake his sins at the last ; is really to take away the necessity of a holy life , and to undermine the very foundation of all virtue . for considering on the one hand how prevailing the custom of the world , how deceitful the temptations of the devil , and how powerful the assaults of lust and passion are ; and on the other hand how seldom sudden death happens , and how little the excellency of the christian life is understood ; it will be hard , according to this doctrine , to find arguments sufficiently strong , to move men to repent and to reform immediately : if there be no other danger , but in sudden death ; and no greater malignity in sin , than what may be cured by an easie and short repentance at last ; most men will venture to be wicked at present , and trust to the opportunities of growing better afterward . though therefore god may possibly have reserves of mercy , which in event he may exercise towards men in their last extremity ; yet originally 't is certain the gospel covenant gives no assurance of comfort , but either to a constant and persevering holiness , or to a repentance evidenced by actually renewed obedience . . at baptism indeed , or when ever we first come to the knowledge of the truth , all past sins are so entirely forgiven and wash'd away by the blood of christ , that repentance , though it has no time to evidence it self in the fruits of righteousness , is without all controversie available to salvation : but when men who have by baptism covenanted solemnly with god for a holy life , and confirmed that covenant by other repeated promises and resolutions , shall yet wilfully live in sin ; and notwithstanding the express threatnings of our saviour and his apostles , that they who do so shall not inherit the kingdom of god ; notwithstanding the earnest exhortations and warnings of god's ministers ; and notwithstanding the perpetual reproaches of their own consciences , continue obstinately to do so ; such persons have no reason in the world to expect , that god will at last accept their late , unactive , and ineffectual repentance . the penitent thief was received by our saviour , as any other infidel undoubtedly may be , who towards the end of his life is convinced of the truth of the christian religion , and heartily embraces it ; but there is nothing like a promise in scripture , that the unactive repentance of a christian , who has lived all his life in notorious wickedness , shall be accepted at the hour of death : the labourers who were hired into the vineyard at the eleventh hour , received indeed the same wages with them that had born the burden and heat of the day ; but our saviour has no where promised , that baptized and professed christians , who are hired into the vineyard in the morning , if they riot away all the day in idleness and wickedness , shall at night be accepted for their professing their sorrow that they have not wrought . . let those men consider these things , who resolve now to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season , and hope hereafter by a late repentance to get a share also in the eternal rewards of virtue . let them consider that they may be cut off in the midst of their hopes ; or that * they may be as unwilling to repent hereafter , as they are at present : but above all let them consider , that though they should live to that time , when they shall be willing to leave their sins , because the strength of their temptations will cease ; yet they cannot be sure , that god will then accept them . the express condition of the gospel is , that we seek first the kingdom of god , that we deny our selves , and that we overcome the world : how slender therefore must be the hopes of those , who spend their life and strength in the enjoyments of this world , and make religion not their first but their last refuge ? are the glories of heaven so inconsiderable ? or , is the duty we owe to god so small , that he should accept our coldest and most unwilling service ? offer the blind for sacrifice ; offer the lame and sick ; offer it now unto thy governour ; will he be pleased with thee ? how much less will god accept us , when we are * least fit to serve him , and in those days wherein we our selves have no pleasure ? . terrible are the threatnings which the scripture denounceth against those , who refuse to hear the voice of god when he calleth , and to seek him whilst he may be found . because i have called , and ye refused ; i have stretched out my hand and no man regarded ; but ye have set at nought all my counsel , and would have none of my reproof : i also will laugh at your calamity , i will mock when your fear cometh . when your fear cometh as desolation , and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind ; when distress and anguish cometh upon you : then shall they call upon me , but i will not answer ; they shall seek me early , but they shall not find me : for that they hated knowledge , and did not chuse the fear of the lord , prov. . , &c. when the jews whom god had saved out of the land of egypt , and was grieved with them forty years in the wilderness , and had brought them to the borders of the promised canaan , despised that good land , and refused to enter therein ; he sware unto them in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest : and when afterward they resolved to go up and possess it , he suffered them not . esau in like manner for one morsel of bread sold his birthright : and afterward , when he would have inherited the blessing , the scripture tells us that he was rejected ; for he found no place of repentance , though he sought it carefully with tears . all which things the apostle declares plainly to be written for our example ; lest there be any fornicator , or profane person among us , as esau was ; and lest any among us tempt god , as the jews also tempted , and fall after the same example of unbelief . . let those therefore who have yet the time before them , consider what they have to do : let them be careful to hearken unto the voice of god to day , whilst it is called to day : let them be zealous to improve that time and those talents wherewith god has blessed them ; that when their master cometh he may find them so doing , and bid them , as having been good and faithful servants , to enter into the joy of their lord. . the summ of this point is this . when a christian has lived wickedly all his life , and comes at his last extremity to be convinced of his folly , and to desire to amend ; how far the mercy of god may possibly extend it self , we cannot tell ; and therefore such a one is not to be absolutely swallowed up in compleat despair : but to all those , who have yet any space and opportunity left , it ought to be strongly and perpetually inculcated , that the gospel covenant allows not the least hopes to any other repentance , than such as has time to evidence it self in the actual and persevering obedience of a holy life . chap. iv. that true repentance must be great : and of penance . . secondly , true repentance ought to be very great ; that is , he that repents ought to affect his mind with such a deep sorrow and hatred of sin , as will put him upon those afflictive duties of fasting , watching , praying , humiliation , liberal alms , and the like . . and the reason of this is ; first , because in many cases repentance cannot otherwise be evidenced to be real and sincere . true repentance is an effectual change of mind , and an actual amendment of life : and as a bare change of mind is not an acceptable repentance , unless it produces an actual amendment of life ; so neither is a bare amendment of life , unless it proceeds from a real change of mind . there are many cases , wherein a man may leave off committing an habitual sin , and yet not truly repent of it : some accidental change of the circumstances of his life , some present worldly and temporal interest , or some other like cause , may restrain a man from continuing in a customary sin ; and yet he may retain such an affection to it , such a readiness to return to it in his former circumstances , or at least may have so little hatred and resolution against it , as may make him very far from a true penitent . in all such cases therefore , where a man may break off a sin upon any other consideration , than the love of god and a true sense of religion ; 't is necessary for the evidencing the truth of his repentance , and for the preserving him from imposing upon his own mind , that he testifie his sincerity and the reality of his change of mind , by some such afflictive , laborious , or expensive duties , as will prove him to have indeed attained such a religious temper of mind , as would be sufficient to preserve him in the like circumstances from returning again to the same , or to any other the like wilful sin. were this rightly considered , men would not so easily sin on securely at present , and impose upon themselves with vain hopes of growing better afterward with less pains , when some particular alteration of their circumstances of life , or perhaps age and sickness , shall have removed their temptations . . but secondly , when amendment of life does alone sufficiently evidence the sincerity of repentance , ( as generally and in most cases it does , ) yet ought those who have sinned to do something to testifie their sorrow for past offences , and to judge themselves , that they may not be judged of the lord. they ought to take * shame to themselves , that after having received the knowledge of the truth , and having been made partakers of the heavenly gift , and having tasted the good word of god , and the powers of the world to come they should again have returned to sin and folly : they ought to consider with confusion of face the ingratitude of having again committed those things , which are so hateful to god that he has threatned to punish the continuance in them with everlasting destruction , and would not once pardon them under a less ransom than the blood of his only son : and these considerations ought to work in them that carefulness , that indignation , that fear , that vehement desire , that zeal , and that revenge ; of which ( st. paul tells us ) consisteth that godly sorrow , which worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of . . thus when st. peter had thrice denied his master , the consideration of the shamefulness and ingratitude of the thing , made him , when he thought thereon , weep bitterly . thus when david had committed those crying sins of adultery and murder , the consideration of the foulness and baseness of the fact , made him every night wash his bed and water his couch with his tears ; and extorted from him those bitter complaints , of which the greatest part of his penitential psalms are made up . and all the saints , who ever fell into any notorious sin , were very * severe in their humiliation , earnestly desiring that god would give them their punishment in this world , that their spirit might be saved in the day of the lord jesus . . for this reason st. james advises those who had sinned , to be afflicted , and mourn , and weep ; to let their laughter be turned to mourning , and their joy to heaviness ; and to humble themselves in the sight of the lord , that he might lift them up . and the primitive church always taught , that * sins committed wilfully after the knowledge and belief of the truth , were to be done away with labour and sorrow : that such sins † were not immediately forgiven upon a mans beginning to repent , but after he had afflicted his soul , and humbled himself deeply , and undergone many troubles : that the ‖ afflictive duties of repentance ought to bear some proportion to the greatness of the sin : that the penitent ought to spend much time in watching , fasting , praying , and giving much alms : and that † by how much the more severely he judged himself here , by so much the more might he hope god would spare him , and be merciful to him hereafter . . 't is true , the sin which the ancients particularly respected , when they preached up the necessity of this severe repentance , was no less than that of denying our saviour . but if we consider the matter impartially , what great difference is there between renouncing christianity , and living in an open and profane contempt of religion ; in the practice of manifest injustice , fraud and oppression ; or in notorious and habitual intemperance ? only * they who denied christ , did it being compelled by great and long torments ; but these other vices are committed wilfully and of choice . . very great reason therefore there is , why those who have been guilty of great and wilful sins , should enjoyn themselves a great and remarkable repentance . but yet because after all , the end and design , the whole summ and life of repentance , is reformation ; therefore no man ought to impose upon himself any other penitential severities , than such as are directly conducive to this main end. ridiculous and foolish were the penances enjoyned men in the dark and more ignorant ages of the church ; because they neither tended to improve the virtues of mens own minds , nor to make men more useful and beneficial to others : but such penitential exercises , as directly mortifie mens lusts and passions , or lead them to be more charitable and do more good in the world ; in these , by how much the penitent is more strict and constant , by so much is he more secure of the sincerity of his repentance , and of the fulness of his pardon . . the best therefore , and the greatest , and the most effectual repentance , that a man can possibly exercise ; is to endeavour to be so much the more careful in mortifying his vices , and so much the more zealous in improving all opportunities of doing good , by how much he has formerly been more faulty in any particular : and to resolve , by how much the more he hopes to have forgiven him , to love so much the more . let him , if he has been vanquished by any temptation , † resolve to strengthen himself so much the more against it , and to become for the future the more heroically virtuous : he that thus endeavours to appease god , and by the repentance , and shame , and sorrow of his past faults is spurred on to exercise greater faith , and virtue , and courage ; such a one by the assistance of god may become a joy to the church , which he before made sorrowful ; and shall obtain not only the pardon of his sins , but also the crown of righteousness . . particularly , a penitent ought above all things to endeavour after a great and fervent charity . this is a duty which * all wise and holy men have in all ages thought to have an especial efficacy to procure pardon of sin : and very great are the promises which are made to it in scripture : alms , saith the son of sirach , make an atonement for sins , ecclus. . . and charity , saith st. peter , shall cover a multitude of sins , pet. . . and the merciful , saith our saviour himself , shall obtain mercy , matth. . . only men must not hope by this or any other means to obtain * a liberty of continuing in sin : for charity shall procure forgiveness of sins past , repented of , and forsaken ; but not of sins committed upon presumption of their being expiated thereby . chap. v. that true repentance must be constant and persevering in its effects : and of the one repentance of the ancients . . thirdly and lastly , true repentance must be constant and persevering in its effects ; that is , it must put a man into such a state , as † that he will not any more return wilfully unto sin. till it arrive to this pitch ▪ repentance is not true , and ( however men may deceive themselves with vain imaginations about it , ) can never be effectual to salvation . the condition that our saviour expresly requires in his gospel , is a continued holy life from the time of our knowing and embracing the truth : but certainly he will never accept of any thing less , than a life of holiness and persevering obedience from some period of reformation and repentance . . he therefore that repents , ought to be infinitely fearful of relapsing into sin , † as one that is recovering out of a dangerous and almost mortal sickness . when ever he wilfully relapses , he makes his case worse than it was at first , and his disease more in danger of being mortal : it becomes much harder for him to renew himself unto repentance , and much more difficult to procure pardon . . 't is true , evil habits are not to be rooted out at once , and vicious customs to be overcome in a moment . so long therefore as a man does not return wilfully and deliberately into the habit of sin , many surprizes and interruptions in the struggle with a customary vice may be consistent with the progress of repentance : but 't is then only that it becomes compleat and effectual , when † the evil habit is so entirely rooted out , that the man from thenceforward obeys the commandments of god without looking back , and returns no more to the sins he has condemned . . let no man therefore think , that he has truly repented of any deadly sin , so long as he continues to practise and repeat it . he that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body , if he touch it again , what availeth his washing ? so is it with a man that fasteth for his sins , and goeth again and doeth the same ; who will hear his prayer ? or what doth his humbling profit him ? ecclus. . . he may fast , and pray , and lament , and use all the apparent signs of repentance imaginable ; but † god will never esteem his repentance true , nor accept it as available to the forgiveness of sin , till he sees it pure , and constant , and persevering . . and this i understand to be the reason , why the ancient church never allowed but one repentance after baptism . they taught that * if any one after that great and holy calling should be tempted by the devil and sin , he had one space of repentance ; but if he should often sin and repent , it would not profit him ; for he should hardly live unto god : they taught , that man covenanted with god in baptism for a holy life ; but god foreseeing the weakness of man , and the subtilty of the devil , made provision , † that if any one , after that great and solemn covenant , should either by the violence or deceitfulness of temptation be drawn into gross and deadly sin , he should still have another place of repentance ; but if after this he continued to go on in a circle of sinning and repenting , that then he was to be look'd upon as no other than a heathen and an infidel , only as he differed in the wilfulness and in the guilt of his sin : and according to this doctrine did they constantly deal with their penitents ; always admitting those that repented to the peace and communion of the church once ; but if afterward they sinned oftner , and pretended to repent , excluding them utterly . . now by this 't is plain they did not mean , that if any one sinned and repented , and after that sinned again , that such a one was utterly lost , and absolutely excluded from all hope of finding further mercy and pardon with god : for * though the church wisely appointed , that a place of publick repentance for great and scandalous sins should be allowed but once , lest the remedy by being made too easie should grow useless and contemptible ; ( as afterward by experience it was found to do ; ) yet no man presumed to set limits to the mercy and forgiveness of god. and therefore they always exhorted and incouraged men to repent so long as they had life and health . let us repent , saith † st. clement , whilst we are yet upon the earth : for we are as clay in the hand of the potter . for as the potter if he make a vessel , and it be mishaped in his hands or broken , forms it anew ; but if he has gone so far as to throw it into the furnace of fire , he can no more remedy it : so we while we are in this world , let us repent with our whole heart of all the evil we have done in the flesh , that we may be saved by the lord. for , after we shall have departed out of this world , we shall have no place to confess our sins or to repent any more . . the primitive church therefore , i say , by allowing but one repentance for great crimes committed after baptism , did not mean that true repentance would at any time be in vain or unacceptable in the sight of god : but because repentance * never is true and effectual , till it restore a man to such a state of new obedience , that he will not wilfully fall into gross and scandalous sins any more ; and because he that having once done long and publick penance for a gross and scandalous crime , did yet afterward fall into the same or the like again , could not possibly give any greater evidence of the sincerity of his repentance to the church , than he had done before ; therefore they did † not think fit to admit such relapsed criminals to the peace and communion of the church any more , lest they should again give occasion to blaspheme the name of christ and his holy religion . . thus infinitely solicitous were those holy men , not to give men the least possible encouragement to continue in sin , and yet very careful at the same time not to drive any man to despair . let us consider these things ; and while we rightly maintain that true repentance cannot at any time be in vain or ineffectual to procure pardon , let us be careful not to entertain any such notions of repentance , as will take away the necessity of a holy life , and that persevering obedience , which is the express and indispensable condition of the gospel-covenant . the end . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e † see lightfoot's harm . of evangel . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alex. strom. . sed enim nationes extraneae sacris quibusdam per lavacrum initiantur . certè ludis apollinaribus & pelusiis tinguntur , idque se in regenerationem & impunitatem perjuriorum suorum agere praesumunt . tertull. de baptism . † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. justin. martyr . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . justin. martyr . ingress●ros baptismum crationibus crebris , jejuniis & geniculationibus & previgiliis orare oportet , & cum confessione omnium retrò delictoru● . tertull. de baptisme . pet. . * diem baptismo solenniorem pascha praestat , cùm & passio domini , in quâ tingimur , adimpleta est . — exinde pentecosta ordinandis lavacris latissimum spatium est , quo & domini resurrectio inter discipulos frequentata est , & gratia spiritûs sancti dedicata . tertull. de bapt. † caeterùm omnis dies domini est , omnis hora , omne tempus habile est baptismo : si de solennitate interest , de gratiâ nihil resert . tertul. de baptismo . * aquam adituri , sed & aliquanto priùs in ecclesiâ sub antistitis manu , contestamur nos renuntiare diabolo & pompae & angelis ejus . tertull. de corona milit. † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . constitut. apost . l. . c. . vid. & l. . c. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . justin. apol. . † novissimè mandans ut tingerent in patrem & filium & spiritum sanctum ; non in unum ; nam nec semel , sed ter ; ad singula nomina in personas singulas tingimur . tertull. adversus prax. * vid. tertull . de baptismo . † fulgentes animas vestis quoq candida signat , et grege de niveo gaudia pastor habet . carm. lactautio ascrip● . * dr. patrick out of ●helavius . revel . . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * by the imposition of hands , which was antiently joyned immediately with baptism . rom. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * cor. . v. . eph. . ch . . v. . ‖ cor. . v. . . . eph. . . rom. . . rom. . . rom. . luk. . . heb. . . pet . , * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . just. mart. luk. . . cor. . . mat. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. ad cor. . cor. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . justin. mart. * haec non admittet omnino , qui natus è deo fuerit ; non futurus dei filius , si admiscrit . tertul. joh. . . eph. . . phil. . rev. . . * non debemus superbi esse , sed timere , rè sortè post agnitionem christi agentes aliquid quod non placeat deo , remissionem ultra non habeamus delictorum , sed excludamur è regno ejus . i●enaeus , l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; clem. ad cor. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clem. ad cor. . ● tim. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clem. ad corinth . . pet. . . † ideoque hi quidem [ ethnici ] morti destinati sunt ; at verò ii qui cognoverunt dominum , atque ejus mirabilia opera viderunt , si nequiter vivunt , duplo ampliùs punientur , & morientur in aevum . hermae past. lib. . sim. . heb. . . heb . . heb. . . cor. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * corpus quidem citò ablui potest , mens autem — inquinata , non potest nisi & longo tempore , & multis bonis operibus , ab eá quae inhaeserit colluvione purgari . lactant. l. . c. . † post vocationem illam magnam & sanctam , [ baptismum , ] si quis tentatus fuerit à diabolo & peccaverit , vnam poenitentiam habet . hermae past. . . * ambrose . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clem. alex. quis dives , &c. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . justin. dial. cum tryph. * porro autem si etiam gravissimis delictoribus , & in deum multum ante peccantibus , cùm postea crediderunt , remissi peccatorum datur , & à baptismo atque à gratiâ nemo prohibetur ; quanto magis prohiberi non debet infans , qui recens natus nihil peccavit , nisi quod secundum adam carnaliter natus , contagium mortis antiquae primâ nativitate contraxit . cyprian . epist. . * cor. . . † quid enim necesse est sponsores etiam periculo ingeri , qui & ipsi per mortalitatem destituere promissiones suas possunt , & prove●tu malae in●olis falli ? tertul. ● baptismo . notes for div a -e * id quod d●erat , à petro & johanne factum est , ut oratione pro ●is habitâ & manu impositâ , invocaretur & infunderetur super eos spiritus sanctus . cyprian . ad jubaian : ep. . † quod nunc quoque apud nos geritur , ut qui in ecclesiâ baptizantur , per praepositos ecclesiae offerantur , & per nostram orationem ac manûs impositionem spiritum sanctum consequantur , & signaculo domini consummentur . cypri . ep. . * dehinc manus imponitur , per benedictionem advocans & invitans spiritum sanctum : tunc ille sanctissimus spiritus super emundata & benedicta corpora libens à patre descendit . tertul. de baptismo . † signaculum domini cor. . . * sicut enim homo , cùm implet amphoras bono vino , & inter il●as paucas amphoras semiplenas posuit , & venit ut tentet & gustet , &c. sic diabolus venit ad homines servos dei , ut tentet illos . quicunque pleni sunt fide , resistunt ei fortiter , & ille recedit ab illis , quia non habet locum intrandi : tunc vadit ad eos qui non sunt in side pleni , & quoniam habet locum , intrat , &c. hermas . ult . ephes. . . tit. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . plato alcibiad . . prope fin . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 job . ult . act. . ▪ luke . . joh. . . mat. . , luk. . . * quaecunque salutaria sunt , saepe agitari debent , saepe versari , ut non tantum nota sint nobis , sed etiam parata . seneca ep. . isai. . . job . . isai. . . psal. . . dan. . . heb. . rev. . . dan. . . mark . . rev. . . * quae à sapientibus viris reperta sunt , non satis credimus , nec apertis pectoribus haurimus , leviterque tam magnae rei insistimus . seneca , ep. . * placet suâpte natura , adeoque gratiosa virtus est , ut insitum etiam sit malis probare meliores . seneca de benef . . joh. . . joh. . . numb . . . act. . . heb. . . mat. . . heb. . . rom. . . cor. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . plato alcibiade . † cohtur autem , non taurorum opimis corporibus contrucidatis , nec auro argentoque suspenso , nec in thesauros stipe infusâ , sed pià & rectà-voluntate . seneca ep. . * vis deos propitiare ? bonus esto : satis illos coluit , qui imitatus est . seneca ep. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 philo jud●us . † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 philo de plantati●ne noe. rom. . . tit. . . cor. . . pet. . . ● cor. . . tim. . pet. . dan. . . rom. . jam. . . cor. . . luk. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . deut. . . act. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ euseb. hist. lib. . c. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. ad cor. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . euseb. hist. l. . * nemo nostrum in altum descendit , summa tantum decerpsimus , & exiguum temporis impendisse philosophiae satis abundeque occupatis fuit . sen. ep . ▪ * see whole duty of man , and mr. kettelwel's measures of christian obedience . book . cor. . ● . cor. . phil. . ▪ * diabolum autem ne timeas : timens enim dominum dominaberis illius ; quia virtus in illo nulla est . hermae past. . . minas autem diaboli in totum timere ●olite ; sine virtute enim sunt , sicuti mortui hominis nervi . idem . . * haec mandata facilè custodies , & non erunt dura ; sed si tamen in cor tuum posueris non posse haec ab homine custodiri , non custodies ea . idem ibid. † ponite ergo vobis qui vacui & leves estis in fide , dominum deum vestrum & in corde habete ; & intelligetis quia nihil facilius est his mandatis , neque dulcius , neque mansuetius neque sanctius . idem ibid. cor . . † quidam ad mganifica● voces excitantur , & tr●nseunt in affectum dicentium , a●acres vultu & animo . rapit illos instiga●que rerum pulchritudo . — si●uid acriter contra mortem dictum est , siquid contra fortunam contumaciter , juvat protinus quae audias facere . afficiunt●● i●li , & sunt quales jubentur , si illa animo forma perman●at , si non impetum insignem protinus populus honesti dissuasor excipiat . pauci illam quan ; conceperant mentem domain perferre potuerunt . seneca ep. . * is quidem qui non cognovit dominum , si nequiter vivit , manet in eo nequitiae suae poe●a ; at qui cognovit dominum , abstinere omnino se debet ab omni nequitia , & magis magisque servire bonitati . nonne ergo ille qui bonitatem sequi debet , si nequitiae praeferat partes , plus peccare videtur , quam is qui deliquit ignorans dei virtutem ? ideoque hi quidem morti destinati sunt ; at vero ij qui cognoverunt dominum , atque ejus mirabilia opera viderunt , si nequiter vivunt , duplo amplius punientur , & ipsi morientur in aevum . hermas . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chrysost. in heb. . * quicunque permanserint sicut infantes , non 〈…〉 tes malitiam , honorati●res erunt omnibus illis quos jam dixi . — ▪ felices ergo vos , quicunque removeritis malitiam à vobis , & indue●●tis innocentiam , quia primi videbitis deum . — felices vos , quicunque innocentes estis sicut infantes ▪ quonia n pars vestra bona est & honorata apud dominum . hermas . . rev. . . * quoties quid fugiendum sit , aut quid petendum , voles scire ; ad summum bonum , & propositum totius vitae respice . illi enim consentire debet , quicquid agimus : non disponet singula , nisi cui jam vitae suae summa proposita est . — ideo peccamus , quia de partibus vitae omnes deliberamus , de totâ nemo deliberat . seneca ep. . * cùm omnia quae excesse●●nt modum , noc●ant ; periculosissima felicitatis intemperantia est : movet cerebrum , in varias mentem imagines evocat , multum inter falsum ac verum mediae caliginis fun●●it . seneca de divinâ providentiâ . luke . . mat. . . * haec quidem difficilia videntur ; sed de eo loquimur , cui calcatis omnibus terrenis , iter in coelum paratur . lactant. lib. . c. . cor. . . acts . . pet. . . heb. . . heb. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. ad cor. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . epicte● . † nam qui voluptatibus indulgent , qui libidini obsequuntur , ii animam suam corpori mancipant , morteque condemnant , quia se corpori addixerunt , in quo habet mors potestatem . lactant. lib. . c. : † mens est enim profecto quae peccat , quae immoderatae libidinis fructum cogitatione complectitur ; in hâc crimen est , in hâc omne delictum ; nam etsi corpus nullâ sit labe maculatum , non constat tamen pudicitiae ratio , si animas mcestus est . id. ibid. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. ad cor. . † atque etiam vide ne quando persuadeatur tibi interire corpus hoc , & abutaris eo in libidine aliquâ . si enim corpus tuum maculaveris , maculabis etiam eodem tempore & spiritum sanctum ; & si maculaveris spiritum sanctum , non vives . hermas . . rev. . . phil. . ● . psal. . ▪ * sed hoc quod liquet firmandum , & altius quotidianâ meditatione figendum est . plus operis est in eo , ut proposita custodias , quàm ut honesta proponas . perseverandum est , & assiduo studio robur addendum , donec bona mens sit quod bona voluntas est . seneca ep. . † illud praecipuè impedit , quod cito nobis placemus ; si invenimus qui nos bonos viros dicat , qui prudentes , qui sanctos , agnoscimus . seneca , ep. . * nec tantum legibus publicis pareat , sed sit supra omnes leges qui legem dei sequitur . lactant. lib. . c. . † faciebat hoc sextius , ut consummato die , cùm se ad nocturnam quietem recepisset , interrogaret animum suum , quod hodie malum tuum sanasti ? cui vitio obstitisti ? quâ parte melior es ? seneca de ira , lib. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pythag. carm. aurea . † interdum scimus , nec attendimus ; non docet admonitio , sed advertit , sed excitat , sed memoriam continet , nec patitur elabi . pleraque ante oculos posita transimus . seneca ep. . * quid ergò pulchrius hâc consuetudine excutiendi totum diem ? qualis ille somnus post recognitionem sui sequitur , quam tranquillus , altus ac liber , cum aut laudatus est animus aut admonitus , & speculator sui censorque secretus cognoscit de moribus suis ? seneca de irà , lib. . c. . pet. . . jude . notes for div a -e heb. . . rev. . , , . † novatians . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 [ sc. in baptismo ▪ ] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . epiphan . ●ar . . heb. . . pet. . . tim. . . tit. . . rom. . ● . rev. . . rev. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . epiphan . haer. . † potest enim reduci ac liberari , si eum poeniteat actorum , & ad meliora conversus satis faciat deo. lactant. lib. . c. . ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alex . strom. . † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alex. de eo quis dives , &c. * vade & di● omnibus , ut poenitentiam agant , & vivent deo ; quia motus dominus magra suâ clementiá misit me ut ponitentiam omnibus nu●ciarem , etiam eis qui non merentur propter facta sua 〈◊〉 salutem ; sed patiens eri●●ominus , & invitationem factam pe ▪ 〈◊〉 . i●m s●●m 〈◊〉 conserva●e . he●●● . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alex. de eo quis dives servandus . rom. . ● . * et idcirco poenitentiam non agentes , nec dolorem delictorum suorum toto corde & manifestâ lamentationis suae professione testantes , prohibendos omnino censemus à spe communicationis & pacis , si in infirmitate atque in periculo caeperint deprecari ; quia rogare illos non delicti poenitentia , sed mortis urgentis admonitio compellit ; nec dignus est in morte accipere solatium , qui se non cogitavit esse moriturum . cyprian ep . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . arrian . in epictet . l. . c. . mal. . . * non pudet te relicuias vitae tibi reservare , & id solum tempus bonae menti destinare , quod in nullam rem conferri possi● ? quam s●r●m est tunc videre incipere , cum desinendum est ? quae ●am stul●a mortalitatis oblivio , in quinquagesimum & s●●●gesimum annum dir●erre sana consilia ; & inde velle vitam inchoare , q●ò pa●ci perduserunt ? seneca de vitae brevitate c. . heb. . . cor. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alex. strom. . cor. . . * omne tempus in exomologesi consummavit , plangens & lamentans , &c. irenaeus lib. . cap. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alexandrin . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . idem strom. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . chrysostom . homil. in pentecost . † nunquid ergo protinus putas aboleri delicta eorum , qui agunt poenitentiam ? non proinde continuò . sed oportet eum qui agit poenitentiam , affligere animam suam , & humilem animo se praestare in omni negotio , & vexationes multas variasque perferre . hermas lib. . simil . ‖ quam magna deliquimus , tam granditer defleamus ; alto vulneri diligens & longa medicima non de●it ; poenitentia crimine minor non fit . — orare oportet impensius & rogare , diem luctu tranfigere , vigiliis noctes ac flectibus ducere , tempus omne lachrymosis lamentationibus occupare , stratos solo adhaerere cineri , in cilicio & sordibus volutari . — incunctanter & largiter fiat operatio ; census omnis in medelam vulneris erogetur . cyprian . serm. de lapsis . † in quantum non peperceris tibi , in tantum tibi deus , crede , parcet . tertul. de poenit. * quae justior venia in omnibus causis , quam voluntarius an quam invitus peccator implorat ? nemo volens negare [ christum ] compellitur , nemo nolens fornicatur . tertull. de pud . † repetet certamen suum miles , iterabit aciem , provocabit hostem , & quidem factus ad praelium fortior per dolorem . qui sic deo satisfecerit , qui poenitentiâ facti sui , qui pudore delicti plus virtutis & fidei de ipso lapsûs sui dolore conceperit , exauditus & adjutus à domino , quam contristaverat nuper , laetam faciet ecclesiam ; nec jam solam dei veniam merebitur , sed coronam . cyprian . serm. de lapsis . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alex. de eo quis dives , &c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. constitut. lib. c. . * nec tamen quia peccata largitione tolluntur , dari tibi licentiam peccandi putes : abolentur enim , si deo largiare quia peccaveras ; si fiduciâ largiendi pecces , non abolentur . lactant. lib. . cap. . † hoc enim dico , poenitentiam quae per dei gratiam ostensa & indicta nobis , in gratiam nos domino revocat , semel cognitam atque susceptam , nunquam posthac iteratione delicti resignari oportere . tertullian . de poenit. † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clemens alexandrinus , de eo , quis dives , &c. † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . id. ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . id. ibid. † cùm vidisset dominus bonam atque puram poenitentiam eorum , & posse eos in eâ permanere , jussit eorum peccata deleri . hermas . . hortare homines ut poenitentiam agant , & poenitentia eorum munda siat reliquis diebus vitae eorum . id. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alex. strom. . * post vocationem illam magnam & sanctam siquis tentatus fuerit à diabolo & peccaverit , unam poenitentiam habet : si autem subinde peccet & poenitentiam agat , non proderit homini tali agenti ; difficilè enim vivet deo. hermas . . † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alex. strom. . vide & tertulliani librum de poenitentiâ integr●m . * quamvis enim cautè & salubriter provisum sit , ut locus illius humillimae poenitentiae semel in ecclesiâ concedatur , nè medicina vilis minùs utilis esset aegrotis , quae tanto magis utilis est quanto minus contemptibilis fuerit ; quis tamen audeat deo dicere , quare huic homini , qui post poenitentiam primam rursus se laqueis iniquitatis obstrinxit , iterum parcis ? augustinus . † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clemens ad cor. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clem. alexand. strom. . † placuit his ulterius non esse dandam communionem , nè lusisse de dominicâ communione videantur . concil . elib . can. . englands covenant proved lawful and necessary also at this time both by scripture and reason together with sundry answers to the usual objections made against it / by s.c. clarke, samuel, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing c ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) englands covenant proved lawful and necessary also at this time both by scripture and reason together with sundry answers to the usual objections made against it / by s.c. clarke, samuel, - . p. printed for henry overton, london : . second impression. dated july , . reproduction of original in the union theological seminary library, new york. eng solemn league and covenant ( ) oaths -- england. great britain -- history -- civil war, - -- pamphlets. a r (wing c ). civilwar no englands covenant proved lawfull & necessary also at this time, both by scripture and reason. together, vvith sundry answers to the usuall o clarke, samuel c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion englands covenant proved lawfull and necessary also at this time , both by scripture and reason . together with sundry answers to the usuall objections made against it . by s. c. preacher at b. f. eccles. . . when thou vowest a vow unto god , deferre not to pay it ; for hee hath no pleasure in fooles ; pay that which thou hast vowed . london , printed for henry overton in popes-head alley , . courteous reader , at the first impression hereof , the time prefixed by the parliament , for the cities taking of this covenant , being almost elapsed , & my immature conceptions not ready for the birth , yet importunity like an overhasty midwife , would needs deliver me of it : whereupon i presumed that it would have perished in the birth , or have found no better entertainment than a misshapen embryon : but beyond my expectation it hath been accepted of , approved , and ( as i understand ) given satisfaction to many , and was now this second time put unto the presse before i knew of it : had the stationer given me but some few dayes warning , i would according to my poore abilities have added something for the enlargement of it : but presuming yet that some abler person may happily undertake the worke : in the interim this is once againe sent abroad , that so the ignorant may be informed of the weightinesse of avow , and covenant : that the doubtfull may be resolved concerning the lawfulnesse of this in hand ; and that all may be excited to the carefull performance of what they binde themselves to hereby : if in any of these thou receivest satisfaction , and benefit , praise god , and pray for him who is thine in the lord s. c. july , , . englands covenant ▪ the reasons that have induced the parliament to frame , and propose this present covenant to be taken by all the well-affected subjects of this kingdome ( as i conceive ) are especially two . . by reason of gods hand which lies so heavie upon us in this present judgement of the devouring svvord , which being one of the greatest outward miseries which can befall a people , shewes that their sinnes are grown to a great ripenesse , and that gentler physick will not serve turne to purge out their strong corruptions : whereupon after the godly examples of the pious and renowned kings of iudah , they have pitched upon this course as a speciall meanes to pacifie gods vvrath by a generall covenanting with god to indeavour a reformation of our hearts , and lives . . observing the incessant and indefatigable plots of the enemies of god , and his cause , either by open violence , or secret fraud to oppresse , or undermine the power and purity of our religion , and to introduce popery instead thereof : they have therefore thought fit by this covenant , to lay a stronger engagement upon every one to detect and discover , and oppose whatsoever may tend to the prejudice of the one , or to the furtherance of the other : but withall considering that the major part of those which are to enter into it either for want of information may scruple some part of it , or doe it aubitante conscientiâ , with a doubting conscience , which will make it a sinne to them ) or through inconsideratenesse may doe it hand over head , without understanding , or a just prepondering of the strong engagement which they lay upon themselves hereby , which will make them to breake it as lightly , as they undertooke it rashly . i have indeavoured therefore for the information of the one , and ballasting of the other in these few ensuing lines to shew the severall sorts of covenants , and the requisites of a lawfull covenant , and by the application of this present to those rules , to prove the lawfullnesse of it : as also by shewing the great ingagement that a sacred vow , layes upon the conscience of the undertakers of it , to deterre all , either from a giddy taking , or a rash and inconsiderate breaking of the same . vowes and covenants are of . sorts unlawfull and sinfull . lawfull and good . a sinnefull covenant is a bond whereby wee ingage our selves to something that is evill : such was that of those wicked jewes , . act. . who bound themselves under an oath of execration , that they would neither eate , nor drinke , till they had killed paul . a lawfull covenant is either civill . religious . mixt. a civill covenant is a bond whereby we ingage our selves each to other in civill respects : such as was that betwixt abraham and abimelech , . gen. . &c. a religious covenant is a bond whereby we engage our selves to god , to yeeld obedience to him in those things which are agreeable to his will , chron. . , ezr. . . nohem . . and this religious covenant is either universall , singular . a universall religious covenant is a bond of all the faithfull vvhereby they engage themselves to the service of god in abstaining from sinne , and indeavouring to keep all his commandements : this covenant is made by all in baptisme , and renevved so often as vvee come to the sacrament of the lords supper . a singular religious covenant is a bond vvherein some one person for some speciall cause doth engage himselfe to god . and it is either absolute , and perpetuall . conditionall , and temporary . an absolute perpetuall covenant is a bond whereby wee engage our selves , absolutely to god , and during the whole terme of our lives , from which wee can never bee released : such was that of david . psal. . i have sworne and i vvill performe it , that i will keep thy righteous judgements . a conditionall and temporary covenant is a bond vvhereby we engage our selves , upon some condition , and for a certaine time onely , vvhich being expired , or the condition unperformed vve are freed from the same : vvhereof wee have examples , sam. . . v. . act. . a mixt covenant vvhich is partly religious , and partly civill , is a bond whereby vve engage our selves both to god and men : such is this covenant now appointed to bee entred into : and such was that king. . . iehoiada made a covenant betvveen the lord and the king : and the king , and the people , that they should bee the lords people : betvveen the king also and the people : thus having considered the severall sorts of covenants , i shall come in the next place to collect such requisites , and ingredients , as are necessary to the constitution of a lavvfull covenant , that so by examining this present covenant thereby , wee may more cleerely be convinced of the lawfulnesse of the same . which ingredients are especially these : . that the subject matter of it be lawfull , or else it 's no covenant , but a conspiracy , and they which enter into it are like simeon and levi , brethren in evill , or like those wicked jewes , vvhich bound themselves by an oath , and a curse that they would neither eate , nor drinke till they had killed paul , . act. . neither is it sufficient that the matter of it be lawfull , but it must be knowne also to be so by those which enter into it , at the time when they undertake it : for as in an oath wee must sweare in truth , i. e. the matter of it must be true : so in judgement also , i. e. knowing it to bee true , . ier. . or else we are guilty of perjury : so in vowes , and covenants which are sometimes accompanied with an oath , we must be well informed of the lawfulnes of the matter thereof , or else we make our selves guilty before god : and that of sol●mon may be applyed to such persons , prov. . it 's a snare for a man to devoure holy things , and after the vow to enquire . . it 's also further required , that they which enter into a covenant should before hand , and at their entrance into it , fully resolve with themselves to the uttermost of their power to observe and keep the same , and that in every part , and branch of it : whereunto tends that advice of solomon , ec. cles . , . when thou vowest a vow deferre not to pay it , for god hath no pleasure in fooles . pay therefore that which thou hast vowed ? better it is that thou shouldest not vow , then that thou sholdest vow and not pay ▪ . num. . . it must be of things within our povver : or else to engage our selves by a vow to impossibilities , what is it but to prophane the sacred name of god ? and bring downe his curse upon us : this was the sinne of those after the floud which covenanted among themselves , to build a tower which should reach up to heaven : a thing impossible , if god had not confounded their language : and it was also an aggravation of their sinne , who vovved that they would neither eat , nor drinke till they had killed paul : which being out of their power , made their vovv the more unlawfull unto them . . the persons which bind themselves by a vow , must be sui juris , such as have power of their owne heads ; and bee not under the jurisdiction of another , or else they must be carefull to take along with them the consent of their governours , if they meane to free themselves from sinne : a maide in her fathers house , or a woman that hath an husband may not vow without the consent of their superiors , . nu. . &c. the reason is because they are not at their own disposall , and therefore not able to performe their vowes without the approbation of another , verse . having thus shewed the severall sorts of covenants , and what is required to make a lawfull one ; i shall now come to apply this present covenant to these rules , and thereby not only vindicate it from all unlawfulnes , but also shew the usefullnesse , if not necessity of it , at such a time as this is ; for which end i shall take it in sunder , and cleere the lawfulnesse of it in each branch , that so it may appeare to be free from just exception in the subject matter of it , which is the first thing required in a lawfull covenant . first , in the first part of it we professe our hearty sorrow for our owne , and the nationall sins , which have deserved the calamaties and judgements which now lie upon us , and that our intention is by gods grace to endeavour the amendment of our owne wayes : which clause is so cleere that i presume that every christian at the first vievv , will not onely see a lawfulnesse , but a necessity of the same : for in gods judgements wee may read our sins , in the generality , and greatnesse of the one ; the generality and greatnesse of the other , and in that day ( when gods hand lies heavie upon a nation ) doth the lord god call to weeping and mourning and to baldesse , &c. . isa. , wherein wee see that same thing which is undertaken in this covenant , imposed as a duty by god himselfe , who doth not onely require a sence of , and sorrow for our sins , but a resolute endeavour of reformation also ; wash you , make you cleane , take away the evill of your workes , from before mine eyes , &c. isay . or else our humiliation is but hanging downe our heads like a bull rush for a day , . isa. . meere mocking of god , and deluding our owne soules . . that we doe abhorre and detest the late vvicked , and treacherous designe , and that we never gave , or will give , or assent to the execution thereof : but will according to our power and vocation oppose and resist the same , and all other of the like nature : this branch no one may take which hath in any measure been privie to the said plot , till they have first unburthened their conscience , by acknowledgeing what they have been privie to , and craving pardon for the same ; otherwise they devote themselves to the curse of god , who will be a swift witnesse against such perjured persons : and whose flying role will enter into their houses , and remaine therein , and consume them with the timber thereof , and stones thereof , zach. . but for such persons as are free from the guilt of so foule a blot , they not only may , but ought to professe their detestation of so horrid a plot , as in the execution must necessarily have tended to the death and ruine of so many innocents : and had the plotters obtained their ends ; would without all question have ended in the dissolution of the parliament . and therein in the fatall period of religion , lawes , liberties and all future free parliament , also ; as the commission granted to them , will cleerly evidence and evince . . that in case any other like designe shal come to our knowledge , we will make such timely discovery , as may best conduce to the preventing of it : by like designe we are to understand , such as are destructive or prejudiciall to the parliament , citie or kingdome , as this former would have been : and this no one that is friend to any of these , or to himselfe in them can refuse to promise . some of the very heathen from the light , and principles of nature it selfe , have refused to survive their countries liberty : and shall not christians put to their helping hands , to wrest the liberty of their religion from the attempts of papists : the liberties of the parliament from the complotters of their ruine , and the liberties of the city , and kingdome fromthe power of tyrannicall oppressours , which is all that wee promise to doe when we engage our selves to a timely discovery of the like designes ? the kingdome is a ship : the parliament our steeres men : the citie the principall cabbin : and religion the precious fraught wherewith god hath laden our ship , and he is a traitour to all these which shall refuse to tye himselfe to indeavour their preservation . . that we do in our consciences beleive that the forces raised by the two houses of parliament , are raised and continued for their just defence : and for the defence of the true protestant religion , and liberties of the subject against the forces raised by the king : by the beliefe here spoken of ( as i conceive ) wee are not to understand such a faith , as is grounded upon indubitable & infallible principles , as we believe the articles of our religion : but only such a credence as is grounded upon probable arguments , and reasons , which first working upon our judgements doe afterwards convince our consciences to believe the same . now that we have sufficient reason thus to believe , let us but a little call to mind the plot of bringing up the army out of the north : the attempt made against the five members : the withdrawing of the king from his faithfull councell : the active instruments which have been imployed into forraigne parts to provide armes , ammunition , and commanders , the bringing of them over from time to time , their designe : to seize upon many of the strong holds of the kingdome : the putting of the armes into the hands of untrusty commissioners of array : the arming of the papists contrary to law : the correspondence held with the scottish , and irish papists , and rebells : the indeavour to raise a party in this city to seize upon the persons of some principall members of parliament and city : and the late plot as bad , if not worse then all the rest if by gods mercy it had not been strangled in the birth : these are sufficient arguments to induce us to believe that it was but high time for the parliament to raise forces , and to continue them for their just defence : againe consider also the setting up of masses in yorke , and oxford : the many jesuites , priests , and j●suited papists that are in the adverse armies , whose romish plots are only to advance the catholique cause , and ruine our religion . besides the granting of so many commissions for array ; which were so destructive to the subjects liberty : the pillaging and plundering of the houses and estates of the best subjects , and burning of their habitations , and we cannot but be convinced , it was high time to raise and it is just to continue these forces for the defence of the true protestant religion , and the liberties of the subject , and hereupon vve doe declare , vow and covenant , that wee will according to our power and vocation , assist these forces thus raised and continued by both houses of parliament against the forces raised by the king without their consent : if we be upon the former grounds , or the like once convinced , that these forces are justly raised and continued for the ends aforesaid , then it will necessarily follow that wee are bound in conscience to be aiding and assisting to them according to our power and vocation , i. e. with our persons , if we be fit , and have a calling thereunto , or with our purses according to our abilities if we be not set to serve in person : and with our advice and prayers also for their good successe ; and he is no true friend either to parliament , religion or liberties , that upon information shall refuse to make this vow : besides , it is but high time that men should by such a sacred bond bee quickned unto this assistance in these times , wherein so many grow wearie of the worke , and by withdrawing their persons and purses from assisting do much endanger the cause of god . . that vve will likewise assist all other persons that shall take this oath in what they shall doe in pursuance thereof , neither can this be justly scrupled , for if we enter into this covenant our selves , and in pursuance of any thing conteined in it , vve shall stand in need of the assistance of others : as we shall desire , so wee cannot but thinke our selves much injured if wee find not assistance from them , and then the law of requitall doth require , that when occasion is offered we shall not withdravv our help from them also : besides , by this union among our selves , the common cause of god , and the kingdome will bee much strengthned , and every undertaker in it will be much encouraged when they see so many by so strong a bond to be engaged to their help . againe , it cannot bee conceived but that this covenant will excite & provoke the hatred of the adverse party against the undertakers of it exceedingly , whereof we had late experience in our brethren of scotland so much hated and prosecuted under the name of covenanters , and therefore wee have need to tye our selves to mutuall assistance for our better support against the odium and rage of the adversary . . that wee will not directly or indirectly adhere unto , nor shall willingly assist the forces raised by the king , without the consent of both houses of parliament . herein provision is made against equivocation , & those cunning tricks and evasions which many find out to cosen both themselves and others , as when a man will not send himselfe , but will suffer his wife , or children , or other friends to doe it , as hath been the practice of many hundreds in severall parts of the kingdome , who themselves have lent money , or sent an horse to the parliament , but have suffered their wives or sons to send twice so much to the king , that so by complying with both , they might escape the displeasure of either , besides many who ( living in some places have been ashamed to owne the supporting of the kings forces , yet under hand they have contributed much to them : but now it s required that neither directly nor indirectly wee bee aiding to them , and yet because many whose hearts are upright with god and his cause , live under the power , or fall into the hands of the barbarous and bloudy cavaliers , so that the not contributing to them , may endanger their lives , liberties , and estates , therefore is that word put in , that we shall not willingly assist , but only in the cases aforementioned : and if we do but seriously consider the aime and drift of the kings forces evidently discovered to all that are not wilfully blind , and their wayes and manner of prosecuting the same , wee may easily conclude that they are enemies to god and his gospell , and to the parliament , and their liberties , to the kingdome and its lawes , who will vvillingly be assistant to them . and thus i have briefly run over this covenant in every branch of it , and thereby endeavoured to prove the lawfulnesse of it in the subject matter : i shall now proceed to examine it by the other rules required in a lawfull covenant , that so i may fully vindicate it from all hesitation . the second thing required is , that it bee knowne to bee lawfull at the time of the taking of it , for which end the parliament hath long since caused it to bee published in print , that so all men might see it , and have time fully to informe themselves of the lawfulnesse of it ; and in case that any doubts should arise , they might repaire to those which are fit and able to resolve them , that so no scruple might remain at their taking of it . thirdly , it must be with a purpose of keeping it , and ill may hee faire that shall make this covenant with any other purpose whatsoever : for if it be lawfull , as is proved before , and that thereupon we engage our selves by it , it must needs argue a prophane and atheisticall heart in any that shall resolve for sinister ends to take it , and yet purpose afterwards to break it ; and what doe they therein ▪ but pray for a curse upon themselves , whilst invocating the sacred name of god to be a witnesse of their sincerity in making this vow , yet withall they resolve that he shall dispense with them in their future breaches of it ; and how will such dissemblers be able to answer it at the dreadfull day , when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed . fourthly , it must be of things within our power , and so is this covenant in all the branches of it . lastly , the persons that enter into it are either such as have power of their owne heads , or that have the consent of their superiours : and therefore having all the ingredients that are required to make up a lawfull covenant and vow , it must necessarily follow that it is lavvfull : but let us a little further consider whether there be not a kind of necessity also that this , or the like covenant should be entred into at such a time as this , which i conceive will fully appeare if we consider . first , that there is no readier nor more effectuall way to pacifie the displeasure of god and to procure a removall of these judgements which lye so heavy upon us then by sorrowing for our sins acknowledging god justice , and vowing a r●formation this isa , hezekiah iosiah , and nehemiah knew , and therefore had recourse to this meanes , which accordingly they found sucessefull . secondly , it will appeare to be necessary if we doe but consider the restlesse attempts of the adversaries to corrupt and seduce incautious persons , to their owne , and others ruine , they have had their emis●aries , and instruments in every city , and town , to propose the specious baits of honours offices , riches , favour , friends , & what not ? that so they may inveigle the simple by working upon every humor , to betray both church , and common-wealth into their power and therefore it cannot but be necessary that by the sacred bond of a vow , we should be fortified against such inticements . if wee doe but consider the pronesse that is in our natures to be seduced , and led aside by such importunate sollicitations and strong provocations to evill , especially vvhen they come , backed with large promises , and great hopes of advantage , wee must needs confesse it necessary , that at such a time provision of a remedy , should be made against such assaults , and there can be no better found out then a solemne covenant , whereby vve are to engage our selves before the searcher of all hearts , to stop our eares against such syrens songs which would enchant us , to rush upon our owne destruction , and to prefer selfe-ends before the peace and welfare of church and state . it cannot be imagined that this late plot is as yet fully discovered , but that there still remaine many persons undetected vvhich have their hands deeply in it . and therfore this covenant is necessary that so such persons out of a deep sence of that great guilt , which they pluck upon themselves , in case they sweare falsly therein , may be brought to an acknowledgem●nt and confession , of what they know about it , and to crave pardon for the same , before they enter into this covenant , vvhich would bee a great meanes to prevent much mischiefe that may otherwise ensue , in case it remaine undiscovered . it cannot bee doubted but that many both in this city , and in other parts of the kingdome have either openly , or secretly ; sent money , plate , armes , or other necessaries to the adverse forces ; whereby they have been much strengthned , and this uncivill civill and unnaturall warre hath bin much fomented , and therefore it is but necessary that every one should disavow his contribution of such assistance for the time to come , that so by withdrawing the fewell , this fire of contention may the sooner be extinguished . it is evident that this war continuing longer , then was at first expected , the spirits of many well affected persons are much cooled , and deadned in the prosecution of the worke , whence it comes to passe that they withdraw their persons from the service , and close their purses from contributing to it , whereby the cause of god and the kingdome lies a bleeding almost to death , and therefore it is but need that we should be all quickned to prosecute it , with more zeale and fervour , and not by our remissenes basely to betray so good a cause , which if not upheld , will certainely turne to the ruine of our selves , religion and all . thus having cleered these two principall points , concerning the lawfulnesse and necessity of this covenant , i shall briefly in the last place , indeavour to answer such objections as are usually made against it , which are especially these . we are bound by our oath of allegiance and the late protestation to defend the kings person , honour , and estate , and how then can we enter into this covenant ? this covenant ties us not to any thing that may be prejudiciall unto them . by it wee are bound to assist the parliament forces , against the forces raised by the king , unto which his person is adjoyned , and in assisting against his forces , his person may be indangered . severall petitions have been tendred to his majesty to retire his person from their company , and thereby to secure it from danger : if notwithstanding the same , hee shall suffer himself to be over-ruled by evill counsellors the guilt will lie upon those which have seduced him ; it 's necessary for the parliament , to raise forces for the apprehending of those traytors against his majesty and the kingdome , which are protected against justice , and who are so strong that the ordinary ministers of justice cannot lay hold upon them ▪ to bring them to a legall tryall , and therefore , as is usuall in cases of rebellion , an army is sent against them , which the king himself ought to assist , and not endanger his person amongst the other . but the king commands me to assist his forces , and forbids mee to bee aiding to the other , and i am bound to obey him . the king is to be considered under a double notion or capacity , either as a king , or as a man ; as a king he can command nothing , but vvhat the law commands , and then every subject is bound to obey him therein ; but as he is a man his judgement may bee corrupted , and his passions may mislead him , so that hee may command that which is destructive both to himselfe and the kingdome ; and herein he is the best subject that disobeyes him . the amalekite that said that he killed saul , at his own command , was justly put to death by david as a traytor for that fact , king. . , . and if a king in his passion shall proffer violence to a mans person , or command another to doe it , i am bound by the law of nature to defend my selfe against him , and it 's no breach of my oath of allegeance to doe it . but taking up of armes against the king , hath been generally cryed dovvne by the godly and learned . . here is no taking up of arms against the king , but against his evill counsellours , who have imbittered his spirit against his great and faithfull counsell , and doe still captivate his person amongst them . and till such bee brought to condigne punishment , wee can never enjoy either religion , persons , families , or estates in safety . . many learned divines have affirmed , and sufficiently proved both by the law of god , nature , and nations , that if a king turne tyrant , and oppresse his subjects in their religion , lawes ; or liberties , it is lawfull for them vim vi repellere , as was done by the netherlanders , and protestants in france : neither was it condemned in queene elizabeth by our english divines , when she sent auxiliary forces to both those places , to assist them against their owne kings : and did not king charles also send a navie for the reliefe of rochell when the poore protestants were besieged therein , by their owne king : and hath hee not also declared the scots to bee his good and faithfull subjects though they took up armes to defend their religion , and liberties against oppression . in this covenant we binde our selves to assist all others , in what they shall doe in pursuance thereof : what if they doe any unlawfull act in the pursuance of it ? in the pursuance thereof doth necessarily imply , that it must be done lawfully , and therefore that word was inserted in the late protestation , & must be understood here also . but how will it appeare that it is lawfull for the parliament to raise forces without , much lesse against the kings consent . an. this question is so fully , and largely discussed , and the thing proved to be lawfull both in case of law , and conscience , by mr. prin in his third part , and by diverse of our divines in their answers to dr. ferne , that i shall referre the reader to seeke for satisfaction there , where it may be had abundantly , if they come with unballanced judgements and shut not their eyes against that light which shineth therein . thus these usuall objections being answered , i shall adde only thus much , that if there be any which have not already enter'd into this covenant , seeing the lawfullnes and necessity of it by this which hath been premised , they will no longer deferre to doe it , but speedily undertake , with all cheerefulnesse and alacrity , as the men of iudah did in asa's time , chron. . , . and not onely so , but that they will indeavour also to draw as many as possibly they can to doe the like . the worke is great and needs many hands to help it forward : multorum manibus grande levatur onus . the enemies are vigilant and active to disunite us , they cast in many bones of division : therefore we have need by this covenant to cement our selves together , or else wee are undone . divide , & impera is the old motto . and lastly , that having once entered into it , wee must resolve with our selves , that we can never be freed from that tye which it layes upon us , and that therefore wee must be alwayes mindfull of it , and carefull to observe it in every part , and branch thereof , that our hearts being knit together in a firme bond of mutuall assistance , and love the god of love , and peace may be with us , and for us . amen . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- civile . sacrum . mixtum de lic●● de possibilibus . object . ans. obj● . ans. object . answ. object . answ. quest . answ. quest . answ. a briefe and yet exact and accurate description of the present state of the great & mighty empire of germany both touching the formes of their civil government and profession in religion / taken by a diligent and faithfull surveyor of it, with much paines travelled over that whole country to informe himself and others of these things ; now published by sa. clarke ... for the publick good. clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a briefe and yet exact and accurate description of the present state of the great & mighty empire of germany both touching the formes of their civil government and profession in religion / taken by a diligent and faithfull surveyor of it, with much paines travelled over that whole country to informe himself and others of these things ; now published by sa. clarke ... for the publick good. clarke, samuel, - . 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formes of their civil government , and profession in religion . taken by a diligent and faithfull surveyor of it , who with much paines travelled over that whole country to informe himself and others of these things . now published by sa . clarke , somtime pastor in st. bennet fink , london , for the publick good . london , printed by a. m. for william miller at the guilded acorn in st. pauls church-yard , near the little north door . . a description of the great empire of germany : together with an account of their government both civil , and religious , wherein many memorable things are contained . germany is divided into ten provinces , which are called the circuites , or circles of the empire ; whereof the first circuit is of the four electors besides the river of rhine , viz. of the archbishops of mentz , collen , and treere , and the counte palatine . the second is the circuit of franconia : the third of bavaria : the fourth of austria : the fifth of suevia : the sixth of the rhine : the seventh of westphalia : the eigth of saxonia superior : the ninth of saxonia inferior : and the tenth of burgundia . all the which circuits are governed by ten severall heads , that are chose out of the nobility , and doe use that office commonly during their lives , or according to the will of the emperour , and the states of the empire , as hereafter in the end of this book it shall appear , where the division of the same provinces shall more at large be set forth . and as all these ten circuits are but one body ; so doe they consist in three estates , viz. of churchmen , temporall potentates , and free cities , the which all have one head , that is the emperour : who at present hath his residence at vienna in austria , to whom , as for homage , they pay yearly some little tribute ; and in cases needfull for the state of the empire they contribute men , weapons , and money extraordinary , every one according to the assessement made in the division of the said ten circuits of the empire . the which extraordinary contribution is given by the consents of these three estates being lawfully called to some place certaine , by the emperour , unto a parliament , which they tearm a diett . the churchmen have three heads , which are archbishops , and electors : of the which , the first is the archbishop of mentz , high chancelour of germany , with whom remaine all the acts of the diettes . and he hath authority sede vacante to call the rest of the electors to a diett for the choosing of an emperour , which is alwayes done at francford upon the river of mene. next unto him is the archbishop of colen , high chancelour of italy ; and after him the archbishop of treer high chancelour of france , the which two doe take their place in the sessions alternis vicibus , by turnes . and here is to be noted , that these three spirituall electors have not their office of electorship , nor their preferment of the archbishopricks by succession of inheritance , but by election of the cannons of their cathedrall churches , who commonly choose such to be their archbishop as is a gentleman of a good house . further in this ecclesiasticall estate are comprehended all the other archbishops , and bishops of germany ; as the archbishop of saltzburge , which is one of the ancientest , and in respect of his mines of salt , silver , and gold , is counted the richest , whose revenue is yearly to the value commonly of one hundred and fifty thousand guilderns . the archbishops of magdeburge , who is called the primate of the empire , whose revenue is likewise great , for out of one city called hall , he receiveth for the proffit of salt that is gotten , every saturday at night , five hundred dollars , all charges deducted . the archbishop of bream , and bisontz , with about twenty five bishops that have great possessions , and in respect of their cities , castles , and provinces are called princes of the empire : amongst the which the bishop of munster in weastphalia , who is also bishop of esenburge , and padeborn , is counted one of the cheifest . of the temporall lords there are counted likewise four cheif , the which are also called princes electors , and have each one a severall office which they use in their stiles for any honour in the service of the emperour , at his coronation . the count pallatine of the rhine is the greatest amongst them , and is chief sewer to the emperour , and sede vacante , vicarius imperij in pallatinatu , whose cheif court is commonly at heydelberge upon the river of neccar , his liuetenant in the office of sewership , is alwayes one of the house of nortenberge by inheritance . next to him in all sessions of parliament , but before him in the wars ( the emperour being personally in the field ▪ ) is the duke of saxon , whose principall house is at dresden in misuia , upon the river albis , who is high marshall of the empire , and beareth in all triumphs the sword before the emperour . his lieutenant in that office of high marshalship , is alwayes one of the house of papenheim by inheritance . the third place of the temporall lords , and the sixth place of the electors , hath the marquis of brandenburge , who is high chamberlain ; whose court is cheifly at birlyn in marchia upon the river of spre . his liuetenant in the office of high chamberlain , is alwayes one of the house of falkenstein by inheritance . there is also a seventh elector who is cupbearer , and hath no other office , nor authority in the empire , but only in the election , a voice , when the other six are equally divided , and then on that side that he giveth his voice , there doth the matter prevaile . and the same is ever the king of bohemia , which is now emperour himself . his lieuetenant in the office of cup-bearer is alwayes one of the house of lymburge by inhetance . the seventh elector was appointed long after the other six , viz. in charles the fourth his time , and the rest in the time of otho tertius . all these four temporall electors , have their authority by succession of heritage , and the eldest of the house hath alwayes the place of electorship ; they have power , and authority after the death of the emperour to chuse a man , whom they list , or during the emperours life to elect a king of the romanes , who alwayes doth succeed the emperour , as the prince of wales doth in the kingdom of england , and the dophin of france doth the french king. after the lords electors , are reckoned the noblemen , and princes of their houses , as for example : the duke of bavire whose residence is at monachum , or munchen in bavaria , where his yearly revenue is said to be six hundred thousand guildernes , with the rest of the palsegraves , whose feodaries are the ringraves , the earles of erbach , and isenberg . the duks of saxon , whose feodaries are the counties of mansfelde ; swerzberge , and stolberge . the marquesses of brandenburge , whose feodaries are the earles of reppein , and vyer rotton , ( which earldom now the earle of houlstine possesseth ) and the barrons of potlas . the dukes of brunswick ( whose yearly revenue is two hundred thousand guildernes ) the eldest of that house , who is called duke julus of wolfenbottel ) receiveth every day through out the year one , hundred dollers out of one silver myne at gloster only , besides his other mines of lead , and copper &c. his vassales are the contz of regenstein , and barrons of warberge . the dukes of lumburge , and harburge , who are of the house of brunswicke . the dukes of lawenburge , and princes of anhalt , which are of the ancientest house of saxon . the landesgrave of hessen , whose country is very great , for they be also earles of catzenelbogen , and have in hessia seventy citties , their vassals are the earles of rippan , of hoyz , of trefeld , of lipe , of sulmos , of witstem , of nefsowz , and of shaumborcke . the duke of wirtemberge ( whose yearly revenue is two hundred thousand florens , or guildernes . the dukes of pomer and mechelburge . the marquesses of baden , with a number of other princes , marquesses , earles , and barrons , of all the which , in all conventions , and dietts of the empire , next after the seven electors , the four dukes , which are of suevia , brunswick , bavaria and lothering , do take their place . and after them , the four marquesses of misnia , marchia , baden , and brandenburge . and next unto them the four landgraves of muring , heses , litchtenberge , and elsotz . after them the four burgraves of magdenburge , normberge , renake , and strumburge . and after them the four earles of savoye , cleve , zilie , and schwartzburge . and next to them the four barons of lymsperge , tasis , westerburge , and aldenwalde . and last of all , the four knights of andelaw , meldin , stomeck , and frawenberge . the third estate consisteth in the free cities , which are in number at present ( as some say ) seventy two : and have been heretofore eighty five . all the which doe acknowledge no other head but the emperour , to whom they pay a small tribute yearly , not amounting in all to the summe of fifty thousand guildernes : from the which payment also certaine of these citties are exempted , and pay nothing but at the generall contribution of all the states at the diett , as shall hereafter appear . touching the pollicy of these three estates of the empire , it is to be understood , that every one hath within their own dominions an absolute power to coyn monies ( which serve not in any other teritories , but in their own , except dollers , which according to their rate are currant in all places ) to determine by law , to execute justice , to dispence and deal with their subjects according to right , and equity , as they list . but forasmuch as it would be too tedious to speak of every princes government apart , namely , seeing that in most things they have one order and form ; i shall therefore give an example of one , or two of the most principall , which may serve for all the rest . and because among the temporall estates the count pallatine ( as was said ) is the chiefest , i will begin with him . at heidelberge , where his court is , he hath a very fair house adjoyning to his castle , which is called his chancery . in the which place are five principall counsels , or courts . the first is his privy counsel , where he himself , with a few others , whereof the chiefest be doctors of the civil law , doe daily sit to consult of matters of importance touching the state of his country : the answering of forreign princes ambassadours , dispatching of his ambassadours to forreign princes : the bestowing of his children in marriage , &c. the second counsell , whereof the chancelour is cheife , is of a few civillians , where all matters extrajudiciall ( as they tearm it ) are handeled and compremitted , and in case they cannot by the arbitrators , be ended , then are they , by the chancelour , referred to the third counsel , which is called the hossegerichte , which is of a great number both of doctors , and gentlemen . in the which all civill controversies and causes between his subjects , and actions , both personall , and reall , are by law decided , and in the which , the subject , if he be injured by his prince , may have the law against him , from the which court , it is not lawful to apeal to the chamber of the empire , except the cause doth surmount the some of six hundred guildernes . the fourth counsell is the consistory court and is of civillians , and spirituall men , wherein all church matters , both for doctrine , and discipline are determined : testaments proved , and controversies in marriage decided . this prince hath reformed this court , and whereas before , it had no other counsellours then spirituall men , now he hath joyned together with them , certain honest discreet ministers , some of his wisest and best-learned counsellours . the fifth counsell ( whereof the camer master , that is the chamberlain or the treasurer is president ) is of certain doctors , and of houshould officers , in the which there is accompt taken of all his revenues , how his debts are to be paid , his houshold ordered and served , his lands sett and lett , his customes and tolls examined . this prince maintaineth commonly in his court of all sorts of people twenty four tables , eight persons to every table , the which do eat commonly in two severall places . in the one place , which is a faire large chamber , sitteth himself , his wife and children , at one table standing alone in the upper end of the chamber : and his gentlewomen , and preachers at two other tables , and about ten tables more adjoyning to those , two tables which stand in a rowe , on one side of the said chamber , whereat doe sit his gentlemen , who immediatly after the prince is set down , do likewise sit and eat continually at one hour , which is at ten and at five of the clock . in the other place the rest of his family ; as his guard ( which are twenty four halberders ) with others of his yeomen , and groomes , together with all the officers and gentlemen servants , who likwise eat together at one time , which is at nine and four of the clocke : before which houres they are continually warned by the noise of eight trumpets and two kettle drummes . his houshold officers , be the marshall , the steward , the treasurer , the secretary , and the clarke of the kitchen : the marshall first placeth all men and seeth good order kept : the steward seeth all things provided for the house and houshould : the treasurer disburseth the money : the secretary taketh the accompt and writeth the letters ▪ the clarke of the kitchen seeth all things ordered in the kitchen , and everv one served according to their degrees , and of all the houshould expences keepeth a book . the prince is served in silver with four courses , besides fruit , and in every course nine covered dishes , which three gentlemen with their caps on their heads , do alwayes bring to the carver , having the marshall to goe before them with his staffe , and when they have delivered their dishe , they sit likwise down at a table appointed only for them in the same chamber . there waiteth ordinarily on the prince at the table , a sewer , a carver , a gentleman of his chamber that waiteth on his cup , and taketh the same , and two or three pages that waite on his trencher which the carver alwayes giveth . the carver giveth every one to eat in like sort as it is at the lord majors of london his table . all the other tables be served by the princes guard. in the princes chamber , one of his preachers doth alwayes say grace , both before and after meat , and in the common hall the clark of the kitchen , who is there in the place of the marshall , causeth likewise thankes to be given to god by one of the poor schollers that the prince keepeth of purpose . the meat that is left in both places is alwayes forthwith given to the poor by the almner . his counsellors have alwayes allowed them every one according to his virtue and quallity , a very good stipend both for his fee and diet in their own houses . there is straight discipline in his court against swearing , blasphemy , and drunkennesse , whoredom , fighting and all other kinds of vices , in which cases notwithstanding , some more respect is had to the punishment of a gentleman , then of an other , and yet none spared . dauncing also is forbidden in his court , and throughout all his land. the charge of his stable hath the master of his horse , & every gentleman that by his commandment keepeth any horses , is allowed oates sufficient , and for every horse tweny five dollers the year , towards pay and stable roome ; and every yeoman twenty five guildernes . and because i have entered into some discourse of his houshould matters , it shall not be impertinent to shew this princes order , and conversation , how he spendeth his time : both because the example is notable and worthy of all good princes to be followed , as also because that hereby he winneth great favour of the peopele . his order is to arise every morning at five of the clock , and at six he cometh to his chappel , with his wife , children , and family , where one of the three ministers ( which he alwayes keepeth in his court to say grace , preach , and administer the sacrament ) after a psalm sung by children , which are kept in his court for that purpose , doth preach and pray untill seven of the clock , and then the prince goeth straight away into his court chancery , where he tarrieth untill ten , which is the houre to dine . at dinner he commonly sitteth two hours , and after dinner one hour , talking with his wife and children . after he riseth up ( which is about one of the clock ) he goeth straightwayes into his closet , where he tarrieth till five , in perusing and reading his subjects supplications , which are duly given to him as he goeth and cometh from the chancery : the which supplications , the next day he sendeth to every court as the matter requireth , where immediatly justice is administred . at five of the clock he goeth to supper , where he sitteth two hours , and afterwards either walketh , or otherwise passeth the time with his wife , and children untill it be nine , and then he calleth both the gentlemen , grooms , and pages of his chamber to his privy chamber door , where they hear him pray half an hour , and so he goeth to rest . this is the conversation commonly of this good prince , the which order he breaketh not but upon some very great occasion . somtimes as he sitteth at his table he heareth his musitians , whereof he hath five , playing excellently well on shalmes that be made , the one like a halberd , the second like a crossebow , the third like a boarstaff , the fourth like a handgun , and the fifth like javeline . the same musitians have also cornetts , violins , and virginals , which they mingle one with an other , as it is the princes pleasure to hear them : other pastimes he exerciseth not , except when he hath no supplications of his subjects to read , which is very seldome . he then hunteth the stagge or hinde , according to the season of the year ; or else seeth his sons and gentlemn ride his great horses and run at the ring , or else rideth about certain villages , and converteth the curates , to the understanding of the true doctrine of the sacraments , wherein a number of his country are not yet well perswaded . when this prince hath any war towards , or otherwise upon some urgent cause for the weale of his country , and conservation of his state , he calleth ( as the manner is of all other princes in germany ) a parliament , which they tearm a landstage , to the which all the nobility of his country , and certain burgesses of every city within his dominions doe come . by whose common consent , either a subsidy is granted to be levied of all his subjects or else new statuts are made , or old revoked , or reformed , according to the state and necessity of the time , the which statuts are called quandtz ordnuce : and are alwayes expounded by the rules of the civil law , when their intent is not well otherwise to be understood . this princes country lieth , partly along both sides of the river rhine from argentine unto collen , the which he governeth himself , and partly in bavaria superiour , whereof the principall city is amberge , upon the river of fills , where his eldest son , duke lewis doth govern under him , and hath the same order in administering justice ( as near as the manner of the country will permit ) as his father hath at heidelberge , from which place notwithstanding the subjects may appeal to heidelberge , because that is the highest court by reason that the elector , who is chiefe of that house , dwelleth there . this prince , although his father was a great papist , yet he being perswaded by one of his sisters that was of the religion , and chiefly instructed by eberhard , earle of eberbache , a godly and wise gentleman , and then steward to ottho henrye , his predecessor in the electorship , as soon as he came to the same estate , which was in anno . he reformed the religion in his country , as much as was possible for the obstinacy of the lutherans . and at this day throughout all his dominions the gospell is sincerely preached , images , and other superstitious ceremonies which the lutherans throughout all germany yet use ) were abolished , and the sacrament as well administred , as it is at present in the church of england , for the which his reformation he was like to have suffered great trouble in the diett at augusta , in anno. . where the emperour maximilian that now is , with all the electors , and states of the empire , his eledest son duke lewis , and his sons in law the dukes john fredrick , and john william of waymar in saxon , and the dukes of swebrooke , and wirtemberge , were so earnestly bent against him for the same , that in case duke augustus , the present elector of saxon , had not been , many supposed that he should have been committed to prison . and deprived of his electorship . in the which convention he did so wisely , godly and constantly defend his cause before them and against them all ( having only the duke of casimere his second son that stood alwayes by him , with the bible in one hand and the confession off augusta in the other , that he did convince them and put them all to silence , and during his aboad there , caused his preachers openly to set forth the true doctrine of the eucharist , in their sermons in his house at augusta , where they had a wonderfull audience , to the great grief and dispight of all the lutherans . but to knitt up the discourse of this good princes government , and godly conversation , i think it not superfluous to shew what word he useth in all purposes and events , and the which i heard him utter the eighth day of aprill last in anno . when a great part of his estate at heidelburge was sodenly by casualty in the night set on fire , and the whole in great danger to be utterly burnt and consumed notwithstanding the exceeding great watch that is nightly there kept by four men , which at every quarter of an hour doe blow great base hornes , and at every hours end do sound trumpets in four quarters of the said castle : at that time , even in the extremity of the flame , he said with his hands lift up to heaven , not once but often , ( herenach dine will ) which is to say , fiat voluntas tua domine . thy will be done , o lord. now like as before is shewed of the count pallatines order of justice , in like sort may be said of the duke of saxon , now elector , saving that his counsels , and courts of justice be not all at one place . for his chancery where he holdeth his privy counsell and exchequer , are at dresden , which i declared before to be the cheif place of his residence ; unto the which all the rest of his courts doe appeal , and from the which his subjects doe in no case appeal to the chamber of the empire , as was said that the paulsgraves subjects may . and further his court called croffegricht , where the differences between his subjects are decided and whereunto himself , if he doe his subjects wrong , may be sited , is kept alwayes in the city of leiptzigke , in misnia . and his consistory court , which is not so well reformed as the palsgraves court , is holden in two places , the one at misen in misnia , and the other at witemberge in saxony . in all this princes provinces adultery is punished with death , and fornication with whipping and bannishment . this elector , albeit he kepeth not so many tables in his court as the count pallatine doth , yet he kepeth a greater state , and giveth ordinary entertainment to more then the palsgrave doth . for besides his ordinary guard , whereof there be fifty holbardiers , and as many harquibushers , to whom he giveth monthly , besides their liveries , which are black cloaks , for their diet and fee five guildernes , when they sit still , and six guildernes when they travell he hath continully about him fourteen rittmasters , that is captaines , which are able to bring him on the suddaine for all events , three hundred horses apiece , of the which every one keepeth ordinarily twelve horses , for the which twelve horses each of them hath allowance of the prince , yearly five hundred french crowns and for their yearly fee of captainship one hundred and fifty french crowns the peice , and these captaines are all gentlemen that are for the most part married , and keep houses themselves at dresden , where the court is . to the rest of his train , to whom he giveth meat and drink in his court , he alloweth besides provender yearly for every horse fifty dollers , and some gentlemen he alloweth six horses , to some more to some lesse , according as he favoureth them , and according to their quallity , and for every horse he alloweth them a servant , who hath his livery , meat , and drink at the princes charges in the town . of all the princes of germany , the present elector of saxony , is the richest , and of the greatest power , both of men and money : for his yearly rent of assise is reckned to be above seven hundred thousand dollers , besides his taxes , tolles and impositions of beer , and wine , &c. which is accounted to amount yearly to as much more . the said duke hath one hundred and thirty four seignories , and in the same twenty earldomes , and sixteen barronies , he hath of late gotten into his hands by the consent of the cannons ( for the tearm , as he hath promised , but of one and twenty years , but as it is thought for ever ) three bishopricks of mersburge , misen , and nawimberge : and out of the last only he hath yearly for impost of beer about twenty four thousand dollers . his mines of silver , copper , brasse , tin , lead , &c. which he hath at his cities of friberge , anneberge , maryberge , sueberge , and swertzberge , &c. which be faire towns , and maintained only by the said mines , doe yeild him yearly wonderfull riches , whereof i could learn no certaine yearly summe , because the commoditie is uncertain , some years better , some years worse , according to the goodnesse of the vaines , in the which there are working , above ten thousand able men for the wars , besides a great number of poor impotent men , women and children , which have there livings only by the same . of the which works their i sone at friberge , wherein is a singular art used in drawing of the water out of a well that is above one hundred fathom deep , and in most places not a fathom broad , into the which i went down with mr. henry killegrew & docter christofer chemius , the count pallatines ambassador , the twenty first junij , we all being apparrelled with such garments as the workmen and miners thereof doe use , and as the manner is for all such as will see their works : but when we were descended almost four hundred staires by very narrow ladders , they two were almost dead with the damp and close aire , so as they were constrained to cause the guides , who conducted every of us with a lamp , to return , by meanes whereof i could not see the bottom of the water worke , whereof i did not greatly passe , because those works , and the engines used in them be exactly set forth by georgius agricola of remuitz in saxon in two great volumes printed at basill by frobenius . but among other commodities which grow out of these mines , there are three sorts of stones , in a work in the town of swertzberge , whereof the one is named magnes , commonly called the loadstone , which properly draweth iron to it , and the othet andromedes , which putteth iron away from it ; the third is called merga , which being made into powder & drank in a little white-wine warmed , is approved to be very good for a bruise . by the benefit and great quantity of iron and copper which are gotten in those mines , the prince hath furnished such an armory , at his city of dresden , as by report of them that have travelled farre , the like is not to be found in any other place in europe , i shall describe the order thereof as i did see it the twenty fourth of june , . first the house is builded four square of free stone , the two lengths are each one of them three hundred foot long , and the breadths each one of them one hundred seventy five foot broad , every one of these lengths , and breadths hath three roomes or stories . in the lowest roomes are the great ordnance , being about fifty six double cannons that carry a shot , which waieth one hundred and sixty pound , and three hundred and fifty culvernis , half cannons , cannon pieces , sacres , fawcons , rabnets , and other small field pieces , all of brasse ready mounted on very good carriages , and furnished with all things necessary , as shot made with the hammer to an infinite number , chargers , scowrers , horsetraines , pioneers tooles , &c. and every of those have three or four great peices hanging for them on the walles , eleven harquebushes , a crock . in the two uppermost roomes or stories are armor , as corslets , black and parcell white , very good and of the newest fashion , calivers , long curriours ; daggs , pikes armed and unarmed , lances , halberds , partisons , holy water sprinkles , two hand-swordes and swordes with basket hiltes , thirty six ensignes , drums , fiffes , and all other things necessary for the furniture of four regiments , to every regiment ten ensignes , and to every ensigne three hundred men , which is twelve thousand footmen , and curaces for the proofe for two thousand horsemen , so that of the sodain this prince is able to furnish into the field fourteen thousand men with armour in every point , which is only in his city of dresden . his cities besides at lipsia , wittimberge , and guicca , are said to have also their severall armories , besides that every subject in all his dominions , to his ability is bound to have his proper furniture both for himself and his servants , for as many as every man keepeth , a corselet , a harquebush , a halberd , and a pike , of the which ( that are able to bear armour ) the prince , if need require , may well make into the field eighty thousand men , whereof six thousand shall be horsemen , leaving his country notwithstanding with sufficient guard. this prince as he hath not the perfect knowledg of god like unto the count pallatine , even so is his conversation such as misliketh all men universally ; he is misliked for his inaffability , for ever since the wars of gottha , he hath kept himself so secret , as no man , except one or two of his privy counsell , can either see him or speak with him , he keepeth himself still within his privy chamber , where he learneth to play on the virginals , the which exercise he doth so earnestly apply , as almost he never ceaseth but when he must either eat or sleep . not long since his mind was to learn the latin tongue whereof he was utterly ignorant , and now he hath so profited in a short time therein , that he is able commonly to understand any thing that is either spoken or written in latin. the great delight that he hath in hunting the stagg , and wild boar , bringeth him some time abroad , but then he is so accompanied on either side with all his guard , and with at the least , four hundred horsemen that no man almost , for what cause so ever it be , is suffered to come to his speech : he seldom giveth any princes ambassadors audience in his own person , but answereth them by his chancelour or chief councellour . the princes of germany do not love him , ( although by reason of his great power and authority , they flatter him ) because of his extream dealing with his kinsman , duke john frederick , from whose father duke maurice , this electors brother did take the electorship and the most part of this living besides ( all which the said duke maurice , dying without issue male , left unto duke augustus his brother , whereupon such displeasure grew between these houses ( as i shall hereafter declare ) that the eldest son of john frederick the old elector , is spoiled both of all his land & liberty . further this duke augustus is hated of his nobility and gentlemen , as well for the cause last recited , as also for purchasing of late the lands of one miltitz , a gentleman in misnia in a manner against his will , for the which he paid one hundred and sixty thousand guildrnes , and as it is said , the woods only on the same lands , were worth as much . he offendeth his nobility also for his other cruelties , in tormenting of men with such deaths , and specially for cutting in four peices of late on carolutius , a gentleman of an ancient house and one of his houshould servitors , who albeit he had committed things worthy of death , yet the manner of his execution seemed so strange , and was so odious to the gentlemen of his court● , as they all went forth of the city that day that he suffered death . the people of his cities love him not for his covetousnesse , because there is no traffique nor handleing whereof there may arise any commodity or gain , but he getteth it into his own hands . as for example , the gain that they were wont to have in buying and selling the mettall that riseth of his mines , he hath now taken into his own hands . besides that he maketh silke , dieth cloth , selleth malt , and handleth every thing himself whereof any proffit may grow . he hath furthermore raised such taskes and impositions upon his people , and hath turned the tenants out of certain lands that he lately purchased , whose ancestors have held the same time out of mind : and they know not now where to place themselves again , and hath converted the same to his own use , in such sort as throughout all his country there is great complaint of him . all these things are the more grievous , and specially marked , by reason that the memory of the late princes his predecessors , is fresh , who albeit in some respects wanted not their faults , yet generally , for affability , mercifulness , and liberallity , were very much commended ; the cause why this elector was s●irred to deal so extreamly with his cozen john frederick , i think it not amiss to insert in this place , as well because it is not yet to my knowledge set forth truly by any other , as also for that upon the grudg between the princes of this house , dependeth almost the weale or ruine of all germany , by reason of the alliances that either part hath with the most noblest houses , not onely in dutchland , but in other kingdoms neer about . the story as i have heard it credibly reported is this , in anno , john frederick of wymar in saxony , son unto john frederick the late elector of saxony , kept within his jurisdiction one william grombache , and certain other rebels to the empire , for the which cause he was also declared by a publick decree , a rebell to the same state of the empire . this grombache was an ancient captain about threescore and ten years old , born in franconia , of a noble and ancient house , and from his youth was brought up in the exercise of war , and was of nature sediciously disposed , always attempting new designs in his countrey ; for in the wars that marquess albert made against the bishops and churchmen , he took part with him , and never left him so long as he kept the field . and although he was oftentimes called home by the bishop of wertzburge , whose vassall he was , under the pain of confiscation ; yet he continued with the said marquess untill he was overthrown : whereupon the bishop seized on his goods and lands . after the overthrow of marquess albert he went into france to henry the second , of whom he received great summes of money to levy souldiers to serve against the emperor charles ; but peace being concluded between them at amienz in anno , he returned into his countrey , where , by secret means he had caused the bishop of wietzburg to be slain , in anno , because he had confiscated his lands . afterwards in anno , he was commanded by the duke of guise to levy certain souldiers for the service of the french king , whose colonell he was , against them of the religion in france ; but peace being then also concluded , he was not there imployed , whereupon he returned home , and with part of those souldiers whom he had taken up with the french kings money , he marched against the other bishop of wertzburg and bamberg the which succeded him that before he had killed , where he not only by force recovered his goods taken away by the said bishop , but also spoiled and made havock of both those bishoppricks ; for which cause he procured to himself the bann of the empire and was proclaimed a rebel , by reason whereof he was forced always to keep a good guard of souldiers about him , for the safety of his person . but in the last dyett holden under the emperor ferdinand , an edict was published , that no man of what degree soever he were , should keep any man in arms except it were by the publique consent of the states of the empire . notwithstanding grombache did not only keep his old band of men still together , but also levyed new , and practised with some personages of name and authority to enteprise somewhat for the liberty of such as were oppressed and sustained wrong in the empire . of the which enterprise the forenamed john frederick of wymar was one of the chiefest favourers , being perswaded by the same grombache , that then the time served him to recover the electorship , the which was taken by force from his father , and that the most part of the princes of germany would aid him therein . whereupon , in the dyett holden by maximilian , the emperour that now is , at augusta , in anno , by the common consent of all the states , the said grombache was declared a rebell of the empire , with all his adherents , and order taken to proceed against him as against a sedicious man , and disturber of the commonweale . this notwithstanding , grombache continuing his faction , was received by john frederick into his castle of gottha , the which was of such force , as they in all respects thought themselves safe from their enemies . but augustus now elector of saxony , being in the aforesaid dyett , appointed the emperors lieutenant for the wars , and having at the charges of the emperor six thousand horses , thirty ensigns of footmen , and forty pieces of great ordnance , besieged the town of gottha , and castle of grimsteteine , which thing the citizens and certain captains there perceiving , and weighing with themselves that the matter was taken in hand by all the estates of the empire , were contented to yield , both grimbache , the town and the castle to the said elector , who as soon as he was entred , took john frederick , and sent him , with a sufficient guard to the emperor , with whom he remaineth still a prisoner in the city of presburge , in hungary , above one hundred english miles beyond vienna , near turkey , and executed above twenty of the chiefest rebels , whereof grombache , and dr pontanz , chancellor to duke john frederick , with certain others , were quartered quick . this victory was so joyfull to the elector augustus , that in memory thereof he caused dollers to be coyned with this inscription , tandem bona causa triumphat , a good cause at last prevails . after he had sent duke john frederick away prisoner , he caused his castle , which was one of the fairest houses , and strongest fortresses in all germany , and the principall mannour house of the old elector john frederick , to be utterly razed and destroyed , so as there is not one stone left upon another . i heard as i passed through the town of gottha , that the razing only of that castle grimsteteine and the walls of gottha , cost him seventy three thousand guilderns , which the states of the empire ( as i hear ) do grudge to repay , because , as they alleadge , repay they did not consent to the razing thereof . grombache , and divers others that were executed with him and since , before their death confessed , that their intent was to have killed augustus , and to have reduced the electorship to john fredicks house , whom notwithstanding , grombache in that respect did clear , as not privy to that enterprise for the killing of augustus , and protested that he was not culpable in any thing but in defending him , to the which he said , by great perswasions he had also allured him . and moreover because his brother , duke john william , would not agree to this enterprise , but ever withstood the same , the said grombache found means to set dissention , betwixt him and his brother about the partition of their third brothers part , who died a little before the same time ; for the which cause duke john william was content to assist augustus , the elector , against his brother in the siege of gottha . by means whereof both his brothers parts were given unto him , the which he at present enjoyeth . notwithstanding there is now a heart-burning betwixt the elector augustus and the said duke john william , as well for the cause of their electorship , that moved his foresaid brother to the former enterprise , as also for certain controversies in religion that are between their preachers , whereof i shall speak further hereafter . now because i have not heretofore touched the manner and custom that the princes of germany have in the devision of their lands , i think it good in this place to shew what i have learned thereof . the manner commonly of all the noblemen , princes , and gentlemen in germany is by their last will to dispose to every child their portion , both of lands and money . the women , so long as there liveth any male of the name , do never inherit any land. he that hath many sons and beareth an affection to one more than to another , if he be a great prince , then he calleth the gentlemen and great states of his countrey and cities together , and by their consent establisheth in his life time the division of his childrens portions , and giveth to some more to some less , according as he favoureth , and as his estates will agree , whose consent commonly dependeth upon the princes pleasure . but to disinherit any son , or to make too much an unequall devision of land , is very dangerous , as it appeareth by that which john selden writeth in the fourteenth book of his history , touching the devisions of the lands of the dukes of saxony , whereof sprang the first quarrell betwixt them of that house , and was cause of a great civill war in germany . such inequality in partition is not therefore lightly seen , except it be for certain such causes as are prescribed in the civil law ; that is , in case the son conspireth his fathers death , or doth not his endeavour to redeem him out of prison if he be taken by their enemies , &c. if the father dieth intestate , then doe his children divide his goods equally pro raeta portione : sons have the land , and the daughters the mony ; and in case there be no mony left , then the sons are bound every one out of his portion of land , to pay a certain summe of money towards the dowry of his sisters . in the which cases there are certain ordinances whereby every one knoweth what to have , according to their quality . the subjects of all the princes and gentlemen in germany , do hold their lands , ether in feodo , for paying a chief rent and acknowledging homage , or in fee-farm , paying a certain rent , either in money , corn , or wine , or in all . or else there are tennants , at the will of the lord for so many years , and for so much rent as is agreed between the lord and the tennant . there is almost no prince , nobleman , nor gentleman but hath certain vassals that of right do owe them their labour , some to sowe , some to mowe , till , carry , ditch , hedge , &c. by whose labour their demesnes are for the most part manured . thus i have as briefly as i could , set forth by the examples of the count palatine and the elector of saxony , the form of government in politicall matters of the two first estates , that is to say , of the spirituall and temporall potentates , who both in their houshold service , and civill affairs , have also the most part the same order and form that the foresaid electors have . touching the third estate , which i said was of the free cities , thus much is to be understood ; that of the same free cities , some are meerly subject to the empire , as augusta , acona , argentina , francfordia ad menum , lubeca , hamburga , vlma , colonia , spira , noriberge , &c. and other some , for that they were once under another lord , to whom every one yet acknowledgeth a certain duty , do therefore yield no such contribution , as the imperiall cities do : as for example : magdeburge , erford , breme , brunswicke , luniburge , &c. have each of them a severall lord , who is either the bishop , or duke of the name that every one is called by , to whom they owe their homage and a small duty besides . but they use notwithstanding their own proper municipall laws , which have their ground on the civill laws , and their ancient customs , as the imperiall cities do , from the which their laws , ordinances , and customs , it is lawfull for the citizens in some cases to appeall to the chamber of the empire which is at spires . they are all governed , either by democriti's , that is by certain chosen out of the multitude of the common people , or by the state of olygarchy , that is , by a few of the wealthiest and most principall of the people : or else by aristocracy , that is , by a few of the best sort , not in respect of their wealth , but of their vertue . they got their liberties , either by purchase of money , or else by the favour of the emperor , or by force of arms from that prince that was their sovereign , and have by that means of liberty , such traffique , and handling , as they are grown so rich that they have fortified their cities , and territories in such sort as they fear not the force of the enemy be they never so mighty . there are four cities which are called by an ancient name , the four cities of the empire , and are free , that is , augusta , metis , acona , lubeca : whereof metis is at present under the french king , and is not free as the rest be . also there are four other cities which are named the dorffes , that is , the towns of the empire , viz. bamberga , erlistadia , haganoa , ulma , whereof , bamberga is now under a bishop , and salistadium , under archduke ferdinando , the emperors brother that now is . there be also four other cities which are termed the boores of the empire , that is , the villages , but yet are notwithstanding great cities , as collen , regensburge , constantia , and saltzburge : the which three last are all subjects to the bishops of that name . there be many other cities of great fame , and force , as magdeburge which sustained the siege by the space of thirteen moneths together , of the emperours lieutenant , duke maurice , elector of saxon , and others the mightiest princes of germany . in the which siege they took prisoner george duke of mechelburg , and in the end compounded not with so unreasonable conditions as the other cities did , in the wars of smascald . for they would never agree to receive the interim no more than the cities of brunswiche , hamburge , lubecke , and the sons of john frederick , the elector of saxon did . breame standing upon the river of wesar , is likewise famous for resisting duke erike of brunswicke , lieutenant generall to the emperour charles the fifth , where he besieged the same in vain , and was in the end , by the help of the hamburgers conducted by coúnte peninge , chased away from thence and forced to leave his great ordinance behinde him . brunswicke , standeth neer the river of owker , which taking in another little river , called the sconder above the town of zell , falleth into the weser , the which city of brunswick , hath been at variance with their dukes from the year of , untill this present year . henricus senior duke of brunswick , besieged it a whole year in vain . henricus junior , the father of duke julius that now is , besieged it twice , once by the space of six weeks , and another time eight weeks together , and prevailed not . the said duke julius is now agreed with them , and entreth the town with seven hundred horse , the third of october next ; but is not to remain there with any force . in this city is an ancient monument of a monstrous brazen lyon , the which beast duke henricus , surnamed leo , is said to have brought thither with him out of england . there is also made in this city the best harnis for the proof , and otherwise , and the best daggers , and firelocks that be in all europe . lubeck , upon the river of trowe , hath as it were conserved the king of denmark in his seat , against the swede , but is at this day greatly impoverished because of the continuall wars they have had with the king of sweden , and stopping of a river between them and the city of hamburge called the trow , with jasper bucolt , a gentleman of that country , because they refused to pay a small towl unto him , hath of mallice thrown a number of great trees and stones into it , so that they cannot traffique too , and for hamburge by water as they were wont to do . but are driven to carry all their wares by land , which is greatly to their discommodity . hamburge standing at the mouth of the great river of albis , about one hundred english miles beneath , is famous for the number of beer-brewers , whereof there are dwelling there , housholders seven hundred and twenty . there is also ausperge upon the river of leche , in the which are the richest merchants in europe , namely the fowlkers , peimels , schorers , bawingartners , &c. francford standing upon the river of mene , is famous for the two great marts that are kept there yearly , and for the election of the emperour . regensburge ( as was before said ) is now under a bishop , but once was meerly subject to the empire , where caesar frederick the third , in anno , did hold a dyett , to the which diet for certain respects , a strait commandment was given by the emperour , that no earl should bring more servants than three , nor no knight nor gentleman more than one . at the same time there was a gentleman named babo , of abenspurge , the which by two lawfull wives , had eight daughters , and thirty two sons all living at one time , and of good age and stature , and hearing of this dyett , brought his thirty two sons thither , being all apparelled in red , and thirty three servants with them , all well mounted , his sons riding before him , and his servants after him . and when the emperout heard that the said babo was come to the dyett with so many horses , he sent for him and asked wherefore he had broken his commandment ? to whom babo answered , may it please your majesty , i have not transgressed your will , for i and my thirty two sons of my body lawfully begotten , and therefore right gentlemen , have but thirty three servants , which is for every gentleman a servant , according to your majesties commandment . the emperour marvelling at the blessing of god , gave unto him at that present great possessions to maintain his geneology with all , and caused a monument to be made in the city of regensburg of him and his children , the which at this day remaineth there to be seen . but now there is none alive of that house ; for in the wars that were betwen the dukes albert , and christopher of bavaria , in anno , nicholas of abensperge , which only remained of all that stock , was slaine by a servant of the said duke christophers , and his inheritance given away . exford upon the river of vnstra , an old university founded in anno , in the which martyn luther first studied and became a frier in that city , and there remaineth to this day for a monument of him , the pulpit wherein he made his first sermon . noriberge upon the river of b●gnitz , notable aswell for the good government , as also for resisting the force of albert , marques of brandenburge and for all kind of iron work which is there made excellently well . luneburge upon the aller and elmenawe , famous for the golden table which is in saint michaels abby , and is almost two yards long and a yard broad , set full of old rubies , &c. it was given by duke erneste of stuplecorne , who was elector of saxony , and duke of brunswick and luneburge &c. who wan the same table at dice of a jew , as is reported . there is in the city of luneburge , which is distant above twenty eight english miles from the main sea , a salt pitt , out of the which six men by a pumpe do continually both night & day , changing every five houres fresh men , draw so much salt water as serveth fifty four houses in , every of the which houses there be four leaden pannes that boile in a day and a night a wagon load of salt , which is sold for six dollers one time with another , which amounteth yearly to above one hundred thousand pound sterling . the spiritualty hath the most part of the commodity thereof . there are in every house three labourers at the least , so as by the benefit thereof a number of poor people are set on work . collen is an ancient university founded in anno , and a great city ; wherein is said to be for every day of the year , a church . in it also are three idols of pure gold , which the blind papists believe to be the images of the wise men that offered to our saviour christ , and are thought to be brought thither by the bishop of that city from millian in lumbardie . in the same city are also i cannot tell how many thousand virgins skuls , which the doting antiquity believed to be slaine in england for the testimony of the gospell vlma standing upon the river danubius , a very great and rich city . aquisgrave that once was the seat of carolus magnus , and after the place of his sepulture , where the emperour ought also to receive his first crown as king of the romans . in the which city is kept for a relique , an old linnen cloath which the grosse papist shame not to affirme to be the virgin maries smocke , like as not farre off at fere , they dream also to have the shirt of our saviour christ , by the which no small gain riseth to the proud prelats from the poor simple people . argentine or strasburge , standing upon the river of brushe , is one of the strongest pieces in germany . in the which there are seven hundred and odd gardners that are houshoulders and are no small maintainers of that commonwealth . spire also , is the chamber of the empire , where all controversies in law between the princes and the free cities of the empire are decided . in the which court the emperour presenteth the president , who is commonly either an earle or baron , who hath for his fee yearly three thousand guildernes , and two other barons assessors , the which have fifteen hundred guildernes apeice . and every elector hath a counsellour there alwayes resident , and every circle of the empire hath also one which are called sessors camere , who solicit the cause of there princes or estate , and have for their fee yearly five hundred guildernes a peice allowed them , out of the chamber of the empire . to this court all the other courts , except before excepted , both of the princes and free cities in germany do appeal , and receive by the civill law there a definitive sentence . all these free cities for the most part do stand upon rivers , whereof the principall are danubius , rhenus , albis , menus , mose , mosella , amisia , visurgis , egra , odera , vestula , &c. of the which danubius falleth into mare euxinum by constantinople , and the rest into the ocean . and by the benefit of these rivers and other small rivers that fall into these , the abovesaid free cities are cheifely maintained , for by meanes thereof they have traffique with the most part of other nations . the commodities that commonly are had in germany , are , copper , brasse , rhenish wine , rie , firr-tree wood , woll , madder , hopps , wax , flax , blew-sclate , harnis , harquebushes , daggers , locks , and all kinde of iron work , horses , onyon seed , paper , furrs , glasses for windowes , and drinking glasses , with such like , the which are transported from one city to an other , and so to other nations for other comodities that they have need of . there be also in germany divers great and rich cities , that partly are fallen away from the obedience of the empire , and partly forced under the power of other princes or states adjacent , as basilia , geneva , schaffhawsen , and milhawsen , the which at divers times have been all won to the confederacy of the helvetians , or switchers . dantzicke standing upon the river vistula , neer the ocean , a great city and chiefe market of all the north part is become subject , together with eluma , and a great part of prusia , to the king of polonia . in anno , rostocke was taken by the duke of mechleburge . constance is under the king of the romans , mettz , thove , and verdune are possessed by the french king. vtrict , and cambrais king phillip enjoyeth , with many others which now are not contributers to the empire as other free cities are . the free cities , because they cannot otherwise be commanded , are called in all necessary affaires of the empire , as is aforesaid , by the emperour to the diet : in the which diet , as they be called three estates , so they are three counsels . into the first counsel come only the seven electors . into the second the princes spirituall , and temporall , and for every abbot of the empire enter two parsons , and for every count and baron enter likewise two . and into the third counsell come those that are sent from the free cities . unto all those three severall counsels are propounded such matters as either the emperour , or the king of the romans , or any other prince of the empire hath to intreat of . upon the which every of them give their advise a part . an in this diet , the free cities give only their advise , but are allowed no sentence . thus much touching the politicall government of these three estates in civill affaires . now it remaineth that i speake something of their religion , whereof in germany there be three kinds especially used , viz. popery , calvenism ( as they term it ) and lutherism . they which abide in popery are the three spirituall electors , with all the rest of the archbishops and bishops , except the bishop of magdeburg , who is the elector of brandenburgs eldest son and heire , and the archbishop of bream , who is the second son to duke francis of lawenburg , the which two have induced their dioces from popery to lutheranism . of the three archbishops electors , the archbishop of treere , who is of a mean gentlemans house , is the most vehement in popery , and the greatest enemy to the other professions . the archbishop of mentz , who is also of another mean gentlemans house in hessia , called daniell brendell , albeit he favoreth popery with all his heart , yet doth he suffer every man to use the liberty of his conscience throughout all his country ; and in many of his cities the lutherans preach the gospell . the like may be said of the archbishop of collen , who is the only heire male of the county of isenburg , and is by reason thereof feodarie to the count pallatine , elector , who wrote to him in december last in anno . at which time the inheritance of the said county fell to the said archbishop , that according to the laws and customes in germany , he should within one year next following , being the only heire male left in his house , either take a wife , or else he would , as by right he might , being cheif lord , seize upon the said county : whereupon the archbishop made answer , that he would within the said time marry a wife , which yet he hath not done as i hear . of all the rest of the ecclesiasticall princes , the bishop of munster is the greatest enemy to the true religion , and the greatest suporter of the contrary . the abbot of fulda , who is the emperesses chancelour by inheritance , hath in his teritories all sorts of religion , viz. jesuits , jews , lutherans , anabaptists , &c. of the temporall lords that dwell in germany , the duke of bavire only maketh open profession of popery , whose country abideth still in the dregges thereof . as also the country of tirolis , and alsatia do that are under archduke ferdenando , and stiria , and carinthia , that are under archduke charles , the emperours brethren . duke francis of lawenburg , and duke john william of saxony , albeit they professe lutherism , yet being provoked , partly by poverty and needinesse , and partly by the sinister perswasion of their preachers , who maketh them believe that the calvenists be worse then the papists , they have been contented to aide the papists aganist them of the religion : the one with the duke of alva , in whose hire he yet remaineth : and the other which is duke john william in the second civell wars in france , served the french king. the like also did of late philibert , marques of baden , who was slaine by the admirall in the last conflict of france . there be also other noble men of germany , that this day live out of their country , partly for lack of living , and partly because their country is against their will reformed in religion , as duke erick of brunswick , and peter erneste of mansfeld , who have abandoned their country and live at present under the duke of alva . and the counties of ringrave , who serve the french king. but all these that thus have , and doe serve against the religion , are with the most part of the nobility and states of their native country the worse esteemed , and have the lesse credit the count pallatine , and the electors of saxony , have through all their domiminions , and circles of the empire , commanded all their subjects of what estate or degree soever he be , by publike edict , which now are in the service of any papist , that they within a certain time , upon pain of confiscation of their lands , and goods , shall return home , and have by the same given commandement to all other their subjects , that they , nor any of them , upon like pain , shall hereafter goe unto the service of the french king , the duke of alva , or of any other forrigen potentate , without their lycense and consent . of the free cities that are not subject to any other power then only to the empire , besides munster , aquisgrave , and collen , i know not any that professeth altogether popery , and yet in all these , any man may use his conscience without constraint to live after their order : and in collen a number of those which are banished out of the low countrys for their religion , have liberty at this day to remain ; whereof the principall are the prince of oringe , the countesse of horne , and the count of killingbrooke &c. the cities of colmar , sledstat , kaysersberge , &c. in alsatia superior , not withstanding that they are after a sort imperiall , yet they be properly under the archduke ferdinand , and therefore do maintain popery still ; the which religion the common people and most part of the citizens there , do so little regard , as , if they had means , they would reform it in like sort as their neighbours of hagona , turkeine , mynster , &c. of late about three years past , have done . the second kind of religion that is used in germany , is that which they call calvenisme , of the which , amongst the nobility , onely the count palatine and the grave of embden maketh profession , and have accordingly reformed their countries . and of the free cities breme only beginneth to incline that way , by reason that the chiefest burgomaster danyell van buren , and millanus , the chief schoolmaster there , are earnest in that opinion , and labour all that they may to reduce the state there to their minde . all the rest both of the princes and free cities in germany , except before excepted , are lutherans in profession of doctrine , and papists in ceremonies : for they have at this day in their churches , images , lamps , torches , copes , vestments , albes , surplices , crosses , altars , and the very same superstitious rites and ceremonies , both in administring the communion ( saving that they deliver it in both kinds in their mother tongue without any elevation . ) in baptism , marriage , auricular confession , and burying , even as the papists have . there is at this day two sorts of the lutherans in germany , whereof the one sort is called truncistae , because they affirm that a man is born , quasi truncus in regeneratione , having no power of himself to do well , and that works be not necessary to salvation : and that the church is too much burthened with ceremonies . this opinion did matthias flaccus illericus as argentine maintain to be the doctrine of luther ; whom , wigandus of gena , with all the rest of duke john william of wimars preachers , do follow . the other sort are termed sunergistae , because they say that god draweth hominem volentem in regenerationem , and that good works are requisite to follow faith in mans justification , and that ceremonies be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , things indifferent . of this sort is georgius major , who , with all the divines in the universities both of wittemberge , and leyipzeigke , and withall the princes of the elector augustus , do maintain this to be the doctrine of philip melancton . this contention is gone so far between these preachers and divines of both sides , that the princes of each side are become parties therein , for the pacifying thereof it was thought good by the wisest of either side to have the matter openly disputed , the which was done at aldenburge , a town in saxony , between both the said princes dominions , in feb ▪ last . the which disputation is set forth in print . but the faction notwithstanding continueth , and to what end that will come , the lord in heaven onely knoweth . but wise men doubt that these are but the beginnings of a further mischief to come upon germany , and the dutch nation , who both for their security in religon , dissolute living , and horrible drunkenness , do exceedingly provoke the plague of god unto them . to these three kindes of religions used in germany , there may be added a fourth , which is of newtrals , such as are the duke of cleive , and the emperour . and first touching the duke of cleive , albeit for his own part he professeth lutheranisme , yet by means of his wife , who is the emperours sister , and of his chancellor , who is an earnest papist , the romish religion is permitted throughout all his dominions , to as many as like the same , who are not a few . on the other side , the emperour , although he make publick profession of popery in his court ; yet as well in his countrey of austria , which is a member of the empire , as also in all his other dominions , for the most part the confession of augusta , is for certain respects , and after a sort , granted to such as are desirous thereof ; but the greatest number of his subjects do dwell still in popery , the which religion , the emperour himself , as it is reported , doth not in conscience like , although for some wordly respects he dare not but dissemble the same ; for there are , both some of his privy councill , whom i know , that professe openly the reformed religion , and divines , both learned , and noblemen in germany , the which have had secret conference with him in that behalf , who do affirm assuredly , that he knoweth the truth in religion , & that for pollicies sake he dissembleth the same : but howsoever the matter doth stand , and whatsoever he maketh men to believe to the contrary , sure i am , that in all his actions , both publick and private , he hath shewed himself an enemy to all those of the religion : and on the contrary part , hath favoured and supported the romish faction , for the which respect he hath at this present so little favour with the princes , protestants in germany , as both his authority is with them the less regarded , and their minds so alienated from him , as they are purposed never in their time to establish the succession of the empire in his house , neither yet during his reign , to come any more themselves in person to any dyett that he shall appoint for what cause soever it be . wherefore considering the premisses , a man may gather hereof a state conjecture , and conclude with the saying in the gospell , that for as much as this nation of germany is in so many respects divided in it self , that it shall in the end suffer desolation . the ten provinces or circuits of the empire , and what horsemen and footmen , every one is bound to contribute in all necessary affairs for the state of the empire . where is to be noted that the protestants in the same , do double their contribution . . circulus quatuor electorum ad rhenum , whereof the count palatine is head . horsemen . footmen . mentz . collen . trier . palatinatus . philip count of nasshaw , and brelstem . count of newenard . lords of rifferschird . lords of reyneck . bayliffes of confluence . abbot of st maximyn . prenost of selz . town of geluhausen . gerloch lord of nether isemburge . summ. . summ. . the circle of franconia whereof george ludovike of zenzam is head . bamberge . wartzburge . aystat . duchemr . amburge the provost . abbey of st giles . marquess of brandenburge as burgrave of noriburg . count hennan of hennyberge . count william of hennyberge . count of castell . count of wortheim . count of reyneck of lar. count albrecht of horulor . count george of horuloe . count wolf of horulor . regenspurge bishop of wurtzburge . heirs of schenckgotzen of limpurge . george , and william cupbearers of limpurge . ebererd and valentine pincernae lords of eberbache . heirs of count john of schwarzberge . the town of norinberge . the town of rodtenburge . swinford . wynsheym . weysenburge . summ. . summ. . . the circle of bavaria whereof the duke of bavire is head. the archbishop of saltzburge . the bishop of bassaw . the bishop of brisingen . the bishop of regensburge . bishop of rempsen . provost of betchtadsgaden . abbot of waldsachsen . abbot of rode. abbot of raysheime . abbot of haymerachs . abbess of nether mynster . abbess of over mynster . dukes william and lodowicke palatines . ottho henry phillips countes palatines . landtgrave of lichtenberge . count of haage . countes of ortenberge . barons of stanssen of erenselfe . lords of degenberge . lords of wolsteine and barons of over sultzberge . town of regenspurg . summ. . summ. . . the circle of austria with the countries and estates apertaining , whereof the emperour is head . archduke of austriche . trent . brixen . gurke . sackaw . cavall . bayliffes of ostriche . bayliffe of etsche within the mountain . count george of schemburg in the county of entz. barons of wolchenstein . lords of cassentrin . lords of rogendorfe . count of hardeche . summ. . summ. . the circle of suevia whereof in the place of christopher late duke of wertemberge , charles marquess of radan is now head . bishop of auspurge . bishop of constans . bishop of cur. abbot of rempten . abbot of rephenawe . abbot of st. gallus . provost of elwangen . salmenschweyler . wyngarten . schutter . weisenaw . st blasie . st petro in silva sereina . maulbrunen .   schaffhausen . steyne upon the rheyne . petershausen . emisedell . pfeffors . rrentzlingen . dissides . st john in turgaw . schaschrurent . rockenburck . ochsengaroson . koningsborn . marckthall . elchingen . psuye . munchrodt . owersperge . hursawe . gengenhache . abbess of lindawe . abbess of rottencuaster . abbess of bynhawe . abbess of hickhache . abbess of guttstell . abbess of bounde . bayliffes in alsatia and burgundia . duke of wirtenberge . marquess phillip of baden . count vlrich of helsenstein . count of werdenberge . count of ottingham . count of rupsen . counts of mimdford wolsange . counts of mimdford johan . count frederick of furstanberge . count of eberstem . solern joachim and wegand sons to count francis. randolfe count of sultz . lewis and frederick of lewinstem . tubengen . the inhabatants in the county of kirkberge . brandis the count radalfe of sultz . zimmern . the inhibitants of the signiorie of islingen . christopher count of denngen . gandelfing lord of schwdukharte . dapiferi de waldeburge & possessores honor : de sonnenburge . heirs of the lord leo of stanffe . sigismond lord of fawlkenstein . john lord of roingsocke . john dennys lord of konigs ekerberge . gandalf & walter lord of serotzecher . lord of hoenloe . augusta . rawssbewru . vlma . mynningen . rempten . bibrache . lutkirtche . pslyn . wangen . lyndawe . ravenspurge . buerchorn . vbereingen . constance . pfullendorfe . st. gallas . schafdansen . renthingen . esslingen . sunndt . weyl . helbron . wiwpfen . hall. drinkelspuell . dopffingen . gingen . alen. nortlingen . werdt . buchatt . offenburge . gengenbache . zell in hamberspache . rotheoell . summ. . summ. . the circle of the rhine whereof the count of sulmos is head. bishops of wormes . bishop of speire . bishop of strasburge . bishop of basill . bishop of bysontz . bishop of wallis . bishop of geneva . bishop of losanna . bishop of metz ▪ bishop of doll . bishop of verdon . abbot of fuldawe . abbot of hirchfell . abbot of murbache . provost of wisenburge . master of the jobaintes . provest of odenhayme . abbot of st. gregories . abbot of rfrin . abbess of ranfinget . duke of lorayne . duke john count of spanheime . duke of savoy . donest marques of baden . duke lewis count of veldent . landgrave of hesen . prince of calyn . john lewis count of nasshawe of barbruck . ringraves with the tutors of the children of phillip deceased . wolfgange lord of leipoltzkirche . lord of krirchingen . phillip of buxing lord of oberstein . raynard count of bitch his children . george of recheshoven count of bitsch . nicholas count of salyn . phillip count of hannaw , lord of litchtenburge . emmieht and englehardt , brothers , lords of leinnigen . werrich of oberstein count of folkenstein . john jacob lord of merspurg and beffort . lord of bavilstein . the inhabitants of high koningsperg , john of sukingen to bring them to eusisheim . of the duke of lorrayne , as possessor of the signiory of blankenburge . phillip of wysbaden count of nassaw . eberhard count of koningstein lord of ebstein . john and anthony of buttingen counts of nether isenburge . william count of sulmos . barnard count of sulmos . tutors of the goods of the count of wayker of leymengen to bringe their souldiers to the lords of riepolkirch and of oberstein of rixingen . balthasar as tutor to the children of phillip count of hannow , lord of muntzburg late deceased . can count of westerburge . william count of wytenstein . phillip and harry counts of waldeck . lords of bless . towns. bassil . mulhausen in sim●kaw . colmar . kaysersberge . turkheim . munster in the valley of st. gregories . strasburge . obernesheim . rosheim . stridestade . haganawe . wysenburge upon the rhine . landaw . speire . worms . francford . fridburg . weislor . metz. the order of the knights of the castle of frieberge . the order of the knights of the castle of gelhausen . doll . verdun . kansmans sarbrucke . bisons . summ. . summ. . the circle of westphalia and of the low country , whereof the duke of cleve is head. padenborn . lutich . vtriche . munster . chamerick . osenbruck . pserden . mynden . werden . stabell . st. cornelius minster . achternach . corfei . hawerden . essen . duke john of burchenburge . duke john of cleve and marcke . barnard marques of baden of lutzenburge . william of dillinmarke count of nashaw . john count of sam. william count of fuerberge . diotrick . counts of manderscheid . john counts of manderscheid . james counts of manderscheid . john count of wye , lord of ruchen . william count de morsch lord of rodenache . justus lord of brimkurst . eberwein count of bewthen . arnold count of steinfeld . the possessors of the goods of the lords of turmesex . counts of teckinberge . john count of oldenburge . otto lord of rieperge . justus count of hoye . frederike count of tirfeild . schawenburge , and gemma . lord of spitzenburge . lord of wargenburge eberhard and rupreckt of the marcke , lords of arenburge . limaw count of frunenburge for the inhabitants of the signiory of someraw● . symon lord of lyffie . collen . aquesgreve . nether-wesell . dewer . camerich . dortumbt . sost. dusburge . herwarden . bracken . warburge . verdon . leinchawe . summ. . summ. . the circle of saxony superior whereof augustus the elector is head. john elector of saxony . ihoachim marques of brandenburge , elector . bishop of meissen . bishop of mersperge . bishop of nawumburge . bishop of brandenburge . bishop of havelburg . bishop of lebus . bishop of camyn . abbot of salfeld . abbot of rittershawsen . abbot of walchenried . abbot of luedelburge . abbess of gerenrode . george duke of saxony . george duke of barvim . all the princes of anhal● . gunter the elder countz of scwartzburge . gunter the younger countz of scwartzburge . john henry countz of scwartzburge . all the countz of manfelt . otto count of stolberge . bein count of hunstein . erneist count of hunstein . adam count of benchlingen . countez of rapm . countez of baxby and meulingen . all the countez of gleichem . countez of lyswecke . contez of wyldenselss . lords of geracoe . renssen of blat lord of gretz . barons of schoenberge . barons of dantenberge pincernae . lords of branderstain and rentz . dantzik . ilburge . summ. . summ. the circle of saxonia inferior , whereof adolf duke of holstein is head. of the king of denmarke for those his countries that belong to the empire . the archbishop of magdenburge . the archbishop of bream . hyldechem and bishops . lubeck bishops . schwerin ratzenburge . seblswyke . magims duke of lawenburge . erick dukes of brunswike . henry dukes of brunswike . ernest dukes of brunswike . philip dukes of brunswike . henry dukes of mechelburge . albert dukes of mechelburge . fredrick duke of holstein . countez of honstein . countez of rhenstein . lubeck . hamberck . muthawsin in thuringia . northansen . gosler . gottengen . summ. . summ . the circle of burgundia , whereof king phillip is head. duke of burgundia , for so much of his country as pertaineth to the empire . nawssaw and breda , lords of weryn . lords of egmond and iselstein . lords of bergea and walda . aswold count of bergin . summ. . summ. . summ. totall , horsemen , . summ. totall , footmen , . finis . courteous reader ▪ be pleased to take notice that these books following , are printed for , and sold by william miller at the gilded acorn in st pauls church-yard , near the little north door . hickes revelation revealed . folio . clark's martyrology compleat , with the persecutions of england to the end of queen maries reign . folio . — lives of ten eminent divines , some being as follow ; bishop vsher , dr gouge , dr harris , mr gataker , mr whittaker , &c. and some other famous christians . º — the lives and deaths of such wotthies who by their prudence , policy , and power have purchased and procure to themselves the surnames of great . º — life of christ. º — life of herod the great . º — life of nebuchadnezzar , and cyrus the great ; the one , the first founder of the babylonian empire , the other , the first founder of the empire of the medes and persians . º — life of alexander the great , the first founder of the grecian empire , as also of charles the great , commonly called charlemagne , the first founder of the french empire , º — the life and death of hannibal ▪ the great captain of the carthaginians , who maintained wars against all the power of rome for eighteen years together in italy . as also the life and death of epaminondas , the great captain of the thebans , who was famous both for his vertues and valour . º — the life and death of pompey the great , with all his glorious victories and triumphs . as also the life and death of artaxerxes mnemon , one of the great persian emperours . º — the life and death of julius caesar , the first founder of the roman empire . as also the life and death of augustus caesar in whose raign our blessed lord and saviour jasus christ was born . — a prospect of hungary , and transylvania , together with an account of the qualities of the inhabitants , the commodities of the countries , the chiefest cities , towns , and strong-holds , rivers , and mountains , with an historycal narration of the wars amongst themselves , and with the turks , continued to this year . as also a brief description of bohemia , austria , bavaria , steirmark , croatia , dalmatia , moravia , and other adjacent countries , contained in a map joyned therewith , by which map you may know which places are in the power of the turk , and which christians have , o. — ministers dues . º cradock's knowledge and practice ; or , a plain discourse of the chief things necessary to be known , believed , and practised in order to salvation , º ford of baptism . º vennour's whole armor of god. º cotton , on the covenant of grace , º culverwell , of assurance , º records urinal of physick , º ravius oriental grammer , º peacocks visitation , º dr tuckney's good day well improved , º — death disarmed , º — balm of gilead , º cleaveland poems characters and letters . º clamor sanguinis , º aristippus or balscat's master-piece . º king charles's works , o. defence and vindication of tithes , º dr mays relation of a strange monster , or serpent found in the left ventricle of the heart of a gentlemen , º estwicks christ's submission to his fathers will , º ferriby lawfull preacher , o. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e ten provinces of germany . the governours of ●he ten provinces elected . the empire consisteth of church-men , temporall potentates and free-cities . the diett . the first estate of the empire . the heads of the church-men . archbishop of mentz chancellour of germany . archbishop of collen , and trier . archbishop of saltzburg . archbishop of magdeburge . arch-bishop of bream . twenty five bishops . the two estates of the empire . temporal electors four . first count pallatine of the rhine . second duke of saxon. third marquis of brandenburge . fourth king of behemia . the electors may chuse also a king of romans . duke of bevaria . the common guildern or floren is worth . starling . duke of saxon. marquesse of brandenburge . duke of brunswick . the daller is worth s d sterling . duke of lumberge hamberge . duke of lawenburge : princes of anhalt . landgrave of hessen . duke of wirtemberge . duke of pomer & mechelberge . marquesse of baden . order of preheminence . . electors . . dukes . . marquesses . landgraves . burgraves . . earles . . barons ▪ knights . the three estates of the empire . free cities , the number . their tribute . absolute power of the three-estates . the government and p●licy of the count - pallatine . his court. . his counsell . . counsell . . counsell . . counsell . his reformation of the spitituall court. counsell . officers of his court. the exercises of the pallatine . his parliament . his countries . his religion . his touble in the diett at augusta , for religion . his chiefe court. no appeal from him punishment of adultery and fornication .